#they’re the same age both in a new country

[what-even-is-thiss]

People who get mad about poc being included in medieval fiction and fantasy are not only racist but they also have a deep misunderstanding about how their own ideas of race and culture work.

Perhaps, yes. Most people living in Europe in the time period we call the Middle Ages would’ve been what we now consider to be white. But that doesn’t mean poc wouldn’t have been there at all and it doesn’t mean they understood identity in the same way we do.

“Outsiders” could be from within the same city or from a world away. A lot of peoples loyalties and who they saw as being from the same group as them had to do with religious conflicts, politics, and combinations of the two. Maybe just based on what neighborhood or village they lived in.

Historically before the era of colonialism Catholic countries like Portugal have sometimes given aid in various forms to Ethiopia because they’re both christian countries. People in the area we now call Italy would’ve killed neighbors less than a 20 minute walk away over papal politics.

People also traded frequently with people from other continents. Married people from other continents. Early into the so-called age of exploration Portuguese and Spanish explorers were known to sometimes marry women traders from west Africa for their wealth and trade connections. People from all over the Muslim world have also often been traders, enemies, allies, and mercenaries all over Europe and vice versa with Christian and Jewish traders, scholars, mercenaries, traders, crusaders, etc. traveling and living within the Muslim world as well.

Vikings got around. To Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, North America. Many stayed where they went or made deals with the locals. Many brought prisoners, slaves, illegitimate children, and new wives back home.

Not only did the concept of whiteness and any other modern understanding of race not exist yet, people intermingled, intermarried, moved around, converted religions, traded across continents. Sometimes people made it all the way to North America even if that route and the colonies that came out of it faded out of memory eventually. The world was still interconnected even if it did move much slower.

Also when talking about fantasy and not historical fiction, it’s fantasy. There’s dragon. And wizard. Why are you worried about your racist ideas about “realism”? Besides the racism I mean.

#roman said a thing #rambling

[otaku553]

Ok so I have been stewing this crossover au in my brain nonstop for the past few days and. I am nothing if not committed to the bit, so. Volume cover redraws :)

Here are the originals:

If you want to read more about my one piece spy x family crossover, keep reading!

So the idea is simple! Crossover reincarnation au where ASL is reborn in Spy x Family. They’re each born separately and none of them are born with the same names as their previous lives, and with no way of finding each other, they each find their own thing to do in the world.

Sabo, too used to the dangers of being a spy, eventually finds a cause to devote himself to again, in preventing war from engulfing the country he was reborn in. Ace, drawn to fire as he was in his previous life, used arson as a means to rob rich people for sustenance and survival, and is eventually scouted and hired by Garden as a fire specialist and assassin. And Luffy, though born in perhaps the poorest condition, grows up happily and takes whatever part time jobs he wants to do.

The thing about Sabo is that, as much as he seems like a young man of good repute and high standing within society, everyone in WISE knows that he is a massive nuisance. Nobody knew in the beginning how a child less than half the age of most of their veteran agents could have the same skills and knowledge in their profession. Sabo was— and still is— hyper competent, and by the time WISE figured out just how much of a menace to society he was, it was too late.

Ace forgot for the first few years of his new life that he wasn’t made of fire, and consequently, received multiple accidental burns. This did not deter him, however, from growing up to be a very skilled arsonist, well-practiced in every which way to start a dumpster fire or house fire. As a teenage he would use this often to draw attention as he robbed rich people blind. When he was caught, he was given an ultimatum by Garden: join them and receive payment for starting fires and causing problems under contract, or face the government and authorities for his crimes. Begrudgingly, he joined Garden, but eventually comes to appreciate that he can make substantial money in his element.

Luffy is Luffy. No telepathy or experimentation, no fancy schools, no gimmicks or secret identities. But he has still lived an extremely colorful life in this world, full of fascinating and kind individuals who have helped him grow up healthy and relatively happy. He goes where he is free, and he takes whatever part time jobs he wants in order to make the minimum he needs to survive.

Ace and Sabo find each other first, in their late teens, and neither of them realize that the other remembers their previous life, but both refuse to separate. (Sabo thinks Ace doesn’t remember, because Ace didn’t recognize him. Ace never saw Sabo grow up past 10, however, so he doesn’t recognize older Sabo immediately. By the time he does realize who exactly Sabo is, Sabo has backtracked and pretends to know Ace from a dream, or from somewhere else.)

Sabo’s attachment to Ace, predictably, causes problems between Sabo and WISE, but by then, Sabo is indispensable to the organization, and they make an exception for Sabo to be able to remain with Ace, so long as Ace never finds out what Sabo’s actual job is. Ace, on the other hand, hides his job because he doesn’t want his brother, who he has just found and who does not know Ace well enough yet, to know that he makes a living from killing people.

And they find Luffy sometime afterwards, prior to the beginning of the Spy x Family canon. Luffy figures out, not long after moving in with his brothers, both of his brothers’ secret occupations and the fact that both of them remember their past memories. He thinks it is common knowledge, however, and so he never brings it up.

#one piece #spy x family crossover #sabo #monkey d luffy #portgas d ace #crossover #I have so many ideas for this au #I’ll probably write like a drabble series for it #maybe. if I get around to it #extra things: #Loid and sabo get paired on a nonzero number of missions as siblings #they are only 6 years apart in age and they’re both blond so WISE is like.. ‘it’s free real estate’ #every time this happens sabo finds a way to sneak into conversations that they’re actually cousins instead #this annoys loid a LOT because he thinks sabo can’t keep a cover to save his life. sabo is aware but he only has 2 brothers #and even in disguise he refuses to let someone else take ace and luffy’s place #ace’s codename within Garden is either ‘flame lily’ or ‘pyracantha’ #the latter being another name for the firethorn plant #yor has only heard of him in passing and has not met him in person before. but she knows that she is sent whenever he blunders and lets #someone see his face #Luffy is kind of just chilling! he takes a lot of part time jobs everywhere #to the point that loid is briefly worried that he’s a tail or stalker or something since he keeps seeing luffy around #Anya really loves playing with Luffy though because luffy has such vivid thoughts of the ocean and being a pirate #ok that’s it for now #I am very. brainrotting

[genderkoolaid]

sorry if you've talked about it already, but what is it that makes KOSA's idea of online safety wrong? I don't know much about the bill, what does it intend to do?

What do you think is a good way to protect kids from things like online predators or just seeing things that they shouldn't be seeing? (By which I mean sex and graphic violence, things which you'd need to be 16+ to see in a movie theater so I think it makes sense to not want pre-teens to see it)

From stopkosa.com:

Why is KOSA a bad bill? KOSA uses two methods to “protect” kids, and both of them are awful. First, KOSA would incentivize social media platforms to erase content that could be deemed “inappropriate” for minors. The problem is: there is no consensus on what is inappropriate for minors. All across the country we are seeing how lawmakers are attacking young people’s access to gender affirming healthcare, sex education, birth control, and abortion. Online communities and resources that queer and trans youth depend on as lifelines should not be subject to the whims of the most rightwing extremist powers and we shouldn’t give them another tool to harm marginalized communities.  Second, KOSA would ramp up the online surveillance of all internet users by expanding the use of age verification and parental monitoring tools. Not only are these tools needlessly invasive, they’re a massive safety risk for young people who could be trying to escape domestic violence and abuse.

I’ve heard there’s a new version of KOSA. What’s the deal? The new version of KOSA makes some good changes: narrowing the ability of rightwing attorneys general to weaponize KOSA to target content they don’t like and limiting the problematic “duty of care. However, because the bill is still not content neutral, KOSA still invites the harms that civil rights advocates have warned about. As LGBTQ and reproductive rights groups have said for months, the fundamental problem with KOSA is that its “duty of care” covers content specific aspects of content recommendation systems, and the new changes fail to address that. In fact, personalized recommendation systems are explicitly listed under the definition of a design feature covered by the duty of care in the new version. This means that a future Federal Trade Commission (FTC) could still use KOSA to pressure platforms into automated filtering of important, but controversial topics like LGBTQ issues and abortion, by claiming that algorithmically recommending such content “causes” mental health outcomes that are covered by the duty of care like anxiety and depression. Bans on inclusive books, abortion, and gender affirming healthcare have been passed on exactly that kind of rhetoric in many states recently. And we know that already existing content filtering systems impact content from marginalized creators exponentially more, resulting in discrimination and censorship. It’s also important to remember that algorithmic recommendation includes, for example, showing a user a post from a friend that they follow, since most platforms do not show all users all posts, but curate them in some way. As long as KOSA’s duty of care isn’t content neutral, platforms will be likely to react the same way that they did to the broad liability imposed by SESTA/FOSTA: by engaging in aggressive filtering and suppression of important, and in some cases lifesaving, content.

Why it's bad:

The way it's written (even after being changed, which the website also goes over), it is still possible for this law to be used to restrict things like queer content, discussion of reproductive rights and resources, and sexual education.

It will restrict youth's ability to use the Internet independently, essentially cutting off life support to many vulnerable people who rely on the Internet to learn that they are queer, being abused, disabled, etc.

Better alternatives:

Stop relying on ageist ideas of purity and innocence. When we focus on protecting the "purity" of youth, we dehumanize them and it becomes more about soothing adult anxieties than actually improving the lives of children.

Making sure content (sexual, violent, etc.) is marked/tagged and made avoidable for anyone who doesn't want to engage with it.

Teach children why certain things may be upsetting and how best to avoid those things.

Teach children how to recognize grooming and abuse and empower them to stop it themselves.

Teach children how to recognize fear, discomfort, trauma, and how to cope with those experiences.

The Internet makes a great boogeyman. But the idea that it is uniquely corrupting the Pure Innocent Youth relies on the idea that all children are middle-class suburban White kids from otherwise happy homes. What about the children who see police brutality on their front lawns, against their family members? How are we protecting them from being traumatized? Or children who are seeing and experiencing physical and sexual violence in their own homes, by the parents who prevent them from realizing what's happening by restricting their Internet usage? How does strengthening parent's rights stop those kids from being groomed? Or the kids who grow up in evangelical Christian homes and are given graphic descriptions of the horrors of the Apocalypse and told if they ever question their parents, they'll be left behind?

Children live in the same world we do. There are children who are already intimately aware of violence and "adult" topics because of their lived experiences. Actually protecting children means being concerned about THEIR human rights, it means empowering them to save themselves, it means giving them the tools to understand their own feelings and traumas. KOSA is just another in a long line of attempts to "save the children!" by dehumanizing them and giving more power to the people most likely to abuse them. We need to stop trying to protect children's "innocence" and appreciate that children are already growing, changing people, learning to deal with discomfort and pain and the weight of the world the same as everyone else. What people often think keeps kids safe really just keeps them ignorant and quiet.

Another explanation as to why it's bad:

#m. #ask box

[naneun-no]

From my drafts so it’s late but:

Today’s delulu thought is that Standing Next to You has too many lyrical coincidences to not be about Jimin.

🫣 I SAID IT WAS DELUSIONAL OKAY

You are free to disagree. You probably should 🤣

I mean we know it wasn’t written by Jung Kook but obviously the version he recorded was arranged with and for JK, and “leave your body golden” can’t be a coincidence right? Like it’s the whole ass album name, plus a word that carries connotations of JK himself, which the ppl who worked with him on Seven must have known.

So if that wasn’t a coincidence… then what about:

1. “How we left and right is something we control” — a callback to both Left and Right by CP feat JK, but also a nod to Butter, a massive BTS hit and a song that he performs alongside his boyfie bestie JM.

2. “When it’s deep like DNA, something they can’t take away” — a callback to another massive BTS hit, interesting. And *delulu warning* also reminds me of JM and JK’s extreme similarities that they themselves have referred to before?? They’re wired the same, they have the same sense of humor, they live and breathe for the same shit and even though they have some very key differences, they really do seem like twin flames (even if you just see it as platonic). They are similar in ways that seem braided into the fibers of their being. Like, in their DNA 🧬 some may say. *delulu warning #2* I’m also reminded of Jimin’s Letter lyrics: “After all this time has passed will we still be the same? Just like we were when we first met.”

Also, “something they can’t take away” is an interesting turn of phrase… more on that later.

3. Okay the real meaty part:

Screaming I’ll testify that we'll survive the test of time, they can't deny our love. They can't divide us, we'll survive the test of time I promise I'll be right here

[I seriously can’t believe how closeted-couple-coded this song is]

First off, again with the Letter lyrics mirrored here with the “test of time.” Then it’s got all this drama about being ripped apart and how it won’t happen and how they’ll be next to each other no matter what and that they have “something they can’t take away.”

Not only does all that line up with other Letter lyrics, but it is so goddamn dramatic and for what?

Be for real, what straight couple in this day and age would have this much working against them?? The only possible explanations are: 1) within the fantasy world of a song I suppose this could be some sort of Romeo and Juliet/West Side Story motif, and to be fair the music video did have a kind of rival gang/crime family look to it? Sort of? With the men fighting below the stage? Idk. Or it could be 2) the fact that idols do in fact often have to hide even their straight relationships, which is wild to me. But I know it’s a thing, so. I suppose there’s that. JK doesn’t seem the type though honestly. I think he’d be even more open about it than V.

On the other hand, the lyrics seem SO fit for a couple who are a) queer, b) closeted, c) currently in/about to be in a legislatively homophobic military and country (am I saying that right? Lol) and d) internationally famous pop idols in the SAME BAND who are both widely regarded as heterosexual sex symbols and would be shunned by many people in their homeland AND internationally if their queerness were to be revealed, much less if they were truly an item and THAT news broke.

Whew. That was a lot but like… that would be a real example of a relationship that would be VERY threatened by outside forces plotting against them and trying to separate them. Not JK and a hot blonde model, not him and a Korean actress, not basically any other scenario but a queer relationship.

Idk I know he didn’t write it but like ??? What the hell is that theme? I’m dying to get inside the mind of the people who DID write it, because are they or are they jikookers at this point like?!

4. Just for fun I’ll also point out the “leave your body golden like the sun and moon” 😏 like. Okay. At this point the songwriters are watching Jikook compilations, drooling over @slaaverin edits like convince me they’re not. CONVINCE ME.

5. “Deeper than the rain”?! “The pain”?! Alright I’m not even serious at this point but ??? Rainy day fight 🌧️?!?! 🤣🤣

6. “Standing next to you” oh you mean like… for 18 months? In a companion enlistment program? Like that?

Alright alright I’m done but you get my point. What even is this song if not an anthem of jikookery?! It’s more on-the-nose than Letter, more sneaky than Still With You. It wasn’t written by JK but at this point I’m calling that the songwriters are as delulu as me.

Hope y’all are well. If you made it to the end of this thank you for donning your tinfoil hat with me and I hope you at least got a giggle.

✌️

#jikook #kookmin #jimin and jungkook #jikook theories #delulu time

[grantgustluv]

his champion - lando norris

pairings: lando norris x fem!footballer!reader

author’s notes: THIS IS MY FIRST IMAGINE AHHHH so let me know what I need to improve on. Also, just pretend that it wasn’t the Hungarian GP on 31st July 2022

warnings: some mentions of anxiety, implied smut (i’m not ready to write that yet sorry)

comment any requests please - i’m going to try and put a new one out every Wednesday

30th July 2022 - the night before the final

Lando and Y/N had been together 4 years, but known each other since the age of 4 and despite their demanding work schedules and busy lives, still found time to love and support one another. They decided to keep their relationship private (with the exception of close friends) because they knew just how brutal their “fans” could be with the introduction of a significant other in their lives, and, although they considered themselves too young to be fully settling down yet, they still only saw each other as their future and they didn’t want that ending yet, especially not by fake fans.

~

Lando was incredibly proud of his girlfriend and all her achievements despite her only being 23, he had been by her side through everything, all the best parts, like signing for her childhood club, scoring her first goal for both Manchester United and England and making her first appearance at the 2015 World Cup at the age of 16, but also all the lowest moments of her career too, the injuries, the hate, the doubt and all the rumours. Lando had been there through it all and he would always be her biggest supporter no matter what. The same could also be said for Y/N, she was his biggest fan and came to as many of his races as she possibly could and Lando insisted that she was his lucky charm. The only way they could support each other while not physically being there was by sporting the number 4 on their backs, Lando being McLaren’s number 4 and Y/N being number 4 for both Manchester United and England. It was their number. They were each other’s person.

~

The Women’s Euro tournament had been life changing for England’s Lionesses so far, they had truly done their country proud in every game, but they still had one more to go, the final, against Germany, their toughest opponents yet. Y/N was the top scorer of the tournament so far and was determined to walk away with the golden boot, but she knew it wouldn’t be the same without also winning the Euros altogether with her team.

She never usually got nervous before her games, but this was different, it was one of the biggest games of her career. But all that took over her mind was that she knew that Lando was going to be there. Thankfully, a break in the f1 season had fallen right on the day of the final, which meant Lando and a few of the other drivers were able to come and show their support.

Y/N couldn’t help the smile that took over her face when she looked at her phone, more specifically, her home screen as a notification popped up. It was a picture of Lando wearing her football shirt from last season with the cheesiest grin on his face. Lando hated the photo, but she absolutely loved it, because whenever she would look at it, it would brighten up her day. In that moment she couldn’t believe how lucky she was to have someone that radiated so much joy and happiness by her side. He was the daylight in her life.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. Slowly, she walked over to the door of her hotel room and opened it to be greeted by a bouquet of gorgeous roses and the very same smile she was grinning to herself about a few minutes ago. “Missed me?” asked Lando as he handed her the flowers. Y/N didn’t even answer as she jumped straight into his arms and held him as tight as possible. They both breathed a sigh of relief at finally being back in each other’s arms and they weren’t ready to let go yet, they could’ve stayed like this forever. Y/N pulled away first and looked at the flowers. “They’re gorgeous Lan, thank you,” she beamed as she walked over to put them on the side table. She felt his arms wrap around her waist and the tickle of his faint stubble in the crook of her neck. “Not as beautiful as you sweetheart,” he mumbled softly, kissing her neck. He gripped onto her hips and spun her round so they were face to face. “How are you feeling?” he asked, knowing how anxious she could sometimes get before big games like this. “I just feel like I want to get out there and play, I hate the waiting around before,” she ranted. He chuckled lightly, “I know baby, but you’re going to do so amazing, Daniel and I have already predicted what’s going to happen” she raised her eyebrows encouraging him to carry on. “You’re going to score, I just know it. And not just one, but two. It’ll be a tight game but I really believe you girls will win, you all deserve it so much, especially you Miss L/N” he finished. She just gazed at him lovingly and said with a teasing smile, “I hope you’re right Mr Norris.”

~

It was the day of the final at Wembley and all the girls were getting ready in the changing rooms for the last push of the tournament, giving each other encouraging talks and of course a last minute motivational speech from Leah. Higher up within the stadium was Lando, he was in one of the family boxes with the rest of the L/Ns and had brought along Daniel, Carlos, Max, George, Lewis and Charles (Y/N’s second family, she would call them), all there to support not only their friend’s girlfriend, but someone who had supported them in their careers too.

As Y/N was listening to her pre-game music, her phone buzzed, it was a message from Lando. She tapped on it and chuckled to herself, it was a picture of Lando, Daniel, Max, George, Carlos, Charles and Lewis looking out onto the pitch, all wearing an England shirt with her name and number on the back. She felt a tear form in the corner of her eye at the sweet gesture from the boys and replied back quickly with a red heart when she felt a tap on her shoulder from her teammate, signalling that they need to go line up ready to walk out.

Stood behind her was Jill who squeezed her shoulders and said “We’ve got this kiddo.” Y/N laughed at the nickname that had stuck since the first time she played with Jill in 2015 when she was in fact still a kid. She took a deep breath and replied with “Yes we do.” All of a sudden she was walking out into a packed out Wembley, screams and cheers surrounded her as the two teams made their way onto the pitch. Lining up, Y/N started to look around and her eyes locked onto him. There he was. They gazed at each other lovingly and Lando waved down at her and then made a love heart with his hands, causing Y/N to blush and a big grin to take over her face showing off the dimples that Lando loved so much. It wasn’t until a nudge in her ribs from Lucy Bronze broke her loving gaze from him, letting her know that the national anthem was about to start.

~

The first half had been pretty uneventful with neither teams scoring a goal and England knew they needed to up their game in the second half or their dream of winning might just slip away. It was in the 62nd minute when Lucy was running down the wing and spotted Y/N outside of the box with no one marking her. Y/N saw the ball coming her way but she knew she wouldn’t have time to stop the ball in order to get the right angle for her shot, so as it came closer she prepared herself and as the ball made contact with her right boot, she volleyed it into the top corner of the net. She couldn’t believe it. She had scored for her country in the European final. She ran to the corner of the pitch towards the England fans and the subs that were warming up alongside the rest of her team, with Leah launching herself onto Y/N’s back. All she could hear around her was her famous chant the fans had come up with a few years ago and the encouragement from the girls. This was a dream come true.

The stadium was still buzzing as the players made their way back to their positions, she looked around for him and when she spotted him she held up an ‘L’ with her fingers and then formed a heart. Lando got a few teasing shoves and comments from his friends. “I think that one was for you mate,” Daniel said with a chuckle. Lando just blushed and mumbled “I know” back to him.

Unfortunately, due to Germany scoring as well and bringing the score to a draw, the game was forced into 30 minutes of extra time. The last thing any of them wanted was it going to penalties, because they knew how much pressure they were, especially in a final. Everyone was on the edge of their seats as it edged into the last 2 minutes of the game and Germany were given a corner. Y/N decided to hang back instead of getting in the box with every other player, even the Germany goalkeeper had joined the rest of her team in the box in hopes of scoring a last minute winner. The delivery into the box was near perfect but no way was Mary letting that ball into the goal at this point so she pushed it away straight out of the box. The ball flew over all the player’s heads and straight towards Y/N and the player that was marking her. She collected the ball, turned around and started running as she already knew that she was onside. She could feel the German player close to her trying to catch her up but she kept pushing. She was running towards an open goal and they were surely into the last minute by now, so she increased her pace as much as she could for one last push. She kept her gaze forward as she took the shot just after entering the box.

Time slowed down completely as she and nearly ever person in the country watched the ball hit the back of the net. Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion as she ripped her shirt of her head and swung it round throwing it to the ground as she saw her teammates running towards her. She looked around the stadium. The fans were screaming, the girls were grinning from ear to ear and Lando was cheering and beaming down at the love of his life. He already thought that he was madly in love with her but right now he swore he had never felt this much love for a person, his heart felt like it was about to beat out of his chest and without thought reached into his pocket to feel the little box he had been carrying around with him for the last 3 months. He wanted this, he wanted forever with her, no, he needed forever with her. He caught her looking up at him and nearly fell to his knees when she grinned up at him with teary eyes, pointing to herself, forming a heart and then pointing at him. Lando chuckled nervously to himself, wiped his eyes and then repeated the action.

All the players were eagerly awaiting the full time whistle from the referee and finally it came. Y/N dropped to her knees and burst into tears, they had done it. She had done it. She felt herself being lifted off the floor by a few of her teammates and they couldn’t even produce words as they just cried into each other’s embraces. They approached the German players, congratulating them on a good game and comforting those in tears.

‘Three Lions’ started blaring through the speakers after a few minutes causing the girls to start dancing and singing on the pitch, the whole of Wembley sung in unison and gazed down at their Lionesses, their champions.

After applauding their fans and the German players receiving their silver medals, it was time for the Lionesses to collect their Gold medals, she was nearly there. “And now, give it up for your golden boot winner, your player of the tournament, your number 4, Y/N L/N!” the announcer spoke and suddenly, a loud roar burst through the stadium. She couldn’t believe it. To have the support of your family and team was one thing but to have the support of your country was like no other feeling in the world. She shook Prince William’s hand after receiving her medal and walked over to the trophy, admiring it before walking over to the rest of the team who were now just waiting for their skipper Leah to bring over the trophy ready for the proper celebration to begin.

She didn’t think it was possible, but as Leah lifted up the trophy into the air, the stadium grew louder than ever. Y/N and Millie were then handed a bottle of champagne each and they knew exactly what they needed to do. Y/N turned up to her families box and winked at Lando and he immediately caught on as to what was about to happen. She gave the champagne a little shake and with some force banged the bottom of the bottle against the floor, causing the champagne to shoot out of the top and high into the air, the screams of her teammates then took over as Rachel stole the bottle out of her hands and started spraying everyone with it. Y/N looked up at Lando and could see Daniel and Max next to him cackling at the stunned and lovestruck expression on his face. He was a little embarrassed by himself with how easily that turned him on.

The girls all jumped around on the pitch taking turns holding the trophy and when it was finally handed to her, Y/N kissed the top of it and lifted it high into the air. Just as she was about to pass it on, she felt multiple pairs of arms lift her up in the air and the stadium yet again let out a huge cheer for their number 4. The girls had never experienced an atmosphere like this, things were changing and they knew that they were a part of that change.

As the celebrations had died down, the player’s families were allowed to come down onto the pitch, and as Y/N was getting yet another picture with the trophy, she felt arms wrap around her from every angle. She turned around to be met by the proud expressions of her mum, dad and little brother, she shared tight hugs with all of them before she heard her name being called by a familiar voice behind her. She turned round and jumped straight into Lando’s arms as her legs wrapped around his waist. After a few moments she unhooked her legs and Lando placed her down onto the ground with their foreheads still touching, neither of them could care less about being private anymore as they both leaned in and connected their lips together in a loving and passionate kiss, hearing the sound of cameras clicking around them. They were pulled apart by the sounds of fake gags coming from behind them, they turned around to be met with the boys sharing fake looks of disgust on their faces. Y/N and Lando went over to them and they all joined together for a group hug, which again, caused a ricochet of camera clicks to go off around them. This moment was exactly what Y/N had waited for, winning the European Final and doing it with her team, her family and the love of her life.

~

Lando and Y/N walked out the stadium hand in hand, heading back to the hotel to get changed ready for the real celebrations to begin.

Lando couldn’t tear his eyes away from her all night, she was jumping up and down to the song playing, her hair bouncing as she did so, her dimples prominent due to the gorgeous smile on her face, her dress clinging to her beautiful figure and her angelic glow causing her to stand out perfectly in the room full of people. Lando could confidently say that he was the luckiest man on earth to have a girl as perfect as her being in love with a guy like him.

It was getting into the early hours of the morning now and both Lando and Y/N were ready to go back to the hotel room, both had craved to be sleeping in each other’s arms again after a month away from each other. They arrived back at the hotel room 15 minutes later and Lando watched as Y/N flopped onto the bed dramatically. Chuckling to himself, he began to remove her heels that she had been complaining about for the majority of the evening and placed them to the side, before carefully lifting her up with her clinging to him like a koala and carrying her to the bathroom and placing her gently on the countertop. Lando stared at her lovingly and softly pushed her hair out of her face. Her eyes flickered open slightly and she let out a little hum as her eyes met her favourite person. Lando proceeded to gently remove the makeup from her face and then carry her back through to the bedroom before removing her dress and replacing it with one of his tops that drowned her figure.

Just as Lando had snuggled in beside her, he felt her shift slightly in his hold. “I love you Lan, you’re everything to me” she mumbled tiredly, followed shortly by her soft snores. The faint traces of the early morning sunrise had started to peek through the curtains allowing Lando to gaze at her sleeping figure. Being careful not to wake her, he placed a gentle kiss on the side of her head, “I love you too my champion,” he whispered softly into the kiss, before drifting off to sleep, holding his girlfriend tightly to his chest.

#lando norris #f1 imagine #lando norris imagine #lando norris x reader #f1 #lionesses #football imagine #england #womens euros #max verstappen #daniel ricciardo #charles leclerc #george russell #imagine

[itoshi-s]

Heyy :) I hope you’re doing good! I see your taking thirsts and stuff 👀 I would like to have bachira x reader (aged up obv) where they’re married and he gets a special lingerie surprise ✨ + breeding kink 🏃‍♀️ Thank you <33

──✧ ˚ · “ 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭

*.✧ ft. 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐮

*.✧ wc: 2.6k. nsfw / 17+ only / minors dni ! - fem reader, characters are in their early/mid twenties, meguru & reader are married, breeding kink, mentions of planning babies. not proofread // notes: this is such a cute idea ,, thank u nonnie for the request !! and sorry for makin u wait that long </3 hope u like it tho !!

there is something saccharine about the way you treat him, meguru thinks. 

he’s tried his whole life to be a good person - never really did anyone wrong, at least not by intention - but could meeting you really be an adequate reward for his heartfelt nature? 

just in case the universe ever decided to change it’s mind about it, he doesn’t want to waste no time or take you for granted. it’s a little unexpected, perhaps crazy - but meguru knows it well. isagi pounces on his best friend as soon as he opens the neat cream-colored envelope and reads the very few words of the wedding invitation; and as you both stand at the altar and read out your vows to each other a few months later, you swear you can see the rest of the former blue lock top players wipe at their eyes.

he’s never been big on giving out details on his private life to the media, even despite his open and playful personality, but the wedding of course brought their attention; once you’re back from the two weeks long honeymoon trip and the season starts, meguru can only laugh and grin at the reporters as they congratulate him on the marriage.

“yeah, i really am a lucky guy,” he looks over to the camera, eyes twinkling despite the exhaustion making him pant slightly still. he brings a hand up, showing off the white gold ring that beams in the reflectors, “love you, baby.”

the news about japan’s best dribbler tying the knot at such an early age surprisingly doesn’t bring too much negative feedback - and actually, you two might just be one of the favorite soccer couples in the country. you’re just too sweet - always in the very front row of the bleachers, clad in your husband’s jersey, screaming your lungs out whenever he steals the ball. there’s always a picture of bachira with his arms wrapped around your waist, you giving the crown of his head an earnest kiss, taken just minutes after the final whistle of the game. you’re the very first thing he wants to feel - the only person that can handle his emotions, his frustration, his joy. 

despite being only in his mid twenties and the idea of being a married man at this age would make him roll with laughter long years ago, meguru’s sure that somehow, this had to be written in his fate - because it just feels too right to have you.

    he thinks the exact same when you welcome him home at the front door, in your cream colored silk robe already due to the late hour, and manages to steal a glance of the white lace hiding underneath.

    “is that a prize for yesterday?” he sounds playful, giddy, even, but you can tell by his dilated pupils that it takes a lot of control for him not to bend you right over the couch. 

he kicks his shoes off, a slight grin tugging at his lips, and rests his hands on your hips with an urgent squeeze.

you hum, a small giggle slipping past as you feel meguru’s teeth nibble on your earlobe, “you noticed? i wanted to give you a little show,” you mumble, hands resting on the slippery material of his training jersey. he breathes against your ear, heavier and quicker than usual. he’s needy and you can tell - feel his already fully hard cock press against your abdomen. 

“you still can,” he murmurs, pressing little kisses to the sensitive skin just below your ear, “please, baby?” his lips move against your heated skin and a sigh slips past your mouth, the feeling causing your head to lull to the side and your eyelashes to tickle against your cheekbones. 

meguru gives your waist a squeeze, fingers digging into the satin clad flesh, before moving to the couch and plopping down. he lets go of you just enough to keep you standing between his spread legs and looks up at you, waiting. bangs stick to his forehead slightly, still sweaty from his practice, and his eyes are wide - excited and bright.

if there was one thing you loved most about your husband, it’s definitely the glint behind the honey colored irises that makes him so warm, inviting, and so alluring.

leaning his head back comfortably, his eyes follow the way your hands slowly slip the robe off your shoulder, then work on untying the knot at your waist.

“fuck,” there’s an urgency to his little whisper, a sound that makes the corners of your lips twitch. “reminds me of-”

“i know,” you mumble with a smile, so sweet it makes bachira’s tummy flutter. the eyelash lace is a bright white, a pretty contrast to the hue of your skin, a rich gold thread drawing pretty little flowers along the swell of your breast.”figured you’ll like this.”

oh of course he did. in fact, anyone else would probably feel embarrassed upon getting so worked up so quickly - but meguru has no shame in the way looking at his pretty little wife, clad in a lace set that resembles the one you wore on your wedding night, makes his cock twitch in his shorts within a minute.

he’s needy, but you’re at fault for it.

your fingers slip up, nails catching on the white elastic of the garters that digs into the flesh of your thighs, and meguru’s eyes follow the movement, saliva thick in his throat. as your fingertips caress along the lace suspender belt, your gaze moves down, catching on the visible bulge in his shorts, and how he keeps his hands on his knees - so well behaved it makes you chuckle. “don’t be shy,” you tease, and bachi blinks once before grinning himself. he leans forward, hands moving to grab at your thighs and pulling you forward. you stumble a bit, not expecting such an urgent movement, but don’t have time to react as meguru’s mouth already latches onto your neck.

he breathes against the soft skin, a trail of goosebumps rising in turn, and grips your hips tightly to rut his hips against your core. it’s sudden and quick, desperate, and you can hear the exhilaration as he whines. 

“so pretty,” he sighs, nearly dreamily, and digs his fingers in the flesh of your ass. “want you so bad now, baby. you make me so hard it hurts.” 

bachira isn’t ever the one to shy away from letting his mouth run - always vocalizes each and every need, no matter how filthy and desperate it is - and hearing his breath hitch as he does it is just enough to make arousal cling to your thighs. 

“meguru,” you whimper, the force of his grip enough to make you bruise - but it’s okay. “please, i need you.” 

gold eyes lock with yours, and he pulls away from your chest, where he was busy nipping and kissing. “yeah? y’missed me?” there’s a hint of hope in his voice, as if surprised. as if you weren’t soaking wet for him nearly all of the time - particularly waiting for him to get back home from practice.

he hooks a few fingers behind the elastic of the thong and pulls it down with your help, a little lift and shimmy of your hips, and eases the flimsy material down your legs. as soon as it’s off, he cups your heat with one hand, warm and rough, and it makes you jolt. 

“hah- fuck- you’re dripping all over me, baby. m’sorry i kept you waitin.” he moans, palm rubbing against your clit messily, and he can feel the throbbing pulse against his hand. his fingers are wet with your slick already, but he doesn’t mind - not at all.

resting one hand at the small of your back, bachira’s quick to flip you over with no effort, lips connecting with yours the second your back hits the couch.

his kiss is messy, soft moans breathy against your mouth as he pushes his tongue against yours with need. it’s hot and wet, desperate as his hands stumble to push his shorts down and hold himself up above you at the same time.

your legs wrap around his waist instinctively, the movement almost a muscle memory by this point, and you watch as meguru takes his shirt off hurriedly. slim muscles flex at the action, the scent of sweat and his cologne still clinging to his milky skin. you moan out, the pheromones clouding over your mind, and you reach between your bodies, fingers barely wrapping around his throbbing cock.

“ah-” there’s a slight whine ripping from bachira’s throat, a sound that’s so pretty, so fitting to the already fucked out expression on his features. “you’re a needy thing, aren’t you? want me inside of you already~” you flick your wrist, giving a few long strokes to his length, and muster a quick nod. 

“yeah, ‘guru,” you breathe, chest heaving softly with every breath, fingers moving from his crotch to grab at his bicep instead. you watch, eyes glued between your legs, as he slides his cock between your folds a few times, coating it in your slick, before eventually easing himself in.

your body grows tense at the feeling, walls throbbing and tightening on bachira, swallowing him whole - right up to the very base as he bottoms out fully, a grunt rumbling in his chest.

your head tilts back, not a single moan having slipped out yet, and it feels as if your mind’s slowly turning into mush. it’s just him, all inside of you, his body so hot against your frame, pressing against you and overwhelming each and every of your senses. it only ever brings you back afloat when meguru starts to move, hips moving back just slightly before pushing back in. he’s so deep inside if you, it feels as if he’s in your guts.

“just like that,” you struggle to focus your eyes on bachira’s face as he moans, voice already reaching an octave higher with arousal, and you notice his eyes are trained just above where your cunt is grappling to fit all of him. “fuck- ngh- can you feel me here?” 

your quick pants turn into little whines when meguru places a hand on your lower abdomen, pressing down on the flesh, and the crazed look behind his eyes makes you shudder. you can feel him move inside of you, rubbing up all against the most sensitive spots, the flared head of his cock stumbling against your cervix - and it would usually make you wince, but this time, as he presses a large palm against the fucking bulge in your tummy, it makes you feral.

“you’re- ‘re so big,” your voice is wet with tears, adrenaline pumping through your veins and easing the discomfort that comes with each of bachira’s thrust that almost feels like he’s going to break you apart. “feel you whole, meguru.” there’s something so sweet about the way you say his name, it makes his hips stutter before picking up a quicker, steadier rhythm. bachira groans under his breath, bending his arm so he can rest his elbow beside your head, and moves his hand from your tummy to wrap your leg around his waist even tighter. 

your pussy’s so warm, so slippery, and it’s almost as if you’re sucking him in even deeper each time he pushes his hips forward. he wonders how is it even possible for you to feel so heavenly, as if your cunt was molded perfectly for him to fit. 

maybe you really were made for him only.

bachira feels the familiar pull in his balls, as if a jolt of electricity runs through his nerves, and he whines, shameless and breathy as his eyes find yours.

“my pretty girl,” he moans, watching your face contort in pleasure, brows furrowing and eyes glimmering, “wanna stuff you full, ‘kay? you want that?” there’s no time for a coherent response as his hips smack against your ass, thrusting so hard it makes you jostle. the slight twitch of bachira’s cock inside of you is just enough to give away his climax creeping in, but as he lets the filth spill out past his mouth you realize just how desperate he is to reach it. “fill you up with m’ cum until you leak. yeah? wanna make me a daddy, pretty girl?” 

he’s blabbering at this point, high pitched moans breaking into a whine as he watches your eyes roll back. he’s down so bad, chasing his orgasm and the feeling of your pussy clamping down on him, you don’t think he even realizes the weight of his words. 

your back arches, legs tightening around bachira’s slim waist, and cry out as his hand once again rests on your abdomen, pressing down and making your pussy spasm. 

“please, meguru,” you gasp, the familiar spark growing stronger in your tummy. you can feel his cock drag against the front wall of your cunt, rubbing against the spot that makes your muscles grow pliant. “please- fill me up.” you breathe, shakily, and your voice barely makes it out of your throat. “wanna give you- aah- give you a baby.”

it’s experimental, sounds so lewd as you say it between little moans, but you know bachira’s lovesick. you know that the slim, white gold band that sits snugly on his finger is his greatest possession, a reminder of his devotion to you - and even though the two of you haven’t discussed expanding your family yet, you can see the way meguru’s eyes widen slightly and adam’s apple bobs upon hearing your words.

you can feel his hips stutter, sturdy quads pressing against your ass, and bachira whines, long and needy, as his heavy thrusts grow sloppy. you can see him struggling to keep his eyes on you, drinking up the look you give him, egging him on - but as your walls throb around him and a gasp catches in your throat, your orgasm hitting you full force, he squeezes his eyes shut and drops his head in the crook of your neck.

he ruts into you, the few last pushes into you reaching so deep it makes you cry and grab at his back, and eventually, he stills. his hips are snug against yours, breathy whimpers loud in your ear, breaking through the white noise that echoes through your head, and you feel his seed spurt right against your cervix. it’s hot, feels sticky and thick as he fills you up, granting you your wish and stuffing you so full, there’s a rivulet of milky cum seeping out and down your thigh. 

“baby,” he sounds so riled up as he breathes, mouthing against your collarbone, “shit - feels so good.” he’s choked up with pleasure, body trembling slightly with aftershocks of his climax, and you wrap your arms around his neck - inviting, easing him through.

“i know,” you whisper, legs eventually loosening in their spot around his hips as he lets himself rest on top of you. his body’s spent, heavy as it lays on you, but you don’t mind it one bit - not when he nuzzles against your neck, eyelashes fluttering against your jugular, and sighs. 

bachira sneaks his arms around your waist, skin clammy on one another, but it feels so familiar, it’s warm in his chest and makes his heart throb. 

it doesn’t stay silent for too long as meguru’s soft laughter cuts through the heavy, humid air. he cocks his head up, a glint in his eye.

“you meant it?” he’s curious, almost hopeful, and despite your cheeks already having reddened with exhaustion, his inquiring brings an even deeper blush to your face.

you shrug, softly, and meguru reads right through it, the giddy smile wide on his lips.

“do you want me to?” 

reblogs are greatly appreciated ! :)

© itoshi-s. do not plagiarize, repost as your own or mention on other sm platforms.

#✧.* zaria writes #meguru bachira x reader #meguru bachira #meguru bachira smut #meguru bachira x you #bachira meguru #bachira meguru x reader #bachira meguru x you #bachira meguru smut #bllk #blue lock #blue lock smut #bllk smut #blue lock x reader #bllk x reader #blue lock x you #bllk x you #✧˚ · . bllk

[linderosse]

Hi there! Id like to ask a question.

I like your idea that the kingdoms Legend went off to adventure to (Holodrum, Labrynna, Hytopia and Lorule) are all in the same place or era rather haha, like they all coexist. Its rather genius!

But that makes me curious, do you have an idea where the kingdoms are located? I know Lorule is a whole other place entirely, but what about the others? Which kingdom is from the north? South? Etc. I'm just curious how far or near each kingdom is, and where Hyrule is between all of them. (Also am I missing other kingdoms?)

Thank you!!!

Yep— the five kingdoms currently entering an alliance in Legend and Fable’s era are Hyrule, Labrynna, Holodrum, Lorule, and Hytopia.

Technically, Legend (and sometimes Fable) have seen even more: Subrosia is a separate kingdom beneath Holodrum, past Labrynnans can visit the present with the Harp of Ages and have canonically traveled to other countries, and Koholint… was as real as a dream can be 🥲. And that’s not counting independently governed countries that are part of the larger conglomerates, like Hyrule’s river Zoras ruled by Queen Oren, or the Tokay island beside Labrynna.

So, background— as you may know, there are four types of non-Hyrule worlds in the Zelda franchise.

Independent government, but owes allegiance to Hyrule (Ex: Every Zora’s Domain and Gerudo Town in the series)

Actual, independent other country (Ex: Spirit!New Hyrule, Hyrule!Calatia (Calatia is not canon to the games, but is a popular fan-canon based on Link’s homeland in the Valiant Comics adaptation))

Parallel world (Ex: Time!Termina)

Dream world (Ex: Wind!Ocean King’s Realm)

The question is: which of these are each of the kingdoms Legend has visited, and if they’re physical, where are they located with relation to Hyrule?

Koholint is a dream world, and is therefore not in this alliance. However, I love Link’s Awakening too much to ignore it entirely in the Wisdomverse. What happened to Koholint will be addressed in The Secrets We Keep :).

As you said, Lorule’s different. No need to place it geographically; it’s a parallel world to Hyrule.

Hytopia seems to be confirmed North of Hyrule according to the (admittedly non-canon) Hyrule Encyclopedia. Apparently it’s also confirmed in ALBW? I don’t remember that, but it’s been a while since I’ve played ALBW so I believe it. According to the Encyclopedia, the Hytopians wear frilly clothing to brave the cold northern climates. That’s hilarious and I love it. I’m going with north for this one.

Hyrule is where Hyrule is :)

Finally, Holodrum and Labrynna are claimed by the Encyclopedia to be parallel worlds, but I disagree with this. The Encyclopedia is non-canon, and iirc also says Termina stopped existing after Time left, which I refuse to believe as well. Sure, it looks like Legend gets teleported to Holodrum/Labrynna by the Triforce in the beginning, but later, Impa, Fable, and a bunch of Hylian knights make it over there just fine and I doubt they did so using anything other than normal physical means. In the Hyrule Historia timeline (which I pretty much mostly follow), the Oracle games happen before Link’s Awakening, which means Legend sails home from Holodrum/Labrynna. But Legend is also pictured riding somewhere on a horse at the beginning. Therefore, we can deduce that perhaps one of the two countries borders Hyrule on land, and the other is a separate continent— or both are connected by land, but you could take a boat back to Hyrule if you wanted. My money’s on Labrynna being off to the West so far— the eastern Labrynnan forest border connects to Hyrule’s woods, and this leaves the southeast ocean of Labrynna open for Legend to sail back to Hyrule to, through the Sea of Storms where the storm at the beginning of Link’s Awakening seems like it could work (Legend has already shipwrecked there once before, but he’s totally the kind of guy to want to brave those waters again either as a test of strength, challenge, or punishment.) Jury’s still out on Holodrum!

I’m actually playing Oracle of Seasons for the first time right now (on Wednesdays and Fridays! 😇) and just finished Oracle of Ages last week— so I may update my views on Holodrum as I unlock more of the game’s map!

Tl;dr: Fable’s got a whole intricate mess of a chronospatial geopolitical situation to deal with here. Mad respect to our diplomat Zelda <3

#lin responds #wisdomverse #lu wielders of wisdom #linked universe #lu wis #wis fable #lu legend #lu fable #lu hyrule but like the country and not the person #hytopia #hyrule #holodrum #labrynna #lorule #loz #zelda

[redrage71890]

Mafia GN Yuu! x TWST

I watched Vincenzo and now have been inspirited to do Yuu in Twisted Wonderland, but they used to be from the Mafia

Warnings : Cussing

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❅────────❅•°•°•❅────────❅❅────────❅•°•°•❅────────❅

To put things into gear, this Yuu was from the Mafia but recently left and when they were about to flee their country that's when they got like isekaied to Twisted Wonderland.

Breaking out of the coffin with ease and still scaring the shit out of Grim and Crowley with Yuu pointing a gun at them both.

Threatening Crowley to tell them where they are as Crowley fearfully spills out.

With the new information, they let Crowley lead them to the mirror chamber but he is still fearing for his life with being put at gunpoint.

The same chaos still happens but with the addition of Yuu easily capturing Grim with pulling his tail and Riddle collaring him.

And with being let in to Ramshackle dorm, and unwillingly adopts Grim in their care.

‘I never asked for a fucking pet to look after….’

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How does Mafia Yuu interact with the students?

This goes without saying that word of them formerly being from the Mafia spread like wild fires throughout Night Raven College.

Many students fear Yuu for that reason, students from Savanaclaw honestly try to assert their dominance over Yuu for being magicless.

But they are quickly and quietly taken cared of and now fear to make contact with Yuu.

With the ADeuce duo and Grim, it’s the babysitting job that they never asked for.

Every time the three get into trouble, Yuu always gives them a death glare and a pure scolding of annoyance. (The three hold onto each other and shiver jut from the glare)

They’re cool with Jack, even if Jack himself was suspicious when he heard that Yuu was part of the Mafia and wields guns and small weapons on their body.

Riddle, Trey and Cater were at first put off with them meeting someone formerly from the Mafia, but with some give and take questioning between the group they’re okay with this fact now.

Ace: So why did you join the Mafia?

Yuu: Survival at a young age while in a country not of my own.

Deuce: Did you have to kill anyone?

Yuu: Various times yes, majority of them were for revenge or a performance of power from my group.

Cater: Are Mafia in movies and shows accurate to what you’ve done?

Yuu: I find them okay, some things are inaccurate to the reality of it from my experience but it can be more accurate depending of origin.

Trey: Do you have any family doing your job?

Yuu: I didn’t have any family to begin with, abandoned and taken into a Mafia family that were hard and tough on me since I was young.

Riddle: Do you ever want to see your biological family?

Yuu: (sigh) At this point….. I don’t even know if they’re alive, I may have connections throughout the world to find them. I…… don’t think I’m ready to hear or see them yet.

Grim: Why did you leave the Mafia?

Yuu: Change of pace…….

Their relationship with Malleus is much more calming and mind clearing for Yuu, with Malleus asking about their life before to Yuu asking about the lands and society in Twisted Wonderland.

It’s very wholesome.

The students that made a larger impression was the Octavinelle trio.

With dealing with Azul's entire contracts honestly brings back memories and old techniques Yuu used while being in the Mafia.

Yuu: So Azul is basically an octopus mafia with Jade and Floyd being the bodyguards/right-hand men.

Riddle: Yeah......

Yuu: Aish.... I might have to bring out some old techniques then...

Lets say that Azul tried to recruit Yuu into joining Monstro Lounge but they declined.

Azul: Say Yuu, how abo-

Yuu: No.

Azul: Ah haha... excuse me?

Yuu: I'm flattered but no, I don't desire to join Monstro Lounge.

Azul: But if you join then we will be generous and give you discounts and you'll be payed handsomely.

Yuu: Thank you but no, I am quite okay as of now and repairing Ramshackle is going smoothly now.

How Yuu gets money to repair the dorm? No one knows.

Workers from town come in and help repair the dorm with Yuu giving instructions and requests for how they want the dorm to look.

Crowley did not allow this initially but after confronting Yuu about it (and being threatened promptly) he ended up allowing the workers to come in as long as Yuu paid them.

❅────────❅•°•°•❅────────❅❅────────❅•°•°•❅────────❅

How does Mafia Yuu deal with the Overblots?

Pull out the guns and tactics and now we got it coming!

With Riddle's Overblot, Trey thought Yuu was gonna kill Riddle with their gun but they were aiming for the creature behind Riddle which definitely made Trey sigh of relief.

Honestly, its best not to ask where and how Yuu got a bunch of guns at home along with many different knives.

Grim doesn't know, the staff don't know. And heck no one is allowed in Yuu's stuff.

The one time Grim peaked at Yuu's things, he froze out of fear and promptly left.

They create every plan for every battle by pure observation of the attacks being thrown their way.

*Attack of Leona's Overblot*

*Pulls out a gun from their waist*

Yuu: I knew this shit would happen again! Be glad I came prepared!

Jack: Where did you get the gun from!??!

Ruggie: ARE YOU GONNA KILL HIM?!?!

Yuu: RELAX I WOULDN'T KILL THIS GUY! BUT DON'T BLAME ME FOR CAUSING THIS GROWN MANS TEMPER TANTRUM!!!

#twisted wonderland #disney twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland au #twst #twst au #twst yuu #twst x yuu #mafia au #mafia yuu

[starrzhao]

zb1 as the soulmate tropes | scenarios

soulmates. the concept of being bound to someone by some sort of invisible string. a deep bond and connection formed between a pair that’s just simply meant to be. love may come unexpectedly, arriving through fate’s mysterious ways. so here are scenarios where fate pulls its strings and brings those meant to be, together. here are little scenarios of the members of zb1 as the different soulmate tropes with a little twist added to each one.

genre fluff, tiny bit of angst

pairings zb1 members x gn!reader

warnings small descriptions of physical pain (?) if anything else needs to be added, please inform me !

⭒ kim jiwoong — matching tattoos

everyone is born with a tattoo located on either side of their neck. each pair of soulmates have their own unique symbol, with each one owning a part it, having them meet to combine and complete their respective symbol. for example one may have a crescent moon and the other may have scattered stars, as they meet one another, they’re tattoos will glow and the moment of their first kiss, their symbols would combine and become one image, the crescent moon in the starry sky. It was a wonderful idea to think of sharing a symbol with your other half however it was quite difficult for you to search for your soulmate as yours was a mere dot. what symbol could possibly complete a dot? on the first day of your new job, you bump into the ceo of the company at the elevator who just so happens to have a comma tattooed on the right side of his neck, beaming at the same time as yours.

⭒ zhang hao — soulmate in every lifetime

It was a saying that you’re tied onto the same person in this universe through every single life you’d live through. a lot of people believed it was fake but you, on the other hand, definitely knew it was true as you lived your whole life or every life, still possessing your memories from every past lifetime, knowing it’s always intertwined with the same person, zhang hao. It was both a blessing and a curse for you, knowing you’d cross paths with the same man you’ll always love every time but you were tired of having to repeat the cycle over and over again, having to start from zero as strangers, then to lovers or even sometimes just ending as the best of friends, every single time knowing you kept your memories with him through every lifetime while he, like every other person, starts anew, clueless as they navigate through their journey, having to reintroduce and reinvent yourself as you meet him at every new beginning. however as you are once again reborn in a new world, this time hoping to live carefree and on the down low with no ambition after going through almost every career in the past anyways, you decide to move to a small city, where you meet zhang hao once again, not surprised again. however, this time you two don’t need to start from zero again as he unexpectedly reveals he’s been going through the same thing as you. and for once, you can finally confide in one another without having to restart the timeline or open a new story. just being there with each other. anytime, anywhere as long as it was with him, you just knew you’d be okay whatever your life had in store for you.

⭒ sung hanbin — color soulmate

everyone starts their lives, black and white. often, people would find their soulmate early. usually it would be in their teenage years as usually your soulmate would be nearby. you were at the ripe age of twenty-two, still counting your days for how long you’d have to live in a dull, colorless world as everyone else around you seemed to have found their soulmate. you get close to someone online who also happens to share the same situation as you, hanbin. he becomes your best friend as time passes, and you talk to him daily. your wish in this life wasn’t even to meet your soulmate anymore but to just meet hanbin in real life even just once. after three years of being long-distance friends, hanbin flies to your country as an effort to surprise you on your birthday. as you finished up your shift at the cafe you were working at, when you heard the doorbell ring and you look at who was at the front door, you were surprised at what you saw. It was not just only because you finally met your best friend, but because colors began to fill your sight as the world around you finally came to life as you met eye-to-eye

⭒ kim taerae — that sweet melody in your head

it was a rare phenomenon to be able to hear the voice of your soulmate in your head, and you were lucky to be a part of the small population who have experienced such a thing. You’ve heard the voice of your soulmate singing ever since you were little. His voice was soothing and mellow, his singing accompanying you through your daily life, almost like he was your own personal record player. You are an aspiring music producer, specializing in playing the piano and violin and your biggest dream was to one day, meet and accompany your soulmate for a performance. On the first week, you were given a challenge to complete pair assignment, where you had to arrange an original piece with someone in your class. You ended up being paired up with the student named taerae who was the only one left with no pair along with you, and who unfortunately had a sore throat within the duration of four days given to you to complete the project, had a sore throat, making it quite challenging to come up with the song. However, he was able to guide you along the way and assured you through the process that whatever the outcome would be he’d be able to pull it off so you decided to trust the process and give taerae a chance. As the day of the performance arrived, you were wary over the outcome, knowing that you were only going to be hearing taerae’s voice for the first time that day. The moment he held that mic and sang his heart out to the instrumental you created, you felt an unexpected, strange but beautiful sensation as his voice rang through your head as you watched him perform.

⭒ seok matthew — conversing through dreams

talking to your soulmate in your dream was quite a funny experience. It was like having talks with yourself in your head in the middle of the night. In your dreams, you and your soulmate would sit down and talk somewhere, envisioning places like the park, the cafe. It was your dreams and all in your head anyways so it was easy to manipulate. At some point, you believed the whole dream soulmate thing was just a random thing people made up to feel better as it felt like you had absolutely no clue to the whereabouts of your so-called other half. Perhaps you just made that man up in your head, right? however one day, you were proven wrong when you finally meet a young man who had the same exact face as the man in your dreams at the wedding of your close friend. your worlds stopped for a moment and he introduces himself as matthew seok, the man you’ve been talking to in your dreams throughout the years.

⭒ shen quanrui / ricky — timer soulmates

each and everyone are born with a timer marked on their wrist and it held a different meaning for every pair of soulmates. for your parents, their timer started the day they first met. as for your friend, gyuvin the timer stopped counting when he held hands with his soulmate. what a strange timer to begin with. everyone else has their timer stop around their teenage years. and it just so happens that only two people in your class who had their timer still counting was you and the annoying arrogant boy who you despised, ricky. you were surprised to find his timer was still counting as boy had a reputation of being the playboy and heartthrob which you thought would guarantee an easier way for him to find the love of his life when he’s flirted with a countless number of people. It was embarrassing to be the only ones who didn’t find their soulmates so in order to not feel put of place and have enough of all the teasing, you both agree to fake date and pretend to be soulmates despite absolutely not wanting to be associated with one another. as you and ricky fake your relationship and you get to know ricky as time passed, you find yourself slowly falling for him as you find a new side but you kick that away, thinking you weren’t the ones fated to be anyways. At the night of your prom, your timer stopped and you were confused wondering who was the mysterious soulmate that you met. you assumed it was one of the boys you’ve met that night but you realized you didn’t feel any sparks around any of them. you notice ricky was off when you told him so as you tried to approach him about his sudden change of mood, a fight breaks out and ricky later reveals that his timer stopped a few days ago and it was at the moment he had realized he catched feelings for you.

⭒ kim gyuvin — the first sentence they say gets engraved to your arm

it was your first day at your new school, you certainly tried your best to make sure you were presentable and tried to make sure not a single embarrassing thing would happen especially on your first day. however as you walked through the corridors, trying to find your way to your first class, you clash with a boy skating through the hallways. just then, you see the word ‘kachow’ engraved into your arm and the words ‘what the hell’ engraved onto the arm of the boy who bumped into you. after the little incident and meeting your soulmate in a humiliating way, you avoid him the whole day. the word was too visible on your arm and it opened many questions from the people around you as to what happened, leaving you embarrassed for the impression you unfortunately had for your first day. as the day passed, gyuvin approaches you and apologizes wishing to start again and introduce himself properly, hoping to get to know you, looking forward to see why fate brought you two together, seriously.

⭒ park gunwook — shared emotions

you wished that you could finally talk to your soulmate, curious over why he felt happy and sad at random moments. your mood would be affected by his mood and your would affect his and you felt sorry for what he would go through especially when you would be crying over a movie. you had absolutely no idea who your soulmate could be and it was nearly impossible to find him through feeling his emotions alone. your best friend, gunwook was the only one who knew about this. he was your childhood friend and knew you like the back of your hand. you secretly held a crush on a boy in your class, ricky, hoping he’d be your soulmate. taking some moments as sharing the same emotion like just laughing at the same time. when you mustered up the courage to confess, ricky then reveals he had already found his soulmate and..it wasn’t you. you were left heartbroken and when you go visit your best friend to tell him about what happened, he cries with you, not knowing why, saying he also felt a sharp pain in his heart as well. then the realization hits you, why were you so heartbroken over the other boy, hoping he’d be yours when it turns out it’s just been the boy you knew your whole life and how could you not notice how it was just simply the boy in front of you, crying like you are.

⭒ han yujin — shared physical sensations

it was difficult to get through different times in your life knowing you could always feel what your soulmate was feeling. you would feel the burning fever if he was sick, the pain on your hip for no reason or a sharp pain in your ankle which you assumed would be from tripping down the stairs. getting by was hard feeling every single physical pain and sensation your soulmate had to go through, and you felt bad for him too. you decided to audition for a spot in your highschool football team, hoping to rekindle your love for the sport on your senior year . as you played through a game, you and another boy went head to head, seeing a fierce fight. as you decided to switch with your teammate to be a goal keeper for the last round, you and the boy got more tense as he heads to score through you. as he kicks the ball at the goal from afar, hoping it lands, it ends up landing on your head, making you faint and yujin fainting as well, leaving everyone around confused. when you wake up in the clinic, next to the boy from earlier, he finally introduces himself as yujin and he apologizes for what happened earlier. you question why he fainted and he says he has no idea, and thinks maybe it was because of his soulmate. the realization hits the both of you, and soon you both felt your hearts skip a beat at the same time.

a/n hey hi hello! haven’t posted in awhile so here are some scenarios I wrote up a long time ago. I am contemplating if I should write these as oneshots (maybe just short ones around 1-2k words each) , becuase I rlove the prompts for hao, ricky and hanbin hehe if you’re interested in any of these, please tell me! lmk what u guys think :]]

taglist @leagreenly @kpoprhia @dimplewonie @shanb1n @wtfhyuck @mikaymee (kindly send an ask/dm if you’d like to be added or removed)

#zb1 #zerobaseone #gyuvin #zb1 imagines #zb1 fluff #zb1 angst #zb1 scenarios #jiwoong #zhanghao #sung hanbin #kim jiwoong #kim taerae #taerae #matthew #matthew seok #shen ricky #ricky #kim gyuvin #gunwook #park gunwook #yujin #han yujin #zb1 headcanons

[nansheonearth]

Is lesbian separatism possible in 2023?

Posted by By Lesbian Herstory December 20, 2023No Comments

Q&A style posts on LesbianHerstory.com are an opportunity for readers to ask questions that serve as prompting topics for LH to write about. Questions can be advice-based, about our hot takes, asking whether we’ll cover a certain event or figure from history, or about lesbian news and media – you name it. Send your questions/prompts to [email protected] or DM them to the Lesbian Herstory Instagram.

Reader’s Question: How do you see lesbian separatism in the current age of hyper-individualism? Do you believe in it, what can it look like?

Separatism, at its core, is about independence. Cambridge Dictionary defines separatism as “the belief held by people of a particular race, religion, or other group within a country that they should be independent and have their own government or in some way live apart from other people.” 

In 2023, when it’s cool to be fluid and non-specific, lesbian separatism can be as simple as defending the definition of lesbianism. The lesbian sexual orientation is an independent, defined class of female homosexuals who should not be appropriated. Only female homosexuals should govern lesbianism. But beware – saying that will get you classed as a gatekeeper.

Dictionary definitions describe differences. Difference is great. In a way, dictionaries practice separatism. Language separates things from one another by naming how they’re different: the very core of what makes things things is what makes them unique from other things. Lesbianism’s uniqueness, what makes a lesbian a lesbian, is being both a female and a homosexual. A lesbian is a female who is exclusively attracted to other females. We don’t abstain from any dormant attraction to males – it doesn’t exist.

Defining things accurately increases the distinctness of their outline. Like a muscle that’s been worked repeatedly, or a TV with all the technological bells and whistles to make the images crisp and clear, definition is about quality and clarity. Quality and clarity require separation, whether it be sifting flour before baking, or filtering water to make it drinkable. Separation is essential to navigating the world. Separation is a normal part of life. 

Lesbians require separation to make sense of themselves.

We define what exists so we can communicate reality. Acknowledging that bisexuality, heterosexuality and homosexuality are separate sexual orientations with separate definitions does not create differences. It refers to differences that already exist. We didn’t separate ourselves, nature did. It’d be pretty boring if we were all the same.

You will hear people say the anti-separatist mantra “sexuality is fluid.” It is convenient for the powerful–those who gain power for being opposite-sex attracted–to leave homosexuals without distinction. Without distinction, without a unique language to pinpoint and explore that distinction, oppressed groups cannot articulate their treatment. Their treatment, ironically, is because they are different to what’s expected and everybody knows it. Even the anti-labellers.

Reproduction is still considered humanity’s main purpose. Forced reproduction is the root of both misogyny and homophobia. Patriarchal religion did a number on us. A homosexual body doesn’t want to fuck the opposite sex, no matter how many times we’ve wished it would… or even forced it to do the act without desire. We’re considered defective because of this lack of reproductive attraction. 

A bisexual is redeemable to heteropatriarchy because they are attracted to the sex they can reproduce with. Hallelujah, at least you have ‘normal’, child-producing desire! Heteropatriarchy doesn’t mind same-sex attraction as much if you’re capable of attraction to the opposite sex: the sex you’re “supposed to be” attracted to.

The homosexual experience is different. The female homosexual experience threatens the foundation of heteropatriarchy. *Gasp* females can have sexual and romantic desires independent from the existence of males? Females can be born with the trajectory NOT to desire males at all? ONLY desiring other females? *Faint*

Oppressors deny the oppressed separation because they expect us to assimilate to the larger powerful body for a sense of belonging–which is very important to tribal creatures–or else we are considered a threat to be punished. We can pretend to be what’s demanded of us, even to ourselves. That is how some lesbians date and sleep with men, despite their true nature, before acknowledging their lack of attraction to them. But we cannot change our nature, even by force. 

When it’s argued that sexual orientation isn’t innate, that it’s a spectrum–that we’re all bisexual with preferences–then homosexuals are denied themselves. It’s ironic, considering our difference–our attraction ONLY to the same sex–is the exact thing targeted by homophobes.

Politics is defined by the way different people interact. Our interactions are influenced by power, culture, history, context, authority, institutions and environment, among other things. Pretending we aren’t separated into classes, often hierarchised into powerful and disempowered people, keeps rulers dominating. It’s gaslighting.

Naming differences shouldn’t hierarchise them. That’s why it’s imperative we simultaneously remember we are, whether we like it or not, always part of the larger human body regardless of how remote we live with our own kind. We are different. But we are all humans. Separatism and integration can coexist.

Separatism can be as simple as advocating for lesbianism’s definition: female homosexuality. Unfortunately, people go as far as to accuse us of being exclusionary, as if we’re bullies for being female, being homosexual, and defending lesbianism as the word to describe female homosexuality. There is a huge difference between oppression and hurt feelings.

The decision of when to separate and when to integrate should be class-based and/or personal. But the lesbian’s choice is consistently made public. We’re guilted for not crossing our boundaries and integrating when it’s demanded of us. We’re guilted for wanting a room of our own.

The expectation that lesbians never separate, never outline the definition of our sexual orientation–and are punished if we do–is symptomatic of our oppression. Disempowered classes of people need space away from the powerful. Is it shocking that there is so much resistance to lesbian separatism when we’re both homosexual and female? I don’t see male-only gay clubs getting the same reaction.

What does lesbian separatism look like?

Most lesbians (86%; 1200 responders) on the Lesbian Herstory Instagram believe that lesbian separatism should look like a series of approaches and levels of commitment, rather than an ultimate destination (such as a remote lesbian commune). 

Some approaches to lesbian separatism that people mentioned:

Creating, supporting, defending and engaging with lesbian-only spaces

Questioning society and how suitable it is for us, not the other way around

Building and prioritising lesbian community and connections

Being respected and accepted as a separate, unchangeable sexual orientation 

Living with only lesbians

Learning about and supporting the most disempowered lesbians

Deliberately choosing lesbians over and over again

Lesbians making, enjoying and celebrating our own culture

Consuming lesbian media, especially made by lesbians

Learning our history and passing it down

Standing up to lesbophobes, including female homophobes

Buying from and supporting lesbian business owners

Uplifting, investing in and donating to lesbian charities, organisations, websites and initiatives 

Just over half (56%) thought lesbian separatism was necessary, the same percentage thought it was possible.

One person critiqued lesbian separatism as “not caring about the rest of the community by caring about self-identity and safe places.” Lesbians do not self-identify as lesbians, however, we’re female homosexuals whether we identify as one or not. We are oppressed by the rest of the community, meaning our seeking safety and encouraging resistance is not the root of the issue but a reaction to it.

Another said that lesbian separatism is about “removing men (and their culture) from your life, centring your life around women.” The glaring problem with this take is that it equates lesbianism with feminism. As if lesbianism is the feminist choice to centre women: the very concept of “political lesbianism.” Unfortunately, political lesbianism has strong ties to feminist land separatism and its history. When I say “lesbian,” I mean female homosexual. When I say lesbian separatism, I mean female homosexual separatism.

I believe in lesbian separatism as an adjective to describe a range of choices more than an absolute noun. We don’t have the power to slice ourselves off from the body of humanity, becoming a fully separate chunk of flesh living untethered to our natural core. But we do have the power to advocate that our natural differences are not problematic. To be respected and kept safe from hate-motived violence. In a world that erases lesbianism, any meaningful lesbian-centred action is separatist. 

We ostracise lesbians from living a more lesbian-centred life by suggesting integration and separatism are mutually exclusive. Suggesting they are an either/or proposition creates two camps of lesbians: lesbians crossing their boundaries to integrate into harmful homophobic monoliths for a sense of belonging, versus pariah lesbians who are outcasted by the aforementioned homophobic monolith for defining themselves separately. 

Many lesbians “queer” themselves, desperately avoiding the same fate of the pariah lesbians who acknowledge lesbians are a distinct class of female homosexuals. Everyday kinds of separatism, like refusing to call yourself “queer” and opting for specifics, requires confidence. Confidence is stolen from lesbians. Instead, our female-socialised accomodating nature is preyed upon so we feel too guilty to build a community of our own. Lesbian separatism is not only possible but absolutely necessary.

We keep these articles free so they’re accessible to all lesbians. But we don’t have much money ourselves, which is why we don’t post much. Support Lesbian Herstory by buying merch or donating

#radfem #lesbian herstory #lesbian #wlw #herstory #separatism #female centered #lesbian centered #female only #lesbian only #o #to read #sisterhood #community #lesbophobia #homophobia #misogyny #solidarity #history #saphhic

[fanfreakinfiction]

Listen to the Music

Chapter One: Should've Been a Cowboy

Masterlist 🖤

7.3K Words // Joel Miller x f!southern Reader

Pairing: Joel Miller x younger/southern!reader (Could be video game Joel or HBO Joel. I like the 2003 timeline though, so we’ll just pretend the 2003 timeline is canon for both.) 

Chapters: 

One - Should’ve Been a Cowboy 

Summary: Jackson gets a jukebox which mean’s Joel has to install it! Annoying for him, but exciting for one certain someone who loves music. 

Tags: Multipart, SUPER slowburn, eventual smut, FLUFF, age difference, M/F, canon type violence, drinking, smoking, alchol, reader gives off innocent vibes but isn’t, Joel is grumpy, reader is southern, corny ass music transitions bc i love it, slight mention of religion (reader is from the bible belt), some mentions of smut.

A/N: Set in Jackson - probably a little out of canon but just rollll wit it. This is also a split POV! Also if you love 90s country music you will like this. I made a Tipsy Bison Playlist for you guys to check out where none of the music was made past 2003. 

Jackson was buzzing, quite literally. Every corner you turned, someone was eager to share the latest news.

"Y/n! Did you hear? Jesse and Astrid brought back that jukebox from the ski lodge! They’re gonna fix it up and put it in the Tipsy Bison!" Olivia shouted breathlessly from the stables' entrance, her jet-black hair falling in disarray around her face.

"Hell 'liv, you ran all the way here to tell me that?" You chuckled, taking a break from shoveling muck in the stables. Your Southern drawl emerged breathy and unusual from not conversing with anyone for the past hour. Wiping your forehead with the back of your hand, you greeted the teenage girl with a warm smile as she rushed to embrace you.

"Well, yeah! Mom said you liked music! Told me to come tell you! Said to meet her and Ginger there at 7:00 sharp!" Olivia exclaimed with contagious excitement.

You laughed, returning the embrace and appreciating the bond you'd formed with the young girl over the years.

The first friend you'd made upon arriving in Jackson was Caroline, a slender woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, and a mouth that matched yours. Hugging her hip was a young girl, Olivia, with jet-black hair and the same blue eyes. At the time, Olivia couldn't have been more than seven. In the four years since, Caroline had become like a sister to you, and Olivia like a niece. It was bittersweet watching her grow up, but you’d protect that little girl with your life.

"Well, your momma is right about that," you said, tucking a strand of hair behind Olivia's ear. "And I hate to tell ya, darlin', but Ellie beat you to it. I heard about the jukebox from her this morning." You turned Olivia towards Ellie, who was busy in the back of the stables, hunched over a worktable, oiling an old saddle Mike had found during a recent patrol.

"Ellie’s here?!" Olivia squealed, running off to join Ellie at the back of the stable.

Shaking your head with a laugh, you turned back to your work, the girls' excited chatter filling the stables.

As 6 pm approached, Ellie abandoned the saddle for a conversation with Olivia. Although it irritated you slightly, it also warmed your heart to see Olivia making friends her age. In this post-apocalyptic world, friends were a rare commodity, especially outside of safe havens like Jackson.

You were only five years old when outbreak day happened. Your parents were at work, and you were at daycare. You vaguely recalled your daycare teacher trying to stay calm, but panic eventually overtook her as she locked all the children in the bathroom. Your grandparents, miraculously, arrived to rescue you. Your grandfather, a Vietnam Vet who’d served two tours before leaving the military, was also a grizzled cowboy. He owned a ranch where he boarded and broke horses.

The most vivid memory you had of outbreak day was your grandfather bursting into the daycare with a .308 Winchester in hand, calling for you frantically. You recalled him nearly pulling your arms out as he scooped you up, then handing you over to your crying grandmother. Your grandfather reprimanded the daycare teacher sternly, instructing her to get the kids to a military outpost at the airport and then evacuate Tulsa. The exact words had faded from your memory.

You remembered the scent of your grandmother's perfume as you clung to her while she carried you out of the daycare. Fighter jets roared overhead, and you covered your ears as your grandmother hurried to their old Jeep. Your grandfather opened the passenger door for your grandmother, and she kissed your head. During the two-hour drive from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to his ranch, your grandmother had you play a game called "Keep Your Eyes On Jesus," where you'd focus on the silver cross necklace she always wore. That day marked the end of your life in the city and your chances of making friends. Your childhood died on the daycare bathroom floor.

"Helloooo, earth to Miss Y/l/n?!" Ellie's voice suddenly snapped you out of your thoughts as you continued to organize bridles, leads, and cinches.

You turned abruptly. "Hmm?" was all you managed as you met Ellie's gaze.

Ellie pointed to her empty wrist, giving you a knowing look. “It’s 6:20,” she said, her tone almost teasing.

"Shit," you murmured, quickly shoving tack items back into makeshift storage bins. Ellie laughed as she headed out of the stables with Olivia in tow.

---

Joel was exhausted, bone-deep tired. His knees ached, his back throbbed, and a relentless headache pounded behind his eyes. All this fuss over a damn jukebox.

Now, don't get him wrong; Joel loved music as much as the next person, and he understood why the whole town was buzzing with excitement. But he felt like people were acting as if they'd found a cure for the infection, not an old jukebox.

And yet, there he was, in the Tipsy Bison, helping to secure the wiring for the ancient contraption. A small crowd of men gathered around, drinks in hand, watching him work. Not a single one offered to help, and Joel knew why, but it still irked him to have the entire town gawking at him.

"You got time for leanin', you got time for cleanin'," Joel's dad used to say when he and Tommy were watching him work.

"Will it work?" Seth's voice interrupted his thoughts from over the bar.

Joel responded with a grunt as he connected two wires, causing the jukebox to spring to life. The bar fell silent, and Joel felt a wave of annoyance—or perhaps embarrassment—wash over him as he sensed everyone's eyes on him.

Slowly, he stood up from his crouched position on the dusty floor, his knees cracking in protest. He examined the jukebox, its lights aglow with a soft, white hue. However, the interior glass was so filthy that the song list was barely readable. His gaze fell on a doorbell wired to the coin slot. Joel pressed it once, his eyes scanning the various lettered and numbered buttons.

"S2," he mumbled to himself, thinking of Sarah as he hovered over the letter. With all eyes in the room on the back of his head, he slowly pressed the buttons into the old metal board of the machine, each button emitting a satisfying 'click.'

Silence enveloped the room, followed by a whirring sound.

Please don't make me look like a fool in front of the whole town, Joel silently pleaded, not caring to whom he addressed his thoughts—God, Satan, or Buddha.

Another click, more whirring, and then the old jukebox started singing like a canary.

"I'm in a hurry to get things done 

Oh, I rush and rush until life's no fun 

All I really gotta do is live and die 

Even I'm in a hurry and don't know why…"

The room erupted into cheers and hollers as the song "I'm in a Hurry" by Alabama filled the space. Joel released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. A hand clapped his shoulder, followed by another pat on his bicep, as various townsfolk expressed their gratitude. He grunted in response, uncomfortable with the attention. He couldn't help but think he preferred it when the town treated him like some cryptid.

"Joel... drinks are on the house tonight. I think this'll be the busiest night since we found that Bud Light truck," Seth said, crossing his arms and standing next to Joel to admire his work. Joel shifted uncomfortably but nodded his thanks to the man.

"So, uh, how does it work with no coins, I mean?" Seth asked, looking at the old doorbell attached to the wiring coming from the coin slot.

Joel let out a soft huff. "That there is the 'coin,' per se. Push it however many times for however many songs, but… I'd maybe limit people to three," he quipped, attempting dry humor.

Seth smiled crookedly. "Yeah, I'd hate to hear the same shit twenty times in one day."

Joel sighed. "Yeah, let me see what I can do about the glass, and it'll be nearly new."

With that, Joel carefully worked the glass out of the jukebox, his eyes widening slightly as he pulled back the grimy cover. He didn't know what he had expected, but this jukebox seemed like a unicorn. As he pulled back the filthy glass, a list of songs greeted him—mostly country music, some '80s hits, and a few oldies like Frank Sinatra. Seth whistled softly behind Joel's right shoulder as the music filled the cozy bar.

"Can't be late, I leave in plenty of time 

Shakin' hands with the clock 

I can't stop 

I'm on a roll, and I'm ready to rock…"

———

The snow crunches beneath your boots as you speed walk through the snow towards your tiny cottage on the outskirts of Jackson. It was a modest two-bedroom, one-bathroom house, but it had a porch with a breathtaking view of the mountains. The unusual emptiness of the streets at this hour suggested that most of the town's residents were either at the Community Kitchen or the Tipsy Bison.

Almost slipping on your porch steps, you chuckled to yourself, attributing it to the icy snow. Unlocking your front door, you immediately shed layers of clothing in a trail leading to the bathroom. Excitement pulsed through you as you started the shower, envisioning the possibilities that the jukebox might hold. Maybe it would play Johnny Cash or some new Alan Jackson track you hadn't heard before. Alan Jackson held a special place in your heart.

Thoughts raced as you hurried through your shower, eager to join the buzz of the town. Drying your hair hastily, you searched for your special occasion jeans. They were a pair of dark-washed Levi's, the kind you'd nearly sold your soul for at one of the general stores. They hugged you perfectly in all the right places and, most importantly, were clean—devoid of stains or blood.

Pulling them up over your hips and buttoning them up, you checked yourself out in the mirror. A dark red sweater with a v-neck and your patrol boots completed the look. You adjusted the silver cross necklace around your neck, a memento from your grandmother, and heard her voice echo in your mind.

"Just keep your eyes on Jesus, baby… we're almost to the ranch."

Breaking your reverie, you felt ready to head out for drinks and music. Slipping into your coat, you ventured out into the sunset-lit, snow-covered streets of Jackson. The Tipsy Bison came into view after a short walk, and your excitement threatened to burst from you. The line outside the bar, however, crushed your spirits.

"No way..." you muttered, coming to a halt. The entire town seemed to be here. You watched from a distance, scanning the crowd until your eyes landed on a blonde-haired woman nearing the front of the line. She turned and made eye contact, flashing a wild smile as she waved you over.

There was a hint of apologetic awkwardness as you joined your friend. Some people in line shot you dirty looks for cutting, but it’s not like the bar’s gonna grow legs and walk away. 

"About TIME!" Caroline exclaimed, enveloping you in a warm embrace as you met her outside the bar. "Ginger's already inside; she got us a spot at the bar!" Her excitement was contagious.

"Sorry! I had to go home and change. I didn't wanna come out smellin’ like a horse," you apologized, returning the hug.

"Oh honey, a shower doesn’t change that," she teased, playfully elbowing you.

"Caroline!" You gasped, feigning offense, and lightly elbowed her in return.

Curious, you peered into the bar, attempting to glimpse over the tall men in front of you. Music wafted out, and you heard the buzz of chatter as people walked in and out.

“It’s a shit ton of Country music," you overheard someone say as they walked away, "Well, what’d you expect from a ski lodge in Wyoming in 2003?” came the retort. Caroline shot you a knowing look, and you suppressed a smile.

The line gradually moved forward, and you stepped into the warm atmosphere. Caroline hung up her coat, and you couldn't help but shoot her an envious glance at her overly dressy top – a pink silk halter tied tank top that accentuated her figure beautifully.

“The hell’d you find that?!” You asked, a mix of curiosity and a hint of jealousy in your voice. It made her cleavage stand out, and it seemed perfectly timed as an unfamiliar song started playing from the jukebox, capturing everyone's attention.

“Her hair was Harlow gold 

Her lips a sweet surprise 

Her hands were never cold 

She had Bette Davis eyes…”

Being on your own for so long after your grandparents had passed had made you lose a sense of pride in your appearance. But being in Jackson, surrounded by other women again, ignited that desire to care once more. Caroline had been instrumental in helping you rediscover your femininity, teaching you how to braid your hair and transform dull button-ups into something more womanly. Caroline had been a high school senior when the outbreak happened, with a life and dreams you couldn't relate to. She aimed for Harvard, wanting to be like Elle Woods from a movie called "Legally Blonde." Those aspirations had seemed foreign, considering your upbringing on the Ranch, where your grandfather taught you to care for animals, garden, hunt, fish, and, of course, how to shoot – and shoot well. 

Caroline was the first person to make you question your beauty, to make something seemingly frivolous in the apocalypse feel essential.

"I believe that caring for myself isn’t self-indulgent, but rather an act of survival," Caroline had told you when you questioned the worth of bartering for old Avon makeup from the general store.

Caroline took your hand, pulling you toward where Ginger had miraculously saved some standing room at the bar. You hardly noticed as your gaze fixated on the Jukebox, where a line of people awaited their turn to pick a song. Your heart sank a little; you didn't think Caroline or Ginger had the patience to wait for you to choose a song.

Stepping up to the worn wooden bar, you were greeted by Seth's crooked smile. "Be back with ya in a minute, ladies," he said, his old hands moving as fast as they could to serve the bustling crowd.

"Bout time!" Ginger exclaimed as you turned to her. "I didn't think Seth'd let me save space any longer," she added with a laugh, her eyes scanning your and Caroline's outfits with admiration. "Damn girl! What'd you have to sell for those?!" She playfully ran her hand over the material of your jeans.

You rolled your eyes dramatically. "Oh, you have NO idea!" you began, but before you could continue, Seth returned.

"Two whiskeys, please," Caroline ordered for both of you, prompting you to resume your story. "You wouldn't believe it, okay..."

"Here we go..." Caroline rolled her eyes, and you playfully nudged her. Ginger hadn't heard this story before, and you were eager to share.

"I was rummaging through a house right after I'd left the ranch, and I found a Walkman! Battery-operated and a whole box of cassettes," you explained as Seth brought the whiskey back. Ginger listened intently as you continued. "I picked up some of the names I recognized from the pile. I ended up with like 10 tapes and a whole pile of batteries!" You took a swig and leaned on the bar top, facing Ginger, while Caroline leaned on your shoulder, clearly having heard this story many times before.

"Who were the tapes of?" Ginger asked, taking a swig of her dwindling beer.

"So I had an Alan Jackson cassette, I had a Shania Twain cassette, hmm oh! Johnny Cash's greatest hits, which were technically four tapes, one Journey cassette, George Strait, and then I even found a Marty Robbins tape!" You listed the tapes off, trying to recall them all.

"Sooo? What's this got to do with those Levi's?!" Ginger asked, laughing.

"Well, damn, hold on, sister, I'm tryna set the story up!" you retorted with a laugh.

"Anyways," you continued, "one day I'm navigating some thick woods. My headphones are around my neck, and I still have the music goin'. Well, I clipped the Walkman to the hip of my pants, and this fuckin' infected came outta nowhere!" You gestured dramatically with your hands. "This thing fuckin' leaps on me and pushes me up against a tree—"

"—crushes the Walkman!" You and Caroline said in unison, and all three of you burst into laughter, drawing the attention of others in the bar.

Tears welled in your eyes from laughing as you recounted the memory. "I'd never been so fucking mad in my life!" you recalled, trying to catch your breath. "I also haven't cried as hard since the day I lost that thing," you said dramatically as you took a drink. "Almost wish it'd bitten me instead of killin' my fuckin' Walkman," you added bitterly.

"Well, what did you do to it?" Ginger asked curiously.

"The infected? Oh. I fuckin' stomped that thing's head in," you deadpanned, throwing Ginger and Caroline into another fit of laughter. "Like... a lot," you repeated, deadpan again as you took another drink. "Fuckin' thing destroyed my Alan Jackson tape...anyways, I held onto the tapes, maybe out of bitterness. But once I got to Jackson, I traded the tapes for the jeans." Ginger made an "Oooh" sound, nodding as if she now completely understood.

Caroline tapped you on the shoulder, about to say something, when the sound of a very familiar song filled your ears, and you had to bite back the squeal that threatened to escape.

"It's Alan Jackson," you said, your eyes gleaming with a serious excitement that caught Ginger's attention.

"Come on," you said, pulling Caroline with you onto an opening in the bar floor as the chorus hit. You pulled her into a two-step, a dance you had seen your grandparents do every year on their anniversary.

"I should've been a cowboy 

I should've learned to rope and ride 

Wearin' my six-shooter, 

ridin' my pony on a cattle drive 

Stealin' the young girls' hearts 

Just like Gene and Roy 

Singin' those campfire songs

 Woah, I should've been a cowboy…"

You sang unabashedly, as if you, Caroline, and Alan Jackson were the only ones in the bar. Your head threw back in laughter after Caroline begrudgingly tried to match your steps. After a moment, you were so engrossed in your dance that you didn't even realize other people had joined in, dancing to the music. Ginger laughed from her spot at the bar as she watched your and Caroline's forgotten whiskeys.

———

Seth had been right. This was the busiest Joel had ever seen the Tipsy Bison. Brooding in the corner of the bar, tucked into a dimly lit table, Joel sat, nursing his fourth glass of free whiskey.

Shit. If Seth was offering, he wasn't gonna say no to free drinks.

Joel's tired eyes scanned the room as he tried to determine who he recognized and who he didn't. His gaze landed on a particularly familiar set of eyes. Tommy.

He watched as Tommy approached the secluded table, offering a crooked smile to the man.

"Big bad Joel fixed the jukebox?" Tommy teased as he sat down across from Joel.

"Did it for the free drinks," Joel retorted, attempting to deflect the sudden unwanted attention, his face flushing as he averted his brother's gaze.

"Well… you may have just earned some points with Maria," Tommy said with a genuine smile.

Joel smirked back. "Guess something good did come from this after all." He could feel the whiskey settling deep in his chest as he spoke to his brother.

Tommy glanced around at the crowd, but a roar of laughter snapped both of their heads toward the bar. Three women stood a few feet away, listening to one woman tell a story.

Joel narrowed his tired eyes. He didn't recognize the woman engrossed in her story. However, he did recognize the blonde with the revealing pink blouse. She scanned the patrons of the bar like a hawk, looking for her next prey and obviously uninterested in her friend's story.

The woman had approached Joel two days after he arrived with Ellie, asking to bum a cigarette and then bombarding him with a thousand questions as she batted her eyelashes at him. Her name was something like Karen, he couldn't quite recall. But when another bout of laughter reached his ears, his gaze locked onto your form, now less hidden behind the woman with her back to him.

He watched almost mesmerized as you laughed and smiled. Pretty, was the only thing his brain could manage. Suddenly, your face became very serious as you said something that made the two girls howl in laughter.

Tommy cleared his throat after an awkward silence, and Joel realized he had been completely caught staring at you. Their eyes met, and his little brother looked like he was about to say something smart, but Alan Jackson's music broke Tommy's focus.

"Holy shit! I forgot this song existed!" Tommy exclaimed with a nostalgic laugh.

Joel's attention was drawn back to the bar by another bout of laughter. Except, now, you had migrated to the middle of the room. Your arms were placed perfectly on the blonde chick as you began dancing. The blonde appeared obviously embarrassed by the sudden change, making a face of disdain. You laughed, the sound caressing Joel's ears, and he felt something stirring in him. Maybe it was the whiskey, but deep down, he knew it wasn't.

He and Tommy watched carefully as more patrons began to crowd the space, joining in the dance. Tommy let out a huff of laughter, his eyes now focused on the scene. As the song ended, everyone clapped, and Seth, the bartender, felt it appropriate to make an announcement.

"Everyone, thank Joel on your way out! He fixed up the jukebox," Seth declared, and a wave of applause and stares washed over Joel.

Joel could feel a flush creeping into his face at the attention. He cringed inwardly as all he could manage was a stupid smirk while looking down at his whiskey glass.

"Jukebox Joel!" someone in the crowd cheered, and Tommy choked on the beer he was drinking. Joel delivered a swift kick to Tommy's shin.

"Haha! What? Come on… it's better than Jackass Joel," Tommy laughed with a smirk as he teased Joel.

Joel actually let out a soft chuckle at that and shook his head as he looked back down at his empty glass. "Prick," Joel muttered softly as he glanced up at his little brother. "I'm gonna go get another." With a sigh, he pushed himself up from the table and made his way toward the bar to get another drink.

———

"I'm gonna go have a cigarette. Save me a spot!" Caroline swiftly moved to grab her coat, leaving you and Ginger at the bar.

Ginger looked at you. "So how's the stables?"

"Mmm, they're fine. I've recently gotten some help from this teenager, Ellie," you replied as you finished off your whiskey, paying no mind to the man who muscled in on Caroline's vacant space behind you.

"Is she a good help?" Ginger asked as she also finished off her beer.

"Depends on the day," you said with a soft laugh. "She's a great listener, just a little poor on the completion side of things. Like today, I asked her to oil this saddle Mike brought in from a patrol. Olivia stopped by to see me, and sure enough, Ellie just ended up talking with her for the last hour of the day. It's like she won't shut up. I swear, these outbreak babies are somethin' else," you added with an exasperated sigh. "She's a good kid, though. Smart as hell. I'm just mad I'll have to get up early to finish oiling the saddle before patrol." You finished with a final smile as you looked up to make eye contact with Ginger, who appeared as if she'd seen a ghost. She wasn't even looking at you but over your shoulder.

"Ginge?" you asked worriedly, placing a hand on her shoulder to shake her a bit.

"I'm gonna go grab a cigarette," she said hurriedly, shaking your hand off her as she all but ran out of the bar, leaving you standing there stunned.

In an instant, your senses tingled with the presence of an imposing, commanding figure emanating a cocoon of warmth from the shadows behind you. A shiver of anticipation raced down your spine, and a cascade of goosebumps rippled across your skin as you executed a deliberate, almost theatrical pivot to meet the piercing gaze of none other than Joel Fucking Miller.

———

If Joel had a dollar for every face he'd seen turn away from him in fear, he would've been a millionaire twelve years ago. But nothing felt as satisfying to him as watching your little friend scamper off to leave you with him.

He waited patiently for you to turn around before he spoke. His eyes drifted from the back of your head, tracing the contours of your figure, to rest on the soft curve of your ass. The sight made his breath hitch, and his gaze locked onto a familiar little red tag that stared back at him—Levi's.

Fuck  he thought to himself. Those must've cost a pretty thing like you a whole lot.

After what felt like ages, you finally turned to meet his gaze. Your soft, youthful face surprised him. You were young, younger than him, maybe even younger than Sarah would've been.

Your lips parted slightly as you gazed up at him with your fucking doe eyes. His eyes traveled south from your lips to the silver cross around your neck. He cringed internally, his gaze shifting away from your neck as he signaled to Seth at the bar.

"Mr. Miller..." Your voice fell warily from your lips, carrying a soft southern accent that caught his ear.

Joel grunted softly. "Mhmm," he replied, waiting for Seth to bring his last whiskey of the night. He had to force himself to look away from you.

"You're… Ellie's dad?" Your voice sounded sheepish, not in the usual "I'm scared of you" kind of way he was accustomed to in this town, but in a "I messed up" kind of way. He spared a glance at you, noticing how you fidgeted with your hands and struggled to make eye contact, trying to look up at him apologetically.

"Mhmm," was all Joel settled for after a long pause. Your face paled, and he had to look away to keep from laughing.

"I am so sorry, Mr. Miller!! Ellie has been a great help, and I'd love for her to st—" You sounded panicked, and he didn't like it.

"Kid's got ADHD or somethin'. Can't finish anything she starts…unless it's food or a sentence," the words flew from Joel's mouth before he could process what he had just said. Seth rounded the bar at that moment and handed Joel his whiskey.

Joel took the glass and was about to take a sip when your giggle froze him in his tracks. It wasn't a laugh or a chuckle, but a full-blown giggle.

"Haha! She is very food motivated! Sometimes I catch her going for the sugar cubes that are meant for the horses," you laughed as you spoke to him. Joel looked down at you with a crooked smirk, sipping his whiskey as he turned his attention back to his glass.

"Well… uhm, I should probably..." Your voice trailed off with a hint of uncertainty, and from his peripheral vision, Joel could make out a flush on your cheeks as you tried to awkwardly excuse yourself from his presence.

"You let me know if she gives you more trouble..." What the hell was he doing? Was he actually talking right now or was it the whiskey? Slowly, he turned to look at you, his left arm resting on the bar as he slowly set his glass down, shoving his right hand in his belt loop. You were flushed, perhaps you'd had too much to drink? Or maybe it was... nah. He looked into your eyes, his gaze searching yours for a moment before dropping to that stupid silver cross on your neck. He wanted to rip it off your neck while burying himself deep inside you. Your voice brought his attention from your neck and his thoughts to the present, where he stared into your eyes.

"Yeah… I, uh... I will." You almost sounded confused and curious. You were biting your lip, your face still flushed, your hair framing your face perfectly. He had to stop himself from grabbing you by the back of the head and forcing himself on you. "Thanks for fixin’ up the jukebox..." Long gone was the shy demeanor as your words came out like sultry silk. You stared back at him seriously, and he could tell you were being genuine. He tried to swallow the sudden dryness the whiskey had left in his mouth. His aching back and throbbing knees from fixin’ the damn thing long forgotten as he rolled your thanks around in his head.

Damn.

He grunted in response and, with a white-knuckle grip on his whiskey glass, he forced himself to walk away. He passed by you, his form squeezing around yours in the crowded bar as people danced. He forced himself to look straight ahead when your left shoulder grazed his chest as he nudged past you gently. He slinked his way back to his table in the corner, where Tommy and Maria now occupied two of the four chairs.

As soon as he approached, they eyed him and stopped talking almost immediately. Tommy spoke up first with a smirk. "So uh..."

"Shut it," Joel snapped, his words coming out harsher than he had intended, and Maria huffed.

"Be nice. You're on my good side for the night. Don't make that change before I've even had a chance to enjoy it," she glared at him. Leave it to Tommy to pick a hardass for his wife.

"She's nice, Joel, but... she's young," Maria said with a sigh.

He felt angry heat flicker in his belly, replacing the momentary desire. He glared at Maria, who stared right back at him, and he felt his jaw tighten, his teeth grinding.

"Hon, why don't we go dance... enjoy it while we can?" Tommy's voice rang out, and for once, Joel was thankful for his baby brother.

He watched carefully as Maria reluctantly agreed and let Tommy lead her away. Tommy shot Joel a knowing look as he disappeared into a sea of people. Joel settled back into his seat from before, his eyes scanning the now dancing and raucous crowd.

Unconsciously, he found himself searching for you, scanning the spot where you'd stood with your friends, but it was now occupied by some other men.

———

"What the fuck, Ginger?!" You spat harshly as you confronted the two girls who were practically shivering outside, puffing on a shared cigarette.

"What do you mean 'what the fuck'? You were runnin' your mouth about the scariest man in town's daughter!" Ginger retorted, a mischievous laugh escaping her lips. "I wasn't about to stand witness to you getting your teeth kicked in!" she added, taking another drag.

"Wait, you saw Joel Miller?!" Caroline chimed in as she put out the cigarette.

"Saw him?! She damn near insulted his daughter in front of him!" Ginger laughed, and you could feel your cheeks redden.

"I didn't know he was behind me! You could've said something! I had to apologize, standin' there like an abandoned idiot!" You playfully frogged Ginger on the arm, your accent growing thicker with anger.

"Ow!" Ginger winced as she rubbed her skinny arm through her leather coat.

"Wait, you actually talked to him?!" Caroline asked as if it were an impossible feat.

"Well, yeah. I felt kind of bad… Ellie is a good kid, she's just very talkative," you explained, crossing your arms to ward off the cold.

"And he talked back?" Caroline continued her interrogation.

"I mean if you can call a couple of pig-like grunts talking, then yeah, I guess," you replied with a shrug.

"Hmm…" Caroline offered as she gave you a once-over. "Come on, let's get back inside." She headed into the bar, with you and Ginger following behind.

The night passed fairly uneventfully, save for a few men asking for a dance. Caroline, as usual, was the star of the night, charming most of the men into buying her drinks and joining her on the dance floor. Ginger cozied up to a man you recognized from the kitchen, someone she had been with before. You were starting to feel the fatigue kick in when you realized the line for the jukebox had drastically shortened. Excitedly, you made your way to the magical machine, your eyes scanning the list of songs. You were in awe of the extensive selection: Journey, Patsy Cline – one of your grandmother's favorites, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and some you didn't recognize at all, like Linda Ronstadt, ABBA, Earth, Wind & Fire…

You didn't even notice a presence near the bar, watching as you scanned the list in awe. Your fingers guided you, pressing the doorbell button connected to the coin slot, as you had watched so many people do all night. 

Your fingers grazed over the letter "J" for Joe—Jesus. "J" for Jesus, you mentally reprimanded yourself. Then you moved to a number, "5," your age on outbreak day. You listened to the machine click and whir in amazement. Unsure of the song title or the artist, you waited to hear the first chords.

"Came in from a rainy 

Thursday on the avenue 

Thought I heard you talking softly 

I turned on the lights, the TV, and the radio 

Still, I can't escape the ghost of you..."

Leaning on the jukebox, you listened to the foreign song by a band called Duran Duran. The lyrics suddenly made you feel melancholic as you absorbed each word.

"What has happened to it all?

 Crazy, some'd say 

Where is the life that I recognize? (Gone away)"

———

Joel couldn't help himself. He wanted to blame the whiskey, but deep down, he knew he wasn't even close to drunk. From his spot at the far end of the bar, he watched as you walked up to the damn jukebox. You looked like a kid on Christmas, that twinkle in your eye, just like Sarah when he threw her a surprise birthday party with all her friends, or like Ellie at the Museum…

He watched you hesitate when it was your turn to pick a song. His eyes drifted to those Levi's, like they had been poured onto you. The way they clung to your curves made his mind wander. He imagined himself coming up behind you in his kitchen while you prepared to cook something that he had hunted. His chest tucking into the curve of your back while he pressed his hips into the curve of your ass. The thought shot an arrow of fire straight to his groin. Fortunately for him, Maria's voice echoed in his head. "She's nice, Joel... but she's young." He knew Maria wasn't bullshitting him about that. You hardly looked the same age as the women you hung around with.

His gaze shifted from the curve of your hip to the profile of your face. From this angle, he could watch your eyes scanning the song choices. He wondered what you would choose and, for a fleeting moment, told himself that if you picked a slow song, he'd have to ask you to dance. He watched your face crinkle slightly as you read through the songs, likely because you didn't recognize most of them. Sipping his whiskey, he waited to see the outcome.

He observed as your fingers grazed the buttons until making their final destination. He couldn't help but imagine what those fingertips would feel like grazing his body in the same tender way. Your smile lit up when the jukebox whirred to life, and he released a breath he hadn't even realized he was holding when the song "Ordinary World" by Duran Duran began playing. It was an odd choice, he thought to himself.

The semi-familiar song filled the now-dwindling bar. Couples still danced, others nursed their beers, and some chatted. His eyes remained locked on your face as you listened intently. He could tell you had chosen the song on a whim, not knowing it. He sat and watched as the once-childlike wonder on your face slowly dissolved into a heartbreaking frown, one that he had seen a hundred times before on different women's faces.

Heat rose on his cheeks as he watched the blonde from earlier drunkenly sling her arm over your shoulder. Suddenly, he felt like a creep for watching you for so long. He turned his gaze back to his now-empty glass as Seth came over to offer him another. Politely declining, Joel stood up slowly, adjusted his coat, and, feeling a pang of regret, he slipped out the side door of the bar.

"But I won't cry for yesterday

There's an ordinary world

Somehow I have to find

And as I try to make my way

To the ordinary world

I will learn to survive"

———

"Come on, kiddo… time for you to walk me home," Caroline hummed in your ear, her arm slung around you. Her alcohol-laden breath pulled you out of your self-wallowing music session. You slid your left arm around her waist, providing some balance as she leaned her head on your shoulder.

"My dad loved Duran Duran…" Caroline slurred into your neck, and a shiver ran down your spine. She had only mentioned her father once before, and it had been followed by a request never to bring it up again. Hastily, you changed the subject and led her to the entrance of the bar to retrieve her coat.

You grabbed her dark purple barn coat and draped it around her shoulders, making sure she was bundled up, then zipped up your own coat tightly. Caroline took your hand as you began to walk, leaning heavily on you. It had to be late because as soon as you stepped outside the Tipsy Bison, you felt your hair freeze. Both your and Caroline's breath fogged up the space in front of you as you surveyed the mostly empty streets of Jackson. Caroline's house was on the other side of town, and you mentally prepared yourself for the chilly walk ahead when Caroline made a mumbled noise into the crook of your neck.

“‘S lookin at you all night..” she murmured as you helped her navigate the snow-covered streets.

"Hmm, darlin'?" you asked, guiding her carefully.

"He was lookin' at you!" she repeated, a bit louder this time.

Confused, you adjusted your hold on her to prevent any accidental slips that could bring both of you down in the snow. "Who was lookin'?" you inquired, but she didn't reply. Suddenly, she went limp in your arms, and you let out a soft yelp at the abrupt change in weight.

"Carol?!" you called, trying to stifle a laugh as she put her full weight on you. "Shit. How much did you drink, darlin'?" you groaned, realizing that you were going to have to carry her home.

The walk across town to Caroline's house had left you wide awake. After taking her shoes off and tucking her into bed alongside a peacefully sleeping Olivia, you left the house quietly, ensuring the door was locked behind you. Stepping back out into the night, you were greeted by the sight of the quiet town, blanketed in snow with darkness settling in. A shiver ran down your spine as you took in the serene atmosphere.

You began your journey toward your own home, which lay on the opposite end of town. However, as you walked, your thoughts wandered back to the saddle that Ellie hadn't finished oiling. Despite your tiredness, you knew that if you went home now, you'd simply lay in bed tossing and turning, unable to sleep. With a sigh, you turned on your heel and headed back towards the stables, your hands shoved deep into your pockets to ward off the cold.

As the stables came into view, a sinking feeling settled in the pit of your stomach. The door was ajar, and a soft light spilled out from within. You knew you had closed up for the night, and the thought of leaving a kerosene lamp burning in a barn full of hay and the town's most prized mode of transportation was, unthinkable.

An uneasy thought crossed your mind; maybe it was Maria or Tommy, someone needing to head out for a late-night patrol. However, such occurrences were rare unless there was an emergency. With cautious steps, you entered the stables as quietly as you could, your senses on high alert.

To your chagrin, you found the horses calmly chewing on the hay you had left for them hours ago. The pit in your stomach deepened as you scanned the area, trying to discern any signs of an intruder.

"H...Hello?" you called out, your voice sounding uncharacteristically shaky even to your own ears. You couldn't help but think sarcastically, Oooh, very threatening. In that moment a thought crossed your mind that maybe Jackson was making you soft. You stood there, waiting for a reply, but there was none.

Confused and still on edge, you carefully followed the source of the soft lantern light. It led you to the back of the stables and into the tack room, your footsteps echoing softly in the enclosed space.

There, almost right where Ellie had left it, you saw the saddle that Mike had found on his patrol. However, what caught your attention in the dimly lit room was the unmistakable sheen across the leather. It gleamed in the lantern light, catching your eye immediately. It had been fully oiled, a stark contrast to the untouched condition it had been in earlier when Ellie had been working on it.

Confusion wracked your body; did Joel make Ellie come back to oil the saddle? Your fingers gingerly rubbed the leather between your fingers. No, this wasn’t Ellie’s work; this was oiled to perfection. Ellie was a good kid, hell, a great kid considering all the other children who’d grown up in this hellscape, but she oiled saddles like she was pouring syrup on pancakes. No, this had been done by someone with skill and experience.

A soft smile crossed your face as you reached for the lantern. Maybe Joel Miller wasn't the monster your friends had told you about after all. You'd have to ask Ellie in the morning. 

As you stepped out of the barn, relocking everything up for the night, you couldn’t shake the warm feeling in your gut. A feeling you hadn’t felt since you’d eaten your last meal with your grandparents... a feeling that scared you.

Unbeknownst to you, a dark figure across the street watched from the shadows, illuminated only by the orange glow of his lit cigarette as he leaned against a column under the roof of the general store. Joel took a drag from his cigarette as he watched you relock the barn for the night. He tried to tell himself the warm feeling in his chest was from the cigarette he'd been puffing on, but he knew better.

Joel took one last drag from his cigarette, flicked it to the ground, and crushed it beneath his boot before heading home, maybe something good came from that damn jukebox after all… he thought to himself as his eyes followed your form walking off into the snowy darkness of Jackson.

#joel miller x reader #joel miller #the last of us hbo #the last of us #joel miller x you #joel miller smut #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller x female reader #pedro pascal #pedro pascal characters

[ratsoh-writes]

Hey y’all! Meet our new Underwest characters!! And the au!

To introduce them: Underwest is a Wild West au! These monsters were never trapped behind a barrier, and lived in the deserts and plains of the surface along with humans. Conditions were harsh for every one, but they made do, creating a community of hardy resourceful monsters and humans alike!

Like the name suggests, this au is cowboy themed with a few twists! There are hardly any mammals from this au. The hot desert sun is too much for most furred critters, and certain animals like sheep, wolves and horses never evolved. But other animal species thrived! Namely the reptiles.

In Underwest there are three big domesticated animal groups: herding lizards, raptors and terror birds.

Herding lizards: there are dozens of breeds, but they’re all mostly the same. A six legged desert lizard raised for meat because of its passive nature and the fact that it can eat almost anything and survive off of little water

Raptors: domesticated and wild, not to be confused with the ancient dinosaurs. These are quadruple lizards as large as a horse with long thick legs and the energy to run for hours. They’re carnivorous and domesticated ones are used as herding animals and riding animals

Terror birds: MASSIVE carnivorous birds of prey with wingspans the size of cars. And the bane of every Underwest monster. They snatch up monsters, people and livestock and have crossed over into ebott after the crash as well. They can be tamed however by particularly skilled individuals and can even be taught to take a saddle and fly with riders.

The Underwest monsters don’t have royals as there was never a war between them and the humans in the past. Monsters and humans were divided into traveling family units, chasing water sources and only settling during rainy seasons. They’re believed to be closely related to the farm AUs due to many of the Underwest monsters having earth affinities.

Meet partner and rowdy!!

Partner (Underwest sans)

Partner is a stocky skeleton monster, aged 68 with soft lilac magic. He stands at 5’7 and has a strong thick muscular ecto that he worked hard to achieve. He has a bit of a gap between his front two teeth.

Partner is a very serious monster, he rarely smiles and hearing a laugh from him is like seeing gold fall out of the sky. If duty was a soul trait, he’d have it. He always keeps his promises, even if it kills him. While he can be grumpy and temperamental, he has a soft spot for the gentle and innocent, and is a good protector to any of his loved ones.

Partner works as the sheriff in Goldenvalley, hunting down criminals.as there’s only one police station and it’s a lot of land to cover, he works very hard at his job. On the side he also trains raptors for a bit of extra G.

He’s a very clever fighter which makes up for his rather average magic power. This is reflected in his magic weapon, a whip that when cracked, makes a loud booming noise to frighten. The whip itself doesn’t do much damage

His special ability is that he can see both up and forward. Like he has eyes on the top of his head. When he consciously thinks about it, partner can see the sky even though he may be looking down or forward.

Things he loves: leather goods and clothes, garlic, rustic belt buckles and hat accessories, artisan breads, hunting, telling campfire stories, horror novels, axe throwing, the color blue, clover flowers, country music (go figure)

Rowdy (Underwest papyrus)

Rowdy is a lanky skeleton monster aged 27 with baby blue magic. He has a think but trim ecto and is always covered in scrapes and bruises. He has a bit of a gap between his front two teeth

Rowdy is a cheerful, eager to please and clumsy fellow. He’s been rather sheltered by his mother for most of his life, so some things that may be common sense to most he hasn’t learned yet. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is a delight to be around with how affectionate he is. However he’s very gullible, making partner very protective of him.

Rowdy is partners apprentice, learning the art of training raptors. He’s not partners brother like the others but is actually his younger cousin. Their mothers were sisters. Rowdy only recently left home this last year and a half, so he’s a bit behind in the practical work compared to other monsters his age

Rowdy has very explosive magic which shows in his magical weapon, a boomerang that literally explodes on contact. Unfortunately if it doesn’t hit its target, ot explodes on him when it comes back. He’s working on fixing that

Rowdy’s special ability is double jump! When he’s in the air, he can kick off exactly once to get a second jump!

Things he loves: comedy podcasts and shows, parsnips, the color yellow, fun patterned bandanas, horseback riding, exploring new areas, pop music, line dancing, stew, orange blossoms

Side characters

Belle: the mother of rowdy and the aunt of partner, bell is a skeleton monster aged 400 exactly. Having lost her sister and husband before the crash due to sickness and a bad rain year, she was extremely protective of rowdy. Even after the crash she sheltered him, causing him to run in order to accept the apprenticeship partner offered. Partner and Belle had a huge fight over this and aren’t on speaking terms anymore

Robber: Underwest undyne, and despite the hilarious nickname, shes no criminal but is in fact another sheriff of Goldenvalley, and has a friendly rivalry with partner. She’s still new in her job and goes to him for pointers a lot as well.

Prairie: Underwest alphys, and partners closest friend. She breeds raptors and goes to him to train all of them. She owns a cute plot of land that she raises goats on as her primary source of income. Breeding raptors is a long and tedious job, definitely not something one can easily live off of.

#undertale imagines #undertale headcanons #worldbuilding #Underwest #ratsohart

[texankat]

A Enjoyable Night 🎃

warnings: None <3

word count: 1.3K

summary: Drinking game gone right?

A/N: HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY JENNA AND HAPPY EARLY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!

———————————————————————

Jenna walked into the party- hoping she got the right place, She had been invited by a old time friend and finally got around to actually getting her ass over to the place. She knew she had a habit of flanking out but this time she wanted it to be different, it was your classic Halloween party. The Lights from the DJ’s little table blaring all around the large apartment room, people dancing all around, the faint smell of weed and alcohol. She didn’t expect to be coming all by herself but she didn’t really mind either, meeting new people that weren’t going to immediately fangirl over her would be pretty nice.

She had picked out an old costume from a few years ago, considering she had decided to go the day before the party, giving her barely anytime to go out and get a costume. But it would do for this one night, it’s not like she had anyone to get extremely fancy for anyways. She had made her way into the main room, tons of people walking around and yelling,talking,dancing,drinking, you name it. She took herself a single cup and poured herself a small drink as she looked around to the many people in the room- though she saw someone that particularly stuck out per say…

A woman around her age, possibly a bit older- around 20-24, she was wearing a pretty good looking cowboy outfit, the hat,the boots, the belt, the jeans… even a wife beater. She stared at her for a few moments, just watching with complete awe before someone bumped into her, knocking her back into reality with a shock- almost spilling her drink. She walked over to and tapped her lightly on her shoulder, as she turned around quickly.

“Howdy!” You chuckled with that natural Southern accent that you’ve gained over the years, Jenna just looking at you with complete surprise at how clean your accent was. “Is that accent an act or?-“ “Nope! Genuine cowgirl right here!~” You softly snickered to yourself as you smiled at her with a bit of a toothy grin, Jenna returning the smile with one of her own. “I’ve gotta say it’s pretty cool, I’ve only met voice actors that could do one on purpose.” “Well it’s my pleasure to be your first real accent.” You replied with a dip of your hat and a light chuckle. You both talked for a good long while, learning more about each other as time passed by, Jenna telling you all about the various Movies she had worked on, you telling her what it was like back at your hometown in the one and only Texas. 

“We don’t even see a ton of livestock or anything like that, you actually have to go looking for those places, horses and those things.” You replied, taking a sip of your beer as Jenna nodded her head. “I would’ve never guessed, you assume every time someone says they’re from Texas they’re a full country person.” She chuckled softly as you laughed, setting your beer down on a nearby stool. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you how many people assumed I grew up riding horses and on a farm.” You both laughed for a bit before you heard someone calling out to the crowd about a game, you looked back over to Jenna with a sweet smile. “Wanna go play with everyone else?” Jenna gave a soft Hum in response as she swallowed her drink down, wiping her lips afterwards. “sure, I assume you’re getting a bit bored with just talking to me?” She gave you a small smirk as you chuckled shaking your head. “I don’t think I could get bored of you, in any way.” Your words sounded almost too genuine to her, like you met it with your life- but she quickly shook off the feeling and followed you to the apartment’s deck.

There was a ton of people, talking amongst each other and singing to the current songs playing, you both turn to look at each other with the same confused yet amused expression. You both walk over to were most, if not everyone else was and stared into the middle. The host of the party stood in the middle of the small circle the other guests had made and claps their hands in a way to get everyone’s attention “EVERYONE, EVERYONE- OKAY THE RULES ARE SIMPLE!-“ their words were slurred together, which was to be least expected but they were luckily not too drunk- “ITS LIKE TRUTH OR DARE BUT THE PERSON ON THE OPPOSITE OF THE BOTTLE ASKS AND IF YOU DONT TAKE THE DARE YOU TAKE A DRINK!” They pointed to an empty beer bottle in their hand as everyone nodded, they set the bottle down and gave it a spin. This went on for a few minutes, people arguing over the dares and lots of beer’s being passed about.

You were honestly getting bored of standing there and waiting but Jenna was stood right next to you, waiting as well so you tried to be a patient as possible. Finally the bottle landed on you and some random party goer, after doing a round of rock paper scissors (which you embarrassingly lost at) they talked with their friends and finally looked back over to you. They had a huge smirk on their face as they leaned closer so you could hear them. “Alright- Kiss Somebody within a foot of you- OR- Take a Drink…! If you take the dare the other person has to drink!” They stared at you, seemingly proud of their dare- thinking they had you cornered. You just rolled your eyes and glanced over to Jenna- who was confused on why they would dare you to do something like that considering you were with a ton of strangers. But you just softly chuckled and gently grabbed her chin tempting her to look up to you, turning her to look at you as her eyes got a bit wide before you planted a soft kiss on her lips. 

Jenna sat there in a bit of shock after you pulled away, adjusting your hat as you smirked back to the party goer- grabbing a nearby bottle and tossing it to them as they fumbled and caught it. “Drink up.” You chuckled with that smirk you wore proudly, causing Jenna to look over at you- her cheeks stained with a red hue from the kiss you both had only shared moments ago. You watched as your opponent took a large sip as they glared at you, then you glanced over to Jenna noticing her blushing cheeks. “You okay doll?-“ You chuckled awkwardly, having a bit of a worried expression on your face before it was knocked clean off as Jenna pulled you into a passionate kiss causing you to jump a bit before leaning into the kiss. You both held the kiss for a few seconds before she pulled away, leaving you with slightly flushed cheeks as you chuckled softly “woah-“ 

“I’m so sorry!- I shouldn’t have done that!-“ she whimpered, feeling bad for kissing you so suddenly as without your consent either. You just shrugged lightly with a small smile “Who’s saying I didn’t like it?” You snickered in a teasing tone, cause Jenna to feel a bit embarrassed by your not so subtle tease. You smiled gently at her as you put on of your hands top of one of her skirt covered thighs. “Could I- Take you out on a date?” You asked sheepishly with a nervous smile, Jenna nodding happily as she took your hand off of her thigh and held it softly. “I’d love nothing more, let’s get outta here though… I haven’t been able to really understand a word you’ve said because of the loud music-“ she admitted as you both laughed. “You’re not the only one, Doll, let’s head out- I’m not sure both of us have had enough to drink…” You gently squeezed her hand as she squeezed it back with a soft smile, both of you walking out of the party side by side. Leaving Jenna and you with each others thoughts.

Maybe it was worth not flanking out on this party after all…

#jenna ortega #f reader #jenna ortega x fem!reader #jenna marie ortega #happy birthday jenna #early Halloween

[svtminji]

does minji have friends outside of seventeen? If so does she hang out with them regularly?

yes! she does have friends outside of svt and she treats them all very close 👯‍♀️👯‍♀️ ❪ click on their ship name for the tag ❫

★ 𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐥 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬

⌗ 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: sakura ❪ le sserafim ❫ – johnny ❪ nct ❫ mei nagano ❪ actress ❫ – changkyun ❪ monsta x ❫ miyeon ❪ g-idle ❫ – mina & momo ❪ twice ❫

🪼⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ – popularity ranking : 75% ⌗sakura + mizuki — mizura — 3 years

no one really knows how they became friends or when they did. some people think it's because of over-lapping schedules or because they come from the same country at some point

it's pretty common for almost every japanese idol in the korean industry to look up to mizuki because of her successful career; and this goes for sakura as well

mostly idol ❪ mizuki ❫ & fan ❪ sakura ❫ relationship but they have gotten closer due to hybe takeover

old interactions were just small scraps.. but fans LIVE for their interactions

mizuki definitely brings up kkura’s jpop era 😖 and begs kkura to dance along with her

🪼⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ – popularity ranking : 65% ⌗mei + mizuki — meizu — 1 year

met at the prada fashion week shows & got close because they’re japanese !

any seventeen concert in japan? mei is invited!!

subtle flirting on main but it’s all of awe towards each other

whenever the two meet, instagram lives happen or they comment on each other’s lives

mei wants to learn korean but they both speak the same language.. BUT mizuki appreciates it

🪼⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ – popularity ranking : 80% ⌗johnny + minji — johnji — 16 years

is there anything to explain? they’ve been best friends since 2007

whenever new carats / nctzens find their old couple photos, they go crazy and wonder when did that even happen. johnmi LOVE to confuse both of their fans whenever they meet.

even after they stopped d wording, they continued being friends and it never once really affected them after that

friendship bracelets omg 😭 each year they upgrade to a new one, so they have around 16 of them so far

whenever they’re in their respective cities, they visit each other’s family and make sure the other party knows the message their parents give them ❪ mama suh still misses minji ☹️ ❫

they go to each other’s concerts & become the biggest supporter they know

whenever they have time, they film tiktoks together or go live on wv and build legos LOL

🪼⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ – popularity ranking : 60% ⌗changkyun + minji — jiku — 8 years

honestly it was platonic love at first sight 🫡

who says minji can’t have a monsta x bestie too?

met with the rest of the mx members and felt more connected w i.m bc of their roots & close in age

biggest i.m fan omg 😭😭 when mx’s love killa came out, she posted it on weverse and made SURE everyone streamed it, along with his rap as well

participated in singing in a few mx songs with good guidance

INSANE VISUAL DUO. im telling u… pair these two up in a room with me and changkyun is coming out pregnant idc 🙄

gaslighted her into getting tattoos ❪ she did it willingly ❫

she uses him as a way to get back at jeonghan and hyungwon

🪼⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ – popularity ranking : 75% ⌗miyeon + minji — jimi — 2 years

miyeon always looked up to minji as an idol and had always wanted to meet her

when they did meet, it was like happy awkward? idk how to explain it but they have the same way of style & they’re lowkey twins

frequently meetings at miyeon’s dorm & friendship dates

the pair created quite the chaos as a few news articles were released since their friendship raised dating flags

minji made sure everyone streamed drive and participated in her tiktok challenges

whenever they meet at award shows, minji naturally goes to idle’s table and talk about their plans and other idol perfomances

🪼⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ – popularity ranking : 75% ⌗momo + mizuki — momi — 10 years

the second person mizuki has been friends with for the longest time.

while getting gigs at different companies, mizuki met momo and mina on her way to a japanese restaurant in seoul and chatted with her in 2013

every year they post friendship photos over the year and it really warms up the hearts of many onces & carats

when it was announced mizumo was happening,,, lets just say many were excited for the new content of trio

just like with nayeon, mizuki goes to momo’s dorm and just hangs around with momo or the rest of twice

main dancer trio w mina

🪼⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ – popularity ranking : 75% ⌗mina + mizuki — naki — 10 years

along with momo, mizuki met mina and they kicked it off as well

not as close close like mizuki is with momo but she considers mina one of her main close friends / circle

both ballerinas and they like to go out and indulge in some classic ballet training

finds mina so cute and is constantly under her instagram posts

when fans find their photos together, it’s like a shrine they have for them as they barely hang out with each other

main dancer trio w momo

an — ❪ 🪁 ❫

yall while i was finding pics for each person. i giggled to myself like 3 times. changkyun is so fine like i want him to do unspeakable things to me 😖 johnny as well like whattt😭😭

fun fact: i’ve had so many eras with these two men its insane. can u tell i miss 3rd gen..

wanted to add twice but chaeyoung has been weird lately.. so i didnt add twice as a whole. idc if it’s been a long time.. i DO NOT feel comfortable with her. go ahead and complain, i am not changing anything.

srry if some are short ❪ esp. momo & mina ❫, going to write a relationship w/ mizumo so there’ll be more info there rather than here !

#svtminji #lesserafim:mizura #mz:mei #nct:johnji #mx:jiku #idle:jimi #twice:momi #twice:naki #kpop #kpop oc #seventeen 14th member #seventeen oc #seventeen #kpop added member #seventeen added member #seventeen female member #kpop female oc #seventeen female addition #le sserafim #nct #twice #monsta x #kpop female addition #fictional kpop oc #fake kpop idol #seventeen female oc #kpop female member #seventeen x oc #kpop original character #fictional kpop idol

[gh0stlyfixation]

Hi, I hope your having a good day :)

Can I please request an elijah mikaelson x reader fic where they’re married and they met in maybe the 1500’s? She’s a figure skater and when everyone was spending time together outside she was doing tricks for Hope?

Ice

Fun fact: I was a figure skater from age 4 to 17, I still skate during my free time☺️

Paring: Elijah Mikaelson x reader but mostly Hope x Aunt!reader

Short and sweet🤍

Warnings: absolutely none.

You and Elijah lived in the countryside of Tennessee. You both wanted nothing more than a quiet life together after the ordeal in New Orleans. Married since 1510, you and Elijah have seen and done it all together. You didn’t have children and it was something you’ve both longed for but with Hope around, it made things easier, and happier.

It was Christmas, Klaus and Hope came to visit for the holidays, along with Rebekah and Kol. Hope had just turned 6 and started to show interest in her Aunts hobby, ice skating. You were a professional figure skater and a trainer for fun.

For Christmas Hope had requested nothing but a pair of skates that matched your white ones, “I wanna be like Aunt Y/N!” She exclaimed when she asked for them, so when she opened her present that morning she screamed in delight.

Now after breakfast was served, you bundled little Hope up and she tore off to the pond that was now frozen for the season. You held both your skates and followed after her. She sits on the bench and you help her learn to tie them up, “just like that, keep crossing until you can’t anymore then you tie them like a regular shoe.” You say with a smile, watching her tie her other skate up.

You hold onto her hand as she takes her first push on ice, “good job!” You say. You hold both hands as you slowly skate backward pulling her forwards with you.

She giggles, “I wanna try on my own!” She says. She’s always been independent, wanting to learn on her own with little help. So you let go and give her space. She falls quite a few times but doesn’t give up. By the 10th try, she skates halfway to you, “look!” She yells.

“I’m so proud! Look at you go!” You say clapping.

“I wanna watch you do your tricks!” She exclaims and falls again, but she stays down and looks up at you. You smile and start simple with a twirl, then a simple jump. “Do the jump-twirling thingy!” She claps in excitement. So you do it, and she’s amazed.

What you both don’t see is the siblings watching you, they are and always have been amazed by you. How you stuck through all the shit they’ve put you through. You wouldn’t change it for the world though. Your love for Elijah was too big to show, and for his family? Just the same.

For hope though? You loved her like your own, you’d die to protect her just as you would for them. Elijah smiles at the sight. One day he hopes you both could adopt, maybe soon as things are safer here in your country home.

You end your show with a triple spin in the air and Hope raises her arms in the air and claps, “Yay! I can’t wait to be just as good as you.” She says carefully getting up and Skating to you and latching on your leg for support.

“Practice and patience. You can do it!” You say.

#elijah x reader #elijah mikaelson #elijah mikaelson x reader #elijah mikealson imagine #elijah mikaelson imagines #elijah x y/n #elijah twd #the originals imagine #the original imagines #the originals

[vladdyissues]

What do you think about au where Danny and Vlad are both teens? I know, there're some variants of this (from Friend From the Other Side to Vlad-befriended-with-Danny-only-for-his-hot-mom), so, I'd like to hear your version.

I actually really like this idea and had a blast drawing it for last year's Pompep Week prompt "Both Teens" (see below)

I'd planned on writing a short fic to go along with it when it came time to post everything on AO3, but I never managed to get too far. That WIP takes place in Danny's timeline (2004), where Vlad is a new kid in class. The working title is The New Kid (lol), which you can see here on my WIP "sort of" masterlist. And since no one asked about that one for the WIP game, here's a snippet:

“What’s your name?”

The boy hesitated. “Vlad.”

Danny’s heart sank. This kid was bully fodder for sure. “Wow. Uh, that’s—”

“Yes, I’m American. Yes, I was born in this country and speak English. No, I’m not a vampire,” the boy named Vlad snapped. 

Danny backpedaled. “It’s okay. I was gonna say it’s a pretty cool name.”

Vlad stared, head cocked and one eye narrowed.

“Yeah. Names that start with V are cool. Valentine, Vincent…”

“You must like Final Fantasy 7.”

After a startled pause, Danny laughed. “Yeah, I walked into that one, didn’t I? What about you? You play video games?”

“A little. Mostly arcade stuff. I’m pretty good at Mortal Kombat.”

Probably poor, Danny decided. “There’s an arcade here in town. I mean, if you don’t already know. They’ve got some good deals if you play by the hour.” He almost offered to meet up there sometime, then he realized he hadn’t even introduced himself. “Um, I’m Danny. Danny Fenton.” He pointed. “Those are my friends, Sam and Tucker. We were wondering if you wanna come sit with us.”

Vlad seemed tempted but cautious. “Really?”

“Yeah. Don’t worry, they’re cool. Besides, you’re fresh meat sitting out here by yourself. The jocks’ll destroy you if they catch wind. C’mon, safety in numbers.”

“I’m not afraid of anyone.”

“Oh, you will be, trust me. Dash Baxter thinks it’s his personal duty to welcome every new student to Casper High by giving them a super wedgie, and you don’t even wanna see what he’s like when he’s in a bad mood.”

“Wow. Guy sounds like a fucking troglodyte.”

The smoothness with which the F-bomb was delivered stunned Danny for a few seconds. But then he smiled, invigorated by the sharp, cynical intellect he’d just discovered. “A total fucking troglodyte.”

A beat passed, then Vlad shouldered his backpack and gathered his lunch.

While I mostly prefer older Vlad and younger Danny because of the uneven power dynamic, it's fun to level the playing field every now and then and let them be the same age.

#asks #danny phantom #danny fenton #vlad masters #teen au #pompous pep #both teens #hjbwrites