#i should have posted this ages ago but i was waiting to finish the book i was reading to see if it
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"rn I feel like reading about someone's quiet daily life, maybe a diary or letters, set in a place or context I don't know much about, without turmoil or tragedy" oh! do you have any recommendations for books like this?
This is one of my favourite types of books! Here are 30(ish) recs...
May Sarton's The House by the Sea or Plant Dreaming Deep
Gyrðir Elíasson's Suðurglugginn / La fenêtre au sud (not translated into English unfortunately!), also Bergsveinn Birgisson's Landslag er aldrei asnalegt / Du temps qu'il fait (exists in German too)
Gretel Ehrlich's The Solace of Open Spaces, which iirc was originally written as journal entries and letters before being adapted into a book
Kenneth White's House of Tides: Letters from Brittany and Other Lands of the West
Sei Shonagon's Pillow Book
The Diary of a Provincial Lady, E. M. Delafield
Growing Up with the Impressionists: The Diary of Julie Manet
Elizabeth and Her German Garden by Elizabeth von Arnim (do not read if you don't like flowers)
The Road Through Miyama by Leila Philip (I've mentioned it before, it feels like this gif)
The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating, I keep recommending this one but it's so nice and I love snails
Epicurean Simplicity, Stephanie Mills
The Light in the Dark: A winter journal by Horatio Clare
The Letters of Rachel Henning
The letters of Tove Jansson, also The Summer Book and Fair Play
The diary of Sylvia Townsend Warner—here's an entry where she describes some big cats at the zoo. "Frank and forthcoming, flirtatious carnivores, [...] guttersnipishly loveable"
The Letters of Rachel Carson & Dorothy Freeman were very sweet and a little bit gay. I mostly remember from this long book I read years ago that Rachel Carson once described herself as "retiring into her shell like a periwinkle at low tide" and once apologised to Dorothy because she had run out of apple-themed stationery.
Jane Austen's letters (quoting the synopsis, "Wiser than her critics, who were disappointed that her correspondence dwelt on gossip and the minutiae of everyday living, Austen understood the importance of "Little Matters," of the emotional and material details of individual lives shared with friends and family")
Madame de Sévigné's letters because obviously, and from the same time period, the letters of the Princess Palatine, Louis XIV's sister-in-law. I read them a long time ago and mostly I remember that I enjoyed her priorities. There's a letter where she complains that she hasn't received the sausages she was promised, and then in the next paragraph, mentions the plot to assassinate the King of England and also, the Tartars are walking on Vienna currently.
Wait I found it:
R.C. Sherriff's The Fortnight in September (quoting the author, "I wanted to write about simple, uncomplicated people doing normal things")
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith
Pond, Claire-Louise Bennett
Rules for Visiting, Jessica Francis Kane
The following aren't or aren't yet available in English, though some have already been translated in 5-6 languages:
ツバキ文具店 / La papeterie Tsubaki by ito Ogawa
半島へ / La péninsule aux 24 saisons by Mayumi Inaba
Giù la piazza non c'è nessuno, Dolores Prato (for a slightly more conceptual take on the "someone's everyday life" theme—I remember it as quite Proustian in its meticulousness, a bit like Nous les filles by Marie Rouanet which is much shorter and more lighthearted but shows the same extreme attention to childhood details)
Journal d'un homme heureux, Philippe Delerm, my favourite thing about this book is that the goodreads commenter who gave it the lowest rating complained that Delerm misidentified a wine as a grenache when actually it's a cabernet sauvignon. Important review!
Un automne à Kyôto, Corinne Atlan (I find her writing style so lovely)
oh and 西の魔女が死んだ / L’été de la sorcière by Kaho Nashiki —such a little Ghibli film of a book. There's a goodreads review that points out that Japanese slice-of-life films and books have "a certain way of describing small, everyday actions in a soothing, flawless manner that can either wear you out, or make you look at the world with a temporary glaze of calm contentment and introspective understanding [...]"
I'd be happy to get recommendations in this 'genre' as well :)
#book recs#i should have posted this ages ago but i was waiting to finish the book i was reading to see if it#should be added to the list#but in the end it wasn't worthy#sorry for the delay!
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Teddy Lupin Appreciation Reclist
I hope everyone’s already read my gorgeous gift Wield Me by @tackytigerfic because that fic finally inspired me to finish and post this rec list! I’ve been a big Teddy fan since his name came up in the books; thanks to @lqtraintracks I was lucky to get introduced to and fall in love with Harry/Teddy many years ago. Sometimes it’s hard to read them together with other ships because just like Peter Parker, Teddy holds a very special place in my heart and I just want him to be happy and loved 🥹 so to celebrate my long-standing love for this character - which was boosted a hundred times by Tacky’s gift, I thought I’d share my favorite Teddys - both in romantic and platonic relationships - in fic. btw if anyone wants to start a Teddy centric fest let me know!
🏍️ Coming Up for Air by @lqtraintracks (Hardy, M, 2k)
I could have died of it, your tenderness toward me. Instead I decided to live.
🍑 Five Years Since Bimbleswats by tryslora (Tedrarry, E, 4k)
It’s been five years since Bimbleswats, and Draco thinks that is definitely something worth celebrating.
💦 Waiting Under Vain by supergrover24 (Hardy, E, 5k)
Teddy wants to know how sex really should be. Harry can't resist, no matter how much he tries.
🥩 The Lies We Live With by @bixgirl1 (Jeddy, E, 5k)
It doesn’t really count… is almost always followed by a lie, James learns, growing up.
🎨 Surface Texture by @the-starryknight (Hardy, E, 5k)
I've drawn a hundred portraits, but none quite like Harry's. In the early hours of the morning, I lay him bare in charcoal and paper.
👠 When It Alteration Finds by @lqtraintracks (Hardy, E, 7k)
Teddy thinks this is the way to finally get what he wants. But there is more than one way to Harry's heart.
🧁 Holding Out for A Hero by @writcraft (Hardy, E, 7k)
Even as he says no, Harry’s hands push into Teddy’s hair. Even as he protests, his lips connect with Teddy’s. Before Teddy can offer any reassurance his heart’s thumping wildly in his chest and Harry Potter’s kissing him as if there’s no tomorrow.
🐉 On the Same Side by rillalicious (Teddy/Charlie, M, 7.5k)
Teddy is heading to Romania to protest a proposed anti-dragon law. He finds an interesting ally there.
🧅 Shut Up and Kiss Me by @unmistakablyoatmeal (Hardy, E, 8k)
There's a reason Harry walks an extra ten blocks to go to the shops and it has nothing to do with onions. AU.
🪞 Portrait of a Young Girl by @thusspoketrish (Drarry, M, 8.6k)
Recently married, Harry and Draco are tasked with raising a four-year old Teddy, whose emerging gender identity brings up an array of questions, fears, and revelations for them when they realise that Teddy might be transgender.
⚔️ Wield Me by @tackytigerfic (Drarry + hints at Tedrarry, E, 10k)
Draco Malfoy, blacksmith, is renowned through the magical world for his skill and exquisite creations. He could quite easily spend the rest of his days making pretty trinkets for the fae court, and being handsomely rewarded for the privilege. But why take the easy route when instead he could get involved in a dangerous mission with Unspeakable Harry Potter (who also happens to be Draco's... well, he's something, isn't he?). A little story about learning to strike while the iron is hot.
🦆 Hallo Spaceboy by @shiftylinguini (Jeddy, T, 10k)
Or: James kissed Teddy last night. This may or may not be the end of the world.
🧹 Overexposed by @nv-md (Tedrarry, E, 10k)
Teddy never expected to become a model for Nimbus, and he definitely didn't expect any of the adverts to catch Harry and Draco's attention. But now that it's happened, Teddy can't deny he gets a thrill every time he catches Harry and Draco staring, and he's going to do everything he can to keep their eyes on him.
🎸 like the lost lyrics of a song suddenly remembered by @lqtraintracks (Teddy/Bill + Jeddy, E, 11k)
Teddy Lupin, aging rockstar, is making a comeback after his life and career were nearly ruined by an illegal potions habit. Everyone's out to support him tonight. Including the man he's always tried so hard not to love -- as well as the man he's always turned to instead.
⛺️ Good Intent by @maesterchill (Jeddy + past Hardy, E, 12k)
It all starts on the camping trip when James gets his dick out in the tent.
🎾 Game, Set, Match by @writcraft (Hardy, E, 13k)
Teddy is smitten, Harry is lonely and tennis seems like a great way to avoid dealing with this thing between them.
🤝 Team Players by @shiftylinguini (Jeddy + James/Oliver, E, 15k)
Everyone has that one celebrity they’d move heaven and earth to get between their legs, and James Potter is no exception. He just never anticipated that number one on his Freebie List would end up in the same room as him, let alone would make the first move. But lucky for James, Teddy is a team player―well, he probably is, especially with what James is suggesting.
🍨 The Strongest Affinity by eidheann (Drarry, T, 17k)
Trouble finding a wand for Scorpius leads Harry and Draco to something they never imagined.
🦋 Meet Me at Midnight by @the-starryknight (Drarry, T, 57k)
Harry was beginning to wonder if he’d ever make anything again when Malfoy stormed through the door of Harry’s furniture shop. Now Harry’s got an impossible Ministry commission to finish, and even less energy than ever to deal with his elusive muse. That is, until he stumbles upon the surreal and beautiful world of a mysterious fae creature…
🌳 By the Grace by lettered (Drarry, T, 140k)
Harry is an Auror instructor. Malfoy wants to be an Auror.
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Tattoo • Jayson Tatum
Pairing: Jayson Tatum and Tattoo Artist Reader
Word Count: 2,290
Summary: Tattoo artist reader finally gets the chance to have her first big name client in her chair, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum.
A/N: Think of this as tension but like good tension, lol . Also, I swore I had posted this. But I didn’t realize I didn’t finish it but I was so close to having it done! What a treat to have something to post for now☺️☺️ plus I wrote it over a year ago so ages might have changed but oh well. Undecided on how many parts quite yet, just hope you enjoy for now ❤️
• • •
You had a lot of clients these days in the shop you worked at now. As the word got around that you were one of the up and coming new and talented artists, you gained more and more clientele as time went on. But there was one client who you just could not wait to see at the shop again. But this time around, you had hoped he would sit in your chair for his next appointment.
It was 11am now. Today when you opened up shop by yourself, you had to sweep and sanitize surfaces. Once you finished, you sat and waited for your first client to walk in.
You heard the familiar ring of the swinging door and you looked up, feeling pleased it was exactly who you wanted it to be.
“Hello,” you greeted him cheerfully as he walked through the door, all alone. You studied his outfit for a moment. It was casual and comfy. You wondered what he had planned on getting done today.
“Hello… Is Steve in today?” He asked, looking down at the glass table that displayed and array of different jewelry in between the two of you before looking up again.
“Oh- um no, not yet. Not until 1… how can I help you?” You asked, trying to resist the urge to sound eager.
“Ohhh, okay I’ll just come back then,” he stated. He was very soft spoken.
“You sure? Did you want to just book a consultation with him in the meantime?” You asked him while turning the front desk computer on to pull up the scheduling system. “He might have something booked at the time he comes in, I’ll have to check.”
“Ahhh-well I’m looking for a certain type of piece to be drawn up…” he began as he started pulling out his phone. You watched him as he focused on scrolling through his phone with his lip pulled between his teeth and eyebrows scrunched.
“This picture but… I want it to say ‘like father, like son,’ underneath.”
You held his phone and scanned the photo for a moment.
“That’s sweet,” you replied, “did you want to just sent it over to the store email?”
“Sure,” he nodded.
“You need it?” You asked him.
“Nah, I still got it,” he stated, keeping his eyes locked on his phone.
When he sent it and you pulled it up, you admired the photo.
“That’s my son,” he stated proudly.
“That’s so sweet,” you grinned, admiring the photo. You gave him a price estimate and he shrugged and agreed to it.
“Will you be doing it then?” He asked you softly and you smiled at how sweet he seemed.
“Depends… Do you trust me?” You asked while looking up at him. Your tone came out more flirty than you intended. You almost missed his small eyebrow raise.
“I mean- if you got the job here I’d hope you have some skill,” he responded and you weren’t sure if you should be offended or not. You crossed your arms and listened to him as he continued.
“It’s just the placement… I didn’t want to make a woman uncomfortable… I wanted it right here,” he stated, patting on his thigh.
“I’ve unfortunately tattooed penis’s before… so at this point I don’t think it can get worse than that,” you shrugged and he chuckled softly, shaking his head.
“If it’s cool with you,” he shrugged. “I’m Jayson by the way.”
“Y/N,” you responded nonchalantly. “And hey- it’s my job and it’s on your body. Are you comfortable with it?” You asked him and he nodded.
“Okay, I’ll just get this drawn up then but before that, I’ll just need you to sign some papers.”
•••
He shook off his sweatpants and readjusted his shorts he had underneath before he sat down. You felt your throat get dry in response and caught yourself before you started staring for longer than you should.
When he sat back in the chair you remembered how you’d have to keep it professional. Reminding yourself that he was just another client. A really well-known individual who smelled amazing the closer you got to him. And clients should not make your heart beat and hands sweaty because it was your job to stay still and focused while you worked.
You watched yourself, avoiding any fumbling before he thought any worse of you.
You performed the usual procedure as you sanitized his skin and shaved the hair off the area. You focused on the spot avoiding eye contact with him at first until you relaxed. You were pleased at how calm he seemed and you looked forward to gaining his trust in the process.
You regained focus again, gathering together all your tattoo guns and ink included. You kept your cool and managed to get a conversation going with him.
“So what if I told you you were my first real person I’ve tattooed?” You asked him and he chuckled softly, shaking his head.
“I wouldn’t believe you, I was looking at some of your work in the front while you drew it up, You’re really talented,” he smiled and you quickly looked down before his smile became the next distraction you didn’t need right now.
“Well thank you… I could say the same to you,” you responded as you began filling the tattoo gun with ink.
“Plus, I think I’ve seen you in here before, you getting your reps in,” he responded and you couldn’t help but stop what you were doing to look up and smile at him for a moment. From this angle, he was looking down at you with his big brown eyes. His broad frame intimidating yet calm.
“Oh yeah? Well, I started a couple months ago. Have you always come to this shop?” You asked nonchalantly even though you hoped and prayed he would be back at some point.
“Yeah, since I started living here so, a couple years now,” he yawned. “Steve’s my guy.”
“Hmm,” you hummed in response as you continued inking up his legs, small grin on your lips. “Not for long.”
You were working your way down and needed to get closer to the side of his inner thigh. As you began to tattoo that spot, you noticed him shift in his seat a bit, gripping onto the chair more now.
“You okay?” You asked him.
“Yeah, yeah, might need a break at some point though,” he stated. “My legs are usually… sensitive.”
You smirked up at him. “Break already?”
“Ha-ha,” he replied teasingly. “It’s not an easy pain.”
“I understand. “You need anything right now?” You asked him, your flirtatious eyes were clear now, and he grinned slowly.
“I’m good, for now,” he replied, scanning your expression. “Thanks.”
You continued your work with a great deal of silence between the two of you. He remained focused on his phone and you remained focused on your piece.
“Steve might kill me for cheating on him…” he stated, breaking the silence after almost a half an hour.
“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him… for now,” you smirked, looking up at him.
“Well well well, how’d you get the apprentice to convince you to give you a tattoo?” You heard Steve’s voice ask.
“Ahhh what’s good Steve,” Jayson greeted him with a handshake.
“I’m just messing, she’s amazing that Miss. Y/N, but don’t go stealing all my clients now,” he said with a wink before walking off to the back.
Steve had been an incredible mentor and you were grateful for how much he had taught you.
Jayson gave him a friendly smile and it was quiet again between the two of you now as you made progress on his piece.
“So about that penis you tattooed before…” Jayson began and you quickly shot your head up at him at his curiosity.
“What’d they get tattoo on it? He finished.
“You won’t believe this but… they wanted a tiny dick on their dick,” you replied and he laughed.
“What the hell,” he laughed, bringing his palm to his forehead before running his fingers through his hair.
“Yeah, um-“
“Did it have to be- uh… stiff?” He asked and you couldn’t help but giggle at how curious yet uncomfortable he was.
“ It was on an off,” you replied quickly.
“My god- I’m so sorry,” he said while shaking his head.
“It’s okay,” you giggled. “I still love this job. Everyday is different. And when I get to do meaningful tattoos like this one- it means a lot.”
He smiled at you before licking his lips, eyebrow twitching at the pain of the needle.
You felt your throat dry at the sight as you swallowed before you spoke. “How old is your son?”
“He’s 5 now,” he replied.
“And how old are you?”
“24,” he replied.
“Ahh, me too!” You grinned, mentally slapping yourself for saying that.
“How’d you get to practice?” He asked.
“Lots of drawing… a lot of it.”
“Hmm,” he responded, keeping his eyes locked on the needles going in and out of his skin.
“What about you? What made you so good at basketball?”
“Same thing, practice,” he chuckled. “It was my dream to play since I was a kid.”
“That’s sweet, you should be proud of yourself,” you smiled, continuing to work your magic.
“I am,” he smiled confidently. “Wait- how’d you know that’s what I do?”
“Well um, your height was kind of a dead giveaway. Plus, I don’t live under a rock.”
“Damn,” he chuckled. “Okay miss.”
“Haha my fault, I didn’t mean to come off sassy. Is this your hometown?”
“No, I grew up in Missouri. What about you?”
“I’m from here, yeah,” you replied.
“You like it?” He asked.
The curiosity in his tone made you feel warm inside.
“It’s okay, but I love that with this job I really could go anywhere. So I can’t wait to get out of here.”
He chuckled in response, unable to give a good answer as his face scrunched in discomfort as you dragged the needles through his leg.
“You’re doing great,” you smiled up at him. The slight gleam in his eye increased by your encouragement.
“I’m going to have to get more in between your legs for your inner thigh…are you comfy with that?”
“Yeah that’s okay,” he replied quickly.
He spread his thighs out and you slowly admired his tan and lean long legs through your lashes and the way they looked in your chair. You felt your cheeks grow warm as you tried to regain focus on the tattoo. Yeah his leg was blistering red from the endless stabbing of the needle but he looked incredibly fit. You wondered what his body looked like under that fabric.
“So do you have a boyfriend?” He asked, snapping you out of your thoughts.
“W-what?” You asked, shutting off the needle to make sure you heard him correctly.
He chuckled nonchalantly, “I said do you have a boyfriend? I mean, it must be kinda tough tattooing other guys the way you said you do and him not being jealous,” he chuckled, scanning the look on your face as you loosened up.
“Oh- haha, right,” you nod. “No, I’m very much single.”
“Oh, I see,” he responded with a nod, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth in a thoughtful manner. “Sorry- that was kind of a personal question.”
“It’s fine,” you smiled sweetly. “Do you have a girlfriend? It must be hard for her watching you get all the attention from women,” you smirked to yourself without looking up from the ink, dabbing it and wiping it as you continued.
“No, I’m also very single. Pretty focused on the game right now and taking care of Deuce,” he replied calmly.
“Hmm, I have a hard time believing that,” you chuckled, standing up to stretch your limbs for a moment.
“Why’s that?” He questioned, smirk tugging at his lips and he crossed his arms. His golden skin almost glowing against the hoodie color he wore.
“There’s not a doubt in my mind there’s not a woman in your life right now,” you retort, taking a sip from your water.
You had always suspected that NBA players are exactly that as you’ve seen; players. From long conversations you’ve overheard at the shop of men talking about all the women they dated. He was definitely capping.
“Well, I’ve dated a couple of women, for sure. I’m not a perfect man. There’s women out there who want you for who you are or just want you for your money, a chance at fame. It’s an unfortunate circumstance to be in, especially in my position.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say unfortunate is the right word,” you replied and soon regret it. You don’t know what it’s like to be in his shoes and yet, here you are challenging him.
“Oh you think so?” He smiled playfully. “How would you describe it then?”
“Well, I guess I wouldn’t fully understand what it’s like to be in your shoes, but it must suck only being wanted for your money.”
“Yeah, well,” he exhales. “There’s only so much you can do. I can either keep searching or just wait for the right one to come along. When you’re basically defined by your financial status, everything is so different.”
You nod in agreement, unsure on how you got on a topic so deep.
“Well, you’re still young. There’s time,” is all you can say. How far do you push it with a guy you just met but no so much about already?
“Yeah,” he lets out a big sigh. “Not gonna lie I’m feeling a little nauseous.”
“Did you eat?” You giggled.
“Not enough,” he chuckled.
“Let’s take a break then,” you smiled.
•••
Lit lit. I loved this. Still figuring out where I want to go with it but I’m excited for this new beginning 😊😊
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I do a ton of little summaries and book blurbs so I thought I'd throw some out here into the internet void. They are going to be rather JD and/or Branch centric cause that's what's been on my brain lately. Oh look, nvm they are all JD centric. This was just one wave from awhile ago so I don't remember. Some of these have extras dialogue/snips but I didn't include those.
Thoughts
In this life there was never a band and John worked to the bone trying to keep his family a float, dangerously close to falling apart all together. As Trollstice approached, there is a word coming around that this will be the last one and the Bergens are planning to eat them all. With the tunnels not finished, King Peppy tries to stamp out the rumors while John takes a stand and proposes escape beforehand. The trolls are torn and divided - just like John’s family - on the matter. He is forced to make a terrible choice on whether to leave or stay. Either way, he will lose someone.
It’s been ten years and around his sixth child, Bruce sends a postcard to the Neverglade’s post office. It wasn’t signed but he sent it. He didn’t even know if JD would get it. It had been five years since JD was told he had a maximum of ten years to live so when Spruce sends him a postcard, John figures out he is alive and goes running to spend his remaining time with the only brother he knows is alive.
After John Dory returned to a decimated troll tree and believes his brothers dead, he wanders the rest of the troll world. After being saved by Country Trolls, he settles into Lonesome Flatts until he discovers his brother passing through with the Queen of Pop.
John Dory returns to the troll tree only to panic when he realizes it is Trollstice. He only finds one brother.
Instead of letting the boys leave during their argument, Grandma Rosiepuff speaks up and tells them to go to different places to cool off. The band was broken but she wasn;t going to let her family break too.
Upon the massacre of their people, John Dory runs with his family and tries to survive as the only Pop Trolls left.
After a terrible attack, an amnesiac John Dory finds shelter at an abandoned Bergen golf course where Clay finds him
John Dory is told he has a maximum of six years to live. At fifteen years old, he tries to quickly prepare his brothers for life without him. He should have known better. They find out quickly.
One of the brothers discovers the journal/song book of the darkest times of John’s life, complete with grieving songs.
The Trollstopia council brings videotapes of each tribes important music to watch together in the beginning of the creation of their city. However, Holly Darlin’ accidentally brings and plays a troll’s personal video of grief. Branch realizes who it is and he demands it play as he watches John Dory sing mournfully about the death of his brothers.
Older half brother John Dory miraculously gets custody of his younger siblings with the help of their grandmother. Without even knowing the only half relation, the children’s parents try to use this to divide them from him. Human AU
Upon the death of their parents and his grandmother’s older age, John Dory is given custody of his youngest brother. The toddler, Branch. Leaving his traveling RV lifestyle to raise a child, he struggles to adjust as everyone around him has opinions and ulterior motives at every turn. Human AU
When Bruce leaves the troll tree, he gets into a spot of trouble where John finds him and saves him and then proceeds to freak out that his brother had almost died and left the tree for good.
When Clay leaves the confines of the Golf Course, he is caught and trapped in a bottle. To his shock, it is John Dory who comes, just happy to see Clay alive. (Wait, JD thought he was dead?)
Floyd hears a sad song on the radio with a familiar voice. In a moment of courage and change, he drops everything to go find his brother.
Traveller trolls tell the pop trolls of a place where grey trolls go to regain their color and work through their grief, guided by a troll who had lost everything twenty years ago.
During a time of sad story telling, Holly tells trolls of Delta Dawn’s hermit friend, who lives isolated in the canyon. Who, 20 years ago, had lost his entire family, all of his brothers and the entirety of his people. With details making him curious, Branch goes alone to see if there is any truth. There is.
#I like JD and Delta Dawn being besties#so sue me don't care#I'll probably never write any of these but whatever#I'll probably come up with more lol#trolls#trolls branch#broppy#trolls john dory#trollstopia#trolls fandom#trolls poppy#branch trolls#poppy#john dory
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illumination
summary: [Post-TYBW] Hitsugaya fixed his tabi on the engawa as he waited for Momo. Not for the first time, he was gripped with that sense of déjà vu.
First sunrise. First shrine visit.
A lot of the firsts that he remembered in his life was with her.
[read on ao3]
Notes: I don’t consider myself good at domestic fics, so this fic had plenty of inspiration, mainly @rays-of-fire-and-ice, @canariie, and @bleachbleachbleach‘s head canons especially about Jurinan grandma and Momo’s calligraphy. It was also inspired by the Hitsugaya family in Untitled Collection and the warmest place in the world, as well as all of the HCs about hitsuhina children that I just went and bit the bullet and did my own version. I’m also way too late for HitsuHina week, but I really wanted to finish this work based on the prompt fireworks.
Soshun mazu sake
Ni ume uru
Nioi kana
New year and first
Sake and the fragrance of plum blossoms
Being sold
“Kira’s spouting off haikus again which means he’s plastered and that’s our cue to go. Thanks for having us, Hitsugaya-taichou!”
“Heh, you sure it isn’t because you’ve made your darling wife and daughter wait up for you and now you’re scared you’ll be greeting the new year with a sandal to the face?”
“Shut it, Hisagi-san.”
“Oi, oi, show some respect Abarai. It should be Hisagi-senpai.”
“Ehh Kira, isn’t that haiku out-of-season? Isn’t it too early for spring? Ah, but it fits perfectly with the umeshu doesn’t it, taichou?”
Kira just ignored the whole drunken lot in favor of shaking Momo’s hands. For some reason, he seemed to be crying.
“Just a small new year’s gift, Hinamori-kun…ah…eto,” Kira mumbles all the while still vigorously shaking her hands. Only a strained furrow in his drooping brow signified his strain as if trying to remember something important amidst the drunken haze he was in, “My mistake,” he amends, “I mean, Hitsugaya-san.”
Perhaps it was the same furrow mirrored in the captain’s expression that caused him to remember, but in truth Hitsugaya’s expression wasn’t really directed at him. In truth, it wasn’t only Renji’s wife who was maybe slightly displeased with him.
“No need to be so formal, Kira-kun! We’ve known each other for ages.” Despite that she consented to be supported by her back, she wasn’t as fully nestled by his side like in her moments of true contentment where she would be languid and soft against him.
She was the perfect hostess so she’d never let anything in her expression show except a welcoming and bright smile, but Hitsugaya didn’t know her for centuries for nothing. The smile she had now had the same subtle curves as the exact same smile she showed him when she said, ‘What do you mean? Of course, I’m not angry, Shiro-chan, how silly,’ when he’d eaten the peaches she had apparently been saving when they were just carefree kids back in Jurinan. Moments like this made memories like that feel simultaneously as if they were eons ago and also as if they just happened yesterday.
Hitsugaya sighed.
“Momo, you know you can’t drink for a reason.”
Everyone in the party turned to look at him at that. True it was stern as was characteristic of Hitsugaya-taichou, but at the same time it sounded conciliatory. Perhaps that was why Momo let her smile fall, and let a slight pout overtake her features. Internally, Hitsugaya sighed with relief. He’d rather she shows that she was displeased with him than hide it.
“I know, but still for you to go so far as to ask everyone to bring plum wine, precisely because you know I don’t like it…” When Madarame-san and Ayasegawa-san brought some over, she thought nothing of it. When Hirako-taichou had dropped by in human world attire clapping Toshiro on the back with enough force that he fell, irritated and grumbling, and ruffling her hair softly as he placed the bottle and a new jazz vinyl in her hands, she thought it was a funny coincidence. But when even Nanao-san with the soutaichou dropped by, her with books and him with more of the stuff, that’s when she began to put two and two together.
Maybe it was a bit much for new year’s celebrations, but it had also been a housewarming of sorts, and Momo was touched with all of the small tokens of welcome and well-wishes. Pity it had to be something she wasn’t fond of. But Momo was nothing but gracious so she accepted it all.
Abarai-kun and Hisagi-senpai looked at each other sheepishly, while Kira-kun looked just about ready to drop at the thought of possibly having offended her with their gift, but Hitsugaya-taichou insisted, and you never said no to Hitsugaya-taichou when he used that tone (rather you never just said no to Hitsugaya-taichou period).
At least Matsumoto-san was thoughtful enough to bring peaches which was probably why she was giggling at their expense.
Seeing Kira-kun’s shaking legs and increasingly off color (he might faint with how white he was becoming), Momo decided to let up with a sigh. Looking up at her husband who was looking at her straightforwardly, Momo found that she really couldn’t stay mad especially when the person in question was sure he had done nothing wrong. And anyway he also mostly abstained from the alcohol, only taking a few sips in order not to be rude to their guests. She leaned into him even as Hitsugaya-kun teased her lightly, “You would have snuck a few sips if it was fruit wine.”
Feeling as if they were intruding into some soft and fluffy scene, the vice-captains couldn’t help but feel second-hand embarrassment at being the witnesses to a married couple’s fight (if it could even be called that).
“I hope Rukia and I aren’t as obnoxious as that,” Renji whispered discreetly.
“You totally are. It’s just that your lover’s quarrels are more explosive.”
“That’s good. I’m happy for you Hinamori-kun, er I mean, Hitsugaya-san, no I mean Momo-kun!” For some inexplicable reason, Kira started crying into his arm again.
“Ahhh, taichou and Momo, could you stop making the rest of us feel so single?”
“Ahem, Rangiku-san, would you do me the honor of- “
“Yosh! That does it. Time to take this party over to the Kuchiki manor. I’m sure they’ll have some high-class sake!”
“Hey, wait a minute! When did I say- “ But Hisagi just slung his arm over Renji’s neck in a chokehold, while dragging Kira behind him. Hitsugaya privately commiserated, both with Abarai and Kuchiki. Matsumoto was a whirlwind who couldn’t be stopped. Feeling a migraine coming on at the prospect of having to pay for any potential damages, he almost didn’t notice Matsumoto sidle up to them and spirit Momo away for a careful, and yet cheerful hug. Nuzzling her cheek against Momo’s, she whispered, “Don’t worry, I’ll sneak you some fruit wine sometime.”
Hitsugaya growled in warning at hearing that, “Matsumoto…” but Momo only laughed and hugged the buxom woman tightly, as his vice-captain winked at him. “After everything, taichou, I promise. Lieutenant’s honor.”
Hitsugaya calmed down, and sighed. He’s been doing a lot of that lately. Nonetheless he greeted his vice-captain, “Happy New Year, Matsumoto. I’ll be counting on you greatly for the upcoming year.”
“Thank you for visiting, Rangiku-san. Have a Happy New Year!”
With a lazy salute, she waved them both goodbye, and in a while they were both finally alone. Hitsugaya didn’t mind the company of his colleagues, while he knew Momo enjoyed it. Still, he didn’t want her to get too tired. Spying her drooping lids, he gently shook her, mindful of both her hands wrapping around her midsection, “Time for bed, sleepyhead.”
“Mmmm,” Momo yawned as she placed both arms around her husband’s neck while he scooped her up, “Hey, Shiro?”
“Hmm, what is it?”
“You know you’re going to have to drink all that sake right? And I won’t help with a single drop,” Momo giggled sleepily. As much as Momo disliked plums, she knew Hitsugaya-kun didn’t have a taste for alcohol either. Snuggling deeper into her husband’s broad shoulder, she smiled peacefully.
Hitsugaya blanched.
“I’ll give some to Matsumoto.”
…
Momo felt a hand waking her from restful slumber.
Blearily opening one eye, she spotted Hitsugaya-kun already up with a bemused look on his face. He had always been the early riser between the two.
Stretching her arms and yawning, Momo fixed her hair while Hitsugaya-kun patiently waited beside her. It was still dark out. Her stomach suddenly grumbled, and while she might have been embarrassed about it before, with how often it kept happening these days, she just got used to it.
Hitsugaya-kun passed her a bowl of the leftover toshikoshi soba she’d prepared for them which she took gratefully, warming her hands on the reheated bowl.
She still felt slow as molasses, but luckily Hitsugaya-kun had always been alert. While she sleepily slurped at the noodles still only half awake, Hitsugaya-kun merely arranged her so she was comfortable leaning against his front. He even tucked her in their blankets, leaving none for himself since the cold didn’t bother him. Once he was assured that she was comfortable, he slowly opened their sliding doors so they could view the night sky. It was but a moment later that the inky blackness was replaced with slivers of rose light.
With no words passing between them, together they watched the first sunrise.
---
Hitsugaya fixed his tabi on the engawa as he waited for Momo. Not for the first time, he was gripped with that sense of déjà vu.
First sunrise. First shrine visit.
A lot of the firsts that he remembered in his life was with her.
Memory was a funny thing in Soul Society. While he remembered nothing of his old life, if he were to fix a point in time where his life started here, he found that she was always in his firsts - that her smiling face was the beginning of everything.
First smile. First laughter. First friend.
First love.
Though he took a while to realize it. (Or perhaps like a circle, there had been no fixed point and some part of him had always known.)
Finished, he leaned back on his arms as he looked up at the withered branches. Though some things remained the same, perhaps a lot of things also changed. He remembers his first shrine visit with Momo and baachan. Back then he’d been impatient and rushing her so that they could get a move on already. But his grumbling had died in his throat when he saw her come out with a new yukata. It was nothing fancy, not even a kimono, but it was new. Everything about her then was new, from the first time he saw her put her hair up in a bun, small wild flowers threaded into the strands by baachan, to the new dusty pink yukata with plum blossoms scattered across it she had saved up for.
‘How do I look, Shiro-chan?’
‘…You look fine.’
It wasn’t even close to what he wanted to say, but only Momo would still smile brightly at him like that, leaving him dazed.
The plum blossoms were starting to bud, he noticed. Glancing down at his own kimono, he thought wryly that this was a far cry from the threadbare yukata he’d worn back then. Deep midnight blue and black, with whorls of clouds, on the back a great mighty dragon, shining in white as it rushed alongside a surging river, such that you wouldn’t know where the river ended and the dragon began. Truthfully, it was a bit ostentatious for his own tastes, but baachan had sent it and baachan had probably made it, so he would wear it gratefully.
Hearing the sliding doors open, he turned, a teasing remark of, ‘Finally done?’ at the tip of his tongue, but he didn’t even get the chance.
How could he even say anything?
Just there, Momo in a resplendent silk furisode, cloaked in white and vermillion. She gave him a little twirl and he spied the phoenix at her back, feathered tail curling all over her, along with flowers bright red and yellow, exploding like fireworks. There were subtle patterns of teal and green that matched his eyes, while her hair was held up with a matching red kanzashi, stray locks curling over her ear and feathering her forehead.
Separated by years, two moments in time, and he still finds that his breath catches.
“How do I look, Shiro?”
A blush on her cheeks, eyes sparkling, happy and at peace.
He smiled.
“You look beautiful.”
Some things changed, but some things would always stay the same.
…
“I wonder if baasan got our card,” Momo murmured thoughtfully as she rubbed the silk between her two fingers. Hitsugaya-kun just hummed and nodded as he made a path for the two of them in the crowd, hand gripping hers firmly. She continued touching the silk with her other hand, softly marveling. It really was beautiful. Baasan must have started as soon as she finished with their wedding clothes to get these to them on time. The subtly sparkling white on her furisode reminded her of her shiromuku safely put away back in their private quarters at home, while the black in Hitsugaya-kun’s kimono reminded her of his montsuki. Baasan had playfully added Hyourinmaru’s four-point star as a crest, while lamenting that she couldn’t decide if she wanted Momo to wear white, or a colorful iro-uchikake.
Watching the softly falling snow outside, she had made the decision for her. Momo loved white. Baasan had only chuckled and said next time then. Letting the long sleeve fall smoothly from her hand like water, Momo smiled wondering if this was her version. This wasn’t their first shrine visit since they were married, but it was still a kind of first nonetheless.
Hitsugaya-kun briefly glanced back at her. “Don’t worry, we’ll visit her soon.” She nodded, still smiling at him.
…
“Yatta, I got great blessing! What did you get, Hitsugaya-kun?” Momo looked pleased with herself and that was more than enough for Toshiro, even as she couldn’t help her giggle at seeing his own fortune, sue-sho-kichi, small blessing to come. Toshiro wasn’t superstitious, but was the small really necessary?
Toshiro wasn’t superstitious but he’s been noticing a pattern lately. Momo tended to pull out good fortunes, almost always Dai-kichi, sometimes Chu-kichi. If the overwhelming misfortune she faced meant that the cosmic scale was being tipped back in her favor, then Toshiro thought that there was justice after all.
She traced the characters on her fortune, machibito, a person being expected or waited for, “The person you’re waiting for will come,” she mouthed softly, even as Toshiro’s heart jolted at seeing shussan on her fortune slip.
Even in moments of calm like this, sometimes the anxiety would spike up. To shake off the silly urge of wanting to bite his thumb nail he smoothed over endan and negaigoto on his own slip almost obsessively.
Hirako once told him that everything in reverse would come the right side way up eventually. He didn’t put much stock in the other captain’s words, and much less did he put stock in pieces of paper, but if they meant that Momo would have a lifetime of fortune and happiness, then he would believe them wholeheartedly. It was nothing less than she deserved. And if nothing else, he’ll believe in himself. He’ll will those fortunes to reality if he had to.
“These are good fortunes, aren’t they Hitsugaya-kun?”
They were.
…
Just before they were about to pray, Momo suddenly asked him, “What did you dream about, Hitsugaya-kun?”
“Nothing much, just the past.”
Momo suddenly chuckled, “I had an auspicious first dream, a hawk flying high in the sky.”
“Oh,” Toshiro raised a brow, questioning. People talked about signs all they liked but it was actually rare to dream about them.
Momo smiled sheepishly, “Hehe, well to be exact I dreamed about the first time Hitsugaya-kun showed me his bankai. I remember being so amazed at seeing you fly.”
Toshiro’s brow raised even higher, “So I’m a bird now, is that it? You know you can’t just make up signs like that.”
Momo just smiled back impishly. “I’m collecting luck. It’s a lucky sign if I say it is. It’s up to us to make our own happiness after all.”
Toshiro just sighed in fond exasperation, he’ll tell her later if she asked but he had dreamed about a moment in the past. It wasn’t a specific moment, in fact it could have been every moment, but he had dreamed of a simple scene of them eating watermelons and watching the sunset.
It had been so tranquil that when he woke up he was disoriented at how Momo seemed to have grown overnight while Granny was nowhere to be found. Had she snuck into his bed to sleep again? Concerned, he wondered if she had another nightmare, before noticing her clasped hands in front of her. It hit him all over again, like a kidou spell, the immense but quiet happiness. Uncharacteristic of him, he had woken her because he couldn’t contain himself. The scene of watching the sunset in his dreams replaced with watching the sunrise. They had been surrounded by the mountains of their hometown in his dreams. Perhaps that counted?
A clap interrupts his reverie. Softly but enough for him to hear, Momo releases her prayer for the gods to hear as well, ‘may they be clever and strong’.
Toshiro contemplates whether or not to tell her that prayers were usually silent, but he decides against it. He doesn’t mind. Anyway, he knows what his own prayer will be.
It’s the one he’s been wishing for every night for the past year.
…
Hatsuyuki ya suisen
na ha na no
tawamu made
The first snow
Just enough to bend
The daffodil leaves
“I thought that you wanted your first calligraphy to be…”
“I know, I know what I said, but I can’t seem to think of anything,” Momo’s eyes as she looks up at him are pleading.
Stroking her head to calm her, he then picks up the paper to carefully store away. “It’s still good.”
Momo pouts slightly perhaps thinking he was only placating her. Unfurling it, Toshiro observes it more closely, “No really, it’s good. As always your handwriting is almost too pretty,” he smirks. Momo only puffs out her cheeks and crossed her arms pretending to be offended. Really her husband could still be so childish sometimes, finding it hard to say what he wanted to say. But Momo could still read him just the same. To him, anything she said or did was beautiful. She was beautiful. It was as simple as that.
Cupping his chin in hand, he asked her, “Do you want this here? I can place it in the entranceway.”
“No,” she shakes her head, “I made it for the tenth division. I hope Rangiku-san also likes it.”
“You know her. I’m sure she’ll love it.” Finally putting the paper away, he dragged over another writing desk to place in front of her. It was easier to move around and sit without his captain’s cloak over his shoulders. He can’t remember the last time he went so long without wearing it. “Speaking of Matsumoto, I hope the tenth division barracks is still standing.”
“Hush,” she chides, even as she smiles and puts brush to paper to begin another stroke, “You know Rangiku-san can be counted on when it really matters.”
Copying her, he also drew a straight line downwards, though perhaps less elegant looking. His strokes were blunt and precise, sometimes heavy-handed in places where the ink would bleed out, much the same as him. He was good at dispensing reports quickly and efficiently, but wasn’t really suited to crafting pieces of art (unless it was with blade and ice), slowly and with care. This was more Kira’s domain, or Momo’s. She could get so absorbed in each stroke that perhaps an hour would pass before she was finished with just one kanji. She wrote like she drew, as if there was meaning and an entire world in each line that made up a character. And perhaps for her there was. “I know, I know. I haven’t even had any reports yet so they can’t be doing too badly without me.”
He hadn’t said anything, but perhaps Matsumoto sensed that he would prefer not to be bothered unless it was truly an emergency. She was an excellent vice-captain like that, although he rarely said it out loud. Again, perhaps, many would call it uncharacteristic of him, that he wasn’t worrying every minute about his squad but he had enough on his mind and in his heart right now. Gazing at Momo in front of him, humming as she added another stroke, he let out a subtle sigh of relief.
He could leave it up to Matsumoto.
…
It’s Momo who wakes him up this time around, brimming with excitement.
“Shiro-chan, look! It’s snowing!”
How nostalgic, he thinks sleepily at hearing her laugh, ‘she hasn’t called me that in ages.’
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, anxiety once again begins to creep in, contrasting his wife’s honest pleasure. ‘Won’t it be too cold for her?’ There were times in the middle of the night when he would unconsciously place space between the both of them, memories flashing back to those early days when he couldn’t control his powers. But without fail and as if she had some sixth sense for it, she would only draw nearer, looping hands and legs together so he would find it harder to escape, mumbling incoherent things all the while as she drooled on him. He had no choice then but to fall blissfully back into sleep.
Noticing her husband’s contemplative gaze as he looked outside, Momo sighed and wagged a finger to catch his attention, “No messing with the weather, Shiro. I’m fine.” Cross-eyed, Toshiro reluctantly nodded. “Good,” she chirped. One crisis averted she snuggled closer, and waited for him to put his arms around her.
Suddenly and without warning, colors bloomed in the sky, a multitude of flowers sparkling brightly and dazzling. Momo could only gasp in delight.
‘Fireworks in the snow, huh?’ A far-off memory that couldn’t hurt them now.
Certainly, it was too cold, but drawing the presence nestled in his arms even more closely to him, Toshiro found that he didn’t mind. The fireworks were spectacular yes, but his gaze was permanently drawn downwards. Blue, red, yellow, pink played off across her face in flashes. He could watch fireworks forever illuminated in her eyes. There, they would never fizzle out, the sparks would never die, rather they would shine brightly forever, so long as she kept looking at him.
Suddenly overcome with feeling, he wanted exactly that. He could only whisper her name, even if there were only the two of them, “Momo…”
“Hmmm,” she responded turning to meet his eyes with her own despite the display continuing above them, “What is it, Shiro-cha –“
He was a patient man, he was. And he’ll ask forgiveness for interrupting her later, but at this moment, he wanted nothing more than her lips on his. He should let her get some rest, he should, his mind was clearly telling him that he should, so why was his treacherous body tightening his arms around her, one hand roughly weaving fingers in her hair as he tilted her head back.
She was no better, fingers wound as tightly in his own hair, drawing out a soft groan he tried to muffle against her neck, as he kissed it feverishly, softly biting to leave blooms of his own on the milky skin, a counterpoint to the flowers up in the sky. Hyoten Hyakkaso without his zanpakuto, though these flower burned rather than froze.
There were times he was deathly afraid he would freeze her, but right now, nothing else plagued his mind besides her, and as he drew her down with him, for once he didn’t mind the snow, for he was sure he could warm her as long as he kept her close.
Up in the sky, the fireworks brightly shined and illuminated them both.
…
They write together quietly, Momo occasionally showing him a character to ask his opinion on it. She had already finished with the first one, excitedly showing it to him in a bit of feverish excitement.
The strokes for ‘flower’ and ‘fire’ were lively and vibrant. It matched her perfectly. Toshiro had agreed immediately.
It was the second one they were having trouble with. Toshiro had suggested the characters for ‘spring’ and ‘tree’. It reminded Momo of Tobiume, and Momo didn’t exactly mind it for ‘spring’ matched with his own ‘winter’, but something still felt out of place.
“Isn’t it too early for spring?” In truth, it was more that she wanted more of him reflected in these strokes and lines. She places ‘sun’ next to ‘happiness’.
Hitsugaya-kun only shrugs. Momo could only smile at him fondly. “I hope they’re more like you,” she says as she idly traces the strokes for ‘wish’.
Hitsugaya-kun merely smirks back at her. “Then looks like we’re in conflict since I hope they’ll take after you.”
Momo sticks out her tongue in playful indignation. “I’m sure the kami-sama will listen to my request over yours. I’ve been collecting more luck after all.” ‘Clever and strong,’ was what she had prayed for, ‘just like their father’.
Hitsugaya-kun shakes his head in amusement. Peering over to her side, he looks at what she’s been working on, “That could work.”
Momo hums thoughtfully, looking at the character this way and that. It seems perfect – a wish, a hope, a prayer – but it didn’t seem to be quite exactly what they were looking for.
“What have you got?” She leans more to his side, before bursting into a fit of laughter. If Hitsugaya-kun is embarrassed, he makes a valiant effort not to show it. On his paper, the character for ‘big’ in bold, black, strokes. Momo’s face softens at seeing the character under it, ‘shine’. It might be her own imagination that it seems like it’s glowing.
“They’re perfect.”
…
They made it just in time for the fire festival. Perhaps it was incongruous for them to be burning something they’d been working on for days, but this was just its own kind of prayer.
Both of them hold paper lanterns, in his, ‘Hanabi’ in her own script, in hers, ‘Haruki’ in his. Small bright lights cupped into the palms of their hands. As one they let both lanterns go, up in the sky, where they’ll burn brightly and send all their prayers up to the sky.
Fervently, Momo clasps her hands together, Toshiro a steady and unwavering presence around her.
She hopes.
…
Even if they had hoped for peace to continue, truly their idyllic days couldn’t last. They were still commanding officers, and when Matsumoto shows up on their doorstop one day, he knows exactly what it means.
He knows, but it doesn’t mean he has to like it.
Rangiku likes it no more than her taichou. She can’t even tease the both of them over the marks she spies not covered by Momo’s kimono. “Taichou…It’s Naruki City.”
He closes his eyes in aggravation, fingers closed over the bridge of his nose to stave off the migraine, as Momo and his Vice-captain look at him concerned.
For once, he wants to be selfish. It’s so close, too close. For once, he wants to forget about his captain’s cloak and his responsibilities and just stay here to shelter Momo from everything. Opening his eyes, he meets Momo’s own and is both equally dismayed and encouraged by the resolve he finds there.
Momo didn’t become a Shinigami to be protected. She became a Shinigami to protect. And it’s the same for him (except doesn’t she know by now, after everything, that she was the one he wanted to protect most of all).
Without words, she goes to get his captain’s cloak. If she feels his hands shake as she helps him put it on, then at least only she would know.
She cradles his face in her hands, arms going up to reach him now instead of down. He doesn’t know what she sees in his face, if it looks like he’s about to cry, but she only smiles calmly, ruffling his hair. When before, he had swatted her hand away, now he only leans into the simple comfort. He closes his eyes as he feels Momo draw him down and touch her forehead to his. His erratic heartbeat slows at hearing her breathe.
“I’m off.”
“Please go and come back,” she says as she bows on the engawa. There is no fear in her eyes, only trust as if telling him, ‘go and I’ll be here to welcome you when you return’. He wishes it was the same for him. He swallows before turning forward. He stops Matsumoto with a hand to her shoulder.
He has no words. “Matsumoto…”
Eyes widening in understanding, she starts worriedly, “The reports say there are at least five arrancars, taichou. I already commanded the rest of the troops stationed there to come back. I was planning to handle them myself…but the soutaichou said the both of us needed to be there.” Hitsugaya was glad she didn’t go by herself. He appreciated the soutaichou intervening on his behalf. Knowing Matsumoto, she would have rushed there headstrong and foolish for his sake.
All the points she raised were valid ones, but again all he could say was, “Matsumoto, please…” I need you here.
There were moments where no words needed to be said, and the communication between a captain and vice-captain could be almost telepathic. This was one such moment, and as Rangiku gazed up at her not-so-little anymore captain, she could only smile in resignation, “Gotcha, taichou. But when you come back, I’m expecting an all-expense paid vacation. I’ve been working my butt off! Hey, Momo,” she called back, already making her way into the house, as Momo gazed at him with a question in her eyes, “Let’s go together!” Hitsugaya only smiled back.
Committing the sight of his wife and vice-captain smiling together, he tightened his grip on Hyourinmaru and set off.
…
Both his mind and body were on auto-pilot. He was glad Hyourinmaru had his back. It wasn’t like back then when his zanpakuto had to artificially mature him just so he could handle his own bankai. He had fully matured in all senses of the word, and had full mastery of his true bankai.
It was good that he was alone. There was no collateral damage except the enemy so he could release Shikai Hyoketsu without repercussions. But without Matsumoto there to support him, he felt more alone than ever.
He was getting tired. He lost count of how many enemies he had slain, of his own wounds and bruises. There was only one thought in his mind – to get home no matter what.
Using his sword as a crutch, he breathed out heavily before suddenly slashing out Hyoryu Senbi at the new presence he felt.
The shadow dodged and clicked his tongue. “Is that anyway ta greet yer elders? Ya look like you’ve been through hell. Need a little hand?”
Disoriented, Hitsugaya could only gape at the newcomer, “Hirako?”
“The one and only.”
Hitsugaya might have thought he was hallucinating but there was no mistaking that too-wide grin and tacky haircut. “What are you doing here? Naruki City isn’t under your jurisdiction.”
That carefree smile suddenly turned serious, “No it’s not, but I know someone who is under my jurisdiction. And I’m sure she’s missin’ a neglectful husband.” Hitsugaya growled at that. “What’re ya doin’ here? Do I have ta tell my daughter to divorce you?”
“For the last time,” a vein ticked in his forehead, this seemed like an eerily familiar experience he was having, “She is not your daughter! And anyway, you didn’t answer my question.”
He might have if not for another presence suddenly jumping in, “Oh, what? Am I interrupting a lover’s quarrel or something.”
“Nah, just an in-laws spat.”
What the hell?
He couldn’t decide what expression he was supposed to be showing. Maybe Hirako decided to finally take pity on him as he decided to answer him. “The soutaichou sent us because it looks like someone forgot to bring their vice-captain.” Heh, more like they persuaded him. Even if that softie hadn’t already been ready to pull him out after hearing he stupidly went alone, Shinji’s sure Lisa’s kick to his backside, and Nanao-chan’s sharp glare would just about do the trick. Eh, a few misplaced forms never hurt anyone. “Color me surprised when I found out Naruki City was actually under the fifth and the eight’s joint jurisdiction. Who coulda been so stupid as to put it under the tenth’s all this time?”
Hitsugaya didn’t know what was going on.
Shinji sighed. The kid could be so slow sometimes. “Oi, Hitsugaya. Lisa also brought her vice-captain. I’m sure two captains and a vice-captain would be more efficient than one captain. Yer not needed here, so wouldja just hurry on to where you’re supposed ta be already?”
Finally shaken out of his stupor, he could say nothing. He put his own misgivings aside, and bowed low.
“Thank you.”
As the tenth squad captain shunpoed out of there, Shinji let out a whistle. “What d’ya know? The kid has manners after all. Let’s hurry this up Lisa. I got a grandchild to welcome.”
“Lame,” Lisa replied, completely deadpan.
He let it off.
It was a joyous occasion after all.
…
She wasn’t there. She wasn’t at home.
His mind was perfectly blank.
He couldn’t feel her reiatsu anywhere.
“Hitsugaya-taichou!”
What was his seventh seat doing here?
“Matsumoto fuku-taichou brought Hitsugaya fuku-taichou to the fourth.”
Hitsugaya-taichou immediately left without even greeting him, but Takezoe didn’t hold it against his captain. With a dozen children of his own, he’d been where the young man was now. He only hoped his captain would make it in time.
…
He doesn’t remember how he reached the fourth, only overwhelming panic.
He could feel the temperature lowering, but only distantly, the calls of his title heard in a vacuum as if he was somewhere very far away.
‘Hitsugaya-taichou, please reign down your reiatsu.’
‘Taichou, please control it, it might affect the patients.’
‘It might affect…’
“Taichou!”
He felt as if he was roughly woken up from sleep. Heavily, he lifted his head up, “Matsumoto…”
“Taichou,” Rangiku said more softly. Her little captain wasn’t so little anymore. More than once he’d had to support her when Shiba-taichou left, and even after…
But now, as she sees how he trembles under her hands on his shoulders, subtly curling into himself, eyes haunted, she is taken back to years past, to a little boy so afraid of hurting the people he loves.
Matsumoto’s voice brings him back. He can sense a cacophony of reiatsu, all mingling together, that it was hard to tell them all. Abarai with his daughter, both Kuchikis even, Kira, Hisagi, his squad, members from other squads, her friends, their colleagues, their friends.
But that only serves to forcefully remind him that he was doing it again, he can’t stop it, he’s the greatest danger to those around him, to her, he can’t ever protect her, and as he shivers, the ice creeps up even faster.
“Taichou,” Matsumoto says, voice still soft. Placing her palm firmly against his heart, she pleads, “Please. Listen.”
Boy
A thunderous sound, more presence than voice. Hyourinmaru
Shiro-chan
Toshiro
A sound like wind-chimes, laughter threading every word. He gasps.
“It’s alright,” Matsumoto assures him, smiling brightly. “She’s alright. She knows you’re here.”
…
In the end, both their wishes are granted.
Both their children have her hair, hers lit like a coal flame, his softer and reminding him of forests and trees, the coming of spring. His hair was too unique to be passed onto anyone else, she manages to joke, but no matter because she still got what she wished for. Rubbing both chubby cheeks and coaxing both eyes to open, he sees what she means when he sees his own eyes reflected back at him. Brightly shining with an inner light.
They would shine brightly, he vows to himself, as he envelops her, all of them, to him, while he buries his face against her hair.
“Shiro-chan,” she laughs, the happiest she’s been, “Are you crying?” She hardly if ever has seen him cry. She nuzzles her cheek to his. “What am I to do with my crybaby husband?”
He can’t even manage his usual ‘shut up’ amidst his tears, only hugging them closer. Thank you.
Momo smiles. The person you’re waiting for will come.
He did. They did.
They were all home.
Okaerinasai.
#hitsuhina#hinamori momo#hitsugaya toshiro#bleach#hitsuhina fic#hitsuhina fanfic#bleach fic#bleach fanfic#ensemble cast#lots of new year imagery#this was so self-indulgent but I loved writing it#ramblings about bleach#ramblings about hitsuhina#illumination
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Smitten Kitten (Lev Haiba x female!reader)
I think I’m going to post some of my old stories from a year or 2 ago. This one always stuck out to me because it was one of my more detailed stories. I believe I write this in about 4 days maybe? Anyway I know there’s not a lot of Lev Haiba fanfic out there so I thought I’d post it! Sorry if it’s terrible in advance lmao <3
The final bell rang, signaling that class was done for the day. You scooped up your books and started to pack them away in your backpack, when you felt a small tap on your shoulder. You looked up to see a guy with spiky black hair, who looked like he just rolled out of bed. You stifled a giggle at how ridiculous he looked, “Can I help you?” You calmly asked him. “You’re a second year, right?” He asked. You sighed, you got this all the time. “Yes I’m a second year, and I’m in more advanced classes for my age.” You rolled your eyes and started to leave. “Wait! I was just wondering because we have a new member on the volleyball team who’s a second year and he needs a tutor.” You turned to face him “Why are you telling ME this?” The man sighed and rubbed the back of his head “Well, if he can’t get his grades up then he’s kicked off the team, and he’s part of Nekoma’s starting lineup so....I was wondering if you could tutor him?” You thought to yourself. You could use the extra cash to save up for that cosplay you wanted...”How much will I get paid?” You asked. “He’s loaded, so probably a decent amount.” The guy shrugged. “His name?” “Lev Haiba.” He replied. “Meet me in the gymnasium after school. You can meet him then. If they question you tell them Kuroo sent you. I’m the captain of the team so that should earn you entryway into the gym.” You nodded. With that the man (now known as Kuroo) gave you a wave and walked out of the classroom.
Later that day after all your classes were finished you headed over to the gym. You felt out of place walking through the building when school was out. The closer you got to the gymnasium the louder the squeaking of the shoes became. You slowly peaked around the door. Inside was a bunch of boys playing volleyball. They must be the school’s volleyball team. You never really paid attention to the sports world at school. I mean occasionally you would hear how someone got injured, but that was about it. “Oi! Katey! We’re over hear!” You glanced over to see Kuroo yelling across the gym to you. Does he have to be so loud? You walked over to him. You could feel peoples eyes all over you. “Woah! Who’s this babe?!” Some guy with a buzz cut yelled. You ignored him and pressed on towards Kuroo. “Hey, you came! I thought you weren’t gonna show.” Kuroo said. “Well I’m here. Where’s Lev?” “LEV GET OVER HERE!” Kuroo yelled. You winced at how loud his voice projected throughout the gym. You noticed a very tall, lanky boy make his way over to you two. “Y/n, this is Lev.” Kuroo said, introducing you to each other. “Oh! You must be my tutor!” Lev said. “Umm yeah.” You replied. You were a little shaken with his height. He was practically a giant! “Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself! I’m Lev Haiba!” He blushed, extending his hand out for you to shake. You took his hand and shook it “I’m Y/n Y/L/n.” “It’s nice to meet you! So, do you think you can help me?” He seemed nice enough..a little goofy though. “Of course.” You replied, nodding your head. “Great!” Lev cheered. “Do wanna meet at my place tomorrow night?” Lev asked. “I’d have to discuss it with my parents, but I’m sure it’s alright.” “Great! Can I put my number in your phone? That way you have my address?” “Oh sure!” You said, giving him your phone. You both swapped each other’s numbers. “Well, I should let you resume practice. Bye!” You said, Turing around and waving. “Thanks again!” Kuroo replied. “Byeee Y/n!” Lev yelled. You smiled to yourself, Lev seemed sweet..
The next day after you had finished eating dinner with your family, you headed over to Lev’s house. His house was close enough that you could ride your bike and get there in 10 minutes. When you rode up to the house you thought there had been some mistake. This house was GIGANTIC! You then recalled that Monday Kuroo had said that Lev’s family was rich. “If only I had worn nicer clothes..” you mumbled to yourself, looking down at your favorite sweater with disdain. Realizing it was too late to change now, you made your way through the wrought iron gates and up the smooth cobblestone driveway. You felt a little intimidated by the large mansion looming infront of you. With a deep breath you rung the doorbell. A few moments later you could hear footsteps approaching the door. The door opened and there stood a girl who looked around 20, and was very dressed up. “Oh Lev! Your girlfriends here!” She yelled, while beckoning you inside the doorway. You blushed at her choice of words “I’m..uh..not his girlfriend.” You chuckled nervously. Before she could reply you saw Lev bounding down a set of stairs. “Oh, hey Y/n!”Lev said. He then turned to who you assumed was his sister “And she’s not my girlfriend, Y/n’s just here to help me study.” You didn’t know why but you felt your heart drop when he said that you weren’t his girlfriend, like it was merely a question of the weather. It’s not like you cared, obviously you had just met the man. But the way he almost seemed disgusted by that idea kind of stung. His sister rolled her eyes, and walked away. “Sorry about my sister..” he said, scratching the back of his neck. “Oh no, it’s fine.” You said. “So uhh nice place.” You said, surveying your surroundings. “Heh, thanks.” He blushed. “So uhh.. wanna go get started?” You asked. “Oh! Yeah right. Duh!” Lev said, playfully hitting himself on the head. “Follow me!” He said, leading you to the staircase. Wait! Were you gonna go IN his room!? He continued leading you up the rather large flight of stairs, and down a corridor till you stopped at a door at the end of the hall. “This is my room.” He said opening the door for you.
When you stepped inside Lev’s room, you noticed a lot of sports posters, books, trinkets, and a cat tower. “Do you have a cat?” You asked, nodding towards the tower. “Oh yeah! We have 4 actually, but the house is really big so they can be hard to spot sometimes.” You giggled. Lev smiled at you “You can have a seat on my bed.” He said walking over to sit on his bed. His BED!? Oooo boy... Every cliche Wattpad story you ever read racing through your mind. You cautiously took a seat at the edge of his bed, and opened up your backpack unloading your stuff on the bed. “Can you get out your last math assignment please?” You asked. Lev nodded and reached for a very crinkled sheet of paper. Oh boy. This was gonna be IMPOSSIBLE. You took the paper from him, and uncrumpled it the best you could. “Really?” You laughed, as you attempted to smooth it out on your textbook. Lev laughed and said “I know I’m not the neatest. You can probably see why I need a tutor!” Once you had finally made the paper readable again you started helping Lev. Turns out he was really bad at math. His score was horrible, he was a doodler, his notes were just chicken scratch, and he had a hard time concentrating. Somehow, you managed to get through the study session without losing your patience. When it was about 8:00 you and Lev had finished. “Do you understand it now?” You asked. “Kind of. But not really..” He awkwardly chuckled. You couldn’t help but laugh a little. “Yeah well keep practicing.” You gathered up your things, and Lev led you back downstairs to the front door. “I actually kind of enjoyed math tonight.” Lev said, smiling his goofy grin. You laughed “Well I’m glad you did!” “Hey, I have volleyball practice tomorrow, but do you think you could come over on Thursday to help me prep for the test?” You actually enjoyed yourself tonight, and you liked spending time with Lev. “Sure!” You said. “Great thanks! Bye Y/n!” He said, as you walked down the front porch steps. You turned and waved. As you made it back home safe, you saw your phone light up. It was a text message from Lev:
LEV: Goodnight, Y/n ;)
You blushed and giggled to yourself.
ME: Goodnight Lev :)
You didn’t see Lev throughout the week, so by Thursday you were excited to see him again. When you rang the doorbell Lev answered it this time. “Hi Y/n! Come on in!” You smiled and squeezed past him into the house. “How was practice yesterday?” You asked, placing your shoes on the rack. “It was alright, Kuroo wouldn’t let up on my serves though.” He said, frustratedly. You gave him a sympathetic smile “Sorry about that.” He cheered right up “It’s fine! Let’s go to my room.” You once again followed Lev up the stairway, and to his bedroom. “Oh! I have a surprise for you!” Lev said, stopping right in front of his door. “What is it..?” You asked cautiously. Lev grinned “Don’t worry it’s a good surprise!” “If you say so..” You teased. When Lev let you inside his room you didn’t notice anything peculiar or out of order. “What is it?” You asked. “Over here!” Lev said. You turned to see Lev in the corner of his room kneeling over a basket of...KITTENS!? You rushed over “Awww! Their adorable!” You gushed. “Yeah, one of my cats gave birth a week ago.” Lev explained. He then scooped a little white kitten with brown spots, and set it in your arms. “Awww!” You whispered, cradling the kitty in your arms. Lev chuckled, and rubbed the kittie’s head. “Y’know we can’t keep ‘em all..do you want one?” Lev asked nervously. “Really!?” You asked, excitement flowing throughout your body. “Yeah! If your parents say it’s cool you can pick one out now and take it home in 2 weeks!” He explained. “I’ve always wanted a cat!” You said, snuggling the little kitten closer. “I can take a picture on your phone so you can show your parents?” Lev said. “That’s a great idea! Here.” You said, handing him your phone. Lev took the picture, and you sent it to your parents, who agreed if you paid for it with your own money. “They said yes!” You cheered. Lev laughed “Alright, how about we play with them for a bit, and you can pick out which one you would like?” Lev suggested. “That’s a great idea!”
You and Lev were having a fun time playing with the kittens. You were about to pick up a feisty orange tabby cat, when a sharp pain jolted through your leg. “Owww!” You exclaimed. “What’s wrong?!” Lev asked, all panicky. “Calm down. It’s just a scratch.” You said, setting the cat down so you could inspect your wound. Sure enough, there on your calf was a deep scratch. “Do you have any bandaids?” You asked, covering the scratch so it wouldn’t bleed all over. “Oh yeah! Follow me.” Lev said, getting up and walking towards a door on the far side of his room. He opened the door and inside was a small bathroom. All of a sudden Lev picked you up by your waist and set you on the counter, then went back to digging for bandages. He did it so casually, while your heart beat quickened a bit at his actions. “We only have actually bandage wraps..so can I..?” He trailed off. You realized that he meant that he had to wrap the bandages on for you. “Oh! Yeah, of course.” You blushed a little. Lev slowly took your leg and carefully pressed a cotton ball on the wound to weaken the blood flow. Your skin grew hot where he touched it. You let out a little hiss when he pressed a little to firmly. “Sorry, I know this stings.” He said, removing the cotton ball and picking up the bandage wrap. He cautiously started to wrap your leg up. You were surprised at how gentle he was being, after all Lev could be a little clumsy at times. When he finished wrapping the bandages around your leg, he leaned down and planted a quick kiss on your knee. Then, as if realizing what he just did, he quickly blushed and chuckled nervously saying “Sorry! Our mom did that to me and my sister when we were kids!” You cold feel your face flush about 20 different shades of red and pink. “No.. it’s okay. It was really sweet actually..” You whispered the last part. You looked up and locked eyes with Lev’s emerald ones. You both stared into each other’s eyes before you cleared your throat and said “Well, uh we should probably get some studying in!” Lev cleared his throat to “Oh yeah! Right. I wanted to show you my score on the homework today.” Lev awkwardly helped you off the countertop, and you both headed back to his bed to work.
You deadpanned when Lev showed you his “good” score on the math homework. “I wouldn’t call this good, but it’s an improvement I guess.” You laughed. Unlike yesterday, this study session was filled with awkward silences. Was it because of the almost kiss? “Hey Y/n?” Lev asked, breaking your train of thought. “Huh? Yeah?” You blushed at your awkwardness. “What do you think is a good goal for me to get on this test tomorrow?” He asked. “Hmmm...” you pondered that for a moment. “I would say at least an 85%.” Lev nodded his head in agreement. “So if I get an 85% or higher, can you come to my game Friday afternoon?” He wanted YOU to watch him play?! “I think that’s a good plan!” You smiled warmly. Lev grinned back that goofy smile that you loved. “It’s 9:30, I should be heading home.” You said, loading up your book bag. Lev helped you gather your things, and walked you downstairs. Just as you had finished saying goodbye, and were walking out the door, you turned around “Oh, and I thought about what kitten I wanted.” You smiled. Lev grinned “Which one?” “That feisty orange tabby.” You laughed. Lev chuckled “It’s a deal!” He said. Then you rode into the night, back home to your own house.
The next day you couldn’t help but hope that Lev passed his test. After lunch when you were exiting the cafeteria, you heard someone yelling your name. You turned to see a tall guy with silver hair, approaching you. It was Lev! You could tell because he was 2 feet taller then the crowd. “Hey! I passed!” Lev yelled, excitedly. “What?! No way! Let me see the paper.” You said, holding your hand out. Lev reached into his book bag and pulled out a piece of paper. You looked at it. Sure enough, there on his paper in red ink was a 89%. “Great job Lev!” You squealed, giving him a high five. He grinned from ear to ear. “So I guess that means your coming to my game, right?” Lev said, rather smugly. You snorted “Don’t get a big head.” You joked, flicking him on the forehead. “Ouch.. Y/n!” He whined. “Speaking of pain, how is your leg?” You instantly blushed remembering the kiss. “O-oh it’s better! How’s my kitty?” You asked. “That’s good news! And your kittens doing great. You should pick out a name!” Lev replied. You thought about it for a moment “Hmm.. what about Tigger!” Lev chuckled “Haha, that’s cute!” “So you like it..?” “It’s perfect.” He smiled. The bell rang. “Oh I’ve gotta get to class! My game is at 3:00 in the gym!” Lev said, rushing off. “Got it!” You called after him. You giggled to yourself at how scatter brained he could be.
At around 2:45 you entered the gymnasium. The bleachers were filled with people. Most of them wearing your school’s team colors, red and black. As you walked across the gym to an open seat, you saw Lev setting up the net. “What a great view..” you sighed contentedly, staring at his thighs. Just then he turned and caught your eye. He smiled and waved. You face grew hot, and you nervously waved back. You felt like the entire gym was staring at you as you made your way to a seat.
The game was tied. If Nekoma could make this final score they could win! The whistle blew, Nekoma was switching a player in. But who? You peered over the person in front of you to see. It was..LEV!? You knew Lev didn’t do great under pressure, so why would they send him in? It was up to Lev to win the game for Nekoma. You found yourself cheering “I BELIEVE IN YOU LEV!” You blushed when the people sitting next to you gave you some dirty looks. Oops! You held your breath as Lev was getting ready to set. It was too much pressure even for you! You squeezed your eyes shut, and crossed your fingers. A moment later the whistle blew, and you could hear the announcer saying “The game goes to Nekoma!” You opened your eyes to see the crowd going wild, and the team high-fiving one another. Joy rushed through your veins, as you jumped off the bleachers and ran to Lev. Before you could even stop running, Lev scooped you up in his arms and spun you around. “You did it!” You squealed. “I know! I can’t believe it!” He replied. Just then Kuroo came by informing Lev that they had to get their stuff from the locker room. “Oh, sorry Y/n! I have to go. Can you maybe meet me outside in 10 minutes?” Lev asked, getting ready to run. “Yeah, of course.” You said. “Thanks!” He replied, bolting off. You wondered what he wanted to speak with you about...Honestly you were a little surprised that he had won. Lev could be clumsy and a little headstrong at times, but I guess when it matters he really pulls through.
You were leaning against the cobblestone wall, waiting for Lev. It had been 15 minutes and he still wasn’t ready yet. Just then you heard the sounds of someone’s feet slapping on the concrete. “Hey!” Lev said, a little out of breath. “Did you run a marathon in those 15 minutes?” You asked, laughing. Lev smiled “Ha.Ha. Very funny. So uhh wanna go for a walk?” He asked nervously. What was going on? Why was he so nervous? “Sure.” You replied. You guys started walking. “So...you were amazing out there!” You said, smiling up at him. “Heh, thanks!” Lev said, blushing and rubbing the back of his neck. “Y/n..I uhh..it was because of you.” “Because of me?” You questioned, very confused. “Yeah. I was worried but when you said you believed in me..I wasn’t anymore...Y/n I like you! And I was wondering if you wanted to maybe...go to the dance with me tomorrow?!” Lev blurted out nervously. You froze. Did he just say...? “Lev..I.. I like you too. I have since I met you actually..” You blushed, looking away. “And about that dance? I would love to go.” You said, smiling back at him. “Oh great! I was scared there..” Lev ranted. You giggled, and leaned into Lev as he put his arm around your shoulders. He walked you home that night. Just when you were climbing into bed, your phone chimed. It was a message from your now BOYFRIEND Lev:
LEV❤️: Hey, thanks again. I’ll meet you outside the school tomorrow. Goodnight! Sleep well!😘
ME: Can’t wait! I love you too!💖
The next night when your parents dropped you off at the school dance, you were nervous. What if Lev had changed his mind? What if he thought your dress was ugly? Just then you felt a light tap on your shoulder. You spun around to see Lev. “Wow..you look really beautiful!” He said. “I..uhh..thanks!” You giggled. “I like your tie.” You said, nodding towards his satin tie. “Oh! Thanks!” He said. “Are you ready?” He asked, taking your hand and kissing it. Your face flushed, and you nodded. Slowly Lev led you into the gymnasium, which was now turned into a ballroom. You had a fun time talking to his friends, and doing goofy dances to silly songs. The night was almost over when a slow song started playing. Lev looked at you, and grinned. You blushed. “Y/n? Can I ask you to dance with me?” Lev asked all dramatically, getting down on one knee. You smiled “Yes you may.” With that Lev wrapped his arms around your waist, as you attempted to reach
his shoulders the best you could. “Can you reach?” Lev chuckled, mocking your height. “In all honesty, not really!” You laughed. “Guess I’ll just have to do this..” Lev said, slowly leaning down towards you. You froze. Was he gonna KISS you?! You felt his lips meet yours, and your tongues collided. They danced around, exploring each cavern to behold. And you and Lev spent the rest of the night dancing and laughing. That night was one of the best nights of your life. Why? Because it was the first time you kissed your husband.
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I haven't done a WIP or Sunday Six post in FOREVER... but I'm hoping maybe if I go back to it and share some snippets I'm working on, I'll actually have the motivation to finish any of them. So this is my submission for @choicesficwriterscreations's Sunday Six but also things I would like to work on for @wip-wipeout-weekend. I would LOVE to spend the weekend writing. I don't know if I can make the time, but I want to try.
The Bogart Diaries: Painter's Tape Challenge
(working title)
Pairing: Thomas Hunt x Alex Spencer
Book: Red Carpet Diaries
Rating: General
Thomas followed the sound of her voice toward the kitchen. However, before he could inquire into the cause of the commotion, he darted backward, avoiding the path of Bogart charging toward an obstacle that he cleanly hopped over.
"Dare I ask what it is that you are doing?" He took a hesitant step forward once the path was cleared. His brow arched at the three strips of blue tape strewn between the kitchen island and a row of cabinets.
"Bogart's doing the painter's tape challenge," Alex offered. She scratched the black lab on the head before reaching once more for the roll of tape.
"Should I know what that means?"
Alex and Bogart shared a knowing look. Of course, their favorite Luddite would not be in the know of the latest social media pet challenges. She smiled inquisitively and shook her head. "Probably not."
Summer Rain (working title)
Pairing: Thomas Hunt x Alex Spencer
Book: Red Carpet Diaries
Rating: General
Alex focused on the pitter-patter of the summer rain tapping against the window panes of the sunroom. Its soft rhythm created a serene soundtrack. There was something about the rain that always quieted her thoughts. She nuzzled further into his neck, his familiar scent washing over her. A smile pulled on her lips. Her body melted into his as he hugged her closer. Everything was perfect.
Untitled: Repairman RolePlay
Pairing: (Dom!)Levi Schuler x Laura Day
Book: Mother of the Year
Rating: Mature/Explicit
A/N: Requested by @lorirwritesfanfic from ages ago (sorry!)
"Alright," Levi tightened the last fitting. He closed the washing machine's lid and gave it a gentle tap. "It should work now."
"Is that so?" Laura sucked the corner of her lower lip as she waited for him to notice her change in attire. "What do I owe you?"
"What do you mean, what do you owe me?" His words trailed off as he turned toward her. His eyes raked down her near-naked form; only a silk robe drawn loosely at the waist separated her from him.
"I must owe you something, Mr. Repairman," she batted her lashes at him. "I forget to go to the bank… perhaps we can come to another arrangement?"
Levi swallowed hard, running his thumb across his lips. She looked so damn innocent standing there, offering herself to him. His eyes darkened with lust. "I'm sure we can figure something out. Would you like to inspect my work?"
Untitled: CoffeeShop AU
Pairing: Levi Schuler x Laura Day
Book: Mother of the Year
Rating: General
"No, no, no." It almost seemed like slow motion as Laura tried to save the carefully balanced bags and items in her grasp, but they still crashed to the floor before she could do anything about it.
Her lip quivered, her head hanging low. She breathed deeply, searching for the strength to keep going. She reached for her purse, shoving her belongings that had spilled out back into it. Her determination not to cry on their first day in a new town was the only thing keeping the dam of tears from breaking.
"You can do this. You can do this," Laura repeated, gathering the last of Lily's school supplies that had tumbled from their bags. "For Lily." She drew in a deep breath, gathering the last of the objects that poured out.
With her head held high, she reached for the door to the coffee shop but found it open.
"Allow me."
"Oh, thank you." Laura moved forward hesitantly, trying to avoid the gaze of the handsome stranger.
Untitled: CoffeeShopAU
Pairing: Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley
Book: Open Heart
Rating: General
"You gonna talk to her?" Jackie elbowed her coworker lost in thought.
"What?" Bryce shook his head in confusion as if coming out of a trance. "Who?"
"The redhead you've been staring at with nauseating puppy dog eyes for the past fifteen minutes."
"I wasn't staring!"
"Dude, you've been staring at her every day for the past two weeks since she started coming in to do her work here."
"I have not!"
"I hate to agree with Jackie, but you do. You kind of lose yourself when you look at her," Sienna chimed in with a soft smile. "It's kind of romantic. I wish someone would look at me like that…You should definitely go talk to her."
Bryce glanced once more in her direction before turning away and busying himself behind the counter despite not having any new customers.
"You're an idiot."
In Love and War (working title)
Pairing: Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley
Book: Open Heart
Rating: General
A/N: Finishing this is my #1 goal for the WIP weekend. It's not even going to be a long fic, just a drabble. 🤦♀️
His eyes widened as an arm shot out of the darkness tugging him toward her. “What are you doing?”
Before he could finish the thought, she backed him into a dark corner, hidden from view from those running past, looking for their next target. Her body slid against his, her arms snaking around his neck, pulling his lips toward hers, kissing him hungrily.
His brow quirked up at the sudden public affection. It’s not what he expected, but he’d never turn down the taste of her lips against his.
I also have CoffeeShopAUs for Thomas x Alex and Ethan x Ellie but I'm not ready to share those yet!
#thomas hunt#thomas hunt x mc#thomas hunt x oc#red carpet diaries#levi schuler#levi schuler x mc#mother of the year#bryce lahela#bryce lahela x oc#open heart#wip#wip ideas#choices#playchoices#choices game#fan fiction#lovealexhunt#somc#october2022
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Tag Game
Rules: Share 10 facts about yourself and tag 10 other blogs! I want to get to know my mutuals, and the people I follow a little bit :) The facts can be about anything!
@sillyliterature tagged me daaaays ago! Of course I waited until after midnight on a school night, after a 5-day school break, to finally write/post this... /sigh I had fun scrounging for things about me you should know. I hope anyone seeing this gets a giggle.
1. I'm an American living in China, teaching English. I technically teach "Critical Reading and Writing", and a lot of the curriculum I built myself! (I prefer creating teaching materials to teaching and I'll be changing careers soon cuz I so tired)
2. I love cats. Can you tell? My mom has given me a cat-related nickname since birth, SHE loves cats, and so I feel like it's just in the genes now. My metaphorical daughter niece also loves cats, which shows I'm right. I have two cats right now, Birdie & Canela (Canela is the tabby-baby, she has brownish-ginger spots she inherited from her mother, so yes, she is named "cinnamon" on purpose. Birdie is the tortie and the Mama-cat!)
3. I wrote a book! It's published! I'm supposed to write a sequel. It is... almost half-done? A little more than half-done? It's a YA fantasy called "The Coward's Emblem" 🥰 There are dragons! My bestie drew my dragons for me and they're BEAUTIFUL!!! LOOK BELOW!! SO COOL! (I also have commissioned art of the characters by Sabri on insta and they're BEAUTIFUL, too!! If you wanna know more about my actual for real OCs for my real book, pls lemme know!)
4. I've eaten so many Hot Cheetos, I've coughed stomach acid. Maybe living in China is good for me, no Hot Cheetos here... hmmmm
5. The only video games I've ever played from beginning to end on my own are: Harvest Moon: Animal Parade, KOTOR, KOTOR II, and Dragon Age(s). I can only play on Easy/Casual because I'm a crap gamer (I've never finished a Pokémon game), but I really love the stories/characters. ☺️
6. Atton x f!Exile fanart has been my lockscreen for months, and Viktuuri art from Yuri! on Ice! has been my phone bg wallpaper even longer. Maybe since 2016...
7. Rapid Shot Shame-Fame: I meowed through 7th-8th grade. Yes, you read that correctly. I've been a weeaboo. I was in the Hetalia fandom (hence the tumblr name). I was in the SuperWhoLock fandom, too + Teen Wolf, and, my true claim to fame, I went to Dashcon AND I WAS A PANELIST. At THREE panels. No, I was never paid. 🤣
8. I've almost been in a cult twice... maybe three times, but definitely twice. Only the fact I am lazy and didn't live In The Location of the 'Cult' prevented me from actually joining. (Did spend 40 bucks on that book for one of them, though. Ugh. Gimme my 40 bucks back.)
9. I've been to three Disney parks of six. (The Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Shanghai is amazing! Rode it twice! Tron and Soarin' O'er the Horizon are overrated.)
10. I've played DnD since I was 18, and I ALWAYS find a group. In USA, in South Korea, and now in China; I find the nerds and I friend them no matter where I am (yes, I am a nerd, too). My first finished original novel (unpublished) was based on my first ever DnD character: Karik the Master of Many Forms Druid 😀 My current character is Tepin Pallis Cuautli Lozano, a Wild Shaper Druid, the first time I've played a Druid again in almost ten years (3.5e was better, fite me 💪🤜).
#kitty babbles#woulda look at my weird ass life choices#pls girl go to sleep#@ me#keto tag#sillylit tag#Tumblr Tag Game#long post
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So I should probably go pluralise the tag I'm using for this bc there isn't just one Vex magic grimoire, there's three. You've all seen the big one, I've posted about that one the most. (and I am STILL waiting for my paints to arrive ty AusPost delays wooo. -_-) But there's two other ones, smaller ones, that are part of this collection.
The big one covers Vex magic in all its forms and styles, and the idea/concept is for it to be mostly written by Pharaoh Cub, but with bits written by Scar as well, along with some illustrations bc who doesn't want an illustrated grimoire amirite? Also I want an excuse to DO art to begin with, so. :D So the canon for this book is that it's being written during season 7.
This one is the potions book, and was actually the first book I started for this project long before it became a project lol. I, like many others, am a notebook hoarder, and I had originally planned to use this one for actual planetary magic rituals and such, but for whatever reason, that never happened because my interest in planetary magic shifted away from needing that kind of thing.
So this book has sat by my monitor, unused and unloved, until I got an interest in potion making that collided with my Cubfan hyperfixation, and my brain decided to use this book for potions instead, both minecraft stuff and witchy stuff, in the same way that the Vex magic grimoire will have, like, cake recipes in it bc why not. :D
The illustration there is meant to be of netherwart, but I haven't got around to finalising that sketch yet. And it's on paper because the thing I drew on the other side I coloured with markers and it bled through quite badly (no you can't see it. XD) so I wanted to cover it up somehow.
In my head, this is like just one of Cub's random potion notebooks, with recipes and formulas and experiements and other things of note. There's no specific place in the timeline where this fits in, it's just there idk. The kind of book that was maybe started ages ago, forgotten about, and then he came back to it later when he had run out of other notebooks to fill perhaps. I feel like I'm gonna have to remind myself how to take lab notes again bc that feels like his style.
bc Scar absolutely does magic based on vibes, whereas Cub has a more experimental style that includes taking notes. That's what I feel anyway. Cub's absolutely going to do crazy stuff, but you'll know what he did and how he did it, whereas Scar's more like, idk it just worked idk how! about everything. XD
This is the newest one, The Book of the Stars. This is why I've been cataloguing the names of the stars in Cub's pyramid. I want to include notes on each of those, as well as including a bunch more stars as well bc I will definitely need them to fill out this thicc boi.
I want to finish the star map first before I decide what kind of information I want to include with each star (and galaxy and nebula and constellation). Also how I want to organise and classify them all. A-Z? Type? Real and then not-real? idk idk idk. Part of me had wanted to include, like, idk lore or something with each one, but I'm not sure that's necessarily the right way to go. idk. We'll see.
This is mostly meant to be a catalogue of stars as opposed to a grimoire, tho there may be some stellar magic information in here too idk yet. But the canon associated with this is that this is where the Evokers take their names from, from the stars listed in this book, to honour the knowledge Cub has taught them about Vex magic and how to use it more effectively. bc humans - players - name things, and once upon a time, the ConVex named a High Priest, and that is the origin of Evokers having names. Vex don't need them bc they are a collective (unless they need to stay in the overworld or are possessing a player, but even then, it is simply a tool and not something that belongs to any individual Vex alone), but Evokers aren't Vex, and are individual enough to take them on bc they all have different skills and talents and ranks amongst the Vex.
(@calcium-rods that's the star you're after <3 hidden in the corner on the eastern wall)
I've also wondered about whether to include the screencaps I took from the pyramid to show the stars and their names like the one above but I suspect that might be better suited to a sideblog type of situation bc printing all those out would go through far too much black ink. DX So we'll see what I do with that.
Also I'm approaching this as a practicing witch, and that's been a very interesting exercise. I love creating magic systems, but I also love writing about witchcraft and magic, and this is such an interesting project for me intellectually as well because it's not just creating new magics and explaining them, but also looking at different mechanics and ways to do magic, and how those blend in with some of the real magic stuff I've been studying, like astrology and stellar magic, planetary magic, and potion making. It's not my aim to be, like, evangelising about these practices through this project and trying to get others into witchcraft. I'm just doing something creative with my interests. It's like how you learn more about your own native language by studying another, right? I'm doing this more for my own mind and seeing these magics in a different context can help me make sense of them for my own work.
Also the current page I'm working on in the grimoire about Scar's glamours is I think going to end up getting quite deep into identity and masks and shapeshifting, and that's a very interesting idea to roll around in my head as much as it is to write fanfic about. bc masks can be used in very interesting ways for magic and shapeshifting, and the ConVex wearing their Vex masks asks a lot of those deep questions about the magic those masks use, and how they deal with identity in spite of the blackouts and possession the masks seem to give them. I'm also on board with the idea that the masks enable shifting into their Vex forms, that it unlocks that magic that they wouldn't otherwise be able to harness.
And so that's a really deep and interesting topic to explore, and to see how Cub and Scar might explain and understand it. bc from the start, I wanted this grimoire to be a conversation between them, as opposed to a dry feeling grimoire with academic-style articles. That's no fun. I want to practice voices, and characterisation, and explore the Vex stuff in a way I don't think I could do with a more prose-based bog-standard fanfiction style. And I get to flex my creative muscles in new ways, and that's very stimulating right now.
Tho i still have no idea how to classify this stuff. Is it fanfic? meta fanfic? something else entirely? idk anymore. I'm just gonna keep working at it and posting my progress and hopefully I'm not the only one who ends up really enjoying following this process. <3
Anyway. I think I've rambled enough for now lol. I have more work to do on this, but the star map work can wait bc migraine lol, so I might do some more mask chat and see where that conversation takes me.
Also, if anyone has advice for how to archive this project properly on tumblr, lemme know? I want to make sure it's all easily found and in one place, but not sure if a separate page on my main or a sideblog is the better way to do that alongside the tag I'm using for updates here. idk what works best for tumblr so, any advice would be much appreciated, ty. <3
#vex magic grimoire#hermitcraft#cubfan135#gtwscar#convex#vex magic#convex lore#evoker/vex lore#hc7#cub's pyramid#fanfic#fictional grimoires#witchcraft#this got a bit meta#i still don't really know what extra tags to use with this#*throws hands up*#worldbuilding is fun tho#creating fictional magical systems#how to archive tho#that is the question#this is also a very long post#sorry not sorry
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Tananka’s Awful Brownies
A Tsukishima College AU Oneshot
A/N: I wrote this one a while ago and wanted to break up between what I post next, hopefully something soon, this writers block got me feeling a sorta way. Everyone is aged up and there is mentioning of injesting thc. So warning? idk how it works lol. Enjoy~
“Tsuki, you should come to Tanaka’s party with Yamaguchi and I.” You said to your best friend who was laying down on your bed, reading one of his books. You were getting ready for the party by curling your hair just how you liked. It was rare for you to get dolled up but you were feeling yourself tonight. “I’ll pass.” He muttered without missing a beat. A groan left your lips, but you should have known better. Getting Tsukishima to agree to go to a party with you was like pulling teeth. “When was the last time you actually went out and had fun?” You shot at him while glaring at him through your vanity mirror. However, he didn’t notice because he hadn’t broken his concentration on the pages of the book he was holding. “I don’t need to go out to have fun, Y/N.” He answered in a matter of factly tone of voice.
You let out a huff of frustration and just continued to finish curling your hair for the party. You and Tsukishima’s friendship was natural and normal. While you two had the same sense of humor and tended to mock one another, you felt very comfortable around each other. Enough so that you could do mundane tasks with the other just vibing and doing their own thing. Most of the time, it would be a surprise if either of you were found without the other. Practically attached at the hips and the world's most dynamic duo. You both had brash personalities and honestly is what keeps the two of you as friends. There was never any sugar coating and was purely honest, even when the honesty was brutal.
“Fine, be a loser and don’t go. However, you can’t stay at my place.” You mentioned as you went to get up to find clothes to change into. “Why not?” He asked with a raised eyebrow. It wouldn’t be the first time he stayed in the vacancy of your apartment. There were plenty of times where he would just sit in your room or living room waiting for you to get back from your college classes. It got to the point where you had even offered for him to move in with you, however, he refused every time. So to continue avoiding his annoying, I waited forever for you to get back’s, you had just made him a spare key.
He never overstepped his boundaries and even was courteous to let you know most of the times that he was either on his way over, or was waiting for you after class. “I don’t want to come home and you make fun of me if I come back drunk.” You countered from your closet, sifting through your different clothes. “I would do that regardless if I was here or not.” He countered and you could almost hear the coy smirk that was forming on his lips. You ignored his comment and finally made a decision on your outfit. Grabbing things off hangers, you made your way over to the bathroom in your room. “Whatever, Kei. If I come home and you make fun of me, I’ll just lay on you.” You sighed out of annoyance.
“Oh no. Whatever will I do.” He dramatically said, making you roll your eyes. You had finished putting the finishing touches to your makeup and hair before stepping out into view. “Without being the biggest asshole in the world, how do I look?” You asked but didn’t hold out hope for him to not respond sarcastically. “But how will I retain my title if I don-” He started to say while sitting up but when he caught a glimpse of you he stopped his sentence all together.
Your hair was actually styled cutely to frame your face, your makeup was natural but enough to highlight all your best features. You were wearing a cute black and white plaid patterned mini skirt that hugged your hips well. You were wearing a basic tshirt that had the words “Self-love” laid across the front, but you had it tucked into your skirt to really highlight your frame. Not only that, but you were wearing your favorite black platform boots that made you just a few inches taller. This was the first time in a while that Tsukishima had seen you this dolled up. He was left breathless at how effortlessly stunning you looked.
“Hello? Earth to Tsuki?” You said in an annoyed tone, waiting for your best friend to say something. He shook his head from his intrusive thoughts and laid back down. “You look fine.” He said, trying to focus back on his book. “Just fine? Ugh, you suck, Kei.” You groaned before going over to your vanity to grab your phone. “Yamaguchi is here to pick me up, stay if you want, but like I said, if I come home drunk expect me to just flop on you.” You stated while grabbing your bag. “Wait, Yamaguchi is already here?” Tsukishima asked, getting up suddenly from your bed.
“Yeah? I told you he was on the way before I started to do my hair. I barely had enough time to get ready.” You explained, ignoring the fact he was moving across your room. “Well, it’d be a shame for us to keep him waiting.” He said, grabbing his jacket from your desk chair. You stopped dead in your tracks and looked up at your best friend. “Wait, you’re coming?” You asked dumbfounded, almost getting too excited. “Someone has to look after your dumb drunk ass. Yamaguchi is going to get distracted and god forbid something happened to you. I can’t have that on my conscience.” He explained, yawning in the process.
You weren’t going to fight him on the topic, instead, you quickly gathered your things, grabbed his arm and headed out of your apartment. Yamaguchi was almost just as excited to see Tsukishima trailing after you from your apartment complex. “Tsuki, are you coming?” Yamaguchi asked after rolling down the window. “Only to keep Y/N out of trouble.” He griped, rolling his eyes. He wouldn’t admit it out loud, but he refused to let you leave the apartment looking that good and having any of the guys at this college party get any ideas. He knew Tanaka wasn’t the bad type of guy, but he didn’t trust others.
The two of you got into the back of Yamaguchi’s car and rode in silence to Tanaka’s house party. He rented out the place with Nishinoya, Yamamoto, and a few other volleyball students. Which led him to throwing regular parties that you attended frequently. Yamaguchi finally agreed to go with you, and now you were having your best friend attend the party with you. As Yamaguchi pulled the car up to the house you could hear the music blaring from the road. “Great. This is going to be such a headache.” Tsuki grumbled, but you were still smiling ear to ear.
You all got out of the car and headed up to the house. When you entered you were immediately met with loud music and the smell of alcohol lingering in the air. Tsukishima scrunched his nose at both. “Loosen up a bit, Tsuki.” You yelled and made your way through the crowd. “Y/N-san! You made it!” Tanaka shouted from the DJ Table. He walked over and enveloped you in a hug. “Wouldn’t miss it Tanaka!” You yelled back over the loud music, returning the hug. You broke from the hug to look at an annoyed Tsuki who had been trailing behind you. “No fucking way, you got Shittyshima to finally come along?” Teased the upperclassman but had a wide smile on his face.
Tsukishima had only frowned at his statement. “Only to watch after my two dumb friends.” He replied in his usual monotone voice. You rolled your eyes at his attitude. If he was going to be such a sour puss what was the point of him coming? Was he going to be a stick in the mud the entire time you were here? Tanaka had wrapped an arm around Tsuki’s shoulder and directed him over to the kitchen. “Here, let me get you a beer man.” Tanaka stated, his voice not as loud in the kitchen where the music wasn’t as loud. “No thanks. I’m not here to drink.” He responded just as quickly as the words left Tanaka’s lips.
“Don’t be such a Debbie downer, Tsukishima. One beer isn’t going to kill you, if you drink it you drink it, if you don’t you don’t.” Tanaka shrugged, handing him a bottled beer before disappearing back into the crowd of people. Tsukishima had already lost your small self in the crowd of people. A sigh left his lips as he looked down at the beverage that Tanaka was insistent on him drinking. “So stupid.” He muttered before putting it down on the counter. It was littered with different snacks and drinks. However, his eye caught the tray of brownies that was laid by the chips. It was barely touched, but his sweet-tooth got the better of him and he helped himself to one of them.
He slowly munched on the large piece and made a face after swallowing it. It left a strange after taste in his mouth and looked at another one to see if they were burnt on the bottom. However, he noted that if it was burnt the bottom would have been crunchy. These were soft and moist, so there was no chance that they were burnt. Maybe his taste buds were off, so he ate the one he had picked up to check if it was burnt. Still, the brownie had a strange taste to it. He almost wished he had drank the beer instead of eating the gross brownies. Tanaka had come back into the kitchen to grab a plate full of different snacks. “Who brought the brownies to the party?” Tsuki had asked with a disdainful look in his eyes.
“I made them, why?” Tanaka questioned with a raised eyebrow. Tanaka looked at the two different plates of brownies. “They taste awful.” Tsukishima said, grabbing a bottle of water before exiting the kitchen to find you. The music was almost louder going back out into the crowd. He had recognized the song playing, only because you had played it multiple times while studying. Tsuki’s eyes scanned the room in attempts to find you and low and behold there you were dancing to one of your favorite songs. You were dancing with a few of your female classmates, and you already looked like you had a few drinks. Your face was flushed not just from the alcohol but from dancing.
He made his way over to you and admired the way you seemed to not care that you were dancing your little heart out. However, before you could catch a glimpse of him, he dodged his way over to a wall to lean against. He chugged a bit of his water to hopefully get the taste of Tanaka’s awful brownies out of his mouth. His face still was scrunched in disgust with the lingering aftertaste. You had finally turned in the direction of which he was standing and you smiled his way. His heart warmed at your action, but he instead raised an eyebrow towards you. You motioned your hand for him to come join you on the dance floor. He crossed his arms into an X and you frowned at him momentarily before shrugging and going back to your dancing. You were still blurting the lyrics out while dancing. “Am I falling in love with the one that could break my heart? Oh no, I was doin' better alone, but when you said, "Hello'' I know that was the end of it all. I should've stayed at home 'cause now there ain't no letting you go. Am I falling in love with the one that could break my heart?” You sang the final lyrics, almost looking at Tsuki the entire time.
With a playful smile, you rushed over to the tall boy once the song was over. “Are you having fun?” You shouted over the music. He winced from your obliviousness to sound levels at the moment. “Tanaka made some nasty tasting brownies. Who lets him cook?” He asked you, since you were more frequent to these parties. You quirked your own eyebrow up at his question, not sure what he was talking about. “Forget it.” He said, rolling his eyes. “You’re just picky with your sweets.” You mocked him while rolling your eyes. He was about to retaliate your teasing but when another song started, a squeal left your lips and you rushed back out into the crowd of dancing college students. A small smile quipped up on his lips as he saw you get so excited about the song currently playing.
He felt like he had been watching you dance forever. The song felt like it was playing on repeat and it was never going to end. Baby don't worry, you are my only. You won't be lonely, even if the sky is falling down. You'll be my only, no need to worry. Baby are you down, down, down, down, down? The song had kept repeating over and over. You were swaying your hips and dancing very in sync with the longest song he had ever heard. Maybe it was an extended version due to the party setting? What a silly tactic for musicians. Tsuki thought to himself. He looked away from you for a split second only to come back to seeing Nishinoya now dancing with you.
A frown had formed on his face to see Nishinoya getting up close to you like that. You weren’t doing anything in attempts to get the short skunk haired boy away from you. You were giggling and dancing stupidly to match Nishinoya’s silliness. You had always found Nishinoya amusing, especially since he hit on almost every girl in his class regardless of how many times he got shot down. He was an immaculate dancer and you had fun dancing with him whenever you came to these parties. When he swayed left, you had swayed right and vice versa, and you kept doing it to the beat of the song. It was a silly little thing you had going on. He had taken your hand and spun you around playfully making another giggle escape your lips.
You had only downed one of your solo cups and you were just floating happily. Even though you kind of felt bad that Tsukishima was seemingly bored out of his mind. He had just been leaning against a nearby wall, watching you and Yamaguchi having fun dancing. Nishinoya finished dancing out the song with you, giving you a wide smile before dancing off to a different girl. You rolled your eyes at his child-like antics and continued to groove to the songs that were playing. Once you felt like your heart was going to explode, you had stepped off the dance floor to see how your grump of a best friend was doing.
“Yo, Tsukishima, Y/N, wanna step outside and sit for a minute with us?” Tanaka offered. before you could say anything to your best friend. You had noticed Yamamoto was behind him. You looked to Tsuki for a coy response but he only shook his head. You grabbed his hand as if you were afraid he would bail on you, leaving you to deal with Tanaka’s bad humor alone. Tsukishima had leaned down to you while the two of you were walking to the back porch and had asked, “Didn’t it feel like those songs were playing forever?”. You looked back at him with a weird look and shook your head no, making him frown.
You followed Tanaka and Yamamoto out the sliding back door onto the furnished patio. You had plopped yourself onto the cushioned two seater and patted the seat next to you for Tsuki to sit next to you. He ignored you and just leaned up against the house near the sliding door. You huffed and pouted to your best friend before turning back to Tanaka. You figured he was annoyed with you for dragging him to this party that he was having no fun at. Tanaka and Yamamoto were talking back and forth about the new female manager for the volleyball team. You had nothing to contribute to the conversation but you were just glad to get outside into the cooler air.
There were a few people lingering in the backyard, probably to also escape the heat of the over-populated house. Some of them were in the inground pool that was below the patio deck. The music still reached out here so you could still hear the songs coursing through the party. You were honestly surprised that the boys didn’t have connected speakers outside, but at the same time you were glad they didn’t. You were able to relax for a moment without having to worry about shouting over not only over all those people, but the music as well.
You happily listened to the two boys gush about their crush on the new manager for a few minutes. Every now and then, you’d glance up at the spaced out Tsukishima and shoot him a smile. He’d return it with a small one before returning back to his spaced out state. You were about to get up and go talk to him, before the sliding door quickly flew open and Nishinoya was running at full speed with a boogie board in hand before jumping onto it to slide down the steps. He was doing great before he face planted at the bottom into the grass. Tanaka was laughing his ass off and you asked him if he was okay. Nishinoya had only given a thumbs up before jumping back up and undressing down to his boxers and jumping into the pool. A few other boys had followed Nishinoya in suit - disturbing those who were just lounging in the pool.
You hadn’t even noticed Tsukishima stalking over to sit next to you. “Hey,” He started, making you jump a bit. You held a hand to your heart and took a few deep breaths before looking at him. “What’s up Kei?” You asked, smiling at him. “Do you think that Nishinoya’s one brain cell bounces around his skull like a windows screen saver and when it finally bounces perfectly in the corner he experiences a legitimate coherent thought?” he spewed out.You, Tanaka, and Yamamoto had become quiet for a moment's time, you blinking a few times at what you just heard Tsukishima say. That was, before Tanaka burst out laughing at his statement. “Dude you are so right!!” Tanaka laughed out, gasping out for air.
“I knew something was off with you dude! I know my brownies are fucking bomb, but I guess I didn’t realize Noya had taken the spiked brownies out of the oven.” He laughed out. You whipped your head at Tanaka’s statement with bewildered eyes. “Excuse me?” You asked, looking back and forth between your best friend and the host of the party. “I’m pretty sure your best friend here had some edibles, my dude.” He laughed more, tears leaving his eye from how hard he was losing it. “Tsuki, how high are you?” You asked when you turned back to your best friend.
He stared at you for a moment, raising an eyebrow at you. “I’m not high, you’re just short.” He responded after taking a moment to take your question into consideration. Tanaka stopped laughing for a moment before losing it all over again. He quickly got up from his seat to go over to the railing. “Yo! Nishinoya!! We got Shittyshima high!!!” He yelled out to the small boy. “WHAT?!” Noya shouted back out from the pool. “Yo Tanaka, two of the baseball students are fighting in here.” A lanky boy shouted from the doorway of his house. “Damn it, not again, Yamamoto, come help.” He groaned, excusing himself to break up the fight going on inside the house.
You were amused to see your best friend who was usually so strung up on everything, so relaxed. He looked at you and seemed disgruntled. “Are you okay, Kei?” You asked, turning to face your best friend. “Do you think there are parallel universes in which Nishinoya is both tall and smart?” He blurted out. A laugh escaped your lips as you shook your head to his silly thought. “That would mean there would be a universe where I’m short and nicer to people.” He sneered with a frown on his face. “I think you’re nice regardless.” You laughed, making him look at you with a fixed expression on his face that you couldn’t place.
The song had changed to the famous Katy Perry song that was really popular on Tik Tok. A smile spread across Tsuki’s face that you registered as amusement. “Let’s have a contest.” He suggested, making you raise an eyebrow. You were interested in what he was about to suggest, but you would have never guessed what he said next. “Let’s do the TikTok challenge to this song. Sing only the choruses to each other seriously without breaking eye contact but still make eye contact in between choruses, first one to smile or break eye contact loses. We start at the first chorus.”
A small laugh left your lips, but you accepted his challenge. You were going to have so much fun teasing him with this later when he finally sobered up. The song was nearing its first chorus and you straightened your back and cleared your mind in order to be able to do this with a straight face. You closed your eyes and let out a long breath before the lyrics started. Just because it's over doesn't mean it's really over, and if I think it over, maybe you'll be coming over again, and I'll have to get over you all over again. You both sang, both with a serious face. However, inside you were dying to laugh because you don’t know how to take this challenge with your best friend seriously, especially since you knew he was so high.
However, when the chorus was over and the next verse came on, you felt him intently staring at you. It was as if he was staring into your soul, like really looking at you for the first time in a long time. You felt your cheeks redden at his intense gaze at you, his eyes softly looking at you. The next chorus was coming up and you prepared yourself not to laugh at the silliness that was this challenge. You both succeeded the second chorus as well and you did everything not to look away from Kei. “What on earth did I just stumble across?” Nishinoya’s voice pulled you out of your intense focus.
“Mind your own business Nishinoya.” Tsukishima hissed, but didn’t break his gaze at you. Nishinoya muttered something before heading back into the house and closed the sliding door behind him. The two of you could still hear the blaring song through the closed door; Thought we kissed goodbye, thought we meant this time was the last, but I guess it's never really over. Thought we drew the line right through you and I - can't keep going back, I guess it's never really over. The pre chorus sang, and it seemed as if you and Tsukishima were drifting towards one another. You had noticed that the two of you were very close to each other’s face. Kei’s eyes still bored into your own and finally you had to break eye contact when he flashed his signature smirk at you.
You felt your face immediately flushing hot and you tried to not to think too far into what just happened. However, you didn’t get a chance to register your thoughts because Tsukishima had gripped your chin between his fingers and forced you to look at him. You were breathless with his actions and you noticed his eyes glance down to your lips before flicking back to your eyes. “I win.” He breathed, with a shit eating grin. You silently nodded, feeling dizzy from everything going on and from how close your faces were to each other.. “Hey Y/N?” You heard Yamaguchi called from the sliding door. You broke away from Kei’s grip in a frazzled state to look over at your other friend.
Yamaguchi had raised an eyebrow to the two of you but had a smirk on his face. “The cops were called because of the noise level and the fight that broke out. Do you want me to take you and Tsuki home?” He asked, the smile still etched onto his face. Tadashi had often teased you and Tsuki about dating from time to time. Tsuki always mentioned he would never date his gross friend or some backhand comment. You had told Tadashi in confidence of your growing feelings for your best friend, and he promised to keep it strictly between the two of you. You had always figured your feelings were one-sided but with how the night was going, you weren’t so sure anymore. However, catching Tsuki basically almost kissing you, made the boy wiggle his eyebrows at you.
“Yeah, that would be nice.” You blurted out, standing up and grabbing Tsuki’s wrist to pull him up from the chair. The three of you had trailed to Yamaguchi’s car after saying your goodbyes to the boys hosting the party. Tanaka was still laughing about how Tsukishima had eaten some of the weed brownies. You told them you’d text them to let them know when you all made it home. You climbed into the back seat again and Tsuki had taken the initiative to lay down on your lap and scrunch himself into the backseat. “That has to be way too uncomfortable for you, Kei. You’re too tall for that.” You said running a hand through his messy blonde hair. “I’m fine.” He said, looking up at you with his intense brown eyes. He said he was fine but he looked super crumpled in Tadashi’s small vehicle.
The ride back home was quiet as Tsukishima just let you play with his hair, while humming the Katy Perry song from the party. When you reached your apartment complex, Yamaguchi asked if you wanted him to take Tsukishima home. You looked down at Tsuki who had seemed relaxed and calm. While you knew Yamaguchi would take care of him, you wanted to be extra sure that in case he started to get paranoid, you were there to take care of him. Even though Tsuki would gripe about it, he would have done the same for you. You said your goodbyes to Tadashi and made it up to your apartment with no problems. “Do you know the real reason I went to this party with you tonight?” Kei asked once you had locked the door to your apartment.
“What's that?” You asked, amused that he even brought this up. “You looked too good all dolled up and god forbid I wasn’t there and some undeserving guy started flirting with you. Hell I almost wanted to shoo away that annoying Nishinoya.” He started ranting. You narrowed your eyes at him. You had gone to plenty of parties before today, what made this one so different in his eyes? And did he just admit he was jealous that you were dancing like a goon with Nishinoya? “Kei, I don’t understand what you’re saying. Maybe it’s the weed brownies talking. We can discuss this in the morning.” You told him, going to set up the couch for him. Before you could walk away from him though he grabbed onto your wrist.
“Y/N. If I have to be blunt, I will be.” He stated in a serious tone. Your face flushed again at his direct nature. “What do you mean?” You questioned him, surely he had to be messing with you. Maybe he thought you were drunk and even in his hazed state he was still determined to mess you with, that being the nature of your friendship. However, before you could say anything else, Kei had put his hand behind your neck and pulled you into his own lips. It wasn’t forceful like you had always imagined it to be, he was soft when it came to you. While the two of you may have always roasted each other, you always knew it was in a playful manner. Anytime he knew he took it too far he would always come and apologize to you, whether directly or indirectly. However, you pushed him away from you though and put some distance between the two of you, even though this is everything you could have ever wanted. A frown quickly formed on his face, taking note of your reaction to his actions.
“Ah, I overstepped my boundaries, I see.” He muttered, going to turn away from you. “Stop messing with me, Kei! I’m not drunk! I don’t know what you think you are doing, but this isn’t funny.” You managed to squeak out. It took him a few seconds to recognize what you were going on about. Then a small laugh rumbled out of his throat. “Oh, you are too much sometimes, Y/N.” He laughed, before stalking back over to you.
He cupped your face in his hands and made you look at him. “Drunk, high, sober. It does not matter, because I am absolutely smitten for you. You make me want to do ridiculous things like dance with you at parties, you make me want to tell stupid jokes to get you to smile and laugh. Have I hidden my feelings for you way too long? Absolutely. However, seeing how flustered you got with me tonight, I had a feeling that maybe you liked me the same way I’ve liked you. So I’m taking this chance, even if I’m a bit hazy, to finally conquer this fear of mine.” He admitted to you, making your heart skip a beat. When you hadn’t said anything to him, he continued on his little rant. “I was jealous that maybe you would have found some other guy to come home with tonight. So I went to this party to hopefully keep me in the forefront of your mind.” He continued and when you looked up at him you could see the blush rising to his cheeks.
“I realized, I don’t want you to be happy with anyone else, but with me. I want you to myself, and if that is selfish then I want to be selfish for once.” He grumbled, realizing he sounded like a middle schooler and turning away embarrassed. You stayed quiet in shock for a few moments, really reeling in the fact that your best friend, whom you’ve had feelings for, was admitting that he had those same feelings for you. “You’re not messing with me?” You once again asked in a hushed tone. “My god, you idiot. Do I have to spell it out? I like you, hell maybe I even love you, but don’t press your luck. I still gotta sort out my own emotions.” He stated, not as confident as before. A smile spread across your cheeks at his confession.
“It only took you eating some edibles for you to finally admit that you like me? Gosh, if I knew that I would have asked Tanaka to make me some earlier.” You teased, making him roll his eyes. “You know what, forget everything I just said, I take it all back.” He teased back, making you pout. He took the opportunity to kiss you once again, making you a flustered mess once more. However, you happily reciprocated the kiss back. “However, I guess it's not all that bad, getting teased by you.” He uttered in a soft voice once he pulled away from the kiss. You nodded your head, as you started towards your bedroom.
“Do I still have to sleep on the couch?” Tsukishima asked in a low voice, his cheeks still tinted red at his subtle but direct question. “Absolutely not, get your tall ass in my bed now so I can cuddle you.” You laughed while shaking your head. “With pleasure.” He answered, trailing behind you with a smile embedded on his face. Maybe going to parties with you, wasn’t all the bad after all. (But, he knew never to touch any brownies ever again, especially if they were made by Tanaka.)
#tsukishima kei#tsukishima x reader#tsukishima x y/n#tsukishima drabbles#tsukishima fic#haikyu x reader#haikyuu!!#haikyuu#tsukishima kei one shot#kei tsukishima
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5, 6, 16, 17, and 50 :3c
5. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?
no. I used to, but my cat is a MENACE!! who tries to ATTACK THEM and will tear them up (despite having pLENTY of soft toys to play with. smh. its like..she cant tell the difference between 'soft toy she is allowed to chew' and 'soft toy that is MINE'...cat sized brain -_-...) so now the stuffed animals stay on the Shelf or Dresser, and I simply cuddle my cat like she is a little baby when its sleeping time instead. and shes gotta accept it bc shes the reason i do not have plushies on the bed anymore....take responsibility miss zilla....😤
6. Do you prefer drawing or writing?
ohhh hard question. it rly depends on my mood ngl. I love doing both! I ...think if I HAD to pick. I'd choose writing actually... its a bit less time consuming and easier lately. this answer could change in a week tho :")
16. Want any tattoos? What of?
yeah!! I already have one I lowkey wanna get removed bc it was impulsive and im bored of it LMAO but id wanna replace it with a birth of venus tribute, and I kinda want one sleeve thats ocean + nature themed, and one sleeve that's...vaguely rococo themed with lil tributes to other stuff I love too (omg a lil cinnamoroll tat would b so cute, possibly some pokemon and a lil masha too??) and I have HAD a tmm tat concept sketched out forever but it'd be a bigger piece, so im not sure WHERE id get it on my body, possibly...a chest/collar area placement would be ideal.... hm. also ive always wanted a lil something around my ankle, maybe a floral piece or smth. or a lil dragon around my ankle for poor 17 yr old me who threw a FIT over not being allowed to get a tat at that age HAHA shout-out to them bc that was funny asf looking back. anyway YES I want more tats but Money u know. :")
17. Want any piercings? Where?
look I respect and love the way they look on other ppl but No none for me. i used to have my ears pierced but let them grow in. im lowkey very anxious/paranoid that if I got any piercings someone would try to fight me and Rip Them Out and its very irrational but very Scary to think abt. (or that theyd be around my mouth and get caught on food and id swallow them or smth kjadsfhkj) my paranoia simply Wont Allow it. But again. they are VERY cool on other ppl, esp the more alternative/big ones!! i love to see em 🥺
50. Wild Card. Any question, ask away.
ohh wait does this question mean i..come up with a question for myself lol?? or am I misreading. anyway im choosing to make this question 'what drawings are u working on rn' bc I want to Ramble abt that. I am CURRENTLY working on (4) diff magical girl drawings bc im putting together a mini magical girl zine + coloring book :) im having fun!! and should be posting previews within the next week or so if all goes according to schedule.... after I finish that I also want to draw a blue knight + ichigo drawing with some cute redesigns I did forever ago hehe :3 very excited for tmmn s2.....aaaaa they are so cute im literally like...getting so happy just seeing screenshots and new fanart of them i love them sm.....
tysm for asking jace!!!! <333
#sanchoyoanswersasks#if i misunderstood the last q pls hit me with a comically large cartoon hammer like BONK
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Ooh someone put to words why I felt that Liyue's archon quest really dropped the ball after Mondstadt's, thank you! My sister was appalled when I thought Kequing was the same person as Ganyu when she appeared for the first time haha, I went "oh purple-haired messenger lady" and didn't realize they were different people until I met Ganyu again for the glaze lillies and realized the dissonance in her values vs Kequing's lol
But about Mondstadt's archon quest—my perspective was colored by the fact that I read all the Mondstadt books before finishing it, but still—iirc doesn't Venti explicitly tell us that Dvalin *isn't* mad about the temples or the lack of worship, but that when he came back to Mondstadt he was met with rejection because people didn't recognize him? Just how much he sacrificed defending them from Durin must have twisted the knife even deeper... This draws parallels to the time he first descended to the world and he couldn't understand people and the people didn't understand him so they reacted with violence and anger, until he finally met Barbatos who saw him for his beauty instead (breeze amidst the forest vol. 1). And well, the time in the archon quest isn't the first time that Stormterror had attacked—he and the knights have clashed multiple times and animosity grew (breeze amidst the forest vol. 2 citation) to the point that revealing that he's the East Wind NOW would be dropping a political hot potato and put the Knights of Favonius in a lose-lose between killing one of their gods or looking like their people's safety didn't matter to them.
Plus, Venti specifically stating that Dvalin doesn't have to listen to him made perfect sense to me because, in the past, Venti DID command Dvalin - in battle against Durin, 500 years ago. The fallout of which has obviously caused Dvalin an unimaginable amount of pain and is basically why Dvalin and by extension Mond were in such dire straits in the present. Venti must have felt so guilty... that reminds me, they actually made this point a lot more explicit in the closed beta! The meaning is a lot clearer there than in the final version, imho - In the beta, as Venti is falling, still awake, Dvalin goes: "speak...summon me, command me, and thou shalt be saved—" but Venti instead smiles, relieved. "You have finally returned, Dvalin" and blacks out. When he wakes up on Dvalin's back, Venti tells Dvalin "I never summoned you because I never wanted to order you again." the AGAIN is key here, I believe.
You're right that 'freedom when commanded by an Archon is really not freedom at all' came a little out of left field though. The context probably was about how Venti commanding Dvalin to save him would mean nothing, while Dvalin Choosing to save everyone, by himself, despite everything, means a whole lot. And maybe about how Dvalin willingly tying himself back to Mond isn't what Venti wishes for him, but it's not his place to tell Dvalin what causes are worth committing himself to? Maybe? I'll have to think a bit more on that, bc Venti does seem to support people committing to service as long as it makes them happy. Hm.
Sorry if this is incoherent and hard to read rip I typed it in my phone and I can't see the whole ask at once in my tiny screen lmfao. Also I was surfing posts about the Genshin storyline and saw yours, which I was nodding along with, then I went to your tumblr and realised "Wait, that's the author of those amazing khr fics I read ages ago!!!!!" So I Kinda Got Overexcited fjkjdh
Mmmm I vaguely recall that Venti might have said that, but again, it isn't conveyed properly, which defeats the entire point.
One off-hand mention isn't enough for the motivations at the core of your storyline's central character. We needed something more like Jean sitting us down and explaining painfully how Dvalin showed up out of the blue one day, how the people panicked, how no one realized who he was until it was too, etc. This should be at least three sentences with sad music in the background, is what I'm saying. Like, an actual scene of this. This is what I mean when I say Mond feels like it's missing half of its scenes, to help transition between what we did get.
Similarly, I don't count the books toward the actual storyline. Very few people read those. I only read them on the wiki, not even in the game. The game doesn't even think you're reading them, since Liyue Act 4 literally told us nothing that wasn't already in the books, because they knew most players don't know this stuff and had to be caught up on all that. Beta content is obviously even less countable, since it's just straight up not canon anymore, since they chose to cut it.
(The beta stuff is interesting though! Wonder why they'd cut something so meaningful.)
In general, Mond and especially Liyue suffer from a ton of the setting and situation being just... vague.
We're not explicitly told what the actual conflict between the Qixing and the adepti is. We're not told what the adepti actually plan to do. We're not told what the Qixing are even doing behind the scenes. It's all discussed in total generalities, when the specifics would have massive implications for all the characters involved. In Mond, it's somewhat less noticeable because, at the end of the day, Dvalin is not being rational or acting as he normally would, so the situational details aren't too important. But in Liyue, the situation IS the plot, so.... yeah.
As much as I hate it, I will say that the new writers are better at convey this stuff, for whatever reason. I just finished Inazuma act 1 again, and it's noticeable how much they walk you through the situation in Inazuma, compared to Liyue's vagueness.
(Not to say that it's all good or even enjoyable, the Ritou errands were just annoying and the NPCs are a cancer, plus the emotional and character writing is a mess, especially in the other acts. Hilariously, it even comes back to bite them later because they try to sweep under the rug the situation they set up so painstakingly.)
I feel like those KHR fics are my real legacy, and I'm happy with that. Those were good days, hehe.
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Tuesday 25 August 1835
6 ¼
11 ½
no kiss rain in the night and recently this morning finish and F64 ½° now at 7 10 am - from then to 8 ¾ with many little naps intervening read from page 185 to 219 Bakewell’s geology - why is it that I always sleep so even over books that interest me exceedingly? 20 years ago, I could read 10 hours a day without a slumber - breakfast at 9 in about ¾ hour - then with my father and Marian and with A- who had her tenant Heblet till came to my study at 11 - from 10 to now rain at times heavy with thunder and lightning - Mr Henry Bates’s son came about 11 ¼ and another person who had waited for him in the approach road to speak for the job of making the Engine wheel - walked with them to Denmark to shew the intended site of the engine pit - pointed out where the dam was to be, and left them to go along Lower brea wood and by Wellroyde while I went to tell Aquilla Green’s wife her husband might have the fog till Xmas for £3 tho’ I should not less anyone else have it for less than £4 - asked if she could let a respectable young man board with her if I wanted it - yes! - then went to ask Hannah Green how she did and it began to rain more than it did when I left home and I staid watching the weather and talking till 2 - It seems AG- would like to live in Mytholm farmhouse if I would but repair it a little - I said the repairs were estimated at £100, and I did not like laying out so much on such a old building ½ buried - home about 2 ¼ - stood talking to John in the cowhouse about keeping the low land in my own hands and feeding beasts - talked of sheds 5 yards deep within and 10 yards back for dunhill and thus making a good farm yard for the time - John thought I might make the land pay - asked if he thought William Hepworth would do to come and live here as farming man and in the stables - John thought I must have somebody and had nothing to say against WH told me Mr. Carr would like to plough up the sour Ing - trench-plough it, or perhaps a pare and burn it first - turnips 1st year then lentils and sown down with grass seeds at same time - said that was just my own idea of doing it, only that I should not pare and burn but merely trench-plough and take turnips or potatoes for these boiled were very good for feeing cattle - then mentioned the top Godley field again for a gardener - said Mr. Carr had out-schemed himself - I had got my mind off Godley and he might do what he would with it for what I cared - long while in the stabling and about ordered a little handgate to be hung between stable and cowhouse that the door might be left open for light - came in about 4 - put on dry pelisse - had Joseph Mann - to be here at 7am tomorrow about the line of tail-goit - came to my study and wrote the above of today till 5 - told Mr Bates this morning I had not yet fixed on the dimensions of the water wheel - had consulted Mr Leather but his answer not yet arrived - gave Mr Bates the data and said if he would give me his calculation in a note per post I would think about it - 1 cubic ft. of water per second upon 18ft. of fall, what diameter of wheel and what breadth of breast would be best and what numero of strokes per minute? - has to lift thro’ 30 yards 2 right-inch bore pipes, a quick stroke not required - he said one cubic ft. of water would lift the same quantity about 16ft. high 30 yards=90÷16= 5 10 say it requires 6 cubic ft. to pump 1 cubic ft. thro’ 30 yards or 6 revolutions of the wheel and 6 lifts of the pump to bring up one cubic ft. - I suppose 1 cubic ft. of water with 18ft. of fall would lift the same quantity 18ft. if there was no friction and that he allowed 2ft. on the 18ft. for friction but his own words were, on hearing that the water was to be lifted 30 yards ‘then that will require a 4ft. stroke to life 1 cubic ft. and 30 strokes per minute will one eight inch bore pipe’ Joseph Mann told me they had got 200 yards done of the new water drift calculating from the 1st opening - they contracted for 350 yards length - had already 100 yards of piping the last 40 yards without any - should want 160 yards more of piping - 36 yards of piping in Walker pit which will be at liberty if on bottoming the pit to the lowbed they find air from Rawsons works or slip-in pit in Trough of Bolland wood - wrote so far of today till 5 ½ pm - turned to the encyclopaedia (Howards’) article mechanics respecting water wheels - dinner at 6 ¼ - coffee - sometime with my father and Marian - then with my aunt ¾ hour till 8 ¾ - poorly this morning but better and pretty well this evening - then till 9 40 read tonight’s London papers - A- received the copy of the executorship accounts (in Mr W. Priestley’s own handwriting) this morning - A- writing to her sister this evening - thunder and lightning and rain this morning (vid. line of today) and thoroughly rainy day - F64° now at 9 40 pm - read from p.219 to 235 Bakewell’s Geology till 10 1/2
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TWITL - week 4 - reminiscing moods
MONDAY - 22 January
We start with a dream.
I dreamt that I was in a mall or event center and tech reviewers I follow were there. I spotted two and tried to wrangle picture with just the two of them but somehow it turned into a group thing and I wasn't even standing next to both of them. The picture was taken and I tried again to take a picture with just the two but it never happened. Darn it!
I often dream about being in some kind of mall or event center or festivity that's huge in scope and travels in some kind of circle. I bet there's a reason for that but I haven't quite figured it out yet and I haven't looked it up. What does it mean to dream of being in a place where you're basically walking in a huge circle trying to find someone or something you want or need?
https://flic.kr/p/2ptZUPu
Thomas Beaudoin in Top Dogs...
Yes, I did more screenshots of Top Dog because Thomas Beaudoin. I'm almost done with the show and maybe I'll go back and actually watch it even though I definitely do not understand 99% of the words coming out of their mouths. I don't mind though. Part of the learning of things.
WEDNESDAY - 24 January
Today started off dark and dreary. Now it's just gray and dreary. I don't mind very much. I like the cooler weather. The rain is fine by me as long as I'm not in it-- driving or otherwise. Besides, we need the rain!
Twenty-five years ago I got to take a picture with Dean O'Gorman, Ryan Gosling, and Joel Tobeck. I figure it warranted its own post so if you want to read it, click on that link at the beginning of this paragraph. When I saw that the group shot is one of my most favorite photos with me in it, I am not exaggerating. I love that photo and I'm so glad to show it off and tell its story every chance I get. And today is that day, hence its own entry. And since I can't resist, here's the photo again:
Dean, me, Ryan, Joel
Happy Birthday to William Gregory Lee! I wish I had Greg's number so I could randomly text him with my bday wishes. If we ever reconnect, I'm asking for his number. We're supposed to be friends, after all. We met over two decades ago! (Seriously, how has it been that long?!)
THURSDAY - 25 January
I finished listening to John Scalzi's Starter Villain last night. I loved it! I found it utterly delightful and I laughed out loud so many times. I think this might be my first listening to Wil Wheaton narrate a fictional book (I have one of his own books on audio) and he does a fantastic job. I've enjoyed all the Scalzi books I've read/listened to so far and this one was a good one. I'd definitely recommend it. It's fun!
As I was finishing Starter Villain, my Libby alerted me that my next book was ready to check out -- Rick Riordan's The Chalice of the Gods. Of course, I went right into reading that after I finished Starter Villain ended. It feels like ages since I read a proper Percy Jackson book and having the show on the air reminded me how much I enjoy that world. I laughed at how startled I was that Percy is still in high school at the beginning of the book. I feel like he should already be in college but time is different when it comes to books. Can't wait to see what the gods have in store for Percy in this one...
Top Dogs - Fine, I only "watched" this show because of Thomas Beaudoin. I couldn't understand a word of it (it's French Canadian) but I got the gist of some of the broader things happening. Maybe I'll go back and watch it with more attention instead of just skimming to Thomas' scenes. His character goes through some things through the three seasons. The episodes are short and easy to watch. I had to turn on my VPN and pretend I was in Montreal or Toronto to watch online. So there's that.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians - I am very much enjoying this show. This week we got to see the Underworld and this iteration of Hades. I have a soft spot for Hades and the Underworld that stems from the Herc/Xena days so it was interesting to see this show's version of both the place and the character. I liked it!... As for the show, it's been ages since I've read the first Percy Jackson books but this show definitely feels like the books did, hence my enjoyment. I'm a bit of a sucker for weaving mythological stuff with the real world. The whimsy of it is such fun.
FRIDAY - 26 January
Here we are at the end of the week! It's a bit before 0700 hrs and yes, I'm already online. And I might not write again until later today so here's a shot from yesterday:
https://flic.kr/p/2puBbDF
me at work
SUNDAY - 28 January
https://flic.kr/p/2puREJc
corn in a "cup"
We went to the Farmers Market yesterday! First visit of 2024. The weather was lovely and dry and chilly enough for long sleeves and the vest jacket. Love going out in my vest jacket because of all the pockets, which means me not needing to bring a purse. Yes to pockets!
https://flic.kr/p/2puQRZy
vest jacket and hat for farmers market
We did a little day drinking as well while out Saturday afternoon. I had a cider, a mimosa, and a cider. I also had my requisite corn in a cup and then nachos at our second stop. Love these kinds of Saturdays...
The Niners are down at halftime. Not good times at all.
WRITING
"No For Now" (working title, which I don't really like but it'll do for now) - I think I FINALLY have the character names but they still haven't settled in my head yet. The next block was their occupations and for some reason, I went with a job that I had used for a previous character, which led to me re-reading that particular story. My records show that I wrote the story in 2008 and some of the details show. I mention Blackberries and digital cameras and iPods. It's wild. The story isn't so bad. I was in my CSI stage for that one.
This current story started with a scene (as most of my stories do) and now I'm trying to work around the details of that scene. I'd like to write it and be done and not save it for November. We'll see how it goes...
https://flic.kr/p/2puEM6v
My busy time at work begins later this week. Oh boy, here we go...
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post #2 - yesterday i woke up sucking a lemon [1/2/24]
hello, not much to write about today -- spent today largely in the company of others, without much time allotted for the mind space of focused work. i'm getting a little bit anxious about the time running out but i still think today was good. i find myself returning to the idea of setting aside dedicated weekly time for artistic exploration/enrichment that i read about a few months ago in the first few pages of The Artist's Way, which i later threw out for reasons unrelated to the book's integrity/validity (although i instinctively doubted that as well). not sure why my gut felt so distrustful of that book, but it's probably because i first heard about it on TikTok and something felt quite gimmicky/commercial/disingenuous about it upon actually cracking upon the pages. but i am quite open to giving it another chance later on.
went to berkeley for a little day trip with my friend who just returned from her hometown. we went to a little crystal/occult shop that i'd been to once before and enjoyed, and then to the Guitar Center in emeryville. i got some various trinkets and gifts for my family, and a couple music books; she finally got a dj kit, which we'd been talking about for ages, and i'm very excited for her. we also found ourselves lost under a random overpass, getting pulled over by the cops for an illegal turn (immediately following me exclaiming "right next to the police station, too"), getting called by an ex, and driving through solidly "dreadful" (as my friend put it) weather: rainy, cold, and dark, complete with a flock of tritely ominous birds. overall, a very strange and liminal vibe. i instinctively enjoy experiences like that, though. makes me feel very aware of the unpredictability of everything. comforting, in a way, because it means that anything can happen. you never know what the universe will bring you next (although that's a very cliché/uninteresting way of putting it -- i think there's definitely more complexity there that i'm not interested in attempting to develop further right now). i think i've always been drawn to fear in some way, for that reason...
not much in the way of work, except that i finished the radiohead book yesterday and made some good progress on the czikszentmihalyi book today (will likely finish it tomorrow), and also learned the piano parts for EIIRP (hence today's choice of song) and pyramid song, and the beginning of Lake Shore Drive/Coming Back. have been compulsively playing EIIRP and pyramid song since learning the parts last night, and played around a bit with garageband on my ipad last night. still in an exploratory phase. waiting for my midi controller to come in on friday... i know i will need to just face things and start at some point. constantly caught between the tension of allowing for creative percolation/a productive patience with myself after the literal years of stagnancy and the very real challenges i faced (which took me a long time to even acknowledge), vs. the knowledge that there will never be a perfect time and things will always feel hard at points. very much attempting to maintain that dialectic and navigate it in a way that productively and intelligently balances logic, emotion, intuition, etc....
i always enjoy the BART ride as optimal reading/thinking time. so much so that i ended up immersed in my book and doing an accidental loop that cost me an hour and $17 in a last-minute necessary uber trip the last time i went to berkeley. ordered another book on the BART ride back that should be coming tomorrow -- leslie jamison, whose work i've enjoyed since randomly coming across her essay, Grand Unified Theory of Female Pain, sometime in the second half of high school. this essay resonated so much with my little angsty teenage self that i incorporated it into a capstone piece i really enjoyed working on for my senior year english class. i'm not sure how i discovered leslie’s work -- maybe through her aunt, Kay Jamison, who i became aware of around 10th grade. i know i already have much more reading material to get through, but i can't seem to help myself from compulsively buying more and more. in any case, i do think i'll actually finish the works that i care most about this time (as i have been doing), which is a very very comforting respite from the years of not even being able to read, let alone write. i have been focusing on leaning into doing what feels good, thinking about what i truly want to read and what i enjoy reading and just allowing myself to pursue that feeling. it also helps that i finally stopped deluding myself that i could read ebooks. nope. i am a massive lover of physical books, which seem to be the only medium through which i can actually *finish* a book, and now that i'm no longer in denial about that, reading's been an absolute joy.
i also feel some anxiety over the implications of reading while not really writing (another iteration of the consuming vs. creating problem that's been nagging me), but felt some comfort/reassurance in Czikszentmihalyi's remark that all the writers he interviewed were also compulsive readers/that reading was an essential component of the writing process. i know that intuitively and logically but i still worry that i'm not doing enough. maybe this is all just an exercise in getting out of my head. banishing the worry. idk. i am getting self-indulgent again. i don't really have much to say today. still wanted to get something onto the (virtual) page. there's also definitely more i could've said about today's choice of song, as i have a long history with this song, and the lyrics of today's title are also somewhat topical, but to write all that out doesn't feel quite right at the moment.
i may continue reading, i may continue working on the course i started/exploring with the tools i've been working on, i may just go to sleep and call it an early night, i may do some random internet wandering. i have been extremely tired to the point where i texted two friends that "i think i have narcolepsy" (only somewhat facetiously) and fell asleep on BART. i suppose that means that i should take care of myself and go to sleep earlier, but willfulness has always been one of my character flaws. welp.
thinking vaguely about love, generosity, dependability, and the best ways to show up for those you care about.
bye for now.
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Babe wake up new characters in my school-life lore just dropped:
[ Tw: kind of heavy subjects treated lightly/with slight irony in the second half of the post ]
The first one:
Subject: art history
Name: Victorian-Age Vampire
Special attack: Elitist posture +20 annoyance // Judgmental death-stare -20 defense// "If it's popular it's bad"-laser +1000 annoyance// "Indie music is better"-energy ray +10000¹⁰⁰ annoyance
This man is the reason I use Neoclassical as an insult. This man is the reason I see the Art critic world described as "a circlejerk of men who think are so smart and interesting"
He sees someone wearing the shirt of a band? He will ask them if they actually listen to the band
He hears someone say a particular/pretty unused/specific word? He will ask them to say what it means cutting off the initial discourse
He stares. That kind of stare that wants you to feel uneasy.
My man is a celebrity look at him! Please look at him! Look at how great he is!!!!!!! LOOK AT HIM I SAY HE'S SUCH AN INTELLECTUAL!!!!!
He doesn't explain certain (and dare I say very important) paintings because "they're overrated". YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS SHIT UP I CAN'T BELIEVE IT-
The funniest thing is that he said he actually likes my character/personality for [insert reason here]. My mate, I'm sorry but the feeling is very much NOT mutual, and I really wish it didn't have to be like that, but I really can't stand you.
Also lol he's like, "You people shouldn't care about grades." I don't, because I don't want to have a mental breakdown caused by this ungrateful school (again), but there are people who care, and I can understand why.
He is pretty privileged, he was able to work with not only with one but 2 of his passions. And he did it because he could afford it.
Many people in my classroom(or in my school in general) who cannot. Grades (especially here) sometimes are the only thing that decides your fate, as much as teachers and older people feign ignorance.
The world doesn't work they way it worked 30 years ago or the way they actually think it does without having any tangible proof.
Lmao I remember he once said something along the lines of "[x] is not real art, masses like it, but critics acshualley" SIR YOU WORK IN THE ART FIELD YOU SHOULD KNOW YOU DON'T GET TO DECIDE SHIT.
How many artists were hated by the critics and their things regarded as "not real art" at their time, but now they're on our art history books and us students HAVE to study them????
What makes you think you(????) a contemporary of [x] have the true answer to what art is?
This mf started a discussion about books and thir importance based on the way they're written. We were talking about Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, he doesn't know them and he thought he had his "gotcha moment"
I can't stand him, he reminds me of 12 years old me too much. I really hope I outgrew that phase, otherwise please someone have mercy on me and just finish me off. I'm serious I don't wanna grow up like that.
But now let's not be dramatic, here's the real deal:
The second one:
Subject:[redacted]
Name: Creep
Special attacks: uneasiness +20 damage // smirk +200 annoyance // chill/funny demeanor +50 deception -30 defense // misogyny +50 annoyance +150damage
He wasn't bad but he always felt off to me, idk why I thought he was insincere.
Then two things changed my perception of him
1) point blank he shared with us the news of a girl who reported her rape after a certain amount of time here. And he said "nah she's lying, she wouldn't have waited so much time to report him" BITCH???? Omg y'all can only imagine how much this sentence fucking triggered me for many different reasons, none of which I'll be saying here, but fucking hell?????
But again, boomer, I never have high expectations towards them, so I was put off but heh... I've put up with worse. I mean fuck him, but alright I guess.
2) I was working on a project and I needed a thing. The thing was in the school basement and I'd never been there so I didn't know where to look for it. He seemed reluctant to accompany me, and he was all weird and fidgety. We get the thing, we go back and he is talking about the fact that "it looks weird when a professor and a student go alone in a basement and how he could get in trouble even if he didn't do anything and someone could report him for something he didn't do and it would ruin his life"
AND I WAS- Luke idk I probably visibly took some steps away from him because WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK MAN? LITERALLY INSERT HERE THE PETER GRIFFIN" who the fuck starts a conversation like this I just sat down" Meme.
Why are you saying this??? Why are you thinking of assaults when helping me find a thing that I need for a school project in the school basement???? Fear not my mate I will never go down there with you again after this one????? Fkn hell.
#steel rambles#art school#idk why I call him Vampire tbh#He's not actually soooo bad#like- he's an alright teacher#I really dislike his personality#no actually I don't even like the way he teaches#There's worse out there ik#I just dislike him tho#the second one is the worst#fkn creep#few months left and it's all over#just a few months
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