#and i feel like i keep needing to remind her that grandma wasn't a very good grandma when we were little

[barbatos-sama]

i started feeling rly sick suddenly earlier and it's not going away OTL

[beantothemax]

Onto Mirabelle! (And then I'm going to sleep it's like 2 am here-)

Mirabelle, to reflect what I said with Sif, IS the main character of this world. Chosen by the Change Divinity, being immune to time stop....just like you said in another ask! And it all makes for an interesting, if a little cliché character. It is something that I will be saying a lot in these analysis, because I believe the devs managed to make a believable rpg party while still putting their own stuff.

She is the chosen hero, but she really doesn't act like one. We need to remember that everything we see is in the context of the end of the journey: and so, it wouldn't be ridiculous to expect the characters to have grown into their roles. Yet, Belle is constantly unsure, and constantly downplaying her abilities. It's seen across the game: she panics and need to be reminded of battle strategies, is struggling to stay positive, and a simple lack of enthusiasm from sir "I constantly look like I just woke up and don't understand what's going on" Sif is enough for her to doubt herself. It's obvious that the fact that she wasn't supposed to be the chosen one is weighing on her.

In her relation to the others members, she feels like the most passive in the interactions (though were I am right now, it is slowly changing for the better: a book club project with Dile, venting her frustrations about book thieves and noisy roommates...). She still seems very close to everyone else, but rarely is the one in front of the situation, which I just thought about, is an interesting parallel with how Sif is the one leading the way instead of her, even though she's the classic RPG MC.

Beau and her have a relationship of uplifting each other: almost every time they talk, it's to support the other's ideas, or simply encourage them. It is apparent that they were the first two in the team (as implied in game I'm pretty sure, by the fact that she went directly to ask the guardians for help). Dile seems like she plays a big sister role to Belle, rather than the mom or grandma that the game describes. They have a few interests in common, and Dile loves learning while Belle loves talking about her beliefs. Belle is to Bonnie a big sister, and it's pretty apparent. She is kind and caring, while also being able to scold him and play the role of adult when need be. Finally, I already talked about Sif, but it would be unfair not to say that the supportive role he plays, she plays too. She is the one taking care of waking him up, reassuring them when their joke didn't work...it's a mutually beneficial relationship.

The fact that the dungeon we explore is the place where she lived her whole life makes for very important and interesting evolution to her character. At every turn, there is someone she knows, something she remembers. And so I believe we will see an evolution of the passive hero towards a more active personality, while keeping what makes her her.

Conclusion: pretty. Makes ding ding when she walks. She's the embodiment of cool noise appreciation.

And also I love her very much.

@jayandthejets THERE BE MORE

weh……… miribelli spaghetti………….

mirabelle is SUCH a character!!!!!! she always trying so hard to stay positive no matter what!!! her interactions with the others make me want to explode!!!!!! She [REDACTED] and doesn’t feel [EXPUNGED] AND [POURED APPLE JUICE ON MESSAGE SORRY :(] they all care so much about each other it hurts!!!!!!

ding ding indeed…

[indecisive-nightowl]

Long personal gender post

So, I came out to my Mom and some other family members as genderqueer (genderflux? nonbinary?) about a year ago kind of on a whim because the grandchild of my Grandma's friend came out as trans and my Grandma especially was having trouble wrapping her head around it. I figured explaining my relationship with gender might help clarify that for some people the gender/sex they were assigned at birth does not fit how they feel about and view themselves, etc (trying to keep it simple). My Grandma still didn't really understand, but she found the concept "interesting" and I just reminded her that that was ok to not understand and she only had to respect it.

Fast forward to today, my Mother had since forgotten this conversation and was confused when she referred to our household as two boys (our cats) and three girls (our dog and the two of us), and I responded with "yeah, sorta".

I reiterated that I don't identify as a girl (her response was basically: but you look like one) And I explained to her again that sex and gender are different and that I don't really see myself as a woman. She commented that she didn't really understand caring about what other people see you as/refer to you as and I assured her that I wasn't correcting her because I was offended in any way, more as just so you know this about me.

When I told her about this last year I remember one of her questions being "but you still use she/her pronouns, right?" (I use she/her and they/them) knowing that from that moment she would most likely forget we ever had this conversation and correct I was!

I never had a big "coming out" moment about my gender (I've been very open about being Bi since high school) primarily because it was kind of a slow realization post-college. I have straight up told a few friends and family members, but if gender doesn't come up in conversation I just don't mention it. On all profiles that allow multiple pronoun tags I have put she/they, own a she/they pronoun pin that I keep on my bag, and for the last few Junes, I have posted "Happy Pride!!" with colorful hearts the flags corresponding to what I identify with.

Occasionally, like today, I get a bit uncomfortable being included as "one of the girls" but it comes up so rarely that most of the time I don't feel the need to mention anything. I also wish that my family was a little more open to learning about this stuff and understanding that just because they don't understand why it matters to other people doesn't mean that it doesn't matter at all.

[catspinach]

sobriety reflection:

ive been completely sober for 4 months (make it 5 months if u dont count my brief christmas meltdown) though its been over a full year now since i realized that i needed to make a real change in my life. i stopped drinking for about a month before finally getting a job. at first I was able to go 2 or so months sober at a time before caving in, but there were scary periods where id be unable to stop for a month or so. sometimes id take shots before my shift, and a few times I've drank a full-size 700mL bottle of vodka in a span of 24hrs.

After binge drinking until i reached my absolute limit, I'd eventually get so hungover that i couldn't keep anything down and i wasn't able to slowly wean myself off of the alcohol. I'd suddenly stop drinking, eating, and sleeping, and to pass the time all i could do was pace around my little bedroom or throw up. nobody in my family knew how much i drank so i couldn't risk going downstairs, the tv was way too loud and bright, and i guess I'm simply unable to sit still when I'm not feeling well so I couldnt even sleep it off. when it got unbearable id attempt to meditate. that was probably the only thing that brought me any sort of peace.

My time drinking was spent bumming around alone, feeling depressed and extremely horny. when i was hungover I'd voice chat my (long distance) gf on fb messenger about how miserable i was, and how much i just wanted to die. then when i was feeling better id be unable to even look at our previous convo bc of the extreme guilt i felt. i cant imagine seeing someone i love going through such hell. having only me to bring them solace, yet not being able to help at all. It made me hate myself, which made me drink.

I went through another withdrawal phase and became aware that it was getting harder every time i tried sobering up. It really felt like I was on my deathbed, and I called everyone I could to try to get some sort of outpatient help, but they refused unless i did a month inpatient, and again my family didn't know. I was alone in this, very adamant about not going to AA. I was scared I'd run into someone I know and I heard it's not very effective for young alcoholics anyway. I drank on Christmas Eve a month later and threw up at grandma's on Christmas day. That was when I realized I had a choice to tell someone. That I had no excuse not to tell someone. So I called my sister in and I sat naked on the floor crying as i explained to her what was happening. We all left and she brought me to walgreens to get some Tums, promising not to tell anyone and offering me to stay at her place. which I declined lol fuck that

4 months later and i still get cravings often. i can stop myself from drinking now by reminding myself that tomorrow is a busy day at work, and by imagining it going down my throat. Now when so much as think about drinking I taste vomit.

The other day I almost snuck into my moms room for a shot before work, but stopped myself. I make $19/hr plus overtime, and I know that if i lose this job I won't be able to score one with matching pay. ive been practicing being kind to myself.

Lately I've been bumming again. sometimes life doesn't feel much different from how it did at my lowest– aside from feeling less nauseous now. i guess that's a start to bettering myself though.

[yurisorcerer]

This is an interesting one. I kept going back and forth on it while watching the premiere but I think I'd say my overall impressions are positive? It's complicated.

What we have here is a future setting where massive flooding has sunk a good chunk of humanity. The state of things is telegraphed via the small-seeming islands that our protagonists live on; lots of overgrown buildings, using oil lamps for light and heat, that kind of thing. In the midst of all this we're introduced to our lead, Natsuki, who's being lent a submersible by his "friend", the generally scummy Catherine. While diving for salvage into what used to be the city he grew up in, he finds an android sealed in a capsule. This is the titular Atri, and the rest of the episode is about Natsuki, Catherine, and innocent schoolgirl(?) Minamo interacting with her.

Their interactions are a bit fraught and this is where I started getting a bit skeptical. Catherine's first instinct is to sell Atri despite the fact that the robo-girl is clearly human in all but biology, and the idea is taken seriously throughout the episode. Our characters go so far as to head to an appraiser. My immediate first reaction to this was very negative, and it's definitely still possible that Atri (the show) will faceplant here, but I *think* what we're actually doing is drawing a parallel between Atri herself and Natsuki with regard to the commodification of bodies. Natsuki, you see, is disabled, and only gets around with a prosthetic leg (which is noted to be old and finnicky; it locks up on him a few times throughout the episode and he has to break out an extendable cane). Natsuki needs money for a replacement prosthetic, something that will just allow him to live a comparably normal life, and Atri is considered a faulty machine---the appraiser outright calls her a collector's item. There's a difference in what *kind* of struggles they're facing, but the connection is there, or at least the show seems to think it is. At the episode's conclusion, Atri offers "I'll be your leg!" to Natsuki. It's definitely meant to read as heartwarming, but it's a touchy subject to be sure, and I'm not sure how well the show handles it.

In general this seems like it could be a recurring problem. The series is definitely treating Atri's status as a trade good as a bad thing, but there's still something weirdly patronizing about the way she's immediately super grateful to Natsuki for, say, buying her shoes. (I would argue that if you're responsible for another human being, keeping them clothed is a pretty basic thing.) I think I'll want to give this a few more episodes, seeing how it handles this whole setup, before I come down firmly on one side of liking its writing or not.

The visuals are a much less complicated thing to enjoy, though. They're honestly just pretty great! I've seen a few people say that they're bad which really puzzled me, the character animation is excellent throughout this first episode and the environments are fantastic. It may just be the title and the fact that I've watched it recently, but some of the shoreside scenes actually reminded me a little bit of AIR, another A-title anime based on a visual novel, just in how well they convey the feeling of summer, even if the overall goals of these anime are clearly quite different. The CGI isn't the best, but it's kept to a minimum and restricted to places where it logically makes sense, such as the submersible itself, so I wasn't bothered. Also there's a visual trick early on where some of Natsuki's memories of living on the surface play out through the port windows of the sub, and that's just really a lovely thing.

Enjoyed this overall I'd say, looking forward to seeing how Natsuki deals with the legacy of his late marine geologist mean butch grandma over the next few episodes.

[steamishot]

space

whoo, landed in LA saturday evening and feeling good. i usually fly jetblue but took delta to LAX this time. the flight was significantly (~1.5 hours) shorter, i assume because the plane is bigger? so the flight wasn't terrible.

matt and i have been arguing a lot more recently as new things have come up and it's uncertain again. we're reviewing the contract for southbay, but negotiating a few things. also, huntington said no last tuesday, but then referred matt to an adjacent team that's non-teaching. however, this new team is pretty cryptic and not straightforward at all. it sounded like the details were made on the fly. they asked him about his credentialing and licenses which implies they are hiring him but steered away from the conversation whenever the contract, salary or benefits were brought up. til today, they still haven't gotten back to him and he needs to sign the kaiser contract by thursday.

i made a temporary post on reddit asking the hospitalist subreddit which they would choose between these two options. the consensus is that both of these jobs sound awful, too many nights, "dogshit" salary, and overall "bad gigs", lol. fuck my life that we're living in either NYC or LA, which are both terrible cities to work in as a doctor. at the end of the day, we can't have it all and location is important to us. so, i think we can only compare to the previous offers we've had and the southbay one isn't TOO bad. kaiser is also very straightforward and provides a number of nice benefits: relocation, evening/night weekend and holiday differentials, sign-on bonus, sick & vacation time.

it's been hard to live in a studio apartment when emotional/stressful things like this arise, especially when i thought we were at the finish line and surprises continue to pop up. we both deserve our own alone time and space to think independently before coming together to discuss it - however, our physical space kinda doesn't allow that at all. even driving solo in a car in LA can provide a good headspace to think - but it's constant stimulation outside in nyc. after clearing my head and having space to think, i prefer kaiser and it seems matt does too.

my first week in LA, i want to lay low, have chill time with my family and niece, eat home-cooked food, watch shows, adjust to the environment and do yoga/walks/workouts. my internal pace is at nyc speed, and it takes time to slow it down. i feel like people move 10x slower here which helps relax me. the sounds of the birds/nature vs honking/people yelling is calming. i still feel emotional/heavy due to the continued uncertainty, and i can't give my family any answers yet when they ask questions. it also makes me less social/not want to meet up with friends yet because i feel unsettled.

happy things:

i bought my first arcteryx jacket about a month ago and have been loving wearing it. it's super comfortable and has great utility/wind protection. i've become a fan of the company and decided to buy a jacket for both my mom and grandma from the recent REI sale. my mom and grandma go on morning walks/hikes almost everyday so it would be quite useful. they are both really happy to receive them as gifts. doing things like this reminds me of why we're working hard.

i got a dinosaur bank painting set for my niece, because she keeps reminding me that she wants to paint. although the recommended age is 8+, she tried painting for a bit before asking me to do the rest lol. i wrapped it up for her like a present and she was really happy to receive it and paint for the first time. last night, we did "animal yoga" together following a youtube video.

i made a new friend from ceramics class. i thought she was in her 20s but found out that she's 40! she said she can be my "old woman friend" LOL. we were the only two asians in ceramics class and i'm glad she chatted me up. of course, she recently moved from SF so we have that californian similarity. i felt okay to invest energy into a friendship with her even though i'm moving bc she seems quite mobile: lived in baltimore, DC, SF, previously in NYC as well.

matt and i will go to the sheng wang show end of this month, and we booked tickets to go to our first ever concert together: odesza at madison square garden

it's awesome to see my niece after 5 months, she is noticeably taller and can communicate much more. my parents and i loooove her and miss her when she's not here lol. i plan on taking them to the infinity mirror room.

[casspurrjoybell-26]

Too Old For This - Chapter 7 - Part 2

*Warning Adult Content*

"Can you do groceries next month? I think I might go see your dad's mum just around that time..."

"Why?" Leroy asked, cutting his mum off.

The older woman blinked, staring at him with the blue eyes neither of her children inherited.

Her hair was a very dark blonde that had started to grey from the front.

Leroy watched her brows knit into a frown.

"Why what?" she asked.

"You don't want to do the groceries?"

Leroy shook his head.

"I mean, why are you visiting grandma? You saw her last month."

His mother blinked, shrugging her shoulders as he played with a piece of bread.

"I think she needs company. It's been hard on her. You know..." she trailed and Leroy understood the unsaid words but he didn't agree.

'No, you need the company. It's been the hardest on you,' the words were on the tip of his tongue but he didn't want to start an argument or make his mother cry... fuck no.

He already felt like shit since he couldn't really be there for her and had moved on like his sister.

None of them were still deep in depression three years later.

They had moved on... his mum wasn't ready to and constantly visited the only other person who hadn't let go.

"Okay, say hi to her for me," Leroy said instead.

The smile on his face hurt but he showed it to his mum, anyway.

The woman smiled, nodding her head.

"I'll text you the list of stuff to get, feel free to add to it or ask your sister what she'd like."

Leroy nodded.

"Of course."

The rest of breakfast was had in silence.

When Leroy's mother was done, she got up, thanked him for the food,and left just like she'd come in... walking away briskly like something was on her tail.

Leroy cleared the table and washed the dishes before dragging himself upstairs to the spare bedroom turned office.

He had his laptop there already from last night sitting on the desk.

He loaded it up, signing into his slack office group before loading up his email and going to work.

There wasn't much to do today and if Leroy was being honest, he spent at least four hours of his eight-hour work commitment, flipping through comics and looking at reels and means on Instagram.

When the day had come or a close, he signed out and dragged himself down to the living room.

His mother wasn't home and neither was his sister, so he had the space to himself for what he guessed was at least a few hours.

He was going to settle down to watch a few episodes of a show he'd been keeping up with when he felt his phone buzz in his pocket.

He blinked, fishing it out of his pocket before staring at the notification.

Message from: Zachary.

I haven't heard from you all day. Was work busy?

FRI, 5:36 PM.

Leroy stared at the text, realizing he hadn't responded to the older man yesterday and had been so consumed by his mum's gloom this morning that he had forgotten to call like he'd told himself he would.

Message to: Zachary.

No, it wasn't busy. I wasn't just in a good headspace today.

typing...

How's your day been? Sorry, I forgot to reply yesterday.

typing...

Hey, can I call you? Typing is a bit slow.

FRI, 5:37 PM.

In true Zachary fashion, a text back didn't show up until thirty minutes later.

Message from: Zachary.

I've been good... well as good as I can be. Same old, same old. Sure, you can call.

FRI, 6:12 PM.

Leroy called as soon as he saw the text.

The cell-phone rang for a bit, creating anticipation.

Leroy's heart felt like it was stuck in his throat and he had to remind himself to breathe.

'It's just a call,' he reminded himself and just at that moment, Zachary picked up.

"Hello?" the familiar voice he hasn't heard in a while rang through the room.

The sound made Leroy's chest flutter and the edge of his lips curl into a smile.

It made him happy.

Fuck, he hadn't even realized he'd been sulking all day.

[bjorkncaddel]

𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐀 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 by his words. “I am, baby,” his tone sounded certain and she looked at him nodding with watered grey-bluish hues. “and you won’t go through this on your own,” he reminded her — They're a team now. Since the very first day, they decided to be together, before getting pregnant. Perhaps, they always were a team, and she never realized it, only when they got official together of course. Neva is not the kind of person that cries often, it is a rare sight. Over the years she learned how to swallow tears and suppress her emotions. How many times has Linnéa had to yell at her to swallow her tears, to avoid scenes in public when they go to big events? Countless time. ⎯ For this among the GIANT list of reasons she loves this man. Falling in love is even harder for him, how is that possible? Even though some days she wants to kill him, she loves him. The entrance of the nurse helped to switch the heavy climax, and perhaps she noticed it, otherwise, she wouldn't talking about a topic to distract Neva, before leaving. She needs to be 'distress free'.

The Swedish blonde wiped the tears from her cheeks and looked at her pretty husband. ❛ I think Nils is 1,7kg and Freja is 1,5kg. The doctor told me early when you went to change at home. This explains a lot why my back hurts so much lately.❜ Speaking of which, she still feels pain. The doctor probably spoke before but the blonde wasn't paying attention, she was too angry to stay confined. She caressed Boo's fur, looking at the cute tiny clothing, and folding neatly and methodically back at the bag. Boo rested her snout on Neva's bump, with her little 'motor' of love ( purring ) turned on. Once more the nurse came in, and brought a cup of tea to Neva, she noticed she was stressed about something and the blonde remained with her face puffy from crying despite not crying at the moment. ❛ It'll be good for you. And keep you hydrated. ❜ The nurse warns her, winking at her playfully and helping taking the bag and put on a table to let her in a comfortable position in bed. Then she left the couple alone, in their privacy.

❛ Kiss the trio for me when you get home and change. ❜ She refers to the three dogs, hopefully, Ryan does not adopt another one while she is cooped up in this room. She felt her husband holding her chin, and her gaze onto his lips, and she wet her own rosy lips with her tongue. Both of her hands rested on his broad shoulders while kissing him lazily, and her tongue shoved inside of his mouth to flavor him better. Once their kisses were broken, she relaxed on the mattress on the bed and kissed the palm of his hand. Nodding in regards to his grandma.

As for his nephew Kian… Neva adores kids, although she never been in contact with one, until having her niblings by her elder brothers. Apart from her niblings she hasn't had any contact with other kid, unless if it was a friend's child. ( Neva has a lot of friends a tad older than her, more than her own age ) . She didn't think she was good with them, but also not that bad. For some reason, kids seem to like her without her making any effort. The only child she has a certain closure is Maeve because she helped to raise her, being a maternal figure for her. Neva loves Kian, she never forces anything on him and always lets their relationship blossom naturally. She knows he is a shy kid, and everything has its time. ❛ Does he miss me? So sweet! Of course! I would love to have him around. I don't have a piano here, so it is not like I could show him stuff.❜ She enjoys having Kian around, he is a sweet kid and a good distraction. ❛ I mean, if Karmen allows it. I don't think she is fond of me. ❜

——I want you happy Hunter, she told him and for a moment he just looked at her, didn’t say anything, his thumb still stroking the palm of her hand. but he is happy; he is very much content here, with her, sleeping on that damn couch and eating the same tasteless hospital food she has to in support ( how lovely of the lunch ladies who always leave an extra tray when they know he is there ). this is hard for her, he understands; he knows, especially given the circumstances, but when he told her they would be in this together the night she told him she was pregnant, he meant it. the day he asked her to marry him, he told her he could not think of his life without her in it, he meant it. when on their wedding day he swore to love her through good and bad, he meant it. there is nothing that can change that or the fact that she will always come first for him. “I am, baby,” his tone sounded certain, leaving no room to doubt the words spoken. “and you won’t go through this on your own,” he reminded her —they are a team, together in this and everything else; just because he isn’t the one pregnant doesn’t give him the right to have free reign when she is in here, in this situation. and no matter how much he doesn’t want to see her cry, sometimes it is better to just let it out; and she likes to be strong and appear unaffected, but maybe she can let this guard down around him; he is damn scared to, even if he doesn’t show it so that he won’t affect her.

the nurse left and he held her, still, close, firmly pressed against him, his face buried in her golden crown. fingers toying with her hair as she browsed through the bag then, thankful that she was offered this distraction; she shouldn’t stress like this, nor have such negative thoughts; all we go well, he is sure of it. and he looked at the outfits she showed him, smiling —god, they are freaking tiny. “how much do they weigh now?” he asked her, turning to look at her; he couldn’t recall if the doctor had told them recently ( and frankly, he had been slightly more focused on asking about her condition and how all fared ). another smile, and he stroked Boo’s fur,  looked at the other set. he hadn’t even known she got these, it was so endearing to think she had planned their outfits to match with one another’s. he pressed a kiss on her temple. “yeah,” he hummed. “I think they will be excited when you,” a pause, “and them,” he stroked her bump, a loving, gentle touch, “will come home.” honestly, he thinks Hecate will resume the position of their bodyguard and the boys will just be happy to have them, but won’t really know what to make of them; he strangely believes that Flash will be gentler than Houston.

his fingers curled around her wrist, leaning into her touch, and he smiled against her lips as she leaned closer. he didn’t immediately respond, instead, he took a gentle hold of her chin, he pulled her closer again, kissing her once more. slow, savoring. “she did,” he then said with a nod as they pulled apart, caressing the side of her face, fingertips ghosting over her cheekbone. “but you can ask her when she visits later today,” he smiled at her. “and maybe tomorrow I can bring Kian over? If you are feeling up to it,” of course, there was no pressure, but this time he had to ask instead of simply guessing she shouldn’t be disturbed like that. “because he asked again when he can come visit you…”

[worksby-d]

𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧

An Everyone Thinks It Oneshot

Pairing: Chris Evans x fem!Reader

Summary: Traveling with your son to visit Chris while he works proves to be stressful, even more so because there's a secret you've been keeping.

Warnings: RPF, pregnancy symptoms, dad!Chris, very soft!

Word count: ~1,100

✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ••• ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ••• ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿

Finally making it to the set Chris is filming on, you spot him in the distance where he said he'd be waiting for you guys and quickly point him out to your son. You're hoping he'll calm down a little now that you're here and he can see his dad, so you let him run ahead of you.

Chris' mom was kind enough to travel with you so you weren't corralling a 5-year-old through airports and on planes alone. But it still proved to be difficult between having to keep reminding him to sit still, and to talk quietly, and to not roll his eyes at you when he didn't want to listen.

Catching up a couple seconds later, Chris' face lights up seeing you, and you put on the best smile you can muster as you watch him continue to squeeze your son in a bear hug.

“I gotta say ‘hi’ to mom and grandma too, pal,” he whispers, setting him back on the ground. And it’s your turn to feel his arms around you, a feeling you haven't felt for almost a month. “Hi, sweetheart.”

“Hi,” you breathe out, melting into his embrace, hiding your face in the crook of his neck. “Missed you.”

“I missed you too,” he says, but he can tell by the quietness of your voice that you're holding something back. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” You shake your head and pull away enough to give him a quick kiss. It’s clear he doesn't believe you, but he lets it go for the time being, reluctantly letting go of you to move onto his mom.

“Is she lying to me?” His question comes out quietly as he hugs Lisa. “What happened?”

“That son of yours was a little rambunctious on the way here,” she shrugs and laughs a little. “I think she's just had a lot on her plate the last couple weeks, and a long travel day didn't help that. She really needs this time to relax.”

“Okay,” he nods, backing out of her embrace. “I'm gonna take her to my trailer for a bit if that’s okay. You can let him run out some energy,” he chuckles, pointing to the child who’s already doing so. “Come find us in a little while.”

✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ••• ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ••• ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿

Reaching the confines of his trailer, you completely break down, curling up on his small sofa. All he can do is sit next to you and wait for you to be able to tell him what's going on.

Feeling his hand on your back as he pulls you closer, your tears begin to cease. But he makes it difficult again when he starts apologizing for not being around as much as he wants to be lately.

“No,” you manage to croak, lifting your head off his shoulder to assure him. “That's not it. You don't have to apologize for working.”

“Then what is it?”

Wiping the tears from your cheeks with the sleeves of your sweatshirt, you reach to the floor for your backpack, digging through it to find a picture to pass to Chris.

His eyes about bug out of his head and you can't help but laugh. “Nothing’s wrong. I'm just fucking exhausted and I cry over everything lately.”

“Honey…” He glances up quickly at you before looking back at the ultrasound in his hands. “Holy shit.”

“This wasn't how I was going to tell you–”

“No, oh God.” He places the picture in his lap and pulls you back in for a tight hug. “It’s okay. Wow. Wait–” You feel him freeze for a moment. “We're happy about this, right?”

“Well, I am,” you smile. “Yeah.”

“Good, okay,” he laughs out of relief, gently pushing you away enough to look at you. “Good. But okay…” He picks the ultrasound back up. “You gotta tell me what I'm looking at here. I have absolutely no clue.”

“Right,” you laugh. “So uh,” you ponder, looking at it again. “I mean, that's them there,” you point to what looks like a blob in the center. “Nothing else on here really means anything.”

“It looks like a… baby,” he chuckles, surprised at how clear it is compared to the early ultrasound from your last pregnancy.

“Well, no. It looks like an alien,” you joke. “But yeah, I'm 11 weeks already.”

“Eleven– Already? When did you find out?”

“Just like two weeks ago, and I just had this done the other day actually, so I guess I’m almost 12 weeks now,” you explain. “I've been so busy, I didn't even notice anything was off…”

“Wow,” he smiles, still just marveling at the black and white blob, but his expression turns into a playful cringe as he looks back up at you. “I can't believe I got you pregnant again.”

“You're very good at it, apparently,” you tease.

You get a couple more minutes of cuddling together before his mom is knocking at the door, and you rush to hide the ultrasound in your sweatshirt pocket before telling her to come in.

Your son makes a beeline straight for Chris’ lap, giving him another hug. “I'm hungry,” he blurts out as he unwraps his arms from around his neck, making you all laugh.

“Buddy,” Chris hangs his head in faux hurt. “I haven't seen you in weeks and that's what you have to say to me?”

He doesn't give him a chance to respond before he's tickling him, reducing him to giggles. But he lets up so he can get serious with him.

“Your mom told me you weren't listening very well to her or grandma when you were on the plane…” An evident look of guilt washes over his small face. “Should you maybe tell them both you're sorry?”

He nods, so Chris prompts him to start with his grandma, telling him to make sure to give her a hug. And when he returns to his lap, he guides his gaze to you. “Now mom.”

“I'm sorry, mama,” he speaks softly, and you can tell he means it, at least as much as a 5-year-old can mean something.

“I forgive you,” you smile, reaching for him. “Come here.”

He squeezes his arms snuggly around you like Chris taught him. But he's quick to lose interest in the serious moment. “Can we eat now?”

“Yeah, we can eat now, silly.”

✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ••• ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ••• ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿

Tag list: @chris-butt @patzammit @denisemarieangelina @thummbelina @pppsssyyyccchhhiiiccc @princess-evans-addict @chris-evans-indian-fanfic @la-cey @turtoix @katiew1973 @harrysthiccthighss @tvckerlance @bluemusickid @rocketrhap3000 @mrspeacem1nusone @flovds @starlightcrystalline @stargazingfangirl18 @geminievans1 @doozywoozy @americasass91 @dwights-new-plague @wwwmarissa92 @redhairedfeistynerd @whxre4cevans @aubreeskailynn @white-wolf1940 @melchills-j @xoxabs88xox @just-one-ordinary-fangirl @before-we-get-started @chrissquares @christowhore @ice-dtae @mariestark @justile @jason-evans @cevansrogerss @dilfbarber @livstilinski

[empires-au-ideas]

Two episodes away from finishing tma so </3 I'm coping and emotionally prepared (<- lying)

Writing nature wives annoying coworkers to lovers is very amusing, I will say.

Edit: finished tma. What the fuck.

The Riffs Archives! Take this!

...

Peace and Quiet

Tw for death by car accident

...

[Click]

Pix:

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about, Katherine.

Katherine:

Well I don't get why you can't just wait till Shelby gets back to record the statement, it's HER job, after all.

Actually... where did you say Shelby went?

Pix:

The Archivist had a meeting to attend. Now-

Katherine:

Thank you so much for that... CRYSTAL CLEAR explanation. Truly.

Pix:

Just-

[Low rumbling rises, then fades]

hrmmm.

It's one statement, Katherine. I'd prefer it be recorded and filed before the Archivist got back.

You're an archival assistant now, Katherine. Do try and keep up.

And stop wasting the tape on the recorders. They're for statements only.

[Door opens and closes]

Katherine:

Well, I was doing JUST FINE in the research department. And I didn't even turn this stupid thing on in the first place!

Fine...

[Paper shuffling]

Katherine:

Statement of- oh Jeez.

Okay, that makes a little more sense.

Statement of Shelby Shubble, regarding a childhood trip to her family home. Statement given June 25th, 2015. Jeez, almost seven years ago-

Oh, right. Uhm-

Statement begins.

Katherine (statement):

I've lived with my grandmother my whole life. She doesn't really talk about it, but through my own digging and what probably counts as snooping, I found out both of them died in a car crash, just after I was born.

Now, my grandma did the best she could. She was like, the grandma archetype. Cookies, knitting, "my grand child can do no wrong", all that good stuff.

But she did have her limits. I had not been an easy child to raise, nor an easy student to teach. I was hyper, I needed to be told things multiple times, but I also HATED being told to do things.

But it all got too much for my grandma... I think in sixth grade. I was called into the principal's office I think for throwing my samples for a science lab across the room because I wasn't understanding it. I stand by it to this day, it was the teacher's fault for yelling at me instead of telling me how to actually do the lab.

The silence was suffocating in the car ride home. I always liked having noise in the background of whatever I was doing incase I didn't feel like doing it anymore, that way I could just say the noise was distracting me. It also made me feel less alone. Hearing people talking was grounding, or birds chirping, or even the buzzing electricity in my house just reminding me there were other people, other living things on earth.

This all went down right before spring break, so I wad dreading the lecture I was about to be given. I knew it'd just end with me grounded. She lectured me about controlling myself, having more respect for those STUPID teachers-

But surprisingly? I was not grounded. Well. Sort of?

See, for some reason my grandma had kept my parents' house all those years. So instead of spending spring break in the dreary old suburbs where I had no friends and nothing to do, I was too be sent away to a place where I can find possibly more answers about my parents (at the time I hadn't figured out what happened to them yet, so this would be a big break through).

And I loved my grandma, I loved her so so so much, but I nearly cried out in joy when I heard she wouldn't be staying in the house with me.

That's just what being twelve does to you I guess.

I tried to keep he relief- the excitement off my face. It was the Thursday before my week off and I was to arrive on Sunday, so I spent two days packing and the Saturday making a checklist of what I wanted to find out at the house.

Sunday consisted of a three hour drive, listening to the car radio and singing songs, stopping for ice cream at one point, my grandma always did a terrible job at making sure I knew I was in trouble.

And I tried to do my homework in the car, I really did! But the sound of traffic and all the sights on the way distracted me. Hardly my fault. That's probably what I told myself, which is funny, because that's what I tell myself now.

The house was in the middle of the woods by a lake, so grandma warned me that it got pretty misty. She said there was a bike in the shed I could use to go to the town nearby incase of emergencies, but only for emergencies. I was going to be picked up on Friday.

It was a... really strange thing to entrust a kid- a twelve year old with.

I hugged my grandma goodbye and dumped all my school stuff I was SUPPOSED to be doing in the corner of the room. I immediately took to exploring, because as much as I loathed school, I loved learning new things and was just over all way to curious of a child.

It was a tall house, two stories, the shed, and an attic. The spider on the handle to the attic door deterred me from there the first day though, so i was stuck exploring probably the more boring stuff. A few framed photos of my parents, though they weren't smiling in any of them, an office with a bunch of finance papers, nothing too special.

It wasn't until the sun set and I tried to go to bed that I realized how quiet it was.

I was in the woods on the outskirts of town. But I heard no crickets, birds, even the shaking of the leaves was muted. I wasn't even that far from the road, so it was freaky to not even hear CARS. As much as I used the excuse of noise distracting me, the silence was way more tantalizing.

I immediately went downstairs and tried to do my homework, I just needed a distraction from the lack of noise. A whole weeks worth of homework done in one night.

And I couldn't even tell. I start homework at eleven, after trying to sleep through the silence for two hours, and I check the clock again and it's seven. I looked outside in a panic, but also relieved I had got some work done, and that the silence didn't drive me insane.

But the windows were still dark, like the sun never rose at all. I thought maybe the world ended, and I didn't notice because I was too lazer focused on homework. That I should have investigated WHY there was no noise last night. No noise because every living thing on earth died and I didn't even notice.

I opened the blinds, only to see absolutely nothing. A pure, neutral grey covered the world, the window burned my hand it was so cold.

So that was the fog.

I could distract myself though the spider was gone from the attic, so I was able to go up there. I'm not even particularly scared of spiders, never have been, so I don't know why it stopped me in the first place.

The attic was dusty and dull, full of boxes and brown cases. The whole thing was overlayed in that same grey. The way it was clear the attic hasn't been touched by humans in years, the quiet, it made me feel like I was truly alone. Just me.

I rummaged around in there for a bit, it was taking my mind off things, distracting me from the pit of despair in my stomach I hadn't realized was growing. It had always been there, with me having no friends, my teachers not helping me in favor of praising their "star students", never quite understanding the secret codes hidden in facial expressions or tones, but with no one around me the pit was threatening to grow, then burst.

I found some... odd letters. One of them mentions you guys, so I've attached it to the statement. It was from my dad I think, he was NOT HAPPY with someone named Conal, I'll tell you that much.

But after opening a few cases I found it. The solution to my problems. A record player. All the records they had were old, even for my parents probably, but I felt myself loosen up, knowing I could hear another human voice and have it fill the silence.

And for the next day I was relaxed. I double checked- triple checked my homework, it was rather boring now that I was done with the only thing I was supposed to be doing all week.

I doodled on old papers in the office, I tried baking, I caught up on some desperately needed sleep, it was... rather nice. If my spring break was spent making cookies, drawing and writing stories, and finding out secrets, I was content.

I was running over the decorative books and judging how boring the contents actually were for the millionth time when night came, the fog hadn't cleared up all day so I couldn't really tell, but it was eight. The record player made a noise and there was no more music. No more voices.

In an instant I am overcome with dread. What kind of twelve year old wastes their spring break dying of boredom in some musty old house? I was drained from trying to come up with new ideas for stories all day. I made cookies and cake but hadn't eaten them. My homework was so checked over my teacher might even give me a "nice job" stamp.

They did, they handed my papers back to me the following Wednesday, with numbers almost in the nineties for the first time ever. I had to meet with about half of them after school as they interrogated me on why I didn't do that kind of work on all my assignments.

Laying there on the couch with covers that itched just enough to notice, but not worth my effort to remove them, I was unmoving. I was twelve... why did it feel like my whole life was passing me by?

Why was it so much easier for everyone else? And if it was so easy, so natural, why didn't they explain it to me? Why did they leave me so far behind, when did I GET behind?

I must have laid there for hours before the tears stung my eyes. There. A feeling. It got me out of the depth and reminded me where I was, how I was feeling, and what was causing it.

The quiet.

I shot up and ran through the fog, I hadn't even been outside since grandma dropped me off, so I hadn't explored the shed or any of the surrounding area, not that I could with the fog. But I didn't care. I felt my way to the bike. It was probably later than eleven at this point, I couldn't see with the fog, I barely knew my way back to town...

But I didn't care. I just craved to be by another person.

The whole way was grey, but it did feel like the fog was lifting up. Luckily there were no cars or people on the road, they probably would have hit me. It was dark, and the bike was probably made before reflective tape was even a thing.

The town was quiet, which made sense, as it was the dead of night. But there were no lights on. And still no sounds. No rustling leaves. No cars. Or any noises from the houses.

But it looked like everyone had vanished seconds prior. There was food at the outdoor tables. Car doors open in parking lots, a trunk open like someone was about to put groceries in. But no people. It felt like I had just barely miss them, if I had gone a little quicker I wouldn't have been left behind.

And I was tired. I couldn't sleep for obvious reasons. So I sat at a park bench, the playground swings still swaying a bit, like someone had only just gotten off of them. And I waited.

And waited.

And waited

There was no sun, but I had been counting. I had sat at the bench for probably six hours. No people whatsoever.

After the realization his me, that I've been sat in complete silence for six hours, the fog comes into my vision again. I don't waste time stumbling back to where I had locked my bike and started riding to the house, even though I couldn't see a thing.

I get my way to a side door eventually and get inside, where the fog just barely goes away. Just enough to read the sticky note on the coffee table.

"Be back soon!"

Another on the fridge.

"Went off to school!"

Another in the office, on the paper I had been doodling on.

"Remember to water the plants!"

None of which had been there before. The creepiest thing about it was the pen in the office, still warm from the hands of another person. It... it truly did trouble me how much I yearned for the pen. It troubles me now still.

I gathered up all the notes, even the one on the paper with my drawing,cand threw them in the shredder.

I left to the town at around eleven, and waited for six hours at the park bench. An hour there and back, so that means from six to two thirty I was crying. It was noise at least. But even my sobs were muffled, like I was underwater.

I'm snapped out of it by a car door closing. I run to the window, filled with blinding sunshine as the fog had completely disappeared without me noticing. It was my grandma's car.

Which... no. I hadn't been crying for that long. It was only supposed to be Tuesday as well, when she was supposed to pick me up on Friday. I don't know if I realized it at the time though, I think I was just so relieved she was getting me out.

Her smile was so warn as she asked how my stay was. I don't remember saying a thing, but she keeps smiling, so I don't think I ever told her what happened. I remember her remarking that I had grey hairs now, she joked it was from all the homework.

The car ride home was the best thing I have ever experienced. The tired going over every piece of gravel and shaking the whole car. The radio. Grandma's humming. Hearing the other cars go by.

I still can't do silence. I'm always moving now, always watching other people to make sure they don't vanish either. The grey in my hair won't leave, but I think that's fine.

I always thought it was sound that I didn't want. I don't want the QUIET. Hardly my fault. How am I supposed to stay calm if I can't sense when someone's by my side?

Statement ends.

Katherine:

Oh... Jeez.

So. Shelby supernaturally acquired detachment issues. Nice.

Uhm... not sure how to do follow up for this one? It sounded like Pix doesn't was Shelby to know I've read the statement...

Why did Pix want ME to read the statement?

But it's cool. It's cool, if there's one thing I trust Shelby to do, it's to take this stuffy old place way to seriously. I doubt she'd try and prank the institute like one of those false statement givers.

Oh, and I should probably read the letters attached as well.

Katherine (statement):

Dear Gemini Tay, Head Archivist of the Magnus Institute,

I know you are well aware of what we have planned by now, it's probably hard for you folk to miss a whole area of land you can't see.

But my wife and I thought it'd be wise to advise your institute to stay out of our business. You know how much our family hates the spotlight.

Everyone knows what you did to the Buried, to your own brother to stop it. It's an easy way to make enemies.

From

Mr. Shubble

End of letter.

Katherine:

So... yeah. It sounds like Shelby's parents were supervillains, so that's fun. And he talked about Fwhip... Fwhip only moved away? I didn't think Gem did anything to him.

And whatever was going on at the house, I hope the grandma had no idea, for Shelby's sake.

Ugh. I swear, if this whole thing was a ploy to get me to cooperate with Shelby more-

Whatever.

[Click]

[Click]

Pix:

Katherine.

Katherine:

Ugh. What now, Pix? I'm almost off the clock, and I felt sick after reading that statement.

I don't like feeling sick.

So I swear if you have ONE MORE THING for me to do-

Pix:

Well I'm sorry to make you do work during work hours, Katherine.

Shelby will be back tomorrow, and she... won't exactly be in the best of conditions. You can have the day off tomorrow-

Katherine:

Yes!

Pix:

As long as it is spent looking after Shelby.

Katherine:

What?!

Pix, come ON. You know how much me and Shelby don't get along. If she's not in "the best of conditions", SURLY she'll want someone she ACTUALLY LIKES around.

Pix:

Well for how she's feeling, what she's experienced, I do not trust Sausage to take care of her in his state. Nor do I trust Fwhip, in general.

And I know it's not the same, but you've been sick before. So I thought you'd be best equipped for the job.

Katherine:

How the HELL do you know-

Pix:

Because I look over the statements, Katherine. Is it so hard to believe I'm just a normal man working at his job?

Katherine:

Maybe, if that job wasn't HERE. And if you weren't so cryptic a the time.

...

So, do you know how to fix it?

Pix:

I've been sorting through artifact storage to see if we have anything, but I'm not done yet. Rest assured, I'm not yet so "cryptic" that I won't tell you if I've found a cure.

Katherine:

Great. Cuz nothing bad EVER comes out of artifact storage.

Pix:

I've helped many people, Katherine. I'm not trying to hurt you, not while you're already hurting.

Be at the institute on time tomorrow, Shelby will probably be late, but you'll have to clean up the room you've been staying in to keep her there.

Katherine:

And now she's taking my room...

Pix:

And what did I say about the tape recorders?!

Katherine:

Oh, screw off!

[Click]

[edwardslostalchemy]

So I didn't want to really go to the family lunch because I'm just very emotional, and a few relatives noticed and asked if I was okay, which I appreciate. I was starting to feel comfortable but my parents and I had to leave for church because my dad was going to get baptized. And I don't know, I was upset and I cried on the way to church. I didn't even want to be at the family lunch so idk why I was crying about it but my mom offered to drop me off at my aunt's house. I didn't accept because I would have felt awful being there by myself while everyone else had their families. The nice thing was after my dad's baptism, we got to go back to my aunt's house and most of our relatives were still there.

But I allowed myself to be honest and vulnerable with my mom, and I told her I was upset because of grandma's funeral and the stress of taking care of my nephew while he was having a tantrum as his dad (my brother) helped carry my grandma's casket, so I couldn't even grieve, and I was also upset because I saw my cousins with their significant others and I really wanted to have someone by my side too because I really wanted that comfort and company, and I just feel lonely, and I really wanted Matt to be there but of course he wasn't because I don't talk to him and he doesn't love me and I know that, and it doesn't help at all that my cousin's boyfriend is named Matthew, and I get to see him being loving with her, and I'm just really full of emotions and I want to go to a counselor because I need to talk this out. My grandma's death really triggered a lot of things in me and really reminded me that I need therapy and I'm really jealous of people in relationships and it's also just hard for me to date, so it's just difficult for me to even find a boyfriend. I don't know why it's so hard. Everyone makes it look so easy. Everyone just clicks with each other, meanwhile I'm here trying to click with someone and it's like I'm a wall. I've started to think there is something wrong with me and I hate it. I really want to feel better because I hate feeling jealous of others and their relationships, I hate feeling like I'm missing something. I know the world isn't fair but am I really just not built to click with someone? And everyone keeps telling me to give it time and to wait and to leave it in God's hands, and I get it, but also these people have relationships and I know they mean well, but I'm just tired. I'm tired and jealous and sad. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I really just wish I could move past this. And I know even know if it has something to do with my trauma from sexual assault, maybe it does. But I get to see the person that assaulted me be happy and have a family and kids, meanwhile I'm here trying to heal and build relationships but I feel broken. I think I just can't form those relationships and I think that really sucks.

I want to crack so badly like I really think I'm going to cry but I'm at a family event and I don't want to cry here. I'm just sad and upset and I want to go lay down in my bed.

[deathlordcorpseking]

Yeehawgust 23: Mirage

Veronica and the Courier arrive at Jacobstown to find Doctor Henry, and are confused when a Nightkin approaches them calling them by the wrong names. 686 words.

Jacobstown was full of Super Mutants and Nightkin who stared uncomfortably at them. Ashton made she to wave at each one who did, until Veronica reminded her that Nightkin didn't like to be stared at at all.

"Oh, are those Big Horners?" Ashton gasped, pulling Veronica up to the fence around them. "Veronica, aren't they cute?"

"Just as cute as every other one we ran into on the way."

"I know!" Ashton squealed. Rex barked, nudging at her leg, and Ashton frowned, turning around to get up to the lodge and meet Doctor Henry. Before she made two steps to do so, there was a loud call of 'Jimmy?'

Ashton hadn't thought it was referencing her, but when there was another, 'Is that you?' she glanced in the direction of the call. It had come from a Nightkin that stood almost twice the height of Ashton herself, dressed in overalls and a small hat.

Ashton, confused, turned to Veronica as if she could provide an answer, but she just shrugged.

"Jimmy? Come over here and give Grandma a hug!"

Ashton had frowned, whispering to Veronica, "Is she talking to you?"

"Nope," Veronica said, cheerfully. "Pretty sure she's talking to you."

"Oh, and is that my little Becky?" The huge Nightkin cooed. "My, how you two have grown!"

"No, she's definitely talking to me now."

"Miss?" Ashton asked gently, confused. "Are you-?"

"It's been so long, dear!" She was engulfed in the large arms of the Nightkin. Ashton stilled immediately, though, relaxed because she could hear the sound of Veronica laughing from behind her. That, and the hug was surprisingly comforting. "Now why haven't you come to visit Grandma?"

"I..." With awkward movements, she raised her arms to try to encompass the Nightkin. Success was limited, but the Nightkin had seemed happy. "I'm sorry. I... wasn't thinking?"

"It's alright, pumpkin. You're here now," the Nightkin cooed, "Grandma's so happy to see you."

Slowly, the Nightkin pulled away, beaming so brightly that Ashton felt her heart clench uncomfortably.

As the Nightkin glanced between Ashton and Veronica, though, she faltered. "Oh, now I'm sorry. I'm afraid I mixed you up with my grandkids. You just look so much like them!"

"It's alright," Ashton muttered, still feeling rather warm from the hug. "You expecting your grandkids?"

"Well, I can't say I've seen them in the longest of time, but I know they'd look a lot like you two. What's your names?"

"I'm Ashton, and this is Veronica. What's your name?"

"Lily. I'm glad to meet you. Can I ask where your parents are? Don't tell me they let you walk all the way here on your own."

Ashton blinked, confused. "My parents?"

"Uh-huh. I can't imagine they're that far, are they? If they really let you walk here on your own, they're due for a stern talking to."

"I don't…" Ashton trailed off, getting progressively more confused. "I have parents?"

Lily herself seemed puzzled at that, and Veronica interrupted as Rex got progressively more eager to get inside the lodge. "It's a long story."

Lily slowly nodded. "I see. Well, it's no good for two young kids to be walking around with no adults. It's dangerous out here. Do you have nobody looking out for you?"

Given the fact that Lily seemed to genuinely believe they were children, Veronica didn't know where to go with this, as Ashton still seemed to be mulling over the fact that she had parents. "We're, uh. Very mature. You really don't have to worry."

Lily smiled. "I'm a grandmother. The idea of kids all alone makes me worry. Where are you two off to?"

"We're looking for a Doctor Henry."

"Oh, Doctor Henry? He's such a nice fellow. Is he your babysitter?"

Ashton, horrified, asked, "Baby sitter?"

"No, he's just helping our dog, here," Veronica gestured to Rex, who whimpered. "We'll see you later…?"

"Alright. Let me know if you girls need anything! I make the best cookies."

"We'll keep it in mind! Thanks." Swiftly, Veronica grabbed Ashton's arm to pull her away while she frowned, muttering something about people sitting on babies.

[sorryimanon]

Character: Katsuki Bakugou

Warnings/tags: heart warming fluff, language, and suggestive themes

Word count: 2.5k

In which your boyfriend takes it upon himself to pamper you on his day off.

Author’s note: some self indulgent fluff. this is a continuation of dad!bakugou and torch daughter. there will be more. enjoy :)

D/N= daughters name

-

Katsuki heavily relied on you to babysit your rambunctious four year old daughter during the days when he'd be on patrol from dusk till dawn. Very rarely would he be home before the two of you tucked yourselves in for the night, leaving him to eat the leftovers from dinner alone at the table. As sad as it is, it didn't bother you in the slightest. In fact, knowing Katsuki was keeping the crime rate of Japan low, you were more than happy to become a stay at home mom. Most of your friends tried to talk you out of it, but you were already settled after giving your two weeks notice at your low paying job. Waking up and seeing your daughter first thing in the morning is better than staring blankly at a bright screen all day behind a musty wall, running on nothing but decaf coffee, and sluggishly going to and fro like a zombie.

Ever since your daughter manifested her quirk, you’ve been trying your best to maintain her sudden outbursts while at home. The doctor prescribed it as Torch: the ability to become a human torch and ignite flames throughout your body and fingertips. For now d/n is only capable of setting herself on fire, using the flames as a barrier to protect her from any harm instead of combating. However, sometimes she'll forget to extinguish herself, having you to manually use an actual fire extinguisher on her. Burn marks would litter the outskirts of your shirts, the aftermath ash smudged on your face, and the tiny hairs on your forearms long gone after handling d/n.

Your boyfriend appreciates the way how you compose yourself around d/n, not allowing the temptation to fling the little gremlin out the window prevail, because if the roles were reversed it'd be a whole different story. Sometimes he sits back in his desk chair, after a long night of meandering around the city, and tries to remember the last time you were properly treated. Of course, Katsuki never fails to remind you day and night he loves you through his actions, some including selfish indulgence late at nights, but all in all he didn't lack being the hopeless romantic counterpart for you. He wanted you to take a break from it all, have him handle the at home duties and the slimy daughter. Leaning back against the chair with his brows furrowed slightly, he began to mentally plan out your day already.

It was a Friday when Katsuki forced himself out of the comfortable security that is your arms and walked with light feet to his daughters bedroom. Today is his day off, so he has to make sure everything goes smoothly or else he's going to have more burn marks on his office desk.

He didn't bother knocking first and saunters in the familiar space, the faint snores from d/n somehow relaxing him. Her walls were freshly painted a light shade of blue, the contrast not too saturated to peel the attention away from her posters that covered every inch of her room, all of which were pictures of his prohero colleagues. D/N had to beg for her father to purchase a Deku poster, one of which she saw don display when the both of you brought her to the mall for a quick trip. He internally cringes every time he makes eye contact with the lifeless eyes of Deku when he enters her room.

Katsuki neared his daughter and kneeled down to where his head was leveled with hers, chuckling lightly when finding a small pool of drool collecting on her cheek.

"Wake up little shit," he whispers, nudging her uncovered shoulder with his knuckles, startling her eyes to flutter open. D/n nearly gasped at the sight of her father. The covers that were wrapped snuggly around her fell at the foot of her bed when she jolted up in surprise, eyes brimming with excitement.

"It's today right? Mommy's day!" Katsuki covered her mouth with his abnormally large hand, not wanting her obnoxious voice to blow their cover.

"Yes, but you're gonna have to be quiet for daddy. Don't want to spoil the surprise for mommy, you understand ya little brat?"

Hand still attached to her mouth, d/n nodded her head feverishly, hands clenched into tiny fits. Once he thinks she's shimmered down a little, he finally removes his hand and motions her to follow him.

Meanwhile in the other room, you were still fast asleep, limbs not once switching from their position over the cozy blanket. The chill breeze from the propped window regulated your body temperature nicely, along with the beautiful songs sung by the birds that reside in the trees close by. You stirred awake momentarily, feeling the loss of a presence that's usually laying beside you during these times of slumber. Katsuki's side was empty, the indent from his body molded onto the foam mattress, leaving you to believe he woke up not that long ago.

After convincing yourself to leave the comfort of your bed, you decided to search for the missing blonde. You crack open the door to a weird combination of radio music blaring throughout the house, and the delicious smell of something cooking in grease. It's no doubt your boyfriends doing. He always likes to impress you with how skillful he is in the kitchen. He hasn't made a dish you disliked yet nor will he allow himself to do so.

Standing side by side, minus the height difference, d/n and Katsuki both were too immersed in their cooking to notice you leaning against the island counter, trying very hard to not cry instantly at the sight in front of you. Watching them interact together was definitely something you'd be treasuring for the years to come.

A rush of savory and sweetness infiltrated your senses, the scent strong enough to knock you back to sleep. As if he read your mind overnight, Katsuki took it upon himself to prepare your favorite breakfast dishes. The dinner table made for three already set by none other than d/n, who currently looked proud at her work and craftsmanship. A large vase was propped in the center, a collection of vibrant flowers stuffed to the brim, the water inside almost overflowing. Attached to one of the stems of the flowers was a tag, the handwriting sloppy and hard to decipher.

To my dumbass, love ya - K.B

You felt the delicate touch of your daughter wrapping her hand around yours, giving it a slight tug before pulling you into the kitchen again. Katsuki flicked his gaze to you now, flashing the same mischievous grin you grew to love. his hands simultaneously worked on the food while taming the animal, that is indeed your daughter, from bumping into the pan handles.

"What's all this for?" You asked, the question directly appointed to both your boyfriend and daughter.

"Oh, so I can't treat my sexy girlfriend to a good meal?" he teased while setting the burners to low, letting the food cool off before plating it. Your daughter audibly gagged at the comment and swatted Katsuki's arm.

D/N's tiny legs were faster than yours and reached the cabinet where the plates and cutlery were stored at. To her dismay, the cabinet was higher than she anticipated. trying her best to waiver down the disappointment as she climbed on the sleek marble counter top, losing her footing here and there. Katsuki caught her in time before she misplaced her footing and almost toppled onto the floor.

"May I need to remind you not to climb on the damn counter tops anymore d/n?" he scolded as he put her down before grabbing enough plates for everyone.

Pursing her lips tightly, she crossed her arms and said, "But if I'm going to be a future hero then I have to battle my way through tough obstacles!"

U.A's immense training and work studies came in handy when dealing with d/n's hard headed ideologies. It's been a stressful reoccurrence, having to constantly teach her the importance of being a hero at such a young age. Her impulsive tendencies mirrored the blondes old habit of taking action before thinking. But there was always a saying when storing away your fear and facing danger head on.

"That's true, but sometimes a little teamwork wouldn't hurt. Your father should know a thing or two about that when he was a young U.A student," you said as you patted her head.

"What'd you say shitty woman? Talking crap so early in the morning already?" a strange popping sound alerted you to turn around, only to find Katsuki flaring his flashy quirk with a glare that could splice you open.

But his alarming gaze wasn't the thing that was scaring you at the moment.

"WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT USING YOUR QUIRK IN THE HOUSE! YOU'RE GONNA SET OFF THE FIRE ALARM AGAIN, IDIOT!"

-

You thought the smorgasbord of a breakfast was the last of your boyfriends romantic gestures, but you should've known better once he demanded you to change out of your sleep attire and into something to  wear outside. Not thinking twice about where he was dragging you to, including daughter, you decided to play it safe. He approved on your choice of ripped jeans, synthetic tank top, and thrown on cardigan once heading off to the car.

The car ride to the mysterious destination was short lived as your boyfriend pulled up into the driveway of his old house. Mitsuki stood waiting by the threshold of the doorway, waving her fingers sweetly to whom you can only assume was you and not her only son. She stepped off the porch once Katsuki shifted the car in park, unlocking the doors as well. His mother reached the side where d/n stayed strapped in her seat and yanked the door open.

"Ah my little princess! How have you been? I missed you so much!" She unbuckled d/n's seat belt and flattened her in a tight hug, squeezing till her eyes popped out. "I can't wait to spend the weekend with you baby girl! Are you excited to have a little fun with grandma?!"

"Calm the fuck down, you're gonna kill her if you keep squeezing!" Katsuki's voice boomed out of the window.

"Oh pipe down you little shit I'm not harming her! Also don't talk to me like that! You're old enough to treat me with some respect by now!"

"SHUT UP YOU OLD HAG! JUST TAKE THE LITTLE GREMLIN AND GO!"

After the heated exchange, Katsuki eventually calmed down and drove the two of you back to the house in complete silence. It was quite a shift in a sense of environment wise. By now d/n would be begging you to make her some pudding or pour her a cup of lemonade, then place yourselves in front of the tv watching a random kids program till evening. Tonight you lend the torch to your boyfriend, allowing whatever devious plan he conjured up to unfold.

Before you could shuffle into your shared bedroom, Katsuki placed his calloused hands onto your cramped shoulders. Merely centimeters from your ear, he laid a chaste kiss on the area beneath it, smiling at your innocent reaction to his sudden actions and nuzzled into the crook of your neck. You smelt the familiar scent of caramel and men’s soap, both of which you undoubtably loved when combined.

“Suki?” Upon hearing his nickname, Katsuki quirked an eyebrow at you. “What’s with all the romantic gestures lately? Cooking my favorite breakfast, the flowers, and our daughter. Don’t get me wrong, I love her! It’s just nice not to worry about if she’ll set the curtains on fire again.”

You felt the vibrations of him chuckling behind you.

“Isn’t it obvious? I just want to fuck the shit out of you,” you sat paralyzed by his bluntness. his tuft hair tickled the underside of your chin, earning him an acute giggle from you. “I’m just kidding, pretty face. I figured you needed a weekend where you just relax and did nothing. Let me do all the work. That’s including getting rid of the brat.”

Shifting in his arms to where you can face him, you can now see the adoration oozing from usual heated glare of his vermillion eyes, the scowl long gone and replaced with a soften feature not so many from the outside can witness. To think this was the man you devoted yourself and love for, to allow him to bare witness anything and everything you endure. He’s a man of showing his compassion through his actions, not lousy words of affirmations that anyone could sputter out and proclaim its love. No, he reflects back everything right with the world, even when you felt the weight of it searing through your system, dragging it down with you. The same explosive blonde awaits patiently by the opening for you to enter, no matter how long it’ll take for you to accept his love. Because he’ll be there. Waiting.

And here he is waiting. In your arms to repeat those three words you made out from watching the movement of his lips.

The words leave your mouth effortlessly, the proclamation hanging in the air between you two.

“I love you too, Katsuki. Thank you so much, for everything.” Like so, you kiss the plump flesh of his lips, the same inflammation of your heart burning as before. The strong muscle of his tongue prods your entrance, practically begging by licking your bottom lip. Katsuki grabbed your chin as gentle as he could muster, titling it for a better leverage to explore your mouth in return. Your hands trailed across the defining shape of his collarbones, rubbing any part of his body so that your fingers remained busy. Both of you hum in satisfaction, relishing in the feeling of the intimate moment. To your disliking, he removes his lips from yours and hovers instead, panting from the mini-make out session seconds ago.

“I’m going to marry you some day, mark my words. So don’t act fucking stupid when I pop the question,” he hotly proclaims, not once removing those piercing red eyes from yours. That’s when you knew he wasn’t bullshitting. If there’s one thing you learned about Katsuki over the years of dating, is that he doesn’t throw out promises in the air nonchalantly without keeping them. You can vaguely hear the ominous sound of wedding bells in your ears.

“Sounds intriguing. I always wanted to see you in a suit and tie.”

“Ya know, maybe someday might be tomorrow-.”

You cut him off with a scorching peck, making his eyes widen and dilate with every given second you laid your lips onto his. “Shut up babe and ravish me already.”

A mischievous grin forms on his mouth as he links his arms around the back of your knees and hoists you over his shoulder. He erupted into fits of laughter after hearing you squeak from the abruptness. The door to your shared bedroom came into view, your boyfriend kicking it with his free foot before entering through the threshold.

“You’re in for a long night sweetheart. Now that our daughter isn’t here, I’m not holding back on anything,” he threatens as he lays you down on the comforter.

Another thing you learned from your relationship. Katsuki is always true to his word.

-

[thosebrookfieldgirls]

While I know you're thinking about doing a story like this already, do you have any headcanons on what if the guys met some members of their SO's families? Like Jamil meeting Jude's grandma, for instance.

I have a few

Deuce

-he definately isn't used to the energy that the Corey household has

-Val's mother adores him and thinks he's a very sweet and very hard working young man

-Johnny will join in with Ace to torment Deuce and Val

-Lana is supportive though mostly indifferent

-Marisol thinks its funny how awkward he is around her baby Ivy. But does think he's sweet and can see he's trying his best

Leona

-oh boy, he is not getting along with Kris' parents at first

-he thinks they are suffocating and don't appreciate their oldest enough

-they think Kris is in a rebellious phase and "settling" for someone like Leona who is twenty and still in High School.

-though they really don't like the age gap, they also know Kris is 18 and they can't stop her.

-Emma, Kris' sister, is actually very different from their parents. Emma can see Leona likes Kris as she is and isn't trying to change her or get something out of her more then what she's willing to give

-Emma reminds Leona of Cheka in some ways and finds it endearing how Emma follows her older sister around like a little chick.

Azul

-at first Azul was fond of Anne's mother. Thinking her a very refined and personable lady

-then he starts hearing her talk to Anne. He's far less enthusiastic about her

-hasn't met her father, step family, or older siblings but if they are anything like her mother then he doesn't want to

-Anne's mother is fond of Azul and can't believe Anne landed someone like him. She sure he is after one thing and once he gets it he'll leave. But for now she'll humor it and home it pushes her daughter to put more onto her apparence

-Anne's mother could live without the twins being around though...

Jamil

-this... doesn't end well. Before he's with Jude he's indifferent. They seemed no better or worse then the associates the Asim family would keep. Keeps Kalim away and doesn't think much otherwise

-after though is when he really starts getting snarly. He doesn't like how Ethan talks to Jude and acts like he owns her. Doesn't like how neglectful her mother for her own sake. Doesn't see her father often but hates how she's more a business piece then a daughter. Don't even get him started on her grandmother.

-Ethan thinks Jamil is a good for nothing that needs to learn his place in the background. Which is a shame because he was fond of how quick and intelligent Jamil was when he was more willing to be agreeable.

-Jude's father doesn't care enough to play attention

-Jude's mother has mixed feelings. On one hand, her daughter seems happier then she has in years. On the other she fears Jamil's ambition. She doesn't wish for her daughter to end up like herself, or worse, like her grandmother.

-and Sofia, well, he wrote Jamil off at first. A passing fancy. A distraction. Something that made her nostalgic for her and her late husband. But as time went on it became clear it wasn't a passing fancy and she won't stand for an upstart flying by the seat of his pants to get in the way of Judith's place in the world.

Epel

-yee haw boys are yee hawing

-Kim's father isn't suprised to see the pretty boy on his door step when Kim introduces them. She's always had a thing for princely faces

-Epel picks up pretty quickly how much Kim's father cares about her. He always had a full house so he can't imagine how hard it was for him to raise Kim all by himself.

-Kim's father was very skeptical at first to how well Epel could care for his little princess, but after spending time with him he knows there is nothing Epel wouldn't do for Kim and thats all he asks

Idia

-Idia notices right away how similar Eva and her mother are. Especially in terms of not really talking while meeting others.

-Eva's mother isn't really sure how she feels about Idia. If he's actually going to help her daughter go back to how she was before the incident or if he will make her sink further down

-still, the two form a mutual respect for one another with computers. Both consider the other respectable in their fields and Eva's mother choses to trust her judgment. At the very least she trusts Eva's judgement and is glad she's letting someone in again.

Silver

-it's so damned cold in that house and he hates it. Nothing like the warmth he had in his house with Lilia

-Fiona's aunt and uncle don't care what she does as long as she isn't making a fuss for them

-her nephew is too young to really know much about Silver but he likes him well enough

-Silver is more then happy to take Fiona away from a place like that. That's for sure

[cordelianewman]

It was such a good feeling to have that anticipation, those butterflies in her stomach again looking forward to seeing Cage. Not that reminder that she needed to make sure to keep an eye out at all times and go the opposite direction if anyone that looked remotely like him came within certain radar. The ability to move throughout Merrock again without that weight was something that gave her an immense relief. "Probably, I mean you know what they say we only cook dinner in this house once." Alright, that was probably something far more old fashioned and something she'd never say. If someone was hungry, chances were, Cordelia was too -- and if she wasn't up for cooking a meal, there were tons of frozen choices or snacks to keep anyone full to the brim. So it wasn't like Cage would even have the opportunity to starve if she tried that little sentence on him. "Now if you were drunk, coming home late -- yeah I'd probably play the you already had dinner and put you to bed because I wouldn't be wasting good food on something you're not going to remember." Grinning up at the man, "Grandma did that once, papa came home piss drunk and asked where the steak was, she told him he already had it, he said he thought he'd remember having it but then kissed her and said he knows it was delicious regardless and off to bed he went." Was that something she'd try? Probably but reward him plenty in the morning.

"I'm just glad you didn't get eaten by bears or whatever else other scary things could have been lurking out there. I'm also glad you didn't try and bring the moose back as a pet." she retorted, because that would be a lovely thing to have to explain to the town why one was now wandering the Merrock streets so willingly. "Oh you missed a ton since you've been gone actually, Rosalyn graduated high school, got into Harvard Law, became firm partner and is buying her mama a beautiful little retirement home down on the beaches." The obvious tease in her voice, "When really it was a lot of mini home renovation projects that I keep getting ideas to do and losing my mind, thinking I can actually do them all myself. Oh and I found a whole tree full of bees in the backyard and I don't want to hurt them, you know the whole #savethebees but I have no clue what to do about them." she said, "Thankfully none of us have been stung or anything but I haven't let Rosalyn out back much because I don't know if she's allergic and I honestly am not up for finding out and going into that panic." she said letting out a very long drawn out sigh, "But yeah, that about sums it up."

It was funny how life worked; Cage had gone years without seeing Cordelia, avoiding running into her at the grocery store, trying to get into another line at the bank if he saw her in the same building. And now, he went away for a few days and found himself missing her more than he could put into words. Not that he hadn't had a good time with Colton, because he had, but when he ducked into the kitchen and saw her standing there with that grin on her face, he felt relief flood through his chest, fluttering behind his ribs as he matched her grin with his own. "Is that you're way of telling me that I would've starved?" Although… he was a little hungry. He just wasn't really sure if he was hungry for food, or something else as he made his way across the kitchen to meet her halfway, hands automatically dropping to her hips and pulling her in against him, pressing his lips back to hers. "Mm, hi, beautiful. I missed you."

When she asked about the trip, he broke into another smile, some of that boyish excitement and youth slipping across his face. "Really good," he dropped his hands from her hips to link behind her back, draped lazily but possessively around her middle. "We camped by the beach, went fishing at this beautiful lake, found a place to rent kayaks, did some of that… saw a moose, it's been a while since I've seen one of those." All of the good, outdoorsy, nature-based things that Cage loved to do, that he tried to spend as much time as possible doing, especially with his son, of all people. "Ask me how I feel in the morning once I've slept on a real mattress and not a sleeping bag, but that's besides the point," he let out a low laugh, shrugging one shoulders. "But it was nice. A good little getaway. How's everything here, you and Rosalyn good, I didn't miss anything exciting?"

[imaginationintowords]

Folklore [song series]

this is me trying

Modern Day AU! Steve Rogers x OC!Reader; Bucky Barnes x Natasha Romanoff

Plot: Inspired by Taylor Swift’s new album folklore. The story follows the timeline of Bucky and Elizabeth’s life throughout the years.

word count: 3592

[a/n: I’m so sorry that it’s taken me so long to update this and my other story. i’ve been busy with school and work. thank you for your continued patience and support]

previous part

Series Masterlist

Age: 20 Year: Dec. 2014 Location: Brooklyn, NY

"How have you been James?”

Bucky looks out the window to his right. Hands grasped together in his lap as he sits on the dark green sofa across from the woman he's been seeing for the last 5 months.

He ponders the question, making sure to answer it honestly. He looks back at her giving her his full attention again.

"Good," he answers truthfully, a small smile planted on his face. Life has been good. School is going incredibly well. My job is going better than I could've imagined. Really learning a lot."

"How are things going with Natasha?" The older lady asks.

“Great. Really great," Bucky says with a slightly bigger smile.

"Good. I'm glad to hear that," she smiles back, proud to the see progress James has made since his first visit moths ago.

After the blow up he and Steve had, Bucky fell into a depressive state. He refused to talk to anyone about what had happened. It wasn't until his younger sister Rebecca came to talk to him:

"I get you don't want to talk to any of us about what happened last week," she said as Bucky laid in bed looking out the window, his back facing her, "But you can't just stay in bed, hiding for the world. Starving yourself isn't going to solve anything.

"Sulking is only going to make you worse. It's not healthy, Buck. We're all worried. Ma is incredibly worried. She's barely been eating. I hear her wandering the house at all hours, because she can't sleep."

"You don't want to talk to us, fine. But you need to talk to someone. If not for yourself, but for Ma. Please," she begs, before leaving Bucky alone to ponder what she said.

He knew he wasn't coping the healthy way. He hadn't realized how much he was affecting his family by shutting down. The last thing he wanted to do was worry his mother. So he got himself up, took a shower, ate breakfast with his family. They were surprised to see him come down, but tried not to draw any extra attention to it. Rebecca gave him an understanding nod, which he reciprocated. After breakfast, he began his research. He decided to listen to Rebecca's advice and find someone to talk to someone to help him make sense of what is going on in his mind.

And that's how he ended up in Dr. Abraham's office.

"Have you contacted Steve yet?" She asks.

"No," he answered fiddling with his fingers, "I feel embarrassed about the way I reacted."

"That's normal, James," she assured him, "But in order to repair any damage that's been cost, you need to talk to Steve. To move forward. From what you've told me he's a very understanding person. I'm sure once you've apologized and explain to him the steps you've taken to help your mental health, I'm sure he'd be willing to accept you back into his life."

"I'm not so sure," he looked down at his hands.

"You won't know until you've tried. Listen, I'm not here to tell you what to do or what not to do. I'm just here to help you navigate your thoughts a little better. In a more healthy way. If you're really serious about living a more healthier mental life, I think you should talk to him. You don't want to really throw this lifelong friendship away, do you?"

"No, I don't," he shakes his head.

"Good. Remember to be honest," she tells him, "Vulnerability isn't a bad thing. Your feelings aren't a nuisance. it's how you handle them is what matters. I'm not saying you have to talk to him as soon as you walkout of here. I just want you to start making the notion of doing so. Our time is just about up, how about we do this. Some homework for the week.

"I want you to write a letter to Steve. Bring it in next week, you don't have to read it. But I would like to discuss it. What do you say?"

"Okay, I could do that," he agreed.

Christmas week

Steve and Elizabeth flew back home a few days before Christmas. They put their bags in the trunk of their rental car.

The car ride was silent for awhile, both tired after a long flight, now sitting in traffic on their way back to their parents' place. This would be their first time back to Brooklyn since the whole Bucky situation. The road trip back to California was fun, but there was a looming sadness over Steve. It's not like he regrets standing up to Bucky he doesn't. He just wishes thing would've played out differently. He really wished Bucky would've talked to him before he left back to California.

"How are you feeling about being back?" Elizabeth asks, while they sat in traffic.

"I don't know," Steve sighs, "Feels weird going back home and not talking to Bucky."

"Maybe you should try calling him. It's been a few months. I'm sure he'd be willing to hear you out," she said, rubbing his right arm.

"I don't want to push him," Steve said through gritted teeth, his grip on the steering wheel getting tighter.

Bucky had been a touchy subject the last few months. During the first month Elizabeth would ask Steve if he'd heard from him, the answer always being no, followed by Steve shutting down. After that Elizabeth stopped asking, noticing how much it was affecting Steve, but the constant reminder of it wasn't helping. She knew that if Bucky ever did call, Steve would tell her. The only thing she could do was be patient and be there for Steve whenever he needed her.

The holidays kept everyone busy. On Christmas Eve. Steve spent it with Elizabeth's family at her grandma's house. Elizabeth found herself watching Steve play with her younger cousins, she couldn't help but giggle when they roped him into a tea party. She found herself imagining a future where Steve would do the same with their own children. She quickly shook the daydream away. Reprimanding herself a little for even thinking about kids at their young age.

On Christmas morning Elizabeth and Steve spent it with his parents. It was a nice peaceful day just lounging around in their pajamas. For dinner, Elizabeth's parents went over to have dinner at the Rogers' house. It was a nice little send off dinner for their parents who were leaving for Mexico to spend the New Years for a couples' getaway.

Elizabeth and Steve were heading to the Hamptons to spent NYE with Wanda, Thor, Loki, and Scott. They had planned to have a nice, peaceful trip.

While Steve and Elizabeth were at the Hamptons, Bucky and Natasha were spending their NYE at his family's beach cottage in Port Washington.

They were cuddled on the couch surrounded by take out containers, watching the New Years Eve special waiting for midnight to happen.

Bucky got up about 15 minutes to midnight to grab something from the kitchen. He walked back into the room with a new bottle of champagne and two champagne flutes.

"Got some champagne," he said holding it up for Natasha to see.

"Um," Natasha awkwardly shifted in her seat, "Actually about that."

Bucky looked at Nat confused, putting the bottle and flutes down on the coffee table before sitting back down next to her.

"What's wrong" he asked, grabbing the tv remote to mute the tv, and give Natasha his full undivided attention.

"So there's something I haven't told you," she says looking down at her fidgeting fingers.

"You're worrying me Nat," Bucky said, grabbing her hands to help ease her nerves

She looked up to meet his worry filled eyes.

"I'm pregnant," she announced.

Bucky eyes widen at her announcement, instantly dropping her hands. The look on her face showing she was telling the truth.

"How is that possible?" He asks in disbelief, "We've been so careful. We use double the protection. Condoms and you're on the pill."

"Actually about that," she nervously shifted under his intense gaze, "I haven't been on birth control in a little over two months."

"What?" Bucky yelled, quickly rising from his seat, "What do you mean you haven't been on birth control in a little over two months?"

"I got off of it," she shrugged trying to play it off, "It's my body and I can do what I want with it. And I just wanted to give my body a break, I've been on the pill since I was 15."

"I get it's your body, Natasha, I'm all for you doing whatever you want," he stresses, "but you should've told me. I'm your boyfriend, we have sex frequently. You should've at least had the respect of your sexual partner, letting him know that you were no longer on birth control. So in that case I could've been a tad more careful."

"We were using condoms," she half heartedly defended herself.

"They aren't 100% effective Natasha," he gripped his hair, in complete disbelief over this entire conversation, "You even know that. That also doesn't defend yourself for not telling me. You should've told me."

"I'm sorry. It's not like I was planning for this to happen," she yelled.

Bucky just stared at her like she just grew two heads. How is she not freaking out, he thought. They were clearly way too young for this. Which is why they took precautionary measures.

After a few moments of silence Natasha spoke up, "I'm keeping the baby."

Bucky didn't know what to say. He felt the room closing in on him. He started having a hard time catching his breath.

"James," Natasha quietly said, getting up to check on him. He raised his hand, silently telling her to stay where she's at.

He headed for the back door, the house felt too suffocating for him. He walked through the the small yard to the gate that led to the beach. Stumbling around.

To a stranger they would just think he's drunk. In reality he was just having a panic attack.

It was all too much. His mind was racing.

She's pregnant. With a baby. My baby. I'm going to have a kid. I'm going to be a dad. I'm not ready to be a dad. My dad was shit. God I can't be like my dad. I'm not ready for all of this.

He put his hands on his knees, hunched over trying to catch his breath. But he just couldn't. He did the only thing he could think of. He pulled out his phone and dialed the only person he knew would help.

Steve and Elizabeth were laughing with their friends, waiting for the countdown to begin. Steve felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He moved his shoulder off of the back of the couch, where Elizabeth was cuddled up against.

He pulled his phone out and his heart dropped at the name that appeared. He quickly got up and walked out of the living room and upstairs to the room where he was staying in for the week.

Wanda raised her eyebrow at Elizabeth, who just shrugged her shoulders, equally as confused.

"Bucky?" Steve answered the phone, closing the door behind him. He could hear Bucky hyperventilating on the other side.

"Steve," he tried to get out.

"Buck, what's wrong?" Steve asked, pressing the phone even closer to his ear the sound of everyone downstairs counting down to midnight.

"Steve, I-," Bucky was struggling to get out.

"Buck, please try to calm down," Steve stressed, "Inhale, hold it for a few seconds and then exhale. You need to calm down. I can't help you, if I can't understand you."

Bucky tried his best to calm himself down, with Steve talking him through it.

"Now, can you explain to me what's wrong?" Steve asked, hearing Bucky's breathing leveling out more.

"I-I'm not re-ready Steve," Bucky stutters, sniffling his nose.

"It's okay take your time, I'm here whenever you're ready."

"No, it's Natasha.”

"What's Natasha? Is she okay?" Steve questioned, getting more concerned.

"Yes, she's fi-ine," he stuttered again, trying to say the words.

"Where are you Buck?" Steve asked, looking around for his shoes and keys.

"I'm at the beach cottage."

"I'm in the Hamptons. Is there any way you can meet me back at my place?"

"Yeah, I think I can," Bucky said a bit more calmer now.

"Okay, I'll see you soon."

When midnight struck Elizabeth went upstairs to check on Steve, making sure everything was okay. She could hear him on the phone talking to Bucky, trying to calm him down. She waited outside of the door to give them some privacy.

Twenty minutes later Wanda went to go check on them, to find Elizabeth sitting on the floor.

"Is everything okay?" She whispered.

"I don't know," she answered, "I'm waiting for Steve. You can head back down, I'll be down shortly."

"Okay. We're here if you guys need anything," Wanda said before walking back down.

After another 25 minutes Elizabeth heard Steve hang up the phone. She softly knocked on the door, and let herself in. She walked in to see Steve frantically going around the room collecting his things.

"Steve is everything okay?"

"It's Buck. He called me while he was having a panic attack. Something about Natasha," he tells her.

"Is she okay?"

"I think so. I was able to calm him down. I need to get back home," he said putting his things in his suitcase.

"Okay. I completely understand. Do you want me to go with you for the drive?" She asked.

"I don't want you to have to cut your time here short," he says, feeling guilty for bringing this on her.

"Steve, something is clearly going on with Bucky. I want you to go to him, but maybe it's best if I drove. I haven't had a drink in hours, and you seem too frantic. Please let me help," she pleaded, placing her hand on his stopping him.

Steve looked up and noticed the worry on Elizabeth's face.

"Okay," he gave in, "We'll need to leave as soon as we can."

Elizabeth nodded, quickly grabbing her weekender bag and start shoving things in. If they forgot anything's he knew Wanda would bring it back.

They said their quick goodbyes and were on the road within 5 minutes, with Elizabeth behind the wheel and Steve fidgeting in the passenger seat.

Bucky took a few minutes to himself on the beach, trying to make sure his anxiety was at rest before he headed back inside. When he entered the house, Natasha shot up from her seat.

"Happy New Years," she awkwardly said, trying to cut the obvious tension.

"Umm," Bucky scratched his head looking everywhere but at Natasha, "We need to leave."

"What?"

"I mean, you can stay if you want and I'll pick you up tomorrow," he rephrased, "But I can't stay here. I need to go. Steve is meeting me at his house."

"Steve?" She was taken back by that mention, not expecting to hear Bucky say his name. He hasn't mentioned Steve in months.

"Yeah, I called him," Bucky says rubbing the back of his neck.

"Well that's good right?"

"Yeah, listen. I really need to go, so are you going to stay or come with me?"

"To see Steve?"

"No. I would drop you off at your place," he tells her, "I'm seeing Steve alone."

"Will she be there?"

Natasha didn't really know exactly why Steve and Bucky weren't talking, at first. Then she heard that Steve and Elizabeth were dating, and it all made sense. The only person that could tear Bucky and Steve apart. She never told Bucky that she knew. Figured it wasn't worth the fight. Especially not now when she was carrying his child.

To an outsider it might seem like she got pregnant on purpose, but that wasn't the case. She knew they were too young for this, at least that's what she thought when she first found out about the pregnancy a week ago. But now that she's sat with it she's taking it as a sign that this is meant to happen. She's just really hoping that Bucky would see it, if not now but eventually.

"Listen, Natasha, I don't have time for this," he looks her in the eyes, "Are you coming or not?"

"I'll get my bag," she remarked with a snark tone, walking passed him to their shared room.

A couple of hours later Bucky was pulling up in front of the Rogers' house. 2:15 am read the clock in his car. He looked to his right, out the passenger side window to see a dark figure sat on the front steps of the house.

Bucky took one last breath before exiting the vehicle.

As soon as he opened the front gate Steve stood up from where he was sat on the stairs.

Once Bucky approached him both young men threw their arms around each other. Gripping each other tightly, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall. They stayed like that for awhile. Relishing in the comfort of being back in each other's arms. Their silent fight no longer important. All they knew in that moment was everything was going to be okay, because no matter what they'll always have each other.

Steve walked into his parents' living room holding two mugs of coffee. As he rounded the couch, he handed one to Bucky.

"Sorry, if I ruined any of your plans," Bucky apologized, "Tell Elizabeth I'm sorry for taking you away."

'Buck, don't worry about it," Steve waved him off, "She completely understands. And truth be told, I wasn't necessarily feeling in the New Year's mood."

"Yeah," Bucky sighs.

"Do you want to talk about what happened tonight?" Bucky nods his head, placing the coffee mug on the coffee table in front of him. He shifted his body to the left to face Steve.

"She's pregnant," he announces.

"What?" Steve asked, not expecting that to be the reason, he quickly placed his mug next to Bucky's.

"Yeah, my reaction exactly," Bucky said.

"What? How?"

"Apparently Natasha hasn't been on the pill in a couple of months," Bucky explains, "And even though we always used condoms, they aren't exactly 100% effective."

"Did you know she wasn't on the pill?"

"Nope," Bucky tells him, "If I knew I wouldn't been a bit more cautious."

"So she told you she was pregnant?" Steve said getting back to it.

"Yeah. She was so nonchalant about it. Like it was no big deal," Bucky stressed,

"How is she just so calm. We're not prepared for this. I'm not ready for this Steve. I can't be a dad. I don't even know how to be a decent human being."

"That's not true Buck," Steve disagreed.

"Come on Steve, we haven't talked in months, and we both know it's not because you didn't try," Bucky says, "I was so caught up in my own jealousy. And selfishness, that I never even considered your feelings or Elizabeth's. And I don't think I can ever make it up to you for treating you like you're nothing to me."

"You were hurt," Steve tried to excuse.

"Doesn't excuse the way I behaved," Bucky says, "I know that now."

"I've been seeing a therapist," Bucky informs him, "I never realized how much my mental health was taking a toll on those around me. So after our fight, I found someone to talk to. To work through the shit that's going on in my mind."

"How's that been going?" Steve asked.

"Good," Bucky gives a half smile, "Really good. She's good. I've realized a lot about myself that I didn't know. Working through all the issues I've had with my father leaving."

"That's good Buck. I'm proud of you, truly," Steve beamed, patting Bucky on the shoulder.

"I really am sorry for the way I behaved," Bucky repeated again.

"Buck, you really don't have to apologize again," Steve told him.

"I need to Steve," he said, "I can't believe I acted that way. I should've been happy for you and Elizabeth. I'm glad you two have each other. Seriously. I couldn't imagine her with anyone better, same goes for you. I won't cause any more issues for you two. It's not worth not having you in my life. You're my brother Steve, and I don't want to miss anything."

"Thanks, Buck. It really means a lot to me to hear that," Steve smiles, "Because I don't want to miss anything in your life also."

"Yeah, especially now," he says, the reality of why they're there dawning back.

"How are you feeling now about the baby?"

"I don't know, man," Bucky shakes his head, "I'm afraid I'm going to screw this up, like everything else."

"But now you're working on that," Steve reminds him, "And you're not going to be doing this alone. You have people who are always going to be there. I may be in California now, but I'm just a phone call away. You're not alone. But you do have to try Buck. That's all that you can ever do. Try your best, no one's asking you to be perfect, but as long as you're trying your best, that's what's important."

Age: 21 Year: 2015

The sounds of a baby crying woke Bucky up from his sleep in the early depths of the morning. He quietly and quickly got out of bed, making his way to the small New York kitchen to make a bottle.

He walked into the small nursery where the two-month-old baby wailed from hunger.

"It's okay," Bucky shushed gently, picking up the small baby, "Daddy's here."

He adjusted the small baby in his arms before placing the bottle in the baby's mouth.

"There you go," he encouraged the small one, as soon as he heard the sounds of the baby drinking.

Bucky sat down on the chair in the corner of the room, opposite of the crib. He just stared as the newborn drank their bottle, while simultaneously falling asleep. Even though he was completely exhausted, he had never felt more happier. More at peace with where his life was at.

As long as he kept trying his best, he knows he can do this for the rest of his life.