#my years reading fanfic didn't prepare me for this enough

[jeewrites]

Hold Fast | Ch. 5 - Five Courses

Series Master List

Rating: M, but this blog is 18+ MDNI

A/N: Frankie and Sweets finally go on their date! I do not recommend reading this when you are hungry. Ty to @bloviating-vy for beta-ing and providing all the emotional support one needs for writing fanfic lol.

Word Count: ~5.6K

Tags: no y/n, alcohol, gymbff!Benny, OC!Chloé, reader is a powerlifting girlie described as short and has hair long enough to put into a ponytail, reader's nickname is Sweets, Tom is alive unfortunately (we hate Tom), Tom owns a bar, Pope owns a gym, Frankie POV, kissing, making out, gratuitous descriptions of food, Sweets eats like a powerlifter, angst that resolves by the end of the chapter, discussion of previous relationships, implied past abusive relationship (not described), cliffhanger-ish?

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After you leave on Sunday, Frankie spends the rest of the weekend scouring the internet for the latest, fanciest restaurants in the greater metropolitan area. He's determined to make up for canceling on you at the last minute and go all out for you after everything you've done to care for Gabi and him. Tucking into another bowl of your magical chicken noodle soup, Frankie sighs at his laptop after clicking through tasting menu after 7 course menu after kaiseki menu after some weird pop-up dinner theater. Yeah, no. This isn't it.

And a small part, ok large part of him, wants to impress you, but he's at a loss as to how since he doesn't know you well enough. Surely as a doctor you are used to living the good life, dining at fancy places, right? What would not just be good enough for you, but impress you? His phone buzzes with a text from Benny in the group chat about a new PR lift and that's when an idea pops into Frankie's head. After a brief exchange with Benny he shuts his laptop and readies for bed. He has a plan.

Just as you are sitting down to scarf down your lunch later that week, your phone vibrates with a text from your favorite brown-eyed pilot.

[text conversation]

😻🐟: Hey, so what kind of food do you like? 🏋🏻‍♀️: Yes 😻🐟: ???

🏋🏻‍♀️: I have to eat so much to fuel for 🏋️‍♀️, so yeah, I like food. 🏋🏻‍♀️: 🍜🍳🥩🍔🌮🥟🍣🎂🍩🍪🍮🧁🥐🫔🍧 🏋🏻‍♀️: I don't do sandwiches though 😻🐟: Roger that 🫡

😻🐟: Be ready to eat okay? Might want to wear something stretchy. Prepare yourself. 😉 🏋🏻‍♀️: 🫡 say no more. I have the perfect outfit. 😈 😻🐟: Pick you up Saturday at 4:30? I know it's early, but trust me ok? 🏋🏻‍♀️: 💃🏻💃🏻

You spend the rest of your break smiling into your lunch wondering what Frankie has planned for Saturday. The weekend couldn't come soon enough.

On Saturday, at 4:25 PM you hear a soft knock at your front door. Swinging the door open you're greeted by an enormous arrangement of dahlias, a stunning ombre of purple, pink, and fuchsia hues, a grinning Frankie peeking from over the top.

"For you," he says with a winning smile as he hands you the arrangement.

You're speechless. You didn't think he'd remember you whispering to him, nearly three weeks ago, what your favorite flowers are. And how did he know these are your favorite colors? Chase never remembered your favorite flowers despite the years you were together. He probably gave you flowers less than five times in the entirety of your relationship.

"You remembered," you breathe, looking up at him. "Frankie, they're beautiful."

"I do my best to remember the important things," Frankie huffs, cheeks pinking at your compliment. You catch him flick his eyes over your form, biting his lower lip. "And you're prettier than the flowers. You look — wow."

It's your turn for your cheeks to heat before you invite him in for a moment while you find the best spot to place the arrangement (you decide on your dining table so you can look at it every morning while you drink your coffee). The dahlias are arranged like a piece of art, exploding with color against the drab colors of your apartment. You could look at them all day.

"Sooo, where are we going this early?" you venture, finally taking your eyes off of the flowers and running your eyes over Frankie, admiring the way the navy button down shirt stretches deliciously across his broad chest and the khakis he's wearing hugs his hips and thighs. Curls accentuated with product. And surprisingly no hat.

"I'll tell you when we get in the truck," Frankie grins at you.

"Okay, Mr. Mysterious," you huff with a small smile as you grab your bag.

When you get to his truck he insists on opening the door for you and offering a hand as you climb in. As he settles into the driver's seat and starts the truck, he hands you a beige piece of folded card stock, printed to look like a menu. The cover reads, "Frankie's Food Truck Tour" in elegant script across the front.

You gape at him, excitement bubbling up your entire body. "You're taking me on a food truck tour?!?"

"Yup," Frankie responds, popping the 'p.' "Someone might’ve mentioned you love food trucks and hole in the wall restaurants. So I'm taking you to all the best ones I know about."

You're practically vibrating with anticipation as you open the card and gasp at the listed courses on the food tour.

Frankie's Food Truck Tour

Menu

First Course - Taco de Carnitas 🌮 Heirloom blue corn tortilla from house made masa, slow braised pork shoulder, pickled shallots, chicharrons

Second Course - Empanada Colombiana Braised beef, potato in fried corn flour crust

Third Course - Sunday Sauce with Fresh Tagliatelle 12 hour simmered ragu with fresh made tagliatelle

Fourth Course - Soup Dumplings ground pork, blue crab

Fifth Course - Gua Bao braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, toasted crushed peanuts in steamed bun

Dessert - Italian Water Ice

You are so very glad you wore your fancy stretchy clothes because this is a veritable feast of all of your favorite things. You weren't joking when you told Frankie you liked to eat. Plus today's SBD day was max effort sets, so you are ready to inhale some food. But you are also so moved by his thoughtfulness, planning such a creative first date. Who told him about your love of food trucks and hole in the wall spots?

As Frankie eases onto the main road, he swallows before asking, "Does it look okay?"

"Okay? This is amazing Frankie! It's so thoughtful." You look at him with watery eyes. "No one's done something like this for me in a long time." You might have let out a little sniffle because he's glancing at you with concern etched across his handsome face.

"Hey," he soothes, sliding a hand into yours. "It's my pleasure."

He presses a chaste kiss to the back of your hand. The gesture makes you melt inside at the sweetness. You intertwine your fingers in his, wanting to stay connected to him and you catch him smile when you do.

"Wait, so who told you I like food trucks?" you ask, curiosity getting the better of you.

"Oh uh, I — I asked Chloé," Frankie's ears reddened at his admission. "I checked with Benny to see when she usually works out at Pope's and, uh, talked to her earlier this week."

You hum in response, impressed that Frankie would voluntarily approach Chloé considering most regulars at Pope's Gym wouldn't dare. She intimidated everyone too much.

"It was weird though. Benny acted like he didn't want me to talk to her until I told him it was to plan my date with you." Frankie continues, tapping the steering wheel.

"Huh," you wonder, filing that bit of information away. "Wonder why."

Frankie shrugs as he pulls the truck into a gravel parking lot. A half circle of food trucks sit just in front of a copse of trees, surrounded by picnic tables. Several other cars pull up shortly after you arrive and a queue starts to form at one of the food trucks on the far end.

"Ready for the first course?" Frankie grins at you as he opens the passenger door.

"Born ready, Frankie," you grin at him with barely contained glee.

By the third course, you and Frankie are both completely relaxed and enjoying each other's company, allowing the conversation to ebb and flow between food truck courses.

The carnitas tacos whet your appetite, a perfect balance of succulent pork shoulder topped with crispy chicharrones. Pickled shallots cut the tender, savory bites with crisp acid that dance along your tongue. Charred tomatillo salsa rounds out the bite. All perfectly wrapped in a freshly griddled blue corn tortilla. You can't help but close your eyes and let out a small moan as you experience the first bite. A cacophony of well-balanced flavors and complementary textures. When you open them again you catch Frankie with a pleased look on his face as he takes a bite out of his own taco.

At the second stop, Frankie asks why you don't do sandwiches as you chomp into a piping hot empanada. The corn flour crust crunches with satisfaction giving way to the tender braised beef and fluffy potato filling. Steam curls from the opening of the empanada, a testament to how freshly made it is.

"I mean, why would I want something slapped between two slices of bread when I can have this?" you respond as you gesture to your half eaten empanada. "It's just as portable and tastes a billion times better."

You scoop some of the red salsa onto your empanada before continuing, "Besides, I had way more than my fair share of sandwiches and cold, sad meals during med school and residency. I want my meals to be hot as much as possible."

"But what about hot sandwiches?" Frankie presses, even though he nods in agreement.

"I'll make an exception for them if they are really tasty," you acquiesce. "And bánh mì, especially if the baguette is baked fresh in house."

"Duly noted," Frankie smiles, taking mental note of your preferences.

"Oh my god, you have to try this salsa," you moan after you finish your salsa covered bite of empanada. The acid from the tomato cuts through the richness of the filling, followed by sharp bites from the minced white onion, finished by a hint of sweetness — maybe from pineapple?

"Wait, don't tell me you're a fan of sandwiches."

Frankie looks slightly embarrassed when he admits he eats most of his meals standing over the kitchen sink, especially when he has Gabi, but the food is usually at least hot. "I do love cooking meals for Gabi and introducing her to all of our family's foods," he adds. "She's a really adventurous eater."

You perk up at his information. "Yeah? That's so awesome Frankie. Maybe I can make her some of my family's favorites sometime?"

He gives you the sweetest look of adoration and gratitude. "She'd love that. I — I would too."

You continue to chat with Frankie about how Gabi is doing since you last saw her as he tidies up the picnic table, and you both head to his truck for the next course.

When Frankie pulls up at the third food truck, you giggle and remark at the kitschy decor, multi-color string lights, barrels painted the colors of the Italian flag, red umbrellas shading long wooden picnic tables and smaller red metal patio tables for two. The food truck itself is a long white truck reminiscent of an old milk delivery truck. Short velvet red curtains frame the ordering window with a mismatched gallery wall of photos and paintings hanging along the side.

As you and Frankie sit at a cute red patio table sharing a sangria, waiting for the buzzer to go off to retrieve your food, you hear a woman's voice call out, "Morales?! That you?"

"Hey— " Frankie stands to greet the person behind the voice before a blur of brown hair wraps him in a tight bear hug he returns awkwardly with one arm.

"Finally made it out to check out this place huh??" the brunette says as she pulls back and releases Frankie.

"Yeah, uh, thanks for the rec. This is Sweets," Frankie gestures towards you as you stand to meet her. "This is Becs. She's one of the flight nurses I work with."

"Ooh, date night?" Becs winks at Frankie as she pumps your hand up and down one too many times. "Didn't realize you were seeing anyone Morales. Gonna break all those hearts at the hospital when people find out." You offer her a wan smile, a bit overwhelmed by her chaotic energy.

"Wait! I know you," Becs cocks her head as she assesses you intently. You stiffen even if you don't recognize her. Before you know it she's dropping the name of your former employer, adding, "Yeah, I used to work as an OR nurse there, but jumped at the chance to become a flight nurse. Less surgeon egos, more excitement, ya know?" She gesticulates with fervor as she speaks.

"Yeah, uh, I worked there," you admit, realizing you've been holding your breath. "Been over a year since I left though."

She looks you over once more. Just when you think you're in the clear she snaps her fingers and exclaims, "I do know you! You were engaged to that new trauma surgeon, what's his name!"

Your heart is in your throat and you can't move. Can't breathe. Is this really happening right now? What are the chances you'd run into someone who'd recognize you from your old job right the fuck now?

"I'll never forget how you made a surgeon get on his knees so fast," she smirks. "It's not every day you see someone throw a $50k diamond ring across the cafeteria."

Really, what are the chances you'd run into someone who witnessed the moment your engagement exploded spectacularly in front of what felt like everyone at work? Over a year ago? You can't look at Frankie. This isn't how you want him to find out. Not that you were exactly hiding it from him, but wasn't this like a third date kind of conversation? What did you know, you're so out of the loop on dating things these days. Because you're old. Broken? No one's going to want you, your mother's voice hisses up from the abyss of your mind.

"Well, it's not every day you catch your fiancé cheating on you, at work," you grit out as you find your spine.

"Yeah, bummer about that." Becs waves you off. "It was hilarious watching him crawl around on his knees trying to find that ring though."

She slaps Frankie on the shoulder and says something about seeing him at work before tossing you a nice to meet you and jets off as abruptly as she appeared.

You brave a glance at Frankie, but not really seeing him with the adrenaline flooding your system. "I —"

"Sweets —"

Of course the food buzzer decides this is the most opportune moment to go off, shocking you back into yourself as it dances erratically on the metal table top flashing red like a siren. Frankie slides a hand over the buzzer and picks it up as he walks around the table to stand in front of you. With his other hand he gently cups the side of your face.

"Sweets, you don't have to explain. It's ok. Breathe."

You swallow and let out a stuttery breath as you clasp a hand over his. His hand is warm and comforting against your skin, steady unlike your heart pounding through your chest. The buzzer continues to flash red and vibrate, muted now in his other hand. When you look up, his warm brown eyes only convey care and concern at your thinly veiled panic. Full blown panic, really. You're practically shaking.

"Hey," his voice is soft like when he speaks to Gabi. "It's okay. I'm going to go grab our food and when I get back you can tell me as much or as little as you want. Whenever you're ready. Or we can just go back to talking about how much we hate sandwiches, okay?"

"I— you— okay," is all you can manage, followed by a small nod, eyes still wide with panic, even with his attempt at humor. Coherent sentences are back to being a struggle apparently.

"We all have baggage, Sweets. I mean, I have a whole ex-wife and toddler, remember?" He gives you one more understanding smile before telling you not to go anywhere as he heads to the food truck to collect your food.

How are you supposed to eat anything right now? Your heart is in your throat and your stomach is in knots. You plop down in your chair as the adrenaline recedes, replaced by a wave of dread at what to possibly say to Frankie when he returns. At some point you did plan to tell him, but what happened spans several conversations, none appropriate for a first date. You try to ground yourself in what he said before he went to retrieve the food. It's okay. He has baggage too. He's okay with you telling him what you’re ready to tell him. What the fuck are you ready to tell him?

When Frankie arrives at Pope's Gym to catch Chloé and ask for her help in dinner ideas for his date with you, he isn't prepared for Benny acting so cagey and weird.

"Hey, Benny," Frankie greets Benny at the front desk with a familiar dap of the fist.

"Fish," a rare one word response from Benny, the more loquacious of the two Miller brothers.

"She here?"

"Sweets or Chloé?" Benny asks, feigning ignorance even though Frankie literally just texted him the day before asking when Chloé usually worked out at Pope's.

"For God's sake Ben, I'm looking for Chloé." Frankie glares at Benny before rolling his eyes. "To help me plan my date with Sweets. What's gotten into you?"

"Oh. Right, yeah she's here," Benny mumbles nodding in Chloé's general direction before sulking away.

As Frankie treks over, he notes the message on her cut off shirt declaring, "I'M A RAY OF FUCKING SUNSHINE." Chloé's covered in a sheen of sweat and breathing hard as she finishes a set of medicine ball slams.

"I'm pretending this is your head," she mutters at Frankie as he approaches. "For canceling on Sweets the day of without telling her why."

Frankie decides to stop a generous distance away from Chloé. He lifts his cap and runs his fingers through his curls, a nervous tic, before replacing the cap on his head. "Yeah, um, that really was my bad. Uh, that's — that's actually why I'm here."

He swears the glare Chloé gives him could kill.

"And why should I help you." It's not a question, but a challenge.

"I want to really impress her and go all out for her this Saturday to make-up for canceling," he continues before pausing. "Especially since she took such good care of my daughter and me when Gabi got sick last week. Which is — which is why I canceled at the last minute."

Chloé gives him a non-committal grunt, brows still furrowed, but her eyes motion for him to continue.

"I thought about taking her to some of those fancy tasting menu places, but I realize I don't know what she really likes… If she'd be into that."

"I mean, who doesn't like a fancy meal once in a while?" Chloé scoffs and shifts her weight from side to side, as if she's trying to decide whether to divulge more and help Frankie out. "But Sweets isn't into the fancy shit the way she is into food trucks and hole in the wall spots. The woman is always on the hunt for the best tacos or dumplings or whatever in the area."

Frankie nods along intently to what Chloé shares and takes detailed mental notes. You truly are a woman after his own heart.

"You should see her on vacation trying to suss out the best local eats. You always know you're going to eat well with her." Chloé glares back at Frankie before concluding with a threat for good measure. "You hurt her and I'll kill you. She's — she's been through enough. She doesn't need another guy wrecking her life."

Frankie appreciates a direct woman. And the tip about some guy wrecking your life. He stores that one away along with the threat.

"I just want to go all out for her. She deserves the best," he manages. "Gonna try my hardest not to fuck it up."

"Good," Chloé resumes picking up the medicine ball and raising it overhead before slamming it down on the ground. How does someone make everything sound like a threat?

"That still my head?" Frankie ventures looking at the medicine ball.

"Depends," Chloé huffs back at him, but he thinks he catches her smirking at him for a moment. "On how well you take care of my friend."

As Frankie thanks Chloé and turns to leave, he catches Benny hiding behind the cable tower machine watching the entire interaction, pretending to wipe down the gym equipment. Benny never cleans a goddamn thing unless it is a weapon.

"You're gonna take the paint off the metal," Frankie whispers to Benny as he walks by.

"Huh?"

Frankie shoves Benny out from behind the cable tower, "See you later, Benny boy. Good luck with that," as he motions with his eyes towards Chloé.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Benny calls back after catching himself from falling on his face in front of Chloé.

Frankie just shakes his head and beelines it to his truck. He has a food truck tour to plan.

When Frankie returns with a giant pile of fresh tagliatelle smothered in Sunday sauce, your stomach turns even if ragu is one of your favorite things. He sets everything down gently as if he is afraid to spook you with any sudden movements or sounds.

"I — I wasn't trying to hide my ex-fiancé from you," you blurt out without thinking. Smooth start there, tiger. Real smooth. You worry your hands in your lap to hold back the rising waves of anxiety. "I just thought failed engagements are more like a third date kinda conversation."

"Didn't think ya were," Frankie responds as he settles back into his chair. He slides a large hand across the table beckoning for you to place one of your hands in his. After a beat you slide a hand into his. It's warm and grounding. You find your shoulders relaxing away from your ears a smidge, and your stomach settles.

"I meant it when I said you don't have to tell me anymore than you're ready to," he reassures before something you said clicks, and he beams at you. "You'd go on a third date with me?"

You can't help but offer a small grin back, "I'd let you take me on as many dates as you want if they're anything like this, Frankie."

"Minus the co-worker with the big mouth." Frankie is full of jokes. "Too soon?"

You suppress a giggle bubbling up from your throat. "I guess that means you're not going to take me home after this?"

"Not unless you want me to, Sweets," Frankie squeezes your hand. "I'm having the best time."

Your stomach rumbles at this exact moment in response and Frankie laughs, tummy shaking laughter, wondering out loud how you are still hungry after tacos and empanadas.

"I told you I like to eat!" You cross your arms in mock indignation as Frankie wipes away tears of laughter and hands you a fork.

As you both dig into the pile of pasta, marveling at the depth of flavor a 12 hour simmer gives the ragu, you take the opportunity to ask Frankie about his work as an EMS pilot. His entire body is buoyant with excitement when he talks about flying, brown eyes bright with passion. You can tell the two loves of his life are Gabi and flying by the way he speaks about both.

"The hours aren't terrible, 12 hour shifts, 4 days on and 3 days off, with a lot of waiting around. But at least I'm not getting shot at now when I fly," Frankie shares, adding how his parents help watch Gabi when he has custody and has to work. Your breath hitches at the thought of anyone shooting at sweet Frankie.

"Next stop?" he tries to change the subject when he catches your worried expression.

You nod and attempt to help clear the table, but Frankie insists you don't lift a finger.

The next two stops fly by as Frankie tells you about the owners of the soup dumpling take-out window, former cooks at some Taiwanese chain making its way into the U.S.

"Ooo yes, DTF! I've been to one of their locations before!" you exclaim.

His eyebrows curve upward in confusion, "Wait, I thought DTF meant... something else??"

"Ohmygosh, DTF — Din Tai Fung!" you cackle. "Their soup dumplings are to die for."

Frankie admits he hasn't ever eaten a soup dumpling before as you lift the lid and a cloud of savory steam erupts from the bamboo steamer basket. You offer him two options that won't involve near boiling broth burning his mouth off. After all, you have... plans for that mouth.

"Next time we have to try the pork and shrimp ones too," Frankie tells you as he opens the passenger door for you. Seeing his eyes light up after the first bite and slurp of soup dumpling, you know he is a convert for life.

At the last stop he slides an arm around your shoulders as you sit side by side on a park bench splitting one extra-large gua bao, too full to each have your own. It’s the size of your face instead of the standard appetizer size. Frankie insists you take the first bite of the pillowy soft steamed bun, a vehicle for the unctuous braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, and toasted crushed peanuts. The umami of spiced soy sauce carries forward balanced notes of anise and cinnamon with a not too sweet caramel finish of hoisin and brown sugar. A savory symphony of flavors in your mouth.

"That good huh," Frankie smiles as you let out a groan.

"Mmph," is all you can manage, eyes closed, savoring the bite with a happy food wiggle.

You offer the bao up to him, angled so he can get the perfect bite, the scruff on his chin tickling your fingers as he takes an exaggerated bite.

"Fuch, ish good," he mumbles, mouth full and sauce dripping out the corner of his mouth.

When you brush your thumb to wipe the sauce away, the pink triangle of his tongue peeks out to lick your finger clean. Your eyes flick up and catch a dark, mischievous look across Frankie's face that makes you want to combust on the fucking spot. You distract yourself by taking another bite of the bao before offering the last bite to him.

He sighs in contentment when the food is finished and pulls you closer to him, tucking you to his side. It's warm and safe here snuggled against him with his strong arm draped over your shoulder as you idly watch other diners nearby. Safe enough you weigh the risk of ruining the moment by sharing about your painful past.

"Can I tell you a little bit about... what happened a year ago?" you ask, voice quiet, looking up at him.

Frankie returns your gaze, "Of course."

"Ok," you drop your gaze to your hands and take a deep breath before continuing. "We, um, met in college. Both of us pre-med... and just dorks with the same goals you know?"

You tell Frankie about Chase, how he changed from a sweet college boy to someone you didn't recognize as you went through med school and residency. "I was so afraid of being alone, I ignored the red flags and how we were growing apart until he went out of state for his fellowship and I stayed here. That’s when I realized I was happier on my own than when he would visit."

You peek up at Frankie through your lashes and realize he's been looking at you and listening intently the entire time. "But it took catching him cheating for me to leave."

You shudder at the memory of the night you tried to leave and the weeks that passed before you finally could. That is a story for another day. Frankie tightens his grip around your shoulders as he releases a sharp exhale through his nose when you stop talking.

"I appreciate you sharin' all that with me, Sweets," he says, pausing as if he isn't sure what he wants to say next. His thumb on your shoulder tracing slow circles on your skin.

"I guess I spent the last year working on myself and figuring out what I want now in a relationship," you continue.

"And what's that?"

"Where I can be myself and not have to cut off pieces to fit someone else's idea of who I should be — accepted for being me," the last part you say wistfully.

"As you should be. You're amazing, you know that?"

"Depends who you ask," you respond, quirking a smile up at him. "But I like myself alright now."

Frankie shares a bit about where things went south with Vanessa, his struggles with learning how to single parent. They had been high school sweethearts and stayed together, though he admits he felt like they were growing apart even before he joined Delta Force. How they tried to stick it out when Vanessa got pregnant with Gabi, but eventually realizing it was better for everyone if they separated.

You pull his arm tighter around you when you feel him hesitate and start to pull back after sharing about his own relationship history.

"Thanks for telling me."

"Not too much?" Frankie asks, eyes etched with worry.

"You're never too much for me, Frankie."

He visibly relaxes before asking, "Would getting dessert be too much?"

"Never," you say as you stand and offer your hands to pull him up. "Don't you know I have a whole separate stomach for dessert?"

The dessert course is a small takeaway window for Italian water ice just off the broad walk along the beach. You weigh the flavor options, debating between mango and passion fruit, before finally deciding on mango. Frankie picks passion fruit without hesitation.

He gives you a knowing smile and wink when you raise an eyebrow to his choice, "Figure that way you'll get to try both flavors." Is it possible to simultaneously melt into a puddle and combust from his thoughtfulness?

The velvety smooth ice refreshes as the fruit flavor cleanses your palate from your decadent dinner. You both make your way down the broad walk at a leisurely pace, sharing bites of yours with Frankie as he feeds you bites of his.

“Not too sweet?” he asks with a grin, knowing your bar for the ideal dessert.

“Not too sweet,” you confirm with a pleased smile.

He offers you the last spoon of his dessert, which you accept without hesitation because your sweet tooth is the boss, before he takes both your empty cups and tosses them into the trash. You intertwine your fingers in his as you continue your stroll, turning down one of the piers and walking down part of the way.

“Think this might be the best first date I’ve ever been on,” you smile at him, eye to eye as you lean back and balance on the lowest rung of the railing. His strong arms cage you in on both sides, protective as if you might possibly fall into the water below.

“Yeah?” He breathes back, curls whipped wild by the ocean’s breeze, brown eyes anchored to yours. “What would make it definitely the best first date you’ve ever been on?”

“If you kissed me right now.” The tip of your tongue wets your lower lip as your gaze flicks to his plush lips curving into a small smile at your words.

Frankie smooths your hair back before cupping your cheek with one hand. “Think I can manage that.” He presses the line of his body against you as he slots his mouth against yours, gently at first, until you open for him to lick into your mouth. A soft moan escapes your throat. He kisses you harder, his other large hand snaking up the middle of you back to cup your neck, holding you in place. You reach your hands to run your fingers through his curls, such soft curls, tugging to keep him pressed against you. When he lets out a soft moan you realize he likes it when you do that.

Your foot slips when someone suddenly catcalls the two of you, followed by a "GET A ROOM!" But Frankie catches you with his quick reflexes, holding you tight against him. "I got you, baby," he reassures, voice breathy and soft. Baby. You practically melt at the endearment. And because he's now nuzzling the sensitive spot behind your ear with the delicious curve of his nose, peppering kisses down the column of your neck.

"Frankie," your voice comes out breathy like you've just sprinted down the broad walk. You repeat his name when he continues to pepper you with kisses.

"Hmm," he rumbles against your neck.

"We're in public." A giggle escapes your throat.

His eyes flick up to yours, black pupils edging out the brown you get lost in, expression intense. Hungry, but not for food. He wraps an arm around your waist and places you gently back on solid ground.

"I can fix that, baby," he murmurs. Pressing a kiss to your temple and tucking your hair behind your ear, he steers you by the small of your back and leads you back to his truck.

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Endnote: Sweet's relationship with her ex-fiance is partially inspired by this quote from Robin Williams: "I used to think that the worst thing in life was to end up alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel alone."

Hi hi, did ya miss me? I missed YOU. Been adjusting to a new job and the absolute fatigue from training has me beat (summer powerlifting competition wee!). But I’m so glad Frankie and Sweets finally went on their date and ate so well. It’s funny, but I’ve mostly written the last chapter and I just need to get them there. I’m learning that all the stuff between is uh, the hard part. Also, I still haven’t wrapped my head around writing smut, but we’ll see. At least they kinda made out? Lol. Thanks for reading if you’ve made it this far. It means the world to this newbie fanfic writer. Taglist is open! You know you wanna! xoxo, Jee

Taglist: @katareyoudrilling @christinamadsen @rebel-held @littlemisspascal

@burntheedges @darkheartgatita @enretrogue @titabel

@copperhalfcent @triplefrontier-anniversary

#hold fast a frankie x powerlifting!reader fanfic #frankie morales x reader #frankie morales x you #frankie catfish morales #pedro pascal characters #triple frontier #happy frankie friday #frankie friday

[luaspersona]

fic teaser | kim taehyung

pairing ↠ himbo!taehyung x reader (f. reader) genre ↠ college!au; holiday!au; smut; one-shot; humor summary ↠ after making some terrible memories together, Taehyung wants nothing more than to never see you again; and he was pretty much succeeding until — after a minor accident — he finds himself having to spend Christmas alone with you in the middle of nowhere. rating ↠ +18 teaser warnings ↠ nothing explicit; profanity; nudity; mentions of sex; mentions of bondage; mentions of puking.

complete work warnings (full warnings on the post) ⇝ alcohol consumption; sexual tension; religious jokes; minor accident; very minor parent issues; second hand embarrassment; pov switch; explicit smut: masturbation, orgasm denial and control, edging, dirty talk, pet names, soft dom!taehyung, switch!reader, fingering, oral (f. and m. receiving), unprotected sex, praise kink, light spanking, a splash of degradation, begging; overstimulation, multiple orgasms, squirting, creampie, rough sex, aftercare.

release date ↠ released. teaser word count ↠ 0.8k estimated reading time ↠ 2 minutes

note ↠ so i had the idea to write a holiday!au for tae’s birthday around three weeks ago and just now finished the outline lol 🤡 i’m still working on it, but i decided to drop a little something so you can have a taste! the teaser happens a couple months before the actual fanfic, so it’s not christmas here yet lol sorry, i promise i’ll plan better the next time (i probably won’t tho). note² ↠ wanna thank @imakeamess for the BEAUTIFUL BANNER, i know i was all over the place but you were able to create the most amazing art for me, so thank you once again🥺 note³ ↠ special thanks to @uarmymoonlight for helping me come up with the story and patiently listening to me rambling about this fic nonstop, i love you! and @vsualitae for helping me find inspiration and letting me spam his dms with this lol note⁴ ↠ also, merry christmas for those who celebrate and happy holidays! hope you all have an amazing year ending and an even better new year🎄

if you wanna be added to the taglist just leave a comment 🥰

When Taehyung was eighteen years old, he told a slightly less experienced Jungkook that girls have a secret sweet spot on the back of their knees.

Yeah, pretty shitty, he knows, he knows— but!, in Taehyung's defense, Jungkook was too damn innocent for his own good and he obviously didn't expect that Jungkook would take a whole ass year to google it. How hard is it to differentiate a freaked out face from a fucked out face, really? It was only like, 30% his responsibility. 

Clearly, though, the universe wasn't as understanding, because now Taehyung is pretty sure that he’s cursed.

Whenever he’s feeling like he’s hot shit, life finds ridiculous and absurd ways to humble him — being extra careful to guarantee Jungkook front row seats.

Fair enough. Taehyung has no problem owning his stuff, and he didn’t really believe all this karma shit anyway.

Except when it came to you.

“Shit.” Soojin curses, hands stopping in their search for her keys.

“What's wrong, babe?” Jungkook frowns.

“Can we maybe go to your place? My roommate had some work stuff to prepare and asked me to give her some space this afternoon.”

Taehyung groans “Soojin, we live on the other side of campus and I'm starving.” He punctuates this by lifting the food bags in his hands.

“But she's been super stressed lately, I don't wanna add to that.”

“We won't! We can be quiet, baby.” Jungkook reassures. 

Soojin chews her bottom lip. “You sure?”

“Promise.”

Taehyung nods. “She won't even notice us.”

Soojin sighs. “Fine.”

“Also, it can be a great opportunity for Tae to finally meet her.” Jungkook turns to Taehyung. “She's painfully your type, man.”

“Don’t even think about it! My roomie is not interested in Taehyung’s fuckboy ways, Kookie, she’s a pure soul.” Soojin protests.

“Baby, that’s slutshaming. Not cool.”

“What? I'm not a fuckboy. I'm just a very good boy who likes to give people what they want, nothing wrong with that.”

Soojin rolls her eyes, then finally opens the door.

Barely they step into the apartment, though, the three of them freeze — somewhat distracted by the sight of a blond man standing in the middle of the living room, covered only by a blue underwear and a trail of purple marks on his neck and collarbone.

And damn, what a fine man that is. Taehyung had never seen such pretty pouty lips before and he can't help the sudden wish to add a couple of purples to that soft skin himself. 

“What the hell?” Soojin's question prompts the man to cover his crotch with his hands. Pitty. “Who the fuck are you?”

“So, I found these old ropes in the back of my drawer, but I think they can hold—” you stop talking once you enter the living room, seeing a hell of a lot more people than when you left.

Jungkook snickers, glancing down at the rope still in your hands. “Pure soul my ass.”

When your name drops from Soojin’s mouth, something snaps in Taehyung’s mind. You see, he isn’t dumb by any means, but Taehyung sure sometimes is slow.

To be fair, he’d spent so much time trying to forget everything about you and the day you met that it’s only natural that he would take some time to recognize your face from his days I wish I hadn’t woken up archive.

But the way your fingers tighten around the knots before you hide them behind your back? Shit, how can he forget the way those fingers felt entangled in his hair that night? The way you made him groan against your neck whenever you pulled a bit too strong?

And your thighs? Fuck, they are so much prettier than he fantasized they’d be, barely covered by the oversized shirt you’re wearing. Taehyung almost has to stifle a groan because holy fuck how he wishes he could’ve seem them — felt them under his palms that night.

“Is he your work thing?” Soojin sarcastically points to the man’s general direction.

“Yeah, sorry about that, Soo, I just wanted to— Taehyung?!”

He grimaces, eyes immediately darting away from your form as he clears his throat, letting out a silent “hey.”

“You know each other?” Soojin frowns.

“We uhm… we met at—” you stutter “we met once. At a party.”

Soojin is silent for a moment, before her jaw drops “Wait— is Taehyung the puke guy?!”

The blue underwear man looks at you immediately. “Did you puke on him?”

“No! No, of course not, Jimin, it was him who— I mean, uh” so this is what humiliation tastes like? “Nevermind.”

The sudden sound of Jungkook’s laugh erupts beside Taehyung, and the boy takes his hand to his stomach as he leans forward. Taehyung is sure he’s never seen Jungkook so happy.

It takes around a minute for Jungkook’s laugh to turn into light giggling as he tries to catch his breath.

“She’s the girl you puked on? No fucking way, man.”

Well. Yeah. Karma and shit.

READ THE COMPLETE WORK HERE

note ↠ lemme know what you think 🥺 links ↠ navigation | masterlist | join my permanent taglist

#taehyung fanfic #taehyung smut #taehyung x reader #taehyung x you #taehyung fic #taehyung crack #taehyung humor #bts #bts fanfic #bts fic #bts smut #taehyung teaser #kth #kth smut #kth x reader #kth fanfic #btscarnivalnet #luawrites #fic:snow.flower #luaytc

[iwishiwasfictionalblogs]

So I finished good omens season 2 last night at like 4am and idk if its cause of tiredness or cause I acc dodged every spoiler like an expert acrobats but...the final scene. I didnt see it coming. Not from a mile away.

Look I don't care that we got Nina and Maggie who are basically a mirror of Azi and Crowley. (Also so much to say how Ninas abusive relationship is basically Azi with heaven but anyway)

I also don't care that Azi and Crowley have basically been married since Eden. Nothing...and I mean nothing, physically prepared me for that finale.

Years of queerbaiting have desensitised me to hope of any kind. Genuinely even when all the signs were pointing to a confession, as soon as Azi went first and started talking bout heaven I thought that was it. Crowely is gonna crawl back into his shell.

BUT NO HE HE DIDNT. HE STILL SAID IT. and god can I say how incredibly brave that is. Like I'm so proud of him for saying ANYTHING. Like I get us as an audience think it's obvious and woulda been frustrated if he didn't and we are frustrated with how it went but. Honestly with the set up the boy was given I don't think HE for one second even remotely thought this confession was gonna go well. He had like the tiniest smidge of hope that was...of course crushed and burned. But. God I'm proud of him for saying something. And then standing his ground and not going with the man he loves even though it hurts cause going back to heaven would hurt more.

Anyway needless to say my jaw was ON THE GROUND for the kiss. Absolutely unhinged. My jaw hurt but I was so flabbergasted. I didnt know what to do with myself. It came outta nowhere in my mind even tho in traditional media it had obviously been building up to that I was still so...wow. This show. 2023. I love you.

Given this after the gift that was our flag means death. I dont know if I'll ever emotionally recover. Also I'm so not used to this idk what to do now. Do I go read fanfic? I mean..yes always but. Its canon. I almost wanna save myself for canon even though season 3 isn't confirmed. Idk if I have enough patience for that tho.

#this has been my good omens rant #yes i have so much more to say #but this is enough that maybe i can stop thinking avout it for 2 sconds to go about my day #i have work and all i will be thinking about is this gay show i... #time to play it on loop in the background so amzon will give us a new season and start paying their writers and actors #the way if i had the money i would fund this show myself. #welcome to my personality for the next couple months #i have never been more mad i am missing comic con than i am this year #good omens #good omens season 2 #good omens spoilers #spoilers #aziraphale ziraphale fell #aziraphale #aziraphale x crowley #crowely #anthony j crowley #season finale

[cocrante]

I Start Over With You

[SOLANGELO FANFIC]

summary: After the great battle against the forces of Gaea, Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter had formed a long-lasting alliance. Everything had gone well, and everyone was ready to start anew. This included Nico, who, after confessing his feelings to Percy, was prepared to open a new chapter in his life—perhaps the happiest one the Fates had ever written.

note: this fanfiction is quite old, nearly eight years now. It's the first one I wrote about Solangelo, in response to the fandom's question: “how did Solangelo get together?” I am very attached to this fanfiction, and I hope you enjoy it as well c:

additional note: the chapters will be updated every Wednesday. If you want to read upcoming chapters of the fanfiction in advance, I invite you to follow me on Patreon. Subscribing is not necessary, these chapters will be added for free on the platform on Mondays and Fridays. Following me there is just a kind and free gesture to support my work c:

Reblogs are highly appreciated c:

[ CHAPTER 1 ]

FEW DAYS HAD PASSED SINCE THE GREAT BATTLE, and everything seemed to have returned to normal at Camp Half-Blood—or rather, normal for a demigod. 

The two rival camps, Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter, had sealed a pact of mutual alliance, swearing not to kill each other, or at least to try not to for the next two centuries. In both camps, there was a new air of peace, free from tension and suspicion, and they began a new chapter in their history: Greeks and Romans united for the first time in hundreds of years. It was what could be defined as a perfect ending, but not for everyone. Not for Nico. At the end of the war, the boy had chosen to open his heart, revealing his feelings to the handsome protagonist of this incredible story, and the result? The half-fish, half-human boy hadn't understood a thing, or at least Nico had seemed that way. He had told Percy that, yes, he had a crush on him for quite some time, but it was just an insignificant crush, and ultimately Percy wasn't really his type.

Nico's type was definitely someone else, but he still wanted to close that self-contained chapter of his life: Percy would never be able to reciprocate his feelings, and while he would remain an excellent friend, a reliable shoulder to lean on, he would never be more than that. And now that he had lifted that heavy burden from his chest, Nico felt truly ready to start over. After saying goodbye to Percy and high-fiving Annabeth, he headed towards the infirmary, where he had an appointment with a son of Apollo who had offered to document all the progress that the son of darkness was making to get back on his feet. Will — that was the name of the boy — had said that if Nico played with his skeleton and shadow friends again, he would visit his father's realm for eternity. Nico didn't like the idea at all and decided to listen to Will and make things easier for him.

He entered the infirmary, settling himself on a clean bed for use. Some beds were still occupied by the various heroes and demigods who had been injured in battle, no serious wounds, no one had lost an arm or an eye, but many had broken leg bones, a couple of ribs, and so on.

The beauty of being a demigod was that wounds healed almost immediately, and this was also accelerated thanks to the food of the gods, if taken in the right doses. However, sometimes that was not enough to heal wounds that were deeper than those caused by a sword. In Nico's case, it would take him at least a whole week to fully recover from the enormous effort that had consumed practically all of his physical energy, making him like a shadow—more or less what Will had explained to him in elementary terms, patiently carving out a moment to explain what had happened.

Nico huffed, leaning forward with his back in a questionable comfortable position, crossing his arms on his knees. He wondered why he had decided to show up so early knowing full well that Will had the shift at the arena, where he was teaching the newbies how to hold a bow and nock an arrow; and even though Will claimed to be mediocre at archery, Nico thought he didn't do too bad. Maybe he wasn't exceptional like many other children of Apollo, but the target was always hit by his arrow.. Without realizing it, the son of Hades curved his lips in a delicate smile at the thought of Will focused and with his face split by an arrow ready to be fired. "I didn't know that even children of Hades could smile" a rather sarcastic voice commented to his left. Nico straightened his back, staring at the boy who had his back to him. "You'd be surprised how many things you don't know about me" he replied to the joke, watching Will as he searched for a particular magical medicine made specifically for the boy. "I hope to learn them soon, then" the boy spoke seriously, without any hint of sarcasm or anything else, as he looked at Nico in the corner of his eye and Nico found himself with nothing else to say at that statement. "Take this, ten drops when you wake up and ten before you go to bed" Will said, handing him a small dark bottle. "What is it?" Nico asked, turning it over in his hand. "An herbal infusion, diluted with a bit of nectar. Take it for a week and don't skip a day" Will recommended. "Okay" promised Nico, without avoiding sighing: he wasn't a big fan of medicine, especially bitter ones. At that grimace, Will couldn't help but smile. "For anything, you know where to find me" added the son of Apollo, accompanying Nico to the door, only turning his gaze away from that pale boy after he was really too far away.

[CONTENTS]

1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20

#🖇️ : fanfiction #i start over with you ☀️☠️ #solangelo #will solace #nico di angelo #camp halfblood #camp jupiter #fluff fic #percy jackson #pjo #pjo fanfic #riordanverse #writer on patreon

[galebrainrott]

Hi Galemancers, indulge me for a moment.

Currently, I have a specific OC that I romance with Gale (and I write fanfic of.) However, my very first Tav had a horrific story arc and I just wanted to share it. Spoilers for the entire game

My very first Tav, who I lovingly named Wendy due to her orange double braids, was a street urchin. (Bard x Rogue multiclassed)

Most of her day-to-day pre-bg3 consisted of busking and hoping she made enough to get some food. If she didn't, well, she relied on her sleight of hand to get her by. Some would call it an unfortunate life, but she was happy enough to be able to sing everyday.

This was, until the events of BG3.

Tadpoled, lost, far from home and surrounded by strangers, she had no other choice but to rely on her guile and charm. She was funny, lighthearted. She kept everyone in check, made them feel comfortable, let them open up to her.

But she was in unfamiliar waters. Lae'zel, Karlach and Wyll had endless years of combat experience. Halsin, Shadowheart, and Gale no doubt had some fighting experience, even if just a little.

Wendy, however, was a bard. A performer. She lived on the streats and avoided trouble when she could. The first thing she killed was an imp, on the nautiloid.

It's a devilish creature, don't feel bad for it, she thought.

But it was so small, and looked almost like a toddler somehow. She had no time to process any of that until she had to kill again. And again, and again.

There were so many things to learn, things to read, things that were important to the journey. But Wendy was illiterate. There were many times when she, bashfully, had to ask Gale or someone else to read something for her.

Not to mention the fact that all of the armor was far, far too heavy for her. So she gritted her teeth at every attack. Just because Shadowheart could heal her, doesn't mean that it didn't hurt though.

She bonded with Gale, as she started asking him to teach her how to read. At first, she was scared.

Would he think of me less? She thought, I know how much he loves to read.

But he didn't. He taught her with an endearing passion, not at all talking down to her. She liked him for that. A lot of smart peoppe tend to be demeaning, but he was different. He just enjoyed the things he liked and loved to share them.

They got closer. But the journey went on. And she found herself having to make decisions that she was not prepared for.

The orb? Shadowhearts parents? Ascension? Vlaakith?

All of these choices, weighed on her shoulders.

There were times where she wanted to scream, I don't know! I don't know what any of that means!

Whenever one of her companions sought her counsel, she worried endlessly about whether she was making the right choice or not. Is it naive to not seek a goddess' forgiveness? Is it foolish to not want to ascend to power? What are we even fighting?

Then came her final decision. Orpheus, the orb or herself.

Orpheus, the heir to the githyanki and the final piece of their freedom, he can't turn into a mindflayer.

Gale using the orb? Obviously not.

Which only left her. But who cares about her, truly? If she had become a mindflayer, who would really grieve? She had noone back home, and she had only known her current friends for a few months.

They all had somewhere to get back to, something to want. But she?

So she did it, she became the mindflayer. All was won.

At the end, when she talking to her allies, they all suggested she hide away. Understandable.

She talked to Gale last, afraid at what turning into a mindflayer might mean for their relationship.

He, however, smiled, and proposed to her.

Even in my current state? She asked.

Your current state is that you're the one I love, he replied

So, anyway that HORRIFIC first game of mine is why I love Gale so much.

My tavs, henceforth, are stronger so that it's evened out a little.

Thank you Galemancers.

#gale dekarios #bg3 #gale bg3 #gale of waterdeep #bg3 gale #baldur's gate 3 #gale #gale x tav

[kisha-myers]

This fanfic is a fem-reader. Sorry for the confusion and not specifying I'm a noob when it comes to this 🥲

If you want to be apart of the tag list, PLEASE let me know via a DM or by commenting below!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN CALL OF DUTY NOR ITS CHARACTERS/OPERATORS

TW: Abuse, alcoholism, depictions of DV, and Kidnapping- they're vague and brief for the most part but if you're someone who struggles with that kind of thing then PLEASE do not read.

Chapter Four: Johnny Johnny - Yes Lieutenant?

You weren't entirely sure how long it had taken to get onto base, you were too lost in your thoughts to really be concerned about it. Your mind was a cacophony of erratic thoughts, a haphazardly blended mess of the harsh reality you currently resided in. You were so out of it you didn't even question how they got you onto base without your identification card. In this moment you were trying to fight within yourself, to keep yourself calm no matter how viciously your heart thundered in your chest. That little voice in the back of your mind that some likened to a conscious took no time in listing all the horrendous possibilities that could be in store for you. You'd seen the news articles about women being murdered by unhinged military men - you weren't unaware for the most part of what others were capable of.

Perhaps your anxiousness had started in your early years, from the persistent drilling into your head by your own father about staying vigilant and prepared. He had certainly done his best to paint gruesome pictures into your skull of the very many things men, in particular, were able to do to someone of your stature. It only got worse as you got older and went through puberty.

In the back of your ambiguous memory vault you recalled the first time a boy had ever come to your door to ask you to one of your schools dances. Roy Martin, a boy you had spent countless hours with in the library studying together during free period - you liked him enough that you were willing to accept his request, excited even, until your father showed up from work. You still remember the way his eyes narrowed in suspicion, his military training to read a person's body language kicking into overdrive as he scanned Roy from head to toe. You'd be lying to yourself if you said he wasn't scared - Roy had practically pissed himself at the barrage of question your father fired off at him.

'When is the dance? How long does it last? Will it be adequately lit? Are there chaperones? What's the dress code? What are your intentions with my daughter?' You found it embarrassing at the time, having your ex-military father bombard your classmate like that over something you'd found so simple, benign even. Your father of course, thought otherwise. He'd sat you down at the dinner table, the polished oak covered in printouts of victims of domestic violence, assaults, even kidnappings. The pictures you recalled, unsettled you so much you ended up throwing up. Hours he had you spend at the table, examine each picture with a fine tooth comb as he detailed what had happened.

'Men are pigs sweetheart. They'll use and abuse you until you have nothing left to give them. It's why I've decided to put you in martial arts. No more tennis - starting tomorrow you'll be spending a your time at the dojo learning to protect yourself.' That revelation had made you so angry you launched yourself from the table so hard and fast your chair toppled over, the hard Crack of the wood against the laminate floor echoing through the room.

'What!?' You cried out, utter disbelief evident in both your tone and twisted facial features. You shook your head fervently, refusing to believe that he could do this to you - tennis had been your coping method for quite some time now, and to think he'd be so cruel as to rip that from your grasp over a boy... well it was enough to send you over the deep end. That was the first time you had ever spat the words 'I hate you' to him, effectively silence any and all responses he had ready to give you. The hurt that had crashed through his eyes had your heart shattering into multiple pieces, but you were too angry at the time to really care. That was also the same night you learned that your father was a raging alcoholic, suffering from ptsd that the VA refused to help him get treatment for.

The yelling, you recollected, had been terrifying. Your mother had come home later that evening, tired from her twelve hour shift at the local hospital, to find your father passed out in a pool of his own vomit in the kitchen. A bottle of Hennessey Whiskey still grasped in his hand. The argument ensued once she had shaken him awake, berating him for being so careless; What would you have done had you discovered him in that state? Worse yet, what would your little sisters have done? Needless to say that that night you didn't get much sleep - you were far too wound up from such intense emotions you couldn't process thoroughly yet on your own to calm your mind long enough to relax.

Your mind continued to spiral, bringing up memories you'd long since forgotten - funny what the mind was capable of doing to your own psyche. Your fingertips returned to their caressing of the fabric seats as the humvee crawled to a stop, using your sense of touch as a way to distract yourself from your always wandering mind. The fabric, you decided, was almost the equivalent in texture to the fur of a raccoon. Not too soft but not too rough - a strangely functional texture that both made you relax and feel uncomfortable. A conundrum, you mused, as you let the pads of your finger tips migrate lower. The feel of chilled though smooth pleather both confused and intrigued you, sparking your curiosity - you weren't sure why though, it was common for vehicles to have both per seat.

Perhaps it was because you had assumed consistency with the fabrication of the vehicle in which the manufacturers would simply have the fabric continuous to its base. It had made sense to you in the moment, however now that you let your mind drift down this path, you surmised it would be better to have a material much easier to clean should the need ever arise. You could imagine the gruesome things this particular piece of heavy machinery had seen, but you refused to dwell on it lest your mind conjure up nameless faces of lives lost whilst inside its steel framed interior.

You inner turmoil was cut short, graciously so as the humvee finally came to a full stop. Painful LED lights illuminated the helipad you'd arrived at - why they had stopped here you'd never know, nor did you particularly want to. You simply wanted rest - at least you'd hope that your mind would calm enough to allow you some moments of solace. You predicted that it wouldn't be so, but the hope remained regardless. König glanced back at you as Ghost clambered steadily from the vehicle, slamming the door with enough force it rocked slightly. He released an noise from the back of his throat that you assumed was done from being unamused by such an calloused act of masculinity. Whether intentional or not, it left you wondering just how strong the man was to be able to make such a large and seemingly immovable object such as this move like that.

You pushed those thoughts aside for now, opting to put a pin in it and return to the subject when you had at least a few hours of sleep under your metaphorical belt. Your eyes peaked up through your lashes at König, watching as he scanned the area seemingly leisurely. You figured this was the way they operated out in the field too - one of them being in the fray of things whilst the other remained out of the way, a lookout of sorts - perhaps a sniper considering he wore the hood of one. You could picture him as one, holding the rifle in his rather impressively large and languid hands, perched high up in a tower or even a hill, shrouded in foliage.

You weren't privy to know the details of what Johnny did as a member of his task force, all you knew was that the team itself was incredibly important and many foreign governments relied on them. Johnny was a naturally bubbly person though he had a way of being serious that sent a shiver of unease down your spine. You'd seen him flip that switch several times, and each time it was scarier than the last. That was the way of a soldier, you concluded, being able to flip that switch to turn off needless emotions. It wouldn't make much sense to have a bubbly killing machine frolicking through the daisies on his way to annihilate the enemy.

You suppressed a giggle from the image you'd conjured up of Johnny clad in his tactical gear skipping merrily through a meadow of wild flowers, laughing his obnoxiously loud laugh gunning town hostiles. You pressed your lips together, nibbling on them with your teeth slightly, wanting to keep the smile from your face - how were you to be cross with the very man you were just daydreaming about platonically when you couldn't keep a straight face?

A hand on your thigh brought you out of your humorous daze, your eyes narrowing in slight offense at the gloved skeletal hand touching bar skin. Slowly you moved your gaze to meet Ghost's hazel ones, raising a brow slightly in question - you had been so far out of it you hadn't even heard your door being opened nor the way he had cleared his throat twice.

"Captain wants a word with you before Johnny takes you to the barracks. Won't be long, he's straightforward enough to get his point across." You simply gave him a curt nod in response, carefully wrapping your fingers around his impressively thick wrist, and removing his hand from your thigh. The fabric of his gloves, you noted, was softer than you'd assumed - the material reminding you subtly of fleece or maybe it was velvet? You wondered, for a moment, if there was a specific purpose for this - was it easier to clean? Did he have poor circulation? Did his hands get easily cold? You didn't know, and you weren't brave enough to ask him outright. Perhaps you could pester Johnny about it later - if he didn't have to be apart of this meeting though you naturally assumed he would be.

Ghost carefully stepped back, removing his wrist from your grasp far gentler than you could have ever imagined the brute could manage. He rested his left forearm amongst the top edge of edge of door, his right gloved hand being shoved into his pocket as he nodded his head to the right - you took this as an indication he wanted you to exit and go off towards on of the brightly lit pop up buildings just left of the massive landing pad.

You climbed out of the vehicle far less graceful that he did, stumbling slightly once your bare feet made contact with the rough asphalt. A chill ran up your body, feet immediately going cold from the frigid touch of wind that blew against your bared skin. You hadn't realized your slippers had slip off your feet whilst you were in the throws of a minor anxiety attack,, something you were sure you'd be irritated over later when you were alone in the barracks. A shiver left your body trembling for a moment, goosebumps rousing across your flesh like domino's being tipped over. You were definitely berating yourself for not dressing warmer though you knew it wasn't exactly fair to do so - how were you to know that your complex would suddenly burst into flames due to an imbecile? Ah well, there wasn't anything you could do about it now - you were already here in the now, you might as well make the most of it.

Quickly your feet carried you to the building Ghost had indicated to you from behind, calling out what number in particular would be on the building and subsequently, which office to go to. You were familiar with this section however, Johnny had taken you here during his half-assed tour of base to meet his Captain - it had amused you at the time, now? Not so much. You hadn't the foggiest idea as to why Captain Price would want to speak with you - hopefully you weren't unintentionally in trouble, you couldn't handle a scolding from a man you equated to a father figure even though you weren't one of his subordinates.

Your bare feet slapped against the foux marble floor, your eyes downcast like a petulant child preparing for the worst scolding of their lives. Your face remained somber, though your teeth worried your bottom lip every so often. The closer you got to his office, the more your stomach wishes to reject its contents in its entirety. Yes, you decided, you would definitely start taking your medication the moment you got to return to your apartment.

Ghost watched her walk away, his eyes lingering slightly on the way her hips swayed - he liked it, more than he'd care to ever admit out loud. He closed the door to the humvee, shoving both hands into his pockets as he did a 180 turn, leaning his back against the very door he had just closed. König climbed out of the vehicle, going over to Ghost and mimicking his stance though opting to cross his arms across his chest.

"She's anxious - about what your Captain wants to speak with her about." He observed, his glacial eyes returning to the very door you had just disappeared through. Ghost merely grunted in agreement, his eyes scanning through every face hunting for the obnoxious sergeant he so badly wanted to strangle. He may be crass and curt, incredibly blunt and hostile most of the time, but even he knew to never stand a woman up. He wasn't a ladies man - he didn't do callouse one night stands often, nor did he exactly date - König and his relationship being the exception to all of his rules due to him being an active member of KorTac and understanding what this line of work consisted of.

Johnny on the other hand was the absolute definition of a man whore. If it walked, talked and showed an interest in him, he bedded it -truly it shocked him on how (at least he assumed) that Johnny hadn't slept with you. You were a stunning creation, a skittish little masterpiece of the best kind - the Mona Lisa to his Leonardo da Vinci. The more he contemplated reasons as to why Johnny wouldn't have wanted to bed you, the more confused and, albeit annoyed he got. His silent brooding was interrupted by a fist bumping into his shoulder, an indignant grunt passing from between his lips as he glanced up.

There Johnny was, in all his detestable glory, sending a wink off to a curvy brunette with disheveled hair. Of course he had been getting his rocks off - it'd fully explain why he was late to meeting them here.

"Lt, König, where's the lass gone? Scared her off, eh?" His Scottish brogue breaking through the tense silence, his happy-go-lucky unbothered tone sending both masked men into a boiling fury.

"You and I need to have a word, Johnny, about how a gentleman treats a lady." Ghost replied, his voice dropping a full octave and sending a wave of dread through the Scot. He simply nodded, effectively gulping before following along behind his superior, shooting a 'save me please' look towards König who simple gave back a wave.

Johnny 'Soap' MacTavish, was certainly about to learn a valuable lesson, one Ghost and König both knew he'd never forget.

Tag List

@lianyanhongcheng

@kdkj122920

@grizzersmamma

@treehuggingzealot

[thunderous-wolf]

L.O.V.E#

Installment 3 of my series of "Thoughtz"

Note: "Thoughtz" is a compilation of drafts of fanfic that I've had in my notes for a while. They're unedited and most are unfinished. Since I do not feel motivated enough to finish them, I'm posting them all for you to read. Enjoy~

Pairing: Rock singer Minho × fem!reader (no relationship as of yet). Strangers to Lovers trope

Plot: Your friend drags you to a concert of some stupid band that you've never heard of - except, it's not so stupid if the lead singer is hot...

Warnings: none

Word count: I don't know, but probably somewhere between 500-1k

a/n: I lost interest in this story pretty quick, so it stops early on. HOWEVER, if this gets enough attention, I may be persuaded to complete it.

And as always, feel free to comment.

Please DO NOT copy, translate, or steal my works.

It was the last few weeks before school started up again, and you wanted to enjoy every last bit of it. You were planning to go out of state and visit some old friends since 1: you haven't seen them in what feels like forever, and 2: you're single, so there's nobody (other than you're friends who were almost all on vacation somewhere) holding you back from going anywhere. You had this all planned out and were already preparing for the trip when Jennie, you're one friend who is not on vacation, texts you.

Jennie: Hey! I need a favor...

You: What did you do?

Jennie: I didn't do anything this time, I swear! I just need you to come with me to the VENOM concert at JYPark next Saturday. Everyone else is on vacation, and I don't want to go alone! You HAVE to come with, I don't know what could happen if I went alone!

You: I was planning on leaving to go out of state next week to visit some friends. I don't think I'll be back by next Saturday. Plus, I don't even listen to VENOM's music, or know who they are

Jennie: It doesn't matter, I just need someone with meee! PLEASE come with! I'll owe you a favor!

You: ...

You: Fine.

Jennie has been your friend since you could remember. You had to admit, she did have a somewhat selfish side, but she'd been with you through the thick and thin, and you've developed a soft spot for her. You hastily texted your friends that you'd have to cut the trip a little short because something popped up. They understood and were happy that they'd atleast get to see you.

~TIME SKIP~

You arrived back home the Thursday before the concert. You spent the next days until the concert unpacking, relaxing, and getting settled back in to your schedule. Jennie was filling you in on some basic info about VENOM over texts, and you could tell she was very passionate about them. From what you've gathered, VENOM is a rock band boy group with four members. Chan, the eldest, was the bass player. He apparently had an accent that was "super sexy". Minho was the main singer and keyboardist with "amazing dancing skills that aways captured your attention like a magnet". Changbin was the drummer and was "absolutely stunning and totally kissable" as Jennie had said. Last but not least was Hyunjin, the youngest, who was their guitarist and a "complete heartthrob".

You didn't know exactly how accurate Jennie's descriptions were, but atleast you knew some names. They started the band a couple years ago - was it 2? 3? You hadn't really cared enough to remember - and they've been playing at bars, parties, and small festivals ever since then. They weren't outstandingly popular, but they did have enough popularity to have all of their concerts packed. Their music had to be pretty good then, right?

When the day of the concert came, Jennie excitedly appeared at your door at 8 am. She was already dressed up in as flamboyant of a outfit that you have ever seen. You could tell she took her time on her look. She must have woke up early, but she certainly didn't show it. She had more energy than you.

"You look like you just slept for two days in the luggage compartment of an airplane! Go grab a cup of coffee to wake you up and quickly get back here! We need to get you ready to go by 11!" She said, almost talking a mile a minute. It was hard for your half asleep brain to keep up with her.

"11 o'clock?! The concert isn't until 2!" You said, alarmed. She shooed you into the kitchen towards the coffee machine.

"We're going to the sound check, dummy." She said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Instead of replying, you directed all of your focus (and energy) to making that cup of coffee.

When you came back to your room with the mug in your hand, you found her ruffling through your closet with one hand while the other held an array of clothing.

"Ah, there you are. Are you feeling more green or purple...?" She said, more to herself than to you as she held the clothes up at you. After looking between you and the clothes for what felt like an hour (it was really only a minute), she nodded her head with a huff and got back to ruffling through your closet.

Seeing as she's distracted, you go find your phone to see if you got any messages from your friends. Almost as if sensing your presence, your phone dings from a notification. You pick it up to see that Felix, who also like Jennie, has been your friend since childhood. You used to hang out with him all of the time before you and Jennie went to a different school/college than the rest of your friends.

Felix: Thank you once again for visiting us! The cookies we baked together are already gone... I've got to keep Jisung from eating them all ;) Is everything going alright with you, Sunflower? I know you had to leave early but, I just never got to ask why.

You: I told you you should've hid them from Jisung! I'm doing all right. I had to with Jennie to some concert - she's just being high maintenance as usual, lol

Felix: That's sounds like her. Whose concert is it?

You: Some band called VENOM apparently. I've never heard of them before.

Felix: VENOM? From what I've heard, they're pretty good. My sister went to one of their concerts once with her friends. She actually enjoyed it and she doesn't even like rock music

You: They must be pretty good then

You found yourself saying that quite a bit lately. You didn't know how much faith you had in Jennie's words, but Felix's comforting texts made you feel a little better. He had an incredible skill for soothing people, and that was what you missed most during your school here, along with his warm smile that seemed to light up the whole room. Jennie's voice broke you from your reverie.

"You took a shower last night, right? Well, just put the clothes on that I laid out on your bed and use that perfume I gave you. Be quick too! It's already 8:15 and I have to have enough time to perfect your makeup!" She shouted from presumably the bathroom, where all of your makeup was kept.

She picked out quite the outfit for you. It had a mix of greens and black with silver accents and it gave off the "single and ready to mingle" vibe. It was surprising how she pulled it together, as it was definitely not your style and your clothes closet reflected that. Reluctantly, you put it on and once you looked in the mirror, you had to admit, you did look pretty hot in it.

Jennie was already waiting for you when you made it to the bathroom. She had the counter set up as her workplace, with an assortment of products placed about. She looked at you with your hairbrush in one hand and curling iron in the other.

"Are you just going to stand there and stare like a goldfish or what? Get over here." She said and immediately got to work.

After quite some time, she finally let you look at your final look on the mirror. You were very shocked. You didn't quite look like you, but you looked good - and you liked it. Your now slightly wavy hair framed your face perfectly, and your eyeshadow perfectly complemented your outfit. It was a job well done by Jennie.

"Watcha think?" She said, a smirk tugging at her lips.

"I can't even... wow, just wow. You're incredible, you know that?" You respond, still in awe.

"Oh, I know. You'll thank me later." She said. "Now we've got to go, it's 11:05."

Before you could respond, she hurriedly walked down the hallway to your door and put her shoes on. You followed her and did the same. You felt a little sick to the stomach and you couldn't tell if it was from nervousness or excitement.

Having finally made it to JYPark, you see why she insisted on leaving an hour early. The traffic to get here was out of this world, and the park was crowded with VENOM fans - known as "Oddinary" or "Odds" for short, according to Jennie. *She's got that right. They all are odd. * You thought to yourself. Gazing out at the crowd that surrounded the stage, there was what felt like hundreds of people, each adorned with some piece of VENOM merch paired with brightly colored hair or makeup. For a rock group, their fans looked more like modern pop stars gone wrong.

The concert was set at a plaza in the middle of the park, with trees and well taken care of flowers circling the plaza as far as you could see. Above you was the large expanse of sky that had to be breathtaking at night. Despite the rowdy crowd and stage lights, it felt peaceful here, putting your mind at ease. That peace was short lived.

A commotion broke you out of your stupor, drawing your attention - like many other's- to the stage once more. By the screaming of the fans closer to the stage, you could infer that the band was going on stage for their sound check, whatever that was. You had no clue why Jennie insisted on coming early for it when she was already going to their two and a half hour long concert, but you were just along for the ride.

One by one, four figures appeared on stage. The first crossed to the back of the stage and went up a ramp that led to a higher platform which held the drum set. You tell from here that he was no stranger to the gym. You could see why Jennie called him "absolutely stunning and totally kissable". By the way her face lit up, you figured she had a thing for this drummer. While he was adjusting the drum set, the next figure crossed to the far right of the stage. He picked up the bass that was sitting on its stand behind him and plugged it into the machine on the floor infront of him that held an array of buttons and pedals that did who knows what. The next person caught your eye the moment he came on stage. It wasn't because he had outrageously dyed hair, or an overly bedazzled outfit, but his stage presence seemed to allure you. He had a confidence that made it seem as if he'd been doing this his whole life - and maybe he has. Jennie didn't give you much background information on them, so you had no clue. He truly looked like a professional up there, with each movement purposeful and graceful. He had this charm about him that you couldn't quite put your finger on.

You were so enraptured with him that you didn't notice the fourth member get on stage. His hair drew your attention from - what was his name, Min.. Minho? The guitarist's hair was blonde, much like Felix's, and you suddenly felt keenly aware of how much you missed your good friend. He used to take you to all sorts of new places around town, and it feels almost wrong not to have him here with you even though it's been several years since you had an outing with him. Just the two of you, in a sea of new faces, facing it together. It made you miss your carefree middle school days (even though they may have been embarrassing) where you would explore the city together, sometimes getting in trouble, but never truly facing many repercussions.

#stray kids #skz #thoughtz #bang chan #bangchan #skz x reader #skz bang chan #skz minho #skz lee know #lee know #stray kids lee know #stray kids lee minho #hyunjin #changbin #rock band au #strangers to lovers

[wheretheharekissesthefox]

Baby, don't run, you're breaking my heart

After spending the winter months with Astarion, Gale, Shadowheart, and Tav, Halsin gets cold feet and runs off.

(Trigger warning (18+): graphic description of sex, smut, angst, fluff, the feels, character study)

Notes:

This is a direct continuation of 'Tav's sex parade'. You don't need to read the latter to get this story, but it would help the deeper meaning and understanding of it.

To avoid confusion: In one of my other fanfics, Halsin and Tav had named the owlbear cup Naïlo, which means 'night breeze' in the Elven language.

Another fic is mentioned.

Halsin had run off.

He'd spent a wonderful winter season with his lovers. Four months of good food, the best company, and shameless, hot sex. And then, pure fear had gripped him and he'd fled head over heels.

Now, the former archdruid sat in a shabby tavern, surrounded by drunkards, in bumfuck nowhere and contemplated to drown his guilt in alcohol once more. He'd sworn never to drink again, but today he was tempted for the first time in over eighty years.

With a deep sigh, Halsin hid his face in his hands and groaned. He was angry.

Why am I such a coward? he asked himself. Why do I disappoint the ones I love and care about over and over again? Why can't I be a better man?

"Are you going to order something soon, or will you keep wallowing in self-pity?" asked the tavern keeper slightly annoyed. "You're occupying a precious seat for more business-friendly customers."

"Apologies," Halsin muttered and stood up. "I'm giving the seat to someone else."

The tavern keeper grunted with a nod. The wood elf walked towards the door, but was stopped by a pretty woman.

"Hey, handsome, would you like to join me tonight? I'd love to be held down by all these muscles."

The addressed forced a polite smile onto his face.

"Thank you for the offer, I'm flattered, but I need to go somewhere."

"Oh, I see." The woman looked disappointed. "Enjoy your night then."

"You too. I'm truly sorry for declining."

Halsin rushed out of the door, his heart ached. The woman didn't have broad shoulders and freckles like Tav, nor long silver hair and a scar across her nose like Shadowheart.

Two days after leaving Gale's tower house in Waterdeep, the druid had slept with a stranger – and he hadn't found any joy in it. Three days later, when he'd gotten propositioned again, he hadn't even been able to get it up. Thus, he couldn't forget his self-loathing through alcohol nor sex. Not anymore. Not like back then.

Halsin had reached the woods and lay down in his makeshift tent, which was more like a taut tarpaulin than anything else, and closed his eyes as they filled with tears.

He was a coward. Afraid of losing people and afraid of disappointing them. Some called it commitment issues, but that wasn't it. He feared he was not enough for his partners, especially for Tav, and he couldn't contribute equal parts to their relationship. He was scared of screwing everything up eventually. He always did.

Oak Father, preserve me. Please, give me strength and courage. I have to make this right. What I have, what I found... I can't give it up. Don't want to. Please, Oak Father, I beg you; let me have a place again where I belong. I want to belong again.

Halsin rolled into a ball, making himself as small as possible, as he cried himself to sleep.

Tav was angry – no, furious, but also sad, hurt, and slightly disappointed. She'd never thought Halsin would just leave them – her – without an explanation or farewell.

"Come on, dear, drink your lavender tea," encouraged Morena, Gale's mother, and slid the sandwich tray closer to the bard.

The latter sighed unhappily, rubbed her forehead, and took a sip from her teacup. For her quasi mother-in-law's sake, she grabbed a small sandwich and took a bite. It was topped with ham, soft Waterdhavian cheese and fresh cress. Gale loved to prepare sandwiches for their afternoon tea break.

"There, there," hummed Morena, looking pleased. "With a filled tummy, the world looks less grim."

"You're right about that, Miss Dekarios," purred Tara, her little mouth smeared with cream cheese.

Tav sighed again, a bit too theatrical, and glared at the sandwich in her hand. Morena gave her a look.

"Oh, please. Don't exaggerate about this. Halsin's gone for two months already. And it's not like you have no lovers left."

"You don't understand, Morena, I love him. I love them all! Equally. Whole-heartedly. It's out of character for Halsin to just leave wordlessly. I have no idea why he left. Was it something I did? Something I didn't do? Is it a personal issue? I don't understand why he didn't talk to me. I'm seriously worried about him."

"I understand very well what you mean," the addressed replied calmly. "But your bad mood and worries don't solve the issue, do they? There are exactly two things you can do: search for him, or let him go. The choice is yours, Tav, but don't forget what's right in front of you. Chasing things you can't reach, never ends well. My son's a prime example for this – and you know it."

The bard grimaced but nodded.

"Still, I'm worried about Halsin," she muttered, rotating the teacup in her hands.

"He broke your heart," the sorceress stated pragmatically, "and you want an answer to the question why."

Tav nodded again and took another sip of tea. The lavender tried its damn best to calm her emotional turmoil, but it just wasn't working enough. The bard set her jaw, explaining: "I can't simply leave it like this. I want to find Halsin and talk to him. I need to know why he left."

"Ran away, more like," Morena muttered into her teacup, and Tara nodded in agreement.

Tav glared at them.

"That wasn't normal behaviour for him. The Halsin I know would have never done this!"

"And yet he did, dear. People are unpredictable – and selfish. Sometimes, you just have to accept your fate."

"Never!" Tav squeezed out between clenched teeth.

Morena sighed deeply.

"Incorrigible, these romantics."

Unbothered, she took another sip from her cup, while Tav was about to explode. She stood up, slamming her palm onto the tabletop, and hissed: "I'll find him – no matter if you, or anyone else, approves of it! He's worth it!"

Fuming, Tav stomped out of the kitchen.

"Don't forget our meeting tomorrow morning, dear!" Morena sing-songed amused. "The Sorcerous Sundries in Baldur's Gate has finally reopened after you killed the previous owner!"

"He was a prick!" shouted Gale from his study, making his mother chuckle and Tav snort a laugh.

"Don't worry, I'll be ready at nine," sighed the latter then, smiling slightly.

Tav had to give it to Morena; she'd been right about her prediction about spending a lovely day together. They'd portalled to Baldur's Gate with Gale and Shadowheart and browsed through the assortment of the reopened magic shop. Afterwards, they'd lunch at the Blushing Mermaid before portalling back to Waterdeep. It had been a nice distraction from the misery Tav felt since Halsin had left, but it wasn't gone, obviously. Also, she hadn't found what she'd been looking for at the Sorcerous Sundries.

"Do you have something that keeps me from burning in the sun?" she'd asked. "My skin's rather delicate."

"Unfortunately, we don't have anything like this in our gigantic assortment," had the wizard’s magical projection replied. "But you may be interested in sunburn reliever."

Tav had declined politely. She wasn't looking for something for herself actually, but for a certain someone.

Patience, she told herself. Maybe, I'll find what I'm searching for one day. – I hope I will.

Halsin lay on the mossy forest floor with his eyes closed and his palms against the ground. He felt Mother Nature's energy flow up through the soil into his body and back down. The druid breathed slowly and deeply, focusing on releasing everything that didn't serve him or was too much. Nature could use his excess energy to create something beautiful. Meanwhile, the new energy Halsin drew from her, cleansed and rejuvenated him. His thoughts drifted away after a while and he pondered about his next move. What should he do? How could he fix what he'd broken? The wood elf sighed and opened his eyes, gazing at the green canopy above him.

Oak Father, speak to me, he pleaded. I don't know what to do.

Two squirrels chased each other through the trees until they stopped and started to mate. Halsin looked away to give them some privacy.

That's not the sign I need, Silvanus, he thought, huffing a bitter laugh.

The druid sighed again. He felt tired, heavy, burnt out. He wanted to move, but couldn't get himself to do it.

I must pull myself together, he scolded himself. I won't feel any better if I keep lying here.

A fox dashed across the clearing, light-footed. Bypassing tripping hazards and elegantly jumping over the small creek. Halsin observed it.

Agile and clever like a fox. Fast and fearless like a squirrel. Thank you, Oak Father.

Tav couldn't sleep and she felt guilty. Astarion, Gale and Shadowheart tried their best to cheer her up and emotionally support her to overcome her heartbreak. Shadowheart didn't let it show on her face, but she was hurting too. Sometimes, Tav caught her staring at the honey pot in the kitchen teary-eyed.

Now, the bard was sandwiched between the cleric and the wizard who were sleeping soundly. Carefully, she wiggled her way out of their embraces, hoping not to wake them, and pattered to the kitchen. On the way, she checked on Scratch, Naïlo, and Tara who slept on the carpet and pillows in front of the fireplace, tightly entangled. The tressym purred in her sleep, enthroned on top of the owlbear's fluffy, feathery flank, who hooted lowly with every exhale, and the dog's paws twitched while he was dreaming of chasing something (probably a pigeon in the park), while snuggled up against Naïlo's belly. Tav smiled and left them alone. She walked downstairs to Astarion's basement room, but the vampire was still on his nightly stroll through the city. Sighing, the bard moved to the kitchen to brew tea. She studied the one dozen tea caddies.

For sleep and to soothe the nerves, hmm... Chamomile, lavender, and valerian. Morena would be proud that I remember her herbology lessons.

Just as she grabbed the caddy with lavender, she heard the low hum of the magic barrier of the front door. Gale had enchanted it to inform them when someone was at the door, who wasn't knocking. Furrowing her brows, Tav walked to the entrance hallway, curious who it could be. It wasn't Astarion, that's for sure, he had a key. The bard stopped before the door, staring at it. It was still humming lowly. She took a deep breath and opened the door. Halsin sat on the doorstep, staring at her wide-eyed, surprised and shocked in equal measure. Tav blinked at him dumbly.

"Halsin?"

"Uhm, hello, Tav. I uh - It's the middle of the night and I didn't want to wake anyone. Also, I- I don't know what to say."

The druid looked embarrassed and sheepish, squeezing his hands together.

"I definitely need that lavender tea now," the bard stated, still overwhelmed.

Halsin looked up at her, those hazel eyes big and pleading.

"Tea?"

His breath left a puff of air in the cold spring night. His hair was dripping wet from the rain. Tav opened the door wider.

"Come in. It would be a shame if you'd freeze to death or catch pneumonia due to the rain. My parents would be mortified to know I've turned into such an unfriendly, heartless host."

Hastily, the druid scrambled onto his feet and lifted up his luggage. Hesitantly, he entered Gale's tower house, dripping water onto the doormat.

"Stay here, I'll grab a towel," Tav told him. "And don't you dare leave before we've exchanged a single word."

Embarrassed, Halsin lowered his head. He did feel the urge to flee, but he didn't move a millimetre. He had to put it right again. Tav returned quickly with a towel and some clothes. The druid thanked her and got dry and dressed.

"Come on. Are you hungry?"

"Yes," mumbled the addressed, the tips of his ears blushing in embarrassment.

You can't even feed yourself properly, you idiot, scolded the mean voice in his head, and Halsin shook himself to clear his mind.

He tentatively entered the kitchen, sat down at the table, and observed how Tav grabbed a tray of sandwiches from the pantry which was glowing purple.

"Gale enchanted the cupboard so that the food doesn't go bad," Tav explained. As always, she had interpreted his facial expression and body language correctly. She was particularly talented at that. Halsin wondered if it had something to do with her profession.

The bard put the plate down in front of him and brew the tea. The faint smell of lavender wafted through the kitchen and Halsin inhaled deeply, hoping it would calm his nerves. Tav filled two cups with tea and sat down opposite him. Her green-brown eyes studied him, her brows were slightly furrowed in concentration. It was unnerving and Halsin fidgeted around on the chair. Tav took a sip from her cup, then, she took a deep breath, and asked, way too calmly: "Why?"

The druid stared into his tea, working his clenched jaw. 'Why?'. Such a simple question, and he had no idea how to answer it. How to explain his action. Himself.

"I -," he began, voice cracking miserably. "I don't know. I mean, I do know, but I don't know how to explain it. I - I'm so sorry, my heart."

Tav inhaled sharply.

"Don't call me that," she whispered. "Don't call me that if you don't mean it. Don't play with me, Halsin."

"I mean it," the druid replied, feeling ice-cold dread filling his veins. He grabbed her hand on the table. His was clammy, hers warm. "I mean it. I- I screwed it up."

Angrily, Tav stood up, her eyes aflame.

"Yes, you did! Spectacularly! Why, Halsin? Don't you trust me? I thought you'd tell me if something's wrong."

"Of course, I trust you! That's the problem," Halsin replied, getting up himself. "I entrust you with my life – and it scares the shit out of me!"

Tav shook her head. Anger, hurt, and sadness showed on her face. She was so easy to read, like an open book. What if she would send him away now? What if she couldn't forgive him? Halsin swallowed, trembled. His fear had him in a chokehold. But, instead of moving away, Tav stepped closer.

"Kiss me. Please," she whispered, looking up at him.

A shiver ran down Halsin's spine as he took a step forward, bent down, and kissed her like a starving man. He held onto her, with one hand around her biceps and the other on her neck. Tasting her, smelling her. It was so much better than in his memories. He traced the bite mark at the nape of her neck with his fingers, remembering how he'd left it there and how she'd let him mark her so willingly. Halsin broke the kiss when he tasted saltwater.

"No, please. Don't stop," pleaded Tav with tears streaming down her face. "Please, Halsin, don't run away again. It broke my heart."

The addressed swallowed, staring at her. He'd never seen Tav cry before.

No matter what had happened and what awful things they'd gone through, she'd been solid like a rock. She'd been there for Astarion after he'd killed Cazador. Had held him tight and consoled him. She'd had enough faith and trust in him to let him drink from her every night since basically day one. She'd encouraged Shadowheart to free herself from Shar and the pain that the goddess had inflicted on her. Had hugged her and had mumbled soothingly. She'd promised Karlach to get her and Wyll out of Avernus. Had comfort her with words since she hadn't been able to touch the tiefling. She'd convinced Gale to not comply to Mystra's wishes to blow himself up. Instead, she'd helped him get the Crown of Karsus from the Netherbrain so that he could hand it to the Goddess of Magic and got freed from the Orb in his chest. She'd help him lift the Shadow Curse. Had welcomed him into her found family. Tav had helped them all. She had made them whole again, had helped them heal. To start anew. And he had screwed it up. He had made her cry.

"I'm deeply sorry, Tav. My heart," said Halsin. "I never intended to hurt you."

He kissed her again and she sobbed, wrapping her arms around him. The druid sighed. Finally, he felt her strong body against his again, saw the rosy, freckled skin again, those green-brown eyes, and that awful, short haircut. He'd missed her and he loved her – so much.

When they parted, they leaned their foreheads together, and Halsin said: "What we have, no, what you gave me, is too precious to give up. It's worth fighting for. I was a coward. Fear overwhelmed me and I didn't know how to deal with it. It's true; I trust you more than anyone else, but it scares me. For the first time in decades, I'm in love with someone, opened my heart for you, and I'm scared I'll screw it up, you'll leave me, or I'm not good enough for you. I haven't committed to a relationship in such a long time, because every time I did, it came back to bite me in the arse, or something terrible happened. I can't go through this again. I can't have my heart broken for the dozens time. But by fearing for my own heart's safety, I broke yours, and I'm so sorry. Please, forgive me."

"Yes," nodded Tav, holding him close. "Always."

Halsin felt like crying and kissed her again, desperately. They held each other close and cried freely. It felt good to let it out.

"I missed you so much," sniffed Tav. "Don't you ever do that again! I know you're a free spirit and you can't be hold down. That's why I let you go, why I'm not jealous, and why I'm happy with our arrangement. I have multiple lovers and so do you. 'Let our hearts roam freely', you once said and I agree. But please, talk to me before you run away because it's too much to bear for you. Whatever you want, whatever bothers you, I'll understand and I'll let you go, but please, come back to me and don't leave me without a word again."

"I promise," whispered Halsin, squeezing his eyes shut. "I promise, my heart. I'll never cause you heartache again."

"Good."

Tav took his hand and led him towards the kitchen counter. There, she discharged her nightgown and started fumbling with his trousers. Suddenly in a frenzy, Halsin pulled the shirt over his head in one smooth motion and stepped out of the trousers. They kissed again before the bard hopped up onto the counter. Halsin already panted in anticipation, excited to feel her body against his again and taste her skin. He slid his hands under her buttocks and kissed her as he thrust into her. Tav moaned, wrapping her legs and arms around him. Halsin kissed her neck and started a steady pace. For a while, they kissed and panted against each other's necks. Then, Tav let go of him, placed her arms behind her and leaned back. The druid groaned and kissed her sternum. Moaning, Tav lolled her head back.

"You're beautiful as always, my heart," Halsin told her. "And it fills me with immeasurable joy to know that you wear my bite mark with such pride. I love you, more than you can imaging."

"I love you too, Halsin," Tav panted.

She pulled him closer with one arm to kiss him again. He happily complied and started to rub her pubic mound with his talented fingers. The bard mewled, clenching around him and making him groan. He spilled into her while moaning into her mouth. She followed him over the edge noisily and tightened her powerful legs around him. Halsin loved it and would have happily died between those muscular thighs, Oak Father, preserve him.

"Get a room, you filthy animals, Gods!" Astarion grinned, leaning against the doorframe while watching them shamelessly as they were basking in the afterglow of their orgasm.

The addressed snickered, slightly embarrassed that they were caught in the act. The vampire spawn's smirk turned into a soft smile when he said: "So, our druid has returned and the issues are resolved, I hope?"

"Yes," Tav answered and Halsin nodded against her shoulder.

"Wonderful," sighed Astarion. "Now, we can only hope that our darling bard won't sulk anymore."

"I wasn't sulking, I was dealing with heartbreak."

"Same thing, darling, same thing. Goodnight, sweet dreams," lilted Astarion and twirled around. "Oh, and druid? Don't think you can get away without an explanation. Shadowheart cried her eyes out as well, but presented herself strongly for Tav's sake."

With a shit-earing grin on his face and a nonchalant wave, the vampire spawn made his way to the living room. Halsin groaned conscience-smitten.

"I'm sorry I caused such a ruckus. I guess I can't avoid explaining myself. The others will eat me alive."

"They love you," Tav replied, stroking his hair. "They'll only eat you in the bedroom."

At that, Halsin chuckled and warmth bloomed in his chest. He and Tav freshened up in the bathroom and then, walked to the bedchamber. The cleric and the wizard had moved in their sleep, basically resting in each other's arms. Carefully, Halsin climbed into the bed and spooned up behind Shadowheart, wrapping an arm around her middle and pulling her close, while Tav snuggled up against his back.

"I love you," she mumbled, kissing his shoulder.

The druid smiled sleepily.

"I love you too."

Shortly after, Astarion joined them too. He slipped in behind Gale and rested his head against his back. He took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of lavender soap, and smiled.

"Halsin? Please, use your elf brain next time and not your bear brain," Astarion told the other man. "Let’s not cause any more heartache and misery."

"Yes," the druid agreed. "I'm sorry."

"I know," remarked the vampire spawn. "Let’s just make our lovers happy, shall we? And in the process, we'll make ourselves happy too."

Halsin hummed, smiling.

"You belong here, you know? You're family. So, don't just run off. – I never thought I have to tell you this, but here we are; we love you, Halsin."

Swallowing thickly, the druid nodded.

"I love you too," he croaked out, close to tears again.

"Rest now, druid. It's good you're home."

"Thank you, little vampire. I'm happy to be back."

Astarion hummed, snuggling up closer to Gale who sighed happily in his sleep. Halsin closed his eyes again, willing his body into relaxation. He felt warm and comfortable with Shadowheart in his arms and Tav at his back. Astarion was right; it was good to be home.

#baldur's gate 3 #bg3 #fanfic #astarion x gale #halsin x shadowheart x tav #astarion x gale x halsin x shadowheart x tav #astarion #astarion ancunin #gale #gale dekarios #gale of waterdeep #halsin #shadowheart #tav #morena dekarios #scratch #owlbear cup #naïlo #tara #tara the tressym #smut #mind the trigger warning #character study

[radley-writes]

Hi there! I'm a fanfic writer who has been suffering with burnout for the past, um, three months and I was wondering if you had any advice. Thank you for the writing tips!

I dug back into the dark, mulchy recesses of my inbox to find this ask, because dang, if it ain't relevant at the moment. I'm sorry it took me so long to piece together some relevant advice!

Sweet nonagismus, if you're still stuck in burnout limbo, here's what I want you to do.

I want you to find a mirror.

I want you to look yourself in the eyes.

And I want you to say, 'I have poured my heart and soul into my creativity. I have given my breath, my energy, my life to my art. And I deserve to rest.'

Because we do. We really do.

Burnout is not something that can be cured with a few bulletpointed tricks on a Tumblr post and a flex of your self-discipline. Especially if you have any mental or physical disabilities, burn-out is your body and mind crying out for mercy. If you don't listen, all you're going to do is make it worse.

I burned out hard during university. Seriously, I didn't write a word of original fiction for years.

At the time I remember being so frustrated with myself. I didn't want to write; I couldn't write - I couldn't even bring myself to read. Still, I felt like I had to be creative. Everyone knew me as a writer, an artist, a wannabe-novelist. It felt as if creativity defined me as a person, and I was nothing without it - worthless and lost.

This led to me continuously trying to pressure/threaten/cajole myself into writing - which, in turn, made the overall problem worse. I never gave myself permission to lie back and absorb the world around me, rather than constantly translating it into art.

So, my advice is:

If you have a professional creative deadline coming up that you need to meet, it is worth forcing yourself through the burnout to make money, as we live in a capitalist hellscape and food is kinda important. But know that you are likely to crash hard after, and if you can, prepare. I'm talking lots of easy-watching films, snacks, warm blankets, etc., and minimal responsibilities.

In literally any other scenario, embrace the burn-out.

I finished Liesmyth last weekend. I have spent the last week reading very little and writing nothing at all.

Instead, I've been catching up with a few shows I've been meaning to watch. I've been tending to some household chores that were neglected while I was in creative hyperfocus-mode. I've been baking and experimenting with new dishes, going on long walks, putting in a few extra hours at work. I've been paying more attention to the world around me, embracing every experience, and letting myself be present in the moment rather than lost in a writer's dreamworld 24/7.

It's incredibly hard. I have not always been able to do this, and I am still learning how to let myself rest. But I have burnt out, poured gasoline over myself and set myself alight enough times to know that eventually, all that's left is ash.

If you have rested and regained your energy, but are struggling to figure out how to return to fanfic, I would reccommend returning to your source material and watching/reading/playing it again! Or, if you're an original writer, read a few old favourite novels. We're talking a gentle, familiar reinduction to the craft.

Take it slow. Take it gentle. And remember:

You are under no obligation to create. Don't let creativity become subconsciously associated with stress and misery. You owe yourself that much.

As the old saying goes, if you do not schedule system maintenance, the system will schedule maintenance for you.

#burn out #writing #writeblr #writing advice #fanfic #burnout #my advice #radley rambles

[not-poignant]

August 2023 Writing Round-Up

Here's the monthly round-up of everything written and posted in August 2023!

Underline the Black 56 

Underline the Black 57 

Underline the Black 58 

Underline the Black 59 

Underline the Gold 03 

The Nascent Diplomat 35 

The Nascent Diplomat 36 (Patreon early access $5+)

Underline the Red 05 (Patreon early access $5+)

Chapter Commentary - Underline the Black 23 (Patreon reward $3+)

Chapter Commentary - Underline the Black 24 (Patreon reward $3+)

Game Theory 02 (the Edits) ($10+)

FANFICTION

A Stain that Won't Dissolve 18 

A Stain that Won't Dissolve 19 

A Game We Can Try 01 

A Game We Can Try 02 

--

The following stories are ongoing at my Wattpad account. For those who prefer to read on the Wattpad app, or who prefer shorter chapters, or just want to reread the stories somewhere different (or want to give me some love!), you can currently find these stories ongoing there:

A Stain that Won't Dissolve

Falling Falling Stars

Once the scheduled chapters for these come to an end, I will no longer be writing at Wattpad! And will just leave a note to anyone who finds me there that I'm on AO3 instead. It's been an interesting experiment, and a pretty spectacular failure, lol. 

*

Thanks for everyone's patience while Patreon has been a bit fucky with payments and declining payments, I've experienced this myself too as a patron. The short version of the story is that Patreon started doing more of their payments through Ireland instead of the USA and didn't tell anyone, and a lot of banks freaked out because it was unexpected. As far as I know, that's the main reason this has been happening! 

*

August (I always spell Augus first and have to remind myself to add the T, just little Fae Tales things) was a good month with a decent 14 chapters written across four stories, Underline the Black, A Stain that Won't Dissolve, Underline the Gold and Underline the Blue - Black got a whopping 6 chapters to itself! 

And that was a total of 50,909 words. :D

My September writing is actually going to have a really heavy focus on A Stain that Won't Dissolve, other than that, I'll be diligently writing ahead because in October I'll be taking a month off from writing!!! I'll still be posting chapters as usual - more than in July and August, I was preparing for October :D - but my monthly wordcount will be set to 0 and if I want to write, I can work on anything I like, which I'm looking forward to. 

I'm excited to take a full month off before NaNoWriMo, because I tend to burn out pretty badly towards the end of the year, and this is the first year of my writing life where I've managed to plan things enough that I can take a kind of holiday from writing, and while I'll still be doing other aspects of this job, writing and editing 10+ new chapters will not be a part of it. Or at least, if it is, it'll be on literally anything I want lol.

If you're particularly excited to see me work on anything in particular, including stories not listed here, please let me know!

This year I've written y'all 358,000 words, which is the equivalent of about 4 standard novels. :D

*

If you want to get updates or links to my fanfic, or hear about ongoing writing things, and read excerpts from future chapters, please find me on Twitter or Tumblr, and subscribe to my fanfiction account over at thespectaclesofthor.

If you want to keep seeing my writing and support it, come join a tier at Patreon - it's my income and it lets me share this writing with you! Alternatively, I have a Ko-Fi account for anyone who wants to support that one. :D

Sending love to all of you, from the lurkers, to the folks who just like that one story, to the peeps who aren't here for the writing and are somehow here for all my ask responses I love you all

#housekeeping #monthly round up #underline the black #game theory edits #underline the gold #underline the red #a stain that won't dissolve #basically ALL THE THINGS #a lot of fanfiction this month! #a little less original stuff #because i plan on slamming a bunch of chapters down next month instead

[risingsoleil]

Tagged by the wonderful and talented @yellowsalt3 💖

Favorite color: Blue and pink 🩵🩷

Last song I listened to: Amigos - BIBI ft. Becky G. The Spanish and Korean is 🤌🏼

Last movie I watched: I'm also not much of a movie person, I prefer to rewatch movies/tv shows that I've seen. I heard this is a trauma response and it makes a lot of sense. But last night I watched Barbie and it was a lot of fun 💖

Other stuff I watched this year: Castlevania, Castlevania: Nocturne, It's Okay to Not Be Okay. I'm trying to watch The Preparation (2017) and it's a Korean movie that's gonna emotionally wreck me, but I can't find it with Eng subs. Even though I'm fluent enough to translate a majority of it, I still want the translation so I can cry for months afterward.

Shows I dropped this year/didn't finish: Oshi no Ko. Because of a certain ending, I couldn't finish the rest of it.

Currently reading: Fanfics lmao I used to be a bookworm when I was a kid, but I lost the habit as I grew older

Currently listening to: Bonnie & Clyde by YUQI of (G)-idle

Currently working on: WIPs for my fanfics and self-studying Korean. I have time to focus on myself at this time, so I'm investing a lot of my energy into creative outlets before I focus on work.

Current obsession: I've been obsessed since I was 11-12, but Korean skincare. I will always advocate for K-beauty for any type of skin concern on the face because the quality and price is worth it.

Also Lin Beifong. Just look at her 😍🥰

Not tagging anyone, but anyone who is interested is free to play! ❤️

[cocrante]

I Start Over With You

[SOLANGELO FANFIC]

summary: After the great battle against the forces of Gaea, Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter had formed a long-lasting alliance. Everything had gone well, and everyone was ready to start anew. This included Nico, who, after confessing his feelings to Percy, was prepared to open a new chapter in his life—perhaps the happiest one the Fates had ever written.

note: the chapters will be updated every Wednesday. If you want to read upcoming chapters of the fanfiction in advance, I invite you to follow me on Patreon. Subscribing is not necessary, these chapters will be added for free on the platform on Mondays and Fridays. Following me there is just a kind and free gesture to support my work c:

Reblogs are highly appreciated c:

[CHAPTER 2]

THAT HERBAL INFUSION Will had prepared for him was slowly beginning to take effect.

In a few days, Nico felt his strength returning, although not enough to summon an army of zombies or any specters. During that week, the son of Apollo followed his progress step by step, enthusiastic to see Nico back in good health and with rosier cheeks. The two found themselves spending that week together, talking mostly about the side effects that an abrupt effort might have during the intake of that kind of energy drink made from herbs. Nico began to enjoy spending time with Will, even though he often repeated the same things to him, and he responded in the same way. It had to be said, however, that the son of Apollo really did his best to make him feel at ease, knowing that it was not easy for him to trust someone other than himself. In a corner of his mind, Will began to wonder what had happened to Nico di Angelo in those years, remembering perfectly the first time he met him at Camp Half-Blood: sunny, energetic, none of the newcomers to the camp could imagine that the son of Hades was once the opposite of what he was now. Not that there was anything wrong with Nico now, it was just that Will no longer wanted to see him feel like he was without someone who cared for him. He would do anything to see that beautiful smile that spread across the boy's face again, bending over in two graceful dimples. He knew that deep down, somewhere under that grim expression, there was still that eleven-year-old boy who played hide-and-seek with the nymphs of the woods; he just had to be patient and wait for Nico to open up to him. However, this meant building a solid relationship of trust first. Will couldn't have asked for anything better. Then the end of that week came, and the two found themselves having one last chat in the infirmary. "See? You also have a much better complexion" exclaimed Will, proudly looking at Nico's no longer cadaverous skin. "From tomorrow, you could already take a walk in the dark" he suggested. The two were face to face, and Nico couldn't believe what he had just heard. "Are you serious?" he asked, to make sure he wasn't imagining it. "Yes" Will affirmed, smiling. "But I'm not saying to go, I don't know, to Bali and back. Try to do it in the camp, so if you faint, I can be around" he laughed as if it were a very funny joke, but they both knew that the son of Hades would be capable of disappearing for weeks. Nico nodded, he wasn't planning on traveling the world, at least not immediately. "I'll stay around" he promised, hinting at an imperceptible smile. "But wait!" he exclaimed a moment later, attracting Will's attention. "Does that mean we won't see each other for—" he made a vague gesture with his hand, he wasn't good with words, but he was sure the boy had understood. Will gave a laugh, looking at his joined hands. "The week is over" he curled his lips, as if he had just realized that the last day had arrived. "But that doesn't mean we can't hang out" he raised his blue eyes. "I'd like that" he added, showing a shy smile. Nico didn't think that Apollo's children could be shy. "I'd like that too" Nico replied after a few seconds, managing to show a faint smile.

It had been five days since that last chat, and Nico was now able to transport himself in the shadow for a few kilometers, occasionally scaring some child of Ares by accidentally appearing behind them. Will had not contacted him or asked about his favorite patient, nor had Nico done the same. The boy felt quite awkward about it all, not understanding how he should take Will's words. He didn't deny being scared, a situation like this had never happened to him before, he wanted to know how to read those words, what did that "hanging out" mean. He was obsessed with the idea that Will ultimately saw him simply as another boy from Camp Half-Blood, but with a slightly more terrifying parent to stay away from. Perhaps he had only said so to be polite. He spent those days wandering around the camp without a specific destination, and although by now the other campers had grown used to his presence and would greet him without suppressing a sense of disgust or fear, Nico didn't feel completely accepted. He only felt that way when he spent time with Will, where everything seemed to come alive, and he felt like a simple, happy boy again. At that thought, he decided to let go of his crazy thoughts; he preferred to get to know Will as a friend rather than lose him due to his unfounded doubts.

He walked briskly towards the archery range. It was the first time he had set foot there. Every time someone had suggested that he go there to train, he would disappear like a shadow until one day everyone decided to give up and let him do whatever he wanted. That was officially his first time at the range. He didn't know exactly what to do or who to talk to in order to get a bow and quiver, so he decided to ask one of the Apollo campers who was helping a young demigod hold a bow. "Down there" the camper pointed out, after spending five minutes trying to figure out if Nico was really there or some sort of hallucination. Nico thanked him and chose the least worn bow from the basket, along with a quiver. He returned to his target, feeling quite stupid at that moment, but he knew it was the right thing to do to get Will's attention. He took an arrow from the quiver behind his back, nocked it between the taut string and the bow — it wasn't as simple as he thought — took aim and released the arrow, which embedded itself in the ground a meter away from the target. He sighed as he went to retrieve the arrow. Having the eyes of the other campers on him did nothing to help his concentration. He tried again, putting more force into it, managing to hit the target only in the white part, leaving the arrow hanging until it fell to the ground again. He was about to go retrieve it when a voice he knew well stopped him. "And we thought Percy was a disaster" commented the boy who had seen Nico shoot his second arrow from behind. Nico turned towards the boy, who was staring at him with crossed arms and a sarcastic smile. Will chuckled and approached him, stealing another arrow from his quiver. "Let me show you how to do it" he said, turning him towards the target and helping him position the arrow better. "You need to raise your elbow higher and bend your knees" he corrected his posture, standing behind him. "Draw the bow taut" he whispered near his ear, releasing his grip on his arms and as soon as he felt them slip away he shot the arrow, which went to plant itself in the third ring. "Congratulations!" exclaimed Will, patting him on the shoulder. "Maybe you're not a hopeless case like our friend".

They kept trying until all the arrows were gone, with Will by his side he managed to hit the target a couple of times, although he mostly hit the outer circles. "With a little training, you could become a great archer" he encouraged him, he was rather satisfied with his small improvements. Nico just smiled gratefully, not knowing exactly what to say to him, he didn't want to disappear that way, but how could he explain how he felt about people if he couldn't even explain it to himself? He didn't want to make Will feel guilty, he had done his best to open up and be a good friend. "Well then, see you later" he smiled uncertainly, seeing that the boy wasn't intending to start a conversation and then he had his shift at the infirmary. "Wait, Solace" Nico stopped him. "Listen, I don't care about all this stuff" and with a sweeping gesture of his hand he practically indicated the whole camp. "I came to see you" he confessed. "I was sincere in the infirmary, I want, well, I'd like it if we hung out" his cheeks started to warm up with what he had just said. Will remained silent, looking at that strange boy who, he didn't exactly know how, he liked. "I finish my shift at five, wait for me at the bay" he said decisively, throwing him a quick wink. "See you at five!" Nico repeated, watching him walk away.

[CONTENTS]

1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20

#🖇️ : fanfiction #i start over with you ☀️☠️ #solangelo #will solace #nico di angelo #riordanverse #percy jackson #pjo #pjo fanfiction #camp halfblood

[pretty-hate-machineee]

Hawk x Tim (1970s)

I haven't written a fanfic in such a long time but I can't get the thought of Tim and Hawk out of my head especially this outcome I wish had happened, so excuse the bad writing it's been a while. Also I had written the middle section before everything else so I hope I blended these sections together well.

Summary: What if Hawk had come to his senses after their conversation, he decides he can finally be himself and be with Tim, what he's always wanted even if he couldn't admit it to himself.

"Your family needs you" "Don't you need me, Skippy?" "I have you"

Morning

I sit on the couch in the living room area and soon enough I hear Tim walk down the stairs. "Where is everyone?" He asks "I asked them to leave" "Why?" "Come here, sit down" Tim walks over and sits next to me "I've been up all night thinking, I want to be with you" Tim looks taken aback by my words. "What? Hawk come on now don't mess around" "I'm not Skippy. I've hated these last few years not being able to see you. I've missed you. And I'm ready for us to finally be us" He looks at me almost like he just can't believe what I'm saying. "What about Lucy?" "We'll go tell her about this, she's not happy with me and I'm not happy with her, I never have been, but I've been happy with you, the short time I've had you anyways" Tim shakes his head. "Hawk, are you sure?" I move closer and hold his hand in mine" "I am, I've never been more sure in anything before"

A few days later

I walk into the living room with Tim, Lucy looks at us, not too happy to see I've brought Tim with me. I look at her and say "we need to talk" she nods looking at us both as we sit down, I turn towards her "I know you're not happy, and I know you know about Tim and I, he told me about the letter you found" she goes to speak but I stop her "I think we should separate, you could finally be happy and not trapped in this situation with me. I'm finally ready to be me" I look at Tim as I say these words, Lucy looks at me and says "are you sure? You won't be able to keep your job and what will others think?" I sigh and say "I'm prepared to lose my job, I've thought about this outcome for years, only now is it more acceptable, in some ways, but I would lose it all if it meant I could finally be happy with Tim" she gives a small smile and says "I'm happy you finally feel this this way" I reach for Tim's hand and hold it before looking back at Lucy "I'm going to San Fransisco with Tim, I'll pack what I wish to take and you may do whatever you decide"

And so that's where we are now

Tim seems overwhelmed almost to have me in San Fransisco, not in a bad way but in a way that he can't believe this is real and actually happening. I put my bags down by the front door and follow Tim further into his house, I quickly grab him and pull him into my arms, he melts into my embrace like he always used to "I'm afraid I'm going to wake up and this all be a dream" I pull back and put a hand to his face "I'm sorry Skip, I'm sorry for all those years, if I had known what life would have been like maybe I would have been different, but I had so much self-hatred for how I was feeling and I hate myself for putting you through all that shit" "Shhh" Tim puts a finger to my lips "you're here now. We can work through those years but I'd rather not dwell on the bad things" I nod moving in to kiss him. I've never gotten used to this feeling, the feeling of being so in sync with someone.

End.

Whoever decides to read this I hope you liked it, I feel the ending could be better but I didn't want to ruin it adding more so I left it there.

#hawkins fuller #tim laughlin #fellow travelers #hawk x tim #hawk x skippy #I just want them to be happy #Why couldn't this have happened

[minty-playhouse]

Explaining Nesmith/Townshend or A Primer on Townsmith

Dear friends and enemies... (and specifically @gitsor3010 and @smugruttle if you guys didn't want me to ping you, you shouldn't have liked my drabble, rookie mistake)

Recently I posted a drabble here regarding my very specific and niche ship of Mike Nesmith and Pete Townshend, motivated in part by @yaggerdangs-remedy shared enthusiasm for it (love you for that by the way, if you are reading this <3). I also posted another small thing on my NSFW sideblog, because of course I did.

Surprisingly, that first drabble seemed to have caught the attention of more than one person, so I guess it's my civil duty to explain where the hell this ship even came from, and also tell you all about dynamics and whatnot about this ship so I can maybe convince you all of my truth!

This post might get long though so I'm putting this all under a read more. [spoilers: this post did get long it's like 3,000 words long I'm sorry]

=Quick Background:

To start explaining Townsmith we need to go way way back to when I was 19 (over 15 years ago!) and I became obsessed with The Monkees and The Who almost simultaneously. The Monkees came first but it took just a couple months at best for me to also grow very attached to The Who.

Obviously, as a very normal person, I wanted to write about crossovers involving them, and even entertained the idea of a TV show centered crossover that was inspired by the small trivia about how there was like a glimmer of a thought of making a Who TV show but nothing came of it (but honestly can u IMAGINE mod era Who TV show?).

At the time thought, I didn't have enough writing skills to pull off anything of real substance, and the crossover ideas were more silly fanfic concepts than anything. I still have some of those early writings saved but they are very poor quality, but they still have some good ideas I pull from now and then.

In the middle of all this crossover musing, I felt really strongly about Mike/Pete, and at the time it was more of a surface level "they would look nice together and they are both weird" thing than whatever monster I created in my head now. I dunno exactly what pushed me in that direction. Me not being too invested in Towntrey at the time was probably to blame, as I was too busy shipping Roger with John. But I guess I unconsciously felt bad for Pete and wanted him to have someone he could bond with.

I also didn't have any Mike ships at the time, as I was hyperfixated in Jonestork and Micky was just the fun friend. So I just put them together for convenience. Oh, that was such a foolish mistake on my part and I had no idea.

=First Big Townsmith Idea:

OK, cool, now we've established this came from me not wanting them to be alone + they had some traits that matched. They are both tall, lanky weird guitar players who are a little too invested in their music to the point is a little strange to those around them.

And from that concept came the idea to write about Pete and Mike meeting by chance at a party, getting smashed and fucking. There wasn't much beyond that at the time, and because I didn't have the skills to pull off anything really that cool (I wanted them to be tripped out and whatnot, but lack of resources and knowledge at the time made this just some distant thought).

But that small seed was stuck in the back of my brain, waiting for when all things fell into place, I would be prepared.

The years passed, ships and fandoms came and went, and I became better at writing and better at expressing what I wanted through my fics. But I never really returned to Who or Monkees as strongly as I did when I was 19. I still listened to the music and whatnot, but for no reason in my mind I had put myself above RPF. No, I wouldn't go down that path again, I told myself for years and years...

Then last year happened and all of it went to shit.

Honestly I just doubled down on the RPF in ways my 19 year old self would never even dream of, and by digging through my old notes and ideas, I stumbled upon Pete/Mike again.

Now older and with more knowledge about both of them, in my head I was like "Yeah, they are fucking soulmates there's no way" and went back to the idea of them meeting and tripping and having no strings attached sex. But oh boy are there strings attached to this. Are there ever strings attached to this. But I think it was important to let you all know the basis where I built this on. It was a one-shot idea I had when I was like 19 and wanted to fill a ship gap. You can't make this shit up.

=Townsmith Makes Sense Chronologically And I Hate It:

It would be all funny and haha if I didn't start to expand on the original one-shot concept. I could just make it extremely anachronistic and just leave it at that. It's just a mindless smut one-shot, after all. But hey, if I have the tools now to research and make this make more sense chronologically (trust me the Internet was not like this when I was 19) why not use those tools?

So, I found that the ideal point for the one-shot. 1969. Pete just found himself being hailed as some kind of musical genius for coming up with Tommy, while Mike is struggling to keep himself interested in the Monkees concept in a post-Head climate. Mike was never the biggest fan of the Monkees as a concept, and by the time the movie rolled out his interest had waned considerably. He wanted to do his own stuff, he didn't want to be tied to this marketing stunt.

But hey, Mike's still under contract so for all intents and purposes, he has to keep up appearances.

And he heard about Pete. Everyone heard about him at this point. And Mike has to admit he's jealous. Pete had the type of creative freedom Mike could only dream of at the time. However, Mike is still Mike and he isn't about to be all in awe and amazed by some British musician that just "got lucky". In the initial concept, this all started off with Mike being very envious of Pete's position, but also thinking that Pete was also pulling publicity stunts of his own, why with the Who's whole live aggression and whatnot. And that notion just becomes more solidified in his mind when he meets Pete and he's... quiet. Almost shy even.

There's no way a guy like this is the same guy that is up there on stage. Maybe Mike was wrong and maybe music was all based on carefully curated personas.

The problem is, Pete is who he is. Yes his stage "persona" is not the exactly the same as his regular one, but right now he's in a post Mod mindset. He doesn't have to care for an image or a persona.

Mike still needs to hang on to that.

And when Mike meets Pete he is not impressed. Obviously. But he still wants to hear what Pete has to say. After all he did write Tommy and Mike is intrigued (and this plays out later, but let's not get ahead of ourselves).

So they drop acid and talk, as one does, and at first Mike has all the confidence in the world. Yeah sure this meek British man has some words on him. Beautiful, deep meaningful words, but his behavior is a far cry from the explosiveness Mike saw on the TV and such. He can handle Pete.

Mike so cannot handle Pete.

At the same time Mike is envious of Pete's position, there's some borderline envy on Pete's end. Oh, if only he could just let other people just think for him. Do all the heavy lifting of music creation on his behalf while he just stood there as an avatar. Sounded pretty ideal, and specially during Tommy where Pete was under tremendous creative stress, trying to do something that was similar yet different from things that came before.

Still though, Pete wouldn't give up his creative freedom for the sake of some stress relief. Even in the early mod era days, he was quick to seize creative control over things, and that's what I think is the most interesting aspect of them: they are both very intent on being in control of their creative endeavors, but Pete was blessed with the opportunity to be free to do what he wanted. Mike's creative freedom was quickly stripped from him when he joined the Monkees and since then it was an uphill struggle for any of them to get any of it back. A journey that had started almost two years prior with Headquarters.

But now the TV show was over, the movie had just been released and Mike found himself in this weird position where yes, he was still under a contract but... was he really? He could set off to do his own thing.

And this is where the strings get attached folks.

=A Much Needed Recap:

OK, so let's recap because that was disorienting: 1969 was a weird year for both Mike and Pete. Mike was in this weird place where he was still part of the Monkees but not really, and Pete was hailed as a visionary and saw his band become ridiculously successful almost overnight (like it or not, the Woodstock performance sure brought in the numbers).

Right now Mike's jealous of Pete's position, Pete is not jealous of Mike's position but he would appreciate having someone thinking on his behalf here and there. And when they meet Mike has this "Mike" mindset where he's by default better than Pete. It doesn't matter what Pete's achievements are, he's still gonna be better because that's just how Mike's brain works.

Pete on the other hand is just kinda glad to have someone to talk that's on the same wavelength as him. He loves his bandmates to death, but sometimes Pete feels like everything he's saying is just going over their heads. He doesn't feel like that when talking to Mike.

((Now is a good time as any to mention that while I'm trying to center this around the original first meeting one-shot concept, there are other angles to them meeting for the first time, but let's stick to one continuity for the sake of this post and your sanity. If you are dying to know you can just send me an ask and I'll talk about it.))

So yeah, Pete feels that he can just say things to Mike, and Mike will get it, which doesn't sound like a lot but for someone who's mind is so full like Pete having someone understand is a fucking gift. And sure maybe they are just a little more "attuned" because they are tripping together, but Pete feels that even if they weren't Mike would get it.

And sure Mike may not understand like half of what Pete's saying, but he'll still fake it 'till he makes it. Mike doesn't care this is Pete Townshend, he'll not be seen as dumber or inferior in any way.

And I think that's one of the most compelling aspects of them, is they they bond mentally way before physicality is even taken into consideration. But the physicality is taken into consideration for sure because lest we forget, this was born under the premise of a horny one-shot. And Mike would be a liar if he said he didn't find Pete's strange looks kind of... fetching in their own unique way.

Maybe because Mike doesn't think he's conveniently attractive either (doesn't help he had to go up against fucking Davy Jones and Peter Tork, and Micky's energy alone made him irresistible) he finds some manner of solace on Pete who's also weird looking, but it's more that Mike was against some stiff competition and less that he isn't good looking. And hello, Pete can totally tell he looks good, and that his accent is pretty damn charming.

=Physical Attraction? In My Conceptual Sex?

OK since I am here I have to talk about them being attracted to each other on a physical level too because heck, they are only human.

Pete likes Mike's accent and the way he talks. He thinks Mike's Texan accent is very charming and kinda hot a bit, maybe. Pete isn't very used to this type of accent very much so it gets to him real easily.

Mike also likes Pete's accent but because he's so soothing and mild when he talks. Mike had to live with the day by day life of being next to Davy Jones of all people so his opinion on British people and their accents soured a bit (no shade to Davy, I love the lil' guy but he's just so overbearing sometimes akjfgakjfg). But Pete changed that idea.

Also, also, Mike being in love with Pete's gorgeous electric blue eyes because of course Pete's blue eyes are a factor why wouldn't they be a factor in a Pete ship like c'mon! And don't even get me started on Mike going bananas about Pete calling him by his full name, which is very much A Thing for this ship like there's a whole different weight when Pete says "Mike" and when he says "Michael" and anyone familiar enough with Pete (specially '69 Pete) could tell you that.

But yeah, it starts off with Mike trying to one-up Pete when he has no idea what he's going up against, but somewhere along the way they end up finding common ground, make out and while they don't want to make it A Thing (they don't want this to be a relationship they literally just met and dropped acid and fucked this is not basis for any solid relationship) there's no denying that they have this very serious connection going on, so they decide to keep some degree of contact after their meeting. You know, just in case.

That is of course until they find themselves calling each other on a regular basis, and Mike sharing music stuff with Pete, and finding it in himself that yeah, he can also just do his own thing, fuck you.

And look I'm not saying that Mike's sudden creative burst with the First National Band was influenced by him having mind blowing sex with Pete Townshend while high off his mind and bonding with him and sharing creative ideas with him, but I am saying that the first two National Band albums were released in '70 and Tengo Amore is there so I rest my case.

=Only I Do Not Rest My Case Because The Prison Exists

I promise you all this is the last section of this!

So they remain A Thing. Pete and Mike are sharing creative thoughts over letters and phone calls, and having nasty (yet somehow still very soft) sex when either of them has like a second to spare from their daily lives to fly over and visit.

Because now Mike's trying to make up for lost time and release every song he didn't release for the past like three-four years in one-two and Pete's influence just fuels that fire. And Pete is now expected to live up to Tommy's expectations so it's not like he has time to spare either but Mike's excitement and different approach to music is refreshing and a much needed respite during Pete's creative process.

Mike hears Pete talk about the concept of Quadrophenia, and Mike becomes enamored with the idea of a narrative told through music. Sure when he heard of/listened to Tommy it was already an idea in the back of his mind, but it wasn't like he could just do something like that.

But now it's '72-'73 and all bets are off.

Pete is glad that he has someone to talk to about the more intricate concepts of music making, but he's also excited when he hears from Mike that he wants to pursue something similar. Mike knows that whatever he does is not going to compare to whatever Pete's doing. Pete had years to prepare for this. Mike is just now given this big freedom so he's just doing stuff and hoping something will stick.

Is Mike still jealous of Pete? Maybe, but at this point it has become more friendly rivalry than anything. (look Mike finally learned he doesn't need to be top dog in every little thing to be worthy of value)

Mike still goes through with it, the success of Quad emboldening him to keep going. There's clearly a market for whatever Pete's doing and Mike finds it refreshing and reassuring.

Then '74 rolls out and The Prison comes out (and honestly, in my eyes it's one of Mike's finest works, I'm always blown away by how good it is, and honestly I always forget this album is 70's because it sounds so much more "modern" and I don't know how to explain it).

Pete is excited to hear about it when it comes out (Mike was sure to call him the day before the release so he wouldn't forget!!!) and from them on they just keep in touch. They aren't dating (at least not in this timeline of this ship) but they sure as hell have a connection that they maintain throughout the years.

So yeah chronologically speaking this all somehow makes sense, isn't that weird?

#the who #the monkees #mike nesmith #pete townshend #I tried to explain this the best way I can for both Monkees people who know nothing about Who #and Who people who know nothing about Monkees #but it's very hard to explain unless you've been consuming those two bands simultaneously like me #with the same intensity #townsmith #I'll make that a tag sure

[cryptid4198-70]

Prologue "Just - Peachy"

A little disclaimer : It's been quite some time since I've decided to write anything, so I ask you pardon my rusty skills. This is a Bowser x oc fanfiction, however, I am debating if I should change it to be a Bowser x reader fanfic. This isn't edited or anything, simply a brain dump and a rough prologue. If enough readers are interested, I'll be sure to continue.

I looked similar to her. It made sense that I would be asked to play as her body-double while she went away. Aside from the fact I had green eyes, and had to dye my brown hair blonde, Princess Peach and I could have been twins. At least, outwardly. My brow rose as I watched her and the two plumbers leave under the gloom of night, wishing I was going with them. “ 'I need you to pose as me. Just for a few days, Rae. Please? I have an important visit to make, and I trust you to take care of the kingdom while we are gone.'”, she had said to me that evening as she finished stacking a few handfuls of official papers. My hands tightened their grip on the windowsill as she and the brothers disappeared from view.

A sigh escaped my lips and my fingers massaged my temples as I turned from the window. 'I don't know how to run a kingdom. Either this visit she's making is more important than she let on, or she has too much confidence in me.', I thought. It was insane! 'She loves the Mushroom Kingdom far too much to pull such a stunt flippantly. Peach, what is going on?' No answer was forthcoming. All I could do was make sure I didn't let her down. There was no time to waste, as tomorrow there was a council of the kingdoms being called; it was an annual meeting of all the rulers of the various kingdoms throughout the lands. There was much to catch up on, in order to prepare. I walked to the desk and sat down, my eyes scanning the multitude of papers waiting for me. 'At least she left me cliff notes...this is still ridiculous. How is it wise to leave someone with no prior training or experience in charge of your entire kingdom, on the eve of the annual council?', I wondered.

'There's only one explanation. Something has to be going on behind the scenes.' Chewing my bottom lip until it bled, I settled in for a night of reading. For a moment, I regretted ever following Mario and Luigi into the pipe that had brought us here in the first place. 'My stupid curiosity is going to get me killed.' A loud knock on the door made me jump. “Rae?”, a high-pitched, squeaky voice called. My eyes closed, my fingers gripping the edge of the desk. “Yes?”, I called back. The door to Peach's private office swung open and a toad peeked in. “Princess Peach had told me to check on you before she left. And she said that if you had any further questions, to ask me.” The pink-spotted toad stepped fully into the room, closing the door behind her.

'If I have any further questions? Has Peach forgotten that she has spent her whole life training for this? And all I get is less than a 24 hour notice. Right before one of the largest, and most important, meetings of the year.', I grumbled internally. The toad blinked at me expectantly. I stared back. “I see. I suppose it's time to get serious. Tomorrow is the council of kingdoms meeting, and there isn't a lot of time for me to prepare. Who all will be attending?”, I finally asked, leaning back in the chair. The toad ran over to a volume sitting on one of the shelves and pulled it down. She ran to the desk, slamming down the atlas onto the desk. “Well!”, She began, flipping the pages until she found a map that illustrated the entire world. The toad slid the book toward me. A brow rose as I leaned forward. “This world is lot larger than I thought...”, I said skeptically. My face slackened as she started unfolding the chosen pages further, revealing that they had been folded multiple times accordion style in order to fit into the atlas. “Let the lesson begin!”, She grinned, excited at the prospect of explaining things to me. I groaned, propping my face up in my hands. 'Princess....please....come back soon.', I prayed.

…...........................................................................................................................................

The council of kingdoms had gone without a hitch. I stood, dressed as Peach, waving good-bye to the various rulers as they left to return to their respective kingdoms. Once the last one had gone, I turned my back to the bridge leading from the castle area to the main part of the city. “Whew..”, I sighed heavily. The pink-spotted toad gave me two thumbs up. “There is no way none of them didn't realize I'm not Princess Peach.”, I murmured. She winced, “Well, I think you were convincing enough. But....I'm fairly certain that Princess Daisy knew right away you weren't really the Princess.” That made sense. Princess Daisy knew her, and knew me; she often visited the castle and was a friend to us all. I was eager to get out of this ridiculous dress and high-heels. The mock-crown was an uncomfortable weight upon my head, reminding me of the responsibilities Peach had entrusted to me.

“Let's go inside, shall we?”, I asked, looking down at the toad. But she wasn't looking at me. Her eyes were wide and she was shaking. My brow furrowed, goosebumps forming along my skin at the sudden shift in her demeanor. “Toa---”, I began to speak, but my words died upon my lips as a large shadow eclipsed us both. “What the...”, I breathed, watching the shadow grow past us. Turning around to see what had caused such a massive shadow, my green eyes widened. “OH,HOLY SH-!”, I started. “Princess, come on!”, my companion snapped out of it and grabbed part of the dress, as if she was fully intending to drag me back to the castle. My heart thudded in my chest as we both began to bolt toward the castle. So close, and yet so far away. Each movement I made felt slow and heavy. Like I was trying to run in a dream.

Bowser's battleship seemed rather intent on making itself at home in the courtyard. The toad screamed as a large chain barely missed us both. “Oh, fuck this.”, I grumbled under my breath, kicking off the red heels I had been forced to don that morning. Another chain shot forth from the ship, and I scooped up the toad to protect her. Rock, dirt, dust and grass were disturbed and flung through the air around us. Several toads ran from the castle, trying to reach us both. I waved my arm, “No! Get back!” Were they insane? All of them were punt-able sized, and too easy to hurt when compared to the massive balls and chains that were digging into the ground around us. And I didn't want to think about how the real Peach would react if she returned to find that there had been several casualties while she'd been away.

She was counting on me to protect them. Protect them all. “Go, run. I'll be right behind you.”, I said as I set the toad in my arms down upon the ground. She looked up at me with wide eyes, but quickly nodded. We began running toward the castle and the other toads, dodging and weaving all the way. “PRINCESS! WHAT'S THE RUSH?”, a loud, rumbly voice called from above. I froze, my entire body stiffening. 'Oh, shit. That's...that's Bowser.....WHY NOW?!', I yelled internally. “Rae? You have to follow me inside...”, the pink-spotted toad whispered, trying to tug me along. “If he catches you, and sees you up close....”, her voice quivered. 'Pretty sure Bowser would know right away....and who knows what he would do.'

The onslaught of anchors and chains stopped, and I bent over to speak directly to her and the other toads. “Get inside, all of you. You know what to do. Just as always. And make sure the Power Star is hidden and protected. But your lives take priority. No! Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Just- hurry!”, I urged them, ushering them forward. They hesitated, loyal to a fault. But eventually, obeyed. Knowing they would be safe, I turned and crossed my arms over my chest. I narrowed my green eyes at the ship parked in the courtyard. Thanks to the position of the morning sun, I could only make out the silhouette of the King of the Koopas.

“King Bowser. To what do we owe this pleasure? Ruining the courtyard and disrupting everyone's fine—HEY!”, I shouted, covering my face instinctively. Thanks to the sunlight, I hadn't been able to see properly and was unaware of what was headed straight for me until the last second. I felt a net encircle me, then quickly tighten. “HEY!”, I yelped again as I felt myself being yanked off the ground and watched in horror as I was unceremoniously hauled up. Realizing there was little I could do, I sat back in the net and folded my arms, glaring at the looming figure of the Koopa King.

Once I was dropped onto the deck of the battleship, the tension of the net loosened. Wasting no time, I thrashed about until I was free of the ropes. Making sure to keep my eyes lowered, I slowly rose up off the ground. 'Now what? The moment he sees my eyes...my cover is blown.' His boisterous laugh rumbled through the air as he celebrated. “Well, well, well. Miss me? It's been far too long,Princess.”, Bowser smirked. I risked glancing up at him through my eye lashes, my heart pounding in my chest. Suddenly, this pink dress was feeling too restrictive. Bowser was looking around, eyes narrowed as if trying to locate someone. “No irritating, ever-present Mario? How delightful! Finally, we can have some privacy to...chat.” He turned away from the railing of the ship, the whole vessel shaking as the anchors were being hoisted. 'He's not wasting any time... and the only reason he's not figured me out yet is because I'm wearing her perfume.', My thoughts rattled around chaotically like a green shell bouncing off walls.

I turned my back to him, biting my lip. “What's the matter, Princess? Chain-chomp catch your tongue? Or is it that you're so overwhelmed to see me again?”, He asked. I could hear his footsteps as he approached me from behind. I inhaled slowly through my nose, raising myself up and rolling my neck. “You forgot someone, Bowser.”, I said softly. “Who? The skinny one? Luigi? What's he going to do?”, Bowser chuckled. “No. Me!”, I retorted, turning around to face him as I yanked the mock-crown off my head. I tossed it aside, my eyes meeting his. “Sorry to burst your bubble, but it's not Peach.”, I smirked. Shock flickered in his ruby eyes, his brow furrowing. There was a long stretch of tense silence.

Our eyes remained locked together. “Who are you?”, he demanded, closing the gap between us. “Oh, I am offended! We've met before. But in case you need a refresher, I am Rae. Princess Peach's assistant and personal guard. And body-double, when it's called for.”, I tilted my chin up and raised a brow. His eyes darkened, “You.” I grinned, “Ah! So you do remember me.” “Hard to forget someone so...unconventionally annoying.” We circled each other, sizing one another up. Of course, there was no real contest. I was merely 5 foot 3 inches tall, and I didn't have the same amount of physical strength he did. Nor did I possess the ability to shoot fire any time the mood struck me. “You're just mad I gummed up your canons with quick-set concrete and put sugar in your engines.” He reached out, gripping my wrist as he pulled me closer toward him.

I flinched involuntarily, but didn't break eye contact. “Oh, please. If I wanted to hurt you, you would be a smoldering pile of ash by now.”, he rolled his eyes. “Believe me, I'm aware. But what's left to be decided here is if you're going to leave or if you're going to over-stay your welcome.”, I hissed. Bowser laughed. “Where is Peach?”, he suddenly demanded, his voice lowering in pitch. We were almost snout to nose. “Not your concern.”, I shot back. My chest rose and fell rapidly with each breath, but I willed myself not to back down. No matter how badly I wanted to. “Oh, but it is my concern. Where is she?”, Bowser growled. I set my jaw, remaining silent. “Fine.”, he finally said.

Bowser let go of me and shouted over his shoulder, “Ready and aim the canons! Fire on my command.” He glanced at me, sneering. “You wouldn't. You don't know if she's in there or not. And we both know you wouldn't put her in harms way. Not willingly.”, I said, sounding more confident than I felt. “Oh, I do know. See, if she was in there...she would have came out by now. Same with those brothers that always follow her like lost puppies. In fact, I'd bet the only ones in there right now are those Toads. Am I right, Rae?”, His sneer morphed into a full grin. I frowned. “Answer enough. So, here's how it's going to go. You either tell me where Peach is. Or I blow that entire castle into rubble.”

'Crap...he's not bluffing.', I realized, intently studying his face. But to admit he was right felt like a betrayal to Peach. Yet, so did remaining silent and risking the lives of her people. “She's not here. Princess Peach left me in charge until her return.”, I said cautiously, eyeing him. He tapped a claw against his chin, looking away as if thinking something over. “Interesting. So, she trusts you. She values your friendship.” My stomach twisted as he looked at me with a gleam in his eyes. “I can tell you won't readily tell me where she is. So, I'll just take you with me. And we'll have a grand ol' time until she sends word.” He began to walk away, issuing the command to put away the canons and make ready to leave. “Hey!”, I shouted, hurrying after him. “What is it?”, he asked, annoyed as he turned to face me.

“You don't know how long that'll be. And how is she supposed to know that you took me in the first place?”, I asked. Bowser spread his hands, that cocky grin returning. “Rae, come on now. Who else leaves behind such an obvious calling card? Who else has the same reputation? Princess Peach will know. Besides, her precious little toads are going to fill in any blanks for us. They never know when to shut up.” “Then that's something you both have in common.”, I retorted. He slowly lowered his hands, leaning forward. “What was that?”, He asked. I looked away, hugging myself. “Nothing.” He chuckled, “That's what I thought. Now, try not to be a pain and just stay there. Preferably without yapping the entire trip back to my kingdom.”

I glared daggers at his back as he walked away. 'Well...this is just...peachy.', I huffed inwardly. Turning around, I walked over to the side of the deck. Leaning over the rails, I scanned the windows of the castle. I could barely make out the terrified faces of the toads. Even though I wasn't sure if they could see me, I flashed them a thumbs up and a wide grin. A show of confidence that I didn't fully feel. The ship lurched and all I could do was grip the railing as I watched the Mushroom Kingdom turn into a tiny speck below us.

(Thank you for reading!!! As a last note, I am an adult and I do prefer to write toward adult audiences. However, I doubt I will ever post something N$FW. Yet, if I do, or if certain chapters ever dive into a heavier topic or need warnings - rest assured I will provide a full tag list or disclaimer before the chapter itself. If I ever forget a particular tag, do not hesitate to tell me.)

#bowser x oc #Bowser fanfic #Bowser #super mario #princess peach #mario and luigi #fanfic #cryptid 4198 70

[youchangedmedestiel]

Confession time

It has been 6 months (more or less) since I joined Tumblr and AO3 and I finally told my friends. I couldn't not tell them because it has become a big part of my life now, especially writing fanfics. A year ago I wasn't even writing a single word in my native language. And NOW I can't stop writing. Like it's a new hobby. And I think I just can't live without it anymore.

It took me a long time to tell them because I was scared of their reactions to be honest. I know they are open because otherwise we wouldn't be friends but still. I was scared they find that ridiculous or worse that they didn't understand how important it is for me and how much it changed me.

And man, they reacted sooo well. One already read fanfics since high school and loves Dean and Destiel. Plus I already send her some of my fics. The second one hasn't watched SPN and doesn't know a thing about Tumblr and fanfiction. And the last one is a Sam girl and is not really into reading fanfiction but still wanted to read what I wrote about Destiel. So I picked one, that wasn't easy to choose but I did and I hope she likes it or at least doesn't throw up while reading it.

Anyway, their backgrounds might be different, but all of them found it awesome and asked me why I haven't told them before. And I told them that it was also because I had to process the whole thing on my own, because it FUCKING changed me and the perception I had of myself. But that's also why I had to tell them, because it changed me that much and if they didn't know about it, it's like they would know me anymore.

So if you don't know how to talk about it to your friends but want to and you need inspiration then here below, this is what I sent them to explain. It might not be everyone's experience though but there this is mine:

"I should tell you because it's been 6 months now, so I've had plenty of time to accept it. You know how abnormal I am about Supernatural and especially Dean and Cas. Like, it never did that to me with any show before and when I say THAT you don't know what I'm talking about because I didn't tell you. The THAT: I created a Tumblr account, where I follow people, people I don't know follow me and I post stuff on it on SPN, on Destiel. I also created an AO3 account. Where I read fanfics but not only. Hold on tight. Me, who didn't like French or English classes when we were at school. You know me, I've never been literary, let alone in another language. But now I write fanfics in English and I LOVE it. It's my new passion, it's become a big part of my life and I think it helps me on a daily basis, I'm sure it does, like it helped me a lot especially when I had nothing to do all day when I was unemployed and it still helps me. Because it's a way of expressing myself and when I'm inspired it's an incredible feeling, I've never really known that before (except maybe when I was drawing) and I can't live without it now. I spend a lot of my free time on it and it's still not enough, which is also why I get frustrated when my weekends feel too short. It's because I'd like to take more time off to work on all the fanfic ideas I have. Because I can't always write between my evening shower and preparing dinner because it's too short, sometimes I need to take time to be able to sort out my ideas. But sometimes it just comes to me, like Saturday morning when I was just waking up in bed, I wrote a few hundred words because an idea popped into my brain. So I wanted to tell you because it's important to me. It may sound ridiculous to some, but I don't care because the feelings it gives me when people like what I write or comment that the characters sound like themselves or that I've made them cry make me happy (yes, I do like making people cry, apparently lmao). Yesterday I wasn't doing too well, I couldn't get any work done. I must have PMS going on or some crap like that, I felt empty and I didn't feel like doing anything because I couldn't see the point, whatever. I wrote a few cute words about Dean and Cas, my loves, and it made me feel better. It's kind of magical. I feel like my writing has improved a bit in 6 months. I don't think I can live without writing anymore anyway, and I never thought I'd say that one day. Here you know everything, it frustrated me that you didn't know, because it's cool to share it with strangers online but if my friends don't know about it, it doesn't make sense 😘 especially given the role and place it has in my life."

#destiel #deancas #dean winchester #castiel #supernatural #spn #when I say destiel change me #I'm not kidding #and I finally told my friends #they know now how much it changed me #now that I acknowledged it #now that I accepted it #now that I owned it #that's the first time I'm sharing this much in here #but maybe it can help someone who knows #or maybe it can help me to know i'm not the only one #writing fanfiction #fic authors #fanfic writing #my destiel fanfic #my personal experience with destiel #my personal experience with spn