#beach bag hacks

[handbagfashionexpert]

Beach Bag Hacks: Clever Tips For An Effortless Beach Day

Opt for the best beach bag in Australia with pockets for organization. Pack smartly, prioritizing sunscreen, water, and snacks. Freeze water bottles for a cooling dual purpose. Utilize mesh bags for sandy items and sealable plastic bags for electronics. Bring a compact, fast-drying towel and a portable speaker for added enjoyment. Streamline your beach outing with these ingenious tips for a stress-free experience.

[gooondocks]

and if your heart wears thin — evan buckley.

writing masterlist | askbox

─── summary: after taking an unfortunate spill on the job, buck's fiancé decides that life is too short to wait any longer.

─── pairing: evan buckley x gn!reader.

─── warnings & notes: angsty angst and then fluffy fluff. near death experience, descriptions of drowning and rescuscitation, brief mention of needles (not graphic), incorrect medical procedure for Plot purposes. no use of y/n. title is from 'beside you' by marianas trench. this starts out with some mild peril but devolves into some of the fluffiest shit i've ever written so. enjoy. not proofread bc i'm lazy.

─── word count: 3.9k.

     YOU SHOULD'VE BEEN EXPECTING IT, is the thing.

     The callout comes about halfway through the shift. Intoxicated male on the boardwalk at Echo Park Lake, bleeding from a head wound, having tripped getting out of one those damn swan boats. Dispatch warns that he’s been hostile and combative to both employees and civilians on scene, and that a police unit has also been sent to assist.

     So really, you should have been expecting it. Aggressive patients aren't exactly rare in your line of work, unfortunately. Hell, this wasn’t even the first confrontational call you attended this week. So you're pretty used to being on your guard on these kinds of calls.

     Except.

     You turned your back for only a second, just to grab something from the medkit. Buck and Eddie are doing their best to coax the patient onto the gurney, gritting their teeth as he hurls slurred curses their way. Hen quietly asks you to grab the pulse oximeter out of the bag, and so you turn, crouching down at the edge of the dock to rummage through the kit.

     You’re not sure what causes it. Why the patient decided to lash out at that exact moment. But there’s a gruff roar behind you and the man flails, edging around Eddie to give you an almighty shove. Crouched like this, your center of gravity suddenly shifts. You lose your balance.

     And then you're in the water.

     Panic floods your body as you breach the surface. It's instinct to gasp for air, except there isn't any; you take in a lungful of the lake instead, sputtering and hacking beneath the water as you try to kick towards daylight.

     It’s deeper than you thought it would be, so close to the shore. You keep kicking and kicking, but your boots never scrape the bottom, nor do you find the surface. It’s cold, too. Colder than you thought possible, in a lake in the middle of Los Angeles. But it’s winter now, you suppose. A grim, chilly February. Most of it has been spent curled up beneath a blanket with Buck, the pair of you ensconced in your cosy apartment.

     The past week has been overcast and windy. And the water is never as warm as the air temperature. Buck laughs every time you run into the surf at the beach, squealing at the sudden, sharp chill of it lapping at your skin.

     How cold can a human body become before it’s dangerous?

     You try to remember, but cold water curls around your limbs like heavy iron shackles, dragging you down. You can’t remember. Buck would know. Buck wouldn’t even have to think about it, he’d just reel off the answer in a heartbeat, and you’d smile proudly and kiss his cheek and insist, once again, that you should do a quiz night at your wedding reception.

     Your lungs are burning. God, your whole body’s just screaming for air, but you can’t find it. There isn’t any. Just endless, depthless water and the occasional wink of sunlight, mocking you from high above, then gone again. Never around long enough for you to find it. Never long enough to save you.

     Instinctively, you suck in another breath. Another barrage of lakewater floods your lungs. Dark spots start speckling across your vision.

     On the dock, Buck is screaming.

     He’d had one hand on the patient’s shoulder, his grip firm but gentle as he helped Eddie guide the guy onto the stretcher. You’d ducked out of sight for a moment, but Buck had been focused on subduing the patient. He tried not to grimace as waves of hot, rancid beer breath crashed over him.

     Then, with a strength that surprised them, the man wrenched out of Buck’s grasp and staggered away from them. Buck doesn’t think he shoved you on purpose, but it didn’t matter; one moment you were suspended, wobbling dangerously close to the edge of the dock, and the next—

     The next, you were gone.

     The patient’s still yelling nonsensically, curses and insults blending together into one unintelligible mess, but all Buck can hear is white noise. He blinks, but you’re still missing. He sees the gurney, the patient, Chimney’s pale face, the ripples spreading over the surface of the lake.

     But no you.

     Terror bolts through him, and without hesitation he’s sprinting to the edge of the dock. No, no, no. Ragged breaths tear out of his lungs as he scans the surface of the water, frantically searching for any sign of you.

     You’re okay, you’re okay, he repeats under his breath, over and over. Any moment now, your head will bob into view, and you’ll shoot him a waterlogged scowl, and he’ll laugh at you doing your best impression of a drowned cat, and everything will be okay.

     But the seconds tick by, one excruciating breath after another. There’s no sign of you.

     Buck shouts your name. A heart-wrenching cry. No, no, no.

     The rest of the team leap into action. Some of them load the patient quickly into the ambulance while Bobby radios for another RA unit. Eddie scrambles to grab the life preserver as Buck tears off his jacket, kicks the heavy boots off his feet. Hen and Chimney prepare their equipment for the worst.

     Please. Please. Buck doesn’t believe in God, but he spares a moment to pray before diving into the lake after you.

     The current catches him off-guard, tugging harshly at his clothes. It rained a lot earlier this week, so the lakes and rivers around Los Angeles are more swollen than usual, but the strength of it sends a spark of fear zipping up his spine. Falling in here, disoriented and panicking…

     He can barely make out your figure through the water’s murky gloom. Kicking hard, he swims down to you, loops strong arms around your waist. Wrapped in Buck’s unrelenting grip, he drags you back to the surface.

     “Eddie!” Buck calls out as he breaks through. Eddie wastes no time in tossing the life preserver towards him, who grabs hold of it with one hand, his other arm coiled tightly around your limp body, trying to keep your head above water.

     Bile rises in his throat as your clammy skin presses against his. You’re so cold. Panic wraps a hand around his throat and squeezes, hard, with every inch he gets closer to shore.

     Eddie and Bobby are quick to pull you both back to the dock, using the life preserver as a tow line. Hauling you out of the water, Buck lowers you gently to the ground. Your head rolls limply sideways, your face unnaturally pale, lips tinged blue from lack of oxygen.

     “They’re not breathing,” Hen murmurs worriedly. She sets the pulse ox on your finger while Chimney tries a sternal rub. You don’t flinch. “Respiratory arrest. Starting CPR.”

     Buck hovers at the edge of things. His chest is tight like a vise, steadily squeezing all the air of his lungs and replacing it with cold, slippery dread. He watches Hen and Chimney work over you, counts the reps in his head alongside them.

     He can’t tear his focus from your hands. They’re so still. Like a doll.

     Or a corpse.

     Please. You can’t leave him. You can’t. He hasn’t had enough time. You’re supposed to be getting married. Walk down the aisle together, spend a lifetime together. You were talking about getting a dog just last night. Planned a trip to the shelter for your next Saturday off. You were going to ask Chris to come with.

     And between one breath and the next, all of that could just be… gone.

     “Buck.” Eddie clasps a hand on Buck’s shoulder, wrapping a blanket around him to stave off the chill. Oh. He’s shivering, hands quivering at his sides, soaked clothes clinging to his skin. The blanket is tiny compared to Buck’s broad frame, but it’s something, at least. “Buck, breathe.”

    On the ground, Hen keeps administering rescue breaths. Every few seconds, she'll pause to check your response, but you remain frighteningly still every time.

     Buck can’t breathe until you do. He can’t.

     He feels so hyper-aware of everything around, the onslaught hitting all at once. The crowd of nosy onlookers gathered at the end of the dock, held back by frazzled park employees and a few other members of the 118. The wind ghosting over his skin, chilled gusts that ruffle his damp curls and creep beneath the blanket seeking wet skin to freeze.

     But most all, you. Always you. He can’t look away.

     Eddie’s hand on his shoulder feels like a tether, not quite breaking him from his thoughts completely but keeping him from falling over the edge of the precipice.

     “Buck, breathe.”

     His whole body shudders as does, finally, sucking a ragged breath into screaming lungs. His vision blurs just slightly. He blinks to clear it.

     You’ll make it. He cannot allow himself to think the worst. He won’t give up on you, won’t acknowledge the dark thoughts creeping in from the corners of his mind. You’ll make it. You have to.

     "Come on, kid," Chimney whispers as Hen administers another round of rescue breaths. "Come on, kid, you've got this—"

     And then between one second and the next, your whole body jolts, and you're vomiting out lungfuls of water. Hen rolls you onto your side, rubbing a soothing palm along your back as you wretch onto the ground.

     "That's it, baby, get it all out," she murmurs. You're gasping and hacking and sputtering lakewater all over the place, still not quite conscious, lips still a little blue and face still startlingly pale, but at least you're breathing.

     A wave of relief crashes over Buck and it almost takes him out at the knees. His heart’s still racing dangerously in his chest, trying to break past his ribs to reach you, and his hands still shake, but you’re breathing again.

     You’re breathing.

     He sways a little as his legs go weak. Buck feels lightheaded just witnessing you expel all that water, and sudden nausea grips his stomach in a vice. But he fights through it, unwilling to take his eyes off you for even a moment, even as his vision begins to blur again.

     Tears gather along his lash line, threatening to fall. He remains silent, not trusting that he won’t dissolve into tears the moment he opens his mouth.

     You’re still gagging, heaving onto the deck, but at least there’s no more water.

     He’s itching to reach out, touch you, feel your pulse flutter beneath his fingers to prove he’s not hallucinating. His hand twitches just slightly, like he almost does, but he feels rooted to the ground.

     Body wracked with violent tremors, you start to relax back onto the ground, limbs limp and leaden, throat and lungs burning like wildfire from the water you expelled. Your breath hitches every few seconds, still shallow and slow, so Hen fixes an oxygen mask to your face as Chimney mutters something about getting you to a hospital just as the second ambulance arrives on scene.

     You don't hear any of that. Blinking once, twice, the light is bright enough to make you squint as your mind swims hazily between waking and unconsciousness. Your head is pounding. You feel like you got hit by a goddamn truck. A pained moan whines out of you as you squeeze your eyes closed again to block out the weak, grey daylight.

     Buck bites his lip bloody as he watches you drift, your eyelids fluttering and your slow, stuttering breaths. His eyes are fixed on the oxygen mask. With every exhale, it turns foggy with condensation, and another knot of worry in his chest starts to loosen, but it’s not enough to put him at ease. Not yet.

     He’ll calm down only once you’ve been checked over at the hospital. Preferably with a second (or third) opinion, just in case.

     “Buck.” Eddie’s grip on his shoulder tightens momentarily as he nudges Buck gently forward. “They need you.”

     On the ground, you're only semi-conscious, still not fully aware of your surroundings. But you feel like you're looking for someone. Like there's someone missing, and you reach out blindly with one cold, trembling hand.

     Buck’s own fingers flex in response, but his legs still feel too heavy. He looks to Eddie, who nods at him, before Buck allows himself to be pushed towards you.

     Eddie’s right. You need him.

     Stumbling forward, he drops down to his knees, a dull thud echoing up from the wood that nearly makes him wince. He edges closer, eyes flicking all over your face, taking in your gaunt, washed out features, that cyan tint to your lips, the way you’re reaching out to him.

     Slowly, so slowly, he hesitantly takes your hand in his, curling careful fingers around yours. He squeezes tightly, and then it’s like he’s afraid someone will steal you away from him, because his grip turns almost tight enough to bruise.

     “I’m here, baby.”

     The hand encircling yours is warm and huge and comfortingly familiar, and when his voice drifts over you, something in your mind flickers with recognition. Your eyes flutter as you search for him, ignoring the way the light feels like skewers in your brain. "Buck?" Muffled by the oxygen mask, your voice is barely more than a whisper, throat rubbed raw from expelling the water.

     "Let's get her on a gurney." Hen is all business, but there's a soft, relieved smile on her face. "We'll start an IV of warm fluids in the ambulance to bring your body temp up. You weren’t down for too long, but I want to get you checked by a doctor soon in case there's any neurological issues."

     She’s addressing you, but it’s Buck who’s listening, taking in what she’s saying. He squeezes your hand again, trying to be a tether to consciousness as you weakly nod. He watches as your eyes search for him again.

     “You’re okay, you’re okay. You’re gonna be okay,” he murmurs softly, his thumb gently caressing the back of your hand.

     It’s more to reassure himself than anything.

     They're quick to transfer you to a gurney, and soon you're being wheeled towards the ambulance. Buck's hand in yours is a comforting anchor to reality, even as your whole body aches with pain.

     "Cold," you mutter once the doors have closed. Chimney's driving. Buck's in the back with you and Hen. You wouldn't have let go of his hand if they'd even tried to separate you, but they didn’t.

     Buck watches over you like he’s scared you’ll stop breathing if looks away. The lines of his fave are still creased with worry, but his thumb is soft, tracing soothing, mindless circles over your skin.

     When you speak his head snaps up slightly, eyes immediately locking with yours as you call out for him, murmuring in a raspy voice that you’re cold.

     “I know, it’s okay. Here, let me.” Hen wordlessly passes him a heated blanket and he’s gentle as he strips you of your wet shirt. Expertly avoiding the leads and tubes attached to your body, he tucks it around you, still holding your hand all the while.

     "Mm." You make a small, pleased noise as the blanket's warmth envelops you. It barely registers when Hen reaches across to take your other hand, wincing a little as she inserts a cannula to start you on an IV of warm fluids.

     "ER is ten minutes out," she murmurs quietly, and settles back to monitor your vital signs, offering you and Buck a little privacy.

     You're still shivering beneath the blanket, even as the warmth of it starts seeping into your bones, but that's more of an aftereffect of drowning than actual cold. You squeeze your fiancé's hand as hard as you can. "Buck?"

     “Right here, baby,” he murmurs softly, squeezing right back. His free hand moves to your head, fingers gently running through your damp, tangled hair.

     "Wanna marry you."

     The words that spill out of you are little more than a mumble, your eyes still closed, face still hidden beneath the oxygen mask. Soaked strands of hair drip murky lake water onto the floor.

     Buck is already your fiancé. You're already engaged. But there's an urgency settling in your gut, twisting up your insides in the worst way.

     You want— no, need to marry him.

     As soon as possible.

     It takes a few seconds to understand what you said, but when the words finally register, it feels like they’ve grown talons that tear right into his chest. The urgency in your tone makes his eyes still, and his heart starts to race all over again, threatening to beat right out of his chest so it can live next to yours.

     Eyes softening, he moves his hand from your hair to rest his index finger under your chin, gently tracing his thumb over your lip.

     “Marry me, huh?” he mumbles softly. You’d never be able to tell that on the inside, his brain is screaming gleefully that he’d marry you right now if Hen were ordained.

     He taps your nose over the oxygen mask, and if you were a little more awake (and not encumbered by the oxygen mask), you’d nip at his finger, a playful smile toying at your lips.

     Instead, you make the cutest grumbling sound he’s ever heard. "Mm. Now.” Your engagement ring is tucked safely in your locker back at the station, replaced on shift by a black silicone band that won't get damaged on a call.

     You squeeze his hand again, tugging insistently on it. Blinking against the harsh light of the ambulance, your gaze finds his, eyes still foggy and unfocused. “Marry me.”

     If another day passes before you’re married to this man, you may actually lose your mind.

     Butterflies swirl around Buck’s stomach, a far cry from nausea that rolled through him not that long ago. The small smile on your lips and the way you’re tugging on his hand make him feel all warm and gooey.

     He laughs softly at you, tapping his finger against your nose again. “Right now? We’re gonna get married right now? With you in the hospital?” He’s got no hope of masking the amusement in his tone. He wants to marry you yesterday. His eyes sparkle as he looks down at you with a quirked brow.

     You nod a little, trying not to wince as that sets off the pounding in your head. God, you pity those who get regular migraines. This is torture, and you only suffered a little oxygen deprivation!

     But Buck is smiling.

     He’s smiling and it's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen. You thought you'd never see it again. You want to see that smile every moment for the rest of your life

     "Mm-hm," you mumble, leaning into his touch. "Eddie can be flower girl. Wedding night in a hospital room. Scandalise the nurses."

     You're not sure how much of that was coherent, but you hear Hen snort, so you figure it was mostly audible.

     Buck’s grin broadens at your suggestion, but he bites his tongue to stifle the laugh bubbling in his chest. “Scandalise the nurses, huh.” He glances at Hen out of the corner of his eye, catching her trying to smother a similar smile.

     You huff at him, as if he’s being particularly difficult. As if you didn’t almost die twenty minutes ago. As if there aren’t more important things to focus on than the elopement you’ve suddenly decided you need.

     Besides. They’re nurses. You’re pretty sure they’ve seen worse.

     “Sucked your dick in the broom closet at work,” you mutter, your eyes falling closed again as warmth and safety wrap you up like a swaddled baby. “We’re pretty scandalous, baby.”

     Hen is barely able to muffle her squawk in time, hand clapped over her mouth, and you can't help but smile at the bright sound of it. You're sleepy, and you've got no filter, but at least everyone else gets to enjoy it.

     Buck, meanwhile, almost chokes on his own saliva. Eyes wide, jaw slack, a rosy flush creeps up his neck. It’s Hen’s reaction that makes him laugh, though, and he finally lets it out, quiet but affectionate as it tumbles from his lips.

     He shakes his head a little as he looks back down at you. “You’re gonna be the death of me, you know that?” His thumb keeps tracing lightly over the back of your hand, and the expression on his face is impossibly soft, his heart still racing in his chest.

     "Eddie in a pretty pink flower girl dress," you mumble, nonsensical images flitting through your mind of your friend drowning in tulle. You sigh. "You'd still be prettier. Just wanna marry you."

     The way he’s looking at you makes you feel warmer than any blanket. You feel like you’re floating on a cloud instead of stretched out on a gurney in the back of an ambulance.

     You want nothing more than to curl up in his arms right now, at home in your bed. This situation is certainly not ideal.

     "Bet we could get Eddie to wear a dress." More sleepy grumbles. You try to roll over, shuffle closer to your fiancé, but annoyingly, your body feels far too heavy to cooperate. "Play the I nearly drowned card. That would work. Bobby can officiate. Hen gets the cake. Can't wait another day."

     Buck snorts at the idea of Eddie in a dress, but his heart feels so full it’s like his body can barely contain it. The urge to wrap you up in his arms, to hold you close and never let go, hits him like a baseball bat to the head.

     “We gotta wait until you’re able to talk without being a smartass,” he says teasingly, tapping your nose again.

     You whine, frowning like a grumpy, tired child. “Then we’ll never get married.”

     Truly, if you have to wait for until the day you stop being a smartass, the world might end first.

     You look over at Hen through sleepy, puppy dog eyes. "Back me up here, Hen." You're so drowsy, exhaustion pulling you into its delicious embrace, but you’re pretty sure you'll remember all of this when you wake up.

     Hen certainly will, at least.

     A slow, sly smile creeps onto her face. Buck feels distinctly like he’s being ganged up on. For once, he really doesn’t mind.

     "Well, we as a firehouse are well-known for our impromptu party planning..." Hen recalls her vow renewal, and Chimney's wedding to Maddie, and every back-to-work celebration she ever organised. They are pretty damn good at this. "As long as the doctors clear you, I don't see why we can't plan a shotgun wedding in your hospital room."

     A triumphant, extremely sleepy grin spreads across your face, and you look back at Buck. "So marry me, hotshot."

     He huffs a melodramatic sigh, as if this is the world’s biggest inconvenience for him, but he cannot hide the way his ears turn pink, the way his whole body lights up like a sparkler on the Fourth of July.

     “A shotgun hospital wedding it is,” he says, bright with glee as he lifts your hand to his mouth, brushing a sweet kiss to your knuckles.

     With that settled, contentment curls up beneath your ribs like a cat in a patch of sunlight, and you doze off into a dreamless sleep, feeling like the luckiest person alive.

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

Could you do a scenario about Nemona, Penny and Arven with a real who has type null please? Maybe something about it transforming in Silvally?

YES NULL/SILVALLY TIME

I have one in Sword who I call "Bestie", and it's carried me through the Crown Tundra DLC. I want it in Violet so badly aaaa

Also this just reminded me of my fic that I wrote prior to Sun/Moon's release. Ya'll can give it a read if you so desire <3

That being said, this scenario will be like a sequel of sorts

........

Revealing Type: Null--or "Nully" as you've affectionately called it--to your friends was something you were initially nervous about...

But today was finally the day.

Moving away from Alola to attend school here in Paldea was quite the stressful journey, especially for your masked companion who had never know any place besides stark white labs and sandy beaches.

People kept warning you about how dangerous it was, but you never listened...and now your bond with the mysterious normal type has never been stronger.

Ever since you rescued it from an Aether Foundation facility that exploded due to its rampage, it put its trust in you and loved you unconditionally.

Learning the truth behind that supposedly "good" organization and its leader broke your heart. Although nothing devastated you more than realizing Nully had been held captive there as both experiment and prisoner.

You've tried researching its species, checking for notes and hacking into secret files the foundation kept under lock and key--and you discovered that Type: Nulls were basically created as "tamer" versions of Arceus, even having memory discs similar to the plates manufactured. They were meant to kill the Ultra Beasts should they invade Alola.

Instead, they went on a rampage (of course, that's what happens when humans try replicating a god's powers) and were confined to masks and put into cryogenic stasis. The whole project was deemed a failure.

As tragic as it was...you were relieved to have found Nully when you did and get it away from that horrible place.

Even so the mask still made it feel absolutely miserable, but unfortunately you couldn't find any further information on how to remove it without causing your precious Pokémon serious injury. There were no visible clamps to unlock, pulling it off would only cause it great pain, and cutting seemed too risky.

The only benefit was that it made Nully immune to critical hits, but the cons definitely outweighed the pros.

Maybe one of your friends knew more about the Type: Null species, and so you decided to call them all over for a picnic if they had free time.

All you could do was pray that they didn't lose their cool and scare your companion.

That's the last thing either of you needed.

Arven was the first to arrive, with Mabosstiff at his heels as usual, but he stopped dead in his tracks upon seeing the bizarre-looking Pokémon standing by your side. You could tell he was trying not to look too worried, considering the poor thing was hiding behind you now.

Still, it's obvious that he didn't have the slightest clue what he was looking at, so you explained everything to him: where you found Nully, why it looked like a rejected Arceus, and the memory discs you kept in a small folder.

So far, you haven't figured out how to utilize them in-battle. But despite the space they took up in your bag, you refused to throw them away.

"Are you sure there isn't a slot for these somewhere on its mask?" He stared at one of the floppy discs, before glancing back up at Nully, squinting. "It looks like there should be one."

"We've been pals for nearly three years, Arven..I'm pretty sure I would've found the slot by now if there was one." Shaking your head, you took it from him, sighing. "My only option is to get that thing off. The slot's probably on its body somewhere."

"Right...maybe there's a stomach hatch or-"

"¡Mira! You were right, Penny! They do exist!!"

"Nemona, slow down!! They're not going anywhere!!"

Hearing the shouts of two certain ladies from afar, you and Arven looked to see both Nemona and Penny coming over the horizon. The student council president was dragging the poor girl by the arm, with her stumbling to keep up and not lose her glasses.

When they arrived, Penny was dazed and annoyed as she scowled at Nemona, tearing her arm free of her iron grasp. But her attention was quickly set on the peculiar Pokémon who was cowering behind you yet again.

"Wow...I..never thought I'd see one up close before.." Adjusting her glasses, she gazed at Nully with interest.

"You've heard about them before?" You asked.

"Back in Galar, I found some top-secret stuff about Macro Cosmos trying to make their own instances. They literally stole the blueprints from the Aether Foundation."

"...yikes." Nemona remarked, tilting her head as she tried getting a better look at Nully herself. "It seems shy. Maybe a battle will help it-!"

"No battles, at least not right now." You smiled apologetically, patting it on the head as you looked at each other. "I know you're nervous, Nully..but it's okay. They're nothing like the jerks back in Alola who used to pick on us. They're my friends. You can trust them, I promise."

Nodding its head, it relaxed its haunches as it cautiously stepped away from your side, gazing at the trio and seeing their smiles, too.

They weren't looks of pity.

They seemed genuinely thrilled to meet it.

It stood there for some time, taking in everything you've said to it and thinking about how far it's come since you rescued it that fateful day.

Somehow, it knew it was always meant to be your companion--from the very moment you held it as it cried in the Pokémon Center, reassuring it that it's not a monster, but a sweet creature worthy of love and care.

Ever since then, your friendship has grew...and now it feels stronger, willing to put its life on the line for you if need be. Even though most of its powers have been concealed, it didn't feel like some weak and helpless lab experiment.

Oh no.

It was far from that now.

Thanks to your bond, it felt unbelievably strong.

So much so that....the normal-type realized an extraordinary change was imminent.

And you were about to witness it.

"Look! Nully's glowing, [y/n]!" Nemona pointed, her eyes widening as your companion was basked in a familiar light. "Is it evolving???"

"Oh my god...I think so." You gasped, never realizing the possibility of it evolving, but you're now certain that friendship is what triggered it at last.

The most noticeable thing were the cracks that started appearing all over its helmet, pieces of what you assumed was indestructible alien material falling apart. Nully shook its head vigorously, trying to get rid of it as much as possible.

Then it turned its attention to a nearby boulder, letting out a cry before performing a move similar to a Headbutt, ramming into it and letting the rock shatter the helmet completely.

At last, it was free.

When the glow faded, you and your friends gazed in awe as Nully looked back at all of you.

With its mask finally gone, what lied underneath it was a beautiful creature made of both nature and machine, with a beaklike mouth that smiled proudly.

"Nully...?" You murmured, stepping closer.

"Ally." It chirped, walking up to greet you.

Tears began forming in your eyes as your grin widened. "I can't believe it...friendship was all it took to-"

Suddenly, your rotomphone decided to ruin the sweet moment by flying out of your pocket.

It displayed a new entry in your Pokedex, and you grabbed it to read what it had to say, while Arven, Penny, and Nemona checked their own phones.

"I see, you're Silvally now." You gazed back up at Null--Silvally, watching it bow its head respectfully. With a small laugh, you mimicked the gesture, before petting it lovingly as you sighed. "Wow..."

You noticed one of the metal bolts on its face open up like a CD player, indicating that something had to go in there-

"Wait.." Remembering the memory discs, you took one out and held it up. "Do you want me to use this?"

Silvally nodded, although before you could do anything, Arven interjected.

"Hold on, which memory is that?"

"The Dark Memory. It probably just changes its type, but I believe this represents all the pain Silvally had to endure while being trapped in that mask, not knowing what it did wrong or why people shunned it for simply existing." You placed a gentle hand under your companion's jaw. "But now I think it's ready to turn that painful memory into power. So let's see what happens.."

"Silllllv!"

Carefully inserting the disc into the open slot, you watched as it closed up. Then you stepped back, seeing the colors and spikes on its body turn smoky black.

Even its eyes changed, and when they opened they looked even more menacing than ever.

And they stared directly at you.

With a low growl, it crept closer to you, while your friends held back..tense and worried that the pokedex entries were correct: this wasn't something you could so easily control.

There was probably a very good reason for the mask-

Yet any hostility Silvally seemingly expressed disappeared, as it smiled and licked your cheek affectionately, causing you to laugh once more. "Hey, that tickles! C'mere you!"

Hugging its neck, you grinned as you received even more kisses, hearing it purr with happiness. You petted its feathery crest, relieved that it completely trusted you now.

"Wow..it's way cooler than Arceus!" Nemona laughed. "Do you think I can battle it-??"

Silvally just shot her a wary look, and she immediately fell silent, a nervous smile on her face. "Haha, you're right. Not yet. But I swear we're gonna have an epic battle one day!"

"Yeah, one day. But for now, I have something special for this big guy."

"Sill?"

You managed to regain its full attention with a simple yet supereffective move of your very own:

It's called "chin scritches", something that none of your other Pokémon could resist receiving.

The mask obviously made it difficult for Silvally to receive proper affection back then...and you vowed to find a way to break it so you can do just that.

Now it was free of that awful and heavy thing, having a brand new life to look forward to: battles, friendships with other Pokémon, and more.

Even better?

Your three closest friends in all of Paldea were here to witness its evolution--a sign that despite all the odds...your bond was unbreakable.

[writingjjfics]

Pogues to the rescue!

Pairing: JJ Maybank x kook!reader, Platonic!Pogues x kook!reader

Summary: JJ and the Pogues come to rescue Y/n from her Kook family party.

Warnings: Kooks

Requested?: Yes! See request here!

Word count: 1.4k

A/N: Guess who's back? back again? It's moi! I apologize for how extremely long this took, life got in the way 🙂 also I did change the request a bit, and got some inspiration from the midsummers episode, hope that's okay! Oh and Sarah is not part of the Pogues for the sake of the story (not my gif)

The last few hours of your life have been a bore. You were stuck at this table with egocentric old kook people who could only talk about their 'perfect' lives and their well-succeeded grandchildren. You tried your best to show interest, but your mind kept drifting off. You nodded politely at them, and every so often, you mustered up a fake smile to make them think that you were listening to their boring stories.

When you noticed that their attention was no longer on you, which was hardly surprising considering how egocentric they all are, you quietly got up from the table and left. After quickly scanning the backyard in search of your mother, you, fortunately, spotted her in a conversation with her best friends. Taking advantage of the opportunity, you made your way inside the house to use the bathroom.

As you sat down on the toilet, you felt relieved. Not only because you could finally pee, but also after hours of miserably pretending to be anything close to a Kook, you could let your guard down here, even if it was just for a few minutes.

Taking your phone from your clutch, you check for any notifications that you might have missed in the last few hours. While scrolling through Instagram, you noticed your boyfriend had posted a video on his story. In the video, JJ was smoking his Juul, surrounded by the rest of the Pogues who were dancing and singing to some song in the background.

JJ's happy smile, as he hung out with the Pogues, made you feel a sense of joy for him. The Pogues are his true family and he deserves to be this happy and comfortable all the time. Sometimes you were jealous of their relationship. Even though your family has money and shows their love and care for you in their own, unique way, you've always felt like you don't quite fit in with them. It's as if you're the odd one out. At least the Pogues always have each other and their bond is unbreakable.

You snapped a quick selfie and sent it to JJ, showing him how extremely bored you were. After putting your phone back in your clutch bag, you let out a deep sigh, realizing you had to get back to the party before your mom would put up 'missing child' posters. However, as you reached for the door handle, you heard your ringtone go off. A picture you had taken of JJ at the beach during sunset a few weeks ago, filled your phone screen. A warm feeling spread through your chest as you answered the phone, grateful that he had taken the time to call you back.

"Party that bad, huh?", JJ chuckled as he spoke.

"If I have to listen to these fake people for a minute longer, I'll pull a van Gogh myself"

You could hear JJ snickering. "That's one way to answer that question"

"Can't you just hack into a system and send some emergency alert or something?", you whined.

"Honey, I'm definitely not as smart as Pope, but what I can do is try to sneak you away?"

"Tempting as that sounds, my mom would kill me"

"C'mon baby, we both know your mom loves her reputation too much to kill her daughter", JJ joked.

You rolled your eyes. "Very funny JJ, besides I don't want to be a burden to the rest of the Pogues."

You heard JJ scoff. Since knowing JJ, you've met the Pogues a few times, yet each meeting seemed to grow more awkward than the previous one. JJ always reassures you that the rest of the Pogues just have a hard time getting comfortable around the idea that he is dating a kook, or well just kooks in general, and that it's never because of your personality. "Before you know it, they will love you as much as I do", was what he told you occasionally. But you just can't help taking it personal.

"Y/n, stop being so stubborn, and let us help you. I want you here as much as you want to leave that party. Be ready in ten. I won't take no for an answer."

You were about to protest, but before you could, the distant chatter of the other Pogues in the background went silent, indicating that JJ had already ended the call.

After giving yourself a final look in the mirror and letting out another heavy breath, you opened the door and made your way back to the party outside.

Everyone was still engrossed in conversation, and it appeared that no one noticed you had been gone. It gives you a glimmer of hope that you might be able to slip away from the party without your parents noticing. However, at the same time, you can't help but recall a few years ago when you did the same thing, only to receive a month-long grounding from them.

After nervously looking ahead for a while, and making up different scenarios in your head, you suddenly feel a tap on your shoulder. Irritated, thinking it's one of your parents wanting to remind you to be more social, you turn around.

"You look like you could use another drink. Can I maybe offer you this one?"

In front of you stood JJ, dressed up as a waiter, holding a champagne glass. He gave you that annoying but charming smirk of his.

You took the champagne from him and chugged the entire drink, making JJ chuckle.

"Thanks, you always know exactly what I need babe"

You and JJ both laughed and you turned around looking for your parents. Your mother was still talking to her friends, while your father discussed work matters as usual.

"C'mon, let's go before my parents see us leaving". You were still nervous about the consequences, but decided that, that would be a problem for later. There's nothing you want more than to be with JJ right now.

JJ took your hand and quickly led you to the front of the house. Before reaching the gate, he suddenly stopped and gave you a kiss.

"Hi baby", he spoke softly.

You smiled. "Hi, Jay".

JJ gestured with his head towards the gate. "The others are right outside waiting for us." He squeezed your hand to reassure you that it was going to be okay. You nodded and followed him.

As you turned the corner, you saw the rest of the Pogues waiting next to the Twinkie. They were talking, but stopped abruptly when they saw the two of you approaching. Pope waved shyly towards you, while John B approached you enthusiastically. "That was quick"

"Yeah, I thought those kooks would give you more trouble", Kie said, rolling her eyes and emphasizing the words 'those kooks'. You saw Pope nudge Kiara. “Sorry, no offense to you of course”, she quickly realized her mistake. You smiled weakly and shrugged your shoulder. 'Well, luckily I don't see myself as a Kook'.

There was an awkward silence until JJ cleared his throat and walked over to the Twinkie to open the door. "Let's go back to the Chateau shall we?"

You got into the back of the Twinkie first, expecting JJ to follow you, but instead, it was Kie and Pope as John B and JJ got into the front seats having their own conversation. Kie sat beside you and turned toward you.

"Hey, I want to apologize if we ever made you feel unwelcome. We just had to get used to a new person in the group, but we see how happy you make JJ and that is the most important thing for us."

"Yeah, and you're real nice and fun to hang out with Y/n", Pope added.

You smiled, "Thanks, that means a lot to me."

"And I'm actually happy there is finally a girl in this group, I love these boys but I also really need some girl time", Kiara said making everyone laugh.

You locked eyes with JJ who was already smiling and gave you a wink. A few seconds later you heard your phone go off and saw that you received a text from JJ that said "I told you they were going to love you." You rolled your eyes at him, but chuckled nonetheless. You finally felt like you belonged there.

The rest of the night was spent hanging out at the Chateau, laughing, dancing, and getting to know the Pogues better.

As for your parents, you later found out that they had tried to call you many times that night, so you ended up being grounded again, but you really couldn't care less because JJ and the Pogues were helping you through it. They would always be there for you.

aaaah the end!! so so happy I finally finished a fic again. I was busy with my graduation project and had massive writers block, but I'm back! So if you have any requests or you just want to talk to me? LMK ❤️ Okay, love you byee x

[avoxrising]

The Feral One • Ch 29

Finnick x Y/N

Series Masterlist Link

Ok one more chapter after this one then the epilogue! I still haven’t written the epilogue but as soon as I do the series will be published.

Content Warnings - Descriptions of killing

Finnick left for 4 after the doctors had gotten your seizures under control and you’d commenced the rest of your treatment plan. They explained that they were most likely a permanent side effect of the capital’s experiment but you could help lessen their occurrence using a medication. You were hesitant to take any medication from the capital, but both Finnick and Beetee assured you it was safe.

All of the victors went back to their districts except for you, Johanna, and Peeta. It seems like the three of you were trapped in the capital all over again. You did have some freedoms, such as the ability to go outside and the ability to socialize freely, but it still felt like a prison.

Dr. Aurelius noticed how you were regressing in the capital and recommended the doctors release you early back to 4 where you could continue to meet with him over the phone. They were hesitant to agree but you promised to come back if your health worsened.

At the news of your release, Finnick hopped on the first train back to the capital. His project wasn’t 100% finished but he was glad you were coming home.

“Finn!” you squeal as he enters your room. Your stuff was already packed and ready to go with you to 4 in the morning.

He pulls you into a tight hug, inhaling the smell of your freshly washed hair.

“Hey love,” he smiles. “Are you ready to go home tomorrow?”

“Yes!” you reply, staring into those deep blue-green eyes you had missed for weeks.

You allow him to sleep alongside you that night, knowing that he is a safe person.

He’s your safe person, and you’re his home.

The next morning, Finnick loads your stuff onto the train and you both head back to 4. Mags and Annie were already there waiting for you.

The two of you spend the train ride curled up together on the couch, watching the scenery pass by in silence.

When you arrive in District 4, your whole world seems brighter. Paylor had pardoned you of the crimes the capital had charged you with, meaning you were no longer confined to your house. You were free.

Finnick grabs your bags and starts to pull you along down an unfamiliar road.

“Finn, where are we going?” you ask him.

“It’s a surprise,” he responds, smiling at you.

After a long walk, Finnick finally reveals the surprise.

Finnick had spent his few weeks back in 4 moving all of your things to a new house in the north of the district, along with Mags’ and Annie’s things into a house next door.

You stared in awe at the beautiful garden that wraps around the house, as well as the cobble stone path leading down to the beach.

“It’s perfect,” you grin, pulling him into a hug. “Thank you.”

“Anything for you, love.”

Your first few days home were a breath of fresh air. You went on morning walks with Finnick to help increase your strength and would finish your days laying on the beach with him, watching the last of the sunset over the horizon.

“Annie seems better,” you mention to Finnick as you both stare out towards the dying embers of the day. “She can sit in the same room as me for an hour without screaming now.”

“I always hopped you two would get along,” Finnick hums. He had watched for years as the two of you avoided each other like the plague, scared that all sanity would be lost if an encounter were to occur.

It had been hard for Finnick to convince Annie at first that you weren’t going to kill her. He remembers how terrified of you she was before she even entered the arena.

“I think that’s my biggest fear,” Annie had admitted to her mentor the night before her games. “Watching someone you cared about’s head get hacked off right in front of you.”

She had been mentally scared by the image of your kill in the arena. She remembers watching you decapitate Floyd while his district partner watched in horror, unable to stop it.

Annie never blamed you for your kill, at least not after she left the arena. But, seeing her own district partner go out in the same way left her with trauma that was unintentionally linked with you.

Taglist:

@randomgurl2326 @mystargirl-interlude @uther-pendragon-is-an-ass @yourdailymemedelivery @americanprometheuss @|3хі3luv @noisyalmonddreamer @nordicvxid @teaganthemorningstar @samatokisunfinishedcigarette @justtrying2getby @lvsticm @notplutos @innercreationflower @nexxus13 @kachelleee @helluvafire @haymitchabernathyslover @memeorydotcom @frostsword @meri-soni-meri-tamanna @giverosespls @honethatty12 @just-levyy @dd122004dd @nekee-lilac02 @impeterporker @nox-the-gay-nerd @redsakura101 @hopefulatrocity @eddiemunson4ever @fangirlvibez @kittimbo @zucchinimalfoy @sleepy-roman @secretsicanthideanymore @writerofadream @finnysmusic @mayonesavegana @lilifl0wer @finnickodaddy @abbersreads @fox-bee926 @ginger-swag-rapunzel @isasalom @yizhoutv @livingdead-reilly @coriolanussnowswife @faephoria @omwtkydttfym @iris1587 @sarcasm-and-stiles @10ava01 @impossessedbyjeongyeon @littleanubis21 @scorpiolystoned @maxinehufflepuffprincess

[astrolovecosmos]

🫖

Aries Tea Party: You must come with an outfit or makeup that has flair, spices fill the air, everyone follows the host's lead, bright and airy atmosphere, loud voices and laughter, decisions are made here, a bold and maybe even conflict-fueling guest list.

Taurus Tea Party: In a beautiful garden, elegant dishes and teapots, roses and candles, soft attire, long dresses, good and close company, peaceful music, hand-crafted invitations, animals possibly invited too.

Gemini Tea Party: Picnic style in a meadow or in a lovely solarium, arboretum, or aviary, the tea is hot metaphorically and literally, matching outfits or themed outfits is encouraged, never-ending conversations, social games, maybe a book club gathering, a diverse guest list.

Cancer Tea Party: Family and close friends only, has gift bags, the best tea and hors d'oeuvres you've ever had, smile for the pictures, uplifting atmosphere, heirlooms possibly used, toss in a little magic whether it be 🏰 magic, grandma's recipes, the magic of family and love, or literal witchcraft, maybe a tea party by moonlight, maybe a tea party on the beach.

Leo Tea Party: Must dress extravagant or within a creative theme, rich flavors, royal gardens or tea rooms, watch out for the politics, be sure to compliment your host, there is room for indulgence and opulence, the best rumors you'll ever hear, the best service you've ever had too, there's time for a dance, for a reading, for croquet, for everything, drama may unfold but enjoy the show or ride, maybe a little wine with your tea?

Virgo Tea Party: An itinerary printed out and closely followed, please be punctual, dress nice, manners matter here, high-quality tea and food, entertaining and surprisingly decadent, there may be books to explore, you'll learn more than you expected at this gathering - whether it be about everyone's business or a new life hack, aesthetically pleasing and thoughtful decor, everything must be perfect, a place for stimulation but also respite.

Libra Tea Party: Plenty of sweets, the aesthetics 😍🤩, dainty and delicate, possibly a clever theme, personalized cups or napkins for the guests, has a guest list that is great for networking and matchmaking, comfortable chairs and couches, everything is pleasant from the decor to the fragrances to the temperature, will happen on a beautiful day.

Scorpio Tea Party: Private, exclusive guest list, spicy or strong flavors, may be inspired by fiction, crystals and witchy candles, maybe the perfect time for a tarot reading, a place where you'll hear secrets and hearts are spilled, maybe a sexy tea party. ;)

Sagittarius Tea Party: Fairy lights, maybe a tea party by candlelight, or by a beautiful fireplace - either way the lighting will be a centerpiece, cozy vibes, insightful conversations, plenty of laughs, possibly some excitement even if things seem like a quant tea party, a great time for show and tell, exotic or hard to find teas, very interesting company.

Capricorn Tea Party: Could be done in a traditional way, a beautiful chandelier or statues, maybe out in the woods, classical or indie music, only a few guests, VIP treatment, nothing of poor quality, moments happen here, some surprising secrets may accidentally come out, be sure to follow the dress code.

Aquarius Tea Party: Eclectic decorations, maybe retro vibes, plenty of light blankets and cute pillows, unusual or handcrafted teas, either has a large guest list or is having tea with one other person, could be doing the party for charity, people stay late due to captivating conversations, sneak in a game of chess or conspiracy theories, a gathering of like minds.

Pisces Tea Party: Aquamarine and coral colors, seafood may be served or a special diet, ocean themes, the most ornate cups and silverware, glitter and shimmers, maybe some time for poetry or painting, accommodating, moments to cry and share, only those that impress or connect with the host get invited back.

[hannahssimblr]

“Come on!” Jen giggles, “Just one! One little eeny-weeny teeny puff!”

“No! Get it away!” 

With one hand locked behind my neck, she tries to slot a joint into my mouth. I gently but firmly peel her hands off me. “This is the textbook definition of peer pressure.”

“Oh, you should tell your parents what’s happening to you. They’ll think I’m evil.”

“They already half think that.”

“Come on!”

“I’ll vomit.”

“You might not this time. It might be different.”

“There’s something deeply insane about that statement.”

“Here!” Shane interjects, holding his hand out for the joint. “Give it to me, sure it’s only wasted on him.” He pops it between his lips, and when he smokes it, the end crackles, a dot of smouldering light in the dark. 

Standing around watching my friends get stoned has been a regular fixture of the summer. We spend most of these long, lazy evenings hanging out in some unkempt corner of the caravan park, where the sun’s warmth lingers on the fractured tarmac and damp beach towels are drying over the wire fence around the tennis court. 

Last night, some man in his thirties complained that our chatting was disturbing his kids’ bedtime and that he could smell the weed smoke inside his caravan. Except he didn’t call it weed. He called in ganja, and when he went back inside, we snickered about it until he hissed out of the window that he was going to phone the police.

So tonight I am standing around watching my friends get stoned in town instead. It took me forty-five minutes to cycle in to meet them, and my reward for that is the ends of the Chinese takeaway that they didn’t finish and a wonky joint being forced into my mouth.

“Fuck, that’s shite,” Shane hacks out a bone-dry cough, and he pushes the joint towards Joe, who has the temerity to look offended. “Hey! My brother sold me that.”

“Did your brother fish it out of that bin at the back of the chipper?”

Joe smokes it to prove a point. “It’s lovely,” he insists, eyes watering, “I think that’s… that’s actually the nicest weed I ever had.”

“It tastes of stale crackers.”

“My brother wouldn’t sell me bad stuff! Don’t say that about-” his eyes bulge and he breaks off into wheezing coughs, doubling over with a hand clutching at his throat, “Okay, right enough,” he manages as we passively watch him struggle, “it’s a bit dry.” 

Kasper is waving in the distance, doing a little half-run across the pedestrian crossing. He’s coming back from the off licence with a school bag packed so full of cans that he hasn’t been able to zip it up all the way. 

“I saw Liam,” He says, eyes dancing as though he has spotted a cryptid in the woods, “And girlfriend eating at restaurant.”

“Just now?” Jen says. 

“Yes, five minutes.”

They must be on a date. I wonder did he ask her to his debs. I wonder if she said yes. I wonder why I am invested. 

“Oh! Cute! Maybe they’ll come and hang out.” She produces her flip phone and begins texting. 

“No,” Shane protests with a waving hand, “Don’t. Don’t invite them.”

“Too late. I’ve asked her.”

“No. It’s weird! I don’t want her to see me stoned.”

“She knows you smoke weed.”

“She doesn’t.”

“Well, she’s about to find out.”

My stomach does strange things at the thought of seeing Evie again. It’s ridiculous and makes little sense because she’s just some random girl who hangs out with Kelly Healy. It would be easier to dismiss this sensation as weird hunger pangs if I hadn’t eaten less than half an hour ago, so instead, I conclude I am experiencing a sudden onset anxiety disorder and concentrate on ignoring it.

When she arrives about fifteen minutes later, I ignore the feeling even harder. She is smiling, but Liam is not. He drags his feet behind her, pointedly miserable, while Evie drifts over and hugs Jen, oblivious to him. 

I’m there too, somehow, holding out my arms to hug her. I make sure it’s brief, because I am still somewhat attempting to be nice to Liam, and suspect he considers my touching or looking at Evie in any way to be bullying. I give him that awkward, closed-lip smile afterwards, and he does the same in return. 

The smell of Evie’s jasmine shampoo lingers in my nose even after she is gone. 

��What happened to your face?” Shane asks her. She goes pink and wipes a knuckle under her eye. “Nothing happened. Kelly did my makeup.”

A laugh bubbles from his lips. “Well, you look mad.”

All I noticed was the dark makeup on her eyes and some lipstick. It’s not exactly shocking stuff.

Jen rolls her eyes as she takes the joint from Joe. “Don’t mind him. You look lovely as usual.” She takes a long, luxurious drag. “You want?” 

“Ah, no. She can’t have any,” Shane pushes Jen’s arm away. “I wouldn’t let Evie do any of this stuff. She’s only a baby.”

Jen doesn’t rest, she just swings her arm to Liam instead. “How about you?” And I wonder if the quality is really so bad that she’s offering it to him. I feel it’s just as good in the rubbish bin. Smirking, I catch eyes with Evie, who is trying her hardest to look serious, and wonder if she is thinking about the story I told her about him at the gallery yesterday. The memory of her guilty laughter makes me feel like I might lose my cool completely.

Liam brushes some curls across his forehead and straightens up haughtily. “No thanks. I’m probably not going to stay for long, anyway. I have to get up at six for work.” He takes his phone out of his jeans. “Actually, I think I’m going to text my dad to come and get me now, so if you want a lift, Evie, you can come.”

“No,” she says, a little too quickly. “I think I’m going to stay.”

His brow furrows. “Will you just get a taxi then or what?”

“We’ll get her home safely,” I say, and a rigidity comes over Liam. He won’t look at me, and a muscle pops in his cheek. 

“Will you? But sure, you’re all stoned.”

“I’m not. She’ll be fine with us.”

“Okay,” he says, though it’s clear it’s not at all, but what does he expect? You can’t exactly force a girl who is so clearly repelled by your presence to hang out with you. In fact, Evie spends the next half hour chit-chatting with Jen and ignoring him while he sulks in the background, waiting for his dad to collect him. When he leaves they exchange awkward goodbyes, and she continues as she was, as though she’s already forgotten he was with her. I should probably feel bad for him, but I am oddly triumphant. 

Beginning // Prev // Next

Corresponding LG Chapter

[tallyhall-lyrics-that-match]

embarrassing story that i have never told anyone

when i was 7 i had an ipod touch. it was cool because i could watch youtube on it. it was my first experience with real youtube and not the shitty kids app. i loved my ipod.

one day i saw a life hack video that was like "if you're going to the beach but you don't want sand in your phone, put your phone in a ziploc bag! then you can still use it without worrying about the sand!"

well. um. 7 year old me decided she wanted to bring her ipod in the bath with her. so she put it in a ziploc bag.

while i was watching bfdi in the bath, my dumbass OPENED THE BAG TRYING TO GET THE AIR OUT.

and if that wasn't enough, instead of turning off the ipod and putting it in rice, i turned it off and HELD MY FINGER ON THE SPARKING, RED-HOT CHARGING PORT

I THINK I MAY HAVE LICKED IT TOO

anyways rip my ipod 2016-2017. you were a nice ipod

[vanfleeter]

Bound For Earth: Chapter 4

Characters: Jake Kiszka, Josh Kiszka, Sam Kiszka, Daniel Wagner, Marlie (Star) Warnings: 18+ || Language. Fluff. Brotherly banter. Teasing. Angst. Secrets. Lies. Feelings of frustration, anger, and resentment. Allusion to possible violence. Jealousy (if you squint).

Bound For Earth Masterlist

Life on the cruiser felt just like it did living on the station. Mom made sure that no matter what we still did our testing. Our monitors were checked at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day. Blood tests were still the same and everything. Still feeling like a damn guinea pig. But we made it to the four month mark, only two to four more months to go.

I managed to get access to a computer about a month ago so I was able to contact Marlie. She was surprised at first when I first messaged her. Eventually our messages turned into video calls so we could see each other. Her hair had grown slightly longer in the handful of months that we haven’t seen or spoken to each other.

I couldn’t wait to get to her. I couldn’t wait to do everything with her. I’ve been dreaming about walking the beach with her. In my dreams, the mystery woman was finally replaced with Marlie. The trip seemed to be taking forever and we’re only halfway to Earth.

“Jake and Marlie, sitting in a tree–”

“You better shut up..” I say as I whirl around to face Josh.

“You haven’t met this woman and you’re in so deep..”

“So what if I am?”

“You’re from two different planets,” Josh chuckles. “Eventually you’ll be going back to Mars and she’ll be staying on Earth.”

“Do you have to be such a downer?”

“I’m only stating the facts.” Josh says.

“Can’t you just let me have this?” Jake says.

“I’m letting you have a lot of things.” Josh says. “I just don’t want you to get your hopes up so high only to be crushed so soon.”

At least I’ll get to experience love, even if it is for a short amount of time. There’s quite a few things I’ll be experiencing for only a short time before we get sent back to Mars and go right back to how things were before. But I didn’t want to think about going back, not just yet. I want to focus on what’s coming up now. And I’m definitely looking forward to sleeping in a real bed again.

We’re basically tied down, or in this case, we’re wrapped in a cocoon of a sleeping bag. I turn over on the bed and stare at the blank ceiling. Rolling back over onto my stomach, I glance out the porthole style window and out into the open space around us. Stars still flash. Earth is getting closer but not close enough.

Damn, I wish we were going faster.

I videoed Marlie again. This time she was in a pair of red pajamas. I must’ve woken her up but she keeps denying it.

“How much longer now?” She asks.

“Less than two weeks,” I told her. “I’ll let you know when we get to the moon.”

“Never thought I’d ever hear those words being uttered out of someone’s mouth.” She says.

“Can I be honest about something?” I ask.

“Shoot..”

“I’m a little nervous,” I say.

“Makes two of us,” She says. “But it’s a good kind of nervous. You know, the giddy feeling where you when you think about the situation, you can’t help but to smile and you want to giggle and kick your feet.”

“I’m so nervous, I feel like I might vomit.”

She giggles and shakes her head. “You’ll be fine! And you better pass the twenty-four hour hold. I rented a cute little beach house, to give you a little taste of the beach before we go looking for your dad.”

Dad..

I had been so focused on getting to Marlie that I forgot entirely about our dad. At first Josh called me crazy again for thinking something was going on, until I told him that I knew dad was home. Mom was lying. He isn’t on a trip. He’s home.

“You hacked into his phone?!” Josh whispers in a slightly raised voice. “Are you insane?”

“No.. But mom warned him that we’re coming to Earth and that we want to see him. She told him to leave and to take Sam with him.”

“Sam?” Josh’s face recoils. “Who’s Sam?”

“Hell if I know..” I say, shrugging my shoulders.

“Do you think they had a secret kid while Mom was away?” Josh ponders.

“Could explain why Dad “failed” his tests to come up to Mars for a visit.”

“Yeah, because he was busy raising another kid.”

I scoff, shaking my head. “Why wouldn’t they just tell us?”

We’ll be on Earth in less than two weeks and now I kind of don’t want to see him. He chose to stay on Earth to raise a child versus coming up to Mars to raise us. He chose whoever this ‘Sam’ is over his own two sons already growing up with a father, and mostly a mother. All I felt towards him now was resentment. They could have told us. They could have brought Sam with them to live with us. We could have been a real family living together. Josh and I wouldn't feel alone. Instead they chose to keep us separated and Dad chose to stay on Earth.

All that mattered to me now was getting to Marlie and experiencing Earth with her with whatever amount of time that I had. Josh can do whatever he pleases, he can see Dad and meet this Sam for all I care. I don’t want to know this person nor do I want to meet them. And if they knew about us this whole time, then I wouldn't know how to react.

Marlie: Are you ready to talk yet?

I just stare at the computer screen unable to type back a response.

Marlie: I take your silence as a no.

Jake: I’m still angry.

Marlie: You have every right to be. Just don’t push me out.

I’ve never done this before. I don’t know how a relationship is even supposed to work, if you can even call this a relationship yet.

Jake: I just can’t wrap my head around the fact that we have another sibling. Nor can I believe that our parents chose to keep them a secret.

Jake: But it also hurts because our dad chose to stay on Earth to raise them. He chose them over us.

Marlie: You keep saying ‘them’..

Jake: We don’t know what they are to us. A brother? A sister? All I know from our parents’ files is that they’re listed under the name Sam. I’m afraid of how I’ll react if Sam is our brother.

Marlie: Afraid you’ll be angry even more knowing that your dad chose him over the two of you?

Jake: Yeah… He has two sons already that needed a father and he didn’t even make an effort..

Jake: Ever since finding out this information, all I can feel is regret wanting to come to Earth.. And I shouldn’t.. Because aside from them, I have you.. I want to see you, I want to hold you, I want to kiss you..

Marlie: You had me worried there for a second.. I was about to start yelling at you.

I can’t fight the smile as it graces my face. I could never regret her. She’s made this past year bearable back on Mars, even if we were millions of miles apart. For six months, I only knew her as Star. She told me that whenever I look at the stars, I think of her. And I do. I still do. Every time a star passes by the cruiser, my heart races when she appears in my thoughts.

I have a crush on her, sure. But truthfully, I’m falling in love with her.

Jake: I could never regret you.

The two weeks seemed to go by quickly and soon we found ourselves just twenty feet from the landing pad outside of headquarters. Unbuckling ourselves when the time is right, we make our way towards the exit of the cruiser. As soon as my foot touches the ground from the last step, I begin to feel the heaviness on my body. My lungs struggle to expand but I’m sure that in time I will grow used to the gravity on this planet and I won’t struggle as much.

Once we were inside the base, Josh and I were immediately escorted to a separate facility where we were hooked up to IV bags and oxygen masks. “I feel silly..” Josh speaks, his voice muffled by the oxygen mask.

“Is this really necessary?” I ask the medical staff as he takes down our vitals.

“It is,” He says. “We must get your body accustomed to these new conditions.”

“How long will it take? I have places to be.”

“The normal twenty-four hour hold that everyone must go through after spending time in lighter conditions.” He finishes taking Josh’s vitals before closing his clipboard and leaving the room.

“This is going to be the longest twenty-four hours ever…” Josh grumbles.

–

Time kept in isolation from all other people, we were finally released. We were given clean clothes to change into before we were escorted into a different area.

Screens littered the walls, monitoring different things and showing videos of something else. “Joshua and Jacob Kiszka. It is quite the honor to be in the presence of you two.” A man says as he weaves his way around tables and desks. “Welcome to Earth.”

“Way to not make us feel like aliens,” Josh says. I crack a smile and stuff my hands into the pockets of my pants.

“I am Walter Camens, the CEO of Explore Tech.” The man says holding his hand for us to shake. I keep mine in my pockets but Josh is kind of enough to outstretch his hand to Walter. After shaking Josh’s hand, Walter turns his attention to me. “Jacob, I must commend you on your ability to sneak aboard the cruiser. I admit that I underestimated your abilities.”

I’m not sure if I should thank him or if I should stay quiet. I chose to stay quiet, still not fully trusting him.

“It has always been his dream to come to Earth,” Josh says.

“Well you have made it.”

“We were hoping that we would be given time to meet our family,” Josh continues. “Our dad lives in Dallas with our sibling, Sam. A-And Jake has a friend that he would like to meet with.”

“I am afraid that we cannot let the two of you leave,” Walter says. “We do not yet know if your bodies can withstand Earth gravity.”

“Well we are your guinea pigs,” I say, a smirk growing on my face. “No?”

“We can’t risk it.”

“We risked coming here,” I say as I remove my hands from my pockets. “And we survived. Least you can do is let us try.”

“I am sorry.. Per your mother’s request, you are to remain here until the next transport back to Mars.”

“What? No!” I shout, my voice bouncing off the walls.

“I’m sorry, but we cannot risk your lives any further..” He waves his hand, signaling to someone behind us. “Please take them back to their room where they will stay for the duration of their stay.”

I feel a pair of hands grab hold my arms and I turn my head to see two security guards ready to escort us out. “No!” I shout again as I struggle to free myself. “You can’t do this! We have a right to be here! Let go!”

Back into the same room we go and the door is latched behind us. I curse and bang on the door because that’s all I can do. We made it this far, it won’t end here.

“It’s no use, Jake..” Josh says as he leans against the wall. “We can’t go out there..”

“We will get out of here. I didn’t come all this way just for it to end here.”

Nightfall came and I eventually gave up, dozing on and off again against the wall beside the door. All I could think about was Marlie. She knows we’re here and yet nothing can be done about it.

As my eyes start to droop closed, I hear the latch on the door unlock. I perk up and look over towards one of the beds only to find them empty. Where was Josh? The door begins to open and Josh peeks his head around it.

“Oh good, you’re awake,” He says.

“How did you-”

“I’ll explain later but security is currently changing so we have about five minutes to get away from here before the new shift comes in.”

I quickly follow behind him as he brings the two of us through empty corridors. We begin to hear voices and he pushes us both against the wall. A couple guards walk past, going down the adjacent hallway, not even noticing us in the process. Josh slowly peers around the corner before grabbing my arm and pulling me along with him down the hallway.

“How do you know where to go?” I ask from behind him.

“I said I would explain later.. Now be quiet..”

Coming to the end of the hallway, he pulls out a keycard and swipes it and the door unlocks. He gets us both through it and suddenly I’m blasted with the dry heat of Texas. It’s still dark out but there’s plenty of lights. He pushes me behind a large metal container.

“There’s a gate just over on the other side where trucks come in and out frequently.” He pulls me over to the side of the container and points to a truck on the loading dock. “That one there is leaving in approximately five minutes, so we have to get on that one in order to get the hell out of here.”

“Do you even know where it's going?”

“Last I heard was Dallas which is where we need to be.” He slowly stands to his feet, still keeping to a low crouched position. “Ready to run?”

“Let’s go..”

On his call, we race across the lot and towards the truck where we climb in and hide in the very back, hidden behind all of the boxes. We can hear a couple men speaking as they load more boxes.

“I think we’re good,” One of them says.

“Alright let’s head out.” The other says before he’s pulling down the hatch and locking it.

I hadn’t realized that I had fallen asleep until Josh was shaking me awake. “Wake up, they stopped.” He whispers.

The back of the truck is being unlatched and the hatch is pulled open. “Let’s head in first to grab the lift.” Once Josh deemed that the coast was clear, we quickly made a run for it across the different parking lots and towards the gates. Gravity is so much different making it slightly more difficult for us to run.

What felt like hours of walking, Josh made the decision to finally stop and rest for a minute to catch our breath. We had no idea where we were supposed to go and no idea where we currently were. Josh had remembered Dad’s address from the files and wanted to find our way there, but I wanted nothing to do with that.

“You don’t even have to talk to him,” Josh says. “But we need somewhere to stay.” Even though I know he’s right and that we do need to find a place to stay, I just don’t want it to be at Dad’s place. But I give in anyway and Josh hails down a taxi.

“How–”

“You think you’re the only one who watches movies?” He says as a taxi pulls up to the side of the road. We get in and he gives the driver the address.

As the taxi pulls up in front of the house and both of our jaws drop open. This house is huge. What are they–rich? We climb out of the taxi and Josh promises a form of payment before we’re walking up the walkway to the front door. I can’t even begin to describe this house. Think of the houses you see on those reality tv shows where they sell multi-million dollar homes and this would be it.

Josh reaches for the doorbell and presses it. We waited a couple minutes. Would take a while considering the size of this place. But when the door opens we’re greeted with a woman.

“Can I help you?” She asks.

“We’re here to see Paul..” Josh says. “Our father..”

The woman’s jaw falls open as she looks at us in disbelief. “I was unaware that he had more than one son.”

Ah, Sam. Turns out he is our brother.

The taxi driver honks the horn and the woman looks around us. “Please come in.. I will handle the driver..” She says as she ushers us inside while she steps out.

We find that inside is a lot more spacious. The ceiling has to at least be between twelve and fifteen feet high. A chandelier hangs from the ceiling. There’s glass everywhere. Nothing is opaque. A floating staircase leads up to a second floor landing while a different one goes downstairs. Off to our right is a sitting room and to our left is an office, presumably Dad’s. Floor to ceiling windows are more common in this place than actual windows apparently. Doesn’t seem very..private.

“Darlene?” We hear a man’s voice call from the second floor. “Who’s at the–” He stops talking when he appears around the corner. He’s tall, most likely taller than us. His hair is about as long as mine and he sports more facial hair than me and Josh put together. He’s more slender than we are and his face is more long vertically versus our somewhat more rounder features. He does have the same brown eyes as us. “Who are you?”

“We could ask you the same question..” I say, earning Josh’s elbow into my side. I glare at him and he gives me his “Knock it off” look.

He clears his throat and looks back at the man standing on the second floor landing. “We’re uh.. Geez, I’m not entirely sure how to say this.. We’re your brothers.. I’m Josh and he is Jake.. We’re twins.”

“Don’t think he cares about that detail..” I mutter to him.

“My brothers..” The man states. “I don’t have brothers.. I’m an only child.”

Mmm, seems someone else has been lied to too.

“You are Sam, no?”

“I am..” He says. “But I don’t know you..”

“Why would you?” Josh awkwardly laughs. “We were born on Mars,” He adds, peeking Sam’s interest by the way his eyebrows raise. “Long story..”

Sam slowly walks towards the stairs but stops in front of the top step. “I’ve heard stories of two kids being born on Mars,” He begins to say. “But how would you be my brothers? I’ve been an only child my whole life, never once was I ever told that I have siblings.”

He slowly walks down the stairs, as if he’s afraid of us. Can’t say that I blame him. I’d probably be feeling the same if I were in his shoes. Oh wait.. I am.. Just feeling anger and resentment. He got to grow up with our father, he got to have a normal relationship with him. He was chosen over us.

“Are either of you thirsty? Hungry?” He asks once he reaches the bottom step. He leads us around the corner through the sitting room and into a modern and open kitchen.

“Water’s fine.. Kind of parched..” Josh says. “We’ve had quite a day.”

“It’s only noon.” Sam says.

“Again.. Long story..”

I roll my eyes and stay off to the side of the room and lean against the wall. Sam reaches into a cupboard and pulls out a couple glasses and fills them with water from the fridge. He sets them on the counter and Josh gladly takes his, whereas I just stare at mine.

“Sam?” Another man calls out from somewhere in the house. Definitely does not sound like Dad.

“Kitchen!” Sam calls back.

In walks a man, just as tall as Sam but more fit and slightly more muscular. His hair is in curls and stops at his shoulders. His face is more slender and his nose is kind of..big. He stares at the both of us in confusion as he walks over to Sam.

“Who–”

“Oh uh, my brothers–apparently..” Sam says, motions his hands out towards us. “That one is Josh and Mr. Broody over there is Jake.”

Mr. Broody–nice nickname little brother. I give him a smug smile and cross my arms over my chest.

“Brothers? You have..brothers?”

“Seems so,” Sam inhales sharply. “They are the two kids that were born on Mars nearly thirty years ago. Josh, Jake–this is Danny, my childhood friend.”

“Woah.. Wait.. Mars?!” Excitement fills his eyes and all I want to do is burst his little bubble of joy. Not as glamorous or fun as he thinks it might be. “Oh my god, I remember learning about you guys in like third grade science! I always thought it would be so cool to live on another planet! I’ve been training with Explore Tech.. Hoping to get up there on the next transport.”

“Would be cool to have someone around our age up there,” Josh says. “We’re literally surrounded by middle aged people.”

“Don’t get your hopes up though,” I say. “It’s not as cool as you might imagine.. Do you have a phone that I could use? I need to make a call.”

“Yea, here!” Danny says as he hands over a small looking tablet. “You don’t have cell phones up there, do you?”

“Like I said, not as cool.” I say as I watch him type in a passcode and pull up a keypad. He hands it over and I briefly thank him before leaving the kitchen.

“Hello?”

“Marlie..” I sigh.

“Jake?!”

“Yeah, it’s me.”

“Oh my god! Where are you?! I saw on the news that the cruiser landed yesterday and I hadn’t heard from you yet! I was worried something happened..”

“I’m fine–we’re fine..” I look over my shoulder at them behind me only to find Sam staring at me. I turned back around before continuing, “We uh, we snuck out of Headquarters–stowed away in the back of a transport truck that was headed here to Dallas.”

“Do you need me to come to you guys? Where are you?”

“We’re at my dad’s, I’ll text you the address.”

“Please do, I want to see you.”

I smile and run a hand over the back of my neck. “I want to see you too.”

“Text me the address and I’ll be there soon.”

We both hung up and I sent her the address. Once I saw the word ‘delivered’ pop up beneath the message, I quickly deleted the thread before closing out of the messages and locking the phone. Before I even could turn around, I heard something click behind me. “Don’t..move.” Sam says behind me.

______________________________________________________________

Apologies in advanced with this taglist, I have recently been having problems with it!

@watchingover-hypegirl @losfacedevil @ignite-my-fire @ohgodthefeeling-gvf @writingcold (more tags in comments)

[discotitsposts]

allow me

reid insisting on carrying readers bags

use of she/her

After being dragged out of bed by Penelope, whose apartment you had spent the night at after having a little too much to drink, you go into her bathroom and try to make yourself presentable for work.

When you arrive you and Penelope continue giggling about last night. You plop down at your desk laughing. Spencer is staring at you so you wave at him and his pen flies out of his hand and lands on the floor.

“I was not that drunk. I knew where I was.” You say.

“You asked if we had landed in Oz yet.” Penelope giggles. The corner of Spencer’s mouth turns up in a slight smile at the thought of you, sloshed, asking if you were in Oz yet. Penelope says good bye to you and leaves to go back to her bat cave. Then Hotch steps out of his office and looks down into the bullpen.

“Reid, (Y/L/N),Morgan. You’re going to be going with Rossi for a conference in California. Pack for warm weather, you’re leaving tomorrow is that alright?” You three all nod excitedly. You guys would have to be crazy to not want to go to sunny California to escape the freezing cold of Virginia in January.

“Oh come on!” Prentiss complains. “I wanna go!”

“We need you here Emily.” Hotch stares seriously at her. Emily scoffs and rolls her eyes at you.

You laugh at her mockingly. “Ha ha! Hotchy needs you here. No sunny California for you.”

“Not fair.” She crosses her arms and leaves, presumably to go complain to Penelope.

“Wonder if we’ll meet any special ladies, how about it Reid. You like Cali girls?” Morgan punches Reid’s shoulder jokingly. Reid rubs his arm where Morgan punched him. “Not really.” He looks up at you.

“Hey how about you Princess, you like the beach guys with surfing muscles.”

“She doesn’t.” Reid quickly shuts down Morgan’s statement annoyed. He knows you well.

“Yeah Reid’s right it’s not really my thing. I like my guys weak and nerdy. I am excited to see the sights though.”

“Only sights I’m excited to see are the ladies!” Morgan cheers and walks off.

You shake your head and giggle.

“How about you smarty pants?” You ask nonchalantly. Using the nickname you had coined for him when you’d met.

“How about me what?” He cocks his head confused, much like a puppy would.

“You excited to see the beautiful people of California.”

“Oh, no not really.” He looks away.

“Maybe he’s excited to run into Lila again.” Morgan had come back with more coffee. He places an extra mug on your desk. You thank him and sip it. Feeling your heart break like a fragile glass vase one had thrown at a wall. You had just finally forgotten about the fling Reid had had with the actress.

“Actually, if we ran into her I’d run and hide. We didn’t exactly end on the best of terms. I think I said something wrong. She never spoke to me again.” Spencer frowns.

You can’t stand hearing this. He deserves someone wonderful.

Unfortunately, that someone couldn’t be you.

Could it?

You stand up, starting to grow more upset by the second. Feeling the tears pinch the back of your eyes. You speed walk away to the nearest empty office and keep pushing the tears back until you lock the door behind you.

“Why, hello.” You hear someone say. You scream as the rolling chair spins around. It’s Penelope.

“Pen, you startled me.” You put your hand over your heart to slow down the rapid beating.

“Startled or interrupted a crying sesh?” She taps her chin with her fluffy pink pen.

“I wasn’t crying.”

“Sure you just have pink eye or something then.”

“What are you even doing in here?” You ask her trying to change the subject.

“Well, pumpkin, I was trying to have some much needed me-time to journal without seeing icky things on my computer. Plus, Prentiss keeps trying to convince me to hack into the directors computer and put her name on the list of agents who are going to the lovely C.A. Let’s not change the subject though. You,” She slams her journal shut, “Came in here to cry.” She leans forward like the Godfather.

“On the day of your daughter’s wedding?” You imitate the movie line and laugh. Penelope cracks up and loses it laughing, “That was really funny but you’re trying to distract me. I know what goes on with you people, you’re my family.”

“Ok fine, I got a little bit upset because Reid and Morgan mentioned the whole Lila situation. What if he sees her again in California? What if she realizes she made a mistake and wants him again? What if he-“

“Pump your brakes.” Penelope quotes Morgan, “I’ve been telling you, Morgan says Reid won’t shut up about you when they’re hanging out. He’s crazy about you.” She says while spinning in the chair staring at the ceiling.

“We should make this into a girl cave.” You admire the bare office. Penelope points at you. “Good idea. We’ll only tell Prentiss and JJ though.”

“For sure.”

“Task at hand now, If you won’t tell Reid you’re also crazy about him, I’ll get Morgan and we’ll do to you and Reid what we did to Scott and Pamela.”

You gasp. “You wouldn’t dare you evil woman!” You say in shock, only half joking, a little scared.

The context was, Scott and Pamela were two people who used to work in the BAU long before you and Reid got there. They were best friends who were in love but too oblivious to see it. One day Morgan and Penelope realized they needed to team up and make this happen. Morgan told Scott he’d meet him next to an old office and Penelope had told Pam the same thing. When they arrived, Morgan and Penelope pushed them into the office and locked it. The two, stuck in the same room for a period of time talked about their feelings and had been in the middle of a hot and heavy make out when the door unlocked. They had gotten married and were now on their sixth child. Happy as can be. They were legendary as the greatest love story of the FBI.

Penelope picks up her phone. “Beep boop beep.” She pretends to dial Morgan. “Hey Morgan, we need to pull an Operation Love Makers again.” You’re laughing until she puts the phone on speaker and you hear Morgan’s laugh. “NOO!” You yell.

“Oh, it is on you smart beautiful woman.” Morgan praises Penelope. She smirks at you. Mortified at what may happen, you run out of the office and race home to pack for California. You think about fleeing the country to escape your feelings but decide against it. If anything went wrong you could follow your best friend’s advice from back home, “Deny, deny, deny.” As she had always said.

When you’re packing up your car at 4 a.m. you start to realize maybe you over packed. It was only a week, but it was also a week! Who knows what may happen. You needed all of this stuff. Both your suitcases and four duffel bags later, you arrive at the airport on the dot. 6:53 a.m.,your watch reads. You groan groggily and pull into the space next to Spencer’s car. You can hear Morgan chanting excitedly, “Private jet, private jet, private jet!”

“Allow me, m’lady.” You hear from behind you. You spin around and see Spencer reaching for your bags.

“Oh no, I have too many you don’t need to do that!” You try to pry some of the bags from his hands but he doesn’t let you. Morgan starts cackling when he sees Spencer weighed down by all your bags, stumbling. You racing to keep up with him and making sure he doesn’t topple over.

“Spencer why are you doing this? I overpacked please let me carry something. I feel really bad.”

“No I’m your baggage claim boy today.”

“What?!” You yell after him. Spencer got a sudden energy burst and ran to the jet as fast as his legs could carry him and all your luggage. “Spencer wait!”

Morgan sneaks up behind you, “Operation Love Makers is a-go. Thank you your sexiness.” He says to Penelope over the phone.

“I will anxiously await your return my handsome hero! Keep me updated!” She hangs up.

“Oh this was your doing?”

“Hey, all I said was it’s considered chivalry to carry the bags of the girl who’s the object of your affections, he’s the one who ran with it.” You look up and notice Spencer struggling to get up the stairs of the jet. He falls backward and hits the tarmac.

You run to him and yell, “Spencer! Are you alright? I told you you shouldn’t have carried that much!”

Spencer lets out a strained, “I’m fine.”

“Pretty boy just bruised his ego a little. Come on kid, you’re ok.” Morgan takes the weight of your bags off him and brings them onto the jet. You try to help him up but he refuses.

“I’m alright, really.” He stands up and gets onto the jet. You feel really bad, he got hurt because of your luggage. You’ve been feeling like the more he’s around you, the more he’ll get hurt. Maybe you should avoid him for a little bit.

When everyone’s settled on the jet, you pick one of the sofa seats and lay down. You see Morgan whispering to Spencer.

“I brought you coffee, your favorite flavor.” Spencer’s standing there smiling and holding a mug. You’re about to take it when the jet hits turbulence and poor Spencer spills the hot coffee all over himself.

“Morgan get a towel. Oh my god, Spencer I’m so sorry.” Morgan runs over with a towel and you rub it on Spencer’s shirt trying to get the coffee out.

“It’s not your fault. It’s fine, I’ll just go change.” He stands up and grabs a shirt from his bag and leaves to change in the restroom. You all hear him let out a blood curdling scream. You feel worse. Poor Spencer kept getting hurt whenever he tried to do something nice for you. You turn to Morgan.

“Stop making him do things! Operation Love Making off! I can’t stand to see him keep getting hurt.” You whisper-shout.

“It’s Operation Love Makers actually and yeah maybe it went a little off the rails. Maybe it needs to be a more ‘vanilla’ task next time. Get it?” Morgan says laughing while holding up the vanilla flavored creamer Spencer had used in your coffee. You scoff and walk away. “Come on that was funny!” He calls after you.

You don’t go near Spencer the rest of the flight. Afraid you’ll jinx him again. Your theory was turning out to be true, when you were all leaving the jet, Spencer had yet again grabbed your luggage and got down the stairs all right. Unfortunately, you two were going to be sharing a hotel room. It was when he brought them to the hotel room, he had accidentally slammed the door and didn’t realize his tie was caught in the door making him smack his face into the wall.

“Not again! Spencer are you ok?” You open the door and get his tie out.

He groans and falls to the floor. “Just fine. I look like an idiot though.”

You sit down next to him. “No you don’t. Maybe it’s me. I’m starting to think I’m a jinx.”

“No no don’t say that. It’s me, I’m just clumsy.”

“This has been happening whenever you’re around me. If you want to switch rooms I would understand.” You touch his face where he hit the door. He winces at the pain and you grab some ice wrapped in a towel and hold it on his cheek.

“Why would I want to switch when I got lucky enough to be in the same hotel room as you?”

“Lucky? Spence look at yourself. You’re bruised all over.” You frown. “You practically got third degree burns on the jet.”

“Oh so you’re the one who made the jet run into turbulence?” He smiles softly.

“No but I…”

“It’s not your fault.”

“You’re right it’s Garcia and Morgan’s”

His eyes widen, “You know?” You nod and he looks anywhere but you, he’s so ashamed for trying to get your attention.

“Spencer, you didn’t need to do all this. I was already infatuated with you from day 1.”

He throws his hands up dramatically. “Why didn’t Morgan tell me? Why didn’t you tell me?”

You shrug. “I thought you didn’t like me back.”

“The eiffel tower has 20 apartments inside it.”

“What?” You ask confused.

“I thought we were saying things that weren’t factual.”

This makes you laugh. “How many apartments does it have?”

“Two.”

“Really? Can you imagine living inside the eiffel tower?”

“That would be the worst. No privacy. All the tourists.”

“What if you were just walking around your apartment naked in the morning and someone takes a picture.” You say giggling. This cracks Spencer up too.

“I have an actual question.” Spencer’s face turns serious and it scares you.

“What?” Your eyes widen.

“Why did you bring so much luggage?” He laughs.

“Oh, you never know what you may need. I’d rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.”

“Good advice. Got any more?” He leans in slightly, testing the waters.

“Yeah, when a girl tells you she’s liked you back since day one it’s considerate to kiss her.”

“Allow me,” He kisses your lips, enjoying the feeling. It was like when two puzzle pieces fit together perfectly. You pull back to answer.

“Oh I allow it. You can do that whenever you want.” You say leaning back in. The pieces falling together yet again.

One hour later

Derek Morgan and Rossi are walking down the hallway of the hotel. They’re going to invite Spencer and you to have dinner. When they get to your door, they notice something.

“Do not disturb?” Rossi reads the little sign hanging on the door. “The hell are they doing?”

Morgan presses his ear to the door and hears faint moaning. “I think we should let them be alone.” He pulls away from the door and they leave.

the end

enjoy💘

i’ve had this in my drafts forever!!!!

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@whoisspence

@starshinegarcia

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@kissesforspence

[handbagfashionexpert]

Organization Hacks: How to Keep Your Travel Beach Bag Neat and Tidy

Keeping your travel beach bag organized is essential for a stress-free beach day. Utilize organization hacks like packing cubes, waterproof pouches, and compartmentalized bags to ensure that essentials like sunscreen, snacks, and electronics are easily accessible. Staying neat and tidy not only enhances your beach experience but also minimizes the risk of misplacing or damaging your items, making your day in the sun more enjoyable. 

[phoenix-and-found-family]

I don't know what this is but:

I always imagined Phoenix talking a lot during missions, either in their head or out loud, to the point where most of the time Reginald has to mute them because he can't give them instructions and also have a conversation with them

So I've gathered a collection of my favorite lines of theirs from all the different games because I have nothing else to do right now

enjoy :)

10. *right after getting Friendly Skies explained to them by Reginald* I have one question. Was the name a pun on purpose?

9. *Eaves Drop, listening to the audio files while also concentrating on opening the desk* Everyone... here... needs... to be... put in a... mental... hospital...

8. *after eating a Zor popsicle and being told they were full of lead* Really? They must be really good at hiding it because all I tasted was shitty off-brand expired red clothing dye.

7. *the second the elevator dinged in Rising Phoenix* HEY JACKASS! GUESS WHO STILL DIDN'T DIE!

6. *House Call, right after Robulter left and they were dying to the poison* Why does this- *cough, hack* -smell like a broken espresso machine?!

5. *Seat of Power, they activated the security lockdown by accident and are in the middle of a puzzle* THIS IS YOUR EVIL BAD GUY BOSS ZOR AND I TELL YOU TO FUCK OFF

4. *Jet Set, right after John calls them Phoenix for the first time* Phoenix... You know, you're a bitch, but at least you're a bitch who knows how to name things correctly.

And now for some serious ones:

3. *Phoenix, about to pass out, teetering on the edge of the cabin, the voices of their handler and Prism screaming for them to leave, to get out of there, looks up at the sky for what could be the last time, and barely manages to whisper two words.* I'm... sorry... *They lose consciousness, falling like a bag of rocks towards the lava below.* "PHOENIX! NOO!"

2. *They blinked back tears, smiling.* "Hey, Handler... If I don't make it... I'll tell my parents you said hello." *Phoenix pushed the abort button. They saluted to the empty air, finally not caring that they used the wrong hand.* "Fuck you, Zor." *The power gave out, and they started falling rapidly to the ground alone.*

1. "What have you done?! We're both going to die!" *They looked the camera dead on, a serious expression on their face.* "Hey, Solaris- Tell Zor I'll see them in hell." *The death engine exploded in a terrifying blast.*

(This isn't ranked by favorites or anything. The last three are numbered that way because those are the games they were said in.)

Bonus:

*the very end of ieytd 3, with Phoenix on the beach and Prism and Reginald done with talking for now. They look down and realize that their prosthetic leg is missing.* ...Fuck.

[amidst-wonderland]

{random modern!nora + michael headcanons / snippets}

michael grew up going on trips to centre parcs, seychelles and casablanca, nora grew up with haven, blackpool and benidorm. so when she drags him on a brits abroad, all-inclusive with the in-laws to alicante, it goes as well as expected.

“george, where’s the suncream?”      “granda took it ‘cause ro was using it on blue albert.”      “where’s rosie now?”      “at the snack-bar with granda.”      michael groaned, disinterested in the thought of having to interact with his father-in-law halfway across the pool, which also meant having to sightsee the rolodex of bargain holiday-maker brits who’d gone as red as lobsters in their drunken morning afters or as his wife dubbed it, “hivving the fear.” nor did her want move from the sun-lounger and wake up his hungover wife who'd began to burn in his arms. though he could really use a smoke.      “mum.” the six-year-old calls, and again.      “she’s sleeping george,” michael sighs as nora begins to stir, her back against his chest. “what’s wrong?”      “lost my tigger sunglasses and my eyes are stingy.” george whines, rubbing at them.      carefully, he peels his arm from across nora’s stomach pulling off his own sunglasses. “here, have these until we go back to the room. don’t loose them.”      george puts on the laughably too big designer shades and peers down at his parents. “mum’s really red.”      “i know.”      “hair matches her face,” he snorts.      “doesn’t it?”      “looks sore.”      “i’m sure it is.”      “do you want me to go find ro and granda?”      “sling yer hook georgie and get me the big towel out of auntie edie’s bag.” nora murmurs, turning into the warmth of her husband trying to ignore the hard plastic scraping against her skin.      “you said she was sleeping!”

☆—☆

“you wantin’ a drink hen?”      “naw.”      “‘mon trouble, free bar – all-inclusive." he states, watching nora grumble and pull her shades back down. "the offers going in…"      “if you're not here to give ma weans their chips then you can piss aff back to yer ain." she warns, getting more aggravated now that alec was blocking the sun. "push you in that bloody pool if ye don't shift."      “christ, that gin hangover’s really getting tae you.” alec smirks, bending down to pinch her toes sticking out from the beach towel. “yer auld noo, tellin’ da his wee-yin can’t hack it at the disco anymair.”      nora squeals into her husband’s chest, “michael make his stop! s’not fair!”      he continues to yank at her toe, nora attempting to kick him away. “fragile are ye? running aff tae yer man. no a scheme-wean in ye anymore. where's the lassie that used tae get up on the bar-tops at three in the 'morn! singing 'er we heart oot." the redhead swiftly turns, grabbing the sunscreen and aiming it at her brother, "you've got aboot two seconds-" "-right fine!" he surrenders, "an here ah thought you'd gone saft."

wrote this back whilst i was binge watching benidorm and sitting by the pool in albufeira, totally forgot about them so enjoy.

[gucciyae]

Palimar

Hard feet against cold earthen floors. The smell of jaggery-sweetened vorn being stirred slowly in a dimly lit kitchen. Crows swoop down to claim the leftovers of last night’s kori-rotti. A cool breeze from the west sets a gentle tempo for the dancing wildgrass. I march forward. 

Opa begins his seemingly endless chant, “Left, left, left-right-left. Left, left, left-right-left.”  Our straightened legs lead the way, arms swinging in unison. Summers at Palimar usually followed the same rhythm.

Located in the Udupi district of Karnataka, visits to my ancestral home have become my favourite summer tradition. As the years went on and the family grew larger, so did the sound of crackling firewood heating our baths for the evening, the pat-pat-pat of marching feet against rough concrete, and the roaring laughter of my cousins running through the hallways.

Our visits begin early in the morning, bellies filled with a helping of dosa and chai, we make our way onboard an express bus. If we get lucky, all three of us cousins would sit in the same row. Alas, the Sunday crowd warrants a narrow seat by the bus driver, one that my cousin sister–  Anushka and I squeeze ourselves into.

Each stop is marked by the bus conductor's shouted reminders, followed by an organized chaos of travellers moving in and out of the metal box on wheels. After all these years, Anushka, Aarav and I have learned to sleep through the blaring bus horns, which explains our shock and excitement upon reaching the Padubidri bus stand so soon.

It doesn't take too long for Oma to hail an auto rickshaw, directing the driver with such practiced ease, she rivals a modern day GPS. To an ordinary traveller, the entirety of Palimar might seem to be composed of the same visual elements; local shrubbery, roads that twist and turn into infinity, and the occasional clay house. However, to those of us who pay attention to her little details, the ancestral house leads us onward by the sweet smell of young coconut growing on trees, and the sound of the crashing waves of her backwaters.

The auto rickshaw stops a few paces away from a one story house, cracked maroon and blue paint coats the clay walls, unruly weeds run wild throughout her front yard, and the concrete pavement has turned algal. By the time my grandparents moved away, we were left with no farm animals to herd. However, this does not stop Anushka from her annual attempts to domesticate the stray dogs of Palimar.

We continue towards the house, our bodies coated in a thin layer of sweat from the summer heat, and set down our plastic bags filled with water bottles and steel tumblers. 

“Mom, did you carry a bottle of Thums Up?” Aarav drones, dragging out each syllable in a childish lilt. Before his mother has a chance to answer, Oma returns to the verandah holding young coconuts, ushering us to pick some more from the base of the surrounding coconut trees. And so begins a competition of speed, strength, and differentiation among me and my cousins.

Covered in sticks, mud, and the occasional beetle, the three of us scurry back to the concrete pavement, careful not to drop our hard-earned treasures. 

Now, here comes my favourite part of the summer tradition, hacking open of the coconuts. Opa walks out to the verandah bearing a koiti, and reaches for the pile of coconuts laid on the ground. We all hold our breaths as Opa makes the first strike, exhaling as a thick piece of husk is chopped off. I've always been in awe of his precision, lean hands grip the coconut with the same firmness as his voice. The steel tumblers that were packed in plastic bags are now being passed around, and my father pours out the translucent fluid into each vessel.

As a kid, I found the lactonic notes from young coconut water quite repulsive. I cannot tell you when it was exactly, but as our visits to Palimar grew less frequent, my longing for the cold and nourishing elixir grew fonder. A stroll along Padubidri beach takes me back to my summers of the 2010s, though, my memories have started to blur together— dark smoke flowing out of the chimney before our evening baths, the chicken coop and the incessant clucking of its residents, my plastic swing attached to the bedroom door frame, and Aunty Kalyani along with her cow– which she milked every evening during her visits.

Twilight draws in, a symphony of riverside cicadas makes itself known to us, and the husks of tender coconut have piled up to my height. A heaviness sets into our limbs as we move to pack away the used tumblers, and the air carries the aroma of coconut oil used to prepare the neighbour’s supper. Reluctantly, Opa makes his way down from the verandah, leading us back to the bus stand. All is quiet, for everyone is musing the very same idea– another afternoon at the Palimar house.

I wait another year.

[stephhere]

Sol Brush: The Sunscreen Solution for Kids That Won't Get Tears

Face it: getting sunscreen on kids can be a battle preparation in and of itself. The squiggling, protests, and—and most of all—the tears when the inevitable occurs and it ends up in their eyes. As a mom or a dad, you know sunscreen is a necessity, but why must it be such a challenge? Step in Sol Brush: a breakthrough, kid-friendliest sunscreen solution that destroys the drama in safeguarding them against the sun.

The Everyday Battle with Traditional Sunscreens

Anyone with a squirming toddler and a jar of thick sunscreen can appreciate it. Traditional sunscreens can be greasy, drippy, and don’t forget that nasty "sting" when it creeps into sensitive eyes. Kids don’t enjoy it, parents don’t appreciate it, and the whole process ends up being a whole lot more stressful than it has to be.

And then, Sol Brush comes in, redefining everything about thinking about sunscreen for kids.

What Makes Sol Brush Stand Out?

Sol Brush resembles at first glance a cool arts-and-crafts tool, but don’t let that fool you. This smart invention brings a high-performance sunscreen together with an easy-on brush that’s as soft as a feather. Here’s why it’s a standout:

Mess-Free Application

Goodbye, slippery hands and icky faces! The inbuilt brush spreads it out, no mess involved. Kids can apply it alone—all independence and a break for mamas and daddies!

Tear-Free Formulation

Sol Brush uses a hypoallergenic, non-irritating reality specifically designed for sensitive skin. No more painful eyes and rosy cheeks—just happy, safe kids!

Kid-Loving Design

With bright colors and a tactile, playful design, Sol Brush turns sunscreen application into a kids' activity. It’s no longer a chore, but part of an adventure.

Portable and Convenient

The convenient, all-in-one shape and form make Sol Brush perfect for in-transit families. Tuck it in your bag, and off you go for beach days, trips to the park, or spontaneous backyard adventures.

The Parent Perspective

I was a skeptical mom initially. Could a simple design actually mark an end to the sunscreen meltdown? But one use and I was a believer. Kids like the soft brush and actually ask to "paint" with their sunscreen before venturing outdoors. That peace of mind in knowing their skin is protected—without the meltdowns—is worth its weight in gold.

Why Sun Safety is Important

We're big believers in having a blast with sunscreen, but let's not forget why it's a big deal. One bad burn in childhood can double a child's future chance at developing melanoma. Keeping your child's skin safe isn't about today alone—it’s an investment in a healthy future for them.

Final Thoughts

Sol Brush isn't a product; it's a mom hack that simplifies life and makes it a whole lot of fun. Need to gear up for a vacation? Just a quick trip to the park? This family-friendly sunscreen alternative will have your back—literally.

So, when the sun’s out and your kids can’t stand it, grab Sol Brush. It’s tear-free, mess-free, and drama-free. Sunscreen doesn’t have to be such a bore!

Your kids will love it—and your sanity will too.

[world-of-blackey]

Sol Brush: Reapplying Sunscreen for Kids — The Stress-Free Way to Stay Protected

If you’ve ever tried reapplying sunscreen on a wiggly toddler or an “I’m-too-cool-for-this” preteen, you know the struggle. Squirming, whining, and the inevitable “I don’t need more sunscreen, Mom!” battle are just part of the routine. Add to that sandy hands, melting ice creams, and chasing a kid who’s determined to dive back into the pool, and suddenly, sunscreen reapplication feels like an Olympic sport. Enter Sol Brush — a total game-changer for sun protection and peace of mind.

The Sunscreen Struggle Is Real

As a parent, you’re probably all too familiar with the sinking feeling of realizing your kids’ sunscreen has worn off after hours of splashing and sweating under the blazing sun. We all know how vital sun protection is for young skin, but reapplying sunscreen every two hours? It’s easier said than done. Traditional methods involve sticky creams or sprays that leave your hands greasy and your kids crying over sunscreen in their eyes. What if there was a better way?

Meet Sol Brush: Your Stress-Free Solution

Sol Brush is a genius invention that makes reapplying sunscreen as easy as painting on fun. Designed with parents in mind, it’s a sunscreen applicator that combines mess-free convenience with effective protection. The product features a soft, built-in brush head that evenly distributes powdered sunscreen across the skin. No more sticky hands, awkward sprays, or tearful protests.

Here’s why parents are raving about it:

Mess-Free Application: Say goodbye to greasy fingers and spilled bottles. Sol Brush’s powder formula eliminates the hassle of traditional sunscreens.

Kid-Friendly Design: The lightweight, brush-on application feels like a tickle rather than a chore. Kids might even enjoy it!

Compact & Portable: Perfect for throwing in your beach bag, stroller pocket, or car glove box, ensuring you’re always prepared.

No White Residue: Unlike many sunscreens, Sol Brush leaves no sticky or chalky residue, making it ideal for all skin tones.

Real Talk: Why It Works

Imagine this: You’re at the park, and your kids are darting between the swings and the slide. Instead of interrupting their fun for a sticky sunscreen break, you pull out the Sol Brush, give their noses and cheeks a quick swipe, and they’re off again in seconds. It’s so fast and easy that you might even catch yourself wondering why no one thought of this sooner.

And let’s talk about portability. Ever tried to wrestle a giant bottle of sunscreen out of your already-stuffed diaper bag? Sol Brush’s sleek design fits into even the tiniest bag pockets, so it’s always within reach.

A Win for Parents, A Win for Kids

Parenting is all about finding those little hacks that make life smoother. Sol Brush is more than just a sunscreen applicator; it’s a sanity saver. It transforms what used to be a dreaded task into a quick and easy routine that keeps your kids protected without the fuss. Whether you’re headed to the beach, the playground, or just your backyard, Sol Brush ensures that reapplying sunscreen doesn’t have to feel like a battle.

Ready to Give It a Try?

Sol Brush is the answer to your sunscreen woes. It’s affordable, effective, and designed with real-life parenting challenges in mind. Because when you’re out making memories in the sun, the last thing you want is to stress over sunscreen.

Your kids’ skin will thank you, and so will your sanity. So, grab a Sol Brush, and let’s make sun protection simple, stress-free, and… dare we say it? Fun.