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muckleberryjam · 2 years

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I was literally typing up my 2 pence worth of thoughts and as I’m checking my sources, the page updates and Early Access is fine. All my legislative interpretation experience wasted ha.

I’m still going to post this even though I hate controversy, but I’ve seen some stone cold takes that do nothing to but pour lemon juice in the injury that this whole matter has uncovered - because let’s be real, it was already there.

Maybe its because I’m old, maybe it’s because I’ve both paid for and pirated content, maybe it’s because I’m mostly a consumer, not a creator, but I feel very ehhh about the whole matter. Nonetheless, my thoughts are scratching against my brain so I’ve laid them out. TLDR is it is what it is.

Observation 1

I think what’s rustled my jimmies into making this post is the lack of internal consistency that is being thrown around.

What EA’s Terms of Service and End User Licence Agreement say is pretty immaterial if you also advocate for pirating the game. No judgement if you do pirate it, I have exactly zero feelings about it. You just also have to agree that it also says in the TOS/EULA that you mustn’t pirate the game so I don’t think you can really pick and choose which principles you want to follow if you’re making this the basis of your argument.

Whenever a ruling class, i.e. EA in this case, make a judgement that causes in-fighting amongst those affected by the judgement, I think you have to ask yourself who is benefitting most. EA have had a string of public disasters lately and I’m sure they’d much rather that we were tearing chunks off each other instead of them.

Whatever you think about enforcement etc, EA are unlikely to have the processing power to take perma-paywallers to task. They only had six Quality Assessors on the latest expansion. They’ve got their own problems.

Even Disney can’t take down every unbranded merch creator on Etsy...

I highly doubt this is a call to action from them and I think their further clarification taking us back to the status quo supports this.

Observation 2

Some people are going to make excellent quality content for free. Some people are going to make excellent quality content that will be free if you can wait for it. Some people are going to set their price too high for you to pay. Some people are hucksters looking to make a quick buck on shoddy content.

Ok.

No one is entitled to have anything. Not consumers to content (free or at cost), nor creators to capital. I don’t think I can put it any more simply.

Personally, as someone who cannot stand to play vanilla, The Sims 4 is a broken base, made playable by modders. I think it is fair that creators have the opportunity to ask for payment for their labour in what is, in effect, a collaborative effort. Especially those who have skills to offer in this regard, but can’t offer them to the capitalist machine at large because they’re neurodivergent or disabled.

Whether EA endorses it or not, I think reasonable Early Access is fine. I really think it should only bother you as a consumer if you can’t bear the Fear of Missing Out. That’s all an early access payment is - the privilege of skipping out on the FOMO. If it still bothers you, you might need to assess what you perceive to be your entitlement to content.

If it bothers you as another creator, with all the respect in the world, maybe have a think about whether you are coming from a place of envy. It’s a natural emotion - the world would be a better place if we all got more comfortable admitting it. No one should be ashamed to acknowledge that they are envious that someone is receiving money for something they do for free. But envy does not a moral judgement make.

Observation 3

Of course I said reasonable Early Access - what’s reasonable? Well, how long can you stand to wait? As long as there are people bursting at the seams that are willing to pay for access to content NOW, there will be paywalls of increasingly indeterminate length.

I don’t like perma-paywalls. It’s depressing to look at things you want but can’t afford. It’s even more depressing these days since the doxxing scandal has sown so much distrust among us. I think that is the actual genesis of all the pain coming out now.

Let’s get it straight - doxxing is a line that should not be crossed. Discounting the TOS/EULA argument, Piracy is as fundamental a principle as the urge to monetise and perma-paywallers need to accept that as much as consumers need to accept that we can’t always afford what we want. If you, as a creator, are putting all your income eggs in this risky basket, that’s on you.

Like I said at the start, creators are as entitled to capital as consumers are entitled to content.

We’re both gonna have to make peace with that - it’s a dead dove: DO NOT EAT. Don’t like don’t look I guess.

Observation 4

I don’t know if all payments for content are as responsible for killing this community as people say they are. Maybe in a similar way that the Industrial Revolution killed Arts and Crafts I guess?

I’ve lurked since 2016ish and the peaks and troughs are no different to any other online creator community I’ve been part of. People move on to other ventures, age out, get bored, and the new generation ushers in. The human urge to monetise everything we do is as old as the sun and the sky - Stardoll is an excellent example if anyone else was part of the Facebook community alongside it and has watched people pay exorbitant amounts for what is effectively a shit NFT. And besides, a couple of months back, it was lack of engagement killing Simblr. Community is a fickle thing.

As a consumer, I can’t say that I feel short of content, especially on a site like Tumblr, which is one of the few social media sites where I can still curate exactly what I want to see.

In summary, I dunno. paywallers gonna paywall, free creators are gonna free, consumers gonna consume. Facts are Facts. EA doesn’t matter.

#the dreaded controversy #probs will delete later when i chicken out #long long post

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neon-danger · 26 days

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I like the expanded mermaids mod but I think I'm cursed as my Sims seem to only ever get the negative perks. Sure, of course Alex gets poor water retention, he already fucking pisses himself from drinking all the time, and he smells bad randomly, like he already does constantly from low hydration from pissing himself. The green stink cloud is just so common I'm surprised when it's not there following him. Jack wasn't any luckier, he doesn't have bad water retention at least but he can't even do dishes half the time without turning into a fish, and I already can't make him clean for shit. If dirty dishes could kill Sims in this game like they can in 2 he'd have been dead long ago. He shares the other two with Alex, so they make everyone smell bad, except each other I guess. I like the negative perks but man they feel targeted and sure do give me a challenge, a challenge of 'how much do the green stink clouds bother me' as it turns out, not that much.

At least they can't drown, because that was totally a concern of mine for two who live nowhere near any bodies of water. As vampires they were a lot better off, at least then they could drink without worry, just avoid the sun. I like the furry werewolves, BUT, not as they are in vanilla. The FEET, and tailless nubs. You can't just go halfway furry, go all the way or don't do it at all.

The most I've truly fucked with magic is having Jack torment his bitchy neighbor, and honestly that's good enough for me to justify all of that lmao. Especially as he loses every fight he participates in. Unless he's a vampire, but that's kind of cheating.

I cannot stand when my sims are dirty. I see the stink cloud and I’m immediately using the ui cheats to raise hygiene enough to get rid of it

Also how does he turn into a fish when doing the dishes? It’s giving h2o just add water

#I never actually liked that show #I couldn’t understand what was happening most of the time #neon answers #lightning plays the sims

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dewthorn · 5 years

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#I’m sorry I cannot stand playing with male sims they are so boring #all I wanna play with is lesbians :///#the sims 4 #ts4 gameplay #ts4 legacy #ts4 vanilla #minimal cc #vanilla simblr #suzaki 4

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doodleybugg · 2 years

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get to know your followers

Hair care routine + brief description of your hair uh, i shaved it in november so really i just need to wash it

Skincare routine wash in the morning, cover with makeup, fall asleep without washing it again

Full set pajamas, random mismatched comfy clothes, underwear or nothing? sweats and a sports bra are my go to’s

Morning routine (wake up time, breakfast, ya know that shit) wake up, stay in bed for another two hours because it’s literally 4am, fix my makeup and get dressed, take meds

Favorite and least favorite drink fav: milk tea or vanilla coke, least fav: uhhjm beer definitely, it tastes bAD

Favorite and least favorite dish fav: spaghetti (but only the bow-tie noodles, or i refuse to eat it. idk why, either, i just cannot stand the way it feels unless it’s that), least fav: brussel sprouts

Favorite and least favorite dessert fav: french vanilla ice cream or possibly ice cream cake from dairy queen, least fav: pie

Comfort food takis, i have a whole thing with them even though i can’t eat spicy foods :((

Top 3 childhood shows/cartoons icarly, clifford the big red dog, spongebob

Top 3 teen shows/cartoons uh same as current

Top 3 current shows/cartoons umbrella academy, one day at a time, brooklyn 99

Top 3 favorite movies harry potter and the prizoner of azkaban, brave, encanto

Comfort book/books, comics, manga, ya know the lie tree, facelift game, kakegurui (midari’s version though lolz)

Favorite snack of all time ramen

Pets one tabby cat named steve (her real name is evie but :/) and one ragdoll-persian mix named addi

Comfort character of all time remus mf lupin

Most recent achievement (I’m proud of ya!) i ate today!!! had some mcd french fries and a vanilla milkshake after i went to the dentist but both sides of my mouth were frozen so i didn’t really get to eat too much ://

Fashion/clothing trend style uh idk i just wear what i find first

Hobbies writing

Pick a martial art and a sport (you find interesting, would love to learn, already practice, whatever just pick) jshfsdjfk no

Pick a music instrument (you find interesting, would love to learn, already practice, whatever just pick) i used to play the euphonium in band

Perfume/cologne (doesn’t matter if you don’t wear it, just pick one you like) vanilla cherry (which is my bodywash but it works)

What do you do on your leisure days? eh mostly sleep or cry

Tell me a bit about your all time hero/heroine hmmmmmmm

Earphones, headphones or wireless ones? headphones

Top 5 current songs perfect doesn’t last by beth crowley, gambling addiction / eleven elevens by leanna firestone, diet coke by leanna firestone, disenchanted by my chemical romance, bruises and bitemarks by good with grenades

Pick a hero/heroine from Marvel and DC (BECAUSE I WANT YA TO OK???!!?) scarlet witch, liv moore

Where would you like to live? a pretty lil cottage

Favorite food from your culture? i’m the whitest piece of shit ever so uh wonder bread?

Favorite tradition from your culture? hkdjhskjf

Language you would like to learn? french

Where would you travel for vacation? hm idk

What’s your safety place like? nonexistant

Are you working, studying, both, time traveling while fighting demons? studying

Lucky charm a safety pin my ex gf gave me a couple years ago

Latest thing you purchased online? hufflepuff tie

Guilty pleasure? fanfic

Are you physically active? What do you do? i run around the block a couple times ig

Dream job author

Favorite videogame minecraft or sims 4

Perfect hang out with friends *inhales* WHAT ARE THOSSEEEE

Tell me something about yourself (it can be anything lol) i make HEAVNLY grilled cheese

Would you date someone you met online after getting to know them for long enough to genuinely start something serious? uhm depends

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lovemesomesurveys · 3 years

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What is the last thing that you drank? I’m currently drink cherry vanilla Coke. Currently popular song that you can't stand? I don’t even know what’s currently popular to be honest, I haven’t been listening to music. What is the weather like right now? Still hot. D: Do you have favorite type/brand of pen? I like gel pens. If you work, what is your occupation? --

What is your go-to snack at the convenince store? Chips. Popular drink that you dislike? Well, just alcohol in general. Who is the last person to send you a text message? My brother. What is the last thing you splurged on for yourself? A few fall things from Bath & Body Works. Favorite video game currently? The Sims 4. I’m also looking forward to playing the new Life is Strange series soon. Do you prefer a night light or to sleep in the dark? I sleep with my TV on. Would you rather deal with heavy rain or heavy snow? Heavy rain. What is your favorite homecooked meal from childhood? Spaghetti and meatballs. What is something you wish people knew about your life? *shrug* Do you have any relaxing hobbies? Reading, coloring, listening to ASMR. Most popular movie(s) you've never seen? One is The Notebook. People are always so shocked. Who do you live with? My parents, brother, and doggo. Have you ever moved to a completely new city, in a new state? Where? No. If so, which city did/do you prefer? -- Do you have any pets? Yep, a doggo named Princess Leia. If not, do you want any pets? What kind? -- Favorite kind of shoes? Adidas. What is something you tend to spend too much money on? Food. Especially Doordash. Do you have a favorite day of the week? No. My days all kinda blend together. What TV show are you waiting on to return/create a new season? There’s a few. Which book are you looking forward to reading next? The next one in the Autumn Trent series I’m reading by Mary Stone. that comes out tomorrow. What is something you currently want but cannot afford? A vacation. Do you have a favorite brand of gum or mints? Orbit, Stride, or 5Gum and Ice Breakers mints. Would you prefer to live in the mountains or on the beach? The beach. Describe your perfect taco Shredded chicken, lots of cheese, sour cream, guacamole, cilantro.

#personal #text #survey #surveys

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gaygraybles · 3 years

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DO ALL 50 😘💕💕💕💕✨

thank you dear, this was a pain and it wont be formatted correctly sue me

1. do you have a crush on anyone?

yes 👀

2. what’s your favorite candy?

i could eat a hundred reces cups in one sitting so

3. favorite love song?

hmmm is hello my old heart a love song

4. what was your first kiss like?

gay///

5. what was your last kiss like?

VERY gay

6. sexual/romantic orientation?

gay!

7. do you prefer poems or love letters?

i prefer love comics actually lmao

8. favorite fanfic trope?

oof i have not read fanfiction in a while

9. have you ever been in love?

maaaaaybe 👀 yes absolutely

10. favorite milkshake flavor?

CHOCOLATE

11. dinner dates or brunch dates?

dinner dont fucking wake me up for brunch thats my sleeping time its 2am right now

12. favorite flowers?

lilies are the prettiest for a bouquet, sunflowers make me happy tho

13. favorite perfume/cologne?

i have this cologne i got from hot topic like a million years ago it smells like angsty teenager i dont know if it smells good or just familiar

14. favorite candle scent?

midsummers night, yankee candle makes it it smells crisp

15. what’s your ideal first date?

so im invited to an estate at the top of a hill after dark because it cannot be accessed during the day, I assume its because its hosting another event but when i get there it almost seems as though nobody has lived in the house for a hundred years, and in fact im sure ive been there before and there was no house there at all, but here it stands in front of me in a thick fog while the sky threatens to unleash a torrential downpour that would give me no choice but to venture into the house accompanied or otherwise-im getting to the date part hold on-

16. favorite love story?

oh fuck have any of yall read the bone houses by emily lloyd jones? its not rlly a love story but its the only one i can think of rn

17. what’s the most attractive thing a person could wear?

pants that fit 😒

18. chocolate, vanilla, or red velvet?

red velvet but mostly because of the frosting

19. snow, rain, or sun?

rain!!! but only because i live somewhere thats sunny 350 days a year

20. sweetest romantic memory?

walking through a park while the sun was setting and there was snow on the ground and on everything

21. favorite dating sim (and favorite character)?

ok honestly i played that fuckin arcana game for a minute and i liked asra, the Aesthetic

22. fictional crushes?

well they only make orange and grape i think so any other flavor would be fictional

23. what’s your dream wedding like?

wouldnt u like to know, weather boy

24. what makes you blush?

goddamn everything, existing in a physical capacity

25. do you believe in love at first sight?

ehhhhh

26. do you believe in soulmates?

maybe

27. denim jackets, leather jackets, or bomber jackets?

leather jackets leather jackets

28. what’s your sign?

yield

29. are you single?

no!

30. do you prefer to charm, or be charmed?

i just bought a box of beads to make bracelets so i guess i like to charm but that doesnt mean im good at it

31. guitar or piano?

my fingers dont bend right to play the guitar otherwise i would, i can kinda play the piano tho

32. favorite romcom (or any romantic movie)?

eugh no

33. do you fall in love easily?

yes and no

34. valentine’s decorations: yay or nay?

that would take up so much timeee, and for what, what does anybody do on valentines day besides eat candy and do laundry

35. would you prefer to propose or be proposed to? what’s your dream proposal?

wouldnt YOU like to know, weather boy 👀

36. cloud gazing or star gazing?

star gazing, im not awake when the stars arent out

37. do you like to dance?

not in public

38. what’s your OTP?

me and @enbyblades

39. kittens or puppies?

KITTENS

40. coffee, hot chocolate, or tea?

i like cold coffee everything else hurts my face

41. favorite soda?

barqs superiority its rootbeer with caffeine bitches

42. do you prefer gazing wistfully out the window or lying dramatically over the sofa?

please let my lie down im so tired

43. favorite ABBA song?

dancing queen u know its a classic

44. fuck/marry/kill? (anons name 3 people of your choice)

you you and you i guess, watch out

45. favorite pajamas?

every year i buy valentines boxers and use them as pj shorts, those are comfy

46. favorite liquor?

screwball is really good but if i have shit to do ill take vodka

47. do you think about love a lot?

i think about my love a lot yes

48. a walk in the park or a walk on the beach?

park!!

49. hand kisses or nose kisses?

hand, ull smudge my glasses if u kiss my nose then ill have to clean them and its a whole thing

50. what’s your dreamhouse?

I GET A WHOLE HOUSE????? i want a desk and bookshelves so bad

#welp #sam

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callsignbaphomet · 4 years

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I'm actually playing Sanaa and Ingvarr pretty sci-fi ish. I've been combing through for mods to make the game even more sci-fi. Strictly using energy weapons with them. I still kept the Modern Weapons mod because base game weapons are atrocious and I don't even wanna hear them lol

Not a full on fan of Power Armor but don't hate 'em either. I'm just neutral I guess. Don't wanna replace them but did download ODST for when I wanna feel less...clunky I guess. There's also a PA hud overlay that looks awesome and I wanna find it again to use it. Looks really modern/sci-fi like. I'm just having trouble finding it again.

This playthrough is more self-indulgence than anything else. Both were killed back in the Capital Wasteland. I've retconned a lot but that still stands. If anything this would be when they were both younger and the kids were very little. Still have that Sanaa's parents were both Enclave (yeah, yeah, I know) and she was trained as such but she ran off. Ingvarr was still an NCR ranger but also deserted and both ran away together. I left the Pip-boy on her because I feel it fits.

Loke is just like his mom. He's super into energy weapons and robotics. So blew through Automatron to get the bench to make a robot for him. For him I'm gonna make his playthrough modern military/sci-fi. Still undecided what to name the robot. I got an idea but wanna play around with it some before making it concrete.

Jelani and Angelus I'm going modern military strictly. Have the Modern Weapons mod which I cannot recommend enough. I had a mod for a very sweet looking military armor but some of the patches available were just downright racist as fuck and I don't wanna have that shit in my game. So deleted the mod and blocked the author and another author that worked alongside them. Nexus seems to have a very bad issue with racist content available for FO4..........anyway, Militarized Minutemen is amazing and I can't recommend it enough either AND you get some super sweet modern army armors without the racist patches on 'em (as far as I can tell, haven't checked the pc version yet). Also it along with We Are the Minutemen and FCOM make the Minutemen a literal force to be reckoned with. I did keep the laser and plasma replacers simply because I like the look of 'em but Jelani is more lead then plasma. He's not against it he just feels like bullets are easier to manage and keep quieter. He's strictly stealth, I got all his weapons silenced. Doesn't do THAT much with Angelus running around with shotguns and rushing in like a jackass lol but ya know opposites attract and all that.

Oh for Jelani, Loke and Angelus I replaced the Pip-boy with the Pip-Pad. It makes more sense to me that they wouldn't have one of those ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I also made another playthrough but not with an OC...at least not in the traditional sense. Honestly it was just a random girl I threw together kinda quick. I wanna see if I can get that playthrough as close to vanilla game as possible but 1) I hate with every fiber of my being the base game weapons so I resorted to using energy weapons and 2) there are a lot of mods that pump a lot of life and fun into the game and parting with them feels more like a step back so I’m keeping them. Sim Settlements definitely stays though she’s more of a vault enthusiast/explorer. Usually don’t like the look of vault suits but combining Proto Vault Suit with Eli’s Armor Compendium makes for some super lovely vault suits so I have her running with a vault suit on. I’m hoping to be able to make a 111 vault suit or find it or something.

Btw her name is Elwynn which is an alias non au Angelus uses sometimes. He also uses the name online or for gaming.

I wanna make an evil character that sides with the Institute but I’m not sure if I should go with Iain (which is actually an evil character in the non au project. she’s...”complicated” in a sort of way). Maybe her or Gwendal. We’ll see.

#werewolf howls at dusk

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ialwayscomewhenyoucall · 5 years

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‘til Midnight

Chapter 3/5 (yeah, it’s five now...!)

twelve x rose, Into the Dalek coda

ao3 | ch1 | ch 2

The dry clothes are forgotten. They only have eyes for each other and, occasionally, the flowers. Heartsease and forget-me-nots crowd around rose bushes of every imaginable color, spilling onto the paths and causing them to press close together as they walk.

The Doctor does not mind.

They start out holding hands, Rose leading the way, but end up with her arm around his waist, his hand pressed between her shoulder blades. He can feel her heart beating against his hand, can feel her joy radiating from her. He knows it cannot last, knows she is leaving, knows she will be happy with the other one (because surely she will be, she must be), knows it is all for the good…

And still the beat of her heart against his hand, sound of her breath beside him, the perfect humanness of her--all of it makes him want to throw the known future away and steal her for himself, because what good is having a time machine if you can’t use it to be happy?

“I know there’s something you’re not telling me, Doctor,” Rose says suddenly. She stops and looks up at him, and it’s all he can do to not look away from the intensity of her gaze. “I know it’s hurting you. You think you hide everything away so well, but I’ve known you too long. Even with a different face.” She cups his cheek with her hand, ghosting her thumb across his lips. It takes every bit his control, control learned and perfected over centuries, to stand still.

“It’s just…” He searches for the right phrasing--why is it so difficult to find words when Rose is near? And it’s so much worse with her hand against his skin and her eyes searching his soul. “More than anything, my Rose, I want to hold onto you and never let go. I want to keep you here with me, to smash that dimension cannon into smithereens so you can’t possibly go back.”

Her breath catches. “But?”

“But,” he says, trying to keep the despair out of his voice, “your future, my past--they are already written.”

Rose puts her other hand on his other cheek and rises onto her toes to brush her lips against his. Just a moment, just a flutter. There is a familiar ferocity in her eyes when she says, “Don’t I get to choose?”

And he wonders: what would she choose? If she knew the future, would she go with the metacrisis to the other universe, or would she stay with this new Doctor? His hearts speed up at the thought. Would she pick him?

“Rose, it’s not that sim--”

“It’s never simple,” she interrupts, and there’s the fierce Rose he knows again. “With us, nothing has ever been simple.”

“There are lives at stake. Universes at stake. If I selfishly keep you here with me, what about the coming darkness, the one you’re so desperate to warn my previous self about? What happens to Pete’s universe? What happens to this one? There is so much more than just you and me. I cannot shatter space and time because I am in l--” He stops himself just shy of saying the words he promised he would not say.

Her eyes shine with unshed tears. He can see her contemplating all the questions she doesn’t dare ask. When she does ask something, he’s surprised by her words.

“Are you alone?”

“Am I…?” He lets out a breath.

“Are you travelin’ alone?” She reaches a hand to his face, but stops just before touching him. “You shouldn’t, you know. Better with…” Her voice wobbles as she trails off, unable to finish the phrase.

“Better with two,” he says huskily, stepping into her touch.

She closes her eyes, tears spilling down her cheeks.

“No, I’m not alone. But Clara, she’s just…I mean, she’s not…” He lets out a nervous laugh. “Something about you, Rose Tyler, makes me tongue-tied.”

Rose laughs too--a choked, half-sob half-laugh--and some of the tension dissipates.

“Clara is a schoolteacher. Sometimes I pick her up, after school, and take her on adventures. But she’s not you. No one could ever, ever be you.”

For frozen moments they stand just so: eyes locked, her hand on his cheek. He wants to hold onto this moment, but deep in his mind the countdown continues.

Four hours, thirty-three minutes, twenty-one seconds, twenty seconds, nineteen seconds…

“Would you like some tea?”

A look of confusion flashes in Rose’s eyes, and suddenly he realizes that it was he who spoke. What treacherous part of his brain asked if she wanted tea? He doesn’t want to have tea with her, he wants to--

He shakes his head, trying to re-align his thoughts. “What I mean to say is, it’s been a rather emotional couple of hours. Shall we go to the galley for tea? Or perhaps hot chocolate?”

Inwardly he scolds himself. Running away, are you Doctor?

She smiles, but he sees a hint of sadness in the smile that wasn’t there before. “Hot chocolate sounds grand. It’s not the same on the other side. Can’t describe it, but it’s...different.” She takes his hand. “Shall we?”

Pushing aside the part of him that wants to run, he says, “Always.”

✰✰✰

The Doctor huffs a sigh, then laughs. He can’t help it anymore. “You win,” he says to his ship. “As usual.”

Gone is the long oak table, bench on one side, sturdy chairs on the other. Instead, tucked into one corner, there’s a booth that looks like it belongs in a 1950’s diner: shiny red tabletop and black leather bench seat. There is, of course, only one bench. “I feel like I need sunglasses or something,” he mutters to himself, “just to fit in with the decor.”

“Have a seat.” He waves toward the booth then busies himself at the stove, heating milk in a pan and pulling cocoa and sugar, vanilla and cinnamon from various cupboards. Just before the milk boils he turns off the heat, stirs in the other ingredients, and pours it into two waiting mugs. Hooking his fingers through the handles, he picks them up, carries them to the booth, and scoots in next to Rose.

“My mug,” she says, wonder in her voice. “I can’t believe you still have this.” She runs her fingers over the red and orange maple leaves painted on the mug, as if testing reality. “We got this in…”

“Vermont,” the Doctor finishes. He’s not looking at the mug. He can’t keep his eyes off her face.

“You held onto this all these years.”

He doesn’t say anything for a long moment. “I have everything of yours. Everything you left behind.”

It’s happened between them before so often, these moments when time stretches and stretches until it pops, a bubble bursting to send them skittering. It’s been a long, long time, but the feeling is painfully familiar. It’s the Doctor who pops the bubble this time. “Oh, I forgot the marshmallows, do you want marshmallows?”

“Doctor!” It comes out as a frustrated yelp. “Stop changing the subject!”

He jumps sideways, giving her an innocent look. “I thought hot cocoa was the subject.”

Rose bangs her fist on the table, jarring the mugs and splashing the red formica with cocoa. “No it bloody well isn’t, and you know it. The subject is you and me and the past and the future. More important, the subject is the present--this very moment. The subject is time. Our time. Please don’t look at me all innocent, like you’re not counting down in that Time Lord brain of yours. I’ve got your number, Doctor. I can practically see time ticking away when I look into your eyes.”

She breathes deep, steadying herself. “I’m not asking you to tell me everything. I’m not even asking you to tell me anything at all. I’m just asking you to be with me here, right now, while we can. I have to leave in--”

“Four hours twelve minutes,” he supplies, before she can even look at her wrist.

“Right. I have to leave in just over four hours. I don’t want to spend all that time dancing around the fact that we have to say goodbye. I want to spend it together, yeah?”

He wants to argue. He wants to protect his hearts, and hers. But she runs her fingers through his hair, and he is lost.

for @doctorroseprompts 31 Days of Ficmas || day 31 - midnight

#lirael writes #31 days of ficmas #doctorroseprompts #twelve x rose #dw fic #into the dalek coda #the twelfth doctor #rose tyler #this hurts my heart

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winnwinn-moved · 7 years

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ice cream

winwin - 2278 - fluff

to say that sicheng has a crush on you is an understatement. crush doesn’t begin to cover the sweaty palms. the longing gazes, the shy smiles. crush can’t even describe the way his heart races when you call his name, the way his stomach twists in knots when you smile his way, the way his mind melts when you brush your fingers over his. crush cannot possibly fathom how unimaginably in love he is with you.

the issue with sicheng though, is that he likes the word crush, a lot. it’s a no strings attached, no commitment, no heartbreak kind of deal. with a crush, there’s no way in the world his heart will shatter to pieces if and when things don’t go according to plan. crushes mean that sicheng doesn’t have to get invested, and will most definitely be perfectly fine whenever things don’t work out.

unless of course, his crush is actually love.

which seems to be the case with you. unfortunately, fortunately, sicheng can’t decide. liking you isn’t the issue; no, you’re intelligent, sweet, gentle-hearted, passionate, lovely. the issue is that sicheng can’t get over his nerves and actually confess to you. his older friends like to tease and taunt him about his problem, but no matter how much they provoke him, sicheng still hasn’t managed to work up the courage to admit his undying love for you. yuta vows that he’ll ask you out if sicheng doesn’t. doyoung threatens to confess on sicheng’s behalf. even usually reserved taeil has joined in on the antics, deciding that he’ll drop you some not so subtle hints about sicheng’s feelings.

“just go to a movie or something!!” taeyong is practical with his answer, knowing that the teasings from the other boys aren’t the most helpful. “isn’t what always happens in those romantic movies anyhow?”

“this isn’t a movie though, this is real life.” doyoung is quick to note. “i think you need to do something more obvious than that, i mean-”

jaehyun interrupts. “and special too! it’s not everyday someone like this just sweeps you off your feet.”

the boys roll their eyes. sicheng however, listens intently, mentally taking notes on jaehyun’s romance 101. he agrees; you’re special to him (to say the least) and sicheng doesn’t just want to make this some casual confession you’ll think nothing about in a week. he wants to be open and honest with you, yet at the same time not be blunt in how he presents himself. he wants you to realize that maybe, just maybe (or perhaps, most definitely), you’re more than an average crush to sicheng. he needs to blow your mind with his confession, but at the same time make sure that he won’t-

“go overboard with it.” yuta glares at jaehyun. “you’re telling my precious baby angel to make a parade out of it. honestly, i agree with taeyong. keep it simple, casual, don’t make things like the tunnel of love.”

jaehyun pouts and johnny snickers at this, but sicheng is so caught up in the conflicting arguments that he hardly notices. he suddenly doubts his plan to confess. maybe this is a bad idea. maybe he should wait it out a little bit more, make sure that he absolutely, positively knows that he actually has a chance with you. after all, he doesn’t want to confess, get rejected, and watch your friendship crumble before his eyes because of it. your friendship is far too valuable for him to wreck because he couldn’t control the tugging of his heartstrings.

he sighs, running a hand through his bangs. this is ridiculous. why is he even asking for advice from any of the guys? none of them are currently dating, and the closest thing to it would be yuta and that stupid dating sim game he has. sicheng shoves his hand into his pockets nervously. he promised you earlier in the week that you guys would hang out today. last minute planning was a big mistake. you two are supposed to hang out in less than an hour and sicheng has zero idea where you’re even going yet, or how in the world he’s gonna manage to confess to you. he needs to hurry it up though, because the clock is ticking and he really doesn’t have unlimited time on his hands…

“ice cream.” taeil murmurs under his breath, glancing up from his phone. “ice cream date and somehow or another you only have enough money for one cone and then you share. i think.”

suddenly, the light returns to sicheng’s eyes. he smiles slightly. taeil laughs under his breath as the other boys shoot him inquisitive glances. sicheng can spew nothing but thanks though, as he begins to text you the details. it’s a perfect day for ice cream too. the hot summer sun is beating down their door, seeping through the cracked windows and suffocating the boys nearly to death. four fans blow in the dorm, yet still they’re sweating, melting, maybe even dying. okay, probably not dying, but mark looks close, sprawled out on the floor with his tongue hanging out his mouth. sicheng wonders how in the world he didn’t think about this before. it’s perfect; he likes ice cream, you like ice cream, what are the odds? taeil’s idea about sharing a cone isn’t half bad either, but sicheng thinks he might panic if he has to do something like that with you. not like he would mind, but knowing him he would get nervous and drop the ice cream to the ground with a loud splat! and the entire day would be ruined.

“you better get going.” johnny laughs. “can’t be late for your own date, now can you?”

sicheng shakes his head, his cheeks dark red as the other boys begin to giggle as well. quickly, he slips on his shoes, grabs his sunglasses, pulls his snapback onto his head. as he exits the dorm, the boys bid him with a chorus of good lucks, all of them confident sicheng will finish the end of the day successfully winning over your heart.

it takes sicheng longer than he expected to reach the ice cream parlor, and he’s worried that you might think he’s abandoned you. not like he would ever do such a thing, but the human mind is strange, and he understands that anxiety first hand. he’s relieved to find you standing at the doors to the bright little shoppe though, wide smile gracing your features. your hair is pulled back off your face, and you’re dressed in shorts and a cute top. sicheng finds himself blushing already as he offers a shy wave. he hurries over to you, pulling his sunglasses off and tucking them into the pockets of his shorts. the two of you smile and stare at each other for what seems like hours, before he opens the door and ushers you inside.

the ice cream parlor is packed. all around you, shrieking children chase each other, noses stained by vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. concerned parents demand they cut the shenanigans, but nearly every person under the age of ten in the building must be on a sugar high. the shrill giggles are mixed with constant chattering, along with workers calling out orders, ice cream cones in hand. there’s hardly room to stand comfortably, and all of the sudden, sicheng finds himself pressed up against you, having been shoved by an older lady trying to grab her child. you turn to face him, and the two of you are mere inches apart, and feeling suddenly emboldened, sicheng wonders if he should just kiss you now or-

someone tugs on his shorts, shaking sicheng from his thoughts. he bites down on his lip and scolds himself for being so brash. he then looks down, only to find a small boy, probably four or five, staring up at him with wide eyes and pursed lips. you glance over as well, wondering if maybe the poor thing lost his mother or something. you kneel down to this level best you can. sicheng smiles softly at the kid.

“excuse me?” the kid tugs on sicheng’s shorts again. “are you two in love? because my mommy says people look at each other like that when they’re in love.”

immediately, sicheng begins to sputter, taken aback by the child’s bold statement. his cheeks start to heat up, as does his entire body, and he now wonders if maybe staying at the dorm would have been a better plan for the day. he tries to ignore the way his stomach tightens, but he can’t. love repeats over and over and over in his head, and he wonders if you’re focused on the word as well. you only laugh however, giving the kid an affectionate ruffle of the hair. sicheng pretends his heart doesn’t sink to the bottom of his stomach, in the process, misses the way you mouth “i think we are”.

before the kid can ramble on, his apologetic mother scurries over, apologizing profusely for his motor mouth. he’s only in kindergarten, she explains, and he really means no harm. you smile and say it’s no problem; sicheng says he’s cute, so it’s really okay. the lady bows her head in one final apology before herding her son off, scolding him on the way. you and sicheng exchange amused glances, and soon the two of you are in hysterics over the little interruption.

finally, you two make it up to the counter. sicheng pulls out his wallet, waiting patiently for you to give your order. however, you are silent, and instead stand there, biting the inside of your cheek. sicheng frowns and gives you a look, but before he can ask what’s wrong, you spin to face him.

“let’s share.” you say, face turning scarlet. “we like the same flavor anyhow, so why spend the extra money?”

sicheng’s wallet hits the ground, his change spilling out as it does. he hurries to pick it up, and avoid you too. he doesn’t want you to see how red he is, how he can’t hide a smile from pulling at his lips, how his eyes must be the size of saucers. he just needs a minute to collect himself, that’s all. pull himself together before he calmly agrees that sharing would be a rather economically sound option. because that’s obviously what he’s thinking about. but when he stands back up, he becomes even more flustered as the cashier winks over at him. sicheng does his best to keep calm, but his hands are shaking when he hands over the money for one chocolate chip ice cream cone.

the two of you head back towards the dining area in silence, too nervous to speak to each other anymore. when you find an empty table, sicheng pulls out the chair for you before sitting himself down, careful to avoid contact. for a while, the two of you don’t speak, instead stealing glances at each other when you think the other isn’t looking. it’s not uncomfortable, but it most definitely isn’t ideal, and sicheng is trying to convince himself to just get over it and admit his feelings already.

it’s three simple words. i like you. that’s all sicheng has to say. yet his throat feels dry and scratchy, and his mind foggy and confused, and he thinks it’s better to save it for another time. the ever haunting idea of rejection looms in the back of his head, and sicheng can’t seem to banish it no matter what he tries.he’s getting fed up though, at himself, at his head, at his heart, for not coming to a consensus about what should be done.

his palms are clammy. his lips are dry. his gaze is focused on his hands, which are folded out in front of him. it shouldn’t be this hard, but somehow, this is one of the hardest things he’s ever tried to do, and he’s not sure whether or not he’ll be able to succeed in somehow spilling his secret to you.

he jolts to attention when you rest your hands atop his own.

“can i ask you something?” you mumble under your breath.

sicheng can only nod.

“is this… i mean this whole thing… is this a date?”

sicheng licks his lips. when he thought about a confession in the past, he thought it would entail lots of laughing, smiling, butterflies in his stomach and tingling down his spine. this is different. this is calming. like suddenly the last piece of a puzzle has been put into place and everything just seems right. there’s no cheering, no screaming, just a sense of calm. it’s like the entire world has stopped spinning, ceasing its rotation so all the stars could align for this moment.

sicheng cringes a bit; jaehyun has really been getting to him.

“i mean…” he trails off, daring to make eye contact. “do you want it to be?”

it’s your turn to be speechless. you waste no time in nodding excitedly though, the smile on your lips exposing your true emotions. sicheng smiles too, and soon you two are beaming, overwhelmed with the sudden sense of being complete.

later that day, nobody questions whether the couple walking down the street hand in hand are in love. from the stolen glances, to the gentle smiles, and soft words, anyone can tell that the two of you are very much in love.

sicheng wonders why it took so long for the two of you to realize it, but he rather likes the way he can kiss the ice cream off your nose now.

#winwin scenarios #winwin fluff #nct scenarios #nct imagines #nct mtl #nct fluff #sicheng fluff #sicheng scenarios #sicheng imagine #winwin imagine #yikes im sleepy #first fluff #!!!#sicheng #winwin #my baby

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thegloober · 6 years

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Google Pixel 3 XL review: Constant surprise and delight

Pros

✓Crisp, clear display

✓Software

✓Camera

Cons

✕Carrier exclusive is misleading