#and tell me what your favorite dinosaur is and I'll visit

[savage-rhi]

Me when it's finally my turn to be an ancestor and descendents of my bloodline summon me:

[winniethewife]

Isn't it lovely in theory? (Three year old!Steven Grant x F!Reader)

A/N: Based on the story I came up with on @ominoose 's Baby Steven Bot.

Warning: Character death

Prompt: Kid-fic

Words: 1452

It was another Rainy Saturday morning, the sun had barely peaked through the clouds Steven had fallen asleep in his mother’s arms the night before and as she starts to wake up she looks at his soft sleeping face in her arms.  She leans in and gives him a kiss on the forehead.

"Steven time to get up baby. We’ve got a big day ahead." She runs her fingers through his curls. Her eyes filled with motherly affection.  Steven nuzzled up against her with a sleepy yawn, leaning into their body.

"Mummy... I don’t wanna get up..." he mumbled. With a small, grumble of protest, he reached up to rub his eyes with his chubby, little hands. "Cuddles First. Pwease." Steven looked up at His mum with a pout on his face. She laughs slightly and pulls him in for a cuddle

"Of course, I'll never ever say no to cuddles with my Steven." She kisses the top of his head and snuggles him close to her. Steven was her greatest joy she was so thankful for the last three years, and for all the ones to come. Steven buried his head in her chest.

“I love you Mummy... love you more than the moon..." Steven mumbled, eyes fluttering shut. She felt the familiar prick of tears in her eyes and she held him tight

"And I love you too, more than the sun..." She nuzzles her face into his mop of curls with a soft smile on her face.

“I Love you more than all the stars!” Steven says with a smile as he opens his eyes and looks up at her.

"All the stars? That's a lot. I don't know if I can keep up with that." She smiles as she rubs his back. Kissing his forehead.

"... and you're my favorite star..." he added. “The best, brightest, most shiniest... star!"

“Alright baby boy. You ready for breakfast?" She smiles at him as she starts to get out of bed lifting him in her arms lifting him high into the air and spins him around. "Look at you! Getting so big!" Steven starts giggling like crazy as they spun around...

"I a big boy now!" Steven Exclaims in a tiny, childish, excited voice. "And big boys... eat pancakes!!!"

"Pancakes! Pancakes it is!" She says with a smile, she takes him to the kitchen and she sits him in his chair and gets to work on some microwave pancakes. After carefully cutting up some fruit and heating up a plate of pancakes he places the plate in front of him. She ruffles his curls. "Eat up baby we got a big day ahead." With an excited squeal, Steven began to dig into his plate of pancakes.

"Wha? A big day?!?" he asked between bites. "Tell me more!" Little Steven demanded.

"Okay! Okay I'll tell you...we're going to the museum today!" She announced. She knew the museum was one of Steven's favorite places to go.

"Ah! Mummy! I love the Museum, So so much!" Steven yelled excitedly as he pumped both of his fists into the air. His small hands were covered in syrup "Can we go see the mummies and Egypt stuff?" Little Steven begged and pleaded.

"Of course baby. I know that's your favorite." She says as she wiped his hands off with a wet towel. "On our way we need to visit daddy okay? Do you want to pick out the flowers this time?" She asks. She wasn't sure if Steven really understands what visiting his father’s grave means, but she always tries to take him every Saturday. Steven nodded with a sweet little smile.

"We give daddy the prettiest flowers!" He answered, Steven was still small, still innocent... He was still just a little one. "Come on, Mummy! Let's go!" he shouted, grabbing her leg eagerly.

"Alright! Alright, let's get ready and get going." Rose follows him to his room getting him ready for the day. Picking out a good outfit for the day. Helping him step into his pants and pulling a dinosaur Jumper over his head, pulling his arms through the sleeves. Humming a song as they get ready. This Saturday was like the others, like so many Saturdays before. Little Steven was too young to grasp the concept of his father's death... they stopped at the florist, and Steven picked out a lovely bunch of flowers. They walked through the cemetery Rose held Steven in her arms as they traversed the muddy pathway. As they approached the headstone she tries her best to stay strong for Steven, no tears today. Stevens’s father died just a couple months after Steven was born. If she didn't have Steven...she has no idea how she would have made it. She sets Steven down as they stood next to the headstone "Hey darling. It's Us." She said softly. Little Steven looked up at his mother tilting his head and looking at her with a sad and confused look.

"Where did Daddy go, mummy?" he asked with a quiet voice, as Rose could see the innocence and lack of understanding in his eyes. "Daddy... I miss him... where he go?" The boy's tone broke her heart... She gets on her knees and looks at Steven. Her hands taking his little ones in hers "Well baby, Daddy...Daddy died. When you were still in my tummy, daddy... daddy was really sick, and we knew that he wouldn't live very long after you were born. But he loved you…So very, very much. That I know..." She feels a tear run down her face.

"He... loved me?" Little Steven asked quietly, his lip jutted out in a small pout and tears came to his eyes. "I... Miss Daddy...Mummy do... Am I like daddy?" the small Boy had so many questions, this wasn’t unusual but this was the first time he had so many about his father. She smiles at him, more tears coming down her face.

"Yeah, you look just like your daddy. Exactly like him" she pulls him into a big hug "I miss him too. I miss him too. He would have spoiled you rotten." She chuckled slightly at the thought of it. Everything Steven's father would have done with the little boy...Steven looked up to her again, an idea in his head.

"I want... Can I see daddy?"

"I have a picture. Here." Rose pulls out her phone and pulls out a picture of her late husband, Steven's father. He had the same dark brown curls, pushed back into a neat style, and he had the same chocolate eyes, his face looked very similar to Steven's. Rose offered to let Steven hold the phone and look at his father. Little Steven's eyes lit up as he got a look at his father's picture on the phone. He used his small hands to carefully hold the phone. He looked at the phone, then back at his mum...

"I want to talk... to my daddy..."

"Of course baby....what do you want to tell him?" She pulls him into her lap as they sit in front of the headstone and the flowers that lay in front of it. "He's right here. Listening. Always baby boy" Steven stared at the picture of his father for a moment, tears rolling down his cheeks as he sniffled

"Hi daddy...Is...daddy here with us?" Little Steven asked quietly, with hope in his wavering voice... He wanted to believe that his father was right next to him. That his Father was sitting next to him... That he was talking to him now. His mother tried to hold back a sob as she nuzzles her face into his soft curls.

"He's here baby. He's always with you Steven." She lifts her head and puts her hand on his chest over his heart. "He's right here. For you, any time, always." Steven felt the warmth of her hand on his heart  as he held the phone tight, holding it to his chest, his brows furrowed in concentration as he closed his eyes, he keeping the phone close to his heart.

"Oh daddy... I love you...I will always love you. Just like you love me." He mumbled softly, hugging the phone tightly to his body as if trough the phone he could pretend he was hugging his father. She smiles and she rubs his cheeks. She kisses his forehead before standing up, Steven still in her arms as she takes a few steps over to the headstone and touches it softly. She speaks softly as Steven watched with rapped attention

"I miss you every day darling. You're still the only one for me. And our little Boy...he's everything you hoped for. I love you…Marc."

Bingo Masterlist

Tag: @moonknight-events @juneknight @spacecowboyhotch

[cryptidsurveys]

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024.

What’s something you used to believe in that you don’t anymore? Certain conspiracy theories. I used to be pretty deep down the rabbit hole. A true tinfoil hat wearin' nutjob. I think it started with getting into lucid dreaming and things just spiraled out of control from there. I'm sure there were kernels of truth in some of the things I looked into, but other things were so outlandish and unsubstantiated. It's like I'm just smart enough to recognize a potential pattern, but not smart enough to realize when that pattern has left reality behind for crazy land.

What’s your favorite dinosaur? I don't have one. I do like learning about them, though.

Do you believe in reincarnation? If so, what would you like to be reincarnated as? I'll tell you in my next life. :') But in all seriousness - I think my body will be broken down and reabsorbed into other things; if you want to consider that a type of reincarnation, then sure. But if we're talking about coming back as a fully formed human or critter with all my past karma, etc, then no, I don't think I believe in that. I'm not even sure I believe in any sort of afterlife. I think death is death and that's it. You just don't exist anymore. A bleak thought, maybe, but I think the idea of being "eternal" scares me even more.

What are three scents that you like? Autumnal spices, pine forests in the rain, and coffee shops.

Do you ever use the grounding technique 54321? I've used it a few times. My therapist taught it to me during our first few sessions together.

Where would you relocate if you were forced to leave your place of residence? Realistically, somewhere within the same city. We'd probably rent a house, hopefully a pet-friendly one because we have three kitties. Ideally, though, somewhere like Rye or Beulah. Out in the mountains but close enough to this city that my life could stay intact (volunteering, therapy, grocery shopping, visits with mom…).

What smells better… fresh baked bread or fresh brewed coffee? Oh, both are wonderful, but probably coffee.

Have you ever met a president? Like the president of a country? No. But like a board president at the animal shelter? Possibly…? When I'm there, I live by this rule - be hospitable to everyone you meet, lest they be board members in disguise. ;D

Has anyone ever given you a gag gift? No.

Do you find smoking unattractive? I might find it attractive in modeling photos and the like, but when it comes to everyday people, I'm mostly indifferent. If anything, as a smoker myself, seeing someone else smoking just makes me crave a cigarette too.

Do you think flirting is cheating? I wouldn't consider it cheating, but I wouldn't feel comfortable with my partner flirting with other people.

Have you ever liked someone who had a girl/boyfriend? Yeah. I've had an ex-partner move on to another relationship while I still had feelings for them, and I've been in one polyamorous relationship (and I know now that is not the dynamic for me; I much prefer to be monogamous).

Would you ever take someone back if they cheated on you? I would like to say that's an absolute no, but…I just don't know. So much would depend on the circumstances.

What's a word that starts with the third letter of your first name? Literary.

How many wives or husbands do you want? One.

What's your favorite color gummy bear? Red or orange.

What's the last movie you saw in the theater? I saw Wild Robot a few weeks ago.

What color is your iPod? I don't have an iPod. I did have an mp3 player at one point, though, and it was black.

What’s a quality that your sister has that you absolutely can’t stand? Explosive and belligerent anger.

Have you ever dated a smoker? If not, would you? I have and I would. Maybe that answer would change if I quit smoking, but I'm fine with it for now.

Do you share a middle name with any of your siblings? I don't.

Name one of your psycho exes? I don't have any psycho exes. Sure, they had their issues (don't we all...), but I'M probably the psycho ex. :')

Have you ever been drunk at work? No.

Have you ever taken a pregnancy test? No.

How many bananas have you ever eaten in a row? I don't think I've ever eaten more than one in a row, but over the course of a day, maybe two…?

Do you have a protective father? He's protective, but not overly protective.

Have you ever had to choose between two people? That's what it feels like with the most recent family drama. Thankfully, no one is outright asking me to choose.

The last thing you remember dreaming about: Oddly enough, it was a dream about having to choose between two people. Nick and Michael, two of my ex-partners. I felt kind of guilty and confused and afraid of making a choice in case I regretted it.

The last place you went: I went to Chili's for lunch with my mom.

The last time you held a baby: I have no idea.

What’s the scariest video game you’ve ever played? I've never found a video game to be scary.

If you had the chance to slip through a portal, despite being unaware of any of the effects and/or consequences, would you do it? Nooo. That's one of my worst irrational fears.

When someone copies you, are you more flattered or annoyed? If they were picking up some of my mannerisms, then I think I would be flattered. Like hey, I'm cool enough to be copied - even if it might be only subconsciously. :') I can imagine other scenarios in which it would be frustrating or downright creepy, though.

Which is worse: Stale chips or flat soda? Ehh. Both are somewhat unpleasant but still tolerable to me. I guess if the chips were really stale, then I would say those are worse.

What health problems do you have? Migraines, fatigue, mental health issues.

Have you ever had an anaphylactic reaction to anything? No.

Do you have sensitive skin? Not really.

What would you name a baby boy? I have no idea.

What would you name a baby girl? Same.

Do people's rude comments bother you for a long time? Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't.

Name three things you find boring. Finance bro channels, the idea of staying in a hotel (I loved it when I was younger, but it would be so tedious to me now), and lengthy road trips once I've run out of distractions.

What excites you? Thunderstorms, randomly chaotic days at the shelter, upbeat and energetic music.

Would you send your kids to Sunday school? I don't want children, but hypothetically speaking, no. Not unless they wanted to go; then I wouldn't stop them.

What is the most interesting biography you have read? I haven't read many biographies…maybe just ones for Anne Frank and Hellen Keller. I do like listening to biographical historical videos, though. They're just interesting enough to keep my mind engaged and distracted while being boring and predictable enough to lull me to sleep.

Do you think your life story would make a good book someday? Naw.

Do you buy art for your walls? I bought a misty mountain tapestry for the wall behind my bed. I have a few other things on my walls as well, but nothing like "art pieces."

Would you ever decorate a room with a travel theme? No.

What insects do you think are pretty? Butterflies, moths, dragonflies, certain spiders (even if they can also be a bit unnerving).

Do you love God? Yes.

Is there an ice cream flavor that you strongly dislike? Which one? I'm not a huge fan of plain vanilla ice cream, but there aren't any flavors (that I've tried) that I strongly dislike.

Do you own any books with an image of a cat on the front cover? Yeah.

Does anything you own have an image of a bird on it? Yeah.

Does anyone you know own a spaniel? How about an Irish setter? No.

[unluckyhoneybee]

The Handsome Artist. 9. (Daniel Ricciardo)

The Ricciardos. Danny's family comes to L.A. and Abigail gets the chance to meet them.

MASTERLIST. Moodboards and Playlist.

Previous part: Bug Eyes.

Note: UNCLE DANIEL EVERYBODY. UNCLE. DANIEL. Pic. It's a long chapter.

I was trying to make the thing fit in the pot. The poor plant had been living in a small plastic one, too small for her huge amount of roots. As I put soil on in for the first time, I heard the tubular bells hanging over the shop's door.

"Charlotte! My hands are dirty!"

"I'm on my way!"

I kept singing softly the lyrics of some First Aid Kit song.

"Abi! It's for you!"

I frowned.

"For me?"

"Yes!"

I sighed and washed my hands. I walked to the shop and when I moved the curtain to the side, I gasped.

It had been a week since we all had breakfast together. We had both been busy and it had been impossible to meet again. But there had been some text. Some sweet text and what he called soft flirting.

"Hey"

I smiled.

"Hello, Daniel"

I walked to the counter and Charlotte winked at me.

"I'll be on the back"

She left us alone and Daniel leaned on the opposite side of the counter.

"Good morning" He said on the sweetest voice.

"Good morning, sir. How can I help you?" I said trying to not laugh.

He chuckled.

"Well. I have been told that this is the best plant shop in the whole West Coast."

I rolled my eyes.

"They probably lied"

"It has the prettiest florist, though"

I blushed.

He reached his hand to mine and threaded our fingers together. I smiled and ran my thumb over the rose. It was probably my favorite tattoo of his.

"I need your help"

I looked up at him.

"For what?"

"Three very nice and beautiful ladies are coming to visit me and I need flowers for them"

"Oh."

"One of them is actually this tall." He said gesturing some kid's height.

"Oh! Your niece?"

"She loves flowers and if I get flowers for my mum and Michelle and not for her, she will hate me for life."

I felt my heart melt.

"That's so sweet, Danny" I said with a smile. "Of course I can help."

I let his hand go and took my notebook. He leaned closer to see me write.

"Okay, bouquets? I suppose they won't be able to take a whole plant on its pot on the plane"

"Yep. Bouquets"

"So... For mum. What does she like?"

He bit his lip.

"I don't know?"

I giggled.

"Okay, okay. For Michelle and your niece..."

"Isabelle"

I smiled.

"You know what for them?"

"Isabelle loves daisies."

Daisies for Isabelle.

"What's your mum's name?"

"Grace"

Roses for Grace.

"Why roses?"

"Well, you are her son. You are away. You have a rose in your hand. I'm sure she thinks of you when she sees a rose."

Danny opened his mouth to speak but said nothing. He just nodded and a little smile appeared on his face.

"And for Michelle..." I pinched my lip and looked around the shop. "Tell me what do you like, Danny"

He looked around like me.

"What is that?" He pointed at some purple flowers.

"That? Iris."

"I like that"

Iris for Michelle.

"For when do you want them?"

"Friday"

I nodded and wrote it down.

"Delivery?"

"Can you?"

I nodded.

"Then yes. Delivery, please."

I added that too.

"And... You nephew doesn't like flowers? Or plants?"

He shook his head.

"He likes cars. And dinosaurs."

"Are you like a hundred percent sure?"

"I think so? He loves going to ride dirt bikes with me"

I bit my lip. That's cute.

"I don't want him to feel bad because his sister has something and he doesn't"

He looked at me for long seconds. He was thinking. Deep thinking. I could see his head running. Then his whole face flushed pink and he looked down.

"You are right"

"Am I?"

"Yeah, I think so"

We both chuckled.

How can you miss someone in a week?

"What do I do?"

Oh well, this is new.

"Um... I don't know much about kids. I don't have kids around. But... Maybe I could make something for..."

"Isaac"

"Something for Isaac" I said. "Flowers can be for boys too. I hate when people always say that flowers are girls things."

"Add something for Isaac then" He smiled.

"Fine. I like sunflowers" I said looking up at him.

"Sunflowers then"

"Perfect."

"They arrive at the airport at 10. Long flight. Plus an hour or so till we get home and unpack and everything"

"By 13.00 would be fine?"

He nodded.

"I'll be there."

"Perfect."

We looked at each other and he grabbed my hand.

"I can't wait to see you again. I will be busy these days but I will try to have some time for you"

I clasped my hand over his.

"No, Danny. You family flew from so far to see you. Spend time with them, okay?"

I didn't want him to loose time with them only to give it to me. I would stay in Los Angeles and only the stupid city traffic would separate us. His family would close the world and they won't him in a while again.

He bit his lip.

"Sure?"

"Super sure"

He played with my rings.

"I'll talk to you."

I smiled and nodded.

"Okay."

Was this what you were supposed to feel when falling in love? It didn't felt like this the other times.

"I have work to do. I don't want to, but I have to leave"

I bit my lip.

"No problem."

"Yeah, you are here selling cute plants and I'm on my way to tattoo someone's armpit"

I couldn't help but laugh. He smiled proudly.

"An armpit?"

"A raccoon in an armpit"

"Oh wow" I chuckled. "You better go, I don't want you to be late to such an important appointment"

He rolled his eyes but laughed anyway.

"See you, okay?"

"Of course"

I walked him through the door, where he stopped and turned to me. His brown eyes were so bright today. He looked so happy and beautiful. I couldn't contain myself. I got on my tip toes and pressed a soft kiss on his scratchy cheeck.

Daniel smiled so big and my heart went crazy. He was fast moving and wrapping an arms around my shoulders, he pulled me close and kissed my temple and then my forehead. I closed my eyes for a second and enjoyed the feeling of his cotton t-shirt on the tip of my nose, his perfume and the weight of his arm around my shoulders. How would it all feel somewhere else? How would it feel to be loved by him?

On Friday.

"So... On your way to meet the in-laws?"

"Charlotte, we talked about this" I groaned. She and Molly had been talking nonstop about how I was going to meet, Danny's family.

"What? I like him. His family must be as nice as him. Bad people don't raise a boy like that"

I sighed and put Grace's bouquet on the basket. It was the second one I have done.

"Why do you have notes for two small bouquets?"

"For Isaac and Isabelle. His nephew and niece."

"Ooh kids" She smiled and took some daisies frome the water. "Does he like kids?"

"I think so. At least his sister's kids."

"You would be a good mum."

"Oh my God, Charlotte! I have just met him!"

"He has good genetics!"

I laughed.

"That's what matters. Good genetics."

She pinched my cheek.

"You make a cute couple"

I blushed hard.

"Do we?"

"Yes. You do. I can't wait for it to be official"

We finished the bouquets and looked happy at them. I have to say that I put some extra effort on them.

Charlotte helped me putting them on the back of my truck and I set the GPS with Danny's direction.

"Good luck! Tell them I say hi! And you can obviously invite them over for dinner. All of them, I'll make space"

"Charlotte..."

"Next time they visit, maybe?"

I smiled.

"That's better"

I kissed her goodbye and started driving. I was way more nervous than I should. I was terrified. I was only working, yes. But I was working for him. And I was delivering to his family. People I didn't know. People that I thought it would take longer to meet.

So when after a long drive through the city, I parked outside the house, I was already shaking.

The house was cute, painted in yellow and pretty similar to the others in the street. The pink car was parked outside, next to a big Audi and the cute little vespa. It made me smile. The house didn't suit him at all and the car was way to bright for the street. I was sure his neighbors didn't like him, which was funny.

I parked the closest I could and took the bouquets on the baskets with me. A difficult task, I have to say. I set them around me on the floor and rang.

I heard loud noise on the other side, people laughing and talking and my heart beated so hard. I could feel it on my ears.

The door opened and a woman, not old enough to be Grace, opened. She must be Michelle.

"Hello" She asked confused.

"Um... H-hello. I'm Abigail and I come from Charlotte's garden. Are Grace, Michelle, Isabelle and Isaac here?"

She opened her mouth and a big smile appeared on her face. Yes. She has to be his sister.

"I am Michelle"

"Who is there?"

A woman who looked exactly like Danny appeared. Eyes, hair, nose... Everything.

"She is Abigail and has something for us."

"Oh! What a susprise!"

They were sharing smiles that made me so so nervous. Why?

"I'm Grace"

"Hi Grace"

"Abi?!"

Daniel appeared with a little blonde boy hanging from his back.

I smiled and blushed. He looked so good. So happy and recharged. Better than ever. He was glowing.

"You are here"

I nodded.

A little blonde girl apeared too and I melted when she touched his leg and called him Uncle Dan.

I moved nervously, trying to not be so obvious and show the whole family how much I liked him.

"Um... This one, iris, for Michelle. Roses for Grace" I said clumsily but smiling. If Charlotte sees me...

The two women grabbed their bouquets with big smiles.

"Oh, Abigail, you did them? They are beautiful". Grace exclaimed.

I nodded and felt my cheeks even warmer. I must have watermelon color right now.

"It's super nice. You are so talented." Michelle said.

I looked at Daniel and the look on his eyes made me shake. Love. He smiled and gave me thumbs up.

Then I looked at the cute little girl, who was looking serious at her mum and grandma's flowers and I remember what Danny said. The girls was jealous and wanted flowers too.

"And... Is Isabelle here? I have flowers for her too" I said taking the daisies bouquet from the baskets.

The little girl's mood lighted. She took Danny's hand and he smiled at her.

"Go" Danny told her with a big smile.

The girl was shy, looking at everyone around her and asking silently for approval.

"Go, Isabelle. Abigail brought something for you"

I knelt on the floor and took her mini bouquet. She walked to me.

"Are you Isabelle?"

She nodded.

"And... Do you like daisies? A little bird told me you do"

Daniel left Isaac on the floor and the boy went with his mum. Then he bent his knees too next to the little girl and hugged her protectively. Obviously not because she was in some kind of danger, but for the little girl to feel safe.

"Do you, Isabelle?"

"Yes"

"Yes? So... Do you like this? They are only for you" I said smiling at her.

"Oh wow!" Daniel exclaimed.

My heart was beating so fast. He was looking at me and it was different. It felt good. It felt awesome because this was his family, he had opened it to me.

"Aren't they pretty, Isabelle?"

"So pretty" She smiled.

I reached them to her and she took the smaller bouquet, made for a kid. She laughed happily and turned to her mum.

"Mum!"

"They are super nice. What do we say, Isabelle?" Michelle told her.

"Thank you..."

"Abigail" I told her when I saw she was doubting.

She giggled and turned to Danny, who leaned so she could whisper on his ear.

"She is pretty"

Daniel laughed and blushed, so did I. Everyone had heard.

"She is..." Danny whispered too.

I cleared my throat and got up, turning to take the sunflowers. I looked at Isaac, who was observing from the back.

"And... You must be Isaac"

He nodded.

"Do you like sunflowers?"

He nodded again.

"Well, these are for you then"

"For me?"

"Of course"

He took them and smiled.

"Wow, Isaac. It's the first time you get flowers!"

"Dad and I always get flowers for you and Isabelle" He said happy to his mum.

My heart fluttered and I couldn't avoid smiling. Daniel looked at me and gave a knowing look. A thankful look because the kid was actually happy. Both of them were.

Then Isaac turned to me.

"Thank you, Abigail"

"Oh, you are welcome guys. I'm so happy you like them" I told both kids.

"They are beautiful, Abigail. Daniel told us you worked with plants, but I didn't imagine you would be this talented!"

Wait, what?

Daniel giggled nervously.

"Thank you, Grace. I really appreciate it"

The woman gave me a warm smile and touched my arm.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Danny picking Isabelle.

"Is the shop far?" Michelle asked

"Kind of. But it's no problem"

"Danny said it was by the beach."

"Yes. In Santa Monica."

"Is she a princess?"

I turned a bit when I heard Isabelle.

"She grows plants and talks to little birds, so she must be a princess. A forest princess."

"I think she is. She is really cool, right?"

I looked at them. I felt how the whole attention was on me, even though we were all looking at the little girl.

"She is super cool and pretty."

A little hand touched mine. I looked down at Isaac.

"Do we have to put the flowers in water?"

Grace laughed.

"Yes, if you want them to last many many days"

"Uncle Dan! We need water!"

Daniel left Isabelle on the floor again.

"Yeah? Let's..."

"Isaac, Isabelle. Let's go and get the water. We can ask Mike for help, right?" Michelle said.

Daniel looked at her and smiled a bit.

Soon, the two women had gone with the kids.

Daniel walked to me.

"You must be the best. Really. You are awesome" He said taking my hand. "I-I don't know how to thank you"

"Paying the bill" I joked to make the atmosphere lighter.

He laughed and pulled me for a hug. So tight, so close. I hid on his neck and closed my eyes, wrapping my hands around his waist and feeling his body. I was trembling.

Why do I want to cry?

"Isabelle already likes you"

I smiled. He kissed my head and pushed me a bit.

"Do you want to meet my dad? He is on the backyard with Michael"

I swallowed.

"You don't have to if it's too much."

"I-it's fine. Let's go. So I can say goodbye to the others."

He smiled and took my hand, guiding me through the house. There were photos, loads of them, some books, weights here and there, a couple of big sofas but not much furniture. It wasn't as packed as my little apartment. It felt more like a temporary home.

He brushed his thumb over my knuckle, pulling gently and easing my nerves.

As we got closer, I heard a loud man talking and laughing, the kids and Michael.

"Dan..."

He stopped and looked at me.

"Are you okay?"

What did I even wanted to say? That I was terrified of meeting them all?

"Hey...". He cupped my cheeks. "Stop thinking so much. It's fine. They will love you."

"D-did they know?"

His face went a pale.

"I told them a bit. You are just so nice and awesome. I-I couldn't not do it. Does it bother you?"

It didn't, it just felt weird. He had felt the need to tell his family about me. He thought I was interesting enough.

"No."

"Do you want to go?"

I nodded.

"He is nice. Just like me."

I smiled and squeezed his hand.

"Lovely".

He opened the glass French door and they turned to us.

"Abigail! Nice to see you again"

Michael came closer with his nice smile and good manners.

"Hi, Michael."

Daniel looked at us with a smile. Then he turned to the man. He had gray hair and didn't look much like his son.

"Hey dad. She is my friend Abigail"

I had never been less bothered to be introduced as a friend in my whole life. It felt to soon to be anything else. Too much stuff to know and discover yet.

"Hi, Abigail. The guy here didn't stop talking about you. Now the kids too"

Everyone laughed. He made me smile. How were they so nice? Charlotte was so right. She was always right.

"He is my dad. Joe Ricc!"

I chuckled. Daniel was excited. Nervous but excited, grabbing my hand hard and keeping me so close.

"Nice to meet you, Joe"

"Same thing, Abigail."

I felt a touch on my leg.

"Abigail"

I looked down at Isabelle.

"Where do you grow the plants?"

"Oh! I have a shop, by the beach."

Daniel knelt in front of her.

"She has sooooo many plants in there."

Isabelle was looking at me with bright eyes.

"More daisies?"

"A lot" I told her with a smile.

"Can I go and see it?"

"Of course you can, sweety"

Daniel looked up at me.

"Bring them one day. I'm always there."

"Yes! Please, Uncle Dan!"

Danny kissed her cheek.

"Okay. And then we can go and swim in the sea"

She nodded.

"I'll be waiting"

I didn't spend much time there. Danny and Grace walked me to the door.

"Abigail, it has been a pleasure to meet you. And let me tell you again that the flowers are really beautiful. Thank you very much"

"It was all Danny, I just put them together."

"Nah, that's not true. She is a genius" Daniel said pushing me slightly.

I rolled my eyes.

"I'll text you before going to the shop"

"Yes, please. I don't want to be delivering or gardening or something"

Grace smiled, observing how Danny and I said goodbye.

I got in the truck with a chest full of happiness. A different way of happiness. They were lovely.

On Tuesday.

I pathed around the shop, putting everything in place. Charlotte wasn't here today. She had her weekly poker morning with her friends. Poker and margaritas while I cleaned and let the nerves consume me.

"It's a big step. But you already took the half of it. Think about how he is introducing you as a friend. As Michael. He is taking things slow. Just remember to be yourself."

That's what Jeniffer had said.

The truth is that I was willing to see them again. The kids, Isabelle specially, had taken a little piece of my heart. They were so cute and blonde. So different from Dan. But so energetic and smiley. It was probably a family thing because the vibes they had were awesome.

I heard the tubular bells on the door and I ran to the shop.

Isabelle was standing there with Grace. The little girl saw me and went all shy.

"Hello!" Grace said.

"Hello, girls."

I walked to them.

"How are you? How are you finding the city?"

"Really nice. Right Izzy?"

Isabelle looked at me and nodded.

"Oh honey, what happens?" Grace asked.

The girl hid a bit. Right then, the door opened, Daniel appeared with Isaac on his shoulders. The little boy gasped.

"It's like the jungle"

It made us laugh.

Daniel was looking at me with a smile. He mouthed a hi. He was so freaking cute.

"Hey, mate. I'll leave you on the floor. You are getting big and I'm getting older"

He put Isaac down.

"Good morning"

"Good afternoon, Danny" I corrected him.

His mum gave me a knowing look and touched Isabelle's hair.

"Hey, princess. What's going on? Don't you want to see the plants?" Then she looked at me. "She gets a bit shy sometimes. But she has been talking about visiting you the whole morning"

"Oh, it's okay. I can get shy sometimes too. It's fine. Let's give her time"

Danny POV

Isabelle looked at her with a tiny smile and let mum's hand go. It was a sign of her getting more comfortable.

I looked at Abi and my heart went crazy. This was what I wanted. She was what I needed.

"Abigail"

Isaac called her and she walked to him kneeling on the floor and solving the boy's question.

My mum looked at me.

"What?" I whispered.

"I like her" She whispered on the same way.

I blushed and my mum laughed.

"Hey, do you want to see where the plants grow?"

Isabelle looked with attention trying to hear better what Abigail and Isaac were talking about.

I touched the girl's soft curls and she looked at me. I crouched in front of her.

"Why don't you go with them? You don't need to talk or..."

She wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Do you want me to take you?"

She nodded. I picked her and she wrapped her legs around my body. My mum caressed her cheek.

"Come over here"

We followed Abigail, who had opened a curtain to the back of the door.

"Where do this stairs take?" Isaac asked.

"My home. I live up there"

"That's cool"

Isaac was walking next to her, asking about everything and looking around.

"Here. I call it the nursery. All the baby plants stay here until they are old enough to go out and get a home"

Isaac was trying to see the plants but he wasn't tall enough. Mum tried to go and help him, but Abi was fast enough to get a plastic box for him to use as a step.

"Thank you, Abigail"

Me heart was pounding on my chest. This kids were the most important thing I had. I loved them more than anything. And Abigail had just gone and bonded with them so fast. Even faster than with me. Maybe it's was just my head making things up.

My mum touched my arm and pushed me so I could take Isabelle closer. I did. My arm brushed Abigail's and I felt my breath hitching on my chest.

Izzy was looking at her with big eyes. She already adored her.

"Where are the daisies?"

Abi smiled.

"Right here, sweety." Abi reach her hand to another box and took two daisies. "One for Isabelle..." With so much care, she put the flower on Izzie's hair. "And another one for Isaac" She put it on his shirt. Both kids shared a happy look.

"Look how pretty you look! And you little man? So distinguish." I told them. They were so so happy, and so was I.

When they warmed up a bit, they started following Abigail around. I couldn't even have a moment alone with her. Mum had linked her arm around mine and we were both quietly observing them.

"Dan"

I looked down at her.

"How are you?"

"I'm happy to have you all here"

"Not about that."

I sighed.

"I'm good, mum."

She kissed my shoulder.

"It's just... I see you looking at her and the kids and... Is she what you want?"

I looked at Abigail. She was making them laugh with a cactus. I didn't even know what she said, but happiness washed over me.

"She is, mum"

"You should invite her for the barbecue."

I bit my lip.

"Maybe she... I don't know if she'd wants"

"It's fine. That's why you have to do it. If I do it she will say yes only to please me. Go and ask her."

She pushed me. I took a deep breath and walked to her.

"Hey"

She smiled at me. A beautiful and genuine smile. She has happy with them.

"Abigail!" Izzy made grabby hands at her and Abi picked her.

Oh man, I'm going to faint. With my niece on her hip, Abigail turned to me.

"Did you want something?"

I bit my lip and looked at my mum. She gave me thumbs up and I felt like a kid again.

"We are having a barbecue and I was wondering if you wanted to come. On Thursday."

She opened her mouth to speak but didn't say anything.

She doesn't want. It's okay. It's soon. We are not even together.

But she looked at Izzy. The little girl touched Abi's curls.

"I think I want to go" Abi said with a little smile.

"Oh, t-that's amazing"

She blushed.

"I like your earrings" Izzy touched one of them, making us laugh.

"Do you?"

"Uncle Dan will buy me tons of earrings when I'm older."

"You have to win them first!" I told her.

Abigail looked at me with bright eyes.

"What are you going to buy me then?" Isaac asked.

"A dirt bike, mate. I promised"

"Over my dead body!"

My mum exclaimed. It made Abigail laugh.

Oh shit. I wasn't ready for all of this.

"Maybe a normal bike" She suggested.

"Mum said I can have one!"

On Thursday.

"So she is coming" Mike asked when we were setting the barbecue.

"She is, mate"

"And how are you?"

"Nervous as hell"

Mike chuckled. Blake and him where the ones who knew almost everything about me. They knew me so well.

"They already like her, Dan"

"I know. It's just... Do you think it's too soon?"

"No, not really. She is your friend. Blake and I are friends. Lewis is your friend. You have invited your friends to a barbecue with your family. It's fine. And... They get to know her this way, don't they? I saw her at Piarles that night. She is shy. It took her more than ten minutes to start a conversation with me or Blake. Let her warm with them. Let her open. What's the other option? Go to Australia on July and introduce her as your girlfriend. I think this is better. For her, the most"

I looked at him open mouthed. He was a mentalist or something.

"How are you like that?"

He shrugged.

"I read minds"

"I knew it."

We laughed.

"She looked happy the other day" He added.

"She was. And when we went to the shop? Radiant, mate. She was awesome with the kids."

He smiled.

"I can already see you married"

I rolled my eyes and laughed.

"I would like the past Danny, the one who didn't even want to talk to her, to see this Danny"

"Yeah, lucky I have you babysitting me"

"Lucky she appeared on the shop, idiot" He hit the back of my head and laughed.

"Uncle Dan"

We turned when Isabelle called me. She was wearing a nice flower skirt and a little white shirt. Her her was up. Half up, just like Abi did hers.

"Wow, princess. You look fantastic."

"You really do, Izzy." Mike added.

He was like a brother to me, so he was almost a part of the family.

"Do I look good? Abigail is coming to the party and she is really pretty. I want her to like my clothes" She touched her skirt. "I think she will like the skirt because it has lots of flowers."

I bit my lip and Michael looked at me.

"Of course she will, Izzy. You look so soooo pretty. And Abigail will definitely love your skirt."

She walked to me and touched my face.

"Is Abigail your girlfriend? Isaac says she isn't. But I like her a lot."

I took a deep breath and looked at Mike. He made a sign for me to answer.

"She is not my girlfriend, Izzy. But she is a really special friend, okay?"

She nodded and pouted a bit.

"Hey, no sad faces, okay? I want my girl happy today." I touched her little nose.

"Okay"

"A hug and a kiss, c'mon"

She hugged me and kissed my cheek.

"Now, go and tell Isaac to come out and play with Uncle Dan."

They were leaving tomorrow pretty early so I wanted to make the most time with them.

"Mate..." Mike said once she left.

"I'm not the only one who adores her"

"She is easy to like. I think she is good for you"

I smiled.

"You always had a good eye with this things"

"Trust me then. And don't fuck it"

I nodded. He came and hugged me hard.

We heard the door bell and my heart skipped a beat.

I walked there too. I found Dad at the door, he was already talking to her. She looked so perfect and beautiful. Her long skirt moved with the wind and her hair fell in waves. She had pulled the half of it on a bun, just like Izzy.

It's happening fast. So fast.

Blake appeared behind her and said hi, she moved then to the side to let him in and looked at me.

Go, Danny. Go.

I took a deep breath and walked to her.

"Hi, Danny. I-I brought this sweets. They are this little cakes they do in a bakery close to the shop. They are super tiny and have fruit."

"That's amazing"

I leaned and kissed her cheek. And suddenly...

Abigail's POV.

"Abigail!" Isaac came running with a little car on his hand. "Look!"

Still with Danny's hand on my waist, I leaned a bit "It's so cool"

He smiled. "It's like Uncle Dan's. But in red. Not pink."

"I prefer the red one"

"Oh!"

I looked at Daniel, who was faking being offended but smiling even though.

"Sorry, Daniel. His is waaay cooler."

Isaac chuckled.

"Hey, little man!"

Blake called him and he went with him.

Daniel smiled at me.

"Someone is waiting for you, you know? I fear I'm not the one who likes you the most anymore."

"O-oh Danny"

"C'mon. I'm excited to have you here. Lewis will come soon, too"

I smiled and nodded.

He took me to the backyard, where Grace and Michelle were having some drinks while Michael and now Joe were putting the first pieces on the barbecue. Joe had been more than nice welcoming me at the door. Now both women smiled brightly.

"Hey, Abigail! Welcome!"

Michelle gave me a hug.

"Hi, Michelle. Thank you."

Grace came too and gave me another hug.

"You look amazing. Someone is going to get really happy. The skirt it's beautiful"

"Oh thank you."

I wondered where she would be. Isabelle.

"Yeah. Where is she?" Daniel asked as if he could read my mind.

On the corner of my eye. I saw the curtain moving. Isabelle was looking from the glass door.

"Hey, princess. Why are you hiding there?" Daniel said finding her too. "Come here and say hi"

She walked slowly and I smiled.

"Hey, Isabelle. How are you? You look really pretty today" I said smiling.

She blushed hard and grabbed her mum's hand.

"Izzy wanted to wear her flowers skirt because she was sure you would like it" Michelle told me.

Oh.

I felt Danny's hand on my waist, his fingers tightening his grasp. It felt heavy and warm. It fitted perfectly on me.

"I love it. What a coincidence I'm wearing flowers too" I said moving my skirt a bit.

"I like your skirt too."

"Thank you, Izzy. Can I call you that?"

She smiled.

"Can I call you Abi? Uncle Dan calls you Abi"

I nodded. Abi was only for special people. Molly, Charlotte and Danny were the only ones calling me that. But this kids were so sweet.

"Of course you can"

"Yes!"

"Can I call you Abi too?"

"Of course you can, Isaac"

Grace fixed his hair.

"You should go and help Grandpa with food."

The kid ran to him.

Izzy was still looking at me and Danny, who hadn't moved his hand from my waist.

"Uncle Dan and I always play horses. He is the horse and I am the animals princess."

"Oh wow."

"Do you want to?" Danny asked her.

Soon I was sitting with Michelle and Grace looking at Danny running with Isabelle on his back and Isaac around him. My heart was beating fast. I couldn't avoid it. I had a really pretty guy who was also good with kids willing to date me. How had I done this?

"He wants to be a dad so bad." Grace told me.

"Mum, don't scare her"

It was as if, even when Daniel had introduced me as a friend, they all knew more.

"Um... It's fine, Michelle." I swallowed. "I didn't imagine him to be this close with them."

"He may be far away, but has always worried about them. He wants the kids to feel them close"

"It must be hard" I half whispered.

Grace nodded.

"It is. He is my little boy and he is away. So far. But he is happy now. He has a good life. And he loves Perth too. So... I still have a little hope." She had a nostalgic smile while she looked at his son and grandchildren playing.

"He has good people here. He has lots of friends. Daniel is the social butterfly." Michelle added. "That makes it easier. He has Michael and Blake, who we are sure that take good care of him. He works with Lewis who is an amazing professional. And yeah, now he has you."

I looked at her. What does it mean?

"Now it's you scaring her!"

I giggled and blushed.

"What I mean is that... Well, I don't even know. You seem like a fantastic girl, Abigail. That's the kind of people I want around my little brother"

I chuckled.

"Okay, it makes sense." I answered. "He makes it easy. He has always been good to me."

"How did you meet?"

"I got a tattoo"

"Oh!" Grace exclaimed. "He was nice to you, right?"

"Yes! Yes, of course he was. He was super respectful."

Daniel had gave a really really nice first impression. From the first time we met, to the two hours I spent half naked on the studio.

"Fine. I raised him for that" She winked at me and I giggled.

"Don't worry about that. He is so nice. Really."

She reached for my hand and squeezed it.

"I remembered when he was a teen. He was loke 15 or 16 and wanting nothing more than to go to Europe and learn from some guy. He was so convinced he was good enough."

"Mum made him finish high school first" Michelle said laughing.

"Well, I wanted him to have something instead of the tattoo thing if it didn't work."

"It did, mum. It worked!"

Daniel exclaimed from were he was playing with the kids.

"And I'm happy for you!"

We laughed. I looked at Grace and she looked at me. I couldn't read what she was thinking of. But she hadn't let my hand go yet.

"He is a bit of an idiot. I hope you can manage that."

I giggled.

"He's fine."

"Nah, he is not. He is like another kid." Michelle said.

I observed him with a smile. I still felt overwhelmed sometimes thinking about it. About his energy and personality, much bigger than mine. But it wasn't the same anymore. I started to like his way of being. To enjoy it. I had stopped comparing us so much.

"Oh jeez. I need a beer." He said leaving Isabelle on the floor.

Isabelle went to her mum and took a big sip from her water. Meanwhile, Isaac went to Joe and asked about the barbecue.

"I'm getting old"

"You are not, Uncle Dan. Grandpa is old, not you" The boy said.

"Hey!" Joe started tickling Isaac and kid fell laughing to the ground.

I noticed how Danny had his mum's looks but dad's personality.

He came with two bottles of beer and sat next to me.

"Thanks"

"No problem" He smiled.

He was flustered and slightly sweating because of the games with the kids, but he looked perfect. The sun had made the freckles over his nose a bit darker and he hadn't shaved in this days. Plus, his curls were getting longer and longer.

He caught me staring and I looked away. I heard him chuckle softly before dropping his arm around the back of my chair. Smooth.

I saw Michelle rolle her eyes with a smile.

"Has Abi told you she is a botanist?"

The two women gasped.

"What is a botanist?" Isaac found this more interesting than the barbecue and had left Michael, Blake and Joe to it.

"It's a scientific that studies plants." Grace explained and I nodded.

"I only studied because Charlotte made me do it, though"

"Oh, look. Something else you have in common." Michelle said.

"Have they told you how they made me go through those years of high school? They made me sweat and spend long nights studying"

"That's not true. He spent those years getting himself in problems and partying." Grace added.

"I can confirm that. He was the loud weirdo who was always in detention." Michael said.

"I was a weirdo too. But I didn't got myself in problems. I was always studying."

"Studying plants?" Isaac asked.

"Yes."

"That's what you have to do." Michelle warned his son.

He chuckled and looked at Daniel.

"But riding dirt bikes is funnier!"

"No it's not!" Grace insisted.

They were all so fun. Charlotte would definitely like them.

"I prefer growing plants" Izzy added.

I smiled at her.

"Charlotte is your aunt, right?" Grace asked.

"She is."

"Danny told me, I hope you have no problem with it."

"Oh no, don't worry."

Daniel tightened his arm around me and I sighed in pleasure. I wanted to lean closer to him and lay my head on his shoulder. I felt welcomed and loved by the family.

"I'm so happy you are here" Danny whispered in my ear when the conversation drifted to something else.

When I turned, my nose brushed his for a second. I swallowed hard.

"I'm happy you asked me to come"

"I wanted to here. I really wanted you here."

I threaded my fingers with his and he smiled while looking down. It felt huge for me, these words, the actions. Everything. I wanted to feel loved and it that moment I was.

"Uncle Dan!" Izzy made grabby hands, but Dan was already holding Isaac.

"Hey, can you?"

I nodded and put Izzy on my lap, you got comfortable and started talking nonstop.

The day went like that, the Ricciardos being awesome, loving and caring; Lewis, Blake and Michael treating me as a long time friend; and Daniel... Oh Daniel. He was more than perfect. So so perfect. Almost unbelievable. Because when you hadn't been treated nicely, that kind of affection felt strange.

I learnt that they had a farm. Joe had a wine business, which he owned the 80% and Danny the 20%. It was a surprise, but it suited him.

My time to go arrived and Lewis decided to tag along so I could drop him at his flat. I had no problem with it.

But when I was saying my goodbyes and wishing them a good fly home, a pair of blue eyes looked at me full of tears. Oh no, don't cry or I'll cry too.

Then she sobbed and everyone looked down at her.

"Isabelle..."

"I don't want her to leave"

Daniel picked her on his arms and wrapped her tight in a hug. I caressed her back.

"Isabelle..."

"Izzy, sweety. She has to go home and take care of all the plants." Michelle tried to calm her down, but she was sobbing on Danny's neck.

I felt so bad.

"I don't want to leave, I want to stay here!"

Daniel closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them, they were watery.

Oh no. Oh. Fuck. No.

"Izzy hey. Isabelle. Look at me" He said.

The little girl looked at him.

"You know when my birthday is, right?"

"The one. On July."

"That's right" Daniel smiled. "And you know what else?"

She shook her head.

"I will go home for my birthday."

"You are coming to Perth?!" Isaac asked happy.

It was short of a surprise for everyone. They all gasped and smiled.

"I will go to celebrate my birthday with you. It was a surprise, but I suppose it isn't anymore."

Isabelle touched his nose and frowned.

"How much time?"

"Till I go? Not even two months."

Izzy nodded but she was still pouting.

"Can Abi come?"

I blushed hard and they all looked at me.

Daniel gave me a look. A no pressure look.

"I don't know if I can, Izzy. I have to take care of my plants. But I will give Uncle Dan some seeds so you can grow your own at home"

She dried her tears.

"I'll miss you, Abi."

"I'll miss you too, sweety."

She opened her arms for me to hug her, which I did. She was still on Danny's arms so it was a bit difficult.

When she pulled back, she hid on Danny's neck again. Her little body was shaking because she had started crying again. Danny kissed her cheek.

Isaac touched my leg and asked for a hug too.

"See you soon, Isaac"

He smiled.

"Bye bye"

"I'll walk you to the car." Danny said to Lewis and me.

Still with Izzy on his arms, he went outise with us. Lewis gave us some space.

"I'll talk to you." He said.

"Of course. Call me if you need me." I whispered.

He nodded. Maybe he missed them and didn't want to be alone. Maybe it was enough with Mike and Blake. But I wanted to at least offer it.

"Okay. See you soon."

I got on my tip toes and kissed his cheek.

Izzy looked up and pressed her head on Danny's cheek.

"See you soon, Izzy"

"Say bye to Abi."

"Bye bye, Abi.

I told them goodbue from the car again and once we were away, Lewis spoke.

"What a day, huh?"

"What a day, yes"

Here it is. Some fluff after today's shitty race.

Next part: Dew on the Vine.

[squeiky]

!!!List of papyrus things!!!

(Update 3! mini update.)

For anyone who needs more info on the guy! Since you usually dont see alot of info about him!

A list of stuff thats just papyrus's tid bits i've collected overtime!

(Disclaimer: some things can be taken off of memory, though I did search most of the stuff up, so you dont have to worry too much. But if your feeling unsure, search it up! And correct me while your at it.)

his room doesn't play/have music.

(If you have reunited playing at enter his room, it'll disappear forever. Untill you go back and let it play again. Even without reunited, a song that plays no matter what room your in, doesn't play any music.)

Never takes off his battle body.

(According to sans, he only takes it off if he has no other choice too. Otherwise he'll just put clothes ontop of it, or just repaints it if needed. He does how ever, change his pants but never takes off the top.)

the minute "royal gaurd " is out of the picture, he's got nothing.

(It was the one thing he worked up for. When the royal gaurd disbands He says he "working hard on doing absolutely nothing". Then again this can be interpreted as papyrus does say he is working on something, despite not being a royal gaurd yet.)

He lies. (And can manipulate)

(Though he is really bad at lying, he seems to manipulate just fine, though its usually not out of malice. He gets undyne to befreind you by mentioning "challenge", which is a weakness of hers, since she never can turn down a challenge. And has lied about floweys name to her to. Has lied to sans or atleast mislead him about the things he knows about. Pretended he didn't know what a lab was during a call in hotland, but if you call him when sans isn't there, papyrus mentions the lab as if it was common knowledge instead of saying "Labrador-y?" As if he had no idea.)

Changes up his attacks

( if you get captured a few times, you see variation in his attacks. If you do it right, you can get him too skip half of his entire attack.)

Calls his own puzzles "Awful"

(This happens after battling papyrus, he says "WHO KNEW THAT ALL I NEEDED TO MAKE PALS... WAS TO GIVE PEOPLE AWFUL PUZZLES AND THEN FIGHT THEM??" This could be interpreted in many ways.)

Spikes, fire, traps, fencless bridges: are all safe for children, according to papyrus.

("EACH AREA HAS TO HAVE A PRECARIOUS BRIDGE" -bridge likely to collapse, dangerous. "ITS MANDATED BY THE GOVERNMENT. OF COURSE KING FLUFFYBOY WANTS TO UNMANDATE IT SAFER." "WHY?! WONT HE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!)

Has "talked" with asgore before.

(Sadly, asgore and papyrus has crossed paths. Asgore advises him not to but dangerous puzzles around town, for the children. Papyrus wants to put dangerous puzzles around town, for the children. This results in them bickering over saftey laws, with papyrus usually winning.)

Tried to start a flowey fan club

(On multiple occasions calls flowey "his best freind" and shows genuine love for the little guy. He even gave flowey a little red scarf to match his, during the 5th anniversary winter alarm clock.)

Has photo-graphic memory for phone calls.

-call in the room where undyne chased you. He seems nervous, or atleast stressed out during this call. I'll leave any and all interpretation to you.)

(Ps: papyrus has bad memory, but good photographic memory?)

His disliking for grease

(Says this during a call with undyne in grillby's place. Undyne says she loves grease, and he quickly dismisses his opinion in favor of hers. Of course, papyrus HAS visited grillbys before, as the dogamy and doggeressa mention him with sans. )

Calls alphys "great"

(During the first tile puzzle, he praises alphys by calling her "THE GREAT DR. ALPHYS" )

Knows about undynes crush on alphus

(He teases undyne a few times on this, leading to the "hot voice" and "audible wink" papyrus lines. He's not oblivious to the things around him, unless he chooses to be.)

Put limes in his eyes!

(Conversation in hotland! The guy thought limes where cucumbers and stuck them in his eyes. When. He thought it wasn't working he put more limes. It burned like hell but he says it was all to have "mettaton's bishoning eyes")

Knows about mtt's eyes

(Nobody seems to know that mettaton has eyes?! Undyne confirms this fact. Papyrus is the only one who outright mentions it.)

He got mettaton to do the tile puzzle thing

(FOR SOME UNEXPLAINED REASON- mettaton was the tile puzzle robot alphys built. The puzzle robot papyrus had during his own tile puzzle. Infact, during mettaton's tile puzzle in hotland, he says that you'd is this a few hundred rooms ago. If you call papyrus, he starts rambling on all the instructions again. Hehe.)

he likes dinosaur oatmeal

(According to the undertale tumblr, flowey response to "whats papyrus's favorite food?" Is DINOSAUR OATMEAL!! YAY!)

really enjoys mtt's show and mtt in general.

(and mtt even helped him with a tile puzzle)

enjoys cars

Owns a car bed

(Want to drive one)

really freaking artistic!

(Paints a whole bridge, makes a snowpapyrus, made his own costume/battle body, built a okay replica of a sentry station)

The red book on the table in the skelebro's house is infact his!

(For specifics, the quantum mechanics book with infinite books inside of it. It isn't specified who reads it, but both brothers should be capable as jokes and puns are not out of papyrus wardrobe.)

has his own shed and tools.

(Also known as "the punishment shed, doghouse, cpature zone, guest room, a garage" or undyne's pun which was "the coolshed". Ah, to be enriched by shed puns... Wonderful.)

tried to learn the "horoscope"

(Got "stumped" according to sans)

thinks junior jumble is harder than crossword

wants a 6 pairs of hot pants and 6 pairs of legs to wear those pants

has a dream of owning a shop where he just sells flames

(Call near in waterfall, near the turtle man shop.)

He's very influential

(If he's the only one killed in a neutral run, even without undyne, a revolution will still occur. Look into it yourself if need be.)

Called himself a genius

(During the instance, where he talks to you after turning the light on in sans's room.)

Can't really tell when someones mad

(He couldn't tell when undyne was mad at him during a call. He asks us too.)

Doesn't watch anime.

(He thinks its like cartoons for babies. Jokes around with undyne for awhile before taking it all back once he knew she watched anime.-during one of the calls.)

Brutal kind of guy

(He says this himself, i don't exactly know WHY he thinks this of himself, but he does.)

Bookworm

Owns a bookshelf

(He has a book Its where his vast dictionary comes from.

Knows about the time and space manipulation tactics sans uses.

(HE KNOWS- HE MENTIONS IT WHEN HE TURNS ON THE LIGHT IN SANS'S ROOM!!)

believes you can be a better person, if you just try.

(And he's right. Even if you kill him he still believes this, beacuse well.. Its true. Undyne wont forgive you and try to kill you, sans won't fight you, bht he's still right either way)

Knows about river person

(He asks about how river person is doing. No body seems to know about river person, and its unsure if undyne knows about their prescence.)

The days in his date scene (Monday, Tuesday, weekday, Thursday,e.c.t ) changes depending on your computer. Even though the date in undertale is always Monday.

(River person has a scheduled thing that matches up to your computer date as well, but this is about papyrus, not river person.)

Weird abilities

(Flying and super speedy twirling, flying backwards. He doesn't even hide it.)

He's pretty freaking tough!

(According to undyne, the person who defeated asgore.)

His "absolutely normal attack" is a giant cluster of bones.

(In theory, his attack could be the size of the entire area, including the giant bone at the end.)

Papyrus can lower the giant bone at the end of his "absolutely normal attack"

Has Collection of bones (or was planning to make one.)

(The room behind the sink was made for.. His attacks/bones. Before toby(dog)came in and made a shrine instead.)

Is annoying dog's favorite target.

Has a cannon, spears, fire thingy, and a dog at his disposal.

(Displayed during the bridge scene)

One persistent dude.

Likes to say "NYEHEHE!"

Has alot of MTT items.

Owns makeup!

(Mtt brand of course!)

Never dated anyone before.

(He says it himself.)

owns a dating manual

Not much of a sleeper.

(To the point where he just calls sleeping "naps" which aren't that long. He outright says he's always working, so he doesn't sleep.)

Dislikes hotland

dislikes hotland x2

Dislikes hotlands puzzles

Dislikes hotlands ethics.

Doesnt know much about hotland

(Says he knows it like the back of his hand!)

Says he never taken off his gloves, so he has no idea how his hands look like.

(He wears gloves or mittens on top of his gloves. And refuses to take it off, like his "battle body")

Calls hotland's steam puzzles garbage.

Dislikes hotlands conveyors

Thinks L1 and R2 stand for left and right

( Of course, it takes him awhile. He starts making puns, and tries to compare the words to pasta, and THEN comes to the conclusion that its left and right. Its Trail and error.-)

Knows about death.

(Said he wanted to meet death one time during a waterfall call.)

He pauses when speaking as a lost soul.

("I MUST CAPTURE A HUMAN! THEN EVERYONE WILL. ...." This is unusual as he is the only one that pauses. This can be interpreted, but it is rather interesting nonetheless)

Alright this is a bit more interpretive. Things may not be 100% facts down here.

Disclaimer: i will be putting "Interpretive" in red coloring for things that have may my interpretation or opinions in! Please do be mindful in your search, and take it with a grain of salt. It doesn't make it comepelty wrong, it has facts! Just muddled with oppinions.

Ready?

self-worth problems.

( can be called interpretive: He always feels very unimportant, as if he doesn't actually matter. During a call in waterfall, with the puddle hallway, papyrus talks about not letting it "get to you" or something along the lines of that. Since undyne speaks from her experience with the puddles, then i'd assume papyrus would too.)

(I think its just a sign of self doubt or insecurity. Someone once said its dysphoria, which is a cool headcannon for paps or something. What ever it is, he has some demons that he doesn't want to let out.)

Forgetable.

( according to the genocide description)

( Interpretive: Other than that, he's not even noticable. Though, there are a few people that appreciate him, most dont really acknowledge him. Unless you kill him of course!)

Sad/depressed?

( interpreitive as well:Before the human showed up, sans explains how his brother was feeling quite down lately. We see a.. Happier side of papyrus through out our journey.. He vents out to us, the player/human, about things he dislikes, or troubles he faces. Hes like a froggit. Life is hard for a froggit.)

Smiles through things.

("This is where I tried to capture you! What a bad memory." -quote he says as he smiles through it all. He does have a sad emote, but so far i have only seen it during a call in hotland, where the CORE was shown. As your adventure is coming close.. To an end.)

Uses his playful "OUCH!" emote when you straight up kill him. Instead of his hurting/in pain emote when flowey catches him off guard before absorbing everyonesones souls.

(The reason is unkown, but that emote is normally associated with more of "light taps." Examples are, toriel's fireballs at asgore and flowey. Unless... Cutting off his head was considered a "light tap" then, but flowey wrapping him in painful vines is considered more painful than getting his head chopped off and still having enough consciousness to joke about it.)

He knows his cooking sucks and that nobody likes it.

(He's not naive. He knows. He even says it. "Nobody has like my cooking before!" - QUOTE. This isn't some hidden fact. He's trying his best, "mabye next year, he might even make something edible." -sans quote.)

That was all the stuff i gathered for now.

Feel free to tell me anything i haven't added! :)

yeah, hes a pretty cool dude, ain't he?

(Edit: i've added some new things to the bunch, and fixed/deleted ome opinions or unrelated junk. Please, continue helping me add!)

[whosaskingwrites]

The Sound Of Love (Tsukishima x Reader)

A/N: Um I don't like this one as much as the others but I did my best. It honestly took forever cause I didn't want to write it and I had no idea what song to use but I eventually decided so here we are.

WARNINGS: angst

Date: Saturday November 7th, 2020

Details: 5.3 pages 2,000 words

Theme: Musicalia- The victim will hear a song constantly playing in their head until it drives them insane. The person of affection will only hear the music when they are around the victim.

Angst Masterlist

Clair De Lune

A simple, beautiful piano melody that had been repeating in my head for weeks. There was never a reprieve from the beautifully haunting melody. My mind followed the sound like a moth to a flame and deteriorated the closer it got to the music.

No amount of holding my hands over my ears stopped it. It had become a part of me like the backround music in a video game or movie. However this wasn't a video game or a movie this was real. Every day was the same never a rest I couldn't even sleep some nights.

This was my last week at Karasuno before I was put in the hospital. My mind was too far gone to stay out I couldn't really hear anything anymore to distracted by the music and of course I hummed it on occasion. Everyone in my classes knew I had it...Musicalia but they didn't know who caused it.

Monday

I walked to class with a sigh Yamaguchi was following and as we walked I heard a gentle piano melody that got louder. I spotted a familiar H/c haired girl fast walking past me like she'd done since I pushed her away. Yamaguchi followed my eyesight and the music faded the further away she got "you should apologize you know. This week is her last at Karasuno," I blinked 'her last week?' I thought "Shut up Yamaguchi," I said keeping my emotions off my face "Sorry Tsukki," I continued watching the S/c skinned female rush off down the hall.

Tuesday

I was walking up to the roof ready to reject another girl. Why they felt the need to confess to me of all people id never understand. As I rounded the corner someone ran into me and with a short shriek they fell. I was about to say something when I noticed who it was...Y/n she looked paler than I remembered and eye bags were prevalent on her face. I heard the piano again it was louder than ever.

"Do you need to listen to music that loud?" I asked though it was harsher than intended. Her eyes widened and I held back a frown as I saw she was afraid. "S-sorry," she stood up quickly and ran off down the hall the music fading the further she got and I watched 'why was she afraid of me?' My eyes caught something on the floor which I turned to. Picking it up I realized it was a simple gold bracelet with a dinosaur charm on it.

"This is...," It was the bracelet id given her three years ago on her birthday. It was still in perfect condition looking like it did on the day I'd given it to her and it caused a small smile to pull at my lips as I pocketed the familiar bracelet.

Wednesday

Everytime I spotted the e/c eyed female in the hallway and approached her she would turn and run the music following her. Nobody ever seemed bothered by the piano it was almost like they didn't hear it and Y/n was never wearing headphones when it was playing. "Does she ever stop listening to that song?" I mumbled to myself as she ran away yet again.

"What song?" Yamaguchi asked next to me I furrowed my eyebrows as I looked at him. "What do you mean what song? That damn piano music she's always listening to it's annoying," I said and Yamaguchi’s eyes widened "Tsukki...She's not listening to any music...," He stated.

I blinked as I processed what that meant "No ive heard it-," Yamaguchi cut me off before I could continue he had a sad look in his eyes and as he spoke I realized why. "She's got Musicalia Tsukki...," He whispered as he looked at me. "She...She what?" I asked. "She's got Musicalia and if you can hear it that means...," my own eyes widened as I realized what he was implying. "Oh...,"

Thursday

Cornering someone who was avoiding you was much more difficult than you'd think. Everytime I ended up even in the same room as her she ran before I could even get near her. "Yamaguchi," I stated causing him to jump. "Yeah?" He nervously asked. "Can you convince Y/n to meet you on the roof?" I asked. He didn't ask any questions he just nodded mumbling a quiet yeah as the teacher walked in the room.

I stood on the roof looking out towards the gym. I heard footsteps come around the corner and stop before they slowly started backing away. "Can you stop running? I need to talk to you," I said. The footsteps stopped and I turned around. Y/n stood a few feet away nervously shuffling on her feet.

"When were you gonna tell me?" I asked and she sighed "Preferably never," She answered and I furrowed my eyebrows. "Never? This could kill you!" I took a step toward her while she took one back "So what?" She spit bitterly rasing her head up to glare. "So what? So everything!" I shouted.

"So everything? You dont even fucking like me! You made that pretty clear last year!" She yelled back. She was referencing an argument that I barely remembered and that she hadn't forgotten. "Do you even know what its like to have your heart crushed in seconds!?" She screamed. "You still should have told me you have Musicalia!" I glared back. 

She just gave me a bitter smile "I suppose my dear this was how it was meant to be," she stretched her arms out as she spoke and tears dripped down her face at a slow pace. "You dying isn't how it's supposed to be!" She only shook her head in response. I stuck my hand in my pocket and pulled out the bracelet. "Here...just take this back," I said holding it out. She walked forward and I heard that gentle and haunting music get louder.

She stopped closing my hand around the bracelet and leaning up to press a kiss against my cheek. "Keep it I won't have a use for it much longer," she mumbled before turning and walking off. "Y/n!" She stopped but didn't turn around and I continued speaking. "I love you," she sighed and turned her head. The sunset cast her in an ethereal glow and sparkled off the remaining tears on her face.

She gave a sad, watery smile in response. "No you don't Tsukki. If you did...You would have come back to me a lot sooner," she turned and left I knew she was right but god it hurt to hear her say that. My hand was still tightly closed around the bracelet the metal uncomfortably warm against my skin as she walked away from me.

Friday

She avoided me even more. I never saw her but I heard the music following around on occasion. After yesterday I had looked for the melody finally hearing it long enough to search for it. The results had told me the song was Clair De Lune I should have known. It was Y/n's favorite song though I doubted she liked it now.

I had tried to find her when I heard the music but even if I followed it I never found her. I was walking toward my locker keeping an ear out for that melody. As I opened the locker a f/c envelope fell out as I picked it up I noticed it was sealed with a gold wax stamp. Flipping it over my name was written on the front in flowing cursive. I put it away in my bag before heading to practice.

I flipped the envelope around in my hand staring at it before sighing. I pulled open the envelope and slipped the contents out. The first was a photo of me, Y/n, and Yamaguchi we were standing in the park in the photo. Y/n and Yamaguchi had their arms over eachothers shoulders while I stood in the background glaring towards the camera.

The other thing was a letter that I was hesitant to flip open. I knew the letter was from Y/n but I for the first time felt afraid on what she had to say. Sighing I opened the letter ready to read it.

Dear Kei,

It's been awhile hasn't it? Though That's what happens after fights. You give each other time to calm down and then you come back. Only this time...There is no coming back. You already know I have Musicalia and I'm sure you know I love you. It's weird to write that to someone you know doesn't love you.

Don't lie either. You don't love me the way I love you. You may think you do but if you had we would have been friends again by now. But you were perfectly content with not having me in your life so I know you'll be fine when I'm actually gone.

That's the issue isn't it? I'll be gone soon really, truly...gone. I'm not afraid knowing my death is approaching im...content and at peace with it. My death won't be glorious. I'm not going out with a bang. Or any final inspirational words. I'll go quietly in my sleep hopefully. Sleep however is hard when there's music constantly playing on loop in your head.

When I'm gone Kei...Will you visit me? Tell me about your day or the volleyball team! Yamaguchi told me about the team you should go easier on them. You should also learn from them you know? Anyways if you ever can't make it to me...Play Clair De Lune and I'll go to you! I'll listen to you talk at your place instead of you coming to mine!

I'm sure you know by now that this is my goodbye letter. Don't act so suprised of course I want to say goodbye to you. You're important to me you should know that. I've written this for awhile but I wanted it to be a good final goodbye since its immortalized forever in a letter. If you share this with anyone I'll kill you by the way. Even in death I still have a reputation. Anyway...

Goodbye Kei

I love you

—Y/n L/n

A month had passed since she said goodbye I moved forward even though it hurt to not see her around school. It almost felt like she moved but that imagine was ruined whenever I visited her grave. "Hey Tsukki I didn't know you liked dinosaurs!" I sighed in irritation my eyes flicking towards Kuroo who was pointing at my wrist.

"Wow that's cool!" Bokuto joined in and my eyes drifted to the golden bracelet around my wrist. "It's not mine," I stated drinking my water. "Whos is it?" Akaashi asked and I sighed again. "My friend Y/n’s...She's gone now and I'd rather not talk about it," I said standing up and heading back to the net. None of them said anything more about it and I was grateful for that.

Later that night I closed my eyes and played the song that I had grown very familiar with. It was quiet except for the soft melody playing through my headphones. While my eyes were closed I felt the familiar pressure on my body like someone was laying on my chest. If I listened through my headphones close enough I could almost hear her soft voice humming the song. 

I knew in my brain it was impossible but for now I let my heart believe that it was her. I talked quietly about anything and everything that came to mind. The team was sleeping so I knew I could talk freely most of them slept like they were in a coma. I sighed as I reached the end of my story before I spoke once more.

"I miss you Y/n,"

————————————————————————

TAGLIST: @wonhomarshmallow

[artificialqueens]

If you ever wanna be in love (I'll come around), Chapter Four (Branjie) - Athena2

Summary: Previously: Brooke and Vanessa had dinner with Brooke’s parents Now: Vanessa’s scheme to get more time with Brooke pays off, and they get closer.

A/N: Thank you all so much for the amazing feedback and love you’ve given this fic, it makes me so soft and really keeps me going. I’d love any thoughts you have on this chapter as well! Thank you to Writ for betaing, you’re the best!! <3 <3

Brooke smooths her thumb over the pink lipstick Vanessa wore Saturday. Pink like frosting, like peonies, like candy hearts. Like Vanessa’s lips.

It’s just lipstick, but Brooke’s been staring at it all weekend like she’s never seen it, like it’s a fossil to discover. It’s a piece of Vanessa, proof she really was in Brooke’s car, that Brooke really was that happy with her. She can’t stop picturing Vanessa putting her lipstick on, letting it glide over her lips–

Brooke has to get it back to her right away. It’s just lipstick, but Vanessa wears it a lot, so it’s probably her favorite. The library is only a few blocks from the museum, a coffee shop on the way, and maybe it’s a flimsy excuse to bring Vanessa coffee, but Brooke snatches it like a lifeline. And so what if she memorized Vanessa’s coffee order? Brooke was so horrified by the amount of sugar Vanessa dumped in that it’s burned into her brain. Brooke takes her coffee black, thank you very much, not only for the taste but because extra sugar makes her jumpy.

She has Vanessa’s sugar explosion in her left hand and the lipstick in her right as she enters the library, and she shouldn’t be sweating this much in the air conditioning. What if Vanessa already had coffee? What if someone asks Brooke why she’s here--I’ll say I’m bringing my wife coffee, Brooke thinks, and the thrill of it floods her.

The children’s room is bigger than Brooke expected, with long walls of books and sections for computers and toys, some kids playing on a bright rug. Vanessa is at the desk with her co-workers–A’keria and Yvie, Brooke recalls–and her face lights up when she sees Brooke.

“What brings you here?” Vanessa asks gleefully.

“Um,” Brooke begins, distracted by Vanessa’s dazzling smile. “I found your lipstick in my car. It must have fallen out of your purse.” She sets it on the desk, almost sad to lose it, like she’s lost part of Vanessa. “And I thought you might want coffee.”

Vanessa plainly does want coffee, snatching the cup and sighing in content.

“Damn.” A’keria whistles, turning to Brooke. “You got brothers? I want a fake husband to bring me coffee.”

Brooke shakes her head. “Sorry.”

“Worth a shot.”

Vanessa elbows her, then shoots out of her chair. “Hey, do you have time before work?”

“I should. Why?”

Vanessa claps her hands. “Because you, Brookie, are about to get my famous library tour.”

Brooke flushes at the nickname, which only her niece and nephew use. It’s special to hear Vanessa say it, a secret between them.

“Is this what we’re calling famous nowadays?” Yvie asks.

Vanessa shushes her and herds Brooke to the bookshelves. “These are books for little kids, middle school, and young adults. And this”–she points at shelves with construction paper hearts and rainbows streaming down the sides, informational pamphlets nestled between books for all ages– “is the pride month display I made.”

She smiles hesitantly, proud in her work but uncertain what Brooke will think, and Brooke doesn’t want Vanessa to doubt herself for a second. She loves how much Vanessa cares, making special displays to inform kids on different sexualities and safe sex, and she wants Vanessa to know it.

“That’s awesome, Vanessa,” Brooke says. “It’s so great you did this. Think of all the kids it’ll help.”

“Yeah.” Vanessa flashes her smile again, like that was exactly what she had in mind and was waiting for someone to recognize it, to understand how important it is to her. “Here are some crafts I’ve done.”

She nods to a shelf littered with Styrofoam Poké balls and tissue boxes transformed into sharp-toothed monsters, but one catches Brooke’s eye–

“Cats!” she squeals. “How did you make them?”

Vanessa laughs. “From a soda bottle. You cut off the bottom, then paint on a face. Then you have little kittens.”

“Amazing.” Brooke meets Vanessa’s eyes, sees them shining with pride. “What else is on the tour?”

“That’s about it. Just got toys, games, computers, that kind of stuff in the corners. There’s the bathroom, but you don’t want to see that. I don’t know what people do in there.”

“This was a great tour,” Brooke says. “You know, I could give you a museum tour sometime, if you want,” she offers, hoping she hasn’t overstepped, hoping Vanessa says yes.

“Okay!” Vanessa yells. “You can show me the dinos! Like those cera-tips!”

“Triceratops,” Brooke corrects gently through a snorting laugh. She tries not to snort when she laughs because it sounds ridiculous, but Vanessa draws those laughs out of her like nothing, grinning each time.

“That’s what I meant.” Vanessa is still laughing as she leads Brooke outside, and Brooke’s chest hurts as she says goodbye. It could just be heartburn. That’s probably it.

She has to do an awkward run/walk to get to work on time, but it’s worth it.

—

“V, are you listening?” A’keria asks.

Vanessa is not listening. Not after the picture Brooke just sent: a selfie of her with a giant grin on her face, next to the T-Rex skull. She’s so carefree and happy, and Vanessa’s brain can’t focus on anything else.

“Something about hot sauce?” Vanessa tries, setting her phone down.

Silky sighs. “We already talked about that! We’re talking about A’keria’s date.”

“Oh.” Normally Vanessa would be fully in that conversation, planning hair ideas and discussing outfits. But Brooke keeps occupying a larger and large space in her head, and Vanessa forces her out for right now to be with her girls.

“She’s too busy texting Brooke.” Damn A’keria’s sixth sense. She latches on to any hint of relationship stuff like some sort of Cupid, and any fragments of Brooke that Vanessa ignored come rushing back in a green-eyed, snort-laughing tide.

“What are you two doing?” Silky demands.

Vanessa’s face burns. “What do you mean?”

“Just that you text a lot,” A’keria jumps in calmly. “And you asked her to be your fake wife for the carnival even though you didn’t need to.”

Vanessa shrugs, trying to brush everything off. “We’re friends. She’s fun to be around. I just thought she might like the carnival, and I can keep Paul off my back.”

She tries to convince herself that’s true, that this is nothing more than friendship and strategy and convenience. Another appearance to stick it to Paul, make everything undeniable before they call it quits. The way her heart speeds up around Brooke has nothing to do with it.

“Sure,” Silky says, clearly unconvinced. “When are you going on your museum tour?”

Vanessa groans. “I can’t go too early or I’ll look weird. Maybe Thursday.” She liked her school field trips to museums, liked not being trapped at her desk, even if she got in trouble for going to the Viking exhibit early because her class just took too long in the nasty bug room.

Vanessa wonders how she’ll make it three days until she sees Brooke.

—

Museums have been home to Brooke since she was a kid. Everything was neat and orderly, the way she kept her bedroom, with a place for everything and everything in its place. It was soothing to be around so much knowledge, and she begged her mom to take her every weekend, the day usually ending with Brooke being pulled from the gift shop after trying to buy a life-size stuffed dinosaur or astronaut food with her allowance. (She’s tried astronaut food since then, and what a disappointment).

A kid gasps in surprise when they see display plaques at a child’s eye-level, and Brooke beams. She did that her first day, because she remembers standing on tip-toes and straining her neck to see things meant for grown-ups, when she wanted to see it for herself. There were times as a kid it felt like the whole world was made for other people, people who could kiss in school without fear of being called wrong, people who knew how to make friends, people who could be part of things instead of watching.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” a voice begins. Those words usually have Brooke on the defensive, preparing to be yelled at by some visitor for God knows what. But she knows that voice, and she spins around and laughs.

“I’m here for my tour!” Vanessa announces. She’s in jeans and a bright red shirt, rose-shaped hair clips nestled in her waves, and Brooke is mesmerized.

“Right.” Brooke can’t help it as she stands a little straighter, clears her throat. She loves tours, loves the chance to share her knowledge, to tell people facts—did you know a stegosaurus could weigh up to 7,000 pounds?—she used to be teased for knowing. Even though she doesn’t do regular tours like the tour guides, she’s used to showing around special groups or workers from other museums visiting on business. Yet for all the guests wrapped in fancy degrees and fancier job titles, none are as special as the one in front of her, and Brooke wants to give her best tour ever.

“So, dinosaurs first emerged about 240 million years ago…”

They continue through the museum, past glittery gold Egyptian tombs and recreations of delicate vases and ferocious animal models. Vanessa goes wild in the Viking exhibit, maybe because the replica ship reminds her of a pirate ship, and Brooke tells her any details she remembers from history classes and museum presentations.

Vanessa poses for pictures in front of the ship, her smile dazzling, and Brooke wishes the picture was hers. Hers to look at whenever she wants, to remember today and know they shared something special. But she gives Vanessa her phone back, because they aren’t a real couple, and she has no right to ask Vanessa to send them to her.

“That was amazing, Brooke,” Vanessa praises when they’re done, and the blush creeps into her cheeks.

“I’m happy you liked it,” Brooke says honestly.

“You have a gift shop here? I used to love them. I wanted to buy this Viking sword once and it cost $500.”

Brooke barks with laughter. “I was the same way! I usually wanted stuffed animals or a rocket ship.”

“You ever try astronaut food? It’s–”

“Disgusting!” Brooke finishes, and they laugh so loud people look at them, but Brooke doesn’t care, wants to be in this moment with Vanessa.

“Um, what are you doing this weekend?” Brooke asks, bringing things back down.

“Nothing,” Vanessa grumbles. “Me and A’keria live together, and we usually watch movies on Fridays, but she’s got a date so I’ll be alone. She must think it’s gonna go well, ‘cause I have to cover her Saturday shift too.”

“I’ll watch a movie with you if you want,” Brooke’s mouth blurts out before her brain can stop it. She shouldn’t have done that, they’re not dating. “S-sorry, I didn’t mean–only if you want to–”

Vanessa shushes her stammers with an eager nod. “I’d love that! We can get takeout. It’ll be fun.”

Brooke nods, her heart pounding. She’ll be inside Vanessa’s apartment, someplace much more personal than restaurants and museums. It’s part of Vanessa, and Brooke is honored Vanessa trusts her with it.

“I’ll be there,” she promises.

—

Brooke is going to be in her apartment in 33–no, 30; Brooke’s always early–minutes, and Vanessa is running around like a headless chicken. It’s not that her A’keria are messy; it’s just that Brooke is so neat, careful when they eat and clothes always perfect, and Vanessa doesn’t want to look like a slob.

She wants Brooke to see the pride she has in her place, a space she could call her own after sharing a cramped college dorm. She wants Brooke to walk in and know this is Vanessa’s home, know it’s part of her, from the cozy flannel blankets to the thrifted bookcase overflowing with childhood favorites she read by flashlight at night. Just like Brooke shared her museum home yesterday, bouncing through exhibits and pointing things out to Vanessa, she wants to show Brooke her home.

Brooke knocks five minutes early, takeout bags in hand. Vanessa is about to lead her inside when paws pad over hardwood, and suddenly Brooke is on the floor, Thackeray in her lap and Riley licking her arm.

“You two never give me that kind of welcome!” Vanessa yells.

“Guess I’m an animal whisperer.” Brooke pets Thackeray with one hand and Riley with the other, and Vanessa can’t stop smiling. Riley hates strangers, almost chewing the pizza delivery person’s pants once, but settles with people he likes. Warmth spreads through Vanessa that Riley already likes Brooke, senses all the goodness in her that Vanessa sees.

“You a something whisperer,” Vanessa mutters. She heads inside and Brooke follows, nodding in approval.

“This is a really nice place,” Brooke says. “Are those frog salt and pepper shakers?”

Vanessa cackles. “You bet they are! Found ‘em in the thrift shop.”

“I have dinosaur ones. Nina got them for me.” Brooke blushes.

“Of course you do.”

They settle on the couch with their Thai feast. Vanessa fires up Netflix, and though it’s odd to see Brooke on the other end of the couch, long legs tucked underneath her, she somehow looks right, like the couch always had room for her.

“What are we gonna watch?” Brooke asks, digging into her noodles.

“Maybe a rom-com?” Vanessa suggests hesitantly. “I know they’re cheesy as hell and ain’t real feminist-y, but sometimes it’s nice to see love as this big thing.”

“Yeah. So many married people don’t even like each other.”

“Exactly!” Vanessa yells, because Brooke gets it. “They make love a chore or something, but it shouldn’t be. Sometimes I want some big cheesy gesture or for someone to run through an airport for me. It’s better than not caring at all.”

Love can’t always be a movie, she knows that. But the idea of it, of meaning that much to someone, is what Vanessa’s always wanted. Her parents were like that, cooking together and bringing home flowers and yelling at Jeopardy! contestants, and Vanessa wants that devotion and warmth someday.

“Airports are too big. I’d run through a train station for you,” Brooke says, so dry that Vanessa whacks her with a pillow. “Seriously, a rom-com’s fine.”

Vanessa tries to find one before Brooke sees her recently watched list–a very personal thing, in Vanessa’s opinion–but she’s too late.

“She-Ra and the Princesses of Power?” Brooke asks.

“Don’t laugh!” Vanessa barks. “It’s really good. These kids at the library like it and I started watching to get activity ideas. Then I got hooked.”

Brooke’s smile is warm enough to melt ice, eyes soft and loving. “That’s really sweet. It’s nice how much you care.”

Vanessa can’t stop the pride from creeping into her smile. “I just want the library to be a good place for them, y’know?”

“Yeah. I try to do the same at the museum.”

Vanessa’s heart warms at how much Brooke cares, just like Vanessa cares.

There’s ten minutes of scrolling and countless insistings of ‘you can pick’ before they finally start About Time. Vanessa likes having Brooke there, an anchor on the couch, laughing and sharing the movie with her, even though she doesn’t need tissues at the end like Vanessa.

“You don’t cry at movies?” Vanessa asks.

“Not a lot.”

“Look me in the eyes and say you didn’t cry over Marley and Me.”

“Of course I did! That’s different.” Brooke leans in, air around her suddenly serious, like she’s about to share something private. “I cried a lot when I was little. When someone took my things, when we had to leave my grandparents’ house, you name it. Then I got embarrassed and kinda outgrew it.”

Vanessa nods. “I was a yeller. My mom said people could hear me in Alaska.”

“I believe it.”

“Hey! At least people can always hear me at parties and stuff!”

“Even parties in Alaska.” Brooke snorts. “Speaking of parties, my parents loved you. They’ve been telling me all week how great you are.”

“You’re kidding.” Vanessa wants to believe it, but she can’t. Not after the disaster parent meetings she’s had.

“I’m not.”

“They really said that about me?”

“You seem surprised.” Brooke’s words are part statement and part question, leaving it up to Vanessa how things go. Vanessa hesitates, because she doesn’t do this. She doesn’t let things bother her, doesn’t let people’s opinions change her confidence. She’s enough, and she knows it. Brooke doesn’t need to hear this, but her eyes are warm and inviting, and maybe it’s good to talk about it.

“Parents don’t usually like me,” Vanessa admits, picking at a loose pillow thread. “They want someone fancy and proper and that’s just not me. My last girlfriend’s parents told me I wasn’t good enough for their daughter.” A stray tear falls and Vanessa reaches for a tissue, but Brooke is already offering one.

“Hey,” Brooke says softly. “You’re smart and funny and caring and beautiful. You’re more than enough, Vanessa.”

Vanessa nods through her sniffle, not trusting her voice when Brooke is being so kind, so tender.

“Can I hug you?” Brooke asks, and Vanessa throws herself in Brooke’s arms. She lets Brooke hold her, her tears washing away with the soothing scent of Brooke’s tea tree shampoo, the steady beat of her heart beneath Vanessa’s ear. Vanessa gives amazing hugs, everyone tells her so, and Brooke matches her skill, squeezing gently, hands resting on Vanessa’s back. Brooke’s arms are the coziest, safest blanket and Vanessa never wants to leave them. She could live in Brooke’s arms, make a home nuzzled against her chest.

She forces herself to pull away, looking down at the couch. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” There’s an awkward silence, then Brooke stands. “I should go. You have to work early tomorrow, right?”

“Ugh, don’t remind me. I gotta get up at the ass-crack of dawn.” She sighs. “What are you doing tomorrow?”

Brooke grimaces. “Babysitting. My sister has this dinner thing, and I told her I’d take the kids.”

“Yikes.” Before Vanessa thinks it through, she’s speaking again. “You want help? Two kids is a lot by yourself.”

“I’m fine. I don’t want to bother you–”

“Let me help, Miss Thing!” Vanessa suddenly wants to, would rather spend the night with Brooke and the kids instead of her TV and a bag of chips.

“Okay, okay.” Brooke holds her hands up in surrender.

Vanessa grins. “Coming at you tomorrow, the Mateo-Hytes babysitting crew!”

The echo of Brooke’s barking laugh soothes Vanessa to sleep that night.

—

Brooke knows they’re well past their agreement. This was supposed to be two events and done, back to their normal lives where fake dating is the stuff of rom-coms. But throw in the thrifting, and the lost lipstick, and the movie, and now Brooke is at the mob scene that is a Saturday afternoon grocery store buying brownie mix because Vanessa suggested making brownies with the kids tonight.

It’s almost like she and Vanessa are two boats being tossed about in each other’s paths. Even though they didn’t intend to keep doing things after the agreement ended, they somehow still are. Sure, Brooke didn’t have to suggest movie night, could have refused Vanessa’s babysitting offer, but she didn’t want Vanessa to be alone, and considering her last babysitting experience resulted in deep-cleaning the living room rug, she could use the help.

There’s also the bonus of seeing Vanessa again. Brooke doesn’t know what they are, exactly, and even though most of her life is spent classifying, assigning order to things, maybe she can be okay with the uncertainty. All she knows is that Vanessa makes her laugh more than anyone, understands the things she says and even the things she doesn’t, makes her happier than she’s been in a while. Vanessa is special, that much she does know, and Brooke will take any second she can with her.

It’s been nothing but work for months, every second spent on the T-Rex exhibit. There’s no room for the giggling Brooke does around Vanessa when she’s one of the only women at the museum, where board members think she’s too forgiving of interns, too focused on kids. She forgets all that around Vanessa, her muscles loosening up, carefree and excited like a kid on summer vacation.

She throws brownie mix in her cart and motors down the aisles, dodging screaming kids and middle-aged ladies fighting with employees. She’s back home just before the kids arrive, bouncing with excitement over being at Aunt Brookie’s. Brooke sets them up in the living room with their toys and starts on dinner.

Someone knocks and Brooke runs to the door, revealing a cheerful Vanessa who makes Brooke’s heart skip a beat.

“Where’s the babies?” she asks, gathering her hair into a ponytail. Brooke can’t stop staring at the curves of her hands, how quickly her fingers move, twirling around her hair with ease.

“Kids are in the living room.”

“No, the kitties!”

“Oh.” Brooke nudges the cats out of her room and Vanessa gets on the floor with them, nuzzling their fur and cooing.

“Apollo’s kind of mean around new people, don’t worry if he doesn’t like you,” Brooke says, but Apollo is letting Vanessa pet him, which is damn near a miracle. He must really like Vanessa, and Brooke agrees with his judgement.

Vanessa finally stands and surveys the kitchen, and Brooke tries to see it from Vanessa’s eyes, hoping she likes it. There’s the tiny green floral rug by the sink bringing the outdoors to her. The cozy kitchen table where she drinks her morning coffee. The row of succulents on the window sill that Brooke made a watering schedule for, determined to get them through the dry summer.

“It’s cozy here. I like it,” Vanessa says, peeking at the pot of boiling water. “What we got cookin’?”

“Mac and cheese.”

Vanessa sighs in content, then raises one adorable eyebrow at the blue box on the counter. “Oh no, Mary! You gotta make it homemade!”

Brooke’s cheeks redden. “I-I’m not good at cooking, okay? I’m always afraid I’m doing stuff wrong, so I don’t do it.”

Cooking should come easy to her, because she likes following instructions, crossing things off lists, but it doesn’t. She doesn’t have the instinct for it like she does other stuff, like picking out good digging spots and identifying the fossils and rocks underneath, or using her surroundings to get home on a new hiking path. With cooking, she can’t get the motions down, never knows if she’s chopped things correctly, gets so worried about undercooking that she overcooks.

Vanessa’s expression softens, her gaze caressing Brooke like a warm blanket. “Hey, I’ll help you, okay? We’ll do it together.”

Brooke nods shakily, letting Vanessa show her to cook the flour and add the milk, stirring the cheese in carefully. Vanessa’s floury hand brushes against Brooke’s on the spoon, and Brooke almost drops it once the warmth of Vanessa’s skin hits her. Half an hour later, Brooke looks down at the finished dinner and smiles in disbelief. They made this, her and Vanessa, and Vanessa talked and joked all the way through it, kept Brooke calm, and now they have this dish of golden breadcrumbs, gooey choose, and warm pasta to show for it. It’ll be devoured by ravenous kids soon, but it doesn’t erase that they made this. Together.

“We really did it,” she whispers.

“Food Network, here we come,” Vanessa giggles.

—

Dinner and brownies devoured, Brooke and Vanessa join the kids on the Barbie-and-Lego-strewn rug. Watching kids play is something special, the way they can go for hours with wild imaginations. It reminds Brooke of her hours playing explorer with stuffed animals, free from the kids at school who teased her for being too quiet and too smart. Vanessa’s eyes glimmer and Brooke wonders if she’s reminiscing too.

Sophie has her Barbie and Ken dolls contorting in unhuman ways to kiss, and Brooke and Vanessa snicker.

“Aunt Brookie,” Sophie asks, “Do you and Ness kiss like my dolls?”

If Brooke had water, she would spit it out. Instead, she chokes on nothing but air and Vanessa whacks her on the back.

“Um, yes, we kiss, Soph,” Brooke manages when her breath returns. Don’t think about kissing Vanessa. Don’t think about her pink lips.

“At home,” Vanessa adds with a wink.

Sophie nods, and Brooke thinks they’re safe, just another bout of a kid’s curiosity. Then Sophie chants, “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”, nudging Sam and getting him to join in like only an older sister can, and soon they’re shouting.

She turns to Vanessa and freezes. The kids are at full volume, and Brooke’s sure to have angry neighbors. One little kiss will be enough to quiet them before complaints roll in. They’re still just friends, it’s no big deal. Brooke can’t deny the curiosity rising in her, the way her body is creeping forward ever so slightly. Are Vanessa’s lips as soft as they look?

Brooke looks at Vanessa with the question in her eyes, and Vanessa nods. Their lips meet to a chorus of cheers and–shit.

Somewhere Brooke registers that she shouldn’t be feeling this good when she and Vanessa aren’t really together. But every other thought is on Vanessa, on the softness of her lips and faint taste of brownies, on their hearts pounding in time. She remembers they’re in front of the kids and forces herself to pull back before things go too far.

The kids move on, but Brooke is stunned. Her nose is still filled with Vanessa’s green apple shampoo. Her fingertips are tingling. Her body burns like fire.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers to Vanessa.

“Don’t be.” Vanessa seems as shocked as Brooke, touching her lips like she can’t believe Brooke’s were just there, looking at Brooke like she’s never seen her before.

Brooke almost wishes the kids would demand another kiss.