#she gets really frustrated that she can't throw it out and just stews in a quiet rage for a few days

[bookaddict24-7]

REVIEWS OF THE WEEK!

EVERY WEEK I WILL POST VARIOUS REVIEWS I’VE WRITTEN SO FAR IN 2024. YOU CAN CHECK OUT MY GOODREADS FOR MORE UP-TO-DATE REVIEWS HERE.

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24. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Re-read January 2024

I've been wanting to re-read this series for a while because I never finished it. I remember really enjoying this first book in the series because of the competition aspect of it and I'd say I still enjoyed that!

I also see the foreshadowing for the MC's ability to attract all of the men in her life LOL. While I might not have enjoyed it as much as the first time, I still enjoyed it for the most part. There were a lot of things I forgot about and was delighted to be reminded of. The MC is a badass, but her constant "I could kill him with two moves" comments at the beginning had me rolling my eyes a few times.

Even though I know book two will break my heart again, I can't wait to pick it up. Also, SO MANY clues in this one about her identity that I missed the first time around. Definitely one of those books that is worth reading more than once just to catch all of the little pieces of the overall puzzle.

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25. Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison--⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have a bit of a gripe with this author. While I like a good chunk of the books she writes, the third act breakups are so infuriating. They take away all of those happy feelings that were building up throughout the book because the drama and miscommunication for the third acts are freaking ridiculous.

I was listening to this book last night when it happened--the inevitable "I'm afraid and a coward and let me let you stew in this miscommunication so that it somehow makes sense for me to break up with you because I'm so scared." Listen, as someone who has anxiety and has relegated herself to singledom because I don't want to deal with the messy emotions, I UNDERSTAND. It's freaking scary. BUT. But for the love of god, there are better ways around this. This manufactured and forced drama is so frustrating. I literally wanted to throw the book out the window.

These characters deserve better.

Three stars because I loved them when they were actually functioning like human beings and not drama puppets. Three stars for the small town side characters, who I have loved the whole way through this series (I'd give THEM a higher rating). And three stars for the diversity of a Latine character (even if the Spanish was sometimes questionable.)

Will I read the last book? Of course. I want to read about the other couple, but I KNOW that I'm going to be frustrated as well. Listen, I didn't think I was going to get as annoyed as with the climax of book one (because book two was actually kind of okay with the climax), but oh man. The FRUSTRATION.

Sigh. Moving on. Read this series if you want cute moments and sexy characters, but be prepared for the moments of frustration. This FMC has a lot of things to work through and I think one of the things that frustrates me the most about these third act breakups is that they feel like they come out of nowhere. They're fine in the moment and then boom, "I'm a coward."

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26. Breathless by Amy McCulloch--⭐️⭐️⭐️

One of the issues I have with adult thrillers is that I sometimes build them up a lot more in my head than the story itself. While BREATHLESS kind of suffers from this, it had its interesting and captivating moments.

I thought the mountain climbing aspect of the book was really cool and I wanted the MC to prove everyone wrong, including her awful ex-boyfriend. Granted I know nothing about mountain climbing, but that aspect of the book is probably one of the main reasons why I kept listening to this audiobook.

The mystery was not predictable but also it kind of was? LOL. It's hard to explain--I didn't actively think it was one person, but when it was all revealed, I thought it made a lot of sense. Like I said, I thought the mountain climbing was the true thrilling aspect of this book.

Overall, this was fun and I loved that ending, but it wasn't something I think I'll be thinking about a month from now. It was good, but *shrug*.

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27. Slewfoot by Brom--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I didn't know what to expect from this beautiful book. I purchased it a couple of years ago because all of my friends were talking about it, so of course I fell to the peer pressure. Just like the beautiful and eerie artwork, the story itself is unsettling and straddles that morally grey line of justified vengeance and anger versus a society's portrayal of evil (ie. a woman refusing to be cowed by a male's authority.)

Reading this gave me this odd sense of satisfaction when everything came to a head--especially thinking about all of the women who were accused of witchcraft and murdered. I especially felt this anger when I think about how many people the MC helped and how those people let their fear and hatred guide their actions against her. I think, beyond the cowardice of a man not accepting defeat, that angered me the most--women turning on each other because of a male dominated society's idealism and "godliness".

Needless to say, I loved this and couldn't put it down. I wanted to know what came next, even though I KNEW it wouldn't be something good. I'm just grateful that Brom knew that I would be looking for those satisfying moments of vengeance.

Also, I'd call this terror in the sense of that overhanging fear of what comes next. But even with the gory bits and the blood lust, I'd say the real terror in this book is humanity and how easily they are swayed. It all leads to me wanting to ask: who is the true devil here?

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28. From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I can't believe I've made it this far! Although, I have this feeling I have because the deja vu is hitting me HARD.

FROM DEAD TO WORSE had so much going on, but unlike some of the other books before this one, this one actually took place closer to home. I kind of missed reading about Sookie's misadventures near her home. We got to revisit a lot of her relationships with the men in her life in this one--like the cleanser book for any ends that weren't fully cut clean.

I may have been spoiled for who's endgame, so I am totally seeing how Harris starting laying down the little hints here and there. But even so, knowing this doesn't stop certain moments from feeling bittersweet for me.

More things were revealed and Sookie grew even more as a character. I understood why she made the choices she made because she's finally putting her self-worth above those of the men in her life, but I still DID feel a little bad for her beau in this one. But again, I am on her side because she's been dealt some shitty men cards in the last eight books.

Onto the next one!

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29. The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

After trying and failing to read Ferguson's THE NANNY, I really wasn't sure what to expect with this vastly different genre of a book. I'm honestly so glad I decided to give this a shot anyway because THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN.

I was hooked onto the story and I loved the different tropes that were used. The whole grumpy/sunshine thing will always be a winner with me, and I am a puddle for this kind of tension. And don't even get me started on the smut. Omg, this man. The dirty talk in this was *chef's kiss*. This man is hot HOT.

I also really liked how the climax of the story was handled, even if one of my least favourite tropes was temporarily employed. I admire a self-sufficient FMC who can slap some sense into the MMC.

I do recommend this book to romance lovers, but I know that the topics explored in this book may be new to some. Research beforehand might be an awkward time LOL.

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30. Just Happy to Be Here by Naomi Kanakia--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I want to preface my review by stating that I am not a member of the Trans community, so my opinions on this book are from an outsider's perspective.

JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE was an intense read, both because of the clear transphobia and because of the MC's youth/naive nature about the people around her. The number of times she was cut off by those around her, or had such clear transphobic comments and actions done against her and she brushed them off was rage-inducing. I think I know why she does this--especially at the end, when it all ties up really nicely together, but in the moment, I felt immense rage towards the people around her.

Kanakia's novel touches on so much happening right now in society and how people twist narratives to fit their agendas and their means. How some people can see one person as an "object" to further their ideologies.

This book just made me feel a lot and made me so angry, but I know I am privileged in my cis-life. My heart broke for the kids who are in these situations and/or are surrounded by people who just refuse to see beyond their own biases and hatred.

I also appreciate the representation of the complex familial relationship between the MC and her parents--it may have been imperfect, but as an adult, I can see the love there for their daughter.

Between the beautiful cover, the emotionally stimulating and thought-provoking story, and the raw reality of a young character trying to figure herself out, I do recommend JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE. I do also recommend that the TWs be heeded: transphobic language, transphobia, internalized racism, transmisogyny. Read with care--but know that this is a pretty important story. Also, Kanakia has a pretty great author's note at the end!

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31. The Probability of Everything by Sarah Everett--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

THE PROBABILITY OF EVERYTHING was so much more than what I was expecting and although my heart feels wounded and my eyes are still feeling that aching pressure after a good cry, I'm so grateful I was able to experience it.

Twelve year old me wishes she had this book to read when my world changed so irrevocably, much like the MC of this book.

This heartbreaking novel follows a young scientist-to-be who likes to deal with probabilities in exchange for the anxiety surrounding her world ending. We are faced with a family grieving the end and how everyone handles it differently.

I don't even know what else to say about this book for fear of spoiling it--but know that it is powerful, important, and heart-rending.

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32. Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Re-read: January 2024

I've been wanting to re-read LONG SHOT for a while, even though it is a very heavy and dark book. I had forgotten just how dark this book gets and while I highly recommend it, I do still super recommend you check out the trigger warnings.

Despite the dark and the abuse, the shining light was the blossoming romance between the two MCs and how, if something is truly destined for you, it'll happen.

LONG SHOT is a book full of emotion, heart, heartbreak, and a bit of magic in the sense that Karma is a bitch and it comes for all. Also, the FMC is one strong woman who did everything she could to protect those she loves. Kennedy touches on the misconceptions that haunt survivors of DA, which I thought was a very important aspect of the book.

Now I want to read the rest of the trilogy, which I never read after the first time I read this one.

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33. Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am always wary of sequels--especially when it's for fantasy books I initially really enjoyed. Somehow, Rachel Gillig delivers a sequel that was even better than the first book. TWO TWISTED CROWNS was a delight of a read full of dark moments, high intensity, anger, and a love story I felt more deeply than in book one.

The angst alone between two of the characters I wasn't expecting to see together was better than I could have ever hoped for. This was what made this book even more fun--just me casually waiting for these characters to just cross that line with each other.

Also, I found that TWO TWISTED CROWNS had me reacting more viscerally towards the hateful villains. The way I wanted to smack a bitch in this book because how dare they hurt these precious beings?

And, hi, I wasn't expecting to cry? Imagine that I'm enjoying this darker fantasy novel when all of a sudden, my eyes start to water during an emotional scene.

Let's applaud Gillig for making this a duology (hopefully) and not dragging this in a ten series saga. This whole series was such an incredible piece of fiction. I'm glad I fell into the hype and read these two books.

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34. Holes by Louis Sachar--⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Re-read January 2024

I don't even know how many times I read this when I was a kid. Reading it as an adult now was such an interesting experience. For one, the story felt a lot shorter and quicker than I remember it being. I also remembered everything because I'm not kidding when I say that I read this A LOT as a kid.

Being an adult, I can also see how truly sad this story could get--especially one of the historical stories told throughout the book.

Such an amazing classic and truly a gem.

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Have you read any of these books? Would you recommend them?

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Happy reading!

#Reviews #Review #Reviews of the week #books #books and reading #read #reading #booklr #bookish #features #bookworm #bookaholic #book blogger #book blog #on books #on reading #my writing #my review #long text post #book list #readers of tumblr

[the-badger-mole]

18. What is a line/scene you’re really proud of? Give us the DVD commentary for that scene.

This was actually kind of hard to pick, if you can believe that. But I picked this scene because it feels like a conversation the Gaang deserved to have. It is from Serenade on a Mournful Night (part 3 of Out of Yesterday's Ashes.

{Before this, Aang has actually admitted that he can't go into the Avatar State, and the team gets a chance to discuss how it affects their plans.}

"We should probably strategize," Sokka said. He settled on Katara's other side. He took an enthusiastic slurp of his dinner.

"Don't you want to wait for Dad and the others?" Katara asked. "Also, didn't we already plan a strategy for the invasion?"

"That was before we found out about... Aang's little problem." Sokka spoke out of the side of his mouth, as if he were trying to keep a secret from someone.

"Aw, come on, Sokka," Toph groaned. "What changes? Ozai will be completely powerless. Aang still has water, air and earth. Honestly, Aang, take your pick. Run him through with an icicle; crush him with a rock; heck, suffocate him if you want. Get creative." Aang's jaw had dropped in horror, and his face had gone increasingly paler with every suggestion.

" Toph!" He yelped. "That's awful! Are you nuts? I'm not doing any of that!"

The silence that descended on the camp was even more loaded than the one that followed his confession about the Avatar State. Katara exchanged glances with Sokka and Toph, finally settling back on Aang.

"Aang," she said hesitantly. "You know that killing Ozai was the point of the invasion." Aang shook his head.

"The plan was to go in and beat him," he told them. "No one said anything about killing him."

{And now it's out in the open that Aang doesn't want to kill Ozai. It always bugged me that the show waited until the second to last episode to have Aang address his refusal to kill. I feel like even this is a bit too late for it to come up, but I think it works because it also exposes a breakdown in communication among the friends about what is to be done with Ozai. Katara, Sokka and Toph are of course on the same page. They've known all their lives that to end the war, Ozai had to die. It's not something that needed to be discussed point blank, because they assume everyone in the world is on the same page. For Aang, the war isn't something concrete. He knows he's supposed to end it, but he doesn't put much thought into what ending it means. }

"You needed that spelled out for you?" Toph asked incredulously. "Of course we want to kill him." Aang leapt to his feet. His forgotten bowl of stew flew off of his lap, spilling the thin broth and vegetables on the ground.

"No!" He shouted. "If I kill Ozai- if I kill him while he can't defend himself, I'll be no better than he is!"

"It's not the same thing!" Sokka insisted. "Ozai needs to be taken out because he's a monster!"

"He's a human being!" Aang countered.

"Just barely!" Now Sokka got to his feet. Katara sat between the two and tugged on their shirts to get them to sit down. Neither paid attention to her.

"I was taught that all life is sacred." Aang had drawn himself to his full height amd met Sokka's ranting with righteous indignation. "The monks said that-"

"Oh, here he goes with the monks," Sokka groaned throwing his hands out. "There is proof that your precious monks weren't against fighting back. And maybe if they got onboard with fighting back a little sooner, they wouldn't all be dead now."

{Another bit I wish had been addressed in the show was Aang's naive clutching at the philosophies he was taught. I don't intend this to mean that Aang is wrong to turn to what the Monks taught, but I do want to challenge his incomplete understanding of their beliefs. After all Aang was only 12 when he left the monks. He's got the equivalent of a 6th grade education. Whatever he has learned is not all there is to know. Sokka is being mean because he's frustrated that Aang seems to be screwing his eyes shut to what's happening around him, but delivery aside, he's not completely wrong, either}

" Sokka! " Katara gasped. Aang chest was heaving with anger, and his fists shook at his sides. Suddenly, he let out a high pitched shriek and threw himself on Sokka. Now his fists flew wildly, landing blows wherever they could.

"Woah! Twinkle Toes!" Toph's mouth dropped open in shock. Sokka mostly blocked the attack, but he occasionally threw much more precise punches at the younger boy.

" Stop fighting! " Katara shouted. Still she was ignored. She looked across the fire in exasperation. Toph seemed to find the situation hilarious. She was almost doubled over in laughter while the fight went on. Katara scowled at her and attempted once more to break up the brawl.

" Ah !" Sokka cried. His hands flew up to his face, but already there was blood seeping through his fingers. Katara caught the back of Aang's shirt and dragged him back away from her brother.

"That's enough !" she told him. Aang saw the blood dripping down Sokka's arm, and the fight drained out of him.

"Sokka, I'm... I'm so-" Aang tried to move toward him, but Sokka put his hand up, and Katara held him back.

{I think this section is my favorite part. Sokka and Aang are siblings having a fight, and it got out of hand. What they are fighting about is more serious than most of us will ever fight with our siblings about, but I think all of us who grew up with siblings recognize this scene. }

"Forgedd it," Sokka said. His voice sounded weirdly nasal, as if he had a cold. "Just make sure you have the same energy when you face Ozai and maybe we'll actually have a shot at ending this war for good." He spun on his heel and stormed away from the campsite. Katara let go of Aang and followed Sokka into the woods.

"Wait, Katara," Aang called after her. She glanced over her shoulder with an odd, pinched expression on her face.

"I have to make sure his nose isn't broken," she said. "Just stay here, alright? Sokka! Hold up!" Aang stared helplessly after her, but he did as she told him, and sat down.

{A lot of people think that I don't recognize that Aang is a child, but I think I understand that better than the creators of the show. I wanted in this story to show Aang's childishness. He's not malevolent, but he is thoughtless and naïve sometimes. Sometimes he reacts without thinking through the consequences. He's not the wisest person in the show, or even within the group, and part of his growing up process is having his worldview challenged.}

Send me more asks!

#ask game #ask the badger mole #atla #sokka vs aang #the pay-per-view fight we all deserved? #it's very little brother fights big brother #THE YEAR OF CONTENT!!!!

[arllenn]

Staring down at Ruri- no Chime is his name, before you, you can help but feel tired. None of this is making any sense it’s all too much at once.

Bonderev, one of the dickheads behind what happened at black swan bay, had apparently been alive and living well enough to the point where he could give lessons on morality in his final moments. Imagine that! HIM a man who BLEW UP an ORPHANAGE and who had personally shot you and Renata, what he persumed to be, dead! And he had the nerve to ask you to, no- TELL you to protect his son, to not let his actions get in the way of YOU PROTECTING his SON! You’re so frustrated to the point where you’re not sure if you want to burst out into maniacal laughter, break down and cry or just destroy everything in your sight the same way that dickhead had done to you and your family all those years ago.

He had gotten everything and more. A family, a happy life, power and he was freed from all the consequences of his actions. So what about you what did you get? A permanent fear of trusting anyone because “hey I’ve already been used as a genetic experiment by the man I considered a father who then proceeded to blow me, everyone and everything I’ve ever loved to kingdom come! But sure thing nice stranger who I just met let’s be besties!” Makes so much sense. Oh, oh! What about stealing years away from your life! 20 to be exact, man you could’ve been married, had a family, gone to the capital and achieved everything you had wanted to! But no instead what you’re doing is standing here, the same 18 year old who couldn’t do anything to save your friends, your family, as you watched them die in front of you. You’re the person who even in her last moments Renata had to look after and protect. And wow doesn’t that smart, doesn’t it hurt to look down at Chime to see how weak he is, with a voice that trembles and eyes that seem one glare away from overflowing with tears, doesn’t it hurt to look at him and see the worst parts of yourself reflected back at you? The parts you wanted to bury so deep down inside that they’d be forgotten by even you. But here they are, loud and angry and demanding your attention.

Your throat closes in on itself, the hand on your hip tightens. It’s a painful squeeze that’s only purpose is to remind you that, no you can’t cry here, you can’t let anyone see you like that, you cant let yourself be like that, not here. Not in front of people who you should know, who you should trust but who you don't You've spent more time running around for them then with them. It's mean and the ugly cloying feeling that rises up from your chest makes you look back at your relationship with 'your' uperclassmen. Were you even close enough to be called comrades? friends? Most of the time it felt like you were just there. A living phone running to deliver messages from one of them to another. Running errands, throwing yourself into danger or just escaping death for what? People who, people who you- people who you... what even are they to you? Right now your upperclassmen feel miles away from you, both emotionally and physically.

Your nails were starting to dig into your skin in a way that was more then painful. You could feel the moment the skin on both your hip and the palm of your other hand broke. Pulling your lip in between your teeth you try and tune back into the conversation waiting for the right words, for your upperclassmen to throw another request at you so that you can leave, preferably go outside and beat the shit out of one of the trash cans out back before running off into danger once again to fulfill their orders like you always did. And wow, isn’t that something... even now, even now, you’re still just blindly following people’s orders, never asking questions, never saying no. What... what is wrong with you? Hadn’t you learned your lesson already? Hadn't you learned after Herzog that you don't, you can't, just do that. Last time you did that you grabbed onto a rotten rope, a horribly, disgustingly, rotten rope.

"Promsing to protect somebody so recklessly is a foolish thing... nevertheless... thank you." Chime's retelling of his life comes to an end at a convient time. It's perfect really, and so you take that moment, the lull after his thanks, to leave.

You walk out into the lobby of Takamagahara the slow calming jazz music a horrible contrast to the thoughts and feelings that are swirling inside you right now. You make it two-thirds of the way to the bar when you're met with an extremely unpleasnt sight that has you cringing for more reasons then one.

Crow and Yasha are sitting the bar, resting most of their belegirantlty drunk weight on the actual contertop instead of on their chairs. They're demanding extra achoul, Crow shouting about how he can't take something anymore who knows what. And yikes heres a thought, Chime Gen is in the VIP room right behind them, those two who, even if they are drunk out of their minds, are Chisei's aides. They find Chime or even gain the smallest inkling of an idea that he may be here and you'll have more to worry about then cleaning up the counters from their drunk cry fest. Normally you'd step in here, and take over for Quinton the poor bartender on duty who always seemed to get the worst of the costumers but you really aren't feeling up to it today.

Just as you're about to turn around to give the trashcans outside the beatings of their lives Crow says something that you can't help but stop at. "You know I like Sakura don't you?" It was a question directed at Yasha who was only able to groan out what he thought was a response. You debate staying for a second. This isn't something that you particularly care about, nor is it something that really concerns you. But it just, you just want to know a little bit more about what Sakura was like before she became another one of Herzog's victims. Its with that flimsy excuse and the puppy dog look that Quinton gives you once he notices you're there that has you stepping closer, leaning against one of the pillars that trap the bar in its own seprate space.

As Crow continues to slur his feelings out Yasha seems to sober up a bit, it's not by much but its to the point where you're no longer worried about him getting into a bar fight, more just what taxi service to call for him when he inevetably passes out and where to send him afterwards.

Yasha leans over the bar apparently ready to give Crow some type of advice when the following happens. 1) he trips and stumbles over his words "Don't.. Don't worry. We are brothers. I... will never... mock you." sweet right? It would've been if not for 2) The fact that he lurches over its a face you recgonize all too well.

"Quinton get out of the-" 3) Yasha hurls all over Quinton, your words left to hang just as Yasha's icky face goop is left to hang off of Quinton. And now you're royally pissed. Sure you were pissed before but this is the type of rage that can only be quelled by you being left alone to stew in it. Its not the emotional type of rage that you felt earlier when you wanted to smash every glass surface you came across no this is the cold type of rage that leaves nothing but apathy in its wake. because as much as you've been trying to ignore it theres so much more that you had been trying to ignore, so much more that had been pushed to the wayside that you're angry about. You look up at Quinton whose looking at you like a lost kid in a mall that had mistaken you for their mother. Running a rand through your hair you harshly scratch at your scalp. "Quinton," you let out a frustrated sigh, "Take the rest of the night off, you'll be paid regularly and you can take extra pay if you wake up sick tommorrow." You turn to him and start to walk behind the counter switching places with him.

“Right thanks a bunch, manager." He rushes out. Turing towards the staff area most likely to change into his extra uniform instead of going home covered in puke. Staring down at Yasha's mess which was covering most of his area of the counter as well as the floor under his chair your annoyance hit an all new peak. It's not the chunky kind of throw up that can be easily cleaned up, its a mush that resembles watery baby food. It's obvious that this wont be a quick clean and that both mops and floor wipes are just going to push this stuff around instead of soaking it up.

Today just can't get any worse can it? Pushing your hand back into your head you aggitatedly rubbed at your scalp, pushing and pulling at the skin there. You’re pissed off. To come back after fighting against Herzog, let’s not forget HERZOG WAS THERE TOO! HE WAS THERE, HE WAS THERE LIVING AND BREATHING, AFTER ALL THAT HE HAD DONE, HE HAD THE NERVE TO GET UP ON THE PEDESTAL THAT HE HAD CONSTRUCTED, DESIGNED AND BUILT HIMSELF THROUGH EXPLOITING THE INNOCENT TO TEST HIS FREAKY DRAGON DRUGS ON, HE HAD THE NERVE TO TALK DOWN TO YOU! ACT LIKE YOU WERE STUPID OR SOME KIND OF PREDETERMINED FAILURE! You get back from that battle exhausted , emotionally drained, and wanting to destroy yourself to find Finger leisurly drinking with Humpback! After you thought that he died you thought that you had lost another person, only for him to be there and fine. It was reliving yes, but just fucking horrible at the same time. So when you stare down at that mess and the first thing you see when you look up is the VIP room that the others are in you felt like you were justified in deciding that you would be acting on your tiredness and handing off this task to one of your upperclassmen like they do to you so often.

Actually you retract your earlier statement today can in fact get worst. Crow and Yasha have apparently had enough to drink both uncoordinatedly slamming down the money to pay for their drinks, you really don't care wether or not is correct you just want them gone, they BOTH step into Yasha's puke tracking it out the door with them. Yeah, no- you're not cleaning that up nope, nu uh, never. You blow out a heated breath and start to walk towards the VIP room careful to avoid all of the face mush on the floor. Pulling on the curtains that served as the door to enter you called out to the occupants.

"Right, sorry to ruin the fun but I just had two costumers who puked and tracked the throw-up everywhere so I need one of you to go out and clean it up preferably like," You looked down at your wrist as though you wore a watch. Truthfully it was just to hide the annoyed look on your face, "right now please." You glanced up at them Before clarifying "Chime I'm not asking you to clean it up, just focus on resting." Because as much as you wanted someone to clean that nonsense up right away you were also specially tuned into just how draining it could be to meet Herzog like that. "Cool thanks guys!" You clapped your hands together and prepared to leave the room when Luminous started complaining.

"Aw, come on no way newbie, I don't wanna clean something like that up!" He put his hand to the back of his head, a tick you had noticed he did when he was complaining, nervous or worried, "Come on can't you do it? You were already out there.." And there it was normally you would excuse that tone as just being something that made Luminous, well Luminous but today the whiny tone was grating on your ears and you were two steps away from man handling him like you used to with Anton when he was being uncooperative. The thought of him hurts. Witnessing his final moments, being there when they happened, it was both the same and different then the others. Sure you had watched all the others die but Anton's had always stuck with you in a way that was far too painful for someone who you really didn't like. And now the urge to cry was back, you felt your eyes burn with unshed tears that were a culmination of too many of your emotions to name.

Caesar brought a hand to rest on his chin tapping away at it, before he even got the chance to talk your anger had already started to peak "Luminous is right newbie, theres no reason for us to do it, you were already out there and knew the areas that needed to be cleaned. This just seems like a waste of both yours and our time." Yeah, yeah, you seriously contemplated grabbing Caesar by his ponytail and using him as a mop for a second.

"You just cleaning it up would've been more efficient." Johann unhelpfully chimed in. Yeah, maybe you would use Caesar as the mop and Johann as the counter rag.

"Yeah freshie! Everyone knows that newbies do all the grunt work, you can't expect us to do it can you?" Fingers nasally voice made you want to throttle him the more he continued to talk. Sure he may have meant it as a joke but you really weren't at the point of caring. In fact you couldn't care less about anything right now. The anger that had just been building had condensed into a vengeful apathy that demanded the souls of those around you.

Once again Caesar spoke this time however you decided to cut him off. "That's right newbie, using my authority as team leader I order you to-"

"Damn I kinda don't care," You said scratching at the back of your head in an obviously exaggerated way. "Yeah actually..." you started mimicking Caesar's earlier stance, "If you're invoking your team leader rights then I'm invoking my manager rights."

"Hey wait-" Luminous tried to interject.

"Yeah as your manager I order you all to have that throw-up cleaned within the next half an hour." A bit long of a time slot, sure, but really who cares as long as it gets done.

"No way newbie team leaders out rank managers, which means my order still stands." Caesar's stubbornness in this situation could be something to praise if not for the fact that a) you don't care and b) you're two steps away from bringing your thoughts of using him as a mop to fruition.

"Team leaders outrank managers when we're out on the field sure, but right now we're in Takamagahara not battling death servitors, which means your team leader status is moot." You made a slicing motion over your neck. "You may be the leader appointed by the college but right now that means nothing, were not fighting and this isn't reconnaissance, we're working."

"That doesn't change the fact that Caesar is team leader freshman." You can always count on Johann to speak up for what he believes in. Too bad you're not here to praise your upperclassmen but instead get them to work.

"Cool! And I'm still the manager. Right now you all are technically on the clock at Takamagahara which means what I say goes. Caesar may be the team leader and you may be my upperclassmen but that doesn't change the fact that right here right now what I say takes precedence in all matters that aren't dragon related because I'm the ma.ne.ger. " You smile your best costumer service smile and speak in the same tone that you do with costumers when you say this. Then you turn on your heel and walk out calling out behind you that "I expect to not wake up to puke covered floors in the morning! I'm going to bed good night."

And well if Finger chose not to comment on your behavior because he watched you break down in the elevator through the security cameras then that will remain with him. And if Caesar and Johann chose not to speak on it because they heard you sobbing from outside your room that night then thats something that stays between them. And if Luminous caught a glimpse of the empty look in your eyes that night when you left your room for water then he definitely held that as a close secret to his heart. Choosing not to comment on it. And if you noticed that your seniors were just a bit more gentle with you or asked for your input before sending you off on recon missions when they didn't before then you don't comment on it.

#author is tired #dragon raja mc #dragon raja #johann chu #caesar gattuso #luminous lu #fanfic #writing #finger von frings #chime gen #please send me asks

[rogue-durin-16]

SO-CALLED MATCHMAKER

Request: I'd like to request Kili x reader, when Fili tries to be a matchmaker, but doesn't notice the courting braids Kili and reader already have? Thanks for answer! 😄

Pairing: Kíli x Reader

Genre: fluff

Tags:

Requested by: @elles-kingdom-of-fanfictions

Permanent taglist: @queenofmankind @randomparanoid @karlthecat15722

Warnings: none

A/N: after oneshot I will probably make a masterlist, so send an ask if you'd like to be tagged <3.

Rogue-durin-16 masterlist

"Hold on, Y/n" Kíli's words preceeded his jog to reach the place where I was. "let me help you." He requested with a smile on his face, offering me support to hop on my pony.

"Thank you." I spoke with the same smile he had, my hand lingering on his for a moment. "Now go get your pony or we'll leave without you."

He let out a laugh, running back to his pony and hopping onto him just when we started moving. "You wouldn't be able to stay away from me, not even for a day."

His pony reached mine, but I didn't spare him a look before replying "I would, and it would be a much tranquil day." with the ghost of the smirk I was trying to hold back dancing on my lips.

"Say whatever you may to yourself," he said in a confident yet playful tone. "but I know the truth."

"What truth is that?"

"You cannot live without me." I scoffed at his words and spun my head to see him already staring at me. "As I said," he continued, averting his eyes from mine and redirecting them to the path. "say what you may, but you can't fool me."

FÍLI'S P. O. V.

The bickering those two shared had been going on for too long already, and since it seemed like they would not move a finger, I decided to take the matter into my own hands.

As soon as Oin called my brother's name and he had to move to the front, I spurred on my pony to ride by Y/n's side.

"Your brother is a little shit." She comment, her head tilted slightly to my side, though her eyes didn't left Kíli, not even for a second.

"He loves to tease you, huh?" I rhetorically questioned, attempting to make my intentions clear. "I've never seen him tease someone as much as he does with you."

"It must be because I'm the only one who knows how to tease him back."

"It must be." I shrugged, with my gaze fixed ahead of us. "Though there may be other reasons, don't you think?"

Y/n was about to say something when Thorin shouted, "We will make a stop here!" and made us lose the train of our conversation.

Now I would have to start again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Y/n looks really pretty tonight," I, reclined against a rock, commented seemingly distracted whilst playing with my knife. "doesn't she?" I felt Kíli's eyes on me and I knew I had done my job.

"Yeah, she does indeed." he looked back at me with a frown. "What are you doing?"

"I? Nothing." he raided his brows at me and I just gave him a noctant shrug. "You should be doing something, though."

"What do you mean?"

"You seem fond of her." Kíli's eyes widened slightly and I let out a chuckle. "It is alright brother, just make your intentions clear."

"What intentions?"

I looked up at him with a shocked glare. Was he being serious right now? "Must I spoon-feed you all the time?" he turned his torso to me with that confused face. "Mahal, Kí—" I took a peek at Y/n to make sure she wasn't paying us attention. "The lass fancies you."

"Fí, listen, I feel like you might be getting things wrong."

"No, you are."

"Fíli, Kíli," We both directed our attention to Balin. "go scout now before it's late night. Otherwise you will not have time to rest." my brother instantly got up, but I myself had other plans.

READER'S P. O. V.

"Y/n why don't you go with Kíli?" I looked up from my stew, quite startled since Fíli's words were not only loud but also unexpected. "She's equally stealthy as I am, even more." his eyebrows rose knowingly at me as he lay down. "Also, I am tired."

"Am I not?" Kíli retorted.

"You are younger. Now go" I picked up my sword and made a sign with my head for Kíli to join me. "You will have time speak about some matters." his older brother spoke intently.

"What's the matter with him?" I questioned, letting my fingers intertwin with the dark-haired prince's ones.

"I'm not completely sure," he started, guiding me up a hill without letting go of my hand. "but I suspect our braids might have gone unnoticed for him."

"How is that even possible- hold on." I tugged his hand in order to make him stop, which he did. "let me..." I took my hand to his tangled long hair and ran my fingers through it in order to find the braid.

"It still feels strange." he confessed, a timid smile on his face as my hand caressed his hair.

"I know." I agreed, leaning on him to plant a chaste kiss on his lips. "No wonder why your brother didn't notice," I spoke, finally finding the bead at the end of the braid. "sit down, I have to braid it again."

"Yes ma'am." he obeyed, our task to scout long forgotten. "how is yours not messed up?" he inquired in confusion, staring at the thin braid on the side of my hair.

"That would be because I am not a mess."

"Fair enough."

"So" Kíli leaned on my touch while I fixed his braid. "will you tell him?" I asked, knowing damn well the answer.

"No." a mischievous laugh followed his negative and I denied my my head. "He thinks he is being a matchmaker, let him notice all by himself." I put the bead back at the end of the braid and sat besides him. "how long do you think it will take him?" he wondered, his head resting against my shoulder.

"I hope not too long, or I will have to tell him myself."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

If Fíli hadn't acknowledged our courting braids yet, I knew he would need a little help so I tried to make as obvious as possible that Kíli was my One without the younger prince noticing so.

To my dismay, they both were equally oblivious to my acts. A total of three days passed, and Fíli was still attempting to help us get together.

I have to say that, despite his blindness, if Kíli and I had not been together, the blond dwarf would be doing a great job as a matchmaker.

"Kí, may I have a word with you?" Fíli requested after seeing us both reclined against a tree in the place we where we would be spending the night, my head resting over the dark-haired dwarf's shoulder and my hands tracing patterns on his.

"Sure, what is it?" Kíli questioned, poorly masking his amusement with naivety.

"In private."

"Why?"

I sighed.

It was getting tiring, so before they could go further in their bickering, I got up, briefly held back by Kíli's hand, though he soon let go.

"Come with me." I tugged on Fíli's hand and leaded him away from his brother. "I know your intentions are good, but you're missing-"

"My intentions are great." he stated, almost offended. "I am not missing anything, I've been seeing you both being ridiculously oblivious for a month, and I cannot believe you didn't notice each other's intentions yet."

He was definitely throwing a fit and it was kind of hilarious how obfuscated he was, so I stayed shut, trying to hold back my laugh.

"It's not only the teasing, you are all over each other and my brother is an idiot— that is not what friends do!" I looked over my shoulder to share a glance with Kíli, who was already laughing. "You fancy each other, it's frustrating seeing you act like you— just braid his hair for Mahal's sake!"

"Are you done?" Kíli asked, walking to us when he noticed I was no longer able to hold back the laughter.

"I don't know, are you done being stupid?"

"Fíli, look," Kíli took his hand to the side of my hair and separated the braid from it, lifting it for his brother to see.

"What— how- when?"

"A few days before you started your matchmaking thing." I replied leaning back on Kíli.

"But—" his eyes went to his brother, throwing daggers at him. "You are a jerk."

"I didn't do anything!" he defended himself with a smile.

"You didn't tell me anything!"

"I was going to," Kíli lied, intertwining his fingers with mine. "But it was funny to see you trying to get us together, so I thought I'd wait."

"I will kill you."

"After all the effort you've put on this?" I questioned, raising my eyebrows. "It would be a waste."

"I will kill you both." he replied to me with a warning finger.

"Oh you will not." I stated with a smile on my face. "You're too happy to do that, aren't you?" he paced briefly in front of us. "Would it make it better if I told you you're a great matchmaker." he stopped, opening his mouth but not saying a word.

"Yeah, you did all the work." Kíli agreed. "You're a great matchmaker."

"Damn sure I am." he replied with his hands on his hips. "I would have gotten your dumb asses together a month ago."

There was a moment of silence, in which Fíli's eyes went from Kíli to me and vice versa.

"You're glad we are together, aren't you?" Kíli teased. "C'mon you cannot be mad."

"You're a little shit." the blond prince stated, which was shortly followed by, "and I am so happy for you." I squealed in joy, making Fíli chuckle. "come here" I took a couple of steps to hug him, and after me came his younger brother. "I'm still mad." he informed us, still hugging.

"You're a terrible liar." I stated.

"Oh, shut it."

#kili x reader #kili x reader request #kili smut #Kíli durin #Kili Durin x reader #Kili fanfic #Kili x reader fluff #Kili request #Kili oneshot #Fili x reader #Durin's sons imagine #Kili x reader imagine #Kili imagine #Reader insert #Kili fluff #The Hobbit Fanfiction #Kili x reader fic #Aidan Turner x reader

[eurynome827]

HBC 1k Celebration Contest Winner Drabble!

This is my prompt for the HBC 1k Celebration Drabble Contest winner @wintersoldierissucharide - thank you for following the HBC!

This is also a Sebastian Playlist fic - based on "Everlong" by the Foo Fighters and written by Dave Grohl.

Hello, I've waited here for you

Everlong

Tonight, I throw myself into

And out of the red, out of her head she sang

"I can't BELIEVE you!" You scream and stomp down the hallway, ignoring him calling your name. Slamming the bedroom door, you lock it and throw yourself on the bed, angry tears stinging your eyes.

He knew. HE KNEW. You had told him how important this work event was for you, he knew he was supposed to be there.

Bucky knocked on the door, and you stayed silent. "Doll," his muffled voice drifted through. "Baby, come on, open the door."

After a tense few minutes of silence, he tried again. "You know I tried. I'm sorry."

You sat up and yelled toward the door. "Just go! Go on your stupid mission. I have to start getting ready and I don't want to see you, so just GET OUT."

A few more moments of quiet, and then... "I love you."

You don't answer. It's dumb and childish, but you don't.

Come down and waste away with me

Down with me

Slow how you wanted it to be

I'm over my head, out of her head she sang

A moment to breathe in the busy whirlwind and now that the event is humming along smoothly and you have less to stress over your guilt takes up residence in your brain.

You let Bucky walk out the door without saying you loved him - you hadn't even said goodbye. It was your rule. And you broke it in a moment of immature frustration. Time to think of some way to make it up to him when he got home.

An assistant from your company appeared at your elbow. "There's a Sam on the phone for you in the main lobby. He says it's urgent."

The blood drained from your face as you rushed to the phone, your heels making a desperate staccato beat on the polished floors.

"Sam?"

"Hey - I'm sorry, I know it's your thing tonight but -"

"What happened?"

"Can't really tell you, but if you can leave, you should meet us back at the tower..."

"On my way!" You choked out before he finished speaking, slamming down the phone and rushing to gather your things.

You hadn't said goodbye.

Breathe out so I can breathe you in

Hold you in

And now I know you've always been

Out of your head, out of my head I sang

Tears in your eyes, you sat at his bedside, his hand in yours. He would be fine, everyone assured you - he was halfway to healing already but he had lost consciousness. So you had plenty of time to stew and berate yourself while you waited for him to wake up.

His hand squeezed yours before his eyes opened. "That you, baby doll?"

"Yes," you lurched out of the chair and on to the bed next to him and he grunted in a good-natured way as he slid his arm around your waist to pull you closer.

"How was your thing?"

"Honey, don't ask me about that. I'm so sorry - SO sorry. I never should have yelled and I never should have acted like that," you spoke through tears, "and I can't believe I let you go without saying goodbye! What if this had been it, Buck? I love you so much, don't you ever forget that. I'll never let you think I don't love you, not for another second."

"Shh, take a breath," he advised, running a hand through your hair as you leaned over to press a shaky kiss to his forehead. "I'm gonna be fine. And I'll never think that you don't love me too. But you needed me tonight and I wasn't there. Your work is important too. I need to do better."

This time you shushed him, and kissed him softly, avoiding the cuts and bruises. "We'll both do better."

He gave you that look, that eye-crinkly grin that made you weak in the knees every time. "I bet if I hadn't gotten hurt, you'd still be furious with me. Right?"

You looked down, smiling and shaking your head. You couldn't really deny it, but you also wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing how guilty you'd felt, not yet at least. Instead you bit your lip and gave him a wicked glance. "Hurry up and heal, so we can make up for real."

And I wonder

If everything could ever feel this real forever

If anything could ever be this good again

The only thing I'll ever ask of you

You got to promise not to stop when I say when

💋

#hbc 1k celebration #hbc 1k celebration contest winner #everlong #the sebastian playlist #bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader

[pbandjesse]

Today was hard but I got a lot of sleep. It wasn't the worst day ever but it wasn't great.

Actually slept okay. I went up to my hammock and I got all comfy. I got woken up a couple times cuz I was a little cold but I never got out of my hammock. Which is very unusual for me. I was actually really really comfortable. I think next weekend I'll bring like one more blanket to lay on top of just because it really does leach out the back of you but I was pretty good. I was surprised.

My alarm went off at 5:30 and I got up. I went upstairs and Connor had not fill the other water yet so I had to get him to go do that. I don't know why he didn't do it because I specifically said to do it last night but it's okay. He's learning. It was his first overnight so I'm not mad at him.

But we hung out and got up. Turned out some kid had thrown up twice. Just like on the ship. One of the parents approached me later and told me that his parents hadn't informed them that he had a food allergy. So he ate the dinner even though he was allergic to something in it. That's insane. I hope he's okay.

It was all dealt with though. We had breakfast. Brandon did a really really good gun drill. He does this thing where he tells a story about the Cumberland and we run through a drill like five or six times with two different teams. And halfway through injuries happened in the Battle. So you tap on a couple kids to tell them that they're out of the line and that they've been injured and so you pull them to the side. And I went to tell our powder monkey that he had been injured but he didn't hear me and he was the littlest one that's what I just picked them up and started yelling the powder monkeys down the powder monkeys down! Which made all the parents and everyone laughed.

But they ran through it a few times and they did a really good job. Brandon's gun drill is always so fun. I wish I could get that pageantry. Maybe I'll try to focus on learning that story a little bit more. Nobody doesn't like him.

We finished up the morning and I decided that I wasn't going to go to breakfast. I just wanted to go home. We cleaned up. James came and I helped him with fixing the lines on the barrel that almost fell off last night. He brought me a cupcake because he's the best boyfriend in the world. And then we were gone. We went over to Taney we caught up with everyone. And then I went to get my bike. And this is where things went downhill.

I don't know why I'm having such terrible luck with my bike the last couple weeks but I get to my bike and I load everything in my basket and I go to unlock it and something's wrong. I dropped the lock on the ground and plastic that is rubberized around the middle is broken. And I'm like what we just bought this falling on the ground like that should not have made the split? And then I realized where my lock was sitting the paint was all messed up. And then I go to try to move the handlebars and I realize that the wheel is completely locked. At this point I thought someone tried to steal my bike. But the marks on the lock or from someone trying to cut it and then maybe they hit my bike. But later on the day looking at it and then having James look at it we think someone was just kicking it. Like a drunk idiot was just beating the shit out of my bike for no reason to try to show off to someone else. Because it doesn't look like a tool hit it it's just incredibly bench. What is bent is bent enough that I couldn't move it.

And I was exhausted as I always am after overnights and I go to try to bend it back and I didn't know what to do and I was getting more and more flustered. And so I called James. Except he doesn't pick up. And I call him again. And then third time. I text him three times during that time as well. And at this point I'm not just upset that he's not picking up. I know he's over at constellation he's being a chief over there. But if he is being chief he needs to have his phone on him because if someone else is working with him and he's on the deck and they're at the desk and something happens and they need to contact him because they need help he can't just not have his phone on him. So I was Furious. I was upset about my bike and I was so angry.

And then I have a 10 minute walk to Constellation just stewing in my anger. Thankfully I tend to get over things very quickly I run through the emotional Gambit. But I had to carry the front half of my bike all the way to Constellation and my bike is heavy. It's not 12 lb like James it's more like 25 or 30. And I think it's full of water I'm not really sure. So I get to Constellation and Stephanie's at the desk and I tell her I'm going to go scream at James. I had no actual intentions of screaming at him I'm not that person. But I was so mad.

And I got up to the deck and it's exactly what I thought was happening. He was distracted talking to guests his phone was over on the lectern. Which is unacceptable. Like I called him multiple times I texted him multiple times if something was going on he should not be away from his phone for 20 minutes. That is not okay. So I go and sit on the yardarm. And I wait for him to finish talking to the guests. And I'm getting more upset because he started bringing up other stuff that they didn't even ask about. And like I understand you want the guests to have a good time but I am visibly upset and I am coming back and you don't know what happened there was no reason for me to come back and you didn't know so why are you still talking to these gas you excuse yourself and you go find out what's wrong. That is the proper thing to do in that situation.

So he comes over and sits down next to me and I tell him that I'm upset. And I tell him why I'm upset and my anger had mostly left at this point and I was just sad. And I tell him that it's unacceptable and that he needs to have his phone on him. Not even just because I called him because Stephanie was down at the desk and you can't not be available to her if she needs help. Period. So he apologized and he said he would have his phone on him and then I told him what happened and I just broke down. I was really upset. I start crying. And he told me that he would take my bike to the bike store on Tuesday and he would try to figure out everything but I'm just so frustrated. I just want my bike and I want things to be normal. The weather is finally nice and it's nice to bike again and on my bike is fucking broken. Because someone had to destroy it for no reason. I feel like I'm going to end up just getting a new bike because there's other things that are wrong with my bike just because it's a couple years old now I don't take very good care of it. I take better care of it now that I'm with James but I still don't take the best care of it because there's not a convenient bike shop for me in general that isn't expensive. James says that he can try to find me a better bike that won't cost so much and we're still going to see if my current bike is fixable but I'm just very annoyed.

But I was also just so tired. So I say goodbye. I left the bike there so he could take it home. And then I went to head over to the bus. I lucked out because the bus came like right as I cross the street and I got home early enough. Much later than I wanted but it's fine.

I fed sweet pea and I took a shower. I unpacked my stuff. It was about noon and I laid down and watch some videos. And then I slept until 2:30. And it was like a really good nap. I had thrown laundry in the machine downstairs before I went to sleep so when I got up I went down to put things in the dryer and I brought up some stuff that doesn't go in the dryer so I can hang it. Midnight my pizza. And I really just spent the day laying in bed and making outfits for the week and putting my laundry away. After work James came over and gave me some hugs and we talked about stuff. But I feel very touchy. And I know it's just cuz I'm exhausted and things haven't been right and I'm at my apartment and I ripped my leggings. And I decided that I'm returning the shoes that I bought online and I'm going to try to find something else. I wore them one day and I just don't like them. but they let you do free returns to the store so hopefully they take them. Because apparently while they have a 60-day return policy there's a whole bunch of like weird rules around it. I repackage them and I don't know I'm not good at returning things. It's not something I do. And if they don't take them back I'll be upset because I have gone And if they don't take them back I'll be upset because I have gone And if they don't take them back I'll be upset because I have gone all And if they don't take them back I'll be upset because I took the bus all the way out to the shopping center. Which is not not far. but they can just become a constellation shoes for the summer necessary. Not the worst thing and not the biggest mistake.

I just accidentally tore my leggings so I think I'm going to just throw those and wash my face and brush my teeth and go to sleep. The plan for the morning is to wake up and go to the bus and go to the shopping center. Try to exchange or replace these shoes. Then get five guys. And then go to work. I am excited to see my students. We're going to talk about some paintings and then tomorrow we're going on a field trip. I am really hoping it's going to be a good day.

I hope you all sleep great tonight. Be safe out there. Good night.

#ootd #work #tired #bike #sunday