#and Sunny immediately trusting Charlie’s word anyway

[jrwiyuri]

I think whoever told q!Luzu that slime killed Tilin deserves to be shot in the head

[watermelonlipstick]

Hot Blood

This was written as a request for an anon who asked:

hi! i was wondering if you could write a dean fic where he’s with the reader in their car and hot blood by kaleo comes on, the reader sings along, their voice is really good, and dean realizes he’s in love w the reader

First of all, great song! I hadn’t heard a ton of Kaleo before, but I’ve put them into my rotation so thanks for the recommendation! I hope it’s okay that I took a few liberties with the format because it felt right with the angle; it’s from Dean’s point of view so the reader is in third person. 

Title: Hot Blood

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Reader

Word Count: 1251

Summary: Hearing the reader sing along to Kaleo makes Dean realize his feelings about her are a lot more complex than he’s ever realized. 

Warnings: swearing, pining, fluff, sexual frustration?

            “The fuck is this?” Dean asks as she turns up the radio.

           “The band’s called Kaleo—you’ll like them, they’re from Iceland!” she yells, starting to groove and hum along as the volume starts pounding through the speakers. She doesn’t hear when he repeats her—Iceland?

           When she starts singing along to the radio her voice is somehow not what he expected—lower? Higher? He can’t even really tell, but that wasn’t the thing anyway, it’s that she’s…haunting. That’s it. The song is up tempo, the kind of rock beat he can tolerate even if it’s a poor facsimile of the greats, and that’s the crux of the hypnosis as she sings. Somehow, even howling along to a repetitive chorus, wind blowing the hair back from her face with the window of the Impala cracked a few inches, sides of her thumbs tapping the drumline out over the thighs of her jeans, it’s like she’s chanting a spell, triggering that deep-primal interconnectedness of a particularly vicious exorcism or bit of creation magic.

           Maybe that’s just the closest he can get to placing it. The shock of how fucking good she is notwithstanding—and she is seriously good, makes Dean think of Janis and Chrissie Hynde and maybe even Joni Mitchell who he knows is a genius even if he might never admit it aloud—appreciating a killer singer never makes Dean feel like this, like he has to consciously focus on the road after the hundreds of thousands of hours he’s driven in his life for the way his brain wants to forego everything else on earth for that fucking voice.

           Thank God for the bridge or Dean might’ve missed the turn, nothing else on the miles of wheatfields surrounding them he could even pretend to be distracted by but her. As it is, he takes it a little tight, and she smoothly reaches a hand through the open window to brace herself on the doorframe as the Impala carves out some rural dirt. Momentum shifts her a few inches across the leather toward him, sweet-salty shampoo and cherry chapstick scent of her dusty in the dry late summer afternoon wrapping him up like a boa constrictor, like tentacles, and he’s gotta immediately stop that connection because tying this moment to his Japanese erotica is going to fry his brain so bad he might actually have to pull over.

           “See? I knew you’d like it,” she half-howls over the radio, laughing like nothing in this world matters except whether Dean’ll listen to some dumb song for her, and the sliver of tongue that catches the glisten of sunlight as she does is making Dean feel sort of queasy the way he did at 16, snuck into a bar with his dad as a reward for a hunt gone well and trying his best not to stare at the soft swells of the bartender’s body as she shook a tumbler of Vegas bombs, winking at him from across the room. John had made some half-joke about being careful with girls like that and Dean knew he was just being confronted with his son growing up, but he’d heard him loud and clear—a girl like that will drive you crazy, make you eat yourself up with want from the inside out. In that bar he’d been grateful for the low lighting and high top table to shield the physical weakness of his want but he’s a grown ass man now and he thinks maybe going crazy wouldn’t be so bad, maybe he could throw Baby in park and all the good karma he’s ever racked up would bless him in that moment, let him taste that tongue catching tiny sparks of sun beautiful and dirty and impossible to resist like a diamond from the dark mine of her mouth, feel that fucking voice vibrate under his fingertips as he tangled himself into the brambles of her.

           And then the bridge is over. She’s turned the volume back up and is pulling exaggerated rock star faces as she sings to him. It takes a second before Dean realizes smile you fucking idiot and is sure he’s grimacing, hopes that the sunny day is enough to cover the flush he can feel in his cheeks and what the fuck is wrong with him? She’s not a siren, not some fuck-you-so-good-you-don’t-care-if-she-boils-your-bunny chick across a smoky bar, those jeans aren’t magic and in fact they were washed with his, ‘I don’t want to do a whole load, just let me throw my shit in with yours’ while she sat on the laundromat counter in worn cartoon pajama pants. That tongue—fuck, her tongue, why does this fucking song have so many “L” sounds in it—is the same one that sticks out round and juvenile like Charlie Brown’s when she’s reading something complicated.

           When the song ends Dean’s white knuckling the steering wheel like he’s in a tropical storm and he can’t help but feel relieved. Back to the safety of his tapes, who would never try to pull whatever black magic bullshit that was on him. He takes a deep breath and promises himself to get laid at the next chance he gets lest he seriously fuck up like some hormone-stupid teenager. She’s put in a Chicago B side and he says a silent prayer because that’s exactly the kind of soft-sappy he needs to counteract this. Enough even that he trusts himself to confirm that it’s over, that momentary frenzy nothing but a blip of testosterone fueled by her disclosing a hidden talent. Maybe he can even compliment how well she sings without sounding like he wants to crawl inside her.

           He almost does a double take when it’s still—like that, filter of unbelievable need unmoved from any part of her and he wants to fucking eat her alive, let her flay him open and wear him like a coat if that’s what she wants and he knows he is so fucked.  She’s turned down Chicago to tell him something cool Sam figured out about snow spirits and yeti mythology the other day and it’s all he can do to focus on the right times to make vaguely affirmative noises or smile, because he’s trying to work out in his head how he’s going to be able to keep his brother from reading on his face how bad he’s got it the second they walk through the motel door. For all he knows Sam is going to say some slick shit about how he’s happy Dean’s finally figured it out for himself, the fucking know-it-all.

           It takes a second for him to catch it when she asks him a question, and she looks a twinge concerned when he doesn’t respond right away. Gonna have to do better than that, dumbass. “Sorry, what?”

           “You feeling okay? You look like you’re going to be sick.”

           Not if I can help it. “Yeah, sorry. Just, ah, need a sandwich or something, I’m starving.”

           She throws her head back into the seat to laugh and a million coins pouring out of a Vegas jackpot couldn’t sound more precious. “We ate like an hour ago!” She shakes her head teasingly back at him, wide smile beaming like a dentist’s ad. “I fucking love you, dork.”

           He knows it’s not what she means, but he lets the words make his blood run hot.

-

Thanks again for reading! If you liked it, check out my Masterlist or send me a request!

Tags: @sams-sass @vxnderlindes @deanwinchesterswitch @akshi8278 @itsjensenanddean @flannellover67 @weepingwillowphoenix @tj-drinks-tea @whatareyousearchingfordean @winchest09 @winchestergirl2 @samwisethegr8​ @nobxdy​ @nurse-sarahrn​ @lovers-in-japan-reign-of-love​ @deanwanddamons​ @stressedoutkitten​ @winchestershiresauce​ @tatted-trina6​ @percico-heronstairs​ @downanddirtydean​ @queenoftheunderdark​ @lyarr24​ @wonder-cole​ @that-one-gay-girl​ @fairlyspnfanfic​ @treat-winchesterswith-kindness​ @mimaria420​ @muchamusedaboutnothing​ @pvnsie​ @dean-winchester-is-a-warrior​

And as always, if you want to be on my taglist, were on the taglist and changed your handle, or I lost track of it, please let me know!

[harveybwabbit92]

The day you laugh 8: Mr. Blue sky

The following is a non profit fan based story Batman, Red hood, Nightwing etc. belongs to DC Comics please support the official release.

_

I gain no profit from this nor do I own anything other then OCs  and whatever sprouts from my imagination. Thanks for reading!

*****

It was around 1 PM when Holi finally woke up she went to sit up only to find herself stuck, *I'm not having another sleep paralyses episode again am I?* She panicked for second thinking that Joker's cackle or the sound of a gunshot was about to wake her up! 

only for Holi to realize she could still move, *Ok..not paralyzed.* She turned her head to see what was weighing her down only to find herself being spooned by slumbering Jason Todd... And he did not look peaceful, in fact he looked down right terrified!

His arm tightened on her waist "hey Red..." She cautiously called out trying to wake him "No,no no... not her...please! please!" he pleaded at an invisible enemy, her brow furrowed. *her?....his mom?* Holi blinked then shook her head and continued the task at hand, Holi started to pound on his chest while shouting "Hey wake up! you're dreaming!?" she kept shaking Jason who was crying at this point; if Holi wasn't psychologist she'd probably be freaking out right now.

During a PTSD episode her teachers told her to always get away from the patient if they were too violent, and let the episode pass or try calm them if the attack is early on. the problem is Holi isn't sure when it started or what set it off, only that he's in the middle of it. Suddenly Jason's eyes snapped open and locked on to her.

Holi took note that instead of green they were blue and glazed over... He was still dreaming. "Holi?" he croaked then shook his head mumbling no under his breath. "I just saw...He...no." Jason was staring a her forehead and started to hyper ventilating now, She realized he was staring at her scar. "Jason, Look at me." She ordered he was still panicking the redhead took his face into her hands stared up "Jason, wake up and look at me!"

In Jason's mind he was back in that shake being beaten and forced to watch Holi's death over and over, Suddenly he heard her voice calling out to him. his eyes wildly searched the room before looking down in his lap to see Holi's body dead eyes staring up at him, bullet wound fresh and oozing."Holi?" he started breathing hard how was she here? "I just saw...he....no." he panicked when Holi body started to move and his eyes widened in disbelief and were locked on to her wound.

"Jason, look at me..." Holi's corpse ordered he was to far gone he shook his head muttering "No..." He felt her hands on his face. "Jason! Wake up and look at me!" Her hands felt... warm? not cold, her eyes weren't clouded and lifeless... they were fierce,vibrant ...Alive. Holi was alive? He blinked instead of seeing his small innocent fourteen year old girlfriend. He saw a healthy,stubborn and mild crazy nineteen year old woman looking up at him concerned.

The distraught man took a breath and in an instant Jason's body started to relax his eyes slowly returned to unnatural green she grown used to, he collapsed on top of Holi burying his face into her shoulder breathing in her scent and keeping a firm hold on her waist. The redhead hesitantly brought her hand up and combed her fingers through his raven locks after what seemed like hours Jason finally looked at her. "Hi..." she greeted he gave her an unreadable expression before answering "Hey."

The sudden clap of widow rattle thunder echoed through out the apartment cause Jason to tense and his pupils to dilate, as Holi analyzed him *Oh...So, that what triggered him.* he noticed her calculated gaze and sat up.

"Don't use any of that Psychology crap on me." he hissed obviously not liking how Holi was looking at him. "Don't worry wasn't planing to." she sighed getting up and going to her window. "Damn It's really pouring...can't even see the store across the street." she watching the rain Jason hummed behind her.

She heard him get and join her at the window Gotham storms will rain down like Niagara-falls...the tension was thick as they suddenly found the raindrops trailing down the window interesting. "Why did you do it?" Holi jumped suddenly at his voice her green eyes glanced over her shoulder then back at the window. "Why did I do wha--"Jason cut her off with a snarl.

"Don't bullshit me!" He slammed his hand on her desk making Holi jump. "You know exactly what I'm talking about! what the hell are you doing out there?!" he pointed at her suit hanging off her mirror. "Same thing your doing..only I maim them not kill them." She huffed Jason pinched the bridge on his nose.

"I meant why? Don't you realize how dangerous this life is? how it destroys you?!"

"Because I was scared okay? just like you are now!"

"I don't know what you're---"

"Now who's the one bullshitting? He kept me in a fucking cell at that asylum while you and Bruce went looking for your mom, everyday I had to listen to speakers of his voice laughing mocking me. and when I was finally let out?...Well, you know exactly what happened...he made you watch after all" She swallowed letting that sink in.

Jason was very confused she shouldn't have known that unless..."He made you watch me...You remember---" Holi shook her head sadly. "No, Dick told me some of it...I went to your grave afterwards for closure, confirmation?" she shrugged then sighed rubbed her forehead not missing how Jason's eyes would wander to her scar. "I get them to Y'know? nightmares."

he listened intently to Holi about her night terrors and paralyses, how she's hear the crackling of leaves and sticks snapping as she was being dragged through the woods, feeling the gunshot...Joker's laughter. "Don't be freaked out if you ever stay over again and I'm not here, I might've teleported to the spot." She was referring to the clearing Joker's thugs had shot her in. "You not telling me everything." the tall man pointed out, the redhead snorted she forgot he was trained by Bruce for second there. "I..um, I may have been having these dreams lately..." he arched a brow "What kind of dreams?" Holi felt her head hurt for second.

"I'm not sure, but it's usually the same one, I'm in bed and someone wakes me up they're smoking cigarettes and I think we..." She blushes clearing her throat not noticing Jason's face slowly morph into shock. "Ahem, A-anyway he sits down on my bed next me then--" Jason suddenly talked over her "Then Bruce came in and kicked my ass..." Holi looked up at him stunned "That was on your birthday. I was banned from leaving the manor, couldn't get you a gift. So, one thing led to another we had sex, Bruce was pissed and you were shipped off to boarding school the next day."

Jason recalled how much he fucking hated the old man for that! he sent his girlfriend away just because he was scared that Jason was a danger to Holi. "It was bullshit! I would never hurt you!" he hissed Holi gave him skeptical look as she replayed last night, apparently he caught on to what she was thinking "...in confidence I didn't know it was you." he huffed tips of his ears turning red.

The short woman hummed before walking around the raven haired male who followed her movements and suddenly became very aware of the shirt she's wearing was too big to be hers it stopped just past her knees. "is that my shirt?" he asked Holi looked at him confused "It was in my laundry basket." she said pointing out to her living room, Jason scratched the back of his. "I borrowed your machine yesterday..." he said the realization slowly dawning on Holi; she hadn't done her laundry in three days. "..Sorry." She mumbled before he could even say anything the redhead had pulled the shirt off and tossed to him.

Jason felt his body tense up and immediately tried looking anywhere else around the room before the woman glanced him out of the corner of her eye and sighed "Look before your neck snaps." Holi huffed crossing her arms, he swallowed and looked down at short woman giving her a once over...god damn. the years have been kind to Holi..she was well endowed.

she'd lost her baby fat, training had added muscle and she gained curves in all the right places, but it wasn't perfect. He frowned as his eyes scanned over every bruise, every scratch and every scar decorating her body. he resisted the urge to reach out and trail his hands along them and ask how she got them.

Then his mind went somewhere else, the jealous nagging thought of how many times has Screw or any other guy for that matter has been here seeing her like this? * ...I won't go down easy* Her saying that echoed in his mind on repeat, leaving Jason wondering how she can easily drop her guard around him and trust someone after everything that's happened to her? But alas she disappeared behind her bathroom door before he could get a word out. "...you are too comfortable around men." he muttered to the spot Holi had been standing in.

later.

Jason and Holi were sitting in her living room storm still raging outside watching 'It's always sunny in Philadelphia.' occasionally his eyes would wander over to the redhead who was lounging on the couch wearing a green sweater dress and black pantyhose, he trail up her legs and along her waist to her chest...He snapped his eyes back to the TV when she shifted or even showed even a smidgen of awareness of him watching her. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed a lump in his throat.

*Fuckin' Green!... why did she have to wear green!!!"* His thoughts screamed he had his arms wrapped around a pillow; arms tightening every time she crossed her legs or readjusted her dress, Holi got up to get a new can of cherry cola.*She pretty much telling me to bend her over the couch!* He shuddered and took a sharp breath trying to focus on the TV. "*I'm just watching Charlie doing his thang...and It's good man, It's rea--"* Jason gasped and jolted forward feeling something cold tap his neck.

He whipped his head around and saw Holi grinning at him evilly one hand wrapped around her pop-can the other wet and cold from condensation; the tall man snorted "Not funny." he rubbed the back of his neck as the redhead giggled at him. 

"Oh, but it was." She beamed sipping her drink before setting it down, and looking out the window behind him watching the rushing wind a rain. "Y'know with how bad it is out there, I'm surprised the pow--" The power went out just as she was about say it.

"I hope you don't have anything in the freezer, because it's out until tomorrow morning." Jason said voice modulated from his helmet as he listened to the emergency broadcast over the radio, he heard Holi groan into her couch cushions. "Leave it to me to effin' jinx it!" She whined blaming herself for the power going out as the anti-hero patted her back. "Hey now, it's not your fault Girly. You can't control the weather." the raven haired man said before going through her utility cabinet and finding some flashlights.

And for the next half hour the two sat in silence reading, Jason in his helmet (night-vision) and Holi with the flashlights, after while Jason was kind of curious as to what the redhead was reading...His helmet's thermals were showing her core temp was spiking, he subtlety started scooting closer to her, heat slowly creeping up his back. 

Holi breathing was shallower she started eyeing Jason before turning back to her book, he had taken his helmet off placing it on the coffee table keeping his eyes glued to his book of course he wasn't reading it anymore. his eyes weren't moving, he closed his book loudly and that's all it took before Holi jumped on him, not that Jason was complaining!

A couple hours later...

They laid there quietly on living room floor catching their breaths, Holi sighed at the empty feeling as she pulled off from Jason who'd pulled the quilt from the couch and pulled it over them, and he started chuckling while kissing her forehead right on her scar.

"Holy...holy shit."

"hm~"

"You okay Girly?...wasn't too rough on ya?"

"[sigh] no..."

Jason smiled lazily leaving butterfly kisses along Holi's neck making her hum cuddle into his chest she was down for the count, He was fairing no better, He contemplated picking up Holi and heading to bed which surprisingly was the only thing not tainted by their activities, but Holi looked so god damn cute all tired and flushed dozing off on his chest, Not that he'll ever say it out loud. and the fact that he was the one who made her this way? Well that was a definite ego boost.

A tired smirk tugged on his lips as he played with Holi's hair, as his other hand slowly reached for the gun he had stashed under her couch. in a flash Jason had it pointed at bedroom archway eyes narrowed. "No use hiding, come out unless you want a couple holes in ya." He's hissed eyes narrowed good mood dissolving at the thought of an intruder getting in so easily, After he had put security measures over Holi's security measures.

His animosity disappeared when a woman with one arm in a sling, wearing jeans and blue parka with long raven hair and silver-grey eyes walked in. She gave him sad smile. "Hey Jay..." she sighed Jason eyes widen in disbelief as he lowered the gun. "Shiloh?"

[thelittleredheadedmusician]

Present and Accounted For

An early Merry Christmas to @super-batgirl! Since you wanted the Batgirl Squad to go Christmas shopping I figured it was best to post this a little early! I hope you enjoy! Rating: G Gen Words: 1,788 AO3

Barbara checked the time in the bottom of her screen again, biting on her bottom lip nervously. It wasn’t like Steph and Cass to be late without telling her about it, even if it was just a few minutes. Her fingers flying over the keyboard Babs did a quick scan to see if there was any trouble that they might have run into on the way. Seeing nothing Barbara slouched back in her chair with a sigh and her brow furrowed.

Just then the front door to Barbara’s apartment/liar flew open with a loud yell from Stephanie. “DECK THE HALLS! We’re heeeeerree!” The blonde rushed in, Cassandra on her heels, and immediately skipped over to Babs.

“You’re late,” she accused, waggling a finger between the two of them.

Cass held up a cupholder with a trio of cups in it. “Brought coffee,” she said by way of explanation.

“And donuts!” Steph chipped in, holding up the bag. “Now c’mon, my butt has been buzzing for the past three blocks. Nell and Tiff are getting impatient.”

Barbara rolled her eyes and grabbed her coat and purse. Cass passed her a scarf with a smile and Barbara picked up her keys. “Dinah, Helena, and Charlie are meeting us there. Zinda is in Maui on vacation. We’re picking up Tiffany and Nell. Am I missing anyone?”

Cass shrugged, giving Babs a smirk. “You know all,” she said innocently. Babs poked her in the side as the elevator made its descent.

“Well Harper had to work, Kate and Bette said thanks for the invite but seeing as how they don’t do Christmas there was no point in them braving the crowds.”

“Smart,” Barbara muttered.

Steph rolled her eyes but continued as Cass snickered. “Did Alysia or Frankie get back to you?”

“Yeah, they’re both going to be getting lunch with us, but Frankie had a meeting for Gordon Clean Energy and Alysia and her wife were decorating this morning.”

“Ooooh, domestic life. Must be fun,” Steph laughed.

“I wouldn’t know, the kids I take care of all insist on decking villains rather than decking the halls,” she replied smoothly.

Steph blushed but chuckled and Cass leaned down to plant a kiss on Barbara’s cheek. “Here now. Close enough.”

Barbara reached out and wrapped her arms around the girls’ waists, pulling them in for a quick hug as the elevator dinged open into the clocktower’s underground parking garage. They both gave her a quick squeeze back before hopping out the door and rushing toward her van, arguing over who got shotgun with Cass expertly holding their still hot drinks out of the way of Steph’s flailing arms.

Barbara pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Dinah, warning her they were on their way, before getting herself situated behind the wheel. Cass won the front seat debate so Steph was leaning forward, practically sitting on the center counsel as they drove. Once they picked up Nell, Barbara was able to raise an eyebrow at Steph in the rearview mirror before glancing over at the younger girl, effectively getting Steph to sit like a proper human.

Nell chattered excitedly and thanked Steph and “Miss Barbara” for inviting her along for the day. She was even more excited when they picked Tiffany up, Lucius giving the two youngest girls money for candy with a smile.

“I thought Luke said you were anti-sugar?” Barbara asked, genuinely curious.

He shrugged and smiled easily back at her. “Only when I’m the one dealing with the sugar’s after effects.”

She laughed, promised to have Tiff home before dinner, and they were on their way.

Once they reached the mall Cass passed out the coffees to Babs and Steph, she had gotten tea for herself, while Steph opened the box of mini donuts for everyone to pick from. They had just reached the mall’s entrance when Barbara felt something slam into her from behind. Her shoulders were quickly enveloped in a hug and her vision was obscured by a mess of dark red hair.

“Hey there Charlie,” she laughed and hugged the girl back.

“Missed you boss. The mission was fun but man is it good to be home,” Charlie smiled as she pulled back. The freckles on her nose disappearing as she wrinkled it.

“There she is! Our supreme leader! The one, the only, Barbara Gordon!” Dinah called, holding up a coffee cup of her own. Helena rolled her eyes and tugged on the end of Dinah’s long blue scarf.

“Zinda sends her best. She barely touched down to drop us off, where did you send her for Christmas anyway?” Helena asked, holding the door open and shepherding them all inside.

“Oh you know, some place sunny and tropical. With shirtless men serving alcohol. Zinda’s dream locale,” Babs smirked at her friends while Steph and Cass snorted behind her.

“So she gets a tropical vacation and we get Christmas shopping in Gotham? I’d like to issue an official complaint,” Dinah said dryly.

“Just because you don’t like the crowds doesn’t mean you can complain about the company,” Steph snarked. She waggled her finger at Dinah as Cass stood behind her dramatically rolling her eyes.

Dinah sighed and took a sip of her coffee. She slung an arm around Steph’s shoulders and began to manhandle the younger blonde further into the mall. Babs couldn’t help but snort and share a look with Cass who shook her head, causing her short hair to flair out. Cass then held out her free hand to Tiff who eagerly took it, swinging their arms. Charlie waved to Nell, who quickly began asking her all about the Birds of Prey’s latest mission. Helena walked beside Barbara as she began to navigate the busy shopping mall in her wheelchair, glaring at people too rude to even bother with stepping even slightly to the side.

“Why exactly did you want us to all go Christmas shopping together?” Helena asked. She glared at a group of teenagers who nearly ran right into Barbara. Babs smiled up at her in thanks. “I mean, I need to get it done but I’m mostly shopping for you, Dinah, Charlie, Zinda, and Barda. Having three out of the five of you here just defeats the purpose a bit.”

Babs shrugged, watching as the rest of their group ducked into a candle shop. “You could always go off with Steph and Cass, they’d be happy to help.”

“I know, I’m just trying to figure out your thought process here.”

“Oh trust me, you don’t want to. It’s scary in here,” Babs pointed to her head and grinned, crossing her eyes as Helena watched. The other woman rolled her eyes and poked Babs lightly on the shoulder.

“Would you two hurry it up?” Dinah called, sticking her head out of the entrance to the store. Babs stuck her tongue out in response, to which Dinah maturely replied with flipping her off.

Next to her Helena snorted and Babs muttered something about disowning all of them.

In the candle store Steph had a candle filled tin in each hand and was sniffing a third on the shelf in front of her. Wrinkling her nose, Steph turned to Cass. “Which one do you think I should get Bruce? Which do you think says ‘I am the embodiment of angst, broodiness, and dads everywhere’: Apple Cinnamon Swirl or Sugar Cookie Carol?”

Cass shook her head slightly before raising her eyebrow at Steph. “What do you think?”

“Well I think that the coupon book I made for each member of your family last year was a brilliant idea but apparently not, so now they’re all getting crappy candles. The turds,” Steph muttered the last part, frowning between the two candles.

Cass failed to stifle a laugh and patted Steph on the back. “This one,” she said and pointed to the apple and cinnamon scented candle.

Steph grinned brightly and placed the rejected candle back on the shelf. “Thank you!”

Cass just shook her head and smiled. She turned to find Tiffany and Nell and see if they wanted to go to the Disney store with her. The three of them just about ran over Helena and Barbara on their way out the door.

By the time they were done in the Disney store all three had managed to buy gifts for their whole family, something Cass was ridiculously proud of. Especially since she knew all of her family would genuinely enjoy their presents. Nell was beaming as she held up the Dalmatian spotted mug for her mom, Tiff oh-ed and ah-ed before showing off her own purchases. Cass couldn’t help but smile as she thought of Lucius, Tam, and Luke opening up their matching Porg plushes. According to Tiff the three of them were obsessed with Star Wars, and it was obvious to Cass that the young girl was obsessed with what looked to her like a space penguin crossed with a hamster.

Cass felt her phone buzz in her back pocket, a message from Barbara asking where they had wandered off to and saying that they needed to start heading to lunch. She sent a quick reply before calling the girls over and offering them each a hand, making sure her shopping bag was slipped over her wrist. Tiffany took Cass’s hand happily, swinging their arms between them. Nell looked at the offered hand, her mouth twisting to the side before she met Cass’s eyes. Cass smiled at her and wiggled her fingers. Nell grinned sheepishly before placing her hand in Cass’s. With a broad grin Cass lead the girls toward the restaurants near the front of the mall.

Babs watched as Cass skipped towards them, Nell and Tiffany in tow. All in all it had been a fairly successful trip. Barbara had gotten presents for all the boys, something she had specifically put off in anticipation of today. Helena had slipped away with Steph at some point and both came back weighed down with bags and smug grins on their faces. Dinah had gotten most of her actual presents and spent the entire day shopping for the gag gifts the Queens always gave each other. Although the kiddy bows with suction cup arrows from the year before were hard to top. Charlie explained that she made all her presents and was just there for the company, which she thoroughly enjoyed by chattering away and giving her opinion and insight on each gift.

As Cass drew nearer Babs eyed the Disney bags that they all carried suspiciously. “So what did you guys get?” she asked Cass, a single brow raised.

The younger girl grinned in response. She shrugged and winked. “Presents,” was all she said.