#One of the last pieces I made before getting my new tablet

[art]

Creator Spotlight: @chaaistheanswer

Hi everyone! I am Clara, but you can also call me chaa! I am a digital artist based in Auckland, New Zealand, with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Media Production. After graduating from uni, I moved out to pursue my art career and I’ve been a freelance digital artist ever since. I love concept art, especially character design! Creating characters influenced by my love for fantasy is what I live for. Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you enjoyed my art! And thank you, Tumblr, for this opportunity!

Check out our interview with Clara below!

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

I specialized in art in high school and have a bachelor’s degree in Creative Media Production from Massey University with an animation pathway. For our thesis film, which I worked on with several of my classmates, I took on the role of producer, art director, and concept artist. Our short film was featured in the Wellington Film Festival Terror-Fi in 2020. After graduating, I went on to become a freelance artist, but my goal is to work for the gaming industry as a character concept artist. Ever since I first picked up a pencil, I knew I wanted to become an artist!

Have you ever had an art block? If so, how did you overcome it?

Art block is quite common among artists, and unfortunately, I too have fallen prey to the affliction. I have several ways of overcoming art block: watching movies, playing games, reading, or going out for a drive with my sister. These are just a few things I love to do to help keep my creative juices flowing!

What is one habit you find yourself doing a lot as an artist?

I tend to obsessively research about completely unrelated topics while I draw. I find learning new things helps improve my concept designs, especially in creating backgrounds for my characters.

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

Video games and anime were my biggest inspirations! Anything with a captivating story that’ll send me to the edge of my seat, and loveable characters. I’m particularly drawn to high and dark fantasy.

How has technology changed the way you approach your work?

Technology has made a huge impact on us artists over the last few years. I used to draw a lot on paper, but since getting a tablet, I find myself searching for the undo and redo buttons and even trying to zoom constantly while I draw on paper. I used to only draw for myself as well, but after posting my art online, I now have an audience to whom I can share my art. Because of this, I am able to earn a living doing what I love by creating illustrations for clients.

What is a recent creative project that you are proud of?

I am very proud of this recent commission I’ve done for a client! Fortunately, the piece turned out exactly how I wanted it to look, and my client was very happy with the result. I am also in the process of working on a Webtoon, which is going as smoothly as I hoped it would be before its re-release!

What advice would you give to younger you about making art that's personal or truthful to your own experiences?

The best advice I would give my younger self is to never hold back! Try not to think about the negatives of creating and sharing art that you believe in. Embrace vulnerability, and don’t be afraid to dig deep into your own emotions and experiences. Always explore, and don’t limit yourself to your own bubble. And most important of all, stay true to yourself! Stay true to your values and beliefs, and never compromise your own authenticity for the sake of pleasing others. Your art is a reflection of you as a person.

Who on Tumblr inspires you and why?

@yuumei-art has been an inspiration to me since my early Deviantart days. I admire how she uses her skills to focus on environmentalism and cyber activism. @nipuni is another inspiration of mine. I found her when I was in the process of recovering from Dragon Age Solavellan hell. I admire how she manages to capture faces well while also sticking to her style. Her paintings are so beautiful and very pleasing to my eyes!

Thanks for stopping by, Clara! If you haven't seen her Meet the Artist piece, be sure to check it out here. For more of Clara's work, follow her Tumblr, @chaaistheanswer!

#creator spotlight #artists on tumblr #chaaistheanswer

[nerdpoe]

Of Kindness and Empathy part 3

Danny all but collapsed in his and Tucker's hotel room, just as the sun was peeking over the horizon.

After he had removed the neck brace and ice, he’d made himself scarce. The…Wayne family, and wasn’t that a wild piece of knowledge, would need time to themselves for a bit. Besides, it wasn’t like they didn’t know how to contact him. After that, deciding that the local vigilantes would be a…little preoccupied, he decided to stay invisible and do sweeps of Gotham.

Gotham, as it turned out, was painfully huge.

He’d done what he could; stopped a few muggings, messed up a bank robbers plans so he’d set off every single alarm in the building and then locked him in the vault, talked down Poison Ivy and Harley (which was pretty easy, he just had to reveal himself and say that the Batman Brigade had almost suffered a pretty bad loss and needed a night), stopped a few jumpers, stopped some really rude guy from shooting ketchup and mayo at fast food workers, and overshadowed Joker in the middle of him about to kill a bunch of hostages, turned him around, and marched him down to the local precinct.

That last one had been extraordinarily difficult. Joker had a good grasp on who and what he was, and did not take kindly to being taken over and diverted away from his activities. 

He felt like he needed to take a shower after that, but he was just so tired he’d deal with it later.

Oh, right, before he went to sleep he had to, uh…the thing. He had to do the thing.

Danny quietly lifted Tucker’s phone off of the bedside table and unlocked it, shooting a text to himself.

‘Hey, it’s Danny. This is my friends phone, and I don’t know if my parents will let me have another one since I keep losing or breaking them, so if u wanna talk just get Tuck to call me out. Hope you-know-who is healing up! :) :)’

Done and done.

Danny collapsed on the bed, eyes closing blissfully. There was nowhere to be and nothing to do, a true vacation if he did say so himself.

As he was falling asleep, he missed Tucker’s phone going off.

‘Thank you for your hard work, we saw the results. He is healing. Sleep well.’

~~~~~

Bruce was idly scrolling through the documents on Phantom and Daniel Fenton he’d pulled up on his tablet, leaning against Tim’s bed as Tim got into a logistical argument with Damian about whether or not Phantom could see when he went intangible.

Phantom was called a menace, apparently. Not quite a villain, but definitely a rule-breaker and a danger to public property.

There was page after page of news reports about him fighting other ‘ghosts’ and laying waste to the town, unable to hold in his need for conflict. Ghost hunters named him target number one, and there were multiple traps laid out for the kid.

But what Bruce saw was an entirely different story.

Bruce saw a kid who barely knew how to control his powers trying to defend the town against opponents who did know how to use their powers.

Bruce saw that every fight had less and less property damage.

Bruce saw that this kid, with no mentor in sight and all alone in fighting apparent interdimensional beings, was slowly improving and doing the best that he could with what he had.

Against all odds, with almost everything against him, Daniel had managed to keep the town safe. Not a single one of his fights had resulted in a casualty. He had never fallen to hatred or revenge as far as Bruce could tell.

One instant of cheating on a test not-withstanding, but it looked like he’d fessed up and retaken it.

He clearly needed training, and looking at his grades he definitely needed help keeping the ‘ghosts’ at bay.

But then Bruce had come across something disturbing.

“Anti-Ecto Acts?” He murmured, pulling it up and getting his mind into the proper place to understand legalese.

This…was horrible.

How had Daniel been living with this hanging over him?

It had probably only passed because most politicians didn’t believe in ghosts, so they didn’t bother to look into it, but the problem was it had passed. This was literally a downward slope into getting meta rights removed.

This…was something that needed news coverage.

How lucky Bruce was that he happened to know a fantastic reporter.

~~~~~

“Hello?” Clark answered his phone without checking who was calling, too busy editing his last story to meet the fast approaching deadline.

“Bad time?”

Oh. That was Bruce. Whelp, the story was good enough Clark supposed.

Stretching his arms above his head, the Super leaned back in his office chair.

“No, not at all. Something I can help you with?”

What followed was a bombshell. 

There was a law that was passed to practically legally obligate people to discriminate against ‘ghosts’, and it would be very, very easy for that to roll down to metas. A town called Amity Park had the worst of it, and if he wanted to drop the story to bring attention to it he’d have to see if Lois would want to go there for interviews, as if there really were ghosts a possessed superman was the last thing they needed.

“Uh, this sounds pretty serious. I mean Meta rights are…yeah, sure, I can ask Lois-”

“Ask me what?”

Clark jumped, lost balance, fell over with the chair, broke the arm off of it, and broke his desk when he reached out to catch himself.

The entire office went quiet.

“Kent.”

Clark had no idea how his completely normal human manager managed to sound scarier than Darkseid.

“My office.”

Clark sighed, stood up, handed the phone to Lois, and dragged his feet into the office.

“Why yes, he did break his desk again,” Lois said into the phone, her smile in her voice as she waved goodbye to him, “Now what’s this about Meta rights violations?”

~~~~~

Danny was woken up by Tucker rubbing his face with his ridiculously teched-out phone with one hand and loud smacking noises as said techie ate a rotisserie chicken wing with the other.

“Wake up dude, it’s for you.”

Danny just laid there with the phone precariously balanced on his face, trying to come to terms with being awake, before managing a guttural and slurred greeting.

“...Hewwo?”

There was a pregnant pause on the other end.

“Daniel Fenton?”

Oh shit that was Bruce Wayne.

“Yes, sir?” Danny shot up, eyes wide and looking at the time.

It was about three, so he’d slept for a pretty long time.

“I believe you dropped your phone. Would you like for me to drop it off at the Orchard for you?”

“Oh, um you don’t have to, I can just come pick it up if you want to tell me where-”

“That’s a pity then, because I’m in the lobby.”

Danny blinked, bewildered.

“I…guess I’m on my way? I just need to get dressed real quick.”

“I’ll be in the Tiki Breakfast Bar.”

The line went dead, and Danny decided to use the next thirty or so seconds to question reality.

Then it was a whirlwind of finding his clothes, putting them on, hoping that the Mansons didn’t see him in his ratty everyday wear (suits had been part of the agreement), and bolting out the door.

He barely noticed Tucker jogging after him, plate full of rotisserie chicken now occupying both hands.

He did completely hear Sam’s parents' shocked gasps and even locked eyes with her dad as he slid into the elevator and slammed on the button for the second floor. 

Sam used their momentary distraction to dart in after him and Tucker as the doors were closing.

So. Danny had his friends in the same elevator as himself.

And they didn’t know he was about to meet The Bruce Wayne.

Sam and Tucker stared at him expectantly.

Danny caved with a put upon sigh.

“So long story short I saved one of Mr. Wayne’s kids last night and gave him my phone because he needed an Emotional Support Jazz.”

There was no way he’d out Mr. Wayne's secret identity. No. Freakin. Way.

“Wait so that playboy idiot knows who you are?” Sam immediately snapped, glaring at Danny.

“So I don’t think he’s actually that ditzy-”

“The owner of Wayne Industries is indebted to you?” Tucker asked with stars in his eyes, the gears in his head already turning for potential experimental tech he could get his hands on.

“No, I don’t intend to use the man’s kid’s life as a bargaining chip-”

“Wait,” Sam interrupted, staring at the ground. No, not the ground. She was….

“Tucker, where are your pants?” Danny whispered in horror.

The world seemed to stand still as the plate full of chicken was dropped on the floor.

“Go back up go back up!” Tucker wailed, slapping the button for the floor with their rooms and trying to hide his Aquaman boxers from the stares of any of the other patrons through the glass walls of the elevator. Sam, meanwhile, started repeatedly punching the button for the second floor.

“We can’t go back Tucker, my parents won’t let us leave again if we do! Just suck it up!”

Danny started reaching between them to hit the elevator stop button.

“Guys I don’t think we should-” the elevator gave a horrific shutter, a grinding noise, and then came to a complete stop between floors, “Do…that.”

“Dude why would you stop the elevator?” 

Never before had Tucker looked so betrayed as in that moment.

Danny slowly turned his head to meet Tucker’s eyes.

“I didn’t actually get to push the button.”

“...No.”

“I…think we’re actually stuck?”

“Are you kidding me right now?”

Danny was not.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is now on AO3

@spooky-fm @markus209 @osnii @samgirl98 @skulld3mort-1fan @gabrielandjackthenephilim @suppengott @glow-worms-are-believers @zeldomnyo @everest-nightshade @learning-to-fly-on-my-own @spoopyspoony @deatlive @hnymp @latheevening226 @roseinbloom02 @tsukihimeyfan @arsonpotato @wanderingrutabaga @nanepet @bjurnberg @mentalcarebear @amuseofminds @fire-glass @thewondersoflebanon @ascetic-orange @botwadtict @notforyoucloudheads @idfk-man10 @leftmiraclechaos @midnightenigma @dannyisababyking @oliocelottafanfics @redafi @distractedducky @aconitewolfsbane @onyxlightdragon @blankliferain @theywontletmeusetheoneiwant @thedragonqueen1998 @bitchydragonninja @u-a-wizard-jamie @dodekakophonie @ashenfairytale @reach-for-the-horizon @quirky-gardener @thegatorsgoose @sknerd101 @stargirl1331 @andreaissy @leap-ing @plotwholls @write-it-right-2 @felicityroth @amercurio @stupidlovepurplepeace @thatrandomsarahchick @iamphnx19 @crazylittlemunchkin @chip-thief @arc-777 @idontgetpaidenoughforthisshit @spikedlynx @rangerhorsetug @vicar-max @yjfk

#dc x dp #dp x dc #danny phantom #danny fenton #sam manson #tucker foley #bruce wayne #damian wayne #tim drake #clark kent #lois lane #phanfic

[insert-witty-user-name-here]

WIP Wednesday

Tagged by @loki-is-my-kink-awakening (two weeks ago but), thank you 💖 Currently in a writing slump so don’t have any active WIPs to share (beyond a vague list of bulleted ideas).

But thought I’d use the opportunity to share a scene I cut from one of my fics last year. The scene didn’t fit with the story but, hey, I find it silly and cute so I wanted to share it.

No pressure tags to @dewdropreader @lgwilt @blackbirdofasgard @mirilyawrites @dreamycloud @queen-of-meows @mimisempai @rins-love-wins and @loki-is-my-kink-awakening (right back at you!)

Mobius and Loki have wrapped a mission with Tony Stark and Pepper Potts…

Mobius took a sip of wine and looked at the dark blue ocean below him. The view was gorgeous. Maybe he should get that infinity pool for their vacation home Loki was always going on about. The god would definitely be demanding a remodel after seeing Tony Stark’s home now anyway. 

“That was a clever trick you pulled today,” Pepper said, coming to stand beside him. “How did you know to bait Slattery with an unfinished Shakespeare manuscript?” 

“Oh, I know you probably can’t tell from my youthful glow, but I’m a lot older than I look,” Mobius chuckled. “I’ve run into a few Trevor Slatterys in my time. They’re surprisingly opportunistic. Figured besting Shakespeare would be too hard for him to resist.”  

“Hm, I see Loki’s not the only clever trickster around. You make a good pair. I imagine he keeps you busy.” 

“You have no idea.”

“Tony thinks you make a good pair too. Although, he thinks it's because you’re opposites.” 

“You don’t?” Mobius asked, turning to face Pepper. 

Pepper shook her head. “No. I think you make a good pair because you’re more similar than you appear. You give him hope that things can be different, see the good in him he doesn’t see himself. And, I suspect, he does the same for you.” 

A contemplative silence filled the air between them. Mobius looked towards the horizon. The stars were only just beginning to appear in the purple twilight sky. A billion worlds in this timeline, safe because of their actions today.  

“Well then,” Pepper continued, “shall we see how our boys are doing? I’m a little nervous leaving them alone so long.” 

“Loki won’t hurt anyone.” 

“Oh, it wasn’t him I was worried about.” 

The pair made their way downstairs to Tony’s workstation where, sure enough, they found the two embroiled in a heated argument. 

“No, stop. Don’t touch that!” Tony swatted Loki’s hands away from some odd-looking contraption on the table before them. 

“I’m not going to break anything,” Loki huffed. 

“Says the guy who destroyed half of New York City.” 

“I’ve already apologized. Twice! Now, will you just-” 

“Ack! I said no touching!” 

Loki rolled his eyes and stepped away. He raised his hands in mock surrender before he flicked his wrist. In a flash of green magic, a piece connecting two parts of the invention fell and was replaced with a glowing piece of metal from across the room. The machine buzzed to life. 

“There,” Loki sighed, “see. It works.” 

Tony gazed wide-eyed at his invention with a cock of his head. “Now that. Hm.” He looked down at his tablet. “I hadn’t…. These readings… How did you do that?”  

“You Midgardians have such a narrow view of science,” Loki grumbled. “I simply harnessed the power within the system you built and re-routed it through a more malleable conductor. Without the restraints, the energy can flow more freely, giving life to itself, creating an indefinite loop.” 

“Huh. That… that works.” 

“Obviously or I wouldn’t have done it. Where I come from, magic and science are one and the same, and I happen to be an excellent mage.”  

Tony glanced back at his tablet once more before he returned his gaze to Loki. His eyes glistened with barely restrained excitement. “Okay smartass, how would you fix this?” 

Tony steered Loki to the back of the room where a suit labeled Mk 22 took a few unsteady steps and collapsed in a heap of metal. Loki tilted his head in eager curiosity and began to work. Magic swirled around him while he murmured explanations to Tony who seemed to hang on every word. It wasn’t long before the two were lost in their own world, debating and testing theories far beyond anyone else's understanding. 

“You’re right,” Pepper chuckled beside Mobius, “they are cute together.”  

“Huh, what was that Pep?” Tony asked. 

“What are you two talking about?” Loki interjected. 

“Oh, did I show you their wedding photo?” Mobius asked, fishing his TemPad out of his pocket. “Adorable.” 

He pulled up the photos he’d saved from Timeline 465281 and passed the TemPad to Pepper. 

“Mobius, whose wedding photo?” Loki repeated while he and Tony approached hesitantly. 

“Aw, Tony! You’re so happy, look!” Pepper shoved the TemPad, equipped with the wedding photo of Loki Odinson and Tony Stark, into the Avenger’s face. Tony’s complexion grew worrying pale while Loki’s face took on a distinctly green hue. 

“I’m sorry,” Tony began in a choked voice, “but in what universe-” 

“Universe 465281 apparently,” Pepper supplied, scrolling through more photos. “You two get your puppy to be ring bearer?? How cute is that?” 

“Might I inquire the location of the nearest restroom?” Loki asked. “I suddenly feel the urge to vomit.” 

“Nope, not in my restroom you’re not," Tony said. "Actually, I think it’s time for you to go. You’ve overstayed your welcome.” 

“For once we are in agreement.” With a poof of magic Loki was dressed back in his standard TVA suit. He straightened his tie. “Tony, I say this with the deepest sincerity, please try to keep out of trouble. I'd really rather not be called in to save you again."

“Right back at you, Bambi,” Tony quipped. 

“Ugh, I’ve already told you,” Loki seethed, barely restrained magic sparking at his fingertips, “I don’t like that-”

“Okay, let’s go.” Mobius steered Loki towards an already open timedoor. “Pepper, Tony, a pleasure. We’ll keep an eye on your timeline for a few days. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll cross paths again."

“Yeah, no. If I have any luck at all, see you never. Buh-bye now,” Tony finished. 

Mobius and Loki stepped back to the TVA. Mobius turned laughing, ready to apologize for keeping the information about Timeline 465281 a secret, but found himself suddenly wrapped in a tight hug from the god. 

“Oof, hey there Lokes. I know I get jealous sometimes but, trust me, I’m not concerned at all about you running off with-” 

“Are you okay?” Loki interrupted quietly. He pulled back with an examining gaze. “What do you need from me? I know today was difficult for you.” 

Mobius’ heart softened at the compassion on Loki’s face and he pulled Loki in for another hug. His headache had long since subsided but his brain was still foggy and he felt more exhausted than he had in months. 

 “I’ll be alright. Thank you Loki. Thank you for seeing what I have a hard time seeing myself.” 

Loki tightened his arms around Mobius and laid a kiss to his brow. “I’m just glad I was there to help you today. You are there so often for me, please don’t shut me out anymore. I want to be here for you. We all want to be here for you; you’re not alone anymore.”   

“I know.” 

The TemPad in Mobius’ pocket gave an obnoxiously loud trill. He’d never heard that sound before. Mobius flinched and pulled it out of his pocket, what was going on now? He let out a soft chuckle of surprise when he saw the message that flashed across the screen. 

728 hours worked. Caseload for Agent MMM5313 frozen. Mandatory vacation required. 

“Well,” Loki smirked, looking over his shoulder, “I see B-15 is putting her Deputy Director privileges to good use. You’re not going to try and argue with her on this, are you?” 

“No,” Mobius laughed. “I’m not. She’s right. I could definitely use a vacation.” 

“Well then Director,” Loki hummed. “Where shall we go?” 

“You know… I was thinking you might be right about a remodel to our vacation home. What do you say we give Stark a run for his money and see who can make the best Malibu beach house?” 

#literally just something random silly and fun #wip wednesday #loki series #loki #mobius m mobius #lokius #frostiron #(<- kinda it's referenced anyway)

[andydrysdalerogers]

Yours Submissively ~ Control

Steve Rogers X OFC Isabella Davis

Summary: Five Years after the events of Civil War, Steve Rogers has moved on from avenging and has started his own business, Grant Inc. He has a secret that would turn his world upside down. And he's good at keep that secret. Until he meets the woman with violet eyes that could bring him to his knees. Now his mission is to make her, his. But she is the key that could bring the world into balance... or chaos. And she has no idea.

Series Warnings: slow burn at the beginning, smut, angst, sexual themes of BDSM, dom/sub dynamics, kidnapping, (and a bunch of others that will come up)

A/N I can't decide which banner I like more. Let me know what you think

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS. Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback ALWAYS appreciated

Previous: Prologue

Series Masterlist ~ Main Masterlist

Five years earlier… 

Steve Rogers was tired.  

Tired of the fight.  

Tired of the demand.  

Tired of the politics behind his shield.  

Just tired.  

Retiring was the right move.  

But what does he do now?  

“Hey Tony, can I talk to you?” 

Present day… 

Getting the loan from Tony was the best idea he could have had. Grant Industries was thriving five years later.  Steve had built the business from the ground up.  Sure it helped that he used to be Captain America but when his first successful takeover happened, people really started to take notice.  

Making Sam his number two was the second best decision.  He was savvy with the business and made sure that Steve kept on track. When Sam married Natasha, she joined the company as well.  She was now his lawyer.  

Bucky elected to be Steve’s head of security.  Sure, he was a super soldier but as a businessman, the threats were more than before.  Bucky felt better knowing he was close to Steve but at the same time doing something good.  He wanted nothing but the best for his best friend.   

Yes, things were working out for Steve in his business.  At home, he had a beautiful penthouse.  Bucky lived with him and his housekeeper in the staff quarters and he had the place mostly to himself.  Except on the weekends.  

On the weekends, he did have a guest who would entertain him.  Because deep down, Steve missed having control.  He had control when he led the Avengers.  And it sated that part of him for the most part.  But now, he needed it more.  

Sharon had introduced this life to him while he was still avenging. Learning how to control and be controlled. Submitting and being submitted to kept Steve calm.  Control was all he wanted.  

Submissives weren’t hard to find in New York.  But he hadn’t had one since Lizzy left.  So boredom was starting to seep in.  Boredom could be dangerous, expensive even.  The last time he was bored, he bought out a publishing house.  Granted it was making a profit now but Steve has learned, don’t be bored for too long.  

“Devon, can we go through my schedule?” Steve called through the intercom to his assistant.  

“Right away sir.” Devon walked in holding her tablet with Steve’s schedule.  She has been his assistant since the beginning and ran his office like a fine Swiss watch.  He appreciated her hard work and attention to detail.  

“What’s on the agenda?” 

“You have a meeting with Mr. Wilson and Mrs. Romanoff-Wilson in 20 minutes to discuss a new acquisition.  You have a training session with Mr. Barnes right before lunch here in your private office gym. You have a meeting with Mr. Miller on the development of a tech piece he wanted to present.  A Delilah Stevens is stopping by with a need for signatures regarding the new deal with Stark Industries.  After, Mr. Barnes will take you home to prepare for the gala event this evening.”  

“What gala?” 

“It’s the fundraiser for the recovery efforts in Sokovia.  You told Miss Maximoff you would attend.”  

“Damn.  Alright.  I guess I have no choice in that one.”  Steve sighed.   “Am I seated alone?” 

“No, Miss Maximoff and Mr. Stark are sending someone to be the liaison for you.  Mr. Wilson and Mrs Romanoff-Wilson are also attending.”  

Steve rolled his eyes.  “Alright.  Have the intern bring me a coffee and let me know when Sam and Natasha get here.”  

Devon left the office and sent her intern, Cindy in with the coffee.  Steve rolled his eyes again at the little girl in front of him.  She was a vapid girl, but she was Senator Ward’s daughter, and he needed the Senator in his pocket.  She left after batting her eyes at him.  As he read his daily reports, Devon called when Sam and Natasha were on his floor.  

Married was a good look on Sam Wilson.  He walked in with confidence, holding door for his wife, Natasha.  Natasha Romanoff-Wilson, ex-assassin and corporate lawyer, was the best fit for Grant.  She treated the opposition as she would have the enemy.  They made a great team to get everything Steve ordered done.  

“Hey Cap, how are you today?”  

“How many times, Wilson, have I asked you to stop calling me that?” 

“Old habits die hard,” Sam said with a laugh. He shook Steve’s hand and Steve kissed Natasha’s cheek before settling down to business. “Steve, as you know, the university in New Jersey is looking into funding for its engineering program.” 

“Shouldn’t Stark be the more appropriate company to sponsor something like that?”  

“You would think,” Natasha said, “but we need the exposure.  Stark has a few interns but would need to lose one or two and they want us to take them on. So sponsoring the program would be a good tie in.”  

“If it boosts our profile, I guess its ok.  But can we also get another program as well.  Something in education?”  Steve wanted to be of service to all.  

“We can, absolutely,” Sam said.  “We can look at the background of some of the interns.” 

“Perfect.  What else?” 

The meeting continued for a few hours until it was time for Steve’s training session.  “I don’t know why you keep training Steve.  You’re retired,” Sam commented. 

“Because when you have the serum running through you, you have to burn out the energy somehow.”  

“Then get a girl.”  Sam smirked at him.  “That will get you to burn off some eagerly.”  

“Sam!” Natasha smacked her husband.  

“I’ll work on that Wilson. Natasha, see you tonight?  Save me a dance?” 

“Of course Steve.” Natasha kissed Steve’s cheek.  

“See you tonight Rogers,” Sam shook Steve’s hand.  He took Natasha’s hand and led her from the room.  

Steve headed into his en-suite to change for his workout with Bucky. Bucky was already in the private gym, lifting when Steve came in.  “Hey Steve,” he said with a grunt.  

“Hey Buck.” Steve took off his sweatshirt.  “What are we doing today?” 

“Just a spar.  Let you go out full.  I hear a little frustration today.”  

“Just have to go to an event for Wanda and Stark and they are ‘assigning’ me a date.”  

Bucky chuckled. “Why not invite one of the girls…” 

“Because that is not why I have them there for.” Bucky was the only one who knew of Steve’s preferences.  He made sure that the girls came and went unnoticed. “I don’t need them to think that I want something more.” 

“But don’t you?” Bucky and Steve circled each other in the ring. 

“No, they would just become a distraction or worse, a target.” Steve threw a punch.  “Besides, all of these women only want the shield and not me.  I don’t want that.” 

“Maybe one day you’ll find someone who will like you for you,” Bucky said, jumping from the leg sweep.  It is possible.  

“I don’t want to talk about this, Buck.” Steve grunted as Bucky landed a punch to his solar plex.  “I just want to get through this day.”  

Steve went to shower and review the business for the rest of the day.  Devon calls him, “I have an Isabella Davis here for signatures, sir.”  

“I thought it was Delilah Stevens.”  

“I’m sorry sir.”  

“It’s alright.  Send her in please.”  

Steve looked back down at the report he was reading.  His office door opened and a flurry of arms and legs landed on the floor.  Steve rushed over.  “Are you alright?” 

Her face looked up at his to see the most startling violet blue eyes he had ever seen.  

Next

Taglist:

@patzammit @texmexdarling @slutforchrisjamalevans @jennmurawski13-writes @firephotogrl74 @tinkerbelle67 @before-we-get-started @bunnyforhim @alexakeyloveloki

#andy's hea #andy's shenanigans #yours submissively #chris evans fanfiction #steve rogers au #steve rogers smut #steve rogers fanfiction #Steve Rogers x OFC #Bucky barnes #chris evans #mcu fanfiction #Steve rogers #steve rogers imagine #chris evans au #avengers au

[likesdoodling]

It has been a while since I started digital art,

Quite a while.

So here is a 'progress over the last two years' since I gained access to a drawing tablet.

:D

This is my first ever digitally illustrated piece- compared to my latest one-

So, a little bit different.

I do think my art took quite a jump around June 2022, when I took a break from my Steve comic strip, (for obvious reasons- it was about Technoblade's polar bear so...) and decided to try practicing gesture drawing to see if it helped my general anatomy knowledge. This is before,

And this next one is after.

The most obvious change here is that I switched to using thinner lines. There is a gap of about two months between these.

This was when I realised that you could improve art by practicing it (mind-blowing I know), and then started to do just that. Some other notable jumps forward would be when I discovered the airbrush-

Well, discovered a new method of shading with it anyway.

Then after that I had a few pictures that I actually still like, despite them being pretty old at this point, the one below is actually from September of 2022-

I mean, the hands are a bit iffy, but the rest looks alright. This was when I was going through a bit of a melanie martinez phase-

This next one was from January of 2023, I'd only just gotten into bungou stray dogs via some random memes on pinterest about this weird brown haired guy who had lots of bandages and who had this running gag with wanting to die- I actually looked him up at one point, but that didn't really explain much. The main one that I remember was 'life is short, so make it shorter, shorter than chuuya~'

Which at the time was just kind of confusing,

Then I watched the show and it made perfect sense.

I'd discovered ascendance of a bookworm in like, 2021, but I hadn't really been doing fanart of it since I was mainly doing dsmp related stuff and I kind of assumed nobody would know what on earth I was referencing. Turns out tumblr has a lot more bookworm fans than I orignally anticipated. Instagram still has no clue. I think maybe one person out of my followers on instagram knows what I'm on about-

Then we've got these two which I am still proud of btw-

The first one is from a dystopian/time travel fanfic called viridian.

The second one was after I learned about rim lighting. It was inspired by a song actually, 'crash' by noevaii. (and yes I found that song from a sad-ist animatic, it was cool) The character isn't anyone in particular. They're both from February 2023.

Then there's probably my most liked picture on instagram, (not tumblr, since tumblr knows about bsd and bookworm, but y'know. This was even sadder than I originally intended since the last half of my comic strip was finished AFTER everything happened)

Then the final conclusion of my Steve comic strip in May of 2023.

I don't think my art really changed much in between those, but eh.

Then I switched to doing a bunch of ascendance of a bookworm stuff to see what would happen and turns out there are way more fellow fans out there than I anticipated-

Then I guess my next breakthrough in tumblr popularity, (even if it might not have been a breakthrough in art skills necessarily) was when things went DOWN in the bsd fandom with chapter 109 and I did probably one of my most liked tumblr posts I have ever done-

If you want to see the rest of that, feel free to scroll down on my tumblr page, the original's like eight pages long-

This was before anyone knew what was going to happen btw.

I still think it's hilarious that I put in chuuya having contacts. My reasoning being, they're on a film set,

It was a pretty interesting exercise in shading in monochrome.

Then I started a 30 day art challenge in October that I didn't get past day six of, but it was still pretty fun. This is the best one of those-

After that I spent most of my time studying for the jlpt n5, so I didn't really do that much art related stuff,

This is one of the two non-commission related pictures that I finished over the two months after I kind of gave up on the art challenge. This one's from November,

Then I finally finished an art commission I'd been working on for the three months prior, as well as studying. Here is an example of the type of pictures I was doing for that,

Then I was occupied with christmas and birthday presents for my siblings, both my little sisters are into ascendance of a bookworm- (completely my fault I am proud to say) so I was able to do stuff related to that, here's a couple of snippets, but you guys don't get the colour version hehe

And one of them has also read the entire fma manga just like I have so-

Anyway, it's been quite a progression since I resolved to master digital art in 2021.

I reckon I've come a fair way since then. I mean. My art skills in general are way better than they used to be. The last two or three years have been pretty interesting.

Also-

Just had to include this one, I'm gonna do a more detailed version but still-

I think it's funny so I'm posting it here. Even if it's not really related to art progression-

#honzuki no gekokujou #ascendance of a bookworm #dsmp #dsmp fanart #mha #skvader #viridian #bsd #bsd fanart #technoblade #rip technoblade #i did like a whole comic strip #but didn't get a chance to finish it before june 2022- #its finished now #but like #still... #anyway #steve now has the protagonist au he deserves #fullmetal alchemist #yeye #ive barely done anything to do with that #fanart wise i mean #but i have read the entire thing #i reckon sheska and myne would be bffs #hope i spelt that right- #you know who i mean #the girl who reads a lot #in fma #yeah #anyway moving on-

[f1-giuki]

A Sunday Kind of Love 6 is at +13k words and I don't know how longer it will get, probably a lot, I love it.

Should I add a scene where Max, on the phone with Charles’s mom, dyes Charles’ hair?

And, here's a snippet of the fic! Enjoy!

~

The next morning Max is awake and not too dumbed by a long 12-hour nap. All the tiredness he accumulated caught up with him. He wakes up rather early and manages to eat half of the sweets in the pantry for breakfast. He drinks a red red bull can, the only one he's allowed in the house, and he walks upstairs to turn on the simulator. He might do some endurance racing until lunch.

As the computer turns on he checks his messages. There are a few texts from Charles, a bunch of I lost my dildo, do you know where my pink dildo is texts, a picture of a cake his mother made with a finger half covering the camera lens, another one without the finger, a video Arthur took of Charles asleep on the sofa snoring loudly, you stole my highway pass!!, BASTARD!, then Charles texts him the time he will leave for Italy, two days later, Max blinks twice when he sees that Charles will drive from Monaco to their place.

Babe, are you insane?

Wait, don't answer… What will you do today?

He texts and grins when he sees Charles's answer, a sticker of his face holding a red triangle sign saying 'don't'. Max laughs.

I'll sleep again, go to your place since mine is flooded with people outside, I'll help mom make a menu for the dinner with the cousins and then I'll probably be forced to make lasagne for lunch by Arthur, he doesn't let me live after the ones I made for Easter

Tell him that the next time you fall asleep he should draw a dick on your forehead

Like he did last week

absolutely no, don't give him strange ideas

You're lucky I don't have his number

I know you think I lack self-preservation instincts, but I don't go that far

I miss you

I love you

I love you too

don't let Arthur wait for his food

Blah blah blah, ttyl <3

God you're so sexy when you use millennial slang

Max smiles and puts his phone on the Red Bull mini-fridge he has in the sim room, next to his first world championship trophy. A curious piece of tat. He sits down and fixes the camera in front of him. He still has an hour before he needs to turn it on and join a live stream with his sim racing team. He grins and opens goat simulator and takes his phone to text Lando.

Wanna do one hour of goat simulator before I go live?

Fuck yeah, mate

-

Max's stomach rumbles at half past noon, while he's still streaming and, after five minutes of good teasing, he turns off the live stream, and goes to the kitchen, trying to understand what to make. He looks at the package of tagliatelle Charles bought but didn't like. It's been sitting on the counter for two weeks. He takes it and grins as he opens the pantry filled with stacked jars of fancy tomato sauce. Charles really has a problem…

"Okay, that will do," he mumbles as he takes a new jar.

He puts on another Paul Simon vinyl and jams to the music while cutting onions and garlic, humming the words of 50 Ways to leave your lover. Max grins and puts the chopped stuff in a little bowl. Charles has taught him to be organised in the kitchen and he's trying. His phone starts ringing and Max stops the music to pick it up. It’s a number he hasn’t saved in his contacts, an Italian number.

"Hello?"

"Ciao zio Max! Sono Lorenzo!" Hi uncle Max! I'm Lorenzo!

"Ciao Lorenzo, come stai?” Hi Lorenzo, how are you? He asks with a big smile on his face.

“Tutto bene, scusa se ti chiamo, ma mia mamma non riesce a venirmi a prendere a scuola… Potresti passare tu?”

“Aspetta, I don’t understand, one second, un secondo…” Max says as he hurries to the living room to take his tablet with him and opens Google Translate.

“Parla, per favore,” Speak, please. He says and Lorenzo repeats the phrase. All’s good, sorry if I’m calling you, but my mom can’t pick me up from school… Could you come and pick me up?

#lestappen #lestappen fic #charles leclerc fanfic #max verstappen fanfic #ao3 #lestappen wip #lestappen fanfic #a sunday kind of love

[anniesocsandgeneralstore]

the rise of sira | sci-fi!rhett x oc

Summary: Sira, a planet in the Far Reaches of the known galaxy. With a plethora of natural resources, the planet has been fought over and ruled by warlords, pirate kings, galactic empires, star princes, and the Order of the Nine. Over the last millennia, the people of the planet have grown restless. Tired of their oppression and the occupation of their lands. A rebellion has risen up, fighting against the Order for over 200 years. But has the long and good fight been all for naught? (wc: 3962)

Requested: YES by @dancinginsepia

Warnings: made-up sci-fi lore, flashbacks, grumpy rhett abbott w/ a bionic arm, violence, angst, whump, gore, injury, cliffhanger

✎……MASTERLIST

✎……listen, i don't know what this is as much as you don't know what this is. it came out of nowhere, but the prompt just really inspired me and i cranked this out in like four hours. so here we are. please please PLEASE come into my askbox or my dms to talk about this one cause i am plagued by Thoughts and dare i say Thots of them. i hope you all like this as much as i do &lt;3

Rhett ripped off his helmet and shook out his hair, drops of sweat falling onto his shoulders as he surveyed the battlefield.

The fight was over, that much was certain. Golden grains of wheat and whey flattened to the ground — off in the distance, some of the crop still stood. Mangled bodies of mechs and alien guts covered the earth like a blanket. Whoever was left of their forces gathered  the wounded, beginning to shepherd them back to base. It had been a long fight, but a rewarding one. The Order’s battalion had been defeated at long last. It nearly brought a smile to Rhett’s scarred face. But he couldn’t celebrate. Not yet. Not when their fighters were still out on the field and the Order could very well command an airstrike at any minute. Bombing whoever was left into a million pieces before they could even regroup. Before news of their victory could even travel back to their people. 

He had seen it happen before. Joy and a moment’s peace ripped away so suddenly. Good people — friends — lost. 

But there was really only one person he cared about now. 

Rhett stepped into the medical hut with a huff, pulling back the heavy curtain and letting it fall behind him. He didn’t think he needed to be there, but his commander insisted. His arm wasn’t working right again. Twitching and spasming. Don’t want that happening out in the field, his commander had said, Should be some specialist in medical.

It was dimly lit inside the hut. Lamps turned down low and some incense burning to cover the smell of death and decay. It wasn’t really working. In the main room, there were ten beds lined up in a tight row along one wall. Injuries or illnessses nearly healed, ready to head out the door. A few medics milled amongst the beds, changing out cups of water and bringing food or fresh bandages. Further back, he could hear wailing and coughing and medics talking quietly but hurriedly with one another. Rhett gripped at his left arm, all metal and screws. The last time he was in a place like this was when he lost the real one. The flesh and blood. Replaced with something that still didn’t feel like his own — just so he could keep going. Like the good soldier he was. 

He could still feel the pain. All consuming, a fire and a flood. He could still see the hanging bits of flesh, the dripping, pouring, blood. The question about where his friend was on the tip of his tongue before he passed out from it all. He felt the metal fingers of his left hand twitch of their own volition.

“Captain Abbott,” a medic said as they approached, a ramshackle data tablet in their hand. “Do you need help?”

Rhett let go of himself and straightened his shoulders as he grumbled out, “Arm’s actin’ up.”

“Oh — of course, um — I-I’ll go get Tessa. She’s our new bionics specialist, just arrived last night,” the medic replied quickly. 

“Y’always talk when y’re nervous?” he asked quietly as he narrowed his eyes at them. 

The medic gulped then looked sharply down, cheeks darkening. “Just wait here.”

Rhett grunted as they turned on their heels and walked away. A soldier from one of the beds stiffled a laugh. Another whistled awkwardly. He knew his reputation around base. And he liked it that way. It kept people at a distance, arm’s length, close enough for him to trust with his life but far enough away that he didn’t mourn when they got blown to pieces.

He pushed a hand through his long hair and leaned back against the wall. How long was this going to take?

A minute later, one of the curtains at the far back of the hut was pulled open and a small woman stepped out. She was still shrugging on her coveralls overtop a skin tight undershirt, she didn’t bother zipping it up the rest of her chest as she picked up a spare data tablet from a table she passed and kept on walking. She looked frazzled. Light brown hair pulled back but messy, dark circles under her eyes. Her pink mouth downturned in a thoughtful frown as she messed with the tablet and walked. 

In another life, Rhett would have thought she was pretty. 

She came to a halt only a few steps in front of him, eyebrow quirking triumphantly when the data tablet finally showed her what she was looking for. Through the translucent screen, he could see it was his file. Then she looked up at him. It nearly shocked him how brilliant blue her eyes were, like so many oceans on Sira he had flown over on his way to recon missions and battles. Infinite and calm — but holding some danger he could never understand. 

But there was something else in her eyes that he couldn’t quite place. A softness that he hadn’t seen since he was a boy. 

“Captain Abbott?” she questioned as she looked him directly in the face, unafraid.

He grunted. She grinned. It made the dark circles under her eyes seem less prominent.

“Come with me then,” she said, turning, and he pushed away from the wall to follow. “Still settin’ up my workstation — but she’s enough to check y’r arm out.” 

Rhett didn’t reply, and she didn’t say anything more. They ducked back under the curtained doorway she appeared out of. It led to what appeared to be a small break area. A table with playing cards and a set of shelves with mugs and a coffee maker, dried portion packs stacked up in rows. No one was in there now. She led them across the room to the door in the far back, with the swipe of her keycard the metal door slid open and she stepped inside. Rhett followed in after her.

There was natural light in this room. The high set window open, letting in the autumn breeze. A cot was shoved into one corner, blankets haphazardly tossed aside and pillows askew. Boxes were strewn about all over the floor. A large desk took up an entire wall, there were already mechanical parts, tools,  and blueprints laid out on it. 

“Learnin’ somethin’ about me, Captain?” she asked with a coy smile as she sat down on a rolling stool in front of the desk, setting down the tablet as she went. 

Rhett felt his cheeks heat up in the slightest at being caught. “You’re right. Still settin’ up y’r stuff.”

She cocked her head, messy bun flopping to one side as she narrowed her eyes at him and patted the stool across from her. “You from Obrana? Wabang?”

“Wabang…How’d you know?” he replied slowly as he lowered himself into the stool.

“S’the way you talk.” She gestured at her own mouth, picked up the tablet again and scooted herself closer. “I’m from there too.” 

Rhett felt his heart clench, his chest tighten. He didn’t think there was anyone left. Last time he heard, Wabang was raised to the ground. Nothing but ash and rubble and charred bones. Part of him itched to know more. But the other part of him just wanted to get this over with. Take a step or even several steps back. Most people on base didn’t even know what part of Sira he was from. People had asked, but he refused to answer, and they learned not to. 

Why had it been so easy for him to hand over that information to a complete stranger now?

“So, says here, that you got the arm three years ago. Shoulder socket down. Replacement after a battlefield explosion, that correct?” She looked up at him from the tablet. 

He nodded. Tried not to linger on the images of metal hiding in dirt and his friend’s surprised, accepting face. The hand pushed to his chest to get him further back. 

“Okay. What seems to be the problem?”

Rhett raised his left arm, looked towards it with disdain. “Hand won’t stop twitchin’.”

As if on cue, his digits flexed. She cocked her head curiously. 

“Did you have a twitch in that hand before?” she asked.

“No. Why?”

She shrugged. “The parts may be different, but the brain remembers n’can send electrical signals to the hand.”

“I’ve always had steady hands.”

“M’sure you have, Captain.”

There she went, pulling information from him so easily with a smile like they shared some secret. Rhett clenched his jaw and looked away from her.

She reached for his arm, but pulled back at the last second. “Mind if I take a look?” 

“Go for it,” he answered, staring down at his right hand, cinched in a fist. 

Getting up from her stool, she took another step closer to him, nearly between his spread legs. Rhett straightened his spine to create some distance between them. But it was no use, she didn’t seem to mind at all, as she gripped his left arm with both hands. One of them ghosted up the metal plating and cables along the outside, the built in sensors screaming at him at such a delicate and new touch. When she reached his shoulder, around at his back, she pressed the release and his arm popped out of the artificial socket it was housed in. The arm now firmly in her grasp, she stepped back from him and set it down gently on her workbench.

Rhett hated taking his arm off. It left him feeling like a piece was missing. Like he was incomplete. Unbalanced. He didn’t dare look over at his left side, eyes trained on her as she worked.

As she grabbed her goggles from one of the hooks on the wall and slid them over her eyes. A small tool already perched delicately in her small hand. She looked in her element. Confident and assured. Her movements were swift and precise as she used the electrified tool to test the delicate sensors, artificial muscles, tendons, and nerves. Starting at the elbow and working her way down. 

“So…” She glanced over at him from beneath her goggles, blue eyes nearly ten times larger under the magnifying lens. “How’d you end up here from Wabang? Don’meet many of us these days…”

His story was on the tip of his tongue. Ready to burst out of him after years and years of keeping it locked in a vault somewhere deep in the shadows of his chest. But he bit it back with a grimace. “That’s none of y’r business.” 

She laughed, quiet and fleeting, but it sounded beautiful. A reprieve. 

“Fair. I don’mind tellin’ you how I got here though. If y’r just gonna sit there while I do this.”

“Great.” Rhett popped his jaw to one side and tried not to roll his eyes. 

“Oh, don’t sound so excited, Captain. Someone’s gonna think y’r a real chatterbox,” she replied with a smirk. 

He scoffed, feeling a laugh bubbling away somewhere in his chest. “I could just leave.”

“Course you can. But you won’t.” 

“How d’you know that?”

She shrugged, moved on to the next piece of his arm. “‘Cause…Y’don’t want people t’see ya weak…No offense.” 

Rhett glanced over at his left side. Where he felt there should be something but there was currently nothing. His teeth grinded together as he stared down at her booted feet propped up on the footrest of her stool. Knowing that his silence was answer enough for her. She was right. One of her booted feet tapped against the metal for a second, and then — 

“M’sorry,” she sighed, lifting her goggles and turning to face him. He looked up into her face, and there was that softness again. “I shouldn’t have said that. I just…If you don’t want me to talk, I won’t. It’s been a long time since I’ve met someone from home, s’all.”

After a moment of looking at him, she went back to her work. The consistent small electric buzz and the distant sounds of the clinic the only things filling the silence.

It had been three years since Rhett met someone else from Wabang. Everyone he knew was either killed in the war or when the Order burned the place to the ground. Everyone who was left was scattered to the far corners of Sira. And he knew there couldn’t be many of them. The village was small to begin with. Just a group of farms and not much else. He barely remembered his time there anymore. Part of him wondered if that was by some purposeful design on his part. Or the only gift his years of war had given him. 

He looked at the side of her face. He knew the other medic said her name, but he couldn’t remember what it was now. Thinking it held no real importance to him. She was hunched over the workbench, tongue poking out between her teeth as she worked. The goggles masked most of her profile, but he could still see the easy slope of her nose. The delicate curve of her chin. The light scar on the edge of her jaw. 

How did she get that? How did she…End up here? On this rebel base of all places? They were hidden all over Sira, in every corner and region of the planet. Yet she ended up at the same one as him. Someone else from the same village that had been gone for over a year. 

Rhett found he was opening his mouth before he could stop himself: “Talk.”

“What?” she looked over at him with those magnified eyes, brow clearly furrowed beneath the goggles. 

“T-Tell y’r story, I mean…” he trailed off quietly, adjusting in his seat. 

She grinned like she had some joke at the ready but chose to keep it to herself. For that Rhett was thankful. He knew his people skills were rusty, but Maker. 

“I grew up on a Falcora ranch. Family raised ‘em for ridin’ and workin’ all over, not just in Wabang. My family…My dad…Tried to do everything by the Order’s rules so we could keep our land and keep our lives, but — he just couldn’t take it anymore. They-They ordered our ranch to supply Falcoras for their battalions, to use against the rebellion. Either we complied or they’d take ‘em by force. 

“My dad refused, so one day one of the Order’s drop ships came. I’ll never forget it. Big metal box with that symbol on the side in red. Soldiers came out and my mom — my mom grabbed me and my sisters n’hid us under the dining room floor. Didn’t even know that hole was there ‘till I was in it.” She glanced over at him and smiled sadly. “Heard the banging. The blaster fire. The screaming. Felt like we were down there for hours. Just…Listening. When it was finally quiet we came out of hiding. All the Falcoras were gone. Barns burned. Mom and Dad…”

She trailed off, took a shaking breath and swallowed hard.

“I — I remember hearin’ about that,” Rhett spoke quietly and low, she turned to look at him sharply. “Abernathy…Right?”

“Yeah, that was us.” She turned back to her work, lips pressed into a thin line. “I was only ten…My oldest sister decided we should go to the Sapphire Sisterhood. At least until we were of age.” 

He stiffened. “Those Order supportering religious zealots?”

“I never said she was smart. And I was too young to understand any of it. So I went along. The Sisters were cruel and I left as soon as I could. Barely sixteen. Went to Neo City and joined the Academy. Learned all about bionics and medicine and…About the Order and the Rebellion. I got recruited three years ago, at the end of my studies. Been bouncing around bases ever since.” 

“Y’r sisters? What about them?” 

This seemed to give her pause, a kind of sadness taking over her that Rhett could nearly see. “Rachel stayed with the Sisterhood. Shiloh…I don’t know where she is.” 

“M’sorry.” 

She only hummed in reply and said nothing more. She was testing down at the wrist now. Poking at all the various cables and metal mesh that acted as tendons and muscle. But when she pressed her tool into the center of the wrist, the hand twitched.

“Oh! There we go!” she exclaimed as she did it again, all the fingers clenching and unclenching as the electricity was applied. She set down her tool and inspected the area further. “Looks like you need a new transverse carpal ligament cable. Your current one is pretty much shot to shit.” 

“How?” he asked, eyebrows furrowed. “The thing’s supposed to be indestructible.” 

“Just normal wear and tear. You’ve had it for three years. Honestly surprised you haven’t needed maintenance before this.”

Getting up from her stool with a light groan, she opened up one of the many boxes scattered about and started digging through the contents. After a minute, she pulled out a bit of metal cable with a noise of success. 

“Knew I had one of these in here somewhere.” She sat back down with the new part and a few other tools. “Just gotta replace this, Captain, and you should be good to go.”

“Rhett.”

He didn’t even know he had said anything until he heard his own voice echo in his ears. It made his guts twist up in a knot, some heat prickle at his neck. He wanted to take it back. But he also wanted to hear her say it. Hear that voice of a stranger that also sounded so much like home say his name. His real name. Form those pretty pink lips around the words and hold onto it forever. The only person he’s ever allowed to call him that. 

“Rhett,” she repeated with a smile and it sounded like honey. “Suits you. I’m Tessa.” 

He spoke her name in a whisper to himself, determined to remember it this time. And he wasn’t even sure why. But he watched, a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth, as her cheeks became dusted with pink. He wanted to make her do that again. And again. And again.

Tessa finished the repair on his arm and popped it back into the socket. After a few tests to make sure everything was working properly, she led him back through the clinic to the front doorway. 

“If you have any more trouble, just let me know,” she said as she stepped through the thick curtain and out into the sun with him.

“I will.”

“See ya around, Rhett.”

Surveying the field one final time, Rhett put his lips together and whistled a tune. A simple four note thing, but one that carried on the wind easily across such an open place. It was a call. One that expected and anticipated a response. Rhett waited, breath held just in case that made him hear it better, for the responding whistle to come. The echo of that same four note tune.

But it didn’t come. 

Ice flooded his veins, froze his heart and let it sink into the pit of his gut as he scanned the battlefield yet again. He couldn’t see her either. Couldn’t pick her out amongst the other soldiers and medics who were quickly trying to gather those that they could. He swallowed down the panic as best he could as he shoved his helmet back onto his head. His viewfinder taking over his vision once more. 

“Search: Sergeant Tessa Abernathy.”

The viewfinder scanned the field for a second. Green lines going out in a grid, mapping the carnage and the trackers set into each rebel’s uniform before battle. 

Maker, she wasn’t even supposed to be here.

“Location acquired,” the robotic voice spoke in his ear as a marker for her location popped up. 

In the middle of the field, no other survivors around. Rhett took in a shaky breath as he moved forward. He whistled again as he got closer. 

But still, there was no echo.

A few months after Tessa’s arrival on base and her subsequent fixing of Captain Rhett Abbott’s arm, people began to notice things.

How the new bionic engineer sat next to one of the rebellion’s most famous soldiers and highest ranking officers at every meal. 

How Captain Abbott seemed to need a repair after every mission since her arrival. 

How Tessa would sometimes be escorted to his quarters after the sun went down and curfew was in action. 

How at victory celebrations, as few and far between as they were, the two of them seemed to be glued to one another's side.

Rhett kept repeating the whistle as he walked closer to her marker. Desperately. Brokenly. By the time he broke out into a run it was nothing more than a faint noise on his lips. 

She wasn’t going to respond. 

It felt like a rope was tied around his neck. Tighening and tightening the closer to her he became. He couldn’t feel his arms or legs but knew they were carrying him to her location. 

He threw off his helmet when her marker was only a few feet in front of him. 

And he could see her. 

Wearing a medics’ poncho because they had lost too many field medics and she stupidly volunteered to go. Despite his telling her not to. Despite him telling her to just go against orders and stay behind. But she was so stubborn. Always had to be. 

A giant pain in his ass and the sunshine of his entire life. 

Her face was pale, cheeks ashen. Eyes closed. 

The sun can’t go out. It just can’t. 

Rhett dropped to his knees at her side, uncaring of the bits of mech that dug into his flesh and cut his skin. Ripping off his gloves and tossing them uncaringly aside, he took her into his arms. Propped her up in his lap. Her head lolled to one side and he adjusted it to look up at him with one big hand to her cheek. Her skin was still warm. 

“Tess? Sunshine, you hear me?” he questioned quietly, afraid if he spoke any louder it would be a scream.

His eyes roamed her form for injuries. He didn’t find any until he got to her legs. Bile rose in his throat but he couldn’t. Her entire right leg was gone, blown off at the top of her thigh. Her left leg was missing below the knee. Both nothing more than charred stumps, like the end of a stick used to stoke a fire — coated in a thick layer of ash. It must have been one of those new fire bombs that the Order had been using as of late. Not caring that their own soldiers were killed with their use. Now that he looked around, many other bodies and bits that remained were burned black. The fires long put out.

A darkness consumed him. Weighed him down. It felt as if he would never rise from this earth. That he would stay here, with Tessa, as he should be. Forever. With a shaking breath, all hope draining from him like a plug had been pulled, his other hand slipped down to search for her pulse.

He gasped sharply. He clung to her tighter. 

Her pulse was weak, but it was there.

Bending down, he pressed his lips to her forehead, hard. Like that would embue her with some power to hang on. Just a little bit longer. 

“I’ve got you, sunshine, just hold on,” he whispered as he lifted her from the ground and started towards the transport that would take them back to base.

The sun can’t go out. It just can’t.

just tagging a few people who may be interesting, if you don't wanna be tagged in the future, just let me know! @arrthurpendragon @nerdysuperchick @bobfloydsbabe @crescentwolf @ahopelessromanticwritersworld @onebigfangirlworld @yanna-banana @blue-aconite @gigisimsonmars @laracrofted @a-reader-and-a-writer

#oc: tessa abernathy #fic: the rise of sira #fd: outer range #scifi au #rhett abbott #rhett abbott x oc #rhett abbott imagine #rhett abbott fanfiction #rhett abbott fanfic #rhett abbott fic #outer range #outer range oc #outer range fic #outer range imagine #ocapp #new fic #fic request #rhett abbott x tessa abernathy #lewis pullman

[asterhaze]

If you get this, answer w three random facts about yourself and send it to the last seven blogs in your notifs! Anon or not, doesn’t matter, let’s get to know the person behind the blog :)

Thank you for the ask! I have enjoyed talking about myself a little bit lately.

Serious: I also art! Though I haven't posted any of my newer stuff online because my tablet broke and some of my traditional work is stuff I want to eventually draw digitally and hopefully sell. I'm terrified of AI taking away my dream of being a super cool artist writer dream before I even have a chance. So yeah.

Silly Fact: I have a horrible phobia of mascots. It inspired a comic idea that I will probably end up writing about evil mascots that try to take over the world and cause the apocalypse. It's a pretty serious phobia that councilors and therapists have tried to help me with but nothing has worked because I've refused exposure therapy. There are some masks that trigger this phobia, but honestly it's mostly helmets!

Random: I only started writing seriously last October, and the amount of progress I have made this year shocks even myself. This is hard for me, but here is an example of my writing from last October versus something I wrote a few weeks ago.

October:

Glen stood beneath the willow tree in a small graveyard. He stated down at two small graves whose names had been worn away by time. But he knew them well and kept them close to his heart.

"Maria. My love. I miss you dearly, even still to this day." Glen began, going down on one knee to brush his hands across the grass. "I wish I was there with you. Wherever you are and whatever is beyind this life. I wish we could sit beneath our willow tree and I could tell you how much I love you again."

Last week - a longer piece that may or may not make it into a final draft-

“Now your suit really will be ruined. Your socks too.” But I have the money now to buy new clothes. Who cares, Maria, about suits and pants and socks and shoes? Who cares about arranged weddings? Who cares about any of that when you’re dead, dead, dead and I’m here, here, here? I’m still here, here, here… He reached out, brushing his fingertips along the front of the tombstone, weathered smooth by time. Faintly he could see the first letter of her first and last name but the rest was worn away. He traced the letters, very gently, before pulling his hand away and putting it back in his lap. Willow had cried and cried so many times sitting here before Maria’s grave. Mourning her, missing her, wishing desperately that she would come back to him and forgive him for everything and being left with only memories. The tears had dried decades ago, but the longing in his chest and the aching in his soul still remained. Now he just stared, his eyes glossed over, his lips moving without a voice as he spoke in his imaginary world where Maria was fussing at him for this, that, or the other. He knew he was crazy, or ill, or pretending, or at least that whatever he was doing was wrong but it made him feel better. Talking there, remembering things, it made him feel complete despite reminding him otherwise and he wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was that people left him alone at the graveyard, let him spend however long he wanted there, or maybe it was because he was close to her again. Eventually, when a headache was starting to form across his temple, he imagined Maria turning to him and smiling. Still wearing that horrible dress that flattered only her body, sickly yellow. Maria fluffed her skirt, slapping it when she was done, before turning to walk away. Won’t you take me with you this time? Can’t we go together? I’m tired of living without you, Maria. Maria looked over her shoulder, a sad look over her sunshine eyes, as she sighed and turned away. “You’re too good.” And with that, he imagined her walking away and fading from his vision in a great glowing light that blinded him until he closed his eyes so tightly shut he prayed he would never be able to open them again. Anything else he would see would just tarnish it. Tarnish his memory of her, but eventually he did open his eyes, and there was all that was left of her before him. Faded, worn, and nearly falling apart. Here Lies M….M…. Loved Forever.

Tagging: @mthollowell-writes @rainisawriter @doublegoblin @gummybugg @veetvoojagigthemagnificent

[twofrontteethstillcrooked]

Suptober 16 Oct.: Red

"And on the side closest to that house, vermillion, perhaps?" Cas suggested.

"Ooh," Sam said, "good one."

Dean bonked his forehead against the middle of the steering wheel and the Impala's horn honked faintly. "Stop naming colors or I'm gonna blow my brains out."

deancas, new (secret?) relationship au

"That one's red," Cas said. May as well state the obvious, even if color as a concept was never simple to him; he'd experienced it in multiple dimensions, and the limits of words to describe it here on earth were sometimes frustrating.

"It's crimson," Sam said, grinning at him from the front seat.

"What's the difference?" Jack asked, before unwrapping another piece of candy corn taffy and popping it in his mouth.

"Crimson has more purple in it," Sam said.

"He means blue," Cas corrected.

"Okay, yeah." Sam pointed to the top of the huge maple tree they were observing. "Up at the top, though, the color's more madder."

"Like it's angry?" Jack squinted out the window.

Cas shook his head. "Has more brown undertones." 

"Red is definitely associated with anger, though," Sam said. 

"And communism," Dean muttered. His steering wheel drumming grew more pronounced as his patience waned. Two lane country roads with active construction jobs were, Cas knew, one of the banes of Dean’s life.

"Madder comes from the dye people produce from rubia plants," Cas said.

"Rubia like ruby," Jack put together. "Ruby like the demon?"

Cas could feel Dean's blood pressure increase immediately, but it was Sam who said, "More like the jewel." He leaned his head against the car window. "Speaking of gemstones, though, there's garnet – the leaves near the bottom might qualify."

"And on the side closest to that house, vermillion, perhaps?" Cas suggested.

"Ooh," Sam said, "good one."

Dean bonked his forehead against the middle of the steering wheel and the Impala's horn honked faintly. "Stop naming colors or I'm gonna blow my brains out."

"Blood!" Jack said with gusto. "That's gotta be its own specific shade of red, right?"

"On a paint swatch somewhere? Probably." Sam smiled at Jack before noticing Dean's dead-eyed grimace. "Now that oak over there is chartreuse."

Dean made a gun barrel out of his index and middle fingers and used them to shoot Sam in the face.

"It reads as more amber to me," Cas said. 

Sam was charitable enough to say, "Yeah, as the light shifts, I can see that."

"I think it's spicy mustard, like we had with the bratwurst at the Oktoberfest last week," Jack said. "Are we eating soon?"

Dean slumped over, gurgling.

-

At the farm stand, Jack and Sam went ahead to secure a picnic table beneath a shelter that somewhat broke the sharp wind whipping through the surrounding hills. 

Cas stood as near to Dean as he dared in the food line. "I didn't think it would take so long to get here," he said, an apology in his tone.

Dean closed the gap. He gave Cas an apologetic look of his own. "I didn't know you were going to invite them, is all." He jerked his head at the shelter.

A realization clicked into place for Cas. "When you asked if I wanted to go for a drive…" He looked up and noticed Dean was paying close attention, his eyes green as jade or laurels, forests or ferns. Cas felt warmer all over. "You really meant with just me."

"I should've said that more…clearly." Dean dropped his gaze. "But this is all right."

Cas glanced back at the table. To his surprise, Sam and Jack were talking to an older woman who'd sat down at the table and a six- or seven-year-old girl who may have been her granddaughter? The girl drew something on a paper tablet and then gave her fat orange pencil to Jack, who drew something else on the page. The girl giggled and grabbed her pencil back to draw more.

"Looks like they're making some friends," Dean commented. He bit his lip for a second. "Maybe we could let them fend for themselves for a while longer." 

"What did you have in mind?" Cas already liked this plan.

Dean slipped his hand into Cas's. "Wanna go for a leisurely walk and take in the fall foliage? I'll let you explain every single color, if you want."

What Cas wanted, badly, was to kiss Dean. But he'd settle for a stroll.

-

"Where've you guys been?" Sam asked later. He and Jack were eating cider donuts with steaming cups of coffee in a swing on the farm stand's long porch.

"Oh, just looking at some more trees," Cas said, and pulled up his collar over the delicate violet bruise on his throat. 

#suptober22 #deancas #destiel #spn #fic #snippetfic #suptober

[dgdraws]

My art year in review!

I learned so much this year and made a ton of cool stuff! These are my favorites from each month, but it was so hard to choose. A lot of stuff didn't even get posted--I'll be sure to at least post the ones that made it to this list!

It's amazing to see how much I've changed and learned over this year, and to see the things that are emerging as part of "my style."

Here's to another year of delight, creation, connection and fun!

Some monthly reflections beneath the cut, but here's the highlights:

I participated in 3 art challenges, Artfight, OC-tober and Huevember.

I made fanart for the first time!

I created a piece I conceived of before I started drawing

Made some big breakthroughs in techniques and skills in April, July and November

January: My first branch into full character design, Rodd is the culmination of training on Hero Forge renders to make dnd portraits! I was doing this cool thing with neon rim lighting, I should bring that back!

February: I saw a piece on here with this amazing glowing effect, so I color picked it and experimented to figure out what relationship between the colors was making it do that! The answer was saturation. This rose is meant to be glowing from within, and I think I did a good job for my knowledge level at the time! As Chuck Tingle would tell us, it's beautiful because only I could have made it in that moment on the timeline.

March: I spent a million years on every detail of this one, it has at least 5 clipping overlay/saturation layers for lighting, multiple line work groups and I want to rework that background but! I never felt more accomplished than I did when I finished this one. I learned a lot, especially about things I could skip or simplify. And the symbolism really pops off ngl

April: I read Gideon the Ninth for the first time this month and I immediately needed to draw Jeannemary Chatur, Cavalier of the Fourth House, the worst teen to do it. She's the first fanart I ever made and posted! I also discovered a new pen tool with this one, which CHANGED THE GAME.

May: This one is an idea I had written down before I ever picked up the tablet and stylus. I thought I might commission someone to make it, the image of it came to me so clearly during our VTM session I just had to make it real somehow. Well I did it! This is one I will come back to redraw in like 5 years bc I love the concept so much. Also rife with symbolism and inside nods to the Low Kings.

June: I made a bunch of ref sheets in the run-up to Artfight in July. Caleb hadn't even been in my plans to upload, but I had time and inspiration! I will be uploading this and a few more of him <3

July: This is one of my faves from Artfight! This character is Blueberry, by way of OrchidEatsBread on artfight. I have still never played... rainworld? But I love me a slug cat. In July I drew a TON of people, it really drilled anatomy basics into me and how to get clothes looking like actual clothes a bit more. Also solidified some things I would consider "my style" at the moment, like no irises, and my approach to noses and mouths and fingers!

August: Another fanart for the Locked Tomb series, I never posted this!!! Will be rectifying that soon.

September: I got really into javascript and css this month, and I made this to be a landing page image on my neocities website XD I'll get back around to that eventually...

October: At the last minute, I discovered OC-tober and the prompts from @/bweirdart, a worthy follow up to the rush of Artfight two months previous. I developed so much stuff for the Low Kings, including this drawing/character, Amayah/Girl-Z, who has been a figment of my pintrest board for 2+ years.

Huevember: Chasing that OC-tober high, I found Huevember! I did not expect to actually do every day, but it proved to be an amazing exercise! I learned so, so much about color, discovered amazing new brushes and techniques and found I really enjoy working in those one day capsules! I loved a lot of the stuff that came out of this month, including my highest note post ever!!!, but this one is still my phone background and I'm maybe developing an OC world around it. We'll see what happens in 2024.

December: I got hit HARD with the writing bug this month, so this was my only choice for this month but I WOULDA CHOSEN IT ANYWAY. I unlocked something here that I'm really excited to visit again, in fact I'm working on a companion piece rn! This is also fanart btw, prepare for me to get even weirder about this guy in the coming months.

If you've read this far, thank you so much! I have so much fun writing these little reflections and making my posts on here.

xoxo, wren

#my stuff #reflections #low kings #oc tober #huevember #artfight #year in art #year in review

[lorirwritesfanfic]

Decisions

Author's note: Guess who’s finally posting a For The World To Know chapter? 😁 Took me three years to get this story unstuck, so please be kind to me if you decide to comment. [Original characters are creations of this author. The others are owned by Pixelberry Studios] Book: The Royal Romance - Book Three Characters: Liam Rys, MC (Jade), Madeleine Amaranth, Regina Rys Pairing: Liam Rys x MC (Jade) Rating: T Word count: 4887 Reading time: ~20min Summary: As the wedding approaches, Jade will struggle with the compromises she will have to make to become Liam’s wife.

Jade walked down the hallway leading to the main lounge of the palace, where she would decide the final details of her wedding. Though she wasn't looking forward to meeting Regina and Madeleine, any moment with her fiancé to talk about the future was still worth it. The thought of having cake and making the last adjustments about the ceremony and reception with her betrothed felt like paradise for her. Even if the other people there wouldn't allow them to enjoy this little piece of heaven for too long.

Her eyes sparkled with joy as she spotted Liam by the door talking on the phone. With a wide smile, the duchess approached her fiancé and encircled her arms around his strong frame, resting her head on his back.

"My apologies, sir, but I have a meeting to attend. Have a good day," Liam hung up, lifted Jade's hands to his lips, kissed her knuckles and turned around to gaze at her.

"You didn't have to hang up, Li. I could've waited until you finished the call."

"I could never leave my queen waiting," he said, kissing her forehead. "Are you ready for the last meeting?"

"No..." She made a face, making him chuckle. "I know what you're thinking, but it's not because it's a meeting with Madeleine and Regina. It's the last meeting."

Liam cupped her face, caressing her cheek gently. "Are you concerned about anything, my love? Are you having second thoughts?"

"No! I have no doubts about what I want. I was just thinking about our wedding. Time flew by us lately."

"Both of us are busier now, my love," Liam explained. "And I have a feeling our lives will get more hectic as the wedding approaches."

"I feel like we only see each other at courtly functions or formal meetings." Jade frowned. "We barely had any time alone this week."

"I did notice that. In that spirit, I'd like you to join me for lunch. We'll have plenty of time to talk in private. Maybe even kiss and do other things as well," he whispered as one hand rested on the small of her back.

"I'd like that. But we can start the kissing part now," the duchess suggested with a mischievous smile.

"You make a fair point as usual, my queen."

With that, Liam pulled her closer and leaned in, pressing his lips on hers. Jade tugged on his jacket and deepened the kiss. For a moment, time seemed to stand still for the two of them. But as heat began to spread within her, he pulled away.

"We should get in now," the monarch whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Five more minutes?" Jade looked at the King with her best smile and pleading eyes.

"We can't keep Madeleine and Regina waiting forever."

"Are you sure?"

He chuckled softly, but shook his head.

"Fine..."

She made a face that quickly dissolved by her fiancé as he kissed her cheek a few times before they walked into the private lounge.

As the guards opened the doors for the two of them, Queen Mother Regina gave the couple a subtle glare as she sipped her tea. Madeleine looked at her golden wrist watch then reached for her tablet.

"It took long enough for the two of you to arrive." Madeleine raised an eyebrow as the couple sat on the loveseat across from her.

"My apologies, Madeleine. Though our wedding ceremony is important to us, my role as the monarch of this country and Jade's new obligations as ruler of Valtoria also demand our attention," Liam explained.

"Of course, Your Majesty," the countess replied, looking down at her tablet.

Jade glanced at her fiancé with her eyes widened, who replied with a smile and a wink.

"We're eleven minutes late, so let's not waste another moment," Queen Mother said as she signaled for the maids to serve them tea. "Shall we take a look at the menu options once again?"

Liam and Jade nodded.

"The choices previously made were: the entree will be kitchen tagine, the main course roasted lamb with asparagus and for dessert, chocolate souffle," Madeleine declared.

"What about the vegan menu?" Jade asked.

"Vegan menu?"

"Yes. We've discussed this before. Some of my family members are vegan."

"I didn't assume Sofia would come and, as far as I know, she has no dietary restrictions," Regina answered, barely hiding her disdain for the Calenvian queen mother.

"Queen Vanesa does," Jade informed.

"I'm not sure the chef hired can add vegan dishes to the menu on such short notice," Madeleine opposed.

A small line slowly appeared between Jade's brows.

"Then hire a chef who can do it," Liam ordered.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” Madeleine answered with her eyes glued to her tablet.

"Thank you," Jade mouthed to the king, who replied with an encouraging smile.

"Shall we continue?" Regina asked.

"Yes," Liam answered.

"Beverages will include sparkling wine from Castelsareillan, King Liam's favorite champagne, Lady Jade's favorite cocktails and apple juice for the kids. Can we confirm this menu?" Madeleine asked.

The couple exchanged glances and then nodded.

"Excellent. However, I'd like to inform you we're no longer serving cocktails inappropriate for weddings like sangria, galaxy lemonade or anything with flames. We changed those for appletini, old fashioned and dry Manhattan."

"Inappropriate?" Jade questioned.

"Do you really want to cause an accident to happen during a royal wedding because of a tipsy guest who asked for..." Regina glanced at the cocktails list on Madeleine's tablet and stared at the duchess over her vintage Prada glasses. "Flaming Lamborghinis?"

"Flaming Lamborghinis is the first drink Jade and I had when we met in New York, which is why I chose it for our wedding." Liam glared at his stepmother.

"I'm not a fan of any of those cocktails you suggested either," Jade added.

"They're the most popular and elegant requests, according to the mixologists from the catering service working for us."

"Do they know appletini is the sugar and it's not even real apple juice, Lady Madeleine?" Jade asked, but got no response from the countess or the Queen Mother. "I thought so. Sangria was a request from my grandmother and I'd like to keep it."

"Queen Sofia already sent five boxes of Calenvian wine. I don't want to cause an international incident because the wedding planners don't approve a cocktail requested by the eldest member of my fiancee's family," the king hinted as he took a sip of the tea.

"Fine." Madeleine pursed her lips as she changed the cocktails list.

"Liam, you have an appointment at 4 pm with Mr. Wilts for the third fitting of your wedding attire. Your assistant will call you as soon as your meeting with the Egyptian ambassador is over," The queen mother informed.

"Thank you, Regina." Liam nodded.

"Is there any information you want to share with us about the wedding gown, Jade?" Regina asked.

"The designer is working on it," the duchess replied.

"Is that it? How can we know how long this person you hired is going to take to sew the gown? Is this designer from the list of pre-approved fashion brands I sent?" The countess inquired.

The tone in Madeleine's voice didn't go unnoticed by anyone in the room. But unlike most people, Jade had something to say about it.

"Madeleine, when I said I'll take care of all the arrangements related to my wedding, I mean it. It's my wedding gown after all. If I need help with it, I'll ask. Now how about we stick to your list of chores?"

Madeleine threw an icy glade at the duchess and conceded. "Very well. Shall we talk about the entertainment for the reception?"

For over thirty minutes, Jade exchanged glares and veiled insults with Madeleine, but bit her tongue whenever Regina made a comment, even if she disagreed. The Queen Mother hadn't much to say, except for a few backhanded compliments. Still, Jade didn't wish to confront her future mother-in-law. She preferred to stay back and let Liam handle his stepmother. Yet, even if the king was a patient man, he couldn't endure those endless discussions for too long.

"I see this meeting is going to take longer than I expected. Is there anything we must handle today?" Liam asked.

"There's one last thing, Your Majesty." Madeleine then passed along to the king and duchess two copies of what seemed to be a legal document. "This is a draft based on the premarital agreement signed by the late King Constantine and Queen Eleanor. You both can take a look at it and see what works best for you."

"Is this agreement only suggested when the future queen is an immigrant or did you sign one just like this?" Jade arched an eyebrow.

"All queens have signed premarital agreements, Jade. This contract is similar to the one signed by Queen Eleanor, but not quite the same. This one was revised and adapted to the circumstances of your wedding," Madeleine explained.

Jade glanced at Liam looking for guidance, who nodded at her and then began to read the document. Following his lead, she did the same.

Minutes of silence passed by as the two read the document. Neither of them looked pleased as they continued to read. Liam clenched his jaw and his free hand balled into a fist.

"These clauses are preposterous. We didn't ask for separate bedchambers, we don't want to host balls every year for wedding anniversaries and I'm not even going to mention the alternatives to conceive heirs and divorce clauses." He glowered.

"Don't be so sensitive, Liam. Think of this document as a guideline that reminds you of your responsibilities to the kingdom," Regina explained.

"I don't need reminders. I'm well aware of my responsibilities. Besides, if this is a guideline, there's no reason for either of us to sign it." The king's voice was calm, yet commanding. But there was no denying he was holding back his anger as his knuckles turned white.

"The country has been going through a delicate situation ever since Leo abdicated. You have to consider different options as part of your strategy," Regina continued.

Jade stared in disbelief at the Queen mother while Madeleine calmly sipped her tea, hiding a smirk behind her cup.

"Different options?! You have no right to meddle in my marriage with those invasive and absurd clauses." The king raised his voice just enough to show who was in charge, but Regina didn't back out so easily.

"You of all people should know the consequences of these infatuations and dalliances can bring to us, Liam. Look at what your brother did to us."

"First of all, I am not my brother, Regina. Secondly, Leo's relationship with Katie was anything but a dalliance. They were married!" Liam hissed.

"It barely lasted four years," the queen mother waved her hand dismissively.

"It lasted six years," Liam corrected. "And I can assure you that I have no intention to get divorced when things get complicated."

"This is why this document exists. It's a precaution in case Jade or her family decides she can walk away taking more than what she arrived with," the queen mother concluded.

"How dare you talk to my fiancee like this?"

Jade's heart sank. She knew many Cordonian nobles still had a problem with a foreigner becoming queen. But it was one thing not being accepted by strangers. To be seen not only as unworthy of Liam by his own family, but also as a potential threat to the kingdom hurt her in ways she couldn't fathom at the moment.

The duchess took in the scene before her. While the king and his stepmother argued, Madeleine read something on her tablet as if nothing bothered her. Would her married life be like this? Maybe it was time to stop fighting against the tide.

"This is never going to be over, is it?" She asked.

Liam and Regina turned to her.

"You're always going to criticize us whenever we choose to do anything you and King Constantine wouldn't do, aren't you?"

An uncomfortable silence settled in the room.

"I love Liam and, despite what others might think of me, I know what I signed up for when I accepted his proposal. If what it takes for you to get off our backs is this damn prenup, so be it."

Jade then grabbed a pen and both copies of the premarital agreement.

Liam reached for his fiancée's hand. "Jade, you don't have to do this."

Giving him a weak smile, she squeezed his hand gently. "I disagree." The lady signed both copies and stood up. "Now if you excuse me, I need to be as far away as possible from the two of you," she said, glancing at Regina and Madeleine before walking towards the door.

"This isn't over," Liam glowered at the two women and followed his fiancée.

As she stepped out of the lounge, Jade heaved a sigh and walked down the hallway. Suddenly, the conversation she had with her future husband about the weight of the crown as a symbol of the responsibilities of a monarch came to her mind. Each day it felt like the crown was heavier than before. Perhaps to stop fighting against the tide would make it easier.

"Jade!"

She stopped in her tracks and turned around. As he rushed to her, her eyes welled at the sight of him, gazing at her in worry. Once he got closer, he cupped her face and brushed away her tears with his thumbs.

"My love, you didn't have to sign it. You know I won't."

"You don't get it, do you?"

His brows furrowed in confusion at her question.

"Liam, marrying isn't just a chance to be with the man of my dreams. Marrying you means getting a chance of having something I've been missing all my life. Did you see how my father's family is? I want something like that for us. A happy family, with laughter, friendly competitions and even spats. Kids someday..."

The king wrapped his arms around her. "We can have all of that."

The lady rested her face on his chest, inhaling the scent of cologne. "I hope we do. But I don't want us to exclude anyone from our families in the process."

"Neither do I," he murmured, kissing the top of her head.

Bastien cleared his throat to get their attention then bowed respectfully to both of them. "My apologies for the interruption, Your Majesty. Your Grace. There's an urgent matter with the farmers at the Applewood that requires your attention, sir."

Liam was about to respond when Jade squeezed his hand to get his attention.

"Go. We can talk later."

"We don't have to postpone our plans. I just have to handle this matter right now and then we—"

"I know you want to fix what happened earlier..." She adjusted his tie and placed both hands on the lapels of his suit. "But right now you need to be King Liam and look after Cordonia. Our personal issues can wait."

"Will you be okay?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?" He studied her features as if trying to unveil secrets hidden behind her weak smile.

"Your Majesty," Bastien insisted.

"I'll be fine. Go."

"I'll see you at night."

With a smile that didn't reach her eyes, Jade nodded.

The king lifted up her chin to give her a kiss before going separate ways from his fiancee.

The sound of crickets coming from the gardens filled the quietness inside the future queen's bedchambers. Several hours passed since the meeting, yet she still couldn't bring herself to do anything. She needed time to understand and accept that even choosing to be happy would come with sacrifices. Coming to the conclusion that everything comes with a price never felt more real than now.

A gentle knock cut through the utter silence in the room, but she didn't bother to respond. After a few more insistent knocks, Jade looked back at the door and shouted. "Not now, Maxwell!"

"Maxwell caved and called reinforcement."

As she recognized the voice coming from the hallway, she rushed out of the bed to open the door.

"Liam..." She breathed.

"Can I come in?"

Jade motioned for him to enter and watched him inspect the room before turning to her again.

"Is everything alright with the farmers at the Applewood Manor?"

"Yes. I reached an agreement with them that I believe will be beneficial to all of us in the future."

"That's great. You must be really tired though."

"Is it okay if I came here hoping to find comfort in my fiancee's arms?"

"It's more than okay." She took a seat on her bed and patted the mattress.

With a smile, Liam laid down, resting his head on her lap.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine."

"You don't seem fine."

"I'm not. But I'm not going to whine about anything if you came here to unwind," she said as her fingers idly ran through his hair.

"That's not the only reason I came here."

"Isn't it?"

"No." He sat up and gazed at her intently. "We still have a few pending decisions to make about our wedding."

"Liam, can we not do this now? I'm not in the mood to be in the same room as Madeleine and your stepmother."

"Good. Me neither."

"How are we going to handle it then?"

"I hired a professional wedding planning team to help us."

"More people to be bullied by Madeleine! Yay..." Jade grimaced.

Liam chuckled. "Madeleine and Regina are no longer involved in our wedding organization. They're merely guests from now on."

"What?!"

"Was it a bad call?

"I don't know... We're two weeks away from the wedding. Where did you find a team willing to work for us in such a short time?"

"Well, I talked to Katie. She has been working in the field for many years with her sister, brother-in-law and another business associate. She mentioned they've planned many impromptu lavish weddings in California. I don't think our wedding is going to be a problem for them."

"Leo’s ex?”

“The very same. Though the circumstances you two met weren't ideal, you seemed to get along really well then. I heard you mention her ideas for wedding favors and flowers were better than Madeleine's."

"They were. She showed me some pictures of a wedding on a rainy day. It was so beautiful, Li!"

"I guess I made a good call then."

"Yeah, but..." She trailed off for a moment. "If this is because of what happened today..."

"Jade, we both know it wasn't just today." He reached for her hand. "Wedding planning is complicated on its own. But it shouldn't be this hard. The team hired to take care of it should make our lives easier, don't you think?"

"Liam, I don't want to cause another disagreement between you and Regina."

"You didn't. She is the one who tried to interfere in matters that don't concern her."

Jade frowned slightly. Though the pre-nuptial agreement clauses were invasive, she had no intention to cause any more disagreements.

"So what do you say? Can we work with Katie?"

"If it means no more Madeleine pestering me about my wedding gown or changing the drinks without our consent, yes."

"Excellent. How about we discuss our plans for the wedding over dinner? I asked the chef something light for us."

"I'd like that," she replied with a smile.

Liam then stood up and ambled to the door. As he opened the door, a food serving trolley with a minestrone soup and a side salad came to view.

"A light meal! Did everything go well during the fitting for your tux?"

"It did. And I'm not wearing a tux."

"No?" Jade's eyes lit up as she opened the door to her balcony. "So this means you're going to wear something special? Like a Royal Air Force uniform?"

"I thought we agreed to not peaking at each other's wedding attire, Your Grace," he teased pulling the food trolley next to the table on the balcony.

"I'm not peaking..." She sat down and placed a napkin over her lap. "And that wasn't a no."

"That's classified information, my love," he said with a smile.

"Okay. But what's with the rabbit diet?"

Liam sat down as she arranged the table for them.

"We'll have cake tasting right after this."

"Really?"

"We were supposed to choose our cake this morning," he pointed out while opening a bottle of wine to serve both of them.

"Maybe it was for the best. I'd be tempted to smear Madeleine's face with cake frosting and that would be such a waste of a perfectly good cake.

Liam cackled. "I couldn't agree more."

After clinking glasses, they began to dig into their meals. Yet Jade still couldn't contain her worries.

"Liam, how did you tell Regina about the wedding planning?"

"I heard my assistant asking one of the servants to buy her an Advil because she didn't think she could handle Madeleine and Regina for an hour."

"Poor Andrea..." Jade grimaced.

"That's when I decided to give her the rest of the day off and asked her to get Katie's number before she left. Before the fitting, I told Madeleine her services wouldn't be necessary and Hana would go with me instead of Regina."

"Hana?"

"I needed the opinion of someone who has seen your wedding gown. She is your maid of honor, after all."

Jade looked down at her plate.

"Did you change your mind about asking her?"

"No, I just... We haven't talked ever since Valtoria..."

"There's also Juliet."

"Jules and I both know she'd rather have dust bunnies for dinner than commit to maid of honor duties."

The two of them chuckled, but Jade's smile faded quickly.

"My love, Hana gladly told Katie and the Tom Ford staff about what you like, the colors, the flowers you chose, decorations, details about your gown. She won't hesitate to accept your invitation."

"I just have to apologize for meddling in her love life," she concluded with a frown.

"If you don't, I'm quite sure she still will say yes."

"But she deserves an apology."

"I agree."

The duchess poked her salad for a moment, then spoke up again. "Okay... I'll talk to her tomorrow."

"That's the spirit."

Once the meal was over, the door opened again and Katie walked in carrying a photo album while followed by servant pushed another food serving trolley filled with colorful cupcakes and a large photo album.

"Good evening, Your Grace. Your Majesty," Katie bowed.

"Good evening, Ms. Tsui."

"Thank you for arranging this on such short notice, Katie," Liam said.

"Oh, don't worry about it. I've been missing my daily dose of adrenaline at work. This should be fun."

Everyone laughed.

"I'll give you a moment to enjoy the cupcakes and fillings. Let me know when you reach a decision."

"We will," Jade answered.

With that, Katie and the servant closed the door behind them, leaving the royal couple alone.

"Wow…" Jade sat back relaxing her shoulders. "A wedding planner with sense of humor!"

"It's a nice change of pace, isn't it?"

"It sure is."

"Now onto extremely important matters."

Jade beamed as they sat on the loveseat and reached for the cupcakes.

Between bites, the two of them talked about the textures, combination of flavors and presentation.

"What do you think of this one?" Jade asked.

"Red velvet cake always goes well with cream cheese and strawberry jam. But so does dark chocolate..." He suggested.

"You really fell in love with the chocolate cake, didn't you?"

"Is it obvious?"

"Very." She grinned. "I was thinking about choosing the red velvet one because we're already having the chocolate souffle for dessert."

"And that's a good option. But we can combine the cream cheese with strawberry jam with the chocolate cake. Here."

The king added some of the filling to a chocolate cupcake and offered it to her.

Closing her eyes, she hummed contently.

"Now imagine this cake with a glass of Laurent-Perrier Demi-Sec."

She moaned in delight. "Okay, I'm sold. Chocolate it is."

"Thank you." Liam grinned, dabbing a napkin gently to his lips.

"Okay. We changed wedding planners and chose the cake. What else is on our to-do list?"

"Officiant. We have two options available. If we choose a religious ceremony, there's your uncle. For non-religious one, any member of my family can officiate."

"Any member?"

"Any member."

“Let’s call Leo."

"Really?" He stared at her in surprise.

"You told me to give him a chance and that's what I'm doing. Let's use his playboy charm and wicked sense of humor to entertain the guests."

"Good choice. The easiest one, by the way."

"Is there anyone else other Regina?"

"There's my third cousin, Lord Vincent, but we'd still have to explain his mother, the Dowager Countess, why the archbishop of Rubí isn't our first choice."

"British nobility still walks hand in hand with the church, huh?"

"And they rarely understand a monarchy that doesn't."

"Hm... What else?"

"I didn't choose my best man."

"Really? I thought you had talked to Drake already."

"I wanted to be sure you're okay with it."

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because he's another person you're not in speaking terms with."

The duchess gave her shoulders. "I'm okay with it if he is."

"Very well. I'll talk to him tomorrow."

"Next topic."

"Your bachelorette party."

She frowned. "Liam, I told you I don't want it."

"But I think you should."

"Why?"

"Because once we're married, you'll realize there are things you had to give up because of me."

She placed her hand atop his. "But I don't want anyone else."

"I'm not talking about that."

"Oh?"

"Jade, even though you're a duchess soon to be queen, you're still free to do as you please with your time. But once we're married, there will be rules to obey, protocols to follow, an entire nation taking your actions as examples... I'd hate to see you miss your last chance of a carefree night with your friends."

"You make it sound like I can't be myself anymore."

"You can. But your actions will have bigger impacts and consequences."

The duchess nodded in understanding. There wasn't a single day since she arrived in Cordonia that Bertrand didn't remind her of being careful with opinions and actions that might go against what the Cordonian crown stands for and what the people expect of their rulers. But as the wedding approached, the weight of her role as future queen grew heavier.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"I'll ask Jules about throwing me a bachelorette party."

"Juliet?"

"Of course. If I leave it to Maxwell, I'll end up surrounded by peacocks in a zoo."

Liam chortled.

"But just so you know, I don't feel like giving up my freedom to be with you." She sighed contently resting her head on his shoulder. "It feels more like I'm sharing a little bit of my freedom with you and getting something even better in return."

His smile grew wider. "I'm glad you feel that way."

As they ate more of the cupcakes in silence, Jade's features grew worried again. "Li?"

"Yes?"

"What are we going to do about the prenup?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Well, it's not a mandatory document and I didn't sign it. There was nothing else left to do except burn it."

"You didn't..." She sat up and stared at him in shock.

"I had to. Documents like these can't simply be thrown in the garbage. Many people from our staff have seen paparazzi rummaging through the trash."

"They really are intense, huh?"

He nodded.

"But what about Regina? You said she'd help us so she could still occupy herself with something."

"I thought it would be a good idea in the beginning. She’s experienced with hosting grand events like this and she's adjusting to life without my father. But she crossed a line by meddling in our relationship."

"Do you think she'll accept me eventually?"

"I do." He pulled her closer and kissed her temple. "Give her time."

"Will do."

After a brief silence, Jade began. "So what about your bachelor party?"

"Not this again..." Liam made a face.

"Come on! You convinced me to have one."

"Because you'll face a big change in your life."

"So will you!"

"I had two bachelor parties and I only enjoyed myself during both of them when you were around."

"What if we have a party together?"

"Are you serious?"

"Why not? Many cultures have a joint bachelor and bachelorette parties. We can do the same."

"Care to elaborate?"

"We can go somewhere people don't know us, have some drinks, dance..." She took both of his hands and moved them as if pulling him for a dance.

"Hm..." His lips curled upwards.

"You can even fool around with someone else if you want..."

His brows went up in surprise. "I beg your pardon?"

"What? It's part of the package and... I don't mind if you want to..."

"Don't you?"

"No. I just want you to be honest with me whenever it happens. Besides, didn't you tell me Cordonian monarchs are allowed to have company other than their spouses?"

"I did. But like you said before, I don't want anyone else."

"That's good to hear." She smiled softly. "But I want you to know I'm okay with it."

"So am I. And if you want to stay for the night with someone else at the party, I'll be okay with it too."

"Thanks, but I don't think that's happening..." She said as she sat back and lifted his arm to rest it over her shoulders.

"You never know..."

"Why? Are you planning on hiring strippers?"

"I don't think we're gonna need it. I heard they have the tendency to show up where we're going..." He smirked.

"Oh?" She looked up at him with amusement. "Where are we going?"

"I'll tell you after I talk to my staff and have everything ready."

"Okay... But as soon as you tell Maxwell, will you please tell him we don't want wild animals involved? They belong in the wild, not at crazy parties with fire, loud music and drunk people."

Liam chortled. "As you wish, my love."

#choices fanfic #the royal romance #liam rys #liam x mc #lorirwritesfanfic #lorircreates #liam and jade's story

[quellmythirst]

Week-long Seminar- Day 3- Distracted

Summary: The Day of Hopes Keynote brings more surprises than you thought.

Pairing: Reader x Billy Russo

Word: 2k

Warnings: SMUT 18+, Semi Public, teasing, swearing, surprises, PIV, alcohol.

Day 2

This morning has been a blur. You feel run off your feet when you finally meet Hope at the side of the stage where she is set to give her reveal of the new Solar Farm tech. You feel confident that you have the whole thing in order, but just in case you remain on the sidelines ready to fix any issues that may occur. Holding your tablet in the crook of your arm you make some last second checks when Hope clears her throat.

“Everything should be ready ma'am,”

“All the-”

“Yes. The stats and the working models are both on the stage already for you.” you point to the miniature stands with the covers over them.

“Perfect. If this goes smoothly you can take the rest of the week off.” 

“Thank you ma'am.”

She steps onto the stage, the crowd erupting into thunderous applause. The slides work perfectly and the video runs as it should. Hope’s confidence and assuredness in the autopromet you had organised for her make the presentation seamless.

Peeking your head out of the curtain to get a better look at the crowd you nearly die. You still hadn't replied to Billy's texts. As much as you wanted to, this was too important. You needed to stay focused on Hope's this morning. But now with him sitting front and centre, foregoing his usual suit jacket for just a dress shirt, the top 2 buttons undone like he's some common whore. You gasp, your hand clutching at your chest, your feet taking you a step back.

“Ouch,” you whisper when someone jabs you in the rib with an elbow, “What?” your voice is meaner than you intend.

“She's calling you on,” the stage hand says, ushering you into the light.

Fuck fuck fuck, you think walking and smiling like you aren't going to melt at the fucking grin Billy has on his face. He can’t stop drinking in the tight black skirt and your tight deep blue blouse. You keep walking trying to ignore the way he sits forward, rolling up his sleeves and leaning on his palms. 

“Here she is, the woman who made all this possible,” Hope applauds you, stepping closer and shaking your hand.

“Thank you, Ma'am but it was all you.”

“Nonsense, a round of applause for my wonderful assistant and the official leader on this project.”

“What?” You mumble, gasping and placing a hand over your mouth. Your eyes dart to Billy’s by accident and you can see the proud smile on his face, though he looks kind of smug, like he knows something you don’t. 

“There's no one else I would trust with this project.,” The crowd erupts into cheers, the man at the center stares you down before you notice one of those delicious fingers swipe across his neck. You take a big gulp before bowing with Hope and turning to exit the stage.

“Ma’am, I mean thank you. But this is so much,” 

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow. Just enjoy your night,” she says, waving you off and grabbing herself a drink.

Xx

The ballroom is crowded and it seems like every man and their mother wants to shake your hand in congratulations. It's just buying you time, you think. You've seen him hiding in the corner of your vision, a small alcove nestled in an armchair with a drink and plate. Every time you catch his eye he pops a piece of fruit in his mouth, his soft lips enveloping the juicy fruit licking and suckling on it before he swallows it. Was this his revenge? No. No. This was torture, those fucking forearms tempting you every single time you turn. His relaxed posture straightens when he notices you looking, folding his leg over his knee. He leers forward, his long fingers folding together.  He was waiting patiently, like a lion stalking his prey. You were so swarmed he had no chance to pounce, there was barely a break in conversation for you to catch your breath. When Mr Stark leaves after offering you his congratulations, you find an opening and try to sneak off when someone catches you again. The wrong someone.

“Congrats on the new job,” the man says, you don't recognise him but he seems familiar.

“Thanks,” you try to dismiss him, but he steps into your path.

“What are you doing later?” The tall blonde man asks and you stare up at him like he's grown another head.

“Not hanging out with strangers,”

“Johnny, Johnny Storm. You probably already knew that.” he says, with a smug smile on his face.

“Cool.” You shrug unimpressed by his forwardness, you just need to ditch him so you can get to Billy, “You must be Dr Storms brother. Is she around?” Maybe Sue could help you with an exit.

“Don't worry about her, tell me more about you,”

“No thanks, I'm good.”

“Come on, just 5 minutes.” This guy was not taking the hint. It was time for extreme measures.

“Did you know that in Australia in 1932 the locals of a town off the west coast started a war with a native bird species.”

"What?" He stares, his eyes scrunching up, shaking his head.

“Well, the birds became a pest. They were terrorizing farms and agricultural land so the people tried to get rid of them. Right?”

“What are you talking about?” He takes a step back

“But, the emus were tricksy and outsmarted and outnumbered the people. They-”

“I think I hear someone calling my name,” he interupts. Worked like a charm, you smile. Spinning on your heel and running face first into an open neckline.

“Hey there Baby,”

“Uh, Billy. Hi.” You tuck a lock of hair behind your ear, keeping your eyes on the floor. Only for his long fingers to glide along your chin and force your head up.

“What did you do to the golden boy of Baxter tower?”

“Told him about the emu war,” you laugh so hard your head falls back.

“He didn't enjoy your lecture?”

“Ha, no.” You snort. “Only one person has ever listened to the whole thing,” you joke, not thinking about who was standing in front of you.

“Just me then,”

“Uh huh,”

“Come with me.”

“Someone will notice.”

“Not a question.” He takes your hand, leading you from the room and into the hallway, the landing, the balcony.

“What are you?”

“Think you can just get away with it? Huh?” His fingers grip into your cheeks, his legs stepping you into the wall behind.

“What?”

“Playing innocent ain't gunna work.”

“I've been aching for you. Feel how hard I've been since last night,” he presses your hand into his pants, “you did this to me,”

“Billy I-” You press your hand back into the thickness in his pants, rubbing along his cock. You breath hitches when his fingers trace along your jaw, down your neck, your arm, sending shivers all over. 

“Such a tease,” he clicks at you, “how do you like it?” His hand ghosts over your ass, he stretches his arms behind you, his body sloping over yours. His thigh rests inches away from between your legs, pressing in the hem of your skirt, if you just- he steps back knowing what you were thinking. He leans down, his nose grazes along your exposed shoulder, pressing soft kisses behind your ear, chuckling softly to himself when your breath hitches and soft moan escapes your lips.

“Fuck me,” you whisper and he laughs again, pressing his cock harder into your hand. His tongue parts your lips, teeth sinking into your lower lip while his nose rubs yours.

“Have you been good?”

“No.”

“I know,” he moves quickly, picking you up onto a nearby planter box, a loud thud echoing through the terrace. His huge hands slide up your skirt, pushing the material up your legs and pushing your panties to the side, “Fuckin love these pencil skirts you wear,” one hand grips your ass while his fingers flick through your dripping pussy, “Always so wet for me,” he lines up his hard cock, "it's a shame really," he glides himself through your lips, "to waste such a dripping little pussy," you start to whine, your hips moving of their own accord as you try to catch him. "What is it little baby?" He coos, "does someone not like to be teased?"

“Please,”

“Say your sorry,”

“I am, “

“No Baby, I want the words,” he taps the head of his cock onto your clit, his hand around your throat to keep your gaze, “Go on then,"

“I'm sorry, Sir,” he sinks into you with ease. 

“You’re mine,” he moans when you're full of his cock.

“Mmm..no-” you try to say as he thrusts back out of you.

“What was that?” he stands back, his cock slapping against his stomach.

“No,”

“You don’t think so, baby? In this city. My city. Here you're all mine. Say it,” fingers pinch at your niple through your shirt, daring you to defy but you just need him so badly, need this.

“Yours,” he thrusts back into you. 

“Mine,” he breathes into your ear, grinding his pelvis into your clit.

“Holy, fuckin. Shit, Billy,” you moan when he flexes his head inside of you. Your walls clenching around him, delighting in just how perfectly he fills you.

“Fuck I missed your pretty pussy,” 

“Fuck me,” you press into him, wrapping your arms and legs around him, pulling his face down towards you sending shivers through to you both when your lips meet.

“Such a needy little baby.”

“Shut up and fuck me,” 

“You were made for me” he pounds into you, his strokes getting deeper with every thrust. “all for me” his tongue swipes over your soft lips, sucking the bottom one into his mouth, “So fucking perfect.”

Your nails dig into the fabric of his shirt, your ass almost falling over the edge of the planter. Biting down on your lip trying to keep your noises to a minimum, knowing that at any moment anyone could walk in. The thought excites you and your pussy clamps down on his hard cock.

“What you thinking about?'' he whispers, lathing at your neck.

“Anyone could find us,”

“I know, do you think they'd watch?” His voice almost incoherent in your ear, “think they'd like to watch me take you apart- fuck that's so good- want to join?”

You can't help the moan that escapes you and Billy knows it. He wraps his hand around your face to keep you quiet. “You want everyone to know what a little slut you are for me?” 

You nod vigorously, he releases your face, his long fingers gliding down to cover your neck, “too bad I don't share Baby,” he slaps your ass, pulling you off the edge, holding you against the concrete wall while he slams into you and you swear you hear the door handle giggle, “Ignore it, doors locked Baby. I'm not stopping for anyone.” His hand snakes around your middle finding your clit, “tell me how much you love my dick,”

“Yes, so good,” you pant, your back arching, his fingers swirl over your clit, “Fuckin favouri-ahh”

“Do you wanna cum?”

“Yes fuck,” you're so close you just need-

“Tell me what room you're in,” 

“12- ahHh- 16”

His teeth latch onto your pulse point, his movements growing erratic as he whispers, “then cum on me Baby. Cum,”

Both of you begin to shake, Billy's hot cum filling you as you convulse against the wall, his hands holding you in place, filling you to the brim. His fingers swipe through you, gathering your mixed juices and licking them into his mouth, “fuck I love tasting us together.”

You move to clean up but his hand stills you, “no Baby, I want to be dripping from your legs all night, want you to remember who owns you when pretty blonde boys shoot their shot. “

You roll your eyes but oblige him, taking his hand as he helps you up on shaking legs. Tucking himself back into his pants, you give him a quick kiss before unlocking the door, "I'm not sorry," you wink.

“I know, neither am I,”

You walk back into the hotel, keen to get back up to your room when Hope catches you, “Can we meet at 8, then you can spend the rest of the week how you like,”

“Of course ma'am” you say, hoping that no one else will catch you as you make your way back up to your room.

Day 4- Promotion

Taglist:

@profoundme444 @misstimeless @restingbitchsblog

@imagine-a-fictional-boyfriend @nyctophiliiiaa

@noortsshift @all-art-is-quite-useless @sweetheart-im-the-boss

@ladyofsoa @sad-hoshi037

#x reader #billy x reader #billy russo fanfic #female!reader x billy russo #billy russo x you #reader x billy russo #the punisher fanfic #billy russo x female reader #billy russo x reader #billy russo imagine #billy russo

[revilleaj]

Art update & 3D Robodi model images

It has been quite a while since I've last really done anything online. I've been heavily burned out and tired constantly since at least December or so (I have done drawings in months prior, but I have never posted them publically). I still do not have a new computer, even though I have enough money (about £1k) to buy the parts or even an entire computer, but there are other factors in life that need more attention being put towards right now.

I'm still in the midst of trying to get a job (damn required experience and driving license listings!), and drawing right now is bottom priority. It feels like a chore and it's not fun when I have rusted from not drawing in so long (making so many mistakes really sets off my anger problems). I really do not like being pressured into trying to do things, and I have been experimenting with 3D, but only to an extent.

So, with that said, I am going to put making newer drawings on hold for an indefinite amount of time until I feel motivated enough to draw. I'm not done with art entirely and I never will be, but I think I really shouldn't pressure myself as if art is some kind of requirement in life. I've been also having drawing tablet issues, and I noticed there's a small crack in my Huion that I haven't been able to use almost ever since I had it (thankfully the thing still works, and the crack is near the top, only half getting on the drawing area).

I may also finally add some images to my empty DeviantArt account. As much as I do not like that website nor its community, I think it would work if I just put my favorite drawings I've worked on there, specifically ones up until the end of 2023. All of the really old and weaker art (mostly from 2018 and 2020, and anything from 2017) I won't be reposting, as they no longer reflect me, and have not done so for a very long time.

-----

Now, for the second topic of this post, and in a much better light; the 3D Robodi model. I'm sure I've talked about this years ago on Twitter. Back in 2020, when I was still in my first year of university, I worked on a 3D model of one of my characters named Robodi, using Cinema 4D. It was never finished, but I did learn quite a bit when working on it. Here's some newer screenshots of him, now that I've managed to pick back up an older version of C4D (I do not like the 2022 UI layout change):

This is the last version of the model to not be animated, from May 2020. The image is rendered using the Sketch & Toon shader with the Standard renderer. A few options were altered to remove unnecessary outlines.

The model in the renderer itself; right is the objects list, bottom are the materials (vertex colors and textures, some with C4D specific features).

The last ever version of this specific model from September 2021, with the FOV heavily reduced to improve the depth. A single black thin cube was added between the eyes to create a fake extra outline. A bit of a hacky effect; I did not know how to do inverted normals, in fact I don't think I knew that was how most computer games handled outlines.

The very first saved version of the model, in Cinema 4D's editor, made earlier in May 2020. The pieces have default names and are not parented, some materials are not added yet, and the shapes are noticeably bigger, especially the base of the head and the torso.

I once experimented with "realistic" materials and shading (including the dreadfully slow Global Illumination), which doesn't make the most sense for a cartoon character. Here you can see the unit plate on the back of his head, which I don't think I have ever shown before. The camera may look close here, but it's actually extremely far away with a very low FOV (dubbed Super-Telescope). Some textures are no longer in the project files, so this looks slightly off from how it did back in 2020.

In October 2021, I went back to the older May 2020 model and decided to try and remake it. I realized that using one mesh and extruding it works a lot better with the Sketch & Toon shader, as it does not create unnecessary outlines when the default shader options are left the way they are. The lines in the middle of the eyes and nose are from the shader, rather than a black material cube. Of course, it would be more wise to just duplicate each mesh, enlarge them and invert the normals while applying a pitch black texture to them. I abandoned the model shortly after the progress I made here, and I am not sure why. Maybe I was burned out and lost interest.

I should probably try to attempt making a 3D model of him again and some others, now that I know a lot more than I did nearly 4 years ago (yeah, can you believe it has also been nearly 6 years since my Reville character was created? Robodi was first created in mid-2019; almost 5 years ago! Good things take time and care). It will be a difficult task, but I'll make sure to export whatever I make to a .FBX model, so that it doesn't get lost to C4D licensing Hell. Hopefully, that would make the models work in Blender and such (the materials will have to be baked into textures however, instead of being separate C4D ones. At least .FBX doesn't use an external material file unlike .OBJ, which I and others have had issues with). Maybe I could use them for rotoscoping or somethin'.

Here's hoping to me eventually finding motivation, losing my tiredness, and getting a job with stable income alongside continuing to work on my passion projects, no matter how much time has past since the day I first thought of them. I want to keep doing things, not resting in bed most of my days. Too bad winter is freezing cold where I live, and I suffer from mild hypothermia...

#3d model #software #update #indie artist

[charlieslowartsies]

For the writers block/burnout thing, I have a few tips that I personally use, so I hope they help!

1) Caffeine. I usually have an energy drink when I know I’m going to be doing lots of work or writing, and that usually gets me in a writing mood for a couple of hours. Tea or coffee, while good sources of “clean” caffeine, make me feel a bit too cozy/homely and it makes it harder for me to do writing specifically. The energy drink (I prefer rockstars or monster, but watch those mg’s cuz they’re not the best for you) usually keeps me productive and on-task, and if it doesn’t? I switch to another task. In your case, it could just be a wip you have, or even some entirely new little blurb that doesn’t necessarily have to be posted.

2) Music, the kind that I’m into right now, something older, or even music that’s new to me/that I’ve never heard before. It’s good for the soul and good for the brain for inspiration. Relating to the last bit of #1, it can inspire you to write parts of a wip or a little oneshot or even a scene that you were inspired to write. Any writing is good writing, and if that little drabble gets the brain juices flowing, so be it!

3) Environment change! See, I have this fun little habit of sitting in my car post-class and chugging the rest of an a energy drink with a little snack while writing in a doc for a couple of hours. I typically don’t even realize how much time has passed, and I’ve written upwards of 3k words in one sitting over the span of like two hours. It’s a change of scenery of what I used to do when I write stuff, and it’s made me more productive! If you normally write on your phone in your room, try a different device in a different room! For example, use a laptop in the living room, a tablet on the kitchen floor, an old iPod touch in the bathroom, literally any combo that you can think of is worth trying! Sometimes your brain just needs that little bit of freshness to get the creativity flowing.

4) Other sources of inspiration! I mentioned music earlier, but reading other things (be it fanfiction, published books, or your own writing) can be a way to get your brain working again! Comping up with what-ifs can be useful, because if you get bored of that, then you can redirect the energy into writing something else! You can also look at art, like old museum type stuff, and make up a little story about the piece, then you can try and fit and mould that into something relevant to a current wip! Will it work in a planned story? Probably not, but it got you thinking and that’s what matters! Movies can also be good for this too.

5) Skipping scenes can be really helpful when writing in a lengthy wip that has a preplanned outline. You can always jump around in the story and write segments of dialogue that won’t be used yet, create some description for a future scene that might not be perfect or even good right now, but it’ll get you thinking about the wip. Me personally, if I have a chapter that I think needs more scenes or a scene rewritten, I make a whole new doc for it and just start spewing ideas and actual writing into it; that includes sentence changes in wording or structure, alternate scenes, bonus characters, dialogue thag I KNOW I’ll never use but it’s good except side anyway, etc. I can always go back to it, but it gives me some peace of mind. I also have docs separated by fandoms that’re filled with dialogue blurbs, mini-schemes, random descriptions, and the like. They might not lead to much in the separate doc, but when the time comes when you need inspo or to pull some content from it, you’ll have it on hand!

6) Math. Do some math. I’m dead serious. Some easy algebra or calc equations will either get your brain thinking or frustrated, and either way you can turn that around and put the energy into a wip. Been there, done that (usually when procrastinating lol), but it helps me redirect!

That’s about all I’ve got! I especially want to emphasize the caffeine, music, and environment change part of the list. A combo of that stuff has really helped me productivity, and I hope it can help you too! Remember that no matter how much or how little you write, it’s enough and YOU are enough. Hope your day is well!

I appreciate all this advice. The math might be something I try, at the very least I might try doing a Nancy Drew game on Master mode bc those typically help my creative side relax and my logical side get the reins.

#ask #answered #writing advice

[theretirementstory]

Oh the delightful colours of autumn! I think the red leaves are Virginia Creeper.

So this week I feel as if I have been “the white tornado”! I had a lovely walk down to the river, obviously taking photos as I always do. I did miss the opportunity of photographing the train as it made its way from the last stop, Chaumont, to the next stop, Bar-sur-Aube, it’s final destination being Paris. I was too busy trying to take the above photo.

I took delivery of the new printer 😁, amongst all the blurb was a CD for installing onto the computer……. Oh I wanted to cry! However another bag of blurb contained information on how to install online. Well it took about three attempts but somehow (I know not how) it actually worked and I was able to print papers to my hearts content!

A visit to the doctors was on the cards too as I told the nurse about my swollen, red hot ankles and she said the dreaded word “phlebitis”. Typically, my ankles were still a little swollen but had no signs of redness or heat when I arrived at the doctors and he concluded that it could be water retention. So I was given tablets (yes more!) and he hoped that I would expel the water by the usual channel.

We had very, very heavy rain on Tuesday and as I had anticipated (by placing a bucket in the appropriate spot) the water started coming through the dining room ceiling yet again! I decided to ring the man who had been out to view it the year before, but had never let me have the estimate as he was going through a divorce! When he answered, I just gave my name and he said he would be with me “tout de suite”, which to be honest he was. He remembered my address, all about the problem and he asked if I would be in all day as he would bring the estimate later that same day. He kept his word, I was happy with the price (as last year he had been up on the roof investigating the problem) I signed the estimate making it a binding contract and he will come and do the work when we have a dry day. Hallelujah!

I had a phone call from the hospital changing the date of my CT scan from Thursday to Friday. Of course I was in panic mode! Taxi to be cancelled and booked for the next day but everything was fine. So off I went with a very polite taxi driver. Having attained 60+ years without any real marks on my skin ( a caesarean scar but that’s not noticeable) I have now had not one but two tattoos! 😂😂these will also not be visible as they are the tattoos for my radiotherapy. I am under the impression that the treatment will start in two weeks, but who knows I may get a phone call to go in earlier or later!

I decided to clear the wardrobe of all the items which are just too big for me now. There were five pairs of trousers which just hung on me, a skirt which may have wiggled it’s way down 😳, there were t-shirts and tops which I would have worn but would have hung on me again! I took it all to the charity shop. Then I started clearing out other areas, and then filled the car with “stuff”for the decheterie (tip). Holy smoke, I had things I had brought over from England which were still wrapped in bubble wrap, well I have been here over 6 years so I reckon it is safe to say I won’t be needing them. I have a lot of English books which I have read and I am going to meet up with a friend on Tuesday and she is going to take me to a charity shop, in deepest darkest Haute Marne, where she has seen English books. So as you can guess I am sorting out more bits and pieces to take. Plus I am going to check out the garage for more stuff to go to the decheterie.

After clearing the clothes, I was looking for some new jumpers. I saw a couple on the “sale rail” bought them and brought them home to try on, they were a perfect fit. Yesterday, I went out looking for other items and I got the bargain of the day, a skirt with 70% off the original price! I tried it on and it too fitted very well. I have had a productive week.

I have been “knitting Nora” working on the babies blanket. As I would like all the knitting sorted up earlier than the 24 November so that it is all ready for the Christmas Fayre.

Of course my week wouldn’t be complete without messages to French and English friends plus telephone calls to the UK too. I really don’t know how I fit all of these in as phone calls usually run for an hour (or more). As the old BT advert used to say “ it’s good to talk”.

Now it’s time for the records spot! This weeks offerings are “My Cherie Amour” by Stevie Wonder from back in 1969. I remember at school in the playground we used to listen to the charts on a Tuesday, on a little transistor radio. I loved this song and would sing along any time it was played.

The second song is “Question” by The Moody Blues. My first “real” boyfriend liked the band as well as Wishbone Ash, Led Zeppelin and others of their ilk. I got into the Moody Blues after “Nights in White Satin” was in the charts again in 1972 and strangely was seeing the same guy for the second time. He was still into Wishbone Ash etc whereas I was into Slade, T Rex, Bowie (for Mick Ronson) and Mott thé Hoople. 😂😂.

Let’s just give a quick mention to “The Daddy” who has been on “elderly relative duties” again this weekend. It will be the last weekend for a while. “The Trainee Solicitor” has had another busy week too, I hope he managed to take advantage of the extra hour in bed. “The Ex-Graduate” has had a couple of “rest days” this week but that was just to get her ready for a very busy week at work this coming week.

Jusqu’à la semaine prochaine.

#nature #trees #photography #barsuraube #knitting #living your best life #70’s music #60’s music

[threshasketch]

Wow, so apparently today is the 8th anniversary of me starting this art blog. I started Threshasketch in the September of 2015, and my main blog the year before in June.

In that time, I've gone through drawing OCs, fanart for numerous fandoms, traditional style line work and pencil sketches, digital line work and coloring, painting photo-real style, and so, so many chibi art pieces. Art has been my rock through some really hard times in my life. Posting cute chibis to brighten somebody else's day helped brighten mine.

Since 2015, my country has gone through three different presidencies, the world has gone through (and is still quietly going through) a global pandemic, and I've gone through years of struggling. Most of that struggling has been in the past 5 years, but boy does 5 years sound like a lot of time to be struggling for basic living things like heat and food.

Things were really bad just a few years ago. At one point I only had electricity four hours per day, because I couldn't afford gas for the generator. I uploaded digital art because "scanning" (taking pics of on my phone) traditional line art was hard when the place I was living was so dark. Patreon and art commissions were the only reason I had money for food on many occasions.

I've had to move three different times in the past four years. I got rid of or lost a lot of my belongings to live in a small space. Had to deal with rats in my living space twice in as many years. Had to take my 23-year-old cat to the vet to pass peacefully AND help my parents take their little dog with heart failure to the vet to pass peacefully in the same year.

Did I mention I had major abdominal surgery this summer with months of recovery time? Yeah. That actually went really smoothly. I didn't realize how bad my health was getting for the past few years because it was a gradual problem, but I was exhausted all the time, unable to do much physical activity, and super anemic. Just passed the two month mark since surgery, and am feeling so much better it's shocking remembering how bad off I was before. Cripes, I should have done this years ago.

So why, if art has been a coping method for me, has this blog had barely any updates for years? Well, I overextended myself on art commissions, which made my art escapism into a pressure thing. It's nobody's fault but my own, but several of those commissions did not get finished, and that made art into a guilty thing, so I sort of...shut myself down on Tumblr, because drawing for fun seemed wrong when somebody was waiting on me to finish their art piece. So I stopped drawing at all for a long while. That helped nobody—it just made it so that I wasn't warmed up enough to draw the commissions, either.

I'm just now getting to where I'm financially able to reach out to the people who paid me for commissions and refund them. I've refunded several already. If you are one of my art commission customers, you'll be hearing from me, I promise. I haven't forgotten you, I have every commission I ever took in a list saved on my computer.

Speaking of financially able, I'm no longer supporting myself with art and Patreon alone. For most of The Pandemic Years I've been pouring all of my creative energy into becoming a full-time indie erotica author. I write my own stories, I paint my own covers, I do everything myself. It's the most fun job I've ever had, honestly, and it's paying my bills. ♥

I've managed to build it up into a monthly income somehow, and this winter is looking a lot less terrible than last winter. In general, my living situation is now stable, the roof doesn't leak, the lights all work, hell I even have a functioning shower and the ability to have running hot water.

Anyway, yeah. It's been a rough go of it, and this art blog has been around through it all. I got a new art tablet for my birthday, and drawing feels like being carefree again. Here's to many more years of art. ♥

#8 year tumblrversary #tumblr milestone #art blog birthday #threshasketch #threshie #I wrote this out on the actual anniversary on the 8th and then put it in the drafts because I feared it was a vent post #but on re-reading it's just me being honest about how lousy things have been LOL #I think most people have had a rough go of things so I'm certainly not alone #anyway yaaaay happy belated art blog anniversary to me #coming back to Tumblr was a great decision #I have a lot of nostalgia attached to it ♥