#graceful parasol

[avocad1s]

Trial By Combat - 3

Requested By: No One. Original Work.

CW: Post-Impostor SAGAU,

Summary: Focalors apologizes

Note: This is so late and I apologize for that!

If vou haven't finished the Fontaine Archon quest, please exit stage left.

Part One Part Two Part Four

The rain drops pelted the windows. It seemed never-ending. The sky still looked tormented by the thick overcast of gray clouds that blocked the morning sun. Fontaine hadn’t seen a day of sunshine in days and the Chief Justice couldn’t bring himself to work another day in a row.

No many how many hours he wasted staring at the file created for your case, it did nothing to relieve the amount of sadness he had in his heart. Neuvillette is the most trusted and respected person in the entire nation but even he couldn’t see past the empty accusations the Hydro Archon made.

Once the trial began and he saw your face he had his doubts, your physical appearance was beyond comparison. He didn’t want to believe that you were an imposter, that you had ill intentions but he couldn’t let his personal feelings get in the way of justice.

He wasn’t the only one with these thoughts, people who sat in the audience began to whisper amongst themselves wondering if you really were a fake.

However a few words from Furina were enough to get many people on board.

‘Do not let yourselves be fooled by their appearance my dear people, they want us to let our guard down! I will personally reveal the truth behind their deceit.’

Yet you do not stand trial, you ask to duel for your innocence and he accepts.

That was his biggest mistake.

He knew that you were no match for Clorinde and he knew that he could’ve intervened at any time, but he didn’t.

You laid on the dueling grounds blood quickly poured from your body. Medical staff and Clorinde were quick to carry you away from the public but Neuvillette will never forgive his inaction.

Suddenly he blinks as a raindrop slides down his cheek.

-

Just like she promised, Furina returned to your room at daybreak. Once you were in her line of sight she bows slightly speaking in a soft tone.

“Your Grace, thank you for allowing me to return.”

You say nothing, watching the people down below navigate through the weather with their parasols in hand.

She takes a step forward. Would you allow her to get close to you again? The last thing she wants is for you to yell even if she deserves it. She takes small steps forward, paying close attention to your face taking note of any displeasure you may feel from her presence.

Eventually she was close enough to touch you, she readjusts her hat slightly before kneeling down resting her hand on top of yours. The Archon smiles slightly feeling a sense of relief wash over her.

“I am a fool,” Furina breathes out, “I should’ve been the first to recognize you but I didn’t and now I will pay the price…”

She feels her lips tremble. Was she going to shed tears in front of her God again?

“I know that there’s no way I can fix this but-“

“You’re right Furina,” you interject, “there’s no way you can fix this.”

She looks up at you with watery eyes.

“But I was doing some thinking last night and I want to move on from this.” You finally look down at her examining her expression. “that doesn’t mean I forgive you and I definitely won’t forget what you did.”

Furina let’s out a breath, you truly were a benevolent being. She was ready to do anything for you to give her another chance, even if she had to pull her gnosis out of her chest.

“Thank you for this opportunity Your Grace,” she gives you a smile, “I will do everything in my power to prove my loyalty to you again.”

You decide not to respond to her statement instead turning your gaze to the bundle of flowers on your bedside table. The stems were going limp and the color of the petals were fading. Whoever brought them must’ve forgotten to water them, they’re almost dead now.

Furina stands up wiping her wet cheeks as she gives you a small smile. “Your Grace, would it be alright if I show you around Fontaine? I know everyone would be very happy to see that you’re doing okay.”

You look out the window once more, she was right. There was a large crowd of people who stood outside the building you were in. Many of them holding gifts that they hope to give to you.

You open your mouth to respond but another voice cuts you off.

“Lady Furina that’s not a good idea…”

Clorinde leaned against the threshold of the door, she had dark circles under her eyes as she stared at the two of you. “Their Grace’s wounds are still healing. Walking for extended periods of time could be dangerous.”

Furina pouts slightly at her words but she knew Clorinde was right. If you were to tear your stitches you might not survive another operation, and the mere thought of you dying sends shivers down the Archon’s spine.

“You should let them get plenty of rest for now.” Clorinde suggests, “The medical staff will return tomorrow to change their bandages and give an update on their condition.“

You can see Furina visibly deflate at her words, “I know, I know…”

With a bit more pushing, Furina soon left with Clorinde leaving you alone in the room once again. Suddenly you feel a wave a fatigue wash over you, maybe not getting any sleep throughout the night was a bad idea. You stand from the windowsill and walk slowly over to the bed sinking into the soft material. A sigh leaves your mouth as you close your eyes listening to the sounds of rain against the glass until you eventually fell asleep.

-

You wake up to the sound of small footsteps, their voices are hushed as they walk around the room. You decide to keep your eyes closed, curious what their intentions of coming here were.

“Let’s change the flowers before they wake up. We don’t want to get caught.”

Hmm. So they’re the ones bringing the flowers.

You open your eyes sitting up in bed and your meet with…

…a Melusine?

“Oh no! We’ve been caught!”

The two hang their heads down sadly, as if they were were just caught by their parent.

“So you two were the ones who brought flowers to my bed?”

The Melusine look at each other then at you.

“Monsieur Neuvillette asked us to bring these to you.” One of them confessed.

You blink, “Neuvillette? He asked you to bring these?”

She nods holding the flowers out to you, “will you take them? It would make him really happy if you did.”

You hesitate for a moment, staring at the bouquet in the Melusine’s hands. Even if you couldn’t forgive any of them now for what happened. What good would holding a grudge do?

You take the flowers bringing them to your face to smell the sweet scent. “Thank you for bringing these to me, tell Neuvillette I said thank you.”

The Melusine give you a closed eye smile nodding as they walk towards the door. However before they were fully out of earshot, you hear one of them say:

“Maybe we’ll have some better weather now.”

You look down at the flowers, they truly were beautiful. They were Romaritime flowers, ones they could only be picked with the hydro element. You feel a small smile spread on your face as you replace the other bouquet with the new one. With a busy schedule like his, Neuvillette must’ve went out of his way to get these for you.

-

-

Underneath the cover a darkness, a large ship docks right outside the court of Fontaine.

It was unusual for a ship to come at this time but there was no mistaking that symbol that steered any citizen away as quickly as possible.

“Lady Harbinger, we’ve arrived.”

The Knave stands from her seat, she wasn’t here for diplomatic reasons or for her comrade that rotted in Fontaine’s prison. Her reasons for returning home were purely selfish.

She steps off the boat her heel landing in a puddle the was slowly drying from the warm breeze Sumeru’s desert nearby. The Knave looks up expecting to see rain clouds but is met with thousands of stars spread across the night sky. It was a clear night.

“All of you head to the Northland Bank and do not reveal our true reason for coming here to anyone. I will retrieve Their Grace myself.”

-

© avocad1s 2023

Tagging: @bittersweetorpheus @esthelily @tempestlart @angelofdarkness2 @mmeatt @dxprived4-starboys

If your @ is bolded, for some reason I cannot tag you! :(

If you wish to be removed from the tag list you can comment or inbox me and I’ll take you off :)

#genshin cult au #sagau #genshin impact sagau #genshin sagau #genshin cult #sagau x reader #imposter sagau #sagau impostor au #self aware genshin

[chere-indolente]

Trois femmes aux ombrelles

And we're back at the regular 1880's fashion with this set which inludes bustle skirts in 3 lenghts, 2 skirt overlays, 3 flower accessories, a parasol and an umbrella !

More pics and download below

As referenced in the title, this set was inspired by Marie Bracquemont’s painting : Trois femmes aux ombrelles ou Les Trois grâces / Three Ladies with Parasols or Three Graces, 1880.

Thanks to @javitrulovesims for making the perfect pose for this set !

———————————   Skirts  ———————————

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Once again, these skirts have a slight bustle shape which would best fit for the natural form era : roughly 1875 - 1883 ; (well actually, the size of the bustle is dependant on the size of the sim’s butt so do with that what you will). They are more ornate than my Cueillette skirts featuring some gathered layers and trims typical of the period, so they would be better suited for higher class people or more dressed up occasions.

And as always I give you 3 versions with each a different lenght to have more teen options and worker friendly options . The short one end mid calf, the medium one is ankle lenght and the long is full lenght. 

74 swatches : 22 solids, 10 floral, 6 plaid, 25 striped & 11 polka dot patterns

3 lenghts : S, M & L

————————— Skirt Overlays —————————

———————————————————————————

These two overlays will allow to respectively change the gathered layers and the trim swatches in order to channel the trim crazy period that were the 1880's.

in the middle finger section

74 swatches for the skirt overlay : 22 solids, 10 florals, 6 plaids, 25 stripes & 11 polka dots patterns

22 solid swatches for the trim overlay

———————— Flower Accessories ————————

———————————————————————————

To properly channel Marie Bracquemond's painting I needed a bunch of flower accessories so you will find 3 accessories in this set : a hair flower, a collar flower and a boutonnière. In my opinion these are pretty timeless and can suit a wide array of looks as portrayed in the pictures below.

These are all edits of @the-melancholy-maiden's Hair Flowers Through the Ages Part 2 thanks to her very open TOU.

none of these are compatible with hats

51 swatches : the-melancholy-maiden's original 29 colors and my 22 colors

the collar flower and the boutonnière are in the necklace section

the hair flower is in the hat section, available for both female and male frames

the hair flower is hat slider compatible

————————   Parasol & Umbrella  ————————

��——————————————————————————

I made both an umbrella and a lacey parasol (using Javi's texture). These are rather timeless too I think, they are definetely suited for late victorian and edwardian eras.

These are both edits of @javitrulovesims's Meiji Komorebi Accessory Parasol, thank you Javi !

NOT compatible with necklaces, earrings, piercings or anything using the same UVmap (such as kijiko's lashes unfortunatly)

in the right index finger section

45 swatches : 2 colors for the frame and handle, 22 for the canopy and 1 fully black swatch

———————————————————————————

Download : dropbox — simfileshare

———————————————————————————

#my cc #ts4cc #ts4 historical #ts4 clothes #ts4 accessories #sims 4 historical #sims 4 clothes #sims 4 accessories #maxis match #decade challenge #1880 #clothes #timeless #accessories #teen #grown up #1880s Impressionism Sets

[instant-delusions]

‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚. ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵗᵒᵖ

gojo satoru x f! reader

au: canon

cw: smut (public sex), cursing

nsfw under the cut

⋆｡🌊𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖°

you watched as your melon soda flavored popsicle dripped down your fingers and sighed - summer was definitely not your favorite season. currently, you were laying still to sunbathe (get a perfect tan to rock your new colorful clothes!) and absent-mindedly babysat your hyperactive boyfriend, aka gojo satoru. "look at this abomination, (y/n)!", peeking at your boyfriend from underneath your huge hat, you saw him standing in the water with a big grin. satoru was wearing black swimming trunks and a hawaiian shirt which was unbuttoned, meaning the sunlight hit his muscular body and snow-white hair just right, plus his eyes twinkled like expensive sapphires. in awe from your lover's beauty, you almost failed to notice the big, slimy, disgusting sea cucumber in his hands. "oh my god satoru, ew!" completely annoyed, realizing it's just another one of his antics, you laid down again, plopping your headphones in to drown out all his noise-making.

it's not like you didn't enjoy his absolutely hilarious schemes, but it's been a super busy week full of curse-hunting and you wanted to enjoy a vacation in the tropical climate of okinawa. dropping your ruined popsicle into a handkerchief, you turned your body around to tan your backside, sighing at the comfort of a new position. although you had your music at full volume, you could hear satoru's muffled voice coming closer to you. sliding down your sunglasses, you glared at him and pointed to your ears, signaling you couldn't hear him and laid down again. just a few seconds passed until one of your buds was ripped out by him, causing your string of patience to snap brutally. "satoru, I swear to fucking god!-" standing up with an intimidating pointed finger and a hand on your hip, he knew he was getting the lecture of a lifetime. "wow, satoru. wow. I'm asking for ONE quiet, relaxing day. what is this behavior?" with a strict tone and wild hand gestures, your vent goes on - almost as if you were disappointed in the actions of a pet, instead of your boyfriend. with every passing sentence, said man's pout grew bigger - he stepped closer to you to caress your waist in an apologetic way. "I'm sorry, baby." satoru pressed a sweet kiss to the crown of your hair, "let's take a nap, yeah?". you definently liked the sound of that and nodded, burying your head in his chest.

cuddled up under the parasol, nose filled with the smell of satoru's sauvage and seasalt, his wet body pressed against yours, you surprisingly found it hard to relax. with your legs and arms wrapped around him, you wondered if he's really napping or teasingly waiting for you to make a move. unbeknownst to you, satoru had the image of your ass on full display behind his closed lids, thanking the sun, the first humans and whatever else discovered tanning enthusiastically. he felt you big-spooning him, crotch pressed against his lower back, of course your arms around his waist, breath fanning his neck. if this is a competition to see who's giving in first, he won't regret losing.

"babe." satoru turned around, a smirk gracing his face. his gaze dropped from your eyes to your lips, lifting his hand to trace them with his fingers. "yeah?" you whispered, leaning closer to his lips, eyes closed in a dreamy state. he tutted, pitying you for believing he'd give you what you want without firing up his ego first. wrapping his arm around your waist, he pulled you onto his lap. "you want to fuck here?", the sorcerer grinded his half erect dick into your thin bikini bottoms, making your face turn red. thinking for a few seconds you whispered back; "it's not tourist season yet, so whatever." , he nodded with a grin, watching you drop your hands to his damp trunks. "not even gonna make out first? am I just a slut to you?" you sighed, rolling your eyes at him - watching as he puckered his lips in a kissing motion. sometimes, you're confused as to why he gets you wet at all. grabbing his face, you pressed your lips against his heartedly, moving against him with eagerness. it was almost as if you could feel his childish facade drop as he rubbed and grabbed at your thighs, sucking on your lower lip. satoru tickled the first moan out of you and giggled, putting one of his fingers behind the knot that held up your bikini top. slowly, he pulled to string, kissing all of your beautiful skin now revealed to him. oftentimes, he gets the feeling you don't understand how engrossed he is with you, almost obsessively so - satoru admits, he might be overprotective and possessive, he feels it especially in situations like this, having his hands and mouth full of you. obviously he covers this with jokes and a sort of playboyish persona, rarely showing his anger or jealousy, but once his mind gets hazy...

spit was dripping down your nipples, boobs decorated with red and purple hickeys. satoru continued with undoing your bikini bottoms, throwing them into his open bag - "for when I'm on missions without you" he smirked. getting frustrated feeling his clothed dick against your weeping pussy, you pushed his trunks down his thighs, almost drooling at his fat cock slapping against his abs. it was rock hard and huge, pre dripping down the veiny length. excited, you wrapped your hands around it, feeling its warmth and his pulse, spitting into your other hand you jerked him off slowly. "(y/n), stop that. wanna fuck you." the sorcerer snarled impatiently. satoru positioned you by guiding your hips, each of your legs caging him in. "oh? I'm on top." you teased, making him grin, though there was a sort of wickedness in his expression. "don't get cocky." with his enormous strength, he pulled you down, fitting his whole length in instantly. hearing you scream like this was music to his ears, feeling your pussy tighten around him in shock. it felt like his dick was everywhere, warmth engulfed you as you felt him growing inside of you, filling you over the brim. your hands were grabbing at nothing as your thighs started shaking, he didn't even start moving yet.

deeming the wait long enough, satoru started grinding into your heavenly pussy, feeling the sand move with him. "stay quiet now, don't wanna traumatize the elderly." at this point, you were so overwhelmed by the feeling of his dick moving, you didn't hear his remark at all, plus he knew you couldn't stay quiet. watching spit and tears running down your face, he set his goal to completely ruin you this time. grabbing your sides so tightly they'll definitely bruise, he started pistoning his cock into you, bullying through your creamy walls, watching as your juices drip from his balls to the towel on the ground. grunting, he watched as your eyes criss-crossed and started lifting you up by your ass, hitting deeper spots. "y-you on the pill, right, babe?", seeing you nod weakly, he went completely feral, driven by the thought of filling you up with his cum. with his constant, fast and hard thrusts, you came without even feeling it build up, scratching his back open with a loud shout. "fuck baby, cumming on my cock like a good girl. watch." he grabbed the back of your head, making you watch as your pussy fluttered and squirted around his huge dick. satoru wrapped his arms tighter around you as he felt your body going limp, slowing his thrusts down to heavy grinding. with a long, breathy groan, your boyfriend came in a constant flow, filling you up with his warm, sticky sperm- his cock so big it didn't let anything slip out. a thought crossed his mind as he watched you whimper, feeling the heaviness of his dick softening inside- "mine"

coming to your senses, you cupped satoru's cheek, surprised to see such a serious look on his face - though it almost vanished instantly, replaced with his signature goofy smirk. "damn, I fucked you good." slapping him playfully, you rolled your eyes and chuckled - wiggling your hips.

"round two in the hotel?"

#jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu kaisen smut #jujutsu kaisen x reader #jjk smut #jjk x reader smut #jujutsu kaisen x reader smut #jujutsu kaisen gojo #jujutsu kaisen gojo satoru #jjk gojo #jjk gojo satoru #jujutsu kaisen x reader oneshot #jjk x reader oneshot #gojo satoru #gojo x reader #jujutsu gojo #gojo satoru x reader #gojo satoru x reader smut #gojo x reader smut

[the-fiction-witch]

Married Woman

Media The Artful Dodger

Character Jack Dawkins

Couple Jack X Reader

Rating Flity AF + Mild Smut

Requested: So I was listening to the song Gorgeous by Taylor Swift and I was thinking maybe you could make a story based on the song where y/n was forced to marry Sneed and they are engaged but she meets Jack and they have a secret affair but eventually they're caught.

I sat in my most prettiest dress, brushing my hair and making sure to give my body a good spritz of my sweet perfume, today was to be a red-letter day in my life as I was to meet the man who would take me as his bride. I had all been arranged by my parents and I didn't even know his name. But such is the way which things like this. I was lucky to even get an engagement as many would simply be put in a dress dragged to the church and married off without much of a word. At least we were to be engaged for a few months, Once I was done my mother came to collect me and we went and waited by the door I felt uncomfortable, I felt tight, frilly and itchy I wanted nothing more than to get back into my usual dress. 

Soon enough a carriage arrived, 

And Out climbed a tall but slimy man with facial hair and a slicked-back cut of black hair, my thought upon looking at him was,

Well. I could do worse. 

"Ahh perfect, perfect let's begin introductions." My mother said with a giddy smile, "Dr Rainsford Sneed, we proudly present our daughter Y/n Y/l/n." She smiled bringing me forward, "Y/n this is Dr Sneed you're engagement."

"Charmed," I said offering my hand, he took it and gave my hand a small kiss.

"I must say you are far more beautiful than I had been told."

"Yes, well... best be getting on," I said leading him into the parlour, my mother sat excitedly and my father drank with him, I felt like an extra to the conversation very rarely if ever contributing. 

"Well, we best leave the newly's to their discussions," My mother smiled taking my father away and leaving Rainsford and me to ourselves.

For a moment we didn't speak. 

"You're career?"

"Doctor Miss Y/n."

"General?"

"General and Surgery as I am required, I am shaping up to be head surgeon down the line." He said, "You work?"

"Yes, Tailor's clerk."

"Ohh, Well we can nip that in the bud."

"Excuse me?"

"No wife of mine shall work. I will keep you in the matter of good grace my dear you need not to work."

"I see." I nodded, I couldn't exactly argue with him and I'm sure many girls would adore being told they didn't have to work anymore, I just happened not to be one of them, "And My role will be?"

"Child rasing, and homemaking."

"I see, you expect children from me?"

"I do."

"Understood." I nodded, "You have interests outside the medical?"

"Nutmeg."

"In baking?"

"Business actually, the family fortune runs on the stuff, soon it shall be our livelihood."

"I thought you were going to be a head surgeon?"

"I am to have both, we shall build a fine life together." He said kissing my hand,

I didn't like it but, with a husband, who wanted children, and who would keep me stable and steady, I suppose it is best just not to argue.

"You find this agreeable Y/n?"

"I suppose I do, Rainsford." I nodded, 

I sat in the garden watching the ducks on the pond using all my might not to sigh from the utter boredom. I know many women would find the mere act of sitting and listening to a man talk exciting but I just find Sneed boring, and he much found me the same. But it's not like we have a choice. I can't deny he is... somewhat handsome but I had always hoped to have a husband more than just handsome. Someone interesting, entertaining, amusing and so far Rainsford had failed in these departments. 

For a moment I pondered that this would be my life, 

How frighteningly dull. 

"Everything Alright Y/n?"

"Fine Rainsford."

"You busy imagining?"

"Yes, I suppose so,"

"Oh? you picturing our marriage?"

"Indeed I am,"

"How sweet, you must be so excited." he smiled kissing my hand,

"...Yes, so excited." I lied.

I took myself a stroll parasol in hand to the Port Victory Royal Hospital, I wasn't thrilled about it but I had to keep up appearances, I suppose Rainsford and I would never get more affectionate or accustomed to one another without us at least putting the work in to try. I ushered myself up the steps and into the main entryway, I wasn't sure where to go and I didn't want to ask in case I would be interrupting his business so I merely waited hoping he would perhaps pass by. 

"Somethin' you wanted Miss?" A voice spoke up, 

I looked over towards the ward and saw a man. 

He stood leaning on the wall, in a pair of rather high brown trousers, a white shirt with dirty billowing sleeves pushed up to his elbows, a washed-out blue waistcoat and green tie, his hair fluffy, dirty pushed over to one side, his hands in his pockets giving me a look. 

I had to admit... I looked longer than an engaged girl should,

But I mean... Whoa... that is a gorgeous man. 

But I'm getting married not buried. 

I'm not married to Rainsford yet I can look, just nothing more than look.

all though I did have to roll my eyes a little, "Something that I wanted." I corrected, "No thank you, sir."

"You sure? People don't often linger in hospital."

"In the hospital." I corrected, "But no I'm waiting for someone."

"Ahh... You waiting for your husband?"

"He will be my husband."

For a moment his chocolate eyes looked me up and down with a flirtatious grin, 

"Yes?"

"No..." He smirked, "No, way in bloody hell..."

"Something bothering you sir?"

"You can't be..." he muttered, "You're not Miss Y/l/n are ya?"

"Am I. Yes, I am." 

He bit his lip a little looking at me, his eyes lingering far longer than they should on an engaged girl, 

"And you know me how exactly?"

"I've heard a lot about you," he smirked, "I thought he was bullshitting... But, no. You really are that gorgeous," 

"Ohh Miss Y/l/n What a nice surprise my dear." Rainsford smiled as he came down the stairs,

"Good Afternoon," I smiled, as he came and kissed my hand and fixed some hair behind my ear,

"What brings you here this afternoon then?"

"I just thought I would come and visit you," 

"Aren't you a sweet little thing," he smiled,

Suddenly a cough came from my side, and the two men exchanged and conversation in glares and eyebrow movements, as if holding a whole conversation I was not privy too. 

Rainsford sighed, rolled his eyes and held my hand turning me to this man, "Miss Y/n Y/l/n this is Dr Jack Dawkins, My colleague and our newest surgeon." He said, "Dr Dawkins, this is Miss Y/l/n, my fiance"

He smiled and took my hand from Rainsford's, giving my hand a polite kiss. "Pleasure to meet you Miss Y/l/n,"

"Likewise Dr Dawkins,"

"I'm sure the two of us will get to know each other over time." 

"I'm sure we will." I nodded,

I sighed sitting on my the little chair outside the theatre pondering walking home,

"Miss Y/l/n?" 

I perked up and saw Dr Dawkins on the stairwell, "Ohh Morning,"

"Morning, what are you doing here?"

"I came to visit Rainsford. But he's not here."

"No he's off... uhh... I actually don't know. I don't tend to ask. He was here he had surgery this morning."

"I know, I came to watch but he wouldn't let me in."

"Rules are no women in the theatre,"

"Why?"

"In case they faint from the blood I think,"

"Ridiculous."

"Oh?"

"Women see far more blood than men." 

He chuckled, "You're not wrong." 

"Still, rules are rules."

"Come on, You can sit with me till the gets back." He said coming down the stairs and offering his hand, I knew I shouldn't but I took it and let him lead me out to a small side door of the hospital where we each took a seat on the steps watching the clouds, "I'm suprised."

"About?"

"You too... if I may speak frankly, I think you're too good for him."

I blushed, "Thank you Dr Dawkins,"

"Jack. it's fine you're gonna be around a lot y/n."

"I suppose I will, I don't think I'm too good for him."

"You're bloody Gorgeous. good family. well refined."

"I'm also a defiant problem child of a girl."

"you're not defiant... you're independent there's a difference."

"Which is?"

"Defiant is fighting for the fight of it, because it pisses off mummy and daddy. You're independent you're smart enough to fight because you know you can," 

"Thank you,"

"You're welcome. I assume he's going to try and whip you into shape."

"He's trying to. Made me give up my job, told me to sell my trousers for more dresses."

"Dick." he said, "You happy about it?"

"God no, this thing is itchy and tight, and suprisly not supportive." I explained, "And how'd you feel if someone told you to give up the job you worked hard to even have just to sit around all day and someday raise their little crotch goblins." 

"Good point." he laughed, "Strange that's all he wants,"

"He wants a wife,"

"Yeah, wives can be more useful than a pair of open legs and some hands to do dishes."

"You can try telling him that,"

"I'd have you in the theatre."

"You would?"

"Yeah, mostly to show off."

"Show off?"

"Yeah, I could show off for you" he winked, "See how fast and skilled I am, show off my quick fingers, certainly would be an...adrenalin rush for you." He smirked, "and it would give me a bit of an ego boost having a pretty lady there watching me."

"Maybe that's why, he's too nervous he'll mess up in front of me."

"I mean... he messes up a lot."

"Does he?"

"He does."

"He never tells me."

"He has a survival rate of one in nine. worse than prof."

"Ohh my god..."

"Yeah, he's shit."

"what is Prof's?"

"One in six."

"What's yours?"

"Why?"

"Curious."

"One in five."

"That...is... better, but still not great."

"It would be better but I get the shit jobs. The stuff neither of them wants to do, a little bit hard to do good work when you only do two out of ten surgeries and most of them are either little things like amputations or huge things like a bloody exploded appendix,"

"That's fair then I guess... but if your rating is better than his why aren't you in the line to be heard surgeon rather than Rainsford?"

He chuckled, "Because Prof doesn't like me, and Sneed doesn't like me, and the governor doesn't like me, and most people... don't like me."

"I like you,"

He smiled at me, "You don't think I'm a cunt?"

"No, not yet anyway. don't know you that well..."

"True, Thanks Y/n."

"You're welcome Jack," 

 "I am surprised though, he bagged someone as pretty as you."

"Well, I didn't have much of a choice in it."

"No?"

"No, father arranged it."

"Ahh... now it makes sense." He nodded, "He didn't bag you, you were sold to him."

"Pretty much,"

"Humm I'd have known I'd have tried."

"You would?"

"If you were gonna be looking like this every day, and coming to visit me as much as you visit him I'd have dropped a bloody gold nugget on that table to you." 

"That's very sweet Jack,"

"Y/n and Rainsford,"

"it even sounds grim,"

"Y/n Sneed."

"Ohh god don't,"

"Mrs Sneed,"

"Uhhh" I sighed, "ghastly isn't it."

"You can always keep your name?"

"no, he won't allow it."

"Looks like you're stuck then. Mrs Y/n Sneed."

"Ughhh god it sounds terrible."

"It kinda does," He laughed, "Sorry."

"It's fine..."

"You know..."

"What?"

"If I had dropped a gold nugget for you, You'd be Mrs Dawkins." he smirked, "Mrs Y/n Dawkins."

"See why does that just sound a thousand times better,"

"it does doesn't it." 

I sat on my little bench waiting for Rainsford to finish his rounds so he could walk me home, we had a few things to discuss as our wedding was arranged and organized we'd be married in two days. I accepted my fate even if I had thought of jumping on a docked ship and just bolting off this rock,

"Ahh... The blushing bride-to-be." 

I looked and saw Jack coming from the Ward, 

We had seen each other a lot, given how much I was here, and we had... formed somewhat of a friendship, even if the flirtatiousness never really went away, but I knew I couldn't talk to him. Rainsford had demanded me not to, once he heard Jack and I had been speaking he got... Jealous. and demanded I not speak to him anymore. But still, I didn't want to be rude.

"Afternoon,"

"You excited for your wedding?"

"Ohh yes... ecstatic." 

"You alright? other than the wedding nerves?"

"I'm not allowed to talk to you..."

"Right, this some sort of pre-wedding thing I don't know about? You not allowed to talk to men?"

"No, Rainsford just doesn't want me talking to you," 

"Dick," he sighed, "Well I won't bother you, I'm sure I'll see you around."

"Thank you, I'm sure I'll see you around too." I nodded, 

He took my hand giving it a soft kiss, "Have a lovely wedding."

"I will try too."

He smiled and kissed my cheek, "You don't have to do anything you don't want to you know."

I blushed hard, "I know... not really sure I have much of a choice."

"Well... I'm here if you need me."

"Thank you, Jack."

He smiled and headed off elsewhere, Soon enough Rainsford arrived so he walked me home,

"Everything alright? You seem nervous?"

"Yes, just uhh just the wedding is all."

"of course, I must say I am very excited too." He smiled, "in just a few days we will be husband and wife."

"Indeed we will..."

"I look forward to it," he smiled giving my head a kiss, 

"...I... do... too," I said nervously trying to hide my lies, 

He bid me goodnight and I headed inside, I locked my room and just tried desperately to get my head on straight but it wasn't working well.

I sat at my vanity looking in the mirror at myself, my body clean, my hair prepped, all for tomorrow morning, my wedding dress hung by the wardrobe but I just adjusted my mirror so I didn't have to look at it. I felt so conflicted about it all,

I like Jack, 

I know I do.

And frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if he liked me too...

But it could merely be playful flirting,

And Rainsford... he cares for me I suppose,

he is boring, but... Jack.

He is handsome, but ... Jack.

He is sweet, but... Jack.

I'm getting married in the morning! I should be thinking only of my betrothed, of our life together, of my wedding ceremony but... all I could think of was Jack.

Was a life with him, a day with him, a Night with him! 

But who knows how long it would last?

And I'd leave a trail of disappointment behind me. 

I heard a knock at my window and I was confused so I got up and went opening it to see... him. 

"Jack?" I whispered,

"Hey,"

"Hey, what- what are you doing here?" 

"I just thought I'd pop by, can I come in?"

"Well... yes but I don't know why you're here..." I said letting him in and shutting my window, 

"Just thought I'd pop in on the bride and see how she's feeling."

"I feel fine." I lied,

"You really think you can do that?" he chuckled, "It's me. How are you feeling?"

"Conflicted. Afraid. Nervous. Like I wanna just jump on a ship, change my name and never come back." 

"Yeah, I thought as much,"

"You did?"

"The closer this wedding's got the worse you've been." he said, "Y/n, it's obvious you don't wanna go through with this."

"What choice have I got?" I asked, "My family have arranged it, and Rainsford cares about me, I... I could have a lovely life with him."

"Better than what you'd have with me?"

"How'd you know I-"

"Becuase I'm not blind. I'm not as dense as sneed." he smirked, "We both like each other, we know we do. So? What are we gonna do about it?"

"There's nothing to do about it, but... force these feelings away."

"No? I work with your husband, you'll see me every time you come to the hospital. We live in a tiny port town we are gonna see each other, We're not just going to be able to force away our feelings forever."

"I know..."

"So? What are we gonna do about it?" 

"I don't know! okay! you happy! I have no clue what I'm going to do about this! about you! I am... getting married tomorrow! I am getting married in the morning! to some foolish little boy, my father picked out, that I never even got a say in, and now my life is a bride, a housewife, a mother, I'm gonna have to have kids, and give up my whole life for this god damn man. and I have a wedding tomorrow a big pompous overblown wedding with a dress I want to set on fire, and I am standing here genuinely contemplating whether or not I wanna jump on a ship to Africa! I am stuck! up a creek with no paddle, no bloody boat even! I have no idea what I can do to fix this... Becuase sneed will be my husband tomorrow morning, my dull, boring, husband and now you're here and I don't know how to even process that you have any sort of feeling for me let alone what I'm going to do with mine, and how we can go on seeing one another every day knowing we feel this way about each other. I mean just Look at that damn face! I'm meant to marry another man and get your dumb stupid face is all I can think bout!" 

for a moment he was speechless, "Uhh... Okay." he laughed a little, "You really needed to get that out didn't you?"

"I did." I nodded resting my hands on my hips as a took a breath, I felt so much lighter having finally said all the things I wanted to say. 

"I feel that way too,"

"What?"

"I can't get your bloody face, your body, your mind out of my head."

"Neither can I... I am a Married woman! or I will be! you... you infuriating bastard!" 

"I know, You're engaged, you're getting married. To my colleague. Who I fucking hate with a passion. and I can't just let you go, you utterly infuriating girl. Damn you."

"Damn you right back."

"I can't let you do this..."

"What?"

"I can't let you do this, without knowing how I care for you."

"I know how you care for me Jack, I care for you ten times more but... we both know there is nothing were can do."

"That's why I'm here tonight." he said taking my hands, "Come away with me tonight."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Come away with me tonight, were can go wherever you want, do whatever you want, just... come with me. Far away from your family, far from Sneed, and... be mine." 

"Ohh Jack... I- I want to, more than anything,"

"Then come with me." He said stroking my cheek,

"I can't, we both know we can't." I said, "... In another life, I'd have loved you beyond measure. Been the most perfect wife you could have dreamt of. I'd have lived the happiest life ever known."

"I don't want another life." He said, "I want this one, with you." 

"But it cannot be, Jack you cannot ask me to disappoint so many people, as much as I want to go with you. I must stay." I said pressing my forehead to his, 

"...So that's it then. We can't be together, and I'm just supposed to stand around the hospital with you, watch you with him, without telling you I love you, I'm supposed to spend my life trying to replace you."

"I don't know what else we can do... I know he will never fill the hole that is in my heart, for it is shaped too perfectly for you."

"There is something we can do." He said his nose stroked the bridge of my own,

"What?" 

"You know of this... discretions?"

"discretions?"

"Before and after your engagement he has been with other women."

"I know, such is normal for men. To visit a girl from the pub or I suppose nurses in you boys cases."

"It doesn't bother you?"

"It does, but I know it is normal."

He smiled, "if Sneed can bring a nurse into his bed? I see no reason you cannot bring me." 

"You and I both know that's not how it works, men can bring others into their beds, but women cannot. That is society's rules."

"When have you ever followed society's rules." 

"We cannot have an affair Jack, the scandal if ever someone found out."

"Then just tonight."

"What?"

"Just tonight, pleased y/n. Let me have tonight, and I promise I will force my feelings away. But just for tonight, let me have you."

"I... I want to, But- Jack it is my wedding in the morning." 

"Consider it a wedding present." 

"If Sneed found out"

"He won't,"

"If my family,"

"I will never tell another soul."

"What if Sneed discovers it tomorrow night..."

"I won't leave any marks. I promise."

"No... I mean, will be not notice I have already been, deflowered?"

"Trust me, any man gets a look at that body he's not gonna be paying attention to much else." He smirked, "So? Do you want me?"

"Yes." I gasped pulling his hair to bring him into a kiss, he happily kissed me back his hands snaked around my waist,

I sat up carefully wrapping the sheets around me as I looked across my room, my body hot and a little blushy where I had felt things never felt before, my eyes caught my dress and I felt this sudden deep guilt. 

"What have I done..."

"Ummm what haven't you done?" Jack smirked sitting up to give me little kisses which immediately distracted me, 

"We can't ever do this again," I said my fingers knotting in his hair, 

"Do you want to do it again?" he smirked kissing my neck, 

"Umm don't tempt me, Jack," I growled, "You know I do."

"Then why can't we? we just have to keep it a secret."

"I- I can't Jack." I said, "As much as Rainsfords a dick... I can't do that to him. It's not fair he trusts me, as his wife. Sometimes growing up is knowing when to give up what you want."

"You shouldn't have to give up what you want to make others happy." He said stopping the kisses, "Don't you think you deserve to be happy?" 

"I wish the world worked like that. I truly do Jack. I wish this could be our life."

"So do I."

"But it can't. Tonight was..."

"Was?"

"Wonderful." I smiled, "But we can't allow it to happen again. Tonight was merely to allow our feelings an escape. Now we must go on as if they don't exist."

".... Okay, if that's what you want." he nodded, "But... I will remember this night always, no other woman will ever fill your place in my heart, and I will do my best to hide my emotions but know they will never truly leave me."

"Nor my own for you, I wish this night could last forever. I wish so much I was marrying you, but know I will always love you, and this night can never be altered, what I have given you tonight can never be taken by another man."

"I will treasure it, and this memory of you always." He smiled giving my lips a sweet kiss, 

"But it was just once, it can never happen again."

"No, never again." he nodded, "I love you, so much. Have a nice wedding." he said before he got up and got dressed, "If ever you need me, if ever he is cruel to you,  unkind to you, or even if you need an escape. know you are never fully trapped, you always have somewhere to go, no matter what if you need me I will take care of you." he said taking my face in his hands and giving me one last kiss,

"Thank you, Jack," I smiled 

He nodded and stroked my cheek before he took his things and left in the dawn light. 

I held Rainsford's hand as we left the church surrounded by family, and glee. I did feel happy rushed up in the pageantry of the day but as we left I spotted Jack across the street, leaning on a lamp post, He smiled as he saw me in my dress, playfully rubbing his neck where I just last night left a hickey, we briefly exchanged a smile before I headed home.

I sat in my bed, against the headboard, my covers close.

Well... That certainly was anti-climatic.

I'm sure most women would just be thrilled about their wedding night and I was yes, I'm sure most women would be happy with such performance. 

But I had experienced such a performance the night before and well... this did not compare. 

 Not even slightly, 

Oh dear god, what have I done? 

This may be the biggest regret of my life... 

I have up a gorgeous, handsome man who loves me beyond measure, for this!

"Ohh my- You were extraordinary sweetheart." 

"...Thanks, yeah you uhhh you were too." I lied, 

I sat in bed unable to sleep, I had been a married woman a month and the honeymoon phase really was over, I sat there listening to Rainsford snore for a while. 

Finally, I pushed myself out of bed slipped on my cloak and snuck out of the house, Luckily we didn't live far from where I was going, I found my way inside and up to the little room. I know this is a bad idea but I can't stay away honestly I'm surprised I lasted this long. 

I knocked and a voice came from within,

"It's open!"

So I went inside shutting the locking the door behind me, and saw Jack sat in bed.

"Y/n? What- what are you doing here?" 

"I uhh I don't know."

"I think we both know why you're here..."

"I think so too, Do- do you still love me?"

"More than anything, Do you-"

"I do. But... we can't I- I'm a happily married woman."

"Happily?"

"I'm a married woman." I corrected, "I... I uhhh... I know we said, it was just once. just one night."

"yeah?"

"I change my mind," I said removing my cloak to stand there in my nightie, 

"Right..." He gulped, "You really wanna do this?"

"I do..."

"Come here then sweetheart."

Immediately I bolted over and jumped into his bed with him, 

"What took you so long?"

"Ohh trust me I tried. But I can't stay away from you" I smiled pulling him into a kiss, 

I giggled as I stood in the hospital cupboard, I was snuggly in Jack's arms, my hands in his hair as we kissed, we made sure to keep quiet and hidden, given Rainsford was in the hospital today. But we had managed to keep our affair a secret so far, which was quite an achievement when we had seen each other almost every day for the last year and a half. And still no suspicions. I was honestly surprised no one noticed, I mean... we aren't that secretive. 

"Umm why do you have to look at me like that sweetheart? you know what it does to me," he growled between kisses, 

"Well, you kept me waiting all day,"

"I kept you waiting so you wouldn't get in trouble with your husband."

"Like he notices."

"Hummm come on, you know you want to" He smirked resting his hand on my thigh where my dress was already tugged up from our kisses, 

"You really love making me cum don't you?"

"Of course I do, you scream so loud." he smirked, "And come on, you know how fun it is for me to lord over him with the fact I'm the only one who can make his wife cum." 

"And you so do love to lord over him."

"Of course, how can I not lord over him how dirty his wife is for me, how badly she needs me, how much she begs for me, how she sneaks out her marriage bed to be with me, you know I love lording over him how much we love one another."

"True." I giggled pulling him back to a kiss,

"y/n!" 

Immediately we separated but it was too late, the door was open and Rainsford had seen us. 

"Y/n! were you... kissing dr Dawkins!"

I didn't feel like lying to him, he'd find out sooner or later, "Yes." 

"You- You cheap whore!"

"Don't you dare call her that!" Jack jumped into my defence as we both left the cupboard all three of us arguing in the middle of the hospital for a while before he finally snapped, 

"I want a divorce!" He yelled

"You've got it!" I told him

And he marched off angrily, 

"Well... that's over. I'm already divorced. Joy."

"It's not all bad, you don't have to put up with him anymore."

"true."

"And if you're divorced... you are free to, remarry?" 

"Jack? are you asking what I think you are?"

"I am, You wanna marry me?"

"I'd love too Jack!" 

#thomasbrodiesangster #tbs imagine #thomas sangster imagine #tbs imagines #thomas brodie sangster imagine #thomas sangster #tbs smut #thomas brodie sangster #thomas brodie sangster smut #tbs #jackdawkins #jack dawkins #jack #thearttfuldodger #the artful dodger #theartfuldogger

[haggishlyhagging]

“A skirt, any skirt, has a feminizing mission that goes beyond the drawing of a polite, yet teasing, shade over the female crotch and its functions, and of flattering or draping the rear end and stomach with graceful folds. Expansive, casual body gestures are characterized as immodest and unfeminine when practiced by women, and skirts restrict those large, free movements. One does not stride. One is perpetually reminded to be circumspect when sitting or bending down. Whatever its length, and however wide, the open-endedness of a skirt cannot help but guide the body into a set of conservative poses and smaller gestures, and the traditional feminine accessories that went with a skirt in an earlier era (corset, fan, muff, parasol and shawl) and the shoes and pocket-books of today have always reinforced those restrictions. But of course. Feminine clothing has never been designed to be functional, for that would be a contradiction in terms. Functional clothing is a masculine privilege and practicality is a masculine virtue. To be truly feminine is to accept the handicap of restraint and restriction, and to come to adore it.”

-Susan Brownmiller, Femininity

#susan brownmiller #femininity #female dress code #skirt #modesty #female oppression

[strawberryya]

whichever blooms first

Joshua x reader

synopsis: A dandelion is resilient, it can weather any storm, and at the end of its life it will even grant wishes to whoever sees its worth as something more than a simple garden weed. Your relationship with Joshua is the same, you hope, but maybe it wouldn’t hurt to make a wish that your love will last a lifetime anyways.

word count: 2.0k

genre/contains: fluff, hints of angst, flowers, lots of flowers, established relationship.

rating: sfw, all ages

a/n: here's my secret garden collab fic for the warm summer days ahead. it's short but sweet, I can pinky promise that much!

check out the other fics in this wonderful collab with the amazing authors from svthub here!!

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The spring sun was warming the surface of your skin. A calm breeze swept by, ruffling the high grass in the field you were laying in with your boyfriend. 

Your head was in Joshua’s lap and his shadow worked as a way to avoid getting the sun in your eyes. For the past hour or so your mind had been completely immersed in the fantastical story you had been dying to read for a while, only just finding the time to pick up as the hectic spring period was coming to an end and summer was on the horizon. 

Joshua had been the perfect headrest and parasol the entire time, and you hadn’t paid much attention to what he had been doing. When you looked up it gave you quite the fright to find that he was staring down at you, a small smile gracing his lips and a spark in his eyes. A spark that both intrigued and terrified you since you had seen it before and what would happen next was always a game of guessing the impossible. 

“Why are you looking at me like you’re gonna do something…? 

He smirked, making you even more nervous. “Stop it!” You warned, but he didn’t stop. Instead, he gave you an even bigger smile and a nod, conveying the feeling of having made a decision in his own mind. “I think you need a new nickname,” he said. 

This was not the kind of mischief you had been expecting. Usually he would tease you, tickle you, or attack you with kisses. You stared up at him, trying to tell if he was joking with you or if his serious tone mirrored his feelings correctly. “Why?”

“Don’t know, just thought you looked like a spring flower and that you needed a name that properly reflected that.” he deadpanned. 

You couldn’t help but burst out in laughter at his cheesy line. “Oh really, am I that pretty today?” You said and pretended to fawn over yourself, hands underneath your chin and fingers wiggling as if you were a flower, making Joshua crack up as well. 

“You’re always pretty and you know it,” he chuckled, “but the flowers around here just seemed to match your gorgeousness so perfectly.” 

“I’m pretty like a spring flower!” you giggled and kicked your legs up into the air with a little shout of “Yay” before you relaxed and just smiled up at Joshua’s pretty silhouette that was being lit up from the setting sun behind him. “Are you serious about this, Shua?” you questioned with a small smile. 

“Which flowers bloom first after winter? Daffodils?" he said and quirked an eyebrow in question as to how you liked it as your new name. He was definitely serious, you realized. Daffodils are pretty, but their other name is narcissus… You looked at him with an offended look, “Are you calling me narcissistic?” you said as you gasped jokingly. 

Joshua gave you a dashing smile in return, making you instantly forgive him. “Okay, not that one…What about tulip?” You thought about it for a while, not bad, but it just didn’t feel right. Maybe they were simply too common, you thought. 

“Better, but there must be an even better one.” you decided. 

“Oh, I know! What do you think about dandelions? They’re pretty, but everyone doesn’t see just how pretty they are. Me, however, I see it and it is blinding.” Joshua said, looking down at you with an excessively smug face. You were going to protest. A common weed that grew stubbornly by the side of the road? Was that how he saw you? But before you could find the words your mind looped back to the book that lay heavily on your chest where you had stopped before. 

“Dandelion! That reminds me of a really cute quote I read just a couple of chapters ago!! They were racing with their horses and she was looking at the queen being all happy and carefree,” you rambled on, excited to get an excuse to talk about the book on your chest. “Wait,” you said as you picked up the book and began searching for the words you had been reminded of.

“Okay, so here’s the quote: “Ead felt her own cares lifted from her shoulders. Like seeds from a dandelion clock.” Isn’t that so pretty?” 

Joshua’s eyes were big now and his smile was one you had come to recognize as him thinking you were adorable. “What? Is it silly?” you asked, a little shyer than before. He had this eerie ability to make you feel so heard, so seen, and usually, it made you happy. Now you felt slightly embarrassed about having digressed from the conversation so suddenly. 

“No. I like it, it’s a great quote,” he reassured you fondly. “Dandelion it is then! Your new nickname I mean.” 

His smile shone brightly as he declared his final decision. “It’s bright just like you.” 

That smile, like every other perfect smile Joshua had given you over the years, quickly imprinted itself on your eyelids. The sight of his smile was as common as daffodils, but beautiful nonetheless. During those times when he had been unable to smile at you like this had been the hardest months of your life. 

You never wanted to go a single day without seeing that very shining expression on his face ever again. 

Joshua had turned his gaze toward the field of flowers, expecting you to go back to your book. When you instead began talking his head snapped back down to you, his pretty doe-eyes made your heart flutter just like they had done so many times before. “I wanna come back here later and make a wish on a dandelion clock. I wanna feel all my worries lift from my shoulders just like the seeds the girl in my book talked about. Could we come back once all of these have finished blooming?”

“Mm, of course. Could I ask you something though?”

You nodded. “What are you planning on wishing away?” he asked, even though something in his tone was telling you that he was a bit afraid of the answer. 

“Well, you know, it’s a bit silly to say it out loud like this… but I wanna make a wish that we can stay like this forever.” When recognition lit up in Joshua’s eyes you averted your gaze, instead opting to reach a hand out to play with strands of grass beside the baby blue blanket covering the ground below. 

“Do you still have doubts that we’re gonna last?” 

You heard the genuine concern lacing his voice as he found the courage to ask. You nodded slightly. “I mean, I know that you do love me. You’ve told me so many times. Some days it’s just harder to believe in what I know. I thought you loved me back then too, and still, we couldn’t do anything but fight.”

Joshua stayed silent for a moment. The buzz of the field and the birds in the distance filled up the silence. It wasn’t as awkward to talk about it anymore, you felt it in the way neither of you was getting angry. There wasn’t any frustration or tension surrounding that period of fighting and the weeks when you had broken up anymore. The relief was immense. You felt it in your bones. Maybe you were strong enough to weather any storm that may lay ahead if you had managed to heal and grow even past that horrible time in your relationship. At least you hoped so.

“Yeah,” he sighed, leaning back onto his hands in the grass. “I get what you mean.”

“I’m really happy now though, I hope you know that. I really wouldn’t change anything in the past if it meant I would lose what we have now.” 

Joshua’s face lit up into half a smile yet again. “Me neither.” With a soft kiss on your forehead, he lifted your head off of his lap, making you pout in confusion when he got up from your little blanket. “Wait here, I’m just gonna go get something, I’ll be right back!” 

“Okay, but where…” you began but changed your mind as you saw him begin to wander across the entire field, apparently searching for something among the high grass and wildflowers. You chuckled and went back to finishing the chapter you had left off at as you waited for Joshua to come back. 

It didn’t take long for Joshua to come running back to your blanket with his hands full of small yellow flowers with petals that sprawled out like a tiny explosion from their stems. You looked up at him as he dropped the flowers in a neat pile on the edge of the square of fabric splayed out on the ground before he sat down next to you, slightly turned away from you so as to not have his project within full view of your watching gaze. 

That didn’t stop you from curiously peeking over his shoulder to sneak a peek at his crafting. You weren’t sure what he was doing, even as you recalled childhood memories of doing the exact same thing as he was currently doing with the flowers he had picked. 

His fingers were surprisingly nimble for their size as he wrapped the stalks of each flower around the next one, forming a long string of flowers tied together. It was pretty, but your imagination ran wild trying to figure out what he was intending to make. A necklace? A rope? Why would he need a rope of flowers? 

As you wondered, Joshua looked back to see your confounded face as he began turning around, his hands very obviously hiding something behind his back. You were pulled back to reality when you heard him chuckle at your zoned-out expression. 

“Oh, you’re done?” you asked excitedly, putting down the book to pay all your attention to whatever Joshua had ended up creating. 

That mischievous look was back, his eyes shining in the light of the setting sun that was sinking down below the treetops. “Ready?” 

“Show me!” you exclaimed with curiosity. You gasped when he brought his hands out from behind him, showing you what he had ended up making. In his hands was a round wreath, dotted with the bright yellow dandelions you had seen him bring with him. 

“That’s so pretty Shua.” 

“You like it?” he asked, seemingly a bit nervous to hear if you truly liked his gift. You nodded and he softly placed the flower wreath atop your head. 

“Thank you, I love it,” you laughed, adjusting the flowers so they wouldn’t fall from your head. “What’s it for though?” 

“Well… it just means ‘I love you’, nothing more, nothing less, really.”

You pouted, he made you a wreath to assure you that he loves you? It was a strange way to tell you, but it definitely worked. 

“I just want you to know that you don’t have to wait until you can make a wish on the dandelion clocks to know that I will love you forever.”

“You’re gonna make me cry if you talk like that,” you said, fanning your eyes in an effort to stop the tears. 

“I have one more thing, so don’t cry just yet!” he hurried to say, making you laugh and pushing the tears away momentarily. 

From behind him, he brought out something small, it fit in the palm of his hand with ease. A single dandelion was wrapped around itself and created a ring of its stalk. Your hand flew up toward your face to cover the scream that tried to escape at the thought of what this ring-shaped flower might mean. 

“I know it’s not perfect, but… my dandelion, will you be mine forever?” Joshua was smiling again, encouraged by the way you were almost jumping up at the sight of his creation. 

Tears were pricking your eyes again, and you nodded. “Yes, of course, I will!” you exclaimed, your voice barely holding up as you shrieked and threw yourself into Joshua’s arms. His body wrapped around yours as he held you close, accepting all the kisses you gave him as the tears of joy flowed from your eyes.

Reblogging and commenting is highly appreciated!! Hearing what you thought is what makes writing and being here overall so much fun! Ty and ily 💕

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#svthub #svthub.collab #kvanity #k-labels #kwritersworldnet #Joshua fluff #seventeen fluff #Joshua seventeen #hong jisoo #hong joshua #svt #joshua x reader #seventeen Joshua #seventeen joshua x reader #seventeen joshua hong #joshua #joshua hong

[kachikirby]

ONCE MORE I am submitting Kurabe to @kirbyoctournament

Name: Kurabe

(Aliases: The Lady of Shadows, The Unkillable, Grape Lady, Kura-Kura (Used by Bebebe), Kuracchi (Used by Bebebe), Kuraqueen (Used by Bebebe))

Reference Image/s:

(More on my Toyhouse)

Notes on Personality (optional, but preferred!):

Normally carries herself with grace, she is usually calm, but can quickly become fierce at a moment's notice. She cares a lot about honor and acting in a manner befitting that of a warrior. She however can be very reckless, putting others before herself and getting hurt in the process. It’s this dedication to her friends and those around her that causes many to respect her. When off-duty, she does her best to be an adoptive mother to Meta Knight, though she can be overbearing at times. She is quite good with children and has a soft spot for orphans.

Backstory and Lore (optional):

Originally an orphan from a desolate planet, Kurabe was taken into the Organization, a task force created to protect the galaxy. She would prove herself as a warrior, becoming one of the strongest there is (She is often referred to as "the strongest woman in the galaxy"). Then on one fateful mission, she would come across an orphan child named Meta, who would eventually become her greatest student.

Likes: Her students, cooking, reading, jewelry

Dislikes: Evil, people who mumble, those who harm children

Favorite food: red velvet cake

Weapons: Rubis and Grenat (twin swords she forged herself)

Because of how puffballs that aren't Kirby work in my AU, she can use Copy Abilities that she's mastered or is decent with in the form of puffball magic.

Copy Abilities Mastered: Sword, Ice, ESP, Stone, Mike (but because she's actually good at singing, it heals people. But she's too shy about it to do it often.), Ninja, Fighter, Suplex, Ghost (She is the Lady of Shadows. There are battles where she is seemingly untouchable and seemingly appears anywhere without warning.), Water, Cleaning, and Cook.

Copy Abilities Decent/OK with: Fire, Leaf, Spark, Archer, Bomb, Laser, Hammer, Parasol, Spear, Staff, and Whip.

#art of rikka #kirby oc #kurabe #kirby oc tournament

[omgthatdress]

There’s just so much to love about Cécile and Marie-Grace’s summer outfits. The courtyard table and chairs are just SO New Orleans. The little beignets, fruit, and glasswear and just to die for. I JUST WISH THEY HAD DOLLS.

The popular doll of the day was the china-head doll.

While these dolls were almost overwhelmingly white, some manufacturers made Black dolls. They were for the most part painted blackface black with bright red lips, but some did make dolls with a brown or cafe-au-lait complexion:

It’s canon that Cécile has her own little Black doll, so come on! There’s no excuse!

Cécile’s sunny dress and bonnet look like they were inspired by this bonnet:

(The FIDM Museum)

Marie-Grace’s dress looks a lot like this one:

(The Met Museum, @in-pleasant-company​ gets credit for finding it)

Parasols were an important accessory for 19th century women as a way of protecting their complexion from the sun. “Para-Sol” literally means “for sun” so it drives me nuts that they made it sheer! Lace parasols came with a silk under-lining to make them opaque.

(The Met Museum)

#1850s #American Girl #Cécile and Marie Grace

[see-arcane]

Knowing what I know about how Jonathan and Mina’s ride-or-die romance flexes itself later on in the book, it always makes me wonder what would have happened if, somehow, Lucy wasn’t the bedridden bloodsucker victim. What if it had been Mina? 

1) Jack mentioned Art seeming at the edge of violence until he assessed the situation, i.e. Van Helsing being the Guy Who Knows Better (c). Jonathan, while not immediately resorting to violence, would try, politely, to return to Mina’s side; scary face or no. And if Van Helsing tried to move him again? He Would Find Himself Unsuccessful :)

2) Jonathan being Jonathan, he suspects the truth. If not outright knows, and is keeping mum for the same ‘You’d Think I Was Crazy’ secretive reasons as Van Helsing. The difference being that, as we’ll see in the book later, Mina takes precedence over everything in his view. Everything.

God? Humanity? Sanity? < Mina. 

Regardless of what she is. Regardless of what she needs. So when they declare her dead and the sign of those rosy lips comes in, Jonathan wheedles his way into ‘Having the room alone for a moment.’ For mourning and such.

(He does not look like a mourning man. Jack recognizes something of Renfield in his mien. Tell them what sounds rational. Tell them what they expect. Turn your back, Doctor, all is well.)

They leave him. Then, he cries out for them--they come running and find, ta-da! Mina is alive! False alarm, everyone. Mina is all sunshine and mirth and health. Thank you all so much for your vigilance. She’s so much better now...

(Only Jack and Van Helsing notice the new bandaging on Harker’s arm. How some of the color has gone out of his face. There was a water glass on the nightstand--missing now.)

3) Jonathan is very pale and languid whenever they see him now. Yet he seems pleased; or nearly so. He’s jubilant when he walks with Mina under her parasol, and she with him. Her smile looks too sharp. 

(”What’s wrong? Can you not name your worry even now?”

“No,” says Van Helsing. “There is something wrong. Terribly wrong. But it is not wrong enough; no others are harmed. He feeds her from a cup. And what can they be accused of until other lives are brought into it? What can be said that is not madness to hear, even if it is true?”)

4) One night, Jack is surprised to look from his office window in the asylum and see the Carfax estate all lit up. A gloomy sight even aglow, but it is lit for welcome. A coach arrives and deposits--he would swear his life on it--both the Harkers. A dinner party? He wonders. Mina must half-carry her poor husband up to the door. Even in the ruddy light of the manor, he seems to have paled. His cheeks shine wetly in the lamplight.

There is a last new bar of light as the door is thrown open. Mina smiles. Jonathan ducks his head, looking only at her as a great white hand drifts out and oozes over the young man’s shoulder. A friendly gesture that, even at a distance, reminds Jack of a bird’s talon sinking into its prey before taking flight. Husband and wife disappear inside. 

Down below, Renfield goes into a new fit.

(”It is not fair!” he rails sourly to Jack, to the attendants, to the fresh and unsuspecting songbirds he’s collected. The man appears nearly to sulk. “It isn’t! It isn’t! I have been so patient, so full of fealty, and yet the most obstinate of thralls wins the Lord’s grace! It is not fair!”)

5) Jonathan and Mina Harker are declared missing that week when they do not arrive for Lucy’s pre-wedding rehearsal. That same day, Jack sees two new parcels arrive for the Carfax estate.

To his eye, they look as big as coffins. 

#in which brevity and I are not friends #oh so many possibilities with these two that no one ever bothers with #-looks pointedly at any directors in the crowd- #jonathan harker #mina harker #mina murray #jack seward #abraham van helsing #lucy westenra #dracula #dracula daily #my writing

[twisting-echo]

A moodboard of Song x Po x Tigress (Tipong/Pongress), my OT3 with the flowers (I associate with them with), and a personal totem aesthetic.

A Chinese bellflower for Song because the violet color matches the color of her eyes, and they symbolize friendship, honesty, and endless love. All things that coincide perfectly within Song's character. And a red parasol to symbolize that Song is a Chinese umbrella folk dancer.

A lotus for Po because obviously his given birth name is Little Lotus and because the meaning of the lotus flower varies from culture to culture, but I found one meaning that was constant everywhere, and it was that it symbolizes purity, something that coincides so perfectly with Po because he's so peaceful and pure. And a golden spiral galaxy to symbolize Po's chi.

A white magnolia for Tigress because I feel this post here perfectly explains how it coincides with her character. And because Magnolias are a popular flower in China, the white magnolia flower is considered a symbol of purity, beauty, innocence, spiritual enlightenment, nobility, feminine beauty, and grace, and that is highly valued in Chinese culture. And the dominoes, because they were an important chapter in Tigress' journey because dominoes helped her learn to control her strength and temper and gave her discipline and patience.

#moodboard #kung fu panda #kfp #kung fu panda legends of awesomeness #kfp loa #tipo #po x tigress #tigress #tigress x po #master tigress #kfp po #kfp tigress #kfp tipo #kfp song #song kfp #song x po #po x song #pong #song x tigress #tigress x song #songress #tiso #po x tigress x song #poly ship #polycule #ship name: pongress #ship name: tipong #pongress #tipong #ot3

[ikemenomegas]

wishing on every one that you'll be mine

Haku x Reader || Dandelions

a/n: with the song anon told me their name was from, it felt pretty easy to stick with a sort of aesthetic sense for this one. I've had the bullet points in my notes since I first got the ask and I'm very excited to have the time and energy to finish it this week! Haku was very popular at the start haha and it was fun to expand upon a sort of OC idea for them cw: haku working through the "i was raised to be a weapon" mindset, imaginary sunburns, omegaverse setting, alpha!reader

You collapsed onto the warm grass with a delighted huff, rolling between patches of shade and sun.

Haku looked down at you with amusement, putting his own pack down next to yours but stretching out beside you with no less enthusiasm.

The summer afternoon was already pressing down heavy and languid, threatening another light rain. With nowhere in particular to go, you could bend to the movements of nature. As midday had become hotter and rain had become more frequent, you and Haku had taken to waking while the dew was still wet and the morning still dark, moving on in whichever direction he chose, and finding a place to camp when it grew too hot.

But finding a place is not the only step to setting up camp. You pull yourself upright with a groan and Haku waves from the ground as you wander into the woods surrounding the little clearing you've dropped into.

You've more or less entirely embraced Haku's habit of wandering. It's remarkable how much freedom there is in living as a civilian with all the safety of knowing that you are probably one of the more dangerous things on the road. Haku had wanted to see the world and you had wanted to go with him, to be with him while he discovered world without purpose but to live how he wanted.

Ahead, you could see the brightness that signaled another break in the trees. Your eyes widened in delight and you rushed back to where you had left your traveling companion.

He was already rummaging around in the bags for something and the tent had been released from its sealing scroll.

You sighed inaudibly. Haku preferred to keep his hands busy, but this had as much to do with his feelings of worth being tied to his level of productivity as anything else.

"Haku."

"Hm?" He looked up at you, his wide dark eyes alight.

You cleared your throat. "Come see what I've found."

Haku immediately stood up, brushing his hands off. "What is it?"

You beckoned him over and were pleasantly surprised when he grabbed onto your hand. You retraced your steps.

With a sudden burst of inspiration, you told him to close his eyes, which he did with an amused expression.

You moved carefully, but even with his eyes closed he never stumbled and moved with sureness. You were glad his eyes were closed so he couldn't see the way you shifted uncomfortably your neck in your suddenly over-warm collar.

"Okay."

You stopped on the edge of the meadow.

Haku gasped a little. The first thing he saw was a field of gold and white.

He stepped slowly from the treeline, graceful as a dear and practiced in crushing as few of the fluffy yellow flower heads as possible. He cupped a cluster in his hands, feeling the leaves.

"These are so healthy," he said. You could hear the quiet delight in his voice. "Dandelions make wonderful tea and they're good to eat, and there's a lot of uses for medicines-"

You bit back a growl, you weren't upset at him, but sometimes he really could have a one track mind. He was meant to relax! Not everything in the world had to be looked at for its utility!

You bit back a smirk and hummed as you half circled Haku with your hands behind your back, catching just enough of his attention before charging out into the field and spinning around, carving a path through grass and sending parasol-headed seedlings whirling into the air.

"They're also beautiful and smell nice and are soft enough to lay on," you said, darting away further into the wide stretching meadow. Come on, please come with me.

Haku's eyes darted to the yellow flowers and then to the incredible expanse of them. With a quirk of his lips he was almost invisible and then he was right behind you.

You laughed, elated as you raced him to the top of a little hill not far away.

Petals and drifting seeds had landed in Haku's hair. Heaven just might be Haku leaning against your legs while you combed through his long, silky hair with your fingers, brushing dandelion fluff away and twisting the dark strands into loose braids.

Even when you were done, he didn't move and you almost wanted to hold your breath, scared to frighten him away like some small wild thing.

He skimmed his hand through the grass, letting it tickle his palms. He held up a full headed flower, perfectly round and white like a cloud. You blew on it and watched the seeds float away. You brushed away a few that didn't make it far.

The air was heady with the scent of the field and Haku's hyacinth scent mixed with yours, thick in the air as you sweated lightly in the early summer heat, a welcome breeze wicking moisture from your neck. You drew it deep into your lungs to savor the clean, green taste, purring faintly on each exhale. All you wished for was more moments like these.

As the sun sank westward, it would tinge the whole meadow golden, gilding the dandelion covered field.

You too were learning to do things without a set purpose. You looked down at Haku. To let beauty rest without request.

Haku was drowsing in the sun, eyes half open, his cheeks and lips tinged pink and a flush just visible where his collar had slipped. You looked somewhere else, anywhere else.

His voice was low and languid and hypnotizing. He could name the birds that darted across the sky and the unseen insects by their sounds. His sharp nose could detect the presence of other plants in the forest. When he fell quiet and his breath momentarily deepened, you could hear the far off sound of running water.

You felt yourself growing briefly drowsy too and leaned back on your hands, tilting your head back and closing your eyes.

You came back to after Haku. The sun had not moved much but the embracing the brief lull in your energy had perked you up again.

"We could make dandelion wine," Haku said. Clearly he felt the same as you because his hands were trailing busily over the ground again. After a moment, he stood up and walked to a thicker clump of brush.

You watched as minutes passed and he worked his way along the outskirts of the meadow. Some seeds lazily drifted up after him, but before another quarter of an hour had gone, Haku had seated himself on the ground and started pawing about for flowers he deemed suitable.

He looked tranquil as always, but also vaguely like he was only doing this because he had to be doing something. The wind carried towards you a low, odd sound, almost between a whine and a growl, that stuck in you like a thorn. You weren't even sure he knew he was making it.

You shook away the last of the afternoon sleepiness and stood up, shaking dandelion seed from your clothing.

You were quick enough and Haku distracted enough for you to displace the pouch of plucked flowers from his lap and scoop him up into your arms before he could protest. You drew upon your alpha's strength and your training, pushing chakra through your limbs until Haku, tall though he was, felt as though he weight no more than a particularly oddly shaped sack of rice.

"What are you doing," Haku gasped, arms going around your neck.

You turned around. "You know what else you can do with dandelions?"

"What?!"

You picked up speed until you were running, clouds of fluff rising around the two of you as you discovered a part of the meadow where the stalks were higher and almost every single flower had gone to seed.

"Make a wish!" you shouted over the sounds of your own feet. Your heart was beating so very quickly.

"Why?"

"Make a wish!" You spun around, Haku was looking at you like you'd gone mad. "I wish to dance under a full moon. I wish to be light as air. I wish for a red cherry tree!"

Haku started laughing as you shouted into the sky.

"I wish to find sweetfish!" he joined in after a moment. "I wish to climb a tall mountain! I wish for you to carry me on your back!"

With another spin, you did just that, swinging Haku around so that his arms were draped over your shoulders and his knees settled on either side of your ribs. He reached up to drag his fingers through the rising cloud of floating seeds, laughing breathlessly as the wind stirred by his reaching sent them wobbling just beyond touch.

"I wish to see snow in July!"

"I wish I could whistle!"

"I wish my backpack was as light as Haku!"

"I wish my feet wouldn't hurt at the end of the day!"

All my wishes are that I could be with you. Maybe one day, I'll have the courage to ask you if I can stay.

#haku x reader #haku yuki #naruto x reader #alpha!reader #soldier anon #omegaverse #prompt fill #make a wish prompt fill #it snowed this morning #i feel like a lunatic writing about summer #literally gave myself whiplash walking back out into ice cold weather #io.omegas

[criticallyacclaimedstranger]

Fic: Swim

Read on Ao3

Fandom: The Last of Us (HBO)

Ship: Joel Miller x you (cishet f reader)

Tags/warnings: Yearning, Joel is bad at feelings and doesn't understand hints (or just chooses not to), female nudity, ogling.

Summary: You take a swim in a lake while Joel watches. That's it, that's the plot.

Words: 2,046

There's something about moving through the forest where nothing is heard except for the wind in the trees and the birds in the sky. The smell of moss and resin fills your nose, and the air is so clean it's almost making you high. The ground yields slightly under your boots, making it seem like you're floating forward. This is a far cry from the crowded quarantine zone with its downtrodden pavements and smell of dirty people. If you didn't have this, you would probably have put a gun to your own head a long time ago. But you do have this, and you greedily grab each and every opportunity to experience it.

Joel's breathing heavily behind you. The two of you have been walking for hours and even here, in the shade of the trees, it's a little too hot for comfort. Your hoodie is tied around your waist and you're in your t-shirt and jeans only. Joel's still soldiering on in his flannel. No wonder he's boiling.

Between the trees, you see something glimmer. Water? You stop and stare, Joel almost walking into you.

"Watch it," he grumbles, perhaps more to himself than to you. When he realizes that you're staring off into the distance, his hand goes to the gun at his side. You hold out your hand to let him know it's okay.

"Is that a lake?" you ask, pointing in the direction you're looking. With a deep exhale, Joel wipes the sweat from his brow before squinting.

"Looks like it."

"Let's go there."

"We're making good time," he objects, but you can see he wants a break.

"We're not expected back yet, and we need to rest," you point out. "I'm getting hungry."

"Alright," he agrees, and you lead the way, your feet even lighter now for knowing they're getting rest.

The lake is just as lovely as you hoped for: clear blue water, surrounded by forest and with cliffs on the opposite side, a family of swans swimming in the middle of it. You find a spot where willows grow right by the water, and their crowns serve as giant parasols as you go down to the water's edge. The water is refreshing but not too cold, and you exhale in a satisfied sigh as you splash some in your face. A light breeze comes in from the water, and you close your eyes against it, smiling as you forget the state of the world for just a moment.

Behind you, Joel groans quietly as he sits down on a small, flat rock and picks out rations from his pack. Biting into the tough jerky, he looks as morose as ever when you turn towards him.

"Lighten up, Miller," you can't help but tease him, "when was the last time you went on a picnic like this?"

"Who says I've ever been to one?" he glares. You shake your head and pick up a piece of dry meat from your backpack.

"That explains so much."

You turn your back against him and look over the waters. The swans, two parents and four gray babies.

"Swan babies are called cygnets, did you know that?" you ask, admiring the graceful birds.

"No."

"My mom taught me that. There was a park near where I grew up... there were swans there every summer..." Your voice trails off. You and Joel never talk about the past. And although it's been so long, you still miss your mother terribly. Thinking about what once was can be dangerous. It can make you long for something better, and there doesn't seem to be any light on the horizon.

"Swans mate for life, don't they?" Joel asks in a low voice that makes the hairs at the back of your neck rise. Nobody can drop down as many octaves as Joel when he speaks about things he really doesn't want to share - or when he's trembling with held back rage, fists tightly closed, ready to start swinging.

"Yeah," you confirm, your tongue suddenly a little thick in your mouth. "They mourn their dead partners, too."

He grunts something at that, and for a moment you are at a loss at to what to say or do. It has been clear to you for a long time that Joel cares about you, although it's easy to miss if you don't know him. But you do know him, or at least know something about him, and you know for sure that he wouldn't have been with you for such a long time unless he cared. The easy camaraderie you share may not be physical or affectionate, but it is one of the few good things you have in this world.

That, and the forest. And this beautiful lake with its clear, fresh water that glitters in the sunshine.

You become aware of how sweaty and dirty you are, and it's very easy to make up your mind.

"I'm going for a swim."

"What?" Joel raises a brow at you, and his chewing stops for a second.

"I'm going swimming," you articulate, bending down to untie your boots. Joel gets up, frowning in discontent at you kicking off your boots. You straighten your back and meet his gaze.

"It's not a good idea," he tells you.

"We're too far away for infected, and we haven't seen anyone here for days," you shrug. "It's just a quick swim. We're far more exposed when we sleep in the forest at night."

Joel can't argue with that, but he tries.

"There's other things out here to watch out for."

"What, Jaws?" you scoff as you untie the hoodie from around your waist, and throw it on the ground. Joel's grim face lets you know he's not amused, but it's too nice a day for you to get into a scowling match with his grumpy ass.

You pull down your jeans, and he averts his eyes.

"It's not safe," he insists.

"You're here, aren't you?" you point out, your voice a little more subdued now. He glances at you before looking to the side again.

"We should get going." His objections are getting thinner and thinner.

"You are more than welcome to walk on," you shrug before pulling your t-shirt over your head. "I can take care of myself. You dont have to wait for me."

"I know - " He turns back to you and notices that you are, in fact, quite naked. Your panties are in a heap at your feet, and you're stepping out of them. His gaze is burning on your bare skin and you bite into your lower lip as you raise your chin.

"You sure you don't want to come into the water?" you ask him quietly. Joel tears his eyes from your body, finding your gaze again. He swallows, and that tiny crack in his composure is all the encouragement you need.

"Or maybe you want to watch?" you add, a little leery, but a tremble runs through you body as you realize that you are flirting. And Joel is not scoffing, not looking at you with contempt, not running away. He kicks a little at the ground, almost looking at you sideways, but his eyes are glued to the ground.

"Go ahead, then. But make it quick."

The water is wonderfully cool and you wade out slowly, testing your footing for each step. The bottom is rocky, but most of the stones have been smoothed flat, and almost slippery with seaweed. When your thighs are steeped, you lean forward, push off with your feet, and glide through the water. You gasp at the initial coldness but your body quickly becomes used to the temperature. Your strokes are first slightly clumsy, unaccostumed to swimming as you are, but your muscles quickly remember how to do it.

"Don't go too far out," Joel calls from the shore. So he is watching. You glance back to catch his eye, but he's busy scanning the surroundings.

The joy of taking a nice swim on a hot summer's day is not diminished, so you turn around, treading water, and call back: "Come on, Miller, don't be a landlubber! You can swim, right?"

He looks at you then, face resting in the shade of the willow, eyes scrunched up against the glitter on the surface of the lake. You wish he could let the his face relax, just for a little while, just for a moment so that you could see what he looked like before the world as you knew it ended, on a sunny day by a forest lake, with friends and family, maybe lovers, or by himself, perhaps fishing, just enjoying life...

"I can swim, but I won't if you get yourself in a situation," he now warns you, and you sigh. Sourpuss.

"The water is really nice..." you tempt him, floating on your back and wiggling your toes at him. He crosses his arms over his chest, gesturing a finality that you just don't feel like arguing with. There's a part of you  that is angry with him for being so uncompromisable, but you can't blame him for being who he is. If he wasn't who he was, he might not be alive, he might not be the one who protects you, he might not even be here with you.

You dive, arms and legs carrying you back towards the shore, and resurface, drawing air into your lungs. Now Joel is staring at you, as if your disappearing underneath the surface wasn't of your own volition. His shoulders sink a little when he sees that you're okay. Your feet touch the rocky bottom and you stand up, the water reaching you to your chest. Slowly, you make your way to the shore, your eyes fixed on Joel's. Your nipples knot under his scrutiny, and when the water reaches halfway up your thighs, his gaze drops to the dark triangle fully visible above the water. Your skin has cooled off but heat begins to pool deep inside your belly, traveling up your spine before dripping down between your legs. You don't stop until you're standing right in front of him, blinking droplets from your lashes, lips parted to let your excited exhales escape.

Joel rakes his eyes over your wet body, takes it in like no one has in years, like you had never imagined him capable of, and you have often imagined him as a man of a significant amount of talents. You don't shrink under his scrutiny, quite the opposite: you relish it. You want him to worship you with his eyes, take his fill, feast on you until looking is no longer enough.

He raises his hand, that rough, large hand that has pulled countless triggers, hurt innumerable people. You're not afraid, you've never been afraid of him. Palm up and fingers slightly bent, his hand is moving almost in slow motion towards you, to touch your breast. You wait, heart skipping several beats, and you almost flinch when his calloused palm brushes against your soft flesh.

Something rustles in the shrubbery behind Joel, who reacts in a split second. With one smooth move, he has pulled his gun, spun around, and is pointing the gun at the edge of the forest. Your legs shake as you take a step back to get closer to your backpack, where your gun is. But before you get to take it out, the lower branches of a bush nod, and a rabbit hops forward.

You both stare at the damn critter like you've ever seen one before. Eventually, Joel lowers his gun.

"Fuck."

You exhale in a strained chuckle. "Shoot it, we'll have dinner."

The rabbit, however, has already fled at the sound of human voices, and Joel is clicking the safety back on his gun before he puts it away. Without turning around, he tells you in a tight voice to get dressed.

"I want to be back before nightfall."

Fighting to control your trembling hands, you slowly get dressed and grab your pack. Stomping past Joel, you swing the bag widely onto your back. It slams into his arm, but you don't apologize.

He never apologized for bruising your heart, so why should you apologize for trying to protect it?

#the last of us fanfic #joel miller #joel miller x you #joel miller x reader #my fic

[ninja-muse]

2024 Release TBR

🏳️‍🌈 - queer MC     🇨🇦 - Canadian author    ⭐️ - BIPOC MC 📘 - have an ARC bold - newly added

The Secret History of Bigfoot - John O'Connor (travel/history) - February 6

Ending the Pursuit - Michael Paramo (sociology) - February 8

Remedial Magic - Melissa Marr (fantasy/romance) 🏳️‍🌈📘 - February 20

The Butcher of the Forest - Premee Mohamed (fantasy) - February 27

Tomorrow’s Children - Daniel Polansky (post-apocalypse) - February 27

The Deerfield Massacre - James L. Swanson (history) - February 27

The Baker and the Bard - Fern Haught (YA cozy fantasy) 🏳️‍🌈- March 5

The Tower - Flora Carr (historical fiction) 📘 - March 5

Parasol Against the Axe - Helen Oyeyemi (literary fiction) ⭐️📘- March 5

Those Beyond the Wall - Micaiah Johnson (science fiction) ⭐️📘 - March 12

The Mars House - Natasha Pulley (science fiction/romance) 🏳️‍🌈 - March 19

The Floating Hotel - Grace Curtis (cozy science fiction) 🏳️‍🌈 - March 19

The Angel of Indian Lake - Stephen Graham Jones (horror) ⭐️ 📘- March 26

This Skin Was Once Mine and Other Disturbances - Eric LaRocca (horror) 📘- April 2

Catchpenny - Charlie Huston (science fiction) 📘- April 9

Dear Wendy - Ann Zhao (YA contemporary) 🏳️‍🌈 - April 16

A Letter to the Luminous Deep - Sophie Cathrall (cozy fantasy) 📘 - April 23

The Tomb of the Mili Mongga - Samuel Turvey (memoir) - April 16

The Demon of Unrest - Eric Larson (history) 📘 - April 30

The Proper Thing and Other Stories - Seanan McGuire (fantasy) - May 1

The Library Thief - Kuchenga Shenjé (historical fiction) ⭐️ - May 7

The Honey Witch - Sydney Shields (cozy fantasy) 🏳️‍🌈 - May 14

Every Time We Say Goodbye - Natalie Jenner (historical fiction) 🇨🇦 - May 14

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying - Django Wexler (fantasy) - May 21

A Gentleman From Japan - Kevin Lockley (history) ⭐️ - May 21

Dreadful - Caitlin Rozakis (fantasy) - May 28

Tidal Creatures - Seanan McGuire (contemporary fantasy) - June 4

Running Close to the Wind - Alexandra Rowland (fantasy) 🏳️‍🌈 - June 11

Echo of Worlds - M.R. Carey (science fiction) - June 25

The Briar Club - Kate Quinn (historical fiction) - July 9

Navola - Paolo Bacigalupi (fantasy) 📘- July 9

Bury Your Gays - Chuck Tingle (horror) 🏳️‍🌈 - July 9

Peking Duck and Cover - Vivien Chien (cozy mystery) ⭐️ - July 23

Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop - Emmeline Duncan (cozy mystery) - July 23

Nicked - M.T. Anderson (historical fiction) 📘 - July 23

Last Seen Online - Lauren James (YA mystery) 🏳️‍🌈 - August 1

The Pairing - Casey McQuiston (romance) 🏳️‍🌈 - August 6

A Sorceress Comes to Call - T. Kingfisher (fantasy) - August 20

Radiant Sky - Alan Smale (science fiction) - August 27

The Salmon Shanties - Harold Rhenisch (poetry) - September 10🇨🇦

The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society - C.M. Waggoner (fantasy) - September 20

Villain - Natalie Zina Walschots (superhero fiction) 🇨🇦🏳️‍🌈 - October 1

The City in Glass - Nghi Vo (fantasy) - October 1

Swordcrossed - Freya Marske (fantasy) 🏳️‍🌈 - October 8

My Kind of Trouble - L.A. Schwartz (romance) - October 8

Shoestring Theory - Mariana Costa (fantasy) 🏳️‍🌈 - October 8

Sorcery and Small Magics - Maiga Doocy (cozy fantasy) 🏳️‍🌈 - October 15

The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door - H.G. Parry (fantasy) - October 22

Usurpation - Sue Burke (science fiction) - October 29

The Improvisers - Nicole Glover (historical fantasy) - November 5 ⭐️

October Daye #19 - Seanan Mcguire (urban fantasy) - date unknown

My Love, in Stitches, Vol. 1 - Emily Gossman (contemporary fantasy) 🏳️‍🌈🇨🇦 - date unknown

#2024 releases #upcoming releases #the tbr list of doom #booklr

[angelicdevil]

Commission info || Ko-Fi || Redbubble

So I’ve been busy making some TADC OCs, and I’ll probably be drawing their dynamics with other characters and each other. Info on each under the cut

Ash is of course my self insert. They’re a witch and an artist that tries to look out for everyone and be kind, a compassionate face can make things easier. They’ve also thrown Jax from one end of the map to the other. He’s one of the strongest members despite being part of the shorty squad. They’re deeply in love with both Ragatha and Pomni, and their poor best friends (Gangle and @snowmiserboio ‘s Tommy) have to deal with this nervous schoolgirl crush routine until Ash makes a move.

Midnight Moon is a TADC version of my favorite Sonic OC. The clowns are a pretty tightly knit group so they all get excited when a new clown shows up, like Pomni. Midnight is cheerful and energetic, and so so fast. He likes to do tricks and often does prat falls, cracking the ground with her helmet often. Considering its skill but also all the unexpected obstacles that get in xir way, it’s not always clear if these falls are on purpose or not. Fae is also taller then Jax.

Flip and Iron are also versions of my Sonic OCs and also sisters, so they entered the circus pretty close together. Not at exactly the same time but it was clear one was following the other. Haven’t decided what order though.

Flip is an acrobat and I decided to do a boot off an angel motif cause it’s cute. She’s also friends with Ash so they’ve don’t angel and devil routines for fun. They are incredibly sweet and best friends with Midnight. Though it can’t always match his energy, it always enjoys his company. She’s graceful and beautiful and can actually fly with the wings on their bow. It’s also very kind to the NPCs.

Iron is of course a strong man with a costume that’s the wrong compaction, but those muscles really do work. She’s also good friends with Midnight and Primma too. She’s also protective of her sister, who in turn is protective of her. She also loves her hair, especially her mustache, and her muscles too. She has a lovely singing voice. Her main taste in women are butches.

Dim Dim is a very friendly clown with a skirt that can produce anything. So she often pulls out game models in order to play games or build something. It tries to provide distractions for when people don’t have the energy for an adventure. She also has a thing for cowboys. It is also part of the tightly knit clown group of course, and is probably the friendliest member. It uses its hair as a third hand as practically as one can use a giant hand.

Primma Donna is a tightrope walker that’s also completely full of herself. Hard not to be when you’re beautiful, elegant, and have the most beautiful singing voice of the cast. She often gets on everyone’s nerves, but being self absorbed is how she copes. So it can be hard for her to admit when she wrongs others, but she has apologized. She doesn’t WANT to cause others true pain, she’s just scared and is in turn scared to show that she’s scared. She fucking hates Jax though, she’s hit him with her parasol before.

Rosa Felt is probably one of the most irritable out of the group, only beat by Zooble. He likes most of the others, she just tends to have a short temper. Partially because he’s not allowed to smoke. Or have a real gun most of the time. She probably wouldn’t use it on anyone but he thinks they’re cool. So she has to settle for a tooth pick and several water guns and whatever shooting related carnival games are available. He’s an excellent shot, though. And has the Duke Nukem sound effect. He has had to build up a tolerance for nonsense, but folks like Jax can easily tip her over the edge into anger.

Florita is the youngest at 20 years of age. And acts even younger. She of course spends a lot of time doing plant related stuff, gardening and such. They’re very cheerful and make flower crowns for their friends, and show anyone that needs or wants to how to care for the plants. Her favorite is a little baby monster “Venus flytrap” (the kind that don’t resemble real ones) that she’s named “Audrey III” for their favorite horror musical. She’s also not too fond of Jax and has straight up kicked him before.

Thread is believed to be related to Ragatha, but no one is sure how. She is VERY sweet though and crafty, often using her needle fingers for cutting and sewing. She also loves cats. She’s one of the few people that likes Jax, taking his assholishness as jokes. She’s best friends with Dim Dim and Rosa, and likes to mess with the NPCs is harmless ways. She just likes to see how they react by the boundaries of their programming.

#art #artists on tumblr #illustration #the amazing digital circus #tadc #tadc oc #tadc original character #demon oc #witch oc #jester oc #clown oc #acrobat oc #strongman oc #tightrope walker oc #toy oc #teddy bear oc #flower oc #poppet oc #self insert #my self insert #midnight moon #flip #iron #dim dim #primma donna #rosa felt #florita #thread

[fashionsfromhistory]

"The Rice Bowl Dress" Carolyn Schnurer 

1952

During her twenty-year career in fashion, from 1944 to 1964, Carolyn Schnurer (1908-1998) was a pioneer in the newly emerging American sportswear industry. Directing her designs toward young active women, Schnurer developed coordinates and dresses that were unfussy, required minimal foundation garments and could be worn for a variety of occasions. Particularly renowned for her culturally-inspired resort collections, rather than a blatantly costumed appearance, Schnurer's designs maintained a classic American silhouette while incorporating the cultural theme in fabric selection or construction detail.

For her "Flight to Japan" collection, Schnurer adapted elements of Japanese costumes and textiles, as well as architecture and decorative arts. In this example, the neckline, inspired by a reversed kimono, emphasizes the wearer's collar bones and delicately frames the face. The geometric textile pattern is inspired by sekkazome paper (meaning snow flower or snowflake dyeing), a technique in which mulberry paper is accordion pleated, folded into various patterns and dip dyed. The skirt, which is vertically boned, was inspired by Japanese oilcloth parasols. This effect creates a graceful A-line silhouette and was a practical alternative to the cumbersome crinoline petticoats prevalent in the early 1950s.

The MET (Accession Number: 2009.300.155)

Currently on view: In America: An Anthology of Fashion

#day dress #fashion history #vintage fashion #carolyn schnurer #1950s #20th century #1952 #green #cotton #united states #the met #popular

[didyoutrydynamite]

Renegades Character Info

Cinder Fall:

Personality: Cunning, Charismatic, Ambitious, Regretful, Fiery.

Role: Leader and Face of the group. In combat she plays Sniper/Artillery/Controller roles.

Semblance: Scorching Caress:

Cinder's Semblance produces intense heat allowing her to manipulate objects, such as turning sand or dirt into projectiles that can be hurled towards her targets, as well as altering her clothes or weapons by manipulating Dust. It is also able to cause explosions on the ground over a given area.

Signature Weapon: Seraphic Serenade: Dual Blades/ Bow Mechashift.

Additional Gear: Collection of Throwing Knives. Dust Vial Case.

Jaune Arc:

Personality: Gallant, Empathetic, Determined, Clumsy, Insecure.

Role: Strategist and Muscle of the group. In combat he plays Tank/Healer/Buffer roles.

Semblance: Aura Amp:

Jaune can use his Semblance to accelerate the healing effects of Aura and intensify another person's Semblance. The amplification accelerates the healing ability of the recipient's Aura, allowing it to heal extremely serious wounds, such as a broken arm or a stab wound in the stomach. It can also increase the power of other people’s Semblances, by either increasing their range, area of effect, damage, or potency. Jaune’s Semblance has also been shown to affect more abstract things like Souls or Magic like Cinder’s Maiden powers.

Signature Weapon: Crocea Mors: Sword and Shield/ Greatsword Mechashift.

Additional Gear: Collapsible Javelins. First Aid Kit.

Adam Taurus:

Personality: Rebellious, Poetic, Aggressive, Conceited, Spiteful.

Role: Bruiser and Technician of the group. In combat he plays Frontline/Striker/Berserker roles.

Semblance: Moon Slice:

With his Semblance, Adam is able to absorb or block the energy from an enemy's attack and re-emit it again in powerful red energy strikes. However, he can only do this with his physical objects, most prominently his sword. This enables him to avoid taking damage directly during absorption, but could leave him highly vulnerable if he is disarmed.

Signature Weapon: Wilt and Blush: Katana / Shotgun Sheath Mechashift

Additional Gear: Flash and Smoke Grenades. Tool Kit.

Neo Politan:

Personality: Colorful, Graceful, Mysterious, Impulsive, Sadistic.

Role: Wild Card and Infiltrator of the group. In combat she plays the Assassin/Disruptor/Skirmisher roles.

Semblance: Overactive Imagination:

Neo's Semblance allows her to create physical illusions that can be seen by everyone. These illusions are highly convincing and shatter like glass when she dispels them, or someone breaks them. Her most apparent use of them is creating illusions around her body, either to disguise herself or for her opponent to target while she escapes or moves unseen to another point of attack.

Signature Weapon: Hush: Bulletproof Parasol / Hidden Rapier Mechashift.

Additional Gear: Dust Launcher Flare Gun. Thieves Tools.

#renegade au #cinder fall #jaune arc #adam taurus #neo politan