#I'm enjoying being mean to Wally today

[triscribeaucollection]

Hole in the Wall, Part 1

Lyle never needed to wonder ‘how did it come to this’. He could point back to the exact date and time of day, when the door of his small bar swung open, and all conversation between the handful of patrons died a sudden death.

Kid Flash, either bold as brass or too dumb to notice, walked right inside with his bright yellow costume and little red boots. To make matters worse, he dragged along a second, even smaller kid - though at least the boy with a cape seemed to have the good sense to look rightly alarmed. Most of the guys inside wore regular clothes, but off in one corner, Heatwave and Mirror Master were decked out in full gear, weapons obvious on the table between them, both men just as obviously staring at the two pipsqueaks with baffled suspicion.

Didn’t matter to the Kid, though. He came straight up to the bar’s counter dragging his buddy, and put on exactly the sort of great big grin Lyle’s nieces used when they were trying real hard to politely ask if they could break a rule. “Hi! Can we use your phone real quick?”

Lyle blinked. So did half his patrons. “...the phone.”

“Mmhm!” Kid Flash nodded towards the old landline Lyle kept up on the wall. “Our comms kinda got fried and Flash isn’t around, so-”

“KF,” his little friend hissed, casting a quick glance at the nearest guys, who made no effort to disguise how they were glaring right back.

“What? Dude, it’s fine-”

Getting over his shock, Lyle thumped a hand down onto the bar to draw their attention. “Phone’s only for paying customers.” Saying that, he cast a glare of his own around the room, saw how it immediately made most of the patrons ease back down. 

Kid Flash winced, turning an apologetic expression on his friend. The smaller boy sighed and grumbled something under his breath, but nonetheless pulled a crisp twenty dollar bill from one of his belt’s little pouches. “Do you have any soda?”

Lyle grabbed them a couple of root beers.

“Thanks. Keep the change.”

And with that, the boys became patrons themselves, and thankfully everybody else inside the bar understood Lyle’s biggest, firmest, ‘broken under no circumstances’ rule: no picking fights with other customers. Now, if someone came in to cause a scene, they either ignored Lyle or he flat refused to serve them, which lit the green light for the rest of the room to ‘escort’ the troublemaker to the door. But once money and drinks changed hands, that was that, everybody enjoyed their beverages in peace Or Else.

In the back corner, Mirror Master and Heatwave scooted their weaponry out of sight, but otherwise went back to sipping and swapping complaints like nothing happened. And slowly, the rest of the bar followed suit.

Kid Flash chugged down his root beer in five seconds flat, before letting out a belch that wasn’t half bad for a middle schooler. “Okay! Can I please use the phone now?”

Lyle tipped one shoulder up in a shrug. He stayed put as the Kid came around the far end of the counter, one eye on the smaller boy still fiddling with his own bottle. “Don’t have bars like this where you’re from, huh?”

“Oh, sure. But I’d get shot full of holes in ten seconds if I tried walking into one,” boy replied flatly. “Or grabbed and tossed into a box until Batman showed up.”

That gave Lyle pause. “You’re the Bat’s kid?”

The child who couldn’t have been more than ten, maybe twelve years old at a stretch, lifted one hand to wiggle his fingers in a wave. “Yep. Robin, nice to meet you.”

What the actual hell.

Following that new train of thought got derailed, though, as Kid Flash’s phone call went through. “Hey, it’s me! Look, I know you guys thought me and D- uh, Robin- were just gonna go do some normal stuff, but we kinda interrupted a bank robbery-” Ah, that was the job Miggen was talking about the day before, “-and we’re fine! But there might have been an EMP emitter around that went off, and our comms kinda aren’t working, and since I can’t carry Rob back and he doesn’t want us to just take a bus in our costumes-”

By this point Robin had dropped his head onto the counter, both hands still gripping his bottle of root beer. Age him up a bit and swap the drink for a beer, Lyle thought he’d fit right in with the usual I’m surrounded by idiots patrons who came in to groan about friends and co-workers at the end of a long week.

“-no, we left the backpack with our regular clothes on the other side of the bridge,” Kid Flash went on. “Well, yeah, I could, but- look, Rob is from Gotham, if I left him alone for ten minutes there’s no telling what would be on fire when I came back.”

“Hey!”

Lyle almost snickered at the insulted expression on Robin’s face when he picked his head back up. A couple of other patrons also listening in did snicker, which just made the boy’s expression twist up even further.

“...where are we? Uh. So- do you, uh, remember that place Flash mentioned? The hole in the wall bar all the Rogues like to hang out at...?” Kid Flash abruptly pulled the phone away from his ear, wincing, and even from three steps away Lyle could hear a very loud voice on the other end.

“You are so dead,” Robin remarked.

“Shut up,” the Kid hissed back, before returning to his call. “I know, I know, but Rob bought us root beers and customers aren’t allowed to fight so it’s fine, we just- oh no. No, wait, you don’t need to-!” Lyle raised an eyebrow at the boy’s sudden panic. And understood it perfectly a moment later, when Kid Flash slumped in place and said in a very small voice, “Uh, hi Mom.”

Several more patrons in the bar snickered, or choked on their drinks, or otherwise looked like Christmas just came early. Robin’s head dropped back down onto the countertop.

“No. Yeah. Yes- I know that, but- yes, ma’am.” From what little of it Lyle could see, the Kid’s face appeared to be turning an even brighter shade of red than the color of his boots. “But I did do my homework!”

In the corner, Heatwave let out a startled bark of laughter, and Mirror Master went ahead and turned in his seat in order to watch the scene with a wide grin.

“That’s not due until next week!” Kid Flash continued to protest. “And it was on my desk, how did- you didn’t need to do that, I would have brought dishes down tonight!” The next pause dragged on, until the boy abruptly burst out, “Three WEEKS?!”

“I should’ve gone to bother Speedy instead,” Robin mumbled into the counter.

---

When I need a break from Inflicting Awful Things on my favorite boys in other fan fic stories, I of course turn around to instead Inflict Awful Things, Humor and Embarrassment Edition xD

[pinejayy]

Fake friends ( Yandere Wally Darling x F!Reader)

This was a request by @funnehsrobuxxx , please do enjoy uwu

“Yandere wally sees their s/o keeps getting hurt by their own toxic friend group, (NOT THE NEIGHBORS JUST THE READERS OTHER FRIENDS) and Wally took "care" of the readers toxic friend and comforted them without THE reader knowing that wally killed them. Is this OK with you”

Trigger warnings: Swear words, blood, death, knife, Wally is crazy y'all.

You were loving this new neighborhood. Everyone was so kind and sweet towards you, one neighbor was especially nice towards you and that was the one and only Wally Darling. Both you and Wally always hung out either at his place or at your place. And as time passed by your feelings grew for him. But you were always so afraid to confess to him, you were afraid of rejection or ruining the friendship you had with him.

You really did love this place, but there was one thing you couldn't stand and that was your own very friend group. They constantly made fun of you, and you didn't know why you still hunged out with them. Maybe because your were afraid of them and didn't know a way out. But you didn't let them get to you. Well as much... Your little "friend group" consist of a leader called Amber and two other girls name Ashley and Alicia and of course you. (I'M SORRY IF THOSE ARE YOUR NAMES SOBS)

Walking around the neighborhood with a smile you waved at the neighbors. They smiled and waved back at you. Today was going to be a good day you were going to hang out with your friend Wally Darling, You guys were going to have a picnic. You didn't tell your other friends as you didn't want them joining you. Or finding out.

Also the other neighbors didn't seem to fond about these girls walking around the neighborhood and being bullies towards everyone. Everyone seemed so tried of them especially Wally...

You met Wally at your picnic spot, he was waiting for you. He smiled and waved at you. "Hello sweetie! I'm so glad you could make it!"

Smiling at him "Hey Wally! Sorry if I'm late!" You say, sitting down with him. Looking at the delicious snacks he bought. There was cake, cookies, sandwiches and plenty of juice! "Everything looks so good Wally, thank you!" You say blushing slightly.

"Thanks! Poppy helped me make this!" Wally said, grabbing you a cookie handing it to you. "It's chocolate chip."

"That's very sweet of her!" You say. Taking the cookie from and smile slightly. Wally looked at you and he could tell something was off.

"Is everything okay sweetie?"

You sigh and nodded slightly as you didn't want him finding out about your friends picking on you. "Y-Yeah everything is okay." Your voice cracking slightly.

He looked at you and he could tell you were lying, he knew you so well. But before he could get a other word a voice interrupted him "Hey losers!"

Wally looked and saw the bullies of the neighborhood...Amber and her stupid puppets.

You froze at the voice and look up and saw Amber...and the other two minions. But before you could say a word Wally spoke up. "Hey! That's not very nice of you! You don't speak to her like that!" His voice getting deeper..as if he was getting angry.

The other three girls couldn't help but laugh at both of you . "What? You guys can't be like this. Why weren't we invited?" Amber said. "We love hanging out with you guys! Especially with our friend Y/N!" She laughed.

"It's because I don't want your nasty attitudes ruining this beautiful picnic, now if you may please leave us alone. We were enjoying our time alone." Wally growled at them.

Amber couldn't help but frown at his comment and then laugh. "But we're friends with Y/N! Come on guys!" She said. "Yeah she's our friend!" Both Ashley and Alicia said.

You just sat there. With your head down, why did they have to come. Why are they so mean towards you? "Can you guys just leave!" You snap at then. "I don't want you guys here!"

"Excuse me! What makes you think you can talk to me like that! You stupid girl!" Amber snapped at you.

"She can talk to how ever she wants! Now leave US ALONE...NOW" Wally said, as he finally stood up and walked towards Amber. Giving her a death glare. He's gonna make them pay.

"CAN IT RAGDOLL! I WASN'T TALKING TO YOU!" Amber yelled at him, Wally's blood went cold. "Screw off you bug eye freak!" She quickly added. Making the other girls laugh.

"MAYBE YOU GUYS SHOULD FUCK OFF AND LEAVE US ALONE!" You finally yell at them. For once you stand up for yourself. Everyone was shocked but soon Amber made a face and she then snapped her fingers. Making the other two minions destroy your guys's food. They smashed everything and left nothing.

Both Wally and you were shocked. Not expecting that. Wally looked over at them. His pupils growing. He was smiling Big. It was kinda creepy. But he stayed calm...for now.

Amber looked at Wally as her blood went cold, his look gave her chills. But she shook it off "Come on guys, let's leave these pathetic rag dolls." Amber laughed and walked off with the other two girls following behind her. "Let's leave Y/N and her ugly bug eye boyfriend alone." And with that you guys were alone.

"I'm sorry this is my fault!" You began crying. Quickly Wally was by your side. "I'm sorry Wally. I didn't want to ruin this day."

"Oh no no no!! It's not! Those girls are just mean." Wally said, rubbing your back.

"I don't know how to leave them. I keep trying to but they keep coming back." You sigh. Wiping your tears away and look at him. You really loved the fact that he stood up for you. "But thank you for standing up for me. I really did appreciate it."

"Of course darling! But I'm sure they'll leave you alone... eventually." His voice cracked slightly. He looked at you and sighed. He couldn't believe that they ruined everything. This was the day he wanted to confess to you. Confess his feelings.

"Hey Y/N. Can I tell you something." Wally asked you. You look at him and nodded. "I know this isn't the right time but the only reason why I wanted this picnic is because I wanted to confess my feelings to you." He took your hand and looked into your eyes. "I really like you...Y/N. I hope you can return these feelings too."

You were shocked. He had feelings for you? You blush at him comment and look down and sigh. "I have feelings for you too. I just couldn't tell you."

Wally smiled at your comment, he wanted to hug you and kiss you but he had to control himself. "So does this mean you'll be mine?" He asked you.

You nodded and smiled. Already forgetting what happened a few minutes ago. But Wally didn't...

"Maybe we can try this again tomorrow? But at my place?" He asked you. To which you nodded and agreed.

"Now run along sweetie, I'll clean up here. You just take it easy. And please rest up." He cooed softly. Helping you up. "I'll give you a call tomorrow morning sweetie."

"Thank you Wally. I'll see you tomorrow then." You say and placing a kiss on his cheek and walk off.

Wally just stood there for a few moments, he was angry. Blood boiling, those brats are going to pay...in blood. He made sure to clean up the mess they made and made his way back to the neighborhood, he has a huge smile plastered all over his face.

As night time rolled around Wally quietly made his way out of his house and walked towards Ambers house, the good thing is that the three of them lived in the same household, it just makes things easier for him. He giggled to himself as he held a bag of goodies.

Wally made his way inside the house, he was quite as a mouse. Good thing everyone was asleep. He had to make this quick before one of them starts a commotion. The yellow puppet walked around the house and looked in every room for them. And soon after he smiled as he saw them sleeping In one room. Stupid girls...

They looked so peacefully. He'll make sure they rest for a long time. With one quick motion he pulled out a knife from the bag and ending Ashley and Alicia lives. Giving them a quick death. It's the least he could do.

And that just left Amber...he walked towards her sleeping body and smiled. He stared for awhile and laughed to himself.

Amber slowly started to wake up. As she saw a figure standing in front of her. She was too sleepy to notice Wally. "What do you guys want?" She said, thinking it was one of her friends. "I'm trying to sleep, go back to sleep "

"Oh, don't worry dear Amber your friends are resting well."

She quickly got up and turned on the lamp by her bed on. Seeing Wally with a knife. And behind him she saw her friends dead bodies. She was about to let out a scream until Wally placed a hand over her mouth.

"Shut it you rotten girl." He hissed. "How dare you pick on my SWEETHEART!" He removed his hand and pointed the knife at her. Grabbing her hair and pulling it hard. Ripping a handful of hair.

She was crying already "I'm sorry...please I won't do it again! I promise!" She was begging him, she didn't know this freak was crazy.

"Oh I know you won't." He said smirking at her. But before she could say anything else he lunged towards her, stabbing her. She whimpered as the knife stabbed her. He removed the knife and blood poured out.

"You're one rotten apple and you and your friends deserve nothing but death and misery." And with that she dropped dead. Wally then cleaned the knife, disgusted by her blood.

"I'll always protect what's mine" He said to himself.

The next morning!

It was the next morning and everyone seemed so happy, well happier than usual. You didn't know why but I guess it was just a good day. You greeted everyone and they greeted you back. As you walked around the neighborhood you came across Ambers house. It seemed like it was abandoned, that no one was there. How odd.

Could it be!!! They finally moved!

You felt relief, you had to tell Wally. You ran towards his house and knocked at the door. "Home! Is Wally there, I need to talk to him! It's important!"

Home creeks and opens the door, you smile and thank Home. You made your way in and yelled for Wally. "WALLY!"

He came in running in "What is it sweetie? Did something happen?" He asked you.

You nodded and spoke up. "AMBERANDHERTWOMINIONSAREGONE!! IT'SLIKETHEYMOVEDAWAY!!!" You say in one go, out of breath.

Wally couldn't help but laugh slightly "Okay, breath sweetie. What happened. Slowly."

"Amber and her minions are gone, well their house seems like it's been abandon. As if they finally moved away.!!" You cheered on. Finally you can go through you day peacefully and not worry about your bullies. It was a dream come true!

Wally looked at you, he was holding back his laughter. He couldn't let you know the truth. "Really? Hmm, maybe they realized that no one in the neighborhood really liked them, and I guess they moved." He said, but Wally couldn't help but think about last night.

"I can finally go through a day without being worried about them." You say and hug Wally.

Wally hugged you back and smiled. "Hmm. Maybe we should celebrate? I'll make my special apple pie just for you." He smiled, you nodded and grab his hand and walk towards the kitchen.

He stared at you, he loved you and he would do anything for you. Even get his hands dirty. But he'll always protect you no matter what.

"Nothing can come between us and no one is ever going to hurt you." He thought to himself smiling.

[magicicephoenix]

Hoax - The Ink Demonth 2024 (Day 3)

In which a particularly heavy rumor takes the studio by storm. And they take… interesting measures in the face of it.

ao3 link

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went for more of an "audio only" type style here, mostly for my own sanity ^^' and yet this still ended up rather long for a day-long prompt… oh well. had a blast writing it, at least!

btw this takes place in my The Silent Demon AU, which is essentially just: everyone is happy, the studio is thriving, and Bendy is alive! he's also mute and deaf.

enjoy!

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"Another special? So soon? Honestly, Joey, it's like you want everyone to quit."

The sound of papers being shuffled. "C'mon Henry, it'll be great for business! I mean, it's not my fault that Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years all go in a row!"

"But it is your fault that Bendy, Boris, and Alice are celebrating all four." An amused huff. "Couldn't we just do a short for New Years or something?"

"But the vision! The prestige!"

"Now you're just saying words."

An offended scoff. "I'm just saying, this'll be good for the studio! A step up against the competitors!"

"And the best way to do that is to work everyone to the bone?"

"You know I'd never let it get to that point."

An acknowledging hum. "Alright, fine, whatever, you're the boss. But you better not get any ideas about Valentine's Day."

"Ah! Now that you mention it—"

"I'm gonna stop you right there. I'm leaving."

"Wait, but- Henry! You haven't even heard what I was going to say!"

"Nope. I'm not hearing another one of your far-too-complicated ideas today. I'm making like Wally and getting outta here. For real this time!" The sound of decisive shoes on wood, a door opening.

A pause—skittering of hidden footsteps rushing away, staying unnoticed—and then… the laughter of two good friends joking around.

The shuffling and bustling of employees on break.

"Did you hear? We're starting another special."

The crinkle of a lunch bag opening. "Geez, again? What's this one about?"

"New Years."

"And we need a whole special about that?!"

"Jesus."

"Mr. Stein reacted the same, I heard."

The thump of a cup being put down. "Really?"

"Yeah. Told Joey something about quitting if stuff like this kept happening."

Stirring of a spoon in a bowl. A laugh. "Mr. Stein would never quit."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Are you kidding? He'd never leave the studio. Not to mention Bendy."

A chuckle. "Ah, you're right."

"Then why'd he say he was leaving?"

A spit take. "What?!"

"Who told you that?"

"Overheard. He said he was leaving, for real."

"No way."

"Yes way. That's exactly what he said!"

"That can't be true."

"He'd never actually leave!"

"You've seen how exhausted he's been recently! What if this was too much for him?"

"…he has been here longer than anyone else."

"And Mrs. Stein would be happy that he'd stopped working late."

"Where do you think he'd go, though?"

"Doesn't matter where he'd be going, what matters is that he might be leaving!"

"The department wouldn't be the same."

"Yeah, it'd be so empty!"

"We'd have to get another department head!"

"Augh, it'd be so weird reporting to anyone other than Mr. Stein…"

"Yeah, tell me about it."

"But… it's only a maybe, right?

"I mean, I guess. But what if it's true?"

"I can't imagine what would happen if he left for good…"

"Then let's just hope he won't."

"Yeah, fair enough."

A door slamming open. "Henry might be leaving."

The crash of a chair falling down. "He's what?"

"Wait, what-"

"Heard it through the grapevine."

"Susie, you can't just believe every hint of gossip that comes your way…"

"No, no, she's right."

Another chair hitting the floor. "She is?!"

"What, you're tellin' me that you haven't felt the stress from the recent specials? Imagine how brutal it must be in Animation!"

"Ugh, even thinking about all that drawing makes my hand cramp up…"

"He's been working late more often, too. What if he's reached a breaking point?"

"Henry doesn't have a breaking point. He's crazy when it comes to work."

"Everyone has a breaking point."

"Well, of course you do, you break just about every day, you perfectionist."

A scoff. "I am not a perfectionist."

"Oh, yes, when you scream at the band every day, that's not due to any undiscovered need for only the best take possible."

"I do not scream, I instruct, and it's only because all the fools on the instruments don't understand the basic principles of—"

"All I'm hearin' is that you have unreasonable standards."

"Well, Joey hired me for a reason—"

"Ladies, ladies!" The rush of banter dies down. "Calm yourselves. We have a problem on our hands, and we're going to address it."

"So what do we do about it then, Susie? Beg him not to leave?"

"Well, hold on. If he's already decided, there's not much that can change his mind. He's stubborn as a mule."

"Linda could!"

"If he's leaving then Linda knows and approves."

"…right."

"But he hasn't decided! It's only that he might leave."

"So we have a chance to stop him."

"Exactly."

"So what's the plan?"

"Maybe we guilt trip him."

"Norman!"

"I'm just sayin'."

"Well, actually, he might have a point."

"What? Guys—"

"How would we, though? If he's really thinking of this seriously, he must've already considered all the factors."

"True… so what else can we do?"

"What if we can't do anything?"

A somber silence.

"Well, then… we plan long term. Just in case he leaves. A safety net."

"I guess that's… reasonable. But I still think we should—"

"Who would be the next head of Animation, do you think?"

"Eugh, tough break. No one's as good as Henry."

"But someone'll have to step up!"

"What about Bill? He's been around for a while."

"Really? I don't think he's management material."

"Maybe Phil, then."

"Oh, that's not a bad thought. He can handle stuff in a pinch, for sure."

"Yeah, he helped time the frames for the latest song, you remember? When Henry was busy fixing the misplaced lighting debacle."

"Don't you dare speak a word about that, I swear to God, animators in here every second of the week—"

"Wait, hold on, everyone shut up." Everyone does. "We're thinking too complicated. Quick answer, what's going to happen if Henry decides to leave?"

"Um, Animation will lose a capable artist?"

"Joey Drew will summon more demons."

"Sammy'll blow a fuse."

"I will not— "

The sound of someone stomping their foot. "Ugh, honestly! You men are so dense. Do I really need to spell it out for you?"

"Maybe for some of us."

"Hey!"

"I didn't say it was you. What, you outin' yourself?"

"I- You annoying—"

"Bendy, you guys, Bendy! What'll happen to him?"

"What'll… happen?"

"Yes! If he can't be by Henry's side all the time, where will he go? What will he do?"

"Who will he choose instead, you mean."

"Well- I mean yes, obviously."

"Won't he just go with Joey?"

"Maybe if you think simple. Don't you realize? This is our chance!"

"What are you talking about? He already spends plenty enough time here."

"Playing piano with you, maybe, but the rest of us are woefully starved of Bendy time!"

"Bendy time?"

"You know what I mean!"

"Um, I honestly don't think this what-if warrants this level of—"

"So you're sayin' there's a chance of him pickin' someone else?"

"I think it's in the realm of possibility."

"Then we'll have to figure out who."

"And how will we do that?"

"I'm sure I could think up a few contests… see who he picks…"

"We'd have to go get him first."

"Well then, let's do that."

"Guys, seriously! Can't we just… I don't know, talk to Henry before jumping through these crazy hoops?"

A pause.

"Stick to lyrics, Jack."

"Yeah, Jack."

"Alright, let's do this, team!"

Amid the clambering of shoes leaving the room, there's a long suffering sigh. "I'll be in my office, I guess…"

"Did you hear? Henry might be leaving."

"Really? Always thought he'd stick around 'til the business sank."

"So did I!"

"So, see, the Music Department's been running around addressing things. Possible concerns."

"You'd think Joey would be the one doing that."

"Nah, haven't seen him all day, actually. And I have a script waiting for review…"

"Anyway, they've been gathering everyone in the band room."

"Everyone? What, they're doing a concert?"

"Bendy's in there. Norman says he's 'up for grabs.'"

"…what?"

"Bendy's super attached to Henry, right? So they're trying to figure out where he'll stay if Henry decides to leave."

"Isn't Joey the obvious choice? I mean, he is the guy who created him."

"I guess… but maybe he'll choose someone else."

"I don't think 'up for grabs' is the best way to put that…"

"Don't blame me, Norman's the one who said it!"

A pause.

"I mean, we're going, right?"

"Oh, of course."

The sound of a door easing open. "Hey, Mr. Drew?"

"Ah, Buddy, yes, hello! Come in, come in! What's on your mind?"

"Um… you're wanted in the band room."

"Oh, alright." The scratching of a chair being pushed back. Footsteps on wood. A door closing. "What am I needed for? Did Sammy finish that theme I asked him for?"

"Um… no, sir. It's for a contest."

"Pardon?"

"A contest. Everyone's there in the band room waiting for you. All the animators and writers, too."

"I… why are they there?"

"That's where Bendy is. And people are hoping he'll pick someone new to follow around."

"And they're hoping this because…?"

"Because Mr. Stein might be leaving."

One pair of footsteps stop. "…what?"

"Mr. Stein might be leaving."

"I… Henry isn't leaving."

"He isn't?"

"Of course not. Whatever in the world gave everyone that idea?"

"Um… it's what everyone's been saying, sir."

"I told you, Buddy, you don't need to call me sir."

"R-right."

"Anyway… do you know where they heard this?"

"Someone said they overheard him talking about quitting. And he's been working late a lot, so maybe he's tired."

"That… doesn't sound like Henry. I-I mean, I know things have been stressful, but not that much. Right?"

A noncommittal hum. "That's just what I've heard."

"Huh…"

An anxious silence.

"W-well, they still want you in the band room for comparison."

"I… comparison?"

"To see who Bendy likes more."

"Ah… I-I see… so they think this is really happening?"

"I guess so."

An unnerved clearing of the throat. "Right… well then… I suppose… it only makes sense…"

"Are you alright, Mr. Drew?"

"J-just peachy, Buddy. C'mon, let's get going. There are many, many people waiting for us!"

"Hey, Henry?"

Silence.

"Henry."

"Oh, hey Abby. What is it?"

"You’re not leaving, are you?"

"Leave- do you need help with something? I can stay. I was just finishing up with—"

"No, I mean… leaving. The studio. Y'know… quitting."

"What? Of course not. What gave you that idea?"

"Everyone’s saying it. Joey, too."

"…Joey thinks so?"

The rustle of a nod.

A long sigh. The sound of a pencil being put down. "Oh, man… alright, where are they?"

"Band room. They’re doing a contest to see who Bendy will take to if you leave."

The sound of a chair scraping against wood. Another sigh, this one more fond. "Of course they are."

Everything goes silent when Henry Stein enters the room. Everyone freezes on the spot, stuck with their hands in the cookie jar. Well, the cookie jar that is an elaborate mashup of toys, instruments, and other objects in an attempt to get a certain cartoon demon's interest piqued.

Bendy is the first one to move, of course. He jumps down from the table he’s been placed onto and weaves through the crowd of people to get to Henry, to whom he raises his hands expectantly.

In a clean movement, Henry bends down and scoops Bendy securely into his arms. He surveys the room silently, taking in a range of emotions from surprised, to confused, to worried, to amused. Then he sighs, exasperated, like the weight of the entire studio is on his shoulders. "I’m not leaving," he announces, much too tired.

The room erupts in noise. Disbelief and accusations hit the air, with everything in between ringing out into the big space. Above it all heaves the loud, mirthful laugh of someone who knew this all along and played into the insanity, and the similarly loud but very different cry of someone who knew and dreaded this very result from the start. And, quieter, between the shouts and yells, there's the blessedly relieved exhale of a man too paranoid for his own good.

In the chaos, Henry looks down at Bendy. Bendy blinks back, completely out of the loop, and Henry chuckles.

"Don’t worry, bud," he says, even though he knows Bendy won’t hear it. "I’ll never leave you. No way in hell."

----------

thanks for reading! :)

after this Henry has a very long talk with the entirety of the studio about jumping to conclusions. and a separate, more stern talk with Joey about letting his doubts get the best of him. and then another talk with the entire studio about just talking to him if they hear rumors like this, jesus christ.

[ursa-tan]

Soft

Wally Darling x Reader (Platonic or Romantic)

Requested: No

To your surprise, Wally's hair isn't a solid mass of hair spray and bobby pins! Rather, its an intricately weaved together hair style that nearly falls apart when you run your hands through it. Though Wally doesn't seem to mind in the slightest.

Word count: 609 Reading time: ~2 mins

TW: None No descriptions of the reader's gender + they/them pronouns, but the reader is briefly mentioned to be wearing a dress

You sit on the blanket Julie has laid out, legs tucked under you with your dress' skirt pushed over your knees. It's a beautifully sunny day, just like every other day this week as been. Which is why Julie had decided that it was the opportune time to put together a picnic. Wally interrupts your light day dreaming when he walks over, sitting next to you with his legs crossed.

"Hello neighbour," he says, voice soft and monotone as always.

"Heya Wally, enjoying today?" You ask, glancing at him for a second before closing your eyes and letting yourself get lost in the feeling of the sun on your face.

"I am, it's wonderful. Are you?"

You hum out a response, shifting slightly to lay your legs in front of you. Leaning back on your hands becomes more comfortable than holding yourself up.

Suddenly, an unexpected weight is placed in your lap, gently laid across your thighs. You crack an eye open, having to readjust to the bright sunlight. When you can finally see properly again, you're met with the sight of Wally. His head in placed in your lap, eyes closed and signature smile on his face. His fingers are intertwined and hands laid on his stomach while his legs are straight out, relaxed and slightly parted.

"You comfortable there?" You chuckle lightly, placing a hand on Wally's chest and toying with the end of his silk ascot.

"Very, thank you neighbour." He doesn't bother opening his eyes to look at you - which is rather strange for Wally, but you brush it off as him being relaxed.

Slowly, you remove your hand from his chest and place it behind you, leaning back again. Although, from the way Wally opens his eyes and looks at you, you can tell he he wasn't particularly fond of your choice. But your other wrist hurts and you need to give it a break, so you choose instead to play with his hair. Or at least you attempt to.

Everyone in home knows Wally takes a lot of pride in his appearance - not in a vain way, he just likes to look good. And as a result of that, you expected his hair to be solid, held together by mass amounts of hair spray. What you don't expect in the slightest is how soft it is. Your fingers disappear easily into the blue pompadour, sinking into the soft, almost fluffy mass without a problem.

You expect to find a bobby pin in there somewhere, and while you do, it does take a moment. Completely lost in how soft his hair is, you don't realise that Wally's hair has begun to unravel. Gently, it begins to untwine, falling into your lap.

"Neighbour?" Wally opens his eyes again, looking up at you, "What are you doing?"

"Oh!" It's almost as if his words bring you back to reality, make you aware of what you're doing, "I'm so sorry Wally, I didn't mean to ruin your hair," You mumble, removing your hand from his hair.

However, your movement doesn't get far as the puppet in your lap reaches up to grab your hand in both of his. He guides it back to his head, placing it back in the same position it was in before you took it away.

"I can fix it later neighbour." Wally smiles up at you, letting his eyes fall shut again.

You chuckle lightly, threading your fingers into his hair again. Once again you lose yourself in the feeling of his hair. You twirl the loose curls around your fingers, watching them coil and then fall away from around your digits.

[welcomehomerandomness]

Welcome Home Website Update Reaction Notes (3/9/2024) Part 1 (SPOILERS)

Hey guys! Today I'm gonna show you my reactions to the Welcome Home website via my notes on Google Docs. I wrote 5 pages and spent around a few hours exploring the website lol. Hope you enjoy it! Here's Part 1!

NEW HOME ART IT'S SNOWING

Wally’s Christmas outfit makes him look like he’s ready to work at the North Pole lol

I also love how the little doodles are very Christmas-like

THE VISITOR COUNT THINGIE IS BROKEN

Idk if it’s intentional or if it’s actually broken lol

THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAD SOME FEW CHANGES WHAT

THEY’RE ALL DECORATED FOR CHRISTMAS (or in this world they seem to call it “Housewarming” which is pretty fitting)

Also “Happy Housewarming” and “Welcome Pillar Family”??? WE GET TO MEET HOWDY’S FAMILY???

I remember seeing Clown’s post that there’s going to be a new voice actor in Welcome Home so I’m wondering if the new voice actor is voicing one of Howdy’s relatives I can’t wait to find out

Also is that a clock tower at the bottom??? It looks like a clock tower lol

Also the clock tower’s faces looks like Yellow Guy from Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared lol

Wally has painted something on the empty canvas…Is that a cup or a genie lamp? Please let me know what this is lol

New Wally information added: “Home is the reason behind the creation of ‘Homewarming,’ a holiday created by Wally.”

New Barnaby information added: “Similar sources, such as Barnaby’s Joke Kit in ‘The Welcome Home Wishbook,’ noted Barnaby being able to perform a gaggle of tricks, such as juggling, balancing on a ball, and steadying large objects on the tip of his nose.”

I think Barnaby’s Joke Kit is a new merchandise that the Playfellow Exhibition uncovered but we’ll see later

New Julie information added: “Many of her skits and activities centered around playing games, whether they were as familiar as jump rope and hopscotch or simply made up on a whim. ( See ‘The Welcome Home Wishbook.’ )” and “Hibernation may be another descriptor of this cartoon species, as uncovered media surrounding the holiday of ‘Homewarming’ depicted Julie hibernating throughout the winter. Akin to Barnaby, Julie’s paws also have hearts at the bottom.”

So basically Julie and her family hibernate and she has paws that have hearts in the bottom??? Interesting…

New Frank information added: “Some audio, such as in the vinyl record titled, ‘Homewarming,’ presents a strange sound that can be heard accompanying Frank’s vocals and could imply his head rotating.”

…Frank??? Are you ok??? I’m scared…

Also I just realized that at the end of their profiles so far, it shows how the puppets operate except for Wally (which is sus)

“It is assumed Barnaby’s puppet was rotated between a live-hand puppet and a walk-around puppet, typically to keep him in frame with his much shorter neighbors and requiring two puppeteers.”

“Julie is believed to be a puppet operated by one handler.”

“Frank is believed to be a puppet operated by one handler.”

Eddie doesn’t seem to have new information added except that he “...was a live-hand puppet who required two puppeteers to operate.”

HOWDY I MISS YOU

New Howdy information added: “Within the vinyl record, ‘Howdy’s Holiday Hullabaloo,’ one can see a ‘quarter of a wiggle’ of them.”

I don’t know what that really means but I can’t wait to hear (or maybe see) Howdy again

“Howdy’s puppet was rotated between a live-hand puppet and a walk-around puppet in order to keep him in frame with his fellow residents, requiring two or more puppeteers.”

If I was a puppeteer and got hired by the creators of Welcome Home, I would work with the Howdy puppet lol

SALLY’S BACK TO NORMAL…but I’m still worried about her…

New Sally information added: “In recently uncovered material and archived footage, Sally is shown to be able to literally shine or glow in the dark, although it is unclear if a similar effect was applied to the puppet. Concept artwork revealed that Sally was a live-hand puppet that required two or three puppeteers to operate due to the size of her head, as it was much larger than other puppets.”

I wonder if a toy exists somewhere where it’s a Sally plush that talks and glows in the dark…That would be sick and I would buy it immediately and use her as my new cuddle buddy/night light…

New Poppy information added: “Poppy was rarely seen outside of her barn, typically being visited by neighbors instead, and has no material, illustrated or otherwise, showing her outdoors. This is further proven in found footage where Poppy is excluded (for unclear reasons) from Wally’s Homewarming party.” and “Within the context of the show, this was because she was too scared to use appliances. This also may be the reason why she is a vegetarian, according to “The Welcome Home Cookbook” that depicted an only sunflower seed turkey.”

Poppy is excluded??? For unclear reasons???

I’m worried about Poppy now…

“Poppy’s puppet is a walk around puppet that concept work noted stood at around eight feet tall, but photographs showing her height have yet to be uncovered.”

Also the clock tower doesn’t seem to be clickable…sad

Omg the neighbors have little snow globe stickers awww

WAIT A MINUTE HOLD UP

IS THAT TWO OF HOWDY’S FAMILY MEMBERS IN HIS SNOW GLOBE??? WHAT???

I’m guessing they’re either his parents or one of his uncles and aunts…But we’ll see…

In the About Us section, there’s a new question which is “This isn’t the same website as before. Why did you move it?” and a doodle next to the question…Interesting…

I checked the News section and I only see half of the title “Latest Headlines and Updates for Welcome Home!”...I wonder if that’s a mistake or if that was on purpose…

“I apologize about the date on the most recent news post. I assumed it was still December. I’m not sure how this could have happened. The individual who posted this must not have been paying proper attention. Please pay it no mind, have a wonderful day! Happy spring! Almost as good as Homewarming!”...That seems kinda sus

THE WALLY PHONE CALL AUDIO IS GONE

“(NOTE: The audio for Wally Darling is experiencing a glitch and has been temporarily taken offline. Please be patient as we work to restore this as soon as we possibly can!)”

The Official Welcome Home Cookbook!!!

I want to get one of these copies so bad

Also it has a doodle next to the title of the cookbook lol

Now it’s time to listen to The Welcome Home Wish Book here we gooooo

Also is the doodle next to the title a cigarette???

ALSO SANTA IS IN THIS???

Santa is the best Welcome Home character fight me

Who’s Howdy? I don’t know him…I only know Santa

I love whoever voices Santa…It definitely fits him

MOM CAN I GET A HOWDY CASH REGISTER SET??? I NEED IT TO SCAM MY FRIENDS!!!/j

NO NOT EDDIE

SANTA WHYYYYY

Actually let’s not blame Santa let’s blame the “static and muddled sound” in the radio that cut off Eddie’s gift

Anyways

The “Homewarming” Storybook Record!!! Yayyy!!! Let’s go!!!

Oh it’s a different narrator this time…The voice reminds me of an old grandpa telling his grandchildren a Christmas story…

“The hubbub is that the Homewarming party is tonight, Barnaby. But I don’t think I know how to do Homewarming right… What should I do? What if I do it wrong? What if it makes Home sad?” Awww Wally…

“Hello, Wally. Barnaby.” Frank is so sassy love them

“Hiya Jewels! Frank.” Barnaby LMAO

“With fire wood, kindling- Home would probably like to be warm in all this cold weather, just like this bug!” I’m sorry but my crack brain imagines Wally accidentally burning Home down what is wrong with me lol

[quotidian-oblivion]

✨Out of context lines shitpost Pt. 3✨

Part 1 | Part 2

Quo: Do you want to put the sparkles in the title like we did in- Nogolsta: Of course. We're not savages.

@mispeltnostalgia and Quo bring forth more shit.

Hello, y'all enjoy the chaos cause i know i do :) -Nogolsta

The batfam but as things we said in public and in class:

Tim: I cleaned my floor, I washed the dishes, I did my h.w, I was productive.

Jason: Damn. The motivation demon possessed you.

Tim: Yeah it did!

Jason: Meanwhile… meanwhile…

Tim: What did you do?

Jason: *softy* torture

Tim: I love that

*high five*

~

Dick: *Starts sinking in his chair sliding under the table*

Also Dick: *Struggles to get up. Almost dies*

~

Steph: look if it's wrong you can blame me. I’ll even give you a crochet hook to stab me

Jason: I’d rather kill you with words

Steph: So I'd get on OC and you would brutally murder them?

Jason: Well, I do have an OC called Steph. Well its Christopher but I can shorten it

Bruce: What are you talking about?

Jason: Murder.

Steph: Specifically mine.

~

Special extracts from Tim’s essay about funeral rites in Egypt:

(Please note these are some extracts from Nogolsta’s essay outline. We don’t question it.)

The brain getting removed via nose with a crochet hook and the rest of the brain goop getting washed out with 💉drugs💉.

The flank (above the hips and below the booby area) is then cut open to scoop out the entire abdomen.

The cavity is then washed with palm wine and then with a ✨spicy blend✨.

Then it's filled with nice smelling things: pure myrrh(dur), cassia (another variation of cinnamon) but no frankincense (they don’t want the dead waking up now do they? Or else it’s gonna cause another Jason Todd). Then they sew the body up.

Body is chucked in natron (godly salt) for 70 days. No longer, no shorter (just like Dick) (Or Damian).

After this, the body is washed and wrapped in linen for that mummy look we all know and love.

Middle class funerals got less care (shockingly).

The body is injected with cedar oil through the butthole and is then plugged up like the hair in the sink.

(Note: Bruce got a call from the teacher about Tim being submitted to counseling.)

~

Dick: *walking backwards* I will make you hydrate

Tim: No you won’t 

Dick: you don’t have a choi- *walks into bookshelf and knocks books off*

~

Babs: and we could just sit and read fanfiction. I’m open to any Fandom as long as no romance or smut. I’m not comfortable with that. But I'm open to anything else. Especially ✨torture✨

~

Damian: Did you burn the paper I told you to burn?

Steph: Yeah!

Damian: Do you still have the ashes?

Steph: What? No, I burnt it in the fireplace, I’m not scooping it out.

Damian: *sigh* a pity. I was hoping to put it in a jar and look at it every day, reminding me of my dreams.

~

Wally: Oh no! We haven't been unpredictable enough today! Quick! Say something shitty!

Dick: I didn't bring a sandwich because we ran out of bread at home so Alfred made me a salad but I don't want a salad, I want a ham, cheese and tomato toastie. I mean, I love a salad, but I want a toastie *starts sobbing*

Wally:

Wally: I have regrets.

~

Jason: JANDBHWISHEVWBAKKXNFBFJEJDHRUWIQPD DNDBDHUS RBSKWDIHRVE SNAOSUEB

Bruce: *crying* Please- I will get down on my knees. Please stop.

Jason: NNJsjeuewjjJQJS EBSIWOSUEHEHBWBD RJE sndjjdidiwiwje

Jason: You have to say the ones not in all-caps quieter.

Jason: jwjduruwhsbdjriwi aanwjeiisjd NSNWOWORIRBEBSJA

~

Jason:*whispers* i have a torture idea

Dick: *facepalms in disappointment*

~

Dick: Our father has become a pigeon!

Jason: What?

Dick: *swivels phone to show a snap from Tim of Bruce with a pigeon filter on*

~

4 yo Damian: *grabs onto someone's leg in a crowd*

Jason: "raises the foot holding Damian with disgust* what the fuck are you?

4 yo Damian: you're not my father

Jason: I sure hope not. I haven't got any fuckers like you running around.

4 yo Damian: If you were my dad, I’d be sad.

Jason: Let’s find your dad you little shit.

Note: Nogolsta as a child was precious and savage at the same time 

Part 4

[runaway-dreamers]

🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡

Enjoy Right Now, Today

Word count: 1,948

Summary: Poppy wants to spend some time with you.

Before

Wally Darling x (GN) YN

🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡

Early morning light filled the kitchen shining over the dishes left out to dry from the previous night. On the stove sat a kettle still warm to the touch but emptied of its contents. Nearby was a glass carafe partially filled with black coffee. Steam wafted up from the black contents filling out before unfurling out into the air. The aroma lingered sweetly hanging around like a silent guest whose company I deeply cherish, and whose silence I felt the deepest comforts in. I sat at my table with my legs crossed, and my head resting on its side. 

My cup rested near me with a notebook between us. Ink smeared my fingers, inky coils filled the page before me. Without realizing it, while sorting through my thoughts, my words had turned into looping swirls, and those swirls into a menacing black cloud that ate everything in its reach. I couldn't remember the words that had been there. I flipped through the pages only to be met with black clouds over words and sentences. Everything that it consumed held some distant purpose. I wondered if names could fit certain entries. What did the removal of dates mean? 

I sighed leaning back to rest on my arms. I knew I had done this during my time in the darkness and dust. I sat back up and flipped my notebook closed, deciding to put this aside and save myself the headache. As I stood up with my now cold coffee in hand I felt off. I shivered and quickly went to the kitchen wanting to continue on with my day. The stale coffee filled the sink and swirled down the drain. Next was the carafe. As I carefully washed my dishes I looked outside to see the painter's easel sitting empty. Next to it were stained buckets filled with used rags and paint brushes. It must have been forgotten from a previous project, still it was a sight to watch my neighbor give himself to ⁰whatever it was he was working on. His eyes would focus solely on the subject. His mixing of colors were precise, and his strokes were done with reason. 

He would probably have something to say about the black clouds filling my notebook. I rolled my eyes and smirked, placing the now cleaned dishes to dry on the rack. I dried my hands and wondered what it was I could be doing today. Feeling adventurous I prepared another pour over giving myself to process. I sighed as the smell filled the air once again, mixing with the smell of flowers right outside my cracked open kitchen window.  It was here that I found myself at ease with the fading nightmares of static and eyes, and the burden of being unable to recall what I saw beyond it. My waking hours had been filled with a loss unimaginable that I would find myself crying suddenly. 

I cleaned away the stray tears with my stained fingers. I'm sure some of the ink smudged on my cheek, but I didn't care. The coffee had slowed to a thin stream and then droplets. At the bottom of the carafe the dark liquid blossomed. A knock at the door caused me to jump in surprise. Could it have been Eddie? There was no way any mail would be here for me. I walked around the island and quickly pulled open the door. I looked up in surprise, not expecting such a tall colorful bird. As tall as she was, her eyes were very kind. 

"Oh, dear, hello! My name is Poppy, Poppy Partridge." She leaned down a bit and I realized I had been staring a little too wide eyed. 

"Hello. It's very nice to meet you," I paused, "I am Y/N." 

"I don't mean to intrude on you, but I heard you may be feeling a bit down?" She turned her head to the side, her eyes filling with genuine concern. She seemed to be looking me over for signs of something. 

"That's very kind of you Poppy," I blushed, embarrassed by the idea of the neighborhood worrying after me, "Would you, uh, like some coffee?" 

"Was that wonderful smell coming from here? I smelled it all the way down towards Howdy's bodega! He was a bit confused when I asked if he started selling some.. Ah, listen to me go on and on while your answer goes ignored. I would love a cup, dear." Poppy chuckled, nodding her head just a bit. She did eye the door frame a bit. It might be too tight a fit I realized. 

"We-We could sit outside. It's beautiful out today, and I haven't been out in the sun for quite a while.." The last part was quieter and meant more as a comment to myself. I hadn't realized it was spoken out loud until Poppy made a hum in understanding. 

"I have trouble getting out, too. I've made so many wonderful friends here. Know that you will never be rushed with us. Everything at your own pace, ok?" She was sweet and kind. Her words felt like a hug and I had released the tension I was unknowingly holding onto. I nodded at a loss for words. 

Poppy had brought a blanket inside her basket of treats. As she was laying out the flower patterned blanket I listened to her gentle humming from the other side of my open window. I poured the coffee into two cups set on a tray, with sugar cubes and a little pitcher of milk neatly placed near to it. Satisfied with it I carefully carried it all outside. Poppy was unpacking cookies and sandwiches from her basket when I very slowly placed the tray of liquids down on a free spot. I smiled while looking it over for any spills. 

"It really does smell wonderful." Poppy complimented the coffee as she smelled it thoughtfully. 

"I really enjoyed making it. I hope it tastes to your liking?" I watched a bit as Poppy took a sip. She hummed before taking another sip. I picked up a cookie and took a bite. 

"It's even better than I imagined, Y/N!" Poppy was beaming! 

"Did you bake these? They really are so tasty!" We chatted excitedly about her baked goods and my coffee. They went so well together. 

"Well, I did have some help from Wally. I get a bit anxious at times and it helps having someone to talk to while browning butter." Poppy looked off to the side and I felt a chill up my spine. I rolled one of my shoulders and adjusted myself. 

"Wally? Who is that?" 

"Wally Darling! Why, he's the friendliest neighbor in all of Home," Poppy pointed,  her wing outstretched, across the way. I turned to look over. And saw a rather tall blue dog wearing a top hat, and a much smaller man near him, "That's Barnaby and the little one there is Wally. Those two are the best of friends." 

Barnaby was lying stretched out on the grass with his eyes closed. Wally was next to him staring straight into the expansive blue sky above. They seemed to be talking to one another. Barnaby said something that made Wally laugh. It was monotone and robotic, but charming. They seemed truly happy to just be spending time together.

I looked at Poppy as she spoke, her eyes closed, "Hmm, Barnaby and Wally must have already eaten their share of cookies." 

I couldn't help but smile at her comment. I looked back towards them and immediately regretted it. Wally was now looking towards us, at me, with his friendly lazy smile on his face. His eyes never moved and I felt caught in his stare. My face flushed from embarrassment and I quickly turned away. I drank some of my coffee and silently thanked Poppy for pretending not to see. Wally's monotone laugh was distant, and I couldn't help but smile to myself. 

The picnic carried on with light conversation as we just enjoyed the tweeting of birds flying by, and the breeze that carried the smell of wet dirt and blooming flowers. Spring was always a treat no matter where you were. It had a way of undoing the knots of daily life troubles. Though, it was getting harder to recall what those troubles were. Home seemed to be a place of paradise, almost. 

I let myself stretch out on the blanket with part of my body on the grass. A comfortable silence had fallen over us. Poppy had taken out a book to read with her glasses perched on her beak. My eyes were closed as a smile formed on my face. I hadn't imagined I would find time to feel like this today. Life went on around me and in this moment I felt like I was a part of that slow moving river. I wanted to follow it all through its many twists and bends. There was great comfort in just existing here. 

Barnaby and Wally had grown quiet during this time. I could hear the grass whistle as the gentle breeze passed between them. The leaves on the tree brushed together before settling until the next breeze ruffled them up. Poppy was flipping through the pages of her book, and I listened as she took a sip of the water I brought out sometime before. The eyes and static felt like little passing nothings as I stayed here. 

The passing clouds casted short moving shadows across us. My face scrunched at the sudden darkness, but it passed just as quickly. The sound of footsteps pulled me out from my meditations. I opened my eyes slowly and rolled over to lay on my stomach. On the other side of my flower shrubs was Barnaby. He was standing tall with a friendly smile on his face and his hands on his hips. For a moment nothing was said. 

"Did ya have a nice nap kid?" Barnaby asked with a laugh. I smiled at him. 

"Very nice, yes." I sat up with my legs folded under me. Poppy had closed her book, putting it away with her glasses. 

"Are you off on your way home Barnaby?" Poppy asked with a smile on her face. 

"Indeed I am. Are you going the same way?" He smiled at her, playfulness clear in his eyes. 

"Hmm.. Dear I think I'll be going now. I had such a wonderful time with you. You should visit me sometime soon! We can bake together if you'd like?" Poppy was carefully stacking her dishes. 

"Sure, that sounds wonderful." I helped her pack her things away and gathered up my own dishes.

"Have a good night, dear. Don't be a stranger." Poppy and Barnaby waved goodbye as I watched them go. 

I looked over towards Wally. He was also watching them go. When he noticed me he looked over. We didn't turn away right away. For a moment we held each other's eyes, and then Wally waved. I waved back before he turned away. He went inside of his house. Alone for a moment I looked around and wondered if things were really so bad for me. 

Inside my home I turned on my lights. The sun was getting low outside and the light blue was darkening to a star filled blackness. Crickets chirped and I swore I saw the tell-tale glows of fireflies outside my window. Once the dishes were put away and the sink cleaned, I stood in my kitchen a bit longer watching the moon light up the sky. 

The sense of loss didn't feel as strong today, and for that I was thankful. 

[speckle-meow-meow]

hey, here's an idea. since it's my birthday today-though it'll probably be long past when you answer this lol-could i have headcanons for the welcome home doing something for it? i figure that headcanons would be easier for everyone. if you only want to do some of them, any three of wally, frank, sally, julie, or howdy is fine. thank you and have a good day!

Dude I am so sorry happy late birfday...

Warning: wee bit of angst

It was your birthday

And everyone knew

So they decided to throw a surprise party!

It was 7 am when you woke up, you felt happier than usual because it was a very special day for you. It was your birthday!!!

Which ment....

BIRTHDAY PANCAKES (or whatever preferred breaky)

After you finished your breakfast you got dressed, you decided to doll up a little and add a little spice to your clothing.

And a little bit of makeup (ik not everyone wears makeup but like... Please let me have this 🥺👉👈)

You looked fantastic!

After you sorted yourself out you left home and made your way to Howdys bug- I mean Bodega.

Everyone saw that you looked slightly different

More pep in your step and more dressy than usual

And they knew why

You stepped inside the Bodega sort of expecting a "HELLO Y/N happy birthday" but it never came.

In all honesty in made you a bit sad but, not everyone has to remember your birthday, especially when you don't remember most people's birthdays. (Not me calling myself out..)

"Hello howdy! How are you today?" You grinned towards your fuzzy tall four armed friend

"Oh hello y/n! I'm doing great! What about you?" He turned to face you

"I'm doing great! After all it is a very special day for me! Which means I'm going to buy a (dessert of choice)!" You giggled hoping that he would know what day it was

But he didn't

"Of course!" He grabbed some metal tongs and grabbed your dessert, putting it into a small box then putting it in your hands "alright there ya go! Enjoy!"

You smiled but it was a meek smile

It pained howdy when you didn't show your usual bright smile

He had to resist telling you happy birthday

After all he couldn't ruin the surprise right?

But oh boy was he wrong...

You passed everyone each hoping you'd have a great day and nothing else, not even Frank who seemed to remember everything said happy birthday

You suppressed the urge to cry until you reached your home. When you got there you threw the dessert you got from the Bodega into the trash. To you it would taste to bitter.

We're you being a bit petty? Or over reacting? Maybe.. But it was your birthday...

Once they saw you go into your house they all prepared poppy barn for your party

Poppy made the sweets

Julie and Sally were discussing activities

Wally was keeping watch just incase you were gonna show up

Frank was putting your presents on a table

Howdy was helping Eddie make decorations while handing/putting them around

Later Julie put a note in an envelope running to your house and putting it on your porch then running after knocking on your door.

You heard the knocks and checked seeing the envelope on the ground.

You picked it up and closed your door, then reading the contents

It was an invite

Deciding not to let your sadness get in the way you got dresses again making yourself presentable, and left.

You arrived at Poppy's and opened the doors

It was quiet, until you heard a loud

"SURPRISE!!!"

Everyone was there!

They did remember!

The night was fully of fun and laughter

You even forgot what your were sad about because you realized that they did remember.

{God's you don't know how much I had to restrain myself to not make it to angsty, anyways I hope you liked this anon and happy late birthday! As always hearts and reblogs are always welcomed along with questions, comments, and requests}

[semiotomatics]

feeling sad about my cat(s)

I love bean, I really do. I'm so glad I have her.

but I fucking miss wally.

the thing about bean is, and obviously this is not her fault at all, but she is very skittish and fearful. she can't really handle loud noises or unexpected movement, and she doesn't really like being crowded. this means she's not really someone I can go to for comfort when I'm upset, because she tends to immediately want to run away and hide.

but wally. wally would come to me when I was crying, and I could cry into his fur as much as I wanted without him batting an eye. he had the patience of a saint, I could come over pretty much whenever and start cuddling him and he always enjoyed, or at least tolerated, it. I would have panic attacks that would send bean running but wally would just. sit there and let me pet him as much as I needed to to ground myself. I never had to worry about stressing him out or overstimulating him because I knew he genuinely didn't mind. I can't do that with bean. which is fine, that's just who she is, but man. I really miss having that ability.

idk, I'm in a bad headspace today and I just really wish I could go cry into wally's fur and let it all out but I can't and I'll never be able to again and I'll never see him again for the rest of my life and it's almost unbearable how much I miss him.

[arthyritis]

A Wonderful World (Welcome Home/Puppet Friends AU) - Chapter Three

The shelves were newly stocked, Poppy had said when they arrived at the bodega. Supposedly, that meant it'd be easier to find what they were looking for because even with only seven other neighbours, things seemed to just disappear from the bodega, named "Howdy's Place", and sometimes it'd be harder to find things than others. So, Pip was grateful for the fresh restock of art supplies.

In fact, things were so stocked that Pip was a little bit overwhelmed by the overflowing hangers and shelves.

"Oh, wow..." he muttered in awe.

Poppy smiled down at him. "You've never been to the store, either?"

Pip stood in place, tapping his foot against the tile floor, his eyes trailing the shelves in a half-daze. "No, I have... but I stayed in Phoebe's backpack most of the time."

"Ah! Is Phoebe your keeper?"

The daze quickly became full awareness as Pip's head snapped to look up at another tall figure suddenly looming over it. The deeper, chipper voice of the caterpillar man was startling in contrast to Poppy's sweet, feminine one, and his height was nearly as staggering. A nametag on his breast read, "Howdy" in neat handwriting.

"Good morning, Howdy!" Poppy chirped. "I suppose this means you've heard the news and some of the information floating around, too. But, yes, this is Pip. He's a little shy."

Howdy extended one of four hands down to Pip politely. "Howdy, Pip! Welcome to the little neighbourhood we call Home! How have you been enjoying your house?"

Finally, Pip broke out of its stupor, and with little hesitance, it accepted the shake of the caterpillar's hand. "It's great, thank you."

"That's great! Now, what are you folks browsing for? Maybe I can help!"

"We're just trying to decide on some drawing supplies for Pip. Might you have any recommendations?" Poppy asked, picking up a pack of crayons to examine. "I'm sure Eddie has more than enough for our next neighbourhood picnic, but it would be nice for Pip to be able to draw on his own, too."

A hand rose to rub against Howdy's chin as he also looked at the display. Then, he reached forward and picked up a pad of paper and a box of markers and gave them to Pip. "Hmm, I think you'd be perfectly happy with these. They're top of the line!"

Pip looked down at the supplies and smiled. "Thank you, Howdy."

The bell over the door rang, and then a deep voice called out which brought Howdy's attention to it. "No problemo, neighbour. I've got to go see what Barnaby wants. Help yourself to any supplies you'd like, though. They're on the house for today!"

Four legs took him out of the aisle before disappearing around the corner.

Pip continued to look down at the paper and markers until Poppy set the crayons down on top and walked to the end of the aisle as well. It watched to see what she was doing, confused when she looked down and nearly bawked in surprise at what she saw. "Oh, Wally! Feathers, you startled me."

"Hi, Poppy," was all Pip heard Wally say. He tried to back out of the aisle before being spotted, but he wasn't so lucky to even get a foot away before: "Hello, Pip."

"Hi, Wally," Pip acknowledged with a faint sigh.

The slightly taller puppet's eyes fell to what was in Pip's arms and couldn't help but take notice of how it held its things tighter to its chest.

"Do you like to do art, Pip?"

He shifted his things again. "Yeah, I do." It's what I was doing before I came here; maybe that's a clue for how I can get back home.

Wally's expression softened. "Wonderful. We have a neighbourhood picnic coming up and there's always an art table, hosted by our own Eddie Dear. You're invited to come, of course, as our newest neighbour. Shall I let everyone know you'll be joining us?"

The tone set an expectation that he wanted Pip to be there.

Did Pip want to go? He wasn't sure. At least, he was sure he could avoid Wally fairly well if he was distracted by all of the other neighbours, but Pip was still so new to everything, so did he want to go and be... watched? Judged?

Its eyes flicked to Poppy, the purple of its buttons fading into the brown. Hopefully, she understood the question, though she remained silent in watching it, a small smile on her beak. "It would be nice to have someone else help hand out the food," she stated softly.

And, well, if Poppy wanted its help, how could it deny her that?

Wally seemed to be oblivious to the more specific underlying reason for the interaction as Pip turned back to him, shaking but trying to smile.

"All right, I'll go."

"Thank you, Pip. I'll make sure everyone knows to expect you." As if right on cue, Barnaby called through the shop for Wally to join him again. Wally smiled and waved goodbye to Pip and Poppy. "Have a good day, and have fun with your art, Pip."

"Bye..."

,

Pip wanted to slam his house's door, close the curtains, and hide away forever.

More like he wanted to be back in Phoebe's room and climb up to the shelves like he had planned before this mess got started. He wanted his safe space, and as much as he was beginning to like this house, he didn't feel as safe as he had the night before. Not with Wally calling just minutes after he'd woken up as if he were watching him.

Poppy quickly informed him that was a normal occurrence, as was Wally calling to wish everyone a good night individually. They never knew how he knew they were going to sleep or waking up, but they figured his schedule just aligned that well and... never really questioned him.

Pip did not like that at all. He excused himself as he and Poppy arrived back at his house and let her roam to her delight, so that he could go upstairs and unplug the telephone. However, when he checked, there was nowhere for it to be getting any power.

Instead, he took the receiver off the base and settled somewhat. When his death glare didn't cause him to receive a new phone call, he walked away and rejoined Poppy.

She had set out the new art supplies and taken out some of the baked goods she'd brought earlier in the morning and stored away. Her head was on a swivel as if looking for something, and her wing scratched at her head in defeat as she spotted Pip.

"I could have sworn we'd put a radio in here somewhere."

Confused, Pip looked around, too. He hadn't recalled seeing one, but--

There it was, on the desk in the entrance hallway. It walked toward it and turned it on to some random music channel for background noise. Poppy was overjoyed.

"Oh, wonderful! Thank you, Pip."

"Yeah, no problem," he shrugged. "Did you want to draw?" Why had she set everything out, otherwise?

"Oh, no, I wanted to see what you were capable of!" she chirped and handed Pip a 'muffin'. "What do you like to draw, Pip?"

Pip sat down on the couch, passing the food back and forth in focus. "Lots of things... nature, cool objects around the library or my keeper's room, my friends--"

"Why don't you draw your friends for me, then?"

Pip looked up with a bitter chuckle. "Why, because you can tell just how homesick I am?"

Poppy frowned and crouched next to the coffee table. "No... because I want to know you better. I want to see what makes your friends so special to you in how you draw them."

,

It wasn't long until there was a crayon in one hand and the cupcake in the other and Pip was kneeling next to the table to get closer to his work. He was outlining the light sketch he'd made of an unlikely friend group--a rabbit, a pig, a chipmunk, and a fox.

Poppy watched calmly over his shoulder, delighted but quiet as Pip picked colours for each of them.

"They all look very kind. What are their names?" she finally asked.

The drawing distracted it enough and it began to talk about its family, pointing at each character on the page as it stopped lining the drawing. "The rabbit is Zero, the pig is Ren, the chipmunk is Yay, and the fox is Sweetie."

It switched to colouring, then, and continued talking about each in turn. "Zero is really nice. They can't talk and their legs don't move, but they're funny and also real protective of all of us. You remind me a little bit of them, actually."

The rabbit became brown before their very eyes as Pip finished with the crayon, then worked in the purple and red details of the design.

The last thing it coloured was the red heart on Zero's purple sweater. It sighed with a smile, picking up the pink next.

"Ren is kind of the same but more of a wild card. He also can't talk, at least not in the traditional sense; she has a button under the heart on her chest that lets her talk. He hates the batteries being changed, though. He'll fight as much as he can--or, well, not as much with Phoebe than the library people, as nice as some of them were."

Poppy let Pip vent until he was ready to move on. He coloured the pig's overalls brown, and the ears and feet yellow. Then, he picked up the tan.

"Yay is one of the funniest creatures I know. They're artsy and silly, and their legs flop around like noodles so they don't walk too well, like Zero. They make every bad day way better, and they're one of the only ones who the kids at the library never really picked on. At least physically."

She noticed the eyes of the sitting chipmunk were a little lopsided and found that detail endearing. Their shirt was bright pink to match their happy, silly energy.

Pip sniffed, which brought Poppy's attention back to him. "Is everything okay, dear?"

"Fine, fine," Pip tried to push the topic off of him but couldn't put his heart into it. "I've just... never been able to cry before. I miss them all so much."

Tears dropped down from his button eyes in balloons, which made him feel even worse when Poppy finally made her way around the table to give him a cozy hug.

Their size difference didn't nearly rival Pip's normal seven inches to Phoebe's normal human size, but it was enough to make Pip sink in and embrace the soft, feathery hug around him.

"It's okay, dear. Let it out. You've been so brave, but it's hard, I can tell."

Not another word was spoken until Pip was completely calm, and by then it was nearly lights out. Both Pip and Poppy had a cup of cocoa in their hands and were sipping at the warm drinks, not a care in the world.

"Sweetie is my best friend," Pip finally said. "That's why it hit me so hard. Next to Phoebe, Sweetie is the one who's always been there for me. She's the sweetest, most wonderful puppet in the world. I love her. I love all of them, but I love her."

"I understand, Pip," Poppy nodded. The crayons were abandoned on the coffee table. Pip had picked up the red and orange to try and colour the last character on the page, but he couldn't. "I really do."

Pip sniffed again. "You do, don't you?" He smiled and shifted next to her. "You know, I thought Frank would be my greatest ally here, but I think it's you."

"Oh.." Poppy cooed happily. "Frank is a big sweetheart and I'm glad you two got along so well, but they don't do too good with feelings, to be honest. I'm the bird for that!" she laughed.

Pip laughed along, eyes trailing the small fox on the drawing page. It sighed. "Could you help me hang this up as is? I think it's a good reminder of how everything is still unfinished in some way."

"Of course." The clock chimed and Poppy jumped, nearly spilling her hot cocoa. "Oh, uhh, tomorrow. I'm afraid I have to go. Sorry for leaving you with such a mess. Oh dear..."

He jumped up with her, taking the cup and following her to the door. "It's okay, Poppy. You do what you have to. I know what strict schedules are like."

"Oh, feathers... yes, I knew you would. I'm so sorry. Have a safe and wonderful night, you hear?"

"You, too. Get home safe." Pip frowned as it watched her go, leaning out of the doorway slightly to watch, but then it felt like eyes were tracing every inch of its body that was tilted out of the door. Quickly, it retreated inside and slammed the door.

,

Once it had cleaned everything that needed to be cleaned, it headed upstairs for the night.

The lights were all on like it'd left them, and the phone reciever was still off the base. No phone call was ringing through like it had somewhat worried (what with everything else going on), and it finally felt like it could be at peace.

It sunk into bed, ignoring as best it could the gnawing feeling of thousands of eyes watching it in the night.

[starleska]

I know you're eyes-deep in Wally content right now (<3) but I just rediscovered this show for the first time in years and from what little I remember, thought you might enjoy Dark Truder or Multo (mainly for his king candy-like voicehaha) from The Zula Patrol. Hope you're having a good day!

hey there sweetie!! :3c haha you're right, i am eyes-deep in Wally content right now and having the time of my life!! but it still means the world that delightful individuals such as yourself keep hurling silly characters at me to try and trigger a fixation 😉 i think the sheer insane grip of Wally's Sexyman status has formed a protective bubble around me, barring access to another MODOK or Gargamel for the time being 😂😂 pal nothing could have prepared me for what these guys you've suggested look like and i'm genuinely speechless. i love you so much. now the seed is set - come back in three months and we'll see what happens 🤣🤣 today's been a touch stressful, but it'll be okay :3c i hope you are having a wonderful day!!

[theharpermovieblog]

#HARPERSMOVIECOLLECTION

2023

I watched My Dinner With Andre (1981)

Since I have a good long line up of B-grade and horror films coming my way, I thought I should first watch this talkative Louis Malle directed film classic first, to get something smart in there lol.

A playwright goes to meet an old friend and the two men discuss their views on modern life.

The whole film, besides a few city and subway shots, is just these two men telling stories and pontificating over a meal in a fancy restaurant. That's all. A somewhat intellectual conversation between two men at different places in the world who discuss people's modern social places, their connection to reality, art and just life in general really.

The deeper meaning is there and we'll get to it, But, if I'm to discuss what I really enjoy about this movie, it's the very idea that a movie, or a play can take place in basically one location and have nothing happen other than a somewhat deep conversation.

It speaks to the idea that dialogue, conversation and verbal storytelling can be engaging even from the outside.

I love conversation. I love the moments when simple conversations dip into deeper areas or into friendly debate. I even think it's a talent to be able to hold a really good conversation, and in a way this film is a celebration of that.

Now to the deeper meaning, or at least what I took away from it.

Wally is the struggling Playwright, who narrates the film and who we enter the film with and relate to. He's the more logically minded down to earth charcater. Andre is the successful director, with money and affluence. He talks about more mystical and magical things and experiences. During the conversation they go back and forth agreeing and disagreeing, with Andre talking a bit more, But wally is holding his own and in this moment, at this dinner, they are friends and somewhat equals with differing views and understandings of the world. But, by the end Andre is the one who pays the bill, the waiter looks at Wally and Wally realizes the waiter is noticing he's the less successful one. That's when the two go back to their respective places in the world. Wally the one struggling and Andre being Successful.

A lot can be said about this conversation, about the two men having it, what they represent, and how it starts and closes. It has as much meaning today as it did when it came out.

I could be very wrong about how I perceive the messages of course. I went in so desperate to understand everything about it, that I'll admit I tried too hard lol.

But, I really enjoyed this classic. It's engaging and wonderfully written. Deeply interesting and profound.

My Dinner with Andre is a fantastic collaboration between Louis Malle the director and it's two stars, Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory

[parchmentedpetrichor]

➳the girl in the lilac dress ♠ ♡

in which y/n meets fred's ex-girlfriend, days after fred confessed his love for her. there's still some confusion on the status of their relationship. angst -> fluff. narrated by you, y/n l/n.

fred weasley x fem!reader

word count: ±5.4k

tw: angst (not too bad though), mean words, blood, mentions of auror missions, kidnapping, needles, st mungo's

drop a follow if you wanna see more of this content!!

my masterlist:D

ft. hermione, lee and alicia

I don't wanna look at anything else now that I saw you

I don't wanna think of anything else now that I thought of you

the girl in the lilac dress

i was in a good mood. on the way to work to receive my mission, i was humming a song that had just come out. it was catchy and worth the wait.

out of the corner of my eye, a lilac colour appeared suddenly. strange, i thought. it approached me, in the form of a beautiful woman. she had the lightest grey eyes and the smoothest milky-white skin, and the shiniest locks of dark brown hair. she walked in a flowy lilac gown, her slim model-like body walking in a model-like fashion.

i was pretty sure she wasn't headed towards me, but when her luxurious voice said "good morning" in the calmest tone possible to me, i looked at her confusedly.

"hi!" i replied brightly, smiling.

she smiled sinisterly, "my name is pretoria aphrodite, i'm fred's ex-girlfriend."

he hadn't ever mentioned an ex, but i knew he had dated quite a few people. she made me seem like a glass of water next to a glass of red wine, naive and ugly. i was those two things anyway.

"oh! i'm y/n l/n! nice to meet you, you do seem like a daughter of aphrodite," i said politely.

"darling, all women are daughters of aphrodite. i understand fred's interested in you?"

she observed me and i laughed.

"i don't think that's quite the word. he's my best friend."

"friends with benefits?"

"oh gosh no! i don't really know where we stand, honestly."

"bitter about it?"

i thought for a second, "nah, i couldn't be. love's a hard thing."

"it is, indeed, and you work for the ministry?"

i nodded, "head of the auror office. what about you?"

"i model for witch weekly."

i gasped, "you're the p. aphrodite? i should've known!"

"big fan?" she looked amusedly at me.

"my friends are, so naturally i am."

"you don't seem the type fred usually goes for."

"i wouldn't say he's even going for me," i said cautiously.

"you are much too cutesie for his type."

i glanced up at her. she was smiling kindly.

"pfft, but better cutesie than nothing, amirite?" i asked friendlily, "well it's been nice to talk with you, but i gotta hurry!"

"no worries, i'll come with you, i have some business at the ministry too. have you seen his past exes?"

"uhh, not really?"

"well they're all models for one magazine or another."

"oh, okay. and that's important because...?" i asked her carefully.

"i just thought you should know."

i laughed, "i'm not model material, am i? i don't mind at all."

she looks taken aback. "i would say, with longer hair," she plucked a hair out of my poor mess of locks, "and a shorter upper body, with perhaps lip fillers, you'd look model-like."

her tone was analysing and not at all attacking.

"only three things??" i asked, shocked.

"you are rather... pretty already," she mused, "not model-like, but cute."

we had reached the ministry.

"thanks, see you later!" she waved and disappeared.

all that was left was a buzzing fly which soon flew away.

i immediately dialled in my auror code in the red telephone box and was sent into hermione granger's office.

"'mione! how good to see you!" i hugged her.

"hello y/n!"

in the ministry and the auror department, the head of the auror office was probably more important than the minister for magic. i didn't know why. she had brought me a cup of hot chocolate.

"thanks, 'mione, you didn't need to. what's the mission today?"

"two babies are being held hostage in a coded location by a person who calls themselves the light lord. dark lord, light lord, y'know?" she handed me a coded piece of parchment.

i thoughtfully pondered, "the light lord. who do you need?"

"i was hoping you go on this mission, then you could give me some news on this light lord person."

"that's doable. we'll need to bring in hepole and a ministry official to negotiate passports and such. and a strong auror team."

"right on it. i'll get wally becker and charlotte-ann becker. they're a force to be reckoned with on the borders."

"how much experience?"

"they're twins, been doing this for about fifty years now."

"perfect. and hepole?"

"on the way."

"thanks, minister," i winked at her, getting out my telephone and dialling the disguise unit.

"hello, poplinn speaking."

"pop, we need a few disguises. light lord."

"miss l/n! o-of course!"

"and pop?"

"y-yeah?"

"call me y/n."

i hung up, dialling harry's office.

"harry, call draco and be in my office in ten minutes. i don't care what business he's doing with scorpius, we've got babysitters here. light lord, perhaps a second of voldemort."

"of course."

i picked up the ringing phone that was in the corner of hermione's office.

"y/n, me and scorpy are having a zoo day, we're at the muggle zoo you suggested."

"sorry dray, but it's important."

"there's no one else?"

"there are others, but we need your expertise."

there was a pause, "i won't need to show my dark mark?"

"it's fading anyway. no."

"i'll be paid?"

"in hundreds."

"how old are the children?"

"2 and 4," hermione said.

the silence told me he was sold.

"i'll be there."

i picked up the big microphone and said, "auror unit 156 to the brief room. no need to bring anything. see you there!"

"good luck," hermione grimly said, "be safe, head."

"mhm and cup o' coffee tomorrow? if i survive, that is," i grinned.

"'course."

i smiled, "c'ya!"

she was shaking her head.

"oi, no disappointment, 'mione! i was the one who got the ministry out of paperwork!"

"burning paper doesn't count, y/n."

"it wasn't burning paper, hermione granger, it was arson."

"no, it was the saddest form of arson i've ever seen."

"hey! that's rude."

"just go on your mission already."

i laughed, "on it, minister. kalle?"

kalle looked at me, "yes?"

"tell miss minister to take a break and play a game or something, will you?"

she smiled, "okay."

"give my thanks to your mother too, loved the cookies!"

"alright, good luck, head!"

"thanks, bye!"

i apparated to the brief room, where everyone was strapped into special camouflage clothes.

i handed hepole the parchment and immediately began briefing the unit, harry and draco, on the mission.

"please be safe out there. if you're injured, apparate or travel back here, okay?"

i looked at hepole.

he cleared his throat, "they're in albania. the forest there."

"okay. harry and draco will provide attacking forces," the two nodded.

"i want lopex, quentin blake, quentin grill and hilly to break into any establishment," i say to the team, "and eron, hawks, melv, argonas to hold the offender hostage. johnathan, team healer as always. i'll take the children. hepole, you come and accompany us till the forest, then you have my permission to stay back, and beckers, stay invisible with the cloak, write a report for the minister when you come back, understand? have faith, team! i believe in you. we travel by apparition with the machine in three minutes. call your family, chat, have a snack, drink some water, and relax."

i picked up my telephone and dialled my parents.

"hi mum, dad, i'm going on a mission!"

"alright, be safe sweetie," my mum called.

"yeah, don't die kiddo," my dad added.

"right right, i love you, bye!"

the mission was successful. we rescued the children and sent the kidnapper to trial for azkaban. i escaped with a gash on my forearm, but quickly fixed it up with a spell. it ended late in the evening, so the team healer had gone home. the wound kept opening again, but i wasn't sure if it needed stitches.

putting everything away and making sure the aurors were okay, i headed back to the apartment i shared with fred.

i felt emotionally and physically drained, ready to enjoy a good shower and a good late dinner.

when i fiddled with the key to the door and opened it, my heart absolutely stopped.

pretoria aphrodite was kissing fred passionately. i felt my heart fall ten thousand flights of stairs in disappointment. of course. i was all a rebound who was pathetically in love with him.

when they stopped and saw me, pretoria smirked and fred stood up, astounded.

"uhh, continue? sorry," i apologised awkwardly.

"wait, y/n, it's not what it looks like-" he said.

"i don't mind, be safe," i smiled, too tired and too weak to do anything, closing the door and feeling tears well up in my eyes as i took my bag and myself somewhere. anywhere away from this all. my wound burned. i cursed under my breath as i made my way to st mungo's.

"y/n, you should have come here earlier!" yvonne, my friend, says, as she slowly injects a needle into me, "it's infected! and it needs stitches."

i laughed, "everything needs stitches. this is why i didn't become a healer, yvonne."

she shook her head in dismay.

"lol."

i watched the needle go in.

then she stitched the bloody mess of a wound up, cleaning it gently.

"now i can't stay, y/n," i pouted, "no, don't give me that face, i have other patients."

i nodded, "thanks yvonne."

"no problems. take care. you're too reckless."

"am not!"

she laughed. "that's funny."

after the trip to st mungo's which was pretty short, i wondered what to do. my mind kept floating to the scene i had just witnessed.

i was just the stupid, stupid, girl he used as a rebound. he didn't even use me as a real rebound, just someone who was simply infatuated with him to help him forget his unforgettable ex.

looking at a shop window, i caught a glimpse of myself. i hated being insecure but it happened.

i looked ugly. eyes too small, nose too big, lips not full enough. my thighs touched and i didn't have abs. i had a long gash running down my forearm, surrounded by other cuts. my hair was messy and disgusting. compared to the angel on earth pretoria was, i was nothing. small and plain was nothing when luxurious and beautiful was present.

and it hurt. my heart hurt. my head hurt.

i shook my head gently of my thoughts, chuckling bitterly.

fred weasley was completely and utterly out of my league.

whatevs, i thought. hurting was fine.

deciding to get over him once and for all, i bought some groceries and apparated to the doorstep of lee and alicia's glamorous cottage.

i knocked twice on the door. "hellooo!" i called out.

"baby, can you get that?" lee asked alicia.

alicia opened the door, smiling as she saw me.

"hey ali!"

"hi! come in!"

at first glance i could tell she knew something wrong.

"can i sleep here tonight? and take a shower? and eat some of your food please guys? and maybe steal a shirt i left here for safekeep? and maybe use your telephone? i'm really sorry for troubling you, so i got you guys snacks."

i was the second cousin by marriage of lee. it was good overall, but he was super naughty.

"snacks?"

"your favourites."

"then i guess you can," he said cheekily and i laughed.

"alicia, i don't know how or why you ended up with this child, but i'm glad you did," i told her and she laughed heartily.

"he's cute, isn't he?"

"no," i quickly stepped into the guest bedroom and took a long shower, letting a few tears slip but not enough so that it looked like it. i was subtle.

i bundled up in heavy clothing and wrapped my hair in a towel.

gingerly, i bandaged the wound.

by the snores in the other room, lee was asleep. i crept out quietly, going to cook something.

alicia was sitting down, with my favourite comfort meal prepared. i felt tears of appreciation well up in my eyes.

"thank you, ali, i love you."

"you damn well do."

we both giggled.

"what happened?" she asked me.

"nothing. i just wanted a change."

"from fred? liar. i'll ask again. what happened, y/n?"

"just a long mission, that's all."

"after long missions you usually watch movies with fred."

"couldn't i visit my best friend and my cuz?"

"you visit us on weekends. it's a friday."

"well i wanted to visit you!"

"bullshit."

"is it that hard to believe?"

"what the fuck did fred do to you?"

"nothin'?"

"c'mon y/n, you have to tell me. there's a reason why you didn't go to angie and george's tonight."

"i went here because they're super kissy. you guys have space and act normally. i appreciate that."

"you're awesome at lying."

"i'm not lying!"

"does this happen to involve pretoria aphrodite?"

i nodded, sighing, "she's so nice and pretty." i played with my food.

"i bumped into her. she's pretty, but not nice."

"oh?"

"she called me fiercely ugly. she forgot i model for witch weekly too."

"what did you say back?"

"i told her to fuck off."

i laughed, "she was very nice to me. but next time i see her imma kill her."

"of course she was nice to you, you're a lil angel! anyway, she's an animagus, didya know?"

"whoa how did you know?"

"caught her in a jar. she's a fly. who do you think told hermione to catch rita skeeter in the jar?"

i laughed, "rita skeeter is a beetle! gosh, she's annoying."

"what did fred and pretoria do?"

"nothing."

"please tell me?"

"they-" i swallowed, "they were kissing, and so i came here because i didn't wanna watch anymore."

"hang on, he told you he loved you a few days ago?"

i nodded.

"that doesn't seem right."

i shrugged, "pretoria's better than me. i don't blame him."

"his mother would kill him!"

i shrugged again, "i don't think he was legit when he said that."

"molly weasley, y/n!"

"look, he can explain it to you, i don't even wanna hear it. the first stage of mourning is denial, they say."

"doesn't mean it's good."

"denial is awesome. it's ignorance, but you choose to be stupid. i'm already so stupid!" i groaned, covering my face with my hands, "so so so so so so so stupid, foolish, dumb, and i don't want you to tell me i'm not because i know i am. pathetic."

i gobbled down the rest of the meal, "ths 's delicous," i said, swallowing, "g'night!"

"don't be afraid to let it all out."

"yeah."

i shut the door softly, before brushing my teeth and collapsing exhaustedly on the bed, nodding off quickly.

the next day, i woke at 4am, and put on new clothes, apparating to the phone box and filling out paperwork for the missions yesterday.

i joined hermione quickly, handing her a cappucino and sipping my mocha.

"court sitting this early?" she asked me.

i nodded, "mistake of sirius black, now they do all court sittings within 24 hours of arrest."

"that's smart."

"yeah. it's good. he's obviously guilty right? just a dust of veritaserum to bring it all out?"

"i reckon he'll just confess."

"criminals don't go down easily."

"you guys did a spotting job. the children were unharmed."

"are they here today?"

"they're in st mungo's. being monitored."

"parents?"

"dead."

"oh gosh, those poor children. what's going to happen to them?"

"someone's adopting them, wally becker and his wife."

"that's awesome."

the court hushed as we entered the room. hermione and i shared amused glances and began the sitting.

he was found to be guilty and was chucked in azkaban.

"what an idiot, sending a message like that."

"yup," i chuckled, "what with hepole in our ministry, they never escape."

we laughed.

"how's everything with ron?" i asked her.

"i don't know if he's still into me?"

i almost laugh at her statement, "bro. of course he is."

"i never see him."

"then see him more!"

"how? i'm so busy!"

"busy enough for ron?" we both took sandwiches from the canteen lady with courteous smiles and words.

we sat down at the cafeteria.

"i guess not, but he's busy!"

"busy enough for you?"

"i guess not."

"'xactly."

"but he might not wanna go on a date."

"why? the boy's obsessed with you, 'mione!"

the aurors and ministry workers looked at us in fear as i rose up. i chuckled.

i immediately skipped over to the telephone, putting in the WWW's number.

"y/n! what on earth are you doing?" hermione said in a panicked tone.

"nothing to be worried 'bout."

"hello?" it was george. i thanked the heavens for that.

"yolo george, give the phone to your lil bro please."

"'kay."

hermione was gaping at me. i smirked at her.

"y/n?"

"hey ron, i want you to meet me in rosemary park at 5pm today."

"o-okay."

"could you also bring hermione's favourite snacks and wear an extra jumper?"

"what? why?"

"i'm curious, that's all," i said, "see you there!"

"is that y/n?" i heard fred's voice.

"nup, it isn't," i replied.

and with that, i hung up.

"hey 'mione?"

she was glaring at me, "what."

"meet me at rosemary park at 5pm?" i batted my eyelashes at her, before bursting out in laughter.

she laughed, "i love you."

"pfft, love ya too. you really are too careful. like he would reject you."

"what do you think i should wear?"

"let's go off work early today, at 3," i suggested, "we're both on top of our work anyway."

"okay! you wanna go now?"

"it's 11?"

"yeah!"

"alrighty! kalle!"

kalle turned to us, "yes?"

"hi! me and minister are going out to talk about the mission."

"alright, bye."

we apparate to hogsmeade.

"what theme do you wanna go for?"

"hmm," she thought for a second, "floral!"

"alrighty!" i fumbled for my cell phone and dialled the WWW's again.

"hello?" it was fred this time.

"heyo freddie," i said to him like nothing had ever happened, "tell ron to dress up at 5 pm in something cute but not too out there, preferably in florals or somethin', and he better bring me hermione's favourite flowers."

"wha? if he's going with you then- ohhhh."

"thanks, bye."

"wait!"

"mhm?"

"can we talk?"

"erm- about what exactly?"

"everything."

i sighed, "later, okay? i'm out with hermione and you've got work."

"okay. have a good time, lovely."

"you too."

i was utterly confused. here he was one day kissing pretoria, and now he was calling me lovely?

what the hell was going on?

"let's go, mione!"

we went and bought her a pretty pink dress with white lilies adorning it. it was cute and definitely casual, sort of like a sundress.

"what if he doesn't come?" hermione chewed on her lip.

"hermione jean granger, we both know that ron is absolutely definitely a thousand times head over heels in love with you. he wouldn't ditch you for the world! and look at you! anyone can see he's lucky to have you! you both are star-crossed. when has he ever ever ditched you?"

"with lav brown."

"lavender, she's, she's dead, hermione," i said carefully, "fenrir greyback bit her to death. it was a tragic, heroic, death. she was listed in the extended casualties sent to my office a few months after the battle. i think she's watching down on us from wherever she is up there."

"she's dead?"

"yeah," i replied sadly, "life is so short."

"yeah."

"what i'm tryna say, is that that might've happened, but it won't happen again now that he knows you love him and he loves you. understand?"

"yeah."

"and love him well, for the sake of lavender brown."

"for the sake of lavender brown," she said, smiling.

"yup, now, light lord. his name is actually pont knight."

"pont knight?"

"former assistant of me."

"pont knight?"

"yeah, i know right."

"how did he go again?"

"oh, i fired him," i laughed.

"why?"

"smart guy but terribly lazy and he kept asking for promotions! like please do something if you want money."

"interesting."

"he moved to eastern europe to chase after the trendiness of the islands. i think it was just an excuse. he's changed. he used to be clean-shaven and have the blondest hair."

"do you think he did anything else?"

"we did put him on veritaserum, right?"

"yeah, but it's illegal to put someone on it for more than 10 minutes now in court sittings."

"we could go visit him in azkaban later? i'll take gregir."

"yeah, maybe tomorrow or the day after?"

i nodded, "'course. today is a rest day for the aurors right?"

she nodded, "yeah, half of the agency is at home or working out in the gym."

"good. sometimes this work is so tolling, 'mione."

"yeah, i heard from st mungo's you got hurt?" her eyes were concerned.

i rolled up my sleeve, "that's it."

"that's it? what do you mean, that's terrible! you need to take better care of yourself."

"well sometimes it's hard to. it was worth it."

we continued chatting until it was 4:30.

"oop!" she checked her watch, "i have to go!"

"good luck! tell me how it goes, minister! i'll head back to check if anyone's called for you or me and dust it all up."

"thanks. i owe you."

"nah. i owe my job to you. if minister for magic didn't exist, i wouldn't either. i love you 'mione, be safe!"

"love you too!"

i apparated to the phone box and typed my letters in.

with a whoosh, i immediately spotted two letters and a beeping phone. i answered the phone, solving the problem of the woman on the other end of the line and scribbled a reply to both of the letters.

i finished the paperwork and sent it off, then visited my office. it was piling with letters. i answered all of them, redirecting some of them to different departments, before calling everyone back.

i spotted some of the aurors from yesterday's mission sitting in the cafeteria and talking.

i sat down next to them, "how are you guys doing? any injuries?"

they shook their heads, "we've been spending time in the healer's office and just exercising lightly by the orders of johnny," argonas explained and i nodded.

"take it lightly, and go home if you want to. seeing family always helps the process, hopefully not too many nightmares?"

they laughed, "nightmares all the time, miss," hawk said lightly, "get used to it in this job."

i frowned, "have you tried speaking to doctor yvonne? she might have ways to solve nightmares."

"ahh, miss, sleeping draughts can only do so much," hawk replied cordially.

i laughed, "alright, hawkeye, but just make sure you're not getting traumatised okay? what about you, lopex, quentins?"

they shrugged.

"it's okay? the door was very hard to bust into," lopex said quietly, "we had to try several bombarding charms."

"now, lop, it was easy work!" draco said, sitting down, "hello, head auror, hello unit."

it brought on a cacophony of greetings.

"how are you doing, dray?" harry sat down next to him, "hi everyone!"

we all replied with more greetings and a steady conversation started and flowed for a couple of hours.

i felt my cell phone go off and i excused myself, noting it was 9pm already.

i apparated to the apartment doorstep, knocking on the door just in case anything was happening. i checked the caller id, it was hermione.

fred opened the door, hair messy, still good looking. i smiled at him, patting his shoulder as i ran to the ringing telephone and picked it up.

"y/n!" i could just hear the beam in hermione's voice.

"'mione! how did it go?"

"absolutely wonderful, head auror, ahhh, he's so cute!"

"what happened?" i asked, smiling already.

"well it was really cold when i saw the picnic blanket, which was matching my dress for some weird reason, and ron was there in the cutest button up and he looked so handsoME and he gave me a flower, he's always handsome but i just can't! ahhhh!" she squealed and i clapped my hands in excitement.

"and then i was shivering and he gave me hiS JUMPER and it smelled like him and oh my gosh i think i might just be in love, y/n!"

i giggled, "my cooling charm did work!"

"whaT y/n????"

cackling, i said, "continue, i wanna hear more this is so adorable!!!"

i ignored the dirty glance fred gave me, quietening my voice.

"and then we had food and he said he had cooked it himself and was being such a dear and i told him that i loved him over and over again!!!"

i squealed silently again.

"and, and, gosh my english has gone out of the window!"

"english is nothing compared to the language of love!!" i giggled.

"we watched the sunset whilst cuddling, and i fell asleep and then when i woke up i was in his bed and he was looking at me intently and i just, i'm the luckiest girl alive!"

"you are but you deserve it! that's so sweet! i'm happy for you goshhh, you are the cutest couple. you're both such darlings!"

"and then we watched a muggle movie and he got scared of the spiders and it was so adorable ahhhhHHHH!!!"

"that's the cutesttttt," i gushed.

another dirty look from fred. i gave him a frown back.

"and then he walked me home and it started raining and we kissed in the rain and another check off of my bucketlist and oh my gosh he's so perfect."

"oh gosh that's beautiful," i was smiling uncontrollably.

"anyway," her tone changed into one of mischief, "wanna meet up tomorrow to talk about it?"

"sure thing! when and where? i'll be there!"

"erm, lemme chec- think," i heard the suspicious rustling of papers.

"you're sus. let's just talk about it over the phone. i don't want anything weird."

"how about 10 am in the morning at the field of fireflies?"

"that's a highly romantic place, miss minister. isn't it for couples or something?"

"no? you must be talking about fiona farm."

oh. "yeah, probs, well okay, it better have good coffee. i'm dying of boredom too, does it have a playground??" i asked, hopefully crossing my fingers.

"nope."

"awww, shucks, i don't think i'll go then. you wanna come over though?"

"no please come! there's a surprise!"

i was sold, "lovely. i'll be there at 9:30!"

"no, no, don't do that."

"what the hell, hermione, you're being so suspicious!"

"i'm not, okay? just come on time, you won't regret it."

"if there's any funny business i'm not committing arson ever again."

"oh crap."

i sighed.

"just come anyway!!! good night cheerio!!!"

"what the-"

the line ended.

i frowned, noticing the glare fred gave me yet again.

"is everything okay??" i asked him.

"no," he said rudely.

"well, do you need any help?"

"no."

"how was your day?"

"fine."

i sighed, "okay."

"you called ron cute."

i laughed lightly, "that's it?? and so what's kissing a girl huh, nothing? i called him cute because he treats 'mione like a goddess, because she is a goddess, for goodness sake. and he is cute, in a completely objective way," i added absentmindedly, "all you weasleys are."

he frowned.

"she kissed me!"

"oh i don't mind, i couldn't. my two braincells can't handle it. you kiss whoever you wanna, okay? live, laugh, love, and all that." i smiled.

he was silent.

"and we can talk after i meet up with hermione, okay?"

"okay."

"we don't needa if you don't wanna, of course. g'night."

"have a nice sleep."

the next morning, i got up and went to the field of fireflies or whatever.

it was a beautiful place. it was a full on field. meadows stretched across the near english countryside. the sky was clear and light, and the world around me was stunning.

winds blew from all directions, and i soon found myself accio!ing a jumper.

"hermioneeee???" i called, "you're leaving me hanging."

had hermione stood me up? i chuckled at the very thought, soon rolling in the field of flowers as i laughed.

"hermione you devil you stood me up! you left your poor little work wife hanging!" i shouted dramatically.

i suddenly spotted a little house? by the side of the meadow.

i ran towards it.

"whoa."

it was absolutely magnificent. beige little bricks were stacked on top of each other, grey bricks dotted in. the shillings were dark green, and plants hung out everywhere in the cracks of the house.

large windows which reflected the blue light in the sky spanned across the whole house, and a single wooden door stood ajar.

i just wish i had brought a camera. i sat on the grass, playing with the hem of my jumper sadly. even hermione didn't have time for me. i wondered what a sad person i must seem like.

"contemplating life there?" i heard a far off voice. i swung my head around, seeing fred standing and grinning.

yeah well duh i was, no thanks to you, i thought.

i immediately got up.

"we can talk here, right?" fred asked, as he brought me into the house.

"wow," inside, it was cluttered and messy, with plants sprouting everywhere and bookcases and things everywhere. i loved it.

"you like it?" he asked.

"love it."

"good, because i bought it," he laughed at my flabbergasted expression, "i'm rich, darlin'. let's sit, i cooked lunch."

"was this your plan? to have hermione stand me up?" i asked.

"love, i wouldn't call this a plan. simply just a boy trying to explain himself."

"look i don't need an explanation. i told you, you can love whoever you wanna, i don't mind, i don't care, i support."

"but i'm gonna have to explain because i wanna kiss you."

"then go ahead," i sighed, "if you're lying i will stab you."

"jeesh okay."

i looked at him.

"oh yeah, i forgot the food, here," he said casually, handing me a plate filled with yummy looking delicacies. i was willing to put up with his rubbish story telling for the food, i guess.

"alright, i'm all ears."

"okay. so she talked with you right?"

i nodded.

"did she take a piece of hair from you?”

i nodded again.

"so you came home just right about when the night lights flicker on in london. or so i thought it was you. it was actually, aphrodite, yeah? in polyjuice potion. and she knocked on the door, which i thought was strange. i opened it and she immediately kissed me, as you. and it was weird but it was you and i would give the world to kiss you like that," he said bluntly and i could feel my face heating up, "and then it went like that for a few seconds and she turned into pretoria, and by then the woman had her claws on me. then the door opened and i knew i had made a mistake and then you left and apologised so sweetly. i'm so so sorry, my love, please, i never meant to hurt you, i never meant to do anything. i broke up with her last year. i haven't wanted to be with her since. i want to be with you."

i looked at him. i knew he was genuine.

"okay. i'm sorry too, for not trusting you. i guess i was just really unsure of our relationship. it's still kinda blurry."

"what do you wanna be?"

"could we be official, please?"

he grinned, "of course."

then smiling sheepishly, he added, "can i kiss you now?"

"only if i'm the only girl you kiss from now on," i teased, smiling.

he blushed, placing my hands over his heart. it was beating very very fast.

"feel that, beautiful?"

i nodded.

"only you."

he gave me a cheesy grin and laughed at my blushing face, before tilting my head upwards and going in for a kiss but kissing my cheek.

"that's not fair!"

and that's how his head ended up falling into my lap, as i ran my fingers through his ginger strands.

he had fallen asleep just as the sunset began.

it was breathtaking. hues of orange and red danced across the sky.

"i can think of something a lot more beautiful than that," fred said, smiling.

"oh?"

"yeah. yeah."

"i don't believe you."

"that's because you can't see yourself right now."

[stardust-static]

Puppy update 🥰

So if you didn't know I got to bring this guy home early which was about two and a half weeks ago now. We weren't supposed to get him till 8 weeks which was the 16th of December, but we got a call when he was six weeks saying that he's eating solid food and no longer needs his mama. Bailey and I did research and found that puppies usually still need a mama dog to learn mannerisms from and usually they're still nursing at that age. However since he was eating solids and I have three mature age dogs to teach him, & I'm an experienced dog owner who will pretty much be home with him all the time. I thought that it should be fine. Also he was sleeping outside in a pen.. these dogs are typically farm dogs and sleep outside with the farm animals to protect them at night. I was worried he might get too used to that and not want to sleep in the house.. some people get GP'S that are a little older and they usually won't sleep indoors as they want to patrol at night. We want our guy to be inside at night. These are typically working dogs that want a job, but mostly we wanted him to be a pet and his "job" is to protect my other dogs incase of coyotes and us incase of intruders. So it wasnt such a bad deal to get him when he was still so young and impressionable. We agree to come get him. Took a spur of the moment two hour drive. Got out to the farm in the middle of no where. He handed me the other boy. I knew he wasn't mine because I had been staring at this picture of my puppy for weeks. I set it as my wallpaper.

As you can see my guy had speckled nose (its fading now :( ) so he brings me my baby who was just sleeping and he's holding him up to me by his neck fat and he's crying and I grabbed him and he nuzzled his little face into my neck and that was it. We got in the car and I held him close to me and he shook and shivered half of the way and I just kept comforting him. He flinched everytime I touched him clearly not having much human contact. Half the way home he started warming up to me and was giving me kisses and wagging his tail. Bailey and I fell in love with him. We could not handle how adorable he was. Then we finally made it home. I set him in the garage and he was still so goofy and unsure of me. Then he came to me and let me pet him and love on him. Then one by one I let the other dogs in to meet him. They didn't really think much of him at first. Next we gave him a bath which he clearly never had. He smelled like urine and there was so much dirt in his fur. He was a little angel in the bath. The next day he became more confident and started to play with all his new toys and the eskies were pretty jealous. I've made sure to give them all equal amounts of love so no one feels neglected. Wally as always is a lot of work in that department. He's got his behavior problems which have heightened since the puppys arrival. We're working on that. Fast forward to today and Winston adores him. They play so cute together and Winston will actually let the baby cuddle him. Wally just.. I don't think he knows what a baby is. He's very rough and quick to anger. Bailey and I always say that he would have made a great only dog, but he's definitely not so all we can do is correct his behavior when he's mean to the puppy. The puppy cares very little about Wally's hissy fits though. I just don't want him to learn any bad behaviors from Wally. He hasn't yet. He's honestly just a big goofy teddy bear. Such a happy little guy. He's already doubled in size. Everyday I look at him and notice him getting bigger. Today I noticed that he's getting his long coat hairs coming through. He no longer fits in our kitchen sink that we washed him in the first night. Since we did get him so young he is very attached to me. I can not leave him alone. I've been sleeping on the couch with him when Bailey has to work in the morning and he's a sweetie. He snuggles up to my face and gives me kisses to wake me up when he has to potty. He's perfect. The only difficult thing is potty training. The worst part of raising a puppy for me. Especially now that we have carpet in every room. Luckily my mom gave us her commercial carpet cleaner. I put that baby to use last night. It's coming along though... Anytime now I'll have him potty trained. I had my mom babysit him today while I worked and she said he was an angel and didn't potty in her house once so thats good! I just watch him like a hawk and try to catch him before he goes. I'm always letting him outside and hopefully he'll learn how to use the dog door soon. We just got that set up for him, though we will need a bigger one eventually.

Now let me tell you about the stressful ass day I had yesterday and about how I just wanted to lock myself in my room and cry at the end of it all-- because of my pets.

First we wake up and I let the dogs out, and discover that Wally is leaving our yard. The gate on the back side of our property is a metal bar gate with chicken wire over it. Wally pushed the chicken wire out of the way and slipped his skinny little weasel body through the bars. So we went to buy a heavier duty wire fencing to put over the metal fence. Bailey said we should bring Toby cause we want to socialize him and also get him used to the car. So we bring him and on the way home Bailey says we should put him in the trunk of my suv so he could be more comfortable and because he was scratching Bailey up on the way to home depot with his little puppy claws. So we put him back there and we're on our way to get food and Toby is in the back screaming his head off. Then we go "whats that smell?" And I look in my rear view mirror and I see our puppy Toby with his feet hanging over the backseat, paws covered in shit and he's just jumping on everything back there that he can, just really smearing it everywhere. So I'm like WE NEED TO GO HOME NOW!!! just trying so hard not to puke. Bailey is laughing his ass off. Then Toby jumps over and into the back seat. I don't know with what strength suddenly. Winston and Wally have never managed to get out of the trunk space. So now he's making his way to me and I have to reach back and just hold him in place. Theres shit all over my back seat now. I'm crying. I keep gagging. Then Bailey starts to get queezy. We're both not keeping it together. So we eventually get home. Bailey cleans the car and I clean the puppy. Then I have to clean Winston because he ate my mascara while we were gone and got it all over himself. Then as I'm letting the dogs out my indoor cat bolts out of the house for the third time this week. I didn't even go after her. I just said "so be it!". I was having such an annoying day. Then Bailey goes to get us food and I put puppy in the kitchen because I need to vacuum and shampoo the carpets. Puppy screams his head off the entire time cause he hates being confined. The cat comes home an hour later. Bailey and I eat and get to work repairing the fence. Then puppy pees later on the newly shampood carpet. Then Bailey and I get dinner and put puppy in the kitchen again. We're just there at the dinner table eating our Chili's takeout, Bailey goes to get something out of the kitchen and I just hear him go "oh...no." I just looked at him and go "did the puppy shit in there?" and he goes "yup" I say "is it everywhere?" And he says "yuup..."

There was no peace to be had that day.

The dogs woke up and chose chaos.

So today Bailey went to work and so did I.

It was the first time since getting the fence put up that I let the dogs have free roam without me being there for hours. I've been really afraid to. It my number one fear right now, them getting out or stolen or somehow attacked by another animal, but I left the dog door open and just let them be for the day and took the puppy to my parents house. We're also letting the cat come and go as she wants now, because she has been so determined to leave the house. She's constantly bolting out the door and would even rather be in the garage most days. So we're letting her be and hopefully nothing happens to her. I took the bell off her collar so she can be extra stealthy. She did go into my neighbors yard and their 5 dogs chased her away and after that she's just been hanging out on our property laying in the dirt, soaking up the sun. Theres a little dog door built into the garage door that I'm now keeping open for her.

But yeah.. like I said my parents said that Toby is an angel and they'll watch him any time and I came home to the yard still intact and my dogs perfectly fine after being alone for six hours.

I enjoyed my much needed mini break from them and I'm going to go out tomorrow as well now that I feel confident that they'll be okay if I leave them sometimes.

I guess I'll end this massive post about my animals now.

✌💖

[rhnuzlocke]

Episode 15

Scene 6:

[Ren is lying on her back in the grass with Tāraki laying next to her and the rest of her pokemon scattered around nearby. Kai and Wally are off somewhere else at the moment and Ren seems to be enjoying her nap. Her nav buzzes and she grasps for it blindly and brings it up to her eye. The screen informs her that Steven is video calling her. She snaps upright, staring at the screen, heart suddenly pounding.]

Ren: [muttering quietly to herself] It’s probably no big deal. He’s probably calling you because of Magma stuff. If he was in imminent danger he wouldn’t bother with video. Just breathe.

[Ren takes a deep breath, pushes her hair behind her ear and answers the call.]

Steven: Hi Ren.

[Steven appears to be sitting in the grass leaning against a stone wall. He looks far more disheveled than usual and there are dark circles under his eyes.]

Ren: [concerned] Hey Steven. Is everything okay?

Steven: Hmm. How to answer that? Yes and no, I suppose. [seeing her look of panic] Nothing life-threatening! No Magma or Groudon or asteroids involved. I just wanted to talk to you about something and I can’t talk to Rire, so…

Ren: No, go ahead, what’s up?

Steven: [rambling] Well, we had a League meeting this morning. I stayed up the night before working on the agenda because of—you know—and I admit I looked like crap because I forgot my concealer and I was tired, but that can’t be the reason. It doesn’t make sense. They obviously planned this ahead of time. This was not a spur of the moment thing.

Ren: Steven, back up a minute. You’re not making sense.

Steven: Oh. Sorry. [clears throat] So, we went through the whole agenda and I was about to call the meeting but then it turned into like… an intervention… for me.

Ren: [confused] What?

Steven: They all said that I was taking too much on myself and had to delegate. And they wanted me to get more sleep and keep them updated and coordinate stuff with them. Not just regular League things, the Magma stuff too. They obviously talked it all out beforehand. All of them! I didn’t think they knew about… I don’t know. But who started it? I would say it Wallace, but…  

Ren: You know, maybe ambushing you like that was a little much, but all of that stuff sounds good. It’s nice that they care about you and want to be more proactive.

Steven: You don’t understand. It’s like a conspiracy. Everyone is in on it! Wallace talked to Bes and now they have the rest of my pokemon in on it too. I’m supposed to take the rest of the day off. Damascus won’t fly me anywhere and Anthy insists on keeping house now and is trying to learn how to cook. I have Ptilometra in there making sure she doesn’t burn the place down. Alwyn and Komatsu are planting a garden—Oh, Alwyn likes her gift very much and wanted me to tell your sandslash thank you. I think she may be working on something to send back? I’m not sure. Anyway, she roped my excadrill into into helping her plant all of those seeds.

Ren: That’s good. I’m sure Kōtai will be happy.

Steven: But you see what I mean, right?

Ren: That does sound like a lot, but maybe it’s for the best?

Steven: I know. What’s really been driving me crazy is how this all started. Wattson was sort of the ringleader, but I don’t think it was his idea. I’ve hardly seen him at all lately and he’s such a workaholic himself. He’s usually the one that tells Wallace to get off my case. It doesn’t add up. But I know it wasn’t Wallace because I grilled him already. Wattson called him. But who called Wattson? You know them a little right? Got any idea who it might have been?

Ren: [Her face twitches because by this point she actually does have a pretty good idea.] Um, no. I can’t say that I do.

Steven: Dammit.

Ren: Steven, I think you should take a deep breath and try to relax a little. Otherwise all of this effort is for nothing. And I’m sure you’ll figure it out eventually. Maybe you’re overthinking this. And I do know how you feel. I hate being forced to do things, even stuff I like doing. But you do need to take better care of yourself, like we talked about. And the more people working on the Magma thing the better. They are all League members, right? They are not going to blab and they can all handle themselves if something happens.

Steven: [sighing] You’re right. I know you’re right. And I know I’m being a baby about this. Today has just been very surreal. Thank you for listening. It helps a lot. I feel a little calmer now.

Ren: That’s good. That’s really good.

[He rests his head back against the stone wall and while he is looking away, Ren smiles fondly at him. She rests her head on her free hand and her eyes go soft and her expression dreamy. There is stomping on his end and Ren snaps out of her reverie. He looks over at the source of the noise.]

Steven: Yeah, I’m okay now… No, Bes, I’m not working, I’m just talking to Ren.

[A huge metal leg edges into the corner of the screen and pushes gently up against Steven. He leans away.]

Steven: Whatever. You are still on thin ice. I know perfectly well this is all your fault somehow.

[Ren chuckles as Bessemer continues to nudge Steven both physically and mentally until he gives in and leans against his pokemon. Steven readjusts himself so that more of Bessemer is in the frame.]

Steven: Sorry about that. Bes says hello.

Ren: Hi Bessemer.

[She can hear them rumble. Steven leans back against them, looking almost peaceful when something occurs to him and he starts.]

Steven: It was you.

Ren: What?

Steven: Bes talked to you and you must have told Senri, he’s your father. So it was Senri who called Wattson and all of this was really your doing.

Ren: [guilty] All I said was I was worried!

Steven: [loud and theatrical] Here I was, confiding in you, and you were at the root of my problems all along!

Ren: [defensive] That’s hardly fair. And I didn’t plan any of this, I swear.

Steven: I know. It’s just funny. I just—

[He starts laughing and covers his face with his free hand. Ren laughs a little too. Steven stops himself abruptly and tries to look stern, but he is still smiling underneath.]

Steven: No. This is serious. [a stray chuckle] How dare you. [stifled snort] I'm—I’m disappointed. Don't you trust me?

Ren: [trying not to laugh] With most things…

Steven: Well I hope you're happy because now, thanks to you, the Hoenn League Champion has a strictly enforced bedtime.

[Ren loses it and starts laughing really hard, almost dropping her nav. Steven laughs too but tries to fight it.]

Steven: This is my life, Ren! It’s not funny!

[Ren just laughs harder. She falls over and drops her nav so that all Steven can see is the sky. Ren can still hear him laughing on the other end before he quiets a little, distracted by something.]

Steven: [still laughing intermittently] No, Bes! I'm not going to say that! You can tell her yourself when you see her. No! Get off me!

[Ren rolls over onto her stomach and grabs her nav to see what is happening. The camera on the other end is going a bit haywire as Steven flails around, but it seems as though Bes has him on the ground. From the strangled giggles it also seems likely that they are tickling him.]

Steven: No please! [snort] Ahh! [giggles] Stop! [wheezy laugh] Okay! Alright!

[Steven pops back up and swats the hair out of his face, aiming the camera at himself again. He takes a moment to catch his breath, then sighs.]

Steven: Bes says thank you.

Ren: [stifling giggles] Is that all?

Steven: And a lot more besides that they will tell you [directed at Bessemer through gritted teeth] when they see you.

Ren: [chuckling] Okay. You're welcome, Bessemer.

[Bessemer rumbles happily. Steven shoves them away and sits back against the wall.]

Steven: You know, I would never have pegged Senri as the instigator.

Ren: Well, he may not be the best dad, but he is still a dad.

Steven: At least the mystery is solved.

Ren: I wish I could say I was sorry for accidentally siccing the League on you, but I’m kinda not.

Steven: Well, at least you’re honest. I forgive you.

Ren: That's very generous of you.

Steven: It is.

Ren: [chuckling] Yeah, just go ahead and pat yourself on the back.

Steven: Will do. [He lets out a long sigh and readjusts himself against the wall.] So, we already talked about me. What have you been up to lately?

Ren: Pretty much training non-stop. I got my sixth badge.

Steven: Very good.

Ren: Oh, and my taillow decided to stay and train with Winona. Do you, uh, know her very well? I asked otōsan about her already, but he's not always great about… personality. He pretty much just talked about what kind of trainer she is, which was helpful but… I mean, I'm not too worried. She promised to let Māia stay a taillow and keep the stones you gave her and everything. I just, yeah, I can't help it.

Steven: No, I get that. Hmm, where to start with Winona? Is it safe to assume you know about the whole amnesia thing?

Ren: Yeah.

Steven: Well, I think that is a big part of the reason she doesn’t always give the best first impression. As I understand it, she spent a lot of time after the accident trying to be the person she was before and please all of these people who, for all intents and purposes, she didn’t actually know. So, at some point, she abandoned her old self and became someone new. I think the whole thing made her very uninterested in what anyone thinks of her. And losing all of one’s formative memories definitely shows, though it’s a little hard to pinpoint how exactly. It’s made her a singularly present person. She can’t dwell on the past and it makes her throw everything into whatever she is doing at the moment. She’s incredibly focused and tenacious, just maybe not the best people person.

Ren: She actually sounds like a good fit for Māia. Thank you, Steven. That helps a lot.

Steven: Happy to be of service.

[He smiles and yawns. He slumps against the wall and blinks slowly.]

Ren: Maybe you should take a nap.

Steven: I haven’t napped since college.

Ren: Well, you’re already falling asleep. I’m just saying maybe it should be on a couch or a bed.

Steven: I am not.

Ren: At least lie down in the grass. I know you love rocks, but that wall can’t be comfortable.

Steven: Alright.

[He edges away from the wall and out into the full sun. He lies down on his side in the grass and turns his nav so that he is still upright in the frame. Ren rolls onto her side and follows suit.]

Ren: Better, no?

Steven: [sleepy] Hmm.

[They smile at each other for a moment and his eyelids drift shut. Her face fills with warmth as she watches him fall asleep. It isn’t long before Kai and Wally can be heard returning, but it doesn’t really register until]

Kai: We’re back!

[Ren starts and looks up to see them approaching.]

Ren: Bye Bessemer, if you’re still there!

[There is a rumble on the other end.]

Ren: [quiet] Goodbye Steven.

[She snaps her nav shut just as Kai and Wally reach her.]

Wally: Who were you talking to?

Ren: Uh… my parents?

Kai: Ren, you’re red as a slugma.

[She rolls over onto her face and whines.]

Wally: [bouncing up and down, hands hovering near his mouth] Was it Steven?! Oh my goodness! What was he calling about? What did you talk about? What did he say?!

[Kai can’t help but smile a little at Wally’s excitement. Ren tries to melt into the turf.]