#SunSafe

[vishalgaur007]

Top Tips for Staying Healthy This Summer: Your Ultimate Guide

As the summer sun beckons, it's essential to prioritize your health and well-being to make the most of the season. From staying hydrated to protecting your skin, this ultimate guide provides top tips to ensure you have a healthy and enjoyable summer.

Stay Hydrated

The scorching summer heat can lead to dehydration, making it crucial to increase your fluid intake. opt for water, herbal teas, and electrolyte-rich beverages to replenish lost fluids. Carry a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day, especially when engaging in outdoor activities.

Protect Your Skin

Sun protection is paramount during the summer months. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and reapply every two hours or more frequently if swimming or sweating. Don't forget to cover exposed areas with clothing, hats, and sunglasses to shield your skin from harmful UV rays.

Embrace a Balanced Diet

Summer offers an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Incorporate a variety of colorful produce into your meals to ensure a diverse range of nutrients. opt for lighter, refreshing meals such as salads, grilled vegetables, and lean proteins. Be mindful of portion sizes to maintain a healthy balance.

Exercise Smartly

Engage in outdoor activities to make the most of the warm weather. Choose early morning or late evening hours to avoid extreme heat. Incorporate a mix of aerobic exercises, strength training, and flexibility exercises to keep your body in optimal condition. Don't forget to listen to your body and take breaks when needed.

Prioritize Mental Health

Summer is an excellent time to focus on your mental well-being. Practice mindfulness, meditation, or yoga to reduce stress levels. Take breaks from electronic devices and spend time in nature to promote relaxation. Connect with friends and family, fostering positive relationships and creating memorable experiences.

Practice Sun Safety

While enjoying outdoor activities, be cautious of the sun's intensity. Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves and wide-brimmed hats, to minimize direct sun exposure. Seek shade during peak sunlight hours and be mindful of hot surfaces like sand or pavement that can cause burns.

Ensure Proper Sleep

Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is crucial for overall health. Create a relaxing bedtime routine and keep your sleeping environment cool and dark. Adequate sleep supports your immune system, cognitive function, and overall well-being.

Stay Cool

High temperatures can lead to heat-related illnesses, so take precautions to stay cool. Wear lightweight and breathable clothing, use fans or air conditioning, and take cool showers. Avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day, and stay informed about heat advisories in your area.

Hygiene Practices

With increased outdoor activities, maintaining proper hygiene is essential. Shower regularly, especially after sweating, to prevent skin infections. Keep your hands clean by using hand sanitizers or washing them thoroughly with soap and water, reducing the risk of illness.

Stay Informed

Stay informed about health advisories, especially regarding local weather conditions, air quality, and any potential health risks in your area. Being aware of potential challenges allows you to take proactive measures to stay healthy and safe.

Conclusion

This ultimate guide provides a comprehensive approach to staying healthy during the summer months. By prioritizing hydration, sun protection, balanced nutrition, exercise, mental well-being, and safety measures, you can make the most of the season while safeguarding your health. Incorporate these tips into your daily routine, and enjoy a vibrant and fulfilling summer.

FAQ

1. Why is staying hydrated important during the summer?

Staying hydrated is crucial during the summer as the high temperatures can lead to increased perspiration, causing fluid loss. Adequate hydration helps regulate body temperature, supports organ function, and ensures overall well-being.

2. How often should I reapply sunscreen?

Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, especially if you are swimming, sweating, or towel-drying. It's essential to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

3. What should I include in a balanced summer diet?

A balanced summer diet should include a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. opt for lighter meals such as salads and grilled vegetables, and be mindful of portion sizes to maintain a healthy balance.

4. What are some safe outdoor exercise options during the summer?

Safe outdoor exercise options during the summer include early morning or late evening activities to avoid extreme heat. Engage in a mix of aerobic exercises, strength training, and flexibility exercises, and listen to your body to prevent heat-related issues.

5. How can I protect my mental health during the summer?

To protect your mental health during the summer, practice mindfulness, meditation, or yoga to reduce stress levels. Take breaks from electronic devices, spend time in nature, and foster positive relationships with friends and family.

reed more……. taskarmall.com

[closetcasefabray]

I DONT HAVE NOTIFICATIONS ON FOR TUMBLR BC MOST OF THEM ARE S3X BOTS FOLLOWING ME 🤣 BUT YES PLS MAKE SNOWY COMPANION PIECE.

but we’ve talked about this—you get in my head enough that i can literally tell you all about snow with silly anecdotes to brainstorm. i already told you about all the snow 🍆 at my campus as soon as it snowed more than 6 inches lol

have i told you about the waves that freeze in the great lakes? like it gets so cold so fast it the waves freeze??!!!??? i want to see them even though i’ll complain about the cold the whole time. so basically my need to cry & be in awe of nature & the seasons will always make me think of this fic.

i also always imagined ava being ass at ice skating & bea having not really done much of it being a natural (bc balance or whatever). last winter i told @sunsafewriting about the little penguins they provide (typically children) to push & hold onto as they learn to skate at one of the rinks in NY & diego would get one for ava (“because your clumsiness is concerning, ava”).

diego would throw a snowball at ava & a snowball fight would ensue & ava would accidentally duck into a snowball & it hits her in the face & she gets a black eye & diego feels soooo bad he takes care of her but ava’s just ☺️ bc bea also takes care of her & “c’mon i look pretty badass, bea.” & “ava, i know how you got the black eye which is decidedly not badass.” & (from the other room where he’s cooking dinner) ���i’m sorry 😭” & “ok not badass. but i’m still cute right? 🥺” & “yes, darling. you’re as cute as ever.”

don’t even get my started on the holidays. or bea with rosy cheeks & nose & her freckles 😭. omg the northern lights together??? jillian gets them one of those igloos with clear views of the sky for an anniversary present. (listen—i wish so bad to have a mind-blowing ****** under aurora borealis but if i can’t then my fav ship should).

YOU STARTED THIS.

(enjoy your potato day but i’ll prob send you 487558 additional messages about this now.)

ps: i love your cat. truly. but i stg S, please spend my kofi on yourself.

pps: actually, i demand it.

ppps: [affectionately]

so rain now makes me think of your lighthouse au but now it's snowing and i'm wondering does it snow at the lighthouse they're at? just picturing bea with snowboots and snow all around at a lighthouse at the edge of the world

this reminds me of a conversation i had with @closetcasefabray where i asked her what season we're in now at the lighthouse au cos i genuinely don't know LMAO though when i started this, i had the spring months plus a few weeks of summer in mind 💀 so, we're not gonna get into snow in this fic bUT NOW YOU'VE PUT IDEAS IN MY HEAD bec what if they're bundled up and ava is being silly and bea falls on her ass despite her snowboots and she's embarrassed about jt until ava laughs and she joins in until it's hard to breathe? oh god, what if they make a snowman and they argue about what the nose should be? OR what if they're standing at the top of the lighthouse, snow all around like you said, nothing but white beyond them, together before the world begins again? WHAT THEN

[lovelooksgudonu]

beatrice sketch #WarriorNun

[princington]

Only she passes straight by him and throws herself instead at a girl who’s just walked through the door, hugging her tightly, kissing her cheek one-two-three times.

Do a Flip Ch 4 by @sunsafewriting

[simplykorra]

for the meme: 10 - 11 - 13

your pick which one to answer!

hmmm okay i'll go with

13. who are your favorite writers

sticking with my current fandom (as i've been around the block a few times) - @justawhitewall @fiddleabout @snowandwolves @lucytara @thecousinsdangereux @seabiscuits-us @karatam @piratekane @sunsafewriting @mermaidandthedrunks @the-ominous-owl

this is not all of them of course, but off the top of my head, these are the ones that stand out the most

[closetcasefabray]

i’m so sorry to my friends on the discord server who have to deal with me absolutely losing my shit every time a fic updates, but especially when @sunsafewriting decides to squeeze my fucking heart with this chosen little family and their little habits and all the patience and gentleness bea and ava were never afforded before one another, and making sure diego has a life full of it 😭

Ava and Beatrice in a nutshell. [you should all read do a flip]

[driftwooddestiel]

my vision: homestuck but the kids are australian

[notenotenotenote3]

a scene in "Do a flip" by sunsafe.

commisson comic for 💖introvertedbicryptid💖

fanfic link 💖

[gingerniiiija]

❤️

caption this :P

inspired by

[littlespideyhoe]

AVATRICE FANFIC AU RECS AO3

Enchanting - AtomicJellyb3an *harry potter au (MY FAVVV)

We were born sick - AtomicJellyb3an (might not be an au but its amazing read it pls)

Across the boulevard, she hears a hallelujah - potsticker1234 *spiderman au (incomplete)

Be my lover, don't play no game - simplykorra *hospital au

Stay there cause I'll be coming over (while our blood's still young) -britishngay *spiderman!ava & med student!beatrice (ANOTHER FAV)

I'm all yours, tell me all that you lost - leavethelighton *florist and tattoo artist au

The trials and tribulations of Snapchat - AtomicJellyb3an

Love thy neighbour - puppybusby *neighbour au

Hogwarts vs Ilvermony - Aemeth *quidditch au

Making recipes that are too difficult for me and more - sunsafe *youtuber & roomate au

too cold it's withdrawal - KaiteQgle *winter soldier!beatrice & captain america!ava

desperate times, desparate measures - AdeleDazeem *hickey au

These are all that I have really loved so far, hope this helped you guys :)

[sunsafewriting]

Do A Flip - chapter 7 (11.2k words)

chapter excerpt:

Shannon.

She’s always been a light sleeper, prone to waking up a few times a night, and the effect is magnified when she’s somewhere different. 

Tonight, different is their backyard: Diego has been desperate to go camping, and sleeping out under the stars behind Shannon and Mary’s house is their trial attempt at the whole experience. 

Beside her, Mary is still out, eyes closed. She tends to frown in her sleep, which Shannon finds charming; or perhaps what she finds charming is the way the frown clears when Mary wakes up, how she sees Shannon and her expression changes, first thing. 

Shannon slips out of their makeshift bed and stands, stretching her arm, working through a couple of nerve glides. Sometimes, when the weather changes too much too quickly, her old shoulder injury still twinges. It’s not too bad, anymore, but it’s better to get ahead of these things. 

From here, she can see the banked remains of the small fire they’d had in the pit, and the arrangement of the others, strewn out across the lawn. 

Diego, Ava, and Beatrice are lined up on a collection of mats. Ava has curled around Beatrice, and the way the two of them are pressed close makes Shannon sure they’ve slept like this before, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Together, Ava and Beatrice have made an art out of avoiding change, or rather, of changing everything except that last little thing that makes it impossible to go back. 

Diego’s head pops up from his nest of blankets. In the moonlight, Shannon can see him blink, rubbing the back of his hand across his eyes. He catches sight of her and squirms free, scooping up his water bottle from the ground nearby before weaving his way over to her. 

He’s wearing a hoodie that he inherited from Ava recently — it features a graphic of a turtle in a judge’s wig, with the word TORTLE printed below. Shannon’s not sure he actually gets it, but he wears it all the time now anyway. 

"You’re awake, too," he says — softly, so he won’t wake everyone else.

"Yep. Thought I'd check out the stars for a bit."

They sit down together in two of the chairs by the firepit and tip their heads up to look at the sky. 

"How are you liking camping so far?" Shannon asks. 

"It’s cool," he whispers back. "Definitely marshmallows are the best part." 

Only Shannon, Ava, and Diego eat marshmallows — Beatrice is bothered by the texture and Mary finds them too sweet — but between the three of them, they’d managed to finish off a whole packet. Shannon had about three marshmallows total, so most of the credit has to be split between Ava and Diego’s industrious efforts. 

"Marshmallows are the best part," Shannon confirms. 

Diego’s attention drifts back to the stars for a moment, and then over to their campsite: the inflatable mattresses and the sleeping bags and the heaps of pillows — almost every single pillow from their house.

His expression shifts, and she can’t quite read him anymore.

"Everything okay?" 

At Diego’s age, if asked anything about how she was feeling, Beatrice had a variety of responses. She’d inform Shannon, stony-faced, that she was fine, that it didn’t matter, or just change the topic completely. Occasionally, when she did open up, it was almost always accompanied by a preface: this is ridiculous, but —

It’s a habit that stuck through her adolescence, a sense that emotions could only be discussed after having gained distance from them, after positioning them as inconsequential or unimportant. 

Shannon doesn’t really hear Beatrice talk like that anymore. Maybe it’s growing up and growing into herself, and being away from her parents. Maybe it’s Ava’s influence, and how she wants to put every one of Beatrice’s feelings under light and examine it and take it seriously. Or maybe it was a conscious choice, out of fear that Diego might pick it up, might start to speak and think in the same way. 

"Yeah," Diego says. "It’s just nice, isn’t it? It’s really nice."

"It is," Shannon replies. 

There’s a beat, and then Diego admits, "I wanted to try it because of what you said. You said that camping trips were your favourite thing when you were a kid."

Actually, what Shannon said was that family camping trips were her favourite, but this omission, it seems, has been made deliberately: Diego is watching her very carefully, now, his fingers tugging at his hoodie sleeve. 

"Is this like the ones you remember?" he asks. 

"Well, my brother used to snore like a tractor," Shannon answers, and Diego’s nose crinkles in amusement. "But other than that, they were exactly like this." 

Diego nods, satisfied, and the two of them sit there a little longer, until Diego yawns, and then he’s off again, saying goodnight to Shannon before disappearing back into his nest, wriggling a bit closer to Ava before going still.

[cutiecusp]

Good morning darlings!

I hope you stay hydrated and sunsafe. In the UK today it's boiling :)

Also, a reminder If you are on mood meds, you can be more prone to sunburn and sunstroke.

Have a good day, loves ya!

@xoxunhinged @muneca-lemon-steppa @livingoutsidethetardis @gardenof-venus @misshugs @soraya-daydreams @frudoo @azxulaa @yesornowaitidontknow @enjisbf @thevoiceinyourheadx @shadowdark00 @rynbeerose @lunamoonbby @incredible-walker @identity2212 @pukbadger @urbimom @corvid007 @wordsfromshona @shadows-empress @m00xy @canyonmooncreations @evie-119

[possibilistfanfiction]

Hey there! Just wanted to let you know that I love your writing. I love the universe you've created for ava and beatrice. I could have said Avatrice but the thing is you write them so beautifully as individuals, all their triumphs and losses, that it doesn't feel right not to acknowledge them as they are on their own as much as they are as a couple. Anyway! I pretty much have bookmarked all your work and I keep suggesting your fics on Twitter, I'm pretty much your unofficial publicist at this point, proudly so 😆

I just finished the multitude of loving and once again you made me laugh and smile and cry and you made my heart warm and for a while, my depression didn't feel as debilitating. So thank you. I don't know what you're gonna write next whenever inspiration strikes, but if you ever do another outside pov, would you mind writing one from Diego's? I guess I'm biased because aside from your fics, I've been obsessed with do a flip by sunsafe and it warms my heart to see Diego in fics because well, I think it's safe to say that he was the one who loved ava first, he was there by her bedside and all and so it would be lovely, to know how he feels and thinks about ava and beatrice, after all the years of living his own life, after all the years wishing to see his sister, his best friend, his... Ava, because there's no traditional title that really fits them, after all the years wishing that ava is okay and... Alive, more than just surviving because even when he was a child he knew, ava was meant for such a bright and grand life, just because she was all that herself.

Anyway, just an idea, of course. My rambling is not in any way meant to pressure you into writing it 😆😅 I hope you're having a good day wherever you are. Cheers!

[first of all i love do a flip!!!! 100/10 recommend if anyone hasn't read it!!

anyway, here's a little diego pov in the butch bea universe. he's like 18 or 19? idk. yknow just roll w it :) ]

//

university is busy as hell, and it's cool that they pay for your doctor's appointments and, when you actually started getting the care you needed, you were able to do basically everything in the normal, big wide world with regular meds and check-ins — but mostly you just want to play rugby and flirt with girls (not well, but you're 18 and always kind, so who cares your success rate) and pass all of your classes. when you got adopted it had seemed like a miracle, and so you don't take any of this time for granted — not the bright sun or the grass stains on your knees or how rachel plays with your hair when you hang out in her dorm.

you don't think much of it when you get a random email from beatrice gu-knight, partially because emails are a pain in the ass and partially because nico brought over a six pack of stellas and his nintendo switch — you're the mario kart champion, undisputed — but, in the morning, when you open your phone, you think your heart might stop in your chest.

Hello Diego,

I hope you're well. I know it might seem strange to get an email like this from someone you don't know and have never even heard of, and, if you don't wish to follow up or connect, please just let me know, and that will be the end of it.

But, in the hopeful chance that you do: my name is Beatrice (she/her), and I'm reaching out to you because Ava Silva is my life partner. We've been together for a few years now and she talks of you often, and fondly; I know from her stories you were an extraordinarily joyful and sustaining part of her life at St. Michael's, and, if nothing else, I hope you understand my deep gratitude for that. I work in tech, so I was able to find this email address for you in the hopes that you might want to reconnect with Ava. We live in Los Angeles, and she's, as I'm sure you remember, wonderful. Maybe even more wonderful now, as I hope you are too.

Again, if you are at all uncomfortable, please feel no pressure to engage in any way; I won't let Ava know, so don't worry about that. If you would like to reconnect, though, you can respond to this email, or call or text me at my cell listed below. Thank you.

Warmest regards,

Beatrice

it takes you a few seconds to get it together, because, what the fuck, first of all. second of all, ava — one of your favorite people ever, and someone you miss every day. who apparently has a very proper and seemingly kind partner named beatrice, and lives in california. ava is alive, and probably really happy. the last time you saw her she was scared and upset and you had thought she died before that. you had thought you would never see her again.

Hey, this is Diego, you text the number on Beatrice's email. you think about the time difference, and, sorry if it's the middle of the night for you

it takes a minute or two, but then your phone vibrates. Diego, wonderful to hear from you! I'm glad my email wasn't too intense.

and, like, maybe it was a little, but your calc III professor is a fucking nutcase, so you kind of have a high bar.

Ava works late sometimes, so don't worry about the time difference right now

it's sweet, you think, that beatrice doesn't work late, or, whatever, maybe she does, but she's up because ava is awake. because ava will be coming home, or finishing up in an office. you wonder about their life, what their home looks like and if ava's laugh is still just as awesome. and, like, what is ava's job? is she still paralyzed, or can she walk like she had the last time you saw her? you're glad for her, honestly, that her partner is a girl, because ava thought boys were hot but also seemed to like girls more — so, like, how did they fall in love? it's funny to imagine ava as a grownup, with a partner and a home and a whole life, but it's also the best.

do you want to facetime tomorrow or something, you text, because you don't really know what else to say, but you want to find out: about your sister, and the life she's apparently built. you think — if ava is anything like how she had been when you were younger — you definitely want to be in it.

I would love that, beatrice responds immediately. you work out the details and, eventually, you go to class and try to have a normal day. but ava is out there, happy, in california, with a partner who clearly cares about her. it feels like a gift, even to know. it feels like a gift, to get to be in her warmth again.

/

beatrice, when you answer the facetime call at exactly the second the clock hits 7 pm your time, is beautiful. it doesn't surprise you, not really, because you remember ava being pretty, and, even more than that, fucking awesome. beatrice is younger than what you think someone with that formal a name would be, with short dark hair that flops into her eyes, which are kind of gold in the light through the window of whatever room she's in. 'hello, diego,' she says, and, yeah, ava probably loves that accent.

it makes you laugh, but, like, in a nice way, to know that ava has a whole partner. a whole entire person who shares a life with her, who helps her with stuff and — beatrice is a saint for this — laughs at her puns.

'hey,' you say, feel awkward and a little sloppy in the face of the chic big oil painting behind her, the hoodie you know is expensive because your friend artur had had it marked on his stockx for, like, months now. 'uh, i'm diego. nice to meet you.'

beatrice smiles, and you see her freckles, and you realize, in a flash, a truth you know implicitly — that ava loves this person. ava picked this person to spend her life with. the world is cruel, you know better than most, but the world is also so, so kind.

'i'm so happy you responded to my email,' she says, less formal and with a slight laugh, mostly with joy. 'ava is the best, and i know that — she misses you. she loves you, a lot. i've always wanted to meet you.' you kind of don't know what to say, and you're relieved when she shakes her head. 'sorry, i'm being a lot again. believe it or not, this is my first rodeo with something like this.'

first rodeo sounds foreign from her, and it inexplicably makes you laugh. 'you're doing fine.' you realize that beatrice is just as nervous as you are, maybe even more: she loves ava. she has a whole life with ava. 'i — does ava want to talk to me?'

'i haven't told her yet. i wanted to see how you felt first, without any pressure, and i didn't want her to feel disappointed. but i know she will be... overjoyed, to have you in her life again, if you want.'

'yeah.' you think of ava's jokes and how full of life she was, even when she didn't have access to much of it herself. you think about the clumsy drawings you had made her, and how happy she was every time she got to go outside in her wheelchair. 'i do, want that. a lot.'

beatrice's smile is relieved and grateful. 'i can talk to her, then, and then maybe you two can set up a video chat? i know she'll be beside herself with excitement.'

'yeah,' you say, and you can't help but smile looking forward to it. it doesn't sound like ava's changed much, in the good ways, which is super cool. 'i'm excited too.'

/

your palms are clammy and you feel like you might throw up, but beatrice had sent you a link to a zoom and asked if the evening worked for you; you're so thrilled but also, like, what if ava doesn't like you anymore? what if she's way way cooler than you, or too grown up, or just bored by your life? it had been one thing, to lose her when you were young and confused, to have to grieve her absence so obliquely — but it would be an entirely different thing now, to know she's alive and has a life of her own and just doesn't want you in it. you don't really know how you would handle that. ava was your friend and ava was your sister, in the ways that really matter.

but, you realize very quickly, all of your anxiety was for nothing, because ava's face pops on screen — older, and her hair is shorter, and there are slight laugh lines settling into the skin around her eyes, but she mostly looks the same — and her smile is so warm and then she starts to cry and laugh and, yeah. if you do too, it's fine. no one else is in your dorm room anyway.

'hey,' she says, the first to get any words out. she's sitting up, and she waves, and you feel like you're seeing a real life miracle, right there on your computer screen. 'you look so old. i really missed you.'

'you look so old too.' she grins. 'i really missed you.'

it's a little stilted at first, probably because you're both overwhelmed, but then it's just... the fucking best. ava is a bartender, 'mostly for fun,' she says, which, whatever that means, and she still loves the beach. they apparently have a house right by the water. she starts crying again when you tell her you got adopted, that you're not so sick anymore because you have good doctors and caring parents, that you're in school to become an accountant.

'the family business?' she says, choked up, after you tell her that your adoptive mom is one too, and that she wanted you to be able to take over one day if you were interested.

it's as unbelievable to you some days as it seems to her, on bright mornings or when you get to go skiing in the cold snow, when your friends pass around a joint or when you get to go to a museum, whenever you want. 'yeah,' you say —  a family; you learn ava has one too. 'it's pretty incredible.'

/

'holy shit, ava.'

she just laughs, letting you go in front of her into her house. well, her and beatrice's house, you guess. you'd facetimed and texted a bunch with ava in the past two months, so you had figured out they were kinda loaded, and they'd both picked you up from the airport in a very sleek, fancy volvo, but, like —

'this is nuts.'

you think you might immediately cry again when you notice, right away, how there's not a single part of the house you can see that isn't accessible for someone in a wheelchair. ava had told you that she can walk but some days has a lot of pain and a hard time with mobility, and that beatrice was awesome and she had a good chair and even a van and a service dog, but you never could've imagined this. their house is huge and beautiful, like something you'd see in an AD tour you like to watch when you're stoned. ava has a cane today, and beatrice trundles in with your bag — she had insisted, quietly, but with a look that told you it would be totally pointless to argue.

'your house is awesome,' you say, to both of them.

beatrice smiles gently. 'we redid it last year, for accessibility. i think it turned out great.'

'wanna see the best part?' ava says, using her cane to bounce a little on the balls of her feet and you have to clear your throat because you had known her for so long. you had loved her for so long, your best friend in the entire world, who was smart and funny and bursting at the seams to feel it all, to really get to live.

'dude,' you say, 'of course.'

'i'm going to put your bag in your room,' beatrice says. 'and then i have a work call. but i should be done after the hour, for whatever you'd like to do, if you want me to join.'

'of course we want you to join,' ava says, and beatrice blushes and then gathers herself and kisses the top of ava's head before she offers you a thumbs up — nerdy, and it makes ava snort — and then lifts your bag like it weighs two pounds or something. 'love of my life,' ava says. 'definitely doesn't have a work call, but she's been stressed all week about making sure she gives us time to ourselves but doesn't seem aloof. huge weirdo.'

'she's hot.'

'ew, diego.'

you shrug. 'all i'm saying is that, like, i get it. not for me, because she's, like, super gay, but you know. for you.' you take a breath. 'sorry, i'm just excited.'

ava laughs. 'bea is super gay, it's true.' she points to a button on the wall nearby and then floor to ceiling glass doors that separate the living space from the patio. 'now, check this out.'

it's pretty fucking wild that ava went from the horrible orphanage, and tons of abuse that you were too small and too weak and too scared to stop, to a whole house that opens up to a day bed and an outdoor kitchen and dining area and a hot tub, a small patch of grass, and then the sea behind — but in the best kind of way. the kind of way that makes you want to tell everyone you meet that things can get better. that good things will happen to good people, at least sometimes. at least ava, who is the best of all of them.

ava motions for you to come with and walks outside, and then it's, like, genuinely the best thing ever when a black and white dog — korra, who ava sends you pictures of all the time and has featured in multiple zoom calls — who was napping in the sun, perks her head up and you swear she, like, dog-smiles at ava. 'hi, good girl,' ava says, and then claps her hands once and korra obediently, and happily, comes to ava's right side and sits, leans her little head against ava's thigh.

'i can't spend this entire time crying,' you say, and ava laughs. 'can i say hi?'

'of course,' she says. 'she's not usually formally working at home, unless i'm having a really bad day. which, you know, i'm not, but they do happen sometimes.' she shrugs and you kneel down in the sun and pet korra's soft ears as she nuzzles your face.

'she's so cool,' you say, and then kiss the top of her head and her nose. 'hey korra! i'm your uncle, i guess?'

'yeah! uncle diego.'

it makes you beam, to sit on the patio with ava as she shows you some of the tasks korra has been trained to do, and tells you about her bar you'll go to later, and points toward their outdoor shower with a sly smile. you do her the courtesy of fake gagging, although you really are just mostly happy for her, with her partner and her dog and a house that was built just for her.

eventually, beatrice comes outside, carrying a very intense charcuterie board. she places it down on the day bed, between you and ava, korra happily snoozing at your feet.

‘hi baby,’ ava says and scoots closer to you, then tugs on beatrice’s hand until she sits. ava kisses her temple. ‘this is very extravagant.’

‘well, we have a guest,’ beatrice says. ‘there’s wine inside, if you’d like a glass.’

‘i know nothing about wine,’ you admit, ‘but if there’s one you think… pairs? well with, you know —�� you gesture to the elegantly laid out spread of food in front of you — ‘then i’ll trust you and go with that.’

ava grins. ‘yes, beatrice. be our resident sommelier, please.’

beatrice rolls her eyes, again with a blush, but then stands, ignoring ava’s pout. ‘i’ll be right back.’

‘she’s, like, really nice.’

ava lays back with a grin. ‘well she’s on her i was raised by diplomats and nannies most proper behavior right now. i don’t get charcuterie boards like this… ever.’ she takes a bite of cheese. ‘but bea is wonderful. she’s brilliant and funny and so, so kind. she’ll loosen up. i’m really excited you get to spend time with her.’

‘i’m thankful she reached out. i — i’m so happy to be here, and to see you.’

‘me too, my dude.’

beatrice comes back out with fancy real crystal glasses and a bottle of wine she explains is a vintage napa chardonnay, which mostly just makes you think it’s expensive. it probably is, with the way she efficiently uncorks it — ava practically drools, annoying, and you elbow her in the ribs — but it’s, like, really good. at least compared to the cheap wine you sometimes have with your friends when you order greek food.

‘diego,’ beatrice says, measured and anxious and, if ava’s stupid expression is anything to go by, endearing, ‘as you know, i like to surf. although it’s quite early, i was wondering if you might like to join me tomorrow? one of my best friends is an excellent instructor and the wave report looks ideally calm. ava thought you might be interested, if you’d like to learn?’

‘yeah,’ you say. ‘of course. that sounds sick.’

beatrice grins, relaxing a little. ava squeezes her hand. ‘i find it quite fun. it can be hard at first, but it’s nice to be in the water.’

‘diego gets his astounding athletic ability from my side of the family,’ ava says, patting you on the knee.

‘your side of the family?’ beatrice arches a brow.

‘yeah, the orphan side,’ you say, an old joke coming back to you, and ava gives you a high five.

‘i —‘

‘don’t think about it too hard, beatrice. diego also gets his bisexuality from my side of the family too.’

‘now that i’m willing to believe.’

ava winks at you, and then settles back into beatrice’s side.

/

admittedly, you're exhausted, so the mezcal margarita — smoky and just the right amount of sour — is hitting harder than you thought.

'okay,' ava says, 'boys are easy to flirt with.'

beatrice rolls her eyes.

'they are, bea,' she insists, then looks to you. 'sorry, diego, but boys are just... simple. they see someone hot, especially me, and there's, like, no thoughts.'

you think of the way luis had kissed you one night at a party — with his strong hands and his strong jaw and the rough, delicious scratch of his beard — after you'd just offered him a drink politely, so. honestly, that tracks.

'girls, though, diego.'

you laugh.

'you know, people who aren't men.'

'yeah, of course.'

'difficult. i just — whew.'

'aren't you, like, basically married?'

'well, yes, we're domestic partners. but beatrice is horrible at flirting. she's just lucky she's brilliant, and beautiful, and handsome, and funny.'

beatrice rolls her eyes again, although a blush spreads across her cheeks. 'i think i have more women try to flirt with me than you.'

ava huffs. 'that's because you're just — ugh.' she turns toward you. 'bea has grown into being a lesbian magnet. i once was superior. plus, boys flirt with me too.' she claps you on the back. 'either way, between the two of us, we'll teach you everything you need to know.'

'they won't,' one of their friends says, sliding in next to beatrice, who smiles and kisses him on the cheek. he's maybe the hottest person you've ever seen, with tattoos down both arms and a neat fade, probably a few years older than beatrice. 'i'm keiko,' he says, and offers his hand. his handshake is so strong and you feel yourself blush. 'i own the dojo beatrice goes to.'

'my favorite sparring partner,' beatrice says. 'partially because i have never lost.'

keiko waves her off.

'uh, i'm diego.'

ava laughs, delightedly, at how flustered you clearly are.

'well, if you want advice on boys, i am quite successful.'

'i'm sure you are.'

ava gives you a high five, mortifyingly. 'that's my man.'

'i'm cutting both of you off,' beatrice says.

'one shot, bea, please. come on. all we have to do is walk home.'

beatrice sighs dramatically and runs a hand through her hair, and keiko nudges her in the shoulder. 'for once in your life, beatrice, have a little fun.'

it takes a moment, but she laughs. 'fine. one shot, and then home.'

/

you surf the next morning, early as fuck, but you’re kind of jetlagged anyway and it’s really beautiful to watch the sunrise while you rest on a board. you haven’t popped up and you got tired pretty fast, but beatrice’s friend, ray — and beatrice herself, obviously — are patient and relaxed and don’t seem to care at all.  ava wanders out eventually, setting out a towel and drinking a to-go cup of coffee. she waves happily and blows a kiss in beatrice’s direction, who blushes. it had made you laugh, quietly, when she had put a special bucket hat designed for surfing on after she situated her wetsuit.

‘i don’t want to get sunburned,’ she explained, and then handed you a bottle of spf 100 sunscreen and a zinc stick.

eventually you ride a wave in on your knees, laughing, and then go sit by ava while you watch ray and beatrice and the rest of their little crew surf the next set, bigger on the outer break. you can tell beatrice shows off, for ava and, maybe a bit, for you. it's still early, and ava's happy to sit back in the easy quiet.

'hey,' you say after a while, during a break in sets, 'so, beatrice introduced me this morning as "ava's little brother".'

she turns to you, studies your features carefully, just like she always would when you were in the orphanage, trying to pay close attention. 'did that feel okay?'

'other than the fact that i'm taller than you —'

'— hey —'

'— of course,' you say. 'i love being your brother.'

ava scoots closer to you and bumps your shoulder with hers; you have your wetsuit down around your waist and she has one of beatrice's hoodies on, but you've mostly dried off by this point so you put your arm around her shoulders and tug her to you.

'do you, uh. sister? sibling?'

ava smiles. 'either is great.'

'okay.'

'thanks, diego.'

'nothing to thank me for there. i should be thanking you, honestly. all expenses paid trip to a bougie beach house in california to see someone i've missed so much? the dream.'

she sniffles. you don't know all the details but you know ava has been through some real shit after she — came back to life, you guess? 'i missed you too, so so much.' she clears her throat and wipes under her eyes. 'in the spirit of being your cool older sibling, what mild to moderately wild things do you want to do here. i don't want your parents to be mad at me so consider wisely.'

'tattoo.'

'do you have anything planned that you would want?'

'well, no.'

ava laughs.

'what? beatrice has cool tattoos.'

'she is a staunch believer that you should plan your tattoos in advance. but think of something and then next time we'll get you all set up with her artist, if you want.'

there's a level of maturity and care that's a little unexpected but, like, really cool? really nice. it's kind of weird and makes you a bit emotional, because ava is grown up. she's still an idiot, and constantly annoying, and very funny — but she's gotten to get older, and so have you.

'we could dye our hair,' she says, shrugging. 'easy to rectify, if it's a disaster.'

'i'm so in, man.' your hair is darker than hers, and you have no idea if she knows what she's doing, but you trust beatrice — with her neat hair and neat house and neat clothes and seemingly undying love for ava — to monitor the situation.

'maybe we can do the bi flag.'

it makes you laugh, imagining how silly it would look. 'what about just purple? like, a light purple situation.'

'i've done that before,' she tells you excitedly. 'loved it. definitely time to return.'

'deal. also, i want to try california weed.'

ava grins. 'we would have let you last night, you know, but you were actively falling asleep at the bar after one cocktail.'

'it's the time difference, i swear.'

'sure it is.'

'well, bea loves her edibles. she's very particular about them. i'm... much less particular about joints, but we can start off chill. maybe this afternoon. and then we can have tacos.'

'that sounds like a perfect day.'

she smiles. 'yeah,' she says. 'even more perfect because i get to share it with you.'

'gross,' you say, although you might suddenly cry. 'sappy.'

'yeah, yeah. whatever.'

you keep your arm around ava's shoulders and watch beatrice and ray trade tricks the next set, and then they both call it and walk, laughing, toward you. ava struggles to stand with a frown, and you offer your arm for her to take if she wants. she does, smiles quickly in thanks and then, you know too, moves on without a word. she kisses beatrice soundly on the mouth, then pushes her goofy bucket hat off her head, fastened around her neck and resting on the back of her shoulders, and then gratuitously unzips her wetsuit while ray rolls her eyes.

it's a whole big world, you learn more and more every day. ray joins you for breakfast and then ava takes you shopping while you're pretty sure beatrice just naps. ava uses her chair and brings korra, which is mostly just the coolest thing in the world to you, because she has a whole van customized too, and she just — you had known, when you were younger, when ava would get to go outside in her chair, that nothing was limiting her other than care, and access. you had been limited too, and you ached with it. you ache differently now, because ava navigates her day fully and independently: a wheelchair lift for the stairs, and a huge, beautiful closet and kitchen where she can reach everything without having to stand, and korra, who can turn on lights and open doors and brings you a juice from the fridge when you sit down and mention you're thirsty; ava grins with the command and then praises korra, and you scratch her soft head and even softer ears.

beatrice does supervise when you and ava dye your hair, but ava mostly knows what she's doing, and really gets distracted the most when she looks over at beatrice in lowslung joggers and a cutoff tank and a beanie, leaning against the doorframe quietly, a fond expression on her face. ava wears crop tops and wideleg pants and expensive sneakers and you both end up laughing when you have your matching lavender hair.

you eat edibles that make everything feel lush and slow and perfect, and beatrice laughs softly at ava's ramble about her arms, and she orders a ton of her favorite chinese food that you eat on the patio at sunset. you take some pictures on your film camera, at sunset, and beatrice takes a few of you and ava. you wish you could go back in time and tell both of you, when you were small and sad and scared and abused, that things would be this beautiful one day. that things would be this good.

ava and beatrice eventually say goodnight before they head inside to their bedroom. there's too much light pollution in los angeles to see many of the stars, but you know they're there all the same.

[closetcasefabray]

Pleeeassee some avatrice fic recommendations, pretty pretty please . slow burns. I want to read my eyes out. Thank you very much

sorry for the delay but i come with a few recs with links! (and my nicknames for them)

choose the devil I know (over the heaven I don’t) aka Firefighter AU [WIP] - reverse slow burn - they don’t talk about their feelings but they have a lot of sex and then the emotional slowburn fucks. me. up. love to see/read it. @sapphicstacks is a real one but also p much lured me in, making me be like “yesss firefighter pxrn” and then it turned into “oh no i fEEL TOO MUCH” (in a good way)

not exactly slowburn, but there technically is a good amount of burning (S appreciate this)… if you want a s3 canon fic with some angst that squeezes your heart so hard but heals you at the same time (also gets quite horny), read Sixth to the Ninth Hour [Complete] aka Ava Walks Through Hell (to get back to Bea) [canon compliant]. i recently reread and yelled at @snowandwolves about it. they also have a new fic that’s slowburn and 🥹 it’s so good—leave the light on (i'll find my way home) [WIP] aka Lighthouse AU where ava isn’t sure where she wants to go or what to do in life but she finds herself working with bea at a lighthouse and it’s just the two of them building a routine and life together as they navigate their own internal things and their feelings for each other.

i can’t talk slowburn and not include @sunsafewriting—Do A Flip [WIP] rewired my brain chemistry—diego 🥹 ava taking him to aikido 🥹 ava taking every opportunity to befriend bea 🥹 ava’s so so patient and gentle 🥹 diego loves bea 🥹 (+ lilith cannot stand being in the same room as ava & bea bc gOD they’re unbearable 😂) their chosen family is so fucking important to me. also by sunsafe, Favourable Conditions [WIP] aka Pirate AU - has so much yearning it makes me feel stupid - bea is daughter of the commodore, ava is the governor’s niece aka off-limits (not because the gay but bc authority etcetcetc) but ava finds every way to push limits. bea has to call her Miss Silva despite ava’s insistance—“Can you think of me as Ava, just in your head?” Miss Silva requests. “Even if you never say it.”

i’m also currently reading If Saint and Angels Spoke of Love [WIP] by mermaiddrunk, aka Catholic HS AU. it’s ruining/saving my life rn. bea is a nun at a catholic high school. ava is the new english literature teacher. they both can’t seem to stay away from each other.

let me know if this suffices or if you’ve read these all already 😘

[princington]

making recipes that are too difficult for me & more ch 2! by @sunsafewriting