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aspoonofsugar · 11 months

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Ironwood and Penny: Atlas and Amity

Winter: You chose nothing. This...was a gift.

Winter: No, you have sacrificed everyone else!

Winter’s 2 remarks above highlight 2 important themes explored by Ironwood and Penny throughout the Atlas Arc:

Trust - Ironwood wants to control Winter, but Penny trusts her with the Maiden Power

Sacrifice - Ironwood sacrifices others, while Penny sacrifices herself

These ideas are also at the core of 2 settings of volume 7 and 8: Amity and Atlas.

On the one hand Amity means “friendship” and the arena represents the ideal of unity among Kingdoms (the Vytal Festival, the Amity Project). It is then a place symbolic of trust.

On the other hand Atlas takes its name from a Titan in Greek mythology, who holds the sky in place. This alludes to Atlas’s role as the Greatest Kingdom, which should support everyone else with its technology and richness. For this reason the Kingdom frames itself as ready to selflessly make sacrifices. In reality, though, it is supported by others’ sacrifices.

How do these 2 places comment Ironwood and Penny’s arcs? And what do these characters have to say on trust and sacrifice? Let’s discover it, by analyzing their parallel and yet opposite arcs.

CREATOR AND CREATION - 2 SIDES OF TECHNOLOGY

Ironwood and Penny are introduced in the Beacon arc along 2 opposite creations of Atlas Technology.

Ironwood: There are still many situations that will undoubtedly require... a human touch. So, we are proud to introduce... the Atlesian Paladin!

Penny: Most girls are born, but I was made. I'm the world's first synthetic person capable of generating an Aura.

Ironwood wants to substitude soldiers with robots and presents the Atlesian Paladins. Penny is instead the first synthetic person with aura and she wants to be a normal girl.

This juxtaposition foreshadows 2 things:

1) Ironwood is linked to a technology with no humanity, while Penny embodies technology made with humans in mind

2) Ironwood is a creator, while Penny is a creation

Ruby: You're not like those things we saw back there. You've got a heart, and a soul; I can feel it!

Ruby juxtaposes the Paladins to Penny. They are only puppets, but she is a real girl. This opposition gains more weigh when we remember that:

The Paladins are made by Watts

Penny is made by Pietro

Watts and Pietro are Atlas’s 2 top scientists, but Watts’ creations are cold and logical, while Pietro’s have hearts. And yet, when it comes to choose a project, Ironwood chooses Pietro’s.

Why is that so? There are 2 possible answers.

a) The first one is what Pietro believes:

Ruby: You wanted a protector with a soul. Pietro: I did. And when General Ironwood saw her, he did too. Much to my surprise, the Penny Project was chosen over all the other proposals.

Ironwood used to wish for a protector with a soul, even if he later changes his mind. It is coherent with Ironwood being the Tin Man who loses his heart. His problem is not that he is a bad person. If anything, several characters aknowledge Ironwood’s heart is in the right place:

Glynda: You're a good person, James. You've always done what you think is best for the people, even against strong protest. It's admirable.

Blake: The General's heart seems to be in the right place, but that doesn't mean we should trust him yet.

Still, he sees it as a weakness and refuses to follow it:

What if it’s true as they say That I don’t have a heart That I'm more a machine than a man? What would that change? Would it matter at all? I've made my plan Hearts and minds may not agree Emotions topple strategy

b) The second one is present in subtext:

Ironwood: For the past few years, Atlas has been studying Aura from a more scientific standpoint; how it works, what's it made of, how it can be used. We've made... significant strides. And we believe we've found a way to capture it.

Isn’t it interesting that Atlas has been experimenting with aura machines while also developing an android able to generate aura?

The aura machine takes and transfers aura, while Pietro gives his aura to Penny to bring her to life. It sounds as if the 2 technologies might be similar, doesn’t it? What if what really intrigues Ironwood about the Penny Project isn’t giving a soul to a robot, but rather controlling a soul? By studying how Pietro gives his aura to Penny, Atlas can learn more about aura itself, how it works and how to artificially manage it.

In the end, we don’t know why ironwood chooses the Penny Project over others, but this ambiguity fits his inner conflict between the heart and the desire of control.

At the same time, Penny ends up objectified in both cases. She is seen as a protector at best and as a puppet, at worst. This ties with the difference between creator and creation (point 2).

2) Ironwood finances new creations, like the Paladins and the Penny Project. In this sense, he is a creator. Penny instead was built by Pietro, so she is a creation. This dychotomy is articulated in 2 ways:

a) Ironwood is active, while Penny is passive

Ironwood: I refuse to believe that a man that I've trusted for so long would act so... passively.

Penny: I want to stay at Beacon. Ruby: Penny, they'll never let you do that. Penny: I know, but I have a plan.

At the beginning of the story Ironwood and Penny are opposite in how Ironwood has much agency, while Penny has none.

Ironwood is basically the ruler of Atlas and everybody in the Kingdom follows his orders. He is so used to have his way with everything that he enters a conflict with Ozpin over exactly this. He claims Ozpin is too passive and uses his influence to take control over the Vytal Tournament.

Penny is a child-soldier whose life has been decided by adults around her. Pietro asks her not to venture too far despite how lonely and curious Penny is. Ironwood controls her schedule to a ridiculous degree to the point she is forbidden to talk with anyone. Even when Penny musters the courage to pursue a personal goal, the narrative kills her off before she can act on her wish.

In the end, Ironwood and Penny’s arcs in Vale are decided by their respective activity and passivity. On the one hand Ironwood is so active he doesn’t trust others’ agency. He wants to control everything and everyone, but this is his downfall, as Cinder and Watts use his own robots against him. On the other hand Penny is so passive her role is reduced to that of a pawn in Cinder’s plan. Her feelings are ignored and dismissed to the point they meta-narratively have no impact on the story.

b) Ironwood is framed as a “second father” to Penny

Ruby: Was your dad that upset? Penny: No, it wasn't my father...

In A Minor Hiccup Penny links Ironwood and Pietro. This is a way to show Ironwood is an authority figure in Penny’s life. He is some kind of metaphorical father to her. Not in the sense their bond is necessarily familiar, like Penny and Pietro’s. Still, Ironwood is the one who finances Penny and is her teacher and mentor. His influence on the girl is as much if not more than Pietro’s. Ironwood is the one who decides Penny is gonna be a Huntress and a Protector. Penny instead loves and trusts him.

In summary, Ironwood starts the story as a controlling father figure, while Penny as a controlled daughter. From this initial point they have opposite progressions.

On the one hand Ironwood loses his 2 daughters (Penny and Winter) and ends up passive:

Ironwood: So, consider this my last order: step aside. Winter: I've never wavered in fighting the enemies of this Kingdom--And I won't start now.

On the other hand Penny emancipates herself from his 2 fathers (Ironwood and Pietro) and grows more active:

Pietro: I want the chance to watch you live your life. Penny: But dad… I am trying to.

They do so by adhering to opposite ideals. Ironwood chooses repression and control. Penny chooses expression and trust. Ironwood acts selfishly and loses himself. Penny acts selflessly and finds herself.

THE BATTLE OF AMITY

Ironwood: It goes without saying that this arena holds a significance to all of us.

Amity is an important place for Ironwood and Penny. On the one hand it is both where Ironwood loses the battle of Beacon and a weapon to use against Salem. On the other hand the arena is where Penny is killed and it gets repaired together with her, after they make it back to Atlas:

Pietro: Died? I guess, in a manner of speaking, she did. But we were able to recover her core from Amity Arena once it had made its way back to Atlas.

At Beacon Ironwood loses both Amity and Penny, but in Atlas they are repaired and enhanced, so that they fit the general’s plans even better. Amity Arena becomes Amity Tower, a giant antenna that can unify all nations against Salem. Penny becomes the Protector of Mantle, a super-hero that fights for the poorest and most defenseless people of the Kingdom. The overlapping between Amity and Penny is highlighted also by their technologies being similar:

Watts: Penny’s blades operate on the same principle as Amity in the launch terminal. In order for her to control them all, they need to communicate with one another.

Ironwood and Penny’s stories are intertwined with Amity, but once again Ironwood gets to be active, while Penny is forced into passivity. Ironwood controls the arena and Penny, while Penny is a super-weapon tasked with the burden to be a symbol of trust.

However, things start to change in Amity itself, where both Ironwood and Penny have a pivotal fight with a dangerous villain:

Watts and Cinder are strong foils and personal antagonists to both Ironwood and Penny.

On the one hand Watts is a foil to Ironwood. Both are Atlesians’ elites who believe true strength is found in the mind rather than the heart. They are also very ambitious and wanna best and control others. In particular, they wanna control Penny.

On the other hand Cinder is a foil to Penny. Both are girls (maidens) objectified and used by Atlas, who wanna be free. This search for freedom leads them both into a conflict with the elites (Ironwood). However, the way they go at it is different. Penny refuses the mentality of Atlas, but tries to save its people. Cinder can’t escape the Atlesian framework, but wants to destroy the Kingdom.

So, Watts and Cinder are dark mirrors, who are meant to challenge Ironwood and Penny. Are the General and the Protector of Mantle really different from Salem’s servants? And why?

In particular, the 2 villains test Ironwood and Penny on the theme of trust, especially in the 2 Amity Fights. After all, both confrontations happen because of an exhibition of trust:

Ironwood chooses to trust Robin and to tell Mantle and Atlas the truth. He is open about everything, even the Amity Project, which works as bait for Watts. Penny chooses to trust Ruby and the world with the secret behind Salem. This is why she has to protect Amity Tower at all costs when Cinder arrives.

At the core of both Ironwood and Penny’s plans there is a dangerous bet:

Watts: It wasn't finished... it was bait.

Penny: This does not seem like a very good idea. Pietro: There is a difference between a good idea and our best idea. Sadly, we don’t have time for much else.

Ironwood knows that telling his Kingdom the truth may cause panic. He knows he is putting Amity in danger. Penny knows that Ruby’s message may go ignored and the world might not come for Atlas in time. Similarly, she knows Pietro’s method to have Amity work is dangerous.

They both trust and take a risk:

Weiss: Trust is a risk.

Watts and Cinder appear out of nowhere to weaponize this risk for their own selfish interests:

Watts: Our tin soldier's heart has cost him his mind. We need to keep their attention on Mantle for as long as possible.

Cinder: Salem doesn’t know those children like I do. They wouldn’t just abandon their misguided attempt to save the world.

The main difference is that Watts understimates Ironwood’s feelings, while Cinder takes advantage of Penny’s.

Watts immediately thinks the General has fallen prey of his emotions and has made a misstep. In reality, this is a moment of clarity for Ironwood, where he follows his heart and makes smart choices.

Cinder reads the protagonists’ way of thinking correctly. She understands Ruby and the others would want to try and use Amity to warn the world. She doesn’t ignore their feelings, but makes use of them.

This is why Watts embodies control, while Cinder represents manipulation. Control relies on the repression of feelings. Manipulation is instead the ability to twist emotions, so that a person would act in a certain way. These 2 approaches are present also in the 2 Amity fights.

Watts uses his rings to control the whole Arena and have it attack Ironwood.

Cinder uses Penny’s feelings for Pietro and the world to manipulate her.

Still, by the end both Ironwood and Penny win. They defeat their opponents in what is a crowning moment of awesome for both characters. So, is it everything alright? Have they defeated their nemesis and affirmed they are good? Not really, because heroes are really tested not when they win, but when they lose:

Just after such draining fights, Ironwood and Penny have to immediately deal with another problem. Ironwood is manipulated by Cinder, while Penny is controlled by Watts. They are both victims of the enemies’ schemes. Still, their reaction is different.

Ironwood gives up on trust immediately. This choice is conveyed also through him sacrificing the Amity Project:

Ironwood: We are going to take our plan for Amity Tower and apply it to the city of Atlas.

Penny chooses not to give up on faith. She decides to launch Amity, despite Pietro’s protest:

Pietro: You’re in no condition to do something like this. Even just the temperature out there could-- Penny: It is our only option.

This moment marks who they are going to become. Ironwood freaks out and turns into the antithesis of who he is. Penny is steady and stays loyal to herself. That is because Ironwood and Penny’s value is not measured in them winning a fight, but rather in what they do when they discover their victory solves nothing. Are they ready to push forward with no guarantee they are going to succeed? Ironwood isn’t, while Penny is.

As a result, Ironwood fails to learn the main theme:

Ironwood: You can label me whatever you'd like, but the fact of the matter is I was right! The minute I softened, let my guard down, that's when Salem had her opening.

While Penny comes to embody it:

But our greatest fear will be realized If we fall and lose ourselves to fear We've become what we feared all our lives

The point is not that trusting and following your heart will always lead to victory. In many cases it won’t. Still, if you resign yourself to be cynical, you’ll lose who you are and may end up failing anyway.

This is why from here on out Ironwood and Penny switch when it comes to activity and passivity. Ironwood still has freedom and power, but he ends up tricked and manipulated over and over. Penny isn’t given many options and all of them are bad. Still, she keeps on making her own choices. After his Amity fight Ironwood is left (passive) by Penny. After her Amity fight Penny leaves (active) Pietro.

At the same time, here Ironwood chooses to sacrifice everything, but Atlas:

Ironwood: I will sacrifice... whatever it takes... to stop her. Watts: Oh, I hope you do, James. I hope you do.

Blake: But we're nowhere near finished evacuating everyone! You'd be leaving Mantle to die. Ironwood: Yes… I would.

Differently, Penny chooses to sacrifice herself for everyone and comes to embody what Atlas should be:

Cinder: I don’t serve anyone. And you wouldn’t either, if you weren't built that way. Penny: That is not… I choose to fight for people who care about me.

This is ironic because deep down Ironwood wants to be a hero:

Take my hand I’m here to protect you Nothing will stop me Understand There’s no sacrifice That I won’t make I’ll risk it all To keep you safe Trust me to be strong I’ll be your hero Just hold on

While Penny just really wants to be a girl:

An answered prayer A chance to Share the world To be a girl Who fin'lly felt alive

And yet, Ironwood becomes a villain, while Penny grows into a hero. Why is that so?

ROBOT VS HUMAN

Penny: One day, it will be my job to save the world, but I still have a lot left to learn.

Ironwood’s plan for Penny is to become the first of a new generation of Huntresses and Huntsmen. A new type of heroes that can be fabricated and controlled. Fighters who are smarter and stronger than humans and that can be accessorized with laser beams and other weapons.

Well, Ironwood is right on Penny being one of the best Huntresses, but he is wrong as to why:

Winter: No, Penny. You were always the real Maiden at heart.

What makes Penny a Huntress is not that she has a cannon or can fly. Rather it is that she has a human conscience, which leads her to make the right choice. Even if it is painful and difficult:

Penny becoming the Winter Maiden is what cuts her life short. At the same time, it is also what saves the people of Mantle. She becomes the real Protector of the City not when she takes down the Goliath, but when she chooses not to leave her people behind. It is this simple decision that makes her a hero. Penny doesn’t need a robotic body for this choice. Nor flying jets. Nor a laser beam. She only needs her human heart. That is the reason why she is a Maiden, a Huntress and a Savior. It is not because she is the special Creation of a genius. It is because she is a simple soul:

A story will be told, and victory is in a simple soul.

This is Ironwood’s mistake. He believes that to defeat Salem and save the world there is a need for special people. The truth is that it is sufficient for many people to make the right choice. Even if it hurts. Even if it is scary. Anybody could have made Penny’s choice not to give up on Mantle. The Ace Ops could have. Winter could have. Ironwood himself could have. And yet, they don’t. Penny instead does. This is why she is a hero, while they aren’t.

In short, Ironwood believes heroism is born by leaving humanity behind. Still, Penny shows that a true hero needs her humanity to succeed. This idea is commented also through Ironwood and Penny’s metallic motif. Both characters are in fact linked to specific metals of alchemy.

Ironwood is associated with iron through his name and to tin through his allusion (the tin man). In alchemy iron is linked to war and is more refined than tin. So, Ironwood’s growth lies in him letting go of his General persona (war) to fully embrace who he is and become gold/silver. And yet, he fails and as a result he regresses into tin. Symbolically, he loses his heart and becomes the Tin Man. A toy soldier for others to move around as they please:

By the end, all Watts has to do for Ironwood to come in the way of the protagonists is to simply open a door. Ironwood acts like a robot, completely under Watts and Cinder’s control.

Penny is associated with copper through both her name and color. On the one hand pennies are made of copper. On the other hand copper is usually green, just like Penny herself. Copper is more refined than both iron and tin, but it still needs to reach the perfection of gold. This happens when Penny grows up and symbolically becomes a “real girl” (a full self-actualized person):

In Pinocchio, the protagonist becomes a “real boy” and he discovers that his 30 copper coins are now 30 golden coins. In RWBY, Penny affirms she is a “real girl” through her final choice (giving Winter the Maiden powers) and becomes gold herself (she literally turns into a golden cloud while she disappears).

So, Ironwood gives up his humanity and loses both himself and his heroic ambitions. Penny instead holds on to her humanity and is celebrated as a hero and a wonderful person. This is why symbolically Ironwood transitions to a robot in the same episode Penny receives a human body:

This progression is shown also through their opposite relationship with Watts and Cinder. On the one hand Ironwood works with Watts, only to be tricked and eventually controlled by him. On the other hand Penny fights Cinder off until the very end and even negates her the Maiden Powers (what Cinder truly wants).

However, even if Ironwood is framed negatively and Penny positively, they both die tragically. Why is that so? What do Ironwood and Penny’s falls have to teach?

THE FALL OF ATLAS

I may fall But not like this – it won't be by your hand

Both Ironwood and Penny fall together with Atlas, and yet their final moments are complete opposite:

Ironwood is alone and makes no decisive choice. He is given one final chance to die heroically by fighting Cinder and Salem, but gives it up. Is that because he realizes all his efforts are useless? Is it because he accepts he is no hero? Or is it because Winter is right and he can only sacrifice others, but not himself? In the end, there is no definitive answer and that is the point. Who is James Ironwood? Nobody. He doesn’t leave back anything and there is no-one with him. Not even the viewers, who are negated his final moments. There is really nothing left to see.

Penny is with 2 friends, who witness her final choice. Jaune accepts her heroic sacrifice and Winter accepts her legacy. They both trust her and she manages to make one final choice which defines who she is. A friend. A real girl. A fully self-actualized person. She is a Creation who becomes a Creator. She is Pinocchio who gives life to the Blue Fairy:

Penny’s final moments are so meaningful and rich that the viewers are given the chance to follow her shortly after death. They see Penny’s goodbye to Winter and the affirmation of love for her friend.

Penny’s choice is an expression of her destiny:

Pyrrha: When I think of destiny, I don't think of a predetermined fate you can't escape. But rather... some sort of final goal, something you work towards your entire life.

After all, what is Penny’s final goal if not this?

My wish came true The day that you appeared And called me a friend

The thing Penny works towards her entire life is to be a friend. It is to affirm her personhood through her bonds with others and this is exactly what she does in the end. Right or wrong she chooses to be a friend. She goes back to protect RWBY and leaves the Maiden Powers to Winter. Her final decision is tragic, but it is still an affirmation of who Penny is, as a person. This is also why it is the only thing Cinder fails to anticipate:

Cinder: Where did it go?!

Cinder manages to manipulate everyone almost perfectly. She knows how the heroes and villains alike will act and makes use of their wishes and emotions. Penny is no exception and actually the love for her friends is what leads her back into the fight. Still, no matter how skilled Cinder is at manipulation, she can’t take away who Penny is. So, in the end Penny does something unforeseen, which gets in the way of Cinder’s objective. The Winter Maiden powers are kept safe from her and given to Winter.

Winter herself becomes symbolic of Penny’s moral victory over Ironwood. Our Winter Maiden chooses the future of Atlas.

Robyn: What do you think a Kingdom is? The people, or just the chunk of land they live on?

The General embodies an Atlas, who is isolated, cold and controlling. He is obsessed by the land and the resources. This is why he dies with his city. The Protector of Mantle represents an Atlas, who is friendly, warm and trusting. She sees the citizens are what matters. This is why she dies with her people. Eventually Winter chooses Penny and opens up a new path for the Atlesians:

In synthesis, both Ironwood and Penny die, but the way they fall marks them as different. Ironwood dies passive, isolated and pathetic. Penny dies active, surrounded by love and a hero.

In other words, Ironwood falls like Atlas:

An empty shell of his former self. A kingdom with no people. A man with no heart.

Penny instead falls like Amity:

She falls after having brought people together. She falls, but has trust in others and faith in the future. A real Maiden at Heart.

When the protagonists arrive in Atlas, they find a Kingdom which is scared to open up. It is scared of trusting:

Now that Kingdom is gone and not just physically, but also from the hearts of people:

Atlas welcomes the protagonists with an army ready to stop any intruder from other Kingdoms. Vacuo welcomes the protagonists with an army made of all the ships from every Kingdom.

Atlas (Ironwood’s mentality) is gone, but Amity (Penny’s mentality) is floating again in the sky.

#rwby #rwby meta #penny polendina #james ironwood #tw: penny's death #penny & friends #winter schnee #my meta

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chicken-fifi · 1 year

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On the Road - Woosung (The Rose) Imagine

Requested by @irishxgem: Hi, I would like a make an imagine request please. Going on tour with your boyfriend, Woosung/Sammy, from The Rose. You can make it all fluffy and stuff. Thank you 😊❤️

Word Count: 705 words

A/n: I'm basing a few details off of some tiktoks people took at their shows that have been popping up all over the place on my fy page. I'll just say it here but feel free to drop links to tiktoks that may you laugh, smile, cry, etc. in my ask box.

You heard the crowd go silent from the wings of the stage, the soft voice of a woman filling your ears as she sang “(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love” slowly but steadily. The crowd joined in briefly towards the end causing an inevitable smile to form on your face as you tried to envision what the guys could be seeing from the stage as they took a brief moment to collect themselves. A loud roar erupted as the girl finished singing, and while there was no way she could possibly see you - that anyone could possibly see you - you still when crazy clapping along with everyone else. Woosung noticed you immediately, smiling brightly as he grabbed a microphone and point off the wings while addressing the audience.

“You guys can’t see, but (y/n) is going crazy right now. That’s her favorite song, so you more than likely just made her day 10x better. We probably can’t even hold a candle to what you just did.”

A unanimous laugh came from the crowd as they began chatting about your name wanting to see you. It was no secret that you and Woosung were dating. While the two of you had never publicly confirmed that you were dating, fans had pieced together that someone was indeed dating Woosung, and upon further investigation, they seemed to find little traces of you in almost every picture he posted. And the pièce de résistance? The one photo that he took and posted without realizing that you were clearly in the background ordering something at a restaurant. They quickly found you after that and were able to connect the pieces very quickly.

He waved you over while you shook your head. Letting out a laugh himself, he rushed over grabbing your hand and pulling you gently. You resisted laughing before he gave a particularly hard tug that had you stumbling into him and into the view of the crowd - who cheered loudly. Seeing no way out you waved for a moment before smacking Woosung and attempting to make a run for it getting stopped by him as he grabbed you.

“You guys have been very curious about her haven’t you?” he said into the mic holding you close. “And you’ve somehow managed to piece everything together and it seems even like her more than you like us.”

“Is it official?!” someone from the audience shouted loudly.

“It’s official.”

~~~

Back at the hotel, you lay on the bed staring at the ceiling listening to the running water of the shower head. Woosung’s confirmation had only caused even more of an uproar from the crowd - all good things of course - before he walked you back to the wings and went back to their setlist. After a rather late dinner, filled with some pretty bad jokes from Hajoon, and much relief about not having to watch everything they said out of fear of accidentally confirming your and Woosung’s relationship, you all wished each other good night before going to your respective rooms to rest and more than likely sleep through your alarms.

“Penny for your thoughts,” Woosung uttered before beginning to brush his teeth as he walked around the room looking for his shirt.

“Just thinking about how crazy everyone might be at the next show. There’s no way no one caught that on camera.”

You managed to hear him mumble a few things as he rinsed his mouth, “...I think it’ll be fine. And if it’s not, don’t worry about it.”

There was some relief provided in his words as you moved over allowing him to climb into the bed with you. His arms naturally wrapped around you pulling you close, his lips pressing a gentle kiss to your temple. In the newfound warmth, you could feel your eyelids growing heavier and heavier, your breathing growing slower and steadier. “I really appreciate you coming on this tour with us,” he whispered against your hair. “It means the world to have you, the person I love, beside me as I’m doing what I love.” Not hearing a response, Woosung looked down smiling softly as he noticed you had fallen asleep against him, a peaceful look on your face. “Good night, (y/n).”

#kpop imagines #kpop scenarios #the rose #the rose masterlist #the rose imagines #the rose scenarios #the rose woosung #the rose sammy kim #woosung #woosung imagines #woosung scenarios #kim woosung #kim woosung imagines #kim woosung scenarios #sammy kim #sammy kim imagines #sammy kim scenarios

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smaptain-smerica · 11 months

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Female Reader x Rooster

Time: Post-Top gun: Maverick

Y/n Blackwood - L/n, daughter of Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood. Y/n took a strong interest in planes from a young age. Knowing her father was an esteemed pilot drew her even further into the navy. Quickly, she became one of the best solo pilots and graduating at the top of her class at Top Gun.

Her next mission? Return to Top Gun, Face certain death, romantic interests, and finally, her thought-to-be-dead, father.

This book contains strong language and sexual content that may be sensitive readers under the age of 18

This story was originally posted on Wattpad, follow me on there for faster updates. I have published a non-binary version of this story published there for those who do not identify as female or use she/her pronouns. It will follow the exact same story line. Link to Wattpad Account Link to the Non-Binary version

Master list

Our House

I stood near the doorway as Bradley and Jake stalked confidently into the depths of the bar. This was one of the only times I had seen them get along, seen them willing to work together.

My heart raced with anger and anxiety. I didn't want to have to face my student again, I was angry he thought he could get away with it but being in his presence still brought back that small amount of fear that I felt.

I circled the bar in order to get close enough to hear what the two men were saying. Bradley had hung back to talk to Penny. I assumed he was telling her what happened by the way she glared at my former student.

On the other hand, Jake had made himself comfortable behind the bar, strolling in like he owned the place. His arms collided with the table causing the whole bar top to shake. I watched as Ghost lifted his head to look into the eyes of his teacher.

"Hey there Ghost." Jake said casually as he gripped ghosts beer glass in his hand, sliding it over to himself and taking a drink from it. Ghosts face turned sour with disgust and distaste.

"Lieutenant Commander." Ghost grumbled.

Somehow Jake seemed to lean further into the table, a smirk growing on his face. "Oh man," Jake sucked his teeth. "That sure is a nice shiner you got there. What happened?"

Ghost had seemed to make the connection as to why Jake was choosing to pick on him. He straightened in his seat and squared off his shoulders, glaring daggers into Jakes eyes.

"None of your fucking business." Ghost growled.

Jakes eyebrows widened upward. "Woah! That's no way to talk to your commander." Jake paused, slinking closer to to Ghost over the bar top. "Of course, that's if you were still part of the program. From what I hear, sounds like you're not anymore."

Ghost shot up, the bar stool from underneath him scooting dramatically across the hardwood. Jake straightened his shoulders back and narrowed his gaze. I had never seen Jake look so angry, so intimidating.

Ghost clenched his fists, looking like he was about to connect with Jakes jaw when he suddenly calmed, stretching his fingers back out. "Come on, Jake." Ghosts voice lightened, as though he was trying to convince a friend to make a decision. "I've seen how she is around you. Hell, I thought she was dating to you because of it. She plays around with guys like us' feelings. How was I supposed to know any different?"

I felt my heart tug downward hearing those words. For some reason, I considered whether or not I had done that to Jake, given our conversation we had in the last few weeks. I did have love for Jake but not in that way.

"You we're supposed to know different because your parents should have taught you better." Bradley's voice was now added to the mix. He stood behind Ghost with his arms cross and eyes narrowed. They were nearly the same height, but Bradley had a lot more bulky muscle than Ghost did, making him look bigger than the other male.

"Don't say shit about my family." Ghost growled while trying to size up to Bradley. Ultimately, he failed because Bradley uncrossed his arms and squared away his shoulders. "But you get to say shit about mine?" Bradley nearly growled, I could see the anger growing in him.

Ghost finally looked Bradley up and down, a huff of realization escaping his lips. "So you're the boyfriend, huh?"

"Yeah, I'm the boyfriend."

I smiled a little to myself. I had never heard us use labels before. Truthfully at this age it wasn't as important to me but hearing him say those words made my heart lift. Watching him defend and protect me made me feel safe, seen, and special.

Jake had joined Bradley's side now, that signature Seresin smirk plastered across his face. "You know," he interrupted. "You've managed to disrespect a lady in the last 5 minutes, and the Navy in the last 5 hours." Jake smirked at the confusion on the younger males face then looked behind them towards the bar.

"Do it Penny." Penny was behind the bar, hand on the rope of the bell with a smirk on her face. She swung her arm back and forward, giving it a good and loud ring, which made the bar erupt in cheers.

"What's that, what does that mean?" Ghost asked. "It means you buy a round of drinks for everyone in the bar." Bradley said cooly.

"And we get to kick you out now." Jake countered Bradley's calmness with venom coming from his tone of voice.

I watched them lift ghost up off the ground. My former student thrashed about to try and break loose but ultimately gave up before he was thrown out onto the sand. "Good riddance, dickhead!" Jake shouted before entering back into the bar.

"Don't come back!" Bradley added before turning on heel back into the bar. The room cheered as they made their way back over to me. The crowd at the bar had no idea the context behind it, they just enjoyed seeing someone get kicked out, but it was nice to hear the cheering. Whether it was for me or not.

I hugged Bradley first. A tight and grateful hug that hopefully expressed the appreciation I was feeling towards him. "Thank you." I whispered in his ear. He responded by giving me a tight squeeze.

"Of course, sweetheart."

When I separated from my hug from Bradley, Jakes hands clasped my shoulders and he gave them a gentle squeeze. "We've got your back, Wolf."

I smiled at Jake gratefully and gave his hand that was resting on my shoulder a pat.

"Come on, let's get drunk." Bradley encouraged me, pushing me towards the bar for a night of drinking and karaoke.

To tell the truth, I had significantly more to drink than Bradley had. His arm was looped around me and supporting my weight. Was it a bluff so he could half carry me into the house? Partially.

He shut and locked the front door behind us, hardly having time to turn around before I had pulled him into a loving kiss. I missed him so much while he was gone, it was almost scary.

Our kissing walked us into the bedroom where I was pushed down onto the soft mattress and he slowly crawled on top of me. The kissing was soft and sweet, the slight tang of beer lingered on his lips.

"I was thinking," Bradley mumbled in between kisses.

"That's dangerous." I quipped back.

"Hey now," Bradley warned as he propped up on his elbows to look down at me. He brushed strands of my hair away from me face and smiled as he did so. The world around me started to spin with every slow blink that I took. I was going to regret the hangover tomorrow.

"Why don't we go look at a couple houses tomorrow?" Bradley suggested.

"But I already live here!" My drunken mind protested.

"This is my house, sweetheart. I thought you wanted your own house." Bradley chuckled gently as he kept stroking my head.

"Why can't it be our house?" This was a thought I was considering for a while now. Truthfully I thought I would hate living with another person. And at first I did, but that time I spent away from Bradley made me realize that with him, it's better. Every day will always be better with him.

"You want to live with me?" He asked quietly, almost astonished I was asking.

"What have I been doing here? I tried to offer you rent but you refused!" I shouted playfully, which caused us to Break out into laughter.

When our eyes met after, I saw my entire future. Waking up and going to sleep looking at those brown eyes with flecks of green. I sometimes wondered if our kid would have those eyes. I don't know if it was the liquid courage or my own that led me to what I said next.

"I think I want to marry you."

Bradley just sat there completely still, not saying anything. I felt my heart begin to beat with anxiety. Was that the wrong thing to say? Did he not think the same?

But then he smiled. A slow, crawling smile that turned into a wide and bright one. "Really?" He asked in a voice that was hardly a whisper.

I nodded as an answer. Bradley's hands traveled to each side of my face, the look of joy never leaving his face as his eyes moved over every inch of my face. "I've known from the moment I met you I wanted to marry you."

My emotions got the better of me as I brought my head up to kiss Bradley. His hands held my head as he reciprocated the kiss with just as much passion. The kissing went on for only a few more moments before he pulled away and looked back down at me.

"I love you." He said.

"I love you too." I responded with as much eagerness and enthusiasm as him.

"Come on let's get to bed." Bradley patted the comforter before propping himself up on his arms. I quickly grabbed the collar of his shirt and brought his body back down on top of mine.

"Can we do something else first?" I asked, a mischievous smirk on my face.

A smirk of his own crept across his face, shifting his mustache. He sat up above me and practically tore off his shirt.

"Alright, sex, then bed."

Next Chapter in Progress

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buchi-to-pichi · 9 months

Text

Please Read

First off, I would like to state that I am extremely sorry for doing this on this account, but this is an emergency.

Approximately two weeks ago, I received two foster kittens, who I love with all my heart. Tragically, one of them was not strong enough to make it. Her brother, affectionately named Kirby, has begun developing a sickness similar to hers, and needs to be taken to the vet today. He was taken a few days ago to the emergency vet, and received antibiotics, but he has a mass that needs to be drained.

I am unable to afford his expenses, as I have used up nearly every penny of my savings in keeping him healthy.

I am asking for donations in any size, in order to help with his treatment. Anything at all helps, and everyone who donates can receive something from me.

If you donate, send me a DM or an ask giving the name you donated with, as well as anything you may want designed. I am unable to ship things out as the costs are too high, but I will gladly make you any digital file you would like. I can make custom practice pages, digital lessons, etc.

Please help me save him, by donating through the link below.

Thank you so much for even taking the time to read this, as it means the world to me. I hope to be back to giving you guys fun lessons again soon, and I wish you all luck in your learning!

Ellie C.

#I will be back to posting lessons asap I promise #And I will delete this at some point so it isn't taking up space ;;#Anything at all is so so appreciated however

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m-jelly · 1 year

Note

For your event, may I request a NSFW in canonverse piece with Levi treating Reader to some fun on their birthday when they are engaged.

A treat for you and me

Pairing: Levi x Fem!Reader

Genre and tags: Romance, canon AU, fluff, engaged, breast play, oral (fem receiving), grinding.

Concept: It's your birthday and your wonderful man managed to get the day off, so he spends it all with you. Levi spoils you a little before showering your body in love and affection.

Link to event

Tag list: @levisbrat25 @ladycheesington @skittlelover69 @nbinairyn @nyxiieluna @galactict3a @notgoodforlife @li-anne @strawberrybunny123 @demonsimp6

You smiled softly as delicate kisses decorated your neck and chest. You pried your eyes open to see soft raven hair in your view. You tangled your fingers into the soft hair and began caressing the owner. Steel blue eyes met your own making your heart flutter in your chest. The stunning eyes observed you for a moment before a gentle smile spread on kissable lips.

Your fingers danced over a defined jawline, the skin smooth and soft. Your fingers dragged down to his thick biteable neck. A gentle smile spread on your lips as you admired his button nose and puffy cheeks. You truly loved and adored your strong, brave, loving, caring and funny fiancé with all your heart and soul.

Warm loving lips pressed against your own. A soft moan escaped both of you as you shared kiss after kiss. Curious hands began to wander over sensitive skin. A muscular frame pressed against your own. You were loved, adored and worshipped by the man above you.

Levi retreated from your lips a moment and nuzzled the crook of your neck. He inhaled deeply and enjoyed the smell of soap on your skin. You both met due to soap. You had a shop where you made all kinds of soaps. He adored it and came to adore you.

Levi's chest rumbled as he let out a deep sigh. "Good morning, birthday girl."

"Good morning."

He leaned up and gazed down at you as his fingers played with your hair. "I have a lot of gifts for you."

You cupped Levi's perfect face. "I don't need anything. Anyway, shouldn't you be at the scout base?"

He turned his head and kissed your hand. "I requested a day off and Erwin granted it. In fact, he gave me a whole week. So, birthday week."

You giggled as Levi began kissing your hands and arms. "I feel very spoiled." Your wrapped your arms around Levi and squeezed him tightly. "I love you."

Levi blushed hard. "I l-love you too. You know that, right?"

You nodded. "I feel very loved by you."

"Good." He climbed out of bed and wrapped up in his dressing gown. "I have a few things to give you." He held his hand up to you as you moved. "Stay in bed."

You sat up and ruffled your messy bed hair as your fiancé ran excitedly off. You sat against your headboard and hummed in thought about your perfect lover. You loved how as soon as you both became a couple, he couldn't keep away and lived with you in your home.

You raised your left hand and played with your sweet engagement ring. You felt your cheeks burning when you remembered how nervous and clumsy he was when he proposed. You and Levi were learning from each other. You were each other's firsts in a lot of things, so your heart truly belonged to this man and you knew he was infatuated with you.

Levi returned to you with a tray in his hands. "Your birthday treats."

You stared at the tray when he placed it on your lap. You admired the flowers he'd gotten you, the carefully wrapped present. You welled up at the little cake with cute decorations on. You knew Levi would have had to pull a few strings to get the ingredients to bake the cake.

Levi sat on the bed and placed his lips lovingly against your forehead. "Happy birthday."

"Levi, this is too much. You must have spent so much on the ingredients."

He played with your hair a little. "You are worth every penny." He cut a bit of the small cake and offered it to you. "Enjoy."

You moaned in delight at the simple and delicious cake. "This is perfect."

Levi picked up the present and offered it to you. "It's not much, but I wanted to treat you."

You unwrapped the gift to see a little soap inside with flowers in it. "Did you make this?"

He nodded. "Yeah, it's the first one I've ever made and I wanted to make it for you. What do you think?"

You inhaled deeply and hummed in delight. "Oh, this smells so nice."

"Really? I'm glad you like it."

You put it down and kissed him. "Thank you so much. I feel so spoiled."

Levi moved the tray away from you before moving closer to you. He pressed his lips against yours and smiled. "I have more things to gift you."

"Oh yeah?" You giggled as Levi yanked you down the bed so you were on your back. "Exciting."

He purred at you. "Let me take care of you."

You wiggled a little and got comfy. "Okay, I'm all yours."

Levi pushed your nightdress up. "Good girl."

You smiled as Levi pressed your breasts together and began kissing them. "I feel like this is more of a treat for you."

He licked your left nipple making you moan. "It's a treat for us both. Do you not want this?"

You blushed a little under your lover's sweet gaze. "I do. I adore it. I just worry you might feel forced."

He shook his head. "I love this." He kissed your other breast before sucking on your nipple. He released it with a pop. "Mm, delicious."

You tangled your fingers in his hair and sighed softly as he sucked and nipped your breasts. You let out a gentle sigh of pleasure as his tongue kept flicking your nipples. You gasped when he bit your chest before growling against your sensitive skin.

You looked down at Levi to see him smiling. "Marking me again."

He kissed below your breasts. "Yes."

You watched him kiss down your body making you hum in delight. "Levi."

He dragged his lips down your body slowly. "You are so divine." He kissed your stomach and smiled. "I've never met someone so perfect and delicious before."

You blushed hard. "Thank you."

"You have opened my eyes to so many things." He slipped your underwear down your legs and tossed them. "I love you so much."

You gasped as Levi lifted your hips with a pillow. He shifted your legs over his shoulders and gripped your thighs. He massaged them a little as he started kissing and sucking on your sensitive skin. He smiled against you and hummed in happiness.

Levi bit down on your thigh and sucked hard. He rolled his tongue against your skin before kissing the spot. He dragged his lips down your thigh and closer to your wet slit. He sighed softly as he felt hungry to have you. He couldn't wait to devour you.

He softly kissed your clit with a delighted hum. He covered your clit in delicate and loving kisses. He sighed a little. "Fuck, I love you."

"I love you too, Levi."

He purred against your slit and kept kissing your lips from your pussy up to your clit and all over. He used his fingers to delicately open you up for him. He admired how wet you were for him. He dragged his tongue up and moaned as your arousal spread over his tongue. He flicked his tongue against your clit and smiled at your little mewl of pleasure.

Levi smiled a little. "Mm good girl."

You covered your mouth with your hand a little and began panting as Levi kept dragging his tongue up you over and over. You shifted your legs a little as your pleasure burned inside you. You bucked a little against his face as your skin burned for him.

Levi dragged his body across the bed as he pressed his mouth closer to your clit. He took your sensitive mound into his mouth and sucked hard. His tongue moved against your clit as he sucked. He smiled softly and eyed you as you moaned and wiggled under him.

You leaned your head back and pressed your pelvis against Levi's face. You whimpered and moaned as you felt your coil tighten at your fiancé's loving actions. You reached down and entwined your fingers with Levi's as he kept showering you in love.

You grinded a little against his mouth as your skin burned with pleasure. Your moans heightened in pitch as your thighs clenched around Levi's head. You shook against the bed as you felt the need to cum burning into your veins. You felt yourself drooling at the pleasure coursing through your soul.

You cried out in pleasure as your orgasm washed over you. "Levi."

Levi raised his head and locked his lips. "Are you okay?"

You nodded. "Yes."

He smiled a little and kissed the side of your knee. "Good, I'm glad. Can you keep going?"

You blushed as you shyly nodded. "Yes."

Levi softly kissed your clit before dragging his tongue down your body and pushing it into your pussy. He smiled and moaned as you shivered at the movement of his tongue. He pressed his thumb against your clit and began softly rolling it. His tongue massaged your silken walls as you panted and moaned under him.

You gripped Levi's hand tightly as your legs shook a little. "Mm, Levi." Panted softly. "Don't stop."

Levi kept up his actions as he gazed at you. He moaned against your making you mewl in response at his tongue vibrating inside you. He enjoyed how you coated his tongue in your arousal. He enjoyed every last drop entering his mouth. He felt like he could drown in your taste for hours on end.

You panted and moaned in delight as Levi kept moving his tongue and thumb. "So good." You panted heavily as your coil tightened. "So damn good. Ah! Levi. I love you." You smiled as he squeezed your hand in response. "I love you so much. I love you. I love you." You lifted your hips. "Ah!"

You threw your head back as you came on Levi's tongue. Levi sucked and licked every last drop you gave him. He moaned against you as he enjoyed the flavour that was you. He pulled back and panted as he looked at you with your orgasmic glow.

He slowly kissed up your body before licking his lips. "You're so beautiful."

You lightly caressed his cheek. "You're so sweet to me."

"Because I love you." He kissed you and moaned against your lips. "My world."

You blushed a little. "I kind of want to...but...I haven't cleaned my sponge from last night." You pouted. "I want to feel you."

"Well, I can just line my cock along you and we can grind against each other."

You nodded as your eyes lit up in delight. "Please."

Levi rolled onto his side and pulled you with him. He shifted his bottoms down and pulled out his hard penis. He moved his hand up and down slowly and moaned a little at his touch. He held your him and prodded his tip against your thighs.

You blushed and parted your thighs a little allowing Levi to line his cock along your slit. He cupped the side of your face as he gripped your bum. You both smiled at each other and shared kiss after kiss as your fiancé's cock twitched against you.

You panted and started moving your hips back and forth causing his thick hard dick to slide against you. You shifted your hips and shivered for a moment. You moved your hand down and lifted his cock up a little so it was fully pressed against your clit and slit. You blushed as you felt him sliding in and out and parting your wet lips.

Levi grunted at feeling you coat him in your arousal. He moaned your name as his precum leaked out his tip and smeared against your pussy lips. He crashed his lips against yours and began humping you hard and fast.

You both moaned against each other's lips as both of you were stimulated in pleasure. Levi's tip prodded your entrance a few times, but you both just whimpered and moaned in response. You forgot all about the worries and kept moving together as one.

Levi gripped one of your buttcheeks hard. "F-fuck, you feel s-so good." He groaned. "I love you. You're so perfect."

You whimpered as your coil tightened. "I love you so much. You're everything."

Levi crashed his lips against yours, his tongue moving with yours in a loving dance. Your hearts raced in your chest as your pleasure heightened. You both felt the urge to cum hard. You were already sensitive, so it wasn't taking much to push you over the edge and Levi was always very aroused when eating you out.

Levi grunted. "I'm gonna cum."

You mewled. "Me too."

Levi yanked your pelvis against his own as he moved faster. "Cum with me. Let's cum together."

You moaned in delight. "Ah! Levi!" You clung to Levi as your body started shaking. "Mmm!" Your orgasm ripped through you. "Fuck."

Levi slammed his hips against your hard as his cum pumped out of him and covered your slit, thighs and bum. "Fuck." He panted against your lips as he moaned your name. "I love you."

"I love you so much."

He smiled softly. "I have much more to do for your birthday."

You giggled. "I'm excited."

He kissed you softly before leaving the bed. He returned to you and cleaned you up before dressing you in your bed things. He cradled you in his arms before helping you drink some water. "Are you all right?"

You nodded. "I'm great, thank you."

He kissed your forehead and hummed. "I love you."

"I love you." You blushed a little. "Can we have a bath together? I want to try the new soap with you!"

Levi purred at you. "I would love that."

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lotusflowerbreakingthesurface · 5 months

Text

Let's Talk About PingXie: Part 4

Let's Get To Know the Artists 🎨

As expected of a fandom that has actively existed and for so many years, there are many talented artists who make contributions for Daomu Biji fandom, whether they are official artists or fan artists. I hope that more people would recognize their hard work and give them "like" and "support". Above all, please do not repost their artworks without permission/credible sources.

I know that some fanarts are too old and still can't find the artist no matter how hard we try (I feel it myself T_T) If that's the case, please explain it clearly and do not claim them as your own. Some artists also have guidelines on the usage of their artworks, such as: no reposting, no self-printing, avatar/wallpaper only, etc. For more information, you can check their profiles/homepages since every artist has their own rules, make sure to follow them, alright? (˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧

So, let's talk about PingXie fan artists and Daomu Biji official artists. Of course, only a few... there are too many to put them all here... (ᵕ—ᴗ—)

Please note that some may have quit the fandom, not active anymore, take a break, or indulge in multifandoms. Hopefully, they wouldn't set up their Weibo to only display within half a year, so we can still appreciate their hard work 💖

Note: Mainly on Weibo (🧣), feel free to tell me if there is something wrong.

🌾 Fan Artists 🌾

1. 🧣: 尘心尺雪・ Lof: 尘心尺雪・ X: @kylin37044

About them: PingXie Only; doesn't like people posting her works without permission, but some people still do it and make trouble, so I can see why she is very adamant about it; sometimes drawing for PingXie fanfictions too; rarely update on X.

2. 🧣: 迪咕咕咕泽天天向上・ Lof: 迪泽🐦

About them: PingXie Only; often draws in chibi style and comic strip; often accepts commission for PingXie fanfictions.

3. 🧣: —柒拾柒個柒拾柒— ・ Lof: —柒拾柒個柒拾柒—

About them: PingXie; draws single pictures too.

4. 🧣: finnnnnnnnnn_ ・ Lof: 16n

About them: PingXie; but unfortunately, quit the fandom.

5. 🧣: 阝可王月王月・ Lof: 天隅

About them: PingXie; mostly comic strip; but sadly she seems to quit the fandom.

6. 🧣: 柳壮壮的鱼缸・ Lof: 柳壮壮的鱼缸

About them: PingXie; HeiHua; often draws single pictures too.

7. 🧣: 霹雳小奸包・ Lof: 霹雳小奸・ X: @pajiji1206

About them: PingXie Only; chibi style; do not repost to other platform without permission.

8. 🧣: 条鱼豆腐

About them: PingXie; often make cute gif.

9. 🧣 藏九归一・ Lof: 藏九归一

About them: PingXie; Iron Triangle, many more; sadly something happened and then she quit the fandom.

Here for more and the link.

There are stores on Taobao if you want to buy their PingXie fan merchs (it's PingXie Only Stores):

🧣: 十一仓出品・ 🍑: 十一仓出品

🧣: 互坑组・ 🍑: 互坑组

Or the official one from NPSS:

🧣: 南派量子泛娱正版周边

🍑: 南派泛娱正版周边

🌾 Official Artists 🌾

All of these pictures below are the commercial ones coming from 南派悠选直播间 (NPSS Live Broadcast Account).

Artist: LiuBabu (刘巴布)

He is the artist who draws Tibetan Sea Flower Manhua (The Secret of Metok) and some scenes in “雨村笔记”, “花夜前行”, etc.

Image source: GoodSmile

Artist: _丢兜

Artist: Xishisan (西十三)

Artist: Kanose

Artist: 晓泊

Artist: XmXxiaomoxiao (XmX笑莫笑)

Artist: Penny Yang (叛逆星)

Artist: ATangTang (阿堂堂)

Artist: Guaisanmu (怪三木)

Artist: YuLinTian (鱼鳞天)

I know it's kind of late to talk about it now, but I need to get it out of my draft lol

Happy New Year! 🎉🎉

🔗 Other related links: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

#dmbj artists #daomu biji #dmbj #pingxie #pingxie only #瓶邪 #瓶邪only #盗墓笔记 #not fic recs #let's talk about pingxie

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she-posts-nerdy-stuff · 11 days

Text

Don't Go Blindly Into the Dark

Summary:

To hide that he can't read, Jan Van Eck has been forcing his son to pretend he's blind since he was eight years old. Wylan is now attending Ketterdam University, and meeting Jesper Fahey may very well be about to change his life. But is he safe to tell Jesper the truth? And what will Jesper say if he does?

Jesper is struggling to weigh up his life in the Barrel and his life at the University of Ketterdam, and there's a good chance that his growing debt is about to make the decision for him. He hasn't attended class consecutively for months, but maybe that will change when his newest project includes partnering up with Wylan Van Eck. But can he really leave the Barrel behind him? And how long can he keep up the pretence of who he thinks Wylan wants him to be?

Tags: @justalunaticfangirl @lunarthecorvus

If anyone else would like to be tagged let me know :)

Content warnings for this chapter: death, trafficking references (Kerch indenture law), weapons, violence, murder, dehumanisation

AO3 link

Chapter 12 - Inej

“And exactly why do I care?” asked Kaz, coolly.

Kaz’s office at the Crow Club was by far the most difficult room to eavesdrop on in any of the Dregs’ main haunts, and Inej didn’t doubt that was why he had chosen it. Inej also didn’t find a lack of windows or accessibility at all off putting, and was currently laying flat on her front so she could just about squeeze into the space between Kaz’s ceiling and the floor above it. There was a gap between some of the slats, barely perceptible from below unless you were at the perfect angle, that Inej had found after only a few weeks of working with the Dregs when she was preparing herself for her first real job by trying to move about the Crow Club undetected. It proved a surprisingly simple task, but Inej had never been quite sure if Kaz knew that she was there. As she peered through the gap now she was gifted the slightly hazy image of Kaz, leaning back in his chair with his gloved fingers closed over the head of his cane, and the very edge of Jesper sitting opposite him at the desk.

Perhaps Inej should feel guilty for spying on Kaz; here, outside his window at the Slat, through a vent above Per Haskell’s office. But it was him who had made her the Wraith, wasn’t it? You couldn’t train a falcon and expect it not to hunt. If he never bothered to tell her anything himself, she would have to find the information her own way.

“You’re going to steal the secrets of the rich men of Ketterdam,” he’d told her, months ago, amongst a longer speech. It felt like years ago. It felt like days. “And I’m going to use that information to take that money,”

“What happens when you take their money, and you become a rich man?”

That had made him smile.

“Then you can steal my secrets too,”

Well, Inej had seen the books: Kaz was more than comfortably on his way to being rich. So what if she was jumping the gun a little? Of course she knew, or at least she supposed, that the dark shimmer of humour behind his words was because he would never be rich; no matter what money Kaz Brekker accrued, he lived in the worst slum in the Barrel, his cash wasn’t safe to just spend without thinking, he would always be DIrtyhands, the Bastard of the Barrel. When Kaz said rich he didn’t mean money, not always. He meant old money, real money, Geldin District money. Even Zelvar District; it was earned money, then, not old money, but five kruge from a lawyer would always be worth more than ten of Kaz’s ill-gotten gains. Plenty of people got rich in the Barrel - people like Pekka Rollins, and Tante Heleen - but no-one made real money. Inej had realised a long time ago that you couldn’t make real money, you could only inherit it and add more to the pile.

“If you want to make anything off that kid-”

“If there’s truth to anything you’ve told me, Jesper, then I wouldn’t have been able to make a penny off him anyway. I’m cutting my losses,”

Inej had come late to the conversation, but she assumed they must be talking about Wylan. Once she’d got Jesper back to his dorm last night, she made him drink two glasses of water and then waited until he’d fallen asleep - it didn’t take long - before she went to find Nina and tell Kaz was calling them home.

“We’re not even hanging around tonight?”

Inej shook her head.

“Everything completely cancelled,”

“Damn,” Nina shook her head, “I owe him back for two weeks income now,”

They’d walked back to the Barrel together, bags in hand, following the waterway along the Southern border of the Financial District until they were at the very bottom of West Stave. Because of the canals and where the bridges were situated, they had to go up past the Crow Club before Inej could turn back towards the Slat. They stopped on the bridge and Nina put her arms around Inej’s shoulders.

“You sure you don’t want to come back to the Slat for a while?” asked Inej.

The sun was rising but Inej was going to try to get a few hours of sleep anyway, and she could tell that Nina was tired as well. But she shook her head, smiling.

“No, I should get back. I probably have a thousand clients waiting,” she teased, “But I’ll be insisting on taking a nap first, I think,”

Inej stood and watched for a moment as Nina began to head North, and then slowly turned and began to wander back to the Slat. She was exhausted, and she thought she might have managed two hours of sleep since she got back and got everything sorted through, but as soon as she woke up she’d come to the Crow Club and found herself hiding inside Kaz’s ceiling.

“You reckon she was already dead, or that The Peacock got her?” Rotty was saying to Anika and Pim as Inej walked through the door.

“Too clean,” said Anika, quieter than Rotty had, her words holding more melancholy where his did intrigue, “Nothing I’ve ever heard makes me think she does deaths that clean,”

Inej frowned, feeling a sudden alertness taking hold of her at the sound of that name. The Peacock. That was how the rest of the Barrel referred to Heleen Van Houden, but to her girls it was Tante Heleen or the back of her hand.

“What happened?” she asked, turning to Rotty and the others.

None of them had realised she was there, and a surprised whisper of Wraith quickly flew between their mouths. She prompted again.

“The Leopard showed back up this morning,” said Rotty, “They found her a couple of hours ago. Dead,”

Inej shivered. At the Menagerie each girl was known by her animal counterpart; a Fjerdan wolf, a Shu serpent, a Zemeni fawn, a Kaelish mare. A Suli lynx. The Leopard was the costume worn by the girl from the Southern Colonies. Inej didn’t know her - no-one had been wearing that cloak when Inej was there, except for the last month of her indenture when a little scrap of a thing from the Colonies had shown up. They’d never spoken, in fact Inej had seen very little of her because the Leopard had spent most of that month in the room downstairs, but Inej had recognised her on the occasional time she crossed through West Stave. A pretty girl with blonde curls and deep brown eyes that looked more like they belonged to a doe, despite the spots painted on her neck and across her collar bones. She’d heard about her going missing because it happened right before she and Nina went to the university and she didn’t doubt rumours had flown across the staves - by all accounts, the Leopard was currently Heleen’s most popular item on display. Or she had been, anyway.

“How?”

“Strangled, it looks like. They left her on the steps outside the Menagerie, I heard the Peacock complaining it’s gonna reduce business,”

Inej’s hand drifted to her knives.

“Where’s Kaz?”

“In his office, with Fahey, last I saw,”

Inej nodded, then walked away and ignored the whispers that surely followed. She slipped upstairs; it was mostly private game rooms up here but none were populated this morning, and the staff room at the far end was probably empty or near it if the rooms weren’t currently in use. Inej slipped into the store cupboard above Kaz’s office and leant against the door, whispering a prayer for a girl with no name.

“Demo,” said Jesper now, suddenly, as Kaz stood up.

Inej was pulled out of her thoughts. Kaz paused at the corner of his desk, leaning heavily against his cane as he turned back to see Jesper.

“Demo?”

“You said you want more hands on demolitions,” Jesper breathed, “Last week, I heard you telling Raske,”

Kaz conceded it with a nod. Inej was only mildly surprised; Raske was the best demolitions expert in the Barrel, but he was also one man and the only member of the Dregs who knew what he was doing with a bomb.

“Wylan can do demo. He’s a chemist, Kaz, he can make anything,”

“You’ve seen his work?”

“Yes,”

Inej was pretty sure that was a lie, but apparently Kaz was either fooled or willing to be fooled, because he nodded slowly.

“What are you staking on it?”

Oh Saints, Kaz.

“What?”

“I’m not putting my neck on the line for no reason, Jes. I’ve already lost a lot of money this week, I don;t fancy adding to that. If this goes sideways or the kid isn’t any use to me I want compensation, and I know you don’t have any cash so I need some insurance. What are you staking?”

There was a long pause. An inexplicably long pause, actually. A noise behind Inej made her flinch and she had to restrain a gasp as one of the boards beneath her creaked. Kaz looked up, almost straight at the tiny gap Inej was peering through, but he mustn’t have been at the right angle because he only mused:

“Layla’s dropping my merchandise again,”

Layla waited tables at the Club, and had an unfortunate reputation for accidentally smashing rather expensive bottles and platters. Sometimes Inej wondered why Kaz kept her on, but then she saw her at the tables and knew exactly why; Layla could dazzle anything out of anyone, and she would sail back past Kaz and Inej armed to the teeth with political gossip for Inej to follow up on.

Silence fell back over the office for a time, but Inej could hear footsteps behind her now. Any minute Layla or another staff member could wander in and find her spying on Per Haskell’s best lieutenant, and probably - especially if word of the run-in with Velthuis and the Black Tips was spreading as quickly as she predicted it would - accuse of her of betraying the Dregs. Even though she trusted that Kaz knew she never would, that was a near-on impossible thing to come back from around here. Your gang was your family, and Inej already felt like she didn’t entirely belong.

“Well?” asked Kaz, after another long moment had passed, “Am I doing this or not?”

Jesper stood up, unslung his gun belt, and dropped his prize revolvers onto Kaz’s desk.

“Your insurance,”

Inej couldn’t see their faces properly, but she could imagine the exact arch of Kaz’s brow.

“Alright then,” he said, walking towards the door, “I’m in,”

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thepratandtheidiot · 5 days

Text

hey y’all,

i’ve been messaging daily with Ayman on instagram for a few months now, as well as the organiser of his GoFundMe, Laura Fulk. He’s had his instagram account @ayman_mortaga shut down multiple times in the time that i’ve known him, and while his extended family & niece were able to cross the Rafah border into Egypt, Ayman remains trapped in Gaza with both his parents.

Ayman is 25 years old—the same age i was when theo moved to the states & we started our life together. before his main instagram account was shut down, you could see photos of a young man who loved his family, loved to take photos of cool cars he saw on the street, who joyfully celebrated birthdays with his nieces and nephews.

yesterday, as the Occupation Army invaded east Rafah, Ayman and his parents were forced to flee west yet again without their belongings. while the Rafah crossing is now closed, we were able to get his name on the evacuation list to Egypt when it reopens.

in the meantime, we continue to raise money to help him and his parents, to hopefully fund their evacuation as well. yesterday he told me that he did not want to leave his mother and father behind and that he was scared 💔 no one should have to choose between their own life, and that of their parents.

we’re living in an unimaginable time, where common people are forced to choose who to save, which campaign to donate to with the little that we can spare, while our governments hand weapons to the IOF without strings attached. there are lists and lists of donation links, all for people who need help. i encourage you to seek out those vetted campaigns and donate if you’re able, create art, go to protests. with all of us pushing from every angle with all of our different strengths, only then will the walls tumble down.

and so if you can, i humbly ask whatever you can spare for my friend Ayman and his family: even a dollar here, a penny there can and will help! i told him that through raindrops, we will make an ocean. as of today, may 9th, we have raised $3785/$10,000USD.

**if you choose to donate and would like a 500-word fic written for you by me, with your choice of fandom/pairing/subject, please send me a screenshot of your donation receipt on tumblr messenger and i will be happy to write for you**

from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

free Palestine ❤️🇵🇸

-lars

#free palestine #signal boost #free gaza #☼#long post #not kidding about the writing thing. it’ll be slow but i promise to do it

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hangmansgbaby · 3 months

Text

Gunpowder & Lead O N E

Masterlist

Emory's POV is written by @mamachasesmayhem and Jake's POV is written by me.

Banners are POV changers.

"You can't be serious."

The look I sent my husband is lethal and would make lesser men cower. But not Jake. If anything, it amuses him. I swear the man gets off on trying to put me in my place.

A smirk crossed his handsome face, and I wanted to kiss it and slap it off when he replied. "Oh, but I am. Mayor Mitchell is throwing a banquet in honor of the task force in a few weeks, and all the beautiful spouses are expected to attend."

I'm damn near wearing a path in the dark concrete of the floor of The Underworld as I recount the conversation I had with Jake to the rest of the Furies.

"I'm not going. It's too close for comfort, we tempt fate enough as it is on a regular basis by being linked to these idiots! It feels like we'd be chumming the waters by going."

I stop pacing and place my hands on the stainless steel table in front of me, hoping the contrast in temperature helps me slow my breathing. Birdie's hand lands on my shoulder then pulls me upright and into a hug.

"Hey, it's ok, Em. Deep breaths," Her voice is soothing as she gently rocks me side to side. She's always been the voice of reason when I start to panic. "You don't have to go, it's not worth the stress, ok?"

Ever the realist and not afraid to give me the hard truth, Addie pipes in. "We'll support you no matter what, you know that. But it may not be the best look for the commander's wife to be missing from the event that is basically being held to celebrate his hard work."

I groan, realizing how bad it actually would look. I don't have time to dwell on it though, because the motion sensor for the front door of Cora's goes off. The live view of the detection pops up on the monitor on the wall and everyone's eyes snap to the screen. It's safe to say our jaws drop in unison when we see the panicked faces of none other than Penny Mitchell and her daughter, Amelia. A collective gasp leaves the group, and Birdie and I rush up to let them in, leaving Addie and Erin behind. It's our typical response in a situation like this, just in case it's a "married to a police officer" matter instead of a Furies one. We quickly push open the door, usher them inside, and lock it back.

"Oh my God, you two! What happened?!" I ask, wrapping Amelia in my arms and holding her close to my chest. She started working in the bakery part time last summer and she’s started to become like a daughter to me.

Birdie has an arm around Penny's shoulders as she guides her to sit in the cushy loveseat in the corner. Once the backs of her knees hit the chair, Penny collapses into it and begins sobbing. Amelia breaks not long after her mom and Birdie and I try our best to comfort them, something we've grown to be unfortunately good at doing. Once their cries slow to stuttered breaths, I offer to grab them some hot tea and they gratefully accept. When I return with two oversized mugs in hand, their faces are tear stained and swollen, but they each have a determined look in their eyes.

Amelia surprises me when she speaks up first. "We need a pomegranate scone, Mrs. Seresin."

If I wasn't already sitting down, I would have fallen flat on my ass at her statement. There's no way she knows about what really goes down in the Underworld, we keep it wrapped up tight during the daylight and are careful to make sure nobody overhears any conversations with potential clients. It takes a lot to fluster me, and I'm almost surprised with myself when I stumble over my reply. "Oh, uh...Mel...we don't have those available at the moment."

"Natasaha sent us," Penny's voice is rough as she replies. "She was dropping off something for one of the paralegals as a surprise from her boyfriend when she saw Amelia sitting in the car. I was inside, confronting Pete about his most recent affair, telling him that Amelia and I were leaving. I was so angry that the adrenaline presented itself as courage when I knew better than to speak out. My mom always said 'don't leave mad, just leave.' I should have taken that advice."

My brain buffers as I process what she's telling me. Why didn't Nat give us a heads up that they were coming like we all do with "direct referrals"?

"Miss Nat saw me in the car crying and tapped on my window. I was...I was the one who discovered dad was cheating on mom. I went into his office looking for a spare charger for my MacBook when I noticed his desktop was unlocked. I didn't mean to, but a notification came through and pulled his messages up. I took pictures on my phone and ran out like I was never there before he got back from the bathroom. I showed mom after dad had left for the day and we started packing immediately. I told Miss Nat what happened, that mom was inside telling dad we were leaving. She told me to tell my mom to bring me here and ask for a pomegranate scone. She said that y'all had a team that would hide us and protect us from dad. I don't know what happened after that, but she went inside and mom came running out a couple minutes later. Now here we are."

I'm blown away by how strong Amelia is, and my heart breaks at the same time as I watch tears steadily roll down her face as she explains what she knows. She curls further into her mom's side, finding comfort in the arms of her mom.

Penny clears her throat before continuing. "Pete had landed a pretty solid hit on me when we heard Natasha come in the door. He shoved me into the bathroom so she wouldn't see my injured face and I slipped out of the window and ran to the car while he was distracted. Nat saved our lives tonight..." she trails off, holding back more tears.

I move to wrap them both in a hug and Birdie does the same. "You're here and you're safe now. We've got you. Let's get y'all downstairs and into bed. You two get a good night's sleep and then we'll talk more tomorrow, how does that sound?" Penny nods her agreement, and we all make our way to the secret elevator leading to Safe Haven, the shelter we've put our hearts and souls into building. "Our operation is...a lot bigger than you think. You'll see some familiar faces around while you're down here, but I promise we'll keep you safe."

An hour or so later, the girls are settled into their apartment for the night and Penny has a burner phone on hand with instructions to call me when she's ready to talk. Birdie has filled the group in on the situation; Erin is dropping Penny's car off in the impound lot while Addie fiddles with the car’s tracking system. She'll make it look like they drove towards the border then disable the system all together. It's a wild goose chase we send the more...affluent offenders on. Most normal guys don't have the intelligence or the means to track the car of a runaway spouse, but Pete Mitchell has both of those things in spades. We quickly agree that no matter what Penny and Amelia decide to do, we will bring Mayor Mitchell to his knees. This is what we were made to do; remove corrupt men from power. Suddenly, I realize that the banquet is now a solution instead of a problem. As much as I hate it, I'll absolutely be going and using the opportunity to gather intel on who I now consider Public Enemy #1.

I tell everyone goodnight, then head home to see my husband. It's gonna be difficult keeping this one from him for now, but I've held onto bigger and badder secrets before. After learning about my alter ego, Jake has made it a point to wait up until I get home, refusing to fall asleep unless he's seen for himself that I'm home in one piece. He's barely keeping his eyes open, the exhaustion of the long day nipping at his heels, when I slip into bed next to him.

He immediately pulls me close and wiggles until we're both laid down, my cheek pressed against his chest and his chin resting on my head. "You always smell like cookies, smells so good," he mumbles against my hair.

I snuggle in closer, finding comfort in the warmth of his bare skin and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "Sorry about earlier, I didn't mean to flip out like I did."

His arm tightens around me and he leaves a gentle kiss on my temple. "No, Sweets. I'm sorry, I know it's a complicated situation and I shouldn't have pushed so hard."

"I'd be proud to be your arm candy, Commander Seresin." I look up at him with a smirk on my face.

Jake groans at being called commander when he's too worn out to do anything about it. "That was mean, Mrs. Seresin. I'll get you back for it later." He pauses as he turns to bury his face in my neck, whispering a soft "thank you" before he slips into a deep sleep.

The next morning, I discreetly slipped away from the counter to check on the Mitchell girls. Penny and Amelia don't care what happens to Pete, so long as they're far away from it and can lead a somewhat normal life afterwards. This is their home too, after all. Penny tells us that her family has some property with a cabin that Pete doesn't know about up in Montana, so we make a plan to get them out there as soon as possible and they'll stay until this is all sorted out. The next few weeks pass in a blur as we make our plan for the banquet. It's been hell keeping it from Jake, but the less he knows, the better. A few days after the girls disappeared, questions about where they were started popping up around town. Conveniently, its summer break for Amelia and Penny is self employed, so Pete explains away the worry by telling everyone it was a spontaneous, open ended mother/daughter bonding trip before Amelia's senior year of high school began.

“How’s the security detail going Mr. Commander?” Nat asks, dropping a stack of files onto her desk across from mine. I groan, tossing my own papers down.

“Explain to me why we’re setting up security for an event we aren’t even working but being honored at?” I question, Nat laughs from behind her coffee with the logo of my wife’s cafe in clear view. “How’s Em this morning?”

“Dreading tonight.” Nat responds. “Are you really making her go?”

“Mayor Mitchell was very specific about bringing our significant others.” I state clearly.

“Let me correct myself.” Nat leans over the desk, lowering her voice. “Do you really want to bring your wife, THE Persephone, to a banquet honoring the task force meant to bring her and all of our significant others in for murder? Do you realize how many Furies are gonna be in that room?!” She shouts in a whisper.

I do realize how many will be there, all of them. Besides Bob and I'd wives there's still Addie and Erin who are dating Bradley and Javy, respectively.

“The girls are smart, Nat. No one will be the wiser to the Furies wining and dining under their noses.” I brush off her concern. I am fully aware of the abilities of my wife and her sisters. They’ll be fine, I know it.

“Well your wife isn’t entirely sure of that.” Nat states. “Perhaps you should talk to her.”

“We’ve talked, Nat. She’s going and everything will be fine.”

Birdie comes over a few hours before the banquet so we can get ready together. Usually, we'd have Attie with us, but she's tied up in a case that's in the middle of deliberation. I have a tendril of Birdie's hair wrapped around the barrel of the curling iron when she pins me with a look through the mirror.

I sigh, knowing something is on her mind and she won't chill until she tells me about it. "Alright, out with it."

"So you're really gonna do recon on the former police commander turned mayor at a banquet in his own home?" She asks, clearly concerned.

"It's the best opportunity," I shrug.

"That's not what I'm worried about," she says with an eye roll as I unwind her hair into the perfect loose curl.

"What are you worried about then?"

She raises her eyebrow in question. "Really?" She questions before sighing. "Hades isn't gonna like this."

I have no control over the scoff that escapes me, honest. "He doesn't even know about Mel and Penny. And what Hades doesn't know, won't hurt him."

"No, you idiot. He won't care that you didn't tell him about the girls. He's gonna be mad as hell if he finds out you're running an op as Persephone when you're supposed to be there as Emory Seresin. The wife of Jake Seresin, commander of the Spartans? The very same Spartans that are being honored at the banquet we're attending for their efforts to stop the Furies? Ringing any bells?" Birdie's hands flail as her voice rises to a higher pitch with each word.

Damn her for always being logical.

"It's gonna be fine, B. Like you said, I'll be there with my husband, Jake. Not my literal partner in crime, Hades." I continue curling her hair, acting like I've got it all under control and like I'm not freaking out on the inside.

She lets me sit in the quiet for a few minutes as I finish up, and I think I'm in the clear until we've slipped into our dresses and I'm buckling the clasp of my heels around my ankles. Jake and Bob, who had been at the Floyd home, drinking beer and watching football, come through the front door. Their boots are heavy on the steps as they climb up the stairs to make sure we're ready to go.

Birdie's eyes land on me once more, giving me one last warning in a low murmur. "It's not too late to call it off. You know Jake will lose his shit if he catches you, Em."

"Good thing he won't catch me then," I grin.

The boys step into the bedroom, looking dapper in their wife coordinated shades of green. Jake is in a sage green button up under a gray blazer that matches his slacks, with my favorite cowboy hat of his resting atop his head. If I wasn't in full Fury mode, we'd probably be late for dinner. Bob's wearing a mossy green button up with black slacks and his hair has grown out enough to curl behind his ears. They both let out whistles of appreciation when they spot us.

Birdie and I are both wearing white dresses, and the irony is not lost on us. I opted for more of a boho feel, a satin maxi dress with thigh high slits, cut outs around my ribs, and a shimmery ring that connects to a halter top. B looks like a modern-day Marilyn Monroe in a silky, cap sleeved, backless midi dress with her blonde curls. Thanks to smudge proof lipstick, both of the boys get kisses to return their appreciation. They're the epitome of southern gentlemen as both of their palms find their homes on the small of their wives backs, escorting them down the stairs. Each couple heads their separate way with plans to drive separately. Jake helps me into the passenger seat of his truck before climbing into the driver's side. As we pull out of the driveway, I notice that the brake lights of Bob's truck aren't illuminated and I chuckle.

Jake reaches across the console to grab my hand and brings it to his lips for a kiss before he asks, "What's got you giggling over there?"

"They're definitely getting a little carried away over there. How much you wanna bet they sneak off together before the fourth course starts?"

The laugh that leaves my husband feels like sunshine on my soul and the guilt for keeping him out of the loop comes creeping back in.

"I say they make it through the fifth. Winner gets to use the handcuffs?" His dimples are prominent when he grins, and I'm half tempted to make him pull over for a second so I can climb into his lap and put my thumbs in them.

Already slipping into my Persephone persona, I don't fight my smirk when I reply. "Game on, Commander."

Game on, indeed.

“You know, when I announced I was campaigning for Mayor, I figured most of Austin would laugh at me. I mean, I was the Commander who hadn’t ranked in 20 years and the minute I got the offer I retired to focus on my family. Not really a look everyone wants to vote for.”

Many of the fellow policemen in the hall laughed at Mayor Pete Mitchell’s speech, including myself and my team who have at one point or another worked directly under him at Austin PD.

“But look where we are! 5 years later and I am 3 months into my first term as Mayor and we have accomplished so much!” Pete continues, earning applause from his audience. “But today isn’t about me. No, today is about the men and women assigned to bring down the vigilantes of Austin. Known as the Task Force to policemen, the Spartans in the media and heroes to the citizens of Austin, I simply know them as my friends. Here’s to them, may they find victory in bringing Persephone and the Furies to their knees.”

I eye my wife beside me who barely lifts her glass as high as everyone else at our table. I know she’s uncomfortable with the Spartan/Furies talk, especially at my work events. It’s her livelihood, her creation. “Hey, you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She mutters, a soft smile graces her features.

“Make it through tonight and I’ll make it worth your while when we get home.” I whisper to her with a wink. Normally, Em would get THE look on her face and say something along the lines of ‘why wait?’ but tonight, her gaze doesn’t leave the mayor’s frame as he moves down to greet a few men in suits by the stage. “Sweets?”

“Can’t. Girls and I are meeting at the Underworld afterwards.”

Since when? They all agreed to take the night off. I literally just listened to Bob and Birdie make their own plans for when they get ho… oh. “Who came into the Bakery?”

“No one Jake, just a gloss over of expenditures.” She answers, eyes still glued.

“Then it can wait for tomorrow.” I say, resting my chin on her shoulder, kissing it as I come up. “Spend a night with your husband.” I almost plead.

“I can’t, Honey.” Emory replies more firmly, breaking her one way stare off. Erin Monroe chooses that moment to walk by from the other table and slips Emory a piece of paper.

“Oh we’re working early tonight now? ” I ask, my once soft gaze on her drops along with my voice. “I thought we agreed no Furies business.”

“It’s not.” She replies, tucking the paper into her clutch.

“You forget. I know when you’re lying, sweets.”

“I gotta use the restroom.” She suddenly stands, kissing my cheek. “I’ll be back.” She starts to walk away but I catch her wrist, standing so I can whisper in her ear.

“You wanna toe the line, Persephone?” I question, despite my low volume I can tell the words ring throughout her mind. My voice is deeper than normal, something I don’t do often.

“I’m not doing anything, Hades.” She stands firm.

“That's fine, but remember, sweets, even she obeyed Hades.” I nearly growl in her ear. Emory’s eyes widen as she looks up at me. “Don’t be too long sweetheart. Once you're done, we’re going to thank the Mayor and call it an early night, but neither of us are sleeping tonight.” I watch Emory trip over herself before she composes herself and quickly walks towards the restroom.

Bursting through the front door, I already have Emory pinned against the wall. Em groans as I attack her neck with bites and kisses. The sounds she lets out only spur me on.

“Jake.” She moans softly. “Please.”

“Now sweets,” I tease as my teeth scrape against the base of her throat. “You know good girls get what they want.”

She arches into my touch, moaning in frustration as I continue to kiss down her collarbone. I trail lower. My hand slips under her skirt. Her underwear is warm from her body heat. The soft silk feels so good against my calloused palm. Em gasps when my fingers brush against her clit. I smile into her skin as she tries to push my hand away. I don’t let up my assault on her neck. She bucks against me, trying to push me away. I growl a low warning into her ear before I take it into my mouth.

Her nails dig into my shoulder blades. I suck harder at her neck. A few seconds later, she starts to moan, her whole body arching into mine.

I feel her body tighten around me, her breath coming out in short gasps. It’s all the encouragement I need as I slip two fingers inside her. Fuck. She’s so tight. So wet. I start stroking slowly. I can see the beads of sweat building on her forehead. Her eyes are clenched shut. As I hit the right spot, she starts crying out.

“Oh fuck! Jake! Oh god! Please don't stop! I'm gonna come!” Her fingers tighten around my bicep as as soon as I can tell she’s ready to cum, I pull back making her wine as her orgasam becomes out of reach once again.

“I told you sweetheart, only good girls get to cum.” I grin down at her, leaning forward to give her another quick kiss but pulling away, just shy of her lips. “And you certainly were not one tonight. Now how about you race upstairs and show me how good of a girl you can be when you listen.” I chuckle as she shakes her head, grinning too. I slowly walk behind her as she runs into our bedroom. I follow her inside, shutting the door behind me.

Turning around she’s already laid out across the bed. Fuck, she’s gorgeous. I can’t ever truly punish her, especially with the way she’s looking at me. The pure love and adoration with a hint of lust clouding her eyes. My beautiful wife. “Fuck, Em.” I groan, stripping as I walk towards the bed. “You disregarded my one request for tonight.”

“I’m sorry! Fuck Jake I’m so sorry!”

“God I could never stay mad at you, sweets.” I grin down at her, climbing onto the bed. She wraps her arms tightly around my waist. “But you better make it up to me.”

“I will, I promise. I’ll do anything,” she breathes. “Anything at all.” She leans up to kiss me as we roll over onto her back. Our hands find each other immediately as I begin trailing kisses down her body. Her legs wrap tightly around my waist, pushing me even closer. God she’s so responsive. We fit together perfectly. I could spend the rest of forever doing nothing more than fucking this woman. She moans in response as I slip into her. I feel her pussy clenching around my cock. It sends a surge of pleasure coursing through me.

Sex with Em has always been amazing. It feels like every part of our bodies are working together perfectly. Her touch drives me crazy. She’s my everything, my life. And I’m hers. Fuck, I want to hold her forever.

My fingers dance along her skin while I thrust into her. Em’s face is twisted with ecstasy as she rides me. She’s breathing hard as her body trembles beneath mine. “Jake… please…” Her words are little more than an exhale of air, the sound muffled by our kiss. She pushes herself up, effectively flipping us to rock faster against me. “Shit… fuck yes! I'm gonna cum! Oh shit!” She yells as her climax overtakes her. l let out a deep groan as she continues to move her hips through her release, squeezing me as I finally reach my own. Emory leans down to lay on top of me as we catch our breath.

Minutes go by before I gently pull her up and lay her on the bed, moving to grab a washcloth from the bathroom. I return to the bed and clean her off. Smoothing her hair back, I press a gentle kiss to her forehead. “I love you,” I mutter, kissing her again.

“I love you too.” She smiles, moving to rest on the pillows once I was done.

“Do you wanna tell me what was going on tonight?” I can feel Em’s shoulders drop as I lay down next to her. “Em?”

“Penny and Amelia came into the bakery a couple weeks ago.” She answers.

“Well you pay Mel to be there most days, so I hope she was there.” I joke but when Em doesn’t laugh with me I know it was something else. “The girls aren’t on a mother/daughter bonding trip are they?” I ask and Emory immediately jumps up.

“He was so awful to them, Jake! Nat happened to show up the night they were leaving and Amelia told her everything. Penny got hit and immediately hidden in the bathroom before Nat could see anything!” She explains. “He’s been cheating on her for years!”

“Okay but putting a target on the Mayor? Em this is so much more dangerous than going after someone like a random ex husband.” I explain. “If word gets out, his security is going to double and Em, Chief Simpson will not let us rest knowing the Mayor is in danger. Our lives will be so much harder!”

“We can’t let him get away with it Jake! What if he killed Penny? What if he hurt Amelia?”

Amelia has been like a daughter to us ever since she started working with Em and Birdie. Emory has a point, I’d never forgive myself if Pete ever hurt Amelia.

“You stay out of sight no matter what, all of you. This is close to home, personal. He knows all of you. If you get caught, we’re all screwed.” I instruct.

“We know, honey.”

“And you keep me in the loop. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you, Sweets.”

“When have I ever not been careful?” Em laughs just as her phone starts ringing. “It’s Birdie, probably wondering where I am.” Em says after grabbing her phone.

“Lemme see.” I pull it from her, quickly making myself sound out of breath as I answer the phone. “She’s… she’s busy B.” I groan trying to contain my laughter.

“You’re sick. I know y’all ain’t still fucking! The curtains are open.”

“Well shit. Oh well, she’s not coming tonight.” I reply. “Also when did y’all leave?”

“After the third course.” Bob chimes in.

“HA! I win!” Em cheers.

“I hate both of you.” Birdie chimes. “I’ll let the girls know we’re meeting tomorrow instead.”

“You do that!” I say, “My wife and I are gonna be a little busy for the rest of the night.”

“Gross, I’m hanging up now.”

Emory and I both start laughing as I set her phone on the nightstand. Almost immediately Em gets up. “Where are you going?”

“Getting the handcuffs.” She smirks. “It’s Persephone’s turn to have a little fun.”

Taglist: @sarahsmi13s @hopip99

Mama May's Everything Taglist : @aviatorobsessed @callsigncurse @teacupsandtopgun @trickphotography2 @thedroneranger @sweetwhispersofchaos @capoteera @hardballoonlove @buckysdollforlife @kmc1989 @seresinhangmanjake @shanimallina87 @dizzybee03 @hisredheadedgoddess28 @lynnevanss @jynxmirage @na-ta-sh-aa @whatislovevavy @dingochef @dempy @dckweed @just-in-case-iloveyou @tgmreader @djs8891 @marvelousnightjengale @soulmates8 @sorchathered

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twiceinadream · 2 years

Text

Twice React- Eloping With Fem! S/O

Requested: Yup

Request: Hiii can you do a twice scenario to wanting to Elope with their gf and their gf actually agreeing?

a/u: Hey, guys! First React in a really long time, it’s all fluff and I really love it. I have such a soft spot for Non-Idol AUs. I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. Thank you for all the love and support. I love you guys!

Category: Fluff

Nayeon

“It’s a beautiful night.”

The small brook that ran behind the venue cut the silence of the night as you and Nayeon stood with your feet in the cool water. It had been Nayeon’s sister’s wedding and she was the maid of honor, the color scheme had been a slightly off white color for the bridesmaids but in the dim lighting of the moon and stars you couldn’t help but picture Nayeon as your bride. Ironically, she had even caught her sister’s bouquet so it only furthered your daydream of her. “You look beautiful, Nayeonie, you could almost pass for the bride if I didn’t know any better.” Your comment caught your girlfriend off guard as she smiled shyly, “Wouldn’t that be nice. Us getting married.” You bit your lip as you reached into your pants pocket, your heart thundered in your ears as you turned to face her fully, “Why not make it real?” You held up the open ring box as the diamond glinted in the dark, you could hear Nayeon gasp as she stared at you in disbelief, “But, what about the laws and…” You shushed her gently, “We’ll figure it out, I promise. We always do.” You winked before you looked at her unsurely, “Um..so does that mean, yes?” Nayeon laughed out loud as she nodded rapidly, holding her hand out for you, “Yes! A million times yes, Y/N!”

Jeongyeon

“We’re looking for something dumb to do.”

You and Jeongyeon had been best friends ever since you were in diapers and girlfriends ever since you guys turned fourteen. Over the past twelve years together you both dreamed of a big wedding, hundreds of guests from both sides of your families as they watched you guys marry your soulmate. But the government didn’t seem to catch up with your wedding plans, so you both settled for a small get together in her parent’s backyard as you read each other your vows as a family friend married you both. It wasn’t what you guys had dreamed your big day would be, but you couldn’t help but feel like it was better. Because this was real. Jeongyeon’s eyes glimmered with unshed tears as she slid the ring onto your finger. You could barely keep it together either as you placed the ring onto her finger, “I hereby announce Yoo Jeongyeon and L/N Y/N, married! You may kiss.” To your surprise Jeong pulled you into a deep kiss as your guy’s small audience erupted in cheers. It was perfect.

Momo

“Hey, baby.” (Inspired by the song: Nancy Mulligan)

The rush of the past few months seemed to begin creeping up on you and Momo as you got ready to get married in borrowed clothes from a few friends you had met in this new city. You both decided to quit your jobs and move to Taiwan so you could get legally married. It had been a long six years of pinching every penny to finally make the big move and leave everything you guys had ever known behind. But nothing could change either of your minds as you stared at the woman you loved, “I can’t wait to make you my wife, Momoring.” The Japanese woman grinned as she squeezed your hand, “Likewise, Y/N-Chan. Ready?” You returned her smile as you kissed her softly, “I’ve been ready for the last six years. The moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were the girl for me.”

Sana

“I think I wanna marry you.”

The lights of Tokyo were beautiful but so were you. And Sana just couldn’t wait any longer to have you. Your arms were linked with your girlfriend’s as she pulled you into a small alley, her lips finally on yours as you both hid from prying eyes. You couldn’t help but smile as she pulled away, resting her forehead against yours, “What’s gotten into you these days, Satang?” Your girlfriend shrugged, “I just really love you Y/N, but I can’t make you mine because of stupid laws and stuff.” You shook your head, “What does it matter? We love each other and even if the government doesn’t see it that way, all that matters is how we feel.” But Sana still looked convinced, rubbing your arms, “I know, but I wish I could marry you.” You bit your lip as you pressed a kiss to the Japanese girl’s lips, “Then run away with me.”

Jihyo

“Well, I know this little chapel on the boulevard. We can go.”

Neither you or Jihyo could understand the words of the song that played overhead as the two of you slow danced in each other’s arms. You couldn’t help but look at the way your’s and Jihyo’s rings glittered in the low lights of the random bar you guys had stumbled into after leaving the courthouse. Happy and proud smiles adorned both your faces as you couldn’t help but pull her into a kiss, “I can’t believe you’re really my wife, Mrs. Park.” Jihyo couldn’t help but feel the smile on her face grow wider as she stroked your cheek, “Likewise, Mrs. Park.” You giggled at the sound of your new surname, “Don’t wear it out.” The short haired woman pecked your lips, “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing it.” You pulled your wife closer as you buried your face into her neck, “Me neither, yeobo.”

Mina

“Who cares if we’re trashed? We got a pocket full of cash, we can blow.”

“Do you have everything, Y/N?” Mina called your attention as you looked at your guy’s now empty apartment. You nodded distractedly, “Yeah, I’m all set, Minari.” But your answer didn’t sit well with your girlfriend as she placed a warm hand on your cheek, “Hey, anata, look at me.” You couldn’t explain it, no matter what, Mina always seemed to ground you, “What’s going on up there?” Your girlfriend questioned as she lightly tapped your temple. “I just can’t believe we’re really doing this, I know we’ve been talking about it for years. But it’s just a little…scary, y’know?” Mina smiled lightly, “Do you love me?” You nodded immediately, giving her a look that screamed, ‘Of course I do, why do you think I’m doing this’, she giggled at you, “See, and I love you. That’s all that matters. I know it’s scary to leave everything we’ve ever known but my parents set us up to stay with some friends back in Texas so we can get on our feet after we get married.” That word seemed to pick your spirits up immediately, “Right, I finally get to marry the girl of my dreams.” Mina grinned as she pulled you into a kiss, “Ditto.”

Dahyun

“If you’re ready, like I’m ready.” (Prompt for the react was inspired by: 🧸 anon)

It was yours and Dahyun’s fourth anniversary and she had taken you out for a whole day doing what you both loved and to top it off, she planned a picnic in a beautiful field of flowers as you guys watched the sunset. She sat between your legs as you nuzzled into her neck from behind, “I love you so much, Dahyun-ah, I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.” Your girlfriend had been fiddling with something in her hands for the past few minutes but you couldn’t tear your eyes away from her as she whispered, “I want to marry you.” The admission didn’t shock you, you two had been saying that for the past year every time your guy’s little world was perfect. You just smiled grimly, “I would say, ‘Yes.’ to you forever. But until they legalize it here, I guess I’ll just have you to myself.” That’s when you felt Dahyun grab your left hand and slide something onto your ring finger. This time the action actually shocked you as you held up your hand to see the flower ring she had placed on your finger, “It’s beautiful, baby. I love it.” Your girlfriend laid back on you further, “I just wish we could make it official.” That’s when an idea suddenly popped into your head, “Then let’s do it, I’ll book a flight to the US and we’ll get married there.” In your haste and excitement you reached over to pick a few daisies and clumsily made a ring of your own. You held it in front of Dahyun, “Kim Dahyun, will you marry me.” The brunette’s face split into a wide grin as you slid it onto her finger, “Yes.”

Chaeyoung

“I’ll go get a ring.”

Of course it had been your rebellious girlfriend’s idea to go to “Sin City”. But who knew she was also a big fan of Elvis Presley. Chaeyoung had blindfolded you and told you to get in the car, normally this would seem like a kidnapping but after being with Chae for over five years you learned to just go with it. Which is how you found yourself in front of a wedding chapel, “Chaengie, where are we?” The Korean smiled as she held onto your hand tightly, “I saw this online! You can get married by Elvis Presley here!” Your jaw dropped as you stared at your girlfriend in shock, “Jagi, you know there’s nothing else in the world I want more than to marry you. But what happens when we go back home?” Chae just flashed her signature smile as she grabbed your hand, “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Together.”

Tzuyu

“Who cares babe? I think I wanna marry you.”

Anniversaries were meant to be special. And Tzuyu knew exactly how to do it. You and Tzuyu had been together for nearly six years now and the Taiwanese girl had been itching to ask you to marry her, but there was only one problem. Your parents hated your guy’s relationship, which is why the both of you had moved to Tzuyu’s home country. Taiwan’s night life never ceases to amaze you with all the new sights and smells as you and Tzuyu laugh loudly, leaning against each other as you walk. The buzz from the two or three maybe five drinks you shared was starting to take effect as Tzuyu suddenly stopped at a pier, making you stumble slightly before you caught yourself on the railing. But you couldn’t help but notice the sad look in your long-time girlfriend’s eyes, “What’s wrong Tzu?” The brunette sighed as her gaze fixed itself on you, “I don’t know if it’s the way the moon is reflecting in your eyes, or because we’re a little drunk. I wanna marry you Y/N.” The confession made your jaw drop as you suddenly felt very sober, not knowing what to say for a second before a smile made its way to your face, “It’s about time you asked.” Tzuyu looked at you in confusion, “But what about your parents? I’ll never get their blessing till the day I die!” You shook your head, “I love you, you love me, your parents love us, and we moved to Taiwan. I ran away from home with you and we’re in the only country in Asia where we can get married.” You reached out to cup Tzuyu’s face bringing her close enough that the smell of the strawberry margarita hung in the air, “Screw my parents, I’m gonna marry the woman I love.”

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fumblingmusings · 10 months

Note

so sorry for the bother! may you recommend me some usuk fics? I have no qualms with any genre but I'll be honest, I fear I won't be able to read fics past 50k due to lack of free time

Heck yeah you can! I have a few bookmarked on my Ao3 page - do recommend you have a look there as well as everything below!

I do like a long fic, but I have some one shots as well that I like to come back to. A few of these are a bit old and call back to a different time in fandom, so be mindful of that. Some are ones that everyone has read. Some are explicit, some have attitudes and approaches towards nationhood that haven't aged that great or weren’t that well conceived of to begin with etc., etc...

So essentially... use your discretion.

There is more. There is a lot more. Maybe I'll make a part two or something. But for now…. here's a monster.

Under the Read More as there is lots of links and words.

*****

Tinstars

So Complicated (One-Shot)

It comes every year. Its influence is ubiquitous, seeping into every facet of society like a toxin. The greatest of men crumble to their knees in its wake. You can’t run, or beg, or plead. It has no empathy, no mercy. It will tear out your soul and consume you, piece by wretched piece, until there is nothing left. So basically, it’s Valentine’s Day and something weird happens and then England is there.

Strange Powers (Multi-Chapter)

America thought it would be funny to turn the device on himself. What’s the worst that could happen? Y’know, aside from accidentally falling in love with your friend. A continuation of “America’s strange invention” from the end of Comic Diary 8.

Tinstars manages to write both funny and heartwarming scenes at the same time, and keeps very close to canon characterisation whilst they're at it. Their America is such a goddamn weirdo. The romance scenes are soft, and England is proactive and bamboozled by how bizarre his chosen partner apparently is. Just classic good fic.

*****

PennyLane

Born on the Fourth of July (One-Shot)

It’s America’s Bicentennial and the celebration is going to be epic. Despite England’s bouts of ill health he suffers during this time of the year, he knows his duty, and his duty is to attend the festivities and play his part. But this celebration doesn’t turn out as either America or England thought it would. (Set during America’s Bi-Centennial, 1976)

All Roads Lead (One-Shot)

It’s WWII, and England is a prisoner in a German POW camp. America’s mission it to rescue him before the Germans discover who he really is.

Obviously Penny had to be on this list. She has also written two great human au fics, but I like my canon historical fics just a wee bit more. Arthur is almost always in some form of distress and in need of some...healing attention (cough cough) in these fics, but never to the point of outright wimpiness. Just excellently written and characterised fics.

*****

Smoochy-Ryoko

Chiaroscuro (One-Shot)

Alfred often hides his sadness and fear under a carefree mask and that Arthur is the only one who really understands. Aka Arthur spoils Alfred, the fic.

There's gonna probably be a lot of oldie but goodies on this list, and this is the first. It is weird reading these fics back from 2011 and realising how much of the political landscape has changed for sure. Regardless, Arthur defends Alfred, runs him a bath, and they snuggle. Perfect!

*****

Skuratsukikage

Where the Shadows Are (Two-Parter)

A night in England's house, 1947. Sometimes it feels like the war is never over. Language, mentions of war, dealing with a psychological disorder (PTSD), established relationship.

If Life's a Dance, Sometimes You Miss a Step (One-Shot)

America and England have a real fight despite their committed relationship.

They do not get brought up in recommendation posts anymore which is a shame because their writing is impeccable. They have a huge catalogue of fic all on Livejournal, so I recommend having a peruse and seeing what catches your eye!

*****

RobinRocks

Paper Crown Kings and Pinwheel Queens (Multi-Chapter)

"What is a nation without humanity?" "I don't know," England said flatly. "Spades. Supremacy. Sickness …The thing that ate him." Cardverse without Cardverse: in which the suits are weapons rather than kingdoms.

Lavender's Blue (One-Shot)

The Suit Kingdom exists as a manufactured barrier between the bloodied human and dying fairy realms as the twentieth century slides ever closer to a second war. The story of a human king, his fairy queen and the worlds between them.

A is For (Multi-Chapter)

Alfie. Which Arthur totally called him last night. And thus begins Alfred's quest to get him to say it again. Set in the early 1950s, after the war.

I feel like this one is divisive nowadays. She is a very good writer technically, but oftentimes her Arthur and Alfred (especially her Arthur - who is often obtuse the point where plots move at a snail's pace because he just won't be honest to Alfred and it can genuinely be infuriating) can cross over into completely unlikeable and unsympathetic. That may be the point but... ymmv on where your limit of empathy for those boys are. I tend to think you'll have better luck with her one-shots or smaller multi-chapters. She also has an incredibly creative mind for aus, no-one quite comes up with off the wall fantasy like she does. A if For is by far her most conventional fic, along with 1912 and 1915, I think her most famous ones about the Titanic and Lusitania. Lavender's Blue was supposed to be a multi-chapter but what we got was an excellent one-shot (fairy Arthur guys... fairy Arthur!!!), and the the twist at the end of Paper Crown Kings and Pinwheel Queens still makes me go what the fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu a decade later.

*****

StarDropDream

Highway Cloudbusting (Multi-Chapter Three Volume Fic)

Sick of politics and business as usual, England decides to indulge a rare moment of spontaneity and go on a roadtrip. He should have known that America would want to tag along. And they both should have known that the trip would set them down a path they couldn't turn away from. / Just because you confess your feelings doesn't mean everything will fall into place from there - and England and America both have things they need to understand and accept about themselves and each other. / "I want to hold your hand".

Coffee and Cigarettes / With a Hole in My Heart (One-Shots)

Alfred made a promise to himself that he would never surrender to anyone, never relinquish his control. / Arthur was afraid to give himself completely to Alfred. These two fics mirror each other with the same concept but placed on each person in a different universe: how to get the boys to bottom. It's far more emotive than it sounds.

I mean... not to throw my hat into the ring but StarDropDream is the best USUK writer the fandom has ever had (oh yes I said it)! Her characterisations are spot on, the emotions will, if the time is right, actually have you choking up, and the sex is... nice. :| I have already spoken about Lying in that Sound Tonight and on and on it goes. They are just brilliant. Their long fics are the exact right kind of little plot lots of feelings, and their one shots are snapshots of something that you know is so much deeper. Just honestly, go through their catalogue for Arthur and Alfred, great stuff.

*****

Miaou Jones

Darts of Pleasure (Three One Shots)

Arthur could have Alfred's brilliance and warmth in his life—if only he could let himself. / Alfred remembers the very first time he and Arthur got together, with a closing reflection on the events from the beginning of Amsterdam. / In many ways and with many words, even if not those exact three, Arthur tells Alfred he loves him.

If you want smut they're the author for you! Phew! And they even do the unforgivable and make it either A) Hot as hell or B) Emotive as fuck. I also very much enjoy Star Light, Star Bright, but I won't recommend it here, as whilst USUK is the emotional centre of the fic, it involves Arthur and Ivan sleeping together at Potsdam and the framing of it is deliberately dubious.

*****

ElapsingSpiral

Al and Artie do Blackpool (Multi-Chapter)

It’s time for Arthur’s annual holiday, only money is a tad short: Blackpool it is then. Still, if Arthur’s going to England’s Capital City for Tackiness, he’s taking somebody else down with him. Poor Alfred.

Dating Advice for Germans and Americans (Multi-Chapter)

Ludwig and Alfred have one thing in common: questionable taste in the people they turn to for expert dating advice.

These two fics are set in the same universe but don't have to be read in order to understand what's going on. It's blindingly obvious that the author is British on account on how scary accurate Arthur is characterised. Their one shots of him taking Alfred to a greasy cafe or a car boot sale are sweet and nostalgic, but these two longer fics are incredible, and I feel like they never got the attention they deserved, even when they were published in 2009/10. The GerIta in Dating Advice is also incredible, and the contrast between the way Ludwig and Feli have issues versus Alfred and Arthur is so well done. Ludwig and Arthur's friendship being based on pragmatism before they realise that they actually get along (to the point where Feli thinks there's an affair going on) is well written too.

Arthur is incredibly love sick in these stories, desperate to be loved and be wanted for himself and the incidents which split him and Alfred apart are genuinely heartbreaking because he doesn't really do anything massively wrong. It's this legacy of shit behaviour that people won't cut him a break, and Alfred is the one who has a learning curve of understanding that Arthur really wants is to belong to someone, and how him asking for the same in return is not the red flag Alfred thinks it is.

The fics are also bloody hilarious. Incredibly dry. Tragically their Livejournal was deleted where there were many other fics (the GerIta... gone T_T) but alas. Gone into the void. Hmm. I suppose you can tell which one is my favourite right? I just want more people to read these ones. Please.

*****

Orestiad

for all e̶͎̾t̷̟̅ë̸̠r̵̺̐n̸̡i̵̦̓t̵̘̓y̶̲ (One-Shot)

A few months into their 4-year long exploration mission, Alfred is starting to form an unhealthy attachment to the ship’s AI.

This one fucked with me. They set up like four different ways you know it's going to go tits up. We've all seen Space Odyssey. Arthur as an AI is begging for trouble. The Kill Switch that Alfred is the only one with access to. Arthur getting attached to Alfred. It's all going to go downhill. And then it swerves in a brilliant parallel to earlier in the fic and it's like, oh no there truly is no fate worse than being loved by something not human is there. God or otherwise.

*****

Rierin

Written in the Stars (One-Shot)

Alfred wakes up after an assassination attempt to find Arthur at his bedside. He's told he and Arthur are engaged— but the last thing Alfred remembers is the Revolutionary War, and all he feels for Arthur is anger and resentment bordering on hatred.

Amnesia fic make Abbie go brrrrrrr. Genuinely not much to it than that. Arthur is so wonderfully pathetic in this fic and I mean that in the best possible way.

*****

Kink Meme Fills

The frustration here is I literally just copied and pasted a bunch of responses onto my pc for my own personal consumption without noting the original web url like a fool so excuse me whilst these listings are a bit more haphazard. I would have a nosey through the USUK livejournal page which indexed them up until Part 22. They are missing the later ones and ones that were back filled, so I would also go through the Finished Fills List and - if you feel like really going through it - the plain old Fills List.

Listen. Somewhere in those hundreds of pages is a fill where the entire Commonwealth catches wind that Arthur is pining after Alfred. Antigua is the first to figure it out; Canada is last. Someone went to the effort of writing all (well, at the time, some more nations have joined recently) the nations of the Commonwealth reacting, including Scotland who gets metaphorically possessed by the spirit of Arthur Conan Doyle and goes hunting for his missing brother who is being held captive by Oz and Zee. Some nations don't care because they are well within their rights not to care a fig what England does, some are aggressively supportive because honeymoon tourism and many just wish the America and England would spit it out and put everyone out of enduring their misery. I have it saved on my computer, but lord knows where it is in the depths of the Kink Meme. It's a sweet one. Worth sifting for... Good luck.

Whew! Okay. I'll call it quits there. Big boy. Hope there's something of interest in here! Old and new!

#hetalia #fanfic #hws england #hws america #usuk #op

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smaptain-smerica · 1 year

Text

Female Reader x Rooster

Time: Post-Top gun: Maverick

Her next mission? Return to Top Gun, Face certain death, romantic interests, and finally, her thought-to-be-dead, father.

This book contains strong language and sexual content that may be sensitive readers under the age of 18

Master list

Vodka Cran

I was first to reach the door, although it had opened before Bradley and I even got to it. We stopped in our tracks watching a very large man getting pushed out the doors. He was angry, unwilling to exit the doors as he grabbed the door frame.

I felt Bradley grab my arm and pull us over to the side. I got pushed behind him in a protective manner.

The angry man finally flipped around to face his victim, practically frothing at the mouth as he reared back his hand. I finally got a good look at the person pushing him only moments before his face was connected to the angry man's fist.

"Jake!" I gasped in shock, watching him stumble back into the bar holding onto his eye. Bradley managed to tackle the guy to the ground in the follow through while he wasn't looking. He had the man face down on the ground and grabbed his arm, twisting it behind his back. "Stay down!" He ordered in an angry yell I had never heard come from him before. Honestly, I jumped hearing it.

I quickly moved to be at Hangman's side, taking his arm so he knew somebody was there while he held his eye tightly. He hissed in pain as his eyes watered heavily. "Did someone call the police?" I yelled into the room. The crowd of people was rather small, as it was just after 7 on a Wednesday night. There were only a few locals and a few of the pilots from Top Gun.

Phoenix snapped to get my attention, pointing to her phone. I understood what she was trying to tell me and I nodded. "Coyote stay with Rooster and make sure that guy doesn't move. Somebody get me something frozen!"

I barked orders at my friends as I began to guide hangman over to the bar to sit down. He gripped my shoulder, allowing me to take him to the bar and I guided him to a seat. "Move your hand, let me see."

Hangman removed his hand from his face, squinting his eye closed from the pain. Tears streamed down his face, predominantly through the left eye that was injured. He wasn't crying, he made that very clear. The area where he got hit was just very sensitive.

"Close your right eye and try to open your left eye and look at my hand." I held my hand back behind me, holding up two fingers.

Hangman opened his injured eye wide for a moment to look at my hand and then closed it quickly. "2." He groaned, holding his eyes.

"Good. Hopefully you'll be okay. You're lucky your high cheekbones took most of the hit."while I was talking Someone had returned with a ziplock bag full of ice and handed it to me. I brought it up to Hangman's eye, allowing him to take the bag from me and hold it more comfortably.

"Shut up." Hangman smirked a little bit at me, signifying to me that he was grateful for me trying to lighten the mood. Penny rushed over to us from the back room with complete concern on her face.

"Are you okay?" She asked Hangman, putting a hand on his shoulder. Hangman looked over at her and smiled. "Yes ma'am, I'm fine."

"Penny what happened?" I asked, turning my attention to the dark haired woman.

Penny sighed, biting her lip while thinking about the situation. "This guys been here since the moment I opened. He had drank a lot. Then a few of Pete's students showed up and he said something about the navy so I rang the bell and he didn't like that and tried to come over the bar..."

Penny began to hyperventilate, clearly stressed by the scary situation that she had been in. "Hey, it's okay." I grabbed her hand to try and comfort her. Penny gripped my hand tightly, breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth to calm herself down.

"Is Pete coming?"

"Yeah I called him a second ago."

"Good." I nodded. I didn't know what else to say to her after that. I had only met the woman once, I didn't know how to comfort her. I did know hangman, and I was concerned about him. I was also worried about Bradley. Surely that man couldn't have taken both him and coyote out by himself.

Within minutes, Pete flew through the doors. I hadn't seen him look so worried or concerned before. He immediately flew to Penny, wrapping her in a tight hug. I couldn't help but begin to feel jealous. That could have been him and my mom, we could have been a family. I realize it wasn't his fault, he didn't know. It still hurt to think about.

"Are you jealous of Penny and Mav?" I looked up to see hangman smirking at me, then looking back at the couple hugging and then back at me. He raised one eyebrow, the ice bag still on his eye.

"You don't know what you're talking about." I grumbled. "I still hate you, by the way." I added

I heard him chuckle and looked up to see Hangman shaking his head back and forth. "Thank you for helping me." He said sincerely. This brought a small smirk of a smile to my face at his random act of generosity.

"You're welcome." I muttered.

The door for the bar rang and my head snapped in that direction. In walked Bradley with coyote on his tail. "The police took him to the station." He announced. The room exhaled in relief. Bradley walked over to where Hangman and I sat, putting a hand on either of our shoulders.

"You okay, Seresin?" Bradley asked, looking to his companion. Jake nodded with a tight lipped smile. "Just definitely going to get a black eye." Hangman chuckled half-heartedly.

"Someone beat me to it." I joked, earning a hearty laugh from both of the boys.

The rest of the night was pretty uneventful. Penny shut down the bar, only allowing Pete and the fellow Top Gun students to stay and have a few drinks (which she had given to us for free). Rightfully so, I would be terrified if that happened to me.

I think the presence of the younger pilots lifted penny's spirits. By the end of the night she was smiling and laughing. Much improved from her previous startled state.

I hadn't talked to Bradley much since we had gotten there. I mostly spent time with Phoenix. I adored her. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. I knew we would become friends very quickly.

It was about 10 pm now and I was finally approached by Bradley. He pulled me aside, looking slightly embarrassed. I could smell the beer on his breath.

"This is super embarrassing, but I don't think I should be driving home. If you're ready to go would you mind..." his feet shuffled and he put a hand behind his head, rubbing his neck. A red flush washed over his face as he spoke.

"I don't mind. Let's go."

He seemed relieved, thanking me while handing me the keys to the Bronco. I held my hand out of the open frame of the car, taking in the cool breeze of the evening while listening to the directions Bradley gave me to his home that was nearby the naval academy.

I looked over at Bradley, catching him looking at me. He didn't shy away, he kept a steady eye contact with me while giving me a toothless smile. I returned the smile back to him and then turning my attention to the road.

We pulled up to Bradley's house, and I put the car in park in the driveway. The house was small, probably the cheapest beachfront house that someone can get. But when living alone, I guess you don't need more than than.

"Thank you I appreciate it." Bradley sighed, taking a long breath of the fresh evening air. "You can take my car back to base, I'll grab it tomorrow somehow."

"Okay, sounds good."

Bradley nodded and popped the door open, stepping out of the vehicle. I bit my lip in thought. I specifically thought of what he said earlier, recognizing my name from letters. I wanted to know what they said. I had never found any letters between my mother and anybody.

"Rooster wait!" I called to him. He stopped when he was almost to the door, turning around and watching me turn the car off and walk quickly up to the door. He looked down at me expectingly.

"Can I see the letters? From my mom?" I asked, my voice suddenly feeling small and weak while talking about a vulnerable topic.

"Of course." He smiled warmly down at me and opened the door, allowing me to step inside before him. The concept of the house was very open. The entryway was a hallway with a door on either side. The kitchen and living room were one spacious and continuous area. What was the most astonishing was the view. The entire back wall was ceiling to floor windows overlooking the ocean. I noticed a built in fire pit on the back stones patio.

"Take a seat." Bradley encouraged me. He slipped away into the hallway, going into the door that was on the right of the hall. He left the door open and I could see a bed with a few ruffled blankets on it. I assumed that was his bedroom.

He came back out and handed me an old trapper keeper of that was closed off. "I think that's all of them."

"Thank you." I said quietly, sliding my fingers along the worn leather. I moved to the button, taking the string off from around the button and opening the flap. I used my fingers to flip through the delicate pieces of paper.

"So uh, do you want a drink?" Bradley asked, seeming awkward once again.

"Yeah, I would actually."

Bradley nodded with a quick smile before slipping into the kitchen. I pulled out a letter from the middle, recognizing her handwriting. I felt it pull at my heart strings as tears began to come to my eyes. I smiled at the end as my mother gushed about how perfect I was. I noticed the date, it was 3 months after my birthday. She kept saying how excited she was for our future together.

I pulled out another one, the date close to the time I had graduated from high school.

It's official. y/n has graduated from high school. She leaves for the Navy in a few weeks. As supportive as I want to be I can't help but be terrified. She is every bit her fathers daughter. I fear she will meet Pete sooner than I would like...

I subconsciously sniffled my nose while reading over the rest of the letter. I flipped the paper over after noticing a stapled piece of cardboard stock paper on the back. It was one of my graduation pictures, the ones that get sent out to relatives.

I felt the couch sink beside me, Bradley holding two whiskey glasses in his hand. He offered one to me as I raised an eyebrow at what he was giving me. "I made you a vodka cran."

I raised an eyebrow at him, taking the drink slowly. "I thought you meant something like water."

Bradley laughed and shook his head. "Mav told me there's no early training tomorrow. We're going to be doing something in the evening instead."

"So you made me a vodka cran?"

"Hey it's all i had! I'll take it back if you don't want it." Bradley began to take the drink away from me but I quickly grabbed at it. "Hey now." I warned him, taking a long sip of the mixed drink.

We looked through the letters together. Bradley was able to pick out some of the letters that stood out the most to him, significant things about my childhood or confessions about mothers relationship with Pete that could possibly give me some more information about my paternity.

Two, three, four mixed drinks later we had given up on the letters, spending a lot of time talking and laughing. He told me the story of the great balls of fire song and how his dad would sing it to him when he was little. He then tried to impress me by playing the piano, drunkenly hitting wrong keys and muttering "oops." Every single time. This only made us laugh harder.

I had my head thrown back on the couch, laughing heartily as Bradley slammed his fingers on the keys in frustration. "I give up!" He laughed, getting up and fumbling his way over to me on the couch.

He plopped down next to me, his head tossed back as he laughed along with me. We both had our heads resting on the back of the couch as we looked over at each other. "Great balls of fire." I said, humming a laugh while looking into his deep brown eyes.

"Great balls of fire." He he said in what sounded like an agreeing tone. I could feel my heart beating out of my chest as we sat closer to each other than before. He looked down at my lips and then back up to my eyes.

I held my breath as I heard my heartbeat echo in my head. Bradley reached over to me, tucking a piece of my hair behind my ear. His hand lingered, fingers grazing over my skin giving me goosebumps.

Bradley shifted his position to where he was now propped up, almost looming over me. His hand found a more secure hold on the side of my face. I knew exactly what was about to happen, but my body wouldn't move. I was frozen in one spot, staring up at his beautiful features.

When his lips met mine, my body was released from its frozen state. It started off as one kiss, Bradley pulling back to look at me as if to ensure that it was okay. I reciprocated the kiss by pushing my head back up towards his and closing the gap. His mustache tickled my upper lip but his lips were soft, well taken care of.

I felt electricity flow through me but I honestly couldn't tell if it was the alcohol or the intoxicating kiss. Either way, it was euphoric. My hands rested at the base of his neck, my thumbs slowly stroking his jawline that was sprinkled with stubble trying to grow back. His hand on the side of my face entangled parts of my hair and was used as a guide to encourage me.

I wasn't sure what this meant. I wasn't in the clearest headspace to think about it right now. That was a problem for future me. But now, in this moment, I felt like I could go on forever.

Next Chapter

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three--rings · 1 year

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Hi! I come from the danmei fandom and wanted to ask you if you pls have some good novels from the west to rec? What I'm looking for is: BL, fantasy & good plot. I'm not looking for political agenda just for a good read where the focus is on the plot and romance. I seriously don't know where to start looking. I tried checking out recs on google but honestly after the danmei books mostly everything looks unappealing to me. I was hoping you could help me out. Thank you in advance!

Ooo, yeah I can come up with a few things.

(All links are Amazon, but of course if you can buy elsewhere it's recommended, especially author sites. But if you buy from these links I get like a few pennies.)

The Magpie Lord (and rest of the series) by K.J. Charles - This is honestly the book that got me into reading modern m/m historical romance before I ever discovered danmei. 19th century England, magic, romance.

The Whyborne and Griffin series by Jordan L. Hawk - An incredibly long series of adventure novels set in a Lovecraftian 19th century America, starring a shy scholar and brash detective who get pulled into supernatural highjinks and romance together. The author's other series might also appeal. I'm a big fan of their Hexworld series which is recommended if you like the ideal of shapeshifters and their destined soulmate partners.

Lord of the White Hell by Ginn Hale - Fantasy European setting in a boys boarding school. Kiram is the first from his religion/ethnicity to attend this prestigious school and has to room with a boy who is supposed to be cursed by hell. Magic, religion, culture clash coming of age, and a fantastic romance. I love this whole world and series so much.

The Archer's Heart by Astrid Amara - Fantasy India setting with a rigid caste system where homosexuality is punished with death. So the romance between a prince and a warrior has very real stakes. Lots of politics and suffering for the characters. Sorta epic political fantasy but with queer romance. Definitely danmei esque.

The Nightrunner series by Lynn Flewelling - An older series in which a young man is taken as an apprentice to a thief/spy/rogue in a typical European fantasy world. Very interesting political and magical intrigue. The romance between the two main characters doesn't become textual until the second book and definitely is not a main focus or very in your face, most likely because of the age of the books. BUT I love everyone in this bar so so much. And they are explicitly the fantasy equivalent of married in later books, so it's not NOT a thing.

The High King's Golden Tongue by Megan Derr - A young man is trained to be consort to a king his whole life, but the king in question isn't interested in him because he's still mourning his late husband. Fantasy world with normalized queer relationships, slow burn romance development, a very gentle book without a lot of drama. (I haven't read the rest of the series but I think each book is a different couple.)

Okay and then a couple additional recs with special circumstances.

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland - I haven't read this one yet because I just haven't had time, but I've read some of their other works and trust that it's good. The author is @ariaste whose MDZS fic you may have read.

The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard - The reason I haven't read the above yet is because I've been deep in reading this and all the related books/stories in this world. Absolutely I think danmei fans need to read this book. The worldbuilding is fantastic and immense. The political intrigue is more West Wing than Game of Thrones. It's a book about making incremental change from inside a flawed system. And it's a book about two men opening their hearts to one another glacially slowly, with so many barriers in the way, but so much love.

The caveat is that it's not precisely a romance or primarily a romance so it doesn't meet your criteria. It's super long (again for danmei fans) but while these two (an emperor and his secretary) love each other so much, it's not explicitly romantic or sexual? At least not yet. (Next week, sequel next week aaaaaahhhh.) So...it's a weird one to rec. Which is why I've been waiting and putting off writing it's own rec post. But it's a magnificent novel I can't say enough good things about.

So yeah, that's what I've got for now. Thanks for asking, clearly I'm always just waiting for someone to ask me to rec things.

Other folks feel free to add your own recs in reblogs if there's stuff I've missed.

#Anonymous #books #book recs #danmei #m/m romance #threerings' recs #asks #there are some non-fantasy books I could rec #or second-tier recs #or f/f recs #so let me know if you want more

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sprngwillcomeagain · 6 months

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Hannix (Phoenix x Hangman, Natasha x Jake) AU: sweet nothings (they’re everything to me) update 🌟

link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/44637271/chapters/112296133

(to the first 7 chapters!)

—

Hi, hello! Jen here. I’m not entirely sure who is still reading this fic but I hope someone out there is glad to know that I’m 8k words into the next chapter and I’m a little more than halfway through!

Natasha and Jake have been such a joy to write as a COUPLE (god. finally. I’ve been waiting for this moment for the whole 50k words of this fic before this chapter) and I’m reallyyyy trying to fluff things out as best I can to give you all the lovey gooey relationship affection between these two (with my usual sprinkle of angst of course)

I just wanted to give a little heads-up! It’s coming very soon. I plan to have it published by Monday (all things going well ofc) and I CANNOT WAITTTT!!

If anyone has been waiting for the next chapter since May, I thank you so much for waiting and I hope it makes you so happy.

……

Ready for a teaser?

……

"Where's everyone?" She asks. "The halls have been quiet since I got up this morning."

Jake presses a kiss against her forehead, "Maverick took them to check out this museum in town after breakfast. I know Bob and Javy wanted to host some sort of game night at Penny's tonight so they shouldn't be gone too long. Mav said they'd be back by lunch."

It goes unsaid but completely noticed that Jake had stood behind for her, and she feels warmth spread throughout her at how worried he must’ve been for her this morning just because she was so worried and anxious about talking to her parents.

Nat perks up slowly, resting a hand on his chest as she leans on her elbow. She has no reason to be anxious now, not when she thinks of their plans for the night. “Do you think they know how badly they're about to lose at Pictionary? We almost wiped the floor with them last time and I refuse to lose again.”

"I don't know about that, Nat,” Jake teased with ease, twirling one of her curls with his fingers. "Bob seemed pretty eager in dominos and Pictionary last time. He carried himself to first place and I actually would've been afraid of him if Mickey wasn't his partner."

"Mickey does make everything fun no matter what, doesn't he?" Nat agreed, dropping her arm and nuzzling back into her boyfriend's arms. She adjusts and gets comfortable again before saying the words she has been thinking of ever since she ended the call with her parents. "I feel really lucky to have you guys in my life. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Her vulnerability doesn't go unnoticed as Jake hugs her as tight as he can, pressing another kiss against her head with a hand cradling her cheek like she was one of the most precious things in the world to him.

"I feel lucky, too." He whispered to her. "I think all I feel is lucky when it comes to knowing you." A pause, "when it comes to loving you."

Nat doesn't cry but she spends a few minutes fighting the tears back before falling asleep cuddled up to the sound of the television on low and her boyfriend’s heartbeat under her ear.

—

There’s a tonnnn more where this came from. I can’t wait for you guys to see. Happy late thanksgiving!

#natasha trace x jake seresin #jake seresin #top gun maverick #phoenix x hangman #fics #natasha phoenix trace #top gun hangman #top gun phoenix #top gun movie #hannix lover #hannix au #phoenix x hangman fic #top gun maverick fics #ao3 #natasha trace x jake Seresin fics

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the-bjd-community-confess · 1 year

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Long post but there’s been a lot of confessions lately about not being able to use Taobao. As a regular Taobao user wanted to give some input as to why people are perceiving the attitude of “you just need to figure it out” from current Taobao users and also why you might not really be missing out on much/trade offs of using it vs dealers.

First off in my experience Taobao really isn’t something you can handhold because there really isn’t a cut and dry solution to everything. If someone did make a very detailed end all be all comprehensive Taobao guide it would likely be research paper size and 95% of it would be troubleshooting as in “Trying b, c or d when a isn’t working”. The kicker is after trying all that it still might not work for you for whatever reason or it may work one time but not every time. It’s why looking at a few Taobao guides online isn’t enough and why a lot of people are still very confused even after giving it a few genuine tries.

Even using proxies like Bhiner isn’t easy as there are many potential issues such as:

-proxies don’t translate pictures and sometimes sellers only put text and buying details on pictures;

-some words don’t translate well or translate from Chinese at all;

-you have to research the correct word or phrase to find what you are looking for in Chinese to search the site as you can’t search in English and searching in or browsing in the proxy gives funky results at times;

-not everything on the site is even available for purchase at the time you might want to buy; sometimes the link won’t work in the proxy and you need to convert it (there are mobile, desktop and international link versions);

- sometimes the proxy changes word selections to tiny ass pictures and you have to put everything in the cart in various combinations (think color, size, version) on the agent site just to see what it is;

Among many other issues that may arise including figuring out is this really a new artist/shop or a new recaster. There is a lot of do-it-yourself legwork that is involved even when you are familiar with to using the site.

So if you are looking for this “ah-ha” moment it’s never really going to come. I’ve been using it for over a year and have made over 50 purchases with agents. You are just over a period of time going to get better at troubleshooting and being scrappy/resourceful enough to find what you need when things aren’t working. Even knowing the name of the clothing or wig maker or having a picture for image searching I STILL often enough have to spend hours searching Twitter, Weibo, etc to find their Taobao due to their store being named something different than the name they go by or Taobao giving me generic reverse image results.

I wouldn’t call anyone stupid or lazy for not being able to figure it. However, before you even think you might be missing out on much there are trade offs/disadvantages to using Taobao and shopping agents over dealers that I’ve noticed.

Unless you like organizing GOs for friends or you make a lot of doll item purchases yourself monthly there’s no real savings/advantage in using Taobao. Nearly everything you could want on there you can get from agents/dealers like New Cl0ver, Alice, Me0w Marts, Spac3BJD, D0llection or Moonlight (Moonlight if you are really desperate). I’d say the only things you are missing out on are custom wig commissions and buying small random items for pennys like doll hairnets, face masks and wig caps.

Plus you still have layaway with dealers vs coming out of pocket $50-250 per outfit with a proxy/agent. Just a note though the Chinese selling process is typically deposit and final payment. Some agents allow you to do deposit only initially but I would not trust them reminding you when to pay (because not all artists send out payment reminders). If you don’t pay on time you lose your money and the item (it’s happened to a friend of mine using spreenow). Dealers like Moonlight and SpaceBJD will send emails when the final payment is due and other dealers like Alice and New Clover allow layaway.

Not to mention some of those dealers have free shipping over a certain amount. With shopping agents you have to buy enough items to make international shipping worth it and within a certain period as they all need to come in around the same time to avoid item storage charges. Overall the dealer markup (with the exception of Moonlight) pretty much evens out the international shipping cost if you were just to get that one item with a proxy/shopping agent.

Most importantly though you have someone who is more inclined to help if there are any quality issues when you buy from dealers. Most shopping agents things come as-is, they take pictures for verification/storage purposes only and no returns. Bhiner took literally a picture of sunglasses with a lens popped out and didn’t flag as an issue (granted it was $2 so I wasn’t about to fight them over it). They’re not as inclined to work through issues since they only get paid on orders made and have ZERO relationship with the artist. Some shopping agents like 42agent actually charge you more if they have to write you a ton of messages about your item or work through issues. Superbuy actually makes you manually type in to confirm “no refunds” before they confirm your order in a lot of cases, if you don’t agree they reject the order.

Finally most shopping agents if they end up refunding you for whatever reason the amount doesn’t go back into your PayPal, it will go into your wallet on their site and you will have to pay a fee to get them to transfer it back to your PayPal account. The expectation is you will buy more with them rather than just getting the refund. Bhiner doesn’t even accept PayPal on items over $350 (if you buy a doll,etc) you have to do a bank transfer to their Chinese bank account. Btw it took me 4 days to figure out back and forth with them as they kept giving me the wrong bank info and thankfully transferwise won’t let you send money unless they can verify the receiving account or I would have been out of $600.

Not saying all this to discourage anyone from learning how to use Taobao. But just to give a reality check on what using it is like in the day to day and it isn’t easy even for the people who do use it regularly. I still use dealers often too when I want layaway or when I’m not buying much at that time.

Overall just saying all this cause it really isn’t Taobao users not wanting to share info and gatekeep. I know of others, including myself, who are more than happy to find a link for you or even share them without being asked. However it would be way too much work for someone to write some comprehensive guide when it might not even work for you and we are over here stumbling around ourselves still. The blind leading the slightly less blind at that point. This is why people who know how to use Taobao are more inclined to help if they know you are able to do some legwork too.

~Anonymous

#BJD #ABJD #BJD Confessions #Community Confessions #Taobao #BJD Dealers #Shopping Services

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