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toxicanonymity · 1 year

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raider masterlist

dark!Joel x f!reader | updated: April 11, 2024: tired

moodboard by @milla-frenchy 🖤 a rb will not stay up-to-date.

SUMMARY: He's a bad guy, and you're his good girl. Joel saves you from bad men, but claims you for himself and takes you. You're his, and he won't let anyone forget it. His persona starts to crack, but he gets even more possessive. You're his world, and he'll do anything to keep you. Emotional slow burn. WARNINGS: 18+ canon-typical violence, noncon via implicit threat, evolving to enthusiastic dubious consent (stockholm syndrome), depraved use of praise and pet names (sweet pea, baby), unsafe P in V, exhibitionism, extreme possessiveness, dark fluff (🖤), angst, and more. NO USE of Y/N, No physical description of reader.

Spotify: raider, sweet pea (smut) Optional reference: trailer floor plan

main fic

Raider: (Mar 24, 2023) - He "saves" you, then has his way with you on an old mattress. Joel POV

Failed Rescue (Apr 8 - 1.9k) Your bf tries to save you. Joel makes him watch then keeps you.

Stash House (Apr 11 - 850)- Joel takes you to the stash house and shows everyone you're his. Wash Bin 🖤 (Aug 27, 1k) Shooting Practice Drabble(Jul 28, 1.6k)-

Failed Escape (Apr 23, 4k)- Joel saves you from FEDRA, bathes you, amd edges you.

J. Miller (May 19, 2k) - Joel labels you with his switchblade and claims all your holes. dark.

Home (May 29, 1.3k) - Joel makes dinner at home, cleans your chest, and tucks you in. 🖤

Company (Jun 9, 2.2k) - Joel brings home a girl to distract his men. dark. Extra Scene - angst.

Close (Jul 3, 2.7k) - close call with other raiders. You-almost-died sex, and later, tender sex 🖤

Gun Hug (Jul 31, 3.7k) - Joel traps 2 bad guys with some help and kills them while you. . .🖤 If you want him (1.5k) - he holds out to see🖤

Night Air (Aug 30, 3.5k) - Joel is brutal with a bad guy and his POV reveals some feelings. 🖤 Bonus blurb, wakeup pwp drabble

Hunger (Sep 29, 7k) - Joel takes you on a trek, comforts you, kills a guy, and gives you head. 🖤 He's only human (1.1k) - 👱‍♂️Carter POV, overlaps w/ hunger.

Bodies (Dec 3, 7.8k) - Strangers show up and cause a shitstorm, but Joel takes a big step. 🖤 Raider POV

No cliffhangers if you read through Bodies.

more smut, dark fluff, etc ⬇️

drabbles, imagines, hypotheticals

🔥 explicit smut

Trying to use him (800) (riding) 🔥

House meeting drabble 🖤

You get sick at night drabble 🖤

He goes down on you (oral f) 🔥

sweet pea by herself

Apple picking 🖤

If you touched his scar

if men had hurt you in the past

if you got your period 🖤

magazine and makeup 🖤

yoga pwp drabble piv 1k 🔥

boots drabble (oral f receiving) 🔥

graveyard blurb (spice)

if you bit his arm drabble (p in v) 🔥

If you snapped (emotional spice) 🖤

face sitting on sofa 🔥

If you sketched Joel and Jack

being bad, looking good (2.8k, smut) 🔥

Van ride drabble (800) 🖤

sleeping beast (<1k), PWP 🔥

If Joel was sick 🖤

If you were annoying

cutting his hair 🖤

waking up on top 🔥

✨tired 🖤

if you can handle it, there's non-canon carter smut 👱‍♂️

Note: not all content is linked here. Asks can lead to lore and previews or hints of future plot points, etc.

Headcanons (not written like fic)

If another man has his way (Q&A)

dacryphilia - evolved update (Q&A)

if you had scars or tattoos (Q&A)

👱‍♂️raider carter Qs, face claim (Q&A)

Analysis (#raider!analysis)

why does he keep her

why did he snap (in Company extra scene)

his eye contact

his affection / feelings, trajectory 🖤

falling for sweet pea

his self hate and her feelings

the dog and joel's concern for you

✨awareness of growth / why keep her

Raider Tommy

Birds of prey (2.6k)

Art, etc.

Mattress by esquire magazine

Stitches by @not-a-unique-snowflake-blog

collage by @milla-frenchy

lose control edit by @survivingandenduring

🌸 sweet pea mood boards by various

6 month collage by milla-frenchy

6 month cake by not-a-unique-snowflake-blog

🌸 sweet pea cosplay from night air

👱‍♂️carter mood board by @romana-after-dark

pts. 1-3 rb mood boards by @iamasaddie

night air gif by not-a-unique-snowflake-blog

raider/sweet pea collage by milla

sweet pea's pup by @dark-scape

want it that bad gif by @dark-scape

Bodies gif by not-a-unique-snowflake-blog

👱‍♂️carter mood board by milla-frenchy

Then and now drawing by @romana-after-dark

Raider/sweet pea drawings by @lumoverheaven

our stars moodboard by milla

raiding edits by gasolinerainbowpuddles

under the anger by iamasaddie

✨🎥 Trailer (video) by @carminepoison

✨ birthday sketch by @lumoverheaven

If I've left yours off please lmk I prob tagged improperly

Back to MAIN Masterlist

🖤 If mine or another writer's work has inspired yours, it's always better late than never to share / shout-out 🖤

#raider!Joel Miller #dark fluff #stockholm syndrome #raider!Joel #dark!Joel Miller #dark!Joel #joel miller x reader #pedro pascal masterlist #toxic masterlist #joel miller smut #joel miller masterlist #pedro pascal smut #joel miller series #toxicanonymity ☠️#possessive!joel #possessive!joel miller #joel miller x female reader #stockholm syndrome fic #raider joel miller

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rosedom · 5 days

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a, d, f for anyone you want :3

(also, i'm new to genshin, so i literally know no one besides childe so far... i haven't played in a couple weeks.)

"your challenger has summoned CYNO to the event . . ."

A/N : more cyno world pls ;c

✦ㅤㅤA = aftercare (what he’s like after sex, what he needs from his partner)

for such a tough guy persona, cyno is among the softest during and after sex. he's gone so far under that it's difficult for him to come back up afterwards; he's all soft n' bleary, blinking up at you with still-wet eyes and moving slowly, lethargically. he trusts you inexplicably ! this trust, then, manifests in a clinginess; he's wrapped himself around you and refuses to let go. you need to get a cloth? he's holding onto you and refuses to let you move even a foot away. time to take a bath? he's got you in a bear hug—feet wrapped around you waist, arms holding your neck, his own face buried into your neck—, and he forces you to go about setting the water and the soaps and the towels while he's stuck to you.

anyway, how long aftercare lasts with him is impossible to parse. over most night-time fucks, usually all he needs is to sleep it off; he'll wake you up the next morning as his usual, chipper self. a whole night's sleep or a nap is typically enough. but, sometimes he needs the day: for those midmorning and afternoon delights on those rough days—especially on lazy ones—, cyno will be floaty for the entire day. you could have fucked him over the couch at 10 a.m., and he'll still be rather quiet and endearingly clingy at 6. (you won't admit it, but these are always your favorite days—the days where cyno allows himself to fully relax and not worry his pretty lil' head about a single thing !) this quiet, however, is also his favorite to share jokes in—the silence filled only with your light laughter.

here, he does not try to carry his jokes with his voice. he murmurs them breathlessly into your ear, your throat, letting your laughter wash over him and soothe him. you staying, even after all of this—it means the most to cyno.

✦ㅤㅤD = dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of his)

it's embarrassing for the general mahamatra to admit, but cyno regularly fantasizes about you being the general, he the prisoner. he just has so much control in the day to day; he holds the power to judge others, and it is a hefty burden he so bears . . . but, god—imagining being not the hand in control, being wholly helpless under someone else . . . it really, really gets cyno goin'.

because he'd never say this out loud, it always starts the same: with cyno on his knees, wrists held neatly together as he looks up at you with those doe eyes you so love . . . "please?" is all he needs to ask for you to assume your role in charge of him<3

✦ㅤㅤF = favorite position (this goes without saying . . . )

cuddle-fucking, easily. the exacts don't matter: front to front, front to back—all that matters is that he's enveloped in your arms (the same way your cock is enveloped in those strong thighs or his small cunt). fast n' desperate, or slow and so-very sweet—cyno doesn't care so long as you've got him wholly wrapped up in your arms. he protects everybody—it's not so greedy of him to want to be protected in turn, is it? just this one? (these few hundred times?) with you, he's allowed to indulge in what he desires most. it's a good thing you're eager to abide by his every whim, hm?

it hurts my heart to see such a strong man left to rely on nobody but himself . . . please be sweet to him for me.

moving along very slowly . . . i think i may start writing less and less. this event is burning me out more than i thought it would LOL i'm so repetitive . . . (also fun fact 'cos i've had so many 'nari asks ,, i only care for cynari nsfw when cyno is subbottoming 😵‍💫😵‍💫)

21 APR. 2024, @rosedom, rosey .

#ㅤ✦【 EVENT 】#the note is irrelevant i just #. i've been thinking of them lately . . .#alphabet #sub cyno #cyno smut #sub genshin #genshin smut #dom reader #okee that's all !

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ns-imagines · 9 months

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What they drive

141 Guys x domestic/everyday life

SFW | Word Count: 1.4k | Headcannons

**Long post with lots of pictures!

A/N: I dunno much about cars but I always wonder what the boys would be driving. See what they’re picking me up in for date night… this is just for fun and highlights the modern life they have outside of missions. Also the gif of Soap falling on the car took me out lmao. Not requested. -Kiv

John Price

A man who takes pride in his vehicles. He has two Chevy trucks. A nice truck for everyday use and a project truck. The perfect person to talk to if you are thinking of purchasing a car or truck. Price has got the “dealership scam” game down. You'll be leaving the lot with a good deal.

The project car being a 1985 Chevy C10. Price is always going on about how “this is every man's dream car to work on”. He says it everytime he opens the garage. Without fail! It's got a classic blue color with a few rust spots but, nothing a good layer of paint can't fix. Its the 90s car from the movies. Nothing else to say about it!

Ahh the project car. Price works on it when he can. Set up a lawn chair, get a glass of lemonade, and just watch that man work. Sometimes hell even explain to you what he’s doing. That is if you can even pay attention. There’s something so attractive about a man talking about what he’s passionate about all sweaty with a nice pump. HEY, wipe that drool off your face.

Price’s personal truck is nice. It gets him from point A to B. Everything on it is stock. He’ll always tell you hes gonna sell it once his project car has been fixed. But there’s still quite a lot to do on the project car. Its a 2012 Chevy Silverado in cherry black with a covered bed. Good on gas and can pull a trailer or boat! He doesn’t invest money in it for other than maintenance costs.

It smells specifically like “Lakeside Morning” from Bath and Body works car scents. The packaging is what got him. It was honestly super cute when he read the package out loud. “Smells like: Cool, Sweet, Fresh, and alone time on the dock” followed by a shrug and him throwing it into his cart. Does he even fish?

Oh, whenever he turns a corner in the Silverado theres a thud coming from the bed. Its a cooler that has been there FOREVER. He swears he’s going to take it out. Price brought it when 141 met for a cook out and some beers a few months ago.

-

Kyle “Gaz” Garrick

Don’t ask about the APR please. Kyle is going to use this bad girl till it breaks. Its his dream car. Price took him away from base to get a better rate for it! Its fast its speedy its a 2015 Ford Shelby GT350. Oh yeah racing stripes and all. He got it wrapped in a matte ocean blue. Im talking leather seats, tinted windows, and custom wheel.

Kyle loves this car and will always offer to pick you up. Ur always going to be passenger princess. Kyle always drives up reallll slow, rev the engine a little, and rolls down the window to smile big at you. He gets the door for you when you are both approaching the car. Don’t test him. He will literally sprint to get the door for you. An actual cutiepie

Hes so damn cute when it comes to long drives. Hand on your thigh and singing to the music together. Expect spontaneous trips!! He doesn’t even know where you guys are headed today.

Loves to speed up when there no cars in front of him. That feeling of the car pushing into you the sear is his favorite. Kyle is definitely the type to lightly bang on the steering wheel and go “Wooooooo” when returning to the normal speed limit. Hehe. Hope it didn’t freak you out too much. You will without a doubt get a few reassuring thigh squeezes.

Classic Black Ice scent. Cant go wrong with it! Its his car’s signature sent if you ask him. Kyle keeps his car clean. Theres a few half empty water bottles in the back but never straight up trash. He makes sure to buy the premium wipes for the interior. Like I said that car is his baby. Ugh did i mention the sound system?! Its absolutely amazing. You can feel the bass in your bones. Literally sounds like you’re in an air pod pro.

-

John “Soap” Mactavish

His car is the hangout car. Like if were going out with boys were taking Soaps car. He drives a pearl colored 2020 Honda Accord. He ordered the under the seat lights and everything. Its actually a vibe in there. The music changes the lights or he has an app on his phone to change the color. Another amazing sound system tbh.

Similar to Gaz the glovebox in the car is yours. He even puts stuff in there for you as a surprise :,). Sweet baby Johnny. Like one time you got in the car like usual and opened the glovebox to grab chapstick or some perfume/cologne and sitting on the car instruction manual was a bag/box of ur favorite snack. When you looked back over, Johnny was looking back at you with a big derpy smile.

Since his car is the hangout car it can get messy pretty easily. He has to do “trash runs” to empty the random things people leave in his car. Dont get it wrong, It isnt nasty with random food left behind!! Soap has tried those like little trash cans on Amazon but they always end up lost under the back seats.

Johnny always goes with New Car Smell. He doesn’t have a specific brand he likes he just gets whatever’s at the gas station at the time. He also has the bad habit of never locking his car. Soap swears he always forgets to but you think its just a habit at this point.

CEO of spontaneous trips. You would never believe how much camping stuff his car can hold. Soap will give him car encouraging words as it struggles to go up the hills to the hike or camping site. He always keeps an emergency box under the passenger seat. Its shaped like tackle box. It has a first aid kit, some portable batteries with chargers, flares, and an emergency flash light. Last time you both went camping he was so excited to show you the random hatchet he bought. He keeps it in the trunk for no reason. I mean, he cant have it in the barracks so you suppose it makes sense.

-

Simon “Ghost” Riley

Simon currently owns two bikes. Hes in the process of selling his old one. Which is a chameleon purple painted 2006 Suzuki GSXR600 with 750 cc. It gave him a good year and half off rides. He took care of it and rode it to its top speeds. It has a scuff on the side from when he tried to do a wheelie but, he was going to slow and had to jump off before it fell to its side. Your heart sunk when it happened. Ghost was super embarrassed because he thought he had it down. He’ll never tell you though.

After a long deployment where he was getting quite a big of hazard pay (extra pay when you’re in a dangerous location) he saved it all up. As soon as he got back he bought a black 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT. This bike is fast but it’s more for cursing. Trust that he’ll ride it to its max speed at least once for the adrenaline rush.

Bought you a matching jacket. He wont say anything about it being matching but you noticed almost after putting it on. Best part about riding is when you get to wrap your arms around his waist. Simon always makes sure to take it slow especially if you get nervous on bikes. Don’t even try to do your hair. He wont move the bike unless you have the right gear on. Ghost doesn’t wanna lose you from an accident.

You are probably wondering what he does when it rains… or maybe you already knew he chooses to ride anyway. I promise though that after a ride in the rain he will slightly complain about how wet the road was. It makes you worry because so much could happen with one slip. Simon will always reassure you that he’s an experienced rider. If you pick him up in your car he won’t be upset. Definitely wont say no to a free and dry ride!

#cod x reader #simon ghost riley #john soap mactavish #john price #kyle gaz garrick #simon riley x reader #soap x reader #price x reader #gaz x reader #cod headcanons #call of duty x reader #cod mw3

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asukaskerian · 4 months

Text

monthly word count + year total

TOTAL FOR DECEMBER: 3 844 words. ..hhghgb i thought it was moooore

POSTED: nothing.

IN PROGRESS: -madatobiizu ABO cherry wine verse (979 words) -bleach pack fuckening ABO verse, baby cuteness (450 words) -bleach suburban ot4 (1 414 words) -bleach psychic wolves (377 words) -bleach bloodsport (624 words)

--

YEARLY TOTAL:

jan: 4 700 feb: 6 014 mar: 4 512 apr: 4 889 may: 1 719 jun: 1 184 jul: 2 271 aug: 1 615 sep: 3 026 oct: 2 109 nov: 4 272 dec: 3 844 TOTAL: 40 155 AVERAGE: 3 346.25

yeah so the downward trend is getting obvious. HHHHHH.

2010: 136 235, average: 11 353/month. ... :X :X :X 2011: 167 675, average: 13 973/month. :X 2012: 332 396, average: 27 700/month. eeeeeeee. 2013: 396 917, average: 33 076/month !!!!!!!! 2014: 315 332, average: 26 276/month ... :X 2015: 206 403, average: 17 200/month. 2016: 127 495, average: 10 625/month. >:( 2017: 80 828, average: 6 736/month. .__. 2018: 128 033, avergage: 10 669/month. FUCK YOU 2017. 2019: 159 609, average: 13 300/month. huh! 2020: 105 791, average: 8 816/month. ... hhghhrhhhhhhhhhhhhhh flops. 2021: 101 776, average: 8 481.33/month. =__= 2022: 73 461, average: 6 121.75/month. hhAHHJZVB WORSE THAN 2017 2023: 40 155, average: 3 346.25/month. this used to be three months' worth. hgh.

FICS I POSTED THIS YEAR:

-Howling Outside Your Door : Grimmichi pack fuckening : Chapters 5, 6 and Epilogue -Cherry wine chapter 8 (madatobiizu ABO) -Ichigo centric sequelette to Howling Outside Your Door (grimmichi pack fuckening ABO)

I did work on suburban ot4 and STILL don't wanna post it in public but otherwise it's still all half-dying fics trying to crawl back to the surface. no new ideas or anything. this *sucks.*

--

have some teasers anyway.

-- cherry wine --

"Don't joke. The cheeky omegas are already coming out of the woodwork as it is."

"Ah… Yes? Your fault for reacting to that girl the other day. Now they think that's your type."

Madara didn't truly change his posture but suddenly he looked a little more tired. "I thought that was why Raiha's niece seemed to have had a personality transplant."

"Aheh." Izuna hadn't even been sure he had noticed. "Mmh. Yes."

Huffing, his brother leaning on one elbow, fist mashed against his mouth grumpily, and glowered at the Lightning envoys who were doing nothing to ask for it.

"I didn't even want her, I just thought she was amusing. Who even wants to take someone to bed that they could break in two sneezing too hard?"

Izuna tried not to look too amused as the Lightning envoys went to sit and the Water ones started up the alley, lest they take it personally.

"Hm, yes, let's not tell people you like dangerous shinobi better, if that's all the same to you. They'd have a much better chance of assassinating you."

Madara threw him an irritated glare that became a watchful glance over Izuna's shoulder. Izuna fanned himself absently and took his time turning to see which of the Water Country envoys had --

Hm.

Why was this little blond brat dragging behind to grin at Tobirama.

--

bleach pack fuckening ABO

Ichigo feels so stupidly nervous watching Grimmjow's pack investigate his apartment. His apartment with the huge bath he never uses and the sunken living room-couch area and fuck, all his pillows and blankets are in the cupboards after the grueling wash they all needed last time his pack stayed over. Renji makes a mean cocktail but by god they stain.

He's going to look like he's trying too hard if he gets out the cushions now, isn't he.

"You, uh. Need--"

"You going to close the wards, Shinigami?"

Ugh. Ichigo makes a face at the blond one. He seems to remember he's an asshole.

Wait, they're all assholes. They hang out with Grimmjow. Have to be just to survive him, no doubt.

As he turns to seal the wards again, he catches a glimpse of the man himself, standing wih shoulders loose and hip cocked as he surveys the place. In the crook of his arm is the b-- his -- Ichigo does up the wards.

--

suburban ot4

"Ichigo made a pretty big decision on his own, and he didn't talk to me. He shared it with this other person as a, a done deal thing, and he didn't even talk to me about it."

Grimmjow whistles low and quiet between his teeth. "Yeowch. I'll dig a hole behind the gazebo."

Orihime blinks. "To put his--"

"Corpse, yeah, I'll make it square so it doesn't pop up too much, we just gotta fold him up a bit."

"… Pff."

"Plant some flowers on top to make it look legit with the loose soil. Gorgeous blooms."

Orihime presses both hands against her mouth, and still cackles. "Mean!"

"Or hey, tomatoes, some peppers. Delicious."

She giggles some more. Ah, it fixes nothing, and yet it's like being tickled out of a heavy coat. Freeing, like she can breathe a bit better as it drops around her feet.

"Sounds -- hehe, sounds good. Adzuki beans? Mm, I could make my own paste."

He smirks, just a little bit.

"… Haaaaa. I should probably try talking with him before the… gardening."

Grimmjow-san scoffs. "Quitter."

"Grimmjow-san!"

"Yeah, yeah, maybe. I mean, you're giving up an occasion of growing his namesake on the corpse of the guy who wronged you, which is the coldest, most badass shit, but you do you. Tch'."

… She'll feel a little bad in a minute that she laughed, because strawberry jokes are the lowest of -- hahaha -- hanging fruits.

--

bloodsport (ichigo, charlotte, luppi)

"… What's your names, anyway," he mumbled a fifteen minutes' bullet train ride later. "And do I, um. Pronouns."

Being laughed at was almost more of a relief than it was embarrassing.

"Listen, home is just kinda -- hngh. I mean? Gay people exist--"

The small one's face spasmed; their emotions -- yeah, Ichigo didn't want to notice that howling disbelief or the edge of hysterical hilarity that went with it, thanks.

"They still have to marry and have children. I mean, if they're echt. Duty to the blood. Whatever. So gender stuff is, uh. Yeah. Not really. Fuck."

Askin concealed a grimace a beat too late. The tall one grinned genially, leaning toward Ichigo and Askin with their hands linked sweetly behind their back. "You poor deprived chickies! You confused sweethearts. I am going to open your minds so wide--"

"Ugh," the small one cut in, rolling their eyes, and got a toothy, brilliant smile aimed their way along with a sharp threatening I-will-cut-your-neck gesture.

"To start with! Arrancars have been known to reproduce asexually. In the first couple generations, or maybe when the blood is very strong, but!"

"Didn't Starrk bud out a little girl ten years back."

"That guy's a freak though. Leading to! Two, the gender binary is for squares. Still with me, chickies?"

"Uh. Yeah."

"Three, I'm the womanest woman who has ever womaned."

"Oh." Yeah, good thing Ichigo had asked. Her voice was, uh. Deep. And the contrast between her mannerisms and makeup and her T-shaped frame, thick with muscle--

"But also, transcending the restrictive gender binary inherited from our caveman ancestors back on Earth is excellently beautiful and I am, naturally, first place at it."

--

grimmichi psychic wolves

"So he just… decided to ditch us."

Yylfordt said nothing for a few seconds, and then all at once grabbed a chair and flung it to the floor, along with the clothes and books piled up on it. Nakeem watched the books scatter, sliding along the linoleum.

"What the fuck! What the fuck?! Why would he do that? We're the best, baddest fucking squad, we're fucking black ops at the top of the game, what fucking reason would he have to fucking leave?"

More silence, out loud. Inside their minds everyone was buzzing incoherently, tidbits of denial blurring past.

Makes no sense, what about his pride, we were gonna be so great--

"He hated the sex," Nakeem said.

He got stared at.

"… The heat sex?" Di Roy asks eventually. "But he always said it was the best sex of his life."

Nakeem considered it. Not wrong, but. "Also the worst."

#teaser #ABO quest #writing woes

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footballffbarbiex · 10 months

Text

Blank Space. Chapter One

player: antoine griezmann words: 1214 summary: being a single mom isn’t easy, more so when it’s plus one season and invites are through your door on a monthly basis but with no-one to take. Tired of the pitying glances and coming up with excuses, you decide that a plus one is just for the night, and that can be bought. But what if that hourly booking isn’t enough, but the boyfriend experience comes at too much of a cost? series warnings: sex work (male escort), single mom client, swearing bc it's me, unrequited love (OR IS IT?), angst (bc apparently i like to put Anto through the fucking wringer.) probably more but i can't think straight rn.

I can’t remember if I shared this here, but I’m really excited for this series. Lemme know what you think.

-

The door has barely had time to close when you’re already dropping your bag to the floor and shrugging out of your coat. You toe your shoes off, knowing that you’ll hate yourself a little tomorrow when you see the creases in the back of them but you’re too tired from work to care right now. You scoop your bag back up and drape it over a coat hook before scooping up today’s post from the doormat and heading down the hallway and flicking on the heating without missing a step.

James won’t be home for a while, the childminder isn’t due for another two hours, giving you the chance to finish off dinner and get a bath ready for him. Stepping into the kitchen, you breathe in the scent of the contents of the slow cooker and the rumbling in your stomach reminds you of the lunch that you skipped earlier. Skipped or forgot because you were so rushed off your feet? No matter the reason, the result is still the same and this has you reaching for a snack while you check over the envelopes and leaflets that have come.

Trash. Trash. Trash. Trash.

They fall to the counter top one by one as you look over them. Some are promising guaranteed credit card acceptance with an extortionately high APR, some are designed to look like letters but are concealing house buying promises from estate agents. A few are small booklets with the latest deals from stores begging for you to spend money. And one, in a carefully tied envelope that can only mean one thing.

You pause chewing as you turn it over, the edges perfectly sealed but the bottom of the envelope flap has been secured anyway with a small return address sticker. You knew because of the handwriting on the front and your stomach drops at the thought of attending another event alone. It’s opened within seconds, a careful slice to the top with a knife, even though you have a letter opener somewhere that your neighbour gave you after she saw you do exactly this.

You scan the information, take in the intricate details and know that these were professionally made. Not that you expected anything different, the bride-to-be had always been anal about details and making sure everything was just so, the wedding would be no different. The wedding invite falls on top of the pile and you push away from the counter as you debate what to do.

Of course stepping through the doors is easy. Mixing with others, especially those that you know, is simple. But summoning the energy, putting on a fake smile when people ask “so, bring a plus one?” and you can see the hope in their eyes that you’re bringing someone who isn’t a friend? That takes some doing. Having to explain why you haven’t yet found that “special someone” is draining. It’s not that you’re not happy for those whose weddings or baby showers you’re invited to, it’s the constant justification of why you’re surviving without a man.

You’re too hungry to think about this on an empty stomach and the need to get out today’s clothes is strong.

-

With dinner consumed and your favourite glass of wine in hand, you’re browsing every streaming site you subscribe to. James is sleeping soundly upstairs, his heavy breathing borderlining a gentle snore. He’d come home, boisterous, loud and chaotic in all the ways a little boy can be. He’d returned home with tales from nursery, little things that had made him laugh and stories he’d wanted to remember tell you. He’d gobbled up his food, his feet swinging in the gap between the seat and the floor. He’d barely left anything on his plate, slurped up his juice before playing a little before it was time for bed.

After kisses, cuddles and with a nighttime story read, James had fallen asleep before you’d reached the last page. You’d brushed his hair aside and given him a kiss on his forehead before ensuring he was fully tucked up and asleep before making your way back downstairs and getting comfortable on the sofa.

Selecting something as more background noise than anything, your mind drifts back to the invite. You weigh up the pros and cons of both attending and refusing to go. Both have their own perks, but very different outcomes. One would leave you feeling almost less than a person, again, and the other would leave you happy to be at home but judged and most likely shunned from any events in the future - even if you had someone to accompany you.

Humour, almost sarcastically really, has you reaching for your phone and loading up the web browser and typing “where to loan a plus one”.

You didn’t believe for a second that you’d get an actual hit. Of course, almost everything has a result, but more often than not it’s not what you want. But instead, you find yourself with several pages of results and all of a similar nature. You weren’t a prude or at the thought of being behind by several decades, but you hadn’t expected to see the options for this kind of question being from escort agencies.

Intrigue had you clicking and reading over the information there. Some of it was new. You’d genuinely believed that booking an escort was mostly for one thing. Here it details many different options and prices, ranging from hourly rates, 6 hour blocks, overnight stays which can include “the relationship package”, or dates.

You found yourself clicking on what counted as a date and found that many bookings, for all their escorts, were for work events, weddings and anything else that required a plus one. You’d never considered this as a possibility. Didn’t know if you were considering this as an option now. Wouldn’t it be easier to just not go than pay for someone to pretend they’re interested in you?

You’re already here so there’s no harm in clicking on a few profiles as you hypothetically pick out a date. You can see why people would pay for these men, they were beautiful. On their profiles, they have sections which state their expertise. Some are given glowing reviews for their boyfriend experiences, for their ability to put their clients at ease. Some are incredible with their hands or mouth, some exceed in oral. Some are listed as “above average” and some have preference for plus size. There was truly something for everyone. In a way, there was too much choice.

You’re about to click off when a picture gets your attention. Blue eyes under beautiful lashes. Soft dark blonde hair that begs to be touched. A kind and handsome face which, as you flick through the available pictures for him, turns into far more gorgeous when he smiles. His reviews were good. Better than good. He was the perfect choice for a boyfriend experience, would always be on time for event plus ones and took the time to do his research for them - not wanting to leave anything to chance and reveal that this was a very different situation to what you’d claimed you would imagine.

You weren’t considering it before, but this man, this profile, it made you question everything.

#antoine griezmann one shot #antoine griezmann series #antoine griezmann drabble #antoine griezmann blurb #antoine griezmann fanfic #antoine griezmann x reader #football one shot #football imagine #football blurb #football drabble #football fanfic #footballer one shot #footballer imagine #footballer blurb #footballer drabble

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linesonscreens · 5 months

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Let's Read Peanuts (Yes, all of it) - April 1952

There are lots of great strips I just don't have room to comment on. I strongly encourage everybody to read the full month at the official GoComics page. Today's month starts HERE.

Apr 1, 1952

Oh come on! It's not a joke if you just make it canon.

Apr 2, 1952

I have nothing but respect for this technique.

Apr 4, 1952

Legit unsettling.

Apr 9, 1952

I love this one. Absolutely flawless action paneling.

Apr 10, 1952

It's true! People definitely hate admitting that.

Apr 12, 1952

#relatable

Apr 14, 1952

Me, writing these posts.

Apr 24, 1952

Pictured: Lucy manipulating a ball with her psychic powers and then teleporting.

Apr 27, 1952

A legitimately wholesome interaction. :3

Apr 28, 1952

GOD DAMNIT I WAS JOKING!

Thoughts:

I feel like the strip's handling of Charlie Brown has shifted a bit now that Lucy's a part of it. Before, there was a lot of emphasis on the fact that he was younger than the rest of the cast and there were a lot of jokes centered around things like him not knowing how to tell time, not knowing how to wear shoes properly, not wanting to take baths, etc. Now though there's almost none of that and Charlie Brown feels much more like he's in the same general age bracket as the other kids.

I think there's a couple explanations for this:

1) We now have two much more obviously toddler-aged characters to tell those kind of jokes with, freeing up Charlie Brown to do much more Charlie Brown-specific things like kite flying, baseball, being an awful boyfriend, etc.

2) Because Lucy exists as a roundabout way for Charles Schulz to talk about being a father, Charlie Brown (a stand-in for Schulz himself in a lot of ways) now needs to be written a bit differently in order to make this new character dynamic work. He can't both be the goofy baby of the group ~and~ an exasperated mentor figure at the same time.

It's actually a really good way to write character development if you think about it. In real life you don't usually grow as a person because of some major trauma or grand revelation about your past. You just sort of get pushed into a new situation, adapt your behavior to deal with it, and eventually that behavior becomes the new normal. I think a large part of why the strip never stops feeling like “Peanuts” can probably be attributed to Schulz handling character changes like this. Granted, probably none of this was intentional or a conscious decision, but a good writing technique is a good writing technique.

#peanuts #peanuts comics #lets read #comic strips #charles schulz #comics #charlie brown #patty #shermy #snoopy #Violet #Schroeder

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inevitably-johnlocked · 1 year

Note

what are your fanfic.net exclusive fic reccs? or fave fics from ff.net. I've never read sherlock ff from that site so I'm curious.

Anonymous asked: Steph!!! FF.net is probably closing or being abandoned, and I need to know the best fanfics over there before it closes forever!!! Any recs?

-----

Hey Lovelies!!!

Ah, I've so many FFNet fics... it's where I started, just haven't filed them like I did with my AO3 fics, hahah. I've done lists in the past you will enjoy, but I'll use your asks for an excuse to do another list!! <3 Hope you guys enjoy!

As an aside, I just want to state that I don't know if these are EXCLUSIVE to FFnet; they probably have AO3 counterparts, I just don't know. These are just fics, at the time of making this list, I had on my FFNet bookmarks and haven't found on AO3 yet :) Enjoy!

TOP 25 FAVE NON-AO3 FICS Pt 3

See also:

Top 25 Fave Non-Ao3 Fics (Nov. 2019)

Top 25 Fave Non-Ao3 Fics Pt 2 (Apr 2022)

Five Seconds by xXLadyLovelaceXx (K+, 658 w., 1 Ch. || TGG Pool Scene, Friendship, Introspection) – In the half-second before Sherlock shoots the jacket, John notices something.

Message Not Sent by Queerasil (K, 762 w., 1 Ch. || Angst, One-Sided Texting, Pining Sherlock) - Sherlock texts John after the fall and during the hiatus. The messages are sent, but never received. Sequel to WORDLOCKED, TSTM, and Wait, How Do You Play This Game Again?

The Three-Word Tin Collection by TheBookshelfDweller (K, 1,885 w., 1 Ch. || First Person Sherlock POV, Mild Pining, Angst, Romance, Hiatus) – What happens when Sherlock has to store the things he wants to say to John while deconstructing Moriarty's web, but the Mind palace proves an inadequate place to store them?

BBCSH 'The Comfort of Company' by tigersilver (T, 2,769 w., 1 Ch. || Post-TRF/Mary, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Bed Sharing, Grumpy John, Touching, Clingy/Handsy Sherlock, Cranky Sherlock, Fluff and Light Angst) – It's a trope that John and Sherlock end up sharing in the same bed eventually and I admit I do adore it unconditionally, along with all it infers as to the lowering of defenses and the heightening of trust. I put forth for your consideration that the notion persists because those who think about these things realize these two men are each in dire need of some good company.

Explosions, Literal and Otherwise by Jennistar1 (T, 3,288 w., 1 Ch. || Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Worried Sherlock, Sort of Rev.-Reichenbach) – Sherlock does not react well to the idea that John might be dead.

Very Good Indeed by StillWaters1 (T, 4,531 w., 1 Ch. || Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Doctor John, John Whump) – John Watson was a doctor, trained to observe details; a fact Sherlock had never been more aware of than when a drugged John’s lifesaving instructions were based on an unlabeled syringe and an unconscious murder suspect’s body.

De Veritate Unicornis Moderni by tepid sponge bath (T, 5,260 w., 5 Ch. || Fantasy & Drama) – John Watson, a unicorn of this day and age, is trapped in a mortal body. Life as it is seems pretty pointless, almost unendurable, until he meets one Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective and very much a virgin.

London's Ghost by JustlikeWater (K+, 5,642 w., 1 Ch. || Tragedy, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Post-TRF AU, Sherlock POV) – "Today, it's been weeks since Sherlock died. Other times, years. He doesn't know for sure, though. Time passes differently for the dead"

Same Same But Different by Kerkerian-Horizon (K+, 6,435 w., 2 Ch. || Friendship, Angst, Post-TRF, Gladstone, John/Mary, Christmas, No Slash) – After Sherlock's return, a lot of things have changed, things the detective has to learn to contend with- or rather, to accept. A sometime-post-Reichenbach story in two parts, no male pairing. Contains Mary, the puppy Gladstone and Christmas as well.

Not Without You by thisisforyou (T, 6,313 w., 1 Ch. || Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Adventure, Mycroft is a Good Brother, Pining Sherlock, Suicide Mention, Sherlock First Person POV, Post-TRF / Reunion Fic) – "I can't, Mycroft, I can't do this without John." Mycroft comes up with an alternative solution to the three years of two broken hearts that would have otherwise happened.

Five Times by AliuIce0814 (T, 6,667 w., 6 Ch. || Drama, Canon-Compliant S1 & 2, Angst, 5 and Ones, Reunion) – ... Sherlock woke John, and one time John woke Sherlock.

Lost for Words by notactivesherlockaccount (T, 6,709 w., 1 Ch. || Friendship, Hurt/Comfort, John Whump, Temporary Mute John) – While on a case, John temporarily loses his ability to speak, and he and Sherlock have to find a new way to communicate.

Catastrophe Medicine by LaSuen (T, 11,550 w., 1 Ch. || Hurt / Comfort, Suspense, Adventure, Whump, Hard Core Bromance) – Chasing after a pyromaniac bomber Sherlock and John wind up in a deserted building which explodes and leaves them trapped under the rubble, both severely injured.

Always the sun by Rose de Sharon (K+, 12,377 w., 3 Ch. || Song Fic, Alternate Post-TGG, Friendship/Bromance, Hurt/Comfort, Introspection / Reflection, Injury Recovery, Obsessive / Protective Sherlock, Nightmares, John’s Past, Bed Sharing / Cuddles) – Sherlock ponders about how much his life has changed since John has become his flatmate.

A Study in Linguistics by rizandace (T, 12,425 w., 1 Ch. || S1 Canon Compliant/S2 Divergence, Friendship, Slices of Life, Communication, Cranky Sherlock, Hospitals, Sherlock Whump, Pet Cat, Jealous John, Sherlock’s Violin, Anxious Sherlock, John Whump) – Sherlock Holmes and John Watson had their own language. It was a language of few words and minute facial expressions, and John had learned that it was nearly the only way to have an honest conversation with his eccentric flat mate.

Sunset's Wake by StillWaters1 (T, 13,136 w., 4 Ch. || Angst, Hurt /Comfort, Minor Character POV) – It wasn't until that moment, when the dazed man in the practical black jacket came pushing through the crowd and into her arms, that she understood why she had been drawn outside St. Bart's that day.

First Response by Arwen Jade Kenobi (T, 13,516 w., 6 Ch. || Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Five and Ones, Whump / Injury) – Five times John had to perform first aid on Sherlock and one time Sherlock had to perform it on John.

The Acronym by DancingGrimm (T, 15,057 w., 12 Ch.|| Humour) – "'Bee Ay Em Eff'. Hm, that's a new one on me. Do you know what it means, Sherlock?" John might not know what it means, but there are many little ways in which he proves the acronym suits him.

The Haze by Ulura (T, 15,381 w., 12 Ch. || Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Whump, Turmoil, Mystery, Worried Sherlock, Mycroft Helps Sherlock, Flashbacks, Blood, Kidnapped John) – Sherlock wakes up, injured and confused on the floor of 221b, the last two days a complete blank. He must struggle not only to recover but to figure out what happened to him and most importantly, find his missing friend John Watson.

Obsession by storylover18 (K+, 15,213 w., 10 Ch.. || Hurt/Comfort, Case Fic, Friendship, John Whump, Sick Fic) - Dr. John Watson wakes up ill one morning but it is not the 24 hour flu he thinks it was. Soon he lands in hospital, quickly deteriorating and Sherlock must work to find out what has happened to his blogger before it is too late. Case!fic mixed with sick!fic / No slash.

The Consequences of Caring by Richefic (K+, 16,156 w., 5 Ch. || Friendship & Angst, Domestics, Platonics) – Sherlock might scoff at this 'caring' lark. But John Watson's situation cries out to be 'solved' and there is nothing that Holmes likes more than solving things. A series in four parts.

Partners in Crime by Richefic (T, 16,560 w., 5 Ch. || Post-ASIP/Pre-TBB, Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Sick John, Meddling Mycroft, Caring Sherlock, Domestics) – John Watson receives some devastating news which puts a spanner in his medical ambitions. Will Sherlock prove capable of the kind of comfort and reassurance he needs or will their partnership be ended before its even begun?

Pressure Points by Starlight05 (T, 17,677 w., 11 Ch. || Suspense & Friendship, Intense Themes, Torture) - SEQUEL TO ‘RIDDLES IN THE DARK’ – Sebastian Moran is locked away in prison, but he plots to escape and seek revenge on Mycroft Holmes. Meanwhile, Sherlock and John are dealing with a change in their relationship, trying not to fall apart. And as ties are tested and allegiances altered, events unfold in the streets of London that threaten both the Holmes brothers and everyone they care for.

M Is For Moriarty by ElvendorkInfinity (T, 29,882 w., 12 Ch. || Suspense, Mystery, Case Fic, Worried Sherlock, No Slash, Whump) – A figure at the end of the hospital bed; a needle in the dark...Moriarty has John, and Sherlock must follow the paper trail through London to find him before time runs out. Sequel to BANG.

Sentenced by SarahKnight (T, 44,777 w., 30 Ch. || Dev. Rel., Alternate S4 Canon, Drama, Angst, Pining, Feelings are Hard) – Virtual series 4 opener. Sherlock's in prison being targeted by a murderer, John's married to a pregnant assassin and Moriarty's back.

#steph replies #johnlock fic recs #my fic recs #non ao3 fics #ffnet fics

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gear-project · 4 months

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2024 Guilty Gear Calendar

[JANUARY] Jan 1st: Anji Mito (New Year’s Day) Jan 16th: Happy Chaos/ Tyr (National Nothing Day/Appreciate a Dragon Day) Jan 28th: Zato=ONE/Eddie (Daisy Day) This Month’s Jellyfish Pirate: Janis, the Cat and Mascot of the Jellyfish! [FEBRUARY] Feb 8th: Jam Kuradoberi (Bubble Bath Day) Feb 9th: Chipp Zanuff/ Mizuha (Static Electricity Day) Feb 14th: Valentine (Saint Valentine’s Day) This Month’s Jellyfish Pirates: Febby who does the Laundry, Accounting, and Book-keeping! Also Leap the Administrative Director and Cook! [MARCH] Mar 5th: Baiken (Multiple Personalities Day) Mar 14th: Bedman (World Sleep Day) Mar 18th: Nagoriyuki (National Supreme Sacrifice Day) Mar 28th: Raven (Something on a Stick Day) Mar 31st: (World Backup Day) This Month’s Jellyfish Pirate: March, head of Communications (despite the fact she doesn’t talk much). [APRIL] Apr 7th: Robo-Ky (National Robotics Week) Apr 20th: Millia Rage (Easter) This Month’s Jellyfish Pirate: April, Helms-woman and ace pilot of the Airship! [MAY] May 5th: May (The day Johnny found her) May 9th: Testament (Lost Sock Memorial Day) May 11th: Alternate Timeline Day (Twilight Zone Day) May 12th: Fanny (International Nurses’ Day) May 14th: Sol Badguy (Guilty Gear Foundation Day) May 31st: Sin Kiske (International “No Tobacco” Day) This Month’s Jellyfish Pirate: May, the Powerful Princess and 2nd in Command of the Jellyfish! [JUNE] Jun 3rd: Ramlethal Valentine (Repeat Day Repeat Day) Jun 8th: Ariels/Chronus (‘Big Brother’ is Watching Day) Jun 15th: Zappa (Power of a Smile Day) This Month’s Jellyfish Pirate: June, the Desk Manager and Aristocrat of the Jellyfish! [JULY] Jul 1st: Leo Whitefang (Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day) Jul 26th: ALL OR NOTHING! Day Jul 28th: System Administrator Appreciation Day This Month’s Jellyfish Pirate: July, sword expert and combat professional! [AUGUST] Aug 3rd: Izuna (National Watermelon Day) Aug 14th: Daisuke Ishiwatari/Chimaki (Summer Romance Day) Aug 21st: Dr. Faust (National Senior Citizen’s Day) This Month’s Jellyfish Pirate: Augus, strong melee and grappling expert extraordinaire! [SEPTEMBER] Sep 2nd: Justice (National Blueberry Popsicle Day) Sep 8th: Answer (International Literacy Day/Bury the Hatchet Day) Sep 9th: Kliff Undersn (Chrysanthemum Day) Sep 12th: National Video Games Day Sep 25th: Toshimichi Mori (BlazBlue Creator Day) This Month’s Jellyfish Pirate: Sephy, the Ship’s Kind Doctor! [OCTOBER] Oct 9th: Goldlewis Dickinson (International Beer and Pizza Day) Oct 16th: Leopaldon/Gig/Judgment (National Boss Day) Oct 18th: Potemkin (Health and Sports Day) Oct 24th: Johnny/Venom (National Billiards Day) Oct 25th: National Comic Book Day Oct 26th: Bridget (Coming Home Day) Oct 31st: Slayer (Halloween) This Month’s Jellyfish Pirates: Octy, Crow’s Nest Navigator specialist! And of course don’t forget about Johnny, the Captain! [NOVEMBER] Nov 6th: Giovanna (National Redhead Day/National Nachos Day) Nov 9th: CHAOS NEVER DIES! Day Nov 10th: Asuka R. Kreutz (Forget-Me-Not Day) Nov 11th: Dr. Paradigm (National Education Day) Nov 20th: Ky Kiske (Feast of Christ the King Day/Absurdity Day) Nov 25th: I-No (Elimination of Violence against Women Day) This Month’s Jellyfish Pirate: Novel, the Ship’s Engineer and Weapons designer! [DECEMBER] Dec 5th: Kum Haehyun (Prohibition Repeal Day) Dec 13th: Jack-O'Valentine/Aria Hale (National Cocoa Day) Dec 17th: A.B.A. (Paracelsus’ Birthday) Dec 25th: Axl Low/Dizzy/Elphelt Valentine (Christmas Day) This Month’s Jellyfish Pirate: Dizzy, the Ship’s Administrative Coordinator (on indefinite leave). PLEASE NOTE: –As always NEW Characters may be announced as the Year goes on, Dates may be altered/adjusted as information is revealed! –Characters that have no Birthdays may get one, and Characters with Birthdays may have theirs corrected as needed! –Other Holidays are just personal fun/preference/Optional! –Also Note that this List may not go in to effect until after it is posted! Meaning some holidays will go in to 2025!

#GG Birthdays List #GG Calendar #Guilty Gear Calendar

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goldenboygate · 4 months

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2023 Tumblr Top 10

1. 1,192 notes - Jul 2 2023

"i'll decide what to do with lando" ok sir

2. 895 notes - Sep 17 2023

"A BIT OF CARLANDO ACTION"

3. 668 notes - Mar 24 2023

4. 614 notes - Oct 10 2023

this is so incredibly important and everyone needs to watch it.

5. 547 notes - Sep 16 2023

6. 523 notes - Apr 8 2023

7. 522 notes - Apr 8 2023

8. 520 notes - Jun 18 2023

"what was the penalty for?" "we'll talk about it later" "or you can just tell me now" "nah, we'll talk about it later"

9. 494 notes - Sep 17 2023

10. 429 notes - Sep 15 2023

mclaren Ice bath or cauldron?! 🧙‍♂️🧊 @landonorris is loving it either way! 😂

Created by TumblrTop10

#tumblrtop10 #karenína top 10 #it's all carlando

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pookiestheone · 2 years

Photo

Charles "Tex" Smutney and Charles "Buddy" Stanley by George Platt Lynes (1907-1955)

Apr 24 George [Platt Lynes] once told me that Alfred Kinsey expressed some surprise at the fact that Tex Smutney and Buddy Stanley never got erections while posing for him, despite the warmth of the lights, and the proximities, and the voluptuous atmosphere.

But here - about half a dozen photographs with sand pile in a studio, intended for some assignment of bathing suits and beach fashion - Buddy has an erection. The erotic effect is very poignant and odd.

A Heaven of Words: Last Journals, 1956-1984 By Glenway Wescott (Wescott was Lynes's lover)

Three of these, and the Wescott quote, I've posted before

Uncensored version

#Charles Tex Smutney #Charles Buddy Stanley #George Platt Lynes

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ingek73 · 2 days

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King Charles looked for heroes to honour – and picked William, Kate and Camilla. Laugh? Cry? You choose

Can we really say Britain has a modernised monarchy when archaic titles are being handed out as if it were 1348, not 2024

Wed 24 Apr 2024 13.11 CESTS

I wonder if I should award myself an honour, something grand-sounding. How about Most Excellent Keeper of the Belfry? It has a nice ring about it, even if I have done nothing to deserve it. That latter consideration is of course no bar to our fossilised royal family who have this week breezily been giving themselves ludicrous sounding honours as if this were 1724, not 2024.

Camilla is now, as of yesterday, the Grand Master of the Order of the British Empire. What empire, you might ask? Rockall was Ronnie Barker’s pithy response, and that was about 40 years ago.

Kate is now a Companion of Honour, an award reserved for those who have excelled in the world of the arts, medicines, or science. Is this perhaps for creative doctoring of photographs?

The Duchess of Gloucester – there’s a household name – has been made a Member of the Order of the Garter, an Order created by the king in 1348 to reward his court favourites (while, incidentally, beyond the palace walls, much of the population was dying from the Black Death).

William has not missed out either (even if Harry has). The Prince of Wales is now Great Master of the Order of the Bath. Well it won’t wash.

The honours in themselves are absurd, and make the mythical Ruritania look like a beacon of modernity. So much for the spin from the palace that the monarchy was going to be modernised under Charles. Perhaps the latest medals are to be made from recycled precious metals?

Even more absurd, if that is possible, is the notion that the royal family can with a straight face award medals to themselves.

Take the Royal Family Order. This is awarded to female members of the royal family simply for being female. And for being a member of the royal family. Not a terribly high bar if you happen to be female and are born or marry into the family.

Then there are the military honours and decorations. Charles himself has accumulated dozens of medals, enough almost to sink one of the battleships under his command as a five star admiral. Oh, and he is also a five star general in the army and a five star air chief marshal in the RAF.

What stupendous military service or acts of bravery have led to this avalanche of medals? Well, he did captain a coastal minesweeper several decades ago for a short period. And he has only crashed a plane once.

The royals in fact have amassed between them over 100 military medals and decorations, and for what? Prince Edward, the Royal Honorary Colonel of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, has never seen active service and even dropped out of his Royal Marines course because he couldn’t hack it.

Prince Andrew, to be fair, did merit his South Atlantic medal for service in the Falklands War. But did anyone stop to question whether it was a good idea, in 2011, when he was mired in accusations relating to his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and serious questions were being asked about his self-serving activities as the UK’s trade ambassador, that he should be awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, a highly prestigious award in the archaic hierarchy of these things.

This latest set of nepotistic awards makes the royal family look ridiculous, arrogant and breezily self-serving. It also illustrates graphically how our monarchy is still an imperial one, wedded to a distant past and totally out of touch with modern Britain.

Moreover, giving themselves high honours like loose change when they have done nothing to deserve them serves to cheapen the value of the honours received by those who do deserve them. What is your one medal for outstanding bravery worth when Charles can pin dozens to his chest?

The whole honours system, started in 1348, has been about patronage. This easy corruption of the ideal of merit so graphically and repeatedly shown by the royals in their own favour is consequently mirrored further down the ladder, as prime ministers hand out life peerages and knighthoods to their mates, and to those who have given their party large amounts of money.

A proper honours system which allows society to recognise outstanding achievement is very worthwhile. But we don’t have it. Those who deserve and receive honours are lost in the trivial, the corrupt and the absurd.

I am reminded of an old television advert whose punchline was: “Award yourself the CDM – Cadbury’s Dairy Milk.”

Norman Baker was the Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes from 1997 to 2015

#abolish the monarchy #king charles III #Camilla Parker Bowles #Prince William #Kate Middleton #Anti Monarchy #the Guardian #Norman Baker

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polizwrites · 2 months

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PoliZ's WIP Update: 27 Feb 2024

Still busy IRL, which cuts into my writing time/energy. I touched 3 fics (3 new works & 0 WIPs) for a total of 1726 words.

On Ao3, I posted:

Chapter One of A Vision of Things To Come - WinterIron time travel shenanigans with wartime!Bucky.

The Hour of Denial - wartime Stucky love confessions

At Full Tilt - Medieval AU ficlet with Knight!Steve vs Knight!Winter Soldier (minor Stony)

The Best Part of Waking Up - present-day Stucky PWP fluff.

On Tumblr I posted:

The Hour of Denial - pretty much what ended up on Ao3.

I’m juggling 17 😬 active/semi-active WIPs with my current deadline being the Post July Break Bingo, which ends in April.

See below cut for what I’m working on/planning to work on - arranged more or less by bingos/challenges/etc. As always, feel free to send me prompts or plot bunnies as well as asks regarding any of these projects or any other WIPs I’ve got out there. Interaction really helps feed the Muse and keep me motivated!

Tony Stark Bingo Round 7 - [TSB_R7] (ends 15 Feb)

Masterpost

Stony AUniverse Bingo [SAUB_R1] (ends 15 Feb)

Final count - twenty-one fills for five bingos - hoping this event comes back so I can carry over a couple of squares! Masterpost forthcoming….

Captain (America) Bottom Bingo - Round 2 [CABB] (ends 28 Feb 2024)

I signed up for a 3x3 card for this bingo and managed a blackout plus an adopted square - woo hoo! Masterpost forthcoming...

* B1 - "All I wanted was for you to be happy." - Posted The Hour of Denial on Monday - a wartime Stucky love confession ficlet that crossed over with last week’s Flash Fiction Friday prompt: [#FFF241 Hour of Denial] and came in at 360 words.

* B3 - Royal Knight - Posted At Full Tilt on Tuesday - Medieval AU where knight!Steve is jousting against knight!Winter Soldier. It crossed over (kinda) with my SRB Red Skull square and came in at 618 words.

* C3 - Bath/shower sex - posted The Best Part of Waking Up as a crossover with the BaBB February prompt: Morning Sex. Steve comes back after a morning run to take a shower - and is joined by a horny Bucky. PWP to the tune of 899 words ensues.

Post July Break Bingo [JBB_23p] (Ends Apr 2024)

One fill on my 2x3 non-fandom-specific card - still working on potential crossovers.

* A1 - “It’s you. It’s always been you.” - I should have squeezed this into the Stucky love confession fic! Ah well - guess I’ll have to write another one 😁

* B2 - Character’s personality is split into two different beings – I’ve never played with Bucky & the Soldier being two different people, but this seems like the perfect opportunity! Will see what might be a good crossover on one of my open cards.

* C1 - Touch Starved – another good fit for a Bucky-centric fic. (Steve or Tony or Clint).

Steve Rogers Bingo - Round 3 [SRB_R3] (ends 15 Jun 2024)

Seven fills and one WIP - need to ponder possible crossovers, especially with CABB.

* A1 - Steve can actually dance just fine - Matched this up with the Flash Fiction Friday prompt [#FFF238 Take My Hand] for Finding a Partner - where Steve & Natasha go dancing (potential pre-slash). It came in at 239 words and will post to Ao3 before the event is over.

* A5 - Red Skull - squished this into At Full Tilt - see CABB Royal Knight prompt above.

* C5 - Exes to Lovers - see what the March BaBB list brings?

Bucky Barnes Connect Four - Alt Jun-iverse [BBC4_R2] {Ends June 2024}

The good folks over at @buckybarnesevents have opened this event up early! You sign up for a single row card of four squares and the challenge is to see if you can combine any/all into a single Bucky-centric AU fanwork - although you can also create 2-4 separate fanworks if you want.

The combo of prompts on my first card [Reality Show, Omegaverse, Talent/Manager, Royalty] sparked an idea that I’m about 230 words + misc notes into already - Alpha!Bucky as a technical prince who gets talked into joining a reality show that is supposed to match him up with an omega… but there’s a twist! Planning to pick this back up in the next week or so.

Hawkeyes Bingo [HB_R2] {Ends TBD}

Just signed up for this fun Tumblr event - got a 3x3 card and and am looking forward to creating more Clint-centric content and trying my hand at a bit of Kate Bishop fic as well!

*A1 - Werewolf AU - wrote Shooting for the Moon - Werewolf!Bucky’s POV on the second half of A Hairy Situation. It came in at 811 words and will get posted to Ao3 sometime in the next couple weeks.

* A3 - Awkward Flirting – this might be a good entry into my first femslash fic with Kate/Yelena?

Build-A-Bucky Bingo [BaBB_R1] {Ends Oct 2024}

Another fun year-long event from the folks at @buckybarnesevents! Each month there’s a list of prompts and you choose (at least) one each month for your card!

* November: Crackfic - DONE

* December: Wingman - DONE

* January: Wingfic - DONE

*January: Polyamory - DONE

* February - Fingering - DONE

* February - Morning Sex - see CABB Bath/Shower Sex.

Warm and Fluffy Bingo [WFB] (no end date)

Four fills on my card, courtesy of @warmandfluffybingocards - need to try for another crossover or two!

————

On other creative fronts: I am working on a Godzilla figure for this weekend’s convention - I’ve finished all my Marvel Trumps Hate figures, but still need to create posts (and mail one set) .

If you’re looking for one of a kind gifts for birthdays or other celebrations, check out Stuffed With Character over on Facebook for a full list of my designs (now over 150!). These soft stuffed figures are mostly Marvel and monsters, but I have some Star Wars, Star Trek, DC and Disney figures as well. Plus I love to take custom design requests for any fandom!

#writing stuff #wip wednesday #WIP Update #shameless self promo

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bedtimestoriesforbrokengirls · 1 year

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The Daily Dad

Things you might want to know, for Apr 27, 2023:

Here are all the MAFS Australia 2023 cast's first Insta posts since the experiment — The absence of Harrison is appreciated.

Sleeping elephant seals fall through ocean's depths, and some even nap on the sea floor — If I had a nose like that, I’d hide in the depths too.

Why are you crying? — On topic.

Flandalorian: The Mandalorian but made out of flan

Archive of fictional brands

Eddie Van Halen’s ‘Hot for Teacher’ Guitar Sells for $3.9 Million at Auction — The estate probably needs the money, and Wolfie probably doesn’t want it, but still… I feel like it should have stayed in the family.

Researchers Argue Black Holes Will Destroy All Quantum States

Hitting the Books: We'd likely have to liquidate Jupiter to build a Dyson Sphere around the Sun

Bed Bath & Beyond Files for Bankruptcy as Turnaround Fails — BB&B is one of those stores that Amazon should have killed almost immediately… I’m honestly shocked they survived for so long.

There’s only one right way to watch Ghosted — TL;DR: Don’t watch the trailer. At all.

The secret reason that the Boggle letters were changed

AI Image Generator Is Making Wild And Horrifying Game Controllers

Wes Anderson's Staged Re-Creations of Out of Sight, Armageddon, and The Truman Show for the 1999 MTV Movie Awards — Watching Wes Anderson riff on the mediocre movies of 1999 is a curious experience… these spots aren’t so much funny as they are fascinating. Which I suppose is a charge that could be leveled at Anderson’s actual movies, but fuck those killjoys.

John Mellencamp Asks If Weapons Are Really Our Right in New ‘Hey God’

Fascinating video compares the heights of famous people throughout history — Alexander? Not so great.

How the Legendary Chuck Jones Became a Great Artist — There’s not much new here if you’ve watched longer Jones retrospectives, but it’s a nice place to start.

My Balls-Out Quest to Achieve the Perfect Scrotum — The perfect scrotum is whatever fits in a bitch’s mouth.

It’s a laser bong — Yes, it is. And I am in love.

Can ActivityPub save the internet? — Probably not, but let’s find out. Get that shit working already, Tumblr.

The dry herb and concentrate vape pens you need to enjoy a vaporous 4/20 — I’m late with this one, but Tumblr is being a pain in the ass about publishing these news posts.

#news

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lindahall · 1 year

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Nicholas Wing – Scientist of the Day

Nicholas Wing, an English inventor and book collector, was born on Apr. 1, 1638, in a bathing shack near the mineral spring at Tunbridge Wells, to parents taking the waters as part of the court of Charles I.