#annie gushes lovingly

[squeliy]

How it feels to see a skinny Frank

[squeliy]

💕💕 and I love all of you guys so much

this side of tumblr is so cute to me bc like. we're all just a bunch of random teenagers (some young adults but same idea boooo old people) from wherever the heck random corners of the planet. who like made our own system. we have blogs. we decorate them. we check in on each other to say hi. we compliment each other. we talk about books. we write/draw and have an organized taglist. we (some of us) have an organized tag system to keep track of stuff. its just so silly and so cute and i love it sm. i cant really even explain it just like. idk. besieds basic tumblr etiquette yknow we kinda have our own thing. and i love that for us.

[neongreenllama]

I had planned to give this to @impishtubist for the trick-and-treat but since they didn't play I'm just posting it like this now.

-👻🍭-

When Sirius picked Teddy up from school he’d expected him to be excited at the news that he had finished his Halloween costume that morning and that it was ready for a try. What he didn’t expect was a droopy looking Teddy who didn’t even squeal, nor jump up and down like when Sirius had told him he’d make him his whish costume. What he didn’t expect was for Teddy to just blankly look at himself in the mirror, in his pretty pink dress that Sirius had lovingly worked on for many hours, had taken careful measurements and made drawings, had added tulle and lace and sparkling glass stones. What he didn’t expect was for Teddy to look sad when Sirius presented him the tiara he’d gotten. What he didn’t expect was for Teddy to ask “Can I take it off now?” almost as soon as he’d put it on.

Sirius swallowed down his disappointment and the “But I made this for you. I spent hours on this” because this wasn’t about him. He kneeled down so Teddy was just a little bit taller than him, averting his eyes.

“What’s going on, darling?”

The tiny shoulders just shrugged.

“You said you wanted to be a princess, do you not want that anymore?”

He shrugged again.

“Don’t you like how it looks? Do you want me to change something? I could add more lace. Or remove it.” He still didn’t get a response and Sirius was starting to get the feeling it wasn’t about the dress. “Did something happen at school?”

Sirius could tell that’s what it was before Teddy even answered, “Annie said boys can’t be princesses and they made fun of me.”

This time Sirius had to swallow down the curses and instead said, “Well, they clearly haven’t seen you yet because you are a beautiful princess. And they haven’t seen me yet because I am also going to be a  princess.”

Teddy finally looked at him. “You are?”

“I am. I wanted it to be a surprise but now you know. We’ll go together, yeah? And we’ll prove everyone wrong.”

The boy nodded, the anticipated excitement finally coming back, and it made Sirius’ heart lighter. “Okay! Will Moony be a princess too?”

“I’m sure he will be if you ask him.” He felt a grin spreading on his own face. “Now twirl around for me so I can see what a beautiful princess you are.”

Teddy did and he giggled while Sirius loudly gushed over how pretty he looked in the dress.

[winged-golden-wanderer]

MEMORY UNLOCKED | No. 2

(( OOC note: These kinds of post will unlock after every gym battle. They are available for IC reactions, however, Goldie is not able to see this post or any replies. You may send asks inquiring them about it, but they will be confused. ))

--- [ATTACHED: Another one of those strange videos, where it looks like you're seeing through the eyes of a creature rather than a camera. Said creature is currently crawling through a bush, rustling through the dense foliage until it's gazing out over a small, crystal clear pond. You see the Latias and Latios parents from last time, the mother relaxing on a nearby slab of rock while the father drinks from the water.

There's a thump, and the creature shakes as though it's been knocked over by something. It turns to let you view the baby Latios from last time, looking down at you with its big, glossy red eyes. It looks a little bigger now, with a few disheveled white and blue tufts of tiny feathers sticking out here and there.

The baby legendary trills and starts to romp away through the bushes, and you follow after it.

Eventually, you come stumbling out of the bushes with the little one, and after rolling through the dirt a few times you land at the bottom of a small slope.

"Isn't this incredible, Annie?"

The creature turns at the sound of a voice, where you see a pair humans crouched down by the ledge of a cliff. An older looking man, maybe somewhere in his late twenties, holding a camera and snapping pictures of something below the edge he kneels on. Beside him, a young girl, who can't be any older than eight or nine. Both have the same shade of honey blonde hair, leading you to believe it's a father and daughter.

"Hardly anyone's been able to get this close to a Latias and Latios," the father marvels. "This is a once in a lifetime experience!"

"They're legendary Pokemon, right?" The girl inquires.

"That's right," the man confirms, lowering his camera to look down at her. "A long time ago, there were two young dragons who bore the duty of protecting the Hoenn region. When those dragons fell in combat, the tears of the humans they watched over created new Latias and Latios- ones that spread out across the world to guard all corners of it, not just Hoenn."

"If they're Legendary Pokemon, does that mean they're gonna live for a really long time?"

"Yep! No one's sure exactly how long they can live yet, but it's expected to at least be over a hundred years. These two will probably be around for much, much longer than you and I."

The baby Latios and the creature you're seeing the perspective of creep closer, warbling softly. The man and his daughter whirl around, and they gasp in unison.

"Dad," the girl reaches to grab her father's arm. "Are those-?"

"Babies," he murmurs, rising up onto his feet and gently tugging his daughter back, but his face has lightened with complete amazement. "I don't believe it- the two we've been tracking, they must be a mating pair!"

He fumbles for his camera, and starts hastily snapping photos. "Oh, this is incredible- we knew they exist, but no one's ever seen Lati hatchlings up close! Oh, and the colors on the Latias- I've never seen anything like it! Is it shiny-?"

"They're so cute!" The daughter gushes, crouching down on her knees to get a better look and coo lovingly at them. "Hi there!"

"Be careful not to touch them," the father reminds her, crouching down again as well and placing a hand on her shoulder. "We don't want to get our scents on them. The parents might reject them if we do."

The baby Latios crawls up in front of you and puffs out his feathers, letting out a squeaky, raspy hiss at the pair of humans. The father just chuckles at the adorable threat display and gently pulls his daughter back a few steps. "They're so young," he muses. "It doesn't even look like they can levitate yet. Do they just flop around like Spheal until their parents teach them how?"

"Dad, can I name them?" The little girl suddenly asks.

"Huh? Why?"

"Because I already thought of names for them in my head," she says, then points to the baby Latios. "That one's Sky, cause he's blue like the sky!"

Then, she turns her finger to you. "And that one's Goldie!"

"Lemme guess, cause of the colors of its feathers?" The dad chuckles lightly.

"Yep!"

"Goldie and Sky it is then," he says, before tucking his camera away into a leather bag hanging from his hip. "Okay, let's get out of here before the parents come looking for them, alright? We gotta report this discovery back to the team immediately- they're surely gonna want to hear about this."

"Awe, already? Can't we stay a little longer?" The girl protests, tugging on his arm.

"Don't worry sunshine, we'll see these little guys again next time we come out to do fieldwork in this area." He assures her, playfully ruffling her hair and urging her back up onto her feet. "Maybe not up close like this, but we'll be able to watch them from afar."

"Okay," She slumps a little in disappointment, but manages to beam a smile at you and the baby Latios. "Bye Goldie, bye Sky! Go back to your mama and papa, okay?" The two turn around to leave, and the "footage" ends.] ---

[my-heart-is-but-a-gentle-moon]

[squeliy]

I love her sm and Ana is my grandma??? Sign me up guys. It’s pharah from overwatch btw

Open tags <33 (also thanks for the tag)

last fictional character in ur camera roll just adopted u

(Yes I did do this only because I want him to adopt me. Fuck off)

tags: @cryptidwithaninternetconnection @reggie-the-inferi @gingerbreadeel24 @pickupstyx

and whoever the fuck sees this

[vrisrezis]

Aot characters with a crush and in a relationship (spoilers for all the anime tbh) (HAVENT proof read sorry for any mistakes)

- compliment her at all and she’s a blushy mess

- showing gratitude towards her also makes her blush

- she is protective, acts like a mom sometimes since she’s always making sure you’re eating, sleeping etc. she is very worried for your health usually and if you’re anything like eren she has to constantly look after you

- not good at comforting or affection; she would be very flustered if you hugged her though

- quite protective in general but especially with you

- you’re her top priority in battle and at times it clouds her judgement

- if somebody ever hurt you she will attack them unless somebody stopped her

- she is very jealous also, like if anyone took an interest in you she is very annoyed by them so quick dude

- kinda tries to get rid of the person and get you to stop talking to them, she just tries anything she can to get you to stop talking to them if she felt they were truly a threat

- probably gets jealous of Annie

- would blush ofc if anyone suggested her liking you

- would feel betrayed if armin or eren liked you (honestly she’d be so pissed omfg)

- probably would “accidentally” grab your hand somehow, or even to grab your hand to help you up, or to stop you, etc. she tries so hard to be subtle but she is not subtle

- she adores you though for real, anybody can see it as it’s quite obvious ...

- she holds such a attachment to you it doesn’t feel right not having you around she’s kinda clingy..

- she holds in her feelings for a long time because she doesn’t wanna ruin what you have + being in a war and shit really doesn’t help

- she’s scared to lose you, she lost her family already and almost lost eren so she’s very scared to lose you

- actually that’s how she confessed, she confessed how scared she was to lose you after a nightmare she had and ending up telling you her feeelings and you’ve been together since

- being affectionate is something she isn’t amazing at, but she will try since she’s dating you now

- she is overal very shy, you probably have to initiate most things but after awhile will initiate small things like holding hands

- she likes when you’re affectionate though, and she will tell you that if you ask

- comforting her after a nightmare is a common occurrence, apparently insomnia runs with the ackermans ...

- while she may not be the best with comforting she will do whatever you want, speaking of which she in general will do whatever you ask of her

- loyal to the bitter end it seems <//3

- still a blushy gal

- she just looks at you so lovingly with a smile, she loves you so much

- jealousy is a thing within your relationship but it’s not too common.. but sometimes it happens and she gets possessive and doesn’t know what to do

- still protective, she sleeps with you now and when you don’t she gets paranoid. She gets really worried if youre ever in any distress also

- she adores your hugs the most, please just hug her please she hasn’t felt a proper hug in years

- after this is all over, she really just wants you two to live together and have a normal domestic life. She wants kids too, she truly just wants to be a normal girl with you.

- with a crush she is not shy unlike mikasa.. she is actually pretty straight forward with her advances and doesn’t beat around the bush about it

- she is very flirty, and will often state she likes you or wants to date you etc

- always protective of you, with how much she flirts maybe she makes it seem like she wants to have a one night stand or something. She shows in other ways she cares for you and is protective

- even before dating can be physically touchy, wrapping an arm around you often. Maybe a kiss on the forehead or cheek, maybe she grabs your hand. That’s when she’s having a good day though.

- she opens up about most things with you ... most things.. doesn’t open up about the titan thing for a long time

- she doesn’t bother to hide anything in terms of her feelings for you, she doesn’t think of relationships and love as weakness and feels no reason to hide your relationship

- she makes it very apparent though she would kill anyone for you if you desired (except historia)

- if anyone threatens you she is killing on sight

- when she’s absolutely sure she is in love with you is when she decides to date you, though she mainly holds back on formally dating you because you could die at any moment

- she literally just asks you out since by now she knows you like her, full confidence but with a soft smile

- now she’s just really affectionate and loving, hand holding at (almost) all times, kisses on the forehead and cheek are still there of course but we all know kissing your lips is her favorite

- she tells you she wants to marry you after all of this is over, you can only hope.

- while showing a much more vulnerable and soft side is rare she shows it when you two are alone and she’s feeling a certain way (take that as you will)

- she’s a big cuddler honestly

- nightmares are often but never wants to admit to it or ask for help, just stay awake with her and help her back to sleep anyways.. she’ll appreciate it more than you know

- as shown by previous statements is very protective of you and honestly would not like anybody that did not like you

- while not overly lovey dovey she has her moments

- she makes you promise her if she dies you better not give up on your life

- but she doesn’t plan on dying anytime soon

- still flirty with you of course but it’s much more cocky/confident (while yes she sounded like that before dating it’s more genuine now, she was kinda worried for awhile you didn’t like her)

- if anyone shows interest in you she is kicking their ass I stg she is such a jealous bitch

- she calls you an idiot affectionately if that was even possible

- “my idiot” like ok girl

- Reiner likes you guys together he adores y’all and so does historia (he probably likes y’all together so he has a better chance with historia)

- just spending alone time at night is your idea of a date since you can’t really go on dates

- trains with you often, especially if you’re weaker than her she can use it as an excuse to help you train

- she ends up just flirting with you the whole time though

- are you clumsy? No? Doesn’t matter you are now because she will constantly make you trip and fall only to mysteriously always be the one to catch you ;)

- she already asked you to marry her all you guys have to do is survive <//3

- usually when flirting it’s about how hot you are, she never really gets sentimental but when she does it’s very sweet

- so many times she’s caught looking at you lovestruck she’s secretly a nerd

- first glance at you and she’s like “that’s the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen wtf”

- and ever since clings to you like her life depends on it

- fr this girl is a huge simp

- she has a habit of randomly grabbing your hands

- totally not because she just wants to hold your hands

- she likes you so much she will even share her food with you

- sometimes can’t help but blush, it’s always embarrassing to know how flustered she can get around you

- at times can be protective, but really only in battle. How can you expect her not to though?

- often finds excuses to spend time with you, even if Connie and Jean are around it doesn’t matter as long as she’s with you

- Connie definitely teases her about her obvious crush on you, bonus points if you’re oblivious because he will do it even more often

- hugs you randomly

- does stupid shit to impress you, just embarrasses herself

- doesn’t stfu about you when talking to Jean and Connie

- confessing takes a long time, honestly it takes a lot of Jean and Connie convincing her to just tell you already since they’re sick of her embarrassing herself in front of you or just gushing over you

- when confessing, it was simply her telling you how she felt and offering you some meat.

- in a relationship she’s pretty much the same but doesn’t hide how she feels, now not only is she gushing about how much she loves you to your face, but even moreso with Connie and Jean, and embarrassing herself increases... Connie and Jean truly regret their life decisions now

- dates aren’t common for people like you guys but she will just be like let’s eat meat alone together and that’s your idea of a date.

- often goes to you for help when she does something stupid and needs help... like eating all the food

- it’s hard for her not to get bored on certain missions, so you keep her entertained

- honestly you have to keep her from falling asleep

- she tries to goof off with you too much and it gets you both in trouble

- PDA is a big yes if you’re comfortable

- cheek kisses are common

- if she’s ever scared she’ll cling to you, like FR you always make her feel safe and protected.. (even if she’s the one to save you often no matter the situation you make her feel safer)

- always holding hands with you pleass

- she wants to get the war over with so y’all can live together maybe with Connie too

- links arms with you so often

- her idea of being romantic is just sharing meat with you but like at the same time? Yknow that Disney movie with the two dogs sharry spaghetti ? Yeah that’s y’all with meat and bread

- she likes to think she can impress you with her skills but you’re usually the one saving her ass from Titans and her gushing over how strong you are

- you can call her anything even insult her it doesn’t matter she will gush anyways... heart eyes for you all the time wow ..

- loves squishing your cheeks she thinks it’s cute

- where do I even begin? This girl ... she will do absolutely anything for you, she is so sweet she will just .. do whatever you tell her to

- as long as she sees that it benefits you...

- she can be quite blushy at times though

- she will be so sweet to you, even if you’re a shit. Sure, she’ll have a few things to say about it but she adores you so much she lets it slide and is nice to you

- she’s very touchy physically when liking you, although a bit shy about it she tries to make it seem friendly

- she hates liking you though because we all know she’s a whole ass lesbian that’s a queen and will be forced to marry a guy so ... can’t say she exactly likes that she likes you so much

- she’s not protective as she’s aware of your abilities, she doesn’t feel the need to be and it’s likely you’re tougher than her anyways

- worries for you a lot though, mainly when it comes to how your mental health is

- if youre ever in a tough situation she tries to help any way she thinks she can help

- she doesn’t really tell you how she feels, she thinks it’s just pointless since you might not even like her

- ymir has to egg her on and it eventually works because damn she’s getting on her nerves

- when she does she’s all blushy and feels bad that she can’t offer you much other than food, it’s very heartfelt and sweet though how could you resist?

- while other soldiers might be aware of your relationship for awhile, upon becoming queen it’s mainly a secret

- you will have lots of “midnight talks” which totally aren’t you two kissing and doing whatever...

- probably your own way of having a date though tbh

- she’s gonna be “forced” into pregnancy, if you’re willing to help her raise the child she will be very happy.. your relationship is very much a secret but she sees nobody else the way she sees you

- but back onto general hcs

- cuddling with you often, she likes feeling safe and small with you

- sings you to sleep if you can’t sleep.. she’s good at it

- cheek kisses.. so many cheek kisses

- Eskimo kisses

- she thinks they’re cute leave her alone >:(

- she can’t help but feel happier whenever you’re around, no matter what happens as long as she has you she can always be happy in the end

- you’re just... so special to her :(

- Reiner so jealous ... maybe ymir too..

- having her jump into your arms and you twirling her in the air? Common occurrence

- you calling her princess? Also common . Could be a cute nickname or something sarcastic she hates who knows

- smushes your cheeks together she is such a dork

- just loves you so much, looks at you with so much love.. like you’re the only person in the world

- she wishes you could go on normal dates so bad though

- has a habit of gushing about you to people ..

- everybody ships yall hard though

- initially doesn’t get what she’s feeling, she’s never liked somebody in the romantic sense so you can’t blame her for not understanding her feelings

- however she is actually nice to you, although she’s got her usual scary face on she doesn’t say mean things to you

- she looks out for you often, and wouldn’t hesitate to tell you that she missed having you around (like ex missing training with you because you’ve been injured)

- pretty honest with you about a lot and how she cares for you, but doesn’t tell you the extent of how much she cares for you

- very protective

- if you got yourself injured she’s angry, will kill whoever got you injured (unless it’s one of your comrades) but would beat the shit outta them

- but would yell at you too

- her feelings are kinda obvious since she would blush if you touched her physically, she’s practically dying inside

- if you’re nice to her it just makes her so blushy but so happy that she might just smile a little

- you pay attention to her and she’s all mushy inside

- she’s not sure how she feels approaching you about her feelings especially if you’re the enemy but she does so anyways because she can’t ignore her feelings any longer. She holds in her emotions for so long and eventually can’t hold it in

- she tells you straight up how she feels, and that’s the end of it. She doesn’t ask if you wanna date, that’s all it is.

- dating you though makes her nervous. Before entering the relationship opens up completely about being a titan, and her whole situation. If you stick with her anyway she’s happy and loves you very much.

- poor bertholdt

- she’s not good with being affectionate so please initiate most things, she will learn and will be more affectionate as time goes by

- she’s very sweet with you so

- smiles a lot, loves holding your hand and cuddling you

- she’s a big softly with you honestly

- does not like you around historia, she’s very jealous of her low key lol

- she likes being able to protect you, if you try to protect her she will most likely feel embarrassed unless you’re known to be stronger or as strong as her

- stays up late at night with you just talking about whatever

- gushes about how she loves you to your face but only when you’re asleep

- it’s the only time she can let her real feelings for you out okay?

- she’s very blushy around you tho gonna be real

- say you love her? She’s a blushy mess

- “don’t you ever get tired of saying embarrassing shit like that”

- she’s protective and hates the idea of you getting hurt but also would not hesitate to kick your ass if you almost got yourself killed or something and an ass kicking from Annie is not something you’d want

- forehead kisses she loves so much

- she’s kinda unaware of how others may feel towards her but is painfully aware if others like you

- would not hesitate to threaten or blackmail

- stares at you a lot.. she loves you pls .. if you say anything about it she not only stops but probably tells you to fuck off or something

- she hates loving you sometimes because it can be seen as weakness but she can’t help it sadly

- they are so clingy! Even when you guys are just friends.. they can’t help it though! You make them very happy and they wanna be happy more often than not !

- finds excuses to spend time with you, many people think you’re their assistant rather than moblit because of how much time you spend together.

- they have no fear nor shame, they aren’t against side hugging or hugging in general to be honest

- while yes they get excited about titans to the point of blushing, they get that same excitement around you or even when you’re just mentioned

- always tons of compliments are sent your way, they want you to know how amazing you are !

- they do whatever they can to make sure you’re alive and well, they do a lot of checkups with you as well. Hange is the closest the survey corps has to a doctor, they’re mostly experienced in that field so it’s not like they’re bad for having that be the case.. however..

- this also means people come in sick which means you could get sick! So they do anything they can to prevent that.. after all you being sick means less time with you and that’s not ideal to be honest

- have the tendency to grab your wrist or hand... totally not cuz they like you that would be absurd ..

- whenever they get excited about titans and whatnot they talk to you about it since you’re the only one that listens and doesn’t seem bothered

- they don’t realize their feelings for you, they’re smart but they’re an idiot when it comes to love.. at least with them. If anyone else liked somebody they’d realize, but when it comes to liking somebody, or somebody liking them they’re so oblivious.

- Levi had to push them into asking you out to begin with

- they were nervous, they know how dangerous this job is.. love isn’t ideal... relationships aren’t always something you can do..

- also on top of that you might not even return their feelings

- when they ask you out they simply confess and tell you how they feel, however they tell you they understand that there are some issues within having a relationship with eachother

- when you say yes though they’re very happy and overjoyed

- big cuddlebug, they cannot help it

- always clings to you, constant hand holding

- kissing on your cheek? Often

- cute kisses in general yeah

- like historia, Eskimo kisses >:]

- when being introduced to new people always introduced themselves and then you as their s/o like everytime “this is my wonderful, amazing, perfect s/o!! Y/n!”

- let’s you do their hair in the morning

- speaking of which they’re so clingy you guys probably just sleep together now like they’re just ... they love always being around you

- not too protective, they put a lot of faith in you (maybe too much faith)

- doesn’t shut up about you, they could gush about you for literally hours... even days

- they’re always so happy around you, even in s4 when the war starts to take its toll on them

- they always feel safe and comforted when they’re with you and that’s all that matters to them

- they’re a bit more protective after they lose moblit and Erwin though... can you blame them? They lost important people

- somehow more clingy, (not in front of yelena, onyankopon, they refuse to be lovey around them, and zeke too of course)

- however yes other than that overly clingy, always touching you somehow

- or asking you if they could ever be as good as Erwin, why he would even choose them, etc. they really don’t believe they deserve their position so please remind them he chose them for a reason

- they love you SOO much

- she can’t help but wanna always be around you, you bring her this sense of peace... something she can’t exactly always have

- she cares a great deal for you, to her you’re something special and she needs to keep around as long as possible

- stares at you lovingly quite often

- not against hugging you randomly either

- wants to always be by your side but also fears coming off too strong as she doesn’t want her feelings being too obvious

- she kinda doesn’t like the idea of being a warrior anymore, she understands the great honor and all that.. but she would’ve liked to live long with you

- she deems you as precious, so she often goes the extra mile to keep you protected and safe

- often hangs around you, porco gets curious as to why she doesn’t hang around him as much till he realizes she found somebody she loves

- he totally tries to get her to ask you out by the way.. there’s no time like now when either of you could die at any moment

- she eventually decided that she agrees with him and asks you out, probably got you some flowers or something you’d like as well..

- as a girlfriend she usually is quite relaxed with you, so she is a big cuddlebug

- usually on top of you while cuddling so she can kinda be on all fours

- not against squishing your cheeks, she loves doing that she thinks it’s cute

- often holding your hand or arm in some way, she needs to she hates not being able to you have become her lifeline

- she would do absolutely anything she could to keep you safe and protected

- dates aren’t often, but who said they couldn’t happen? She likes taking you out on pizza dates

- sometimes gushes about you to porco, he is the only one that will listen and even if he acts annoyed it makes him happy that she has somebody she loves and cares for so much

- often may follow you blindly though, honestly if you wanted to switch around and join up with Levi and the others she would be all for it (reluctantly but yeah, she follows you no matter what)

- that’s cause she cares for you more than she’s ever cared about anybody and will willing do whatever you want her to do

- would sacrifice everything for you she is so giving when it comes to you it’s like something porco has never seen before jfc

- so he definitely warns you of this newfound power and not to abuse it or he will kill you 😁

- okay but seriously despite her unhealthy habits with giving way too much, she adores you and wants what’s best for you she is a sweetheart

- very loyal, even if you tried to push her away

- since she is very smart on the battlefield, if she senses danger of some kind she will make sure you’re away from all of that

- she’s just protective of you at times, she’s scared to lose you sooner than she has to

- I feel like pieck gets flirted with often, due to her strength because she’s the cart titan and being admired but also because hey she’s pretty cute ... jealous you ensues

- she will comfort you though and give you tons of kisses she loves you babe :(

- lots of kisses from her in general though !

- probably suggests just living together cuz she always is around you and just is a clingy baby

- she likes being swung around in your arms, or swinging you around in her arms

- she wishes she met you sooner though, maybe she would’ve never became a titan and you could’ve lived a long life together

[crazy-little-cool-cat]

Gold Digger Chapter 10 | Gwilym Lee x OFC

A/N: She’s back and she’s writing chapter 11 so it will come out tomorrow. I’m sorry for going MIA, guys. Life, you know?

Warnings: The usual stuff.

Word Count: ~2K

The Playlist (Updates Regularly)

Chapter List:  Prologue, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9

Gwilym watched in astonished silence as Lizzie stormed out of his flat, slamming the door behind her. He blinked at the closed door and huffed, placing his hands on his hips and dropping them to his sides again. 

He opened and closed his mouth like a fish a few times, trying to make sense of what happened. 

One minute Lizzie and Gwilym had a lovely dinner that he cooked for them, and the next Lizzie comes back from the loo absolutely livid and starts blowing a cork over some tabloid article. The paps got a nice, cosy shot of Clara, Rory and him on a fun Saturday out. 

"Bloody tabloids!" Gwilym hissed and raked his fingers through his hair, shifting his weight from one leg to the other. 

His slippers scraped the hardwood floor as he moved, and he wiggled his toes as he thought what he should do next. 

Shaking his head as if his brain is an Etch-A-Sketch toy, he walked over to the dining table and started picking up the leftover plates. Lizzie's lipstick still adorned the rim of her wineglass. He slammed the wine back and reached for the bottle again. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Joseph", Shelly's voice trembled when she answered her phone. 

"Oh, baby, what's wrong?" Joe picked up on the tremor easily. "Are you crying?" 

"Shut up." Shelly sniffled. "I have to tell you something, and I..." 

Joe waited silently as Shelly's voice drifted. He sat down in his favourite chair. He licked his lips in anticipation. 

"I can't even bloody say it." Shelly moaned and sniffled again. "Oh, God." 

"Oh, my God." Joe covered his mouth with his hand. "Shelly, whatever it is..." 

"I... I'm..." Shelly squeaked out. 

"Shells..." Joe closed his eyes, prepared for anything. "Shells, are you pregnant?" He waited in what felt like the most extended silence ever. "Hello?" 

"What?" 

"Are you pregnant?" Joe bit his nails nervously and got up from his chair. He started pacing back and forth. "God, how could this have happened? We used protection, we -"

"Joe, I'm n-" 

"I can't believe this. What am I, Ben?! Knocking girls up without knowing them for more than a few months?!" 

"Joseph." 

"Fuck! I'm so sorry. I shouldn't freak out like this." Joe rambled. "I'm the worst." 

"Joseph, I'm not pregnant." 

"You're..." Joe stopped moving abruptly. "What?" 

"I'm not pregnant, you tit!" Shelly laughed. "I lost my job, and I'm devastated." 

"Oh, that's great news!" Joe heaved a sigh of relief. 

"Thanks, arsehole!" Shelly fired back. 

"No, I mean it's horrible that you lost your job, Shells!" He quickly corrected. "I'm just happy you're not preg-" 

"I get it." Shelly's voice softened. "I'm so sad." 

"I know, baby." Joe cooed. "But not having a job means you can come here and be with me, so it's not all bad..." 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rory ran to the door as soon as she heard the doorbell. She loved greeting houseguests, and she always wanted to be the one to open the door for them. 

Her little feet stomping, she lunged forward from the living room to the hall. Her shoulders leaning forward, her curls bouncing as she pitter-pattered in a bee-line for the door. She pulled a stool and placed it next to the door so she could open it. 

"Mum! Help!" She called when she found out the door was locked. "Help me! Mum!"

"Just a second, Rors!" Annie called back from the living room, where she placed Alfie on his playmat. 

She got up with a grunt and stretched before she bounded for the door to unlock it. Grabbing Rory, she bounced her on her hip and pushed the stool away with the tip of her foot.

"Hello, love!" Annie smiled brightly at Lizzie and giggled when Rory hid her face in the crook of Annie's neck. 

"Hello! Hi, girly!" Lizzie tickled Rory. "How've you been?" 

"Great! This one kept going on and on about Gwilly's friend Lizzie," Annie teased Rory playfully, "Now look who's all shy!" 

"Aw! Rors!" Lizzie shrugged her jacket off and hung it on the coat rack. "And where's my boyfriend?" 

"Alfie is in the living room," Annie informed and led the way. 

As soon as Alfie saw Lizzie, he shrieked with delight. There was no doubt about it, Lizzie had a magical way with kids. 

"Coffee?" Annie called from the kitchen. 

"Tea, please!" Lizzie replied and made silly faces at Alfie. 

Annie was back in the living room within minutes, two steaming mugs of tea in her hands. She placed them on the coffee table and plopped down next to Alfie and Lizzie. She reached out and rubbed Alfie's back lovingly. 

"So, Gwilym tells me you had a bit of a bicker..." Annie said as she picked lint off of Alfie's onesie. 

"I'm just tired of seeing his ex everywhere," Lizzie sighed. "Especially with him." 

"You realize Clara and Gwil are Rory's godparents, yeah?" Annie raised an eyebrow. "They're bound to be in each other's lives as long as Rory needs them." 

"Yes, but must they spend so much time together? And so publicly?" Lizzie groaned. "They look like a happy little family in those tabloid pictures!" 

"So what?" 

"He clearly still cares for her." Lizzie shrugged. "If he's not over his ex, I'd rather not..."

"Not what?" Annie prodded. 

"Not get too attached. Too into it." Lizzie bit the inside of her cheek as she pondered. 

"You make no sense, you know," Annie noted. 

"Can Auntie Clara come play too?" Rory asked, bounding into the living room with her new favourite toy. 

"Not right now, Rors," Annie replied. "How 'bout you show Auntie Lizzie your new toy?" 

"No!" Rory stomped her foot. 

"How come?" Lizzie pouted playfully. 

"Want Auntie Clara..." Rory muttered and threw herself in Annie's lap. 

"Aurora, don't be rude, now," Annie picked Rory up and put her back on her feet. "Be nice."

"I want Auntie Clara!" Rory stomped her foot and chucked the toy at the floor.  

"Shame, really," Lizzie said casually and fished a small gift-wrapped packet out of her pocket, "I just got these new stickers and I -" 

"Stickahs?" Rory's eyes lit up. 

"Yeah, a whole bunch of 'em!" Lizzie fiddled with the little packet. "I thought we could play with them, but if you're not interested..."

"Gimme!" Rory bounced up and down. 

"I thought you didn't want to play with me!" Lizzie teased Rory playfully. "Go get bits of paper and some markers. Let's create something!" 

Rory scurried off to the study and left Annie in utter awe at the quick change of events. 

"How did you do that?" Annie asked. 

"Easy," Lizzie laughed, "kids love stickers."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gwilym opened the door with a smile, hoping his texts to Lizzie worked their magic and brought her back. When he saw Clara, distraught on his doorstep, his face fell with disappointment. 

"Hi, Gwil," Clara sniffled, her chin quivering. 

"What's wrong, doll?" Gwilym asked, his disappointment turned to concern. "Why are you crying?" 

"He cheated on me." Clara sobbed. "May I come in?" 

"Yeah!" Gwilym stepped back to let her inside. "Jamie cheated on you?" 

"Yes." 

"Are you serious?" Gwilym asked, his face turning red with rage as Clara nodded solemnly. "That mother -"

"I knew he would," Clara blurted out. "I just hoped he wouldn't. I thought he'd treat me better. Annie was right." 

"C'mere..." Gwilym opened his arms and let Clara step into them. 

He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her, resting his chin on the top of her head. He could feel her body convulse as she sobbed into his shirt and wrapped her arms tighter around his waist as if she hung on to him for dear life. 

"This is nice..." Clara mumbled into Gwilym's chest. 

Gwilym heard what she had said, but chose to ignore it for the time being. It did feel nice, and he needed a good hug. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's been two weeks since Gwilym and Lizzie last spoke. Two weeks since she stormed out of his apartment - and his life, it seems. And almost a week since Clara stormed right back in. 

Gwilym wasn't pleased with this new situation. 

On the one hand, there was Clara, whom he still loved dearly, in spite of his better judgement. On the other hand, there was Lizzie. She was like a breath of fresh air for him. Down-to-Earth, kind, grounded, beautiful. 

"Penny for your thoughts?" Clara's voice chimed and interrupted his reverie. 

He looked at Clara as she bounced Rory on her hip with a bright smile. Shaking his thoughts away to be present at the moment, he reached out and took Rory from Clara's hands. 

"Oh, just... work stuff," he shrugged. "Have to travel around soon." 

"Exciting! Where to?" Clara's blue eyes beamed. 

"Italy and Switzerland." 

"Oooh!" Clara gushed. "Very nice! You wouldn't happen to want company on your trip, would you?" she asked with a wink.

Gwilym felt a phantom punch him in the gut at that question. Since Lizzie was all but gone and Clara was back, things were... complicated. 

He'd been intimate with Clara on more than one occasion, and Lizzie pretty much ghosted him. She never replied to any of his texts, never answered any of his calls. All she did was read his text messages and ignore them. 

"I'm..." Gwilym started to stutter. 

"I'm joking, you big goof!" Clara hopped up on the tips of her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Though it is nice to be together, again." 

"Together?" Gwilym looked confused. 

"You know what I mean." 

"I'm..." Gwilym put Rory down and placed his hands on his hips as he faced Clara. "Doll, we're not together." 

"Well, then," Clara batted her eyelashes and picked lint off Gwil's sweater, "maybe we should be?"

The utter confusion on Gwilym's face made Clara feel triumphant. He still wanted her, and she could tell. She cosied up to him, biting her bottom lip gently. 

"Clara..." Gwilym started, but his voice cracked and betrayed him. 

"How about," Clara drawled, her eyes twinkling, "we take this home for her nap," she booped Rory's nose, "and get together again?" 

"...Fuck's sake," Gwilym muttered, angry with how his body reacted to Clara's wind-chime voice. "Clara, I can't. I don't want to do this anymore."

"Is this about Merida?" Clara rolled her eyes. "Let it go, love. She's gone. I'm here." 

"She got it all wrong, alright?" Gwilym put Rory down and smiled at passers-by as he said through gritted teeth, "we can't do this anymore." 

Clara rolled her eyes again and ran up to a stranger. 

"Would you mind taking our picture?" She asked. When Gwilym raised an eyebrow at her, she smirked. "For Instagram. I'm trying to fix my image." 

"Didn't know it needed fixing..." Gwilym grumbled as Clara grabbed Rory and picked her up to pose with her and Gwilym. 

"Post-Jamie?" Clara scoffed. "Believe me, it does." 

The stranger caught a candid shot of Clara looking up at Gwilym and smiling brightly and Gwilym smirking down at her. Rory was between them, making an "ah-ah-ah" noise like an Indian. 

When Clara posted it to Instagram, she captioned it "The Fam." s

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

"How many missed calls do we have today?" Shelly squeezed her stress-ball and tossed it in the air to Lizzie. "Two hundred and three?" 

"Just two." Lizzie sighed. "I think he's giving up." 

"Can you blame him?" Shelly shrugged. 

"It's just that I have absolutely no bloody idea what to say to him," Lizzie explained. "I can't tell him what to do and who to spend time with. They're her godparents. They're stuck in each other's lives now!" 

"That doesn't mean he still loves her, you know." 

"He does." Lizzie looked hurt. "I asked him about it, and all he did was look at me like a deer in the headlights."

"Did you even let him get a word in during your little kerfuffle?" Shelly asked. 

"I begged him to say something. Anything." 

"And he didn't?" 

"Not one word," Lizzie said pointedly. She gave the stress ball a squeeze and tossed it back to Shelly. "He looked like I caught him stealing..." 

"Did you hear her boyfriend cheated on her? With some half-wit model?" Shelly caught the ball. 

"Yes." 

"You think she'll get her claws back into him?"

"I have no doubt in my mind." 

"Well, maybe it's better to stay away, then," Shelly suggested. 

"I think I love him..." 

A single tear rolled down Lizzie's cheek before her phone dinged.

-------------------------------------------------------

TAGLIST: @filmslutt @lose-you-to-find-me @sonic-volcano  @nosferatyou @rogertaylorin1976 @mrhoemazzello

[squeliy]

how fandoms feel after calling characters who are undervalued in the media underrated in the fandom when theyre one of the most popular characters in the fandom

[squeliy]

I said I’m bout to go to war

And I don’t know if imma see you agaaain

can i get a kiss??

and could you make it last foreverrrr??

[kellykadesperate]

twenty-four little hours: 

Sometimes it only takes a comment, just one and Aaron isn't Aaron anymore.

Suddenly he's this shell of a man and he cannot pull himself out of it for nothing.

Not even for Robert, not even for their family.

::

It starts with a comment from a supplier, some traditional old man with his collar sticking up and then his nose too when he sees the picture of Robert and Aaron with Jacob and Annie.

His uncomfortableness almost radiates out of him and then he says:

"Adopted then?" In the most judgemental voice in the world.

It puts Aaron's back up instantly, like it always does and he frowns at the man. "No, surrogacy." He says and then the man is raising an eyebrow and smirking. "So you've got one of each then."

And he doesn't mean boy and girl, he means -

Robert's child and Aaron's.

It makes Aaron fucking fly off the handle and he's shoving the prick out the portacabin with such a force that the man nearly topples back.

It takes Aaron hours to stop shaking, and he's got his face into Robert's chest as he keeps blowing out short breaths.

Robert knows that Aaron thinks he's weak, that he's a fool for crying. "It's okay, he's just an idiot Aaron." He whispers, "It's okay."

But he knows it isn't, because family is everything to Aaron, and hearing what he heard is only going to make him ache inside.

"He doesn't know shit about our family." Robert says and Aaron nods slowly, moving his head up and kissing at Robert's neck before leaving.

::

And that was the start of it.

It triggered everything else.

::

"Jacob, book, bag." Robert shouts from up the stairs and Jacob comes down slowly.

He's rubbing his eyes and Robert frowns at him as he walks towards him.

"Oi. What's up kiddo?" Robert says, kneeling like he always does.

Jacob looks away, bites his lip the way Aaron does when he is unsure or doesn't know what to do.

"Hey, come on mate." Robert says, "Big boys tell the truth." And Jacob looks at him then.

His thick black curly hair and blue eyes look all filled with worry and Robert pulls him onto his lap and smiles reassuringly.

"Daddy was crying in the shower."

And Robert feels his hands grow clammy.

"I heard him. Why is he sad?" And Jacob is so much like Aaron it hurts. He has all this worry and anxiety over other people's emotions and feelings and -

"I think he got the shower gel in his eyes." Robert says with a small smile and Jacob buys it, wraps his arms around Robert and tells him to make daddy smile.

He intends to.

Only Aaron doesn't want to speak to him and he knows it's about what happened the day before.

"Jacob heard you crying." Robert says heavily, places a hand on Aaron's shoulder and wishes for him to turn around and face him.

Aaron's so cold though. "I'm fine now."

"You weren't then." Robert says. "Was it because of -"

"Not the first time this week someone's been a twat alright?" And something else has happened.

Robert winces, and everything hurts because Aaron is so comfortable in his sexuality and Robert is so glad of that. He's so proud of him, yet there's people capable of drawing him back into himself.

And he hates them.

"What happened?" Robert's asking and Aaron just stares at him, moth open a little and then closing again because Annie's on the baby monitor and she's just woken up.

"I better go see to her." Aaron jumps at the chance to escape and Robert just wants to dry his tears and kiss his lips and tell him that no one can touch what they have.

No one.

::

"Where's my sorry excuse of a best mate?" Adam's asking as Robert steps into the portacabin and it makes him frown.

Because Aaron was meant to be here.

And Annie was meant to be with Vic.

And it's not like he's in the best place right now and -

His mind starts gushing with thoughts and he can't listen to them because he's backing out of the portacabin and calling Aaron over and over again.

He finds him though,

He's with Annie, her lilac pram visible from miles away.

And he's just staring at the garage. It's almost like he's frozen on the spot.

"Aaron?" Robert calls as he approaches him but he hardly flinches, it takes a hand on his shoulder for Aaron to turn.

"Sorry. Miles away." Aaron bites his lip and Robert can't hide how confused he is, how scared and -

"I've been ringing you." Robert says, hears Annie gurgle a little and presses a hand down on her chest, watches her eyes sparkle just for a second.

Aaron stares blankly before looking back at the garage, "Just wanted to show her where daddy used to work." He says and then he's shaking himself a little. "I want to go now." He's almost adamant and Robert just nods slowly.

::

He doesn't know what's going on, just knows that Aaron's distant and sad and not hiding some birthday surprise for Robert at all.

He feels like a twat for even thinking about his birthday tomorrow but he can't seem to help it.

"Love you." Robert mumbles into Aaron's chest as the darkness pours into the room and Aaron pulls the covers over them.

Aaron hears it, Robert knows that. And he says it back, only the words seem stuck in his throat and Robert tries to forget how jagged it sounds.

::

He half expects to be woken up with kisses down his back, it's what Aaron does every year when Robert turns even older than he is.

Only Aaron's dead to the world and Robert just smiles at him lovingly, kicks the covers off and goes downstairs.

Jacob's not really old enough yet to remember what day it is and it makes Robert smile as he teases him.

"It's a special day for me and you don't even know." Robert gasps playfully, watches Jacob try and think, sees it across his face as he rocks Annie.

She's had a good night and it's a best present he could receive if he's being honest.

"You think more about it whilst I go and get your dad up." Robert tells him and he knows, he just *knows something is wrong as he climbs the stairs.

And then he's opening the door and Aaron's not moved. The curtains are drawn and he's -

He's in the exact same position.

Robert gulps down his worry and shakes out a smile. "Oi, get up sleepy bones." He hurries out, and when Aaron ignores him something black pours over his heart and won't stop. "Aaron?" He's saying, praying he's just asleep.

Please just be asleep. Don't just be laying there. Don't just be -

He skirts around the bed, has a hand behind his back as he crosses his fingers like a kid and Annie gurgles on his arm.

Aaron's just laying there, small and fragile and there's tears falling down his face. He looks almost broken, like someone's taken him so far away and Robert can't reach him.

Not for anything.

He's just so still. So vacant.

And Robert knows that he's shut down completely.

"Aaron?" He says, this time lower, more soft, more scared. He gulps down something hard and then he's walking towards Annie's cot, settling her inside quietly and calling for Jacob to start getting ready for school. He hears him climb the stairs, can see him from across the hall playing in his room instead of doing what he's been asked but Robert doesn't seem to care.

Because he's okay, he's happy and Aaron - Aaron isn't?

"Baby." It slips out, feels odd on his tongue but it's always managed to make Aaron pull a face and smile and laugh. This time it doesn't. This time Robert's crouching down next to him and he feels the space between them draw apart.

Aaron's just staring into thin air. Almost looking past Robert, past the window, past the village.

"Tell me what to do. Tell me what's wrong." Robert scrunches up the sheets, white and transparent, and he can see the redness of his knuckles through them. Aaron just blinks, shakes his head like he just can't and everything is so much worse. "Aaron," he tries to move towards him, fingers so close but the younger man flinches like he can't help it. "Okay okay, I won't touch you. But - please, please let me know you haven't hurt yourself."

Aaron winces, tears falling down his face and he makes himself even smaller as he shakes his head.

"Aaron, please let -"

"Daddy!" It cuts through the heaviness of the room and Jacob's standing there with his school jumper on the wrong way round. Robert tries to smile at him, gathers to his feet and then he's looking down at Aaron.

"Two seconds." He says, a hurry of emotion flying though him as he speaks.

He doesn't have the time to stop and think.

(Desperately doesn't want to break.)

::

He ends up calling Vic, babbles down the phone about her needing to come right now.

"Oi birthday boy, if I'm taking Jakey to school because you and your husband want extra time in bed then -"

"He won't get up." Robert's blurting out, tears swimming against his eyes over and over again. "He's just laying there and - and -"

Vic's mouth falls open and Adam's getting out of the car, coming towards them both and frowning.

"What's this?" Adam's asking, and Robert blows out a slow breath.

He can't handle this. He doesn't know what to do when Aaron's like this.

"Has anything happened?" Robert's desperate and Adam's his best mate and he must know something because -

"Why? Is - is Aaron alright?" Adam's back is up and Robert drags him into the corner because Jacob's just blindly up at them and Vic can't seem to settle little Annie. It's like she knows something is wrong too.

"He just won't move." Robert chews on his gum as Adam's face falls. "He's just laying there, he's just -"

Adam pulls a hand over his mouth and Robert frowns.

"Do you know something?"

Robert's eyes flicker as Adam nods his head slowly.

"Tell me." He weighs in.

"We were chatting yesterday, we were talking about how far we'd come since we were kids. He was talking about - about him coming out and -" he gulps hard, and then Vic is coming towards him.

"About him being in such a bad place." Adam looks like he wants to be sick, and Robert pales a little.

"What does that have to do with today? He was - he was fine last night." But he wasn't was he? He could barely say he loved you.

Adam winces suddenly, like something has just clicked in his mind and he gulps. "It was today." He says and Robert just stares blankly at him as Vic pulls a hand over her mouth and stops rocking Annie.

::

He knocks on his own bedroom door, and Aaron's still in the same position as he was before.

Robert walks towards him slowly and feels this crushing weight hit his chest out of nowhere because Aaron's looking at him with those beautiful blue eyes.

"Hey." Robert whispers, and he's kneeling by the bed now, head tilted a little and tears in his eyes. "We don't need to speak about it." He assures Aaron, a hand pressed our flat on the bed as he speaks. Aaron doesn't flinch this time, just stares down at his hand and sniffs.

There's tears down his face, they're leaving marks and Robert wants to wipe them all away.

"It's alright. I'm here. You're here. You're - you're at home and the kids love you. We love you." Robert whispers, can't help the way he touches Aaron's hand and Aaron shudders before pressing his face against it.

The touch is so soft that Robert nearly melts into it, can't help but slide underneath the covers and stare at Aaron.

"I know what today is." Robert says, and Aaron stiffens. "I'm so sorry baby." He whispers, "I - I didn't know that -"

And Aaron jumps up, wipes at his face and backs towards the door.

"Aaron." Robert says, tries to reach out but Aaron's slamming the door to their en-suite shut and -

It's so dark in the room, and Robert tries not to cry.

::

He can't hear anything, strained ear trying to listen out for anything, anything at all and when he hears the scrap of something he's pounding down the door.

Because if Aaron's doing something daft then -

"I'll fucking break this door down Aaron - you know I will if you don't -"

The door swings open and Aaron's standing there shaking. His hair is a mass of curls, and his face is red, puffy.

Robert's eyes are wide and he moves his chest up and down quickly. "Aaron -"

"I nearly killed myself." Aaron's face is torn, like he's being ripped apart inside. "I - I nearly killed myself Rob."

And then he's breaking into this mess, he's literally collapsing towards the floor and Robert catches him like always.

"It's okay, it's - it's going to be okay." He whispers, keeps kissing at Aaron's hair.

Aaron shudders out a breath and he's clinging onto Robert for dear life. "I wouldn't have met you. I would have been - been six feet under." He says, and then he makes this awful sound. "Oh God, Annie and Jacob wouldn't have even been born and -"

He's in such a state, keeps clinging onto Robert and apologising over and over again.

"You don't have to apologise. It's -" he's lost for words, has tears falling down his face as he tries his best to think of something worthwhile to say. He goes with asking what's happened, why he's reacted so badly to it today.

Aaron shrugs. "Never thought about it. Never sat and thought about how much I wanted to be dead. And then," He sighs, "That guy the other day made me - I was thinking about how I used to hate myself like he hated us and -" he can't carry on and that's okay.

Because Robert gently pulls him up, carries him almost towards the bed again and falls back as they lay down.

Aaron's calmer now, he's not panicking, not crying either.

"I love you." Robert mumbles into Aaron's hair whilst combing through it. "I'm here." He says.

"The kids?" Aaron's almost jumping up, and Robert grounds him.

"Vic took Jacob to school, she's watching Annie. It's fine." Robert says, and Aaron shudders. "Talk to me." Robert pleads with him.

And Aaron doesn't refuse.

"'Remember the smoke. It was everywhere." Aaron whispers, "I remember how at peace I was. Never felt anything like that. So - so done with everything and everyone. And I had - had no idea what was waiting for me." He says, and Robert's heart skips.

"You were in a bad place."

"I wanted to die." Aaron almost cringes in Robert's arms. "That feeling, I don't think I'll ever ever forget it." He whispers and Robert hates that the most.

He hates how Aaron has this darkness within him that won't ever go away. He hates that they don't speak it at all until Aaron's having a breakdown and everything is just too much.

"You need to go to counselling again Aaron." Because he's stopped, he hasn't been going and -

Aaron agrees, nods a little and then he's looking up at Robert. "You should take the kids and run." He says, almost looks dead serious and Robert's horrified. "I'm a mess." He says.

"Don't you ever say that again." Robert stresses. "You're -"

"Are you scared of me?" Aaron whispers. "I heard you, when you were banging the door down, did you think I'd -" he drops his head. "I heard the scare in your fucking voice and -"

"I'm not scared of daddy fluffy am I?" Robert's eyes water and Aaron nearly smiles, presses his face against Robert's chest. "I've got you, I have you okay?" He whispers, and Aaron's breathing slows.

"It's just this day." Aaron says after a few minutes. "22nd of -"

And Robert watches the penny drop, watches Aaron bring his hands up towards his mouth and look like someone's just kicked him in the gut.

"It's your - it's your fucking birthday. It's - Robert it's your birthday." His voice breaks and Robert doesn't want him in this much of a state over him.

"Doesn't matter." Robert shrugs out. "It's just a day." He whispers. "And - if I had known that - that *today was the day you -" he can't find the words. "I'm sorry."

And Aaron's got his hands over Robert's face. "I forgot your -" he blows out a breath, looks devastated. "I was too busy thinking about my fucking self and I -"

Robert grips his hands and makes Aaron look at him. "Please don't worry about it." He pleads and Aaron swallows down something, shuffles into Robert's arms and somehow they manage to sleep.

::

When Robert opens his eyes, Aaron's not in his arms anymore and his heart drops.

He's calling his name, jumping from the bed and then stopping dead as he sees Aaron standing in the hallway.

Jacob's by his leg, and he's carrying a small cupcake.

"Back inside!" Jacob's insisting, pushing at Robert's feet until he's on the bed.

Aaron looks better, his face is clearer and he's wearing a genuine smile.

And he sings Robert happy birthday, gives him presents that Robert knows he must have wrapped days before.

It's nearly six o'clock and the day is almost over, but Aaron, he's pulled himself back for this.

And he's still the bravest person Robert's ever ever known.

::

"It's your actual birthday!" Jacob bounces on Robert's knee and Robert laughs a little.

"Yes buddy, got there in the end." He taps his head lovingly and feels Aaron watching from his side of the bed.

He looks content, Annie rocking in his arms back and forth and gurgling away.

"You're so good with her." Robert thinks out loud and Aaron freezes a little. "I mean it." He says, won't take it back, won't lie.

Aaron sniffs, and then he's leaning over and kissing Robert on the lips delicately. "I love you so much." He breathes out and Robert nuzzles their noses together, feels all this love pour of him.

He's thinking of Adam and Vic and how relieved they were that Aaron offloaded. He's thinking of Jacob coming home from school to a happier house.

"And I love you." Robert whispers, "And don't tell me I shouldn't." He says, almost reads Aaron's mind and the younger man blushes a little.

"I'm sorry for hiding." Aaron says so innocently. "Hate hiding from you, hate making you cry." He whispers, and Robert looks away for a second, wasn't aware that Aaron heard him.

Robert licks his lips a little and edges even closer towards Aaron. "I know it's hard. I know that - that all of that is so hard to think about." He says and then looks down at Annie staring up at them and smiling. "But look what you have now. Look how far you've come and - not how bad it was back then."

Aaron looks at him like he's the whole world and Jacob's already got bored of the lack of attention he's getting, running around the room now instead.

"I lived." Aaron whispers, tears falling down his face.

Robert nods. "You lived." He says with a soft voice and hands falling over Aaron's face. "The bravest best husband in the world."

Aaron shudders. "Sounds like the card I wrote you." He says. "World's best husband." He whispers.

Robert pulls a face. "Don't know about that."

"Good thing I do then." Aaron whispers, his lips against Robert's. "And I'll prove it. Me and you on Saturday are going anywhere you want I promise."

"You don't need to do that." Robert tells him.

"I want to."

"Because you ruined today?" And Aaron looks away. "You didn't. You - it's not your fault."

"I'm messed up." Aaron shrugs. "Can't keep doing this though, pushing you away, blocking the person I love most in the whole world out just because my mind can't handle any other emotions or -" he's getting anxious again and Robert slowly pets at Annie's hair.

"You don't have to explain."

"You're my husband of course I do." Aaron snaps. "You're my husband and you make me so happy. But sometimes - this darkness, it won't leave me alone. It won't let me be happy even on your birthday and I can't - can't control that but I'm so sorry."

"You don't apologise." Robert says. "You don't try and 'fix yourself' either okay. You just get better for yourself, you get better for our babies and for -"

"You. For our marriage." Aaron whispers. "Because you deserve -"

"You." Robert says. "I finally think that's true so don't go and tell me I don't." He laughs out and Aaron just stares at him.

"Happy birthday beautiful." And it's almost so unlike Aaron that it grabs at Robert's heart and won't let go.

::

"Robert?" Aaron's voice is croaky as he speaks, face pressed against Robert's chest.

Robert hums out a reply, keeps the hold in Aaron's as tight as possible.

"Heidi can fit me in tomorrow." He whispers and Robert's shoulders relax.

He turns around and kisses Aaron. "It'll help." He whispers.

Aaron nods slowly. "Don't know what I'll say." He says, and he thinks about it for a few seconds as Robert rubs at his back gently.

"You'll find the right words." Robert assures him, eyes growing heavy as he hears Aaron say:

"Thank you, you didn't leave. You never will, will ya?"

And he shakes his head. "Never." He stresses, kisses Aaron's hand.

The silence creeps over them as they both draw back into sleep, and then Aaron's calling Robert's name again.

"I'll tell her about you, about how you hate yoghurt, except the ones with the chocolate pieces in the corner."

Robert smiles. "They're the best." He mumbles.

"I'll tell her about Jacob and his fascination with dinosaurs, how Annie smiles at us all the time now." He gulps heavily and then presses a kiss to Robert's neck and makes him shudder. "I'll tell her I'm loved and it feels so good."

Robert blinks slowly and smiles through his closed eyes.

"I'll tell her I didn't nearly die that day. Just got the chance to live. I'll tell her I lived, got to spend the day years and years later giving my husband presents for his birthday. I got that. Me."

And the pride Robert can hear in Aaron's voice, well, it's better than silver chain and the sports car racing day out, it's the best present Robert could have asked for.

And they're going to be okay.

They really are.

[squeliy]

Checked Goodreads and came out with a rant and receipts that make me mad

[squeliy]

What if Grayson and lyra don’t get together in the grandest game 🤨 what if they get together in a later grandest games book

[squeliy]

FR!! his charisma is off the charts

love how Trevor quickly became one of my favorites

[squeliy]

When you don’t know what to watch so you rewatch shayne guesses celeb crushes for the 4th time

[squeliy]

Angelas hair looking cute in the culinary crimes video