#married under 25 series <3

[just-late-roman-republic-things]

Notes on Roman demography:

It's really, really hard to estimate how many people lived in Rome or in Italy as a whole. In republican times, the census only counted free adult men.

Augustus' census recorded 4 million people in Italy, but we don't know how to interpret this number. If it's like earlier censuses (male citizens only), it implies a total population of around 10 million, and a big surge in the last 200 years.

But our literary sources almost all imply the population was stagnating or declining due to the wars and famines of the 1st century BCE, and Augustus himself thought the population was declining.

So, most historians now think the 4 million number does include all Roman citizens in Italy, male and female. If so, this is indeed a decrease from the 4.5 million we've estimated for 225 BCE, based on Polybius' account of the Second Punic War.

Losing over 11% of the population, even after adding new citizens through manumission, immigration and colony-founding, would have had massive effects on politics. (It's the equivalent of the USA losing 37 million people.) This may have made the surviving Romans more willing to accept Augustus' autocratic rule, which at least promised stability. It might have offered career opportunities to new men like Cicero and Marcus Agrippa as the ranks of the nobility were thinned. And I strongly suspect it contributed to Augustus' notorious marriage laws, which unsuccessfully tried to incentivize having more kids.

I also wonder if high mortality rates are part of the reason Rome was so open to integrating foreigners as citizens. Rome was at war nearly every year, and in the Second Punic War (for instance) lost over 25% of its adult male population in battles. (1)

However! Rome's slow recovery during and after the Augustan age, plus greater economic mobility, helped the population bounce back, reaching a high around 120 CE of 1 million in Rome and ~75 million for the empire as a whole. (2)

(The population and economy got so big we can see traces of it in polar ice cores - they raised Earth's carbon dioxide levels!) (3)

Life expectancy at birth was probably around 25-35. Half of all children probably died before the age of 10, but if you lived past that, it wasn't unusual to reach your 50s or 60s.

Slaves made up somewhere between 20-33% of the population of the late republic. (4)

Freedmen made up another big chunk. The highest estimate I've seen was 50% in Rome itself; lowest is around 20-25%. But in any case, there were a lot. (4)

Due to such high child mortality, and adult mortality due to war and disease, the average Roman woman gave birth around nine times. This partly accounts for why Roman girls were married off in their teens. The age gap between first-time brides and their husbands, and the number of pregnancies and children, were major systemic factors that kept Roman women subjugated under patriarchy. (5)

Adrian Goldsworthy, Antony and Cleopatra

Walter Scheidel, "Demography," The Cambridge Economic History of the Greco-Roman World.

Mary Beard, Meet the Romans (documentary series)

Erich Gruen, The Last Generation of the Roman Republic

Mary Beard, SPQR

The rest comes from Neville Morley's "Social Structure and Demography," in A Companion to the Roman Republic, ed. Nathan Rosenstein and Robert Morstein-Marx.

#my epubs make it hard to cite page numbers but poke me if you need a quote to ctrl+F #roman demography #neville morley #social structure and demography #a companion to the roman republic #jlrrt reads

[rachalixie]

anny’s masterlist

❥ denotes a personal favorite

「☆ bang chan ☆」

↳ what’s yours is mine (gn!reader, fluff, 0.7k) ★

a self indulgent chan fluff where you can’t stop taking his things

↳ knight in a shining business suit (gn!reader, fluff, 1.7k)

getting hit on by a creep is never a pleasant experience. the aftermath, though, may be.

↳ red (gn!reader, angst with a happy ending)

songfic for taylor swift’s red

↳ can't get you off my mind (fem!reader, fluff, 4k)

you meet chan at a bar and he promises to marry you someday

「☆ lee minho ☆」

↳ can’t get you off my mind (gn!reader, first meeting, 0.7k) ❥

classic you-meet-minho-at-a-party-and-he-takes-your-breath-away trope

↳ happy mistake (gn!reader, coworkers to lovers 1.1k)

who would have thought that sending the wrong text would lead here?

↳ the best man (she/her!reader, friends to lovers, 1.4k) ★

your best friend's getting married, and you're the maid of honor. minho is the best man. you're just trying your best to not let him get under your skin. pt II

「☆ seo changbin ☆」

↳ please don’t go (gn!reader, angst, 1.1k)

you’re shocked when changbin suddenly decided to cut things off with you (or alternatively, you’re both dumb and bad at communication)

「☆ hwang hyunjin ☆」

↳ slipped my mind (gn!reader, fluff, 1k) ❥ ★

you and hyunjin are happily together. too bad you forgot to tell anyone that.

↳ mind your business (gn!reader, fluff, 1.2k) (sequel to slipped my mind) ★

the aftermath of the crew finding out about yours and hyunjin’s unintentional secret relationship, complete with domestic fluff at the end.

↳ 3 times you're awkward with hyunjin (and 1 time you're not) (gn!reader, fluff, 1.3k)

my love, mine all mine (fem!reader, fluff, 2.3k)

hyunjin sets up the perfect valentine’s day for you

「☆ han jisung ☆」

↳ bandaids don’t fix bulletholes (gn!reader, angst/fluff, 0.7k)

sometimes your possessiveness over jisung rears it’s head at the worst moments

「☆ lee felix ☆」

↳ forgive me for what i haven’t done (she/her!reader, fluff, h/c, 17.5k)

you arrive at your enemy's kingdom under the guise of making peace. the prince being nice to you wasn't part of the plan.

「☆ kim seungmin ☆」

↳ a dose of you (is all i need) (gn!reader, fluff, 0.7k) (sequel to cat and mouse) ❥

you’re cramming for your final and what’s a better distraction than kim seungmin?

↳ cat and mouse (for a month or two or three) (gn!reader, enemies to lovers, 2.2k) (prequel to a dose of you) ❥

enemies to lovers with kim seungmin but make it ~university flavored~

↳ what i’m looking for (she/her!reader, strangers to lovers, 3.4k)

you, quite literally, run into kim seungmin on your escape from an arranged marriage

「☆ yang jeongin ☆」

↳ a smile worth a thousand words (gn!reader, fluff, 0.9k)

you can tell the story of falling in love with jeongin through his smiles

↳ 24 to 25 (to 26) (gn!reader, fluff, 3k)

you can’t pinpoint the moment when you started seeing jeongin as more than the annoying kid next door turned best friend, but you don’t know what to do with yourself now that you do.

「☆ 3racha ☆」

↳ high (all the time) (gn!reader, fluff, 0.6k)

jisung always says they do their best work when high. you just didn’t believe them. (est. chan x reader)

↳ 3racha reactions | post panic attack (est. 3racha x gn!reader, hurt/comfort)

↳ 3racha as rockstars (3racha x gn!reader, fluff, <2k)

「☆ ot8 ☆」

↳ post concert stray kids series (est. skz x gn!reader, fluff) ★

↳ skz reactions | post argument (est. skz x gn!reader, fluff/angst) ★

↳ skz reactions | to you crying (est. skz x gn!reader, fluff) ★

↳ skz reactions | when you’re sad (est. skz x gn!reader, hurt/comfort) ★

↳ skz reactions | autumn dates (est. skz x gn!reader, fluff)

↳ christmas carols advent (est. skz x gn!reader)

↳ kisses with stray kids

chan / minho / changbin / hyunjin / jisung / felix / seungmin / jeongin

↳ stray kids love languages

chan / minho / changbin / hyunjin / jisung / felix / seungmin / jeongin

↳ eight days of christmas carols

soft hours masterlist

my fills

#stray kids imagines #skz imagines #chan #lee know #changbin #hyunjin #han #felix #seungmin #i.n #stray kids fluff #stray kids x stay #stray kids x you #stray kids x y/n #stray kids x reader

[sasukimimochi]

So i decided to repost the original sketches [plus one i thought was appropriate to put with these, since its got a butt i put it under the cut] and delete the cringe original post- since it didn't get any notes anyway- after cleaning them up/adding a block of color behind them [plus me toying with demon wwx's colors] so i hope you enjoy them!! More about the fic under the cut :D

The extra sketch that has a bumbum which is why the read more line. [plus the extra info and all].

Scroll to the bottom for links! [up to date as of 3/25/2023]

“Clash of Immortals” / COI is an upcoming project I’m super excited about with Demon WWX and Angel LWJ. I use my own version of hell/heaven for this, allowing for lots of fun details and some creatures unique to my universe, including A-Yuan who is a “Garden of Eden” [not drawn yet].

Information i can share!

Demon WWX / Wei Wuxian - Demon type: A black-blue feathered “Captive” or “Fallen” - a type of demon caused by cutting an angel’s ascension short as they are being lifted into the heavens, caused by demons trying to prevent as many new angels from entering heaven as possible. This means originally he was supposed to become an angel, but his line was cut and he was dragged past hell’s gates, causing him to descend instead of ascend once he passed through the gate.

This leaves a nasty scar on his back from the hook used to pull him up [if ascended the hook will disappear harmlessly] and this is why they are also nicknamed "Hook Demons" as they will sometimes even go around with the hook still in their back, just filed down, because they are going through a vital area and can't be fully removed.

Angel LWJ / Lan Wangji - Nearly a white wing, shares a nearly identical wing color to LXC, His is white with minimal jade undertones; he has MANY piercings to compensate his abilities in order to prevent his body from tearing apart. He does however have a unique trait- two of his flight feathers [one on each side] are completely black [I will test this with his design so don't hold me to this]. After his descent heaven is a bit perplexed- they allow this type of movement but LWJ is a very important for heaven’s force of angels, as one of the most powerful.

Fun Facts ;]

When they see each other for the first time as angel/demon they bristle, [in my universe, angels and demons feel wrong when in each other's presence, even if they're very soft and sweet. It'd probably be a good mirror to how LWJ and WWX don't necessarily get along in the actual series when they first meet too.] but then it’s a cheery reunion- LWJ might be somewhat uncomfortable, but WWX tames the sensation more easily as he is nearly unrestrained in power.

Someone comes within 50 feet of A-Yuan and Wei Wuxian sends the person’s heart to their throat just by looking at them despite this being a bad habit he probably shouldn’t use around the "Garden of Eden."*

*original species invented which will be explained better in story, I don't wanna spoil too much

and then we have "BED" HABITS

WWX is aggressive as all hell with everyone else besides his kind [in hell anyway bc he doesn't like everyone's attitude] -not in an intimate way he wouldn't do anything with anyone else- but becomes tame with LWJ, it's like a switch gets flipped. LWJ is the growling demon in bed while WWX is the purring angel, despite their anatomy quite clearly showing otherwise; and let me tell u I love purring demons and growling angels

NO ONE believes him when LWJ says wwx isnt the aggressive one, thinking the demon is tainting their precious second jade despite wwx not having a choice about his demonhood. LWJ be like: we still husbands regardless of who's the more aggressive one anyway. Yes, I’ve just decided we’re still married no extra ceremony required.

my COI music playlist can be found here. My favorite COI song is this one: "Into Darkness" by Thomas Bergersen.

all art in this post drawn in drawpile and edited on clip studio paint

Here's all the sketches for COI in order! ♥️ They update regularly on my original COI post [you are here] / the mdzs ff masterpost.

OG POST - Demon WWX & Angel LWJ [you are here].

COI - MXY YLLZ WWX Demon WIP COI - Chibi kisses COI - Cuddles COI - Slumber COI - hugs COI - Hellscape Concept art [ficlet included in this post] COI - Er-Gege COI - Marks COI - Reunion COI - Thank you! COI - I'm Home! (Previews) COI - I'm Home! ...

Reddit Posts!

See the OG Reddit post here [contains 11 drawings] Rough Hellscape Concept art [has more art here that i didn't post on Tumblr!] Slumber Hellscape Concept art [same as Tumblr] hugs/hold er-gege reunion Thanks [separated drawings] Marks Reunion Thank you! I'm Home!

See the Explicit™ COI ficlet here [i can't post this on tumblr, so i posted this on Reddit, sorry!

See the first peek at Ch 1 of COI here!

You can find all my other projects here!

Did you get this far? :0 hello! Thank you for reading it all ♥️ ♥️ ♥️

#mdzs #mdzs fanfic #mdzs fic #mdzs fanfiction #SasukiMimochi #fanfiction #fanfic #mo dao zu shi fanart #mo dao zu shi #the grandmaster of demonic cultivation #the grandmaster of demonic cultivation fanart #lwj #lan wangji #lan zhan #wei ying #wei wuxian #demon wwx #angel lwj #angel #demon #COI #Clash of Immortals #Concepts

[burrowbaddie]

Circles

Joe Burrow x Female Reader

Series Summary: Childhood friends to lovers to nothing. You and Joe had history, you were each others first and then you were nothing. Years later, you guys rekindle the flame but with more obstacles in the way this time.

Chapter 3 Summary: You and Joe continue to fall apart and together.

Word Count: 6k

Warnings: Afab!reader, smut, swearing. Oral (female & male receiving), vaginal fingering, penetrative sex, vaginal sex, unprotected sex, cheating! (You are the side girl, sorry.), small fight scene, jealous Joe,

Series Masterlist

Joe couldn't take his eyes off you, watching you swim in circles around him. You gave him a splash, swimming toward him and wrapping your legs around him. It's been a whole week of just you and Joe. You felt like you were in heaven. You guys did a dive tour, went hiking, and had a wonderful dinner every night. The night always ended with you folded under Joe, crying and shaking while he fucked into you over and over again, but you didn't complain. You loved every min of it.

"Dinner on the beach tonight?"

"Mmm, sounds romantic. Are you proposing?"

"I would marry you in a heartbeat."

"If you were single." Your voice drips with disappointment. Joe kisses your neck and swims you back to the Villa. You climb up the stairs, and he follows you in. You take turns to dry each other off, not saying a word. You know you've killed the mood, but you can't help it. How long are you supposed to be the other woman? After quick showers, you lounge around watching Netflix while Joe answers emails and returns calls. It isn't until dinner that you speak to him.

"I'm sorry. You have every right to be pissed at me. I want to end things with Nicole."

"So, what's stopping you." You cross your arms over your chest, waiting for him to continue.

"I don't know. I really don't know. Nicole'smother died, and I didn't think it would be the right time."

"You choose now to start caring about her feelings. Ha."

"Cheeks, come on. I-"

"You're fucking me. Newsflash, just because you love me doesn't make it okay for you to cheat on her. So this sudden "I don't want to hurt her" play you're putting on is bullshit!"

The waiter puts your food on the table and awkwardly smiles, walking away. Joe rubs his face. He knows what it sounds like. Excuses. But he really doesn't know how to end things with Nicole without things getting messy. Joe reaches out to take your hand, but you snatch it away.

"Baby-"

"I've been caught up with all of it. But I'm tired now, Joey. I'm 25 years old. How long must I keep chasing you and waiting for you to choose me? I want marriage. I want children. I want to be with someone to love me in the light, not in the dark."

"I do love you. I want everything you want. When have I not chosen you?"

"Never. Joe, you have never chosen me. Are you fucking her?"

"Where is this coming from?"

"Joe, are you fucking her? Yes or no. It's a simple question. After you spend all day fucking me, do you return to your girlfriend and fuck her?" Your eyes do not leave Joe's eyes with each burning question. With no response from Joe, you get up and leave the table. He doesn't chase after you nor calls for you. You pack your things and buy a ticket home. Joe walks on the beach for what seems like hours; when he finally returns to the Villa, your luggage sits by the front door.

"We still have a few more days. Don't leave."

"You're fucking her and me. It sounds crazy for me even to say it! I shouldn't be the one hurting because I'm the bad person in this situation. I'm the side bitch."

"Don't talk about yourself like that. You're not. Nothing about you is terrible. It's me. I'm the one in the relationship."

"I wish we could stay here and not have to return to real life, but we can't. You have your life, and I have mine. Maybe we're not meant to be together. It's that simple."

"Cheeks. Please. We have to try and-"

"It's done. I'm tired. Someone is threatening me at this point. Is it all worth it?"

"You're right. You deserve better than me. This person could be unstable, so it's better to let you go than put you in any more danger."

Once again, Joe finds his heart breaking because of you. He didn't think his heart could possibly break anymore. You can't bring yourself to look up at those sad blue eyes, so you walk away first. Joe leaves a day after you, and when he gets home, Nicole books a trip to the Bahamas. As the days pass, you bury yourself in work by picking up shifts at the city hospital.

"You look like you haven't slept in days. You look like shit." Mya says, leaning against the wall.

"I pulled a double at city. I'm going to nap in the on-call room; if needed, page me." You hurry to the room and lie on the bed. Sleep doesn't come, so you scroll Instagram. Nicole added you a few weeks ago, so when her post with Joe pops up, your heart sinks further into your gut. They look so happy and in love. A call from Quinn stops you from gawking at the photo longer.

"I will be in your area tomorrow. Nico had some work in Italy, so I was like, I'm going to spend some time with my best friend in nasty Natti!"

"I'm working doubles all week. I don't know how well I'm going-"

"Joe told Fran, and he told me. I'm coming to cheer you up. No excuses."

"The first breakup sucks, but the second one. Quinn, I'm drowning. I don't understand how I can love someone so much it hurts. I feel like I'm dying. I'm so fucking stuck here. Why am I the only one stuck?"

"I know, baby. I know."

"Can you come in a few weeks? I got back from vacation, so I won't be able to change shifts."

"Of course!"

You hang up and place your phone on the stand. Curling into a ball, you let the tears flow down your face. You can't lay here and cry all day because you're paged to the ED.

"Are you okay? It looks like you've been crying?" Dr. Brian asks, pulling you aside.

"I'm fine. Just tired. Thank you, Brian." You pull away and head to the emergency department. After a long shift, you make your way to city hospital. And after another shift at the children's hospital, you finally go home. You pull Peaches into your lap and stare at the blank tv screen. As promised, Quinn comes to your house to cheer you up. But you can barely get out of bed. Because to keep your mind off of Joe, you've been pulling shift after shift. The bags under your eyes are horrendous. You barely eat, and when you do, it's a random fruit and water. Quinn pulls the blanket off your head and opens the curtains.

"We are not going there. Up! I booked us a spa treatment, and we're going out tonight. It's Friday, and you will not sit here kicking yourself again."

Your throat is sore from crying all night, so you don't respond. Quinn drags you to the shower and forces you in. At the spa, you try to distract yourself with thoughts of relaxing. But it's hard. Joe is consuming your every thought.

"Spill. Let it all out." Quinn pulls her towel down, letting her breast free. You do the same and pout.

"Am I not good enough?"

"For Joe? No. You are better than what he deserves."

"Quinn, Why can't we work out? Why won't he choose me?"

"Men are dumb. You have to walk them right in front of their prize. But at this point, maybe you guys aren't right for each other. Every time you cry over him, I am ready to end my friendship with him. I'm not joking. Watching you wither away when he left the first time crushed me. I don't want to see you like that again. So I will stay with you as long as it takes." She hugs you and kisses your forehead. The rest of the day, you guys catch up. You tell her about the stalker, and she worries for you, but since ending things with Joe, you haven't heard a thing from them.

"You look so good." Quinn grabs your boobs, and you slap her hand away. This would be your first time out in a while. DJ invited you to join him at this club, so you accepted. After picking up Mya, you guys make your way to the club. DJ invites you to the VIP section, and you take a seat catching up with him. He tells you off-season is going pretty well. All the guys can't wait for the season to start.

"I thought you were dodging me for real." He shouts over the music. You sip your drink.

"No. Busy working."

"Right, you're a doctor and shit. That's cool as hell. I admire that about you. A hard-working woman."

"You smile and turn to him, engaging more in the conversation. By the night's end, you've gotten to know DJ more. So, over the next few weeks, you guys hang out and constantly text. When he asks you to the team's pre-season brunch, you're nervous about going, but he assures you Joe won't be there because of a conflict. But Joe finished his interview early and arrived at the brunch with Nicole. You turn around, ready to leave but DJ spots you.

"I thought his interview would be longer. I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"It's fine. We have to co-exist. This is god's way of testing me."

DJ gives you a big smile and takes your hand to introduce you to some guys and their girlfriends.

"Omg! Joey! I told you I'm a matchmaker." Nicole squeals, hugging you. You flinch away but quickly recover and hug her back.

"We're just friends, Nicki; relax." DJ corrects her before you can. Joe won't even look at you. His eyes are dead and only trained on DJ. Nicole takes your hands and wants you to meet her group. She introduces you to the girls as if you were a new toy.

"You grew up with Joe? That's cute." Amber pops her gum, staring you up and down. You simply nod your head and look over at the cocktail table. A drink is definitely going to help you in this situation. Your luck only worsens when you are forced to sit with Joe and Nicole at a table. With every kiss and I love you they share your facade cracks. Nicole leaves to use the restroom, and DJ is pulled away by another player, leaving you with Joe.

"Are you sleeping with him?" Joe mumbles across the table. You don't make eye contact with him. You don't even want to acknowledge him. Joe starts tapping his finger on the table.

"Cheeks, are you-"

"That's inappropriate and none of your business."

"How isn't that my business? You're still my best friend." Joe says softly, sitting up in his chair.

"Best friend? You haven't called me all summer."

"You said it was over. You break up with me, and I'm the bad guy now? You left me again."

Don't look at him. Don't cry. You have to remind yourself of these two things.

"Why was I supposed to do? Stand there while you love another. I'm sick, Joe. I don't want half of you; I want all of you." You whisper, trying to keep the conversation low-key. Joe rubs his face out of frustration.

"I said I would end things."

"When? When we're 40?" You grab your purse, ready to make your exit when Joe grabs your wrist.

"Not with DJ. Please. That's all I'm asking. Not with him."

"I'm not your property." You snatch away, leaving Joe sitting at the table with a sour look on his face. DJ catches you as you rush out.

"I'm sorry. Are you okay? Hey, look at me. Joe doesn't deserve you. If he cheats on Nicole, what makes you think he won't do the same to you?"

You wipe your eyes and shake your head. Right now, hearing those words breaks you down further. You're surprised to hear Joe calling your name. He yanks DJ off of you and stands in front of you protectively.

"Fuck off, DJ."

"Or what, pretty boy? Huh. You honestly think I'm afraid of you."

"Stop. what is going on?" You grab Joe's arm pulling him out of DJ's face.

"I'm not going to tell you again." Joe spits with venom laced in his voice. You've never seen him this upset before. You know you have to step in before things escalate, so you stand between them.

"Joe, go back inside. I can handle myself."

"You heard her, chump," DJ adds. Joe moves you out of the way with one hand.

"I'm real fucking sick of you. You think playing mind games with me is the way to go. Play with me if you want." Joe's voice is stern and sharp.

"Go on, pretty boy, do something. You mad because your bitch-"

DJ doesn't get another word out because Joe swings on him. You scream as they start fighting. Tee, Sam, and Ja'Marr are on sight to break things up before it gets out of control. Ja'Marr scoops you up because when you tried to separate them, you got knocked down and skidded your knee. Thankfully, the fight happened away from prying eyes. Ja'Marr sets you down and goes to get a first-aid kit. He returns, trying to dress your wound.

"She's a doctor, idiot. Let her do it." Sam says, laughing. You thank Ja'Marr and begin cleaning the wound. Nicole runs over to find out what happened because although no one else was around for the fight, word of mouth travels fast.

"Joe and DJ are just being assholes. They went to cool off." Ja'Marr speaks up. Nicole marches off to look for Joe. You stand up, and Ja'Marr lifts you again because you are limping.

"Marr, put me down. I'm okay. I want to go to the bathroom to clean up."

He puts you down and watches you walk away. Before you reach the bathroom, Joe pulls you away. You try to snatch away from him, but his grip is tight.

"And that's the guy that you're fucking? He calls you out of your name and-"

"Because you have so much respect for me, Joseph."

"He called you a bitch!"

"I can handle myself!"

Joe starts pacing, running his hand through his hair. His frustration is written all over his face. He finally stops and stands in front of you. Joe's apologetic eyes make you shy away. He reaches out to take your hands.

"I'm sorry for being an asshole. You're right; you can handle yourself and date anyone you want…just not DJ or anyone on my team. The thought of you with any of them sends me into this state. I feel angry at the thought-"

"Now, you know how I feel—seeing you with Nicole. Every day I wake up turning on the tv and seeing her face, knowing I'm sleeping with you. The guilt is eating me alive. I have worked back-to-back shifts just to keep myself from drowning again-"

"I won't let you drown. Ever. I'll save you every single time, Cheeks. I want to be with you. I promise this time." Joe kisses your forehead and then your lips. You excuse yourself and leave the party. DJ calls after you, but you ignore him.

"Hey, come on. I didn't mean to say that."

"You were way out of line. Lose my number."

"Wow. It's like that? Over pretty boy? You really think he will make you wifey? And what if I slip up and tell Nicole." Dj crosses his arms, wearing a big smile. You look around nervously, ensuring no one is in earshot to hear his threat.

"I don't care what you do. If you think I'm going to let a man intimidate me, you chose the wrong one. Try me." You storm off, leaving him dumbfounded. When you arrive home, you sit on the couch for hours staring at the blank tv. You know that letting yourself sulk will only drive you to more misery.

Joe sits down on the bed, rubbing his face. Nicole stands in her walk-in closet, getting undressed. She tells him she got voted in as the president of the field's club, which is basically a glorified booster club for the woman dating or married to football players. They organize funding for local schools, businesses, and afterschool programs. Joe stands up and walks over to the closet. He leans against the door frame watching Nicole take off her jewelry.

"I want to break up," Joe whispers to himself. Nicole turns around.

"Did you say something? And what did you and DJ fight about? I thought you were good friends."

"Nicole, I want to break up. You can keep the apartment and-"

"What? Where is this coming from?"

"Nothing. It's not you; it's-"

"Do not say that bullshit statement! Why are you trying to break up with me? After all these years, you suddenly feel different."

"Nicki, I know you feel it too. It's not the same. It hasn't been the same between us in a long time. I think it would be better to see other people." Joe makes his statement but refuses to meet her crying eyes.

"The cars and apartment-"

"Give me the fucking reason!"

Joe takes a deep breath and moves quickly to hold her. Nicole cries into his chest as he rubs her back.

"I cheated."

"How many times? How many women? Where?"

"There was only one-"

"Once? Joe, we can fix this. You cheated one time; no big deal. We can-"

"No, I cheated multiple times with the same woman."

Nicole freezes as her mind quickly puts together the pieces, and she pulls away.

"Cheeks? You're cheating on me with her. All those fucking nights you said you were with Marr or at your parent's house!"

Joe nods his head. Nicole grabs a heel off the shelf, throwing it at him. She hits his chest and shoves him away. Joe gently grabs her wrists, trying to calm her down.

"She smiled in my fucking face! Was I a joke to you? Where is she now? I'll kill her!"

"Nicki, calm down. She has nothing to do with this. It was me. I stepped out on you. I know nothing in this world could fix this situation, but I did love you. The blame is all on me."

Nicole settles down and wipes her face.

"I knew you were cheating, but why didn't I think your ex-girlfriend and best friend could be the one? It's fine. We will fix this."

"Nicole, I want to break up. There is no fixing this."

"No."

"No?" Joe raises an eyebrow, confused by her words.

"If you think I'm going to let you walk away unscathed, you are fucking dead wrong. You will attend the field club luncheon with me as I accept my position. You will smile and act accordingly. I won't let you break things off and throw me away like I meant nothing. You will never get a happy ending with her as long as I'm alive."

"Nicki, come on. You sound insane right now. What is the point of us-"

"Leave me for her and see what happens. You think I spent years building connections for nothing. Leave me for her, and I will ruin her career faster than you can blink. She will never work in a hospital setting again. I will make sure that not even a run-down clinic will hire her." Nicole crosses her arms, staring Joe into his eyes. Joe shakes his head.

"Nicki, this is crazy. She didn't do anything. If you want to ruin a career, ruin-ruin mine."

"You would actually throw the career you've worked so hard for her? Ha. The funny thing is I believe you. I know you would do it, which is why I will ruin hers. It's much sweeter that way. Do I make myself clear?"

Joe closes his mouth and slowly nods as she rubs his chest.

"Yeah. I get it."

"Good. Pick out your outfit for the luncheon tomorrow. I'm thinking we should match. Cute, right?" She said, holding up her pink pencil skirt. The whole situation completely throws off Joe. After Nicole falls asleep, he sneaks off to call you.

"I'm sorry. Are you at work?" He whispers, leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Yeah. I'm working at city hospital tonight. It's pretty slow tonight. Saying that will probably jinks us now."

"I love you. You know that, right?"

You tell your coworker you need to head to the break room. With each step, your heartbeat grows in synch with the twisting in your tummy. For some reason, this feeling of dread is coming over you. Once you reach the room, you take a deep breath.

"I know. I love you too. What's wrong?"

"I'm going to put you first. I know we keep falling out and making up. I want you. I want every inch of you, but I can't have you. I know that now."

"Joe, what are you saying?"

"I'll stay away from you. I'll let you go. You have the right to be with someone that will make you happy."

Your back is against the door as you stare at a poster across the room. Your eyes become blurred with tears.

"Cheeks. Please don't cry. I'm not sure I can handle hearing you cry. I will break." Joe whispers, trying to hold back his tears. You wipe your eyes and sniffle.

"I'm being paged. Goodbye, Joseph."

"Goodbye, Cheeks."

Neither of you hangs up. Joe, listen to your breath as you listen to his. He sighs and closes his eyes.

"Joe? I have to-I have to go."

"Can I come over after your shift?" He asks. You pause, letting the question roll around in your head. Just seconds ago, you two were on the verge of ending everything.

"Yes." You end the call and get back to your shift. The butterflies in your stomach continue to flip and swirl as the clock ticks down on your shift. You rush home to find Joe sitting on your steps. You stare at each other, wondering what the other is thinking.

"Are you coming in?"

"I don't know. I mean-"

"What's going on? First, you called me to end things, then you asked to come over, and now you don't know? I'm confused!"

"I want to be with you, but I can't. And I want to tell you everything, but I can't." Joe closes his eyes with a sigh.

"What can you do? Because from where I'm standing, this thing we have going on is done. Our friendship is ruined. We ruined it." You whisper the last part to yourself. Joe retakes a seat on your steps, and you follow him. Once again, you two let the silence sit between you. You lean your head on his shoulder, and he kisses your head. Joe wants to tell you about Nicole's threats, but he knows you would try to help him out of the situation. He refuses to let you ruin your career because of him; if someone has to suffer, it should be him. Alone.

"Friends?" He asks, bopping your nose with his index finger. You nod your head as he stands up, pulling you.

"Friends…only."

Joe hugs you for a while. Neither of you can let go. Finally, you break up the hug.

"I'll always save you a home ticket." He smiles, making you laugh. You watch him drive off and make your way inside. Inside, you found another envelope with photos of you and Joe from the Maldives trip. Setting them on the counter, you take a breath. Things are finally over with Joe, so hopefully, the stalker leaves you alone.

As weeks pass, you let Joe drift far from your focus. It isn't until your father needs you at one of his youth football games that you meet Joe again. He's there as a guest speaker on behalf of your dad. You stand to the side, watching him give the kids a grand speech. Nicole stands near his mother, watching with a wide grin. Robin sits next to you in the bleachers, with your mother on the other side of you. They talk across you about cooking and school stuff. You try to zone out watching the game until Robin talks about Joe and Nicole.

"I'm worried about Joe. I'm sure he and Nicole are fighting so much these days, but I don't want to be overbearing. You know the boy is so private about his relationships. Can you ask him?" Robin takes your hand and looks into your eyes. Like son like mother. You can never turn down a Burrow who gives you that puppy-eyed look. You give a simple nod. During half-time, Nicole leaves, and you take this time to go to the locker room and wait for Joe. He comes out, and you grab his hand.

"Your mother is worried about you. I know we ended things, but we did agree on a normal friendship. Talk."

Joe sighs and leans on the wall.

"Football stuff. Nothing, Cheeks need to worry about."

"You knew he was lying but decided not to push it. Joe walks away and says nothing to you for the remainder of the game. It's not like he didn't want to talk to you. He's afraid Nicole might take it the wrong way and come through full swing on her threats. Joe hasn't told you, but he hired someone to watch your house. He has convinced himself that the person sending those photos must be Nicole. Joe tries to go on without you. He tries to regain a regular pattern. Hell, he even tries to fall in love with Nicole again, but he can't. She threatened you. There is no way he can love her again. His focus now is getting his ring and moving forward. But he sees you at every family event that your parents throw. He thinks of you before every game. Joe jerks off to you several times a week. He can't focus the way he should focus because his heart is in shambles. It feels like college all over again. Joe let you go thinking it was for the best, but it might have been the worst mistake of his life.

"I'm so fucking in love with her, Fran." Joe stares into his empty glass.

"Nicole? Come on; I don't want to hear about your love life during my birthday! It's bad enough I have to share it with my sister! I called you out to spend the day with me!"

"Cheeks. I let her go twice. Two times I made the same mistake two fucking times. The second time I keep trying to convince myself that I'm protecting her, but I'm not. I'm taking the easy way out. I love this woman with every fiber in me. Not being able to wake up next to her makes me sick."

"Keep going," Fran says, leaning on the counter as his phone dials Quinn. Quinn answers the facetime call annoyed her brother is interrupting her birthday outing with you. He tells her to hush.

"Cheeks is my heart. Not football, not Nicole, not anything. For so fucking long, I've made her feel like she had to be second to everything in my life. But the truth is…She's my number one. I'm in love with her. I want her to be my wife. I want her as the mother of my children. I want to grow old together and knit silly little mittens. I want that life with her. Fran, I fucking love her." Joe finally looks over at the phone. You stand next to Quinn, speechless. Taking the phone from her, you give her a half smile.

"I love you too, Joey."

"I'm sorry for being an idiot. Nicole threatened you, and I thought I could fix it by staying away, but I can't. I can't stay away from you anymore. I'm physically sick."

"Thank god! I could not take the sad love songs from her anymore! We are in the same hotel! Please come get your girl!" Quinn shouts, hanging up. Of course, your best friends set it up this way. They hoped you guys would make up so their birthday dinner wouldn't be awkward. So, the twins booked into the same hotel waiting for things to play out. It only took Joe two mins to show up at the door. Fran and Quinn left to celebrate together while you and Joe did your own celebrating.

"Wait, what do you mean Nicole threatened me? Is she the stalker?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but if I had to guess, I would say it's her. She threatened to get you fired from the hospital. Nicole knows a lot of people. I didn't want that to happen, so I stayed with her. I'm not actually with her by choice."

"Woah. This is insane."

"I won't let her do anything. The season is over now. The title she wanted as the president of the club is done. There should be nothing for her to want from me. It's you and me. It's always been us."

You sit on his lap, looking into his sincere blue eyes. You want to believe everything he says, but your heart worries that this is too good to be true. Joe cups your face in his large hands.

"What's going on in that head of yours?"

"Nothing. I mean. I don't know; I get lost in my own head. I-"

"I'll come find you,"

"Huh?"

"Whenever you get lost in your head, I will always come find you."

And with those words, you kiss him passionately. Joe smiles into the kiss because he is finally allowing himself to feel true happiness again. It had been several long months with Nicole, who had become this leech draining him of any joy. But now, here with you, Joe feels in complete bliss. You yelp, feeling his cock awaken.

"He missed you too." Joe bites down on your bottom lip, making you squeeze your thighs together. Joe snakes his hands down towards your thighs, pushing them apart. He wastes no time taking your panties off and throwing you over his shoulder toward the bedroom, slapping your ass with every step. You giggle once tossed on the bed. Sitting up, you take your dress off and throw it across the room, watching Joe undress. It doesn't take long for Joe to have you folded in half under him, panting, sweaty, and crying out in pleasure.

"Fucking missed this, mama." Joe grunts. You yelp as Joe suddenly stands up with you still in a mating press. Your weak legs dangle over his muscular arms as he fucks you in the air.

"Too much! Joey, 'ss too much." You mumble, throwing your head back. Joe was far too deep and only drove you further into your fucked out state. You were practically drooling. The loud squelching sound your cunt continued to make only made Joe lose his mind as he chased his orgasm. Your back hits the bed once again, and you watch Joe stare down at you as he cums into you again. You smile up and wipe his sweaty hair from his forehead. You bask in the feeling of having Joe's cum sliding out of you. You roll over to kiss his cheek.

"Is that your phone or mine?" Joe asks, hearing the iPhone ringtone. You would get up and look for the phone, but your legs are jello. Joe gets up, looking for the phone. You find the strength to sit up, watching him answer his phone.

"Mom, yeah. I'm good. It's Fran's birthday, so we're in Florida. Yeah, I'll be back on Monday. She what? Uhh okay. Bye." Joe hangs up, putting the phone on the nightstand.

"Let's order in and cuddle. I'm exhausted." You reach out for him, but Joe doesn't take your hand. You sit up on your knees, waiting for him to speak.

"Nicole's pregnant."

"What?" You shake your head in disbelief. You jump off the bed, grabbing your dress.

"Wait-"

"There's no wait! We're done. You can't come back from this! She's having your fucking child! You'll have to marry her and-"

"Cheeks, listen to me. I will find a way to work through this."

"She is not going to get rid of it. You and I both know that. She wants you, Joe. And she won't stop until you are only hers!"

"I'm going to fly home and figure this out. Don't give up. Please." He begs. You sigh and nod your head. You're unsure how things will work, but you trust Joe and let him go home. The following week Joe's texts were scarce, only texting you short answers. Then you get a follow request on IG from CheeksBurrow. You approve and follow up by sending a request back. It was Joe's finsta. You giggle at all the photos he has taken of you off guard. The man was clearly whipped. You watch as Joe proceeds to like all your photos and leave comments on a few. A few mins later, he calls you.

"Y'ou're so obsessed with me."

"Is that a bad thing?" He asks, leaning on the locker.

"Having the hottest QB pining over me…hmm, idk, I might be the luckiest girl in the world."

"I'm the luckiest guy in the world, actually."

"Where are you?" You ask him, staring out your window.

"The gym. Have to start training for next season. That loss to KC is killing me."

"You played-"

"I played like shit."

"I was going to say that." You giggle. You always told him he played well even when he had a shitty game, so Joe knows that was a lie. You smile, watching cars drive by.

"Is she really, umm, pregnant?"

"Yes. She wants to keep it. I told her I'm open to co-parenting, but Nicole is really pushing things. Now that my family knows it will be hard to end things as we wanted."

"I understand, so we are back at square one. I'm still the other girl, and Nicole is your girlfriend."

Joe is quiet again, and so are you. Do you finally give up and let go of your lost love, or do you remain in the backseat again? Your body freezes as you see the same car pass by again, but this time they stop and take a photo. You run outside shouting, but they pull away and hurry around the corner.

"Did you get the plate number?" Joe asks, grabbing his bag and rushing out of the locker room.

"I didn't; it happened so fast. I wasn't thinking. Someone is actually watching me. They took photos of us in the Maldives last year; who knows what else they have? They broke into my house. Joe, what if there are cameras? Oh god. They could have footage of us."

"Calm down, baby. I'm on the way."

"No. Joe, that's what they want us to do. You can't come here, not ever. I'll call you later."

"Baby-" The line cuts off, and Joe angrily hits his car window. Fans are taking photos of him, so he calms and waves, but Joe thinks it could be any of these people. There have been so many incidents where fans become too obsessed. So, he mentally starts taking notes of the fans he sees the most, and he starts paying to their words. When he gets home, he finds Nicole on the couch eating potato chips.

"I know. I hate chips but pregnancy craving, you know!" She gets up and walks over to him. She stands on her tippy toes to try and kiss him, but Joe turns away.

"Are you having someone watch Cheeks and me?"

Nicole's smile falters. She crosses her arms.

"Are you?" Joe asks again. Nicole starts laughing and walks away, leaving Joe standing there with more questions than answers.

A/N: Here we are, chapter 3! I hope this chapter was okay! Sorry, this took a little longer life is pretty busy! What do you guys think about Nicole? Who do you think the stalker is? Would you stay with a guy who has a baby on the way? Find out next time on Dragon Ball Z! :)

Tags: Tags: @joselyn001 @savii999 @lostaurorax @simpgirl-lat @edenhess @blinkloverx3 @dboanalooaa @nm112495 @mhm-ok-sure @katiehud @blu3jeanbaby @mrosales16 @wineauntharry @Cosmolover96 @loviingjihyo @hrlzy @spideybrina @dessxoxsworld

#joe burrow x you #joe burrow fan fic #joe burrow x reader #joe burrow fic #joey b #joe burrow imagine #joe burrow x y/n #joe burrow x u #joe burrow x oc #joe burrow smut #joe burrow fluff #second string updates #second string

[dancingtotuyo]

The Life We Built (Joel Miller)

Part 5 of Build You The World Joel X Reader Rating: PG-13 (Language) Warnings: fluff, that's it. Tags: no outbreak, fluff, craftsman!Joel, Time jump, it's 2023 folks, no mentions of COVID, you decide if it happened Notes: So we've reached the end of this little adventure that was only supposed to be a one shot, but never fear! I have another Joel Miller idea in the works. Check out my Masterlist for some Javier Peña works as well! Thank you everyone for your support! Words: 1998

Series Master List | Author Master list

Joel eased into the chair next to you under the pergola he built 25 years ago. It was still sturdy and spoke to Joel’s craftsmanship. The sun was beginning to set, granting some relief to the spring heat as you watched your three grown children clean up the backyard. They’d insisted the two of you relax. 

Emma graduated from Duke last weekend with honors in Pre-med. Which meant traveling to North Carolina for the ceremony. Joel has insisted on driving up. He hated flying. With a 20-hour car ride one way, you caught up on a lot of reading and almost booked yourself a plane ticket home. The two of you had been gone for almost a week. So her graduation party took place this weekend at home. She’d been accepted into UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine and would be going back to Durham in a couple of weeks. She was officially moving out, boxes already stacked high in her room. You and Joel both chose not to think about your baby leaving the nest for good.  

Emma laughed at something Asher said. You couldn’t see Sarah roll her eyes, but you knew by her body language. Joel chuckled next to you. He sensed it too, both in tune with your children. 

Asher graduated with a Bachelor's in Engineering from UT-Austin a few years ago, choosing to stay close to home. He had a small apartment in town working at Miller Construction since graduation. Joel joked that if he didn’t put his degree to use soon, he was gonna have to rebrand as Miller and Son. You had a sneaking suspicion that’s what Asher wanted. He and Joel shared the same love of building things with their hands. 

“Grandpa!” Sarah’s 3-year-old daughter, Jessie bounded across the yard, dark curls bouncing like springs behind her. You could see the brightly colored book in her grasp.

She panted heavily as she reached the two of you. Her small hands rested on Joel’s knees. She looked up through dark lashes. “Will you read this to me?”

Joel smiled. She reminded you so much of Sarah at her age. “Don’t you want grandma to do it? She’s a much better reader than me.”

“No, you!”

“Okay, Okay.” Joel chuckled, pulling the child onto his lap. You closed your eyes as you listened to Joel read. His drawl had only deepened with age but it still flowed like honey. It soothed your weary bones and often brought you through time, making you feel 25 again. 

Sarah had started college at the University of Georgia but transferred to UT-Austin after her freshman year. She loved Georgia, but she missed being close to her family more. She’d earned her Bachelor's in Journalism and Creative Writing (also with Honors). Working across all aspects of journalism, she went back to get her MFA several years later. She worked freelance for several publications and taught a creative writing class at the community college in town. She’d married Mike 6 years ago. They’d been together since senior year of college aside from a one-year gap. They’d bought a house just down the street from you and Joel soon after their wedding. Jessie’s 4th birthday was next week, and aside from her husband, you were the only other person to know that Sarah was 8 weeks pregnant. They were planning to reveal it next on Father’s Day.

You and Sarah were convinced Joel didn’t have a clue. The two of you were desperate to surprise him. Other than his 45th birthday party, you and Sarah hadn’t been able to surprise Joel in the 31 years you’d loved him. He’d even figured out Sarah’s first pregnancy before they’d told anyone. 

Joel continued to read. The world drifted further away only anchored by the sound of his voice. Sometimes a bird’s song drifted in and out. The warm breeze floated across your skin. Joel’s voice stayed constant. 

“Grandpa… Shhhhh, grandma is sleepin.”

Joel looked up from the book. He smiled. The wrinkles around his eyes were well-defined now. “I think she’s just restin her eyes, kiddo.”

“That’s what you say when you’re sleeping!” Jessie giggled. 

“Keep reading,” you said, keeping your eyes closed. “The story was just getting good.” 

He looked at Jessie who nodded her head, and he continued. 

The construction business had been good to Joel. Miller Construction kept its outstanding reputation throughout the years, something Joel worried about as the number of crews grew and his ability to check up on every job decreased. Joel spent most of his days on job sites in a supervisory capacity. He trained the new hires to meet his rigid standards, and his body took less wear and tear. He was able to spend more quiet morning moments with you. At 56 years old, he was still the best pitcher in the men’s rec softball league. He took every Thursday morning off to hang out with Jessie while Sarah taught her class at the Community College. He piddled in the garage on weekends, working on the next project. He’d just redone the kitchen cabinets. Tommy joked that Joel lived in partial retirement, but there was some truth to it. You liked seeing him take time 

Joel finished the book as Sarah and Mike walked over. You slowly opened your eyes, letting the world envelope you once again. 

“It’s time for us to go home, Bear,” Mike said. 

Before Jessie could issue a complaint, Joel pulled her into a back-breaking squeeze. She laughed. He tickled her sides. “Grandpa!” 

“I gotta make sure you meet your tickle quota.” 

“I have! I have!” Jessie laughed, her cheeks turning red. 

“Okay,” Joel let out a deep breath. “I think that’s enough for today.” 

Jessie wrapped her arms around Joel’s neck, kissing his cheek. “Love you, Grandpa!”

“I love you too.” He kissed her cheek, patting her back. “I’ll see you on Thursday.”

Jessie slid off his lap, rushing to you. A chorus of goodbyes between parties rose in the corner of your backyard in hugs and handshakes. Jessie nestled into her father’s arms, eyes already beginning to droop. 

Joel wrapped his arms around you. You leaned into him. His hands traveled down your back, lips finding yours. You grinned feeling warm and giddy. Even after all these years, he still had the same effect on you. 

Gagging noises interrupted your moment. Asher and Emma stood on the porch directing said sounds at you. 

“Get a room!”

“We don’t want to see that!”

Joel flipped them off before firmly grabbing your ass making a show of the steamy kiss he planted on you. You laughed. He kissed your neck softly. 

“You’re gonna traumatize the kids.”

“They’re grown adults. They can leave.” He nuzzled into your neck. “I want to kiss my wife in our backyard.”  

“Y’all are gross.” Asher chided. 

“If it weren’t for us, you two wouldn’t be here,” Joel shouted back. 

“You say that like it’s a good thing!” Emma responded. “Have you seen the world?”

“Hey,” You laughed. “You’re the saving grace of this family, Miss I’m going to be a doctor.” 

Asher scowled. “Don’t say that. Her head will get bigger than it already is.” He ruffled Emma’s hair. 

Emma rolled her eyes. “We’re done cleaning up. We’ll leave you two to do… that.” She motioned toward you and Joel. “Asher’s gonna take me out on the town.”

“Make smart decisions,” Joel called.

“Always!” Emma smiled. 

The duo filed out of the backyard leaving you and Joel alone. Joel kissed your forehead as you swayed to a nonexistent tune. 

When you finally stopped, you and Joel sought the respite of AC inside. Joel prepared a plate of leftovers for the two of you to share on the couch. You read as Joel watched the Baseball game on low volume. You propped your feet on his lap. His thumbs found the soles of your feet applying pressure. You hummed. 

You had stepped down from your position at Miller Construction after Emma started high school. As much as you loved working with Joel and helping him build and expand the business, desires drew you elsewhere. You started working part-time at the public library. When their head librarian announced plans to retire, the city had offered to pay for you to get your Masters in Library Science providing you could give them a 10-year commitment. Daunting at first, you’d managed to complete the courses in 2 years via an online program. You work at the library full-time now. Joel often brought Jessie in on Thursday mornings along with a coffee for you. You tended to the garden on weekends. Joel replaced your raised beds a few years ago. You had the kids over for dinner once a week. You and Sarah walked the block on pleasant evenings. You spent lazy evenings on the couch with Joel, something that had rarely been a part of your marriage until the past few years. 

“I’ve been thinking…”

You looked up from your book. “Uh oh, that’s never good.”

He tickled the bottom of your foot earning a squeal. Everyone talked about growing out of being ticklish. That had never happened to you. “I think it’s probably time to refinish the book nook.”

You glanced behind you, eyes trailing over the bookshelves Joel had built you more than 25 years ago. They’d been through it. The finish was peeling in a few places. The cabinet doors that lined the bottom were dented and scratched from a number of things bumping and running into it while raising 3 kids. You glanced at the farthest one, still stained with faint marks from Emma taking Sharpies to it when she was 3. Residue from stickers marked other areas. 

“Sounds like a big project.”

“I’ve got the time.” Joel smiled. 

He reached down beside him, revealing a gift bag. A simple brown paper bag with a gold ribbon neatly tied and curled. Sarah’s trademark. He handed it to you with a smile.

“This from you or Sarah?”

“Me.” Joel crinkled his nose. “Just asked Sarah to wrap it for you.”

You lifted the bag up and down. It felt like it was probably a book. It rarely wasn’t. “And what is this for?” You smiled at him.

“Just fulfilling my husbandly duties.”

You laughed as you untied the ribbon. Joel had taken your first line to him like an oath over the course of your relationship. He’d surprised you with a new book at random times. Sometimes you came home to one on the kitchen counter or your nightstand. Other times, wrapped or handed to you, each with an inscription detailing something he loved about you and how “Pretty” didn’t cut it. 

You smiled at him, pulling a hardcover book out of the bag. You opened the front cover. A piece of paper slipped out. Before you could investigate, Joel’s handwriting caught your attention. 

I don’t know if you’ve been counting, darling, but this is the 100th book I’ve given you. When I met you in that bar, I knew if I had the chance to give you just one, I’d be the luckiest man alive. 

We always talked about going on a big trip for our 25th wedding anniversary. I know it’s a little bit late, but I booked us on that trip to Italy you were eying last year. 

I’m sure it’ll be beautiful, but I still think the best view is you. 

I love you, Darling. 

You picked up the slip of paper: the booking confirmation set for mid-September. You looked up at Joel, tears blurring your vision. 

He chuckled. “Surprise.”

You set the book carefully on the end table, moving onto Joel’s lap. “You hate flying.”

“But I love new places.” He kissed your nose. He still looked at you like you hung the galaxy. You imagined you looked at him the same. “And you.”  

You kissed him, the words whispered for just the two of you. “I love you too.”

#joel miller #tlou #the last of us #joel miller x reader #joel miller x you #joel miller fanfiction #pedro pascal #build you the world

[aahsokaatano]

A Brief Examination of Margaret Houlihan and Gender

(aka I'm doing my rough draft of my essay on tumblr bc I can ramble here)

I spent 6 weeks watching all 251 episodes of M*A*S*H with the aim of critically analyzing Margaret Houlihan, and more specifically how she is referred to throughout the series. I was initially doing this with the idea of tracking the change from "Hot Lips" to Margaret, but I got more than I bargained for - I really forgot how often she's referred to as a man or in a gender neutral way, and it's super interesting, so under the cut is a list of quotes and some light analysis.

Season 1

"Oh, sorry baby." / "Major to you!" ("The Pilot" s1e1) Neutral

"You're dismissed!" / "Thanks, Mother." ("The Pilot" s1e1) Feminine

"One lady in our outfit..." ("Dear Dad" s1e12) Feminine

Season 2

"You are no gentleman!" / "Good thing you are." ("Divided We Stand" s2e1) Masculine

[Margaret speaking on behalf of Frank] "That's pretty strong stuff, Frank." / "It's true!" ("L.I.P. (Local Indigenous Personnel)" s2e7) Masculine

"You've emasculated me for the last time!" ("Carry On Hawkeye" s2 e11) Masculine

"Margaret Houlihan; nurse, friend, and all around good egg." ("Carry On Hawkeye" s2e11) Neutral

[Radar calls Margaret "sir" - this is something that he ends up doing for several more seasons] "Men are sirs, women are ma'ams!" ("Hot Lips and Empty Arms" s2e14) Feminine (with Masculine connotations long-term)

Season 3

"You know, for once I agree with him?" / "I [Margaret] said that." / "I know." ("Rainbow Bridge" s3e2) Masculine

"Speaking man-to-man, Colonel," ("There is Nothing Like a Nurse" s3e10) Masculine

"He's a creep." / "She's a creepette." ("The Consultant" s3e17) Feminine

"I know you didn't volunteer because you're a married man [...] Well, I'm a married man, too, Frank. Married to the Army." ("Aid Station" s3e19) Masculine

"I'm not just Major Margaret Houlihan, army nurse. I'm also Margaret Houlihan - frail, vulnerable, sensitive female." ("Aid Station" s3e19) Feminine

"Don't think of me as a woman!" ("Aid Station" s3e19) Neutral/Masculine

Season 4

"When I was five, I had a crying fit because they wouldn't let me have a crew cut." ("Deluge" 4.23) Neutral/Masculine

Season 5

"He [Donald] calls me his little plebe." ("Margaret's Engagement" s5e2) Neutral

"I'm an engaged person!" ("Margaret's Engagement" s5e2) Neutral

[Speaking to a newborn baby] "Major Houlihan is here to help you." ("The Abduction of Margaret Houlihan" s5e6) Neutral

"Anybody can open with a pair of 10s if they're wearing civilian boxer shorts." / [...] / "I'll open for 25 cents." ("Dear Sigmund" s5e7) Neutral/Masculine

"Margaret, when you're sick, can't you call me Frank?" / "You know I'm an engaged person." ("The Colonel's Horse" s5e11) Neutral

"Margaret, I'm as taut as a watch spring." / "Your state of tautness s no longer a concern of mine, Major Burns. I happen to be an engaged person." ("Hawkeye's Nightmare" s5e13) Neutral

"Sure, nurse..." / "Nurse?! You're talking to a major!" / "Sorry. Would you help us move this guy into pre-op, Major?" ("Post-Op" s5e23) Feminine/Neutral

Season 6

"A head nurse who is part seductress, and part Attila the Hun" ("The Winchester Tapes" s6e4) Feminine/Masculine

[the nurses to Hawkeye] "Do you think you could talk to Hot Lips?" ("Images" s6e9) Feminine

"Hot Lips Houlihan: blonde landmine." ("Patent 4077" s6e16) Feminine

"Congratulations. You're still a major, Major." ("What's Up, Doc?" s6e19) Neutral

Season 7

[about her divorce] "Best thing that ever happened to me. The weight of the world is off my shoulders! I feel like a new woman!" ("Peace On Us" s7e2) Feminine

[BJ] "The king is dead." / [Hawk] "Long live the queen." / [Margaret] "You bet." ("Hot Lips is Back in Town" s7e20) Feminine

"I'm going as far in this man's army as any woman can go. Maybe even general!" ("Hot Lips is Back in Town" s7e20) Feminine

Season 8

"I'm a woman, and I can tell you what it's like for a woman to be away from the man she loves." ("Too Many Cooks" s8e1) Feminine

"To be a woman, with the rank of major..." ("Are You Now, Margaret?" s8e2) Feminine

"Hot Lips?" / "Yeah, that's a nickname she picked up." ("Are You Now, Margaret?" s8e2) Feminine

"Hot Streak Houlihan strikes again!" ("Life Time" s8e11) Neutral

"I'm just as much a major as any other major. You'll notice these leaves come in gold, not pink for girls and blue for boys." ("Stars and Stripes" s8e14) Feminine/Neutral

"What do you suppose I am deep down?" / "Deep, deep down? A woman." / "Go a little deeper." / "A major." / "I'm me. Sometimes a nurse, sometimes a major, sometimes a woman in love... sometimes all three at once." ("Stars and Stripes" s8e14) Feminine/Neutral

[speaking to an infant] "Hello there, sweetheart. I'm your Auntie Margaret." ("Yessir, That's Our Baby" s8e15) Feminine

Season 9

"What's the matter? She isn't man enough to bring it in [to the men's showers] herself?" ("Bless You, Hawkeye" s9e17) Masculine

[speaking to Margaret] "You know, you don't get to be a high-ranking officer, to run an O.R., to command respect, unless you've earned it." ("The Foresight Saga" s9e19) Neutral

Season 10

"I know everybody thinks I'm tough, demanding, insensitive, cold, callous, crabby - feel free to disagree at any time!" / "Think of it this way; maybe you are all that stuff, but deep down underneath, I think maybe there's some more stuff that's... pretty good stuff. You know?" ("The Birthday Girls" s10e11) Neutral

Season 11

"I do not need the help of a nurse." / "It's a good thing I'm a lady or you'd need a nurse, buster!" ("Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen" s11e16) Feminine

Total Counts:

Feminine: 19

Masculine: 12

Neutral: 17

These aren't all of the quotes I collected during my rewatch, or the only thing I was paying attention to, but it definitely caught my interest. And laying out like like this, by season, you can really see the trends ebb and flow. Margaret is portrayed pretty firmly as feminine/neutral through the first season, but season two introduces the running joke of other characters referring to her as "Frank" and using he/him due to how often she speaks on his behalf, as well as Radar calling her "sir" rather than "ma'am." She sticks even more firmly to referring to herself neutrally in season five, calling herself an "engaged person" rather than an "engaged woman" on three different occasions.

After her marriage and Frank's departure, Margaret is referred to more femininely again, but she doesn't refer to herself as a woman until season 7, after her divorce. I find it especially interesting to compare "The Abduction of Margaret Houlihan" in s5 and "Yessir, That's Our Baby" in s8; both deal with very young infants and show us Margaret's interactions with these babies. In s5, she refers to herself as "Major Houlihan" to the baby, but then in s8, she's "Auntie Margaret." Between these events were her marriage and divorce, and Margaret's self-confidence being boosted by her work on herself and her duties as head nurse.

BJ refers to Margaret loosely in masculine terms in s9, and it's the first time the joke has been really touched on since s6, when Charles compares her to Attila the Hun. This is the last time anyone refers to Margaret as masculine, with the final two seasons having her presented either neutrally (by rank) or femininely (as a "lady").

Margaret's character journey actually can be tracked through this list of quotes pretty well. She's more of an antagonist when she's referred to more often with masculine terms, and as she develops into a more traditional protagonist, the narrative refers to her with more feminine terms. The fact that Margaret herself is most likely to use feminine terms when she's at her most confident in herself is definitely interesting, and I think says a lot about how her confidence is tied into her self-image.

#margaret houlihan #mash #m.a.s.h #hot lips #max is talking #my stuff

[liaromancewriter]

for the <100 drabble:

Ethan, Max, divorce

Taking Care of Business

Premise: Ethan is presented with an important contract.

Book: Open Heart (post series) Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine); feat. Max Valentine (M!OC) Rating/Category: Teen. Fluff. Words: 760

A/N: Submission for @choicesseptemberchallenge2023 day 25 prompt: surprise; I'm using @choicesflashfics week 52, prompt 3.

The knock came at the most unfortunate time. Ethan Ramsey was feeling harried after waiting two hours for the workers only to have them arrive with the wrong materials and take another hour to return with the right ones.

He swung open the front door to his apartment, his scowl turning right side up when he saw his best man on the other side.

“Well … this is unexpected,” Ethan said, stepping back to let Max Valentine in. “I thought you were traveling.”

“Caught the red-eye from Berlin,” Max explained. He held up a legal-sized manila envelope. “We have business to take care of, mon frère.”

Ethan smiled wryly, shaking his head. Max had started teasing him with that term after Ethan commented last time on the oddity of being anyone’s brother-in-law.

The younger man paused in the middle of the living room floor and frowned at the banging coming from the bedroom.

“Bad timing?”

“Ignore that.” Ethan waved away the sound and invited Max to sit at the kitchen island. “Changing up some things in the bedroom and ensuite before Cassie moves on.”

Ethan switched on the electric kettle and espresso machine at the same time. “Does your sister know you’re in town?”

“Yeah, we met up for brunch earlier,” Max said, brushing one hand down his hair and rolling the kinks out of his neck. His lips kicked up in amusement. “She thought this,” he nodded at the envelope, “would be better handled by me than Huey, Dewey, and Louie.”

“Our family’s lawyers,” Max added when Ethan looked confused. “Don’t worry, they’re not actually called that. Inside joke between Cassie and me.”

Ethan recalled the brief conversation with his fiancée last week. Given the short turnaround between their engagement and wedding, her family had been pushing to get the prenuptial agreement signed sooner rather than later.

Max removed the papers from the envelope and turned them towards Ethan.

“You’ll find the terms are very generous. Cassie wouldn’t accept anything less. You both keep what you bring in, equitable division of marital property, yada, yada,” he said. “Still, have your lawyer take a look and redline it. I’ll forward the electronic document to you.”

Ethan scanned the papers, noting the provisions for divorce, infidelity and dissolution of marriage by either party. The lawyers had done a thorough job of outlining all scenarios. What did it say about him that he was unfazed by this?

“There’s one non-negotiable clause,” Max continued as Ethan flipped the page. “You’ll receive shares in the Hudson Group after the ceremony, but they’ll revert to the family in case of divorce or death unless you and Cassie have kids.”

“Be honest,” Ethan mused, peeking at Max over the papers. “What are the chances of your sister divorcing me or letting me divorce her?”

“Since Cassie will have you buried six feet under before you can finish that thought, I’d say slim to none,” Max laughed. “But the Group’s lawyers don’t share her sunny optimism.”

“Where do I sign?” Ethan took a pen out of the kitchen junk drawer.

“As your best man, I advise you to take this to your lawyer,” Max said, all joviality wiped from his face. “Prenups are serious business, Ethan. No matter how inevitable the two of you think you are, I’ve seen strong marriages falter over the most inconsequential things.”

“Were any of them Valentines?” Ethan asked curiously.

“Not the immediate relations, but—”

“I appreciate you looking out for me,” Ethan interrupted, putting a hand up when Max started to speak. “But I’m not marrying your sister for her money or for shares in the Hudson Group. I have a comfortable life, and my father is taken care of. I don’t need anything else.”

Max drummed his fingers against the quartz countertop and stared at Ethan. The considering look in his green eyes was so similar to the one Ethan often witnessed in Cassie that he almost did a double take.

“Fine.” Max reached for his phone. “I’ll have the lawyers email you the DocuSign link. An electronic signature is easiest and more convenient since they need to file the paperwork before the wedding.”

Ethan smirked when Max threw him an annoyed look, again so much like his fiancée. “Cassie told me you’d do this, but I was adamant that you were too level-headed to sign a legal contract without proper advice. You just cost me two hundred bucks.”

“You can afford it,” Ethan said without remorse before turning away to switch off the whistling kettle. “Tea or something stronger?”

-------------

All Fics & Edits: @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @genevievemd @headoverheelsforramsey @lucy-268 @jamespotterthefirst @jerzwriter @lady-calypso @mainstreetreader @peonierose @potionsprefect @queencarb @quixoticdreamer16 @rookiemartin @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @midnightmelodiz

Ethan & Cassie only: @cariantha @custaroonie @hopelessromantic1352 @mrs-ramsey @youlookappropriate

#open heart #open heart fanfics #open heart fanfiction #choices fanfics #choices fanfiction #ethan ramsey #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #ethan ramsey x mc #ethan ramsey x cassie valentine #max valentine #open heart choices

[lotusunset]

Far too many pics of the Palais Garnier! (Part Four!)

In October of 2022, I had the extraordinary experience of getting to complete an 15+ year old dream of mine to visit the Palais Garnier. I took a metric fuckton of pictures and now I want to share them with you all, the PotO community!

Before I start dumping, a few things:

Please reblog this post. I usually don’t post a lot, therefore I don’t have a big following. I’d really appreciate people sharing these as much as they can. When I was a dumb kid in ye olden days of the internet, finding a post like this was the sort of thing I would have been hyped up on for weeks. Help spread that kind of joy!

Feel free to use these photos for any sorts of graphics, artistic reference or any other fandom related projects, as long as it’s not for profit. Please just credit me in some way. In fact, I'd love to be tagged to see whatever creations come from sharing all this!

This is Part 4, which will be pictures of the stage, things that were on display and a few extra pics from my Paris trip.

Part 1 (Exterior) | Part 2 (Staircase) | Part 3 (Foyer) | Part 4 (HERE)

Honestly, we were shocked we were even allowed to see the stage at all! The day we took our tour, it was closed for rehearsals. When we came back the next just to have more time to wander around, it was closed again. Right as we were about to leave though, rehearsals finished and we got to see it! This was the view from box 25.

There were lots of costumes from past productions on display throughout the halls. These were a few of my favorites.

The very impressive Opera Library!

There were a few halls that have been turned into museum spaces. This painting was part of the series of concept art that was eventually turned into the ceiling paintings in the grand foyer.

The outside balcony area, the grand foyer is right inside.

Extra Stuff!

The interior of La Madeleine. We couldn't get any good pictures of the exterior, as it is currently going through extensive renovations. This church was about a 15 minute walk from the Opera. In the Kay adaptation, I remember Erik making a sarcastic comment about marrying Christine here.

A few shots from the Paris catacombs. If there was interest, I could also make a photo dump of this place. It was pretty extraordinary. It was very easy to imagine our favorite sewer goblin hanging out down here.

Notre Dame! She is doing well after the devastating fire in 2019. Not open to the public yet, but it was very neat getting to see construction work happening while we were there! Under the scaffolding, we could see parts of the roof starting to take shape once more. Hopefully, it will be finished in time for the 2024 Olympics.

While in Europe, I also stopped to see Phantom in London! This wasn't originally part of our plans but knowing I wouldn't likely be able to make it to New York to see it on Broadway before it closed, I made a priority to see it here!

This concludes my epic photo dump. If anyone has questions about anything, please ask! I will try to answer to the best of my ability. I absolutely can't wait to see how the community uses these!

Part 1 (Exterior) | Part 2 (Staircase) | Part 3 (Foyer) | Part 4 (HERE)

#phantom of the opera #le fantome de l'opera #poto #photography #christine daae #raoul de chagny #erik #phantom #palais garnier #paris opera #paris #architecture

[aftgficrec]

Anonymous asked: Do you have any recommendations for any new twinyard bonding fics, with or without Nicky. Or even any with Nicky and one twin?

NB: original ask here in new twinyards bonding post

We’ve got a trove of Nicky and the twins for you, including a WIP age reversal fic where college-aged Andrew and Aaron raise young Nicky. It is ‘Home’ by allfortheBoyds. -A

previous recs: Nicky & the twins

Nicky bonding with both or one twin here

Nicky’s relationship with the twins here

new canon compliant bonding: Aaron & Andrew & Nicky here

‘Travelers’ series Part 4 here

‘My brother under the sun’ here

‘Abject apathy,’ ‘Oh Brother Of Mine,’ ‘Atrophy,’ and ‘Promises Kept’ here 

‘Aaron Minyard Ficlets’ and ‘Frazzled Bird’ (completed) here

‘a working thing’ and ‘AFTG/TFC minifics…nicky's pills’ here

‘Step Up/Dance AU’ here

‘This is our beginning’ here

‘We're the giggle at a funeral’ here

‘This is After’ and ‘innocence died screaming’ here

‘Direct Lines to The Heart’ here

‘get what you give’ here 

‘Microsleep’ here

‘Odd Eye’ here

‘You know I don't care’ here

‘on the taste of home (let it go down easy)’ here

‘Paper Cut Hearts’ here 

‘I Found Love Where It Wasn’t Supposed to Be’ here

Nicky & Aaron

‘Aaron loses his shit’ here

‘Aaron figuring out that he’s asexual…’ here

‘Misunderstandings’ here

‘Wear it on your finger’ here

‘aaron minyard + memories of nicky’ here

‘skeletons in the water’ here

‘Five Times Aaron’s Soul Tried to Find a Home…’ here

Nicky & Andrew

Nicky and Andrew’s relationship here

‘maybe we could’ here

‘Something Good’ here

‘Enough’ here

‘The One Where Andrew Tries to Kill Nicky’ here

‘Affection can be shown in so many ways,’ ‘It's a Home,’ and ‘The World on Mute’ here 

‘I am not a library’ here

‘Truth Time’ here 

‘Nicky sees Andrew dance’ here

‘Treacherous’ and ‘Andrew Minyard...does not have a crush’ here

‘Mixed Tape,’ ‘Nicky goes to the bank,’ ‘before nicky goes back to germany,’ ‘Andrew kept Nicky close,’ and ‘Andrew appreciates Nicky’s selflessness’ here

‘Just closed eyes with nothing behind’ here

‘everything has changed’ here 

‘That One Time Andrew Made Nicky Glad…’ and ‘Nicky & Andrew prompt’ here

‘don't look away’ here 

‘hiding out at the winter formal’ here

‘white soap’ and ‘Bloom Where You're Planted’ here

‘losing battle’ and ‘married to my enemy’ series here

‘haven't got a clue’ and ‘Congrats on the sex’ here

‘The Morning AUs Chapter 25: Conversion Camp AU’ here

you may also like

‘Way Down We Go’ here

‘TFC High School AU’ series here

‘Take This Heart (Put Yourself In It)’ here

‘two peas (in a pandemonium)’ here

‘Foxes and Fruitcake’ here

‘I learned from my pain’ here 

‘Andrew seems to be developing separation anxiety’ here

‘another turning point…’ here

‘The Before and After’ here

Nicky & the twins

The Cousins series by onedayanauthor [Rated G/T/M, 22318 Words, 5 complete works, Updated April 2023]

Part 1: A Place of Your Own (G, 5098 Words) Nicky had only had custody of the twins for a week and a half, and he was already entirely exhausted and overwhelmed. 

tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced drug use

Part 2: Food Anxieties (G, 2760 Words) Nicky takes Andrew and Aaron to get fast food right after they move into the Columbia house. Andrew has some lingering food anxiety due to previous foster families withholding food or being stingy with food.

tw: implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced child neglect, tw: food insecurity

Part 3: Making Ends Meet (M, 3583 Words) Aaron asks Nicky how they were able to afford the Columbia house and is surprised by Nicky's answer.

Part 4: Actions Speak Louder (G, 8769 Words) Nicky gets the twins to agree to go to a Christmas festival, but will the twins actually show up?

Part 5: Bonding Moment 2.0 (T, 2108 Words) Turns out Nicky is actually RIPPED and Aaron is just finding out.

NB: Part 2 of this series focuses on Nicky & Andrew and parts 3 and 5 focus on Nicky & Aaron

Why do we break the ones already broken? by KweenKevin [Not Rated, 845 Words, Complete, 2018]

Part 5 of Does that make me crazy? 

A Nicky Hemmick character study.

tw: homophobia, tw: conversion therapy, tw: religious trauma

Better Weather by PluckyYoungMan [Not Rated, 24656 Words, Incomplete, Updated Oct 2022]

A series of oneshots based upon Tilda putting Aaron and Andrew in the foster system, but not ending up taking Aaron back. After her passing Nicky learns of their existence, and elects to take them in when they’re almost thirteen. Nicky is in way over his head with the twins varied and often conflicting issues. Ultimately this is a story about family, and about healing, but it is a long and often painful road along the way.

tw: self harm, tw: blood, tw: body horror, tw: implied/referenced csa, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: homophobia, tw: religious trauma, tw: self harm, tw: manic episode, tw: disordered eating, tw: drugs, tw: alcohol, tw: violence

this is a big world by PoolToast22 [Rated G, 2212 Words, Complete, 2022]

the one where Andrew tells Aaron about his and Neil's relationship

i don't need this city (i could leave in a heartbeat) by crazy_stupid_potato [Rated T, 3285 Words, Complete, 2023]

Andrew has a bad time and decides to run away. But what he didn't think he'd discover is that: sometimes there are good police officers, and that Nicky fucking adores him.

tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon

Home by allfortheBoyds [Rated T, 14316 Words, Incomplete, Updated June 2023]

Nicky is younger, his parents still suck and Aaron and Andrew make sure he has a home

tw: child abuse, tw: homophobia, tw: religious trauma, tw: conversion therapy, tw: confinement, tw: disordered eating, tw: bullying

Wherever you go, I‘ll be there beside you (‘Cause you are my brother) by allfortheBoyds [Rated G, 2031 Words, Complete, 2023]

Nicky becomes a father, the twins are there to support him

Little Secrets by nerdzeword [Rated T, 3696 Words, Complete, 2019]

Part 2 of Little Miracles series, part 1 here

Nicky had spent his entire life hiding who he was. You would think it would be easier to finally tell people.

Heimkehr means Homecoming series by This_Witch_Writes [Rated T/M, Collection with 3 complete works, Updated Dec 2022, Locked]

Part 3 here 

Part 1: But Cass, she could've been [T, 31241 Words] Cass discovers Drake's true nature with the next foster child she takes in, a year after Andrew was adopted by Tilda Minyard. Disgusted and heart-broken, Cass travels to South Carolina.

tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced csa, implied/referenced child abuse, tw: implied/referenced self harm, tw: vomit, tw: violence, tw: homophobia, tw: assault

Part 2: A little closer to home [M, 48508 Words] Cass came back for Andrew after Nicky took custody of him and Aaron once she learned to truth about Drake. She settled in Columbia to be close to them and 18 months later the family has reached some kind of balance. And then Kevin Day shows up at the Foxes hotel room after the Winter Exy Banquet with a ruined hand and a wild story. No hope of a quiet year really.

tw: graphic depictions of violence, tw: torture, tw: blood/gore, tw: homophobia, tw: assault, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: implied/referenced csa, implied/referenced child abuse, tw: nonconsensual drug use

Some would sing and some would scream by Helpneedmorefanfics [Rated E, 14168 Words, Complete, 2021]

"Alright. Luther got out of prison, along with everyone else involved in Andrew's previous cases," Nicky says and Kevin sucks in a sharp breath and grabs at the other's arm, horrified. Nicky nods gravely, eyes serious and steady. "I'm going to go kill them all."

tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: murder, tw: arson

A first by LetThemCuddle [Rated G, 3930 Words, Complete, 2023]

Nicky comes down with a mild flu. It's not a big deal. The twins are suffering from unwanted emotions.

All I want for Christmas (is some peace) by sapphosgaycousin [Not Rated, 2214 Words, Complete, AFTG Exchange 2022]

Nicky just wanted to have a cozy christmas, but there is no such thing when you're parenting your cousins.

The Highs and Lows of Pre-med Majors by Harmonique [Rated G, 4575 Words, Complete, 2023]

Part 4 of AFTG whump, part 2 here

Sometimes, Aaron was questioning himself on the stupidity of his decision about being a premed student and an athlete. He couldn’t remember the last time he had more than four hours of sleep, and he still was behind classes. Thankfully, he wasn't a student-athlete... wait

tw: vomit

Nicky & Aaron

The Foxes: Finals Edition by LetThemCuddle [Rated G, 1747 Words, Complete, 2022]

Nicky and Aaron make a deal. Aaron will nap when Nicky demands it, and Nicky promises to wake Aaron up at the exact time he wants.

Aaron & Nicky hcs by @foxes-evermore [Tumblr, 2016]

Nicky & Andrew

I'm Proud of You by kevindaysleftpinkytoe [Not Rated, 1860 Words, Complete, 2023]

Andrew is tired tonight.

tw: self harm, tw: suicidal thoughts, tw: negative self image, tw: depression, tw: implied/referenced rape/noncon, tw: panic attacks

Andrew thinks he is unlovable hc by @knox-knocks [Tumblr, 2021]

Andrew, Nicky, and hugs meta by @i-did [Tumblr, 2021]

Nicky meta by @sinistercacophony [Tumblr, 2021]

Not a sociopath by @i-want-delfeur [Tumblr Fic, 2018]

I have about 4,000 questions about Nicky and Andrew’s relationship meta by @sirencalll [Tumblr, 2016]

Art

Happy Twinyard day art by @jegulus4life

Nicky’s instagram: Lake with ducks art by @/lis_photoart on instagram

Nicky as their best mum = a threat art by @/joonaxrt on instagram

#fic #nicky hemmick & aaron minyard & andrew minyard #nicky hemmick & aaron minyard #nicky hemmick & andrew minyard #nicky hemmick/erik klose #universe: pre canon #universe: canon divergent #au: kid fic #theme: parenting #theme: foster care #theme: andrew's past #theme: families #theme: fluff & angst #theme: fluff & humour #theme: angst with a happy ending #theme: trauma #theme: hurt/comfort #theme: emotional hurt/comfort #theme: mental health issues #theme: sickfic #tw: self harm #tw: blood/gore #tw: body horror #tw: child abuse #tw: suicidal thoughts #tw: homophobia #tw: religious trauma #tw: conversion therapy #tw: drugs #implied/referenced rape/noncon

[yuripoll]

Propaganda Tags Used

Not tagging every alternate title and the like on propaganda posts, so here's a list of the tags I'm using for each series, for easier browsing :P

(25/02/24: updated to include season 3)

Season 3 Contestants:

2DK, G-Pen, Aftertime. || A Kiss and a White Lily || A Lady's Table || Aoi Hana || Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko! || Because You Are a Red Rose || Blooming Sequence || Composing Spring in This Room Where Cherry Blossoms Bloom || Dark Forest, White Road || Destroy It All and Love Me In Hell || Handsome Girl and Sheltered Girl || I Married My Best Friend to Shut My Parents Up || I'm Not Cut Out to Be a Princess, so I'll Elope With the Villainess! || Indigo Blue || Kakegurui || Kanojo ni Naritai Kimi to Boku || Mahou Josei Chimaka || Makoto no Momoka || Maria-sama ga Miteru || Muted || Netsu wo Obiru Veil || Ohana Holoholo || Sakura Namiki || Savior || Serendipity || Soulmate || That Time I Was Blackmailed By The Class's Green Tea Bitch || The Girl That Can't Get a Girlfriend || The Moon On A Rainy Night || To Die in June || You Are My Angela || Yuki and the Authoress

Season 2 Contestants:

2DK, G-Pen, Alarm Clock || Always Human || An Absurd Relationship || Asagao to Kase-san || Asumi-chan is interested in lesbian brothels || Can't Defy the Lonely Girl || Cirque Arachne || Even the introverted gals wanna get out there! || Fly By || Futari Escape || Gunjou || Hana to Hoshi || Hard Lacquer || Her Tale of Shim Chong || Himitsu no Hanazono || I Love Amy || I See You, Aizawa-san! || I won 300 million yen in a lottery so I started raising a freeloader pretty girl || Lonely Wolf, Lonely Sheep || Love My Life || Mai no Mushigurashi || Nomura Nao to Kyougaku Hina || Pink Ribbon || Sexual Education 120% || Tamen de Gushi || Teppuu || The Ends of a Dream || The guy she was interested in wasn't a guy at all || There's weird voices coming from the room next door! || Yoru to Umi || Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games || Yuri Espoir

Season 1 Contestants:

A Monster Wants to Eat Me || Black & White: Tough Love in the Office || Bloom into You || The Blue Star On That Day || Can I kiss you? || Catch These Hands || Doughnuts under a Crescent Moon || Goodbye My Rose Garden || Hana ni Arashi || Hanamonogatari || Hello, Melancholic! || How Do I Get Together with My Childhood Friend♀️? || How Do We Relationship? || I'm in Love with the Villainess || It would be great if you didn't exist! || Liar Satsuki Can See Death || Love Allergy Syndrome || Moonlight Flowers || My wish is to fall in love until you die || Not So Shoujo Love Story || Rock it, GiRL!! || Run Away With Me, Girl || Octave || Oniisama e... || Otherside Picnic || Pietà || Sasameki Koto || She loves to cook, and she loves to eat || Shiroi Heya no Futari || SHWD || Still Sick || Yuri Kuma Arashi

[todaysdocument]

Faytie Alone Kitchens Karlovic took this oath of allegiance to regain her rights as a U.S. citizen 11/20/1942.

From 1907 to 1922, American women lost their American citizenship after marrying non-Americans.

Series: Repatriation Oaths of Allegiance, 1941 - 1950

Record Group 21: Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685 - 2009

Transcription:

Form N-415

(Old 2234)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE

(EDITION OF 9-15-41)

ORIGINAL

(To be retained as court

record)

APPLICATION TO TAKE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES UNDER THE

ACT OF JUNE 25, 1936, AS AMENDED, AND FORM OF SUCH OATH

To the Honorable, the U.S. District Court of Eastern District of Arkansas Little Rock, Ark.

This application, hereby made and filed, respectfully shows:

(1) My full, true, and correct name is FAYTIE ALONE KITCHENS KARLOVIC

(2) My present place of residence is Route #`1 Rison Cleveland Arkansas

(3) My occupation is Housewife

(4) I am 47 years old. (5) I was born on June 9, 1895 in Hamburg,

Arkansas United States

(6) My personal description is as follows: Sex Female; color White, complexion Dark,

color of eyes Grey, color of hair Dark Brown, height 5 feet 8 inches, weight 135 pounds;

visible distinctive marks None

(7) I am -- married; the name of my husband is Andrew Matt Karlovic; we were married

on April 21, 1912 at Hamburg, Arkansas; he was born

at Klana Istrea Austria on November 6, 1888; and now resides

at Route #1 Rison, Arkansas U.S.A.

(8) I lost, or believe that I lost, United States citizenship solely by reason of my marriage on April 21, 1912

to Andrew Matt Karlovic then an alien, a citizen or subject of Austria,

and my marital status with such person was not terminated on     by    

(9) I have resided continuously in the United States since the date of my marriage shown in paragraph 8 hereof,

to wit, since April 21, 1912

(10) I hereby apply to take the oath of renunciation and allegiance as prescribed in Section 335 (b) of the Nationality

Act of 1940 (54 Stat. 1157) to become repatriated and obtain the rights of a citizen of the United States.

[signature]

  Subscribed and sworn to before me by the above-named applicant, in the office of the clerk of said court at

Little Rock, Ark. this 20th day of November, Anno Domini 1942

Grady Miller

Clerk

By [signature] Lillian M. Vaughan [seal]

Deputy Clerk.

STATE OF ARKANSAS

COUNTY OF PULASKI }ss:  In the U.S. District Court

                                                 of Eastern District of Arkansas

    Upon consideration of the foregoing, it is hereby ORDERED and DECREED that the above application be granted; that

the applicant named therein be repatriated as a citizen of the United States, upon taking the oath of renunciation and

allegiance to the United States; and that the clerk of this court enter these proceedings of record.

                 By the Court:

[signature]

Judge.

OATH OF RENUNCIATION AND ALLEGIANCE

     I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign

prince, potentate, state or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support

and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; thatI

will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or

purpose of evasion: SO HELP ME GOD. In acknowledgment, whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

         [signature]

The foregoing oath was administered to the petitioner in open court this 20th day of November, 1942

        Grady Miller

        Clerk

By Lillian M. Vaughan

Deputy Clerk

16-16869-1

[SEAL]

Note to Clerk of Court: No fee is to be

collected in connection with the filing of

this application. The applicant, upon

demand, should be furnished with the

triplicate copy, duly certified, for which a

fee not in excess of $1 may be collected.

#archivesgov #November 20 #1942 #1940s #citizenship #women's history

[craby-bouquet]

Warm Winter Promptlist

We're back with a new Warm Winters!

I started this series in 2019 to fight winter blues with fluff! You can find the whole Warm Winters series here!

You can find the prompts under the cut. So...

Send me a Seventeen or BTS member and 1 or 2 prompts and I will write a short, fluffy story using your prompts and your man!!

Warm winters 2023-2024

1 "Take mine, I don't need it anyway."

2 "You're cold, aren't you?"

3  "There's… only one bed."

4 "Your love will keep me warm."

5 "Those lights are beautiful there."

6 "You bought me a present? I thought we weren't gonna do presents this year."

7 "no I won't be your fake partner to your office Christmas party, don't you remember what happened last time!?"

8 "Don't lie. You hate it."

9 ""You've been laying on my arm all night and I can't feel it."

10 "Yeah so, funny story, I actually thought you would maybe give me a new years kiss? But I guess not, which is fine! Don't worry. I didn't really care anyway." 

11 "...Wow. You look like a princess."

12 "Dance with me."

13 "I… I didn't know you could play the piano."

14 "Do you wanna build a snowman?"

15 "Sing for me?"

16 "It'll be a blue Christmas without you."

17 "I miss you."

18 "All I want for Christmas is you."

19 "I really can't stay."

20 "Baby it's cold outside."

21 "That's a tad too optimistic for me."

22 "Why are you awake right now?"

23 "Wake up! Please wake up! It snowed!"

24 "Is there a reason you're blushing right now?" 

25 "Have you seen my hoodie? You know that one with the blue stripe in the… Wait, you're wearing it, aren't you?"

26 "Are we on a date right now?" "No. We're snowed in." "Ah… so it is a date then?"

27 "I'm not blushing, I'm just cold -or warm. or… whatever. But I'm not blushing."

28 "I think I'm in love with you."

29 "You want hot chocolate?"

30 "The moon sure does look beautiful tonight."

31 "All I do is drink hot drinks and say bad words."

32 "Your feet are so cold!" 

33 "I'm too sober for this."

34 "Wow! I didn't know you could sing."

35 "We'd both warm up faster if we would take off our clothes." "Fuck off."

36 "A water fight? Are you crazy? It's way too cold for that."

37 "I'm the reason you got sick in the first place. So yes, I am indeed going to take care of you."

38 "Can you put on anything other than the Spotify Christmas playlist? I'm sick of it."

39 "It's January! Why are you still listening to Mariah Carey?"

40 "So… valentines is coming up…"

41 "Santa left a lot of presents this year."

42 "Wow, I asked for you, and I actually got you. That Santa guy really is amazing."

43 "I don't want that, I just want to finish my book."

44 "I wanted to say 'I love you' for the first time on Christmas Eve…  but I guess you were a step ahead of me."

45 "Tell me that when you're sober."

46 "Who thought I'd find my soulmate on new years eve?"

47 "You've been giving me bedroom eyes for the last half hour."

48 "“All I want is to sleep by your side.”

49 “I didn’t get soaking wet and ice cold by walking to your house for you to say no to pizza. I have beer too. I know you’re sad, so let me in.”

50 "I missed you."

51 "Are you trying to seduce me?"

52 "How can even still see out of your glasses? They're so dirty!"

53 "I always wanted a Christmas wedding."

54 "Kiss me."

55 "I'll cry." "Is that meant to be a threat?"

56 "That's starting to get on my nerves."

57 "Okay, answer me honestly. Are you, or are you not, Satan himself?"

58 "How can you not like christmas?"

59 "Will you marry me?"

60 "is... Is that a mistletoe? Now that's good timing"

61 "You should have told me sooner."

62 "That might actually be the best present I ever got."

63 "I didn't know you could play the piano."

64 "Are you seriously wearing a donkey onesie?"

65 "no I'm not drunk and yes that was a serious question!"

66 "Wait! Hold that thought! I really, really need to pee. Be right back."

67 “Are you an angel?”

68 "I hope our baby looks like you." 

69 "Don't be so gentle. You can hug me tighter y'know- I'm not going to pop or anything."

70 "I'll run you a nice, warm bath." "Excuse me? Why don't you run us a bath? I'm not gonna bathe by myself, that's boring."

71 ""Happy Valentine's Day"

72 "This is not what I meant when I told you to fall for me."

73 "Who would have thought I would find my soulmate on new years eve?"

74 "Your nose is so red, you look like Rudolph. Are you sure you're okay?"

75 "Look, it's a full moon tonight."

76 "I know we're engaged but I'm so in love with you."

77 "You outshine the stars."

78 "Did you mean that romantically this whole time?"

79 "Look, The blossom is coming through already."

80 "You made it."

masterlist | warm winter masterlist

#warmwinters #warm winters #fanfiction #kpop #kpop fanfic #fluff #prompt list #romance #seventeen #bts #fanfictions #fanfic #fanfic writing #talking to the moon #requests #please send some!!

[trashexplorer]

BLCD 2022: November Releases

Legends:

✓ - have      

💡 - interested

✘ - not interested (but will probably still listen to)    

🙏 - dying for

1. Mask Danshi wa Koishitakunai no ni 2 💡

Release Date: 2022/11/18

Cast: Eguchi Takuya x Kobayashi Yuusuke

Synopsis: Adaptation of the second volume of the series.

2. Jiraikei Kareshi Suzu-kun 💡

Release Date: 2022/11/25

Cast: Azakami Youhei x Murase Ayumu

Synopsis: Completely shutting out the outside world with a mask!!! One day, Suzu, a gloomy university student with no friends and poor communication skills, loses his one-of-a-kind, precious mascot, “Kappa-chan.”

While looking around desperately, the one who picked it up and called out to him was the refreshing and handsome partier, Sasamuro Aiji, with flashy girls in tow. Though he wanted to get it back quickly and flee the scene, Aiji deliberately teased him and wouldn’t give it back, making Suzu cry.

He managed to get Kappa-chan back, but on top of being touched by the number one type of person he’s worst at dealing with, Kappa-chan was damaged, sending him into a depression. The next day, Aiji gets involved with him again by using him as an excuse to run away from his followers.

With no concern for his feelings of dislike, Aiji demands his thanks for picking up Kappa-chan. But when he bluntly says to Aiji, “Because a cheery person like you is a land mine!” Aiji suddenly kisses him through his maskー!!!?

3. Kan’iteki Pervert Romance 4 ✘

Release Date: 2022/11/25

Cast: 

Satou Takuya x Furukawa Makoto

Masuda Toshiki + Ono Yuuki

Synopsis: Fourth installment of the BLCD adaptation of the series of the same name.

4. Sex Sales Driver ✘

Release Date: 2022/11/25

Cast: Toki Shunichi x Uchida Yuuma

Synopsis: Former office worker Isshin quits his office job to do hard physical labor in the delivery business. As the daily grind wears down his body and soul, his only solace is working with his beloved coworker Haz?. Haz? has it all - good looks and excellent occupational skills. One day, just when Isshin's starting to feel like Haz?'s titillating presence makes his job worthwhile, he makes a mistake during a delivery and Haz? has to pick up after him. On top of that, he gets blackout drunk and makes a total disgrace of himself. When he wakes up, he finds himself with no clothes on, and Haz? by his bedside asking if he remembers what happened last night... That one moment of despair might be the catalyst that brings them together...

5. Toshiue no Hito 💡

Release Date: 2022/11/25

Cast: Nakajima Yoshiki x Nojima Hirofumi

Synopsis: Tsubasa becomes unemployed right after his company went under. To drink his sorrows away, Tsubasa goes to a bar and meets Kazuomi. They get a good mood going on and later sleep with each other that same night. Tsubasa is quick to develop feelings for the man, but it turns out that Kazuomi was just carried away by the alcohol?!

Comment: Goddamn that trope’s probably just as old as Kazumo is, but when will I ever get another Nakajiki x NojimaAni???

6. Souteigai no Sweet Marriage ✘

Release Date: 2022/11/25

Cast: Yashiro Taku x Tamaru Atsushi

Synopsis: Yuuki Ritsu, a cool-headed and serious office worker, was suddenly proposed to by his colleague and rival Honjou Haruma, due to some special circumstances. With same-sex marriage becoming possible in Japan, the people around the single, 29-year old Ritsu had been constantly nagging at him to get married soon. On the other hand, Haruma had found himself in a bind due to his uncontrollable popularity. With Haruma’s suggestion of a marriage that would benefit both parties, Ritsu decided to accept his proposal in order to escape from the corner he was driven into. Little did he know that married life with Haruma, who loves taking care of others, would be so comfortable… Plus, he gives massages that are out of this world...! Although it started with a lie, a sweet and delicious marriage love between the two single, handsome office workers in their thirties starts to bloom!

Comment: Look at Sakura Rico still kill it in 2022. Never give up on your dreams ig lmaooo

#blcd releases #blcd 2022 releases

[random-mailbox]

Random-Mailbox's Favorite Sailor Moon Fics - Week 27 - 🍀St Patricks Day🍀

Time for our next Holiday Post of the series - St Patricks Day! This one is basically all about bars and drinking and celebrating, in a more lighthearted way. 

As always, my apologies in advance for spoiling some of these for you (Fic Titles are linked to either FFN or AO3 entries).

the green unseen - @caelenath

This is @caelenath's Mamoru in College series ficlet, where Mamoru spends St Patrick’s day out with his American friends for the first time. We get the Ugly Green Jacket throwback and a very open-ended conclusion that lets you, the reader, decide for yourself what is actually real. Click on the hyperlinks within the story for tiny glimpses into this AU on Tumblr! 

then you showed up and I can't get enough - @daikon1

Mamoru gets dragged to a club by Motoki to meet his new girlfriend’s friend, something he does NOT want to do. While waiting at the bar, he notices a pretty blonde in a rainbow romper that he would much rather spend time with. This one-shot is a bit of a love-at-first-sight story but super well done (as all of Daikon’s pieces tend to be 😘)

Crossroads - Dejana Talis (Dejana)

Bartender Darien is seeing one set back after another in his quest to leave his tiny town in the middle of nowhere. On one of his worst days yet, he picks up a hopeful hitchhiker, trying to get to the big city and make things happen for herself. 

You and I Always: Chapter 1: Free Day - @cassraven

In this one-shot, we get a cute and confident bartender Usagi and a very drunk Mamoru, who repeatedly confesses his love for her. 

Drunken Sailor Moon - Reader458

Fun little story about Sailor Moon accidentally stumbling across Dark Generals and managing to drink them under the table. We get Rei x Usagi in this one too!

A night you won't remember (I'll be the one you won't forget) - @idesofnovember

When Mamoru ran into Usagi at the hotel bar in Vegas, he vowed to help protect her. Apparently that included not letting her drunkenly get married to anyone but him.

The One With the Vegas Vacation - @she-dreams-in-pink

If I am going to include one Vegas story, I can’t skip out on the other! In this one, Minako drags drunk Mamoru and Usagi to a wedding chapel because she thinks it would be hilarious if those two had a fake wedding. I am really hoping we get the last chapter of this story one day, although it does leave off on enough of a clean break to not really need it. 

Luck of the Irish - @gossamerwillow

Minako (as Sailor V) and Artemis take on a Youma in a tiny Irish town while on a family vacation. (This totally fits with the St Patrick's Day theme, even if there is no drinking involved!)

---

That's it for this week. Next time we will cover the trope of "Fix-it Fics"

Here are the links to the previous Tumblr posts in these series to explore more amazing works based on different themes - make sure to check them out if you haven't had a chance! (Click on title name to go to the post) - I will keep updating the list every week as new posts come up:

Week 1 - Groundhog Day

Week 2 - Established Relationships

Week 3 - Sex Positivity

Week 4 - Unfinished Stories

Week 5 - Darker Stories

Week 6 - Potions 🧪

Week 7 - Reveals

Week 8 - 👻Halloween🎃

Week 9 - Wrong Perceptions

Week 10 - Non-Senshi AU

Week 11 - In-Progress Fics

Week 12 - Mutual Pining

Week 13 - Enemies to Lovers

Week 14 - Slow Burn

Week 15 - Christmas Part 1 - Ugly Christmas Sweaters and Santa!

Week 16 - Christmas Part 2

Week 17 - New Years

Week 18 - High School AU

Week 19 - Slice of Life

Week 20 - Coffee shop AU

Week 21 - Huddle for Warmth

Week 22 - Friends to Lovers

Week 23 - Valentines Day

Week 24 - Do a Grouch a Favour Day (or Cheer Up Fics)

Week 25 - Soulmate AU

Week 26 - Amnesia Fics (and resources)

#sailor moon #usagi x mamoru #fic list #fic rec #st patricks day #drinking #alcohol #las vegas #minako aino

[dailyunsolvedmysteries]

Daniel Camargo Barbosa

Camargo's mother died when he was a little boy and his father was overbearing and emotionally distant. He was raised by an abusive stepmother, who punished him and sometimes dressed him in girls clothing, making him a victim of ridicule in front of his peers.

Camargo had a de facto union with a woman named Alcira and had two children with her. He fell in love with another woman, Esperanza, age 28 whom he planned to marry, but then found out that she was not a virgin. This became a deep root of Camargo's fixations, and he and Esperanza formed an agreement that he would stay with her if she aided him in finding other virgin girls to have sex with.

This began a period of their partnership in crime. Esperanza was Camargo's accomplice, luring young girls to an apartment under false pretenses and then drugging them with sodium seconal sleeping pills so that Camargo could rape them. Camargo committed five rapes in this way, but did not kill any of the girls. The fifth child that they abused in this way reported the crime, and both Camargo and Esperanza were arrested and taken to separate prisons. Camargo was convicted of sexual assault in Colombia on April 10, 1964.

A judge sentenced Camargo to three years in prison, and Camargo was initially grateful for the perceived leniency of the judge, swearing to repent and mend his ways. However, a new judge was given precedence over the case and Camargo was sentenced to eight years in prison. This provoked Carmgo to rebellious anger. He served his full sentence, and was released.

In 1973 he was arrested in Brazil for being undocumented. Due to a delay in sending Camargos criminals records from Colombia he was deported and released with his false identity. When he returned to Colombia he took up a job as a street vendor in Barranquilla selling television monitors. One day when passing by a school he kidnapped a nine-year-old girl, raping her and murdering her so that she could not inform the police like his previous victim had. This was his first assault involving murder.

Camargo was arrested on May 3, 1974 in Barranquilla, Colombia when he returned to the scene of the crime to recover the television screens that he had forgotten beside the victim. Even though it is believed that he raped and killed more than 80 girls in Colombia, Camargo was imprisoned in Colombia after being convicted of raping and killing a nine-year-old girl. He was initially sentenced to 30 years in prison, but this sentence was reduced to 25 years, and he was interned in the prison on the island of Gorgona, Colombia on December 24, 1977.

In November 1984 Camargo escaped from Gorgona in a primitive boat after having carefully studied the ocean currents. The authorities assumed that he died at sea and the press reported that he had been eaten by sharks.

He eventually arrived in Quito, Ecuador. He then traveled by bus to Guayaquil on 5 or 6 December, 1984. On December 18 he abducted a nine-year-old girl from the city of Quevedo, in the province of Los Ríos Ecuador. The next day a 10-year-old girl also disappeared.

From 1984 to 1986 Carmago committed a series of at least 54 rapes and murders in Guayaquil. The police at first believed that all the deaths were the work of a gang, not understanding that one man could have killed so many. Camargo slept on the streets, and lived off of the money he could gain by reselling ballpoint pens in the streets. Occasionally he supplemented his income by selling clothing or small valuables belonging to his victims.

Camargo selected helpless, young, lower-class girls in search of work and approached them, pretending to be a foreigner who needed to find a Protestant pastor in a church on the outskirts of town. He explained that he had to deliver a large sum of money, which he showed them as proof, and he offered them a reward if they would accompany him to show him the way. He pretended that he was a stranger to the area, and hinted at the possibility of the girls getting a job at the factory. No one was suspicious of an older man accompanying a girl or young woman who could be his granddaughter. Carmago would then enter into the woods, claiming to be looking for a shortcut in order to avoid arousing suspicion in his victims. If the girls grew suspicious and drew back, he did not prevent them from leaving. Camargo raped his victims before strangling them, sometimes stabbing them when they resisted. After his victims were dead he left their bodies in the forest to be picked clean by scavengers.

Camargo was arrested by two policemen in Quito on 26 February 1986 only a few minutes after he had murdered a 9-year-old girl named Elizabeth. The policemen were on patrol and approached him at the height of the avenue Los Granados, thinking that he was acting suspicious. They were surprised to find that he was carrying with him a bag containing the bloody clothes of his latest victim, and a copy of "Crime and Punishment" by Dostoyevsky.

He was taken into custody and later moved to Guayaquil for identification. When he was arrested he gave a false name, Manuel Bulgarin Solis, but he was later identified by one of his rape victims who escaped.

Daniel Camargo very calmly confessed to killing 71 girls in Ecuador since escaping from the Colombian prison. He led authorities to the dumping grounds of those victims whose bodies had not yet been recovered. The bodies had been dismembered. While he told the Ecuadorean authorities of the locations of the bodies and how the sadistic crimes were committed, he showed no feelings of remorse. After raping his victims, he had hacked, slashed and crushed the girls with a machete. He gave a cynical explanation for choosing children. He wanted virgins "because they cried"; this apparently gave him greater satisfaction.

According to Camargo, he killed because he wanted revenge on woman's unfaithfulness. He hated them for not being what women are supposed to be. His victims were all virgins.

It was reported that in November 1994, he was murdered in prison by Luis Masache Narvaez, the cousin of one of his victims.

#Daniel Camargo Barbosa #killers #r*pe tw #r*pists #crime #true crime

[yurimother]

BOOK☆WALKER Yuri Festival Sale - Part I

BOOK☆WALKER is celebrating Yuri Day with a Yuri Festival sale. From June 17 to June 25, readers get bonus Coins (store credit) on over 400 Yuri manga and light novel titles. The first volume of eligible series gives 40% Coin Back and sequel volumes released by May 17, 2022, give 20% back.

Click titles to navigate to the storefront. Titles marked with a ★ are recommended by YuriMother.

12 Days - Manga

5 Seconds Before a Witch Falls in Love - Manga

A Centaur's Life - Manga - Volumes 1-20

★A Lily Blooms in Another World - Light Novel

A White Rose in Bloom - Manga - Volumes 1-2

A Witch's Love at the End of the World - Manga - Complete Series

Adachi and Shimamura - Light Novel - Volumes 1-8

Adachi and Shimamura - Manga - Volumes 1-2

★Akuma no Riddle - Manga - Volumes 1-5

Alter Ego - Manga

Beauty and the Beast Girl - Manga

★Bloom Into You Anthologies - Manga - Complete Series

★Bloom Into You - Manga - Complete Series

★Bloom Into You: Regarding Saeki Sayaka - Light Novel - Complete Series

Bondage Play - Manga - Chapters 1-8

Booty Royale: Never Go Down Without a Fight! - Manga - Omnibus Volumes 1-3

Breasts Are My Favorite Things in the World! - Manga - Volumes 1-5

★Catch These Hands! - Manga - Volume 1

Chasing After Aoi Koshiba - Manga - Volumes 1-3

Citrus - Manga - Complete Series

★Citrus+ - Manga - Volumes 1-3

Cocoon Entwined - Manga - Volumes 1-4

Days of Love at Seagull Villa - Manga - Complete Series

Dear NOMAN - Manga - Complete Series

Double Your Pleasure - A Twin Yuri Anthology - Manga

★Doughnuts Under a Crescent Moon - Manga - Volumes 1-2

★Éclair - Manga - Complete Series

Even Though We're Adults - Manga - Volumes 1-4

Failed Princesses - Manga - Volumes 1-5

Farewell to My Alter - Manga

Fragtime - Manga Omnibus

From the New World - Manga - Complete Series

Futaribeya - Manga - Volumes 1-8

GUNBURED × SISTERS - Manga - Volume 1

Gakuen Polizi - Manga - Complete Series

★Girl Friends - Manga - Complete Series

Girl's Cococon - Manga - Complete Series

Girls Kingdom - Light Novel - Volumes 1-4

★Goodbye, My Rose Garden - Manga - Complete Series

Hana & Hina After School - Manga - Complete Series

Happy Sugar Life - Manga - Complete Series

★Hello, Melancholic! - Manga - Volume 1

★I Can't Believe I Slept With You! - Manga - Volume 1

★I'm in Love with the Villainess - Light Novel - Volumes 1-4

★I'm in Love with the Villainess - Manga - Volumes 1-2

I Love You So Much, I Hate You - Manga

I Married My Best Friend to Shut My Parents Up - Manga

★If I Could Reach You - Manga - Volumes 1-6

If You Could See Love - Manga - Volumes 1-2

Kannazuki no Miko - Manga - Complete Series

★Kase-san and… - Manga - Volumes 1-7

Kashimashi ~Girl Meets Girl~ - Manga - Complete Series

★Killing Me! - Manga

Kindred Spirits on the Roof - Manga

Kiss and White Lily for My Dearest Girl - Manga - Complete Series

★Kisses, Sighs, and Cherry Blossom Pink - Manga - Complete Series

Konohana Kitan - Manga - Volumes 1-3

Kotonoha - Manga - Chapters 1-2

★Last and First Idol - Light Novel

Lily Marble - Manga - Chapters 1-24

Me (a Guy)... Lesbian!? - Manga - Complete Series

Mikagura School Suite - Manga - Volume 1

Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid - Manga - Volumes 1-11

Mizuno and Chayama - Manga - Complete Series

Monologue Woven For You - Manga - Volume 1

Murciélago - Manga - Volumes 1-18

Mushroom Girls in Love - Manga

My Idol Sits the Next Desk Over! - Manga - Volumes 1-4

CONTINUED IN PART II

#Yuri #manga #sales watch #lgbt #lgbtq #lgbtq+ #queer #gay #yuri manga #light novel #wlw #gl #girls love #girls' love