#best daily sunscreen for face | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

leovaldezluvr · 23 days

Text

"my honeybee, come and get this pollen!"

synopsis : hc's of leo valdez and his gf !!

pairing : leo valdez x daughter of apollo!reader

warnings : swearing / cursing, intentional lower case writing, kissing, nothing crazy tho!

requested ? yes! by the amazing @sunnitheapollokid 😚

masterlist : coming soon!

nai yapps : HI BABIES 🤭 first time writing hcs, hope ya like!! it turned out longer than expected so yeah haha, not proofread so please don't mind the grammatical errors 😭

on the radio . . . "espresso" by sabrina carpenter

in my opinion, leo is kinda insecure (just like percy) so it took him a while to realize that you liked him back !!

in the meanwhile, he would fangirl about you to his friends

oh and trust me, they were SICK AND TIRED of that boy

"guys, did you see the way she looked at me at dinner??"

(which he told them like for the 1293858th time that week)

#delusionalking

and don't act like you didn't do the same thing as well, because we all know damn well you did

yapping about leo to annabeth, silena and piper at the cabin 10 sleepovers is a weekly (almost daily) occurrence

like i've mentioned in the beginning, leo's probably really insecure, so he uses his flirty and cheeky personality to cover it up!

which has you giggling and kicking your feet

because that boy flirts with you more than anyone else

oh and when he found out that you work at the infirmary with will solace?

it was his most visited place other than bunker 9

leo is naturally a really clumy person (me too lmao) so he injures himself on accident quite often when working on something in bunker 9, but one way or another he'll find an excuse to come visit you there (even if he's not hurt) and say shit like

"you come here often?" or "can you kiss it better?"

with a shit-eating grin as you heal one of his injuries

since you're a child of the music god, you have AMAZING taste in music

so every once in a while you'd come over at bunker 9 and play some of your music while leo works on his projects

you'd be on his bed, painting away or even working on poems

speaking of poems!

you once wrote a poem about leo and after building up courage (with the help of your girlfriends) you read it out to leo!!

and let me tell you, that boy turned as red as a tomato

and he couldn't stop thinking about that poem FOR DAYS.

like girl you had that boy wrapped around your finger 😭 (hence the song i choose for this blog)

after that, he decided it's time to ask you to be his gf!! (screaming)

him and his friends (percy, jason and frank) have been planning and scheming on the best way leo can ask you out

since percy has a big mouth, he told the news to his girlfriend, annabeth.

your and leo's friends were pretty much one big friend group, so you guys hung out quite often

soon enough, piper and silena found out about leo's plan too

SOO HERE'S HOW I IMAGINE HOW'D LEO WOULD ASK YOU TO BE HIS GF!!

basically, the group decided to hang out at the beach is Montauk

"LAST ONE IN THE SEA IS A ROTTEN EGG!"

percy yelled, all the boys racing to the sea, except for leo.

"boys." annabeth muttered, rolling her eyes, causing piper, silena and you to giggle.

you had your beach towel spread out onto the sand, your tote bag to your left and a book in your hands.

leo sat at your right hand side, applying sunscreen onto his arms and upper body as he watched the boys splash and attempt to drown each other.

"could you please apply sunscreen on my back, y/n?"

you look up from your book you're reading and place your bookmark between the pages. a smile grew on your face as you nod, signaling leo to turn so his back faces you. he obliged and did as you said, he pulled his knees closer to his chest leaned his head onto his arms. (kinda like this I'm bad at explaining haha 😭)

hours pass by, the group has all been at the sea having a splash fight, then also played volleyball. now they wanted to have some snacks and drinks

and of course the group decided to pick you and leo to go get the snacks

you, oblivious to their intentions, started putting your flip flops on. as you weren't looking, leo shot a look at the smirking teenagers he calls his friends. piper and frank were showing thumbs up for support. while jason and percy gave him a knowing look. leo saw annabeth mouthing "now or never" to him.

"lee, you ready to go?"

he put his attention back on to you and nodded, heading to the corner shop with you next to him. he glanced back to his friends one last time, seeing them look at the pair walking off and cheering for leo, but silently of course, so you wouldn't suspect anything.

after you two have bought the snacks and drinks the friendgroup wanted, you head back to the beach.

leo noticed the group playing volleyball again, and used to opportunity to confess now. He stopped walking, standing at this area.

"hey, y/n. could we talk for a sec?"

you didn't think much of it and nodded, walking closer to where leo was standing.

then, his nervousness got the best of him and that boy just started rambling.

"so i just wanted to say that Iive liked you for REALLY long time. like a i like you A LOT and I really want to be together with you but i'm not sure if you feel the same and i really don't want to ruin this friendship. but i've never felt this way about anyone and–"

then he got interrupted with kiss!! (by you of course)

he froze, definitely not expecting that. but quickly kissed you back. his hands on your waist, pulling you closer as your hands wrapped behind his neck.

you soon pulled away, both of you catching your breaths.

"i like you too, leo."

a bright smile appeared on leo's face, him leaning his forehead onto yours.

"can i be your boyfriend, y/n?"

you act like you're thinking about, rubbing your chin jokingly, but ultimately day yes.

he kisses you again, but pulled away quickly as you two heard screaming and cheering from the back.

the pair turn around to see their friendgroup being the cause of this loud noise.

piper, annabeth and silena were the ones screaming, holding each other's hands as they jump up and down like little girls. While the boys were cheering and clapping, Percy even started jumping up and down with the girls. (LMFOAOA DON'T TELL ME HE WOULDN'T DO THAT)

anyhow! that's how i imagine it'd happen

leo and you are both you clingy mfs, even before dating. but now you two are glued to the hip.

he definitely calls you cute nicknames in spanish (#latinoking)

"mi amor" , "cariño" , "mi vida" , "hermosa" , "mi corazón" , "mi sol", "mami/mamas"

he loves, and i mean LOVES when you help him with his projects (cough this fic cough)

whenever a piece of your jewelry (earrings, necklaces, ect..) breaks, you already know your boyfriend is there to fix it for you.

despite being the daughter of the sun god, your hands were always FREEZING. that's why you had your fire boy to warm you up

that boy is basically your human heater. while you two would cuddle in the summer, you would get so hot while being in his embrace, but you just suffered, because his grip is strong as steel.

your guys' dynamic is sunshine x sunshine protecter!! (the protecter being you because leo doesn't do shit to stand up for himself)

#1 princess treatment giver!!

"baby, i can get out of the car myself–"

"shh, don't worry about it mami."

wow this is getting way too long woopsie

in conclusion, leo valdez is the best boyfriend ever and you two are the power couple of chb!!!

THE END!!

— 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄, 𝐍𝐀𝐈.

taglist (pls tell me if I should remove / add you!!) : @thesnshinee @graceslcver @gentlehue @ssparksflyy @coolestgirlintheworld112 @ghostlyloversworld @percyslcver @lovely-calypso @woodlandwrites @brainsofseaweed @mershellscape @hopelesslyromanticshark @canonfeminine

#leo valdez x y/n #leo valdez x you #leo valdez x reader #leo valdez #percy pjo #percy jackson #percabeth #frank zhang #piper mclean #annabeth chase #silena beauregard #jason grace #leo valdez x daughter of apollo

260 notes · View notes

honeytonedhottie · 1 day

Text

lets talk skincare⋆.ೃ࿔*:･🎀

disclaimer i am NOT a dermatologist so to create this post i did LOTS of research and i'll link all of my sources at the end of the post. i just wanted to kind of put everything that i found in here so i hope its helpful 💕🗒️

HOW TO DETERMINE UR SKIN TYPE ;

wash ur face with a gentle cleanser, pat dry and wait for about 30 minutes. if ur skin appears shiny throughout then u have oily skin, if ur skin appears tight/flaky then u have dry skin.

if u notice a slight shine on your nose and forehead then you have normal skin. if you have a combination skin type, then the skin will get oily around the t-zone.

INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR ;

for skin with acne -> salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur and mandelic acid.

for dry skin -> lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, ceramides and glycerin.

for pigmented skin -> mandelic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, and arbutin.

INGREDIENTS THAT U SHOULD NOT MIX ;

mixing retinol and vitamin C causes irritation, mixing vitamin C and glycolic acid results in over-exfoliation, mixing AHA and retinol causes extreme dryness.

INGREDIENTS THAT U SHOULD MIX ;

hyaluronic acid + ceramides = repairing skin barrier. niacinimide + salicylic acid = healing acne. retinol + niacinimide = collagen production.

GLOWY SKIN TIPS ;

use a cleansing balm to cleanse ur face to remove all the impurities from ur skin

use serums to hydrate ur skin

lather on moisturizer, dont put too much to the point where ur skin cannot produce its own oils, but you MUST moisturize

apply sunscreen everyday, not only on ur face but also on ur neck and hands

face masks 1-2x a week

get enough sleep, drink enough water, and steer clear of overly processed foods

SKINCARE DOESNT STOP AT UR CHIN ;

its important to take care of the skin on ur neck for SO many reasons because skincare doesnt stop at ur chin. ur neck reflects the first signs of aging, and its most susceptible to sun damage so show it some love!

use the same products that u use on ur face on ur neck also, moisturize ur neck and always apply sunscreen, lastly, use some retinol to build collagen.

HOW TO APPLY RETINOL ;

when applying retinol, use a pea sized amount. avoid application around ur eyes and the openings in ur nose, and use retinol in ur night skincare routine only.

HOW OFTEN TO USE SKINCARE ;

retinol should be used nightly (1-2x a week for beginners). hyaluronic acid should be used (2x a day). salicylic acid should be used (1-2x a week). sunscreen should be applied daily, no need to apply it at night and if u can, you should reapply it every 2-3 hours. vitamin C (1x a day in the morning).

SERUMS FOR UR SKIN-TYPE ;

for oily skin use -> salicylic acid, niacinimide and mandelic acid.

for dry skin use -> hyaluronic acid, ceramides and lactic acid.

for normal skin use -> vitamin C, glycolic acid, and retinol.

for aging skin use -> peptides, retinol and vitamin C.

for acne prone skin use -> salicylic acid, retinol, and niacinimde.

for combination skin use -> mandelic acid, niacinimide, and glycolic acid.

WHAT TYPE OF FACEMASK IS BEST FOR YOU ;

cream masks are good for all skin-types and it soothes and moisturizes. clay masks are good for oily or acne prone skin and it absorbs oil and controls shine. charcoal masks are good for oily or acne prone skin, and it deep cleanses and unclogs.

sheet masks are good for all skin-types, it nourishes and hydrates. enzyme masks are good for all skin-types and it gently exfoliates and brightens the skin. bubble masks are good for all skin-types and it hydrates and soothes.

gel masks are good for all skin-types and it provides a cooling effect. exfoliating masks are good for all skin-types BUT if u have sensitive skin then exfoliating masks are not for you. exfoliating masks remove dead skin cells and debris.

HOW TO LAYER UR SKINCARE ;

in the morning (cleanser + toner + hydrating serum + vitamin c + moisturizer + sunscreen) in the evening (double cleanse + toner + hydrating serum + retinol + moisturizer)

132 notes · View notes

i99zhuo · 5 months

Note

Can you make a how to live like song jia for a day ?

How to live like song jia ౨ৎ ⋆｡˚ the perfect routine to boost your self-esteem

This is a guide on daily routines inspired by Song Jia! These routines are perfect for people who want to slowly build unbreakable confidence, like freezia!

content list (routines):

morning

study

workout

shower + self care

night

(_ _ ) . . z Z⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚୨ :★: ୧ ∗ ˖࣪ ໒꒱ ˚₊·

✸ ꒰ morning routine ꒱⋆ ࣪.* ࣪.⋆

🤍 Jia starts her mornings drinking a cup of water or coffee on an empty stomach, this can help to boost your metabolism and detox your body. I would recommend to drink water rather than coffee, since this could have some negative side effects.

Next step is to say some affirmations in front of the mirror, saying affirmations like 'I look so pretty today' or 'my skin looks so healthy' or simply being kinder to ourselves can ease stress, allow us to face difficulty more courageously, and feel more content and confident!

Now it's time for skincare, Jia emphasizes on having a healthy skincare, for this you will need to create a routine based on your skin type (dry, oily, combination, sensitive, normal or acne prone) and your skin concerns (black heads, bumps, irritation, scars, etc.), please make sure to consult a professional before using anything on your face! Now Jia usually cleanses her face with a foam cleanser and then use toner, a moisturizing ampule, moisturizer and sunscreen! She makes sure to apply the products on her neck too.

After skincare it's time to get dressed, while we wait for the products to absorb! Jia is a really fashionable girl, make sure to have fun with the textures, shapes and color combinations to make the best outfit and boost it using accessories like hats or sunglasses, don't forget to get a matching bag and shoes too!

Time for makeup! Jia's daily makeup consist of BB cream, mascara, eyebrow pencil and lipstick, but if she's shooting something she will add contour, blush, eyeshadow, eyeliner and highlighter to the routine!

✸ ꒰ study routine ꒱⋆ ࣪.* ࣪.⋆

🎀 When Jia goes to her Chinese classes she pays attention and does activities in her book, she also practices writing random things like her name! She memorizes vocabulary and practice a little with her friends in the same class.

✸ ꒰ workout routine ꒱⋆ ࣪.* ࣪.⋆

🦢 Jia recommends to work out at least for 20 minutes per day! She usually does simple waist or legs exercises while standing up looking at her phone or watching TV.

Also she goes to Pilates classes so you can try to do a 20 minute Pilates workout video like this one.

✸ ꒰ shower and self care routine ꒱⋆ ࣪.* ࣪.⋆

🩰 To boost your self-esteem Jia says that we have to at least take 2 days of the week (Saturday and Sunday) on really taking care and spend time with ourselves.

First detangle your hair using a hairbrush, then hop on the shower and use shampoo, conditioner and a hair mask to treat your hair. Then wash your body using a shower gel and a body scrub. Jia uses a soothing gel, thermal water and a body lotion to moisturize her body after shower, she massages the products on her skin to relax her muscles. After 30 minutes, she dries her hair with cold air. After, you can trim your split ends or take care of your nails if necessary.

As a part of self-care, do chores like doing laundry or washing the dishes so you can start relaxing on a tidy place (you can also light an scented candle). Also, Jia takes her vitamins for her hair and overall health.

Now it's time to enjoy our hobbies! Having hobbies help us with both our physical and mental health, plus having our alone time makes us more comfortable with ourselves and help with self -discovery, Jia haves a good set of hobbies that she spends most of her time doing like oil painting, doing DIYs, watching dramas like insider, taking care of her dogs, cooking and baking, playing video games and golf!

✸ ꒰ night routine ꒱⋆ ࣪.* ࣪.⋆

🌷 Finally, Jia spends her night taking care of her skin! First she washes her hands, the uses a cleansing oil or milk, then she uses makeup remover on her eyes if the cleanser didn't take off her eyeliner for example, then she uses a foam cleanser and toner to finish cleanse her skin. After she uses a hydrating mist and ampule, a dermatologic treatment, sheet mask, lip balm and moisturizer (remember to apply it on the neck too!) after she uses a gua sha to massage her face.

as a part of skincare, make sure to sleep at least 8 hours everyday and drink enough water to wake up with perfect skin!

(_ _ ) . . z Z⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚୨ :★: ୧ ∗ ˖࣪ ໒꒱ ˚₊·

Heyyy ty for reading!! This is my first request everrrr I'm so excited <3 🥹🥹, sorry for being inactive, school has been killing me but I'm finally on my summer break! Also sorry this took me a lot of time to do >.< i had to do a marathon of Jia's videos to make this

Hehe i think that's all stay tuned ໒꒰ྀི´• ˕ •` ꒱ྀིა

toodlez!!!!!!

195 notes · View notes

byeolgirl · 2 months

Note

Can you make a guide inspired by Jang Wonyoung ??

WONYOUNGISM:THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BE THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF ! ৎ୭ ॱ ₊ . *

PART 1

THIS GONNA CHANGE YOUR LIFE TRUST ME WONYOUNG EFFECT IS REAL !

CHAPTER 1

CONFIDENCE

Confidence, like that exemplified by Jang Wonyoung, is cultivated through a combination of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and proactive mindset. Firstly honey, it's crucial to understand and embrace your unique qualities, recognizing that what sets you apart is what makes you special. This self-acceptance forms the foundation upon which confidence can flourish. Secondly, practicing self-love and focusing on your strengths and accomplishments helps to build a positive self-image. Setting clear goals and working towards them provides a sense of purpose and direction, boosting confidence with each milestone achieved. Additionally, paying attention to body language—standing tall, making eye contact, and using open gestures—projects confidence to others and reinforces it within yourself. It's also essential to cultivate assertiveness, expressing your opinions and needs confidently while respecting others. Stepping out of your comfort zone regularly and embracing new challenges fosters growth and resilience, further enhancing confidence. Surrounding yourself with supportive people and maintaining a positive outlook on life can also contribute to confidence. Finally, learning from setbacks and viewing failures as opportunities for growth rather than personal shortcomings helps to maintain a resilient and confident mindset. Overall, confidence, like any skill, is developed through consistent practice and a willingness to embrace both successes and failures along the journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

CHAPTER 2

SELF LOVE

To love yourself, start by practicing self-care and self-compassion. Treat yourself with kindness, respect, and understanding, just as you would a dear friend. Don't be harsh on yourself Focus on your strengths, accomplishments, and unique qualities, and embrace your imperfections as part of what makes you beautifully human. Set boundaries to protect your well-being and prioritize activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul. Practice positive affirmations, gratitude, and mindfulness to cultivate a healthy self-image and inner peace

CHAPTER 3

SELF CARE

self care program idea !

self-care program inspired by Jang Wonyoung's approach:

1. Morning Skincare Routine (10-15 minutes):

- Cleanse your face with a gentle facial cleanser to remove impurities.

- Apply toner to balance your skin's pH levels and prep it for hydration.

- Moisturize your face with a lightweight moisturizer suitable for your skin type.

- Finish with sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays.

2. Healthy Breakfast (20-30 minutes):

- Prepare a nutritious breakfast with whole grains, fruits, and proteins, such as oatmeal topped with berries and nuts or scrambled eggs with vegetables.

3. Exercise Session (30-45 minutes):

- Engage in a physical activity that you enjoy, such as dancing, jogging, or practicing yoga, to get your body moving and boost your mood.

4. Midday Relaxation Break (15-30 minutes):

- Take a break from your daily activities to practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or stretching, to reduce stress and promote mental well-being.

5. Healthy Lunch (20-30 minutes):

- Prepare a balanced meal with lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains, such as grilled chicken salad or quinoa bowl with roasted vegetables.

6. Afternoon Self-Care Ritual (30-60 minutes):

- Treat yourself to a pampering session with skincare treatments, such as a face mask or face yoga, followed by a relaxing bath

7. Quality Time with Loved Ones (1-2 hours):

- Spend time with supportive friends or family members, whether it's going for a walk in nature, enjoying a meal together, or simply having a heartfelt conversation.

8. Evening Wind-Down Routine (30-60 minutes):

- Unplug from screens and indulge in calming activities, such as reading a book, listening to soothing music, or journaling about your day.

9. Bedtime Skincare Routine (10-15 minutes):

- Repeat your skincare routine from the morning, cleansing your face to remove makeup and impurities, followed by toner, moisturizer, and eye cream. ( U don't need to use expansive shīt, look for what is good for ur skin !)

10. Quality Sleep (7-9 hours):

- Ensure you get enough restful sleep to allow your body and mind to recharge for the next day, aiming for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.

CHAPTER 4

STUDY

Studying effectively requires a combination of strategic planning, focused concentration. Start by setting clear goals and breaking down your study material into manageable chunks. Create a study schedule that allocates specific time slots for different subjects or topics, ensuring consistency and accountability. Find a quiet and comfortable study environment free from distractions where you can fully concentrate on your tasks. Use active learning techniques such as summarizing, teaching others, and practicing retrieval to reinforce your understanding and retention of the material. Take regular breaks to rest your mind and recharge, incorporating activities that promote relaxation and mental clarity. Prioritize self-care by getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and staying physically active to support your overall well-being and cognitive function. Finally, stay organized, stay positive, and stay motivated by celebrating your progress and accomplishments along the way. By implementing these strategies and nurturing a healthy study mindset, you can optimize your learning experience and study more effectively.

CHAPTER 5

WORKOUT

To workout like Jang Wonyoung, it's essential to incorporate a combination of cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises to support her active lifestyle as a performer. Wonyoung likely engages in cardio exercises such as dancing, jogging, or cycling to improve her cardiovascular endurance and stamina, crucial for keeping up with intense dance routines and performances. Additionally, she may include strength training exercises such as bodyweight exercises, resistance band workouts, or weightlifting to build and tone her muscles, enhancing her physical strength and stage presence. To maintain flexibility and agility, Wonyoung may incorporate stretching, yoga, or Pilates into her routine, which can also help prevent injuries and improve overall body awareness. It's important for her to listen to her body, rest when needed, and stay hydrated to support her recovery and performance. By adopting a well-rounded workout routine that combines cardio, strength, and flexibility training, Wonyoung can stay fit, healthy, and ready to dazzle audiences with her performances.

#becoming that girl #glow up #wonyoungism #wonyoung #dream life #it girl #creator of my reality #divine feminine #it girl affirmations #love affirmations #self development #self love #dream girl tips #manifesation #kawaii #that girl #clean girl #photography

103 notes · View notes

femmefatalevibe · 2 years

Text

Femme Fatale Beauty Playbook: Tips & Tricks To Feel Clean, Confident & Seductive Daily

Some beauty tips and tricks to feel your best daily.

Starting off with some miscellaneous advice: Coconut oil is the most versatile ingredient – for your hair, skin, nails, and even down there. Find your signature scent (apply it to your clothes instead of your skin whenever possible). Sugar scrubs are the answer to most flakiness or bumps on your skin. B vitamins, vitamin D, and omega-3s are essential to healthy hair, skin, and nails.

Hope this helps xx

Hair:

Shampoo your skull, condition the rest: Focus shampoo on your roots and work it through your scalp; concentrate conditioner on the ends and work your way up until you reach the base of your skull - around your upper ear lobe.

Always comb, never brush, your hair when wet: Gently use a wide-tooth comb, from root to tip, on wet hair to prevent breakage.

Use a special towel to dry your hair: My favorite is from Crown Affair (pricey for what it is but worthwhile in the long-term), but a Turbie Twist from the drugstore works infinitely better than a regular towel that weighs down and causes frizzy, damaged hair

Always use a heat protection spray before blow drying or straightening/curling your hair: (Briogeo and Oribe products are my love for all haircare products, including their blowdry creams – also love R +Co. for a heat protection styling mist).

Choose your hair ties wisely: Use seamless or silk hair ties exclusively to prevent breakage or awkward creases on your hair. Wear a silk scrunchie if you prefer. These hair ties from Amazon are my holy grail (only $7 for 100 hair ties!), and they come in a portable ziplock bag.

Skin:

Always use a disposable cloth when washing your face: Regular towels store bacteria and can cause breakouts too easily. These facial wipes from Amazon are my holy grail.

Wear sunscreen daily: Yes, even when you spend all day indoors. UV rays can interact with your skin through windows, too.

Niacinamide, Vitamin C Hyaluronic Acid, & Tea Tree Oil are among the few skincare ingredients almost everyone should consider incorporating into their skincare routine.

Learn the correct order to apply the products in your skincare routine: Cleanser, Toner, Serum, Eye Cream, Spot Treatment, Moisturizer, Sunscreen (or Retinol/Skin Oil at night).

Remember: From a dermatologist's perspective, your face starts (or ends) at your nipples. So, ensure you're cleansing, exfoliating, and applying sunscreen daily to your neck, chest, and décolletage to keep your skin smooth, youthful, and well-hydrated.

Vaseline is a great (affordable) alternative to traditional eye creams.

Sugar scrub your facial hair for a more gentle alternative to waxing (Combine sugar, lemon, and water). Laser hair removal, especially under your arms and your arms/legs is life-changing.

Follow up a warm shower with a dry brush and coconut oil for smoother, firmer skin.

Always apply a hydrating lip balm, mask, or Vaseline, hand cream, and moisturizer to your feet before going to sleep.

Layer complementary scents. Ensure the scents of body wash, lotion, and perfume work well together and don't clash.

Makeup:

Learn your skin undertones and educate yourself on color theory (I can share a post on this on the Post+ feed if you want some more educational content on these types of topics – I write about them for a living!).

Test any foundation, concealer, or face powder on your wrists, too.

Don't forget to color-match your bronze and blush: They can appear orange or muddy if you don't find a product with the correct shade or undertones for your skin type.

Invest in products that go on your face, brow products, and eyeliners. Great mascaras and lip products are easy to find at a drugstore or relatively cheap (I suggest Covergirl and d NYX, respectively).

Apply concealer in a triangle; don't dot it around your eyes for better coverage.

If you have oily skin (or it's humid outside), apply powder before your liquid/cream products. Set them again with a light powder to lock the color in.

Apply mascara from tip to base for the best lashes of your life: One coat on the tip, another from middle to tip, and the last coat from base to tip.

In a pinch, use a fragrance-free moisturizer and a q-tip to remove excess makeup (no more raccoon eyes).

Use a light nude or white eyeshadow underneath your brow to make them appear more defined.

Apply face powder under your eyes to help the eyeliner on your waterline last longer.

Create a simple daily makeup routine formula: 1 skin coverage (foundation/concealer), 1 skin color (a favorite blush or bronzer), brows, mascara, an eye-definer (eyeliner or shadow), and a signature "your lips but better" lip shade (1-2 shades deeper or lighter than your natural lip color): This formula provides you the basics, so you never have an excuse not to put yourself together for the day (5-10 minute routine here).

Discover your day-to-night hero product: Always keep a slightly deeper lipstick, a smoky eyeshadow, or liquid liner in your bag to transition your day look into the evening with one portable product.

1K notes · View notes

thesimulationswarm · 9 months

Text

Double Shot

Joel Miller x f!reader x Tommy Miller

Pairing: pre-outbreak!Joel Miller x f!AFAB!reader x Tommy Miller Rating: explicit, 18+ MDNI Summary: A gorgeous man walks into your coffee shop and introduces himself as Tommy Miller. Then his equally gorgeous brother shows up. You can't decide which you like better... but maybe you don't have to. A/N: This will be in four parts, building up to the smut. Hopefully released daily. It's dumb filthy shit I couldn't get out of my head, okay? Then I'll be back to my ongoing serious series. Word count: 1.5k warnings/tags: threesome, shameless flirting, sibling rivalry, PWP

Part 2 , Part 3, and Part 4 are available now.

Part 1

“It’s going to be another hot one out there today folks— topping out at 105 this afternoon. Remember to drink lots of water, stay in the shade, and of course, wear sunscreen!” The opening beats of Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) followed, and you whacked the radio off in annoyance.

You were sick of this summer. Sick of the record-setting heatwave. Sick of the shitty little building you’d found for your coffee shop, which had seemed so cozy in February but turned out to have the world’s lowest-output air conditioner. Sick of sweat staining through your t-shirt as you worked the morning rush.

You were proud of your business, sure. You’d started from nothing and managed to get it off the ground. Now you had a steady clientele that came for their morning coffee but also for your homemade pastries— your pride and joy. But to keep things afloat you worked like a dog. And this summer was killing you.

The flow of customers finally let up for a minute and you sat on your stool, leaning into the breeze from the countertop fan.

You let your eyes flutter closed, dreaming about the ice cold Lone Star you’d have when you finished tonight. You could almost feel the condensation on the can as you pulled it from the fridge, could hear the crack and hiss of it opening…

You just about jumped out of your skin when the front door flew open, chime tinkling.

“Sorry to interrupt. Looks like a well-earned break, sugar.”

The man standing in the doorway was tall, bronze-skinned, with thick dark curls tumbling around his face. His biceps were visible below the sleeves of his gray t-shirt, his thumbs hooked on the belt loops of his jeans as he stared at you. He was smirking, and then— when you met his eyes— he fucking winked at you.

You raised your eyebrow at him. “It was, as a matter of fact. Been at it since 5am. But what can I do for you?”

The man ambled over to the counter, inspecting the chalkboard menu on the wall. “Well, I heard this is the best place in the neighborhood to get a coffee and a little breakfast. And I’m going to need both to start my day.”

He ordered an iced latte, double shot, and one of your cinnamon buns. You set to work preparing them, only too aware of his eyes on you as you moved behind the counter. You got a lot of flirts in here, men looking for a little ego boost on their way to work, and for the most part you didn’t mind—as long as they don’t take it too far.

There are times, though, when it’s not just about not minding.

Times when you decidedly enjoy the attention.

And this would be one of those, because this man is fucking gorgeous.

You feel your hips swaying more than usual, and you wish you’d worn something more alluring than jeans and an old t-shirt. At least this pair of jeans does a good job of highlighting your ass, especially now that the denim is clinging to your sweaty skin.

“So is this a summer job, or do you work here year round?”

“Honey, I don’t work here. I’m the co-owner,” you reply, whipping around to set his drink down in front of him. You were vaguely aware of the door chime tinkling as another customer walked in, but at that moment you only had eyes for this one.

The man let out a low whistle. “A business owner and a beauty? Color me impressed.” He leaned forward against the counter, looking around at the pastry case, the neat racks of cups, the espresso machine. From this distance you could appreciate his freckles, like a dusting of brown sugar over his sculpted face. “You know, I’m in business myself.”

“That so?”

He held out a hand to you and broke into a wide smile. It was dazzling. “Tommy Miller, of Miller Construction.”

You were about to shake hands with the beautiful Tommy Miller when you were both interrupted. The customer you’d been ignoring had materialized at his side, and smacked him— hard— on the arm.

“Tommy, quit your bullshit!”

“Jesus, Joel, I’m in the middle of somethin’ here!”

You watched with interest as the two turned to face each other. The second man— Joel, apparently— was about his same height, but looked a little broader through the shoulders and a little older. He had a strong jaw, painted dark with stubble, and an impressive mustache.

Jesus Christ, it was hot enough in here already.

“You’re in the middle of wastin’ precious time, is what you are,” Joel scoffed, before turning to you. “I’m sorry about my brother, ma’am. He thinks he’s god’s gift to the ladies.”

You laughed, looking from one man to the other. You could appreciate similarities now— the dark curls, the strong but trim bodies, the deep eyes you could get lost in.

“And you should know,” Joel added, “It is Miller Construction, but I am the sole proprietor. Tommy here works for me.” Then he held out a hand across the counter, with a close-lipped smile that was less flashy than Tommy’s but no less devastating. “Joel Miller. Of Miller Construction.”

Tommy glared daggers at his brother as you reached across to shake. Joel’s big hand swallowed yours, his grip firm and warm. You felt something electric go down your spine, the hairs standing up on your arms.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Joel,” you said, looking into his rich brown eyes. Then you turned, and held out your hand again. “And it’s a pleasure to meet you, too, Tommy.”

Tommy’s hand was smaller than Joel’s by just a hair, but it was softer, too. You looked at Tommy as you shook, but out of the corner of your eye you could still see Joel— watching you touching Tommy.

The dampness you were feeling between your legs— it wasn’t just sweat anymore.

It was mid-afternoon and the cafe had started to feel like the ninth circle of hell. There weren’t many customers after lunch, so you used that time to work on baking for the next morning. The problem was the ovens, which put out way more heat than your crappy little AC could counter. You had about 30 minutes left before you could pack it in for the day, but you thought you might just spontaneously combust if you stayed inside.

So you grabbed a paperback and a cold coke from the drink case, and went outside. Your place was on the corner of a little strip mall in South Austin, and it bordered on a gravel lot with food trucks and picnic tables. Everything was closed up this time of day, but that was all the better to have a quiet moment to yourself.

The sun was fucking brutal, but you sat in the shade of a live oak, and you could feel a little breeze lifting the hairs on the back of your neck.

You looked around at the sun-baked street, watching people come and go. Mostly in cars in this heat, but some brave souls were walking or on bikes. Next door, a work crew was taking a break from the building frame they’d been erecting. You watched the men downing gatorades and wetting bandanas to tie around their necks. Now that was a tough job on a summer day.

Then you noticed something.

Off to the side was a makeshift table, papers spread across a piece of plywood balanced on two saw horses. Two broad figures stood beside it, looking down.

Joel and Tommy.

This was goddamn Miller Construction.

You knew you shouldn’t spy, but you couldn’t help watching. The brothers looked deep in conversation— Joel with his arms folded across his chest, Tommy with his head tilted to one side. Tommy pointed to something; Joel nodded, and then pulled a pencil out from behind his ear to note something down. Tommy said something else and Joel shook his head, tapped his finger on one of the papers emphatically.

Both men, taken separately, were impressive items. But when they were together, Christ almighty. There was something magical in their practiced ease, their good-natured jockeying for dominance. You couldn’t pick just one to admire.

You heard your oven timer go off inside the cafe, and you reluctantly peeled your eyes away from Miller Construction to head back inside. You hummed along with the radio as you checked on your croissants, suddenly a lot less annoyed by the interminable summer. With their building site right next door, you ought to be seeing a lot more of the Miller brothers. You were going to make the most of it.

#joel miller x reader #tommy miller x reader #joel miller x reader x tommy miller #tlou fic #the last of us fanction #pwp #pre-outbreak #tlou smut #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller smut #tommy miller fanfiction

170 notes · View notes

elonomhblog · 2 months

Text

how to reduce acne (and what is acne)

acne is a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. it typically results in whiteheads, blackheads or pimples that can appear on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders. acne is most prevalent among teens but can affect people of all ages. several factors contribute to acne, such as excess oil production, buildup of dead skin cells, bacterial growth and inflammation.

acne is not inherently 'bad' but it is a source of discomfort for many people. while acne itself is not a bad thing, it can lead to potential complications if not managed properly, such as scarring or emotional distress.

when reading this post, it is important to remember that everyone's skin is different and what works for one person may not work for another. i'd like to add that i am not a dermatologist, and this post is written with my own experience in mind as well as research online.

reducing acne involves a combination of skincare practices and lifestyle adjustments. here are some recommended actions:

properly wash your face cleanse your face twice daily to remove excess oil, sweat and dirt. some common face washing mistakes include using the wrong cleanser, over-washing your face, under-washing your face, the wrong water temperature and using a dirty washcloth. don't worry if this all seems confusing, here's a post on how to properly wash your face.

know your skin type use products suitable for your skin type only--oily, dry, combination or sensitive. you can find this out by visiting a dermatologist or (alternatively) researching the skin types and seeing which best matches your skin.

moisturise moisturiser curbs dryness, which balances oil production in your face and therefore helps to prevent acne. choose a non-comedogenic moisturiser to not clog your pores.

consider over-the-counter treatments think about acne treatments with ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.

stay hydrated drink plenty of water to maintain skin hydration. good hydration helps to maintain skin elasticity, supports the skin's protective functions and prevents sunburn, sensitivity and oiliness. women should drink about 2.7L of fluids every day (including water, other beverages and food).

limit makeup use minimal makeup and ensure that it is non-comedogenic. don't stop wearing makeup if it is something you enjoy, however, try to limit it in acne-strong areas.

don't touch your face this is a big one, and yet so many people do it. keep your hands away from your face to prevent the spread of bacteria. seriously, you use your hands for so much--you don't want the germs of everything you've touched on your face.

limit sun exposure protect your skin with appropriate sunscreen. and remember to re-apply! limiting sun exposure also reduces skin cancer risk. balance is key, though, because the sun is necessary for vitamin d production and maintaining circadian rhythms.

exercise regularly physical activity can help reduce stress, which may contribute to acne.

enjoy a healthy diet eating a well-balanced diet can support skin health. consider reducing dairy and high glycemic foods. a diet with a low glycemic index may help balance hormone levels, which is the same effect when insulin spikes occur less. essential nutrients promote skin health and help to repair and maintain the skin barrier.

invest in stress management find ways to reduce stress, such as journaling or going for a walk. stress can worsen acne. this is because, under stress, the body's healing process slows down, meaning acne can take longer to heal and become more severe. stress hormones can also increase oil production, leading to clogged pores.

(images are from pinterest)

71 notes · View notes

ticklygiggles · 4 months

Text

Beach Competitions | Oikawa Tooru & Kuroo Tetsurou

Commissioned by @wertzunge

A/N: final commission for Maaaaax! Max, thank you so much for your always kind support and for being so so kind and patient to me! You are an angel ❤️ I hope you enjoy this one! Thank you again!

Summary: Ah, the beach. The perfect place to relax and have a good time in peace and quiet... right?

Oikawa watched the Nekoma team coming out from a van he thought was way too small and cramped for all of them to fit together. He heard his own teammates giggling and whispering to each other as they saw some of the tallest boys almost tripping on their way out, including Kuroo who yelled and even hit someone on the head out of pure embarrassment. Oikawa had to laugh too and he made sure to tease Kuroo about it through the whole day.

The sun was warm right above their heads. The sea breeze felt good on the skin sticky with sweat. The smell of watermelon mixed with the smell of salt, warm sand and sunblock. Both teams were opening umbrellas and tents, chatting happily, kicking sand between them to blind the other, and mingling together as a little improvised family. All the stress of the third years about graduation and the future was kept locked in a little box that would be opened later, when the daily routine began again.

Meanwhile, Oikawa made sure to enjoy his break to the fullest. He competed in a swimming race against Iwaizumi and Haiba Lev and both Seijoh players lost miserably against Lev’s long legs and arms. Oikawa also joined a funny conversation with Mattsun, Takahiro and Kai Nabuyaki. He was very surprised to see the Nekoma vice-president laughing so much at Mattsun’s jokes, he even apologized for how loud he was being.

Oikawa even timidly approached that little setter, wanting to share some advice and stuff, not before laughing his head off when he saw Kenma’s face and limbs completely white, covered in sunscreen. Kenma, although shy and quiet, did answer Oikawa questions and thanked him for his advice.

Oikawa did many things, but above them all… he challenged Kuroo in every single thing he could think of. Watermelon seed spitting, volleyball, a race, another swimming competition, even sandcastle building. Both captains did their best even when throwing a frisbee, and for everyone else it was a little fun to see them yelling at each other– or at least that was what Oikawa thought as he heard the other's laughter when he and Kuroo almost pulled their hair to prevent the other from reaching the finish line in their third consecutive race.

Unfortunately for Oikawa, each of these competitions ended in an embarrassing tie. No matter how much he sweated and how much his muscles ached, Kuroo always caught up with him. Oikawa hated that, but it also fired him up even more to have such a formidable rival. However, frustrated by the conclusions of his competitions with Kuroo, Oikawa jumped on him and thus began a wrestling match; wet, flushed bodies getting covered in sand with every pirouette they took on themselves, trying to pin the other down.

One moment Oikawa had the lead, but in the blink of an eye, Kuroo was yanking on his arm in a certain way, successfully throwing him to the ground, but then Oikawa would catch Kuroo's leg and turn him over to his original position with his back pressed against the sand.

“Stay still you damned cat!” He screamed, trying to put Kuroo in a necklock.

“You move away and just give up!” Kuroo would yell back and then a bunch of random screams and grunts would fill the air.

“Oi, you two!”

“Dammit!”

Just when Oikawa was going to set the perfect necklock to finally pin Kuroo down, Iwaizumi’s voice unfocused him and he quickly moved away from Kuroo to prevent a terrible and unfair loss to him.

“Iwa-chan!” Oikawa wined, dragging his tired and hot body towards the rest of the team. “I was about to win!”

“Ha!” Kuroo laughed sarcastically, also breathing heavily as he followed Oikawa. “You wish! I was clearly the one about to win!”

Iwaizumi rolled his eyes and Matsun, Makki, Kai Nabuyaki and Yaku Morisuke tried to keep from laughing as they gave them both a bottle of sport beverage.

“Yes, yes. Hey, we were thinking,” Iwaizumi said, pointing at the rest behind him. “We got an amazing challenge for you both. This will be the definitive one! Someone has to win, no matter what."

That made Oikawa and Kuroo's eyes shine with excitement.

“What is it?!” Oikawa asked, shaking Iwaizumi's shoulders.

“First, you both will be buried in the sand,” Yaku Morisuke purred and he pointed at two big holes in the sand, perfect for them to fit in. Oikawa frowned. They really had everything prepared, huh?

“Yaku, what are y'all planning?”

Yaku rolled his eyes and Oikawa thought him and Iwaizumi were so alike. “Shut up, Kuroo, and just get in. Or what? Are you a coward?”

Before he could even finish his sentence, Kuroo was already sitting comfortably inside the hole, Oikawa following suit.

When they started to bury them in the sand, Oikawa was thankful they chose a place with a nice shadow, at least it wouldn't be hot while doing whatever game they had in mind. The sand was refreshing against his warm skin, Oikawa thought he could fall asleep at any second. It was strangely comfortable and the sound of the waves lazily crashing against the shore surely lulled him into a peaceful state.

“Sleepy?” Makki asked him playfully and Oikawa grinned groggily. “You can step out, you know? And rest a bit.”

“That would mean that I admit that Kuroo Tetsurou beat me at something and I'm not going to allow it,” he said, loud enough for Kuroo to listen. “It's my honor at stake, Makki."

“Haha, just you wait, Oikawa. No matter what, I'll definitely win this one.”

“Don't be so sure,” both Yaku and Kai said and Oikawa couldn't help but feel a little nervous, seeing the playful look in their eyes.

Oikawa blinked, noticing that they were all buried now, only their head and feet sticking out. He tried to move, but he could barely do so under the weight of the sand. He got a bit more nervous, but still tried to act tough, although he could clearly see Kuroo was also sharing his feelings. Oikawa cleared his throat, but before he could say something, Mattsun spoke up.

“Okay, so this game will be easy… for us at least,” they chuckled and Oikawa felt his ears heating up, for some reason. “This is an endurance test. We'll be tickling you as best as we can. The first one to give up, will be the loser. The one that holds up the most, will be the winner. Easy right?”

“What?!” Both Kuroo and Oikawa yelled and their faces flushed. Any trace of sleep vanished at once.

They both knew that if they complained, it would mean that they were not brave enough to face this challenge, so they both decided to stay silent, or at least, without complaining about this silly and childish idea.

“It's fine,” Oilawa said, trying to look calm. “But why am I having three people to tickle me and Kuroo only two?”

“Hehe, are you jealous? You think you won't take it. You should give up now.”

Suddenly, a little blond head poked from behind Yaku and Kuroo gasped. “Kenma?!”

Kenma looked at him with disgust. Oikawa was wrong, he definitely was more like Iwaizumi. “I don't want to do this either, but I was forced to,” he said, crossing his arms above his chest.

“We hid his phone,” both Yaku and Kai grinned. And with that, they started to position themselves.

At his feet, Oikawa found Makki, Mattsun by his legs and Iwaizumi by his torso. Beside him, Kuroo was also being surrounded: Yaku at his feet, Kai at his legs and Kenma by his torso. Oikawa felt nervous flutters inside his tummy and his body started to tingle in anticipation. How would Mattsun and Iwaizumi tickle him if he was buried like this? He really didn't want to know.

“W-Wait, wait wait!” Kuroo begged, a trace of laughter already lacing to his words. “C-Can I at least laugh?”

“You both can laugh,” Iwaizumi explained calmly. “But if you tap out, Oikawa will be the winner.”

“Keke,” Oikawa cackled mockingly. “Are you admitting you are more ticklish than me, Kuroo? You can give up already if you're so scared!”

“Now.” Oikawa gasped when something dragged up his left sole. His eyes widened when he saw Makki smirking at him with an eyebrow raised. Oikawa gulped. “You should keep your mouth shut for now, Oikawa.”

“H-Hmph!"

“Okay, are you guys ready?” Kai asked, grinning at both captains. “Your safe word is ‘watermelon’”

“So original… ouch!” Yaku whined.

“Okay. In three- now!”

“Hah?! What about two and– fuck!”

Kuroo laughed right away, Oikawa could hear his teammates making fun of him, teasing him about how ticklish he was and that he was definitely going to lose. Kuroo didn't even try to stop laughing, once the dam was broken, there was no coming back; Oikawa knew this very well, that was why he tried to hold back as best as he could, but the tickling to his feet was relentless.

Fingers brushed all along his soles, the sand sticking to his skin only making the sensation worsen, especially when the tickling moved under his toes. A reluctant, wobbly smile stretched his lips as Oikawa tilted his head back, tightly shutting his eyes.

“Hmm? Perhaps Oikawa will be able to win?” Makki said, wiggling his fingers between Oikawa’s toes, making him snort but still no laughter came from his mouth.

“Kuroo over there really is having a hard time, huh?” Mattsun giggled, and Oikawa imagined him looking at Kuroo with that teasy grin of his.

“Kuroo is the most ticklish person I know,” Yaku said, his fingers glued to the exact spot in Kuroo's feet that had him laughing nearly in hysterics. “I'm surprised he even agreed to this.”

“Well,” Iwaizumi said, making Oikawa jump when he poked his cheek. “It's not like we asked them, right?” The rest laughed, but Oikawa could barely hear them over his internal screaming.

“Oikawa is the most ticklish person we know,” Makki said, insistently wiggling his fingers under Oikawa's toes. “But he's holding himself very well.”

Could it really be said that he was ‘holding himself very well’? No matter how hard he tried to move his feet away from Makki's toes, Oikawa could barely move under the weight of the sand. His face was red and hot and it wasn't because of the sun, he was short of breath and if he dared to open his mouth, he knew that his loud and embarrassing laugh would escape.

Thankfully for him, (and Kuroo), the tickling suddenly stopped. They both went limp, breathing heavily and twitching slightly. A well deserved break-

“Just kidding!”

“AHAHAHA!”

Those bastards! Oikawa's laughter came out embarrassingly loud, even louder than Kuroo's. He didn't think Makki would start tickling him all over again– and he knew Yaku was also wrecking Kuroo all over again. Oikawa shook his head, feeling tears of laughter clinging to his lashes as he twisted his feet as best as he could, but it was all useless and his damn laughter wouldn't stop for even a second.

“Okay, time for stage two!”

“Whahahahat nohohow- ahahack! Nohohoho!”

Oikawa didn't notice when or how, but Mattsun on his side and Kai over Kuroo's had dug two holes in the sand around their thighs. The sudden warm touch of hands squeezing his muscles startled him and he squealed before falling into a louder laughing fit, if that was possible. Kuroo was not doing any better, but Oikawa couldn't tell anymore who was laughing the most and the hardest.

“It's a little higher,” Kenma mumbled, instructing how to properly tickle Kuroo's thighs. “It's the upper muscle- ah, right there.”

“KeheHEHEnmaha!”

Oikawa was nearly seeing stars. The safe word almost slipped out between his laughter, but no! He had to stay strong, there was no way Kuroo Tetsurou could win against h-

“AHAHAHAHA! Plehehehease not thehehere!”

“Hehe, time for stage three,” Iwaizumi said, giggling as he buried both hands into the sand. Another two holes directly above Oikawa's tummy. The clawing around his belly button was enough to have him in hysterics.

“KEHEHENMAHAHA! I hahahate yohohou!”

“And I hate your stupid laugh, give up already so I can have my phone back,” Kenma said as he found Kuroo's underarms under the sand. The poor Nekoma boy was losing it as Kai and Yaku giggled maliciously.

Oikawa suddenly thought that he and Kuroo were actually receiving some kind of punishment? It was true that they had been too loud and had accidentally pushed someone several times… He had been exceptionally annoying towards Iwaizumi, complaining about Kuroo all the time and dragging him into his silly games.

“WAHAHATERMEHEHELOHON!”

Yaku, Kai, Kenma, Makki, Mattsun and Iwaizumi all groaned loudly when both boys screamed the safe word at the same time. The tickling stopped and Oikawa and Kuroo were left breathless and laughing themselves silly.

“It seems our plan didn't work out. They'll keep being annoying.”

Oikawa heard them and when he could finally breathe almost normally, he looked over at Kuroo.

“Tr-Truhuce?”

Kuroo looked at him and nodded. “Tr-uce.”

“Hey, you both. It's time you guys stop– oh.”

Exhausted after all their competitions and the tickling on their most sensitive spots, Oikawa and Kuroo finally succumbed to sleep. The other boys laughed and sighed in relief. At the very least, everyone would have a break for at least an hour!

#haikyuu!!#haikyuu!! tickling #kuroo tetsurou #oikawa tooru #ticklish!kuroo #ticklish!Oikawa #tickle fic #mia's things #mia's commissions #commissions

79 notes · View notes

total-dxmure · 11 months

Text

✦ FLOWERS AND RIVALRY ➞ 【ELLIE WILLIAMS】

pairing: domestic!ellie williams x reader

summary: just some good ole’ neighborly rivalry.

warnings: ellie is just being adorable, you’re the best girlfriend in the world, this kinda shit is just a daily occurrence with her

a/n: just a lil somethin’ to keep you babies satiated while i'm working on chapter four of “marley and me”! enjoy :)

You watched as Ellie plucked a cigarette from her back pocket, her hands covered in dirt all the way up to her elbows. Buying a house was a lot of work- you knew that going in- but what you hadn’t expected was for your girlfriend to get so competitive about the upkeep.

“The neighbors across the street put in new flower boxes. . . did you see them? Anyway, I ran to Home Depot and picked up a few things.” Her definition of “few” and yours must be completely different, because the second that she opened up the bed of her truck you nearly laughed right in her face. Planks, bags full of supplies, and more flowers than you could even count were all shoved into the tight space. A few strands of her newly chopped hair were sticking to her brow with sweat. It was almost as though she could sense that you were about to say something, because she flashed you that wide smile of hers. Her freckles on full display in the early evening sun, green eyes blazing as she stared at you. You shut your mouth right up, only realizing how pussy whipped you were the second that you began jogging back into the house, already grabbing her an ice cold beer from the fridge.

So there you sat, legs stretched in front of you as you lounged in the rocking chair on the front porch. You would offer to help, but you were prone to clumsiness. While Ellie was good with fixing things, you were very good at breaking them.

She lit the cigarette, closing her lips around the filter and going straight back to work. Her arms and upper back glistened with sweat, cheeks flushed from the sun. You watched as she blew out a plume of smoke from her nose, utterly enchanted by her. She probably smelled of sweat, dirt, and sunscreen. . . but she was perfect.

The two of you were friends for years before making things official. The both of you had pined after one another for what felt like ages before she finally made a move. Maybe that was why the both of you were still so smitten after four years. You cracked a small smile before standing up, moving over to the top step of the porch so that you could grab the beer bottle, weighing it in your hands.

“I’ll go get you a fresh one.” And without her even having to say anything you breezed back into the house, eager to at least offer some sort of assistance.

You opened the fridge, pausing as you heard her voice sound from outside.

“-thought the front yard needed something.”

You rolled your eyes, grabbing the beer and twisting the cap off before sauntering back in the direction of the front porch. The wooden floors of your home creaked under your bare feet as you made your way towards the front door. The neighbor was standing in his yard, hands on his hips as he spoke. Ellie had stood up and moved away from her project, motioning towards what she was planning on making a large flower garden.

“The ole’ lady also wanted to plant some vegetables this year, so I’ll be working in the backyard tomorrow. You and your husband should come over once it’s all finished. You guys hosted dinner last time. It’s our turn.” Ellie told him matter of factly.

You schooled your face into neutrality, fighting off the urge to scoff at her statement. You had mentioned wanting to grow beans and peppers in passing almost a month ago. The neighbor- Steven- nodded his head, squinting his eyes against the blaring sun.

“Yeah, Yeah. Cole and I would love to come over. I remember you telling me about changing the tiles in your guest bath, and we wanted to come see.” He said, already moving back towards his front door.

Ellie was beaming with pride, the cigarette she had been smoking tucked between two dirty fingers. “Sounds like a plan.”

It was only once Steven was back in his home that Ellie turned to face you, eyes wide as she discreetly pointed in the direction of his house.

“Did you see that? He was practically boiling with jealousy. He told me last month that he was redoing the kitchen, and that smug look on his face-”

“I can’t believe you’re getting in a pissing competition with the sweet gay dads across the street.” You whispered, shaking your head in disapproval before handing her the beer.

“It wasn’t me! They started it!” She whisper-yelled, trailing after you like a wounded puppy.

284 notes · View notes

simply-trash5 · 20 days

Text

Sunburn and Blush

Hello!

You guys have really came out of the woodwork with these requests and I am LIVING. I am filling this request for my bestie @milkteabinniechan

This is my first skz writing and its a hard thought so...

18+ only please<3

Pairing: Lifeguard I.N X Reader

Words: 531 (its a shorty)

Warnings: general sexual content, oral (f receiving), cursing

Jeongin was fucked the moment you walked onto the beach this summer.

Every plan he had made went up in smoke, no thanks to you.

He was supposed to sit on his lifeguard tower, get a tan, get numbers from girls, hookup with as many people as he could, and then at the end of the summer things would simmer back down and his liver would thank him tremendously; but then you showed up.

The first day he saw you reading your book, sunbathing in your bright pink string bikini, he was pretty sure he might die from the blood rushing straight to his—heart? Right, his heart. So naturally when he approached you and asked if you needed to borrow sunscreen (after Seungmin told him he looked creepy staring at you for twenty minutes with his tongue all but lolling out of his face) you just laughed at him like he was your best friend and said, “aw you’re so sweet, but I have already applied some. Thanks though!” and went back to reading your book without giving him a second glance.

Now after that fateful day you two become quite close thanks to a run-in with a stray volleyball and a day where you in fact did forget sunscreen, but nothing can compare to his stolen glances at you and those goddamn bathing suits.

Those pieces of cloth and simple strings haunt his daily thoughts and make the fabric of his shorts tighter in the worst possible moments; like right now as he is watching you talk with Seungmin and Han.

I.N. pushed his sunglasses a little higher up on his nose and gripped the arms of the lifeguard tower a little tighter as he watched you swat Seungmin playfully. Your hands went to your full hips and landed there so gracefully as you said something sassy making the two boys laugh out loud making I.N. absolutely green with envy. The tipping point for him was when Han reached over to tuck a piece of hair behind your ear, causing a light blush bloom on your cheeks. No, nope…that blush was for Jeongin and all of the plans he had for you in his mind.

No that blush was for when he would take you back to the lifeguard shack and take your chin in one of his large hands and tell you how you consume every one of his waking thoughts. When he would reach back and pull that string on your pretty pink bikini and it would bunch around your tummy and he could sweep one of your nipples into his mouth as you threw your head back and begged him to stuff you full with his long fingers. That blush was for when he could slip those bottoms down your beautiful hips and thighs and taste you and then make you release on his face as you moaned his name just like the breathy way you moan when he applies your sunscreen…

“Jeongin…” he is pulled out of his thoughts by a sweet little voice that is yours. “Uh, can we talk in private? Maybe in the lifeguard shack?”

Now it’s Jeongin’s turn to blush.

#stray kids x reader #skz x reader #jeongin #in x reader #skz hard thoughts #simplytrash writes #requests open #send me things

37 notes · View notes

thirstydiglett · 8 months

Text

Haven’t posted a story in a while cuz I’m working on a BIG BOI. But I really wanted to do some fluff with Law, so I wrote this in like 45 minutes lol

Life is Full of Ups and Downs

Summary: Law has never ridden a roller coaster. Reader decides to change that.

Rating: G

Characters: Trafalgar Law, F!Reader (one mention of reader being a birthday girl, otherwise can be read as GN)

Warnings: none its just cute fluffy fluff ^_^

———————————————————————

“Law, hurry up!”

You tapped your foot impatiently as you leaned on the hood of the car, watching your boyfriend slather himself (or at least every part of himself that wasn’t covered by his black hoodie) with sunscreen.

“Look, just because you want to get skin cancer doesn’t mean that I do, dearest.”

You rolled your eyes. “I put mine on before we even got here. Thanks for the medical advice though.”

He took your hand, pulling you close to him and kissing you softly on the nose. “Anything for my birthday girl.”

You smiled, ignoring the tingle in your stomach when his lips had touched you. “So that means you’re going to ride all the coasters with me today, right?”

Law’s face flicked briefly in annoyance. “I said I would ride one roller coaster.”

“And more if you like them.”

“I’m not going to like them.”

As the two of you approached the park’s gates, bickering playfully, you looked up at the sight before you.

Dozens of massive steel and wood coasters loomed behind the park gates, the screams of excited riders filling the air with every pass of a car around a track. The best roller coaster park in the country, and you were FINALLY going to get to go!

Only problem was, your boyfriend had never been on a roller coaster.

Law was a man who liked what he liked. The same daily routines on his crew. The same black clothes and spotted hat. The same gluten free waffles for breakfast every single goddamn morning.

So trying to convince him to try something new was like pulling teeth. Finally, he’d relented when you told him he could make the trip (and his first coaster ride) your birthday present. But even getting him to commit to a single ride hadn’t been easy. You knew he wouldn’t back out on his word, but you hoped he wouldn’t be too grumpy about it.

—————————————————————

You were finally at the front of the line for your first ride of the day. A tall but straightforward steel coaster, mostly hills. You’d heard it was fun, and you thought it would be a good way to ease Law into riding.

“Jesus, that’s tall…you know what a fall from that height would do to you?” Law mused. “What if we did this later in the day? After I’ve already watched you ride a couple.”

“Law, it’s like getting into cold water! You just have to jump,” you laugh, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. “Oh look, it’s our turn for a seat!”

Law hesitated before following you on board, strapping himself into the seat next to you.

“I bet these handles never get sanitized. Remind me to have us wash our hands after this.”

You snorted. “Yeah, yeah.”

“Wait a sec, dude,” a voice sounded from nearby. Looking up, you noticed one of the ride operators. He was looking at Law.

“You’re gonna have to take that hat off while you ride. Unless you want it to get blown away.”

Law turned to you with a panicked expression, a child being asked to give up their security blanket.

“Babe, you’ll get it back! It’s only for like two minutes.”

Law swallowed and nodded, handing his precious hat over to the ride operator.

With a jerk, the coaster began to creep forward, slowly building speed until it reached the first hill and began to climb. Law’s knuckles were white as he gripped the handles, watching the car get higher and higher. You reached over and squeezed his hand, holding onto it tightly.

“You’re ok, Law. We’re gonna be just fine.”

He turned to smile at you appreciatively, and as he did so the ride reached its peak. Law’s face turned white as the roller coaster paused, ever so close to tipping down the hill, edging you for a moment.

“You can do this, hon,” you murmured to him. And then, the coaster careened downward, hurling you toward the ground at lightning speed.

You screamed with excitement, throwing your hands up in the air as the ride threw you up and down several more hills, around curves, into a corkscrew. You were so enamored with the ride that you nearly forgot to look over at your boyfriend beside you. Thank god you remembered.

Law’s face was stretched into a grin wider than you’d ever seen on him. His mouth was open, one hand loose from the handle, and as you looked at him he gasped softly with excitement. You’d never seen him so joyful, so thrilled to be alive.

The look on his face made you laugh despite yourself, and you grabbed his hand as the two of you laughed into the wind together.

———————————————————

“So, wanna ride another one?” You asked as you headed for the exit.

Law, his hat securely back on his head, grimaced. “What makes you think I’d do that?”

You laughed out loud. “Come on! You were having fun!” You wrapped your arm around his waist, bumping your head against his shoulder. He blushed and pulled you to his side.

“I wasn’t having fun. But I will ride another one with you ONLY because it’s your birthday.”

“Hey, a win is a win!” You giggled, glad to see that he was finally letting himself try something new… and truly enjoying it.

#diglett writes #trafalgardwaterlaw #trafalgar law #one piece #trafalgar law x reader #Law #one piece fanfic #trafalgar d law x you

97 notes · View notes

i99zhuo · 9 months

Text

How to live like wonyoung

this is a guide on daily routines inspired by jang wonyoung!

Content list (routines):

morning

study

workout

shower + self care

night

(_ _ ) . . z Z⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚୨ :★: ୧ ∗ ˖࣪ ໒꒱ ˚₊·

✸ ꒰ morning routine ꒱⋆ ࣪.* ࣪.⋆

Wonyoung starts her days by stretching, this can help to relieve any tension or pain from the night before. Stretching shouldn't take that long to do, so make sure to stretch for at least 5 minutes every day. If you don't know how to do it, you can follow along a tutorial like this one.

Next step is skincare, to create the perfect skincare routine you need to at least wash your face and then use moisturizer and sunscreen, use products based on your skin type and add more steps only if you find it really necessary.

Now it's time for breakfast! Wonyoung loves to drink a cup of soy milk every morning, she also likes to have light and clean breakfast, so a good idea is to have some fruits and yogurt.

Finally, it's time to get ready for the day! Choose a cute outfit and hairstyle that fits the occasion + do your makeup, find your own style and get inspiration from Pinterest!

✸ ꒰ study routine ꒱⋆ ࣪.* ࣪.⋆

First things first, organize your time so you have at least a week to study for exams or get your assignments done. Avoid procrastinating, the more time you have, the less work you'll have to do.

One time, when Wonyoung was asked about study tips, she said that it's important to find your own study style. Study methods don't work on everyone, so it's important to experiment with various methods until you find the one that works the best for you.

Now that we know our study style it's time to actually work and focus hard, for this we need to create the perfect study environment, clean and ventilate your room, turn some instrumental music on (or study with me videos for inspo), get some healthy snacks, water or literally anything to make yourself comfortable! (stuffed animals, pillows, blankets, etc.)

When studying, always focus on understanding the content and continuously solve sample questions, repeating the same material for various days actually helps to remember details better, but if you are in a rush or running out of time you can try and memorize the content.

Take breaks and get enough sleep, taking breaks in between study sessions it's actually more productive than not doing so, some productive ways of taking breaks are meditation, listen to music, reading, journal or taking a power nap, sleep is very important, you can't have a proper study session if you don't have the energy to do so.

Stop comparing yourself with others! You aren't in a competition with the rest, the only opponent you have is yourself, so your goals should always focus on breaking your own records and become even better than your past self.

✸ ꒰ workout routine ꒱⋆ ࣪.* ࣪.⋆

When working out like wonyoung we should aim to improve our posture and be more flexible, this will help when doing Pilates or yoga just like she does. Also, we can focus on losing weight or just toning up our bodies if you don't find it necessary.

Wonyoung love Pilates, you can pick any Pilates workout on YouTube based on your time or in your specific body goals, but here's a Pilates routine inspired by her. Also, if you feel like doing a full body workout, here's another video inspired by wony!

If you don't really like to work out at home, the other options you have is that you can try and join a flying yoga class like Wonyoung! She also spends lots of her time doing dance practice, so choosing your favorite kind of dance could be an option too!

Choose one and start doing it continuously to start seeing results, also, it's very important to have non-physical goals, like feeling happier or meet new friends! Remember to always drink water!

✸ ꒰ shower and self care routine ꒱⋆ ࣪.* ࣪.⋆

Time for some self-care! First, take off your makeup using micellar water or an oil based cleanser (only if you have dry skin!).

Then it's time to hop on the shower and start with our haircare routine, one of wonyoung's charms is her long healthy hair, so make sure to use the right products for your hair. Here's a quick haircare routine you can follow; massage your scalp using a scalp massager or your fingertips, then use the right amount of shampoo only on the scalp, next use a conditioner from middle to ends to moisturize and detangle your hair. If you identify a problem with your hair (for example too dry, difficult to manage, etc.) you can add using a hair mask to this routine!

While we leave the products in our heads for a few minutes, it's time for bodycare! always clean your body with soap and a loofa, if needed exfoliate your body 1-2 times a week for super soft skin! Next is shaving, shave only if needed and never do it when your skin is dry, if you don't have shaving cream, you can use conditioner, just make sure to rinse it very well after.

After we are done with the shower it's time for skincare, wash your face, you can also exfoliate your face 1–2 times a week (3 if your skin it's too oily). This is also the perfect time to use a face mask! Use a hydrating sheet mask if you feel that your skin is dry, or a clay mask if you feel your skin is oily. Finally, use a moisturizer.

With clean hands and our skincare done it's the perfect time for face massages! Massaging our faces can help to improve skin texture and reduce the puffiness of the face, I personally like to do it with my hands, but you can also use a facial roller or gua sha (just make sure to keep the clean).

We can't forget to moisturize our bodies, make sure to apply lotion all over your body, especially if you exfoliated or shaved, use a lotion with your favorite scent (strawberry, vanilla, etc.) or use an unscented lotion and immediately apply perfume to smell good all day long.

It's now time to continue with our haircare, gently brush your hair and dry it, if you are using a hair dryer you must apply some heat protection. Also, make sure to apply a leave-in conditioner to prevent dry ends!

You can add more stuff to this routine if you need, like applying a lash serum to grow your lashes, or clean your makeup brushes, so you start doing it more regularly! Also, it's the best time to get some motivation, you can scroll down Pinterest or watch YouTube videos from thewizardliz, song jia, vogue beauty secrets or any content creator that inspires you to become the best version of yourself!

✸ ꒰ night routine ꒱⋆ ࣪.* ࣪.⋆

First step is to have dinner, if you're going to eat near your bedtime you should mind your portions and what you are eating, avoid heavy or spicy food, so you can rest better and really get that beauty sleep.

Every night, before going to bed, you can make some time to organize the next day (what are you going to do, plan the outfit/makeup/hair, etc.) and clean your room! It's very satisfying to wake up to a clean room, it also helps a lot when you have everything you need in the morning already set up, so you don't end up getting late!

Before going to bed is the best time for some yoga or stretching, yoga can help with relaxing your body before sleeping, specially if you exercised or if you were sitting down for many hours because of work or school.

Finally, the best way to finish your day is to read to help you wind down! Specially if it's near your bedtime and you aren't sleepy yet. You can even read comics! Just read any physical book you have, reading on a device can be distracting and will make you stay up past your bedtime.

(_ _ ) . . z Z⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚୨ :★: ୧ ∗ ˖࣪ ໒꒱ ˚₊·

ty for reading! btw this post is *heavily* inspired by liliwon (I miss her sm 😿😿😿😿). If you liked this guide, please let me know! I really want to make more posts like this with other idols so I would appreciate suggestions >.< Also leave other posts ideas :D hehe

Oh! btw english is not my first language so I apologize for any mistake or whatever 💀

I think that's all, anyways see ya!

193 notes · View notes

naffeclipse · 1 year

Text

I have the honor of being @arty-angel-things's secret Santa for the DCASS2022 event! I went a bit over the word minimum, but I had so much fun with this fic. It was a wonderful challenge to craft the prompt from your list of likes such as Mermaid AUs and Sun taking care of Y/N and helping them improve as a person! I did my best to incorporate several elements together and include Moon scaring Reader, of course, but nonetheless helping Y/N to become better as well!

I hope you like it!

Mayday In Paradise

FNAF Mermaid!Sun/Moon x Reader (SFW)

You can also read this fic on AO3!

Word Count: ~5,700 Warnings: Light Angst

You have no idea what you’re doing here, but you’re supposed to have fun. At least, that’s what Vanessa expects you to do. In truth, you’re growing wearier by the second.

The beach house is flawless, and it’s all yours for 14 days. You just flew in yesterday. As gorgeous as the tropical island, white-sand shore is, which is only a hop, skip, and a jump from the back porch of the rental you’re staying in, you’re getting trapped in your thoughts.

There’s a reason you never used your vacation days.

The company you worked for, Fazbear Entertainment, mandated that you use your vacation time by the end of the year or disciplinary action was going to be taken, as apparently, the government was breathing down their necks about their employee health and safety. When you bemoaned to Vanessa, your coworker, that you were going to be forced out of work for two weeks, she agreed, much to your dismay, that you needed the time off. She’s the one who suggested spending your Christmas somewhere down south where the weather is always warm and mild and the crystal clear, salt water is a mere stroll away.

“You need to do something nice for yourself,” she had said, smiling as you both hunched over her laptop during your lunch break, staring at house rentals and exotic locations.

You kneel on the edge of the wet sand, just where the tide laps up gently and brushes against your knees. The late morning sun is already blazing down on your shoulders where you had rubbed a great deal of sunscreen on as you really haven’t spent a great deal of time outside and fear how sensitive your skin will be. A tank top and shorts are proper beach attire, you think. You wear a nice little sunhat, too. Gazing out over the ocean, you touch the small canoe sitting on the shore. The boat was in the small shed tucked beside the garage of the rental, and the renter said everything was for your use, at your pleasure. Paddling around in the water is something fun, right?

It should be, but the longer you stay still, the more you drop into darker thoughts of leaving this beautiful place where time doesn’t grit between your teeth and the air is light and salty and you think you might enjoy yourself here.

You don’t want to get attached. You can’t. This isn’t your life. You have to go back to your empty apartment and wake up early in the cold to make it to work on time so you can talk to your only friend, Vanessa, and rinse and repeat until…

Until you die.

What a life you lead.

You groan quietly and bow your head, covering your face and incidentally brushing wet sand on your forehead. You don’t like to think and ponder about how pathetic your existence is. If you disappeared, only Vanessa would notice, but even then, you suspect she’ll move on because she has friends and family, and you are hardly a second thought, if that, in people’s lives.

This is why you keep up with the daily grind. This is why you work yourself to the bone so that when you go to bed at night, you have no choice but to sleep and not dwell on what is hopeless.

A bird chirps somewhere off in the palm trees, drawing you out of your internal collapse and allowing you to breathe in deeply. The waves gently wash up on shore. The horizon is endless and blue. What are you doing? You need to try to make the most of this before it ends and you’ve wasted it like you tend to waste other things.

Taking a hold of the canoe, you push it into the water, grunting with effort until it buoys. Your feet slip into the ocean. The warm, even temperature soaks your legs. Oh. You should probably get a life jacket on, but when you look back to shore and the empty beach house you’re going to sleep in for 13 more nights, you decide that you know how to swim. Not well, but you know how to. Climbing inside the little boat and setting off, you pick up the paddle laying at the bottom and begin heavy, slow strokes to sail through the small, peaceful slice of this paradise you’re intruding upon.

A peaceful rhythm begins as you paddle. The ocean is surreal—a rich teal color, sometimes cyan blue where it’s really shallow. You do your best to stay clear of a sandbar.

Something flashes just underneath the surface a little ways off from your canoe, a fin of some kind of fish. You can hardly see through the glare of the light reflecting off of the still surface, but then there’s another small splash—something frilled and yellow—but gone the next moment. Leaning forward, almost over the edge of the boat, you strain to pick up whatever was just underneath the surface.

A small bump and a loud scrap hit below the canoe. Your paddle hits something hard, not sand, but something unforgiving. Quickly, you push back and free the boat from whatever it hit, hoping with a cringe that it didn't scratch the paint on the canoe. You should have paid attention to where you’re going. The sandbar stretches a little longer than you had thought and you push around it to head further out to sea.

You paddle farther away, until the shore and the beach house blur into a thin line in the distance. Isolation is easy to find when the surface is calm. You inhale, and your chest feels much lighter than it had been earlier. The gloom that had clouded over your head slowly breaks apart and dissipates.

For a wild, frantic moment, you want to sail over the horizon and never come back. That mystical, other side would take you far away from the mundane and the trite, where you don’t feel so empty and worthless. You paddle harder. The minutes slip by, the heat soaks into your skin as you sweat slightly, and the shade offered by your sunhat barely keeps you cool.

Breathlessly, you stop. You’re farther away from shore, but no closer to where the sky meets the water. Laying the paddle down over your legs, you look across the ocean, as if it cares you're here, as if you’re even one ripple in its vastness. Your heart aches.

You wiggle your toes against the sensation of water. Though it’s warm, it’s cooler than the sun beating down on you.

Wait a minute.

You jerk your head down to find a steadily rising level of ocean seeping into the bottom of the canoe. Freezing in place, you stare as it slips higher, reaching your ankle. Then reality hits you as the canoe sinks deeper into the ocean, far more than it should.

Slowly, knowing that you’re not going to like what you see, you turn back to find shore a very, very long distance away. You’re far. Way too far for someone in just a canoe, not to mention one taking on water.

Uh oh.

You jump to your feet but almost fall overboard as the canoe titters dangerously. The paddle slips from your lap and lands into the wet bottom. Searching frantically, you drag your hands through the leaking canoe and rake your palms over every side, hoping for something, anything, to aid in dealing with this mess. You come up empty, though you do find a small, worn hole in the front of the canoe. Flashing back to that horrible scrap on the sandbar, you realize that this is your fault.

You didn’t bring anything with you—not a life vest, and your mouth grows drier by the second as you stand helplessly in the unstable boat as the surface level climbs up your shins.

You idiot. You stupid idiot.

In a last-ditch effort, you rip the paddle out of the water as the canoe begins to tip in the back, sinking dangerously further into the ocean, and paddle frantically. The boat is slow, struggling to move with the added load. Every shove you give is heavier than the last. There is no more buoyancy.

You drop the paddle and it slips overboard while you scramble forward, away from the devouring wave that’s starting to rush against your thighs. Panic sends your pulse upwards as you cling to the tip of the canoe as it angles slightly higher and the end sinks deeper. In the corner of your vision, something flashes through the water, red and swift.

Oh no. No, no, no. Was that a shark? They’re in these waters, you know they are, and you grow sick at the thought of being torn apart by layers of sharp teeth. Fear bleeds into you, sending your heart racing as you hold tight to the bow of your quickly sinking vessel.

Somehow, you didn’t see yourself becoming food for whatever native animals roam the waters around your vacation getaway. That’s so sad, honestly. You make a strangled noise, like a laugh that wants to be sob, but you can’t help it as terror takes hold. Vanessa might feel bad about suggesting you go here, but it’s not her fault. It’s your fault. If you weren’t so pathetic and lonely and just, not you, you wouldn’t be here, sinking.

The water crashes against your hips. Half of the canoe is submerged, tilting to a sharper degree as you whimper and look back to the thin line on the horizon that’s supposed to be land. You mentally balk. You have to swim. You don’t know how but you have to try and make it back to shore with whatever you just saw in the water.

The sinking feeling in your middle matches the finality of the canoe.

You close your eyes and inhale sharply, internally bracing yourself. Before you can unhook your hands from around the bow, something splashes close beside you.

When you open your eyes, looking over the end of the canoe, you’re met with an aqua-blue gaze, the color almost disappearing into the liquid hue lapping at the creature’s face. Bright yellow frills adorn his head in a way that reminds you of the rays that beam off of the sun.

You gasp as he blinks, then rises higher above the surface, revealing a grinning jaw full of razor-sharp teeth. The strange fish’s round and flat face tilt, the pale yellow color of its scales running down a slender neck adorned with red fins like a ruffle collar. Your arms lock around the canoe as you stare back. He slowly opens his deadly mouth; your mind screams at you to get away.

“You look like you’re in trouble, friend,” the fish cheerfully remarks.

You sputter, blinking rapidly, before registering that the water is overtaking the last of your precious floatation device. Scrambling, you furiously crawl on top of the very edge of the canoe before it, too, sinks.

“Get away!” you shriek, wishing you still had your paddle. You could have used it to wack that, that—whatever it is, back!

The fish-man thing slips away slightly, concerned but cringing at your piercing volume. He levels a soft gaze on you amid your fumbling panic.

Officially, the boat falls entirely underwater. You’re standing up, but your platform is taking you deeper. With no other choice, you kick off of it as much as you can to get a small leap through the water and away from that thing that’s smiling with way too many teeth.

You sputter as salt and liquid hit your face. Struggling, you kick and push your arms, splashing wildly. The fact that you’re a weak swimmer only pushes your frantic movements harder, and then something snags your foot, sharp points digging into your skin. You barely have a moment to inhale before something drags you under.

Through the burn of salt, you look down as your heart climbs into your throat. Glowing red eyes stare up at you from where the depth darkens the water and reveals another fish-man. A dark blue hand is wrapped around your ankle. This one is silvery and dark in the face, like a crescent moon hanging in the night sky. He bears a smile no less wide than the other one, and somehow, even sharper as he holds you in place just below the surface. Instead of frills, it has a thick, midnight blue appendage that reminds you of a nightcap trailing off of the back of his head, ending with a small, glowing bulb, much like an angler fish’s lure. His body is long and sleek, a darker color but his tail is dotted with designs in his scales, like stars. The sharp tips of his fins remind you of a shark.

A breath escapes you in a scream, swallowed by the sea in a burst of bubbles. You start thrashing wildly. The creature hisses and snatches your other ankle before pulling you deeper. You’re whipped downwards, forced to confront his terrifying grin. You freeze. The fish man looms in the water above you as his grip shifts to grab you tightly by the waist, reminding you how incredibly small and useless you are in the water. Red eyes paralyze you.

“Stop it,” he warns in a low, whispery voice, carried seamlessly through the water. “Be good, or else.”

Your wide gaze stings from the salt but you can’t look away, waiting for the creature to decide that it’s already reached ‘or else’ and take a bite out of you. A fire begins eating up your lungs. There is no more air left in you and the ocean is becoming darker by the moment.

Arms wrap around you, underneath your armpits, from behind. You jolt as your back is pulled flushed against a solid chest. The moon face creature narrows his eyes, irritated as if the fun was cut short.

“Moon, the poor thing needs air,” reminds a buoyant, chasting voice behind you before the other one releases your waist. In one flip of a tail, the yellow fish man lifts you to the surface.

Your head breaks through the water and you inhale sharply, choking several times before settling enough to register that a mysterious sea monster is still, very much, holding you tightly around your chest. Large hands, pale yellow, and arms lined with small red flowing fins on the outside that stop at the elbow, lower to your waist. Claws dig slightly into the fabric of your tank top.

Deeply breathing, you press your hands over the arms holding you in place above the water and sputter, “Don’t eat me!”

“Oh, we’re not going to eat you!” the voice behind you chimes pleasantly. “We’re not hungry.”

You tense. Panic flows once more through your veins but you’re distracted by the other fish man—merman, that’s the word you’ve been looking for—sliding up in front of you. He doesn’t break entirely through the surface, his mouth hidden beneath the slow ripples you’ve thrown out in your half-halted squirming. His red eyes bore into you, predator-like. You stiffen.

“Let me go,” you say quietly as you attempt to pry the sunny merman’s arms off of you, “Right now.”

“And let you sink again?” the merman behind you clicks his tongue disapprovingly. The dark blue one grabs your wrists with a small splash, forcing you to stop. Not that you actually got the yellow, scaly arms to budge. “Friend, you don’t seem to understand the danger you’re in.”

No, you’re well aware of the fact that two mystical and terrifying mermen are holding you captive right now, and that at their leisure, they could drag you under to drown or start tearing you apart. The water is dangerous because you are in it with them.

The blue merman rises higher out of the water, and immediately, you’re trapped in his shadow. His teeth flash in the light. When he tilts his face, the thing at the back of his head drapes over his shoulder.

“You think you can make it that far?” amusement fills his rasp.

You whimper as he slowly flexes his grip around your wrists before easing up slightly. You kick out once and hit something solid that you can barely make out in the water, something yellow and red striped that then jerks slightly. You’re pretty sure you hit the one holding you. Your thought is confirmed when the arms around your waist tighten.

“Be nice,” the yellow one’s voice lowers, becoming slightly darker, and you don’t miss the warning. His tone alone freezes you in place. “You need to mind your manners so we can keep helping you.”

“Help… me?” you breathe out. You tug on the silver and dark face merman’s grip, but he doesn’t budge.

“Get back to shore,” he says, his starry ‘hat’ glistening wet.

You glance momentarily around, back at the sun-like merman and back to the more moon-esque one.

“Why?” The word slips out of your mouth before you consider, maybe, not questioning the two sea creatures holding your life in their hands, and thus causing them to change their minds.

Two pairs of eyes, one red, one blue, fall on you. It’s very hard to swallow suddenly.

“You looked like you were having a bad day, friend,” the sunny one says simply. “There’s no need to let it get any worse!”

“We’re not hungry,” the moon fish says, echoing the sunny one’s words from earlier. Your face falls in horror before he snickers. You grow still as he turns over your hands and works your fingers open, unfurling your fists. Is he messing with you? Does he find it funny to scare you? You can only stare and wonder as he slides his hands over your palm to loosen the tension in the lines.

“O-okay.” Your fingers tremble until he finally releases your hands. In a smooth descent, he sinks below the water, red eyes still watching, ominously close.

“That’s much better, sunshine. Hold on, it’s a long way for you,” the one behind you says, very closely, and you glance over your shoulder to see his ever-sharp smile grow in excitement.

“Wait!” A spark of anxiety hits your chest, fearing the merman holding you is about to go under, too, but your outburst is silenced as he hikes you up, pulling you tighter against his chest as he falls onto his back. Water splashes over your arms and your legs. A small noise of fright escapes your throat before you inhale sharply, holding the precious air in your lungs. You flail for half a moment before registering the stern but gentle reprimand from the yellow merman. Holding still, you’re acutely aware of the water lapping at the edges of your body as he swims steadily with flicks of his tail, keeping you above the surface. The sky overhead is a perfect, crystal blue.

Tentatively, you exhale. A blazing heat not due to the sun setting over your face. It’s strange and almost intimate how he holds you so securely to him, and it immediately reminds you of those cute videos of mother otters holding their young on their bellies. Except, it’s you, and you’re clutched by a merman.

You’re lying on top of his body. When you glance down, you realize his tail is brightly striped in scarlet and yellow, with flowing, translucent red fins outlining his sides and expanding into a beautiful, full tailfin of the same colors.

“Stay right there. Don’t move, friend! It’s so much easier when you listen to us, isn’t it?” he hums encouragingly.

Slowly, slowly, you give in to this wild turn of events with a stark air of incredulousness. Your head reclines against a bony ridge on the merman—a slender collarbone, you think. Underneath your feet, the rhythmic motions of a tail working through the water become a familiar motion.

“You’re really taking me back to shore?” you ask dumbly. You're not even sure if you’re still alive or maybe this is an odd dream, something your sun-fried brain cooked up to give you a boost of serotonin, but that doesn’t fit right either. You can’t remember the last time you had a pleasant dream.

The merman’s short chuckle rumbles underneath your back.

“Yes,” the arms around you press a little tighter, “and I must insist that whatever destination you had in mind out on the ocean wait until you learn to not sink your boat.”

“I didn’t have a destination,” you mumble, embarrassed at his slight jab at your obvious mistake. Quietly, you berate yourself for your foolishness.

“You looked very determined to get somewhere , friend,” he says, voice lowering slightly as if pondering the idea of you lying to him.

Were he and the other one watching you from underneath the water? You guess that’s possible, but that doesn’t explain why he’d care to. You’re nothing special. The only eye-catching skill you’ve flaunted so far is being hilariously bad at being aware of your surroundings until it’s too late.

His claws dig deeper into your sides and you realize he’s expecting an answer, one you scramble for before blurting out, “I was getting away!”

“Away?” You can hear the frown in his voice, but you can’t picture his grinning maw turning upside down, so you try to peek up at him. “Away from what?”

You only manage to get a look past his shoulder into the water. The glimpse reveals a dark shape keeping up with the sunny merman’s steady swim, glowing faintly with a yellow hue in small patches. Looking back to the sky, you desperately hope the moon merman doesn’t get hungry anytime soon. You cling a little tighter to the arms holding you above water.

“I don’t know,” you confess. It’s a pathetic answer, and you know it wouldn’t be accepted by anyone, much less a merman who’s the only thing keeping you from a watery grave. You feel a small brush of something wet and solid on the top of your head—one of the yellow frills, maybe, framing his head.

The small motion unlocks your mouth with a watery key of fear, and you gush, “I don’t want to be here! But I don’t want to go back to my empty apartment and I don’t want to go back to work but it doesn’t matter where I go because it’s always me. I can’t get away from me and my stupid face and the stupid things I do!”

You exhale and your chest is tight, crushing your lungs. One hand lifts from around your middle, and you start. The claw digits take a hold of your chin and push your head up, up, until your eyes are tilting all the way back and you behold the merman sitting up slightly from the water, his face upside down in your vision.

“Be nice,” he warns softly. Water drips off of his fins as his aqua-blue eyes emphasize his point.

You can’t gulp at the angle you're pushed in, but when he lets go of your jaw, resuming his hold on your torso, you swallow dryly.

“I… I wasn’t being mean to you,” you give meekly. You immediately cringe, and desperately wish you would have just left it be.

“Be nice to yourself,” he soothes. Another brush of something wet and slippery against your hair gives you pause like he’s pressing his cheek against the crown of your head. This time, salt water trails down the side of your face before the touch lifts away. The merman flicks his tail once more with you in his arms.

Oh.

You turn your head to the side. Gazing out across the teal ocean, you pretend to not notice the dark shadow following just below you and the merman. You’re not sure what all of this means—if there’s some grand point, but it feels better. Not great, not peachy, but you’re definitely not thinking about what you were thinking about this morning.

That's a slight improvement. If only you could confirm whether or not the scary sea creatures were going to eat you or not. That would be the final factor in determining how well you’re doing right about now.

By the time your skin starts to burn since the sunscreen has long since washed away, the merman, who you’ve started mentally referring to as Sun, if only because he called the other one Moon, slows down gradually. You tense. The water is shallow here, the sand just a few feet below the crystal teal water, but you’re not ready to believe that it’s as simple as the merman said.

Claws around your middle flex as he gently says, “The shore is right here, sunshine.”

You’re not sure why he’s calling you that, or how it can cause so many flutters in your stomach, but slowly, he slides you off of him. You start to scramble for a handhold, fearing that even at this depth, which you’re not even sure you can touch the bottom, the mermen could drown you or easily enjoy a human meal. Quickly, before your panic can increase tenfold, you’re eased into another pair of arms. These are deep blue and silver, and you immediately cling to the wet shoulders of the other merman. Moon.

You look up and immediately suck in a quick breath at his sharp smile. He cranks his neck down, eyeing you closely before his red gaze narrows. Half a sensible thought reminds you to not struggle despite how hard your heart pounds. He might still eat you.

“Land,” he says in his low, whispery tone. Turning your head slowly, you find the white-sand shore and your beach house, sitting patiently. It’s only a few strokes away. Gradually, you turn to face him again, hyper-aware of his intense grip on your waist. The water laps at your neck but he’s all that keeps you afloat, and you still hold desperately to his frame.

The other one, Sun, sweeps around you. The smooth sensation of flourishing fins brushes against your calf as he eases to your side. Moon shifts slightly, angling you enough that they both face you. Your eyes dart between the mermen. Parched, and struggling with a dry mouth, you swallow roughly. Two pairs of magical and impossible eyes watch you. The ocean ripples with all three of you floating close together.

“Thank you,” you speak carefully as Sun had warned you before to mind your manners. “Thank you both for helping me.”

“You're welcome,” they speak in unison, one chipper and one low but not so spooky. Softer, even.

“Can I…” you hesitate as Moon’s hands dig slightly into your hips, but you’re not sure what else can be done. Either they eat you, or they let you go. Your heart skips a beat. “Can I swim to shore, now?”

The sea creatures share a glance, teeth always bared in a sharp grin, but the yellow one looks a tad discontent, unsatisfied. Nodding his head silently, the blue merman seems to be answering an unspoken question between them, but you’re not sure what. Are they agreeing to take a bite out of you? Your hands clench on Moon’s slick shoulders. Anxiety spikes in your pulse.

“Of course,” Sun says, tilting his head and dripping salt water off of his frills, “but first, what’s your name?”

You stare for a few moments too long. It would be considered rude if you weren’t certain your jaw was slack and your eyes wide in disbelief. At least, they appear to believe your genuineness. Sun’s eyes crinkle with worry and Moon parts his jaws slightly, revealing just how deadly the entirety of his mouth is.

“Your name,” Moon repeats tersely.

It sputters out of your mouth. The fact that it’s yours and they want to know it causes you to flinch internally. It’s nothing. It’s just your name.

The flow of water being pushed below gives away how Sun flicks his fins, pleased. Moon tilts his head as if chewing on the letters before deciding it’s good enough. You look to Sun, still wondering if the heat has baked your brain or if maybe this is a weird version of heaven or hell. His aqua-blue gaze softens.

He lifts a hand, claws dripping wet. You start to lean back but Moon’s grip tightens and you’re held in place as the yellow merman brushes a wet strand of hair away from your face, over your forehead.

“Let’s not repeat this little accident,” he says, the rebuke clear in his tone but he chuckles lightly.

“A-alright.” You nod once.

Moon pulls you close and your foot brushes against a sleek fin far below. His tail. He bares his teeth but mirth glows in the crimson of his gaze.

“Be good.” His hands rise from your side and cup your face. Firmly confined, you quickly grab tight to his wrists as he stares directly into you, not through you, but straight into your core. As if he refuses to let you not be aware of his intensity.

“I-I will,” you promise weakly.

“No,” he murmurs and taps a claw against your bottom lip. “ Be good .”

You glance down reflectively, but you can’t see much but the sensation of wet, sleek palms holding you above water.

“To you?” you try in your confusion.

“To you .” He emphasizes and taps once more, this time dropping to your chin. You resist the urge to lick your lips, well aware of how salty and dry they will taste.

Oh. Oh.

Maybe the world has gone mad. Maybe you’ve finally snapped and this is what fantasy your mind has driven you to.

You still don’t have an answer as Moon starts to push you backward. The water flows gently around you as Sun easily keeps with the leisure speed as if they’re both dragging out this time. You flick your eyes between them, then the first brush of sand hits the back of your heel, and you jerk slightly. Moon begins to release you, but you panic.

This—whatever this is, is about to end. This bizarre and mystical encounter with creatures that should not exist. How can you return to the mundane now? It’s as if you’ve been kept in the dark and have finally emerged into the world, only to be blinded by the light.

You don’t even know what they call themselves!

You let go of one of Moon’s wrists to snag Sun’s arm, touching the red fins floating off of his limb, who startles. Moon eyes flash in surprise and then something unreadable as you cling to him tightly.

“What are your names?” you gasp, barely standing on your tiptoes and keeping your mouth and nose from falling under. Without Moon’s support, you’re only just keeping your head above the surface.

They both stare at you. It would be all too easy for them to break your grip or even drag you under and back out to sea to drown, but they stay, watching your desperate attempts to keep them long enough to give them proper names.

“Moon,” he says, just as the yellow merman called him. He twists out of your grasp but snatches your wrist before your mouth falls under, relieving you of your pathetic struggle as he easily supports you.

“I’m Sun,” the other one gives gently—just as you thought! He, too, frees himself of your distress-fueled hold and instead pulls you closer, cupping your elbow so that you’re lifted on both sides, floating between the two. “You should rest away from the water for a while, sunshine”

“Okay, okay,” you breathe out. There are a million more things you want to ask but they push you backward until your feet scrap against the sand. They slip back, fins flicking underneath the surface. Their touch leaves you, and quickly, you become cold.

Moon ducks slightly, his mouth sinking below the waterline but his glowing red eyes stay on you as you quickly work your way backward. Until, finally, you’re standing in waist-deep water. Floating higher in the water, Sun watches you. He tilts his head, eyes upturned with quiet amusement as you trip over your own feet. Splashing, you catch yourself, surprisingly. You look back and the pair have drifted deeper, though you stay in the shallows, fingers clenching and grasping.

Moon sinks under first, then Sun, but you swear you can feel eyes on you as you stare out over the ocean. The heat of the day tilts. Orange begins burning at the edge of the horizon. You’re in desperate need of a drink and need to lie down.

Be good.

You pull yourself out of the ocean and stumble onto the shore, dragging your feet. Exhaustion slams into you as adrenaline and the need to survive wane. Something cold is left in its wake.

What did you stumble upon? Or rather, what did you sink into? You’re not that lucky to suddenly be confronted by magical creatures, much less helpful ones—even if they are very, very intimidating. Why your name? Why did they ask about your name? Why do they care to know? You’re no one. You don’t think anyone would have noticed you had drowned except for Vanessa, and even then—

Be nice.

You look back out over the water. A chill rolls over your skin and you hug yourself, realizing your sunhat is long gone. It must have gone under with the boat amid your panic.

Okay. Okay.

You slowly take yourself to the back porch of your beach house and wonder, how exactly, you’re meant to exist with the knowledge that mermen exist. Maybe if you could see them again, you could discover a way to cope with this new reality.

A soft blossom of warmth fills your chest.

Be good. Be nice.

You’ll do just that.

#DCASS2022 #arty-angel-things #sun x reader #sun x y/n #moon x reader #moon x y/n #mermaid au #mermaid!sun #mermaid!moon #ao3 link #Mayday In Paradise

259 notes · View notes