#ask box will still be open all of today cuz i might post asks and studd

[lunicho]

hey lunicho nation <33 happy new years!! i came to make an announcement!! as of january 1st i will be moving over to a brand new blog!!! i've greatly enjoyed my time here on lunicho but have flooded myself at the same time! randomly taking asks for groups im not the most into and also just having gone through so much mentally this year makes me feel so overwhelmed on this blog. with that being said i won't be writing for or taking requests for any groups other than the main 2 that the blog is for. i just really want a fresh start and want to focus on groups that really make me feel passionate!! with that being said!!

my new url is @ejudollz !! there i will be a &team and tws focused blog!! i probably will post &team more often but we shall see!!! there are a couple of other things that i need to add to my blog like my rules and masterlist and things but i'll work on them as the time goes! as far as this blog i will be disabling my ask box probably tomorrow and any asks should not be sent to my new blog if you want to contact me!

my anons from this blog, please send an ask to ejudollz with your anon name so i can figure out which emojis and things like that are taken!! im gonna restart my anon list, of course im keeping in mind the anons that i already have so if you send another ask you will keep your emoji!

[sfblah]

The Cleanup Crew - Tactical Maid Service

[Next Chapter]

A while back I was waffling on about how I finally wrote something again, and so here it is. I was holding out cuz I wanted to have more of the next chapter(s) finished first, but I figured I should just go ahead and post this before a million years go by. As usual it's a send up of various anime tropes, as well as my inner repressed 16 year old that never stopped playing too many first person shooters.

Female sneezes - Dust

Operation "Hurry"

A spotlight switches on with a sharp kcham, illuminating a circle on the warehouse’s concrete floor. In its center stands a young woman clad in a black and white maid’s uniform, the cloth slightly wrinkled, but hardly noticeable at a distance. She holds her hands together calmly in front of her waist, though only for a moment before she caves to the urge to visor her eyes from the blinding light.

“Alright, last one for today,” grumbles an unseen voice from somewhere up above. After a brief pause, the maid fidgets and points to herself.

“Um, me?” she asks, looking at where she assumes her proctor must be.

“No, behind you.”

The maid turns around, and an incredulous groan immediately follows.

“Yes, you. Jesus, how’d a bucket like you pass selection? Ugh, forget it. Step forward.”

A series of overhead lights activate in sequence, revealing the entrance to the examination course. Still fidgeting, the maid approaches.

“Grab one of the weapons from the table.”

She hadn’t even noticed the table until the proctor pointed it out. Atop the rough wooden surface sits a sawed-off double barrel shotgun, a half-empty box of shells, and absolutely nothing else.

“This is the only one here,” observes the maid.

“You want it or not!?” snaps the voice from on high, startling the trainee half a foot into the air.

“Alright, alright, jeez,” the maid replies, retrieving the weapon. She breaks it open, loads two of her meager collection of shells, and after a brief struggle, slips it into the concealed holster under the back of her skirt.

“Okay, moving right along,” the proctor continues. “Yadda yadda, complete the course as quickly as you can, yadda yadda. By beginning the examination you consent to hrmm meh meh, you waive your right to blah, blah, blah… Look, this is the fiftieth time I’ve read this today. You know what to do, right? Just go through the thing.”

The maid blinks, glancing back and forth between the door and the still-obscured source of the voice.

“Uh. Yeah, totally. For sure.”

A single clap echoes in the rafters.

“Okay, great, great. Start whenever you’re ready. I’m gonna go grab a ham sandwich.”

Footsteps on the catwalk above fade into the distance, leaving the maid to shrug and shake her head.

“Yeah, okay. Rude?” she mumbles to herself, turning to face the entrance to her final test. A plywood facsimile of a foyer is visible through the open door, decorated with a few plastic houseplants. The maid cautiously sticks her head through the threshold, half expecting to be hit in the face by some manner of contraption. To her amazement, nothing happens. Suspiciously so, in fact. She proceeds to creep across the room, eyeing the doors on either side of the far wall, but she slows to a stop when something else catches her attention.

A metal grate is set into the wall. Neither near the ceiling nor the floor, it seems oddly out of place even in the industrial approximation of a manor. Almost as if it isn’t supposed to be there. Looking back over her shoulder, the maid approaches and discovers all but one of the screws meant to hold the grate in place are missing. After one more glance up at the vacant walkways above, she simply swings the grate aside and hauls herself through the opening.

Perhaps a more seasoned operator might have thought to look through the grate at some point before opening it. The unlucky maid assumed she was about to skip ahead in the exam course, but instead she finds herself wedged into a cramped metal duct, arms pinned to her sides and feet kicking uselessly in the air. Before even opening her eyes to take stock of her new surroundings, she stubbornly wiggles herself deeper into the vent.

“Well, this was a stupid idea…”

The test proctor may not have been watching, but the fates were certainly listening. When the maid took a deep breath to gather her strength, she instead succeeded only in filling her big, clumsy nose with dust. Her flailing legs go limp, and the warehouse hangs in silence for a moment before…

“ah-ahh-ahhh-CHOOOO!!!”

The maid’s loud, powerful sneeze did nothing to clear her sinuses. On the contrary, the remaining dust that had settled in the vent was scattered into the air, only exacerbating her need to sneeze again.

“ah-ahh-CHOO!!”

And again.

“haa-CHOO!”

And again…

“ah-ahh… AHH-CHHOOOOOOO!!!”

Her frantic wiggling resumes, adding a chorus of popping and straining sheet metal to the cacophony. Mercifully the duct isn’t especially long, and eventually the maid manages to shimmy and sneeze herself far enough along to free her arms and fully push herself out the other side. She lands upside down in a heap, legs kicking one more time as she gives another “ah-CHOOO!”

The maid rolls herself upright, sitting on the floor of an unexplored part of the test. Instead of reorienting herself, she shakes her head and begins to rub her tickly nose up, down, and all around with the palm of her hand. Finally she cracks one eye open with a thick, wet sniff. The room is dark, but it again appears to be plywood construction with more fake plants.

“Hey, Bucket? Where’d you go?” calls the proctor through a mouthful of food. The maid just manages to register their footsteps approaching from somewhere behind before she folds over with a screamed “HA-CHOOOO!!”

The footsteps quicken to an awkward jog, soon arriving overhead.

“Oh, shit! I didn’t think you’d get this far already. Let me just…”

The room lights up, and the maid has no time at all to absorb her surroundings before cardboard targets burst out of every nook and cranny, and the deafening sounds of recorded gunfire fill the air. If the maid had bothered to stand, imaginary bullets would have already torn her to shreds. Instead she sits in dubious comfort behind a couch, desperately rubbing her nose.

“Intruders! Shoot the targets!” shouts the proctor, scarcely audible over the chaos. The maid fumbles for her shotgun, nearly pulling her skirt down to her ankles before she manages to retrieve it from its holster. Then, barely able to keep her eyes open, she peeks over the back of the couch, points her weapon roughly in the direction of one of the cardboard cutouts, and pulls the trigger.

The recoil sends the maid falling back to the ground, where she remains for a moment as she gasps and heaves forth a strained “ah-ahh-CHHOOO!” She shakily returns to her feet and repeats the process, shooting, falling, and sneezing all over again. This time she doesn’t stand, deciding to reload first. She opens her shotgun and dumps out the two empty shells, then begins to feel around under her skirt for more.

“Remember, switching to your pistol is always faster than reloading!” the proctor advises.

“I don’t have a pistol!” shrieks the maid, kicking her feet up and down.

“Shit, uh, sorry…”

Just as the maid finally manages to fumble a shell into one of her shotgun’s barrels, a falling hunk of metal hits her right on the nose. She screams and covers her face, rolling onto her side and unknowingly kicking her shotgun across the floor. What the hell even was this test? If she’d known she was going to be treated like this, she would have just stayed home and stuck to video games.

Her right hand finds the dropped pistol after a few aimless slaps on the floor. Knuckles white on the grip and breathing heavily through clenched teeth, the maid rises to her feet, takes what she assumes is a shooting stance of some kind, and fires wildly at the remaining targets. She continues pulling the trigger even after she expends her last bullet and the pistol’s slide locks back, only coming down from her rage when the simulated gunfire stops.

Somehow, against all odds, each of the cardboard targets have been neatly punctured. Well, maybe not neatly, but good enough. The maid lets her arms fall to her sides, and soon her jaw and eyelids begin to droop in turn. Her head tips back, her large, teardrop-shaped nostrils flare, and…

“AAHHH-CHHHOOOOOOOO!!!”

And she doesn’t stop sneezing for the next… She doesn’t even know how long. Somebody takes her by the shoulders, leads her somewhere, and someone else begins to address her, all while she continues to sneeze.

“Hello, and allow me to congratulate you on passing your final assessment.” This new voice is lower and softer, not that the maid is able to pay any attention.

“ah-CHOO!”

“Your form says your callsign is ‘Bucket’? Is that right?”

“Aaah-CHOOO!!”

“Wonderful. Let me be the first to welcome you to The Cleanup Crew.”

[zumpietoo]

My Weekish on Buy Nothing...

The desperation to ditch my table led me to try something ELSE a little over a week ago....and, I approached it with heavvvvyyyyyy skepticism....the person recommending it was my sister-in-law (who likes everything that she thinks she came up with), insisting she’d “found everything she could ever possibly need there”.....I can fully assure everybody.....ummm.....noooo....not even remotely.

But still, desperate, so I pursued it anyway.....

Thus far? Unsurprisingly, a verrryyyy mixed bag. And it seems that my smaller local group IS actually much better than the “no rules” one (tho I have ditched quite a few things there.....

It was still Craigslist that got my table gone.....(as always, patience and dealing with a lot of scammy aggravation will eventually yield somebody.....and I did appreciate they honored almost all my terms, even if today they DID try and get another two chairs outta me. I responded with a polite, but verrrryyyyy clear and firm “no”).

And, honestly? The purge boxes thus far haven’t moved much (apparently peeps will go whole hog if you do an individual offer of each, I can’t be bothered....take it, don’t take it....) and one of the peeps who showed up was entitled enough to leave a mess....dude, put it back in, WTF?

Also, largely and predictably, it’s a combo of moar peeps asking (especially in the no rules) AND a lot of the offers are kids’ things (I get that).....

But to summarize:

The Good

Actually this first one is beyond excellent----I asked for “help” in the form of somebody to come over with their circular saw and shave 3 inches off something I wanted to turn into a shelf for my armoire linen closet. I should qualify I made a point of noting this was a big ask, I understood, blah, blah, blah....Dude replied really fast he was happy to do it, came over last Saturday, done in 3 minutes, having a shelf, finally, made me fucking giddy. Offered a brownie and couldn’t thank him enough.

Alsooo, lady short on $$$ looking for, ideally, Mickey Mouse stuff for her little girl’s bday. I happened to be rearranging/cleaning my Disney guest room....what started as one thing, evolved into a whole bunch. She was super nice and appreciative....

I got (from, again, my local group) a couple of minor free things, but it was nice of them, etc. I made a point of thanking them afterwards....

The Bad:

I found a nearly untouched/full gallon of pink paint--plus another open one for a lady looking for “tween things”. I added in a pair of vintage vanity lamps I’d been thinking of ditching for awhile. I even put the almost full gallon in a box with topper that I’d had a recent paint purchase delivered in. I left her name on a piece of paper in the bag....when she approached, she texted, “did you make sure and seal everything up??” Which, dude, free, etc...She left trash in front of my house, tossed the paper back on the porch and since she did get paint on her hand from the open can, she left paint on my porch railing. No thank you afterwards anywhere....

Surprisingly local, the lady who left a mess after going thru the free boxes (really, you can’t put it back?)----even tho I was out beforehand, introduced myself and said I might be able to help in the fall with a different request she had (not anymoar!)

A young woman endlessly posting about being desperate for somebody to take her cats while she goes to Hawaii to secure housing.....this would be for 10 days minimum....granted, I wasn’t really all that anxious to do it, but I try to be a decent person, etc. I made a point of advising I have 6 cats and they’re varying level of jerk....and that I would keep her cats inside for safety reasons. Her reply, “well thanks but those are too many red flags” (yes, seriously, “red flags”).

A young woman desperately posting for anyyyyyy clothing, cuz soo desperate. Directed her to THAT purge pile, (we were about the same size and there was NEW stuff in there). She took like maybe 2 items, after having me check and double check that clothing was still there....

A lot of peeps with free asks (not just me) but expecting really pristine shit....one woman legit posted today about wanting a rug, but “would probably be really picky about it---hope that’s okay”. How astounding nobody’s replied yet!

So, all in all? I do like, locally, it overall creates a sense of community, but I also kinda think I’ll probably go back to just “free stuff” on craigslist/donating to the Vets for pick up, etc...

[harold231]

It wasn't real

Pairing: Bucky x reader

Posted: 04/30/2021

Word count: 2.5k

Warnings: None? Maybe a lil angst just a lel bet.

A/N: I think it might be good? Idk You let me know. But like frfr, don't just give me feedback in your mind, put it into words. Also I apparently have a thing for Bucky in a dotted apron soooo yeah.

FYI: time zone/era is open for interpretation. Bucky never became an avenger/soldat and steve isn't part of this one.

The wind that blew around you was warm and sweet with the scent of freshly bloomed flowers. Perhaps it was an act of kindness from some God trying to distract you from the cold bitterness settling into your bones. Closing your eyes you conjure the very memory that left you so desolate.

The sun snuck it's way through the curtains to illuminate the room, effectively disturbing the sleep that you always seemed to be craving. Waking up is always hassle but whenever you remember that you get to spend your day with the only person who tolerates you and you him, getting out of bed is the easiest thing. Bucky is crazy and the damn boy is never in one spot for to long and he always has something to say, but you can't imagine how boring your days would be if you guys had never met. well technically if your parents had never met.

When you were a child you parents had to move to new york for business and they decided that Brooklyn was the place to be. You had been Bucky's neighbor and the first day you guys moved in his mom had dragged him over with the most delicious angel food cake that he so proudly claimed to have made mostly on his own. He just loved cooking and baking since forever, he would tell you that he just liked experimenting with foods but you knew the truth was that the boy liked to eat and didn't have the patience to wait for his mother to come home.

Only a few years after your family had moved to Brooklyn you and Bucky had already built an unbreakable bond. You guys had found a beautiful cherry tree one day when playing tag and had deemed it to be your's and Bucky's spot. Whenever you had a bad day or needed time away from the world you guys would go to the tree and just pick cherries, in the winter time you and Bucky would lay under the tree and kick the trunk so that the snow would fall from the leaves. It was the place where at only 15 years old bucky swore he would open his own Bakery and to quote him "I'm serving my ma's food my way doll, It's gonna be the next best thing to hit New York."

You were laying on the ground with your hands crossed behind your head looking up at Bucky swinging upside down from a branch when he told you all this. You felt something you had never felt before at that moment, looking up at the wild haired boy who loved to eat, loved his family, and had the most ambition you had ever heard from kids your age. Your heart felt full and your cheeks grew warm as you looked up at the same blue eyes you had know for years now, only this time you notice the way they twinkle in the sunlight and how rosy his lips are. Now 7 years laters you and Bucky were preparing to open the very bakery he promised you he'd open. Banners were beautifully strung along the walls and cute retro china was set out, ready to be filled for opening day. There was no hesitation from you when Bucky had asked you to run the bakery with him, you were excited to spend your days with the person you hoped you would spend the rest of your life with.

At around 6:30 in the morning you had arrived at the bakery but it seemed that Bucky had beat you to it. The smell of fresh angel food cake and cocoa danced up your nose as soon as you opened the door. Closing your eyes you smiled at the memories that it brought back. Moving to the back you grabbed your Disney themed apron and placed your bag and coat in its place before scurrying over to the kitchen while trying (and failing) to tie your apron. There in all his dorkiness was Bucky wiggling around to the chordettes. He knew that you loved the 50's aesthetic so he found a way to incorporate it without going overboard, by adding little trinkets, a jukebox, and even those cute little dining tables. In fact at the moment he was wearing a ruffly red polka dotted apron as he frosted some cupcakes.

Apron tied, you were finally ready to get to work. You walked up to Bucky bumping his hip as you reached for some cupcake pans, "Whatcha doin here so early Buck, we don't open until 12" he looks at you with squinted eyes, "The hell are you doing here so early." "Woah,woah,woah completely unprovoked. I'm just saying cuz' you were the one complaining about the opening time being set at 8. Like damn." Breathing out a huff of air he wipes his forehead with a towel "I'm sorry doll, I'm just super nervous and I couldn't sleep so I came to start baking things. I already frosted the ice cream cakes and I just finished the pies, but I was thinking that maybe we needed some cupcakes too, even though we already baked so many pastries and stuff last night I'm worried it won't be enough."

Setting down the trays you move to hug Bucky from behind holding him close to you. "Buck I know we'll do great your food is too good to pass up on especially when it's free." You place a soft kiss to his shoulder " I promise you'll do great, everything you do is amazing you try your hardest at everything Buck, You've worked your butt off and made mine considerably larger to get here, don't start losing your mind on me now." A cute little laugh from Bucky lets you know that he's hearing you and he isn't so stressed anymore. "I just want this to be perfect ya know?" with your head still against his back you nod, "I just want it to be a special day for my special girl."

You couldn't stop the slight blush that rose to your cheeks or the way that your heart suddenly started beating three times faster. You had also wanted to make him something special which is why you had got here so early. Finally releasing your hold on Bucky you straighten your apron out before gathering everything you need for some red velvet cupcakes. Bucky loved your red velvet cake so you loved making it for him. After hours of mixing, baking, and frosting had passed, you guys were rewarded with a bakery that looked as great as it smelled. "Alright doll, I'm heading out, I gotta go get ready. Meet you back here at 12 , Love ya." He didn't even give you a chance to answer as he ran right out the door. "Love you too."

You had stayed behind just a little while longer as you perfected your secret project. Carefully you added snowflakes to some of the cupcakes because you knew how much he loved snow even if he hated winter, some cats, flowers that reminded you of bucky, and one extra special cupcake. When you finish you decide to clean up a bit more and prepare some drinks for later before heading home to get ready. As soon as you got home you took a shower and did the simplest of make up with a light pink lip. You had decided to wear a dress to match the blossoming flowers that spring had brought. Pink with a yellow lace trim and flowers embroided all over the dress, matching it with some yellow flats.

You had decided that it was a perfect day for a walk so you grabbed a light scarf and slung it over your shoulders, grabbed Bucky's cupcakes, and headed over to the bakery. You felt as if a Hundred pounds had been lifted from your shoulders knowing that Bucky had felt the same way about you. You had decided that you would tell him today with your special cupcakes. As you rounded the corner you felt giddy and you couldn't wipe the smile from your face no matter how hard you tried. As you reached the bakery you saw that a majority of the people had already arrived and you knew that it would put Bucky at ease to see all the people enjoying his food. You stopped at the window, closing your eyes to take a deep breath to prepare yourself to join the celebration.

Opening your eyes you reached for the handle only to stop at the sight on the other side of the door. Bucky stood there arms wrapped around a woman eyes locked on hers as he leaned in for a kiss. It must have all happened in about 30 seconds but it felt as if time himself had slowed it down for you to watch the way he tilted her head and ran his tongue along her bottom lip before finally uniting their lips. Your heart dropped as quickly as your smile did and suddenly you felt so stupid for thinking this could be real. You willed yourself not to cry as you allowed your legs to carry you anywhere but there.

That's how you found yourself sitting underneath a blossoming cherry tree. A tree that held only happy memories because it wasn't a place you could be sad... back then. With your back against the tree and box of cupcakes full of unrequited love in your lap you realize how much you over romanticized Bucky. Opening the box you decide it would be a shame to let them go to waste. The first one you grab has a big red heart frosted in the middle, you let out a deep sigh before breaking the cupcake right down the middle. You shove half of the cupcake into your mouth and only then do you allow the tears to fall. You sat there for hours crying eating cupcakes, watching the sunset, and thinking about everything that Bucky did for you, as a friend. You realize you had no right to be angry at Bucky, after all you never told him how you felt you just assumed that he would feel the same way after so many years. With every broken memory another cupcake vanished.

He was always there for you, when no one wanted to come to your slumber party Bucky did and he even did all the girly things with you. Painting your nails, doing your hair, watching chick flicks, and pillow fights. once he even asserted that no one could protect you as well as he could, when you had decided to go camping with your friend from class so he insisted on taking you himself. Your friend was most noticeably gay so you had assumed he wanted to spend time alone with you. But now that you think back on those memories these are things that anyone would do for their bestfriend. And that's what you realized 8 hours and 11 cupcakes later.

The moon floated above you and as it's white rays settled upon the lake you decided it might be time to go home now. You get up and dust your dress off before leaning down to grab the mostly empty box. Turning around you are stopped again by what's in front of you. Bucky stands there brows furrowed as his eyes flash from you to the box in your hands. "Where the hell have you been, I've been calling you all day." swallowing the lump in your throat you go to answer but are interrupted. " everyone's been asking me about you all night and I had no damn idea what to tell them, but apparently you were just out here being inconsiderate. You go and tell me I can do great tonight, that you'd be there for me, but you weren't." You try to answer him but are again interrupted. "You could have told me something earlier instead of leaving me there like a dumb-" "SHUT UP!" this time it was your turn to interrupt him.

Taking a deep breath you look into his eyes before explaining. "Of course I was ready to be there today, you think I wore this dress to sit under a damn tree? Well I didn't. When I left my apartment I was ready and I was excited, so excited. I couldn't even stop smiling on my way over, but then I got to the shop and I saw-" Immediately you stopped as you realized what you were about to say. He cocked an eyebrow and shook his head slightly as if to say 'Hello?' "You saw what? What did you see that would make you abandon ship just like that?" Shame flushed through your being and you could no longer keep eye contact. "Nothing, you know what, it doesn't even matter. I'm sorry I was being dramatic I should have been an adult and dealt with it on my own time. And I'm sorry I abandoned you all, but the night was about you anyways."

"The night was supposed to be about the both of us so it does matter if you saw something that made you want to leave. Just tell me doll, what did you see?" his voice is soft as he pleads with you. "I saw... well I saw you kissing that lady and I just wanted get away and ended up here okay!?" You said it all in a jumble hoping that he wouldn't be able to understand what you had said. But luck wasn't your friend so of course he did. "So seeing me kiss another person was so gross to you that you had to run away, what the hell? are you 13 again?" You hadn't admitted it outloud yet and it seemed that the dumbass in front of you was going to force it out of you.

Stepping around Bucky you pull your scarf tight around your body as you focus on not crying anymore until you get home. You distract yourself by thinking of all the love you saw in all the little things Bucky did for you. Dancing around the newly furnished bakery body against body as frank sinatra brought you heart to heart, watching rom-coms and ugly crying together, but by the time you get home you force yourself to face the ugly truth. The Love was always in your head. It wasn't real.

A new wave of tears blurred your vision as teardrops fell perfectly to the ground. "It's because I have feelings for you Bucky, and I now know you don't feel the same way." Sniffling you don't bother looking up because your heart is to broken for that right now. "I'm Just gonna need a little bit of time and I'll be back good as new like nothing even happened." Still unable to lift your gaze from the ground you decide to focus on the last cupcake left in the box. 'I Love You' is written in tiny light blue frosting letters. "I uhm, uhh." That brought your attention to Bucky, as embarrassment pulsed as strong as ever through your veins. " You don't have to say anything Buck, It's fine, I'll see you next week, on monday" you hand him the box as you go to pass him "I think you would have a better use for this than me I ate 11 others already so."

Divider credits: @firefly-graphics

[callemreine]

Heart-Shaped

I should warn you that this was not proofread at all but I just had to post it cuz I said I was gonna do it but then I got distracted by a million other things so it took a long time and there's this au august by @/tsshipmonth2020 next month and I wanna do a few of the prompts there so have this poorly written oneshot that was based on this post by @aplethoraofquotes

Ship: Prinxiety(I mean what else do you expect from me) and a little bit of implied logicality

Word Count: 2017

cw: caps / mention of something on fire / tentacles mention / swearing (just one)

“WHAT IS UP EVERYBODY?” Thomas exclaims for the video intro.

“FINALLY!” Roman angrily but excitedly shouts after. The two other light sides pop up to also complain about the lack of videos in production in the past year, all the while attempting to calm down the royal side.

“Ok, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m doing it now, ok?” Thomas shouts over the complaining sides to divert the issue at hand. “It hasn’t been particularly easy. You know that guys, right?” He continues as he glances at the empty spot at the bottom of the stairs. They all silenced with a guilty look on their faces aside from the logical side, as he has been the one trying to compose the internal panic Thomas continuously endures within the past year. “Okaaaay! Let’s lighten things up a bit! I’m so glad you guys are here because we are having another Q&A!” Thomas excitedly announces to the three sides present.

"Not to put your siren to sleep but, you can't just repeat an episode, Thomas," Roman interrupted.

"I do concede with Roman's opinion here, Thomas. Haven't we talked about the originality of your videos before? Continuously repeating concepts not only bore viewers but also lessens the probability of their engagement to any or all of your future content," Logan discusses.

"I don't think 'all' would be possible, Logan. But, Thomas, isn't there anything else we could do today, maybe? We have been gone for a while, kiddo, so maybe there's other stuff we could do?" Patton adds.

"Calm down, guys. You're all starting to sound like Virgil. But, let me explain first. We're doing a Q&A because, as you said, it's been a long time since the last video AND even longer since the last Q&A, and so much has changed since then," All the sides present appear to be content with the explanation provided.

"Plus," Thomas adds. "This one has a twist," he says directly to the side to his right. Logan slightly nods in approval but remains skeptical. "And, what might that be?" asked Roman.

"The questions will be provided by each of us," Thomas states with pride seen on his face. Roman and Logan met eye to eye with worry and slight fear in their eyes. "I'm sorry. Can you elaborate more on that, Thomas?" Patton worriedly asks.

"Well, we have to think of a question that we want everyone to answer. For example, I think of a question and each of you has to answer it,"

Now, all three sides share glances with worry seen in their faces. "Why do you all seem worried?" Thomas asks with a nervous chuckle. "Roman has been bothering me with this idea for a few months now, I thought you all would be okay with it," All eyes were on the royal side. "I didn't think of that idea…" He trails off.

Realization falls to the four after a few seconds. "Ahh. I forgot. I'm not your only 'imagine dragon'," Roman confirms their suspicions.

~*~*~

"Which one of us scares you the most?" Thomas asks the four sides present.

They all agreed to the concept Thomas has presented and seem to be convinced that 'playing wouldn't hurt.' They eventually got the anxious side to play as well after a few minutes of convincing(and bribing).

"I used to be scared of Janus' scales before but I'm fine with it now. Hmm... Oh! Remus' tentacles really creep me out," Patton answers and shivers a little with the mention of tentacles.

"I'm offended you're asking me! I AM A PRINCE! I have nothing to fear. And none of you can do actual harm to me as far as I'm concerned," The four give the royal side a 'refuse to take that answer' look. "Fine," he sighs in defeat. "Remus," he says with an unexplainable expression on his face. They all agreed before that they're allowed to not explain their answer if they aren't comfortable with it. So far, until the current question, only the anxious side's answers remained without explanation.

It's now Virgil's turn to answer and they wait for it even though they already seemed to know. "Roman," he stated. All the sides were taken aback but refused to ask him to elaborate. Roman's expression was unexplainable and distracted for the duration of the entire game.

~*~*~

After a few, they were now on the last question, and it was Patton's turn. He suggested that it should be a little personal but not too much, and they were still allowed to refuse to explain their answer. They were all skeptical, so they agreed that if the question Patton thought of was too personal for them, they'll just rethink another question and edit out that section for the final cut of the video.

"Okay, what was your worst romantic gesture?" Patton asked. They all nod to signal that they were all comfortable answering the question.

"Well, I am the romantic side so I don't think I even HAVE a bad romantic gesture..." Roman answers but continues to think of an incident. "Oh. One time, I had a crush on someone and I didn't know how to handle it, so I filled their room with heart-shaped confetti…" Roman answered while rubbing the back of his neck from embarrassment.

Virgil's head shot up to look at the royal side. "That was YOU?" He didn't mean it to be that loud. He immediately covered his mouth with his hand and lowered his head back down, avoiding the others' glances.

Roman blushed and froze in place. He forgot that Virgil was right next to him.

Thomas made a mental note to cut the video from after Roman's answer to before Virgil's answer.

"I left them flowers but I never told them it was from me" Virgil tried to make his answer as vague as possible to prevent any more mishaps. Thomas and the other two sides could almost hear the cogs turning inside Roman's head as they heard Virgil's answer.

~*~*~

After their recording session was finished, the four sides sank down to return to the mind palace. They all rose up in their living room except for Virgil as he is the only one allowed to rise up anywhere directly from the real world. An ability Logan plans to learn about soon when Virgil allows him to. Roman retreats to his room, still processing Virgil's answer earlier. While Patton asks Logan to help him prepare their dinner, he also processes Logan's answer to the last question of their game earlier.

*time skip brought to you by Roman's band references*

Virgil was, no surprise, wide awake in the middle of the night, still reading the little notes written on the "confetti." Apparently, Roman thinks that tons of pieces of paper, three inches in size, are considered confetti. Some of them have lines from song lyrics. Some with lines from poems. While some were just plain feelings. How Roman described Virgil's eyes and how beautiful he looked in his makeup that day in small letters written on the piece of paper (front and back) almost made him melt. And how Roman apologized for how he treated Virgil before made him regret not putting a note or not giving the flowers to Roman personally instead of leaving them on the royal side's bedside table.

*flashback brought to you by my hopeless romantic ass*

Virgil just finished his shoot with Thomas for his "80s-Glam-Virgil" look. At first, he wouldn't stop complaining about why he gets to have a glam look while Logan and Patton got the casual look. Eventually, he let it go cuz' he slowly was starting to like the look. After the shoot, he was so exhausted that he couldn't bring himself to rise up in his room directly so he rose up in the mind palace living room and dragged his limp body to his room.

As he opened his door, pieces of paper flooded a small portion of the hallway in front of his room. He looked inside and saw that his entire room was flooded too. He went inside and snapped his finger to close the door and to get the papers outside back into his room. He was too tired to deal with the suspected "prank" at hand so he snapped his finger once again to gather all of the papers into a giant box to keep in his closet for the time being.

The box remained untouched for months.

*end of flashback*

Roman sat on his bed, staring at the red roses he kept in a vase on his dresser. It was made of red heart-shaped pieces of paper glued together to the shape of a rose. Something about it seemed familiar yet mysterious. Roman could sense it was made with the magic from the imagination, but it wasn’t his. And, it definitely wasn’t Remus’, for obvious reasons. There was a bit of dark but endearing and comfortable aura. Roman laid his back on the bed in defeat. Covering his face with his hands as he blushes and groans at the same time. He tried to get some sleep but couldn’t keep his suspicions off his mind.

His knuckles hover on the purple door for a few moments before fully knocking, knowing the side behind it was also wide awake. He heard some paper shuffling and a sliding door closing after, presumably a closet door. A few moments pass before the door opens just enough for a part of Virgil’s face to peer out. “Please tell me this is as important as something burning on fire or I am slamming this door on your face,”

“Uh… Not really but-” Virgil resumes to close the door only for Roman to grab the door frame at the last second. “Ah, shit!” Roman whisper-shouted.

Virgil returned to his bed, leaving Roman in his current state, not even bothering to close the door anymore. Eventually, Roman let himself in, clutching his hand. He sat down on the beanbag in the corner, glaring at the other, while Virgil stayed on his bed with a blank expression. Virgil, then, gestured to Roman expectantly as if to let him continue what he was going to say.

Roman, then, slowly lowered his hand but continued to glare at Virgil. “Was it me that you gave the flowers to?” Roman asked skeptically. Virgil seems to have lost his confidence and slowly lowered his head, unable to look at Roman. “I'm gonna take that as a yes. You know, you could have easily gotten away with giving me flowers if you told me that you also gave the others flowers, seeing that it was Valentines that day,” Roman, amused, grinned smugly.

“Still not as sappy as your stunt,” Virgil snickered, glancing at his closet door. “Yeah, about that… I’m actually glad you didn’t bring it up anymore cuz’ it was actually a spur in-moment kind of thing,” Roman confessed, averting the other’s gaze. Virgil admitted it was actually kind of sweet and that he hasn’t finished reading each of the notes.

“Sooo…” The anxious side trailed off. The tension was so thick that both of the sides were staring at the floor as if it was a fireworks display. “Sooo…? You like me too…?” Roman started. “I mean, I thought I made that pretty clear when I answered the question about our worst romantic gesture,” Virgil chuckled and blushed as he attempted to catch the other’s eye. “Well, I like you too,” Roman blushed, and the two fell in comfortable silence before Virgil patted the spot beside him to invite Roman to sit with him.

Virgil’s smile fell suddenly as he looked at the taller side next to him and asked “So, what now?” Roman looked back at him with a small smile and gently reached for the other’s hand, “You tell me. I’m down with anything you’re comfortable with,” Virgil laid his head on the other’s shoulder with a sad smile, “Can you just stay here for a while?”

“I can do that, Mr. Darkside,” Roman replied with a quiet voice.

Yeah sorry this has "written at 2 am" vibes. Cuz half of it is. Also I just found out that I don't know how to write dialogue by Patton or from his perspective at least. And I am very proud of the band references my 2 am brain thought of

Also thank you to @thethreeunity for the last-minute comments before my sorry ass posts this without giving it a second thought XD love you lots Trin <3

Bonus:

“What is it with you and your band references today?”

“I was hoping you’d notice,” Roman answered with a chuckle.

[n-anon]

Fallout (Chapter 1)

Disclaimer: I don’t know how long this will be yet in terms of chapters, BUT THIS IS A SEQUEL SERIES. If you’re planning to read this, Please read My multi-chapter series of Ready Aim Fire, this will have spoilers to that! I’m linking it down below just so y’all can do so.

Ready Aim Fire Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5

Okay done? All good? Then lets go.

Description: And as the ashes settle, everyone tries to return to what’s normal....And what’s left.

(TW: mentions of death, burning, and self-blame)

“Its been two weeks. His funerals on Tuesday. Are you coming?” Marvin stared at his hands. Still imagining the fire as it leaked through is fingers, he sighed, staring up at Schneep. “....Yeah. Of course.” Schneep nodded, jotting it down, he then set down the notepad, and grabbed  the cup of coffee, drinking from it eagerly, “Okay. Now talk to me.”  Marvin scowled, “I-I can’t. You know that.” Schneep hummed, “Can’t? Or Won’t? Jackie told me you will hardly speak to him. Hell, you can’t even look JJ in the eye. You did what you needed. It doesn’t make it any easier, yes. But locking yourself up for it in your own little mind prison and not talking is going to make it worse.” Marvin grit his teeth, the urge to just-burst out. Let it all burn.....let it go. He couldn’t. Not now. “Also. Jackie says the police need an account, they want it to go well with the public....That you didn’t mean to burn it down.” Marvin opened his mouth angrily, but Schneep cut him off, “I know you meant to burn it down, we all do. But ze people don’t. They want assurances that as Jackie’s new sidekick you weren’t trying to burn it down. That’s what their calling you by the way.” 

Marvin snorted. He was hardly a sidekick. He was the whole damn show...but the show was a mess. He nodded silently, “Can I go now?” Schneep sighed, then took another sip from his coffee, “Yes. Again, if you ever need to talk....well-You know.” the Magician nodded and with that he stormed out, unintentionally slamming the door as Schneep winced, and turned back to his work. He grabbed his pencil and began working, yet again. Of course, Marvin wasn’t the only one going through something right now...they were all suffering. The pieces were on the floor, and he didn’t know who was going to pick them up. Not without.....Nein. They would make it. It would be hard.....But they had to. His phone rang and he answered. “Dr. Schneeplestein’s office, how can I help you today?” 

JJ stood at the pier, staring at the spot. His fists were clenched, remnants...ashes. That’s all it was now. No heartbeat. Nothing he could do. The blaring yellow of the caution tape surrounding what little was left of them....He was happy. Sad.....All mixtures of emotions he couldn’t express out loud. He thought that when he died...It would return. That he could finally....But that was a dream, a false hope that kept him going. And now? All that was left was just the rubble. He felt the hand on his shoulder and the familiar steps. “Jameson? If you’re not ready we can-” He shook his head, and walked forward, glancing at the crumbled warehouse, “I just want to make sure there are no weird temporal differences...is all. They still found the knife, like you-made....them do. I’m just...worried, call it double checking.” Jackie told him that afternoon, JJ was eager to at least get out of the house, seeing boxes piled up near his door was too much to bare. If he was just stronger-No. They would’ve eventually found out. At least, that’s what he told himself. Jackie motions to the security guards, he had told them that JJ was a private investigator friend, he just wanted to double check, what little the police force knew of Anti-before...this, wasn’t much, but they understood he was dangerous, and could probably kill everyone in town if he wasn’t actually dead. He walked, looking around, what was left of the body of Chase had been removed. He sighed, closing his eyes as tears came up, he couldn’t think of that right now. He had to focus. He reached out for anything. Any sign, looking at his wrists he remembered the connection that was there before everything went wrong. Nothing. Not even a yoink. He turned to Jackie, and shook his head. Jackie seemed to relax, as he patted JJ on the shoulder, and the man left in a daze, he needed to get out. To breathe. Jackie stayed behind to talk to the cops, as he made the long journey home.

Stacy Brody wasn’t sure if she should be relieved or just dying inside, but she cried anyway. Finding out that Chase did none of the things he thought he did, Jackie’s final explanation filled with words of vitriol and persuasion, her mind swam as she tried to wrap her mind around it all, but one thing was clear. Chase had died a hero. And she was going to do what little she could to make sure he had a funeral like one. “Mommy?” She turned to see their-her youngest son, still wearing that hat Chase gave him, he looked so much like-She wiped the tears from her eyes and turned off the sink, “What’s wrong?” She asked, turning to him and pulling on her best smile, “Nothing, honey. Just remembering your dad.” The boys expression grew muted, sad, quiet, “Oh.” She had surmised he would know what was happening soon enough anyway, and what kind of mother would she be if she kept that from them? They deserved to know what happened...what kind of person their dad was, before they started forgetting, anyway. “Is...Are Uncle Jackie and the rest gonna be at the funeral?” Her son asked in a quiet voice, “Of course honey, they’ve assured me they’ll make it.” She knew the kids all loved their adoptive ‘Uncles’ “Now, where’s your sister?” The boy crossed his arms, “She’s still in her room.” Stacy sighed, “Okay. I’ll go talk to her, its time for both of you to get to bed anyway. Its late.” The boy pouted, “But mom-” Stacy walked up and picked him up, he was just 8, and she was tired. “C’mon, help me go get your sister to bed, alright, Grayson? You gotta be strong for mommy. If you go to bed early we can read that story about sharks you love so much.” Her sons eyes lit up and she smiled softly, as he ranted on about sharks, she closed her eyes, we’ll be fine. I think.

‘Oh, so you’re new? Welcome to the group chat! You got a name or nickname you use?’

‘You can just call me Blip for the moment, I usually go by that lol. Sorry to hear about your dad D: that really sucks. If you need someone to talk to, I’m here. We all are, I think. Anyway yeah I know we’ve just met but hey, if you need someone to talk to...’

‘Absolutely! We’ll help you in anyway, if you need anything, we’ll be here for ya Oli.’ 

‘Thanks guys... I might honestly just take a quick break from....everything, ya know?’

‘Understandable, take all the time you need!’

‘Yeah. I think I can figure out how this place works before too long :P’

Oli laughed at the comment, and smiled, she was glad her friends understood that, she let out a hiccup and wiped the tears from her eyes. She just didn’t know what to think right now, Everyone online was saying it was an accident. She wasn’t stupid. She knew Uncle Marvin had something to do with it, and the funeral was the best place to confront him about it, they needed to know the truth, if not for her for Grayson...at least. She sighed as a knock on the door came, and she exited the chat without much of a goodbye, and laid in bed, “Olivia honey, are you awake?” Her mothers voice creeped through, she let out a very fake snore, hoping she’d take the hint as her mother sighed, “Okay...Love you honey.” She heard the door close as she just buried her face in the pillow, and eventually she fell asleep for real, dreaming of fire.

(A/N: THIS IS A LONG BOI. Also sorry for this very sudden, very out of nowhere sequel series, @rogue-of-broken-time’s post about posting fics we never thought we would make really got me thinking, and eventually thinking got me to go like ‘lol what if I wrote a sequel series based in this uni about the aftermath. And yes the sons name is Grayson cuz haha references, and if you get that reference, you get a gold star. Hope you enjoyed, and as for how long this series is gonna be-Uh...No idea lol We’ll see. This is just mostly set-up. If you want to be added to the tag list, as always, send me a DM, comment below, or ask, and I’ll get right on it!)

Tag List: @segernatural @pyranoia @caithesavage777 @vwoop-prince @antis-gauge @heely-um @therealtiger77 @a-bnana @randowaffle @sharkyg @miishae @innocent-angel3  @darcywillfindyou @asexualerror

[grimoire-of-geekery]

Detect Magic: the Sixth World Tarot by Echo Chernik

(pictured here- the deluxe edition [left] and the Arcanist edition of the Sixth World Tarot by Echo Chernik)

Y'know, it's been a long time since I did one of these, but here goes. It's time for another Detect Magic review. I haven't put the Dork Magician hat on for a while, so let's give this a whirl!

Today we're taking a look at the Sixth World Tarot, by Echo and Lazarus Chernik. She has this available on her website (click the above link), which come signed by the artist and the author. I'm a bit bummed, I bought a copy of this deck juuuuust before she started signing them. Not her fault, but still. XD

For those of you unfamiliar with Shadowrun, it's a cyberpunk dystopian magic-and-mech RPG setting and fantasy novel universe which originated in the late 80's. The premise is that magic is growing stronger, the world experienced a big Awakening in the early 2000's, right around the same time that corporations managed to gain extraterritoriality. So, you have dragons running huge megacorps, which basically enslave people to be lifelong wageslaves from birth (or as soon as they can get their hands on a desired talent), immersive VR Matrix hackers, cyberware enhanced fighters and magic practitioners acting as "deniable assets" to said corps for all sorts of shady business.

Hence the name "Shadowrun."

This setting, one of my absolute favorite settings out there, has had the misfortune of developing a sort of eerie prophetic element akin to the Simpsons and its bizarre track record of prediction of ludicrous world events. Shadowrun was intended to be a cautionary tale, not an oracular one. That being said, that does make a tarot based on Shadowrun more than a little on-the-nose for predictive purposes. After all, they're telling the future without even trying. Wait until they actually put some effort into it...

All right, time to Detect Magic!

Accessory- Crit (4 out of 4) Stunning artwork, evocative imagery... this deck is gorgeous. It's so beautiful, and so intricate and well made, that people who don't even read tarot (or even particularly like tarot) buy several copies for their geeky collections, and even people who don't particularly care about Shadowrun have dropped their jaw when I showed the deck to them.

A bit busier than I'm used to working with (not the art, but the extras which I'll explain later), I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved the cards when I first got them. The box for both editions I own are a nice durable gloss with a magnetic foldover closure, there's a ribbon inside each to help pull the cards and book out of the box, and the decorative artwork is gorgeous and fitting with the setting. Definitely aesthetically pleasing enough to take places, and durable enough to resist scuffing or tearing for on-the-go divination and gaming use.

Tome- Crit (4 out of 4) So, the Tome section of this review is supposed to be about how well the cards help one in the pursuit of learning magic and practicing geekomancy. And... really, I don't think I've found a deck (or any artifact of fandom) quite as good as this.

Let me explain.

Tarot, in the sorcery practice I teach, are already basically a pictorial grimoire, describing life in a way that allows us to learn the hidden movements, mysteries, and forces at play in our world. Art is good for things like that in general. It helps you see the world through a special lens, one which allows you to see things you might have missed.

The thing is, the lens of this deck is the Shadowrun continuity, which as I said earlier, has proven to be more than a little prophetic, and alarmingly so.

The magic system of Shadowrun is pretty adjacent to our own. Life force lines, spiritual power sites, astral projection and spirits and magical "energy" forms, initiatory mysteries... it's all pretty much the same as our own reality, just juiced up a bit, with some extra game elements added (don't even ask me about insect spirits).

This makes the deck particularly helpful if one wishes to learn magic in any of the myriad ways described in Shadowrun (and they're particularly respectful and diverse and true-to-life in their tradition descriptions).

BUT, it also has an entire lore-book called the Book of the Lost associated with it, which explains all these little secret sigils and images and easter eggs stored throughout the deck, which can be used for gamebuilding and storytelling, but are designed to be arcane indicators and omens, among other things. And the kinds of symbols they use range from sentences or mottos in dead languages, all the way to waveform patterns and dot-matrix maps. I swear, if you're one of those people who like puzzles and cryptography, this deck is even more fun than the Hermetic Tarot.

In summary, while you'll have to get some Shadowrun sourcebooks to really get deep into the canon lore, there's so much of it that the cards really show you on their own that I don't consider this a setback at all. Feel free to deep-dive with this deck, you'll learn a TON about magic if you let it guide you.

Relic- Success (3 out of 4) If you read the Book of the Lost, or Unearthed Arcana, or any of the 5th edition Shadowrun magic sourcebooks, you'll see that "tarot magic" is an up and coming thing in their canon. Each text helps you see how practitioners use the cards in-game for spellcasting, ritual magic, initiation practices and spirit summoning. The Tarot are already really valuable as central objects of importance to certain kinds of magical practice. This particular deck is designed to be so handy a central object that there's an entire book dedicated to it.

Weapon- Success (3 out of 4) The only reason I'm rating this a success instead of a crit is because they don't provide enough spreads in the various associated books for one to immediately begin casting spells with them, which means you'll have to do some designing. They do have a couple solid unique spreads for basic divination though.

The deck's canon in-game suggests ritual practices like gathering and doing a ritual with sets of related cards, and one such ritual was easily adapted in my own practice, into the Lucky Kimono spread I designed (which people can read about on my Patreon at the higher tiers). So, even without outright including spell-spreads, they sort of gave us clues anyway.

Again, you're going to need the sourcebooks, but it's only a few of them, and they're well worth a read even if you're not planning on playing the game (and I don't play in the actual Shadowrun mechanical system, though I do like the sourcebooks for campaign setting ideas).

Overall Rating: Critical Success (14 out of 16)

Achievement Unlocked: Novahot Echo's artwork is already legendary in the dork realms of geekomancy. She's done work for Dungeons and Dragons, Mage: the Ascension, House of Night... she's even working on a Fate: the Winx Saga playing card deck right now. Her art-nouveau delicacy combined with the powerful non-pandering way she draws women means that her paintings pack a punch!

That being said, it's rare that we see professional artists create a tarot deck of this magnitude as a gaming accessory. Most tarot decks of this caliber are found in professional occult catalogues or as independent projects by artists just wanting to flex their skills for their own reasons. To have a deck like this, clearly a labor of love by all involved, as a major element of gameplay within a franchise is really very special. And something this diverse, deep, and absolutely saturated with layers of ciphers and riddles... it's a geekomancer's dream come true.

Level Up: 2 Levels I think the only way anyone's going to be able to top this deck is if they manage to design a tarot deck that's also a fully immersive VR video game AND an AR game and divination tool useable with one's iPhone or Android. Legit, Echo and Lazarus left everyone in the dust. I haven't been this excited about Shadowrun since Shadowrun Returns first came out, and I got a set of dogtags that had a USB drive with the game on it.

It's just... crazy cool.

Full disclosure, I've had the deluxe edition of these cards for a while now, so I've basically been low-key squeeing about this deck since I first heard about it in 2018, even before I got it. I've been utterly astonished that people weren't more excited about them, and I wasn't hearing about them everywhere.

Before this, I created my own Shadowrun tarot method using the Universal Transparent Tarot (cuz, y'know, plastic and see-through and weird little mosaic readings all in one place, seemed fitting to me), and when I got the Sixth World Tarot? I don't think I've opened the UTT since!

Anyway, this is my review of this deck! Go follow the link up at the top of this post, and buy yourself one! And hey, let me know if you figure out the cool little map trick. My jaw literally dropped when I was shown that!

[starlithan]

I Promise

Part 4

Siren Han/ Reader (Ft. Choi San ATEEZ)

Word Count:3350 words

Warnings: None so far

Summary: I'm not good at it so lets just begin

prev...….next

________________________________

Part 4:

Minho’s POV:

I can't believe this, why, why of all the people I have to be the one who sees these messed up things?, “you sure that was a mermaid?” I asked the person for like the fifth time, the guy was terrified, “yes I swear it had a blue tail and black hair, and red eyes, I don't know the exact way she looked, do you think I'm crazy too?” I sighed again and rubbed my temple, “no sir, for the last time I don't think you're crazy, trust me they very much do exist.. And I'll take your case and investigate don't worry” with that I got up and left the buzzing coffee shop.

A few days ago if someone told me that mermaids existed id likely slap there face, but now *sigh* id believe them, totally not giving another minute of thought, I walk on the pavement the sun setting on me, mind thinking of my next destination, but my mind was now clouded with weird thoughts

What if Y/n is in danger?

What if I made a mistake in judging Han ?

What if he's the one who's behind all the killing and disappearance?

And why in the world was this all hidden?, why did the police not investigate this, my head was spinning and I realized that I had walked all the way to the beach, obviously I cant investigate this, the murder was like a month ago there might be no evidence, I got to head home, the file was in my hand, the cold breeze was blowing through my hair, unlike Y/n she gets relaxed when the cold breeze hits her but not me i get more anxious of what's gonna happen next.

I got home and just stood before the door for a minute. I needed to collect my thoughts before I saw him.

______________________

Han ’s Pov;

She ran away, SHE LITERALLY RAN AWAY…….. I mean I was kind of expecting it but still, I sigh as my hands go on my neck, did i…. Did I perhaps mess..up?, did she not like it?, or was it too soon?.... Come on Han Jisung, how could you not have read the mood? As I was about to swear at myself again, the door opened, I turned to see who it was and saw Minho Hyung standing outside, glaring at me. I swear if human eyes were replaced with laser beams, I would have been dead long ago.

Taking that as a clue to leave, I turn around and slowly walk to the bathroom. “We need to talk,” He said, “gosh I'm dead” I whispered under my breath “not yet” he said and went outside 

ears of a bat .

I followed him outside and we walked for a while, after several minutes of walking Minho Hyung stopped dead in his track, and i did the same, mind filled with endless thoughts of what's gonna happen, he turns around and looks at me, no he stares at me, he gives me a full scan and then opens the file in his hand, and then shoves it in my direction, I take the file and blink a bit.

Why would he give me this?

Putting my thoughts aside, I scan my eyes over it “was it you” he asks, i look up “what?” I ask giving him a full confused look, “wait you cant read” he says and brings his hand forward, but I retreat a bit “I can, we sirens learn how to read and write, for crisis like this” I say “and this file is talking about a mysterious murder at sea by a mermaid, so what do I have to do with it” I ask, He looks at me again, this time with a look of confusion “well your the only mermaid I meat so…. Be honest is it you”

To be honest at that exact moment I wanted to pick up a rock and hit it hard on the nearest jellyfish, but this is not the proper moment to lose it Han  so I sighed instead “I really don’t know why humans compare us with mermaids, “look Hyung mermaids and Sirens are different mermaids are scarier and are more close to a fish and we Sirens look more like humans, and I can tell you this was done by a mermaid because mermaids eat human hearts in hopes to become like them they are highly stupid….if you need my help to crack this case I’ll help” I said moving my hands in many ways possible, he looked at the floor and then went in a deep trail of thought, which trust me was a long wait.

“Okay fine I trust you for now, and yes I need your help tomorrow at 5 pm k” I nodded and we headed back. I hope whoever was the victim did not die in the sea or near it

______________________________

Y/n’s POV:

I was startled, confused, happy many emotions in one and who wouldn’t be after that kiss especially, I look at Darong who was sleeping peacefully while I sat at the chair at the corner of my room mind drifting in my thoughts, in moments like these I wanna take a walk by the sea but I can’t cuz he might be sleeping on the couch which is near the door to be honest I don’t have the guts to even pass by there. God. No 

If Minho found out about this he is gonna kill him. I shook my head, sweet thoughts Y/n sweet thoughts, I mean by now everyone should know that I’m an over thinker. An over thinker of extreme level. I slowly opened the door and peeked outside to see the lights off, which meant it was pretty dark, so I can slowly sneak out and make my way to the beach.

I do exactly that, in the execution of my plan I slowly tiptoe my way to the door and lucky me I make it, now the challenge was opening the door cuz the damn door makes too much noise for mere simple movement, let’s just hope he’s a deep sleeper, I slowly open the door a little and squeeze my way outside, I close the door and sigh in relief and make my way to the beach and sit down in the cold soft sand.

It’s so peaceful, that I never realized it, suddenly I feel a small sting in my right hand I look at it but can’t see anything, must be a muscle pain I sigh and divert my attention back to the sea, the reason why I’m afraid of the sea is sharks lol I think everyone has the same reason. “It’s nice isn't it?” a voice behind me says I turn around to see my brother standing and smiling with a blanket in his hands, he sits down and places the blanket on both of our shoulders.

“Hey” I say softly as he replies back with a smile “nice to see you enjoying the moment” he says and I smile we both sit there silently staring at the endless sea “what really brings you here if it’s me I should tell you I’m perfectly capable of handling myself” I say he laughs and ruffles my hair “I know, I know and no I didn't come here because of you I was posted here” he says and I give my eyes a little squint to indicate that I don’t believe you “what?” He says laughing, I sigh and look at the sea “I don’t know why they would send Korea's greatest detective to a place where crime hardly happens” I say as I hear him sigh “same I don’t even know too but hey isn't it good I’m here we’ll get to spend some quality family time” he says “yeah” I answer silently. 

Then we go back to being silent, after few moments of dead but peaceful silence “if there’s anything that’s bothering you, know that I’m waiting throughout the season” he says and I stop remembering the story of the flower that waited for the Prince through all the seasons, I smile

He remembers 

“And I will always be there for you, waiting through all the seasons” I smile and put my head on his shoulder.

“I’m Glad your here”

____________________________

The next day comes by pretty quickly, as we all get dressed up and sit on the table, barely meeting eyes with Han , but I could make out the blush on his face and I chuckle a little, so I’m not the only one.

“I’m hungry what should we eat” after a whole day of being locked in my room reading, skimping breakfast we all sat down to decide what to eat, after moments of brainstorming I come up with an idea “I know a good chicken place here” I say as both Han  and Minho’s eyes light up, I laugh a little they look like small puppy’s wagging their tails at the sound of treat.

We all got up and headed to get ready and wear our shoes. The sky was clear today, our walk was as silent as the grave itself but none of us complained.

“We’re here” I announced as I hoped in front of the door, nothing makes me more happy than chicken itself, I pushed the door open and made my way in the shop, the shop was quiet not a soul in sight 

Is he not here?

Suddenly a loud thud came from the kitchen and I ran, my first guess was that halmonie fell, my second guess was it was a ghost. As I got to the kitchen San sat on the ground looking at the dishes which were now half broken and half not, “Are you okay?” I said as he looked up at me surprised, I went to his side, “yeah I’m fine, how come your here you should have called me up is everything okay?” He asked as I helped him up, he brushed his knees with his hands, I smiled at the kindness and nodded my head “we came here to have some chicken” I said San placed the last dish in the bin and gave me a questioning look “we?” He asked and glanced behind me to see Han  leaning on the door and my brother looking at the now cleaned floor with awe, “uhhh hello Han  and…..officer Minho?” He said, I turned to my brother as he smiled and waved at San, “you guys know each other?” Me and San said at the same time to each other, I smiled “yeah he’s my brother” I said, “ohhh well we met at the grocery store he helped me drop some heavy boxes to the shop” he said, which pretty much cleared up everything.

The table was filled with chicken and we all sat down including San, “thanks for the food” we all said and San smiled, the chicken was so good, I reached out for another one but my hand touched something I looked up to see Han ’s hand was upon my hand and his eyes were now on me, I silently withdraw my hands, and stare at my plate, Han  picks up the chicken and silently places it in my plate and gets up “Minho Hyung let’s go it’s 5pm”. I stop and for the first after a while I stare at him and then my brother, “where are you guys going?” I asked, Minho got up and placed his chair back “I have something I need his help with, bye San '' he smiled and they left.

“So they look close” San said and to be honest I wanted to laugh at that thought, “you think?” I said as I went back to eating my chicken, San looked up, “what they aren't?” he said but I'll leave him to figure that out

________________________________________

Han ’s POV:

It was now 6, the sun was almost about to set and yet we found nothing, to be honest how could we, the mermaid would have escaped a long time ago, but still we looked around the beach again and again, “I guess that sums up our search, we found nothing” Hyung said and kept on walking at a steady pace, “we still haven't checked out that cave yet” I said and pointed at the cave in front of us, he looked at the cave then back at me, “you sure?” he said and I nodded.

The cave was dimly lit, we looked not to sharply, but found nothing, “let's go home” Hyung said as he sighed, I nodded as we started to head back, when we heard a voice, the voice sounded like someone was struggling, the both of us turned our heads towards the sound, Hyung started to walk towards it when I stopped him “let me” I said as I told him to close his ears as tight as he could, and he gave me a questioning look but did what I said. I opened my mouth and started to sing, a siren's voice can also enchant mermaids/merman's, my words coming out as a sweet command, this was the same song I used to enchant Y/n but it somehow didn't work on her, my voice echoed in the caves, I played with the words and started to slowly walk towards the now quiet struggling sound, and as I thought we found our culprit, a mermaid stuck in a fishnet, her eyes were now yellow gold, hypnotized by my song, with my hand I motioned for Hyung to come, when he came near and saw the mermaid his eyes widened, not at her beauty (cuz they aren't pretty), with that we carried her home still hypnotized.

________________________________

Y/N’S POV:

I came back home tired, but me and San had lots of fun, I walked in and Darong came running but then she stopped and looked at me and then went back “HEY WHO DID YOU EXPECT” I yelled, she must have been expecting Han  for sure the two of them are close now I guess, I rubbed the back of my neck, boy was I tired, I went to my room and placed my bag on the bed and went to the bathroom.

I washed my face and stared at my reflection, black hair coming out of my headband a little, I should take a bath. I thought and went to the bath to fill it up, but what I saw there was unbelievable.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH”

_________________________________

Y/n’s POV:

THERE WAS A FREAKING MERMAID IN MY BATHTUB, I tumbled back about to slip I close my eyes, but that contact with the floor never came I slowly open my eyes to see myself in Han ’s arms, I look up to see wide eyes as if he was in shock, Minho came running “WHAT WHAT!?” he said, as Han  lets go of me and I stand up, clearing my throat I look at the creature now glaring and hissing at us, “why is there a mermaid in my bathtub?” I ask pointing at the creature, and looking at Han , he glances at my brother then at the mermaid “well…..ask your brother” he says turning away, Ask my brother, why I mean why would he…

I turn to my brother, and he gives Han  a panicked look, then scratches his head “well it's complicated but, there was this unsolved case I got and it involved a certain mermaid killing people, so I asked Han  to help me crack it and we found her and so here we are now” he said, his voice getting faint after every word, after that he looks at the ground like I've scolded him for stealing candy or something.

I sigh averting my gaze to the mermaid, “okay fine but .. both of you .. stop looking like kicked dogs” I say as my brother, Han  and I head outside the bathroom i carefully close the door, “*yawn* I'm gonna go sleep then, night” my brother says and runs away after ruffling my hair, I blink sometimes i wonder What exactly is happening in his head?.

I turn to look at Han , he was staring at the door, trying to make sense at what just happened, I smile, he looks more paler today, pale and tired, like the stupid idiot I am without thinking I reach up and touch his forehead, he turns to me, when my eyes meat his, I saw those eyes loosing there color and he was definitely cold, way cold for a normal person, or siren.

“Are you … feeling okay..?” i ask he nods and stares at me, his hand comes up, and cups my face, my freaking breath stops, we just stay like that for a minute, suddenly the color of his eyes change to yellow and then back to his normal eye color, he hisses and places his hand on his head, “Hey! Han , Han ” I panic, he recovers quickly and then gets up and heads out of my room, “Han !” I say, he turns around and smiles, “I'm fine” he says and leaves.

I hope he really is alright.

__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__-__

Han ’s POV:

shit , shit, shit, I tumble my way to the sofa, this is bad this is super bad, my head hurts so freaking much, I breath in through the nose trying to calm myself down, but I cant my ears are buzzing and I'm hearing voices.

Born of sea turns to sea form

Born of land bleeds and turns to sand

But cursed to be a part of the sea, doesn't break easily

Does Not remember anything 

Love can break the biggest spell

Can tame the curliest of beasts

My eyes widen, these are the same voices I heard when I was a siren, back in the sea, I hiss as the pain sharpens, I rush out of the house and to the sea, breathing I try to concentrate on the cool breeze, the pain stops but I can still make out those voices, like a faint whisper, what does that even mean?.

After a minute or two the voices die down too, and I take a sigh of relief, I take out my necklace, the vile, half or less the half of it was filled, but I had made my decision, I can't and I wont hurt her and at that point it hit me, “Gosh love sucks!!” I sigh and ruffle my hair .

_____________________________

Y/n’s POV:

I hear hissing and mumbling, my eyes snap open and I glance at the time 3:00AM, I sigh, whoever it is better shut up, I get up and focus on the voice and it surprisingly lead me to my bathroom, I carefully open the bathroom door to find the mermaid, her eyes were glowing yellow, just like how Han ’s were, she was saying something, I came near her to see what she was mumbling on about,

Finish the job, kill her, Finish the job…..

She kept repeating that on and on, and then suddenly she goes still, eyes back to their original shape, she looked at me and I could make out tears in her eyes she whispered to which I made out “help me” and she repeated that again and again, I came near her and she suddenly  pulled me closer, when I looked in her eyes they were yellow again “seeeeee” she hissed 

Flash's came in front of me, moments, all those horrible memories, I tried to escape from her grip or escape from those moments but I couldn't, the more i tried to pull away the more horrible those memories became.

When she finally let go of my arm I tumbled back, my back hit the wall of the bathroom, cold, that's when I realized I was shaking, tears coming out of my eyes.

“You see?” she said 

“W-what… a-are you t-t-trying to s-show me?” I ask trembling

__________________________________________

[fandomn00blr]

Days 50, 51, and 52

of @the-wip-project’s 100 Days of Writing

50. What fic/story made you?

I’m not sure how to answer this, as I don’t feel entirely ‘made’ yet. lol...and I have a feeling I probably never will. But today, at least, I am at peace with that.

I tend to flit around from story-to-story a lot, but the one that has held my attention for the longest amount of time (and with the highest word count), and definitely absorbed soooooo much of my personal journey in turn, teaching me things about myself and my writing along the way, has been my first fenhanders series (sort of being neglected atm...*grimace*), Lost & Found. The end has been written for a long time, because I’ve always known how I wanted that to go, and I’m still very excited to share it some day. As well as several other important (and less important) parts in between where I left off with posting it on AO3.

51. Do you use tools for plotting and what are they?

I outline a lot...and I have a chaotic system of bookmarks and links in my drafts that tie into those outlines/second/third drafts. I should totally start using one of those fancy story organizers, but I see all the “fill this in” type boxes and I’m like “no.” And then it’s just back to my more comfortable chaos. [Author’s note: After looking up the ‘shopping list’ method in order to answer the next prompt, I’m like, “Oh! That IS what I do!”]

52. Pick an idea and write a short "shopping list" of what will happen in the story.

I haven’t had many opportunities to sit down and write this week, so I’ll do the shopping list for the Castlevania Family Reunion fic that I’ve had to revise/rethink way too many times for just a silly, wish fulfillment, happy epilogue. Spoilers ahead, obviously, so it’s under a cut, just in case I ever get around to finishing it and posting it.

1. 15 years after season 4 ends, Lisa tells Vlad it’s time to see their son (something about her mortality...Vlad’s denial of it becoming a concern, yadda yadda yadda)

2. They get to the Village of Belmont (travel not important?), but it’s more of a bustling town now (Lisa is delighted, Vlad is...less so).

3. They speak with Roda, the tavern owner, who gives them the ‘Welcome to Belmont’ spiel (Lisa happily plays along to get information). Roda is also an excellent judge of character and is sort of checking them out...good-naturedly.

4. While that conversation is going on, some weird things happen that only Vlad notices, and might be easily dismissed as paranoia: a drunk guy stumbles into him, an old man passes by and eyes them both suspiciously (maybe a third thing...IDK...three’s a nice number...)

5. They pretend to go to the Inn (the Belmont Estate), but sneak off toward the castle when they think no one’s watching them.

6. They get to the castle and find the doors are open, but a small mob tries to stop them, including the drunk guy and the old man (see 4.), who claim to have been tracking them down since they crossed the mountains in the west. They manage to get inside and close the front doors on them before too many other people show up.

7. Vlad tells Lisa to go find Alucard while he holds them off at the entrance, promises not to hurt anyone cuz they both know if he does, this whole ‘I’m better now’ thing will be over.

8. Lisa finds Alucard having dinner with his family (Greta, Sypha, Trevor, and little Adrian Danesti Belnades-Belmont, who is now 14, and goes by the name Dani). Did they hear the doors closing? Are they on high alert? Yeah, probs.

9. Lisa has to convince Alucard she is real, and then tells him that his father is out front holding off an angry mob with pitchforks. Greta and Trevor immediately go to help with the mob, while Sypha and Alucard tell a very eager-to-prove-herself Adrian to stay back...Lisa asks the girl if she thinks she could protect her, a helpless old lady (wink wink), and she finally agrees to stay.

10. Trevor and Vlad do some fun banter, while Greta goes out and handles her people, calms most of them down and sends them home before Alucard and Sypha even get there, except for a group of ‘outsiders’ (cultists?) who insist they are harboring the Lord of Darkness and Roda (and her axe) helps deal with them.

Bonus 11. Vlad now has to convince not only his son, but his son’s three spouses and an entire town he’s not going to turn all Dracula on them again. Lisa helps. Lisa and Sypha and Greta get along great. Dani and Grandpa Vlad have some kind of weird special bond that raises eyebrows sometimes (she is a Belmont, after all...sorta), but it goes a long way toward building up trust between everyone.

[johannstutt413]

(requested by mathmaticalknight; continuing from this and this)

“Good morning, my wonderful Croissantwich~” Angelina, who’d already been awake for an hour or so, floated over to her barely-awake girlfriend, cup of coffee in hand. “You have a trade depot shift today, if I remember right, and I’ll be in the reception area if you get a break.”

“Kthxhon...” The Forte sort of stumbled into her, hugging her on impact.

The Vulpo giggled, setting the cup in the air next to her and sending it to the kitchen table to properly return the embrace. “You’re out of it this morning, aren’tcha?”

“Werdreamliznite.” She yawned before flaring her eyes open. “Where’ja put meh coffee again? Thoughcha had it just now.”

“On the table. I ordered breakfast burritos while I was waiting.” Sure enough, there was the bag on the table, along with a cup of coffee apiece.

Croissant sighed with a smile. “Yer too good ta me, Angelface.”

“Maybe~” She stole the good-morning kiss the Forte was still a bit too out of it to go for herself. “Let’s get that coffee in you now, or you’re not going to wake up until lunch.”

“Aye...Hey, Angie?” She asked after a few sips of coffee and half a burrito.

Angelina cocked her head, her cup and burrito changing their orbits to match. “Yeah?”

“Erm, well’m, are ya plannin’ on goin’ ta school fer anythin’?” Another long sip of coffee. “I ‘unno if ya had any plans fer yerself, or if’n there’re schools for Infected folks.”

“Honestly, I don’t really need a degree to work for RI, so I don’t think I’m going anywhere.” What an out-of-nowhere question.

The Forte sighed. “Good. Thanks for breakfast.”

“Of course, but where’d that come from?” The Vulpo floated a second burrito out of the bag. “I’ve never said anything about school before.”

“I ‘unno, just came up in mah dream last night. Some’in about you goin’ off ta school and meetin’ some’n there and not comin’ back.”

Angie finished her coffee, giving herself a moment to absorb that. “You...you really think I’m capable of that?”

“Eh?” Croissant shrugged. “I’ve seen it ‘appen, but I know ya love me. Just answerin’ yer quest’n more’n anythin’.”

“Alright. If you ever have any doubt, just let me know, ‘kay? I wouldn’t want you getting confused.”

Croissant smiled. “Ya already do that just by bein’ so gosh darn cute.”

“More confused, then,” she chuckled, shaking her head. “Anything else you need to get off your chest before we head out?”

“Nah, I’m good now. Anythin’ on yer end?” The Forte asked, going to finish her coffee.

 Actually, now that she mentioned it, there was one thing. “How soon’s too soon to get married?”

“Pfffff-” Luke-warm coffee showered the table. “Sorry ‘bout that, but...dang, ya really went there this mornin’.”

“Sorry, I just...I dunno, I just don’t want there to be a question, ya know?”

The Forte shook her head. “Never was ‘n fer me, but I tell ya what, now there ain’t never gonna be. Holy shit, I wasn’ prep’red fer that’n just now. I mean, when the time comes, I ain’t gonna say no, but...I don’t think I’d look good’n white.”

“That’s fine; I was thinking you could wear the tux, honestly.” That earned the Vulpo a smirk. “What?”

“I just had an image of both of us in matchin’ tuxes, and I gotta say, yer still wearin’ it better.”

Angie leaned forward. “I guess it’s a matter of perspective, then.”

“Uh-huh.” Croissant’s eyes followed the gravity well that was her girlfriend’s chest. “Just sayin’, yer tie’d look more like a waterfall than anythin’. Kinda gets a girl thinkin’, ya know?”

“...Now that you mention it, I see what you mean. Huh. Alright, we’ve gotta quit stalling, or neither of us is ever going to work. I’ll see you tonight, babe.”

She nodded. “Sure as sunshine, ya will.” And with that, they escorted each other to the door, shared one last kiss to start the day on the right foot, and went their seperate ways.

‘She’s really that serious, ain’t she?’ The Forte thought as she meandered to the trading post. ‘Ak’shly, thinkin’ bout it, I don’t want her to hafta go ‘tween her room and mine ‘fore work e’ry day, and if she’s not goin’ anywhere, then now’s as good as ever...Alright. I’m gonna do it. There’s prob’ly a couple rings in the Ware’ouse in mah price range.’

Around lunch time, Angelina stopped by the trading post to see Croissant, but she wasn’t there; Bison said she’d gone out and would probably be back before her lunch ended, but by then, the Vulpo would be back anyway, so she asked him to let her know she’d come by looking for her. Not too long after, the Forte came back with a smile on her face, hand dancing in one of her pockets, and took the message with a simple nod. Bison was curious what’d made her break her usual routine of eating with her girlfriend, but he decided to leave it be. If it was anything relevant, he’d hear about it the next day, one way or the other.

Once her shift ended, Croissant went off to the reception area and found Angie and Gitano knee-deep in gossip. “Afternoon, girls,” she declared as she entered, tipping an invisible cowboy hat towards the fortune-teller.

“Oh, hey!” The Vulpo drifted over to her, briefly making contact before starting to orbit her. “I missed you at lunch today.”

“Yeah, sorry ‘bout that. Had an errand I needed ta run. Speakin’a which, ya might wanna be on yer feet for this’un.”

Angelina cocked her head. “Alright.” She grounded herself as requested.

“Ya remember that conv’sation we ‘ad this mornin’?” The Forte kneeled. “Well I got ta thinkin’ a bit more ‘bout it.”

“Oh my God,” the Vulpo unconsciously whispered as Gitano smiled, remembering the telling she’d just performed for her.

She cleared her throat. “Look, I ain’t the most el’quent talker, so I’m gonna keep it nice and simple. You ain’t goin’ anywhere, and I’m always gonna come back from my drives, but even if’n that changes, home for me’s wherever yer at. I reckon if we’re gonna tie this knot, now’s as good a time as any after all, so um...Will ya marry me, Angelface?”

“FUCK YES!” That was the first time Croissant had heard her curse with that kind of enthusiasm, but that wasn’t nearly as important as the ‘yes’ part. “You sorted this all out during lunch?”

“My job’s just liftin’ boxes and makin’ deals; I can do that in mah sleep. Gave me plen’y of time ta think, but it really only took the walk ta the post to know I was gonna propose today.”

Angie halfway collapsed into her arms. “I’m...I think I’m gonna faint. Carry me back?”

“‘Course. You’re as a light as a-” The gravity manipulation turned off as she fell unconscious. “...She sleepin’?”

“I believe so, yes,” Gitano confirmed.

Croissant chuckled. “Good, cuz if she knew I nearly fell over just now, I think she might try ta float me to the moon or some’n. Have a good’un Miss Gitano.”

“You as well, Miss Croissant.” The Caprinae relaxed in her chair, a couple hours left to go in her shift. “It’s rather wonderful to be surprised like that...I wonder if Dur-nar will try something like that with me?”

[tammyhybrid21]

Do you think that in the Tadeo Jones universe, some people (average or rich people) think living mummies aren't persons but some creatures they can capture and claim as their own 'cuz they have no rights? (as mentioned by Tad in Movie 2) Kind of like the Apex's view of denizens in IT. I think this could be adressed in Tad 3. But I'll be sad because Mummy is going to find the hard way that for powerful people, his feelings and opinions doesn't matter (Twice, if we count the Spanish conquista)

Ohhhh man!

I have been-- stewing over how best to answer this since I saw it yesterday, because part of me has IDEAS-- the other part has a rant that has kind of been building for a while in general when you just examine the movies and the setting and even the actual community represented in reality(that being Archaeologists not-- well)

And LOOK-- I have TEA!

Frustrated, frustrated tea regarding other aspects of how this all could play out that basically boils down to the one major issue that a lot of those groups has is the issue of "But WE all know!" and the we've boxed this in already.

Which-- Debatably, Tad isn't the only one with some issues... But Sara has-- at least insofar as her reactions to Mummy in movie 2, come to terms past her more nebulous in concept repeated line.

"Mummies can't be alive, it's a contradiction in terms" 

Which-- actually might be an issue that's just on the question of the life/death binary more than it is actually a question of whether someone is human/a person or not. And we ALL know she's definitely got Major Respect over Tad--

Like, I will write a proper analysis over their "Mummy gives advice/pep talk" scenes later-- but--

Sara doesn't just take it and run how Tadeo does-- and she doesn't get hyped about it either. It's soft and subtle and just ARGH--

--

Which, okay beside the point, but I have-- so much on this idea of how people view Mummy-- Because let's for a moment consider what Tad actually says-- in answer to Mummy's "What is with you?" and I want to also talk on what people tend to associate with and call monsters... and how... that might also factor into this whole mess.

"Listen you're a mummy, you scare people. In my world you're a zombie!"

Which-- okay, on the surface this is just an on the nose point about how well, Mummy is undead. Ahahah, the living dead and I suppose living mummies are their own form of zombie-- although really it's more like they're cousins as zombies are usually more... in process of decay while mummies are preserved/petrified... Buuuut in any case... not the point here really.

But rather...

Let's talk about how "Monster Movies" come in here. And what zombies tend to be synonymous with nowadays. You know-- for the most part. Mindless, brainless, sometimes killers though not always-- But ultimately-- Does... anyone actually watch zombie shows for in-depth exploration of zombies ever anymore? Aside a few exceptions, and same in games-- Zombies are relegated to just brainless/mindless monsters.

Which--

On the other side of that-- monsters.

Tad never quite uses that word but--

"First, you're not human"

Mummies-- are monsters. In stories and fiction. Used to scare, used to awe, used to add scenery dressing, spooky, freaky, creepy-- and when they're not-- well it's rare. But if they're not the villains, they're not "human". Which think about that for a moment, in all the monster stories we have but a few where the monsters aren't outright put in that position.

But a monster is usually in a story put into one role and box. And if they're not outright there just to be spooky, or the whole new misunderstood monster trope-- which well, that's a whole other thing. But we all know the usual "monster shtick".

Violent, scary, simple, dumb, driven by base impulses, nonhuman, Very, very often as lesser, other, and something to be feared/hunted/destroyed.

And while modern day does move away from that--

ISSUES still prevail.

And I have-- just got to aside here, but like, thinking on this but-- the Phone Mummy sign outside of Tad's window as a child has some... other weird things. Because as a wild aside, my dumb brain has decided to A - B link this with a series I watched on television from 2005-2007

Because of THIS stupid Mummy Scam Artist character. And it's dumb, has nothing to do with the issue of mummies(and other potential beings and creatures of myth and legend) having less rights. But this whole phone billboard-- with the Mummy, it's legit right up this character's kind of scam alley and I may or may not one day just rewatch his two villain episodes to get his personality clear in my head JUST to do a dumb crossover.(And for nostalgia, but that's not news)

BUT--

Advertising does tell us some things already. In how people possibly think and could respond/react.

Yet still-- there is something more I think that we're missing in this conversation on how people will potentially treat the discovery of a living mummy. Or really any supernatural being. If not with fear(which look-- fear the unknown, fear different, fear of monsters), arguably those who're intrigued, interested could be far, far worse.

Also-- I just have, much tea on other responses for even those who might briefly "respect" him. Because look-- Mummy would be a priceless artefact in a way, treasure and discovery all on his own-- BUT also a new potential source of information of a culture that for the most part has been lost and erased by history.

People could and would ask questions.

Whiiich is where I have doubts about how they will accept the answers to those questions. Because here's the thing, for all the Archaeology community loves to act as if they let discoveries speak for themselves, and even I suppose historians-- There are just-- so many times I watch and listen to documentaries and get SO FRUSTRATED-- because they're stubborn IDIOTS, who actually refuse to take in the evidence in front of them of any truths outside of what they're SO SURE has to be the TRUTH!

For those who speak of learning all about history and it's secrets, they're so damn high and mighty to reject anything that doesn't immediately fit with already established "facts". It must be an anomaly, aliens, can't be what we're actually seeing right--

And well even people today interacting-- Like-- I've seen people try to correct someone on the pronunciation of their own name before.

So I am almost certain there would be at least one idiot who'd be all high and mighty and just-- Mummy has LIVED it. It's his culture he grew up in and some idiot speaking over him saying his lying, which I just-- I am certain would happen(but probably not in canon because who would DARE?!)-- Just "EXCUSE ME?!"

Which is it's own kind of disrespect and hell, crash Tad's pillars again. Yes please!

Which... on that account--

I kiiiind of want to talk about how Tad needs a smack on this... and that wake up to the truths of the high and mighty and bloody prideful issues of the community. BUT more than that-- I actually want to think about that point you made about how Mummy's supposed transformation in movie 3 comes across and the further themes of this question of humanity and rights is in regards to this whole issue.

Because yeah, there's the issue, front and CENTER.

The question/implication of this resembling Ammut, and implied loss of humanity. Along with the fact that Tad's the likely TRUE CENTER of the curse-- since he's the idiot who opened the sarcophagus in the first place...

WHICH CAN I JUST SAY--

There's a very good possibility in regards to that issue-- potentially having to do with some of Tad's more... subtle issues. Or even the ones that are close to the surface and yet not. I've screamed already on Tadeo's Internalized Ableism... along with some small nods to Mummy's own less severe cast with that but-- This is directly playing into that image of monsters and nonhumanity--

And I could probably add an additional few pages of speculation onto this but--

I actually am... also worried for the pets. If only because uhhh, have you seen the original two Tadeo Jones shorts from before it become movies? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XxhNMbpE2A & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoJBzI2AUOw

I mean not assuming anything, but I can definitely believe they wouldn't be above having that threat present at the least.(I mean just that second one... with what I guess is concept-Jeff) Even if Mummy is most definitely going to be the one at the MOST RISK. But with that-- comes the question of humanity.

And while yeah-- I do imagine, all too easily there will be many people more focused on the discovery-- I think there's an interesting mess that Tadeo is going to be FORCED to confront with this-- in how he has that displaced view.

Because here's the weird thing.

I've kind of mentioned it before but not really expanded or explained very clearly-- but for all of Tad's issues... he cares about Mummy probably more than he even really realizes. It's in small to big things as well. Again-- for all his trash behaviour in movie 2, I do think a lot of it is very, very misplaced attempts at some form of protection...

Which I also really want to at some point make a post that's just...

"Tad's I'm Helping moments and how they made things worse for everyone"

But that's for later... For now...

I kind of want to grab a few things.

"You're already dead, RUN!"

I also actually counted how quickly he ran back to Mummy for this moment, and it's LITERALLY two seconds, from when Mummy collapses to Tadeo's check on him. Also I'd like to mention with this-- he's supposedly tunnel visioning on Sara(and he ruins it within the next scene pretty quickly)

...

And for all they're kind of dumb decisions.

DEBATABLY-- when he's trying to hide Mummy.

"Hide"

Ugh-- BUT Tadeo has a very... complicated issue here really. Because yes-- Tad very much has that nonhuman issue, but he CARES. And then-- there's how the whole Ammut thing feels set and the symbolic meaning there(ALSO INTERESTING SARA SEEMINGLY ISN'T CAUGHT BY THAT). But here's the thing--

With Ammut kiiind of come those scales and the feather.

It's not like that mythology isn't unknown-- but more to the point-- it feels kind of like force Tad to confront his mixed up view. On Mummy's humanity or lack of-- But really as the audience Mummy feels the most human at this point in time-- whiiich we can get into a debate on what even is human nature later-- but--

I am kind of hoping that we get a callout of a number of things regarding Tad's behaviour.

With some primary focus on this dynamic between him and Mummy and really seeing how he responds to that idea that Mummy is nonhuman to really be thrown into full view and scope. And listen...

You cannot cheat the scales.

...

As an aside generally, if he is turning into a form or version of Ammut even if initially the community is a danger because he's a living mummy that creates a whole other issue of how he'd be viewed as a danger due to the role that's possibly growing more and more of an instinct.

But yeah... I will probably now make a more formulated rant on this later, or like, minor expansions on the topic but-- yeah.

I have been CHEWING on these thoughts, ideas and concepts for a while.

With additional tea. Because when people think they know something too often they refuse to see differently.

(Also at some point I am going to make a personal rant on duality verses binary due to insistent terminology issues I have but ugh)

[hockeytrashgoblin]

Camping Prt 3 - AustonxAshley

A/N: I posted this on the wrong fucking tumblr because I’m an idiot but here you go yall. sorry for not posting for a while, life is kicking my ass.

The alarm went off at 7:30. I turned it off with a groan going over to open the curtain to let light in. Auston as per usual was still sleeping. I took a few minutes to shower and get ready for the day. After I was completely finished getting ready I went over to Marly’s room to wake her up only to find her sitting up awake already.

“Hi darling whatcha doin?”

“I was waiting for someone to wake up. I’m very excited.”

“How long have you been up?”

“Since the big hand was at the 5.”

“Silly girl you’re going to be sleepy today once we get there and start setting up camp.”

“No I won’t I promise mommy!”

“Okay Marly, we’ll see. How about we get ready to go and then we can go wake up daddy?”

“Okay!” I helped her get dressed in some cute flower shorts and a bluejays t-shirt. I put her light brown hair up in two french braids and helped her tie on her hiking boots.

“Look at my happy little camper! You looks so cute Marzbar.”

“Thank you Mommy. Can we go wake up Daddy now?”

“Of course what are we waiting for?” we tiptoed down the hall together, Marly giggling the whole way there, and once we got to my room we turned on the light and started jumping on him and the bed yelling.

“Daddydaddydaddydaddy waaaaake up!!!!” Marly yelled shaking him as hard as her little 3 year old body could manage.

“Marlyyyyy get off.”

“Aus, be nice. She’s very excited. Get out of bed. Get in the shower.”

“Yeah!” Marly yelled making Auston laugh.

“You think that’s what I should do huh?”

“Yes. Mommy’s the boss.”

“You’re right as ever. She is the boss.” he let out a very over dramatic sigh. “I guuuuess I’ll get up and get ready to go. You go get some snacks to bring in the car okay?”

“Okay!” She ran out of the room.

“She looks so damn cute.” he said after she left.

“I knooooow! Auston I’m so excited come on so we can get going I actually can’t wait!” I say to him very quickly and mumbled together.

“Now you look so damn cute. All excited and happy to share your favourite thing with me and Marly.” he said brushing a piece of hair out of my face before kissing me softy. I push him away though.

“I love you but GO. GET. READY.” I crawled over behind him and started pushing him up. He groaned but got up anyway. I smacked his butt of course, as I do. “Go team.” I winked running out of the room to go find Marly.

“Mommy do I have to have only healthy snacks?”

“It’s morning time darling, I would prefer it. We’ll be there before lunch time.”

“Okay.” I go through all my lists to make sure we’ve got everything. “Mommy is applesauce a car snack?”

“Not with Daddy in the car it’s not.”

“Excuse me?” Auston asked from the kitchen door.

“What?” I asked pretending to be oblivious as he boxed me in against the counter with his arms.

“Did I just hear you say that Marly eats applesauce in the car when I’m not there with you?”

“Um no you probably did not hear that at all.”

“You’re both lucky I love you so much.” he leans back and grabs his keys from the hook. “Are we ready to go?”

“I’m good to go what about you guys?” they both nodded to me. “Marly go to the bathroom.”

“Uuugh mommy I don’t have to let’s just goooo!”

“Marly Marie-Paul stop whining. Go to the bathroom right now quick before we leave.” Auston said and she just sighed and left, she wasn’t going to fight with Auston. A few minutes later Marly is strapped in and we are on the road listening to my celtic thunder inspirational cd full blast. Marly and I were singing loudly together while Auston just smiled at us. From the ground up came on a little while later after Marly was taking a nap. I took Auston’s hand and held it up to my face and kissed it while I sang the song looking at him.

“I love you so so much Auston. More and more everyday. You don’t even understand.”

“I love you too baby. Someday we’ll be just like that pretty song. We’ve already got a head start. A beautiful baby looks just like you.” 

“Stooop.” I said smiling big and blushing at him.

“Cutiepie.” he kissed my hand this time. “Can we listen to something else now?”

“Yeah sure.”

“I think you’re playlists are all on my spotify if you want to pick something from there.” 

“Why are all my playlists on there?” I ask scrunching my face in confusion looking through them all.

“I like to listen to your music while I’m away. It feels like you and Marly are there with me singing and dancing in the other room like at home.”

“Aus, that might be the most precious thing I’ve ever heard in my life. You make my heart so happy.”

“Good I’m glad. You do that to me too you know. Make my heart all happy.”

“Can I put on the 80’s playlist?”

“Of course cutie.” we listened to it for a while until Billie Jean came on and Marly woke up.

“I knew I heard Billie Jean!”

“Good morning sleeping beauty.” Auston said chuckling at his daughter. Marly and I both sang along to more of the songs until Wham came on and Marly squealed in her seat kicking her little feet.

“I loooove this one!” 

“I know you do baby.”

“Miss Marly if there are little footprints on the back of my seat I’m not going to be very happy.”

“Would you believe that Uncle Mitch made them?”

“No.”

“Okay.” I saw out of the corner of my eye her quickly brush them off his seat. “Mommy will you turn it up?”

“Of course darling.” I cranked it, getting an annoyed look from Auston but that look look quickly disappeared and turned into a smile when he heard Marly start singing.

“You put the boom boom into my heart!” She sings at the top of her lungs. “Wake me up before you go-go, cuz I’m not planning on going solo.” I joined her for that part and we sang loudly to the rest of the song with Auston looking at us fondly. He eventually started singing along with us at the end. I always loved it when Auston just let go and had fun and sang along with us. It made me the happiest because it meant he was relaxed and not stressing.

“Okayokayokay who’s ready for some Don’t Stop Believing?”

“ME!!!!” Marly squealed again.

“Aus?”

“Oh you best believe I’m ready.” he said shaking his head laughing.

We all had a lot of fun singing loudly with the windows down driving down the road. Marly was doing air instruments in the back which made us laugh.

“Okay Marly we’re getting pretty close.”

“Yay!!!”

“We have to look out though. There are santa signs. You gotta watch for them and let us know when you see them okay?”

“Okay I can do it!”

“Can we listen to the b-52’s before we get there?” Auston asked quietly.

“Of course baby.” I put on love shack and Aus started singing along in funny voices making Marly laugh so hard I thought she was gonna pee her pants. I took a little video of it because it made my day and I wanted to remember it. When rock lobster came on though then I was having a lot of fun doing a little dance in my seat.

“What in the world are you doing Ash?”

“It’s a dance I learned in scouts.”

“Can we listen to THE song?” Marly asked with a giggle.

“What is THE song?” Auston asked raising an eyebrow.

“We sure can Marly. Daddy will love it.” I put on living on a prayer and Auston just stared at me.

“Oh my goooood.” he groaned making Marly laugh. “Ash I swear to god..”

“Too bad uncle Mitch isn’t here huh Daddy?” Marly said reaching to pat his arm with her little hand.

“Be quiet, you rugrat.” he said laughing with her. “Will I ever be able to get away from this song?”

“Nope.”

“Hey! Are you recording this?”

“Maaaaaybe.”

“Fuck it whatever.”he said and Marly yelled “Bad word Daddy!” but Auston just sang over her making her quickly forget about it.

“Mommy we can’t let him sing by himself!” and with that I turned the camera so that all of us could be seen and we all sang loudly.

“We love yoooou.” I said to Auston after the song was done.

“Yeah well lucky for you two  I love you more than anything.”

“Mommy I just saw a santa sign!!!”

“Oooh we’re getting close! Are you excited Marly?!”

“Yes yes yes!!! I can’t wait!” she clapped her hands being an absolute cutie looking out the window. The car was quiet again until she started yelling the words of bohemian rhapsody. “Thunderbolts and lightning very very frightening! LET ME GOOOOO MAMA MIA MAMA MIA. FOR ME FOR FOR MEEEEEEEEEEEE!” 

“Oh my good god!” I exclaimed laughing so hard I was crying.

“She’s so you’re kid.” Auston said laughing too.

“Marly I love you so much.”

“I love you too Mommy.”

“Oh baby look at the houses!”

“They’re chistmas houses!!”

“We’re on the road that gets us right to the campsite!”

“YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!”

“Aus stop up here so we can get signed in and stuff okay?”

“Alright sure.” he pulls up and I get unbuckled. 

“Can I come in?”

“Of course hun. Auston will you come too? I can’t carry the firewood back to the car.”

“Yeah for sure babe.” I got out and went around to get Marly out of her seat. I kept her up on my hip while he went into the main office. We got checked in relatively quickly and the girl gave me a map to show where to go to get to the campsite. She kept eyeing Auston but I didn’t really care, lots of people eyed my boyfriend all the time. He was Auston Matthews, it was to be expected. We got firewood and listened to the rules before we left and got back in the car and drive through the camp to our site. We were relatively out of the way which he liked and had wanted. 

“Okay guys, welcome to your first camping experience! This is going to be our home for the next few days.”

“Wow! This is so pretty Mommy!”

“I know! This is the same campsite I stayed at when I came when I was 6.”

“Wooooooah! That’s so neat!”

“Yeah we’re close to bathroom’s, showers, the pool, there’s a big field right over there, and a playground not too far away. It’s great!”

“That sounds perfect Ash.” Auston said smiling at me as he started unloading the car. “What do we need out right now?”

“Um the tent first. And the ropes and stuff.”

“Okay sure.” I took out the tarp and laid it on the ground.

“What are you doing mommy?”

“I don’t want the tent to get a hole in it so I’m gonna spread this tarp so if there’s any sticks it won’t ruin our stuff.”

“Can I help?”

“Of course! Here take a corner.” we got it all spread out and I got the tent unrolled on the tarp. Marly was excited and having a good time and when I looked up to see how Auston was liking it he was leaning on the car on his phone. Marly noticed me looking at him and got sad.

“Why doesn’t daddy want to help us? He’s just on his phone..” she asked pouting.

“I don’t know Marzbar. Let me go talk to him.”

“Okay..” she was sitting on the tarp looking kinda bummed out.

“Hey what’s up babe?” he asked as I got closer.

“What’s up with you? Why won’t you come help us?”

“What?”

“Marly is bummed out and sad because you won’t come help us. That you’re too busy on the phone to spend time with us. What’s so important right now?” I asked crossing my arms.

“I was just texting the guys..”

“Aus come on. What is the problem?”

“I just-” he let out a big sigh. “I just don’t know how to do any of this. I feel useless and I don’t know how to help. I’m not helping because I don’t know what to do and it feels weird for once to be the one who isn’t 100% sure of what’s going on.”

“Auston that’s crazy.” I pulled him in for a hug. “We’re here so that you can learn. Of course you don’t know how, I’m going to teach you. No one is here to laugh at you or make you feel bad. We want to all have fun together as a family without distractions.”

“And by distractions you mean phone right?”

“The boys can last a week without being in constant contact babe. As a matter of fact I want to do something. Gimme your phone.”

“What?!”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“Yeah I guess.” he hands it over and I send out a big group message telling the boys Auston is not going to be able to be reached for the next 7 days. I changed the setting to airplane and I changed his passcode.

“Here you go. A very expensive clock/camera.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. I want you to be in this moment with us. It’s important to me that you’re present and not missing out on this.”

“If it’s important to you okay. I’ll do it. Now how can I help?” we smiled at each other and I dragged him over to Marly who got a big smile on her face and came to hug him. 

“Alright guys let’s start with the poles first. Just grab them and click them in. Be careful not to pinch your fingers Marly.” I showed them how to do it and we all did it fairly easily. Once we were done Marly lifted hers over her head and started hitting Auston making lightsaber noises. “She’s so your kid.” I say chuckling. “Okay now for the slightly harder part. We have to put the poles in the sleeves. Aus help Marly with hers.” we got the poles in and I tied the top while they clipped the sides. We hooked one of the poles in and Auston had to do a lot of helping to get the other one in but once we did, our tents main room was standing. We did a similar process to the entrance way. Once we we were done that Marly went around and hammered in the pegs to hold the tent down while I took pictures of her with my camera. Once that was done we had to put the tarp on the top of the tent.

“Why do we have to do this mommy?”

“So that if it rains we don’t get wet while we’re sleeping.”

“Oooh that makes sense.”

“I’m glad you think so.” we struggled with that part the most and after about 20 minutes, a lot of laughter, and one bathroom break for Marly we were done setting up the tent.

“Mommy can I play?”

“Of course Marly. Come here first though so I can put bug spray on you okay?”

“I guess. But I don’t like the smell.”

“I know it’s not very nice but it’ll help keep the bugs away from you so you aren’t itchy.”

“Alright.”

“Cover your face with your hands and spin around for me.” she did as she was told and I sprayed her down with the bug spray. “Okay if you go into the car your backpack is in there and there are toys in there for you.” with that I sent her off. She took her bag from the car then went and sat under a tree with some of her Barbies. “Auston do you want to learn a knot so we can hang this clothesline?” 

“Um sure but why do we need a clothesline?”

“For our towels and bathing suits silly. We don’t have a dryer here.”

“That’s fair enough. Teach me your ways babe.”

“Okay so this is a Siberian hitch. We’re gonna tie this at one end and a variation of a slipknot on the other tree over there.” I taught him how to do the knots. He wasn’t very good at it but with a few rounds of practice and lots of reassurance and support he got it and we got the clothesline up and secure. “Good job baby.” 

“Why thank you. I have a good teacher.” I gave him a kiss and we went back to the car to start unloading other gear

“Marly come here sweetpea!” I called from inside the tent.

“I’m coming!!” she ran over to the tent door.

“Okay so tent rule number one: Take off your shoes miss missy.”

“Ugh but we’re OUTSIDE!” She said whining a little bit.

“Hey now. We might be outside but we’re sleeping in here. Do you want to sleep on mud?”

“No I guess not..” she sat down on the tarp that was poking out and took her shoes off before crawling in and sitting in front of me. “Now what?”

“Tent rule number two: No food in the tent. We do not want raccoons or skunks in our tent got it?”

“Got it.”

“Tent rule number three: No fire lantern inside.”

“Okay.”

“In fact campsite rule: Marly’s are not allowed to play with the fire things.”

“Boooo.” she crossed her arms.

“Hey no boo listen to your mother.” Auston said opening the tent zipper. He came in and left the door wide open.

“Tent rule number four: Do not leave the door open. Close it as soon as you get in. We want no mosquitos in our tent while we sleep. We will wake up very very itchy.”

“Okay Ash this seems like a lot of rules.”

“Auston you’re gonna be hatin it if you don’t listen.”

“Uuugh fiiiiine.” he said rolling his head back as Marly went to go sit on his lap. “We’ll listen to mommy won’t we Marzbar?”

“I suppoooose.” she said leaning her head back too.

“You guys are nuts.” I said rolling my eyes laughing at them. “Okay Marly what side of the tent belongs to you?”

“I get to choose?”

“Yup which side do you want?” she gets up and walks around the tent one arm crossed and the other tapping her chin with one finger while she looked for the best side.

“I want this one. There’s a pocket for my light and my dolls.” she said touching the pocket.

“Okay baby you can have that side. Do you want to set up your side?”

“Yeah!” 

“Aus can you go get the mattresses and the air pump? I don’t know where you packed them.”

“Yeah for sure babe.”

“Oh and the Extension cord!” I called out the tent.

“Will do. I’ll plug it in too.”

“You wanna hear a funny story Marly?”

“Sure Mommy.”

“Okay so the first time I came here to camp I was six years old and Aunt Amy was four. It was our first time camping so we were a little unprepared. Grandma and Grandpa bought me and Aunt Amy pool floaties to sleep on instead of air mattresses because we couldn’t afford them. So we had little pool toys to sleep on. We had to go over and blow them up over by the bathroom too. So every night we went marching like little ants with these things balancing on our heads so it wouldn’t drag on the ground.”

“How come Uncle Josh didn’t go?”

“He wasn’t born yet baby.”

“Oooh gotcha.” 

“Okay here’s all the stuff Ash.”

“Thanks bean. Let’s set stuff up shall we Marzbar?”

“We shall.”

“And what will I do?” Auston asked.

“Sit there and look pretty.” I said sticking my tongue out at him.

“Hmm not so easy since you two are the pretty ones but I guess I could try.”

“You’re a goof.” I say throwing his pillow at him laughing.

Marly and I finally got the air mattresses blown up. It was made harder by Auston being a nuisance. He kept unplugging the pump and blowing the air into Marly’s face as well as laying on them before I got the plug in.

“Daddy stoooop!” “AUSTON!” me and Marly yelled at the same time as he did it to us again. He was dying of laughter but we were not having as good of a time.

“I’m sorry guys I’m just having fun.”

“It’s okay Daddy it’s not your fault you’re annoying.” I died. Me and Auston were both laughing so hard at that comment.

“And who’s fault is it babygirl?”

“Uncle Mitch.”

“I believe that 100%.” I said still giggling. We got all our stuff figured out and our beds setup. “Do you guys want to go swimming?”

“Yeah yeah yeah!!” Marly exclaimed.

“Shouldn’t we eat first it’s getting close to lunch time..” Auston said looking at his phone.

“Marz, you hungry?”

“Nope.”

“Then nope.”

“Wait but-what?” Auston asked all confused.

“Don’t worry about what time it actually is. We eat when we’re hungry, we sleep when we’re sleepy. That’s how camping works. The only time we need to know the time is for Santa’s village and campsite activities.”

“So we’re following no schedule?”

“Absolutely none whatsoever.” I say giving him a kiss. I helped Marly get changed then went into my sleeping bag to get changed.

“Ash what in the world are you doing?”

“Changing.”

“We could leave.”

“It’s fine.”

“There’s literally a bathroom not 40 feet away from us.”

“I know.”

“You can’t get changed completely under a bag.”

“Yes I can. You’d be surprised what I can do in a sleeping bag.”

“You’re ridiculous. Completely and utterly ridiculous. But I love you to pieces.”

“Love yooou.” I got out of the sleeping bag fully changed. “Let’s go Marly so Daddy can get changed too.”

“Okay Mommy.” we exit the tent and she started walking around 

“Marly come here and put sunscreen on.”

“I don’t wanna.” she said stomping her foot and crossing her arms. 

“We’re gonna go swimming you need to protect yourself from the sun sweetpea.”

“I gueeesss.”

“Good girl.” I made sure she was completely covered before starting on myself. Auston came out of the tent and my jaw dropped as always. I went over to him, put my hands around his waist and looked up at him. “Hey, hey, hey babe. What’s cans spelled backwards?”

“Sssnac-oh my god.” he laughed and rolled his eyes.

“YEAH BOI CUZ YOU LOOKIN LIKE ONE.”

“You’re annoying. Let’s go swimming.”

“Not so fast Auston put some sunscreen on.”

“Pfft I don’t need sunscreen I’m The Auston Matthews.”

“Wow Marly imagine that. Daddy thinks he’s tougher than the sun.” both of us beside each other are crossing our arms.

“That’s funny. Nice try Daddy. Nothing is tougher than the sun.”

“You guys are both annoying.”

“If you don’t put it on we’ll spray you with it in weird patterns.” I say. “Then not only do you get sunburnt still, but it’ll be incredibly uneven.”

“Fine I’ll put it on.” he mumbled rubbing the white lotion on his skin. “You guys are no fun.”

“I know.” Marly said laughing.

“You guys look awful cute you know. In your matching bathing suits. I like them. Can I take a picture of you guys before we go over?”

“Sure baby.” I said giving him a kiss on the head. He went back into the tent to get his phone and then me and Marly posed for him for a couple pictures.

“Enough Daddy.”

“Have you had enough?”

“Yes. I want to swim.” 

“Okay sweetie let’s go.” I put towels, phones, and keys in my backpack. I grabbed my pool noodle and Marly’s toy before we make our trek over to the pool.

“Ash do you seriously need the noodle? I thought you could swim now?”

“Aus I like the noodle. Leave me be. You taught me kind of. I still feel better with a noodle though.”

“Even Marly can swim..” he mumbled quietly.

“Yeah because she’s been in lessons.” I eased into the water which was a little bit cold but not too bad. “Come here Marly.”

“It’s cold.”

“You haven’t even touched the water silly girl.”

“Oh yeah.” she says with a giggle coming over and jumping into my arms from the side of the pool. “It’s warm.” she says matter-of-factly.

“I know silly I’m in here too.” Auston jumped into the deep end just then splashing me and Marly.

“Daddy no!” Marly yelled laughing.

“Let’s go get him baby!” we swam over to him, Marly with her flutterboard and me with my pool noodle. You can’t blame me. I never learned how to swim. Auston tried to teach me once on vacation but we ended up fooling around more than swimming.

“Aah my girls, what may I help you with?” Marly and I looked at each other before we both just splashed a whole lot water in his face. “I guess I deserved that.”

“Yes you did.” Marly said grinning. We stayed at the pool for quite a while alone until another family started walking towards the pool area in bathing suits. They were still quite a ways away but there wasn’t anyone in the field yet so you could see far away. Marly and I were playing catch when Auston come up behind me.

“Get rid of the noodle.” he tried to pull it away from me.

“What no! Why?” he kept trying to get it away. “Auston I can’t swim what are you doing?”

“There’s another family coming.”

“So? Who cares?”

“What if they know me?”

“Ugh who cares? Everyone knows you.” I asked rolling my eyes

“It’s embarrassing okay? That’s a kids pool toy. You’re an adult Ashley.”

I ignored him moving over a bit to grab the ladder.

“Sorry for embarrassing you Auston Matthews.” I spit out quietly calling him Auston Matthews in the way I knew he hated. I pushed the ball hard against his chest and climbed out of the pool.

“Mommy where are you going?” Marly asked swimming over to the side closest to the chair our stuff was on while I wrapped a towel around me wiping my eyes too while I was at it.

“I’m getting out of the water for a bit hun, play catch with Daddy.”

“Okay.” she said swimming away. Auston was fuming and I just stared at him with a raised eyebrow. The other family came in just then. They had two little kids a girl around Marly’s age and a boy a little bit older.

“Hi there!” the overly friendly mom said as they walked in.

“Hey, how’s it going?” I respond with a kind smile.

“It’s great! I love camping!” she said sitting her stuff down on a chair beside me before she took a seat too.

“Is it your first time as a family?”

“Yeah it is. Emmie finally old enough to actually enjoy it, I think, and Alex wanted to come so here we are. It’s my first time here though. What about you?”

“I’ve been here before a lot as a kid. This is Auston and Marly’s first time camping all together though. I finally got him to agree to let us all come.”

“I understand that feeling. My husband, Mitchell, didn’t want to come either. I’m the boss though so here we are.” we both shared a laugh at that as we watched them have fun.

“My name is Ashley.” I tell her after I was done laughing.

“Oh hun I know.” I must have looked at her funny because she very quickly added. “Mitchell is a huge leaf’s fan. He’s gonna flip that we’re staying somewhere with Auston Matthews. I’m sorry that must of sounded so creepy at first I didn’t mean it like that. I’m Eva.”

“It’s nice to meet you Eva.”

“You too Ashley.” we fell into easy conversation after that. It was like we had been friends for a long time and it was great. It definitely helped that we were both 23. Auston kept looking over at me with an angry look on his face while he swam and let Marly play with Emmie and Alex. 

“It looks like Marly and Emmie are really getting along well.”

“They are! It’s so cute! Camping buddies.” we laughed and Auston glared again. “Man Auston sure does seem annoyed..”

“Uugh he is. He’s being stupid.”

“Why what’s going on?”

“I can’t swim. So I was using a pool noodle to play in the pool with Marly. I don’t really need it but it’s more of a comfort thing. Auston and I got in a fight while you guys were walking up because it was embarrassing to him to have me attached to him and be using a pool noodle.”

“That’s sooo dumb.”

“Right!! That’s why I’m just sitting here now. Working on my tan.”

“Man I don’t know how you look like that after having a kid. Not fair.”

“Lucky for me I didn’t gain like any baby weight. I only showed at the very end.”

“I was like that with Emmie but Alex was awful for baby weight. Which I know is totally backwards but that’s what happened.” I heard a little cough and I look up to find Marly dripping all over.

“Why hello little miss Marly.”

“Hi Mommy.”

“Marly this is Emmie’s mom Eva can you say hi?”

“Hi Eva.” she said with a sweet smile.

“Hi Marly nice to meet you. You’re a cute one aren’t you?”

“Yes. Just like Mommy.” Eva laughed and looked at me as I rolled my eyes.

“She spends too much time with her dad.” I say laughing. “What can I do for you hm?”

“Can we make some food? I’m hungry.”

“Of course we can Marzbar here dry off a little first though.” I wrapped her up in her towel and laid her down beside me on the chair. I tickled her sides causing her to squeal. “My sweet little burrito.”

“I’m not a burrito Mommy!”

“Of course not darling.” I pat her leg and turn back to my conversation with Eva. “Well it looks like we will be leaving soon. Where are you guys staying?”

“We might be staying right beside you. We’re lot 78.”

“We’re 77! That’s so exciting! Marly did you hear that? Emmie is camping right beside us!”

“Really?! And we can play?” she asked Eva who laughed.

“Yes of course you can play!”

“Yay thank you!”

“Oh here comes angery boi.”

“Okay when he comes over you can say stuff about who he is but like let him introduce himself first and please don’t get crazy. He hates it.”

“Well good thing my husband is in town getting some stuff we forgot lol.”

“Did you just say lol out loud?” she shrugged and we both laughed really hard.

“Hey Ash, who’s this?” he asked coming up and grabbing his towel from me.

“This is Eva! She’s our camp neighbor!”

“Hi Eva nice to meet you. I’m Auston.” he put his hand out for her to shake which she did.

“Nice to meet you Auston. You play a mean game of hockey.”

“Oh haha yeah I guess.” he says blushing.

“Um wow no need to get all blushy and shy it was just a fact boy.” she said laughing.

“Alright well we should get going and make this monkey some food. We’ll see ya later!”

“Okay bye.”

“Bye Emmie, bye Alex. See you later!” Marly said excitedly waving from Auston’s arms as we left. We walked by in relative silence, just Marly babbling about her new friends when we got to the tent Auston stayed outside so we could get changed first. “They’re really fun Mommy!”

“I know baby I saw you having fun with them in the pool!”

“Alex knew who Daddy was. He was too scared to say anything though. I thought it was funny.”

“Why did you think it was funny Marly? That’s not very nice.”

“It’s not funny, funny. It’s funny weird. I don’t know how anyone would be scared of Daddy, that’s all.”

“Ooh gotcha. That’s fair enough. Daddy is liked by a lot of people. He’s kind of a big deal right now.”

“Why?” she asked incredulously.

“Because he’s a leaf honey. Hockey players are a big deal. Uncle Mitchie is a big deal too ya know.”

“Isn’t uncle Mitch a little annoying to be a big deal?”

“A little.” I said laughing. “But they are. That’s something you’ll learn Marly a lot of people know him and think he’s incredible.”

“He is incredible.”

“He sure is. Okay. Now what do you wanna wear? It’s getting close to supper time so it’s gonna get cold soon so how about some pants?”

“I want my star pants.”

“Okay, and we’ll put your bluejays shirt back on too okay?”

“Okay!” I got her changed and sent her out to Auston while I got changed into some simple legging and my favourite cat shirt. I brought Marly’s brush out of the tent so I could brush her wild pool hair.

“Alright Aus go get changed and then we can start this fire and make some food.”

“K.” he got up and left.

“Why is Daddy mad?” Marly asked while I brushed her hair.

“He’s just mad at me because I’m embarrassing sweetpea, don’t worry. It’ll all be fixed don’t worry.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. No worries. This campsite is a worry free zone missy.”

“Okay.” she said shrugging.

“Do you want to learn how to set up a fire?”

“Yeah!”

“Okay come on.” I opened up the bag of wood and brought some pieces over to the fire pit. “Okay so we’re gonna make a little teepee okay? So let’s put three up together and make them stay.”

“This is impossible!” she exclaimed after a few tries.

“No it’s not here let me help.” I helped her and she got it eventually very proud of herself. “Now we just pile it on top of these three. Easy peasy.” we finished relatively quickly and she posed for me to take a picture of her with her fire set up.

“Easy peasy.” she said getting up. “Now what?”

“Well we need to rip up some paper to crumple up and catch on fire first before the wood will catch.”

“I can do that!”

“Okay baby here you go. Maybe rip and crumple half this little book okay?”

“Okay.”

“Then we put it underneath like this see?”

“Yeah!”

“Ash can I talk to you.” Auston demanded.

“Marz do you think you can handle paper duty?”

“Duh.” she said rolling her eyes at me. Me and Auston walked a little ways away from her.

“Oh no Auston Matthews are you sure you can be seen with me right now? I’m not embarrassing you am I?”

“Stop calling me that.” he said getting angry. His jaw was doing the thing and I was dying. I love it when it clenches like that. “I want to talk like normal adults.”

“Fine then talk.”

“You’ve been in a mood.”

“You’ve been a dick.”

“What? How?”

“You said you were embarrassed by me and what I was doing.”

“Ash-”

“No you listen to me Auston. If you can’t handle parts about me and are embarrassed to be seen with me tell me. Because this is shitty and I feel awful. I’m just trying to share a happy experience with my family and day one has been crappy because I’m embarrassing the love of my life and he’s ashamed of me.” I was crying again and he pulled me into his arms tight whispering to me.

“Hey no. You’re not embarrassing me and I have never ever been ashamed of you. I could never be. I love you so much. I fucked up. Bad. I didn’t mean to say it like that or make it seem like you’re bad for me to be seen with or anything. You and Marly are the only two I ever want to be seen with.”

“Okay..”

“I mean it Ashley. I mean it with every fiber of my being. I’m sorry I made you feel so bad.”

“I forgive you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.” I say giving him a smile and a jaw kiss. “Now come on Marly’s ready to start a fire.”

“Hey little one whatcha doin?” Auston asked sitting beside her on the ground.

“I ripped the paper and I think it’s ready. Mommy will you check?”

“Of course darlin.” I crouched down and moved some of the paper around a little bit before smiling at her. “You did a very good job Marzbar.” 

“Yay! Thank you!”

“Okay so now is the adult part. You stand back okay Marly?”

“Okay.” she said saluting very seriously and taking a few steps back.

“Alright Aus, time to learn how to start a fire. Grab those matches over there on the table?”

“Sure babe.” he brought them over and crouched down next to me.

“Alright so now we’re going to light all along the paper and eventually the wood will catch.”

“Why can’t we just light the wood?”

“Because Aus, it won’t catch right away. Tomorrow I’ll show you how to use fire starting cubes and sticks. It’ll be rad. But you always need some kind of starter.”

“Oooh okay.” Marly said nodding.

“Sorry Ash, that was a stupid question..” he said looking down and frowning a bit.

“Hey hey hey. Turn that frown upside down. There is no reason to be sad or apologize. It wasn’t a dumb question at all cutiepie.” I kissed his hand after to try to and get him in a better mood.

“Okay..let’s start this fire?”

“Okay baby.” me and Auston both took matches and started lighting all around the paper. Soon enough the wood caught and we had us a fire going.

“Marly what do you want for supper?”

“I want hotdogs!”

“Well that’s good sweetie, we’ll be eating hotdogs a lot this week.” I said chuckling bringing the cooler and the cooking utensils over to the picnic table. “Okay Marly I’m gonna teach you how to roast a hotdog. Are you ready?”

“Yes Mommy!!”

“Okay so here’s what we’re going to do. You take one and you jab it through onto this poker like this.” I demonstrated and she did the same thing. “Now come over here with me to the fire.”

“But you said camp rule no Marly’s by the fire.”

“I said no playing by the fire. You can cook and sit by the fire. I’m sorry darling I should’ve been more clear.”

“Um yeah you should’ve. It would be waaay more helpful.”

“Okay miss attitude come here.” she came over to where I was and stood there. “Now all you have to do is hold the hotdog in the flame. Close to the wood but try not to touch it, it’ll be a little yucky if you touch the wood with it.”

“Will you help me?”

“Of course babygirl.” I went behind her and helped her hold the poker and cook her food. All the while I could hear and see Auston taking pictures of the two of us.

“This is fun Mommy. I like this.”

“I’m really really glad Marly.” I said giving her a kiss on her temple. We stayed there cooking for a little bit before Auston made his way over.

“Is there room for me to come cook?” he asked Marly.

“Of course there is Daddy!” she said with a giggle. “Look at all the fire!”

“What if I want your fire?”

“No.” she said simply making Auston laugh.

“Like mother like daughter.” he said referring to the first time we met.

“Shut up.” I said rolling my eyes at him.

“Mommy I think it’s done!” Marly exclaimed.

“Yes it looks like it. Okay come back to the table. Be very careful not to trip with that.” she made her way over with no problems thank goodness. “I’m gonna take the hotdog off because if you touch the metal you will burn your little fingers.”

“Oh no!”

“We do not want that.”

“No that’ll hurt. Remember when uncle Mitch burned his fingers on the stove? He said bad words and cried!”

“Yes honey it really hurts so don’t touch okay?”

“Okay I’ll let you and daddy get it off then.” 

“Probably a good idea.” I said taking off her hotdog and putting it in a bun. “Ketchup or no?”

“Definitely ketchup!” 

“Okay darling, here you go. Let me set up the camp chairs so you can sit by the fire and eat.” I brought out a little chair and set it up far enough away from the fire that she wouldn’t be a risk to get hurt by it or fall in. I set up mine and Auston’s while we were at it.

“Thank you Mommy.” 

“You’re very welcome Miss Marly.” I ruffled her hair and went back over to where Auston was at the table.

“I made us both some food while you were helping Marly.” he said smiling at you handing over a plate of food.

“Baby you’re the best.” I went on my tip toes and gave him a kiss. “I’m so lucky.”

“You are really lucky.” he said in fake seriousness before laughing. “I love you.”

“I love you too Auston Matthews.” I said in a happy day dreamy voice.

“Now that is the way I like to hear my full name coming from your mouth.” he gave me another kiss and we went to sit and eat with Marly. While we were eating Leah and her kids came back to their site giving us a wave.

“Mommy can we invite them over to our campfire later?”

“Sure we can darling. Oh yeah Auston?”

“What baby?”

“Eva said her husband Mitchell is a really really big leaf fan. She’s going to tell him to behave but I just want to warn you he might be a little crazy.”

“Alright that’s okay I guess. I’m sorry I can’t get away from being a leaf Ashley, I know you wanted this to be about all of us as a family and not about leaf stuff..”

“Aus don’t be sorry. It’s who you are and no one can take that away baby. I’m so proud of you for all your leaf stuff. I just wanted to warn you so you aren’t surprised, my love.”

“Thank you Ash, you’re a blessing.” Marly coughed interrupting us.

“If you’re done being groooooss can I make some desert?”

“Do you want to go over and see if Emmie wants to come make smores?”

“Yes, yes, yes!!” she said clapping her hands in excitement. “Daddy will you come too?”

“I’m going to stay with the fire babygirl you go with mommy and bring her over.”

“Booo.”

“Hey no boo. Let’s go little bean.” I took her hand and we walked through a couple trees to their side of the site line. It was starting to get dark but we could still see just enough to not need a lantern yet. “You hoo hi neighbours.”

“Oh hey Ash!” Leah said looking up from doing up the tent. “Hi Marly, what’s up?”

“We were wondering if you guys wanted to come over and have smores with us?”

“All of us? Including Mitchell?”

“Yeah of course! I warned Auston and he’s not really bothered.”

“Okay sure! Let me go get them, they’re at the playground.”

“Alright we’ll see you in a few.” I walked Marly back to the site and she sat down again.

“Are they coming over?” Auston asked Marly.

“Yes Daddy! I’m so excited I love marshmallows.”

“I’m happy for you Marzbar.” he said laughing. A few minutes later I heard some children laughing and looked up to find the family of four walking over.

“Don’t be crazy. I can see the crazy building and I’m telling you right damn now, do not be crazy.” I heard Eva mumble as she walked up holding her husband’s hand.

“Hey Eva!” I say walking over to them. “Hi, you must be Mitchell. I’m Ashley.”

“Yeah that’s me nice to meet you too. Eva’s been talking about you guys all day.”

“Yeeeah well you’ve been talking about him for like 6 years sooo who’s really the annoying one?” Eva said sarcastically back at him.

“Shut up.” he said blushing which made me and Eva laugh.

“Hey Emmie, Alex. Marly is veeerry excited to see you guys again.” I said crouching down to be at eye level with the little girl and boy holding their dad’s hand.

“Dad can we play?” Alex asked pulling at his dad’s hand.

“Yeah go ahead guys.” with that the two took off and went over to the picnic table where Marly was sitting, who got very excited and squealed in delight when she saw her friends coming over. Auston was just kind of awkwardly looking at everyone around while getting smore stuff ready for the kids. I forgot sometimes that he also got overwhelmed and nervous with new people. 

“Here come meet Auston.” I said leading the way over to my beautiful man. “Aus, babe meet Mitchell!”

“Oh um..” he was still visibly nervous, not to others but to me it was. He looked the same way when he met my grandma years ago. I went over and put my arms around his waist, squeezing for reassurance. “Hi Mitchell, it’s nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine dude. I’m a huge fan.” he said shaking his hand with a big smile on his face. Auston blushed but smiled too.

“Thanks man, I appreciate it.” 

“So did you get dragged here too?”

“Dude did I ever. Ash had been begging for months to go here.” auston said rolling his eyes.

“Hey! Don’t act like you aren’t having fun right now.” I said hitting his chest he just smiled at me but ignored my comment falling into easy conversation with Mitchell. Me and Eva went over to the campfire sitting in my and Auston’s chairs.

“Soo? Did you fix things with angery boi?”

“Yeah, I kinda cried at him and he apologized. He’s been having a hard time coming here.”

“How come?”

“Because camping is my thing and he doesn’t know what he’s doing. He really hates not knowing how to do things and this is all brand new for him.”

“Oh okay I understand.”

“Yeah so it kinda sucks but I’m trying to be patient with him because he’s just frustrated that he never got to learn how to do this ‘normal stuff’ when I got to learn it because he was too busy with hockey. He’s not mad at me.”

“But he is kind of taking it out on you.”

“That’s true, but I can handle it.”

“It didn’t seem like it earlier.” she said laughing at me.

“Well there is a reason for that.”

“Which is..?” she asked turning to look at me. I opened my mouth to answer but was interrupted by a couple little girls.

“Hello mommy.” Marly said sweetly.

“Hi pumpkin, what can we do for you two?” I asked pulling her up on my lap.

“Can we make smores now?”

“Of course Mar, let’s go. Daddy already has everything set up over there by the picnic table.”

“Alex won’t go over there.” Emmie said to us.

“How come Em?”

“He’s scared Mama. Auston is his favourite.”

“Oh my. Okay well you girls go over and ask them for help, we’ll talk to Alex.” I say sending them on their way before Eva and I walked over to where Alex was sitting on a blanket.

“Hey lil buddy, what’s goin on?”

“Mom did Em tell her that I’m scared?” he asked looking at me.

“She did tell me I’m sorry Alex. Why are you scared though?”

“He’s my favourite..what if he doesn’t like me?”

“Oh Alex that’s crazy talk.” Eva said brushing his shaggy brown hair from his eyes. “You’re a wonderful little boy I’m sure he’ll like you.”

“Auston is a very, very nice man. I used to be scared of him too you know?” I told Alex.

“What you? No way!”

“Yes way. He was my favourite too. I didn’t think he’d like me either, but then he did. In fact the first time I met him I accidentally punched him in the nose.”

“Woah. And he still liked you?”

“Yeah he did, very much.”

“Well if you can punch him and get him to almost marry you, I think I can meet him and be his friend.”

“You definitely can.” Eva said.

“For sure lil dude.” I stood up and offered my hands to his to pull him up. “Let’s go meet Auston and make smores with the girls okay?”

“Okay!!” he took both my and Eva’s hand and dragged us over to the rest of them but stopped short. “Ashley will you introduce me to him?”

“Of course darlin! Come on.” I walk over to Auston who had his back to us and faceplanted into his back to get his attention making him laugh.

“Hi cutie whatcha doing?” he asked laughing

“You are his favourite. He’s very nervous.” I mumbled into his back before he turned around.

“Auston this is Alex, Alex meet Auston.” I couldn’t help but smile at Alex’s wide eyed expression.

“Wow..Hi Auston Matthews..”

“Hi buddy, how are you doing?” Auston asked crouching down in front of him.

“I’m doing really, really good.”

“Do you want to come make smores with me?”

“YOU want to make smores with ME?” he asked incredulously.

“I sure do. Only if you want to though of course.”

“Yes! I would love to do that!!” he said jumping up and down with a big smile before giving him a hug which Auston returned with a chuckle.

“Okay little bud, come on!” he took his hand and led him over to the girls and Mitchell.

“That is so cute. Can I take pictures?” Eva asked me.

“Yeah of course! If you wouldn’t mind though don’t post them until we’re gone from here? We don’t want to be super bombarded ya know? Like just in case.”

“Oh yeah for sure. This is just a dream come true for both my boys and I want to capture it. Especially for Alex.” she said as she took a picture of Auston helping Alex roast the marshmallow.

“It actually warms my heart. Auston has always wanted a boy.” I said smiling fondly at the love of my life.

“Why don’t you have another?”

“I want to. I just don’t know if it’s the right time ya know?” I took a pause thinking. “Actually you know what I trust you. I’m  pregnant right now.”

“Woah what?!”

“You can’t tell anyone. I mean it.”

“Does Auston know?”

“Absolutely not. I found out when he was in the playoffs and he’s been in a mood since so I haven’t wanted to stress him out or upset him. I’m going to either tell him on this trip or once we get home.”

“How far along?”

“About 14 weeks.”

“Wow that’s so exciting! I’m happy for you!”

“Thank you. But remember no telling anyone until I tell Auston.”

“I promise on my kids lives not a word to anyone.”

“Thank you. I’m hoping it’s the little boy Auston has always wanted. He loves Marly to bits but it’s just not the same. He wants a little hockey boy.”

“I understand that. Mitchell always wanted a boy first to enjoy hockey with. Both of the kids love it but Alex more.”

“See the problem is that Marly is very, very much like me. She wants to be like him too but he only sees that she’s like me. It’s a shame because Marly wants to play hockey like him but he wants a hockey boy.”

“That really is too bad. Why don’t you sign Marly up anyway?”

“I already have for this september. I’ve been teaching her while hockey season is going in secret. She’s really good already. Definitely Auston Matthews kid, the talent is in the genes. It’s actually crazy honestly.”

“Oooh sneaky.” she said making me laugh.

“Mommy!” Marly called to me.

“What little bean?”

“Daddy is soooo bad at this!”

“Hey little missy I’m trying. Alex thinks I’m doing good right, buddy?”

“Yeah! He made mine perfect!”

“Yeah!” he gave Alex a high-five and they stuck their tongue out at Marly to which she folded her arms and let out a small ‘hmph’.

“Moooommyyyy.”

“I’m coming to help babygirl don’t worry.” me and Eva went over to the fire, her sitting with her daughter, husband, son, and Auston while I went to the other side to be with Marly. I grabbed more cookies and chocolate and she sat on my lap.

“I don’t even know what to do..” she pouted.

“Hey no pouty faces I will teach you. You see where the wood is glowing?”

“Yes.”

“That’s the best spot to roast em, but don’t get too close or it’ll light on fire.”

“Oh no!”

“Yeah sometimes. I like mine on fire, but I don’t like them as much as you do. We’re just going to toast yours okay?”

“Sounds good Mommy.” she said smiling up at me.

“Okay monkey, let’s do it.” I helped her get it all nice and golden. “Okay take it away from the fire babybean.”

“Now what?”

“I’m gonna take these two cookies and give it the ol’ smoosheroo.”

“The ol’ smoosherooooo!” she repeated giggling as I put the cookies on either side on the marshmallow.

“You reeeeady?” I ask her as she nods frantically. “Smoosh!”

“Now what?” she asked after she finished giggling.

“I’m gonna give it a pull, hold on tight.” she nodded and I gave an exaggerated pull of the smore. I started taking a video, wanting to get her reaction to tryring her first smore. “Oh wow beautiful! Excellent smore! I have never seen such an amazing camp treat!”

“Thank you, thank you. I did it all by myself.”

“All by yourself huh?”

“Uh huh.” she said nodding.

“Okay sure no help anywhere to be seen right?”

“Of course not. I need no help, I’m a big girl.”

“Okay my big girl, take a bite!” she brought the treat to her mouth and took a little bite before her eyes went big.

“This is so good!! Mommy! Mommy this is so good!” she started jumping up and down in excitement.

“Do you like it Marly?”

“Yesyesyes!” she said with her mouth full and marshmallow on her face.

“You’ve got it all over your face sweetpea!”

“I don’t care.”

“I do.”

“It’s too yummy to care Mommy!” she said exasperatedly flinging her arms out. I stopped the video giggling at my daughter.

“You’re crazy monkey.”

“Daddy!! Daddy look at my smore!” she said excitedly running over to him.

“Cool Marly.” he said not looking at her.

“Try it! It tastes good! I did a good job!!”

“I’m sure you did.” he was just ignoring her which was making her sad.

“Can I try some Marly?” Eva asked, making her little face light up again.

“Yeah!” she ran back over to where I was. She got up on Eva’s lap and fed her a bite of smore.

“Wow you did a very good job Miss Mar.”

“Thank you!!” she said sitting on her lap kicking her legs happily looking at me eating the rest of her smore. After a little while Emmie and Alex started getting tired, both of them yawning and snuggling up, Em with her dad and Alex with Auston. Which was cute but Marly was sitting glaring at the two from between me and Eva which we both noticed.

“Alright, we better be getting going to put you guys to bed. It’s been a long day and I’ve got two sleepy heads on my hands over there.”

“No mum I’m awake.” Alex said rubbing his little eyes.

“Nope we’re going back to the tent to go to sleep. Get off Auston and let’s go.” she said sternly to her boy.

“I’ll bring him back over to the tent if it’s okay with you guys?” Auston asked Mitchell and Eva before she could answer though Mitchell did.

“Yeah sure dude! Thanks.” and the two of them got up with the kids in their arms and a lantern in hand to go over to their site. Once they were out of earshot Leah turned to me.

“I’m sorry.. I was trying to go so that Marly wouldn’t be upset but it looks like it’s just been made worse.”

“Eva it’s not your fault at all. Auston is just excited about there being a boy around.”

“Hey Miss Marly?” she said kneeling in front of the pouting little girl.

“What?”

“I’m very sorry that Alex is taking your dad’s attention. Are you mad at us?”

“No I’m not angry. I’m sad. I just wanted to show daddy my smore..”

“I’m sorry hunny. Do you still want to play with Emmie?”

“Yeah! I don’t want Emmie to go! She’s my camp friend!”

“Okay I just wanted to make sure. Goodnight Marly, we’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay bye bye.” Eva got up and left with a wave to me and another quiet apology.

“Come here babybean.” I said sitting down in my chair with my arms out to her. She came over quickly and curled up on my lap. I had a blanket and wrapped it around us both while I sat rocking her in front of the fire.

“Will you sing to me mommy?” she asked quietly.

“Of course Marly.” I say putting on one of the songs that make her feel better which was Turning Page by Sleeping At Last. It always calmed her down and I loved it so it worked out well. I put it on repeat and sang it to her the first couple times. “Are you okay darling?”

“I’m alright Mommy. Just a little sad.”

“Well don’t be sad. Tomorrow Daddy will be spending all day with just us at the park.”

“No he’s gonna go with Alex..”

“No he isn’t.”

“Yes..”

“Hey, who’s the boss?”

“Mommy’s the boss.” she said with a little smile poking me in the chest.

“Exactly. I’ll make sure Daddy comes with us.”

“Thank you Mommy.”

“I love you Marly. Forever and always.”

“I love you too.”

“Yeah? For real?”

“For really real.” she snuggled into my arms with Ingwaz that I hadn’t noticed her take out. “Can I go to sleep?”

“Of course Mar, I’ll bring you in to bed don’t worry.”

“Thank you Mommy. Goodnight, I love you.” she said quietly closing her eyes while I sang to her again. I put the playlist on shuffle though so it wasn’t the same thing the whole time. Not that it mattered much since she was out before the next song started. I sat there for a while before I saw a lantern coming over, I was hoping it was Auston so I could put Marly to bed without worrying about leaving the fire but it wasn’t. It was Eva again. I motioned for her to be quiet and to sit while I brought Marly to bed. I tucked her into her sleeping bag and put her light in her little pocket by her bed. I zipped up the tent and went back over to the fire, running a hand through my hair.

“I’m sorry. Auston and Mitchell are doing a full on play  out of green eggs and ham for Alex and Emmie. Although Em is already asleep.” she said chuckling. I put the fire out while she was talking.

“It’s not your fault. Auston is doing this not you. It’s not your fault you have a son. I don’t hold you accountable.”

“It still sucks and I still feel awful.”

“Let’s go lay over in the field?”

“Sure but what about Marly?”

“I’ve got the baby monitor just in case. Come on. I don’t want Auston to hear us.” I grabbed a lantern and Marly’s play blanket and we went over to the field spreading it out before turning off the lantern so I could look at the stars. “I didn’t recognize you without your red hair at first.”

“I was wondering how long it would take for you to remember.” she said with a chuckle.

“Literally as soon as you said lol out loud I knew for sure. You look a lot different without your piercings and stuff.”

“Yeah well babies like to pull things out of your face sometimes and I do not like it.”

“That’s fair enough dude.”

“So you aren’t mad about the whole Auston thing?”

“Of course not Eva, I’m just a little worried.”

“How come?”

“What if this baby happens to be a boy? Will Auston treat Marly like this if he has a boy of his own?”

“I hope not.”

“I genuinely don’t think Marly will be able to handle it. She’s already sad and thinks Auston is going to spend our family time with Alex.”

“He won’t. I’ll keep them all away if you want me to.”

“Are you guys going to the park tomorrow?”

“We were thinking about it. Why are you?”

“Yeah.”

“Then we won’t.”

“Eva come on you don’t have to do that..” I said feeling bad.

“No. I’m going to do that. There’s no reason that little girl should be scared all day that her dad is going to ditch her for some boy he just met.”

“Eva I actually can’t thank you enough. It broke my heart when Marly told me she thought it was just going to be me and her while Auston went with you guys.”

“No we aren’t breaking any hearts. We’ll stay away tomorrow at least from the park.”

“The next day or even after if you guys want a day together alone it’s the least we can do, but we can go as a group? We’ll pay. I just really want to give Marly a chance to enjoy it and have family time ya know?”

“I completely understand.” we got quiet for a few minutes just looking at the stars before she spoke up again. “I wouldn’t worry too much. About Auston I mean.”

“I just don’t want him to leave her out like he was today. That would be awful.”

“It would but I’m positive you wouldn’t let it happen and I promise now that I’m back he’s not going to. I’ll come to your house and fight him.”

“Dude actually do it.” I said laughing. It turned into a yawn though.

“Okay well now that you’ve figured out who I am and we’ve talked, you go to sleep. You and the little one need it. I’ll try my best to get your boy back to you as soon as possible.”

“Thank you so much.” we walked back over to my tent and I went inside waving bye. “See you tomorrow.”

“Have a goodnight Ash.” once she left I zipped the tent and got into pajamas before curling up in my sleeping bag on the far side so Auston wouldn’t have to crawl over me. I didn’t fall asleep, waiting for Auston. He didn’t come back for almost an hour after that. I was crying of course but it didn’t really matter, I cried a lot these days. The sleeping bag that had been unzipped and used as a comforter was now zipped for one. He came in and I kept my back to him while he got changed and came to the air mattress. 

“Babe what are you doing?” he asked in a whisper. I didn’t answer pretending to be asleep. “Ash I know you’re not asleep. That’s not how you breathe while you’re sleeping. Come ooon why won’t you talk to me?”

“Mmm what do you want?” I ask turning over to look at him.

“Cuddle meeeee.”

“Um wow needy.” I said with a laugh. I didn’t do anything but I let him unzip the sleeping bag and put it back like normal, too tired to fight but I still didn’t want to see him so I stayed facing away while he got situated and spooned me.

“Goodnight baby. I love you.”

“Goodnight Auston. Love you.” I said short before falling asleep.

[k-llama-llama]

Reveal

Stray Kids AU: 10th member

Tori x Stray Kids

The boys react to Tori’s collab pics with Zoey!

A/N: Back to our regularly scheduled programming! What are your thoughts?

A/N: Until tumblr gets itself together I am not posting the links to my ask box or master list. If you need either, just DM, or go from my actual Tumblr page.

Requests are Open: Submit them to my ask box! I need them!

“Refresh it.” Jeongin pressed the button. “It should be any second.”

“I’ve refreshed it a thousand times. Let’s give it a second.” Changbin shoved his hand away.

“What are you weirdos doing?” Tori asked, walking into the room and finding nine boys crowded around Chan’s laptop. “And why was I not included?”

“Because you said the reveal of your collab with Zoey is dropping today at noon.” Felix explained.

“And you’ve seen the pictures already.” Hyunjin reminded her.

“But you wouldn’t show us.” Seungmin said.

“Which was rude.” Jisung added.

“So we’re waiting for it.” Minho finished.

She shook her head. “Let me know when it goes up.”

Tori grabbed a bottle of orange juice from the fridge. She might seem calm on the outside, but she was absolutely terrified. Both her and Zoey had liked the final decision on the album cover, but other than managers, they were the only ones who’d seen it. She was honestly trying to forget what fans might think, but if her boys didn’t like it, then she didn’t know what she would do.

“It’s up!” Woojin exclaimed. “Click it! Click it!”

“I am clicking it!” Changbin protested.

Tori held her breath and listened to the living room fall silent for a moment. She was certain that her heart had stopped beating.

“Holy crap.” Hyunjin breathed.

“Tori...”Chan gasped.

“You look hot!” Felix called.

She peeked nervously into the room. “You like it?”

“Like it?” Woojin shook his head. “We love it!”

“You look so good, Tor. And the song is called Wow Thing?”

She nodded. “Yeah, there’s three songs on the album but the other two are just intro and outro.”

“Who styled you?” Minho demanded. “You never look that good for our comebacks. Clearly you don’t love us enough, if you’re not using this skill to promote our group.”

“My little baby, all grown up.” Chan wiped away a fake tear. “But seriously, Tori, you look amazing. And I can’t wait to hear the song.”

“Noona, are you going to promote the song? Will it be in this outfit? Please say yes!”

Tori shrugged. “It hasn’t been decided yet. They wanted to see the reaction to the announcement first.”

“Most important question: are there more pictures of Zoey in that outfit?” Jisung had not taken his eyes off the screen.

Woojin swatted him lightly in the back of the head. “Focus on our teammate, please.”

“I am!” He insisted. “Tori, you look great. White is so your colour. But holy crap, black is totally Zoey’s colour.”

Tori decided to ignore him and sat herself on Felix’s lap so she could see the computer. “You should’ve seen some of the outfits they brought out. That was the most mild one.”

“It’s not bad at all.” Felix said. “You can see your abs, and a little bit of your...” He trailed off.

“My cleavage, Felix?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Yes. Not that I was looking. It does look great though.” He said awkwardly.

“Let’s stop talking about Tori’s boobs and talk about other things.” Chan begged.

“Are there posters?” Jeongin asked.

“I’m buying all of them!” Hyunjin insisted. “And you’re signing them all.”

“Why?” She laughed. “You know me, it isn’t that cool.”

“Screw you, get Zoey to sign them.” Jisung begged.

Tori rolled her eyes. “Yes, there will apparently be posters, but I’m  not putting any up unless we put up Stray Kids posters too.”

“Why?” Minho asked. “You’re going solo, it’s a big deal.”

“I am not going solo.” She said firmly. “I did one collab. I’m a part of Stray Kids.”

“Of course you are.” Woojin patted her shoulder. “But we’re allowed to be proud of you.”

“Yeah,” Felix wrapped his arms around her from behind. “We made that. We’re just taking credit for our achievement.”

“We did not ‘make her’.” Chan laughed. “She was that talented when I found her.”

“Not true, and you know it.” She smiled. “But fine, I will get a poster. And yes, Jisung, I will get Zoey to sign one for you.”

“I love you. I’m so glad we’re friends.” He said earnestly.

Tori snorted. “But you guys really like it? I was most nervous about what all of you would think.”

“We love it.” Changbin promised. “You look like a badass. And I’m sure the song is great.”

“You said there’s three songs?” Hyunjin remembered suddenly. “I thought it was just one.”

Tori nodded, leaning back into Felix. “Yeah, the intro is called Femme, and I did that. It’s like a vocal intro. And the outro is called Fatale and Zoey did an amazing little rap piece for it.

“You did an actual solo song, noona?” Jeongin said in disbelief.

She shrugged. “It’s only like a minute or so. It isn’t much.”

“It’s still freaking awesome.” Felix cheered. “I’m setting this as my phone background. But I’ll zoom in on you, since you’re BAE.”

Tori cringed. “Please don’t say that.”

“Funny this is my background too. Except I’m zooming on on someone else.”

“Jisung, don’t be a perv. Please don’t be weird with my friend.” Tori asked.

“I’m not being weird!” He exclaimed. “She genuinely one of my favourite rappers in the industry. And yes, she’s hot, but that’s not the only reason I like her.” 

“Fine, but if I see that you zoomed in on her boobs were going to have a problem.” Tori told him.

“I mean...”Minho looked at the picture that was still up on the screen. “They are very...present.”

“It’s Zoey. That’s kind of her thing. And she rocks it.”

“She sure does.” Jisung sighed.

Chan poked him. “You’re being weird.”

“Why am I being weird? Why can Felix set Tori as his background but it’s strange if I set Zoey?”

“Felix, are you zooming in on my boobs?”

“Do you want me to?” He winked. “Cuz there isn’t much there.”

“Yah!”

[chainsawbettyloo]

Title: Give Me Your Forever 

Pairing: Sidlink, Prince Sidon / Link 

Rating: 18+

Tags: Blowjobs, Fluff, Fluff and Smut, Established Relationship, Proposal, Marriage Proposal, Human!Sidon, Modern Day AU, Domestic Fluff 

Summary: Sidon pops the question via offering Link two rings - one of him and one for Sidon - and gets a response that is very much expected from Link: simple, honest and wholehearted 

Cross posted on my AO3! Prompt requests are still open so if you have an idea you’d like to read, send it my way! Comments, kudos, and reblogs are very much appreciated! Thank you! 

-

When he stepped into their apartment, he found the entirety of downstairs dark but could hear that the tv in the living area was on. Closing the door behind him, Sidon tossed aside his keys without really looking where they landed (from the sound he made, he was certain he had, at least, made the table sitting underneath the coat rack), shed his jacket, hung it up and retrieved the small, brightly wrapped box from one of the pockets.

Holding it loosely in his hands, he stared at the top of the stairs, twirling the box around, nervousness gnawing its fingernails inside his chest. Taking a deep breath, he told himself in a firm voice that there was nothing to worry about. This was going to go smoothly, it was going to go alright, there was nothing at all to be worrying about. Right now, the proper emotion to be feeling was excitement. What he was about to do, it was going to be one of the biggest moments of both his and Link’s lives. It was something to look forward to!  

Which meant, he should probably get on with it. Tucking a tendril of red hair behind his ear, he unconsciously straightened his back, rolled his shoulders to relieve the tension that had settled into the muscles, then started up the stairs. All the lights, save for one lamp in the living area, were off. He hadn’t ever asked where Link had picked up the habit of turning off and making sure that all lights that weren’t in use were off. Really, there was no point in asking - he could guess easily that Link’s father was the one who instilled it in him, and most likely not kindly.

Turning the corner, he walked into the living area and chuckled. On the couch was a large, upright bundle of colorful blankets. To the untrained eye, it would appear as though someone had just thrown a bunch of blankets in a controlled chaotic mess onto the couch but he knew better. Contained within those blankets, tightly wrapped up in defense against the cold, was Link. Not an inch of him could be seen. Over the years, he had perfected the blanket defense, which allowed him to create a barrier that allowed in not a breath of cold. The blankets shifted slightly as at the sound of him giggling. Link’s voice, muffled and near incoherent, came from somewhere inside the heap of fabric.

“Heya.”

“Hello, Love.” Sidon replied, padding over to the couch. He plopped down beside him, momentarily setting the wrapped box on the side table. On the TV, some kind of cooking show was going through the steps of cooking what looked to be a cake of some sort.

The moment after he had sat down, the bundle of blankets was moving. Spreading his legs far apart, arms held up slightly, Sidon leaned back, knowing full well where this was going. In a surprisingly graceful movement, Link managed to move his fabric barricade and himself into Sidon’s lap. After squirming around for a short moment, he seemed to find the position that was right for him, relaxed back against Sidon’s chest and let out an audible sound of contentment.

Once he had stopped moving, Sidon lowered his arms so he could clumsily wrap them around the mass of Link and blankets. Resting his chin on top of what he was guessing was Link’s head, he asked, “How was work?”

“The Boss brought in cotton candy grapes today, and she meant for them to be used in a dish or something but we got into them. They didn’t last five minutes.”

“Cotton candy grapes?” Sidon asked, confused, wondering if they were exactly what they sounded like.

“Exactly as it sounds. Grapes that taste like cotton candy. They’re really good. I’ll bring you some next time.”

“Did you get in trouble for eating them?”

He felt Link shake his head, “Nah, cuz the Boss was eating just as many as we were so it wasn’t like she could get mad. What ‘bout you?”

“It was fine, though I did not get any cotton candy grapes.”

“Tragic, I don’t know how you survived the day without the awesomeness that is cotton candy grapes.”

Sidon chuckled, rubbing his cheek against the top of Link’s blanket defenses, “I did so with the promise that a beautiful, amazing man was waiting for me at home.”

A startled snort drifted out of the blankets, “Why you gotta be so sappy?”

“Because you love it, and you know it.” Sidon teased, wishing he could figure out how to peel back the layers so he could see Link’s face but past experience, which included an incident when he had accidentally gotten Link so tangled up that he had to resort to cutting him out with scissors, knew better than to start tugging and yanking.

“Yeah, yeah.” Despite the dismissive tone of his voice, he could hear the smile in his voice.

They both fell quiet, focus shifting over to the TV. Now, the brightly smiling woman who seemed to be the host of the cooking show, and who had the biggest teeth Sidon had ever seen was putting together a pasta dish of some sort. It actually looked incredibly good. He would have to see if they had the ingredients to make spaghetti for dinner. If they didn’t, maybe he could talk Link into taking a quick trip to the nearby grocery store.

However, before then, there was something he needed to do. Something that had, somehow, momentarily, slipped his mind. Glancing over to the wrapped box, he started to hear the worried whispers of nervousness once again. Not for the first time, he considered the possibility that he might be wrong in presenting this opportunity right now, that Link might not be ready for this. True, they had been together since Link had started college, so over five years now but still, this was a big step in their relationship. Not to mention, it wasn’t something they had actually specifically talked about it. So, was he in the right for bringing this up out of the blue? Should he have discussed this with Link first instead of just deciding it was the right time? What if he was wrong?

“Sidon?” Link’s concerned voice broke his focus on the chittering worries, bringing him back to the present moment.

“Yes, Love?” Sidon replied, giving his head a slight shake in an attempt to clear it.

“Are you okay? You tensed up real bad all the sudden.”

“Yes, I’m alright.” He said, mentally kicking himself in the shins for making Link worry. Taking a deep breath, he shoved aside all the doubts that were still swimming around inside his mind. Without giving himself time to hesitate, he picked up the box, held it out so that Link could see it and said, “I got you something.”

“Is it food?” Link asked jokingly, a tanned arm pushing out of the bundle of blankets. It snatched the box before retreating back into the warm protection.

“No,” Sidon chuckled, “please do not eat it.”

“Awww, well, then I don’t want it.” Link playfully whined amongst the noises of him ripping open the wrapping paper.

“Well, I’ll take it back, then.” Sidon held out his hand out in front of Link.

“Hah, no.”

He could hear Link crumpling up the wrapping paper. Struggling to keep the pace of his breath even, he began to fidget where he sat. The seconds seemed to stretch out into an eternity as he waited for Link to get the box open. In the back of his mind, the nervous chittering became a chorus, loudly wailing their tune that he had jumped the gun, he had made a mistake, that Link wasn’t going to say yes. He largely ignored their incessant noise, determined to not let his nerves get the best of him.

Suddenly, Link’s arm popped out again. It reached down, gripped hold of Sidon’s left arm, and pulled it inside the blanket defenses like a bird would yank in a length of straw into a birdhouse. There was some fumbling around, a little of Link mumbling underneath his breath. All the while, Sidon just sat silently, eyebrows quirked in confusion. However, his question as to what Link was doing was answered when he felt a cold band of metal being pushed to the base of his ring finger.

His heart leapt into his throat, trumpeting a triumphant fanfare all the way. Link had just put the ring he had gotten himself on his finger. That - there was no clearer indication that the answer was yes than that! Once the ring was snuggly in place, Link patted his hand then set about fumbling with something else. Quietly, reverently, Sidon slowly pulled his arm out, his breath catching when he saw the ring on his finger. He had picked it out, had taken a lot of time carefully choosing the matching pair for him and Link because it hadn’t made any sense for just Link to wear a ring but he hadn’t actually put the ring on himself before so he didn’t have any idea what it would look like. Seeing it now, on his hand, a clear and vibrant symbol of him and Link taking that next step, it was incredible.

“There!” Link happily declared, thrusting out his arm once more so Sidon could see.

If the sight of the ring on his own hand had been stunning, seeing the ring sitting perfectly at the base of Link’s ring finger was breathtaking. Reaching forward, he stroked the pad of his thumb over the smooth band of the ring. It was of a simple design, nothing fancy because that just suited Link best but, without a doubt, it looked truly, stunningly beautiful on Link’s hand. He was also delighted to find it looked right, as though it belonged there.

“What happened to getting down on one knee?” Link asked teasingly, rolling out of Sidon’s lap and shambling over to the side of the couch he had been previously sitting on.

“I had planned on it but you sat on me. Do you want me to give the ring back so I can offer it to you whilst on a bended knee?”

“Nope!” Link said happily, head suddenly popping up out of the blankets.

There was a delicate flush of pink along his cheeks. Blue eyes, vibrant with excitement and happiness, found Sidon’s, warming him from head to toe as love flooded his gaze. Smiling widely, he picked up his phone from the side table, messed with it for a moment then stuck his hand out and took a picture.

“Zelda is gonna flip!” Link giggled, frantically typing out a text message.

“So, I can take this as a yes?” Sidon asked, relaxing back against the couch, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“No, I’m just freaking out, excitedly telling my best friend that we’re now officially engaged, I’m going to be getting married because I actually plan on telling you that I’m not interested.”

“Ah, well, it was worth the shot but can I have the ring back, then?”

Link didn’t even bother responding. Instead, he continued to tap away on his phone, obviously typing up a long, detailed message. Chuckling, actually feeling a bit foolish for having been nervous before, Sidon slid over to where Link sat. Wrapping his arms around him, he tugged him back into his lap, leaning down to pepper little kisses on his cheek, ear and jaw. Link leaned into him, snuggling close without taking his eyes off his phone.

“Does your Dad know?” He asked, tapping the send button.

Sidon nodded, “I told him I was ring shopping. I’m going to need to call him soon to let him know the results.”

“Probably a good idea but before that,” Link turned to offer up a soft, loving grin, “my answer is yes. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Sidon.”

Before he could respond - not that there was anything in his rosy, hazy mind other than a continued soft note of absolute adoration for his Link - the man of his affections reached up, wrapped his arms around his neck and pulled him down into a kiss. Slow, thorough, warm and gentle - everything else, everyone else in the world faded away until there was nothing but the sensation of Link’s lips against his own, Link’s scent, Link’s warmth, Link’s taste. All overwhelming his senses, making his heart flutter wildly. Breathing out slowly through his nose, squeezing Link close to his chest, he returned the kiss with hungry enthusiasm. Sneakily slipping his tongue inside, relishing in the shiver that ran through Link’s smaller body, he took a moment to gently tease Link’s tongue before slipping back and lightly nipping his bottom lip. Link shuddered, and returned his nip with a harder bite. A jolt raced through Sidon’s body, sending goosebumps flooding over the surface of his skin. Warmth flooded his chest, rushing down to his stomach and then even lower when Link looked the lower lip he had just bitten between his lips and sucked lovingly on it.

“I’m rock hard, right now.” Link laughed breathlessly, cheeks bright red, eyes bright, focused and shining with excitement.

Feeling a little fuzzy in the head, as well as incredibly excited himself, Sidon easily, happily took the hint. Sliding off the couch, he knelt down in front of Link, managed to separate all the blankets (with considerable help from Link) until his lower body was exposed. He was wearing sweatpants, which left nothing to the imagination. There was a very obvious bump extending out from his crotch. Normally, he would take the time to do some teasing, some foreplay to make the next step even more enjoyable but right now, he knew both he and Link were incredibly impatient. Gripping the hem, he gracefully pulled down both the sweatpants and underneath, allowing Link’s erection to come bouncing free. He hadn’t been exaggerating. Even though it had just been a kiss, he was already standing to full attention, small drops of clear precum beading out of the tip. Link’s cock mirrored his body - small, slim and utterly delectable.

Heart pounding in his chest, skin flushed and overheated, his own erection pressing painfully against the confines of his jeans, Sidon scooted forward, yanking Link’s hips closer to him, using his shoulders to push his legs apart. Again, he would normally take the time to tease a bit, blowing, kissing anywhere and everywhere except the one place Link would want him to most of all, but he couldn’t make himself wait. His mouth was already watering. Leaning down, he opened his mouth, wrapped it around the head of Link’s cock, shivering at both the strong taste that immediately flooded his taste buds, and the loud, gasping moan Link let loose. Swirling his tongue around the swollen head, he took a moment to play with the slit before abruptly sinking all the way down to the base.

Link cried out loudly, one hand landing on the top of his head. Thin fingers weaved through his hair, gripping into the strands. Not tugging or pulling, but more just hanging on. Holding Link’s hips down with one hand so he couldn’t buck or thrust, Sidon hollowed out his cheeks, sucking hard on his erection, and began to bob up and down, rubbing his tongue against the underside, tracing the lines of veins, swallowing down the copious amounts of precum as best he could. Saliva began to slip free from his mouth, dribbling from his lips to slide down his throat. His other hand began to play gently with Link’s balls - stroking, kneading, massaging, driving Link closer and closer to the edge.

Above him, Link was quickly unraveled into a gasping, writhing mess. Glancing up, he was more than pleased, a little bit proud to find Link flushed deeply red, eyes clenched close, mouth wide open as pants, mews and moans tumbled from between his pink lips. The sight alone was nearly enough to make him cum in his pants. Unable to take it anymore, Sidon released Link’s balls so that his hand could fly down to the button of his jeans. Roughly yanking them open, then down, he shoved his hand inside of his underwear, wrapped his fingers around his own erection, jolting as an electric bolt of pleasure raced up his spine, and, without taking his eyes off Link’s face, began to pump his hand up and down. Quickly, his hand fell into rhythm with his mouth. Breathing hard through his nose, feeling his own orgasm pushing against the base of his spine, knowing through instinct alone that Link was also close, he picked up the pace of both his mouth and hand, determined to have them both cum at the same time.

Link actually came first. As Sidon was sinking all the way down to the base once more, his entire body tensed up, back arching, head thrown back, and let out a loud, sobbing cry of Sidon’s name. Sidon’s mouth was suddenly filled with scalding hot, thick fluid. Swallowing it all down, a tingling shudder rushed through his own body and, with one last hard pump, he came, covering the inside of his underwear with his release. Pulling off Link’s quickly softening cock, he dropped his head, shivering as golden waves of pleasure washed over him. Pulling in several deep breaths, feeling a bit dizzy, Sidon wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before raising his head. Link was practically mush. He slumped against the back of the couch, a small, satisfied smile on his face.

“Do I even need to ask if that was okay?” Sidon asked playfully, still a little breathless.

“Do you have anywhere to go tonight?” Link asked in response.

“No, nowhere.”

“Good, because that was good but I only want more.” Link opened his eyes, and looked down at him with a heated, hungry gaze, “I don’t want to be able to walk right tomorrow, Sidon.”

He had just come, his cock was already wilting but with those words, it immediately twitched excitedly in response. If Link kept talking like that, he would have a stiffy again in no time at all. And that was completely fine with him. Smiling widely in response, he lightly stroked Link’s thigh, and said in a low, husky voice, “Well, with your permission, I suppose I could work in devouring you all night long into my schedule.”

Link’s legs trembled. Pulling in a shaky breath, he noticeably swallowed, Adam’s apple bobbing, before saying, “Permission granted. Go call your Dad first, just in case you don’t get the chance.”

“Good idea.” Sidon agreed with a nod. Getting up to still somewhat wobbly, a little bit asleep legs, he grimaced at the sloppy, wet feeling in his underwear. Before he called his Dad to tell him the news, he needed to change. There was something just a little too weird about phoning his Dad while he was soaking in jizz. He made to move away when Link suddenly caught his arm.

“Do you want me to blow you first?” He asked when Sidon turned to look down at him, “I imagine it wouldn’t be pleasant to talk to your Dad while hard.”

Sidon chuckled, “I handled it. Thank you, though.”

Link stared up at him, uncomprehending for a moment, before his eyes widened slightly, “You jacked off while sucking me off?”

“Yes. Was that okay?”

Still looking slightly startled, as though the concept of doing both at once had never occurred to him, Link nodded, “Yeah, just wasn’t expecting that. Alright, go on and call your Dad. Tell him I said hi.”

“I’m going to change first, then I will.” Instead of moving away again, a thought occurred to him. Bending over, he gently took Link’s chin in his hand and pressed a soft kiss against his lips, “I love you. Thank you for being with me.”

Jolting forward to claim another kiss, Link whispered against his mouth, “I love you too. I promise, I’m gonna make you happy for the rest of your life.”

“I have no doubt of that.” Sidon chuckled, nearly bowled over by the eager, honest admission. For a moment, he was absolutely overwhelmed with love for his Link, nearly delirious with jubilation. This was the man he was going to marry, the man he was going to spend the rest of his life with and spend that life loving him. He didn’t know what he had done to end up so lucky but he was grateful to whatever or whoever had seemed it that he would fall for this beautiful, amazing man and that same man would love him just as much.

Knowing that if he didn’t move away, he would start getting all sappy and mushy, and that he really did need to call his Dad, he gave Link one last kiss then, as the big toothed lady on the TV, bid her audience a farewell, started heading towards the bedroom. Each step felt like he was walking on a cloud. Excitement thrummed loudly in his chest, sending shockwaves of joy racing throughout every inch of his body. Getting into the bedroom, he quickly stripped off his jeans and soiled underwear, threw on just a pair of sweatpants as he knew they’d be coming off shortly after he phoned his Dad, then retrieved his phone from the pants he had just discarded.

Punching in the number since it was faster than going to his contacts, he put the phone to his ear and waited until his Dad picked up.

“Well?” His Dad said on the other side of the line, his deep voice barely concealing excitement.

“He said yes.”

“I knew he would!” His Dad laughed loudly, and Sidon could practically see him slapping his knee in delight.

Plopping down on the edge of their bed, a massive smile on his face, Sidon listened to his Dad whoop with happiness at their engagement. There was a quiet shuffling behind him. He turned to find Link striding in through the doorway, once again firmly wrapped up in blankets. He flopped down on the bed behind Sidon, smiled up at him and held out his hand. After informing his Dad that Link wanted to talk with him, and getting an eager affirmation that he wanted to speak with Link as well, Sidon handed the phone off, laid down beside his fiancée, snuggled up close to his side, sighing happily when Link began to lovingly play with his hair, and simply listened as his soon to be husband chatted away about the engagement and soon to be wedding with his Dad.

[mbergen]

Tammy came home over the weekend.  She had signed up for another week, but it wasn’t meant to be.  I won’t deny she had me worried, but she is fine.  On her 20th day, she scheduled It off.  She hoped that she would be rest and recoup for the next week.  When I talked with her that morning, I knew she was exhausted and so tired.  I had noticed in the last week she was getting more quite.  I was already uneasy.  Late that afternoon, she text and said she was leaving.  She had a car scheduled in an hour and she was driving home.  I wanted her to fly, but it wasn’t going to happen.  She want to get out now……She needed to drive, and have alone time….I was getting more worried.  I really didn’t want her to leave that late from New York City, a city she had never driven in.  But everyone who knows Tammy knows she loves to drive.  I think that is where she gets her peace and alone time.  She can drive straight through from Illinois to Harlingen Texas, (near Mexico Border) in 22 hours…..Crazy Driver…..I decided to text Katherine, her best friend at home.  She is a Nurse at IVCH in Peru.  If she would contact anyone else, it would be her.  Yes, they had already been talking.  As she left New York City, she called and I could tell she was already feeling better.  The weight was lifting.….Katherine sent me texts all evening and night.  Then I was up at 5 to make sure she got home…..What a Saturday it was….Yes, she pulled in Sunday by noon…..So here is her story in her words….

Tammy Bergen 22 hrs ·

I am gonna start this off by saying today is day 22! And the 1st day in 21 days that I have woke up in my own bed! I have missed my family and my friends so much! I might even say that i have missed Illinois! New York was a beast! I have seen thing and did things that i have never dreamed of. And I met so many so many great nurses, APN’s and Drs! They were from all across the United States! The staff was very welcoming as well. They would have lunch donated at times. My last day they had breakfast donated and brought in to us! And REAL coffee! 😍 lol while I was there I worked on 9 different units. I worked a couple of units more than once but for the most part everyday was like starting a brand new job. Everything was always new. The staff, the nurses I worked with, what supplies were available, what type of patients there were. Every unit was like opening a door to the twilight zone. You never know what is gonna be there. And the attitude was strong and everywhere! That is the best way I can describe it. It was not easy for me to go on every day with 5-6 hours of sleep mixed with the constant change. I was never able to develop “a work rhythm”? I’m not sure if that’s the word I am looking for but… And As many of you know, I have struggled with depression my whole life. And I ended up finding myself in a very very low spot. Around day 15 I started to cry everyday and I think day 19 I almost cried all day! (Fyi it’s very hard to tell if someone is crying when they are wearing all this head gear!) It was sooo hard. Even though we were there to help and shine some light into the darkness that is going on in New York right now, I lost control of myself and the darkness crept inside me... On the 20th I had the day off. They allowed us to have 2 pto days in this 21 day contract. My plan was to destress as much as possible and trudge through work one more time… and then cancel my 1 week extension and go home! But by the end of day 20 all I could think about was getting out of this cold dark place that I had found myself in. So rented a car and got the hell outta there at 7pm! It was truly one of the best things that I have ever done for myself. As I began driving away from NYC I could truly feel the heaviness of it all leave my body… and I could smile! A real smile! I talked to my mom and my best friend Katherine almost all the way home. I even had Cassidy on the phone for an hour and an half! And we had a great conversation! I was excited to surprise Cameron at the house so I never told him I was coming! Lol And I thank god my family and my friends are here for me everyday! A part of me is very ashamed or dissatisfied in myself for leaving a day early. But not any more. I am so proud that I was able to help in such a terrible situation! I have learned many things about myself through this experience. I will never regret it! But I don’t think I want to go back to NYC... ever! Lol thank you to everyone that sent us stuff! You guys really really really helped me personally!! And we shared with many others as well! I will never forget this experience! Aunt Connie told me that I would not be able to come back from this the same person. At the time I didn’t think to much about it. But…. she is so very right... not always! But this time! Lol I am just so happy to be home!❤❤❤ ps. Britt Novak is still rockin it in NYC! You got this girl!

Tammy is now home and doing well.  Now she has 2 weeks of quarantine before she can return to work.  I know she has missed the kids tremendously.  She has come back a changed person in so many ways…..She  has learned a lot about herself and will be stronger for it.  She will never forget the patients, nurses, doctors, and all the experiences of New York….She has accomplished something not many of us could or would ever undertake.  But she is a Nurse…..She took that Oath….She Believes in what she does….

WE ARE ALL SO PROUD

….She is an Amazing Nurse….

Now it is time for all the …..THANK YOU’S…. Her days were so busy.  14 hours of the day were work and transportation.  That didn’t leave much time for eating, sleeping, waiting for your mail for 45 min.  and of course a through shower and disinfecting.  She became more physically and mentally exhausted every day.  So she didn’t have a lot of time to show her appreciation.  The one Company that needs a HUGE THANK YOU is Vactor Manufacturing from Streator Illinois…..

Tammy mentioned to us she could use some Safety Glasses.  Aunt Connies’, Son in Law, Matt Rinaldo works for Vactor in Streator Illinois.  He went to HR to ask about Safety Glasses for the girls.  By noon, he had been given around 50 Safety Glasses.  HR also game him many FACE SHIELDS.  Their parent Company Federal Signal had sent them to their employees.  The employees had decided to give them to the Front Line people in the Medical Field that needed them.  They had already given a number of them to Morris Hospital.  Matt brought them to Connie who boxed them up and sent them to the girls.

They were so needed.  As soon as she received them they were gone.  So not many pictures were taken.  I had been reading posts on the FB site of the Staffing Agency from the other nurses.  Those who had connections, were ordering them in quantity’s for their friends.  The hospitals didn’t have any.  They were pretty desperate to get them.  These Shields were so Appreciated.  So …..THANK YOU VACTOR…. also Matt and Connie for sending them to New York…..

Face Shields and Safety Glasses from Vactor….Overlooking the Times Square… NYC

So many other items were sent.  So here in Tammy’s words again are all her Thank You’s

Tammy Bergen 15 hrs ·

There are so many people I need to thank besides my family that have donated their time to make sure that we have what we needed! I want to make as many as I can but please dont be upset if I forget to mention anyone because you all made this so much easier! 1. Vactor Manufacturing in Streator Il donated a box full of safety glasses and face shield! ❤❤❤!! They are in very high demand in New York! And as soon as people seen them… they were gone! The hospitals no longer supply face shield because they are just not available anymore. I wish I could have got more pictures but there just wasn’t time. But I assure you that they were amazing! Thank you Connie Malavolti, Ashley Malavolti and Mat Rinaldo for the hook up! It was definitely needed! The shields protect us from much more than the glasses alone cuz there is a lot of coughing and spraying going on! 2. Amanda Davis for the goodies and the wonderful prayer that came with! It was very special! 3. Chauntelle Biagi-Bruer for the goodies and kind words! 4. Aunt Connie and Jeanie Lutz for getting several hand made masks for me to take at the very last minute!❤ and thank you Connie for the bag of super healing rocks! I wore them everyday! 5. Tammy Schlesinger Gunter for all the goodies and kind words! 6. Baily Jane and Betty Parks for the awesome lotions and cookies! ❤ 7. Jeny Orozco for the amazing words of encouragement and all the awesome gifts! 8. Tiffany Gebhardt for the awesome gifts and kinds words! 9. Mary Jaegle Milashoski for the awesome gift of dry shampoo! (it seriously made Britt Novak’s day!)and the other goodies as well!❤❤ 10. Jessica Torres for all the amazing goodies and encouragement! 11. Frances Ilnicky Van Ameyden thank you for the goodies and the great conversation that definitely brought a smile to my face! 12. Tina M Wenzel for the gifts and (over the top!) Encouragement! I am so very thankful! 13. Brenda Bickerman thank you for delivering the lysol wipes to my house before I left! I could not find any anywhere! 14. Gale Reno for the bag of snacks, gloves, mask crochet ties and other things that you sent at the last moment. 15. Nicole Bouxsien and family made several masks for us to take with. 16. The Eastgate Quilter ladies for making all the masks and redoing the design to include the laces to save our ears!❤ 17. Theresa Fisher for the crocheted ear savers! 18. Bobbi Van Schaick for the box of goodies! That came along with a great story! Definitely something that I would have done! Lol 19. Sharon VanLanduit for the amazing shoe inserts! They helped soooo much! And lastly, Katherine Twardowski for taking care of my 2 older babies while I was gone! (I really hope you will recover quickly! Lol). Tina Bergen Dolder and Ed Dolder for being everything for Carly while I cant! And for all the school teaching! And Margaret Bergen for the daily encouragement and text messages! Scottieonepaw ScottBergen and Brandy Lockett for all the love and support! And there has been so many others who have said some of the best things! I will never forget! Cameron Bergen and Cassy Cruz I am home! And I love you both so much! We WILL be spending some quality time together real soon! Like it or not! Lol I truly can not say how thankful I am to have you all in my life! I have the best family and friends that anyone could ever ask for!❤❤❤ I am feel very blessed to have been a part of NYC at this time of need. But this Is definitely my home! ❤❤❤

Comments…..

Jeny Orozco Love you Tammy!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Betty Parks Thank you for giving your ALL.

Tiffany Gebhardt Np Tammy Bergen…just my way of saying thanks for what U guys went and did! U went above and beyond what u had too! Hope to see u back around soon until then take care of urself and know u got friends who care! ❤️

Tina Bergen Dolder A shout out to Brenda Holloway Bickerman, Jerimey Bouxsein Nicole and family, Gale Reno ( Erin Marie Megan Holly let your mom know!!

Megan Dose Glad your back!!! 😘❤️❤️❤️

Bobbi Van Schaick The least I can do

Mary Jaegle Milashoski So happy that what we could do for you .. made a difference and brightened your day ..!💜💜

Amanda Davis 💜💜💜💜💜

Frances Ilnicky Van Ameyden Your selflessness in this horrible time of Covid19 has shown us what Love of Neighbor is all about. God bless you!

Jeanette Brewer Stay safe and you r a hero Stay safe

.

Thank You to All who has supported and followed Tammy. I as MOM want to give a SPECIAL THANK YOU, to Tina, for being the BEST SISTER Tammy could ever have.  She has done so much that you all will never know.  She was their from the minute Tammy made this descion to go, by getting supplies ready and MANY MANY other things concerning Carly’s care.  My Kids are all so AWESOME….Brittney is still their finishing her extended week.  She is doing ok.  Everyone has been so supportive of the girls and of all the Medical Personnel.  These people are helping and reporting the truths of what is happening in New York City.  They have answered the call not knowing where they were going to work, where they were going to stay.  They all knew they were putting their life on the line…..But they all went anyway…..They worked 12 hours straight covered in PPE.  So many had shortages of PPE, and much hospital supplies.  Some of the story’s I read were mindboggling to think nurses had to operate in such a manner and do things that were so unethical in the hospital setting.  And then the stories of the patients.  So heart wrenching……So many that passed alone….With only the nurse present….The last words from the family’s on the cell phones of the Nurses….

…..Memories these Medical Personnel Will Never Forget….

Tammy’s Home From New York ….. Coronavirus…..Thanks To All Tammy came home over the weekend.  She had signed up for another week, but it wasn't meant to be. 

[bucketofchum]

Alright let’s talk about fun weird concussion dreams

I was at work (with my older sister???) - we work in the same office. She doesn’t know about the assault (nor will she ever), so I show up to work just like normal (just like I did this morning). Oh~ I had forgotten! She had gotten me the fancy privilege of killing the bugs in that one office room (for some reason this is a very high privilege – this was a continuation from a previous dream where I was assigned this task and I couldn’t do it because, if you know, I have a fear of dead bugs and a very strong desire to not cause harm onto any animals - even, or especially bugs). So just the idea of killing these bugs is nauseating.

But apparently what I was supposed to do changed from crushing 6 legged friends with carapaces to salting invasive slugs. And for some reason, I was able to do this. (I also suggested you set out beer - slugs like beer and will end up getting drunk and drowning in it – seems a more pleasant death than desiccating from salt), but it had to be salt. So I went into this office cubicle and went through each of the metal filing racks and salted the slugs I found therein.

I was doing really well and being very productive when suddenly my vision gets blurry, my head gets dizzy, and I’m not really able to think straight or really support myself. (À la what happened irl today at work). Very similar events to actual work happened. Except instead of modeling dose-response curves for certain chemicals, I was salting slugs. And I kept trying to push through and work, but it was getting worse and worse and I was toppling over, and by this point my chest was also constricting. So basically, I’m extremely faint, grasping onto consciousness, but still trying to work because I’m being productive. But @necromilk​ is telling me I need to go home and rest. 

Eventually I get off of work and I somehow get to a mall. I’m a rebel and decide not to lay down and rest and if I don’t tell Cas, they’ll never know. Plus they’re usually busy doing something so it’s not like they’d think to check and make sure. So I’m at this mall for some reason or another, but it’s eerily empty. I grab a shopping cart and walk to level B2 of the parking garage (the mall entrance is on B5). I’m on foot so I can’t just walk up all those levels (also I’m still in not the best condition from my concussion headache meltdown earlier) …but there is an elevator that leads up to B5, but it’s on level B3. That’s fine. I can walk up 1 flight of stairs to get to the elevator.

The elevator has these stairs that lead up to it – like 3 stairs. I get on the stairs and push the up button to open the door. The door doesn’t open and the whole elevator platform – the elevator box and the stairs I’m standing on – fuckin DROP. It’s.. the most terrifying thing ever. I’m not even in the fuckin elevator so I have no supports except like a small meagre handrail that isn’t protective. All I can think is “BUT I PRESSED THE UP BUTTON??? I THOUGHT??” and “Is this how the elevator is supposed to work???”

I’m falling FAST and I’m terrified and in my mind is just “fuck. If this elevator lands in a crash at the bottom my concussion is going to be so much worse. I might get paralysed.” Mind you – not die from the crash from the falling elevator at almost full velocity but just paralysed because my neck will snap. Or something. Idk – this is my logic.

The elevator goes through all 3 B floors and goes into some underground thing. It takes kind of a curve in the fall so it makes a slanted slopey J trajectory to go into some basement room. As the doors open to the basement room, another elevator box comes whizzing out and nearly hits me cuz it’s so close. Turns out they are replacing the elevator I was trying to use with a new one. And they had disconnected my elevator (without telling anyone because the mall garage is super dead around this time and it’s not like anyone uses that one particular elevator anyway) – I find this out in a few minutes.

Finally my elevator stops and I stumble off, nauseated and feeling pretty awful. I’m really shaken up, but I collect myself so I’m moderately presentable to… the two people working in this weird concrete basement room? Laboratory? Technical lab? Idk. One of the girls is a heavy set woman in her mid to late 30s. She’s wearing a top that looks like…scrubs. And her natural hair is pulled back tight in a puff. The other girl is about my age, probably younger – maybe like 22 or so. Or maybe still college aged?? She has a medium to small frame but not very shapely. I think she was Korean. Her voice is very casual (she sounds very college hah) as she asks me questions to figure out what the heck I’m doing here. Her coworker is giving me a look as she goes to close the door.

That’s when I learn that they do the elevator maintenance and that my elevators wires had been cut just hours ago cuz they were gonna replace it. I just had the misfortune of getting on it just when they were taking it down. Somehow, we get onto the topic of Steven Universe???? (Don’t ask idk) – I think she saw a Jasper pic I had drawn. I’m surprised she knows SU, and I show a picture I drew of Lapis and she’s not very impressed. More like “Oh, ugh, bleh.” She’s not a Lapis fan. I try to pretend not to be hurt and don’t tell her that Lapis is my all time fave and I just show her more secretly stashed pics I have of Jasper sketches (idk why I had never posted them anywhere – that’s why they are secret). 

We end up making out (the other elevator worker is off doing actual work and seems used to her younger coworker dicking around and being inefficient – she rolls her eyes, unimpressed, and sighs). I’m honestly stoked about the way this weird adventure turned out. Definitely didn’t let on that I was recovering from a concussion and an attack – because why would I? that’s not relevant information, and it turned out alright here – I didn’t crash, hah. And I didn’t want to weird this girl out idk. I just get excited when I meet people irl who also like SU hahaha.

Anyhow, eventually the two let me out of their concrete basement lab and I head off and out.

[Insert REALLY REALLY WEIRD SEGMENT where I am in the desert in Egypt outside a desert museum with some white traveler (idk why that is a profession but it’s a very white profession) and he’s telling me all about the mineral content in the very ferrous puddle of water in front of the museum. I already know this cuz dude I have a fucking degree in it, but I nod to let him know that he’s teaching me interesting things. He goes into the museum for the bathroom, and comes out to tell me more about the water in this country – eugh, again, I know – and he brags about how everyone else is waiting in line to get clean water but he’ll just use this puddle right here. I expected him to pull out a lifestraw and just straight up drink the incredibly hard water that is probably really dirty as well, but he uses it to wash his gross post-poop hands and I’m even more appalled. The limited clean water in my country and he fucking washes his poop hands in this natural puddle.]

Apparently this Egypt segment was just… the interim between when that Korean girl was working and when she got off work. The museum turns out to be a movie theatre and I go in to meet her. (I guess like a date?) But?? Apparently not?? Because she has a boyfriend who is inexplicably shirtless in this movie theatre (he’s the only one without a shirt on, and his toned pale abs are very visible in the dark setting) and she happily sits on his lap and gives him a kiss before heading off to get them some popcorn or snacks and I’m?? kind of bewildered. But also like damn okay. Hm.

Then @syntaxeme somehow is around, being the ever present, well grounded practical advice giver of a friend that she is and lets me know not to get attached – “She’s got a boyfriend.” “Who is shirtless, yeah I know. And really muscular.” “Oh, you saw him?” “Yeah.” Anyhow, Sara just lets me know what sort of thing I can expect from this girl, and idk honestly why I felt so let down haha, but also I’m like yeah – that makes sense. She’s got this manly, decently built Korean boyfriend, and that makes sense.

And…that was it. Hah.