#I would ask my parents but my dad is going to go into surgery in a few days

[eggsnatcheskneecaps]

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[rosicheeks]

🥺

[punkbarbarian]

for folks who don’t follow them on instagram— ally beardsley wrote part of an op-ed in the washington post for the 50th dnd anniversary about a moment playing dnd that really stuck with them and i wanted to share it here!

“a character’s journey — and my own”

I was an aspiring comedian in Los Angeles and had just landed a salaried job at the comedy website CollegeHumor. My co-worker and friend Brennan Lee Mulligan was looking for six comedians to create a show that would be like an at-home game of D&D. Why not? “Dimension 20” became a weird punctuation to my day.

I remember there being too many rules to remember. I kept turning to my friend, Brian Murphy, to ask which dice I should be rolling. I wasn’t paid overtime, but I loved the group and was having a lot of fun.

For the second season, I had my sea legs. I created a character for the campaign who was transgender. I had started going by the gender neutral they/them pronouns at work and among friends, but sourcing hormones or getting surgery seemed equal parts expensive and invasive. A fun thing about fantasy is stripping away the crunchy, real-world limitations and asking yourself: “What would I do if I could do anything?”

That season’s arc for my character, Pete, was extremely euphoric for me. I had described him as a trans cowboy you might see at Burning Man, and the artist drew him dressed as a freaky Hunter S. Thompson in an open shirt to show his top surgery scars. He has wild magic — uncontrollable and dangerous in the game mechanics — which we used to explore the painful chaos of leaving a family that doesn’t accept you.

Since then, I’ve started testosterone HRT and had top surgery. It’s funny to listen back to myself playing a character who had transitioned in ways I hadn’t. It’s full of inaccuracies that make me smile. Pete takes a testosterone pill every day; I now know it’s a weekly injection or a topical gel. I see my face, one wrapped up in playing something so new but instantly right. It was like an oracle. A near-future me who has health insurance! Who’s talked to their mom about being trans and even spent a week post-top surgery on that mom’s couch in Temecula, Calif!

As I started transitioning my appearance, seeing that in front of the camera felt raw. I was starting hormones, and my voice was cracking. Realizing it was all being recorded felt naked at times, but it has been really nice to talk to fans and friends about how important it is to see someone that looks like you taking a big risk on themself.

With Pete, it was really important to me to tell a story other than the dramatic lead-up to a medical transition. So we started with him having just gotten out of surgery, but that’s all you see of that process. Part of his backstory is that he doesn’t have a relationship with his transphobic parents, and before shooting the first episode, I felt sick to my stomach. I’ve been on a journey with my parents, and our starting place didn’t have much common ground. When my character meets with his father, it felt as though I was actually running into my own on the street.

Brennan could sense that discomfort, and as my character’s dad was about to call Pete by his deadname, Brennan shut the interaction down, surrounding his dad with bubbles that carried him into the sky. Magic is the power and freedom to manipulate your reality, and you can banish the awful voices in your life — let them swirl away into the air.

[kyri45]

✨ShadowPeach Bio Parents Bio AU Q&A! 28/09✨

Welcome to the Q&A! A space where I can answer related or similar question about the Shadowpeach Bio Parents AU! If you submitted your ask anonimously, then you’ll have to check the whole post if it’s answered here, if it’s not, worry not! Your asks might have been used for a future comic or just in the queue~

Anonimo ha chiesto: I am going to ask you to make a difficult decision… freenoodles or Shadowpeach

(Freenoodles, in my opinion, is just barely better than shadowpeach. Just because of how gay they are in season five. I mean, look at them and tell me they aren’t married.)

Sooo I go with shadowpeach. Freenoodle is like my comfort shit. so many cute and funny shenanigans, for me they are just the married couple who would probably have the healtiest of the relationship. They have teh experience, they went already throught all the "obliviouss-ness" and the "what if they don't love me" yadda yadda.

But Shadowpeach. Ow man. I thought the ineffable housband ship was complex. but god. oh god. how wrong I was. like- these two went from friends, to brothers, to lovers, to enemies, to friends again and to be lover again. They fucked up so much nothing will ever be the same. But they still weak for each other. They are at each other throat and also they know the other in the most intimate way. they are immortal. One of them fucking killed the other. They thought the other left them and betrayed and went both drama to forget (one choose found family, the other murder but anyway-)

Like- WHAT SHIP CAN BE MORE COMPLEX THAN THIS?????

Anonimo ha chiesto: Does MK have a favorite between his bio parents

oUH NO POOR MONKEYS. He doesn't, but he has a favourite depending on the context. Like, for training he prefers Macaque because he explains a lot better than Wukong, but sparring with Wukong is much funnier, but he prefers Macaque scratches and grooming, but he loves Wukong squeezing hugs, etc...

Anonimo ha chiesto: You know, I just realized something. So you know how people in the fandom give Macaque lotus nicknames since his ears kind of resemble lotus flowers. Well since MK has both Wukong and Macaque's ears that kind of makes MK's ears resemble Peace Lilies (which is kind of ironic since MK is the Harbinger of Chaos)

Aww I guess they do look like them!

Anonimo ha chiesto: I may sound a little to mean but Mk din't suspect a thing aout macaques eye? he has multiple forms were his eye is a cross i mean, i would think smt happend to that eye but that just me uu I LOVE UR ART IT MAKES ME WANT TO KMS /POS

He surely suspected something happened to Mac eye but he didn't know how that happened.

@queen-of-purple-roses ha chiesto: I have a question and you don’t have to answer it if you don’t have too; since we’ve seen Macaque feel guilty with how he treated MK in the past, does Monkey King feel guilty about all the dangerous moments that MK was put in, since most if not all of the fighting ends up on MK’s plate and not Wukong’s.

Oh absolutely, the more time passes he feels more and more guilty.

@catbox730 ha chiesto: Can we get more MK and Red Son please

mayyyyyybe. If you guys behave

Anonimo ha chiesto: It would be funny seeing MK‘s dads going to a doctor with him for like getting his wisdom teeth removed or something xD

The parents being extremely worried that something will go wrong while MK is super chill. When the dentist comes out of the operating room they grab him and ask him if he survived while MK is just eating ice cream post-surgery.

Anonimo ha chiesto: Will MK ever fight against one of his parents in a serious battle ? Or be forced to fight one of them ?

mmm. Probably. Maybe in the future they have a discussion. Nothing maybe too serious. But not in the AU plans.

What is Wukongs and/or Macaques biggest nightmare(s) I imagine it would be something like seeing MK die or sacrificing himself again or something like that

I think Wukong is more terrified of being alone. So actually I think it would be worse for him that MK doesn't want to see him anymore.

Anonimo ha chiesto: so who is going to be MK‘s hero that he worships ? I don’t know if he still sees Monkey king in that way after finding out that he is basically his dad and hearing the past the fight with Macaque….

Maybe he wont have any hero. Maybe worshipping someone is not such a healthy thing to do. ( I'm not talking in a religious way of course, I meant worshipping a living normal person)

@emmais333 ha chiesto: Love your MK art. One question how many fights from Wukong and Mac does MK overhear on accident

He heard the first one (and the past one through the vision) then Wkong and Mac started to teleport far away enough so he wont be able to hear them discuss.

Anonimo ha chiesto: What if MK catches Mac and Wukong in the act, not visually, but audibly, like hearing it when going to flower feuit mountain, finding the monkeys in a pile, all traumatized. Or is it too soon? Do they get drunk enough to not care? Do they even drink?

in the....act? (sorry I don't understand stuff if it's not explicited said, like I can't understand double meanings if that was what you meant)

Anonimo ha chiesto: I LOVE YOUR STORY, REALLY!!!! I reread a lot. So lovely. And the Baby MK, I just want to hug so badly 🥺 ( I think Macaque become Protecting mode and he won't let me do it. ) You draw Baby MK so so so cute. My heart can't handle it.❤️ Maybe it's a terrifying idea but I would like know your thoughts. I think that Macaque sleeps very quietly, like a man in a coffin.  + Macaque fell into a very deep DEEP sleep. (maybe because he was tired from fighting demons to protect Baby MK or get injured or something?) = How do you think Sun Wokung will react?

o my god NO DON'T GIVE HIM AN HEARTH ATTACK (heloses one of their immortalities for having the most horrrendous of jumpscares)

@raspberrymixin ha chiesto: AHHH I LOVE YOU SHADOW PEACH BIO AU OMG ITS TO FREAKEN CUTEEEE AAHH I just melt into a puddle! Love you art and make sure to take breaks- anyway- I find it cute how redson interacts with MK I can just imagine him giving him stuff and little gifts and Mk just confused on why but takes it anyway because of friendship and maybe a sign he's trusting more- but MK is just oblivious to the courting- And maybe redson would ask Wukong, Macaque, Tang or pigsy to allow it maybe? And I also love the slow burn! It's just cute on how Macaque and Wukong make each other blush! Awww it's just to cute! I hope you're doing amazing and have a good night/day

Oh man MK would not be able to read a single clue and just think it's a symbol of friendship or wathever. O my god he really did take from his parents (all of them)

fayeangel25 ha chiesto: YOUUU UFUFFHH WHEN I GET YOUUUUU anyways, I wanna see wukong asking macaque about the story of him and mac ( after mamacaque storytelled his lil baby mk ) , cuz i wanna see more flustered macaque!!! Also, 👏 EATING 👏 THIS 👏 AU 👏 UP!!

Hehe he would be a little shy about it. But Macaque is a theater kid so for a bigger audience I guess he would do it.

Anonimo ha chiesto: I feel like I’m new here. What is Court napping?

Consensual Kidnapping with the intend of flirting with another demon.

Anonimo ha chiesto: How many people want to court MK now that he is a real stone monkey AND the son of Wukong and Macaque ?

mmm. Only people close to MK knows that he's the bio kid of shadowpeach. So for now only Red Son

Anonimo ha chiesto: I bet PIF would try to wait for MK to lose the good guy ‘phase’ since she went through that before lmao (forget being good, convert to villainy in the name of love)

Awwww she would!!! But MK is just too good hearted to hurt a fly. (yeah I know he technically has a kill count still-)

Anonimo ha chiesto: MK would obviously call Pigsy "Papa" so what would MK call Tang and Sandy?

I think he would actually call Pigsy "dad" since it's what he calls him that in the show. Maybe it's Tang that gets to be called Papa. I think Sandy is more like an uncle.

@mage-of-words ha chiesto: When will Wukong purpose to Macaque?

WOW- HOLD ON THERE. LET HIM TAKE HIM TO DINNER FIRST.

Anonimo ha chiesto: Omg I wonder if Macaque and Monkey King ever saw MK get really hurt during a battle with a new demon. RIP the Demon bc two feral Monkeys are after them now bc they hurt their kid.

Them to said demon: So you have choosen.... death.

Anonimo ha chiesto: Hear me out, Mac and Wukong in a get along shirt for a day (lost a bet to MK and he planned this too) LOVE YOUR ART TOO ITS SO SCRUMDIDDLYUMPTIOUCIOUS

this is an old ask, sorry for taking so long to answer. But I would say that at this point of the story Wukong would probably be at cloud 9 being squished to super soft macaque all day. Macaque would be like a kitten undecided on wheter he loves or hate the situation (doesn't really likes un-warned physical touch.

Anonimo ha chiesto: Hoi there, I found you again! (Following you on Insta as well because your art is awesome ^^)

Reading your LMK ShadowPeaches comics and they are fun. And now my brain can't help but make up scenarios, one like this one. Oh my, MK is a cute little baby! (^///^) Oh my, MK is a little baby!! ('O_O) Welp, Pigsy is going to kill someone unless Wukong gives baby MK into his arms to calm down and be busy being a dad than a raging Hulk. (:P) Also, I imagine MK accidentally shrinking himself, (Wukong decided to play hide and seek with it only to later on regret it). Wukong would freaking out about it, and Macaque then shook him violently while yelling into his face for losing MK. Then out of Nowhere, Nezha shows up at the door frame and be like 'Um, hey guys. Is this yours?' Points at his nose where tiny baby bean MK was, clinging onto Nezha's nose while giggling.

askjajvbks that's a lovely scene! Unfortunately Nehza can't know yet about MK, but maybe he will...

@lara-legomonkiekid 💜:Hey! I'm here to ask permission!Can I make an art Drawing of your Bio parents AU Meeting One of my AU's?Please?(Mostly Suposed to be Meeting One of my OC's!) (Love Your Art and Comics!!!!)(⁠◕⁠ᴗ⁠◕⁠✿⁠)(⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)

Yeah sure! just be sure to tag me and link the masterpost of the AU

Anonimo ha chiesto: I find it funny how your shadowpeach bio au came from a joke and now.....wow Your art is amazing

My friend even tried to warn me. BUT I DIDN'T LISTEN

Anonimo ha chiesto: I need Freenoodles talking late at night about MK's new situation Will they be worried? Happy? I don't think Pigsy will take it very well that just when he and MK accepted each other as Father and Son, he is (partly) taken away by his biological dads.

Pigsy was mostly worried that Wukong or Macaque would hurt in any way MK. Both ahim and Tang after they saw how much the 2 care about MK calmed down, still they just hope they don't mess up things.

Anonimo ha chiesto: parenting it not just about having fun with your children, but also making sure there are boundaries even if the child isn’t happy about it. So, how would it go if Macaque and Wukong would try to ground MK 😂

MK is a little old for being grounded I think but if they were to do it maybe with something like no training for a week or smt. He's still an adult (i know we sometimes forget)

Anonimo ha chiesto: MK trying to prank his parents and wake them up with a loud instrument or sound. MK forgetting he has sensitive hearing 💀

reverso uno card

Anonimo ha chiesto: Would wukong or MK help macaque in his drawings if he asked 🙃 or if they tried to help him improve

Awww they would!!! Actually what if this creative side of him was something he kind of inherted from Wukong?

[lvnleah]

You Can Let It Go | AWFC x teen!reader

Summary: after a long recovery after having your endo surgery, you finally make your return to the pitch but two people you were hoping to be there aren’t.

word count: 1.5k

find the series masterlist here! (currently only two parts)

if anyone has any ideas for this series or anything they want to know send them through my asks! 💗

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Growing up you’d never had the best relationship with your parents. In comparison to your friends, your parents were never around. You lived a comfortable lifestyle and the opportunities you were given were amazing but you’d trade everything if it meant having a closer relationship with them.

Your dad had his own lawyers firm and travelled out of the country quite a lot, your mum was a PR manager for high-profile celebrities which she also travelled a lot for. With your parents travelling a lot it meant that you were left with your grandma.

It had been two months since your endometriosis surgery, the weeks after the surgery were spent with Beth, Viv and Leah making sure you didn’t lift a finger. They cooked your meals, cleaned up after you, did your laundry and spent many days with you lying in bed watching Disney movies.

Leah visited every day after training, bringing you your favourite snacks and magazines to flick through. She was there for you no matter what time of the day it was, there was one occasion where you slipped out of bed and cried in pain in her arms while you were sleeping over.

You found yourself unable to sleep, the pain in your abdomen stubbornly refusing to go. You slipped out of bed and slowly walked down the hall to the living room where Leah, Beth and Viv were sitting on the couch a movie playing softly in the background.

“Leah,” you whispered, tapping her shoulder gently.

She stirred, blinking sleepily at you. “Hey, kid. What’s up?”

“Can’t sleep,” you admitted, your voice shaky. “The pain...it’s really bad tonight.”

Leah sat up immediately, “Okay, let’s try and get you comfortable.” She helped you back to your room, propped you up with pillows, and handed you the heating pad. “Take some more pain relief. I’ll stay with you until it kicks in.”

You nodded as Leah climbed onto the bed beside you, you cuddled into her, “I’m scared, Leah. What if this never gets better?”

“It will, kid,” Leah reassured you, her voice soft but firm. “It might take time, and it might be hard, but you’re strong. And you’re not alone in this.”

You gradually started to feel better. The pain became more manageable, and you began to regain your strength. Beth, Viv, and Leah were with you every step of the way.

Eventually, you returned to training, the physios had made up a plan that introduced you back into training slowly and carefully. The team welcomed you back with open arms. You took it one day at a time, listening to your body and not pushing yourself too hard.

The morning of your comeback game came quickly. You woke up feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, you were a little tired after not being able to sleep out of excitement. Beth and Viv were already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. You quickly got dressed and joined them, your excitement bubbling over.

“Morning!” you greeted cheerfully, plopping down at the kitchen island.

“Morning, kid,” Beth said with a smile, flipping a pancake onto a plate. “Big day today! How are you feeling?”

“Excited! And a little nervous,” you admitted “But mostly excited, I think, I don’t know. I can’t wait to play again.”

Viv grinned, setting a glass of orange juice in front of you. “You’re going to do great. We’ve all seen how hard you’ve worked to get back to this point.”

You dug into your breakfast, the food helping to calm your nerves. “Thanks, Viv. I’m just really hoping my parents show up. I haven’t seen them in a while, and it would mean a lot if they were there.”

Beth and Viv exchanged a quick glance, but you were too focused on your pancakes to notice. “I’m sure they’ll be there,” Beth said, trying to keep her tone light.

“Yeah,” you said, a hopeful smile on your face. “It’ll be nice to have them see me play again.”

After breakfast, you grabbed your gear and headed out with Beth and Viv. The car ride to the stadium was filled with chatter and laughter, the three of you discussing tactics and game plans. Your excitement was infectious, and even Beth and Viv couldn’t help but feel the anticipation.

You arrived at Meadow Park, instantly finding Kyra and Alessia to walk around the pitch with. After that, you headed inside and changed into your kits before heading out for a warm-up.

As the warmup came to an end, you noticed Leah, Beth and Viv talking near the entrance to the changing room. Leah looked over at you, nodding before Beth and Viv walked away.

As you headed for the changing room with Kyra, laughing your heads off, Leah was waiting for you, her expression a little more serious than usual.

“Hey, kid. Can we talk for a sec?” she asked.

You felt a knot tighten in your stomach. “Sure, what’s up?”

Leah glanced around, ensuring no one else was within earshot. “I know you were hoping your parents would be here today...but they’ve not turned up, kid.”

You swallowed hard, trying to mask the sting of disappointment. “Oh, that’s okay. I figured they might not make it. Work and all.”

Leah pulled you into a hug. “I’m sorry, kid. We’re all here for you, though.”

“Yeah, I know. Thanks, Leah.” You forced a smile, determined not to let the news dampen your excitement.

As the game began, you could feel the weight of their absence pressing on you. You tried to focus but your mind kept drifting back to the empty seats where you’d hoped to see your parents. Each missed pass, each stumble felt like a personal failure, the disappointment gnawing at your confidence.

By halftime, it was clear that something was off. Beth and Viv exchanged worried glances. As you took a sip of water, Jonas walked over to you.

“I’m taking you off, okay?” He told you, “I heard what’s happened, you’re not in the right frame of mind and I don’t want any injuries. Is that okay?”

You nodded and changed into your Arsenal tracksuit before joining the rest of the team on the bench. The full-time whistle blew and you shook the hands of the other team before heading inside to gather your things.

The car ride home was silent. Beth and Viv tried to engage you in conversation, but you responded with blunt answers, your gaze fixed out the window. The tension in the car was thick, and you could feel their concern, but you were too wrapped up in your own thoughts to address it.

Why couldn’t they turn up for one thing? All you wanted was a few hours of their time.

As soon as you got home, you headed straight to your room, slamming the door behind you. The moment you were alone, the tears you’d been holding back spilt over. You curled up on your bed, clutching your childhood teddy to your chest as sobs wracked your body.

In the kitchen, Beth and Viv stood in uneasy silence, the weight of your sadness pressing down on them. “She’s really hurting, Viv,” Beth said quietly, her voice tinged with worry.

“I know,” Viv replied, her brow furrowed. “We need to do something.”

Beth nodded. “Let’s go to her.”

They made their way to your room, knocking gently on the door. “Hey, it’s just us,” Beth called softly. “Can we come in?”

You wiped your tears away quickly, trying to compose yourself. “I’m fine. Just…just need some time alone.”

“Please, kid,” Viv said, her voice tender. “Let us in.”

You hesitated, but the sincerity in their voices made you relent. “Okay,” you whispered.

They entered the room, closing the door behind them. They sat down on the end of your bed together. “We’re here for you,” Beth said, her hand resting gently on your leg.

You began to cry again, harder this time. “I just... I wanted them to be here,” you choked out. “I thought... maybe they’d come.”

Viv laid down beside you and pulled you into a hug, her arms comforting. “I know, kid. It’s okay to feel hurt. But we’re here, and we care about you so much.”

Beth rubbed your back soothingly. “You don’t have to go through this alone. We’re your family too.”

“I wish you were my parents,” you confessed through your tears. “You’ve done more for me than they ever have. I’m…I’m so stupid for thinking they’d turn up!”

Viv tightened her embrace. “We love you, Y/N. And we’ll always be here for you, no matter what.”

Beth nodded, her eyes glistening with her own tears. “You’re not alone. Not now, not ever.”

Their words, their presence, soothed the ache in your heart. For the first time, you felt the depth of their love and support, and it gave you a sense of belonging you hadn’t known you needed. The three of you sat there for a long time, holding each other until the tears finally stopped and you fell asleep.

You fell asleep in their arms, clutching your childhood teddy. Once they knew you were asleep, they slipped out of your room and let you sleep the night away.

[justmeinadaze]

Secret Underneath Part 6 (Steddie X Plus Size Reader)

A/N: No cliffhanger this time, I promise <3.

Warning: Older (Mid thirties) Sugar Daddies Steve and Eddie/ Young (Early to mid 20s) Baby Fem Plus Size Reader, No smut in this one today, ladies and lads. I didn't feel like it worked with this chapter. I was going to make this one long chapter but I thought it better to split it :)

ANGST, Y/N confronts them about the events of the last chapter. Insecurities get in the way of them and that is explored a lot more in this chapter with mentions of their dads as well as Gina hurting them. She is sullying their image by saying lies (mentions verbal abuse and comments on how the plus size reader is "probably being used" by them because of how she looks) , she does have an incident at a bar with a guy being a dick, they defend her.

Word Count: 4853

Series here/ Donate to Me :)

You broke a rule. 

You went on Google and searched for their lawyer’s information through news outlets spouting anything they could in regard to this case. After finding what you needed, you charged into the building and past a secretary who was shouting for you to come back as you opened the door to a conference room where many sets of eyes including their shocked expressions landed on you. 

“Excuse me, gentlemen, but I need a moment alone with these boys for a moment.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Wilson, she just stormed right past me—”

“No, no. It’s alright, Crystal. Um, let’s take a breather and we’ll be back in a moment.”

As soon as everyone had filed out, your angry eyes burned into them as you slid your phone across the table. 

“That thing hasn’t stopped going off since Gina released your names and quite frankly I’m afraid to look at it.”

“How did you find out where we were?”, Steve asked as he rose to his feet.

“I googled your lawyer’s name.”

“Well, so much for that promise.”, Eddie sassed as he leaned back in his chair. 

“And so much for your promise to take care of me!”, you screamed not caring if anyone heard. “Did you really fucking think that I could stay out of this?! Did you think after what she said people weren’t going to wonder and dig into why I was with you at that party?!”

“You wanted to go and we warned you of the risks of being seen with us.”

“Don’t you dare do that! Don’t you fucking dare place blame on me! I don’t care about being seen with you or if people know that we’re together! What I care about is my job, those kids, and you two!! How can I properly help and protect myself if I don’t have all the facts?! Do you know what she’s saying? She’s saying you two promised to take care of her if anything ever happened. That you were verbally aggressive with her and--”

“Yeah, Y/N, we’re aware of she’s claiming.”, the mogul growls. “Since you’re doing your own research did you go on her social medias? Oh, a lot of fun material there. Now that a fucking judge allowed her to talk about us she’s been posting nonstop about how Eddie would demean her and make her feel ugly. That I apparently offered her money to get plastic surgery to make her look ‘perfect’.”, he sarcastically laughs. 

“You should have told me.”

“Because you think we did what she claims?”

“No, Eddie! Fuck, so I can prepare. What if parents suddenly feel like I can’t teach their kids because of the company I keep? What if the school decides that my association with you isn’t worth the attention? Now that this has come to light I need to be aware of what’s going on!”

Neither man said a thing infuriating you more. 

“Did you not tell me because you thought I wouldn’t want to be with you? Or did you think I’d hurt you like she did?” You laugh as you shake your head. “Jesus. I thought you two were different but you’re just like every other scared little boy. I thought I had given you enough reason to trust me but I guess not.”

“Yeah so why don’t you fucking leave then, you little brat.”

You weren’t sure if they saw it in your eyes but you definitely felt your heart break. Wrapping your arms around yourself, you back away towards the door. 

“I’m so stupid.”

When your teary eyes met theirs, you could tell Steve regretted his words but he couldn’t take them back. They couldn’t take any of this back. Furiously, you reach into your pocket and throw their apartment key across the table before leaving the way you came. 

##############

Instagram:

IHateithere: “Oh my god. Poor Gina!”

NeverHave_IEver13: “She’s so sweet and deserves better.”

CorrodedGirl28: “Fuck Gina Frost. This isn’t the first time she’s made claims against a partner! I met Eddie Munson backstage at one of his concerts and he was so sweet.”

E!News: Mystery Woman seen at the Charity Event with Steven Harrington and Edward Munson has been cited by the men’s lawyers as ‘just a friend.’

Twitter:

ElderEmoKid91: That poor friend of theirs. No matter what people will think they dated because of Gina. 

ChaosRains: ‘Their friend’? Yeah right. Probably as much of a whore as Gina Frost!

JusticefortheUnheard: I bet if this was a man with two women he’d be slated as a ‘hero’ but because it’s a woman with two men she’s a whore. Grow up!

Steve Harrington: Eddie and I are saddened to hear that not only has our privacy been violated but Gina Frost is allowed to continue spreading her lies until we get this matter resolved. We never once raised a voice or hand to her and took care of her like any boyfriend would which she constantly took advantage of…

Steve Harrington: In regard to the young lady that came with us to charity event last Saturday, she is a friend we’ve known for a while. We ask politely that you respect her privacy as what is going on between us and Gina…

Steve Harrington: doesn’t involve her. Thank you for your understanding and we will speak more on this situation when we are finally able.

TMZ: Steve Harrington and Eddie Munson release joint statement regarding ‘friend’ and how they feel about Frost ‘spreading her lies’!

YouTube and TV:

CBS: “Gina Frost, thank you so much for speaking with us today. Before we let you go, what are your thoughts on the young lady they were seen with? Do you have any advice for her in regard to Mr. Harrington and Mr. Munson?”

“Run, girl. Get as far away from them as you can. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they started ‘hanging out’ with a girl like her because of our case. They always wanted me to be perfect. To look like the woman they thought would be equal to them and their status. She’s the complete opposite of what they wanted me to be so dating, or excuse me, being friends with her makes them look good.”

***

You wiped the tears that fell with your knee as you browse Daddies on your computer. Your phone was still dinging constantly so you kept it hidden in your bedside table drawer. Since winter break had started you didn’t have to deal with work and for that you were thankful. 

Your identity hadn’t been officially confirmed but it seemed to be common knowledge at this point; everyone knew it was you. 

Not wanting to be alone, you ran home into your parent’s open arms. 

“Baby! Are you ok? What’s going on? Tell us everything.”

“I’m so stupid, mom.”, you cried.

“No, you’re not, honey. Come on. I made some coffee. Let’s sit down and talk.”

You told them everything minus the exact way you met them but you did tell them that you had been dating them both and how much you cared about them. When you were met with nothing but love and zero judgement, you cried harder. 

Having fully settled in, you felt yourself getting antsy. After everything, you didn’t want a new relationship, just something casual but after having been with the guys you felt yourself cringing more and more at the stupid flirting that hit you. 

“’Sup, pretty girl? Fuck your gorgeous. Wanna suck my cock?”

“Hey babe. You got an attitude? I bet I can fuck it out of you.”

“What are you doing, Y/N?”

Your head straightened at the message from Mogul/Rockstar. You hadn’t heard from them in over two weeks. What were they doing on this site? You couldn’t help the jealousy that flowed through you even though technically you were on the site first. 

2:13am: What do you want, Steve?

2:14am: I want an answer to my question. What are you doing on this site again?

2:15am: What are YOU doing on here?! And why do you fucking care? You told me to leave remember?

2:17am: We’ve been calling you for the past couple of weeks but you don’t answer. We got worried. Steve thought maybe we could reach you through here but I thought naw. She wouldn’t get back on here so fast. Guess we were wrong. 

2:20am: Don’t you dare, Eddie. Don’t you turn this around on me. You have no idea what I’ve been through! I still can’t believe you didn’t talk to me. You really expected me to sit at my apartment while you handled all this alone. Did you really think she wouldn’t pull me into your thing?”

2:21am: Now because of all the secrecy I can’t help but think what I’m hearing is true!

2:22am: Like what? 

2:25am: Answer. Like what?

2:26am: That you only dated me so it seems like you didn’t want her to be the ‘ideal woman���.

You hear your phone vibrate against the drawer it’s nestled. 

2:28am: Answer the phone.

2:28am: No.

2:29am: Now, Y/N. We need to talk.

2:30am: Oh now you want to talk!? Go fuck yourselves!

2:30am: Mogul/Rockstar has invited you to a video chat!!

2:31am: CurveybabywAttitude declined your invitation to video chat. 

2:32am: Y/N. Answer the fucking phone. 

2:38am: Y/N, sweetheart, please.

2:44am: Baby…

2:44am: Please…

2:45am: We love you. 

2:45am: So much.

Uh oh! It looks like this Baby can no longer receive messages from Mogul/Rockstar! This means you have either been blocked or the Baby has deleted their account. 

###################

“Jesus what assholes.”, your best friend sighs as she takes a sip from her glass. “If they loved you then why did they push you away?”

“I don’t know, My. Let’s stop talking about them and dance!”

To get your mind off everything and let go, you met up with your best friend who took you to a new bar that had been built while you were away from home. Dressed in your tightest black dress and black heels, you grabbed your own drink and danced away the pain. 

Your friend took photos, tagging you together with men in the background casually touching your arm or waist. Your limbs found their way around a cute boy you had been talking casually to and allow him to kiss you. You hated the taste, missing Eddie and Steve even more but you pushed down the feeling as you pulled him tighter against you. 

“Take me home.”, you slurred, making the young man immediately jump to his feet. When you tried to do the same you fell backwards. 

“Whoa, Y/N. Maybe, you should let me take you home.”

“Naw, Mya. I-I-I M’fine.”, you assured as you lightly pushed her to the side and stumbled out the front door. When you tripped again the man wrapped your arm around his neck and began leading you to his car. “Wait—Wait. I’m…I need a minute.”, you whine as you take a seat on the brick wall behind you.

“Come on, baby. You can rest at my place.”, the man cooed in your ear causing you to cringe. “Look we don’t even have to go. We can just fuck in my car real quick—”

“Oh, that’s romantic.”

As you stood up and started to walk away, he grabbed your wrist a bit to roughly and in return, you smacked his cheek before stumbling to the concrete. 

“Ow! Fucking bitch—” As the man began to step forward, someone intercepted, abruptly grabbing his collar and lifting him off his feet. 

“Eddie, let it go, man. Not right now.”, Steve whispers before kneeling down beside you to try and help you up. 

“Get out of my sight.”, the rockstar growls, pushing him away from you. 

“Y/N, stop. I’m just trying to help you stand—”

“I don’t need your fucking help!”, you shouted as you shoved his hand away. “I don’t need anything from you!” 

Trying to push up onto your knees, you became dizzy and fell over again causing Steve to try and steady you while blocking your shoulder from scraping the wall beside you. Your hair was blocking your face but when they heard you sniffle, Eddie crouched down to balance on his heels and tenderly reached out to move some of it behind your ear. 

“I did everything you asked… I didn’t push when it came to your past or dig into your information online. I-I-I respected the anon-ymity and privacy when we first met and took a leap of faith going to that party with you. I flew to visit you anywhere you were and didn’t complain when you were gone for weeks at a time. I made myself vulnerable…for you…but still…you don’t trust me.”

“Y/N, sweetheart, we are so sorry—”

“I want to go home, please, Daddy.”

The way you said that shattered them in two. Just in your voice alone they could hear how much pain you were in yet even in your inebriated state you still yearned for them. Selfishly, it gave them hope.

“Y/N, sweetie! There you are.”, your best friend shouts in relief as she runs to you and helps you to your feet. “Get the fuck away from her. Haven’t you done enough damage?!”

“We just want to talk to her.”

“Fuck you! You had your chance to talk and—”

“Mya, please. Sleepy.”, you whine. 

When she tries to lead you away from them towards her car, you stumble over your feet again but Eddie swiftly catches you and lifts you into his arms. 

“We’ll help you get her to your car.”

“Why? So you know which one is mine and follow me back to her house?!”

“No, so we can help you get her situated and back home so she can rest.”, Steve growled. 

Mya blinks, taken a back slightly by their protective demeanors over you. After taking a moment, she finally nods and guides them towards her vehicle, watching carefully as they place you in the passenger seat. The mogul buckles your seatbelt and gently puts your bag in your lap.

Your half-lidded eyes scan his worried face as your head lulls towards him. 

“M’not her.”

“Who, honey?”

“Gina.”

Flashing you a soft smile, he begins to reach out to pet your head before forcing himself to stop and rise to his feet.

“We’re staying at the hotel by the highway; room 118. When she wakes up tomorrow, if you could tell her that, we’d appreciate it.”, Eddie conveys as his sad eyes stay on you. 

“Your fuckers, you know that?”, Mya shouts their way as they start to leave. “Like so much so that I don’t even know where to begin. She used to call me every other day and talk about these new guys she was seeing. She never told me your full names but she told me everything else. ‘Oh Mya, they are so sweet and funny. Steve is amazing at his job and works to hard to make sure everything gets done while still being able to be there for me. I love watching Eddie play on stage. He gets so into the songs and his face lights up when he hears the fans singing along. Falling asleep in their arms is my new favorite place. I finally feel safe.’”

“When the news dropped, I called her but she didn’t answer. I wasn’t worried at the time because the way she described you, I thought ‘Thankfully, they have her and she has them.’ Then she came home and told me about you expecting her to hide in her apartment with zero information on what was happening. How you yelled at her and called her a fucking brat when she called you out.”

“Oh, and the icing on the cake? You tell her you love her for the first time over a dating website AFTER ALL THIS BULLSHIT YOU PUT HER THROUGH! Holden wore his asshole behavior out in the open for all to see. You made her believe you were different, leading her on before breaking her heart. After the stuff I read, I’m starting to believe Gina Frost.”

Both men absorbed what your best friend was saying, different emotions painting their features before finally landing on anger; not at her but themselves. 

“Your right.”, Steve replied in a sullen tone. “We fucked up. Hell, we did more than fuck up…”

“We’ve never cared about anyone the way we do her and that terrifies us. Not just because of our status or who we are even though that’s why Gina used us but…”, Eddie added. “The men underneath the fame and money are incredibly flawed.”

“Gina made us afraid of her hurting us but our own personal bullshit made us afraid of hurting her.”

“So this is better?”, Mya asked.

“My…where…where your phone?”, you slurred as your hand lazily reached in her direction.

“Y/N, I’m taking you back to your mom’s, honey, you don’t know need to call them.”

“No…not mom…Eddie…Steve…I need to make dem come back. They were here an’ an’…”

“How about you call them tomorrow morning, ok? It’s really late and—”

“I don’t want dem to leave again. Mya…please…”

“Hey, hey sweetheart, we’re right here. We haven’t gone anywhere.” Tears start to run down your cheeks again and the rockstar cups your face in his hand. “We’re right here and we’ll be here when you wake up. Just let Mya, take you home and get you in bed. Tomorrow you can call us and we’ll talk then alright?”

After you nod, Eddie adjusts your body again before closing the door. 

“You guys should get going.”

“Do you really love her?”, your best friend asks.

“Yes.”

Again, Mya takes a moment to gather her thoughts as her eyes shift between your now sleeping frame and them. 

“Her parents house isn’t far. You can follow me there.”

***

“Why are they here?”, your father asks in an annoyed tone as he eyes the men up and down. 

“It’s ok, Mr. Y/L/N. They just wanted to help get her situated and then they’ll be on their way.”, Mya answers in equal measure. 

“Is her room up here?”, Eddie inquires as he gestures towards the stairs. 

“Why don’t you come with us so you can get her changed into something comfier.”, Steve follows when your friend nods. 

“Why? You’re her whatevers right?”

“I don’t think it would be appropriate right now for us to do that.”

“I can help you.”, your mom responds out of nowhere. “Come on, gentlemen.”

After they get to your room, your mother turns on your bedside lamp as Eddie gently places you down on your bed. Taping the rockstars shoulder, she hands him an oversized shirt with your college insignia on it and some shorts. 

“Maybe you should…”

“I trust you, Mr. Munson. Plus I’m right here.” Her eyes studiously watch them as both boys work to change you out of your tight garment doing everything they could to not have to look at your body. Steve’s palm carefully cradled your head to make sure they didn’t jostle you around too much as you soundly slept. 

“Do you have a washrag or wipe or something for her makeup?”

Her head tilts at his question, impressed he even thought of that. Disappearing into your restroom, she came back with wet wipes, and Eddie thanked her as he took one and gently cleaned your face.

This was a bit harder to accomplish without moving you as your face scrunched and you whined. 

“Steve…stop…”

“That’s it, sweetheart. Blame him. That way if I don’t do this correctly it will be his fault.”, he teased making you sleepily giggle. 

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”, Eddie whispers.

“Thank you, ma’am, for letting us do this. We just wanted to make sure she got here safely.”

“Hm. You wanted to make sure she got back home in one piece but didn’t think to do that when it came to all this chaos you brought her into?”, you mom scolded as she folded her arms. 

“We did warn her—”

“No Mr. Harrington. You may have warned her about your lifestyle but you didn’t do anything to protect her when the fallout of that lifestyle presented itself. Holden ‘warned’ her about what life in New York would be like but when things got hard he abandoned her instead working with her. Like him, you left her alone.”

Nodding, their heads hung as they began to head towards the door before stopping. 

“I’m afraid.”, Eddie announces. “My mom died when I was young, my dad went to jail, people around me told me I’d never amount to anything, and then our ex did what she did. When we met Y/N, fuck, I thought she was perfect… and that scares me. I don’t want to lose her but I also don’t want to be the reason that spark inside of her dies.”

“Seems like a lose/lose, Eddie. But let me ask you something… what if your relationship with her had a happy ending? What if she didn’t hurt you like your ex and you don’t hurt her like people in your life?” She smiles softly as she pats his shoulder. “It’s a risk, boys, but you just need to decide who is worth taking that risk for. You’re more than welcome to stay in our spare bedroom if you would like.”

####################

When you woke up the next morning, you had a splitting headache, thankful that your pain reliever was still in your drawer by your bed. The sound of soft breathing startled you a bit and when you leaned over your bedframe, you were surprised to see Eddie asleep on your floor using his jacket as a pillow. Steve had placed himself in the reading chair you had in the corner with his head leaning against the wall. 

You didn’t realize how much you missed them till you saw their faces and you took the opportunity to refamiliarize yourself as your eyes scanned over them. The mogul was in jeans and a polo making you smile softly while silently missing the sleek suits that hugged him perfectly. The rockstar was still dressed the same as he usually was but his whole demeanor even while sleeping seemed heavy. 

Your heart broke for them until the last couple of weeks caught up with you and you remembered why you were here. 

Reaching for one of your pillows, you threw it their way, hitting Eddie’s chest before it bounced and hit Steve’s lap. 

“The fuck?”, he grumbled as he rubbed his eyes. 

“The fuck indeed. Why are you both here? How did you even know where I was?”

“Your best friend was posting pictures of you and tagging your location on Instagram. You weren’t answering your phone—”

“Yeah, Steve, for a reason. That doesn’t give you the right to come down here.”

“Thank God we did because some asshole was harassing you and Mya was having trouble getting you to her car to take you home.”

“No, Eddie. You playing hero doesn’t absolve you of what you did. You have no idea what I’ve been through!”

“We tried to call—”

“Oh, fuck you both!” As you start to get up to yell at them, a sharp sting runs through knee causing you to wince and sit back down. 

“Shit. Didn’t see that last night. Um, do you have a first kit or anything thing?”

When you don’t answer, the mogul goes on the hunt himself as Eddie kneels in front of you to look at the scrape on your knee. 

“Yeah, you fell on the concrete outside of the bar with some asshole trying to… I told him to fuck off.” Sitting on the bed beside you, Steve opens the little white box and starts to open a Band-Aid before his friend stops him. “Dude, you have to clean it first. It’s like you’ve never been in a fight before. Gimme this.”, he chuckles lightly as he takes the box and pulls out the antiseptic.

“You don’t have to do this. I’m not… I don’t belong to you anymore.”

His movements only halt for a second before Eddie continues taking care of you. 

“I don’t mind doing this. I like taking care of you.”, he murmurs. “Unless you want me to stop.”

“I don’t want you to but I didn’t want you to cast me aside either.”

“We—”

“Don’t say you didn’t, Steve, because you did.”

“We did.” His response surprised you as you turned your head in his direction. “We talked to your mom last night. She’s a very wise woman.”, he smirks as he watches Eddie continue his task. “Y/N, I worked so hard to get where I am and I don’t just mean taking over my dad’s company and doing the deals I do. When I was growing up, I was never enough for either of my parents but especially my father. In his eyes, I could always be just a little bit better.”

“I could shorten my time by one more second in the pool or get one more minute on the court. My grades could have been one point higher or I could have gotten three grand more out of a deal. He wanted me to be perfect but I learned after I graduated high school that bar was always changing.” When his eyes finally met yours, you saw the pain behind them. “Gina knew all this… that’s why she’s saying that about me. She knows it hurts me…people thinking I’m like my father.”

Eddie finishes placing the Band-aid on your skin and leans back against the wall across from you.

“My dad was a dick…to me and my mother. He cut us down all the time verbally but after she died it got worse. He would tell me I was stupid and a freak just like the people in our town. I left my house with more bruises than I could count on numerous occasions but his words, babe. I carry those everywhere even now. I never once, no matter how angry I was, called her anything demeaning even though I fucking wanted to. She would call us every name in the book but we never once belittled her or laid a hand on her.”

“When we met you, Jesus, I swear there was no girl we had ever met like you.”

“Beautiful, sarcastic, kind, understanding…”, Steve clarified when your eyebrows furrowed. “Y/N, you are everything we’ve ever wanted.”

“Stop…”, you whimper quietly. 

“I feel like somehow she knows that. That’s why she’s saying that stuff about us choosing you because you’re everything she’s not. We wouldn’t change anything about you. Not one thing, princess. But we are so fucking scared of getting hurt again.”

“And we’re afraid of hurting you.”

“That’s not fair.”

“What isn’t fair, honey?”

“Do you think trusting you was easy after what Holden did to me? I upended everything I knew to follow him and he broke my heart. I was terrified of starting over in any relationship let alone with two people but I got to know you and allowed myself to be vulnerable for you… you should be able to do that for me to.”

“You’re right, baby, and we are so sorry. We’re willing to try.”, Eddie pleaded as he leaned up to grab your hands. “We don’t even have to be in a relationship again or do anything sexual. We can start slow and go from there. We just miss you so much, Y/N. The way you smell, your sense of humor, the way you play with my hair when we’re lying in bed or watching tv.”

“The way you listen to us when we talk even if it’s about work.”, Steve chimes in. “Your cute little laugh and the way you wrap your arms around me like you haven’t seen me in years when it’s only been a few hours.”

“Ah good morning, gentlemen and my hung over child. How are we today?”, your mother teases as she grins your way. 

“We’re fine thank you but if you could lower your voice a smidge that would be nice.”, you sass back making her chuckle as both men grin softly. 

“Your dad made breakfast if you and your guests are hungry. Just don’t throw it up or you’ll hurt his feelings.”

You smile as you playfully wave her off before turning your attention back to them. 

“Do you have to go back home for work or anything?”

“No, ma’am. We’re all yours.”

“Unless you want us to go back home.”, Eddie adds with sad inflection in his voice hoping and praying that you don’t. 

“Ok… I’m going to change and then head downstairs. You, um, you should stay for breakfast. Knowing my father, if my mom told him you were staying he probably poisoned something but…I’m sure you’ll be fine.”, you joke as you get up and head towards your closet, tossing them a little wink before collecting some clothes and closing the bathroom door. 

####################

@aol19 @paradisepoisons  @paleidiot @dashingdeb16

@lilaclazer @joannamuns9n @thwippyparker @emotionaldreamer

@aactuaaltraash @alastorssimp @mygirlchaos @starksbabie @imagine-all-the-imagines @nailbatanddungeon

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

Look, This is gonna be one of those things that sounds bad until you read the whole story. Please don't read the title and go to 'yta' without reading.

AITA for yelling at our friend that my brother isn't trans?

Look, My brother ISNT trans. He likes to wear kilts and sew, Which is what kind of started all of this. My brother is NOT trans, He loves being a boy (trust me, I can hear him enjoying being a boy in his room all the time. Theres no way he'd wanna chop it off(I mean this as a joke I don't actually know how the surgery works), He's told me multiple times that being told by others what he likes is 'feminine' and 'girly' upsets him because he's proud of being a boy and doesn't like being called a girl. Its not because he hates girls or thinks less of them, He just does not like being called the wrong gender which I'm sure you want to be called the correct gender too.)

Anyways lets begin. I (16F) am my little brothers (15M) best friend, Basically. We grew up together and do everything together, Including sewing. I liked it when I was younger, And eventually convinced him to try it as well. He loved it, And we love just sitting together and making random crap we usually end up selling at our yearly garage sale. (Our mom makes us sell all our unneeded crap every year, But we aren't complaining when we make like $100 for it, Mom and dad even help us figure out what we actually wanna keep (we sometimes see old things and go 'Oh I could never get rid of this' and then throw it away))

Sorry for the rambling, But you'll see why some of this is important to know.

Basically, We were getting our shit together for the garage sale, And invited over a mutual friend of ours, Who I'll call uhhh Ley (16F). Shes kind of obsessed with the LGBTQ and loves to help people 'realize' they're gay or trans or non-binary. By this I mean she'll literally bully people she 'knows' is gay or trans by always telling them they are and spreading rumors about them saying they are. The way she 'knows' these things are from gut feelings. I thought maybe she needed friends who would be honest with her and tell her gently that it needed to stop. She stopped being so bad with it and we even convinced her to admit to the rumors she started being fake. We've known her for around 3 years now, And she's stopped doing it as aggressively for 2 of those years. She still makes jabs and 'jokes' saying things like "Oh thats so girly, Are you sure you're not trans?" and "Oh thats such a boy thing to do, Are you a lesbian?", Both quotes she's said to me and my brother less than a week ago. I am straight and cis, So is my brother. We have nothing against the lgbt, We just aren't apart of it. We support the lgbtq as much as possible (with my part time job I like to donate some of my paycheck towards point of pride so people who need the surgeries or binders can get them), And are very open about supporting them.

While we were cleaning out my brothers room and finding stuff to throw into the 'sell' box (we like to do precleaning before our parents help us, It makes everything faster and less work on the people trying to help), And Ley found my brothers kilt. She did a long exaggerated gasp, Looking at my brother.

"So, How long have you been trans? Why didn't you tell me?? I knew it the whole time!"

My brother tried to explain that it was a kilt for men, And he wasn't trans, But she kept interrupting him saying crap like 'you don't have to lie I know now' and 'Its nothing to be embarrassed about, I knew ever since you started to sew'. The last straw for me was when she continued not listening to him and started to ask about how he was gonna come out as school. I yelled at her to get out, That neither of us were gay, Neither of us are trans, And neither of us are apart of any of the lgbtq. We are allies and nothing more. She tried to argue that he had a 'skirt' which OBVIOUSLY meant he was trans, I basically screamed at her that she was a stupid know it all who made everyone who wasn't apart of the lgbtq's life hell because she made sure everyone knew them as someone they arent (I know, I shouldn't of brought up 2 years in the past) and that I was tired of her trying to force everyone to be in the LGBTQ when its just not realistic. Not everyone is gay or trans, Some people are cis and straight. She started crying and left, We haven't spoken in a few days but I think I'm justified. I'm tired of living my life being told I'm something I'm not, I'm tired of seeing it happen to my brother too.

My brother later thanked me for standing up for him, Telling me it made him really upset when she said those things. To cheer him up we watched his favorite movies and I made him his favorite dinner (mom and dad both work day jobs so we both make lunch and dinner)

And for those who are gonna say that allies are apart of the LGBTQ I strongly believe the A is for aro/ace. Being an ally isn't a gender or sexuality

(unless people identify using ally/allyself of course or whatever it is, I'm not quite sure how neos work or whatever but I love to see how creative people get with it and am happy it gives people who don't identify with any of the normalized(? Idk the correct term but yknow the man woman and nb) genders a chance to be who they actually are)

Extra info on why I think I could be the asshole: I feel like we might've been able to explain it if we got her to shut up for a minute, But she kept talking over us. I feel like I went too far by insulting her, And I feel like I might be TA because she's also autistic (so is my brother though, And I have ADHD).

Why I think I'm NTA: My brother is really quiet and doesn't really defend himself often. He doesn't really know how to stand up for himself and is 'easy' to talk over (soft spoken, Quiet talking voice and nonconfrontational) which is why I believe I had to step in in his place, And I don't believe I did anything wrong defending my brother and making her stop calling him what hes not.

Anyways. AITA for yelling at our friend that my brother isn't trans?

To see later: PINK PANTHER

What are these acronyms?

[buddierecs]

buck & christopher fics

i have had so many requests for fics with chris & buck or buckley-diaz family fics, so i am going to post some of my favourite fics with those two tags, starting with buck & christopher and then when i answer the request, i will add fics that are more specific to what the person is asking for, while linking the fic lists :) these are also buddie fics btw all of these are general audience, teen and up or not rated (no smut). make sure to kudos/comment on these amazing works :)

christopher diaz has two dads okay (series) by: honestlydarkprincess "all my stories that include buck being christopher's other dad, because that's my shit" word count: 61k important tags: buck as chris' parent, buckley-diaz family feels whenever you call me, i'll be there by: ipretendtobesane "five times chris calls buck, and the one time buck calls chris" word count: 8.4k important tags: 5+1 things, tooth-rotting fluff never wanna let you go, know you make me feel alright by: alwaysou28 "four times buck's relationship with chris negatively affected his romantic relationship and one time it didn't." word count: 4.2k important tags: 4+1 things, buck as chris' parent, fluff, pre-relationship buddie i was made for you by: youdrewstarsaroundmyscars "buck’s taking care of christopher while eddie is in texas when chris gets sick and has to get surgery." word count: 5.3k important tags: buck as chris' parent, protective!evan buckley, worried!evan buckley, sick!christopher diaz, team as family the wood marked for your fire by: hattalove "in which buck is used to wanting things he's not allowed to have; it's just that he never thought being a father would be one of them." word count: 10k important tags: buck as chris' parent, fluff rainbows have nothing to hide by: hattalove "how is eddie diaz like kermit the frog? let buck and christopher count the ways." word count: 3.7k important tags: christopher diaz is a national treasure, kermit memes, multimedia this postcard tells you where we've been by: daisies_and_briars "eddie finds a collection of postcards buck sent to chris over his summer in el paso." word count: 3.5k important tags: post season 7, soft and fluffy, multimedia i've seen a couple suns that set forever by: daisies_and_briars "freshly home from texas and faced with the prospect of his dad's feelings for buck, christopher's abandonment issues surface. a conversation with bobby, and realizing the parallels between buck's relationship with bobby, and his relationship with buck, gives chris the perspective he needs." word count: 7k important tags: found family, emotional hurt/comfort, teenager!christopher, post season 7 open our eyes and it's changing the view by: markofalover "christopher writes a poem and everything falls into place." word count: 3.3k important tags: buck is chris' parent, poetry, friends to lovers the parent trap by: abow123456 "evan buckley is 7 years old when his mother leaves him at a gas station, where he meets bobby nash. 20 years later, evan "buck" nash is a firefighter with the 118, when he meets 7 year old christopher diaz at a gas station, after his mother killed herself. he takes the boy in, just like his father did to him, and cares for him. but, when christophers father finally comes into the picture, how will things change?" word count: 53k important tags: buck as chris' parent, adoption, team as family, bobby and athena are buck's parents nothing left but you by: daisies_and_briars "in may of 2021, 25% of earth's population suddenly disappears. including eddie. in may of 2026, they all come back. eddie finds himself suddenly in the middle of a world he doesn't recognize, where the people he loves most have changed significantly." word count: 27k important tags: time skips, temporary character death, buck as chris' dad

[primamchorus]

So I've gotten moved down with my parents as I said I'd be. Thankfully, my partner and I can lend hands where hands are needed. Right now, my hands are going toward drawing whatever I can for those that are interested. Due to the nature of what's been found, I thought it would be meaningful if I were to offer flower portraits of your characters should you be interested and donate to help my parents achieve what they require to get their respective surgeries.

My dad has a mass on his kidney, and the ultrasounds show this tumor as looking kind of like a flower. So in that vein, that's why I'm choosing to do flower busts as the primary thing I'm offering. That said, I am also still willing to do Discord emotes and stickers, and as a more left field thing, do clean, neutral lighting GPose reference sheets for those that may want them. More information can be found below the read more / show all.

There is a lot of information regarding everything affecting my dad and my stepmother available on my family's GoFundMe page found here. My family supported me and fought for me when I was fighting Leukemia, the least I can do is fight as much for their sake, too.

I also understand any apprehension of donating through GoFundMe because they take a percentage of the funds raised. If you feel so inclined, you can donate directly to my dad through his PayPal, or directly to me through my Ko-Fi page.

Before commissioning me, please understand: I have no slots this time around for my work because I'd like to raise as much as I can for my parents; I don't know how bogged down with commissions I'll be. That said, please refer to this post where I will be updating it periodically to keep track of my progress.

I tend to do FCFS, but if I'm waiting on you for information or input, I will move on to the next person while you figure out what you'd like to do, or are busy because other obligations.

I will not be doing large scale commissions like last time (i.e. full bodies + background work). I want something quicker and more manageable for myself, so I'm focusing bust shots, emotes, and stickers. Please do not ask for anything other than what is listed here.

Flower Busts :: Single Character :: $50 base w/ 1 flower type + $8 per extra flower type

Discord / Twitch Emotes :: $10 per

Discord Stickers :: $20 per

Gondola Discord Sticker YCH :: $25 per

Simple GPose Reference Sheets :: $5 per turn around

If you are interested in having a character reference sheet, please know that I will need either a .chara or a .mcdf file. A .chara is just a vanilla file with no mods and should be able to be saved through Anamnesis, and a .mcdf is if you mod your characters and can export your Mare Synchronos file. When you have any of these files, please put them in a Google Drive folder and send them to me!

I will not be meeting with people in-game as an option, unfortunately, because I do have my own reference studios set up in the houses that I use for them when necessary. My schedule is also all over the place to comfortably set anything up.

[itssliyahhxoxo]

𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐲

(𝐁𝐖𝐖𝐖𝐌)

(𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐆𝐄 𝐗 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑)

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐲-you being there every single step of the way for Paige when she got her injury.

Time froze for you as you watched Paige fall down everyone rushing towards her you quickly snapped out of it when kk dragged you to Paige.

You pushed through the crowd around her what hurts you knelt down and placed her head onto your lap my knee she cried you softly touched it making Paige pull away crying even more.

Ok ok you softly said then looked to geno and shook your head tell him she wouldn’t be able to play the rest of the game everyone help her up and sat her down a medic ran towards you too and took a look at her Paige not letting go of your hand.

It looks like you tore your ACL but I could be wrong it would be best for you to got to the hospital to be sure the medic told Paige she nodded and the medic walked away not before giving you and Paige a small smile.

There was nothing anyone could do so the game started again but this time everyone favorite player wasn’t with her team on the court you stood in front of her her arms wrapped around you waist as she cried into your stomach.

You softly held her letting her cry she then looked up too you what if i can’t play anymore she cried you felt tears fill your eyes.

You knew how much Basketball was her everything to you if she won so did she all she would talk about when you to were kids was about basketball and how how she was gonna be a star so seeing her like this broke you.

You pulled her closer as you started softly crying along with her.

You Paige along with her mom and dad were with you two at the hospital when the doctor confirmed the she had tore her ACL and that she needed surgery that made you a little nervous the surgery took a couple of hours by that time Paige’s parents had went to get some food leaving you alone with your thoughts.

The door was opened and Paige’s surgeon walked In along with Paige she did good but just to worn you she still a little high due to the drugs she told you as you walked towards Paige’s bed and held her hand.

You smiled thanking her as she left you too alone Paige slowly opened her eyes with a sigh she looked around when her eyes landed on you she moved her hand away from yours wh-who are you she mumbled moving away.

You tilted your head softly smiling who do you think I don’t know but you should leave because when my wifey gets here she’s not gonna like that your here she mumbled.

Wifey huh so your married you chuckled she softly smiled closing her eyes yep.

Well I don’t see a ring on your finger you said taking her hand back in yours her eyes shot open not yet but one day all you could do was smile you sound in love you asked sitting next to her I am she smiled have you ever been in love she looked at you.

I am you looked into her eyes widened who she gasped making you laugh..you you whispered her eyes widened really.

You nodded laughing I-I don’t even know you she mumbled dose the name Leah ring a bell you asked smiling.

Her eyes widened once again and rushed up and hugged you there you are she mumbled into your shoulder you rubbed her back smiling.

You paused when you heard her snoring Paige you asked but got no answer you chucked laying her back down letting her sleep.

Don’t push yourself told Paige as you to we’re both at her physical therapy if you’re not ready then you’re not ready you laughed looking down at her as she breath heavily.

I am she closed her eyes trying to catch her breath says the one still with crutches.you laughed, sitting next to her.

Paige you have plenty of time to heal besides your spot is still gonna be there when you come back you said laying your head on her lap she looked down at you you really think so.

I know so and they would be crazy to let go of their best player you smiled she smiled down at you pulling you into a kiss your the best she mumbled into the kiss.

I know you smiled





[satansdarlin]

Ace in the hole

Apparently I can't write anything small (lol), this is technically a continuation of royal flush and pa's little Spade. I hope you enjoy this nonny! I based a bit of this on my own experience coming out as non-binary (technically I'm genderfluid but I use non-binary and fem terms more than masc)

Rating: T

Word count: 8.4k

Warnings: anxiety about coming out, transphobia (immediately shut down), overly excited boy dad remy

If you liked this check of my masterlist or put in a request if they are open

Spade, your eldest, had moved out and was living in an apartment with her fiancée Alex, but that didn't mean the house was empty. Chip, the youngest, was only turning ten this autumn, while Alice was now sixteen. On this particular afternoon, Chip was out with friends when your second oldest asked to speak with you and Remy.

"What's goin' on, poupée?" Remy asked, his accent thickening with concern. "Remy doesn't like seeing you so nervous.”

"I want to talk to you both about something serious... about me," they finally spoke. You placed your hand over Remy's. While it couldn't be as dramatic as finding seventeen-year-old Spade with a suppression collar or discovering she'd hidden a boyfriend for three months, something in your second oldest's tone made you worry.

"You can tell us anything, sweetheart."

"Could be about a boy or somethin'?" Remy chuckled teasingly, but when you squeezed his hand, he tried to compose himself. "Remy will be serious now, promise."

"You could say that," they murmured before clearing their throat. "I'm just going to say it, and you can ask questions after I'm done. I... I don't think I'm a girl. I feel like a boy. And I don't want to be a girl. I don't... want to be Alice anymore." Their voice grew quiet, nervous about their parents' reaction.

"Oh," you said softly before clearing your throat. "Well, what would you like us to call you before we proceed?"

"I... I like the name Ace."

"Sticking with the theme, huh?" Ace nodded slightly.

Remy was clearly taken aback but not angry or upset—just surprised. This wasn't a scenario he'd ever imagined. "Ace... that's a good name." You could tell your husband was searching for words. "You really feel like a boy?"

"I do, Pa. I don't think I've ever felt like a girl." He scuffed his foot against the ground, unable to meet his parents' eyes, expecting disappointment that wasn't there. You could feel your husband practically vibrating with excitement at the prospect of having a son old enough to share traditionally masculine activities with.

"Remy," you spoke in a warning tone. "Give him a moment before you start trying to teach him football." Remy deflated slightly, catching himself before his smile grew too bright. He took a deep breath, nodding as he refocused on the conversation.

"So, what does this mean for you, son? Should we start calling you Ace full time? You wanna see about a new wardrobe? And are you... are you planning on doing anything like surgery or somethin'?"

Ace was about to answer, but you caught his nervous look first.

"It's up to you, darling. Your father and I aren't upset at all. I can promise your father is thrilled about having another boy under his roof. We just want you to be comfortable."

Ace looked stunned by how well you were both taking it. While he hadn't expected a negative reaction, he'd worried about disappointing you somehow.

"You're both so cool with it..." he said, voice uncertain as he looked between you. "I just feel like a boy, honestly... I thought maybe a shorter haircut would be a good place to start."

"Remy could cut it!" your husband offered eagerly.

"You are not cutting his hair," you spoke firmly. "We will take you to get it done professionally."

"Aww, come on! Remy knows what he's doing!" he tried to protest, but your stern tone left no room for argument. He sighed before nodding. "Yeah, yeah, okay... Remy will let the professionals handle it."

Ace's shoulders visibly relaxed, tension melting away as he realized this conversation was going better than any scenario he'd imagined. "I've been looking at some clothes online too," he admitted, finally settling into the armchair across from you both. "Nothing expensive, just... different styles."

"We can go shopping this weekend if you'd like," you offered, already mentally cataloging stores that might have what he needed. "Maybe get that haircut too?"

"Oh! And Remy could—" your husband started excitedly.

"After the haircut and clothes shopping," you interrupted, knowing he was about to suggest a dozen different father-son activities. "Let's take this one step at a time, okay?"

"Actually..." Ace fidgeted with the hem of his shirt. "Could we maybe tell Spade first? Before we go shopping? I don't want her to find out from someone else, and..." He trailed off, but you understood. Spade had always been protective of her younger siblings.

"Of course, mon fils," Remy said, testing out the words. His accent wrapped warmly around the French. "Remy thinks we should invite her over for dinner tomorrow. Your choice of takeout."

"Pizza?" Ace asked hopefully, a hint of his usual mischievous smile returning.

"With extra cheese," you agreed, then added, "And what about Chip? Do you want to tell him right away?"

Ace considered this for a moment. "Maybe... maybe after Spade? He's only ten, but he's pretty smart for his age. I just don't want him accidentally telling everyone at school before I'm ready."

"That's very thoughtful of you," you said. "We can help you figure out the timing for telling others too. There's no rush."

"Speaking of school..." Remy scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Does Remy need to talk to your teachers? Or the administration?"

"Not yet," Ace said quickly, then more slowly added, "I think I want to try the other stuff first. You know, hair and clothes and... seeing how it feels at home. Is that okay?"

"More than okay," you assured him. "This is your journey, sweetheart. We're just here to support you."

"Though," Remy added with a growing grin, "Remy may have some old baseball cards in the attic that need sorting..."

You rolled your eyes fondly as Ace laughed, the sound more relaxed than you'd heard in months. "Pa, you've been trying to get someone to help you with those cards for years!"

"And now Remy has two sons to pass them down to!" he declared triumphantly, before catching himself. "That is, if you're interested in that sort of thing. No pressure."

"Maybe," Ace said, smiling. "But first... could I have a hug?"

You both moved at the same time, enveloping your son in a warm embrace. As you held him, you could feel the slight trembling in his shoulders, the release of fears he'd been carrying for who knew how long.

"We love you so much," you whispered into his hair – hair that would soon be shorter, marking the first step in his new journey. "Nothing could ever change that."

"Remy loves you too, mon fils," your husband added softly, his voice thick with emotion.

When you finally pulled apart, Ace wiped at his eyes quickly. "I love you guys too." He paused, then added with a hint of humor, "Even if Pa's going to try to teach me every sport known to man now."

"Hey! Remy is an excellent teacher!" he protested, but his eyes were twinkling.

"You taught Spade basketball and she broke a window," you reminded him dryly.

"That was one time! Remy cannot be held responsible for that!"

Ace laughed again, and you treasured the sound. There would be challenges ahead, you knew – telling family and friends, navigating school, dealing with the wider world. But right now, in this moment, your son was happy and loved, and that was what mattered most.

"So," Ace said, looking more confident than he had all afternoon. "Pizza tomorrow with Spade?"

"Pizza tomorrow," you confirmed. "And maybe this weekend we can look into that haircut."

"And the baseball cards!" Remy added hopefully.

"And maybe the baseball cards," you conceded, watching your husband and son share identical grins.

Some changes happened slowly, and others happened all at once. But as you watched Ace settle more comfortably into the conversation, already planning what style of haircut he wanted, you knew that this change – this truth – had been there all along, just waiting for the right moment to be shared.

.

.

.

The next evening came faster than expected. You'd barely finished setting out the pizza when Spade arrived, her keys jingling as she let herself in.

"Remy's oldest is here!" your husband called out excitedly, already heading for the door. "Come give your papa a hug!"

Spade rolled her eyes fondly as she was enveloped in a bear hug. "I was here last week, Pa." But she squeezed him back just as tight before making her way to you for another hug. "Where's the troublemaker squad?"

"Chip's at a sleepover," you explained, watching Ace hover nervously in the doorway to the living room. "And... Ace wanted to talk to you about something."

Spade raised an eyebrow at the unfamiliar name, but her expression softened when she saw her sibling's anxious stance. "Everything okay?"

"Maybe we should sit down," Ace suggested quietly.

You and Remy shared a look as you all settled into the living room, pizza momentarily forgotten. Ace took a deep breath, fingers twisting in his lap.

"So... you know how you always said I could tell you anything?"

"Course," Spade replied immediately. "That's what big sisters are for."

Ace winced slightly at the word 'sisters,' and Spade caught it, her brow furrowing in concentration.

"I'm... I'm your brother, actually," Ace managed, voice barely above a whisper. "I'm a boy. And my name is Ace now, not... not the old one."

Spade was quiet for exactly three seconds before "Oh! Oh shit, that makes so much sense!"

"Language," you corrected automatically, but you were smiling.

"No, but seriously," Spade continued, leaning forward. "Remember when we were kids and you kept stealing my baseball cap? And how you always wanted to be the male lead when we played pretend? And—"

"Remy feels very called out right now," your husband interrupted with a chuckle. "Because Remy didn't notice any of that."

"That's because you're oblivious, Pa," Spade said affectionately before turning back to Ace. "So, little brother, huh? Does this mean I can finally give you all those hand-me-downs Pa bought me that I never wore?"

The tension in Ace's shoulders melted away. "You're... you're okay with it?"

"Are you kidding? This is great! Now I'm not outnumbered by sisters anymore!" She paused. "Wait, have you told Chip yet?"

"Not yet," you answered. "We're taking it one step at a time. Haircut and clothes shopping this weekend."

"Remy has many plans!" your husband added excitedly. "Baseball cards, football, Remy can teach you to shave even though you don't need it yet—"

"Remy," you warned, but Spade was already laughing.

"Oh god, Pa's going to try to cram eighteen years of 'father-son bonding' into like, a week."

"Remy will pace himself!" he protested. "But also, son, if you want to learn how to throw a perfect spiral—"

"After the haircut," you and Spade said in unison.

The next week proved Spade's prediction eerily accurate. While you took Ace shopping for new clothes and to get his hair cut into a stylish short style that made his whole face light up, Remy was making lists.

"Remy found his old comic books!" he announced one morning, dragging a box from the attic. "Every boy should read these classics!"

The next day: "Does Remy's son want to learn how to change a tire? Very important skill!"

And the day after: "Remy thinks it's time for some man-to-man talks about—"

"If you try to give him The Talk right now, you're sleeping on the couch," you threatened, watching Ace turn bright red.

"Remy was just going to discuss sports statistics!"

But for all his enthusiasm, you noticed how careful Remy was too. How he always checked if Ace was interested before launching into something new. How he'd caught himself almost saying "Alice" once and had spent the rest of the day practically showering Ace with "mon fils" to make up for it.

The baseball cards turned out to be a hit, though. You found them one afternoon sprawled across the living room floor, cards arranged in careful piles as Remy explained the different statistics and players.

"And this one," Remy was saying, holding up a well-worn card, "This one was Remy's favorite when he was your age."

"Because he was a good player?"

"Non, because Remy thought his mustache was magnificent! Look at it!"

Ace's laughter echoed through the house, and you paused in the doorway just to watch them. Your husband caught your eye and smiled, and you knew he was thinking the same thing: your son had always been your son, even before you knew it. You were just finally seeing him clearly.

"Hey Pa?" Ace asked, carefully setting down a card. "Think we could try that spiral throw now?"

Remy's entire face lit up. "Remy thought you'd never ask! Let Remy get his old football—"

"In the backyard!" you called after them as they scrambled up. "If you break anything, you're both grounded!"

"Remy makes no promises!" came the cheerful reply, followed by Ace's giggling.

You shook your head fondly as you watched them through the window, Remy positioning Ace's arms just so, demonstrating the proper grip on the ball. There would be broken windows in your future, you were certain, but watching your son and husband together, you couldn't bring yourself to mind.

Some things were worth a few repair bills.

.

.

.

A few weeks later, after Ace had settled into his new haircut and wardrobe, and after Remy had only broken one flower pot with their football practices, it was time to tell Chip. The ten-year-old was sprawled on the living room floor doing homework when Ace decided it was time.

"Hey squirt," Ace said, settling cross-legged on the floor near his little brother. "Can we talk for a minute?"

"Is this about the cookies missing from the jar? Because that wasn't me, it was Pa. Remy did it," Chip said without looking up from his math worksheet.

"Remy would never!" came the indignant call from the kitchen, followed by your knowing snort.

"Actually," Ace continued, fighting back a smile, "it's about something else. Something important."

That got Chip's attention. He set down his pencil and sat up, looking between you, Remy, and Ace with growing curiosity. "Are we getting a dog?"

"Non, but Remy likes where your head's at," your husband grinned, earning an elbow from you.

"Focus, please," you reminded them gently. "Ace has something he wants to tell you."

Chip's brow furrowed. "Who's Ace?"

"I am," Ace said softly. "That's... that's what I wanted to talk to you about. You know how you've always called me your big sister?"

"Yeah?" Chip drew the word out uncertainly.

"Well, I'm actually your big brother. I'm a boy, like you. And my name is Ace now, not the old name."

Chip stared at him for a long moment, his face scrunched up in that way it did when he was processing new information. "But you were a girl yesterday."

"Non, mon petit," Remy interjected gently. "Ace has always been a boy, we just didn't know it yet. Like when you got your glasses and suddenly realized the trees had individual leaves instead of being big green blobs."

"Oh." Chip considered this. "Is that why you got your hair cut? And why Pa keeps trying to teach you football even though he's really bad at it?"

"Remy resents that accusation!"

"You hit Mrs. Peterson's cat with the ball last week, Pa."

"The cat ran into the ball's path! Remy maintains his innocence!"

You cleared your throat loudly, bringing the focus back to the matter at hand. Ace was watching his little brother anxiously, waiting for more questions or maybe rejection.

"So..." Chip said slowly, "you're my brother now?"

"Yeah," Ace nodded. "If... if that's okay?"

Chip shrugged. "Okay. Can you still help me with my math homework? You're way better at it than Spade."

"Don't let your sister hear you say that," you warned, but your heart warmed at how easily Chip was taking this.

"Wait," Chip's head snapped up suddenly. "Does this mean I have to share my video games with you now? Because Pa always says brothers have to share, and when I visit Tommy's house his big brother never shares the good controller, and—"

"Remy thinks we can figure out a fair system," your husband chuckled. "But maybe we should let Ace answer your other questions first?"

"Oh, right." Chip turned back to Ace. "Does it hurt?"

"Does what hurt?"

"Turning into a boy."

Ace smiled gently. "I didn't turn into a boy, buddy. I always was one, inside. I just... didn't have the words to tell you before."

"Like when I knew the answer in class but couldn't remember how to say it?"

"Something like that, yeah."

Chip nodded sagely. "Cool. Can we have pizza for dinner?"

You laughed. "We had pizza last night."

"Yeah, but Ace is my brother now! We should celebrate!" Chip paused thoughtfully. "Unless you were already my brother yesterday when we had pizza. Were you?"

"I was," Ace confirmed, looking more relaxed now.

"Oh. Well, we should still have pizza. Just to make sure it counts."

"Remy seconds this motion!" your husband called out.

"Remy is not helping," you said dryly, but you were already reaching for your phone to order. Some battles weren't worth fighting, especially when your youngest was being so wonderfully accepting.

"Hey Ace?" Chip asked while you were ordering. "If you're my brother now, does that mean you'll teach me how to climb the big tree in the backyard? Pa says I'm not allowed to learn from Spade anymore after she fell through Mrs. Peterson's fence."

"Absolutely not," you called out, covering the phone.

"Remy will teach you both!" your husband declared proudly.

"Absolutely NOT," you repeated more firmly.

"Remy was just kidding, poupée!" But he winked at the boys when you turned back to your call.

You watched as Chip scooted closer to Ace, shoving his math homework between them. "This problem's really hard," he said. "But maybe my big brother can help?"

The smile that spread across Ace's face at those words could have lit up the whole house. "Yeah," he said, voice slightly thick with emotion. "Your big brother can definitely help."

"Remy is not crying," your husband announced, wiping his eyes. "Remy just has allergies."

"To math?" Chip asked innocently.

"Oui, exactly! Remy is very allergic to math!"

As you finished ordering the pizza, you couldn't help but smile at your family. Sometimes the biggest changes were met with the simplest acceptance, especially when seen through the eyes of a child who just wanted pizza and help with his homework.

And maybe, you thought as you watched Ace patiently explain fractions to his little brother, that's exactly how it should be.

"Hey Ace?" Chip asked suddenly. "Do I have to give you my dessert now? Because Tommy says his big brother always takes his dessert and—"

"Remy thinks that's enough questions about Tommy's brother!"

The sound of your children's laughter filled the room, and you knew that everything was going to be just fine.

.

.

.

A year had passed, and the changes in Ace were remarkable. Not just the physical ones – though the hormone therapy he'd started six months ago had begun to deepen his voice and reshape his face – but the confidence. Gone was the nervous teenager who'd paced in front of you and Remy that first day. Your son now walked with his head high, laughed freely, and had even started a GSA at his school.

The mall was crowded that Saturday afternoon. Chip had outgrown his shoes again ("Remy swears he grows overnight!"), and Ace needed new binders since he'd been working out with Remy in the garage gym.

"Remy thinks we should look at sports equipment while we're here," your husband suggested hopefully, making both boys perk up.

"After shoes and binders," you reminded them, steering the group toward the athletic store. "One thing at a—"

"Did you see that?" A loud whisper cut through the mall chatter. "That girl's trying to be a boy. It's disgusting what parents let their kids do these days."

You felt Ace stiffen beside you, his shoulders hunching slightly. Remy's face darkened, and you could see him starting to turn, his protective papa bear instincts flaring.

But you were faster.

"Excuse me?" Your voice carried across the walkway, sharp as steel. The middle-aged couple who'd been whispering jumped, not expecting confrontation. "Would you care to repeat what you just said about my son?"

"Your son?" The woman sneered, doubling down. "That's clearly a confused young lady who—"

"The only confused person here," you cut in, stepping forward, "is you, if you think I'm going to stand here and let you talk about my child like that. My son is braver than you'll ever be, living his truth despite people like you who think they have any right to comment on his life."

"Now see here—" the woman's husband started to interject.

"Non, you see here," Remy growled, moving to stand beside you, but you held up a hand.

"I'm not finished," you said, your voice deadly calm. "My son has more courage in his little finger than you have in your entire body. He gets up every day and faces a world full of small, narrow-minded people like you, and he does it with grace and strength that you couldn't begin to understand."

"Parents like you are what's wrong with—" the woman tried again.

"Parents like me?" Now you laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Parents like me who love their children unconditionally? Who support them and protect them and celebrate who they are? You're right, that must be terrible compared to parents who teach their children to be judgmental, hateful, and to make cruel comments about strangers in public places."

You felt Chip slip his hand into yours, squeezing tight. Ace stood frozen, watching with wide eyes.

"If you're so concerned about parenting," you continued, your voice rising slightly, "maybe worry about the example you're setting right now, teaching that it's okay to bully teenagers in shopping malls. Is that the legacy you want to leave? Is that the kind of person you want to be?"

The couple seemed to shrink under your words, finally seeming to notice the small crowd that had gathered.

"My son is kind, intelligent, and brave. He has a family who loves him and friends who support him. What he doesn't have is time for your ignorance or any obligation to justify his existence to you. So I suggest you take your outdated prejudices and remove yourself from our presence before I decide to speak with mall security about harassment."

"Remy suggests you listen to his wife," your husband added, his accent thick with barely contained anger. "Remy is not as diplomatic as she is."

The couple retreated, red-faced and muttering, but you weren't done. You turned to address the onlookers directly.

"And that goes for anyone else who thinks they have the right to comment on my son's life. You don't. End of discussion."

A smattering of applause broke out from the crowd, making the couple hurry away faster. You turned back to your family, your hands shaking slightly with leftover adrenaline.

"Mom," Ace whispered, his eyes suspiciously bright. "That was... you didn't have to..."

"Yes, I did," you said firmly, pulling him into a hug. "I absolutely did."

"Remy is so proud right now," your husband declared, wrapping his arms around both of you. "Though Remy thinks he should point out that he was about to say something too."

"You were too slow, Pa," Chip piped up, squeezing into the group hug. "Mom was like a superhero! Like Wonder Woman, but scarier!"

A laugh bubbled up from Ace's throat, slightly watery but genuine. "Yeah, she kind of was."

"Nobody," you said firmly, pulling back to look your son in the eyes, "and I mean nobody, gets to make you feel less than who you are. You're my son, and I will fight anyone who tries to hurt you."

"Even though you tell us fighting isn't the answer?" Chip asked innocently.

"Remy thinks your maman just proved that words can be the strongest weapons," your husband said wisely, then ruined it by adding, "But also, Remy knows how to throw a mean right hook if needed."

"Nobody is throwing any hooks," you said firmly, but you squeezed Remy's hand in gratitude. "Now, let's go get what we came for. And maybe ice cream after."

"Before sports equipment?" Chip gasped dramatically.

"Remy thinks this calls for both ice cream AND sports equipment."

As you walked through the mall, you noticed Ace's posture had straightened again, his head held high. A few people who'd witnessed the confrontation smiled at him supportively, and one elderly woman actually stopped to tell him she had a transgender grandson and was so happy to see supportive parents.

"Hey Mom?" Ace said quietly as you waited in line for ice cream. "Thank you. For... for everything."

"Always," you promised, pulling him close again. "Always and forever, no matter what."

"And if anyone else wants to start something," Chip announced, trying to make his voice deep and intimidating, "they'll have to deal with all of us!"

"Remy's money is still on your maman," your husband stage-whispered. "Did you see how fast those people ran? Now you two know why remy fell in love with your maman."

You rolled your eyes fondly at your family's antics, but your heart was full. Let anyone try to hurt your children – they'd learn quickly that a mama bear's love was fiercer than any prejudice.

"So," you said, changing the subject as you reached the counter. "Who wants extra sprinkles?"

"Remy does!" three voices chorused in unison, and just like that, the afternoon was back on track. Because that's what family did – they stood up for each other, protected each other, and then got ice cream with extra sprinkles.

And sometimes, that was all the victory you needed.

.

.

.

The house was unusually quiet with Remy taking Chip to his soccer tournament for the weekend. You were just finishing up the breakfast dishes when Ace wandered into the kitchen, still in his pajamas despite it being nearly noon.

"Did Pa text yet about Chip's game?" he asked, sliding onto one of the barstools at the counter.

"Mhm. Apparently 'Remy's youngest is a star in the making!'" you mimicked your husband's enthusiastic tone. "Though he also admitted Chip spent the first half waving at a dog on the sidelines."

Ace snorted, reaching for the coffee pot. You slid it away from his grasp.

"Ah-ah. If you're going to have coffee, you have to have breakfast first. I know for a fact you haven't eaten yet."

"I'm seventeen, Maman," he protested, but there was a smile tugging at his lips. "Nearly eighteen."

"And I'm your mother who knows you skip breakfast when you're anxious about things," you countered, already pulling eggs from the fridge. "Want to tell me what's on your mind while I make you an omelet?"

Ace fidgeted with the sleeve of his sleep shirt. "It's stupid."

"I doubt that very much." You cracked the eggs into a bowl, adding a splash of milk. "Is it about the college applications?"

"Kind of?" He sighed, slumping forward onto the counter. "It's just... all the applications ask for gender, and some of them want to know about name changes, and I know it's illegal for them to discriminate but..."

"But it's still scary," you finished softly, understanding flooding through you. "Oh, mon cœur."

"Told you it was stupid."

"It's not stupid at all," you assured him, pouring the egg mixture into the pan. "It's a big step, and it's okay to be nervous about it. Have you looked at the LGBTQ+ resources for any of the schools you're interested in?"

"A little," he admitted. "The one in Boston seems really good. They have gender-neutral housing options and everything."

You hummed thoughtfully as you added cheese to the omelet. "That's the one with the strong engineering program, right?"

"Yeah." He perked up slightly. "They have this really cool robotics lab, and their website showed some of the projects students have worked on—" He cut himself off, blushing. "Sorry, I know I've talked about it before."

"Hey." You slid the finished omelet onto a plate and placed it in front of him. "I love hearing you talk about things you're passionate about. Never apologize for that."

He poked at the omelet with his fork. "Even if it means moving across the country?"

Ah. There it was.

"Even then," you said firmly, starting another omelet for yourself. "Though I won't pretend I won't miss you terribly. But that's what parents do – we raise you to chase your dreams, even when those dreams take you far away."

"Pa's going to cry so much at graduation."

"Oh, absolutely. Remy's already gone through three packages of tissues just thinking about it." You settled across from him with your own plate. "But you know what?"

"What?"

"We're all going to be so proud watching you walk across that stage. Every tear will be worth it."

Ace ducked his head, but you caught his smile. "Thanks, Maman."

"Now eat your breakfast so we can start our day properly."

He looked up, curious. "Start our day?"

"Well," you said casually, "I thought since the boys are away, we could have a mother-son day. Unless you're too grown up for that now?"

"Never," he said quickly, making you laugh. "What did you have in mind?"

"I was thinking we could start with that new bookstore downtown – the one with the engineering section you've been wanting to check out. Then maybe lunch at that café you like, the one with the good hot chocolate? And after..." you paused dramatically, "I may have gotten us appointments at that salon you mentioned. The one that specializes in masculine haircuts?"

Ace's whole face lit up. "Really? But I thought you said my last haircut would last a while..."

"That was before you showed me the picture of that undercut style you like," you smiled. "Besides, every boy needs to treat himself sometimes."

"Even with college coming up? I know it's expensive..."

"Ace," you reached across the counter to squeeze his hand. "Let me spoil my son a little, okay? You've worked so hard this year – with school, with transitioning, with everything. You deserve nice things."

He squeezed your hand back. "Okay. But can we maybe... can we also stop by that tea shop you like? The one with all the fancy blends? Since we're spoiling people today?"

Your heart melted a little. "That sounds perfect."

An hour later, you were strolling down the main street, window shopping and talking about everything and nothing. Ace had inherited your love of people-watching, and you spent a good twenty minutes making up stories about passersby while sharing a bag of roasted nuts from a street vendor.

In the bookstore, you watched proudly as he confidently asked the clerk about their engineering section, no trace of the shy uncertainty that used to color his interactions with strangers. He ended up with two new books on robotics and, at your insistence, a novel he'd been eyeing.

"For fun reading," you insisted when he protested. "Life can't be all textbooks and college applications."

The café was busy, but you managed to snag your favorite corner table. Ace wrapped his hands around his hot chocolate, looking thoughtful.

"Remember when we used to do this when I was little?" he asked suddenly. "Before... before I knew? You'd take me here when I was sad, and we'd make up stories about the other customers."

"I remember," you said softly. "You always ordered the same thing – hot chocolate with extra whipped cream and chocolate shavings."

"Still do," he grinned, taking a sip that left a whipped cream mustache on his upper lip.

"Some things never change," you laughed, passing him a napkin. "Though some things do. All good changes."

He wiped his mouth, expression turning serious. "Do you ever... do you ever miss how things were? Before?"

"No," you said without hesitation. "Because we didn't have you then – not really. We had a child who was hurting and hiding. Now we have our son, who smiles more, laughs more, and orders the same ridiculously sweet hot chocolate he always has." You reached across the table to touch his cheek. "The only thing I miss is that I didn't know sooner, so you didn't have to hurt for so long."

"Maman," he whispered, eyes suspiciously bright.

"Now drink your chocolate before it gets cold," you said briskly, pretending not to wipe at your own eyes. "We have a haircut appointment to get to."

The salon was everything Ace had hoped for. The stylist, a young man with bright blue hair, took one look at the reference photo and launched into an excited discussion about face shapes and styling options. You sat back and watched as your son animated discussing what he wanted, how he styled his hair, what products he used.

"Your son has great bone structure," the stylist told you as he worked. "This cut's going to look amazing on him."

You didn't miss how Ace's face lit up at the casual use of 'son,' or how he sat a little straighter in the chair.

When it was done, the undercut was perfect – professional enough for college interviews but with enough edge to make Ace grin at his reflection.

"What do you think?" he asked, running his hands through the longer top section.

"I think you look very handsome," you said honestly. "Very you."

The tea shop was your last stop, where Ace insisted on buying you three new blends ("One for each acceptance letter I'm going to get," he declared confidently).

As you walked back to the car, shopping bags swinging between you, Ace bumped his shoulder against yours.

"Thanks, Maman. For today. For everything."

"Thank you for being you," you replied simply. "For trusting us with who you are. For letting us walk this journey with you."

"Even when I'm in Boston?"

"Especially then." You linked your arm through his. "Though you better believe I'm making your father set up video chat on every device we own."

"Oh god," he groaned. "Pa's going to try to teach me football through the computer, isn't he?"

"Probably," you laughed. "But that's what family is for – loving you and embarrassing you, no matter how far away you go."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," he said softly.

Neither would you, you thought as you drove home, your son singing along to the radio beside you. Neither would you.

.

.

.

"Pa?" Ace lingered in the garage doorway, watching as Remy adjusted the weights on the bench press. "Can I... can I talk to you about something?"

Remy sat up, wiping his brow with a towel. "Of course, mon fils. Remy is always here to listen."

Ace shifted from foot to foot, a gesture that reminded Remy so much of when his son had first come out. "There's this person at school... in my GSA group..."

"Ah," Remy's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Remy understands. Come, sit." He patted the weight bench beside him.

"Their name is Sky," Ace said, settling next to his father. "They're non-binary, and they're just... they're amazing, Pa. They do these incredible pencil sketches, and they're so passionate about environmental justice, and..." He trailed off, blushing.

"And they make your heart do that funny little flip, non?" Remy gently nudged his son's shoulder.

"Yeah," Ace admitted, ducking his head. "But I don't know how to... I mean, I've never... and what if they don't..."

"Would you like to hear how Remy won your maman's heart?" Remy asked, his eyes twinkling.

"Mom says you knocked over an entire display of books trying to ask her out," Ace laughed.

"Ah, but did she tell you why?" Remy leaned back, grinning at the memory. "Remy was so nervous, you see. Your maman was – is – the most incredible person Remy had ever met. Remy thought surely someone so amazing would never look twice at him."

"But Mom loves you more than anything," Ace protested.

"Oui, and you know why? Because Remy finally stopped trying to be perfect and just showed her his heart." Remy's voice softened. "Love isn't about being smooth or having all the right words. It's about being brave enough to be yourself."

Ace absorbed this, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. "Sky asked if I wanted to get coffee after GSA meeting tomorrow."

"And?"

"I panicked and said I had to help Mom organize the pantry." Ace groaned, covering his face. "Our pantry is already organized!"

Remy chuckled warmly. "Then perhaps you should text Sky, tell them you've had a miraculous breakthrough in time management, and ask if the offer still stands?"

"But what if..." Ace took a deep breath. "What if they don't like me once they really know me? What if being trans is too complicated for them?"

"Mon fils," Remy turned serious, placing a gentle hand on Ace's shoulder. "The right person will love you for exactly who you are. Being trans is part of your story, but it's not all of who you are. You are also kind, funny, smart, and have your maman's fierce heart."

"Sky makes these little paper cranes during meetings," Ace confided, a soft smile playing at his lips. "They leave them all over school with positive messages inside. Last week, I found one that said 'You are exactly who you're meant to be.'"

"They sound très special," Remy observed. "And very wise."

"Yeah," Ace pulled out his phone, staring at it thoughtfully. "They really are."

"You know," Remy said casually, standing up. "Remy thinks the pantry could survive without reorganization for one afternoon."

Ace's fingers flew over his phone keyboard before he could lose his nerve. The response came almost immediately, making his face light up.

"They said yes! Coffee tomorrow!" His excitement quickly shifted to panic. "Oh god, coffee tomorrow. What do I wear? What do I say? Pa, help!"

"First," Remy laughed, pulling his son into a hug, "you breathe. Then, perhaps we ask your maman to help with the outfit? She always says Remy would still be wearing cargo shorts if she hadn't intervened."

"Hey Pa?" Ace mumbled into Remy's shoulder. "Thanks. For... you know."

"Remy knows," he pressed a kiss to the top of his son's head. "And Remy is always here. Now, let's go raid your closet before your maman gets home and vetoes everything."

As they headed inside, Remy watched his son practically bouncing with nervous excitement. He remembered that feeling – still felt it sometimes when your smile caught him off guard – and sent up a quiet prayer that Sky would see the treasure that Ace was.

"Pa?" Ace called from halfway up the stairs. "Do you think it's too much if I learn to make paper cranes before tomorrow?"

Remy's heart swelled with love for this wonderful boy who had taught him so much about courage and being true to oneself. "Remy thinks that sounds parfait."

And if Remy spent the next hour watching origami tutorials with his son, well, that's what fathers were for.

.

.

.

The coffee shop buzzed with afternoon energy as Ace fidgeted with the small paper crane hidden in his jacket pocket. After hours of practice (and a small mountain of crumpled attempts), he'd managed to fold one that didn't look completely terrible. Inside, in his neatest handwriting, he'd written: "Thank you for making the world a little brighter."

He'd arrived fifteen minutes early, partly because Mom had insisted it was polite, and partly because his nerves wouldn't let him wait at home any longer. Chip had tried to tag along ("I'll be your wingman!"), but thankfully Pa had intervened, distracting him with the promise of teaching him to make gumbo.

The bell above the door chimed, and Ace's heart did a somersault. Sky walked in, their azure hair catching the sunlight, wearing a oversized sweater decorated with tiny embroidered stars. They'd added a new pin to their collection – a sparkly rainbow telescope that read "See the Universe Differently."

"Hi," Sky said, sliding into the seat across from him. Their smile was soft and slightly nervous, making Ace feel better about his own butterflies. "You look nice."

Ace silently thanked Mom for helping him pick out the dark blue button-down that brought out his eyes. "So do you. I like your new pin."

"Thanks!" Sky touched it reflexively. "I got it at the science museum last weekend. They had this amazing exhibit about perspective and how different cultures see the same constellations..."

They launched into an enthusiastic explanation about Indigenous star stories versus Greek mythology, their hands dancing as they spoke. Ace found himself leaning forward, captivated not just by the subject but by Sky's infectious passion.

"Oh gosh," Sky caught themselves, blushing. "I'm rambling. We should probably order?"

"No, it's fascinating!" Ace insisted. "I had no idea the Big Dipper had so many different stories. Though, uh, coffee would be good too."

They approached the counter together, shoulders brushing. Sky ordered a lavender latte with oat milk, while Ace got his usual iced mocha. When he reached for his wallet, Sky gently touched his arm.

"Let me? You can get the next one... if you want there to be a next one?"

Ace's cheeks warmed. "I'd like that."

Back at their table, they fell into easy conversation. Sky asked about the GSA's upcoming projects, and Ace shared his ideas for an art showcase featuring LGBTQ+ student work.

"That's brilliant!" Sky's eyes lit up. "Art can say things that words sometimes can't. Like those paper cranes you keep finding."

Ace's hand instinctively touched his pocket. "About those..." He took a deep breath, channeling his Pa's advice about being brave enough to be himself. "I actually... here."

He pulled out the crane, slightly squished but still recognizable, and placed it in Sky's palm.

Sky's expression softened as they carefully unfolded it, reading the message inside. For a moment, they were quiet, and Ace's heart thundered in his chest.

"You know," Sky said finally, their voice gentle, "I've been leaving those cranes hoping you'd find them. Most of them were meant for you."

"Really?"

Sky nodded, pulling their backpack onto their lap. From a side pocket, they retrieved a small tin. Inside were dozens of tiny, perfectly folded cranes in various patterns – stars, rainbows, galaxies. "I've been practicing for months, but I never had the courage to give you one directly."

Ace laughed, relief and joy bubbling up. "I spent all night learning to make just one!"

"It's perfect," Sky declared, carefully refolding Ace's crane and tucking it into their tin. "My first crane looked like it had been stepped on by an elephant."

"You should have seen my first attempts. My little brother made one into a paper airplane and launched it at my Pa."

They shared stories about their families – Sky's two moms who ran an art gallery, Ace's amazing parents and hurricane of a little brother. The afternoon slipped away, punctuated by laughter and shared smiles.

As the sun began to set, painting the coffee shop in warm gold, Sky reached across the table and tentatively took Ace's hand.

"Thank you," they said softly. "For being brave enough to make me a crane."

Ace interlaced their fingers, marveling at how natural it felt. "Thank you for making me want to be brave."

Later, when Mom picked him up (because of course she had parked around the corner "just in case"), her knowing smile said everything.

"Good date?" she asked, though his glowing face surely gave it away.

"The best," Ace sighed happily, pulling out his phone where Sky had already texted:

*Next time, let me teach you how to make galaxy-patterned ones? 🌌🦋*

He quickly replied: *Only if you let me buy the coffee 🌟*

"You know," Mom said as they drove home, "when your Pa first asked me out, he knocked over an entire bookshelf trying to impress me with his knowledge of French literature."

"Pa told me," Ace grinned. "But did he tell you I almost knocked over the creamer display trying to help Sky with their coffee?"

Mom laughed, reaching over to squeeze his hand. "Like father, like son."

And somehow, that felt exactly right.

.

.

.

Three months into dating Sky, and Ace still couldn't believe how perfect everything felt. They'd fallen into a comfortable rhythm – study dates at the library, GSA meetings, afternoons in the park where Sky would sketch while Ace read to them from whatever book he was currently devouring. Each day brought new paper cranes, now exchanged between them like secret messages, carrying words of affection and support.

But there was one secret Ace hadn't shared yet, one that made him increasingly anxious as their relationship deepened. It wasn't just about being trans anymore – Sky had proven wonderfully supportive of that part of him. No, this secret was about the way electronics seemed to malfunction around him when his emotions ran high, about the strange calm that radiated from him when he was centered, about the way he could sometimes feel the energy flowing through everything and everyone around him.

The revelation came unexpectedly, as such things often do.

They were all in the backyard – Mom tending her garden, Pa grilling (and occasionally making the flames dance for his own amusement), and Chip practicing his newly discovered ability to create small force fields by bouncing energy off Ace's passive energy field. Sky was supposed to come over for dinner in an hour, giving Ace plenty of time to help Mom finish setting up the patio for their meal.

"Ace!" Chip called out, his face scrunched in concentration. "Watch this! I figured out how to make them bigger!"

Before anyone could stop him, Chip channeled a massive burst of energy toward Ace's natural field. Normally, Ace could absorb and redirect such energy – it was why he and Chip made such good training partners. But this time, the sheer magnitude caught him off guard.

The resulting explosion of energy sent a wave of pure calm radiating outward, strong enough to make every electronic device in a two-block radius temporarily shut down. The garden lights flickered, Pa's phone died, and the neighbor's wind chimes suddenly went still.

And there, standing at the garden gate with wide eyes and a handful of paper cranes, was Sky.

"I can explain," Ace said quickly, his heart racing as the energy around him pulsed with his anxiety. The garden lights began to strobe in response to his distress.

"Mon fils, breathe," Pa called from the grill, his own powers keeping the flames steady despite the energy fluctuations. "Remember what we practiced."

Sky hadn't moved, their eyes taking in everything – the dying lights, Chip's guilty face, the strange stillness in the air around Ace.

"I'm sorry," Ace whispered, trying to rein in his powers. "I should have told you sooner. I just... I was scared. Being trans was one thing, but being a mutant too... I didn't want it to be too much."

"Too much?" Sky's voice was soft as they stepped through the gate. The paper cranes in their hand rustled gently in the energy field still radiating from Ace. "Ace, you make the world calmer just by existing in it. How could that ever be too much?"

Mom and Pa exchanged knowing looks as Sky moved closer to Ace, reaching out to take his trembling hand. The moment they touched, the energy field stabilized, the lights stopped flickering, and a profound sense of peace settled over the yard.

"Oh," Sky breathed, feeling the gentle wave of tranquility that always emanated from Ace when he was content. "Is this what you feel all the time?"

"Kind of," Ace admitted. "I can sense and manipulate passive energy. Usually, I can control it better, but when Chip gets excited..."

"Sorry!" Chip called out, not sounding sorry at all. "But hey, at least now Sky knows why their phone always has full battery when they're around you!"

Sky's eyes widened. "Is that why? I thought I just had really good battery life lately!"

"Yeah," Ace ducked his head, embarrassed. "I kind of... subconsciously share calm energy with people I care about. It can affect electronics too."

"That's amazing," Sky squeezed his hand. "Though it does explain why my laptop never gets the spinning wheel of death when we study together."

"You're... really okay with this?" Ace asked hesitantly.

Sky pulled out one of their paper cranes – this one made from galaxy-patterned paper – and handed it to him. "Open it."

With slightly shaky fingers, Ace unfolded the crane. Inside, in Sky's flowing handwriting, were the words: "You make my world more magical just by being in it."

"I wrote that before I knew about your powers," Sky said softly. "And it's still true. Maybe even more true now."

The garden lights suddenly blazed brilliantly before settling into a warm, steady glow – a physical manifestation of the joy surging through Ace.

"Remy thinks this calls for a celebration!" Pa declared, flipping a burger with a unnecessarily dramatic flame flourish. "Sky, you like your burger medium-rare, non?"

"And now you know why we never have to worry about Pa's grilling getting out of control," Mom laughed, coming over to hug both Ace and Sky. "Welcome to our peculiar little family."

"Does this mean you can teach me how to make glowing paper cranes?" Sky asked Ace excitedly. "Because I have so many ideas..."

"After dinner," Mom insisted. "And after we explain the house rules about powers. Rule one being no using Ace as an energy battery for art projects without supervision."

"That was one time," Chip protested. "And the scorch marks mostly came out of the ceiling!"

As his family began sharing increasingly embarrassing stories about power-related mishaps, Ace felt the last of his anxiety melt away. Sky hadn't run. They were still here, still holding his hand, still looking at him like he was something wonderful.

"Hey," Sky whispered, bumping their shoulder against his. "Think you could teach me how to make those galaxy-pattern cranes actually sparkle?"

Ace smiled, letting a tiny pulse of energy make the paper crane in Sky's hand glow softly. "I think we can figure something out."

And as his family gathered around the patio table, powers on casual display – Pa making the candles dance, Mom using her enhanced strength to effortlessly move furniture, Chip creating tiny force field bubbles to catch falling napkins – Ace realized that sometimes the best secrets were the ones you got to share with the people you loved.

Even if those secrets occasionally caused neighborhood-wide power fluctuations.

[nekosd43]

HI EVERYONE IM PANICKING

Here's the short version:

Im moving in six days, i found out two days ago :)))))

We've got the initial deposits covered

We currently have no furniture (including no bed)

Our pantry will be completely empty

We have no household goods except a couple pots and pans.

I have to take care of my dad while he's on chemo

Partner's cat is having surgery two days after we move

I won't get paid again until the end of the month

We aren't in danger, I want to emphasize that.

But things are going to be very stressful. Neither of us has lived on our own before, and the wrinkle of my Dad's chemo is making things much more complicated than we would want it to be since I'll be going back and forth between our place and my parents. His mom is leaving the state entirely, so our support network is Less Than Great right now.

Everything is awful for everyone right now so I don't want anyone to feel like they OWE me something. I'm not ASKING for donations, but if someone WANTS to, my Kofi is available. Again, no one is obligated, everything is stressful for everyone.

I WOULD like everyone to give me one housewarming gift though - I'd like some recipes! I've never been allowed to cook and this will be the first time I'm learning, so I would love to have some recipes from friends to try out.

Check out my Recipe Book Google Form and send me some recipes!

And thank you all for all your love and support <3

[luuvprincess]

Deacon Kay 🏌🏽‍♀️(4)

Summary: They take their relationship to the next level

Words: 1285

Warning : Things get reallyy smutty ⚠️‼️😭

3rd Preson Perspective

It was the end of shift everyone was leaving. Deacon walked up to his locker room opening it up. He pulled his bag out and collected his items. He pulls his phone out texting Desiree she would be on his way home.

"Your still here Deac?" Hondo asked.

"Yea I was looking for you actually. I wanted to talk to you about something." Deacon said as he closed his locker. Hondo gathered his things together and the two Sargents began walking out the building.

"So what's sup? Everything good with my sister?" Hondo asked.

"Oh yea everything is great." Deacon says stopping in his tracks. He pulls out a black velvet box catching Hondo attention.

"Wait wait are you about to ask me what I think your gonna ask me?" Hondo asked.

"Over the past few years meeting your sister after not thinking I would ever find someone again after losing Annie. She so prefect and I am beyond grateful for her to be in my life and in the kids life she might not be Annie but she is prefect and I just want to lock everything in before it's to late and I can't do that without your blessing." Deacon said.

"If you think y'all are ready for this man then you have a my blessing. I've haven't seen my little sister this happy since her ex-husband so I know your good for her." Hondo says.

After this conversation deacon was to ready to start planning. But the next day came and something unexpected happened.

"Des is my daddy gonna be okay?" Matthew asked as they sat in the waiting room for deacon to get out of surgery.

"Matt your dad is gonna be just fine." Desiree said to the little boy as she rocked the youngest in her arms. Giving it was passed their bed time. Annie’s parents weren't in town so Des had no other choice but the take the kids with her to the hospital.

"How do you know?" He asked.

"Because I trust him and because he's a super hero that's always putting the bad guys away." She said.

"Mrs Kay." The nurses calls out causing Desiree to look up the nurse smiles at her and walks up to her. "Your husband is out surgery you can go see him now his in room 236." She said. Desiree nodded her head and gets up slowly not to wake up Samuel. She shakes Lila out her sleep. 

Few days later

Desiree walked into the house smelling her favorite candle burning and a trail of roses on the floor. She put her stuff down and followed the trail of roses leading her to the bedroom.

"Baby are you in here?" She called out as she walked up to the bed. She seen a black box with a white bow on it. She picked up the note that was left on top of the box.

You got 30mins to get ready and put this on then your gonna meet me downstairs ~ David

She smiled and pulled out the dress. When she seen it gasped shocked that Deacon picked it out. She walked to the bathroom turning the shower on. 30 mins went by Desiree was ready and dressed.

"So who picked this dress out because I know it wasn't you." Desiree said as they sat across from each other. 

"Why don't you believe I picked the dress out?" He asked with a smile.

"Be serious David." She said not believing him.

"I'm serious I actually picked your outfit." He tells her.

"Okay sergeant you got some taste." She said honestly surprised they both laughed.

"I just know my girl." He says making Desiree blush so hard she couldn't hide it.

"Hi can I start with some drinks?" The waiter said as she walked up to the table. They placed their orders. After they placed their order the waiter walked away. Time went by they got drinks and food.

"Can I tell you something?" Deacon says as they walked down the sidewalk.

"Go for it baby." Des says. Deacon stopped just as they reached their 2nd destination.

"I love you and I appreciate you so much for everything you have done for me and the kids since Annie passed away." He says making Desiree blush extremely crazy. "So that's with that being said...follow me." He said leading her around the corner.

"Oh my god David Kay you sneaky man." She said covering her mouth surprised. "Baby this is beautiful." She said turning to him as he was down on one knee holding a beautiful ring a in Tiffany box.

"These 4 years with you Desiree have been the best years of my life well besides my kids borning." He said making her giggle a little.

"Seriously Desiree I never thought that I would meet someone again until I met you. Your everything I could ask for. Not only do you love me but you also love my kids as if they were your own so with that being said will you Marry me Desiree Harrelson?" He asked.

Desiree nodded her head as tears rushed down her cheek. "Yes David I would love to marry you." She said Deacon took the ring out the box and slid it on her finger then stood up picking her up kissing her deeply.

Her nails dug deeply into his skin as he thrusted deeply inside her. She bit down on her lip holding her moans with her eyes rolling to back of her head.

"Let me hear you beautiful don't be afraid." He tells her leaning down kissing her. She moaned into the kiss.

"Ahh fuck David." She moaned gripping his biceps leaving marks all over his body. "Mmm shit." She gasped as he hit her spot.

"You like that gorgeous?" He asked kissing in between her boobs then sucked on her left nipple teasing her slightly swirling his tongue then moved to her right nipple doing the same.

He pulled out unexpectedly Desiree sat on resting on her elbows looking at him. "Turn around." He tells her. She did as told. Deacon leaned over into his nightstand grabbing his hand cuffs. He grabbed both her arms and cuffed them behind her back.

"Daviddd." She whined as he left feather kisses down her back. "Please fuck me." She begged.

"Relax gorgeous We'll get there soon." He tells her smacking her ass making her moaning out in pleasure. He kissed her very sensitive heat and began sucking on her clit making her jerk.

"David." She whined as he eat her out like he was the last meal on this earth. He took his to fingers sticking them into her core finger fucking her making her a moaning mess. "David I'm gonna cum."  She tells him.

"Cum for me beautiful." He says then connects his lips again with her second on. Seconds later she came in his mouth. He stood behind her spitting on her entrances before he slipped in.

"You feel so amazing Desiree." He wisphered as he gripped her ass. "I'm going to fuck you like the slut you are I hope you don't have any plans for tomorrow because you won't be walking."  He said in his ear as he pulls her to his chest.

"Take your time Sergeant Kay." She tells him

"Pleasure is all mines baby girl." He said pushing her down on putting a arch in her back. He began his strokes slow and steady taking his time. Desiree moaned eyes rolled to the back of head everything felt good the was he fit so perfectly in her threw them both off the edge.

“Harder Deac.” She says. “Oh fuck yess fuck David.” She yelled receiving what she asked for.

“See what happens when you be a good girl.” Deac said.

“Oh gosh im gonna cum.” She whined feeling how close she was. Deacon picked up the paste also feeling himself close to the edge.

Seconds later deacon couldn’t wait and started painting her walls they both moaned as they both released together. They stayed in this position for a little second before deacon pulled out and uncuffed her.

“Are you trying make a baby with me?” Desiree asked as he laid beside her.

“Maybe I am.” He says with a smirk.

“Let’s get married first then we’ll talk babies.” She tells him placing a kiss on his lips.

“ Roger that Mrs Kay.” He said making her giggle she climbed on his lap purposely rubbing against him.

“How would you feel if I hand cuffed you sergeant?” She asked as she cuffed his hand to the headboard. After that they went on all night.

Don’t say I don’t warn y’all that this was gonna get very sumtty. Also excuse any mistakes ✌🏽💨

[logansargeantsbabymom]

Too Good To Say Goodbye pt9

Lando Norris x Fem!Reader

Warnings: Cursing

part 1 I part 2 I part 3 I part 4 I part 5 I part 6 I part 7 I part 8 I Part 9 I part 10

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Third Person POV (for now)

The world fell still and silent for what felt like years after the doctor told Lando the news. He couldn't make this decision, could he? If Lando chose to save his twins instead of his girlfriend, he would have to face the challenges of being a single dad while grieving the love of his life. If he chose to save his girlfriend, he and his girlfriend would have to face the reality of a world without their twins babies.

Lando wanted to yell at whatever god was in the sky. He wanted to know why it these were the only two options and why he had to make that incredibly difficult decision. Why couldn't he have a choice where everyone survived? Lord knows Lando would've done absolutely anything in the whole wide world if it meant both babies and Y/N survived, maybe even murder.

Lando was so deep in thought that he'd forgotten about the doctor standing right in front of him awaiting his answer. Time was running out and he knew that, now it was time for him to give an answer to the hardest question he was ever asked.

"Y/N, I'm so sorry, please forgive me." Lando muttered as he looked at the ground, tears pooling in his eyes. "Save my girlfriend. Please, she's the love of my life."

With that the doctor flashed Lando a quick sympathetic look before rushing back through the double doors and to the room that an unconscious Y/N was occupying.

There was about 4 different doctors excluding the student doctor in there who all broke their necks to look at the doctor that came barging in. "Grey, call the OR and tell them we're bring up a (Your/Age) female that's pregnant with twins and tell them we're prepping for a C-Section. Halstead, run up to Peds and get the Obstetrician Montgomery. Yang and Rhodes, I need you to go to the peds closet and get two premature babies outfits in case mom and dad want to see them. One boy and one girl. Reese, you're with me while we prep Ms. L/N for this surgery." Dr. Ripley said as he made sure everyone knew their appointed assignments.

-

2 hours later, the surgery was a success and Dr. Ripley had wheeled a still very unconscious Y/N to a recovery room. Both twin babies, as expected unfortunately didn't make it, were dressed and awaiting to see if their parents wanted to see them before anyone made any decisions of what they wanted to do with them, whether they've cremated or buried.

Before going through the double doors that would lead right to the waiting room, Dr Ripley abruptly stopped before turning to his student doctor that was attached to his hip. "Dr. Reese, you're with me while we get Mr. Norris and we tell him the news of the surgery and we will ask if he wants to be taken back to Ms. L/N's recovery room. I will let you do all the talking, got it?" Dr. Ripley said as he looked in Dr. Reese's eyes for confirmation.

"Got it." was all Dr. Reese said before she made her way though the double doors, her eyes scanning the big waiting room looking for Mr. Norris, who ended up spotting her before she spotted him.

"Doc?? How is she? Was the surgery a success? Were there any complications?" So many questions came spewing out of Lando's mouth, his mind moving at a million miles an hour.

Dr. Reese let out a little breath before she started to answer his questions one by one. "Ms. L/N did make it through the surgery, there was major bleeding so she might be a little weak when we wakes up. She's been transferred to a recovery room and she is receiving lots of fluids through an IV right now. The babies as expected didn't make it-" before Doctor Reese could finish telling Mr. Norris the rest of the news Doctor Ripley cut her off.

"Doctor Reese! That was really inappropriate, you are dismissed!" As Dr. Reese walked away, Dr. Ripley continued. "I am so sorry about that, Unfortunately both twins did not make it, we do have both of them cleaned and dressed in case you and Ms. L/N wanted to meet them. I can take you back to her recovery room if you'd want to?" Dr. Ripley suggested.

Lando looked behind him to look at his best friend Carlos who nodded his head in approval, "Go, I will call the rest of the grid and tell them everything that happened. Except for Logan, he can go to hell."

A little chuckle left Lando's lips before he turned to face the doctor again who was standing right in front of him. "Yes please doc, Is she awake?"

"Unfortunately not at the moment but she should be waking up soon." Dr. Ripley said as scanned his badge against the lock of the double doors and stepped back as they opened allowing both men to walk through.

It wasn't long before Dr. Ripley and Lando arrived to Y/N's recovery room. When they walked in, Lando was greeted with the sight of his beautifully tired looking girlfriend who was awake and trying to put a movie on the tv.

Y/N Pov

The last thing I remember was getting sedated because the pain was just too much to bear and now I feel so much better. I'm in a different room though which is super weird and when I tried to sit up it hurt. The room looked super boring so I decided to try to put on a movie. They only had like 5 options so I was going to go with Avengers: Endgame but before I could click the movie I heard the door open. I glanced over to see my beautiful but awfully tired and upset looking boyfriend, Lando.

"Hi baby, I don't know what made me collapse earlier and why I was in so much pain but god bless these doctors because I feel so much better!" I said enthusiastically but based off the look Lando if giving me right now, I can tell that something if awfully wrong. "Baby, what's wrong? Did something happen to Yelena?"

"No baby, nothing happened to Yelena" Lando said as he wiped a few tears away from his eyes before he made his way over to me and gave me a big kiss on the lips and an excruciatingly tight hug before looking at the doctor.

"Doc, I don't know how to tell her. Can you?" Lando asked, blinking away the tears that seemed to never stop falling.

"What? Tell me what?" I said looking between Lando and the Doctor "Lando what do you mean?? Doctor, tell me what??"

I heard the doctor take a deep breath before he walked closer to my hospital bed. "Unfortunately, the pain you were feeling in your abdomen was because of a rare condition the babies developed which is called Monochorionic Twins and it caused a whole bunch of development issues and with your history of severe dehydration, bleeding, and vomiting it put you and the babies at risk, so we had to operate to save one of you guys." Doctor Ripley said with a somber look on his face.

My mind is racing, I want to ask so many questions but nothing could come out. "Doctor, what's are you saying??" the gut feeling I had in my stomach told me that I was picking up what the doctor was putting down but it felt like my heart and brain needed me to hear the doctor say it in order for it to be true.

"Unfortunately, Ms. L/N, your twin babies didn't make it." Hearing him say those words made it feel like the world came crashing down on me. Did the lord really hate me that much that he would make me go through this unimaginable pain of losing 3 babies? What did I ever do to deserve this? My heart hurts beyond being able to put in words.

"No, no please! Please tell me this isn't real! No please, not my babies!! Lord please not my babies! Why me god?? WHY ME??" I screamed as I looked up in the sky, as if I could talk to God himself.

I felt a pair of arms wrap around my side and hold me tight before hearing the doctor again "We have the twins cleaned off and clothed if you would want to see them?" I felt Lando nod his head as I shook and sobbed uncontrollably "I will go get them" Dr. Ripley said as he exited the room.

-

It'd been 10 minutes since Doctor Ripley broke the news to me and even though I've been through this pain before, it never gets easier. A slight knock could be heard at the door before it opened slightly. "I have your babies, can I come in?" It was a soft, gentle lady's voice that was heard echoing through our room.

"Yes" Lando managed to get out.

A tall redhead came in the room wheeling the babies in with her

"I'm Dr. Montgomery, but you can call me Addison. I was the one who got to deliver your babies, got them all cleaned up and dressed them for you. I'm so incredibly sorry for both of your losses." The nice red-head Addison said "I will leave you two alone with your babies. If you need anything press that button on the side of the bed." Addison said before she left the room.

I thought seeing my dead babies would hurt more but somehow right now as Lando handed me my babygirl, it somehow felt very comforting. I looked down at her little face and realized how much she looked like me, almost every feature of her face resembled mine, all except for her nose. She had Lando's nose. It was the same with our baby boy, all his facial features except for his nose resembled Lando's face.

We all sat in silence as we took in holding our babies and for a split second, I forgot they were dead. They looked so peaceful and that's all I could ever want for them.

Lando and I switched babies and we sat there for another few minutes before I looked over at him, he had the biggest but saddest smile on his face.

"We have to give them names" I whispered before I looked back down at my baby boy.

"Liberty Daisy Norris. Are you fine with Liberty Daisy?" Lando said as he looked at me for approval

"Liberty Daisy is perfect. What about Carlos James Norris for this little guy?" I asked as I looked over at Lando.

"Carlos James is suited just for him." Lando said as he placed a kiss against my temple before getting up and placing Liberty Daisy in the little basket they brought them in.

After that Lando walked over to his jacket he had placed on the little sofa chair they had in the corner of the room before walking over to me.

"Y/N, I love you so much and it really sucks that we have to go through life without Liberty Daisy and Carlos James but know, I'm going to be here with you for the rest of eternity." I could see Lando's hands shaking as he was talking "I didn't want to do it here but I almost lost you along with our twin and it made me realize that I can't put this off any longer."

"Lando what are you-" Before I could finish my sentence, Lando pulled out the most beautiful ring I've ever seen in my whole life.

"I don't want to live without you, I can't live without you. I need you in my life more than I need oxygen to breathe. I love you Y/N, my heart calls your name. Will you marry me?"

More tears pooled in my eyes but this time they were happy tears.

"Of course I'll marry you." I said as Lando slipped the ring on my finger and he placed a big kiss on my lips.

-

The doctors took Liberty Daisy and Carlos Jame away to cremate them about two hours ago but we knew their ashes were going to get mailed to the house.

A soft knock could be heard at the door and Dr. Reese could be seen peaking her head in.

"I'm just here to change your bandages, I'll be out in a jiffy!"

"Yeah, my stomach is feeling really hot and I feel really weak, do you think that just because I'm hungry?" I asked as I scratched my head.

"Could be, lets change your bandages and then I'll get you food, oh- DOCTOR!!" Dr. Reese ran out of the room and two seconds later she came running back in with Dr Ripley following in suit.

Dr Ripley pulled back the covers and was met with the sight of an extremely bloody bandage and a blood soaked bed.

"These stitches weren't in right! She's been bleeding externally this whole time! She needs blood and an OR, STAT!"

-

sorry guys I have to work but I hope this is ok for just having two hours!

taglist:

@luckyladycreator2 @itsmiamalfoy @jeffs77 @ilivbullyingjeongin @forevercaffeinated-lee @daemyratwst @gulphulp @callsignwidow @f1wintermoon13 @teenwolf01 @victoriassecret101 @hiireadstuff @formulaal l @eddieharrington @kazza72584 @zabwlky1999 @dark-night-sky-99 @rougekiki @xoscar03 @jess-wither @bountychanti @dhanihamidi @Ggasly.p @tellybearryyyy @a-panseuxalmess @love-simon @tallrock35 @iiaik0ii @Milkyymelanine @ilovsyou3000morgan @styl1shl1v

[pinkhairswagtourney]

i need some serious help/guidance. i feel like a failure. i don't know where to turn – my family is part of the problem and they don't care about helping me, i don't have any IRL friends that i can ask for help from, and i've been so busy dealing with all my IRL shit that i've drifted away from any of my online friends. i've applied everywhere in my town that's hiring, and i mean EVERYWHERE. either i get aired from the jump, or i get a call back, ask for accommodations during the interview, and then never hear back from them. i feel like a lost cause. i can't continue to ask you guys for help forever, but i don't have anywhere to turn to IRL. without donos + commissions, i would actually be dead by now. i'm not kidding. my family doesn't give a fuck if i'm struggling or not, in fact they put me in positions where they KNOW i will struggle. they don't care. my parents never taught me how to do ANYTHING. every practical skill that i know how to do is self taught. they've literally set me up for failure in every aspect. they didn't help me with homework when i was younger, they didn't help me learn how to read or write, they didn't teach me how to socialize and make friends, they didn't teach me how to drive, how to cook, how to clean, how to apply for jobs, how to do taxes, how to do anything at all. and when it comes to the physical aspect, they knew that i was toe walking from a young age and didn't take me to a doctor because it was "cute" and "funny" how i walked on my tip toes all the time and i was so "clumsy" because i had no balance. the window for non-surgical remedies has closed, and now the only thing that can fix it is surgery, that i definitely can't afford, even on insurance, and i'm going to fall off of my parent's insurance next year when i turn 26. the toe walking has led to chronic pain in my feet, legs, hips, and back, and that, coupled with my fibromyalgia, makes just existing feel impossible sometimes. there are days where i don't want to move from my bed because my entire body feels inflamed. even if i were to get hired, how am i supposed to hold a job like that??? i don't know how to file for disability but i know that i need to, as soon as i can. i genuinely don't know what to do. i'm stuck in this house full of people who use me as a personal punching bag, mentally and verbally and physically. i have to keep my room locked at all times or people will steal from me or destroy my belongings. i can't even keep my insulin or food in the public fridge because my brother has destroyed my insulin with a hammer before, and my food will get eaten even if i label it, so i had to buy a mini fridge for my room. my brother shoved me down the stairs last year and my knee is permanently damaged from it, and that was somehow my fault. the only time anyone is talking to me in a kind way is when they want me to do something for them, and if i don't agree to do it, then all hell breaks loose, i've been screamed at, slapped, kicked, had things thrown at me, spit on, belongings destroyed, holes punched in the wall beside my head with a threat that next time it'll be my face. to the point that i just agree to run their errands and do their chores most of the time anymore. in fact, even though i pay my dad car insurance money every month, 9 out of 10 times he won't let me use the car for my personal reasons (doctor, store, pharmacy) unless i'm also doing something for them. they treat me like a child. no, they treat me like an object. but i'm supposed to be an adult. to be honest, i don't feel like an adult. i don't feel like a real person at all. i don't exist outside of this house or these blogs. i could disappear and only a handful of people would actually notice.

i want to do more than just survive by the skin of my teeth. i want to live, i want to thrive, i want friends, i want a sense of community, i want to feel loved and cherished, i want to be hugged. i can't remember the last time i was hugged. i don't know why i wrote all of this. i think it's a cry for help. i need someone to hold my hand through the process and tell me what to do because i have no idea where to turn. i don't know what the next step is. i know the things i need to do, but i don't know how to do them. i need to pay off my court fees, i need to buy my own car, i need to file for disability, i need to file for food stamps, i need to apply for a tax credit apartment so i can finally get out of this house. i'm just too stupid to figure it out on my own. with the constant swath of bills and no consistent income, it feels like i'm drowning and i'm never going to be able to get out of this situation. i can't do this alone. i need help. i'm so tired guys

[mintseung]

Give it a try (L.H.S) - TEASER

pairing :brothers best friend!Lee heeseung x fem!reader

Genre: Fluff (based on a C-drama, hidden love)

Warnings: 4yr. Age gap and more (will mention once I posted the complete ver.)

teaser wc : 2316

release date : Not yet sure

💌: Feel free to ask to be in the taglist!

"Park Yn!" The teacher Screamed.

"This is the 5th time you've been distracted in class!" This is math class, not art class! You'd better stop making those drawings. Now, answer this," he said, pointing to the question written on the board.

"Letter A, sir," you replied quickly, causing your teacher's jaw to drop.

"I want your parents to come to my office tomorrow after class. Class dismissed," he said and left the classroom.

While students were leaving the classroom, you were there banging your head on your school desk and whining.

"Lol, this is the 3rd time your parents will come," your friend Aliyah laughed at you. "Why would he want my parents?! I've literally answered the question correctly," you complained.

"I guess you should stop being distracted in class so Mr. Yao won't yap about it to your parents." Aliyah said while walking out of the school. "I guess so too, I don't wanna get beaten by my mom" You said.

While walking, an idea struck you suddenly, causing you to halt in your tracks and reach for your phone. Aliyah, a few steps ahead, turned around curiously. "Hey, Y/n, why did you stop?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as she waited for your response.

"I've figured out a way to make sure my parents don't end up meeting Mr. Yao," you said with a hint of satisfaction in your voice.

"How exactly?" Aliyah inquired, her curiosity piqued. "I'll just conveniently leave out the details," you replied. giving her a knowing look. Aliyah chuckled. "You know Mr. Yao could easily message or call them, right?"

You smirked. "Who said they're definitely going to get involved? I'll just give my brother a call," you said, showing her your phone screen.

As you walked along, you casually reached into your pocket and began texting your brother on your phone.

"Smelly Bulldog"

You: are you coming home? Mom and dad misses you!

Smelly Bulldog: no

"Tsk," you muttered under your breath. When you reached home, you headed straight to the kitchen and found your mom cutting fruits. "Hey mom, I'm home," you said, grabbing a slice of watermelon onto a plate.

"Here, take this and give it to your brother," she instructed, handing you a plate piled high with sliced watermelon. "He's home?!" you exclaimed with joy, eagerly snatching the plate from her and bounding up the stairs to find him.

You walked into your brother's room and saw a man with his back to you. A few seconds later, he turned around, and the sunlight illuminated his face as he smiled at you. You were stunned and struggled to speak.

"God, is he a fallen angel or something?" you thought to yourself. "J-jay, did you have plastic surgery?" you managed to ask, looking at him with surprise.

To be continued.