#for guiding me to this new wonderful fandom | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

dalishious · 5 months

Text

A BioWare Guide on How to Murder a Fanbase

I have been a Dragon Age super-fan for almost fourteen years, now. I have played every game, with every DLC. I have read every novel, lore book, and every comic — yes, even the terrible ones that are better off forgotten. I have seen the anime film, the animated series, and the web mini-series. I have enjoyed all of these pieces of the franchise over and over, more times than I can count. So, make no mistake: the negativity you’re about to hear comes from a place of love for this fantasy world, developed by many creative people over the years. I would love nothing more than to see the resurrection of passion in the Dragon Age fandom again. But the unfortunate truth is, that resurrection is only needed because BioWare took the fandom out back and shot it in the first place.

In December 2018, three years after the release of Dragon Age: Inquisition’s Trespasser epilogue DLC, BioWare first announced the then-untitled next Dragon Age game with a teaser trailer. At this point, most fans were anticipating this would mean within the next couple years, we would see the game. This assumption was based on the fact that Dragon Age: Inquisition was first announced in 2012, and released in 2014, with an extra year of development added last minute.

There have been dribbles of extra content since then, adding to the franchise. This was enough to keep some fans still breathing and interested. 2020’s Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights was a lovely anthology. 2020’s Dragon Age: Blue Wraith and 2021’s Dark Fortress were wonderful comics tying up the story started in Knight Errant. And 2022’s Dragon Age: Absolution was a well-animated series with an interesting cast of characters and story. But all these still left the fandom with a major question: What was going on with the next game? It was untypical of BioWare to be so secretive, in comparison to how they handled sharing information of the past games in the franchise. The only form of updates fans still have to go on is mostly just concept art and short stories, hinting that something must be in production. But why was the wait so long?

In 2015, the first version of the next Dragon Age began with a clear vision, clear scope of practice, and a reportedly happy developer team. Most gloriously in my book, there was no multi-player… but this did not align with the Electronic Arts typical money-mad schemes. EA’s push for “games as a service” meant they wanted to monetize all their games as much as possible, and therefore, they wanted them to be a live service — as Anthem demonstrated, that meant sacrificing things that are staples of good RPGs, like narrative and character choice. So in 2017, version one of the next Dragon Age was scrapped and replaced. This new version would have, in total or to at least some degree, an online portion of play.

There is one part of Schreier’s article, “The Past and Present of Dragon Age 4,” that really sticks out to me, regarding this:

“One person close to the game told me this week that Morrison’s critical path, or main story, would be designed for single-player and that goal of the multiplayer elements would be to keep people engaged so that they would actually stick with post-launch content.”

The idea of splitting up components of a game into single-player and multi-player is a terrible idea, because it means that there would be a large bulk of content only accessible through online gaming; something many fans, like myself, are repulsed by. Even if I did enjoy it, I spent most of my life growing up with either no internet or shoddy internet incapable of playing online games. I know many rural people who are still in that position, losing more and more of their favourite gaming pastimes because they are locked out of the ability to play them. It is a disservice to hide content behind a wall like this, especially in a world that is so lore-heavy like Dragon Age. The news of multi-player in Dragon Age understandably upset many, and this is when I first noticed a large drop off in excitement over the next game.

However, in 2021, the failure of Anthem (multi-player) and success of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (single-player) led the executives at EA to bend to the wishes of BioWare leadership and allow them to go back to the drawing board yet again on the next Dragon Age. This meant removing all multi-player content!

While I am very happy that there will reportedly be no multi-player in Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, I can’t help but feel bitter and a little disgusted over the ridiculous development time spent on something no one but EA wanted in the first place. If it weren’t for this foolishness, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf would be in our hands right now. Instead, it’s been in development hell for nearly nine years and counting. Nine years is a long time to expect fans to carry a torch for you through radio silence, but it’s no wonder BioWare has shared barely anything about the next game; it’s been in flux for so long, they likely haven’t had anything concrete to show.

BioWare hurt its reputation even more when the news broke that the studio very suddenly laid off 50 people who were working on Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. This is pretty damning on its own, but BioWare took it a step further. Former developer Jon Renish shared a statement revealing that the studio was only willing to offer laid-off employees two weeks of severance per year of service, and denied health benefits. The denial of health benefits in particular is a pretty wild move for a studio with a reputation for “stress casualties”. The latest news on this is that BioWare has still so far refused to negotiate better severance packages, leading to a lawsuit. The lawsuit originally had 15 former employees, but this dropped due to the fear of not being able to afford to pay their bills. So now, while EA sits on $400 million net income, the laid-off employees are struggling to buy holiday presents for their children. These horrid business practices are not to be ignored when accounting for a lack of faith in a studio. What kind of monsters reward workers who make your games special with vaguely reasoned lay-offs?

The latest news on the Dragon Age: Dreadwolf front from BioWare came early this month, December 2023, with a trailer… announcing a trailer that will come next summer… that will announce the release of the game. Supposedly. Maybe. We’ll see. But by this time, BioWare is something of a laughing stock of their own fandom. Reactions to the video released with a pretty map graphic and a few rendered locations were, from what I personally observed, mostly sardonic in nature. People have commented on the vapourware nature of the game, and like all vapourware, that leads to disintegrating trust.

Despite all this, people like Mary Kirby, (one of the veteran Dragon Age writers who was a victim of the layoffs,) said, “it’s bittersweet that Dreadwolf is my last DA game, but I still hope you all love it as much as I do,” encouraging fans to still support the game when it eventually is released. But after every misstep BioWare has taken, that’s a tough sell now. Fans are finicky, RPG fans more so than others, one could argue. We have our favourites, and many of us stick to those favourites for life over our appreciation for the artistry — but that relationship between studio and fan should go both ways. EA and BioWare has betrayed that relationship, and it will take a hell of a lot to build it back up again, now.

[This piece is also available on Medium!]

#dragon age #dadw #dragon age dreadwolf #bioware #game development #meta #releasing this into the wild and running away

638 notes · View notes

vex91 · 7 months

Text

Kim Minjeong - Good girl

Pairing: Kim Minjeong x Female Reader

Fandom: Aespa

Summary: Minjeong asks you for help to relieve some stress.

Warning(s): Smut, 18+ content, G!P Winter, Blowjob, Jerking off

A/N: This is mostly for @wintersera

3rd's POV

Minjeong sighed as she leaned against her chair. Her hair were a mess as well as her makeup but honestly she didn't cared much about it right now, her whole time and attention was occupying a piece of paper that layed in front of her on her desk. It was a new song of Aespa and the recordings were starting in 2 days but Winter couldn't seem to get the feeling of it. It was so hard to sing for her and she was getting stressed.

The other members noticed it and they were worried about her but it only grew when Minjeong stopped coming out at all. They knew that the girl could be hard on herself and she wouldn't come out unless it's perfect so they did what they thought would work the best in helping the girl.

Called for you.

Out of everyone they knew you were the only one that always managed to help them with Minjeong whenever she was starting to get hard on herself, no one knew for sure what it was but they guessed that as her girlfriend you knew what to do or say to calm her down and make her take care of herself.

And of course after hearing about her state you knew that you had to come and help her, that's how you found yourself in front of the door of her room. From inside you could hear your girlfriend's voice singing the same line over and over again and each fail followed by her clearly annoyed groan. It was obvious that she was stressed and you were determined to change that.

You knocked on the door and nothing, just silence. You did it again and still nothing so you knocked again and this time the door swung open "Unnie I swear I told you to just leav-" She stopped herself when she looked at who actually was behind the knocking and looked away feeling guilty for raising her voice at you "Last time I checked I was younger than you baby" You laughed and Minjeong only shook her head and it was obvious that she was tired of sitting in her room all day long.

"Can I come in?" Minjeong looked at you and nodded, letting you in and closing the door behind you. You looked around the room and the one thing that caught your attention the most were papers scattered on her desk, one of them standing out the most obviously was the one with her new song on it. Minjeong sat back down in front of it and started going through it again and again. You watched for a few minutes before having enough of seeing her so stressed.

You stood up and walked behind her before you started massaging her shoulders. Minjeong groaned looking against it but the way she leaned more into you said otherwise. You continued slowly massaging her while leaving soft kisses on her neck "Let's take a break alright baby? You won't get anywhere like this, you're too stressed out right now" Minjeong looked at you through half lidded eyes and a smirk forming on her face "You want to help me?" You nodded at her question and it only made her smirk more.

You wondered for a second what she meant by it but you got an idea when she turned around and with her hand she guided you on you knees and between her legs. The tent in her pants was obvious and it made you more flustered how quickly you got her so worked up. You looked over at the door worried that someone would come in but Minjeong's hand quickly turn it back to her, forcing you to look up at her from your knees. Her eyes were dark, muck darker than you've ever seen them before and they were filled with lust and desire as she pulled her pants and boxers down, freeing her cock out.

You watched as it slapped against her stomach and just like everytime you saw it, you couldn't help but feel amazed. Sure it may have not be the biggest cock but she definitely make up for that with the thickness of it. Feeling impatient with how long you took, Minjeong pushed you more into her crotch. Getting the idea of what she wanted you started sucking on the tip of her cock, slowly taking in more and more of it in "Good girl" Minjeong muttered throwing her head back at the feeling of your warm mouth around her and unknowingly started bucking her hips up and making her crave more.

Soon she took you by your hair and started guiding you up and down bopping your head on her cock, not caring about how fast she was going and how you gagged on it, it only made her do it more. She looked down at you and seeing you being such a drooling mess made her proud, she loved making you like this, she loved how obedient you were. Minjeong continued fucking your throat until she shoot her load into your mouth, groaning out loud not caring that her members could potentially hear it.

She pushed you away slightly before she started jerking off in front of you. She looked you up and down and the sight of you looking so needy for her made her even more worked up causing her to go faster. She continued jerking off right in front of you until she felt like she was close and then she stood up and painted your whole face with her cum. You licked some of it that was was near your lips and the sight made Minjeong hard again and you knew that she was gonna make a good use of that break she got thanks to you and she knew that you would be more than happy to help her.

You were her good girl after all.

#vex writes #aespa x reader #aespa reactions #kim minjeong x reader #winter x reader #kim minjeong #winter #kim minjeong smut #winter smut #aespa smut #smut

453 notes · View notes

eclipsefics · 4 months

Text

All Mine (Rafe Cameron)

18+ Smut MNDI

Warnings: Rough sex, degradation, bruises (From gripping roughly)

Rafe Cameron X fem!reader

Summary: You and Rafe have been off and on and you miss him, but you won't just go crawling back to him. You use Topper to make him jealous. You didn't expect Rafe to fuck you in front of him.

Word count: 3.3k

A/N: Hey Luvs, I'm new to posting to Tumblr and this is my first OBX fanfic, let me know if you like it! I will be doing other fandoms and more than just smut so stay tuned! I'm open for commissions, Details coming soon. Enjoy xoxo - Eclipse

‧͙ ⁺ ˚ * ･ ༓ ☾ ‧͙ ⁺ ˚ * ･ ༓ ☾ ‧͙ ⁺ ˚ * ･ ༓ ☾

You and Rafe had been in an on-and-off relationship for months and you missed him desperately, just as desperately as he had been missing you. You could see it in the glances that lasted a few seconds too long, feel it in the tension whenever he walked by, going out of his way to walk a little closer to you.

You wouldn't be the first to break, not this time, this time he would come to you. You would make sure of it. Tonight Rafe was throwing a party at one of his family's many beach houses and while Rafe wouldn't expect you to come out tonight. You weren't the party type, at least not without Rafe on your arm. He made you come alive in ways you couldn't explain.

Tonight though, it wasn't Rafe's attention that you'd be occupying, at least not directly. While half of the party was outdoors, you joined the half that remained inside. You were leaning on your shoulder up against a wall, a drink in hand, looking up at Topper who stood so close you could smell the beer on his breath as he talked to you.

You gave Topper what appeared to be every ounce of your attention, you giggled and smiled and you both inched closer together. Topper wasn't aware of Rafe, standing across the room sending blazing daggers at the two of you, growing angrier every second you spent looking completely wrapped around Topper's finger. You couldn't care less about what he was saying to you, Rafe was your only concern and his fuming expression was exactly what fueled your flirtatious smile. You knew how easily Rafe could fly off the handle, you knew how possessive he was over you.

So when you laughed hard and stretched your arm forward, resting your hand on Topper's arm as if to steady yourself, you knew exactly what kind of emotion you were building inside Rafe who still stood motionless across the room.

You slid your hand up from Topper's bicep to the side of his neck, you pulled him closer, and stood on your tip toes, leaning forward to whisper in his ear. "Come with me."

You took his free hand in yours and began to lead him away from the party, giving Rafe a beckoning smirk on your way out, making sure to sway your hips just a little more than usual. Topper followed blindly behind you, eyes watching your hips move hypnotically from side to side just as Rafe's did.

You found a quiet dimly lit office room, far enough from the party that you could only hear the music faintly once the door was shut. You guided Topper behind the desk and pushed him down gently into the black leather chair.

"You look beautiful tonight," Topper complimented as you took his drink from him and set it down on the desk beside yours.

You were wearing a new dress, something Rafe had never seen before, something soft, short, and skin-tight. Slutty yet classy all in one.

"Thank you," You muttered, wondering what was taking Rafe so long. Was he really going to let Topper have you?

Topper reached forward and grabbed your hips, gently pulling you onto his lap. His hands were already a bit of a disappointment compared to Rafe's. Where Topper's hands were big, Rafe's were bigger, rougher. Topper pulled you to him like you had a say in the matter, Rafe would've done it like he owned you, because he did. Topper's hands slid from your hips to your bare thighs, drawing little circles on your skin when finally, fucking finally, the door burst open dramatically, letting the music from outside pour into the room.

Yours and Topper's attention both snapped to the door, "I thought I locked that," You lied, furrowing your brows at Rafe, hiding the smile that wanted to make an appearance across your lips.

"What the fuck are you doing Topper." Rafe's voice was deep with just barely controlled anger.

"Rafe get out and shut the door, we could use a little privacy." You spoke, still in Topper's lap, you leaned forward a bit and wrapped your arms around Topper's neck, egging Rafe on further.

Rafe slammed the door shut, locking it behind him but he didn't leave. He came behind the desk, gripping your wrist and he snatched you off of Topper's lap. "What the hell are you doing Rafe!" Topper yelled, coming to his feet as Rafe pushed you back into a wall.

Both of Rafe's hands came around your throat, setting your skin on fire as he forced you to look up into his angry brown eyes. "You were just going to give someone else what belongs to me?"

"I stopped being yours three months ago Rafe." You spat in the brattiest tone you could find. This was what you wanted, you wanted him angry. You wanted him aggressive, you wanted him to remind you why the two of you would never be over.

"I thought you two were broken up," Topper spoke up from behind Rafe

"We are." You quickly responded making Rafe's hands tighten around your neck.

Suddenly, Rafe's eyes were almost clear of rage and he let go of your throat, you almost whimpered in protest. You liked them there.

"You two are right. Have a seat Top, I think it's time we all had a little discussion on the status of mine and Y/n's relationship." Rafe said staring down at you, blue eyes lit with something that gave you chills.

Topper was obviously a little lost but he listened and pulled the chair back from the desk and took a seat. You were now the only one left standing and the irritation was getting harder and harder to hide by the second. When had Rafe become so rational? You hated this.

Rafe started to walk behind you. "Did you buy this for him?" He asks, already knowing you didn't. It was Rafe's favorite color.

"No actually, this was for someone else, a month ago." You lied, not really giving a shit what Topper thought.

"Hmm." Was Rafe's only response.

Rafe was standing behind you and gently pulled you backward with him until he was leaning up against the desk, topper a few feet directly in front of the two of you. Topper quickly turned you around so you were facing him and he gripped your hips tight, pulling you flush against him, not bothering to be careful with you.

"You look so pretty tonight," He told you, pressing his erection into you. Your heart raced as it got harder to breathe.

"Thank you," You muttered, looking from his lips to his eyes, your mind clearly on other things.

Rafe noticed and chuckled lowly. He started bunching up the fabric of the short dress at your hips, sliding it all the way up your to your hips. "Rafe what're you-"

"Shut up." He cut you off and you obeyed.

He pulled the fabric completely off of you, leaving you completely naked. He liked it when you wore nothing under dresses. Topper inhaled a sharp breath and started to stand. "Maybe I should-"

"Sit down," Rafe demanded and because you were the sexiest woman either of them had ever seen, he sat back down.

Rafe picked you up by your thighs, wrapping them around his waist and he couldn't help it when he connected your lips, kissing you with force. It felt so good to finally have his lips back on yours. They molded together like they were made for one another. Your arms slid around his neck and you tightened your legs around him, pulling yourself closer to him. Rafe turned you both around and sat you down on the desk before abruptly pulling your lips apart, you almost whined in protest already craving more.

"I'm going to remind you." "He whispers, audible enough for Topper to hear.

"Why no one else can have you." Rafe started to trail kisses down from your jaw to your ear.

"Why you're mine." More kisses down your body, stopping to take the time to bruise your breasts and stomach with hickies.

"Why no one else can have you," he says once he's hovering over your pussy. He places a deep, soft kiss on your clit that makes you gasp quietly. He moves his lips from your clit to kiss the wetness that’s already making a mess on your inner thighs.

In this position, you're almost on full display for Topper. If Rafe's head wasn't between your legs he'd have a full view of your perfect, dripping pussy. Topper couldn't look away.

Rafe was already starting to make you weak with his teasing kissing and biting. You were panting heavily, your body squirming, subconsciously begging for attention at your center. Rafe wasn't oblivious to your body's cues, he knew them better than anyone.

"Look at you, so needy already, Y/n" He teased

"Is this was you need?" He asks, licking a stripe from your entrance to your clit, slowly beginning to repeat the action.

Your hips inched slightly forward at the attention to your aching core. You let out a soft moan, looking down at Rafe, meeting his eyes as he slowly began to devour your pussy. His hand came up to tease your breast while his tongue worked expertly on you. Moving his tongue against you in a way that had your wetness dripping down your ass and onto the desk. His hands gripped tightly on your thighs, certainly going to bruise. Your hand came down to his hair, using your other to steady yourself as you ground your hips into his face. He made you cum over and over again from just his tongue.

You had assumed that he would want to deny you an orgasm for even acting like you'd let another man touch you. But that wasn't his goal here. Only he could properly please you, and he'd already proved that by the fourth orgasm you had in his mouth. Your legs trembling as you pushed his face closer.

"Rafe," You moaned, closing your eyes and tossing your head back.

He licked you through your orgasm, not stopping until he had swallowed all of your cum. When he finally came back up, you could see your juices glistening all over his mouth, chin, and nose. The sight turned you on more, you loved leaving a mess on him.

Still panting you leaned forward to kiss him, only for Rafe to pull back. You furrowed your brows. "Why not?"

Rafe didn't say anything, he took your hand and led you around the desk. Without warning he swiftly turned you around and bent you over it, spreading your legs apart for him, putting the mess between your legs on display. Rafe quickly undressed, releasing his rock-hard cock.

He groaned behind you when he wrapped his hand around it, stroking it twice, noticing how wet with precum it was. Rafe leaned over you, his tip just barely brushing against your entrance. "Don't take your eyes off him. Understand?" Rafe instructed.

"Yes," You nodded

Rafe dropped to his knees behind you and started eating your pussy from behind, slurping and lapping at every inch of you. Yours and Topper's eyes were locked onto each other in an intense trans. You were surprised with how turned on it made you that Topper was watching you cum on Rafe's tongue for the fifth time tonight. It turned you on even more how he was watching. His dick throbbing in his jeans. One hand resting over it, aching to stroke himself to the sight of you being used.

After you'd cum again and were a moaning, gasping mess, gripping at the wooden desk helplessly, Rafe stood up. Rafe put his tip up against your sensitive clit, slowly sliding his length against your pussy, coating himself in your mess.

"Rafe," You panted, moving your hips slightly, trying to make him slip inside. Rafe grabbed your hips tightly with his two large hands. Another grasp that would leave bruises. He lined himself up with your entrance, his tip making you ache to have him inside.

"You want it, Y/n" Rafe asked, but you couldn't beg just yet. Without warning, you reached a hand back and wrapped it around his dick, making him groan at the contact. You held his thick cock in place and pushed your hips back, sliding him inside of you. He watched as his cock disappeared inside you. Moans of pleasure escaped the both of you. He filled you out so perfectly.

Rafe smirked at your actions, "So desperate for my cock aren't you, slut?" He wasn't going to fuck you just yet. He wanted you to beg, but he couldn't resist how warm and tight you were around him.

"You grip me so well," He told you, sliding slowly in and out of you once, watching his eight inches move in and out.

Rafe wrapped his hand into your hair, using it as leverage as he pulled himself almost completely out of you before slamming back in. You bit your lip hard letting out a muffled moan. You closed your eyes, focusing on the feeling of his girthy cock filling you out. You pressed your lips together and let out a hum of pleasure. You started to grind your hips back into him hungrily. You started to turn to look back at him only for Rafe to reach forward and grab your jaw, he snapped your head back towards Topper.

"Don't look at me. Look at him." His voice is low and raspy in your ear, and his warm hand slides down to wrap tightly around your throat. You whimpered in response as his cock dug into you while you continued to move your hips unintentionally.

"I want him to watch me use what's mine." And with that, he started to thrust into your pussy punishingly.

Rafe kept a hold on your hair but let go of your hair as he leaned back to watch himself slide in and out of you. "You're so tight." He moaned, resting his free hand on your hip gripping you there so tightly there would certainly be bruises there tomorrow. Bruises that would turn you on when they reminded you of tonight.

He pounded into you harder, drawing moan after moan from your pretty lips that had fallen shamelessly open with pleasure. Every single thrust seemed to get harder, faster, and rougher. He kept pulling your hair tighter, gripping your hip harder. He was punishing you with his cock.

Rafe leaned forward again now, wrapping his hand around your throat in a way that made you wetter than you already were. The wetness had begun to drip down your thighs, making an obvious mess at the base of his dick. "Do you remember the last time I had you like this baby?" Rafe spoke

"On Christmas. Bent over the bathroom sink. Your parents waiting for us downstairs?" He asked.

You tightened around his cock at the taboo memory and nodded. "Yes, I remember,"

He had made you look at yourself while he fucked you that day, made you say how pretty you looked taking his cock. Made you tell him what a slut you were for him.

"You've always been a little slut for me."

"Always willing to please me." His words sent shivers down your spine and you were so desperate to beg, but you couldn't give him the satisfaction just yet, and he knew that.

"Did you really think anyone else could do that to you? Do this to you?"

"Yes," You managed to lie just to egg him on further and it did.

Topper watched as one of your hands left the top of the desk and went to your clit to rub circles and he felt his dick drip with precum. He never thought he'd enjoy something like this but here he was, desperate to let himself out of his pants. Your fingers never made it though. Rafe took his hand from your throat to snatch it away and slam it back on the desk.

"No one gets to touch what's mine without my permission."

"Not you." He pounds harder "Not Topper." He fucks you rougher. Abusing your pussy like an object. So rough that the pressure against the wood is starting to hurt but you too lost in the feeling of him inside you to care.

"No one." He moans.

"You're mine," he pants in your ear. "You belong to me, I own you." He says between deep moans

"You make me feel so fucking good." He starts to place kisses on your neck, biting and sucking. Topper eyes watch your neck as bruises appear.

"F-fuck, daddy" His words push you closer to your edge. You love hearing how much he wants you.

"You're such a good girl for me baby."

"Fuck- oh my god-

"You take it so well."

"Please," You whine feeling your fourth orgasm building inside of you.

"Go ahead baby, tell him how good my dick feels." He takes your jaw in his hand and directs you to look at Topper and your eyes meet but this time there's no anxiety.

You're too wrapped up in pleasure to feel anything but Rafe's cock throbbing inside of you. "It feels so good, Topper it's so fucking good," You curse

"Fuck," Rafe moans quietly in your ear

"I need it, Rafe, I need you." your eyes are still locked on topper, enjoying the feeling of telling him how good Rafe is. As if Topper ever had a real chance.

Rafe brought his hand to your clit and started rubbing fast punishing circles that made your legs begin to tremble.

"Yes, yes, yes, Rafe, Please-" You couldn't even think straight.

"You're mine. Say it." He demanded

"I- fuck," you were unable to find the words.

"Say it or I'll stop." He threatened as you squirmed gracefully with pleasure beneath him.

"I belong to you, Rafe, I'm yours." You whine, wanting him to cum with you now.

"You never listen to me, Y/n." His voice filled with new anger as he thought about all the times you two had walked out on each other, all the times you'd tried to use guys to lure him back in. All the time it worked.

"I'm sorry Daddy, I just want to please you I'm sorry." You'd say anything, anything at this point to keep him inside of you.

"I've missed your pussy," he groaned, starting to get breathless, lost in his own pleasure.

"I missed you too." You managed through loud moans.

You were driving him insane, his moans were growing louder, raspier, and with less shame each time. He loved how needy you got when he was fucking you. Only he could do this to you.

"P-please." You could hardly form a coherent sentence anymore.

"I'm so close Rafe, please cum inside me." You begged. You opened your eyes to look at Topper, "Give me a baby, please."

"Oh my god," Topper muttered under his breath in disbelief. He was struggling to keep his composure but he couldn't look away from you. He loved to see you come undone, even under these circumstances.

"Tell me you'll never leave again," Rafe demanded.

"I'll never leave you again Rafe, I promise." You nodded without hesitation.

You focused your eyes on Topper again and a sexy smirk found your lips at the sight of him straining hard against his pants. You close your eyes again, pulling your bottom lip between your teeth as a powerful orgasm begins to wash through you.

"I'm cumming, Rafe, oh my god" You moaned, your body shaking with orgasm beneath him.

"Good girl, make a mess on my dick."

"Fuck, Y/n" Rafe moaned when he felt your pussy tightening around him, bringing him to his orgasm. His cum poured out of him and deep into your pussy, your juices mixing together as he fucked his cum into you.

"That's it, take it all like a good girl. I'm so proud of you."

352 notes · View notes

morwap · 1 year

Text

𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐈 𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐀 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐒

➸ ex!theo nott x fem!reader

➸ smut | muggle! au | college! au

➸ nav | tn.mlist | A/N: i know some of you love love love theo and when i write for him y’all eat it up every time so i thought i’d give y’all a surprise fic with theo since i know i’ve been lacking theo content and i’ve been much more into marauders and other fandoms, i still get so many and still have so many requests in my inbox for him so i knew y’all were trying to be fed with theo content! so surprise and i hope you enjoy <;3

➸ toxic on and off relationship, p in v, face sitting, dom theo sub reader, make up sex, hair pulling, love bombs, riding, finger sucking, hand behind back, tity sucking, little bitting, creampie, praise, “good girl

this happened over and over, you and theo fight then break up for a week then get back together. this time it lasted two weeks, the longest its ever been, maybe it was really over this time. you knew he was stubborn and took some days to himself before texting you or finding you somewhere but he didn’t take this long.

you waited for him to text and of course you could’ve texted first but you were overthinking it, why text if it was really over? you didn’t know how to feel, you felt like every other time with the voice in the back of your head saying “you'll be back together by tomorrow” but now you had a feeling in your gut that said something different.

you saw his dormmates on your way to your classes and they greeted you like normal which confused you even more. luna and cho told you that maybe this was for the better, you wouldn’t be under the stress of the fighting every week and focus on your school work and your job more than you already do.

it was the start of a new semester and luckily exams went by without causing too much stress. You wondered if the fighting recently on his end was because of the exams but he ended up passing with no struggle but you tried to understand.

Now it was the weekend, finally time off, you walked to your dorm and greeted people that wandered the hallways. luna had gone home for the weekend to see her dad so you had the dorm all to yourself.

you unlocked the door and pushed it open, kicking off your shoes and hanging your bag and coat on the coat rack on the door. you turned and was met with theo sitting on your bed, your string lights were still on since you didn’t turn them off when you left for your last class.

“hi” you mumbled, nervous that this was him saying goodbye. “How'd you get in here?” you asked.

“Luna let me in before she left, I needed to talk to you,” he said. You could see the flowers he bought on your nightstand. they were always done up pretty with brown paper and lace and ribbons tying them together. you nodded and walked closer to him.

theo took your hand in his, his thumb rubbing your skin softly.

“i'm sorry i didn't get ahold of you, i was just trying to figure out this whole thing because i really want this to work and i don’t know what's been going with us lately but i know it’s not healthy, padma gave me some advice and i really think it could help us” theo said. you nodded and sat next to him, still hand in hand.

theo continued to explain what Padma said and how it sounded like a good idea, he didn’t want to lose you and you didn’t want to lose him. you listened and gave your input every now and then and he listened to you, there was no fighting or snarky comments.

“thank you” you said when he was finished, you leaned closer to him and hugged him, his arms went around your waist and his face moved to your neck.

“i love you” he mumbled and you said it back.

you leaned back before leaning in and kissing him, there was tension already, you two had very high sex drives and had sex frequently and being apart and now together it just felt natural.

theo’s hands gripped you harshed and guided you closer. this was natural for you two, sex normally came after the understanding and apologies, the intimacy was the best part, a connection you hadn’t felt with anyone else.

you were in his lap, his hands unbuttoning your cardigan and moving it off you. you let it fall off your arms and onto the floor. you broke the kiss and moved off him and the bed, theo quickly took off his shirt and threw it to the floor then started working on his jeans while you stripped off your sweatpants. you kept your spaghetti strap shirt and underwear on.

theo kissed you again once he was just in his boxers, guiding you back onto him. He laid back and grabbed your hips. “cmon sit on my face” he said, breaking the kiss. you laughed softly and started to move up, you hovered over his face, one of his hands held your thigh and the other moved your panties to the side.

his tongue met your cunt, going over your clit, his hands now holding your hips to keep you where he wanted.

you closed your eyes and hummed, he was slow and easy at first then started to get a bit rough as he went, sucking on your clit then moving his tongue to your entrance and fucking you with it.

your hands gripped the headboard, one of his hands left your hip and took one of your hands that were gripping the board, intertwining yours and his fingers. He repeatedly licked your clit, making you moan and jolt with pleasure. you started to move your hips a bit, you were getting close which was fast but you hadn’t came in two weeks so who could blame you.

theo encouraged you with mumbles of “cum for me” and “cmon baby”

theo moaned against your cunt, his eyes were close as he pleased you, his other hands fingers dug into the skin on your thigh. his cock rubbed against his underwear, the stimulation making him leak precum.

one of your hands moved to his hair, bringing his face even closer as you frantically repeated that you were close, you tugged at his hair and it made him groan against you. you were so wet, his chin was covered with his spit and your arousal.

you felt it coming and you tightened your shut eyes, your breathing was picking up and the feel crashed down on you. you gripped his hair tighter.

once you were getting overstimulated he slowed his licks, you lifted up, pulling your cunt away from him, both of you panting.

theo kissed your thighs, he moved his hand to your cunt and pushed his middle finger in, earning a whine from you. theo’s ring finger joined.

“just wanna make sure you’re ready love” he said, a little smugness in his voice. after a minute he pulled his fingers from you.

you started to make your way back down to where you could straddle his waist. theo pushed his upper body up and kissed you, you could taste yourself on him. He broke the kiss and put his fingers in your mouth.

“you made the mess, now you clean it” he ordered, you sucked on his finger as he watched you with a smirk. theo pulled them from you when he thought they were clean enough.

“please, please fuck me, i want you so bad” you begged, you kissed his neck moved your hips a bit on his lap.

“how could i not give you what you want when you ask like that” theo said, his fingers taking your panties off, then you lifted up to get them fully off. your hands went to his boxers, pulling them down and letting his cock be free, no more friction from his boxers. you lifted up to move them then let them fall to the ground.

you moved over his cock, letting theo hold himself as you started to sink down onto it. he let out a relieved sigh once he was all the way in you.

you started to move, going up and down and sometimes grinding to get friction on your sensitive clit.

“holy fuck, you feel so fucking good,” theo grunted. his eyes closing for a moment and taking in the feeling.

“i missed you, miss you so much” you mumbled, moving your head to his neck, kissing his skin then sucking hickeys on him.

“i missed you too baby, it won’t happen again” he said promisingly.

theo took your hands and put them behind your back, one hand held yours there. you leaned away from his neck, his hand pushed the top of your shirt down and let your tits fall out of your shirt.

he moved his head down a bit, kissing your tit and biting softly, he moved to your nipple, sucking on and kissing the bud.

you moaned and your mouth made an ‘o’ shape, he groaned against you as your cunt tightened around him.

you whined when he bit you softly making him laugh. he left your tits alone now and leaned up and kissed you. theo was getting close now.

“i love you” he said, moving his kissed to your jaw then down your neck til he was resting his head a little on your shoulder and your face was nuzzled against his neck. his hand moved to your hip, making you go faster and harder. you clenched around him more.

“i love you too” you moaned. theo moaned and his abdomen flexed as he got closer and closer.

“im gonna cum-“ he started.

“- in me, please cum in me” you begged, you moved your fingers to hold on to his pinky finger.

“anything for you” he quipped, after a few thrusts he was cumming inside you, his cock twitched as your cunt squeezed him over and over. he shuddered against you, still moving you on his cock, he was getting overstimulated already but he wanted you to cum on his cock.

theo’s hand moved from your hip to your clit and started rubbing in circles, you breathed heavily as you were getting close. it felt so good having him take care of you again.

“m’gonna cum” you whimpered, theo’s cum was dripping from you and running down his cock to his balls.

“good girl, cum on my cock, you deserve it. you’ve so good, princess” theo whispered encouragingly.

he pressed a kiss against your head as you clenched around him tighter. he inhaled sharply, he was sensitive.

you let out soft noises as you came, cunt spasming around him and shivering against your boyfriend.

you both stayed there, theo let go of your hands and rubbed them to soothe any soreness. the mixture of your arousal, cum and his cum still dripped from you. you both rested against each other.

clean up was essential and couldn’t wait till the next morning or be fixed by a simple cloth or tissue. you showered together, the pillow talk followed from in there till you laid on clean sheets and cuddled. you had cleaned up the mess of clothes while he did the bed, your pajamas were thin since he would be in your bed keeping you warm.

you both fell asleep fast, faster than how you did when he was not with you.

luna came back to the dorm that morning, she knew she’d see theo, and at this point she thought about making a bingo card about you two, and she was right, there he was basically on top of you. you faced the wall with one hand pressed to your chest while theos arm was over you and his chest was half way pressed to your back, luna had no idea how you could sleep like that with him basically smothering you.

she sighed, it was cute in a way but even though she wasn’t the biggest fan of your relationship she knew she had to do something about your breakup with him and asked padma to talk to theo since she was going there to be a therapist and specifically a couples therapist. now she knew it worked but not like she had any doubt in the plan in the first place.

3K notes · View notes

queers-gambit · 1 year

Text

When Pride Married Prejudice -- completed series masterlist

requesting rules and masterlist

completed series summary: she is the (only) trueborn daughter of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Lord Laenor Velaryon. after her younger brother, Lucerys, slices out the eye of their uncle, Aemond Targaryen, her hand is offered as payment to keep the peace. though unexpected, she finds herself in a loving marriage, until devastating news forces her to make an impossible choice.

pairing: Aemond Taargaryen x Velaryon!wife!reader

fandom masterlist: House of the Dragon

total series word count: 97,184

universal warnings: book and show spoilers, cursing, smut, angst.

note: alternate endings because i'm restless and can't choose. also the idea of a Velaryon!reader isn't my own, so, let's play nice and show a shred of respect for different author's varying ideas, perspectives, and details - thank yew ✨

in chronological order:

When Pride Married Prejudice

When Pride Married Prejudice [ part two ]

It Feels Like (the Very) First Time

It Feels Like (the Very) First Time [ part two ]

Petitions

Distraction

The Inky Green Council

Bearer of Bad News

alternate ending one: Kin Slayer • [ part two ]

alternate ending two: Sweetest Devotion • [ part two ]

guide to final alternate endings: Kin Slayer -- is for those in the slutty angst club 'cause i'm comin' for your feelings. reader is Team Black. Sweetest Devotion -- is for those who crave closure and comfort. reader is Team Green.

in order of publication: Distraction Bearer of Bad News Petitions The Inky Green Council When Pride Married Prejudice WPMP [ part two ] It Feels Like (the Very) First Time It Feels Like (the Very) First Time [ part two ] alternate endings: Kin Slayer • [ part two ] // Sweetest Devotion • [ part two ]

WPMP Universe drabbles:

all with be marked if they are or are not considered part of the series timeline. please pay attention to those notes.

organized in order of submission brought to you by my beautiful readers who sent requests:

• ( requested ) -- ANGST and small fluff i wonder who aemond would choose if he was given the choice of saving his wife or the baby during childbirth... would he choose the same as his father?

• ( requested ) -- ANGST and FLUFF i LOVE how you worded Aemond choosing sweet girl over the baby because in all truth, i imagine him justifying his choice as "what use would i be to a child without the tender care of a mother and an empty shell of a father?" because he knows IF he had chosen otherwise, he would be following in Viserys' footsteps and he wants to be better. so i 100% agree he would choose them over the child and ofc he's read of the aftermath of losing a child for the mother, so he's there to coax sweet girl but at the same time i feel like he'd mourn with her because that was a life they created together.

• ( requested ) -- ANGST how would he react if ever in a very unlucky world, he would lose both his child and wife at childbirth (not like viserys where he was given a choice) but bec it just didnt end well esp when pregnancies doesnt really guarantee a safe delivery all the time.

• ( requested ) -- ANGST and FLUFF 3 Times He Didn't, 1 Time He Did can you please write something where the reader (the same reader in your series) is spending memorable time with her grand sire and he asks her “will I be remembered as a good king”. 🥺

Wattpad link

to all my beloved readers -

thank you for coming on this journey with me. what a ride it's been writing this. now that the series is complete, i admit i'm a bit sad. i just wanted to take the time to thank you all for bearing with me through this, and share my gratitude and love for you all. happy reading!

all my love, 🖤🍒 Cherry

#aemond targaryen #aemond the kinslayer #prince aemond #prince aemond targaryen #aemond targaryen x reader #aemond targaryen x fem!reader #aemond targaryen imagine #aemond hotd #aemond targaryen x oc #house of the dragon #hotd #hotd imagine #hotd x reader #complete series #complete story #requests open #author is sleep deprived

2K notes · View notes

fizzyxcustard · 1 year

Text

One Night.

Masterlist of fan fiction

Fandom: The Hobbit

Pairings: Thorin Oakenshield x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Smut, sexual references, angst, heartbreak, insecurity.

Comments/Notes: From the imagine, "You spend the night with Thorin, and then out of insecurity, you leave him." Requested by @lathalea. Timeframe of post-BOTFA requested by @sotwk

I hope you like the fic. As always, like, reblog and comment if you enjoy. If you wish to be added to any of my tag lists, let me know.

Thorin was lay beside you, his breathing slow. You watched his chest rise and fall. His dark eyelashes fluttered and his eyes moved beneath their lids. He had fallen asleep not long after your final round of love making.

You sighed. He was so beautiful, and didn’t even know it.

The night had become full of tension, which had followed his coronation celebration. Of course you attended, being a close friend of the new king. For many months and you had travelled alongside him, helping and fighting for him to re-take the mountain kingdom of Erebor. Thorin had taken you aside, complimenting you on your attire for the celebration, his blue eyes alight for you. Your first kiss had been outside the main hall, in a cold, empty hallway. Everything else that had followed was back in his bed chamber. The two of you had snuck away, hand in hand, still stealing secret kisses along the hallways.

Never before had you ever been touched in such a way as how Thorin touched you. His hot skin sent intense vibrations through you. His gaze made your heart thunder, and pulsate in other parts of your body, acknowledging just how aroused you were. His voice made sighs slip off your tongue so effortlessly.

You kept your eyes on him as he slept, recollecting the beautiful memories of him opening his heart, soul and body to you. When he had first slipped inside you, he had been over you, his large hands holding your legs open. You had welcomed him so freely in those moments. However, in your second round of pleasure seeking, you had climbed on top of him. He was laid out beneath you, vulnerable, offering it all. Those hands had been clamped on your hips, guiding your movement as the two of you ascended higher towards that wonderful, earth shattering climax. The third and final time, Thorin had been behind you. His lips remained on your neck and shoulder, showing you that even when he could not see your face, he still adored you and admired your beauty.

This was all wrong. Thorin was the most amazing man you had ever met. And you were just mediocre. Nothing special or of substantial value. You looked upon his sleeping form, studying his slim lips which peeped from beneath his moustache. His beard was neatly trimmed, despite him now growing it longer after reclaiming Erebor. That was a promise he had made many years ago. Once the mountain was re-claimed and he would grow his beard back long, as was custom with the Longbeard Dwarves.

Slowly, and you slipped out of bed. There was an ache in your chest. You loved Thorin so much more than you could ever express, but you were not worthy of his hand. A royal Dwarf deserved someone of standing and position, not a commoner like yourself.

Tears fell down your cheeks, reminding you of the man you were originally pledged to many years ago. He had told you he loved you, showered you with gifts, but made it known through his behaviour that you meant very little to him. His actions did not speak louder than his words. And, of course, his attention then swept elsewhere. Thorin would no doubt do the same. Such a beautiful soul would never cherish you and mean it! If this man from your past could not love you, then surely Thorin couldn’t either.

But you had never been touched, kissed and made love to in such a way as that! Every movement made you quake beneath Thorin’s touch, and his whispers of adoration made you shiver. Maybe he just knew how to please women and had rehearsed the words many times.

You re-dressed and slipped out of the chamber, giving Thorin one last glance. The ache hit you hard once again and you placed your hand on your mouth, stifling the uncontrollable sobs.

The halls were quiet and dark, with only the faint light of torchlight guiding your way. And by the time you made it back to your room, you grabbed a quill, ink and parchment. Your hand shook as you tried to write, which meant that your normally laced handwriting became more squiggled. A tear fell onto the parchment, splashing, and caused a swirl of black ink to form under your signature.

***

Thorin woke, his eyes adjusting to the dark room. He looked up at the ceiling of the room and sighed, recollecting the evening before. And as soon as he saw your face in his mind’s eye, he turned to see you had disappeared. He called your name into the gloom.

A dread hit him and his stomach twisted into a hard knot. Something was wrong.

Why would you disappear like this? Even though you could have just slipped back to your own bed chamber, Thorin felt something in the depth of his very being that told him that he would not find you there.

Thorin pulled on a robe, tying it at his waist, and made his way to your room, his mind full of questions. He didn’t even knock as he got to your door and let himself in, finding the room empty. A lump swelled in his throat. He approached your desk. A candle had been lit, and there under the flickering light, was a piece of parchment.

My dearest Thorin,

I cannot remain here. I do not belong. I will never be enough for you, my love. Go and find happiness. May Mahal bless you.

The letter was simple.

Thorin crumpled the letter in his hands, feeling a whole array of emotion wash over him. Terror and frustration seemed to form the knot in his stomach, which was now gaining momentum. Only the night before and Thorin had been on the verge of offering everything to you, a life together. That was all Thorin wanted. You, in every way. He thought that you had been willing to give yourself to him. You had even told him you loved him, shivered at his touch, become undone beneath him. The two of you had panted, sweat, groaned against each other. How could he just let all of that go?

He would not let you go.

He could not.

***

Follow Forever tag list: @lathalea @linasofia @xxbyimm @middleearthpixie @knittastically @meganlpie @luna-xial @guardianofrivendell @asgardianhobbit98 @rachel1959 @mrsdurin @quiall321 @missihart23 @lemond57 @evenstaredits @catthefearless @the-fragile-heart-of-a-lady @glassgulls @sazzlep @aliasauthor @solairewisteria @littlebird-99 @court-jobi @heilith @absentmindeduniverse @albionscastle @way-too-addicted-to-fandoms @for-fuck-sake-im-alive

Thorin Oakenshield tag list: @braidedheart @emmyspov @dumbassunderthemountain

Middle-earth tag list: @mismaeve @sotwk @emmyspov @valkyrie-of-the-light

The Hobbit tag list: @flowerniche

#richard armitage #thorin oakenshield #Thorin #Thorin Oakenshield x Fem!Reader #Thorin Oakenshield x Reader #Thorin x Reader #Thorin x Fem!Reader #Thorin x You #Thorin Oakenshield x You #Thorin Fic #Thorin Oakenshield Fic #The Hobbit Fic

541 notes · View notes

seraphiism · 1 year

Text

❀ ﾟ. ༄ ┊ & 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐊𝐘 𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊 ;

( my heart slams against my ribs when i think of the slaughtered nights i spent all over the world waiting to feel your touch. )

characters : ais / leander / kuras fandom : touchstarved quote cr : henry rollins a/n : each character is limited to 250 words! how canon is this ? it is not ✩°｡⋆⸜(ू˙꒳˙ )

↬ ais ࿐ ࿔

BLOOD IS NEVER MEANT TO BE A BEAUTIFUL THING, BUT THE SEASPRING IS A SIREN : A SALVATION AND DAMNATION ALL AT ONCE.

no, blood is not meant for greater things, the brilliant reflection in sanguine so alluring and tempting. blood is not meant for greater things, but ais has fallen prey to this siren, found coexistence with a terror that all should fear.

he does not know if it's a mistake, nor does he know if there is regret that dwells in this monstrous heart of his.

( it doesn't matter. monsters don't have hearts, anyway, and demons are no different. )

perhaps it is not a mistake for him, but it would be for you. you, who has carried this burden for all your life, only knowing it as a blessing until recent times. you, who stares into the seaspring with an unreadable expression, pupils dilated, fists clenched.

he does not know if he should stop you, break your thoughts away from a vicious ending. because your ending will be the ending of so many, minds a haze, memories lost and mixed with the masses.

"careful, sparrow," he leans down, face dangerously close to yours, "there are other ways to break my heart, you know-- if that's what you're trying to do."

he expects that familiar spark of anger in your eyes, but there is nothing but fear and uncertainty. you swallow hard, dare to move closer to him until your lips are only inches apart.

"convince me to stay, then."

↬ leander ࿐ ࿔

YOUR CURSE IS YOUR ORIGIN, FINGERTIPS DRENCHED IN MADNESS AND PROPHECIES FOREWARNED. YOUR CURSE IS YOUR ORIGIN / YOUR DOWNFALL / HIS SERENITY.

in a brave new world full of evils and betrayals, leander is the closest thing to sanctuary. you do not trust too easily nowadays, upbringing created from lies and horrid intentions. in your hands, there is a curse that brings ruin to you and another : your mind wreaked with havoc of guilt, theirs with the havoc of the knowing.

so you hide. you hide your hands, hide the black and gold that is so deeply dark yet bright all the same. because nothing good can come from your touch-- or so you think.

you have done this before, known it was safe, but there is something so frightening in this moment, your body trembling so violently that you almost give into the instinct to flee. but leander knows you all too well, grabs your hands before you can revoke them.

"it's okay." he soothes you in gentle tones, that familiar pink dusting his cheeks. "nothing happened last time. you can't hurt me."

but you can, you can-- and the mere thought makes your eyes sting, vision blurring. but he believes in you, watches closely as he guides your hands to rest on his face.

nothing happens, save for the pounding of your hearts alike and the knowing comfort in your touch. leander's smile grows, faint, and he wonders how cruel the world could be, to curse someone so beautiful.

↬ kuras ࿐ ࿔

WRETCHED ARE THE ANGELS MADE FROM IMPURITIES AND FALSE DEITIES, TRUE INTENTIONS TURNED ROT WITH THE BURIAL OF SIN & GRIEF UNINTENDED.

kuras has saved your life once before, the touch of the divine invoking the resurgence of bloom in the withering roots of the soul. how you were so close to death back then, limb for a limb, life for a life, the stain of the soulless etched into your skin.

you are far from ordinary; he has known that from the beginning, knows there is a quiet redemption in your existence. in the many years he has lived, a life destitute and once full of better days, he almost feels something akin to hope in a weary heart.

"you are always saving me." you whisper one night, voice and spirit upon the verge of break, and perhaps there is a guilt somewhere-- a selfishness, and you do not know what to make of it.

and it's true-- it is, because danger is all you have known since arrival in eridia, yet kuras is a lighthouse, a safekeeping, a haven found. but you are the furthest from burden and he wishes for you to know that, to understand that, and to accept that.

so with a tenderness of a higher being, his thumb ghosts over your cheekbone, the kindest of smiles on his visage.

what will you be, he wonders : his happy ending or his swan song?

"you may be the one who is doing the saving, after all."

#touchstarved #touchstarved x reader #ais x reader #leander x reader #kuras x reader #me writing this with limited info : im abt to be so delusional #.: writing #.: multi

516 notes · View notes

ofstarsandvibranium · 8 months

Text

Unexpectedly Yours: Part 1

Fandom: Ted Lasso (Regency AU)

Pairing: Roy Kent x F!Reader

Summary: Lord Roy Kent still has yet to marry. He hates the notion that marriage is a way to ensure your status in society. You have delayed your debut to society for years because of the same idea. So what happens when two people who hate the idea of marriage are constantly drawn to each other?

A/N: inspired by my post here. probably gonna be 2 or 3 parts max mini series.

You thought you'd have more time. You thought you'd be able to enjoy your youth for just a bit longer, but your time is up. Now five and twenty, your parents can no longer let you delay your debut to society any longer. Tonight, your debut ball, is probably going to be the worst night of your life.

__________________________

The Viscount, Lord Roy Kent wasn't too keen on moving from London to the small town of Richmond. However, after his brother-in-law's passing, he understood his sister's need for a change of scenery. So he bought an estate in Richmond for him, his sister, and his niece to live in.

Not long after their move, the viscount and his family were already being invited to take part in society, albeit, a small portion of it, but still a notable population of it.

"We should go," Lord Kent's sister, Clara, insists after viewing the invitation over her brother's shoulder.

"Why?"

"We should socialize, Roy. We didn't move here just to be holed up in the house all day. Come on, it could be good for us." Lord Kent groans, and Clara nudges him, "Fine. Don't go. Phoebe and I will go ourselves. I'm sure there will be some children there she could befriend."

Hating the idea of his sister and niece going by themselves gave Lord Kent the push he needed, "Fine. I'll go."

Clara beams at her older brother, "Wonderful!" she plucks the invitation from her brother's hand, "I'll send back a reply that the three of us will be attending."

_________________________

The day of the ball, your mother was fussing in a way you have never seen before. You and your young cousin, Cecelia, watch your mother flutter about ordering servants and cooks in a very frightening manner.

"I don't like who auntie is right now," your eight year old cousin whispers to you.

You snort, "Just wait until you debut, I'm sure it'll be just the same. Maybe worse."

Cecelia grimaces and then sighs, "Do you think other children will be attending? I've made sure all of my dolls look pretty if they do."

"I'm sure a few will come, Cece."

"Is Keeley coming? I like playing with her."

You softly smile at Cecelia, "Yes, but she won't be able to play with you, darling. She has to socialize with everyone and, most importantly, keep any potential suitors away from me," you give your cousin a joking nudge.

Your attention is suddenly on your mother as she starts scolding one of your handmaidens. You rush over to them and step in-between them, "Mother, what happened?"

"The flower arrangements are all wrong! They don't look how I want them to. They-"

"Mother," you place your hands on her shoulders, "Breathe." You then nod to your handmaiden and she scurries away. You guide her to a nearby bench and sit beside her, "I've never seen you so stressed before. You've planned balls prior to this."

"Yes, but this is especially important. This is your debut. The time for you to finally find a husband. Potential suitors will be here and everything needs to be perfect! Most importantly, the viscount Lord Kent and his family will be attending."

Your brows shoot up in surprise, "Really?"

You've heard news about the viscount and his family. They moved to the small town of Richmond due to Lord Kent's sister's husband passing away. She has a daughter around the same age as Cecelia.

Lady O'Sullivan, Lord Kent's sister, and her daughter, Phoebe, have been seen out, but there have been very few sightings of Viscount Kent. He's, essentially, an anomaly, a mystery that everyone is trying to solve.

You? You have no particular interest in him at all, even if he is attending the ball held in your honor.

"Mother, I'm sure however the flower arrangements turn out, it'll be fine. Everything will be fine."

_____________________________

When Lord Kent, Lady O'Sullivan, and Phoebe arrive, there are already many guests present. As soon as they step foot into your home, your mother is rushing up to them.

"Lord Kent, it is an honor to be your host for tonight."

Clara steps forward, "Thank you so much for the invitation, Lady L/N," she thanks your mother with a curtsey. She then gestures to her brother, "This is my brother, Lord Kent and my daughter, Phoebe."

Your mother curtsies to Lord Kent and smiles at Phoebe, "Hello Phoebe. My niece is upstairs with other children. If you go to Jane," she points at the woman at the bottom of the stairs, "she can take you to them."

Phoebe looks up at her mother and when she receives a nod, she hastily rushes to Jane, ready to play with other children.

"I hope you enjoy the ball," your mother says, "My daughter, Y/N, is somewhere here, either mingling or hiding," she gives a sorry expression and then moves to greet other arriving guests.

Lord Kent groans as he enters the ballroom and Clara elbows him, "Behave. Go converse, mingle." Lord Kent slowly turns his head and glares at his sister, who then snorts, "Or stand in a corner and look menacing." She leaves her brother's side, heading for the h'orderves.

Lord Kent assumed his intimidating stature. His hands clasped behind his back as he walks around the ballroom. It was much smaller than ones he's been in when he lived in London. Still, it was impressive for a home in a small town.

"Sir?" a servant offers a tray of drinks and Lord Kent takes one. He sips the beverage, still wandering around the room, a looming and intimidating presence.

__________________

Your dance card had filled up quick. Left and right were you pulled around the dance floor by different prospects of men. They were all so...boring.

After another dance, you drag your body to the corner where Keeley and her fiancé, James, or Jamie as he liked to be referred to, stood in the corner talking and drinking.

"So?" your best friend asks with hopeful eyes.

"Just as boring as the last," you say as James offers you a drink, "Honestly, I don't understand how you dealt with this for years until this numpty finally turned himself around," you gesture to Jamie.

Jamie shrugs, "I'm just lucky she was willing to give me another chance," he kisses Keeley's cheek lovingly and you inwardly sigh. You always hoped to have a love like theirs. Yes, it was rocky at the start, but Jamie had changed himself around to be the man Keeley deserved.

"Yes, well," you lift your now empty glass, "I'm going to get another one of these." As soon as you turn around, you bump into a man, causing his drink to spill over him.

Your eyes widen, "I'm-"

"Watch where you're going," he rasps out.

You're taken aback, "Excuse me?"

"You need to be more aware of your surroundings," the man says with a frown.

You scoff, "Well I didn't know you were right behind me, so maybe it's you who needs to be aware of your surroundings and not stand so close to people!"

The man's brows furrow and just as he opens his mouth to retort, your mother appears by his side, "I am so sorry about this, Lord Kent. I'm sure this was an accident, right, Y/N?"

"Yes, an accident," you say, glaring at the viscount.

"We will happily pay for a new coat," you mother says and you roll your eyes.

"It's fine," Lord Kent mumbles and turns on his heel, going back in the direction he came.

Your mother turns to you with a stern expression, "You best hope you didn't upset Lord Kent too much."

"It was an accident, mother. Besides, he stood too close to me. How was I suppose to know he was right behind me?"

__________________________

After the ball ended, you were so exhausted. The dancing, the mingling, all of it was too much. Several men had asked to call upon you, but you had declined, to your mother's dismay.

A week later, you thought you would have a break from your mother's meddling in your future. However, you were very wrong.

Your mother had called you in and surprised you with a guest.

"Lord Kent?" you look at him confusedly and then give your mother a questioning stare.

"Lord Kent accompanied his niece, Phoebe, here so she can play with Cecelia."

"How...thoughtful," you clear your throat and smooth out your dress, "Well, I'll let you two talk while I go back to reading," you move to step out of the room, but your mother stops you.

"Wait, darling, can you keep Lord Kent company for a moment? I just need to check in with the kitchen for lunch. It'll be only for a moment." she looks at you expectantly. You know exactly what she's doing and you don't like it one bit. She's already been on you about rejecting several suitors. A part of you regrets that now because, maybe if you hadn't, you wouldn't be forced to sit here with Lord Kent.

"Very well," you slowly lower yourself onto the bench beside your mother.

Your mother jumps to her feet excitedly, "Lovely! I will be back shortly!" you watch her scurry out of the room but not before giving a nod to your handmaiden.

You sigh and turn your attention to Lord Kent whom is sitting up straight, face void of any expression. His dark brown eyes staring back at you.

You wiggle in your seat, slightly unnerved with his gaze, "So, are you enjoying our little town, Lord Kent?"

He gives you a grunt and after cocking a brow at him, he speaks, "As much as I can. It's very quiet. Society is still just as nosey here."

You snort, "You have no idea." You clear your throat again, "Have my parents bought you a new jacket to replace the one I ruined?"

"No."

"Oh? Why not?"

"I told them not to. The jacket wasn't very important to me to begin with."

"Seemed rather important enough for you to snap at me," you can't help but say the statement with a little disdain.

"I...apologize for my behavior. I had a distasteful encounter with someone prior that made me upset. I'm not excusing my behavior, but providing some context to what led to it."

You nod, accepting his behavior, "Who did you encounter? Was it Lady Radcliffe and her daughter, Lavinia?"

He rises a brow at you, "How did you know?"

"They always stir trouble. I told mother not to invite them but she didn't want to look bad for not," you shake your head, your nose scrunched up, "All that family cares about it maintaining a higher status."

"Doesn't everybody?"

You shake your head, "Not me. I don't care about any of it. I dislike how dishonorable and ingenuine people become when they find out you have a high place in society. I know I'm privileged to have enough money to live comfortably, however, I don't like the theatrics of it all."

Lord Kent leans forward, resting his elbows over his knees, "You sound very passionate about this considering you just held a ball to do just that."

You scoff, "Please, as if that was truly what I wanted. I've pushed my debut back for years. I couldn't delay it anymore."

"No one caught your eye last night then?"

"Not anyone in the slightest," you sigh, "What about you then? I imagine many ladies throw themselves at your feet because of your status. Doesn't it get tiring? Doesn't it feel like you're being used?"

Before Lord Kent can answer, your cousin and Phoebe are rushing into the room, "Y/N, we need your help!"

"With?"

"We want to play princesses and dragons!" Cece answers excitedly.

"You want me to play the dragon?"

"No, you're playing the princess, we're playing the dragons, and Uncle Roy will play the knight that rescues you!" Phoebe replies, pointing to everyone and giving them their roles.

"Oh, um," you glance at Lord Kent, "I don't think your uncle-"

"Let's go," Lord Kent says as he stands to his feet.

"Really?!" Cece looks up at him with excitement.

"Really?" you ask him in surprise. He shrugs, causing you to then stand, "Alright. Let's go."

"Yes!" the two young girls cry out as they rush out of the room and up the stairs to Cece's play room.

You and Lord Kent follow at a much slower pace. Lord Kent, walking besides you, leans in and whispers, "Phoebe's been struggling to make friends since we've moved. I'm happy she found a friend in Cecelia."

"I can't imagine how hard it must've been. Losing her father and moving away."

"It hasn't been easy, but I've been doing my best to see to that her and my sister are well taken care of."

You place a hand on Lord Kent's arm, "You're a good brother and man, my Lord. I don't know many men who would do the same."

Lord Kent, glances at your hand and then you pull away, mumbling a 'sorry', before rushing to Cecelia's play room.

Lord Kent proceeds to follow you at the same slow pace. His fists clench behind his back where he clasps them. There's a fluttering in his chest that he's never felt before and he's sure he's going to have a heart attack.

#roy kent x reader #roy kent imagine #regency au #ted lasso au #ted lasso

175 notes · View notes

sak-supernatural · 1 month

Text

The fandom pipeline is real! I have simply come across too many editors/fic writers who write/edit for a fandom that I’m in, and when I go to check their other stuff THEY ARE/HAVE BEEN IN/MOVE ON TO, MULTIPLE OF THE SAME FANDOMS AS ME!! It’s too crazy how one fandom can branch out to so many places and rain chaos on so many peoples lives. For so long I thought it was just me who made these wild connections and jumps, and now I see how it happens everywhere!

THIS IS CRAZY!!!

3 notes · View notes

utilitycaster · 2 months

Note

Regarding Editing and Innovating in the space, 2 people who get a Fraction of the credit they deserve are Ivan Van Norman & Marisha Ray. I mean, they created and developed one of the original mixed media cinematic interactive actual plays, Sagas of Sundry: Dread, and then Sagas of Sundry: Madness, and Marisha (later hiring Ivan as well) has continued that trajectory in some of the more intriguingly edited mixed format Actual plays at CR, like Call of Cthulhu, Undeadwood, and others, and being Instrumental in the developments at CR. Like, when you do watch the interviews you get a sense of just how Much of CR's current content designs, ttrpg intentions, and series are marisha's brainchilds, and it sucks that she doesnt get the credit others involved in similar projects, and even those projects, do.

This is a great point. I've mentioned this before w/r/t the fandom - Marisha, perhaps more than anyone, gets reduced even by many fans to "she's pretty and her characters are like what if a girlboss were a girlfailure" and her creative direction goes unheralded. It feels like this has gotten worse in recent years; I was baffled at how many people seemingly resented Calamity or Candela for taking up space they felt should go only to the main campaign when those were not only showcases for Marisha as a performer but also clearly something in which she had a strong hand in designing. Whenever people whine about there only being two main campaign episodes in a month because of Candela Obscura, I do think "You realize this was probably Marisha's call?"

I was focused in my response much more on Daggerheart, and so on the game design side (quick side note - reviews of A Familiar Problem, which Marisha worked on, were pretty positive; I wonder if something's happened in the past 2 years since that's when I've really felt this Damn Critical Role energy among actual play journalists), but I had been thinking about Sagas of Sundry and Undeadwood! I think I mentioned Sagas of Sundry in one of my posts about how Kollok isn't, in my mind, impressive. I loved Dread but never finished Madness before Alpha folded, but actually I was imagining something like Madness - fully on a set, people walking around like it's a play - for Kollok! When I saw everyone at a table with that rotating rock I was like "is this...it?" And, you know, Sagas: Madness wasn't entirely for me, but you can't fault the innovation. Similarly, when I think about the (baffling) criticism from one of the prominent actual play journalists I've had in mind while writing this, that Candela Obscura the show did not fully teach people Candela Obscura the game, I think about how Ivan Van Norman did straight up teach Savage Worlds during Undeadwood. Whenever people gush over the shadow puppets in Burrow's End I think it's deserved, but when they claim it's utterly new? Nah. Call of Cthulhu: Shadow of the Crystal Palace did it first. And Marisha had a guiding hand in the creative direction of all of these.

I think this is sort of elaboration on one of my points in my original post: I think a lot of the journalists are really out of their depth. I don't remember seeing their names when I first started watching CR in 2018, or when I got deeper into the fandom in 2019. My first actual play was TAZ, which I binged in late 2017. I really think a lot of the journalists flat-out don't know Sagas of Sundry or Undeadwood because they didn't show up until after Alpha folded. I've mentioned this elsewhere but so much of the claims of novelty and innovation are completely incorrect and not even terribly obscure. Look, I've seen/listened to most or all of 9 actual plays (this is counting D20 and CR each as one single unit, by the way - I've seen all but scattered one-offs from either), and seen or heard an episode or two of many more. I think that simply by doing that? I know more than a lot of these journalists.

Again: Worlds Beyond Number? The innovation is with the Witch class and the Wizard of the Citadel subclasses, and the allowance of extremely long downtime, but: longform podcast actual play with sound design? RQG did it starting in 2015. Griffin McElroy and Emily Axford have been composing their own music since 2017 or 2018 for their respective shows, both of which are also longform podcast actual plays. Again, Brennan pretty explicitly said "I don't think D20 is new, nor longform" in a quote and the article that quotes him argues that Fantasy High is new and longform...and that article also talks about how before D20 most AP video was livestreamed before talking about how boundary-breaking D20 was for having a livestreamed second season (you know, the thing that they just called old hat a paragraph earlier) that quickly pivoted to remote (even though remote livestreaming was actually quite common in smaller productions well before the pandemic, since you don't need anything but laptop cameras to produce it). I don't even keep up with much in the really indie AP scene, but those people I know who do are even less impressed by the state of Actual Play journalism than I, because D20 executes a lot of things extremely well, has a very talented roster of performers, and a budget most productions cannot hope to match, but a good deal of what it's credited for inventing (and which, again, it never claims to have invented. I want to be clear that the journalists decided to be like this for no clear reason) already existed. And, by placing this heavy emphasis on production, they are automatically making it hard for indie productions to impress them. For all they claim to be going after the 700 lb gorilla, they are simply cozying up to the 600 lb gorilla. It's real "um, why don't you try this little indie game called Pathfinder" hours.

I am fairly sure a lot of the people in prominent journalistic positions in the actual play sphere today came in only after the collapse of Geek and Sundry, is my point, and so I think they literally do not realize how much the medium owes to, for example, Marisha Ray and Ivan Van Norman, because they weren't watching in 2016 nor even skipping through the G&S archives, as I did as a new CR fan. I think they're absolutely out of their depth, and most of them don't even realize it.

#answered #Anonymous #long post #cr tag

64 notes · View notes

loving-august · 1 year

Text

๑𓈒 ' . 𑇛 I'D STILL CHOOSE YOU.

PAIRINGS. diluc ragnvindr x fem! reader

SYNOPSIS. in which diluc notices your worries about the people around you.

GENRE. angst to fluff hurt/comfort

WC. 1.05k!!

WARNINGS. none, slight profanity, insecurity, gossips, bodyshaming

NOTES. hello! this fic will be new expansion to my fandoms hehe I hope you guys will like it just as much I enjoyed writing this fic. blame diluc bc of him I made a decision to create for genshin characters smh /j + reblogs are highly appreciated!

LINKS. navigaion | genshin impact masterlist | taglist form

๑𓈒 ' . 𑇛 REBLOGS ARE HIGHLY APPRECIATED!

Being the richest bachelor in mondstat, Diluc is expected to do what nobles do. The way he greets, acts, and accomplishes every job perfectly. He received a vision at the age of 10 and became the youngest captain in the knights of favonius at the age of 14. Of course, he is now just a mere businessman taking care of the winery in the morning or protecting the entire mondstat at night time. His past is yet to be told.

Rich parents of noble women across nations often visit him in hopes to have their daughter as the groom. Yet, he refuses to tell them as he tells them that he has no sole interest in having a relationship with any women. Or so he thought.

You happened to see him in his dark knight duties one fateful evening. You were ambushed by hillichurls while you were on your way to the outskirts of mondstat, your home. You came out from work a bit too late than usual.

You accidentally punched him as you thought it was some treasure hoarder coming at you. You apologised so sincerely that it wasn't some bad guy.

"Master diluc?" You asked.

Shit. He cursed himself.

"Than-"

"Don't say a word about this." He sternly said. And you did.

You scratched your neck awkwardly, "I will. Thank you again!" You walked away from him. To be honest he was scary earlier, barbatos how could this happen to me?

Little did you both know, a certain bard was witnessing the scene. A playful smirk grew into his face. "Huh, may the wind guide each other." He whispered. It's a rare scene to see Diluc in this kind of situation. Maybe the dear archon barbatos, also known as venti would be part of playing cupid.

A time has passed since your first encounter with Diluc, Venti's cupid duties came into reality. He was very happy for you and Diluc and he even played a small tune for the two of you. As much as Diluc appreciated the gesture, he would not change the way he treats venti in his tavern due to his wine addiction. As well as Kaeya, the wonder duo never fails to give Diluc a headache.

Soon enough, you opened your eyes to the noble world. There is a lot of catching up to do. All the stereotypes were shown on to you, the mannerisms on talking, acting, and greetings to fellow nobles. It was hard. As someone like you had no experience on such acts.

You found yourself in your shared rooms with your lover. With your eyes all puffy and red due to crying. You couldn't take it anymore.

"How can Master Diluc find someone so…common.."

"I expected him to choose a noblewoman from liyue."

The voices of other people in mondstat broke your heart. To hear such a thing about Diluc, you felt responsible. Instead of making him happy by his side, you could only be giving him a bad name by just existing beside him.

It felt so wrong.

What you didn’t was that you fell asleep on the vanity where you cried yourself with dried tears on your cheeks.

Diluc just recently returned home from his darknight duties. You were completely aware of his schedule as if its the back of your palm. Why would you know all about it? Of course diluc would tell you things about him, he’s that devoted to you. Adeline, the head maid of the manor, greeted the master of the manor. “Good evening Master Diluc.”

“Good evening to you too,” Diluc greeted back.

He went straight to your shared rooms, not giving any mind of eating for tonight. He was busy eliminating abyss mages around mondstat. When he opened the door, first he saw you sleeping uncomfortably on the vanity table. He immediately removed his coat and placed it on some chair and carried you carefully. Making sure that you were not awake. How long have you been asleep? Your neck is probably sore because of the restricted sleeping position you were in.

He sighed as he saw you still in your morning clothes. He can’t imagine wearing all the heavy clothing from daylight to night time. That's why you've woken up? "Did I wake you up darling?" He asked.

you got up and he followed. "No, you didn't. I just felt my position changed." You groggily replied while rubbing your eyes.

Diluc was observing you. He noticed that you were secretly wiping off the direct tears on your face while pretending to rub your eyes after you had just woken up from a long slumber.

He was worried. Maybe he has been busy lately since he has a wine business to attend to. Not only the wine business but also his secret duties at night time at mondstat. The abyss order has been showing up lately.

"y/n, can I ask you a question?" He started. You looked at your hands, not looking at his worried eyes laid upon you. "uh, sure. What are you trying to ask?" You replied.

Something is not sitting right. The way you said it was as if you changed your sentence and the way you speak. this is not the y/n he used to talk to. A hint of guilt punched at diluc. He HAS been busy. He should reschedule his time for you after this. He felt accountable for your well-being, since he was the one who asked you to live with him and as his lover, it is his duty to take care of you.

"Is something bothering you lately?" He asked. There, he asked for it. Although he expects you to lie to him. You can't lie to him after all.

"No, nothing's wrong dearest, I'm just tired..that's all," you answered and gave him a small smile.

Diluc uses his thumb to wipe off rye excess tears from your face, "No you're not. It breaks my heart whenever you lie to me. Tell me the truth my love, whatever you say is valid, after all it made you feel this way," He slowly opened his arms for you to be able to rest on his chest while wrapping his arms around you, "if you feel like I'm slipping away from you, don't worry."

"I'd still choose you."

#๑.made by aug #diluc ragnivindr x reader #genshin x reader #diluc x reader angst #diluc x reader #diluc x you #diluc x y/n #genshin angst #genshin impact

450 notes · View notes

wolfythewitch · 9 months

Note

I'm really tempted to start getting into this bible fandom because seeing you talk about this fanfic so much has really drawn me in

my only question is where do I start? I've got a free version online but there's so many chapters to the bible and like where do I start? Like genesis is the start right?

I'm so sorry for all these silly questions, I was raised strongly atheist and I've actually never touched a bible before so I was wondering if you could help guide a newbie to this fandom that you've spent many years in :D

thank you so much!!

Oh! Hmmmm well traditionally people start at Genesis yeah, since it's the creation story, though it isn't a hard rule. A podcast I listened to started at Daniel because it had a narrative to it. You can kind of pick a book out and read it if you want to. While linear, the different books are almost episodic in a way, especially some of the later books. If you want to read more on like AD stuff, you can start on the new testament instead. Note that each book of the gospels, Matthew, mark, Luke, John, are all written for different audiences, so they omit or include different details, which is fun!

I have to mention that there Is a lot of subtle antisemitism in the new testament you have to be aware of, especially with wordings and later rewrites. It's not so much the intent (I can't speak for that I haven't done enough research) but it's the perspective it can give to someone who isn't fully aware I guess. There are better papers/videos disseminating this haha, I don't have the words for it. But a lot of contemporary christian antisemitism Does stem from the new testament and how people took the text and ran with it

Also for versions, I heard HSV is a good version? I use NIV and NSRV but yeee you can scroll through the different versions and see what works for you

#wolfy tedtalks #anon #again not the best person to explain this but just wanted to mention it #wolfy religious tedtalks

205 notes · View notes

weirdly-specific-but-ok · 4 months

Text

HI MAGGOTS just letting you know that we love aroace folks here on this blog

Good Omens mascot here! It's so amazing that the Good Omens fandom is so accepting and wonderful, but all the same, I want to remind everyone that people on the aroace spectrum are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and are queer, because they are on the aroace spectrum. Yes that includes all of them. I'm aspec myself, and I realised it thanks to the amazing people on tumblr, and I'm accepting myself more each day here.

ON THAT NOTE, VERY IMPORTANT VERY WONDERFUL NEWS, the fabulous, amazing, and very supportive maggot @queermarzipan HAS REALISED THEY ARE ASPEC, CAN WE ALL CONGRATULATE HER PLEASE? WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY WE LOVE YOU.

The fact that she realised it by going through my posts until she hit one where I'd been questioning if I was aspec and people on tumblr helped me out is honestly so wild. Fandom is a crazy wonderful thing and I'm so happy for them, and I'm so glad that we're all guiding each other not just down the pipeline of fandom masochism but also on other random paths of acceptance and positivity.

There's an aspec Crowley fic that @eviebane shared with me, I read a few paragraphs and felt so represented that I had to put it away for later because TOO MANY EMOTIONS. I'm sure there are many more fics with the GO characters as aspec and that's amazing.

WOOHOOO man being ill is NOT doing wonders for my sanity. If it's winter where you live bundle up warm please, this fandom loves handing each other hot cocoa anyway so.

Side note, everyone who has been tagging me on Doctor Who posts, I'm absolutely traumatised and will make a Pt II of Doctor Who. Thanks guys.

Side side note, the friend who kindly informed me that Michael Sheen was in twilight and ruined my life, made this comment: "Yeah Michael Sheen is Aro (the vampire)... and so am I."

130 notes · View notes

buckets-and-trees · 9 months

Text

Meat Cute

Fandom: MCU Collection: Trader James Title: Meat Cute Characters/Pairings: future Bucky x female!Reader, Peter Parker Word Count: 2.2k

Summary: Modern, non-powered AU. A girl and her love for Trader Joe's... You never know what kind of new and exciting finds you'll come across in a Trader Joe's or what you'll get to take home with you, and that's part of the fun of shopping here over other stores - you get your standard stuff, and then there's always something surprising.

Content Warnings: fluff; a ridiculous amount of Trader Joe's nerdery; also, if you're a vegetarian, you may want to steer clear, because this Bucky is BEEFY

Logistical Notes: Second tick for my Bingo Card for @the-slumberparty's August/September Challenge knocking out B3: "Collar." Don't get excited over it being that kind of collar. It's not. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Additional Notes: LET'S BE REAL: although it was a surprise to me when I hatched the idea last week, IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ASPEN CREATED A TRADER JOE'S AU. None of you are shocked. I know you're not. Also, this launch of the AU is dedicated to my wifey for her birthday, one of the most wonderful friends who just adopted me, and I couldn't love her more fiercely for it.

↠ Masterlist | Aspen's Ask Box | Field Guide to the Forest

You smiled as you put your car into park in the decently close-to-the-store stall. Hands gripping the wheel still, you took a deep breath, closed your eyes, and just exhaled.

You were in your place.

This was familiar.

And you were hungry and had an empty fridge, freezer, and cupboards that all needed filling.

Actually, you were starving.

This was one of the few times it would not be to your detriment to do your grocery shopping on an empty stomach. You needed everything!

You hopped out of your car, and walked up to the sliding glass doors beneath the familiar red and white lettering that indicated you were in the familiar territory of Trader Joe’s. You grabbed a grocery cart and walked inside. Flanked right away at the entry by the displays of fresh flowers on one side and houseplants on the other, you looked but didn’t touch this time. You had a lot of other things to take care of before you needed to worry about plants or flowers in your new place. Although it was different than your old Trader Joe’s, you knew it would unfold similarly in the layout to you were used to here as well, starting by funneling you right into the fresh produce section, and you tossed some of your leafy green staples into the cart, along with tomatoes, corn, a sack of potatoes, oranges, and some cherries since they were in season. Next you grabbed a loaf of the sliced brioche, and then couldn’t resist the small package of brookie bars. They would heat up beautifully in your air fryer when you needed little treats to reward yourself this weekend.

Guacamole, hummus, a package of the fresh ravioli with corn and burrata, then into the fresh meat section. You picked up some of the boneless, skinless, fresh Atlantic salmon as well as … no. You had to stock your entire kitchen. You’d grab more fresh meat next weekend. You were already going to do enough damage with today’s grocery bill. So you moved on to the eggs, opening the carton and doing the visual check first for cracks on the tops of the shells, then quickly bumping each egg gently in its spot to check that it moved freely – it was a trick your grandma had taught you: if the eggs had cracked on the bottom, they would ooze, making them stick to their spots. All twelve checked out.

You continued your circle around the perimeter of the store through the dairy for sour cream and Greek yogurt, then into the cheeses. You bit your bottom lip. What to spoil yourself with this time… You went with a hunk of Toscano soaked in Syrah and took a chance on a strawberry white stilton cheese. The sticker on the red, wax-covered hunk of cheese said it paired well with pomegranate. You would need to get some proper crackers. That or head back to the bread aisle. But the breads were right next to the bakery items, and you probably deserved to get some of the brookie bars.

You didn’t go down every aisle, but almost, and by the time you made your way to the check-out lines, your cart was respectably and entirely full. The area at the front of the store was bustling and crowded as shoppers ushered themselves into lines. It was the kind of crowd to be expected in the late afternoon on a Saturday, so you didn’t fuss about the lines, just chose the relatively shortest option, and then pulled out your phone to entertain and distract yourself while you waited through the customer currently checking out and one cart ahead of you.

As they wrapped up business and it was almost your turn, you sent a quick text to your mom, snapping a quick under the radar photo of the checkout area and your very full basket, letting her know you had wrapped up and were clocking in your first visit at your new home Trader Joe’s. She reacted almost immediately with the heart emoji and said she was glad you were settling in. You smiled, knowing this move was hard for her – she was happy for your career leap, but devastated to have her girl out of state.

You slipped your phone into your pocket quickly as you pushed your cart right up to the checkout counter, the cashier reaching out for the end of the basket to assist you.

“Hey, how’s your day been so far?” they asked as you stepped past the register to the customer arm rest where you could see each other.

“Oh, not too bad,” you responded habitually. You were ready for the robustly friendly interaction your cashier and possibly the bagger would give you. It was one of the reasons you had still wanted to make your first grocery run rather than order or pick up dinner – you wanted that small moment of human connection. Although it was customer service stranger to stranger, Trader Joe’s employees knew the culture was to try and make that customer service a moment of genuine connection, to let each customer know they were seen and appreciated.

But what you were not ready for was looking up into the eyes of a towering, excessively broad shouldered man, whose chest and arms were fit to burst out of his navy blue Trader Joe’s crew t-shirt, hair pulled back into a man bun with a few strands tucked behind his ear, a soft smile, and steel blue eyes that when you locked onto each other shot right into your soul.

No, you were decidedly not ready for that, and your stomach and chest flared very suddenly with violent butterflies.

“Did you find everything you needed today?” he continued after a small beat.

In that next split second, you reminded yourself to breathe, and blinked to try and reset your brain. This was fine. You glanced back at the basket, then let out a small laugh. “Probably more than I needed! I don’t think I could fit anything else in the cart.”

“No, I guess not,” he assessed as he looked back to the basket, grabbing the yellow bell peppers with a warm laugh of his own and then keying in their code. “But it looks like you pulled a good haul.”

“I’m going to double bag your groceries,” the younger man standing next to your stupidly handsome cashier said, drawing your attention. “That should do you.”

“Oh, perfect, thank you,” you said. The nametag on his chest read Peter.

“Sure, no problem,” he said. This brunet was nowhere near as big as the man next to him, but stood at average height and average build, and you were glad not to have him to tamper this down to a much more normal encounter. You guessed the younger man was somewhere between twenty and twenty-five, with one of those youthful, open, friendly faces, and a manner that could clearly cheer and put anyone at ease.

“Any plans for tonight,” your cashier asked, drawing your attention back to him.

“Oh, I hope not,” you immediately spat out.

There was a lightning-fast exchange of a look between the two men, and you grinned and explained, “I just moved here today for a new job, and I start Monday, so just lots of unpacking and settling in for the rest of the weekend.”

“Oh, that’ll keep you busy. Good thing you’re stocking up on snacks,” he added, holding up the small box of dark chocolate coconut almonds, then scanning it and handing it to Peter. You glanced at his nametag to see the name James, as he continued to grab, scan, and hand off the next item and the next.

Peter held up the small tub of body butter with its magenta lid. “Have you tried this Brazil Nut lotion yet?”

“Yes!” you gushed. “I don’t know what I’m going to do when the summer is over!” It was only due to be a seasonal scent.

“It’s so good! Did you see we have it in bodywash? I picked one up a couple of days ago.”

James huffed a laugh.

“What?” Peter asked. “It does smell amazing, and all the girls love it!”

You grinned even more. “He’s not wrong. It’s a good strategy.”

James rolled his eyes, but he was smiling, too.

“Where’d you move here from?” Peter asked.

You responded with your hometown.

“No way! That’s where my gran used to live!”

You and Peter compared notes over some of your favorite places as he and James continued to efficiently move through your acquisitions. James was attentive to your conversation but didn’t have much to contribute. You guessed he’d never been to your hometown. But when your eyes moved back to him, he was alternating between retrieving and passing the groceries and you.

You also realized you were fidgeting nervously with the collar of your linen button down. You hadn’t dressed up – because you were only going to Trader Joe’s, you weren’t supposed to be bumping into an Adonis – but you were glad you’d at least changed out of the old t-shirt that had gotten you through moving day. This wasn’t fancy, but it least it wasn’t torn and sweaty.

You were still fidgeting with the collar.

Stop, you thought. You’re just buying groceries.

You conscientiously placed both your hands down on the

“Ready for the damage today?” James asked, and you looked into his eyes again, reminding yourself to keep your heart rate steady.

Peter suddenly disappeared from his spot without a word, which seemed strange – to both you and James, it seemed – but then you looked back at each other.

You crossed your fingers. “Give it to me.”

He turned the small display for the customer total to you, and you tilted your chin up a titch, a satisfied smile on your face.

“That’s not awful for a decent kitchen and cupboard stocking.”

“Pretty respectable,” he agreed. “Cash or card?”

“Card,” you replied, and he hit a button on his register, and you saw the card reader down at your waist light up. He didn’t fill the space with any more talk but let you focus on putting the payment through.

The sound of the receipt printing brought you both back. “Looks like it went through,” James said, and waited for it to finish printing, then tugged it away from the receipt printer, and handed it to you.

At that moment, Peter reappeared out of nowhere with a bouquet of sunflowers from the fresh flower section and held them straight out to you. “A little housewarming gift, compliments of me, Bucky, and the spirit of ol’ Joe himself.”

You gasped. “What? Really?”

“Of course!”

“Wait, who’s Bucky?”

“Oh,” James said, rubbing the back of his neck, and you saw just a touch of red on his cheeks. “That’s me. I go by Bucky, not James unless it’s serious.”

Peter pushed the flowers into your hand and took the receipt from Bucky’s hand and tucked it into one of the grocery bags.

“Thank you,” you said, truly touched.

“I hope you have a good weekend,” Bucky’s warm voice melted your heart even more.

“Thanks, you, too.”

“And we’ll see you again soon,” Peter said, pushing the cart out for you to take.

You nodded and then made your way to the exit, setting the flowers to rest in the top basket of the cart, a stupid grin on your face that you didn’t feel a need to wipe away.

After loading the groceries into the back of your vehicle, you pushed the cart into the cart corral, retrieved your flowers, and held them close to your chest. There were a hundred reasons you loved Trader Joe’s – and yes, you had even looked to see if there was one in this town when you were interviewing for the job, and you’re pretty sure it wouldn’t have affected your decision if there hadn’t been one here – but the warmth of the crew that worked there was one of the consistent things people could typically count on. Peter and James – or Bucky – had made your first trip to your new Trader Joe’s just the warm adventure you needed.

As you set the flowers on the passenger seat next to you and buckled in, you were glad though that if this store was like your old Trader Joe’s, the crew seemed to rotate enough in shifts and days – as did your own shopping habits – that you probably wouldn’t see them again, at least not regularly. As much as you wouldn’t mind seeing Peter any time you dropped into the house of Joseph, you didn’t want or need to worry over whether you would bump into that kind and far too attractive cashier or not. That would be too stressful, and Trader Joe’s was your home away from home here as you built the next chapter of your life in this new city.

↠ Masterlist | Aspen's Ask Box | Field Guide to the Forest

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes au #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x yn #bucky barnes x y/n #trader james collection #female reader

173 notes · View notes