#also we don’t have Christmas dinner we do a lunch

[emsprovisions]

❄️ Day 21 - You Can Call Me Babe for the Weekend ❄️

🎁 Today's fic is dedicated to @ironheartwriter! It’s Lana's birthday!!! Go and shower her in birthday wishes and love!

Summary: Carlos agrees to be TK's date to Enzo's family Christmas gathering in New York.

Word count: 1122

24 Days of Tarlos Masterpost

“Uchh,” TK groans, slumping into an empty chair beside Nancy with a bowl of Paul’s chili.

”What’s wrong with you?” She asks, eyeballing her best friend with apprehension.

”I need a date for this Christmas dinner thing my stepdad is hosting,” TK explains.

”Why do you need a date?” Marjan quirks a brow from where she’s seated across the table.

”Because,” TK starts, already beginning to wave his sass hand in the air. “My family will pester me about why I’m still single after Alex dumped me over a year ago. Or they’ll keep bringing him up and rehashing exactly what I did wrong to make my boyfriend be unfaithful to me. It’ll be a whole thing and I’d really rather avoid it. It’s just, how the hell can I find a date less than a week before I need one? And he has to be willing to go to New York with me and my mom.”

”I’ll go with you.”

All eyes around the table snap forward to the cop sitting at the end beside Paul.

Carlos is staring at TK with genuine interest in solving his problem and TK is practically melting inside at the thought of Carlos being his fake date to his dysfunctional family Christmas. He and Carlos have become close friends in the year that TK’s moved to Austin. In fact, he’s the one who invited the patrol officer over for lunch on his shift because he knows Carlos loves Paul’s chili. 

TK also has an embarrassingly huge crush on Carlos, one he knows Nancy is aware of, and she is making eyeballs at him right now and jabbing his calf with her foot to accept Carlos’s offer.

”Oh, that’s so sweet, Carlos, but you don’t have to,” TK shakes his head.

”I’d like to,” Carlos offers TK a small smile. His big, brown eyes get all soft, and TK is nothing but putty in this man’s hands because how could he refuse cow eyes?

He can’t. Which is how he has found himself days later wedged between his mother, bouncing a baby Jonah on her knee, and Carlos, on a plane bound for New York. 

His mom is in on the ruse, Gwyn also aware that her son has feelings for the officer, and she has agreed to play along for the sake of this weekend going smoothly.

Carlos is accepted into the de la Costa family like he’s their own son. He flirts with Tía Carmen, complimenting her and winking like they have years of inside jokes between them. He’s great with the small gaggle of children that are somehow related to Enzo. He even charms Enzo himself, who more often than not never seemed too impressed with the guys TK introduced him to.

It’s at the big family dinner though that Carlos is really put to the test as TK’s boyfriend. They had predetermined many details of their forged relationship, especially after Nancy intervened and brought up her extensive movie and book knowledge on the very subject of fake dating. But of course, the one aspect they somehow hadn’t considered to figure out is asked.

”So, Carlos, how did you and TK meet?” Enzo’s sister asks, as she passes Carlos a bowl of salad.

Carlos grins, looking over at TK beside him before back at Catalina. 

“We were on a call, actually,” Carlos begins. “It was raining, and I’d heard the 126 had a new fire captain, but I hadn’t met him or his son yet. We had to save this baby stuck in a tree and the moment TK laid eyes on me, I Was completely done for. All I could see were these bright green eyes, shining in the headlights. TK probably doesn’t remember this, but he stood beside me and grabbed my shoulder while his dad climbed the ladder himself to save the baby.”

Carlos is wrong. TK does remember all that. What surprises him most though is that Carlos also remembers it.

”I saw him again later that night after work at this honky tonk in Austin and I asked him to dance,” Carlos continues, looking back towards TK and reaching for his hand with a smile. “It was the best decision of my life.”

TK also remembers the line dancing at the bar. He stepped on Carlos’s feet and they laughed and he swore he’d never met anyone more beautiful. But TK was a wrecking ball back then. A hot mess fresh off a relapse and a breakup and he had no business getting involved with anyone else so soon, sexual or otherwise. He still felt too raw, too on edge, and even before he knew Carlos’s name, he knew Carlos deserved better than that. So they became friends. And now TK’s wondering if maybe he ruined their chance to ever be more all the way back then, on that first night they’d met. 

Only Carlos is looking at him like he hung the moon and practically everyone around the table is swooning over Carlos’s story. 

“God, that’s romantic. Dammit, Javier, why can’t you be more like Carlos!” Catalina turns to her own husband to swat at his arm, and the table dissolves into laughter and chatter, and TK can’t stop staring at Carlos.

He catches Carlos’s eye, and Carlos just smiles softly back at him. 

“Aren’t you two the cutest lovebirds,” Abuelita just melts from across the table as she catches them staring at each other. “Reminds me of me and my husband when we were young.”

TK just laughs and squeezes Carlos’s hand. “Hear that, babe? Sounds like Abuelita’s already planning our wedding.”

“I’m just saying,” Abuelita laughs. “I know that look when I see it.”

Later, when they’re alone for the night and trying to solve the issue of only one bed, TK just sinks onto the edge of the mattress, his head still spinning from earlier. “I didn’t know you remembered when we met that well.”

Carlos freezes where he’d been gathering pillows to make a makeshift divider on the bed. “I remember everything about you, TK.”

“What does that mean?” TK furrows his brows at his fake boyfriend. 

“It means I meant every word,” Carlos explains slowly with a small, hopeful smile. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, TK, and I know you weren’t ready for anything back then, but I’ve waited, hoping that one day, you might be.”

TK’s brows shoot to his forehead as he stares at Carlos. 

That night, the pillow divider is abandoned as their clothes end up on the floor, and TK does what he should’ve done all those months ago, and Carlos is even happier to become TK’s real boyfriend than to be his fake one.

[glamourscat]

Literally love your Tim Drake works 🙏 so good to see him get some hype!!

Can I please request Tim Drake with Gn!reader teasing him about essentially being his sugar baby? Not using him obvi, but like as a broke college student myself, I know he would simply not be able to witness our conditions without stepping in. Idk if he's ever canonically gone to a dorm, but I think explaining the concept of having to wear a "shower shoe" to avoid communal shower fungus would be enough for him to just buy you an apartment for the next 4 years 😭 or looking in the fridge only to see the takeout box, bread, and ketchup combo cause groceries are toooo expensive 😭 The "damn bitch you live like this" meme personified

Sorry this became off-topic ramble-ly lol I just think it's funny how stressed he would be by his partner's early 20's ✨ broke era✨

a/n: when I tell I saw the request and immediately my fingers started writing😭 loved this! thank you so much, I hope it’s what you were looking for <3

cw: slightly suggestive towards the end

── ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ── ♡ ── ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ── ♡ ── ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──

“For the love of—babe?” Tim’s voice rang through your college dorm room.

You looked up from the bed where you were working on some assignments, meeting his eyes as he crouched near the mini-fridge under your desk.

“Yeah, hun?” you said, eyebrows furrowing.

“What in the actual hell is this?” he exclaimed, holding up a few boxes of Chinese takeout and random half-open sauce packets—most definitely “borrowed” from fast food joints and restaurants alike. His face was a mix of shock and genuine concern for you.

“Ah, yeah. That was my dinner yesterday, my lunch the day before yesterday, and my breakfast… yep,” you said casually, shrugging as you went back to your work.

After all, it’s not like you’re the only one in this situation. Sure, you would have preferred to eat a proper meal, but broke students have to survive somehow, right?

“Babe… you are seriously surviving off of scraps? This can barely keep you fed, not to mention the—” he stopped as he looked over at your desk. “Now what in the hell is this?” His voice was slightly high-pitched as he stared at the shower shoes on your desk that you had forgotten to put away before he came by.

“Those? You’ve really never seen shower shoes?” you said with a hint of an amused smile. “Those are shower shoes, Tim. I use them in the communal showers since we don’t have individual ones. To avoid getting shower fungus or athlete’s foot, ya know? Stuff like that.” Your words were so calm, so… like you were used to it.

Tim stared at you with his eyes almost bulging out of his skull, genuinely trying to make his last remaining brain cells understand how this way of living was even possible on college grounds. But more importantly, how the hell were you supposed to live like this for the next four years?

“Where are you going?” you asked, confused, seeing him rush to put his jacket on.

“Put your jacket on. We are going to look at apartments right now. I think I caught something just by thinking of you living here for the next four years, malnourished and worst of all, using communal showers. What if something happened to you? Yeah, fuck that, c’mon” he said frantically, almost dragging you out of your dorm by the hand as you tried not to laugh.

“Don’t you think you’re overreacting—”

“No,” he cut you off. His expression was almost comical in how genuinely frantic he was. But, despite that, it was also cute seeing how much he cared for you.

“Tim, I know you’re concerned but, I mean—an apartment is a big thing. I—”

He stopped, turning you to face him in the empty hallway. His hands rested on your waist. “I have the money. You can’t live like this. Let me help my lover, okay? I will still do it, you know that. If not now I’ll gift you an apartment for Christmas since it’s around the corner.” His voice got lower. “Besides, we certainly can’t do anything in here, one moan from me—”

“TIM!” you said, flustered, a small embarrassed chuckle escaping your lips.

“What? It’s the truth. Everyone will be all up in our business…” he whined quietly as he got closer, his soft lips leaving a warm kiss on your neck.

“Besides—” he whispered in your ear, causing shivers to run down your spine, “I can’t sneak in with my Red Robin costume here. And you bet your ass I’m coming over after patrol so we can be together. Soooo, an apartment it is,” he hummed proudly, leaving another kiss, this time a soft peck on your lips. He pulled back with a soft smile that just made you want to squeeze his cheeks for how cute he looked.

“Still, I mean…” you sighed softly. “I feel like your sugar baby, hun,” you said half-jokingly.

“Yeah?” he said with a cheeky twinkle in his eye. “Then that just means I need to spoil my baby more. That’s the bare minimum I can do after all hmm?” He wrapped his arm around your waist, keeping you close as you two walked off giggling to yourselves like fools, yes, but fools in love.

© GLAMOURSCAT (all rights reserved. do not share, modify, translate and re-upload my work outside of tumblr)

[anyarose011]

Emotional Motion Sickness {Angus Tully x Reader}

Summary: When it's only you, your father, Mary, and Angus left behind at Barton for Christmas, you and the boy (who you were an asshole to, but in all fairness, he was one to you too) decide to get to know each other; whilst sneaking around the school.

Part 3 of ?? (Masterlist)

Warnings: Teddy Kountze (but not for long), swearing, underage drinking, mentions of past harassment, mention of pornography, and extremely long monologues that I think would be great audition material because I'm delusional :) .

Come get y'all juice (this shit was so much longer than I expected). This may be part 3 in the series, but this is part 1 of songs that are Agnus Tully/Reader coded. And also part 2 of you guys not being able to escape being an awkward teenager just because this is fanfiction. Enjoy!

Word Count: 7.1k

You didn’t talk to anyone the day after you told Angus Tully he didn’t have any friends (well…of course you talked to your father and Mary, but the boys? No; not even the freshmen).

It was warranted; you punched Teddy in the face, you ignored Jason, and Ye-Joon and Alex were probably afraid of you at that point. Angus had the biggest excuse of them all of course, and while you actually felt bad (to your own surprise), you couldn’t bring yourself to actually approach and apologize at the time. Call it pride, call it cowardice, but you suddenly felt so ashamed you couldn’t even speak to him.

So, save for the talks you had with Mary in preparing meals, the nighttime check-ins with your father, you kept your nose stuck in a book. You ignored Teddy’s glare (while also checking over your shoulder every time you passed by him), only gave slight nods to the younger boys, and Jason didn’t even bother talking to you about what he said the day before. Angus, apparently despite not talking to each other, had perhaps the most civilized of silent discussions with you. You would only make eye contact with each other…but somehow, just somehow, there was a bit of understanding between the two of you.

You also had given him your spare toothpaste along with his payment of chocolates and cigarettes for waking you up because you noticed that he was running low. He gave you this…look. Not one of disgust, but he was confused beyond belief, and you swore he was in his own little world as you talked about your reasoning and all he did was stare at you.

Weirdo.

The day after that, making it the sixth day of being stuck at the school, you were sitting on a stool in the kitchen, reading to Mary as she prepped for lunch. “‘Reader, I married him. A quiet wedding we had: he and I, the parson and clerk, were alone present. When we got back from church, I went into the kitchen of the manor-house, where Mary was cooking the dinner and John cleaning the knives, and I said— ‘Mary, have you ever been in love before?’”

You paused, looking up from your book and watching as the Mary in front of you was doing what the Mary in the book was doing; cleaning the knives. She glanced back at you upon your quietness, giving you the eye.

“And? What did she say?”

“I don’t know,” you shrugged. “I’m waiting for her to answer.”

Scoffing, she turned away. “You’re not that funny you know.”

“Yet you’re hiding your smile.”

“Am not.”

“Well have you?”

“Have what?”

“Been in love?”

She huffed. “I’m too sober for that conversation.”

“There’s some wine in the chapel-.”

Mary turned, pointing a knife at you. “-Don’t you dare.”

“What?! It’s not consecrated!”

“Still, you’re a baby, you can’t drink that stuff.”

“I’m going to technically graduate in a few months.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Sighing overdramatically, you leaned against the wall. “Can you just give me a yes or no?”

She turned and headed back to the counter she was at, looking at you. “Yes, I’ve been in love before.”

“When you were young?”

“Am I not young now?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes.” She began to chop vegetables.

“Was it scary?”

“Kind of.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “It happened later for me than most of my friends, so that’s probably why.”

Before you could ask another complex question, a humming noise caught your ear. You thought you were going insane at first until it had also apparently got Mary’s. After taking one glance at each other, you both followed the sound, and it led you to the nearest window.

Outside, in the sky, a yellow helicopter flew above you.

The next thing you knew, as you and Mary were rushing to the library to ask your father ‘What in God’s name is going on?’, you ran into everyone in the middle of the main hall, including a man you had never seen before.

Apparently, Jason’s father cracked and decided to come pick his son up for Christmas at the ski lodge. He also offered to take the rest of The Boys Left Behind. So, there you were after Mary left, deciding to stand outside with the rest of them as Jason, his dad, and your father sat in the administrative office, calling up everyone and their mother (quite literally).

“So, Hunham,” Teddy asked, his voice so grating you would rather claw your brain out with a fork than have to listen to him. “what’re you gonna do when all of us go skiing? Take some pictures?”

You shook your head, not letting it get under your skin. “No, I’ll probably spend time with Elise.”

“Elise?” The boys questioned.

“Yeah, we met in middle school.”

“Is she anything like you or is she pretty?” Teddy prodded.

Angus rolled his eyes. “I don’t think she’d really want to hang around a cesspool like you.”

Holy shit…he was actually standing up for you? Even after you told him he didn’t have any friends? Perhaps men hadn’t failed you completely (your most famous last words of this entire winter break…maybe not for the most part, but still).

You snorted, crossing your arms while still holding Jane Eyre. “It’ll be a cold day in hell before I let you meet her, Kountze.”

Before he could even attempt a comeback, your father came out through the door, and turned to the boys. “Well, good news gentlemen. I was able to reach Dr. Woodrup and your parents;” He glanced at Angus for a second. “Most of them, anyway. I recommend all of you go pack, have a merry Christmas.”

The rest of the boys, including Jason who exited with his dad, raced past one another; all except Angus. You could see how he tried to hide his growing disappointment and went to the first stage of grief; denial.

“Could you try them again?” He asked your father.

Paul Hunham took a deep breath. “Alright.” He turned to Jason’s father, both men uttering a ‘Merry Christmas’, before yours went back into the office. Leaving you outside with Angus.

He leaned against the wall, folding his arms. Well…this was your chance to try and be nice to him again.

“If they don’t pick up, just tell him to keep calling.” You suggested.

Angus looked at you, shrugging. “Yeah, that was my plan already.”

“I always annoy him until I get what I want. Usually works for me.”

“So why aren’t you in Copenhagen?”

“…You.” There was a silence between the both of you, and to your surprise, you had to bite your tongue not because of anger, but to stop yourself from laughing. You gave him a nod. “I hope you get to go skiing; even if Kountze will be there.”

Not giving him time to respond, you walked right past him to your room in the infirmary. In your mind, best case scenario, everyone would go skiing and you and your dad would somehow make it to Copenhagen; middle case scenario, everyone would go skiing but you’d be left in Barton with Mary and your dad; worst case scenario, you were stuck with Angus…at Barton, over Christmas break.

While he was the one that irked you the least out of the boys your age, you weren’t really in the mood to be with him until the middle of January.

It was as you were sitting on the edge of your bed, reading the rest of Jane Eyre, when someone knocked on your door. Glancing up, you saw Alex. Smiling, you asked.

“You ready to go?”

He nodded, then walked into the room, holding out your mittens. “Sorry I forgot to give them back.”

You took them, standing and smiling. “No, you’re alright. If I’m honest, I would’ve let you keep them while you were here.”

“Are you and Angus going to be okay?”

Giving him a look, you chuckled. “Well, if there’s a god, then hopefully that means he’ll go with you guys.”

At that moment, both of your eyes were drawn to the doorway when you heard heavy footsteps and watched as Angus Tully stormed past.

“Okay, guess there isn’t.” You grumbled, then went back to sweet. “Don’t worry though, we’ll be civil with each other.”

“I think you should be friends.”

Well…that was unexpected. Still, you snickered. “Alex, are you saying neither of us have friends already? And I thought you were nice.”

“No just,” he sighed. “I heard Ye-Joon crying a few nights go, Angus told him friends are overrated, and Ye-Joon told me that Angus had been kicked out of a lot of schools…I don’t know.”

You nodded, completely understanding. “I’ll be nicer to him; I promise you that. Now go have a great Christmas.”

He grinned from ear to ear, unexpectedly hugging you. After freezing for just a moment, you hugged him back before pulling away. You bid each other goodbye, and he went running back to his room to pack. A few seconds later, it was Jason who was in your room.

“Hey.” He greeted.

“Hello.”

He stood there stiffly, almost as if he was nervous for the first time in his life. “Um…I just wanted to say sorry.”

This intrigued you. “Oh?”

“Yeah.” Jason fiddled with the bag in his hand. “I didn’t mean to upset you; Teddy was an asshole, end of story.”

You gave him a smile. “Thank you.”

The silence between you was different; not one of comfort, but not exactly discomforting either. Though, it was becoming that the more time dragged on.

“You know,” he grinned, and you couldn’t tell if it was genuine or a joke. “if we hurry, I could probably sneak you on?”

You merely kept your face the same; a pitiful, upturned mouth. “Merry Christmas, Jason.”

He nodded, taking the hint, wishing you a ‘Merry Christmas’ back, and left. Not exactly the best apology to receive, but you were more than happy you got one. Also happy that he didn’t call you names for refusing his advances; bare minimum, but welcome to the early 1970s.

Teddy followed soon after him, and he stopped in your doorway, turning his head to you. He only managed to take a breath to speak before you beat him to it.

“I hope you fall off the fucking ski lift, snap your fucking neck, and never recover.”

He only smiled. “I hope your business goes well. Tell Daniel I said ‘hi’.”

And that was the last time you saw him that Christmas break. He did indeed fall off a ski lift and snap his neck.

He didn’t actually, but you wished he did. When he walked past you, Ye-Joon was next, and you both just uttered a quick ‘Merry Christmas’, before he left. Knowing that Tully was still in the room, you decided it was best to avoid him, and went back to your father.

“No luck?” You asked him.

He shook his head. “No luck.”

Sighing, you glanced down at the floor. Great…it was official; you were still stuck with at least one boy who would for sure not have his brain developed until he was thirty at the youngest (or so you thought).

“Do you want to see the helicopter take off?” Your father asked.

You nodded, not knowing what else to do. So, that was how you found yourself, your father, and Angus (who surprisingly crawled out of the room to also watch it take off), in the snowy quad, watching as the ‘Boys Left Behind’ became the ‘Boys Who Are Now in a Damn Helicopter Going Skiing’. You thought the last title had a better sound to it.

Your father sighs from beside you, turning to look at you in the middle, and Angus to your right. “Well, let’s make the best of it.”

He went in soon after that, leaving you and Angus alone together. You wanted to say something, you probably should’ve. Yet, in all honesty, you had nothing to say, and you knew that if you forced yourself to come up with something, it would’ve been bad.

So that’s why you didn’t even look at him when you left. That’s why you avoided him for the rest of the day, luckily being able to spend most of it with Elise and doing nothing but making Christmas cookies with her and miss Crane (even though she’d already made more than enough to give to the teachers. They were…fine when your dad gave you one), and muting channels from the TV and voicing over them.

You and Elise had done that since you were kids…which actually wasn’t that long ago when you were still doing it.

When you got back, you helped Mary with dinner, than all ate in silence; save for your father trying to make conversation about your day since you were truly the only one out of all of you to have an interesting day.

That’s when the four of you found yourself in the teacher’s lounge; you reading Little Women, your father and Mary watching The Newlywed Game, and Angus reading Popular Mechanics in a chair far away from you.

As you were disappearing into your second read of the book, it was Mary who brought you out of it.

“Your daughter asked me an invasive question today.”

You looked up in alarm at the accusation. Paul Hunham sighed, taking his pipe out of his mouth. “And what, pray tell, was it this time?”

“Asked if I’d ever been in love.”

Your father said your name warningly. Of course, you defended with. “We were reading Jane Eyre! If I was reading this,” you held up your book. “I would’ve asked if she ever rejected a man before. I already know the answer, but still.”

“You know the answer?” Mary laughed.

“You probably had to beat them off of you back in the day, you were so pretty.”

“Were?”

“Fine wine, miss Lamb.” You hung upside down, tossing your feet over the back of the couch. “You age like fine wine.”

 “Stop that.” She scoffed lovingly, then asked your father, almost as if it was a joke. “What about you?”

You looked at him. “Oh, I sure hope he’s been in love.”

“Well,” he said your name. “you know, it was purely for economic reasons at first, but then-.” The pillow you threw at him caused him to chuckle before continuing. “Yes, Josephine March, I was greatly enamored by your mother.”

“What was your favorite thing about her?”

“Everything.”

“Oh, come off it.” You rolled your eyes.

“Well then, if you’re going to be like that, then it’s her laugh.”

You sat up. “That’s such a basic fucking-!”

“-Hey!” Both him and Mary started.

In the corner of your eye, you swore you saw Angus smile for just a second. Your father continued. “I’ll tell you why her laugh was my favorite; it’s because she barely did.”

When you thought of it…she really only laughed around you. Were you that funny or did she just love you that much? Either way, you were more than happy about it. Your father continued.

“She announced in front of an entire class that she would more than likely laugh while being stuck in a brazen bull, then listening to my jokes. That was the first thing she said to me, and it’s still one of my favorite memories.”

Mary chimed in. “Not your wedding day?”

You and her shared a knowing look, trying not to burst out in laughter as your father just smoked his pipe, nodding. No time to unpack that.

“But you know, there’s more to falling in love than just with people.” He started soon to clear the air. “Imagine it, like a monk: forgoing sensual pleasures for the achievement of spiritual goals.”

“Spiritual goals, you?” Mary questioned. “What spiritual goals are we talking about? You go to church?”

“Only when required.”

“Exactly.” She mumbled. “Me having to save your daughter’s soul every Sunday since she was a kid.”

You only went because she’d take you and Curtis out to lunch every Sunday.

“When’s the last time you even left campus?” Mary asked him.

He almost looked offended. “I go into town all the time.”

“Oh!”

“For groceries, and errands, and various appointments.”

“Jane Bennett over here can’t drive and she gets out more than you.”

“Okay yes,” he sighed. “I don’t leave campus often. I don’t really feel the need.”

Mary nodded. “Let me ask you something. If you could go anywhere on earth, where would you go?”

“Well, we were supposed to go to Copenhagen…” nearly left your lips, but then your eyes caught Angus again, and looked away soon when his sight met yours.

“Oh,” your father grinned. “Greece, Italy, Egypt, Peru, Carthage, Tunisia now, of course. In college I started a monograph on Carthage. I’d like to finish that someday. A monograph is like a book only shorter.”

“I know what a monograph is.” Mary answered tiredly.

“Why not just write a book?”

That was the first thing you heard Angus say after hours of silence.

Your father shook his head. “I’m not sure I have an entire book in me.”

“You can’t even dream a whole dream, can you?” Mary asked.

If it were any other day, you would’ve laughed. But for some reason (that reason being you staring at Angus Tully), you didn’t. Still, once the two of you made eye-contact, you shot your gaze back to the TV, and then down to your book for the rest of the night.

What a strange person (he probably thought the same as you).

Your father agreed to let you sleep in the free room of the infirmary on account of the fact Teddy and Jason were gone. He made the joke too that you could “Finally sleep” as if you already hadn’t been sneaking out to get sleep. Still, even though you could no longer hear his snores, you found yourself more awake than ever that night.

When you were a child, you used to go on nightly excursions. Those being where you’d walk down the stairs of your old house and see everything in the dark; a familiar place becoming the unfamiliar and realizing just how taller everything was compared to you.

You cried the first time that you did it, and your mother rushed down to comfort you; your father, of course, slept like a rock. You still went on the little adventures though.

So…why not do it at Barton? Surely you were old enough you wouldn’t cry this time?

Tiptoeing through the halls and into your father’s room after throwing on your boots and jacket, you somehow managed to grab the keys and flashlight without him hearing you. Then you saw the bottle of whiskey by his bed; checks out.

As you were exiting through the hall, you passed by Angus’ room. You stopped in the doorway, contemplating. Would he be more pissed at you for waking him up, or for leaving him out? Well…only one way to find you.

In the same way you did on the first night, you shook him awake. He flinched a little when he saw you but wasn’t completely frazzled. “What?” He groaned, more so out of exhaustion than annoyance.

All you did was hold up the ring of keys to him.

That got him to sit up, and you managed to smile, tilting your head back to the door. It still astounds you to this day just how quickly you both could communicate without having to say a single word. He got on his coat and shoes, and the pair of you were soon off, traversing down the halls. Your first stop was the teacher’s lounge.

“I just want to check on Mary.” You explained.

“Why?”

“Because she checks up on us.”

And he didn’t argue; poor, tall child was just happy to have some freedom for the first time in almost a week. So, you both just quickly peered into the teacher’s lounge, and sure enough, she was sleeping on the couch with the TV on. You both tiptoed out of there and into the darkened hallway.

“Turn on the light.” He whispered to you.

“I’m trying.” You felt around for the switch, and then heard a ‘bump!’ in front of you followed by cursing.

“Shit!” Your heart jumped. “What did you do?!”

“Just turn on the light!”

You did, and you saw him hunched over, cradling his left elbow. You made a face. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just maybe turn the flashlight on before going into a dark place?”

Oh, hell no, you weren’t taking that amount of sass. “Well maybe you should stop being so tall and stupid. Jesus wept, you make the ground shake every time you walk.”

He scoffed, though an etching of a smile played on his lips when he knocked on the wall beside you.

“What’re you doing?” You asked.

“She’s not going to wake up. It’s fine.”

“Still, I don’t wanna risk it.”

“Okay,” he shrugged his shoulders. “then could I have the light? Seeing that you can’t handle it?”

Oh, what a little shit. Rolling your eyes, you handed it to him, to which he immediately turned over his shoulder and started skipping down the hallway, making quite a lot of noise.

“Angus Tully, I swear to God!” You rushed after him.

He led you into the kitchen, but you led him to the freezer and the large tub of vanilla ice cream the cooks only used for ‘Special Occasions’. You grabbed spoons off the counter and ate from the tub for a few good minutes without saying a word to each other.

When you were finished, he asked. “Where else were you thinking of going?”

 “I’m not sure.” You then glanced over to one of the ‘Staff Only’ doors. “I got an idea.”

After using the keys to unlock it, the door led down into a dimly lit tunnel. You went down first, the cold hitting your skin and you zipped your jacket up. Looking over your shoulder, you saw Angus still up at the top.

“Well come on, you’re the one with the light.”

That seemed to snap him out of whatever trance he was in, and he walked down the steps.

“How’d you know this was here?”

“That’s for me to know.”

And you just walked ahead of him.

He scoffed. “So, I don’t get to find out?”

“Nope.”

The tunnel was much longer than you initially thought it would be, but when you both got to the first door you’d seen, you were led into the sacristy of the chapel. Instantly, Agnus set down the flashlight and opened up the cabinet, taking out the chalice and jug of wine.

You snorted. “What a faithful altar boy you are.”

“Of course I am.” He responded, pouring the wine into the chalice and taking a huge gulp of it. “Want some?”

You tensed at first but responded quick enough. “Sure.”

He poured the wine into the chalice and took a small sip. It wasn’t as bad as when you first tried it; in fact, it was pretty good. You finished most of it after bringing it to your lips again.

“You’ve never had it before, haven’t you?” He grinned like the little shit he was (still is).

Shaking your head, you handed it back to him. “Just not in a while.”

You both got quickly bored in the sacristy after Angus had another drink of wine and went back through the door into the tunnel.

“Do you think someone died down here?” You questioned.

“If you’re trying to scare me, you’re doing a shitty job at it.” He answered.

“That sounds like something someone who’s terrified of ghosts would say.”

Sooner than you thought you would, and after a solid minute of you two going back and forth about the existence of ghosts, you found another door, which led you up into the auditorium. You’d only been there once for Curtis’ graduation the year prior, and you hadn’t step foot in there since then. Angus immediately went to the piano, sitting down at it and looking out to the sea of seats. You approached him leaning against the grand piano. He brought out a pack of the cigarettes you’d gotten him and a lighter.

“Mind if I have one?” You asked.

He nodded, placing a cigarette between his lips and then handing you one. He lit it for you, and you brought it up to your mouth. Somehow, you hadn’t coughed, and you were proud of yourself; you let your curiosity get the best of you, but it hadn’t killed you yet. Angus pressed a few keys on the piano, and you chuckled.

“You play?” You questioned.

“Not since I was ten. You know how?”

“Nope; all I know is Roman history and how to annoy men, apparently.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Can I ask you a question after you do?”

“Sure.”

“Go ahead.”

He takes a puff from his cigarette before asking. “Why the book names?”

Chuckling, you shook your head. “It’s just always been a thing my mom did; they all mean different things. Countess Natalya when I’m being overdramatic, Jo March for my dad, Jane Bennett for Mary, Emma Woodhouse when I’m being stubborn, things like that.”

“Should I call you something then?” He teased.

“I’d prefer just my name from you, thank you very much.” You played along back, walking around the piano and plopping yourself down on the wooden floor. He soon sank down to be at your level, finding it awkward to sit above you. “Okay, my question.”

He nodded. “Shoot.”

“Why did you and Teddy get into a fight at the beginning of break?”

Sighing, he rolled his eyes. “Asshole stole my family picture and I knew it but he kept denying it; might’ve said some shitty things to him, but it’s not like they weren’t true.”

“What’d you say?”

“That he was a sociopath, and his family didn’t want him around.”

You almost choked on your cigarette but laughed. “Damn, that’s brutal.”

“Smith had to pull us apart, it was apparently that bad.”

Scoffing, you said. “You and him had to hold Teddy back after I punched him.”

“Asshole.” He muttered.

“Asshole.” You repeated.

Silence passed by the both of you for the hundredth time that day, and that was when you spoke up.

“I’m sorry I’ve been a bit of a jerk these last few days.” He arched his brow, and you just went on. “To be honest, you have been too, but I’ve been a bigger one; especially today. I wanted to say something before but…I didn’t want to be more of a bitch than I already was.”

He shook his head. “You’re not; I was kind of a dick when I first met you.”

“Kind of?”

“Okay, a lot.” He admitted. “It was honestly stupid luck I got that question when you first showed up at Barton, and I got carried away with bragging.”

“Don’t sell yourself short.” You repeated his words from a few days ago. “You’re actually the smartest out of all of them.”

“Really?”

“Not even close to me, but still.” You held out your hand. “Friends of some sort?”

He shook it. “Friends of some sort.”

You both pulled away, and after taking another drag of your cigarette you said. “I actually don’t know jack shit about you.”

“That a fact?”

“Yeah, and since we’re going to be stuck here for a while, I think that should change. How about this?” you scooted closer to him. “We ask each other questions. Simple at first, but more and more, we go a little deeper. How does that sound?”

He huffed. “Sounds like a regular conversation.”

“We get to refuse to answer one question.” You added. “Everything else after is free game. Sound more exciting?”

Angus nodded. “Alright, what’s your favorite color?”

“Pass.”

“Are you serious?”

“Fuck no.” You laughed, giving him your favorite color then asking him. “Favorite book?”

He responded much faster than you thought he would. “Catch-22.”

“Ah, a man of culture. Thank God, I thought I’d have to stop talking to you.”

Angus shook his head, chuckling. “If you could be an animal, what would you be?”

Ah…a bit of a stranger one, but you like that. You thought more on it, then gave him your answer. He nodded.

“Yeah, seems like you’d be one.”

“The fuck’s that supposed to mean?” You answered in a dead pan, and broke character the second you saw his face fall. “Just messing with you. Favorite childhood memory?”

He paused at that but didn’t show any sign of discomfort. Hesitance, yes, but he was taking more time thinking about your (frankly bizarre) question. Then, he answered.

“My dad took me on a fishing trip when I was twelve. Just for the weekend out in the woods with a small cabin. Talked to me about what it meant to be a man, telling me what he was like as a kid…I don’t even like fishing.”

The short story, even though it wasn’t yours, brought a nostalgic smile to your face for a moment. “I tried fishing once; not really my thing either.”

“Mr. Hunham took you fishing?” The look on his face made you laugh.

“Oh god no.” You shook your head. “Curtis did.”

Angus blinked upon the name. “Mary’s kid?”

“You’ve already asked a question.”

“What?”

“I just asked you what your favorite memory was as a kid, you asked me if my dad took me fishing. It’s my question now. Technically, I can ask two in a row because you just asked me what I meant.” It was your turn to have the shit-eating grin.

“I…” He tried not to laugh, unable to believe it. “So, our friendship is basically transactional?”

“Huh?”

“You’re having us say that if one of us asks two questions in a row, even if one isn’t really about getting to know the other-.”

“-It was about getting to know me; you asked if my dad took me fishing.”

“That’s a transactional relationship, not really a conversation.”

“Are you trying to explain to me what a conversation is, Tully?” You furrowed your brow, stomping out your cigarette. “Do you really believe women are that stupid?”

He shrugged. “Maybe, considering how you just asked three questions in a row.”

Never in your life (at least recently) had something thrown you off balance so drastically. You counted on your fingers, jogging your memory, and yes, you indeed answered three questions: freeing him from yours. You both made eye contact, and with the same, unspoken language, you both laughed. It took you a bit longer to recover, to which you then asked.

“Okay, and you can ask me two questions, do you genuinely think women are stupid?”

Angus shook his head, his cigarette on its last leg. “Everyone’s stupid in their own special way.”

“How poetic of you.”

“That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me.”

“Shut up and ask me a stupid question because you’re so stupid.”

He threw the cigarette on the ground and stomped it out before turning to you. “Craziest thing that happened to you?”

Your face dropped for a moment at the question, before it soon morphed into a nervous smile. “It’s what made my dad start homeschooling me.”

Angus raised his brows. “If it’s not a fun memory than-.”

“-No it’s alright.”

“If anything,” you thought to yourself. “it’ll make me see who you really are.”

You set the scene. “You’ve been in eighth grade, right?”

“I though you said I could ask two questions-?”

“-For fuck’s sake, Tully.”

“Yes,” he grinned. “I’ve been in eighth grade, surprisingly.”

“Well, you probably remember how much we thought we were hot shit at that age, right?” You didn’t give him time to respond. “My friend Elise is Miss Crane’s niece, Miss Crane the secretary.”

“Yeah, I know who she is.”

“Elise only comes to live with her during winter and summer breaks. I met her when we were like twelve, and we were immediately inseparable. Summer of eighth grade going into high school, she takes this theatre summer camp hosted by some kids at Ridgeway.”

Angus scoffed. “That fucking shithole? My roommate had some of his friends over who went there; assholes.”

“Oh, that’s not the half of it.” You rolled your eyes. “So, one of the counsellors, I don’t know I think her name was like…Gloria, or something, really liked her, and invited her to a party she and the other theatre kids were having. She told Elise that she could bring anyone that she wanted. Elise thought that other campers were being invited, so she asked me because…okay shoot me, I liked theater growing up. Now Elise wasn’t going to Ridgeway for high school, but I was, so she thought it’d be great for me to meet the people. That’s what she told my dad and her aunt; that it was a part of the camp. God, we spent hours getting ready, I look at pictures that Miss Crane took of us, and we didn’t even look that good,”

You and Angus paused to relish your chuckling before continuing. “but what mattered was that we were excited. Miss Crane drove us to the house at seven, said she’d pick us up by ten, and then left. The only people there were us, Gloria, and two of the other counselors; one being her boyfriend, Bobby fucking Nolan. So, it was awkward for the first hour because, of course Gloria wasn’t supposed to invite two eighth graders, but it’s fine because she said ‘Elise is cool, so her friend’s probably cool’. I wanted us to call someone to take us home because there was a misunderstanding, hell, the counsellor that wasn’t Gloria’s boyfriend even offered to, but Elise said she wanted to stay. I wasn’t leaving her behind, so I stayed too. It actually got fun after that. It was more than obvious I was uncomfortable, so they asked me to pick a board game for us to play when waiting for other people, and I picked Clue. It went on for a while, and people started showing up, so it was really just me, Bobby fucking Nolan, and another random kid playing with us because the others, including Elise, left. Bobby said that I was purposefully hiding my cards because he assumed some things weren’t adding up. He did this the whole game, and he’d try to be teasing, but he always sounded like he was accusing me of murder. Which, okay, a part of the game but you know what I mean. I got fed up with it, so I told him a bit more aggressively that I wasn’t lying. This asshole reaches over and squeezes me here.”

Scooting closer to Angus where your face was just a foot away from his, you pointed to the base of your neck where your clavicle is. “So I freak out of course, and he just started laughing, saying he found out that’s a ticklish spot for everyone. My stomach started feeling weird, and I…a year before that, my dad told me that if I ever started feeling sick out of nowhere, whether it was because of a person or situation, than I’d leave. Doesn’t matter what, I’d just go. So, I say I have to go to the bathroom, get Elise, she sees that I’m starting to freak out, and we try to find Gloria, her friend, or just anyone who’d want to take us home. Bobby finds us instead, he’s lit, and he won’t let us out of his sight. He was joking at first, and I’m fucking terrified at this point, so Elise has to tell him we’re going home. He’s getting pushy now, and it takes him calling her a ‘bitch’ for people to notice. So, thank God, some of the others pull him away to calm him down because he looked like he’d start swinging, and one of the girls took pity on us and drove us to Elise’s house because we were supposed to have a sleepover. I was crying at this point, so I begged Miss Crane to call Mary, not my dad, she picked me up, I told her everything, she brought me home, told my dad, and the next day I told him everything I told Mary. He said I did the right thing in leaving and was pissed at the school. So, he called them, got most of the kids there in trouble; all except Bobby fucking Nolan. Because Bobby Nolan’s mom was screwing the principal, and technically besides underage drinking and minor harassment, he didn’t do anything wrong in the school’s eyes; so, he just got a few days’ worth of detention, but even then, that was probably wiped from his records…He was a freshman going into sophomore year, so if I went to Ridgeway, I’d be stuck with him for three years…everything else checks out.”

The silence was deafening. Angus had a face you had never seen on him before. “I…shit, that’s fucked up.”

Just like with everything else you did when things became too serious (because it was only then you realized that you just told him something that was somewhat traumatic and not funny), you made it funny.

“Oh fuck, you asked me about the craziest thing that happened to me. Sorry, I forgot to say that I was like a little tipsy throughout all of that.”

“What?!”

No one ever said you landed the punchline all the time. Still, you tried.

“Now I know that sounds bad-.”

“-It is bad. You were like what, fourteen?”

“…Thirteen.”

“Oh my god.” He groaned.

“How old were you when you first drank?”

“Sixteen.”

“That’s like three years.”

“It’s about maturity.”

“Oh,” you snickered. “and you have a lot of that?”

He shrugged. “Yeah, maybe I do."

Rolling your eyes, you said. “Go ahead.”

“What?”

“Ask your other question. No, that one doesn’t count, I’m actually tired of the rules I set up.”

He was still, understandably, thrown off about all that you told him. Still, he went. “How’d you know about the tunnels?”

“Curtis Lamb. We were friends for a while, and he told me he and some other kids would explore them. Mary never found out somehow.”

“Why’d you stop being friends?”

You shrugged. “We didn’t, he just died. Did your mom and dad get a divorce or…?”

You were always a hardball when it came to being blunt.

Angus tensed. “Pass.”

“Okay.”

“Can I ask about the letter?”

Oh…oh…

Well…what a spot you put yourself in…

“Pass.” You said without hesitation. Had he said that to get back at you for asking a stupid question or did he actually want to know?

Still, he respected it. “Your turn.”

And you decided to be slightly less bold, but not back down completely. “Have you been kicked out of school before?”

To your surprise, he wasn’t angry when you asked. A bit smug even. “Oh, who told you?”

“Alex.”

“Figures. Yeah, three.”

“Why?”

“‘Unruly behavior, instigating fights, stealing school property.’” He rolled his eyes. “If I get kicked out of this one, it’s off to military school.”

You nodded. “So maybe don’t then.”

“Seems like a plan.”

“When did your mom marry your stepfather?”

“Just last summer; that’s why they’re taking their honeymoon now. She’d only been with him for six months.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah.” He shook his head. “Just lonely I guess.”

You furrowed your brow. “She had you.”

He didn’t say anything, he stopped looking at you too. Well, new tactic now.

“What you did was nice a few nights ago.” Like Pavlov’s dog, he looked up at you. “Helping Ye-Joon out.”

His eyes drifted. “It was nothing.”

“It was everything to him and it meant something to me. It meant that you’re not a complete asshole you try to be, and I don’t know why you try to be one, but you’re not.” You saw right through him, and you both knew it. Still, to save face a little while longer, you added. “I’m sorry too about saying you didn’t have friends.”

“It’s fine-.”

“-No, it’s not, because I felt like shit as soon as I said it, and it’s a shitty thing to say to anyone.”

He stared at you the same way he did when you gave him toothpaste, and it unnerved you even more. Had anyone ever apologized to him?

“Thanks.” Was his reply, and the two of you stopped asking questions. You both sat in the auditorium for perhaps a small moment’s silence when he said. “I uh…we should probably get back.”

You nodded, getting up. “Yeah, sounds good.”

The two of you tried to make it seem like you’d never been there and made your way back down into the tunnel. The walk seemed much longer than it had previously, the two of you not seeming to have anything to say until Angus went-.

“I threw out the skin mag.”

Well…the actual last thing you thought you would hear from him that night.

You stopped in your tracks. “Huh?”

He didn’t look at you as he confessed. “I stole Kountze’s cigarettes to trade for it and practically waved it in his face the first few days. I know it’s none of my business, but after he read the letter…I just felt bad about it.”

What on God’s green earth were you supposed to say? Apparently, after a few moments of stunned silence, you knew.

“…Thanks? On behalf of all women, I guess?” He nodded, still not looking at you, which only added to your anxiety. “We’re good, right? Still friends of some sort?”

“Yeah.” He finally met your eyes.

You nodded. “Nice.”

And you walked ahead of him as if trying to outrun the light. You both tiptoed through the halls, setting the keys and flashlight back in your father’s room in the infirmary, and went into your own separate rooms.

As you laid down to sleep, the strangeness of the whole evening played in your mind. You had been so vulnerable with him, and he hadn’t thrown it back and spat it in your face; he let you talk about it for so long.

He didn’t blame you for what happened.

You never told anyone about that besides the people involved…

But he didn’t do the same. Yes, your friendship (of some sort) didn’t have to be where each of you dumped a lot of baggage on each other…but you still felt odd doing so.

You felt something in your stomach the more you thought about the whole night; being alone together and exploring the school as if you were both main characters in a novel, telling secrets in the dark…

You didn’t feel sick though; at least, not like when a boy touched you for the first time.

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

Why do you think Catherine is not attending the banquet part of the visit? Is it a stamina situation? I know those things usually go on for several hours and not to mention the time it takes to get ready. I’m just upset at not getting to see her rock another tiara!

The state banquets happen late in the evening and they tend to go on for a long time (not to mention all the prep time). She probably wants to conserve her energy for the “Together at Christmas” service.

I can hear the naysayers now: “It’s just one day, how can she be so fatigued after one day?” Listen, I have to go into the office once a month. It’s an office job so nothing particularly strenuous or manual, but the mental energy and the mental workload and the mental lift of preparing to go into the office and of being in the office is enormous, so much more than working from home - having to be “on,” having to remember your people skills, making small talk, minding your appearance, having to fit lunch and breaks into tight schedules instead of eating at my leisure - on top of a 40-minute commute in the morning and an hour-long commute in the afternoon. It’s just one day out of a 5-day workweek, but it’s an exhausting day and it throws me off for the rest of the week. And the absolute last thing I want after that kind of day is to put on very formal evening wear to entertain people at a dinner that’s an hour’s drive away.

Now put all of that in Kate’s shoes - she’s recovering from a six-month chemotherapy treatment, she has kids and pets to take care of, and her job requires her to be on display for the press, public consumption, and universal judgement.

So if Kate wants to be fully present for “Together at Christmas” on Friday, she has to cut her schedule somewhere and unfortunately, it’s the dinner. Otherwise, the only probable alternative to get the full rest she needs is to completely crash out on Wednesday for a recovery day and Kate had made it clear through past action that checking out from her children isn’t an option.

(Also, everyone, please be nice about their tiara comment. Yes, it’s a bit tone-deaf but we don’t need to dogpile her for it. I’ve been in that spot and it’s a horrible feeling.)

[sage-green-matcha]

LOVE LETTERS - ETHAN LANDRY 💌

Small love letters Ethan would give you during your 3 years of dating in high school!

Content includes: fluff! Cuteness idk!! Small argument :(

<3

<3

<3

Dear Y/n,

Hi :) you did really well on your project today. I hope you get the grade you want! You look beautiful. Yours, Ethan Landry <3

Dear Y/n,

Hi :) I missed you in 5th period today. Hope you feel better soon! I like your sweater by the way :)) Yours, Ethan Landry <3

To my dear Y/n

You looked so beautiful today, I wish I could see you more throughout the day. I can’t wait to see you later <3 have an amazing day :) - Ethan <3

Dear Y/n!

Today I got an A on my final! I know I was stressing you out since I was freaking out!! Thank you for dealing with me!! I love you, have a good day ;) <3 Yours, Ethan <333

Dear Y/n

I know you’ve been feeling down but I just wanted to say I love you. I can’t wait to see you at lunch. You look pretty like always, hope you feel better soon. Yours, Eth <3

Dear Y/n!

My mom said you can come over for dinner tonight! Don’t get nervous I already know my family is gonna love you. Quinn is practically already in love with you so don’t worry about her. Yours, Ethan Landry <3

Dear Y/n <3

My parents literally adored you. They keep asking when you’re gonna come back. My moms already planning on inviting you to Christmas. Have a great day! I love u and adore u sm! Yours, Ethan :)

Dear Y/n!!!

When you walked into the classroom I was like “What the fuck?!!” You look more than beautiful, I love you and your style so much. You look so good. Style me next lol. From your amazing boyfriend, Ethan Landry <33

Dear Y/n!!!

Meet me at the library after school today? I have a surprise for you! Bring yourself and that’s it! Love you so so much! - Ethan! <3

Dear Y/n

I hope you liked your surprise from yesterday! I can’t wait to see what dress you wear to the prom. I already know you’re gonna look beautiful. Your baby, Eth <3

Dear Y/n <3

I had so much fun at prom with you. I can't stop thinking about you and that beautiful dress of yours. You’re taking over my brain but I’m not complaining. From your cutie of a boyfriend, Ethan Landry!!!

Dear Y/n!!!

I’m so hungry, text me so we can figure out what to get for lunch. Legitimately starving, I could eat you up ;) jk…but also not jk? ANYWAYS! lmk :) - Ethan!! <3

Dear Y/n

I know you’re upset at me. I’m sorry. You know that I will always support you in whatever you do. I was just scared to be away from you and I hope you know I love you and will support all of your decisions. Yours, Ethan Landry <3

Dear Y/n!

I can’t believe you’re leaving me for a whole week. I might just die without you. I hope you have the most fun on your trip! Hopefully, London is as beautiful as you are! (Which is impossible) - Your sad boyfriend, Ethan Landry <3

Dear Y/n

Oh my god, I missed your face so much. Thank you for bringing me all those snacks! I loved getting to see you this weekend. So glad to have you back I was so touch starved - Ethan! <33333

Dear Y/n:

Our last week of high school!!! I can’t wait to move into our apartment soon. You know I love you!! Get to packing! Yours, Eth <3

My dear Y/n

For the last 3 years, I have been writing you letters and giving them to you in between passing periods. Im gonna miss this a lot. But I’m glad that we’re getting to grow together. I'm so thankful for you and all your support. I can’t wait to walk up on that stage and look for you in the crowd. I love you so so much. Maybe when we get settled into our apartment I can write you notes on the fridge with magnets or something. Yours, Ethan Landry <3

[andreafmn]

12 Days of Ficmas ❅ Day 4

Word Count: 1.6K Paring:  Lip Gallagher x Fem!Reader Prompt @a-cure-for-writers-block:  mothering their S/Os younger siblings and making sure they're getting enough to eat

Summary:  Lip Gallagher has had a hell of a year, and most of the time he doesn't think he deserve the mercy he's been shown. But (Y/N) will stop at nothing to make sure he and his family know they are taken care of. And he knows it.

A/N: a bit late, but still published. Also, this is very short and sweet and does not follow the canon after season 5. Kind of went off path to give Lip a bit of a quicker redemption. Hope y'all enjoy!

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“Yo, Lip,” Ian’s sleepy voice rang through his brother’s phone. “Uh, your girlfriend is over here, and I think she’s gone crazy.” 

“What you mean?” Lip chuckled as he rubbed his hands together to warm them up. “‘Cause that’s a lot coming from you.” 

“Very funny,” he laughed sarcastically. “No, but she made Christmas puke on the house, and she’s been cooking nonstop since this morning. She hounded us all morning until we ate breakfast and wouldn’t stop until we sat down at the table.” ” 

Lip couldn’t help the smile that crept onto his face as he pictured his girlfriend with her face dirtied by food, her hair tied back and away from her face, and her voice carrying around the house as she made sure everyone had eaten. It was one of the things he loved about her and one of the reasons he was glad she had come into his life. “Look, I’ll be home soon,” he chuckled. “Can you just make sure she actually eats? I know she’s gonna forget.” 

“Fine,” Ian groaned. “Just hurry up.” 

(Y/N) had come into Lip’s life at a moment when he was sure his life would have gone down the rails. She has become his sense of normalcy in his less-than-normal life. He had needed something to ground him back to earth, and that was exactly what she had done. After being so close to rock bottom he could taste the soil on the ground, she had been the only one that had been able to bring him back to his feet.  

As he got off the L, he wondered what she could have ever seen in him. She was smart and beautiful and a complete juxtaposition to the man he was. She was sunshine where he was rain, she was happiness where he was gloom, she was future while he was stuck in the past. And she was everything he never thought he needed. 

The moment he reached the house, he could hear the chatter from his family and the smell of (Y/N)’s cooking. Inside, Liam, Carl, and Ian were hypnotized by the TV while (Y/N) and Debbie talked away in the kitchen. 

Ian had not lied. The Gallagher house had been decorated like it had never been before. From garlands to stockings above the fireplace, to a massive Christmas tree in front of the stairs, it was a scene that had never lived inside that house. “Yo, you weren’t kidding, huh?” Lip chuckled as he shook off his jacket. “Didn’t think we’d ever have these many decorations.” 

“And presents,” Carl grinned. “Check under the tree.” 

Just like his younger brother had pointed, under the pine rested a couple of boxes wrapped in kraft paper. Each of them had every one of the Gallagher’s names written on them and a glittering red bow around them. It truly was more than Lip could have ever expected.  

“Ian, did she eat something?” 

“Yeah,” he said. “She’s also been pecking at everything she’s doing.”

“Alright, thanks.”

Taking the scenery in, Lip walked into the kitchen to find (Y/N) wearing a dirty apron and plates balanced on her arms. 

“You’re home,” she smiled, kissing his cheek as she walked past him to give the three boys each a plate. “Good. There’s a plate for you in the microwave. I made some turkey sandwiches for lunch. Light enough to not fill you guys up for dinner but strong enough to tide you over until then.” 

“Thanks, (Y/N),” the boys chorused before digging into their sandwiches and focusing back on the TV. 

“This is so good, (Y/N),” Debbie exclaimed from the breakfast table. “I don’t know how you’re not studying to be a chef.” 

“I cook for fun, not for work,” the young woman smiled. “That’s what engineering school is for.” 

“I’m just saying,” she shrugged. “If the genius stuff doesn’t work out, you could definitely be a chef.” 

“Thank you, Debs,” (Y/N) responded. “And speaking of school, how was your last final, babe? I know this semester has been a bit hard.”

Understatement of the century, Lip had thought. He couldn’t understand how he had not been expelled after everything he had done the year before. He had been so close to losing it all. Had it not been for (Y/N) stopping him before he smashed Youens car and speaking up on his behalf at the disciplinary meeting, he was sure he would have gotten a worse punishment than a semester suspension. She had been the saving grace he didn’t know he needed, and she was the reason he understood he needed help. 

Lip had inherited more than a hard life from his parents, he’d fallen victim to their addictive genetics and gone off the deep end with a bottle of liquor in hand. But somehow, she had been there to pull him up while he was down and walk beside him as he got back onto the right path. She stayed with him as he rebuilt himself into the man people believed he was. 

“I think it went pretty well,” he said before taking a bite of his sandwich. “Won’t know until after the break, but if midterms were anything to go by, I did good.” 

“That’s good. I’m pretty sure you did very well,” she smiled as she sat beside him, placing a hand on his and a coffee cup in front of his plate. “And I know you’re tired, but I’m gonna need you to help me prep the table for dinner tonight. Kev, V, and the girls are coming over. Fiona can’t make it, but she’ll try for actual Christmas Day or New Year's.” 

“You’ve got everything planned out already, don’t you?” Lip chuckled. “Not that I am surprised in any way, shape or form.” 

“I would have told you earlier, but I wanted you to focus on your exams,” she said before turning to the boys in the living room. “Hey, guys! Remember to wash your dishes when you’re done! I’m gonna need them for tonight.” 

“Yes, (Y/N),” they chorused back. 

“You got them very well trained,” Debbie laughed. “Where have you been all our lives?” 

“Just on the other side of town,” the girl smiled. “Now hurry and finish eating. We’ve got work to do.” 

After everyone finished their lunch and the how was suddenly dispersed of children, (Y/N) and Lip set off to work. While she waltzed around the kitchen, he rearranged the formal dining area to fit all the guests. As he walked around the house, the young man wanted to laugh. He remembered a time when that type of domesticity would have sent him running, searching for the easiest way to drown his fears of commitment and stability. But there he was, setting tables for a dinner party that his girlfriend had cooked, and he didn’t feel the jittery need to escape. He didn’t feel the anxious desire to feel alcohol burn its way down his throat and fill him with a mirage of confidence. He wanted to stay. 

“Hey,” he whispered after he had finished his task, snaking his arms around her waist and kissing her cheeks. “Thanks for doing this.” 

“Of course,” she smiled, leaning into the comfort and warmth of his touch. “Do you think there’s enough food I don’t know if I should set out some snacks for the kids while the turkey is finished. Maybe dinner is too late for Jemma and Amy. I should set some snacks out.” 

“(Y/N), baby,” he chuckled. Lip flipped her around, kissing her lips softly to stop her rambling. “There’s enough food, and they should be starving by dinner. You worked hard enough on all these dishes, they need to be eaten.” 

“And they will, but…” 

“You really enjoy mommying them, don’t you?” Lip grinned lovingly. “You know they’re not kids anymore –other than Liam. The other ones are all teenagers, they know how to get food when they’re hungry.” 

“I know that. But I just wanna make sure they know there’s someone here that cares about them other than you now that Fiona’s gone,” she admitted, her eyes falling onto the hands she pressed to his chest. “And I want them to like me, Lip. I’m in it for the long run, babe.” 

“If there’s one thing I can assure you, it’s that the Gallagher family loves you,” he smiled. His hand caressed her cheek softly, and it surprised him that only a year before, his knuckles would have been ripped and bloodied. But not with her. Never with her. “And if you keep cooking like this for them, they’ll make sure you’re here forever.” 

“And what about you? Would you want me to stay forever?” 

Lip couldn’t help the smile that spread across his mouth. As he stared into her eyes, it took everything inside him not to spoil the plans he had for Christmas morning. He wanted to give her all the reassurance she could need with the ring he had hidden deep in his underwear drawer. But when he had a plan, it was hard to divert from it. “How could I want anything else?” he grinned. “Now, why don’t we finish up here so we can have a little treat before dinner ourselves?” 

“Philip Gallagher,” she exclaimed at his advance, slapping his chest playfully. “I have too much work to do to be thinking about that.” 

“Come on, I’ve only been thinking about this all day,” he groaned. “It’s the only thing that got me through that test.” 

“Then you can wait a bit more,” she laughed. “I promise I’ll make it worth your while, baby. All good things come to those who wait.” 

And, at that moment, she had no idea how much truth there was in that statement. 

Next ->

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[bullet-prooflove]

TheStudy! Part Two: Distance - Dean Archer x Reader

Tagging: @kmc1989 @helsinkibaby @hufflepuffgirl @mimi-8793

The problem Dean thinks, is that you’re naïve, you see the good in everyone. You don’t see ulterior motives, not the way that he does. It’s one of the reasons he loves you, he’s sure it’s one of the reasons Jack loves you.

The study you’re undertaking and Jack, they start to become your priorities. The weekly standing lunch date the two of you usually have, it’s cancelled because Jack, he needs you for a meeting. Your afternoons are spent teaching the program at Northwestern University, the sessions can usually run late into the evening because Jack encourages you to take the opportunity to network.

The nights you are home, you’re not present, not really. You’re working on your latest revisions to the study, honing the program, reviewing the feedback.

All those times he’d shut you out, Dean’s starting to get a taste of what that feels like.

The worst part is you’re not even doing this on purpose. This study it’s important, it’s helping a lot of people, it’s also giving you options, opportunities that you wouldn’t have otherwise. Things that Dean could never give you, things that Jack can.

“Maybe we can get dinner tonight?” He tries one morning when he comes home from his run. “It feels like it’s been a while since we’ve actually spent a little time together.”

You’re tucking your laptop into the brown leather Marc Jacobs satchel he bought you for Christmas, the one you’ve always coveted.  Power dresses and high heels have become your normal attire these days, he misses the evenings he used to come home and launder your scrubs together.

“I can’t.” You tell him as you zip up the satchel and sling it over your shoulder. “There’s a drinks reception with the Board tonight, they want to know how the study’s going…”

“Yea, yea sure.” Dean says, his palm rubbing over the back of his neck. “It’s just that I’m starting to feel more like your roommate than your husband and I think that’s something we need to talk about.”

You phone chimes and you sigh as you glance at it.

“That’s Jack, he’s downstairs waiting in a town car.” You say as you tuck the device into the pocket of your blazer. “I’m sorry Dean, I need to go, we’ll have to talk about it later.”

It cuts like a knife through his chest because you know how hard it is for him to be vulnerable, to admit when he’s feeling hurt, upset, unsure.

“Isobel…” He begins but he stops himself because the thing he wants to tell you, that he needs to tell you, it’s not something he can just throw at you as you’re walking out the door.

You pause in the doorway and he swallows hard against the emotion that’s building in his chest because Dean, he’s terrified right now, he’s been terrified ever since Doctor Cameron had told him he was in renal failure two days ago.

“Just have a good day.” He says finally and you smile that sweet smile of yours before you step back into the room, your lips brushing over his grizzled cheek.

“Tomorrow.” You promise him clasping both of his hands. “Tomorrow night I’m all yours.”

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[kendallroydefender]

Somewhere only we know (Kendall Roy x reader) Chapter 2

Masterlist

Chapter two summary: The reader arrives at college and gets closer to Kendall. There are new friends and new dynamics that seem to build between Kendall and her.

Authors Notes: Hey!! Thank you all for the love on the first chapter!! There is so much more coming! Also there’s smut in this chapter so please only read if you’re 18+! On another note everything I know about american colleges is from gilmore girls so if something isn’t accurate blame Amy Sherman-Palladino

Words: 3.4K

You meet your three roommates and they all seem really nice, but you know neither of them. Kendall has more luck in this department, he gets to share with Stewy Hosseini who he knows a little from his days at Buckley. You share with a girl called Laura who seems really nice and you instantly get along really well. She just moved here to study at Harvard. You talk while you unpack all of your stuff. You meet her mom, who seems kind but a bit stressed out and she meets your parents who came with you. After they leave you and your new roommates order some pizza. ”I heard of this super cool freshman party that’s happening in the other dorm, who wants to go with me?“ Ashley, your other roommate, asks and you and Laura agree to also check it out.

Finding Kendall is a bit of a challenge but you manage to meet him at the freshman party

”Kenny!“ you scream once you spot him. He turns and walks over to you with a brilliant smile as he shouts your name back and hugs you. ”How are you? How are your roommates?“ you ask and he tells you about Stewy. ”Ken this is my roommate Laura, Laura this is Kendall-" you begin to introduce them ”Roy!“ Laura says and glances quickly at you with a look that screams 'what the hell?' Kendall chuckles ”Yeah.“ he answers her before saying "Nice to meet you.“ she nods eagerly.

Later, when Kendall gets a drink she turns to you to say ”What the fuck? You know Kendall Roy? THE Kendall Roy? He’s basically famous!“ she rambles and you chuckle, you know that he’s not a stranger to the public, the press is interested in the kids of media mogul Logan Roy but to you he’s always been Kenny.

”Yeah, he’s a friend.“ you answer simply with a shrug. "Fuck, he’s hot.“ Laura says watching Kendall walk back over to you. ”Quick, does he have a girlfriend?“ she asks and you shake your head, no. You don’t know why her question makes you feel slightly weird.

The first weeks of class go over easy. You get closer with your roommates, who are thankfully really nice. You also see Kendall almost every day and that’s really great. You were already close before but now you are like Siamese twins.

You sit at a table outside with Kendall, Laura and Stewy, as you joke around with Kendall who sits next to you, you notice his friend eye you with a glint you can’t name in his eye. ”Are you sure there’s nothing going on between the two of you?“ he ask as he takes a bite of his lunch. ”Shut up.“ Kendall mumbles, Stewy had pestered him before when you weren’t there if you were a couple.

You roll your eyes at Stewys words but you blush a little because lately you had noticed how your heart would speed up whenever Kendall was near and how he made your stomach flutter when he hugged you or just looked at you with his big hazel eyes and big grin.

The next months seem to go by in a blink before it’s time to go home for Christmas. You missed your family even though you do well in college. ”And how are the Harvard boys?” Your aunt asks at the Christmas dinner. ”Oh, you know.“ you chuckle a little embarrassed, yeah there were a few guys that had flirted with you but you didn’t entertained them, really. Part of it might be because of your steadily growing crush on your best friend. ”How is Kendall?“ your mom asks instead and you tell them about what you two have been up to. You also tell them about Laura, who has become a close friend too and Stewy who you also really like. Kendall calls you in the morning of the 25th to wish you and your family a merry Christmas. You tell him that he’s invited to your parents New Year’s Party and you hear him let out a little sigh ”I would love to but I can’t, my father wants me here. He’s doing some deal at his New Year’s party and says it’s a good opportunity for me to learn.“ you are a little disappointed but there’s nothing you can do. You know how important the company is for the Roy’s and that Kendall hopes to become the CEO one day. So you tell him it’s okay and that you’ll see each other back in college anyway.

January comes soon and you’re all back on the Campus. Tonight there’s a party you’re friends dragged you to. You sit on a couch in some room. Kendall sits next to you and some girl is talking to him but he doesn’t seem too interested in what she’s telling him. His arm comes around to rest on the couch behind your head. It’s not in a flirty-sleazy way, it’s just that you’re comfortable with the other. The girl walks away at some point noticing that she won’t get far with Kendall. ”This party fucking sucks.“ Kendall says hiding his head into your neck and you chuckle. "We could dance?“ you suggest and Kendall answers with ”We could leave?“ while he sits up again and looks at you with pleading eyes and raised eyebrows. And how can you say no when he’s looking at you like this. ”Sure, where’d you wanna go?“ you shrug and he answers ”I don’t know let’s just walk.“

You walk around the campus for a bit, its comfortable. The air crisp, its January and it feels like it will snow soon. Your cold hands brush, Kendall takes your hand and puts it inside his coat pocket. You feel your cheeks warm and your heart jumps. ”Wanna go to my room?“ He asks after another minute and you go.

You talk for a moment but the air around you feels different, charged. Theres anticipation all around the room and you don’t know how this will play out.

You see Kendall glancing at your lips while you tell him some story that doesn’t matter. Your eyes drift down to his and when you look back up soon after his eyes hold something else. He clears his throat a little before leaning in. He seems a little unsure, so different from his normal confident self. You lean in too and when your lips meet you take a sharp inhale. His lips move perfectly in sinc with yours. You swear its the best kiss you ever had.

The kiss grows hungier and more feverish as his arms begin to wander, he pulls you impossibly closer. You feel his tongue on your lips and you open your mouth so he can slip his tongue into your mouth.

You two stop for a moment and Kendall let’s out a little laugh as his nose nudges yours. ”This is crazy, right?“ he asks and you open your eyes to meet his dark ones, they’re shining, he looks happy. ”Yeah, but who cares.“ you mumble before you kiss him again. His hands wander down your sides until they reach the hem of your shirt. You pull away for a moment to nod at him okay for him to take your top off. When he gets the piece of clothing off of you, he starts kissing down your neck and your hand grips his shirt. ”Okay, this needs to go.“ you say and Kendall leans back enough to take it off. Your hands feel up his bare chest, you had never touched him like this before. He feels good, strong. He guides you backwards until the back of your knees bump against his bed. He is on top of you as soon as you lie down. ”Wait, jeans.“ You get out between kisses and his hands start to fumble with your belt. Once you shimmy out of your pants, with his help, you see him go down slowly. He kisses up you thigh softly and you breath out, when you feel his breath against your core you have to stop your body from shivering. A moan leaves your lips when his mouth connects with you. It’s the best sound Kendall has ever heard and he would do everything to hear it again. You grab his hair once he starts licking, its almost too much. Your sounds grow louder and as much as Kendall doesn’t want to stop now, he needs to feel you. When he stops you let out a small whine but you see him rummage through his bedside table and pull out a condom,anticipation spreads through your whole body like a forrest fire. He kisses you again, deeply before asking ”Do you want this?“ You give him a small kiss before answering ”Yeah.“. You feel him line himself up against you and soon after you feel him stretch your walls. ”Oh god.“ You moan and he lets out a moan of his own as he enters you. His strokes are slow and you keep looking into the others eyes. Its almost too intimate. He grabs one of your hands and intertwines your fingers, your hands rest beside your head. You wrap your legs around him so he goes in deeper and your moans grow louder with each push of his hips. He takes on speed and you can feel yourself getting close. ”Ken im gonna..“ You can’t even finish your sentence before you let out another moan ”Yeah me- me too.“ Kendall says before he tells you ”Come for me“ and that takes you over the edge, your eyes roll back as the wave of pleasure hits your body. Feeling you clench around him is what brings Kendall his orgasm. He buries his head into your neck while coming down and you feel him leaving a few kisses there.

Afterwards you trace Kendall’s features with the tip of your finger and he thinks he would do everything to stop the time right then, to stay in this moment with you forever. ”I should probably go before Stewy comes back." You say as you reach for your underwear on his floor. He nods knowing you would never hear the end of it if Stewy knew about this. His heart flutters when he sees you reaching for his discarded shirt. You wore his jacket before, when you were out on the beach in the Hamptons and you got cold but this was different.

You pulled the fabric over your head - you took his shirt as a try to elongate this moment. Maybe as a kind of reminder that it had really happened and wasn’t just some daydream of the kind that seemed to happen more often these past months. You know you probably should talk about this at some point but the risk of getting your heart broken right now was too high for you to take it. That conversation could wait. Kendall put on his own underwear and got a new shirt. ”Breakfast tomorrow?“ he asked and you had to bite your lip as an attempt not to let your smile get too big. ”Yeah I’ll see you Kenny.“ he smiles back and you press a last kiss against his lips.

The next morning you walk with Laura towards the breakfast hall, you thought you wouldn’t be nervous about seeing Kendall but you are. What if he regrets last night? What if he doesn’t want to be your friend anymore? What if you fucked it all?

Kendall on the other hand can’t wait for you to step into the room. Thoughts of you have consumed his mind since you left his dorm room yesterday. He is only halfheartedly listening to whatever Stewy is talking about, his eyes darting towards the entry every few seconds. And he visibly lights up when he spots you, it’s so obvious that Stewy starts to snicker across from him. ”Hey Kenny.“ you say as you sit down next to you. He greets you back and you look at him he smiles at you then, and you know you worried about nothing. He’s still your Kendall. It’s like it’s always is but if you’d ask Stewy he would say you two seem extra lovey-dovey today.

It happens again a few weeks later, you and Kendall go to a concert together, just the two of you because even though you like to hang out with all your new friends you and Kendall sometimes need some alone time. And you and your best friend have a great time there, jumping screaming and laughing together. You scream the lyrics back at Kendall and in that moment he stops moving, just looking at you. You’re beautiful in that moment, a little sweaty and a bit tipsy but this moment seems so real that he can’t stop himself from reaching out for you. His hand catches yours and he pulls you closer in one swift movement. You look into the others eye for a second before you both go for the kiss. You decide then to leave the concert earlier, it’s the encore anyway, and head home to his dorm room. Luckily Stewy is out of town for the weekend, visiting home you think, but you also don’t care too much about where he is right now.

Due to Stewy not being there you stay with Kendall the whole night. It feels similar like when you snuck Kendall into your parents summer house. It’s just really easy with him. You sleep peacefully the whole night wrapped up in each others arms.

It’s around a month later and you have had slept together a few more times. You have thought about how you can tell Kendall what’s on your mind for the past days. You have to stop sleeping with him before you get seriously hurt. You know you’re falling in love with him and you can’t do this anymore. Having sex with your best friend was a bad idea from the beginning but you can’t continue before you two ruin what you have forever.

When you go around to his room, later that day and you feel that he’s about to kiss you, you know that this is the moment. ”Hey, hey Kenny I don’t think that’s a good idea.“

”Uh you’re serious?“ he asks and you roll your eyes ”Yeah Kendall. I am. Listen I can’t do this anymore, having sex I mean.“ he looks kind of lost at you then. He thought you two were on the way to becoming something serious. It wasn’t 'just sex' to him and his hearts hurts knowing it was to you. Wich isn’t true of course but he doesn’t know. ”Maybe we shouldn’t see each other alone fora bit.“ You say and he feels like crying ”How- how long?“ he asks and you shake your head ”I don’t know, Ken. Not for long.“

The next few weeks are tense, you still meet with Kendall with others are around but you haven’t seen him alone in two weeks. The longest time since you started college and it hurts you the same it hurts Kendall. He can’t even talk to Stewy about it, he still doesn’t know about you and him.

”Have you seen the girl Kendall is seeing?“ Laura asks you one day while you’re writing a paper. ”What?“ you ask her and she ”The girl Kendall is dating? Leighton? I bet he told you about it?“ she says and you have to swallow ”Oh yeah sorry.. yeah he did but no I haven’t met her yet.“ you lie while your heart is breaking. ”Well anyway I have a course with her… I think… well there’s this girl called Leighton and it’s not really the most common name but-" she ramble’s on and you wish she wouldn’t. ”And yeah she’s absolutely beautiful… like wow.. like model pretty.“ you have to swallow, of course she’s beautiful why would Kendall date you when he could date someone who’s being described as 'model pretty'. You keep it in, joke around with her but when time for dinner comes around you tell Laura that you don’t feel well and want to skip dinner tonight. You feel sick to your stomach. Of course you weren’t together and you have no right to be mad or even sad, Kendall has every right to date whoever he wants. But it still hurts you badly.

As you lay on your bed wallowing, you can’t help a few tears escaping from your eyes. You hear a knock on your door, thinking it’s just one of your roommates who forgot their keys you open it and regret it immediately. Kendall is standing in front of you. ”Hey, you okay?" He asks and his eyes are full of worry. Shit, why does he has to care so much. ”Yeah I’m, I’m okay just a stomach ache.“ you say but your best friend was always able to see right through you. He says your name in a soft voice. ”Shouldn’t you be with Leighton?“ you ask and something clicks in Kendall’s mind, he thinks it’s about him not telling you about her. He knows it had happened fast with him and her. A friend introduced him to Leighton, he was still heartbroken and not over you but she was kind and took his mind off of you for a while. He knew it probably wasn’t right to Leighton but he didn’t just use her as a distraction, he does wants to get to know her better.

”I’m so sorry. I know I should have told you about her but we didn’t really talk and I don’t know.“ and he seems genuinely sorry as he looks like a puppy that got yelled at so you have no choice but to accept his apology. Even if you weren’t upset about him not telling you. ”It’s okay.“ you say softly and he asks if you can hug. Hugging Kendall after these past weeks feels better than it should. He stays for the evening watching shitty movies with you and everything goes back to normal after this night. You also try very hard to get over him because if you can’t be with him you still need him as your best friend. That’s why you find yourself at a bar outside of the campus but still very close. You sit next to Stewy, who seems like he doesn’t really like Leighton, Laura sits at the end of the table and the two seats across from you are empty. The three of you are waiting for Kendall and his new girlfriend. Tonight is the night he wants to introduce you all and you didn’t have it in you to bail. Also you think Stewy knows about your feelings because he told you it would be like "ripping of a bandaid.". You see the door open and a really pretty girl with long brown hair comes in. Kendall walks in behind her, waving at you all as he spots your table. ”Here goes nothing.“ Stewy mutters before standing up to greet the new arrivals. ”Hey, I’m y/n.“ you smile at her and she smiles back ”Oh, yeah Kendall told me a lot about you!“ she tells you. ”Oh?“ you say and she smiles a genuine smile ”You’re his best friend right? The one he knew since he was a child?“ she asks and you say ”Yeah, that’s me.“ you smile.

She is actually really kind and funny and interesting. You like talking to her and Kendall seems happy with her.

So you just swallow your feelings, even though you still have feelings for Kendall but what’s the alternative? Fighting with him? Losing him as a friend? No, it will work this way. It has to.

And it does. Your friendship with Kendall turns back to the way it was before you started to sleep together. You were seeing each other alone again.

One day after a class, you were packing your stuff back into your bag after class, when a guy approaches you. ”Hey, you’re y/n, right?“ he asks and you smile and tell him yes. ”I’m Liam. I’ve wondered if you wanted to go out sometime?“ he asks and even though you’re a little surprised you say yes. He’s cute, he has dark curly hair and brown eyes. You can tell that he’s rich but dresses as if he isn’t. One date turns into two and then three and then you two see each other almost everyday. Well, at least the days you don’t spend with Kendall. At the beginning of spring you and Liam become official.

[girlwithamissingpearl]

Here we go again. The criticism of SH’s Sassanach Gin tour is as expected. Not everyone has to like what he does. That’s fair. But that continuing narrative that he takes advantage of his fans? Sorry, but that’s a hard no for me.

Personally I don’t know how the actual fuck he does it. Ten years in and he is still gracious and accommodating to all his fans, even those that cross every line. How is unsolicited groping ever acceptable? I think he is far too affable. But the he’s taking advantage of his fans continues. If all he wanted to do was was an Outlander pump and dump cash grab, not only is he doing it all wrong, he’s working far to hard. Rather than invest his own money and produce a craft product, he could have purchased a house brand equivalent of whisky and gin, and concentrate on labels. Imagine limited edition pumpkin spice, thanksgiving, Christmas, new year’s, Valentine’s Day, shirtless-you get the idea- SH limited edition bottles. I think he’s looking beyond that and trying to build a brand.

There’s also been a lot written about the individual appearances and signings. I would never camp out at midnight to get a place in line, but a 6-8 hour wait? There are a small group of gals that I follow and Dm with, that I would gladly grab a lawn chair and sunscreen and happily take my place in line with. Not sure if they would be as keen, but @khccbc1745, @kiaora45, @harriethattie, @caldineens, @collectido, @ maryofboston, @ Stargazer74 , @andorra97 and many more, who take the time to not only comment, but call me out when I get things wrong(which I have been known to do) you know who you are- I’d wait in line, with any of these women, in a heartbeat. Even though we range in age-40-80- I don’t think we would have a single second of silence. With a group, you take turns getting coffee, snacks, lunch…quick SH selfie, hotel nap, dinner and drinks. I think that’s the part people don’t get when they see the long lines. It’s not for everyone, but it’s also for most a once in a lifetime thing. Go ahead and laugh, a couple of years ago I was the first to make fun of people like me, but scrolling through the fandom has become one of my favourite things to do, and something I don’t have to share with other family and friends that will never understand the joy of all things Outlander and SH😊. The other thing that most people don’t get is that, and I think I can speak not only for myself but the other amazing women in the fandom, we really don’t take each other that seriously. This is fun, and for me definitely a guilty pleasure bc🥸I’m so happy that I have these like minded people I can commiserate with because I just watched the last mid season episode of season 7. How dare they say…to be continued next year. Next year? Ffs.

On a final note, a fun fact. If we didn’t have tickets for tennis, I definitely would have gone to the Scottish festival in Fergus Ontario to see our very own hometown boy CV, and RR and for once be able to post some original pics. Not far from home, I’ve been to the festival in the past- definitely have Scots in the family tree including a competitive bagpiper- and its always fun. I’ve really enjoyed CV as WR in the first part of season 7 and really looking forward to watching his story unfold. But having to wait until next year to watch the second half of season 7, and who knows how long before season 8 airs. Don’t even get me started about DG, and the timeline for the release of book 10. Seriously considering a class action lawsuit for the cruel and unusual punishment inflicted by DG when she said Jamie’s ghost story would be revealed in the last page of book 10. Why DG? Why? On the other hand, I can take my time scrolling, commenting and posting about season 7. If I was a patient person, which I’m not. So for now I’ll make due with the ongoing commentary of how people around the world refer to the “pineapple swim trunks” SH sports in an upcoming episode of MIK 2. Something budgies….🦜🏊‍♂️🩲…

[abbyslev]

𝑯𝑨𝑵𝑮𝑬 𝑾𝑰𝑻𝑯 𝑨 𝑺𝑰𝑵𝑮𝑳𝑬 𝑷𝑨𝑹𝑬𝑵𝑻 𝑯𝑪𝑺

A/N: this idea hit me, and it's been sitting in the docs for a while...plus schools been kicking my ass and I just wanted to feed you guys something <3 thank you for reading angels!

Hange was your co-worker

You and hange became close 

Hange was surprised to find out you had a daughter named Aiko

you were little ashamed, not at your daughter but at the fact that you were a single parent 

Hange is so excited to meet Aiko😭

you set up a play date 

Hange gets all cleaned up and makes a little basket full of kids science books and snacks 

Aiko is all shy 

“Mommy, why do they have an eye patch?”

Hange tells them they actually used to be a pirate and made up stories to get Aiko to warm up to them

Aiko was VERY intrigued 

you three always hang out now

when you ask hange to pick up Aiko from school hanges like “what if we get mcdonald’s… shhhh don’t tell mommy, ok?” 

SPOILS THE SHIT OUT OF AIKO ITS CRAZY 

for christmas Aiko got a million toys from hange 

don’t get me started on Aiko's bday 

hange got aiko mini goggles, a scientist jacket and a mini chemistry set 

does the experiment where you add baking soda and vinegar together 

Hange tells Aiko it could blow the world up just for fun 

Aiko’s like “let’s make mommy blow up😈”

Aiko sleeps in between you and hange <3

hange keeps ALL the artwork aiko gives to them

hanges camera roll is literally just Aiko and you 

if Aiko has school awards Hange will be there for every single one <3

eats lunch w Aiko on their off days

brings Aiko small gifts and trinkets 

their car has a little picture of aiko on the dashboard :) 

another one on the mirror 😓

also a photo of you two in their wallet  <3

has memorized all of Aiko’s allergies, favorite shows, favorite toys and more 

hange was a colorful, beaded bracelet that says “Hamgee” because Aiko doesn’t know any better bruh😭

hange will make dinner when you work late and just hang out with Aiko

you love coming home to Aiko sleeping on the couch with Hange holding onto her 

hanges home screen is Aiko and you at the beach 

hange has a backpack with a change of clothes, snacks, water, shoes, hair ties, bandaids and everything else :( 

sobbing hange is a 10/10 parent

[fangirlingfromdownunder]

25th Day of Christmas

Christmas Dinner in the Bunker

Pairing - Dean Winchester x Reader 

A/N: Merry Christmas everyone! This story brings us to the conclusion of my advent calendar for 2023! I hope you all enjoyed whichever parts you read. Thank you to everyone who read, liked, reblogged and/or commented on any of the stories. I love and appreciate you all!

Christmas Masterlist | Masterlist

Dean designated himself as the Bunker’s head chef almost as soon as they found it and moved it. He spent the first few weeks nesting; he cooked so many different meals. Even now, he still tries out new recipes for you and Sam to try whenever you’re all home from hunts. Tonight though, it’s special. Being Christmas, Dean wants to cook up a big feast and do Christmas properly. To do it, he asked you to be his sous chef. Despite your limited cooking knowledge and experience, you’re excited to spend more time acting domestic with your boyfriend.

As he insisted on starting early, you’re standing at the sink washing up your dishes from lunch while Dean gets everything he needs and places it on the bench. 

“So, what are we cooking?” you ask as you let out the dirty dishwater and pick up a tea towel. 

“The most amazing Christmas feast this Bunker has ever seen!” he states grandly, holding his arms out and spinning around.

“I get that…But what are some of the dishes in the feast?”

“Well, firstly, we gotta make and roast the turducken.”

“Are you sure about that? Remember the last…”

“This is the Dean Winchester turducken; it’s nothing like the Dick Roman turducken. It’ll be fine.”

You hold your hands up in surrender. “Okay, chef.”

“Good girl, stop questioning the head chef. Have I ever cooked anything you didn’t like?”

“Well…there was that one time…”

“That wasn’t my fault, I was drunk.”

“You’re always drunk.”

“I’ll have you know I haven’t had more than one drink in a sitting in weeks.”

“And how many a day is that?”

Despite you trying to keep a teasing tone, Dean starts to worry that you have a problem with his drinking habits. His previously excited demeanour starts to wane. “I guess, I can try to cut back again…”

You place the dry plate on the bench and wrap him in your arms. You kiss his cheek and lips. “I was just teasing. I’m sorry. I don’t mind how much you drink really. You’re not impaired when it matters. We’ve already worked through this, Dean. Your drinking habits are fine, I’m sorry for upsetting you. Where’s my excited chef gone?” You smile and kiss him again to try and bring the sparkle back to his eyes.

He smirks and then kisses you again deeply, his tongue fighting against yours. His hands grip your waist and ass. “Or we could have a different dinner…” he says as he pulls back.

“Let’s save that for a second dessert. We need to cook first, chef.”

Dean nods, now much happier again. He starts by taking the store-bought boneless birds out of their packaging. “Come here and hold the duck,” he says.

He guides your hands to show you where he needs you to hold while he stuffs the chicken inside. After much struggle, you repeat the process with the duck and turkey. Dean fiddles around with it for a bit on the tray before cleaning his hands. He then tasks you with chopping the vegetables for the roast. At first, you’re surprised he wants veggies, but it is his Christmas feast and he’s currently pouring stock over three birds and basting them. Also, you both know Sam won’t touch the bird, so there has to be something for him. Once you finish cutting the veggies, Dean takes over, parboiling them before laying them out on a separate tray and placing them in the oven alongside the turducken. 

With the roast in the oven, he starts on the gravy while he has you clean up and start on the apple pie – because it’s not a Dean Winchester Christmas without pie. You already prepared the crust earlier in the morning as you knew it needed time to chill. So you start on the apples. Dean may be an amazing cook, but you once spent a whole week trying, failing and finally perfecting your apple pie recipe for his birthday one year. So now, that’s your speciality. 

Once he finishes with the gravy he wraps his arms around you from behind. “Now I can be your sous chef for a second. How can I help, Sweetheart?”

“Finish chopping these for me, while I do the sauce.”

He kisses your neck as his hand slowly slides down your arm to take the knife from you. “Okay, chef,” he whispers in your ear, leaving another kiss on your earlobe just before you pull away. 

You focus on the sauce, whisking it constantly until it finally gets to the right consistency. By that time all the apples are finely sliced and in a bowl. You instruct Dean to add the cinnamon and toss them as you cover them in the sauce. He then prepares your surface with flour as you retrieve the prepared and chilled crust. You then roll it out as Dean openly checks you out. He’s especially transfixed by the way your cleavage shows and bounces as you roll the pin forward on the bench. 

“I could watch this show all day,” he says with a smirk. 

You ignore him as you transfer the crust to the pan. “Show’s over, get back to work. Put the filling in there while I make the lattice top.”

Dean follows your instructions but still sneaks looks over at you as you roll out the second crust for the top. As you put the perfectly woven top on, Dean whisks the egg and water for the top. You then finish by painting the egg wash over the top. You place the prepped pie on the side while you wait for the roast. 

Dean tries to distract you by kissing you and attempting to lift you on the messy bench but you place your hands on his chest. “We can’t burn the food. Let’s clean up here.”

He groans but helps you wipe down the benches and do the dishes while you wait for the oven timer to go off. 

Once he finally pulls the roast out of the oven, you inspect it proudly. But when you take a step back you realise it’s only one meal. It’s more than enough for the three of you, and certainly the best Christmas dinner you’ve ever shared, but it’s not as grand as you were expecting. But you keep your thoughts to yourself, not wanting to upset your unusually cheerful boyfriend. 

While the roast cools a little, Dean sets the table with the fanciest plates, cups and cutlery he can find. You place the pie in the oven and reset the timer. Then you help Dean with the table. You place a candle in the middle and surround it with tinsel to give it a more festive look. Dean then slices the meat while you go and find Sam and let him know that dinner is ready. 

Dean gets out the finest whisky he can find and pours a little in each glass as you and Sam take a seat. You all serve your own food; Sam even surprises you by trying the bird – even if it is only a sliver of turkey from the edge. You all eat in a comfortable quiet, filled only with a few compliments of the food. You can’t help but think this is the best Christmas ever. You wouldn’t dream of spending anywhere or with anyone else. If this is how the rest of your Christmases play out, you’ll be content. 

The boys help pack up the leftover bird and do the dishes while you take the pie out of the oven and cool it. You cut it and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 

[izvmimi]

“Do you think these are enough?” 

Izuku joins you mulling over a batch of about 8 large crepes you’ve made over the past hour, pressing his chin onto your shoulder.

“There’re only 6 of us, though,” he points out. “You have more than enough.”

“What if someone messes one up?” you point out, turning to him. He tilts his head to the side, eyebrows furrowed.

“How do you mess up a crepe?” he asks, his tone nevertheless sympathetic. You murmur something about spreading whipped cream too eagerly but realize he’s probably right, pursing your lips as you put foil over the crepes and gather your smorgasbord of toppings together. 

Today you’re having the smallest of potlucks, joining up with the #2 and #3 Heroes at Katsuki’s home for an early dinner/lunch, and you’re thankful that your treats stay hot in the short trip to his apartment. It’s cozy and warm, and Katsuki makes it to the door in reindeer ears and fuzzy socks, and glares at you before you can start laughing.

“Merry Christmas!” His girlfriend says quickly, bumping him to the side to see you and quickly taking your gifts out of your hands. She replaces it quickly with a wrapped box and rushes you in, and Shoto and his partner wave at you from their seats on the couch, their warm alcoholic drinks on the coffee table still steaming. 

“We should probably start with the crepes before they get soggy,” you insist, and the group agrees. You watch in horror as Katsuki eats a crepe doused in hot sauce, but thankfully his girlfriend is more sensible with marshmallow fluff and a small drizzle of Nutella. You eat yours plain as does Shoto, who nods at you in understanding, and his love adds a healthy serving of blueberries and whipped cream to theirs. Izuku covers his in far too many strawberries and dollops of Nutella and offers you some.

“I think they taste better without toppings,” you insist, pouting. He shrugs as if to tell you “suit yourself” but kisses you on the forehead before eating. Shoto’s partner, also noticing Bakugou’s atrocity of a dessert, makes a look of mild discomfort but says nothing. 

As you sit close to Izuku, resting your head on his shoulder as Shoto tells a hilarious story despite his deadpan expression, you think of how Izuku considers crepes the perfect date food, then remember that dates don’t always have to be romantic, and this could be a date amongst the six of you, the joining of hearts on Christmas over a little warm crepe.

[mossy-thing]

I've written something wholesome for a change! You can read it here or on ao3!

Bugs and Potatoes

Rated G

Modern au, kids being weird (and cute. And anxious. And autistic), implied/referenced selfharm in a very non self hateful kind of way (more in a curious kid kind of way but i thought it was important to mention nonetheless)

“I’ve made a friend!!”

Lúthien is jumping around her in circles, making it very hard to get to the bird feeder, but Melian only smiles, not even trying to get her vibrating daughter to calm down. “Really?”, she asks, smiling.

“Yesyesyes! His name is Beren, he has really funny hair and we shared lunch by the swings today and I talked about bugs and now we are friends!”

“That is nice, dear.”

It does not seem like she will get to feed the birds today, since Lúthien has gone over to clinging to her so hard that Melian nearly worries her daughter might snap one of her rips. A nightingale is staring her down accusatory from a nearby branch, no doubt waiting for her dinner. Melian pets Lúthien’s hair.

“I can’t wait to meet him. Why don’t you go tell your father?”

Lúthien beams, presses a kiss to Melian’s side and runs off into the house at a speed that seems like it should be impossible to reach for a six year old. Melian sighs, and picks up the bucket of seeds she has dropped under the ambush that is her daughter. It will be a nightmare to get her to go to sleep tonight.

Lúthien waits anxiously by the swings, twisting her hair between her fingers so she won't start eating it. Beren said he would be here at lunchtime like the day before, but lunchtime is 12am and according to the wristwatch she got for christmas, it is now two minutes past 12 am. She tries not to worry. Beren smiled at her yesterday. He told her he liked her bug facts. They were the nice bug facts, too, she had not even mentioned caterpillars dissolving in cocoons because Daeron had told her that made a terrible first impression. She had talked about mimicry. Mimicry wasn’t boring and it wasn’t gross, and Beren had smiled at her, so why wasn’t he here now?

Lúthien thinks briefly of going over to the grass patch at the other side of the playground so she can pick up daisies with her toes, which is always very nice, but if she leaves the swings now, he might not find her if he comes, when, when he comes because he is coming, he promised.

She wants to take off her socks, but the problem is that she already has. She stretches her toes as she rocks up and down on her feet. Can she take off her skin? What do feet look like if you remove the skin? Papa would know. He always knows these kinds of things.

Lúthien waits. A red haired child jumps onto one of the swings. She grits her teeth. They didn’t even ask first! Isn't it obvious that she is waiting for someone? She tries to think of something else while also trying to ignore the squeaking of the swings, which is way worse when you aren't the one swinging and having fun.

How would she even remove the skin from her feet? Would it hurt? It probably would, she had fallen before her dancing lessons last week and skinned her knees, and that had hurt very much. But that had been an accident. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt if she did it on purpose. If she was prepared.

“Hi!”

“How would you get the skin off your feet?”

She blinks. Beren, who looks like he has just run from somewhere quite far away and is still trying to catch his breath, blinks as well.

“What?”, he says in the same moment as she says “Sorry,” and now they are staring at each other, and it is uncomfortable, and oh, this was a bad idea, maybe she really can’t make friends and now he is going to run away like Daeron said he would if she talked about cocoons, because this is worse than cocoons, isn’t it, and why hasn’t she realized that before and –

“I guess with a knife?” Beren looks very confused. “Why would I do that though?”

“Forget it,” she blurts, happy that he hasn’t run away screaming yet. “We can’t use the swings today,” she adds, pointing at the child still merrily blocking them from swinging side by side like they did yesterday. “Oh.” He chews on his lower lips.

“There is a stone at the pond,” he says very carefully, and then he stops talking. Lúthien looks at her maybe-still-friend, who seems to have completely lost his train of thoughts, and when she is sure he won’t start talking again on his own, she pokes his arm. He startles, and she says “Sorry,” and he says “Please don’t touch me,” and she apologizes again, and then, when she has just come to the conclusion that now he definitely will run away, he blurts out, “There is a stone at the pond with a bunch of ants under, I know because my little sister keeps trying to eat them, do you want to go there and watch how they carry their eggs around it is really cool,” and she says “Yes” far too loud because his hands fly up to his ears for a second, but then he grins and she grins too, so hard that she is sure her cheeks will split, and he carefully takes the sleeve of her blue shirt and the two run off together.

“I think I would boil the feet first,” Beren says as they walk past the benches where their parents sit fifteen minutes later, covered in mud and pond water. “That way the skin can come off more easily. Like potatoes, you know?”

Lúthien, who is in a very similar state, scrunches up her face in disgust. “I hate potatoes.”

Beren laughs. “Me too.”

[halfmoondaze]

Wait so I commented this but I actually would love if you could do this because I love your writing so much. But of course you don’t have to but it’s here if you want to.

Maybe like daddy daughter day with him dropping her off at school and promising an ice cream date and picking her up after school with a new doll or something and then getting ice cream and then maybe they have like movie night and she says I love you daddy before going to bed because she hasn’t said it before or something like that

First Day Of School

Today was Aitana’s first day of school. To say you were nervous was an understatement.

She’s been growing so fast. It felt bittersweet. You didn’t know exactly what to feel. It seemed like it was yesterday when you held her in your arms for the first time, and now she was off to her first day of school.

You woke up early that morning and made her favorite, butter pecan pancakes.

Then you gently knocked on her door and open it.

Aitana was wide awake sitting in her bed with all her curly hair all over her face.

“Good morning princess”

She smiled at you.

“Good morning mommy”

You walked to her bed and kneeled beside her.

“Ready for your first day of school?”

“Yeah!” she said while bouncing in her bed.

After giving her a shower, doing her hair, and putting her in her uniform, you sat her in the living room as she watched cartoons while you made her breakfast.

You were placing the finished pancakes on her plate when you felt a strong pair of arms wrap around your waist.

“Smells good in here” he said while kissing your temple.

“Good morning handsome” you said turning to look at him.

“Hey, good morning” he kissed your lips.

“Someone’s excited” he said referring to Aitana.

“You have no idea” you turned to look at her from afar as she was giggling at the TV. “She’s growing so fast”

“Tell me about it” he smiled.

“Oh, don’t forget you have to pick her up by 12”

He smiled at her.

“I know, don’t worry, I clear up my schedule for the rest of the day. This is…..my first time spending the day with her” he said feeling proud of himself.

You smiled at him.

Soon it was 12 and Jack found himself standing at the school entrance waiting for Aitana in the small crowd of parents who were also waiting for their children.

“Daddy!” Aitana exclaimed the moment she spotted Jack as she started running towards him.

When she jumped into his arms he picked her up.

“Hey bubs, I missed you”

“I missed you too, daddy” she kissed his cheek.

“Did you have fun?”

“Yeah”

“What was your favorite thing you did at school today?”

“Painting”

“You painted?”

“Yeah”

“Can I see it?”

“Yeah”

She took out a drawing from her backpack and handed it to Jack. It was a drawing of a tiger she colored with markers and crayons.

“Did you paint this?” he said impressed as she managed to not paint outside the lines.

She nodded proudly.

“I love it. What sound does it make?”

“Rawr!” she imitated with funny gestures.

“I love it. I’m so proud of you Aitana” he kissed the top of her head.

“Thank you, daddy” she said hugging him tightly.

“Mommy said we could spend the rest of the day together. So, what did you have in mind?”

“We can do whatever I want?”

“Whatever you want”

Her reaction was something he would have liked to capture in a picture. It was like watching a child on Christmas morning. She could contain her excitement and was jumping up and down.

First, they had lunch at her favorite pizza place and then they went to get ice cream. But on the ride back home, she fell asleep.

When he arrived back home holding her small school backpack on his shoulder and Aitana in his arms who was currently asleep; you had just finished making dinner, and you started walking to the foyer.

“Aw she fell asleep. How did it go?” you asked as you took her into your arms.

“She was so happy. She brought a drawing she made, and she made lots of friends”

“Oh I wish I could’ve been there” you said starting to get emotional.

Jack smiled to himself and pulled you into a hug.

“Hey, it's ok”

“I’m sorry, it’s just…I just can’t believe she’s already in Pre-K”

“I know, she’s growing before our eyes”

You pulled away and looked at him.

“Thank you”

“For what?”

“For being there”

He smiled at her.

“Always” he kissed her.

[tpperwre]

MEMORABLE MOMENTS IN DECEMBER

December has its own unique feeling, and for me, it’s a time filled with gratitude, family, and faith. Even though we don’t celebrate Christmas in the traditional sense, December is still a special month with moments that bring us closer together and remind us of what truly matters. Here are some of those moments that stand out.

WEATHER

One of my favorite things about December is the cool weather. After months of warm days, the air finally turns fresh and cool, which is such a welcome change, and I get to wear layering clothes. This cooler breeze has a way of lifting your spirits and makes it nice to spend time outdoors with family and friends. For us, it’s a reminder to appreciate the beauty in each day that God has given us.

FAMILY

December is when everyone seems to have a little more time, and we often come

together for simple meals and quiet moments. Whether we’re sharing a favorite dish, watching a family movie, or just talking late into the night, it’s a month that gives us those moments of closeness that get harder to find during the rest of the year. Family gatherings are thing I look forward to. Whether it’s a simple lunch after church or a dinner with extended family, these moments remind us of the blessings we have. My fondest memories are those spent around the table, listening to stories from my grandparents or playing with the kids in the family.

In 2019, we were able to gather freely with my family. December was full of get-togethers, laughter, and good food. My favorite memory was a game night with everyone at home, playing old board games and laughing until late. It was such a fun, simple night that brought us all closer.

2020 was a quieter December. With fewer people around, we celebrated at home and kept things simple. One memory that stands out is a video call with family members who couldn’t be with us. We shared stories, jokes, and tried to make each other laugh, even over the screen. It wasn’t the same as being together, but it still felt special.

Looking back at 2019 and 2020, it’s clear how much those years taught me about the importance of family, resilience, and appreciating the small things. In 2019, we enjoyed big gatherings and laughter with family and friends. It was a time of togetherness, filled with warmth and ease. 2020 brought quieter celebrations as we stayed home and connected with loved ones in new ways. Although it was challenging, it helped us find joy in simplicity and made us grateful for even the smallest moments of connection. Both years left lasting memories—one full of togetherness, and the other a reminder to cherish what we have.

December is also a month of reflection and prayer. As the year comes to an end, it made me look back and think about everything that has happened. For my family, we use this time to thank God for His guidance and blessings, and to pray for strength in the coming year.

Finally, it’s the little things, like setting up decorations or simply enjoying the cooler weather that make December special. These small moments don’t require much, but they fill my hearts with peace and gratitude. Spending time with family, doing good for others, and strengthening our faith make this month rich with meaning, even without the traditional holiday trappings.

For us, December may not be about traditional Christmas celebrations, but it is a month filled with peace, family, and faith. It’s these small, meaningful moments that make December a truly special time for us.

[ultimateaclrecovery]

Japan day 3

We out to Arashiyama on the west side of kyoto where we saw the bamboo grove, the temple gardens at Tenryu-ji, which were my favorite gardens. They were so pretty and so tranquil (we were there really early)

After we hiked out to the monkey park where there where so so many monkeys

We then took a bus to the saihoji temple or the moss temple. We got there before our reservation time so did a quick hike into another bamboo forest (and some city views after a very steep climb) and also saw this pretty bridge.

When we went in we started by copying sutras in the temple and then got to explore the beautiful gardens

We grab lunch and then head over to the golden temple

After the golden temple we get dinner at a place that does kyoto home cooking.

All the food of the day

Lunch was my favorite of pork cutlets rice and sauce but so so so good.

Dinner we got a sampler platter sake and purple French fries! The beer came in this hilarious glass.

And then for dessert we got taiyakis which are fish shaped custards and I was very excited.

Overly long travel diary

Anthony paid 500 each for temple garden

Anthony paid 500 each for temple garden

I paid 1000 Anthony 200 for monkey park

Bamboo forest. Supposedly over hyped but still very cool. Fun how it got dark in the forest.

Ryaku Temple gardens, lots of pretty leaves and a pond with koi fish

We are there so early that we see a lot of people working hard to maintain the gardens. It’s pretty empty of most people and very serene

We pause for breakfast in a little playground with a picnic bench. After I finish eating I go down the concrete slide. It’s funish but I tell anthony it was the most fun.

Hike up to the monkey park. There were so so many monkeys just hanging about. I loved seeing all of the babies and the younger ones playing. They would knock each other out of trees and chase each other around and hang off the fence ropes. You could feed them through an inside grate but we decided not to do this. Because it was up high we also got a great view of the city and surrounding mountains.

Then we head off by bus to the moss gardens. We were early so we headed off to a little hike where we saw more bamboo forest and went up straight vertical stairs and tree root stairs to more fun views. It was nice to basically have it all to ourselves and it was pretty. The leaves are just starting to change and some of them are such vibrant reds.

Then we went into the moss temple. You start by coping sutra at little tables. They give the calligraphy pen and a paper to trace and instructions that also give you the translation. I really enjoy it although my foot falls asleep. Then we walk around the gardens. They tell you not talk and it’s very tranquil. The ground is full of moss and there’s a pond in the center and a scattering of trees. There’s also adorable little bridges going across the pond to an island in the center. We take lots of pictures and enjoy the scenery.

I’m glad we got more snacks today.

Lunch 2970 for both

3000 yen to ic card

200 yen from Anthony to ring the bell. And then I get a postcard too. I like ringing the bell although I didn’t do very hard, I had been wanting to ring the bell after seeing so many so it’s nice to get to do in what is clearly an allowed way.

Golden temple

Anthony paid 500 yen entry each for both of us.

The temple is so gold and shiny. TKe terrible selfie pictures.

I get a golden temple keychain that I’ll use as a Christmas ornament for 400 yen

We then grab the bus back. We don’t make it on the first bus too full, but then we get seats on the next bus five minutes later which is way better anyway.

We try to find a bar from our saved list but are unsuccessful. We then wander for awhile trying to find a place that is both good looking and doesn’t have a long wait. We settle at a place that supposedly does Kyoto home cooking. We get a little sampler plate, vegetable tempura and French fries that turn out to be purple and are my favorite. The sampler has salad, tofu, chicken, some kind of fish and a potato salad that is sweet. We also get sake wine to go with it. We’re still hungry so we order more chicken and some rice balls.

After we get desert that is a fish shaped pastry filled with custard called taiyaki. It is so cute and I love it. My bf found a place that sold them just for me. We also walk around nishi market. It’s really cool but towards the end I definitely get overwhelmed by all the colors and sheer number of stores.