#brookie's crafts

[brookiecrafts]

I made the skeleton sweater by @crouxchet :) right in time for October !

[bobomcfoe]

My first quilt is done :) I've never sewn anything before (besides some VERY basic hand-stitching when i was a little kid) so this was a major learning experience lol

I used 5x9" rectangles and made a little checkered pattern. I wasn't following any specific pattern or tutorial, and was more just winging every part of it (and it shows). BUT!! I still think it's cute and cozy and I'm excited about it :)

Progress pics and mistakes under the cut !

This quilt was certainly a process, and being, as i am, extremely lazy, every step I took lacked the precision required to make the quilt all nice. And in all honesty i am 100% okay with that, I don't need it to be anywhere near perfect!

Here are all of my pieces laid out on the floor after i cut them out! I didnt take any pics between that and the top-stitching (no clue if that's what it's called, but where it's all basted and then you sew the patterns that go along the quilt) so we'll skip to then

I managed to sew over my excess fabric AND create insane bunching, both because i wasn't paying any attention to the back of my quilt and was really really lazy with my basting (and this is where i made the seam ripper gif lmao)

I also learned why people buy long-arm machines and shit because oh my godddd this was a pain

Anyway next i cut out my binding strips and checked to see that i had enough, which thankfully i did lmao

My binding is pretty awful, i did it the wrong way and elected not to redo it, and my corners are quite messy, but i really truly just don't care. It's still a very cozy quilt

And then it was done! That's all!!

The process from start to finish took me about two days (started cutting pieces Wednesday night, began sewing Thursday morning, continued sewing until it was all done on Friday evening!)

I got the fabric largely from my friend, who has oh so much of it. I think my choices are pretty dang cute :)

Okay. I think that's all I have to say! Bye now!

[quiveringdeer]

productivity win today:

reorganized a bit in my bathroom, gave some things places in the top of my closets, repotted some plant babies I'd been long propagating, resewed one of the kitties' toys after restuffing and adding catnip, wiped some dusty shelves in my craft room and think I still have some motivation left to keep organizing in here after I eat stoffers meal

it's been a big day for elmo that's for sure

mazie has been helpful in bringing some extra joy with shenanigans alongside brookie

[skullunter]

ahhh! ty for the tag @airbrushfather! you know i can't ever resist a tag game so here goes ;]

Favorite color: i really like anything pastel if i'm to be quite honest dunno if this counts but yeah 😭

Last song: smack you by kimberly cole or something from cash cash i don't really remember which it was

Currently reading: :^)

Currently watching: well, nothing atm but in terms of shows... yeah i got nothing sorry *sob*

Currently Craving:

some peach yogurt

chocolate always chocolate

starbucks pink drink (yes i like it shush)

pizza from domino's because it rocks and also the brookies from there <3

a wild chat with a friend that i can grin like an idiot about having done so afterwards

Coffee or Tea?: yk i don't really drink much of either but i'd probably say coffee but only the really light/sweetened kind

Hobby to try: writing for myself because it's just something i'm really really bad at but for others i'd say crafts ik it sounds basic coming from me but there's just so much you can do in that field imo :]

Current AU: ahah ykk the one in which two long lost totally hetero best friends reunite but one's currently trapped in a one-sided marriage he doesn't know how to escape from without ruining his child's (in his eyes) life <33 ...but also august 09

thrilled if you've stopped by to read this whoever has gotten this far i hope you have a great day/evening/night wherever you are, i'll tag @qwertyfingers and @hellkitepriest for this one if you're up for it :]

[tveitertotwrites]

For the otp questions, can you answer

4, 5, 6, 8, 14, and 30

Hey! Thanks for the questions! From this list

4). Favorite Non Sexual Activity

Brooklyn: Reading on the couch together. Whether it be scripts or books or whatever, Brooklyn will be on one end of the couch while Thomas is on the other end.

Claire: Cooking/Baking while the other stands there watching. Claire will do breakfast and the baking while Ethan does lunch and dinner.

Adelaide: Making crafts with the kids. An example would be a something with their handprints.

Charlie: Playing each other's favorite games. it makes the other one happy and a way for Charlie and Derek to spend time with each other.

5). Who is most likely to carry each other?

Brooklyn: Thomas is more likely to carry Brooklyn

Claire: Ethan is more likely to carry Claire

Adelaide: It's about 50/50

Charlie: Charlie is more likely to carry Derek.

6). What is their favorite feature of their partners?

Brooklyn: His hair.

Claire: His eyes.

Adelaide: His personality.

Charlie: His smile.

8). Nicknames? And if so, How did they Originate?

Brooklyn: Brooke and Brookie were nicknames that were started by her family, while Little Moore was started at school due to most of the teachers she had as a student, also had her sister and brother as students.

Claire: Grace is her middle name and she started going by Grace in HS for a little bit, which made the nickname Gracie. While some people would call her Evans sometimes, Ethan was the first person to use it all the time. And the nickname Air was made by Adelaide when they were in elementary.

Adelaide: Addie was used by friends and family. Adele was because she loves to sing. Add was just because she was the math kid of the family. Little Barnes because of having an older brother and sister. And Sunshine because she smiles as much as possible.

Charlie: Charlie is technically her nickname (since her actual name is Catherine) but she prefers to go by it and it was her oldest sister's idea. Cathy and Kate were childhood alter egos that she made up with her siblings. Catie was a nickname made up by one of her childhood best friends.

14). Who kisses the hardest?

Brooklyn: Brooklyn > Thomas

Claire: Ethan > Claire

Adelaide: Adelaide > Tobias

Charlie: Equal

30). What is one hc about this otp that mends your heart?

Brooklyn: In their older years (after they have retired), Thomas surprises her with a garden of her own.

Claire: They decide to open up a coffee shop when Claire is 60 and Ethan is 70.

Adelaide: Tobias buys her a new set of flowers when the last one is about to die so that she always has flowers until he dies and then it gets taken over by their kids.

Charlie: During every trip together they always listen to their first dance song which is "I won't give up by Jason Mraz".

Any other questions?

[chickensarentcheap]

Esme has fallen asleep leaving 1/3rd of a chocolate cake out on the kitchen island. What does Tyler do? lol

Whats the most amount of animals and kids they've had on their bed at one time?

Have the oldest kids already been roped into mumma's redecorating duties? (painting, etc)

Does Addie have a favorite memory of her and daddy?

Has Tyler ever called out to Esme in his sleep? (good or bad)

How many different sports do TJ and Millie play and has Declan started any sports

Is Kota active like his other brothers or more like Tanner and prefers quiet time?

Is there anything besides meds that Esme has to keep track of for Tyler in relation to his health

What is Esme's favorite pampering thing Tyler does for her

Has Esme ever vetoed anything the kids have asked Tyler to do

He'd help himself to a piece, being mindful of leaving some behind. Especially for her lol. But she has been known to make two birthday cakes on his birthday so he can have one all to himself. He's eaten an entire cake all on his lonesome before lol

They've had five kids in their bed at once. Plus two dogs. By the time Brookie and Kota came around, TJ and Millie were pretty well grown out of wanting to sleep in mom and dad's bed. Tanner sometimes still needs that contact and even Declan. The littles always want to be in there lol

Tanner enjoys helping paint and organizing. Millie is very good at picking out decor and especially matching colours together. TJ stays out of that stuff. But he does help dad lay flooring, hang up shelves, do dry wall.

Definitely the time she had her first real ballet recital and she was all dolled with her hair done and a beautiful little outfit. He was away on a job and didn't think he'd get back in time to see it. And that made her very sad. But when she got up there and looked into the people for mum, daddy was right there too :)

No. Never. He mumbles in his sleep but nothing more than that. Even during the worst nightmares.

TJ plays lacrosse, soccer, football, and rugby. Millie is into her mixed martial arts, Muay Thai (which her dad knows, and Chris has made videos of himself doing) and her competitive surfing. Declan LOVES football and lacrosse. And he's a big, solid kid.

While Kota prefers quiet pursuits like arts and crafts, he does play baseball and soccer :)

She keeps track of his therapy appointments and if he has to see specialists for anything. Like his sight and his hearing and now a neurologist for his cognitive issues

Definitely rubbing her feet. He gives really good foot rubs. Back rubs, but she always complains she ends up pregnant after those ;)

Not yet. LOL. She caved in when it came to quads and dirt bikes and building a skateboard ramp/park LOL

[dessertbasket]

We Offer the best home baked cookies in Ahmedabad.

Indulge in Flavors with our delicious variety of Cookies and Brookies crafted with care, blending the finest ingredients into delightful bites of sweetness. Each piece is a testament to artisanal expertise. Our tiny creations are the versatile stars of any occasion. Whether it’s a joyful celebration, a heartfelt moment, or a simple gathering, 

[artificialqueens]

If you ever wanna be in love (I'll come around), Chapter Four (Branjie) - Athena2

Summary: Previously: Brooke and Vanessa had dinner with Brooke’s parents Now: Vanessa’s scheme to get more time with Brooke pays off, and they get closer.

A/N: Thank you all so much for the amazing feedback and love you’ve given this fic, it makes me so soft and really keeps me going. I’d love any thoughts you have on this chapter as well! Thank you to Writ for betaing, you’re the best!! <3 <3

Brooke smooths her thumb over the pink lipstick Vanessa wore Saturday. Pink like frosting, like peonies, like candy hearts. Like Vanessa’s lips.

It’s just lipstick, but Brooke’s been staring at it all weekend like she’s never seen it, like it’s a fossil to discover. It’s a piece of Vanessa, proof she really was in Brooke’s car, that Brooke really was that happy with her. She can’t stop picturing Vanessa putting her lipstick on, letting it glide over her lips–

Brooke has to get it back to her right away. It’s just lipstick, but Vanessa wears it a lot, so it’s probably her favorite. The library is only a few blocks from the museum, a coffee shop on the way, and maybe it’s a flimsy excuse to bring Vanessa coffee, but Brooke snatches it like a lifeline. And so what if she memorized Vanessa’s coffee order? Brooke was so horrified by the amount of sugar Vanessa dumped in that it’s burned into her brain. Brooke takes her coffee black, thank you very much, not only for the taste but because extra sugar makes her jumpy.

She has Vanessa’s sugar explosion in her left hand and the lipstick in her right as she enters the library, and she shouldn’t be sweating this much in the air conditioning. What if Vanessa already had coffee? What if someone asks Brooke why she’s here--I’ll say I’m bringing my wife coffee, Brooke thinks, and the thrill of it floods her.

The children’s room is bigger than Brooke expected, with long walls of books and sections for computers and toys, some kids playing on a bright rug. Vanessa is at the desk with her co-workers–A’keria and Yvie, Brooke recalls–and her face lights up when she sees Brooke.

“What brings you here?” Vanessa asks gleefully.

“Um,” Brooke begins, distracted by Vanessa’s dazzling smile. “I found your lipstick in my car. It must have fallen out of your purse.” She sets it on the desk, almost sad to lose it, like she’s lost part of Vanessa. “And I thought you might want coffee.”

Vanessa plainly does want coffee, snatching the cup and sighing in content.

“Damn.” A’keria whistles, turning to Brooke. “You got brothers? I want a fake husband to bring me coffee.”

Brooke shakes her head. “Sorry.”

“Worth a shot.”

Vanessa elbows her, then shoots out of her chair. “Hey, do you have time before work?”

“I should. Why?”

Vanessa claps her hands. “Because you, Brookie, are about to get my famous library tour.”

Brooke flushes at the nickname, which only her niece and nephew use. It’s special to hear Vanessa say it, a secret between them.

“Is this what we’re calling famous nowadays?” Yvie asks.

Vanessa shushes her and herds Brooke to the bookshelves. “These are books for little kids, middle school, and young adults. And this”–she points at shelves with construction paper hearts and rainbows streaming down the sides, informational pamphlets nestled between books for all ages– “is the pride month display I made.”

She smiles hesitantly, proud in her work but uncertain what Brooke will think, and Brooke doesn’t want Vanessa to doubt herself for a second. She loves how much Vanessa cares, making special displays to inform kids on different sexualities and safe sex, and she wants Vanessa to know it.

“That’s awesome, Vanessa,” Brooke says. “It’s so great you did this. Think of all the kids it’ll help.”

“Yeah.” Vanessa flashes her smile again, like that was exactly what she had in mind and was waiting for someone to recognize it, to understand how important it is to her. “Here are some crafts I’ve done.”

She nods to a shelf littered with Styrofoam Poké balls and tissue boxes transformed into sharp-toothed monsters, but one catches Brooke’s eye–

“Cats!” she squeals. “How did you make them?”

Vanessa laughs. “From a soda bottle. You cut off the bottom, then paint on a face. Then you have little kittens.”

“Amazing.” Brooke meets Vanessa’s eyes, sees them shining with pride. “What else is on the tour?”

“That’s about it. Just got toys, games, computers, that kind of stuff in the corners. There’s the bathroom, but you don’t want to see that. I don’t know what people do in there.”

“This was a great tour,” Brooke says. “You know, I could give you a museum tour sometime, if you want,” she offers, hoping she hasn’t overstepped, hoping Vanessa says yes.

“Okay!” Vanessa yells. “You can show me the dinos! Like those cera-tips!”

“Triceratops,” Brooke corrects gently through a snorting laugh. She tries not to snort when she laughs because it sounds ridiculous, but Vanessa draws those laughs out of her like nothing, grinning each time.

“That’s what I meant.” Vanessa is still laughing as she leads Brooke outside, and Brooke’s chest hurts as she says goodbye. It could just be heartburn. That’s probably it.

She has to do an awkward run/walk to get to work on time, but it’s worth it.

—

“V, are you listening?” A’keria asks.

Vanessa is not listening. Not after the picture Brooke just sent: a selfie of her with a giant grin on her face, next to the T-Rex skull. She’s so carefree and happy, and Vanessa’s brain can’t focus on anything else.

“Something about hot sauce?” Vanessa tries, setting her phone down.

Silky sighs. “We already talked about that! We’re talking about A’keria’s date.”

“Oh.” Normally Vanessa would be fully in that conversation, planning hair ideas and discussing outfits. But Brooke keeps occupying a larger and large space in her head, and Vanessa forces her out for right now to be with her girls.

“She’s too busy texting Brooke.” Damn A’keria’s sixth sense. She latches on to any hint of relationship stuff like some sort of Cupid, and any fragments of Brooke that Vanessa ignored come rushing back in a green-eyed, snort-laughing tide.

“What are you two doing?” Silky demands.

Vanessa’s face burns. “What do you mean?”

“Just that you text a lot,” A’keria jumps in calmly. “And you asked her to be your fake wife for the carnival even though you didn’t need to.”

Vanessa shrugs, trying to brush everything off. “We’re friends. She’s fun to be around. I just thought she might like the carnival, and I can keep Paul off my back.”

She tries to convince herself that’s true, that this is nothing more than friendship and strategy and convenience. Another appearance to stick it to Paul, make everything undeniable before they call it quits. The way her heart speeds up around Brooke has nothing to do with it.

“Sure,” Silky says, clearly unconvinced. “When are you going on your museum tour?”

Vanessa groans. “I can’t go too early or I’ll look weird. Maybe Thursday.” She liked her school field trips to museums, liked not being trapped at her desk, even if she got in trouble for going to the Viking exhibit early because her class just took too long in the nasty bug room.

Vanessa wonders how she’ll make it three days until she sees Brooke.

—

Museums have been home to Brooke since she was a kid. Everything was neat and orderly, the way she kept her bedroom, with a place for everything and everything in its place. It was soothing to be around so much knowledge, and she begged her mom to take her every weekend, the day usually ending with Brooke being pulled from the gift shop after trying to buy a life-size stuffed dinosaur or astronaut food with her allowance. (She’s tried astronaut food since then, and what a disappointment).

A kid gasps in surprise when they see display plaques at a child’s eye-level, and Brooke beams. She did that her first day, because she remembers standing on tip-toes and straining her neck to see things meant for grown-ups, when she wanted to see it for herself. There were times as a kid it felt like the whole world was made for other people, people who could kiss in school without fear of being called wrong, people who knew how to make friends, people who could be part of things instead of watching.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” a voice begins. Those words usually have Brooke on the defensive, preparing to be yelled at by some visitor for God knows what. But she knows that voice, and she spins around and laughs.

“I’m here for my tour!” Vanessa announces. She’s in jeans and a bright red shirt, rose-shaped hair clips nestled in her waves, and Brooke is mesmerized.

“Right.” Brooke can’t help it as she stands a little straighter, clears her throat. She loves tours, loves the chance to share her knowledge, to tell people facts—did you know a stegosaurus could weigh up to 7,000 pounds?—she used to be teased for knowing. Even though she doesn’t do regular tours like the tour guides, she’s used to showing around special groups or workers from other museums visiting on business. Yet for all the guests wrapped in fancy degrees and fancier job titles, none are as special as the one in front of her, and Brooke wants to give her best tour ever.

“So, dinosaurs first emerged about 240 million years ago…”

They continue through the museum, past glittery gold Egyptian tombs and recreations of delicate vases and ferocious animal models. Vanessa goes wild in the Viking exhibit, maybe because the replica ship reminds her of a pirate ship, and Brooke tells her any details she remembers from history classes and museum presentations.

Vanessa poses for pictures in front of the ship, her smile dazzling, and Brooke wishes the picture was hers. Hers to look at whenever she wants, to remember today and know they shared something special. But she gives Vanessa her phone back, because they aren’t a real couple, and she has no right to ask Vanessa to send them to her.

“That was amazing, Brooke,” Vanessa praises when they’re done, and the blush creeps into her cheeks.

“I’m happy you liked it,” Brooke says honestly.

“You have a gift shop here? I used to love them. I wanted to buy this Viking sword once and it cost $500.”

Brooke barks with laughter. “I was the same way! I usually wanted stuffed animals or a rocket ship.”

“You ever try astronaut food? It’s–”

“Disgusting!” Brooke finishes, and they laugh so loud people look at them, but Brooke doesn’t care, wants to be in this moment with Vanessa.

“Um, what are you doing this weekend?” Brooke asks, bringing things back down.

“Nothing,” Vanessa grumbles. “Me and A’keria live together, and we usually watch movies on Fridays, but she’s got a date so I’ll be alone. She must think it’s gonna go well, ‘cause I have to cover her Saturday shift too.”

“I’ll watch a movie with you if you want,” Brooke’s mouth blurts out before her brain can stop it. She shouldn’t have done that, they’re not dating. “S-sorry, I didn’t mean–only if you want to–”

Vanessa shushes her stammers with an eager nod. “I’d love that! We can get takeout. It’ll be fun.”

Brooke nods, her heart pounding. She’ll be inside Vanessa’s apartment, someplace much more personal than restaurants and museums. It’s part of Vanessa, and Brooke is honored Vanessa trusts her with it.

“I’ll be there,” she promises.

—

Brooke is going to be in her apartment in 33–no, 30; Brooke’s always early–minutes, and Vanessa is running around like a headless chicken. It’s not that her A’keria are messy; it’s just that Brooke is so neat, careful when they eat and clothes always perfect, and Vanessa doesn’t want to look like a slob.

She wants Brooke to see the pride she has in her place, a space she could call her own after sharing a cramped college dorm. She wants Brooke to walk in and know this is Vanessa’s home, know it’s part of her, from the cozy flannel blankets to the thrifted bookcase overflowing with childhood favorites she read by flashlight at night. Just like Brooke shared her museum home yesterday, bouncing through exhibits and pointing things out to Vanessa, she wants to show Brooke her home.

Brooke knocks five minutes early, takeout bags in hand. Vanessa is about to lead her inside when paws pad over hardwood, and suddenly Brooke is on the floor, Thackeray in her lap and Riley licking her arm.

“You two never give me that kind of welcome!” Vanessa yells.

“Guess I’m an animal whisperer.” Brooke pets Thackeray with one hand and Riley with the other, and Vanessa can’t stop smiling. Riley hates strangers, almost chewing the pizza delivery person’s pants once, but settles with people he likes. Warmth spreads through Vanessa that Riley already likes Brooke, senses all the goodness in her that Vanessa sees.

“You a something whisperer,” Vanessa mutters. She heads inside and Brooke follows, nodding in approval.

“This is a really nice place,” Brooke says. “Are those frog salt and pepper shakers?”

Vanessa cackles. “You bet they are! Found ‘em in the thrift shop.”

“I have dinosaur ones. Nina got them for me.” Brooke blushes.

“Of course you do.”

They settle on the couch with their Thai feast. Vanessa fires up Netflix, and though it’s odd to see Brooke on the other end of the couch, long legs tucked underneath her, she somehow looks right, like the couch always had room for her.

“What are we gonna watch?” Brooke asks, digging into her noodles.

“Maybe a rom-com?” Vanessa suggests hesitantly. “I know they’re cheesy as hell and ain’t real feminist-y, but sometimes it’s nice to see love as this big thing.”

“Yeah. So many married people don’t even like each other.”

“Exactly!” Vanessa yells, because Brooke gets it. “They make love a chore or something, but it shouldn’t be. Sometimes I want some big cheesy gesture or for someone to run through an airport for me. It’s better than not caring at all.”

Love can’t always be a movie, she knows that. But the idea of it, of meaning that much to someone, is what Vanessa’s always wanted. Her parents were like that, cooking together and bringing home flowers and yelling at Jeopardy! contestants, and Vanessa wants that devotion and warmth someday.

“Airports are too big. I’d run through a train station for you,” Brooke says, so dry that Vanessa whacks her with a pillow. “Seriously, a rom-com’s fine.”

Vanessa tries to find one before Brooke sees her recently watched list–a very personal thing, in Vanessa’s opinion–but she’s too late.

“She-Ra and the Princesses of Power?” Brooke asks.

“Don’t laugh!” Vanessa barks. “It’s really good. These kids at the library like it and I started watching to get activity ideas. Then I got hooked.”

Brooke’s smile is warm enough to melt ice, eyes soft and loving. “That’s really sweet. It’s nice how much you care.”

Vanessa can’t stop the pride from creeping into her smile. “I just want the library to be a good place for them, y’know?”

“Yeah. I try to do the same at the museum.”

Vanessa’s heart warms at how much Brooke cares, just like Vanessa cares.

There’s ten minutes of scrolling and countless insistings of ‘you can pick’ before they finally start About Time. Vanessa likes having Brooke there, an anchor on the couch, laughing and sharing the movie with her, even though she doesn’t need tissues at the end like Vanessa.

“You don’t cry at movies?” Vanessa asks.

“Not a lot.”

“Look me in the eyes and say you didn’t cry over Marley and Me.”

“Of course I did! That’s different.” Brooke leans in, air around her suddenly serious, like she’s about to share something private. “I cried a lot when I was little. When someone took my things, when we had to leave my grandparents’ house, you name it. Then I got embarrassed and kinda outgrew it.”

Vanessa nods. “I was a yeller. My mom said people could hear me in Alaska.”

“I believe it.”

“Hey! At least people can always hear me at parties and stuff!”

“Even parties in Alaska.” Brooke snorts. “Speaking of parties, my parents loved you. They’ve been telling me all week how great you are.”

“You’re kidding.” Vanessa wants to believe it, but she can’t. Not after the disaster parent meetings she’s had.

“I’m not.”

“They really said that about me?”

“You seem surprised.” Brooke’s words are part statement and part question, leaving it up to Vanessa how things go. Vanessa hesitates, because she doesn’t do this. She doesn’t let things bother her, doesn’t let people’s opinions change her confidence. She’s enough, and she knows it. Brooke doesn’t need to hear this, but her eyes are warm and inviting, and maybe it’s good to talk about it.

“Parents don’t usually like me,” Vanessa admits, picking at a loose pillow thread. “They want someone fancy and proper and that’s just not me. My last girlfriend’s parents told me I wasn’t good enough for their daughter.” A stray tear falls and Vanessa reaches for a tissue, but Brooke is already offering one.

“Hey,” Brooke says softly. “You’re smart and funny and caring and beautiful. You’re more than enough, Vanessa.”

Vanessa nods through her sniffle, not trusting her voice when Brooke is being so kind, so tender.

“Can I hug you?” Brooke asks, and Vanessa throws herself in Brooke’s arms. She lets Brooke hold her, her tears washing away with the soothing scent of Brooke’s tea tree shampoo, the steady beat of her heart beneath Vanessa’s ear. Vanessa gives amazing hugs, everyone tells her so, and Brooke matches her skill, squeezing gently, hands resting on Vanessa’s back. Brooke’s arms are the coziest, safest blanket and Vanessa never wants to leave them. She could live in Brooke’s arms, make a home nuzzled against her chest.

She forces herself to pull away, looking down at the couch. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” There’s an awkward silence, then Brooke stands. “I should go. You have to work early tomorrow, right?”

“Ugh, don’t remind me. I gotta get up at the ass-crack of dawn.” She sighs. “What are you doing tomorrow?”

Brooke grimaces. “Babysitting. My sister has this dinner thing, and I told her I’d take the kids.”

“Yikes.” Before Vanessa thinks it through, she’s speaking again. “You want help? Two kids is a lot by yourself.”

“I’m fine. I don’t want to bother you–”

“Let me help, Miss Thing!” Vanessa suddenly wants to, would rather spend the night with Brooke and the kids instead of her TV and a bag of chips.

“Okay, okay.” Brooke holds her hands up in surrender.

Vanessa grins. “Coming at you tomorrow, the Mateo-Hytes babysitting crew!”

The echo of Brooke’s barking laugh soothes Vanessa to sleep that night.

—

Brooke knows they’re well past their agreement. This was supposed to be two events and done, back to their normal lives where fake dating is the stuff of rom-coms. But throw in the thrifting, and the lost lipstick, and the movie, and now Brooke is at the mob scene that is a Saturday afternoon grocery store buying brownie mix because Vanessa suggested making brownies with the kids tonight.

It’s almost like she and Vanessa are two boats being tossed about in each other’s paths. Even though they didn’t intend to keep doing things after the agreement ended, they somehow still are. Sure, Brooke didn’t have to suggest movie night, could have refused Vanessa’s babysitting offer, but she didn’t want Vanessa to be alone, and considering her last babysitting experience resulted in deep-cleaning the living room rug, she could use the help.

There’s also the bonus of seeing Vanessa again. Brooke doesn’t know what they are, exactly, and even though most of her life is spent classifying, assigning order to things, maybe she can be okay with the uncertainty. All she knows is that Vanessa makes her laugh more than anyone, understands the things she says and even the things she doesn’t, makes her happier than she’s been in a while. Vanessa is special, that much she does know, and Brooke will take any second she can with her.

It’s been nothing but work for months, every second spent on the T-Rex exhibit. There’s no room for the giggling Brooke does around Vanessa when she’s one of the only women at the museum, where board members think she’s too forgiving of interns, too focused on kids. She forgets all that around Vanessa, her muscles loosening up, carefree and excited like a kid on summer vacation.

She throws brownie mix in her cart and motors down the aisles, dodging screaming kids and middle-aged ladies fighting with employees. She’s back home just before the kids arrive, bouncing with excitement over being at Aunt Brookie’s. Brooke sets them up in the living room with their toys and starts on dinner.

Someone knocks and Brooke runs to the door, revealing a cheerful Vanessa who makes Brooke’s heart skip a beat.

“Where’s the babies?” she asks, gathering her hair into a ponytail. Brooke can’t stop staring at the curves of her hands, how quickly her fingers move, twirling around her hair with ease.

“Kids are in the living room.”

“No, the kitties!”

“Oh.” Brooke nudges the cats out of her room and Vanessa gets on the floor with them, nuzzling their fur and cooing.

“Apollo’s kind of mean around new people, don’t worry if he doesn’t like you,” Brooke says, but Apollo is letting Vanessa pet him, which is damn near a miracle. He must really like Vanessa, and Brooke agrees with his judgement.

Vanessa finally stands and surveys the kitchen, and Brooke tries to see it from Vanessa’s eyes, hoping she likes it. There’s the tiny green floral rug by the sink bringing the outdoors to her. The cozy kitchen table where she drinks her morning coffee. The row of succulents on the window sill that Brooke made a watering schedule for, determined to get them through the dry summer.

“It’s cozy here. I like it,” Vanessa says, peeking at the pot of boiling water. “What we got cookin’?”

“Mac and cheese.”

Vanessa sighs in content, then raises one adorable eyebrow at the blue box on the counter. “Oh no, Mary! You gotta make it homemade!”

Brooke’s cheeks redden. “I-I’m not good at cooking, okay? I’m always afraid I’m doing stuff wrong, so I don’t do it.”

Cooking should come easy to her, because she likes following instructions, crossing things off lists, but it doesn’t. She doesn’t have the instinct for it like she does other stuff, like picking out good digging spots and identifying the fossils and rocks underneath, or using her surroundings to get home on a new hiking path. With cooking, she can’t get the motions down, never knows if she’s chopped things correctly, gets so worried about undercooking that she overcooks.

Vanessa’s expression softens, her gaze caressing Brooke like a warm blanket. “Hey, I’ll help you, okay? We’ll do it together.”

Brooke nods shakily, letting Vanessa show her to cook the flour and add the milk, stirring the cheese in carefully. Vanessa’s floury hand brushes against Brooke’s on the spoon, and Brooke almost drops it once the warmth of Vanessa’s skin hits her. Half an hour later, Brooke looks down at the finished dinner and smiles in disbelief. They made this, her and Vanessa, and Vanessa talked and joked all the way through it, kept Brooke calm, and now they have this dish of golden breadcrumbs, gooey choose, and warm pasta to show for it. It’ll be devoured by ravenous kids soon, but it doesn’t erase that they made this. Together.

“We really did it,” she whispers.

“Food Network, here we come,” Vanessa giggles.

—

Dinner and brownies devoured, Brooke and Vanessa join the kids on the Barbie-and-Lego-strewn rug. Watching kids play is something special, the way they can go for hours with wild imaginations. It reminds Brooke of her hours playing explorer with stuffed animals, free from the kids at school who teased her for being too quiet and too smart. Vanessa’s eyes glimmer and Brooke wonders if she’s reminiscing too.

Sophie has her Barbie and Ken dolls contorting in unhuman ways to kiss, and Brooke and Vanessa snicker.

“Aunt Brookie,” Sophie asks, “Do you and Ness kiss like my dolls?”

If Brooke had water, she would spit it out. Instead, she chokes on nothing but air and Vanessa whacks her on the back.

“Um, yes, we kiss, Soph,” Brooke manages when her breath returns. Don’t think about kissing Vanessa. Don’t think about her pink lips.

“At home,” Vanessa adds with a wink.

Sophie nods, and Brooke thinks they’re safe, just another bout of a kid’s curiosity. Then Sophie chants, “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”, nudging Sam and getting him to join in like only an older sister can, and soon they’re shouting.

She turns to Vanessa and freezes. The kids are at full volume, and Brooke’s sure to have angry neighbors. One little kiss will be enough to quiet them before complaints roll in. They’re still just friends, it’s no big deal. Brooke can’t deny the curiosity rising in her, the way her body is creeping forward ever so slightly. Are Vanessa’s lips as soft as they look?

Brooke looks at Vanessa with the question in her eyes, and Vanessa nods. Their lips meet to a chorus of cheers and–shit.

Somewhere Brooke registers that she shouldn’t be feeling this good when she and Vanessa aren’t really together. But every other thought is on Vanessa, on the softness of her lips and faint taste of brownies, on their hearts pounding in time. She remembers they’re in front of the kids and forces herself to pull back before things go too far.

The kids move on, but Brooke is stunned. Her nose is still filled with Vanessa’s green apple shampoo. Her fingertips are tingling. Her body burns like fire.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers to Vanessa.

“Don’t be.” Vanessa seems as shocked as Brooke, touching her lips like she can’t believe Brooke’s were just there, looking at Brooke like she’s never seen her before.

Brooke almost wishes the kids would demand another kiss.

[purplesurveys]

504

What are three things that were in style when you were in high school? I didn’t follow the trends at all back then so I don’t have a solid idea of what had been in style...I’m guessing Roshes, denim jackets, and ripped jeans. What is one random fact about you? I’m taking up journalism in university. It was what I thought was my passion. Do you spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer? Yeah I try to spend as much time as I can outside, but I still like getting my me time during the summer. What is your favorite summer month? I don’t have one. What do you want to be for Halloween this year? I told Gabie I’ve always wanted us to be Yorkie and Kelly from the Black Mirror episode San Junipero, but idk when that’s gonna happen.

When do you plan to start decorating for fall? We don’t have fall. Every September, do you always wish you were going back to school? We start classes in August, but yeah by the end of July I always seem to be itching to go back to school because I end up missing studying and taking up my required readings. What was your favorite class in high school? All the history classes we took up - Philippine history in freshman year, Asian history in second year, world history in third year. For some reason, the ‘social science class’ designated for senior year was basic economics, so I didn’t enjoy that. Do you have a desk in your room? Nah, it’s a little too crowded. I’ll forever regret calling dibs on my present room when I was 10, back when I thought it was a massive area. ^If so, do you use it as a desk that you sit and work at? Do you have a hope chest? I have no idea what that is. ^If so, what do you keep in it? What's one goal that you have for yourself this year? I didn’t set any goals for myself. A small part of me just wants to make it out alive every year. Do you use a backpack? I used to use a backpack for school but I eventually thought it was too big. I use a canvas bag now. What did your favorite backpack in high school look like? I didn’t have a favorite. My one backpack in high school was black with yellow accents. Have you ever shopped at Limited Too? Nope. ^If yes, what was your favorite thing you owned from there? Do you wear band tees? No. I have one band tee of Paramore that I bought six years ago, but that’s it. I don’t think I ever wore it cause it’s a couple of sizes bigger for me. ^if yes, which one is your favorite? What color is your desk in your room, if you have one? Would you ever want to live in a home with all-white walls and furniture? YES Do you have pajama days often? Nope. What was the last flavor of tea you drank? It was probably lemonade iced tea. What was the last thing you ordered from Starbucks? It was a new item on the pastry menu! It’s called ‘brookie’ lmfao and it was half a dark chocolate macadamia cookie and half brownie. Do you have a favorite barista at Starbucks? No. I go to several branches so I’m not a usual anywhere. What is one thing you're behind on? Maybe TV shows. I tend to stick with the ones I’ve already watched. Do you ever re-arrange your room? No. The last time I did was like four years ago. Do you share a room with anyone? I don’t. I like my own space. Who was your first roommate? My sister, technically. I’ve never had a roommate before because I’ve always lived in our own house. Do you ever talk to your first roommate? What season do you want to get married in? Ideally, winter. But we don’t have that so in the Philippines we tend to just think of months instead of seasons. Do you own a teepee? I do not. Frosting: chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate. Ice cream: chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla, but both suck. Milkshake: chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate. Do you drink protein shakes? Nope. What was the last type of candy you ate? Sour tapes. Do you take birth control pills? I don’t. What was the last craft project you completed? I don’t know; I don’t make them often and only have to if it’s a school project. Do you often start things and not finish them? Lmfaooooooo yes. It’s terrible. I’d be super excited about this thing I want to start out, then get tired of it 2 days later, e.g. the one-photo-a-day project I wanted to do this 2019 and a movies-that-I’ve-seen thread on Twitter. It’s a terrible habit and it would be nice to finish at least one thing. Which is better: starting things or finishing them? Finishing them. Is your style Bohemian at all? Not at all. What is the highest name-brand thing you own? I dunno. Have you ever sold on Poshmark? No. Do you have a Poshmark account? Nope. What color GameBoy did you have as a kid? Purple. It was my cousin’s but I played on it often. What was your favorite GameBoy game? Whatever Pokemon game he had. What was your favorite Backstreet Boys song? I don’t have any. Did you ever wonder what it felt like to get slimed? OMG yes. Vintage Nickelodeon always made me wish I got buckets of slime dumped onto me. Did you ever name a pet after an imaginary friend? No. Have you ever hallucinated? I don’t think so. Do you believe in angels and demons? I like the possibility, but I’m not obsessed. What is holding you back from living your dreams? I’m still figuring everything out. Do you have a paypal account? Nope. Do you like your hair better curly or straight? Wavy.

[mossybeak]

tagged by the big shrimpin @princess-prawn

Relationship Status: single and ready to elope at a moments notice

Favorite Color(s): green and orange, muddy and earth tone specifically

Favorite Food: all food is stellar I can’t choose, but I love mac and cheese, spicy ramen, and tofu

Song stuck in my head: Ostia (The Death of Pasolini) - Coil

Last thing you googled: how to pronounce pileated (pie-lee-ay-ted)

Time: 7:02

Dream Trip: 🍄, Australia or Iceland :3

Last thing you read: MW2 fanfic.., I love soap and ghost and alejandro and price and

Last book you enjoyed reading: Jumper: Griffin’s Story (TwT)

Favorite thing to cook/bake: myself and also brookies (brownie cookies)

Favorite craft to do in your free time: I like pencil drawing and also oil painting

Most niche dislike: if it’s like a pet peeve, people who can’t hold chopsticks and won’t learn but still use them just extremely wrong. If it’s like actually a niche thing that I dislike, the fact that in historical dramas they never speak the languages of the time or place. I don’t care that it’s impractical and time consuming I wanna hear ancient languages dammit >:c

Opinion on circuses: love them as long as there are no animals being used

Do you have any sense of direction: I thought it was bad but then someone explained to me what it actually is and I realized i have very good sense of direction

[brookiecrafts]

Having a LOTR marathon with friends today and I decided I'm trying to crochet a sweater in that time, we're currently about I enter the Mines of Moria and I'm about to split for sleeves :)

I do think I'll be able to finish it but we'll seeeee !!!!

[markedbyindecision]

Tagged by @captainautismo :))) thank you!! it’s been a while since ive done one of these.

Relationship status: not telling ;)

Favorite colors: black, purple, blue, pink

Favorite foods: mangoes, chocolate lava cake, udon noodles, various seafoods, etc.

Song stuck in my head: Decode by Paramore

Last thing you googled: MKUltra

Time: 12:10 A.M.

Dream trip: ooh, idk. There isn’t anywhere i really want to go. I’d like to visit France at some point, though.

Last thing you read: The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert (using “read” as a loose term here since i literally just skimmed it bc it was part of some long-overdue homework)

Last book you enjoyed reading: Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

Favorite thing to cook/bake: brookies! (basically a layer of brownie over a layer of cookie)

Favorite craft to do in your free time: finger weaving?

Most niche dislike: when people color countries on a map the wrong color than the one i assign it to in my head

Opinion on circuses: idk, never been to one. could be fun?

Do you have a sense of direction?: Absolutely not

open tag, everyone feel free to do this <3

[malibugifts]

Malibu Gourmet Food Gifts to Wish Your Loved Ones a Speedy Recovery

If there is anything worse than getting sick, it’s getting sick at this particular moment in time. Adding to the general stress of being sick in the first place is the stress and anxiety of caring for yourself or a loved one at a time where the last thing anybody wants is to get sick. This is why, now more than ever, it is important to be there for your loved ones that get sick, regardless of what they caught. Of course, it may not always be wise for you to be there in person, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t show your love and support in other ways. In fact, we have a collection of Malibu gourmet food gifts for you to wish them a speedy recovery.

Malibu Gourmet Food Gifts

At Malibu Gift, our main goal is to capture all the class, taste, and beauty of Malibu culture in every product. This mission has given way to a gorgeously delicious array of Malibu gourmet food gifts, each unique in their use of familiar flavors to create new experiences. You think you know caramel or chocolate until you try one of the delicious concoctions we have put together here at Malibu Gift. This makes them the perfect gift for someone recovering from illness or looking to indulge in something good while they don’t feel great. Allow us to introduce you to the wonderful findings of our gourmet collection.

Gourmet Milk Chocolate S’Mores

Malibu beach nights by the fire pit are an unforgettable experience and we were determined to capture them in one of our gourmet snack offerings. The warmth of the fire meeting the cool seaside breeze, the company of your loved ones, and the taste of delicious fired up S’Mores are engrained in our minds and we want to share that memory with everyone else. To do so, we’ve created some wonderful S’Mores of our own. With traditional Graham crackers, fluffy marshmallows, and a thick coat of gourmet milk chocolate, we have crafted a reinvention of the S’More that will cater to your refined adult tastes while also evoking those childhood flavors.

Dark Chocolate Graham Cracker Cookies

A great addition to your coffee breaks, snack times, and recovery treats, our dark chocolate Graham cracker cookies are the perfect combination of the familiar and the exciting. After all, each bite brings forth the deliciously traditional taste of Graham crackers while adding onto it the deep, rich taste of gourmet dark chocolate. Once again, we combine the best of the simple delights of childhood, such as crackers, with the more refined and acquired taste of dark chocolate. A packet of these will undeniably cheer up anyone who receives them, particularly if going through a recovery process.

Brookie Cookies Large Tin and Gift Box

Lastly in our collection of Malibu gourmet food gifts to wish someone a speedy recovery, you find our brookie cookies large tin. This delicious tin of hybrid brownie cookies combines the most delightful aspects of both worlds. The texture of cookies and the richness of brownies come together in a single cookie that will lift anyone’s spirits.

[jasonswingen]

Aggressive brookie on the swing! Mini craft fur minnow has been a big hit. Loving the new @opskagit Commando Smooth for some small-water micro skagit action. . . . #flyfishing #brooktrout #brookie #troutfishing #thetugisthedrug #troutunlimited #fishing #wisconsinfishing #swingenstreamers #flytying #matchthehatch #catchandrelease #opst #commandosmooth #damgoodnets https://www.instagram.com/p/B9CxemCBzJZ/?igshid=qol6mfdg7a2c

[spooningaustralia]

I got a message from the fine folks at @nomadbrewingco - "Hey Spooning, can we send you some beer to enjoy and take some pics of?" - I replied "I'm around the corner, how about I come down and try some?" And then I found out on Fridays they do dumplings and, well, they always do beers.⁣⁠⠀ ⁣⁠⠀ I love this place, in the industrial area of Brookie, it's no frills and fine beers. My faves were a Raspberry Beer and a beer that was made with Earl Grey Tea in it. They gave us a decent and delicious selection of dumplings that paired nicely with all the beer. I loved their @budgysmuggler partnered pale ale and discovered they are not only brewing beer around the corner from my house but they are also Australia’s largest craft beer distributors.⁣⁠⠀ ⁣⁠⠀ Check out some of the cans - they are art - the black and white of the guy looking through the window - would happily have the art of that framed and on my wall. I need to return time and time again to try them all, only on Fridays for me of course, because DUMPLINGS!!!⁣⁠⠀ (at Nomad Brewing Co.) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5HuyvTFE38/?igshid=9rtyi47wy5i

[chickensarentcheap]

What's the one color Esme doesn't own?

Is there a color Tyler refuses to wear and why?

Of the older kids, who cares the most about what they wear?

Has Millie ever been seriously injured, and did she try to be tough like her dad?

What is Addy's and Brookie's favorite thing to do together?

When did Tyler realize Millie inherited his talent and how'd it make him feel?

Does Tanner have a favorite book he reads for comfort?

Do any of the kids have a bedtime ritual?

Does Esme ever just look at his body while he sleeps?

Do either Esme or Tyler have a comfort movie?

Thank you!

Esme doesn't really own anything that is earth tones. She is very into colour! Her closet is filled with all kinds of colours and various hues of them. And even in the house, when she decorates she goes for very vibrant touches in decor.

2. Tyler will not wear hot pink. Just nope. He will not do it. He'll wear like pink and perhaps a bit darker, but that's as bold as he goes. Now if it's mixed with something like in a pair of board shorts or one of the party shirts the kids always get him for father's day, then he's okay with it

3. I'd say TJ is starting to be that way. He's starting to realize how popular her is and how attractive others find him. So he's beginning now to be fashion conscious and he knows jeans shows off his butt, and he's very proud of that butt lol

4. She did break her collarbone dirt biking and losing controlling and hitting a tree. And she tried brushing it off and acting like she was just banged up. But mum and dad could tell it was more serious than that. Dad especially can spot the signs of a nasty injury. She's a tough kid that one.

5. Addie and Brookie love two things the most. Making crafts together, and exploring the beach for cool rocks, beach glass, and shells. They also love (despite having their own homes) sleeping together.

6. After only a couple times having her surf with him (on his back), she was ready to try it on her own and showed that she understood how to manipulate the board, respect the ocean and its inhabitants, and handle the waves. She took to it very easily, and was about seven when she really started to really show potential to be great at it. Now she's not even a teen and competing against older kids at competitions. And winning.

7. The Hobbit. And that's all because dad had once promised (as mentioned in Best Part of Me) to take him into town and get him a copy of it. He was five and reading at a much advanced age. So once he got that book, that was it. His dad even lets him read to him. Usually Tyler will work out and forgo the music and Tanner will sit close by and just read out loud

8. Addie. She has to kiss every stuffy and baby she owns lol

9. oh yes. She for sure does. And it's been show in some fics that she'll trace every line of each tattoo, find every scar and blemish etc etc etc. And there's something beautiful about that. To her, his scars are part of him. Even if he's a bit self conscious about them at times.

10. Tyler's comfort 'movie' would be Point Break. For sure. Or even surfing videos on youtube. Esme would go for a sappy romance or a romcom, like Sweet Home Alabama or PS I Love You.