#DISNEY PRINCESS AFTERNOON TEA PARTY

[coqxettee]

Coquette Summer

Bucket List: ☀️🧺🌸

Some ideas for your summer 2023 bucket list. Coquette activities, trips, days out and things you can do with friends or alone. Write these ideas in your journal and make your own bucket list if you like! <3

Go on a picnic ~ You can do this with friends or on your own! Take an aesthetic picnic blanket and basket, pack fruit, sandwiches, salad, cookies, cupcakes (whatever you like!) and have a Coquette picnic. Dress cute for the occasion and make sure to take lots of pictures <3

Host a Tea Party ~ Invite friends over and decorate your dining table with a pretty tablecloth. Grab fancy cups and saucers (you can find these in antique stores, or better yet a whole tea set complete with a tea pot!) and have a tea party. Drink rose or jasmine tea, have scones, bread & jam, miniature sandwiches, cookies/biscuits, cake. You could even do it Marie Antoinette, high-tea inspired. Dress all regency and cute and make it the fanciest, coquette, tea party ever! <3

Beach day ~ Grab your heart shaped sunnies and have a beach day! Bring a pink towel with you, a large pretty sun-hat, and make sure you pack all the pretty-girl beach essentials. Tanning lotion, a romance novel, fresh fruit, a blanket to sit on (if you don’t have a deck chair) sun cream (spf) lipgloss, a hair brush, and your camera to snap some cute beach shots! Walk down the boardwalk, listen to Lana and grab an ice cream, wear pink flip flops and a cute pink and white gingham bikini <3

Berry picking ~ Wear the most dreamy, float cottage-core, princess dress, a large sun hat and take a wicker basket with you to go berry picking. You can book a slot online and go into a local field. Take pictures and pick ripe berries to take home with you, ready to use for baking later on in the week <3

Baking day ~ Wear a cute little apron, put Lana on your record player in the kitchen and have a baking day! Bake cherry pie, heart-shaped cookies, jam cookies, chocolate-chip cookies, scones, cupcakes, an actual cake… anything and everything! Take cute photos when you bake, it can be great to make memories with friends. Once you’ve baked all your sweet treats, package them up and choose some to give to friends and family, some for later occasions (picnics & tea-parties) and most importantly… some for you! <3

Go to a market ~ If you live in the country there are loads of cute farmers markets on in summer. Keep some money back with you, wear a long, flowing style skirt and a bow in your hair and take a cute tote-bag to keep everything you buy in. Look for small Coquette trinkets on some of the handmade stalls, buy fresh fruit and lemonade for lunch and have a slow, relaxing day at the market <3

Antique shopping ~ Go antique shipping. For your room or house. You can find so many beautiful, Coquette homeware items, clothes, trinkets, jewelry and much more in antique shops. Google the best ones in your area, set aside a day, and go <3

Try out new café’s in your area - Google fancy café’s or even café’s that do afternoon tea. You could go with friends or have a solo cafe trip. Bring a book with you if you go on your own, to read. Or a sketchbook to sketch the world around you. Try something new on the menu! <3

Coquette movie day ~ Plump out your bedroom or living room with pink pillows, fairy lights, candles and lavender room spray. Put on the comfiest pair of pajamas you have Grab snacks, popcorn, anything you baked earlier in the week, fresh fruit (anything you like!) And have a whole day of watching JUST coquette movies. Disney princess films, any period drama’s, any mystical and magical movies, romance movies. Movies that are super light-hearted and make you feel like the princess you are inside. This is really fun to do with friends too! <3

Jewelry making ~ Learn how to make prettt, coquette jewelry. I always see such cute jewelry online and want to know if I can make it myself. The kits might be a bit pricy to buy, but once you’ve built up a jewelry making collection your all set! Make some summer earrings, necklaces, and bracelets <3

Learn to Crochet ~ Something I have wanted to learn for ages! There are tons of tutorials on YouTube and you can pick up pretty colored yarn from the market. If you are really good you can crochet things for the summer like tank tops, bikini sets and headbands! <3

Start a summer journal ~ Or just start journaling in general. I’m making a summer journal full of scrapbook pages I can add all of my coquette summer pictures too when summer is over. Decorate it with coquette stickers and really make it your own. Get creative <3

Have a self care day ~ It’s not sunny everyday in Summer (usually) so set aside one of the cloudier or cooler days for a movie day, or self care day! Wake up early and have an everything shower, and take care of YOU! Do a face mask, manicure, pedicure, do every step to your skincare routine, wash and remake your bed, tidy your room. By the end of the day you will feel like a new person and trust me it’S WORTH IT! <3

Have a sleepover ~ You kinda need friends for this one. I’m sure everyone knows how to have one but do really coquette activities! Paint each others nails, style each others hair, Watch coquette movies, talk about boys. All the classic things you see in the girly movies that you feel never actually get done at sleepovers… do them! Order pizza, do face masks, bake things, and stay up as late as possible for a… midnight feast! <3

-HERE ARE SOME MORE IDEAS! <3 -

Re-decorate your room for summer <3

Go on vacation <3

Go bowling <3

Cute cinema trip (watch a romantic movie) <3

Go to a fancy restaurant <3

Make a summer scrapbook <3

Plan cute summer outfits for the weeks ahead <3

Try out new summer hairstyles <3

Go to a milkshake-bar/diner <3

Go roller-skating <3

Go to the arcade

Find some pretty summer walks in your area, take pictures of wildlife you spot etc <3

Go to a farm (farmers daughter vibes iykyk) <3

Go to the theatre and watch the ballet <3

Have a signature, coquette summer scent <3

Write in your daily summer diary every night and seal it with a lipstick kiss <3

I hope you found these ideas helpful, aesthetic and fun! Have the best summer ever darling’s ~

🌸☀️🧺🍦🎀

[stardust-swan]

Cottagecore Ideas for Valentine's Day 💐💌🍄

Gifts

💐 Pick a bouquet of wildflowers for your lover. You can pick flowers that have meanings according to the language of flowers which remind you of them

💐 Write a letter or poem telling them what you like about them. You could include pressed flowers or lipstick kisses

💐 Buy them a book of fairytales or poetry. Or Ghibli art books, or a box set of Moomins books.

💐 Knit or crochet them a stuffed version of their favourite animal

💐 Bake them their favourite treats. If you have the time and resources you could make a whole hamper with homemade cake, pie, cookies, jam, cheese, or other foodstuffs

💐 Make them homemade jewellery, candles, or soaps

💐 Get them a houseplant that you can watch grow as your relationship grows

💐 Quilt a cozy blanket that you can snuggle up under together

💐 Give them a delicate tea set with a floral pattern you can enjoy tea with together. Bonus points if you make your own tea blend to go with the gift.

💐 A jar of honey from the farmer's market, or your cottage's backyard

💐 A hand-carved jewellery box for storing their treasures

💐 Seedling starter kit that you can use to plant a garden together

💐 A basket of fresh produce from your garden or a farmer's market

💐 Paint them something special, or make pressed flower art for them

💐 Engrave a wooden spoon or spatula with a pretty pattern

Dates

💐 Go berry picking together and make jam afterwards

💐 Have a picnic with fresh pastries, fruit, and homemade lemonade

💐 Go to a forest or nature park, bring a plant identification guide, and try to spot as many plants as you can. Maybe you could try sketching them too

💐 Lie on a soft blanket and watch the clouds go by

💐 Invite them over for fresh bread, tea, and homemade soup over cottagecore movies or TV shows (such as any Ghibli movie, The Moomins, classic Disney princess movies, and Anne with an E)

💐 Visit a petting zoo

💐 Bake something sweet together

💐 Take a trip to the farmers market and admire the wares. Cook a nice meal with the food you buy there afterwards

💐 Take a pottery class together and make something special for each other

💐 Spend an afternoon thrifting for vintage clothes

💐 Visit a botanical garden and admire the lush greenery and vivid flowers while taking in the fragrance

💐 Have a garden party in your backyard with lots of tea and desserts

💐 Rent a tandem bike and take a ride through the countryside

💐 Spend the day crafting together

💐 Attend a fair and participate in apple picking and hayrides, and try to win your lover a prize

💐 Take a sunset boatride with a bottle of wine or homemade cider

💐 Visit a vineyard and try local wines

💐 Visit a local farm and learn about the crops and animals

💐 Take a cooking class and cook seasonal dishes

[pickalilywrites]

Hi is it possible for you to write platonic reihisu and beruyumi. Some ideas about how Reibert and Yumikuri would go on a double date thanks to their platonic friendship.

absolutely :)

Love's Just a Game

ReiBert. YumiKuri. Modern AU. Platonic!ReiHisu. Platonic!BeruYumi. 5015 words. Read on AO3!

When Reiner walks into the tea parlor, Historia is waiting for him at a table. She’s already ordered the perfect spread for today’s afternoon tea: Darjeeling tea in pink porcelain teacups, smoked salmon sandwiches, English scones stuffed with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and a plethora of freshly baked pastries. Historia looks like the picture of perfection sitting there in her smart periwinkle ensemble made of a fitted blazer and a peplum skirt. Her hair is done up in a neat French twist, not a single hair out of place. She smiles when she sees Reiner walking towards her, raising her hand to give him a princess wave. He scowls back at her in lieu of a greeting.  

Reiner takes a seat across from Historia, slouching in his seat instead of trying to keep up with appearances. He’s not dressed as a slob, of course. He’s in his salmon button down, a few buttons tastefully undone, and pressed, white trousers, but it’s hard competing with someone who resembles an actual Disney princess.  

“Aw, Reiner, why the long face?” Historia asks. She lifts her cup to her mouth, but it does little to hide the smug smile on her lips. After setting her cup back on a saucer, she delicately pats her mouth with the cloth napkin on her lap. She’s somehow mastered the technique of wiping her mouth without smudging her lipstick.  

“Don’t pretend you don’t know why, Reiss,” Reiner says, his voice gruff. His eyes scan past the colorful plates of food presented to them on the table. Normally, he would scarf them down easily and have a cordial conversation with Historia, but the time for congeniality is over. His eyes narrow as he looks at Historia, gaze fixed on the golden spectacles dangling from Historia’s neck. “I see you have your bragging glasses out.”  

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I would never do anything so vulgar,” Historia replies, but her smirk says she knows exactly what Reiner’s talking about. As if to irritate him further, Historia lifts the glasses from around her neck and balances them on her nose before taking out a notebook and flipping it open to where it’s bookmarked. “Would you like to see this week’s tally?”  

“I don’t need to see this week’s tally,” Reiner replies. He has a similar notebook back in his apartment that tracks the same thing. He knows exactly what Historia is talking about, but even thinking about the latest tally fills him with embarrassment. “Your lead is only temporary, so enjoy it while it lasts.”  

“Are you sure about it? I’ve been in the lead for quite some time, but it’s nice that you’re not discouraged,” Historia says. She turns the notebook over so that Reiner can read the page.  

Reiner doesn’t want to read the page, but it’s hard not to miss the words written in perfect cursive on top of the page: Best Girlfriend/Boyfriend Ever. Underneath the title, there are two columns. One column has Historia’s name while the other column has Reiner’s name on top. There are tallies underneath both of their names, but Historia’s tallies outnumber Reiner’s by at least three. He scowls at the sight of it just as he has scowled at it every night before bed when reading his own notebook. 

“Do you want me to throw you a party or something?” Reiner sniffs.  

“Not at all, but maybe you could try arranging better dates. I bet Bertholdt would also appreciate our double dates more if his boyfriend didn’t plan hikes that involved everyone getting stung by wasps,” Historia smirks. She takes off her glasses, letting them dangle around her neck once more. She turns her attention to the sandwiches and picks one up delicately between her fingers. “Oh, and if you can pay lunch today, that would be great.”  

Reiner rolls his eyes. He’s been paying for their lunches for the past few weeks. It’s customary for the person with less tallies to pay for their afternoon teas. Reiner doesn’t mind much, but he’s not sure how longer he can stand this losing streak. It’s less about money and more about pride. It’s also about planning dates that don’t result in having to slather his boyfriend’s body in cortisone cream every night for a week, although Bertholdt will say that it was an unconventional but invaluable bonding experience between the two of them.  

“I hardly think that it was the worst double date we’ve ever had,” Reiner huffs. He tries to recall other disastrous dates they’ve shared with their partners. Although he usually only remembers his with shame, he does recall a handful of times where the disaster dates were planned by Historia. “What about when you flew us to France for a week and it rained the whole time? We were drenched by the time we got to our hotel. Ymir had a cold that lasted for two weeks, and we were holed up in the hotel the entire time!” 

“At least it was a nice hotel,” Historia snaps. Her lower lip sticks out in a childish pout, and she leaves her sandwich abandoned on her plate. “They had so many pillows and blankets. Maybe the trip didn’t go as intended, but you can’t argue the success of Pillow Town.”  

Reiner snorts at the mention of Pillow Town, the name that Ymir had given her massive pillow fort. Its construction took up nearly the entire room. When Reiner asked where the couple had slept in their hotel room, Historia confessed that she didn’t know where it was because of the mountain of pillows covering everything and had eventually given up ever trying to find it, choosing to sleep on a small mound of pillows instead. “It wasn’t successful enough to earn you a tally.”  

“Just like how rail biking couldn’t earn you a tally?” Historia retorts. She’s referring to a rail bike trip that Reiner had booked for them and their partners. It was advertised as a fun, scenic activity for couples and friends. It was actually torture, and everyone except Ymir suffered a massive sunburn. Reiner couldn’t feel his arms for a week, and he’s sure that the muscle soreness was much worse for his other friends who didn’t have as rigorous gym routines.  

“Yeah, or how you tried to make pasta and got the flour ratio all wrong?” Reiner replies. He’s alluding to a homemade dinner he and Historia had attempted. Everything was going well until Historia lost count of how many cups of flour they were supposed to use and added too much, resulting in dough that just wouldn’t come together. She had attempted to even it out by adding more eggs but that somehow made things worse because she couldn’t decide how much was enough and added too much. It was an endless cycle of more flour and then more eggs until they were up to their elbows in unworkable pasta dough. They ended up ordering sushi and abstained from eating pasta for a whole month after that. 

“What about the time you took us to a pottery class and knocked into a shelf, shattering everyone’s mugs?” Historia snaps, speaking about a time where Reiner had destroyed not only his friend’s pottery but a week’s worth of pottery from other students that had come to take the pottery class. (Reiner still argues that it wasn’t completely his fault and that the studio should have bolted down that shelf if they didn’t want accidents like that to happen.) 

They could go on and on, throwing worst-date stories at each other until they’re blue in the face, but a waitress interrupts them.  

“You took look absolutely lovely together,” the waitress says with a polite smile on her face. From her pleasant tone and oblivious expression, she has no idea that the two are in the middle of an argument. “Can I say it’s just a pleasure to be serve such a wonderful couple each week?”  

Historia and Reiner exchange looks with each other before bursting out into laughter.  

“I would never date this man in a million years,” Historia says at the same time Reiner tells the waitress, “I’m gay.”  

“O-oh,” the waitress says, shrinking back in embarrassment.  

“I think we’ll take the check now,” Reiner informs the waitress, who shuffles off immediately.  

“You haven’t eaten anything,” Historia points out.  

“You can have all of it,” Reiner says with a wave of his hand. “I’m not hungry. I’ll save my appetite for this next date, which I will plan perfectly. I’m going to fucking devour you, Historia, and I’m not going to leave any crumbs.”  

Historia smirks. “I highly doubt it, but good luck.”  

᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃ 

Ymir and Bertholdt are seated next to each other as they watch Historia and Reiner play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Historia has chosen to play as Sheik while Reiner plays as R.O.B. Ymir and Bertholdt were eliminated long ago, but Historia and Reiner are still in the game with only one life left each. It amuses both Ymir and Bertholdt how invested their partners are in the video game, choosing to stand as they mash the buttons on their switch remotes and yell expletives at each other until their throats are hoarse.  

“Who are you betting on?” Ymir asks Bertholdt, nudging him with her foot.  

“Reiner, of course,” Bertholdt says with a furrowed brow, his expression asking Ymir would ask him when there was only one obvious answer.  

“Oh, Bertholdt, ever so faithful,” Ymir hums admirably. She turns her attention back to the screen where R.O.B is shooting laser beams at Sheik with his robot eyes. “You got it, babe! Kick his ass!” 

Historia responds with a slew of curses. Bertholdt flinches at the colorful language, but it only makes Ymir throw her head back and howl with laughter.  

“Sometimes watching people play videogames is more fun than playing them yourself,” Ymir says, stretching her arm against the back of the couch and grinning over at Bertholdt who has never looked more stressed out in his life. “Well, at least for some people. It’s always so funny seeing Historia curse. You know she doesn’t even swear this much when we -”  

“Fuck!” Historia shouts as R.O.B. knocks Sheik off the screen and the character victory screen for the robot appears. Sheik is slumped down in the background alongside Ymir’s and Bertholdt’s characters, Wario and Kirby. Historia whirls around angrily and glares up at a smug Reiner, her switch controller dangling from her wrist. She points a finger at him. “I want a rematch!”  

“Why, so you can lose again?” Reiner snickers. 

“So I can beat your dumb, robot ass!” Historia says. She’s red-faced and her hair is disarray, a look of vengeance glimmers in her eye, but she’s hardly threatening at 4’9”.  

“Come on, Historia,” Ymir says, standing up from the couch to wrap her arms around her girlfriend. She smothers a few kisses against Historia’s neck and gently undoes the controller strap around Historia’s wrist. “Let’s have a few more drinks and calm down a bit, and then you can go back and kick Reiner’s stupid butt.”  

“Your strongest vodka, please,” Historia hiccups as Ymir leads her to the minibar for another drink. Historia stumbles behind her girlfriend drunkenly, wobbling with every step. 

“I’ll make you a vodka soda,” Ymir tells her before uncapping the vodka bottle and opening a can of Sprite with a hiss.  

“Surely, a drink is the exact opposite of what Historia needs,” Bertholdt says. He’s had a few drinks himself, but it always takes more than a few to get him drunk due to his large frame.  

“Normally, I would agree with you, Bertl, but today’s activities include getting drunk out of our minds and playing videogames, so a few more drinks can’t hurt,” Reiner says with a lazy smile. He picks up Bertholdt’s half-finished drink, a watered-down gin and tonic, and downs the rest of it.  

“I wouldn’t worry too much, it’s like 99 percent soda anyway,” Ymir assures Bertholdt in a stage whisper. Her voice is loud enough for Historia to hear, but the blonde waif is too drunk and busy downing her drink to pay attention.  

Historia downs the drink in one big gulp, finishing it off with a large gasp. She doesn’t seem to notice that the soda-to-alcohol ratio is off. She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. With a drunken finger, she points to where Reiner is (or at least where she thinks Reiner is).  

“Rematch, asshole! I’m going to eat you alive!” Historia bellows, words slurring. Ymir gently guides Historia’s finger away from Bertholdt and towards Reiner.  

A rematch hardly seems fair considering Historia can no longer distinguish her friends from each other, but Reiner picks up his controller with a chuckle. “Be prepared to lose again, Reiss.”  

As they start a new match, Bertholdt can only watch with his head shaking in wonder. “It’s really difficult to believe they were friends before this,” he murmurs as Historia’s character (this time Princess Peach) drifts off the screen because Historia has confused the Toadstool Princess with Diddy Kong.  

“A love like theirs is not something we mortals can understand,” Ymir says. She takes a swig from her bottle of beer and smacks her lips, relishing the taste. She once again takes a seat on the couch and smiles as Historia loses once more. “But, damn, if it isn’t entertaining.”  

᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃ 

The four friends lounge on the sofa and chaises in Historia and Ymir’s living room apartment. They’re decked out in their pajamas — Historia in silken pajamas while the others wear random t-shirts they got years ago from college events and plaid pajama pants — with fluffy robes thrown over. All of them have mud masks plastered on their faces, some of them applied more carefully than others. In the background, soothing whale songs play on the Bluetooth speakers. Candles are lit around the room, filling the apartment with the soothing aroma of lavender and sandalwood.  

“I think this is the most relaxed I’ve felt in a long time,” Bertholdt murmurs with his eyes closed. His lips hardly move when he speaks so as to not disturb his mud mask even though it’s already dry. He wiggles his toes contentedly in his fluffy slippers.  

“Where did you get this playlist?” Reiner asks Historia curiously. She doesn’t typically listen to whale songs. Her road trip playlists typically consist of classical music (she favors the work of classical composers such as Hadyn, Mozart, and Beethoven) or indie pop music if she wants to put on something that’s friendlier to the general public. 

“I spent last week curating it after I decided we would have a spa day date,” Historia replies. “I don’t half-ass my date ideas, Reiner. I put the utmost care into planning every detail to make sure everything goes accordingly.”  

“Of course, you do,” Reiner mutters. She’s always been like this, planning for every detail while also making sure to plan for alternative cases in the event she ran into obstacles and her original plan couldn’t be followed. It would be admirable if she weren’t using her powers for evil (I.e., outdoing him at planning dates and making him look bad in front of Bertholdt).  

“I’ll send you the playlist after this since you like it so much,” Historia says, her voice saccharine sweet.  

“Great, thanks,” Reiner says flatly without an ounce of sincerity in his voice.  

Ymir’s legs are spread widely as she relaxes in the recliner. Her mud mask is the messiest out of the four. She hadn’t taken much care when she was applying it. She has clumps all over her face and had applied it not only on her face but her neck as well. She had gotten some of the mud mask on the collar of her fluffy robe too, but she looks rather pleased with herself anyway.  

“I’ve never really been one for self-care, but I feel like I’m in my element this time,” Ymir says.  

“Your element being mud?” Bertholdt snorts. “What are you, an ogre?”  

“Aye, I’m an ogre! Arrr!” Ymir growls in her best impression of the beloved 2001 animated ogre Shrek. She raises her hands in a threatening pose, but it only makes her look ridiculous when her hair is tied so messily and mud is smeared across her face. The group of friends can’t help but burst into laughter at the sight of her. Ymir pretends to be offended, but even she is stifling a smile. “You laugh when you should be frightened. Do not forget that I have the upper hand now that you three have dared step foot in my swamp!” 

“You’re the least threatening ogre I’ve ever seen, although you might be in the running for ugliest,” Reiner snickers.  

“I think you mean the cutest ogre ever,” Historia says, and Ymir sits up straight with a pleased smile on her face. 

“Aye, thank you, princess. I think you are beautiful as well. How about we kiss and have our happily ever after?” Ymir asks, but her Shrek impression has evolved into an awful Scottish accent. She pulls the most hideous expression she can before leaning over to Historia and pressing kisses against Historia’s cheeks. Ymir ignores Historia’s giggled protests and the fact that she’s getting mud on her lips, only stopping once she’s satisfactorily smothered Historia’s face with kisses. 

“Ugh, you’re such a mess,” Historia says, but she smiles as she plucks tissues from a nearby tissue box to lovingly dab away mud from Ymir’s lips.  

Bertholdt looks over with an amused expression. “How sweet. I guess it is true that Ogres and onions are unexpectedly sweet.”  

“Excuse you,” Ymir sniffs. “Ogres and onions are similar in that we are both very complexly layered. Do we need to have another Shrek movie marathon or would you rather I recite the script for all four films to you in their entirety?”  

“Can I choose neither?” Bertholdt asks. They’ve all been through both scenarios before and while it is amusing, it’s also rather time consuming.  

“I am also a complexly layered being,” Reiner says, still stuck on the previous conversation. He reaches over and tugs on the elbow of Bertholdt’s robe, a childish habit he adopts whenever he’s trying to capture his boyfriend’s attention. He has a devilish smile on his face as he rises from his seat to bracket Bertholdt against the couch with his arms. “Watch me.”  

Ymir and Historia laugh in delighted amusement as Reiner proceeds to kiss Bertholdt in the same reckless manner that Ymir had kissed Historia while Bertholdt yelps in surprise. 

᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃ 

All four friends are currently at an antique shop trying to find the weirdest thing they can find. Reiner has a mountain of items filling his basket, deciding that he can pick one at random and still win this competition or at least place second. Bertholdt is trying to decide between two strange things: a weird Frankenstein stuffed animal made up of parts of various other stuffed animals that aren’t even the same species or a hideous Nicolas Cage sequin pillow. If you flip the sequins on the Nicholas Cage pillow, it’s an even more zoomed in version of the same photo. Ymir is very convinced that she’s already chosen the best item, a T-Rex head wall mount that she had spotted from across the store when they had first walked in. She had zoomed through aisles of second-hand clothes and odd knickknacks and plucked the wall mount from the hook it was hanging from. She hadn’t bothered to look for anything else because she was so assured that victory was in her hands. Reiner also thinks that it's highly likely Ymir is going to purchase the T-Rex regardless of whether she wins or not even though purchasing the item is not a requirement for this competition. Out of the group of friends, it seems that only Historia is struggling to find an item for the game.  

Despite the plethora of odd novelty items at their disposal, anything completely out of the ordinary seems to elude Historia. At best, she can find the most mundane items. At worst, she finds things that are strange but quite impressive, like the glass egg cuber that Reiner is considering buying to make his salads more interesting.  

“Are you trying to lose on purpose because it seems like you’re trying to lose on purpose,” Reiner snickers as he sees Historia looking at a shelf of perfectly cute salt and pepper shakers. 

“Shut up,” Historia grumbles. She reaches towards the back of the shelf only to pluck out a pair of ceramic shakers shaped like birds. They look absolutely adorable, but Historia throws her head back and groans when she sees them before placing them back grumpily. She continues to scour more shelves, an angry pout on her face.  

Bertholdt follows behind, inspecting the shelf that Historia had just abandoned. He spots the shakers that Historia had looked at and admires them. “You’re really good at picking things out, Historia. If we were having a competition to find the most amazing thing at a thrift store, I bet you’d win.”  

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Historia frowns. “It’s not working.”  

Ymir appears behind Historia with the T-Rex head tucked underneath her arm. She reaches out to give her girlfriend a comforting massage against her shoulder blades. “You just have a talent you can’t ignore, Historia, and it’s a good thing you do. Don’t think of it as a bad thing. Think about how cute our apartment looks. Remember how you wouldn’t let me pick out stuff for our place unsupervised? You don’t know how grateful I am for that. It looks so amazing thanks to your eye for décor. In fact, I think having a T-Rex head mounted over our dining table would pull everything together and bring out all the subtle gold accents of the wallpaper you selected.”  

Historia is too busy scouring the aisles to listen properly and just mumbles in agreement. Ymir mouths, “Yes!” excitedly and pumps her fist in victory. Historia will probably come to regret not paying more attention to her girlfriend.  

“I guess you’re just cursed with good taste,” Reiner snickers. “Who knew it would cripple you at such a pivotal moment?”  

“Stop rushing me. The game isn’t even over yet,” Historia snaps. She rifles through the contents of the current shelf before giving up and heading towards the clothing section. She scans the rack with an expert eye, spending less than five seconds on each rack before moving onto the next one. She stops by the jeans section, but Reiner has already been there before, and he hadn’t seen anything odd in the rows and rows of denim when he had inspected them, so it surprises him when Historia pulls out a pair with a triumphant expression on her face. “I got it!”  

Her friends crowded around her, confused. There doesn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary with the jeans that she holds up, at least not from the front. They all squint, looking up the denim up and down to see if there is something that they perhaps missed but they still fail to see why Historia is so convinced that these jeans will lead her to the path of victory. 

“What is it?” Ymir finally asks. 

“Assless pants.” Historia doesn’t elaborate. She only holds the jeans out further to them, but it still isn’t clear what she’s talking about.  

The three are speechless with surprise, unsure if they have heard her correctly. 

“Assless pants?” Reiner repeats. 

“As in the fabric was worn down at the seat and they were given away or -” Bertholdt begins to ask, but Historia interrupts him.  

“They don’t have an ass,” she says, and proceeds to turn over the pants so that her friends can finally see the back side. 

A look at the back of the jeans does reveal that they indeed do not have an ass. Where there should be denim covering the backside, are two pieces of plastic covering the ass cheeks to ensure that the wearer’s rump will be in full view. Why anyone would ever make jeans like these is anyone’s guess. 

Historia gestures for Ymir to follow her with the T-Rex head before confidently walking towards the cash register. She tosses her head back to tell her friends, “I think we can agree that I’ve won this challenge. Let’s check out our items and have a little celebratory dinner. Reiner is paying.”  

Historia’s victory is indisputable, but Reiner is still confused as to why she’s purchasing the pants. 

“For you to wear, of course,” Historia replies when Reiner asks. There’s a smug smirk on her lips. “I’m buying it as a consolation prize to you, the loser.” 

“Fine, I’ll do it gladly because my ass looks amazing,” Reiner says through gritted teeth.  

᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃ 

Reiner and Historia bump into each other in front of their tea shop. They smile at each other icily and race to open the door for the other, insisting that the other person goes first. After fighting in front of the tea shop for a few minutes, the two of them end up squishing through the front doors together, elbowing each other as they make their way through. They continue to bicker as they make their way to their usual table, but their steps falter when they realize that there are two unexpected guests seated at their usual spot. Bertholdt sits fussing with the cloth napkin in his lap, looking down because he’s unable to look them in the eye. Ymir, however, looks as if she was expecting them and gestures for Reiner and Historia to take their seats across from them.  

“What are you two doing here together?” Reiner asks. Ymir and Bertholdt also have their own platonic play dates without Historia and Reiner, but they tend to enjoy different activities like playing videogames and reading manga. “I thought afternoon tea wasn’t your thing.”  

Ymir shrugs, popping a finger sandwich in her mouth. She doesn’t even finish chewing before speaking. “It’s not, but we wanted to talk with you two. We’re having an intervention.”  

Reiner and Historia exchange glances. 

“What for? We haven’t done anything,” Historia says.  

Bertholdt twists the napkin in his lap, still unable to look up. He mumbles as he speaks. He’s never liked conflict. “We’ve become aware that arranging double dates has become something of a competition between you two and we’re worried that it’s destroying your relationship.”  

Reiner and Historia protest and insist that that’s not the case, but it’s clear from their guilty expressions that they are aware of what Ymir and Bertholdt are referring to.  

“Okay, we’re competing to see who’s the better romantic partner by throwing fabulous double dates. Is that a crime?” Reiner says, throwing his hands up in defeat over being found out.  

“No, but we’re worried it’s bringing you more pain than pleasure,” Ymir says. As she speaks, she continues to pluck various food items from the afternoon tea spread in front of them and pop them in her mouth. Seeing as Bertholdt is too anxious to eat, it must be Ymir who has devoured the majority of the meal on the table.  

“I assure you that’s not the case,” Reiner tells Ymir. “It brings me so much pleasure. Every week, I look forward to destroying Historia in the art of romance. It gives me almost as much pleasure as making love to Bertholdt, the love of my life.”  

Bertholdt looks absolutely mortified. He buries his face in his hands, but they aren’t large enough to cover his scarlet ears.  

“Okay, but you two do know that this shouldn’t be a game, right?” Ymir asks. Other patrons had looked over in shock at Reiner’s words, some even covering their children’s ears, but Ymir is unfazed by her friend’s crudeness. “We’re all just dating, having fun, falling deeper in love with our significant others. And love isn’t a game, right?”  

Historia and Reiner nod. Both of their faces have become incredibly serious. 

“No, you’re absolutely right. Love isn’t a game,” Historia agrees. She reaches over to hold one of Ymir’s hands, ignoring the crumbs all over her girlfriend’s fingers. “But if it were, and I’m only saying this hypothetically, then wouldn’t you agree that I would be absolutely winning?”  

“What? No, you wouldn’t!” Reiner squawks, turning toward Historia indignantly. “My weird antique shopping date was infinitely better than your spa day. I even wore those weird assless pants for you. You could tell that story to people over dinner ten times over and they still wouldn’t get tired of it.”  

Historia snorts. She tosses her hair over her shoulder with of a roll of her eyes and says, “I would hardly want to talk to people about your ass hanging out of those pants over dinner. They’d all lose their appetites at the mere mention of you wearing something so hideous.”  

“You were the one who insisted I wear those pants to dinner outside!” Reiner argues, his raised voice attracting even more attention from other patrons. 

The two continue to bicker, completely forgetting Ymir and Bertholdt seated across from them. Bertholdt looks nervous as he watches the two argue back and forth, but Ymir continues to devour finger sandwiches without concern.  

“Shouldn’t we stop them?” he asks, his fingers hovering nervously near his mouth. He rises as if to ready himself to physically separate Historia and Reiner.  

“Nah, they’re just like this,” Ymir says with a shake of her head. She raises her hand to flag down a nearby waitress for more finger sandwiches. Even though she looks completely out of place in her ratty T-shirt and ripped jeans, she looks completely comfortable.  

Bertholdt sighs. He leans back resignedly against the couch, but his eyebrow is still furrowed with worry. He looks exhausted just watching Reiner and Historia argue. “I’m glad we’re nothing like them.”  

“Amen,” Ymir agrees.  

[tarowrites]

Hi, I like your story, I like the dark fantasy take you took on this story. But I'd like to ask you are there any fun headcancons on your characters you don't mind sharing?

Aw, thanks! I'm so glad you like my story! sorry it took me so long to answer your question. For the longest time, I couldn't think of any headcanons but I think now I have a few I can share!

𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘

❀ Not sure if this would count as a headcanon but " sound of silence" would be Cacilia's disney princess song for sure!

❀ Cacilia isn't much of a sweet tooth-and I think it's because her mother spoiled that for her. Since her mother hosts a lot of parties and afternoon noon tea-and I think eating sweets after sweets just kinda ruined it for her.

❀ again, not sure if this counts as headcanon but I always felt 'Paint the Town Red' was Cacillia's mother's villian song. It just...feeeeels like her!

❀ I could totally see Cacilia trying to give a bear hug to beast-despite being short and petite.

[luneirika]

disney princess storybook tea party playset

arcaeda​:

she hasn’t been here longer than a day and already she has come across quite the interesting seminar. tasseomancy wasn’t something she was familiar with, neither was she especially fond of tea, but the prospect of divination through such unique means piqued her interest.

there are a good few people attending the seminar, she notes as she enters the classroom. many have already partnered together for their tea divinations, and caeda on a whim decides to sit next to a student with the most gorgeous hair.

“good afternoon. i hope you don’t mind being my partner?” caeda smiles at the student— at eirika she learns her name is. “my name is caeda, queen of the archanean alliance. though i would prefer we drop the formalities here, if that’s alright eirika?” she settles into her seat, adjusting her weight. “you may just call me caeda, no titles or anything of the sort required. we’re both simply students here, alright?”

“As long as you’re comfortable with it, I’m happy to oblige. In truth... I find all the etiquette and propriety a bit tiring.” Eirika confesses, hands folded carefully around her tea cup. She averts her gaze for a moment before continuing. “I realise such a burden is a trifle compared to those my people face though. I feel selfish just saying it aloud.”

A short laugh, as sharp as a blade escapes her. Rarely was she so stilted in conversation.

“Please, forgive my rambling Caeda. I’d be overjoyed to have you as a partner,” lifting the porcelain to her lips, she takes a tentative sip. No, still much too hot to enjoy. A pity, too. Placing it back down gently, she shoots Caeda a warm smile. “Hmm, if you don’t mind me asking, what brought you all the way from Archanaea to Fodlan? It is quite the journey and I think it would be nice to get to know each other a little.”

disney princess storybook tea party playset

Reason and Faith band together to put on this month’s special seminar: the history of tasseomancy! You will be learning the “magic” behind divination and how the old masters used the remains of tea leaves and coffee grounds to predict future events. Just in time for the moon of love, you will all be divining your romantic futures from a delicious cup of white rose tea. [Grants Reason or Faith +1]

The classroom is abuzz with quiet but excited chatter before the seminar starts. Gossip seems to be in the air today, Eirika notes quietly to herself, pulling out the tasseomancy guidebook from the reading list. Divination was a tricky topic, not in it's academic complexity but rather that Eirika knew full well the dangers of knowing the future too well. Knowing too much and being powerless to halt the coming ruin. Falling into the abyss oneself in a vainglorious attempt to control destiny and fate.

The lengths good, kind men could be driven to by prophecy.

Flicking through the handbook though, it seems to dwell on lighter topics. Predictions about dating and romance mostly, and all of them rather vague. Likely nothing of concern but it's impossible for her to deny the fact she'd rather study almost anything else.

The delicate sent of white roses floods her senses, as she pours water from the tea pot over the leaves in her own cup. She supposes that, whilst things could be better they could also be much worse. Chair legs scrape across the floor and another young woman takes the seat across from her. Hair as blue as the night sky obscures her face for a moment before being swept away, revealing a gentle face with sparkling eyes. For a moment, Eirika is left speechless. It would however, be rude to stare.

"Good afternoon. I take it you're here for the seminar as well? I'm pleased to share your company," her hands grasp the porcelain handle of the teapot, feeling the warmth bleed through into her fingers. It's not so hot as to be unpleasant, thankfully. With careful attention she pours water into the other woman's cup before settling it down to one side, out of the way and so as to not create a barrier between the two of them. "I'm Princess Eirika of Renais and the pleasure truly is all mine."

@arcaeda

[glacialltz]

Hello hello! Could I request some headcanons of the dorm leaders with a female crush who's like a Disney princess (hardworking, compassionate, super affectionate, etc) please and thank you!!

summary: dorm leaders + reader who's like a disney princess

warnings: gendered reader

word count: 2.8k

author's note: wahhh this is so cute ;; 🥺these boys need someone compassionate and affectionate in their lives, thats for sure...

✧.* ✎ a second day of double uploads! the Baker apologizes for it, but it's mainly because he has quite a few requests to get through + wants to improve his writing again.

Your hardworking nature got a nod of approval from Riddle almost instantly. He appreciated the effort you put into everything around him, telling his juniors that they could learn a thing or two from you. Especially with how you smiled so sweetly no matter what task you were faced with.

However, he did have to admit he was a little confused. Why would you choose Night Raven College over Royal Sword Academy? Wouldn't their morals line up a bit more with your personality?

Well, at least when you were invited to a Heartslabyul tea party you behaved wonderfully. Nothing like some of the other students. You were not only polite and well-mannered, you were practically like the princesses in old storybooks.

You were gorgeous and sweet, generous and kind. You listened to the woes of all who approached you, encouraging them sweetly. Even Riddle had to admit he sometimes found himself heading toward you for some reassurance after a long, rough day of studying and beheading.

The more time went on, the more he wanted to be your prince. You truly did seem like a wonderful, royal beauty, and you completely captivated his heart. You swept him off of his feet and he was helpless against you.

When you sat beside him to study, humming sweetly with the most pleasing voice Riddle had ever heard, you always showed him such genuine affection. Sometimes your hand would rest around his, gently rubbing the back of it with your thumb. He wasn't used to this kind of affection and it completely threw him off guard and reddened his cheeks.

Sometimes you'd ride a horse beside him during the afternoons. In those moments Riddle felt like a prince who had stolen your heart, riding into the soft sunlight with you. He liked these afternoons quite a bit, as the sight of your brilliant smile was always waiting for him. You'd grin at him happily as you sat with such poise, holding pleasant and engaging conversation with him. What more could he ask for?

His heart felt light and fluttery when he watched you interact with animals. The earnest way with which you cooed sweetly to the hedgehogs and flamingos was heartwarming and enchanting, an otherworldly sort of endearing. You were gentle, your movements caring as you brushed your fingers against their faces.

Riddle had never seen anyone so skilled with the animals in Heartslabyul. Sure, the other students sometimes fed them, but none of them were able to get them to lean into their palms like they did for you, save for maybe Ace. Riddle almost spat out his tea when he found himself wishing it was him who you were so gingerly patting.

You were enchanting, a true gift. You never exploded at him and instead understood the importance of the rules he upheld. If one said Riddle was inescapably crushing on you, they'd be right. The small dorm leader was completely smitten with you, even if he was hesitant to admit it himself.

Huh? Wasn't some snotty goody-two-shoes like you supposed to be at that other school? What was some pompous little herbivore princess doing here? You were just asking to get eaten up, you know.

At first, Leona mostly found you annoying. He hated suck-ups and, when speaking to Ruggie, that's how he described you. He felt your attitude simply had to be fake and it was disgusting to him. Prince or not, royals, whether in status or personality, pushed his buttons in a way other common folk didn't.

Luckily, you were persistent. Maybe that was just a part of your princessy self, but you nagged him enough to get him to tolerate being around him.

The first time you really got him was when you allowed him to use you as a pillow while he slept, your body rumbling softly as you hummed a quiet tune. It was a comfortable nap, one of the best he'd had in a long, long time. Your hand wove through his hair, carefully rubbing against his scalp in slow, soothing motions.

The next time you got him was when you smiled at him when he tried to tick you off by stealing some food directly off of your plate. You smiled kindly at him, telling him that if he wanted it, he could have it. You weren't supposed to react like that!

Your stupid, princess-like kindness kept wearing him down time and time again, reducing him to nothing more but a soft kitten at heart for you.

Outside of letting him have some of your food, you never gave in to his whims easily. You were kind, but no pushover. Maybe that was part of what got him.

Leona hated the way he softened up so much inside for you. He'd often find himself looking at you tenderly before snapping out of it, wishing he could smack himself for how sickeningly lovestruck he must have looked to everyone else.

But as you sat beside him in the Botanical Garden, weaving some flowers together into a crown, talking to him quietly while allowing him to doze lightly on your shoulder, he could hear his own heart beating. It picked up in pace when you reached to place the crown on top of his head before picking up once more at the way you looked at him when he moved to drop it on your head instead.

Your eyes were wide and your expression cute, a wonderous smile slowly blooming on your face before you giggled at the lion in front of you, getting to work on making a matching crown for him. As he murmured a soft "tch" in response, he couldn't help but think maybe a princess like you... wasn't so bad.

Princess are so easy to take advantage of, you know? In fact, the Sea Witch herself once bent one poor, unfortunate royal to her whims, and Azul had every intent to do the same. Sure, maybe you weren't really a princess, but you were so kind and naïve, virtually undistinguishable.

No matter how slippery and untrustworthy he seemed, however, you remained compassionate and kind, speaking to him like he hadn't just tried to rope you into his latest scheme. It was annoying, yes, but it also gave him hope that he could somehow pull one over on you.

It backfired terribly, though. Soon his scheming bubbled down to nothing more than flat out admiration. You were so wonderful, he couldn't help it. And he hated it. He hated the princessy type, always such pompous jerks.

His hated was soon eroded away too, however, leaving him gazing at you with hearts practically dancing in his eyes.

You were so sweet, coming to see him after a long day ended. Sometimes you'd drop by the Lounge after closing, not to buy something, but to listen and ask about Azul's day. He was hesitant to share at first but, finding you to eventually be a relatively trustworthy one, he slowly began telling you more and more about his day.

You complimented him. Oh, did you ever compliment him! Sugary sweet yet completely genuine words danced forth from you and cozied around him like a warm hug, making him feel like he was one in a million to you.

Always seeming to know exactly what he was worried about, you did everything in your power to help him sometimes. You knew his appearance was important to him, so, on occasion, you'd help him style his hair if it ever got mussed up, giving him a cheerful smile, never asking anything in return. What a foreign concept...

Truly, you had worked your way into the shining pearl that was Azul's heart. He viewed you in such a golden light, wanting nothing more than to link his arm with yours as you strolled through the halls, the one and only person you could call your boyfriend.

The two of you were such a sunshine duo. Kalim was almost always in relatively high spirits, as were you. Thankfully, however, you were a lot more reigned in, considerate enough to help keep the rowdy boy from making more trouble.

You both displayed incredible amounts of kindness, one of the things that Kalim immediately enjoyed about you. He liked kind people, after all, and you played off of each other well.

He love, love, loves dancing with you! You were incredibly good on your feet, swaying with him like you had done this a million times before, as if you were used to dancing in massive ballrooms.

Not to mention, you always seemed to know how to talk to animals, and they seemed to flock to you! Kalim had been good with animals since a young age, sympathizing with them and enjoying their company, so he appreciated your talent and the love they held for you.

If that wasn't enough for you, his affection matched yours perfectly. You loved to help fix his hair and retie his headband and he loved to pull you close in a tight hug and rest his arm around your shoulders.

Honestly, it didn't take long for him to fall for you. Kalim was always keen on you, the two of you taking to each other well, but you were so much more than just an overly kind person. You were sweet, yes, but you also helped him more than he could ever put into words. You were compassionate, but you'd often point out when he needed to step back and calm down, something that Jamil was incredibly thankful for.

Kalim was dead set on trying to become a better person and, with you by his side, he was certain he could! Not to mention, he enjoyed every single second he spent with you, and he never wanted your time together to end!

You were like a princess in the best way possible, and Kalim was your faithful prince. He was there for you in the same way you were for him, a naïve boy who is kind at heart. The tender moments in which the two of you shared were never something he expected himself to have, but something he treasured more than all the gold in his vault.

A princess? Your personality type already had his lip curling in a sneer. He had several poor experiences with someone like you and he wasn't keen on reliving those. Unfortunately for him, you were persistent.

You always complimented Vil. Perhaps that didn't seem like anything special, but it was. You didn't simply stop at the usual "you're so beautiful" that others gave him, nor did you go above to the extremes that Rook did. You always were able to pick out something so subtle yet delicate about his outfit, something he always appreciated.

Another wonderful aspect of you was your grace. Yes, you were careful on your feet, not to mention the way you held yourself. Your spine straight and your head held high, you looked just like a princess from one of the stories his father used to read him.

Within beauty there is both grace and severity. You were the former, perfectly balancing out Vil's harshness and desire. You were gorgeous like him, but so calm and so kind. You calmed him down when he got fed up with being in second, reminding him of the things unique to only him.

Not to be forgotten, however, was the care you put into your affections. You were so kind, not touching any part of him without his explicit permission, especially when he was wearing foundation on his face. When he did allow you to touch him, however, you remained gentle and kind, treating him like he was made of the most valuable glass in the world.

Vil always wanted to play the hero, and that was how you made him feel. Like he was the good guy in this tale, someone important to you. The way you looked at him, the way you spoke to him. Perhaps this was just how you were, a sweet, wonderful one indeed, but it made Vil feel so good.

It wasn't his intention to fall in love with you but he did and he fell hard. You were a princess to him but it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. You were genuine and sweet, never belittling him or making him feel like he was lesser than. That was something that was incredibly important to him, and he was completely crushing on you.

Ugh, he doesn't care. What, did he seem like some kind of unlikely hero traversing through various trials and tribulations to rescue you from the castle in which you, the beautiful princess, were ensnared? Well, this wasn't a video game and, even if you were, he didn't care!

You were so sweet it was sickening. Idia didn't appreciate it. It had to be out of pity, there was no way you'd spare so much time on someone like him.

It wasn't just him though, that's what was baffling. You were so sweet to Ortho as well, helping take care of him and always listening to him talk. You helped his little brother open up even more, which was something even Idia would have to admit he was grateful for.

You were affectionate to his little brother, too, but always toned it down on the rare occasions in which you actually saw Idia in person. You'd compliment him very lightly, not wanting to pressure him or make him uncomfortable.

But your affections weren't just in person. When you saw his tablet flying around, you'd always offer to wipe and polish the screen for him, looking into the camera with a big smile. That cursed smile... Idia hated it and loved it at the same time. Who let you be so charming? What kind of overpowered nonsense was this...

Understanding was a perfect adjective to describe you. You were fine with messaging him instead of calling him or talking to him in person if that was what he preferred, never seeming put out by his simple needs. No, in fact, you always seemed delighted to.

Idia hated the way his heart pumped faster at just the thought of you. This was stupid! Princess never affected him this badly, he thought, and he should know. He's played enough games with them, after all. But you were different! You were like... some extra special character with deeper lore, feeling way more realistic than the terrible writing he was used to seeing in 2D girls.

That's what got him to fall for you, honestly. You felt real despite your charms, something that completely surprised him. He was used to princesses but never like this. You were so much better, honestly, and he couldn't deny the serious crush tearing apart his heart any longer.

Oh, did he ever know princess. Yes, child of man, did you forget how much he's seen in his long, long life? You were not the first of your kind, nor would you be the last.

That didn't mean you weren't different, however. You were leagues above what the rest of these students were, genuinely seeking him out and yearning for his company. Your compassion was unparalleled, and it made Malleus feel incredible. You listened attentively, always wanting to know about his day and what he thought. It made his chest feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

He had never experienced such affection before. You'd fearlessly reach for his hand and sweetly ask if you could touch his horns. You'd grab his arm at night, linking them together while you strolled beside him under the starry sky.

Everything about you was different in the most wonderful way possible. You were so much more hardworking than other students, no, than other people he met in his life, which he admired. You gave everything your best effort, trying things again and again until you succeeded. Most humans tended to give up easily, which made you stand out even further.

You always seemed so saddened when you heard of how poorly your peers treated him, offering him your sympathy without request for repayment. Malleus was touched. Who would look at him, see him in all of his terrifying glory, and offer him comfort? Your compassion was a gift, one Malleus would hold dearly in his heart for as long as he could.

This lead to him offering to be around you as often as he could. It was a bit childish, maybe, but he wanted to spend as much time with you as he could, his heart lifting in joy every time he so much as spotted your beautiful face.

When the two of you did spend your time together, however, he would seem... lighter than usual. Even a small smile would play about his lips, completely brightening up his entire face. There was no sight like it, the great Malleus Draconia gazing at you so tenderly.

Someone like you deserved a crown, there was no argument about it. Luckily, he would soon have one to offer you alongside his confession (when he finally made it), a crown for his beloved princess.

ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴀꜰᴇ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴄᴜʀʀᴇɴᴛʟʏ ᴏᴘᴇɴ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴀᴋᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀᴘᴘʀᴇᴄɪᴀᴛᴇꜱ ᴀɴʏ ꜱᴜᴘᴘᴏʀᴛ

[saturnznct]

day alone | hrj

➸ request from anon; hi! could you do a dad au where renjun and jinghua just spend time with each other, like just the two of them,, tysm !! <3

➸ note; i hope u like this!! i think its cute <3

➸ word count;

➸ jinghua; aged one

nct masterlist

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⋆✦⋆ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

‘Junie,’ you call, entering your bedroom holding your sleepy two year old on your hip, ‘can you watch her for a couple of hours? While I take the boys to the park with Lucas and Noah?’

‘Yeah of course,’ Renjun nods, before putting on a huge smile and opening his arms, ‘Jinghua! Do you wanna spend the day with daddy?’

Jinghua wriggles out of your arms and onto the bed, where she crawls toward Renjun.

‘Spend day?’ She asks for clarification.

‘We be together all day,’ Renjun explains softly while you rummage around in your bedside drawer for your car keys.

‘Dada not go to work today?’

‘Not today sweetness, I have a day off.’

‘No work?’

No work.’

You chuckle at your daughter’s inquisitiveness, finally locating your keys and fishing them out, ‘well have fun you two, we’ll be back in a few hours.’

‘Bye bye love,’ Renjun gives you a quick kiss when you lean down.

Jinghua smiles when you kiss her cheek, whispering a small ‘bye bye mummy/mommy.’

‘Have a nice day with daddy sweetheart,’ you brush back her black hair, kissing her forehead once again before leaving the room to go and round up your two sons.

Renjun sits quietly with Jinghua on his chest, stroking the back of her head as the front door clicks shut.

‘What do you wanna do today, princess?’ He asks the nearly asleep girl, whose eyes open at the low sound of his voice.

‘Lazy,’ she responds bluntly, and Renjun’s chest shakes as he laughs.

‘A lazy day?’

Jinghua nods, and Renjun coos at the sight in front of him.

‘You’re too cute.’

‘I’m cute?’ She asks, surprised.

’The cutest,’ Renjun grins, ‘even cuter than your brothers- but don’t tell them I said that.’

She just giggles, finally lifting her head up from his chest with a yawn.

‘How about we watch a movie?’ Renjun suggests, and Jinghua nods rapidly.

‘What do you wanna watch sweetheart?’

‘Lee-low,’ she enunciates, referring to the Disney film Lilo and Stitch. It was what you could arguably describe as her comfort movie, the movie she would beg to watch after a long day, or a day of being sick.

Renjun chuckles. He truly does not mind the repetitiveness of the tiny blue alien’s antics, and the way Jinghua giggles at Stitch.

Renjun pulls up Disney+ and the two of them spend the next hour and a half cuddled up watching the movie. By the time it’s over, it’s mid-afternoon.

‘What do you want to do now?’ Renjun asks, running his fingers through her dark hair.

Her eyes are slightly drooping shut, but she still perks up a bit.

She turns around, reaching for a couple of her stuffed bears, handing Renjun one.

‘Play house?’

‘Yeah of course baby,’ he smiles, ‘do you want to play on the floor?’

‘No, here is fine.’

Renjun has always found her bossiness funny.

‘Ok, whatever you want.’

’This bear is… the mum.’

Renjun nods along.

‘And this bear,’ Jinghua motions to the slightly bigger bear in Renjun’s hand, ‘is the dad, ok?’

‘Ok,’ Renjun grins.

‘And then,’ she pulls out a minuscule teddy, about the size of Renjun’s hand, ‘this is the baby.’

Child logic.

Renjun loves to play games with his children. The stress of being an idol is naturally a lot to deal with, so the ability to switch his brain off and just do something dumb for a while is almost like a form of therapy for him. It helps that he loves his three children with all of his heart, and seeing them explore the world through play is so rewarding.

Each of the kids had such different ways of playing as well. Tengfei liked to move and play sports, Bojing liked to dress up and put himself in situations and Jinghua liked to explore social situations.

The two of them acted out a what was most likely a riveting tea party for Jinghua but a mind-numbing experience for Renjun, and eventually even she grew bored.

‘Was I a baby?’ Sh suddenly inquires.

He has three kids now, he should be used to the random questions.

‘Of course you were,’ Renjun explains as he stacks up the teeny plastic plates to be put into Jinghua’s toy box, ‘you’re still a baby now, really.’

‘No I’m not,’ she huffs, ‘you always say that I’m a big girl.’

‘You are a big girl,’ Renjun agrees chuckling at the horrified look on his girl’s face, ‘but you’re still only little.’

He kisses the side of her head as she yawns, completely exhausted from all of the playing.

‘Do you need a nap darling?’

She nods, and Renjun is happy that she’s in comfortable clothes so that they can both crash.

‘I think I do too… how about we have a nap in mummy/mommy and daddy’s bed?’

Jinghua’s face physically lights up at this, she loves being allowed to be in your huge double bed.

‘Come on,’ Renjun grabs onto the little girl’s hand, slowly pulling her towards your room.

Renjun goes to lift her up onto the bed, but she insists that she can ‘do it all by herself,’ and so she climbs up, crawling under the blanket.

Renjun goes to the other side, helping Jinghua cover herself fully with the blanket.

He strokes her hair, humming absentmindedly.

She is out like a light soon enough, her soft breathing lulling Renjun to sleep too.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⋆✦⋆ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

The sound of a car door slamming outside wakes Renjun up. His head springs up from the pillow, disturbing Jinghua.

‘What,’ she mutters, ‘daddy?’

‘I’m still here.’

‘What happened?’

‘Nothing, just go back to sleep baby,’ he murmurs, but she whines.

‘Can you sing the song?’

Dear Dream was one of Jinghua’s favourite songs. You play it a lot when doing housework or driving, as well as the fact that Jinghua had heard the song several times at NCT Dream concerts.

‘You want me to sing you to sleep?’

She nods, purposefully giving Renjun her greatest puppy dog eyes. His heart leapt.

‘Ok I’ll sing, just close your eyes sweetheart.’

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⋆✦⋆ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

‘Junie?’ You call through the silent house as Bojing and Tengfei kick their shoes off.

You poke your head into Jinghua’s room and it’s empty.

‘Jun?’ You call again, heading towards your bedroom.

You push open the door only to see your husband and daughter sound asleep. Jinghua looks so tiny in comparison to her father, whose arm is slung around her small body.

The footsteps of your two boys coming towards you makes you tear your gaze away.

’Shh,’ you press a finger to your lips, ‘they’re asleep. Let’s leave them.’

You close the door with a click, leaving Renjun and Jinghua to sleep peacefully.

[fangirlovestuff]

Okay! I had this idea brewing in my mind (but that’s the most my mind is capable of I’ll leave the writing to the professionals). So Carly or Shana (you can decide) are planning on going away for a vacation with their partner but they’re sceptical of leaving the children alone. So they ask Chris if him and reader (who is Chris’ girlfriend and super close to his family) to babysit the kids over the weekend and they accept. Since Chris is busy with ASP reader mostly entertains the kids, helps them with homework and stuff and Chris sees the way she is with them and imagines their future! Please make it fluffy 🥺❤️❤️

A Tale Of Nephews And Princesses - Chris Evans x reader

a/n - @tonystankschild surprise! i got my ask back somehow so i can properly post this!! thank you so much for this lovely ask, I had so much fun writing it! I chose Carly pretty randomly. her children’s names are online, so that was mostly why lol. in my head i imagined it so Miles is the firstborn, then Stella then Ethan but it doesn’t really matter. they’re all pretty small in the fic so like, the oldest is 10 years old? idk, i didn’t really wana do research because i wanted to respect their privacy lol, so i took creative liberty over most of it. also you calling me a professional?🥺 pls omg i am so far from it but tysm!! I hope you enjoy it!!<3

Word Count: 3k (!!! y’all are getting fed hehe)

Warnings: none! just fluffy fluff :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey babe?" Chris asked, coming into the living room. His hand was on the telephone, so whoever's on the other side was still on the call.

"Yeah?" you replied from your place on the couch.

"Is it okay if Carly's kids come sleep at ours next weekend? It's Carly's anniversary so they wanna go on a weekend away."

"Yeah, sure," you smiled, "watching them is gonna be no problem. Tell her I said congrats!"

"I will," he smiled. "And well, I have some stuff for A Starting Point I gotta do that weekend. I told you about the interview and –"

"It's okay, I don't mind watching them," you smiled and cut him off. "I'll have someone to keep ne company while you're busy."

"You're the best," he blew you a kiss and you smiled as he got back on the phone with his sister.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You're sure it's okay?" Carly asked, ushering her kids through the door of your and Chris' house.

"Yes, we're sure," you smiled at her. "It's no problem at all."

"Besides, even if we weren't, I don't think you'd have any other options right now," Chris smiled at his sister as well. "Go, have fun, we'll all be here when you come back. If anything, you should worry about them not wanting to leave," he smirked.

"Sure," she drawled out with a smile. "Well, if you need anything at all just call me," she told the both of you.

"It's gonna be fine," you laid a hand on her shoulder, smiling. "I could understand why you'd be worried if you left them with this five-year-old," you nudged Chris with your elbow and he rolled his eyes, "but I'm here and I assure you we're gonna have a lot of fun, isn't that right kids?" you smiled at Chris' nephews and niece, who were still standing there with their bags, waiting to say goodbye to their mom.

"Alright," she laughed. "Well, have fun kids! Bye!" she hugged each one of them and went back to her car, where her husband was waiting to go on a weekend away. It was their anniversary, so you and Chris volunteered to watch Miles, Stella and Ethan while they were away for a couple of days.

Before you managed to say anything, you and Chris were bombarded with questions – "Uncle Chris, can we play Mario Kart?" "No! Can we have a princess tea party?" "Can you read me a story?" "Can we eat cookies?" "Where's Dodger?" "Can we play with the cap shield?"

Chris looked at you and you return his amused look with one of your own. "Okay," you said, effectively silencing them as they looked up at you with wide eyes. "We can do all of these things later, but for now we should put your bags up. Dodger's hiding, so maybe after we find him, we can play with him, alright? But bags first," you smiled at them as they immediately sprinted upstairs with their bags, as best as they could carry them.

"Be careful!" you yelled after them and laughed.

"Is Dodger hiding?" Chris frowned at you.

"Of course not. I got him out in the yard before they arrived so he wouldn't tackle them to the ground," you grinned.

"What would I do without you?" he smiled, wrapping his arms around you.

"My guess? Have more sweaters," you chuckled. "But hey, that's why I'm here!" you showed off the sweater you were currently wearing, which was indeed his, making him laugh.

"C'mon, let's go make sure they're not breaking anything," you pecked his lips.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chris was the first one to go outside and play with them and Dodger, while you hung back for a while, cutting up some fruit and getting some juice boxes before stepping outside as well.

"You guys hungry?" you smiled at them when you got out, Dodger immediately running to you and the kids right behind him.

"Yes!" they yelled in unison as you put the plate down on the table before sitting down next to them and Chris.

"Oh, by the way it's 4:15, so you should probably go get ready," you told him. He had an interview for ASP in about 20 minutes, and as much as you'd love for him to stay outside with you, you knew he had to go back inside to his home office.

"Thanks honey," he smiled softly before patting Miles' head and scratching Dodger's ear. "Alright kids, be good while I'm working," he winked at them before disappearing inside.

"Princess auntie?" Stella asked once she finished eating. Your heart melted in your chest at the sound of it, not the princess part of course, since Stella was currently obsessed with Disney and had the habit of calling everyone princes and princesses. No, it was the auntie that tugged at your heartstrings.

You weren't officially a part of the Evans family, well, not yet, you hoped. But their tendency to embrace you as one of their own never failed to make you smile, because there's nothing you'd want to be more.

"Yes, princess Stella?" you smiled at her.

"Can we have a tea party now?"

You chuckled at her request. "Well, I think there's nothing better for a tea party than…" you paused for suspense, "cookies!" at the sound of that all three of them cheered and you laughed. "But you all have to come and help me make them!"

The happy bunch followed you to the kitchen and you let Dodger into the living room on your way so he could rest a little.

"Okay, first of all we all need to wash our hands," you instructed. After a few minutes and some stray drops of water later, you were ready to go.

"Okay, Miles, you can help me measure everything, and Stella can pour it in, and Ethan's gonna stir, sounds good?"

Surprisingly, the kids went with your suggestion without any argument, and you started making the batter.

"Ethan, mix slower, will you?" you contained your laughter once a bit of batter flew out of the bowl and onto Miles' face. "Are you okay Miles?"

You turned to the kid in question to wipe the batter from his face, but you found he already took it on his finger and tasted it. "It's really good," he nodded, and you and you couldn't contain your giggle now.

"I'm glad, but let's try not to eat the cookies until they're ready," you raised your eyebrows at him and he nodded in understanding, although a grin was still on his face so you weren't sure how much he was going to stick to that.

The rest went pretty smoothly, and just as you were dividing your batter and putting the cookies in the baking pan Chris walked in, having just finished his interview.

"Ooooo, what are you guys making?" he smiled.

"Cookies!" Ethan yelled.

"For the tea party!" Stella added.

"But I don't wike tea parties," Miles sulked.

"You don’t have to be in the tea party to eat the cookies," you calmed him down before they'd start fighting.

"Now come on, let's finish up these cookies and then we can go play."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You spent the rest of the afternoon playing board games, the smell of the cookies filling the air as the kids got more and more impatient to have them. Eventually, it was time to take them out, and you tried to slip away unnoticed but unfortunately they noticed and followed you to the kitchen.

"I'm taking out the cookies, but just remember they're very hot and we can't eat them yet, okay?"

You heard a chorus of okays before you opened the oven, the pleasant smell and warmth coming at you in a wave. You grinned and took the cookies out of the oven, warning the kids to stay away from it while you put them on the counter and went to shut off the oven.

After a few minutes you touched the cookies tentatively, and found they were cool enough to give to the kids to taste. They all took a bite and immediately smiled.

"Well? Did we succeed?" you asked with a smile, taking a cookie yourself.

"Yeah!" they all nodded, and ran to the living room, where Chris was still sitting. "Uncle Chris, you have to taste our cookies!" you heard Stella say and smiled, knowing they'd all walk in here in a couple of seconds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You all ate dinner together, cookies for dessert obviously, and before long it was bedtime. Chris needed to get some more work done, so you were the one to put them to bed. The boys were sleeping in the same room and Stella in another one, but all four of you were currently snuggled together in the boys' room, as you read them all a story.

Stella was on one side of you, her eyelids slightly drooping already. Miles and Ethan were on the other side, and you were half sure Ethan was already asleep. Dodger was at the foot of the bed, seemingly listening as well. You were just reading the last page when Chris walked in, a grin stretching on his face at the sight in front of him.

You smiled back and softly finished the rest of the story, closing the book and putting it down on the bedside table. Carefully getting up, you kissed Miles and Ethan's foreheads goodnight before taking a sleepy Stella into your arms, smiling at Chris on your way out of the room as you carried her to her bed, laying her down and tucking her blanket around her.

"Goodnight princess auntie," she mumbled.

"Goodnight princess Stella," you whispered back and smiled, gently tucking her hair away from her face before getting up. Seeing Chris waiting for you at the doorway, you put your finger to your mouth signaling him to be quiet until you softly shut the door nearly all the way behind you, leaving a small crack so it wouldn't be completely dark and so you could hear her if she needed anything.

"Did you get your work done?" you whispered as you wrapped your arms around Chris' neck.

"Yeah," he whispered back. "You're really good with them, you know that?" he smiled, affection dancing in his eyes.

"They're great kids," you smiled back, pecking his lips softly before drawing away. "C'mon, let's go to bed."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning you awoke to the sound of whispers and padding of feet coming from the hallway. You smiled to yourself before getting away from Chris, whose arms were wrapped tightly around your torso. He stirred when you sat up, mumbling a low "Where are you going?"

"They're awake, but try and get some more sleep, you have a long day today," you whispered back, kissing his cheek before getting out of bed and out of the room, shutting the door behind you.

When they noticed you got up they stopped talking and you smiled at them. "C'mon, let's go downstairs so we won't wake uncle Chris," you whispered.

When you were down you asked them in a low voice, "did you brush your teeth? What do you want for breakfast?"

After they all brushed their teeth, and so did you, you all gathered in the kitchen to make breakfast. You made them some chocolate milk and they drank it while you made something to eat, laying it out of the table and sitting down to eat with them, but not before you put some food aside for Chris.

"What do you wanna do today, huh?" you asked, taking a sip from your mug.

"I have homework," Miles admitted shyly. "Mommy said I was supposed to do them yesterday, but I forgot."

"That's alright, you can do them right now," you ruffled his hair affectionately.

After you were done with breakfast, Miles sat down to do his homework and Stella and Ethan helped you with the dishes. Well, they just handed you the dishes, which you then washed and put in their place, but it kept them occupied long enough.

You were nearly done with the dishes when you felt a tug on the hem of your shirt. "Can you help me?" Miles looked up at you.

"Of course," you smiled. "Stella and Ethan, wait a sec alright? And be careful!"

You walked back to the kitchen table with him, where he showed you the exercise he was struggling with. Just as you were helping him solve it, Chris walked into the kitchen. Thankfully, fully dressed in his everyday clothes, you eye rolled inwardly at your boyfriend's sleeping garments, or lack thereof.

"Hey guys! Did you have breakfast already?" he asked, going to hug Stella and Ethan.

"I left you some," you gestured at the plate on the counter with a smile.

"Thank you," he picked it up and started eating. "What'cha doing there bud?" he asked Miles.

"My homework," he said with a shy grin. "But I'm almost done!"

"Yeah," you smiled. You explained it for him, all the while ignoring Chris' eyes on you. You felt his gaze and smiled, not giving it any attention and helping Miles solve the problem.

"All done!" you high fived him and he cheered.

"Good job!" Chris smiled at the both of you. "I have to do some work, but after I'm done we can go play some more with Dodge, how about that?"

"Yay!" they cheered. He hugged them all and retreated into his office once more. You knew how much he hated not being able to be with them all day while they're here, but he cared about this project a lot, so you were going to make sure everyone had a great time regardless.

"Okay, how about…" you paused to think, "we build a blanket fort! As a surprise for uncle Chris," you smiled at their excited reaction. "But shhh! We have to be very quiet so he won't hear us, because it's a surprise!" knowing Chris needed his focus, you were glad when they nodded their heads. Ethan out a finger to his lips and shushed his siblings, which you giggled at.

"After you," you gestured for them to start walking towards the living room. "The blanket fort isn't going to build itself!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They were quiet, whispering to each other as you draped the blankets you had brought from their bedrooms. The only loud sounds were their laughs, which you really couldn't bring yourself to get mad about.

After nearly an hour, the blanket fort was complete. You all cuddled inside, the kids bringing their dolls as well.

"Can we watch a princess movie?" Stella asked once you had suggested they watch a movie.

"No! I don't wike it!" Miles immediately objected.

"Yeah, no princess!" Ethan joined his brother.

"Okay, how about… Peter Pan?" you asked them. Then, you leaned closer to Stella and whispered in her ear, "Tinkerbell's a fairy! That's almost as good as a princess, right?"

She contemplated it for a moment before nodding her head. You kissed the top of her head and put on the movie. You all settle down, and you cuddled Stella close to you, smiling as Ethan and Miles soon joined.

That was how Chris found you, about an hour later, and his heart swelled in his chest at the sight. His niece and nephews all cuddled up with you, watching a Disney movie. He thought about the ring, safely stowed away deep in his bedside drawer, and smiled softly.

With any luck, soon these might be your own kids you'll cuddle with. The thought filled him with giddiness, but also nerves. He didn't really think you'd say no, but hell – you can never know with these things. All he knew was that he wants to spend the rest of his life with you, and he was going to ask you if you wanted the same. Soon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The end of the day finally arrived, and Carly and her husband were coming to pick up the kids.

"You got everything?" you asked them. They all nodded their heads. "Great! Well, your mom's gonna be here in a few, so how about –"

"But I don't wanna go!" Miles complained.

"Yeah, I wanna stay here!" Ethan exclaimed.

"Princess auntie, pretty please can we stay?" Stella looked up at you.

"I'm sorry guys," you smiled, "But you have school tomorrow. Besides, your mom missed you very much, and I'm sure you missed her too. Don't you miss mommy and daddy?"

"Yes," they admitted.

"C'mon, don't be sad," you grinned at them, "you can always come visit us."

At that moment Dodger decided it was a good time to greet them goodbye, jumping up and trying to lick them. They giggled, and you and Chris exchanged a fond glance over their heads. You heard the car pulling up outside, so you caught onto Dodger and made him stop before Chris opened your door, knowing Carly would be coming to get them.

"Mommy!" they all yelled.

"Hey babies!" she greeted them and pulled them all into a big hug.

Dodger tried to escape your hold and join them, but you caught him before he could tackle them. "Don't be jealous," you playfully chastised him and scratched him behind his ear.

"Hello Dodger," Carly smiled and came to pet him as well. "Okay kids, say goodbye, daddy's waiting for us in the car."

"Bye bye!" said and hugged both you and Chris tightly.

"Bye!" you waved at them once they got out, closing the door gently behind them.

Chris came to wrap his arms around you. "You're amazing."

"So are you," you smiled into his neck.

"No, I'm serious. You were amazing with them," he smiled timidly. "And well, in the future, I…" he trailed off.

"Awwww, you were totally thinking about what if they were our kids, weren't you?" you grinned. "That's so cute!" you teased him.

"Whatever," his cheeks tinted slightly. "I guess you don't wanna hear what I think."

"No, I do!" you objected with a smile.

"I think," he started, "that you're gonna be the best mom ever someday. And I am so lucky to have you."

"And you're gonna be the best dad," you smiled before leaning it to kiss him.

When you broke apart, you smiled. You knew how true your words were, and you couldn't wait until that turned into a reality.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

what’d you think??🥰

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[chxrrysangel]

Stark Tea Time

Summary || Morgan Stark drags Bucky to one of her legendary tea parties, Sam leaving him to drown in pink fluff and glitter.

Warnings || Bucky actually smiles

You do not have permission to post my work anywhere else

“Lay up Cyborg, live a little. It’s not like I’m gonna di—���

“Look! Sam, I drew something for you!”

The two men’s attention is diverted from their conversation as little Morgan Stark comes barreling down the hallway, paper flapping in one hand and an assortment of crayons in the other. Her hair is covered in little butterfly clips, strands adorned with a wide array of colors from the chalk dye strewn across her cherry wood floors. She’s wearing a massive tutu, dressing to the 9s in a blue ballerina costume.

Sam smiles at the little girl, always excited to see what she has to offer. Ever since Tony passed, all of the Avengers men have taken on a father-like role towards the child, always making sure she feels loved and cared for. It’s the least they can do.

He bends down to her eye level, giving her his full attention. The smile on Sam’s face is in complete contrast to the grimace adorning Bucky’s features.

“What’s up sweetheart? Whatcha got?”

The little Stark giggles in excitement, overjoyed to see her two favorite Avengers come to see her again. They’re always quite busy, saving the world and everything. So each visit is quite meaningful to her. They’ll never replace Tony, but they ensure that his memory and love for Morgan is something she’ll never lack. They’d all die before that happens, and she knows that.

She takes the drawing from behind her back and lays it out for both of them to see. It resembles some sort of bird-like figure, Sam thinks to himself. Next to it is a robot-type figure, not failing to notice the frown etched into his features with a Crayola marker. Shaking with excitement, the little Stark looks at the two men expectantly.

“What is it?”

Morgan sighs loudly, annoyed by their stupidity and lack of “artistic vision”. The two men have yet to figure out where she learned such a concept.

“It’s you guys! Duh!” Their mouthes form into an ‘o’ shape in understanding.

“Well it’s stunning. It’s absolutely beautiful Morg. You know, I might have frame this one actually. When you become a famous painter, this is gonna be worth so much money!” Morgan squeals, jumping around excitedly as Sam praises her.

“I think it’s kind of ugl—” Sam cuts him off by sending a small electrical current to Bucky’s arm, causing him to hunch over in pain as he’s being electrocuted.

“What he was trying to say is that it’s very avant-garde, meaning unique in the art world. Don’t worry little Stark, it’s a good thing.” Sam smiles at her encouragingly, hoping Terminator’s harsh words back there wash over her. She nods in understanding, James’s words already long forgotten.

The two men attempt to continue their conversation from before, discussing details about their next mission. There’s a hostage situation in the Palace of Westminster, the perpetrators threatening to blow the whole thing up with everyone in it. But before they can really strategize how to scope out the place, Sam feels a tap on his leg.

“Yes princess?”

“Can you guys come to my tea party?”

“Actually Morgan, we have to go so—” Bucky starts to say before being rudely cut off my bird-man to his left. Sam shoot daggers in his partner’s direction and the words die in his throat.

“Actually, I have to go take care of something really quickly. But Bucky can join you.” At those words, Bucky’s head jolts in his direction, giving Sam one of the meanest looks he’s probably ever seen. But the big man is all bark and no bite, so Sam just laughs in his face. Bucky’s fists tighten at his sides, thinking of all the ways he plans to torture and murder Sam when they leave the Stark house.

Morgan, on the other hand, is practically bursting at the seams. Bucky doesn’t know this, but he’s her favorite of all the Avengers, especially because his titanium arm reminds her of her dad’s suit. She feels closer to him when she’s with Bucky. Plus, they’re both kinda stoic, but it’s only an act in her eyes. She knows that deep down, he has a heart of gold.

Morgan takes Bucky by the hand, dragging him down the hallway back to her room. Meanwhile, Bucky looks back at Sam, pleading for some kind of mercy or aid. Sam, of course, provides no such thing and only cackles at his best friend’s misfortune. He says goodbye to Pepper, promising to be back once he finishes talking to Torres.

Meanwhile in a certain Stark’s bedroom…

Morgan bounced from corner to corner of her large bedroom, capturing all of the items she needs for this special occasion. It’s not often she has a guest for her weekly tea parties, let along James Buchanan Barnes of all people. She has to make a good impression if he’s ever going to come back.

Standing like a dark looming giant,surrounded by tiny chairs and more pink and purple than he’s ever seen, Bucky is clearly out of his element. At 6’0 tall, he stands taller than anything in this room, standing neck and neck with the canopy bed in the middle. Morgan doesn’t take notice of his discomfort however, she’s just happy to have him. She whips around him, gathering her stuffed animals at the table and setting up the placemats for each guest.

Almost as if having an epiphany, the mini Stark girl gasps and runs out the bedroom, yelling that she’ll be right back. Bucky wanders around the room, taking notice of all the little trinkets and toys that he, along with the rest of the team, gifted to her over time. His lips contort into a ghost of a smile, reminiscing all the times Morgan screamed for joy every time they came bearing gifts. The gifts didn’t really matter to her, though. It was just their presence that set her heart into cardiac arrest and her cheeks aflame. They were her family.

Not soon after, Morgan returns dragging a more normal sized chair into her room. Bucky is surprised at this action, as the small girl is barely breaking a sweat. That is, until he noticed the two small gadgets attached the back of the chair, marked with Tony’s insignia. So little Stark is smart, just like her dad.

Morgan sets the chair down next to her own pink, fluffy and bedazzled throne at the head of the table. She sits down, motioning Bucky to take a seat and calls the tea party into session. Bucky’s eyes wander over the pristinely white tabletop, taking in the wide assortment of snacks. From shortbread, frosted oatmeal cookies, to cheeseburgers and mini sandwiches, you name it and she’s got it. The baked goods are Pepper’s doing of course, courtesy of her daily afternoon attempts to become the next Martha Stewart. Morgan doesn’t mind at all, eager to indulge in a daily sugar high as the designated guinea pig.

“Tea?,” the child offers, “it’s raspberry, your favorite.” James can’t help but blush as her consideration of his tastes. For a kid, she’s a pretty decent host. He quickly covers up his blush by coughing and nods firmly.

After filling up the China tea cups lined up around the table, Morgan moves towards introductions. “Bucky, these are my friends. There’s Mr.Whiskers, Genevieve, Fae, Natasha, Tony, and James. They’re very happy to have you here with us. They think you look quite nice today.”

James? As in… Bucky can’t help but blush again, honored that Morgan named one of her beloved stuffed animals after him. He smiles shyly, staring at the lavender Elephant across the table. The girl doesn’t fail to notice his smile, happy that he’s happy.

“So James, how do you feel about glitter?”

~~~

The doorbell rings sometime around 7:00, just after sunset. Pepper opens the door to a smiling Sam, carrying a mysterious box by his side. He just left Torres house, the two men agreeing to scope out the place just before dawn when everyone is still sleeping. That way, they can get a good picture of what it looks like on the inside without having to use night vision technology.

“What’s in the box?”

“Lemon Merengue. For Morgan.” Lemon Merengue is Morgan’s favorite dessert. So by bringing her some, Sam hopes that she’ll forgive him for taking a rain check on one of her illustrious tea parties.

“They’re still down the hall.” Pepper points in the direction of mini Stark’s room, before returning to her baking. Tonight, she’s trying devil’s food cake.

Even from down the hall, Sam can hear the chatting of two distinct voices, a deep scratchy one and a much higher, daintier tone. He shakes his head at Morgan’s complete lack of an inside voice when she’s excited. They must be having a blast in there.

To Sam’s surprise, Bucky actually seems to be enjoying himself. He stands in the doorframe, watching the two chat back and forth while a Disney movie soundtrack plays in the background. From the distinct piano, Sam recognizes Beauty & the Beast (also one of Morgan’s favorites).

Sitting down obediently, Bucky gives Morgan his full attention as she places puffy stickers on his titanium arm and adds little doodles to his real one. He smiles as he watches her drawing a picture of the two of them with princess tiaras and feather boas, just like they are now. She babbles away, telling him the details of the movie she wants them to watch together. It’s called Tangled, he learns.

Sam decides to leave the two alone, going back to help Pepper bake in the kitchen. Although, not before snapping a picture of the two together, reminding himself to print it and put it on the fridge. He knows that Pepper isn’t exactly the kindest person to be in the kitchen with, as she is very bossy and demanding. But he’d take that over ruining this special moment in the princess-themed room down the hall.

He can still hear the faint giggles and screams of Morgan, this time begging Bucky to stop tickling her. She pleads for mercy but he refuses to budge, only making her laugh harder and her giggles to bounce off the walls like they’re in an echo chamber. And to think, he was gonna say no earlier.

[footballerimaginess]

2020 Imagines

Here are all of my imagines which I have posted in the year 2020. It has been a long year, so of course I have posted so much that I actually forgot I even wrote some of these imagines. But please enjoy reading these, I would love to know what your favourite imagine I wrote is. Also can you show this some love, I have put so much effort into writing all these imagines as well as putting this list together. 

JANUARY  1) Leroy Sane - You’re hiding something from me part 2 2) Roman Burki - Adopting A Princess Part 2  3) Jesse Lingard - She’s A Bully Part 2  4) Karim Benzema - Girlfriend Or Wife Part 2  5) Ben Chilwell - Member Of The Crew  6) Eric Dier - Birthday Love  FEBRUARY  1) Jack Grealish - After Game Fun  2) Andy Robertson - Friends Or More?  3) Trent Alexander Arnold - Press Conference  4) Kostas Manolas - Cup Of Tea  5) Dele Alli - Rebound  6) Pierre Emerick Aubamayeng - Not A Secret  7) Hector Bellerin - Back Home  8) Paulo Dybala - Down To The Wire  9) Trent Alexander Arnold - Morning Riser  10) Frenkie De Jong - Coffee Date  11) Dele Alli - Playstation  12) Trent Alexnder Arnold - Supportive Boyfriend  13) Hector Bellerin - In The Stands  14) Jan Vertonghen - Hard Times  15) Niklas Stark - Feeling Lonely  16) Mauricio Pochettino - Dad’s The Word  17) Federico Bernardeschi - Spa Day  18) Piotr Zielinksi - Pamper Session  19) Jesse Lingard - Secret Fan  20) Marcus Rashford - That Ex  21) Jesse Lingard - Mummy Daddy Fighting  22) Jesse Lingard - Jealous Boy  23) Federico Bernardesch - Surprise Birthday Party  24) Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Home Sweet New Home  25) Paulo Dybala - Old Football Club  26) Alex Meret - How We Met  27) Dele Alli - Say Goodbye  28) Jesse Lingard - New Boots  29) Federico Bernardeschi - Disney Princess  MARCH  1) Jan Vertonghen - Stupid Fight  2) Ben Chiwell - Barbecue Night  APRIL  1) Eric Dier - Baby Kicks  2) Paulo Dybala - Friends with benefits  3) Alex Oxlade Chamberlain - I want pickles  4) Jesse Lingard - Gender Reveal Party  5) Trent Alexander Arnold - Multiple Babies  6) Roman Burki - Baby’s Room  7) Harry Winks - Hormonal  8) Ben Chilwell - 9 Months  9) Kylian Mbappe - Missing The Birth  10) James Maddison -  Daddy’s Day Out  11) Julian Brandt - Sick Baby  12) John Stones - John The Softy  13) Frenkie De Jong - Blurb  14) Eric Dier - Easter Blurb  15) Neymar - Just No More  16) Julian Brandt - Easter Blurb  17) Harry Kane - Easter Blurb  18) Paulo Dybala - Easter Blurb  19) Eric Dier - Easter Blurb  20) Christian Pulisic - Baby Goes Home  21) Federico Bernardeschi - Sweet Music  22) Antoine Greizmann - Can We Have A Baby  23) Leon Goretzka - Baby Shopping  24) Dele Alli - I Feel Sick  25) Joshua Kimmich - Baby Kimmich  26) Virgil Van Dijk - My Little Mascot  27) Eric Dier - Lego Buddies  28) Tyrone Mings - Gym Workout  29) Ben Davies - Afternoon Nap  30) Jadon Sacnho - FaceTime Calls  31) Frenkie De Jong - Blurb  32) Julian Brandt - Blurb  33) Kepa Arrizabalaga - Blurb  34) Jesse Lingard - Blurb  35) Frenkie De Jong - Blurb  36) Pau Torres - Blurb  37) Christian Pulisic - TikTok Challenges  38) James Maddison - Night Walk  39) Dele Alli - Playstation Games  40) Reiss Nelson - Distraction  41) Alvaro Medran - Snakes And Ladders  42) Paulo Dybala - Work Work Work  MAY  1) Jan Vertonghen - Virtual Quiz  2) Ben Chiwell - Dinner Party  3) Hector Bellerin - Shaved Head  4) John Stones - Lockdown Date Night  5) Kai Havertz - Bake With Me  6) Julian Brandt - I’m with you  7) Pau Torres - Sore Loser  8) Thorgan Hazard - Painter  9) Harry Winks - The Baker  10) Ximo Navarro - Bored In The House  11) Ben Chilwell - Member Of The Crew Part 2  12) Jesse Lingard - Blurb  13) Jadon Sancho - Blurb  14) Eric Dier - Blurb  15) Virgil Van Dijk - Blurb  16) Eric Dier - Beauty Therapist  17) Hector Bellerin - Come Live With Me  18) Jadon Sancho - Blurb  19) Roman Burki - Blurb  20) Marcus Rashford - Blurb  21) Julian Brandt - Blurb  22) Federico Bernardeschi - Blurb  23) Paulo Dybala - Blurb  24) Sergi Roberto - Blurb  25) Dele Alli - Blurb  26) Trent Alexander Arnold - Blurb  27) Dele Alli - Blurb  28) Harry Winks - Blurb  29) Marco Asensio - Blurb  30) Eric Dier - Your Biggest Fan  31) Hector Bellerin - Two Dogs  32) Eric Dier - Amusement Park  JUNE  1) Trent Alexander Arnold - My Eyes Are Up Here  2) Kylian Mbappe - Grip your hair  3) Trent Alexander Arnold - You haven’t lost me  4) Ben Chilwell - There’s A Monster  5) Kylian Mbappe - Why are you in my room?  6) Jack Grealish - Don’t Leave  7) Kylian Mbaeppe - Stretch Marks  8) James Maddison - Dog’s Best Friend  9) Kylian Mbappe - My Body Wash  10) Marco Asensio - First Zoo Trip  11) Dele Alli - We’re not just friends  12) Neymar - I fell in love with you, not them  13) Dele Alli - In The Loft  14) Ben Chiwell - Nothing is wrong with you  15) Lukasz Pisczesk - Single Life  16) Donny Van De Beek - You make me weak  17) Marco Reus - The alcohol’s taking  18) Paulo Dybala - Stubborness  19) Nicolas Taglifico - Is That My Shirt?  20) Anyone You Like - Father’s Day  21) Jadon Sancho - Blurb  22) Dominic Calvert Lewin - Blurb  23) Dominic Calvert Lewin - Blurb  24) Ross Barkley - Blurb  25) Trent Alexander Arnold - Blurb  26) Trent Alexander Arnold - Blurb  27) Jadon Sancho - Blurb  28) Dele Alli - Blurb  29) Kylian Mbappe - Blurb  30) Dele Alli  Blurb  31) Jadon Sancho - Blurb  32) Lionel Messi - Blurb  33) Olivier Giroud - Blurb  34) Eden Hazard - Blurb  35) Jadon Sancho - Blurb  36) Trent Alexander Arnold - Blurb  37) Trent Alexander Arnold - Blurb  38) Jadon Sancho - Blurb  39) Harry Kane - Blurb  40) Robert Lewandowski - Blurb  41) Sergio Ramos - Blurb  42) Eden Hazard - Blurb  43) Jack Grealish - Blurb  44) Sergio Ramos - Blurb  45) John Stones - Blurb  46) Frenkie De Jong - Always On My Mind  47) Antoine Griezmann - I’m not being used no more  48) Leon Goretzka - You make me safe  49) Federico Bernardeschi - I think I’m in love with you  50) Jesse Lingard - It’s always been you  51) Marcus Rashford - I’m not going anywhere  52) Eric Dier - Bubble Bath  53) Antoine Griezmann - Rest Of My Life  54) Stefanos Kapino - Up All Night  55) Trent Alexander Arnold - So Kissable  56) Trent Alexander Arnold - The things you do to me  JULY  1) Dele Alli - Black Joggers  2) Ben Chilwell - Member Of The Crew Part 3  3) Hector Bellerin - To My Ex  4) James Maddison - A Little Miracle  5) James Maddison - A Little Miracle Part 2  6) Eric Dier - In The Shed  7) Isco - Blurb  8) Eric Dier - Blurb  9) Marcus Rashford - Blurb  10) James Maddison - Blurb  11) Ben Chilwell - Blurb  12) James Maddison - Blurb  13) Ben Chilwell - Blurb  14) Trent Alexander Arnold - Blurb  15) Dele Alli - Blurb  16) Leon Goretzka - Blurb  17) Eric Dier - Blurb  18) Federico Bernardeschi - Blurb  19) Federico Bernardeschi - Blurb  20) Toby Alderweireld - Blurb  21) Julian Brandt - Blurb  22) Christian Pulisic - Blurb  23) Tyrone Mings - Blurb  24) Harry Winks - Blurb  25) Jack Grealish - Blurb  26) Jadon Sancho - Blurb  27) Eric Dier - Blurb  28) Eric Dier - Blurb  29) Sergi Roberto - Blurb  30) Hector Bellerin - Blurb  31) Allison Becker - Blurb  32) Raul Jiminez - Blurb  33) James Justin - Blurb  34) James Maddison - Blurb  35) Steven Bergwijn - Blurb  36) Giovani Lo Celso - Blurb  37) Giovani Lo Celso - Blurb  38) Emil Krafth - Blurb  39) Nick Pope - Blurb  40) Tyrone Mings - Blurb  41) Virgil Van Dijk - Blurb  42) Jack Grealish - Blurb  43) Ruben Loftus Cheek - Blurb  44) Hector Bellerin - Blurb  45) Max Aarons - Blurb  46) Mason Mount - Blurb  47) Ruben Loftus Cheek - Blurb  48) Virgil Van Dijk - Blurb  49) Wilfried Zaha - Blurb  50) Hector Bellerin - Blurb  51) Sergio Aguero - Blurb  52) Dominic Calvert Lewin - Blurb  53) Dominic Calvert Lewin - Blurb  54) Dominic Calvert Lewin - Blurb  55) Dominic Calvert Lewin - Blurb  56) Dominic Calvert Lewin - Blurb  57) Dominic Calvert Lewin - Blurb  58) Aaron Connolly - Blurb  59) Raul Jiminez - Blurb  60) Jesse Lingard - Blurb  61) Dele Alli - Blurb  62) Trent Alexander Arnold - Blurb  63) Che Adams - Blurb  64) Neco Williams - Blurb  65) Todd Cantwell - Blurb  66) Jack Wilshere - Blurb  67) Todd Cantwell - Blurb  68) Jack Grealish - Blurb  69) Callum Wilson - Blurb  70) Sander Berge - Blurb  71) Tyrone Mings - Blurb  AUGUST  1) Eric Dier - I’m moving teams  2) Neymar - I’m moving countries  3) Reiss Nelson - I can’t ignore this  4) Paulo Dybala - I’m you number one supporter  5) Leon Goretzka - Surgery  6) Marcus Rashford - I can’t handle it  7) Dele Alli - The Media  8) Dele Alli - I’m so proud of you  9) Ben Chilwell - Dream  10) Marco Asenio - Medal round your neck  11) Harry Winks - My biggest game of my life  12) Federico Bernardeschi - I can’t play this season  13) Rhian Brewster - It’s an honour  14) Marc Bartra - My Baby  15) Ruqui Puig - I’m struggling not playing  16) Jadon Sancho - Play for your country  17) Alex Oxlade Chamberlain - Daddy has to go now  18) Ben Chilwell - Why does daddy need to go? 19) Trent Alexander Arnold - That Trophy  20) Dele Alli - I should have done better  *21) Noah Beck - Broody Beck  22) Kylian Mbappe - You could have been nicer  23) Eric Dier - The Dirty Text  24) Tyrone Mings - Sigh  25) Christian Pulisic - Attention  26) Jadon Sancho - Kissing your best friend  27) Trent Alexander Arnold - Naked  28) Tyrone Mings - Is your man still around?  29) Ben Chilwell - Rating the day  30) Trent Alexander Arnold - I ate all your snacks  31) Jordan Henderson - The wrong name check  SEPTEMBER  1) Paulo Gazzaniga - I have a human growing  2) James Maddison - You are pregnant?  3) Ben Chilwell - I miss daddy  4) Nicolas Tagalifico - Stretch Marks  5) Federico Bernardeschi - Pregnancy Test?  6) Marco Asensio - Wrapped round your little finger  7) Eric Dier - Bump is in the way  8) Harry Winks - My life is complete with you  9) Julian Brandt - The First Meeting  10) Eric Dier - You bought the kids a dog?  11) Eric Dier - I’m too young to have a baby  12) Kai Havertz - Troublesome Twins  13) Paulo Gazzaniga - I’m Late  14) Eric Dier - I can’t do this  15) Reiss Nelson - He is kicking  16) Jack Grealish - Skin To Skin  17) Marco Asensio - Pregnancy is hard  18) Paulo Dybala - I need a plaster  19) Antoine Greizmann - Stomach Bug?  20) Frenkie De Jong - Pregnant Again  21) Ben Davies - It’s your turn  22) Roman Burki - We do make cute babies  23) Joshua Kimmich - Pregnancy Hormones  24) Leon Goretzka - You are pissing me off  25) Nemanja Matic - Sneaky Wine  26) Jadon Sancho - Where do babies come from?  27) Harry Kane - Triplets  28) Trent Alexander Arnold - Homework  29) Dele Alli - Baby Clothes  30) Trent Alexander Arnold - Nothing fits me  OCTOBER 1) Tyrone Mings - Story - Trick Or Treat  2) Tyrone Mings - Story - Trick Or Treat Chapter 2  3) Tyrone Mings - Story - Trick Or Treat Chapter Three  4) Tyrone Mings - Story - Trck Or Treat Chapter Four  5) Tyrone Mings - Story - Trick Or Treat Chapter Five  6) Reiss Nelson - Trick And Treating  7) Dele Alli - Halloween Party  8) Leon Goretzka - You scared me  9) Dele Alli - Scary movie night  10) Ben Chilwell - Sweets  11) Jack Grealish - I hate scary films  12) Marcus Rashford - Ghost  13) Eric Dier - Halloween Decorations  14) Eric Dier - Scaredy Cat  15) Trent Alexander Arnold - Scary Date Night  16) Tyrone Mings - Prank War  17) Emre Can - Someone touched me  18) Reiss Nelson - Bedtime Story  19) Harry Winks - I’m not dressing up  20) Jadon Sancho - Ouijia Board  21) Christian Pulisic - I want them sweets  22) Eric Dier - Ghost Train  23) Ben Chilwell - Blurb  24) Eric Dier - Burb  25) Jack Grealish - Blurb  26) James Maddison - Blurb 27) Jesse Lingard - Blurb  28) Ben Chilwell - Blurb  29) Son Heung Min - Blurb  30) Stefanos Kapino - Blurb  31) Takumi - Blurb  32) Jack Grealish - Blurb  33) Hector Bellerin - Blurb  34) Eric Dier - Blurb  35) Hugo Lloris - Blurb  36) Mason Mount - Blurb  NOVEMBER  1) Pierre Emile Hojbjerg - Blurb  2) Eric Dier - Blurb  3) Harry Winks - Blurb  4) Eric Dier - Blurb  5) Jack Grealish - Blurb  6) Eric Dier - Blurb  7) Jack Grealish - Blurb  8) Eric Dier - Blurb  9) Eric Dier - Blurb  10) Jack Grealish - Blurb  11) Andy Robertson - Blurb  12) Jack Grealish - Blurb  13) Eric Dier - Blurb  DECEMBER  1) Ben Chilwell - Christmas Song  2) Toby Alderweireld - Wrapping Presents  3) Eric Dier - Die Hard  4) James Maddison - This Is my present  5) Ben Chilwell - Santa’s Naughty List  6) Dominic Calvert Lewin - Meet Santa  7) Trent Alexander Arnold - Cooking Dinner  8) Christian Pulisic - How many more times?  9) Christian Pulisic - Ugly Christmas Jumper  10) Ruben Loftus Cheek - You’re the biggest child  11) Jack Grealish - Such a pretty face  12) Julian Brandt - First Christmas  13) Mason Mount - I’m not going shopping  14) Jack Grealish - It’s absolutely freezing  15) James Maddison - Ice Skating  16) Harry Winks - Kiss me under the mistletoe  17) Marcus Rashford - Snowman  18) Eric Dier - Hungover On Christmas Day  19) Paulo Dybala - I hate Christmas  20) Jesse Lingard - Cat Climbs The Tree  21) Giovani Lo Celso - Advent Calander  22) Anyone you Like - Snowball  23) Eric Dier - Christmas Blurb  24) Jadon Sancho - Christmas Blurb  25) Trent Alexander Arnold - Christmas Blurb  26) Tyrone Mings - Christmas Blurb  27) Matty Cash - Christmas Blurb  28) Matty Cash - Christmas Blurb  29) Matty Cash - Christmas Blurb  30) Jack Grealish - Christmas Blurb  31) Anyone you Like - Blurb  32) James Maddison - Christmas Blurb  33) Anyone You Like - Blurb  34) John Stones - Christmas Blurb  35) Bastian Schweinsteiger - Christmas Blurb  36) Anyone you like - Christmas Blurb  37) Leon Goretzka - Christmas Blurb  38) Jack Grealish - Christmas Blurb  39) Eric Dier - Christmas Blurb  40) Reiss Nelson - Christmas Blurb  41) Mason Mount - Christmas Blurb  42) Eric Dier - Christmas Blurb  43) James Maddison - Christmas Blurb  44) Ben Chilwell - Christmas Blurb  45) Trent Alexander Arnold - Christmas Blurb  46) James Maddison - Christmas Blurb  47) Eric Dier - Christmas Blurb  48) Kalvin Phillips - Christmas Blurb  49) Trent Alexander Arnold - Christmas Blurb  50) Eric Dier - Christmas Blurb  51) Anyone You Like - Christmas  Tagging: @footballffbarbiex @evie-pr @lawsandother @meteora-fc @sanchos-dream @spursondele @kingkepaff @farmers-league @kkim120 @glam-khal @lxndonorris @footballxixstars 

[nineteenninety-six]

Disneyworld

Request: Can you do a Pedro Pascal imagine where him, his wife, and their child go out to like Disneyland and fans see them. Xx

A/N: I literally know nothing about Disneyworld so everything in here is from research so I’m sorry if it’s wrong. I’m English and I think the only time I’ve been to Disneyworld in Florida was for my 5th birthday and I’m turning 21 this year so lol but I still have the Minnie Mouse plushie that I got from there which is pretty cool. I went to the Disney California Adventure Park place back in 2017 and I just remember it being boring so I’m sorry again. 

This is the longest fic I’ve posted on here and it’s 3k of just domestic Pedro fluff, not that I’m complaining. It’s also half two in the morning so excuse the mistakes pls

WORD COUNT: 3219

“Woah…”

Ximena was slack-jawed with amazement as she walked through main street in the Magical Kingdom park. Tightly gripping the hand of her papá like she had been instructed to, Ximena was in a state of wonder, constantly turning her head from side to side trying to take in as much as she could.

Pedro had decided a small holiday was in order for the family and planned a week away down at Florida, along with a weekend trip to Disneyworld. Him and (Y/N) had decided to keep the trip to Disneyworld a secret from their daughter, wanting to surprise her, they had even booked a room in one of the resort hotels for the weekend and the excited squeals and gasps that escaped her when she saw the Walt Disney sign as they drove in, made it worth it. After dumping their bags and slipping Ximena in a Princess Tiana dress, her favourite princess, the family left their resort room and made their way into the theme park.

As they approached Cinderella’s Castle Ximena gasped at the sight of it, looking up excitedly at her father, “Papá look!”

Pedro himself was quite amazed at the famous castle, “Wanna take a picture in front of it with mamá?”

Ximena enthusiastically nodded and turned towards her mother with her arms stretched out, asking to be carried. (Y/N) picked her up and placed her on her hip before moving to stand in front of the castle and each of them put on their biggest smiles for the camera. Pedro couldn’t help but admire his family as he took the photo, remembering how lucky he was to have them.

“Papá, you now!” Ximena chimed as she and (Y/N) returned to Pedro’s side and checked out the photo he had taken.

“Of course, mi princesa.” Pedro swung his daughter up and pressed a kiss to her cheek before moving to where his wife stood not so long ago and smiling wildly at the camera.

Before he could walk back to (Y/N) he saw someone approach her and make vague gestures with their hands making (Y/N) nod and smile enthusiastically before she passed them her phone and skipped over to her husband and daughter.

“They offered to take a photo of all three of us!” (Y/N) told Pedro, causing him to nod in understanding.

The three of them with Ximena in the middle smiled as the kind stranger took their photo, Pedro grateful that they had managed to get a photo of all three of them.

After thanking the stranger, they moved on from the castle and made their way to the Princess Fairytale Hall. Luckily for them, the line was short and in no time they were in the hall and making their way over to a certain princess. Ximena let out a quiet shriek once she spotted Princess Tiana, looking up at her parents to confirm what she was seeing was real and when they nodded the little girl wiggled in her spot excitedly, making her parents laugh.

Ximena was star-struck when Princess Tiana waved her forward, the little girl suddenly becoming shy but the princess quickly made her comfortable and soon enough she was smiling and giggling. Pedro took about a hundred photos of the interaction, absolutely loving to see his daughter so happy.  Ximena was sad when their moment was up and they had to leave but the promise of going on rides and meeting the other princesses over the weekend the little girl became chipper again.

The family walked through the park, stopping and taking photos at random intervals, enjoying the warm Floridian weather.

“Wait here for just a moment.” Pedro told his family before he dipped into one of the many stores that were around them.

The mother and daughter looked at each other in confusion before bursting in giggles,

“Your daddy’s a bit silly isn’t he?” (Y/N) asked as she bent down in front of her daughter and brushed her hair back.

Ximena giggled again, “He’s really really silly.”

“Hey, I heard that!” (Y/N) looked up and saw Pedro with a faux frown on his face.

Pedro had returned without his family noticing and caught the end of their conversation. Ximena opened her mouth to apologize but her eyes caught on the bag that Pedro was holding,

“Whaddya get?”

“Nothing because you and mamá were so mean to me.” Pedro pouted.

Ximena pouted at his words, an exact replica of her father’s pout, “Lo siento papá!”

Pedro bent down in front of his daughter, “I suppose if I get a kiss and hug, I can forgive you…”

Ximena jumped into her father’s arms, pressing a kiss to his cheek before tightly wrapping her arms around his neck, “Lo siento papá.”

“Te quiero, princesa” Pedro murmured as Ximena pulled away from the hug.

“I love you too, papa.” She beamed, “And mamá too.”

(Y/N) smiled down at her daughter, “I love you too hunnybun.”

Pedro dug into the bag he was carry and pulled out a Minnie Mouse ear headband and held it out for his daughter who looked at it with wide eyes,

“For me?”

“Of course princesa” Pedro gently placed the headband on his daughter’s head and adjusted so it sat comfortably before taking a photo and showing it to his daughter. “Do you like it?”

“Uh-huh! It’s so pretty.”

“I got one for me and mamá too.” Pedro pulled out another Minnie Mouse headband and placed it one his wife’s head before pulling out a Mickey Mouse and putting it on his own head, “Now we match!”

(Y/N) could tell there were still some things left in the bag and swiped it before Pedro could stop her. She laughed when she peered into the bag and saw several other headbands and hats in there, “Did you buy out the whole shop or something?”

“It was hard to choose just one so I got several.” Pedro looked slightly embarrassed before he started to pull out the different hat’s he had bought.

“See, this one is just so cute, I couldn’t not buy it” Pedro had pulled out a pink sparkling headband that had a pink, teal and purple veil along with a fairy in the middle of the headband.

“It’s so pretty.” Ximena gasped, reaching out to touch the veil.

“You can wear it tomorrow if you want?” Pedro offered, immediately getting a nod from his daughter.

Pedro then pulled out a ‘UP’ themed headband, “This one is for you mi amor, I know it’s your favourite Disney film.”

(Y/N) blushed at the gesture, “Thank you, Pedro.”

“I also got this!” Pedro then pulled out a BB-8 ear hat. “You know I had to.”

He had bought a couple more sequined headbands along with a doughnut themed Minnie Mouse one and a Chewbacca ear hat. (Y/N) chided him for buying so much but he made an excuse that they’ll give them to friends and family but (Y/N) didn’t believe him knowing that he had bought them for Ximena but she didn’t speak on it, secretly finding it very cute.

With their headbands secured on their heads and the extras Pedro’s bought tucked safely in his bag, the family made their way towards the Dumbo Flying Elephant ride. (Y/N) decided to stand with their belongings and record them, while Pedro rode the ride with Ximena, she could hear the laughter from both Ximena and Pedro as they went round and round, causing her to smile too. Ximena ran straight into her arms as they exited the ride,

“Did you have fun?” (Y/N) asked, fixing her daughters headband.

Ximena nodded, “We went reallyyy high”

(Y/N) gasped, “Was it scary?” “Papá was there so it wasn’t scary at all!” Pedro beamed at the praise.

They had gone on ‘it’s a small ride’, ‘Mad Tea Party’ and the Prince Charming Carrousel before Ximena had passed out in her father’s arms, exhausted from her day so far.

“It’s still early.” (Y/N) said after she checked her phone, it was half-past one in the afternoon, they had been there since opening, “We can go back to the villa, let her nap and have some lunch before we go to Hollywood Studios?”

Pedro agreed and they took the bus back to their resort, both of them glad for the chance to rest their feet. When they got into their villa, they placed Ximena in the bed after taking off her shoes and Princess Tiana dress and started to make lunch, just some simple sandwiches and even though their plan was to stay awake until Ximena woke up and then go to Hollywood Studios they both ended up falling asleep on the sofa after they ate.

They both woke up with a gasp when Ximena cried out for them, scared after she had woken up in an unfamiliar place without her parents around,

“Papá! Mamá!” Ximena cried out.

(Y/N) shot up from the couch and headed towards the bedroom, Pedro right behind her. She climbed onto the bed and pulled her daughter into arms, pressing kisses over her head to comfort her, “I’m sorry sugar, papá and mamá are here.”

Ximena sniffled and snuggled closer to her mother, Pedro had sat next to her on the bed and ran a comforting hand against his daughters back.

“You’re okay, princesa.” Pedro comforted.

Ximena calmed down and pulled away, wiping her tears away before she shifted over to her father, wanting to be picked up,

“You hungry?”

Ximena nodded and the family of three left the bedroom and headed towards the kitchen. Whilst Pedro got Ximena sorted, (Y/N) made her and Pedro some coffee knowing that they both needed it.

“Nice?” (Y/N) asked as she sat the coffee mugs down on the table. Ximena nodded and swallowed her mouthful before she spoke, “Juice?”

“Ah, of course, silly mama forgot.” (Y/N) picked up a carton of apple juice and gave it to her daughter.

She moved to go sit in the chair next to Pedro but the man grabbed her waist and pulled her onto his lap instead making her let out a surprised oof. (Y/N) looked over her shoulder and saw Pedro giving her a cheeky smile causing her to turn on his lap to face him,

“You got something to say?” (Y/N) grinned

“Just that I love you” Pedro wiggled his eyebrows and tightened his grip on (Y/N)’s waist.

“You love me? I must be lucky.” (Y/N) quipped

“So lucky.” Pedro removed his hands from her waist and placed them on her face, pulling her down for a kiss.

“Ew!” Ximena exclaimed, causing the couple to pull away from each other and laugh.

“Finish your lunch and then we can go see the new Star Wars exhibit yea?”

Nodding, Ximena got to finishing her sandwich along with the slices of apple Pedro had placed on a plate.

(Y/N) and Pedro drank their coffee and discussed their plans for the next day while Ximena finished eating.

“Done!” Ximena pushed her plate away and took a gulp of her apple juice.

“Toilet and then we can go, okay?”

Ximena nodded and skipped to the bathroom. (Y/N) downed her coffee before tidying up Ximena’s plate and making sure they got everything. Ximena came back and wandered over to her father with her shoes in her hand,

“Help me papá?”

“Of course, ‘mena.” The use of her nickname made Ximena smile as she hopped onto her father’s lap and held her foot out so he could put her shoes on for her.

“Okay, we ready to go?” (Y/N) asked as she left the bathroom. Her husband and daughter nodded and soon they were on their way to Hollywood Studios.

They went on a few Toy Story rides before they headed towards Galaxy’s Edge. As they got closer the more looks they got, people double-taking as they recognized Pedro causing him to get a bit shifty,

“Are you sure you want to go? We might get overwhelmed.” He asked, suddenly nervous.

“It’s fine.” (Y/N) reassured him, “I’m sure most won’t even approach you when they see us with you.”

Pedro nodded but he still looked uncertain. As they walked further into Galaxy’s edge they got more looks and points but just like (Y/N) said, no one had approached him as they saw he was with his family.

They stopped in front of the Millennium Falcon and admired how massive it was before (Y/N) was motioning Pedro and Ximena to stand in front of it so that she could take a picture.

“You should post this one, it’s really cute.” (Y/N) told Pedro as they made their way inside to line up for ‘Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run’. They were bent of Pedro’s phone looking at the map of Galaxy’s Edge when they heard a strangled, “Oh my god it’s Pedro Pascal!”,

When they turned around they saw it was the person who was stood behind them that spoke and they turned bright red when they had turned around.

“Oh god, I’m so sorry. Ignore me!” The person spluttered.

“Nah, it’s okay.” Pedro laughed, “You wanna picture?”

The person gaped in surprise for a moment before they shook their head, “I couldn’t, you’re with your family.”

“It’s fine, don’t worry.” (Y/N) chimed in with a kind smile, “Let me take the picture.”

The fan hesitated but handed their phone to (Y/N) in the end. Pedro stood next to the person and they posed for the camera, (Y/N) handed the person’s phone back to them and smiled as they let out a thank you.

Ximena had climbed into Pedro’s arms after her legs began to ache so Pedro carried her and they quietly spoke Spanish to each other as they waited in line. (Y/N) understood more Spanish than she spoke it but she loved seeing them speak to each other knowing it was a bonding moment for them. Once it was their turn, Ximena’s energy came back in full force and she was once again bouncing and wiggling.

Ximena was beaming and excitedly chattering after they had left the Millennium Falcon and was in her father’s arms once again, asking if they could watch Clone Wars when they got back to the villa. After Pedro had gotten the role of The Mandalorian he had wanted to get Ximena into the Star Wars universe and love it like he did when he was her age but she was too young to understand the films so he decided to start her off with the cartoons, something she loved.

“Wanna go to the shop and look around?” (Y/N) asked, interrupting their conversation.

They nodded and the three of them headed into the store, Ximena pouting when she didn’t see any The Mandalorian things. They hadn’t let her watch the show but she had seen plenty of photos and just like the rest of the world, she had fallen in love with Baby Yoda,

“They don’t have you papá.”

“I know princesa but look they have BB-8!” Pedro directed her attention to the droid.

They had gotten the BB-8 toy, the sales advisor showing them what the toy could do with a floor example. Ximena had the box wrapped in her arms as they left the store when Pedro had an idea.

“Hey ‘mena, how about we take BB-8 out of the box and we take a photo of you and him in front of the Millennium Falcon and send it to tío Oscar?”

Oscar had been the one to get their little girl obsessed with the little droid in the first place, the girl found it absolutely adorable.

“Okay papá!” Ximena skipped to the ship and posed in front of it with a wild smile and BB-8 in her arms. Pedro took the photo and sent it off to Oscar with the caption, ‘This doesn’t mean anything, she still thinks Baby Yoda is cuter.’

“Mamá, I’m hungry.” Ximena whined as they packed the toy away.

“Okay, we’ll get food soon hunnybun, we’ll go to a place close to the villa alright?” (Y/N) ran her fingers through her daughter’s hair before she pressed a kiss to her head.

Ximena nodded, “Have you got any snacks?”

(Y/N) pulled out a granola bar out of her bag and offered it to her daughter, “How about this?”

Ximena nodded and took the snack off her mum and dug in.

“Let’s head back and get some proper food before we go to sleep yeah?” Pedro said.

Ximena took another bite of her granola bar and nodded.

“Do you want papá to carry you?” Pedro asked, the little girl thought about it before she shook her head and took his hand instead.

The family made their way back to the Magical Kingdom, which was the closest theme park to their villa and made their way into a restaurant to finally have dinner. Dinner was like any normal dinner at the Pascal household, filled with high spirits, giggles and happy and full stomachs.

“Papá, what princess can I see tomorrow?” Ximena asked on the way back to the villa.

“What princesses do you want to see?”

“Hmm...Belle!”

“Then we’ll see Belle tomorrow then.”

Ximena grinned up at her father, ecstatic.

As soon as they opened the door to their villa, Ximena had run in and jumped to sit on the couch, her hand reaching for the tv remote.

“Ah! Bath then bed young lady!” (Y/N) told her before she could reach the remote. “Get undressed and take out your pyjamas and I’ll meet you in the bedroom in a bit.”

Ximena whined but listened to her mother and headed towards the bedroom after toeing her shoes off.

(Y/N) kicked off her own shoes and sighed in relief as her feet were finally free, “I can’t wait to take this damn bra off either.”

Pedro laughed and walked over to his wife, “Go deal with our daughter and I’ll make us some tea.”

“Okay.” (Y/N) gave her husband a kiss before making her way to the bedroom.

Twenty minutes later, (Y/N) crept out of the room and slumped onto the couch next to Pedro who was watching a random show on low volume.

“She down?” He asked, turning to face her.

“She started to fall asleep in the tub” (Y/N) laughed.

(Y/N) grunted as she sat up suddenly and after some fiddling with something behind her back, she sighed with relief as she pulled her bra off and chucked it somewhere.

“Feel better?”

“Way better. Bras are hell.”

“You should go without, I wouldn’t mind.” Pedro leant forward and poked one of her boobs causing her to quietly squeal and lean back.

“Of course you wouldn’t you perv” (Y/N) laughed as she knocked his hand away and leant forward to pick up the mug of tea he had made for her.

“Thank you.” She said as she snuggled into his side.

“Don’t worry about it.” Pedro looked down at her, “I love you.”

(Y/N) smiled up at him and kissed him, “I love you too.”

[meetmeatthecoda]

Hi Coda 💕 I’ve been thinking about Agnes and her lovely Mama 😭 what do you think Lizzie and Agnes might do as shared hobbies? Also one of my headcanons is Red and Lizzie calling Agnes “Nessie”, or Inessa/Ina, which is a Russian version. I can picture Red cooking dinner and calling out for his girls as Lizzie and Nessie 🥲💔

Hi there, dear anon!! 💕 Ahhh... Agnes & her lovely Mama 😭😭😭 Ooooh, what a fabulous question!! Hmmm... well, I think when Agnes is younger, they love playing princesses together - per canon, for once - complete with dolls, tiaras, & afternoon tea parties (Red is obviously recruited as their waiter, providing tea & homemade cakes & cookies, gazing lovingly from the kitchen at his girls having some quality time together). Otherwise, I think they enjoy coloring together, probably in one of Agnes' many Frozen coloring books (Liz sticks with a traditional-colored Anna, while Agnes likes to give Elsa rainbow dresses, & Red will happily color purple & green Olafs when invited). Speaking of Frozen, I think Agnes & her Mama love cuddling on the couch on rainy days & watching Disney movies, complete with tons of popcorn (Red usually comes home in the late afternoon to find them napping together through the last half hour of Beauty & the Beast). They definitely also love to go to the park, as we know, though they like to save that activity for when Red can join them (Agnes always brings her toy sailboat with them ahahahahaha 🥲🥲🥲) Lastly, I think Liz & Agnes have fun going shopping together, whether it's for food, clothes, or toys (Liz always lets Agnes pick a little treat if she has to take her food shopping or something boring - whether it's a stuffed animal, a new doll, or a candy bar - although Agnes loves going clothes shopping to help her Mama pick out a new dress for a date with Daddy 🤭🤭🤭)

Anddd in regards to your headcanon, anon... OH MY GOD, I LOVE IT 😭😭😭 Red, Lizzie, & Nessie?!?!? With the Russian version Inessa?!?!?!? Red calling out for his girls, when dinner's ready or OMG WHEN HE GETS HOME like, "Lizzie! Nessie! I'm home!" 😭😭😭😭😭 I'mmmmm 🎶 emotionally compromised 🎶 ahahaha 🥲🥲🥲 Also, why am I torturing myself imagining fake identities for Red & Agnes as Ilya & Inessa, ya know, if they ever had to go it alone for whatever reason ahahaha i love pain 💔💔💔 ANYWAY, clearly, I'm obsessed with this, anon, thank you so much for sharing 🥰🥰🥰 Much, much love to you, my friend!! ❤️

[thatssokatsuki]

Welcome To Wonderland || Dad!Denki Kaminari x f!Reader

Pairing: Denki Kaminari x Female Reader Song: Anson Sebra - Welcome to Wonderland Summary: Denki is a new dad, and he can’t wait to have an adventure of a lifetime with his daughter Warnings: Fluff,, so much fluff in fact that i cried writing it; Pregnancy/birth Word Count: 1,454

A/N: This doesn’t mention quirks, mostly because its not all that relevant to the story,, I hope you all enjoy though!

Welcome to Wonderland, we've got it all Potions and pastries that make you grow tall Forests and cottages, castles and cards that can talk

It had taken hours, but your little girl was finally out and cleaned and ready to be held, and needless to say that your husband was sobbing as you held your newborn daughter close to your chest. You had to feed her before you could let your darling husband hold her, which also gave him a bit to relax long enough to stop shaking in pure excitement. He meant well, yes,, but you also didn’t want to run the risk of the new-dad jitters to cause anything to get.. sparky. Once he was finally calmed down, and your daughters tummy full, he had reached out to grab the tiny bundle in your arms so that you could finally rest. As you drifted back off into slumber, you could hear your other half cooing at the small bundle of joy in a hushed tone as to not disturb you. 

Welcome to Wonderland, look where you're at Maddest of hatters, the Cheshire Cat Magical cabins and lovely white rabbits with clocks

A few short years pass, and your both teaching little Rui how to read. You all had fun reading her stories, and having her trying to read them to you, however she always loved when her daddy was the one to read. He would always get up and act out the story for her as you would hold her in your lap. Sometimes he would even rope you into his story telling antics, to Rui’s delight. Her favorite story to watch you both act out was Alice in Wonderland, and as a way to teach her, you would have her read a scene aloud, and act out what you had heard her say, which sometimes she would use to her advantage. 

Dancing through a dream underneath the stars Laughing 'til the morning comes Everyone that leaves has a heavy heart, oh, Wonderland I love

Little Rui is now 5 years old and is becoming very.. independent, for lack of a better word. She can talk and read and walk and dance,, oh and dance she did. She absolutely loved disney princess movies, and whenever the prince and princess would dance on screen, she would drag an enthusiastic Denki to dance with her. Sometimes he would hold her on his feet and they’d dance around that way, and sometimes he would get down to her height. Her all time favorite song to dance together, though, was Married Life from Up. The amount of times you all got to do that, though, was cut short when she had to start attending school. And on her first day of school, you both cried and danced to her favorite songs before getting ready to spend the rest of the afternoon with her when she got back.  

Welcome to Wonderland, I'll be your guide Holding your hand under sapphire skies Let's go exploring or we could just go for a walk

Rui is now in middle school, and Denki is starting to jokingly threaten to scare off any boys she brings home, and she laughs along with him knowing its all in good fun. You, however, are left with the responsibility of talking to her about puberty and its affects on the body, although you weren’t too concerned because she was a smart cookie who was also very responsible. It was time you started moving forward, and truly guiding her on her path to being a wonderful woman,, although You and Denki both sometimes cried with eachother looking over photo albums in the privacy of your own room, remembering her childhood as if it were just yesterday. 

Welcome to Wonderland, where should we go There's a tea party along down the road Make an appearance and maybe they'll sing us a song

Your baby girl is now 16, and is as passionate and theatrical as she was back when she was 6. You and Denki had both decided to throw her the sweet 16 of her dreams, coordinating everything with her friends who were all more than enthusiastic to help. The party was going to be based on her all time favorite story, and you had helped make everyone’s costumes. You had dressed up as the White Queen, and Denki, The Mad Hatter. Once the enormous rented area was set up with iconic areas and decor, including croquet, you had placed the replica of the dress you had made in a small blue box with a tag saying “Wear Me”. Once she had arrived, she tightly hugged both you and her father, tears of joy in her eyes. 

Dancing through a dream underneath the stars Laughing 'til the morning comes Everyone that leaves has a heavy heart oh, Wonderland I love

Your little baby isn’t a baby anymore, shes a full grown woman settling into her newfound career, and has asked you to help her to choose the perfect wedding dress. You browsed some bridal shops, but nothing really stood out to you, or the beautiful bride to be. A day or so more goes by in search of the perfect dress, and its finally found and you both couldn’t be more overjoyed. You couldn’t wait for both your husband, and her future husband, to see how stunning your little girl looks on her wedding night, as everyone agreed you were to be the only one who would see it until then. Months came and gone after that, and the night was finally there. You had waited to be seated until after Denki had seen his daughter in her wedding dress, wanting to see his reaction in real time. Needless to say, he had sobbed and it took him a moment to catch his breath and recover. You then sat down in the front row, Denki’s seat next to you remaining vacant until he walked your daughter up the isle. The ceremony came and gone, and was filled with many tears. It was now time for the dances at the reception, and Denki was getting ready for the dance he was to share with his daughter. You both felt a pang in your heart hearing the all too familiar start of the song you all held in your heart dearly but hadn’t danced too in years, and it couldn’t have been more fitting a song for her wedding day. 

Nothing around here is quite as it seems Not sure if anything's real or a dream And the only thing sure from the start Is the song that's inside of your heart Don't let it leave

Rui and her husband had been married for about a year or two before they were finally welcoming their own little bundle of joy into their lives, and you couldn’t be more happy. You and your beloved husband were reaching the ends of your lives, and all you both wanted was to see your little girl start a family of her own, and neither of you could be more delighted as she presented you both with a little bundle, one blue and one pink. If someone had asked you what your life was being built up too, what all of this was for.. you would’ve shrugged and said you didn’t know, or maybe you would’ve said that it was to have the best career or to be with the love of your life for the rest of you life,, but now that you were nearing the end of your own, next to the man that had held your heart since the moment you had laid eyes on him, each of you holding a twin that your very own daughter had made.. your grandchildren, you knew deep in your heart that this was it. 

If this was a dream, then at least I've got Memories for when morning comes Now that I must leave with a heavy heart oh, Wonderland I love

Many hours pass and you find yourself waking up in a hospital bed. You sit up, blinking your eyes a few times to get readjusted to the bright lights of the hospital room. The nurse comes in and checks your vitals, and brings you something small to eat, informing you that you and your baby will both be able to leave in just a few more hours. You smile brightly at her and nod, thanking her before starting to eat. Little *insert name* coos on your sleeping husbands’ chest, causing you to giggle careful to not wake the sleeping man on your bedside as you reach out to grab the greatest little human you’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. 

[tvmoviechristmas]

Godmothered (Disney+, 2020)

If only these inflatable scarecrows could talk...

Starring: Jillian Bell, Isla Fisher, Jane Curtin, June Squibb

Plot Synopsis: A young and unskilled fairy godmother ventures out on her own to prove her worth by tracking down a young girl whose request for help was ignored. (x)

In My Humble Opinion: Just like Noelle before it, Godmothered debuts on Disney+ with a production background much fancier than your usual Hallmark feature. Director Sharon Maguire comes from the Bridget Jones series. The cast is filled with names that maybe aren’t as stacked as the cast of Noelle was, but would certainly be enough to merit a theatrical release. The production budget is high enough to merit Academy Award nominated composers and fancy enough visual FXs and an animated sequel to boot. There was money that was put into this movie.

It’s easy to get distracted by how fancy everything is when you are used to talking about movies that shoot in three weeks or less. Godmothered is the fancy, shiny object of this year’s line-up. No doubt about it.

Not that it doesn’t have merits outside of that. It’s charming enough. Isla Fisher remains one of comedy’s most wasted actresses. The pseudo-love interest is super cute. There’s a couple of good laugh lines. In general, there are worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon.

However, Godmothered has its major flaws as well. Jane Curtin is wasted on an antagonist role that is supposed to give a sense of urgency to the film’s plot but mainly feels like a waste of time. Plus it’s major deconstruction of what constitutes a “Happily Ever After” is rushed into a couple of monologues and is not as central to the film’s thesis as the press materials would want you to believe. In general, the film is a knock-off of both Enchanted and Elf except that those films were much funnier versions of what Godmothered is trying to do which results in the film coming across as a pale imitation. Maybe that’s why Godmothered was always intended to premiere exclusively on Disney+. You can have all the money in the world, but what does it mean if it isn’t used to make the best possible product?

Beyond that, this is a blog that reviews made-for-TV Christmas movies and thus it feels like it is my duty to note that Godmothered is a film that didn’t really need a holiday setting (it frankly, might have been better without it). There are a couple of set pieces at Christmas events (notably a Christmas parade), and we are sadly forced to listen to “Sleigh Ride” but the celebration of the holidays doesn’t really have any bearing on the plot of the movie. If you were coming to Godmothered looking for holiday magic, there are better places to find it. 

Watch If: You think Boston Tea Party re-enactments are a civic duty, if you stress pluck your eyebrows or if you are killing it with teen girls and shut-ins.

Skip If: You are a tooth fairy who has been to Burning Man, if you are a grumpy princess or if you are a raccoon who is bad at sweeping.

Final Rating: ★ ★ (★) ☆ ☆

If you like this blog, please consider donating to my Kofi page! You can also donate money to kbange@gmail.com through either Venmo or CashApp. Thank you!

[nothingeverlost]

Fic: Things Half in Shadows (14/14)

Fandom: Once Upon a Time

Pairings: Gold/Belle (eventually) with side pairings that probably include Graham/Bay, Archie/Emma and others.

Summary: The first thing you learn, back in Psych 101, is that you never get emotionally involved with a patient.  For 25 years Dr. Gold hasn’t had a problem walking that fine line.  Something changes, though, when he meets Belle French. AU

Author’s Note: I can’t begin to express what this fic and the people who read it have meant to me.  Thank you all.  This is the last chapter.  I chose to leave it here and pick it up again in a sequel.  The second half is relationship-centric and will begin with Belle leaving Storybrooke.

TRIGGER WARNING: Indirect mentions of abuse and sexual assault

<Prologue><Chapter 1><Chapter 2> <Chapter 3> <Chapter 4> <Chapter 5> <Chapter 6> <Chapter 7> <Chapter 8> <Chapter 9> <Chapter 10> <Chapter 11> <Chalpter 12> <Chapter 13>

Chapter 14 - Small Steps

II

There was a book on the table next to her customary cup of tea.  The cover was free of words, only a pattern of roses that looked like an old bit of wallpaper.

“A journal?” she guessed.  She’d never kept a diary before and felt a flutter in her stomach when she remembered the last time her doctor had asked her to write anything.  Eight words and everything had changed.  For the better, maybe, someday, but nothing had ever hurt so much.  She hadn’t had the numbness to shield her.  She would try, though, if he asked.

“While that’s never a bad idea that’s not my intent today.  It is for writing but I don’t want you to write about yourself.”  

“Who should I be writing about?”  She knew he wouldn’t ask her to write about her father.

“You read a lot of stories, Belle.  It’s a comfort to step into the world someone else created, to attend a ball with Elizabeth Darcy or to push the Dread Pirate Roberts down a hill.  I want to see you try writing a story with your own words.  It can be as simple or as complex as you like.”  From his pocket he took a pen, resting it on top of the book.

“That’s it?  Just write something?”  She hadn’t written anything since a creative writing class she took her first semester in college.  She couldn’t remember if she’d liked it or not.

“Anything you want.  When you’re done you can show it to anyone you want or you can keep it to yourself.  You can show it to me, but only if that’s what you want.”  He took a sip of his tea.  Belle remembered her own cup and took a sip, and a bite of the coffee cake he’d brought in that morning.  She liked the blueberries.  “What’s the first story you remember as a child?”

“Cinderella.”  She was distracted by the book, picking it up and running her fingers over the lightly textured cover before opening it up.  The pages were blank.  So much empty space; it seemed lonely without words.  “Not the Disney one; it was a pop-up book.  There was this page with all the stairs and in the middle the glass slipper.  I remember running my fingers up and down the stairs, pretending I’d lost my shoe.  One page had the carriage and you could open the door and look inside.  I wanted to shrink so I could fit inside, just for a little while.  It was such a pretty little carriage.”

“Perhaps you can tell the story of a little girl who did manage to shrink,” he suggested.  “When my son was wee there was a story he loved about a family that lived in the walls of a house.”

“I loved Thumbelina.  My mama would watch the movie with me; it was the first VHS I remember owning.  We liked to sing the songs together.”  They would cuddle under a blanket and share a bowl of popcorn that they’d made together on the stove.  Her mama loved to sing.  She’d almost forgotten how she’d sung when she was washing the dishes, or combing her hair, and always at bedtime.  “I don’t remember anything about the movie except that she was little and there was singing.”

“I’m sure we could find a copy, sometime.”  He scribbled a note on a piece of paper.  It was strange, most psychiatrists she had seen wrote a lot.  Some seemed to barely look at her, they were so busy writing about what she said.  Her doctor rarely wrote more than a few sentences and she always got the feeling that it was making sure he remembered things rather than analyzing her.   “It sounds like a memory worth holding onto.”

“I think it is.”  It hurt to think about her mama; maybe it always would.  But it made her feel warm, too, to remember the way they had sung together.  Maybe getting better meant that the warm was just as strong as the hurt.  She took another bite of her coffee cake and waited for questions about her mama that didn’t come.  Her doctor turned back to the subject of stories for the rest of her session.

II

Belle’s entrance to the art room was blocked by the sprawled form of Jefferson on the floor, arms and legs both spread eagle.  She held her new book to her chest and looked down at him, wondering if she needed to go back and get help.  His eyes were open, though, and she couldn’t see anything that looked like danger.

“Don’t mind him, he’s just being a drama queen.”  August leaned against the back of a chair nearby.  “Even more so than usual.”

“I’m bor-ed.  Bored.  B-b-b-bored.”

“I’m starting to get the idea that Jefferson’s bored.  Anyone else getting that feeling?”  Ruby was using the art scissors to trim bits of her hair.

“Does this place have a yelp?  I’m giving them one star.  Can I do no stars?  I’m going to do that.  The food is pedestrian, the entertainment is abysmal, and I’m sure there’s beds of nails that are more comfortable than what passes for accommodation here.”

“Fortunately there’s always the chance that a patient will provide entertainment,” Ruby said pointedly.

“You call this entertaining?”  August rolled his eyes.

“Do you think they might let us have a picnic?”  Belle offered tentatively.  They’d had sunny afternoons the last couple of days.

“A party.”  Jefferson sat up.  “Rabbit, you’re brilliant.”

“Christmas is over.”  From the corner of the room a small sad voice piped up.  Astrid was working on something involving glue and a lot of glitter.  

“Anyone have a birthday coming up?”  Jefferson asked hopefully.

“Mine was last month.”  Mary Margaret was the first to pop Jefferson’s bubble.  Belle just shook her head. No one had mentioned holidays or birthdays since she’d arrived, almost as if time was standing still.  Maybe that’s what they all hoped, that time was still and they would be able to just slip into their lives when they returned home.  If they returned.

“This is perfect.  Bake the cake and hire the clowns, we’re having a birthday party.”  Jefferson shot up so fast it was hard to tell how he’d gotten to his feet.  

“No on has a birthday until June, sweetie,” Ruby reminded him.

“Please tell me you’re not serious about clowns.”  August crossed his arms.  “That’s not funny.”

“If it’s no one’s birthday then it’s everyone’s unbirthday.  What’s better than an unbirthday party?”  He raced around the room, pulling fake flowers and ribbons from bins, stopping behind Astrid’s chair to lean down low.  “More glitter, little mouse.  We need more sparkle.”

“This is going to be interesting.”  Ella picked up the flower that had landed in her lap.

“That’s one word for it,” August commented, pointedly ignoring the ribbons that had landed on his shoulder.  “Not the word I’d pick, though.”

II

“Have you ever read any fairy tales?”  Belle threw a pea into the lake, a little farther from the shore this time.  The ducklings were getting bigger now, and Graham said that they needed to work a little for their food.

“Maybe when I was a kid.  I don’t remember, really.”  They reached for a pea at the same time, their fingers touching.  Belle hardly thought about it, or the fact that only a few weeks ago it would have startled her.

“I was rereading some yesterday.”  She had hoped they would inspire her own idea for a story.  “They’re very black and white.  Stepmothers are always evil.  The princess is always good and pure. Fairy godmothers will always help.  Wolves can’t be trusted.”

“A lot of people don’t understand about wolves.  They’re nobel.”  Graham tossed another pea into the water, a little farther from the ducks.  One of the ducklings dove to get it and came up, shaking out its feathers.  

“Maybe it’s easier to pretend that the scary things are so simple.  As easy to see as a wolf in pajamas.”  Fairytales never taught you to be scared of the people that said they loved you; at least none that she’d found.

“Wolf wouldn’t be happy wearing anyone’s pajamas, but he does like sleeping bags.  I had to buy one for him or I’d never get any sleep when we go out.  He gets in and curls up until all you can see is his nose.  He has to carry it, though, if he wants it.”  The last of the peas were gone.  Graham opened the other bag he’d brought and set out two white chocolate cranberry cookies.

“He carries his sleeping bag?”  Graham had mentioned camping, once.  Belle had never had a pet, but didn’t imagine that was something they usually did.  

“It clips onto his harness. He’s always excited when I put it on because he knows we’ll sleep outdoors.  Besides, I carry food for both of us, it’s only fair he carries his own bedding.”  Graham took a bite of one of the cookies and pushed the other one a little closer to her.  “Somehow I ended up with an extra if you want one.”

“Thank you.”  Nurse Whale had mentioned she was up seven pounds and had been pleased when he added the note to her file.  Someday maybe she could meet her doctor’s son and thank him for all the muffins and cookies.  “Does Wolf have to carry his own tent too?”

“We don’t use a tent.  Just a sleeping bag apiece and a campfire.  Can’t see the stars in a tent, and they tell a different story every night.”  it was midday but still Graham looked up at the sky as if he could see the stars.

“What happens if it rains?”  

“We get wet.”  Graham shrugged.  “If it’s a heavy storm we find a shelter.  But look at the ducklings, they love to get wet.  A lot of animals do.  There’s nothing harmful in a little rain, and afterwards everything smells new.’

“I’ve never been camping.”  She and her mama used to make tents out of sheets and imagine they were camping.  They made s’mores in the oven and ate them sitting around a flashlight.  She’d mentioned camping to her papa once and he’d taken her to a resort that summer in upstate New York.  They’d served a chocolate mousse topped with meringue and graham cracker and called it a s’more.  Her papa had called her princess and gifted her with her first bikini.  She’d ‘lost’ it after the second day, and was glad they never went back.  

“There’s berries and mushrooms growing on the other side of the lake, at the edge of the woods.  It’s not camping but we could go for a walk,” he suggested, finishing his cookie.

“Are you sure it’s alright?”  She’d never walked past the edge of the lake.

“As long as you stay with me.”

II

By the time they returned from their walk Belle had almost forgotten about fairytales.  Graham had shown her the signs of edible mushrooms, but cautioned her not to eat any without him there.  He’d pointed out a nest in a branch that still held eggs.  There was a bush full of berries that might make a good cookie.  Her questions had been tentative at first but he’d answered them all, speaking more than he usually did.  She was eager to learn more and he walked with her to the library to point out a few books they had about local flora and fauna.  Caught up in the books she almost didn’t notice someone joining them in the library.

“Belle.”  Gaston had his hands in his pockets, his height seeming so much taller than she remembered.  “Can we talk?”

“Visitor’s hours are Saturday.  This isn’t a good time.”  Graham took two steps to his right, coming between her and the doorway.

“You’re not Belle, so I wasn’t talking to you.  I was talking to my fiance.”  Gaston was less forceful than usual, but she knew that he wouldn’t leave.  

“It’s okay, Graham.”  She didn’t know what he wanted, but it was usually quicker to give it to him than argue.  Logic wasn’t Gaston’s strongest suit.  “He’s driven a long way to be here.  We can talk.”

“You heard her.  I’m sure there’s someone else in this place that needs your attention.”  Gaston sat on one of the sofas, his feet on the table.  Belle was reminded of his home office, though the Storybrooke library didn’t have any animal heads mounted on the walls.

“Right now my job is to be here.”  Graham crossed his arms.  Gaston’s cheek muscle twitched.

“Can we have a few minutes, Graham?  You could wait right outside the door.”  She could call for him if she needed him.  She wondered if she actually would.

“A few minutes and the door stays open,” Graham agreed reluctantly.  Once he was out of the room Belle dug her nails into the arm of the couch.  She tried to remember what it was like to sit at dinner with him and make small talk.  

“You look good, Gaston.”  He had a tan that she knew came from a tanning bed this time of year and a body sculpted with the help of a personal trainer named Lefou.

“You look… fine.”  His eyes swept over her, and she knew he was seeing the hair pulled back in a ponytail and the bulky sweater that was warm but unfashionable.  She hadn’t put on any makeup since she’d arrived, except the nail polish Ruby had used a few days ago to make her nails a pale pink.  “Are you… fine?”

“I’m learning a lot about myself.”  Fine was right up there with okay on the list of words she didn’t know how to define.  There were a lot of things people said to each other that didn’t mean anything, polite lies that meant not talking about anything real..

“Moe said you would be coming home soon.”  Belle flinched, but she was certain Gaston didn’t notice.  

“I’m not ready for that.”  Belle shook her head.  She wouldn’t ever return to the place that Gaston called home.  For weeks she had asked Doctor every day about the restraining order, needing the reminder that it was real.  She had spoken to the sheriff once, as well.  It had been almost a month now, and no lawyers had shown up.  No threats had been made.  She was beginning to believe she was safe for him, at least within the small world of Storybrooke.  What happened when she left she didn’t know; she didn’t have a home anymore.

“I don’t understand why you’re here.  You’re not like them.”  He gestured towards the doorway, where the sounds of art therapy could be heard.  “You’d do better being around your own people.”

“These are my people.”  They were all trying to heal from things.  She wondered if Gaston would even be able to understand what it was to need to heal.  He spoke of little other than hunting and business, boating and stocks.  If she was honest with herself there was very little she knew about the man she’d said yes to marrying.  He knew even less about her.

“Your people are at home; there’s a dinner at the club this weekend.  People keep asking me when you’re coming home, not that they know where you are.”  Too restless for the couch Gaston rose and started pacing.  “They ask me about the wedding.”

“I can’t marry you, Gaston.”  She said the words in a hurry, afraid she wouldn’t say them all if she didn’t say them all at once.

“You don’t mean that.  When you get home…”

“No.”  She shook her head.  When her father had brought Gaston home she had accepted it, as she did everything else.  She hadn’t gone away to college because he didn’t want it.  She hadn’t babysat as a teen.  Hadn’t gone to school dances.  She was always a dutiful daughter, even when it came to dating the man that was picked out for her.  And saying yes when expected, whether it was diner, sex or an engagement ring.  If she stayed with Gaston she was still her father’s prisoner.  It didn’t matter that Gaston was unaware of who Moe French really was or what he had done.  “I’m sorry Gaston.”

“I don’t understand, we had plans.  You said yes.”  Any plans they had, Belle knew, had been his own.  A wife to take care of his house and play hostess for his parties.  The right type of woman to show off at the club.  Children, probably, but she couldn’t even think about that.  For a moment she imagined a daughter, soft brown curls and her mother’s eyes.  She thought of her father, and wondered if she would have more power to protect a daughter than she’d had to save herself.

“Belle.” He said her name sharply, and probably not for the first time.  It was enough to bring Graham into the room.  She thought of the stories he’d told her about Wolf, and wondered if that was why she was reminded so strongly of a predator.  The narrow eyes and tense muscles might have scared her from another man, but she trusted him.  He was there to protect her.

“I’m alright now.”  She spoke to Gaston but looked over his shoulder to Graham.  She could make it through this conversation but she wasn’t going to ask him to leave again.

“This place is making you worse, not better,” Gaston groused.

“I’m not someone you would want to marry.”  There wasn’t any point explaining to him anymore than that.  “The ring is in my jewelry box at home.  You should have it back.”

“You shouldn’t make decisions in a place like this.  When you change your mind…”

“I wish you the best, Gaston, I really do.  I need you to go now.”  Graham took a step closer.  Perhaps Gaston felt it, or perhaps he decided his ego was smarting from the rejection.

“If I take back the ring that’s it.”  When she didn’t say anything he got up and strode from the library.  She hesitated for a moment before running after him.

“Gaston, wait.”  She could feel Graham standing behind her, not trying to touch her but his presence unmistakable.

“I knew it.”  His smile was the cocky one she was most familiar with.  Belle took a breath, closing her eyes.  She could be brave.  She could speak up.

“You move in the same circles as my father.  Parties, the club, charity events.  You should know…”  She felt her nails against the underside of her forearm and paused, pulling them away.  She would not hurt herself.  “He can’t be left alone with little girls.  They need to be protected.

“You can’t mean…”  She’d never before seen all the color drain from Gaston’s face.  The horrified look in his eyes was probably the most real emotion she’d ever seen from him.  She nodded and waited to see that he understood what she meant, then turned her back to him.  She couldn’t allow him to ask questions, couldn’t speak any clearer than she already had.  It had taken all of her bravery to say that much.

Doctor Gold was standing on the other side of the doorway.  “Graham thought you might like a cup of tea.  I thought we could take some out to the garden.”  

“I would like that.”  She was surprised to see that her hand wasn’t trembling.  The hot tea would be welcome. Before she followed him she looked over her shoulder on last time.  “Goodbye, Gaston.”

She stood completely still until she could feel him leaving.  Graham was gone too, and she knew without having to ask that he was following Gaston.  Making sure he didn’t linger, didn’t ask anything more of her.  After almost two years and an engagement it was strange to think that she’d most likely seen him for the last time.  It was probably stranger to think she had agreed to marry him but wouldn’t miss him.

“He’s gone, dearie.  Would you like to sit down?”

“In the garden.”  She looked down at her feet and willed them to move.  After a moment they did, and if she thought about nothing else but walking she could get herself to the bench outside before her knees let her down.  He handed her a mug of tea poured from his thermos as soon as she sat.  It seemed cooler outside than it had half an hour ago when she’d been walking with Graham.

“He shouldn’t have gotten as far as the library without anyone stopping him, Belle.  I’m sorry.”  He waited a moment to speak, or maybe it was five minutes.  She wasn’t sure how long she’d been staring at her tea before looking at him.

“He wasn’t a threat.  He never hurt me.”  She wasn’t sure she could say that Gaston was a good man.  He worked and he hunted and he went to the club.  He hated books and was sometimes frustrated when he saw her reading rather than socializing, but he was never cruel.  He didn’t go out of his way to help anyone but neither did he hurt anyone.  “I didn’t even know I didn’t want to be with him.  It was easier to just say yes.”

“It was what other people wanted from you,” he commented softly.

“I said no to him today.”  Had she ever said that before?  She couldn’t remember the last time she’d said no, not to something as simple as where they were going for dinner or as complicated as an engagement ring.  Not to trips with her papa or his college plans or anything.  “Even when it made him mad.”

“The only emotions you are responsible for are your own.”  His tea was on the bench, his hands both on the handle of his cane.  He moved it restlessly, the tip moving bits of gravel around the ground.  He always moved, even when he was sitting still.  “What you did today took a good deal of courage.

“I was scared.  Not of him.”  He made her feel small next to him, his confidence and control making her feel like everything centered around him, but she hadn’t feared him.  Or loved him.  She’d simply existed next to him.  “Everything’s changed now.”

“The unknown can be very hard to step into, even when the known is hurting us.  It’s normal to be scared.”  His voice was low and soothing.  Belle allowed herself to close her eyes and just listen to him.  His words settled into her bones with the same warmth as the tea.  

“So now I start over?”  With Gaston gone she had no connection to the people she’d called friends, who were really just social acquaintances.  With the restraining order against her father she was an orphan in all the ways that mattered.  

“As much as we might sometimes wish for a blank slate there is no such thing.  No tabula rasa.”  He quirked his lips into something that wasn’t quite a smile, or at least not a happy one.  “We continue on a step at a time because the only thing we can do is move forward or stand still.  What we do get to decide is what we carry with us and what we work on shedding.”

Belle looked down at her hands, seeing only the cooling mug of tea but knowing she held onto so much more.  “I left Gaston behind.”

“You did.  Are you feeling alright about that?”  He picked up his mug, but only played with the handle.

Belle nodded.  The conversation had been hard but knowing it was over was easy.  “It’s not so simple with papa.”

“No, it’s not.  But you’ve already taken the first steps.��  He paused, looking at her.  Belle took a shaky breath and nodded.  It helped that he didn’t lie to her.  Didn’t pretend that anything was going to be easy.  If she’d taken the first steps there were still dozens more to take.

“One step at a time.”  She rubbed her arm.  There was no pain, and she’d stopped herself from digging her nails into the skin when she’d spoken to Gaston.  That was a step too.

II

Belle deliberately chose the same sofa in the library she’d shared with Gaston the next day, an exorcism of sorts.  She curled up with her notebook and pen, took a deep breath, and started writing.  An hour later she had twelve pages of writing and a sore hand.  The wolf was about to rescue Little Red from her grandmother when Jefferson threw himself at the other side of the sofa, making the whole thing bounce.

“Put the books away, it’s time to play.”  He wore a top hat made from construction paper covered in glittering gears and offered her a pipe cleaner tiara with tissue paper roses.  “Your unbirthday awaits.”

“I thought it was everyone’s unbirthday.”  She slipped her book into the oversized pockets of her cardigan before accepting the tiara.

“You’re one of the everybody, aren’t you?”  He tipped his hat at her, stood, and offered her his hand.  She only hesitates a moment before letting him help her up.  

“I am.”  She followed Jefferson to the garden where her friends were waiting to celebrate.  It was one more small step.

[malina-wolf]

I read this passage last weekend at the Round Table Salon of the Starz, and wanted to share it here. This is the opening from a new project that I’m working on, and I’m really excited about it:

Dublin - June

I almost did a remarkably stupid thing the other night.

Life-ruiningly stupid. Catastrophic.

I was supposed to be drying out. We had already been out the night before, celebrating a major professional award in a north side pub called the Gin Palace. It was so nice to have something good to drink about for a change.

I woke up in the morning with a raging hangover. Applied water, tea, painkillers, and sausage roll, in that order. Vowed to stay sober until I got home. Or at least until Paris. But Michelle wanted to get dinner, just the two of us. Like old times.

In my defence, the rosé was phenomenal; an adorable restaurant, tucked under the train tracks in the shadow of the Aviva stadium. And then we had to go to Michelle’s favourite pub. She hadn’t been in a couple years, not since she stopped traveling and then took over as General Manager. It used to be our spot in Dublin, one of the only things in the world she loves unironically, and it’s my job to support her in seeking out the things she loves. If this year has been hard on me, she’s been Orpheus, returned to the overworld without Eurydice. She deserves things that ease the pain.

We turn to Dionysus for help.

We were out, a couple of drinks in, feeling loose and happy.

And then I met a guy.

It’s been years since anyone from that end of the gender spectrum has disrupted things. Not that they’re nice to look at, or think about in an abstract, home-alone-on- Saturday-afternoon-and-I-have-nowhere-to-be-for-a-couple-of-hours kind of way. But that’s pretty much where the appeal ends. For all intents and purposes, I’ve opted out of men as a genre and never looked back. I was entirely unprepared for a real, live human male to interrupt my carefully scheduled life.

A linguist, fresh off a flight from Sicily for a family birthday party. He was very pretty, very young.

Chaos in Converse.

“D’you know you have a lisp?” His opening salvo. It was unexpected. Most people don’t listen that well, or maybe they’re just polite enough not to remark on it.

“Wow! In thirty-five years, I’d never notithed.”

“No, it’s really endearing!” He rushed to assure me. He didn’t seem like an asshole. It was enough to make my guard drop, if only slightly. 

“You know what’s funny though, is that I don’t have it when I’m speaking another language or singing. Only in English.”

“What, really? What languages do you speak? ”

Michelle chimed in, claiming that I speak “all the languages.” A blatant falsehood.

“I only speak French and Portuguese reliably enough to count them. Some Nuyorican Spanglish, and when I get drunk enough, un pochissimo d’italiano.” I tick-tocked my empty glass from side to side.

“Alors, dites-moi quelque chose en français,” he encouraged me. “I want to hear this magical disappearing lisp.”

“Ah, que vous le parlez aussi! Mais pourquoi alors?”

“Oh, that’s fascinating! Your lisp isn’t the same in French, it’s that kind of charming, natural affectation that fluent speakers have.” His voice is smooth, lilting, the alcohol rounding the edges of his words. “Your accent is perfect, but your smile gives you away, entirely American,” he grinned. It went right to my head, along with the beer.

We wove between languages, as a couple of nerds are wont to do. He asked why and where I learned to speak them; I’m sure I gave answers. I was already very drunk, delighted at finding a kindred spirit, eager to keep the party going. The hours slipped by. Upon learning that his new favourite singer was Maria Rita, we slung our arms around each other, launched into the chorus from Cara Valente. The neighbours upstairs must have been thrilled.

It bears mentioning that I am, at times, an idiot. I don’t walk into a situation expecting to be flirted with, so when those rare occasions happen, someone usually points it out to me after the fact. Usually, that someone is Belle, and she delivers the news with a smug, “my wife’s still got it!” amusement at my cluelessness. Yes, her name is Belle. Yes, I’m married to a Disney princess.

Besides, he was there with his family! I was there with my boss! He was just “new friend!” As far as I knew, it was a fabulously fun evening talking to someone who had no right walking into that bar and assaulting me with knowledge of my favourite artists, no right to match me, album for album, song for song.

Cam didn’t give a shit about my job. He wanted to hear about me. The singer, the thinker, the human in the world, not the sender of emails and parser of international data. If I had been single, the fact that he hung on my every word as I told him how Elis Regina died might have been enough, but then he wanted to hear my impromptu lecture on the Brazilian military dictatorship and Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso’s exile in London on top of that.

Elis died in 1982, by the way. OD on a combination of cocaine and alcohol.

More hours. More beer. There was dancing?

Eventually, it was time to leave. He hugged me close, leaned his head against mine. His beard scratched my face. He was warm, solid, the smell of his body sweet and tangy with alcohol and cigarettes, his breath tickling my ear. “I really want to kiss you, but you’re married. I respect that. I respect you.” I think he said it twice.

He wanted me to be the one to make the decision; to cast the first sin so that he would simply be along for the ride. I don’t know how I kept my head on. This is the kind of thing that breathless romance novels are made of: a beautiful, drunken stranger who wants to hear you ramble on about something you’re passionate about, who asks to kiss you late at night in a foreign city? Who smiles with regret when you decline?

I realise in hindsight that it was likely the move of someone who was already on the pull and was very good at this kind of thing. We just happened to have a lot to talk about while the alcohol did its work.

I wondered if I could kiss him. I’ve never kissed anyone with a beard before - could I do it just to find out how it feels? Would I be able to stop myself? He was still so close, our bodies nearly touching from shoulder to hip, that I’m fairly certain an alternate universe sprang into being right then. An alternate universe in which I gave in to my baser instincts, pressed him up against the brick wall, brought him back to my Airbnb a few breathless minutes later.

Somehow, through the grace of whatever gods might have been watching over me, I managed to stay in this reality, managed to remember that I have a wife who I love more than my own life. I would never forgive myself if I did anything to hurt her. I’m still nursing the mingled guilt-relief hangover, weeks later.

He said something about wanting to talk more about the Brazilian artists I had mentioned, though if it was awkward now, he understood. But if I didn’t mind, he would be around tomorrow. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to talk about music; his question hit the ache I didn’t even realise still existed. Saved his number in my phone. We made plans to meet the next day. There would be more drinks, more people. We hugged. Clung, really. He lifted me into the air, spinning me around. Somehow, I landed on my feet. I touched his face as we said goodbye.

I woke in the morning, full of the Fear. Deleted his messages without responding.