#Gabi draws on the clock

[honestsycrets]

YALL EVERYBODY STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING

painting miguel’s fingernails :(

❛ summary | jefe miguel lets his showgirl paint his nails

❛ sy's notes | painting a grumbly miggy's nails just sounds too fun.

❛ tags | showgirl au, boss miggy, boss hitting on employee, care fic, miguel just trying to get a date--

Showgirls are high-maintenance.

Realistically, Miguel expects you to keep yourself show-ready and glamorous. You were, with your gorgeous curls and classic makeup. That included pretty nails.

“Why am I doing this?” he asked dryly, sitting at your vanity post-show. All the girls had gone home, gone with clients-- but as the boss, there he sat dressed to the nines. He shifted in his seat, his dark blue vest flexing on his chest. You had rolled his crisp white button up back to his elbows-- just so you wouldn’t make a mess.

“You say to be dressed to the nines, right?”

“That’s for my girls, for you. I look fine.” Miguel rumbled, glancing toward the black bottle of polish in your hand. His hand sat high on your thigh, over the clip that held up your sheer pantyhose. You wiped off the excess around the rim of the bottle and began your work.

“No, jefe,” you teased. “You’re forgetting the details.”

“The details.”

Miguel didn’t need details, he was gorgeous enough as is. Sultry, dark eyes and a thick head of hair that had the slightest wave. His face was clean but for the slight pepper of stubble that sculpted his sharp jaw and drew your eye to his high cheekbones. Never mind that body, not even a sculptor could replicate. Warmth flared in his eyes as you drew the brush against his clean nails. He may not be one for nail polish, but he doesn’t mind the way your soft, pearl-clad hands touch him. He’d be lying if he said he hired you for your skills alone.

“Sí, if you want a step-mom for Gabi,” you hum, “The details have to be just right.”

Miguel hummed.

“I don’t know many women who want their man to wear nail polish.”

“I do,” you quipped, a little too fast. Miguel draws his hand back, inspecting the work you did. It was clean with the aid of another brush to clean what mistakes you made. You wouldn’t have him look a fool. It didn’t look bad, he supposes.

“Do you?” he mumbles, offering you his other hand. “Then let me take you out.”

“You're always too direct. Isn’t this sexual harassment?” you find yourself teasing, repeating treatment on his other hand. He hums.

“We're off the clock. Do you feel harassed?”

If anyone he should feel harassed, the way you grabbed him out of his office with a flutter of your lashes and an extra sway in your cinched waist and round hips. He was like any one of his stupid customers, following the promise of… something. He looked at you flatly, not a threat in his dry affect.

“No,” you answered, “I feel… curious.”

“Curious.”

"If you can treat me right."

He knows what you mean-- past bosses of yours hadn't all been like Miggy. Either grabbing your ass on the way out the stage or complaining about necessary costs like outfits and health costs that rose from accidents on stage. Miguel doesn't mind either. He may be a boss, but he likes to think he's a good man.

"Haven't I?"

"Maybe," you close the bottle, look him over. "I'll think about it.

He doesn't scowl. He'd get you to say yes-- one day.

[joytotheworld20]

Moments of Joy

As the song lyric of Andy Williams goes, “it is the most wonderful time of the year.” Indeed, it is the most wonderful time of the year, and Christmas is drawing near. As the holiday season approaches, there’s an undeniable excitement in the air, in the air?! The vibes, the Christmas lights, the Christmas carols that can be heard even from a distance (like 5 houses away), and a warmth that brings people closer. Christmas isn't just any holiday. For many of us, especially as Christians, it’s a meaningful celebration of Jesus’ birth. Beyond the presents and decorations, it’s a season filled with joy, love, and gratitude. But what truly makes Christmas special?

Now, I want to share one of my memorable Christmas experiences. You know, I have a bit of a complicated family situation. As the youngest, the thought of being complete warms my heart. I lost track of what year it was, but celebrating Christmas with a complete family is the most cherished moment that I could have imagined. The simbang gabi, noche Buena, waiting till the clock strikes 12, the games that the young adults of the family organized, and especially the non-stop dancing and karaoke. Mentioning these things makes me cry, not the CRY, but cry cry only (hahaha).

Kidding aside, I want to share again one of my memorable Christmas experiences. This one is from the days leading up to Christmas, so like, yeah, considering the thought of December as Christmas already (wag na kayo mag comment, ito ay sariling saloobin lamang hahaha). So yeah, this happened last year when we went to Camiguin with the Dugong Bughaw Family (youuuu guys search for the meaning of this one). Want to know a secret? I’m much closer to this side of the family, keep it a secret or else Santa will not give you anything hehe just kidding (hahaha). We went island hopping, ate a lot of food, took pictures everywhere, had a night out, swam here and there, and met people along the way. 

A lot of Christmas experiences, but why do you think I chose this one? You see, along our journey to island hopping, the smiles on the faces of each family member linger in my heart. At each island stop, the thought of wanting to bring them to different places marks my mind. The food we share, “the most universal language of love,” the stories and laughter we share. The photographs that hold countless memories, the night out that somehow I wished wouldn’t end, the swim admiring the beautiful creations of God, and the strangers who turned into people we've known. So many realizations and a stronger feeling of wanting to experience it all again, especially when you’re with your loved ones.

The thing is, Christmas for me does not require specific locations, views, or set-ups. It’s about the things happening, seizing the moment, making it memorable, and embracing the sense of togetherness. It’s not all about the highlights of gift-giving and decorations but about spending time with loved ones, sharing moments of joy, and giving back. It’s a season of hope, reminding us to appreciate what we have and to spread kindness and positivity. It feels like a chance to pause, reflect on the year, and celebrate both the big and small blessings in our lives. We may not realize it, but we go through a year full of experiences, wishing for an optimistic change in the years ahead. And these alone resonate with why Christmas is undoubtedly special.

In the end, Christmas reminds us that no matter where we are or what we have, the true essence of the season lies in the love we share and the memories we create. So let us hold on to the moments, treasure our time with loved ones, and let the spirit of Christmas linger not just in December, but in every day of the year.

And as Jose Marie Chan so beautifully sang, "My idea of a perfect Christmas..." So, what’s your idea of a perfect Christmas?

[heytheredeann]

Whumpril 2023, day 11 - Bedside vigil + "I'm right here."

Tags: Post-Canon, Could be gen or romantic slash or OT3 who knows certainly not me, Sick Fic, Hurt Illya Kuryakin, Hurt/Comfort, heavy on the comfort, Mentions of Gaby Teller

.

(Ao3 version)

At this point, he has become an expert at this, a sudden change in Illya’s breathing pattern apparently working better than any alarm clock he’s ever owned.

Roused from his light nap, he immediately reaches forward, sliding to the edge of the chair to wrap his hand around Illya’s shoulder and give him a squeeze, in a gentle way to catch his attention.

He turns to him slowly, heaving for breath, cheeks flushed, eyes wide in confusion and panic. It tugs unpleasantly at Napoleon’s chest.

“It’s alright,” he says, softly. “I’m right here.”

It’s flattering, that this kind of reassurance works so quickly: Illya watches him with glassy eyes and through half-closed eyelids for longer than it would be socially acceptable, probably too delirious with fever to let the sight immediately sink in, but then his shoulders drop, and he seems to relax back against the pillow.

The first time he woke up panicked, both Napoleon and Gaby had stepped away for few minutes, and they’d walked back to find him half-way out of bed, on his way to face planting on the ground in his attempt at an escape. They have been more careful, since then.

Illya’s eyes begin darting around, a frown showing up on his face when he doesn’t seem to find what he’s looking for.

“Gaby went to get some food,” he says, before he can work himself up for nothing, again. “If you listen carefully, I’m sure that you can hear her making things explode in an attempt at making a sandwich. She’ll be back in a minute.”

“Uh,” Illya breathes out, blinking sluggishly at him. “Okay.” He turns on his side, curling up a little on himself and drawing Napoleon’s hand to his chest, holding onto it like a teddy bear as his eyes slide closed.

The heat radiating off him is still pretty concerning, though he can’t help smiling a little at the show of affection.

He presses his free hand against Illya’s temple, eliciting a content sigh out of him, and yeah, it still feels like his brain is about to boil. Hopefully the fever will go down soon.

“Hey, don’t you want to stay awake a little longer and eat something too?” he tries, keeping his voice quiet because he can’t imagine his head being anything other than on the verge of exploding.

Illya doesn’t answer, breathing rather heavily through his mouth and still stubbornly clinging to his hand even after having, apparently, drifted off again.

He could wake him up, and maybe he should, but—he can have something to eat later. It must be miserable, being awake with this high a fever, so he isn’t going to be the asshole who wakes him up when it isn’t strictly necessary.

Giving a small, experimental tug, he finds that Illya isn’t very keen on letting go of his hand either.

He can’t say that he minds too much.

[lady-lunaaa]

It's taken me an age to get around to this, but here I am. This is gonna be long, so under the cut it goes:

The introduction to this had me gasping, you know I love my detailed descriptions! And the way you describe Paradis after the war and Levi's tea shop is just so inviting and peaceful. My favourite line in particular is:

The smell of freshly brewed tea leaves tickled the air, and dark chestnut walls framed the single room inviting a cozy atmosphere. 

I want to be there so badly! It sounds like the perfect place to unwind.

Another favourite line of mine, because I just adore the way you describe Levi throughout this (again you know I love my heavily scarred men!), is this:

Two heavy lines of scars covered the right side of his face, like a perfectly placed imperfection. But something about those two scars only draws you to him more. A perfectly placed imperfection.

That line sticks with me always. I think we've spoken about it before but that is exactly how I see scars. They tell a story, they show the strength and stubborn will of the human mind and body. This will always be my favourite line <3

Also you just capture him and his essence so perfectly. Every time I read this I can see him and hear him. A perfect example:

He was leaning on one of the dark wooden counters, arms crossed over his chest as he surveyed you. "Tea, as suggested in the name," he replied blandly as he brought a slender hand to his left temple and massaged the area.

IT'S JUST SO LEVI.

The way you describe him, how his body has naturally filled out with age and a sedentary lifestyle. He has that dad bod and I am obsessed! And the little detail you throw in about his reflexes - left over from his time as a military man. It just HITS. Every tiny detail in this blows me away.

Levi clocked us as a simp so fast and it makes me smile every single time. Like DUH we were looking at you, you're fucking perfect. Please. AND THE, AND THE- gosh okay I need one minute. This part ALWAYS makes me cry. Always.

"People want to eat with their tea, Levi. It's boring to just sit there and sip tea," Gabi complained one day as Levi tried to tune out her words. He fought every moment after the war, learning to walk again and live in this new body. So listening to some snot-nosed teenager trying to have a say in his life is not how he wanted to spend his day. 

I fucking adore you for including Gabi and Falco. OUR BABIES, OUR CHILDREN. Gabi is so sassy but also so correct 🤣 and Levi complains but he loves them so damn much 🥺 the detail about him learning to walk again and see again and basically survive in his new body just makes me sob. Gosh, does he deserve love more than anyone I know.

THE MENTION OF ERWIN. Ahhh. It's those tiny details again, the little nuances that make this piece so incredibly bittersweet and painful. But that good kind of painful. I can feel Levi's emotions in this. And his insecurities that we are disappointed with the man he is now compared to what he was once makes me literally curl up on the floor clawing my eyes out. BABY YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL AND BETTER THAN MOST MEN COULD EVER BE.

You ended up being a comfort to Levi in a world where he never expected to have one.

Another favourite line of mine. It makes me ACHE in places I didn't know I have.

No wait because I'm hyperventilating and choking on snot. Fuck. I forgot how much this part always tears me apart. I left my Levi days behind me a long time ago but this fic always brings them rushing back. He used to be the only anime man I loved, my #1. And this part in particular just destroys me:

"I'm not him anymore, but I would like to–fuck. I know I'm broken now and that I don't look like I did in the past, but if you'll give me a chance–"

"And I love every part of you, especially now that I've gotten to truly know you." You moved to kiss his cheek, a bit rounder than it was from the days in Paradis but it’s still Levi. Levi who smells of black tea. Levi who didn’t let the world in. Levi who could finally chase his dreams.

This is literally everything I dreamed of in a Levi fic. I pretty much exclusively don't read them because I'm very fussy when it comes to him, he's very special to me, even now. But I could read this over and over. It's my safe space.

This fic resonates with me in a way that very little do. It basically sums up my feelings and dedication to this series as a whole. And it's the perfect happy ending for our one-eyed prince 💙

Could you write Chubby!Levi Ackerman x Fem!reader ? I mean imagine him with curves like his face is filled out , his cheeks are chubbier , his waist is getting plumped without forgetting his cute rounded tummy <3 ( fluff ) ?

Hello!!! So sorry this took forever and a day! Life has been crazy! So i've never written chubby! anything but I hope you like this! Thank you for sending in a request!

Thank you FOREVER AND ALWAYS to my wife @lady-lunaaa for brainstorming with me, helping me with ideas, telling me I could do this, supporting me and beta'ing this!

Paring: Chubby!Levi Ackerman x Fem!Reader

Rating: T (I am still an 18+ blog, MDNI)

WC: 1.8K

Warnings: AOT Manga spoilers, Chubby!Levi, first time writing chubby! Anything, pining, some thoughts/discussion of body issues, please let me know if I missed anything!

It's been years since the final war for Paradis. Life has become miraculously calmer since those last days. The towns have been rebuilt, and people have started to live an everyday life. 

Little shops began appearing on the cobblestone streets of Marley, and one that caught your eye was a tea shop nestled right in the middle of a long row of shops. It was named simply Black Currant Tea. Even though it sold all types of tea imported from all over the world, the most famous brew was black tea. The favorite flavor of the once well-known "Humanity's Strongest." 

At first, you were intimidated when you found out the man you had watched from the sidelines of the town was the owner of this humble tea shop. But the inside of it drew you in and held you. It was quaint inside. The smell of freshly brewed tea leaves tickled the air, and dark chestnut walls framed the single room inviting a cozy atmosphere. 

No one else was there just yet, no one besides the owner. Two heavy lines of scars covered the right side of his face, like a perfectly placed imperfection. But something about those two scars only draws you to him more. Levi has always been beautiful to you. Memories of watching him ride through the town's streets before missions flew through your mind.     

You're so caught in your memories that you didn’t realize you'd been staring at the man directly and the infamous Levi Ackerman until he cleared his throat. 

"Ah! Sorry! I just wanted to see what you had here!" You stumbled over your words as you took him in. He was leaning on one of the dark wooden counters, arms crossed over his chest as he surveyed you. 

"Tea, as suggested in the name," he replied blandly as he brought a slender hand to his left temple and massaged the area.  

You felt embarrassed, unsure what to say next, and decided instead to look over the little boxes set neatly on the counter filled with all different types of tea. Levi ignored you as you pondered, instead he focused his attention on the cash register, flipping idly through the bills. 

You let your eyes move back to him; he's filled out since the war ended. His face is a bit rounder with age and the lack of extensive training. He was still incredibly handsome, though, so much that it's hard not to stare at him. Like a stoic deity that has come to Earth, he was beautiful with all his imperfections.

His eye snapped up to meet yours, those reflexes from years on the battlefield still wired deep within him. "Did you need help picking something?" His tone was a little softer than before, not nearly as harsh. But before you could answer, he cocked his head to the side, taking you in more deeply than before. "Do I know you?" 

Shock and panic ran through you. You hoped with your entire being he didn’t remember you being at almost every going away crowd for the Survey Corps. That would be embarrassing. Thoughts scrambled in your head as you tried to come up with some reason other than being a complete stalker for why he would know you.

"Well, I-"

"You used to sell pastries, right? That little cobblestone shop in Trost?" His words were pointed, and you're not sure how he knew that you did sell pastries before your shop was destroyed by the Colossal. 

But you do know that he never visited your shop, you were sure you would've remembered him coming. You were the only one who ran it, so there's no way you would've missed him. 

"Um, yes?" you responded hesitantly. This is not where you thought this visit would go. Levi's gray eye scanned your face, irritated that you responded to him with a question.

He'd recognize you anywhere. He saw you every time they would leave on a mission, standing in the crowd staring at him like an excited child. At that time, he chalked it up to lost dreams of being an adventurer but now, as he watched you fumble over yourself, it clicked together. You truly had been looking directly at him, and it wasn't a dream of being with them that made your eyes shine; it was him. 

He was unsure what to do with this information, especially now that life has changed. Before the walls fell, you wouldn't have even been an option, but now he could create a life. This is what he's been trying to do with this tea shop, explore love and pass time that he couldn't in a world filled with terror. And although he recognized you and remembered your beauty from long ago, he was asking about your past profession for a good reason. Gabi and Falco, older and wiser than before, were still annoying and persistent that he should add some sort of food item to his shop.

"People want to eat with their tea, Levi. It's boring to just sit there and sip tea," Gabi complained one day as Levi tried to tune out her words. He fought every moment after the war, learning to walk again and live in this new body. So listening to some snot-nosed teenager trying to have a say in his life is not how he wanted to spend his day. 

But after multiple customers asked about scones or pastries, he decided to take this chance even though his well-laid-out menu was within plain sight. 

The two of you chatted a bit longer, Levi conveniently forgot to bring up how he truly knew you and instead discussed how Erwin had brought him food from your shop before. Omitting the fact that it's one of the best things he ever tasted. Years of starvation changed his eating habits for life, but he could still remember the first time he tasted one of your freshly made croissants. It had melted in his mouth, and Erwin had made ridiculous comments about the bliss that flashed across Levi's face. 

Levi needed money to go to your shop, though. Money he didn’t have, so he could only partake in your pastries when Erwin would stop by. But he did pass by your shop every now and then. He would catch small glimpses of you behind the counter with a dazzling smile as you talked to customers. But Levi left that out, too, as he asked if you would make some pastries for his shop. 

He let you know he'd install anything you needed and pay you well. And how could you resist that?

That's how you spent six days out of the week with the man you've watched for years on the sideline. A small oven and counter space area were dedicated just for you, and you spent time researching the best things that would match Levi's vast collection of teas. At first, everything was awkward. You fumbled over your words anytime Levi talked to you and could feel heat rush to your face. But the worst was when Levi caught you staring at him.

You marveled at his beauty, even now. Somehow he seemed even more handsome after the war. His body was more filled out, his waist a bit more pronounced, but still stunning. And it was hard to tear your eyes away from him.

But Levi was sure you were comparing him to his past self. Lithe, fast, and strong. Everything he wasn't now. Who was he kidding? He's not the man he used to be. In his mind, you were only idolizing a past Levi. 

But those thoughts didn’t stop your growing relationship with him. The two of you clicked, sharing an identical sense of dry humor. As well as being able to remember home and the good times before the world went to shit. You ended up being a comfort to Levi in a world where he never expected to have one.

And after six months of working side by side, he can't hold himself back any longer. The two of you sat at one of the little tables at the end of a busy day. The sun was setting through the glass window at the front of the shop. 

"You used to come every time we would leave." He said calmly, evenly, to not scare you away.  Would you hate him because he knew all along?

You slide your gaze over to him, anxious now. Even though the two of you had built a good working relationship and your schoolgirl crush had cooled a bit, you thought you had gotten away with watching him every trip out of the walls. But you should've known that he saw you. You were there every single time. Of course, he wouldn't have missed you. He's Levi fucking Ackerman, for god's sake.  

"Um? Yes?" Again you answered him with a question like you did when he first spoke to you. A statement that had irritated him back then he finds endearing now, cute even.

"Why?" His question was soft as he took his left hand and placed it on top of yours. You're warm. It felt nice with the cooler weather setting in.                                       

You let out a rush of air from your lungs, not sure how to reply to him. His hand weighed heavy on yours but was still comforting like he's known your secret all along. You didn’t want to sound crazy, but you knew very well you were there for him, and you knew Levi well enough now that he can see through any lie you tried to spin to save your dignity. 

"It was for you, Levi. I wanted to see you. Just in case it was the last time," your voice was quiet as you looked towards the chestnut table, tracing the patterns with your eyes. Looking anywhere but at Levi. What if he laughs at me? What if he thinks I'm pathetic for pining after him? The questions flowed through you like a waterfall as you waited for the rejection.

"I'm not him anymore, but I would like to–fuck. I know I'm broken now and that I don't look like I did in the past, but if you'll give me a chance–"

You cut him off, thrown by his pain of losing his past self in the war, "Levi, I don't care how you've changed. You're just as handsome as you were with each mission. I've liked you for a long time and–" You moved around the table to sit in the chair closest to him. 

"And I love every part of you, especially now that I've gotten to truly know you." You moved to kiss his cheek, a bit rounder than it was from the days in Paradis but it’s still Levi. Levi who smells of black tea. Levi who didn’t let the world in. Levi who could finally chase his dreams.

"I'm not the same anymore," Levi said solemnly as he gestures towards his waist and stomach, no longer toned after years of rigorous training. 

"Levi, I love you, just as you are," You placed a peck on his lips and helped him stand while leading him to the hall back to his room. "Let me show you."

[senjekai]

Xiongnu / Golden Horde / Mongolia Work is for.......... Serving ice cream.... And serving my favorite pony boys...

[imagine-turtles]

Hey, thanks for answer! I love your blog and I was wondering If I could get a Bayverse 2016 match up, please?

I'm Gabriela, but my friends call me Raven, Gigi, Evie, Gabi and Gabika. I'm 15 years old girl from Slovakia 🇸🇰, Libra ♎, 5'9 ft tall and only child.

I have Russian accent since childhood, because I have ancestors from Russia and I curse a lot in Russian and I speak perfectly Russian and Spanish.

I have brown-green eyes, brown hair to my shoulders and slim figure 'cause I work out daily and I have little freckles and cute little gap in my tooth.

I'm introvert. I'm shy, very quiet ( some people thinks I'm mute), sweet, caring, cute, caring, loving, sensitive, funny, empathetic, loyal, honest and stubborn impulsive sarcastic and hothead person.

I have problem. I have sleep issues and I sleep max 2-3 hours. When I woke up, I'm not tired. When I am at sun, my head is spinning and my body hurts. That's why I go out only at night. We have special windows in our home.

I'm literally a vampire and others think that I will suck their blood and this bullshit.

My bro ask me if I can write it here so here we go : My bro is Casey. We know each other perfectly from childhood and his parents died when he was three years old. Car accident. From then, he live with us. He's my adoptive brother. When we were 6 years old, we found our passion is dancing. From then, we always dancing. He call me : cute little vampire" and I adore it.

My BIGGEST passion is cooking. On September 1 I'm going to High school Hotel Academy and my friends call me Evie cause I'm exactly like Evie from Descendants. They call me Raven, because I wear mostly black or blue clothes.

I love to make my own clothes and jewerly. Half of my closet are clothes that I made. I love drawing and painting.

My favorite music genre is pop, rock and rap. I love AC/ Kiss, Depeche Mode, Queen, Little Mix and Pentatonix. I love sci-fi films and serials. I love Stranger Things and Star Wars.

I love films Suicide Squad and Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey

I play on accordion, piano, tamburine, harmonica, electric and acoustic guitar. I love singing and my friends and I have acapella group called Nightsoul

Every night I go out on rooftop and I sing there my songs and I play on my acoustic guitar. I'm afraid of heights, spiders and rats.

I have lots of break downs, like I lean against wall crying, I go down until I touch the ground, sit down and crying because I random remembered my grandfather. He died three years ago and it's so painful for me, because we had a special relationship

That's everything. Thanks for doing this and I hope it's not too much. See ya ♥️♥️. Thanks again 💜💜

5’9” Libra gang let's GOOO ✌😤

I’m pairing you with Bayverse Donnie:

Your sleep schedules will probably sync up at some point. However, in Donnie’s case, he either power naps or sleeps 14 hours at a time. Not much in between. Hope you don't value consistency.

Even if 5'9" is a fairly average height, you'll still be way shorter than Donnie, who clocks in around 6'8"--nearly a foot taller than you if he remembers to stand up straight. He finds the height difference endearing, and not large enough to be inconvenient.

He loves the challenge of learning Russian! It’s widely believed to be one of the most difficult languages to learn by non-native speakers, but that factoid only makes him more determined. Besides, New York has a hefty Russian-speaking population, so he’s certain it’ll come in handy sooner or later.

Don loves your passion for music--it’s a science in itself, after all. He listens to a little bit of everything, so your tastes are bound to overlap, but he may try to sneakily introduce you to a few more genres. Genre-hopping remixes are always fun, right?

I’m getting a “pop-punk princess” vibe that would draw him in, from your first interaction. Donnie has an appreciation for personalities with a balanced dichotomy: think sweet and spicy, a pretty face with a bit of punky edge. He loves the type of person he feels can do it all.

You’d probably be the one informing the drive-thru cashier that he asked for no pickles, please. Not because he’s too shy, he just doesn’t think it’s worth making a fuss about. It is. Put that backbone to use.

Might want to address that fear of rats before a visit, though.

[amachja-moved]

Pain spread throughout his body. Steam rising from where portion of head was missing. His blood soaked into his uniform, titan blood evaporating as he pried himself free of his Jaw. Galliard's gaze meet Braun's, and he speaks his final remark as he staggers forward. Toward the titan that was once Falco Grice. It rushed him, lunging with maw agape. In his final seconds, Galliard lifts his gaze. His remaining eye meets Sasha's from her perch. He smiles at her, before his world goes dark.

@libartes (who decided i’m not allowed to have anti-angst days and is right)

------------ I’m not going down for nothing.

She can barely make out his silhouette, engulfed in cascading steam. It rises from his titan, rises from the horrifying gap left by the hole in his skull, but something deep down inside of her knows his body is only racing against a clock that has already struck midnight. He said it. He’s used up all his power. There is no going back now. 

Perched atop a nearby building, her eyes meet his. She cannot blink. She cannot look away. She cannot smile back. What are you doing. Porco, what are you doing? She cannot hold back the scream erupting from her throat. She cannot stop her heart from being ripped from her chest; she cannot stop calling out his name. She cannot stop the hurricane of horror and agony that rips into her and leaves her raw and devastated. He’s gone. This time he really is gone.

The thunk of her hooks piercing through the ruins of Shiganshina is like a gunshot in the middle chaos; the whirr of her wires, a scream of revolt and despair as she flies, wind and steam lashing at her cheeks; her tears engrave her grief into skin, titan markings of her very own; never has Sasha flown faster, sharpshooter turned into bullet just as the entire world comes crashing down around her. 

Porco’s last words pound hard inside her skull, like beating heart aching to break through. She saw it all too; she knows what he meant. She knows, deep down, why he left her without a warning, without a final goodbye. Accepting it is a different matter; but she knows his sacrifice has a purpose. It is all she has left to hold on to. He cannot die for nothing. 

She flies past the Beast Titan, past the monster who just turned nightmare into hell. 

She flies past Eren, past Reiner; her heels hit the ground and she slides on the cobblestone at top speed; ignores the giants she could never stand shoulder to shoulder with, the comrades found and the comrades lost; she leaves them to the war only they can end. She bounces back again, leaves them behind as she frantically searches for someone else. 

Falco Grice lies in the middle of the street, inert, his titan almost entirely evaporated; blades come unsheathed, cold familiarity weighing heavy against her palms - old habits die hard, and she is still a Scout, is she not? Never a very good one, but she recalls her basics. Ten centimeters deep, one meter long. Long fingers grip tight around the handles, knuckles go white.

I’m not going down for nothing.

                                                                                                      No, you’re not, I promise. 

There is nobody to hear her cry of war; a desperate call for peace; a howl from the deepest abyss of her soul where wilderness always aches to burst free; there is nobody to see her slice through titan flesh and pull the child from his prison; hoist him in her arms, and take to the sky with her precious charge. 

We’re going to Paradis.                             We’re getting Gabi and Falco back - that’s the least we will do.                                                        We’ve gotta let the children out of this forest, at the very least.

Her hooks miss the chimney she was aiming for; air knocked out of her lungs as she and the boy crash together onto rooftiles. Disoriented, heart pounding in her chest and skull, she can no longer breathe; still, searches for a pulse, a sign, any sign that Falco lives. 

He does.

A few hundred meters away from where they have landed, a gunshot ripples through the air; a head rolls, though neither Sasha nor Falco can see it. The boy lies limp in her arms, and her tears comes crashing against his cheeks; draw clean lines from dust and blood against his pale skin. 

I was the better man to the end.

There is a smile and a chuckle, forcing their way through her sobs. “Yeah, you were. You really were.” How she only wishes she could have told him that more; but they were always on stolen time, even in moments shared, brief pieces of respite while the rest of the world marched forth without paying them any attention. There is a pain in her now, rising from inside, visceral, a beast clawing through her soul and shredding it to pieces; there she bleeds through tears, alive, too alive, while part of her just died. She closes her eyes and she sees him again; one final gaze, one final smile. 

“It’s okay.” She rips the words from her throat, salt burning into her cheeks and neck as she holds Falco closer against her and looks down at the little boy. “You’ll be okay. We’re just... we’re gonna fly outta here, and there’ll... there’ll be someone who’ll help ya, okay? And we’ll keep goin’ til we find them.” Porco Galliard did not die for nothing. She will not rest until she has made sure of that. No matter how much it hurts; no matter how much she wants it all to stop; to be the one swallowed into blissful oblivion; they have to get the children out of the hell they created. 

In the middle of hell, Sasha stands up, pale, and hollow, and alert and alive. The walls come crashing down; doomsday called and the titans inside the walls wake from their sleep. It is now or never. Sasha hoists Falco on her back, secures his arms around her neck. “Let’s get runnin’!” The huntress bolts and launches herself from the roof, freefalls into the ruins and fires of cobblestone; her hooks grapple at a belltower and she presses the trigger. The huntress and the boy fly up, up into the sky; away from the fires of hell, away from war; away from the forest.

                                                                                   They will be the better ones to the end.

[jzixuans]

mayhaps,,,, tomorrow,,, i will try drawing some tog,,

good happy things:

i’m still thinking about gabi

also this orpheus and eurydice!joe x nicky fic

had lots of fun last night w my friend

spent a good long while deep diving the backrooms tag on tumblr last night too

many jokes abt them were made

i think this year’s been a good birthday year i’ve spent a lot of time w my friends celebrating how i wanted to which is super nice

watched they call me jeeg (if only to have something to space out my tog rewatches) and like the movie overall was kind of meh but luca was one hell of a vibe

powerpoint party today!!! all of our topics were Very Niche which i super love for us

maybe i should’ve done mine on tog instead of the parallel universe theorem

okay thinking about The Hugs in marrakesh,,,,, god,,,,,

i know i talk about this literally every day nonstop but nicky and the baklava bet is an instant shot of serotonin every time i think about it

yes i Did rewatch motoe last night just to fixate on marwan kenzari thanks for asking 😌

also i ordered the You Will Not Clock This Crab t-shirt from the mcelroy merch store and i’m so excited to get it

[sincerelyreidburke]

Ok I have no idea where this is coming from but I want to hear about Nando and Quinn's first New Year's Eve together

First, Isabelle, please let me apologize for my delay on this ask fill. Rest assured I had never forgotten or abandoned this idea! It’s very soft, and here’s a ficlet to quell your curiosity.

I’m not taking “first New Year’s” super literally here, because this is set during junior year winter break. The reason I’m doing that is because while they’re dating for two winter breaks prior to this one, this is the first time they get to spend New Year’s physically together. I’ll enlighten you about the two New Year’s that occur prior to this one...

Freshman year: Nando goes to his hometown friend’s party, and Quinn watches a movie by himself. They FaceTime at midnight. Nando is kind of drunk, but being safe, and Quinn finds it endearing. They’re schmoopy, and Nando gets chirped by his friends when he comes back from whatever random room he stepped aside in to make the call.

Sophomore year: Nando goes to that party again, and Quinn is once again by himself, but this time, Quinn accidentally falls asleep at, like, 10:30. Nando wakes him up with another midnight call, and makes fun of him for being a weakling who can’t stay up late. Quinn is slightly grouchy because he’s half-asleep, but misses Nando very much, and therefore lets his grouch fade into soft.

Junior year: this. Long live the return of Gabi and Rosa Hernandez!

(Ask me anything about the crickets!)

//

junior year | december/january

 “Gabi! Rosa! Wake up; it’s almost midnight!”

Nando watches, with so much glee that he’s holding back a laugh, as both of his sisters rouse in unison. They sit bolt upright on the basement couch, in two different shades of alarm. Gabi rubs her eyes and makes some kind of half-asleep grunting noise, and Rosa is immediately wide awake. “What?” she cries, flailing her arms in panic. “Did we miss it?”

“No!” Nando replies, and next to him, wrapped up in his arm, Quinn is shaking his head for emphasis.

“You woke up just in time,” Quinn adds, then points to the clock on the basement wall.

Gabi and Rosa both look that way, and Nando holds up his watch, gesturing to its face. “See?” he says. “It’s 11:57.”

Rosa marvels at his watch. “I didn’t know we slept that long…”

“Yeah!” Gabi frowns, with a little hmph , and folds her arms. She’s wearing the nightgown she got for Christmas; it’s lavender, with sugar-plum fairies all over it. “Why didn’t you guys wake us up?”

“Well, we did wake you up,” Quinn points out, evenly. “There are three minutes left to go.”

“I didn’t mean to fall asleep ,” she whines. “I said I was gonna stay up this year!”

“It’s a good thing you have us,” Nando quips, and she sticks her tongue out at him.

Quinn, who is infinitely more patient with Gabi and Rosa than Nando feels like being with his little sisters right now, pats Gabi on the shoulder and remarks, “It’s okay, Gabi. Staying up on New Year’s isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, anyway.”

“But you’re doing it,” Gabi points out.

Quinn tips his head into Nando’s arm, and Nando grins down at him, squeezing him around the shoulders. “I am,” Quinn says, “because I’m with you guys.” He pauses. “I fell asleep before midnight last New Year’s, by accident.”

“It’s true,” Nando says, chuckling, because that really is true— he remembers Quinn’s sleepy face picking up his FaceTime call at midnight last year, rubbing his eyes with a raspy voice over the phone. It was the cutest shit he’s ever seen, not to be dramatic.

Now, a year later, he nudges his boyfriend— who is sitting on his mama’s basement couch, live and in person, his for the entirety of the holidays. The end of Quinn’s fall semester may have been beyond shitty from a home life standpoint, but it led to this: Quinn, home with him, in Arizona, for all of winter break. And summer, once it comes. And the winter break after that, and, well—

Nando loves having him here, more than he can even say.

“Quinn’s a weakling,” he chirps, with eyes on the boy himself. “He’s no good at staying up late.”

Quinn squirms, with a little laugh, and swats upward towards Nando’s general chest region. “ Sebastián ,” he says, easily. Nando kisses his temple.

“Staying up late is cool !” Gabi cries. “Sometimes I use Mama’s phone to text Sebastián when it’s midnight at college, and he’s still awake .”

“Mm.” Quinn nods, with his cheek pressed into Nando’s shoulder. “Your brother has a habit of letting Ben have an influence on his bedtime.”

“I mean.” Nando wonders if defending himself is even worth it. Quinn is sort of right. “He lives right on the other side of the bathroom. He, like… invades my room.”

Rosa is studying the wall clock intently. “I’ll tell you guys when,” she announces, like counting down to midnight is a mission she is taking very seriously. “We have a minute and thirty-seven seconds left. Now it’s thirty-six. Thirty-five—”

“Aw, don’t count the whole time,” Gabi says, shoving her in the shoulder. “You’ll kill all the fun.”

“It’s okay, Rosa.” Once again, Quinn seeks to pacify the sisterly disagreements. He’s a natural, Nando notices. It sends him into thoughts of Quinn as a dad, which is so much for his extremely in love, extremely gay brain. “It’ll be midnight soon.”

Nando buries his face in Quinn’s hair to mask his smile, and plants a kiss at the top of his head. With three weeks in the Arizona sun under his belt— because even in the winter, the sun here is aplenty, something Nando will never stop loving about his home state— the usual strawberry tones of Quinn’s blond have lightened significantly. Not only that, but he has more freckles today than the number he showed up with when they stepped off the plane after finals. It’s a good look on him, and Nando hasn’t been able to stop himself from imagining what that means for Quinn if he lives here after graduation.

They’ve talked about that a little, which is plenty for Nando’s brain to run wild with.

“Wait!” Gabi draws something out from between couch pillows. The four of them are all stationed on the basement couch; Nando is resting against the end with his arm around Quinn, and the girls are right where they fell asleep for their accidental nap. It’s a smallish couch, but a comfy one, with a green plush cover that’s easy to sink into.

Gabi brandishes her finding— a silver noisemaker, the cardboard kind you blow into to unfurl it and make a sound. “I forgot about these,” she says.

“Oh, goodness,” Quinn chuckles. “Are you going to blow into that at midnight?”

“Uh, duh ,” Gabi replies. She tests it out once, sort of in his face, and Nando feels Quinn wince under him.

“ Gabi .” He huddles Quinn closer. “Remember, his ears aren’t like yours.”

“Oops.” Gabi’s cheeks flush just a little. “Sorry.”

Quinn smiles at her. “It’s okay. Don’t worry. I know you’re excited.”

“Thirty seconds!” Rosa cries, eyes still glued to the clock. “When should we start counting?”

“At ten?” Quinn volunteers, and she seems to like this, because she nods.

“At ten,” she echoes. “It’s twenty-five now.”

Gabi bounces on her cushion, which sort of moves the whole couch just a little. “I’m so excited!”

Nando rests his hand on Quinn’s knee, who promptly tips his face up to smile at him. Nando bites back another laugh, and kisses his nose instead. Quinn’s smile is normal, but there’s humor dancing in his blue-green eyes, a little sparkle.

“Twenty!” Rosa, who’s usually pretty quiet, is even seeming excited now. She chews on the edge of her nightgown’s sleeve; it’s the same style as Gabi’s, but with gingerbreads and candies instead of fairies. Her hair is still in the fishtail braid Quinn gave her, while they were watching TV an hour ago. “Fifteen… aaaaand— okay, ten!”

“Nine!” Gabi joins her, bouncing once in her seat for each number. “Eight… seven…”

Nando participates in the countdown, as does Quinn, quietly, next to him. “Six… five… four… three… two… one—”

“ Happy New Year !” Gabi and Rosa yell, in unison, and Gabi blows into her noisemaker again, but this time angles it away from Quinn. Nando laughs, finally, and Quinn claps a little, for the girls’ excitement. Gabi jumps off the couch to dance around in front of it, and that’s about when Nando realizes that Quinn is looking up at him expectantly.

“Oh!” In a hurry, he pecks him on the mouth. Quinn is smiling when they pull away.

Gabi finishes her dance with a little bow, which Quinn claps, again, for, and Rosa sits calmly on the couch with both hands in her lap, still staring at the clock as the second hand moves 15 seconds psat 12. “I…” Rosa pauses. “Don’t feel any different.”

“I never do,” Quinn confesses. “New Year’s is an odd holiday, don’t you think?”

“I do think,” Rosa replies, with a nod, and then Gabi lets off a very loud yawn, collapsing back into the abyss of the couch cushions.

“Hm…” Quinn says, looking between them. “Are you guys tired? You stayed up really late.”

Rosa, because yawning is contagious, is also yawning. Nando feels like he might be about to yawn, even though he’s barely tired. “I think so,” she announces, and so, without much ceremony, they’re able to get them to go upstairs relatively easily.

They patter up the basement steps to the ground floor, and they’ll go from there to the second floor, where they’ll nestle all snug in their beds like it’s the night before Christmas and not the night before 2020. “Night, guys,” Nando calls after them, as they’re going. “Happy new year.”

“G’night!” Gabi calls, and Rosa waves over her shoulder. “Don’t stay up late!” Gabi adds, in a singsong voice, and they disappear through the door to the ground floor in a flurry of giggles.

Nando looks to the ceiling, and listens to their feet on the kitchen floor above them, still holding Quinn around the shoulders. He hears them cross to the other staircase, and then, slowly, their steps fade away entirely.

Nando waits at least three seconds after he’s lost track of the noise, then looks down to Quinn, with the shit-eating grin he’s been holding back for the past five minutes finally giving way. “Nice work, baby,” he remarks, holding his hand up.

Quinn laughs. He high-fives him, then leans into his chest. “I feel bad,” he sighs. “They were so excited.”

“ Pff .” He stands from the couch, lifting Quinn right up with him, and says, “Are you kidding me? They’ll never know.”

“I suppose.” Quinn hooks his arms around his neck. “Are we resetting the clock?”

“Sure, yeah.” He looks to the clock above the TV. “Let’s do that.”

The same way they did ten minutes ago, he helps Quinn onto his shoulders until he can reach to change the time on the clock. Nando holds him steady as he turns it back two hours, landing it correctly at 10:04 rather than the 12:04 Rosa and Gabi think it is right now. When Quinn is done, he hangs the clock back up, flashes a thumbs-up, and announces, “All set!”

“Perfect.” Nando grins, then reaches for his waist, bends over, and says, “Hold on tight.”

Quinn puts his hands down on his shoulders. “Holding.”

In a maneuver they’ve gotten down to a science, he moves Quinn from his shoulders to his back, where he gets a kiss to the cheek from him on his way by. From there, Quinn hops down, and Nando turns, lifting him so he’s facing him. Quinn winds his legs around his waist, and kisses him properly.

“We’re evil,” Quinn mumbles, nose-to-nose with him, when they pull away. “We lie to children.”

“Baby.” He closes his eyes. “They were never gonna make it to midnight anyway.”

“That’s likely true.” Quinn kisses him again, then eyes the couch, so Nando takes it as a cue to lead him back there. Once they’re settled, Quinn tucks himself right up into his lap, resting his cheek against his shoulder, and all is right in the world.

“What now?” Nando asks, like his mind isn’t already wandering. “You… wanna watch TV?”

“Sure,” Quinn murmurs, “we can turn it on.” He doesn’t sound opposed to it, but he also sounds relatively indifferent, like it doesn’t really matter if the TV is on or not.

So Nando meets his eyes. “We could…” He raises his eyebrows, with the tiniest smile. “ Not watch TV?”

Quinn swats him for the second time in ten minutes. “ Sebastián . Your mother said—”

“I know, I know.” He chuckles, kissing Quinn’s forehead. Leave it to his boyfriend to keep Mama’s spirit hovering over them even while she’s safely five miles away at work. She pretty much threatened his life before she left for tonight’s night shift re: funny business in her basement, and he shouldn’t try to go behind her back (despite the multiple times he’s done that during winter break already, at strategic times when they have the house all to themselves). Tonight, Nando won’t tempt fate. He leans toward the empty part of the couch and tells Quinn, “Hold on. I’ll get the remote.”

It’s buried in couch pillows, but he draws it up after a second of rooting around. He looks past Quinn to hit the power button, and flicks through the channels until he lands on the ball drop countdown. Two news anchors are doing shots, live on the air in Times Square. “This?”

Quinn isn’t even facing the TV, but he nods. “Anything’s good.”

So Nando drops the remote down into the cushiony abyss again, securing his hands on Quinn’s tiny waist. He’s in one of his many stolen Kiersey Hockey sweatshirts (this is a really nice one, actually, with his name and number on the sleeve), and a worn pair of blue shorts, which Nando can tell are his own because of how short they are. His socks reach nearly to his knees, and under the sweatshirt, he’s wearing a tight t-shirt that rides up his waist. So in other words, he wants Nando dead. And him being in his lap isn’t helping.

Nando edges his hands under the hoodie until he’s touching warm skin on his middle. He looks down into his eyes and murmurs, “God, you’re fucking cute.”

Quinn giggles like being cute has been his plan this whole time. “You’re not so bad yourself, papi.”

That gets Nando in just the right place, apparently, because the only thing he can think to want to do until midnight is just absolutely kiss the hell out of him. He gives him a kiss that starts soft and turns tender, and Quinn scoots up as far into his lap as he can go. Nando smiles as Quinn presses his thumb into his cheek, and when they pause to breathe, Quinn murmurs, “This is better than TV.”

He laughs, kisses him again, and nods. “Glad you agree, cariño .”

More or less, that’s how they pass the next two hours— making out on and off, occasionally sneaking a glance to the TV to comment on the absurdity of how news anchors entertain themselves waiting for midnight to come, trading bits and pieces of miscellaneous conversation. Between bouts of kissing, Quinn rests against his chest, his legs thrown snug around his waist, and Nando rubs his back under the shirt he’s wearing. His skin is a little sunburnt, thanks to his first taste of Arizona weather (and if he’s already burning in December, Nando can’t imagine what it’ll be like when they come home this summer) (which, by the way, is a wonderful thing to remember is happening).

That’s how they are when the countdown arrives— in fact, Nando doesn’t even realize it’s so close to midnight until he sees the TV out of the corner of his eye, and the ball is falling, with forty seconds left until the New Year.

“Oh— baby.” To get his attention, he rubs Quinn’s thigh right under the spot where his shorts end; he’s been holding him there for the last little while.

Quinn lifts his face from his chest; he’s been resting there so long that there’s a warm spot where his head was. On his way up, he turns his hearing aids on, since he shut them off sometime over the course of the past two hours. Nando supplies, “It’s almost midnight.”

Quinn rubs his left eye and asks, in this little, raspy voice, “Already?”

God , he’s so fucking cute. Nando is too gay to function. “Already,” he says, with an affirming now, and then chuckles a little and adds, “For real this time.”

Quinn laughs, pressing his face into his shoulder, and Nando takes the opportunity to squeeze him tight, with a kiss to the top of his head. His hair is so messy by now, a look he’d never show to the public. Nando loves his rumpled boyfriend more than there are words to express.

“Well,” Quinn mumbles, turning his head to the TV. “Perhaps I should actually watch it.”

Nando holds him close, and he watches, too. He hasn’t seen the ball drop in awhile, because for the past handful of years, he’s usually been at Antonio’s New Year’s party down the street. He and Quinn were invited to it tonight, but Mama had already taken the shift at work, so they gently declined in favor of babysitting the girls.

Nando loves hanging out with his friends, but he’d be lying if he said he didn’t prefer this— a snuggly New Year’s Eve in his basement with the love of his life— to a house party.

When the ball hits ten seconds to midnight, the crowd in Times Square ramps up the noise. It’s all flashy and loud, and Nando used to think that going there one year would be fun, as a bucket list kind of thing— but it would be so much for Quinn, he would never do it now. He debates counting along with them, but he just watches and listens instead. Quinn is quiet in his arms, head rested against his shoulder.

Five… four… three… two… one— happy new year!!!!

On the TV, a symphony of confetti and cheering erupts. But Nando does not care, at all, what’s happening in Times Square at that moment, because as they ring in the first seconds of 2020, he’s looking down at Quinn. He keeps his eyes on the TV for just a second after the stroke of midnight, before he looks back up to Nando, with a gentle, knowing smile.

Nando tugs him close in his lap to kiss him, and that’s how they ring in 2020— wrapped up in each other with their first official New Year’s kiss. “Happy new year, baby,” he hums, when they pull away.

“Happy new year,” Quinn echoes. He’s cupping Nando’s face in his hand again, and his eyes are searching. “I love you.”

Nando beams. “I love you so much,” he replies, and kisses him again, for good measure. They’re playing Auld Lang Syne on the TV. The noise is a million miles away.

They’ve been together for over two years now, but thanks to the woes of a long-distance relationship, this feels a lot like their first real New Year’s together than the way they rang in 2018 and 2019. Nando wouldn’t change a thing, but FaceTiming at midnight just isn’t the same as holding him in your arms.

So, yeah. Happy new year, indeed.

*

They keep the TV on, and some time later, after more kissing and vigorous snuggling, they wind up just resting on the couch together. Quinn is still wrapped around him, half in his lap and half to his side, and Nando is rubbing very gently at the back of his neck. He thinks Quinn is maybe asleep, or definitely at least not tuned in on his hearing aids, so it comes as a surprise when he hears him mumble. “Sebastián… I was thinking.”

“Huh?” He looks down at him, threading his fingers into his hair. “What about, baby?”

Quinn is quiet while he takes a deep breath, then he snuggles impossibly closer into his chest. “Well, I was just… I wanted to tell you that I love it here.”

Something flutters in Nando’s stomach, but he holds back on saying anything, because Quinn sounded like he wasn’t done with his thought. It turns out he’s right, after a second. “I could completely see myself living here, you know. I mean— of course, I could see myself living here before, because it would be with you, but— well, I suppose being here? It’s made it more real. If you know what I mean?”

“I do know,” he replies, trying not to sound completely like an excited puppy, but probably failing. He can’t help it. They’ve talked about the future, and made clear with each other what they want; they’ve made a plan that fits them accordingly. But Quinn is right. Being home, with him, makes so many future plans so much more real in his head. For two years, he’s daydreamed about taking Quinn home. Now that he’s done that… it’s a lot easier to picture moving here with him, after graduation. And buying their own house. And marrying him. And having a family. And so on.

So, yeah. He gets it. “It makes me really happy to hear you say that,” he tells Quinn.

“Well, it’s the truth,” Quinn remarks, in that little know-it-all voice that Nando is so fucking head over heels for. He pauses a moment, pressing his palm flat against his belly, before he adds, “I can’t wait to live here with you.”

“ God , baby,” he says, and he can’t stop smiling. “I can’t wait for that, either.” He squeezes lightly at the back of his neck. “C’mere.”

Quinn lifts his head for a lazy kiss, and then snuggles right back in. He holds him so close, and that’s how they stay. Going to bed doesn’t even cross either of their radars for a very long time.

Nando wants to ring in every single year, for the rest of his life, just like this.

[purplesurveys]

757

What was the best job you've ever had? I’ll let you know in 20, 30 years. Would you rather open a used clothing store or an antique store? Hah, you really asked this to the history nerd. Antique store, for sure. It’d be awesome to meet collectors or just anyone into antiques, really, and get to hear about their interest for whatever item they’re looking for. Do you think you would want to own a gift shop? No, just because I wouldn’t want to own a business to begin with. I’d have no interest in running it. Have you ever wondered if your friend was an alien? That thought literally never crosses my mind for any of my friends. Do you have a troublesome medical condition? I have scoliosis but it’s not very troublesome. It’s not super bad so I just have to always watch out for my posture and make sure I’m sitting up straight.

What's your most annoying neighbor's name? I have neighbors with a very loud, constantly crying baby; some days I find it annoying (especially when I have to work), but honestly I’m a little bit genuinely worried and disturbed because the baby’s cries are so raw and so bad in the morning and evening that I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt and thinking that maybe the baby has some sort of condition that puts them in pain most of the time, so that lessens the annoyance down to zero. Other than them, I can’t think of any other neighbor. Would you have started a business in high school if your parents had let you? I wouldn’t know what to sell or pitch in the first place, so no. What sport would you have joined if your parents had let you? I had no interest in sports. I did want to pursue table tennis, but my old school didn’t have a varsity for it. Do you have any tough life decisions to make soon? Yeah, for sure. Life is gonna get real crazy real soon. At what time of the day do you usually have the most energy? In the last few weeks it used to be midnight and beyond that, but I’ve been cutting back on sleeping very late. My body clock is still adjusting to the change, so these days I can’t really tell when my energy is highest yet. Do you consider yourself gifted and talented? I have several soft skills I can be proud of, but nothing super showy like knowing how to play guitar or being able to draw. Do you love your enemies? I don’t have any. Magenta, aqua, or coral? Coral feels like the most soothing color to me. Do you like the color orchid? That’s a color? I always thought it was just a flower lol. Checked it out and I’m not a big fan; it’s too bright for me. Would you rather be a wedding photographer or a nature photographer? Probably nature. Trees and flowers and animals can have several takes, but you can’t fuck up wedding photos so that’s a bye for me. Have you ever had an ulcer? I haven’t. Do you have a canker sore right now? NO it’s finally gone, thank goodness. I had the worst one last week and it lasted for like four days; it was super super awful and I ate so little then. Are you interested in health and wellness? Not really. There are times I’d consider joining a gym and planning out a diet just to be extra healthy, but those plans have obviously never become a reality. Would you ever be a fitness coach? No, I’m very unqualified. Do you ever question whether something that makes you uncomfortable is a good thing or not? Only sometimes, and only for very particular scenarios. Like sometimes I’ll examine why I’m often uncomfortable around Gabie’s friends and question if it’s a problem with me, or if we really just have very different personalities for my liking. Usually though, I don’t question and just go ahead and think that things that make me uncomfortable aren’t good for me. Do you think for yourself? I try to, but sometimes I’ll add other people to the equation. Do you live life on your own terms, or do you do what everyone tells you to do? A little bit of both. I’m still scared of being completely independent and do appreciate a second opinion. When was the last time you spent time with God in nature? What color is your bike? The family bike is blue and grey. I don’t have my own. Are you due for a hike? Eh, I wouldn’t say I’m due. I’m not desperate for one, but it would be nice to do one of them again sometime in the future. Do you ever wonder why some people think they're better than others? I only wonder this for people who think they’re better but actually aren’t. Do you have too many hangers? No, we have enough. Have you ever created a themed scrapbook? No. All the album scrapbooks we have in the house were made by my mom; she made one for each of us kids. Pilates or yoga? I don’t know, I’ve never given either a try. How often do you eat dessert? I don’t get to these days since I haven’t been out in a while. But back when Gab and I would eat out, I usually wanna grab something sweet after pretty often. Do you own a pair of cute workout pants? No. What's the trendiest item you own? Probably my clothes. I always make sure I’m up-to-date with them. Do you get irritated by people who lack common sense? Not really? Sometimes I’m one of them so I’ll give other people a chance if they’re a bit slow lol. What's the best drink you've ever had at Starbucks? I don’t experiment with my drinks. I just get my usual caramel macchiato and for me it’s already the best. Did you pull an all-nighter last night? Nah, far from it. I slept for 10 hours. When was the last time you wrote an essay? March 20-something. Do you enjoy writing essays? If I enjoy the topic, then yes. It can be a bitch writing about something I could not care less for. Do you enjoy learning? Sure! But again it depends on what’s being taught. I wouldn’t sign up for a calculus class, for one. What is the most dominant color in your closet? Black or white, for sure. Do you own anything periwinkle? Yessss. Gab gave me artificial flowers a few years ago and they were periwinkle. I still have them on my drawer. Do you know anyone who is colorblind? Nope, I don’t think so. What is your favorite fairytale? Not into those. Do you ever wonder why Americans celebrate St. Patrick's Day? No, it doesn’t cross my mind since I’m unfamiliar with it to begin with. Do you have any Irish in you? Not at all. What is your favorite name that starts with a Z? I don’t know many names but I do like Zia. Have you ever felt like you were going to throw up while you were at school? Sure. What color are your running shoes? I have several but they’re all white. Do you wear hoodies? Sometimes. I only wear them on my lazy days in school though. How many pull-over hoodies do you own? Two. Do you own a princess crown? I owned a tiara as a kid from my 7th birthday party, but not these days. I don’t think my mom kept it around when we moved. Do you love anyone? I love a lot of people. What's your birthstone? Diamond.

[waitnogoddamit]

21 Questions

So I got tagged by @kaleidcscopi and I will tag anyone who reads this because anxiety.

Nickname: Gabi

Zodiac: Sagittarius

Height: 165cm (5'5)

Last movie I saw: Smallfoot (I didn't watch 'till the end since I knew something embarrassing and bad was going to happen).

Last thing I googled: Bnha heights (it's a nice drawing.)

Favourite musician: Billie Eilish (she's great.)

Song stuck in head: Pork soda.

Other blogs: I don't have any though I did have one in the past which is now deleted.

Do I get asks: Kinda? I don't really post so I don't really get asks but I'm pretty sure my last post was an answer to an ask.

Following: I'm not really sure, it doesn't say and I'm too lazy to check (sorry.)

Amount of sleep: Usually 7-8 hours.

Lucky number: 4 is my lucky number though it actually doesn't give me much luck, I just pretend it does because I like the number.

What I am wearing: Black leggings, denim shorts and a pink sweater.

Dream job: An artist! I haven't figured out the specifics yet, though.

Dream trip: My home because I'm lazy and dislike travelling.

Favourite food: Those sweets with a weird wrapper that has cows on it because I am just s o h e a l t h y™.

Play any instruments: I'm learning the keyboard in school but I'm not very good.

Languages: I speak primarily English. I also speak Lithuanian (my native language) though I'm not the best since I never had a Lithuanian grammar lesson unless you count my mother correcting me.

Favourite songs: My boy by Billie Eilish and Fool by Cavetown!

Random fact: I have dimples.

Describe yourself as aesthetic things: The sound of running water, the ticking clock, an empty yet comfortable room, soft laughter, Blonde hair decorated with flowers, the innocent curiosity of a child ( I'm not good with aesthetic, I know.)

[ameliarowe604]

Spin Design studio was asked to design a cocktail book for the publisher  Corps Reviver. 

L’Heure du Cocktail is a witty, opinionated book of recipes and drinking etiquette from 1920s Paris. It was seen as very avant-garde when it was published in 1927. No French cocktail books looked like it at the time. The content was organised by hours, illustrations, the recipes were created by poets and film-makers.  

Corps Reviver asked Spin design studio to design a new release of the book.  Spin has instead created a beautifully pared-back book of black ink drawings and simple text recipes on coloured paper stock.

“The paper is a hint at the passing of time, the sun setting,” explains Spin founder Tony Brook. “The book suggests the right cocktail to drink at the right time over an evening, and early hours of the morning.

Images were created using ink and brush. “They were inspired by some imagery in the original book. My version is a much more abstract, painterly response, meant to allude to the affects of the cocktails over time.”

The cover also fuses the concepts of time and drinking: “It suggests a clock face, made by painting the bottom of a glass,” says Tony. “The typography, designed by Claudia Klat and Gaby Luong, is very structured and refined, providing a nice, sharp, contemporary contrast to the organic nature of the painting.”

https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/spin-corps-reviver-lheure-du-cocktail-cocktail-hour-book-050617 

[brettonio-one-chicago]

God, Your Mama & Me

A wonderful combination of anonymous requests:  “I don’t feel so good” with Sylvie finding out she’s pregnant and “I bet it’s a boy.”  “I bet it’s a turtle.”  (However, the second request is for a baby girl... so...)

Without further ado... “God, Your Mama & Me”

Thank you to the amazing people who create these pics that I find on google!  You’re the best!

Antonio looked up at the clock.  He was only a couple hours away from going home.  He checked his phone.  It had been over 7 months since he’d seen Sylvie.  Well, he’d seen her, but they hadn’t really talked since Laura had come in and blow everything they had to smithereens.  He’d been regretting what he’d said to her, but at the same time, he knew that she deserved so much more than he could ever offer her.  He sighed.

“Yo!  Antonio!”  Gaby’s voice made his head bolt up from the paperwork on his desk.

“Gaby?”  Antonio got up and adjusted his tie.  “What are you doing here?”

“You texted me... remember?”  She held up her phone.

“I didn’t mean come here, now.”

“Antonio... what’s going on?”

“How’s Brett?”

“You know, you could just call her.”  Gaby sat at the chair across from his desk.  “Where’s Laura?”

“Gone to talk to her lawyer about her daughter.”

“So, back to my partner... why don’t you just talk to her?”

“I’m not exactly sure on how to start that conversation, Gaby.  I’ve been thinking about it for months now.”

“I’m still trying to figure out what the hell happened between you two.”  Gaby crossed her arms.  “You two were sickly in love... how the fuck did your ex get between you two?”

“Gaby.”

“No, ‘Tonio... talk to me... we haven’t had secrets in our lives since forever... talk to me.”

“Laura... she messed everything up... Sylvie was pissed...”

Gaby rolled her eyes.  “You think she should’ve taken what your ex said about her with a smiled.  Our whole house heard what that bitch said to her...”

“I’m not saying she had to take it... I fucked up.”

“Then, that means, you have to fix it.”  She pointed at him.

“Is she... you know... moved on?”

“Not really... look, Antonio, I love you... you’re my big brother and you’ve always been there for me... but lately, you’ve been a moron.  Sylvie said that you’d check in on each other once things settled down.”  Gaby sighed.  “I also know that I’ve had to listen to my partner cry when she thinks no one can hear her.  This whole thing broke her.”

“Gaby... You think I wanted to hurt her?”

“I really don’t know, Antonio... you told her that you couldn’t be with her... that you couldn’t give her what she deserved.”

“I have a psychotic ex-wife who seems to think she still runs my life... I have a job that isn’t exactly relationship friendly... I...”

“Stop.  Antonio, just stop.”  Gaby put her hands up.  “You left CPD, you run your own squad for the State’s Attorney... that’s gotta be more relationship friendly than Intelligence.”

“Sorta.”

“Then, here’s my solution.  Call Sylvie up... ask her to go for coffee.  Talk to her.”  Gaby stood up.  “Stop acting like a teenager who’s to afraid to talk to his crush.  She still cares about you.”

Antonio stood up.  “I still car... I love Sylvie, Gaby... I just... I never got to tell her.”

Gaby’s jaw dropped.  “You what?!”

Antonio throw his hands in the air.  “I. Love. Sylvie.”

“Then why the fuck didn’t you say that instead of, ‘I’m not good enough’?”

“Because I’m a fool.”  Antonio groaned.  He hit the filing cabinet.  “I’m a fool.”

“You off soon?”

“A couple hours.”  Antonio answered.

“She’s got a Zumba class right now... she’ll be home after 5.”

“And you know this how?”

“Because I was supposed to go over there for a girls’ night with Stella... I think Stella and I will go to Molly’s and you should go over there and talk to her.”

“Gaby.”

“No, Antonio.  Listen to me for once.  Win that woman back... so you both can be happy.”  Gaby had turned to leave but stopped.  “And don’t let Laura fuck anything else up.”

Gaby walked out as Laura Nagel walked back in.  She looked to her partner.  “Don’t let me fuck what up?”

“My ex Laura, not you.”  Antonio sighed.

“Your sister came here to give you relationship advice?”

“Sorta.”

“Men.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Antonio, men are clueless unless women draw them a roadmap for the relationship... I’m taking this has something to do with Sylvie.”  Nagel sat at her desk and slid her purse into one of the desk drawers.

“Yeah.”

“You never got over her.”

“I know that.”

“Then, what are you gonna do about it?”

“I’m going to go talk to her tonight.”

“Uh huh... looking like you’ve slept in your suit... and like you haven’t slept in a few months.”

“What do you propose?”  Antonio was intrigued.  

“Go home, shower, change... try and look like you want to fix things with her.”

Antonio looked at his reflection in the window.  “I do look like hell.”

“Go home, Dawson.”  Laura said.  “Then, maybe when you come back from your weekend off, you won’t be as much of a pain in the ass.”

Antonio grabbed his coat and his brief case.  “Sure.  Thanks, Nagel.”

“Go, Dawson... please...”  Laura shooed him out of their office.

Sylvie was just getting out of the shower when she heard knocking at her door.  She looked at the clock.  “Damn it.”  It was just after 5, Stella and Gaby were now there and she wasn’t ready yet.  “Come in... I’ll be ready in 10.”  She called out.

She went back to getting ready.  She’d picked out her outfit but had forgotten it in the living room.  She made sure her towel was wrapped tightly and headed to get her dress.  She wasn’t even looking up.  “Sorry, guys.  I’ll be right...out.”  She stopped as she saw that it wasn’t Stella or Gaby standing in her entryway.  “Antonio.”  Her breath hitched.

“Uh, hi... Sylvie.”  Antonio looked down at his feet.  “Um... Gaby... said that you guys were... supposed to have girls night.”

“Yeah.”  Sylvie pulled her outfit up to cover herself.  She didn’t know why she did it, Antonio had seen her before.

“Look... I don’t know what to say... other than I’ve been a fool.  We said we’d check in on each other... and I shouldn’t have waited this long.”  He took a careful step into her apartment.  “I really would like to do that check-in... especially since I know Gaby and Stella won’t be coming tonight.”

“Oh... um...”  She thought about it.  “How do you know what Gaby and Stella are doing?”

Antonio walked up towards her and lifted her chin.  “Gaby told me to come tonight... and I know I shouldn’t have waited this long.”

“Antonio... either of us...”

“Gaby told me, Sylvie... that...”

“She’s heard me crying...”  Sylvie concluded.

Antonio nodded.  “Sylvie, I let my ex-wife get between us... I shouldn’t have let that happen... I shouldn’t have been so angry with you when you were the one who had every right in the world to be mad at me.”

“Antonio.”

“Sylvie... I... I wanted to fight... but I thought that what I was doing was right.  For you.  I could live with the pain, but knowing I hurt you, that is something I can’t live with.”

Sylvie could tell that Antonio had been hurting as much as she had.  His voice always betrayed his emotions when he spoke to her.  “Antonio... um... give me 5 minutes... I’ll get dressed... then we’ll talk.”

Antonio nodded.  “Okay.”

Sylvie quickly made her way to her room to finish getting dressed.  She quickly ran a brush through her hair and took a deep breath.  She wasn’t sure what this check in was going to result in, but she knew damn well she was going to speak her mind this time.  She’d been miserable since that night and she wasn’t going to let him think otherwise.

3 months later...

“Sylvie!”  Antonio called out.  “Babe, we’re going to be late.”

“Antonio, we’ve gone on dates before.”

“Yeah, then we had a break... and now we’re back together, and I have a very special date planned and I really would prefer not being late.”  Antonio looked at his watch.  “Please.”

“I’m just looking for my shoes.”

“Sylvie... they’re by the door.”

Sylvie came out of her bedroom.  “You’re a peach.”

“No, I’m anxious.”  He laughed.  “Let’s go, please.”

“I’m coming... yeesh...”  She shook her head as she slid on her shoes.

“Sylvie... it’s the first time I’m meeting your parents... I’d really prefer not have them think that I live on ‘Island time’.”

“Antonio... they’re just my parents.”

“Sylvie, I love you... and I’ve hurt you... pretty sure they’re gonna be questioning that and our relationship...”

Sylvie groaned.  “You’re making this into a way bigger deal than it needs to be.”  She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.  “We’re making our relationship work... at our own speed... no interruptions... My parents only care if I’m happy.”

“Are you happy?”  He whispered.

“Very.”  She kissed him again.  “Now, can we please go?  You’re the one dragging your butt now.”

They arrived right on time.  That was probably because Antonio had used the sirens on his truck.

“You do know that was an abuse of power.”  Sylvie chastised him as they were seated.

“Sylvie, it’s your parents... the last thing I wanna do is make a horrible first impression by being late.”

“I like this one already.”  An older man’s voice said.

“Daddy!”  Sylvie jumped up from her seat.

“Hi, sweetheart.”  Mr. Brett kissed his daughter’s cheek.  He extended his hand to Antonio.  “You must be that dashing Detective that’s stolen our baby’s heart.”

“Antonio Dawson, sir.”  Antonio shook his hand.  “It’s a pleasure to meet both of you.”

“Pleasure’s all ours.”  Mrs. Brett hugged him.  “Now, what’s good to eat here?  We’re starving... that airplane food should be illegal.”

Antonio chuckled.  He was with them there.  “I agree 100%.”

The server came and took drink orders.  Antonio ordered a bottle of wine to come with their meal.  The beginning of their conversation consisted of finding out how Sylvie’s brothers and sister were doing as well as her niece and nephew.

“Antonio, what is it that you’re doing now?”  Mr. Brett asked.  “Sylvie mentioned some career change?”

Antonio took a sip of water.  “Well, I was moved up to working with the State’s Attorney’s office for a while... but I wasn’t feeling as fulfilled as when I was working with the Chicago Police... a little while back, they needed someone to go undercover that hadn’t been involved in that particular case... I went in and ultimately, we got the bad guys.  I was offered my old position in Intelligence back... so I did.  It’s been an adjustment, but it’s definitely where I’m meant to be.”

“Is being a detective more dangerous than a state investigator?”  Mrs. Brett asked as she closed her menu.

“Depends on the day.”  Antonio replied.  “My days off are spent with Sylvie and my children.”

“Sylvie mentioned that you have a son and a daughter.”  Mr. Brett said.

Antonio nodded.  “Yeah, Eva and Diego... Sylvie’s amazing with them.”

“What about their mother?”

Antonio was about to reply but Sylvie cut in.  “Daddy, enough.  It’s over... the past... we moved on.”

Mr. Brett arched an eyebrow before conceding.  “Okay, sweetheart.”

Antonio was relieved that he hadn’t had to deal with that question.  He knew that Sylvie’s parents were probably upset over Laura’s shenanigans and they should be.  He had a daughter, so he understood how he’d feel if a guy put Eva through that.

The server arrived and took their orders.  Sylvie got up and excused herself to go to the ladies’ room.  This particular situation made Antonio anxious.  He hadn’t expected to be alone with Sylvie’s parents just yet.  He wanted to talk to them alone, but now that he was alone with them, he didn’t know what to say.

There was an awkward silence before Mr. Brett spoke.  “Antonio... I know that your job is difficult and whatever happened before now is the past.  My daughter has chosen to move past it... but that’s a little harder for us.  Hearing our little girl cry because of what happened between the two of you... you’re damned lucky I was recovering from a knee replacement.”

Mrs. Brett put her hand on her husband’s arm, cutting him off.  “What is your end game, as my grandson puts it, with this relationship?”

Antonio turned to make sure that Sylvie wasn’t headed back to the table.  “Um, well... I didn’t know when else I would be able to speak with you... or how tonight would go... but...”  He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small velvet box.  “I love your daughter.  I was a fool to not see it earlier... and I was a jackass to put her through what I did.”  He paused.  “But I don’t wanna lose her... I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”  He took a deep breath.  “I guess... I guess what I’m trying to say is... I would like your blessing to marry Sylvie.”

Mr. and Mrs. Brett exchanged glances.  Mr. Brett looked Antonio in the eye.  “You planning on running away again, if the going gets tough?  Or is that ex of yours comes to ruffle some feathers?”

“No, sir.”  Antonio said.  “I’m not planning on running anywhere.  I plan on running home to Sylvie and whatever family we choose to have at the end of every day.  I love her.”

Mr. Brett nodded.  “Then you have our blessing... hurt her again though, and it won’t end too well for you.”

“Thank you.”  Antonio heaved a sigh of relief.  “Thank you so much.”

“I know that Sylvie is happy with you.”  Mrs. Brett said.  “She’s told me every time I talk to her.  I am curious though, it’s only been 3 months since you’ve been back together... isn’t it a little soon to be proposing?”

Antonio understood her her concern.  “Yeah... it may be... but, I want her to know how serious I am about this relationship.”

Mr. Brett cleared his throat.  Antonio looked back to see that Sylvie was making her way back to the table.

“When exactly do you plan on asking?”  Mr. Brett whispered.

Antonio hadn’t had a plan.  He was about to answer when Sylvie came back to the table.  Antonio got up and held out Sylvie’s chair.  Once she was seated, he knelt next to her and took out the box.

Mrs. Brett gasped and grabbed her husband’s hand.

Antonio looked into Sylvie’s eyes.  “Sylvie... I love you and I have for some time now.  I was a fool before, and I don’t ever wanna lose you again.  There won’t always be good days, I know that... but I want to share every day with you for the rest of my life.  Good or bad, I want to be with the woman I love.”  He opened the box.  “Sylvie, would you do me the incredible honour of being my wife?”

Sylvie’s hand flew to her mouth.  “Antonio.”  She whispered.

Antonio held his breath.  He prayed that he hadn’t been to brash in asking now, in front of her parents and an entire restaurant full of strangers.

“Yes.”  Sylvie nodded.  “Yes, I’ll marry you!”

Antonio gently took the ring and slid it onto her left ring finger.  It was a perfect fit.  He got up and brought her into his arms.  “I love you.”  He kissed her.  “I couldn’t wait another day.”

The restaurant had erupted into cheers and whistles.  The server returned with a bottle of champagne as a gift to the happy couple.  A toast was made and Antonio and Sylvie were on cloud 9.

2 months later...

“Antonio?”  Sylvie called from their bedroom.  “Do we have any gingerale left?”

“We went through it all yesterday.”  He poked his head into the bedroom.  

“I don’t feel so good.”  She moaned.

“Still?”  He sat on the bed and draped a cool, damp cloth across her forehead.  “You don’t have a fever.”

“I feel like I’m dying.” 

“I’ll head out go and get some gingerale... do you think it could be the takeout from last night?”

“I don’t know... you ate it too.” 

“I’m Dominican... we tend to have stomachs of steel.”

“Care to trade.”  Sylvie started heaving and bolted from the bed to the bathroom.

Antonio’s heart ached as he heard her in the bathroom.  “Babe, I think I’ll go to the pharmacy instead... get some anti-nausea meds.

“Okay.”  Sylvie said weakly as she flushed the toilet.  “Can you help me get back to bed first?”

“I think you may be better staying there until I come back... in case you have to get sick again.”  Antonio said gently opening the bathroom door.  “I don’t like the idea of leaving you alone.”

“I’ll be fine... just leave my cell with me.”

“Okay.”  Antonio grabbed her phone off the nightstand.  “I’ll be quick.”  He kissed her forehead.

Sylvie nodded and leaned against the bathtub.

Antonio bolted down the steps and out the door, crashing to Gaby in the process.  

“Where’s the fire, Antonio?!”  Gaby exclaimed.

“Sylvie’s sick.”  Antonio answered.

“Okaaaaay...  Where... are you in such a rush to?”  Gaby caught her breath.

“Pharmacy.”  Antonio pulled out his keys from his pocket.  “I need gingerale, crackers and Gravol.”

“Okay... I’ll... I’ll go check on her.”  Gaby said.  “Where is she?”

“Master ensuite...”  Antonio headed to his truck.  “Thanks, Gaby!”

Gaby sighed and headed inside.  She headed straight to Sylvie.

“Is he gone?”

Gaby nodded.  “You sure you wanna do this without him?”

“I don’t wanna get him riled up over nothing.”  Sylvie sighed.  “Did you bring it?”

Gaby reached into her purse and pulled out the box.  “Are you ready for this?”

Sylvie stared at her future sister-in-law.  “Better now than when he gets back.”  

Gaby just stood there.

“Uh, a little privacy?”  Sylvie asked.

“Right.”  Gaby went and sat on the bed.  “Let me know when you want me back in there.”  She knew that Sylvie wanted to handle this in her own way, but she also knew her brother.

“Okay, you can come back.”  Sylvie’s voice was barely audible.

“You did all of them?”  Gaby commented.

“Can’t be too careful.”  Sylvie whispered.

Gaby sat next to her and put her arm around her.  “It’ll be okay.”

“We’re just planning the wedding... the kids are getting used to having a step-mom... I...”  Sylvie put her head to her knees.  “We haven’t even talked about babies... or having some of our own.”  She started to weep.  “We were just taking it all one day at a time.”

Just then, Sylvie’s phone buzzed.  Sylvie turned it off.  “5 minutes are up... we’ll...”

Gaby helped her up and they went over to the sink.  One by one, Sylvie flipped the tests over.

“OH GOD!”  Sylvie exclaimed.

Gaby patted her shoulder as all 3 tests were positive.  There was no denying it considering one had a blazing pink plus sign, another two solid, bold pink lines and the digital one clearly read ‘pregnant’.  “Sylvie... breathe.”  Gaby instructed her.  “You’re not breathing.”

“I’m pregnant.”  Sylvie whispered.

“Yeah.”  Gaby, for the first time in a long time, was at a complete loss for words.

“Oh, God... what... what do I...”

“Sylvie?  Gaby?  I’m back!”  Antonio called up.

Sylvie gasped and looked to Gaby.  “Hide them!”

Gaby swept the three tests into a plastic bag and hid them under the sink.  They were just coming out of the bathroom when Antonio got into the bedroom with gingerale.  

“Any better?”  He asked, handing Sylvie the glass.

She shook her head.  “No, not really.”

“Uh, Gaby... could you... give us a minute?”  Antonio asked.

“Uh, sure.”  Gaby nodded.  “I’ll be in the kitchen... making her some tea...”

Sylvie took a sip of the gingerale.  It felt good.  “What’s up?”

Antonio wasn’t sure how to say what he had to so he just blurted it out.  “I talked to the pharmacist and he said you should do one of these.”  Antonio pulled a pregnancy test from his back pocket.

“What?”  Sylvie was in shock.  “Why were you talking to the pharmacist?”

“I needed to ask for the Gravol... which, is why he recommended the test... supposedly Gravol isn’t good if you’re pregnant.”

“Antonio... we... we haven’t even talked about that being a possibility yet... we’re planning the wedding and getting Eva and Diego used to this... I mean, Eva is supposed to be moving in with us... like... are we really ready for a baby.”

“Sylvie, I know that we haven’t talked about this... but it’s a very real possibility unless you have something to tell me... like not being able to have kids...”

“No... no... That’s...”  Sylvie sighed.  “I don’t need to do the test.”

Antonio’s eyes widened.  “Why not?”

“Because... your sister brought me some already... I... I had thought about pregnancy being an option already... and I was scared to talk to you about it.”

“Why, baby?”

“Because... your kids are teenagers... we’re just starting out... we’re not married yet.”  Sylvie was rambling.

“So... none of that really matters... I just want us to be a family... our family... and I don’t want you to be scared to talk to me about this stuff... I love you, Sylvie... no matter what.”  He hugged her tightly.  “Did... did you do the tests?”

Sylvie nodded, the tears were flowing again.

“Babe, why are you crying?”

“I... I don’t know.”  Sylvie said.

“Sylvie, where are the tests?”

“Under... the sink.”  Sylvie was starting to hyperventilate.

“Babe, breathe... okay... just breathe...”  Antonio quickly went to get the aforementioned bag and pulled out the tests.  “They’re... all... we’re having a baby?”

Sylvie nodded and sniffled.  “Yeah... and I’m happy and terrified and I don’t know... Antonio.”

He hugged her tightly, kissing her forehead.  “Sylvie, I love you... and this... this baby is a product of that love... and sure, maybe he or she isn’t planned, but we’ll love them no matter what.”

“You mean that?”

“Sylvie, I do.”

“What about the wedding?”  

“Do you want to be Mrs. Dawson before the baby is here... or after?”

Sylvie wiped her eyes.  “I had always hoped to be married before having any kids.”

“Then we’ll move it up... hell, I’ll marry you right now.”

“I’m a mess.”

“You’re beautiful.”  He wiped a tear away.  

“Could... do you think we could put it together for the end of the month?”

“Sure... Anything for you, babe.”  He smiled, gently placing his hand on her still flat belly.  “Any idea on how far you could be?”

Sylvie shrugged.  “I have an idea.”

“Care to share?”

“I’m guessing that night... you proposed.”

“That was two months ago, Sylvie.”

“I haven’t really been paying attention to my cycle, Antonio... Stress from moving and stuff was my guess as to why I didn’t get a a heavy period... probably... that was... well... whatever... I’ll book an appointment with an OB and we’ll know exactly how far I am.”  She looked into his eyes.  “Are you happy?”

“I am... because I’m with you and we’re having a baby together.”  

It didn’t take long before Sylvie was able to get seen by a doctor. 

“Are you sure you wanna come?”  Sylvie braided her hair.  “It’s just a first meeting and confirming what I’m pretty I already know.”

“Sylvie... it’s our baby... and if Natalie is planning on doing an ultrasound, I’d like to be there.”

“What about Voight?”  She said.  “Won’t he get suspicious?”

“No, because I told him you were getting checked over because of that really bad food poisoning you had.”

“He bought that?”

“Well, why wouldn’t he?”  Antonio pulled on his shoes.  “Other than Gaby, no one else would suspect a baby.”

Sylvie sighed.  “When are we going to tell people?”

“At our wedding.”

“We haven’t even sent out invitations... no one but Gaby knows.”  

Antonio kissed her.  “Stop worrying so much... Gaby and I have a lot of it figured out and no one will know any different.”

“Do you honestly think our friends, and family, will believe that they’re coming to a fancy dinner when it’s actually our wedding?”  Sylvie was having a hard time believing it because Gaby had a reputation for not being able to keep a secret.

“Gaby knows that if she blabs, that things will not end well for her.”  Antonio said.  “Babe, all we need is our family and friends to be there and for us to say ‘I do’.”

“Okay, well... Gaby promised to come with me to look for dresses after the appointment.”  Sylvie smiled.  “Still can’t believe we’re pulling this all together on such short notice.”

“Anything is possible if we put our minds to it... let’s get going before we miss this appointment.”

The drive over was filled with conversation about who would stand with them as witnesses for the wedding.  For Sylvie, it was an easy choice.  She had already asked Gaby.  Antonio was the one struggling with who to choose.  He had to think on that a little more.

“Antonio... the light’s green.”  Sylvie said.

“Yeah... sorry.”  Antonio pulled into Chicago Med’s parking lot.  “Let’s go and see how our little one is doing.”

They checked in and Natalie appeared with another doctor and nurse, April Sexton in tow.  “Antonio, Sylvie...  Nice to see you.”  She closed the door behind them.  “So, wanna explain the super secretive text?”  She asked Sylvie.

Sylvie nodded.  “Just... this is way on the hush hush... no one else can know.”

“Our lips are sealed.”  Natalie nodded.  “This is Dr. Kierra Richards.  She’s an OB... as you requested... So you wanna tell me, or are you gonna make me guess?”

“She’s totally pregnant.”  April laughed.  “Look at her.”

“I figured as much.”  Natalie shook her head.  “I just wanted to hear her say it.  Why else would she need an OB?”

“Okay, so that cat’s outta the bag... can... you know... get on with the exam.”  Antonio’s heart was racing.  He hadn’t been this anxious in some time. 

“Antonio, you have two kids already... what’s with the nervousness?”  April asked.

“Uh, well... my kids are teenagers... so, this baby thing... it’s like starting over again.”

“Well, how about I get some blood drawn so we can figure out where Sylvie is in her pregnancy and I get an ultrasound going?”  Dr. Richards smiled.

April drew a couple tubes of Sylvie’s blood and ran it to the lab to get hCG levels read.  It was one of the best ways to determine how far along in the pregnancy that she was.  

“Let’s get you to lie down and lift your shirt a bit and push down the band of your jeans... we’ll get started.”  Dr. Richards pulled an ultrasound unit over next to the exam table.  “Detective, you can stand on that side there.  Nat, you wanna be my extra eyes... just make sure everything is what I’m seeing.”

“Gladly.”  Natalie smiled.  “Let’s see this little one.”

Dr. Richards started the ultrasound.  “Okay, so here’s the uterus...”  She hit a couple of buttons on the machine.  “And there... is your baby.”

Antonio’s jaw dropped.  “That little jelly bean?  That’s our baby.”

“Yep...”  Dr. Richards adjusted a couple nobs.  “And this... is their heartbeat.”

The room was filled a wub-wub sound.

Sylvie’s eyes began to tear up when she heard it.  “Awe... oh my God.”

“Everything I’m seeing is great.  Healthy pregnancy... baby’s growing well...”  She turned off the ultrasound and wiped the jelly off Sylvie’s abdomen.  “How far along do you think you are?”

“I’d guess about 8 weeks...”  Sylvie said.  “I’m thinking it was right around the time we got engaged.”

“Size says that you’d be off... a little.”  Natalie smiled.

“How little off are we talking?”  Antonio asked.

“I’d say she’s closer to 12 weeks.”  Natalie said.  “Just based on the size and the heart rate.”

April reappeared.  “hCG levels.”

Dr. Richards looked them over.  “Based on these numbers, Natalie’s right.”

“So, what... you’re saying she was pregnant before we got engaged?”  Antonio asked.

“By this, I’d say yeah, that’s right.”

“How didn’t I know?”  Sylvie asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“You could’ve had implantation bleeding and mistaken it for a real one... you may not have been paying as close as attention as you thought... does this change anything?”  Dr. Richards asked.

“No... just... wow.”  Sylvie looked to Antonio.  “I’m gonna start showing by the time we get married.”

“When’s the wedding?”  Natalie asked. 

“Um.”  Antonio hesitated.  

“Antonio, come on.”  Natalie said.  “We’re all friends here.”

“We... no one knows that we’re moving the wedding ahead.”  Antonio said.  “We... we have it that they think they’re coming to a party at the end of next month... but it’s actually going to be our wedding.”

“Ah.”  April smiled.  “Well, as long as we all get invites, your secret is safe with us.”

“Deal.”  Sylvie said.  “Um, can I get a copy of that scan?  Gaby knows and, well... she’ll wanna see her little niece or nephew.”

“Sure thing.”  Dr. Richards replied.  “Be right back.”

Sylvie was getting dressed.  So far, she’d been able to hide the slight bump that had begun to form.  Eva had moved into their house.  Diego was trying to do the same, but because of his age, it was a lot harder.  Laura was playing hardball in court, but both kids knew about the baby and both were excited.

“Uh, Sylvie?”  Eva knocked on their bedroom door.

“Yeah, Eva, come in.”

“Aunt Gaby is here.”

“Oh, right... we have to go pick up the dresses for the party.”  

“So...”  Eva was wringing her hands together.  “When are you guys telling people about the baby?”

“Soon.”  Sylvie smiled.  “Do you have to work tonight?”

Eva nodded.  She’d taken up babysitting for one of the neighbours after school to help put money aside for college.  “Yeah, they said it may be an overnighter.”

“Okay, just call me or your dad to let us know for sure.”

“Deal.”  Eva hugged Sylvie.  “I’m really excited for this party.”

“As am I.”  Sylvie laughed.  “Okay, so here’s some money, in case your dad forgot to fill the fridge for your lunch today.”

“Thanks.  He seems a little distracted.”

“He is.  Between Intelligence, you moving in, the baby and wedding planning... he’s got a lot going on.”

“When is the wedding?”

“Um, after the baby.”  It had been the story they’d come up with.  They couldn’t risk the surprise being leaked.

“Oh.”  Eva sounded a little disappointed.

“You wanted it before?”

“I just want you and Dad to be married before Mom messes things up anymore.”

“Eva, your mom can try as she may, but it won’t happen.  Your dad and I are making this work.”

Eva hugged her.  “Good, because I really like you.”

“And I like you too, but you should finish getting ready for school... I’m gonna go run those errands with Gaby and I’ll see you later.”

“Okay.”  Eva headed to the kitchen to eat breakfast while Sylvie headed to the door where Gaby was waiting.

“Where’s Antonio?”

“Voight called him in last night.”  Sylvie sighed.  “When is this morning sickness going to be over?”

“Who knows.”  Gaby chuckled.  “Come on, don’t wanna keep Dr. Richards waiting.”

“I still can’t believe we’re going to be doing all these announcements on Saturday.”

“Is Antonio going to make the appointment?”  Gaby slid behind the wheel.

Sylvie shrugged.  “Depends.  Voight’s starting to get suspicious.”

“Ah.”  Gaby headed towards Med.  “Well, it’s not like you guys are finding out the sex until Saturday anyhow... I’m the only one who’ll know.”

“Yeah... I know.”  Sylvie had wanted to wait until delivery, but that argument resulted in the compromise that after the ceremony, they’d announce the pregnancy and Gaby would release the appropriate colour confetti and glitter.

Her phone began to ring.  “Antonio?”  Sylvie asked.

“Hey, babe.”

“You can’t make it, can you?”

“No... not without having Voight and Burgess grill me.”  Antonio was whispering.

“Okay... well, we’re almost there.”

“I wish I could be there, Sylvie.  I really do.”

“Antonio, it’s fine.  It’s only a couple days away.”

“I know.”  There was a pause.  “I bet it’s a boy.”

“Well, I bet it’s a girl.”

“I bet it’s a turtle.”  Gaby said over the two of them.

Antonio groaned.  “Tell my sister not to ruin the surprise.”

“I will.”  Sylvie giggled.  “We’re here.  I’ll see you tonight?”

“Definitely.”

The big day was here.  Everyone that had been invited thought it was strictly their engagement party.  Matt had been brought in on the secret to stand next to Antonio.  They had set up chairs for the ceremony.  Gaby and Sylvie had taken a large arch and decorated it in fairy lights and flowers.  A tent was set up down the way from the ceremony site.  After that was all done, Antonio went to Matt and Gaby’s to get ready while Sylvie and Gaby got ready Antonio and Sylvie’s.  

“I can’t believe we were able to find a dress that hides the bump and still looks awesome.”  Sylvie said as Gaby did up the back of the dress.

“I can’t believe that no one else has clued in on this.”

“Well, thank God April went to get my parents from the airport.”  Sylvie laughed as she put the earrings Antonio had bought her in.  “She won’t blab.”

“True.”  Gaby did up Sylvie’s necklace next.  “Wow.  Sylvie, you look amazing.”

Sylvie looked in the mirror.  Her hair was part up with small flowers weaved through the tiny braids that shaped a crown.  The rest of her hair was flowing in loose curls.  She got up.  “Okay, let’s head over there... this all goes down in an hour.”

“Hey, it can’t start without the bride.”  Gaby laughed, grabbing the bouquets.  “Let’s go.”

Meanwhile...

Antonio was pacing.  No one knew what was going on yet.  They’d all gathered in the hotel lobby.  He was going to make the announcement soon.  Well, he’d make the announcement after Sylvie, Gaby and Sylvie’s parents were in place.  He watched as Diego was fidgeting with his tie.  “Diego, I know you don’t like it, but...”

“I know Dad... I may as well get used to it because it’s what we’re wearing for the wedding.”

Antonio chuckled.  “Exactly.  Go find Abuela... you and Eva will be sitting with her for a bit tonight.”

“Cool!”

“Sure.”  Antonio shook his head as Diego took off to find his grandmother.

Matt approached him.  “They’re here.”

“Is everyone else?”

“Everyone that had an invitation.”  Matt answered.

“Then... let’s get this show on the road.”  Antonio handed Matt his boutonnière. 

Once they were ready, they made their way to the stairs.

“Uh, Mr. Brett... Sylvie wanted to see you.”  Gaby caught Mr. Brett before he headed to the bar.

“Oh, right now?  She’s here.” 

“Yeah.”  Gaby led him to the small cloak room off the lobby.  “Sylvie, I have your dad.”

“Come in.”  

Gaby opened the door and let Mr. Brett in.

“Sylvie, what’s with...”  Mr. Brett froze.  “Sylvie, what’s going on?”

“Um, well... we’re getting married... tonight... right now.”  Sylvie smiled.  “Surprise.”

Mr. Brett took a minute to process that.  “Right now?”

“Yeah... would... would you walk me up the aisle?”

“Oh, sweetheart, of course I would!”  He hugged his daughter tightly.  “Why didn’t you guys say anything... we would’ve helped...”

“Daddy, everything is getting explained tonight, I promise, but right now, I’d really like to get married.”

“Sure thing, darling.”  

Gaby pinned a boutonnière to Mr. Brett’s lapel.  “There.  Ready?”

“Definitely.”  Sylvie was beaming.  She hadn’t thought this day would get here, but it was.  “Let’s do this.”

The guests followed the hotel staff as they instructed them to move out to the garden area.  There were murmurs and whispers as they sat.  No one knew what was going on.  They sat on either side of the makeshift aisle.  

Soon, soft music filled the air.  Heads turned as Antonio walked up the aisle.  He was soon followed by Matt and Gaby coming up, arm in arm.  They took their places.  

Antonio cleared his throat.  “Um, you guys are probably wondering what’s going on... and well, you’re all here to be witnesses to Sylvie and my wedding.  We’re getting married tonight, right now... so...”  He motioned to someone off to the side.  

The music changed and the doors to the hotel swung open.  People turned and stood as Sylvie and her father made their way down the aisle.  Once at the arch, Mr. Brett placed Sylvie’s hand in Antonio’s and he went to sit next to his wife.

One of the judges that Antonio had worked with while with the State’s Attorney’s office came forward and began the ceremony.  It wasn’t long before they got to the important part.  

“Do you, Antonio, take Sylvie to be your wife, in sickness and health, the good and the bad, for richer or poorer, all the days of your life?”

Antonio grinned.  “I do.”

“Sylvie, do you take Antonio to be your husband, in sickness and health, the good and the bad, for richer or poorer, all the days of your life?”

“I most certainly do.”  Sylvie brushed a tear from her cheek.

“The rings?”

Matt pulled the rings from his jacket.

Antonio repeated after the judge and slid Sylvie’s ring onto her finger.  Sylvie quickly followed suit.

“Well, without further ado, it is my great pleasure to announce, that by the power vested in me by the great city of Chicago and the state of Illinois, that you are now husband and wife.”  He grinned.  “You may kiss the bride!”

Antonio pulled Sylvie into his arms and kissed her deeply, dipping her in the process.  Cheers and applause erupted in the hotel courtyard.  Once Antonio and Sylvie came up for air, the judge announce.  “It is my pleasure to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Antonio and Sylvie Dawson!”

Once the applause died down, Antonio took the judge’s mic.  “We’d like to thank you all for being here.  I know you probably were all expecting a little more notice for the wedding, but... Sylvie and I have another announcement to make.”

Sylvie leaned in.  “Now, this isn’t the only reason we’re getting married, but we’re having a baby.”

The guests went quiet before erupting into shouts of congratulations.  Their excitement was cut short as pink and purple confetti and glitter rained down over them.

The guests looked around in shock.

“I guess we should be more specific... we’re having a girl.”  Antonio chuckled.

“Told you so!”  Gaby laughed over the guests as they all rushed towards the newlyweds to congratulate them.

The stars began to come out as the sun had set.  The couple and their guests made their way to the tent to continue in the celebrations.

“I’m so happy.”  Sylvie said as they danced their first dance.

“So am I.”  He kissed her.  “Just know, I’m so outnumbered now.”

“You’ll survive.”  She giggled.  “Are you happy?”

“Happier than I’ve been in some time.”

“I love you, Detective Dawson.”  She blushed.

“I love you, Mrs. Dawson.”

Epilogue:

Sylvie had gone to 51 to visit and to have an impromptu baby shower thrown by their friends from the CFD and the CPD.  Antonio was working one last shift before the baby came.  They were halfway through one of Trudy’s games when Sylvie groaned, grabbing her belly.

“Sylvie?”  Gaby hadn’t left her side.  “You okay?”

“Yeah, just Braxton-Hicks... Dr. Richards said I’m nowhere near ready to deliver.  Still a couple more weeks.”

“You’ll tell us otherwise... right?”  Trudy asked.

“Definitely.”  Sylvie nodded.  She was certain there was no way that she’d be going into labour yet.

Another hour or so passed and Sylvie went up to get more punch when she gasped, dropping the glass.  “Oh no.”  She looked down.  “Oh, no.”

“Sylvie, what the hell?”  Joe Cruz asked as he came into the kitchen.  “Butterfingers?”

“Um.”  Sylvie gulped.  “No... that... that’s not punch...”

“Then...”  Joe’s eyes bulged before he shouted.  “Gaby!  Casey!  Sylvie’s water broke!”

Chaos ensued as they tried to convince Sylvie to have Gaby and Chout take her in Ambo 61.

“I am not going in the ambo... someone else drive me.”  Sylvie was determined to not be in an ambulance as a patient any time soon.

“Sylvie... please.”  Boden tried to negotiate.

“No.”  Sylvie said before doubling over as a contraction hit.

“Okay, that’s it.”  Boden said.  “Severide, Casey... get her in 61, now.”

Sylvie couldn’t fight them as they got her on the gurney.  Gaby looked to Boden.  “Antonio’s on a case.”

“I’ll send Squad to find him.  You worry about getting her to Med.”  Boden went to get Severide to find Antonio.

Gaby got in the back of the Ambo with Sylvie.  “Chout, move it!  Now!”  She grabbed Sylvie’s hand.  “It’s gonna be okay.”

“I’m not having the baby in the back of this ambulance.”  Sylvie breathed through a contraction.

“No, you’re not.”  Gaby laughed.  “We’re almost at Med.”

“What about Antonio?”  Sylvie didn’t want him to miss this.

“Kelly and Squad are looking for him.  Boden called Voight to try and get a hold of him.”

Meanwhile...

Antonio was heading back to his truck where Burgess was waiting when sirens pierced the air.  His head spun around.  “Uh, Burgess... what the fuck is Squad 3 doing here?”

Burgess shrugged.  “No clue.  I haven’t heard about any call outs.”

“Antonio!”  Kelly jumped out of the truck.  “Antonio, you gotta come with us... now!”

“What?  Why?”

“Sylvie’s in labour... they took her to Med.”

Antonio’s heart stopped.  “Burgess... take the truck back to my place... get the go bag that’s by the door and the car seat!”  He tossed her the keys before climbing in the Squad truck.

They got to Med and Antonio hopped out as the truck slowed to a stop.  He raced up the stairs to the Maternity ward.  He crashed into April on the way up.  

“Woah, Detective!  What’s the hurry?”

“Uh...”  Antonio was hyperventilating.  “Sylvie... Baby... brought here.”

“Yeah, I know... slow down, breathe and I’ll take you to her.”  April led him to one of the rooms.

He went in and saw that Gaby was by Sylvie’s side.  “Baby!”

“Antonio!”  Sylvie exclaimed.  “Oh thank God.”

He took her hand and kissed it.  “I’m here... I... I uh, sent Kim to get the bag and the car seat... and hopefully she can pick up the kids... crap... I didn’t...”

“I’ll call her.”  Gaby said.  “You make sure she focuses on her breathing.  Doc says it won’t be much longer now.”

“I was scared you wouldn’t make it.”  Sylvie whispered.

“I’m here.  I didn’t miss Eva or Diego being born, not gonna stop with their little sister.”

Dr. Richards came into the room.  “Okay, Sylvie... I’m gonna check you now.  We may not have time for that epidural you wanted.”

“But...”

“You’re progressing a lot faster than I thought you would, considering this is your first baby.”

“Oh.”  Sylvie leaned back against the pillow.  “Okay...”

“Well... this baby is coming now... so, let’s get Dr. Manning in here and we’re gonna start to push.”  Dr. Richards told April.  “Sylvie, next contraction, push.”

An hour later, a tiny cry pierced the air.  

“Okay, Sylvie, stop pushing.”  Dr. Richards said.  “Okay, she’s here.  You’re beautiful little girl is here.”  She placed the whimpering newborn on her mother’s chest.  “Congratulations.”

Sylvie looked down at their daughter.  “She’s perfect.”

Antonio kissed Sylvie’s forehead.  “She is, and so are you.”

“Detective, wanna do the honours?”  Dr. Richards handed him the scissors to cut the cord.

They took the baby to clean and weigh while Sylvie was being checked out and delivered the afterbirth.  Sylvie was exhausted and dozed off by the time April returned with their daughter.

“Here you go, Daddy.”  April smiled.  “7 pounds even and 20 inches.”

“Wow.”  Antonio said as April placed his baby in his arms.  “She’s beautiful.”

“Your family is here.  They’re eager to meet her.”

“She needs a name first.”  Antonio said, putting his pinky into his daughter’s hand.  She grasped it tightly.  

Sylvie’s sleepy voice caused them to turn.  “Grace... Grace Gabriela.”  She smiled as Antonio came closer.  “Isn’t that what we’d decided on.”

“Yep.”  Antonio kissed his wife.  “You need to rest.”

Sylvie nodded and dozed off again. 

Antonio looked to April.  “I’ll go tell the family.”  He gently carried his daughter to the waiting room.  A hush came over their friends and family that had been waiting.  “Everyone, meet Grace Gabriela Marie Dawson.”

Once everyone had gone, Antonio went back to Sylvie’s room to let her know that they’d have a bunch of visitors the next day.  Sylvie fed Grace and then Antonio took her so that Sylvie could rest some more.  He went to the window and saw the stars twinkling in the night sky.  He looked at his sleeping daughter.  “No one will love you more than God, your mama and me.”  He kissed her tiny cheek before laying her in the basinet and going to the chair next to Sylvie’s bed to sleep.

A/N:  Okay, so that is so much longer than I had planned, but hey!  It’s done.  Please let me know what you think.  Pretty sure this is the longest Brettonio story I’ve done to date.

[zilyonaryo]

Hunyo 19, 2020

Nasanay na yata akong magising nang maaga. Nauna pa ako sa manok kanina. Pero hindi agad ako bumangon. Nagsulat muna ako ng pang-update sa wattpad ko.

Bandang 8, bumaba na ako para maghanda ng almusal.

Nine o' clock, humarap na ako sa laptop ko. Nag-LESF ako at pagkatapos gumawa ng module. May mga magulang ding nag-chat sa akin tungkol sa mga anak nila.

Past 2, umidlip ako. Kahit paano ay nabawi ko ang kakulangan ko sa tulog.

Sa paggawa ng module, marami akong nadiskubre. Maaari palang makagawa ng clipart o PNG, gamit ang mga shapes sa Publisher. Lalo na siguro kong may drawing tablet na ako. Mas maapaganda ko pa ang gawa ko.

Ngayong gabi, nakapag-upload ako ng isang vlog. Tungkol iyon sa kung paano maging pera ang talento sa pagsusulat. Nagkataon namang ngayong gabi, nagsimula na ang St. Bernadette na mag-post ng animated stories mula sa proyektong 'Mga Kuwento ni 21st Century Teacher."

Masaya ako dahil unti-unti ko nang napapakinabangan ang mga itinanim ko noon. Masasabi kong may pera talaga sa pagsusulat.

[dirtylevi]

The Mystery Lurker: Is It Eren?

Okay, so apparently me writing an entirely too long meta about why the lurker, long haired beardy man might very well be Eren based on a metric fuckton of speculation and the fan translation won out over waiting for the official translation. I will be putting this under a Read More due to spoilers and because it’s quite long. So first and foremost, before we even get started:

DISCLAIMER: This is my personal opinion. In no way am I stating what I say here is canon or completely accurate. if you disagree with my opinion, that’s perfectly fine! Everyone has a different point of view, but if you are going to send me messages trying to argue points of view with me or send me hate messages, do me a favor and please just don’t even bother.

Please try to read this with any other method outside of the mobile app because the app will butcher this post in the worst of ways. Also, I am far too tired to edit this ridiculously long ass post so sorry for any grammer or spelling errors. Now then, I’m am still on the the fence with this, but with each passing minute I lean closer and closer to truly believing this man is Eren, and for a ton of reasons too, but since I am always a slut for some imagery, let’s start this with some panels, shall we?

I won’t lie, when I first saw speculation that this mystery man may be a Paradis spy last month when chapter 93 dropped, I brushed it off immediately. Thinking that it was too easy and just kind of cliche. Also believing that maybe the armband being worn on the wrong side was a mistake. But, then we see this same man wearing his armband on the wrong arm AGAIN this month:

I have a lot to say about these panels so allow me to delve a bit deeper here:

1:) Falco just so happens to be the soldier that helps Myster Man, when at the beginning of the chapter, this kid seen silently thinking that he desires to free all Eldian’s. Not just the one’s on the mainland, but the one’s on the island too. He is also wondering if Reiner is thinking the same and if he can trust someone who was so dedicated to Marley and the iradication of those on Paradis island:

I have a lot to say about Reiner in this chapter too, but that’s for a different post when the official translation drops. For now, let’s focus on mystery man. 

Falco has been shown to think quite differently from his counterpart, Gabi. He’s sensitive to human life, even that of enemy soldiers that he blatantly tries to save on the battlefield in the midsts of war. He doesn’t see inheriting one of the titans as an honor. He see’s it as a burden, and he obviously hasn’t been so easily brainwashed into thinking he’s superior than those who share the same curse as him solely because they walk on different soil.

If Mystery Man is indeed Eren, he just stumbled right into a potential ally. 

2:) What Flaco says to Mystery Man. “You don’t have to fight anymore.”. That is one hell of a statement to make if it is Eren because if it is actually him, I imagine his entire reasoning for being there would be to scout for a way to fight and win. Foreshadowing, anybody???

3:) Mystery Man just so happens to be with mentally injured soldiers who have no family in the city. However, he seems quite calm compared to the rest walking in the line. Seems quite convienient. 

4:) He also happens to be walking into a hospital in the very city where The Owl spoke of a Doctor ally for the walled Edlian’s. 

5:) He’s seen wearing the armband on the wrong arm in two different chapters, not once showing his full face, and NO OTHER CHARACTER IS SEEN WEARING IT LIKE THAT. This character is obviously new to wearing military uniforms from Marley. 

On top of these things, It is painfully obvious Isayama is going out of his way to hide this character’s face. I’m sorry, but I do not see why he would do that for some random character we have never seen before (such as the elusive 9th titan shifter). Isayama might as well be planting a neon sign over this guy stating that he’s someone extremely important that we already know and probably doesn’t belong in Marley considering his armband is on the wrong arm and we’ve seen him lurking covertly in Reiner’s vacinity for two chapters now.

Logically, I can only pin this man as Eren. 

The last time we saw Eren, his hair had grown out considerably, and yet no other character’s hair had changed at that point in time. We see him pointing across the ocean with his long locks and asking if killing the enemy across the water would free them. 

He stares across the sea with this question heavy question and his newly grown out hair. Again, forshadowing anyone?! Eren is also the only known character with that hair style, and the ability to regenerate his limbs. Now, I’ve seen a lot of people debate over this so allow me to add my two cents. Titan regeneration abilities can be controlled or postponed. We’ve seen it before. 

Once with Reiner after his arm is bitten at Castle Utegard:

Once with Eren after his failed titan transformation in the well:

And once again with Annie as the female titan:

So this is easily probable for Eren to do after five years of using his titan ability and learning how to control everything he can and can’t accomplish while experiementing with Hanji. Plus, an injured soldier with no family in the city doesn’t draw much attention. It’s a perfect disguise. But this leaves us with two massive, burning questions so let’s start with question one.

Why would Paradis send Eren, one of their greatest assets, to an enemy nation?

I can think of a lot of reasons for this, but two ideas stick out the most. 

INFORMATION:

Something I notice a lot of people overlooking here is the fact that Eren is a member of the Survey Corps. The Survey Corps main duty as a military force is to SURVEY. Whether that be survey new territory, enemy forces, or search for truth; all apply to this situation. Scouting is their primary objective. Especially now that all of the titans that posed a threat on Paradis have been exterminated. 

Also remember that Hanji is now their Commander. This is the same individual who stated that the best way to defeat your enemy is to study them down to the finest detail until you find a weakness you can exploit for victory. I wouldn’t be surprised whatsoever if this was entirely Hanji’s idea and being followed through on her orders. Mainly because she isn’t one to simply sit around and consistently wait for the enemy to attack over and over again, but especially after fighting off a number of enemy battleships. 

They have taken out every single one of those ships and I’m positive they would have managed to capture a few soldiers on board for questioning. An opporation like this would be nearly impossible if they hadn’t, and Hanji isn’t one to miss out on a opportunity to gain knowledge, and an upperhand. This would also explain how Eren would have gotten his hands on a Marlian uniform, knew where to find Reiner, knew to pose as an injured soldier, where to go, and so on. 

But, why send Eren for information, right? Well, if that man is Eren, I doubt very, verrryyyyyyyy highly that he is there alone. Regardless though, Eren is the only one with access to memories that paint a vivid picture of Marley. He’s also one of two people with the ability to shift into a titan. If you were going to send one out of two of your greatest weapons to an enemy nation, probably best to leave the Colossal behind to deal with any enemy ships that may pop up, and send the one with the most information already at his disposal instead, yeah? Also best to send someone who can easily disguise themselves as an injured soldier in a believeable manner without permanent damage. Especially if part of their plan was to seek out a Restorationist doctor. 

Also, for those of you wondering how he would find said allies: 

All Eldian allies wear that scar, and Eren knows this thanks to Grisha’s memories.

COVERT OPPORATION:

I’m sure that after four years of taking out battleships without any shifters present aboard them, the Survey Corps knew that the clock was ticking on their end. Eventually, Reiner, Zeke, and Pony Titan would return along with whoever ate Ymir to attack again. Plus, since they are all aware of the 13 year life limit thanks to Eren having Grisha’s memories as well, after some basic math, they most likely quickly figured out that Reiner was running out of time. 

Personally, I believe they quite possibly sent Eren to the mainland for the sake of both information, and also for a covert opporation to take the power of any titan shifter within grasp before it could be passed off. Obviously this would need to be done very delicately, but pulling an opporation like this is the best chance they would have even though it is very risky.

No one in Marley would ever expect someone from Paradis to infiltrate their land, let alone their ranks in military. As far as most of them are aware, those on Paradis are still boarded up behind walls thanks to the hoards of titans they created from other Eldians. Plus, they are known to be very behind on tech and have no clue about how to build or steer ships. No one would even expect them to be able to get there. 

They had tried to kill Reiner a number of times and failed. Levi also failed to kill Zeke. However, if they could sneak in unexpectedly and catch them off gaurd at a point of weakness they discovered thanks to going undercover; game over. Taking the titan power’s away from Marley’s control would render them as a nation completely powerless which they would know by questioning enemy soldiers captured from the ships as I stated before. Not only that, but it would also grant Eren the ability to control the Coordinate. 

Eren has Grisha’s memories and his notes. He knows his father birthed a son with royal blood that was enlisted as a Warrior, and Eren figured out in chapter 90 that in order to control the Coordinate, he needed blood of the first king. Not wanting to risk harm to Historia, he kept this a secret, but I am positive Eren figured out that Zeke is his half-brother. Especially after Zeke’s little spill of how he knew Grisha, and that he would save Eren from their father’s brainwashing. Eren even saw the resemblance as he spoke to him. 

So not only does Zeke have the power to turn people to titans, to control pure titans, and have the ability to shift into the beast titan - which makes him a severe threat - but he also has royal blood which allows him a lot of his abilities. If Levi happened to be there with Eren, he could fufill his promise and Eren could gain another titan, and the full use of the Coordinate.  

Not then. Question two:

How in the ever-loving fuck did Eren get there?

Truthfully, I have no idea, but I have a couple of guesses. 

BY AIR:

This is an extreme long shot, but not impossible. I won’t rule it out entirely solely because it isn’t all that ridiculous to consider it an option. 

BY SEA:

This is the most likely option, but I see a lot of skepticism here too, but let me explain. It is entirely possible that in four years, those on Paradis could learn how to make a functioning ship using rubble from these Destroyers. Hanji made the thunder spears in a freaking month, and it’s been shown that Eren can build large structures extremely quickly in titan form. 

Though I doubt they would sail straight to Marley on one of their own ships. Too suspicious. The more likely option would be that they redesigned a new ship using scrap from the wrecks they caused, and pinpointed a good landing spot on the coast using info gathered from captured soldiers aboard the original Destroyers. 

                                            IN CONCLUSION

In all likelihood, the long haired beardy man is indeed Eren. I cannot, for the life of me, think of any other character that he could possibly be. If it was a character we hadn’t been introduced to yet, Isayama wouldn’t be so inclided to hide their face while still making it obvious they’re important thanks to thrusting him into two chapters with his armband on the wrong side. 

If my theory is correct (which you never know!), I imagine Eren’s purpose for being in Marley would be to seek allies within Marley’s ranks, to gather information about the enemy and pinpoint a weakness to exploit, and to snatch any of the four titan powers they have in their military pocession if at all possible without discovery.

Essentially, it would be to try and shred Marley’s hold of power from the inside out. Exactly like RBA did when they infiltrated the walls. It also aids Paradis to do something like this in the midst of Marley’s combat with another nation. Infiltrating Marley in the middle of a war would make it a LOT easier to get in unnoticed. Also a strategy RBA pulled to cover as citizens in the chaos of Shiganshina falling.

The greatest weapon against an enemy is another enemy. Especially when you don’t expect your first enemy to make a move against you while using your own strategy.

[felicia-parker]

i know this isn't on the prompt list but gallya+ your feet are cold?? cuddling gallya gives me life

Bucharest is so cold it steals the breath from her lungs. No amount of vodka can keep her warm. The bottle hangs limply from her fingertips and she sways slightly, knees brushing the edge of his and just like that his game of chess is forgotten. He wasn’t winning anyways. Ever the strategist he lets hands fall to his thighs, fingers curling and tapping against his knees. He’s counting the seconds on the clock, willing the rush of heat away from his cheeks when she bumps him softly. Gaby has a plan of her own. No more near misses and kisses, no light and airy exchanges of affection, she wants something much more than that. The tips of her toes touch the edge of his boots and the bottle swings softly back and forth before he takes it from her. Illya’s fingers close over hers and he pries the glass away.

“It is time for bed.” Illya breaks the silence of the hotel room. There’s nothing more than the silent sound of snow tapping on the windows of the small rental that serves as their fifth or sixth, honeymoon getaway. Gaby has lost count at how many times she’s worn the little bugged ring, of all the false pet names she gives him when they’re out on a mission. Bucharest is no different.

“I am not tired.” Gaby says defiantly, tilting her chin up and watching him follow the line of her throat with his true blue gaze. He swallows hard and she watches his fingers twitch, watches his head dip down as if searching for his next move. Slowly he turns his head back up and she watches his golden hair reflect the dim light of the lamp. She steps into his space, between his knees and lets her toes hit the bottom edge of the overstuffed couch. Her breath hitches when he lets her touch him. The tip of her calloused index finger traces his scar and he moves to lower his gaze, but she catches his chin with her knuckle and makes him look at her.

“Gaby,” His voice is hoarse, thick with his accent, and she lets her thumb slip up to his bottom lip. She’s kissed him plenty of times, deep in their covers when the time called for it, but she’s never kissed him for herself. He’s never let her, always shying away, putting her to bed with her little drunken snores, leaving her to dance alone in the sheets while he hid away in his own. Gaby’s thumb pulls gently on his lower lip and she bends at the waist to chase her thumb, her lips pressing over his.

Illya groans. His hands instantly jump from his knees to her hips, wide-set hands covering just about every inch of her. Illya’s thumbs brush over the satin waistband of her oversized pajamas and her hands cover his cheeks then slowly slip down, where he jumps at the sudden shock of cold from her. The kiss is broken and Gaby sucks in a sharp breath, “Illya?” “You are freezing,” He murmurs quietly moving his hands from her waist and up to her elbows. He drags his fingers down her arms and captures her wrists, drags his callouses over her palms and lets his fingers lace with hers. Illya is a furnace in comparison to her. He radiates warmth against her and he slowly rubs his thumbs over her knuckles, leans in and cups their hands together. Before she can protest, he leans in and blows warm air over her calloused fingertips. She wonders idly if he minds her rough hands. Years of working on the guts of cars has made her dainty features, rough and tough to the touch.

“It is snowing outside.” She finds her voice, her lips are still awfully close to the crown of his head. “Outside yes, but we are not outside now.” Illya’s breath ghosts over her fingertips and her skin pricks with gooseflesh. She’s too drunk to come up with a retort, her tongue feels heavy in her mouth. Her fingers curl and touch just the edge of his warm lips and her heart skips a beat at the contact. He hesitates then kisses the tip of her fingers. It’s a soft gesture that has her head swimming as he moves to stand. There’s almost no space between them. His chest brushes hers on his way up and he doesn’t let go of her hands just yet. With a careful step he guides her back and then forward once more, around the couch towards the master bedroom. All week in Bucharest, he’s been taking up residency in the guest room, curled up on a small bed while she’s been left to freeze in one two sizes too big.

“Where are we going?” She asks coyly, drawing her fingers over his wrists, pressing her palm over the faceplate of his father’s watch. The familiar ticking of it rushes up her arm and she lingers there as he guides her across the cold hardwood floor and towards the jamb of the door. Gaby leans back into the hold and Illya draws his hands across her ribs now, pressing her back into the wall. He stoops low over her, drags the tip of his nose along her exposed collarbone, taking in the sweet scent of french perfume and sharp tinge of vodka.

Illya’s hands map out her ribs and drag lower, he grips at her hips and pulls her up, hands palming down her oversized pajama bottoms and down. He cups the back of her thighs and she sways. The world is spinning for her, this is the closest they have ever been and her stomach churns with too much alcohol and not enough fresh air to breathe in. Her nose is filled with the clean smell of Illya, the smell of warm leather and gunpowder lingers around him when she wraps her hands around his neck and draws her hands into his hair. She ruins his meticulous hairstyle and lets her nails scrape along his scalp just to hear him groan into her neck. He lifts her fully, draws her into his chest and walks her to the bed. He walks agonizingly slow, drops her on the very edge and kisses away her protests with warm lips. Illya draws her legs up and his fingers wrap around her dainty ankle, smoothing lower to her frozen feet.

The kiss breaks again and Gaby whines at the sudden loss, her voice is slurred, “Why?” She asks, tilting her head, trying to chase his lips with her own but Illya leans away. He looks down with concern wrinkling his brow.

“You are like ice.”

“I’m just cold Illya, it’s fine,” She bats the concern away, pulls on the back of his neck to bring him back in for another kiss but he doesn’t budge. Instead he draws his hands over the tops of her feet and pushes her further on to the bed. Without warning, he pulls himself on the bed and wraps an arm around her. The covers get shifted and before  Gaby can get too excited, Illya pulls her back into his chest, presses her feet between his legs and clamps down. He is hot to the touch. His skin scalds her and she finds herself not protesting, but sinking into the feel of him. His hips press tightly into hers from behind, she can feel every inch of him. A little drunken smirk tugs at her lips and she resists the urge to shift closer to him as he warms her feet, then drags his hands over hers to warm her fingers.

“Is not safe to go to bed cold. Could get hypothermia.”

“Inside the safe house?” She blows out a soft laugh and he smiles against the back of her neck, lips turning against her skin.

“Trust me, Chop Shop Girl.” Illya’s breath ghosts along her neck and she shivers, making him tighten his grip on her, “I cannot let my wife catch cold before we meet famous forger tomorrow.”

Gaby blows out a quiet sigh, “Don’t you mean fiance?” Illya’s fingers find the little pearl ring on her left hand. He toys with the band for a moment, twisting it back and forth with quiet thought. He is curled around a beautiful woman like a tsar, delightfully spoiled with her attention on him. So he lets himself fall victim to their own guise, lets himself dream little more, “We have been engaged enough, yes?”

Gaby wants to protest, wants to twist in the sheets and face him, but something stops her. She lays back into the warmth of him and nods quietly against the pillow. She falls asleep there, wrapped up in his long limbs and wakes curled into his chest with her fingers under his cable knit sweater.