Tumgik
#since when did I start 'saving' piece like this...... this is entirely new. usually I either draw in one go or drop it
froglights-and-pearls · 10 months
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𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥
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Miguel O’Hara x f!reader
Summary: you and Miguel have this unofficial thing going, he’s not entirely satisfied with that
Tags: suggestive, mentions of sex
Notes: I know very little about Spider-man 2099 and the Spiderverse movies and comics as a whole beyond some basic stuff, I’m just here to simp over Oscar Issac in all his forms
601 words, unedited, full of my usual rambly style
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“Same time next week?”
She could see his shoulder, now clad in a black shirt and no longer gloriously bare (as it had been moments before when he leaned over the bed to grab his shirt, giving her a generous view of his back, broad shoulders and delicious back muscles and thin red lines from her nails), tensing before Miguel turned around abruptly, his lips pulled into a frown, his eyebrows creased, leaning against the doorframe with a huff.
“I said I didn’t want this to be a regular thing.” Miguel crossed his arms, his eyes trailing down from her face, her messy hair, and down to her chest, barely concealed under the sheet she had haphazardly pulled over herself to save her from the cold, before he abruptly lifted his gaze back to her eyes.
“Yeah? You said that several months ago, and yet, you’re here almost every weekend.”
It was always the same, he’d turn up at her door at an ungodly hour of the night, tired, his face sunken, his eyes boring down at her, that same mysterious red hue ever present, and he’d more often than not ask, sheepishly, to come in, and the pair would stumble into bed together, and it had been this way on and off since she had dragged him home to fuck her silly late one night when they were the only two left in the office, finally acting on all those stolen looks and lingering tension that had persisted for months since she met her stubborn, frustratingly attractive coworker, with only weeks in between when she’d barely see him at work, like he avoided her like the plague, and she’d spend the weekend bitterly alone, trying to drown out the ache in her chest.
He sighed, traipsing back to her bed and setting himself down on the edge just next to her, his hands finding the sheet and fiddling with it.
“It’s not fair on you—”
“Oh, cut it out, O’Hara.” She spat, sitting up and grasping his chin, turning his head to face her, “I’ve had enough of your self-sacrificing, ‘I’m doing this to protect you’ shtick, this isn’t the first time you’ve brought this up and I’m starting to think it won’t be the last.” He winced, and she dropped her hand, finding his on the bed, “I think you need to let yourself be more selfish, if you want something, take it, stop making yourself the martyr all the damn time.”
Miguel huffed, squeezing her hand, bringing his other to cup her cheek, “I don’t like casual relationships, but I’m too worried I’ve led you to believe that this,” he gestured his hand vaguely, taking his hand away from her cheek, “whatever it may be, is all we could ever be.”
His eyes find hers in the darkness, lidded and so, so tired.
“So what you’re saying is,” she began, searching his eyes for any sense of apprehension, of weariness, “you want to be my boyfriend?”
Miguel’s eyes darted away from hers, and he nodded slowly.
She leaned forward to press a chaste kiss to his lips.
“Come on,” she moved over, patting the bed beside her, “stay the night.”
“Mmm,” he leaned forward, pressing another kiss to her lips, this one more passionate, more promising, “depends, will you be my girlfriend?”
She scoffed, “Is that even a question? Of course I will, now, come on, it’s getting cold.” And he was always oh so warm.
He took his shirt off, throwing it back onto the floor, “I can think of a few ways to keep warm.”
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This is a little treat for myself for getting through one of my English exams in one piece (I’m almost halfway through exams, god bless)
Any feedback is appreciated, I’m relatively new to the fandom and though I know a fair amount more than I did yesterday, there’s still a few quirks I haven’t quite worked out
This is the reason why I updated my blog to have a Masterlist and generally look more pretty :)
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eviesaurusrex · 2 years
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Waking up || S. Strange
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[picture is not mine!]
pairing: Stephen Strange x Stark!Reader
word count: 3.4k
summary: Waking up beside the man you love more than words could ever describe is something entirely different.
warnings: so much fluff and sugar, you'll die from a sugar shock (maybe), the morning voice of Stephen (yes, that is a warning), kissing, cuddling in bed, suggestive topics because c'mon, they love each other so much, that's why this one is probably kinda 18+ (idk), an "I am so very sorry" end.
author's note: After my first ever uploaded story about Stephen (click me! no, click me!) I impulsively decided to create my own little universe around these two lovestruck fools. Enjoy!
[Minors DNI]
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It was quiet inside the halls of the Sanctum Sanctorum while the sun rose steadily over the horizon to start a new day. Only the faint noise of the buzzing streets of New York City was heard where busy people went to their busy but boring jobs and didn’t spend a second glance at the building standing tall at 177A Bleecker Street. If they had, they would’ve gotten the strangest of all views and could’ve had the strangest of all stories to tell. Who would believe them that they saw a floating red cape in one of the windows without an actual human being wearing it? And if they had stood longer than a few seconds to witness the magic within this strange building, the busy New Yorker could’ve seen a Sorcerer hot on the cloak’s heels.
But instead, the steps and grumbling of Wong only woke a sleepy woman in one of the four-poster beds belonging inside the Sanctum. A nest of untamed hair peeked from underneath the large blanket in which she had rolled herself while dreaming of design plans, upcoming orders, and budget meetings. Nobody had said it was a pleasant dream that accompanied the usually busy woman.
A yawn escaped the fort of blankets and pillows, emerging with stretched arms and a sigh full of contentment before the nose of the Stark peeked over the blanket burrito. Ever since understanding how comfortable a blanket could be, she had the habit of transforming herself into a blanket burrito – and stealing every piece of fabric in the process of it. Tearing her mouth wide to yawn again, she rolled as slowly and carefully as she could muster in her current state onto the other side and pulled the blanket with her. Surprisingly, the lower half of the man lying beside her was covered with one of the blankets that usually had its place over the armchair in the adjacent walk-in closet. She couldn’t help herself but softly smile at the view in front of her droopy eyes, still incredibly heavy from the lack of a healthy amount of sleep.
Scooting closer to the black-haired man, she slowly unraveled her own blanket to share it with him like she always did as soon as she opened her eyes morning after morning. After she was content with the result, the Stark woman scooted even closer to nuzzle herself into his warm, inviting side before resting her head tiredly on his chest.
These mornings, lazy mornings, were her favorite because she finally could enjoy his presence, warmth, and love without fearing the alarm to get off to bring them both back into reality. She hated the concept of reality when she could stay with him but had to be a responsible adult again as soon as the sun was up. But today, she didn’t care about responsibilities, being an adult, and gracing the compound with her presence. Today, she would stay in bed as long as she could with the man she loved more than anything else in this world. Neither of them had to save the world today. The superhero exchange market was closed until the end of the weekend. Humanity had to call her brother and his not-so-secret secret boyband group for urgent matters.
Sighing again, the Stark tried to find a comfortable position on the soft mattress but without waking the man next to her, before giving up and just entangling her legs with the other pair in this bed. As soon as skin touched skin, the woman hissed lowly at the feeling of icy cold feet and almost jerked back onto her bedside. Throwing a glance down along the furniture, she determined the problem. With just another sigh – this time with much more frustration – she tried to push the fabric over his feet without waking him up. But his raspy voice thwarts her fruitless attempts.
“I thought we said something about sleeping in,” Stephen mumbled groggily, still half asleep and his blue eyes barely open. With a deeply apologetic expression on her beautiful face, the Stark leaned down and kissed the corner of his mouth gently. “I’m sorry, darling,” she whispered, nuzzled against his cheek, and peppering his warm skin with soft pecks of her lips. “I stole the blankets again, and only tried to warm up your ice block-like feet.”
The Sorcerer Supreme hummed contently, eyes already fully closed again and a barely visible smile on his tempting lips. The woman laid herself over the expansion of his chest, both arms crossed over the hard muscles and bed the chin on her arms. “Blanket thief.” Still raspy from sleep, Stephen’s voice rumbled in his chest underneath her, and the woman chuckled. Glistening eyes were trained on the Sorcerer in front of them, and she smiled full of adoration and happiness.
“You knew that long enough to consider not letting me in your bed and near your blankets,” she grinned while bending her head to pepper the bearded chin with kisses. Chuckling softly at the tickly feeling of his stubbles, strong arms wrapped themselves around the delicate body on him, and Stephen pulled the woman even closer. Now they were nose to nose, and the doctor finally opened his eyes fully. “I like having you in my blankets, Miss Stark.” – “Of course, you do, Doctor Strange,” came the retort instantly while memories of last night flooded her mind.
Tangled bodies, flying pieces of clothing, and soft moans echoed through the bedroom after they had finally made it onto the bed, but not without shattering Wong’s worldview and probably marked him for the rest of his life. She still felt his rough, but nevertheless soft, hands on her body and felt the desperation behind each searing kiss that matched her own. Her lips were sore in the best possible way, and her fingers ached to bury them back into the black strands of the man underneath her. She was sure that he remembered as well because Stephen gripped her hips even tighter and tried to pull her even closer, even though not a single atom would fit between their bodies.
A low growl escaped him as soon as the Stark gave in to the desire and buried the fingers of one of her hands back in his hair, lowering her face closer to his. Stephen lifted his head to meet her halfway in an equally desperate kiss like he had given her only hours ago, but the woman had other plans. Instead of kissing him like her life depended on it, her soft lips barely touched his, before wandering from one corner of his mouth to the other, to the tip of his nose, his cheekbones. His forehead. His eyes fluttered shut and remained that way until she straddled him completely and dedicated her attention to his hands.
She loved his hands. They’re bigger than hers, swallowing her hands complete when the Sorcerer grasped them to pin her onto the bed, hold her hand in public or cover them while spooning the woman through the night. The scars reminded her of delicate lines on expensive paintings her parents started to collect and which Tony kept securely locked inside one of their many vaults. Lines that ultimately formed branches and full blooming trees, radiating the calmest of feelings the youngest Stark child had ever felt while looking at a painting. The scars reminded her what a fighter the man she loved was and how he overcame obstacles some people would never face in their whole life. And thus, Stephen Strange became one of the strongest persons she ever had the pleasure to know.
Soft lips left kiss after kiss on his warm skin, warm eyes laid upon his deadly handsome face on which a loving smile tucked at his lips. Blue eyes never left her face, admiring the view as he usually does, and she took her time to kiss every inch of every scar – until she reached his fingertips. “What are you doing, love?” His still raspy - and hot as hell -morning voice asked, full of curiosity, even though Stephen already knew the drill. Sometimes the woman upon him needed to take her time to admire him – and to show him through tender acts like these how much she loved and valued him. Grinning down on the tired Sorcerer, the Stark shrugged nonchalantly and started to kiss the fingertips of his left hand.
“I.”
A kiss on his thumb.
“Just.”
One on his index finger.
“Felt.”
Now, his middle finger had its turn.
“Like.”
His ring finger got a kiss, and the Stark woman instantly lingered a bit longer. At some point, she wanted to see a ring on this finger. A ring that screamed for the entire world to see that this man belonged to her and her alone.
“It.”
A last kiss on his pinkie finger before the woman moved straightly to his other hand. Stephen chuckled lovingly and shook his head in utter awe at this woman. “You are a strange one, darling.” Still grinning, she kissed the other thumb and cocked her head slightly. “Well, we have to match, love. You’re wearing the name, and I’m the fitting attitude.” It was easy as that, even though she desperately wanted to wear his name one day as well. It certainly wasn’t love at first sight – not on her part, at least – but now, after the disaster that was their dating episode and two years living in the relationship they started after date number twenty-three, she wanted nothing else. Maybe the doctor knew, maybe not; she didn’t really care because Natasha and Wanda would point it out to him in a more inconspicuous way if he didn’t start to think about it on his own. Her sisters – not biological, but on an even deeper level – would handle it if needed.
Nothing to worry about.
Stephen’s thumb and index finger gently grasped her chin and held it in place, so he could sit up between pillows and blankets. Nose to nose, they sat in their shared bed, and the Sorcerer couldn’t resist and rub them against each other. She could see how his bright eyes slowly fell shut, and her hands, which fell onto his chest at the sudden movement, rose with his deep inhale. Half-open lips touched hers, and the Stark couldn’t resist parting her lips too and sighing contently as soon as he kissed her lovingly.
“Someday…,” Stephen began, his hand now cradling her jawline and stroking her cheek, “Someday, you’re not only wearing the attitude, my love. Someday…” He only had to move not even two inches to brush lips over lips before kissing the woman like his life depended on it. Stephen’s hand clasped the Stark’s chin again, pulling her towards his awaiting lips and lured a breathy moan out of her body. He smiled a satisfied smile within the kiss while circling the other arm around her waist and pulling the soft body of the woman flush against his. Pressed against each other, he softly licked over her bottom lip before pulling only a mere inch away. She was out of breath, and the doctor showed his girlfriend one of his signature smug grins before he turned serious again. “You will wear my name, love because as soon as the time has come, I won’t tolerate it any longer that you’re walking around without a ring on your finger. Nobody knows that you’re mine.” Except for the hundreds of thousands of buyers of tabloids, she thought, smiling like a stupid teenager. “And I want this. I want you, for the rest of times.”
Leaning her forehead against his, the woman combed through his dark strands and nuzzled her nose against his. “And then you’re always saying that you are so bad with words. I don’t wanna hear this bullshit ever again,” she whispered, feeling tears full of utter happiness emerging. Apparently, she didn’t need her sisters because out of the blue, she knew with a shocking certainty that Stephen Strange loved her as much as she loved him.
The Sorcerer smiled at her words and pushed one of her locks behind her ear, kissing the tip of her nose. “Whatever you say, my love.” Sniffling, the Stark shook her head and laughed in disbelief. “If you wanna outdo this little speech of yours when the time comes, you really have to prepare something in advance, baby,” she said, with her hand settling in its usual spot at the nape of his neck, where she could play with the shorter black hair. Her other hand cradled his jawline now while her thumb stroked softly over his full bottom lip, where a smile tucked at its corner. “Don’t you worry, love. After it, there won’t be any other men in your thoughts.”
If he knew that he already has me wrapped around his fingers…
She grinned at that thought but started to groan as soon as the phone on the bedside table started to ring. Stephen furrowed his brows and shot the device a look that could kill a living human being in a matter of seconds. “Please say it isn’t work.” Stephen’s pleading words accompanied her as she bent over (but never left his lap, of course not) and got a hold of her still ringing and vibrating phone. An unfavorable picture of Tony beamed up towards her, and another groan left the younger Stark’s mouth. With an apologetic glance back to Stephen, she picked up.
“If you don’t have anything important to say, you can hang up directly, idiot. I’m on vacation.” Who needs greetings, right? A scoff came through. “I need fresh parts for my project. The kid blew it up.” Clattering was heard in the background, followed by a familiar voice. “I am so very sorry, Miss… Mrs... Doctor Stark! Please, tell her that I’m sorry, Mr. Stark, Sir! If you can hear me, M... Doctor Stark, I am sorry, and I will make it up to you, I promise!” The kid kept on apologizing, and Tony sighed. “You see with what I have to deal? I need adult contact, so could you just please skip your vacation? Speaking of the suspicious vacation: Since when do we do vacation? Did I miss a memo?”
While she listened to her brother with an exaggerated roll of her eyes, Stephen nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck and peppered soft kisses over the exposed skin over one of his shirts. She tried to push him away to prevent the bubbling giggle inside her throat the farther he got to her weak spots. But the doctor was relentless in his attempts.
Grinning, the Stark submitted to her fate and leaned her cheek on top of his head, whereas her fingers carded again through Stephen’s dangerously attractive grey strands. “I decided I needed a vacation, so I took one. I’m a grown adult, Tony, in case you missed the last… twenty-plus years? However, you have to deal with the kid and the parts alone. Check Hangar o-seven; there should be the newest shipping stored. If you need special-special parts, you’ll have to wait till Monday morning.” She put the phone from her ear and chuckled softly as Stephen’s beard tickled her sensitive neck. “You need to stop, love.” It was only a hushed whisper, but Tony seemed to have picked something up. “Wait a second. You’re not here until Monday?!” – “Nope.” Popping the p was a habit of hers every time she spoke to her brother. Another scoff came through the line. “Let me guess. You’re with him?”
At those words, Stephen raised his head from her neck, took the phone, and ignored the gasp of his love. “Douchebag Stark, always a pleasure, but your sister now has something far more important to attend, so if you’d leave a lovely message on her voicemail and wait for her until Monday, she would appreciate it very much. Have a wonderful weekend; she certainly will have it, and my regards to the spider kid.” And with that, he hung up and threw the phone onto the empty side of the bed after turning it off.
With wide, round eyes, she sat on his lap, astonishment plastered all over her face, and a gaping mouth was all she could muster at this very moment. But then, she grinned, laughed even, and cupped his face while Stephen embraced her hips with both his hands. “So, where were we again? Ah, yes,” the Sorcerer mumbled before pulling her core against his in a swift motion, holding her close, and smugly grinned at the breathy moan that escaped her lips. “You’ll be the death of me,” was all she could whisper before the urge to kiss him grew too strong to withstand it any second longer.
Giggle and laughter filled the now brightly lit bedroom as Stephen pulled the Stark tighter against his chest and tipped them over onto the empty side of the mattress.
Neither of them intended to get up any time soon.
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She woke with a violent gasp, eyes flying open and a hand shakily outstretched to feel the empty and cold side of the bed. Turning her head, the Stark felt the first tear escaping her eye, but she wouldn’t believe what she saw.
He is just in the bathroom. Just in the bathroom…
A mantra formed in her mind, and she left the bed instantly. “Stephen?” She softly but shakily called while crossing the room and knocking at the ajar door. It opened through the pressure of her knuckles and revealed a bathroom covered in darkness. Tears stung in her searching eyes, the dream still clinging to her mind, and with a suppressed sob, the Stark ran to the door and tore it open.
The silence within the halls of the compound was deafening, but she rushed through each corridor, nonetheless, calling his name in search of him. She needed to find him, to feel him and his warmth, to hear his voice that would tell her that everything was alright, that the fear was only an illusion.
“Stephen?”
She rounded the corner and stood in the kitchen, where Steve and Natasha had a deep conversation with her brother. The three of them turned around at the sound of her voice while Rhodey sat on the couch in the living room, watching the scene with a compassionate expression.
“Hey, bubba. Everything alright?” Tony walked over to her; his arms opened invitingly to give her a much-needed hug if she wanted to have one. But he stilled in his movements as a question arose from her. “Where is Stephen?” Every person in this room exchanged shocked looks before Steve slowly came over. Tony was too shocked to even lower his still half-raised arms. “He… he is gone, love. Like all the others, he didn’t come back.” Big tearful eyes looked up at him, and slowly the Stark started to shake her head.
No. It’s not true. He was here only minutes ago. I still can feel him on my…
She looked down at her hands, clenching and unclenching them, trying to determine if the lingering feeling of his hair, his touch, was an illusion all along or if he still was with her. But she wasn’t sure.
“He… But… He was with me, I… I’m not crazy. Not crazy…” The last words were nothing more than a whisper. Natasha softly touched her shoulders and carefully stroked her hair. “You’re not crazy, we all know that, but he is gone, dorogoy (1). We lost the fight against Thanos three months ago, and Tony saw him as he… as he vanished, remember?” (1 – darling)
Natasha’s words finally pulled the Stark back into reality, out of the dream she had dreamed the previous night, after so many nights without any sleep, and reality hit her hard. Sobs racked through the weak and sleep-deprived body while hugging herself tightly. She felt as if she would fall apart in a matter of seconds, with no hold in this world and nobody to understand her fully. She was alone, lost, helpless. She wasn’t even sure how she was supposed to live further and tag along with the never-ending grief left to hold everything together. The last three months were already like a walk through hell, and her tormented soul couldn’t bring itself to try and mend away again.
Shaking her head profusely, the broken woman would’ve dropped to the ground if Tony wouldn’t have caught and pulled her into his arms. Holding the violently shaking body of his sister close to him while sob after sob escaped her mouth, he felt hopeless. “Everything will be alright, bubba. Everything…”
But she didn’t listen. She couldn’t because she knew that nobody could undo what had happened, and no one could come back.
No one, not even the Sorcerer Supreme himself.
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Comments, reblogs and likes are much appreciated! Lots of love and thanks for reading! If you want to join the taglist, please reach out and let me know!
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guilty-sugar · 7 months
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Stress Relief W/ Usopp
Reader: afab
CW: NSFW, mutual masturbation, non-established relationship, smut, MDNI
An extended period of time "alone" has reader seeking relief. Usopp is more than willing to volunteer to "help out."
If you didn't get off this ship right now, you were going to implode. It had been over a week since your last island stop and weeks longer since the last inhabited island. You were going insane. It had been so long since you'd been intimate with someone that you could practically hear your pussy whine with longing. You just needed some stimulation. Something, anything, to help release the build up of want between your thighs.
"Fuck it all!" Throwing your head back in frustration, you pulled your slick covered fingers from your core and redressed your lower half.
It wasn't working. Take that back, it wasn't even close to working. You got off your bed to go wash up before Sanji called everyone for dinner. Stomping your way across the Sunny to the dining area, thinking the entire way about what you could possibly to do solve your… issue… You sat down, staring angrily at the delicious spread of food in front of you.
"Hey, Y/N! What's got your rope in a knot?" Franky's voice broke your concentration and you quickly turned your head to face him, eyes wide with confusion. "You're starin' at that fish like you want to kill it again." Everyone else was looking at you with concern.
"Ah! I'm sorry! I didn't realize! I was just…" Your voice trailed off and your face flushed as you dropped your gaze to your hands, fingers twiddling in your lap.
"Eh, no worries. Just wanted to make sure you're feelin' alright."
"Oh, yeah!" Faking a smile as you looked up at him, "I'm fine. Just a bit tired is all."
Thankfully, Franky dropped the issue and the room was filled with it's usual disturbances. Luffy and Usopp crawling over each other to get more food, Zoro and Sanji arguing over something stupid again, Nami yelling at Luffy and Usopp as she attempted to -almost unsuccessfully- save her food from being stolen or trampled. Eating quickly and excusing yourself, you deposited your plate in the sink. It was your turn to wash the dishes tonight, so you leaned against the counter and waited for everyone else to finish, thinking about how you were going to make it until the next island.
Maybe you could ask Franky to make you something? No, that would be way too awkward. He was like an older brother. He knew so many of your secrets already, this was one you could live without him knowing. A loud crash caught your attention. Luffy had knocked Usopp out of his chair to get to the last piece of meat. Usopp jumped up to his feet and that's when you got your idea. Usopp could make you something. He made his own slingshots and that was roughly the same shape, right? Something like Kabuto would be too big of course, but it shouldn't be too much trouble to make something the right size for you. And how hard would it be to make it vibrate?
Your thoughts were interrupted again as everyone got up to leave and you and Sanji cleared the table.
"I can take care of the washing up tonight. If you wanted to go and get some rest."
"Thanks, Sanji, but I'll be alright." You smiled up at the sweet cook. You really did appreciate the offer, but you needed the time to calm your nerves and figure out just how you were going to ask Usopp to make you a vibrating toy. He'd probably think you were a pervert… Fuck that! With all of the bragging he did about his sexual exploits, who was he to judge? You were a grown ass adult and you had needs! Needs that needed to be dealt with before you started tearing apart everything around you with your bare hands. Setting the last dish down a bit too hard, the loud clank reminding you that you were still washing dishes in the kitchen. With new determination, you quickly removed your apron and hung it up on its hook to dry. Restraining yourself a bit so that you were only briskly walking and not sprinting to Usopp's workshop.
Now outside his door, you were trembling. A clenched hand hovering in front of your face too nervous to knock. Maybe he wasn't even in there? As if to answer, a small explosion sounded on the other side of the door followed shortly after by a curse. With a deep breath, you brought your knuckles to meet the wood of his door.
Knock, knock, knock
"OH! Uhm… Come in! But be careful," Usopp's voice came muffled from the other side.
Opening the door, you were immediately met with a plume of white smoke and the sound of Usopp coughing somewhere beyond it.
"Usopp? Are you alright?" Cautiously stepping forward, waving the smoke from your face, and trying not to step on anything dangerous.
"Hey, Y/N! Yeah, I'm fine. Just got something mixed up somewhere…" His voice grew softer as though he was speaking the last bit to himself. The smoke cleared and you could see him scratching the back of his head as he tried to figure out where he had gone wrong. You cleared your throat softly. "Oops, sorry. Did you need me for something?"
This was going to be harder than you thought. You could already feel the heat rushing to your face and it was impossible to keep eye contact. The request was caught in your throat. With a deep breath and a gulp, you began.
"So, uhm, I uh… I kinda have a uhm…" your voice lowered, "I have a bit of a strange request…"
"Sure thing, what's up?" Even if he couldn't help you, his curiousity got the better of him. What could you possibly need that you would be so nervous to ask him for? You, of all people. You weren't exactly shy. You could out drink, out shoot, and out swear most other pirates. Something had upset you so much that you couldn't even talk about it.
You looked up at him. His soft, brown face smudged with the ashes of whatever had just exploded. His shining eyes full of concern and curiousity. His plush lips in a slight frown as he watched you closely. You could feel your breath catch again. Watching intently as he grabbed a rag from his workbench and wiped his hands clean, paying each finger special attention as he rubbed the cloth against them. Oh, how you wanted to feel those fingers. You wanted to feel them against your neck, and down your shoulders, ever so slowly as they explored your… NO! You shook your head to clear it. Usopp was a crewmate! More than that, he's one of your closest friends! Taking another deep breath to calm the growing knot in your stomach.
Looking back at him, you noticed a missed smudge on the end of his long nose. The sight made you giggle. It eased your tension and you stepped closer to him, grabbing the rag from his hands and gently wiping away the soot. A soft blush tinted his cheeks. You brought your eyes to meet his gaze and he quickly looked away.
"Uh, thanks. So what can I do for you?" His usual demeanor returned nearly as quickly as it had dissappeared. Now it was your turn to blush and look away.
"Well, I was wondering… if you could make me a toy?"
"Huh? A toy? Sure, I guess. But what kind of toy?"
"One to uh, use. Between island stops." Voice barely above a whisper as your eyes dropped to the floor and face more red than it had ever been in your entire life. Usopp looked at you even more confused than before. You were going to have to be completely clear about what you were asking. Squeezing your eyes shut as you nearly shouted exactly what it was you were wanting him to make. "IWasWonderingIfYouCouldMakeMeAVibratingToyToHelpMeCum." Silence greeted you and you slowly opened your eyes. Usopp was staring at you with wide eyes, his face completely flushed, and a trickle of blood peeking from his nose.
"Ah! I'm so sorry!" You brought the rag up to wipe the blood away. His hand quickly caught your wrist and he dropped his head.
"I-it's fine. D-don't worry about it," he looked back at you with a sheepish grin.
"No, it's not. I've made you uncomfortable. Just forget I asked, okay?" Usopp began to chuckle. "What the hell is so funny?"
"Nothing! It's just. Is this why you've been so moody the last few days?" You could have punched him in the face.
"So what if it is? Is there something wrong with that?" The scowl on your face was intimidating and caused him to flinch.
"No! Not at all! But it's going to take me a few days to make your… toy. Will you be alright until then?"
Something flickered in the sniper's eyes, freezing you in place. Mouth going dry it seemed all the moisture in your body immediately began to pool between your thighs. You knew exactly what you wanted, what you needed. And that was Usopp, pressed against you with nothing in between. One simple look was all it took to short circuit your brain. You weren't even sure if he knew what he had just done to you. And for that second, that agonizingly long second, nothing existed outside of you and Usopp. A moment later and you had brought your lips to his in a chaste kiss. Eyes flying open in surprise as you pulled away.
Time stopped as you and Usopp stared wide-eyed at each other. He was the first to move, bringing a hand to your cheek and lowering his lips back to yours. Circling around you, lips only leaving yours so he could push the door to his workshop closed. Biting your lip as he turned back to face you, eyes glossing over with anticipation. Wrapping his hands around your waist, he brought his lips back to yours and pushed you towards his workbench. He gently lifted you to sit on the slightly cluttered surface. Your fingers traced the outlines of his abs, earning you a chuckle and wiggle from the sniper.
"That tickles," Usopp whispered against your lips. You couldn't help but giggle. Suddenly, his face darkened. "Is this alright? I mean, I don't want you to feel like I'm taking advantage of you."
"Why would you think that?"
"Because you're… you know… pretty horny. And I…" he looked away, "I really like you, Y/N. I'd be lying if I said that I hadn't thought about this moment for a long time now and-" You raised a finger to his lips to silence him. A sweet smile on your face.
"I never knew, Usopp," you placed a small kiss at the corner of his mouth. "Seems to me that I'm the one using you though," whispering along his jaw as you left a trail of kisses. Your fingers tangled in his hair as your tongue pulled the lobe of his ear between your teeth, sucking it softly.
The sniper shuddered under your touch, a moan escaped his lips, and he pushed his hips into you. Hands finding their way into your shirt, inspecting every inch of your skin, committing every detail to memory. Where your waist curved, the location of every mark, which spots caused you to squirm and moan. For certain that he was never going to get this chance again. You were like the dream he tried so hard to remember upon waking but always slipped away. But now you were actually here, in his arms, tangible, real. And he wasn't going to waste this opportunity. No matter what it might cost him.
Removing your shirt, he began kissing your shoulders, up the side of your neck, nipping and sucking at the soft skin. His hands continued their exploration to your breasts, kneading them and brushing his thumbs over your stiffening nipples. Your soft moans filled the space around you. You grabbed at his suspenders to bring him even closer aginast you before sliding them down his arms, fingers snagging the hem of his pants and pulling them down, a distinct bulge greeting you. Usopp clumisly kicked his boots off, trying not to let his mouth leave your skin. Reaching behind your back and unclipping your bra allowing himself to pull away to finally see the beautiful mounds he had imagined so many times. You removed your bra completely and he let out a small whimper before bringing his mouth to one of your nipples. Flicking his tongue against your hardened bud while he rolled and pinched your other nipple between his fingers. His other hand against your back, pulling you into him as you arched and groaned in pleasure.
"Mmm! Usopp! Feels so good!" Moans dripped from your mouth encouraging the sniper to take more of you into his mouth.
Hands drifted down to grip your bare thighs, slowly pushing your skirt up to bunch around your waist. His fingers wrapped around the elastic of your panties. Hesitating for just a moment to look in your eyes. Begging for permission to continue. You quickly nodded, a whiny 'please' barely passing your lips. Lust flashed in his eyes, greedy and hungry for all that you were offering him. He slid your panties down, exposing your already dripping cunt. Fingers gliding along your folds collecting slick with each teasing stroke. One of your hands gripped the edge of the workbench as the other began to palm his throbbing erection. Another moan escaped him before bringing his mouth back to yours. Lips connected in hurried passion, tongues meeting in a battle for dominance as you explored each other's mouths.
Pulling away, eyes still closed with your forehead resting against his, you whispered against his mouth, "I want more. Please." Without hesitation, he pushed two fingers deep inside you. You gasped sharply.
"Shit! I'm sorry! Did I hurt you?" Concern laced his voice.
"No," your breathing short and shallow as pleasure spread through your body. "It just - it feels - s-s-so good! You. You feel so good!" Ever so slowly, you began to roll your hips against his hand. Fucking yourself on his fingers.
Unable to contain your sounds of satisfaction no matter how hard you bit down on your lip. The hand on his clothed cock rubbing in sync to the rocking of your hips. His fingers curled inside you as his mouth latched onto your neck in a futile attempt to stifle his own moaning.
"F-fuck, Y/N," the rumble of his voice sending chills to your core. Pushing you so close to your climax. "I'm - so close. I - aah!" His boxers caught his load as you grinned at the growing wetness against your hand.
After a shaking breath, Usopp began pumping his fingers into you faster and harder, pressing up against your g-spot. Dropping to his knees to suck your swollen nub and digging the fingers of his other hand into your thigh. Your moans bordered on screams as your orgasm crashed over you in a giant wave. He stood and slowly removed his hand as your breathing calmed and your high began to subside. Your sweet fluids coated his goatee and you wiped them away gently before lifting his fingers to your mouth and licking away your own fluids. He swallowed hard as he watched you with wide eyes and the blush returned to his cheeks. His cock twitched as you looked down to admire the mess you'd caused him to make of the front of his boxers.
"I'm ready for another round if you are," a lustful gleam in your eyes as you smirked at the sniper.
"Yes, please," the begging in his voice setting your body on fire.
"Good, because this time, I'd like you to fuck me properly."
Looks like you wouldn't be needing Usopp to make a toy for you after all. Not that you minded, you were growing very fond of the handsome sniper. And you were looking forward to many more sessions with him.
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ughthisisntright · 9 months
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Puzzles & Pieces | Silco x Reader | Part 4
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Summary: Silco begins his investigation into your true motives, but the plan might be too much.
Warnings: NSFW, MDNI, 18+, sex toys, sexual torture, general Arcane warnings.
Word Count: 2,566
Next Part
______________________________________________________________
“Are you positive that this is the plan?” Jayce Talis’ voice sounded throughout the grand meeting room as you sat before him. You'd briefed him on the very vague plan you'd put together since your last meeting. The councilor seemed even more troubled by it now than he had a week ago.
“I’m sure,” you said firmly. “He’ll either negotiate a peace, or wage war. Either way, Piltover is in trouble. The people of the undercity may not disagree with Silco’s motives, but they certainly do not want to see war.”
“Your people are my people,” he said sharply. “This body oversees the undercity and all its cohorts. You're asking me to convince this council to heel to the musings of one power-drunk man?” Your nose crinkled in irritation at the jab.
“You sound like the rest of them,” you started. “It’s so easy to let them convince you this isn’t the way to do things. That there won’t be any war, no upheaval, but let me be perfectly blunt - there will be war.”
You leaned forward in your seat and narrowed your eyes at Jayce.
“I’m not asking you to do anything, Jayce,” you shot back. “I’m telling you that war is coming. Whether you and your council want to acknowledge it or not, Silco is untouchable in the undercity. They will follow, willingly or not. Silco has power, yes, but he has more brains than this entire body in the same room.
But what he doesn't realize is that he has a dark horse - me. I’m trying to save lives. Lives that freedom can't even justify losing. You sit here and do nothing, continue business as usual, you'll lose more than you should. Listen to me? Listen to these warnings? You're saving Piltover and the Undercity a lot of heartache.”
Jayce pinched the bridge of his nose. Annoyance was clear on the man’s face as you spoke. He knew you were right, but he really didn't like it.
“How long do we have?” He asked warily.
“Two weeks,” you said softly. “He has massive shipments of Shimmer coming in this afternoon. Not to be interrupted, might I add. He mustn't know I’m involved in any of this.”
Jayce scoffed and stood from his seat, he walked to the window and shook his head. He looked out over the city, watching the smog and filth billow down to the undercity. “I can’t guarantee anything,” he said with a laugh. You stood abruptly and walked to him, grabbing his wrist. He turned to look at you. Your face must have said it all as his expression softened.
“Do we understand each other?” you growled. You realized just how close you were to him, nose to nose nearly. His gaze flicked between your eyes and yours between his.
Jayce then hung his head and nodded, but the gesture was lost on the enforcer who'd wandered in and out silently.
__________________
Silco tapped a cigar lazily on his desk as he received report from the men he employed, shipment details and artillery. The usual. They bored him with their predictions, musings, and passions about the brewing war between the two cities. He remembered being a vigilante when he was their age. Big, fat, neon-sign aspirations of a new world where Piltover stayed in their lane, and Zaun rose from their slop and runoff.
It was a much simpler time. Before Vander cut him down, abandoned him, betrayed him. He did have Vander to thank for getting the ball rolling Topside. He had an in with their finest, a base, and he'd already instilled a sense of independence into these people that it wouldn't take much convincing to get them on his side.
But now, here he was, daughter in one hand, and a crippling grip on a crumbling city. He needed to move quickly and efficiently if he wanted to succeed. That is, if Piltover wasn't able to be persuaded peacefully. He wasn't sure what he was willing to lose for this. He'd keep his precious daughter as safe as possible. He'd keep those closest to him safe. He first, however, needed to decide who exactly it was that was close to him.
Sevika, of course, for all the obvious reasons. She was the first one to abandon Vander when things began getting rockier Topside. Ran, Lock, the others. These people have been with him since the beginning of his operation. The ones in Stillwater would remain where they were, a lost cause. Anyone under his employ, he considered, would be kept safe.
But where did that leave you?
Silco turned it over in his mind for a few minutes, drowning out the words of the men in front of him as they rambled on about what they'll do to the enforcers when they breach the barricades. He recalled your last moment alone together. Things have moved quickly since the last he saw you. Sure, you were his assistant, but that meant a lot of running around on your part. You'd seen him in passing, shared glances and nods of acknowledgement, but nothing further. Nothing physical.
Oh, how he wanted you. He needed you again, in such a compromising position as the one you'd found yourself in just one week ago. Hands all over, flushed cheeks and desperate little cries that had him keening as he fucked his fist later that evening. It was only a matter of time. But you? Oh, you. He’d protect you at all costs. He put you on that same pedestal that Jinx sat upon.
As his visions came to an end, so did the droning of the men before him. He heard a knock at the door and cleared his throat.
“If you boys are through,” he said, voice laced with boredom. “I do have another meeting waiting outside.” The men left while chatting between themselves, leaving room for the man waiting outside to walk in.
“Marcus,” Silco drawled. “I presume you bring news of operations Topside?”
The enforcer could only smirk while taking a seat across Silco’s desk. Picking his head up, Silco narrowed his eyes at the man.
“Don't tell me everything at once, now,” he mused sharply.
“Seems to me the castle will come crashing down all around you, Silco,” Marcus teased. “Your girl’s got an in with the council, and she’s pretty cozy with Councilor Talis.”
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The journey back to the lanes was a long one. You hadn’t been able to shake the feeling that you were being watched. The uneasy feeling pooled in your stomach like the water on the streets in little puddles you stepped in as you walked. You just needed to get back to the Last Drop.
You were greeted by the two regular bouncers at the door as you pushed your way inside, shoving past the sweating mass of bodies as you made your way to the stairs in the back. It was sweaty, blurry, and all around hot. You just needed to get upstairs.
You heaved yourself up the steps and pushed the door to Silco’s office open. No one here. Odd for this time of day, but you chalked it up to his preparations for a revolution. You sat down at your desk and took out the notepad you had been using to make your plan.
You wrote down Jinx’s name next, knowing she was the one you needed to talk to. You’d have to give her some kind of project to keep her busy. Keep her from completely finishing the task her father had given her before it’s too late. You figured you’d use your little knowledge to your advantage - you knew Silco’s birthday was soon.
You heard Silco’s footsteps approaching the door and slipped the pad away into your desk, fixing your glasses on your face, and picking up the clipboard with shipping manifests on it and a pen. You knew you had to make it look like business as usual.
Silco strolled in casually. He held a whiskey in one hand and a piece of paper in the other. He seemed to be studying it a little too hard. You worried he had already figured out your scheme, but the thought was pushed away once he turned his head toward you.
“You disappeared on me,” he said slowly. “I was worried you’d quit.” A smirk played at his scarred lips and you could only shake your head.
“No,” you croaked. “Just attending to some personal business. I didn’t think it would take so long.” You weren’t completely lying. You didn’t think Jayce would have wasted your time today, but he did. And as for the personal aspect… He was a dear friend. But that was all. You simply needed a favor and he couldn’t step up yet. Hopefully, though, you had gotten through to him. And hopefully he didn’t need to see you again to tell you the council’s worries.
“Hmmm,” Silco hummed in response. “Then why am I receiving word you were speaking with Councilor Talis this morning?” You clenched your jaw but refrained from letting the fear in your body show.
“Sir,” you said softly while standing to walk to him. He needed a refill anyway. “I studied with Jayce when I was younger. We were merely having a catch-up.” You lifted his glass from his hand as he eyed you warily.
“That’s all?”
“That’s all.”
You poured the whiskey slowly, suddenly feeling a prickle on the back of your neck. You turned your head slightly to see Silco upon you, behind you. His hands came to rest on your hips and sank into your skin gently. He leaned in close, breath hot against your neck and ear.
“Then why am I being told it seemed more intimate than just a catch-up?” He growled in your ear. You let out a shaky breath and set the whiskey bottle down. You leaned back against him ever so slightly as you answered him.
“I don’t know who wants to get under your skin,” you started. “But Jayce and I are simply old friends. Nothing more.” A low growl came from Silco’s chest as he pressed himself against you more. His hands slid forward to your hip bones, one coming to rest right above the spot where a familiar heat began to pool.
“Just old friends,” he repeated. “Make sure it stays that way, yes? I can’t have my assistant becoming too friendly with the Council.” He nipped at your earlobe and chuckled before taking your chin in his hands and wrenching your head to look at him.
“You understand, yes?”
You nodded pitifully and let your lips part as he stared down at you. He took the hand that held your hips still and pulled the whiskey glass up to his mouth. He took a healthy sip and then set the glass down.
“Good.” He drawled. He leaned in closer to you, just a breath away from kissing your lips, only to press his against your collarbone. The cold sensation from the whiskey made you gasp and shiver, feeling his tongue all over your pulse point and sucking sinful marks into your skin.
He was making this harder than it had to be.
When he’d finally had his way, he pulled away from you with a dark grin on his face. You swallowed hard and eyed him carefully, though the lust and desire were ever present on your face and in your eyes. This pleased him, it appeared, as he leaned back in to whisper in your ear.
“Don’t make me regret trusting you,” he said, voice like honey. “I don’t want to have to find another assistant.” You nodded frantically in his arms. His grip on you tightened as he dragged you back with him to his chair. He propped you on his knee and slid his hand up the skirt of your dress. His fingertips brushed the fabric of your underwear and you visibly shivered.
“I think it’s time I start studying you instead,” he mused with a smirk. His finger traced lines up and down your clothed slit. He could feel the way your muscles contracted at his touch. “I’ve been under your microscope for so long and I’d like you under mine.”
You bit back a whimper as his finger traced the most sensitive skin on your body with calloused but nimble fingers. You cursed yourself for the reactions your body was giving him. It wasn’t fair to be teased and poked and prodded. All you’d done was watched him.
“I want to know more about you, dear,” he crooned. “I want to know your favorite foods, songs, and especially the way you sound when in such compromising positions such as this.” His thumb traced the outline of your clit slowly over your underwear and you keened. A whine dropped from your lips as your head fell forward against his shoulder. He pushed you back up in response with a low chuckle.
“Now, how am I supposed to gather accurate data when I can’t see your face?” His tone was teasing, taunting. And all you wanted to do was scream. His fingers shouldn’t be this exquisite over your clothes. But they are, and you can’t hide the arousal soaking your panties. He slides his fingers over it and grins.
“What am I going to do with you, hm?” He drew his fingers back and brought them to his nose, inhaling deeply, and his one good pupil blew wide with desire. Ever a man of self-control, however, he pulled your skirt down and pulled you up to your feet.
“Perhaps a field study will be best,” he pulled a small toy from the drawer where he kept his cigars. “It sits inside you, but has this little apparatus that seals around that beautiful bundle of nerves I was becoming acquainted with just now. You’ll wear this until I’ve thoroughly examined you.”
You examined the toy, small and black, made of silicone and you noticed two blinking lights on the very bottom. He then held up a small remote and turned it on.
“This will only work when you’re nearby,” he turned it off. “So I can control the experiment properly.”
Silco grinned and pulled you back into his lap. He slid both hands up your skirt and pulled your panties to the side. The toy slid in easily due to the slick from your torment previously. It sat comfortably and the small hook on the front enclosed your clit completely. You knew what it would do, but you were ever terrified of the way it would interfere with your concentration.
“How long will this last?” You managed to squeak out. He shook his head.
“Now why would I let you know that? It could affect the results,” he kissed your cheek gently before adjusting your panties and allowing you to stand up. “Go home and get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day… For you.”
You took three shaky steps before the toy turned on inside you. You leaned against your desk and felt the gentle suction on your clit and a rough rumbling against your g-spot. You choked out a gasp as you got used to the feeling. You gathered your belongings slowly, feeling Silco’s eye burning a hole into the back of your head.
Tomorrow will absolutely be a long day.
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kitkatwinchester · 9 months
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WHAT THE F*CK?!
Oh my GOD there's so much to unpack.
I did that thing where I let it finish out again, and now I have a LOT to talk about, so let's just jump right in, shall we?
Order of events-ish, but mostly POVs.
SCIRAAAAA!! I CANNOT! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!
That whole flashback scene with the two of them laying in bed together. First of all, I LOVE what they did with the bookending of the "It's a good plan" line, because that was really well done and a perfect way to transition in and out of that flashback. Second of all, just their entire freaking conversation about how they haven't had time to go on a real date because, ya know, saving the world and all that, but just the wholesomeness of the fact that neither of them have seen a movie in forever and they both want to so bad...god I really hope they get that chance. <3
And then there's the beautiful little kiss and IMMENSE relief when she successfully brings him back (we were cutting that WAY too close, for the record..).
And THEN we get that beautiful ending scene between the two of them, where they're just casually holding hands and sitting there together, staring at each other and supporting each other and being there for each other and just being SO FREAKING CUTE. The fact that Scott is so quick to tell Kira to be with her mother (quick aside, I absolutely loved the small Melissa and Noshiko team-up, and I love that they stuck together and did their best to help and protect each other--we love our moms of the group <3). And THEN, the fact that Scott was able to put together the pieces about the Banshee, and Kira was able to see his train of thought, and they were both able to realize that their plan actually DID tell them something...
AHHHH!! I LOVE THEM!!! SCIRA ALL THE WAY!! <3 <3 <3
...admittedly, I'm also mildly terrified about where Scott's nightmare ended up right before Kira pulled him back, but I also know that Scott would never EVER hurt Liam. ...but I hate the implication of it nonetheless.
BUT SCIRA THOUGH!!! <3 <3
Anyways…
SPEAKING OF BANSHEES...
Well.
Now we know who Lydia got her powers from. And now....we have a new suspect.
The question is, if it is her....where is she, and why is she doing this in the first place?
Also, Natalie said "Meredith Walker" all knowingly and then didn't actually answer that question...she just started talking about Lydia's grandmother (on her dad's side, for the record, which...where is her dad in all this, exactly? We literally haven't seen that man since Season 1.).
And now we know the entire lake house is made of Mountain Ash (did her grandma do that, or did her dad do that? I guess it would've had to have been her grandma, unless her dad lied about locking his mom away in Eichen House in order to protect her secret...), but her mom obviously knows nothing (there goes that theory) and just thinks her grandmother was crazy, so really, we just have more questions than we do answers. However, if anyone can figure them out, it's Lydia Martin. <3
Speaking of figuring things out, Peter is 100% up to SOMETHING, because he obviously sent Kate to find out if Scott was dead, which is suspicious af (as a very quick aside, that moment between Kate and Chris was freaking BEAUTIFUL and I loved everything about it, and as many issues as I have with Kate, that sibling dynamic between her and Chris just SENDS me). He claims he's not The Benefactor, but he's also not on the list, and even though he said "Thank God" in response to Scott being alive...I don't know if I believe him.
Like, okay, the Banshee theory means he probably isn't the actual Benefactor, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was somehow in cahoots with it.
Although...his money was what was stolen, right? So that doesn't really make sense either. But...it also doesn't really make sense that his name isn't anywhere on the Deadpool, so...
Basically what I'm saying is that Peter, per his usual, is clearly manipulating this whole situation in SOME way, and no one should trust him under any circumstances.
Which brings me to Malia.
This girl, omg. I feel sooo bad for her, and the fact that she and her mom got into a fight right before the car crash makes everything a million times worse, and I wish there was something we could do to make that better.
However...I don't know if finding her mother is it, and I REALLY don't know if trusting Peter to help her is it, because Peter is Peter, and who KNOWS what other tricks he has up his sleeve.
What IS it, however, is Stiles (because Stiles is always it lol). I mean, how this boy is still functioning is beyond me, because the amount of things he shoulders and then pushes down is seriously bound to be fatal one of these days, but he does it. He has now watched his best friend practically die twice in the span of a few days, and his girlfriend stormed off and left him, and then all of a sudden, there she was in his room, broken and scared and guilty, and he handled it like a CHAMP.
I love the fact that he was giving her distance and giving her space, uncertain about where they stood, but then he couldn't resist stepping closer to her in his desperate attempt to convince her that she's so much better than she's making herself out to be. But even as he tries his best, Malia is too torn and upset and angry, and she walks out yet again.
But even in all of that, the fact that she came back, that she took the time to come to Stiles, to open up to him, to talk to him...it proves she still trusts him, still loves him, and still cares what he thinks, and even though she's upset and hurting and probably having a major identity crisis with an ever-growing guilt complex, she still came back, because she knows Stiles will be there for her. And that's exactly what he did.
I hope she finds answers, and I kind of also hope that maybe Stiles can help her find them. More than anything, I hope she can learn to forgive herself for what happened, and I REALLY hope Peter doesn't take advantage of her in the process.
Now of COURSE, since I talked about Stiles, and we're at the end of this post, you KNOW I have to over-analyze those itty-bitty Sciles moments. They're small, since Scott was, ya know, "dead" for most of this episode, but you know how I feel about a protective Stiles.
CAN WE JUST TALK ABOUT--
TWO PEOPLE tell Stiles to leave. MULTIPLE times. Chris tells him to run (supposedly so that he can hold her off and Stiles can be safe), and Kate tells him to get out of the way.
And EVERY TIME, Stiles just moves CLOSER to Scott. Chris tells him to leave, and instead, he shifts over, blocking Kate. And then when Kate tells him to leave, he shifts even more, giving that cursory glance to the place where his best friend's body is to make sure that he is truly 100% between her and him, and he DOESN'T MOVE. He stands there, and even though he's clearly scared (bonus points for the joke about the vending machine, AND bonus points for Chris being equally protective of Scott <3), he refuses to back down, because just like always, if you wanna get to Scott, you're gonna have to go through him first. And trust me, he's tougher than he looks.
And of course, you KNOW I have to point out the absolute RELIEF on Stiles's face when Scott does finally wake back up. The sigh, the hand up to his mouth, the turning away...that boy loves his best friend SO MUCH, and he was SO WORRIED, and he was SO RELIEVED when he did come out of it okay. In the heat of the moment, Stiles always puts up that front, and he always makes things seem okay for everyone else's benefit, but whenever Scott is in danger, he will ALWAYS be worried, no matter how hard he tries to hide it, and I love him for that. <3
SCILES ALL THE WAY!!! I HAVE MISSED YOU MY BELOVED!! <3 <3
Ahhhh. It's so good to be back to watching this show.
I probably won't be able to watch more today, but definitely Tuesday, and in general, I'm gonna try really hard to watch at LEAST an episode a day, but...probably more, because there's no way I finish in the next couple of weeks if that's the goal I set for myself lol.
ANYWAYS.
I couldn't find most of the gifs I wanted, but I DID get Scott and Kira, and I found a different Sciles gif, so we're tacking those both on here. XD <3
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(I JUST LOVE BOTH OF THESE RELATIONSHIPS SO MUCH!! Scira will forever and always be my Scott OTP, and then Sciles will forever and always be my ultimate brOTP, because LOOK AT THEM!! <3 <3)
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Isle Connections Ch1 Towards The Isle Of Armor
The sixth and final Installment of the Galar Soulmate Series.
You're not sure how you stayed but you did. Never again to return home. After all the game's storyline was over. Now what? Well you were hired to play babysitter yet again so it looks like you're heading off to the famous Isle of Armor. Maybe this would be a fun time with your friends! Now only if this goofball wouldn't be such a pain.
(Ok. So like I know I said that Milo's route was going to be the last installment of this series but as A very is technically a Gym Leader at the end of the events of the Isle of Armor DLC and a lot of people voted for a route of him and I said that I would write for all of the male cast of the Sword and Shield Gym Leader cast (minus Kabu) ....Yeah. I got roped into writing for this psychic goofball but I am serious when I say this is actually the last installment of this series. I won't be writing for anyone else from Sword and Shield after Avery. I do however thank everyone for all the love that you all have shown this series and I genuinely appreciate all of the support. It means a lot! Also Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone reading this first chapter.
Also vote for what kind of Pokemon from the Isle of Armor y'all want plus names.)
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This entire thing all started in March. That fateful decision that Leon made.
"Uh...What exactly is going on around here?"
It had been about a month since you arrived back in Postwick and already so many things had happened. Your Valentine's Day was great! And so was the rest of the week as the guys and Leon got to hang out with their families before he sadly had to once again take off for Wyndon again at the request of the new Chairman. Well he WAS still Champion after all. He still had a lot of responsibilities now that there was repairs going on. As for you, you got settled back into your basement room and had tried to once again (and succeeded in-) getting that job at Mr. Frederick's grocery store up the road a bit. And Mrs. L had instead started charging you a hundred dollars a month in rent instead of a hundred fifty. You suspected it was because of helping Leon but when you asked she claimed you were probably wanting to save money in order to move out once you figured out what you wanted to do again. Fair enough. If you were living in Galar now you'd need money to buy a house. The guys had been pretty chill. Usually going out to explore the fields or practice battle. Sonia had even published her book a week after you all arrived! Even making a free digital copy anyone could read on the web although you hadn't read it yet. Her publisher worked FAST! But that's not why you had woken up today. You had woken up to a whole bunch of commotion from downstairs and figured everyone was up, but when you came upstairs the strong scent of lemon and cleaning supplies hit your nose stronger than that roof piece did. And the sight of Hop wiping down one of the WALLS with a small rag certainly caught your tired brain off guard. Were you still dreaming???
"Oh uh. Good morning, Y/n!," the boy greeted your tired bed headed stare with an awkward smile. "Did I wake you up?"
"Kinda." You yawned reaching a hand up to rub your eyes. "What are you doing?"
"Oh! Spring cleaning! We do it every year once the weather's warm enough!"
"Spring cleaning?" He nodded. Oh. Makes sense. Lots of people did Spring Cleaning. You know you and your mom sure did.
"Yep! Once a year when it's Spring we clean the house literally top to bottom! But that's not the only reason why we're sprucing up the place!'' He turned back to the wall wiping it down with the biggest smile on his face. "I want everything to look it's best when Lee comes back this weekend!"
"...Say what now?"
"Lee called last night when you went to sleep! He's visiting us again this weekend and he's bringing a really special surprise for Glory! I dunno what it is yet but it's gotta be good! So today the house and then tomorrow the yard and shed! You wanna help?"
You shook your head no. "Sorry I can't. I have to work if I'm going to pay your mom that rent money for this month...But tell you what. Tell your mom to leave the basement and I'll clean that for you guys when I get back from work tonight. Ok?"
He beamed. "Yeah! That'd be a big help thanks!"
So Leon was coming that weekend huh? It'd be nice to see him again after so long. You just wondered what this 'surprise' was. Whelp you didn't have to wait long to find out that either because as he promised he showed up that weekend. The guys were pretty excited to see their big brother figure again and you'd be lying if you said you weren't excited to see him either. After all he was one of the few friends you had really. You kept your word of cleaning out the basement and downstairs bathroom for Mrs. L which she was grateful for but sadly weren't able to help much else due to your working. But it was alright. Mrs. G and the guys came over to help out and prepare things before Leon's big arrival that Saturday. And you were lucky enough to have the weekends off in order to see him. And then the day came. It was pretty early in the morning when someone bursts through the basement door startling you awake as Hop rushed down the stairs to wake you.
"Y/N!! WAKE UP WAKE UP!!"
"Huh?....What the-"
"LEON'S HERE!!", Hop excitedly called out for you from the basement stairs grinning like he had won a million dollars. "Everyone's here waiting for Mom to come back with him from the station! Come on before you miss him!"
You groaned. Oh. Right. It was THAT Saturday. "Alright. Alright. I'm up."
You groaned but did get up in order to go greet Leon. Whelp! You did want to see Leon again anyways. So you stumbled out of your sleeping back, slapped on come clothes that weren't PJs, and made yourself presentable in the bathroom before heading back up the stairs with Silver at your heels. But you were NOT prepared again for what you saw in the living room. Yes. Everyone was there. The guys, their moms, Leon's grandparents, and even Lee himself! But what you WEREN'T expecting was the extra person in the room. As soon as you had walked in someone had looked up from you at the couch and you paused seeing the much older man. And your eyes widened! NO. WAY. IT WAS KABU!! The older gym leader was sitting there in ordinary clothes right next to Leon and had looked up at you when you walked right in but paused in the doorway surprised. Kabu? Here? What in the world was one of the gym leader's doing here?
"Y/n!" You jumped when Leon smiled at you and gestured for you to come in as you stood there. "It's great to see you! Come in! You remember Kabu right?"
"Uh...Y-Yeah." You blinked before slowly walking in Silver at your heels. Still confused, you raised a hand and smiled at Kabu anyways. "Hey. Nice to see you again."
To your surprise instead of waving back the older man bowed to you. "It is an honor to meet our great champion's family and friends."
"Y-Yeah. Likewise. *ahem*....So what brings you to Postwick?"
"That's what this meeting here is all about." Leon looked back to Kabu who sat back up and looked to Gloria who you now realized was sitting across from him and Leon.
"Yes. You all must be very surprised someone like me decided to make the long journey here with Leon but rest assured that I had a purpose." His somber but calm expression met Gloria's. "You see there is a very good reason why I'm here. It is to see you." he then pointed a finger at Gloria.
Everyone looked surprised but more so Gloria who blinked and pointed at herself. "Ye came all the way from Motostoke jus' ta see ...me?" Kabu nodded but to her confusion. "But why?"
"A very good question to ask. And I have a very good answer. You see...I am in good shape for my age." ...You blinked raising a brow as he stated a ..true but very out of no where fact about him. "More than most people my age are, but as healthy as I may be it doesn't get rid of the fact that I am growing older. I have been the Fire Type Gym Leader for many years but it goes without saying I can't just keep that title forever. Like everyone there will be a time that I will decide or need to retire, but I can't as there's no one else to take over Motostoke's gym." ....He leaned forward making Gloria blink. "As with any Gym leader I study my opponents' moves, strategies, skill sets, and a slew of other variables in order to dictate their attacks. It's rare that I find a trainer who could not only beat me on her first try but in a way I wasn't expecting. Leon's judgement is something I respect highly and he wasn't wrong when he saw great potential in you Ms. Gloria."
The whole room fell silent for a moment as Gloria just..stared at him with the boys exchanging looks with each other before she spoke again. "Uh...W-Well thank ye. But what does that have ta do with anythin'?"
"It has to do with everything. Ms. Gloria if you're willing to accept my offer, and with your mother's permission of course." He nodded to Ms. G for a brief moment before turning back to her. "I would be honored to take you on and train you to become the new Fire Type Gym Leader of Motostoke."
Your. Jaw. DROPPED!! As did everyone else's besides Leon who smiled happily towards the shocked Gloria as she just sat there as kabu's words sank into everyone's heads. Kabu wanted to train HER!? As the new Fire Type Gym Leader for Motostoke!? THAT CERTAINLY WASN'T IN THE GAME!! After a moment of silence Gloria eventually sputtered out some noises that sounded like she was trying to talk gesturing her arms to him and around the room. Looking between him and Leon. Back and forth. Back and forth between the two league members before she finally let one word escape her mouth.
"WOT!?"
"Yes. Honestly with your skills and quick thinking I'm sure you'd make a great future gym leader. All you need is some guidance."
"I-I-I heard you b-b-but....WHY me!?" She gestured to herself again as if that was obvious. "I-I can't b-be a gym leader! I-I...I d-don't have the steel nerves it t-takes ta be one!"
"I thought you'd say that actually." She turned back to Leon who smiled warmly at her. "That's why I came up a plan that'd help you with your stage fright and anything else you might need improving on." With one hand Leon reached into his shirt's pocket and produced what looked like a tanish-golden colored train pass before holding it out to Gloria. "Here."
She blinked at it for a moment looking between Lee and the card before slowly taking it. "...What's this?"
"It's an exclusive Armor Pass."
"Armor Pass?," she asked him raising a brow.
He nodded with a hum. "Uh huh! With this you'll be able to directly go to the Isle of Armor station and catch one of their special taxi's to the island. That's where I trained when I first became Champion around your age. You see there's a very special dojo there with a very special teacher who specializes in training people into becoming better trainers. He's helped other people in the league before just like me. In fact he's pretty famous! You might even know about him. His name's Mustard."
You rose a brow. Mustard?? What kind of name was that?
"MUSTARD!?" You jumped hearing Hop shout eyes practically popping from his head with how wide they were in amazement. "As in like the old Champion who had the old title of Champion before he was defeated!? THAT MUSTARD!?"
Your eyes widened at Hop's words before turning to Leon who nodded. A former Champion?! No wonder Hop sounded amazed. "That's right. He's been running the dojo for years now and helps improve peoples' battling as well as themselves. I think it would be a great idea to have Gloria pay him a visit as I believe he'd be able to really help her come out of her shell. That is if she accepts Kabu's offer." He looked back to Gloria who still blinked at him. "You don't have to if you don't want to Gloria but know that you won't be in it alone."
"Yes. It's going to be hard work but that's what makes the end goal much more meaningful. But it depends on your answer."
Gloria blinked. Looked around the room at all of you. Looked at Leon. Looked at Kabu. Looked back down to the pass in her hands......Before smiling brightly like someone had just given her a brand new gym badge before looking back at Kabu! "YES!! O' course I accept ye offer! How can I not!? I just- Wow! THIS IS AMAZING!!"
A few smiles were shared even by the older man as Kabu bowed to her-
"Wait. When does she leave for the Isle of Armor?"
"Oh. Next Thursday. The train to the isle is already scheduled to arrive at noon then."
"NEXT THURSDAY!?" Everyone jumped as all of sudden Gloria shot up to her feet in panic. Hands grabbing her cheeks as a wave of fear washed over her all of a sudden. "T-THAT SOON!? I JUST- ....I NEED TA GO PACK!!" And with that she turned and fled. Silver having to literally jump out of the way as Gloria sped off out of Hop's out throwing the door open with a BANG behind her in her rush. Leaving everyone there sitting in silence...Until Mrs. G sighed.
The Isle of Armor?? Why did that sound familiar to you?...Oh well. You didn't pay it much mind but you were happy for Gloria to get such an unexpected surprise! Being trained by both a gym leader and a former champion sounds like a dream come true for someone like her. You didn't know all the details but Kabu talked for a while with Mrs. G getting Gloria's Mother's permission to train her before Leon had pulled you aside as everyone else was distracted by the sudden happy news. You were surprised when he lead you into the kitchen looking over his shoulder to make sure no one followed or was listening to him. 
It made you raise a brow. "Leon, is everything ok?" You gently pulled your arm away from the Champion. "You're acting weird, Dude."
He again looked over his shoulder back into the living room to make sure no one was listening before looking back at you with an inhale. "Actually I wanted to ask something of you and I wouldn't be asking you if it wasn't for a good reason."
Your brow rose higher as Silver waddled in following you before plopping on the floor by your legs. "It depends on what you're asking of me. What ARE you asking of me exactly?"
Leon reached a hand up to rub his neck, something you learnt that both himself and Hop had a habit of doing when nervous. "Well... I-its about Glory. I figured she'd accept the offer but there's a slight problem I'm worried about." Your crossed arms invited him to go on. "Well as you and I know Hop and Glory both have a habit of sometimes maybe running ahead when they shouldn't and ...Well...H-Hoppy's gonna be trained under Sonia's eyes and Victor's not very prone to running ahead. It's not that I don't trust Mustard but I was kinda maybe hoping that perhaps you'd agree to going along with her and making sure she was settling in ok there?"
You stared. "So...You want me to keep an eye on her and keep her out of trouble like I've been doing this entire time?"
"I-Ill make sure you're fully compensated for everything!," Leon assured you, "I-I would just feel better knowing that she was with someone in case she needed help. W-What do you say?"
You hummed furrowing a brow. You didn't feel like traveling again so soon after just settling down two months after an almost region ending event. You were honestly still surprised that you didn't teleport back home to your horrible mother. Then again...there really wasn't anything else you were doing right now. You were still figuring out what you wanted to do with your new life. Maybe a trip to this Isle would help. Plus spending time with Gloria sounded like fun.
You shrugged before nodding. "Sure. Why not? It might be fun."
The purple haired champion lit up before sighing in relief. "Thank you. I mean it. Thank you! I'll make it up to you I promise! I'm just happy to know that Glory is in good hands."
Quickly Mrs. L and everyone else was made aware that you'd also be able to go with Glory and Gloria seemed excited to know that you'd also be going with her. Leon making sure to also gift you the same pass as Gloria before he had to leave with Kabu. Whelp. Guess you were traveling again somewhere. But why did this Isle of Armor sound familiar to you? Oh well. You just packed up and prepared to to go traveling again. Soon Thursday rolled around and You, Hop, Victor, and Mrs. G all traveled with to the station. Gloria both giddy and nervous with a big old stuffed pack on her back. Mrs. G asking over and over again if Gloria remembered to pack everything she needed. First aid kit. Food. Clothes. A coat. Her sleeping bag. Etc. When you got to the train station Practically no one was there except for one or two other people and the station master behind the counter as usual. You did pause to look at the other two people who were dressed somewhat strangely and very colorfully waiting for the train as well. One had really BRIGHT pink hair and the other guy wore this gigantic top hat with pokeballs floating around it like some psychic pokemon. Wha- How was he doing that? Your attention was brought back to the present as the distant sounds of the evening train approaching caught everyone's attention.
"There's the train!," Mrs. G commented before grabbing Gloria by the shoulders with a look. "Are you sure you packed everything you needed?"
"Yes, Mum! For the millionth time I double checked this mornin'. I'll be fine travelin' there. Lee said he was gonna meet me at the taxi station anyways."
Mrs. G still didn't look so sure but Victor assured her. "Don't worry none, Mum. Glory's gonna be fine on her trip there. 'Sides Y/n is gonna be with 'er."
Eventually she did sigh and remove her hands from Gloria. "You're right. I just can't help but be worried about her traveling by herself. You all are growing up too fast for my liking."
"She'll be fine!," Hop said smiling widely before looking to Gloria, "You're gonna do great Glory! I know you will! You're my rival after all so you have to do your best or else I'll become a better trainer than you."
Gloria smiled back at him. "Ha! We'll see 'bout that. OH! I almost forgot! I got something for ye!" She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a pokeball, holding it up to the purple haired boy. "'Ere! I had a couple a few extra o' these wee ones lying about an' I know they mean a lot ta people in a special way so I got ye one."
Hop slowly took the pokeball from her. "A pokemon? For me?" 
She nodded. "It's a rare find I had been gifted by Sonia back at Wyndon but I have no use for it. But don't see what it is til ye get home. Ok?"
Hop again blinked but smiled widely. "Wow! This is amazing Glory! Thank you." he excited turned to Victor holding up the brand new pokeball. "Hey, Vick! Look what Glory gave me!"
"You gave Hop a pokemon?"
Gloria turned to you and nodded. "I gave all me rivals an extra pokemon I got from the rotomi boxes ta show there's nay hard feelings. After all you said I shouldn't cause any bad blood between me rivals."
You smiled. "Oh ..Wow, Gloria. That was really nice of you! What did you give them if you don't mind me asking?"
"Oh nothin' special really. I gave Marnie a wee purloin I found and I sent Bede a lovedisc before we went ta see you at the hospital."
You froze. .....And blinked. "Wait, wait, wait. You gave BEDE a what?!"
"This cute water pokemon I found called a lovedisc," she gushed obvliviously. "It was jus' the cutest wee thing shaped like a sweet lil heart! I figured since Bede's always wearin' pink and he has works with cute fairy type pokemon it'd be perfect! An' I gave Hop one of the extra pokeballs I had forgotten in me bag." She paused with a hum rubbing her chin. "I can't remember what pokemon it was but I'm sure Hop will love it all the same!"
You wanted to facepalm right then and there. Because as soon as the words 'I gave Bede a lovedisc' slipped out of her mouth so obliviously you knew she had once again blundered. And you had a good reason why. There was ONE specific pokemon Dex entry you specifically remembered about luvdisc-
"Its heart-shaped body makes it popular. In some places, you would give a Luvdisc to someone you love."
AND she gave one to Bede who she already flustered with accidentally making him think she was trying to gift him an applin. Great. You sighed but figured maybe Bede wouldn't know or he wouldn't think much of it since she also gifted Marnie a purrloin and Hop a....mystery pokemon you have yet to figure out. Here's hoping. The sounds of the train came further and further until with a high pitched screech it stopped right in front of you all and the station master announced it.
"The train to the Isle of Armor has arrived! Those with an Armor Pass please board the train! The train will departing in fifthteen minutes!"
"That's our cue!" Gloria said as the other two weirdly dressed people walked up to the station master. She turned back to all of you with a smile. "I guess this is good bye for now."
"Don't worry about us," you assured her smiling. "You're going to do great out there! And I'm still coming with you."
"Yeah! Glory, you'll do great!" "It's gonna be great to have a Champion brother and Gym Leader Rival!" "I'll miss you, Sweetie."
Hugs were had all around and good bye's were exchanged before Gloria a little tearfully joined the other two weirdly dressed folks in line for the train with you behind her as the station master checked their passes.
"Do you have an Armor Pass?"
"Naturally. I have made all the proper preparations which you can observe with unclouded eyes."
"Hee hee! Of course! I totally have one!"
"Then please allow me to check your passes."
You all watched as the weirdly dressed people handed their passes to the station master who proceeded to look over both behind the booth. Huh...Why did those two look familiar? Deja vu again. But you shrugged it off. Lots of different people in the pokemon world. They probably just reminded you of some you've seen before. After a moment the station master handed the two back their passes and they stepped out of the way for Gloria and yourself to walk up and also hand him your pass Leon gave you both. It was also at that moment the doors to the train opened and something came walking out of it. You turned ..and blinked as a SLOWPOKE slowly crawled it's way out of the train's doorway and into the station. It's dopey grinning face smiling at nothing as it randomly crawled into the station. Wha- What was a slowpoke doing here? Silver noticed too and chirped at it curiously gaining it's attention...or more so the food Silver held that he had been snacking on. the slowpoke peeked it's interest at that and came towards Silver making him chirp in warning backing up behind your legs holding his precious food from it's reach.
"Aw. Hey little guy." You slowly kneeled down to the pokemon who tilted it's head curiously but otherwise none threateningly at you as you kneeled down catching everyone's attention. "Where did you come from?" Of course it didn't answer you but made a happy noise when you reached out to pet it's head. CUTE!
"Oh a slowpoke!" "Hmph. To meet a slowpoke. Such a thing is simply elegant."
You paid no mind to the other two adults but the station master peeked out of his booth to see the thing before giving a groan. "Uh oh. Looks like another one's gotten on the train and ridden over from the Isle of Armor. Hey you're all pokemon trainers right?" He asked you all. "If Slowpoke blocks the ticket gate, it'll cause trouble for other customers. Slowpoke are actually really heavy. So do you think you can catch it for me?"
"I think it's just hungry," you answered back noticing the way it kept staring at Silver's food as your brave guard dog cowered away from the dopey looking teddy bear thing.
"If that case I can lead it out of the station with this." You turned to Victor who reached inside of his pocket and pulled out what looked like those granola breakfast bars that no one really liked besides him. Carefully peeling off the wrapper he exposed the granola berry mix thing and went over to the slowpoke. It was pretty easy to catch his attention as it almost immediately turned it's head to him. "C'mon boy! Ye want it? Come get it." And like magic the pokemon turned and slowly began following Victor as he made his way to back out of the station. The slowpoke slowly but surely following behind.
The station master sighed. "Thanks much! Slowpoke can be a big trouble to move sometimes." And he went back to finish giving Gloria and you your passes as Victor continued to lead the pokemon out of the station. 
"Hmmm? How interesting. I must say your catching style is quite simply elegant." "Whoa amazing! The way you're catching that slowpoke is the absolute coolest!"
Victor chuckled nervously as he continued leaving. "Are you guys getting on the train too?"
They both turned to Gloria and the pink haired lady nodded. "I'm heading to a place called the Isle of Armor! I'm gonna catch some rare pokemon and do some training!"
The blonde haired man nodded. Again HOW were those pokeballs floating around his hat?? "I've heard it's a place where one can catch rare pokemon and do lots of training."
Before Gloria could say anything else the station master turned back to the three of them. "We apologize for the wait. We have checked your Armor pass. All aboard the the train to the Isle of Armor! Mind your step when boarding. Please be aware there will also be a connection along the way."
"Okaaay!" "Understood."
The pink haired lady turned back to Gloria. "Let's hang if we meet up again, 'K? Bye bye then! See ya!"
The taller blonde man reached up to tip his hat slightly to Gloria. "Yes. Perhaps we shall meet again sometime. Well then please excuse me."
And both turned to board the train. You all watched them go before Hop hummed. "I could be wrong..But that lady looked familiar."
"You too huh?" Hop nodded and you hummed. Ok. That was strange. Hop seemed to kinda recognize them too so it's more than a deja vu affect. ...Well considering those two were in Wedgeherst Station that means they must've been from Postwick too right? You must've seen them around before and not paid them much attention beforehand. Yeah. That must've been it.
The station master ended up giving Gloria her pass and she quickly boarded the train with you and Silver behind her but she paused and looked behind her at them all....Smiling sadly and waved. You  waved too as they all waved back smiling and in Mrs. G's case crying lightly until the doors closed and the train moved. You both stood there for a long moment before you felt a jolt of the train move and you nudged her shoulder gently saying that you both should probably take your seats. She agreed so you both walked further into the train to take your seats. Huh. You didn't see the guy with the top hat or the girl with really bright pink hair anywhere. Guess they were in a different part of the train. It took a good few days and nights  of traveling by train and following the instructions Leon gave Gloria on her rotomi phone before stopping by and getting off at a station over looking an ocean. We're you supposed to travel the rest of the way by boat?
"Misses Gloria and Y/n?," a male voice called making you both look left and saw the familiar sight of a flying taxi. "You are them right?"
"Yeah!," Gloria happily answered with a smile, "Why?"
"I was assigned by the Champion to take you both to the Isle of Armor." He made a come on motion. "Climb aboard."
"Oh this is great!" Gloria beamed grabbing your arm. "We'll be there in no time!"
You groaned as she dragged you by the arm towards the taxi with Silver at your heels. Flying. WHY WAS IT ALWAYS FLYING!?
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heartblobs · 11 months
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Tag Game for Historical Simblrs! 📖
1. What has been your favorite time period to play in or which one are you most excited for?
Since I’m currently only in the early 1900s (in game), I’ll say which time period I’m looking forward to! It has to be, without a doubt, the 50s-70s. The fashion, the music, the art! It’s all just so- ugh. Y’know? I absolutely can’t wait for the hair and beautiful swing dresses!
2. Do you have a favorite piece of historical cc? (CAS or BB)
Oh god, do I have to pick just one? This is so hard 😭 This may be a little odd, but it could be this dress for toddlers/infants by vintagesimstress. It’s just so easy to pop that on a toddler when there’s so little historical cc for them, and much less for infants! It’s a godsend in my save.
3. Who is your favorite sim currently?
You all haven’t met them yet, but one of Walter and Eva’s children I’ve grown so attached to. They’re the absolute cutest and I really hope I can do their story justice!
4. What is your favorite world?
Glimmerbrook! I love the woods and the river that runs through the tiny, little world. Plus, the aesthetics of the spellcasters is just gorgeous. Close second would have to be Forgotten Hollow, which is a shame because I don’t know if I’ll ever have my historical sims live in either of those worlds. 😓
5. Are you more gameplay or story focused?
Hm, honestly I’m not sure. I try my best to balance out both so I don’t burn myself out, so I’d have to say I’m both!
6. Do you like to play with pets in your historical saves?
I try to, but honestly they’re so annoying to deal with. 😭 I really don’t like Sims 4 pets, which is a shame because I love pets in the previous Sims games. Pets, if I ever incorporate them in the story, will be for story purposes only!! 😅
7. What’s your biggest immersion breaking pet peeve with the game?
NPCs who are dressed in jeans and a tshirt! I am so grateful for the NPC overrides by cowplant-snacks. Am I gonna suffer once long skirts are out of fashion? Yes. But for now I am happy with my lil victorian mailmen strolling around my game 😌
8. What’s your favorite in-game historical item? (CAS or BB)
The entire Vampires gamepack catalog. I use those items for nearly every build for the time period I’m planning in, and they’re all just so pretty. Maybe excluding the coffins.
9. What would you like to see as a new pack or asset to the game?
I’d like more things for children to do! And I don’t mean another activity table. Although Growing Together did help with that, I still struggle with things children and toddlers can actively do. I rely on mods to sometimes send them to rabbithole activities because I just have nothing for them to do once they max out their childhood skills. So yeah! Maybe like, an arcade pack or something?
10. What pack do you think is invaluable as a historical simmer?
Cottage Livings, hands down. In those earlier years, if you don’t want to play as an already richer family, playing as a simple farmer is not only fun but realistic! I have another historical save that I play from time to time just for myself, and my family starts out farming and having chickens and cows and it’s all just so fun!
11. Do you have a favorite mod to enhance historical gameplay?
There’s so many, but I highly recommend the Phone to Notebook Replacement Mod by ayoshi. For some reason, mods that are supposed to make Sims not pull out their phone ever two minutes just don’t work in my game, so this mod just allows them to continue to be obsessed with their phones, they’re just now little notebooks! No time travellers in my game.
12. What’s your ideal family size for playing?
For strictly gameplay, I usually prefer families about 3-4 in size. The Baudelaires will eventually grow to 7 in total, which is a lot of Sims for me, but I’m excited to have the challenge!
13. Do you use poses?
🧍‍♀️ 
14. Do you use any overrides in your game?
Oh my god, yes. I have so many, from eye overrides to cloud overrides. Also, just the few I’ve listed here, just help so much with immersion! I couldn’t play this game without them.
15. Do you, or did you, play off-the-grid during your game?
I really tried to at first, there are just not a lot of necessities that actually WORK off the grid, cc or otherwise. So I just replaced everything I could with older looking electronics. Although, I really wanted the lighting from the candles. Yes, it’s bad at times, but I like it for some odd reason.
16. What lifespan do you play on?
Long/custom lifespan settings! Since every four days is equal to one year in my game, I tried to reflect that in the lifespans.
17. What inspired you to start playing a historically?
I’m almost positive it was the amazing Pixelnrd. I actually started this blog as a royal simblr! I was scrolling around on Tumblr and found Pixelnrd’s blog and that was that. I’ve always loved history and once I found this challenge, I fell in love with the idea of it!
Thank you so much for tagging me @aheathen-conceivably! <3 I’ll tag @0-nouke-0 @carousel-of-sims @sasaofastora @antiquepixels @cattermelons & anyone else who’d like to do this! 
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ghostieking · 10 months
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I just sat here for the past hour allowing myself to sketch a portrait freely on procreate. I didn’t think I would like the result as much as I did… What I have been realizing when it comes to art and my process is that I need to stop forcing myself to convey to the cutesy aesthetic and sellable mechanism of it all. Seeking numbers on social media ruins art. Trying to look like something people would click on destroys what I most like about art that is the rawness of it! And at least for me having to think too much while creating or recording the process actively thinking of content ruins it. 
I sat down with my tablet and pen in hands knowing that I needed to draw something with a lot of contrast. I naturally gravitated towards the black, white and grey pallete that I have saved - one that I haven’t really touched before, but had saved since I do love working with black ink and graphite when it comes to traditional stuff. I tapped my favorite gritty little brushes, the ones I usually use and started to freely paint a face. 
One thing I tend to do first when drawing faces freely, with no reference, is blocking the eye and the shadows behind them… For some reason that really helps me to get the shape of the entire face going. The moment I places the almost black grey down on the blank white canvas I knew that my canvas needed to be as dark as the shade selected and that I would go from there. Then… I blacked out. I got immersed in the art making, in blocking shapes and switching in between all the grey variations I ended up using. Up until I found myself with something that I loved! That’s what I crave!! 
I crave making art to a point on which it just flows out of my brain, it just simply starts existing as a reflection of my entire submission to the media I’m working with. 
And that’s on this piece. 
Maybe look just like a portrait to some, but for me it’s so wildly different from anything I’ve made before in so many different aspects… It’s special. Also you can tell I’ve been influenced a bit by the new Spider-Man movie without even meaning to!! I haven’t watched it yet, but I guess my brain craved that rawness…
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zeldurz · 1 year
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Hi there! I have been meaning to touch base with you on my fake interview show, The Asker’s Studio™️ (an unabashed rip-off of the very real show, Inside the Actor’s Studio with James Lipton ז״ל)
Welcome!
It’s well-known that I am the world’s laziest fic reader. None of my degrees prepared me for the Ao3 search engine, so all fics that make their way to my scores of open tabs come by recommendations. It’s a pretty stringent gauntlet to run, as those close to me know that certain tags such as hurt with no comfort likely will not make the cut. (Simply because I get enough on-the-job overload of this already)
The bottom line is this: your fic, Whatever it Takes landed in my must read file by dint of not one, but several hearty recommendations. I am still thanking those people, because even when I hit a dark patch and rejected fic for a while…this little gem still worked for me.
For those who are unfamiliar with the fic, here is a brief summary:
The Chimaera's medics arrive just a moment earlier, saving Thrawn from the fate Ruhk had intended for him. As the Grand Admiral fights for his life, Gilad Pellaeon comes to some important realizations and makes some important decisions.
Only time will tell if they're worth it.
Essentially, what we have is a Legends AU Prawn fic! (Pellaeon-Thrawn)
One of the main themes that runs through this fic is a significant amount of pining. It is very subtle, as is most everything about this fic, so I wanted to pick it up from here.
Generally speaking, most of my asks tend to be thought-bending deep dives into the land of introspection. Since this is your first time here, I will try to go light. 🤣
Tell us what brought you to write fic, and more specifically, how it was you chose a Prawn pairing (which is usually overshadowed by the more popular Thranto pairing) as your universe.
Writing style. I can never get enough insight into how people write their fics (my method being to know the beginning & end and fill in the rest, thank you @coruscantiscribbler) Do you use the more complex outline format, or do you just sit down and “go for it”? (the @myevilmouse method)
Many of my authors know exactly how their fics are going to end they day they begin them. Are you one of these authors, or does the mystery remain for you, too?
Finally, is fic a catharsis, something that you do to relax & for fun? I ask this, because eventually fic became a nemesis for me. An adversarial relationship that I walked away from. (until very recently, the muses began to whisper…)
I am enjoying Whatever It Takes, immensely. It is my hope that it goes on for many more chapters.
I thank you for your time, should you choose to share it.
Ahhhhh my first Asker's Studio! Now I know I've made it as a fic author lol
I started writing fics because I do a bunch of text RP and play a lot of DND/TTRPGs, and I started writing bits and pieces to get a better sense of my characters and their backstories. From there it was a small jump to “fanfiction is RP where I am all the characters at once” and eventually I realized other people might, in fact, enjoy what I have written.
For Prawn specifically, the blame for that lies almost entirely on @life-jim-but-not-as-we-know-it. About a year ago I started listening to the canon Thrawn audiobooks on the recommendation of @emp-roar, and I found myself instantly attached to Thrawn as a character (as is true for many autistic-coded Sherlock-esque characters). Since I had to wait for the audiobooks to become available, I made my way over to AO3 and searched up my new blorbo and my favourite genre of fanfiction: the Hurt/Comfort. I did not even know who Gilad Pellaeon was at the time (I was very excited to see him in Treason and Rebels – “that's the Legends Guy from Drac's fics!”) but I was very emotionally invested in the two of them.
Even after finishing the Heir Trilogy, the Ascendancy Trilogy, and the Canon Thrawn Trilogy, I still find our dear Captain Pellaeon the most fun to write as Thrawn's “Watson”, and so that's (mostly) what I do. There's something about the two of them sassing each other that I really enjoy, and I find Pellaeon's perspective a little easier to get a handle on than Eli's or Ar'alani's (as examples).
Not to mention Bilbringi provides an awful lot of inspiration, since I am definitely NOT a Major Character Death person, and if I can pretend that last part of the Last Command never happened, I most certainly will.
Ohhhh this is an interesting question. I have an extremely unique method for story planning called “I have ADHD and a job that requires an awful lot of driving” - by which I mean almost all of my fics start from a kernel of an idea that gets tumbled around in my mind for anywhere from an hour to upwards of eight hours of highway driving, and then if I'm lucky, I'll write it down before it goes away again. Usually, this idea is the middle of the fic (for Whatever it Takes, it was the concept that maybe the Empire isn't very well equipped to treat a critically injured alien, even if he is their Supreme Commander), and then when I want to write I have to sit down and figure out how to start it and end it. There are many stories gathering dust in my google drive right now as I try and figure out how to make them flow quite right.
Because of this and the aforementioned ADHD, I also tend to bounce around between different fics depending on what happened to catch the attention of the brain squirrels on any particular day – so I usually don't plan too far in advance.
Also while it isn't so much about how I plan my fics, you may be interested to know that many of them are written a paragraph or even a sentence or two at a time. My job (when I'm not driving) often has 10-15 min gaps where I'm waiting for a test to run or a system to finish pumping down or something like that, and that's often when I wind up writing down the bits and pieces I thought of on the way there. I will sometimes sit down and write a whole bunch at once – especially if I'm staying overnight somewhere for work and so don't have my tablet or my gaming PC – but if I have big chunks of time I'm usually doing something other than writing.
So far, yes! If you had told high school me that I had written 69458 words (according to AO3, so I'd bet it's closer to 100000 if you count my google drive) of stories this year of my own volition, I would have told you that was insane and that I hated writing, but I do actually really enjoy it. I think it helps that there's less pressure to have “central themes” and “metaphors” and all that other stuff that is very important to English teachers, and that I'm writing solely for myself. If other people enjoy my unedited blorbo thoughts, then I'm happy to share them, but I don't want it to become a “I have to do xyz” sort of thing. (this is also why I am sure there are many typos/missing words in my fics, bc rereading and editing is Not Fun lol)
Thank you for asking! I always appreciate your comments and thoughts on both my work and others :D
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heretic-altias · 6 months
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FFXIVWrite Day 30 - Amity
I decided to wrap things up for FFXIVWrite with a little reflective piece for Akku. The nicest little guy for the friendliest prompt.
While not related to the prompt I'd also like to celebrate here that I did it! I did every single prompt for this challenge! This is something I've actually wanted to accomplish for a few years now, so I'm really proud of myself. I hope anyone following my page enjoyed it too and wasn't driven too mad by my blog suddenly becoming 99% fics when I rarely posted my writing usually lol.
Don’t know my characters? Here’s a basic breakdown to help you out!
~
As far back as he could remember, Akku simply wanted to be a good person. To be kind to everyone he met. Even before his echo power had manifested and shown him just how much suffering everyone carried, he wanted to make their lives better.
In his youth, his kindness was not repaid. In retrospect, he had simply been a pushover. Letting others walk all over him trying to make them happy. In the mind of a child, letting others act in the way that made them happy seemed like kindness.
He had still not entirely grown out of that when fate first dropped him in with Solar as a Warrior of Light. He had been the youngest one there, a boy of nineteen summers tagging along with proper adults. A bright eyed child hopeful about their role in the world. Heroes were always kind after all. Heroes made everyone happy in the end.
But he quickly came to see that simply wasn’t reality. Sometimes the greatest kindness was a harsh truth, sometimes people suffered and died no matter how hard you tried.
Sometimes in the end Altais, with her direct and blunt responses, had been kinder than his attempts to comfort people. Sometimes, even when the war was over and the people were saved, some still suffered endlessly. And many people didn’t even live to see the end.
In a strange way, Akku had learned to be kinder. He understood when he had to be direct and harsh for the greater good of someone’s well being. He had learned to respect himself and not just be tread upon, for his agency was needed to do good in the world. 
And in face of his failures, he continued to try.
Akku reflected on all of this as he relaxed by the docks in Sharlayan, a light snow starting to dust the ground. He had come to like this city a lot, there was something peaceful about it. And since being sort of adopted into a study group despite not actually being a student, he enjoyed spending time here with some new friends. With the Scions officially disbanded, and his friends in Solar spread out working on their own things Akku had been sort of drifting lately.
Should he be doing more than this? Maybe. Maybe he should enroll in the classes himself instead of just studying with some of the students. Maybe he should be going home and seeing if Zelda needed any help on the administrative side of things. Or maybe he should still be traveling, doing what he can to help anyone he meets.
But this was comforting. And he didn’t need to do anything just yet. Being a Scion and Warrior of Light had actually left him quite wealthy, even with his poor money skills. Not Ul’dah Syndicate level of wealthy, but wealthy enough where he probably would not want for anything for the rest of his life if he kept living as he did. And if he had the means to keep doing nothing for a little while, then why not? There was one person he had rarely ever been kind to: himself. And that person deserved this period of rest. Purpose would find him again eventually. Until then he’d continue to enjoy this. He’d keep trying to spend time with his friends, both new and old, simply because it made him happy. And he knew it made them happy too. What better way to spend his days than that?
He wasn’t dumb enough to think it’d last forever. Eventually his friends would need his help again, and he would answer because that’s who he is. But somehow he’d gotten that happy ending everyone wrote the hero having. It wasn’t as perfect as the stories, but it was his and he was happy.
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babywitchlou · 1 year
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Unexpected (A Derry Girls Fanfic)
Summary: She hadn't expected him to follow her to Belfast, but even if she had, she never could have expected this.
Rating: Teen & Up
ao3
Erin stared at the little piece of plastic in front of her on her bathroom counter, as the telephone in their small student flat continued to ring, just as it had been ringing for the last 10 minutes. 
The stupid test was showing two blue lines. Not just one, but two. 
Which was very, very bad for her indeed. 
The phone had stopped ringing. She wasn’t sure when, but she realized she was sitting on the floor, and… was she crying? How much time had passed?
She heard the sound of a key in her door, and the all-too-familar sound of Converse against her linoleum as he called out to her. 
“Erin, love? Where are you? You didn’t pick up your phone so I started to worry…. Oh, hello.” He cocked his head to the side as his brow furrowed in concern at the sight of her on the floor. “Why are you crying on the floor? Did something happen?
 When she didn’t speak, his green eyes darted around the bathroom until they landed on the stupid plastic stick still laying on the counter. “Erin is that… is that a pregnancy test?”
Ach, fuck me.
---
It was amazing how nothing went the way she thought it would. Growing up, the four of them had always expected to attend Uni together at Ulster’s campus in Derry. Well, at least Clare and Erin expected they would go, and Orla and Michelle would do whatever Orla and Michelle did, but they would all be together, staying in Derry, like they always did. Even once James decided he was, in fact, a Derry Girl, they all expected him to go to University in London, since he was still the wee English fella. 
But, Erin had gotten into Queen’s University Belfast, as well as Ulster, and was torn on where to go until Clare nervously infomed them all that in addition to Queen’s and Ulster, she had also gotten into Cambridge, on scholarship, and there was really no good reason for her not to go, except that it was far away. Everyone was just so ecstatic and proud of her that not one of the four of them would even entertain the thought of Clare attending anywhere else. It was bloody Cambridge University after all. 
After the Good Friday Agreement was ratified, Niall ended up being one of the first 167 prisoners to be released by October, and Michelle decided she would stay in Derry to try and smooth things over between him and their parents. She got a second job at the Badger’s Bar as a waitress, and Orla had gotten a job at Tesco and the two of them were even talking about saving up to get a flat together. 
With everyone settled, it made sense for Erin to go off to uni in Belfast. Hell, it was almost expected, even. What was unexpected was that James decided to follow her. 
She shouldn’t have been surprised, really, because even after she had told him they couldn’t be together following their kiss in Donegal, something was different. Not in a bad way, or a weird way, or an awkward way, just… different. For an entire year, they were stuck together like glue, even when Orla was at step and Michelle was chasing after her latest ride. His Uncle Martin had given him the old Ford Escort when he and Deirdre finally bought a new car, which meant for all of their year 13, James was driving Michelle, Orla, and Erin to school. But, he would always show up at Erin’s first for a cuppa and a pop tart (“Auntie Deirdre never buys pop tarts, just beans and toast for breakfast over there”), citing the food and Michelle’s lengthy morning routine as a reason to get out of the house early, which really wasn’t a bother because he had to pass by their house again on the way to school anyway. Nobody ever batted an eye at his explanation, but the cheeky smile he gave her after a week of this routine made her belly flop, and she just knew he was there for her. 
And then after school, they would all go to Michelle’s to do “homework” (aka watch movies and call Clare), because her parents usually weren’t home, until it was time for supper, and he would offer to walk Erin and Orla home. Sometimes Michelle came, and sometimes she didn’t, wingeing about why they were bothering to walk if they had the car. But when she didn’t come, it was almost like it was just the two of them, because Orla always had her headphones on, dancing ahead of them, and occasionally the backs of their hands would brush against each other, making the butterflies in her stomach wake up and the heat in her face flush as she bit her lip trying to hide her smile, because she could feel him looking at her. 
She always felt him looking at her. 
Especially when he started coming over on Friday nights. They were able to order from the chippy again (Finnoula quickly realized that banning a large family like the Quinns was pretty bad for business), but James still didn’t really like it, and was happy to eat any of Mary’s weeknight leftovers instead. They would sit and talk about her writing scripts for one of his films, or play with baby Anna, or watch something on the telly with her Granda. Michelle almost never came with him on Friday nights, and James made it clear he did not want to know what, or more accurately who, she was doing with the house all to herself, just that he was glad he could go somewhere where he didn’t have to hear it. 
And yet, after all of that, neither of them had said anything else about them being a… them. James had said he could wait, but Erin didn’t really now what that meant. She certainly didn’t think it meant following her to Belfast. 
Not that she didn’t want him there. She did, because she wanted him, even if she couldn’t admit to it out loud.
He was her best friend that first year, all charming smiles and bright green eyes and forcing her to study with his stupid English accent, “You’ve got to stay on track Erin or we won’t be back next year!”.
We. As if he wouldn’t return without her. 
They made other friends, sure, but they went to all the parties together, and studied together, and they were almost always in each other’s dorm room, together, even to sleep, because they were just going to get up and go to breakfast together the next day anyway. 
But still, just friends. Best friends even, but it always, always, stayed completely platonic between them.
Until New Years Eve, 1999. 
They had all been together for Christmas that year, even Clare, who was staying with the Quinns because her mam had been sent on a work trip to America. Michelle and Orla had surprised them all with tickets and a couple of hotel rooms in London for New Years Eve as a Christmas present (“We were saving up for an apartment, but everything vacant in Derry right now is a shit hole, so this seemed way more class”). They’d been to pubs, and walking through the street waiting for Big Ben to toll, when Orla and Michelle ran off together to try and get on the London Eye, and Clare, James, and Erin realized they were nearly back at their hotel. 
“You know guys, I’d rather just head upstairs. I’m actually knackered, so I am,” Clare said, a bit nervously as she watched the two girls disappear into the crowd.
“Then let’s head back up to the hotel. I’m sure we could find some food, and one of the rooms looks towards the Millenium Dome so I’m sure we’ll be able to see the fireworks at least a little.” James bumped his shoulder against Clare’s, holding out his elbow in a silly, yet chivalrous way, and then turned to Erin with that same goofy grin, and held out his hand. 
She took it quickly, glancing over at Clare who seemed none the wiser, as the three of them sauntered back to their hotel. 
As it turned out, Orla had packed enough Tayto crisps, Klipso bars, and Pick N Mix to hold them over for an entire week. So much so, that Clare fell fast asleep into a food coma not 30 minutes after they got up there. The two of them shut off the lights and tip toed over to the room across the hall. 
“So much for fireworks” James muttered, just as they heard Big Ben begin to chime, and suddenly they could feel the cheers from the street below in their feet. 
There was something about the wonder in James’ eyes when he heard those sounds, and the sky out their window was lighting up in different colors, even if they couldn’t see the fireworks themselves, and it was like all time had stopped. 
It wasn’t just a new year, it was a new decade, a new century, the God damned millennium, and it was was all that and more that made her take a step closer to him. 
“Happy New Year James,” she whispered, her hands coming up to rest on his chest. 
That was all it took, that one touch, was the little push he needed to go for it. 
James took her face in his hands, firm yet gentle, and pressed his lips against hers so forcefully it was like all his thoughts and feeling and wants from the last two years were being poured into this one kiss. 
Except, Erin didn’t want it to be one kiss, so when he started to pull away, she threaded her fingers through the curls at the back of his neck and tugged him back to her. With a grin pressed against her lips, he placed his hands behind her thighs and picked her up easily, as if she weighed nothing, and when her legs automatically wrapped around his waist he walked them over to the bed. 
He set her down gently, not like that lad she had snogged at that party a few months back who had wanted to go too far, too fast (he had practically thrown her on the bed, which was kind of rude but also it gave her time to scramble away, just in time for James to come looking for her too). And when he followed, pressing his body against hers as his breath lingered across her cheek, he looked at her sincerely, like she was the most precious and beautiful thing he had ever seen. 
“Do you want to do this, love?”
Love. As a term of endearment, she’d been called it by her mam, and her da, and her granda all her life, but never had it felt so heavy, so perfect as when it had come out of James’ mouth. 
She nodded, suddenly nervous but oh, so sure. “I-I do. I mean, I want it to be you, James. I’ve always wanted it to be you.”
And even if that wasn’t technically true, fuck if it didn’t feel true, right then in that moment, but also for the last two years, at least. 
How could there have ever been anyone else?
And afterwards, as they dozed off, sweaty and naked with James’ fingers running through her hair, Erin realized that they fit together pretty perfectly.
And the next morning, when they found Michelle and Orla asleep in the hallway because they had somehow lost their keys, Clare didn’t even say anything about how Erin wasn’t in the room when she woke up. 
They were together after that, even if none of their friends knew. Well, their friends in Derry at least. Everyone at school knew, and not one of them were surprised. In fact, some of them thought it was odd that they hadn’t already been dating. But they never told the girls, nor their families, and neither of them ever brought it up with the other. 
It was good this way. They were happy. Things were right. 
---
 “Erin is that… is that a pregnancy test?”
Ach, fuck me.
Erin looked up at him, at James, with tear filled eyes, and nodded. When all he could do was sigh, she began to sob. 
“It’ll be alright, love,” he said, as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her against his chest. “We’ll figure it out. It’s going to be alright.”
“We’re meant to be getting our degrees next year, James! We both still have another whole year, how are we going to finish school with a baby! You can’t keep a wain in a student flat.”
“I know that… listen Erin, I don’t know how yet, but we’ll figure it out, alright? I promise, it will be ok.”
Erin looked at him, his eyes wide and bright and sincere, and she tried, really really tried to believe him. 
---
Erin couldn’t even meet her parents eyes when she showed up for tea that Sunday, but shockingly, her Ma didn’t say a word about it. 
In fact, she’d had a massive grin on her face since she waved to James as he drove off to talk to his Auntie Deirdre, and it hadn’t wavered since. Even when Erin told said she had something to tell them as soon as James came back. 
As she stared into her tea, listening to her Granda go on and on about something Jim across the way had told him, her Ma reached and patted the back of her hand. 
“Ach, Erin love, there’s no reason to be nervous. It’s not as if we haven’t suspected this for a long while.”
Erin’s head shot up to meet her mother’s caring gaze. “You have?!”
Mary scoffed. “Of course we have. You two weren’t exactly subtle in getting a flat together, now were you?”
Erin just blinked at her. “But what does that have to do with any of it?”
“It’s a natural implication, love.” Her Da chimed in, placing a plate of biscuits next to her. 
Erin was so confused as to how living together suddenly implied pregnant, but she supposed her parents were old, so maybe thats what it meant when they were twenty years old, and really, if it meant she didn’t have to say the words out loud, then well, all the better then. 
“And you’re not mad?”
“Why would we be mad Erin? James is a nice boy, and you’re twenty years old for Christ sakes. What is there to be mad about?” Mary looked just as confused as Erin was a moment ago, and perhaps even a little insulted. 
Erin looked down into her tea again. “Well, because I haven’t finished University yet.”
Joe laughed. “Honestly, we’re surprised you wains made it as long as ya did. We definitely expected this while you were still at Our Lady Immaculate.”
Erin just stared at her Granda, wide eyed and open mouthed, when the front door slammed open and Deirdre stomped in, still in her nursing uniform, but with her hair down, meaning James must of caught her just before or just after work. There was a screech of tires out front, and James ran in behind her, panting as if he’d been running a marathon. 
The two of them looked around, gravely concerned and a bit confused at the calmness of Quinn household. 
“Uh… alright Deirdre?” Mary asked, eyeing her up and down like she had lost her mind. 
“Am I alright? Are you not absolutely raging?” Deirdre looked at Mary with the same confounded expression.
“Raging? Why, because our wains are dating? You said yourself last week that if they didn’t tell us by Christmas you were just gonna come right out and ask them.”
“Ach, catch yourself on, I didn’t mean them dating, I meant about Erin being pregnant!”
It was as if all the air had been sucked out of the room, when Erin met James’ eye, and they both had similar thoughts:.
Her Ma and Da didn’t know. Definitely hadn’t suspected that.
Erin hadn’t told her parents. They had just been blindsided by his Auntie Deirdre of all people. 
It was quiet in the Quinn household for a long time, until Baby Anna (who really wasn’t a baby anymore, but it might have been written on her birth certificate as it was what they all still called her) said in her sweet, quiet voice, “Erin’s having a baby?”
Gerry stood up, looking for all the world like he wanted to punch James in the face, when Joe placed a gentle hand on his chest to stop him. “Not in front of the girls, Gerry.”
He looked at Mary, who is looking at the floor biting her nails, and then he looked at Erin, and his expression nearly breaks her. 
“Get out.”
Everyone turned to Gerry at once. Mary spoke first, an incredulous noise that is only barely a word. “What?!”
Erin was crying now, her voice strangled and broken. “Daddy-”
“No, just.. Just get out Erin.”
And James, the hero he’d always been for her, helped her out of her chair and ushered her out of her parents house with a protective arm slung across her shoulders. 
He got her into his car, and started driving towards the Mallons without so much as a word. Erin was still crying, but she managed to ask why his aunt didnt follow them, and James said he thinks she was trying to smooth things over with her parents. When they finally reach the Mallon’s house, James turned to Erin like he wanted to say something, but something behind her caught his eye and he blanched. “Fuck. Michelle’s home.”
Erin laughed, a humorless sound because really, of course Michelle would be home right now, but they have to tell her eventually, and fuck it, this day really cant get any worse. 
Which is what she told him as she got out of the car. 
“What’s up mother fuckers!” Michelle yelled excitedly when she first saw them, until her brain had time to register the look on their faces. “Oi, what happened to you? You look like actual shite there Erin.”
Erin sniffles, but managed a half smile. It’s comforting being around Michelle. Even older, and more responsible, and a bit less wild, she was still the same Michelle they could count on. “Thanks for that Michelle. Truly, you have a gift at reading people.”
Michelle turned to James. “Alright dicko, what did you do?”
“Me? Why does it have to be me?”
“Ach, wise up, we’ve all known you’re the one who’s been riding her for the last year, and honestly, it was about time. We all had bets on how long it would take for you two to tell us, which means I win because I guessed you would let us know by Christmas.”
“Michelle, James didn’t do anything… I mean, he did, but nothing bad, it just, I mean it’s not-”
“I don’t want to hear about you riding my cousin Erin. I may not hate the idea as much as I did a few years ago, but I still dont want to hear it.”
“Michelle, just listen, please.” And it was the desperation in James’ voice that made Michelle pause.
“Well fuck, sit down I guess. Let’s hear it now, before mammy gets home.”
“She already knows… I told her before we went over to the Quinns, she’s still there now.” As he talked, James led Erin to the couch, sitting her down gently, as if she was going to break into a thousand tiny little pieces. 
She certainly felt like she was going to break into a thousand tiny little pieces. 
Michelle sat on the floor in front of the TV across from them, and looked at them expectantly. “Well, get on with it then. What’s wrong?”
James looked at Erin, who was looking at the floor, tears still streaming down her face, and he sighed. “Erin’s pregnant.”
“No!” Michelle gasped. “You’re taking the piss.”
“I’m not.”
“And my da kicked me out,” Erin said quietly.
“Shut the fuck up. Not your mum?”
Erin shrugged. “She didn’t really say anything about it. No one did, they didn’t get the chance. Da just told me to get out.”
Michelle let out a long breathe, making the room dead silent for a moment. “So what are you going to do?!”
James looked at Erin again, trying to catch her eye, but wasn’t able to get her to look at him. “Well… I’ve been thinking about it, and I wanted to talk to Erin about it first but I think I’m going to quit school and get a job. That way Erin can go back to school after the baby is born… if uh, she wants to, that is.”
Erin’s head shot up at that. “I can’t get… I couldn’t… we’re keeping the baby, James.” Her voice was strong then, not sounding broken for the first time since they had left her parents house. “But what about you? You don’t want to finish uni?”
“I do, and maybe I will someday, but… I want to have a family with you more. I’ve known that for a long time.”
Michelle made a quiet, fake gagging sound from her seat on the floor. “Boke.”
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laeorinel · 2 years
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FFXIV Write 2022 - Day 9 - Prompt: Yawn
Endwalker 6.0 Spoilers. A fluff piece to balance all the angst from the last few prompts. Thancred x Wol.
Thancred cursed as he poured over the maps in front of him; red circles are drawn around far too many points for his liking. Since the Final Days had fallen upon Thavnair, the Scions had been scattered in various directions, doing what they could to prevent more blasphemies from coming into existence and save those they could. 
It was a battle they were losing. 
Thancred tossed the pencil he was holding away after drawing yet another circle on the map before flopping down into the chair behind him. Vrtra had been kind enough to offer the Scions lodging with the city, and they had quickly made a makeshift base of sorts. Not that many of them had made much use of it other than as a place to get a few hours rest like he was trying and failing to do now. 
Every day there would be more reports of another settlement or village falling into chaos. Things were moving and changing so rapidly that there was little use in trying to scout out any places. His usual plans of finding survivors and evacuating them somewhere safe were useless. Nowhere was safe.
Even in lands beyond Thavnair, where the skies had yet to be set aflame, reports of blasphemies started coming through. Reports claimed these monsters were more dangerous and intelligent, and the Grand Companies and Eastern Alliance had requested aid from the only person they trusted to put them down. The Warrior of Light. 
While Thancred understood the reasoning behind the requests, it still irked him. It is not as if she had more important things to do, like trying to save the entire bloody star or anything like that. Assuming her plans had not changed, she would be in Othard now, checking on the state of the Steppe and helping Lord Hien with a blasphemy problem.
It has been a few weeks now since he last saw Samara. He would be lying if he said he did not miss her company. They spoke regularly over linkpearl, so long as it was safe to, but it was not the same as being able to see her in person, hale and whole. 
They had known going into this relationship that things would be difficult. Their respective duties would always pull them in different directions, sometimes to opposite ends of the star and beyond. Neither of them liked it, and both wished a day would come when they could go on adventures together and ignore what else was happening in the world. But it made those moments where they were together all the more precious. 
Heaving a weary sigh as he leaned back in the chair, tipping his head back and briefly closing his eyes. Halfway to falling asleep, he heard the door open, and someone shuffled inside, footsteps catching on the tiled floor. By the sound of the armour alone, he knew who it was, the creak of leather, cloth and the sound of arrows moving around in a quiver. 
"Samara? I thought you were supposed to be in Othard by now?" Thancred says as he springs to his feet, brows furrowed as he sees the state of her. 
Thancred moves to her quickly, looking her over for injuries that need seeing to. Her armour was covered in new scratches and tears, the cloth and leather discoloured by blood and ichor. She has dark circles under her eyes and walks with an uneasy gait, slumped over and using her bow as a makeshift walking stick. 
"Just returned." She mutters as she sways lightly from side to side. Thancred guides her towards one of the beds, though in all honesty, he is half-carrying Samara at this point. She sags against him, her legs refusing to work correctly. 
"Good, then you can rest up before heading out again," he says as he places her down before he begins removing her armour. Usually, Samara would comment on him trying to get her out of her clothes before buying her dinner, but her thoughts trail off. Despite the exhaustion, however, her stubbornness is still apparent as she clumsily tries to push Thancred's hands away. 
"No...no...there is too much that needs doing-"
"And it can wait." Thancred murmurs as he finally undoes the rather stubborn laces of her boots, moving them to the side with the rest of her armour.  
"I just...I just need to rest my eyes." Samara mumbles as she slumps over, hands rubbing at her face and eyes. Thancred, meanwhile, moves around the room, grabbing various items. He finds one of his somewhat clean undershirts for her to sleep in and gets a basin of water and a washcloth before moving back to her side.  
He soaks and squeezes out the washcloth before he starts cleaning off most of the muck and grime on her skin, taking special care with her scales. While he could find no apparent injuries, the last thing they needed was her getting ill from poor cleanliness. "You need to rest. Properly this time."
Samara leans forward, resting her head against Thancred's shoulder as he works, a hand weakly lifting and pointing between them as she murmurs. "Pot, kettle."
"Samara." his tone implies there is no room for argument as he moves back to look her in the eyes.
She heaves a sigh, shoulders and head sagging further. "I can't rest, Thancred. Not yet. They need help. They- "
"Asked for aid, but not explicitly your aid. Others can and will pick up the slack. I've seen the reports of what our allies are dealing with." He gestures back towards the table of maps. "If needed, Urianger or Alphinaud can help with matters in Ala Mhigo. Alisaie or Y'shtola can go to Ishgard in your sted, and I think Estinien is more than capable of assisting the Admiral with whatever she needs. And either G'raha or I will go to Gridania to help the Elder Seedseer."
Samara goes quiet, a distant look in her eyes. Thancred finishes drying her off before throwing his shirt over her and gently coaxing her to lie back in the bed. She pulls him along with her, her tail wrapping around his lower leg, a silent implication that if she is resting, so is he. 
He doesn't complain, lying back in the bed and cradling her in his arms, her head tucked just under his chin. "Let us help. Let me help. You've shouldered enough burdens alone."  
Under normal circumstances, she would argue, and she does try, but whatever she intends to say is swallowed up by a yawn. Her body betraying her, she mutters away to herself indignantly while she curls up closer to Thancred, half remembering to make sure her horns don't poke him anywhere uncomfortable. 
Her words are slurred as she quickly loses the battle with sleep. "..'ove you..."
Thancred would never tire of hearing her say that, smiling fondly as he places a light kiss on the top of her head. "I love you too. Rest now, love. I will still be here when you awake." 
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nachosncheeze · 2 years
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Music of Blindspot - end of season 2!
Music of Blindspot 2x22 - Lepers Repel
To begin, as always, I have to acknowledge that everything contained below is the ramblings of a regular, unaffiliated dork. The works of genius I'll be rambling about is the work of the brilliant Blake Neely, Sherri Chung, and their amazing team. I just... really love what they've done. Buy the Season 1 OST if you haven't already. All that crunchy, driving percussion is worth your time.
This week is less a music post and more a love letter. I wish that the company would release more music from this series officially, and this last episode of season two is in my top 2 reasons why (the other is 3x22. If we wanna talk top 3? 5x11.) Neely, Chung, and the rest of the team were scoring, recording, and mixing 5 episodes per week - one for each of 5 different shows (they also did Riverdale and the DC universe). I always find the fact that they created such a distinct set of sounds and themes for Blindspot amazing in itself. But the season finales are, absolutely, some of the best. In every single one, they managed to come up with a ton of music that doesn't directly reference anything specific, but just sounds like Blindspot... and they managed to make heartwrenching use of one or two existing themes at key moments. In 1x23, it was the main theme on strings and a short revival of the opening track from 1x01 in the safehouse, and before that the Oscar and Jane theme - released on the OST as See You on the Other Side - in the barn.
Here in the season two finale, there are two brilliant reappearances of important themes. (please be aware that there is a lil 3x01 spoiler at the end of this post, if you're finding this as a new fan and haven't watched it yet)
~~~~~
The first is, of course, Torn Apart. But not just any section or mix of Torn Apart. Very specifically, they have gifted us with a new recording of the Remi and Roman theme.
Here's the original version, with the video if you want some visual context for it. This theme is the moment she met her brother. The first time someone showed her real kindness after the black site. The first human touch she's had that didn't hurt, since the moment Kurt turned on her. And it's also every other time she remembers them as children, clutching onto one another. That's it. That's the whole piece.
Here in 2x22, she had to make a choice for Roman: do what Kurt did to her, knowing exactly where he would go; or give him what he's begging for... the thing the nukes didn't.
But she remembers what they were, and she just. can't. Do It. (this is the 2x22 version)
Excuse me while I go sob a moment.
💔
The other is the Jeller theme, which is included in the stunning wonderful perfect two years later montage in Nepal. The music for that scene might honestly be my second favorite in the entire series. To my very, very great disappointment it has never, to my knowledge, been put out there in any capacity. So I made my own! (note that I don't know the first effing thing about sound editing - I basically just stripped the dialogue and pressed the volume to make it roughly level, since it fades in and out dramatically around the dialogue.... Yes the wind and crickets are still there, and the glow worm tattoo battery zappy sound; couldn't be helped, but actually, I kind of love them so whatever! xD). Okay, seriously though, I kept humming along to it in my internal brain stereo when I was trying to write so I figured I'd put some version of it through actual speakers. Maybe someone else will find some inspo too. :)
This piece starts, when Jane is climbing, with an expansion of the music from when Jane recovered her first memory, at the Statue of Liberty in 1x01. That carries through until she's back inside.
What we usually consider the Jeller theme is actually a mix off The Truth Can Save You from the season one OST. I won't tell you what scene that original mix is from because it would make me very unpopular and maybe ruin some people's day. We don't say the quiet part out loud, right? IT'S THE JELLER THEME. IT WAS NEVER USED FOR ANY OTHER SITUATION(s)* EVER. End of discussion.
In that spirit, the [definitely truly first and only time] it appears on screen is for The Scene in 1x10. I adore this mix they've put in 2x22. Everything before and after is sweeping, epic, angsty, evocative, tense, dramatic. Shout out to the strings and the timpanist!! But the Jeller theme nestled in the middle there is just... perfect. The timing to things on the screen - that Weller sound that kept dropping in and out of Torn Apart, coming into this mix just as he comes through the door, their two voices meeting in the middle, then hers again as she realizes what it means that, yeah, he is still wearing his ring. Somehow, it recaptures this sort of... sense of discovery, that hasn't been heard in it since that first appearance in 1x10, and frankly I'm not sure we ever quite hear again. I couldn't quite name what it is. The tempo, maybe? The Weller vs Jane vocals meeting at just the right point? The piano waiting its turn? Whatever it is, there's a sort of sweet, simple, fraught wonder in it, much like the reacquaintance happening on screen. It's just... *chef's kiss*
And then there's the not-so-subtle similarity between the driving crescendo, melody and overall sound when the new tattoos are revealed, and the... *drumroll*... Remi and Roman theme. ;D WELL DONE music team, you clever cookies. 😍
Now lest this get any ramblier or gushier than it is, That Scene in between the two aforementioned masterpieces. @indelibleevidence got there literally years before me, but for completion's sake: Make it Wit Chu by Queens of the Stone Age. :D *hypothetically if there were situation(s) there might be two. anyone feeling masochistic and/or chaotic? hmu i can maim you with facts and/or we can scream about it
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ginjointsintheworld · 2 years
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it just ocurred to me that we leyrens arent the only ones being let down. now i realize its not a matter of favorites or protagonists, its a matter of the writers being bad at making couples in general. aside from them cutting leyrens crucial dialogues and simply avoiding an earnest conversation about the bribe (dont get me started on the offscreen kiss i might as well pass out), we have sharpwin with a bunch of phone calls and everything being about max as usual, whatever the hell is going on with floyd, lyn and claude (rip evie) and the disservice they did to iggy and martin, who used to be the most stable pairing of the entire show. i kinda feel bad for sharpwins because i can feel the wedding will be all over the place (someone on twitter said helen might get married wearing a leather skirt lmao) and the fact that they exchanged a racist castle for a racist hospital rooftop is sad, helen did deserve something nice even if it was in ny. anyway, im happy/unhappy to realize that all couples in this show are equally built on unnecessary drama and crumbs of joy
there's a lot of inner peace and enjoyment to be found when we accept that new amsterdam is not a particularly well written show. like don't get me wrong, the writers definitely TRY their best but. the skill level is not there to execute the ideas they have sometimes lol (saved for my bias opinion of the stronger writers in the room but they're unfortunately relegated to story editors who only get to write one episode a season). but that honestly makes it easy to live with these storylines knowing that it's not out of malicious intent.
but yes, everyone's storyline and the overall cohesiveness of the show took a nose dive this season. of the main characters, helen taking the brunt of it since she went from her own individual identity to just being max's romantic interest and somehow London, which was suppose to be able her character backstory and development, was monopolized and then sidelined by max's story. Frankly I think of all the Bad Cards that were dealt out this season, lauren made it through decently. For as stupid as the donation plot and then the visa drama was, at least we saw some kind of consistency and end goal with what the writers had planned for her growth through this conflict. Tbh if the writers had allocated just a handful more scenes and screentime to lauren and leyla's story this season, it could've been a well done story. But the moments they chose to cut and be referenced in conversations instead (leyla coming to floyd about a rec letter, lauren tell leyla about her triggers, the additional money drop moments they had where lauren was more at ease) ended up making pacing feel rushed. Though I will say, I disagree about them avoiding earnest conversations about the donation because I think leyla said her piece in 4x10 and lauren said hers in 4x13. What's left and what I'd like to see is their conversation on how they move forward from it and I'm (probably foolishly) hopeful we'll get that in the finale.
ah well it is what it is. we've got one more episode left in the season and hopeful it's a good sign for better things to come in s5
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Underneath the goody-two-shoes persona is damaged goods…but can the bad boy across the street save her?
Damaged Goods, an all-new angsty, enemies to lovers, sports romance from USA Today bestselling author L.J. Shen is now available!
Bailey Followhill is the perfect daughter.
Sweet. Charitable. Pretty. Control freak.
Not a hair out of place, not an inch out of line, she is everything her troublemaking sister Daria isn't.
But when her A game turns out to be a lukewarm C- at Juilliard, Bailey's picture-ready life starts fraying faster than the worn satin ribbons of her pointe shoes.
She's becoming a piece of gossip.
The Troubled Child. A drug abuser.
No longer the girl her best friend once knew.
Lev Cole is so golden, he's got the Midas Touch.
Prized quarterback. Football captain. Hottest guy in SoCal. A textbook cliché.
But with a girlfriend he doesn't love and a career path he doesn't value, Lev is coasting.
The only two things he cares about―Bailey and becoming a pilot―are out of reach.
But Lev is done being satisfied with the life others have chosen for him. He wants to pick his own cards. To demolish the seamless kingdom of lies his family stitched together on the ruins his mother left behind.
The question is, can he save his best friend and his dream before too much damage is done?
Start reading today!
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Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/damagedgoods
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Keep reading for a look inside Damaged Goods!
PROLOGUE
Lev
Age fourteen
I’m standing over my mother’s grave, wondering why the fuck my eyes are dry.
I couldn’t look at the coffin back inside the church. Knight said she looked pretty. Calm. At peace. But also…nothing like herself.
I squeezed my eyes shut the entire way through, the way I did when I was really little and went on spooky rides at theme parks. Now I’m freaking out because maybe I made a mistake, because it was the last time I could look at her face not through a picture.
That’s the thing about losing someone—there are so many losses along the way that make up a big loss.
No more cuddles in bed on rainy days.
No more heart-shaped fruit in my lunch box.
No more singing lullabies to me when I’m sick, with me pretending I’m embarrassed and annoyed by it when actually Mom singing lullabies is the best thing to happen to this universe since sliced bread.
Bailey is hugging me so close, my bones are about to dissipate to dust. She’s about four inches taller than me now, which is stupid and embarrassing and just my luck. My face is hidden deep inside her hair, and I pretend to cry because it seems rude and screwed up if I don’t. But the truth is, I’m not sad or gloomy or any of those things. I’m fucking pissed. Angry. Enraged.
Mom’s gone.
What if she’s cold? What if she’s claustrophobic? What if she is struggling to breathe? What if she’s scared? Reasonably, I know she isn’t. She’s dead. But logic isn’t my friend right now. Not even an acquaintance. Hell, I doubt I could spell the word in my current state. I feel like Bailey is physically keeping me together. Like if she loosens her arms around me, I’ll collapse into thousands of little marbles, scatter and disappear into the nooks and crannies of the cemetery.
Everyone files back to their cars. Dad claps a shaking hand over my shoulder and steers me away from the grave. Bails reluctantly releases me. I clutch the tips of her fingers. She’s gravity. She’s oxygen. In this moment in time, she’s everything.
Sensing my unspoken need for her, Bailey turns to my dad. “May I please catch a ride with you, Uncle Dean?”
Thank you, Jesus.
“Yeah, Bails, sure,” Dad says distractedly, laser-focused on Knight’s back. My brother is going through his own stuff right now and my dad is trying to ensure he doesn’t lose another member of our family. Usually, I’m cool with being the low-maintenance, “background” kid. Not today, though. I just lost my mom at fourteen. I want the world to stop, but it disrespectfully keeps on spinning and functioning like my life wasn’t just destroyed.
Before we hop into the car, I clutch Bailey’s fingers and pull her to me. “If I told you I want to run away from here, somewhere really far, like…I dunno, Kansas far, what would you say?”
Her big blue eyes hold mine like my eyeballs are about to fall off. “We ride at dawn, bitch.”
“Really?” I ask.
She nods once. “Try me, Lev. You’re my best friend. I’ll never let you down.”
It’s weird, but the possibility of Bailey and me running away from all this is the one thing holding my ass together right now. She might be everyone’s good girl, but to me, she’s a bad addiction.
The drive is silent. I’m a page torn out of a book. Out of place and floating aimlessly. All I have is the memory of once belonging. Then, we’re in front of my house. Everyone trickles inside in their black frocks. They look like ghouls. Home without Mom isn’t a home. It’s a pile of bricks and expensive furniture.
Invisible ivy roots me to the ground. Bailey is the only one who notices. She loiters behind with me, and suddenly, I really hate that I’m putting all my dreams and hopes on her. Because she could be gone tomorrow too. Bus accident. Freak heart attack at fifteen. A kidnap-and-murder plot. The options are endless, and I have really shitty luck with people.
“Kansas?” She grabs my fingers, playing them like they’re keys on a piano.
I shake my head, too choked up to produce actual words.
“We don’t have to go inside.” Her hands slide up to grab my arms and keep me standing. How did she know I’m close to falling? “We can hang out at mine. I’ll make fondue. We can watch South Park.” Her blues gleam like sapphires.
Fresh irritation floods me. Bailey is being soooo understanding, even though she doesn’t understand jack shit. She does have a mom. A healthy one. And a dad. And a sister who isn’t an addict. Her life is perfect, while mine is a pile of calamities.
She’s a blossoming flower, and I’m dirt, but that’s okay because the thing about flowers is they’re buried in dirt, so I know exactly how to cut her off.
Shaking her off, I swivel and stomp my way out of our cul-de-sac. She races after me, calling my name. Her Mary Janes clap the ground urgently.
“Lev, please! Did I say something wrong?”
To be fair to her, she stood no chance at saying anything right. But screw being fair. I’m hurting, and she is baggage. Just another person to love and to lose.
I pick up my pace, running now. I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m eager to get there. The sky—completely blue just seconds ago—cracks like an egg. Thunder rolls, gray washes over it, and rain starts pouring in thick sheets. It’s summer in SoCal and shouldn’t rain. The universe is angry, but I’m angrier.
Whenever Bailey manages to catch the sleeve of my shirt, I speed up, but even after thirty minutes of running in the rain, soaked to the bone, she doesn’t quit. Somehow, we find ourselves in the woods on the outskirts of town. The thick, tall branches and blankets of leaves intertwine together like laced fingers above us, creating a makeshift umbrella. I can sort of see my surroundings now, and it’s pretty and it’s calm and far enough away from that stupid cemetery. I stop running when I realize I’m not gonna escape the new reality: Mom’s dead.
I finally understand the term heartbreak. Because that thing in my chest? Split open clean in two.
I turn around, my lungs scorching. Bailey is pale and sodden, her black dress clinging to her body. Her lips are blue and her skin is so pale, I see a map of purple and red veins under her flesh.
“Go home,” I growl. But I don’t want her to go home. I want her to never leave.
She steps closer, tilting her chin up defiantly. “I’m not leaving you.”
“Fuck off, Bailey!” I fold in half, screaming. I feel like she kicked me in the stomach.
She’ll leave. She’ll let you down. Don’t fall for this, Lev.
“I’m so sorry.” Her eyes are full of tears, and she flexes her fingers, itching to grab me.
Hug me.
Go away.
Fuckfuckfuck.
My mouth opens again and more bullshit spews out. “Don’t be sorry for me. Be sorry for yourself. You’re the loser who hangs out with an eighth grader instead of people your own age.”
“I wish it didn’t happen.” She ignores my insults, trying to grab my fingers again and play them like a piano, like she does every time I’m upset.
Laughing, I rasp, “I wish you didn’t happen.”
“I wish it were me who was dead.” Her face is covered with tears and pain and mud, and I can’t do this anymore. I don’t care how much I’m hurting, I can’t ruin the only good thing about my life right now. She gives me something to fight for when every cell of my body wants to give up.
“Now you’re just talking outta your ass.” I spit phlegm between us.
She shakes her head, quivering fingers darting to her hair, massaging her scalp. I believe her. And it kills me that even though I feel like someone slashed me open and my guts are pouring out, I still wouldn’t want Bailey to be in Mom’s place.
“I’m not. I’m serious. I would die before willingly watch you suffer.”
There’s a beat of silence. Then I open my mouth and the most feral, scary, loud cry I’ve ever heard tears out of it. It echoes in the sky and bounces off the trees. A flock of ravens takes flight from the treetops.
And then I go to the only place I need to be right now—I go mad.
For more information about L.J. Shen and her books, visit her website:
https://www.authorljshen.com
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keefwho · 3 months
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January 04 - 2024 Thursday
11:07pm
6/10
This morning I showered immediately because mom was going to take me to Seeley. For breakfast I had a little leftover potato soup with a couple pieces of toast and a babybel cheese. We left 30 minutes later than I wanted to because breakfast took longer than I thought.
The first place we went was the grocery store. I grabbed 2 potatoes, a carrot, a celery stick, and really good looking egg noodles. Also picked up drinks for the weekend. The guy at the register didn't card me. After that we went to the high school so mom could drop something off. I've been wanting to see the inside of the school again and I finally got to 10 years later. It was a strange experience, I felt like I wasn't supposed to be there or like I loaded a 100% completed save file. I was flooded with memories of things that happened in the few halls we went down and the few rooms I saw into. Very nostalgic. Then we went to the post office so I could mail Daisy's Christmas presents. I crumbled a little and asked mom if she could go in with me but she said no which was a good thing. I went in on my own and it went okay. It was a little awkward because I was standing at the wrong card machine but other than that, it went fine. Our last stop was the weed store where mom picked up a new disposable vape pen for me. I can't enter the store myself because my ID is expired.
When I got home I started work and was warming up with space art. Daisy called me for something so I stopped streaming to spend time with her but started again when we were done. I finished 2 space art warmups and worked on 570's commission for a little over an hour. I ended early because of my busy morning but I did as much as I needed to. Right after that I hung up Daisy's friendiversary gift over my bed and relocated my Master Sword a little to the left. Both nails were being finicky and got bent but I made them work.
Lunch was a big turkey sandwich with some Doritos. Breakfast was small calorie-wise and I could feel it. I was also weighing less from yesterday so lunch was very big and hardy. While I ate I watched Bojack as usual. After lunch I did today's request which was a little hard and annoying but I did it. Then I spent an hour working on a Zelda pic while hanging out in David's server. I actually wanted to socialize so I wasn't so annoyed being there this time.
After work I did my yoga which has made my core sore. Not long after that Daisy was free so we called and were productive together. She worked on her fursuit and I worked on a couple worlds. When I was done I started playing Kerbal finally since thats all I wanted to do today. We watched another Chris Chan reading and some more of My Immortal. Daisy headed upstairs so I booted up Neopets. We talked a lot tonight about work stress, change, and the sexual atmosphere of the furry fandom. In Neopets I got bugged and had to reload and re-fight the entire coloseum. I was able to squeeze in one more rocket launch in KSP after she fell asleep. I also had to address some urges for the second time today even though it was too late for it.
Today went well. I didn't feel like going to Seeley and interacting with people but I got over it and had fun outside. I felt a little bad about not doing my full commission time but realistically I was okay not doing it all. I had some thoughts today about change and how scary it is whether it's good or bad. I'm looking forward to partying tomorrow. In general I feel good about some things and worried about others.
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