#first thing im able to actually sit down and draw in two months barring some color tests i did for talas and hades

[spearxwind]

Whole gang's here :]

#first thing im able to actually sit down and draw in two months barring some color tests i did for talas and hades #if my kids are the thing that pulls me out of artblock again im gonna laugh sooo fucking hard dudes lmao #anyway god i love these guys so much. i really do #windyart #extinction #alex #riptide #c #danger #ethan #orion #its been SOOOO LONGGG since i drew danger too god damn but i love them so muhc too i missed em #tbh i missed all these guys a LOT you cant even imagine. the shame of the comic was just weighing so harshly on my shoulders #i think now if i accept im not gonna go back to it for my own wellbeing i actually can have fun with these guys again #also im trying to do diff things with the colors and textures on sketches!! i be experimanting 👍 #not quite what i had in mind but its enough for now! #i may be emotional a little bit ough ough ough

[sailorhyunjinz]

What do you think first kiss with skz be like?

aAWH SOME FLUFF T-T OK BUT KEEP IN MIND- fluff is not my strongest pursuit hence why im not a fluff writer hahsah but HEY ITS CUTE!! and anon,,, im so sorry this took such time IM SO SO SORRY AAAAAAAAH- 

also this makes me wanna know my anons first kiss story, AAAH SPILL THEM 

warnings; none?? fluff,,, wow,, rare to say that LMAO- also gn!reader and also suggestiveee??

Bangchan

~gentleman~

will only kiss you if you are REALLY ready for it and if the two of you are dating

doesnt want to rush you into things (even if its just a kiss) because he doesnt know how comfortable you are and such

basically a sweetheart

i imagine its like a cute little date

 night where you guys are stargazing, lying on a blanket on a grassy hill with his arm as a pillow for your head

“chan, look! its a shooting star! make a wish” you giggle to which he smiles, looking at your pretty features that are lit up by the moonlight

“hmm,,, dear star, i wish that y/n would kiss me” he says, laughing directly after but soon being interupted as you attach your plushy lips against his

its probably the most romantic event in your life

him smiling into the kiss as your tongues danced around softly

when you pulled away you laughed, saying; “wishes do really come true, huh?”

poor baby is blushing, his ears red but thankfully for him its too dark for you to see

Minho

the “evil roommate that secretly has feelings for you”

“lee minho i swear im gonna rip your hair off if you touch my plants again”

minho got out of his room, looking at you standing in the living room and rearranging the plants on the windowsill 

“they are all scattered, it’s ugly” he says rudely

“dont call my children ugly” you spit back at him 

there was always a weird tension between you and minho. you were glad to have found a roommate that made a good friend eventhough he was a pain in the ass sometimes

minho liked you,,, and therefore he did everything the opposite of what he felt. if he wanted to compliment you on your outfit he would instead say that you looked “overdressed” or “too much” but you always rolled your eyes towards his snarky comments

you pecked your plants, giving them the love they needed and minho just stood frozen in the doorway, without thinking he spoke

“how come you never do that to me?”

silence

you sneered, placing down the plant you held and streched out your arms

“c’mere if you dare” you said jokingly, not expecting the boy you always thought was so devilish to run into your arms, lips touching and your eyes widening at the unexpected action

the two of you held each other, breathing shaky as wet tongues collided, the sun beaming upon your figures

“m-minho,,, it was a joke!” you laughed, slapping his arm playfully as you pulled away

“but to me it wasn’t” he remarked cockily, licking the inside of his cheek

Changbin

very much giving me like “we dont like each other but we have to work with each other”

like you two are co-workers, working in a boring office and you were assigned to put together this one report and,,, lets say Changbin wasnt your favorite in the office

there was nothing wrong with him,,, its just his vibe that was off putting but sigh,,, work is work

you started compiling information, sitting in a seperate room and drawing graphs on the whiteboard, projecting some other type of research onto the board

“do you think we will need to stay late?” he asks, ruffling his hair in frustration

you sigh and nod, this wasnt going to get done anytime soon.

dawn set on horizon and the others workers packed up their belonging one by one and left until there was only you and changbin left in the now quiet office

you sat next to him, yawning as you typed something as you felt him looking at you

you looked back with a questionable expression, confused when he uttered his words

“do you hate me, y/n?”

“i mean,,, you are a dick sometimes but i dont hate you, at least you do your work”

he shrugged his shoulders, loosening his necktie as he leaned back into the office chair

“a dick, huh? maybe i try to push you away so you wont catch the same feelings i have for you”

you snapped your head towards him. you couldnt lie, he was attractive and at this point you were desperate 

“kiss me then” you said simply causing the boy to immediately cup your cheeks, latching onto your lips as if he’d waited for this moment for forever

more tongue, wants you to feel him ;))

lets just say,,, he made it up to you

Hyunjin

i get this like,,, youthful vibe,,, like the two of you were childhood friends

and,,, eventually you catch feelings for him which you hate because,,, you dont want to ruin this friendship 

every time somebody mistook you for a couple the both of you would make retching noises, mocking each other

“you think my standards are that low?” hyunjin says pointing at you to which you raise your fist

“hwang hyunjin, you’re dead meat”

but,,, he was only in denial, it was his childhood friend afterall

probably happened at one of those night where your mom was working late and you invited hyunjin to keep you company, him bringing kkami as well. 

“dont fucking burn the pizza, hyunjin” you say, petting kkami until the little rascal ran away from your lap

“if you helped it wouldnt be burned” he replies as he comes out with two plates with the pizza burned on the edges

“but if they taste bad you can always taste my lips” he jokes and you look at him with a disgusted facial expression before laughing

“i bet they taste even worse then your mess of a pizza, i would like to see you try to even get me to peck you” you scoff and hyunjin rolls his eyes, sitting next to you on the sofa

“try it then” he taunts but is taken aback when you actually kiss him, your nose accidentally brushing against his as you purse your lips, hyunjin timidly using his tongue to test the waters

he wanted it so bad and he finally got it >:(( he could swear that he heard fireworks going off in his brain

a moment of silence appeared until hyunjin cockily uttered:

“so,,, did they taste better?”

Jisung

the “i met you at a party and made out with you drunk”

he stared at you the entire night, catching glances while you looked away and the music blared in the nightclub that was packed with people.

you ordered a drink at the bar, tapping your fingers on the oak surface where you rested your arms, suddenly somebody bumped into you

turning around you saw jisung and you sighed, thinking his behaviour was starting to get annoying

“oh its you again” you said loud for him to hear as he sat down next to you, having a annoying smirk plastered on his lips

“looks like you are having fun, let me guess,,, you’re trying to get over your ex” jisung says, leaning his elbow against the bar and you glared at him because it was true

you scoffed, avoiding his question and instead sipping on the sour drink you had in your hands, trying to forget everything

he was attractive which only pissed you off even more, as if you hadnt had enough pretentious assholes in your life

the glass slammed against the table as you put it down harshly, gazing into the boys dark brown eyes

“alright, deal. make me forget then since you think you know everything about me” you stated to which jisung raised his eyebrow

the palm of his hand was firmly placed on the bar as he leaned in to kiss you, feeling the bitter liquour hitting his tastebuds as your tongues crashed against each other

it felt,,, freeing. you swung your arms around his neck, wanting him closer to your body

by the way he was kissing you, you could tell that he was there for the same reason as you. a sloppy and heated kiss to fill your thoughts with something other than your ex

safe to say that the kiss progressed ;))))

Felix

aaah cutie boyfriend that is just too shy to even give you a kiss like 3 months into the relationship (OK DONT ATTACK ME NOW, TAKE YOUR TIME, NO RUSH YOU GUYS)

he is shy with pretty much everything, it was only recently he could hold your hand without his heart jumping out of his chest.

it was a simple date night! takeout and games at his place

you layed your head in his lap as you watched him finish up the game that you had given up on a long time ago

he shifted awkwardly in his seat, not used to being so close to such a pretty person before

“ah- fuck! i lost again,,,” he says in defeat, his head rolling backwards before a frustrated sigh escaped his lips

“you did well felix! look how far you got!” you say, pointing towards the score on the screen but not getting his attention. 

you sat up, looking at him for a moment as his eyelashes lightly draped over his closed eyes, cheeks speckled with freckles

you couldnt help yourself, he looked so angelic despite being defeated and so you leaned in, lacing your fingers with his and softly placing your lips against his

he opened his eyes in panic before being swallowed by the fluffy feeling of having your lips to himself, he giggled before stroking your cheek as he tilted his head, almost setting a rhythm to the sweet kiss

felix started laughing shyly, cheeks tinged with red as he hid his face with a pillow

“but you won my kiss!” you said through a smile causing felix to blush even more

Seungmin

its like,,, maybe,,, your third or fourth date??

this one is more chill than the previous ones that were at like some fancy restaurang because hello dandy puppy boy wants class

but this one was like a stroll down the night streets and eating ice cream in the middle of the summer

both of you were casually dressed, holding hands as butterflies bubbled in your stomach from the contact

his hand is all warm and it engulfs yours >:(

you look at all the pretty sights of the night, eventually climbing up to some like high point and looking down at all the lights that blinked

after a good 1 1/2 hours of walking your legs were starting to ache and so you both sat down on the swings of a desolate playground, swinging gently with your legs dangling

“i dont understand how you’re able to,,, even be friends with me,,, or whatever we are,,”

seungmin hummed, looking up into the night sky

“i promise y/n, i will be your,,, friend but,,,”

you looked at him as he said “but”, imagining the worst 

“i dont wanna be friends, i wanna be more than a friend to you”

his eyes twinkled as he stood up and stood infront of you, grabbing your hand

you slowly looked up at him, his figure standing in the way of the moon as the two of you shared a long gaze, his eyes as sweet as honey, dripping with pure adoration

you pulled him closer by the hand and slowly he inched to your lips, the distance between you minimizing as his face tilted to the right, a delicate and sugary kiss landing on your tastebuds from the ice cream from earlier.

your heart skipped a beat, the slightest sound of lips smacking

“i think i love you y/n” he whispered close to your lips after pulling away. 

Jeongin

like,,, uni buddies! 

both being med students meant late study night, usually in school 

there’s papers and diagrams laid out all over the tables and floors along with a bunch of energy drink cans, some scribbles on the whiteboard 

the two of you were friends and met in uni and everyone had always nagged at you for not going after him since he was everything someone ever wanted

you always said that you were friends and that you couldnt imagine being in a relationship with jeongin

but studying with him alone into the deep night felt different, many times you couldnt concentrate when he looked so cute sitting right beside you

being close friends, there was nothing weird about hugging or leaning against each other and so you leaned against his shoulder and yawned as the cozy boy was rewriting some notes. 

“one hour left y/n and then- then we can go hoooome!”

you giggled as you looked at him and he diverted his attention from his papers to you, his lips only mere inches from yours

you didnt know what the fuck you were doing and neither did jeongin, it was late and the both of you were tired from studying for finals

and so your lips drew closer until they clashed, feeling a tension that you’ve never felt with him before

he’s definitely a shy,,, kisser?? not too much tongue since he doesnt know how LMAO so its like soft >:((

didnt know what to do when he pulled away, looking around the room or covering his blushing face with his hands but when you hug him he hugs you back

maybe even coming to terms that he does have feeling for you,,, and so do you~ 

#stray kids fluff #skz fluff #stray kids headcanons #skz headcanons

[hopelikethemoon]

Lense (Javier x Reader) {MTMF}

Title: Lense  Rating: Explicit  Length: 3500 Warnings: Sex on camera, shower sex, discussions of pegging, and fluff. Notes: You can find everything about Maybe Today, Maybe Forever here. Set the Summer of 1999 a couple weeks after Adventurous. Part one of two parts of their new sexploit. DID YOU ALL MISS ME? This only took me like a week to write. Is it good? I don’t know, my brain’s still fuzzy from my seizure.  Summary: Reader and Javier make good on their idea to record themselves.

@grapemama​​​​​​​​​ @seawhisperer​​​​​​​​​ @huliabitch​​​​​​​​​ @beccaplaying​​​​​​​​​ @thewallpapergoesorido​​​​​​​​ @twomoonstwosuns​​​​​​​​​ @gooddaykate​​​​​​​​ @livasaurasrex​​​​​​​​​ @ham4arrow​​​​​​​​​ @plexflexico​​​​​​​​​ @readsalot73​​​​​​​​​ @hdlynn​​​​​​​​​ @lokiaddicted​​​​​​​​​ @randomness501​​​​​​​​​ @fioccodineveautunnale​​​​​​​​​  @roxypeanut​​​​​​​​​ @snivellusim​​​​​​​​​ @lukesrighthand​​​​​​​​​ @mrsparknuts​​​​​​​​​ @awesomefandomsunited​​​​​​​​​ @behindmyeyes-insidemyhead​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​ @synystersilenceinblacknwhite​​​​​​​​​ @ah-callie​​​​​​​​​ @swhiskeys​​​​​​​​​ @exrebelshocktrooper​​​​​​​ @u-wakatoshii​​​ @space-floozy​​​​​​​​​ @cable-kenobi​​​​​​​​​ @cool-ultra-nerd​​​​​ @himbopoes​​​​​​​​​ @findhimfives​​​​ @pedrosdoll​​​​​​​​​ @frietiemeloen​​​​​​​​​ @arrowswithwifi​​​​​​​​​  @cinewhore​​​​​​​​​ @random066​​​​​​​​​ @uncomicalhumour​​​​​​​​​ @heather-lynn​​​​​​​​​ @domino-oh-damn​​​​​​​​​ @cyarikaaa​​​​​​​​​ @ahopelessromanticwritersworld​​​​​​​​ @im-still-a-pieceofgarbage @ksgeekgirl​​​​​​​​​ @yabby-girl​​​​​​​​​ @xqueenofthecraziesx​​​​​​​​ @punkass-potato​​​​ @coredrive​​​​​​​​​ @pascalesque​​​​​​​​​ @theduchessofkirkcaldy​​​​​​​​​ @queenquazar​​​​​​​​​ @sabinemorans​​​​​​​​​ @buckstaposition​​​​​​ @holkaskrosnou​​​​​​ @seeking-a-great–perhaps @kochamcie​​​​​​​​​ @jaime1110​​​​​​​​​ @katlikeme​​​​ @cinewhore​

“You know, when you said you needed someone to watch the girls for the weekend I didn’t realize it was so Javier could mow the lawn.” Steve said, giving you a pointed look as Javier passed by the window again with the mower. 

You laughed, shaking your head slowly as you took a sip of the lemonade you had made, “It’s supposed to rain. He wanted to get it out of the way first.” 

Steve pursed his lips together and nodded his head as he arched a brow at you, “What are you two planning to get up to?”

“Do you really want to know?” You rolled your eyes, glancing out the window as Javier paused to wipe sweat off his brow with the hem of his shirt. “The garden center has some Bell peppers and Serranos that were calling my name. We might go pick up a couple and plant them.”

“Without the girls?”

You narrowed your eyes at Steve, “I seem to recall watching the girls two Sundays ago so Connie could ‘try a new recipe’.” 

Steve made a face before taking a sip of lemonade, “A new recipe was tried.” 

“So I heard.” You smirked a little. “Only took the two of you — what? Two decades to get adventurous?”

“We’re not all you and Javier.” Steve retorted, crossing his arms across his chest as he leaned back against the counter. He glanced towards the hallway, where the girls could be heard laughing and giggling in JoJo’s bedroom. “I still don’t know how the two of you keep that spark alive.”

You shrugged, your eyes flickering back out the window to watch Javier. “You forget that we went an entire summer feeling like strangers. Have the two of you considered therapy?”

Steve shifted his weight from foot to foot. “Yeah, we’ve actually been seeing one. We’re working on a lot of shit that I didn’t realize she was holding onto.”

“We tend to protect the people we love from that kind of stuff.” You chewed on the inside of your bottom lip, folding your arms across your chest. 

“You and Javi good?” Steve questioned, his brows drawing together. 

“Solid.” You answered without hesitation. “Admittedly, I’m a little antsy not having somewhere to go and work every day. First summer off in my entire adult career.” You grimaced a little. “He’s surprisingly good at the stay-at-home thing.”

“That surprised the hell out of me,” Steve agreed. “I remember how he was at the DEA. Work was home, home was work.”

You nodded, “Yeah. It all balances out.” Reaching for your glass of lemonade, you continued. “You and Connie just need to focus on what’s right for the two of you. Your relationship isn’t going to look like mine with Javier.” 

“We’re a bit more conventional.” Steve teased, giving you a look. “Not that it’s any of my business, but… I’m guessing this the sex tape thing. Right?”

You snorted, scrunching up your nose. “You’re right. None of your business.” You smirked as you heard the lawn mower shut off. “But yes.”

Steve scratched at the back of his neck, “Look at that, Connie and I have done something you haven’t.”

“Really?” 

He shrugged, “Shocking. Right?”

“Mommy!” Josie called out, tearing down the hallway into the kitchen, “Stevie tried to eat my Barbie.” 

“Jesus Christ.” You muttered, “Well, did she actually eat it?”

She stopped short, grinning innocently. “No.” 

“Then what’s the emergency?” 

Josie pursed her lips, “Olivia said she just got the new Barbie Fountain playset and I want to see it.”

You arched a brow at her, “Are you telling me to hurry up?”

She shrugged her shoulders, “Is it working?”

Steve laughed, giving your back a pat as he stepped past you, “I’ll get the girls ready.” 

“What have we talked about lying?” You questioned as you crouched in front of your daughter. 

“But I told you the truth.”

The back door opened as Javier came in from mowing the lawn. Josie’s eyes went wide and she reached out to grab your forearm. 

“Don’t tell daddy.” She stuck out her bottom lip, looking sweet and innocent in a way that only ever got Javier wrapped around her fingers.

“I don’t know, he might want to ground you.” You tapped her on the nose. “Just be honest, alright?”

“Alright mommy.” She smiled at you, before flinging her arms around you. 

“Am I missing out on something?” Javier questioned, lifting his shirt up to wipe off his sweaty face. 

“Ew. Daddy! You’re stinky.” She stuck out her tongue and shied away from him. “You need to get hosed down!” She said, just like you sounded whenever Stevie got filthy. 

You stood back up, nodding your head towards the hallway. “Go get your bag so Uncle Steve can leave.”

“What’d I miss?” Javier questioned, hooking a finger in the back belt loop of your denim shorts. 

“Josie telling little fibs again.” You made a face. “And you do stink.”

“Thought you liked fresh cut grass.” He arched a brow and gave your ass a playful swat. “I’ll shower once they're on their way.”

You leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his lips, “I might join you.”

“Just the Little Bear backpack?” Steve called out from the bedroom. 

“And the Esprit duffle.” You answered, swatting Javier’s hand away as you wandered down the hallway. “Two beach towels, swimsuits and spares.” You explained as you leaned against the doorframe. “Connie said you have spare wings for Sof.”

“We’ve got a dozen.” Steve assured you. 

Sofía toddled over to you, wrapping her arms around your leg. You leaned down and scooped her up. “Are you going to be a good little rugrat for Uncle Steve and Aunt Connie?” 

She nodded excitedly, “I’m gonna see a kitty.”

“That’s right,” You tickled her stomach, making her squeal. “You’re going to see Mr. Grouch.”

“His name is Oscar!” Sofía corrected you. 

You laughed, “Yes, but he’s named for Oscar the Grouch.” You reminded her, “Right Em?”

Emily nodded, “Daddy wanted to name him after Uncle Javier, but mom said no.” 

“Oh, I know all about that.” You bounced Sofía in your arms before sitting her back down. “Alright, let’s clear out.” You clapped your hands. 

“It was the mustache,” Steve explained. “Have you ever seen a cat with a mustache?” 

“I thought it was the whole ‘you hate cats, but Oscar’s glued to you’ thing.” 

“That too.” He rubbed at the back of his neck, before shouldering the girls’ bags and herding them out of the bedroom. 

Stevie whined as she followed after the girls, “You can’t go with them, Stevie.” You told her, grabbing ahold of her collar so she wouldn’t try to bolt for the door. 

“Have fun, Peña.” Steve quipped, fixing Javier with a smirk as he headed for the door. “Hope you have a tripod.”

Javier pressed his tongue to the inside of his cheek, “You’re lucky the girls are here.” 

Steve laughed, “Yeah, whatever Javi. Have a good weekend guys.” He said before ushering the girls out the front door. 

Once the door was safely closed, you let go of Stevie and went to lock the door. “Once she’s settled, we can let her out back to chase lizards. That should keep her occupied.” 

“So you told Steve?” He shook his head, barely able to keep from laughing. 

“To be fair, we told him at the bar last month.” Your brows rose upwards. “And more surprisingly, they’ve already tried this.”

“Really?”

“I know.”

Javier gave you a skeptical look, “I don’t know if I believe that.”

“Which is more believable…” You said slowly as you approached him, putting on the most innocent attempt at seduction. “Steve and Connie making sex tapes… or you taking the strap?”

He rolled his eyes, “The latter.” 

You smirked, reaching out to ghost your fingers over his stomach, before sliding your hand up his chest and curling your fingers around the back of his neck. “I figured.” 

Javier curled his arm around your waist, “Weren't you complaining about me smelling?”

“I’m holding my breath.” You teased as you played your fingers through the sweat-damp hair at the nape of his neck. “Shower?”

He dragged his teeth over his bottom lip and nodded, “Sounds like a plan, baby.” He said as he leaned in to kiss you. It was a slow kiss, one that lingered just long enough to spike a rush of desire in your lower belly. 

Javier pulled away, catching your hand and guiding you towards the bedroom. 

“Wait, let me put Stevie out.” You reminded him, shaking your hand out of his hold as you went to open the door in your bedroom that led into the backyard. “Stevie!”

“I’ll get the shower running.” Javier told you, before vanishing into the bathroom. 

“Alright pup, enjoy your afternoon outside.” You told Stevie as you put her out into the backyard. You followed her outside, grabbing the hose to fill up her big green water bowl. 

Stevie barked, wagging her tail, before a scurrying lizard caught her attention and she went bounding after it. 

You headed back inside, pulling the door shut and drawing the shades on the door. The last thing you needed was for a neighbor to catch a glimpse into your bedroom today — not that they could with all the flora and fauna around the fence line. 

The shower was already running in the bathroom and you could hear Javier whistling to himself as he waited for you.

“I love you just a little more for whistling ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca,’ Javier.” You remarked with a grin as you shouldered the door open and stepped inside to join him. 

“It’s catchy,” Javier told you, scratching at the back of his neck as his eyes swept over you. “You’re overdressed.”

“Or maybe you’re just underdressed.” You retorted pointedly as you gave him your own sweeping look. “Someone’s got a swim tan line.” You brushed your fingers over his hip bone where there was a subtle line between his stomach and the skin that was covered by his swim trunks. 

“That’s what you get when you have mermaids for daughters.” Javier caught your hand, rubbing his thumb over your palm before lifting your hand to his lips and kissing each knuckle. 

“I don’t know, Sofía still freaks out when I try to wash her hair.” 

Javier cocked his head to the side, “You’ve got a point there.” He released your hand, reaching down to unsnap your shorts, pushing them down your hips. 

You smiled softly at him as you leaned in to kiss him, sliding your fingers through his hair. He managed to work your t-shirt up, breaking away from the kiss long enough to rid you of it and your bra. 

“Should we film this?” You questioned, peppering a line of kisses along his jaw as you reached downwards to curl your fingers around his rigid cock. 

“Fuck.” Javier hissed out, catching your wrist. “You want me to?” He questioned, meeting your gaze with an arched brow. 

You nodded, stroking your thumb over that sensitive spot just beneath the head of his cock just to watch his lashes flutter. 

“You gotta stop doing that if you want me to grab the cam, baby.”

“Fine.” You stole another kiss before taking a step back, letting him step back out of the bathroom to grab the camcorder from the bedroom.

There was something hilarious about Javier wandering back into the bathroom — buckass naked — with his glasses on as he tinkered with the camcorder. 

“This better come out good.” Javier remarked as he adjusted the viewfinder and looked through it. “Two grand better come out looking cris—“ He stopped short as he focused the camera on your naked chest. “Worth every penny, baby.”

You flipped him off, smirking at him as he panned up to your face. “Is this gonna be a solo film?” You questioned, tucking your fingers into your underwear and shimmying them down your hips. “Because I’m not the one who needs a shower.”

“Baby, I’m recording.” Javier huffed, looking up from the camcorder, his brows furrowed together. 

“I’m pretty sure when we watch this in the future, I’ll remember that you were hot and sweaty… emphasis on the hot.” You beckoned him towards you. 

“Hang on.” Javier hit stop on the camera, before setting it up on the bathroom sink so it was angled towards the shower. He crouched down, flipping open the monitor and turning it around so he could see what was recording. 

“Are we in frame?” You questioned, resting your hand on his shoulder as you peered down at the camera. 

“Yeah.” He nodded, reaching behind him to give your leg a squeeze, before hitting record on the camera. “Definitely didn’t have the shower on our record list for the day.” 

“We’re good at making things work for us.” You pointed out, reaching for his glasses and taking them off his face and sitting them on the sink by the camera. “I think that’s a recurring theme for us.”

“Fairpoint.” He clicked his tongue against his teeth as he guided you back towards the shower. 

The water was the perfect temperature for a hot summer afternoon. You stepped under the spray, winding your fingers through your hair, watching as Javier stepped in to join you. “Did you mean it?”

“Mean what?” Javier arched a brow as he curled his hands around your hips. 

“That you’ll consider keeping your hair this length.” You reached out and stroked wet fingers over his hair, slicking it back. “I may have to fight off a new crop of horny students, but…”

Javier laughed humorlessly, “I’ll think about it.” 

You tugged gently at his hair, “Good.”

He crowded you back against the shower wall, the water pelting down on his shoulders and sloughing off onto your chest and arms in the process. “And for future reference, you don’t have to fight anyone off, baby.” Javier drawled out as he brushed his lips against yours, before trailing his mouth down your throat. 

You sank back against the wall, winding your fingers through his hair as he palmed at your breast with his left hand, while his mouth latched onto the other. You tilted your head to look towards the camera — it was weird to imagine a future version of yourself sitting down to watch this moment in time. 

You knew people watched adult videos — you were entirely aware of that particular section of the sex shop. But it had never really been something either of you needed to get the wheels turning. Would you future you enjoy you staring into the camera lense while Javier’s teeth scraped over your nipple?

Javier caught you by surprise when he slid his free hand between your thighs, making you forget all about the camera on you. 

He kissed his way back up your chest and nipped at your, “Forget it’s there, baby.” He whispered, dragging his fingers through your slick folds slowly. “That’s a good girl.”

“Screw you.” You laughed, rolling your hips into his touch as you curled your fingers around the back of his neck and guided him in for another kiss. You slanted your mouth over his, your tongue sliding out to find his. 

Javier ran his other hand up your side, fingers ghosting over your breast, before trailing back down to grasp at your hip. He groaned against your lips as your own hand slid down and curled around his cock. 

You twisted your wrist skillfully as you stroked your hand over the length of him, matching the rhythm he’d set as he stroked his fingers through your slick folds. 

He slid his hand around to grab at your ass, pulling you towards him. You broke away from the kiss, letting out a ragged breath as you met his gaze. 

“Let’s not spoil all the fun yet.” You breathed out, stroking your fingertips over his collarbone as you slowly dragged your hand over the length of his cock. 

“Didn’t have any plans to, baby.” He rasped out, catching your wrist and pulling your hand away. “But I do have plans.” Javier leaned in to kiss you, before pulling back, “Turn around.”

There was something about the tone he took that went straight to your core, fanning out fresh heat through your veins. Oh. 

You turned around to face the wall, planting your hands firmly on it. You glanced to your right, staring at the camera for a split second before Javier pulled focus back to him. 

He raked his hands up your legs, squeezing at your hips before one hand wandered to press flat against your lower stomach as his other hand guided his cock between your thighs. 

“Shit.” You hissed out as the head of his cock slid deliciously against your clit. 

You sank back against his chest, using him for support as he started thrusting against you, dragging the heavy length of his cock through your slick folds. 

“That’s it, baby.” Javier whispered against the shell of your ear. “You're such a good girl. Fuck.” He loosely curled his fingers around your throat, keeping you pinned against him as he rocked his hips. 

You slid your hand behind you, fingers twisting in his wet hair as he rested his chin against your shoulder. “Javier.” You gritted out, trembling in his grasp as his cock kept rubbing against your clit, causing your inner walls to clench around nothing as you careened towards an orgasm. It was just the right kind of stimulation, but still not enough. 

Javier slid his hand from your throat up to cup your jaw, urging you to turn your head just enough to look back at him. His lips brushed against your cheek, his breath hot against your damp skin as he continued to move. 

“Javier!” You moaned out, nails biting into his forearm as you shattered for him. “Please.” 

“You want more, baby?” He questioned, slowing the role of his hips. 

Your eyes flickered to the camera, focusing on the red flashing record light, before your attention returned to him. “Yes.”

Javier pressed a kiss to your cheek before he adjusted himself behind you. His fingers brushed against your sensitive cunt as he lined his cock up and slid into you. 

He roughly palmed at your breasts as he kept you pinned back against his chest, his thumb dragging mercilessly over the pebbled peak of your nipple. 

“Fuck. Javi— shit that’s good.” You managed, reaching behind you once more to grab at the back of his neck as you ground yourself back on his cock. 

Javier pressed his lips to your shoulder, trailing his free hand up the length of your bare arm. It was such a tender gesture in contrast to the way he was driving his cock into you. 

“I love you,” He whispered, his lips brushing over the shell of your ear. It was incredible that those three little words still sent shivers down your spine. That they still felt new and exciting, even after so many years had passed. 

You turned your head, craning your neck so you could kiss him again. His pace faltered and you knew it wouldn’t be long for him. Your inner walls were still fluttering around his cock every time he buried the length of it into you, pressing against the sweet spot with every other thrust. Something snapped. 

You slapped your hand against the wall of the shower, breaking away from the kiss as you let your head fall forward. 

Right off the heels of your first release, your second orgasm washed over you and it pulled Javier under with you. You clenched tight around him as he kept driving his cock into you, groaning out your name as he finally came apart within you. 

Javier braced his arm around your hips, keeping you pressed tight to him to keep you on your feet as he bucked into you. 

“I hope,” You started, your words coming out strained as you tried to catch your breath. “Future us enjoyed that.” You remarked, giving a half assed thumbs up to the camera. 

He pressed his face into the crook of your shoulder and laughed as he ran his hands over every bare inch of skin he could reach. “I bet I did.” 

You shifted onto one foot so you could use the other to rub your toes against his calf, “You know what I’m going to enjoy?”

“Hmm?” He questioned, brushing your hair off the back of your neck so he could press a kiss there. 

“Fucking you.” 

Javier gave your hip a playful swat as he slid out of you. “I don’t know, I might need to take a nap now.”

You turned around to face him, leaning back against the shower wall. “Should’ve made this tape before you got old on me.” You glanced at the camera, “I bet you have to be extra gentle with the creaky old—“

He didn’t let you finish, before he scooped you up — despite a grimace — and drew your legs around his waist so you were trapped firmly between him and the wall. “What was that?”

“Oh, just thinking about how you’re going to be limping tomorrow.” You retorted as you ran your hands over his shoulders. “Put me down.”

“I’m hoping I’m limping tomorrow.”

You opened and closed your mouth twice as you stared at him, “Challenge accepted.” You said as you tugged at his hair. 

#pedro pascal x reader #javier pena x reader #javier pena

[clexagiraffesandbrittana319]

Dancer Preview

About six months ago I teased a Prompt I was REALLY excited about. WELL I would like to share the FIRST chapter of that with you! It will be posted to Ao3 soon-ish. Until then... this is what I’m calling Dancer (for now.) Hope you enjoy.

Clarke Griffin sat in her Painting between Realism and Abstract Class, trying her best to keep her eyes opened. It was ten in the morning and she, Raven and Harper had been out till nearly three AM. It was the last week of school before spring break so parties were already happening. Nia, her professor whom was one of those just call me by my first name types, was going over their final projects.

“Any questions?” She asked.

Harper raised her hand.

“Harper?”

“So any form of movement?” Harper asked.

“Yes, but just one and only one model” Nia nodded.

“But multiple paintings?” Harper clarified.

“At least three, no more than five” Nia answered.

“Got it… dibs on Raven,” She leaned over and whispered to Clarke.

“What? No fair!”  Clarke huffed, she had been banking on going with Raven to her MMA class and using her as her model.

“I already asked her anyways, you can ask Octavia” Harper said.

“She’s my best friend!” Clarke wined.

“You like O” Harper said “she does jiu jitsu as well as MMA, it will be cool.”

“Why don’t you do O?” Harper asked.

“Because” was all Harper would say.

“Fine” Clarke sighed.

“Well, then I am done here. You can either stay and sketch or go” Nia said, “Have a great vacation I will see you in two weeks.”

“Two weeks!” Harper said, “I’m so excited.”

“Me too” Clarke said. “Though I still have one more class today… and two tomorrow.”

“I don’t think you do today, Jaha isn’t here anymore.” Harper said as they walked out of the room.

“No?” Clarke asked.

“Nope, big sign on the door… he left after his intro to drawing class, the advance classes are cancelled.”

“Thank god I need a nap, can I go back to Ludlow with you?”

“I’m going to go to the library” Harper said.

“Can I go back there and nap?” Clarke asked. “I don’t want to go all the way back uptown.”

“Yeah no problem, I will be back in a few hours.”

“Sweet, wake me when you get there?” Clarke smiled sweetly.

“Kay, see you.” Harper said.

Ludlow was one of the on campus housing buildings and Harper had a single. Clarke often hung out there when she had time in between classes or when Raven was gone for the night.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket.

Raven: Are we going to Grounder tonight?

Grounder was a bar that was near her and Raven’s apartment, they often hung out there.

Raven: 2 for 1 cause it’s ladies night!

Clarke: Sounds good to me Im currently getting ready to nap at Harpers… by the way… why did you tell her you would be her subject for our painting final?!?! IM YOUR best friend Rae!

Raven: She asked me, I didn’t know it was something you had to do too. I can tell her no…

Clarke: No it’s fine. I will just see if Octavia will do it…

Raven: I’m sure she will…

Clarke: I think she will too. But… im just more comfortable with you. Yeah she’s one of my good friends now but I was her friend threw you first… I don’t want it to be weird.

Raven: You’re not proposing, just asking if you can paint her.

Raven: … Ohhhhh I see it now, that does sound a little creepy.

Raven: Can I paint you like one of my French girls Octavia? Hahahaha.

Clarke: Going to sleep now. Bye ass.

Raven: When you coming home?

Clarke: I will be home when you get home.

Raven: I will be home at 2:15 just so you know.

Clarke: Check. goodnight… I love you.

Raven: Yeah yeah…

Raven: I love you too Whore 

Clarke walked into Grounder that night, she had gotten there a little after Raven and Harper.

“Hey” Clarke said walking to the booth where her friends were.

“Lots of people here tonight” Raven said.

“Yeah” Harper said. “Newbies it looks like.”

“Spring break I think” Clarke said, “Bringing a lot of people in…”

“Hey people” Octavia said walking over with her arm in a sling.

“What did you do?” Raven asked her.

“Oh Lincoln threw me against a wall…” the tall dark haired girl said as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

“Ya know, you really shouldn’t justify relationship abuse” Raven shook her head with a laugh.

“Shut up” Octavia said. “We were in the gym sparring and he flipped me and I twisted and landed against the wall, it’s my Collarbone.”

“Broken?” Clarke asked.

“Yep” Octavia nodded.

“Jesus and you’re here?” Harper laughed.

“It doesn’t hurt that bad” Octavia shook her head brushing it off.

“How long are you out of the ring?” Raven asked.

“Like a month or so, probably. Maybe more…” Octavia shrugged, “Fucking pisses me off so much.”

“Well maybe you can’t paint her like one of your French girls” Raven said to Clarke.

Harper laughed so hard she almost spit her drink out.

“What?” Octavia asked.

“It’s for a final project; we have to paint movement in some form. Harper stole Raven so I was going to ask you.” Clarke explained.

“I’m sorry” Octavia said. “I’m sure Lincoln or Indra would be down, oh or Lexa do you know Lex?”

Clarke shook her head.

“Yeah she’s my best friend, ballerina and shit too, that could be cool to paint, right?” Octavia said.

“Yeah cool and not at all weird to ask a complete stranger to be your model” Clarke laughed.

“Lexa is gorgeous” Raven said, “You should totally paint her.”

“You know her?” Clarke asked.

“Yeah she takes jiu jitsu with us sometimes” Raven sipped her drink.

“A ballerina takes jiu jitsu?” Harper asked.

“Yeah, it’s good for her coordination and shit” Octavia said. “She’s coming tomorrow you should come, I will introduce you.”

“Okay, sounds good” Clarke said.

Lexa just finished her last ballet class of the day, “Great class guys” Dianna said as Lexa walked over to her stuff and grabbed her water bottle.

“What are you doing tonight?” Becca asked taking a drink of her water as well.

“Nothing, going home showering and going to bed.”

“I hear it's ladies night at Grounder, wanna go?”

“No, I have class at--”

“Nine AM, I know I am in all the same classes you know” Becca smiled. “You could stand to have a little fun Lexa.”

“I do have fun” Lexa said. “Tomorrow I go to jiu jitsu.”

Becca just shook her head. Lexa had been a principal dancer at ABT for four years now and took it very seriously.

“You know, as long as I have been here I don’t think I have ever seen you let loose, not even a little” Becca said. “You don’t even take the contemporary class.”

“I don’t see the need for it” Lexa shrugged.

“It’s fun and another form of dance, just because it isn’t required or as disciplined as ballet” Becca said. “Let that hair down, Alexandria.”

Lexa just smiled, “I will see you in class tomorrow.”

She grabbed her dance bag and headed out the door. She couldn’t help it, it’s not that she didn’t want to make friends it was just… harder for her. She had always attributed it to the way she was raised, or wasn’t for the first part of her life. She grew up in a group home in San Francisco California until she was fourteen, that’s when her older sister Anya turned eighteen and was able to take guardianship of her. Anya and ballet were all she ever had; the friends part was harder for her, though she had a few close friends now that she lived in New York. Her best friend was Octavia Blake, whom she met through a jiu jitsu class she happened upon three years ago. Another instructor there named Indra, who was a few years older than she was, was also her friend, and now Octavia’s friend Raven, whom she liked pretty well so her circle was expanding. Since Costia though she just didn’t do much… going out.

“Hello” She said walking into her and Anya’s loft.

“Hi” Anya said, “How was dance?”

“Good, I took seven classes today.”

“Good lord Lexa, Why?” Anya laughed.

“I gotta keep in shape” Lexa shrugged. “We don’t have any performances we are working on right now, so we just take class all day... Anyhow, how was your day?”

“Good, I had court for an eight year old little girl who is getting placed permanently this week.” Anya told her.

“Wonderful” Lexa said opening the fridge.

“I made your dinner it’s in the oven keeping warm” Anya told her.

Lexa pulled the plate out of the oven, and removed the foil to see a piece of salmon, green beans and roasted sweet potatoes.

“Thank you,” Lexa said sitting down on the bar stool.

“Your welcome” Anya said.

Lexa’s phone beeped from her dance bag, “Do you want me to grab that for you?” Anya asked.

“If you don’t mind” Lexa nodded taking a bite of food.

Anya handed her the phone a moment later and she checked the message, it was from Octavia.

Octavia: Hey, my friend Clarke is in art school and she has to do her final project on Art and Movement or whatever… She was going to ask me but I broke my collarbone and am out for a month or so. I told her she should ask you since you do ballet and shit can I give her your number?

Lexa: Ballet and shit… Nice.

Lexa: What does she have to do, just draw me?

Octavia: Yeah, I think paint you dancing…

“That’s weird” Lexa said aloud.

“What is?” Anya asked.

“It was Octavia. Apparently a friend of hers has to do a final for Art School on movement and since O broke her collarbone she suggested she paint me.”

“That sounds pretty cool actually, to have someone paint you dancing,” Anya said.

“You don’t think it is… weird, I don’t know her” Lexa shrugged.

“I think you need to meet new people, Lex.”

Lexa thought about it for a moment then texted Octavia back.

Lexa: Sure you can give her my number, yeah.

Clarke crawled into bed around eleven thirty that night, she had decided not to stay out too late since the night before they had closed down the bar and she was exhausted. She put her phone on her nightstand and plugged it in, when she remembered Octavia had given her the number of that girl… Lexa. She grabbed her phone and found the number and sent her a text.

Clarke: Hi, this is Clarke Griffin. Octavia gave me your number.

She felt like she should have said more but didn’t know what to say, this way at least the girl had her info as well. She put her phone down and rolled over to close her eyes when her phone beeped.

Lexa: Hi Clarke, I am Lexa. It’s nice to… meet you … I guess… kinda.

Clarke: It’s nice to kinda meet you too. :) I hope I didn’t wake you…

Lexa: Nope, I was just stretching before bed.

Stretching, this girl was dedicated Clarke thought.

Clarke: Always on ballerina mode?

Lexa: I guess you could say that.

Clarke: How long have you been dancing?

She didn’t know why she kept the conversation going, but it felt… natural.

Lexa: Since I was eight, I have been with ABT for four years now.

Clarke: Wow… Octavia said you were a ballerina but I didn’t realize you were like a real ballerina and shit… ABT that’s a major company.

Lexa: Yes, yes it is. Ballet is kind of my job :)

Clarke: Well Im sure you’re amazing then, if you don’t have time for this I completely understand…

Lexa: I think I will, what all will it entail?

Clarke: I need to paint you dancing. So I would need to watch you dance… come to classes if possible… maybe even do some one on one things so I can sketch a bunch of stuff out pre-paint.

Lexa: That sounds doable.

Clarke: Great… do you want to meet for coffee tomorrow sometime to talk?

Lexa: I could do coffee, when are you free. I have a window between two and four PM, and then am available after seven.

Clarke: I have class till 1:30. so I could do 2… But I could also do later tomorrow night… Whatever you prefer.

Lexa: I’m done with jiu jitsu at seven.

Clarke: I can meet you there after and we can head to coffee or even dinner at that point? Raven is going to be there tomorrow… I think… so I’ll know where I’m going.

Lexa: You know Raven?

Clarke: Yes, She’s my best friend… since we were nine. You know Rae?

She knew she did, why did she ask that?

Lexa: Just threw Octavia and jiu jitsu, yes.

Clarke: Ohhhhh that makes sense.

Lexa: Okay, so I will see you tomorrow then.

Clarke: Sounds good.

Lexa: Okay well I should get to bed, I have ballet at nine tomorrow morning.

Clarke: Yeah… I have class at eight. See you tomorrow Lexa.

Lexa: Goodnight Clarke.

Lexa woke the next morning around six and went into the kitchen, Anya was up drinking a cup of coffee already, “Morning.”

“Morning” Lexa smiled.

“Ballet early?” Anya asked.

“Nine is class, but I am going to get there early and dance,” Lexa told her.

“Okay” Anya said.

“I won’t be home for dinner tonight” Lexa said pouring water into the tea kettle.

Anya just looked at her to continue.

“After jiu jitsu tonight I’m going to go to dinner with Clarke” Lexa said her name as if they had been friends always.

“Clarke?” Anya asked.

“Octavia’s friend, the art student.”

“You’re going to dinner?” Anya asked, “I thought she was going to paint you dancing…”

“She is” Lexa nodded, “But she asked if I wanted to go to coffee or dinner to talk about things.”

“When did you talk to her?”

“Last night, we texted before bed” Lexa told her.

“You texted her?” Anya asked with a look.

“Yes” Lexa nodded putting a slice of bread in the toaster. “What’s with you why are you acting all weird?”

“I’m not… I’m just well... glad.” Anya said.

“That I texted her, or that I am going to dinner with her?” Lexa asked.

“Both” Anya smiled, noting that Lexa was looking in the fridge. “I ate the half of avocado that was in there.”

Lexa shut the refrigerator and glared at her.

“Relax there is a new one” Anya pointed to the hanging fruit basket.

“Thank you” Lexa said walking over to the basket and rising up on her tiptoes to get it.

“Of course you had to relevé to get it” Anya laughed.

“I almost piqued to it, but ya know” Lexa said with a smirk.

“Too much for six am?”

“Maybe slightly” she shrugged.

“I’m surprised you aren’t in your leotard and tights already” Anya sipped her coffee.

“Too early” Lexa said mashing up the avocado and putting it on her toast. “I don’t want to get them all avocado-ey”

“I don’t think that’s a word dear sister” Anya laughed.

“Oh well” Lexa shrugged, “Do you know if my black leo is clean?”

“That narrows your question down to about three hundred leotards, Alexandria” Anya rolled her eyes.

“The new strappy one... I put it in the laundry room yesterday and you said ‘I will wash that for you’.”

“Then yes, it’s in the clean laundry basket at the foot of your bed” Anya said.

“You are the best!” Lexa said kissing her sisters cheek before she Chaîné turned to get a glass from the cupboard.

“I’m aware of that fact” Anya said. “I gotta shower and then get to the office; I will see you tonight then.”

“Yeah, I don’t know what time but not late though I am sure.”

“Have a good time Lexa, be a normal twenty four year old for once instead of a prima ballerina.”

Lexa just scoffed as Anya went up the stairs.

“WHY?” Raven yelled Clarke’s alarm went off.

“Because unlike you, I have classes today” Clarke said sitting up wiping the sleep from her eyes.

“Turn it off and lay back down and snuggle me back to sleep!” Raven wined.

Clarke wasn’t sure when Raven ended up in her bed, but she wasn’t surprised waking up beside her. Raven often ended up in her bed.

“Rae, I have to go to class!” Clarke said firmly, as she snuggled back in next to her.

“What are we doing tonight?” Raven asked yawning.

“I’m going to dinner with Lexa,” Clarke said.

“You are?” Raven asked.

“Yes, I texted her last night and we talked a little. We decided to go to dinner tonight after she’s done with jiu jitsu and talk more.”

“You like her!” Raven said.

“I don’t know her Raven, so I can hardly like her” Clarke laughed.

“Well you will, she is gorgeous and nice, she’s quiet though… very serious.”

“That doesn’t sound like my type at all” Clarke shook her head.

“You just wait and see” Raven smiled with her eyes closed.

Clarke kissed her forehead, “Okay crazy, we’ll see. But I gotta get up and get ready now.”

“Booo” Raven said.

“If you wanted a snuggle buddy you should’ve brought O back, you know I have class” Clarke said.

“She went to Lincoln’s” Raven mumbled.

“Well then we need to get you a snuggle buddy” Clarke said.

“I have you” Raven said.

“Well I have to go, if you’re still in bed in three hours then I will snuggle you more.”

“I will be” Raven informed her.

Clarke laughed, “Of course you will be.”

“Come get in bed with me when you get home?” Raven asked.

“Yes, love… Will do, Goodbye I love you.”

“Love you, butt head” Raven mumbled from underneath her blankets.

“Balancé, balance, pique…through, double pirouette, land then triple. You’re going to add that onto the combination we just did, have it?” Hannah asked the class.

Lexa loved barre and floor, it was her favorite class.

“Good” Hannah said, “group A on the floor first.” The music started and Hannah counted, “And five, six, seven, eight.”

Lexa absolutely loved everything about ballet, from the discipline down to the smallest movement, she felt free and control all at the same time when she danced.

“Becca, turn out!” Hannah hollered as they danced. “Shoulders down Bree.” “Very nice Lexa!”

The combination came to an end and Lexa walked off the floor as the other group walked onto it. She grabbed her water bottle off the ground by the bar taking a sip. Becca was leaned with her back against the ballet bar, and looked over to Lexa. “Want to go to TonDC tonight?”

“Can’t” Lexa whispered, not taking her eyes off the other girls. She wasn’t much for talking while in class and Becca knew that, but she didn’t care.  

“Why? Come on Lexa, you never do anything fun…”

“I told you I have jiu jitsu tonight” She said quietly. “Plus after I’m going out to dinner with… a friend.”

Sure Clarke wasn’t really a friend yet, but she more than likely would be, Lexa thought.

“Okay, well we need to make plans for this weekend” Becca said.

“I’ll see what I can do” Lexa nodded and then glanced to the wall to check the clock for the time. That’s when she saw her, standing there at the viewing window. Her stomach dropped, Costia. She knew she would have to see her after the breakup, whenever Costia came back to the city, but it always took her by surprise.

“Costia” Hannah smiled when she turned around and saw her, “Come in here.”

Great.

“How are you?” Hannah asked the girl.

“I’m well” Costia smiled.

“Great, are you here for the spring preview week?”

“Yes” She nodded. “Then back to Europe.”

Costia was selected as one of the principal dancers to go to Europe for four years, to preform and study there. It was a new program they were offering at ABT, and one of the main reasons their relationship had ended… Well That and the fact that Costia decided it would be fun to sleep with Maddie, another Lead at ABT, before they left.

“Come take class?” Hannah asked.

“I don’t have shoes or anything, but I’d love to watch…” Costia said eyeing Lexa whom was trying her best to avoid any sort of eye contact.

“That would be great, stay, sit.” Hannah said.

“Hey” Clarke said as she slid back into bed with Raven, who just as she promised, was in bed still when she got home.

“Hi” Raven rolled over and brushed the dark hair out of her face, so she could see Clarke.

“Today sucked” Clarke sighed.

“Oh no, why?”

“I will give you three guesses, and you more than likely won’t need the last two…”

“Why is he such a douchebag? What happened?” Raven sighed.

“He asked if he could come over here tonight…” Clarke rolled her eyes.

“The fuck… Why?!” Raven asked.

“Because he’s Finn… I mean really there is no other explanation necessary. I told him I wouldn’t be home, and then he said… well Rae will be right?”

“Um, yeah… no.” Raven scoffed. “Why did either of us sleep with him, ever?”

“I don’t know, and the fact that he got away with sleeping with the both of us for three weeks really still pisses me off” Clarke nearly growled.

“Right, he’s so proud of himself for it too, like he slept with best friends and we didn’t put it together for nearly a month!” Raven said.

Clarke snuggled into her best friends side and sighed. “So if he comes around here tonight while I’m gone, don’t let him in.”

“Eeww never,” Raven said “and I won’t be here.”

“Where are you going?”

To TonDC, Harper Octavia and I are going… You should meet us after you go to dinner with Lexa.”

“Maybe I will, I can see if she wants to come as well…”

Raven laughed, “Lexa won’t come to Ton!”

“Why?” Clarke asked.

“Because she’s Lexa, she doesn’t do things like that. She’s all ballet, seriously… jiu jitsu is her fun.”

“Well, that sounds like a challenge” Clarke said with an eyebrow wiggle.

“Clarke Abigail Griffin” Raven said. “I don’t think you can crack this one…”

“We’ll see” Clarke said.

Lexa had just gotten done with her class at two and booked it out of the studio while Hannah was talking to Costia, because the last thing she wanted to do was to have to stop and make small talk with her ex.

She got to her car and checked her phone, pleasantly surprised to see she had a few texts from Clarke.

Clarke: Hi! looking forward to meeting you tonight. Raven and O both tell me great things… Where do you want to go for dinner?

And another

Clarke: I’m going to just come to class with Rae and hang out there, so I will see you at 5:30.

She smiled, unsure of why this stranger was causing her to smile, but shrugged it off and texted her back.

Lexa: I’m looking forward to it as well, Clarke. I’m game for pretty much anything for dinner. What do you feel like?

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

“She texted me back” Clarke said. Her and Raven we’re still curled up in bed, watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Netflix.

“Why are you so excited?” Raven asked. “You don’t even know this girl, or what she looks like?”

“Why does it have to be about looks, can’t I just be excited to make a new friend?”

“Why do you need new friends? I’m all you’ll ever need, Clarke” Raven said.

Clarke laughed, then checked her text and replied.

Clarke: What’s your favorite kind of food?

“Why is it always Cordy who is getting chased by the monsters? She’s always in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Raven said.

“It’s Cordelia, what do you expect? And I think that Zander has had it pretty bad too, he always falls for these women who turn out to be insects or something supernatural” Clarke said. “Then you have the whole Anya thing…”

Raven laughed, “You’re right.”

Lexa: Mexican, but not from here. West coast Mexican food.

“She’s from the west coast?” Clarke looked to raven excited.

“Yeah… San Fran I think.” Raven said.

Clarke: Oh god, I know just what you mean… worst part of leaving southern Cali was giving up the Mexican food…

Lexa: You’re from the west coast too? that’s crazy.

Clarke: Yes! I don’t miss it too much, just the beach and mexican food…  

Lexa: Agree. What’s your favorite thing to eat over here?

Clarke: Either… Pizza or… Chinese.

Lexa: Lets do pizza?

Clarke: Sounds great. You wanna go to Tipsy Tomato?

Lexa: never been there, but sounds great.

Clarke: We have to then... it’s one of my favorites.

Lexa: That works for me. I will see you in a little bit then. Are you taking class?

Clarke: UM No!!!! Just watching.

Lexa: Why not? Scared? ;)

Clarke: I have ZERO coordination… believe me.

“Seriously, Cordelia… don’t go in there!!!!!” Raven yelled at the Tv.

Clarke laughed, “You’ve seen this episode at least ten times, you know she does!”

Lexa: Okay, I just got done with Ballet and have time to kill before class.

Clarke: Are you there already?

Lexa: No, I’m going to try and sneak back into the studio and dance some more. But there is someone I really don’t want to run into.

Clarke: Who?

Lexa: My ex-girlfriend.

“Is Lexa a lesbian or bisexual?” She looked to Raven.

Raven shrugged, “I’m pretty sure she’s a lesbian, does it matter?”

“Not one bit, just curious” Clarke shook her head.

“SERIOUSLY CORDY!!!! NO!!” Raven shook her head.  

Clarke: Eeww, exes are the worst.

Lexa: Agreed.

Clarke: Rae and I are watching Buffy in bed, being completely lazy. So props to you if you go dance.

Lexa: I don’t know if I will to be honest.

Lexa: I’ve never seen Buffy.

Clarke: WHAT? We MUST fix that! And I’m sorry… I could tell you wanted to dance…  How long were you and this girl together?

Lexa: two years, and it’s okay. I have already danced for six hours today.

Lexa: And okay, I’m up for watching it.

Clarke: SIX HOURS, good lord Lexa… And two years is a good chunk of time. When did you break up?

Lexa: a year ago, I’ve totally moved on. I just don’t want to see her.

Clarke: That’s understandable…... I just saw my ex today. He’s an ass.

Lexa: I’m sorry.

Clarke: It’s okay. But he really is the worst… its a long story, I will tell you in person sometime if you ever want to know… lets stop talking about our exs for now though.

Lexa: Gladly, what would you like to talk about Clarke?

Clarke and Lexa ended up texting for over an hour. Lexa never went back into the studio partly because she was afraid of running into Costia, also because she was really enjoying texting with Clarke. She was so easy to talk to, though she didn’t know why, she didn’t question it.

Clarke: Are you here?

Lexa: Almost, are you there already?

Clarke: Yeah we just got here… Octavia and Rae are being mean and said they weren’t going to point you out to me... and I had to guess who you were.

Lexa: I’ll come say hi when I get there, I promise.

Clarke: :) I have really enjoyed texting you today.

Clarke: I’m looking forward to hanging out w/you tonite

Lexa: Same. I’m pulling in.

Clarke: Okay.

Clarke had no idea why she was so nervous, she and Lexa had texted for over an hour about tons of things, she already felt like she knew this girl.

“She’s here” She said to Raven. “She just pulled up.”

“Are you texting her?” Octavia asked.

“They have been texting alllll afternoon” Raven told Octavia.

“I seriously think you two would be amazing together” Octavia said. “Lexa needs someone like you, Clarke.”

Clarke blushed slightly, and rolled her eyes. “Guys we’re just meeting… slow down.”

Octavia looked to the door and Clarke looked to see one of the most gorgeous women she had ever seen walking in the door. She was tall and Clarke thought she looked like a Greek goddess, her chestnut curls were pulled up into a ponytail, and she was wearing a pair of charcoal grey yoga pants that sat low at her hip bones, and stopped before her ankles. On top she wore a black tank top with a sports bra on underneath it that didn’t make it all the way down to the top of her pants, so she could see a perfect amount of skin. Clarke couldn’t take her eyes off her perfect shoulders and neck. She stood tall and it was noticeable she was a ballerina from the way she held herself even as she walked.

“Hi” Lexa said walking right up to her, pulling her out of her mini-trance. “Clarke?”

“Hey” Clarke nodded. “Lexa?”

Lexa smiled slightly and Clarke couldn’t not stare into her perfectly green eyes, but shook herself out of it, and hugged the slightly taller girl standing in front of her.

“Nice to meet you in person” She said.

“You also” Lexa said letting her hands wrap around the blonde. Normally she would find this extremely awkward as she wasn’t a touchy feely person, but for some reason with the gorgeous blonde in her arms, it felt natural. “Hi” She said to Octavia once she had let go of Clarke.

“Hey” Octavia said giving her the regular side hug she normally did.

“I didn’t think you’d be here” Lexa gestured to her arm.

“I can’t do much I’m going to hang with Clarke, and watch.”

“Watch Lincoln” Raven clarified.

“Hi Raven” Lexa said to the smaller brunette.

“Hey Lexa” Raven smirked at her, as if to say I know what you’ve been doing all day.

“How was dance?” Octavia asked Lexa.

“Great, well… for the most part” Lexa looked to Clarke.

“Did you ever see her again?” Clarke asked.

“No” Lexa said, “Thank god.”

“Right? I get that,” Clarke smiled.

“Wait what?” Octavia asked.  

“Costia, I’ll fill you in later” Lexa said.

“You’d better!” Octavia smiled.

“I gotta go put my bag down and get my shoes off, I’ll see you after class.” Lexa smiled to the blonde.

“I’ll go with” Raven said and then both girls headed onto the floor.

“What was that?” Octavia asked.

“What?” Clarke asked.

“She just... full on gave you eyes. I haven’t seen Lexa give anyone eyes… ever. And I had seen her when she was with Costia.”

Clarke shrugged, “I don’t know.”

“Mmmhmmm” Octavia smirked, “She likes you! What did you guys talk about today?”

“A lot of stuff… her childhood, her sister Anya, Ballet and Costia.”

“Lexa? You were talking to Lexa right?” Octavia asked sounding surprised.

“Yes Octavia… why?” Clarke asked.

“I didn’t even hear about her childhood until we had been friends for like a year… she’s just very, reserved.”

“She was quite open about it today” Clarke shrugged. “Who’s teaching today, Linc?” She asked changing the subject.

“Indra” Octavia shook her head.

“She scares me” Clarke smiled.

“Careful then, she loves Lexa, and kinda… looks out for her.”

“Oh great” Clarke said.

“You DO like her!” Octavia smiled.

“Shut up, Octavia!” Clarke rolled her eyes.

Thoughts? This is just a preview, this story WILL be posted on AO3 within the next month or so. (I have to get some of my other projects finished before I post this and I would like to have it Completed or very close before I post. Though I do have a lot written!) 

Much love to you all, and as ALWAYS thank you for ALL your support!

#clexa au #preview #New fanfiction #teaser #dancer lexa #ballerina #artist clarke #clexa #lexa woods #clarke griffin #raven reyes #octavia blake #harper mcintyre #Anya woods #dancer #new new new #american ballet theatre #abt #art school #college au

[pixelberrygardens]

5 things!!

tagged by @jebsplayshss and @quinn-kelly !!! thank yall 💚💚💚

Rules: Tag 15 people after you finish the challenge.

Five things you’ll find in my bag:

i havent had like a proper purse/bag since middle school LMAO but in my lovely (needs to b replaced) backpack, one can find: 

- my regular drawing sketchbooks! i have…Many but I usually bring a big one and a small one

- my daily comic/vent sketch book!

- my eyeglasses case filled with my fineliners and pens i use for lineart LMAO 

- markers! i have a set of spectrum noirs and a set of grey prismacolors

- copious amounts of pencils hidden in the pockets fjfjdks

Five things you’ll find in my bedroom:

- my candles n incense

- portfolio n school art supplies

- random drawings n doodles around my desk

- those iced mochas from starbucks dsfsdg

- usually some sort of to do list/check off list (that always has a few things that never get checked off even as months go by dgsdggsdg)

Five things I’ve always wanted to do:

- get tattoos!!!!!! i want a ladybug on my ankle and then flowers wherever

- go on a roadtrip with the ppl i love

- illustrate for and/or make a kids book

- go to a pride event (might go 2 the one in austin this summer!!! B^> )

- be able to eat at the cheescake factory w/o worrying about the prices LMAO DSGSDGDG

Five things that make me feel happy:

- flowers!!!!!!!!

- hanging out with my closest friends!!!

- DRAWING!!!

- ANIMALS DFSFDS

- COFFEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Five things i’m currently into:

- the pjo books B’^) (just started heroes of olympus dgdfg)

- the choices games wink

- my characters haha i’ve been workin seriously on a specific story for a year now but im starting to shift gears and focus on a less ambitious project!

- ive been playing with inkwash??? for a while now and its SO fun like ive been usin watercolors since i was a kid but theres just somethin bout inkwash that like.. CALLS to me LMAO

- currently????? rly invested in this game called adventure bar story its for the ds and theres a demo in the ds store.....if yall wanna check it out.....(it was so good i caved n bought it but its only like 6 dollars so)

Five things on my to-do-list:

- i need to do laundry and pack bc im goin on a vacay with my bud n his family B^))))))))))

- need to finish all these requests aha but!! i have more time now so im rdy to get down to business

- i need??? to check out the bey anime bc ive been expecting that since like the first two chapters of the manga came out LMAO

- i have multiple lists of queer movies ive been hoarding and i need to actually sit and watch them

- I NEED TO LISTEN TO THE PODCASTS IVE BEEN WANTING TO LISTEN TO LMAO IVE BEEN WANTING TO GET INTO TAZ FOR LIKE.......FOREVER NOW

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh rarely do i ever do these so im horrible at tagging ppl....but like!! if you follow me and you see this and want to do it know that i am personally tagging you to do it!!!!!!!!!!!! :^D

#haha get to know me a bit more i guess????? im LAME #tp

[fizzy-popper-blog]

Raise Your Flag

Chapter 2

Sitting in his chair Alex takes out his phone. He texts his friend to see where they're at but he gets no response from anyone. Scowling he puts his phone away and grabs his textbook. His first period is language art, then math, history, science, and art. He personally couldn't wait for art, he's always been in touch with his hands and was always drawing on his bedroom walls. He remembers when he was five and found his mom's lipstick. He was drawing a bird when he heard his mother curse at him and then smack him on the back of the head. She made him clean it up with a bar of soap and a sponge until he passed out of exhaustion onto the floor. His mother left him there too busy wallowing in self-pity and whiskey. Frowning and scrunching up his eyebrows he lightly shakes his head as if to forget the memories that plague his broken mind. Looking at the smart board he is reminded of the osts that will begin in a few days. He knows enough that he'll pass with flying colors but that still won't be enough. He'll still be called stupid and worthless by his mom and compared to his dad. It may not be fair but thats how life works, life isn't well faring for great minds like Alex. The reached sea of stupidity sadly sinks any opportunity to shine with the greatest potential. Alex remembers last year that a bunch of girls went I to the destroy. and started to fight. Why the hell they did he has no idea but most of them got detentions so he didn't really care to complain. Even then they should have been expelled as dangerous and disobedient delinquents. But who's he to decide that, he's just a low life from the east side.

Getting his homework out he waits for the teacher to walk through the front door. Instead of the teachers, it's the popular kids. Oh shit, he thought, hope and pray to whatever god we have that they don't care to bother me. There must be a god above because the group of perfumed girls and boys didn't take notice to him. Letting out a sigh of relief he reviews his homework one last time. Nothing sticks out to him as wrong or unsure of, just completed. Satisfied with his work he sits back in the dingy school chair and thinks. His friend should be here by now considering that Jack would never let them skip. Alex has a class with them for almost every period except art since Nathan, Jewels, and Jack have gym and Katherin has a choir. No way in hell Alex would be able to survive any of those classes, he can barely walk to school without getting winded. So he sticks to subjects that require no or minimal exercise at all coast. Last year he passed out during gym because he couldn't breathe, scared the hell out of the gym teacher. It would have been funny if Alex wasn't

Being dragged to the paramedics outside the school building. Groaning and trying to hide his blushing face he false to see a group of people walking into his classroom.

"Hey look boys, its the fag from down the street, and he's all by his lonesome." The leader of the group sneers and pits his elbows on Alex's desk. Feeling that there was something going on some other teens stop what they're doing. Alex clears his through and responds, "I ain't-a fag boy, I'm bisexual you ignorant punk." Alex spits back. There was one female and two males. The female was a Hispanic girl, Avery, with black straight hair and brown eyes and averaged size. The two males were taller than the female by a few feet. The leader, Timothy, was a white male with dark hair and green eyes, his peach skin didn't have a mark on it, no blemishes or scars. The other male, Max, was a dirty blond boy with combed back brown hair. His eyes were a steel blue that scared Alex shitless. You'd think the leader would scare him but the leader wasn't obviously that smart. Max, on the other hand, was known for being the top student(mostly because his dad paid for him). And while muscles hight help once in the strength is where the brain is.

"Hah, says the one that hangs out with those fags." Timothy sneers, hoping to get under Alex"s skin. Not wanting to admit defeat Alex fires back. "Says the one who's more obsessed with his dick than anything, maybe that makes you gay for yourself." He didn't really think it was an insult but the boy didn't take it to well. He slams his hand on Alex's desk and gets in his face. "You better take that back fagget, or else," Alex smirks, he knows this isn't the best school but he knows that they have some standards that could get this punk expelled. That's unless his daddy pays the board off again. "The hell are you smirking for queer." The leader snaps, confused as to why Alex finds the situation amusing. "Looks like the fag has a death wish." This time it's Avery who speaks up. Alex is actually stunned that she would actually bother with him. He's seen her talk and curse right in front of the prince (granted everyone has sworn in front of him) not giving a shit, so why would she now? Blinking Alex sighs, he just wanted to have a quiet morning where he got all A's or B's and hang out with the gang. But that doesn't seem to be happening today. Timothy grabs Alex by the collar and goes to swing at him but the teacher walks in just in time. "Timothy Daten, a bit your behind down!" The language art teacher yells at Timothy and he immediately let's go with a push. He smirks at Alex and walks away with the other to.

Rolling his eyes Alex turns to the front of the classroom. This wasn't the first time a teacher had to step in and protect Alex from people like Timothy. People with closed minds close the world for other people. The teacher stands at the front of the class and relays what the lesson will be about. Alex would be paying attention but he's to focused on the poster board in the hallway and who might see his name. The last thing he needs is everyone else and their mom to know that he's part of the LGBTQ. Word spreads quickly around the school, especially in the halls. Nothing can get passed the gossip of a high schooler. Alex was just about to pay attention to the lesson when announcements came on. "Attention students, there is an early morning announcement concerning the new event presented by the student council." Alex quickly perks up and looks at the speaker, he doesn't really know why maybe it's just to be polite? "As you may know, if you pay attention that is, there is a poster in the main hall, now this poster is a one time chance for the school to celebrate one thing, this can range to appropriate items to holidays." The speaker pauses, they're likely reading from a flash card or something. "The winner will be announced at the end of the day considering there is still a whole day of school and you all need to focus." Some of the student groan. Guess Alex isn't the only one hanging on the edge of his seat.

"That will be all for morning announcements have a good day." As the announcements end the morning bell rings. Students rush to get into their classrooms and pretty soon the halls are a barren wasteland with paper and pencils littering the floor. As the lesson goes on Alex can't wait for the end of the day, not only to leave but to find out if he'll have the pleasure of a pride day. As he daydreams about what it would be like as a pride day the ending class bell rings. Students rush out of their seats to the classroom door. Following their lead, Alex rushes to his next period which is math then health, study hall, lunch, American History, Art, science then another unnecessary period just to torture students. Walking into his next period he starts to become dazed. What if he doesn't get the event, what if they make fun of him for trying to celebrate such a taboo thing. Frowning and looking down at his desk he realizes what an idiot he was to think something good would happen to him. He starts to shake with uncertainty, his heart starts to beat even faster and starts to sweat. Shooting up from his seat he runs out of the classroom, down the hall and to the men's restroom. He slams the door of a stall and sits on the toilet, covering his face with his hands. Breath, just breath. He tells himself repeatedly trying to calm himself down. This is the second panic attack this month, sadly that's a record.

Tears start to stream down his face. He tries to wipe them away but there are so many tears. Instead, he just lets them roll down his face and onto the bathroom floor. When he's done crying his face is wet and his eyes are iffy. He can't go back to class looking like this so he waits the whole period in the bathroom. He swears this reminds him of a theatre song but he can't remember which one.  He listens to so many songs that he mixes them up a lot. He starts to hum a lullaby to help calm himself more. It's the same lullaby that he would sing for himself when he was a toddler. He doesn't remember where he heard it from but it's soothing to him an that's all that matters to him. Alex sighs and stands up, brushes the dust of his clothes and opens the stall door. He walks to the mirror and looks at himself. His eyes are swollen and red from how much he was crying. Rubbing his eyes he grabs some paper towels and wettens them. He scrubs his face and stares at his hands. They are still shaking from his previous panic attack. He rubs his hands and shakes his head. They've always been shaky but now he wouldn't be able to hold a pencil. There isn't any point im him staying at school if he's like this. He throws the paper towns away and leaves the restroom. Walking down the has he reaches his locker. He'd just about to get his backpack and coat when the announcements come on. "Attention students, sorry for the afternoon interruption but we have an announcement. Because of popular demand, we will be announcing the winner for the special event." Alex quickly looks up at the speaker in the ceiling and crosses his fingers. "The winner for the special event is..." Alex holds his breath. "....Alex Hecht, for pride day!" He can't believe it. He finally won something. Something good actually happened to him Letting out his breath he slides down his locker. A smile grows on his face and he tries to hide it, but it's too big of a grin to hide. He stands up and jumps for the ceiling, fist pumps the air. He starts to twirl around and just has a good time. When he's done self celebrating he grabs his stuff with pride and locks his locker. Walking down the hallway with pride he walks to the nurse's office, tells her what happend and is excused from school for the day. He doesn't have anyone to pick him up so he's forced to walk home but he isn't fazed. He still has a dopey grin on his face and arrives home. He isn't fazed when his mom yells at him for being home. He jumps to his room and texts his friends. This is the best day and the most life-changing one he'll ever have.

#original #my characters #my post #original character #original story #original plot #gayman #gay wom #gender queer #homosexual #chapter two #my plots #plot rp #plot twist #bullying #panic attack #surprise #self worth #self love #self care #friendship #love #hate #lgbtq community #lgbtq #lgbtpride #raise your flag #wattpad story #wattpad #new books

[themoneybuff-blog]

Questions About Crowdlending, Prayer, Christmas Trees, Chess, Beans, and More!

Whats inside? Here are the questions answered in todays reader mailbag, boiled down to summaries of five or fewer words. Click on the number to jump straight down to the question. 1. Investing for childs future 2. Crowdlending investments 3. Shorter workweek thoughts? 4. Struggling to improve at work 5. Last minute holiday gifts 6. Praying for financial help? 7. Child care suggestions 8. Christmas tree suggestions 9. Learning chess for cheap 10. Keeping beans fresh 11. 401(k) help 12. I never want to retire I get two or three requests a week from a reader asking to reprint an article Ive written for some purpose. So, heres my policy on that. If you wish to reprint an article of mine for a print publication or an email newsletter, not a website, you have permission to do so provided that you attribute the article to Trent Hamm at The Simple Dollar and include the URL of the site, http://www.thesimpledollar.com/. If you are interested in a reprint on a website, ask me first. Make sure that the article was actually written by Trent first, however, by visiting that article on the website and verifying that Trent was the writer of that specific article. Some portion of articles that appear on the site were written by other writers and youll need to ask them individually for permission. On with the questions. Q1: Investing for childs future I have a young kid (6 years old) and Id like to invest a little bit for him in a set and forget fashion. I realize Im pretty lucky to be living in an expensive place (Seattle, WA) while being able to max out my 401k, my Roth IRA and my wifes IRA. We dont have any loans, pay off out credit card monthly and just have a home mortgage with low interest. I am still able to put a little bit of money regularly on a brokerage account and a 529 for my son (although I dont want to put too much for a few of reasons: I dont know if hell go to college here (expensive) or in France where Im from (cheap), I value community college highly and dont necessarily aim for him to go to ivy league schools and finally I dont believe in taking at my charge all his higher education expense. My only downfall here is that I feel a bit behind on retirement because I moved to the US AT 26 for a temp job that became permanent at 32 and only understood 401k since I was 34. Im been maxing out ever since. I definitely have the saving mentality that we find Europeans! In essence, we live on about 40% off a single about 110k/year (my wife works for a non profit and brings an income that pretty much only pays for her laptop, cell phone, car gas and child care once in a while for us to go on a date). With that in mind, what could be our next smart moves (I feel that is not often addressed for people that are able to to reach all the conventional goals we see out there but dont fit in the high income category where advance money placement and tax schemes can be beneficial). So my questions are two folds: what is the next smart move for us (just keep investing in the Vanguard Total Market Index Fund?) what can I do to invest long term for my son? I was hoping for an IRA but he is not earning income. Is the anything else? Bob First of all, a 529 might still be useful for you even if your child goes to school in France, provided that hes attending a college or university thats eligible for Title IV student aid. There are hundreds of overseas universities and colleges that are, so youll have to research the ones hes considering. If youre not strictly saving for education for your son, however, your best bet is probably what youve already stumbled on gifting your child a certain amount each year below the gift tax exclusion limit ($14,000 a year) and then investing that money in a taxable account in your childs name while again gifting your child enough to pay any taxes on dividend income. This is of course assuming that your child is not earning an income of some kind via modeling or acting or something akin to that. For us, our savings for our childrens future is strictly in the 529 plans. Once they move out and go to school, their 529 plans are our financial support for their education. We hope to have enough in each account to cover in-state tuition for a few years at a state university (like Iowa State U or University of Iowa), though they can make other choices in terms of where to go to school should they wish too. Q2: Crowdlending investments What do you think about crowdlending investments? Carly Crowdlending refers to any program in which individuals can lend money to other individuals or businesses, supplying the capital for the loan and earning a return on that money in the form of the borrowers interest paid on that loan. Typically, many people provide small amounts to make up the capital for that loan for example, someone might want to borrow $10,000 and that loan is made up of 100 people lending $100 each. A number of businesses exist to help facilitate this, such as Lending Club and Prosper. It really comes down to the riskiness of the borrower. Someone with a high rating as a borrower represents pretty little risk and youll almost always get your money back and more. A high risk loan might net you a very nice return, but you have a real risk of losing your balance. In general, I would not invest money I needed going forward in a crowdlending investment. Its a good place to put money that you dont need if youre seeking a nice short term return on it and youre willing to pay a lot of attention and take on some significant risk. Remember, if someone defaults on a crowdlending loan, that means youve probably lost most (if not all) of what youve invested. Q3: Shorter workweek thoughts? What do you think about this article that argues that people 40 and over work better if their workweek is shorter? It matches my own experience. This one? Jenna I frankly agree with it. Speaking from my own experience, I find that the vast majority of my work gets done during three days a week. I tend to have about three days each week when I can really slip into a writing zone, and my work on other days is often just busywork. I think this is honestly true of most information and creative jobs. For every day of really great mental performance, I think people of all ages need at least a day of rest to recharge fully. If you demand mental performance day after day, that performance is going to degrade fairly rapidly and eventually result in burnout. The trick for me is in properly preparing for a three day week and getting it reliably without interruption due to personal or family illness or some other interruption. Part of why I write for a living is the flexibility of it, which means I cant just sit down and lock down three specific days of writing each week. Often, I have to break it up more than that. Q4: Struggling to improve at work I currently work as a bank teller. Went in for a performance review in October and read your advice about asking what I need to do to get a raise or promotion. Boss was great and gave me a list of things to work on. Thing is Im always busy and rarely have the chance to work on a lot of those things. I feel like Im not making progress on any of those things and cant find time for them. Not sure what to do. Bailey The best thing you can do is find opportunities to work on those skills in the course of your regular tasks. Without knowing your regular casts and the things that your boss suggested that you work on, I cant offer specific advice on that. However, there are probably at least some of the elements on that list that you can work on while doing other tasks. If theres new material to learn, do your best to learn it when youre not at work. If there are topics youre supposed to know about, spend time when youre not working learning those things. You should also try to get into a routine of having regular scheduled one-on-ones with your supervisor just to talk over how things are going and build a stronger relationship. If youve not really communicated in any way with your boss in two months, you might want to strengthen that relationship a little. Just ask for a regularly scheduled meeting once every two weeks or once a month and go over the things on that list. This gives you a deadline to push toward a little more effort on those things, and it shows your boss youre consistently trying to work for the brass ring. Q5: Last minute holiday gifts So my mom got sick and asked if I could host family Christmas and I said okay. In the past we did a name drawing for gifts but she also got everyone something small and shes not doing that this year but I want to do it so I am looking for good ideas for last minute small holiday gifts under $5. Amy What kinds of things did she give out? At that price point, Id probably go for consumable items. Get people nice bars of chocolate or a bottle of craft beer or something like that. Youre not going to go fancy at $5, but you can find something the recipient would enjoy. Just make a list of everybody whos attending and try to identify one food or drink item each one of them would like. Theres your shopping list, and thats exactly what I would do in your shoes. Q6: Praying for financial help? I pray and pray for financial help and it never seems to come. We never make ends meet. I try to follow your advice and things always turn out badly. Jaime A simple suggestion: rather than praying for financial help, pray to have the strength and wisdom and focus to make the difficult choices needed to put you and your family on a better financial path. Dont pray for money to be dropped on your lap. Instead, pray that youll have the foresight and wisdom to not spend money on foolish things. Pray that youll feel lower stress and that youll be able to lower the stress of those around you. Pray for the creativity to make your meal budget stretch a little further. Most of us already have the financial answers we need already in our life. We just need someone (or something) to take the scales away from our eyes so that we can see those answers. That change often comes from within, not from money from outside sources. Money drops into our lap more often than we think it does what matters is how we use it. Q7: Child care suggestions Moved to new city and starting school in January. Have a three year old. Thought there would be child care support through school but all slots are full. Program will subsidize child care but everything within subsidy is kind of scary. Suggestions? Danielle I have helped Danielle many times over the last few years. For some background, she was engaged to be married but her soon-to-be husband ghosted her and she cant find him for child support. She moved in with her parents for a brief while, then found an apartment on her own. She applied for a bunch of scholarships to go back to school and then I hadnt heard from her in a while until this question popped up. She has been using many different programs to help give her kid a great life and working her tail off, so I do have some real sympathy for Danielles situation. Danielle, you absolutely need to check and see whether your state has some sort of child care assistance offered through their Department of Human Services. Given your situation, its very likely that youre eligible for some help through such a program, which is available in a lot of states. Another approach you might want to consider is whether or not you have a close friend or relative you trust who could move in with you and provide child care in exchange for free rent. Do you have a sibling or close friend who might be interested in such a situation that youd trust? Those are the two best options I have in mind, other than making sure youre on the waiting list for child care options through your school. This will get somewhat easier when your child reaches school age, as youll both be able to go to school! Q8: Christmas tree suggestions Is a real Christmas tree worth it? We usually only decorate for a few days before Christmas and the twelve days after taking things down on January 6. Used a tiny artificial tree for the last few years and were considering a real one this year. Arne It depends on how you define worth it. Real trees are messier and take more work (because you have to water them) and need to be disposed of after the holidays; artificial trees have none of that. Plus, real trees have to be replaced every year. From a purely financial standpoint, real trees arent worth it. However, real trees have an enormous aesthetic advantage. They smell wonderful. When properly cleaned up, they look better than artificial trees (in my opinion, assuming you dont buy one thats half dead). Is the work and the (eventual) extra cost worth it to you? For some people, it is. For some, it isnt. We had a real tree for a few years when I was growing up and while I appreciated it in my teen years, it wasnt life changing for me. As an adult, I probably would not have a large real tree unless my children were genuinely excited about the concept and brought it up frequently. Q9: Learning chess for cheap My five year old was taught chess by his cousin at Thanksgiving and now he wants to play chess all the time. I can fumble through the moves but he is finding stuff on his tablet about openings and stuff that I have no idea about. I want to get better at chess and also help him find things to help him get better at chess. What tools are cheap/free? Andy It really depends on your goals with this. If youre just wanting to get a bit better and assume that this is a fad thats going to burn out, Id just get an inexpensive chess app for his tablet and for your phone and just play lots of games. Most games have a feature where they suggest good moves and point out bad ones and over a lot of games, you can gradually learn from that. If you really want to start learning openings and stuff, theres almost nothing better you can do than visiting your local library that has a selection of chess books, picking out a few, and then going through them at home. My local library has a couple dozen chess books on the shelves and can reserve hundreds more via interlibrary loan. Take them home and then just try an opening during a game with your kid. Pick one that looks like fun, memorize the first three or four moves of it, and bust it out with your son. Tell him what the opening is and then see whether or not it looks like youre in good shape. I have an eight year old that loves to play chess constantly but really has zero interest in actually learning the game. If your son is into openings, play into that and use it as an opportunity to learn together. Q10: Keeping beans fresh You mentioned cooking beans early in the week and keeping them in the fridge all week to use for meals. How do you keep them fresh and not just turn to mush? Every time I do it they get mushy. Blair First of all, dont cook them quite all the way to completion. I try to aim for beans that are not quite all the way cooked, just done enough so that they wouldnt be annoying in the dish but clearly could use just a bit more cooking. Theyre really firm at this point but definitely edible. I drain them and let them slowly cool down to room temperature. This usually cooks them just a bit more so theyre pretty close to exactly what I want. I drain them and rinse them again so that theyre close to dry, then I put them in a sealed container in the fridge. I aim to use them within four or five days. Most of the time, I add these beans late to something else Im cooking, like a soup. If Im using them in a salad or something, I might cook them just a bit more in some simple fashion, like with a bit of water in the microwave, but Ill usually just toss the beans right into the salad. This works for all kinds of beans. My personal favorite is black beans, which Ill use for pretty much anything I can get away with. Q11: 401(k) help I just signed up for my company 401(k) and there are only a few options available and none of them match up with anything you have ever mentioned. They have names like aggressive growth and moderate and safe. Alex Likely, the options you see are ones that whoever runs your 401(k) have pre-chosen for you and given friendly names that actually make it harder to figure out what they actually include. The first retirement plan I signed up for was very similar in that regard. You can ask the HR representative that deals with the plans whether or not you can pick your own funds, but its likely that you dont have such control, so you probably just have to choose one of these options. The honest truth? In a situation like this, its really hard to pick the best option for you because you dont really know whats going on underneath the options. In your shoes, if I was more than ten years from retirement, Id choose the most aggressive option available. If I was less than ten years, Id choose a moderate option. That is, assuming I couldnt see anything more about the plans than such vague descriptors. Q12: I never want to retire I dont like reading about retirement talk because I never want to retire. I love what I do (nursing) and I want to keep doing it in whatever aspect I can for as long as I can until Im shoved out the door and straight into a retirement home (or a casket). Why should I worry about retirement? Dinah Never retiring is a marvelous idea in theory, but it often doesnt quite pan out that way. Many career paths nudge people out the door when they get to a certain age, regardless of whether those people want to keep working or not, and sometimes health conditions pop up that continue to allow a mostly full life but cut off certain career paths. Another reason to save for retirement is that it opens up the possibility of a second career or a different kind of job later on. You may end up taking on a position that uses your nursing skills in a very positive way but it doesnt pay nearly as much as your current job; a retirement savings plan can help offset that loss in income. You really should save for retirement no matter what career youre in and no matter how much you love it. Its cover all your bases money, because you simply cant predict what the future holds. Got any questions? The best way to ask is to follow me on Facebook and ask questions directly there. Ill attempt to answer them in a future mailbag (which, by way of full disclosure, may also get re-posted on other websites that pick up my blog). However, I do receive many, many questions per week, so I may not necessarily be able to answer yours. https://www.thesimpledollar.com/questions-about-crowdlending-prayer-christmas-trees-chess-beans-and-more/