#BUT YEAH I WAS SO HAPPY TO HAVE MORE STICKER SPACE

[bosspigeon]

Trinket and sticker tour? :> I love seeing people’s knickknacks.

I HAVE SO MANY TRINKETS!!!

[jinnie-ret]

perfect places

lee know x reader

genre: fluff

content warnings: alcohol, smoking

word count: 1.1k

summary: y/n never thought she'd be talking to a stranger til the sun rose, but it was better than feeling trapped at the local bar

This is a bit shit but oh well haha

1K FOLLOWERS PLAYLIST 💚🖤

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She really couldn't be bothered for a night out clubbing tonight. If you asked her a couple of years ago then she'd be up for it any day of the week, but now, she much preferred a cosy night indoors, wallowing about not knowing what to do with her life over a warm hot chocolate.

Well, she could do without the wallowing, but that was besides the point. Forced to go out clubbing with her friends, she was not designated driver, for none of them drove there, but she was designated responsible adult. She didn't know what she preferred more, drinking so she actually enjoyed herself, or not having to feel sick the next morning.

The bassy music was loud, and regretfully, she and her friends had only been there for about half an hour now. She knew this because she checked her phone.

"Y/N, outside!" her friends shouted over the music to her, all of them holding hands and connecting a chain to make it outside to the smoking area.

Ah, a moment of peace. A break for the ears.

Y/N rustled through her handbag for a cigarette before cursing when she realised she didn't have a lighter.

"Shit!" she huffed, rolling her eyes and leaning back against the wall, before her prayers were answered and a handsome guy stood in front of her with exactly what she needed.

"Need a light?" the guy smirked at her frustrated expression before offering her his lighter, curiously decorated with cat stickers.

"You're a Saint," Y/N exaggerated, gratefully taking the object and lighting her cigarette.

"Far from it, I'm Minho," he introduced himself, laughing lightly as the girl in front took a relieved sigh after a puff.

"I don't know I think I've seen that name in the bible somewhere," Y/N joked, happy to be talking to someone sober even if she was exhausted.

"Yeah, yeah," Minho laughed, "what's brought you out tonight then? Normally all the girls here end up off their faces hammered."

"You'd have to at a place like this. 'HooBAEs' is an awful name and an even more awful place," Y/N scrunched her nose whilst nodding back at the dodgy neon light. "Only good thing about it is the cheap drinks."

"Not taking advantage of them tonight then?" Minho quirked a brow, joining her in leaning against the wall as he smoked from his own cigarette, tilting his head back to look at her.

"Nah, I'm DRA. Designated Responsible Adult," Y/N sighed, looking over at her friend's who were drunkenly giggling and mingling with a group of boys that seemed their age.

"Tell me about it, I'm on NONSS duty. No one night stand shenanigans," Minho laughed, following where her eyes were looking.

They must be his friends.

"Awfully specific," Y/N commented.

"Very," Minho took another drag of his cigarette before stubbing it out. "I'm bored, wanna ditch this place and-"

"Oh I'm not looking for that tonight. You're very nice but-" Y/N blushed, looking away from Minho.

"Woah, woah, hold your horses, you didn't let me finish. You do flatter yourself," he chuckled before standing on front of her, "what about we leave babysitting duty for tonight and find somewhere else to chat?"

"Hmmm, ok," Y/N shrugged and nodded, watching her intoxicated friends stumble back inside to the chamber of doom. Ok, maybe that was an exaggeration but it really was the last place she wanted to be right now.

They walked for five minutes, peacefully taking in the night time air as Minho led them to a bench that overlooked the town.

"Wow, it's so peaceful," she glanced across at the little lights that lined the buildings.

"Better than that bar, right?" Minho nodded, taking a seat on the bench and patting the space next to him for Y/N to sit down.

"Want another?" Y/N passed a cigarette to Minho and they both proceeded to light them and sit in the quiet night air. "You know, I've never felt so calm before, it's so relaxing here."

"I come here all the time. It's a good place to think," Minho said as he stared out at the stars. He'd never felt so comfortable around a stranger but some reason he felt compelled to talk to Y/N.

"What do you like to think about?" Y/N leant back in the bench, tilting her head to the right to look at Minho.

"I try to think about what I wanna do in life," Minho sighed, "my parents wanted me to become a lawyer."

"Oh, booo, well, some like it but I couldn't," Y/N shook her head, "my parents wanted me to become a doctor, but all I wanna do is work with cats," she took another drag from her cigarette.

"I love cats too," Minho said, flicking the flame on his lighter on and off.

"Couldn't tell," Y/N laughed sarcastically looking at the cat stickers on the item.

Minho giggled shyly to himself as he rubbed his thumb across the stickers of his cats. The two them ended up chatting til sunrise basking in each other's company.

"Here, give me your phone," Y/N bravely and uncharacteristically spoke up, taking Minho's phone as he gave it to her with a raised eyebrow, leant back in the bench with his arms folded behind his head.

"Oh, you've got a text from 'Quokka' and it very drunkenly says... Hyung, where are you, Prince is off the rails," Y/N handed his phone back to him after putting her phone number in on it.

"Oh shit," Minho's eyes widened.

"Oh shit indeed, I swear Prince was dead, although that could just be your drunk Quokka friend-"

"We better get back, come on," Minho hurried her as they headed back to the bar, and when they got back, they saw all their friends stumbling out of the club.

"Hyungggg!" a guy waved Minho over.

"Y/Nnie!!!" her friends cheered her over.

"Where's Hyunjin?"

"Where's Minji?"

"Oh they went to f-"

"They left early."

"Come on, let's get you home," Minho grabbed who Y/N assumed was his Quokka friend by the arm.

"I better get you both home," Y/N sighs and gets her two friends to start walking with her.

"I'll text you!" Minho calls over his shoulder with a smirk, knowing full well that Y/N had put her number in his phone.

Y/N turned around with a shy smile, waving as Minho got his friend into a taxi as she did the same thing. They had met by chances but hopefully things would go somewhere, who knew she'd meet someone and like them instantly. Perhaps it was worth it coming out that night.

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top listeners: @skz-streamer @kiraisastay @hannahhbahng @kpopmenace143 @sakufilms @kai-lee08 @arloo00 @dunno-wut-to-do @splat00z @cheesemonky @his-angell @turtledove824 @2minstan @royal-shinigami @yangbbokari @skzoologist

[magicalgirlmindcrank]

Top Ten Favorite Meeks of 2023

#10

This was a really fun abstract one, and we adore how it came out. The only think we kinda wish we did different make the outline even cleaner? Love it to bits tho.

#9

Just really like this one. It's cute, it's got good rendering, it's got a fun pose. If we made stickers, this would be one, and probably the style we made the set in.

#8

This feels almost contractually obligated XD Honestly we weren't very happy that Miku didn't look 'meaty' enough, but the background has just enough miasma to it that kinda makes for it. Even besides that, we do like this a lot more than our last stab at Phyrexian meek, so hey, maybe one day we'll make v3 and be truly happy with that!

#7

This one just memes, but we really do like the anatomy, posing and colors here. Even the interior looks pretty good, and we kinda just free styled it!

#6

Honestly we had to keep ourselves from just making this list half Hatslimey Migoo, so we kept it to maybe our favorite of last year (followed v closely with the headpat, Sewer grate, and halloween ones) but we really do love this one. It's just kinda charming and silly, and thats what Hatslimey Migoo is all about!

#5

THROW A FLAME!!! Honestly just still fucking adore the flames and pose here. All the coloring here was really fun tbh, could have maybe used a liiitle more rendering but w/e

#4

Weird that this made it here, weirder that it made it so high, but yeah. We like this piece a lot more than we though we would. It may have some poor coloring in places, and not be obviously Miku, but damn if it didn't capture the mood we wanted

#3

This one was based pretty heavily on some saint, but lord if I know which one. INSANELY fun to do the colors and line work here, and I honestly love how it came out.

#2

Did you know the first man made object in space was a manhole cover, propelled by a nuclear weapons test? This was us making art for an album cover but the album doesn't exist. While it could use stronger shading on the roots+grass as well as a few other things, this one still earns 2nd place just because we still love how it's concepts came through.

#1

This one honestly just might be our favorite out of all our Mikus, even above the Goya meek. It's still the background for our PC. We really nailed the exact feeling of looking at grainy CCTV or Trail cam footage of Cryptids that we wanted to capture. Funnily enough, this being posted May 22nd, it actually predates those two witches caught on trail cam eating a deer corpse by 15 days. We like to think this somehow caused that.

[pheonixxfoxx]

My Flashy Haul!

This is an ideal time to show off all the goodies that came in that enormous box from Japan on Monday. Plus, other cool stuff I've acquired over the week! First up is this sexy mint in box Buggy Samurai figure by D.P.C.F-DX!

This brilliant figure is even more amazing then I could have ever anticipated! Well worth every penny, even the pennies on shipping!! Admittedly, I didn't expect it to be quite so, um...big though, LOL!! Will I eventually remove him from the box? I'm hesitant of that at this time, space being a contributing factor. Next up we have a variety of goodies! Yes, there will be lots of can badges; I seem to like them and cards/flats a lot!

I finally was able to snag the Mascolle Great Deep figure of Buggy for a reasonable price! Seems like he is moderately obscure to find too, but now I don't need to worry. The hunt was successful and is now over, woot!!!

The volleyball Buggy can badge is one of the best things ever! A fun addition to my ever growing collection. A mutual friend of mine wisely said that Buggy should be banned from sports, LOL!! As previously mentioned, I seem to have a soft spot for flats. While some specific items in this group are duplicates, there were a lot of intriguing things I didn't own yet, but had been eyeballing.

Besides, I couldn't pass on the "Buggy Conspirators" sticker. One thing I often seek out is unique items, and that sticker seems to be rather different. I honestly can't believe how many can badges that are in my collection at this point, LOL!! They are located in various suitable places around my collection room. The plan is to eventually take individual photos of every item I've obtained.

The face can badge, from what I perceive was part of a special promo this year for the 25th anniversary of One Piece. They took 10,000 face images from the manga and made them into can badges. Best part, no two are alike! I purposely obtained this one, as it is from Impel Down. The part where Buggy goes to kick out a Muggy Ball at Minotaurus. The nose can badge was a fun find too, apparently it is relatively old! Here is the last group of items from the glorious box of flashy goodies. The box that made my entire week as I I grinned like a Cheshire Cat.

There are in fact 8 of the birthday can badges, LOL!! I might have to create me an itabag with all the extras, it would make for a fun project. Oh and the art on the Amada sticker is beyond sexy!! *drools* I treasure it more then words can express!! Yeah, it doesn't take much to make me happy. Now onto the other items I received throughout this week.

I really like the composition of this card. It's a card, which has been on my radar for a bit and was ultimately able to snag for an affordable price. This is where you all will find out that I am an immature 2 year old.

This card set was mainly purchased because it mentions "Buggy Balls," LOL!! Eh, I'm a kid at heart, what can I say? Last, but not least is this rather flashy keychain of Buggy at Marineford.

Done for now, though there is one other item I could add to this for funsies. However, it is my most prized item of the Star Clown. I think it should receive a post all its own.

[worshipper-status]

💙Tips from a Worshipper💙: How to Make a Shrine

Hello! I hope you’re having a good day! This post is an idea I’ve had for a while so here’s my guide to making a shrine for your own darling! This post isn’t the be all end all to shrines but it’s tips and advice I’ve gathered from doing my own thing for a while. Feel free to add your own tips in the tags of this post if you reblog it. I’d appreciate it a lot!

1.) Get a shoe box or a larger gift  box if you want more space.

This is entirely for practicality purposes. You don’t want to have a full on shrine in your room, in case anyone ever visits you or goes in your room. It’s inconvenient and annoying to have to take it down and put it back up, if there’s a possibility someone may want to go in your room. This is particularly useful for me, because my beloved knows I identify as a yandere but I get self conscious about her seeing the things I do because of it, so keeping it in a neat enclosed space to take out and do what I please and then pack it up and put it away when I’m done helps a lot both mentally and for practical reasons. 

2.) Consider the materials you want for it. Don’t be afraid to have fun with it!

Your darling deserves a beautiful shrine! If you have photos of them, print them out and line the walls of the box with them, or simply just leave them in an envelope inside the box to flip through when you want. Maybe if you’re artsy, decorate the inside of the box with markers and pens. Get some stickers and slap those on the side of the box. Maybe there’s something you associate your darling with? Put imagery of those in there too! My beloved associates me with sharks and associates herself with eevees so there’s a lot of that going on in mine. I often leave a candle in the shrine to take out and light whenever I’m doing anything with it. Bonus points if you know what your darling smells like so you can grab a candle with a similar scent. Other things I leave in the shrine are things I use to symbolize tokens of affection, so crystals, rings, jewelry, art pieces I’ve drawn for her, gifts my darling has given me, printed screenshots of text conversations with my darling that make me happy, etc. This is very individualized to you and your darling, but if all else fails, just fill it up with things you associate them with. Do they really like bunnies? Bunny themes. Is there favorite color green? Green everything. Do they like nature? Nature motif. 

3.) What’s the purpose for the shrine? Adjust accordingly.

Maybe you just want the shrine as a storage space for things your darling has given you? Or maybe you want to use it as part of a nightly routine to make sure no matter what you’re giving your beloved the proper amount of love and affection and wishing them goodnight. Maybe you just want a space to express that obsessive side of you in peace, and then be able to pack it up and put it away as a coping mechanism for your obsessive thoughts. No shame in any of these options! But make sure you’re designing it to help you with these things. I tend to use mine as more of a place to express my obsessive side in peace and then pack it up and move on with my day, kind of as a way to satiate the thoughts. So what I did was I made a lock for my box. Yeah it’s not really functional, you could easily just rip open the box to see what’s inside, but it helps me make that mental distinction of, this is Worshipper time, and this is not Worshipper time. For nightly routine type shrines (or daytime whichever you prefer), I recommend having a pre determined nightly routine for this. Maybe every night, you talk to the shrine like it is your darling to get out thoughts you never said earlier, maybe you read off an honoring poem, maybe you just brush your hair in front of the shrine while daydreaming about your darling doing it, anything works, just make sure you have the things you need handy, such as keeping a printed poem in the box, or a hairbrush, or whatever else suits you. 

4.) Does your darling know you’re a yandere? Are you brave enough to ask them for things?

I know I’m lucky to have a darling that knows I’m a yandere and for the most part supports it. However, we are currently long distance (yeah, I know, it’s killing me) so I can’t get gifts from her often. However, once we are living together, I know I will not be afraid to ask for tokens of affection for the shrine. This is going to involve me stealing her hoodies (we’re the same size in clothes lol), maybe a few strands of hair from the bathroom sink, any little doodles or notes she leaves around, etc. This is also for those people lucky enough to have a vial of blood from their darling (I wish TwT). Give it an honorary display in your shrine for when you’re not wearing it. But yeah, if there’s anything in specific you want your darling to give you and you know they’d be willing, ASK FOR IT! 

5.) Consider a digital shrine!

I’ve actually just started curating my digital shrine and I think it’s a really good option for people! I have mine on a private discord server that’s just me and pluralkit. I use this server for mostly keeping track of my daily life stuff, system things, recipes, to do’s, etc. But at the bottom of the server, I have a separate channel for my shrine! It has all the selfies I’ve saved and gathered from my darling, images I’ve grabbed online that I feel embody our relationship, screenshots of convos, various poems and writings of mine, future ideas for dates and otherwise. It has been way easier to put together and curate than the physical one,  and I actually enjoy it quite a bit more. It’s a lot easier to make a daily thing, and a lot more fun for me too. I love scrolling through the internet and grabbing things to add to the shrine, throwing my own writings in the mix, and knowing that no one else is going to see it because it’s in a private discord server and unless someone gets onto my computer or phone, I’m fine. 

[paintedkinzy-88]

Kinzy... Rise- Dragon Bois and hordes...

SOBBINGG??? DBJSNDNANDBJS—

OKOKOKOKOK FINE YEAH SURE. WHY NOT.

I feel like a two of them would be obvious???

Like Donnie would obviously hoard technology and parts, anything from absolute junk he wants to redo to genuinely good and brand new materials. Which honestly just makes what happens with the Shredder SO MUCH MORE PAINFUL. Shelldon is his pride and JOY man, he’s at the very top of the hoard pile for sure for sure.

Raph and his plushies, 100%. I imagine he got a lot of them as a kid cuz that would be an easy thing for Splints to find, easier to fix if he bit them than broken action figures, and his little brothers liked giving him cute stuffed animals cuz it made him so happy. Dude has a hoard of them for sure. That pile is his safe space, he drags his family into it often. Also means they get damaged or worn down fairly often, so he’s become very careful with them over the years to avoid that heartbreak. ;w;

Mikey’s a little harder… my initial idea is art supplies?? But I’ve already used that. XD Similarly to Raph, I feel like he would have gotten a lot of coloring books as a little dragonet, so maybe he has just a hoard of those, both adult and children levels, and he likes going back to the basics every so often. It’s comforting, easy, he doesn’t have to make the sketch, just color in between the lines. The simplicity and nostalgia is very therapeutic, especially as everything seems to be changing rapidly around them.

LEO’S TOUGH THOUGH MAN. The obvious answer is comic books or action figures, but they ALL have that, that’s not unique!!

Ahhhhhhh. Maybe like… proof of his achievements?? And that’s why he tries so hard for the Lair Games?? Man needs to know he’s good at something, and even though he hates how selfish his hoard is, getting anything from a medal to a little gold star sticker means so frikkin much to him. Makes him feel less insignificant, while still feeding into this insecurity of himself, but by golly does it help with his Who Cares, I’m the Best facade. ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

[deadanimeboys]

Cash Or Card ?

this is dedicated to my bff Sam who has never seen the punisher and does not have a tumblr, he had a very silly idea and I made it happen

summary: He’s a single dad and you’re a retail worker, need i say more?

cw: none

As Better off Dead blares from the janky store speakers, you stand behind the counter, folding shirts and tagging merchandise. It’s a busy day today, the stream of teens never ending as you stare at the entrance of your store. You watch the people that walk into your Hot Topic, trying not to lose your mind. Twenty minutes left. That’s all you have to work. Kellin still sings and you swear the song is ten times slower than before.

As you ring out a group of kids a man walks in. He’s tall and muscular, completely out of place with all the emo kids running around. He’s almost scary, the look on his face unreadable. He stands at a display picking up some items and looking at them. Once you’re done with the group of kids you move to greet him, trying to figure out what he’s here for.

You make your way to him, some shirts in hand so it seems like you aren’t just there to bug him. A prayer goes through your head as you wish he isn’t as scary as he seems. You press on, making your way into his line of sight.

“Welcome! Is there anything in particular you’re searching for? Feel free to ask for help.”

He turns to look at you, taking in your outfit and studying your face. His eyes roam over the dozens of pins on your lanyard, reading each and every one. A beat passes as he seems to think for a moment.

“Actually,” he starts, his voice low and gruff. “I was uh… wonderin’ if you guys had any of those… Invader Zim things. My kid loves ‘em.”

His eyes meet yours, he seems to be a little embarrassed. You give him a smile and nod.

Oh! He’s a father! Cute!

“Yeah for sure! We have a wide variety of merchandise, I’ll be happy to show you the section.” You motion for him to follow and stop a few feet away showing him what the store has. His eyes roam over the rack then he turns to you again.

“You think she’d like one of these bracelets?” He asks, picking up one and turning it over in his hand. It’s a cute kandi one, a Gir charm slapped right in the middle.

“Kids love that one,” you reply, trying to focus on the bracelet and not the way he towers over you. He’s close, but you can’t seem to avoid that, it’s Hot Topic after all, there’s like no space anywhere. You clear your throat and nod. “Yeah she’s gonna love it. Besides I think as long as it’s from her dad she’ll love anything you get her.”

That earns you a small chuckle from him as he closes his hand around the bracelet.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Thanks.”

“Want me to ring you up?”

“Nah. I wanna keep lookin’ for a bit. See if there’s something for my boy.”

This time you chuckle. “Ah right. Can’t get one kid a gift without getting the other something.”

“Yeah.” He looks at you for a moment. “You got kids?”

“Nah. Just siblings. Two younger ones. They would fight all the time if one of them got something and the other didn’t. I just started bringing the same thing home for both of them. Less arguing, you know?”

The man smiles, nodding his head. “What can you do, huh?”

He then thanks you for your help and moves deeper into the store, towards the band section. You watch as he goes, feeling a faint blush make its way onto your face. You quickly shake your head, trying to focus back on the shirts in your arms. You turn to restock the section you’re in, folding them neatly and tucking them away.

Five minutes left. Now Dance, Dance blares through the speakers, and you’re behind the register again. As the line starts to clear up, you see the man you helped waiting, glancing at the impulse section.

He picks up a few stickers and you can’t help but smile as he studies them, clearly not getting some of the jokes that were written. His brows are furrowed and he turns it over as if that would help. He puts it back as you finish ringing out a mother and her kids, stuffing their plushies into a black bag.

As she walks away, he steps up and sets the bracelet down on the counter, along with a t-shirt he seemed to find. Before you can say anything, he speaks first, meeting your eyes as he does.

“You were very helpful today. Felt like an idiot when I walked in, y’know? My kids usually come in here and I let ‘em drag me around,” he says with a low laugh.

You smile as you scan his items, making sure everything goes through. “You did great. I’m sure your kids are gonna love this.”

“Thanks…”

“You got a number with us? It gets you some points.” You don’t bother doing the whole spiel, focused on the way he seems to shift his weight as he pulls out his wallet. His hands are nice, you think to yourself as he opens it up.

“Yeah probably. I think Lisa signed me up when she had me buy her that Hello Kitty crap. Uhhh…”

He lists off his number and you type it in.

“Frank Castle?”

“Yeah. Yeah that’s me.”

Frank looks at you and you motion to the card reader. As you finish the transaction, you bag his things, handing it to him. Your fingers brush his and you can feel the heat returning to your face. It’s not noticeable thank god, since the light is a little dim. You don’t know how embarrassing it would be if he noticed.

Frank takes the bag and you hand him his receipt with a smile.

“It was nice meeting you,” Frank says, “You were a great help.”

“It’s my job! Happy to help,” you reply, your voice coming out a little softer than usual.

Just like that he’s gone, a total stranger once more as he leaves. The clock hits 2:00pm. Your shift is over and it’s time to clock out.

[elly99]

us without me VII: everything

A story series from the perspective of Mia (fem!Reader/OC) as she goes through her memories and recounts falling in love with her best friend in high school, Minji. She suffers in silence until she breaks and it all comes crashing down.

Part 7 of 7. Check here for more details. Reading previous parts for context is encouraged. CW for language.

Her debut was just over a month away. 

It was 7:22 in the morning and she had just arrived back from Spain. You see her from a distance saying goodbye to her members. They recognize you from the many times you picked Minji up from practice and wave enthusiastically. You wave shyly in return. Then she runs to you, as fast as she possibly could with her luggage in tow, straight into your arms.

“Hey!” is all you can manage as she suffocates you with a bear hug.

“I missed you so much. How are you?”

“I’m alright! Been missing you, too. How was your birthday?”

“It was sooo good! We were filming that day and it was really, really fun. I also got really nice gifts. I already told you all about it!”

“I know. I was just hoping you’d say you missed me.” You look ahead, avoiding her eyes.

She laughs and lightly punches your shoulder.

“I told you that many times, too,” she says softly. “But I’ll say it again anyway. I really did miss you on my birthday. It wasn’t the same without you.”

You finally smile, content with her response.

“I’m so happy you’re back, Min. It was weird being away from you for so long.”

“Me, too. It’s so good to see you.” You both start walking to the taxi stands. “Thanks for picking me up, by the way. I know it’s really early.”

“Well, your family’s away so somebody had to do it.”

“Wow, you really sound like you want to be here.” She chuckles. “I could’ve just gone home with the others, you know?”

“And you know there’s nowhere else I’d rather be, right?”

“Ugh, so greasy, bro!” she exclaims, hitting your shoulder again only to grab your hand right after. She hails a cab with the other.

“I still have a lot of stuff to do before July but this weekend I’m just gonna stay in bed and not move.”

“Sounds like a plan. Will we have any other time to hang out, though?”

“Yeah, don’t worry! I’ll find time. I promise.”

On the ride home she doesn’t let go of your hand. And though you had your ring on you didn’t allow yourself to hope. You didn’t allow yourself to pretend. But you did allow yourself to enjoy it. Just one last time. After all, her debut was just over a month away.

-

“I got you a new diary, by the way,” you say matter-of-factly as she unpacks. She turns to you with gleeful puppy eyes and your heart melts like all those times before. “And while you were away I removed all the stickers from my locker and stuck them in here instead. I also got you a bunch of new ones to put wherever…”

Before you know it you’re in her arms and she’s squealing in your ear.

“...except my locker!” you emphasize, laughing a little. “I know it’s not much but… happy birthday!”

“Bro, stop. I love it! Thank you so much! It’s so prettyyy!”

It felt good to see her happy. But you still longed for more. You knew you needed to stop but you never figured out how. And she’d never know that you left tears in her hair.

“I missed you, Mia.” She releases you from her hug and you exchange smiles. “I’m so glad I’m home cuz I’m kinda… no, I’m super tired. Think I’ll nap for a bit.”

“You should try and stay up for as long as you can! It’ll be better for your jet lag.”

“I literally can’t keep my eyes open, bro. Maybe just an hour or something.”

“Fine. I’ll wake you up for dinner,” you concede and get up to leave her room.

“Wait! Where are you going?”

“What? I’m just letting you sleep.”

“Can’t you stay with me?”

What was it about those words? What was it about her eyes in that moment? Like she would cry if you walked out that door. But you quickly dismiss it, assuming it was just your brain projecting, your heart finding excuses.

“I mean, yeah, of course. Just thought you’d want some space.”

“Huh? After not seeing you for so long?”

You simply smile in response and lie down next to her. You stare at the ceiling while she closes her eyes and quickly falls asleep. You’d been here before. It was all too familiar. Her breathing slows while yours becomes shallow, like water was pressing against your chest. And you just lie like that, barely staying afloat on the surface of the ocean of your yearning.

-

Before you know it, evening had come. Your attempts to wake her were met with nothing but faint noises and limp movements.

“Min? Minji. You need to get up, bro. You slept for so long already.”

“Mmm.”

“Should I order something for dinner?”

“I’m not hungry,” she mumbles into her pillow before opening her eyes and staring at you. After a pause she asks, “Can I hug you?”

The question was sudden. Disturbing. The answer would have always been ‘yes’ but something about the intimacy of the situation you found yourself in stopped you from answering immediately.

“Why are you asking?”

“Nothing,” is all she says before wrapping her arms around you. Of course, that in itself was nothing new. But she’d never done this before. Not here. This was her bed. And she was practically cuddling you. It was everything you’d been dreaming about. What you’d been wanting for so long. But experiencing it now, in the flesh, felt like a waking nightmare. The memories flash one by one in your mind. Everything else she’d done. Everything she said. Everything that made you believe she loved you in the same way. None of it made sense. Because you knew she didn’t. And after so long you finally felt it. Cracking. Shattering. Bursting at the seams. The final straw. The moment you’d been dreading. You had reached your breaking point.

“Minji?”

Her eyes awaken with concern as the weight of your tone falls on her ears.

“Yeah?” she asks timidly.

“Why are you doing this? Why do you always do this?”

“Do what?” She sits up, clearly uneasy with the way your voice was hardening.

“Why do you pretend you love me?”

“What do you mean? I’m not pretending. What are you talking about?”

“You don’t get it, do you?”

“Mia… you’re scaring me…” she ekes out.

You stand up and turn away from her, taking breaths as deep as your lungs would allow.

“I love you, Minji… I’m in love with you.”

Years of heartache converge onto that singular moment. Your confession. And there's nothing but silence from her corner of the room. Through gritted teeth you continue.

“So when you practically act like my girlfriend sometimes and I have to go to sleep at night knowing you’re not… it really fucking hurts!”

You slam your fist against the door before falling to the ground. Your tears follow suit.

“Did you really not know?”

“I…”

You blow air past your nose. A pitiful attempt at laughter.

“I guess I did a good job hiding it, then.”

“Mia, I... I know. I knew. I mean, I wasn’t sure but…”

You turn back to meet her eyes and in them you watched the reality you thought you knew crumble. Denial sets in as quickly as anger does.

“You knew?” Your words dripping with feelings of betrayal.

She nods, bringing her hands up to cover her face as tears start to pool in her eyes as well.

“You knew and still…” You listen like an unwelcome eavesdropper as your voice starts to shout of its own accord. “Well, do you know how it made me feel? Do you know that, Minji? You’ve treated me like more than your best friend so many times I can’t even begin to count! Holding hands, all the times you would basically flirt with me and not to mention our fucking rings! You knew I loved you and you just played along? Like you really felt the same way? What the fuck?”

You found yourself unable to feel sorry as she started to sob.

“Minji, I’ve been crying myself to sleep every night because of you! And now you’re telling me you knew this whole time? You knew you were playing with my feelings? Why?”

“Mia, please…”

“Please what?”

She struggles through uncontrollable gasps for air.

“I love you...”

“Oh, wow, you’re just gonna keep going, huh? Stop pretending already!”

Then it was her turn to raise her voice.

“I’m not fucking pretending!”

You were taken aback. It wasn’t like her to swear.

“I love you, Mia! I wasn’t pretending. I never was.”

You refuse to accept that fact. You couldn’t accept that you’d been living a lie for this long.

“Bullshit. Why didn’t you say anything, then?”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

That was something you couldn’t answer. So she did for you.

“Cuz you were scared right? Well, so was I. I did all of those things because I wanted you just as much. I wanted you to be mine. I wanted to be your girlfriend. So I just pretended to be. But I never pretended that I didn’t love you in that way. I just never told you.”

“You don’t mean that. There’s no way…”

“I do mean it.”

Your eyes fall to the ground in disbelief. It was excruciating to keep looking at her.

“You could’ve just told me.” Your voice dies down.

“And you could have, too.”

“But the difference is you knew how I felt.”

Your eyes wander to the window.

“And you still played with my heart…” It comes out as a whisper. “If you really loved me you would’ve told me. If you really knew how I felt you would’ve just…”

“I wasn’t sure, Mia!”

“You’re lying.”

“And I was scared, ok? You know I’m about to debut. I can’t get into a relationship. But I love you and I just wanted to know how it felt…”

“So you used me?”

“Don’t say that! That’s not fair!”

You get up, take off the ring on your finger and throw it on the bed in front of her.

“Give this to your real girlfriend next time.”

“Mia, please don’t leave…” she says through more sobs, her voice weaker than ever. “I’m sorry…”

“I’m sorry, too. I should’ve just kept it to myself.”

And just like that you were out the door, running home, pulling the weight of the hole in your heart along with you. You didn’t know what you were doing. Were you throwing everything away? Was leaving a mistake? All you were sure of was that, for the first time in your life, you needed to be anywhere but with her.

Still, as you crawl into bed and see her pictures on your walls, you knew that no matter how far you ran, no matter where you went or what you did, no matter how broken your heart was, as long as it was beating, it would beat for her.

There’s nothing you could do or say. I can’t escape the way I love you. I don’t want to, but I love you.

-

A knock on your door.

“Hey, sweetie. Still feeling down?”

It was your mom.

“Yeah,” you mutter quietly from your bed, clutching a pillow, the melody of Attention still stuck in your head.

“You wanna talk about it?”

What would you tell her? That your best friend was now just a memory? That you missed her so much you felt like dying? That even if she were here it would never be the same? That you lost everything? No. You couldn’t tell her any of it.

“Not right now.”

She moved towards your desk, an envelope in hand.

“How’s Minji been?” she asks, oblivious. “Haven’t seen you two hang out in a while. She always made you feel better. Maybe you should…”

“Not right now,” you quickly cut her off.

But she presses on.

“Heard from her mom that she finally got her driver’s license. You two could drive somewhere.”

Wherever that somewhere is, she’ll be driving us without me.

Reading your silence, she places the envelope on the desk and lets her eyes linger on it for a moment.

“Well, I think this is from her.”

You sit up immediately, a cocktail of surprise and pain brewing somewhere in your chest. She sees a hint of it in your eyes and walks back over to the bed to hug you.

“Whatever it is, Mia, it’ll pass. Just give yourself time.”

You nod, face sullen.

“Come down for dinner whenever you want, ok?”

You nod again.

As the door closes behind her, you rush to grab the letter, knowing full well that whatever was written inside would not be good for you. You needed to let go but all you’d ever known was how to hold on. So you hold on to the paper with that same desperate grip as you let Minji's voice break the silence.

[singguks]

the unbearable lightness of being ✩ knj

✩ FIRST CHAPTER OF EVERYTHINGOES

which includes... fluff and slice of life content ⏤ 822 words.

━━━━━  NEXT !

in which... he feels the heavy weight of his routine and serendipity goes his way !

Spring was turning around the corner and somehow Namjoon’s life felt dull and bloomless still. 

He had been strolling aimlessly all Saturday, thinking if he should take a break from his job starting Monday. Or maybe just run away from his manager for a while. Do something else with his life. Go to another country, and live a brand new adventure. That’s how he came to know the little vintage library tucked on the corner of a busy street—because of his equally busy brain and restless feet. 

There was no one inside besides him, a kind-eyed grandpa behind the counter, a calico cat, and tons of dusty books—just how Namjoon liked them. And yet the books weren’t what he felt pulled toward to inspect. 

On top of two piles that were flooding the floor, there was a ham radio. The aged equipment had a collection of space stickers adorning it which only contributed to filling Namjoon’s brain with nostalgia and fond memories. A long time ago, when he was still a kid, he got to know about the existence of such a radio. Later on, it resulted in tons of questions about its functioning, something that his Physics teacher was eager to provide the answers to. 

He heard the old man clearing his throat snapping him off his down-to-memory-lane trance. “If you like it so much I’m more than happy to see it go.” 

Namjoon had to double-check on the smiley grandpa behind the old wooden structure. It was a fact that he would be glad to display the device around his house next to the art he collected… It was inspiration after all. Something to connect him with his inner child, even if the equipment wouldn’t work anymore. But not a week ago his mom teased about his house looking like a science fair museum and he wouldn’t want to contribute to that statement. “How much for it?” he asks while pondering and the elder dismisses his offer, going around on the counter. 

“Oh no. That one isn’t priced,” he said as he approached with some difficulty. “I would be glad to see it go to a new home after so many years!” 

“Are you sure?” Namjoon asks and then looks at the device. “It’s a relic now, sure, and that’s why it should have its price…” he regarded, feeling bad to take the offer without paying something to the old man. 

The grandpa let out a chuckle, eyeing him with fondness. “And that is precisely why I’m giving it to you.” he continued with a look that told Namjoon he had already lived plenty to know what he was talking about. “Everything goes, son. But it’s when you know the value of things that you are considered worthy enough to keep ‘em.” he gave Namjoon a gentle tap on his broad shoulders before turning around, “Take it. It was already yours, to begin with.” 

Namjoon went home that Saturday with a ham radio underneath his arm and a little paper bag holding an old edition of The Unbearable Lightness Of Being by Milan Kundera. A book that he had already read many times before but upon the gentleness of that stranger, it seemed the right thing to do or the right price to repay. 

✩ April 7, 2018

…

“Can someone hear me? Hello?”

…

“Ugh. I swear this will never work…”

...

“Um… Hello?”

...

“Oh, my God! Hi! Can you hear me? Is this real?”

...

... 

“Uh… Yes? I can hear you”

...

“Thank heavens! It’s been a week already. I couldn’t pick up anyone’s frequency…”

...

“I’m Hyori by the way!”

...

...

...

“Hello?”

...

“Sorry! Uhm, yeah, nice to meet you! But uh… What do you mean by anyone’s frequency?”

...

“You do this regularly? Like a channel or something?”

…

“Oh gosh, no. *laughs* I’m currently developing something for the company I work with, that’s why the radio.”

…

“A friend of mine suggested it since I need the opinion of strangers… He said this is how he did a survey back in college, so I thought… Let’s risk it!” 

...

“Wouldn’t it be easier doing it the obvious way? Don’t get me wrong! I like the effort *laughs*”

...

...

...

“I thought about the newspaper as well but I don’t know, the idea seemed gnarly…”

…

“What’s your name again?”

...

“*soundly laughter* you’re funny!”

…

“And I’m Namjoon.” 

...

...

“Namjoon… I like it! Nice to meet you, now officially” 

...

“Same!” 

...

...

“Listen, I really gotta run but um… If it’s not asking much, would you please tune in at this frequency tomorrow? It would literally save my life!”

…

“It’s just some silly questions about routines really… Please?”

...

“I mean… Yeah, sure. I see you when I see you or…?” 

...

“What? Nevermind- Are you sure? Can I count on you?” 

...

“Yes, *chuckles* you can”

…

“THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! This is stellar!”

…

“Are you ok with tomorrow by, umm, 4 o’clock?” 

...

...

“I’ll be waiting.”

✩ ━━━━ everythingoes' masterlist here !

[robotsareneat]

It's a monster . . .

So, this is a pretty darn great kit! It's got all the nice stuff that I've come to expect from G-Witch gunpla - great articulation, plastic on plastic joints, cool effects pieces, and just generally a killer design.

And it's got that broom. I love that broom.

But. But.

I think I overhyped myself on it.

I've seen so little negative press about this kit, that in my mind I guess it got a little . . . deified? Like, I went into this convinced that I was just going to have an amazing time, that this would be the best gunpla experience I've ever had and that a choir of angels would be singing the entire time.

Angels had another gig that day.

Don't get me wrong, Calibarn is a fantastic high grade. It's sleek, it's classy, it's got panel lines for days, and right now it's got the coveted Desk Space so that it can be admired when I'm supposed to be working. It truly feels like a culmination of everything I enjoyed about the Aerial and Aerial Rebuild.

But . . . I just don't feel like I can play with it, you know?

Now, I know, I know, it's a kit, not a toy, but generally I like to be able to experiment with different poses and equipment before condemning my kits to the Shelf of Eternal Immobility. This is less a critique on the actual kit itself (little bit of that later) and more a reflection on my own neuroses. I just have real trouble finding a pose with it that I'm fully happy with, but at the same time I don't feel the sense of fun I had when posing kits like the Lfrith or the Demi line.

Now, I do love several things about this kit. The big ol' rocket-broom-rifle, as I'm sure everyone agrees, is fantastic and really fits the vibe of the kit well - and despite what was reported when the kit was first released, I'm happy to say that with some finangling, Calibarn can ride the broom (albeit sidesaddle.) The bit-on form looks amazing, but more importantly the attachment points for when they're not attached don't look particularly incongruous. The big ol' attachment points on the backpack just look like rocket packs! The adjustable slots on the butt just look like a rocket . . . butt? Okay, but they do look cool. And the shield is identical in build to the one that comes with Aerial Rebuild, so you can mix and match them if you want!

In terms of actual build nitpicks - quite a lot of stickers! Doing the end of the broom was an exercise in frustration, and sadly a lot of the colour correcting stickers are in places where it's not really feasible for someone as heavy handed as me to try painting. I gave it a go on a few spots here and there - eyes and headcams as usual, under the forearms, and a touch on the broom's camera - but by and large I was beholden to the stickers.

Another thing I'm not so keen on is the V fin. I love the rainbow effect, it looks incredible from the front, but it's backed by some kind of silvery plastic or paint. It feels very delicate and means that rear shots of the head don't look as nice, but I'm guessing that's there to help the rainbow pop a bit more from the front. Maybe I'll try removing it in the future, I'm not sure yet.

Surprisingly for a HG, Calibarn comes with a stand, but personally I think I'll be swapping it for something a bit sturdier. The V base is okay when just doing a standing pose, but if you try for anything more dynamic then the broom makes it veeeery prone to overbalancing. You can counter this by having the kit facing backwards on the stand, but as you can see it looks a little goofy.

I will say though, I do like the way the feet fold in for high manueverability mode. It really makes it feel like something designed to operate in space, rather than trudging around on the ground with us mere mortals.

Is she perfect? I'd say no. Is she still a lot of fun? Yeah, I'd say so. I did have a few moments in the build that were a bit of a frustrating slog (see above comments about broom stickers, seriously that took me ages cos they're so small and fiddly) but if someone gifted me with another kit of this, I'd build it again.

(If my wife is reading this, please keep continue to encourage this nonsense. I adore every model you get me even if the kits themselves frustrate me at times.)

Calibarn! If you love the suit or don't mind a bit of a fiddly kit with a lot of stickers, go get it!

[astradyke]

mare's phannie recap 2024 <3

HIIII happy new year's eve! i looked back thru my archive and realized i first made this blog on april 2nd of 2024 :) so this is my first real year in the phandom! being active in the tumblr side of this community has brought me so much joy, i've had such a blast on here with all of you <3

STUFF I DID THIS YR:

i wrote a lot of text essays about random bullshit in the summer (yay random bullshit!) which was such a fun era hehe. then i stepped my pussy up and made two web weaves: one about dan, phil, and wedding vows; and the other honoring sister daniel (both of these posted pre-tour btw)

and then i wrote two fics!!! one is about the 2021 era of dnp. the OTHER is about gender exploration. i'm really proud of both of these and amazed by how kind people are towards fics here :) okay yay!!! enough about that :P

STUFF THAT HAPPENED 2 ME THIS YR:

I WENT TO THE TERRIBLE INFLUENCE TOUR!!!!! With two people, one of whom being one of my best friends ever :) i will never forget standing outside and in the venue and getting to talk to so many wonderful phannies who shared their beautiful artwork with me (stickers and custom cards and aah!! sorry i was too anxious to talk to a ton of u but all of u guys were very sweet <3) seeing dan and phil live was such a lifechanging experience, hopefully i will get a tattoo based on TIT someday :')

FOR THOSE WONDERING my cards were: Dan zoomed in looking at the camera weird, Phil pulling strands of his fringe over his face, Dan happily pointing while Phil flips me off, Phil in the cowboy hat, and (what i was most excited about) the cutesy photo of them in their uni hoodies where they're thinking!!! AAAAH that one was my fave :)

ALSO!!!!!!! At the TIT tour I met @bitchslapblastoids who is the loveliest ever and we made a funny post about it. also i didnt meet them but i want to give a shout out to my friend @bassband for being one of the coolest people who ive been able to get to know this year ^_^ o(-( <- girl who likes hyping their friends and is also laying down for some reason

IN CONCLUSION:

i love u guys so much i love being in the phandom so much it makes me really happy :) you guys have re-sparked my interest in writing fic (something i have a notoriously weird history with) and make me feel soooooo safe making stupid textposts n stuff. dnp really did save my life and im really emotional about that so, i hope in the new year some more crazy shit w them happens!!! I love u guys i dunno i think im usually more articulate than this but yeah thats my little year recap ^_^

ALSOOOOO there are too many to directly tag but shout out to my mutuals I love you guys I love you guys a lot you all are so funny and creative and awesome and kind and this space would not be as fun without u so thank u for putting up with my freak :) and also thank u for anyone on this blog at all for REALLY putting up with my freak<333

^bonus tit pic that counts as my new years eve selfie <3

Oh extra bonus favorite 2024 videos (that come to mind rn): our phanniversary newlyweds game, date night with dan and phil, dan and phil massive pizza mukbang 2, getting deep at the slumber party, phantasy mocktails with daniel and philippe, dan and phil's dragon race, what dan and phil text each other 4, roasting ugly mansions on zillow, keeping or yeeting my entire closet with dan, ranking every icon i've ever had, how phil nearly died, and dan and phil going away q&a!

[symphonic-scream]

The Phantom Queers Notes

Thanks to the ever patient Cap for putting up with me gushing about them nonstop! Love you cap

Anyways. Ahem.

Firstly; the Noir's mural. I said it was based off of official art from Mementos Mission? Yeah so I wanted to add that image to this post so anyone who hasn't seen it can see it and know what I meant

So it's like this. But with more vines.

And now onto the notes

Haru's dad slowly adapting to his daughter being with someone like Makoto and just,

Okumura: invite your wife to our next brunch. I'm ready to have a meal with the person who makes you glow

Haru: are you ready for that? Neither of us want to push you

Okumura: I'm ready. I love you, and you love her so much. It's about time I let you show me such

This is after like. Eight years of him knowing Makoto. There were some very awkward talks in the beginning but mans did his research! He knows how to be respectful!

He even frames a photo of their little family and keeps it on his desk, with little trans and lesbian flag stickers in the corners. He updates it every year as his grandsons grow older

(THATS RIGHT I HAVE MORE ABOUT THE SONS YOULL GET TO LEARN ABOUT THEM)

Teenage Makoto and Haru going to see a spy movie as their first date as girlfriends, Makoto nervous because sure Haru knows she's trans already, but what if-

They end up making out halfway through in the back of the theatre.

Haru: this was lovely! We should go on some more dates, yes?

Makoto: y-yeah! That would be very nice,

And Haru gives her a goodbye kiss, a full one right out in the middle of the street, waving her fingers with a little wink as she gets on her train, Makoto just standing there watching her new girlfriend walk away with her heart beating out of her chest

Their first place together is a dorm at university. They push the beds together to make a double, though they sleep so closely they'd only need a single. Little flags on the bag of the door, little polaroids from dates and hangouts with their new friends on a wall, the way Makoto's study space is sparse, with clicky pens and things to safely chew on, and Haru's having plants and life and so many colours-

Makoto finding out Haru's actually pregnant and just. She's so relieved. She didn't ruin it all for her love,

But Haru would've been so happy either way, even if their kid didn't have Makoto's eyes or, like their second and third, her rebellion and cute little nose-

Okay gonna lay out the sons real quick! They have three sons; Seiji is their first born, has Makoto's sharp red eyes, Haru's curls, and a general softer shape to him. When he's like middle school age he goes a bit emo, remains into dark colours and music. And he loves to cook! Loves food

Then there's the twins, Kazuto and Hiroto. Dark curls, Haru's softer eyes, but they have that Niijima spark, they look more like Makoto did as a kid. Identical twins too! Pure evil. Menaces. Cunning and with sharp grins, their moms are lucky they aren't into arson

Sae, just barely out of university, now the legal guardian of her little brother and just. Sitting there as this little middle schooler comes out to her, and-

Well. She has to do everything she can for her sister.

Makoto: here, let's look at my childhood photos

Hifumi: you, do that? Look at photos from before you transitioned?

Makoto: it's different for everyone. I'm fine with it, I know Yusuke has a select few saved, Futaba doesn't like it for other reasons-

Makoto: I did change my name though. We have nothing that remains with my dead name on it. That is where I draw my boundaries. I cannot handle hearing it on my worst days

Hifumi: I see

Makoto: it wasn't me. And while I'm not as feminine as you or Haru, I'm still a woman

Hifumi: I'm starting to make sense of this all, thank you so much

Makoto: that's what family is for, sis

-new note-

Haru: if you want to discuss, hm, reassignment procedures, with someone, I know Yusuke is rather open about his. He'll even give you his professional's number

Hifumi: why are you saying it that way?

Haru: Makoto has, a thing with. *Hospitals*. So, I tend to reword those things

-new note-

Makoto: I'll wake up early and make Haru breakfast in bed for our first mother's day, I'll have the little one strapped to my chest nothing can go wrong!

Hifumi: what happened to you

Makoto, sitting on the kitchen floor covered in flour and butter, her infant son playing with Johanna on the couch: I tried to cook with a baby. Help me please

Hifumi entertains the baby while Makoto makes a plate of scones, an omelette, and a little fruit salad for her wife

"I just get so distracted when he's with me. I lost all focus"

"yeah but the flour?"

"I was measuring it. Saw Seiji clap. So, I clapped."

"Ah."

Haru wakes up to her son giggling on Makoto's side of the bed, her wife tracing soft kisses up from her hand

"happy mother's day, baby"

"Happy mother's day, Love"

They both have the day off, and just spend a nice day with their lil guy

Haru: if this is mother's day, I wonder what you'll do for my birthday?

Makoto: ah, well Seiji won't be helping me with those plans. That'll be a very special night out, just us two. After a morning with his plans of course

Haru: I'm so lucky I have you,

Makoto: sjdbskdhxidbdj baby,,

-new note-

Makoto: happy birthday baby

Haru: you, bought that small building between us and the shop next door?

Makoto: let's go inside and you'll see your gift. Full home gym, with a little sauna and hot tub room in the back

Haru: ...not gonna lie Love this looks more like a gift for you

Makoto: did you notice the lounge chairs? This is a private show for you~ I know you hate coming to the gym to watch me, so-

Haru: I LOVE IT

Makoto: you can have a private showing whenever you'd like, baby. All for you

Haru: can we, have a go right now?

Makoto: of course. Are you okay with me working on arms and upper body?

Haru: YES

haru just in her lil lounge chair aggresively sipping water

cause shes thirsty

(green was Cap akfhdj)

Staring at the back muscles

Makoto has to wear a long sleeve shirt to her run with Ryuji the next morning. Normally she runs in the like, sports bra thing. But her arms, back, and abs are. Covered. From Haru enjoying her gift

Haru: I'm gonna kiss every muscle on you

Makoto: oh wow

Ryuji: whyre you wearing a shirt? You hate the sweat cling

Makoto: Haru's birthday yesterday

Ryuji: ...fuck I forgot to get her anything she's gonna kill me- wait. GROSS DUDE DONT TELL ME ABOUT-

Makoto: I DIDNT MAN STOP YELLING

Makoto and Haru at like a parents night for the preschool Seiji goes to just trying to ignore the straight gossip going around all around them

One couple: hehe we're trying to give her a sibling, trying for a baby is soooo much work

Makoto: ...they're just openly admitting they fu-

Haru: shh, Love. I know. Don't get too stressed though, you have to be in good health for our appointment tomorrow.

Makoto: think we should tell people we're also trying? But heavily imply we're just fu-

Haru: yes. Absolutely. Put your hand in my back pocket, I'll leave a little mark on your neck-

Makoto excitedly explains this at the appointment they go to the next morning, she's had to take those. Relax pills before so she's a lil loopy, and Haru just smiles so tenderly as they run the tests on her wife. She loves their little family,, so glad the medical field has a way for them to have kids (I'm making shit up idk man. Au magic this world made it possible I don't wanna think about it too hard)

Makoto: ...do you also find it weird we only have sons

Haru: shh don't think Love. Happy moment, no gender thoughts. Hold one of the twins, be mesmerized by the baby

Haru adores her wife and their sons so much. Even if their oldest turns emo and the twins are feral demons

Akira: when I first met you two you were getting the drunkest out of the group at every night out, dancing all over each other- I'm pretty sure you two were making out more than you weren't

Makoto: I remember our uni days, ha

Haru: mm, good times

Ann: you guys were. All over each other then

Haru: it was our first time getting to be open about us! It was exciting.

Makoto: we're just as all over each other now, we just know how to close doors

Ryuji: and DONT ACT LIKE YOU AND SHIHO DONT JUST MAKE OUT ON THE COUCH

Ann, three drinks in: you think that's all we do on that couch?

Yusuke: ...I think we need to sober her up before my roommates kill each other

Akechi, already grabbing the hose: on it

Ann and Ryuji, very wet the next minute:

Akechi: problem solved. Hey, lesbians. If you get too handsy you're getting sprayed next

Haru holds her hands up in the "don't shoot" position

Hifumi just sits to the side and drinks with Futaba, watching them all

Futaba: you want to stay on our couch tonight? Going home with Mrs and Mrs "Horny Drunk" won't lead to good things for your mental health

Hifumi: ...please tell me you're not speaking from experience

Futaba: me? No. Goro? Oh yes. Watching him be unable to look at either of them for four months was hilarious

Hifumi makes it back home around noon and notices only Makoto is in the house space

Hifumi: hey, where's Haru?

Makoto: hm? Oh, she's working downstairs. Want some tea? I can make you a plate of eggs?

Hifumi: Haru out drank everyone, how is she functioning?

Makoto: she's somehow immune to the hangover. Nah, I'm kidding. She drank water between every drink. Then it was the Gatorade and coffee mix, with a plate of my "Hangover Eggs". Neither of us have ever had a rough morning. Not since the first month of uni

Hifumi: ...I'll take a plate of the eggs, please

The day Haru finds out she's pregnant is. One of the best days in their household

She and Makoto had been having monthly appointments with their doctor over the last year, and. She'd felt off since the week after the last one but- she thought takin the test was wishful thinking

But the eight tests all read positive and- man she's gotta think of a way to tell Makoto

Before she gets a chance some dude tries to rob Noir's, barely nicks her with his knife but she goes to the hospital as a precaution cause tetanus

Makoto gets a call from one of the workers telling her her wife is at the hospital, they were robbed, and she gets there and is so relieved to see Haru looking alright, just some bandages around her arm, and Haru just Smiles

Eventually a doctor comes in to give Haru the all clear, but he pauses before they leave like: oh, and we did check. You're coming along just fine

Makoto: what does that mean?

Doctor: the pregnancy. Ms Okumura is early on, but all is going well

Makoto: ...it worked? Youre-

Haru: surprise?

Makoto is excitedly telling everyone for the next few months. Sure Haru was the one who wanted children more of the two, but that doesn't mean Makoto didn't want this. Her wife is pregnant! They're having a kid! And by some miracle, it's their kid

Ann: wait. How

Yusuke: but. You're on estrogen? There should be no way-

Ryuji: GROSS YOU GUYS DID IT?!

Shiho: ...Ryuji, stay on point here

Haru: science

Makoto: lesbian magic

Goro: I'm not watching your little spawn

Akira: dibs on godfather!

Futaba: in surprised you kept it a secret this long. Both of you suck at secrets

Makoto: no we don't

Haru: ...love you accidentally told me you were going to propose three days before you did it

They're much more open when they decide to go for a second kid, mostly because they're more convinced it'll work this time

Ryuji: gross

Ann: we already went over this. Science baby. Not like with straight people

Ryuji: but still

Makoto: you've known us for like ten years. How are you still like this

Ryuji: IDK YOU GUYS ARE LIKE THE PSEUDO MOMS I DONT WANNA THINK ABOUT YALL FUCKING

Makoto: so stop thinking about it?

Ryuji: ...oh.

Ann: DUDE SERIOUSLY

Then there's a bit about Ann and Shiho, how they decide to have a donor baby, and. End up with Triplets. Two daughters; Asami, Nikko. And then a son, Tsukito

Makoto: Seiji, turn off the TV, go play with the trio

Seiji: but mom, they're playing field hospital again. They're gonna make me the patient

Makoto: buddy, sometimes we have to make sacrifices. You and I will have a day to ourselves if you do it, okay?

Seiji: can we go to the farmers market?

Makoto: uh sure

Seiji has the red eyes but the twins are pure evil

Makoto: Kazu, Hiro, how did you get up there

The twins, literally on the roof: climbed

The twins have the like innocent Haru smile. Devious

There's cunning behind those eyes. They have the Niijima mind

Kazu: mom I don't feel good

Makoto: oh no, what happened- ...why is there a pencil in your arm

Hiro: hi mom

Makoto: ...both of you. What happened. Why are there pencils in your arms

Kazu and Hiro: we wanted to see if we could stab each other hard enough

Makoto: get in the car we're going to the hospital

Kazu: we're going on a hunger strike

Hiro: we want the bigger room. There's two of us

Seiji: I'm older. Nice try.

Kazu: we will make you give in

Hiro: I'm studying up on CIA torture tactics

Kazu: we both take martial arts. You will give us the room

Seiji: oh yeah? You think I won't survive? Try me

Makoto: baby the boys are waging war

Haru: eh, they're tire each other out. Feel up for a workout?

Makoto: HARU WE HAVE A PROBLEM

Haru, who was working the shop downstairs: Love? What's wrong

Makoto: I lost the babies

Haru: ...what

Makoto: I didn't think they'd figure out how to open the door i- baby the babies fucking got out-

Seiji: they're under the couch they just opened it and went under the couch

Makoto: what did we do to deserve this

Haru: I mean, we did fuck at a party and break the urn with someone's grandmother's ash's in uni

Makoto: oh yeah. And then we blamed Goro

Uni Makoto and Haru are just. A different breed. Them in high school was sweet, them after is domestic with a hint of spice, but. The in between.

They all go to the grand opening of Noir and. Just stare at how normal the two are

Ann: no visible hickies... It's a miracle

Akira: I can't believe it. They've been tamed

Haru: hi darling, think you'll lie on your stomach for me?

Makoto: ngh, wait, its-

Haru: don't think about it. We'll get your shot over with quick, and then we can have the day in bed. I promise. We took today off for a reason

Makoto: nooo I don't want it,

Haru: you're just saying that, you love you. You won't be the you you worked so hard for if you weren't brave enough for a little shot

Makoto: ...will it be quick?

Haru: I'll even numb the area with ice

Makoto: and we can kiss all day?

Haru: whatever you want

Makoto: fine. Give me the e,

Haru: you call me baby and yet,

Makoto: OW

Haru: that's the ice, Love

Haru: there, all done.

Makoto: did you use the

Haru: yes, I used the Buchimaru band aid

Makoto: I love you so much

Haru: I love you too

Makoto: kiss time?

Haru: I suppose~

Makoto later on: hey, thanks for not listening. I'm already feeling better

Haru: I know darling, it's hard to stab you sometimes but I know it's what makes my girl happiest

Makoto: mm,

Sae: since you two are going to be rooming together when you go off to uni, it's time I passed on the torch

Haru: oh?

Sae: Makoto is a coward about her hormone shots. No matter how much she says she doesn't want it, she does. Unless she has a serious conversation about detransitioning on a non shot day, don't listen. Give her a lollipop or something, anything else to focus on. She does best lying down. She can't kick you if you sit on her calves-

Haru: i- have you been doing this all this time?

Sae: yes. And now we will have the awkward experience of me helping you give her the shot. It'll be weird. But it'll be your responsibility as her partner

Haru: I'm ready, Chief

Makoto: hey, sis- Haru? Wait, no

Sae: yes. Pants off. Lie down.

Makoto: NO WAIT I CHANGED MY MIND I WANNA BE A GUY

Haru: will you lie down for me my Love?

Makoto: ...uh yeah

Sae: pants.

Makoto: bite me.

Sae: Makoto, you know this is what's best for you

Makoto: lies

Haru: I'll hold your hand if that helps? And give you a kiss after for being so brave?

Makoto: you're much more convincing than sis

Sae: alright Haru, that's it. You did it, congrats

Makoto: I'm dead. You killed me

Haru: you're rather attractive for a corpse

Sae: I'm leaving now. I'll bring home dinner. Don't do anything stupid

Hifumi: oh I do my own shots

Haru: my wife is just a big baby about them, and I mean that affectionately

Makoto: yeah I. Don't do well with anything of that sort

Haru: our fertility appointments are. Very planned. She takes one of those relaxation pills before we go

Makoto: it's tough but it's worth it for the chance to give Haru anything she desires

Makoto is the most doting wife while Haru is pregnant. Foot rubs, vitamins, skin creams and talking to their son every day

"today your mama gave your mom her shot. That's right, your mama shot me"

"Makoto-"

"just kidding kid. She helped me feel more like myself, and I love her so much. You've got the best mama ever"

"They have the best mom too"

Haru: ...Makoto?

Makoto: it's 2 am,, what is it baby?

Haru: I want. Cold soba noodles

Makoto: easy enough,

Haru: covered in chocolate

Makoto: ...

Slow dancing in the kitchen, Makoto behind Haru, hands entwined over Haru's dark apron, heads leaned together

Makoto: a night to ourselves,

Haru: Hifumi moved out a year ago, and the kids are staying at the Quad,, so it's just us

Makoto: shall we treat ourselves? I can make you steak? Break out the good wine? We can have a nice bath, turn in early for some, us time

Haru: can you make baked potato with the steak?

Makoto: anything for you

Haru: carry me to bed later?

Makoto: of course

Buff Makoto and her pudgy baker wife, And their emo chef son and two demon spawns

Thinking back to scared little high school Makoto, more scrawny than anything, and petite Haru seated beside her, their pinkies barely entwined, both blushing and looking away

To Uni them, with Makoto playing rugby recreationally and Haru being very much a fan of that, them making out and boinking literally anywhere possible, somehow like top of their classes while still going all out for the fun side of things

Makoto being very awkward with Haru's dad.

Kunikazu: so. You are. Transgender?

Makoto: yep.

Kunikazu: you want to be, a boy?

Makoto: w-wrong direction, sir

Haru: you can't do anything, father. I love her.

Kunikazu: I see

Makoto: ...can I go home? And hire a bodyguard?

Kunikazu: I suppose you two can live together. Just. I do not want a surprise grandchild

Haru: that's not even possible

Makoto: yeah I'm leaving

Haru: father and I will be having monthly brunch

Makoto: oh, joy,

Haru: just us. You're not invited

Makoto: ...did he-

Haru: I uninvited you

Makoto: I love you so much

Haru: no marks, I'm seeing my dad tomorrow! Makoto-

Makoto: but baby,

Haru: ...no visible marks at least

Makoto: ...fuck I forgot the rule

Haru: it's, well. I didn't try to stop you,

Makoto: your dad is gonna murder me

Haru: he won't, he likes you, he's just. Still in his learning phase

Makoto: yeah but you're gonna walk in tomorrow looking like a dalmatian

Haru inventing the Gatorade coffee in university after a night of. Heavy drinking with her girlfriend. Waking up and feeling like death itself and just. Trying to make coffee but she's barely looking and brews it with. Gatorade instead of water

Haru: I know you spoke to Yusuke, but Makoto gave me permission to tell you about her surgery experience

Hifumi: oh?

Haru: she had top, which I'm sure you've noticed by now. She likes to ditch the shirt more than usual

Hifumi: yes

Haru: but she had such a horrible time recovering she cancelled for bottom and just. Never got it

Hifumi: oh. And she's okay with that?

Haru: it works for her. Makoto's never been, violently dysphoric about her body. Not since I met her. Her voice was one thing, but now she's at her best

Hifumi: thank you for sharing, and tell her thanks too

Haru: of course! And let me know if you need someone for care afterwards or to drive you to and from

Haru dealing with miserable Makoto post op from top and just

Haru: my poor girl,

Makoto: I'm dying,,

Makoto: but at least I'll die with boobs,

Haru: okay let's give you some more pain meds, HEY DONT TOUCH, MAKOTO-

Makoto: ow,,,

Makoto: I just wanted to feel,

Haru: I know you and your hands, but give it some recovery time, please

Sae walking into Makoto's room during their first sleepover in high school and just. Seeing the two all curled up, the content looks on their faces, She sees Makoto stir and the minor look of horror on her face at getting caught by her sister but, Sae just smiles, whispers a loud goodnight, and turns back

Haru nuzzles closer, and Makoto just. Smiles.

Them watching Seiji in a school play and just trying not to fight the group of mom's at the back of the room who are chatting

Makoto: the disrespect-

Haru: Love his line is coming up, make sure the camera is on!

Makoto: wait, shit, where did the twins go?

Haru: ...we can worry about bailing them out later

Surprisingly that's it?? But one last joke Cap made that I felt I needed to share

"of course Makoto's trans her Persona is a Transformer"

[imaginationofomi]

Come Together

Three

"Look at you just flourishing. My beautiful babies," Nayeli cooed affectionately at her broccoli, celery and carrot planter boxes, trimming away what needed to be cleaned up and pressing her fingers into the soil as she spoke love and positive affirmations over her vegetables.

The potatoes were next, nearly ready for harvest, and considering it was her first year planting them, she couldn't help but be overly excited to see, feel, and eat what she grew. Her green thumb arrived at a young age thanks to her paternal grandparents.

They owned a nursery, a floral business, and a community garden. Time with them was spent in the dirt, learning which plants liked what, what needed more or less sunlight. She learned enough for her to be able to grow just about anything she touched.

The yard wasn't very big, but she made do with the space she had. Her small concrete patio held a love seat and two matching chairs that surrounded a square, stone fire pit and faced the garden. An avocado tree stood tall in the far left corner, providing shade to a swing. Six rectangular planter boxes were arranged in twos just in front of a blossoming pomegranate tree. The right side of the yard was flanked by orange, lemon, lime and kumquat trees. Her second happy place.

A notification from the Ring app popped up on her phone, and she watched a UPS driver leave a large box on her porch. Not anticipating a delivery, she got up to bring it inside. Jalen's name was on the sticker, so she left it by the front door for him to open when he got home from the sports bar with his friends.

She relished in the time away from him. For the last week, tensions ran high in their home. Nayeli was tired of his piss poor attitude, and he was annoyed because she refused to see things from his point of view. They couldn't be in the same room for more than ten minutes without butting heads about something. 

It weighed heavily on her heart. The first three years of their relationship, they never argued. Disagreed, yes. Every couple had disagreements, but they were always gentle with each other, from words to physical contact. Not anymore.

Harsh sentences flew from their lips, and it broke Nayeli's heart that they'd reached that point. It was unlike her, which made her think the relationship was running its course. They were obviously no longer on the same page, and she wanted nothing more than for them to return to normal. 

Six years of her life were spent nurturing the bond she once thought would carry her through the end of time. She thought she'd found her person, the other half of her soul. Time was proving her wrong. Or maybe they were just in a rut.

She didn't want to see them end. She never loved anyone as much as she loved Jalen. Her heart tore in her chest at the thought of separating.

"Nye," an unenthused voice spoke from inside the house. She momentarily craned her neck to look through the sliding glass door, her mood dampening further when Jalen stepped out onto the patio frowning.

"Hi," she answered softly and directed her attention back to the garden. Finished watering and weeding, she tugged the gardening gloves off of her hands and took them to the basket that held the rest of her tools, "Did you have a good time?"

"Yeah."

"Good." She tried to walk past him to put more than a few feet of space between them, but he reached for her elbow, halting her steps, "I do not feel like arguing with you right now. Please let me go."

"I think we should talk."

"That hasn't gone well for us, so I'm going to pass for the time being." It was getting them nowhere, and she didn't think they could survive another blowup. She wanted to hold onto the good memories of them for as long as she could. Pulling out of his grip, she continued her walk into the house with him following behind her, "Jalen, I'm serious. I'm not in the right headspace to have a conversation with you."

Tears were filling her eyes fast, and crying in front of him wouldn't garner her any sympathy. She could have snot dripping from her nose. He would remain unmoved. Aside from expressing irritation, excitement, or the occasional shock, he was the least emotional person she knew, the total opposite of her. It was what balanced them out, but the lack of emotional fulfillment was getting to her.

"I'm sorry," he said quickly, reaching for her arm again.

"Why, exactly?" She didn't believe the moment was genuine. She felt that he was apologizing simply to say he was the bigger person in the situation. He owed her an apology for many reasons, but she was losing faith that he cared. That hurt worse than anything else, realizing she wasn't nearly as important to him as he was to her.

"How I've acted the last few days."

"It's been more than a few days."

"I know," he sighed and dropped his head, rubbing his eyebrows before he slipped the fingers of both hands through hers. "I'm stressed, and I've been taking it out on you. It's not fair. I'm sorry."

She waited, hoping that he would say more, praying that he would show even a little bit of sincerity, but his mud brown eyes were hollow and unfeeling. The hot tears that had been building slid down her cheeks the second she blinked, and she inhaled hard, taking her hands out of his to wipe her face.

"Thanks. I'm gonna go for a drive." Snatching her keys from the bowl by the front door, she sprinted to the driveway and jumped into her car. She peeled out so fast she nearly hit the trashcans and recycle bin Jalen set out that morning, tires squeaking as she turned her steering wheel and sped out of her neighborhood.

The further away from him she got, the better she would feel. Or so she thought. She drove to her favorite park and left her car in the lot. It was empty, like most days. The equipment was older, nets hanging from basketball hoops either ripped or gone entirely, sharp rocks and old wrappers littering the sand around the jungle gym and monkey bars. It was all in need of a little TLC, and until that happened, people would opt out of visiting. Nayeli didn't mind.

She headed straight for the swing set she grew up jumping off of. The chains were creaky and rusted, sky blue plastic seat cracked near the metal it was suspended from. Kicking wood chips with the tip of her shoe, she allowed herself to sob as she wondered where she went wrong.

Moving in together without more of a commitment? Allowing Jalen to carry on as if he were her husband without knowing for sure if he wanted to be? He claimed to want marriage during their early days. He said he wanted everything she wanted. They'd picked names, decided what order they wanted to have their four sons and daughters in, where in the city they would move so the kids could go to the best schools.

There were plenty of conversations, and she thought that eventually everything would happen as it should've. It was naïve of her to think that way, naïve of her to wait six years for something that could possibly never happen.

For over an hour, she sat on that swing, kicking wood chips and crying because she wanted to be wrong. She still had hope that one day Jalen would propose, that they would spend the rest of their lives making each other happy. That was all she wanted.

☼☼☼

Time slowed considerably, displeasing Nayeli further along with her current state of affairs. Days were never ending, dragging on until thinking became close to unbearable. Nights were silent and lonely. The space between her and Jalen continued to grow.

No cuddling. No affection. Simple sentences. She had a roommate, not a boyfriend.

Sitting at the table in the back of the bakery, she picked at a turkey and mozzarella panini while attempting to enjoy her lunch break. Most of the tables around her were full, and the door continuously swung open to let the next patron in. People watching became a good distraction until the chair across from her scraped against the floor. Her eyes flickered to the other side of her table, and a genuine smile graced her face.

"Proper etiquette would be to ask before you just invite yourself to someone's table," she teased, sitting up a little straighter and toying with the curl in front of her left ear.

"Forgive my deplorable manners. Is anybody sitting here?" Ezra asked and returned her smile. He'd been hoping to run into her, even dropped by a couple of times, but they always seemed to miss each other. God smiled on him that day.

"You are now. All yours in a minute. It's almost time for me to get back to work. How's the princess?"

"She's good. I have to pick her up from school in a couple of hours. Can the boss extend her break for a while?"

"I can make an exception if I have a good reason," Nayeli said, setting her chin in her palm.

Ezra sat quietly, admiring her face for several long seconds before it registered that she was waiting for a response. A folded piece of paper sat in the pocket of his jacket. He pulled it out and handed it to her, "I have that list you asked for."

"You could've emailed it to me." She took the paper square and opened it into a full sheet, scanning the short list of two people with food allergies and the final dessert choices.

"I thought it would be better to hand deliver it."

"Admit it, you just wanted to see me."

"I did."

Nayeli's eyes widened and watered as saliva slid down the wrong pipe, and she coughed, not expecting his answer.

"What?"

"I wanted to see you," he told her.

"Oh, I was....kidding. And so are you," she replied when she saw him chuckling. He was just yanking her chain.

"I wasn't, actually, but you're cute when you're nervous." His dimples made her comfortable, but the whole moment was slightly unnerving. Out of all the people she met in her lifetime, he was the easiest to talk to. A complete stranger.

"Thank you." She felt a weird bit of excitement in his presence, an itch to know him deeper, "Why did you want to see me?"

"Would you think I was crazy if I said I feel like we've met before?" he asked, eyes turning nervous as they searched hers.

"No. Small world and all that. Maybe we have met before, in this life or a previous one."

"You believe in reincarnation?"

"Strangely, yes."

"Why is it strange?"

"I'm sure you don't meet a lot of Catholics that do."

"I can't say I have. It goes against the religion."

"Yes, but to be honest, I find it all fascinating. Though there are differences throughout, some large, some small, the fundamental teachings are really all the same. Do unto others as you would have them do onto you. Discern right from wrong. Live everyday as your best self and strive to be better. I was raised Catholic and attend church regularly, but I don't view one religion above another. We're all doing what we're taught or what brings us peace," she explained, momentarily biting her tongue when Ezra tilted his head in curiosity. He was listening intently, which made her feel safe enough to continue, "Sorry. I don't mean to ramble. I took a couple of courses in college, read some books, and I think no matter what angle you come at it, there are always going to be things to disagree with, things we don't like or understand. Things we would prefer to believe, but what is the truth? We don't know, and that's okay. We're supposed to question it all. "Faith and doubt go hand in hand. They are complementaries. One who never doubts never truly believes"."

"Hermann Hesse."

She didn't expect him to know who the quote was by. They shared another smile, and she became even more curious about him. The rest of the world knew "EJ". She wanted to know Ezra.

"Exactly. I think we got a little off topic, though. You said you feel like we've met before." Steering the conversation back to its original direction, she began to flip through her memories, hoping to catch something that would provide insight.

"Yes."

"Do you feel like it might've been recent? Within the last five years?"

"I don't know, but when I saw you for the first time, it didn't feel like the first time." He didn't want to tell her that he dreamt about her. He knew for sure that would freak her out, but there was an odd connection between them that he wanted to explore.

It confused him. Why did he dream about her? Were the dreams a message? Why did it feel like they'd been acquainted for years?

"I thought you looked at me like you knew me," Nayeli said, studying his face and trying to trigger a memory. She kept coming up blank.

"Do I seem familiar to you?"

"At certain moments, you do. Maybe we should visit a hypnotist and dig into our pasts." There was success in the process. She knew a few people who swore by hypnotherapy, but she made the suggestion as a joke.

"Hypnosis is a scam," Ezra said firmly causing her to laugh at the stern look on his face.

"I don't know about a scam. You could argue a placebo effect. It works on people that want it to work and believe it will."

"It's a scam."

"Everyone is entitled to an opinion." Her giggling quieted down and she scanned the space periodically to make sure she wasn't needed, "Are you from Briton Beach? It's possible we've seen each other around. I've spent most of my life here."

"No, I'm from Inglewood. I've been here for about a year."

"Hm. Then I can't imagine where we would've met."

"It's a good thing we did." Reaching across the table, he put his hand over hers. His palm was warm and rough, hands she expected from a man that squabbled for a living.

"Hey."

Nayeli and Ezra looked up at the person interrupting their conversation, and she felt her face heat just before she became lightheaded. 

"Jalen, hey. What are you doing here?" She blinked a few times and swallowed to help cure the dryness in her mouth.

"I thought I'd surprise you and take you out for lunch, but I see you already ate."

Palpable tension built between the three of them, walls metaphorically closing in and making her feel suffocated. Jalen glanced at her half eaten sandwich and then at Ezra before looking at Nayeli.

"Thank you. That's sweet, but you've never surprised me at work before. You should've called," she said.

"Why? Am I interrupting something?"

[marshmallowprotection]

Positivity time!

I find myself in bittersweet moments really often in a fandom like this one, where a lot of people have come and gone in my little space online here, I've made a lot of friends I don't talk one on one with anymore but remain mutually with and I'm grateful for the memories and conversations we shared. I miss so many of them and get happy to see when they pop up on my feed on the rare occasion.

What have been some of your favorite "ups" about meeting people within the fandom over the years?

God, there's been a lot of them over the years. I have this fandom to thank for getting me out of a toxic, abusive relationship, for one. That is something I will forever be grateful for. I'm grateful for the game as well in that regard, because certain characters helped me reflect on a lot of self-sacrificial traits and how I should strive to value myself a lot more than I did. That's a kind of gratitude you aren't sure you can ever repay but you still try to every day because kindness spreads. A smile or act of kindness can change someone's life and you might never be aware of that fact.

There's been a lot of little moments, too. Like, camel V is one of those jokes. I use MM bots on Discord and one time I used the wrong proxy to prompt my bot, and I hit "camel" instead of "camera" for V, and I'm afraid that's how that meme was born.

My western AU is also a byproduct of me joking around with folks in the fandom about Unknown's boots and then I made a full blown AU for it just to prove that I could do it, and it's one of my most cherished stories to date because of all the interaction and engagement it got! I still get people sending me messages about it to this day. I love when someone shows me their MC drawn as the reader-insert.

God, I love it when that happens for any reader-insert story. Please, if you ever draw your MCs in my stories, tell me, I want to see it. I love it because you never know how someone imagines their character. I love seeing people's characters and the love they put into them.

There have been a lot of stand-out moments and it's hard to pick just a few of them. I've spoken to all kinds of people, and I find peace with the thought that writing something for them made a difference in the long run. I know that's not going to fix something for someone, but I know that being told someone really loves you, especially your very favorite character, can help you after a horrible day. It's the little acts of kindness, you know? I've had people tell me before that made their day and it makes my day in return.

I just love being in this community because we get to inspire each other and thrive in what we love. Yeah, we're bonding over a game, but that bond can run deeper when you see the labor of love others put into what they're creating for it. I am always so proud to see so many fans shamelessly enjoying creating things they love, those are my favorite moments. When I see someone make something without hesitating or feeling afraid of being "cringy."

Make Saeyoung a catboy. Put V in a maid dress. Draw Jumin playing LOLOL with Yoosung. Put Yoosung in a room with Gordon Ramsay. Have Zen enter any of your favorite musicals to see what he might be! Design cakes for Jaehee at her bakery and be the first one to eat them! Go on a picnic with Saeran. Roller skate your way into Vanderwood's heart. Woo Rika with your sticker collection! There's no limit to what you can do!

[atths--twice]

Faith and Hedy

Faith has been chosen as star of the week at preschool. You know Mulder is just as excited as she is with this news. ❤️ Number 54 in the family series.

March 16, 2023 9:30 p.m.

“Scully,” Mulder said, as he walked into the office and sat down on the overstuffed gray chair. “We need to talk about something.”

“What is it?” she asked, turning from the laptop to face him. “Is everything okay?”

“I just got an email from the school,” he said and she frowned looking over her shoulder at the laptop.

“I didn’t see an email,” she said. “But I haven’t checked it in a few minutes. Is everything alright?” She looked back at him, her eyebrows raised in curiosity.

“Well…” He sighed and she drew in deep breath.

“Oh… it’s not something awful is it? Please don’t say it’s a virus. They already had the foot and mouth warning and I can’t take-”

“No. It’s not that.”

“Mulder…”

“Faith is going to be the star of the week,” he said with a grin. “They wanted us to know because it involves bringing home the class stuffed animal and taking pictures with it while she has it and then putting them into the class book, that will also come home with her, telling about what we did while it was with us.”

Scully stared at him and then turned back to her laptop with a shake of her head.

“What-”

“Mulder,” she said as she opened her email and clicked on the message from the school, reading it with a sigh. “You need to work on your delivery of good news as opposed to what could be a detrimental situation for all of us.”

“I thought you’d be happy. Faith has been wanting this for weeks now. She talks about it all the time.”

“I am happy,” she said, turning toward him again. “But you scared the shit out of me. I thought something awful was happening. Good news needs to be shared in a different way.” She raised her eyebrows and he smiled.

“Yeah. I suppose I probably could have had a better approach.”

“Probably?” she scoffed and he laughed, rising from the chair, coming closer to kiss her. But she pulled back, narrowing her eyes at him, then turned her head so he could kiss her cheek instead. “Oh, it’s like that is it?”

“It is for right now as I’m still imagining all the horrible things that could have been wrong.”

“Be more positive, Scully. See the light and not the darkness,” he teased and when she turned her head, a sarcastic comment most likely at the ready, he kissed her quickly on the lips and then jumped back before she could do anything.

“You dick,” she laughed, shaking her head. He winked and walked out of the room, laughing as a small couch pillow flew out behind him.

__________

“Daddy! Daddy!” Faith yelled as he walked into the classroom to pick her up the next afternoon. She ran to him, her smile huge. “Daddy! I get to be the star! I’m the star and I get to bring Hedy home with me.”

“Hedy?”

“Hedy the hedgehog! That’s her name, remember? I get to bring her home and have her for a whole week. That’s seven days, Daddy,” she said, as he picked her up and smiled, the shamrocks on her green headband bouncing.

“That’s right. So you’re the star of the week?”

“Yeah!” She threw her arms around his neck, squeezing him tightly as he closed his eyes and hugged her back.

“That’s fantastic news, my love. I know you’ve been wanting this for a long time.”

“Mr. Mulder?”

Mulder opened his eyes and smiled at Faith’s teacher Miss Cole. She smiled back as she held the hedgehog, a large book, and a manilla folder.

“As you heard, Faith has been selected as our star of the week.”

“Yes, I did. We’re very excited.”

“Very, very excited,” Faith said, smiling and nodding at Miss Cole.

“Good, I’m very glad,” she said with a small chuckle. “This is Hedy’s book where you may add pictures, stories, stickers, drawings- whatever you’d like to do. Within reason, of course.” She gave Mulder a look and he nodded with an understanding smile. “Please only use four pages maximum, so we will have space for all of our other friends.”

“We’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time. Those pages will be filled in no time,” Mulder assured her.

“Wonderful. I’m excited to see what you will do with Hedy,” Miss Cole said, handing the hedgehog to Faith, who grinned as she took it, squeezing it happily.

“Honey, can you go get your backpack and stuff from your cubby while I take this stuff from Miss Cole?” Mulder asked Faith and she nodded. He set her down and she ran off to get her things.

“I want you to know,” Miss Cole said. “Every time Hedy is returned to us, she is washed, dried, and then placed on the shelf where we can see her, but not touch her. I fully understand if you also want to wash her, but I just wanted you to be aware that we do wash her when she is returned.”

“Thank you,” Mulder said with a nod. “That’s good to know and I’m sure she will also be receiving a wash once we’re home.”

“Completely understandable,” Miss Cole said as she smiled, looking down at the stuff she still held. “Here is everything else that you’ll need and instructions on what Faith gets to do when she comes back to school next week. I know we sent you an email, but it’s good to have a physical copy as well.”

“Thank you,” Mulder said, taking everything from her as he saw Faith talking to Sadie and showing her the hedgehog in her arms. “She’s really been excited for her turn with Hedy.”

“She’s a sweet little girl,” Miss Cole said, looking at Faith with a smile. “Always so kind and curious. I’m glad she’s so excited.”

Mulder smiled proudly at the praise bestowed upon Faith, nodding his head in agreement.

“Daddy!” Faith said, running back to him as she called goodbye to Sadie. “Can we take Hedy to the park? I think she will like the swings.”

“Sure we can. You ready?”

“Yes! Bye, Miss Cole. We’re going to take Hedy to the park.”

“Have fun with her, Faith. I can’t wait to see the pictures you will add to the book.” Miss Cole gave her a side hug and booped Hedy on the nose. “See you soon, Hedy.”

“Bye, Miss Cole,” Faith said, waving Hedy’s small foot, smiling at Miss Cole.

“Bye, Faith. Goodbye, Mr. Mulder.” She nodded at them and walked back to the other children.

“Alright! You ready to go try out some swings at the park, Hedy?” Mulder asked, shifting the things in his hands to take Faith’s backpack from her.

“Yeah!” Faith shouted, dancing the hedgehog happily in the air.

______________

“These are so cute,” Scully said, as they sat on the couch later that evening. She was looking through Mulder’s camera roll after Faith had gone to bed with Hedy, who had been washed and dried when they arrived at home. “She had a good first day. Mulder… you climbed up that small enclosed ladder? That was very ambitious of you considering that you nearly got stuck last time.”

“That was only because I had the backpack on,” he said, smiling as she looked at him. “I didn’t have it this time and well… I made it.”

“Barely, I’m sure,” she chuckled, scrolling to the next picture.

“Yeah, but look how great that picture turned out. She’s so beautiful, Scully. And kind and curious, Miss Cole said earlier today.”

“Did she? Oh, I love this one. The way she’s looking at you. God, she is so beautiful.”

“Like you,” he said, watching Scully look at Faith, running her fingers over the screen.

“Mmm,” she hummed, selecting pictures and sending them to her phone.

“Scully, I added them all to our shared account. You don’t need to do that,” he said.

“You always say that and then I find pictures in your phone that I’ve never seen before. And then when I am scrolling through them, you tell me that next time you will be sure to remember, but you don’t.”

“Whatever,” he said with a smile, knowing full well that she was right.

“I’d rather cover my bases than miss out.” She handed his phone back to him as she picked up her own and looked at the pictures that had arrived. “There. Now I have them.”

“Mmm,” he hummed, echoing her earlier response, smiling as he changed his phone's wallpaper to a picture of Faith, Hedy’s head poking out from the top of her jacket, as he pushed her on a swing.

“What other plans were you thinking of doing while we have Hedy with us?”

“Well… I’m glad you asked,” Mulder said, opening his notes app on his phone and showing her what he had jotted down.

“Oh… you’ve already made a list. It’s serious,” she said, scooting down a little and snuggling into him as he began to read her his list of ideas.

______________

Saturday, they went to the library for story hour, as well as for the planned arts and crafts activity. When everyone was seated in the reading room, Miss Lauren, the librarian, welcomed them and asked how they all were doing, Faith raised her hand.

“Yes?” Miss Lauren asked with a smile.

Faith stood up from her spot on the floor and walked up beside her. She turned to the other children and held Hedy out in front of her.

“Mulder,” Scully whispered as she grabbed his arm, her eyes huge as she looked at him.

“This is Hedy. I got her from my school. She’s a hedgehog and she’s excited to hear the stories.”

“Oh my God,” Mulder breathed, taking out his phone and quickly snapping some pictures.

“Well, that’s fantastic,” Miss Lauren said. “I’m so glad Hedy is here with us today. I’m sure she will really enjoy the stories that have been selected.”

“She will. She likes to hear all kinds of stories.”

“Good,” Miss Lauren said with a smile. “Thank you for sharing her with us, Miss…?”

“Faith.”

“Faith. That’s such a beautiful name,” Miss Lauren said, touching Faith’s back. “Thank you for sharing Hedy with us. Now if you take your seat, we can start reading the stories.”

“Okay,” Faith said, grinning at her and then sitting back down, Hedy held in her lap.

Miss Lauren smiled and looked over at them, shaking her head when Scully mouthed I’m sorry to her. Reaching for the first book, Miss Lauren began to read and Mulder showed Scully the pictures he had taken.

“God, but she’s adorable,” she whispered and he laughed silently, putting his phone away and watching Faith as she listened to the story.

_______________

Sunday afternoon, they went to Skinner and Rachel’s to celebrate Rachel’s birthday, which was coming up on Wednesday. Faith excitedly showed Hedy to everyone, telling them about being star of the week and getting to take care of Hedy.

“Have you been having fun with her?” Rachel asked as she held Hedy and exclaimed over how special it was for Faith to have her.

“Yes. We went to the library yesterday and she had pancakes with me this morning. She liked the syrup best. She said that it’s sticky like honey. Hedgehogs like honey, Raycho.”

“Oh. I didn’t know that, thank you for telling me, Faith,” Rachel said, handing Hedy back and winking at Mulder and Scully.

The twins each got to hold Hedy, Faith telling them about her, showing them her eyes and little feet. When Jacob put one of the feet in his mouth, Faith gasped and took it from him gently.

“No, Jacob. She doesn’t like that. Don’t put her in your mouth,” Faith said, wiping off Hedy’s foot.

“Maybe we put her up where the twins can’t get to her?” Scully suggested, squatting down to be at Faith’s level, and Faith frowned as she contemplated it.

“No. I will hold her and they can touch her, but not put her in their mouths. I want to share her, but not all the time.”

Scully stared at Mulder as she stood up, shaking her head in disbelief. He laughed quietly as he turned his attention to Faith, who was indeed allowing the twins to touch Hedy, but not hold her.

“The things she says. The way she thinks… it amazes me,” Scully said softly.

“She’s truly becoming her own person,” he agreed, snapping pictures and shaking his head.

____________

Monday afternoon they walked over to Violet and Denis’s house to show Hedy the life-sized wooden giraffe, Jafadine, that stood in their yard.

Faith carried Hedy on her shoulders, singing a song she had learned at school, stopping every once in a while to show Hedy flowers or rocks that she found interesting, continuing with her song when she began walking again.

Scully slipped her hand into Mulder’s and squeezed gently, Bella’s leash held in her other hand.

“Remember when walks used to take so long? Her short steps and love for the same things that still give her pause, halting us as we walked?” Scully asked, letting out a deep sigh.

“I do,” he agreed, squeezing her hand and glancing at her with a small smile. “Those days and the days of necessary seclusion seem so far away and yet also like it was yesterday.”

“Yeah,” she whispered.

“But you know,” he said, letting go of her hand and putting his arm around her shoulders. “It’s like that video from ticky tock that Rachel showed you yesterday-”

“Do you mean TikTok?” she asked with a chuckle.

“Whatever it’s called,” he replied, pulling her closer. “That video she showed you, the one that made both of you cry, about how the baby you loved is replaced with a toddler you love just as much and then that toddler is replaced with a child and so on until all versions of the child leave all at once.” He stopped walking as the realization of the words hit him differently than they had when he had overheard them yesterday. “Oh… now I know why you were crying.”

��Yeah, thanks for the reminder. That was super great of you,” she said, wiping at her eyes.

“Ohhhhhh, Hedy, I love you. You’re the beeeeeest hedgehog in the whole entire universe,” Faith sang, spinning around with Hedy still on her shoulders.

They watched her dance around the dirt road in purple shoes, rainbow leggings under the sparkly green tutu she had worn on Saint Patrick’s Day, a pink fuzzy hoodie, her hair in two long ponytails, and they each sighed simultaneously.

“That day is far off, Mulder. So very far off. Let’s not taint today with those thoughts.”

“You said taint,” he whispered and she started to laugh, which broke through the sadness and brought them back. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him, Bella whining beside them.

“Mommy. Daddy. Come on, Hedy wants to see Jafadine. She’s never seen a giraffe before,” Faith called to them.

“We’re coming, honey,” Mulder said, kissing Scully’s forehead as they stepped apart. “Don’t want to keep Miss Hedy waiting too much longer.”

Taking Scully’s hand again, they continued their walk, Faith holding Hedy high up when Jafadine came into view.

Pictures were taken with Jafadine and all the other wooden animals hidden throughout the yard, as well as with Violet and Denis themselves. They grinned happily as Hedy rested on Faith’s head while she stood between them, making a silly face.

They stayed for dinner, Faith needing to be carried home, tired from a long day of fun, Hedy safe and secure in the pocket of her hoodie.

______________

Tuesday they prepared the star of the week poster, writing down the answers that Faith gave them to the questions asked on the paper.

My name is: Faith Katherine Mulder I am: four years old My birthday is: on Halloween… ooooooo I have: blue eyes and dark brown hair My favorite color: pink and purple My favorite food: spaghetti and watermelon My favorite toy: the alien with the pink belly, the blue dragon, and the pretend kitchen My pets are: a cat named Grey, a dog named Bella, and lots of fish- but they don’t all have names. My family is: Mommy, Daddy, Unco, Raycho, Jacob and Elizabeth. I am happy: when I am with my family and my animals

“I think these answers give a wonderful description as to who you are, Faithy,” Mulder said, adding a family picture, all of them standing together in the snow at the Christmas tree farm, in the designated spot.

“What’s a describtion?” she asked, as she looked at the other pictures he had added: Faith dressed up in her alien costume on her second birthday, Bella and Grey sleeping together, Faith eating spaghetti, her face very messy, Faith helping the twins open their gifts on their first birthday, and Faith on her own, sitting on the porch swing staring out into the distance.

“Description,” he said, putting emphasis on the p and smiling at her. “It means telling someone about something. For instance, how would you describe Bella to me?”

Faith looked at Bella who was currently lying on the floor with Grey next to her, kneading softly into her side.

“Bella is a dog. She’s black and has… one, two, three, four legs and a long tail. She gives me kisses when she’s happy,” she said, looking at Mulder and smiling.

“That’s a great description,” he said with an answering smile.

“You have green eyes and brown hair, Daddy,” she said, leaning closer to him, searching his face as she touched his arm gently. “You’re tall and strong because you can carry me and Mommy. You’re nice and you love me.”

“Yes, Faithy,” he whispered, pulling her to him and closing his eyes as he held her close. “Yes, I do love you. Very much.”

“I love you too, Daddy.”

When she pulled back, he glanced over at Scully who had her phone pointed at them. She smiled, her eyes shining, and nodded as his phone beeped beside him.

As Faith got down and walked over to Bella and Grey, he opened the message. Letting out a deep sigh, he looked at the pictures of him and Faith staring at each other intently and then hugging.

“Thank you,” he whispered, glancing up at Scully. She nodded as she slipped her phone into her pocket and he looked down at the pictures again, adding them to his camera roll.

____________

Wednesday, after picking Faith up from school, he took her to get something to eat.

“How was your day, my love?” he asked, taking a french fry from the basket, dipping it in ketchup, and taking a bite.

“It was good,” Faith said, adjusting Hedy on the table, making sure the straw to her small glass reached her mouth.

“That’s good,” Mulder said, smiling as he watched her. “The kids liked learning about you?”

“Yup. I got to be the line leader and to pick the after snack activity.”

“Wow, sounds like you had a great day. What activity did you pick?”

“Painting. I painted a sun and it’s wearing sunglasses,” she said with a giggle, looking at him and then taking a french fry for herself.

“Well, that makes sense since the sun is hot and very bright.”

“Yeah,” Faith said, looking at Hedy. “How many more days do I get to have her?”

“Two. You have to bring her back next time you go to school on Friday.”

“That’s not so many days,” she said with a sigh.

“No,” he said, trying not to smile. “But by the time you take her back, you will have had her for seven days, remember?”

“Yeah.”

“And we did a lot with her. We’ll have to start writing it all down and putting the pictures in the book tonight.”

“Will you take a picture of us now?” she asked, picking Hedy up and holding her as she pretended to feed her a french fry.

“Of course,” he answered, taking out his phone and snapping some pictures. She smiled when she saw them, showing them to Hedy as well.

When they left, Faith made sure to ask if Hedy could also have one of the balloons the restaurant offered, asking Mulder to tie it to her small paw. He obliged and on the outside bench, letting Faith borrow his sunglasses, he took pictures of them with their matching balloons, Faith laughing as she held the sunglasses to her face.

______________

“It’s our last night with Hedy. What would you like to do with her?” Scully asked, when they had come back from the afternoon spent with Rachel and the twins at an indoor play space.

Jacob and Elizabeth had stayed mostly in the area for smaller children, but Faith ran around all over, playing with everything that drew her eye. All the while, Hedy had gone with her in the little backpack Faith wore, her little head poking out through the zipper.

“I don’t know,” Faith said with a sigh. “I don’t want her to go. I like having her with me.”

“I know, honey,” Scully said, pulling her close and kissing the top of her head. “But it’s time for someone else to have fun with her, just like it was time for you to have fun with her.”

“I know,” Faith said, burrowing into Scully’s arms, who looked up at Mulder with a smile.

“Oh… I got it,” he said, snapping his fingers. “I just thought of something that I don’t think Hedy has done with us yet, maybe even ever.”

“What?” Faith asked, her voice muffled.

“She hasn’t watched the stars come out while we lay on a blanket in the yard. Remember when we did that last summer?” he asked.

“It was warmer then,” Scully said, giving him a pointed look as she rubbed Faith’s back.

“It will be a little cold,” he agreed with a shrug. “But, we’ll dress warmly and bring some extra blankets with us to wait for the stars. We might even see a shooting star.”

“Do you think we will?” Faith said, sitting up to look at him, sniffling quietly.

“You never know with stars,” he said, raising his eyebrows as he smiled at her. “What do you say? You in?”

“Yeah,” she answered, grinning and nodding her head.

“Then let’s get busy gathering all the things we will need.”

Fifteen minutes later, he was putting down a large tarp that had been in the shed, heavy rocks holding it in place. Three thick yoga mats were rolled out, large sleeping bags were zipped together, and pillows and extra blankets were added to their makeshift bed.

Popcorn and bottles of water were brought out and once everyone was ready, the lights inside and out were turned off and they lay together in the sleeping bags, blankets on top of them, waiting to watch the stars come out.

Faith, lying between them, leaned her head against Mulder’s arm and set Hedy on his chest, lying on her back so she could look up at the sky. He smiled at Scully over Faith’s head and she smiled back.

“You know what to do if you see a shooting star, right Hedy?” Mulder asked and Faith shook Hedy’s body in a no motion. “Well, if you see one flying past, you close your eyes and you quickly make a wish.”

“Can it be for anything you want?” Faith asked and Mulder nodded.

“It sure can.”

“If I see one, I’ll wish Hedy could always stay with us,” she said softly and Scully hummed. “I know I have to take her back tomorrow, but I can still wish.”

“Sure you can, baby,” Scully said, turning to look at her, smiling at Mulder.

“Okay.”

They lay there for a while, Bella running around and coming over for occasional kisses and pets, watching the sky darken and the stars twinkling. Scully pointed out the constellations to Faith, telling her about the Greek mythology attached to them.

“I like the Pegasus one,” Faith said with a yawn, snuggling close to Scully. “But Hedy likes Cassiopeia.”

She yawned again, holding Hedy tightly in her arms, and Mulder smiled at her. Scully cuddled her, humming softly, as Faith yawned again.

He looked back up at the sky, at the constellations Scully had pointed out. He found Hercules, his own favorite, and kept staring when suddenly a star shot across the sky.

“Faithy! Did you-” he asked, turning his head to look at her, but he saw that she had fallen asleep and by the looks of it, Scully was not far off. “No, you didn’t see.”

He smiled and made a wish for all of them, for continued good health and happiness.

Taking out his phone, he moved carefully, getting one last picture of the time they spent with Hedy.

_____________

He carried the big book as they walked to the classroom, Faith’s pages full of pictures and stories of what they had done with Hedy. Faith had added stickers and written her name and Hedy’s under one of the pictures, smiling at it proudly.

“You ready?” he asked, taking Faith’s hand and giving it a squeeze. She sighed as she shrugged her shoulders. “Yeah, I know, honey. Hey, hang on a second.” He stopped walking and squatted down in front of her. “Mommy and I were talking last night about how much you’re going to miss Hedy.”

“I will miss her,” Faith said, looking at Hedy with sad eyes.

“I know. So Mommy and I came up with an idea, but I’ll leave the decision to you.”

“What is it?”

“Well, we were thinking that maybe we could find a hedgehog stuffie that looks like Hedy. It might not be the exact same, but it would be a hedgehog. Would you like to have one?”

“It won’t be just like her?”

“I don’t know, honey. We could look and see what we could find.”

“Like the fairy doll?” she asked. “The one I lost and we couldn’t find her again?”

“But we found one like it? Yeah. What do you think?”

“I don’t know,” she said, looking at Hedy. “I like this one, but my turn is over now.”

“It is,” he said, watching her face as she stared at Hedy.

“I don’t know, Daddy.” She raised her blue eyes to him and he smiled, kissing her forehead.

“You don’t have to give me an answer right now. How about you think about it while you’re at school today and let me know when I pick you up. Does that sound like a good plan?”

“Okay,” she said, smiling as she squeezed Hedy.

“Great,” he said, hugging her tightly for a second. Letting her go, he stood up and reached for her hand again.

They walked into the classroom and she hurried to put her stuff in her cubby as he walked over to Miss Cole to hand her the book.

“Thank you,” she said, taking it and smiling in Faith’s direction. “We’ll all look at it together during circle time and discuss the things Faith did with Hedy.”

“She really had fun with her. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She smiled as the children began to surround her and Mulder took that at his cue to leave.

Finding Faith in the play area with Hedy, he tapped her shoulder and then squatted down when she turned to look at him.

“I’m gonna get going now, love. You have fun. Bye, Hedy. It was nice having you with us this past week.” He shook Hedy’s small foot and gave Faith a kiss. “Bye, hon.”

“Bye, Daddy. I’ll think about my decision to tell you later,” she said, her tone very serious. He fought back a smile as he nodded.

“Okay. Take your time, Faithy. Bye, love.”

“Bye bye,” she said, turning back to the play area and pouring Hedy a cup of tea.

He walked out of the classroom and back to the car, his thoughts on what Faith’s decision would be.

Sitting in the car, he looked through the Hedy photo album and smiled. It had been fun to have her and see how Faith played with and shared her with others.

Nodding, he opened an app and began to search for a stuffed hedgehog that was similar to Hedy.

In case Faith decided she wanted one, he would be ready with options for her to pick from, the thought of the happiness in her blue eyes all the motivation he needed.

[snifflebunny21]

Heyoo, I wanted to say thanks for running the sticker blog (and, well,, being online in general!) since I love looking at the blog when I feel down or am just in a public space (*cough* you know tumblr sometimes)

So! Happy new year to ya! Good luck with college

Thank you!!! I am glad you enjoy the sticker blog I spend. More time on there than I should. And heck yeah mate!! Happy new year, let's both have a great time in college B)