#because i genuinely enjoyed pe and had a great time. i miss it

[strixhaven]

not enough opportunities to play crab soccer as an adult these days. crawling around on all fours and scuttling about like a crab while launching a giant ball twenty feet into the air with a frenzied kick in a room full of eighty people with the same goal of going apeshitt like that would fix me. i’m sure of it. certainly couldn’t hurt.

#my mundane niche super power was being very very scarily good at crab soccer. i loved terrifying my classmates #with the level of focus speed strength and determination with which i played this game. none could match my skill and crab-like ability #i’m so good at scuttling. you have no idea #you can tell there’s something wrong with me and that it goes to the very depths of my soul and core as a person #because i genuinely enjoyed pe and had a great time. i miss it

[fairyparker]

Late Bloomer

This fic contains DUB CON & NON CON/R@PE. DO NOT READ IF THIS UPSETS YOU. YOUR MEDIA CONSUMPTION IS YOUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY. 

Summary: When your best friend Peter finds out that you have no sexual experience whatsoever, he decides to help you out and show you what you're missing - whether you want him to or not.

The (dub/non con!) smut is a handjob, oral (reader receiving) and penetration. very naive and innocent and inexperienced reader who doesn’t want to have sex (both generally and in this moment) / asexual reader? Also includes manipulation, gaslighting, victim blaming and bad/wrong ideas about society + sex, drinking, Peter doesn’t redeem himself/no happy end, childhood best friends to…this?, mention of drugs, please let me know if I forgot anything!

words: 5k

- - -

It took Peter a lot of convincing to make you go to this party with him. 

It’s not your thing; you don’t drink, you’re not interested in flirting with someone you’ll never see again and you’re too shy to dance and let loose.

But Peter managed to persuade you by telling you how you’re missing out. He always tells you how great the parties he’s been to are and you know that you should be spending your twenties partying and having fun.

This party though, just like you thought, is not fun.

The people are playing a round of spin the bottle, and the person it lands on gets a lap dance from the person spinning the bottle. You were able to walk away before it started, but Peter is still sitting with everyone, seemingly even enjoying this stupid game while you’re watching from the side.

A girl spins the bottle, everyone waiting to see who it lands on.

It slows down and eventually points right at Peter. Your heart starts beating faster on his behalf. You hope he knows he doesn’t have to do this if he’s not comfortable. But, to your surprise, Peter starts smiling. It’s not an awkward smile either; he’s genuinely excited for it.

You cringe as the girl shrugs and walks Peter to the couch where he sits down. Your eyes meet Peter’s for a split second and in them there’s a look you’ve never seen before. 

Peter is horny, his demeanor cocky. He focuses back on the girl in front of him.

Does she know she doesn’t have to do it? She’s giggling in embarrassment and holding her hands in front of her face as she bends her knees and starts dancing for Peter.

He slides down the seat so he’s closer to her, manspreading so she can stand between his legs. You ignore the jealousy bubbling up inside you, it’s easy to do though, because you don’t want to dance for Peter like that; but it’s not great to see him enjoying another woman like that either.

He puts his hands behind his head like some fuckboy, eyes not leaving the girl’s ass that’s nearly grinding on his lap. He’s looking at her with so much sexual admiration that you feel sick, you never wanted to see your best friend’s sex face. 

Yes, you like him romantically, but not like that.

God, what are you even doing here?

Embarrassed for your best friend you walk away to find the kitchen, wondering how Peter is okay with everyone seeing him in such a primitive state of lust.

You look for a drink and check the time - you want to go home but you’ve barely been here fifteen minutes, and Peter drove you.

He finds you a few minutes later, flushed, and you don’t even really want to look at him.

“Hey. I was wondering where you went,” he says, not acknowledging how this isn’t a normal party or a normal situation.

I just didn’t feel like watching you and this woman have… sex,” you mumble, the word not feeling right coming from you, “in front of everyone.” 

He huffs a laugh, “It was just a lap dance. Not even a proper one. ‘S just a game.”

You’re turned away from him, filling juice into your cup when you hear the metal of his belt clinking and you spin around. He’s adjusting the big bulge in his pants that steals your breath for a moment, “Peter! What are you doing?”

“Sorry, just quickly had to adjust myself. Look I’m done already.”

“I didn’t know you like that girl,” you turn around again, not wanting to look at this disgusting man you call your best friend, “I didn’t even know you knew her.”

“I never said I liked her.”

“Yeah but you..” you vaguely nod towards his jeans. 

He shrugs, leaning on a kitchen counter, “A cute woman gave me a lapdance, only a guy who doesn’t like women wouldn’t get hard from that.”

You don’t say anything more, staring into the opened fridge as a distraction from your sudden changed perception of Peter. Still, you’re kind of glad he doesn’t like her. You still like him, even if he’s more debauched than you ever thought.

“Can you pass me a beer?”

“I was actually wondering if we could go soon? I don’t really like it here,” you look at him again, hoping to convince him with your sad look.

“Aw but the party’s just getting started.”

You both stare at each for a few seconds, it’s his enjoyment versus your discomfort.

“How about we leave in an hour? And I’ll stop drinking in thirty minutes so I’ll be sober by the time we leave.”

It’s a fair deal considering he was probably planning to stay much longer. His consideration for you puts a smile on your face momentarily, “Okay, that’s fine.”

You pass him his beer and he gets close to you when he takes it from you, making your face scrunch up, “Ew, get off me with those dirty hands,” you hurry to the opposite side of the counter.

He chuckles, “Don’t worry, I showered before we left. My dick is clean.”

You tsk, looking away, “I don’t want to hear about your… penis.”

You leave the kitchen, hoping to find someone else who understands how ridiculous these ‘party games’ are. But the only thing you find is two people making out in a bedroom or people taking drugs, so you end up alone on the porch, waiting for Peter and watching TikToks in the meantime.

You’re having a much better time being on your phone, and you remember why you usually prefer to stay in. 

By now, Peter should be ready to leave in half an hour or so, and you still have enough mobile data for that time.

You flinch when the door behind you opens suddenly and Peter calls your name, “There you are. I was looking for you everywhere, I got worried.” You’re flattered at his protectiveness over you. You know exactly why you like him despite his flaws that you recently discovered.

“Sorry. I just didn’t wanna be in there anymore.”

“That bad? Okay listen, I’ll say bye to the guys and we’ll go home okay?”

“No, but you’ve been drinking.” From what he’s told you, he needs at least half an hour to sober up even with his enhanced physique.

“Not that much. I promise I wouldn’t offer to drive if I didn’t feel safe doing so,” he smiles down at you. He looks so pretty in the dim light.

“Okay. And you really don’t mind?”

He gives you a soft smile as he reaches out to help you up, “I’d rather never go to a party again than have you sitting on this dirty porch alone.”

You beam and tell him to say bye to everyone. He kisses your cheek, accidentally kissing you closer to your lips than he meant to and your cheeks heat up - but he’s unaffected.

It’s moments like this that make you question whether Peter likes you back or not. It would be a lie to say that you’re not attracted to him.

He’s cute. He’s caring. He’s smart. He treats you like a princess. 

And you like when he takes care of you. You could easily get a driver’s licence but you don’t mind having Peter drive you everywhere, and he’s told you that he likes being your chauffeur too. He likes spending time with you and that includes driving you around places that you need to go to.

He’s the perfect boyfriend really. You’ve known him for years and trust him more than anyone.

But then you think back to earlier at the party. How he enjoyed being grinded on. In front of all people, too. And you can’t get his perverted smile out of your head. That’s why you could never be with him. You’re sure of it, especially after today. But that doesn’t stop you from wanting to be with him.

But that’s the main problem: sex.

Sex has never been appealing to you. You feel gross even thinking about it. Watching that girl grind her ass on Peter was an image you never needed to see so doing something like that yourself sounds horrifying. 

But if even Peter wants to have sex, then you guess every other guy on earth does too, so you’d still be best off with Peter.

It leaves a sour taste in your mouth that apparently you’ll have to have sex with him if you do ever get together though.

He doesn’t leave you waiting for long, saying goodbye quickly and walking you to his car, a hand on your lower back. Your skin tingles where he’s touching it and you can’t hide your smile.

He opens the passenger door for you like the gentleman he is and you wait with putting on your seatbelt. You turn your whole body towards him once he sits down in the other side, shutting his door.

“Can I ask you something?” 

“Always,” he replies.

“When did you..” you trail off as you think of a way to phrase your question without having to say that three letter word. You sigh when you realize it’s easiest if you say it. 

“When did you go from being grossed out by sex..” you make a face when you say it - it’s the second time today that you’re using the word. Who are you turning into? “When did you go from being grossed out by it to liking it?” 

He raises his eyebrows as if the question is laughable but he answers anyway, “When we hit puberty, I guess.”

“I remember we used to be so disgusted when there was a .. scene like that in a film. And I went through puberty too, my body and hormones changed, but I never got any interest for.. you know.”

He smiles sympathetically, “Don’t worry. Maybe you’re just a late bloomer.”

He’s said this to you plenty of times though, and you wonder how late late is. If you don’t have the desire to have sex by now then why would it suddenly change?

You give him a small smile, feeling like there’s something wrong with you.

He starts driving and lets you choose the music. It’s a welcome distraction.

“Nearly there,” he tells you and you realize you fell asleep for most of the drive. You try to wake yourself up again and look around in the car as you stretch.

Your movement stops when your eyes fall on the bulge in Peter’s trousers.

Is it still there or is it back again?

And is he that big or is it just the angle?

You want to tear your gaze away, but this is new for you. It looks so vulgar that you just can’t look away, your voice caught in your throat.

You can’t tell if he notices you staring or not.

You’re finally snapped out of it when he turns off the engine, parked in front of his apartment building. You’re too shocked by what you just saw - what you’re seeing for the second time today - to ask why he didn’t drive you to your place.

Undoing the seatbelt, you reach for the car door but Peter locks it. You giggle, thinking he’s messing with you as a joke, but when your eyes meet, his are serious.

“Can I ask you a personal question?”

You gulp, already knowing what topic you’re going to have to talk about again now.

“Have you had sex?” He asks.

You shake your head, feeling heat on your face. You can’t look at him, “You know that. I would have told you if I had.”

“I don’t know, you went on a few dates here and there.”

“Yeah and I always told you how bad they were,” you meet his gaze this time, wondering if he thought you lied to him.

“I assumed they couldn’t keep their hands off a pretty girl like you and you were too prim and proper to admit that you did something. The innocent seeming ones are always the freakiest.”

You can’t argue with that at first. Peter seemed innocent to you for the first ten or so years you’ve known him, and you just found out today that he apparently likes dry humping in public - that’s essentially what that lapdance earlier looked like.

“Not me,” you say weakly.

He pauses, looking like he’s about to accept the truth, “Never?”

“Never,” you confirm.

“Do you wonder what it’s like?”

“I do wonder, sure. But I don’t wonder enough to actually want to do it.”

Peter smirks, crossing his arms, “I think that’s a lie.”

“What? Why?”

“Don’t know, just a feeling.”

He leans back in his seat as you tap your foot against the floor, waiting for him to end this conversation and unlock the car. You count every one of his breaths, growing more impatient with every one of them, your palms starting to get sweaty. This is Peter, you remind yourself, you don’t know why you’re starting to get scared. Maybe it’s just the uncomfortable topic.

“You wanna try now?”

“Try what?” You splutter.

“I don’t know. We can start small. So you’ve never even touched a dick?”

A shiver runs down your spine. “Stop using that word.”

“What, you want me to stay cock?”

You cringe, inching closer to the door, “Don’t say it at all.”

“So do you wanna?”

You take a deep breath, hoping to calm down the sick feeling in your stomach. You shake your head.

“I think you’ll like it.”

“I don’t think I will.”

“It’s normal that you’re a little grossed out at first. Girls always think they don’t want it when they really do.”

Your jaw drops slightly, “Girls have said that to you?

“No, not to me specifically but it’s just a known fact.”

“Well I’m not like that..”

“Come on.” It’s the first thing he says that doesn’t have at least a bit of humor in his voice. You don’t want him to be mad at you. Not generally, but especially not while he’s got you alone in his car at night.

“I’m so hard, you can’t just leave me hanging like this. I drive you everywhere, leave a nice party early for you. And I’m not even doing it for me, I think you’ll like it. So just try it, okay? It’s just your hand. And if you don’t like it you can stop.”

Your chest tightens but you fear that he might be right. You don’t want to make such a big thing out of nothing. If the woman from earlier can twerk on a stranger in front of a whole party crowd, you can’t touch the… dick of your best friend for a few seconds.

You know it’s stupid, but you’ve always been insecure about how inexperienced you are, and at this age you should probably doing stuff like this regularly.

You don’t say anything, simply leaning over to him a little as you try to swallow the lump forming in your throat.

“There we go,” he smirks.

Somehow you find the courage to look into his eyes. They look different, like he’s taken drugs or something, but they’re still the same eyes that you’ve looked into a million times before.

You trust Peter. 

You’ve trusted him for the better part of a decade and you’re not suddenly going to stop. He only wants what’s best for you, and sometimes you have to do something out of your comfort zone to gain experience.

You take a deep breath as he undoes his belt and unzips his jeans, pulling out his hard dick. Your heart beating in your chest is the only thing you can hear for a bit.

It’s so vulgar. But somehow you imagined it to look uglier – which doesn’t mean that you like how it looks though.

Peter takes your hand and pulls you toward it. The skin is soft, but his erection feels harder than you would have imagined.

He squeezes his hand around yours and guides you up and down himself a few times. You’re tensing more with each second and you have to force yourself to stop clenching your teeth.

He releases your hand after a few moments and you let out the biggest breath of relief. That wasn’t so bad after all.

You watch Peter as he takes your hand again and brings it to his mouth, spitting into your palm. You mouth falls open and you pull your eyebrows together; you’re speechless as he brings your and his hand down to his cock again.

The sound is wet and loud as you involuntarily stroke up and down his dick. You’re pulling your hand away but you forgot how strong he is. You have no chance against him, even as you try to yank your arm away with your free hand. 

He’s moving your hand faster and harder now, ignoring you completely as his eyes fall shut in pleasure.

You finally feel the lump in your throat release for a second, “Peter–” you start, voice weak and you clear your throat, “You said I could stop if–”

“Just a bit longer,” he grunts, nothing but pure strength guiding you along his dick that is covered in his spit. You knew he was strong, but you never thought he could make you do something against your will like this; you’re powerless, especially in his cramped car.

Peter throws his head back with a moan and hot, white liquid spills all over your hand and the front of his jeans. Your face scrunches up as he grips your hand ever harder, his mouth wide open with a groan, and you feel more drops of his cum on your hand.

Tears finally prick at your eyes and he lets go of you after a few seconds. You wipe your hand on your jeans as quickly as possible, scrambling for the tissues he keeps in his glove department, and you clean off your hand for what feels like hours.

He grabs a tissue too, carelessly throwing it to the back of his car, zipping up his trousers.

Once his dick is out of sight, he feels like the old Peter again. His gaze is like it is any other day, and despite your racing heartbeat you suddenly feel like you’re overreacting, embarrassment creeping in.

“So?” He asks, tone calm, “What did you think?”

“What?��� You nearly shout.

“What did you think?” He asks again as if you’re stupid. 

“Well I..,” you’re at a loss of words for a bit, “What do you think? You think I was trying to pull my arm away because I was enjoying it? Why did you make me do that?”

“You didn’t even say anything - how am I supposed to know what you want?” He scrunches his eyebrows together, and you feel a pang of guilt in your chest. You don’t want to upset Peter, especially not now that you really know how strong he is.

“I did..,” you mumble, “I said–”

“Relax, I just did you a favor. It was just a handjob. Most girls give those for the first time when they’re like sixteen,” he shrugs.

“They do?”

“Yeah. You were just talking about how you feel behind. I wanted to help you out. Hey, at least you don’t have zero experience anymore,” he shrugs with a smile, unlocking the car doors but you don’t get out immediately. His sweet smile warms your heart and your deep feelings for your best friend come back at once.

You know what he just did wasn’t right, but that doesn’t mean he did it on purpose. Apparently he’s had much more sex than you assumed, so you two have different perspectives. Of course it’s not as much as a big deal for him as it is for you. 

Anyway, now that it’s over, you already feel lighter.

And, he’s right, at least you have some experience now. It wasn’t how you imagined, but maybe it’s just one of those things you have to get used to. No one likes beer the first time they drink it and yet it always becomes most people’s go-to drink. You hope you’ll get used to this sex thing too and in any way, you’re glad Peter was the one you did it with.

For now, all you want to do is sleep and remove yourself from this sexualized world.

You get out of the car and remember that you’re at Peter’s place.

“Why didn’t you drive me home?” You ask.

“I thought you were staying at my place. And I’m really tired now.”

“Please.” You’d really prefer to sleep in your own bed, even if you’ve spent the night at Peter’s plenty of times, you’d feel more comfortable in your own four walls right now.

“You can have my bed to yourself and I’ll sleep on the couch, okay?”

You shrug. If he won’t drive you home, you have to sleep at his place. You don’t have money for a taxi and there’s no way you’re walking home alone.

As you step into the familiar apartment, you feel the last bit of tension leave your body. You’ve been here so many times, and it’s like a second home. You feel safe here, and it’s not because of the apartment, but because of Peter.

You would have realized years ago if he was a bad person. He was just helping out his best friend, it’s not his fault that there’s something wrong with you and you don’t enjoy sex like normal people do.

You take a random, oversized shirt from Peter’s bedroom and change in the bathroom.

Your heart sinks when you accidentally touch the cum stain on your jeans. All the bad feelings are back immediately. You might throw up.

You get out of your trousers as fast as possible without touching the drying stain.

Peter might be your best friend, but he’s not stupid. He must have realized how uncomfortable you were.

Even if he just wanted to help you, he shouldn’t have forced you. Enough is enough; and he usually knows when to stop.

You throw on Peter’s shirt, scared yet determined to talk about what just happened.

You find Peter sitting on the couch. He looks at you and asks if you want to watch a film before bed. 

How can he be so casual after what just happened?

You sit next to him on the sofa and your anger starts to dissipate again. No matter what just happened, he’s still the same Peter. He’s your best friend and he’d never intentionally do anything to hurt you. He made a mistake, that’s it. It happens to everyone.

Maybe that’s just what sexually active adults do. Maybe he really did do you a favor. Up until twenty minutes ago you weren’t even sure what the word handjob meant. At least you’ll know how to pleasure a guy in the future. 

If even your kind and innocent boy-of-your-dreams Peter likes sex, then you guess you won’t ever find a boyfriend that doesn’t need sex from you.

And you’d rather use your hand than your pussy, or worse even, your mouth. Although you’re not sure if people actually do the latter, or if it’s just a perverse fantasy some people have. So at least you’ll know how to do a handjob now. 

He’s unaware of your inner turmoil, and your shoulder jerks up when Peter puts a hand on your upper back, “Tired?”

You nod, the lump back in your throat. You’ve never felt this many conflicting emotions at the same time.

“Let’s get you to bed then.” His voice is soft and you feel yourself relaxing once more.

You forget that he said he was going to sleep on the sofa. You’ve always slept in his bed together, and you always felt comfortable. Besides, he left a party early for you, drank less, drove you here and it’s his bed. He has every right to be here.

You try to forget about the day, closing your eyes, facing away from Peter, but his phone light and the lamp next to his bed are bright. You try for another few minutes, but no matter how tired you are, you can’t sleep with this light.

Just as you’re about to ask him when he’s going to bed, you hear his voice. You turn around.

“You know I love you, right?” He asks.

“Oh. Yeah I do. I love you too.”

He puts his phone away, gently kissing your temple, “You know, I feel kind of bad about what happened in the car.”

You smile immediately. You knew Peter wasn’t a bad guy. Your chest suddenly feels free again, like you’re emerging from the water after you were beneath the surface for too long, “I forgive you.”

“Oh,” he furrows his eyebrows, “I wasn’t apologizing.”

Your face falls, dread filling you again, “What?”

“I just meant I feel bad because I didn’t return the favor. I’d love to show you how good it can feel.”

His sincere tone relaxes you a bit, but you’re still cautious after what happened earlier so you sit up, “Don’t worry, you don’t have to.”

“Do you ever touch yourself?”

“No.”

He raises his eyebrows, “You’ve never had an orgasm.” You can’t tell if it’s a question or a statement.

You shrug, feeling bad about your lack of experience again.

“It’ll feel good, I promise,” he smiles, his tone playful but you can’t quite get into the same mood.

“You said the same earlier and it didn’t feel good.”

“Come on. Do you trust me or not?”

You don’t answer straight away. One moment doesn’t erase a decade of trust. Besides, Peter is intimidating tonight and you feel like he’ll get his way no matter what, so cooperating is your best shot.

You swallow and bring yourself to nod, Peter’s eyes darkening. 

“See,” he smiles, coming closer. You smell a bit of alcohol in his breath and a hint of that cocktail he likes so much.

You stop breathing as he hovers over you, slowly removing the blanket that’s on top of you. You try to push him away but his chest is like a brick wall.

You gather every ounce of courage and strength in your body as you say: “Peter you’re drunk and I don’t want this.”

“Shh, I promise you will once you realize how good it feels. Trust me. Open your mouth.”

You open your mouth to talk and two of his fingers slide between your lips. You bite them instinctively but Peter is unbothered, and no matter how serious this situation is, you can’t bring yourself to actually try and hurt Peter. He’s not doing anything bad right now, he just has his fingers in your mouth, but it’s nowhere near as bad as what he did earlier.

Fingers wet with your spit, he pulls them out of your mouth and moves down your body. You hold your t-shirt tight but you realize under your shirt is not where he wants to go.

One hand on your waist, Peter brings his fingers towards your underwear and your heartbeat speeds up even more. 

Your belly flutters wildly when his fingers go underneath the fabric. You hold his wrist with both hands, trying to pull him away, but it feels like all your strength is gone; you’re paralyzed and it doesn’t just feel that way because he’s ten times stronger than you anyway. 

The shock from what happened in the car hasn’t even worn off yet, your body isn’t ready for another intrusion like this. Your body isn’t ready for anything and you’re screaming and thrashing around internally but nothing translates to the outside. You’re left without any power, you don’t feel like a human with an own will anymore. You’re completely at Peter’s mercy.

His wet fingers slide between your legs, touching a spot you never even knew was there. Through all the anxiety and panic, you feel a tiny spark of pleasure from where he’s touching you, but you’re too terrified to really notice.

You gasp when he starts rubbing your clit, going down further where you become aware of an unfamiliar wetness that he dips into.

“Such a fucking wet pussy, all for me. I knew you’d like this,” he grins, looking at your body. You don’t even have time to grimace at the word he uses for your private parts.

“Peter–” it comes out as a whisper and he shushes you immediately.

“Shh, relax. Relax. You can’t tell me you’re not enjoying it if you’re this wet.”

The wetness is loud against his fingers, and he pulls your panties down your legs, humiliating you even more now that he’s seeing it all. You’re exposed in your most vulnerable area, and you didn’t consent.

“Peter,” you try again, your body still not listening as you try to push him off. You just can’t.

He stops, looking you in the eyes. You can’t imagine that you look anything but petrified; his eyes, on the other hand, are passionate. It’s not entirely positive, there’s aggression behind it too, but mostly he’s enjoying this and trying to convince you to do the same.

“I’m your best friend. I’d never so anything to hurt you. Trust me, it’ll feel good if you just let it happen.”

It sounds like he’s giving you a choice, and you finally manage to sit up, making his fingers slide deeper into you, and you lie back down on the bed again with a whimper.

This is not how you imagined having sex with Peter. You hoped it would never happen, but if it did you were sure he’d be gentle and considerate. Something inside of you is screaming that he’s only being rough because he has to force you. 

What if you submit? What if you just let him? Maybe he’s right, and you will like it more. Sex isn’t regarded as something desirable for no reason.

You relax your legs and Peter notices this immediately, hovering over you again. Licking his lips, Peter smiles down at you, and you smiling back is like a reflex to you.

He’s already being more gentle, his hand running over your pussy slowly. Fingertips wet, he lifts them to his face, smelling you first. Then he pushes two fingers into his mouth, licking you off of himself like a dessert he needs every last taste of.

You flinch when he suddenly hums, loudly.

“Fucking hell. You’ve been depriving me of that sweet taste all these years?”

You don’t know what he’s talking about. Can you even taste good down there?

You swallow to get yourself ready to talk, “W-was that it? That didn’t feel good.”

He chuckles, “We’re just getting started.”

It’s like he drops another brick into your chest, your heart feels heavier with every passing moment, time going by in slow motion.

You only manage to mumble, “Peter no, please.”

His eyes darken. You’ve taken it too far. You should just make him think you want this as much as him, and he won’t treat you as if he’s having to force you.

“Just lie down before I have to tie you up.” 

It’s like a punch in the face that activates your fight or flight again. You can’t make yourself believe that you’re enjoying this.

Your eyes drift towards the door, and suddenly you feel like your body might actually listen to you. But Peter sees this.

“Don’t even think about it–” 

He grabs you before you’ve even fully sat up. You have no chance against him, no chance at all. 

You can’t scream either; your voice is barely there, muted by fear, and you don’t want him to hold your mouth shut. You already can’t breathe fully, you can’t handle more restriction of your most basic need.

He manhandles you onto your belly, ripping off your shirt. It seems as if the whole mattress is shaking from your heartbeat that’s now pressed against it.

You can’t even see what he’s doing now, and tears start to blur your vision. “Don’t,” you croak, but you don’t even know if any tone comes out of your throat. Your ears are ringing.

Peter pulls you by your legs so you’re on your knees, ass in the air, and he can see everything.

He holds your wrists tight behind your back with ease, “Making things so complicated when all I wanna do is make you feel good.”

You don’t believe him anymore, but it never mattered in the first place. He knows you don’t want this, yet he’s been doing it to you all night. You feel yourself going slack; there’s no fighting him, your body is giving up.

The emotional pain is unbearable, but it’s like your mind and your physical body are two separate entities entirely. You can’t move. You don’t even notice how he’s maneuvered himself so his face is between your legs.

You expect his fingers again, but instead there’s something wet against your wet. Peter’s tongue.

It’s so unexpected that you flinch again and don’t stop moving, but his tongue only ends up in more places you don’t want it so you stay still, testing his grip on your wrists but you can’t even try to pull away - he’s that strong.

You give up once and for all, you’re lying on the bed motionless. Your ass is in the air and right in your best friend’s face. You realize that your face is still scrunched up where it’s buried into the pillow and when you finally relax your muscles, what Peter is doing starts to only feel half as bad.

“Such a dripping mess for me. See, I knew you’d like this. Nearly there.”

You shake your head even though you know he takes no notice of it. No, you don’t like it, because you never wanted him to do anything like this to you in the first place.

He’s licking you like a lollipop, starting to suck on your bundle of nerves and you gasp when he gets faster in his movements. You shut your mouth to stop the moan from coming out - Peter doesn’t deserve to think that you’re enjoying this for even a moment.

Yet, a debauched moan makes its way out of your throat when pleasure explodes through your whole body, drowning you in bliss. You push your face into the pillow as the orgasmic wave floods your every nerve but you can’t enjoy it, and knowing that Peter can even make you feel good against your will makes this whole thing worse.

He lets go of you when it’s over and you fall on your side, pressing your thighs together to hide from him even though he’s already seen everything you don’t want him to, tasted it even.

“Feel good?” He asks, licking his fingers.

You stare ahead of yourself. No, you don’t feel good. You didn’t want it to be like this.

At least it’s over. Finally fucking over.

A sob gets caught in your throat when you suddenly notice Peter getting naked too. You’re about to ask him what he’s doing, maybe even attempt to run away again despite knowing it’s hopeless. But he grabs your hips and pulls them up and against his front, taking hold of your wrists before you can think of using your hands to push him away.

You feel the same soft skin he made you touch in his car. He’s going to fuck you.

Your scream isn’t as loud as you want it to be when he pushes into you, painful inch for painful inch until he’s in you completely.

“Fuck,” he whispers, as he starts thrusting into you, and silent tears spill down your cheeks, “I said I was doing you a favor for your own sexual experience, and I meant that. But now that I know what you feel like? I’m not gonna let any other man experience this. Ever. You’re all mine now.”

don't forget to reblog if you liked the fic <3

#Peter Parker x reader #dark!Peter Parker x reader #dark!Peter parker #Peter Parker smut #dark!Peter Parker smut #peter parker #dark!Peter Parker x you #Peter Parker x you #spiderman #dark!spiderman #Spiderman x reader #Spiderman smut #tw: noncon #tw: dubcon #omg my first fic sdfghjksdfghjk

[piglet26]

Team Jess Mariano? Why? I mean I get it, but........ why?

Jess is a fuckboy. I don't expect teenager girls(When I was one I didn't) to understand this, but I do expect grown woman to so it's disturbing to watch grown woman completely play selective memory when it comes to Jess.

Let's start with this disclaimer. Jess has had a tough life. Depending on whether or not we're going with the original story or the rewrite, he had a father who bailed on him regardless and a mother who was hopelessly irresponsible. Having met his parents it's herculean miracle he isn't an alcoholic or a drug addict. He's dumped on an uncle he barely knows and while Luke is caring, responsible and genuine he isn't nurturing. Jess desperately needs nurturing, acceptance and people fighting for him. He finds that in Rory and Luke. Good for him! He just doesn't appreciate either of them for years. He mistreats both of them. Plain and simple. He's isn't just a teenager, he's a teenage dude which means between the sex hormones, the slow-to-develop maturity and the whiplash emotions he's hard to handle. We all are. I understand this as well, but how exactly does that translate into, "Rory, this is the man for you for the rest of your life?"

Initially, I loved Jess for Rory - for an affair over the love of life. He was a much needed shock to the system. In a healthy way. He challenged her intellectually. He legitimately cares for her, loves her, wants her and even idealizes her. He doesn't give me he's gonna cheat on her vibes because he seems like a genuine romantic. He activates her sexually and even I root for them to have sex. She begins to embrace her individual identity separate from her mother, her grandparents, Stars Hallow and Dean. That's where my good list ends though. Oh yeah, one scene in later years when he snaps some sense into her.

As soon and Rory and Jess get together she quickly comes to regret the decision. Frankly they should've had sex. All that heat building up over like a 1.5 years and they just passionately make out?! Even for Jess, he's finally got the girl he's been waiting for and he's got about three episodes to enjoy it before he begins to self sabotage. Lame.

Jess is a horrible boyfriend. Based on his previous experiences he's non-communicative, irresponsible, self-centered and moody. He treats the people Rory loves horribly. Lorelai, Emily, Luke.... Stars Hallow. The one person he seemed to get along fine with is Paris which makes sense because Jess likes intelligent women with a quick wit. Plus, do you really want Paris to unleash on you?

Jess is a great character especially when you take into account his overall character development. We've all known a Jess. The kid with the tough background that just can't get it together. You're scared for them but we sometimes forget they are scared for themselves. It's actually sad we don't see more of his development. Jess had to pick himself by his boot straps with self-help, maturity and pure will. That's a lot harder than doing it with a supportive family, safety net and cognitive advantages. That would've made a great SL.

However, his development aside, he's not a great guy for the majority of the time we see him. The worse? You leave your girl hanging when it comes to her prom because you find out your not graduating with your class, you jump town without saying goodbye or giving an explanation therefor missing her graduation. You bounce back in her life long enough to say ILY and then leave AGAIN. You come back once more asking her to once again disrupt her life to be with you without taking offering her a plan.

By "AYitL," Jess is a dream especially for those of us who know him in his This Is Us glory. He's maintained his healthy relationships with Luke, his mom, Rory AND he gives Rory the idea to write her book apparently this makes him "too good for Rory" how exactly?! Yes, he has his life together, but what the hell did Rory do to him that deserves the level of spite people have for her? He put her through hell despite that she always maintained a good will towards him, even friendship. The reality is "ATILY," does Rory dirty and there is literally no reason why someone seems to be struggling to this level. Literally none. Yes, Jess was redeemed and will always love Rory, but he's not better than Rory by any measure. I wish him happiness genuinely as well as I wish Rory. Whether than means together or not.

#rory gilmore #gilmore girls #lorelai gilmore #team jess #jess x rory #rory x jess #literati

[evakuality]

Mia, episode one

Okay, so as I have said numerous times and at length I haven’t seen Mia’s season before.  I can’t stand Noora’s season so I’ve never wanted to watch this one.  But I’m giving it a go because apparently it’s better than Noora’s.  I already really really dislike Alex, though.  He’s gross to the last moments of Hanna’s season so this may be an uphill battle getting me to like him.  Plus, this is likely more a live reaction thing since I really have no idea what’s coming (except that it’s based on Noora’s things)  We shall see.  Anyway, let's get to this:

1. The opening bits just reminds me how ridiculous kissing looks like up close and from the outside.  I don’t know what the point here is, but I’m vaguely uncomfortable rn, so if that’s the intention, then well done I guess!  These tongues are really bothering me for some reason.  Kiki really needs to have more self respect.  I mean, I know she gets there, but this is not it, child.  He’s really not great.

2.  Seeing a shot of the girls: wow I missed these people so much!!!! (It’s been a couple of days, self.  Chill out!!)  Again, this is super pretty.  The colours etc of this scene are lovely.  More cool and cold than Hanna’s (I guess because of the time of year????) but lovely anyway.  I do not like this swinging camera though; it’s making me queasy.  I am also seriously side-eyeing the ‘kissing’ thing between Hanna and Mia.  Like, I want to believe the creators were leaning into the gay vibes the two gave off last season, but... eh.  It feels off a bit.  Still.  Mia’s gaze when she says ‘why not?’ when asked if they should all be lesbians is... well, I think a case can be made that Mia is into Hanna at least.

3.  Oh.  Hans my love.  It seems this place is a mess and disgusting, but aww I do love him!! ‘I’m finished in a second’ - lol.  Poor Mia, but she knew he had a visitor and she pushed her way in anyway.  She deserved to cop what she saw.  But she’s right of course.  If they keep doing the gross clean ups for him, he really will never learn.  I love Hans, but ‘tomorrow’ is waaaaaaay too late in a situation like the one they have here.  He really needs to start thinking about other people!!

4.  Aww I do love Mia and Hanna, and I’m glad we still have their friendship here.  But is this sort of awkward not-quite-hug thing normal in Germany?  None of these people look like they want to hug each other and are just doing it out of some sort of obligation.  I get that between Hanna and the boys (there’s some history there after all), but Mia and them?  Still, it’s nice to see these storylines continuing from season one so fluidly.  Like there’s very little awkward ‘so let’s summarise the previous season in stilted dialogue for you’ and yet new viewers should be able to pick up on what’s going on through context and in the ways they have integrated and alluded to it all.

5.  Alex comes on screen and I’m all ‘ugh’ and then sadly he says some stupid stuff.  Mia is super pretty in this scene, though, and I’m a bit baffled about why they chose to film her in such a gorgeous way and then to put Alex in pale colours against a pale background.  He doesn’t stand out at all.  ‘He’s insecure, he just wants his parents’ attention’ - I kind of like that this is coming from Kiki because she sees him with rose-tinted glasses and so it can be seen as biased and excusing him for no reason.  But since I assume this is heading in the direction that Noora’s did, where William didn’t ever have to change but we were expected to excuse him because we found out bits about his background, I’m also assuming that this is going to be a case of ‘Kiki, while being obsessive and too naïve about him in some ways, was right all along about him’ but I guess we’ll see.  Also, he’s basically with Kiki and yet he’s still looking at Mia like that?  He’s clearly not changed at all since last season.  

6.  I just realised we haven’t had any moments with Mia alone yet and we’re already more than halfway through the episode.  I don’t know where I’m going with that but it’s just interesting.  Hanna was so in her head and by herself so often, and it was really nice to be so tight in with her.  It’s a bit odd to not have that anymore.  I know that the two characters are different but I miss that getting-to-know-you stuff of the main character.

7.  The stuff with Kiki is really good, though.  I like the way her issues are being highlighted but in a way where it’s clear that her thought processes aren’t immediately obvious as toxic.  It’s really good that what she says and does is logical and can be seen as ‘healthy’ and so dismantling that thought process is really important to teach.  Now, I only saw Noora’s season once so I don’t know how much is coming from the original but even if this is coming through from there, I like the way it’s going.

8.  Alex again.  I do not like him.  His attitude to girls is so shitty.  I mean I know this is William’s fault but I still really really do not enjoy this type of guy.  Again he’s shot in faded out and pale colours vs her darker and stronger ones.  I don’t know what the point is, but I assume there is one.  Maybe that she doesn’t really know him and so she’s only seeing a pale and washed out version of him.

9.  Hanna, darling, I’m with you.  I too hate volleyball and when I was at school our PE teachers were obsessed with it and we had to play it FAR too often for my liking.  Also these looks they are giving each other are super gay.  I don’t make the rules!

10.  This Christmas scene is so super cute!!  The colours etc are glorious.  Hans’s little festoon of lights is adorable.  This little hug with Carlos and Kiki; it’s nice to know where that’s going.  She definitely deserves someone like him (someone who is a bit messy and has some faults but who grows and is under it all a loving friend, and above all is someone who genuinely cares about her).  I know 50 billion people have pointed it out, but I love that Matteo is off to the side and away from the group and that although he’s sort of joining in, he’s not a full part of it.  It’s nice the little hints of how his season is going to go.

11.  Boo Alex.  Blackmail isn’t cool.  It wasn’t cool in Hanna’s season and it’s not cool now.  

And we’re at the end.  We still have very little time just with Mia, just this little moment right at the very very end.  I miss that tight PoV and I hope we see more of it soon.  I still really really dislike this type of love interest and this type of romance.  Alex may not be as bad as William (mostly because he’s better acted) but he’s still a few million miles away from any guy I’d want anything to do with romantically.  Let’s see if that changes as we go on.

#druck #og druck #mia - episode one #update on Alex feelings - I still really dislike him #stay away if you like this character #because you won't enjoy what I have to say about him

[tsukki-rising]

weightless

Pairing: Ochako Uraraka x Gn!Reader

Genre: Fluff

Summary: Uraraka can't wait to show you what she learned from her work-study with Pro Hero Gunhead. While you're in awe of her new skills you accidentally let it slip that you have feelings for her.

Word Count: 2.4k

A/N: In this I assume that Uraraka’s quirk works only if she touches something with her hands, she can’t activate it on something if it only touches her arm, leg, etc.

It was typical for you to show up just on time or late to class. Something that often got you in some trouble with your class rep. and teacher quite a bit, but you didn't mind, you found it worth it to enjoy a nice slow morning. Starting the day like that reminded you of your hometown, the one you had to leave to start your years at U.A. However, while you usually found it worth it, today everyone was finally done with their work studies and you were dying to ask your best friend how hers went. You didn't have the time to now with class starting as soon as you sat down (getting side-eyed by Iida).

Your home town was smaller, fewer buildings, fewer people, less commotion. There was also less crime that could be handled by just over a handful of hero agencies. One hero was even a sort of mascot for the town, her and her agency usually taking on the most serious cases and restoring peace in the community. She was the one who inspired you to be a hero growing up and for the last week you'd had the chance to train under her for your work-study, it was a dream come true. When you first moved into the large city to attend U.A. all the people were overwhelming. Back home you knew most people's faces but it seemed like here, you never saw the same one twice.

Until you saw Uraraka's face.

After just that first time, it was like you saw her everywhere, you just couldn't get her sweet, friendly smile out of your head.

On your first day, you were lost and tapped on the shoulder of the first person in front of you to ask for help. When she turned it was like a slow-motion movie scene played right in front of your eyes. The way her hair swished around her face, the ever-present light dusting of pink on her cheeks. It took you a second to squeak out your question to her, frazzled by her good looks. As it turned out, she was in the same class and slightly lost as well. The two of you talked about your middle schools and your expectations of the hero course as you worked to find the 1A classroom. And just like that, you'd made a friend on the very first day. You didn't want to let your little crush get in the way of that friendship, she was the only person in the whole city you really knew, so you kept your feelings tucked into a little box inside your heart.

She was your best friend in the class and you were hers. Though your heart did ache at seeing her precious self sometimes, you couldn't live with yourself if you ruined your friendship with her by telling her how you truly feel. It was great enough just being friends, though she was a small girl she had so much determination in her. She was kind and strategic as a hero should be. If only she hadn't committed the crime of stealing your heart. It was fun to be in the hero course alongside her, watching her learn and grow and get closer to her goal of helping her family each day.

You knew she was really pumped for her week of training with the pro hero Gunhead so you couldn't wait to grill her on what she learned as soon as you saw her again. Though now you had to wait till lunch since you had once again shown up just a little too late (resulting in a detention with Aizawa). So when during lunch after you'd both gotten your food and went to sit at your usual table you were so ready to finally talk to her.

"So how was your training with Gunhead?" you ask politely, trying not to seem overly eager.

As soon as she registers the question her expression gets all intense like when she was readying herself for the sports festival and she turns to you to give the somewhat ominous answer "It was absolutely amazing."

"Really? Gunhead seems like he'd be a little intimidating to work with.", with this, her face returns to normal and she responds to correct you.

"He was intimidating in the sense that he is a pro hero but when you meet him in person he talks and acts really cutely.", she giggles as she finishes the sentence. That damn giggle that gives you butterflies every time.

"Hm.", you reply as inconspicuously as possible while you're still coming down from the lightheadedness of just being around her after so long apart (that you actually weren't sure if it was a side effect of your feelings or her quirk).

She's happy to go on, "He taught me so much though. I learned so much about hand-to-hand combat, something I really could've used when fighting against Bakugo back at the sports festival.". The sports festival. It was hard for you to think about the sports festival. You had to see the most precious thing in the world fall unconscious from the intensity of all the explosions she endured.

Since you're still quiet she continues, "I've actually been dying to spar with someone since I've learned these cool skills, would you spar with me after school?", she turns to you doe-eyed and waiting for a response.

"Of course." You smile now, happy that the dread of the festival is behind you. "Oh but I have detention with Aizawa for an hour.". She seemed confused at this, which is weird, she knows just as well as you how often you get in trouble for your tardiness.

"I'll wait for you.", she says as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I'd rather you than someone else anyway. I know you wouldn't even think about holding back in a match against me.", she explains, "plus we haven't had a lot of time together recently and I miss hanging out with you," at this your heart clenches. She'd be willing to wait. She wanted to hang out anyway. "You're my best friend Y/n.", she ends with such a genuine a smile.

You're her best friend. Friend.

If only she knew what an awful best friend you were, always wishing for more.

You push that away though, this is something she's been looking forward to and she wants to work out her new fighting skills so you agree and the two of you set up to meet in the gym after your detention session with Aizawa.

---

You're mentally scolding yourself on the way to the training gym after you changed into your PE clothes. It's gotten harder and harder for you to ignore your feelings since the two of you have gotten closer, you've only learned so much more about how wonderful she is, how kind and smart she is. You should really tell her, it'd feel dirty to keep it a secret, to continue being friends without her knowing how her laugh makes your heart stutter. By the time you get to the gym door you resolve that you will confess on your walk to the train station with her after school on the following Monday. It'll be hard and awkward and you know you'll get your heart broken but such a sweet person deserves to know, deserves better friends.

When you open the door you see her stretching. She brought towels and water bottles for the both of you, she knows how you forget to take care of yourself properly after training.

At the sound of the door she looks in your direction and waves you over to stretch. Together, you count out the stretches and you survey the area, noting how many of the typical objects are missing. When the two of you are finished stretching, you bring this up.

"Where are the realistic obstacles?". Aizawa likes to have them around during training matches so that you can get used to villains who will take advantage of their surroundings. Uraraka typically gravitated toward them due to the advantage they gave her with the use of her quirk.

"Well, sometimes the streets really are empty.", she says with a mischievous smile. (As mischievous as a pure bubble of joy like her can get.) You shrug it off and get the timer ready. Also something ingrained in Aizawa's training, believing time is a key element in saving the day.

You ready your stance. Usually you charge straight in when sparring with Uraraka since you know she’s not the most offensive due to the quirks of most of her opponents. You always try and find a way to grab her arms or something else to make sure her hands can't reach you before you win the match because you know the second her fingers touch you its game over. You've pretty much got it down to a science of possible outcomes when you go in for a fight against her so you cycle through the index of moves you have in your head as the timer counts down to start. You force yourself to focus on the fight, not the opponent. While you were so focused though you failed to see how her beginning stance is a little different than usual.

This time, when you charge, she charges too.

You don't have time to register this before you're flipped and on your stomach, hands pinned behind your back and Uraraka straddles your hips to keep you in place. Moments pass filled only with silence and some heavy breathing.

Uraraka swings her leg so that she is kneeling next to you, letting go of your hands.

"Sorry, did I drop you too hard?", her voice is a little panicked and it seems like she's even surprised herself a little with her strength. You turn your head to the side to stare at her with wide eyes and mouth slightly agape. She looks a little scared from your expression, then confused as a smile spreads across your face.

She really is incredible. You remember now how she expressed her enthusiasm about learning new hand-to-hand techniques from Gunhead before you parted ways for your separate work studies. From the day you first met her she was the cutest girl you had ever seen and she always has been but you've also gotten to see more sides of her, watch her hero potential grow. "Wow.", you huff out, still catching your breath.

Once she sees that you are physically ok she smiles with you and starts gushing about how fun her training with the pro hero was. "I know right! He taught he how to fight so well and I don't even need to rely on my quirk for up close battle! It's so cool!"

"You're so cool.", you're in awe. She giggles at your tone and continues.

"I can't wait for the next time we do one-on-one matches for hero training! I'd love to see the look on my opponents face when they've underestimated my skill.", she's giggling, she's so pretty. "I really like knowing that I have this new skill I can count on.", and then you let it slip out.

"I really like you.". You don't even realize what you said until you see her face fall.

"What?", now her eyes are wide, she looks like she just took one of Denki's shocks.

"Oh no I- I didn't mean... I just...uh...", you can't string a sentence together. You stop trying for a moment as she starts to float upwards, staring off into space.

"You...you "really like"...me?" she's off the floor now and just beginning to float out of reach. You grab her hand before she spins any further from you.

"Ochako, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say it. Don't leave.", now you're freaking out a little. You knew the odds weren't in your favor and she most likely wouldn't like you back, not the same. But you didn't think she'd be so eager to get away from you.

At your plea though, she looks back down and realizes how far she's gotten from the ground, touching her fingertips together and settling herself stable on her feet.

"You really like me?" She asks again but this time she's really searching for the answer, eyes darting over your face like she might find it written somewhere on your skin.

You hang your head in shame. "Yes.". You're closing your eyes trying to brace for her rejection.

"I...I really like you too.", she says it slowly. It sounds like a question.

And now it's your turn to ask "You really like me too?", you try not to get your hopes up too high.

"You're my best friend Y/n of course I do." She presses it like she’s trying to reassure you.

"I mean more than that Uraraka.", you tell her sadly.

"I know I..", she's searching for her words now. "You're my best friend and I never thought about it but more... more sounds nice.", she looks back to you with a smile. "More sounds perfect.". She puts her hands on either side of your face and giggles as you start to smile back.

You grab her wrists and ask one more time, "Really?"

She leans in to rest her forehead against yours, looking at you with her big, beautiful eyes, "Yes really."

You stare into each others eyes for a few beats before you can't take the intensity of the gaze and you both fall into a laughing fit.

You feel so happy. It's like you're on cloud nine. She likes you back, she really likes you back. You feel overjoyed, you feel weightless.

Wait. You feel a little too weightless.

You look down to see the ground far below your feet and you gasp, now clutching Uraraka in a hug. She hugs you back before she realized herself that she's made the two of you float. It makes her laugh a little harder before she pulls back, holding your hands and beginning to spin the two of you in the air around the gym. Its almost like dancing.

The two of you waste away the afternoon around the gym like that, the plan to spar forgotten.

#uraraka x reader #ochako uraraka x reader #uraraka fluff #bnha x y/n #bnha fluff #uraraka x you

[dumbdotcomm]

lessons in opposites

(a/n) a commission for my pal @fanfic-inator795! enjoy some raph and donnie bonding !

It’s not that Raph really prefers one brother over the other; he’s been blessed with three great brothers and one fantastic sister and Raphael is grateful every day, as sure as he’s got life and breath in him, he’s so grateful that he’s not alone. 

April asks, just for laughs, for a silly documentary on their Lair Games, if Raph had a favorite brother; and off the bat, on instinct, he wants to deny that he does. He loves them all. But then he blurts out Mikey’s name without thinking and then things start to shift, and Raph starts to wonder if he’s a terrible brother for that.

“It’s not a big deal, Raph,” Donnie says, after having seen the clips of how little faith his brothers had in his athleticism, and that one little clip of Raph easily admitting Mikey was his favorite, followed up by Leo, “It’s just a joke…”

But he says it in the way that’s pinched and just a little forced like he does when he takes hard hits and bad falls and just wants to laugh it off because he’s fine. 

Raph swallows, nods, presses a smile that feigns belief in Donnie’s words, but he can’t stop glancing over at his brother’s face the whole rest of the time they watch April’s (incredibly edited) documentary film. 

His brother keeps his eyes downcast and does that thing where he wrings his hands till they get weirdly slick with this mucusy stuff. 

Like when he’s hurt and holding back. 

And Raph makes a silent promise, then, that he’ll definitely make it up to his brother.

---

Life has a funny way of just screwing plans and promises over. Raph trains extra with his father on early mornings, learning to think, to focus, to get his fears under control. Donnie locks himself into work by the time training is over, and then they go patrol and watch something on Netflix and then the day is spent and it’s 4am. 

So it’s not exactly intentional, the way their paths just don’t cross long enough for Raph to really get the chance to make it up to Donnie. But it’s still shitty and Raph knows there’s something he can do- he has to. 

And so he googles a bunch of stuff going on in Manhattan, something that wouldn’t be so obviously intended on compensating for basically saying Don is his least favorite brother. Something Donnie won’t suspect, because if he did- 

“If you asking me is a way of ‘reparations’ for the Lair Games documentary, Raph…”

“It’s not-” Raph raises his arms in innocence, and crosses over his plastron, “Turtle’s honor, Donnie. ‘S just the guys...they’ll be all ‘that’s lame’, and you…”

“Wouldn’t think a teddy bear world is lame?” Donnie quirks his perfectly drawn brow and cocks his head a little at Raph.

This is going abysmally, but not quite in a way that wasn’t expected. Raph bites his own tongue from just spilling his intentions heartfeltly- because he can’t scare his brother off right now. He’s gotta play it cool. 

“Uhhh, I mean, I-”

“Because you’d be pretty accurate,” Donnie interjects, and despite his voice remaining flat, his lips curve into a ghost of a smile, and Raph’s heart stops pounding so hard, “I was wondering when you would finally ask one of us, ugh a dream come true.”

Raph genuinely cannot tell if Donnie is being sarcastic, though roughly fifteen years of training has at least let him gather, from that weird way his brother’s eyes got super overbright when he was excited, that Donnie really, like super straight up, means it. 

“Wow…. well, aight then,” Raph laughs with his words, still not believing how easy it was to simply…ask to spend time with his brother, “Just pick a disguise and we good!”

“Yup, normal disguise. Friday it ‘tis,” Donnie returns the laugh, a touch awkward, before taking his sandwich back to his lab. 

And the slightly manic look that Raph catches in his brother, just as he slips from view, makes a lot of little pieces in Raph’s head come together, like a little, horrifying jigsaw puzzle.

Because Raph has been blessed with having Donnie as a brother for fourteen years, he knows a terrible plan forming when he sees one. 

-----

Donnie takes pride in his intellect, like not in a super cocky way, he’s just glad he’s been gifted with the ability to make a pea shooter in one afternoon that also has the capability to laser off a bastard’s face. 

Still he’s not too prideful to admit that he’s sometimes stupid as hell, in the emotional department, and social department. And while that’s not exactly ideal, Donnie’s got four pretty incredible siblings to lean on for that and so he doesn’t really complain about the impossibility of picking up social cues. 

But sometimes, like when his older brother is standing across from him uncomfortably stiff, babbling on about Teddy Bear Town- well sometimes Donnie kinda wishes he did get it. 

It’s only until he’s stacking his third layer of his sandwich that Donnie really understands what this is all about. Because Raph’s got his ‘I’m nervously trying to make it up to you’ stink, and then Donnie remembers the documentary, and Raph’s commentary, and the really…awful way Donnie pretended not to feel afterwards. 

He doesn’t want Raph to pity invite him, he doesn’t need that. And Donnie’s gonna make sure his brother knows he’s fine- he’s chill and and he’s okay with potentially being Raph’s least favorite. 

So he’s supposed to respond to Raph nonchalantly, to just go with Raph and be cool about it but- 

“Shelldon, download all the info you can find on Teddy Town…”

-----

“Rise and shine, bud!” 

Donnie must’ve drank four extra shots of espresso to be this hype this early, and Raph grips the steering wheel of the Turtle Tank a little harder to try and not smell so nervous. Because there’s no way Donnie could have actually known what Raph’s intentions were, like he had to have just thought that this was a normal thing, and not a ‘I’m so sorry I made you feel less than appreciated, please forgive me’ type of thing. 

And Donnie is definitely onto something, even if he’s not onto Raph. He’s just got that glint in his eyes, and Raph feels just a little bit selfish for wanting this to be a normal day- for his brother to  just be-

“Uh...thanks for taggin’ along,” Raph doesn’t intentionally cut Donnie off, but his brother’s talking a mile a minute about the history of Teddy Bear Town and Raph knows that he’s only doing it because he feels he has to. 

Donnie stops himself, blinks, and puts his hands in the pockets of his hoodie, “It’s no big deal…” he says, in complete contrary to his hyperactive Ted Talk, “Being benched for a sprained ankle was shit, needed to get out anyway…”

He glances over at Raph and looks instantly, incredibly smaller. 

Raph thumbs the steering wheel, drumming against it in thought, in a search for words. 

He doesn’t have to do this kinda stuff with Mikey, and Leo never shuts up- and Donnie is just…

“Bluetooth, connect to my phone,” Donnie says abruptly, before Raph even gets the chance to think of something to say. 

And they stay quiet, listening to music the whole way there.

------

Things feel significantly less awkward in the bigger crowd. Raph is grateful for all the noise and movement that he can shift his focus on, instead of the downcast way Donnie’s been carrying himself since halfway through their ride over here. 

And Raph’s always kinda felt his younger brother had a tough time expressing himself- that they were different that way. That Raph carried his heart on his sleeve and that his brother didn’t. But now he’s starting to see that maybe he’s got some things twisted. That he and Donnie are a lot more alike in these things than Raph thought. 

“Stay close,” he tells his brother, because as aloof as humans are, they’re still humans, and they don’t always accept what’s different.

Raph remembers telling Donnie that, when they first met April, when Donnie surprisingly was the first to reach out and grab her little hand and compare it to his. And Donnie had looked at him weird, and yeah, well humans aren’t the only ones that don’t understand ‘different’. 

The memory hits Raph so suddenly, and almost makes him miss a step. 

He turns to find Donnie staring at him, which must mean Donnie noticed, because of course he did.

And Raph stares back because oh. Holy shit. 

“Uh…” Donnie glances around awkwardly, “Raph, you’re giving off a weird...vibe right now. You good-”

“Can we talk?” Raph blurts out, and surveys their surroundings, for a place to dip, “Like real quick?” 

Donnie looks like he wants to bolt now, which would be ideal in the packed hallway of the mall. But he doesn’t. He just swallows and darts his eyes and nods.

Sure. 

Pros to being trained ninjas is the ability to disappear quickly, and they find a quiet, tucked away spot where Raph finally lets himself breathe. 

“You’re different,” he says it quickly and rushed and Donnie’s eyes briefly widen in some sort of surprise, but Raph presses on despite his sloppy start, “You….you think different, you think, like, way smarter than us, an’ you make different jokes and express differently an’ that doesn’t. It’s not bad, Donnie.” 

His brother keeps his eyes to the ground, kicking gently at nothing, “I don’t care that you said I’m your least favorite, Raph,” he mumbles. 

“But you do,” Raph counters back, and keeps his voice leveled, tries not to talk to Donnie too softly or else he’d feel babied, “And that’s normal, and I wish I could say that what I said wasn’t...I dunno, like a…”

“Reflection of how you feel?” Donnie poses, but his words aren’t angry, even if Raph feels his brother’s got full rights to be.

He sighs, deflating a little, “Yeah...yeah, I guess it’s that. But not because I think...it’s because I get really...weirdly insecure man. You’re a freaking genuis and I know you never try an’ make us feel dumb, but- and then we’re both super bad at words and I just… I dunno Dee.”

Raph takes the extra step to go close the distance between him and Donnie, and Donnie stiffens up- at first, for just a couple of seconds, “But I love you, ‘cause you’re an awesome person, and ya not my least favorite. You’re not. And ya don’t gotta pretend you’re cool with everything.”

Donnie pulls back, a dorky smile on his face, which is infinitely better than the sad way he looked earlier, even better than the way he pretended like everything was good and it wasn’t.

“You don’t have to pretend either,” Donnie says, unlocking their eye contact, and staring back at his feet, “I know you were trying to...to make it up to me, but. You could’ve- you didn’t have to invite me.”

“But I wanted to,” Raph says it and means it with everything he’s got, “Really, Donnie. A-and I wanted to do somethin’ that ya wouldn’t think was me just tryna get on your good side, ya know. Somethin’ we could just...do.”

“And I messed up, the whole info-dumping….” 

He’s doing it again, he’s making himself smaller and Raph’s not allowing that. 

“Okay, half of that stuff, I woulda never known- and ya looked all’a that up just to get to understand me better. I just didn’t want you...t’ think you had to...say all that.”

“And I didn’t want you to think you had to invite me,” Donnie quips back, but ends it with a small smile, “So I guess we’re in the same proverbial boat.”

Raph snorts, “The boat of insecurity…”

And Donnie, stiff and awkward and still full of feeling, takes his turn to hug Raph fully this time, “Screw that boat.”

-----

In the end Donnie makes his bear with a shitton of detail, getting so wrapped up in it that they spend a couple hours there.

And Raph’s bear is simple, not all that complex like his brother’s- but that’s more than okay, actually.

Their differences were more than okay.

#rottmnt #rise of the tmnt #raph #donnie #commissions #fanfic-inator795 #rottmnt donnie #rottmnt raph #tmnt #fic #my writing

[slasherkisss]

Best Friends Are For [Carrie White/Reader]

[A commission for @space-and-sea​, featuring a platonic relationship between Carrie White and the reader! This was such a fun, cathartic one to write for me since I relate so much to Carrie ;w; If you’re interested in a commission please DM me!]

---

To say that Carrie White had a hard life was a little bit of an understatement, that was certain.

Carrie would have preferred the concept that her life was a little bit of a Hell, had her momma not beaten her for even considering such foul language in her home. Life wasn’t Hell, she would scold her through the door of her closet as she clawed at the wood of the overly-confining space, and she should pray that it never would be! She should repent those words so that God might not take her up on that statement and truly send her to hell in order to make her regret every sinning in such a manner. So, Carrie often did not refer to her life as Hell. Rather she decided it was… hard. As little justice as that word did for her emotions at any given moment, it was enough to satiate the general pain of loneliness and annoyance that bubbled up under the base of her skin like salt on a slug. It was a sort of sting that she had grown used to though.

How sad was it, she couldn’t help but think, that she had grown used to it?

She thought on her life for only a few moments before the echo of her teacher’s word finally reached her ears. They once sounded drowned out, hidden behind a wall of water like she was inside of a fish tank, distorted and cold against the sun that shimmered through the classroom from the windows. Now she could hear it more clear, though, and behind the long locks of mousy hair, Carrie could only feel a sense of dread at the words that were spoken forward with mock sincerity towards the group of students before her.

“Alright class! For this next project, I’ll be assigning you to work in pairs! So please choose your partner quick as you can and then we’ll go over the details of the assignment.”

That was all it took. That was the whirlwind starting noise that pushed all of the bustling bodies forward. Carrie winced and cringed in her seat at the force of the students around her as they scrambled to find their friends, fingertips linked with laughs as girls located their best friend. Huffing tones of jocks arguing over the nerd of the class as they tried to be his partner for an easy A. The nerd looking semi-irritated but mostly uncomfortable as he was pushed around like a rag doll between basketball and football players the entire length of the choosing process, only to be bid like a horse to the captain of the lacrosse team who offered ten bucks and not to let him get beat up every day after lunch. She simply observed each movement with curious eyes, never making her own move to get up. To find someone new or old to pair up with.

Why would she? She knew what they thought of her. Sitting and staying quiet was bette than risking the humiliation of their laughs and ‘hell nos’ in front of other classmates.

Well, that was what she thought anyways.

Carrie blinked in surprise at the form that obfuscated her desk from the front and looked upwards at the face of the body. E/C eyes watched her with curiosity, a tilt of their head brushing hair along the back of their neck as they smiled politely, the curve of their mouth neat against their face. Carrie blushed at their closeness, her back hitting the very edge of her chair as she leaned away in surprise, eyes wide with shock.

You had seen her sitting alone, as she always seemed to do for most of her classes, and your heart was curious. Though a new student, having just transferred from a city miles away with no real important name, you weren’t unaware of the bias that seemed to surround the poor girl. The way people laughed and teased at her with mocking eyes and annoyed furrows of brows made your heart fill with rage as they all but bullied her into some form of quiet submission. That wouldn’t do, you decided as the group project was announced and you spent your time watching her carefully as students ran around and over her as though she were invisible, and you wanted to see if you could change that.

Not out of pity, of course, who wanted a friendship built out of pity? No, yours was curiosity. Yours was genuine interest.

Yours was determination.

“Hi,” You greeted with your best smile as you moved back slightly, aware of her shift in discomfort as she watched you with doe-like eyes, “I’m Y/N. New student here… You’re… ?”

“Oh… Carrie White.” She managed out, her voice so soft you had to strain your ears against the loud mocking noises of the students around the two of you. Still, she offered you her name. That was progress if you had ever seen it, you decided, and your smile grew more genuine as you reached out your hand with polite intent.

“Well,  Carrie White,” You hummed in general greeting, “I need a partner for this assignment. You want to be mine?”

The phrase came out a little strange, more like a confession than an actual request for a simple school project partnership. It wasn’t lost on Carrie as her face, pale behind that long hair of hers, turned red at her cheeks as she watched your fingertips with baffled confusion. You wanted to be her partner? Willingly? She wondered if the teacher had put you up to this for a moment. She could imagine him giving a pleading look and begging you gently in the back of his lips with a whisper to just take pity on her and pair up with her, so that she wouldn’t feel bad about having to work alone or be pushed out of a group, even if it was just two people. It was enough to bring a sense of annoyance to her stomach. Of anger as she let her brows furrow at your hand before looking back up at your face.

Her gaze softened when she saw your genuine smile hold itself with patience against your lips as you waited for her answer, never pressuring her to give it right away as you stood there with that same soft look on your face.

Were you really being serious?

Taking a breath, Carrie reached out and took your hand in hers with a weak willed shake of it. And, for a brief moment, she dared to smile.

“Um, yes, I’d like that a lot.”

That was all the two of you needed to seal your friendship, the pact made in the work of a class rather than blood or tears like any other pact might be made.

Carrie was a sweet girl, her interests limited but bright as she talked about them with you between studious notes written in the sides of books as the two of you researched for your projects. The discussions in the libraries often led to fits of giggles that would make the librarian snap at the two of you with a fierce ‘shush’, which in turn only made you stifle more giggles together as you tried (and usually failed) to focus back on work. It was the most well you had ever worked with someone, you realized in awe as the assignment both of you handed in garnered a beautiful ‘A’ circled on the researched front page.

Both you and Carrie could only look at one another with a mixture of awe and pride as you gazed up at your teacher, whose smile only indicated that he was pleased at how well the both of you had got on together during your work. The pride in your heart matched with the pride you had over your new friend. Over the effort she had put into the research and into knowing you so that the both of you would operate with perfect unison alongside one another. So neither of you would be left in the dust because, well, that simply wasn’t what friends did to one another. As you gazed at Carrie, who stared all but adoringly back at you, you couldn’t help but continue the smile that warmed your lips.

“We make a great team.”

A team you did make with her. One that lasted the entirety of the school year as the both of you spent time alongside one another. Her bullies were pushed away as you slid to her side, taking whatever crap they gave you and flinging it back at their own faces when they threatened to sneer at her. When one snarked at you, you would simply return the comment with a haughty tone and a biting look that threatened, no, DARED them to try something with you. The one who really did try in the middle of the year regretted it and, though you were sent to a week of detention after class, the slight bruise to your cheek and the bloody nose you got for defending Carrie was all but worth it despite her constant protests.

“You don’t have to stick up for me like that,” Carrie would whimper as she touched your sore face, “I can’t stand to see you hurt… Because of me, Y/N.”

To it, of course, you only smiled at her and pulled her into a hug.

“And miss a chance to tell those assholes what for? Trust me, I enjoy it.” So when you saw her running out of the lockers one day, her body shaking and refusing to look you in the eyes as she was escorted by one of the teachers amongst a chaos of laughter and yells, you knew something horrible had likely happened. Heads popped out after her to watch her form scurry away, their smiles fading only when they noticed you before them. Your fists were clenched and your teeth pulled themselves together in a grimace of anger, a look so terrifying that, if they could kill, the girls before you would be dead ten times over.

You felt rage bubble up in your stomach as you hissed the words of anger through your bared teeth:

“What did you DO TO HER?”

No one answered. Of course they didn’t. Taking a breath, you turned on your heels and sprinted down the hallway, ignoring warning calls about running in the halls in favor of finding Carrie. That was all that mattered now, not those sneering cheerleaders who would rather make fun of your best friend and do their makeup then dare to listen to reason. You felt your breath fall in shaky, nervous gasps as you caught up with your PE teacher and your best friend, your hands flinging themselves forward to touch Carrie, who flinched for a moment at your advance.

“Y/N,” Miss Collins voice was sharp but understanding as she knew it was you, “It’s not the time. You’ll be able to see her soon, just please go back to class.”

“But I-!” You tried to protest but were shooed away, forcing yourself to a stop as the two disappeared down the hall.

You heard whispers behind you. Sharp murmurs that echoed with burning heat in the back of your ears, causing you to turn your head around so fast that you almost gave yourself whiplash. Your brows narrowed, sharp and full of succinct anger at the students who talked around you with so little regard to the situation that it was downright disgusting. Your gaze must have reflected your opinion. One by one the group was stunned into silence as they met your heated glare, slowly dissipating and averting their eyes so that they didn’t have to stare into the fierce flame you had acquired. Clenching and unclenching your hands as tight as you could, you tried to find your breaths to make them more even. In and out, you tried to repeat, in and out.

Carrie would need you to be calm, after all. You had to do it for her.

Sure enough she was released from the principal's office a little over half an hour later. Your discovery of her location had led you to wait patiently outside of the door with growing anxiety biting at the tips of your toes as they tapped relentlessly against the linoleum of the school hallway. Your fingers fiddled with one another, nails punching into skin and teeth sinking into lips as you tried not to count every second that passed that you were without your best friend. Yet they still echoed in your mind like clockwork, a tick of each one making your foot beat faster on the floor as you pushed the thoughts away. One two… Three four five… Six, seven! Eight nine and-

“Y… Y/N?”

Carrie’s voice snapped you out of your reverie as your head shot upwards, staring at the girl to your side who watched you with those beautifully wide, doe-like eyes she always seemed to have on her. Her fingertips clung to the books covering the front of her body like it was a life line, desperate to hide herself from the world. To hide herself from even you. The thought made your hurt burn, but you understood the reasoning behind it. After all, the experience had been traumatic.

Your pain must have registered on your face because Carrie averted her eyes, biting her lip as she tried to push her hair further in front of her face. To hide from your gaze as you finally pulled yourself from it, reaching out and touching her shoulder with light fingers, more asking permission than initiating a touch fully. You felt her flinch, but she didn’t pull away or give another indication that it was refused. You let your hand hold her steady then, bringing yourself closer to her as you bit your lip with worry.

“How are you doing?” You couldn’t help but ask with worry lacing your tone, “What did they say in there?”

She didn’t answer for a long time, but you waited patiently for her to find the words. You knew that, sometimes, words came hard to her through her mind of frustrated phrases and bible verses her mother pushed upon her. When she did, at last, there was a slight twist to her smile that you recognized as her slightly sarcastic, annoyed look. The gaze that was saved only for you and her when she was sure no one was looking. When she was sure she could get away with such a face as she muttered low into your ear.

“He kept calling me Cassie.”

To this you couldn’t help but snort, covering your mouth as a small fit of giggles left you. Carrie smiled, your laughter infectious as you rolled your eyes and let your hand find her free one instead, taking it and lacing your fingers together with a sigh and another quick snort.

“Cassie! What a fucking joke of an ass,” You couldn’t help but cackle as you gazed at her softly, “Hey, did they still say you have to go to class?”

She shook her head.

“I can go home early…”

“Cool… Do you want to spend some time at the park before you head home?”

“O-Oh,” Carrie’s eyes widened in surprise, “But your classes-.”

You shrugged in response with a light chuff, “One day of hooky won’t kill me. Besides, you’re more important to me than some book or teacher’s lecture. I’d skip a thousand classes for you!”

“I wouldn’t want that!” Carrie laughed, squeezing your hand in hers and accepting your offer, the both of you sliding out of the door to the school fully and into the sunlight of the mid afternoon in Maine.

The walk to the nearby park was quiet, your only comments on the weather as the two of you enjoyed the fresh air. At your side, Carrie clung to you with the desperation of a lost child, hiding her form behind your own as she watched others pass by. As her eyes followed them with worry to their intentions before relaxing as they walked away. She hadn’t skipped school like this before, nor did she ever not go home straight to her Momma. The entirety of the experience was new and moderately terrifying, yet your hand in her own made her all the more confident as the two of you found a shady bench beneath a massive acorn tree, sliding into it with a sigh as your aching knees enjoyed a momentary reprieve.

Carrie sat at your side, her books placed gingerly on the bench next to her as the two of you watched the ongoings of the park with quiet interest. Old couples walking dogs and chatting with one another filled your peripheral. Families of children who were not yet old enough to go to school decorated themselves amongst picnic tables and frisbee games, screaming and shrieking their enjoyment as the weather warmed their skins and hearts.

Your gaze turned to Carrie again, a frown painted on your lips for a moment as you watched her space out. Her gaze focused languidly on the floor before her, her fingertips fiddling with one another as she seemed to try and remember how to breathe. Taking a breath yourself, you reached out and cupped her hands with your own, giving your friend a gentle squeeze to startle her momentarily out of her reverie. You mustered up the best serious look you could manage before her as she gazed at you with curiosity against her otherwise exhausted looking appearance.

“Whatever those fuckers did,” You began with a sharp annoyance to your tone as you referred to her classmates, “Was stupid and cruel. No matter what they said or what anyone tells you, Care-Bear, you didn’t fucking deserve any of it. If I was allowed to I’d give every last one of them a piece of my mind-! The shit they pulled… You don’t deserve it and don’t EVER think that you do, okay? I promise that if they ever try shit again-” You gave a lopsided smile at her, “-I’ll be there to chase them out of the room myself, okay? So… Please, don’t let it get you down so bad, alright? You got me in the end, I promise.”

Your words hit something within Carrie that seemed to break her. Her gaze held yours, searching hard through it for any sign that you might be lying… Any reasoning as to why, just why, you would say all of those kind things to her. Why you would spend so much time with her and why, oh God why, you would even consider being this close to her after all that had happened. Her stomach churned with something between delight, care, and excitement as she watched your genuine expression with shock. You meant every word you said, she had realized with awe to the slight slack of her jaw, and you wouldn’t take it back. When you said something, she had learned, you meant it. Each word spoken from your lips in the months she had known you had meaning. Had purpose behind each syllable and that alone was enough to amaze her.

Amaze her that you were you… That you were her friend.

All at once tears fell from Carrie’s eyes as she leaned forward, engulfing you in the most delicate of hugs that had you gasping as the wet of her tears lit up your shoulder. You suppress a smile of amusement as you hugged her back, sighing as you were encompassed in the warmth and scent of your best friend. She seemed to cling to you more as you accepted her movement. The two of you must have been quite a sight, you mused, with her sobbing into your shoulder and you clinging to her as though she might turn to mist and disappear.

It felt warm, though. It felt right.

“I-I appreciate you, Y/N,” Carrie whimpered into your ear as she pulled away, wiping her face as it grew splotchy and red with her tears, “I… I never thought i’d have such a good friend in my life. I really am blessed to have you in it and I-I… I don’t ever want to have another one. Just you.”

You laughed, leaning closer to her and sighing as you touched your shoulders together with a smile.

“More friends are okay, Carrie, we’ll just have to find people who can hang with us both! I… appreciate you too, though, yeah? You’re amazing and beautiful and creative and… Well, I think we make a pretty good team, don’t you?”

You used the same words you had done when you first met. When you first completed something together and shared that same feeling of accomplishment with one another. This seemed to mimic that same feeling for the both of you, the touch of your shoulders and glint in your eyes nostalgic as she smiled at you, her tears steadying into nothing as she gave only a swift nod of confirmation and squeezed your hand tight to hers. Tilting your head for a moment, another idea seemed to instinctively come into your mind, your heart beating as you smiled and sat up straighter than you usually did, the eagerness of your question causing it to nearly stumble off of your tongue as you bounced in your seat.

“Say, Carrie,” You whispered in excitement, “How about we go to the Prom? Togther?”

It seemed to take her a minute to process just what you had said to her, the words in one ear and out the other, only to boomerang perfectly back into her as she startled, her face red with blush now as she stuttered something you couldn’t quite catch and brushed her hair behind her ear as she bit her lip. Realizing your words may have been misconstrued, you found yourself back tracking as you held both of your hands up with wide eyes of your own, a nervous laugh bubbling in your throat as you stuttered out your explanation with extreme honesty:

“N-No-wait- fuck shit- I didn’t mean-! As friends, right? I mean, if you find a date for yourself and want to go with him then, for sure, you should go with him! Whoever goes with you is a lucky guy, after all but… If you just wanted to go with no pressure or anything, sometimes going with friends can be just as fun! We could both wear really nice outfits, I’ll help you pick out your makeup if you want to try and wear some! Oh and we could do it together before we come in and when we’re here we can drink punch and dance and-!”

“I’d love to!”

She blurted her answer out as fast as possible in the middle of your words, making you both stumble over them and erupt into a fit of friendly giggles as she reclaimed her status in the situation with a nod.

“I’d love to go with you, Y/N… I think that sounds like the most fun thing ever, a-actually! Yeah, let’s do it! Let’s go to the prom together!”

You cheered, all but tackling her into a hug as the two of you giggled with excitement, drawing gazes curiously over to you as older folks hummed in amusement, murmuring something about ‘the good ol days’ as they continued to walk their dogs. You couldn’t care, though. You didn’t want to. All you wanted to focus on was the fact that you had made Carrie White, your best friend in the entire world, the happiest girl on earth in that very moment.

“That’s the spirit! Carrie and Y/N, on an adventure in high school! It’ll be AWESOME.”

You laughed as she clung to you, smiling through her beautiful hair and giving a confirming nod, biting her lip before she spoke out, eager in her tone:

“I can’t wait!”

Carrie White supposed that, yes, her life was truly hard. The hardest it had ever been at her age… but… She had you now, didn’t she? Perfect, loud, amazing you at her side for as long as she stayed your friend.

That alone? It was enough to make her life ten times brighter than if it existed without you. And that enough was to make her the most grateful person on earth.

#carrie white #carrie white x reader #carrie white imagine #carrie #carrie 1976 #commission work #writing commission

[megalodon-writes]

Misunderstandings

Pairing - Akaashi Keiji x F!Reader

Word Count - 1.8k - Part III

Warnings - slight unwanted physical contact

Synopsis - Reader asks Bokuto for advice and decides to take action against Tozen.

Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV

a/n: huh I guess I don’t have anything to say here except that for the 6 days of writing and editing I had one sentence constantly going through my brain. “None thoughts but for Akaashi Keiji” so I mean n i c e 

Thankfully, you hadn’t been scheduled with Tozen in a while, but every time you had a small chance to say something, you would chicken out. You would text Bokuto about it and he was as supportive as ever, but he always recommended you say something sooner rather than later. He became a best friend, and you would go over to their place all the time to hang out. Through seeing so much of the two of them, you had quickly developed feelings for Akaashi. He was so kind and every time he looked at you, your heart beat so fast you wondered if it was going to explode. 

Bokuto had invited you to go to one of his games, and you would be lying if you said you weren’t excited. You didn’t really know what to expect from watching a professional volleyball game, but you threw on your favorite blouse and pair of high waisted jeans. You passed by your mirror and had to do a double take because you thought you looked so great. Hyping yourself up quite a bit, you couldn’t help but laugh as your front door opened.

“Hey, it’s me. Are you ready?” Akaashi called. You rounded the corner and actually had to catch your breath from how great he looked with a simple black t-shirt on.

“Yeah.” You grinned and grabbed your keys. Because you were distracted, you missed the fact that his eyes raked over your body. However, when you turned back to face him you did notice the slight pink to his cheeks. “Hey, are you feeling okay?” 

“I feel as great as you look.” He muttered.

“Well in that case we should go. Bokuto probably wants to see us sooner than later.” You laughed, not really hearing what he had said other than he felt great. 

The game was really entertaining and you loved seeing Bokuto's face every time he scored a point. You could see how people enjoyed his presence on the court. Not only that, but his teammates were all extremely talented as well. Every so often, Akaashi would look over at you. You thought it was sweet he kept making sure you were having fun. During one of the set changes, you stood up and yelled at Bokuto, who grinned and waved frantically. You turned around to face Akaashi and leaned against the bar, welcoming the feeling of how cold the metal was.

“Do you miss playing?” You asked. He looked at his hands and stood up, leaning on the bar so you were facing opposite directions.

“I miss playing with Bokuto.” He sighed. “We still play sometimes, but it’ll never be exactly how it was in high school.” His smile was so soft it made you wish you could have seen some of those games in person. Both he, and Bokuto always spoke very highly of their time at Fukurodani Academy.

--

Good morning, Y/N 

You smiled at the text from Bokuto and responded with ‘It is indeed a morning.’ Tucking your phone into your back pocket, you smiled, remembering the night before. You had gone over to the guy's apartment and had a movie marathon of Disney movies. It started with Finding Nemo and ended with Oliver and Company. Of course, in between those two movies you watched several princess movies, including Tangled, in which Bokuto sang every single word of all the songs. It wasn’t very beautiful, but Akaashis laughter made it all worth it. 

You turned around to make your bed, but as you did you smelled the most comforting smell in the world. Grabbing your shirt and holding it up to your face, you inhaled the scent of cedar wood and oranges. You had fallen asleep during one of the movies and about 2 am woke up to discover your head resting on Akaashis shoulder. Since you had been pressed against him for so long, his smell lingered on your clothes nicely. You had left their place around 3 in the morning and was glad that neither of them had noticed you cuddled up on Akaashi, or if they had they didn’t mention anything about it.

Looking in the mirror at yourself, you wondered if you should talk to Akaashi about how you felt. Your phone buzzed and  you pulled it out to see Bokuto send a smiley face. You still had about an hour before you needed to leave for work, so you debated whether or not to ask Bokuto for thoughts he had about the situation. Tozen flashed across your mind and you shook your head. You had decided today was the day you were going to confront him. Biting your cheek, you typed out a quick message, hoping that it would take your mind off of your manager for a while.

‘Hey, can I ask for some advice?’ Your phone buzzed almost immediately in response.

Always. You looked at the text and took a deep breath. He was so calm when you guys texted, unlike how he was in person.

‘What if I really like this guy and I want to tell him?’ The response wasn’t as immediate and for a moment you wondered if you were wrong in asking.

If that’s your way of telling me you like me, it was horrible. You laughed out loud and shook your head.

‘I don’t like you, ya dummy.’ You typed. This time, the pause was longer than before. You brushed off any negative thoughts and started curling your hair. After you were completely ready for work, your phone buzzed and you let out a small sigh of relief.

Who do you like? You stared at the four words and wondered if you should really tell him. 

‘It’s just someone from work.’ Your fingers hovered over the send button before pressing it.

Just tell them. Your brows furrowed together at the response. Before you could type out a reply, your phone buzzed again. I can’t talk anymore right now, but have a good day at work. You huffed and threw your phone into your pocket. 

“Best advice ever.” You said dryly.

--

The end of the work day was approaching rapidly and you started to get more nervous with every passing moment. You had seen Tozen earlier and told him you wanted to talk after work. You felt like a robot, giving random information out to the children and families. No one seemed to notice your mind was somewhere else, but that probably was because you had so many useless facts stored in your brain from years of study that they came out naturally.

You gathered your things and sat in the break room, waiting for your manager to join you. Without anyone else in the building besides the janitors and Tozen, you contemplated whether this was actually a good time to talk or not. You pulled out your phone hoping to miraculously see a text from Bokuto but before you could see, you heard footsteps up the stairs. Once Tozen appeared in the doorframe your heart stopped completely. Your hand started shaking again but you were thankful you had the support of the chair beneath you. He smiled and went to close the door after him.

“Please leave it open.” You squeaked. He looked surprised and furrowed his brows before sitting down next to you. Scooting a few inches away from him, you looked at him in the eyes.

“What’s this about, Y/N?” He asked.

“I think there are some undiscussed feelings we need to address.” You placed your hand on the table, but immediately drew back when he went to grab it.

“You’re looking more serious than I thought you would be.” He mused. Your insides churned and you bit the inside of your cheek.

“I am very uncomfortable with how you treat me.” You said flatly as his eyes grew wide. “I’ve had several friends say that I should report you for sexual harassment.” He laid a hand across his mouth and looked at the floor. Saying all of this to him had your entire body shaking and you felt tears pricking at the edge of your vision. “Before I did that I wanted to talk to you to let you know my side of the situation.”

“I’m… I’m so sorry.” He muttered, making you gasp slightly. 

“Are you just saying that because you were caught?” You said quickly, almost regretting your words. He looked up at you and after seeing the look on your face he shifted farther away from you. Your palms were sweaty but him moving made you feel a little less nervous.

“No. I am genuinely sorry.” He laid his head in his hands. “I feel so guilty right now, I actually thought you liked me. I had no idea you didn’t.” He said quietly. Hearing that made your mouth drop slightly open. “I read the situation so wrong.” You both sat there in silence for several moments. “I respect you as a person and as an employee. I had a friend get sexually harassed at work a few years ago and I saw what happened to her first hand so I know how uncomfortable it can be. I am so sorry that I put you through that.” He spoke with such pain in his voice that you had no idea what to say. After a deep breath you folded your arms.

“I want to continue working here.” You said. He looked up at you and nodded. “But I need some time away from you so please schedule me as opposite from you as you can.”

“I’ll make the changes immediately.” He said seriously. “I will respect your space and if you need to talk to me about work things, I will make sure there is another person present.” You exhaled and could feel your throat start to tighten up. “It’s going to take a while for you to forgive me, and I understand that. Please take all the time you need.” He thought for a moment. “In fact, don’t feel like you’re required to forgive me, because you’re not. The way I acted was not okay.” He stood up and headed towards the door. “If you need more parameters or anything please let me know.” 

“Thank you.” You said. You felt like there were cotton balls in your mouth and tears definitely were threatening to spill out.

“Thank you for telling me. Again, I apologize for my actions.” He left and you waited a few moments before quickly going out and getting into your car. You sat there, your mind buzzing with what had just happened. You grabbed your phone and dialed the person you had texted last. When you heard the tone of the answering machine on Bokuto's phone you squeezed your eyes shut.

“Hey, I hope you’re home right now.” Your words came out a bit shaky so you paused before you continued. “I - I need to not be alone.” You hung up and before you knew it, you were standing on their porch.

taglist: @doctorcelina @my-neighbor-todoro

#im curious to what yall think is gonna happen next #also how are we feeling about Tozen now #akaashi x reader #akaashi keiji #akaashi #hq #haikyuuwritersnet #haikyuu!! #haikyu! #haikyuu #haikyu #haikyuu akaashi #bokuto #haikyuu fic #akaashi fic #haikyuu writers #akaashi keiji x reader #keiji akaashi

[thronesofshadows]

All I’ve Ever Known || Miriam & Evelyn

TIMING: A couple weeks ago LOCATION: Miriam’s home PARTIES: @meflemming and @thronesofshadows SUMMARY: Miriam and Evelyn are not soft, not one bit.

As the days got shorter, Miriam was given more time to enjoy the day, to leave the darkness of her rooms and take in the darkness that the world had to offer. She would give just about anything to walk about in daytime, to have a use for expensive pairs of sunglasses and wide brimmed hats. But… nights weren’t so bad, when they were shared with someone. Not that Miriam would admit that, were anyone to ask. She needed to do well, to keep such affections out of her head and her heart, if she was to maintain her resolve to keep doing what she had to. And she had to. It was not just because she thought the world needed to be rid of witches (she did, though, she really did; she kept telling herself that she did). It was a need, a bloodlust that wanted, needed more than just blood to be satisfied. Still, it was hard to maintain such resolves, to keep such affections at bay, when she walked into her home and it felt like someone actually lived there. It was different, when Elle was around watching the place while Miriam went out. Now, there was an actual person, staying not because she was paid to but because she’d been invited. It was nice. Miriam told herself that it was just because she appreciated not having to pay Elle for such trivial things as she walked to the kitchen and set her keys down on the counter, but she couldn’t help the way her features softened as she noticed the signs of Evelyn being present in the house, the sound of a heartbeat she’d grown quite familiar with over the past few weeks. She was tired, and growing hungrier with each day, but she was also (and she hesitated to even think the word) content. She moved through the house, searching out the heartbeat and the familiar face that accompanied it.

There was something to be said for the comfort that familiarity provided. Evelyn wasn’t used to it being comfortable - at least not before moving. Back home, things had been familiar and predictable, but not in a way that they could have been. The only reason she liked being around Miriam was that the other woman provided the role of someone to talk to, and it kept Evelyn from ever getting bored. However, part of her knew that there was something more to all of this - because she knew that Miriam made her feel safe (after all, this was why she’d asked her to come and stay all those weeks ago, was it not?) and she knew that this was the sort of company she’d desperately craved for so much of her life. She didn’t try to focus too much on how easily they’d fallen into a routine and how at home Evelyn felt, even when she’d started staying at Miriam’s. How after finding out about Lydia, Miriam hadn’t shied away and had played with Evelyn’s hair until she’d fallen asleep. She heard the door open and readjusted her position on the couch, flipping closed one of the books she was in the middle of reading - placing it carefully next to her, head turned to the side as she heard Miriam’s footsteps make their way around the house. “Hello.” She couldn’t help but smile as she spotted Miriam. “Would you like to sit with me? I can move the books.” She grabbed the small stack and placed it onto the floor. “Or - can I get you anything?”

“Hi,” Miriam said, smiling as she walked into the living room and took in the way that Evelyn had made herself a nest. Even when this house belonged to her parents and she’d been a child, the living room had never looked so, well, lived in. It had been more of a showroom or the focal point of holiday and business parties, but it had never been anywhere that she’d just sat up shop in, as a child. It was warming to see books littering the floor and the couch and to not have to worry about someone yelling about tidying up. Miriam was the owner of the house, now, and if her guest wanted to make herself at home, then she could. Hell, if Miriam wanted to break every damn thing in the house, she could. She didn’t want to, but the option was there. There was a pang in her chest where she missed her parents, but there was a freedom as well. “I would love to sit with you.” Miriam moved over to the couch, sitting close to Evelyn but, as she always started out, not quite touching the other woman. “There’s really no need to get me anything, darling. I’m quite alright.” She looked at the stack of books curiously. She didn’t have much in the way of reading material in the house, as shameful as that was to admit. Her office had old grimoires and theories of witchcraft, but nothing that she actually enjoyed. “What are you reading?”

“Hi.” She repeated, before biting her lip - realizing how foolish she must have sounded, though she also knew that around Miriam, she felt more relaxed than in most other situations. Evelyn appreciated having a house all to herself, but she had discovered more recently that it was the feeling of freedom that she appreciated, and that she did not always have such a fondness for being all on her own. Which meant that when she and Alain had been together she’d liked when he stayed over - simply to have someone else there, and why she’d found herself feeling calmer and happier than she had in a while while Miriam had been staying with her. All in order to keep her safe - or just because it was convenient. Evelyn didn’t know exactly what to make of it all, but she did know that for whatever reason, she felt safer with Miriam around. “Wonderful.” She watched as Miriam seated herself, maintaining the slight distance between them - one that often disappeared after time but was often there to begin, both of them just ever-so-slightly too cautious, not wanting to over-step. “If you change your mind, I absolutely can, though.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Oh?” She held up a book. “Admittedly this is one I have read before. A favorite. We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Also, The Book Thief - which I have been told is a wonderful story, though sad. How was your day?” She glanced over, for one moment, watching Miriam’s hair falling around her shoulders and the way she sat so elegantly - even in an otherwise seemingly casual moment. “I hope you fared well.”

It wasn’t often that Miriam smiled genuinely, showing her teeth in a way that wasn’t cruel. She’d always tried to be careful, schooled in her expressions, a haughtiness that had been both bred and taught that showed on her face at almost all times. It didn’t help, either, that her features were naturally inclined to appear uppity; her smile was crooked, making her look like she was perpetually smirking, and she leaned into that, banked on it while conducting business deals and charming the masses. But being around Evelyn, Miriam didn’t have to be like that. She could be, for lack of a better word, softer. More genuine. She didn’t mind it as much as she might have, in her youth. “I know you can, darling. I assure you, though, I’m just fine.” She looked over the first book. “Shirley Jackson. That sounds… familiar. I’m afraid to admit that I rarely read for pleasure, these days. I spent most of my childhood reading to expand my vocabulary and impress my parents’ friends.” As well as belittle those in her age group. If money and charm couldn’t win them over, then she lashed out, a silver tongue sharp and relentless in the face of adversaries. “The title’s certainly interesting, though. What’s it about?” Perhaps she should read more fiction. It wasn’t like she didn’t have the time. And there was only so much she could scrounge up from old grimoires and journals that she didn’t already know about witchcraft theory. “My day was rather dull, actually. I went in early this morning to prep for a meeting and ended up on the phone with some dunce in Vancouver for five hours trying to work through a deal on zippers, of all things. I should have just stayed home, honestly. I hope yours was better?” she asked. She hoped Evelyn hadn’t been bored.

One of the loveliest and most brilliant parts about the town was that it had permitted her to meet people like Miriam. Evelyn had met people - humans - similar to Miriam back home in London, but none of them ever captured her attention in the same way that the other woman on the couch had. That was, outside of a desire to observe the way that humans behaved, to understand why she didn’t behave just like them. Though some of that had gone away after she’d found her mother’s journals but there was often a pang - because she was supposed to play human, and that wasn’t nearly as fun as the wording sounded. She could imagine she was an explorer, or a professional ballerina, but being reminded that she had to be human only served to make her shut herself away. At least in private - she did like to think of herself as a good actress, able to put on enough of a front to please her father. There was something to be said for how much she craved attention.

However around Miriam Evelyn knew that she could be wholly and entirely herself, anywhere from kind to bitter, and it seemed as though Miriam accepted that without question. After all, they had each shared a great deal about themselves upon their first meeting and it seemed to Evelyn that the two of them had only grown closer in the months following. “Should anything change, just inform me, alright?” Evelyn raised an eyebrow as Miriam moved the conversation along. “It is quite alright. I did read for pleasure as a child but I must admit I also read for some of those reasons. Reading classics in French or even Latin as a young child did wonders for my father’s reputation, apparently.” She ran her fingertips over the cover. “It is about two sisters, and complex family dynamics, as well as, I must admit, murder. Should you wish to borrow it, I would be pleased to loan it to you.” She made a face at Miriam’s next remark. “I am quite sorry, that sounds rather dreadful, people thinking they can waste your time like that. Yes, my day was lovely. I went for a bit of a walk, though I must admit, should it not be too forward, that I am rather glad to see you returned home.”

“Of course I will, darling.” Though, really, it was Miriam’s turn to play hostess, to get Evelyn whatever she wanted. The other woman hardly ate actual food anymore than Miriam herself, and her taste in wine was probably much better than Miriam’s, but this was still Miriam’s house, and, for better or worse, Miriam was still the woman she’d died as, the woman who was brought up to be a perfect hostess as well as a ruthless business owner. “Really? I preferred drawing or painting or, truth be told, working with my father’s employees in the leather shop. Though, I did get into romance novels a few years ago.” A few being about thirty, but who counted those things? “Oh, nothing makes a parent look better than well-behaved, intelligent children. Trust me, darling, I know all about that.” Her father drilled into her head that everything she did affected him and her mother, the older woman smiling and nodding along in the background like a marionette on her father’s strings. Oh, she’d loved both of them, but age and experience had shown her that their approach to parenting hadn’t been something she had wanted to repeat with her own children. Not that she’d ever had any or had any hope to have them, now.

“Two sisters and murder? Well, that sounds fascinating,” Miriam said, though, truthfully, her world had enough murder in it, usually with her as the cause of it. She didn’t mind murder, sometimes she even revelled in it, but such things were best kept separate from her personal life, no matter how interesting they might be. That’s why she read romance novels, cheesy as they were, and oftentimes ended up fascinated by reality television. She waved Evelyn’s next words aside with a laugh. “Nothing for you to be sorry for, dearest. I’m afraid I’m quite used to having my time wasted. Things certainly haven’t changed much over the years, in that respect.” People could still be so mind numbingly boring. But not this one, she thought, looking at Evelyn, who had not failed once to keep her interested and engaged in the months they’d talked. “I trust it was a good walk?” At first, Miriam had thought she was simply interested in Evelyn’s species, someone who fed on fear the way she fed on pain, but it was so much more than that. She was genuinely interested in Evelyn as a person, in every aspect. Evelyn was fascinating, and she was thoughtful, and she was, in all honesty, wonderful to look at. She moved in closer, seeing the line of conversation as an invitation as much as any “Welcome” had ever been. “I don’t think it’s forward at all, dearest. In fact, I’m also quite glad to be home.”

She couldn’t help but smile once again at the darling. There was something about the way that it flowed off of Miriam’s tongue that made her want to sit up straighter, lean more into any sort of conversation that she was having. Evelyn shrugged. “Yes, - I did paint on occasion, but I preferred to go and look at them in museums rather than take up the act myself. I did do ballet for a time - though that was something else that came from my mother and so I believe that my father did not approve of that as much as he might have, otherwise.” She tilted her head curiously, “perhaps you will have to tell me more about those sometime, as that is a genre I never properly dove into.” She couldn’t help but nod - a halfway sad expression crossing her features. Her posture straightened, and she could feel her father’s hands in her hair, brushing through it, helping her sit up straighter.

“It is more complicated than just that - but you might like it, and should you wish, I would be happy to have you read my copy. I have had mine since I was a teenager and it has been read quite a number of times. It may be odd to say, but it is an oddly comforting sort of book for me.” Evelyn couldn’t help but scrunch up her nose at Miriam’s next remark. “Still, it is no fun to have to deal with it. I do not deal with it in quite the same manner that you do, though believe me, I have plenty of stories from my own business, though none that I wish to tire you with right now.” She watched Miriam move closer to her, her lips curving into a gentle smile, her hands abandoning the book as one of them brushed some of Miriam’s hair behind her ear. “I can imagine so - your home is beautiful, and you do have impeccable taste in design if I do say so myself.” She raised an eyebrow. “As I am certain this is why you most wish to return home, after all. Perhaps in another life I would have gone into interior design. I have an eye for these things, and so I can see why you like your home so much.”

“I like looking at art in museums, too, though, truthfully, I’d like to have more pieces in my home,” Miriam said. Then, she smiled a bit teasingly. “I adore being surrounded by pretty things.” But Evelyn was much more than just pretty. There were far more reasons to want to be around her than just her being “pretty.” She frowned at Evelyn’s next remark, caring less and less for Evelyn’s father every time he was mentioned. “Well, parental approval be damned, I’m sure you were spectacular at it. You strike me as someone who would have made a good dancer. And romance novels, darling, I don’t read them for being a breakthrough literary genre. I like the terrible, mind-numbingly trashy ones. They’re fun and don’t require much thought.” She watched Evelyn’s face, the shift in her posture, and she almost wished she hadn’t brought anything about parents and expectation and any of it up. She wished she could help the other woman relax.

“If you like it, then I’m sure I’d love it.” Miriam trusted Evelyn’s taste. Sure, it certainly sounded like something she wouldn’t normally read, but if it was comforting of all things, then she’d give it the old college try. If nothing else, it allowed her a bit more insight into the woman whose company Miriam found herself enjoying more often than not. “I’d love to hear your stories sometime,” she said, leaning in a bit to Evelyn’s hand, only a bit warmer than her own but still nice, comforting, the feel of it something that she was becoming familiar with in ways that she tried not to think about. “Oh, I’m sure you’d have made a marvelous interior designer, and my home is quite nice, but that isn’t why I was looking forward to coming back.” Her own hand made its way to Evelyn’s hair, brushing a strand of it away and then running her hand along Evelyn’s jawline. “Recently, I’ve found myself in the company of someone altogether wonderful and interesting,” she said softly, “and I find myself, more often than not, looking forward to getting to back to see this person.” She licked her lips, a bit unsure but unwilling to show it. Flemmings were not unsure. “But I do think this is a testament to my impeccable taste, certainly.”

“I might know some sellers.” Evelyn bit her lip. “If not right here, elsewhere, so I can assist in acquiring art for you if you would like.” She would have asked Lydia, but that was no longer an option and for a moment she glanced down at her lap, not wanting to ruin whatever sort of moment this was with more depressing thoughts. Miriam knew what had happened, she’d heard Evelyn’s gasp - closest thing to a scream that she ever really used, when she’d first heard. It seemed useless to keep something as significant as this a secret from someone who you were essentially living with, after all. Her cheeks turned the lightest shade of pink at Miriam’s next remark, followed by a shrug. “I do have to agree. I think being surrounded by beautiful things makes everything more worthwhile.” She gave another shrug. “I was. Perhaps in another world I would have done more with that. I have noticed that I at least retained the shifting of posture that came along with dance. Though perhaps that also means that I am not always so able to just let loose. Not that I see any issue with that, but some may. It may make others think I am a bit of a snob, though I suppose none of them are entirely wrong, at least not to some degree.”

“Perhaps you can show me one of them, sometime? I may be a bit of a snob, but I do find myself ever so curious about what others who I may find myself fond of enjoy, and so I would like to understand more.” Evelyn sighed. “I trust your taste as well, which is why I believe that I find myself suddenly keen to the idea of these stories, because sometimes things that are mind-numbingly trashy can be worthwhile, and I think I ought to give those more credit than I have in the past. After all, is that not what freedom is all about? Making one’s own choices.” She let Miriam lean against her hand and she found herself wishing to brush along Miriam’s jawline - almost exactly as Miriam did the very same to her. “I suppose that I could have - again, in another lifetime. One never truly knows, though I do think you certainly have an eye for things yourself.” She let the woman’s other words hang between them for a moment. “I - well, I am pleased to hear that, I must admit, though I would not ever fault you even if the only reason for your appreciation and desire to return your home, but I think that the person appreciates your company and finds that to be one of the nicer parts of her day.” She shifted closer again. “I would have to agree.” She pressed her lips against Miriam’s, feather-light, more of a ghost of a kiss than anything else. “Your taste is truly brilliant, you know?”

“Would you?” Miriam asked, perking up a bit at the thought, not just of having some knew pieces but also of the possibility of the two of them looking for something together. It was an oddly comforting thing to think about, something that she hadn’t felt in… a very long time. Far longer than she cared to think about. She grinned, though, shaking off thoughts that were too comforting for their own good. Such good things, good thoughts, weren’t meant to stay. They’d only hurt, in the end. “I’m glad we agree on that. I think it’s an imperative to have, an appreciation of beautiful things.” She teased, “Oh, of course. Your impeccable posture is, without a doubt, the first thing I noticed about you.” Miriam moved her hand down Evelyn’s neck to her shoulder. “There’s nothing wrong with that at all. But, perhaps, if you’d like, we could go dancing, sometime, to show people that you do know how to let loose when the time’s right. Which, it won’t be similar to ballet, but it might still be fun.” She couldn’t remember a time where she went out dancing without the intentions to hunt.

Miriam laughed. “I’m certain I could if you’d like.” She enjoyed being someone that Evelyn was fond of, liked the warmth that it made her feel. It was nice. “My taste in literature is nothing so profound, darling, I assure you. My taste in art is much better, or design, or people.” She licked her lips wanting more than just brief touch of a kiss that Evelyn had given her. It felt like a promise, though, and one that Miriam had no intention of breaking. “So you know this person, then? She’s absolutely fantastic, and it’s wonderful to hear that she appreciates my company. I think she’d find that I feel the same, and that I’m quite happy to have been able to enjoy her being around for so long..” She moved in, stealing a kiss where Evelyn had barely left one. Eyes bright and voice low, she asked, “Is it really? Perhaps I could show you just how brilliant it is? Either here or in my room or wherever you like, actually.”

“Of course.” Her answer was simple, but everything with Miriam was. In the best way, not in a way that Evelyn would find herself growing bored of. It was more of a sense of relief than anything else, to not have to think too much or measure her words. Miriam knew so much about her, and she’d never found any of it repulsive. Though they were different - and as much as Evelyn did at times wonder what it would be like were Miriam a mara, too - she felt a certain connection to her - one that, if she were to think too long about it, would remind her of how she’d first felt around Melanie. “Yes, I agree. Far too many do not appreciate or understand beauty, and so I am, as ever, incredibly grateful that you do.” She felt a small, though welcome shiver run through her body as Miriam’s hand moved to her shoulder, the cooler touch of the other woman’s fingers something that she found to be a comforting sort of familiarity. “If you would like, I would like that. Only with you. Though I did go to some clubs as a teenager back in London. If you would believe that. Though I will admit that the likelihood that I will know much of the music is low, as I am not an expert in that sort of thing.”

She grinned back to Miriam. “I would like that.” Evelyn nodded. “I understand this, but it is a part of you, and I find that I enjoy understanding others, especially those that I find myself fond of.” She raised an eyebrow. “I am aware of this - and I do think your taste in people happens to be quite stellar.” She watched Miriam’s lips after the first kiss, fighting away a smirk. “Yes, she would be happy to -” her reply was broken by Miriam’s lips, pressed firmly against her own. “It is, and I would like that. You give me so many choices, however will I decide?” She grinned, the smile making its way to her eyes. She kissed her back, letting it linger for a moment. “If I decide one now, might I get the honor of another some other time?”

“Of course,” Miriam repeated, a bit in awe with how easy this was, to have someone that wanted to do something for her, no questions asked and no strings attached. She’d never had something like this, never. There was always the question of what she could do for someone else, or the judgement of what her actions were. Evelyn didn’t judge her, even when she knew that Miriam did horrible, horrible things sometimes. A bit impulsively, Miriam leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to Evelyn’s lips with a smile. “Right? I think we’re both quite lucky, to find someone who enjoys the finer things in life.” Miriam, at the very least, was lucky to find someone like Evelyn, though she wouldn’t say the words. The last time she had felt lucky with another person was far too long ago, and the bitter aftertaste of it was not worth dwelling on in the moment. Instead, she found Evelyn’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I think it would be quite fun. I haven’t been out dancing in years. I can see you going out clubbing, though. You’re not nearly as much of a stick in the mud as you think, darling. And, rest assured, I have no doubt you have a better chance of knowing the music than I do.” Aside from the trash that occasionally came on the strange little machine now taking up residence in Miriam’s workshop, she knew next to nothing about modern music.

“In that case, I’ll see if I can find something silly you’d like.” Miriam wasn’t self-conscious about Evelyn finding out she read trashy romance novels; after all, she’d told the younger woman she did. Perhaps it was the fact that Evelyn wanted to know her, to understand her. Miriam wasn’t afraid (she didn’t fear things), but there was a part of her that was… worried that Evelyn would find something that would be the limit. She already knew so much about Miriam. When would the moment come that she decided she’d learned too much? Miriam let her eyelids fall half shut; getting lost in the kisses was far better than getting lost inside her head. “However will you decide,” she purred, her voice low and muffled as she moved her lips to Evelyn’s jaw. “You can have whatever you like, whenever you like, darling. Far be it from me to take such a lofty decision from you.”

#wickedswriting #c miriam #chatzy #all i've ever known #// this is not soft at all #these two do not care for one another #not one bit #also i love virginia with my whole heart

[terramythos]

TerraMythos' 2020 Reading Challenge - Book 32 of 26

Title: The Siren Depths (2012) (The Books of the Raksura #3)

Author: Martha Wells

Genre/Tags: Fantasy, Adventure, LGBT Protagonist, Third-Person

Rating: 8/10

Date Began: 11/09/2020

Date Finished: 11/21/2020

Moon's past has always been obscure. A winged shapeshifter, he has spent most of his life as a solitary wanderer. He has few memories of his childhood, and only recently found others of his kind-- the Raksura. Now Moon has found a home as first consort to the queen Jade in the Raksuran court of Indigo Cloud.

However, when a neighboring queen recognizes his bloodline, Moon's new life is upended as he's forced to return to a family he doesn't even remember. Seemingly abandoned by Jade and overcome with doubt, Moon has to navigate the complex politics and grave secrets in the court of Opal Night alone. But an old enemy is about to return, threatening every Raksuran court in the Reaches.  

The one thing he hadn’t expected to do was miss Indigo Cloud so much. He had been leaving people all his life, to the point where all the turns seemed like an uninterrupted progression of departures, and there had been people he had missed terribly. But this was a never-ending ache in his chest... You’ll get over it, he told himself. You always get over it. 

But somehow, this time was different. 

Some major spoilers and content warning(s) under the cut.

Content warnings for the book:  As always, graphic violence and action. There is a disturbing scene that's... kind of forced cannibalism I guess (I'm not sure how else to describe it). Some sexual content is implied but not graphic. The r*pe plot point from The Cloud Roads is relevant, but is not depicted or described in detail. A romantic relationship with a significant age gap is briefly mentioned (both are consenting adults but it may make some readers uncomfortable).

For the most part, I enjoyed The Siren Depths more than the previous entries. I connected much more strongly to the central conflict, and was pleased to see some deeper character development than in the last two books. This entry also introduces fascinating new settings and characters while exploring some genuinely interesting ideas. It serves as a good parallel to The Cloud Roads, with similar plot beats explored in different ways. I did have one big problem which I will detail further in the review, but let's talk about the good parts first. Moon's conflict in this story, like the rest of the series, has to do with belonging. But The Siren Depths has the advantage of two books of development. From what we know of Moon's past, he sees any home as temporary, and when he's suddenly forced to leave Indigo Cloud (presumably for good), his new attachments and way of life come into question. To some degree, Moon sees this as an inevitable part of his life. Sooner or later, something out of his control will happen and he'll be abandoned. What I found relatable is there's several times Moon knows he is being irrational but still can't stop the negative downward spiral. Like... jeez, just call me out specifically next time! While a depressed protagonist can be a drag to read, I think it really works here because we've grown attached to Moon and know how far he's come. And sure enough, he does get his ass in gear when he realizes this ISN'T like before, and lots of people do care about him. The found vs biological family conflict is interesting as well. I think The Siren Depths does great here because you can see both points of view. Moon always assumed his biological family died, and they assumed the same thing about him. This should be a happy homecoming, but under the circumstances simply isn't. Moon resents being torn from Indigo Cloud because a group of people he barely remembers have a legal claim on him. Opal Night seems strangely hostile until you learn more about its politics and secrets. Even though they're early antagonists, they're not really villains; just a traumatized group of people who see Moon as a missing link from their past. When he's not what the others are expecting, obvious issues ensue, but Moon finds he does care about some of these people, even if it's not really his home. Outside of Moon, several other characters have arcs in this book. While the previous books feature a likeable enough cast, the characters are mostly one dimensional. Not so here; we explore the insecurities and struggles of some of the supporting cast. Jade isn't nearly as self-confident as she appears to be, and grapples with this throughout the book-- for example, wanting to prove to Moon that she is willing to do whatever it takes to get him back. Similarly, Chime's struggle with his involuntary transformation comes to a head here as his strange new powers become relevant again. We see just how bitter he is that he's cut off from his old magical gifts and still holds out hope that they'll return. We even get some indication that while this HAS happened before in Raksuran history, it's incredibly rare. There’s also an interesting hint on what the powers really are, which has some pretty big implications. This is potentially a future plot point, so I’m hoping it gets explored. (Also, I was totally right about Moon/Chime, do I get a prize?)  

There are several new characters I found really interesting, namely Malachite and Shade.  Malachite (spoiler: Moon's biological mother) is initially presented as the antagonist, and her behavior seems inscrutable. She's a powerful queen who commands respect, yet seems unpredictable and standoffish. All of this starts to make sense as one learns more about her. Turns out unbelievable, extended trauma really fucks with a person. The Fell destroyed her colony, killed her consort and most of her children, and she spent almost a year in full guerilla warfare against them. Yet she adopted the Fell/Raksura crossbreeds and raised them as her own children, demonstrating nothing but indulgent love and kindness towards them. I'm not sure I would be able to do that in her place. In general she's just a huge badass; totally decked out in scars and the first to leap into battle. At least we know where Moon gets it from.  Did I say Fell/Raksura crossbreeds? Yup, that plot point is back. Only, it's explored in a different way here. The crossbreeds in The Cloud Roads are terrifying weapons deployed by the Fell. The ones in The Siren Depths, raised in a loving home, are just kind of weirdly pale Raksura. I liked Shade in particular, who we learn is Moon's half brother and serves as an interesting foil. Moon would probably be much more like Shade if the Fell attack on Opal Night never happened. Shade is an earnest and kind (if naïve) man and behaves like none of the Fell we’ve met in the series. I hope we see more of him (and Lithe, the other crossbreed) in future volumes, because I think they're an interesting take on nature vs nurture with the "inherently" evil Fell.  Speaking of the Fell, while they themselves haven't changed much, I thought they were more effective villains than in The Cloud Roads. We see their manipulations and twisted views of the world in much more detail. There's a long sequence where much of the main cast is captured by The Fell, and their struggle to survive and potentially escape is harrowing. I also like that Moon isn't their main focus this time, which adds some nuance and perspective to their behavior. They’re also just... creepy as shit. While I do have some issues with the ending of the book, I think the Fell are handled pretty well beforehand.

I'd be remiss to ignore the always excellent worldbuilding in this series. Like in The Serpent Sea, we get to see more Raksuran courts, all of which feel distinct. It’s cool and impressive for a singular fantasy race to have multiple believable factions and societies. The settings in this book are also creative, including a giant half-dead mountain tree, a city carved into a giant statue, and what I can only describe as "Rapture, but make it a solarpunk prison". Wells goes into vivid, loving detail when it comes to the world. That being said, I would like to see more of the sea/sky realms, since this series has largely focused on the earth. The Three Worlds is kind of a misnomer if two of them don't really show up much. Oh well, maybe in future books/stories.  

My main complaint, and what drags down the rating, is the ending. It's... underwhelming, confusing, and seems pretty rushed. I'll go into more detail below. *major spoilers for the ending* So... one of the big plot points in both The Cloud Roads and The Siren Depths is that the Fell are crossbreeding with captured Raksura. In The Cloud Roads, this is explained as a ploy to strengthen the Fell with some unique Raksuran abilities; queens can prevent others from shifting, mentors can scry future events, and so on. In The Siren Depths, however, we learn it's not that simple. There's some third party manipulating the Fell and encouraging their actions. The goal is to produce a crossbreed that physically resembles the (unnamed) Fell/Raksura common ancestor for... reasons. We are led to believe the being orchestrating this is in fact an ancient ancestor, though its motives are unknown.

While this feels like a retcon, the discrepancy is acknowledged in the story, and it is explained that the Fell in The Cloud Roads were either lying or those specific ones decided to pursue their own agenda. Which... fine, makes sense based on what we know about them. I'll let it slide. Perhaps it was hinted at earlier and I just don’t remember. 

So Moon and the others follow the Fell to the mysterious source, a vast and abandoned underwater city. Soon they find the creature that's been imprisoned there. Turns out it's not the Fell/Raksura ancestor, but something different. I can only describe it as sort of eldritchy, with a vaguely creepy physical form, and the abilities to speak through dead/dying Fell and to create disturbingly realistic illusions. The Fell/Raksuran ancestors trapped it there eons ago, and the only way to free it is the physical presence of a member of the ancestor species (for some reason). Which explains why it has been encouraging the crossbreeding, since their common ancestor is presumably extinct. It's freed from its prison since Shade fits the "ancestor" criteria based on his physical appearance. Then,  in the span of literally one chapter, it attacks everyone, chases the characters through the underwater city, gets hit by some water, then promptly melts like the Wicked Witch of the West and dies.

I had a couple problems with this ending. First, the whole Fell crossbreeding conflict with the Raksura is a huge generational trauma thing. Moon has his own horrible experience with them, of course, but it's also a big issue with both Indigo Cloud and Opal Night. Hell, it's the whole reason Moon was separated from his family and lived thirty-some years in exile without knowing what he was. The series literally wouldn't have happened without this conflict. To have everything explained away by "an eldritch wizard did it" is very anticlimactic. I vastly prefer the original explanation.

Second, we know basically nothing about this creature. How was it able to communicate with the Fell (and Chime)? Why was it imprisoned other than being super evil and stuff? Who knows. And yeah, it's possible this will be expanded on later. Except I'm pretty sure that when this book came out, it was the last one planned for the series. The next two books follow a different storyline and came out four years later. So this was probably the only explanation we were ever going to get. 

I'm not totally against the concept, but it needed more time and a more interesting/memorable villain for it to work. Introducing all of this in the second to last chapter of (presumably) not only the book but the series, then defeating it with little effort, feels unsatisfying. Hell, there’s more time dedicated to discovering and exploring its prison than anything involving the creature itself! As it stands, the Fell were much creepier and more memorable bad guys in this book, yet narratively serve as bit players in the end. It just feels off.

Also, a nitpick, but the title of the book is weird. The Siren Depths is obviously referring to this imprisoned being. It's trapped underwater and is calling the Fell to it. But it's never referred to as a siren; I'm not sure that word is used at all in the book. It just seems like an odd choice of title that doesn't really fit the vernacular of the world. Siren has some very specific meanings/connotations in our world that don't translate to The Three Worlds. Not a huge deal, just something I noticed.

*ending spoilers end here*

Despite my issues with the ending, I really enjoyed everything else about the book. It does everything the other books do well while featuring serious improvements. I've heard mixed things about the next two books but plan to go in with an open mind.  

#8/10 #taylor reads #2020 reading challenge #BONUS ROUND #*casually posts this a week late*

[jonah-cartwright]

JONAH CARTWRIGHT (HARRIS DICKINSON) is a 17 year old JUNIOR student at Broadripple Academy. HE is originally from ROCKLAND , MAINE but moved to Broadripple 3 YEARS ago. HE is COMPASSIONATE and DEDICATED but can also be INSECURE and WEAK-WILLIED.  

1. Full Name?

Jonah Charles Cartwright 

2. Preferred Names or Nicknames  

 Jonah usually works just fine but his older sister took to calling him Joanie when they were kids and never really stopped , not that he’d ever tell anybody that.

3. What does their name mean? Does it have any significance in their family? Do they like their name?

Jonah means dove in Hebrew , not that Jonah or his parents know that and if Jonah did know that he’d hate it for being too soft..But his name meaning a symbol for peace does fit him as a character. Basically Biblical or virtue names are just a family tradition and John and Marie Cartwright wanted something slightly unusual.Jonah doesn’t really have any strong opinions on his name.It’s another part of his parents authority that he doesn’t question.

4. Age and Date of Birth?

17 and July 25th

5. Gender and Pronouns?

Cis male and he/him

6. Hometown?

Rockland , Maine.

7. Does your character fit into any well known archetypes or tropes?

Repressed gay Catholic and closeted manly manly jock are the most stereotypical tropes you can think of but I have big feelings about them so here we are lads throwing my hat into the ring.Some other tropes I associate with him are The Heart , Team Mom , Stepford Smiler , “Well Done , Son!Guy” and lastly he has Catholic Guilt out the wazoo 

8. How long have they been at Broadripple?

Jonah’s been at Boradripple since the beginning of Freshman year.

9. What led them to apply to Broadripple? Was it a decision made by them or by their parents/guardians or somewhere in between?

His parents are the type of people that graduated from high school then immediately settled down and got minimum wage jobs.They wanted ‘better’ for their kids and for them to see more parts of the world so they made their oldest child apply for a scholarship to Broadripple , it seemed like it would give her a good education and give her those good pure Catholic morals.When she came back with good grades and apparently good fearing they had no choice but to continue the cycle and try to get their only son to there.

10. Whether they’ve been at Broadripple four days or four years, do they enjoy it?

Jonah enjoys Broadripple.He isn’t great at academics but he’s found his niche through athletics and has a bunch of good friends.

11. What house are they in? Do they care very much about their house? 

 Jonah is in Fenwick and takes the inter-house competitions very seriously.He wants to prove himself to his housemates and make sure he does well for them.

12. Who do they share a dorm with, or are they on their own for the moment? What are they like to live with? Are they clean or messy? Early risers or night owls?

Jonah shares a dorm with Ezra Bergman he thinks he’s kind of a weirdo but does his best to be friendly.In Jonah’s mind everybody has more to offer and hidden depths.Jonah’s extremely organised and makes sure’s nothing out of place and all of his stuff is on his side.However , he’s kind of a terrible roommate because he sneaks out at the crack of dawn to jog every morning.When the suns up he’s up. 

13. How is your character’s dorm decorated? Is it bare or bursting at the seems with personality? Any particular sentimental items from home?

His dorm is fairly minimalist.He doesn’t really have an eye for decorating and doesn’t really see the point.But he does like to stick photos up.He printed out a photo of him and Maggie after she went missing.

14. What is their favourite subject at school? Do they even have a favourite? Why?

Academics are a sore spot for him.As much as Jonah tries he struggles to grasp non-literal concepts and remember things for exams.But he thinks ASL is important and enjoys learning it.He also finds PE easy and excels at that.

15. Are they involved in any clubs? Which ones?

Jonah is involved in Sacristan Club.

16. How does your character feel about Broadripple’s Unofficial Clubs? Do they know about them? Are they a part of any of them?

Jonah became a pledge for the BBC because he thought it was a good way to fit in and gain him popularity.He puts a lot of effort into being one of the boys.He doesn't pay much attention to the other two clubs because it would be social suicide.

17. Does your character participate in any sports? If so, what made them join the team?

Jonah is a fullback for the boys hockey team , defender for the soccer team and apart of the swim team.He joined those teams because he feels like sports give him a purpose , make him feel calm and are the one thing he’s really good at.

18. What afternoon activities does your character do? Do they just do the one mandatory one or are they involved in multiple? Why?

19. Do they miss their home when they’re at Broadripple? Do they often go home for the weekends or do they only go home during holiday breaks.

When he’s at Broadripple he misses not being by the coast.Jonah goes home every couple of weeks because regular trips home would be costly and he has a difficult relationship with his dad.

20. Did your character know Izzy De Santis or Maggie Monroe?

He was pretty friendly with both of them thanks to the Unofficial Chastity Clubs.He felt pretty bad for Izzy after he gained his infamous reputation from that night in the woods.Jonah didn’t really think Izzy deserved it and just thought he was a troubled guy.Jonah thought Maggie was lovely and misses her like mad.He doesn’t have much involvement with the Unsolved club and thinks the whole king is disrespectful.

21. Has your character heard of Edith Lynch? Do they know the story? 

 His knowledge of Edith comes from the usual rumours that haunt the school.He tries not to think about what happened because it’s disturbing and makes him uneasy.

22. How does your character feel about Nighmore? Have they noticed the recently closed shops yet

Jonah used to spend a lot of time in Nightmore and made it his second home in a way but after Maggie disappeared he tried to avoid it as much as possible. 

23. Have you made any aesthetic Pinterest boards/WeHeartIt collections for this character? Or playlists? Anything you would like to share!

Here’s the pinterest for my boy.Hopefully some of the plot inspo stuff inspires you guys.

#my laptops being a pain so no gifs #bahq:task1 #ooc-reuben rambles

[rcsordinaryworld]

Daisy Outfit Compilation

Daisy from @bittersweetcandybowl usually dons her simple pearl necklace by itself, but occasionally she gets all dolled up and I think that’s really cute. I think of the cast, she’s the most interesting clothing-wise. She doesn’t wear it consistently, but she wears it more often than pretty much any of the not-always-clothed characters, if that makes sense. So I decided that, instead of doing my day job, I was going to make a compilation of all of Daisy’s outfits.

This probably won’t be an analysis, more of a dump with images and chapters listed. I like to draw her wearing clothing a lot and I like basing her outfits on things I think she would actually wear. I think her taste has remained pretty consistent through the years, so let’s see if that’s true! And also, sorry if I missed any, and please feel free to reply with any that I do miss.

The very first outfit we see Daisy wear is her cheerleader outfit (right). This one is her middle school one, which is a little different from high school, but I couldn’t find a color version. I also included a shot from when Augustus recalls seeing her in this in a later chapter, though it looks like she’s wearing her pearls on that one. Don’t you know you’re not supposed to wear accessories in uniform, Daisy?!

Not sure if it counts (since it was for a gag) but she did dress up as a lobster with the rest of the gang for Mike’s birthday. I love the little smile on her hat.

Next, the gang surprises her with a Daisy dress, of the Mario variety. Unfortunately, she doesn’t appreciate it very much. A shame, considering how much that thing must have cost! 

This shows up in a flashback scene with Paulo, but I can’t really tell what it is. A coat I think? It’s not something she wore all the time though, since we’ve seen her as a child and she’s not been in it.

The first Christmas outfit, at Tess’s first party. All of the crew’s outfits are Santa inspired this year, but Daisy’s is particularly adorable thanks to a big bell she wears around her neck.

As it warms up, their PE class involves swim lessons, where Daisy’s donning a black T-shirt. I didn’t even think she would own one, considering how much she loved pastels, but she really is quite self conscious. I can’t tell if she’s wearing any bottoms, since it is a long shirt. I imagine she probably has those boyshort type bottoms, probably also in black.

Hush, no, you’re perfect.

At least she seem comfortable in her cheer outfit! Chapter 38 features the first appearance of her high school cheer outfit, which is different from her middle school one, most notably, that she seems allowed to wear jewelry. (she’s not the only one, as Katie is wearing a necklace.) Also, her new outfit shows off her middriff and has a different pattern on the front chest panel. This one shows up in a few different chapters (list not comprehensive) as well as in the Candybooru. Also interesting, is that it looks like their school colors are sky blue and black. Go Roseville High!

AYOO meme time

But seriously what a weird but cute outfit! It’s so unique!! She was really laying it on thick to impress Mike, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she made it herself. It has a bit of a modified-from-thrift-store-finds feel doesn’t it? I have no idea if Daisy can sew but I am choosing to believe she does. Sadly, the night goes horribly wrong, but hey, at least she looked cute right? 

It’s kinda messed up that Tess was pushing so hard for Mike and Lucy to go to Acapulco, but totally doesn’t seem to care if Daisy and Abbey skipped out. Daisy helped you pass your classes, Tess! I mean, I guess Abbey did need the support, and we did get to see Daisy wear a cute dress to see them off. There’s lots of shots with it being all flowy and girly, I love it so much. That sash is great.

Speaking of cute dresses, she wore a simple but pretty one on her first date with Abbey. They went to a therapy session slash picnic which is a... non traditional choice, but a very sweet one. You can tell she’s really into Abbey by how she’s dressing up for him, and that Taeshi had a lot of fun drawing the flowiness of it.

Bonus silly cute images featuring glasses Daisy. She also sports glasses in the student gov chapter, and whenever she’s shown in the future, she also has them. Adorable.

Halloween costumes are always fun, and Daisy’s costume for freshman year was a traditional one-- a witch. I love the off-the-shoulders look of it. It’s a shame she wasn’t really important that chapter. I’m interested to see what the current Halloween chapter will have her wearing, if she’s in it. 

Pillow Talk is still one of my favorite chapters, because who doesn’t love gossip? What’s interesting is all of them wear pjs, even if they don’t normally wear clothing. Daisy showed up just wearing her pearls, and then put on a sleep dress (gown?) at the actual party. I included a shot of her room from this chapter too, since how she decorates her space is just as interesting as how she decorates her body, right?

Parties are definitely where Daisy likes to show off her fashion sense the most. Tess also hosts the Christmas party the next year, and it’s very cute. She’s got like... a poncho style thing, which actually became a trend way after this I think, since this chapter came out in about 2012, but a sort of Mexican inspired flowy top seems like something that definitely became super common in 2018. She’s ahead of her time! I think I love the flower ornament by her ear too. I couldn’t find a good shot of the length of the dress though.

But enough happy times. The day after the party, she wore this bright navy blue trench coat when she and Abbey went to visit Charlotte’s grave. Usually her fur is enough to keep her warm, so wherever Charlotte is, must be freezing. I wonder if she’s got anything under it, or if that’s not a prerequisite for coats in the BCB universe?

Looks like the trip to the cemetery got her too bummed out to plan an outfit for the New Year’s party. She’s just wearing her standard pearls for that one. Tess has a cute dress though.

She’s in a much better mood by Rachel’s party. I love that her shoes match perfectly. Off-the-shoulders is a great look for her, just like with her witch costume. This one is also reminiscent of the Mexican style blouses I mentioned earlier. I don’t think the waist-cinching has the effect she was probably going for though, at least not without a belt. She really seems to like baby blue huh?

WAIT A MINUTE THAT’S JUST MIKE COLORED.

AWKWARD.

But moving on! Remember how we found out she’s a huge weeb? That was great.The lanyard and backpack are such a great touch of realism. Con badges are the worst part about cosplaying at cons, since if you’re caught off guard you’ll have it in the shot, ruining all of your hard work. She obviously did put some effort into it too-- her costume is really well sewn and intricate and poofy. Notice all those panels on the chest and skirt. My theory that Daisy can sew intensifies. Also those bows are just too cute! I wish she wore them more often.

The same night she’s wearing some pjs again, this time a blue slip. Nothing fancy.

While not an outfit, Love Again opens with the first canon appearance of Daisy’s hip curls, inspired by Kit’s lovely fanart. I’m pretty sure they have a tumblr but I don’t know it, sorry!! I’ll edit it if I find out.

An intermission comic featuring all of their days starts Daisy off in pjs. These look like the one from Lucy’s birthday sleepover, judging by the collar frills. Looks like it might be getting more snug on her as she grows up.

Speaking of growing up, here’s Daisy all dressed up for her birthday, sporting a very cute bow. Her actual dress is made of a really strange material that’s presumably extremely thin, and sewn with plenty of elastic, judging by the wrinkles. I think it’s an interesting experimental outfit, but it’s so detailed it doesn’t really look the best in small scale. I’m not a huge fan of the wrinkled look in general, but the colors are very flattering on her, and the overskirt thing is pretty nice.

Daisy makes a brief appearance in Escape Route, a chapter mostly about Augustus and Lucy. Normally she wears dresses, but this time she’s rocking a cupcake liner. Okay, so it’s not really her, but I can’t not include this cute cupcake!

Last but not least, here’s her outfit for Mady’s birthday party. I adore this outfit so much! It’s amusingly similar to one of Lucy’s mother’s outfits, though her mother pairs it with pants.  That being said, I think this is my absolute favorite outfit of hers. The cardigan pairs great with her necklace, and the belted dress is just so flattering and and adds just enough detail. I think it’s simple, classy, flirty, and just so cute. Most of her looks have been blue, and this is actually one of the few pink outfits she owns, but we know she does like it based on her room. Pink pairs with her apricot/cream fur for a fun, girly look that’s just right for her.

And with that, we’ve finished compiling all of her outfits from the comic, though I didn’t gather any outfits that are Booru-exclusives, like her prom(?) dress. I thought about including those, but there’s so many to go through, and their canonity was so iffy that I decided against it for this post.

It seems safe to say Daisy has very simple tastes, with a rather timeless but definitely girly feel to them. Flowy, mid thigh dresses and skirts are her favorites, and seems to prefer sleeveless or off-the-shoulder looks. She also has a tendency to dress up to impress boys, but she does genuinely seem to enjoy making outfits, and she’s quite fashionable! 

I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed making it. Daisy deserves all the love in the world.

#BCB #Bittersweet Candy Bowl #webcomic #daisy #I could be convinced to do one of these for lucy or tessa though lucy doesn't wear nearly as much clothing #but it was a suprising amount of effort! #anyway here's my contribution to the fandom for the year lol.

[elizadoolittlethings]

Dr Who's Mark Gatiss on his twitter nightmares

STEVE KILGALLON

Last updated 05:00, March 20 2016

Mark Gatiss discovers his past.

MARK Gatiss is in a fancy Liverpool hotel, struggling to find the light switches, when he takes my call. He's briefly bailed out of a day-long series of BBC promotional interviews to do so, and seems grateful for the change.

Of course he's in demand: so much of the broadcaster's output now seems to rely on Gatiss' industry and invention. Almost all of them reflect a childhood of avoiding footballs, watching horror TV, daydreaming of vampires and collecting fossils. As he says, his career has been a "massive, lifelong revenge against PE teachers".

Gatiss hoped for murder and intrigue: and got it.

Gatiss is scriptwriter on Dr Who (as well as other triumphs such as Little Britain and the revival of Randall and Hopkirk), writer and star of Sherlock, and has had roles in Wolf Hall, Coalition, Game of Thrones, and a string of other worthy dramas. In a recent editorial, The Guardian observed: "Every so often, always in the nicest possible way, a good actor's career enjoys a breakthrough. Suddenly the work flows in and the actor never seems to be off the screen or stage."

Mark Gatiss grew up loving Dr Who and horror movies.

"I like to work hard - there's great pleasure in it because I am doing so much of the stuff I always wanted to," says Gatiss, cheerily. "It's a very blessed position to be in."

Among this multitude of projects, we're talking to him, officially, because he's starring in an episode of the BBC's Who Do You Think You Are?, a show taking celebrities back through their family trees to find hidden secrets. But really, I want to get him going on his breakthrough work, the dark, very unusual late-90s comedy The League of Gentlemen, a show that rethought comedic boundaries.

But first, Who Do You Think You Are? The show took 18 months research and ten days shooting and Gatiss was warned that if the producers couldn't find an interesting story in his family tree, there would be no programme. "I love the show," he says, "I was dying to be on it".

Mark Gatiss.

He had suspected, he says, his late mother's Irish heritage would contain the most headlines, much to his still-living father's chagrin. At the start, he jokingly wishes for a murder and related to the King of Ireland. Broadly, that comes true - plus a vampire side story. Gatiss was stoked. "It was genuinely a surprise from day to day, to the extent that when we were finished, I rather missed it. I found it very moving, and at the risk of over-romanticising over these people who are long dead, I found it incredibly moving." As a writer, Gatiss also liked the lyric romanticism of an Irish family tree. He remembers an early episode of the show with the actor John Hurt, who was convinced he was of Irish roots and found he had none. "He was genuinely really pissed off. That programme ended on a sour note... I said I felt so Irish I am prepared to lend some of it to John Hurt. But they cut that line out."

Gatiss grew up in in working-class Durham, opposite the psychiatric hospital where both parents worked. Without going all Billy Elliot - to pick out another gay, artistically-minded escapee from the north-east - did this translate into a tough childhood? "I was never bullied or anything like that... but I always felt a little bit different, but not in a ridiculous, over-dramatic way. I have genuinely followed all my childhood interests and made them into my career, right back to ghosts and vampires and all the things I used to be told to stop daydreaming about, I still daydream about them and have made them into a successful career."

That includes his work writing on Dr Who over the past decade. It was his favourite show as a child. "I am as interested in its future as a living, breathing modern show," he says. "I think it is vital to its success that you can't live in the past, you can't bring back old monsters, and there is a new audience of kids who never even knew there was a doctor before Peter Capaldi. But I have a foot in both camps, as it were, to honour the past and keep it a modern show."

Handout

Gatiss says he works hard because he loves the opportunities he gets.

All four of the collaborators on The League of Gentlemen were the sort of kids who were avid Dr Who watchers. Gatiss, Jeremy Dyson, Reece Sheersmith and Steve Pemberton met at art college in Yorkshire, and have all gone on to writing and acting careers. "The first thing we bonded over was the fact we all remembered watching Carry on Screaming one particular Bonfire Night in 1976 [November 5]," he recalls. "That's like a psycho-geographical thing, that we were all sat inside watching TV when we should have been outside playing with fireworks. When we meet up now, it's like no time has passed at all we have a kind of shorthand - it's something I also have with [show creator] Steve Moffat on Sherlock - we are a bit like a married couple and can answer each other's sentences."

The League, which ran for three seasons and spawned a movie version, was a collection of bizarre characters, from murderous butchers to fading rockers to warring couples, all residing in a small Northern village - and all played by Sheersmith, Pemberton and Gatiss, in a variety of wigs and dresses. Many were modelled on real people, and Gatiss calls it a "proper Northern Gothic". Along the way, it grew increasingly dark, addressing cannibalism and paedophilia among other taboos. Gatiss says he primarily remembers it a a silly, often poignant show although he admits he regularly meets people who couldn't quite watch it for its grimness - along with a "reassuring" new generation who've discovered it on youtube. "I look back at it, and I have no idea how we got away with it - some of the things we did we genuinely would not be allowed to do today. We met recently and said we should make a 20th anniversary documentary with all of us sitting in a room watching it and going 'couldn't do that now, can't do that, can't do that'..."

For this, he rather blames twitter, a medium on which he was recently hammered for tweeting an off-colour joke about the late Cilla Black. "We were always quite near the knuckle and it's not about being deliberately offensive, I don't think that every works, it's about pushing things and being strange. I think what has happened now is we live in an over-examined age with instant reaction where people are prepared to be outraged about trying straight on twitter immediatelty so it is increasingly difficult to go slightly under the radar. People would go 'what the hell is this thing?' and maybe it took a few weeks, or a few series to get used to it. Now it is judged and sentence delivered usually before it hs finished broadcasting, people are typing about it. It's not a very healthy situation."

These days, he goes prepared. "After my last Dr Who," he says, sunnily, "I went out and tweeted 'thank you for your lovely/vile comments about my brilliant/dreadful new episode of Dr Who, very happy to have saved/destroyed the series'.

"That's the devil's bargain that you join in on.... it starts to become policed by people who just want to take offence. I can look out of the window and say 'it's a beautiful morning' and straight away some contrarian says 'it's f---ng dark over here."

Who Do You Think You Are?, Friday, 8.30pm, BBC Knowledge.

- Sunday Star Times

#MG #mark gatiss #the man behind the genius #entertainment #stuff #interview #devil's bargain #doctor who #twitter nightmares #all things MG

[purplesurveys]

1100

[created by: vyvyan86]  

If someone's laughing, do you instantly think they're laughing at you? I mean, not automatically? People can be laughing for many reasons. But if they’re laughing near me and if I even catch them looking at me from time to time, then it can definitely make me feel paranoid.

What is the strangest thing you've been asked? I’ve said this before, but a masseuse who came to the house a couple of years ago once looked at me intently and asked if I’ve gotten pregnant before. When I asked my mom about her, she explained that that particular masseuse has a third eye. Of course I didn’t buy it, but it was a fascinating scenario nonetheless and I still liked the fact that out of everyone in the family, she had only ~sensed something with me.

What’s the weirdest thing about life that people just accept as normal? Homelessness.

What was your favorite game as a child? I liked playing Diner Dash, Insaniquarium, and Cake Mania on my dad’s laptop. Our parents didn’t keep a strict eye on us as well and we were allowed access to Grand Theft Auto games at a young age, which ended up being one of my all-time favorite video game series.

What’s the stupidest thing you've ever heard? There’s a lot of crazy fake news that have come out over the last few years; I can’t really tell which one is stupidest, but they all are to some extent.

What's the most random thing you've done out of boredom? Make spreadsheets about stuff I will never have to refer to. It’s a great way to be distracted/occupied, so I don’t shy away from starting one whenever I feel the need to.

What show did your parents not let you watch as a kid? Mr. Bean. My mom didn’t like the character’s antics and she especially hated how he technically doesn’t talk, since she felt like it would have an effect on how we learned language (we mainly learned English from the TV) and the way we speak.

What is your personal catchphrase? I say, “Awesome!” when I’m pleased with something, which is a habit I picked up from Gabie. I also tend to say “For real?” whenever I’m surprised.

What is the most pleasurable feeling that doesn't involve anything sexual? I like being given lazy scratches on my wrist or leg. It’s also nice when someone plays with my hair, but it depends on who’s doing it; sometimes I’ll find it too invasive.

What was your 'Oops, wrong person' moment? This doesn’t happen a lot to me, fortunately. For the most part, it’s only been instances from childhood when I mistakenly held on to a stranger’s hand instead of either of my parents’.

What do you find attractive that isn't considered 'normal' attraction? I’m not particularly attracted to muscles or fit bodies in general; a little bit of flab or what the internet calls ~dad bod~ has always been more than alright with me.

What’s the dumbest thing you’ve done drunk? Nearly fall asleep in a swimming pool, or go on a loud rant about someone while that someone was still within earshot.

What's your proudest moment in the bathroom? I have no idea what this means, and I don’t want to ask.

What’s something you own that gets you lots of compliments? Some clothes/shoes I have. Also, my car back when I placed reindeer antlers and a red nose on it a few Christmases ago haha.

If money was no object, where would you want to live? If that was the case, I’d be in New York City right now.

Who is your favorite mythological character? I never took a liking to mythology and the creatures associated with it.

What's something that's happened which couldn't happen at a worse time? My breakup. We were also recently informed that my mom has been retrenched sooooooo life isn’t particularly dandy at the moment. I’ve stopped complaining about my heavy daily workload and have instead felt grateful for it, because at least it keeps me occupied enough and not think about the stuff happening at home.

What is the best pickup line you've ever heard? I don’t like pickup lines.

What did aging ruin for you? My back and my eyesight.

What is the most hilarious thing you’ve ever heard? Ugh, questions like these are impossible to answer. Off the top of my head, I’ll go with this video.

What is the darkest thing you have seen on the internet? Crime scene photos, beheading videos, and corpses. There have also been other stuff but they’d be too triggering if I tried to describe what they are.

What's something you really enjoy, but can't have? I can’t have milkshakes unless I’m fine with the stomachaches I will inevitably get after.

What Wikipedia article have you recently read? So I watched Royal Rumble yesterday (I haven’t kept up with wrestling in years, but I always come back for the big pay-per-views) and there’s this female wrestlerI think I’ll soon develop a full-blown crush on. I wanted to look her up and I learned that she’s Rhea Ripley, so I briefly read up on her life and career.

What's a book you were made to read in school that you really liked? Without Seeing the Dawn will always be my favorite. Taking it up in English class was never a chore for me. Number the Stars was a great read too, as was Dekada ‘70.

What objective did you fail to complete this week? I haven’t worked out at all this week, which I should’ve been able to do twice already according to the workout plan I’m currently subscribed to. But it’s fine, I’ll just try to catch up.

What could have gotten worse for you but it didn't? Work. I kept making a million mistakes during my first two months and thought I’d never get the hang of it, and I was just waiting to get fired immediately lol. But everything’s going smoothly now - I’m not as lost as I used to be, and I’ve even taken to tutoring some of the newer hires.

What subject should be taught at schools, but isn't? I’d have appreciated it if we had been taught or at least briefed on how to obtain crucial government IDs and documents. I didn’t exactly enjoy walking through everything by myself and being expected to know what to do.

What is the best thing about having a Significant Other? Oh my god, everything. I loved and treasured being in a relationship. I appreciated even the arguments because it made me get better at communicating, know how and when to apologize, and how to be more in tune with another person’s feelings. But my favorite part about it would probably be having a person to share everything about yourself and your life to. I’ve learned to be okay being by myself, but I feel the loneliness the hardest when I’m going through a rough patch and remembering that I no longer having someone to turn to.

What makes you unusually uncomfortable? Injections, blood tests, anaesthesia, anything that’s meant to prick my skin.

What is an upcoming purchase you're excited about? I don’t plan on making any purchases soon. Maybe a couple boxes of macarons with 25 pieces each for my birthday to treat myself?? but that’s the only one I’ve been planning.

What is the worst game you've ever played? When I was still taking PE, I dreaded it every time we had to play basketball or water polo.

What’s the oddest thing you like to do? I really like doing tedious tasks, like inputting things into a spreadsheet or writing out lists. I think I’d be a great secretary. < Yeah same. Literally what I said earlier about the spreadsheets.

What's the funniest news story you've seen in the past few weeks? Some fixers at the LTO who approached the mayor of a nearby city to convince him that they can fast-track whatever business he’s in for there, not knowing he’s the fucking mayor. What a mess lmfao.

What do you really really want right now? For things to go back to normal. My parents are very secretive about finances - probably because they don’t want us to worry - but I hate not knowing if I could even turn on the fan or any of our lights anymore. I also hate that I feel guilty whenever I buy things for myself knowing that both my parents are in sticky situations.

What do you hide from people? Things going on in my personal life. I will refer to my problems in social media posts occasionally, but would never provide enough context for people to know more about my life than I’m comfortable with.

What was the first sign you knew you had a crush on someone? I got increasingly nervous around them and I just wanted to be with them all day and listen to their stories and buy them food and stuff. Also, I knew when I started crying over them. Hahahaha man this just made me feel so nostalgic. I miss that feeling of first falling in love with someone.

What's the best lemonade you've made from the lemons life gave you? The self-love, self-acceptance, and self-validation I gained after my breakup felt and continues to feel wonderful. I never realized how much of myself I sacrificed and gave away. I will never do that again and will always make sure to leave more than enough room for myself in the future.

Who was your cartoon crush while growing up? Sam from Totally Spies and Shego from Kim Possible.

What's the best way to deal with religious door knockers? We don’t have those here. But I imagine just telling them “No thanks” and closing my door.

What’s the most hypocritical thing you’ve ever seen or heard? My mom is a big hypocrite in general; she exhibits some behaviors that she would typically chew me out for. But she would never admit to that; that, or she wouldl use mental gymnastics to convince me that the way I’m doing the thing is wrong and that her version is the acceptable one.

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve ever met? Probably one of the artists at Pinto Museum. Every time I’ve gone there, he’s always standing at the first gallery - he looks like your typical visitor, but I’ve come to realize he actually scans the museum looking for people who are genuinely into the artworks and not just there to shoot photos. I know, because he has always ended up approaching me and whoever I’m with at the time so that he can explain every single painting. He’s done the same thing with me - I think he keeps forgetting me, but it’s fine - 2-3 times, with the same spiels and same interesting explanations and anecdotes. In the end he always reveals that he painted a number of the works in the museum and for his sake I will always try to act surprised, haha. Anyway, he’s brilliant and very talented, and always has great stories to tell.

What just doesn't impress you? Certain movies that are meant to be hailed as one of the greats.

What’s the worst possible way to introduce yourself? By being an ass from the get-go, I suppose.

What makes you wish that you were born in the past or the future? I hate missing out on things when I’m already around, which is why I often wish I could live long enough to see what advancs and developments we could be capable of reaching in the future. Would we find a cure for cancer? Will I get to see my country get richer and more developed like it has always deserved to? Will travel to outer space be a thing? It’s stuff like that I’d love to see happen and the idea of potentially missing out on them because maybe they’re not meant to happen in my lifetime kinda bums me out.

What tragic event was coincidentally beneficial to you? I started loving the shit out of myself from my breakup. I thought I was already comfortable with who I was and where I was in life, but I soon learned that I could be doing so much more for myself, self-esteem-wise.

What's something people are proud of, but it doesn't impress you? Wealth, usually, especially if it’s generational. < True. Also, fucking watches? I’ll never understand the need for watches that cost a million pesos when I could easily stomp on them lmao.

What's the worst possible moment to go and play on a bouncy castle? Doing it with an upset stomach.

Who is the greatest ever comedian? I don’t know about greatest. I certainly don’t watch enough comedians to make such a choice.

What’s your irrational fear? Sometimes I’ll get an irrational urge to do something stupid and/or dangerous. For instance I was in Tagaytay last weekend, on the 20th floor of a condo and to my surprise, the windows could be opened and they didn’t have any bars either. As I opened a window I thought about jumping and it freaked me out, so much so I immediately closed it and never went back to it. I believe there’s a word for this phenomenon in a foreign language; I just can’t remember what it is now.

What's your oldest memory? Waking up inside a Winnie the Pooh tent with my sister when I was 3, she 1. My parents let us go ‘camping,’ even though the tent was simply set up on the floor of our bedroom.

What can you not wake up without? Greeting my dogs.

What did you think was cool when you were younger that you now think isn’t? Side bangs.

What are your favorite or most memorable lines from any movie/show? “I would ask you to consider your response in light of the respect that my rank and office deserve, not that which my age and gender might suggest.” from The Crown. Holy shit that line was so good. I’ll need to rewatch this showagain.

What's something people love to hate? Mainstream culture. < Very true.

What’s something that is underrated but extremely useful? Car adaptors have saved my ass so many times while driving long distances and needing to constantly use data to have access to Waze.

#survey #surveys #rly great questions too

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IPL 2017 Fantasy Tips (updated): SRH vs GL and MI vs KKR

With Mustafizur Rahman nonetheless no longer available for choice, the Sunrisers Hyderabad have honestly no reason to trade their gambling XI. The arguable selections – Moises Henriques, Ben Cutting, and Rashid Khan – all did greater than enough to justify their spot. The Lions, then again, confirmed why I said they’re a backside 4 group this 12 months. The great they could do is drop one among their overseas bats – maximum in all likelihood, James Roy – for James Faulkner/Andrew Tye, which isn’t always going to have tons of an impact, either.

As referred to in the preceding Lions’ article,

Their distant places bats are extraordinarily at risk of fine spin bowling, which changed into proved via Kuldeep Yadav at Rajkot. It is able to have been worse had they hung on to one of the many probabilities that Raina presented and Sunil Narine been his typical self.

Sunrisers have an equally capable bowling assault to take advantage of this weakness. If Rashid Khan receives his duration right nowadays, the game could be over very soon for the Suresh Raina-led side. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s new ball talent could be a chance, too. Upload Ashish Nehra, Bipul Sharma, Moises Henriques and Ben Slicing to it, you will have as top an assist solid as you may ask for.

Fantasy Factors:

Shikhar Dhawan, Moises Henriques, and Yuvraj Singh – all appeared in excellent contact in the in shape against RCB, however, you couldn’t convey them all, are you able to? Henriques is if he’s one of the five principal bowling alternatives, but by way of the seems of it, he genuinely isn’t.

With Rohit Sharma suffering for shape, Robin Uthappa’s demotion, Ambati Rayudu’s damage and the unavailability of Indian batsmen like Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli, Dhawan and Yuvraj come back into competition. Among the two, Dhawan is each less expensive and bats higher up the order, so I have determined to go along with him. This suit, mainly, should provide huge returns, given how badly the Lions bowled against KKR.

Rashid Khan’s leg-spin could be an excessive amount of to handle for the Lions, and consequently, I convey him in as properly. The best Lions’ player who is worth picking is Suresh Raina, however, I can’t deliver him to his subsequent recreation and he wasn’t exactly cozy against the Knight Riders both.

IPL Or Laser Hair Removal, Which Is Best

Laser hair elimination additionally referred to as permanent hair discount become the first treatment which promised the chance of being hair loose forever. It changed into but, gradual, not to mention highly-priced when it first got here out. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) was devised as a quicker and much less expensive technique for removing hair.

Each laser and IPL use high energy beams of Mild to kill hair follicles, but laser makes use of one wavelength of Light, IPL makes use of white Mild that’s made of many unique wavelengths. however, it has regularly been claimed that IPL isn’t as effective as the laser in relation to permanent hair discount.

The truth is that Both laser and IPL remedies will vary in effectiveness and there are numerous reasons for this, and several reasons why IPL may not be as powerful in some instances.

1. The IPL or laser machine used:

The nice of equipment varies fantastically. From medically graded machines with a proven remedy efficacy and thorough education of operatives to cheap Chinese imports and not using a training and the entirety in among. It’s far feasible for a salon to purchase an IPL system for a lot less than a laser which gave rise to many salons buying a reasonably-priced machine and offering inferior pleasant IPL remedies.

2. The ability and schooling of the technician performing your remedy:

If the gadget is not set up successfully on your pores and skin kind, at first-rate you will get hold of a treatment that doesn’t lessen the hair; at worst you may end up with excessive burns. That is real of Both IPL and laser hair removal.

3. The variant in pores and skin shade because of sun publicity:

skin type is classed via the Fitzpatrick scale from 1 being very truthful pores and skin which burns effortlessly to five being black pores and skin. In case you get a tan among remedies or use fake tan, this may affect the outcomes. This is because the Light power used within the treatment is drawn to pigment. If there’s more pigment to your skin because you got a tan then the Light electricity may be diverted into the epidermis and no longer introduced through the pigment inside the hair shaft to the hair follicle. This can bring about the treatment being useless and may additionally cause a burn

Point of View – Choosing the Best Point of View for Fantasy Fiction Writing

Factor of View in Fable Fiction

If you need readers to preserve analyzing your e-book, Factor of view need to be carefully taken into consideration. It is in particular vital in Fable fiction writing. Why? The Point of view from that you choose to inform your tale sets the overall tone for the e-book. It offers the reader a vantage Factor from which to view the whole story as it unfolds.

choose the wrong Point of view and the reader can also feel like they’re missing out on something, or that they are not connecting with the book’s characters. Flop around between distinct points of views and the reader will become burdened.

At this Factor, you’ve lost them inside the first few pages.

There are definitely too many Delusion fiction books out there. Self-published books now account for 75% of the overall market. In line with Bowker.Com-the arena’s main company of bibliographic facts and control, answers-self-posted titles have grown 287% for the reason that 2006, resulting in a whopping 250,00 new print and e-titles in 2012. What was once a cottage industry is now the norm.

What does this suggest to you? Well, it method you better ensure you’ve got all your ducks in a row, and that your writing is absolutely fine it can be to compete. There are plenty of factors to consider, and I’ll be discussing this in future articles. For now, permit’s begin by way of discussing the three maximum popular factors of view: first individual, 1/3 character omniscient, and 1/3 person limited.

First character Point of View

Writing within the first person Factor of view is limiting. It does now not allow the reader to truly “see” the arena; it simplest lets in them to be “told” what the arena looks as if via the recitation of the e-book’s foremost character. Does something seem fishy? It ought to. Do not forget what all of your writing instructors and teachers have advised you approximately display-do not-inform?

It is nonetheless effective, but after some time it starts of evolved to sound like a weather record.

Example:

I seemed down the darkish dungeon corridor. The elf stood beside me. I used to be scared, however, I didn’t need to permit him now.

“What do you observed that is?” I requested. I heard something respiratory.

The elf looked at me and frowned. “I do not know,” he stated.

don’t let this absolutely dissuade you. Sometimes, using the first man or woman Point of view can paintings, and work very well. but In case you pick handiest to use this Point of view, you’ll severely restriction the reader enjoy.

KKR Private Equity Investors to Come to the NYSE

The weekend has been quite quiet while discussing market-related information until I was boarding my train and obtained an alert titled “KKR Plans to head Public on NYSE.” To start with I brushed it off, however as I’ve notion approximately it, the more surprised I have become. I was sitting on the beach, Blackberry less, but changed into confident that the men at KKR had a cause for this unexpected tender. However, earlier than I continue any further, permit me to introduce you to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.

Meet KKR

Respectfully called KKR via the street, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co has grown itself to be one of the most reputable personal fairness companies around. The 32 12 months vintage PE store has been involved in some of the biggest buyouts in history together with the RJR Nabisco takeover in 1989. The employer now has operations everywhere in the world which includes the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The company has caused waves within the calm IPO pond this yr with it’s today’s announcement.

IPO? Now? Why?

Control got here out and has stated that it plans to report an IPO wherein KKR might be valued among $12 billion and $15 billion and indexed at the NYSE. Kravis and Roberts are for this circulate as the corporation seeks to help out it is European arm- KKR private fairness Investors which has visible a great decline in its percentage rate because of concerns approximately its assets. The move comes a 12 months after Blackstone BX went IPO and has because now not reaped the blessings often associated with an IPO. KKR offers attractive terms to it’s Eu shareholders who should approve the provider earlier than the enterprise goes public. Below the set terms, Traders in the Ecu group will get extra shares if the stock does not appreciate in a hard and fast number of years. In addition to this, the enterprise has several phrases for its executives who are involved in the technique.

I’m very anxious for the team at KKR at some stage in this time,

I think the timing is very poor and the risks are a long way greater than the rewards. The European arm does seem to be undervalued according to the street, and a circulate through the figure to shop for now ought to yield rewards in the future. KKR private EquiBlackstone stock Charity Buyers has visible its net asset fee decrease within the modern-day area as overseas foreign money publicity and terrible investments dealt large blows. Know-how the needs of the organization, it’s far nevertheless difficult to fathom an IPO proper now. The markets have no urge for food for a large IPO, and one in non-public fairness? Let us get severe. The Blackstone organization has seen its shares decline with the aid of over 50%, But as a minimum, BX will now not stand alone as Buyers look on with much ambivalence.

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IPL 2017 Fantasy Tips (updated): SRH vs GL and MI vs KKR

With Mustafizur Rahman nonetheless no longer available for choice, the Sunrisers Hyderabad have honestly no reason to trade their gambling XI. The arguable selections – Moises Henriques, Ben Cutting, and Rashid Khan – all did greater than enough to justify their spot. The Lions, then again, confirmed why I said they’re a backside 4 group this 12 months. The great they could do is drop one among their overseas bats – maximum in all likelihood, James Roy – for James Faulkner/Andrew Tye, which isn’t always going to have tons of an impact, either.

As referred to in the preceding Lions’ article,

Their distant places bats are extraordinarily at risk of fine spin bowling, which changed into proved via Kuldeep Yadav at Rajkot. It is able to have been worse had they hung on to one of the many probabilities that Raina presented and Sunil Narine been his typical self.

Sunrisers have an equally capable bowling assault to take advantage of this weakness. If Rashid Khan receives his duration right nowadays, the game could be over very soon for the Suresh Raina-led side. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s new ball talent could be a chance, too. Upload Ashish Nehra, Bipul Sharma, Moises Henriques and Ben Slicing to it, you will have as top an assist solid as you may ask for.

Fantasy Factors:

Shikhar Dhawan, Moises Henriques, and Yuvraj Singh – all appeared in excellent contact in the in shape against RCB, however, you couldn’t convey them all, are you able to? Henriques is if he’s one of the five principal bowling alternatives, but by way of the seems of it, he genuinely isn’t.

With Rohit Sharma suffering for shape, Robin Uthappa’s demotion, Ambati Rayudu’s damage and the unavailability of Indian batsmen like Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli, Dhawan and Yuvraj come back into competition. Among the two, Dhawan is each less expensive and bats higher up the order, so I have determined to go along with him. This suit, mainly, should provide huge returns, given how badly the Lions bowled against KKR.

Rashid Khan’s leg-spin could be an excessive amount of to handle for the Lions, and consequently, I convey him in as properly. The best Lions’ player who is worth picking is Suresh Raina, however, I can’t deliver him to his subsequent recreation and he wasn’t exactly cozy against the Knight Riders both.

IPL Or Laser Hair Removal, Which Is Best

Laser hair elimination additionally referred to as permanent hair discount become the first treatment which promised the chance of being hair loose forever. It changed into but, gradual, not to mention highly-priced when it first got here out. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) was devised as a quicker and much less expensive technique for removing hair.

Each laser and IPL use high energy beams of Mild to kill hair follicles, but laser makes use of one wavelength of Light, IPL makes use of white Mild that’s made of many unique wavelengths. however, it has regularly been claimed that IPL isn’t as effective as the laser in relation to permanent hair discount.

The truth is that Both laser and IPL remedies will vary in effectiveness and there are numerous reasons for this, and several reasons why IPL may not be as powerful in some instances.

1. The IPL or laser machine used:

The nice of equipment varies fantastically. From medically graded machines with a proven remedy efficacy and thorough education of operatives to cheap Chinese imports and not using a training and the entirety in among. It’s far feasible for a salon to purchase an IPL system for a lot less than a laser which gave rise to many salons buying a reasonably-priced machine and offering inferior pleasant IPL remedies.

2. The ability and schooling of the technician performing your remedy:

If the gadget is not set up successfully on your pores and skin kind, at first-rate you will get hold of a treatment that doesn’t lessen the hair; at worst you may end up with excessive burns. That is real of Both IPL and laser hair removal.

3. The variant in pores and skin shade because of sun publicity:

skin type is classed via the Fitzpatrick scale from 1 being very truthful pores and skin which burns effortlessly to five being black pores and skin. In case you get a tan among remedies or use fake tan, this may affect the outcomes. This is because the Light power used within the treatment is drawn to pigment. If there’s more pigment to your skin because you got a tan then the Light electricity may be diverted into the epidermis and no longer introduced through the pigment inside the hair shaft to the hair follicle. This can bring about the treatment being useless and may additionally cause a burn

Point of View – Choosing the Best Point of View for Fantasy Fiction Writing

Factor of View in Fable Fiction

If you need readers to preserve analyzing your e-book, Factor of view need to be carefully taken into consideration. It is in particular vital in Fable fiction writing. Why? The Point of view from that you choose to inform your tale sets the overall tone for the e-book. It offers the reader a vantage Factor from which to view the whole story as it unfolds.

choose the wrong Point of view and the reader can also feel like they’re missing out on something, or that they are not connecting with the book’s characters. Flop around between distinct points of views and the reader will become burdened.

At this Factor, you’ve lost them inside the first few pages.

There are definitely too many Delusion fiction books out there. Self-published books now account for 75% of the overall market. In line with Bowker.Com-the arena’s main company of bibliographic facts and control, answers-self-posted titles have grown 287% for the reason that 2006, resulting in a whopping 250,00 new print and e-titles in 2012. What was once a cottage industry is now the norm.

What does this suggest to you? Well, it method you better ensure you’ve got all your ducks in a row, and that your writing is absolutely fine it can be to compete. There are plenty of factors to consider, and I’ll be discussing this in future articles. For now, permit’s begin by way of discussing the three maximum popular factors of view: first individual, 1/3 character omniscient, and 1/3 person limited.

First character Point of View

Writing within the first person Factor of view is limiting. It does now not allow the reader to truly “see” the arena; it simplest lets in them to be “told” what the arena looks as if via the recitation of the e-book’s foremost character. Does something seem fishy? It ought to. Do not forget what all of your writing instructors and teachers have advised you approximately display-do not-inform?

It is nonetheless effective, but after some time it starts of evolved to sound like a weather record.

Example:

I seemed down the darkish dungeon corridor. The elf stood beside me. I used to be scared, however, I didn’t need to permit him now.

“What do you observed that is?” I requested. I heard something respiratory.

The elf looked at me and frowned. “I do not know,” he stated.

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KKR Private Equity Investors to Come to the NYSE

The weekend has been quite quiet while discussing market-related information until I was boarding my train and obtained an alert titled “KKR Plans to head Public on NYSE.” To start with I brushed it off, however as I’ve notion approximately it, the more surprised I have become. I was sitting on the beach, Blackberry less, but changed into confident that the men at KKR had a cause for this unexpected tender. However, earlier than I continue any further, permit me to introduce you to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.

Meet KKR

Respectfully called KKR via the street, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co has grown itself to be one of the most reputable personal fairness companies around. The 32 12 months vintage PE store has been involved in some of the biggest buyouts in history together with the RJR Nabisco takeover in 1989. The employer now has operations everywhere in the world which includes the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The company has caused waves within the calm IPO pond this yr with it’s today’s announcement.

IPO? Now? Why?

Control got here out and has stated that it plans to report an IPO wherein KKR might be valued among $12 billion and $15 billion and indexed at the NYSE. Kravis and Roberts are for this circulate as the corporation seeks to help out it is European arm- KKR private fairness Investors which has visible a great decline in its percentage rate because of concerns approximately its assets. The move comes a 12 months after Blackstone BX went IPO and has because now not reaped the blessings often associated with an IPO. KKR offers attractive terms to it’s Eu shareholders who should approve the provider earlier than the enterprise goes public. Below the set terms, Traders in the Ecu group will get extra shares if the stock does not appreciate in a hard and fast number of years. In addition to this, the enterprise has several phrases for its executives who are involved in the technique.

I’m very anxious for the team at KKR at some stage in this time,

I think the timing is very poor and the risks are a long way greater than the rewards. The European arm does seem to be undervalued according to the street, and a circulate through the figure to shop for now ought to yield rewards in the future. KKR private EquiBlackstone stock Charity Buyers has visible its net asset fee decrease within the modern-day area as overseas foreign money publicity and terrible investments dealt large blows. Know-how the needs of the organization, it’s far nevertheless difficult to fathom an IPO proper now. The markets have no urge for food for a large IPO, and one in non-public fairness? Let us get severe. The Blackstone organization has seen its shares decline with the aid of over 50%, But as a minimum, BX will now not stand alone as Buyers look on with much ambivalence.