#a problem for tomorrow's toffee

[neon--nightmare]

SO EACH FRESH PARASITE CANONICALLY HAS LIKE,, ONE ‘POWER.’ fresh doesnt have one bc he can use the abilities/magic of the host body, which his other parasites can’t!! the powers also get stronger the more they age, but not only is it rare for fresh parasites to even live long enough to take a host (fresh usually produces them involuntarily, spits them out into a bucket, and crushes them all into powder bc theyre competition and put him directly at risk) they tend to either get tracked down by him later or well. die due to other circumstances bc they were just born and tend not to be the best at subtlety/controlling and using their power with zero experience <- I NEED TO MAKE A FRESH PARASITE OC LORE GUIDE SOMETIME

toffee’s (my fresh parasite oc) power was literal emotional manipulation (e.g. if they touched you they could make you feel what they wanted, not by overwriting your current emotions BUT more just. adding them on top.) but they also had all the subtlety of a steamroller because they were barely a few months old AND could only do the most basic emotions (happiness, sadness, fear, anger)

oh toffee my toffee.. iirc if they lived long enough for personal growth theyd end up with DEBILITATINGLY low self esteem. if someone you cared about was sad and you had the ability to smother their misery out with happiness, calm them down and make it easier, wouldnt it be at least a little tempting to take it?

especially if all your life, that was your gift, your solution to every problem related to others you had, and your ticket to survival in a world that wants you dead merely for existing. you never knew anything else, how to comfort, help, how to be genuine. how to care, when being cared about, any living thing knowing the abomination that you are - it’s terrifying, it’s risky. you’re not very strong, you’re small, and you’ve never known one day of peace in your own short life. never the kind word of a parent, of a friend, of a partner. since the day of your birth, wriggling away like a leech as all your ‘siblings’ were crushed to dust behind you, the only one you’ve ever had is yourself.

and how would the other beings even react if they found out that the whole time they’d known you, any of your emotions weren’t theirs? the joy with you, sadness, fear was magically induced, and you never told them. they can’t trust any of their memories with you. it’s a defense mechanism, but you still did it. you still made the choice, over and over and over again. how could that ever be forgiven? tampering with minds leaves marks, after all.

and if just by being around you the people you cared about felt supernaturally happy, how could you trust that they actually liked you for YOU and not just what you could do for them? they don’t even know you’re a parasite, that the host body you’re forced to take for survival is in constant pain, agony, where the only alrernative is rolling over and letting yourself die. how could you trust if anything they say, the love they profess is true! everyone adores you, but they don’t adore you. they’ll never like you, so does it even matter?

isn’t it easier to shut down, not get attached, not let yourself care? it hurts less that way. treat them all like toys, keep yourself on top. no, better not to think about it at all. you’re just doing what you can to keep yourself alive, to see the sun crest the horizon again tomorrow. distract yourself, take advantage, manipulate, run, run, little thing, and never stop to think. or the awareness of what you are and what you’ve done will destroy you, and there’ll be nothing left.

(slushie’s under the cut so this doesn’t get TOO long!!)

while slushie’s (second fresh parasite oc’s) power was fast regeneration (if their host body was hurt it healed much faster than normal, usually without scars or visible cracks/fractures!) they were very clumsy and developed a very, very high pain tolerance. since unless they were wounded enough to actually lose a limb or something, which they hadn’t yet, there were no consequences besides an unpleasant yet deeply familiar sensation that faded in like, an hour maximum. in their mind that’s how it is for everyone, just a fact of life.

whatever accidents you get in, whatever happens to your host body, it doesn’t matter! you’ll be fine, without a scratch. the idea of a life where you don’t bleed magic every day and wake back up in the morning is nearly impossible to fathom. you nearly die, let yourself be torn apart willingly by those you latch onto with a smile, and get back up, again, and again, and again. you can’t trust anyone who doesn’t hurt you, it’s too unfamiliar, it doesn’t make sense, that’s what you live for. why do others look so horrified when you mention it?

that’s just the way things are, were, and always will be.

[bluejaysandblackbats]

A Yellow Ribbon

Fandom: DC Comics, Young Justice, Flashfam, Superfam

Summary: Conner's been best friends with Bart ever since they met at the carnival when they were children. The problem is that Bart can't remember meeting Conner that night. But Thad does...

Chapters: 11/?

Characters: Clark Kent, Conner Kent, Lois Lane, Bart Allen, Thaddeus Thawne, Don Allen, Meloni Allen, Jonathan "Pa" Kent, Martha Kent, Max Crandall

Relationships: KonBart, KonThad, Clois, MelonixDon, Ma/Pa Kent

Additional Tags: No Powers AU, Mistaken Identity, Possibly Unrequited Love, Unrequited Crush, Twins, Lies, Stolen Moments, Unconventional Love Triangles, Misunderstandings, Childhood Friends, Complicated Relationships, Family Dynamics, Family Bonding, Best Friends, Secret Crush, Autistic Bart Allen, Autistic Thad Thawne, Thaddeus Thawne Gets a Hug, Conner Kent-centric, Bisexual Conner Kent, Conner Kent Needs a Hug, Third Person POV, Hurt Clark Kent, Boys in Love, Friendship/Love, Farm/Ranch AU, Farmboy Conner Kent, Grandparents and Grandchildren, Unconventional Families, Unconventional Relationship, Romance, Light Angst, Strangers to Lovers, Cyrano, Jewish Superfam

Chapter Eleven: Dungarees and Switcharoos

Conner came in from the rain and changed out of his dungarees in the doorway. “Ma? I had to borrow your sewing kit to mend Toffee’s blanket. How much time do I have?” Conner asked. Ma wrapped him in a towel.

“You have thirty minutes, sweetheart. I ran you a bath, and when you get out, I’ll make you a cup of tea with your dinner,” Ma whispered as she dried his hair. Conner kissed her cheek.

“If Dad calls, can you tell him I promised to check in with Bart today? He got out of the hospital yesterday,” Conner requested.

Ma nodded. “Go on, you don’t want to be late,” Ma whispered.

*

Meanwhile, in Missouri, Bart lay in Thad’s bed. It was his first weekend home after ten weeks in isolation in the hospital. “Please?” Bart begged.

“He’s gonna know,” Thad whispered.

“No, he won’t. I’ll give you five dollars to do it,” Bart replied. Thad huffed and puffed as he held back tears. “Don’t cry. All I need you to do is pretend to be me and play with Conner for thirty minutes.”

Thad fidgeted with the bottom of his pajama shirt as his heart pounded. “What if he finds out? Won’t he be angry?” Thad asked. Bart opened his arms and pulled Thad into a hug. “I don’t know how to talk to anybody but you.”

Bart frowned. Thad isolated himself for years, hoping they could go home together someday. He didn’t make friends or go out while Bart was sick. Outside of their family, Thad was alone. “If he finds out, you can tell him the truth. He won’t be angry. I promise,” Bart reassured him, “And everyone likes you. They just don’t know you yet.”

Thad let go and nodded. “I’ll do it. And I don’t want five dollars,” Thad replied. Bart pulled Thad close, messed up his hair, and fixed the buttons on Thad’s pajama shirt. They stared at each other, and Thad smiled. “We haven’t been this close in years…”

“I hope we’ll always be this close,” Thad whispered. Bart grinned and nodded.

“Always,” Bart smiled, “We’ve got the rest of our lives.”

Thad nodded enthusiastically, squeezing his fists to contain his excitement at Bart’s newfound hope for the future. He worried that Bart had given up thinking about the future entirely. He crept toward the computer in Don’s studio and shut the door. Logging into Bart’s account didn’t take long because they had the same passwords for everything. He initiated the call and sat patiently waiting for Conner to answer. It rang three times before Conner answered in his pajamas. Conner took a deep breath and raked a hand through his hair. “Bart! Hi, how are you feeling?” Conner smiled.

Thad stared directly at Conner, speechless at first. “I’m okay… I’m sleepy, but it’s nice to see you,” Thad replied. He was sure Conner would see right through him.

Conner wrung his hands. “Hey, can I—? It’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow, so I wanted to tell you over this call because—. Because the letter might not get to you on time. Can I read you the card I picked out? The back-up card?” Conner stammered.

Thad nodded. Conner recited a Valentine that read as romantic with an innocence that seemed too young for even his eleven years. Thad’s cheeks went rosy as he listened to Conner stumble clumsily through a short Valentine’s Day poem. Thad held up the mood ring around his neck and nodded. “I’ll be your Valentine forever and ever if you want,” Thad whispered. “You’re so special.” Conner smiled.

“Gosh… I’m so glad—. How does it feel to be home?” Conner questioned.

Bart. He had to remember to be Bart. “It’s the best. I get to be with Mom and Dad, and tonight, I’ll sleep in my bed. And my bed’s blankets won’t be warm like the hospital’s. They’ll be cold, and I’ll be—. Conner, I’m so happy… And so tired,” Thad answered. He spoke as fast and warmly as his twin. It was almost frightening how perfectly he imitated Bart. “How are you?”

Conner knit his brows together before smiling. “I’m doing great… Yeah, um… My dad’s coming… We’re going fishing at the lake. I’m kinda excited. Last weekend, Mom took me to the movies, and then we had spaghetti at a restaurant… Are you doing anything special with your mom and dad this weekend?”

“My dad and I are gonna work on the mural in Mom’s office tomorrow… And mom’s gonna show me how to fix the water heater,” Thad answered, “Fishing sounds cool. Have you done it before?”

“Fishing? Yeah, I go with Pa a lot… But I haven’t had the chance to go fishing with my dad yet,” Conner answered.

Thad nodded and let Conner continue speaking. He could’ve listened to Conner talk about anything. The only problem was Thad was exhausted. He yawned without meaning to, and Conner rubbed his eyes. “Okay… Well, we should probably go to bed. Goodnight, Bart. Tonight was fun,” Conner whispered.

“Yeah. It was… Wasn’t it?” Thad grinned. Conner nodded. “Goodnight.”

They waved at each other before logging out, and Thad crept down the hall to his bedroom. Bart lay half-asleep as if he were waiting for Thad. “He couldn’t tell. Could he?” Bart asked. Thad shook his head and climbed in on the other side. “Thank you.”

“It was fun,” Thad whispered as he fixed his hair.

As tired as Bart was, he didn’t want to sleep. It was his first night back home. “It doesn’t feel real. Are you real?” Bart asked as he playfully squeezed Thad’s nose.

Thad giggled and shook his head. “Bart, I’m glad you’re home,” Thad whispered. They whispered and giggled until Don poked his head in the door.

“Hey, fellas, I know it’s been an exciting day, but it’s past your bedtime guys,” Don whispered.

Meloni knocked on the door frame. “Hey, are you kids too old to give me a kiss goodnight?” Meloni questioned. The boys laughed and opened their arms to hug and kiss their parents goodnight. They hadn’t been together since Bart and Thad were six. Meloni squeezed them tight. “Is everyone warm and cozy?”

“Mhm,” Bart whispered.

“Thanks, Mom,” Thad smiled. Don lingered after Meloni left.

Don wanted to say something but didn’t want to get choked up. Bart shut his eyes, reached for Thad, and went to sleep. Thad looked toward Don with a smile and tears in his eyes. “I’m too happy to sleep,” Thad whispered. Don grinned.

“Want me to sit with you for a while?” Don asked. Thad nodded. “You’re all he talked about in the hospital.” Don described the seemingly endless list of things Bart wanted to do with Thad now that they were together again. Thad’s eyelids drooped, and he nodded off, resting his chin on Bart’s forehead. “I guess nothing’s changed… Not even the way you two kids sleep… Goodnight, sweet boys.” Don flicked the light switch off and smiled. Meloni startled Don as soon as he stepped into the hall, and she chuckled.

“I got you, Donnie,” Meloni smiled as she pressed her face into the fabric of his sweatshirt. “Are they asleep?”

“Sound asleep,” Don replied.

Meloni took in a deep breath, raising her shoulders as she spread her arms. Don hugged her, walking backward toward the kitchen while taking in her radiant look of admiration. “You want me to make you a late-night snack, huh?” Don half-joked.

“You already did… Can I have half your sandwich?” Meloni asked.

“That’s our sandwich, Mel,” Don sweetly replied, “We can finally breathe… Can’t we?”

[thegreatimpersonator]

Your evermore edit was lovely. The images worked so well with the text. You picked some of my favourite lyrics too. So good work all round!

I hope your carpal tunnel isn't causing too many problems with your gifts and cards.

How did your weekend go? Any interesting happenings?

I was planning something sweet to take to my work for our secret santa swap tomorrow so I wondered what your favourite Christmas treat or snack is. My mum always gets me some toffee for my Christmas - it's not really seasonal, but it's my favourite!

Christmas anon :)

hi hi darling, sorry i'm answering this late!

thank you so much for the compliment, i love making edits it's become such a wonderful creative outlet and it means the world to me to hear that people like them. i really try my best. thank you xo

i'm actually getting injections in my wrists for carpal tunnel on dec. 22!! so i'm excited to hopefully have relief really soon. i've been doing okay, a problem here and there but nothing too bad.

my weekend was pretty uneventful, i have several sick family members that we're worried about so mom and i just tried to keep busy around the house and help each other through our chronic pain issues. watched lots of american football which always helps (it's my guy thing that i like jkfjkdgj) had some really good food as well which i am thankful for.

Is it a specific type of toffee? I really love anything peppermint but not candy canes lol .. like peppermint hot cocoa or like chocolate. my mom used to make special cookies when i was younger that we haven't done in a while, so we might have to dive into that again.

thank you for checking in!! xo

[7000f1]

I'll post the timelapse later, I think it's ~5min long and I don't want to deal with csp crashing rn

[neo-shitty]

why do i keep pressuring myself with a deadline that doesn’t exist?

[georgiapeach30513]

Another Daddy?

Summary:  Camping with Curtis, meeting Ari

Pairings:  Curtis Everett X Reader

Rating:  Explicit

Warnings:  Explicit language, explicit sexual content, smut, DD/lg dynamics, D/s dynamics, unprotected sex, PIV sex, axe kink (?), voyeurism, dumbification, praise kink, 18+ ONLY

Word Count:  1.4K

Desperate Lives AU Masterlist

Ari & Curtis Masterlist

Camping you were told.  Camping with your daddy, he said he just needed to get away from the city.  Away from the station.  Apparently this time every year he just needs to get away.  He won’t tell you what had happened, only that he didn’t regret it because it helped a family.  Saved a lot of people.

When you offered to go with him, he was excited, said there was someone he would like to meet.  Of course you were just excited to have some time with just you and Curtis.  You wouldn’t call him a boyfriend.  Wouldn’t even say this was a relationship.  What it was, was comfort, safety, not to mention the best sex ever.  

Even just being out in the woods, helping him set up the tent, everything seems so serene, so easy.  You get a glimpse of a more lighthearted Curtis.  “Come on let’s go get some firewood before it gets too late,” he grabs up the axe, but not his ‘special’ one, meant just for you.  There’s not much more you love than him using his axe in the intended method.  Seeing him swing the tool with such force, and the way his muscles pulse and ripple with the movements.  Even his cheeky little smirk, as he sees how lustful you’ve already become.  

“Don’t worry Little One, I’ll take care of you later.”

“Is that a promise?”

He stops his movements to walk over to you.  Lifting you chin up high, “That’s eight.  Have I ever lied to you before?”

“No.”

“That’s nine.”

You take a deep gulp, this isn’t working out well for you.  He cocks up his eyebrow needing you to finish.  “I’m sorry daddy.”

“Good girl.  Now, can I finish getting this wood?  You’re going to be so sore tomorrow when you meet my friend,” you give him a quick nod, and he walks back to cutting some wood. Not daring to misbehave again.  Nine is a big number, and you know the rules you must behave.  You just have a problem of fully behaving.  And Curtis just gives into you too much.

________________________________________________________________

His thumb traces up the column of your neck.  Those dark cold blue eyes looking over your body, as your arms are suspended above your head,” Daddy?”

“Not this time Little One.  I’m beginning to think your a bit too much for me.”

“No, please daddy.  I want you.”

He gives you a wicked grin that you you can’t figure out why.  “Didn’t say I was going anywhere.  Maybe you’re too much of a brat, and I just need help with you, hmm?” you have no words.  This was never an option.  “Magic word?”

“Toffee bits.”

“Good girl.  I’ll give you some time to think about.  But you’re seriously pushing it with me,” that special axe blade coolly flows effortlessly over your skin, Curtis’ warm hand right behind its wake.  He traces circles around your nipples before the tool dips lower.  His hand toys with your entrance before he inserts two fingers.  Teasingly holding them still before his gaze narrows on you again.

“Tell me Little One, do you need a second daddy who can handle your attitude?  Make you quiver when they lay you over their lap to spank you?  Love fucking hard and deep into your body, but deny you a release?” you try not to remove your sight from him.  Try not to have a reaction to his words, but a daddy the exact opposite of Curtis has your mind thinking all kinds of thoughts.  “This pretty pussy is throbbing over my fingers.  You do want another daddy, hmm?”

“Maybe?” you answer questioningly.

His fingers slowly pull out of your warmth before entering back slowly, “Maybe I shouldn’t tease such things in your delicate state?  It’s unfair to you.  Should I take you down and we go to bed?” he’s an ass.  He knows exactly what he’s doing, and you’re well aware when he gives you another smile.

“No, daddy.  Wanna feel you, need to cum on your cock.”

“Ask and ye shall receive, but first, I’m afraid you got up to nine today,” he tsks, running that axe all around your body.  Walking around you like you’re his prey, and in ways, you are.  Flipping the axe around he rubs the handle along your slit.  Covering it in your gloss, your body heating up with every movement over your sex.  

Stilling the special toy, his eyes look over your body.  “Ride it,” his voice commands.  You roll your hips over the handle, speeding up the closer you get to your release.  Loving how Curtis smiles at your writhing body, seeing exactly how hot he is getting for you.  His free hand shoves a thumb in your mouth.  Your tongue circles over the digit, sucking on it with the pace that your body moves over his toy.  Getting almost there, and he pulling you in for a kiss.  Laving up all your whimpers when you cum undone.  

“One, daddy,” turning the tool to push the handle through your folds, your eyes roll back in your head as he fucks you with his favorite toy.  Standing still you focus on his ministrations.  When in the distance Ari watches his friend fuck you with that stupid axe.  He finally found one willing to go as kinky as he was. 

Curtis had reassured Ari that he couldn’t fully handle you.  You thrived on having him as your daddy, but he could tell you were craving more.  Were needing to be tamed, and while it wasn’t his thing, he couldn’t fully let you go.  When you cum hard on that handle, counting and begging for more, Ari starts palming himself over his jeans.  His eyes taken every part of you in.  Wanting to know exactly how each inch of you feels.

The two of them always meet here in these woods.  Always need a moment from all the hustle of life to think about what happened all those years ago.  Neither one regret what had to be done, but doesn’t mean they still needed that day.

Curtis’ just presses up against your clit at he pumps the axe into you.  Giving Ari a quick smirk, knowing how much he’s enjoying the show.  Your wrists pull down when it starts to become too much, but Curtis doesn’t stop, doesn’t slow, “You can do it, Little One.  You’re doing such a good job for your daddy.  Don’t fight it.  You’re getting closer to being filled with my cock.”

________________________________________________________________

Almost completely cockdrunk, before he’s even entered you.  Your core swollen and abused, as is your clit when Curtis’ strong hands hold you up to unbind your wrists.  His arms carrying you to the tent.  “You’re almost there.  You’ve done so good for your daddy.  Now I get to reward you.  I won’t last long though.  Seeing you all fucked out like this,” when you give him a little whimper, his lips kiss up your neck, “Shh...Daddy’ll take care of you though.”

Softly and gently he lays you down.  Spreading your thighs to push his tip through your hole.  Your back arches up on its own accord.  Your hands pull at him and needing him as close to you as possible.  “Don’t worry my sweet dumb baby, I know what you need.  You need to cum one more time on my cock, don’t you?”

“Yes, daddy.”

His hips pull back before he’s slamming back into you.  Sobbing out your moans, while he continues his slow, unhurried, but pounding pace.  Your fingers clawing at him, because your so overstimulated you’re already at the edge of cumming.  “There ya go.  So good.  So...warm and tight.”

“Daddy.”

“I know.  Just let go.  Daddy will do all the work.”

Your eyes roll back as your orgasm pushes through.  Gripping tightly to him, as he speeds up his thrusts.  Stabbing into your tight hole that clings to him, never wants to release him from your body.  But Curtis doesn’t slow, doesn’t stop.  He needs his orgasm, and you know he won’t stop until he gets there.  Crashing into you over and over again.  His hips slamming into yours.  His grunts the only thing you can hear, and your vision blacks out.

Your walls flutter around his length, and it only eggs him to crash into you more.  “Let go sweet baby.  Need ta feel ya one more...time...fuck...there you go.  There’s my good girl,” he stills his motions after the two of you cum together.  Your eyes begin to flutter closed as you watch him pull out.  “Go to sleep.  Let me take care of the rest,” not one to argue, you allow him to take care of everything else.

Masterlist

Taglist:  @donutloverxo @whiskeytangofoxtrot555 @tis-thedamn-season @missusbarnes-rogers​ @headrushxreeta​ @kenequa​ @elrw24 @isysen @autumnrose40

[joy-of-life88]

Roman Reigns x Reader

First published August 17, 2020 on Wattpad

I hummed to a random song that played on the radio while I did the dishes and wiped down the counter tops. I don't know how I managed to get flour all over the kitchen while baking, but somehow it ended up everywhere. It's always the same. I can't be trusted to keep anything clean. I had just finished when the timer beeped, letting me know that the second batch of cookies was ready to come out of the oven.

I had just put the cookies on a cooling rack when someone covered my eyes.

"Guess who?" This sexy deep voice asked me.

"Hmm... Batman? Oh, no wait, it's Superman," I replied with a giggle. Roman took his hands off my eyes and turned me around to face him.

"Hey Baby Girl. Hmm... It smells heavenly in here. Chocolate chip cookies?" he asked after he kissed me on the forehead.

"No, a new recipe. Chocolate chip toffee cookies for girls' night tomorrow. How was your workout?" I said as I turned back to top the cookies with flaky salt.

"That sounds delicious," Roman said as he reached for a cookie. I slapped his hand.

"Hey, hands off! They' re still hot," I scolded him.

"Okay, fine. Keep your fucking cookies." he snapped and left the kitchen.

"Are you serious? I just didn't want you to burn your fingers. I just got them out of the oven and they're still burning hot." I yelled after him.

"Yeah yeah, whatever," that's all I heard before the bathroom door closed and the shower was turned on.

What a sudden change of mood. All this over a cookie? Over cookies that he usually avoided anyway, because of his strict diet? I'm sure that wasn't really the reason for Roman's bad mood. When he finished showering, I had to talk to him about it and find out what was really going on.

I decided to finish cleaning the kitchen first and then check on Roman. My grumpy teddy bear. I took a plate from the cupboard and put some, now cooled down, cookies on it and made my way to the bedroom. Roman was lying on the bed. He was just wearing sweatpants and had his arms folded behind his head. He must have heard me, but didn't show any reaction and just kept staring at the ceiling.

I put the plate with the cookies on his bedside table and climbed into bed with him. Cross-legged, I sat down next to him, but still didn't get any reaction.

"Do you want to tell me what's really bothering you or should I believe you're throwing a fit over cookies?" I asked quietly. He sighed deeply and rubbed his hands over his face.

"I'm sorry, baby girl. I had a bad day at the gym. Well, actually, this whole week sucked. Both flights were delayed, then they took forever to find my luggage. 

Then there was a problem with the rental car. At work, the creative team completely threw aside their plans for the next six months and today at the gym the treadmill broke down," Roman explained.

"Why didn't you tell me any of this?" I asked him.

"I don't know why. I guess I didn't want to bother you. You were so stressed yourself this week from your work. I didn't want to add my shit to it," said Roman and sounded exhausted.

"Hey we're a team, remember? I'm always here for you, whether I'm stressed or not. I want to be there for you, that's my job. And please remember that you never annoy me. Except when you leave the toilet seat open," I replied softly, adding the last part to make him laugh. It worked, Roman had to laugh, but I could tell he was worn out.

"You're right. I promise I'll talk to you more about this stuff. But I' m not making any promises about the toilet seat," he said, still laughing. Then he started to yawn.

"Come here, love, take a nap while I rub your back. I know how much it relaxes you." I pulled Roman towards me so he could put his head on my chest. He made himself comfortable and made a relaxed sigh. I slowly began to run my fingers along his back and the back of his neck. The whole thing had a totally relaxing effect on me too.

"You better hope I don't fall asleep, too. Then I won't be able to sleep all night and you'll have to entertain me," I warned him.

"Then I'll have to entertain you all night long, huh? I think I can handle that." I heard the smirk in his voice.

"I'm sure you can. Like that's bad, huh?" I answered with a yawn.

"Just sleep, baby. When we wake up, there'll be something to eat, first the cookies and then you."

[oonajaeadira]

Whenever I see "The Blank Blank of Blank" go across my dash my heart skips a beat thinking it's a new Javi chapter because I have the memory of a squirrel and can't remember what they're all named.

hahahahah Oh no, I'm sorry!!! If it's a problem for you, then you're most likely not the only one. Let me help!

Here. You know what's easier to remember? SWEETS. There are four of them so far. I have a few more reblogs cued up for tomorrow, so they won't be differentiated, and it's possible some others might get reblogged here and there without, but I'll go back in and add the sweet after the title in the OPs so they'll look like this:

(I don't want to number them in case I decide to write one out of order--unlikely, but just keeping my options open!)

So far then we'll have:

The Sentimental Defacement of Homemade Cookies (Christmas Cookies)

The Sweet Appreciation of Mutual Assistance (Toffees and Violetas)

The Tranquil Bliss of Moonlit Dessert (Tarta de Santiago)

The Effortless Removal of Unscalable Barriers (Lemonade with Rosemary)

Because believe me, more are coming. You see a sweet mentioned that you haven't read about yet, you'll know it's new!!! <3

(gif by dornish-queen)

Thanks, friend!!!

[sweaterkitty-fluff]

It's moments like this I wish I had my own car

[thedefenderoftheearth]

slide

summary: Rose and TenToo start their journey together and it isn't always perfect but they're good together.

rating: T

word count: 2200

Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/30290310

On Day One, he knows the TARDIS is leaving before Rose does. She’s entirely captivated by this kiss, and he wants to be too (and is…mostly), but it’s his TARDIS, and his mind is big enough to think of both things at once–the love of his life re-entering it and the companion he’s not sure he can live without fading from it. He hates the thought but knows it’s true. He’s lived without Rose, knows he can do it…but he’s not sure if he can live without his ship. 

When Rose breaks the kiss with a gasp and bolts toward his disappearing girl, he’s certain that he can’t.  He takes the few strides to Rose, interlaces his fingers with hers because it’s the only thing he’s sure it’s okay to do. When they turn to look at each other, he wonders what he’ll be sure of tomorrow.

On Day Two, he wakes to a soft whirring sound--an electric toothbrush, he realizes. Rose is awake and coming out of the en suite. He doesn't know what to do with himself, so he flings the covers aside and hops out of the bed to meet her. 

"Oh," she says, and she won't meet his eyes. "Um. Hi. You're awake."

"Yes," he confirms. "And you have a bit of toothpaste just...there." Without thinking and before she can stop him, he licks the pad of his thumb and swipes the corner of her mouth.

"Um. Thanks," she says, and she still won't look at him properly. "Um...I thought...I thought I'd pick up your suit from dry-cleaning. And then we could go shopping, get you some things. I won't be long." She hurries from the room with her head down, not even pausing to wait for an answer.

He's puzzled, but when he's certain she's gone, he sucks his thumb. He can't taste every component of the toothpaste, can't determine the exact structure of the methylcellulose like he used to. What he can taste is Rose, and that, he thinks, could merit a full day's worth of analysis.

It isn't until he goes into the bathroom to relieve himself that he realizes why Rose did her best not to see him.

He wonders if this is a problem human males have every morning.

If so, he wonders how he could possibly bear this every morning--this heat that's spreading across his face, down his neck, and to his shoulders that makes him feel like he could disintegrate on the spot and like he wouldn't mind if he did, because at least he wouldn't have to face Rose again.

On Day Three, she catches him in the kitchen with two fingers in a jar of raspberry jam. He freezes, smiles sheepishly, grows nervous when she doesn't say anything.

"You know," she finally says, taking the jar from him and replacing his fingers with her own, "this is an awful habit to get yourself into." Her tongue darts out to clean the messy glob on her fingers.

"Dreadful," he agrees, when he can finally speak. "Terribly rude." He takes the jar back to help himself to more jam.

They pass the jar between them a few times before she stops and places it on the counter.

Sticky fingers weave through his perfectly tousled hair as she pulls his mouth to her and he wants to whine about it, but his brain shorts out as she swipes her tongue along his bottom lip and oh--all right then.

On Day Nine, they're okay. They've fallen into a safe routine: she cooks breakfast and he cleans the dishes; they share the bathroom (and it's not long before they decide it isn't big enough for the two of them); they reach together for two Torchwood IDs hanging near the door; she drives and he changes the radio fifteen times before they arrive.

Neither of them takes any risks with the other, but it's good. They're good together.

On Day Twenty-Eight, he cooks breakfast and doesn't burn the toast. It earns him a proud hug from Rose. He thinks back to a day when a shop girl from the Powell Estate pronounces a word correctly and elicits the same response from him. He wonders what happened to that girl and marvels at the woman before him who has all of herself pressed up against all of him.

On Day Forty-One, he goes on his third date with Rose. He's not sure why she keeps referring to it that way but she does and has more than once--to her mum on the phone and even to Jake at Torchwood.

He doesn't understand why she emerges from the en suite in a dress he's never seen before and strappy heels that couldn't possibly be designed for comfort (and definitely not for running) or why she smells flowery and certainly good but not quite like herself.

When they return to the flat, he doesn't understand her frustrated sounds when he kisses her, when he tries to slow their snogging back down to just that, just like always, just like normal. She finally relents and succumbs to his pace. When they're both breathless, she snuggles close to him...until she can't anymore.

He's utterly baffled when he's suddenly asked to sleep on the couch, but for the first time since he came to live with Rose--the first time in his existence--he does.

On Day Fifty, he understands why they call it "getting lucky." His brain is shrouded in a blissful haze, yet singularly focused on one thing: he has just had sex with Rose Tyler. He's done the deed, gotten busy, mattress mamboed, knocked boots--he doesn't have boots; maybe he should get some--and he feels a little bit like whooping...but his bones are liquid and he's melting into the soft down of the bed. His hair is in a state of permanent shock, his eyelids droop half-mast, and his mouth is set in a goofy sort of half-grin that doesn't seem to want to fade, but he doesn't mind. He fights to keep his eyes open just to keep looking down at an equally happy Rose falling asleep with one arm across his chest, her hand above his single heart, and her legs tangled with his.

On Day Seventy-Seven, they spend the entire day in bed. He moans loudly.

She tells him through a stuffed-up nose to "shu' ub."

"'Shut up'? Really? These could be my last words, Rose Tyler. I'm going to die!"

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I am."

"It's just a cold."

"Is not. It's swine flu, bird flu, SARS--No." He gasps. "The Plague!"

"It's not the Plague. They didn't even have that here."He whines and moans and groans and "But Roooooose"s, and even though she's miserable herself, she brings him soup, blows on it when it's too hot, and patiently cleans him up when he sneezes in her face and half the bowl goes down his front.

On Day One-Hundred Twelve, they're not okay. Neither of them knows how they got to this point, but hurtful things are being flung carelessly to the air between them. Things like maybe if he came back, she'd leave with him--back to her own universe, back home. Things like maybe if the wanker did come back, he'd just steal his TARDIS, and he could be the one stuck on this stupid planet in this stupid world.

He pulls at the doorknob, tries to flee with some dignity, but the jamb sticks. He twists and pulls and jiggles the lock and finally it breaks free. Tears prickle in his eyes, and he wants to know why this stupid body has his tear ducts hardwired to his frustration. It's a dumb design; he doesn't feel like crying, he feels like running.

He winces when he hears the door slam behind him--he didn't really mean that--but it's done. He can't take it back. He runs.

On Day One-Hundred Fourteen, he runs home. She's ready for him when he walks in, and he isn't expecting that. He's expecting to at least be able to change out of the clothes he left in, the ones that are soaked through and clinging to his cold skin. Maybe even a shave and a steaming cup of tea. He doesn't get those things; they're going to have it out right now.

She unfurls herself from the blankets, rises from the couch with an un-drunk, already-cold mug of tea in her hand and strides toward him. They're toe-to-toe before he can find his voice.

"Still mad?"

She leans in close and he's nervous. "Yes," she says against his temple. "Definitely," against his jaw.

He shivers, swallows thickly, and thinks--knows--they should solve this with words, but when she pulls back to look at him like that, he thinks the words can wait.

They're both sorry, and that's enough for now.

They're a mess of tangled limbs and warm breath as they fall to the bed. His wet clothes are left on the carpet and oh, she's not going to like that later. He wonders how he has room for that thought when he's got a half-naked Rose Tyler in his arms, then he knows: he never wants to make her mad at him again.

Right now, he decides, he's going to make her very, very happy with him.

On Day One-Hundred Fifty, he thinks Rose might be pregnant. He wants to believe it's his superior Time Lord brain counting thirty days to the millisecond. He knows it's his human brain and his human something else.

He's not sure if she thinks that--that there might soon be three heartbeats between them again--but he thinks he's scared, delighted, anxious, proud, reckless, loving, loved, amazed.

He wonders if it's a human trick, to feel all these things at once and not explode into light. If so, it's better than any trick any Time Lord ever had.

On Day One-Hundred Fifty-Two, he finds out he's wrong when she throws a pillow at him and demands toffee and a backrub.

He's not sure why he isn't relieved, or of the reasons he should be.

On Day Two-Hundred Two, he drops a ring--the ring--down the garbage disposal and panics. He stares down the dark void of the drain in horror.

Neither of them are ready for the question to be asked, but that ring....It's The Ring, and he's not going to find a replacement. When his own hand fails him (as does chewing-gum-on-a-wire and the vacuum hose with a bit of nylon over the top) he admits defeat and calls a plumber.

When Rose asks what happened, he has to tell her he finally finished that sonic prototype, and it was rather less successful than one might have hoped--wellll, by that he means it was a complete failure.

She rolls her eyes and asks him what's for supper.

On Day Three-Hundred Ninety-Eight, he thinks they are ready, but she comes home with two zeppelin tickets.

"Fancy a trip?"

"Yes!" he exclaims too loudly. He's done so well so far. He's only had a few freak-outs--no, they weren't freak-outs. Slips, lapses, tiny episodes, he thinks. But oh, would he love to travel. He doesn't have the universe at his fingertips anymore, but this world is still different, still has a lot to offer. Maybe the Sphinx still has a nose because he wasn't there to meddle, and maybe the sand feels different under his feet there because the silicon dioxide content isn't the same in this universe. Maybe the Great Wall of China wasn't built, but there's one in Mexico, and maybe the view is still spectacular. Maybe the best chips on the planet aren't at their old haunt at the hole-in-the-wall on Baker and Twenty-Fourth. Maybe they're across the globe in Sydney, and maybe they can find them.

"Yes," he says quieter, and then, "Where?"

"Anywhere."

"Okay."

"Okay."

And they go.

On Day Four-Hundred Twelve, they're running for their lives from a hunter-gatherer group in the Amazon that he's managed to insult.

They run, and the humidity gives them an endless supply of sweat. Huge droplets pool from every pore making their hair stick close to their scalps and their clothes stick to their skin as though they'd just emerged from a swimming hole fully-clothed and a muddy one at that, with the way the forest wants to cling to them and never let go.

He knows it's just something in the way this adrenal-cortical system works that makes him think that maybe they're really going to die this time, something about these rubbish--wonderful--human hormones, but he says the words anyway.

"Will you marry me?"

"What?" she says between tight gasps for air.

"Marry me.”

"Her answer doesn't come immediately. He doesn't know if she's thinking or trying to find the air for the words or both, but he's dying every second.

"Okay," she says, then looks over her shoulder to the group gaining on them. "Can it wait?"

"Yes!" he exclaims. He hollers an indecipherable word, grabs her hand, and they run faster.

[mythicaldemigoddess-of-deltarune]

Life, Death, Rebirth And Love Of Two Misunderstood Hybrids

--------------------

Credit for Star Vs The Forces Of Evil goes to Daron Nefcy

Credit for Adventures Time goes to Pendleton Ward

-------------------------

yeah this has to do with the Supermoon Eclipse...

I will wait until either tomorrow or in a few days to post this at the other place I plan to post it.

New-Death, or as I like to call him “Ned”

just seems misunderstood, and he only went down a dark path

because a certain character could see his loneliness.

it’s possible his dad could see his son, Ned, was lonely and tried to spend time with him.

it’s pretty clear in theory, that Ned’s Mom was a terrible Mother.

who didn’t care about her son’s feelings, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Ned’s Dad got full custody because Ned’s Mom was too full of herself to take responsibility and try to be there for him when he needed her.

both Eclipsa, Meteora and Globgor,

were misunderstood by a lot of Mewmans and Monsters.

why didn’t Moon Butterfly get put in crystal for what she did...?

I’m still not a fan of the whole magic being made the scapegoat for Star’s families own misuse of it in the first place.

Magic was NEVER the problem, it was Moon’s extreme misuse of it the moment she brought back the Solarian Warriors, and even obviously tried to turn the Mewmans (and Monsters) against Eclipsa,

when she had Globgor freed.

I don’t think I will fully understand why it had to go that way,

plus I don’t believe that Toffee was in the wands,

he was just talking through them while in the realm of magic.

the wands were connected to the realm of magic, just as the realm itself is connected to the wands.

 at least Steven Universe Future, had a happy ending in the end where NO ONE was turned to Stone (for the actions of the Lord of Chaos),

even if there were sad moments, some emotional.

Steven was still going through something that most in Real Life,

can relate to, even if it can be different for everyone.

it takes time to heal from really bad feelings.

even if what happen to Ned, was the only way...

but I think he could of been hurting emotionally,

even if he did come off as jerk.

it does seem that the only parent that truly loved him,

and could see the pain he was in, was his Dad.

him showing love for his son, and trying to have him spend time with him, could of showed that he knew his son was in emotional pain and needed his father, even if Ned tried to push him away.

in theory, it’s possible the reason why a certain villain,

had corrupted Ned in the first place, was because of Ned’s Mother.

her refusing to spend time with Ned, and placing her work over her family, most likely caused Ned to become who he is, well that and the “friend” he made, who was most likely using him because he was in emotional pain.

before Meteora was “Reborn”

she was in emotional pain too.

if Ned could be given the same second chance as Meteora,

it might only be in Fanon, and sadly not in the Canon.

emotional pain can hurt, it is inside you and there can be a overwhelming negative energy that comes with it. 

even if Cozy Glow, Tirek and Chrysalis are “Villains”,

they are still victims, all three of them had bad experience with “friendship”, even if all three of them did form a bond of friendship...

it was Chrysalis who snap out of it because she believed it was a sickness, but her reacting that way can be understandable.

it is trauma...

not a lot of fans have to agree about this theory.

but I do have a theory that the Equestria, which Princess Twilight rules.

was originally Tirke’s Home Kingdom, before the Ponies moved in and took over after they ruined their original Equestria Home.

which is just a broken pieces of snow and ice across the Storm King’s form home.

I also believe that the Crystal Empire, was originally the home of the Changelings, who all looked as they do in their redeem forms.

but the earth ponies who would then evolve into crystal ponies,

took their home and drove them out.

I do have a new theory about Human-Cadence,

and that is that she is the counterpart of both Princess Cadence

and Chrysalis.....I mean it is just a theory and it doesn’t have to be correct...

plus what if Chrysalis turned out to be the real Cadence,

who was turned into a Changeling, and the Cadence that Shining married, was really a Clone from that Magic Pool that Pinkie Pie used before.

and what if the Pinkie Pie that was the “Real Pinkie” turned out to be a Clone, who was made to be really sad, because that was how the real one was feeling when she used the pool one last time,

before finding a portal to the human world and starting over there...?

wouldn’t that mean that the Pinkie Pie that Cheese Sandwich Married, was a clone and he never truly met the real original Pinkie,

because that Pinkie now lives in the Human World,

and even has a close bond with Sunset.

but all that is just a theory, and not all theories have to be right.

the Evil-Starlight could still exist,

even while her Good Counterpart had reformed.

even if he might of seemed that way at first,

I don’t believe that Ned was truly evil,

Starlight wasn’t truly evil, but if she kept going down the dark path she chosen, then yes, it is possible the might of turned fully evil.

I don’t believe that most of the cartoon or video game villains are evil,

just like how most of the heroes aren’t truly good.

sometimes the hero will fall and become the villain,

just like how a villain will rise and become the hero.

this can be both a ship and a tribute drawing to Ned x Meteora.

but this drawing still has to do with the Moon and Eclipse.

and I suppose this can be seen as either a romantic ship

or a platonic ship.

this drawing is non-canon and fanon, just like how most fan art is.

Crossover Ships can go different ways, either romantic or platonic.

there are different forms of ships,

and some will be in family or friend zoned.

but you can’t say “I ship it” otherwise people will get the wrong either.

that is why there is “I Fam” or “I Bud” it for the Family Found and Friendships.

well that is how I started to view it anyway.

not sure if I will do another drawing of these two or not.

I wanted to do a drawing that has to do about the moon that is suppose to happen on May 26, 2021.

but this will still be a tribute drawing of

New-Dearth/Ned x Meteora Butterfly.

[sweetchup]

Hi!! If your ask box is open, could I get a fluffy kurapika x reader? Just something very gentle and soft and maybe some cuddles bc kurapika deserves lots of loving!! Thank you so much!!

Wild Berry Pie

Type: Kurapika x Reader

Au?: None

Word Count: 2,300+

Warnings: None

“Hold on what?!?” You shout; surprise. Hold up, Why should you be surprised? This was Kurapika you were talking about. But seriously? You were going to scold your boyfriend so hard for only sleeping a total of 15 hours this whole week, getting himself injured (thankfully he could heal himself but still), working himself to death and, on top of that, this was all after recovering from a really bad sickness.

Melody hushes you as the other patrons of the cafe turn and glare at you. You let out a small squeak of an apology at them before returning to sipping on your drink, all the while mumbling, “Kurapika… what the heck were you thinking...”

“I’m sorry (y/n)-Chan. I didn’t mean to get you worked up, I just wanted to let you know.”

You look at Melody in front of you, the woman was looking down at her drink in shame. She knew it wasn’t her fault that Kurapika wasn’t taking care of himself but she felt bad for not telling one of her closest friends and Kurapika’s girlfriend, (y/n), sooner. You shake your head, giving a small smile. “Please It’s not your fault he’s acting this way. I’ve been gone for a while and I shouldn’t have left in the first place, I mean I kind of expected this. He’s practically been out of it since York New. Plus, on top of that, he has the amount of stress Nostrade is putting on him due to Neon losing her Nen.”

Melody gives a smile at the girl in front of her. No wonder Kurapika was in love with her. (Y/n) was not only pretty on the outside but also on the inside. Her voice was so soft and heartwarming, it could calm the harshest of storms and also act like a nice warm campfire on a cold bitter night. The smile (y/n) produced, even the smallest of ones, was practically contagious and definitely lit up a room. And her heart, oh her heart, produced such a loving melody. It sung with all her compassion for her comrades, friends and even the well-being of some strangers.

She practically was the light of hope in Kurapika’s life. The small thing that he knew could give him some purpose after all his revenge plans were done. Sure, it would be hard for him, very hard in fact, to figure something out when everything’s all done. But he knew that (y/n) would be there right next to him, never ever thinking of leaving him behind.

“Oh, (y/n)-Chan are you okay?” Melody says concerned as you suddenly stand up. You look at the women in the eyes, yours gleaming with determination.

“I know exactly what to do! Kurapika has an early shift tonight and a late one tomorrow so I’ll make him something special tonight. To get him to relax.”

Melody giggles. Oh how kind you were. “That would be perfect (y/n)-Chan.”

Ecstatic, (y/n) pays for their drinks, giving melody a small ‘thank you' and waves as she rushes out the door. Melody waves back before returning to her drink. Looking at the tea cup, she starts thinking back, back to York New, back to the Nostrade Mansion, Back to the hunter exam, back to that one tragic night and finally thinking of now, on how thankful she was of (y/n) and —

Melody is suddenly startled out of her thoughts as (y/n) slides to the table, almost slipping past her. The girl is clearly tired since she is sweaty and out of breath. Melody blinks a couple of times, unsure of what happened to (y/n).

“M-melody? Do you happen—happen to have the keys to the dorms-s”

Melody blinks some more before breaking out in laughter. Oh how silly (y/n) could be.

—————————

“And…. Done!”

You let out a sigh and stretch your back. It was hard work getting all this done but it was definitely worth it. Putting your hand on your hips you take in the living room in front of you. The Tv was on with a classic comedy movie, ready to be started. Part of the floor and coach was covered head to toe in different blankets, stuffed animals and pillows to lounge on. Then there was the coffee table, which held many sweets, snacks and drinks and finally the main course of it all….

“(Y-y/n)?” A voice says behind you. Spinning around you see Kurapika taking his shoes off with his bag dropped on the floor. He looked amazed as he looked at the set up in front of him.

“Surprise!” You shout, running up to your boyfriend and giving him a hug. Pulling away you boop his nose, “I thought you needed it especially after I heard you weren’t taking care of yourself. Hmph! How many times do I have to tell you to get a good amount of sleep?!”

Kurapika lets out a small smile at you. “Sorry I’ve been very bus—“

“No buts Mister kurapika” you say, poking his chest. “You're so stubborn sometimes. That’s why I have to come and make you chillax~.”

He lets out a small chuckle as you pull him towards the pile of pillows. Though he soon takes your hand off his arm before you can make him sit. “I’m sorry you had to go through so much trouble but I actually have to get some work done.”

“W-What? Did you not hear what I just said?!” You say. Kurapika looks away from you. This idiot. You bring your hands up to his face, forcing him to look at you. “Kurapika you need to rest. You—“

“(Y/n) I’m sorry I need to get this done.” He says in a firm voice, pulling your hands off his face as he walks away. He was longer playing around and you knew if you continued you could anger him. Clenching your teeth you raised your voice a little bit.

“Kurapika if this is about the spiders it can wait!”

He snaps his head around.

“Excuse me?” He says with a dangerous low voice.

“I said if this is about the spiders it can w—“

“What do you know? Huh?!” Kurapika says furious. He stalks towards you and backs you up against the wall. You choke up as you lock eyes with his scarlet ones, “You still have everything! Your family! Your childhood! Your best friend! I got mine all taken away. What do—“

“I DON’T!” You shout. Stopping him dead in his tracks as he sees a tear go down your face. He was so exhausted and out of it that he had taken his anger out on you. This wasn’t right and he knew he needed to calm down. Wiping the tears off your face you continue, “I don’t understand. I don’t think I ever will but I don’t want you to end up destroying yourself!”

“That’s not your job (y/n). It’s non—“

“It is because I love you. It’s my job as your girlfriend, your lover, to look after your well being Kurapika! I would be a horrible one if I didn’t ever try.”

Both of you are silent for a second after your final outburst. A thick awkward silence. You and Kurapika like to deal with your problems through discussions so this was quite rare for you two to have an argument. Even if this one was small, you didn’t know how to react or feel. When you gulped or took a breath too long you felt like you were adding to the tension by making too much noise. You go to apologize but Kurapika cuts you off by giving you a small kiss on the forehead. “I know you do. I just... you know it’s my goal to avenge them, you know?”

Wrapping his arms around you, Kurapika pulls you into a hug. The soft scent of cologne on him fills your senses, making you relax.

After a couple of minutes you two pull away and both give each other a small smile.

“We both lost our cool huh?” Kurapika says, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Yeah.” You say quietly, “Can you take a small break though? Just for tonight? I’m just concerned you’ll get hurt or sick again.”

Kurapika sighs and thinks for a second. He decides it was ok to take a break for just one night, he nods his head in affirmation. Smiling, you mischievously tackle him onto the coach. Kurapika groans as you land and peck his cheek.

“Ugh you are heavy. Get off” He says; jokingly.

Your mouth falls open in surprise. “Excuse me?!”

Determined to get back at him for the insult you cuddle him closer and attack his face with kisses. Kurapika, his face bright red, tries to move away from your barrage of affection. You let out a giggle as you pull away, you had completely forgotten you had put on a little lipstick so he had many stained kiss marks all over him. Even one smudge on the corner of his lips.

He raises an eyebrow as you use a phone and take a picture of him. Laughing you turn it around, showing him. Letting out a groan he covers his face, embarrassed.

“(Y/n)!” Kurapika whines, “Delete that!”

“No~~” You whine back, leaning yourself onto his chest.

For the next hour, you two enjoyed each other's presence. Laughing with mouths full of popcorn at the cheeky comedy. Creating small talk, well attempting, while chewing on some toffee. Sharing sweet small kisses and loving stares in between the movie scenes. It was a wonderful and perfect night.

Lightly, you groom your fingers through Kurapika’s soft golden locks as he lays asleep on your stomach. You felt relieved that the Kurta male is sleeping and will hopefully no longer be exhausted when he wakes up. Speaking of Kurta, you look at the covered dish in the center of the table. You didn’t reveal the main course of tonight to him. You sigh. Oh well, you can’t do much about it now.

“What’s wrong, habib albi?” Kurapika mumbles into your shirt.

“O-oh I thought you were asleep.” You say, blushing. You were a sucker for Kurapika talking in his native tongue, even though you only understood some of the simple things. It especially made you melt when it came to him calling you pet names or giving you small compliments. He once told you your pet name ‘habib albi’ roughly translated to ‘love of my heart’.

He hums and sits up. “Don’t change the subject.”

You sigh, standing up. Walking over to the coffee table. “Ok but don’t freak out, ok?”

Grabbing a hold of the cover, you lift it up. Revealing a pie underneath.

“(Y-y/n) is that-t?”

“I know you don’t like me looking through your stuff from your village but I remember you mentioning that your mother used to make you your favorite Wild Berry Pie whenever you were stressed. So I thought It counted as an exception.”

You suddenly feel Kurapika pull you into his lap. Looking up you see Kurapika with a small smile along with a couple of stray tears rolling down his face.

“K-kurapika I’m sorry! I didn’t mean for you to be upset.” You reach up and carefully wipe the tears off his face. He soon stops you.

“I’m not. Don’t worry habib albi, I’m not.” He squeezes you closer to him, “I’m actually happy. How did you do it though?”

“Oh! Umm I took one of the old dictionaries you had and looked through the Kurta recipe books until I found the Wild Berry Pie. It’s not exact since we don’t have the same ingredients as the Lukso Province but I got it as close as I could.”

“Ah I see. That sounds very hard to do.” Kurapika says chuckling.

“Yeah it was” You say, leaning over and sighing as you remember the grueling three hours it took to figure out and make. You suddenly sit up, “A-ah do you want me to grab you a slice?”

Kurapika nods his head and you excitedly get up and cut a slice. You had taken so much time in it you wanted it to be perfect. As you lifted it and put it on a plate you sighed, relieved. It had come out perfect. Due to the cover, the pie was still warm and fresh, the right time to eat it at. The crust was a perfect golden color and thankfully not soggy. The wild assortment of berries you added had started to ooze out onto the plate, leaving a nice purple-reddish trail and a pleasant aroma.

You felt proud of your accomplishment and sat back in kurapika’s lap. Now was the ultimate test. Handing him a fork, you watch in grueling anticipation as he takes a bite. Blankly he slowly chews and swallows, causing you to gulp. You messed it up didn’t you? He finally turns and looks at you. Finally, he gives you a wide smile, the first big smile in a while.

“My 'um would be proud.”

You let out a loud ‘yay’ in happiness and kurapika holds you close. You were beyond the moon in happiness that he had said his mom would be proud of your pie. Your pie!

“(Y/n)” You look towards Kurapika’s call to see a fork in front of your face, holding a piece of the pie, “Say ahh~”

You open your mouth and he feeds you the piece. Chewing, you moan at the taste. It was absolutely delicious. Each berry was exploding with a unique flavor. Which ends up creating a sweet blend with the right bit of tartness.

Looking up at Kurapika, you watch as he takes another bite. All the while still smiling. Tonight and every other date were amazing but nothing and you mean nothing was as perfect as seeing this. Kurapika with a wide smile on his face.

You would definitely have to make this pie again.

[bluebellravenbooks]

Bookoween day 22: Shouldn't Exist

Enjoying a little moment with my book and some sweet Halloween-y sticky toffee pudding hot chocolate. (No I didn't make that flavour up and yes it's really a Whittard Halloween special from last year 🎃) No time to relax yet though - there are still presentations to be made and data to be processed for tomorrow. Work after midnight is definitely something that shouldn't exist, but alas - PhD life meets a night owl with sleep problems...

Currently reading: The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

[keelywolfe]

FIC: The Royal We ch.1 (baon)

Summary: Family helps family. Sometimes right into the path of an oncoming car.

Tags:  Spicyhoney, Kustard, Established Relationships, Angst, Hurt/Comfort

Part of the ‘by any other name’ series.

~~*~~

Read it on AO3

or

Read it here!

~~*~~

When they first came to this universe, it hadn’t taken long for Edge to realize that things were very different here than back home in Underfell, (no, not home, not for a long time now). The changes took some time to absorb and some might never fully integrate, as his freezer filled with stocked up meals would attest. But there were a few universal constants and while all of them grew up with their brother as their only relative, they all knew that family helped family. Even when that family was a pack of alternates who appeared later in life.

Which was how Edge found himself on his day off sitting on the floor of what was currently Papyrus and Blue’s house, making party favors for Undyne’s baby shower.

The living room was strewn with decorations waiting to be placed, streamers and banners in an eclectic rainbow of colors, uninflated balloons spilling out of a bag like the leftover skins of a particularly garish fruit. The party itself wasn’t until tomorrow, but that left little time to waste, considering the plans Papyrus had drawn up.

Plan was perhaps an overstatement, but Edge could never fault Papyrus for his enthusiasm. His color scheme, on the other hand—well. He’d never approved of the way some Humans were so obsessed with gender that they actually assigned colors at birth but there was a great distance between that and a design that might cause any guests with fleshier eyes to scramble for sunglasses.

Papyrus was bustling around setting things up while the rest of them were sitting on the floor in a circle around a coffee table that was cluttered with craft supplies. He’d paired each of them off to work on separate projects and for all that the occasion was a joyous one, the mood was decidedly not.

“how many of these things do we need, anyway?” Stretch grumbled. His and Jeff’s assigned duty was to pour a mixture of toffee-coated popcorn into small plastic bags, tie it closed with a ribbon, and then affix a sticker on the front that declared in cheery letters ‘Ready to Pop’!

Edge was morbidly curious as to how Undyne felt about that particular sentiment this close to the end of her pregnancy.

A glance at the finished bags confirmed that Stretch’s ribbons were less a bow and more a tangle of colorful knots, Jeff’s only a slight improvement. The bags were sealed at least, and Papyrus was more than content with the effort, which was all that really mattered.

Besides, Edge was busy with his own task; planting tiny succulents into miniature pots, each with a painstakingly attached tag reading, ‘Watch Me Grow!’. Privately, he thought the small cacti were a far better representation of Undyne than any snack, but then, he wasn’t the one actually throwing the shower.

“How many do we need,” Papyrus repeated thoughtfully. Edge pointedly did not ask about the garland in his hand which seemed to be made of dangling fish ornaments and…was that tomatoes? Edge decided it would be best not to know, lest he end up lying awake tonight with the answer still haunting him. “Well, there is Undyne’s co-workers in Security and Alphys’s at the lab, plus their neighbors and friends, and of course us!”

“i don’t need no damn cactus,” Red muttered sullenly. How Papyrus even got Red here was another burning question, though the answer was likely Sans sitting placidly right next to him. His collar was visible over the neckline of his t-shirt, the buckle glinting in the light. Occasionally he reached up absently to touch it as if to verify it hadn’t wandered off when he wasn’t looking. Their entire duty seemed to be putting cans of sparkling water into drink koozies emblazoned with such witticisms as ‘nacho average baby’ over a cartoon of a tortilla chip. It was anyone’s guess as to if that task was actually assigned to them or simple the one they’d decided on doing, but between them, there were four cans done after a half an hour of work.

Sans managed to slide another can into a koozie, bringing their grand total to five. “paps, that didn’t really answer the question.”

“That would be because I am not finished counting!” Papyrus scolded. “There’s also Undyne’s ‘Cooking with Krav Maga’ class and naturally all the Dreemurr family will be coming.”

“great, ass-gore will be here,” Stretch muttered, fumbling to tie another ribbon with varying success. “i’ll be sure to bring my headphones.”

Edge sighed inwardly. Stretch was in a prickly mood and had been all day, and it didn’t take a scientist-level IQ to know it had something to do with the baby shower. They’d known about this for days; when Papyrus asked if they would help, Edge hadn’t hesitated to agree. Now he was wondering if he shouldn’t have asked Stretch in advance. He hadn’t refused to come, but he’d been twitchy and snappish since getting up that morning, only getting worse when they came over. If the party were for anyone but Undyne, Edge would have suggested they go home.

Adding to the irritation was Red in a poor mood of his own and he hadn’t a single qualm about casting sparks around a gasoline spill. “good, no one wants to hear you flappin’ your yap, anyway. save your 280 characters for your twitter freaks.”

“aww, jealous?” Stretch cooed, “‘cause, you talk so much crap, i dunno whether to you need toilet paper or a breath mint.”

Edge exchanged a weary look with Blue, who returned it with equal exasperation. Those two had been sniping at each other all morning and it was Blue’s turn to attempt a least a little fire prevention.

“Really, Papy, that’s enough,” Blue said reprovingly. That might stop them briefly, but they all knew from past experience it wouldn’t last. Red and Stretch were alike in a number of dissatisfying ways, past the darkened circles of exhaustion that were currently visible beneath both their sockets. For one, most of them weren’t above returning a good insult with a better one, but Red and Stretch could be particularly vicious about it. Usually it was better to let them simply work it out between themselves; trying to intercede past a little mild scolding usually ended up getting you mixed up in the spat.

This time Edge was tempted, if only because Jeff looked supremely uncomfortable. He fumbled with his latest little bag of popcorn and ended up with a good portion bouncing into his lap rather than the treat bag.

For the time being, Sans seemed content to allow them to try to rein in their brothers, and that would likely last until their petty squabbling might upset Papyrus. Who thus far either hadn’t noticed or was content to allow the others to handle it. Edge hoped it was the latter. The crack in Papyrus’s skull was still starkly visible, although his balance seemed much improved, if the way he all but leapt from the ladder was any indication, digging furiously through an overflowing box of even more decorations.

“sure, bro,” Stretch said to his brother’s scold, and then promptly added a mumble of, “don’t see why he has to be here, anyway.”

“’cause it ain’t your party, it’s hers, and she’d want ‘im,” Red grumbled. Then, in a smirking sotto voce, “’sides, i figure he’s the baby daddy so be kinda rude not to at least give ‘im a party favor.”

“There is no baby daddy, since neither Undyne nor Alphys want to be called daddy, and it’s much ruder to speculate,” Papyrus called primly, confirming that he was indeed listening to the ongoing bickering. He stood with his hands on his hips, eyeing the growing balloon sculpture critically. Edge joined him in looking, biting the tip of his tongue to hold back any questions, especially on whether the design was supposed to be Undyne or an eggplant. Never ask when you didn’t want to know the answer and Papyrus wove in another long, purple balloon as he went on, “and also Asgore can’t be the donor because I am.”

A hush of silence fell, along with a number of wide sockets and eyes turning to Papyrus’s direction. No one’s were wider than Sans’s at what was obviously unexpected news to him as he blurted, "seriously, bro? you're the one who handed over the baby batter for undyne?”

Papyrus frowned at them all reprovingly. “That is rude AND crude, I'll thank you not to refer to it that way.”

"sorry, bro, but fuck,” Sans sputtered, “you didn’t say anything!”

"Is there a reason I would need to?” Papyrus asked, brow bones raised, “Undyne is my best friend and wanted a child, so of course I would help provide the necessary material in her time of need!"

“necessary material,” Stretch muttered, his face scrunching up, and in that Edge could only agree, “right.” He nudged Jeff with an elbow, who yelped aloud and jumped, sending up another miniature shower of popcorn, “uh, andy, i know we're best buds and all, but if you ever need--"

“Nope, I’m good,” Jeff said, a touch too loudly.

“happy to hear it.” Stretch gave him a grin that slowly faded. “see? so if asgore didn’t donate his, uh, time and effort, he can stay home."

“Honestly, Papy you can’t—" Blue began reprovingly, only to be drowned out by Red’s loud snort.

“what the fuck is your problem with asgore, anyway,” Red grumbled. He picked at his gold tooth, a tell that sent tension winding up Edge’s spine even as his brother added with lazy viciousness, “get over it already, you act like he’s your ex who fucked you over.”

The day seemed to be one for unexpected silences. Only this time the stares were directed at Stretch, who said nothing. He only sat white-faced, cellophane crinkling loudly as his hands fisted around the bag in his lap, his skull draining of color as he managed to look at anything but those stares.

Red let out a harsh chortle of laughter, “seriously? all this time you’ve been holier than thou about his lv and it’s actually ‘cause you used to give him the bone over in your ‘verse? fuck, now there is a mental picture,” Red moaned out gleefully, “oooh, fuzzy ass, stick it to me good! ram me with your furry wand of wonder and i’ll get your goat!”

A chorus of protests rose up, with Edge’s snarl of, “That’s enough!” rising to the top.

But Stretch was already standing, a litter of colorful ribbons shedding from his lap as he walked swiftly to the door.

“Rus—" Edge stood to chase after him, cursing his damned leg as it threatened to buckle under him. It was an exercise in futility from the start, as he’d known it would be. Stretch shortcutted the moment he was out the door, heading off Angel knew where to lose himself in the stew of his own thoughts. The temptation to look up where he’d reappeared on the phone app was strong, but Edge resisted it. Stretch had the right to be alone if that was what he wanted, particularly after that dig.

He sighed and went back into the house. Only to pause as he saw the various looks had transferred to him, all of them guarded, particularly Blue; his starry eye lights seemed to be anticipating anger at Stretch. As if this made any damned difference between them. Even Jeff looked near tears, like he expected Edge to already have Antwan on the phone demanding him to draw up divorce papers. It was damn well insulting, and he glared back at them all until those gazes dropped, Blue’s reluctantly last.

All except for his own brother. Red was grinning, savagely pleased, and if they wanted anger, the simmering urge to shout at his brother was rising to a roiling boil in him, his LV waking in his soul to twinge eagerly at the heat of it. Only that was likely exactly what his brother wanted, to be punished for his casual cruelties. Whatever was troubling Red, Edge wasn’t about to reward his masochism.

His own anger fell swiftly into disappointment; lately Red had been bordering on kind with Stretch, if it could be called that, treating him as a brother, or better, if Edge were honest with himself. A brother that needed his protection as Edge decidedly did not. It’d been some time since he’d deliberately needled Stretch and Edge couldn’t even understand why he’d chosen to do so today. Whatever his petty reasons, they weren’t sufficient enough to excuse that.

Edge kept his voice low and even as he said, “That was cruel.”

That satisfied smirk faltered and Red shifted to lean forward. “yeah? well, it's about time he starts getting’ over it. it ain’t the same guy and he’s married to you.”

“Affection for someone else is not any kind of betrayal and considering that all of you calculated our worlds have ceased to exist, there isn’t much opportunity for closure, is there,” Edge said, acid creeping in. "The state of my marriage is no concern of yours."

Red’s sockets fell half-closed as he said, dangerously soft, "you think so, boss?"

Then he flinched suddenly, yelping as Sans slapped him upside the head. "you’re so eager for stretch to get over shit, how about you practice what you preach.” He shoved a can of sparkling water into Red’s lap. “shut up and put on a fucking koozie.”

Red scowled hard and Edge did not miss his crimson gaze flicking to the collar around Sans's throat. Grudgingly, he did what he was told.

“Do not interfere with my marriage,” Edge said coolly. Not that such a statement would stop his brother, but at least it was said between them. Then to Papyrus. “I am sorry, but."

Papyrus only flapped his hands at him, shooing him away, “No, no, go, talk to Stretchy Me! I’m sure Cherry here would like to think about how much he hurt Stretch’s feelings and yours, his own brother, who has recently suffered an injury. And there are my own injuries to consider as well, sticks, stones, and words do hurt!"

Edge let him ramble and started for the door, then hesitated. The others were accustomed to a certain amount of internal friction, some of it formerly his and Stretch’s, from the moment they woke up in this universe. Their Human companion was not so inured to it and Edge crouched to set a ginger hand on Jeff’s shoulder, “Jeff, I’m sorry.”

“Nah,” Jeff waved it off, offering up a lopsided grin. “That was nothing. You should’ve seen Thanksgiving at my grandparent’s place. Don’t think my grandma ever got the gravy stains off the ceiling.”

“can’t just drop a hint like that and not give the story, andy,” Sans said, lightly. The others murmured agreement, eager to latch onto another topic.

Edge could hear as he went out the door, “Well, uh, see, my grandpa was originally from Norway, and—”

There were any number of places Stretch might go to nurse his internal wounds, but Edge had a fairly good guess as to the likeliest one. He drove home, parked his car in the driveway, but instead of heading up to the front porch, he went around the side of the house towards their fenced backyard. Before he was even close, he could hear Stretch talking and he went quietly through the gate to see him sitting outside the coop with Noodle settled into his lap, the laces of his untied sneakers trailing into the grass for Dumpling to peck at.

His skull was resting against one of the support posts, still too pale, his sockets closed and his vape drooping loosely from his long fingers. Vaping instead of smoking cropped up sometimes when Stretch was truly irritated, as if he subconsciously wanted control over something and settled for his nicotine addiction. Or perhaps it was to protect his feathered companions from secondhand smoke.

Noodle didn’t seem bothered either way, chirring softly as Stretch stroked his free hand down her back.

“—not like i don’t know i’m being a dick. that guy just pisses me off sometimes. asgore, not red. actually, they both piss me off, now that you mention it.”

Noodle made an inquisitive sound and Stretch sighed out a cloud of vapor. “yeah, yeah, i was in a mood before we even went over. i dunno, all that baby shit gets on my nerves for some reason.” He scratched lightly under Noodle’s chin and she cooed contentedly. “you’re right, it’s no excuse for being shitty. especially to papyrus, he’s all excited about throwing this party. even if the balloon thing was creepy, you should’ve seen it, like cthulhu’s second cousin after failed plastic surgery.”

“You weren’t being a dick.” Edge said, quietly. Stretch tensed and his sockets slid open, but he didn’t look up, his pale eye lights straying down on his poultry pal. Edge walked over and sat next to them, keeping a careful distance away, easily breached if Stretch wished, or a comforting barrier if he didn’t. “Perhaps a little rude.” Edge held up his thumb and forefinger an inch apart. “A little. My brother, on the other hand, was embracing his dickish nature.”

Stretch made a faint, amused sound, “red embracing his dick was not a chat i was expecting today.”

Then he leaned to the side, crossing the distance between them to rest his skull on Edge’s shoulder. He took the unsubtle hint and slid an arm around his husband’s slim shoulders, holding him in close, closing his sockets against the faint tremble in Stretch’s voice as softly spoke.

“he wasn’t my boyfriend. fuck, i never saw him get out of the ruins. i…might’ve given it a shot if he had,” his voice dropped to a bare whisper and Edge hummed encouragingly, already anticipating what was coming, “but i was fucking everyone back then. i was maybe a little infatuated, okay? that’s it.”

“All right,” Edge said, calmly, even as he tightened his arm around Stretch, holding him closer still. He was not jealous of Stretch’s yesterdays; his only commitments were his tomorrows, and despite what his brother might think, Edge was certainly not about to allow anything so trivial as a former crush on a dead man come between them.

Stretch heaved a watery little sigh. “but that isn’t it, not really. he was my friend and i promised him i’d take care of the kid. instead i—"

“Did what you had to do,” Edge interrupted firmly. He understood impossible situations better than most, his own LV-tainted soul aching to think of Stretch enduring what he had for so long, an impossible choice to make between his world and the intent of a murderous child.

Yet, even now, Stretch couldn’t be convinced that was true. He only sighed out a quiet, “sure.” Then, louder, “anyway. he was my friend. he would have hated to see what he was in this world. it’s just…it’s hard sometimes.”

“I know.” Hard to see alternates of people they’d known, a lifetime of memories to be set aside while learning a new person with an old face. Undyne was his own personal struggle and Edge could call her friend, but it wasn’t the same, it couldn’t be.

Next to him, Stretch snuggled in closer even as Noodle let out a querulous protest over the lack of petting. “i’ve been thinking. my hp is on the rise, right?”

“It’s 5 and a quarter, love,” Edge said dryly, reaching over to offer the chicken a gentle pat, Noodle’s dismay quickly turning to a rapturous croon, “and as happy as I am for it, I’d prefer if you didn’t decide to take up hang gliding or street fighting.”

"you're hilarious, babe." Another long, slow breath, before Stretch blurted, "i know i kinda railroaded you when we talked about this before. if you really want kids--" he faltered, his voice breaking as Edge listened in dismayed confusion, "i mean, if that's…we could…"

Suddenly Edge knew precisely what Rus was going to offer and he didn’t want to hear it. Didn’t want him to think in even the tiniest way that he’d lost some measure of Edge’s love by preferring not to have children and and he didn’t know how to stop him from strangling out the words.

So Edge cupped his face in a hand and turned Stretch’s head towards him to kiss that stammering mouth lingeringly, until he stopped trying and simply melted into the gentle touch. By the time he drew away, Stretch was the one making thin, dismayed sounds, trying to chase after that kiss for more, his eye lights hazy soft. Instead, Edge pressed a light, teasing kiss to the slight nodule of his nasal cavity.

"No, I don’t think so,” Edge told him, slow and carefully. Watching that much-loved face to make sure Stretch was hearing him. “I’ve considered it and I’ve decided I’m entirely too busy to add parenthood to my schedule. I’m going back to the Y this week, I think I’m better off trying to secure a place in this world for the children already in it.”

Poorly hidden relief flickered over Stretch’s face and Edge leaned in to kiss him again, silently hoping that he was truly believed this time. There was no doubt in his mind that Stretch would force himself to endure the stresses of having a child if he thought Edge wished it, but making Stretch bear the weight of unwanted parenthood was a nightmare not to be considered. He’d love the child, surely, but at what cost? Far higher than Edge would ever consider paying.

A sudden cackle came from inside the coop and Stretch jerked away, sitting bolt upright.

“the egg!” Stretch gasped, scrambling to his feet, “i never did get a chance to research her adopted egg. you think maybe it actually—” hatched, he did not say, almost superstitiously hopeful.

“It’s possible,” Edge hedged, doubtfully. They both started into the coop, only for a voice calling over the fence to stop them.

“Hello? Hello, is anyone home?” The words were couched with near panic and the voice was a familiar one. Stretch beat him to the fence, opening the gate as he limped as quickly as he could over.

“Janice?” Edge said, surprised and concerned. The fur on her face was matted and wet with tears and she wrung her hands, shaking as she tried to speak. It brought back unpleasant memories of the attack at the Embassy, when one of the protesters threw a brick at her. Even then her pain and fear were tempered under practicality as she asked Antwan to bring her children to the hospital, her thoughts on keeping her boys from fearing Humans more than they already might. To see her bereft of her usual firm control was concerning.

“Calm down,” Edge soothed, pulling her into his arms without a thought, even as he cast a wary glance around the neighborhood. Nothing seemed out of order, not yet, “What’s happened?”

She leaned against him heavily and he nearly staggered back a step. Tall as he was, they were of nearly an equal weight. “It’s Jude, he didn’t come home for lunch and I can’t find him anywhere!” She hitched out a sob. “None of the other children have seen him, my family has been looking but we can’t find him, I can’t—”

Her voice dissolved and Edge gave her a last pat before firmly pushing her into his husband’s startled arms.

“Stretch, stay with her,” Edge commanded, reaching for his phone, “I’m going to make some calls.”

“yeah, sure,” Stretch agreed hastily. He rubbed a soothing hand down her back as Janice struggled against her tears. “hey, we’ll find him. little guy couldn’t have gotten too far.”

Edge was already pulling up his contact list and couldn’t help the darkly sour thought that if this didn’t pull his brother out of his bad mood, nothing would.

~~*~~

tbc

[7000f1]

⁽⁽◝( •௰• )◜⁾⁾₍₍◞( •௰• )◟₎₎⁽⁽◝( •௰• )◜⁾⁾

I forgot how to draw again let's go

⁽⁽◝( •௰• )◜⁾⁾₍₍◞( •௰• )◟₎₎⁽⁽◝( •௰• )◜⁾⁾

[kinnsporsche]

a tender heart with clenched fists

Their daughter gets in trouble at school and Ben and Callum want to know why. May just wants to stick up for her brother.

word count: 2.2k

read on ao3

“May, darling-” Callum starts, sliding into one of the free chairs at the table next to her.

Ben takes one of the ones opposite her and smiles when she looks up at him from her painting. She smiles back, all bright-eyed and innocent in a way that reminds him so much of Callum, before focusing her attention back on the painting she’s been working on.

“Yes Daddy?” she asks, swishing her paintbrush around in the cup of water to clean off the old paint. She dries it on the newspaper they’d put down to stop her from making a mess, before dipping it into a different colour. 

“Did something happen at school today?”

May hums in thought for a few seconds and then shrugs her shoulders. “We did our spellings and I got the most right out of anyone in the class!” she beams, sticking her tongue out in concentration as she paints a bright yellow sun in the corner of the paper.

“That’s great, honey!” Ben beams back, glancing down at the floor when he feels a tugging on his leg.

Teddy’s there, and he’s holding his arms out in a way that means he wants to be picked up. So, Ben does. He reaches down and lifts his son so that he can sit him in his lap. 

“Except for me. We got the same,” Teddy says quietly, shifting until he’s comfortable in his dad’s lap. He’s always been curious about the world, so it’s no surprise to any of them when he stares at his sister and watches her paint.

“Miss Marrs says it’s a twin thing but that’s not right. It’s because we’re both really good at spellings!” May insists, giving the sunshine on her painting two eyes and a wide smile.

Teddy nods his agreement and sticks one of his thumbs in his mouth, the other curling tightly around Ben’s arm.

“It’s definitely because you’re both so smart,” Ben says, peppering kisses across Teddy’s cheeks until he giggles around his thumb and swats at his face. “What do you say we pick up your sister this weekend and go for some ice cream?”

“Ben!” Callum hisses, glaring at him. It’s a glare that says she’s supposed to be in trouble and his husband just shrugs back at him. The kids are already beaming at the prospect of both ice cream and seeing Lexi and Callum doesn’t have the heart to tell them no.

“Did anything else happen today? Maybe something that you shouldn’t have done? Something you might have got in trouble for?” he continues, scooting his chair a little closer to his daughter.

She just shakes her head and carries on painting.

“May, sweetheart, can you look at me for a second?” Callum asks, watching as she nods enthusiastically and puts her paintbrush in the cup of water. Once she’s sure it won’t drip on her painting, she scoots around so she’s sitting sideways in the chair and facing him. “We got a phone call from your teacher today, darling. Miss Marrs?”

May scrunches her nose up at the mention of her teacher and folds her arms defiantly across her chest. “I don’t like her.”

Callum makes a mental note to ask her about that later. “She told us that something had happened with you and another boy today. That you did something you shouldn’t have done, but we wanted to talk to you about it first. Do you want to tell us what happened?”

She sighs dramatically and uncrosses her arms, letting them rest on her lap instead. Her bottom lip trembles for a second and Callum’s worried she might start crying but then she’s huffing and saying, “he was being mean!”

“What do you mean, darling?” Ben cuts in, leaning a little closer to the table. “What was he doing to you?”

“Not me,” May says, shaking her head.  

“He was being mean to somebody else?” Callum prompts, and she nods her head. “Do you want to tell us who it was?”

She looks across the table at her brother for a second. He’s still looking at her painting and she reaches up to turn it around so that he can see it. It’s a picture of the two of them and he grins when he recognises himself. She hands him one of the dry paintbrushes and some paint and lets him start adding his own paint to the picture.

“It was Teddy,” she says once she’s sure her brother is at least a little distracted by the painting. “They were being mean to Teddy.”

Ben doesn’t say anything, but he tightens his grip on their son.

“What were they doing?” Callum asks, glancing over to Ben and meeting his eyes.

“They were picking on him! He was reading outside by himself and they went up to him and took his books,” she starts, curling her little hands into fists. “I thought they just wanted to share at first but then they started pushing him.”

Callum reaches down and coaxes her hands out until she’s holding onto him. She takes after Ben when it comes to her temper, they both know that.

“And I told them to stop it and that it wasn’t nice, but they kept doing it and they were making fun of him for sucking his thumb. They called him a baby and he was getting upset.”

She goes quiet, like she’s reluctant to say anymore.

“You can tell us, sweetheart,” Callum says, moving one of his hands to lift her chin up until their eyes meet.

“And I told him to stop being mean to my brother and I pushed him down,” May says quietly. “And he got upset and told Miss Marrs and she said that Teddy had to share his books. She didn’t tell the boy off for being mean or anything!”

Callum nods once and drops a kiss to her forehead before he turns his attention to their son.

“Teddy?” he asks. He doesn’t stop painting, but hums in acknowledgement so Callum knows he’s heard him. “Is it true? What your sister’s saying? Were those boys being mean to you?”

Teddy doesn’t say anything, just nods his head a few times.

Ben’s angry, he can tell. His shoulders are tense and he’s clenching his jaw. Callum can feel it too.

“Am I in trouble, Daddy?” May asks, her voice uncharacteristically soft and timid.

“No, baby, of course not!” Callum insists, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his lap. She throws her arms around his neck and holds on and Callum already knows he’ll be giving that teacher an earful tomorrow.

“You and Dad always tell us that we have to take care of each other, and I didn’t want anybody to be mean to him!”

“I know, I know,” he whispers, rubbing small circles into her back to try and calm her down. “You’re not in trouble, I promise. You were just trying to protect Teddy. But what do we always say to do if someone’s doing something mean?”

May sniffles a little and pulls back to wipe at her eyes. “Tell an adult. I promise I tried to tell the teacher, but she said they were just playing but they weren’t! He was being mean!”

Callum holds her a little tighter against his chest and lets her cling to him until she calms down.

“You’re not in trouble, baby, I promise, alright?” Callum says, a little of the tension leaving his shoulders when she nods in understanding. He runs his fingers through her hair to soothe her as best as he can. “Me and Dad will talk to your teacher’s tomorrow, alright? We’ll get this all figured out.”

He glances over at his boys; Teddy’s showing Ben his painting and his husband’s eagerly asking questions in return.

“And who’s that?” Ben asks, pointing at one of the figures in the middle of the picture.

“That’s Lexi!” Teddy says eagerly, moving his finger to the other figures as he names them. “And me, and May, and you, and Daddy!”

Callum wonders how he got so lucky.

“Right!” he says, getting to his feet and balancing May on his hip. She giggles in delight and clutches at his neck. “Who’s turn is it to pick the film?”

“Me, me, me!” Teddy beams, scrambling down from Ben’s lap and running over to their ever-growing movie collection.

In his arms, May’s smiling as she watches her brother, and Callum sets her back on the floor so that she can run over and help him. It’ll take them at least ten minutes to decide on a film. Teddy won’t watch anything May doesn’t want to and he’ll end up going through their entire collection asking, “what about this one?” until he gets a nod from her. 

It’ll be Tangled; it’s what they always choose.

“We’ll get the snacks ready!” Callum calls to them and gets two mumbled ‘thanks!’ in response as they walk into the kitchen.

“We’re taking the kids to school together tomorrow. And we’re talking to that teacher,” Callum huffs, pulling a bowl out of one of the cupboards and rooting around until he finds their movie snacks. He tears open a packet of popcorn – toffee, the only flavour that Teddy and May will eat – and pours some into the bowl. “I mean, what kind of teacher says that bullying is just playing?”

“A shit one?” Ben suggests, wrapping his arms around Callum from behind and hooking his chin over his shoulder. “There’s nothing we can do about it right now, and you’re still tense. They’ll pick up on it.”

Callum sighs and leans back into Ben’s arms, his eyes drifting shut. “I know, I do. But the fact that May was the one to get in trouble when she was the only one to stand up for him isn’t fair. I swear, when I get done with that teacher tomorrow.” He draws in a breath when Ben kisses at his neck and lets himself relax into it.

“And that’s exactly what it is-” Ben counters. “A problem for tomorrow.”

“When did you become the reasonable one in this marriage?”

Ben laughs and nips at Callum’s neck in response which has his husband gasping and gripping at the counter. “You know, it’s kind of hot when you’re defending our family,” he teases, sliding his hands up the front of Callum’s shirt to rest on his stomach.

“Easy tiger-” Callum hums, moving his hands from the counter to rest over Ben’s, thumb brushing across the cool metal of his wedding band. “They’re waiting for us.”

Ben doesn’t say anything, just busies himself with kissing across Callum’s neck for a few more seconds until he forces himself to take a step back. “Later?”

“Later,” Callum promises, turning back around and pulling Ben in for a chaste kiss. “Now go and get ready to sing for your audience, Rapunzel.”

“Does that make you my Flynn Rider?” He steps forward until Callum’s back hits the counter and then reaches around him to grab the bowl of popcorn.

“You’ll have to work harder than that to get me to sing for you.”

Ben hums and tosses a piece of popcorn in the air then catches it in his mouth. “Pretty sure I’ll have you singing for me later, Flynn! Grab the drinks, will you?”

Callum rolls his eyes fondly as Ben goes and roots around in the cupboard for what they’ve affectionately dubbed the movie cups. One’s in the shape of a unicorn, a straw where the horn should be, and the other’s a rocket ship with a straw at the top. They won’t spill if the kids knock them over, something that they’d learned the hard way.

“Right, I’ve got the drinks! Who wants the unicorn and who wants the rocket?” he calls out, almost stumbling when Teddy runs into his legs and reaches up for the unicorn cup. He scampers off once he’s got it and drops himself in the corner of the sofa.

“I guess that means you get the rocket, darling,” Callum says, dropping down in the space next to Ben and handing May the cup when she climbs up next to him and deposits herself half in his lap, half on the sofa.

“So, what are we watching?” Ben asks, leaning into his husband when he curls his arms around his shoulders and drops a kiss to the top of his head.

They both know it’s coming even before Teddy holds out the DVD case. It’s Tangled, because of course it is.

“Perfect choice!” Ben practically beams. “Daddy told me in the kitchen he was in the mood for some singing.”

Both the kids beam and throw their hands up as the movie starts – Callum’s never been more grateful than he has in that moment for the movie cups, he doesn’t fancy cleaning apple juice off of the walls all night – and it doesn’t take long until they’re scream-singing along with the lyrics.

“I love you,” Ben whispers towards the end of the movie once the kids have tired themselves out. The popcorn bowl is empty and he’s pretty sure he can hear snoring.

“I love you too,” he whispers back, craning his neck just enough so he can lean in for a chaste kiss. May groans in protest at the movement and Callum smiles against Ben’s lips.

He leans back up and takes his husbands hand instead, thumb fiddling with the ring again and wonders to himself for the second time that day how he’d ever managed to get this lucky.