#one could say I’ve been in. a funk of sorts. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

h-harleybaby · 1 year

Note

I really like South Park fractured but whole, so maybe you could do Team Stan + Butters reacting to their s/o wanting to be their hero sidekick?

Ughhhhh that’s such a good request. I was like, about to say that my requests are closed but lately I’ve been in a funk and really obsessed with tfbw so NVM I’M WRITING THIS! It might get me out of that funk I was talking about, I need to write anyways. Btw this is all like, aged up to highschool at the very least. You can't tell me they wouldn't still roleplay during highschool because I know damn well they would

You can kinda tell which ones I didn't put too much effort in sorryyyy I just didn't know what to write also also also ignore any mistakes

Cartman, The Raccoon

• Cartman literally gets so excited it's funny, but if you say anything about him being excited he flips you off and tells you that you can't be his sidekick (he's lying)

• He kinda thinks of everyone on the team as his sidekicks but you're like, his special sidekick and he'll never admit it

• He loves having you as his sidekick, NOW IT'S LIKE ALL OF YOUR MISSIONS ARE DATES!

• Cartman literally throws a fit anytime he has a mission you can't go on, he wants you there SO FUCKING BAD but he'll never tell you that

• He's weirdly protective of you but it's really nice (this totally isn't based off me talking to the Cartman character ai)

• You definitely bring snacks for you guys during patrol and I swear to god his pupils are hearts I'm not even kidding

• In my opinion, patrols and stakeouts with Cartman would be the best

• Out of all of them, he's the one you do the most with. Every other night there's some sort of crazy bullshit y'all deal with

• Most of the crazy bullshit being because Cartman caused it but shhhhh we don't talk about it

• Being his sidekick is a soild 7/10, he can get a lil selfish but he's really fun

Kyle, Human Kite

• Kyle's excited but more nervous than anything, he doesn't have anything to worry about tho!

• Y'all are a pretty good duo, even though you don't normally go on missions where y'all have to fight

• You guys work more with damage control, I mean kites are pretty fragile and mans is a human kite alien so like

• Not to say he's weak, he's far from it actually! He just has pretty low health and stuff ya know?

• HOWEVER! You're a pretty good healer so it just makes sense that y'all are always near each other on the battlefield, plus sidekick so yeah

• Not only do y'all usually do damage control but also a pretty good amount of recon

• Half of the time you guys end up getting caught and have to run away so you get to be on Kyle's back as y'all are gliding the hell out of there

• Its like, surprisingly fun to be gliding. The wind in your hair and the excitement is the best

• Anyways, because y'all don't see combat too often the patrols are really calm. Sometimes even a little boring but you don't mind, neither of you are getting hurt and that's all that matters

• 9/10, it's kinda boring sometimes but it's pretty nice to be with your bf. At least y'all don't get hurt and can goof off during patrol

Stan, Toolshed

• Stan's kinda indifferent about it, he's like "cool you're joining me... why?"

• Don't get me wrong, he thinks it's cool you wanna join him! He just doesn't get it too much, isn't it gonna be boring for you?

• Well, ya know what? Now he has someone to spend sleepless nights with when he's on patrol!

• Ngl he underestimated how much he would enjoy having you by his side, he's not lonely anymore AND SOMEHOW HE DIDN'T NOTICE HOW LONELY HE WAS TILL YOU JOINED HIM

• Ahhh, imagine if you had tool themed super powers too?? Y'all share some of his dads power tools and have to awkwardly try fixing them when they somehow break during battle

• You can't tell me Stan hasn't broken them before! He literally throws screwdrivers at people and shoves power tools into the ground, they have to break at some point

• Good thing you guys somewhat know how to fix things, y'all both probably would've been dead multiple times if you didn't know how to repair the shit y'all break

• Y'all have definitely had to clean blood off the tools at the end of patrols/nights. Literally almost every time, he really has to stop throwing screwdrivers at people

• Anyways, Stan thinks you're the best sidekick ever and he loves having you around. Having you as his sidekick is really fun overall, he wouldn't trade you for literally any other

• Being his sidekick is a good 8/10, it's not the best thing to clean blood off tools at 2 am but you don't mind too much

Kenny, Mysterion

• Part of Kenny is over the moon! The other part, not so much

• He doesn't want you to get hurt while you're his sidekick so he's probably a lot more careful on his missions than he usually is

• There's definitely a lot of flirting between y'all tho, he gets SO cocky when he's Mysterion. Its one of his favorite things to get you flustered and flirt with you like, mid battle

• He doesn't die as much as he used to now that you're there so that's nice! He can't bare having you see him die tbh

• Y'all often patrol more dangerous parts of town so you guys see combat REALLY often

• I mean it's not Kenny's fault that homeless methheads and rednecks keep trying to kill you guys. It's whatever, he's good at fighting and so are you!

• You are by no means delicate, no matter how much he tries to protect you from all the battle you still end up seeing it anyways

• He kinda thinks it's hot that you're so good at fighting, he's literally like "damn bbg, you can beat my ass any day"

• Kenny never gets used to you flirting back with him, he practically short circuits. You think it's cute how he can flirt so easily but get so flustered when it's reciprocated

• In my opinion, being his sidekick is 8.5/10 because of all the fighting and flirting

Butters, Professor Chaos

• Omg Butters is ecstatic! He didn't know how you knew he was Professor Chaos but he doesn't dwell on it too much

• Now you guys can bring all the chaos your little heart desires to South Park and he's so happy about it

• First South Park, then WORLD DOMINATION!

• You're not exactly one of his henchmen and he doesn't have the heart to call you his sidekick, you're something higher than henchman?

• Does it really matter? He's gonna bring chaos to the world with you by his side and that's all that really matters in his opinion

• Every time Cartman and his hero team beat him up after foiling his plans you always end up having to patch him up which is kinda annoying but it's fun to scheme with Butters during that time

• You definitely end up being the one who reminds him of his common sense, you're kinda like his rock in a way?

• He's so glad to have you by his side, plus now that you're here his plans actually succeed sometimes!

• The younger henchman all ship you guys considering most of them don't know y'all are actually dating, it's pretty endearing

• Solid 8/10, you rarely get hurt and it's kinda painful to see Butters hurt but y'all have a good time in general

No hear me out, like I wanna pick them all up and hug them like teddy bears. They're all so cute as kids even tho Cartman would probably and most likely has committed war crimes they're my lil cutie patooties. They're literally all really close to my height but I don't care I wanna hug them like teddy bears

If anyone has any recs for places to buy like, nice plushies of them I would appreciate it <3333

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mrsstarkey1 · 1 year

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carnival

request: “can i request something super fluffy with rafe?” by @lanadelreyfan16

summary: rafe takes you to the carnival to cheer you up

word count: 1.5k

notes: rafe cameron x reader, rafe lowkey ooc

—

“rafe, where are we going?” you ask for the millionth time, leaning your head back against the headrest dramatically.

“you’ll see,” he says simply, a smile playing on his lips; one that you can’t see because of the piece of fabric covering your eyes.

you let out a long sigh and you hear him chuckle lightly. you let your own lips twitch into a smile at the sound, excitement bubbling in your chest as you wonder where rafe could possibly be taking you.

this past week, you’d been sort of out of it, in a funk. you were exhausted all the time, emotionally and physically drained from school, work, and just life in general. you tried to not let it show, but rafe noticed almost immediately. so lately, he’d been by your side at all times, just making sure that you were okay.

this morning, he’d woken up earlier than normal, awaking you by pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. “what’s goin’ on?” you mumbled, forcing your eyes open.

“nothin, baby. i’m just going out for a bit, just wanted to let you know i was leaving. i’ve got a surprise for you later,” he whispered, with a grin you could only vaguely see through your tired eyes.

“mhmm, can’t wait,” you murmured lazily.

rafe smiled, leaning down to press a short kiss to your lips. “i’ll see you soon. i love you.”

about an hour after you’d woken up today, you had been laying in your bed watching tv when rafe facetimed you. you answered immediately, and were met with rafe’s grinning face on the screen. he simply said, “get ready. i’m picking you up in 10,” before hanging up.

then you texted him - omg rafe. what do i wear??

he’d responded with - something comfortable

you’d scoffed at the vague response, but couldn’t fight the excited smile from spreading on your face - the first genuine smile you’d smiled in awhile. you changed quickly into jean shorts and a cropped tank top that you knew rafe just loved. finally dressed in real clothes for the first time this week, you already felt better.

rafe’s truck came to a stop after about 10 minutes. “we’re here,” he breathed out, a nervous undertone in his voice.

“yay,” you say quickly, unbuckling your seatbelt. “can i take the blindfold off?” you plead, turning your body toward him.

“no,” he says simply, and you hear his door open. you sigh, leaning back in the seat. in just a moment, rafe is at your door, opening it quickly and grabbing your arms to guide you out of the car.

your feet hit the ground and you’re immediately confused. it’s not concrete, you can tell. grass, maybe? “rafe, where are we?” you whine out, impatience coming to the surface.

rafe let’s out a hearty laugh that you can feel coming from his chest as you lean into him as you walk. “you’ll see, baby. doesn’t this make it more fun though?” he asks proudly.

“i guess,” you mumble, focusing on your steps so you don’t fall. you’d never been a coordinated person. which is precisely why rafes hands are placed tightly on your shoulders as he guides you to wherever the hell you’re going.

rafe suddenly comes to a stop, and you can hear people talking and laughing a little distantly in front of you. rafes hands move from your shoulders, and you can sense him moving around to face you. “okay, you ready?” he asks knowingly.

you nod quickly, muttering a soft “duh.” rafes hands go to the sides of your blindfold, gently pulling it up and off your head, letting you see his smirking face. your eyes stay on his for a moment, a smile starting on your face. your gaze shifts to behind rafe, landing on a big flashing sign that read, “carnival”

your mouth drops open, and your eyes glance around excitedly at all the carnival rides, food trucks and games. rafe watches you intently, awaiting verbal confirmation that you like the surprise. you meet his eyes after a moment. “i didn’t even know there was a carnival in town,” you said with a smile. “this is so great, rafe,” you added, taking a step forward to wrap your arms around his neck.

rafe let’s a relieved smile take over his expression, and his eyes light up looking down at you. "you really like the surprise?" he asks, proud smile indicating he knows your answer. you simply nod and tilt your head up to bring your lips together for a short kiss. "let's go get a funnel cake," you mutter against his lips.

you drag rafe around the carnival grounds, hand laced with his as you walk around enthusiastically like a child in a candy store. "look, rafe! that game has those big teddy bears as prizes," you say giddily, pointing at the one of the game booths.

rafe smiles at your pure excitement over a giant teddy bear, "let's go play," he says, leading you this time. rafe greets the man running the game, handing him some tickets that he’d purchased earlier in exchange for some metal darts. “you wanna try?” rafe asks you, holding out a handful of darts to you.

you nod, taking a few from him. you play for a bit, but you can’t seem to make more than 2 in a row to get the big prize.

“god damnit,” you groan in frustration as the dart you threw misses the balloon and falls to the ground. “I can’t get it,” you sigh dramatically, looking at rafe with a dramatic frown.

rafe returns your expression, “let me try it, baby,” he says, pressing a short kiss to your temple.

you hand him a dart, and watch lovingly as he focuses on pulling his arm back just right. when he releases the dart, your eyes linger on him as his features tense, waiting to see if he hit the balloon. your gaze is only pulled from him when you hear the deafening pop.

rafes eyes widen, and he lets a smile develop on his features, turning his head to direct it toward you.

“we have a winner!!” the man in the booth announces enthusiastically, ringing a bell in his hand.

“no way! you did it,” you say with a giddy smile, quickly wrapping your arms around him for a tight hug.

he chuckles into your shoulder, “well don’t sound so surprised.”

rafe reaches his hand that is not wrapped around your back out to grab the teddy bear, but you beat him too it. you pull it close to your chest, an ear to ear smile on your face - one that rafe could look at for hours.

“thank you,” you say with a giggle, pulling rafe back in for an embrace. his arms tighten around you, uncontrollable smile plastered on his face.

“can we go on the ferris wheel now?” you crane your neck up to ask him, pleading smile on your face, (though you don’t really need to do more than say the word for him to do anything for you.)

rafe smiles down at you, “course we can. don’t know if they’ll let you bring that on there, though,” he jokes, gesturing to the stuffed animal in your arms.

“i’m not gonna take no for an answer,” you say with a smile, clutching the bear in your arms as you begin to walk toward the ferris wheel.

after waiting in an annoyingly long line, you, rafe, and your teddy bear all get into one of the ferris wheel capsules.

you lean into his chest as the ferris wheel starts to move, letting out a breath as you take in the view. you can’t help but notice that off feeling you’d been feeling for the past week, that weight on your chest, that exhaustion, was all gone.

“thank you, rafe,” you say, just as you hit the top of the ferris wheel.

rafe shifts toward you, “for what? the bear?” he asks with a grin.

you smile, glancing down at the stuffed animal. “no. well, yes, that too. but i mean thank you for bringing me here, and for being here for me this past week,” you say softly, turning to face him. “i know i haven’t been the most pleasant to be around,” you add with a small laugh.

rafe grins, shaking his head a little. “i always enjoy being around you, y/n. i just hated seeing you not feel like yourself. i’m glad this helped though, you seem happier,” he says, wrapping his arm around your shoulder tightly.

you nod and smile, “i feel a million times better. all because of you, baby,” you say, leaning in closer to him to press your lips to his. you feel rafe smile into the kiss, and his hand move to the back of your head to pull you closer.

you pull apart only to take a breath, resting your forehead against his. “i really like that bear too,” you whisper, “i think he might take your side of the bed.”

rafe raises his eyebrow, “i’m gonna have to throw him off of this ferris wheel.”

taglist(lmk if you want added!): @willowpains @rafes-bae @housekeeperjjswife @addisbooks @sofiatheseconf @rafecameronsofine @rosie-anne

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suzakisbbygirl · 8 months

Note

Hi! I hope you’re doing well! I want you to know thank you for the stories! They are amazing and make me so happy to read!

I want to ask could I get HC’s on how the Mighty Warriors comfort their lovers after a hard/bad day?

This is so good omg I can feel the fluff in my heart🥺

Apologies for taking so long, I’ve been super busy with work and getting ready to go back to school ://

Regardless, I hope you enjoy☺️

Ice, Jesse, and Pearl for this one !!

Much love ~ ember

Mighty Warriors Comfort their S/O After a Hard Day

Ice

Honestly I see Ice being very gentle with his s/o

I think he would want you to just relax, and he would take care of everything else for you

Whatever you wanted, hes on it

Food, drinks, cuddles, whatever it is, he wants to do it for you

He wouldn’t exactly have the Funk Jungle shut down for the night, just in case you want to go and have some fun there

But if you ask him to stay with you instead, he’s next to you in milliseconds

He would tell the others that he is staying with you for the night, and that they were on their own for the night

He says it with a gentle voice, but his eyes are saying “if you disturb me and my s/o ill rip your head off”

Just wants you to feel better

Theres nothing he hates more than seeing you upset

Wishes he could go beat up whoever gave you such a hard time, but he knows that you need him more

Turns into a professional chef

Like if you let him, he’ll have a three course meal, plus extra snacks and drinks prepared

And its all actually really good too

Honestly Ice is so good at taking care of you, you won’t even remember why you’re upset by the end of the night

Jesse

As soon as this man hears you’ve had a bad day he’s ready to fight whoever upset you

Like who had the audacity to mess with my s/o and think they’ll get away with it

Honestly his s/o might have to stop him from walking out the door and hunting them down

He just hates seeing you upset, and needs some sort of anger release

However he’s gonna have to find that at a different time, and he knows that, and he knows that all you need in the moment is him

That whole night, he refuses to let anyone near you, like genuinely gatekeeping you from the world

It might seem possessive, but in reality he just wants you to know that he’s there to protect and comfort you

I don’t see him as being the best with words, so he shows you this through actions like this

He might try to cook for you, but it might be a better idea to order food instead…

He just needs to know that you’re okay but he’s not the best with his words so he’s running around getting you anything and everything you could possibly want

I’m Reality all you want is him, but it’s cute the way he takes care of you hehehe :)

Pearl

Pearl typically is joking around with you

Everyone knows he’s the guy to keep spirits up in Mighty Warriors

So when he sees you upset, he doesn’t know what to do at first

He’ll hesitantly walk to you and wrap his arms around you

Naturally he’s gonna wanna say something funny, but he wants to be there for you, so he just lets you cry on his shoulder staying silent

I don’t see him as the kind to really rush around to take care of you

I see him as the kind to stay with you, by your side the entire time until he knows you’re better

Of course, if you ask for something, he’s immediately up and getting you whatever you need

But he’s glued to your side, arms around you, simply holding you close, letting you do whatever you need to keep from bottling up emotions

After a while of just embracing you he’s gonna start to make jokes

He just wants to see you smile, it’s his most favorite thing in the world

His way of taking care of you is taking you away from masses of people, and enjoying time together

It’s not often that the two of you get time away from Mighty Warriors, but in moments like this, he won’t let anyone disturb your peace

Honestly, seeing you upset might be one of the only things that frightens him, but he’s great at bringing a smile back to your beautiful face <3

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ickypuppi3 · 1 year

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50’s au where best friends billy and robin, who are very much in a lavender marriage, come into some money and move to a fancier neighbourhood meanwhile heather and steve, who are unhappily married and live in said neighbourhood find out there’s a couple moving in next door

so the day after billy and robin move in, heather goes over with a plate of cookies while steve’s at work and her, robin and billy just click straight away - billy meets steve later on when he gets home and billy’s sitting out on the porch with a drink but it’s them so obviously they immediately get off on the wrong foot

robin tells billy to sort his shit out because they can’t be making enemies when they’ve only just got here and they’ve got an act to keep up and heather tells steve to take the stick out his ass so billy and steve go out a few times for drinks to call a truce and become friends

in the meantime, robin and heather have been spending more and more time together and eventually robin sits billy down and is like ok i’ve gotta be honest, me and heather have been sleeping together and i think i’m in love with her - because robin and billy always agreed to be honest with one another and to not stay together if it was going to make them sad or if they found someone they really wanted to be with - and billy just stares at her and is like hey that’s really funny actually because i’ve been meaning to tell you that steve and i have been doing the exact same thing also i really like him .. yeah on second thought it might be love too, actually

and steve and heather talk to each other and they argue and cry and eventually they’re both like ok so what do we do now and they get billy and robin over and it’s super awkward for a moment before billy says something stupid and robin makes a joke and pulls heather to her for a hug

and billy smiles at them before turning to steve who’s looking stressed as hell and chewing on his thumb so he goes over and pulls steve’s hand away and tucks his hair behind his ear and it’s all very sad and gay

and then billy sort of pulls everyone out of their funk by spinning around and snapping his fingers and being like you know, we could all just .. stay as we are .. nothing has to change for us to get what we want and heather’s like ok how so billy walks over to the wall between their houses and knocks on it a few times before kicking it and steve’s like please don’t kick my wall but billy’s like no this wall could have a door built into it .. i could put a door between our houses

and that’s what they do, the end, happily ever after

#i have some thoughts #harringrove #buckleway #billy and robin are having the time of their lives #and they love each other dearly like platonically but still a lot #because they have that bond yk #and they have cats together #heather and steve have all the love of kate and leo in revolutionary road #it’s bad #like they cannot stand each other #but they get on better when they’re not pretending to be in love with each other so #it works out really #for everyone !#this could be any year really but i saw some of those pictures of lesbians in the 50’s so like #that’s why we’re here #also i was thinking about the truman show and the clothes in that so yeah #also also they live in a duplex i guess that’s what it’s called #not my problem if it doesn’t make sense for any reason they just do #ickyspeaks

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onlyhereforthestories · 2 years

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Broken Bones Fix Hearts (Alexia Putellas x Reader)

In honour of game day here is and Alexia fic. I hope you all enjoy and let me know what you think!

The last few weeks had been hard. After Alexia broke up with you, you had found it difficult to not let it affect you at training. The girls on the team knew there was something wrong but you were sure they didn’t know what. You had both never explicitly come out to the team as a couple, you didn’t so much hide it but also had never confirmed it.

What the team could see was that the normally happy go lucky, attached at the hip nature of your twos relationship had changed. You no longer turned up to training together, you no longer partnered up in drills with one another and you didn’t constantly tease each other like you used too. What you did do was ignore each other’s presence and avoid one another as much as humanly possible.

The weeks break from games meant extra training, and extra training meant more time for the girls to get confused as to what in the hell happened to the two of you. Jenni had asked Alexia and got a very stern its none of her business in response, and Aitana had asked you only to receive a similar sentence of you don’t want to talk about it.

The main issue with this was when two of the co-captains didn’t get on the teams dynamic and flow was effected, and if the flow was effected then the games were effected. So far you had only had training since it happened but it was game day tomorrow and you were nervous.

Athletico Madrid were not an easy team to beat and they were a physical team, these were the games you least liked playing in. You were always so sure you were going to end up with bruises and you knew if the team were struggling with the dynamic that would only be worse. So that morning after your pre match coffee you made your mind up that you were going to talk to Alexia before the warm up and see if you could at least get out of this awkward funk.

With a plan in mind you made your way to meet the rest of the team and get on the coach ready to take you to the stadium.

You were slow to put on your boots, you knew Alexia liked to be last out. When you were dating you used to wait for her to get a good luck kiss before the game, you were no longer faced with that situation but a completely different one.

Jenni was the last to leave and as soon as she did you were calling your ex-lovers name. “Alexia, can we talk for a minute?” The woman froze in place but turned to face you fairly quickly.

“Si but quickly.” You could tell she knew what this was about but you were just grateful she was going to hear you out.

“We need to get to some sort of balance. The team is suffering because we are going through something and I hate that I’m letting my personal life effect my work, and I know you so I know you hate it too. Things happen and for some reason we didn’t work, but on that pitch we do. We did before and we will again today because we are stronger as a team.” You didn’t look away from the woman once, you wanted her to see you meant every word of what you were saying.

“We are. I’m sorry I’ve just been in my head and I shouldn’t have let that affect our professional relationship. Ready to go and kick some Athleti butt?” You smiled for the first time since she ended things. With a quick nod of your head you ran out of the changing rooms with the woman you still loved hot on your heels.

The match was brutal, you seemed to be on the floor more than standing so far and it had only been 30 minutes. You could see some of your teammates getting annoyed with the amount of fouls occurring and you could see Aitana and Alexia particularly getting pissed off when you were brought down time and time again.

You were baring down on goal, the ball just out in front of you. You could hear the sound of a defender running behind you but you knew you just needed one touch to get the ball out from under you so you could shoot. So you did just that, you touched the ball with the inside of your left foot to set up a right footed shot and as you powered your right boot through you felt the defender catch up with you.

Pain was all you could feel, you could hear the cheering of the crowd but you weren’t paying attention to that. Your head throbbed and your left ankle was burning with pain. Lying face down on the grass you couldn’t move, every little shift of your left leg caused worse pain to shoot through your ankle.

Alexia saw you go down straight away, she didn’t even watch your shot nestle perfectly in the bottom corner. She made it to you in seconds, you were prone and she could tell you were in pain. “Amor, can you turn over for me?”

“No Ale por favor, it hurts to move it.” you reached the hand not fisting the grass out towards the woman, she didn’t hesitate in taking it and giving you what she hoped was a reassuring squeeze.

The trainers had made it to you now and when Alexia went to stand up to move over slightly, you gripped her hand tighter. “I’m not going anywhere amor, just moving out the way a little. I’ve got you.”

The game was stopped, the ref called half time without playing the final minute of the extra added on. The trainers were not moving you and it was clear to see from their reaction and the fact that they were calling the ambulance and doctor crew that whatever had happened was serious. “Ale I need you to tell me what’s going on, I know my adrenaline is high right now so the pain is subdued a little bit but this quite is not helping.”

Alexia nodded, gave your hand a squeeze and then got up and walked to your left. You could briefly hear her whispering with the trainers and then you felt what you think must have been a blanket being slightly lifted up before you heard Alexia gasp. That was never a good sign.

When she came back into view she was visibly pale and had tears in her eyes. “What? Ale what’s going on?” you went to move but the woman got on her knees and held your face.

“No don’t move amor. You need to stay as still as you can okay. The doctors are coming. It’s not good okay I’m not going to lie to you, your ankle is in pretty bad shape but you are going to be okay. I promise you are going to be okay. I’m going to make sure you are okay, I’m going to make sure we are okay.” You didn’t know what to say to that, you could tell by the look in her eyes you didn’t want to know what was going on with your ankle right now.

When the doctors got there you were taken away from staring at Alexia by them asking you some questions. They were the normal how are you feeling ones until one of the doctors facial expressions got more sombre. “What can you feel of your left foot? Can you wiggle your toes?” This confused you, of course you could feel your foot. It was causing you immense pain, well it was.

“I, it doesn’t hurt.” You paused, the pain you felt when you went down had gone and you hadn’t noticed. “The pain was so bad, why can’t I feel it anymore.” You were panicking, everyone could see it.

“Calma amor. I’ve got you. Stay still for me okay. Look at me y/n, you are going to be okay and I’m not leaving your side.” You could feel the tears leaking out your eyes as you nodded for the woman, the doctors were moving you and before you knew it you were laying on a stretcher with your foot covered in a brace and blankets.

The next hour was a blur, you were taken in an ambulance to the nearest hospital where you were taken straight down for scans and now you found yourself in a room with Alexia running her fingers through your hair whilst you waited for the doctor to come and speak with you.

You hadn’t spoken yet about what this meant and if you were honest you didn’t want too, you didn’t want to do this on your own. Alexia’s presence calmed you down in every situation and right now you really needed that.

You were just slipping into a peaceful sleep when the doctor walked in. “Hey bebé wake up for a few minutes for me, the doctors here.” You blinked rapidly at her to wake yourself up, an action that brought a loving smile to Alexia’s lips. She couldn’t resist leaning down and pecking your lips once something that you knew was a reassuring action.

“Okay Miss y/l/n, your scans show you have broken your ankle bone as well as torn the ligaments and tissue surrounding the bone. As you can see from the x-rays there is nothing holding your ankle in place which is why you lost feeling and sensation in it. I would like to take you straight into the operating room and get your ankle stabilised and start work on rebuilding the support system around it.” You were shocked, you knew it was bad. The doctor had said it was not good when you walked in but to find out there wasn’t a lot holding your ankle to your body was terrifying. Alexia was squeezing your hand and pressing kisses to your hairline, whilst whispering anything reassuring she could think of.

“You are going to be okay. They are going to fix you up and we are going to get through this. I promise you I’m never leaving you side again bebé. I’m so sorry.” You just turned your head and pressed it as close to her neck as you could, it had always been your safe space.

You didn’t know what the future held for you, you didn’t know if you would ever kick a ball in a professional setting again. What you did know was you had Alexia by your side and that was all you needed.

#alexia putellas x reader #alexia putellas imagine #woso imagine #woso x reader #woso imagines

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yellowkitkieran · 11 months

Text

Slow Down (Kieran Tierney)

Masterlist

Word Count: 1.8k

Summary: Kieran has been stressed lately, so you take it upon yourself to help him relax. Requested by @masonsreece

For the past few months, you have watched Kieran deteriorate. The confident, happy man you loved has morphed into someone bitter and snappy. Your Kieran isn't Kieran anymore, but some sort of pale imitation of the man you fell in love with.

Kieran's lack of playtime weighs heavy on his shoulders. When you're promised to be Arsenal's next captain, how could it not? Being sidelined for someone who is arguably not as good in some areas as himself has knocked his confidence both on and off the pitch. Unfortunately for you, that means Kieran is irritable and cranky when he comes home from training, regardless of how good the session may have been. Today is no different; he's only been gone two hours but the front door slams shut, his keys thud to the wood table in the foyer, shoes flung at the wall instead of being placed on the rack.

You wait in the kitchen, a little smile on your face even as your heart breaks. You've put effort into your appearance, nothing over the top but making sure you look ready to go out and throwing on one of his favorite outfits. You're determined to pull Kieran out of this funk if it's the last thing you do.

"Welcome home Key," you say, bouncing on your toes as he rounds the corner. You crank up your smile, trying your best to stay positive when Kieran turns his dulled brown eyes up at you.

"Hi," he mumbles, voice flat and lifeless. He looks you up and down, giving no indication as to how he feels about your carefully selected clothes. "Are you going out? I can order takeout then I guess. Thanks for letting me know."

You try to not let his words sting, aware that he's struggling and doesn't mean to take it out on you. "Actually, correction- we are going out, not just me. I laid an outfit on our bed for you, could you go change baby? It'll be fun!"

Kieran sighs and drags a hand over his stubbled jaw. Normally Kieran likes a clean, close shave but lately he's been letting his facial hair grow for a week or so between shaves. That was your final straw. Because while you personally love the rugged, tough look on him, you know he hates it. He used to complain about how itchy and weird it felt to let it grow, so the fact that it isn't bothering him now like it used to is, quite frankly, somewhat terrifying.

"I don't wanna go out, love. Thanks for trying though. I'm gonna shower and head to bed."

Kieran goes to leave, but your hand darts out to grab his wrist. You tug on his arm until finally Kieran gives in, sighing as he turns his body to stand toe to toe with you. He stares at a spot over your shoulder, unable to find the strength to look you in the eye.

"Sweetheart, it's only two in the afternoon," you say softly. You expected him to resist, but you hadn't expected him to appear quite so put out about the idea of spending time with you. You'd hoped for a smile or at least a momentary glint in his eye, not this.

"I'm tired," is all Kieran offers in explanation, as if that's all you'll require to let him go. Luckily you're stubborn as a bull; it'll take loads more resistance to put you off your plans.

"Key," you murmur, "could you please change for me baby? I've got an easy, fun afternoon planned for us." You place your hand on his jaw, thumb stroking over his stubble. "We haven't had a date night in over a month. Could you please do this for me?"

When Kieran's eyes flash to yours for a split second, you consider it a win. You tip your head slightly, fingers drumming lightly on his cheek. "I guess so… I really do need a shower first though, I didn't do that this morning."

"That's fine, I'll help you." You'll do whatever you can to make this easier on him. You miss his smile, so you have no problem stripping down and ruining your hair to join him in the shower.

Helping Kieran wash up doesn't include anything inherently sexual and yet it's astonishingly more intimate. Kieran bows his head for you to massage shampoo into his scalp, cleaning his short hair and enjoying the familiar scent of his soap. You wash his body with gentle hands, taking your time to ensure he feels truly clean because you know he's not been looking after himself the way he should. You stand up once you've finished rinsing off his calves and Kieran's hand lands on your side for a moment, squeezing your hip in a gesture of thanks.

Progress, no matter how small, is something to smile about. So you do, your lips curled softly as you dry your boyfriend's body with a fluffy black towel and help him get dressed in a pair of simple track pants and a black tshirt. Once he's set in front of the mirror brushing his teeth, you look after yourself, dressing and quickly styling your damp hair whilst Kieran does his own. While he doesn't do much with it, the fact that he puts in any effort at all is a step in the right direction.

You smile when he looks at you in the mirror. "Looking beautiful as always Key," you say as you finish up your hair. "I don't think I tell you often enough how pretty you are."

"Not as pretty as you," Kieran murmurs, pushing his hand across the white marble vanity top to touch the side of your hand. It's a gesture that tells you he appreciates what you're doing, even if he can't find the words to say it out loud.

"Come on, I'll drive." You flip your hand up, palm to the ceiling in an open invitation. You're half surprised when Kieran accepts, his rough hand sliding into yours like the missing piece of your puzzle. Instantly you know that you'll get through this rocky patch together, with the man you love at your side. All Kieran needs is a little reminder that he isn't alone.

**********

"A… spa? But I thought we were having a date day." Confusion dances in Kieran's eyes, which you suppose is an improvement over the nothingness that has been lingering in them for weeks. At least this is something.

"Mhm! I've gotten massages booked for us babe, and before you point out that you can get them at training for free… Yes, that is technically true, but you can't get a couples massage! So come on, we're getting facials too. Trust me, you'll love it."

"I guess, if you say so…"

Kieran stuffs his hands in his pockets, trailing after you as you head towards check in. You're given warm white robes and directed to a changing room with lockers to store your clothes. You separate and change into the robe, grabbing a pair of slippers off the rack in the room and sliding them on. Kieran is waiting on one of the sofas when you come out, a glass of lemon water in his hand that he sips at.

"Hey handsome," you murmur, sitting close to him and leaning your head on his shoulder for a brief moment. "How's your spa experience so far? I love these robes, I always say I'm gonna steal one for our house. Aren't they soft?"

"They are pretty nice. Guess it could be worse here… it smells good at least."

"It's herbal stuff- wait till you smell the green tea mask we're getting, I always wanna eat it!" Kieran's facade cracks to allow a small smile through. Your stomach flips at the return of your favorite of his features. "It doesn't taste good though, don't ask how I know."

Kieran's smile grows, finally showing teeth as he huffs out a bare bones laugh. If you keep this up, you might have your Kieran back by the end of the afternoon- maybe you'll even get a cuddle when you get home.

Your name is called and you grab Kieran's hand, following your masseuse to a private room. Two beds are set about a foot apart, allowing the pair of you to talk if you want.

The woman who led you in- Marie is what her nametag says- clasps her hands in front of her chest. "I'll give you a few minutes to get situated. I'll knock before we come in."

"Perfect, thank you!" You wait for her to leave before you drop your robe to slide under the white sheet, laying face down on your table. Kieran watches you carefully, clearly out of his element.

"You don't need to totally strip down and get naked. You can keep your boxers on if you want."

"Okay," Kieran says, reluctantly tugging on the belt keeping his robe in place. Sensing his discomfort, you turn your head away so he doesn't feel like you're watching him. If you had it your way you wouldn't take your eyes off of him, but the entire point of today is to help Kieran relax.

"It's warm," Kieran notes once he's situated under the sheet with his arms pillowed under his head. You can't help yourself, letting your gaze wander over the curve of his bicep and across the planes of his face. Sometimes you have to stop and smell the roses, and now feels like one of those times.

You thought you might be jealous if another woman touched Kieran, but watching his eyes close in obvious bliss when his masseuse begins working at his shoulders is well worth it. Kieran's soft sigh comes as his body visibly relaxes, taught muscles going loose as the built up stress drains from his figure. After a few minutes, you stretch your hand out to lay a hand on his arm, needing to connect with him.

Kieran cracks an eye open, "Maybe you were right. This is amazing."

"Mmhhmm. When are you gonna learn that I'm always right?"

Kieran laughs, which morphs into a groan when his masseuse hits the right spot with the flat of her palm. "Fucking hell- oi sorry lass, it slipped… sweetheart this is the best idea you've had in ages, maybe forever. I already feel loads better."

Your grin outshines the sun when Kieran brings your hand to his lips and kisses your knuckles. A soft smile remains stuck on his lips as his eyes close and he fully gives in to the lavender oils and comforting music playing low overhead. His soft snores come moments later, and you share an amused look with his masseuse.

"You can finish even though he's asleep, he clearly needs it. I'll pay for extra time for the room- I'm not gonna wake him up for a while."

#kieran tierney #kieran tierney fanfiction #kieran tierney fanfic #kieran tierney fic #kieran tierney imagine #kieran tierney fantasy #arsenal fc #forbidden fruit #jac writes

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munsster · 2 years

Note

hi hi! could u maybe do robin x gn!reader where they move in together to a small apartment and while unpacking the reader finds robin's old record player and they end up dancing? i hope that makes sense HDSJADH

i love ur writing vv much! thank uu <3

two left feet

A/N: yes!! i will RUN with any excuse to write slow dancing

Pairing: Robin Buckley x GN!Reader

Summary: Your new, shared apartment wouldn’t be the same without its first dance. 0.9k words.

Warnings: fluff, kissing, cursing, too many [pre] 80s music references

“How come you never mentioned you had one of these things?” you chirp with an armful of sleek white speaker wrapped up in thin black wire, connected to the port of a metallic record player. Robin cradles a flimsy cardboard box heavy with paperbacks, plopping it on the couch with a thud. “All this time sharing my shitty Walkman when we coulda been cranking this baby up to eleven—”

“Thought you knew,” she says, flicking her bangs out of her face with a sniffle, “you’ve seen my record collection. Why would anybody need that many albums if they never listened to any of ‘em?”

“Well, by that logic, why does anybody collect anything?”

“Fair point.” She squints and reach for your waist. But you sit criss-cross on the deep purple shag before she can catch you. Already rifling through her

“Let’s see, The Cars, Teena Marie—starting off strong, Buckley, what else you got?—Berlin? Meh. Heart? Gettin’ there”—thick-cased albums and extended plays stack up between teeny bopper pop singles, but the electro-funk-rock music just isn’t what you’re looking for. She sighs and sorts the records into their new shelf inside the cabinet, sliding down and flopping against the wood. Then you gasp—“This is the one.”

“What?” she says, crouching down with her chin on your shoulder, but you press the single to your chest and chuckle, fiddling with its sleeve and setting the delicate vinyl on the solid black turntable.

“You’ll see,” you hum, “or… you’ll hear.” The needle crackles through the old stereo, scraping along the smooth edge of the record, and you scoot closer to the player on your knees. You close your eyes when his voice sweeps through the speaker, rattling with low quality and age, but the symphony plays, too, and she smiles down at you.

You glance over your shoulder, and her hand is limp reaching for you, fingers curved to welcome your own, and clammy shuffling along your first carpeting. Shared carpeting. It’s tacky, sure, but pretty soon it’ll be vintage and fill your apartment with tender value. Though, home has always been priceless.

She holds you to her torso with a kiss to your forehead, sweat clinging to the neck of her loose, floral button up. Her hair gathers in a disheveled knot at the nape of her neck, and your fingertips brush over the damp skin where you draw her in.

And you hum to the words she sings along: “I’ve seen that road before. It always leads me here. Leads me to your door.” Only a breath away, she can taste the sweet strawberry balm left soft on your mouth, soothing because she’s a little chapped after a day of hard work.

She abandons crooning to be golden with her lips pressed to yours. To be glorious even if she’ll never be a household name. Revered in the palms of your hands even for a short time like running water. To settle into the shallow lines in your face only nestled into existence by joy. Even if you’ll dry her away, once, she remembers, she was there.

In attempt to christen the living room, she sways you. All the while pecking your lower lip with your head tilted back. All the while her hand curves along your spine. And try as she might to be suave, her floundering is not subtle. Not to you, at least.

“Shit, shit,” Robin huffs, pulling away when you laugh and your shoe slips off. She stumbles into you, and you catch her. “Sorry. Dancing’s not exactly my thing.”

“We don’t need to dance,” you say with a shrug, arms tightly folded into the back of her shirt when she grins and leans down. To catch you once more on her lips, if only for a single fleeting moment she’ll get to be drunk. Contact high when you sweep your thumb between her shoulder blades.

Between each kiss flirted against your mouth, she rasps out, voice vicious with honey and staggering prose: “Anyway you’ll never know the many times I’ve tried. And still they lead me back.”

“I’m crazy about you, Buckley,” you whisper against her neck as she swallows thickly. You twirl a fallen strand of hair back behind her ear, kissing the butterfly studs you bought her for your first-kiss-anniversary. You told her butterfly kisses count, advocating for kiss equality while refusing to even kiss her cheek without an admission. She folded at noon and clobbered you with a sloppy make out session in your rattletrap car.

“Not crazier than I am,” she teases, pinching your side. You smile and shake your head.

“There’s just no winning with you, is there?”

“I’m very competitive when it comes to the things I’m passionate about,” she says, “and oh, baby, am I passionate about you—”

“Geez, what’d you take a class in corny or somethin’?”

“Pssh, you love it,” she says, nipping at your jaw as your fingertips curl into her biceps and you chuckle.

“I know,” you sigh. And you go back to resting into the contours of her body.

“Don’t keep me waiting here,” she sings, eyes closed because feeling you is enough in the fragility of the world’s state. It’s enough to be held and loved and warm in your own home, swaying with her, daydreaming while you both smell of sweetish musk and peach soap. A vamp is enough to carry a song, but if she sang every one, they’d be just as good acapella. No need for gaudy theatrics, no satin curtains or flashy lights. Just the way she blinks her doe eyes and coos—“Lead me to your door.”

masterlist

#robin buckley fic #robin buckley fluff #robin buckley x gn!reader #robin buckley x y/n #robin buckley x reader #robin buckley x you #robin buckley #stranger things #x reader #stranger things x y/n #stranger things x reader #x gn!reader #x gn reader #*#fluff #maya hawke #maya hawke x reader

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goldenraeofsun · 2 years

Text

Day 20: Spa Day

“Specialty of clerics, druids and paladins, in Dungeons & Dragons,” Cas reads out loud, squinting at the paper laid flat against the kitchen table. He looks up at Dean, who shrugs.

“Metatron didn’t include DnD in your pop culture download?” Dean asks sympathetically.

Cas shakes head.

“Well, DnD is probably more counter culture if you want to get technical about it,” Sam says as he ferociously attacks the salad with a pair of tongs. Pieces of lettuce spray across the counter, and Sam sheepishly puts them back in the bowl, one by one.

“Nerd,” Dean coughs into his fist as he gives the pasta water a few hearty shakes of salt.

“Says the man who hung up his LARPing sword above his bed,” Sam retorts.

Dean points a wooden mixing spoon at him. “Gotta be ready for anything.”

"Seriously?"

"Did you forget I also sleep with a gun under my pillow?"

Cas shakes his head ruefully. "Your actions would make any gun safety advocate weep."

Dean grins. "Haven't shot myself yet."

Cas shoots him a flat look. "That's not nearly as reassuring as you think it is."

"You just don't know how to live, Cas." He turns back to the bubbling pasta pot.

"The word you’re looking for is MAGIC," Sam says helpfully.

"Thank you," Cas says as he writes down the correct answer. "Pastry dough used in crullers and beignets, five letters."

Sam shrugs.

Dean spins around, eyebrows raised at the pair of them. "Really?"

Both give him blank stares in return.

"I've made you watch the Great British Bake Off five times!" As Cas frowns, no doubt sorting through his millennia of memories for Pastry Week, Dean says, "It's a choux pastry, babe."

Cas dutifully copies it down. "Did you know in French, petit choux is an outdated term of endearment?" At Dean's perplexed face, he adds, "Petit means small."

Dean rubs his chin. "Little dough ball? I guess that's cute. If you're talking about a baby or something, like a real round one." He helpfully mimes the correct shape with his hands.

"I believe it refers to choux as in a cabbage," Cas says.

"Why the hell would you bring cabbage into it?” Dean makes a face. “Fucking frog eaters."

"Cabbage is a very versatile vegetable," Sam points out.

"You, shut up." Dean pours in three boxes of pasta into the boiling water. "Cabbage isn't versatile. It's gross."

Sam sets down his completed salad and takes a seat across from Cas at the kitchen table.

"It's a staple in a wide variety of cuisines," Cas disagrees.

"You're dead to me too."

Cas rolls his eyes and turns back to the crossword. Even though the answer comes to him in less than a second, he says aloud, "Quadrupedal combat vehicle in Star Wars films."

Dean perks up. "How many letters?"

"AT-ATs," Sam says as Dean glares.

"I was just about to say that!"

Sam ignores him. "There are some clues that pop up all the time," Sam tells Cas. "Like AT-ATs, arena, Erie, Argo, Eden."

"Words with a high percentage of vowels," Cas surmises.

"Yup." Sam cranes his neck, tilting his head to read Cas's puzzle upside down. "What's the theme?"

Cas points to the first long row of blank boxes. "Classic Wilson Pickett cover [1966].”

"Mustang Sally!" Dean sings into his wooden spoon, "now baby, guess you better slow your mustang down, oh yeah!"

Cas sits up straighter. "That song was in Miss Congeniality."

Dean groans as Sam's face turns half delighted, half incredulous. "You made him watch Miss Congeniality?"

Dean shakes his head. "It must've been part of Meta-"

Cas says at the same time, "You were hunting a siren with Eileen."

Sam doubles over laughing.

"What's the next clue, cabbage man?" Dean demands loudly.

Dutifully, Cas recites, "Top 10 funk hit from War with an iconic bass line [1975]."

Sam's brow creases. "Low Rider?"

Cas tilts his head, the description pinging his memory. "Like my car?"

Over the sound of pasta hitting the strainer, Dean chuckles. "Yeah, just like the pimpmobile."

Sam reads the next one, "Tracy Chapman hit with the line ‘I had a feeling I could be someone’ [1988]."

"Fast Car," Dean grunts as he throws the mostly water-free pasta back in the pot.

Cas dutifully jots down the answer before asking, "Janis Joplin’s final recording, which had an anticonsumerism message [1970]."

“Janis Joplin?” Dean repeats as he overturns the simmering alfredo sauce on top of the fettuccine.

Sam plucks a tomato out of the salad. “It’s Mercedes Benz,” he says, reaching over to count out the letters.

“The unifying clue for theme is Modern Music Staple that’s a punny description of 17– , 24–, 38 – and 48 – Across.”

“You got any letters?”

“A U _ O _ U N E”

“It’s Autotune,” Sam says, grinning. “Get it? Since all the answers are car songs?”

“Wordplay,” Cas sighs, wrinkling his nose.

“You’ll get better,” Sam says bracingly as he reaches over to pat Cast on the arm. “That’s why you’re doing the crosswords, right?”

“What’s left?” Dean asks.

“Close Chica.”

“Amiga,” Sam says confidently. “I haven’t forgotten all my middle school Spanish.”

Dean sets the steaming bowl of pasta on the table. “Whatever you say, hombre.” He takes the dish towel slung over his shoulder and throws it in the direction of the butcher block table. “Put that away, Cas. Let’s eat!”

“I’m almost done,” Cas protests as Dean ladles out servings for everyone. “Outings devoted to relaxation and self care, seven letters.”

“Spa days,” Sam says, grabbing Dean’s plate and placing a portion of salad on the side.

“I’m gonna need a spa day after this,” Dean grumbles, “to wash all the nerdgasm juice off me.”

“You watch Jeopardy! every night, you massive hypocrite,” Sam says without looking up from his pasta.

“Alec always gets a pass.”

Cas frowns. “Just like Swayze?”

“Just like Swayze,” Dean confirms before he dumps half his salad onto Cas’s plate.

#suptober22 #fanfic #destiel fanfic #established relationship #canon divergence #canon au #sam winchester & castiel #fluff #domestic #rae writes fic

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theluckywizard · 10 months

Note

Hey Lucky! i missed your first week but here's a prompt for week 2: For Rose & Bethany (in the rescue Hawke au maybe?), "I'm on fire, but I'm trying not to show it"

Heyyy Kia, Happy Friday! Not quite Fade Rescue AU, but definitely Hawke in Fade related. Have some angst! @dadrunkwriting

WC: 1047

CW: references to major character loss

Three weeks on the road, three weeks withdrawn, riding alone to the dirge of my thoughts, the insatiable hollowness inside me consuming the kindness of every gesture offered to me. But I’m still empty.

Skyhold holds a distant sort of comfort. The complications of Cullen are somewhere far behind me on the road, gathering together the remaining forces and marching them back across Orlais. My caravan moves at an intrepid pace. Everyone’s high on victory but one other. Varric feels it the way I do, but he won’t talk to me. I can feel his bitterness bearing into me when we ride. His unsympathetic glances laying on another layer of grief. Like it was somehow my fault.

And perhaps he’s right.

Hawke would never be lost if he hadn’t joined us.

Hawke would still be here if he hadn’t loved me.

The joyful fanfare of our arrival matches the outcome at Adamant, but grates against my mood. I unload Juniper forcefully, angrily even, shooing away footmen who are only trying to be helpful for Maker’s sake. But I can’t break through the grief to be gracious.

Josephine meets us in the bailey and rather than jubilation, I’m met with anxiety, distress even.

“Inquisitor,” she greets me.

“Josie,” I reply tersely, wishing to be left alone long enough to bathe away the funk of the road and the salt of my tears and then dirty my cheeks again in the softness and solitude of my bed.

“I do not usually bother you with business as soon as you return, but– this cannot wait.”

“Can’t wait?” I ask, more aggravated than I intend. It’s not her fault, after all.

“It is– well. Delicate. And urgent. There is someone here and I have not told her yet– not officially, but I think she knows because the talk has circulated and I think you should be the one to talk with her.”

I forgot.

I knew she was en route.

That it would take a month or more to arrive from her tucked away corner of the Marches.

“Bethany,” I say softly with a nod.

“Yes. When the bell sounded I summoned her to my office,” says Josephine. I’m not sure what she knew of Hawke and I, but she’s surely heard all the rumors. She’s surely aware that we had some manner of intimate relationship. “I am sorry, Rose. But she should hear the news from the leader of the Inquisition.”

The walk into the keep feels too long and too short. I parse through what I’ll say. And how can I know the right thing when I haven’t the first inkling of what she knows? But perhaps whatever lay between Hawke and I matters little.

I should give her the uncomplicated version

That he’d sacrificed himself to make our escape possible.

That he was a hero until the last moment.

That he gave everything to make the world right.

But I can’t do it with dry eyes.

Bethany Hawke sits placidly in one of Josephine’s chairs staring at the fire when I enter. She stands abruptly at the sound of the door and I’m struck by how little she looks like him. She is small and dark, with beautiful, saucer-like brown eyes that pierce through the orange firelight of Josephine’s office. Her dress is a simple deep plum kirtle and I gather that’s her staff leaning against the wall by the fireplace.

“Inquisitor,” she manages, her voice tense, aching.

The grief that I’ve snuffed into a bed of smoldering embers, flares up at this new fuel. I’m on fire and I’m trying not to show it.

“Serah Hawke,” I say, which feels strange given how much Hawke spoke of her.

“Could you perhaps confirm the rumors I’ve been hearing about my brother?”

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “Your brother is–” My voice breaks, any scrap of fortitude I thought I could gather together crumbling. “He’s lost. Gone. I’m so sorry.” Bethany nods and then her eyes flick up to mine which are already tearful.

“Is he dead?” It’s a more pointed question.

“I don’t know,” I admit. She nods again.

“He asked me to come. He said I’d be safe here. That you are doing good work for Ferelden. He didn’t want to come back to the Marches. He told me to join him here,” she says. “And I’m here… and… he’s not.”

It’s too much. I cover my mouth as if I could catch the sob that jumps out.

“I couldn’t stop him,” I choke. “He wouldn’t listen.” Bethany looks at me questioningly, her own eyes glossy as I lose all composure.

This is unprofessional.

“Once he gets an idea in his head, you could never talk him out of it,” she says softly, mournfully. Hearing her speak of him with such intimate knowledge feels like a strange salve on my aching heart. Bethany moves toward me, her steps tentative, but she takes my hands with such gentleness that I can’t help but meet her gaze. She presses her lips together in an expression of solidarity.

“I’ve heard all about you, Inquisitor Violet,” she says, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. “I feel like I know you already. He wrote about you in all his letters. I felt like I was on adventures with you two.” Of course I knew this, but the thought of it sparks a flutter of life into my heart. I sniff and wipe my eyes.

“I’ve only just returned– perhaps you’d like to come up to my quarters? I’d rather talk about what happened somewhere more comfortable,” I tell her. Tears streak over my freshly dried cheeks and I curse and wipe them again. Bethany folds me into her arms like a proper sister, squeezing me like squeezing hard enough might bring him back.

“Sorry. You looked like you needed it. I’ve needed it,” she says, releasing me.

There’s a softness about her, like an embrace personified. Like I could pour my soul into her and she’d hold with all the care in the world. And she may not look much like him, but in this I see him in her. I feel him.

And for a moment the gaping void feels softer around the edges, like it might not swallow me whole after all.

#rose trevelyan #dragon age inquisition #dragon age fanfiction #in the shattering of things #hawke x inquisitor #hawke x trevelyan #bethany hawke #dadwc #theluckywizard

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bfictioncorner · 2 years

Text

Pink Sweater (Hopper x OC/Reader)

(Omg I’ve forgotten how to write fic summaries.)

Pairing: Chief Hopper x OC (or reader if you wanna change the name and pretend)

Rating: PG-13/R

Warnings/content: erotic dancing, daddy kink (mild), grinding, over-the-clothes stuff...

Summary: Hopper meets a new dancer at a local joint but can’t place where he knows her from.

Author Note:

Okay finally posting this after sitting on it for like a year for a few different reasons... Sort of a self-insert/OC type of situation, inspired by boredom and downtime while actually working on set of the actual show (yes... I’m cringe like that; I did background work on Stranger Things and wrote this up.)

Enjoy?

Long nights on duty were disorienting, and definitely lonely. Despite knowing the next morning he would see the guys at the station, and the same waitresses at the diners and coffee shops, and, eventually, Joyce and one of the many children in her kids’ friend group, the late night patrols put Jim in a weird headspace. A very liminal headspace that reminded him a little too much of some of the weirder ongoings in the town.

It probably wasn’t a good look, but after nights like those, he would allow himself to sneak off to Gallyan’s. At least the name was somewhat discreet, and not something like “Peaches” or “Twin Spires”. Not that it mattered. He was the Chief of Police, and could get away with it. Or, the truth, he knew, was that people were aware of his less-than-professional behavior, and just let it slide. Who else was going to do his job? The law enforcement presence in Hawkins was small and bumbling, and hardly ever needed. The most he ever needed to do was break up fights outside bars, and even then he didn’t care to do that.

It was a Tuesday night at Gallyan’s (more like Wednesday morning at 2am). Jim hadn’t been there in a few months. He sat in his vehicle, just outside the cheap neon signage, debating on if he was even really feeling it. He needed something to get him out of his funk. Not coffee, not pills, not something that would make it worse. He wasn’t particularly in the mood, but it was worth a try.

“Okay…” he breathed out. He finished his cigarette hurriedly, and slammed the door behind him.

Walking into the place, he kept his hat tipped low, and his blue jacket on, just covering his badge. The doormen were still well aware it was him, mumbling a greeting and not even asking for an entry fee.

The further in he got, Jim finally, slowly, removed his hat, brow staying low with his glance cast down. He shouldn’t have felt weird or bad about being there, but he recognized a lot of sleazy faces he’d detained in the past, and it was just uncomfortable.

“Hi handsome, how are you tonight?” a gentle voice asked him, right as he sat at a far away table.

“Fine…” Jim trailed off as he looked the woman up and down. She was all of five feet tall (maybe some change with the heels, but still tiny), and dressed in a very subtle, pink lingerie set.

Something about her short stature and black bangs seemed familiar. Those features weren’t super defining, but they stood out enough and he couldn’t tell why…

“I’m Goldie,” the dancer said, closing the space between her and the chief’s lap.

“Oh, like Goldilocks. Is that because of your long, blonde locks?” Jim smiled sarcastically, eyes trailing over her black hair.

“Mmmhmm. Don’t have three bears, though… Just looking at one big one.” She bit her tongue in a cheeky smile, sliding down onto his lap fully.

Jim started fishing around for his wallet. As much as being called a “bear” surprisingly turned him on, he knew she was just trying to initiate a transaction. Fair enough.

“How much? $50? $100? I gotta say, I don’t think I’ve noticed you here before, but you’re probably one of the more expensive dancers, right?”

“I’ll take that, even though $50 is still a bit low…” She had to chuckle at him. “This one’s on me.”

“Nothing’s ever free, Goldie. What do you want? I had a long shift. Let me pay whatever you want upfront.”

Jim couldn’t understand why she was laughing again, or being sweet on him. Like genuinely sweet, and laughing as if she was shy about something.

“Listen, if you’re trying to offer some other services, maybe it’s best you don’t.” He clinked at his badge with his index finger.

“I’m not offering that,” Goldie sighed pointedly. “Let me give you this one on the house, and just join me out back for a drink after. My shifts get long and stressful too, you know. Sometimes I just want company.” There was that sweet little smirk again.

Goldie was talking to him like she knew him. He still couldn’t think if he’d known her from somewhere. But why him?

Most girls around the club had been dancing to a soundtrack of fast paced hair metal. It wasn’t terrible, but the energy was a bit much for that hour of the night/morning. However (maybe by Goldie’s subtle request), the next track eased into “Dance the Night Away”, a little more soft and mellow.

Goldie’s moves were refreshingly gentle and loving. In fact, she had a hard time not looking back at Jim with heavy lids and a flirtatious glance.

She sank against his broad, warm body, leaning against his chest and feeling his breath against her ear. He smelled smokey and like beer (even though he hadn’t had a drink yet). It was a fitting and weirdly endearing scent.

She placed his big hands firmly around her waist, allowing him to pull her over his crotch. The uniform fabric, from his thick thighs to the tightness below his belt, was so taut and inviting. Goldie couldn’t help but run her hands over those legs, lingering over the plush outer sides of his ass.

Jim used his firm grip to turn her to face him.

“Ah, ah,” she chastised, gleefully, “I’m giving the dance here.”

He replied with a small, shot down glance. She loved being so tiny compared to him and telling him what to do.

After a moment of some sways here and there, Goldie settled back onto the officer’s lap, squeezing her thighs around the width of his. She smoothed her little hands over his chest--his pecs straining slightly under his shirt. He was just so big all around.

“Don’t mind me…” She plucked open the top shirt button, and then the one after that. Seeing his chest hair peek out the top, she raked her pink fingernails through it.

Her hands continued roaming around, gripping his soft waist, then his shoulders, then giving in to the urge to smooth her fingers over his rugged beard. She just about purred at the feel of it. Jim took notice, and discreetly slid his hands over her backside, all while offering a playful grin.

“Keep it over the panties, Chief,” she murmured.

“Yes, ma’am.”

She liked that a lot.

The song kept going as she continued to grind rhythmically against his crotch. His tight pants had only gotten tighter, and his hardness started to rub friction in the right spot for her. But she couldn’t let that happen. Not tonight, or at least not at work.

She pressed his head to her chest, trying to ease off of the grinding slowly. Even his stubble felt delicious against her bosom. He breathed in how much she smelled like cherry candy and whiskey--an interesting combo, but one that fit her small, friendly demeanor.

The song faded out, and just like that, Poison was playing over the speakers, and Goldie was off his lap.

Jim was afraid that was it. Not only would he be left halfway pitching a tent, but he still didn’t know where he knew Goldie from.

Disappointed, he sank against his chair and lit a smoke.

“Come on…” A tiny touch accompanied the voice. Goldie now stood beside him with a bottle of Evan Williams. “I’m off duty and so are you, so let’s have that drink.”

The big chief followed the petite dancer down the back halls and out an emergency exit. The bouncers wouldn’t have usually allowed anyone clearance, but they recognized Jim all too well, and could see that Goldie was leading him around, like a puppy.

They emerged into the brisk early morning air. Goldie, now draped in a big leather jacket, looked so small and so much younger than she first looked in the dim lights.

She teasingly swiped the cigarette from Jim’s lips, smoking on it herself. “I gotta say, I’ve been hoping I’d get to see you here. It’s kinda weird.” She bundled herself against him for extra warmth, and he absent-mindedly wrapped an arm around her.

“Where have I seen you?” he smiled. In most other cities, if someone seemed familiar, it was just a coincidence or something. But Hawkins was small. People only had so many places to go, and so many people to run into.

“Do you remember doing Career Day a year and a half ago? At Hawkins High, for the seniors?”

He sort of did. Most days were hazy due to weird hours, liquor, and boredom.

“Guess you could say I didn’t take you up on the summer job… Or any of those jobs, haha.” She handed the stubby cigarette back to Jim.

That petite frame, the fluffy dark hair, the pink… It reminded Jim of a student who, after the Career Day presentations, awkwardly approached him. Super shy, and dressed very modestly in a pink sweater, pink tights, and a long blue church skirt.

The student, in question, bashfully asked if the station was hiring anyone to help with filing, or even cleaning and errand running. Jim told them to go speak to Flo if she wanted any help. But it didn’t seem to really matter. The girl kind of lingered, eyes looking him up and down while blushing.

“Sorry, had a crush on you,” Goldie blurted, a bit more bluntly than she meant.

The corner of Jim’s lip curled up. He leaned his hip and shoulder against the wall, while slightly craning down to look into her eyes. “I’m probably old enough to be your dad.”

A giddy chill ran down Goldie’s spine. “I’m still a grown woman. I know my tastes. My tastes are pretty mature.” She bit her lip, meeting his gaze. “Maybe I’m into the dad-type.”

She glanced at him with a touch more lust in her words.

“So you had a crush on me. Huh.”

“Didn’t say it went away…”

Jim’s eyes darted around for a moment, masking the fact that he was a bit flattered and flustered.

Goldie could see through, though, and handed him the bottle of bourbon.

“So… if you want… I can give you my number, and maybe—“

“You come see me here again,” Goldie responded with a wink. “For now.”

“Fair enough.” Jim smiled, and offered back the bottle.

#chief hopper fic #jim hopper fic #hopper fic #hopper x reader #hopper x oc #chief hopper smut #jim hopper x oc #chief hopper x oc

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sunshine-likes-drstone · 1 year

Text

The First Night

Chapter 3 of One in a Hundred Million is up!

ao3 - ff.net

Newly-named Okusei wanted to eat again. Kohaku managed to get the kid to latch on to her other breast but she winced as he ate.

Senku, who was observing everything in case there was something he thought of that might be useful, noticed. “Is it hurting? Do we need to try again?”

She shook her head, her nose crinkled. “No, not painful, just…sore. I’m not sure why it’s different on this side.” She exhaled deeply. “Do you think it will get better? Like, as I keep feeding him?”

Senku was wishing that he’d just read every single thing about baby care, even if he hadn’t cared about it. Was soreness a sign that something was wrong or just a natural consequence of something new happening in her body?

Francois arrived then, plate of food in hand. “Miss Kohaku,” they said with a little bow, “I’ve taken the liberty of preparing a meal that will provide many of the nutrients a breast-feeding parent needs.”

Kohaku was drooling over the food already but then looked up at Francois. “Wait. Do you…do you maybe know anything about breastfeeding? Or just taking care of a baby in general?”

Francois bowed again. “But of course. I have studied many aspects of baby and child care.”

Kohaku and Senku apparently had the same exact thought, because they cried in unison, “Will you teach us?!”

Francois smiled benevolently. “Of course. What would you like to know?”

—

Feeling a bit better (and maybe a bit more intimidated) about the whole prospect of raising a healthy baby, Senku and Kohaku (and Okusei) moved to where their friends had set up a huge bonfire to celebrate their depetrification and the baby’s birth. Said friends immediately proceeded to fawn all over the baby again. Kohaku handed him off to Luna, who was almost in tears as she held the little boy.

“What will you name him?” Taiju asked, looking excited. “Can we vote on it?”

Before Senku could say “Hell no,” everyone was throwing out name ideas. Some highlights were “Ginro” (quickly retracted at Kohaku’s threatening face) and “Drago” (Ryusui was not at all frightened by Senku’s withering glare and only laughed). Kaseki quite genuinely suggested ‘Zirco’ to follow the village tradition of naming after elements—zirconium, in this case. Privately, Senku thought ‘Zirco’ would make a good middle name. He’d bring it up to Kohaku later.

“His name is Okusei,” Kohaku finally said, loudly enough that everyone could hear. “It’s not up for vote.”

Senku heard a small scoff. When he glanced at where the noise came from, he saw a very disgruntled-looking Chrome, outside of the circle of baby admirers and poking at the fire. Ukyo also noticed, Senku saw, but no one else did.

Senku slowly sidled over to Ukyo. “You know what’s up with him?” he muttered quietly.

Ukyo shook his head and replied just as quietly, “No, sorry. He’s been quiet and out of sorts all day, though.”

Senku sighed, then went and grabbed two bowls of wine and walked over to the sulking scientist. “Here,” he said as he sat down, passing Chrome one of the bowls. Chrome mumbled something that might have been a ‘thanks.’

“What’s up?” Senku asked after taking a sip of wine.

Chrome shrugged, which was incredibly unhelpful.

Part of Senku wanted to tease his friend out of whatever funk he was in, but Chrome was never quiet about things that bothered him unless it really bothered him. It led Senku to believe that this was, perhaps, something to handle delicately. Well. Mostly delicately. Kind of delicately. Not as blunt as Chelsea, but not as sneaky as Gen.

So he waited, watching as his friends passed the tiny bundle of Okusei around, the dopiest expressions on their faces. He wished he had Minami’s camera to capture it. It would've been perfect blackmail material.

Eventually Chrome asked, “Why didn’t you guys tell me you were dating?”

Senku made a face. “We weren’t.”

Chrome looked at him very incredulously. “You have a kid. Pretty sure there was something going on there.” He shifted and set down his bowl of wine. “Did…did I do something to make you angry?”

“What? No, don’t be stupid.”

“I’m not being stupid. I’m trying to understand.” He looked down at his hands, rubbing his thumbs together. “Was I not trustworthy enough? Do you guys think I don’t care or something?”

Senku was a little surprised by all this. “No. I told you, we weren’t dating.” He sighed. “The kid was very much an accident. We were very drunk. Absolutely no dating involved.”

Chrome was legitimately blinking back tears. “But you spent so much time taking care of her since then, and she actually listened to you about stuff she wouldn’t normally, and now you’re married, actually married, and…and you didn’t tell me.” He sniffed and rubbed his face. “Sorry. I’m making this about me. I guess…I wanted to say I’m happy for you guys.”

Senku bumped Chrome’s shoulder with his own. “Calm down. Don’t get so upset.” He frowned and considered the situation a little more. Chrome and Kohaku were friends and had been for their whole lives. He knew Kohaku fully expected Chrome to be her brother-in-law and she treated him accordingly, but he hadn’t really thought about how Chrome thought of Kohaku. Was this brotherly concern? Was he really just sad they hadn’t told him about what he saw as their secret relationship?

Senku sighed and stood up. Feelings were gross. He didn’t want to think about it anymore. “Come meet the kid,” he said, pulling Chrome to his feet.

Chrome went, startled, and Senku plucked the kid out of Ryusui’s arms (the man made very indignant noises about the injustice of it all) and plopped him in Chrome’s arms.

“Support his head,” Senku said, adjusting Chrome’s very stiff arms. “Hold him close to you—yeah, like that.”

Okusei opened his eyes, blinking slowly before looking up at Chrome. Chrome, meanwhile, had gone very still, staring with wide eyes at the baby. He swallowed and then bounced the kid a little bit. Okusei kept watching him and Senku wished there was a way to measure the kid’s eyesight—the complete lack of communication beyond crying would probably keep that curiosity from being explored, though.

Satisfied that the kid was in good hands, Senku went and got some food. As he worked his way through some meat (Tsukasa and Hyoga had been sent hunting earlier that day), he kept an eye on Chrome, who was still staring. Tsukasa had come up next to him, looking an awful lot like he wanted to hold the baby, but Chrome was not paying attention to the taller man in the slightest.

Kohaku was also watching the little scene play out, a smile on her face. Suika said something, though, and she was drawn back into conversation with the other girls. They had set up a whole little couch thing by the fire so Kohaku would have a nice place to sit, and Francois had brought another plate of food, so Kohaku was pretty much set.

Normally Kohaku would be among those to stay up the lastest at a party like this, but after only an hour more of sitting around the fire, he saw her already flagging. He went to grab the kid. Kaseki was holding him now, humming gently with a content smile, and Senku just paused for a moment and watched.

He hadn’t given it a millimeter of thought before now, but had Kaseki ever wanted kids? Grandkids? He’d never mentioned a spouse or sweetheart or any kids, although it might be that whatever had happened was so depressing that he didn’t want to talk about it—Kaseki had been alive during the last famine, after all, the one that reduced Ishigami Village to its current numbers.

And the old man just looked so damn happy holding the baby that Senku almost didn’t want to interrupt.

Kaseki looked up and noticed him, though. “Oh ho, Senku! There you are. Have you come for this fine young fellow?”

Senku huffed. “Yeah, I think it’s bedtime.”

Kaseki looked over at Kohaku and nodded. “Mm, mothers and babies need their rest. And don’t forget—you two have quite the team of people ready to help.” He eyed Senku then. “I was thinking, in modern times, did you have anything to…well, I’m not sure how to put this delicately.”

“Don’t. Waste of time,” Senku said with a smirk.

Kaseki shook his head. “Well, I suppose. Alright then. Is there anything to…draw milk out from a mother? So someone else could feed the baby?”

“Yeah, breast pumps. They use suction to simulate a baby eating. We can reinvent them in a while and then people can help feed the kid, if Kohaku wants the help.” With the tips Francois had given them, though, hopefully breastfeeding would go easier.

Actually, while he had Kaseki here… “Hey, do you remember that weaving loom we made for Yuzuriha?” Kaseki nodded. “We need another one, maybe not as complicated. And an easier way to spin plant fiber into string.”

Kaseki perked up. “Oh? What for?”

Senku grinned. “Baby wraps. We gotta carry this kid with us everywhere, and Francois said baby wraps are the way to go.” Then he shrugged. “And maybe we can make some lighter clothes. Leather is hot in this humidity.”

Kaseki hummed and rubbed his chin. “Yes, we’ll need beams for sure. Nails, too. I wonder how the furnace has held up…” He handed Okusei over and strode over to where they stored paper. Senku had no doubt there would be new blueprints or prototypes come morning.

“Well, kid, how we doing?” Senku said to the baby, who didn’t respond other than to wiggle. “Hm. Yeah, bedtime for sure.”

To his surprise, Suika and Kohaku walked up to them. Kohaku looked half-asleep, and Suika was supporting her and smiling. “Hi, Senku. Um, I hope you don’t mind, but I…I set up one of the rooms for you guys.” She laughed nervously and started walking. “This way.”

Senku looked back at the fire and nodded goodnight to Gen and Chrome, who both waved. Everyone else was occupied. Then he set off after Suika.

Sure enough, one of the huts in the center of the fort had been modified to fit two adults and a baby. There were two beds, one cradle, and what looked like a veritable mountain of baby supplies.

Kohaku stumbled over to one bed and flopped onto it face first. Suika giggled and helped rearrange her to be lying comfortably.

Senku, meanwhile, got to work changing Okusei’s diaper (it involved bundling absorbent moss right up against the kid and would need to be improved as soon as possible), re-swaddling him, and setting him down in the cradle.

The kid looked almost angelic lying there, gentle moonlight filtering through the open door of the hut and making his hair almost glow.

Surely Okusei wouldn’t give them any trouble, right?

—

As Senku and Kohaku soon learned, Okusei was, in fact, a little demon baby who didn’t care that he was breaking the Geneva Convention—forcing people to stay awake was a form of torture, after all, and so was subjecting them to unholy shrieks far too loud for a tiny baby body to have made.

—

Senku finally closed his eyes. Sleep at last…

…and someone started banging on the door, waking them all up. None of them were happy about this development.

It was Senku’s turn to shush the baby and he rolled his sorry carcass out of bed and staggered over to the cradle. Kohaku stalked to the door and threw it open with a bang, startling Okusei even more and making him cry even louder. “What?” Kohaku snapped at whoever had woken them up.

“W-well, it’s m-morning.” It was Chrome. “Usually you two are…um, is he supposed to be crying that much?”

Senku felt one eyebrow twitch and he forced himself to take a deep breath. Kohaku had no such restraint and he heard her pound Chrome’s head with her fist. “Idiot!” she shrieked. “What do you know, huh? That’s right, nothing! So shut up and go away!” Then she slammed the door shut, startling Okusei again and causing a new rise in volume.

“Quiet down, lioness,” he said dryly as he bounced the baby.

Kohaku made a weird noise and he turned to see her slam open the door again and stalk away. He frowned—why had she left?

Taiju poked his head around the door jam. “Hey, man.” He looked at the baby, quieter but still inconsolable. “How can I help?”

“Come hold the kid,” Senku said, and passed off the tiny bundle of sadness to ‘Uncle Taiju’ so he could survey the little room.

Somehow the place had become a baby-themed war zone overnight. He sighed. He could clean it up later, after he’d eaten. As he walked to breakfast, he noticed that everyone was watching him with wide eyes.

Ginro was the one to say something (around a mouthful of food). “Woah, Senku, you look like shit. Like you didn’t sleep at all.”

Senku closed his eyes and took another deep breath, then kept going to get his food. “Ten billion percent helpful observation, Ginro.”

Luna frowned and looked around. “Where’s Kohaku? Is she still sleeping?”

“Nah, she stormed off.” He had the brief thought that she might have run away from the kid entirely, deciding to survive on her own in the woods rather than live another moment without sleep. He was certainly feeling like doing that himself.

As it turned out, his friends were nosy enough to just declare they were going to take care of Okusei so he could focus on work. Then he was effectively bundled back into his new bedroom, where someone had cleaned up. He was given one piece of paper and one pencil, and someone had set up one tiny candle to work with, with only his bed to sit on.

He snorted as he realized they were trying to get him to go back to sleep. Well, he certainly wouldn’t complain a single millimeter about it. He scribbled out a brief overview of all the things he thought they’d need to do moving forward, pinned it into place with the pencil just outside the door, then curled up on his bed and fell asleep almost immediately.

He woke up when someone shook his shoulder. It was Tsukasa, who informed him that it was lunch time and he should probably wake up.

Senku did with a sigh—he couldn’t sleep the entire day away. Tsukasa also woke up Kohaku, who must’ve been hustled back to bed the same way Senku had.

Kohaku glanced at him, then scowled and left immediately.

Tsukasa watched the interaction in silence and then glanced at Senku. “What did you do?” he asked.

Senku shrugged. “Hell if I know.”

After lunch, where Kohaku ate her food and fed Okusei as far away from Senku as she could, she came up to Senku and asked if she could talk to him privately. She did not look happy.

Senku followed her down to the river, where the noise would hopefully provide a bit of cover for their conversation. Kohaku kept her arms crossed and looked out over the water while he caught up to her.

She turned her head to look at him. “This morning,” she started, “I lost my temper. I’m sorry.”

Senku shrugged one shoulder, mouth twisting. “Ten billion percent not a problem. It was a rough night.”

Kohaku closed her eyes and took a breath. “What you said, though, really hurt me.”

What had he said? ‘Quiet down, lioness.’ What was so bad about that?

“I felt like you were making fun of me, of how I was feeling. Like it wasn’t…like I wasn’t important. I know that probably wasn’t what you meant, but…could you, in the future, not do that? Not just tell me to be quiet when I’m upset?” Her voice was wavering by the end of her explanation.

Senku swallowed, then cleared his throat and said, “Sure. Got it.”

She gave a tremulous little smile. “Thank you.” She sniffed and rubbed one eye. “And I’ll do better, I promise.”

He frowned. He didn’t have expectations or anything. Obviously she’d do better in the future—so would he. That was, hopefully, how life went. You made mistakes, learned, then improved. Parenting was no different, and they were in this together. Before he could say anything to that effect, she was heading back to the fort.

Surely she would be fine. They’d had a rough night and morning. That was probably where all that came from.

Besides, they had to do some serious planning. Getting to the moon was more critical than ever now.

#senhaku #dr stone manga spoilers #sunshine writes

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eddiediazes · 2 years

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fanfic ask game!

i was tagged by uhhh kasmdf SEVERAL people my apologies i’ve been juggling some things but most recently i was tagged by @hetrez @henswilsons and @rewritetheending i am blowing kisses to u all, thank you much

What is your total posted word count on AO3?

okay so on my foxwatson account it’s 752,836 which is already a lot but uh. kasdf if you include my other old secret account it’s 808,708 which is truly like uh. boy that’s a lot!!!! to be fair i’ve been posting on ao3 for over 10 years now but that’s still pretty fuckin wild.

How often do you write?

when i’m feeling good i aim for every day, and usually manage at least three days a week. every once in a while i get in a really bad funk and don’t write for a couple months - usually when i’m in between interests and can’t get motivated to work on my original stuff

Do you have a routine for writing?

lately i’ve been doing a lot of writing at work, honestly uh. i think generally when the thoughts hit me i just try to get seated somewhere comfortable and open up google docs. sometimes i make a playlist or put on background music but sometimes i’m okay without it, too.

What’s your favourite tropes/pairing?

ohhh tropes. man there’s so many i truly love. i gotta say i’m very like. friends to lovers, childhood friends to lovers, that’s like klasdf almost a requirement for me to be interested. i love a slow burn, i love a mutual pining situation, i love a good old fashioned miscommunication. in terms of other favorites - i love fake dating and fake marriage or marriage of convenience stuff, i have a weakness for soulmate aus, and i think identity porn is both wonderful and underrated.

for pairings - obviously right now i live and breathe buck and eddie but kmsfad reddie will never be far from my heart, and stucky is probably my favorite pairing i’ve never actually finished a fic for. i have like klamsdf an annual unscheduled stucky spiral where i just binge a bunch of fic and tap at my two little unfinished stucky fics but then something always distracts me.

Do you have a favourite fic of yours?

augghhh um. if it’s my favorite buddie fic, that’s probably get out of my head? i think? klsdfa no offense to romance novelist eddie, i think i just finished it too recently, i still struggle with going back to read it. of my fics in general, i think it’s still actually the fic i wrote for my own private idaho, the path that we chose. that’s one of my favorite things i’ve ever written.

Your fic with the most kudos?

FAR and away, that continues to be the most popular reddie fic i ever wrote, hoping to be found, which was lkamds for some time sort of my magnum opus. shoutout to my fellow reddies.

Anything you don’t like about your writing?

i use too many em dashes asdAKLSDFMA no uh. sometimes i’m worried that my descriptions are too mechanical? i’m not a very poetic writer, i’m more kind of. practical and sometimes i get lucky with a turn of phrase, and sometimes i get frustrated with that.

Now something you do like?

i loooooove my dialogue like. it’s taken me a long time to be able to say that but i work so hard on my dialogue, i spend ages rereading it and reading it out loud and finessing it and i’m so picky about it and so. i feel like i deserve to be proud of it :) i also think i’m pretty good at characterization and pacing, also from a lot of hard work and practice.

i think the only people i know who haven’t done this yet are @colonoscopys and @fallingthorns ? but i could be wrong sorry if so klasdf if you haven’t done this yet and wanna be tagged please just let me know!!!

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glapplebloom · 1 year

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The return of Sugar Belle EDIT: DANG IT! it’s Hard to Say Anything.

We’re with the Cutie Mark Crusaders who found a bunch of disguises when they happen to notice that Big Mac is delivering a bunch of apples to Starlight’s old village… Again. Curious, they decide to stowaway on the Apple Cart to find out the deal. Turns out, it seems both Big Mac and Sugar Belle have a thing for each other, but neither of them took that first step. So when the girls confront Big Mac about it, He admits it, but also admits he’s afraid to take that first step.

It also doesn’t help that another pony named Feather Bang is interested. So Big Mac, being desperate, decides to ask for the advice of three little girls who have not been in a serious relationship and are taking their ideas out of a fairy tale book. Surely this will work. But since the meat and potatoes are the failed attempts at wooing Sugar Belle, let’s talk about three specific things…

First, they referenced Hearts and Hooves Day a lot. They sank the ship with Big Mac and Cheerilee. Big Mac is still mad at them about the love potion and DEMANDED no potions. While others may think it’s unnecessary, the important thing to me… Second, Feather Bang is someone I presume is based on Justin Bever. While I have not seen a lot of him (the only song I really listened to was Beauty and the Beat), based on the parodies I’ve seen he connects a lot of dots.

Finally, I’m not a fan of the songs. This is a cringe comedy I am not enjoying. But because I usually tuned them out of memory, I never realized that “Be My Lightning Bliss” was a parody of one of the songs here. It really shows how context can change how a song works out. Like the FNF Song “Deathmatch” when I hear it gives me Undertale “Hopes and Dreams” vibes but was really for the final stand of Daddy Dearest against the Corruption that took over Boyfriend.

With Sugar Belle mad at both of them, Big Mac realizes that Sugar Belle isn’t a fantasy Princess, she’s a real pony with real needs. Like a bigger display case. So with Scootaloo distracting Sugar Belle, the Apples work on the new Display Case as Sweetie is on Lookout. Luckily Scootaloo did her job long enough so they could complete it. She looks like she really appreciates it. Like REALLY appreciates it.

Big Mac Apologizes and the Crusaders leave because this is a TV-Y series and it honestly looks like they’re going for an HBO show. And this relationship will be revisited again and again until we get wedding bells. It ends with Feather Bang asking for advice from the Crusaders because he’s all show and no substance. It ends with them agreeing to help him connect to these three groupies. Should be an easy slam dunk.

But this story continues in the 2018 Gameloft Hearts and Hooves Day Limited Story. Feather Bang is ready to take their advice, but he wants to know who they are on the inside so the girls go to them to find out what they’re made of… First we meet Swoony Fanfilly, the Unicorn of the trio. Thing is, she's also thinking about why she likes Feather Bang. Luckily for her Blaze the Wonderbolt arrived to help her sort out her feelings. And while Swoony claims to be happy being single right now, I'm betting she's now eying a certain Wonderbolt.

Enraptured Fanfilly, the Earth Pony, was wondering how Sugar Belle got his attention before her. Even if he got him now, she still wonders why not before. So she thinks it's because of the baking Sugar Belle did. So Apple Bloom's quest is to get a baked good from Sugar Belle so Enraptured can stop being enraptured by wondering. Sugar Belle's shop is being built and Big Mac is there as well. Since they needed bits, Apple Bloom helps by getting some more. She gets an Apple Cinnamon-bun pie but despite trying it, Enraptured feels worse since it just makes her feel more down on herself. And then Blaze shows up again to pep talk Enraptured out of her funk. She was so busy being jealous of Sugar Belle, she forgot her own talent for mummenschanz puppetry.

And if any of you know your basic pattern recognition, you probably know what’s going to happen with Giddy Fanfilly, the Pegasi of the trio. Scootaloo finds her in the windmill practicing dancing. She's terrible but the music is catchy. She always loved his slick moves, but she did ballet, what more can I say. So Scootaloo tries to help give Giddy some new dance moves that are modern. But while she got the DJ and the outfit, Scootaloo realizes she's not an expert at modern dancing either. And 3... 2... 1... BLAZE shows up willing to teach her about Jazz-Funk and Poppin'. But she still fails and is sad she can't relate to Feather Bang. Another Blaze pep talk later she's all in on ballet that Feather Bang is out of the picture.

The girls report back to him about what they found out. To sum it up, one did it because she wanted to support her friends, another was crazy jealous until talked into appreciating her own talents, the third one thought she needed to change but was told that differences are what makes things work and all three of them were talked to by a Wonderbolt named Blaze. Hearing all these options and having a patented Cutie Mark Crusaders Hearts and Hooves Day Card, Feather Bang makes his choice: Blaze. He asks her to be his special somepony and she accepts. Yay, mega happy ending!

Overall, while the episode is great for setting up Big/Belle, I do like the addition Gameloft made more. Made those three fillies more than just Gaston’s duplicates. And no cringe comedy. Click here for the original review.

#Green Lantern Apple Bloom #MLP Revisit #mlp review #season 7

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nellynee · 2 years

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Trollstopia Blindblogging: episode 7a - Classical Rock

This is exactly, precisely, the sort of stuff I would love to see explored more in this sort of cultural mish mash kind of show. I really hope we see more of Demo’s classical shenanigans. There’s a little something that just didn’t quite vibe with me enough to consider this a straight 5 out of 5, but consider this a very high like, 4.7. It’s funny, song is competent and probably someone's vibe, sudden horror movie vibes part way it’s just really really fun. Def recommend watch for everyone.

Judging by that title card... Are we looking at a genre merging episode... (vibrates wildly in seat) Are we gonna see... some true cultural meshing?!?!?!

Val, you still aren’t forgiven for the last episode and I’m keeping an eye on you.... but I still love you. Setting up and blasting music to get Poppy to walk over to her out of sloth is just my brand of obstinate laziness

Val waving away Poppy’s sparkles as a gag (I’m telling you people Trolls manifest glitter as positive hormonal responses but nobody cares about biology headcanons!)

the fucking pillow disguise is such a Poppy thing but that instant hair dome of soundproofing... Poppy is getting terrifying and I’m joking less every time I say it

I’ve said it before too but I’m going to say it again. I don’t know if it’s a writer or an animator or a storyboarder but someone in this process is absolutly hilarious and knows comedic timing. Between Poppy’s awkward pacing of the “indeed...something...shaking” and Demo tucking a bead of nervous sweat back into his hair this show is legit actually funny. It’s trying to be funny and boy is it getting there. No matter what I say about themes or worldbuilding, this show is fun to watch at the very least on a surface level for it.

Also of note as of just now but like, I don’t think I’ve talked about it, but I really like Demo’s VA. It was a really interesting casting choice and I feel like that high soft spokeness is far more dimensional than something that would have been more fitting to Demo’s appearance.

EXCUSE ME ADORABLE PINK LADY WIZARD?

So suffer my rambling of headcanons for a minute, but I have spent a very long time marrying the ideas that it’s specifically Hard Rock trolls, Archer from TBGO on and how the Party Crasher’s are very easily, excluding deign quirks that could be explained by timing, expy’s of a rouge Hard Rock fringe, and where and how the knowledge of Hard Rock zombies came from in the Tribe, and I’ve settled pretty hard on a pretty harsh thread of a constant threat of coups via Rock sub genre’s in the Hard Rock territories which leads to some unfortunate cultural pressure to present stereotypical Hard Rock behaviors to avoid witch hunts and this entire episode so far is validating me so hard I might just scream

it also gets me to think a lot about the kind of genre smearing like we saw in the Funk Prince twins, and the cultural standing of genre smearing in other tribes.

I’m so validated RN

Also note, Val’s “look” with the little skull puffs of air coming from her nose are the exact same as the ones in “Girl’s night” and under debatably the same circumstance (discomfort at unRock Troll behavior)

(also gotta say feeling pretty validated by the unconscious hair changing behaviors too, he’s fucking mirroring!)

‘Hopscotch is overrated” got a giggle ok

That cut tho was slick as fuuuuuuuuck who the hell boarded that!

The sound design in this scene is on point though. I’m throwing out kudos again to whoever on the production team it is who likes to randomly turn this show into a horror movie. There’s some really intense strings going on to the point where you forget that what’s at stake is a disappointed look and not straight up murder

(I knew when I saw that sweat she was gonna tuck it back into her hair but I still laughed anyways)

That black and white flash when Val struck the chord was sick AF

Poppy is frightened twice in a row in her own home in the morning as she flings her tea wildly in the air and I have a flash of of the first Trolls: Holiday and Branch just wanting some damn coffee and now I feel significantly less bad for what I'm sure is about it happen in the long term for her

“my eyebrows are way to cute to be blown off in the morning!”

Poppy that was slick AF can’t lie my ass

oh wait nevermind she knows

“Race Against Time” didn’t catch me immediately like “Girls, girls, girls!” and “Right Troll for the Job” did but Poppy’s VA is solid enough that I def got upper middle tier musical movie song vibes from it

“How did you beat me here?!” “.... I dunno”

“You mean the face I make when I don’t know how to talk about mushy stuff?” BITCH I CALLED IT. It’s the same fucking face as Girl’s Night in the same context. Is this some continuity I smell? smells SO GOOD!

Poppy: confused awww?

Val: Looks horrified at her own pinky

But no really these are the sort of things I love seeing explored. The whole point of Trollstopia is to explore each other’s cultures and learn to live side by side in a safe place where everyone understands that everyone is still learning. Trolls learning new aspects of themselves by exploring concepts not touched in their own lives and working in spaces with radically different expectations is literally the shit I die for.

And also using pre established vernacular from the real world to worldbuild. In theory there shouldn’t be anything in classical guitar that would appeal to Hard Rock Trolls, but now seeing it in action forces on to sit down and really contemplate what that appeal would be.

#Trollstopia #dreamworks trolls #trolls demo #queen poppy #val thundershock #Liveblogging

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newmusickarl · 2 years

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Mercury Music Prize 2022: Ranking The Contenders

My favourite time of year has arrived – the season of the Mercury Music Prize. Back in July, the twelve albums nominated for the 2022 prize were revealed and, as ever, served up a highly diverse and eclectic list of some of the best British and Irish music released over the last 12 months – some familiar, some not so familiar. Each of these nominated records is now vying for the prestigious title of Album of the Year, the overriding criteria for which has greatly deviated throughout the award’s history.

Traditionally the prize winner would tend to be a lesser-known record, with the judges choosing to highlight the artist and album that may have been overlooked upon its initial release. However, as the profile of the annual prize has grown the judges in recent years have often chosen the album that has been most widely revered amongst music critics as the overall winner.

So, with the likes of Wolf Alice, Michael Kiwanuka, Dave, Sampha and last year’s winner Arlo Parks just some of the acclaimed artists that have taken home the Mercury Prize in recent years, the big question is - who is in with the best shout of being named the overall winner for 2022?

As I do each year, I’ve now listened to all 12 albums and tried to rank them based on what I think are their chances of winning. To be clear, this is not a “Worst-to-Best” countdown – this ranking is based solely on how likely I think they are to win the overall prize.

To determine this, I’ve considered

The impact and artistic achievement attained by the album

The popularity of the artist

The level of critical acclaim the album has received

How similar albums have fared in recent years

All clear? Good!

Without further ado, here’s my final thoughts and analysis on this year’s nominees.

12. Harry’s House by Harry Styles

Having not initially taken to Mr Styles’ third album when it was released earlier this year, I’ve now grown to appreciate it for all its folk and disco-infused pop chic. Opener Music For A Sushi Restaurant is an incredibly fun slice of funk, As It Was remains one of the year’s catchiest singles and tracks like Cinema and Satellite represent some of his most well-crafted solo material to date.

If it was anyone else this album could well be in contention for the overall prize but as it is global megastar Harry Styles, you must think the judges will choose to spotlight one of the other records on the shortlist instead. With Harry starring in Hollywood movies and tickets for his current tour reaching the £200+ mark (come on, sort it out Harry!), he certainly doesn’t need the £25,000 cash prize or the extra attention winning the award brings. Never say never, but this is probably one album you can safely rule out of contention.

11. Supernova by Nova Twins

The debut album from London rock duo Nova Twins was probably the album on the list that caught me the most by surprise. Although when I listened to Supernova earlier this year I enjoyed the duo’s politically charged, chaotic mix of 00s R&B and various threads of alt-rock, I never dreamed it would be an album shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize. Listening again recently, it still feels out of place as typically the judges have always shied away from recognising any sort of heavy rock record.

Whilst it is refreshing to see a heavier/alternative album get the nod, I can’t imagine the judges going a step further and awarding the overall prize to Nova Twins. This one feels like the first small step in recognising albums from a genre that has often been overlooked by the awarding body, rather than a complete revolution against the prize’s ethos. So again, maybe another one you can mark as unlikely to win on the night.

10. For All Our Days That Tear The Heart by Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler

A stirring collaboration between Irish actress Jessie Buckley and former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, For All Our Days That Tear The Heart is an intricately crafted folk record that permeates beauty at nearly every turn. If you don’t believe me, see songs like Seven Red Rose Tattoos, I Cried Your Tears or the album’s title track.

However, whilst undoubtedly stunning, this is another album that seems unlikely to win simply due to its already immensely successful creators. Jessie Buckley’s flourishing acting career has already landed her BAFTA and Oscar nominations, along with multiple Olivier award wins earlier this year too. Bernard Butler is also the only artist on this year’s shortlist to have won the Mercury Prize previously, with PJ Harvey the only artist to ever win the award twice throughout its near 30-year history. With this being the case, I think this is another album that is deserving of recognition through being nominated onto the shortlist, but also doesn’t necessarily need to win the overall prize.

9. Forest Floor by Fergus McCreadie

Let me start by saying that this album was by far my favourite discovery of this year’s shortlist. If I was ranking the records simply on how much I love them, this would safely land in the top five. Drawing inspiration from the landscapes and folklore of his native Scotland, Jazz pianist Fergus McCreadie crafts intricate, sweeping instrumentals that will leave you thoroughly enchanted. Closing piece Glade is particularly gorgeous, but epic compositions like The Unfurrowed Field and The Ridge also showcase the best in what contemporary jazz has to offer.

There is no doubt that this is one of the finest records on the list, the only reason I have it down in ninth is simply because jazz records don’t usually fair too well when it comes to winning the overall prize. Even in recent years when highly acclaimed albums from acts like Sons of Kemet and The Comet Is Coming have been shortlisted, jazz albums have still struggled to get the final nod.

I think the aim is to get more people listening to jazz music that wouldn’t typically, so by simply nominating a record like Forest Floor it generates a wider audience and a bigger spotlight that it didn’t have previously. By this metric, Fergus has already won as more people are hearing his amazing album for the first time thanks to the Mercury Prize. So, although I enjoyed this album immensely, I don’t see it being the jazz record to buck the “nomination only” trend.

8. Tresor by Gwenno

Another one of my favourite discoveries this year is the supremely charming third album from Welsh musician Gwenno. Writing her lyrics mostly in Cornish, Gwenno channels the sonic spirit of previous Mercury nominee Bats For Lashes for a dark yet dreamy art-pop record, centred on her journey into motherhood. With a spellbinding blend of hazy guitars, folky strings, glistening electronics and her own ethereal vocals, it all makes for a truly glorious listen. In terms of highlights there are plenty to choose from too, with An Stevel Nowydh, N.Y.C.A.W and Keltek my personal favourites.

This is one I really wrestled with where to place in the ranking, as again its one of the better records on this year’s shortlist. Additionally, if this was on the shortlist during the late 90s/early 00s, you might say it would have a decent chance of winning as the more obscure records were typically favoured back then. That said, in recent years the judges have leaned more towards better-known records and my gut says that trend will continue this year. Also, if you look at albums of a similar ilk to Gwenno’s that have been nominated in recent years, you’ll find there sadly haven’t been many winners from that group. With this in mind, I think this is another album that you can say has already won through simply being amongst this year’s shortlist.

7. Reason To Smile by Kojey Radical

Almost at the halfway point and this is where the more serious contenders start to creep into the ranking. British rapper Kojey Radical finally delivered his highly anticipated debut album earlier this year, which serves up a captivating mix of hip-hop, neo-soul, gospel and R&B, with lyrical themes touching on family, relationships and racial divide. Helping Kojey out is a whole host of guest stars too, including the likes of Kelis, Wretch 32 and Lex Amor.

Overall Kojey’s debut is a strong outing and typically hip-hop records have favoured well in recent years, notably with the likes of Skepta and Dave picking up the overall prize in recent years. However as great as this record is, Kojey is up against another masterful hip-hop record on the shortlist and ultimately I think it would take a brave judge to give the prize to Reason To Smile over that album. More on that later…

6. The Overload by Yard Act

Leeds-based post-punk outfit Yard Act released their hugely impressive debut album The Overload earlier this year and it was no surprise to see this album nominated, having called it myself at the time of its release. Operating in the sweet spot between Britpop greats and fellow Mercury nominees like Blur and Pulp, as well as more modern contemporaries like Sleaford Mods and Shame, Yard Act have delivered a hugely charming debut that’s political, poetic and hugely imaginative. Built around two central narratives that run the course of the record, enigmatic frontman James Smith delivers his witty and shocking observations on Modern British life through a rags-to-riches-to-rags story with a strong anti-capitalist theme.

It’s an ambitious concept that they make look easy across a tightly controlled 37-minute runtime, with plenty of lyrical mastery and sonic experimentation to keep you well engaged throughout. From the raucous opening title track, the straight-talking funk of Payday, the stripped-back bass-driven single Rich, to the big knees-up anthem Pour Another, The Overload is simply littered with great moments. It is one of the most talked about debuts of the year which I think is a huge positive for it heading into awards night, however my gut says it will follow in the footsteps of Fontaines D.C., Sports Team and Black Country, New Road in just falling that little bit short of the top prize.

5. Skin by Joy Crookes

There is no denying Joy Crookes has an awe-inspiring voice. Drawing shades to the late-great Amy Winehouse, the British singer-songwriter blends together soul, jazz and grand orchestral arrangements to soundtrack her timeless-sounding songs of heartbreak and heritage, with her own breathtaking vocal performances always the star of the show. When all these elements are brought together, it paints a dazzling picture with Crookes always the one carrying the paintbrush – be it on writing, production or singing duties. There’s plenty of gems here that will keep you coming back too, like When You Were Mine, Kingdom or Feet Don’t Fail Me Now.

In terms of Mercury Prize history, Joy Crookes also has a lot pulling in her favour. Firstly, her album is a debut which typically favour well with the judges and, although stylistically different, fellow singer-songwriters like Arlo Parks, Michael Kiwanuka, Sampha and Benjamin Clementine have all triumphed in recent years. In fact, the only thing really going against Joy Crookes is the strength of the other contenders in the list. So, if you fancy a punt on an outsider this year, then lay your bet on this album.

4. Wet Leg by Wet Leg

Into the Top 4 then and I think this is now where we hit what I would call the serious contenders. Although I’ve not completely bought into the hype around them, there is no denying Wet Leg would be a hugely popular winner on awards night. Their self-titled debut album released earlier this year has been one of 2022’s huge success stories so far, with their mix of wit, profanity and infectious melodies garnering them legions of devoted fans across the world. Falling somewhere between indie-rock, post-punk and garage-pop, their massive hits like Wet Dream, Angelica, Ur Mum and, most of all, Chaise Longue have really come to define the past 12 months.

In terms of factors working against them, there isn’t many at all. The only thing you could say is that the Isle of Wight duo are doing quite fine on their own, with their debut hitting the top spot in the UK and Australia, with further chart success right across Europe. That said though, where commercial success would often prevent an album from winning the overall prize, it has not always been the case. For example, chart-toppers like Dave’s Psychodrama and Arctic Monkeys’ Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not have both claimed the prestigious title despite shifting some huge album sales. With this in mind then, I say Wet Leg have a very real chance of walking away the winners next Thursday.

3. Seventeen Going Under by Sam Fender

Although his career is still quite young in the grand scheme of things, there was no surprise to see Geordie singer-songwriter Sam Fender earn a Mercury Prize for his incredible autobiographical second album, Seventeen Going Under. Having already earned an Ivor Novello award and scooped the Brits Critics’ Choice prize in recent years, award success just seems to follow Sam wherever he goes.

Whether it’s confronting the memory of supporting his sick mother in her battle with the Department for Work & Pensions (Getting Started and the record’s incredible title track), disclosing his inability to effectively communicate with his father (Spit of You) or highlighting important issues of mental health and male suicide (The Leveller, Paradigms, The Dying Light), Fender’s exceptional talent for storytelling shines through with both grace and honesty, making for an utterly engrossing and heartfelt listen.

His debut made him a star but this album catapulted Sam into another stratosphere, solidified by his reception at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. In a short space of time, he has evolved into one of the country’s most prolific songwriters and I really wouldn’t be surprised if the judges choose to recognise and cap off his incredible year by presenting him with the 2022 prize.

2. Prioritise Pleasure by Self-Esteem

In all honesty, I do think this year really is a two-woman race. The final competition for me is really between this duo of outstanding, hugely acclaimed records and either one would be a massively popular winner within the music world. The first of these is of course the amazing second album from Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka Self-Esteem.

Rightfully receiving widespread critical acclaim, Taylor’s aim for Prioritise Pleasure was quite simple – build on her debut album, Compliments Please. In her own words, she wanted everything to be “bigger and bolder” in the production of this new record, turning strings into orchestras and back-up singers into choirs. The result? Undoubtedly the finest pop record of 2021.

There was no doubting Prioritise Pleasure was a mightily impressive and utterly intoxicating listen, with Taylor exploring themes of love, self-care, sexuality, misogyny and toxic relationships across the album’s grand 13 tracks. The lyrics are meaningful, the instrumentation is extravagant and most importantly the songs are just downright excellent. After 2020 and the COVID pandemic had given everyone’s mental health a battering, this was the open and honest pick-me-up record the world needed. Lifted by empowering anthems like the album’s title track, Still Reigning and, of course, I Do This All The Time, Prioritise Pleasure is a daring and exciting pop masterpiece that has plenty of wit, words of encouragement and moments of sonic splendour.

Most importantly though, this is an honest, unconventional pop record that says the things other modern pop artists might be too afraid to say – and for that, Rebecca Lucy Taylor would be a very worthy Mercury Prize winner. From her interviews and reaction to her nomination, you also get the impression that the award would mean more to Rebecca than possibly anyone else on the list – this is something she has wanted for a long time and to see her finally win and fulfil a dream would be a special moment indeed.

1. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz

However - there is one woman that stands in Rebecca’s way. A previous Mercury Prize nominee who must’ve missed out on the top prize last time by the slimmest of margins. The most critically acclaimed album on the list and my own runner-up Album of the Year for 2021. That’s right, the album I think is most likely to win the Mercury Prize next week is (unsurprisingly) Little Simz’s Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.

Having transported listeners to the top of North London high rises where she grew up on her outstanding breakout and Mercury nominated third record, Grey Area, Simz now brings the listener into her world today on SIMBI, where she is found navigating an industry that isn’t built for a naturally shy person like herself. Where there is still the dazzling whirlwind of fierce lyricism and exciting eclectic sounds that made Grey Area such a success, here Simz also puts greater focus on the production and narrative too.

Much like her contemporary Dave, the introspection and sharing of personal experience from Simz is gloriously backdropped by some stunningly ambitious cinematic presentation. This is highlighted in both the grand, orchestral moments found scattered across SIMBI, but also from the album’s interludes where The Crown actress, Emma Corrin, occasionally turns up to play a sort of Fairy Godmother role to Simz.

It is no secret that spiritual title track Introvert has been one of my favourite songs of the last 18 months, and indeed the same for many others as well. You will really struggle to find a better opening track on any album in the last year and, at six minutes in length, it is an epic, triumphant and utterly majestic personal anthem. Outside of that track, the album is simply littered with more career highlights such as Woman, Speed, Protect My Energy and Point and Kill, to name just a few.

Grey Area was a special record, however with SIMBI Simz has surpassed even that amazing record. The scope, ambition, artistry and lyricism have all been elevated to another level, helping her to tower over the other nominees on this year’s shortlist. I said in my Album of the Year review that I fully expect Simz to land her first Mercury Prize win for this record next year and I haven’t changed my mind on that.

Winning this year’s prize would solidify Little Simz’s position at the top of the musical mountain and help her to shake the “best female rapper” tag she has been given, allowing her instead to finally be recognised for what she really is – one of the best working artists, man or woman, making music today. Period.

So fingers crossed for Simz and best of luck to all the nominees – I will be watching!

#mercury prize #mercury music prize #little simz #self esteem #wet leg #sam fender #yard act #joy crookes #kojey radical #fergus mccreadie #gwenno #harry styles #nova twins #jessie buckley #bernard butler #new music #best new music #album of the year

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