death came

and spit us back out.

[thebabyssitter]

writing inspiration DO NOT INTERACT WITH THIS POST IF YOU ARE NOT TAGGED!

@lexpxrdus​ said --> ‘word’; “ Big Dipper “

These days, the night sky was harder and harder to see what with all the artificial light practically everywhere. As they rested, waiting for word from Andy on what they’d do next, Yusuf sat on top of a roof in Morocco, staring up at the sky with Nicky beside him.

“Do you remember the first time we looked up at the stars together, my love?” He asked, smiling in the darkness, one arm cocked under his head, the other wrapped around his lover.

[thebabyssitter]

writing inspiration DO NOT INTERACT WITH THIS POST IF YOU ARE NOT TAGGED!

@lexpxrdus​ said --> ‘mini-scenario’; Andy with a hangover, but Booker is feeling fine.

Andy had drunk so much, so frequently, and for so long, that she didn’t think that having a hangover was even possible anymore. Well, a binge in Brazil proved that to be the opposite of the case. After having lost half the night, Andy awakens with a throbbing headache so severe, she reaches up to see if there is a blade sticking out of the top of her skull.

“FUCK!” She nearly falls of the couch she’s been laying on and looks up to see Booker, sitting on a chair, facing her with a charcuterie board. “What the hell is your problem? Don’t look at me like that.” She reaches up, shielding her eyes from the brazen sun glaring through the thin curtains. “How are you fine, and I feel like I’m on the verge of death?”

[thebabyssitter]

writing inspiration DO NOT INTERACT WITH THIS POST IF YOU ARE NOT TAGGED!

@lexpxrdus​ said --> subject; generator: “What has made you angry recently?”

Noriko has had seemingly endless years to think about everything that has made her angry, to ripen the bitterness until it was powerful enough to push her up to the surface. And she had cradled her anger all those years, it was what had kept her going, all those questions: how could they leave me? Why didn’t they come back? Was I worthless? How long have I been down here? How much more can I endure?

Riko never, for one second, offered those she had known and loved the benefit of the doubt. No, it was easier to blame them -- to want something from them.

She’d waited for this moment forever, thinking that she would be able to walk right up to Andromache and tell her just how she felt, to put a blade through her, to shove her into a box and send her cascading down into the depths of the deep blue sea. But she sputtered, looking at Andy like a mirage in the desert.

“You left me.”

[lexpxrdus]

@theoldgvard​ asked ‘subject’ ( i generated the prompt  Write about something you lost. ) - 

They’d both lost so much over the years; people, possessions, memories of things… Everything started to stack up after a while, bringing a sense of melancholy that settled over their days, no matter now pleasant. The pair of them had arrived at their house in Temirtau the previous night, too tired to do much more than crawl into bed and sleep. Morning revealed a need to clean; Nico set about attempting to clear some of the dust away from their accumulated belongings after breakfast.

He was distracted by a shelf of Yusuf’s sketchbooks, memories etched on every page. It was all too easy to sink into reminiscing after that, sitting with his back against the wall as he flipped through the records of people and places they’d had to leave behind over the years. “Do you remember this?” He asked when he heard Yusuf approach, glancing upward as he offered one of the sketchbooks up for inspection. “Was this Croatia 1906?”

[thebabyssitter]

Yusuf preferred not to dwell on the things they’ve lost, but what they’d gained over the years. Besides, he was awfully adept at sketching down little moments. In that way, those moments were with them forever.

He walked up behind Nico, looking down at the pages as a small smile ghosted across his lips. His hands found their home on Nicky’s hips, and he pressed a gentle kiss to the other man’s neck, his beard prickling against his lover’s skin. “I do remember, and you are correct, as always, habibi... flip a few pages, and I think you’ll find some World War I sketches.”

[rocknmeme]

writing inspiration

send ‘subject’ and i’ll write a thing using this generator!

send ‘mini scenario’ and i’ll write a thing using this generator!

send ‘word’ and i’ll write a thing using this generator!

send ‘question’ and i’ll write a thing using this generator!

[naslostcontrol]

Marwan Kenzari as Yusuf Al-Kaysani

The Old Guard, 2020

[scinnlaece]

See how thy hands are torn—thy gentle hands—:

Belovèd, not by me, not by my kiss.

Thy infinite heart to all men open stands, 

O, I alone, alone, should have that bliss.

Rainer Maria Rilke, “Pietà,” trans. by Jessie Lemont

[thebabyssitter]

do u ship booker and nicky? are u taking prompts for booker x nicky fics?

hi.

1.) no, i don’t. why would i when there’s a perfectly good mlm ship embedded into the canon??? and it’s not 2 boring ass white guys???? no.

2.) i wouldn’t write a booker x nicky fic if you paid me to do it 🙃

[polarcell]

70s AU  definitely canon compliant 70s wardrobe lineup + Quynh and Nile looking cute in retro clothes

From left to right we have three distinct vibes:

Joe and Nicky form team “having the time of their lives”

Booker and Andy are “Trying to survive the decade and blend in but not happy about it” 

Quynh and Nile are “Didn’t actually experience it so are free to pick and choose the cutest parts and are able to look good”

—

Thank you Kiki Layne looking radiant in If Beale Street Could Talk for Nile’s hair inspiration and thank you Luca Marinelli looking intense in Trust for Nicky’s entire vibe and thank you @tovezza for being the person to bring up the 70s with visual references and everything, which is what tempted me to draw this… image. 

EDIT: I messed up and gave Joe yellow clothes & accessories in the beginning and have now changed the colour to be more respectful, pls reblog this edited version instead 

[thebabyssitter]

@lexpxrdus

[thebabyssitter]

𝔪𝔲𝔫𝔡𝔞𝔶 :)

straightened (and wore) this wig for the first time today. felt cute.

[thebabyssitter]

Soft & Sassy Starters

@lexpxrdus​ said -->  “Well this was my spot and you just happened to be part of it.”

Nile offered the other a smirk, dark eyes shifting to look at them. “You always got somethin’ to say, don’t you?” She asked, sighing, though it was difficult to hide the smile on her lips (despite the relative darkness surrounding them). “Well, just don’t get in my personal space, and we’ll be fine, alright?”

[thebabyssitter]

Soft & Sassy Starters DO NOT REBLOG IF YOU ARE NOT TAGGED

@lexpxrdus​ said --> “I see you’ve gone to bed… and that I am the bed.”

Nicolò smiled, eyes closed as he nestled closer into Yusuf. He squeezed the other man around the middle, his face against Yusuf’s chest. “Mmph, yes... I’m tired, Yusuf. Some of us enjoy sleeping every now and again.” He didn’t even peer an eye open, just lifted his hand to run his fingers through Yusuf’s soft curls. “Are you never tired, hayati?”

[flammeusarch]

“ oh believe me  ,  i know. ”  this is the one thing she’s NEVER given for granted  ,  always been loyal to.  it’s not much but it’s home and she’s fought for it and its people.  “ before this i didn’t have much that actually mattered.  this family gave me PURPOSE.  i know where my loyalty lies  ,  thanks. ”

@theoldgvard​  /   “ family isn’t always who you’re born with. it’s also who you’d die for. ” (from cassian)

[thebabyssitter]

cassian arched a brow, surprised by her response. “i wasn’t questioning your loyalty, if that’s what you mean... i was merely making an observation.” he was such a lover... such a beacon of light that he always tried to see the good, even when all he was surrounded by was bad. “i’m glad you have purpose. that’s all any of us need, really.” a reason to keep on existing.

[thebabyssitter]

lexpxrdus​:

“It’s not a competition.” Nicolò huffed, though he had to bury his face in Yusuf’s shoulder to hide his smile - he couldn’t help it, Yusuf’s laughter filled him up until he felt like he might burst like a soap bubble. Despite his statement, it didn’t stop him from pushing things just a little further, if only to see what Yusuf would come back with; “My heart beats only for you, my love.” 

Remembering their anniversaries - especially that one - gave him a certain kind of buzz, no matter the situations they found themselves in. He thought he’d never be able to forget their trip to Malta for their five-hundredth anniversary, and nor would he want to. It had been perfect ( and maybe he’d suggest a repeat for their thousandth anniversary ). “I am an old man,” It was so hard to say without laughing, however true it might be. “My memory is not what it used to be.” He shivered under those kisses, tilting his head to give Yusuf better access, should he choose to continue down that particular avenue of affection. 

“Mm— Now who’s teasing?” Nicolò grumbled, his own hands on either side of his soulmate’s waist. “I’m aching for something.” Without a doubt, that ache would be remedied shortly.

Yusuf smiled, still singing. Despite what Nicolò said, sometimes it did feel like a competition, even if it was a playful one. They liked one-upping each other, and not just when it came to declarations of devotion. “And there would be no reason for me to breathe if not to spend those moments with you, my sweetest.” He replied, kissing the other man’s throat, right on the pulse point. There was that familiar thudding of his Nicolò’s heart, too, and Yusuf could feel his own beating the same rhythm.

They were pressed so closely that Yusuf could feel their hearts beating together as one organ, his eyes closed as the song’s lyrics effortlessly left his lips and their bodies continued to sway in tune to it. “You are an old man, and I am an old man, but still I could never forget the pleasure your body brings me, the love your heart pours into me, the warmth your soul covers me in. You say these things, habibata, but I do not think you mean them.” He kissed Nicky’s ear now, tongue touching the shell of it like a tease. “You want the reminder, I am more than happy to give it to you.” His fingers trailed up the back of Nicky’s shirt now, dancing up his spine in that familiar way.

[thebabyssitter]

lexpxrdus​:

Bringing swords to a gunfight might have been the last thing their opponents had expected, but it worked. The Dao that had once belonged to her older brother felt like an extension of Lin’s arm, channelling his spirit as she razed the men to the ground with intense focus and fast reflexes.

She’d feel bad later that she hadn’t noticed Ari’s injury when it had happened, and that she whirled around, Dao raised in order to attack whoever had touched her arm. But in the midst of battle, she figured that these things were quite acceptable. “That looks like it hurts.” Were the first words from her mouth, nose wrinkling sympathetically at the gruesome injury. “Did you die?”

Ari froze when she turned, ready to strike like a scorpion. She was a typhoon in a fight, and he was glad to have her with him, but he was more glad she didn’t lop his head off with her Dao. That would’ve been worse than the jaw being blown off.

At her question, he shook (what was left of) his head. No. That always made it worse. Sometimes the dying fragmented the pain. After a few moments, his jaw was back in place and most of the tissue, too. “It does hurt. Is there anyone else we have to worry about?”

[thebabyssitter]

lexpxrdus​:

Vegas was an experience. Security cameras, people manning the floors at all times… It would be so easy to be caught here, but maybe that’s why Nicolò didn’t feel quite so exposed. There were a lot of people in the room, and they blended into the crowds well enough once they’d split up.

Sticking close to Booker as they moved across the casino floor toward the Black Jack tables, Nicky felt like his eyes were being dragged in every direction by the sounds and sights of people gambling their money away ( and occasionally winning, too ). He couldn’t see the others, though he was trying not to appear too obvious as he searched above the heads of those around them.

His own drink was still quite full; he’d been sipping rather than downing, more interested in what was happening than ingesting the alcohol. Booker’s ritual was interesting, one that was apparently repeated by the other gamblers, since Nicolò had noted many people doing the same thing as they’d walked past other games. “Pour la chance.” He agreed solemnly, as the chip touched his chest.

“This is the game where you must make twenty-one, yes?” They played amongst themselves sometimes, when they were in the mood and somebody had remembered a deck of cards, but it was usually under a different name.

Other than for the companionship and luck, there was another good reason to have Nicky around. He was always on the look out, always keeping everyone around him safe. Plus, Booker could tell, he was looking for the others, too. He grasped the Ligurian by the shoulder and offered him a wink, “You need to try and relax. Have some fun.”

Booker settled in on the stool, watching the dealer as he went around the table. He looked over at Nicky, who asked his question before the dealer got to Booker, and he nodded, laughing. “Yes, you make 21, or as close to it as you can get.” The dealer flipped over Booker’s first card, an Ace, which could be very good. He nodded, tapping the card so the dealer would hit him again. A ten. A perfect 21. “Looks like you have brought me much luck, Nicolò.”

[thebabyssitter]

lexpxrdus​:

They’d been very active recently, but their five-hundred-year anniversary had come around ( where had the time gone so quickly? ) and the two of them had taken some time to spend in Malta together while Andy and Quynh did… whatever they were doing wherever they were doing it. Honestly, as much as Nicolò loved Yusuf, he was quite content to sleep late and love later. Their room was cool with the sea breeze, and he was comfortable curled into Yusuf just like this.

Apparently, the other man had other plans.

“Nnn-” The Ligurian made a noise that was half moan, half whine at being dragged into consciousness like that, pushing his face further into their pillow as his entire body shivered with the fingertips on the undersides of his arms ( it tickled ). “Again?” Nicolò questioned when he’d woken up a little more and turned his face to squint at Yusuf - though he could definitely go back to sleep, should the opportunity arise. “You’re insatiable, amore mio.” An affectionate tease, followed by a kiss. 

“It is morning, Nicolò, do you not see the sun? Hear the birds?” Yusuf breathed against the back of his lover’s neck, kissing and nipping the flesh there -- wanting to make being awake more enticing than the pull of sleep. Five hundred years, and Yusuf still wanted to devour Nicolò as much as ever. The other man was right, he was insatiable.

“You are so beautiful when you wake, habibi. I wanted you with me... is that so bad?” Now his lips were on Nicolò’s ear, his breath heavy and warm.