#felt like drawing a giant chicken

[abnormallynice]

yellow ostrich snoozle

#felt like drawing a giant chicken #my art #final fantasy art #chocobo #final fantasy #fanart

[shy-urban-hobbit]

Aiden bit his lip, trying not to laugh at the sight that greeted him. After conquering the Killer earlier that afternoon, followed by hasty introductions and a quick tour of Kaer Morhen (the parts he'd been permitted to see, anyway), he wasn't ashamed to admit that the first thing his eyes had fallen on when Lambert had ushered him into his room and removed the dust sheets was the bed. A bed which was almost impossible to see underneath the huge pile of furs.

"Uhm, Lambert?" He asked as he slowly removed his pack and weapons, placing them by the door, "As comfortable as that looks, won't the others be pissed at you claiming all of those?"

Lambert looked over from his current task of throwing the ball of dust sheets into a corner of the room, following Aiden's gaze, "Huh? Oh no, they're all mine. One who brings the meat in gets first dibs on any other parts." He ducked his head in that way Aiden knew meant he was about to start feeling embarrassed about something, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guess I've done a lot of hunting these past few years. Least you'll be warm though."

Aiden thought back to something Lambert's giant of a brother had said back in the main hall whilst giving him a critically amused stare.

"So you're the reason Lamb Chop's kept us so well fed these past few winters."

Aiden hadn't replied, thinking maybe it was some sort of injoke amongst the Wolves he wasn't privy too (although he *definitely* made a mental note of the Lamb Chop nickname). Now though the implications were a little hard to ignore.

"So. What your brother said downstairs...Lambert, you didn't hunt all of these just for me did you?"

"Not just you, no. Meat always gets used." Lambert answered, scuffing his foot and not meeting Aiden's eye as the scent of his embarrassment started to swell, "I know you don't like the cold and I -" He made a frustrated noise and rolled his eyes like it was physically hurting him to get the words out. "I wanted to make sure you were comfortable when I stopped being too chicken shit to bring you up here." He finished, sounding almost petulant at the admission, flicking his eyes up to gauge the others reaction, "It was stupid of me to think you'd need that many though. I'll take some of them off."

Aiden felt a smile split his face at his Wolf's thoughtfulness. Before Lambert could get the wrong idea, he strode over and pulled him into his arms before drawing him into a kiss, knowing Lambert preferred actions over words.

Aiden's smile was still firmly in place when he pulled away, "The only thing I want you taking off isn't on the bed." He said, giving a playful tug on the others armour for emphasis before turning and jumping into the middle of the bed, laughing as he sank into and was surrounded by softness.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Come share in your spoils."

#the witcher #the witcher fanfiction #aiden/lambert #aiden x lambert #lambden #lambert/aiden #lambert x aiden #witcher aiden #witcher lambert #lambert

[ninebluehearts]

okay hear me out on this one- whiskey trying to get with a reader ( like flirting) but is just using all of this cringey pick up lines. Maybe for a little bit of extra stuff the reader and whiskey are already married and he’s just be flirty to mess with her. Does this make sense lol🥲🥲

Omg this is so cute!! It makes perfect sense baby

Ummm, this is a bit on the spicy side; nothing actually happens, but were gonna rate this M, so mdni.

-------------------------------------------------------

It was a Saturday night and Whiskey had insisted you went out for a date night. Both of you had been so wrapped up in your own work that you barely had time for each other anymore; other than the quick kisses in passing or the late-night phone sex when Whiskey was on a mission out of state..

So, even though you'd much prefer to stay in tonight, you just couldn't say no to his puppy dog eyes.

Whiskey had pulled you into a tight hug, pressing a kiss to your forehead. "You won't regret it, baby. We're gonna have so much fun. Promise. Now," Whiskey pulled away from you, a mischievous grin spread on his lips. "Go get yourself all pretty, sugar." He said as he reached behind you and landed a sharp smack against your ass.

You squealed, shoving his shoulder before rubbing your ass to soothe the stinging. "You're an asshole." You tried to hide your grin, storming past him and up the stairs to get ready.

"You know I just can't help it, sugar!" Whiskey hollered out in between chuckles.

-

But now here you are, laughing along with Whiskey at a nice bar, both of you pretty tipsy already.

Whiskey slammed back the last little bit of his drink, slamming the glass back down on the bar when he finished. "I've gotta take a piss. Grab me another, will ya, sugar?" He pressed a kiss against the side of your head before making his way back to the bathrooms.

You ordered another round of drinks, finishing the last of your own drink as you watched the bartender make you another apple martini. Once served your drinks, you laid your head against the bar, tracing your finger along the side of Whiskey's glass to draw small smiley faces on the condensation.

"My god. You have to be the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Whew." You sat up and spun your seat around to face your husband, who was standing behind you with a giant smirk planted on his face.

"What are you doing?" You asked, trying to somehow suppress the heat you felt in your cheeks.

"Tryin'a get your number, baby. I mean damn, are you an electrician? Because you’re definitely lighting up my night." Whiskey stepped into the space between your legs, his hands sliding up your thighs to slip his finger tips under your dress.

You rolled your eyes as your arms wrapped around his neck. "That was so bad. Tell me another." You said with a soft giggle, your lips ghosting over his.

"Hmmm, kiss me if I’m wrong, but dinosaurs still exist, right?"

"Do chickens count?" You teased, pressing your thighs against the sides of his legs.

"Nope." He breathed out, pressing his lips against yours with the passion you hadn't felt in what felt like forever. He gripped your hips to pull you flat against his body, wanting to feel you everywhere all at once. It felt like the Earth could be crumbling around you and yet, the only thing that mattered in that moment was him.

Once you finally pulled away to catch your breath, both of you still inches away from one another, you pressed your hand against Whiskey's cheek, soft pants escaping your lips. "I've missed you, Jack. So much.."

Whiskey brushed your hair behind your ear, his hand slipping back to cradle your cheek. "I've missed you too, sugar. We need to do this more often."

"Agreed." You tilted your head to the side, pressing a gentle kiss against his palm. "Take me home?" You asked, fluttering your eyelashes at him.

Whiskey grinned, "Actually, I was wondering if you had an extra heart."

Your eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. "Wha-"

"Because mine's just been stolen." He interrupted, chuckling at the way you rolled your eyes at yet another corny pick-up line.

"I'm done." You slipped away from him, pulling your wallet from your bag to close your tab.

Whiskey pressed his hand against your ass, content with just holding it for now.

"Be nice." You mumbled, side eyeing him.

"Don't worry, sugar, I will." He leaned down, his lips hovering over the shell of your ear. "I'll be real nice." He smirked as he watched chills run down your arms and legs, your cheeks heating up to that nice light pink shade he loved so much.

It was gonna be a long night, but you were both glad you finally had time to catch up.

Taglist: @emmymaehereeeeee

#agent whiskey #agent whiskey fanfiction #agent whiskey x reader #jack daniels #jack daniels x reader #pedro pascal #pedro pascal fanfiction #jack daniels fanfic #💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙thoughts #Thanks for the ask!!

[the-fiction-witch]

Love in Separation P2

Media The queens Gambit

Character Benny Watts

Couple Benny X Reader

Rating Sweet

I pushed myself up begrudgingly grabbing my kimono from the door as I headed out into the cold apartment I as usual headed for the counter but -

"Uhhh where's my coffee?" I complained my eyes were still fuzzy, desperately searching for my coffee cup and then it clicked "shit… no y/n. No coffee" I sighed "...fuck" I did my best to make myself a coffee this early in the morning and I could tell it was me the moment it touched my lips "ohhh that …that is not good" I sighed.

I did my best to just get in with things even if the quiet was starting to get to me a little I'd started putting records on or the radio just in hope to break up the silence a little but the worst was at night. I laid in bed, my body cold, and the covers didn't feel the same without her warm body in them too, I almost had too many covers I kept kicking them away from me I didn't like how much space I had in the bed, I just ended up laying there listening to the traffic of Brooklyn above me, the water shifting in the pipes and the clock ticking on the bedside table i turned over hoping it would help me sleep, for a while I stared at the bedside table the small square base lamp with a velvet black shade, the small rectangular clock with triangular hands, the small tower of books a few of my chess books, a few of her romances books and on the top the proof copy of her book, the small black square coaster still with a small ring where her morning coffee would often sit, and the small Polaroid picture of the two of us on our last trip to Moscow wrapped up warm, cuddled together, kissing in the snow. But that only made me feel worse so I turned away trying to sleep but I still couldn't so I grabbed the pillow she usually sleeps on pulled it down and closed into my chest so I could hug the pillow tight imagining her body between my arms.

I sighed giving up on my game and heading to the fridge I don't think I'm really hungry just bored without having y/n here to talk to but the fridge was pretty bare and given I leave for the tournament tomorrow no point going for groceries, all I had was some meat for dinner, some cheese, a couple of eggs and one of y/n's strawberry and cream yoghurts.

Hu… I didn't think a little pink yoghurt could make me feel so sad. I don't know I just felt so sad looking at it I miss her so much.

I did my best not to think about her but every little thing seemed to remind me of her, driving up to the tournament was heartbreaking having to sit in my car on my own the empty seat beside me, I often found I kept resting my hand on the empty seat as I automatically wanted to rest my hand on her thigh, I'd turned the music down three or four times it just felt so loud in the quiet car where it usually had us talking and laughing over it, I kept finding myself staring at the various seven eleven store signs and fast food places we would always stop for a giant slushie to share when we travelled I felt weird not having one but at the same time I couldn't get one without her, it wouldn't be the same and she always picks the best flavours anyway, and as much as I wanted to stop for fries and chicken nuggets but I don't know I just feel like I can't. I even caught myself when I spotted cows or horses on the road doing the little jokes without her

"Cows" I laughed trying to be first as I spotted them "Oh.. right. Little bird isn't here, I uhh I guess I win" 

I just drove through doing my best to just drive through, When I got to the hotel I got sorted and unpacked my stuff finding how even though I didn't need to I kept everything to one side, one side of the wardrobe, one side of the chest of draws, one side of the sink counter which honestly only made me feel more lonely, I barely slept at all the hotel bed just felt so lumpy and uncomfortable even if I tried hugging the other pillow to try and help me sleep. I don't know what y/n does to hotel beds but she always makes them so cosy. I barely got any sleep when my alarm went off I forced myself up and headed for a shower but quickly ended up fighting with the labelless twist tap. fuck it I'm clean enough! I got out, got dry and dressed for the day I sighed as I looked at myself "I miss my little bird, it's not the same without her" So I got my stuff and headed down to the main lobby of the hotel where everyone had gathered getting drinks for the tournament I grabbed myself as coke and staid on the edges of discussion once the tournament started I just got on with things focusing on the games at hand. 

I was deep into my game long since already found my path to victory without much of a concern absentmindedly I looked up from the board looking across the crowd in the hotel, but I stopped short as I saw the sweetest sight. 

Across the hotel there she stood in her little black kitten heels, a sweet knee-length white dress with a little black belt, her hair sweetly flowing her jacket and handbag over her arm. For a moment I had to double-take assuming I had merely imagined her I felt my eyes welling up so I immediately got up from the table and rushed as fast as I could across the hotel taking her in my arms and giving her a passionate kiss inhaling her scent squeezing her tightly "I've missed you so so much little bird"

"Awww Benny" she giggled "Your game-"

"I don't care, I haven't seen you in two weeks!" I told her

"What are you doing here?"

"I didn't have much to do so I thought I'd come home early"

 "I've missed you so much I don't ever want us to be apart again not for this long"

"Aww I missed you too Benny" she smiled giving me a soft kiss "You do realize all of your chess friends just witnessed you go all lovey"

"...fuck" I sighed "Ohh I don't care I've missed you so much. I love you so much little bird"

"I love you too Benny, now come on let's go finish your game before they never let you live this down" she smiled taking my hand

#benny #benny imagine #benny x reader #benn #benny smut #benny fanfic #tqg benny watts #benny watts smut #benny watts imagine #benny watts #bennywattssmut #tbs fanfiction #tbs #thomas brodie sangster #thomas sangster #thomasbrodiesangster #tbs smut #tbs imagine #tbs imagines #thomas brodie sangster smut #thomas brodie sangster imagine #thomas sangster imagine

[internetho]

Park Walk (more like Chase)

This was supposed to be finished last YEAR. I got stuck in Mexico so I had the minimum amount of braincells to finish this at 2 in the morning. Posted it to Ao3 too

Reader gets chased through the park by Flock that’s all lol

Fic under the line + Art (I finally updated it please look at it)

‘That’s a weird looking bird’ - thought as they stood 10 feet from the tree said bird was lounging in.

This is the second time they’ve come across one of those things and this time there was no door to hide behind. This time it was purple instead of orange from what they could see under the dim lights of the park lamps. It looked pretty goopy which is kind of goofy for a bird (wonder what that feels like, would be terrifying if it could fly), it also has SYTHES FOR ARMS????

Luckily, it didn’t seem to notice - yet so they began to back away from it slowly.

The thing is though…

It’s autumn, and in autumn what falls from trees?

Leaves

Extremely crunchy leaves

All coherent Thoughts had left -‘s head as soon as they saw the bird and not a single new one had come into it in the five minutes they had been standing there, monster watching.

So like an absolute idiot, (and without looking back to check) - stepped backwards directly off the path and onto a pile of leaves.

• C R O N C H •

‘Ah shit’

The bird snapped it’s head to look at them and (to -‘s horror) began to Screech. They covered their ears but could still hear faint ringing as they turned and began to sprint back down the path.

“It is official this county is FUCKING CURSED” - half shouted to themself- head raised to the sky as they felt a thump on the ground and several smaller vibrations on the ground behind them.

‘And the Bird is giving chase…Awesome’

- just wanted to go outside for once but here they were getting chased down by Big Bird’s smaller and more violent cousin. Their first time out in ages was going great. They’d rather have stayed inside doing nothing if they knew going out would’ve ended this way.

During their little monkey brain moment the path had progressively gotten more and more rocky. While this would normally slow anything like a bike down, this wasn’t a bike. This was a mass of slime that began gaining purchase as the stones of the path got larger and more cobbly.

‘Think THINK THINK IT LOOKS LIKE A BIRD HOW DO YOU PACIFY A BIRD’

‘The chicken video’

‘THE CHICKEN VIDEO’

How could they forget that one chicken video with a guy and a finger and- SOMETHIGN ELSE BUT THATS NOT IMPORTANT A DEMON is CHASING YOU

‘There’

An opening between two trees big enough for one person to squeeze through, and half a monster.

Perfect

Taking as deep of a breath as possible while one is running for their life, - put a burst of speed and miraculously didn’t trip or get stuck in the space between the two trees as the bird gave chase.

The impact from this giant goop ball managed the shake the trees quite a bit but they held fast.

Big bird was now (read: for the time being) trapped and squawking loudly again, unable to register the small space it would now have to have to back out of somehow. It also began flapping(?) it’s goopy appendages, spraying some liquid onto -‘s arms as they were still backing away.

Not even giving the thought to put their fingers anywhere NEAR this giant flailing bird thing, - -huffing and puffing due the the amount of running they just did- set about finding the nearest, decently sized stick and began waving it slowly in front of the thing’s face.

Focusing on the new thing in front of it, the bird stared as - guided its gaze towards the ground where upon reaching it, began to draw a line in between its eyes. It was like a little bubble formed around the two, no noise coming in or out, not even normal background park noises one would expect.

Just

Silence

Once the bird was thoroughly not present in this plain, feeling a bit dizzy; - stood up from their crouched position with some difficulty. When did their breath get so short? Why do their arms sting so much??

‘Oh Those are clouds. I’m on my back everything is swirling arou-’

They passed out

——

“Flooockkkk?”

“Pspspspspsps”

“FLOOOCKKKK???”

It’d been 10 minutes since Simon had come back and as soon as he saw the empty tree that was not so empty when he last saw it he’d been looking all around the area for his missing partner.

Thankfully nobody came around these parts of the park at this hour or he wouldn’t have be able to look for them as freely. Now walking down the path to a more forested area, Simon called out again.

“Flockkkk?!!!”

A faint trill answered from just a few feet off of the path.

‘Oh thank Six’

Rushing over, Simon was greeted with the sight of his partner and the reason he hadn’t found them earlier was now clear.

The Flock was stuck in between two tree trunks with a line drawn in the dirt. Said line led from the trip of their beak to a stick which led to a-

‘Ah shiiiiit’

A very much passed out human laying sprawled on the ground barely a few feet from the pair of veldigun.

Panic back in full force, Simon rushed over to his partner and began checking them over for signs of change.

Legs? No. Change in behavior? No, they are weirdly calm though.

Okay then, looks like the human would be relatively fine until the morning.

Walking behind the tree The Flock was still stuck in, he began making beckoning noises again.

Which was mainly just- “Pspspspspspsss” but that was the one that worked the most. That seemed to do the trick, the purple blob’s head shot up and it began slowly backing out of the space with little difficulty -now that it knows where to go-chirping and squawking all the while.

With that hiccup dealt with, Simon begins the task of getting the still passed out human where other humans can find them(said task just consisted of Simon half dragging - half carrying the human to the path while trying his very best not to touch any exposed skin as to not cause them any unnecessary damage). The Flock remains calm throughout this little process and with Simon around, there was a lot less chance of them attacking the human so it goes relatively quickly.

Now that the human is as safe as can be, Simon takes the Flock into his arms and begins the trek back to their home before the sun rises.

Old ver.

New ver.

#pastra #dreamsofaninsomniac #dreams of an insomniac #Simon DOAI #simon pastra #fanfic #the brain rot is terminal #doai the flock #doai simon #doai #my art

[tapalslegacy]

GET TO KNOW THE MUN. | respond to the prompts out of character!

what made you pick up the current muse(s) you have?

because he's handsome? and he has a great personality? haha, memes aside, I love Fallen Order and Survivor. at first, I shit you not, I didn't wanna play Fallen Order because of that GIANT! STUPID! FROG! so I stopped playing but started to really love Cal because I thought he was super cute? and then I was like, "Yeah, no, I can't keep talking about him without having played the game," and was even more motivated to finish it with Survivor coming around the corner.

the reason why I chose him is because of his internal battles. (I'm trying to keep this as spoiler-free as possible!) his internal battles made his character more relatable, and him always feeling like he has to do more than he needs to, like he feels like he needs to carry the weight of the galaxy on his shoulders? i deeply related to that and I think, loving and writing cal, he has taught me to be more patient and more kind to myself. and oh my god he's so handsome.

is there anything you don’t like to write? i used to be afraid of writing action because I felt like i'd be unsure of how to write it, but I've come to love writing action! i can't exactly think of anything I don't like writing. um I'm just a little nervous about writing nsfw but I think if I'm comfortable with my writing partner, then I can give it a shot! me, writing nsfw: what position are they in again?? UHHH but I know I can write smut, I'm just a little nervous that it won't be enjoyable for both parties omg.

is there anything you really enjoy writing? ANGST. AAAAAAAANGST!!!!! AND ROMANCE!!!! i find these facets of rp so so fun. hence why I'm always happy to ship if there's chemistry! i feel like angst helps me explore the character's nature more do a deep dive into the why behind things. WHEN IT HURTS THE HEART YOU KNOW THAT SHIT IS THE GOOD SHIT.

how do you come up with headcanons? it's almost like they come to me lol. i like to think a lot, especially on the verses I am passionate for. like the grand inquisitor cal verse is my absolute favorite and it's so full of angst that it's super fun to just sit back and think about what he would be like in that verse. i just let headcanons come to me naturally while I think about my muses. sometimes I draw inspiration from media, like film or shows. the loth-wolf idea was inspired by art I've seen of princess Mononoke (which I need to watch) and the rebels show? i just want to give cal a GIANT DOGGO to tell the doggo to SICK 'EM.

do you write in silence or do you play music? both! i can do either. music can inspire me.

do you plan your replies or wing them? both. i like to plot with my partners the set up and wing the rest. whatever feels natural. sometimes I have ideas of things I want to include in my replies beforehand, but other than that it's all trial by fire, baby.

do you enjoy shipping?  YES, DUDE. i am also open to platonic ships? i just love doing fluffy stuff. i love making cal the dense dumb ass I headcanon him to be. i want him to be a gentleman too, as he is! like he'd give his jacket to his partner. AAAAAAAA I WILL FREAK OUT IF THERE'S CHEMISTRY AND I'M ASKED IF I WANNA SHIP THE MUSES

what’s your alias/name? pen name is yuki!! 雪 / ゆき!! i also go by suzume 雀 / すずめ. my actual name is micah 舞香/まいか though. silly goose. suzu. call me whatever you want. CALL ME KESTIS WATCH ME MELT

age? i am 25!

birthday? october 1st!

favorite color? baby blue, baby pink, violet, orange, white!

favorite song? this changes everyday but i really like saturn by sza rn.

last movie you watched? probably revenge of the sith.

last show you watched? BAD BATCH LETS GO i miss tech

last song you listened to? fullmoon lullaby by porter robinson.

favorite food? i love pizza (pineapples on pizza FTW), chicken marsala, nilaga (filipino dish).

favorite season? winter. i love the snow. i love snowboarding sm.

do you have a tumblr best friend? yee @ghosts-eternal-soulmate . she deals with me and my unhinged thoughts about cal. shoutout to you. ty for being so accepting of me. i also love making new friends so if you wanna plot or just chat, IM me!

TAGGING @ofmagiick @oflightsbeam @lykaiia @red-flight @pawnshopsouls @vuulpecula @wihlted @astradecays @therapardalis @gwiazdowe @eclipsecrowned and you! x

tagged by @valorums hi hi callie! ty!

#𓇻 〵 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐇. ( ooc ) #i yapped a lot omg #dashboad game : get to know the mun #sorry y'all had to witness me simping for cal. it will happen again. i am actually not sorry.

[levans44]

Damage Control - Chapter 10

She remembers the first time she was here, during her first Friday night in college. Having arrived in a new city in a new state, she wouldn’t have survived her first semester without her building’s RAs, who had introduced her to some of the best eateries around campus. This was one of her personal favorites—a cute little Thai place a few blocks away from her old apartment. After a particularly bad test or whenever she was feeling down, a cardboard takeout box stuffed with chicken Pad Thai from this place never failed to cheer her up.

Now, sitting in one of the window booths of the restaurant 7 years later, it all felt a lot smaller than how she remembered it. But then again, that could have also been because of the 6-feet-tall giant sitting across from her. Thankfully, they had arrived at a time when the restaurant wasn’t bustling with hungry college students and Postmates couriers, so their order was out in under 10 minutes.

With two steaming dishes of stir-fried noodles between them, she slips out the little red notebook out of her purse and sets it down on the table.

“Before we eat, I need you to explain something.”

Steve looks nervously at her as she flips through the book before reaching the very back. With a satisfied grin, she rotates the notebook toward him and slaps it down on the table.

“I didn’t know you could draw!”

Steve groans, putting his face in his hands. “I don’t.”

“That is a lie.”

“It’s just… something I used to do.” He scratches the back of his neck, looking rather flustered.

During all of her researching and reading at Damage Control, the fact that Captain America liked to draw never came up once. The newly discovered fact was so endearing she could hardly hide her fondness over it.

She flips through the pages, looking up at him in awe “Steve, these are really good. Did you study art?”

“Yeah, I went to arts school for a while.”

She does a double take, eyes the size of saucers. “You what?”

“Auburndale arts.” He smiles softly, glancing down. "Never graduated, though”

“Why not?”

He shrugs, a heavy sadness in his shoulders. “There were more important things going on. I uhm…”

He clears his throat, before continuing. “I started trying to enlist around that time.”

She could tell that he had wanted to say something else instead, and wanted to ask what it was, but chose against it.

Instead, she purses her lip and nods, leaning back in her seat. “Well, that’s still… impressive.”

“Thanks” A sheepish smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he takes a sip of his water. It was only after he clears his throat, glossy eyes flitting up at the ceiling for a brief second, that she figures out what he had wanted to say instead—his mother, Sarah Rogers, had passed from tuberculosis when Steve was 20. Right around when he would have registered for art school.

I know how hard it is to lose someone.

She blinks, shifting in her seat, before taking a breath and straightening up.

“Well, you’ll have to draw me sometime, like one of your French girls.”

“What?”

His confusion makes her frown, before she lets out a loud laugh upon realizing that he had no clue what she was referencing.

She slides the notebook across the table, and he stares at it, trying to decipher what she found so amusing.

As his eyes flit back up to meet hers, she hands him his pen, smiling so hard her cheeks were starting to hurt.

“We gotta add one more thing to your list.”

“Whew, best meal I had in a while.” Captain America pats his stomach as he follows her out of the restaurant.

“Right? Amazing.”

“Yeah. Much better than anything we had in my time.”

"Well that was nothing, there's still so mu-"

Just then, a notification sounds from Steve’s phone, and he fishes it out of his pocket to check the screen. It makes her realize that she had just taken Captain America out for lunch, when he’s probably due for a million other commitments.

“Oh, if you have to go, I totally get it, I—”

“—no, no, we're good. Got another hour or so.”

She pauses, his reassuring smile slowing down her brain before it goes into overdrive.

“You sure?”

“Positive.” He nods before stopping to take a breath, squinting under the mid-day sun as he glances around at the landscape around them. Though they were still technically in the midst of Manhattan, they were now situated within a college quad. The robust greenery and glass-covered research buildings were strangely serene, somehow shielding them from the bustling city outside. They watched a few students throw around a frisbee on one of the lush green patches, others reading on lounge chairs or chatting as they made their way to class.

“This is your old college campus, isn’t it?”

It takes her a little while to break out of her nostalgia before she can respond.

“Yeah, yeah it is.”

“… mind if I ask for a tour?”

She looks up at him, a little surprised, but the smile on his face is unreadable.

“Ok, uh… what do you wanna see?”

He shrugs, adjusting his cap over his head. “Whatever you wanna show me.”  

“Well, we could start here… at the engineering quad.” She follows the small white stone pathway, headed toward the center of the campus.

“I used to be an engineering major, believe it or not.” She mutters quietly, letting out a small snort.

At that, Steve quirks an eyebrow, tilting his head to look at her.

“Oh yeah? Tell me more about that.”

She smiles, returning for a brief moment to the curious and wide-eyed sophomore she used to be. All she had wanted back then was the intern job at Stark Industries, to work for the Tony Stark. If only her 20-year-old self had known what she knew now.

She tells him small, insignificant stories from her college days, the ones she’s never though she’d come to reminisce—the spot she tripped over while running late to an exam, or the time she and her friends got drunk and highjacked a golf-cart, driving all the way across campus before being discovered by security. Steve listens in with genuine interest in his eyes, occasionally offering her a smile or a small comment. It made her feel as though her trivial experiences actually meant something.

Soon enough, they had reached the center of the campus, where a giant, bronze statue of the school’s founder stood, with the alma mater etched into the pedestal.

Veritas vos Liberabit.

The truth will set you free.

Funny thing, the truth. To her, it had long been lost. Around the same time that the eager spark within her—to help, to serve, to find the truth—had flickered off.

She gazes silently as young students and their families take turns standing in front of the statue, smiling excitedly for the camera.

If she had made her graduation, could all this have made her that happy? Would they have stood here for a photo, holding tightly to each others’ hands as they both smiled wide for the camera?

“She would have been so proud.”

His quiet remark interrupts her thoughts, ripping through her like a hot flame. She feels her stomach drop, tears immediately stinging in her eyes.

He remembered.

Her feet freeze to the ground—she finds herself unable to move, unable to breathe. Not even able to turn and look at him when she can feel his steady gaze on her.

He fucking remembered.

Eyes glued to a single spot on the statue’s pedestal, she desperately tries to control her breathing, feeling the lump in her throat press down on her airway like a heavy rock.

“You alright?” He asks softly from beside her, gaze still on her.

She couldn’t believe he fucking remembered.

She flinches as she feels a warm hand brush against her cold knuckles, eyes glancing up. She blinks, shaking her head though her answer is affirmative.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.”

She clears her throat, blinking the last of the tears out of her eyes before she suddenly reaches for him, grabbing him by the arm. He lets her push him in front of the statue, retreating a few steps before staring back at her, confused.

“Wha-”

Before he can get another word out, she grabs her phone and snaps a few photo of him. She checks the photo, satisfied at the dumbfounded look on his face, her alma mater standing proudly behind him. She feels the lump in her throat melt a little, letting out a small giggle as she giddy scrolls through the photos. Just a fun souvenir, she figures. Plus, she knew Tony would kill to get his hands on these photos.

Before she can look up to survey Steve’s reaction, she hears a woman’s voice approach her from behind.

“Oh how sweet! Are you two visitors? Would you like me to take a photo of the both of you?”

“Oh, n-” She’s quick to shake her head before she’s suddenly interrupted by Steve, who swoops in from behind her, hand gently skimming her upper back.

“Yes, please.” He smiles innocently, handing the woman his phone before pulling her in front of the status alongside him. He pulls her in close by the waist as she nudges his side, elbow digging not-so-subtly into his stomach. She glares up at him, but his gaze is fixed forward, flashing his pearly-whites. Before she can stop herself, a smile starts bubbling through the surface. She slowly lowers her elbow, trying not to focus on the way his fingers were resting above her hip as she looks up at the camera.

The woman crouches low, bringing the phone close to her face.

3, 2, 1, smile!

Damage Control Masterlist

#mcu #mcufic #mcu fic #marvel mcu #marvel fic #marvel fanfiction #steve rogers #steve rogers fanfiction #steve rogers x reader #steve rogers smut #captain america #captain america fanfiction #captain america smut #hurt #angst #hurt/comf #fluff #romance #eventual fluff #eventual romance #eventual smut #smut #enemies to lovers #enemies to friends to lovers

[phoenix-downer]

With A Smile Chapter 2

~1550 words. Sora/Kairi. Starts during the end of KH3 and moves into KH4. Sora POV. Angst, Romance, Fluff.

This story is dedicated to @tamtam88​​, and the art is by her as well! Thank you again for drawing such a beautiful piece and providing such wonderful inspiration 🥺 ❤️  

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

Summary: Sora's life in Quadratum feels cold and empty until one day, he spots a girl wearing a familiar-looking hair clip that sparks his memory.

Life in Quadratum felt cold, empty. Like Sora’s heart was missing and he didn’t know what had happened to it. 

He didn’t feel like smiling or laughing. Didn’t feel much like joking around either. There was too much going on. The Heartless had invaded this giant city somehow, and he was constantly fighting. There were so many people that needed protecting, that needed to be kept safe, and the Keyblade was the only thing that could do it. Which meant he was one of the only ones who could do it. His battles left him starving and exhausted, so when he wasn’t fighting he was eating or sleeping. His life was just one dull, repetitive, draining cycle with no end in sight.

What was his life like before he came to this place? He couldn’t remember. His memories were gone, torn out of his heart and scattered like broken chains to the four winds. In their place was a deep fog he was drowning in, blocking his mind’s eye and dulling his heart. Most days he felt like he was just swimming aimlessly through the fog, and today was no exception. He went through the motions because he didn’t know what else to do, and right now that meant grabbing a quick lunch.

He ducked into a Seven Eleven convenience store, hoping for nikupan or croquettes or onigiri. Maybe if he was lucky there would still be some good bentos left, but it was a gamble whether he’d be able to finish everything in time. Half the time he got interrupted when he was trying to eat. Enough people recognized him as “that guy with the giant key” and wanted to ask for his help or his autograph (sometimes both). 

Thankfully, this time he was left to peruse the aisles. People were on their lunch breaks and wanted to get in and out so they could eat before they had to go back to work. That was the good thing about going to this convenience store: it was in Shibuya, which was such a busy part of Quadratum that no one really paid attention to the other people around them. 

It all just felt really…lonely. He longed for human connection. Strelitzia was his only friend here, and she was more reserved and needed her space sometimes. He wondered if in his old life he had lots of friends. If he used to be more talkative and outgoing. 

Thankfully his favorite type of bento box was still there. It had sliced and dried daikon, a piece of sausage, a croquette, fried chicken, tamagoyaki, mackerel, a little hamburg steak, and a fried veggie/meat roll, plus the usual rice, this time seasoned with red shiso flakes. He grabbed a bottle of green tea too and got in line. When at last it was his turn to pay, the convenience store clerk seemed to recognize him but politely carried out her job. Once his food was purchased, he went over to the white table and high chairs lined against the window to eat his food. 

He didn’t really have anywhere else to eat unless he trekked all the way back to his apartment in Minami-Aoyama, so this was his best option. A couple of other people were seated on either side of him, and they both politely ignored his existence as they ate their food. 

Wherever he was from, people talked to each other when they ate. Food was supposed to be a shared, communal activity. A way for friends and family to bond. That much he was sure of. 

Frowning, he broke apart his wooden chopsticks and removed the plastic cover from his bento box. Eating was now a reminder of how lonely every aspect of his life was. He and Strelitzia tried to eat together in the evenings, but that was entirely dependent on how much fighting he had to do and for how long. Sometimes he didn’t get home until after midnight, and all he had energy for was passing out on his futon. 

As he took a bite of the fried chicken, a small flash of yellow outside caught his eye. A girl with shoulder-length red hair was walking outside the store, wearing a long pink and black coat with a white blouse and black pleated skirt. The clip in her hair, it had a small, yellow fruit with a tiny green leaf on it. Something about that fruit was familiar—

She turned to look at him, her hair splashing against her cheeks. A gentle smile spread across her face, making her lovely blue eyes dance, like she knew a secret he didn’t and was teasing him about it. She was really, really pretty, and he felt the heat creeping up his neck and face. A cute blush dusted her cheeks, and as her smile got bigger, he swallowed and dropped his chopsticks. 

She made a playful motioning gesture, and he left his food and went to the door. 

“Sir, you���re forgetting your food!” the poor clerk called in the politest way possible, but he didn’t care. He had to go outside and meet that girl. Something about her was so familiar… 

She was waiting for him outside with a shy smile on her face. “Hello,” she said, her boot-clad toes pointing inward slightly in a way that was absolutely adorable. 

“Um, hey.” He rubbed the back of his neck. What was it about this girl that really drew him in? His eyes kept wandering to that little hair clip, something about it reminded him of home—

“Sorry, it’s just a lot to take in,” she remarked, her eyes roaming up and down him. “You’re taller and even more handsome than before.” She giggled into her hand. “It just doesn’t feel real, you know? I’ve dreamed about this moment for so long…” 

“Sorry, do I know you?” It was a genuine question; she certainly seemed to know him, but he didn’t know her, and maybe he was supposed to. His heart certainly was telling him that. She felt so familiar, so right, and he wasn’t sure why. 

Her lips parted, and a flicker of pain went through her eyes before they softened. “That’s right, they warned me you might not remember anything. It’s okay, I’ll help you get your memories back.” 

“Tell me, how do I know you?” he pleaded. This girl certainly seemed to have all the answers to the questions that had been haunting him for months.

“We’ve known each other a very long time,” she replied, but her answer seemed cryptic. 

“Am I in love with you?” he blurted out. His face turned bright red as soon as he did, but he couldn’t ignore what his heart was telling him.

She smiled sadly. “What do you think, Sora?” 

His breath caught in his throat. With just one word, she’d cleared the fog shrouding his heart and mind, like the sun breaking through the clouds. The chains of his memories clinked back into place and made him whole again. His name, she knew his name, she knew everything about him, and he knew her.

“Kairi?” he said, barely above a whisper. As if saying it any louder would break this fragile hope he was taking a leap of faith on.

Tears filled her eyes, and she reached for his face. “I told you I’d come for you, didn’t I?” 

He pulled her into his arms and held her as close as he possibly could. She’d kept her promise, she’d really come for him. She was really here, this wasn’t his imagination, this was real. Her warmth and scent and touch, her tears and joy and affection. 

When at last they parted, she placed her hand on his chest, and he rested his hand over hers, bumping foreheads with her. Her smile was so big and so beautiful, and her tears were happy ones. He closed his eyes and sighed, savoring this moment, sharing his heartbeat with her in the hopes it would share his heart. 

When at last he opened his eyes again, he asked, “There’s a really good cafe near here, wanna go with me?”

“Like on a date?” she playfully teased. 

He grinned. “You know it is.” He rubbed the back of his head, remembering the fate of his poor bento box. “I kinda ditched my other lunch because I got so distracted by this pretty girl, and I’d really like to take her out. Besides, I told her I would if I lost that bet she made with me.” 

“She’d like that very much,” Kairi replied. “There’s a lot she and this guy need to catch up on.” But then her smile fell, and her head drooped a little. “And…she wants to share a meal with him again.” 

Her lip trembled and her eyes shone with tears, and his heart filled with compassion for her. Their time apart must’ve been so difficult on her. He at least had forgotten until now, even if his heart knew something was wrong; she was aware of his absence every agonizing moment. 

“Then let’s go do that,” he said softly, holding out his hand.

She nodded and wiped her eyes, then took his hand. “Please, take me there.” 

With a smile, he did just that. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: Happy Valentine's Day everyone! ❤️ 

The description of Sora's bento box comes from here. 

The moment when Sora sees Kairi through the convenience store window was inspired by this lovely piece of art by Tam.

And then the moment after Sora and Kairi hug was inspired by this beautiful piece.

Thank you again Tam for working with me and for providing such wonderful inspiration 🥺 🙏 And thank you all for reading!

#kingdom hearts #sokai #sora #kairi #sora x kairi #sora/kairi #tamtam88 #phoenix writes #phoenix-downer #kh fanfiction #sokai fanfiction #sorakai #sorakairi #long post #thank you again tam ❤️

[aliceindaisychains999]

I like to know what the Ultimis crew give each other for chirstmas (I know it's still early but I really wanna know)

I already decorated my room and I usually help put the tree up on Thanksgiving, so you’re right on time in my book!

Ultimis Gift Exchange

Already, the Zombies Christmas Album has proved that despite the chaos they go through on a daily basis, they actually want to try and make things nice

So, Tank was the one who suggested to do a secret Santa thing. It’ll make finding gifts in the middle of a zombie outbreak less frustrating. Richtofen’s like “That’s a stupid idea. Haven’t I done enough already for you dummkopfs?” But then he realizes he could get something special and decides to give it a try.

Everyone spends the next few days scavenging for at least one gift. Everyone put a name in Takeo’s hat and randomly chose someone. The order is as follows:

Takeo—> Richtofen | Richtofen —> Nikolai | Nikolai—> Dempsey | Dempsey —> Takeo

So, everyone decides to wait for Christmas day to have a nice sit down. Richtofen purposely transported everyone to Finland via teleportation (because Group 935 did have a location there and he thought the winters were beautiful). There were a few zombies wandering around in the cold but they still made it to a nearby cabin safe and sound.

They started with Richtofen, who was very eager to give Nikolai his gift! “I really wanted to make this one count! I made sure stay up all 3 nights to give it the finishing touches it needed.” He designed a special melee weapon for him: a giant electric axe with a powerful laser feature by the blade. It could slice and shock several zombies at the same time! Nikolai was honestly touched (even if Richtofen was a bit strange), but he felt awful because of what he found for Dempsey’s gift. It would not make the doctor happy.

What did Nikolai find? Dempsey held it up by the neck. “A rubber chicken?” “Да! Is funny, no?” Our marine went a little further than choking the chicken (he fucking death gripped it) and it emitted a shriek of unholy horror. “Are you a child? Stop that!” yelled Richtofen. “I got it so you could annoy Richtofen.” Nikolai and Dempsey were laughing about it. “Well, I’ll be damned! Thanks, Nik. I really needed a good laugh.” He heartily patted his Russian friend on the back while Richtofen’s eye twitched. After everything I did for you, Nikolai…

And yes, Dempsey is constantly playing with the rubber chicken until Richtofen’s had enough and tries to grab it from him. Tank bops him on top of his head with it. HONK! “NEIN! GIVE ME THAT!” “Ha ha ha ha ha! Take that, mother clucker!”

“Aren’t you supposed to have a gift for Takeo?” Richtofen huffed. “Or did that mustard seed sized braincell of yours fail to remember something so simple?!” Dempsey would never forget his buddy Takeo! Dempsey ended up gifting Takeo a ray gun that he saved from the box. He wanted Takeo to have a head start for the next round of zombies.

However in private, he gifted the warrior a large origami star he folded himself. Tank drew two stick figures of him and Takeo on it titled “Brothers in Arms”. Takeo was truly happy that his friend could do origami so well from the little bit that he was taught. But Takeo, being a man of little words, simply smiled and thanked him with “ありがと! I like the little drawing as well!” He’s kept the origami star in his uniform pocket as a reminder that he at least made one very good friend in this messy apocalypse situation.

Richtofen wasn’t so hopeful about his gift until Takeo managed to surprise him. He was gifted a snowglobe of New York City. It had little buildings and the tiniest taxis you’ve ever seen inside, and even the Statue of Liberty. There was a wind up key on the bottom that played “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra for a little bit. It was beautiful! Nobody knew but Richtofen had a secret dream of visiting Manhattan. He was really trying hard not to tear up, but his eyes were lit up with wonder as if he was a young boy again.

“How… Where did you get this?” Everyone felt unsettled seeing him so quiet. Takeo replied, “It was a hidden secret in someone’s desk.” He found it in a desk drawer at the Cosmodrome. But what was it doing there? A Western spy must’ve been there in the past disguised as a scientist. Either way, the Doctor thanked Takeo and crushed him into a hug. Takeo, being aloof, simply soldiered still until it was over. But he did pat him on the head.

The rest of the evening was spent drinking, singing merry carols and trying to enjoy each other’s company until enough zombies were making a racket outside the snowy cabin.

#cod zombies #edward richtofen #tank dempsey #takeo masaki #nikolai belinski #ultimis richtofen #ultimis dempsey #ultimis nikolai #ultimis takeo #my writing

[sinkat-arts]

Daisuga WIP (Thursday) Wednesday

So, I decided at to start doing WIP Wednesday. I'm actively working on a long fic that won't be posted for... forever, and it might help me stay motivated if I can post little bits here and there? Anyway, I decided that at, like, 1 AM Pacific Time last night, so... very late. Which is why I'm posting this today. This is actually a part that I've scrapped from the larger fic, but I like it well enough to want to maybe do something else with.

For context, this is after the Interhigh Tournament, which was in June. Since Suga's birthday is also in June, I decided to combine the two. And since it's in Suga's POV, I use Koushi? I honestly don't know how he'd refer to himself in his head;;;; I also juggled the timeline and events of the day after Interhigh around a little bit, which is partially why I scrapped this.

--

13 June 2012

Suga

It should have been a day like any other. Just a Wednesday. There were many like it before and there would be many like it after. But this particular Wednesday was maybe a little different. This one was… well, it was a mixed fucking bag so far. 

“I can’t even be happy on my birthday,” Koushi groused aloud. He picked halfheartedly at his packed bento, but even though his mom had made sure it was full of his favorite things, he just didn’t have much of an appetite today. “Thanks, Seijoh, just what I wanted. A big fat L for my birthday.” 

Asahi took a sip of his juice. His giant paw of a hand dwarfed the box, making it look like a prop from a kid’s toy kitchen set. He gave a solemn nod in agreement, the picture of serious contemplation with the straw of a baby juice box still stuck in his mouth. Koushi couldn’t hold the giggle that bubbled up despite the dour mood.  

“What?” Asahi asked, snapping into attention in a mild panic, “Something on my face?” 

“You’re adorable,” Koushi answered, grinning and reaching over to pat his head, “You just make sure you finish your juice box like a good boy, ‘kay?”

Asahi didn’t miss that he was being teased. “Oh, ha ha,” he grumbled, running his empty hand over his hair to make sure none of it had escaped the tie holding it back, “You’re never too old for a juice box… and anyway, you’re the old man here, not me.” 

“By, like, 6 months,” Koushi returned, but his attention had strayed away from his friend. His eyes scanned the courtyard, seeking. Koushi sucked his teeth in frustration - he hadn’t found his target. Again. “Are you sure…” he began.

“I’m sure,” Asahi cut in, doing a decent job of masking exasperation, but Koushi caught it all the same. The exasperation was well-deserved, though, so he let it slide. It wasn’t that Asahi predicted what he was going to say because he was psychic… he’d just been asked the question already. Twice in the course of 20 minutes. “I saw him this morning, but not since.” 

“Lunch is halfway over,” Koushi said, pushing a piece of fried chicken around. “We could at least eat lunch together for my birthday… Do you think he forgot?” 

Asahi raised his head, face inscrutable for a few seconds. Most of the time, the guy was an open book, he had all the guile of a puppy… but every now and then he had these moments. Moments where Koushi felt like Asahi knew something and was holding back. 

“No,” he said, taking the last, loud draw of juice from the container before setting it down neatly on the table in front of him, “He wouldn’t forget. Something must have held him up… maybe a teacher grabbed him.” 

“You think?”

“Maybe?” Asahi said with a shrug that was somehow sympathetic rather than dismissive, “We could go look for him.” 

It could have been the shitty mood after losing yesterday - which was surprisingly devastating, considering how often the third years had experienced loss since coming to Karasuno - but something really wasn’t sitting right. He didn’t like the fact that he himself hadn’t laid eyes on Daichi all day, he didn’t like the look Asahi gave him, he didn’t like that he was at their table and Daichi wasn’t. He’d expected today to be kind of off, but it was too far off. Something had to be going on. 

“Nah,” Koushi said and started pulling his bento back together, “I’ll go… you, uh… you hold the fort down in case he does come. Text me?” 

Asahi nodded, but that weird look was back on his face. He wished he knew what it meant, but if he wanted to find Daichi and (gently) reprimand him for skipping out on lunch, he couldn’t press. He finished packing back up and turned away, walking at a pace that he hoped hid the fact that he was getting just the tiniest bit scared of what might be going on. 

It’s nothing. Probably just what Asahi said… a teacher asked him to help with something. And Daichi can’t not help someone. The guy’s hopeless. 

Still, his feet carried him faster and faster as he got closer to the nearest entrance to the school. There were a few places Daichi might be, assuming a teacher hadn’t sequestered him somewhere, so he turned himself towards what he thought the most likely spot would be and made his way to the gym.

At first glance, the place was empty, but that wasn’t cause for worry yet. He wouldn’t be on the court, not if there was something wrong, so Koushi made a straight line to the storage room. Closed, but unlocked… someone was in there. As silently as he could, he turned the knob until he felt the weight of the door swing free of the catch, and moved inside with a few soft steps. Ah, and there he was. Leaning against one of the ball caddies, shoulders slumped over and head in hand, Daichi was facing away from the one window that was the sole light source for the room. It was hard to make out his face, bathed in shadow as it was, but it was clear he was… lost. In thought, in his head, he was somewhere far enough away that he hadn’t noticed Koushi’s approach. 

Koushi took a step forward and stopped at the sound of a sniffle. His heart dropped a little as he realized that those slumped shoulders were shaking a little. Even more when he realized Daichi wasn’t holding his head to support it, he was clutching one hand over his mouthing, desperately pressing against it and trying to keep everything in.

Part of him wanted to leave. Slip back out the door unseen. This was something private, something vulnerable. It wasn’t meant for anyone’s eyes, and if Daichi knew he’d seen… would that be a betrayal of some kind?

But that wasn’t all. Part of him wanted to leave because he was scared. Not just of how Daichi would react when he finally noticed him, but of himself. He was terrified of what he wanted to do in this moment. Rush forward, collect Daichi in his arms, find out what hurt and make it go away. How, though? What should he do? What could he possibly do that would help… and still keep him on that highwire he’d been walking ever since they were idiot first years and Daichi had smiled at him like that with his warm brown eyes and the sun in his stupidly handsome face. 

What he wanted, what his instincts said to do, was too much. But his friend - his best friend - was hurting right in front of him, and whatever nonsense his heart was trying to pull right now, Daichi needed… something. It was, Koushi figured, in his job description to at least offer. Daichi could make the choice himself to tell him to leave or let him stay.

#wip wednesday #on a thursday #daisuga #sawamura daichi #sugawara koushi #daichi #suga #haikyuu #haikyu #fanfic #also scrapped because I took a good hard look at what I was doing #and decided to keep it fully in Daichi's POV #as you can maybe tell this one is angsty #also I feel like poor asahi is in the middle of this multiyear pining situation #and is Tired

[i-can-even-burn-salad]

Chapter 15

Glass Shards

Warnings: None

There’s a lil drabble in between this and the next arc: Cards.

Previous | Masterlist | Next

What little sleep the remainder of the night had brought hadn’t been exactly restful. Damien awoke with a pounding headache. Merridy’s mumbled ‘good morning’ and the way she made no effort to get up told Damien that she probably wasn’t feeling much better.

He offered to fetch breakfast and lunch, but otherwise stayed inside. In between he continued to keep himself busy with the book from the previous day, reading some of the stories out loud again. Even though he had assured Merridy multiple times that he didn’t mind her falling asleep, she didn’t seem as relaxed as she had been listening to him before. It was a shame. Damien had no explanation for her strong reaction to realizing she had fallen asleep, but she had been so upset, he didn’t dare to ask.

What concerned him more was the pained look on her face when she shifted on her bed, or crawled out beneath the blankets to visit the outhouse in the back of the inn. When he saw her mix some of her herbs into a cup of water and downing it with a grimace, he at least figured out the reason for some of her behavior. From his quest to fetch something for dinner he returned with a grilled chicken, some freshly baked bread and a chocolate covered pastry. The latter earned him a grateful smile, and for a while after dinner things seemed to return to normal.

Merridy excused herself to bed early, but this time he didn’t have the feeling it was to avoid talking to him. She seemed truly exhausted, and Damien was glad his nightmares didn’t return that night. He’d have hated to wake her up again, as grateful as he was for her pulling him out of the horrors that haunted his sleep so often.

Two days later, they started their exploration again. Neither Merridy nor Damien wanted to return to the little market square yet, so they finally ventured out into other parts of the city. With each day, the distances they covered grew longer. They went to the harbor and marveled at the huge ships that were loaded and unloaded there. They visited the lighthouse where an eternal fire of the goddess Vandaya was burning, showing sailors the way to a safe haven. They visited the exotic markets under giant roofs made of shimmering crystals where strange spices, the finest fabrics, and other rare goods were traded.

If it rained or they just didn’t feel like leaving the room, they looked for other things to do. Damien found a way to hold and discard playing cards with only one hand, and spent many evenings letting Merridy defeat him in one game after another. He was sure she was cheating and almost found more pleasure in trying to figure out how and where than he would have had in winning. Sometimes he would read to her, and sometimes they would just sit quietly, each absorbed in a book or their own thoughts, amicable silence between them that needed no words.

Every now and then he wondered how long it would go on like this. At some point, they would run out of money. Even if they didn’t, he wouldn’t want to spend the rest of his life in a cheap inn. But those questions led to others he wasn’t ready to ask just yet. What would he do — what could he even do to earn a living? His time with the rebels hadn’t exactly left him with many practical skills, and now he’d have to find something for which no two arms were needed.

What tormented him even more was the question of what Merridy would do. Would she stay with him, another week, a month, or longer, or would it draw her back to Caldeia? She had left her home and her friends behind — for him — and he couldn’t blame her if she wanted to go back. That didn’t mean it wouldn’t break his heart, if it came to that.

Whenever these thoughts surfaced, Damien tried to repress them. He knew the happiness he felt right now was deceptive and could not last, but with all the distractions during the day, and with Merridy at his side, it was easy to forget. 

Again and again they returned to the sea and strolled along the beach, the wet sand under their feet, high cliffs at their side. Sometimes they would bring a blanket and spread it on the ground on a hill that was safe from the rising tide. Here they could sit for large parts of the day. Damien found the view as breathtaking as he had the first time he had laid eyes on the vastness of the ocean. He could stare for hours, get lost in the constant motion, watching the waves dance and the ships arrive and depart, looking like children’s toys from this distance.

Sometimes Merridy sat with him on the blanket, sometimes she walked along the shoreline on her own. Then she bent down every few steps, picking up colorful shells and smoothly polished stones. Other times she’d scale the cliffs at their backs, and Damien would watch her apprehensively. The rocks were wet and slippery, and no matter how often he saw her climb, he still feared that one day she would fall. She never did, though, and eventually his worry made room for admiration, at least partially. The way she didn’t shy back from heights that would have made his stomach turn; the way she found spots for her hands and feet on what seemed to be a smooth surface; the way she scaled one boulder after another until eventually she stood, arms spread wide, good twenty feet above the beach. 

On this day he once again watched her turn against the wind and close her eyes, a smile on her face. It was this smile that filled his chest with warmth, seeing her so truly happy. Some strands of her hair had escaped her ponytail, were now fluttering around her head, almost glowing in the light of the setting sun. Damien found himself wishing he was closer to her, so he could tuck the strands back behind her ears, and perhaps catch a hint of her lavender scented soap. He wanted to feel her arms around him, making him feel safe in a way nothing else ever had. He wanted all those laughs when he made a joke, and the little nudges when she wanted to show him something, and those content sighs when she settled down after a long day.

After a while, Merridy climbed back down from the rock, and Damien reached out to help her with the last bit. They both knew she didn’t need that help, but she didn’t hesitate to take his hand either. Merridy jumped back to the ground, wiped her other hand on her pants and nudged Damien.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked.

There was no way Damien would tell her his exact thoughts. But perhaps it was finally time to voice another question. He wouldn't have found the courage for it, if not for the warmth that still filled his chest.

“You said you would stay with me as long as I needed you.”

“Mhm,” she replied, her gaze suddenly fixed on him. She lifted her hands to tie her hair back, to put the escaped strands back into the ponytail.

Damien took a deep breath. “What if I’ll always need you?”

Merridy leaned back against the cliff and studied his face. Damien wondered what she saw. He had long since regained some of his color, his cheeks were no longer sunken, and his beard, carefully trimmed to minimal length, gave him a slightly bold appearance. But he did not feel so bold at that moment, rather so nervous he could barely keep his hand from trembling. He already deeply regretted that he had asked this question.

“Then I’ll stay forever,” she replied simply, snapping him out of his musings. 

When Damien started to pace restlessly back and forth, she furrowed her brows in confusion, but he barely noticed it.

“Why, because you promised to help me?” he asked, upset. “So you can sew buttons on my clothes and cut my food?” He shouldn’t have started. Now it was too late.

“Is that what you meant?” Merridy asked him instead of answering. She seemed quite calm, which only increased his inner turmoil. He didn’t know what he had meant. The thought of her standing up one day and announcing that she would leave now almost drove him mad. He wanted to keep her by his side, every day of his life, but he wanted nothing else. It didn’t match anything he had ever learned. He didn’t have the words for it. Friends didn’t live together like this, and partners were for things he had decidedly no interest in.

Merridy jumped up as well, patted her pants clean and put her hands to her sides. She glared angrily at him and Damien lowered his gaze to the ground. Why couldn’t he keep his big mouth shut for once instead of always pissing her off? He wanted to explain, to tell her about his fears, but he couldn’t get a word out.

“Why do you think I’ve stayed this long?” she asked him. Her voice sounded gentle. It didn’t match her angry look, but Damien winced anyway.

“I don’t know,” he said softly. Now it was him, leaning against one of the rocks at his back. His shoulders slumped and he sank into himself until his figure looked tiny and broken against the cliff. Again and again he had asked himself this question, fearing that one day she would too. That she would realize there was no reason to stay anymore and leave him. “I don’t know,” he repeated again.

Still he did not dare to look up again. When she remained silent, second after second, he finally forced himself to lift his head. Merridy stood very close to him, but he could not interpret the look on her face. When she began to speak, he held his breath.

“Because you’re my friend,” she said. “Don’t you need friends too?”

Damien didn’t know what to say. He could only stare at her silently as his mind raced. Perhaps he interpreted his feelings wrong. It wasn’t like he had much experience with it. And anyway, they weren’t as important as the fact that she seemed to be willing to stay. Could they just be friends? Was it that simple in the end?

“I do,” she added more quietly when he still hadn’t answered her after a while. She reached for his hand, but he was frozen. Only when he saw disappointment slowly spreading on her face and she started to withdraw her hand, he came to his senses. He clasped her fingers and held them tightly.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I would like to be your friend.” Damien barely managed to stop himself from begging her to stay, to give him another chance to make this right. “I really do. But I’m bad at this. I never had any friends.” The moment the words left his lips, he wanted to take them back. He felt like the failure he had always been. 

“Damien…” 

There was something in her tone, in her look. She had been so happy a few minutes ago, and now she looked so sad. Damien hated that he was the cause of this. 

“You are my friend, you—” 

Merridy interrupted herself by closing the distance between them and wrapping her arms around him, as far as the rock at his back allowed. Damien was sure his heart would jump out of his throat any moment now. He could smell her hair, just like he had imagined it earlier, and it took his breath away.

“I didn’t think I’d have to spell it out for you like that, but here goes,” she said, taking a step back, but keeping her hands on him. “You are my friend, Damien. I’m not staying because I promised to help you, I’m staying because I enjoy your company.” She opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something else, but then seemed to decide against it. 

“Perhaps we’ll need to think about the future,” she said after a moment. “But if you want we can think about that together. Do you… do you want that?” she asked, and suddenly she looked just as unsure as he had felt.

He didn’t trust his voice, so he only nodded. He wasn’t entirely sure if it would be appropriate to tell her that he couldn’t think of anything he’d want more.

Merridy smiled. “For now, the only future we need to think about is the immediate one. Because that dark cloud over us will drench us if we don’t make it back to the inn in time. Whoever’s at the gate last fetches dinner,” she shouted and began to run, across the beach towards the city. 

Damien pushed himself off the rock and ran after her. The first drops started to fall before he had even crossed half the distance, and only just before the gates of the town did she let him catch up. When he reached her, laughing and out of breath, he pulled her into his arm. He didn’t care about the rain, soaking his hair and his clothes. He didn’t even feel the coldness of the water, running down his back from his neck. He felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. For the first time since he had escaped from the dungeon, he felt truly free.

If you’re still around, thanks for joining the ride :D I set it up so this chapter would be quite a nice conclusion to Damien’s story, should one want to stop reading here.

Not sure if I continue next week or take a break. When I continue, I will drop this tag list, because it takes quite a turn into another direction, and I don’t want to tag people in stuff they might be uncomfortable with. There’ll be this dreaded lady whump thing :’) failed sexual assault, a lot of talking about traumatic past events, and just not the same kind of stuff that started with Undeserved, you know?

Let me know if you want to stay on, but you can also find all I write on my side blog @elli-scribbles​

Tagging: @teamwhump​​ @villainsvictim​​ @dont-touch-my-soup​​ @whump-in-the-moonlight​​

#Glass Shards #whump #fantasy whump #my writing

[whodarestoloveforever]

We lost you on Thursday.

We laid you to rest today.

My entire life you were my best friend, and my Nana.

The dread and loneliness that consume me attempting to comprehend the reality that you’re gone feels insurmountable, but otherwise is indescribable.

And I ask myself a question almost identical to one I’ve heard numerous times before, but is now so raw, painful and real:

How can such a strong person,

a life brimming with so much energy and love,

a soul so powerful,

simply…disappear?

You lived life in a way that made the inevitable seem impossible. You made 95 years seem too soon. In the past 15 years alone you battled and fully recovered from heart surgery, a stroke, emergency surgery, cancer, and technically even covid. You could’ve lived forever, proved immortality is actually possible, and it would’ve been less of a shock than this. I genuinely never expected to outlive you.

Thank you for quite literally everything you’ve ever given me, and for all the memories I have of/because of you.

For the memories I share with D and H, and even with B; all the times I’d come over to your apartment on a Saturday evening, and we’d order Chinese food (was there ever a time you didn’t get sesame chicken?), then set up the pullout sofa-bed exactly the way you wanted it, and finally watch a movie or tv until we’d doze off. It didn’t matter how late mom and dad would pick me up the following day, they always came too early.

For all the trips the two of us would take to the mall to get dinner from some place in the food court, and then walk around and shop…and sorry for all the times I pulled you into Hot Topic, I know you hated going in there.

For the countless stories you got to tell me about relatives I never had the chance to meet.

Even for the times I took you to doctor’s appointments, because we’d still spend time together afterwards, whether it was going to the diner or Red Lobster, or just going back to your apartment and keeping you company.

And even for all the things that may seem unimportant or even silly;

Like when you were the only one who showed genuine anger after the girl who bullied me left a threatening note in my backpack, and you told me to “punch her right in her fucking face”.

Or that one time mom and I were at your apartment and she had seemingly gone through every channel on your tv, but still couldn’t find something you wanted to watch, so she gave up and handed me the remote. So I sat down next to you on the couch, then almost immediately found and put on IASIP for us; you thought it was the funniest fucking show(and of course you decided Charlie Day was your favorite before we’d even finished one episode).

I’ll miss everything about you, right down to the smart ass remarks, the multiple, sometimes nonstop phone calls, and the never ending voicemails that’d fill up the mailbox on mom’s phone.

I could go on forever, but it would never be enough; 5 giant trifold boards filled with cards and photos of you throughout the years with various family members and friends could only display the tiniest fraction of photos, and memories, that really exist. All of the family and friends in one room for you, and it felt so wrong that you weren’t right there along with us.

Your hair and makeup looked amazing. And I promise that you were taken care of by some of the best in the industry, at least one of them a former classmate of mine, so you were not left alone with strangers like you’d so often worry about.

Mom got you your newspaper and gave it to you along with $5;

Ash bought you your usual lucky numbers for the next lotto drawing and gave that to you;

I snuck a $20 into your pocket, just like you’d do to me and all your other grandchildren.

We made sure, and I think it’s safe to say that you’ve got pretty much everything you usually need and want, so you’re all set for wherever it is you may be.

The last time I visited you, before saying goodbye I told you, “I’ll see you soon”. I hope so badly that somehow, in some way, I’ll be able to.

#tw loss #tw death #tw grief #rest easy Nana♥️

[potatoesdancethetango-98]

random Bnha headcanons.

Katsuki has probably body slammed a kid just because he felt like it.

Bakugo, Midoriya, and Todoroki are the nosebleed or headache kids in school

Monoma is a theater kid and can only get in ensemble

Katsuki CANNOT draw

Ochako has stolen money as well as endeavors credit card from shoto

Kendo and momo are besties

Kirishima has surprisingly good handwriting

Kaminari is not as dumb as the fandom makes him

Izuku would be better off with a psychic quirk instead of One For All (like imagine him muttering and small objects start floating around him with his telekinesis or they could hear his muttering through his telepathy)

Tsu secretly has a pond in her room

Inasa has a parrot

Kinoko plays animal crossing

Iida falls asleep in class because he gets there so early

Sato and Shoji bake together

Hakagure wants to have a true crime channel

Endeavor once chased a kid because they yelled "I swear, I will say your legal name Infront of pro heroes!' at dabi

Hawks almost got his phone taken away in class when he was younger and the teacher scolded him for constantly reaching in his backpack and looking at his phone, it was until Keigo pulled out a bucket of fried chicken he was eating in class

Mic was banned from having a megaphone

Aizawa has a closet full of sleeping bags

Shirakumo was that one kid that drank Fiji water

Midnight has a giant bat squishmellow

Yo shindo pirates movies off of illegal websites

Ojiro knows how to play saxophone

#bnha headcannons

[pbandjesse]

I am so tired. But I am also just so happy to be home. This summer has been a ride and we're only a few weeks in. Goodness. My legs hurt. My torso hurts. My skin hurts. Let's hope the weekend heals me.

I had trouble last night because I was exhausted but then there was a giant beetle with giant antenna bumping into everything and it freaked me out really bad. So then I was full of nervous energy and so I ended up making a new trivia board for nature. And now I feel like I should make one for native cultures. We will see. I need more foam core board if I'm going to do that. But it was fun. I don't love it as much as I love the horse one but it was still fun.

And I would sleep a lot easier. I felt much cozier. I had trouble getting comfortable temperature wise but once I did I slept well. I would sleep slightly later. But that was alright.

I got dressed and felt very cute. My hair was much more moisturized and didn't look as frizzy. The back of my head was very itchy and my psoriasis is very bad from how humid and hot it was. But I was feeling very cute.

I had breakfast up in arts and crafts. And read, and finished, the book I started last night. It was a very interesting fictional journal of a boy in the Japanese internment camps. It was interesting. And weirdly timely with the former Japanese prime minister being assassinated?? I don't get all the news while at camp, but Tumblr keeps me at least somewhat aware.

I had great groups today. I was frustrated with the adults at times. But overall everyone was so sweet. And kids who had siblings that already came to me told me that their younger siblings told them I was the nicest art teacher and was super kind. And it just made me feel so good. And then older girls from earlier in the week came up to my building to tell me I was their favorite person and I was just. So grateful for their comments.

I did a little hand sewing. And did my knitting for the day. I worked on my popsicle stick house. And enjoyed watching the kids make their drawings. It was just really nice.

Some of the councilors even make some cute art today. There were lots of laughs. The CIT came again and we convinced her to come outside and sit with everyone. So that was a win even if she didn't interact with the kids. Which I tried very hard not to express how annoyed that made me. But she really didn't want to be at camp so I am not going to hold it against her.

Lunch was pretty good but it was a weird sandwich. They called it a millionaire's chicken sandwich. And it was basically a chicken patty with a cream cheese spread. The cream cheese has spring onions in it and the non vegetarian version has bacon bits? Everyone thought it was odd but I honestly really liked it. A fun texture.

My last two groups were fun. A day camp group who were very sweet. Though their councilor kept running down the hill to play frisbee and we (me and their co) had to tell on him because they weren't getting it. Like we kept telling them you can't just leave your group! And he's like they are just sitting there!! And we are like. It doesn't matter???? Ugh. Thankfully most of the councilors are great. But when it's bad it's bad.

The last group of the day was the oldest boys. They wanted to make bead bracelets and some helped me make pipe cleaner examples for next weeks projects. And they all did great and I enjoyed their company.

I had a few boys helping clean and organize for the big award thing. Service hours and such. So I didn't feel as overwhelmed at the end of the day.

CJ would come and sit with me. And I worked on sorting things. I had like a thousand small projects to do. But all I wanted to do was sit down.

I decided to take a little hammock break. But I don't know what happened but I fell asleep! I woke up at 5 and was very confused but it was a good thing I woke up when I did because Elizabeth was calling me.

I made a little sandwich and went to go help with directing traffic for pick up. I brought a soda and that perked me up. But then a parent drove over the can. And I was so sad. Most parents, or the adults who were picking up, were aware of what they were doing. But there was a surprisingly large percent of people who didn't know anything at all. Ages. Names. Locations. Nothing. It was wild. But I directed traffic and it was good. An old Greek man, someone's grandpa, tried to pick me up and that was very silly. It was very silly.

When I came back up to the office, after eating some berries I found, Emily told me she had something for me. That she felt really bad but she had stollen my sunglasses! I was like oh! Just thought I left them somewhere. But apparently the pirate secret society, much like Tubes, inducted her. And one of their tasks is to steal something from a person. And apparently I was her person but she felt so guilty so she made sure she gave them back and said she was sorry. That it was heavy on her heart. But I legit didn't even notice. She's very sweet.

We finished the day on the porch. Updates. Cabin assignments. I brought my birthday book and we read a few people's birthday charts and the birthday book I have really gets at your heart. Like I know they are mostly vague or whatever but for some reason it makes people feel very seen and it's always so sweet how people's eyes light up. I think it makes them feel special. And that is just really nice.

I was really excited to go home. So as soon as Alexi said it was okay I was out of there.

I had already packed the car. And I could just change my shoes and get out of there.

The drive home was a little tough only because I was tired. But I got back here in one piece. And brought my stuff inside.

And it was so good to see Sweetp and my James. They were in a video call and I got to say hi to their friends before they got off to hug on me.

And we had pizza coming. And James got me a new sweatshirt. And we had a little dinner. And played a little video games. And I took an amazing shower. James helped unpack my stuff. And had stuffed a bunch of new bears for me while I was gone. So I got those in the tote bag so I can sew them tomorrow. It has been a great night.

I am in bed with Sweetp kissing on me and James telling me about some wedding planning they have done. I love them very much. I am happy to be here.

I hope tomorrow is restful. I am planning on going to the market tomorrow. Fingers crossed I sell anything but it's also supposed to storm so I don't have high hopes. But it will be a nice morning still.

I hope you all sleep great. Take care of yourselves. Kiss your cats for me. Goodnight!

[ducknotinarow]

[CC Rasey, I think the worst part is the fact he's being completely earnest right now u_u]

Casey was humming to himself, straw between teeth as he threw out shredder lettuce onto the ground by the lake. Around his feet were a few Turtles, not the mutant ones in his house, actual Turtles that took residence here. They were never trouble for him, so Casey saw no issues with giving them a few treats here and there. He's soon joined though by one of the mutants, Raphael specifically. They spent a lot of time together, not that Casey minded. He smiled at them, lifting a free hand to tip his hat,

"Mornin'," He greets, looking back to the reptiles, "Jus' feedin' the little Raph's - cute fellas aint they?"

He smiles at them, before glancing down to the few leaves of lettuce he had left. That had him humming, as he tilted his head. Holding out his hand to them, Casey asked, with completely earnestly and a genuine tone,

"Uh, did yer wan' some? Yanno, considerin' yer a Turtle an' all?"

| Muse Interaction

Raphael found himself unable to really rest, thought that can't be to unexpected. They were mostly just sticking around this place well Leo healed up. It was mostly what was all on his mind. Just grateful Leo woke up in the end it be far to soon to have to say good bye to his brother after all. Besides, they had some pay back to dish out soon as they could. Shredder and his lousy ninja's just got lucky if anything. If they hadn't been stuck at April's, Leo would have just trained in the dojo. If they weren't at April's the rest of them would have joined Leo for the excuse to go out. Raphael just kept insisting that if they were with Leo from the start they wouldn't have ended up how they did. And that's why his mind couldn't seem to rest.

Sitting up as he could hear the sounds of his brothers each sleeping surprised Donatello was in the first place but guess it's hard for him to be distracted from resting when he's not home with his continuing stacking to do list. Mikey seemed able to find himself at peace even if he often complained over the lack of TV out on this farm. Kind of felt like they all had the same issues they missed their usual distractions.Raphael found his pads and started to strap them into place, moving to then put his wrappings but one around his wrists. Even as he started to move and stand up no one else moved an inch, even with him needing to throw Mikey's arm off of him.

Raphael made his way outside, sort of missing the smoggy city air, or the coldness that clung to it when you were miles above the ground. Not that this wasn't too different. The air just held more of a different chill so early in the morning. Kind of wet? like a mist was hanging into the air and covering the blades of grass out in the front. A charm all on it's own that sort of reminded Raphael of a new distraction of his own since they had gotten them able to eye them as they were walking. Raphael saw no reason not to join Casey. He had been sticking around them pretty often lately, he claimed it was to keep an eye on this stranger. When ever he got asked about it by one of the others. Clearly just making sure they really could buy into the whole country hospitality this random, drop dead gorgeous , human man was offering. As he joined them beside the lake. He let his gaze fall down to curious what they were up too even if he hadn't bothered to open his beak to ask out loud.

"Mornin',"

"Eh mornin" Raphael mimicked back to Casey, eyeing the turtles that seemed to be what had draw this guy out to the lake himself. Raph knew he was a turtle but it was still kind of weird to look at normal non-mutated turtles. "What'a doing?" he may sound suspicious when he asked but there was a genuine question to his words. He knew the guy owned horses and some chickens after all but turtles weren't part of a farm were there? Before his mind can start to tread the possibility of turtle farms and even decided that Casey must be a turtle farmer and now the giant mutant turtles suddenly on his farm might be in danger like the stupid horror movie Mikey found to watch, Casey answered and cut through his thoughts.

"Jus' feedin' the little Raph's - cute fellas aint they?"

"little Raph's?" He tilts his head up so he can look at the human, a faint annoyance in his voice when he asks. He's pretty aware that calling them 'little Raph's' was in fact to reference Raphael himself. But he kind of can't miss the faint touch of fondness behind Casey choice of referring to them by his name. Even if it annoys Raphael at the same time, just not in a way even Raphael could explain if he was asked about it. He just offer's a roll of his eyes and resists the urge to get flustered over the mere thought. That maybe yeah Casey may be taking the same liking to him that he knows he's taking towards Casey.

"Ha ha" He offers looking back at the turtles opting to take it more like it was just a joke. Of course, it was a joke. Just because Raphael was into Casey didn't mean it be the other way around. Raphael need to squash this, ugh he hated calling it crush. Even if it was in fact a crush. It just sounded stupid. Raph notices Casey lift his hand up and looks over to see the few leafs of lettuce in his hand right now.

"Uh, did yer wan' some? Yanno, considerin' yer a Turtle an' all?"

Raphael's not sure why that bugged him just now, it be no different than if Casey mentioned his mask was red after all. Which it was. Just like he was in fact a turtle. He just glares up at Casey though as if the human somehow insulted him? Raphael even knows his thought process was being beyond stupid right now. He was a turtle he was a mutant five foot, two turtle that knew ninja skills. Casey didn't say anything wrong it was a basic fact about him and yet. Didn't stop Raph from pushing their had away from him. "Yeah so what means I should be swimming 'round it the lake with 'em to well ya throw lettuce at me?" Raphael kind of understood why he felt this way he felt like Casey was seeing him like a turtle. Well that was stupid too why wouldn't Casey see him as he was. Didn't stop him from snatching the last few leaves and tossing them off to the actualy the turtles the ones that couldn't find Casey so fucking attractive. Who didn't find themselves growing flustered over a faint touch to the back of thier shell when they convinced him to ride on a horse. Or found this guy's charm to be so compelling to fall for, or wanna have a few seconds alone with just fir an excuse to be able to enjoy their soft blue ocean like eyes that been the other thing Raphael had occupying his thoughts.

Lucky turtles.

"Jeez jerk" Raphael huffs turning on his hells to walk off to where ever took him away from where Casey was right now. Knowing he came off as random at best for how he took it. Of course leave it to Raphael to fuck up and crush on someone who would only see him as he was. Didn't stop him from grumbling under his breath over being compared to the actual turtles in the lake. Forgetting that there had to be some reason Casey felt like nicknaming them after him as well. Didn't stop him from actting like the idiot he was though.

#muse| hamato raphael #madamkezzie #aflockoffeathers #[ if you jumped of a bridge its only cause i did first -aflockoffeathers] #[03 verse] #[cowboy casey au] #muse interaction #ic reply #((i am weak for more country boy case uwu and his stupid cowboy ways uwu)) #((so is raph uwu even if he don't wanna admit it))

[megheadable-blog-blog]

Day 4: Motifs

So today I’ve been thinking about various personal motifs. Many writers have them. Tom Robins (Jitterbug Perfume) has redheads. Other authors have other things. A third thing. And I definitely have my own. They’ve changed over the years. Early on, it was trios. If there were sisters, there were three of them. And redheads. I just think red hair is cool. I think as I’ve gotten older my motifs have taken on less symbolism and have become more grounded in whatever issue I’m dealing with. Instead of mystical triplet goddesses, I have the dark-haired feral antihero. The one that holds all the anger and resentment I’ve ever felt. Often paired with the softer, more fluid counterpart. The one that attempts to reassure and care for the feral inner child. This book is no different. I’m still in the brainstorming phase but I’ve already got the main characters. Yes, there is more than one. There are sisters, but only two. A dark-haired embittered witch and her red-haired sister of unknown magical prowess. I’m thinking Yana and Branka. I went with Y and B because the hut they live in resembles Baba Yaga’s hut in that it walks on chicken legs. I’m certain that if I never told another soul, they’d never get it but who knows. Maybe they would. I do love Baba Yaga. I love a character that is self-aware and pops up in several stories. A real witch within the story. And the image of someone trying to travel around in a giant mortar and pestle is ridiculous and rad. Is there a point to it? Not really. Is it the coolest visual ever? Yeah, probably. Plus the chicken house.

Look at this lady. This cannot be the easiest mode of travel but does she care? She does not. She stuffed her body inside this thing and she’s committed. This was the first image of Baba Yaga that I had ever seen from a book of Russian folk tales. I loved folk tales and fairy tales as a kid. I still do really. My favorites were often ones from far away, so divorced from my culture that they seemed almost alien to me which fascinated me more. My mind craved something different, something ancient and foreign, new and strange. That’s probably another motif in my stories. I draw on a lot of folk tales. Not the sanitized ones we tell children now. The ones where you give the hero a skull with eyes that light up and burn people who are mean to them. Off topic, but I also think this is why so many young kids are interested in things like Five Nights at Freddy’s. Somewhere deep within us, we need stories that scare us. We need to practice those emotions and learn how to deal with them. Especially now when the world feels so uncertain and unmeasured.

#day 4 #writing life #writing motifs #baba yaga #writing experiment #writing