#also. your sibling is a GENIUS…….. big brained behavior if you ask me like this sukugo is sooooooo cute

[gothsuguru]

@twentyfivemiceinatrenchcoat

request from sibling

[goodpeachtea]

𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘, 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘪𝘥. (𝟎𝟏)

Summary: People could say that Baby was crazy, so they could say that hell is more preferable than spending a day with her. Baby agreed. But no one could say that the girl was not a genius or that she was like everyone else. Baby Jones was special - yes, she could be a nicer special type, but anyway, special.

Couple: Spencer Reid x OC.

Words: 3.9K

Warnings: Cigarettes, mention of murder, slightly PTSD, language.

Author’s Note: In case you want to know, the fanfic starts in the middle-end of the third season - and I hope it goes to infinity and beyond! Many of the cases we will see here are original (including the one briefly mentioned in the first chapter). Hope you like it :)

➤ MASTERLIST.

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             (𝟎𝟏). 𝖳𝖧𝖤 𝖡𝖤𝖦𝖨𝖭𝖭𝖨𝖭𝖦 𝖮𝖥 𝖳𝖧𝖤 𝖤𝖭𝖣.

   JINGLE BELLS PLAYED IN THE BACKGROUND. Children laughed, adults toasted and Baby Jones felt this strange discomfort in her chest as she turned the pages of Alice in Wonderland. The child wanted to be reading one of the "grown-up" classics but was caught trying to reach David Copperfield, causing an accident that involved Les Misérables falling on her head - that experience could be compared to being hit by a brick. December 25th was a big day for the Jones family (more than it was for the other families). The unique and loved Baby was born in Christmas and, as much as she didn’t aprecciated much events like that at a young age, even the most distant cousins came from afar to celebrate the mix of birthday with Christmas.

   Baby could have sworn she saw figures out the window, but supposed it was just in her head. Before turning her eyes to the book she was reading, she observed all of her family members as happy as ever - almost as if they knew that this would be the last party they were going to celebrate - with a slight smile and noticed her parents approaching. "We have a gift for you, dear," said her mother Marie Ann.

– I have to admit that I was totally against it, but your sister is good with sweet talk, no wonder she is a lawyer. – Said her father, Thomas Jones, pointing to Baby's older sister, who smiled and gave a little thumbs up (after playing an important role in the accident that led to Baby's name, the smart Amelie always insisted in pampering the peculiar child).

   The eight-year-old Jones smiled, realizing that the gift was a book the second she put her eyes on the package. She opened the red package slowly, loving to see the suffering in the eyes of those who waited anxiously to see her reaction. She opened her mouth in genuine surprise when she saw David Rossi's book in her hands, thanking her parents and siblings who watched her from afar. The girl had wanted that book for a long time, but her parents insisted that it was worrying for a girl her age to read a book about serial killers.

   The Jones were not nearly the perfect family, but they were a good family. They were extremely genuine and fun, and their children couldn't be much different. The oldest was Amelie, 26 years old. She was extremely studious and hardworking, but when she met her family, Mellie was the same old goofy and good sister and daughter. Then there was Owen. The computer genius was 21 years old and was a problem for his neighbors, but everyone who approached him enough could only see kindness and fun in the Jones children. The youngest of the family was AJ (short for Alexander Jones, but he decided to hate the name early). The little one was only five, but it was the family's energy boost, always playing pranks and cheering others up.

   Then there was Baby left. Nobody could understand her very well (and that was reason enough to send her to the psychologist early) and she didn't seem to care that much. It was a fact that the second youngest in the Jones family was loved by her family, but that did not stop her strange behavior from always standing out.

   And everything changed in a snap. The night of December 25 until 20:11 that was perfect suddenly turned into Hell. And suddenly, "bang!", the beginning of the end.

   The only Jones gasped, and with wide eyes she rose from the bed, sighing heavily. Her brain quickly processed that it was all just a goddamn dream tormenting her again, causing teenage Jones to swallow, closing her eyes in relief and wiping the cold sweat from her forehead and neck. She looked at the digital clock on her head table, seeing the numbers 4:18AM flashing red (so she blew out a surprised breath, noting that she managed to sleep more than usual).

   Baby opened her windows and checked that her door was locked, thanking that today Sophie decided that she would want to sleep with the other children. Jones tied her red hair awkwardly, opening her desk drawer and under her coat she found the pack of cigarettes she shouldn't be using, taking out a lighter from the same place and throwing herself on the bed, lighting a cigarette and looking at the ceiling .

   The teen took the first drag and as she blew out the smoke, her heart calmed down and for a moment no part of her mind was in 10 years ago, the nightmare of just now being slightly forgotten. Jones hated being part of statistics, but what could she do when she went through times of crisis? She didn't drink hidden or smoke in the corners because other teenagers did, Baby did it because she needed to - or at least she thought she did.

   She closed her eyes in anger and tightened her jaw when between a drag and another flashes of the final days of 1997 invaded her head. Baby jumped up from the bed, pausing for a second before punching her mirror, thinking about the noise it would cause, waking up all the inhabitants of the Sunshine Orphanage - the ironic thing is that Jones' days there always felt like rainy days. The girl took her battered backpack and stuffed her pack of cigarettes with her other items, sneaking out the window.

   It was usual for Baby Marie to do that, to try to escape from her reality. She never managed to be very successful on that mission, but that didn't stop her from trying again and again. Baby always arrived before the women who looked after her got up, not wanting bars on her window. The girl sighed as she walked the dark streets of Washington, heading toward a lonely, quiet corner where her chances of being murdered increased. But for her, the feeling was that dawn was always safer. That was the time of peace that the redhead would have, after having to put up with noisy children, adolescents in internal combustion and her own brain devoid of any distraction.

   The little 17-year-old found herself in a park a few minutes later, avoiding children's toys and places where drunks tend to pass. She also ignored the copy of David Copperfield in her backpack, looking away and just searching for the anatomy book she picked up from the library. She spent a long time there, clearing her mind and although sleepy, more awake than ever. The only thing that distracted her from her inner peace that lasted a few minutes was the ringing of her old cell phone and the name David Rossi on her broken screen.

– Rossi? Why are you calling me? – An angry teenager grumbled in her cellphone, rubbing her dark circles and curious about the subject that the longtime acquaintance wanted to talk about. – It's fucking 5AM.

– I know you were already awake and I kinda need your help, kiddo.

   David Rossi sighed, not believing he was going to do that. Baby, in the other side, gave up of her grumpy behavior and smiled, knowing how that conversation would end. She bit her lips and hoped that the most evil of the evil criminals would be out there, killing lots and lots of people - and Baby could try, but she would not feel any kind of remorse about her thoughts. "I heard you are back in the business. Tell me about it, Italy, what can I do to save your and Gideon's ass?".

– Gideon it's not in the BAU anymore, Baby. – He told, looking around to make sure no one was listening to his phone call.

– Oh, crap. But okay, boo-hoo. Moving on, let's talk about dead bodies and serial killers.

   Rossi almost laughed of Baby's behavior, because it would be funny if it wasn't sad. Baby was, after all, an almost eighteen-years-old which the happiest part of the day was imagining what bloody crimes she could solve - or commit, depending on her mood. The only Jones couldn't feel sorry for Jason Gideon farewell, even if she was alive because of him or if he made her life a little bit more happy (or rather, less unhappy) asking for help when his cases entered a dead-end.

– That will count as a "S.O.S BABY"? – David said smiling, making the young girl laugh a little. – Yeah, Gideon left me a note that explained the conditions for me.

– And he told you that if you guys used one more of those I would maybe be joining you as the youngest F.B.I agent?

– Actually, the note said that you would try to trick me when we still have five S.O.S's left. – Baby cursed the old man, while Rossi tried to figured out what could he do when his chances where actually over.

   Baby made a deal with Gideon, that's what this whole "S.O.S BABY" was all about. Jones was special, she could think as the unsub, and as the victim. He needed help, she needed a reason. When the profiler did fifty phone calls to the teenager, she would have a chance to prove herself capable of - breaking all the possible rules - making part of the F.B.I. Everything about it was wrong: first, Baby should be protected by the Bureau, not part of it; second, she cannot even drink legally, she is a child; third, would it be responsible to put someone with serious psychological problems holding a gun? Jason Gideon didn't put a lot of thought when he agreed with that deal, and now the problem was in the hands of David Rossi.

– Now, you wanna help me or not?  

   Some of the other FBI agents couldn't help but notice the oldest of them suddenly withdrawing, calling someone - almost like calling a dealer, looking sideways and reluctantly - and referring to that person as "baby". The famous David entered the sheriff's office in Rosenberg, Texas and closed the blinds, raising more suspicions among members of the Behavior Analysis Unit team.

   “Did you hear what I heard?”, asked JJ, smiling broadly and exchanging shrewd looks with Derek and Emily. “It looks like the fourth Miss Rossi is coming!”, laughed the handsome Morgan, while Reid arrived without knowing what was happening and asking why they were laughing.

– It´s adult talk, kid. –  Emily teased, ruffling the taller boy's hair, who grimaced and mumbled something about him not being a child. – I have to say, I didn't expect to hear Rossi call a woman "baby". It's quite young for him, isn’t it? 

   The subject soon changed when technical analyst Penelope Garcia arrived with bad news regarding the research she had done for the case. Again, that case was clueless and more difficult to resolve than ever. The unit chief, Aaron Hotchner, approached when he noticed the expressions of defeat of the four BAU agents regarding the case of men of different social status and equally handsome being brutally murdered by stab wounds and being left in random places in the city in the southern United States.

   "I got something," David S. Rossi announced, leaving the office excitedly after spending a lot of time inside, while the rest of the team discussed theories that were soon refuted. "I think that our unsub is actually a women. Well, kinda. It was right in front of us the whole time!"

– We have already discussed the possibility of our unsub being a woman, David. It is impossible, all men were physically fit. – Aaron said, sighing and annoyed that they weren't getting a result.

   Rossi ignored what his boss said, remembering the smart point of view that Baby Jones provided him. “When we went to visit Mrs. Wilson's office, the wife of the fourth victim and the psychologist of the second one, we recorded her statement, remember? Her husband had not yet been murdered and she did not want to leave her office”, Hotch, the one who were at the interview with the brand new suspect, agreed.

– Yes, she looked quite shocked up that her patient was murdered.

– And maybe she was quite of an actress. – David suggested, carefully examining the record they had about Mrs. Wilson. –  Me and... I watched the recording again and a detail caught my attention: doctors, like a psychologist, display diplomas on walls and shelves, where patients can see them. It causes an immediate feeling of respect and trust. The family photos, however, are on the table, sometimes even hidden in the drawer, just for the doctor to see. It is an involuntary action, nobody wants mentally unstable people watching their life, their family. But look at Ms. Wilson's office, photos of her children at the table, facing her, while photos of her husband - and her husband alone - are on display everywhere, in the most eye-catching spots possible. Look at this! Who puts a 12 by 12 inch portrait of the spouse on the office wall?

– Yeah, I thought that was weird too, but that doesn't mean she is a murderer. We knew that her husband was possessive and abusive, he was jealous of all the people around her. It is perfectly possible that he told her to put those pictures like that so that her patients would know that, well, "she already belonged to someone".

   “I don’t think so. My point is that Linda Wilson was directing the anger of one of her patients to Mr. Wilson“. Everyone stopped for a minute and thought about the theory, seeing the picture filled with theories and crime scene photos, along with the documents, and seeing that it might actually be right.

– But what about the other victims? – The Special Agente Jareau asked, pointing to the pictures of the men hanging on the board.

– Distractions. Mrs. Wilson is an extremely intelligent woman. If only her husband were killed, suspicions would fall on her right away.

   “I trust you, Dave. Morgan and Prentiss, bring Linda Wilson to the police station, say we need to ask some questions”, ordered Hotch, the pair waving quickly and heading for the black SUV. “JJ and I are going to get a warrant to get everything Doctor Wilson has about her patients. You and Reid stay here and review what we already have, try to find more things that point to our suspect or anything that will help us find the killer”.

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA - EIGHT HOURS LATER.

   Baby Jones was never the most adored girl in school. It was not a matter of popular and outcast, blond and brunette, intelligence or ignorance. It was a matter of Baby was a fucking pain in the ass. Jones knew. She knew that everyone around her hated her. And what could she do? She liked it.    See, don't get me or Baby wrong. What could I say besides the pure truth about the girl who moves our pages? The fact that she is so stupidly annoying, rude and is a horror movie tucked into 5 feets and looks of a fairy. It is difficult for anyone to describe how horrible Baby Jones is, but, my dear reader, I will do everything to show the indescribable annoyance of our (not so) beloved young woman.    Everything has a reason. We can't blame Baby for being the devil on earth. She herself says, "Everything I do is for a reason" and who are we to go against a mentally unstable redhead who knows how to shoot. Jones is, after all, one of the only people who have the slightest right to be a little irritating in the face of everything she has been through. Of course, nobody expected her to use this right with such enthusiasm, but my point is: Baby Jones is broken and with fewer screws on her head, try to take it easy.

– Jones, put out that cigarette!

   Baby smiled at the shout from her Physical Education teacher as she passed her high school football court, backpack on her shoulder and cigarette between her lips. He ignored the athletic students going around and the girls playing soccer, looking at Mrs. Smith, the couch.

– Fuck me gently with a chainsaw. – She screamed back at Smith, seeing her head shake, sighing and turning her attention to the students who deserved her concern - deep down, she felt sorry for Baby, but it was easier to feel angry. The students around her looked at the redhead, never ceasing to be surprised by the behavior of the well-known Jones.

   The bad-habits girl patted her jeans pockets when she heard her battered phone ring, knowing who the call was coming from and what the news was. No one else made calls to her, so David Rossi was the only possible name to be on the display of Baby’s cell phone.

   “Did you catch the guy?”, Jones asked, ignoring greetings and good manners (which was somewhat usual). She was always excited to know about cases and thrilled when it was possible for her to help. “Of course we did, bambina! I had your help.”

– Yeah, what was I thinking? Of course you would get the guy with my help. I saved your ass. You and these BAU idiots would be screwed if it weren't for me.

– Always very humble, huh? And respect, girl, these "BAU idiots" may be the ones who will decide your future, if you're going to be an FBI agent. – Rossi warned, his voice low because he was on the jet, next to the agents who (theoretically) were sleeping.

– So, I was right, wasn't I? Let me guess, did the psychologist give steroids to her homicidal patient? – Baby ignored the older man's comment, while walking towards the school entrance.

– How did you...?

   "Try to keep up: depression, anxiety, probably abused by the father. He kills handsome men and someone could interpret it as if he were envious of the victims. But I'm not someone, am I, Rossi? Mistreated by the father, men do not usually make fun of the appearance of other men in this way. No, but they make fun of the lack of "masculinity". He didn't kill these men because he wants to be them, he killed because he was attracted to them”, Baby spoke fast, her reasoning at incredible speed. Dave smiled on the other end of the phone, never failing to feel proud of Baby's skills. “He went to a psychologist looking for help, hating himself and disgusting his sexuality. Linda Wilson, a woman with an attractive but scoundrel husband, saw an opportunity to get rid of her husband once and for all, seeing the unsub's homicidal potential. Instead of giving him tranquilizers or some shit like that, she gave him steroids, leaving the man on edge.”

– You are absolutely right. And the curious thing is that the first victim was in fact homosexual, but the others were straight men that Patrick Thomas, the unsub, believed were trying to attract him, trying to make him sin, when they were not even doing anything.

– I can't say that I don't know what that is. – Baby murmured to herself, pressing her jaw in anger as Rossi heard the comment and felt his heart ache.

   Rossi sighed at the feeling that remained in the air at the girl's comment, even if it wasn't even Jones’s intent to say it out loud. "Baby... you know what day is coming, don't you?", he said on a sigh, reluctantly. He noticed the silence of the call being interrupted twice by the younger woman's shaky voice, who stopped talking immediately, not wanting to show weakness. “Yes”, she spoke simply, never being able to forget the meaning of December 25th.

– I know the emotions that day brings to you and...

– No, you don’t. – Aggressive as ever when the subject was brought up, Baby looked around, always feeling watched when someone starts talking about that 1997 season. – You don’t and we don’t need to talk about it. 

– I’m sorry. But along with... that, comes your birthday. Baby, I know you're pissed at me right now, but we need to talk about it. This year is important, things will change, you will have to find a place to live and I...

– You...?

– I'll try to get you on the FBI. – He whispered reluctantly, knowing the commotion of the little redhead on the other state, happy to know that he softened the previous conversation. – Know that I'm not promising anything. You will probably have to train a lot and start doing ridiculous jobs for your skills, but if you want to be a profiler you have to prove yourself in there. You’re still too young.

   “Trust me, sir, I going to prove that I can beat some sick minds even if I'm cleaning the floor, making coffee or printing papers”, she smiled, feeling more excited by the news. Baby saw children approaching - children from her orphanage that she would have to take “home” - and then sighed, knowing that her life would not be based on what she was good doing for a long time before Rossi took her out of Alexandria, “I need to go”. “Try not to get yourself in too big of a trouble, I don't have the guts to put a delinquent in the Bureau”.

– I can’t promise anything. – The ginger quoted him from earlier, hearing a laugh. – And Rossi...

– Yes, kiddo?

– Hum, I... – Jones bit her lip, gulping and arching her shoulders in discomfort.

– I know, Baby. – It was hard for her, he knew it. – You’re welcome.  

   Spencer Reid really felt guilty about listening to the conversation - or at least, David's part of the conversation. But what could he do? He was lying on the seat of the jet, with his eyes closed and his mind totally active and uncomfortable, he having to fight his desire to go to the bathroom and inject into his vein the Dilaudid he had in the bottom of his bag, without the courage to throw it away.

   The Boy Genius' mind was distracted for a while, curious about the person the experienced Rossi spoke to. He, like the other BAU agents the other day, assumed it was a woman, a secret girlfriend, perhaps. But that didn’t fit, Spencer was irritated by not being able to solve the mystery (and even more irritated by being interested in the personal life of his coworker). The Italian-American called it bambina - was it a dear family member? - and why would he put a family member on the FBI? It was dangerous! On top of that, he spoke of the previous case to her as if it were nothing, as if she already knew.

   Spence bit his lip, glancing at the man looking out the window, getting up slowly. Reid sat across from Dave, smiling weakly. "I overheard, I'm sorry," he murmured, making Rossi smile. Dave wasn't as angry as he thought he would be, the eldest believing that some minimal information shared for the trustworthy Spencer would be no big deal. “Curious?”, the young man nodded.

– For now, she is top secret. But I can tell you that if everything goes as planned, oh, boy, we're screwed.

[misssophiachase]

if you're still taking song prompts for klaroline, how about shawn mendes "if i can't have you"?

Yesssss anon, love this song!

Singer/Songwriter Klaus Mikaelson can’t stop thinking about his ex-girlfriend and childhood best friend Caroline Forbes. His behavior leads his frustrated manager to take drastic action.

If I Can’t Have You

I can’t write one song that’s not about you

“I don’t know who you are anymore.”

Her words still haunted him, even three months later. 

Klaus had returned home to Los Angeles ready to throw himself into writing and determined to try and block out all distractions. 

But then it started.  

It wasn’t a matter of not writing, in fact he’d penned a whole album within six weeks. Klaus thought it was good. It was probably the most honest writing he’d ever done. Unfortunately his manager and record label didn’t agree. They even had the audacity to call him obsessive like some crazed stalker.  

His insomnia was profound after that meeting. On one of those sleepless nights Klaus found himself in his expansive attic at 3am trawling through the numerous cardboard boxes – also known as his past - deciding that for some crazy reason revisiting his childhood would help kickstart the creative process. 

It did at first, the multitude of photos acting as the perfect narration of his high school journey. Kol making goofy faces, Elijah staring at him in the background with disdain, Katherine flashing her bloomers mid-cheer at Homecoming much to Rebekah’s shock and Bonnie lazily reading Ulysses under her favourite tree.  

Then he happened on the next picture. One he knew all too well. Caroline Forbes, his best friend and former girlfriend, dressed as a sexy nurse on Halloween and poking out her tongue. It had been her initial response when he’d asked her to give him mouth-to-mouth. Granted she did later, albeit after much persuasion. 

God he loved her, he probably always would. He decided this revisiting of memory lane was a very bad idea and not at all going to help his current predicament.

It was at that point as the sun began to peek above the horizon he knew exactly what he had to do. Purge her memory including wiping their most recent conversation from his mind and then maybe he could write. 

Easier said than done. 

3 months earlier… 

Can’t drink without thinkin’ about you

“Barman, another whiskey please?” He asked, shaking his glass for extra effect. He needed the liquid courage as everything was unfolding around him. Klaus had missed Boston and his family and best friends but having them come together all at once was slightly confronting. 

Probably his fault for deciding to attend this wedding last minute. His last album had just gone platinum and rather than basking in his success Klaus was already anxious about how he was going to top it.  

“Did you ever think our little Kol would get married?” Katherine’s arm was around his shoulder before he could process it completely. He still hated Katherine because she told Caroline he cried during ET when they were thirteen.

“No one ever thought he’d ever be mature enough to marry,” he joked. “But apparently Esther sent him off to Bonnie with care instructions.”

“Now those I would pay to see,” she teased. “You know seeing your brother married is almost as surprising as seeing his superstar big brother grace us with his presence.”

“It’s not like that Kat and you know it,” he replied gruffly.  “But you did marry Elijah and take his grumpy ass off my hands so I won’t hold it against you.”

She poked out her tongue before replying. “If I was truly an evil sister-in-law I’d tell you just how good Elijah is in bed with his….”

“Yuck, seriously Kat,” he growled, hoping the dozen or so whiskeys he’d consumed wouldn’t make a repeat appearance. “You truly are the devil incarnate.”  

“And just like that we’re back in high school again,” a soothing and familiar voice offered. “Stop playing with him Kitty Kat, he’s out of practice.”

“But it’s just so much fun,” she argued before sending him a knowing wink then gesturing in Caroline’s direction. So not obvious.

It was no secret that his siblings and most people in his hometown held out hope that the prom king and queen would live happily ever after. Unfortunately it wasn’t a realistic scenario, they’d grown apart not only in terms of distance.

“Always the diplomat, love,” he smiled, probably against his better judgment. He’d felt completely out of place but when she’d floated effortlessly down the aisle of the church in nude silk Klaus felt like he was home again. 

“Have you met your family?”

“Touché,” he chuckled, swirling the amber liquid in his glass and trying to ignore just how good she still smelled, a mixture of strawberries and freshly pouring rain. “If I get too drunk later, and forget to say, you truly are the perfect bridesmaid.”

“Why, because I know how to keep the peace between many competing egos? Your sister was especially difficult; anyone would think she was the bride.”

“Nothing ever changes around here,” he mused, not unfamiliar with his little sister’s antics. “No, it’s because you outshone them all, even the bride, just don’t tell Bonnie I said that.”

“So, I’m actually surprised you’re here. I was told you were too busy to come home for the wedding.” Klaus could sense the resentment in her voice.

“I moved a few things around.”

“Well, given it’s your own brother I’m glad you were able to be so flexible.”

“Wow, tell me what you really think, Caroline.”

“Fine, I will,” she offered, before taking a breath obviously about to give him a piece of her mind.

“It was a rhetorical statement,” he growled. “I don’t need a lecture, we’re not teenagers anymore.”

“Well, you could have fooled me,” she huffed. “I’m so proud of you and what you’re doing Klaus but coming back to visit your relatives shouldn’t be just an annual event.”

“I’m sure Esther, Kol, Elijah and Rebekah barely notice my absence, love.”

“You’d be surprised, Kol wasn’t his usual joking-self when he found out his big brother might not be at his wedding.”

“Well, I’m here now.”

“For how long for exactly?

“I, uh, leave tomorrow,” he faltered, his gaze now downcast his drink suddenly very interesting.

“Haven’t you just released your record? Surely they’d allow you some time off?”

“An artist’s work is never done.”

“Why don’t I believe you?” She asked, taking him by surprise and grazing his chin with her forefinger so his gaze returned to hers. Klaus suddenly felt dizzy and not just because of his alcohol consumption. “I really don’t know who you are anymore, Klaus.” 

“I’m still me, sweetheart,” he bit back defensively, completely puzzled and annoyed at the same time. The hardest thing he’d ever done was leave Caroline Forbes. 

“Well, how about staying and we can see if that’s true?” 

“I’d love to, I would, but I really need to get back.” He pulled back his stool and left, worried that her hopeful expression might tempt him to stay and actually force him to have a real adult conversation about his feelings. Klaus really wasn’t ready for that.

Is it too late to tell you that everything means nothing if I can’t have you?

“What is with you, mate?” His manager Enzo offered between songs in the recording studio. “When you went home I thought it would get you out of your funk.”

“Apparently not.”

“You are extremely talented Klaus and as your manager I’m here to support you even when you’re being a total wanker.”

“Wow, tell me what you really think. You’re like the male version of my sister, completely unapologetic and scathing.”

“Mmmm, not sure what I think about being compared to your sister but that’s why you hired me,” Enzo shot back. “You’ve only been able to write about one subject and while I don’t begrudge you a muse there needs to be some variety.”

“I’m trying, believe me,” he promised. 

“Not well enough,” he shot back, gesturing to the studio door and signalling a come here gesture with his fingers. 

“Excuse me?”

“I thought that bringing your biggest distraction here might help.”

“My biggest distraction,” Klaus murmured, his brain working quickly to work out just what he meant. “You didn’t?”

“Well, how was I supposed to lift the spell?”

“You realise having her here will work in the complete opposite way, St John,” Klaus mumbled thinking, not for the first time, his manager wasn’t the smartest person. 

“Calm down princess, she’s here to beat it out of you. Genius right?” 

“What the hell Enzo? She has a really sharp tongue and a mean right hook.”

“Perfect then,” He wasn’t sure what this was until she appeared behind the glass wall in the studio looking even more beautiful than Klaus remembered. “And by the way, it took a lot to get her here given she thinks you’re an arrogant ass. Her words, not mine.”

“I get it Enzo, you are the best manager ever,” he groaned sarcastically. “Any chance we can talk in private?”

They all seemed to scatter, mostly scared that shouting would ensue and Caroline’s famed right hook might be put to the test.  

“You are an arrogant ass,” she offered, propping her feet up on the desk and eyeing him through the glass. “I only say that because I worry about those poor fans of yours who should know better.”

“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you, love.”

“So, why the writer’s block exactly?”

“Straight to the point I see.” 

“Well, some people have lives to save, Mikaelson,” she cocked her head slightly to the left, making Klaus lose all concentration momentarily.

“I’m fairly certain the night you decided to dress as a nurse for Halloween your future vocation was secured and given your caring nature it’s perfect,” he smiled knowingly. “Although I hope your outfit at Mass General isn’t as skimpy as the original version.”

“Why would that be so bad?” 

“I’m thinking about heart attacks for the most part but not gonna lie it also makes me extremely jealous. Call me a caveman but I always hoped that outfit was for my eyes only.” 

“And if it was?” She was now leaning closer towards the glass, her blue eyes seeking out his curiously. 

“I saw that picture the other day,” he replied huskily. “You were in that same costume poking your tongue out at the camera. I didn’t think I’d ever felt so happy.”

“Funny that, I felt the same way. I’ll never forget your fireman suit, even if you were scared of fire.”

“Kol thought it would be a good choice.”

“And that says it all,” she laughed. “So, what exactly am I here for, Mikaelson? What’s this distraction you can’t shake?” 

“Well, I have one huge stumbling block,” he admitted sheepishly. “It’s you.”

“Huh?”

“I can’t stop thinking or writing about you,” he admitted, his eyes finding hers through the glass and secretly hoping that telling the truth would somehow free him. 

She was silent for the most part obviously processing his confession and weighing up whether or not to shout or kick his ass. 

“My manager likes my songs but apparently pining after one person isn’t all that attractive to the general public,” he murmured. 

“You don’t act like that at all,” she answered, “in fact you can barely bring yourself to visit Boston because you’re just too busy for your family and…”

“You’re the reason.”

“I’m sorry?”

“No I’m sorry,” he reiterated. “I’ve always loved you Caroline, probably since Katherine told you I cried during ET at Lucien’s party in the seventh grade, which by the way I so didn’t.”

“Now I feel like I’ve really been transported back in time,” she murmured. 

“I was setting the scene,” he explained, moving closer and placing his hand on the glass just near her lips. “When you and I broke out those turkeys on old man Johnson’s farm prior to Thanksgiving because you decided being vegetarian was a great idea.”

“And it was.”

“For a day,” he grinned, “but I’m sure those turkeys we freed will always be thankful for your generosity.”

“You only liked it because we made out in the field afterwards.”

“Well, I am only human you know, love,” he joked, poking his tongue out through the glass. “But it was when you were named Queen at prom I honestly thought we’d be together forever.”

“But life had a way of intervening,” she murmured, her eyes dipping. “And I don’t regret that for a moment because I’m so proud of you Klaus…”

“But you just don’t know who I am anymore?” He recited, those words he knew so well that had killed him. 

“Well, yes. You didn’t want anything to do with Boston, with your friends and family, with me.”

“I didn’t want to come home because of you, Caroline,” he admitted. “It was idiotic but the thought of seeing you in general but also happy with someone else was enough to stay away. I guess my family were collateral damage which wasn’t fair either.”

“Wow, he finally comes clean,” she teased. “I don’t want to stroke your ego but now you’ve admitted your undying love I could certainly help this writer’s block.”

“How, exactly?” Klaus asked, cocking his left eyebrow. 

“How in the hell do I get in there?” She insisted, running her hands over the glass repeatedly. 

“I have a weird feeling my sadistic manager thinks it would be fun to keep us apart to further the creative process.”

“We can kill him right?”

“Oh yeah, but it doesn’t mean we can’t have fun either,” he smiled. “In fact I have this great melody I’d like you to hear.”

It was at that point Klaus Mikaelson’s track “If I Can’t Have You” made its way to the top of the charts and given all his success he took some much needed time off with his finance and family in Boston.  

[imaginetonyandbucky]

The Sound of Tech-no

Prompt by Anonymous: Imagine Bucky bringing Tony one of those new robotic pets (like BB-8 sphero or aibo) and DUM-E, U & Butterfingers LOVE them. Tony doesn't know if he should be offended or happy, he just feels like one of those single moms who's really happy when his boyfriend's kid get along with her kid. 

A/N: My only experience with a robotic pet was back in the 90′s, when I won a tiny white fluffy dog at a kindergarten carnival that could “walk“ and randomly barked while at it (needless to say I broke it within a week). So I hope dear prompter won’t mind if instead of a new robotic pet, Bucky goes a bit retro - but for a good reason, as google helped me find the cutest thing ever that just screamed winteriron at me <3 Enjoy!

~Lantia

“Hey, Tony,” Bucky greets him from somewhere behind him, sounding unusually cheerful.

“Morning sunshine,” Tony replies, hurriedly tightening the screw on the engine he’s working on so he can shift his focus on the man.

“Morning? ‘S more like afternoon, actually,” he chuckles.

That explains why he’s so hungry. “I missed breakfast?!” he whirls around, eyes wide.

“And lunch,” Bucky laughs some more. “Not a big deal…Thor ate all the pizza again, so there’s not much left. But! I saved a club sandwich for ya,” he grins, offering a plate to him.

Tony doesn’t pay any attention to the food, although it looks very inviting. Instead, he alerts to the uninvited guest sitting innocently next to Bucky on the floor.

“What…is that?!” Tony blurts out, staring between Bucky and the...thing wagging its metal tail.

“Oh! This is uh, Tekno. The puppy dog,” he introduces the intruder, who barks happily at the sound of his name.

“I can see what it is, but…what is it doing here?”

“Brought him to meet ya of course. T’was my therapist’s idea…said I could benefit from an animal companion,” he smiles, observing the metal dog.

Tony watches the scene, raising a curious eyebrow. “Uhhhm, I’m pretty sure he meant an actual animal. You know, a living one; bones, flesh, fur, needs – the whole deal.”

“Yeah, I guess. But I’m still kinda celebratin’ the fact I can take care of myself…not sure if I’m ready to add another living being into the mix just yet.”

He would argue with that, knowing Bucky is well past that stage of his recovery. But from his own experience, he can understand the reluctance to take responsibility for something…or rather someone else while still unsure of his own state of mind.

“So I figured if DUM-E and the bots work for you, I could…try somethin’ similar,” he shrugs.

“And by something similar you mean…a barking, metal puppy.”

“It was JARVIS’s idea.”

“Of course it was,” he rolls his eyes and looks up, expecting the AI to explain himself but JARVIS stays silent. Figures.

(read-more ahead!)

“And he can do a lot more than just bark. Look!” he holds up a finger and crouches. “Tekno? Paw!” he commands and the robot offers him his right paw with an excited sounding bark. The excitement is matched on Bucky’s face as he takes it with his flesh hand.

“Wow. A dog doing…dog things. Who would have guessed?” he says in a mocking tone.

“It is a dog, Tony. Don’t need him to know nuclear physics or martial arts. Playin’ fetch is fun enough for me.”

“Uh huh,” he glares at the happy couple, making Bucky chuckle.

“Are you…jealous of a lil’ robot toy, Tony?” he asks, smile turning into a grin.

“Jealous?! Of that thing there?! You can’t be serious. If anything, I’m offended by its…simplistic design and…limited functionality,” he stutters out and curses internally.

Yep, he is jealous of a god damn robot toy. How pathetic.

But Bucky just laughs some more and gets up. “This is actually an older model…from like ten years ago? The most recent one looks much more uh, futuristic. And can do more stuff. But when I saw a picture of this one, I knew I just had to have it.”

“Really…why?” he squints at the dog, trying to see whatever it is Bucky’s seeing.

“Ain’t it obvious?” he crouches down again, moving his left arm next to the dog. “He matches my arm. And! The joints reminded me of your arc reactor. He’s perfect for me,” he smiles up at Tony with so much wonder, Tony almost backs up under the sheer power of it.

Giving it a second look, he has to admit the toy does in fact match both Bucky’s arm in the metallic aspect and Tony’s reactor in the blue-lit leg joints. It’s like…a weird, strangely cute combination of the two of them. Tony smiles despite himself and crouches down too. “So…what’s his name then?”

“Tekno,” Bucky shrugs, still smiling at the excited pup.

“That’s the name of the toy series; you can give him whatever name you want.”

“Tekno sounds cool. He even looks like a Tekno, doncha think?”

He sighs, letting his heart melt at the sight of his happy boyfriend and the…cute…barking puppy. “Yeah, sure. Tekno it is then.”

The new addition to the family and their collective focus on it of course doesn’t escape the rest of the metal gang. So while Tony’s trying all the different commands Tekno understands, DUM-E and U approach the three of them while Butterfingers extends his arm from across the workbench, all of them watching the scene in curiosity.

DUM-E sneaks next to Bucky, harmlessly poking Tekno with his claw.

“Whoa now, big guy. Be careful there with your…new sibling,” Tony warns the bot, that keeps on analyzing the dog with his built-in camera.

Tekno eventually reacts to a particular series of beeps DUM-E emits in his greeting frenzy and barks at him, but otherwise ignores the bots altogether. DUM-E is absolutely ecstatic anyway, rewarding the show with some happy beeping and even U rolls closer now that the big brother is done assessing the newcomer.

But that just won’t do in Tony’s opinion. He lets the bots – and Bucky – fuss over the dog and gets up, a new project already forming in his head.

A few days later, Tony descends into the workshop after an afternoon SI briefing and is greeted by a pair of gray, squinty eyes. They’re not the ‘you messed up big time’ squinty eyes – thank the gods – but something akin to ‘something’s going on here I just don’t know what…yet’ kinda squinty eyes.

“Bucky-bear! The love of my life! The Moon to my stars! The beat to my heart! The soul of my…soul!” he finishes off with a cringe, but keeps the grin plastered up. “What’s up?”

The former assassin loses the serious squint right after ‘Bucky-bear’ and fights a grin of his own in complete futility throughout Tony’s ridiculous greeting. “Tony,” he says almost like it’s a question. “My dear, lovely, brilliant Tony…do you, by any chance, have any idea why my dog is turning more and more sentient with every day?” he asks patiently.

Tony looks down at Tekno, sitting like a portrait of innocence by Bucky’s right foot. “Uhm…maaaaaaaaybeeeee?” he drawls out, watching Bucky’s eyebrows raising at the confession. “I guess? Before you come to all the wrong conclusions,” he holds up his hands in defense, “I’m not turning him into another JARVIS or anything like that. I’m not even teaching him nuclear physics, I swear!”

Bucky nods a couple times, folding his hands over his chest. “So…what are you doing? I said I liked him! As…simple as he was.”

“I know! I’m not trying to make him something he’s not, okay? It’s just…not fair.”

“What’s not fair? Other than you upgrading my dog in secret?” he asks and the hurt in those words threatens to rip Tony’s heart in more pieces than it already is.

“You’re coming to all the wrong conclusions now. Exactly what I was afraid of. Uhm…right, uhhh…please don’t kill me?” he blurts out, starting to panic a little. “Or, you know, worse than kill me? Like…leave? Or…hate me, or…”

“Tony! I’m not doing anything, just tell me wh - ”

“I thought it was unfair and sad that he couldn’t really understand the bots and play with them and conspire with them against us as they oh so like to do, because they’re kids and it’s in their nature to torment us to no end and I gave up to the sap I am and installed a simple – VERY simple – and very dog-like behavioral, recognition and learning core into him so that he could…do all that,” he says so fast it’s almost incoherent to his own ears and cringes, waiting for Bucky’s reaction with closed eyes. There are some expressions on his face he doesn’t need to see, especially not aimed at him. Like anger. Contempt. Disappointment.

Disappointment in particular.

He flinches away from the metallic touch against his nape at first, but a second later he finds himself wrapped in a warm, supersoldier embrace. “You couldn’t just tell me that days ago?” Bucky whispers into his hair, none of the emotions Tony was so afraid of anywhere to be heard in his voice. Instead, it’s…gentle. Fond.

Tony buries his head into the crook of his neck and holds on for dear life. “S’not ready yet, I wanted to test it first and…t’was supposed to be a surprise,” he shrugs but his brain quickly catches up with the silliness of the whole scenario. “Yeah, you’re right, I should have just told you. ‘m stupid.”

Bucky pulls away, holding onto his shoulders lightly and there’s that special, warm smile playing on his lips, so rare Tony could count how many times he’s seen it on fingers of just one hand. “You, my dear, are a genius.”

He frowns a little. “Well…if you say so. I mean uh, yes. I am. I know that I am.”

“Good. Because whatever it is that isn’t ready yet as you say? I’d say it’s not only ready, but also working.”

“Huh?”

Bucky turns around, bringing Tony with him in a sort of a half-hug. “You see, this little rascal over there woke me up after my exercising nap yesterday afternoon, bringing the collar with him meaning he wanted to go for a walk. So I got up and got ready to take a lil’ walk around the common floor maybe? But by the time I was at the door, he was in my bed, lying down to sleep. I dismissed that as...a coincidence. But after I showered he did it again. Pretended he wants to go for a walk and then just laid down on the floor, not moving a paw. And again during and after snack.”

“Sounds like a malfunction to me,” Tony frowns some more, looking at Tekno with concern.

“That’s what I thought, too. But then he laughed. Well, barked…but there’s this very distinctive, laugh-like barking? Our neighbors back in the forties had a Labrador retriever and whenever he was happy and having fun, he would bark exactly like he barked yesterday,” he nods at Tekno. “He laughed at me. After repeatedly fooling me into thinking he wants to go for a walk, while in reality…he was just being a little prankster, isn’t that right, Tekno?”

The dog wags his tail, still sitting at the same spot as before.

“Oh,” Tony breathes out and immediately zeroes in on the three bots hiding behind the bench. “So that’s what the four of you were plotting all morning yesterday!” And he thought they were just breaking up the bark-to-beep language barrier…silly him.

Both DUM-E and U beep in what Tony can only describe as innocence and yeah, he is a genius and yeah, the core is obviously working already.

“You little shits,” he shakes his head.

Bucky chuckles, wrapping his metal arm around him again, hugging him close. “Looks like they like each other,” he mumbles, both of them watching Tekno join his three big brothers behind the bench, barking at them and receiving beeping answers in return.

“Yeah…’s good, right? You’re not mad?”

“Oh I am mad,” he laughs, his chest rumbling against his. “Madly in love with my brand new dog, who gets to play with everyone now, thanks to you. Which brings me to being madly in love with you, you idiot.”

“Heeey! You said I was a genius not too long ago!” he pouts, looking up at Bucky.

“In the tech stuff, sure. But you can be an idiot sometimes. When it comes to understanding things they don’t teach in physics. Like, why I wouldn’t be mad at you…for being you.”

“Me being me is usually what gets people mad.”

“Then let them. I love you being you.”

“Madly, yes, you said that,” he smiles, wide and happy. “And I love you t - ”

Tony isn’t able to finish the sentence and then maybe kiss the other man senseless…because that’s where DUM-E sprays them with the fire extinguisher, to the beeping and barking cheers of their entire metal family.

While Bucky bursts out laughing, he slowly turns to glare at the bots and wonders what even is his life right now and what he did to deserve it.

And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

~Fin

[spacegaysinc-blog]

Space Christmas™

look we know its july we just have a lot of feelings ok

ok so everyone’s always talking about how much Lance misses his big family and whatnot, but how would that carry across to a holiday like Christmas?

like, forget about missing just his siblings and parents what about the massive extended family? also (we’re not trying to shove beliefs onto a character or upset anyone in general please don’t yell at me) A LOT of people are religious and quite a few more practice exclusively on holidays like Christmas or Easter.

plus, even if Lance wasn’t strictly religious there’s something about being raised in a family that is that ingrains bits and pieces of those things into you just as a byproduct of being raised that way.

either way you can’t tell me that Lance’s family didn’t celebrate Christmas and since he has younger siblings it would still be a big deal since they would still believe in Santa.

so it gets to the point that Lance is spending the nighttimes heartbroken thinking about the presents he had planned for his little siblings that he won’t be able to give them this year because he’s an amazing sibling like that, or wishing for just one day, THIS day, that he could be back with his family, because anyone who has gone from spending Christmas with a big family to spending it almost alone know that it’s one of the loneliest feelings on the world.

Pidge’s family is kind of a mixed situation

like her dad’s jewish so they just decided as a family to celebrate both Christmas and Hannukah

the holidays weren’t really at the front of Pidge’s mind when the ‘winter months’ rolled around

because FIRST OF ALL it looked NOTHING like winter normally did (bc space), 

and anyway for the past couple years she and her mother had grown apart and holidays were hardly the first thing anyone would think of when a family falls apart like that,

but she’s the one that notices Lance disappearing more and stumbles upon him crying twice as many times as she normally would, so she figures something’s up.

it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that they have reached what would be on Earth the month of December and to link that a little further to Christmas.

now Pidge understands a lot, but humans have never been her strongest suit so she does what any reasonable person would do and goes to Hunk and lets him take the wheel on what to do. Pidge does what she can to help (she’s probs the one that makes the cool decorations) 

she misses her small, intimate family Christmases and it was trying to get that family back that brought her here in the first place, but along the way the team has kinda become her family too so why not embrace that for a little while?

Pidge makes a metal tree and everyone helps to decorate it

Lance goes nuts

people’s thing’s just start going missing and they end up on the tree

everyone knows it's Lance and it’s mildly inconvenient but they can’t bring themselves to say anything bc he just looks so happy

they start voluntarily putting their things on the tree

Keith puts fingerless gloves on it. Lance almost cries laughing

Shiro puts his fucking arm at the top of the tree bc he thinks he’s funny

“Shiro, no you need that what the hell”

“I just wanted to lend a hand, Keith”

Pidge teaches them all about Hanukkah too, and the Alteans love the dreidel

Coran is really hung up on the menorah thing

“But if there was only enough for 1 day, how did it last 8?”

“I don’t know, that’s why they call it a miracle”

“Fascinating”

Keith doesn’t really get this Christmas thing.

like obviously he knows what Christmas is, he’s from Texas of course he does, but he’s not quite sure how to celebrate this.

after Pidge tells Hunk about Lance’s odd behavior Hunk arranges a paladin (and confused Altean) meeting where everyone decides to try this “Christmas in Space” thing out, but Keith is kinda left stranded on what to do.

he wants to help, in the way that you can’t help when you’re maybe, hopelessly in love with someone and would do anything to make them happier, it’s just, holidays were never a part of his childhood and what if he does it wrong?

one thing Keith’s sure is part of this is gift-giving so one day during a battle he picks up a Galra shooter and tosses it to an unarmed Lance with an offhanded “Merry Christmas.”

AND LANCE JUST LIKE FREEZES FOR A SECOND AND THEN JUST GIVES KEITH THE BIGGEST SMILE AND KEITH IS LIKE BLINDED

so he just keeps giving Lance things?

like he sees a cool rock while on a mission and just puts it in his pocket

a couple of days later he stumbles upon a gorgeous blue gem-type thing on some planet and does the same thing bc it reminds him of Lance’s eyes.

and he’ll just like slide the gift over to Lance in the middle of meals or just leave it in front of his door

and Lance always just grins like an idiot bc Keith is being nice to him and he just feels lighter

soon all of the paladins start incorporating casual Christmas gift-giving into their daily lives and as Lance’s mood starts to brighten more day by day Keith can’t help but be a lil proud that he could be the start of someone’s happiness

and everyone starts giving each other gifts and Keith is just really proud bc he started this and he just loves these guys so much and is this what a family is like bc he gets it now

one day Keith’s in Lance’s room (who knows why lmao) and he just sees all of the stuff he’s given Lance placed a little bit away from the other’s gifts and he just smiles a lil to himself

(sorry we’re klance trash)

Hunk’s a good best friend.

he’s also a bit of a people-watcher so when Pidge comes to him with her research* (*stalking) on Lance and the current month on Earth his own thoughts on the matter are confirmed and he jumps straight to planning Space Christmas™.

a secret meeting is arranged promptly to inform the other paladins/alteans of what’s going on (a long explanation of earth customs is required) 

then he and coran get ingredients for the Altean equivalent of cookies and just go to work

Pidge and Lance bend cookie cutters out of scrap metal and use those and Keith just cuts out shapes with his knife bc of course he would

cuz if they’re doing Christmas, then they’re doing it right. Hunk’s typical holidays involve so much food, especially as gifts 

large family dinners become a mandatory thing, every time getting more elaborate and delicious.

Hunk always makes people share about their day because it’s what his family always did

“So Pidge, how was your day?”

“Hunk, I was with you all day, we had the same day.”

“But how was it?”

when Christmas would roll around Hunk’s younger siblings presented him with small and, to the outsider's eye, meaningless gifts so when he starts getting handed shiny rocks, or little people made of twigs, or one time a small robot that did nothing but blast screamo he can’t help but be reminded of his family too

Shiro had quite honestly forgotten that holidays were such a big deal.

in his defense a lot had happened and they just had slipped his mind.

he’s not opposed to the idea when Hunk brings it up, but a week later he’s fully invested in the holidays and has crocheted several sweaters, because he looks fantastic in red, ok.

growing up with a single parent and a much younger sibling has hardwired into his brain the need to make every holiday as big of a deal as possible and he starts spending late nights decorating various parts of the castle to make this the most magical experience possible because now he had 4 little sibling to share this with and also he needs to and it gives him peace of mind when his nightmares are too intense to sleep through.

every opportunity he gets he spends squirrelling away presents for the 25th or furiously crocheting sweaters for everyone else because what’s Christmas without the ugliest sweaters you’ve ever seen?

ok quick side note but we promise this is relevant: so we all know about the headcanon that Lance knits but consider this: Shiro crochets

and Lance like will not stop giving him shit about ‘wow only one needle? I have two so…’

and Shiro’s a good sport so he just kind of plays along bc wow Lance has started another dumb rivalry who would have guessed

but then Shiro crochets him this blue hat with lion ears on it and Lance can’t really bring himself to keep the the ‘rivalry’ going

(he wears the hat everywhere)

Shiro and Lance team up to make the team stockings and Shiro even makes tiny ones for the mice

the Alteans don’t know what’s going on

like obviously they notice that there’s something off about the paladins, so when Hunk calls his meeting about Lance, they’re kind of like ???? bc they noticed these things with everyone but if they want to pretend that it’s just about Lance then okay

learning about Christmas is….. interesting to say the least

“So you’re telling me that the people of earth tell their children about a reverse thief dressed in red that breaks into everyone’s home?”

“I mean I wouldn’t say it like that”

“Well then how WOULD you say it”

“He just visits everyone to give them gifts-”

“I’ll prepare the castle’s defenses for an intruder immediately!”

“No that’s really not necessary”

They get it eventually.

Allura’s really into the ��Santa’s reindeer’ thing (something about them reminding her of an altean animal) so she works with pidge to make little reindeer antlers for the mice and also ENORMOUS ONES for the lions

((Keith is FURIOUS (and a little confused) when he sees the large red ball attached to red’s nose but Lance is just laughing and smiling so he guesses it's okay))

@ dreamworks just give us the space fam doing space things for the holidays. just a christmas episode that’s all we’re asking for

Also we hope y’all love long posts cuz this bitch took forever and we’re very proud and feel free to add your own and make it EVEN LONGER

[bpcparents]

Do You Understand Your Children?

My sons’ 7th grade science teacher invited parents to join a book club this April to share about adolescence.  Being a psychologist and having been through two teenagers already I had already read the book, but was happy to re-read it to refresh myself.  The book is Why Do They Act that Way?, by David Walsh (2004).  I must say that I have found this book truly refreshing and no matter what you think you know as a professional or an experienced parent- kids are genius’ for showing us we know zero.  Each child will be different and reminders of how the  adolescent brain works is very important to staying on top of your game.  Knowing why your child acts a certain way is key to knowing how to be a better parent.  If you know your child gets sassy when they are hungry then call them out on this and encourage a snack before further discussion about a topic. If you know your child becomes more verbally and/or physically aggressive after excessive screen time, then inform your child you have observed this behavior and are limiting screen time and even possibly eliminating potentially violent game/shows.  If you know your child throws tantrums/ yells at a sibling a lot, consider just grabbing the child into a loving hug- helping your child by controlling their body that they cannot and giving them positive attention at the same time.  

I loved rereading this book because it made me accountable for all the areas of parenting that I wasn’t doing well- luckily I took that well.  While this book is referencing the adolescent brain- it applies to all children.  One point made in the book is to talk naturally to your child about everything from birth all the way through adulthood.  Waiting until your teen is a teen to talk about menstrual cycles, body changes, relationships, drugs, sex, etc is too late.  Teens really will have trouble believing you know what you are talking about if you only mention something once.  Many parents are uncomfortable talking to their kids about life events such as body changes, drugs, sex, death, divorce, etc.  My advice is to just start talking, but keep it brief.  Be aware of opportunities to mention something, such as reading a book to your child that mentions a character feeling a certain way or noticing changes- you can quickly ask if they have similar feelings….  Leave a book about the subject lying around the family room and then mention it at a later date.  When something happens in a movie or show seize the opportunity to share this with your child and make sure they understand what it was really about.  

I personally feel it is extremely important as a parent to teach our children how to talk about difficult topics and to become comfortable by recognizing this is all part of life.  Some families believe we encourage children to do things by talking about them, but this is very inaccurate.  Telling your 8 year old that one day they may see one of their friends smoking cigarettes and the friend may offer them one is not encouraging your child to smoke, but preparing them for how to handle the situation.  Just the other night my daughters brand new hamster died while I was out at dinner.  She did not know as she was sleeping.  My friends at dinner told me to make up a story about how it died or to try and get a new one before she woke up.  I disagreed with all of that.  The hamster died because she forgot to give him water all day because she and her friends were playing with him outside his cage and the poor thing dehydrated (they are so tiny, who knew that would happen within 12 hours). The next morning as expected she came to tell me her hamster was missing.  I informed her that he died and explained that two main things happened to cause this death- she had him in the sun by the pool and left him in his carrier without water all day.  She was heartbroken.  We buried him in the backyard.  She then said with tears in her eyes, “I know this is terrible, but can I get another one.”  I told her it’s not terrible and maybe in a few weeks we will get another one, but for now I need her to feel the sadness and understand that we did not take care of this living being and we cannot take that lack of responsibility lightly.  Life lessons are hard, but she understood and one week has gone by with her sad off and on, but also with her immediately recognizing rules for her friends and that she has to take charge and be responsible for her things.   Another topic Walsh talks about is parenting styles, which are good to be aware of yourself.  A couple weeks ago I checked in with my kids on how they see me as a parent.  I explained the different styles of parenting using terms I like from Kids are Worth It by Barbara Coloroso, 2002 (Jellyfish- let’s kids do whatever they want, Brick Wall- commands kids to do only what they say, and Backbone- flexible, sets boundaries but also hears out needs of child and may bend in their direction if needs are within parental values/boundaries and allows growth for the child).  Big guess for the kind of parent we should all be.  I asked my children what kind of parent they saw me as being- at first my son hesitated, not my daughter- she blurted out “you are in between  jellyfish and backbone, mom.”  My son agreed with her and I think I surprised them by agreeing too.  I told them my goal is always to be backbone but sometimes I get caught up in them being so good most of the time that I give in to things or I’m too tired and give in.  It’s hard being a kid and even more difficult being a parent.  But our job is to ultimately produce someone that will make their way on their own in the world and contribute positively to our society.  Children and teens must have boundaries and consistency from the parents.  This allows them to feel safe and give them freedom to grow/learn.  We are not in this alone, find places/people you can trust with your children and make them your outer family support system.  Most importantly, do not be afraid to admit mistakes to your children or retract something you feel was shouted out in anger versus made with a clear mind.  This is how we all learn.  

Mistie Eltrich Mistie has worked with children all her life, making it an official career when she became a School Psychologist in 1998.  Pursuing her dream, in 2001, Mistie earned her doctorate degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University.  She has worked in schools with children pre-school through high school, but mostly preschool through elementary aged schools.  She also worked in a special needs school (Gillen Brewer) in NYC. However, her biggest job has been to parent her four children (two were easier births as they are her step children- none the less hers). Being a parent is a constant review for her career and sanity, but most importantly her joy.