#:// ANSWERED

[theminecraftbee]

hello i ended up on your blog by mistake with no context (dw about it i'm on an adventure) and saw a post with just the most electrician- and eighth-grade-math-teacher-looking men i have ever beheld and my first thought was genuinely "is this a PTA meeting." i now understand that these are very famous streamers and good for them but with the zero context i had this looks like a group of people who are here to passionately argue in favor of keeping shop class in the high school. anyway i physically needed to share this have a great night.

ASLKJHASDLKDJHSA THANK YOU FOR SHARING ANON THIS IS THE BEST DESCRIPTION OF THEM EVER. you are so right. have fun out there anon,

[ask-the-marimozoro]

Does sanji ever go heart eyes at you like he does women?? Does mans do his funky little pervert scene for you?

“Despite the fact that we are a couple, he has never done anything close to that and I highly doubt Curly would ever swoon like that towards me (not like I care either. It is weird to watch).

Even though he’s softened up around me after all this time and we’ve gotten into a different dynamic in private, I am a man, that little show is to impress women.”

[canisalbus]

If you ever draw Vasco carrying Machete bridal style I will somehow find a way to inject the image into my veins

For you anon, I'll try to make it happen.

[dasketcherz]

Vat7k beach episode art? ✍️✍️✍️✍️

I'd like to take this opportunity to draw a storyboard of a particular cute beach scene from one of my current new fave vat7k fic <3

Tis the Damn Season by @gilmorenights <3

[anamericangirl]

it's always very funny to me when aggressively anti-religion atheists treat Isaac Newton like some kind of secular saint. that guy was super religious.

when he first presented his theory of gravity, a bunch of other scientists basically went "dude, this is not scientific at all. you're saying that discrete objects are acting on each other from a distance without any connection between them and with no explanation for any kind of mechanism that would make that possible."

and Newton's response was pretty much to shrug and say "well, that's what my observations are showing. probably God does it."

(also to this day we do not have a solid explanation for what causes gravity to work. there's a hypothetical particle that nobody's found yet, which is more or less the physics equivalent of "God does it.")

They just assume any scientist who made any kind of scientific discovery was an atheist because they were taught by other atheists and on reddit that christianity is the opposite of science, which is obviously not true.

They want to erase christianity from history and ignore the significant influence it had. Christianity was the most influential religion in history and plays a big part in much of the discoveries (scientific included) and progress of humanity as a whole and they can die mad about it.

[lingrimmart]

I have a quick question that I would like to ask you please: If you had to pick one Crown of Leaves character to meet in real life, who would it be?

If I could meet one the Crown of Leaves character, it’d be Junyver. She’s basically a walking library — smart, soft-spoken, probably the best teacher you could ask for. She’d explain the Flat horror like it’s a bedtime story and somehow make it comforting.

A little spoiler below:

Of course, I also know she’s a terrifying manipulator who could lie without blinking and take you apart piece by piece, all while smiling. She gives you choices, sure — and somehow, you always pick the one she wanted.

But hey, I’ve got a thing for fictional mad scientists. They’re my little meow meow. They do nothing wrong.

[rs-hawk]

Oh oh oh lake creature who gets his kicks peeping on pretty girl that sunbathes and swims in a bikini... And y'know... Sex

Like creature of the black lagoon type creature

Another old as hell ask but it was such a good ask. I just had to watch the movie first. Lol

You and your friends decide to go to the lake for the weekend. There is a little cabin with a dock that backs right up against the lake. You and your friends decide to spend the weekend swimming, sunbathing and trying to barbeque (terribly, by the way).

None of you have any idea about the creature that lurked just below the water. He watches you, his webbed feet able to keep him perfectly under especially you. He loves how your bikini bottom shifts slightly, nearly giving him a glance at your lower lips. It makes him almost painfully hard, but he's afraid if he grabs you, you'll get scared and run off. Never coming back to this place. Then how would he ever figure out a way to get you naked?

Thanks to his green scale like skin, he's able to blend in with the bottom of the lake, as well as the trees when he creeps up onto land to watch you sunbathe. Smiling to yourself, you walk out to the dock. Since your friends decided to go back to the cabin and you know there's no way that they're going to be back anytime soon, you slip off your bikini and lay on the lounge chair. Your perky chest is washed over in the bright spring sunlight. The curve of your mound catches his eye, making his mouth water. His clawed, webbed hand slithers down his body to slowly stroke his cock when it slides out from its hiding place, like a reptile.

You have no idea that he dumps his sticky load to your naked body in the forest just to the side of the lake. You have no idea that all week he's been thinking of how to get you naked, and now you just presented yourself on a silver platter for him. He wants you more than anything, to feel how warm you would be against his freezing cold skin, but he doesn't want to scare you off. Fuck, is just jacking off to your naked body, and after you leave, the memory of it, going to be enough for him?

[chevroletdean]

Tysm!

That gif, haha, exactly how I envisioned it 😂😂 She got a little too excited there, happens to the best of us. What's another sprained ankle compared to date night?

As for some guys getting jealous over literal plastic, well... I don't know either, maybe they're allergic to a fun time, lolol.

Glad you liked this one! <3

Welcome Home

nsfw prompts, send in a character + a number

PAIRING: Dean x Fem!Reader GENRE: Smut (18+ CONTENT) TO NOTE/WARNINGS: mentions of (healed) injuries, PWP, established relationship, (guided) masturbation, dirty talk, sex toys, fingering, not proofread WORD COUNT: 2.8k PROMPT: 10) finding their partner’s sex toy/toys and making them play with it in front of them A/N: based on an anon's request, ty! CREDIT & LINKS: dividers by cafekitsune ─〃★ join the taglist ─〃★ Dean Masterlist

You were sitting on the bed, legs crossed, compact mirror in one hand, mascara wand in the other. Maybe it was a little silly, but you wanted to doll yourself up extra nicely today.

Dean’s been away for two whole weeks, working on this super complicated case several states over. You, on the other hand, had been stuck at the Bunker thanks to an annoying injury for the whole duration of his absence. A busted ankle rendered you bed-ridden for a while and Dean, ever the worried boyfriend, was strict about your healing process.

Thus, you stayed behind, unable to do much except twirling your thumbs and calling him every day.

Fourteen lonely days, every single one feeling like torture.

Even though your leg’s been fully healed since a couple of days, Dean insisted that you should take it easy. Restless as you were, however, you offered to tag along, join him after all.

His response you couldn’t have anticipated.

“I’m on my way home already,” he said through the phone, the curl of his lips audible. “Surprise, sweetheart.”

You immediately dropped everything.

That thick novel you’ve been reading? Shoved back onto the shelves. Your warm cup of tea to comfort that empty feeling in your chest? Left behind to cool entirely. Blanket? Who needed that when soon you would have your boyfriend’s arms back around you!

You nearly tripped over your own two feet as you rushed to your wardrobe. If you’d manage to break another bone in the process of exchanging your pyjamas for something nicer, Dean wouldn’t let you hear the end of it.

However, in your giddiness you could not be bothered to care.

Dean informed you that he’d be at the Bunker in an hour or two, which was just enough time to prepare everything. Like cleaning your room and making yourself presentable.

Absorbed in your own world, you hummed along to your playlist as you did the finishing touches of your makeup. Though, when your door creaked open, you squealed— half surprised, half flustered.

“You’re early,” you huffed, though the wide smile and the brightness in your eyes belied your attempt at scolding him.

You jumped up from the bed, practically flinging yourself into his arms. His eyes almost appeared greener than you remembered, or maybe you just missed the color so badly that seeing it again made your heart flutter even more than usual.

“My bad,” he played along with a chuckle and the deep rumble of his voice sent your pulse skyrocketing, “Want me to leave again and come back later?”

“Don’t you dare, Winchester,” you retorted, grin still wide on your tinted lips. Before he could even think about abandoning you again, whether in jest or not, you pulled him into a kiss, the familiar taste of him melting your heart right away.

Despite being worn down after a long drive and an even longer hunt, Dean soaked up your excited welcome, mimicking the effortless smile you wore.

“I missed you,” he mumbled against your mouth with a relieved sigh.

“Missed you too,” you whispered back, connecting your lips with his in another chaste kiss.

“I can tell,” he grinned, leaning back only to scan you up and down. You had picked one of his old Metallica shirts, paired with a denim mini-skirt. One that left him no choice but to whistle.

“Two weeks without me and you turn into a caveman,” you quipped teasingly. Still, that look of approval and desire caused your skin to tingle.

“Can’t blame a guy for appreciating his pretty girl,” Dean shrugged, boyish grin plastered across his face. “You look like a work of art.”

“And the canvas isn’t even done yet,” you chuckled. “Can you grab my lipgloss from the bathroom real quick?”

Dean didn’t respond for a second, too busy taking in the sight of you. His hands lazily trailed up and down your sides, testing the material of his shirt, the fabric old and worn and falling softly over those irresistble curves of yours. You were asking the impossible of him—no way did he want to pull away from you for even just another minute.

“What’s the point if I’m gonna kiss it off that pretty mouth anyway?,” Dean tested, wiggling his eyebrows playfully.

“Hold your horses, Cassanova,” you clicked your tongue with that flustered grin of yours, shyly shoving at his shoulder to nudge him towards the bathroom. “It’s the cherry flavored one, your favorite.”

Dean’s eyes lit up to match the flirtatious sparkle in yours, both thanks to the heavenly sound of your laugh and your little promise.

“Should’ve said so sooner, sweetheart,” he hummed with that wide, giddy grin of his. Though he did not let you off the hook that easily — giving you another peck, along with a well measured squeeze of your ass that had you yelp and giggle again — he turned on his heel and retreated to the bathroom.

“Gotta freshen up a bit anyway,” was the last thing you heard him mumble.

As for you, you swiftly finished the last bits of preparations. The moment you learned he’d finally come home, you knew just how to welcome him back properly. Microwaved popcorn, some slices of greasy pizza, one or two of Dean’s favorite old Western classics.

“Steve McQueen or John Wayne?,” you called as you were shuffling through the DVD collection in the box, which usually sat under your bed. You’d found it pulled out already and, what can you say, sometime’s not tidying up immediately has its perks.

And sometimes it’s a bulletproof set-up for failure.

Dean returned just then, though it’s the rasp of his voice that grabs your attention rather than the steps of heavy boots you expected to appear behind you.

“Wanna tell me what this is?”

Curious, your head turned to him. Your gaze fell on his frame first, much closer than you thought he’d be and half-naked. He’s washed the grime off his skin, which thus was slightly damp and smelled like the perfect blend of citrus and spice.

Once finally managing to peel your eyes off his broad chest, your eyelashes flickered upwards. Though your heart sank right to the bottom of your stomach as you realized what he was holding might’ve been pink, but it definitely wasn’t your lipgloss. Instantly the shade of your cheeks matched the silicone toy he waved around.

Your Satisfyer. Of course, you’d just cleaned it in the bathroom and forgot to put it away. Hence that box not being stashed away yet either.

“I can explain,” you muttered shyly, almost timidly and tense, though your defensive response earned you just a smirk from Dean.

“Relax, sweetheart,” he hummed. “Didn’t say I was mad.”

He turned the small vibrator in his hands, once, twice, eyeing it with curiosity. Not anger. Not disgust or any of that.

“Didn’t know you owned one of these,” he spoke, casually, as if he didn’t just jumpscare the shit out of you by wiggling your sex toy in front of your face.

You’re not sure what prompted you to even attempt defending yourself: “I only use it when I miss you too much…” While justifying why you had it, that explanation certainly didn’t make you feel any less exposed.

A thick silence followed, so heavy between you you could hear your own blood rush through your ears. The blush crept from your face to your neck, darkening into a tomato-red.

Dean stared at you as if you’d grown a second head, and you couldn’t possibly maintain eyecontact with him anymore. Although, when you averted your gaze, he lifted your chin up again, looking down at you with an intensity that overwhelmed you.

“When you miss me,” Dean echoed, voice low and laced with something dangerous. Something proud. Like the secret you just revealed equated to you handing him a trophy.

Shyly, you nodded. Barely.

“You’re thinking of me when you’re touching yourself, sweetheart?” His words had you shudder. And swallow. Thickly. Though your throat remained dry and you didn’t trust yourself to speak up just yet.

“Hmhm,” you hummed quietly, nodding again. Wasn’t it self-explanatory? Of course you were. It was always him you imagined in those moments. It was always his touch you wished would explore you. His hands, mouth, thick cock—

“Show me,” Dean spoke, holding the item out for you.

Bewildered, you blinked at him, unsure if you understood correctly.

“Wh-what?”

He took a step forward, towering over you in a way that made you feel small, but desired all the same. Instinctively, you staggered backwards, until the back of your knees hit the edge of the bed, causing you to sit down.

“Show me what happens when you miss me, sweetheart,” Dean elaborated, placing the toy in your lap and then pulling back.

Your eyes, wide with shock, never left him as he pushed a chair over to the bed and made himself comfortable, sitting there leaned back and ready to enjoy the show.

“But I— You…”

Dean tilted his head, one hand reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. “What? I wanna see my girl make herself feel good. Just do it like you normally would.”

It’s not that you were uncomfortable with the idea, knowing he’d never push you to anything you don’t want. It’s rather that his request made heat pool at your core, so fast that it made you dizzy. He couldn’t possibly hold you getting so flustered against you.

This felt like a damn ambush, one that made your brain short circuit.

Hearing the gears turn in your head, Dean leaned forward, supporting his elbows on his knees and tilting his head. “Not your cup of tea, sugar?”

Damn bastard knew what he was doing, letting his wolfish eyes roam your body like you were some frozen-in-the-headlights deer. The low rumble of his voice was enough to make you instinctively squeeze your thighs together.

“No— I mean yes? Just…,” you stuttered, making a complete fool of yourself. This was uncharted territory. You knew your body and how to explore it. Dean knew your body and how to explore it. But in this constellation, the alignment of stars painted a new picture.

While you didn’t want to admit how awkward you felt, not wanting to sound lame, Dean understood without you having to spell it out for him. He got up from the chair and settled on the bed instead, making himself comfortable right behind you.

Biting your lower lip, you let his arms circle around your waist and pull you closer until your back was pressed flush against his chest. The heat of his skin seeped through your clothes and you relaxed into his embrace right away.

“This okay?,” he whispered, the gentleness of his voice contrasted only by the brush of his stubble against your cheek. As his fingertips slipped under your shirt, erasing the tension from your middle, you leaned back into him even further.

“More than okay,” you answered, voice soft but sure.

You felt the smile tugging at his lips against your neck, along with the kiss he placed there. Slow and deliberate. Reassuring you while his fingers made quick work of your skirt’s button. He unfastened it, helping you lift your lower half to slip the denim down and taking your panties right with them.

Both items discarded onto the floor, you shifted into a more comfortable position. You settled between Dean’s legs and slowly spread your own, following the guide of his palms that stroked the plush of your thighs.

“Show me, please?”

The way he asked for it had your heart and pussy flutter in tandem. That desperate edge to his tone, the subtle twitch of his fingers against your inner thighs — as if he was itching to touch you himself, but wanting you to do it instead.

You bit your lower lip and pressed the toy’s switch, its soft buzz making both yours and Dean’s breath hitch.

You guided the vibrator to your slick folds, your center already throbbing with anticipation. Dean’s chin settled on your shoulder, eyes glued to your ministrations. Having him watch you at your most vulnerable, such a private moment suddenly so intimate, it drove you to the brink of insanity.

“You’re tellin’ me this is what I’m missing every time I’m gone?,” Dean huffed through a clenched jaw, absolutely mesmerized by the sight in front of him. You, all splayed out for him, letting yourself fall apart, unwavering trust behind your actions.

A whine left your lips as you shook your head shyly.

“No?,” he hummed, hands still tracing lazy circles over your thighs, occasionally lifting your oversized shirt out of the way.

“Mmh, ‘s different when you’re here,” you replied in between ragged panting.

“Different how?”

“Better.”

You had no idea what those words did to him. Or maybe you did, judging by the way you arched your back and pushed your hips back, just to feel the tent in his boxers.

“What’s it like when I’m not here?” Maybe Dean was pushing his luck, asking you to share the most scandalous of your thoughts, wanting a glimpse of your fantasies. Or maybe he was pushing your buttons in just the right way, relishing in the flush of your cheeks and the tremble of your lips. “What’re you imagining then, baby? Bet you wish it was me touching you, right?”

The moan bubbling from you was broken but beautiful, accompanied by another nod of yours.

“Use your words, sweetheart.”

You angled the toy up slightly until the ring suctioned right over your clit, pressure and friction so delicious you sobbed softly.

“Wish you’d fuck me, keep thinking ‘bout your cock filling me,” you rambled to your own surprise.

“Keep it up, and I might,” Dean chuckled lightly behind you, his only reward for now another kiss to your flushed skin.

Eager to please him, more than pleasuring yourself at this point, you turned up the setting. Though your thighs twitched, you kept chasing the feeling. Your hips automatically bucked into the smooth surface of your toy. It was practically drenched already, glistening with your essence.

“So fucking pretty,” Dean rasped, large hands holding your legs open from behind.

You whimpered, throwing your head back against his shoulder as the pressure between your thighs became nearly unbearable. Dean used the opportunity to plant wet, hot kisses across your neck, burying his nose in the curve of your shoulder.

“Doing so good, baby,” he whispered. “Just a little longer, can you do that for me?”

“Dunno, ‘m so close,” you cried, coil in your lower stomach so damn tight, so damn close to snapping.

“’s alright,” Dean purred, his own hand maneuvering their way between your legs. You yelped softly as you felt his fingers collect your wetness and run right through your slit. “Almost there.”

Overwhelmed, you almost squirmed away, but his grip on you was iron, his words whispering sweet affirmations into your ear. How pretty you looked. How good you felt. How perfect you were. And the best part about it? He was actually, really, right there—not some flicker of your imagination, not the ghost of his touch or the memory of his voice.

Dean slipped one finger inside of you, then added a second one. His thrusts were steady, a welcome scratch to the itch you could never quite manage on your own. A soothe to your nerves only Dean was able to accomplish. He was making you sing and curse and worship his name with your voice.

“Let go for me,” Dean spoke, talking you through it as all that you managed were moans and slight thrashes.

He pushed you over the edge with ease, catching you all the same in the storm of your orgasm. The intense crash of heat washing over you caused one of your hands to grasp his wrist—you weren’t entirely sure whether you were trying to make him slow down or asking him to keep going.

Dean slowed his movement, the pulsating of your heat subsiding gently until all that was left was you, sweaty and shaking in his embrace.

“Good to be back,” Dean quipped jokingly, sealing your long awaited reunion with another lock of your lips.

Dean Winchester Taglist:

@angelicjackles @berryblues46 @blueschevy @calibootsgirl @charliesangel67

@emma1998sblog @emmy21842 @foxyjwls007 @hot-and-confused @jollyhunter

@ladysparkles78 @ladykitana90 @lyarr24 @midnight--raine @missus-ackles

@spacecowgirl126 @spn-reader @spookyfunhottub @supernotnatural2005 @whichwitchwanda

@whormotional @winchester-whiskey @zepskies

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[annabelle--cane]

Melanie hesitated to tell Sam in detail what brought the apocalypse to an end 😵‍💫

it didn't sound like she was consciously holding anything back, so I feel like in the chaos after the de-eyepocalypse she, georgie, and basira must have just calmly put up a brick wall up in their minds to block being able to think about how they decided to send the fears on to other worlds. and if that wall ever comes down and something slips out, sam is going to feel Some type of way.

[theminecraftbee]

Oh, me from the archiving team again (on main)! I thought you might enjoy this graph I made for the one-year anniversary of the season in February

AKDGDKDHSJDHSJDH YEAH THAT’S SURE THE JOE HILLS DIFFERENCE

[planet-dusk]

any hyunjin drabbles u may have not shared yet? i js want to read anything hyune related >.<

i can give you a sneak peek of this unfinished hyunlix smut i've got in my drafts (cw: dollification, dubcon)

It’d all happened so fast. You’re not sure how you’d ended up like this: face pressed into a pillow and back arched to give the two men behind you the perfect view.

The stash of books and papers on the floor reminds you of what you should be doing instead. Your shared uni project abandoned, Hyunjin and Felix are clearly more interested in watching the arousal pooling between your legs. And judging by the appreciative sounds they’re making, it's already an embarrassing amount. You close your eyes and bury your burning face deeper into the pillow. 

“Tchk, doll, keep still,” Hyunjin shushes. He brushes soothing circles on your back and that fuzzy warmth washes over you again. Pliant. Docile like a captive animal they’re examining with great interest. 

“But the deadline is tomorrow…” you counter weakly. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

Why is forming words so hard? They’ve barely touched you and you’re already twitching and shaking. They didn’t even bother to undress you, your skirt flipped up and underwear shoved down your thighs haphazardly. All afternoon they’d coerced you with subtle touches until Felix had slipped his hand between your legs to trace the outline of your pussy over your dampening panties.

It’d been so easy for them. Too easy. 

“You’re always studying,” Hyunjin lowers his face next to yours so you can meet his dark eyes. “Always working so hard. You deserve a break, love. Let us shut that big brain of yours up for once. Be our pretty doll.” His fingers ghost over your thigh and he chuckles when your gaze grows unfocused. 

“We can finish the project after,” Felix says. “Just let us play with your pussy first, okay?”

Impatient, he doesn’t wait for an answer, grabbing hold of your hips and parting your folds with his tongue. You choke out a low moan and Hyunjin laughs again, pressing a kiss to your temple. 

It’s confusing, the dichotomy between their gentle touches and the way they’re taking whatever they want.

Hyunjin watches the hesitation in your eyes falter with every swipe of Felix’s tongue. “We know what’s best for you, sweetheart. Dolls don’t think. Dolls don’t speak. Dolls don’t move… dolls just take what’s given to them,” he brushes a strand of hair out of your face. “How does that sound?”

You realize there’s no point in even trying to fight the two men on it. Not now they finally got what they must’ve wanted all along: your body at their disposal, all theirs for the taking. 

Maybe Hyunjin is right — maybe they do know what’s best for you.

[harmonia-university]

During the war did some Pokémon side with the humans and maybe some humans sided with the Pokémon? Loyalists and traitors of sorts.

Elsie: But there was one famous, prominent group consisting of both humans and civilized pokemon who worked together- whose main goal was to fight for peace, at whatever cost.

Eventually, they were able to get a peace treaty signed - on the condition that Civilized Pokemon be completely integrated into human society. This was the end of the Pokemon-Human war.

An interesting fact about that group though. They have some pretty close ties to this school! The human leader was the head professor of the biology department here. But more importantly, the Pokemon leader was a Zoroark named Sisyphus Harmonia. He was the one who fo- erm...re-founded this school after its infrastructure and reputation was considerably damaged from the war. Upon its revitalization, it was named after him. Pretty neat, huh.

[lunehowls]

your pfp reminds me of jerma burger im so sorry i love your art so much but that 39 year old man haunts me

it wasn't intentional but it reminds me of the same thing and now i can't bring myself to change it. it's too funny

[riacte]

Can't believe this is the 1st thing we get to know about these 2 being together irl but also not surprised at all

they're in the same room and breathing the same air it's so unreal

[callsign-rogueone]

We need more with Brennan and Duchess and how Brennan is like as a dad🎀

I’m using these asks as excuses to post all the little snips of happily ever after I have for these two, hehe.

🏷️: ~600 words, happens about four years after the events of the twins, duchess’s second pregnancy, these boys are 50% Brennan which means they’re 100% sweethearts, duchess is on bed rest after the scare she had last time, but that makes for a whole lot of family cuddle time <3

The door creaking open has you setting down your book, a soft smile crossing your face. “Why aren’t you two off playing with your cousins?” you ask, reaching down to ruffle their hair.

Naolin gives you a pleading look. “We want to stay with you.”

They’ve been extra clingy since you’ve been put on bed rest, picking up on Brennan’s worry for you — even at just four years old, they’re both incredibly perceptive. It breaks your heart to think of them being scared for your health at such a young age, and both you and your husband have done everything you can to ease their minds.

“Your mother just needs more sleep than she used to,” you’d overheard Brennan soothing one of them last week, on one of the secret trips out of your room that you’d taken for your personal sanity. You’d only seen their back through the cracked door as they sniffled in their father’s arms, but it was most likely Asher, the more sensitive of the pair. “It’s hard work making a new person. But I promise you, she’ll be okay. She’s strong, just like you.”

“Yeah, Ash,” Naolin had added confidently, confirming your suspicion, “she’s even stronger than Uncle Gare. And Daddy can make her better if she gets sick.”

You’d cried a little bit after you slipped back to your room.

Asher tucks his stuffed dragon under one arm, taking the book of Tyrrish fables off of your nightstand and extending it to you quietly. “Can we keep reading, please?”

“Of course, my loves. C’mon, up you get.”

They scramble up the small steps that Brennan had added at the foot of the bed so that they could spend time with you without you having to strain yourself picking them up, each settling onto one side of you, getting comfortable as you crack open the well-worn book, running your thumb over the ink in the front cover.

“Whose name is that, mommy?”

“It’s my name. This was my book, when I was small. My mother, your grandma, would read it with me every night, just like we do.”

———

You hadn’t realized the time — the hours and days you’ve spent in this room are blurring together — but Brennan and the rest of the assembly must have called it a day, because he’s here now, his boots off and the top buttons of his uniform undone.

“My entire family is reading without me,” he gasps, visibly offended.

The boys giggle at his dramatics, and you laugh too. “You’ve read this book half a dozen times, dearest.”

“But not with all of you,” he answers. “That makes it so much better.” He scoops up Asher, settling down by your side and depositing the boy on his lap, pressing a kiss to your temple. “Oh, this one is my favorite!”

“You say that about every story, daddy.”

“I’m allowed to have more than one favorite,” he defends. “You three are my favorite people.”

“Four,” Naolin corrects from where he sits at your side, his head rested against your stomach. “Sissy, too.”

Brennan gasps. “How could I forget? Yes. All four of you are my favorite people.”

“You think it’s gonna be a girl?” you ask.

“Mm-hm!” Asher agrees. “Auntie Darling said so, and she can see the future.”

You and Brennan exchange a look, eyebrows raised. He just shrugs, as if to say, ‘news to me’, — but he can’t contain the grin on his face. “Did she really?”

“We weren’t ‘posed to tell!” Naolin whispers to his brother.

You can’t help but laugh. “It’s okay. But we won’t know for sure until a few more months — until they’ve grown enough to come out. And we’ll love them either way, because they’re part of our family.”