Tumgik
#halfdan the black x plus size reader
queenquinzel715 · 8 months
Text
Tumblr media
Halfdan 18+
Wrd count 3,398
Y/n p.o.v
People always told my mother that twins were a true blessing of Freya, but when one is a crippled son while the other is a normal girl, it gets more difficult. My brother Ivar was born ten minutes after me, but he deems himself my boss. Growing up I was in charge of pulling Ivar everywhere I went, which was mostly to Uncle Floki's home. He taught us everything we needed to learn on how to be Viking. Most came to fear Ivar, but when I got caught in my own hunting cabin torturing a man that was watching over Kattegat. I got the nickname Galco which means monster. So far I've never been bothered by the name, people would run away, and I'd be left alone like I like.
Over the years my brothers have allowed me to be in charge of weapons, but of course I have my shadow behind me telling where I mess up.
"You have to sharpen that end or it won't snap into place." Ivar snaps over my shoulder.
"I know Ivar I'm not finished." I try to calmly respond.
"Don't snap at me, because you're to stupid to actually build weapons properly." He rolls his eyes with his sassy voice.
"Can't build…." I slam the arrow shooter down as I turn to him. "Ivar I've been building weapons while you were going crazy crawling after Floki, so would you shut up." I walk out of the work area we have in the blacksmiths.
I was stomping my way through Kattegat, people would jump out of my way, but one man kept following me without me even noticing. The brother of King Harald Finehair, Halfdan the Black, a man that has worked with my father and eldest brother, a man I've heard so many stories of, and admired since I began my own stories. I've heard he's been asking questions about me, and since the first stories that are told are my torture stories then I'd say it's good he wants to hear more. I'm opening my cabin's windows when I see a shoulder poking from behind a tree. I quickly grab my bow and arrow, shooting the tree in warning, and to my shock Halfdan jumps from behind with his hand up with a sly smirk on his face. I watch his every step as he walks across the field getting closer to the window.
"Why are you here?" I ask imitately.
"I heard of this cabin, and saw you coming out here. I thought I would get a look at your weapons." He seems to be speaking truthfully.
"Behind a tree?" I smirk at him as I lean on the window.
He seems to stagger a bit, but when I point to the door he walks inside. He eyes all the weapons I have hanging on the walls, but stops at my baskets of snakes.
"I tend to collect different snakes I see on my walks." I honestly tell him.
We get comfortable talking about the different weapons I have made or in the middle of making. He helps me finish the arrow shooter and advance another weapon I had. We tell stories as we work, mostly raiding stories, his England times, and I give him my details of my nickname sake. The way we move together is like we've been with each other for years. Once the sun starts to set I roast some meat and potatoes as we sit on the palette I have made of blankets and pillows.
"I still don't understand why Galco is your name. Why would a mother name a gorgeous girl like that?" He waves around the bone he has in his hand.
"My name is (y/n) Halfdan." I laugh. "People just call me that since I started torturing people." I take the plates away as I laugh.
"(Y/n) is much better." He compliments, standing up. "I'd much rather call you that." He's standing against my back now.
"Halfdan, you know my brothers will kill you if you continue to try this." I informed him.
"Love, do you think.." he runs his hands on my waist to connect them on my stomach. "I care about your brothers when I have a goddess like you in front of me." He softly kisses my shoulder, causing me to lean my head back. "I want you as mine (y/n)." He whispers to me as he moves his hands along my body. "I need someone who thinks like I do, who can handle my ways." He turns me around to face him.
"Halfdan, I take words seriously. If this happens then you are mine." I grab his arms so I can lean into him.
He deeply kisses me while he pulls me against his chest, and all I could do was move my hands to hold onto the back of his shoulders. Everything moves so fast as he pulls my dress off to me pulling his clothes apart. He slowly lays me onto the palette with a hand behind my head, and his arm around my waist. His lips move around my neck, shoulder, down my chest, and once to my breast he licks my nipple in circles. I hold onto the back of his head not really feeling anything in my body other than heat, and shaking.
"Halfdan please." I moan out as he kisses down.
His head goes in between my legs using his shoulders to keep them out of his way. I've never had a man do this to me before, and I'm angry at every man I've been with for not doing this amazing thing. I couldn't stop moaning his name loud, and having my back shoot up into an arch. He keeps moving his tongue around, but he adds his finger into me. With his finger curling up, his tongue circling around I tighten my legs around his head and cum so hard making him groan as he gets everything. As he stands on his knees he wipes his mouth, but his eyes stop me. They were almost black with a primal look, like he was claiming me completely just for him. I let my legs rest on his hips as he leans over me with his hard cock slowly entering making me gasp, but he kisses me as he bottoms out. I hold the back of his head with one hand, his side with the other as he starts moving. He rests his forehead against mine with a groan while I moan out. He grips my hip as he goes harder.
"Halfdan!" I yell from the stretch I've never felt.
"Mine" He groans, his head falling into my neck.
He starts pounding away like he lost all self power, and is letting everything go. I can't even begin to think of how good he feels from the non stop cumming. He lifts my legs higher to his shoulders making him go so much deeper than before. He's holding onto my hips using them to help him pound into me. My body arches as I let out a loud moan, but as I feel my body shake he groans loud.
"Fuck!" Halfdan finishes deep inside me with a tight grip on my hips.
He lets my legs fall as he slowly pulls out of me causing a surprise gasp to leave my mouth. He gives me a smirk as he leans back down to kiss me, and lay down next to me. I'm so relaxed my eyes won't open, and his body is so warm I don't want to move.
-Next Morning-
"Love, I have to get going." I'm woken up by Halfdan whispering into my ear.
"Then leave, why must I get up." I smirk at him.
He rolls his eyes before kissing me, rolling over me as his hands cage me to the pallet. He kisses around my face, neck, and down to my chest. He gives me a soft smirk as he stands.
"You have to get up, because I know your brothers will be looking for you if you aren't at breakfast." He holds his hand out to me.
"Ugh. I wish they'd let me be." I grumble as he helps me stand, but pulls me to his chest.
My naked body against his clothed body just makes him feel so much warmer than mine. He holds me by my lower back.
"I could always just take you with me. You'd be left alone… for the most part." He grabs me tighter causing me to laugh.
He gives me a last hug before leaving. I smile to myself as I lift my dress from the floor, but I almost lose my heart when an angry Ivar comes crutching his way into my cabin.
"Halfdan?! Have you…no no I know you've lost your mind!'' He yells pointing at his finger in my face.
"Ivar I'm a grown woman I don't need your approval. Now leave so I can get dressed in peace." I move to the small wall I have off to the side.
"Grown woman who's stupid enough to pick a man that won't actually care for you." He leaves once he realizes I'm not going to respond.
Not long after I'm about to reach the great hall when a body is thrown from the doors. Ubbe, Ivar, and Sigurd are glaring at the slowly moving body.
"You can beat me all you want, but (y/n) do as she wishes." I hear Halfdan tell my angry brothers.
"Well let's ask her ourselves." Hvitserk decides now to come outside, making everyone turn to me.
I can't move. I just look at my family, and then to the man I've actually felt normal with even before yesterday. He would always made me feel like a normal girl that liked a man. My brothers eye me like I'm some villain. Ivar shakes his head at me, because he knows what I'm going to do. He just doesn't know where. I give Halfdan one last look before bolting away from the great hall to the stables. I mount my horse, and push my poor girl as fast as she can until I reach the past the small river. I dismount to guide her into the water, going up the river, and getting out at the waterfall. I then ride my horse only a few miles til my father's cabin comes into view. This is the cabin he stayed in while he went into hiding. He only told me about this cabin, and I only come here for my moons.
It's only three days until we leave early for England. I'm glad I keep supplies up here. I know this seems cowardly, and Halfdan probably feels betrayed by me just leaving him there beaten up. I don't even understand why I ran. I just can't believe everything just flipped over night. One night my brothers, except Ivar, would eye me like I'm an angry dog that's one movement away from attacking, but now I'm their fragile little sister.
-Three days later-
I ride slowly into Kattegat with my head high as people point, and whisper about me, gods only know about what this time. I give my horse to the stable boy, and walk into the great hall as everyone is giving one last cheers to the gods for safe travels. I speak to no one as we load the boats, and set sail. I do keep looking over to King Finehair's boat to see Halfdan look over from time to time. I wish I actually talked to him, but I know he wouldn't want to speak with me.
As we get to England we start to build camp immediately. I'm helping with my tent as I looked over to see Halfdan move trunks of weapons to tents. I roll my eyes at my little girl act, and get to work. That night I swear I hear walking near my tent opening.
As I wake up, and get ready I find a new piece of armor that goes over my shoulders on the ground. I quickly strap them on as I walk to the front of lines with my brothers. Ubbe hugs me like always, giving me a quick nod, Hvitserk smirks at me from his spot, Sigurd touches axes with me, and as I step to Ivar's horse wagon he rolls his eyes at me.
"Don't die with those off-made weapons." He says as he ties his gloves.
"Don't worry I'll be close to protect you little brother." I laugh as he snaps his head to me.
"Ten minutes you awful…" He grumbles to himself. Cursing the Gods for giving him a twin.
Northumbria is an English kingdom my father spoke highly about, and since King Aelle is the one who killed our father we thought it'd be better to kill him first. The closer we march the faster my heart pounds the more I want to run ahead. The moment my axe makes contact with the Saxon's sword I get hit with my childhood of my father teaching me. The faces my father would make at my strength, at the precise strikes I'd make. I catch myself laughing at certain points in battle, and then laugh harder at myself.
Everything seems to stop once I hear my Viking family cheer I'm victory. I smile around catching my breath, but I'm spun around. Halfdan pulls me into a Saxon home, throwing everything on the ground, and putting me on the table. I grab hold of the table as he rips every strap in his way until he can finally push himself inside of me making me moan loud. I could only hold onto the table as Halfdan grip my hips in a bruising grip.
"You are mine." He grunts in my ear. "Think you can run from me, and act like I'm not here." He pulls out of me to quickly turn me around.
He enters me roughly again making the table scratch against the floor. He grips the ends of my hair to pull me up to have him bite my neck.
"HALFDAN!" I scream out as I shake against his body.
"What is it, love?" He mocks.
I keep moaning out as he grips my body in rough, tight grips. I can't gather any part of myself, but when he deeply groans with a final push so deep I get a sharp amazing feeling as he finishes inside me. He leans against me as we take deep breaths, and just cling to each other.
"I'm sorry I ran. I got scared with everyone looking at me." I tell him honestly.
"I know. I was going to wait until later, but I know your family's plans. I couldn't wait." We laugh at his last statement.
(Actual detail blood eagle)
He helps me tie everything in place in time for my brother's to collect King Aelle. My brothers Ubbe and Hvitserk tie him up as Ivar and I sharpen the tools we will use. Sigurd takes the first as Bjorn opens the great King open for me to crack his rib off. Ivar completes the rest, so Hvitserk can raise his arms to spread open more. We left him on the spot they dropped our father. We are joking like old times as we ride back to town where we set our new camp.
"So you and Halfdan?" Bjorn asks.
"Yea (y/n) him of all people." Hvitserk mocks.
"I don't think I could ever explain to you how I feel or how things are. However the Gods gave me a strong man, and I'm not going to question it." I laugh as we get to camp, and I go to my tent to bathe.
I have some of the girls help me with the water as I try to get as much of the blood off as I can before getting into the tub. I use some of the oils I found, and groan from the hot water. I can actually feel the knots untie along my back, some of the scars I have sting a little. My mind races from how battle went, what is to come, but I'm stopped with thoughts of Halfdan. I feel the water start cool, so I get out. As I wrap a linen around me Halfdan sneaks his way inside, making me stop in motion. He stops once he gets a look at me, and just falls to his knees.
"Goddess." He grumbles looking from my feet up to my eyes.
"Halfdan, get up." I laugh, but I'm stopped when he grabs the linen.
"I can't believe you are mine." He moves the linen over me to dry me off.
He helps me dry my whole body leaving soft kisses from my ankles as he rises to leave a long kiss on my lips. I smile at him, but when we hear my maids coming he tells me he'll see me at the celebration before running out.
I smile to myself as I walk into the celebration dinner in the town center. I'm about to sit next to Ubbe at the table when I hear Sigurd tormenting Ivar again, but something makes me snap my head at Ivar. He quickly grabs his axe, and throws it at Sigurd. I somehow grab it before it hits Sigurd. Everyone is quiet until Ivar crawls away with a shocked look on his face.
"Sigurd, I swear you never stop you torment. Next time I'll let him kill you if you don't learn to keep your mouth shut." I tell throwing the axe on the table.
He stands with a scowl as he steps closer.
"You're just defending him, because you know I'm right. No one, but other cares for him." That did it.
"Step back." I warn.
He comes closer with his hands reaching for his sword, but I stop him by putting Ivar's axe to his throat. Ubbe stands, but I give him one look making him sit back down with his eyes on his plate. I slowly feel a warm hand slide around my waist, and the other grab my wrist.
"Breath, love. He is your brother." Halfdan whispers to me as he takes the axe from my hand.
He slowly moves me from my brother's tables, and puts me in between him and King Finehair. I glare at Sigurd as Halfdan places a plate of food in front of me.
The rest of our time in England Sigurd stays away from me even though he and Ivar have made up. I will not tolerate him disrespecting me like he thinks he can with Ivar. I catch myself glaring at him as I help Halfdan pack up.
3rd pov
Ubbe watches his sister grow more and more dark toward Sigurd as he keeps being Sigurd. Even at her wedding to Halfdan. She doesn't even acknowledge her brother, Sigurd as he makes jokes on her life. She just whispers to Ivar, Halfdan, and her new King brother in law. It wasn't until (y/n) became pregnant that Ubbe understood what they whispered about. As (y/n) told her brothers of her new gift from the Gods Sigurd tried attacking her in her sleep the night before she was supposed to leave Kattegat to go to her new home in Norway. Ivar was waiting in her room to protect her, and (y/n) and Ivar killed Sigurd.
(Y/n) gives birth to two boys of perfect health, naming them Eirk and Egil. Once she is back raiding Ivar is king of Kattegat and tries to set up an attack on her, and her husband while they are planning to raid England with him. She ends up killing Ivar late at night, becoming Queen of Kattegat. Only to give birth shortly after to a girl, named Helga. She ends up giving Kattegat to Bjorn, so she can go home to Norway. Over time King Harald gives his kingdom to Halfdan when he gets too old, and still doesn't have sons. She dies with her pet owl watching over her howling as she goes to Valhalla to see her husband who died in the battle of Norway to keep our land from the Irish.
Fin
52 notes · View notes
the-coldest-goodbye · 5 years
Text
Halfdan (Vikings) x plus size reader headcanons
Tumblr media
Halfdan x plus size fem!reader
A/N: These are some headcanons I have about Halfdan falling in love with a plus size reader. They're mostly SFW, but the little bit of NSFW stuff is below the cut I put in anyway for length. Is this me just writing a self-insert? You betcha!
► Halfdan would adore your body. Honestly, the bigger and softer, the better.
► His entire life had been harsh, revolving around violence and inflicting and receiving pain. The feel of your soft, lush curves and rolls would be an amazing contrast to being on the battlefield — a much-needed reprieve for him.
► You might sometimes feel confused as to why Halfdan would choose to be with you because you and your body are so unlike the shield-maidens he fights with. You kind of figured that he would want a woman like that — a fierce warrior with a strong, fit body — but he doesn’t. He falls so deeply in love with you precisely because you are so different from what he knows, and that awakens longing within him.
► He would first notice you eating at a table across the room from him in the Great Hall. He would be entranced by you because you looked so sweet and soft, but judging by the reactions of those eating with you, you also appeared to be amusing and quick-witted. Your friends seemed to be gripped by your stories, and they would often be doubled over laughing at your witty (and often biting) remarks. You looked so stunning when you were laughing or when your lips contorted into a big smirk, a mischievous glint in your eyes.
► He would just watch you from afar for a long time, though, because he was too shy to approach you. He never felt like he was good with women anyway, never the best with words, and he was also very unsure as to how to approach you. Halfdan was aware that people mostly knew him for being vicious on the battlefield, and he feared that someone like you would be terrified by his reputation and would want nothing to do with him.
► Even before he ever talked to you, when he was still just admiring you from afar, he would stick up for you when he would hear men near him make rude comments about your body and weight. “Leave the girl alone,” he would growl menacingly. The others would shut up pretty quickly.
► As Halfdan continued to observe you from a distance around the village, he noticed that certain men in particular would harass you regularly, making snide comments and laughing, leaving you with tears welling up in your eyes. You would bustle off away from those men to continue on with your day, trying not to let any of the tears spill down your face, though Halfdan would still catch you wiping a stray tear or two away with your hand when you thought no one was looking.
► Halfdan wouldn't have any of this, so later he would march up to one of the guys who were cruel to you earlier in the day, pull out his knife, and press it against the man’s stomach, threatening to gut him like a fish if he bothered you again.
► (And this was all before Halfdan even got to know you. Later on after the two of you got closer and knew each other better, he would, like, actually beat the shit out of anyone who treated you poorly. People learned pretty quickly not to mess with you unless they wanted to incur the wrath of Halfdan the Black.)
► Eventually word got around to you that Halfdan was sticking up for you. One day when you saw him standing around on his own, you shyly approached him to thank him. He seemed pretty bashful and played it off like it was nothing, but he asked if you would like to join him for supper in the Great Hall that night. “It would be a pleasure to join you for supper,” you answered with a smile. Your smile contorted into a slight smirk. “I mean, if you’re standing up for me, you might as well get to know who you’re actually standing up for.” He blushed at that.
► Your dinner together was a little awkward at first. Here you were, sitting with one of the most renowned warriors alive, a man who you knew nothing about besides the fact that he was considered bloodthirsty and relentlessly violent. You tried to push those thoughts aside to just chat as if he were any other person. He was pretty quiet at first, but he started to open up more and more as the evening carried on and as the ale calmed his nerves. He was actually quite funny and snarky himself. For someone who was allegedly so callous, you were surprised at how soft-spoken and gentle he seemed as you chatted. He thought you were quite brilliant and an absolute pleasure to talk to. Your conversation with him was much different from the types of conversations he’d have with other warriors or with his brother, and it was a breath of fresh air.
► After that night, he was perpetually the heart eyes emoji around you.
► Other men would crack jokes about Halfdan growing soft. Though he had slept with many women during his conquests, he had never actually been in love or in a committed relationship of any sort, so they joked about how the vicious warrior was suddenly following a woman around like a love-sick puppy. Halfdan would let these comments roll off his back. They could say what they want about him. He only got angry when the jokes would have to do with you, especially when they focused on your weight or appearance. Then he’d kick some ass and scare the shit out of them.
► Once the two of you were officially a pair, he would always want you to sit on his lap and in his arms at feasts, during a night of drinking, etc. At first, you’d hesitate because of your size and being worried that you might be too big or might hurt him, but he would just scoff and insist that you sit on his lap, assuring you that you wouldn’t hurt him in the slightest. “I’m covered in scars, Y/N. I’ve suffered through a lot of pain in my life. Having a beautiful woman sit on my lap is a welcome change, my love.”
► (Dirty fucker wouldn’t be able to keep his hands from roaming all over your body once you sat in his lap.)
► Initially, you were afraid to be seen with him in public (especially when it came to PDA) because he was so high-profile, being such a prominent warrior and the brother of the king and all. You didn’t feel comfortable drawing too much attention to yourself, and you feared that Halfdan would be embarrassed to be seen with you. He wasn’t, though. Not in the slightest. He was proud to be with you and always wanted to show you off. After a while, a large part of your insecurity around this would be quelled through his reassurance and just getting used to it all.
► If you ever expressed insecurities about your body or appearance, he would gently run his rough, callused fingers over every inch of you, describing how beautiful he found each and every part of your body, especially the ones you were uncomfortable with. He wasn’t normally a man of many words, so hearing how sweet (and almost poetic) he got when professing his love for you and your body was always a really touching experience for you.
► Sometimes he might be a little less poetic and a little more lewd depending on the situation. If you expressed shyness or hesitation about showing your body to him while things started to get steamy between the two of you in bed, he would grab your hand and guide it to his erection and say, “Do you feel how hard I am? That is all because of you, my sweet. You drive me wild with longing.” He would then pull you into him, lavishing your lips, face, and neck with kisses while his hands roamed your body.
► The only times he would lose his patience with you and your insecurities would be when you’d say things like, “I don’t understand how a man like you could love a woman like me.” His face would flush red and his jaw would clench. With barely restrained anger, he would shakily ask, “A woman like you, how?” When you would reply, “Look at me, Halfdan. Look at my body. Certainly you would be happier with a shield-maiden, or perhaps a woman who looked like [so-and-so],” he wouldn’t be able to contain his anger any longer. He’d scold you. “How dare you try to act as if you know what I want better than I do! I want you, and that is why I’m with you. Don’t ever think otherwise, and don’t you dare try telling me how I feel or what I want.” He would then soften a bit, lower his voice, and regain some composure. He would bring you into his arms and describe how much he loves you and why, reassuring you that he doesn’t want anyone else.
► He had honestly never been in love with anyone until you. At night, when you would lay in his arms, he would whisper, “I think the reason why I had never fallen for anyone but you is because I was destined to be with you. The gods have made us for each other.”
288 notes · View notes
artemiseamoon · 3 years
Text
Completed request
This is my last planned prompt challenge. Who knows what the future will hold, or if I’ll ever come back. But for now, we are on the last pages of my tumblr chapter. 💜
Here, I’ll add all the completed works from this current series. There is still time, read that post here. If I don’t get to yours before I leave, I’ll post it on A03 and send you the link here.
Completed works
1. Let It Burn | Fennec Shand x F reader
2. A Lovers Moon | Ezra x GN reader 
3. Anything But The Truth  | Liam x F reader 
4. Danger in the Woods  | Halfdan The Black x F reader 
5. Spellbound | Aslaug x f reader (plus size)
6. When Dreams Come True | King Harald x f reader 
7. Unless We Say So | Ivar x Roman x f reader 
8. Not now, but later? | Charles Vane x f reader
9. Of All The Ways | Benny Miller x GN reader
10. Jack, Not Whiskey | Agent Whiskey x F reader 
11. A Little Tease | Frank Castle x F reader
12. Devotion | Billy Russo x f reader
13. Angel in the Dark | Ivar x ofc
14. Press Play | Black f reader x Dave York x Max Phillips
15. The Perfect Trip | Black f reader plus size x Benny Miller
16. Small Gestures | Charles Vane x f reader
17. Safe | Benny Miller x reader (reader gender unspecified) 
18. Sunset | Isabella Bautista x f reader 
19. Live a Little | Yennefer x f reader (Witcher)
20. Back to you | Halfdan the black x f reader
21. Her Hands | Fennec Shand x reader 
22. I’m still here | Oberyn x reader
23. Big Bad Viking | Halfdan the black x f reader
24. Full of Surprises | Hvitserk x f reader (ft brothers)
25. The Empress | Aslaug x f plus size reader
26. When there's nothing left | Modern Halfdan x f reader 
27. The Way Things Were |  Gunnhild x f reader 
28. It Started with you | King Harald x f curvy reader
29. Water Lilly | Ezra x f reader
30. Assorted Agent Whiskey Drabbles
*
Punisher ones can be found here (more)
33 notes · View notes
artemiseamoon · 3 years
Text
Arte’s Limited Prompt Request
 Closed
Tumblr media
If anyone wants to check out fics from this, I’ll have them in my masterlist under their fandom, and listed here. I’ll update this as I post the fics. This is my 2nd prompt celebration :) 
🥰 fluff | 🌹romance/slow burn | 🔥smut, nsfw, descriptive sexual content | 🥺 angst
1. After Everything - Javier Peña x Latina f reader 🥺🥰
2. Incandescent - Ezra x Gn (plus size) reader 🥺🥰
3. In Ezra’s Arms - Ezra x GN reader 🥰
4. A Lovers Plea - Oberyn x f Plus Size Reader 🥺
5. Good Things to Come - Soft! Agent Whiskey x f reader 😭🥰
6. Love Is A Rebellious Bird - Ezra x F (plus size) reader 🥰
7. A Strength, not a weakness - Din (Mando) x f reader (plus size) 😭🥰
8. Something I have to do - Din (Mando) x f reader ( plus size) 😭
9. Blue Eyed Stranger - Modern! Ivar x F reader 😭🥰
10. Dance with me - Omar Assarian x FN reader 🥰
11. I’m here for your always Frankie x GN reader 😭🥰
12. I’m not going anywhere  Halfdan x black f reader 
13. Unexpected Modern Halfdan x Black ofc 
14. It Was Always You Frankie x Black F reader 
15. Playing with Fire Poison x F reader 
16. What I want Santi x Plus size reader 
17. Spring Marcus Pike x reader 
18. The Baker Alfie Solomons x plus size F reader 
Spring prompt series 2021 (3rd one)
Autum/Winter 2029 prompt series ( 1st one)
37 notes · View notes