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shurisasthmaticgf · 2 months

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wait a damn minute: max verstappen x black fem! reader

summary: in the midst of the biggest worldwide IT outage you realize your name has come up at the worst time possible

author's note: i wrote this on friday when the entire thing happened, i thought i posted it but turns out it was camped out in my drafts still. this is my first max fic so i hope it's an enjoyable read! feedback and comments are always appreciated and highly encouraged, i like to know what you all think of my work!

warnings: google translated dutch

the hungarian grand prix was only days away and you couldn't wait to surprise your boyfriend with a visit. it killed you to miss his races but you'd recently been promoted to a new position in your company which required more days in office than remote. you'd managed to balance work and personal life pretty well but when you weren't missing due to your new job, you had something else happen last minute. finally, after weeks of working long hours on end in an office, you were in the clear to start remote working more frequently.

you managed to clock out of work right on time so the minute the clock hit 6:00 pm, you were logging out and grabbing your already packed bag. one of your coworkers passed by you in the elevator, he was the only one around your age in the entire department so immediately you both clicked. he lightly bumped you with his shoulder and commented, "three side profiles and a headshot or selfie." you furrowed your brows in confusion and he clarified, "photo requests for my husband of course." the two of you burst into laughter as you teased, "was the autographed photocard not enough for you, théo? i even decorated it and put it in a holder for your desk." the young man smiled fondly thinking of the small 3x4 inch card that sat on the corner of his main monitor. he brushed one of his locs from his face and dramatically sighed, "fine i won't be pushy...i only want the selfie." you shook your head and refused with a chuckle, "i'm not asking toto wolff for a selfie, théo." your coworker let out a fake sigh of disappointment and lightly pushed you in the other direction as you parted ways to your cars. you laughed and called out, "i'll see what i can do, no promises though!" his face lit up and he blew your air kisses before calling out a goodnight.

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

just thinking about seeing your boyfriend racing again brought butterflies to your stomach. although he was doing well this season a few problems had cost him a few wins here and there. fans had jokingly mentioned that you not being at races was the cause of the missed first place wins because coincidentally, every race you've ever attended, max has won exactly that. for weeks fans have asked about your whereabouts and you'd practically ghosted them simply because you were working so much. you were known as one of the more down to earth f1 WAGs who had no problem interacting with fans in person and over social media. so you suddenly not showing up for max and not interacting with people online made them wonder what was going on with you during the past few weeks. now that work had chilled out, you were happy to be back online again, and even happier to be able to make it out to hungary this weekend.

the moment you stepped into your apartment you made a beeline for your bedroom to change out of your professional clothes. you snatched a pair of scissors, a spray bottle, conditioner, a towel, a comb, and a crumpled up paper bag and cozied up on the couch with shrek queued on the tv. you sprayed your head with the warm water in the bottle and spread a glob of conditioner all over the roots of your hair. you pulled one of your braids forward and snipped the end before unraveling it and picking out whatever knots formed in the 6 weeks your hair had been tucked away. thankfully this time it didn’t take too long to get your braids out, only 3 hours compared to the usual 5 when you didn’t have your boyfriend’s help.

right as the last strands of synthetic hair slipped out of your own curls, your phone rang the familiar tune and a picture of your boyfriend flashed on your screen. a warm smile spread across your face as his camera turned on to show face. you braided you hair on each side to get it out of your face as you spoke, “hi my love how was your day?” he rolled over to his side and grumbled sleepily, “long, usual press day so you know how that goes.” you frowned slightly, “i wish i was there with you today.” max hummed and admitted, “i do as well. but your work is more important so i can deal with this.” you watched as his eyes lingered on your face and you giggled while moving out of the frame shyly, “stop looking at me like that.” although it was dimly lit in hotel room you could see the light pink tint to his cheeks as he smiled, “i can’t admire my lovely girlfriend?” he yawned mid sentence and you insisted, “as much as i love talking to you i know you’re tired and you need to go to sleep. so i’ll talk to you tomorrow, yeah?” he sleepily agreed and murmured, “welterusten mijn liefste.” you blew him a kiss and whispered softly, "goodnight baby." [goodnight, my love]

instead of heading straight to sleep you chose to wash your hair rather than waiting until the morning to do so. the flight you managed to snag last minute to hungary was set for tomorrow evening and you hadn't packed anything. not wanting to get onto a plane with a damp head of coils, you decided to just deal with it tonight. the entire process didn't take as long since you were speeding through just so you could sleep. by the time you were done it was around 2 AM and you were more than happy with the results. a dozen thick twists hung past your shoulders until you wrapped them up into a scarf and covered them with your bonnet to head to bed.

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

when you woke up in the morning you noticed your phone had over 50 missed calls, messages, and emails. your mind conjured up the worst possible thoughts as you called your boyfriend to see what was the matter. max answered on the first few rings and you anxiously stammered, "baby? maxie? what's going on are you okay? where are you?" on the other line max answered clearly confused on what you were talking about, "schat? i am fine, i'm heading to the track. nothing is wrong here, what are you talking about?" you started to calm down realizing that he was fine but you responded, "i thought- didn't you blow up my phone early this morning? i was worried something happened and-" your boyfriend interjected with a calm tone, "y/n, i promise you nothing is the matter-"

an incoming call from théo, your coworker cut max off and you spoke up, "i'm sorry i think it's work related because théo is calling me." max let out an annoyed sound and you laughed, "i don't get why you don't like him." max scoffed, "he is too touchy and handsy with you." there was a playful groan, "oh god here you go- max, we've been over this. théo is a 27 year old gay man from san francisco who's convinced he's princess diana's reincarnate. he's the least of your worries okay?" max conceded, "okay fine i guess...but i still have my eye on him." another call from théo interrupted your conversation and you added, "but he's blowing up my phone so i need to see what's wrong. i'll talk to you later okay?" max agreed and bid you goodbye before hanging up the phone.

meanwhile you answered théo's call and he was literally running through what looked like the parking garage of his high rise. he panted, "you- you nee-...oh god i'm out of shape- you need to get up right now.. i'll be there to pick you up in fifteen minutes so be ready downstairs." you looked around confused and your coworker/ friend explained, "there's some massive outage or something happening. i know we had off today but they're calling the entire office in to see if we can figure it out." you were already climbing out of bed and you pressed for more information, "what do you mean an outage?" théo shrugged and wiped sweat from his brow as he tried to make himself look less winded, "i dunno i was thinking a breach or something? whatever it is we'll find out but we gotta go right now babes." you hurriedly grabbed an outfit from your closet and started to get dressed and ready to go, keeping him on the line.

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

when you finally managed to get to his car, théo pointed to your phone and told you, "check twitter too, the fans are making jokes that you did something to the platform." despite having no idea what the hell he was talking about you opened twitter to see the flood of tweets under your name on the trending topics list. a pit formed in your stomach and you nearly fainted when you realized what he was talking about. you were completely new to this job and panic coursed through your veins on the thought of losing everything you worked hard for. the look of panic drew a laugh from your best friend and coworker as he jested, "they're funny aren't they?!" you shook your head and nearly shouted, "no it's not i'm gonna get fired!" théo waved off your concern, "girl the issue is definitely not from you and nobody thinks so. besides, dante from marketing and eleni from HR were sending the funny ones to our group chat...not that this isn't serious but just to make light of a shitty situation you know?" you shifted in your seat unsure how to feel and he promised, "i guarantee it's fine."

when you actually got to work with théo you were pulled into a meeting where you all were briefed about the situation. they clarified that they knew it was an issue with an update that was sent out early in the morning. after the meeting your boss told you that he knew you weren't supposed to be working today but you did need to stay and potentially over the weekend as well to help your team mitigate the issue as much as you all could. despite it being a global issue and not directly an issue from the monaco office, you knew that he meant he needed you there to help deploy the solution when it came through. he let you have a fifteen minute break to rearrange your travel plans and make the cancellations you needed before having you start work.

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

the work day ended later than usual, the later hours were spent at your home office while you were on meetings with other people on your team. luckily you were able to catch up with the results of max's first and second practice sessions through peeking at live updates while you worked. when you got the okay to clock out, you nearly fell asleep on your desk but waking back up when your boyfriend's ringtone jump scared you.

you kept your head on the desk as you opened the video call, "hey you." max's features softened when he noticed the look of exhaustion on your face, "it was that bad huh?" you gave a silent thumbs up and sighed, "i wish it didn't happen...i was so excited to come surprise you and finally be there to see you again. i'm sorry i can't make it work." max rushed to your defense, "er zijn nog genoeg andere races over in het seizoen, je kunt in plaats daarvan naar die races komen kijken." you let out an annoyed groan, "i know but i wanted to be there this time. now you'll have bad luck." max chuckled at the mention of the running joke of you being his lucky charm, "it's alright. don't worry your pretty little head about me. now come on let's go to sleep, i know you're tired." you shuffled your feet against your bedroom floor as you took your phone with you to get ready for the night. [there are plenty of other races left in the season, you can come and watch those races instead.]

as you lay in bed with your lights off max asked, "did you see they asked me about you today?" you hummed a soft, "nuh uh." he smiled at the memory and explained, "i was in an interview and they mentioned that your name was trending on twitter and asked if i saw it. i only saw that your name was trending but i didn't see what for so they told me fans made jokes that you crashed the mercedes, mclaren, and williams servers so that i could win this weekend." a sleepy smile crossed your lips and you asked, "what'd you say?" he turned over in his bed and answered, "i told them it wasn't you because you don't make mistakes in your work. you're too good at what you do. also that you aren't the one that sends out the updates so people don't need to use your name in a bad light." you grinned wider already knowing what he was going to say, "and how did that go over?" max let out an sigh and small chuckle, "the guys have been making fun of me all night for it." you let out the loudest laugh max has heard from you in weeks making him somewhat more fine with getting teased by his friends.

your laughter subsided and you told him, "tell me about something interesting." max thought for a moment then started rambling on about the geologic history of the netherlands, watching as your eyes started to droop with the passing minutes. falling asleep with your boyfriend still on the phone became a habit especially in the early days of you dating. but now you were spending more time with him that occurrences like this just started happening once more, leaving you missing his presence at night. as for now, this was the best you could get.

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

the end.

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pawberri · 1 month

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thank you for all the posts you've made, your takes are always so refreshing to hear.

I want to know your thoughts (if it's okay with you, you can also totally ignore this) about all the "men hate" I see online. like I (poc transmasc non-passing) get it, there are genuine societal gender problems. transmisogyny does exist-women face more challenges than men do. but it genuinely hurts when women, especially trans women, think it's funny/quirky to call men trash or say they want all men dead or whatever. idk I just am hoping someone else understands, you know?

There's a lot of nuances to this question. First, I just want to caution against focusing too much on trans girls as the perpetrators of this. A lot of the asks I get from trans men seem to really fixate on trans women as the perpetrators of hard line gender essentialism. I really think trans girls are not the main people we should be focusing on here. If a trans woman is saying this stuff, take the time to analyze her ideology outside of that pithy comment and consider how much trauma and how little power she has in the world. That said, trans women are affected by this kind of ideology just like us, and they rarely have the power to wield it against others in the way cis people can. I know it hurts to feel isolated by your own community, but that kinda gets into my second point.

Part of dealing with this is learning an impulse progressive cishet dude have had to get used to over the decade. Sometimes, "men are trash" or even "kill all men" are not literal phrases. They are things women say when they're in the throes of trauma to vent their frustration. "Men are trash" in particular is generally pretty lighthearted and used to complain when you have a bad date or something. You have to get used to analyzing what someone actually means and airing on the side of empathy. You, as a man, are the one with some amount of systemic power over that woman, so you are the one who needs to prove you are dedicated to not being a misogynist. The same thing happens when my friends say they hate white people. I have to assume they don't hate me given that I'm their friend, but that I still have some of the negative traits of whiteness. I need to care enough to be a good friend by being anti-racist and checking myself on my behavior. I need to be willing to prioritize their comfort over mine. That includes not becoming this meme:

Now that that's established, there ARE times when "all men are evil and should die" is an actual ideology. It's an ideology that hurts tons of minority groups before it hurts the most powerful, but it's also not really great if we assume it only hurts cishet white guys. Following it to its logical conclusion, it just proposes a reversal of oppression dynamics. This gender essentialism is a key part of radical feminism, trans exclusionary or not, but it leaks out of that community to general feminism all the time.

As a young person on Tumblr and Twitter, this deeply affected me. I internalized the idea that you can "just be a girl." It was repeated by some trans girls, but also a LOT of TME people. It was framed as trans inclusive, but it's trans inclusive in the way "political lesbianism" is lesbian positive. It posits gender as a moral choice that is completely up to the individual and unrelated to biology. It's the lazy version of "gender is a social construct." I felt sick and disgusting for wanting to be a boy because tons of well-meaning friends of mine had made it clear that "being a boy" was a choice, and it was the wrong one. "Boy" was a social category that could and should eventually be eradicated. Trans women were conditionally supported because they, in theory, made this future possible. This didn't amount to actual support, of course. It was an ideology mostly spread by afab queer people that mostly benefited afab queer people. There were a few trans girls who spread it, maybe some due to genuinely believing in the ideology and some due to social pressure, but there were also a lot of people straight-up grifting as trans girls who used this thinking to feel powerful in a niche community of teens. Remember fucking Yandere Bitch Club???

At a certain point, I genuinely thought of being a man as an unambiguous moral failing, and I lashed out at out trans men because of it. I wanted to feel powerful, and here was a type of man in my community I could shame and exclude. I still feel bad for making a bunch of ~girls only~ stuff in HS that excluded the one out trans dude at our school, my friend, because he was just a ~binary man~ and leaving him with no friends and no community. I treated transphobia like it wasn't a real oppression on its own and, in doing so, perpetuated transphobia. It happens a lot.

I wasn't really able to accept that there was nuance to the concept of manhood until I read this article while struggling to accept my own gender:

This is a pretty seminal piece of writing. It has its flaws, of course, but the empathy and intersectionality it highlights was life-changing. It also shows that this kind of thinking is largely perpetuated by TME people and hurts trans women greatly.

Gender essentialism is a bad ideology, it's a transphobic, transmisogynist, racist, etc etc ideology. It's literally essential to patriarchy. But it's also very easy to repackage into leftism and easy to dogwhistle. As a result, it's natural to be hesitant when you see someone saying they hate all men, but you have to tread extremely lightly and actually care what they're attempting to express. Because, yeah, men as a social class still hold power over women. They still have reason to fear and hate men.

I'm writing a comic about this stuff, actually, so look out for it in the future..........

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call-me-strega · 9 months

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How to Become a Step-Dad in 5 Easy Steps: part 2 (chapter 1/?)

Here is part 1, lore

Edit: ao3 link now here

They do go to a library in this chapter so there are a lot of references to books in this chapter. I've read some but not all of them so I can say anything about their quality more than as things that I thought sounded interesting in theory. A lot of the stuff at the library was inspired by my own experiences with public libraries.

~~~

Step 2: Get to know them

Within the next 4 months Jason ran into Danny several more times. Each time becoming more and more enamored with the young man. It was hard not to when he saw how kind and hard-working he was.

The first time he ran into Danny after their first meeting he actually ran into Ellie first. Well, technically she ran into him but that's beside the point. But if you were gonna get technical about it he heard her little giggles before he saw her.

He had been at the library during some of his downtime to peruse some books and relax. The life of a vigilante crime lord isn't a very peaceful one, go figure. That's why Jason liked taking some time to himself every once in a while whether it was to have tea with Alfred, hang with one of his friends or siblings, or in this case visit Gotham Public Library.

Sure he could've gone to the Manor Library or gotten something online but the Manor was pretty far from the Alley and preferred having physical copies of his books rather than a computer or tablet. Electronics just didn't have that nostalgic book smell or the soft touch of a well-loved page.

Going to the library also came with its own perks. For one, he got to visit Barbie at work. It was always nice to see her as they had this unspoken solidarity between them. The atmosphere was also a plus. There was just something special about being able to be completely solitary yet still have this special connection to the other patrons. Seeing the old man enjoying a novel with his wife, the book club that met on Sundays, the haggard office worker winding down on the weekend with a graphic novel, the young woman teaching herself sign language, the teens goofing off while they were supposed to be studying, a mom reading The Kissing Hand to her kids, all of the various people here for various reasons; all of it made Jason feel like he was a part of something bigger.

He was currently browsing a display of LGBT+ books for young adults that the library had put up for Pride Month. '"Cemetery Boys", "Aristotle and Dante", "You Should See Me in a Crown", "Six of Crows", "Boyfriend Material", "Red, White, and Royal Blue", "Carry On", Oh- "The Song of Achilles" that sounds interesting?'

That’s when he felt a small chill pass behind him. He initially dismissed it as a draft from the air conditioner, but soon after he heard the sound of excited giggles nearby. He didn't think too much of it assuming it was another kid on their way out of the children's section. However, something niggled in the back of his head that this particular giggle was one he was familiar with.

That's when he felt something collide with his leg. He looked down to see a small child with a head of glossy black hair in a red beanie glomping his leg. Suddenly, the child looked up and beamed at him. Jason's eyes lit up with recognition and he laughed.

" Hey there munchkin, how are you?"

Ellie continued to smile, releasing her hold on his leg.

" I'm doing really good Mr. Jason! Daddy told me he didn't have any work today and he said we could go anywhere we wanted! First, we went to the bodega a got these really big breakfast sandwiches! Like really really big! Like the size of my face and we shared! And then Daddy took me to the park and it was really fun! I saw a squirrel there but it ran away before I could pet it! And then we came here and Daddy said we'd make me a library card so I could get whichever books I wanted. He read Oh The Places You Will Go and Where the Wild Things Are to me and then they were gonna have story time and Daddy looked tired from the park so I told him to read one of his space books and rest while I went to story time like a big girl! When story time was over I looked around and saw you so I came over to say hi and thank you for the cookies and food because daddy says we should always say thank you when people give us gifts!"

Damn, the girl sure had one hell of a motor mouth on her. It seemed she and Danny were in the middle of a father-daughter day. It brought a smile to his face to see that she was well taken care of, but based on her very informative rambles, it seemed they were taking care of each other.

" Why don't we go say hi to your dad, huh Elle?"

The young girl gasped, "That's a great idea! Then Daddy can say thank you too! And then you can read with us and come to our house for dinner! Daddy kept saying how he wanted to make something for you too since you made us the-, the- uuh... luz-on-ya and cookies!"

" Whoa there munchkin, how about we just start with hi?"

Ellie nodded with a determined look on her face, she wrapped her little hand around his pointer finger and pulled him along to the semi-secluded corner of the children's section. Sitting there in an armchair next to a small pile of books was Danny, who seemed to be out cold, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy slipping from his fingers.

'Aah he must be tired from moving in and probably from working too' Jason thought to himself. A smaller voice in the back of his chimed in with its own two cents. ' He still made time for her. He took her out and is spending the whole day with her even though he's tired. He's a good dad.' That's when he made up his mind not to disrupt Danny's nap and let him get some rest before he had to tackle the rest of his father-daughter day with his hyperactive six-year-old. He placed a hand on Ellie's shoulder, stopping her as she was about to shake Danny awake, and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

" It looks like you were right about your dad being tired. How about we let him rest for now and I'll say hi another time? Besides I wouldn't want to interrupt your daddy-daughter day now would I?" He started to guide her to a different portion of the library quickly forming a plan, "Hows' bout we do something I think you'll like? Did you know sometimes they bring puppies and kitties into the library?"

The young girl gasped, " REALLY!"

" Yeah, sometimes puppies and kitties can help people who are feeling sad or nervous feel better. They also help teach kids how to act nicely and quietly so that they don't scare animals by letting them read to a puppy or kitty. I can help you sign up to read to a puppy or kitty today if you want? Then afterward, you can go tell your dad and he'll be really proud of you."

The young girl seemed so excited by the prospect that Jason worried for a second that she might explode.

" That's a great idea Mr. Jason! He'll be so proud of me and he'll bring me again! And I'll get so good at not scaring animals that the squirrels in the park will let me pet them! Then, Daddy will be so impressed that he'll let us get our own puppy and Cujo can come live with us!"

Jason winced, perhaps his plan had been a tad too effective. Single parents had a hard enough time keep themselves afloat while looking after their kids, a pet was extra expenses and another commitment to devote time and effort to. Pets were usually out of budget and out of question for anyone living in or near the Alley.

Well, he'd cross that bridge if he ever got to it. For now, he focused on getting Ellie signed up to read to Charlie, the old St. Bernard that was at the library this today. He and the trainer, he squinted reading her name tag, Amanda, supervised the session. Jason would be lying if he wasn't endeared by the sight of a young girl reading Dragons Love Tacos very enthusiastically to a dog nearly twice her size.

" It's nice to see a young father spending time with his daughter."

'I agree' Jason thought before realizing Amanda thought he was Ellie's dad.

" Oh- ah no I'm her -," Jason quickly made up his mind on the least creepy excuse he could find, " -babysitter. Although, her father does make a lot of effort spend time with her."

The dog trainer flushed and apologized for her mistake but Jason waved her off saying it was no big deal. Silently, he wondered how often Danny got time to himself. When he realized what he was thinking he raised an eyebrow at himself before dismissing it as worry for a young parent and wondering how he divided his time to be able to take such good care of his daughter.

Ellie was saying her final goodbyes to Charlie when he got a text from Alfred reminding him he had promised to meet him for tea and some chitchat. Once Ellie returned to his side he let her know that he had had fun seeing her today but that he had to go spend some time with his granddad and that he'd have to say hi to her dad another time. She accepted this with a surprising amount of maturity for a 6-year-old but made him pinky-promise that he'd definitely spend some time with the both of them next time they saw each other. Jason happily accepted and sent her back off to her dad before heading over to the tea shop he and Alfred liked to meet at.

" It is so nice to see you again Master Jason. I'm happy to see arrive in one piece. Usually when you are delayed it is due to some rather -ah, unfortunate hold-ups," Alfred greeted him. He returned the smile, sinking into his seat across from Alfred, ready to unload.

" Not this time Alfie, though it is a bit of a story."

" One I'm sure you'll be pleased to tell me all about," he challenged, raising an eyebrow. Jason just shook his head and chuckled.

" Sure thing Alfie."

The next time he ran into Danny and Ellie he was at the grocery store.

Jason had been examining a piece of zucchini when he felt a light, cool breeze quickly followed by the sensation of someone walking past him. A lean figure came and stood nearby inspecting the squash. Jason glanced up, having registered a new presence, before doing a double take. A small grin graced his lips as he spoke,

" Well hey there neighbor, didn't expect to see you today."

Danny looked up, slightly startled before he saw that it was Jason. He smiled back and returned his greeting in a warm tone.

" Hey neighbor, I didn't expect to see you either. Honestly, I was hoping we wouldn't meet till I had made a batch of my family's signature fudge to give you as a thank you when we returned your dishes for the food and for looking after Ellie that day in the library."

" Ah~ the little munchkin told you bout that did she?"

" She was pleased to inform me about how she was learning not to scare animals and how Mr. Jason was sooo nice and even pinky promised to spend some more time with her." he teased.

Jason flushed slightly, his hand coming up to the back of his neck,

" Oh yeah, I hope I didn't overstep my bounds there. She just seemed so excited."

" Yeah, that sounds like my little spitfire!" he chuckled fondly. He took a deep breath and continued. " Well if you don't have anything else going on tonight I'd love to have you over. Ellie has really been looking forward to seeing you again and I can whip up some fudge that you can take home with you if you stay for dinner?" Danny seemed to flush at his own forwardness before rushing to continue, " I mean- not that you have to, especially if you're busy! I just- thought it might be nice to get to know my neighbor, especially since Ellie seems to like you so much! But-"

Jason, who had just finished processing the dinner invite, interrupted before Danny spiraled deeper into his nervous rambles. He place a hand on Danny's shoulder to get his attention and spoke,

" Sure. I'd love to come over Danny." He smiled, puffing up his chest, “ Besides, I have a pinky promise to fulfill.”

Danny returned his smile with a laugh, giving Jason's shoulder an embarrassed shove. Jason grinned at having successfully made the other laugh. The two stared at each other for a beat, coming down from their high of making each other laugh, before flushing and looking away. A look of realization passed over Danny's face and he turned to speak to Jason again.

" You probably have your own groceries to finish and put away. How about you come over around 7:30? I can have the fudge cooling in the fridge while we eat, oh which reminds me, you’re not allergic to anything are you?"

Jason smiled back. "7:30 sounds great Danny and no, no allergies as far as I’m aware, though I’m not particularly fond of most shellfish."

“Well alrighty then I’ll see you at 7:30,” Danny confirmed with a smile and rushed off to continue his own shopping.

And that’s how Jason found himself standing outside the Nightingale residence in a casual maroon 3/4 sleeve tee, a dark denim jacket, and some of his nicer trousers with a bouquet of flowers he put a frankly embarrassing amount of thought into. He figured bringing more food wouldn’t be appropriate since he was a dinner guest, dessert wouldn’t fly either as Danny had claimed he’d be making fudge, and wine didn’t seem appropriate with a 6-year-old also in attendance.

‘Come on Jason, it’s just a casual dinner with your neighbors! Normal human interaction, nothing to be nervous about! You can do this!’

Jason took a breath and knocked on the door. He heard a pitched squee followed by a “it’s him daddy!” come from behind the door. Unconsciously, Jason smiled as he heard the door unlocking. As it opened he was met with a cool breeze from within the apartment and the sight of his two neighbors. Danny was in a pale, moss green apron, smudged with what appeared to be powdered sugar, over a pale blue button up with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and cuffed jeans. Ellie was dressed in an interesting combo of pink crocs, neon green leggings, a sparkly, powder blue tutu, a white shirt with glittery black script declaring her “Daddy’s little princess”, a denim jacket embroidered with flowers and vines on the back and sleeves, and a plastic tiara with a big purple gem in the middle fixed atop her signature red beanie.

“Hi,” Danny greeted a bit breathlessly. His young daughter stood in front of him beaming up at Jason.

“ Mr. Jason you came!” She bounced excitedly on her heels before launching forward to hug his leg. She tugged at his jacket before pointing to her own, “Look! We match!”

With a smile, Jason got down on one knee and offered the flowers to her, “ And what an honor it is to match with such a beautiful princess! Please, accept these flowers as a token of my goodwill m’lady!”

“Thank you!” The girl giggled, accepting the bouquet and scurrying back into the apartment. Jason watched her go with a smile. He then turned his gaze to look up at Danny who watched the whole interaction with a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. He met Jason’s gaze and smiled.

“Why don’t you come in too my good sir,” he teased, holding out his hand to help Jason up. Jason smirked at the opportunity Danny had unknowingly presented him. He took Danny’s hand but made no move to get up. Instead, he ran his thumb over the other man’s knuckles and slowly brought the hand closer to his face. He glanced up once more, teal eyes connecting to icy blue ones.

“Of course my dear king,” he whispered. His breath dancing over Danny’s hand, his lips ghosting over his knuckles. Maintaining eye contact, the kneeling man placed a gentle kiss on his knuckles, watching a beautiful red flush bloom upon the young man’s face.

‘His hand is cold. His fingers have the beginnings of callouses on them. It feels like his hand was made to fit in mine. This feels right’

Jason is snapped out of his reverie when Danny clears his throat. He coughs into his other hand while trying to hide his blush, averting his eyes in embarrassment. He doesn't withdraw his hand however, allowing Jason to continue to hold it. Jason took that as his sign to get up before this got too awkward.

He rose from the ground still not letting go of the other's hand. The pair stood there for a moment with their hands intertwined, as if a message was being passed through their tingling palms. A charge filled the air with an exhilarating tension. The kind you feel before trying something unfamiliar and new that, unbeknownst to you, will become your favorite.

“So, uh, let’s head in then?” Danny said, slowly withdrawing his hand from Jason’s, almost as if he was reluctant to do so.

“Let’s,” Jason replied and the two turned into the apartment.

Danny had Ellie show Jason to the bathroom so he could wash up as he set the table. He had made grilled squash, a macaroni and beef hotdish, and some Greek salad on the side. The three of them sat at the table making some small talk ( how are they liking it in Gotham, how did the rest of daddy-daughter day go, does Jason have restaurant/activity recommendations, would he like to see Ellie’s favorite model airplane, etc.) and laughing with each other over horrible dad jokes and Ellie’s antics.

Jason could feel his chest fill with an almost unbearable warmth. He would’ve sworn it’d have melted him from the inside out if it hadn’t been accompanied by an overwhelming feeling of joy and desire. The traitorous little whisper in his head returned to comment on how much he’d love to be a part of the Nightingale’s family.

Soon enough it was time for Ellie to head to bed and Jason to head out, lest he be late for patrol.

“Here, I can clear off the table while you put her to bed.”

Danny rushed to stop him despite the young child koala wrapped over his torso. “Oh, you really don’t have to do that. I can-”

“Relax your highness, let me take care of this while you put the princess to bed.” He gave Danny a kind look, hefting up the dirty dishes. Danny returned it with a grateful look and turned to go put his daughter to bed. Over his shoulder, Ellie looked up sleepily and weakly waved one last time saying “Goodnight Mr.Jason” in a small voice.

Jason smiled gently at her and replied, “Goodnight princess.”

He then turned back to his task of clearing the table. Moving the dirty dishes to the sink and the serving dishes to the counter. He figured he’d get started on the dishes while he waited for Danny to return. He let his mind wander as he covered a plate with soapy suds. Danny and Ellie seemed like a good pair of neighbors. He doubted they’d cause him any trouble and if they ever unintentionally did, Jason found himself thinking he’d find it rather easy to forgive them. The two were both so welcoming and full of life. They made Jason feel so happy and peaceful tonight. They welcomed him into their home and made him feel as if they enjoyed his company and wanted him around for more than just a cursory “return the favor” dinner. ‘As If he belongs there. With them.’ The little voice returned, prompting Jason to reel in his thoughts. He’s only known them for what? Two weeks? These weren’t the type of thoughts he should be having at this point. He tried to rationalize it telling himself he just missed the domesticity of family dinners like he had when Catherine was in a good stretch or like he had with Bruce, Dick, and Alfred as kid when they were all getting along. He made up his mind to attend one of the bi-weekly family dinners at the manor coming up. It’d be nice to see the little demon brat, big bird, and nerd bird again now that they were getting along like actual brothers.

“Oh! Jason you didn’t have to do that!” His train of thought broken by Danny rushing over to protest him doing dishes. “You’re a guest! You really didn’t have to-”

“It’s okay Danny, I wanted to,” he reassured the fussing young man who pulled him away from the sink. The young man responded by pushing him out of the kitchen and telling him to grab his jacket before turning back to grab something from the fridge.

And there he stood in the doorway, 20 minutes after he had intended to leave, still saying goodbye. Danny pushed a familiar Tupperware container into his hands, which recognized as the one he had given them lasagna in, now full of dark squares of fudge sprinkled with a bit of white and green on top.

Danny smiled as he handed him the sweets. “A family recipe with my own little twist on it,” he winked. Jason gratefully accepted, wishing the young man well and agreeing that he hoped to see the other again soon. And with that, Jason rushed off hoping that he wouldn’t be late for patrol.

~ Later that night Jason returned to his apartment, exhausted. He chucked his helmet off onto the bed and stumbled to his kitchen. He pulled open the fridge in search of something to eat when his eyes landed on the fudge his neighbor had given him. He pulled it out and grabbed a square, giving it a sniff before biting in. His eyes widened at the taste.

The fudge was, well fudgy, but not overly sweet. It had a richness of dark chocolate and a sweeter note from the white chocolate chips mixed in. There were also candied orange peels mixed into it which gave the fudge a bit of chew and acidity to break up the richness. The fudge was topped with pistachios adding a nutty, earthy flavor to the experience. He’s sure that if Martian Manhunter ever tried these he’d accuse Jason of giving him hard drugs. But what Jason liked most of all was the quality only homemade food and family recipes passed down over generations have. He could practically taste the amount of love and thought that went into this fudge.

Jason smiled to himself finishing off his square and decided the save the rest for later. He headed off to bed with a peaceful smile on his face and a warm, full, feeling in his chest.

~~~

I tried very hard to balance out the dialogue and description as well as to not make it too long winded and keep the story moving so please let me know what you guys think. I love receiving feedback so if there is anything you want to see more or less of let me know. I’m also open to suggestions of where Jason should run into our father-daughter pair next.

If anyone's interested here is what the bouquet was comprised of: apple blossom- preference, basil- good wishes, white camellia- you're adorable, goldenrod- encouragement/good fortune, violets- watchfulness/modesty/faithfulness

I actually looked up a real fudge recipe so that I'd have and easier time describing it. You can find it here: https://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/candy/creamy-rich-pistachio-tangerine-fudge

#long post #like Long long #dead on main #jason todd x danny fenton #dc x dp #How To Become a Step-Dad in 5 Easy Steps #How to Become a Step-Dad #hbsd #romance #fluff #domestic fluff #falling in love #single dad!danny fenton #de-aged!dani #books & libraries #family dinner #jason todd #danielle fenton #danny fenton

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talltalesandbedtimestories · 4 months

Text

The Iceman Cometh - Dean x Reader

“The Iceman Cometh” - Dean x Reader

Rating Mature

Dean x Reader

Tags: Sweaty Dean, Turning Up The Heat, Ice Play, Mild Smut, Nipple Play, I Will Again Be Accused of Blue-Balling

Word Count: 1700

You normally love a sticky, slippery, and sweaty Dean. But, this. This is pushing it.

I'm participating in @jacklesversebingo and this part will fill my "Ice-play" square.

A/N: I just wanted to mix things up and write something short and fun.

Image created in Canva (photo used/found online: Facebook - Una Vida SPN)

You normally love a sticky, slippery, and sweaty Dean. But, this. This is pushing it.

“I’m sorry, what?” Dean fists his hands leaning on the motel office counter.

“AC’s out in the only room I got left!” The old lady with coke bottle glasses and Wilma Flinstone pearls repeats herself. Her cigarette-laced voice is scratchy and a couple squeaks higher this time.

You groan. Dean side-eyes you but doesn’t turn his head to acknowledge the irritation.

“It’s 100 degrees out. We get some kinda discount for pain and suffering?” he asks.

“I’ll knock ten bucks off the bill.”

“Ten bucks?” You huff out an incredulous chuckle.

“We’ll take it.”

Before you can yell at him, Dean’s already slapped a credit card on the counter.

~~~~~

Of course, this had to be the first motel with a vacancy during the two-hour trek through the Nevada desert region.

The hotbox of a room smells of mildew, cigarettes, and vinegar. You plod through the humidity and stale stench. Every bit of odor clings to your perspiring skin so there’s no escaping it. Dean curses as he taps buttons and thumbs dials on the window air conditioner, just to verify it's inoperable. You drop your bag on the bed and beeline to the bathroom.

Dean needs a shower more than you. He was the one who wrestled and skewered a ghoul in a sacred burial ground. But you’re gonna be salty about his decision to stop. You’d wanted to keep going, offering to share driving duties. Who cares if neither one of you had slept in over 24 hours?

Your pants are around your ankles in a second. The loose porcelain bowl seesaws under your weight. Regardless, you sigh in relief, weeing out all the water you’ve been guzzling to stay hydrated.

The rap of Dean’s knuckles on the bathroom door interrupts your steady stream of piss. “I’m gonna grab somethin’ at the diner we passed.” Dean’s second preferred method of appeasing you is feeding you. “Be back as soon as I can. Save me some COLD water, baby.”

A hard tug of the motel door seconds later rattles the paint-by-numbers sagebrush framed on the wall behind the toilet.

Dean left without taking your food order. You grind your teeth.

~~~~~

Forty minutes pass before the familiar engine rumbles into the lot and headlights flash through the sheer curtains.

The diner was a good fifteen minutes away, one-way, if Dean had been going the speed limit. The Impala’s warp speed must have been activated for him to have actually ordered and brought back dinner. Your stomach somersaults with distress and hunger pangs.

Dean opens the door only to hover within the threshold, a human doorstop.

You’re in a tank top and boy shorts. The best thing you could use to fan yourself is a file folder Sam stuffed with case material before you and Dean left Kansas.

Dean stretches and drops the bag of takeout on the nearby kitchenette table. He eyes you with a frown. “I’m sorry it’s shit in here. I’d say we could sleep in Baby, but it’s worse outside. Seriously.”

You’re laid atop the bed stripped of its scratchy and threadbare comforter, which is now a heap on the floor. “You know, all the times you’ve had to put that car back together again piece by piece; maybe one of those times you could have installed some air conditioning.”

He raises a finger to signal you should wait for something impressive. He dips half his body back outside, foot holding the door open. There’s bumping and huffing. Then the green cooler appears, held triumphantly in his hands. “I brought ice! Waitress at the diner sold me pounds of the stuff.” He’s sensibly in only a t-shirt, having left his duffle and jacket in the room when he’d left earlier.

“The iceman cometh.” The eyeroll is excessive, but you can’t seem to not.

“Eat, grumpy. My turn for a shower.”

~~~~~

He crunches ice chips. You suck on one cube, swirling it from one cheek pocket to the other until it melts, and then repeat with another. Forearm to forearm, you both sprawl out on the queen-sized mattress. You snapped at him earlier about the heat the boob tube would create. He stews alongside your percolating tension. You’ve allowed the bathroom light to stay on. A yellow fluorescent haze slices from the open door and spills over Dean.

There’s no escape from the heat.

“Pulse points,” he mutters.

“Right,” you snip. Your hand scoops ice out of your red solo cup. You circle a cube along your inner wrist.

There’s a shake from his side of the bed. You glance over. He’s shirtless, clad only in his boxers, rubbing ice up and down the back of his neck. Which only pisses you off more.

This hunt was supposed to end days ago. You were supposed to be celebrating your anniversary at the bunker today. You had some fun times planned. A surprise dinner of all Dean’s favorites and a movie marathon in the Dean Cave.

“I’m sorry,” you and Dean mumble simultaneously.

“We’ll get back on the road soon, sweetheart. I was spent and seeing double. Even if I can’t sleep, it’ll help just not being in motion.”

“I’ve been a major bitch.” You laugh at Dean’s deer-in-headlights reaction to your admission. “You don’t have to agree or disagree on that count, babe. You know how I get when shit doesn’t go according to plan. And, this fucking heat is not helping.”

“We both pop our tops an equal amount. That’s what makes us perfect for each other.” The backs of two of his fingers skim your elbow.

“Except when we both blow up at the same time.”

“Nah, that’s even better. Then we get to have angry make-up sex.”

You whoop out a laugh. “That’s never happened.”

“It could now?”

You grin. “But I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at everything else.”

He shrugs. “Take it out on me, then.” He reconsiders. “Or, let me cool you down?”

It’s your turn to raise a brow.

Dean grins. He tips his head way back with the cup to his lips. He shakes his hand and the ice crackles. Cup back in his lap, you spot one cheek puffed out like a chipmunk. His face crinkles up.

“You’re gonna give yourself brain freeze, idiot.”

“Worth it,” he mumbles.

His lips lean in to press a kiss. You giggle at Dean’s clumsy attempt with a mouthful of ice. A surprised squeal follows when he slips an ice cube between pursed lips to run across yours. He pulls back and smiles, crooked and unhinged. He plops the cubes into his cup sounding like a penny slot machine and sits it on his side table.

He pulls you in close for a kiss, expertly grabbing your cup from your hands. You can’t be bothered to care where he hides it.

His tongue is so cool. A popsicle with a mind of its own that you want to suck on for days. He’s very agreeable to the way your lips wrap around it. He moans. You love the particular sound of that one. It strains out of his throat. Thankful. Relaxed.

He’s fiddling with more ice, having wedged your cup between two pillows. “You’re always so hot,” he quips after you relinquish his tongue.

You skim one leg between his thighs. The skin contact is tacky and sticky. “You’re always so cheesy.”

“Not always,” Dean says with a smirk. “In this instance, I’m just stating a fact.”

You hiccup a gasp at the ice cube he presses to your wrist without warning.

Dean glides it slow, a serpentine slither, to the crook of your elbow. He swirls the spot and lets it melt and drip from your body to the sheets. His green eyes concentrate on the task.

You can’t help but lose yourself watching him. His body shimmers in a sheen of sweat. Every minute shift highlights the beautiful angles of his face. Perspiration beads up under the hairline of his forehead. You can’t resist kissing and sipping at his upper lip. He grins and returns the gesture.

He uses another piece of ice to continue upward to your shoulder. He traces the shoulder strap of your tank. A hop over it and he’s sliding down the outline of your collar. It’s a quick ride into your cleavage where he lets the remnants melt and add to the already damp material.

His tongue laps at the wetness that’s collected there. You sigh and lean back. He hums and kisses the curve of your breast, slides the strap down, and then nuzzles into the notch of your armpit.

After a few seconds, he rises up in order to gaze into your eyes with the most innocent of expressions; even though he’s freed one of your tits from the confines of your clothing.

More ice rattles by your ear like maracas.

You’re in trouble.

You purse your lips at the biting cold against your neck. It’s electrifying and refreshing. He outlines your collarbone back and forth for emphasis. A shift and he’s leaning beside you, up on one elbow to drink in the sight. One leg drapes over yours, locking you into place. You feel the growing bulge in his boxers. There’s no escaping what he has in store.

He juggles two cubes between his fingers and journeys along the crest of your breast. He’s grinning with mischief and lust now. Then his mouth parts when the ice meets your nipple. Your flesh hardens and tightens on contact. You groan. Your core clenches.

He gnaws on his bottom lip as he circles the dark pebbling bud. Air squeaks out of your mouth. You squirm. It’s a beautiful freeze burn of contrast.

Once the ice melts, his fingers, also chilled, take over kneading and pinching. His patience gone, he bends down and latches onto your cool tit. He nurses with that sinful mouth and grazes your nipple with tongue and teeth until your skin tingles back to life.

You are so out of your head with the noises he’s making and the show he’s putting on, that you're ill-prepared for his cold fingers slipping under the hem of your shorts.

You shriek giggle, “Dean!”

He ends his sucking with a loud pop. He whispers against your lips, “Happy Anniversary, sweetheart.”

~~~~~

Update: Got inspired and filled another bingo square with these two. You can read "Just A Little Spice" here.

#jacklesversebingo23 #dean winchester fan fiction #dean x reader #dean x you #dean winchester smut #dean winchester #dean winchester x reader #dean winchester x you #dean winchester x female!reader #supernatural #spn #dean winchester fanfiction #supernatural fanfiction #spn fanfic #dean winchester fanfic #dean winchester fic

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reginageorgesgirlfriend3020 · 4 months

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Regina George as your girlfriend headcannons (Part 32)

There is nothing better than a good sleep while Regina cuddles you and the air conditioner makes the room cold

When you have nightmares or something you saw on YouTube or read online Regina will come right over to your house and protect you

So to help you feel safe she will go on the Pluto tv app or the paramount plus app and she’ll put on jersey shore and cuddle you while you watch jersey short together

It’s her mission to make you feel safe

She won’t hesitate to ask you if you’re okay every few minutes

She loves you

Finds it cute you have celebrity crushes

But she’s your biggest crush

And you’re her biggest crush

Says you look beautiful with hair extensions on

When she wakes you and still has her arms around you and sees you waking up she gives you a kiss. “Morning sexy”. She says to you

Loves to make you fruit punch

Loves to cook you spaghetti with meat for dinner and knows you’re always thankful for the way your girlfriend takes care of you

In the hallway she’ll hug you and hug you and say, “Hiii babe!” And she doesn’t care who’ll say what about it because if anyone says something negative about how much Regina loves you, she will spray them with silly string

#regina george x you #regina george headcannons #regina george x reader #mean girls 2024

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8-dermestid · 6 months

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Hello, I hope you are well! Recently I read a fanfic of yours on Ao3 about Ticci Toby and I fell in love with your writing!! I loved the way you develop the characters and their feelings!! 🤧💕✨

I would like to know if you write for Creepypasta X Virus, it is one of my favorites but there is almost no content online about it 🥹👉🏻👈🏻

Anyway, I saw your requests are open! If the idea pleases you, I would like to ask for headcanons of X Virus and Toby (or just Toby) with a reader who practices magic and has somewhat "dark" tastes (interest in poisonous animals/plants and the supernatural as a whole, in short, just a scary and adorable nerd at the same time!)

Thanks!! 💚

ahh! hello-hello!! i read x-virus' story and took notes for these, i really enjoyed writing Cody, so thank you very much for the request :-]

i rlly liked this request, and this is actually the first time i've ever done headcanon-ish things, i hope you enjoy these (bc i enjoyed writing them a lot)

x-virus & ticci toby: reader with macabre interests

relationships: ticci toby x reader, x-virus x reader

word count: 1.5k

links: available on ao3

x-virus warnings: animal death (off-screen, animal body shown) animal dissection, taxidermy, canon-typical violence

ticci toby warnings: canon-typical violence

☣︎ X-Virus | Cody _____ ☣︎

You let it slip one day that you wanted to try taxidermy, an embarrassing guilty pleasure you were confident you could keep under wraps, but Cody’s just been so nice about your eccentricities and you couldn’t help yourself.

“They use bugs in the process, lots of museums have them to clean the bones because they’re better than the best person with the best tools—” You pace back and forth as Cody watches you from your bed, “—Because that’s all they do, all they do is eat rotting flesh off the bone. The bones last much longer when cleaned by any Dermes—”

You stop yourself from mentioning the insects by their scientific name, embarrassed that you let your ramblings slip away like that.

Cody leaves the next day and you’re left alone with your thoughts. Maybe there’s another mansion full of serial killers so you can start fresh, your ears burn recalling how excited you got talking about flesh-eating bugs.

A few days later, Cody returns to the mansion with a limp raccoon and some things it stole from the local morgue.

You spend the entire night together trying to preserve this creature’s hide, you take it apart with precise motions, expertly moving the scalpel along the skin and parting flesh and sinew. You soak the skin in salts, rubbing it into the bloody underside until you smell like copper and the salt mines.

The whole room smells like formaldehyde, too.

✸ ☣︎ ✸

Cody is so excited to share its books with you, all of them. You spend long evenings together curled over a battery-powered lantern and ten-pound textbooks, occasionally mentioning an interesting tidbit when you come across one. Your books are filled with flattened foliage from the surrounding woods, poisonous plants and flowers, plastic baggies filled with poison ivy leaves, and hand-drawn diagrams of each plant’s internal structures in a ballpoint pen. It flips through each page carefully, examining each specimen, complimenting each note and observation.

“You should open a museum,” It says, running a finger over a pressed Conium maculatum. That snaps you out of your science headspace.

You should, but you can’t. “Besides, who would enjoy a museum like that?” You argue.

“Think about the Mütter Museum,” It quips back, “If people frequent a museum full of pickled people-guts and spines, I’m sure people would go to yours. People like flowers.”

In another universe where violence wasn’t at the forefront of your mind, maybe you’d be the curator of a weird little museum full of oddities.

✸ ☣︎ ✸

“Toby comes here all the time to burn CDs, don’t worry, the cameras stopped working years ago and they never bothered to fix them,” Cody pushes open a window and climbs into the air-conditioned computer lab of the local library, “Just don’t knock anything over, I guess.” It jokes.

You drop through the window and feel goosebumps form on your arms, you haven’t felt air conditioning in years.

Cody unlocks the door leading to the rest of the facility, you walk side-by-side, dragging your fingers over the spines of dozens of books.

“You know the Dewey Decimal System, right?” Cody asks, there’s a thrill with breaking in, especially for pleasure (rather than worrying about killing every occupant in a house, you both can focus on finding a specific edition of a book you were dying to read).

“By heart.” You joke, guiding it to the 500s: Natural Sciences.

You spend five hours squished up together reading from the same book. It points to a diagram and you explain every minute detail, Cody listens eagerly to your explanations, wanting to ingrain every word that comes out of your brilliant, perfect brain, and memorize the way you describe the venom sacs of the Hydrophis schistosus.

The way it rolls off your tongue—Hydrophis schistosus—Cody wants that to be the last sound it ever hears, the sound echoing forever in its brain until the heat death of the universe.

You creep down to the 200s and find a few textbooks about niche religious practices. You tell Cody about the rarity of cannibalistic religious practices, and the prevalence of cannibalism in some movies ticks you off.

“Cannibalism isn’t that common,” You scoff, “It’s more than socially taboo, it’s biologically taboo. Ever heard of Kuru?”

“Tell me.” It begs.

✸ ☣︎ ✸

⦻ Ticci Toby | Tobias Erin Rogers ⦻

Every word that comes out of you flies over his head. Even though he doesn't know a thing about what you’re telling him about, he’s completely and utterly enamored. Toby never graduated high school, and—for the most part—he’s glad he didn’t have to spend any more time around high-school people.

He misses learning. Sometimes Toby thinks he’s stupid, Tim and Brian went to university, and they have high school diplomas with their names on them somewhere, Toby has nothing except an honor roll card from the eighth grade. You’re so brilliant, maybe part of him thinks he’s weighing you down by stopping your ramblings to ask for clarification. He’s so deep in thought he hasn't been paying attention to your talks about the Ghent Altarpiece’s connection to ancient practices of animal sacrifice.

“Does it bother you when I do that—when I don’t know things a-and you gotta explain it to me?”

You’re sitting on the porch together looking out over the rolling fog, he sucks in a breath, the tip of a Marlboro lighting up orange-hot.

“I like it, actually.” You say matter-of-factly

Toby’s diaphragm sputters as smoke spills from his nose, and he coughs hard into his elbow. “...Doesn’t it—But I’m interrupting you because I’m too stupid to get it the first time—”

That word gives you pause, and Toby tosses away the cigarette butt and curls into himself, shame burning hot on his face.

“I don’t think—”

“E-Everyone does,” He cries, “I-I can’t help it, I couldn’t even finish high school. Tim and Brian made it to college, at least.”

You push yourself into his personal space, knocking your knee into his as you lean over to share a secret.

“I can teach you if you’d like.”

Toby’s red-hot shame melts into a giddy flush as your warm breath lands on his ear.

✸ ⦻ ✸

The next victim that comes Toby’s way—a family of three with a prying-eyed teenager getting too close to discovering the mansion—grants you both access to the internet for a time.

You start with Wikipedia, it’s good practice to get bare-bones information that starts the deep dive. Marine Biology is the starting topic because the random article Wikipedia spat out at you was about the bigfin squid.

Toby mumbles aloud as he scrolls through the article, the picture on the right left the hairs on his arms standing on end. Little is known about it because it dwells so deep, and scientists aren’t entirely sure why its distinct long arms are there.

“Nobody knows how it feeds?”

“We know more about space than our oceans,” You say, “We have pictures of the Big Bang.”

Toby rolls back on the wheeled chair and pushes the keyboard to you.

You open a new tab and open the search bar.

COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND.

He pulls back in, opening the third link that pops up. You sit quietly as he devours an entire article explaining the picture’s existence, he’s vibrating in his chair. Toby continues the search without your input, googling words and finding plenty of pictures of smattered space dust orbiting tiny, dense stars.

The pictures of the black hole shake him to his core, nebulae give him chills, beautiful planets and star systems and moons and—

Alpha Centauri grabs a hold of Toby’s body and keeps him there. He pushes the monitor towards you and you read along with him, he’s shaking with excitement, free hand flapping excitedly as he scrolls through the academic journal.

He prints out a few pictures before the police show up, the cosmic microwave background bathing the room in greens and blues and smatterings of yellows and reds.

✸ ⦻ ✸

He starts stealing books from the library, as do you. You take turns showing and telling. He shows you astronomy books and you show him textbooks about the history of taxonomy; you spend hours sitting across from each other on the floor exchanging knowledge.

“I’m—I’m glad we did this. Thanks for doing all of—of that.”

You peek over an academic journal you’ve read at least seven times, smiling softly as Toby puts his new collection of literature into a box and pushes it into the closet. He piles a few flannels and shirts over the box to camouflage it amongst his dirt laundry.

“Why’re you doing that?”

Toby turns to you and turns away meekly, “...It’s our special thing, you get it? I don’t want anyone getting into our business. This is our thing. Our special thing.”

A warmth creeps up your neck as Toby holds your gaze. You close your journals.

“Babies have more bones than adults.” You whisper, your hand splayed over his shoulder blades, “About three hundred.”

Toby’s breath hitches as your hands warm the spot where his cervical vertebrae end and the thoracic meet.

“H-How many are—” He covers his mouth to cover a shaky breath, “—i-in the spine?”

“There are thirty-three vertebrae. Seven cervical,” You and trails down his back, “Twelve thoracic,” you creep further, “Five lumbar,” Lower and lower you go, “Five sacral,” You’re getting bold now, “...And four coccygeals.”

You hold your hands there, Toby enjoys the warmth radiating from your fingers, he wants to melt into you like watered-down clay (you would call it slip since you know everything). He wants to read books with you for the rest of his life and not do anything else.

He wants you to count every rib, every tooth in his mouth, every bone in his hands and feet—counting and counting and counting until he's dizzy.

✸ ⦻ ✸

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geelongappliancespares · 1 year

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Finding the Right Air Conditioner Parts Online: A Comprehensive Guide

In today's fast-paced world, air conditioning systems have become a vital component of our daily lives, especially in regions with extreme climates. However, like any other machinery, air conditioners are prone to wear and tear over time. When your AC unit starts acting up, it's essential to find the right air conditioner parts online to ensure efficient cooling and comfort in your home or workplace. This guide will take you through the process of sourcing AC parts online and highlight the importance of selecting the right components for your specific needs.

Why Buy Air Conditioner Parts Online?

The internet has revolutionized the way we shop for goods, and air conditioner parts are no exception. Purchasing AC parts online offers several advantages:

Convenience: Online shopping allows you to browse and purchase air conditioner parts from the comfort of your home, saving you time and effort.

Variety: Online retailers typically offer a wider range of AC parts and brands than brick-and-mortar stores, ensuring you can find the exact component you need.

Price Comparison: You can easily compare prices from different sellers to find the best deal, potentially saving you money.

Reviews and Ratings: Online platforms provide customer reviews and ratings, helping you make informed decisions about the quality and compatibility of the parts.

Steps to Buying Air Conditioner Parts Online

Identify the Problem: Before you start shopping, diagnose the issue with your air conditioner. Understanding the problem will help you determine which parts need replacement.

Gather Information: Note down the make and model of your AC unit, as well as the specific part you require. This information is crucial for finding the right component online.

Search for Reliable Retailers: Look for reputable online retailers or authorized dealers who sell genuine parts. Check reviews and ratings to ensure a positive shopping experience.

Verify Compatibility: Double-check that the part you intend to purchase is compatible with your AC unit. Some online retailers offer compatibility check tools to help you with this.

Compare Prices: Compare prices across different online stores to get the best value for your money. Don't forget to factor in shipping costs and return policies.

Read Product Descriptions: Carefully read product descriptions, including specifications and warranty information, to ensure you are getting the right part.

Customer Support: Choose a retailer with excellent customer support in case you encounter any issues with your purchase.

Order and Install: Once you've selected the right air conditioner part, proceed with your order. Follow the installation instructions or seek professional assistance if needed.

Conclusion

Finding the right air conditioner parts online is a convenient and efficient way to keep your AC unit running smoothly. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that you purchase the correct components, saving you time, money, and the discomfort of a malfunctioning air conditioner. Remember to prioritize reliability and compatibility when selecting your parts to enjoy the benefits of a well-functioning cooling system in your home or workplace.

#air conditioner parts online #ac spare parts online

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mamiya-a · 2 months

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I decided to start posting the full chapters of my fanfiction on here too, instead of sharing the links to my ao3 account. Enjoy!

Playing dangerous - Mother Miranda/reader

You make the mistake to accept an awfully suspicious babysitter job , fooled by fake smiles , at first sight innocent looking children and money...

Soon you begin to suffer the consequences of your decisions while the secrets of this unusual family start to reveal themselves one by one.

Will you survive long enough to discover them all?

Warning for explicit content.

Chapter 1: First impressions

The payment is high, way too high. Nobody gives that much money for a simple babysitter job - just to watch over a probably bratty kid. The job description is nothing but a phone number and a promise for a cozy , individual room. No specific requirements, no age or education restrictions , not even an address - nothing. You wonder what the catch is.

Yet...money is money , and you desperately need it at moment like this. The bed creaks as you unbend your legs to get up, and several of the many unpaid letter bills fall from it. Your steps are slow , your body is hot , you're sweating - it's awful to have a perfectly fine air conditioner and still not be able to use it , in a attempt to save as much energy and money as you can.

You nervously pick your nails while you wait for someone to answer the phone. At least the number is real , a fact that makes you less scared of the possibility to get absolutely scammed. A part of you relaxes when a woman's voice comes through the receiver.

The voice is thick and enthusiastic, almost melancholic. She talks so freely, each one of her words comes out perfectly timed and pronounced. Her tone is sweet , somehow motherly and very convincing. The hint of an accent is present but you don't pay it much attention. Though she says a lot of stuff in the few minutes phone call , you manage to collect the needed information - which is the address and more details for the job.

Gripping the list with the address on it , quickly written during the short conversation, you stare at the computer screen with your bottom lip between your teeth. Your right leg shakes a little with every button you press , a big part of you still worried the said address is false.

However when the online map reveals the place you take a deep , calming breath. It's real , not a scam, not a joke. The satellite view shows a big mansion, separated from the nearby cities with several acres of dense forest. A few hours trip from your house, you look outside the window to peak at your car - fill it up with gas and you'll safely arrive at your destination.

Of course the house would be a mansion, you are even surprised it's not a castle, rich people tend to live isolated from others. You never understood this , but you are no stranger to the fancy house on the outskirts of big cities. Must be nice - quiet, peaceful,...lonely.

Your kitchen is less hot than your bedroom, due to the open window. The fridge is almost empty, with the departing of your father and the tight money budget you have stopped eating normally, to have a few full meals a day was a miracle, little snacks through the day were your saviour. You're not even hungry right now , but you stare at the leftover food , without blinking, for a moment you allow the darkness of the night to surround you, the silence is almost consuming. Then you shut the fridge door with a loud bang while your face grimaces.

You desperately need the money.

As you take your path down the corridor back to your bedroom, your your gaze shifts to the door of your father's room. It's empty and despite the hot weather it's cold , chilly even. When you open the door your nose wrinkles at the unpleasant smell of pills. The poor man takes them everyday and still nothing, the sickness still remains in his body - eating him from the inside out. The doctors said he was getting better and soon he might live normally again, on his own. That was few months ago, last night he was rushed to the hospital. You remember his face , the fear of death completely covering it. You remember his body - twitching around like a worm. He was getting better, but now you aren't sure if he'll manage to wake up again. His coma-like state can last for hours, days, months or even years...

You have hope , of course, but hope can easily turn you into a prisoner of your own mind before it disappears completely.

As the strong smell of medicine hits your nose , you turn on your heel to get out of the unpleasant room. You fear the smell might actually soak in your body and bones if you stay here a little longer. The promise you made to your father when he first started showing more serious symptoms fades with every step you take , closer to your bed.

What is the point in getting into med school if you can't pay your education? Will the dream of finding a cure for your father's unknown sickness be ever achieved? You close your eyes as you kick the blankets away from your already heated body. With the money from this job you can pay the house bills, the hospital bills and your semester, it's definitely worth a try.

Just a few months there and you can pay all of your debts. Your focused mind manages to relax and soon you fall asleep. Just a few months... everything should be okay...or at least you hope it would be.

***

You don't have a lot of things to pack up so you don't waste time in preparing your luggage - just a simple suitcase full of clothes and other necessary stuff, nothing fancy.

You quickly check your watch and smile upon seeing you're just in time to get going. A few hours trip from here , with normal speed and no stops.. you should be able to arrive at the agreed hour.

When you start your car , music blasts from your radio and you begin to hum along, trying to sing all the lyrics correctly. The road is long , the music is loud , the car is awfully hot but you're happy , exited even.

However, less than an hour after your departure it starts to rain. At first you're pleased, the cold rain will cool the road and make the journey more pleasant. But as you watch it turns into a strong and scary storm, your smile slowly evaporates from your face. Soon the whole sky goes black , filled with dark clouds, while the only light that can be seen is from the periodic , heavy , thunders. Their loud roar seems like it's going to tear the sky apart and it makes you shiver every time.

It's unusual, you checked the time and no thunderstorm was forecasted for today. The heavy rain makes it impossible to drive normally, you turn down the music in order to hear better if a car is approaching. The car wipers constantly wipe the wet windshield while you narrow your eyes so you can get a better view of the unrecognisable road.

Suddenly a flash of light brown colour runs Infront of your car and before you can even react - you hit it. Your breath hitches after the strong impact while your hands firmly squeeze the steering wheel, and your heart beats fast and irregularly. After you manage to calm down, you unbuckle your seat belt and open the door with trembling fingers.

The animal is still breathing when your gaze meets it's bloodshot eyes. You know the deer is going to lose it's fight with death, so you wait patiently, staring at it's huge, sharp antlers, the thich , dark blood pours from it's wounds - forming a bloody crown around it's head , and only when it takes it's last breath you get back in your car to get your phone and call the police. The animal is too large to be just left on the road , and your feeling of guilt towards it is too big not to help , even after you watched it die. Helpless and innocent, the deer's life didn't deserve to end like this.

While you wait you take a peak at your car - the deer hasn't done very severe damage but it'll definitely cost a lot to fix. You laugh. You haven't even started working and you're already wondering if the payment will be enough for you.

Unfortunately you don't care as much about this needless death as you do about the time you wasted explaining to the cops what happened and waiting for them to move the deer. Now you glare at your watch with a grimace, it's impossible to be on time , even the storm is not over yet... being late is a very bad first impression.

But it looks like the world is working against you.

***

You're already way too late, your eyebrows are furrowed and you clench your jaw when your connection gets lost and your navigation disappears. You curse , moving your head in different directions , trying to spot a car , a house, even a lonely walker would be helpful right now. You know you're almost there but without the online map you're not sure which road to take exactly - if you choose poorly and wrong you'll be even more late , you start to wonder if it's even worth it anymore.

Finally, as a gift sent by the gods, a red light shines in your eyes, so bright you almost close them completely. But as you force yourself to take a closer look, you smirk from ear to ear -a gas station.

The rain is so strong, it completely soaks your clothes as you make a quick run from your car to the automatically opening doors. Unfortunately for you there is a working air conditioner , blowing it's cold wind right at your damp body , and you shiver as your slippery legs guide you to the worker behind the cash register.

He looks old , his face is wrinkled and covored in tiny scars, it's mostly the salt - pepper beard that gives away his age. His eyes shine when he notices you, as if you're the first person he's seen in years. He's almost happy as you are , to finally see someone living after this old , boring road and dark , scary storm.

"Good evening, Miss" - his voice is raspy and rough, as he open his mouth a strong smell of alcohol hits your nose but you try to stay as still as possible, not trying to be rude - "Anything i can help you with?"

"Evening.." - you say with a burning feeling on your tongue, it was in fact evening and you were supposed to be at the mansion in the afternoon... You shove your hand in your pocket and pull out the crumpled piece of paper with the address written on it - "Do you know how i can get here?"

He carefully takes the paper from your fingers and his eyes quickly scan the ink on it. His smile drops and he gives you a concerned look as he puts the paper back into your hand.

"Nobody lives there , Miss"

Your body goes stiff and you swear you feel your heart stop for a moment. You blink a few times , hoping he's going to laugh any second now and reveal his awfully out of hand joke. When his face stays completely the same , you grit your teeth.

"What do you mean by that?" - you note how loud and rude your voice turns out to be and you try to lower it as you speak again - "I'm supposed to go there for a babysitter job...and i even talked with this woman Mir...mar.. what was her name again..-"

At that he cuts you of with a ringing laugh, then he coughs, an effect of his age, and the picture in front of you reminds you of your father, in those terrible evenings when he couldn't breathe normally from his terrible cough.

"You should have just said you were one of them!" - he continues to laugh as his hand moves to grab a bottle of water and he quick drinks the half of it with ease.

"Them?"

The water bottle, now completely empty and crumpled , flies right next to you and as you turn your head to follow it - your gaze catches it just as it falls into the trash can. The man puts his hands in the air and smiles , that must be an entertainment for him, then he clears his throat.

"One or two years ago , I'm not very certain, people started going to this house, with the same story as yours - this 'babysitter job' " - he makes air quotes with his fingers in a mocking, unsure way , then he continues - "a lot of people disappeared you know...even the police got involved yet nobody was found guilty."

As he continues to talk about the mysterious disappearances you loose yourself in thoughts, his story sounds way too familiar yet a part of you still hopes for his information to be wrong. You somehow convince yourself you'll still go , if nobody is there like the man says - you'll simply go back...and try to find another high payed job , which is nearly impossible.

"If you could give me directions on how to get there... I'll be thankful" - you wait for the perfect moment to talk back , just as he stops to caught his breath, you quickly note he doesn't only like to talk a lot but he does it rapidly. Some of his words even mess up with the others , making his sentence impossible to understand.

"You still want to go?" - he scoffs , fixing the name tag on his uniform - " These days... only the stupid or the brave wander there."

His glare was curious in which one you are , but your story was completely different.

"I'm afraid i have no other choice"

He blinks and his expression changes to a mocking grimace. A low whisper "the stupid" leaves his lips causing your hands to curl into fists but your tense body calms down as he slides his chair back, a map is hung on the wall behind him and he points the road you need to take with a pen. You try to quickly remember and memories it as he moves back forward.

"A pretty lady like you... shouldn't go to such dark place" - he says , and even though his words sound inappropriate you wonder if he's right, if that's the right choice - "better run back home, little deer"

"Have a good evening, sir"

You don't thank him as you walk outside. It's still raining but not as hard as before. You don't even bother to check your watch , knowing that even time is against you now. As you start your car and drive towards the mansion, your eyes wander at the road behind you. And you shake your head.

There's no turning back now.

***

Just as promised the grand , dark house is only surrounded by woods and nothing else. You park near the building and sigh with relief when you spot another car there. It looks new , a fancy looking dark jeep , with tinted windows and big tires. You walk around it , admiring the car's beauty.

And then your gaze shifts to the building. The gothic architecture of the mansion is magnificent , consuming, awfully alluring despite it's creepiness. It's exterior consists of dark gray stone, with pointed arches, ribbed vaults and carved moldings. The roof has numerous decorative features. Tall, arched windows are scattered around the building, and are made of stained glass that would probably reflect various colors in the sunlight if the sky wasn't as dark as the colour of the mansion.

You wonder what it would look like during the day if it looked so devine at night. You don't even realise how the gothic building has stopped your breathing for a second. It's beauty pulling you in , as if with a string connected to your soul. The atmosphere feels wrong, yet perfect at the same time.

You stop right in front of the main entrance and you swallow hard. The big , carefully carved symbols of deer's heads on the doors are the only thing that you didn't seem to like in this mansion. The image in front of you makes you remember your wet clothes and how sticky they are on your skin. You move uncomfortable, looking down at your feet, knowing your shoes and socks are damped not in rain water but in dark blood from the animal you killed on that road.

You're scared that memory will hunt you forever.

You knock a few times on the hard , wooden surface of the doors and when nothing happens you turn your head only to see a button for a ring bell. You press it and bite your lip as the loud ringing echoes through the house. You don't wanna wake anyone up , you know it's a bit (very) late but...

You ring again when nobody answers the first time. And again. And again until a shine of light from an upper window pours onto your face and body. Then you back away as you patiently wait for the almost silent steps from inside to reach the entrance. And as the doors finally open , you take a deep breath, straighten your back , shoulders back and chin up, fake smile on your dry lips. You try your best to look professional.

The first thing you notice when you see the woman that opened the door is how tall she is. Maybe if you try to measure it and walk next to her , the top of your head would be slightly above her chest. The darkness around you works against your vision and her full face is not on display but you can see parts of her attractive features, her dark blue eyes and mostly her golden hair. It pours like river around her neck and shoulders, and you note it's messy, meaning she was sleeping till now. Even though she just woke up, she looks divine and you curse yourself for forgetting her name.

"I'm so sorry to bother you this late, ma'am" - you excuse yourself and extend your hand , when she only gives it a glare - you retreat it, feeling embarrassed - "I'm... here for the babysitter job , we talked on the phone if you remem-"

"You're late" - her voice is sharp as a blade and you shiver , not completely because of the cold weather - "You were expected three..no, four hours ago , correct?"

Chilly wind rustles past you, making her pull her black robe tighter around her body. You are both cold , and you want to finish up this conversation so badly.

"There was an accident on the road and I-"

Before you can continue your story she puts her hand up , silencing you immediately.

"I don't need to know , that information is useless" - she declares while her lips twitch and she give you an unpleasant look - "what matters is that you have awaken me in the middle of the night with that hideous bell."

Your mouth opens to protest, it's not even that late , she's making a big deal over nothing, however you can agree with her , It's inappropriate to bother someone in such annoying way but it's her mean tone and words that bothers you. Yet you stop yourself before you can say what you really think. Instead you rephrase your sentence before speaking it out loud.

"Ma'am, respectfully, we can argue all night, but it's raining and my clothes are soaked." - you want to point out how she's in a perfectly fine condition but you decide it's better if you reject that though . Her impression for you it's probably very low , you don't wanna bury it completely.

The woman gives you a glare , then she slowly pokes her head outside, looking carefully around, while small drops of rain land on her golden locks. As her gaze locks on your car she asks with a soft tone:

"Are you alone?"

"Yes" - you quickly answer, your body even more tense than before. Why does she ask about you being alone? Weird.

"Come in, then" - the invite is short and quiet but you waste no time in following her into the mansion. Her walk is slow , elegant, in an attempt not to stare at her legs you move your gaze up and then around the house. It's dark so you can't see much , the decor and furniture are mostly black with a hint of red , everything is nicely placed and organised. The only bad thing is that the inside of the mansion feels even colder than the weather outside.

"I'll prepare you a cup of tea. You may rest there" - she points to a small table with two soft-looking armchairs and you sit on one of them while she makes a turn for another room, probably the kitchen. You allow yourself to look around, now seeing the inside better since she turned on a few lamps , the mansion is huge, you don't even remember the way to the door.

Too busy to admire the spectacular paintings on the walls , you don't hear her when she approaches you again. You only turn your head to her when she cleans her throat.

The tea is amazing, the temperature is just perfect, not too hot in order to save the herbs in it , while the sweetness is not from sugar but honey. You lick your dry lips as you continue to take small sips.

The woman doesn't speak to you, she gets something from the table and when you take a look at the object in her hands - you note it's a pack of cigarettes.

"Do you want one?" - she softly asks , one hand extended to you while the other is back on the table in search for something else. Her lips curl up when she finds her lighter.

"I don't smoke" - the moment you refuse, she retreats her arm and her fingers work quickly to get herself a cigarette. The flame from the blue lighter burns the tip of it. Her soft looking lips wrap around the cigarette and she inhales , her back presses to the seat of the armchair while the cigarette smoke drifts from her lips to cover her face behind a vivid veil.

"Me neither...i just can't resist, after a long day" - you nod to show that you understood and she smiles , her face becomes even more attractive as she does.

The woman's fingers shake the thin cigarette and you watch as the ashes from it fall to the perfectly clean floor. You're surprised, she doesn't look like a person who would dirty their house like this. Yet she does it again, and again, till her cigarette is finished and she tosses it to the floor, right on top of the ashes.

The silence that grew between you is so thick you can actually try and probably succeed to cut with a knife. She fidgets with the pack of cigarettes in her hand while ignoring your staring. You quickly realise she's waiting for you to say something.

"I apologise again, for bothering you like this , ma'am."

"Don't you think it's a bit late to be so formal?" - she chuckles , her left hand playing with the edges of her nightgown. You note she can't sit still without doing something with her hands , like holding or fidgeting.

"I'm sorry, ma-"

"Just Miranda is fine" - so that is her name, you promise yourself you'll try to remember it - "and stop apologising, so annoying..."

You also discover she can be awfully rude from time to time. But you're sure you can handle her. Which reminds you of asking more about the job. However before you can do that , Miranda cuts you off.

"It's getting late , we will talk more tomorrow during your interview"

"My interview?" - you question , tilting your head to the side. You didn't know there is going to be an interview, you thought the job was yours already! You haven't prepared yourself for anything like this. What if she asks you questions you're not ready or simply don't have the knowledge to answer?

Seeing you panic amuses her and she gives you another smile.

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-five" - her question confuses you even more but to your suprise she looks pleased.

"So young..." - she whispers, her fingers now playing with the lighter, making the fire appear and disappeared in short, rapid seconds - "i assume you don't have children, correct?"

"No , I don't...but what does it mat-"

"Then I won't expect you to understand how careful i am when it comes to my daughter, accepting you into my house is me pitying you" - she places the lighter on the table and crosses her legs as she turns her full attention to you - "but if you wish to stay, i must be certain i can trust you"

"I think i understand... you have your reasons"

"Very good" - she stands up and you immediately follow her gesture , Miranda then points at the staircase - "your room it's upstairs, the only open door, you'll easily find it."

She walks away from you faster than you can process. When she's almost in the room next to the one you're currently in , you decide to speak.

"Goodnight, Miranda"

That makes her stop , and she turns to look at you while you begin to walk up the stairs.

"Sleep well" - is all she says , before her fingers press the light switch and she allows the darkness of the mansion to consume her.

***

As said there is only one room with an open door at one of the corridors upstairs. The upper part of the house is a little bit more warm and you walk slowly to your room, careful not to trip and fall down since the absence of light still remains and you can barely see a thing.

You press your shoulder to the door frame while your hand roams along the wall in search for a light switch. When you finally find it and press the room lights up and you smile. But then you look up and almost fall backwards.

In the middle of the room stands a little girl, motionless and staring right at you. Dressed all in black, she looks as if she's blending into the night without a care. The fingers of her left hand twitch and she blinks , covering her emerald colour eyes.

You shake your head and move forward. You got scared of a child, just a child. The girl's eyes follow your strictly from when you were at the door till now , as you're right in front of her. Your knees bend so you can be at the same eye level as her.

"Hey sweetie, you are Miranda's daughter, right?" - you try to be as polite as possible, all while giving her a wide smile. Get the kid to like you and the mother will love you.

"Her second, yes" - the girl moves to a side and begins to circle around you, and your mind is occupied by what she just said , plus the awful squeaking of the wooden door.

"Second?" - you ask with a hint of unsurenes, your eyes try to follow the black spot the girl is becoming as she moves faster around you. For a moment you loose her , as you begin to quickly look around for her the door slams closed and you jump , the unexpected noise scares you so much you almost scream.

"Don't you think it's weird?" - her voice echoes behind you and you turn to find emptiness, your head rapidly spins around, trying hard to spot the little girl - "so much money just to take care of a single child? What's the catch?"

"What is it?" - you repeat after her , unfocused and nervous.

"Sweet little Eva is the bait" - the voice sounds so clear behind you , it makes you immediately turn back to finally be face to face with the girl. She then points at herself - "but I'm the catch , and i get to choose."

"What...what do you mean, who are you?" - you pour the questions out while grabbing your forehead , your head felling a little dizzy.

"I told you, I'm Miranda's daughter...at least that is what she says" - she whispers the last part , then takes a few steps to the bed and sits down , a smile appears on her face as she presents herself - "but if you wish to know my name - It's Eveline."

"So... your mother lies about only having one child, ..why?" - your head feels better now , and you blame it on the shock this girl managed to do to you in just a few minutes.

"It's easier to find someone who'd like to take the job...and i guess I'm difficult" - she lowers her head and begins to play with her fingers - "but it's okay because mother allows me to choose...if you'll get this job or not"

"What? What about the interview?"

"She'll only listen to my opinion, amuse me and the money you so desperately need is yours , disappoint me and you're out of here" - Eveline smiles , even though she looks no more than ten years old she talks like an adult.

"Okay... what's ...your favourite colour..?" - you raise your shoulders in unsurenes as she rolls her eyes at you.

"Don't be silly, I'm not in the mood to play twenty questions with you"

You raise your hands in the air and walk back.

"Look, i don't know what exactly you want from me but I-"

"Do you have any siblings?" - Eveline interrupts you , her face covored in curiosity. As you observe her visage closely you note how she doesn't look like Miranda at all.

"I don't, but I'm good with kids , i assure you"

Eveline hums in approval, then she looks around the room , as if lost in thoughts. You cross your arms when her gaze falls upon you again.

"Are you in a relationship with someone?"

"I have a boyfriend, yes" - even though it's weird of her to ask you this , you decide not to question her. All you need to do is give her the answers she wants to hear and hope for her to whisper good things about you in Miranda's ear.

"And how long do you plan to stay here?"

"Till my father gets better, he's sick and needs help"

"He needs money" - Eveline smirks and maybe that gesture is the only thing that reminds you of Miranda in her.

"That's why I'm here , Eveline, i hope both you and your mother understand."

The little girl jumps off the bed and slowly walks to the door, before she can press the handle she turns to look at you.

"Your test is simple" - she whispers , and the corner of her lips curl up but his time her smile look genuine - "don't mention anything about me or this conversation until mother decides to present me personally to you."

"I understand"

Eveline opens the door and walks down the corridor, leaving you alone. Once you hear another door to open and close you shut and lock yours. Standing still in the middle of the room you realise your clothes are still soaked, and your suitcase is far away , in the car.

You curse, looking around the cozy looking room. Then you spot a pile of clothes on the bed. Your feet quickly guide you to it but you realise it's only a nightgown and a robe. Still... better than nothing.

You're glad you have your own bathroom. The warm water is like heaven on earth and the expensively smelling shampoos clean your body to perfection. You put the white nightgown on and waste no time to crawl under the covers.

A big part of you feels disappointment when you check your phone and see no new notifications. No news from the hospital, not a single call from your boyfriend, not even a message. You sigh and turn off your phone. He promised he would find time to call you today, he promised. You close your eyes and soon fall asleep.

Your last thought is how strange this mansion is, along with the family that lives there. maybe the man from the gas station was right, you should have escaped while you had time.

Now you're left to wonder if you too will end up like the innocent deer.

#reader x mother miranda #mother miranda #mother miranda x reader #re8 village #fanfic #resident evil 8 #missing miranda hours #babysitter au

29 notes · View notes

spnjediavenger · 8 months

Text

It Won't Last Forever (Chapter 2)

Title: It Won’t Last Forever (Chapter 2)

Type: multi-chapter; father!Hotch x teen!daughter!reader, some bau x teen!reader (platonic!)

Warnings: canon-typical Criminal Minds sadness and/or violence

POSSIBLE TRIGGER WARNINGS: panic attack description, flashbacks, alludes to PTSD

Spoilers: S5 SPOILERS

Notes: This chapter is much shorter than the last since the scene has been set but hopefully it’s still good!

The panic attack and PTSD description is a mix of my own experience and some I read online - this is not how ALL panic attacks and PTSD are experienced.

As always, love and/or constructive/friendly criticism is welcome and encouraged!

Word count: 1258

“Trauma fractures comprehension as a pebble shatters a windshield. The wound at the site of impact spreads across the field of vision, obscuring reality and challenging belief.” Jane Leavy

“Ok, babygirl, you know the drill - tell me five things you can see,” Morgan coaxed gently to the girl in front of him. Hotch was needed out of town and Morgan elected to stay behind and watch over Y/n. While she was open to help, she didn’t want to see a therapist. Hotch was against this but was temporarily more lenient since she had his team to help her with her PTSD symptoms. If things got worse, then she would see someone.

“Y- I see you, the-the door, the picture of mom,” Y/n ended the last word in a sad cry.

“Come on, sweetheart, you’re doin’ good. Two more things you can see, stay with me now.”

Y/n sniffled and took a couple breaths. “My bedspread, the floor.”

“Alright, good job. Now four things you can feel.”

The girl ran her hand over her bed. “My knitted blanket…the body pillow behind me…my cheeks are wet,” she sniffled again. “And your hands.”

Morgan gave hers a squeeze. “Good. Three things you can hear.”

“Your voice…cars outside…the air conditioner.”

“Two you can smell.”

“The candle…and I can still smell the detergent on my clothes.”

“Taste?”

She let out a sad, quiet chuckle. “The salt from my tears.”

Morgan let go of one of her hands to wipe said tears from her cheeks.

“That was perfect, sweetheart. How do you feel?”

“Better,” she admitted. This wasn’t the first time one of the team walked her through a panic attack exercise and probably wouldn’t be the last. She could do them by herself at times but it was always better when she had someone with her. Each member of the team had their own methods to help her too. Morgan and JJ typically went with the five things method; Spencer would try and help her regain her breathing while he talked to her, his voice calming to her and helping her to focus on something other than her symptoms; Emily would try and ground her by getting her to pay attention to her surroundings and everything she could feel; Penelope hadn’t been needed too much but when it did happen she, like Reid, would just talk to the girl and try to stay calm herself; Rossi would guide her breathing, squeezing her hands for her to breath in and out; and her dad would hold her and do whatever else she needed. He would usually let her tell him what would help her most in each situation because many of them were different; it was these times when he was most grateful for his team and all the calming methods they taught his daughter.

Right now, it had been Morgan’s turn again.

Morgan smiled and tapped her chin. “That’s my girl.” She offered a half smile. “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.

The girl frowned again and looked down at her hands, still being held by one of Morgan’s. Y/n squeezed his hand a bit and took a deep breath.

“I just came across one of dad’s guns. And suddenly it was in my hands and I was back there again. I’m so tired of this, De,” she whined softly, looking into his eyes.

Morgan sighed and tucked some stray hair behind one of her ears. “I know, babygirl. I know. And I’m sorry you have to go through this. But it’s all part of trauma, unfortunately. But your dad and your aunts and uncles are all here for you to help you through it. I know it’s hard now but just remember that it won’t last forever.”

Y/n couldn’t help but smile at that.

“What?”

“That’s what Spencer says.”

“And he’s right. But then again, when is pretty boy ever wrong?” Morgan added, rolling his eyes a bit but smiling when that got a genuine laugh out of Y/n. “Ohhh there’s that beautiful laugh we all love so much.”

The girl looked at him and wrapped her arms around him. “I love you, Uncle De.”

He hugged her in turn, holding a hand to her head. “I love you too, babygirl. We’ll all be here for you through it all, ok?”

“Ok.”

Morgan: Y/n/n is asleep. Had a rough day so maybe let her stay asleep when you get back. Your little man is waiting for you though

Hotch frowned and sighed before replying.

Hotch: OK. Fill me in when I get in please

Morgan: Will do

As much as Hotch wanted to see his little girl, he knew he should let her sleep. So when he walked into his home, he happily but quietly greeted Jack when he ran over to him.

“Jack! Hey, buddy!” he whisper-yelled.

“Daddy, I missed you!” his son whisper-yelled back. “Uncle D said Y/n is sleeping and to be quiet,” he informed his father.

Hotch smiled at his son’s thoughtfulness to his big sister. “That’s nice of you, buddy. Did you have a good time with your Uncle D?”

“Yeah! We played a lot and he helped Y/n when she was sad.”

Hotch gave a sad smile that Morgan shared. “That’s good. Alright, it’s pretty late, bud. Why don’t you get into bed and I’ll tuck you in when I put my stuff down?”

“Ok!”

To his word, Hotch put his son to bed when he put his things away. He then went back out to the living room. He sat in one of the chairs to face Morgan on the couch.

“So what happened?” Hotch asked him.

Morgan sighed, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands together. “She got triggered when she saw one of your guns while looking for something. I helped calm her down but she got pretty tired after that.”

Hotch sighed again and ran a hand down his face. “I-”

He was cut off when a scream sounded from down the hall.

“I’ll keep Jack in his room, you go to her,” Morgan said as both men got to their feet.

“Daddy?” Jack’s voice came.

“Hey, it’s ok, little man,” Morgan said as he went into the boy’s room. “Your sister is just having a bad dream. Come with me, ok?”

As Jack followed him, Hotch went to Y/n’s room to find her writhing in her bed and crying, eyes still closed. He knelt on her bed and gently grabbed her shoulders, making her let out one more scream and open her eyes, shooting up in bed.

“Daddy?” she said, panting.

“It’s alright, honey, it was just a dream. You’re home with me,” Hotch soothed, running a hand over her messy hair.

Y/n let out a breath and ran her hands over her face as she caught her breath.

Hotch sighed as well and didn’t wait to address the elephant in the room. “It’s getting worse, Y/n. I know you don’t want to do therapy but we can’t avoid it anymore. You’re still a minor, I technically don’t need your consent to send you to therapy but I would feel a lot better if I had it.”

Y/n searched her father’s eyes before looking away and nodding. The man let out a relieved sigh and pulled her in for a hug.

“Can one of you always be with me though?” she asked with a small voice.

“Of course, sweetheart.”

The girl nodded into his shoulder and continued hugging him, relishing in his warmth and comfort. She hated the idea of having to let a stranger into her personal life but she knew this wouldn’t go away without help.

Kiera Cass said: “Accepting help is its own kind of strength.”

#fanfiction #criminal minds #criminal minds x teen reader #aaron hotchner x teen reader #aaron hotchner #bau x teen reader #criminal minds x hotchner reader #derek morgan x teen reader

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justabooknerdposts · 3 months

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Percabeth Drabble: Fall in Love Questions

*Okay, so the idea for this came to me a few years ago—I was watching The Big Bang Theory and it was the episode where they discuss this list of questions that will allegedly make two people fall in love. Sheldon and Penny decide to go through them—spoiler alert, they don’t fall in love, but they say they do feel closer at the end. So anyway, I went online to find the questions, out of curiosity, and then, after reading them, I thought it might be a fun writing exercise to play with this as if Percy and Annabeth were answering the questions. So here it is!

The Scene: The Jackson-Blofis apartment, early fall. Percy and Annabeth are sitting cross-legged on the floor beside the coffee table, leaning back against the sofa—a half empty pizza box sits in the middle of the coffee table, as well as a couple of partially full glasses of Coke. Golden sunset light is coming through the window. The baby monitor is also on the coffee table, showing Estell sleeping in her crib. This is Percy and Annabeth’s first visit back to New York since heading off to New Rome University. Tonight, they’re baby-sitting, giving Paul and Sally a chance to go out to dinner and a movie.

Re-runs of a sit-com are playing in the background as Percy reached for his third slice of pizza. The characters on the TV show were talking about a list of questions that will allegedly make two people fall in love after answering them together. So, Annabeth nabbed Paul’s laptop and, while Percy was debating a fourth slice of pizza, she looked them up. After scanning the list, she told Percy, “Let’s try it.”

He looked over at her, right in the middle of taking his first bite of his fourth slice. “What?”

“Let’s try it,” she said again, showing him the list on the computer. “It might be fun.”

Percy looked skeptical, like their definitions of “fun” didn’t exactly line up. “But we’re already in love.”

That drew a smile from Annabeth. “I know. But we might learn something new.”

“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Nope.”

“Alright.” Percy finished his fourth slice of pizza, then took a drink of his Coke. “Hit me with the first one.”

Annabeth kissed him on the cheek, then turned back to the questions on the laptop. The TV droned low in the background. On the monitor, Estelle’s chest rose and fell as she slept on her back, one arm curled up around her head. The air conditioner chugged in the window, fending off the last heat of late summer as it gave way to early fall. Percy’s arm lay along the couch cushions, lightly touching Annabeth’s shoulders. He had his legs stretched out beneath the coffee table and she was sitting criss-cross, her left knee resting on his right. It was a peaceful, relaxing evening. Scrolling to the first question, Annabeth began to read.

Set 1

1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?

[CAVEAT for them, can’t be each other or anyone you could just call up for dinner right now].

P: My mom’s parents. I never got to meet them, and I think it’d be kind of cool to get to know them. Learn more about that part of my family and all.

A: My mom. I know that’s almost like cheating, but I would honestly just love to sit down and have dinner with her and just, you know, talk.

2. Would you like to be famous? In what way?

P: Absolutely not. I mean, when I was younger, I kind of wanted to be a famous skateboarder, but after everything, nah, I don’t want to be famous. I just want to live my life.

A: I’d like to be a famous architect. But you already know that.

3. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?

P: Sometimes. I did before we were dating, when I would call you, sometimes, just to make sure I didn’t sound like an idiot. And sometimes now, if it’s an important call and I don’t just want to blurt out whatever.

A: Not usually. If it’s a really important call, like a phone interview, then yeah, I might have some notes, but usually not.

P: Huh, that’s kind of funny. Almost seems like it would be the other way around.

A: Yeah. Interesting.

4. What would constitute a "perfect" day for you?

P: Has to start with sleeping in, for sure. Maybe my mom making pancakes. Hanging out with my family. Hanging out with you. Just chill. Maybe at the beach. Pizza for dinner, obviously. Hanging out with some friends and playing video games. Then you and I curling up and watching a movie…and sometimes not watching the movie. I guess just chilling with the people I love. What about you? A: Okay, for me, this might be a little bit in the future. But waking up in my own home, um preferably next to you, and it’s still early, and I just make some coffee, go to my own office, which has lots of light, and I just sketch for a few hours. Then, when you wake up, we go out to breakfast, or brunch, whatever, and then just hang out. Maybe go walk around a park or something, go to a matinee movie or show, maybe meet some friends for a late lunch or early dinner, then yeah, I like the idea of coming home, curling up on the couch together, and watching a movie. Just normal, relaxed, you know?

P: Yeah.

5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?

P: Not gonna lie, I was singing in the shower this morning. And, uh, I sang to Estelle yesterday. She likes when I do “Under the Sea.”

A: I don’t sing. I mean, I guess I kind of hummed to Estelle the last time I watched her. And, oh, shoot, you know what, I did sing to Peleus before, because lullabies calm him down so he doesn’t eat people.

6. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?

P: I have no idea. I mean…mind, I guess? That’s a weird question.

A: Mind, definitely. But yeah, that’s kind of a strange question.

7. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die?

P: Do I even have to answer this one?

A: No, we’re skipping this.

8. Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common.

P: Oh, wow, this is an interesting one. Um, I think we both really care about our friends. We’re both good at putting important stuff first, especially when we really have to. And, uh, good-looking?

A: Dork. But I really like those first two, and I agree. I think we’re both tough, like resilient. I think we both always want to do the right thing. And I think we both have a good sense of humor.

P: I like those, too.

9. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

P: Being here right now with you. And, in general, for the people in my life.

A: Same. About the people in my life, too. But I’m definitely most grateful we can just sit here together like this right now.

10. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?

A [humorless laugh]: Pretty much everything. I guess, if I had to say something specific, better communication.

P [takes her hand and laces their fingers together. She smiles and gestures for him to go]: I don’t think I’d really change anything my mom did, like as a parent. If I was going to change anything, it would have been that Smelly Gabe wouldn’t have been around and I wouldn’t have had to go to all those boarding schools. They usually sucked.

11. Take four minutes and tell your partner your life story in as much detail as possible.

P: Don’t we already know all this? Are you getting out a stopwatch?

A: Yes. It’s one of the questions. So get ready, Seaweed Brain, you’re going first.

[8 MINUTES LATER]

P: Okay, that was actually kind of cool. What’s the next one?

12. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?

P: I’m still pretty jealous that Frank can change into animals and I can’t.

A: Is that seriously your answer? P [considers a moment]: Yes. I mean, otherwise, I like my abilities.

A: Yeah, they are pretty cool. And you have a lot of good qualities. P: I do? A: Yeah, Seaweed Brain. You definitely do.

P: Aww, thanks, babe. [He kisses her cheek]. Okay, what’s your answer?

A [after considering]: Honestly, I wouldn’t mind being able to breathe underwater or will my clothes dry. That would be useful. Especially hanging around you. [Nudges him with her shoulder]. For qualities, though, I could probably do better not getting so focused on my own stuff sometimes, so maybe paying attention to what other people need more.

P [shrugs]: Maybe, but I like your intensity about stuff. That’s one of your best qualities.

A [looks surprised]: Really?

P: Yeah, definitely.

A [leans over to kiss him]: I like this question thing. Alright, we’re moving on to the second level. Or set. Whatever.

Set 2

13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?

A: I think I’d want to know that we’re okay in a few years. Like, I wouldn’t want the details spoiled, necessarily, because as much as I love planning, it’s also fun if some things are a surprise, but I’d like to know, just in general, that we, you know, kind of get our happy ending. [blinks quickly and swipes hand across eyes] Oh wow, I don’t know why that made me kind of tear up. Okay, you answer.

P [considers for a few moments]: Honestly, after all the shit we’ve gone through dealing with prophecies, I’m not sure I’d even want to look. I like your answer, but I think I’d like to just be…what’s that phrase? Blissfully oblivious about the future. And yeah, sometimes surprises are nice. Good surprises, I mean, are nice.

14. Is there something that you've dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven't you done it? P: I have to think about this. You go.

A: I’d really like to go to Falling Water, Frank Lloyd Wright’s place he designed. But I haven’t had a chance to go yet. I used to say the Parthenon, but we’ve been there. I wouldn’t mind going back, someday, though, when we could actually spend some time there and enjoy it.

P: Good to know.

A: There was one highlight of the Parthenon trip though. [smiles at him, and he returns it]. So what’s your answer?

P [looks down]: So, I don’t know if this is really a dream, but I’ve wanted to talk to my mom about just…Gabe…and our life before I found out I was a demigod. For a long time. I just never want to bring it up though, don’t want to bring up the bad memories, you know? And I usually try not to look back too much, or dwell on stuff, but I just feel like it’s something we should talk about at some point. Dang, I actually didn’t really realize that until I had to think about it just now.

A [quietly]: I think that’s a good idea. Maybe one evening when it’s just you two? It might be good for both of you.

P: Yeah, maybe. [deep breath]. Okay, next question.

15. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?

P: Great, easy one. Saving Olympus.

A: Yeah, being designated official architect of Olympus was pretty good. I feel like we could be more thoughtful with this one, though. What would you say is your greatest accomplishment outside of hero stuff?

P [groans]: You never settle for an easy answer, do you? A: Nope.

P: That’s okay. It’s another one of the things I like best about you. [kisses her cheek again when she smiles at him]. Okay, outside of hero stuff? I’m pretty proud of graduating from high school. And getting accepted to college. Because I wasn’t sure that was something I would ever be able to do. So it feels pretty good. Surviving almost two years as your boyfriend feels pretty good too. A: Graduating definitely feels like an accomplishment, especially after the past couple years. But I am actually going to say our relationship, truthfully, because I never thought I’d have something like this. It wasn’t in my plans, at all. But coming up on our second anniversary, and going to college together, definitely feels like an accomplishment.

[question answering is briefly interrupted]

A: Percy, we really need to finish this. I don’t think you’re supposed to take breaks.

P: Fine. What’s up next?

16. What do you value most in a friendship?

A: Loyalty. And honesty. Those kind of go together.

P: Yeah. And somebody who does the right thing, even when it’s not easy.

17. What is your most treasured memory?

P: Underwater kiss. For sure.

A: Under the Parthenon. Easy.

18. What is your most terrible memory?

P: Damn. I mean, leaving Beckendorf, thinking my mom was dead, thinking Tyson was dead, thinking you might be dead when you were kidnapped, everything that happened in the Titan War, leaving Bob and Damasen at the Doors, a bunch of other stuff. Should we do that four minute thing again?

A: Right? What would you say the worst moment was, though?

P: Truthfully…well, no.

A: What? P: I was going to say when we were dangling over that pit and I realized I couldn’t pull you up. That was terrible. But actually, what happened with Akhlys was worse. When I realized you were afraid of me and what I was doing. That’s my most terrible memory, because I was out of control and I was enjoying hurting her, and I don’t ever want to be that person again. [clears throat] Um, your turn.

A: That’s pretty high on my terrible list, too, because that’s not you, Percy. And yeah, leaving Bob and Damasen at the Doors was awful. And so much that happened in the Titan War…everything with Luke…Silena…and, gods, those months when you were missing. That was miserable. But if I had to pick an absolute most terrible memory, it would probably be after the arai attacked, when you were dying of the gorgon’s blood poison curse, and I didn’t know how to save you. Because all I could think, other than I can’t lose him, was that you were only there because of me. Because I didn’t think to cut the spider silk off. And if you died, that was my fault. And I would have to live with that.

[brief silence, holding hands] Okay, next question, right?

P: Uh, yeah, definitely.

19. If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?

P: Why did these suddenly get so depressing? And honestly, that’s how I’ve been living for years. So, no, probably not. Other than maybe I’d spend less time on homework and more time hanging out with the people I love. And I would eat only junk food.

A: I believe that. I don’t know if I’d really do anything different. Maybe, yeah, spend more time with the people I love. Maybe try to complete some additional sketches and leave plans for how they could be implemented. But otherwise, like you said, we’ve been living that way for years. Now, for the first time, we kind of don’t have to as much. So, moving on.

20. What does friendship mean to you?

P: Didn’t we already answer this one?

A: No, that was about what do you value in a friendship.

P [stares blankly]: Are those different?

A: Yes. What do you value is like traits, what friendship means to you is more…I don’t know…broad. Or something. I mean, friendship is incredibly important to me. Especially when I wasn’t getting along with my family, my friends became my family. So yeah, it’s important.

P: Yeah, me too. It’s important. I mean, especially with what we’ve been through, you need people you can rely on, who you know have your back and care about you. So yeah, friendship is important to me. Is that the right answer?

A [rolls eyes]: There’s not one right answer, Seaweed Brain. But yes, that works. Moving on.

21. What roles do love and affection play in your life?

P: They’re good things? I don’t know how to answer this one either.

A: Try.

P: Okay, I mean, if you want the deep answer, isn’t it all about love? Not just romantic stuff, although that’s obviously important, but like love for family and friends, too. I’ve only been able to do some of the stuff I’ve had to do because I love you, my family, and my friends. Love gives you strength.

A: Wow, Percy. That’s…that’s a really great answer.

P [shrugs]: It’s true. What’s yours? A: I think, for me, because of how I felt when I was little, love and affection are almost painfully important to me. If I want to go really deep, I think I associate them with acceptance. When Thalia and Luke first took me in, they gave me hugs and tousled my hair and stuff like that, and acted like they wanted me around. That blew my mind. When I got to camp, Chiron would pat my shoulder or head when I did well. Grover and Tyson give hugs to show they care. So does your mom. Piper, too, actually. And then you came along, obviously. And even when we were younger, just sitting by you, or holding your hand, always made me feel better. So I guess, to me, love and affection go together. Like physical affection is such a clear way people show that they care about you. I know it’s not the only way, but it’s definitely important. [blushes] Anyway, next question.

22. Alternate sharing something you consider a positive characteristic of your partner. Share a total of five items.

P: Sweet, another easy one. Okay, your eyes.

A: That’s very sweet, but it says “characteristic”, not “attribute.” I think it means more internal stuff.

P: What happened to no wrong answers? But I’m sticking with my answer, because, I mean, yeah, I think your eyes are beautiful, but they can also be fierce and intense and scary, so I still think it fits.

A: Okay. Your heart. You have a really good heart, and I’ve always loved that about you.

P: Thanks. I’ve always been amazed by your strength. Like, just with everything. You have more guts than anybody I’ve ever met.

A: Thanks, Percy. I love your sense of humor. You can always find something to lighten the mood, even when things are really bad.

P: I do my best. I was going to say your intelligence, but that feels like a given, so I’m going with your passion for architecture and stuff. Like, I love watching your face light up when you talk about stuff you’re excited about.

A: Really? P: Yeah.

A: So, you can be goofy, and that’s great, but when something’s really important, you get this intense focus that I really appreciate. And your confidence. I admire that too.

P: I have confidence? A: Yeah, babe, you do. Like when you were leading everyone during the Battle of Manhattan? [smiles slyly] It was pretty hot.

P: Good to know. Okay, my turn. I like how you genuinely care about people and you want to help them. I don’t know if everybody always sees that, but I do. And I really admire that.

A [biting lip, trying not to smile]: Thanks. That means a lot. You also just took my next one about you, because it was basically that.

P [grinning]: My bad. You can still use it, too, if you want.

A: No, I’ve got a few others still. Like the fact that you’re an amazing big brother. Like how you stood by Tyson that first summer he came to camp, which I know wasn’t easy. And seeing you playing with your baby sister is the cutest thing ever.

P: Well, it helps that Estelle is adorable.

A: That doesn’t hurt. Okay, last one each.

P: Already?

A: Yep.

P: Dang, I liked this question. Okay, I like how you always manage to surprise me. Ever since we met and you told me I drooled in my sleep.

A [leans forward and kisses him quickly]: I like your arms.

P: Huh? A [shrugs]: Your first one was my eyes, my last one is your arms. You have nice muscles. And, you know, you’re a very impressive swordsman, so it still falls under that characteristic thing.

P: Huh. Again, good to know. How many questions do we have left?

A: A few. Ready to move on?

P: Yeah. Let’s go.

23. How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people's?

A: Oh gods. Is this for real?

P: Do we want to just skip this one?

A [sighs]: No, we have to answer them all. So, my family is getting better, but I don’t think I’ll ever describe them as close and warm. Although things with my dad are much better. And everything with Magnus is good. But my childhood was definitely not happier than other people’s. Your turn, Seaweed Brain.

P: I’m definitely close with my mom. And Paul and Estelle. And they’re all warm. So’s Tyson, obviously. Things with my dad have been good, can’t complain. I doubt my childhood was happier than most other people’s, but there were some good moments, too. But…never mind.

A: What?

P: But one day, in the future, like way out, when I have kids, I want to make sure they have a genuinely good childhood. I mean, I’m going to do my best to make that happen.

A [holds his eyes for a long moment]: I love that idea.

P: Cool. [swallows hard] Um, next question? 24. How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?

A [facepalms]: You have got to be kidding me.

P: My mom’s awesome. Next question.

Set 3

25. Make three true "we" statements each. For instance, "We are both in this room feeling _____."

P: Okay, this is another kind of weird one.

A: A bit. Three true “we” statements each. Okay, so we are both in this room feeling vulnerable?

P: Yeah, that’s true. We are both demigods.

A: Percy!

P: What? It’s true.

A: That’s practically cheating.

P: Okay, fine, that one doesn’t count. How about we are both learning some new stuff about each other?

A: Yeah. Nice to know we can still do that. And we both believe we can build a future together.

P: Definitely true. [pauses, thinking] We believe in each other.

A: We do. And we put each other first, or at least we try our best.

P: I agree with that. And, most importantly, we love each other.

A: Absolutely.

P: That was a good one. What’s next?

26. Complete this sentence: "I wish I had someone with whom I could share _____."

A: Umm…I have no idea how to answer this.

P: Yeah, I’m coming up blank.

A: I mean, my first thought was maybe my love of architecture, but Malcolm and I have great discussions. Leo, too, is great for talking about engineering and design type stuff. And everything else I talk with you about. Or Piper. Or your mom. Sometimes friends at school.

P: Yeah, maybe I’m not thinking deep enough, but I think you and I have a lot of those types of conversations. Or I talk to my friends. Or my mom. I thought about my love of video games. But guys from camp and school are around for that.

A: Does it count if we at least had a discussion about how we don’t have an answer?

P: I’m good with that. Next.

27. If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for him or her to know.

P: Gee, Annabeth, if we were friends, what would I need to know?

A [laughs]: Okay, I’m guessing this question is for people who don’t really know each other. But if I was going to give an honest answer, even if you already know it, it would probably be helpful to know about my history, and why I hate people letting me down.

P: That’s actually true. I mean, I felt like I understood you better once I learned some of that stuff. Kind of similar, I think it would be important for someone to know how important my mom and family are to me.

A: Definitely.

P: And you, obviously. That was a given.

A: Ditto, Seaweed Brain.

28. Tell your partner what you like about them; be very honest this time, saying things that you might not say to someone you've just met.

A: This is interesting. I mean, I feel like we were pretty honest last time. That was definitely not stuff I would say to someone I just met.

P: Same. But I might be able to come up with something else.

A: Yeah, me too. So, even more honestly, what I like about you is that you’re reliable. I know you always have my back and I can count on you. For me, that means everything. And I also love that you’re kind and sweet and respectful and funny and cute and smart and strong and…well, a lot of things.

P [kisses her]: Sorry, couldn’t help it. I love that you’re just yourself. You don’t try to change to impress anybody. I mean, I know you put a lot of pressure on yourself to do well and achieve your goals, and that’s impressive, too, but you’re always still Annabeth. You stay true to yourself. And I love that.

[brief kissing interlude]

A: Okay, let’s finish these last few questions.

29. Share with your partner an embarrassing moment in your life.

A: Oh gods. Um, okay, this one time, I started my period in the middle of class and had to wear a sweatshirt tied around my waist the rest of the day to cover up the small spot on my jeans. Your turn.

P: I dangled from a billboard in Times Square in my underwear.

A: You what? P: Yeah, it was a whole thing with Grover and Apollo and it was pretty humiliating, so I never told you about it. Next question.

30. When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself?

P: In front of another person? When we found out about what happened to Jason and everybody at Camp Jupiter. I cried in front of you when we went back to your dad’s house.

A: Yeah. I think that was my most recent time, too. What about by yourself?

P: I mean, I’m not a big crier, usually. I might have been upset about all that again, but the time that comes to mind, honestly, was after Estelle was born. I don’t know why, but I remember standing at my bedroom window, looking out at the city, and I got all choked up. But that was like, good crying. Like, my mom was happy, she has Paul, now they have Estelle, I have this great family, this amazing girlfriend, I was getting ready to graduate high school and go to college. I think I was just kind of amazed that was all real. What about you? A: Honestly, I think it was something similar. On the drive out to California, we stayed in that one hotel that had a balcony, looking out over that lake? I couldn’t sleep, so I went out on the balcony, and I was just looking out, and thinking about everything. Like that this was really happening. And it was kind of overwhelming, but in a good way. And I might have cried a little bit, but happy tears.

P: I didn’t know that. You could have woken me up.

A: I know. It was okay though. I think I just needed that moment to process everything, you know? Anyway, next one.

31. Tell your partner something that you like about them already.

A: Okay, this has to be for people who don’t know each other.

P: Yeah, but we can make it work. Unless you’re out of nice stuff to say about me? A: Not even close, Seaweed Brain. I like how honest you’re being with all this. It’s really nice.

P: You too. And I like that smile you keep giving me occasionally, when you like one of my answers. A: I am? P: Yeah. It’s cute. Next question.

32. What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?

A: Sexual assault.

P: Yeah, pretty much anything related to abuse. Not funny.

A: Moving on.

33. If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven't you told them yet?

P: Wow, that’s an interesting question. So, I think I do okay about telling people stuff. But if I’m being honest, I might regret not telling Paul he’s a great guy and I really appreciate everything he’s done for my mom. And for me. I mean, I think he knows, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually told him. Not for any reason, just haven’t. But maybe I should.

A: I’m sure he’d love that. And yeah, I don’t think there’s anything I’d regret not telling you. [nudges him with her shoulder]. But I think I’d wish I told my dad that I’m glad we’re getting along again. And I appreciate the support he’s given me about my college choices. I just don’t do well being emotional around him. He’s not great at that either.

P: But I bet he’d love to hear it.

A: Yeah. Okay, we’re holding each other accountable. Sometime before the end of the year, so no major rush, just when it feels natural, we’re going to tell them both, Paul and my dad, what we just said.

P: Deal. How many questions are left? A: Just three. Almost there.

34. Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why?

P: Huh. Assuming I have my camp necklace on and Riptide is in my pocket, I guess I’d want to grab maybe some pictures? Or the Minotaur horn. There’s not much stuff I’m that attached to otherwise, though.

A: Same. My camp necklace, definitely, but if I have that on already…probably pictures. Oh, my sketchbook. I’d definitely grab my journal and my sketchbook. Is it okay that that’s two things?

P: They’re in the same category, so sure. Also, we’re making up our own rules as we go anyway, and I’m fine with that answer.

A: Great. Moving on.

35. Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why?

P: These are some strange questions. But I guess if the point is to really get to know somebody….Anyway, I’d be devastated, obviously, if something happened to you or my mom, same with Paul or Tyson…or my dad, but I forget about him sometimes for something like this because…well, you know. But if we’re talking about disturbing, it’s Estelle, hands down. Just because she’s still so little. It doesn’t feel like anything should happen to her, like she should just be in this protective bubble because she’s a baby. I don’t even want to think about anything happening to her. So, your turn.

A: Ugh, I can’t even stand the thought of something happening to Estelle. Talking specifically about my blood-related family, yeah, if something happened to my dad, or Bobby or Matthew, or even my stepmom, I’d be devastated. And probably feel really guilty, somehow, too, for not spending enough time with them. Most disturbing, though, would have to be if something happened to Magnus. Just because, you know…he’s already dead. So it would be awful not knowing what else happened to him or where he went, like if he’s trapped somewhere worse or something. [pauses] And obviously, if something happened to you, I’d be completely heartbroken. Then I’d stomp down to the Underworld and drag your butt back.

P [grins]: Obviously. A: Alright, last one.

36. Share a personal problem and ask your partner's advice on how he or she might handle it. Also, ask your partner to reflect back to you how you seem to be feeling about the problem you have chosen.

A: Wow, this is kind of tough. I mean, I already usually talk problems through with you. And honestly, at this particular moment, I don’t have one. [pauses, looking pleasantly surprised] Wow. I don’t have any serious problems right now. That’s possibly the first time that’s ever happened.

P: Nice. So nothing right now? A: Not really. I mean, I’m a little nervous about starting college, especially with balancing UC Berkeley and New Rome, but I think it’ll be okay. Any advice on how you’d handle that? P [small laugh]: Honestly? Not well. I don’t think I’d be great at running back and forth and balancing everything. But you will be. You’re good with organization and time management and everything, so you’re going to be fine, Wise Girl. If I had to guess, I think you’re just nervous because you want to do well. But you will. Because you’re awesome.

A [smiling]: Aww, thanks, babe. What about you? Any problems right now? P [shakes head]: Nothing major right now. Well, actually, now that I’ve said that…I’m kind of worried about my major. Like for college.

A: Really? Why?

P [shrugs]: I mean, marine biology kind of makes sense, because of my dad and all. But I’m not like a major science guy or anything. So I’m a little worried about it. Any thoughts? A [considers for a few moments]: That makes sense. So it sounds like you’re a little worried you’ve chosen something that you can do, not necessarily something you want to do?

P: Yeah, pretty much. I mean, I never really thought much about what I’d want to do for a major or a career. I never thought I’d get this far.

A: That makes sense. Do you want my advice?

P: Isn’t that the point of this question? Also, yes, I’d want to hear it anyway.

A: I think you should just stick with it for this first semester, maybe this first year. Most of the classes are gen eds anyway, so they’ll apply to any major. Maybe keep an open mind during your classes and see if anything jumps out at you. There might be something you’ve never even thought about that you end up loving. And if you decide to change majors, I think that’s totally fine. And I support you one hundred percent.

P: Thanks, Annabeth. And I like that idea. It makes sense.

A: Cool. [leans forward and kisses him lightly on the lips]. So that’s the end of the questions.

P: Sweet. Although that was kind of cool. Is there anything else?

A: Yeah. The last part is four minutes of eye contact.

P: Holy shit. Four minutes?

A: That’s what it says.

P: Isn’t that awkward? A [rolls eyes]: Only if you make it that way, Seaweed Brain. Just relax. It’ll be fine. [gets out phone for stopwatch again] Alright, time starts now.

[4 minutes elapse, which include some laughing, some comments, but also following the rules]

A: And that’s four minutes. Done.

P: Cool. So, what does that mean? A: Apparently we’re supposed to feel closer. Do you think it worked?

P [considers]: Actually, yeah, I think so. I mean, it was nice to talk about some different stuff that we might not have otherwise. So yeah, I think it worked.

A: Agreed. That was actually kind of fun.

P: Yeah. But now can we just relax? And maybe make out? Just throwing that out there.

A: Gods, yes.

And that was the end of the question and answer portion of the evening.

#pjo #percy jackson #percabeth #writing #annabeth chase #stories

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