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roxygen22 · 5 months ago

Note

A sick Lee maybe on a road trip to a vacation spot and he starts feeling unwell during the drive and he worries about ruining all the fun they are supposed to have but Reader reassures him and they still end up having a good time even though Lee is ill

Thanks 😊 love you 😘

Love you, too!

Anywhere

You were walking along the corn field's edge, stretching your legs after the long hours in the truck, when suddenly you felt strong arms grab you from the side and pull you into a near crushing hug. Your shriek was cut short by a hand over your mouth.

"Gotcha!" the source of your favorite voice in the world teased. Lee pecked you on the cheek, then let you free. You playfully scowled at him and punched him in the arm as you caught your breath.

"You really ought to pay more attention to your surroundings. I could have been a predator, you know," Lee continued. He let out a cute growl and crouched like he was about to pounce. But instead, he grabbed your hand and pulled you down to lay in the tall stalks and stare at the clouds. The two of you spent several minutes in companionable silence, hidden from the world, just holding hands, before he rolled over on his side to look at you.

"If you could go absolutely anywhere in the Lower 48, where would you go?" he asked, twirling a finger into a strand of your loose hair.

You bit your lip and looked up at the clear blue sky in thought. A wave of excitement flashed across your face and disappeared just as quickly.

"You made your idea face. Where is it?" he prodded.

You sat up and hugged your knees. "It's too far," you lamented.

"Just tell me." He looked up at you with an irresistible pout.

"Well...I've always wanted to see Niagara Falls since I was a little girl and saw it on a postcard."

Lee flashed a big grin and ran to the passenger side of the truck, all but ripping the glove box open to retrieve his map. He buried his face in it on his walk back and nearly tripped over an uneven patch of ground. You giggled, and he glared. Once Lee settled back into his spot next to you, his long, thin index finger set to work tracing the lines of the interstate highways from your current spot in the Midwest.

"We could be there tomorrow if we leave now, just in time for your birthday!" Lee exclaimed.

"Really?!" you replied in disbelief.

"Anything for my girl." He leaned in and planted a soft kiss on your lips.

You blushed and dropped your head onto Lee's shoulder. You felt him rest his cheek on your hair as he let out a quiet, contented sigh.

<><><><><>

Soon, the two of you were back on the road. Lee was singing along with George Strait's "Amarillo by Morning" when he was interrupted by a cough. You pulled out your bottle of water to let him have a drink.

"Thanks. Just got a tickle in my throat." He cleared his throat several more times over the next hour or two. When the coughing flared again, you took over driving.

"Are you feeling okay?" you asked worriedly when he got back into the truck.

"I'm fine. Just tired." You thought you detected some congestion in his tone.

"Here. Drink more water," you instructed as you handed him the bottle once more.

"Yes, ma'am," he quipped sarcastically. He sank down in his seat, though, when you pursed your lips and raised an eyebrow at him. He then proceeded to take a swig.

As you drove, Lee's coughing worsened and his nose began to run. The poor thing shivered in his sleep as he leaned against the passenger door despite the summer heat. He didn't wake until he felt the truck come to a stop three hours later.

"Why are we at a motel?" he asked groggily and rubbed his eyes.

"I need to stop and you need to rest," you replied.

"We should keep driving."

"No, you can't get good, recuperative rest while sitting up in the truck, even if I drive. And I am dangerously close to dozing off. Give me the stash of money so I can go get us a room."

Lee just stared at you. He was used to making the plans and calling the shots.

"Give. Me. The. Stash," you repeated in a stilted tone.

His deep huff sent him into another coughing fit. He wordlessly caved and handed you the wad of cash from his boot as he caught his breath. You left him in the truck to walk into the office to retrieve keys.

One bright side of your lifestyle was traveling light, so you could focus on helping Lee inside without making multiple trips to the truck. He collapsed on the bed, fully clothed. You worked the boots off his feet and pulled the covers over his body. Your hand instantly recoiled at the heat radiating from his forehead when you checked for fever. You quickly grabbed a washcloth from the bathroom, wet it down, and gently wiped his forehead and neck to provide him with some cooling relief.

Lee's eyes fluttered open, and he greeted you with a strained half smile. "We need to get back on the road early in the morning to stick to our timeline," he rasped.

"Let's worry about that in the morning," you whispered. You sat beside him on the bed and ran pushed the damp hair from his forehead. "We're not going anywhere as long as you are feverish."

"But-" he started to argue.

"But nothing. And if you are about to bring up my birthday, it's just another day."

"You only turn 20 once. No longer a teenager." He grinned and gently tapped your nose with his finger before letting his arm flop back to the bed.

"Only you are worried about that, old man," you teased. It had been a personal point of moral contention for Lee that he, a man in his 20s, was dating a quote-unquote teenaged girl. But he was enchanted by you ever since he met you at the county fair last year, right before your 19th birthday.

Lee feigned offense by narrowing his eyes at you, but his playfulness was overriden by another round of coughing.

"I'm going to walk over to the grocery store to get you some cough drops and cold medicine," you said in response, tucking him in tightly under the blanket. "Just lay here and try to rest more while I'm out."

The trip to the store was quick, but Lee was already sound asleep when you returned. You let him rest and snuggled up beside him in bed. Every now and then, you felt him shiver as his fever flared, and another round of chills shook his body. You were grateful, though, that his coughing subsided for a while, allowing him a few hours of solid rest until he woke you from deep slumber with his violent hacking around 2am.

You dosed him with cold medicine and turned on a hot shower in hopes that the steam would ease his breathing. He sat in the bathtub floor as you lathered shampoo and rinsed his hair and did your best to wash the sweat off his body. He weakly toweled himself off with your help.

"How are you feeling?" you asked from your perch on the bathroom counter as he sat on the edge of the tub. You scanned his face and observed the dark purple circles under his eyes and shakiness of the hand that ran through his hair.

"A little more human than earlier," he replied quietly. His voice was a little less gravelly thanks to the humidity in the bathroom.

You smirked. "That's good. I got us some snacks at the store. You should at least nibble on something before you go back to bed to keep up your strength."

"I feel wide awake. We can get back on the road and drive for a while."

"You should really get more rest, Lee. Otherwise, it may catch up with you while we're out in the middle of nowhere."

"I can't rest knowing that we have somewhere to be. Besides, I can either be miserable in bed, or miserable and at least making progress toward our destination."

You just blinked at him and sighed deeply. "Are you sure you feel up to it?" You felt his forehead. At least he wasn't running a fever. He simply nodded in return and leaned into your touch.

You narrowed your eyes at him skeptically. "Okay. Fine. But if we have to stop in the middle of the forest because you get worse, I swear you are never going to hear the end of it."

Lee chuckled and stood from his seat. "I would expect nothing less." He placed a hand on your cheek and kissed your forehead as he scooted by you to open the door. You crossed your arms and shook your head, though you temporarily distracted from your ire when Lee's towel dropped, revealing those perfect buns of his.

He walked out of the bathroom and noted the time on the alarm clock by the bed. He turned back to you and grinned. "Happy birthday, love."

<><><><><>

Thanks to your lack of luggage, the two of you were back on the road quickly as soon as Lee was dressed again. He opted to drive so you could get some more sleep since you had stayed up caring for him. You didn't argue because you could barely keep your eyes open.

A few hours later, you woke to the sound of Lee coughing again. You squirmed in your seat and blinked the sleep from your eyes. "Where are we?" you asked groggily.

"Ohio. We just crossed the state line a few minutes ago," Lee replied. The hoarseness had returned.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'll be fine for a little while longer, then we can just switch out driving."

"If you want to pull over, I can drive now after a short bathroom break."

"No offense, but you drive too slow. That's fine most of the time, but right now we are on a deadline."

"Wha- my driving is just fine!" You crossed your arms and pouted. He looked over at you and pulled a face, which broke your ire and made you laugh. You could never stay mad at him for long. He laughed, but the exertion instigated a coughing fit.

"Pull over," you demanded.

"Not yet," he replied once he recovered his breath.

"You need to rest. Otherwise, you won't be able to enjoy the falls with me. That matters more to me than seeing them alone." Ha. You knew that would play on his feelings.

Lee paused and released a deep sigh. "Fine. But we keep going. I can rest just fine in the passenger seat."

"Deal," you replied, flashing him a grin.

He pulled over into a wooded alcove so you could both get out and stretch. You tossed the cold medicine toward him. He winced.

"This stuff tastes disgusting, you know," Lee complained.

"Anything for your girl, right?" You winked, and he grumbled - but he complied.

You took over driving for the next stretch of the trip. Lee quickly fell asleep, hugging his legs and using his knees as a pillow. Before getting back into the truck, he had shown you the upcoming turns on the map, but you wouldn't need to turn for at least 100 miles - long enough to forget the specifics. You unknowingly took a wrong turn and followed the highway south, when you should have been traveling northeast. Lee came to a few hours later and asked how far you had gone.

"I'm not sure. The last town I saw was Fremont."

He frowned and snatched the map, frantically searching for the grid coordinates for the town. His face dropped. "[Y/N], we are heading away from New York now."

"B- but I took the road you said."

"We needed to turn off this highway about an hour ago."

You felt the blood drain from your face. "Oh," was all you could muster. You pulled over at the next driveway, jumped out of the truck, and slammed the door. Lee met you at the tailgate.

"Please don't yell at me." You cringed as you saw the disappointment in his face.

"Yell? Oh, babe, I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at myself. If we hadn't stopped at the motel last night, we would be making great time. And if I hadn't been asleep, you wouldn't have missed your turn. I have single-handedly ruined your birthday." He kicked the tire to release some frustration.

You laid one hand on his arm and the other on the opposite cheek to encourage him to look at you. "Shouldn't I be the judge of that? Anywhere you are is exactly where I should be. We may not be where I hoped to be, but that doesn't matter as long as I'm with you. It's okay if we don't make it by midnight. I'd rather get there late than get there stressed. I'd like to enjoy all the places along the way that I've never been."

The two of you continued on at a much more leisurely pace, stopping when one or both of you needed to rest. You hit the New York state line right at midnight, marking the end of your birthday - but seeing Niagara Falls at sunrise more than made up for the delay. You stared out over the chasm and took it all in. The oranges and pinks of the skies were like a painting that belonged in a museum. The falls roared, and the mist tickled your face like thousands of tiny carresses.

"It's surreal. So beautiful," you whispered.

"Yes, it is."

You felt him take your left hand, but when you turned to look at his face, it wasn't where you expected.

He was down on one knee.

You gasped and covered your mouth with your free hand. You started nodding fervently.

Lee laughed. "I haven't even asked the question yet, love."

"Well, hurry up!"

"Oh, so *now* you are in a hurry," he teased, then cleared his throat. "I don't have a ring yet, but I can't wait another day to ask if you will be my travel companion for the rest of our lives."

You sniffled, and the tears overflowed from your eyes. You continued to nod. "Yes, Lee. Yes! Wherever you go, I go." He picked you up, spun you around, and planted a yearning kiss on your lips...

...and then started coughing. You laughed and guided him to the nearest bench.

"We got an early start on putting 'in sickness and in health' to the test," you teased.

<><><><><>

Masterlist

Tag List:

@croatianprincess

@bluizh

@jindongdongie

@groovy-lady

@pmak2002

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yourlocaltreesimp · 1 year ago

Text

Memories I hope to Hold

Cal!LinkxReader Hurt/Comfort I think

TW: Mentions of death and the Calamity but that’s really it

Not edited, please excuse my poor spelling

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Today you were going to die. You had less qualms with it than you originally expected. After everything that had happened in the past few months or was it a year yet? death just seemed like an unfortunate add on to the many, many things out of your control. The sun hadn’t even breached the horizon, yet you didn’t miss its warmth. You’d only have until midday to bask in it if you were lucky, and even then you weren’t sure you wanted to. Despite the early morning dew still sticking to the grass, some of Hateno was awake with you. The tech lab, for which you’d been residing since your arrival, if you could even call it that, had white tufts of smoke pluming out from its stone chimney. Purah and Robbie had been lovely friends, letting you chip in with your knowledge about Hyrule. It was amazing to have ears that listened rather than dismissing you, you might not have been from Hyrule, but that didn’t mean that you knew nothing. Of course, you knew the story’s beginning. But more importantly, you knew it’s morbid end. The world to dust and ashes and everyone you knew either laying within their graves or just about approaching. You looked over your map one more time, each shrine you wished to visit pinned carefully. Your hand hovered over the glass screen of your sheikah ‘switch’, your old and once broken nintendo switch repaired with sheikah magic. Purahs birthday gift to you. You pressed decisively on the Central tower.

You looked out at the field you arrived here in, nothing but your switch and the clothes off your back. The sun painted the familiar field a soft gold, so deceptively welcoming. You thought back to that very day, surly a year ago by now.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

Your head was splitting. The open sky above you swirled and faded in and out. Your limbs were made of lead and two voices spoke words you could not make out, but it didn’t matter, you could not bring yourself to care.

When your eyes flicked back open you were met with an incredibly confusing sight. Lush grass for hundreds of meters around, wildflowers dotting the green field with bright color, your switch was now shattered on your chest and you were not on Earth anymore. No. Not close. Two familiar blondes stared at you. One set of green eyes, incredibly concerned, eyebrows knitted with worry. The other set of blue, distrusting and guarded, arm extended to keep the other back, but beneath the harshness, you saw fragility. Maybe not now, granted, but you knew it was there. But so long spent observing Link’s journeys and memories, it’s difficult to fool you with hardened eyes and armour after you saw what lay beneath. You sat up, pushing off the ground to stand, shuffling back on your feet. The blood drained from your head, leaving you woozy and dizzy. You righted yourself as carefully as you could, not wishing to do yourself any more damage.

“U-Uh Where…” Words came slow and difficult, like the words had to pass through a coffee filter to get out, “Where are we?” You knew- well, you didn’t know but you had an idea.

“Central Hyrule, South east of Castle Town. What are you- How did you get here?” The princess had an equal parts wonder as distrust in her tone. You made your decisions rapidly, pretending not to know too much might fair well depending on what they know.

“Hyrule? Castle town? Forgive me I am… Unfamiliar… How did I?” You looked around, the familiar tower glowing a brilliant blue stood tall behind you. You staggered back, trying still to comprehend what it was you were seeing. “What on Earth? I don’t.” You turned back around to see the two moved away from you when you moved closer. You tried your hardest to not take it personally. “I’m sorry, I’m not quite sure myself.” Your voice was quiet and tapered off, the familiar bite of panic knawed just behind your sternum. Your lungs drew their breaths quicker, your aching mind tried to race to a probable conclusions and drawing up blanks.

“You do not know of Hyrule?”

Yes. “No.”

“How Peculiar”

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

How peculiar it was indeed. Moreover that you ended up staying with the both of them for longer after that. It was funny how that entire conversation determined everything that happened afterward. Zelda and you worked on the study of the divine beast and their functions, you learned a great deal of Hyrule’s history and culture from her, adapting to your new home. And Link… well you had just as many words to describe him as words he had to say. Infinitely many, and yet no mix of them could truly ever make sense, to you or to anyone else. Besides, You had to get home, not dwell on such trivial thoughts and such sharp eyes and caring nature and selfless kindness. The world demanded your attention elsewhere, and so you went. Your fingers hovered carefully over the Akh Va’quot shrine before feeling yourself be whisked away.

You tugged your cloak around you as the familiar bite of Hebra’s wind hit once more. Rito Village bustled with the early morning chores, children running around and adults setting up their businesses. You remembered the first time you came here like it was yesterday, the so many rows of stairs captivating in combination with the bird people that inhabited it.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

You could hardly contain yourself as you made you way up all of the stairs. You were spellbound -as you frequently were by Hyrule, how couldnt you?- by the rolling mountains and staggering peaks of Hebra around you. The rest of the champions were already met at Revali’s landing, talking with one another with practiced ease you’d yet to find. You hung back, admiring the views while Zelda and Link passed, letting them join the flow of conversation before you had to. Greetings were exchanged, some even to you which you tried to meet with the same warmth. And yet you couldn’t find it in yourself. Looking at the group of champions, you couldn’t help but feel like an add on… an extra piece of a puzzle there was no room for. You’d met with them more than a few times before, and every time you were met with nothing but welcome, especially after they were informed of your circumstance (and got over their rightful unease). You were so withdrawn that you failed to notice the group trying to draw your attention. You jumped slightly as a gentle hand rested on your shoulder, tensing completely before relaxing. The group stared at you for a moment, and all you wanted to do was leave, to run into the forest and never have to face them again. You might’ve, If it weren’t for Link’s hand on your shoulder, keeping you just the slightest bit grounded.

“Hey, (y/n) you alright?” Daruk was hardly ever worried, as he hardly ever had much that could cause genuine threat to him.

“Yeah sorry I just- I- We dont have sights like this back home and I guess I just feel a little homesick.” Not technically a lie, but not a whole truth.

“Understandable. Rito village is a sight for everyone, even for those from Hyrule. It is no surprise you’re captivated.” Revali crossed his arms? wings? And closed his eyes with confidence, smirking if he could. You allowed yourself a polite smile and another look at the surrounding mountains.

“I find myself more impressed the longer I stay here. It only makes me want to see more. I will say, Zoras domain can’t be topped by anything in my mind.” Mipha smiles gratefully, you’d managed to form a genuine connection with her, especially considering how sweet she was. The rest of that evening went smoothly, plans and conversation explained and discussed over a long dinner.

By the end, the sun was nearly gone, its warmth leaving with it. As you began to leave for the castle, a familiar grey cloak was slipped around your shoulders. It smelled vaguely of pine and grass, sunken into the fabric to the point it couldn’t be removed. You stared at the knight as he walked away from you, a flush growing over your cheeks with your endearing smile.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

You still smiled at the memory, something so trivial at the time was so… easy to read now. You checked the time- shit. You were running late. You had give or take two or three hours left before the sky came falling in. Before the worlds malice stood to fight once more. You didn’t think twice this time before clicking on the Mogg Latan shrine.

Mount Satori was just as beautiful as it always was. The twisting cherry tree letting its fragile pink blossoms fall into the clear water. Silent princesses bloomed around the rocks in the water. You could see your own bittersweet smile in the reflection.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

“Where in the world are you taking me” Link led you determinedly by the hand, mischievous smile taken his face when he told you he had something to show you. Being wholly honest he could’ve shown you a wall of wet paint and you’d have watched it dry if it made him happy.

“You’re awfully impatient” Goddesses how you loved his voice, rare as it was. You could hear his sass, making you role your eyes in turn.

“You’re awfully secretive.” To be fair he couldn’t rebuke that, there was no lie in your words. So he simply kept moving onward.

Your breath was stolen as you looked at the lake in front of you. The familiar time-old cherry blossom in full bloom. A single pink petal fell, rippling against the clear water. You kept your hand weaved with Link’s as you maces closer. After admiring the scene before you your lips pursed to get out a word.

“Link- This- It’s utterly gorgeous” Your words were nearly gone with the wind, not wanting to intrude into the serenity with your words.

“Really is.” You turned to face him and his tender words to find his eyes already on yours. Now you were really speechless. His eyes were softened and cheeks slightly flushed as he took you in, memorising your face. And you found yourself doing the same, but there wasn’t much you hadn’t already noticed. The hairline scar aver his lip, sun spots over his cheeks from so long under the suns rays, wild sandy bangs obscuring his eyes from your view.

“One of the sights I want to hold onto and never let go” His words were equally as quiet now, as if he didn’t want even you to hear them. And in one of your rare moments of courage you found it in you to speak.

“Then don’t.” He took you in his arms so gently, wrapping himself around you as if you’d shatter. But even with that, you knew when you were flush that you’d never truly leave this moment. You were met with the same scent again, pine and grass. He pulled back sooner than what you would’ve liked, but he did not give you long to mourn the loss. A calloused hand gently traced your jaw before his eyes of the endless sky above met with yours again. He kissed you slow and longing, so long spent yearning for you that it bled into his affection. Link had always felt himself tugging you closer, wanting to enjoy the moment before he was forced to abandon it. And he always was.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

In hindsight, you did get too attached. But you wouldn’t blame yourself, how could you? You were given the chance to be love and be loved in return that you didn’t see how far you’d fall afterward. But maybe meeting the world with open arms really was worth it. Maybe finally figuring out your place in the world was worth it. And maybe letting yourself fall for a love you could never have was worth it as well. A shrill cry pierced the once cerulean blue sky as it bled carmine red. You knew how the story ended, so how foolish you were to hope you could avoid it.

#legend of zelda #link x reader #link x you #angst #age of calamity #calamity ganon #hurt/comfort #x reader

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hopepetal · 2 years ago

Text

Ranchers fic! It's close to my birthday so I thought "why not write a birthday fic?"

For the first time in months, Jimmy woke up cold.

Tango was Netherborn, his body temperature running a little higher than Jimmy's on average. It wasn't unpleasant, not at all– the warmth reminded him of summer, of flower fields, of love and the ranch and nights spent in the arms of his soulmate. It was a little shocking to wake up without Tango in the bed, because last time he checked, Tango was most certainly not a morning person.

Nor was he a cook, judging by the faint acrid smell of food burning, and yelped swears as– and Jimmy could picture it so vividly, even with his eyes closed– as Tango likely grabbed whatever was burning off the pan with his bare hands.

Welp. That was as good of a wake-up call as he'd get.

Sliding out of bed (totally not struggling for a moment with the tangled sheets, not at all) Jimmy stretched, yawning as his joints popped and cracked. Feet bare against the cold wooden floors, he slowly slipped downstairs, yawning loudly again as he entered the kitchen. “Mornin', sunshine– what in Void's name is that?!”

Tango held out a paper plate decorated with blackened bacon and overly fried eggs. “Breakfast. Tango edition.”

Jimmy hesitantly took the plate, offering Tango a strained smile. “...thanks...?”

Tango deflated. “Yeah, it's awful. I don't know how to cook.”

Jimmy laughed softly as he took the plate to the garbage and dumped it. “You tried your best, I'm sure.” He grabbed another pan, placing the used one in the sink and putting a bit of water in it. Placing the clean pan on the stove, he turned the heat on and grabbed some of the bacon Tango had been about to cook. “So,” he began, oiling the pan, “what... prompted this, exactly?”

Tango plopped down at the table with a loud sigh, resting his elbows on the table. “I wanted to do something special for you. Y'know. You're always making me breakfast and I thought, *hey, this couldn't be that hard, I'm a genius redstone engineer!' but no! Turns out cooking's a lot harder than it looks.”

Jimmy laughed as he set the bacon in the pan, hearing the satisfying sizzle as it began to cook. “It's a science. Takes a lot of practice. Trust me, I burnt my fingers so many times... though I guess you wouldn't have that problem, would you?”

Tango smiled sheepishly. “You know it.”

“Love the apron, by the way.” Jimmy cackled at Tango's face instantly turning beet red. “The frills suit you. They do!” He turned the bacon over, before walking over to give Tango a kiss on the forehead. “And 'kiss the cook'? Don't mind if I do.”

Tango buried his face in his hands with an embarrassed wheeze. “You're awful.”

“Thanks, babe.”

It was silent for a moment, save for the sound of popping bacon. “Sooo...” Tango looked up, leaning forward in his chair. “Is there anything you wanna do today? Go out? Prank someone? Build something? Learn some more redstone?” He fidgeted nervously. “I didn't really plan much.”

Jimmy glanced over at Tango as he transferred the bacon onto a paper towel and cracked a few eggs into the pan. “Sorry? What's all this about?”

“Today's your birthday, isn't it?”

Jimmy froze. “...oh my gosh. It is. I completely forgot.”

Tango almost fell out of his chair from laughter, clutching his stomach as he howled. “Jimmy!” he wheezed, “oh my god! I can't– I cannot believe you, and here I was so stressed–!”

Jimmy flushed a bright red. “Okay, look! ...I got nothing, yeah. Okay. Oh my gosh, stop it, stop laughing, it's not that funny–”

Tango did fall out of his chair then, smacking his head against the table. “Ow! Oh, man, that hurt!”

“I have no sympathy for you,” Jimmy huffed, transferring the eggs to a plate. “Absolutely none.”

“You're so mean,” Tango complained, picking himself back up. “I'm going to have a bruise.”

Jimmy plated the bacon and eggs, turning off the stove before walking over to the table. “Here.” He set the plate down in front of Tango before gently pressing a kiss to his head. “All better.”

Tango blushed. “Thanks, Jimmy. And happy birthday.”

Jimmy sat down next to him with a smile. “Thanks, Tango.”

#my writing #tango tek #solidaritygaming #ranchers #fanfic #trafficshipping

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nico-di-genova · 5 months ago

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pleaseee share any pato/alex headcanons for alib? i miss them an unhealthy amount

I miss them, and I’m the one creating them. My brain when I think about ALiB Palex is honestly just this:

Which makes it hard to have cohesive thoughts about them most the time. But have this random headcanon dump:

They have a method when it comes to chores. Pato does the laundry, but Alex folds and puts it away. Alex cleans the kitchen, but Pato organizes/cleans out the fridge (and also washes the dishes because Alex hates touching wet food). They work around each other, basically in synchrony. If Lance and Fernando are ever over for dinner and they stay to try to help clean they usually just find themselves standing off to the side kind of watching Alex and Pato work together effortlessly.

They love beach days. Usually if they’re going to the beach it is a full day affair. Sometimes they rent a whole beach house because they need to get away from work and regular life for a bit. Pato has a favorite one at Anna Maria island that Alex is always sure to get if they’re looking to leave the Fort Myers area for the weekend. The dogs also love the beach, so there’s long walks along the shoreline in the morning and afternoon with pauses for Norbi and Nala to play and chase each other. They rent jet skis and race each other with no real finish line set. Afternoons are spent watching the sunset and lounging on a blanket, pato resting his head on Alex’s chest and starting to doze off to the sound of heartbeat. Pato always gets sunburnt, because he’s insistent on layering sunscreen on Alex’s back but usually forgoes his own. He’ll insist he doesn’t need it but then ends the weekend looking like this:

Alex learns to start stocking up on aloe Vera when they stop at the grocery story for sandwiches and snacks in the morning. Pato is always very grateful for it come nighttime when he’s laying in bed with overly warm skin.

Their wedding is perhaps a beach wedding at the beach house. The dogs are the ring bearers ofc 😌. Lance is Pato’s best man, James is Alex’s. Esteban actually gets certified so he can officiate the wedding.

They adopt a third dog after their honeymoon, because Brunner needs to be apart of alib, obviously.

They’re both super active. Alex because he likes the routine of working out, the consistency of it, and because it’s really good for his mental health. Pato for the same reasons, but also because he’s just really passionate about it, about taking care of his body (but he also maybe goes overboard occasionally). So they workout together sometimes, not all the time, they like having their space. When Pato wants to do intense lifting Alex is usually his spotter.

They buy insane amounts of dog toys, and Alex spends an equally insane amount of time trying to organize them.

Arguments over who’s going to drive are common, they both hate being the passenger because they both hate not having control of the car. Usually this is settled with rock paper scissors, sometimes they get inventive.

Alex is always going all out for Pato’s birthday, but he hates the same attention in return. Pato’s learned he’s more comfortable doing things when it’s just the two of them, or a close group of friends. One year he takes Alex horseback riding, calls around until he can find the best place with the most secluded trails. He makes sure it’s not all flat land and empty fields, tries to find a place that has towering pine trees because he knows Alex likes the woods. It ends up being one of Alex’s favorite birthdays.

Before they started dating, when they were in the extended friends with flirty vibes zone and Pato would spend the night a lot, they got really into Mario kart. Alex is always insisting they play the N64 version, ‘the real one’ as he calls it. He consistently beats Pato in every race until one day Pato starts coming over and just kicking his ass out of nowhere. Turns out he bought his own console and game and had been playing with Esteban and Lance until he eventually got good enough to beat Alex. He was training, as he likes to call it, though Alex is still trying to figure out ways he could have been cheating.

There was a massive hurricane that hit the area during Pato’s senior year, he rode the storm out at Alex’s place. This is how he finds out Alex has a fear of storms, and also how they both find out Norbi and Nala share this trait. Pato isn’t necessarily cool with them, but he ends up playing the cool and collected one by default.

The first time Pato kisses Alex he’s a little drunk, and it’s impulsive. Alex doesn’t kiss him back, because he doesn’t want Pato to feel like he’s taking advantage of him. Instead, he waits until he’s sober and then kisses him properly.

#this is what I got #and honestly I could talk about them forever #this is a fountain of word vomit and nonsense basically #but yeah #them 🥰#alib palex #alib pato #alib alex #a lesson in braking

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dronarryfest · 2 years ago

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Dronarry Fest Week 4 (Final Week) Masterpost!

And that's a wrap, folks! In week four of Dronarry Fest, we reminisced over nights of passion, explored cursed magical houses, baked together in Malfoy Manor, and discovered our soulmates, our latent Veela heritage, and our bisexual tendencies. This year's fest might be over (boo) but we certainly went out with a bang, so make yourself comfy and get stuck in to this fantastic selection of fics. Please make sure you mind the tags, and don't forget to leave a kudos or a comment for our wonderful MAs!

The anonymous masterpost will go up later today, and author/artist reveals will be on Wednesday!!!

[FIC] Try as I might, I could not bring myself to hold you || T || 6.7k

"Happy birthday, myself" writes little Harry on his knee, on his ninth birthday. "Happy birthday, you" answers little Draco on the other, just a few minutes after. "They're bound to die a tragic death" says Molly Weasley, to nine year old Ron, the next morning. CW: mentions of transphobia

Your storytelling is beautiful, I’m hooked on this premise and these reimagined characters! - Schmem_14

This was such a unique, well-crafted look at how complex yet loving relationships could develop between all of these characters. Thank you for sharing! Always fun to see Dudley included! - oknowkiss

[FIC] The Sun, Shining Above You || E || 14.5k

Since joining up with the dragontamers, Draco counts his days in nights. Nights spent drinking in the commune mess, making poor choices he doesn't regret, for once. Nights he doesn't remember, and nights he wishes he could stop remembering. Then there's that night in Spain, caught in the circle of Ron's arms. A year of nights in Norway, caught in the heat of Harry's gaze. His first night at the Burrow, caught in between them both. CW: references to depression and grief, open/ambiguous ending

Omg this is like… if this fic was a person I would marry them. It’s perfect! - Vawobe

Amazing amazing fabulous magnificent. A triumph. - Maesterchill

[FIC] Let Be, Let Be || M || 10k

Ron's never had a place to really call his own, so when the deeds to an ancient magical house in Bulgaria appear in his Gringotts vault, he ropes in his Curse-Breaker best friend (and his Curse-Breaker best friend's Field Healer boyfriend) to come and check the place out with him. What he doesn't expect is wanton destruction, a Veela transformation, and the need for some serious conversations between friends.

And whoever said Draco Malfoy was bad at sharing?! CW: jealousy, opening up an established relationship

Oh my goddddd. Ron being the veela! The house inheritance! The descriptions of Ron's wings! Harry liking both of them being jealous and possessive about him! This was really fun and such a delight. I'm so happy for them! -TheGoblinMatriarch

Help me Jesus, phwoar - Moonflower_Rose

[FIC] Bad Company || E || 86.5k

Draco has a hard time coming to terms with the world after the war. Stuck on house arrest in a rapidly dilapidated Malfoy Manor, he's more alone than ever before. If only his parole officer wasn't Auror Weasley, not to mention the increasing pile of unread Owls from one Harry Potter... CW: suicide of a minor character, infidelity

i just finished this story in one go and this was just so good... you could see the relationship grow, you could feel the bitterness melting, you could feel all the love - simarjotkour

i love your story so far. It’s the perfect storm of angst! - Schmem_14

#dronarryfest23 #dronarry #draco/ron/harry #dron #drarry #ronarry #rarry

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broiderie · 2 years ago

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Lost Princessa: Meet the Reaper 9

So... this one is shorter than the others, but I really struggled with it. This chapter is HEAVY. Please read the warnings.

Warnings: cursing, discussion of human trafficking, discussion of forced prostitution, violence, guns. Will not make sense if you haven't read the first story. Be responsible for your own media consumption and don't steal my shit.

Hank drove them a little way outside Oakland. He had packed a bag in secret before they left Santo Padre and he was so glad that he did after finding out it was her birthday.

Megan started sniffing the air curiously. “Do I smell the ocean?”

Hank grinned. “Probably.”

Megan sat up straighter in her seat. “Are we going to the beach?” Rex had his head hanging over the door in the back seat enjoying the breeze as well.

“In a way.” Hank laughed as Megan’s eyes lit up. “It’s not like the beach I took you to last time, Princessa, but Mama and I thought you’d enjoy some time by the ocean on your birthday.” He pointed to the sign as they passed for the public beach at Point Emery.

They spent the rest of the morning either sitting on the beach blanket he’d packed on the rocky part of the beach, or playing with Rex in the sandy grass. Hank saw Megan relax completely as the morning went on. She smiled and wrestled sticks from Rex just to throw them again. She snuck kisses and was the playful girl he’d seen on their last beach date again even if it was just for a few hours. Lunch was simple sandwiches from the cooler that Diana had packed for him that morning.

Before they left, Hank carefully picked her a bouquet of the late fall wildflowers from the field above the beach. He gave them to her as he helped her to load Rex into the backseat. Before he helped her into the passenger side, he pulled her as close as he could with her sling between them and kissed her senseless. “Happy birthday, mi reina.”

“Thank you, Hank. I loved this,” Megan said as she smiled up at him.

“You’re welcome, Princessa. Ready to go see Tessa?” He smiled and reached for her good hand to hold as they hit the highway.

On the way home, Taza called Megan to tell her that they should just meet them at the lodge. Apparently, Chibs wanted them there a little early so that he could talk to Hank about something and so that they could choose seats at the table Megan could see. So instead of turning towards Oakland - Hank continued down the highway towards San Joaquin County and Charming.

When they reached the lodge, the Mayans had already arrived. Diana’s Escalade sat by the door, so Hank parked next to it. “Ready, mi reina?”

Megan took a deep breath and adjusted her borrowed flannel. “I… think so.” She swallowed hard.

Hank reached to guide her chin so she’d look at him. “You are la princessa de los Mayas. Goddaughter to El Padrino de los Mayas and el presidente of the Santo Padre Chapter. Your papa is vicepresidente. And your ol’ man is el pacificador.” He raised her hand to his lips to kiss her ring. “Straighten that crown, Princessa. They will respect you - or face the consequences.”

A small smile spread across her face as she nodded, but Hank could see her chin raise and her eyes harden just a smidge.

“Good girl. Let’s go see what the Reaper wants from us so we can get on with your birthday.”

He came around to open her car door and smiled as she stood up straight. He leaned her seat up to let Rex join them and the big dog immediately came to heel. Hank out himself on her injured side so the dog could stay to her left and wrapped his arm around her waist as they headed inside.

The two clubs were mingling in the lobby of the lodge, drinking beers and generally just passing the time. Taza excused himself from his conversation with a Reaper Megan didn’t know to greet them. “How was the beach, Chica? Did you bring home a million more sea shells?”

Megan giggled and stepped forward to hug him. “It was pretty rocks this time, Papa.”

Hank chuckled, “And she didn’t overfill my pockets this time either.”

“Oh- of course.” Taza laughed and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Come greet the others. Your padrinos want you to meet the Reapers from Samdino. They’re the closest charter to us.”

Megna fell back to Hank’s side as they walked and he squeezed her waist in encouragement. She spent the next few minutes meeting all sorts of men from the different clubs. She kept her Southern Belle smile on and her company manners. Most of the men were automatically respectful - if a little confused by her presence - because Hank made his claim very clear on her by his presence alone. Eventually they made their way around to where Chibs and Tig leaned against the bar.

“Well if it isn’t the birthday girl!” Tig exclaimed. “Happy birthday, Little Bit.”

Megan laughed. “Thank you.”

Chibs smiled gently. “Alrigh’ there lass? Need a drink?”

“Sure. Just water please, though.” Megan leaned into Hank’s side as Tig greeted Rex with an ear rub.

The Scots eyebrows raise, but called for the prospect behind the bar to get Megan a bottle of water. “Sure ya’ don’ wan’ something stronger?”

“No thank you, sir. Just water.”

Chibs opened the bottle for her and handed it to her with a grin.

Tig sipped his beer. “So where’d Tranq take whisk you off to for your birthday? We noticed your crew rolled up minus the car.”

Megan looked up at Hank with a smile. “He took me to the beach so that Rex could run and I could decompress a bit.”

“Good choice, brother,” Chibs said, saluting him with his whiskey glass. “But tell me you’re gonna take the beautiful lass out tonight -”

Hank grinned. “That’s the plan if you assholes don’t screw it up with this meeting.”

The other men chuckled. “Speaking of the meeting-” Tig said. “Little Bit, Marcus mentioned you had trouble when you can’t see your dad or ol’ man, so we’re using a room with glass doors and we’ll put SanPad by the doors.” He turned his eyes to Hank. “Feel like helping Hap with the doors? Usual drill - everyone will disarm at the door.”

Hank nodded and pressed a kiss to Megan’s temple. “No problem. Coco will be staying with la princessa.”

Chibs nodded. “I think Alvarez brought guards for his girls too. I assume they’re here to keep the lass company.”

Hank gave another nod. “They are. Diana and Tessa will stay back with her with their own guards.”

“Good. We had the prospects set up an area where they’ll be comfortable.” Tig looked to Megan. “Anything you need, they’ll get it or lose their kuttes.”

“Thank you. Both of you. I know this isn’t standard practice for y’all,” Megan said quietly.

Chibs shrugged it off. “Ah - I hope someone’d do the same for my Kerrianne if she needed it. It’s no bother, lass.”

They were interrupted by the rumble of another group of bikes. “Ah- that’ll be the last of them…” Tig said. “‘Scuse us.”

Megan and Hank made their way back to Taza, Bishop, and Coco. Megan hugged Coco tightly.

“What’s that for, Ma?” he asked embarrassed.

Megan smiled up at him. “You remembered.”

Coco fidgeted and shrugged. “Course I did.”

“Thank you.”

Hank patted Coco’s shoulder in thanks as well before guiding Megan to lean her back against his chest as the lodge doors opened and the last club any of them expected stepped through the doors.

The Vatos Malditos had come to Charming.

________________

Taza stiffened and stepped in front of Megan automatically causing Bishop to place a restraining hand on his brother’s arm. “Easy Taza. They got no reason to notice her unless you give it to them,” he muttered.

Taza nodded stiffly. “Doesn’t mean I like it.”

Megan placed her good hand against the patch on her father’s back. “Papa?”

Taza reluctantly took his eyes off his old club to look down into Megan’s worried face. “Sorry, Chica. Didn’t mean to frighten you.” He kissed her hair softly, still keeping his body between her and the new arrivals. “You’re okay. Just - don’t go anywhere near them, okay?”

Megan nodded uncertainly and returned to her place leaning against Hank. “Okay.”

“Good girl, Poquito. C’mon. Let’s get to the table. Looks like they're ready.” Bishop led the way, claiming the seats nearest the door for himself and Taza.

Hank walked Megan to the area of couches that had obviously been set up for her and Diana. Diana was already there with Tessa, who was playing a hand held game with her headphones on.

“Alright, mi reina. I’ve got to go in. I’ll be within sight at all times. Stay with Coco. No matter what.” He pulled her close for a moment and kissed her deeply. “Be back as soon as I can.”

Megan nodded uncertainly again.

Hank waited for Coco to look at him. “Protégela con tu vida, hermano. She doesn’t leave your sight. Entiédime?”

Coco put a hand on Megan’s shoulder gently. “Alto y claro.”

Hank cupped Megan’s face in his massive hands and kissed her one more time before going to help Happy man the door.

Every man disarmed as they entered. Guns went in one box. Cell phones in another. After everyone was inside, Hank started to reach for his own weapon to disarm when Happy stopped him with a shake of his head. Hank nodded and kept his cell phone as well when Happy shut and locked both boxes. What did Happy know that he didn’t?

Once inside, they closed the doors and took up positions in front of them. All Hank had to do was turn his head and he could see Megan. With that comfort, he turned his mind to the meeting.

“Well - now that everyone’s present and accounted for, let’s get down to business.” Chibs said standing up. “Earlier this week, Samcro received word from our True IRA contacts that port authority is shutting down our port. It’s time to make the promised hand off of the gun trade.” There were nods all around. “Our Mayan brothers- we’ll get one more shipment in, but that’s it. In order to keep the IRA backers - we need a new port and quickly.”

Bishop raised his hand casually. “Are you wanting to bring them south? We don’t have a port on our side of the border.”

At Chib’s nod, Bishop sat up a little straighter. “Aye. You don’t…”

“But we do.” Everyone turned to look at the Vatos. Their leader was older, close in age to Taza, with a long braided ponytail. Palo was well known as a cruel bastard, and his eyes hadn’t left Taza since they all sat down.

“Right. So here’s our proposal - IRA hands off to the VM in TJ. They store and assemble them. Santo Padre Mayans transport. Vatos get 20%. Samcro is supposed to get 5% for the first two years, but we’re willing to negotiate that since it’s taken so much longer for the hand off than we planned…”

Taz leaned over to whisper furiously to Bishop. Bishop sat forward in response. “Your plan sounds fair. We’ve got no issue with Samcro getting their cut. Santo Padre’s issues lies in bad blood with the VM. We don’t like their methods.”

Palo laughed. “Our methods? You partner with the cartel and you ‘don’t agree with our methods’? Ha.”

Taza spoke through gritted teeth. “Galindo doesn’t traffic humans like cattle.”

Chibs frowned and sat up. “What do you mean, brother?”

“VM are coyotes. Illegal transport across the border. The problem is - once they bring them across they demand more money. When the poor fuckers can’t afford it - they take their women instead and sell them off to the highest bidder.” Taza glared at Palo. “We want no part of that.”

Palo shrugged. “Not your women. Why do you care?”

This time it was Bishop who gritted his teeth. “Because we don’t hurt women or innocents. You do both.”

Palo chuckled and sat back indulgently in his chair. “You mean like that little piece outside? Yeah. I clocked her when we came in. You are aware she’s damaged goods, right my friend?” he asked, looking at Hank with a smirk. “Damaged since birth if she’s anything like her mother.” He turned that evil smile on Taza. “That is Gabby’s kid, right? She’s grown since I saw her last.”

Every Mayan present stiffened and you could practically hear Hank’s joints creak with tension as Happy put a restraining hand on his arm.

Taza shot to his feet. “Leave my daughter out of this!”

Palo sniggered. “Your daughter? Are you sure? Gabby was fucking my brother too. Could be my niece.”

Taza started across the table but was caught by Bishop and Marcus who were both fuming as well. “You bastard!”

“Either way, she’s bought and paid for. And now I know where to pick up my merchandise.” Palo sat back with a grin running a finger across his lips.

Everyone froze as a gun barrel appeared pressed to the back of Palo’s head. They all beard it cock as the hammer was drawn back. Palo’s men started to rise, but sat again when Chibs spoke. “I suggest, you get to explaining yerself. He doesn’t have a lot of patience. And you lot better be still or you’ll make him jumpy.”

Happy held the gun steady, It was only then that Hank realized the man had moved.

Palo raised pacifying hands as his club shifted restlessly but didn’t move. “I bought her weeks ago. Her brother and I were business associates.” He looked to Taza. “Looks like her mother, doesn’t she?”

Taza growled and reached for his knife on his belt. “You! You were the buyer!”

“Woah now - for those of us that aren’t half crazy Mexicans - anyone want to explain?” Tig asked, though his blue eyes were cold and hard as he watched Palo and his men.

Marcus stepped forward with a low growl. “When that cop kidnapped Megan. He was taking her to another buyer. We thought it was someone in Tennessee. We killed him before he go to too far.”

Tig looked at Palo. “You sick fuck. You thought - what?- You’d just buy yourself a girl?”

Palo shrugged. “It worked when I bought her mother.”

Taza drew his knife with a hiss.

Chibs held up a steadying hand. “Easy, Taza. Let’s get the whole story - then you can kill him.” He looked to Happy. “He tried anything…”

Happy chewed his toothpick. “I scatter gray matter.”

Chibs gestured to the two officers who wore VM patches. “Someone hold onto this lot.” Plenty of hands jerked them out of their chairs to restrain them. “Now -” He looked back to Palo. “No more games.”

Palo looked completely unruffled despite the gun to his head. “I bought her mother years ago. After I was tired of her, I gave her her freedom as long as she fucked my brother, David. Guess she was fucking his… best friend… too.” He glanced at Taza with a smirk. “She disappeared one day. A few weeks later David died -”

“You KILLED David!” Taza yelled. “You killed him. Slit his throat and held him while he bled out! Your own baby brother!”

Palo shrugged. “I don’t like traitors.”

“We just wanted OUT you bastard! You knew we just wanted out…” Taza screamed.

The VM leader shrugged again. “I found Gabby a few years later on a… business trip… when I was delivering cargo to Tennessee. She had a kid. Tiny little thing with big brown eyes. So I introduced Gabby to a friend who catered to her drug of choice. Once the kid hit the system, I kept track of her.” He grinned maliciously at Taza. “You should have seen her before she was legal. Always was a pretty thing. I debated on taking her then. Either way, I knew when she was sold the first time. Brandon was a business associate. He sold her often… long before he sold her to her husband. So when her husband… died - made him an offer. Paid a lot of good money for the little bitch too. Thought he just ran out on me. Guess I can take the price off his head now.”

Now a second gun was against Palo’s head. Hank’s. And no one was going to stop him either.

Chibs gave a dramatic sigh and tilted his head back. “Fuuuccck…” He sat back in his chair before he looked to Marcus, Bishop, and Taza. “Fuck. Alright. I wan’ it known - we had no idea. We knew about the smuggling across the border - but we had no idea about the girls.”

Marcus and Bishop nodded, stone faced. “We know you’d never have brought him to the table had you known,” Marcus said.

Palo spoke with a chuckle. “And there’s nothing you can do about it. Kill me - at a peaceful sit down - and you start a war. No one will trust either of your clubs to do business again. Your gun deal, your drugs - all of it will dry up in a heartbeat. I’m going to walk out of here - and you’ll never know when I’m coming for my merchandise.”

Hank cocked the hammer on his gun. “Nah. That’s where you’re wrong. You ain’t goin’ nowhere.”

“You can’t do anything about it. She’s mine and I’ll take her.”

Happy looked to Chibs quickly. Chibs nodded. “That’s where you’re wrong, Fucker.” He nodded to Happy again and a shot rang out.

taglist:

@jemmakates

@msjava1972

@drabbles-mc

@delightfulheroshoeflapp

@xeniarocks

@iamthegraham

@oureternalbond

@lyly00

@camelia35

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saiilorstars · 1 year ago

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Ch.28: The Last Dinner

Steve Rogers x OFC fic

taglist: @ocappreciationtag @arrthurpendragon @anotherunreadblog @maaaaarveeeeel @stareyedplanet @gloryekaterina @averyhotchner @foxesandmagic @lenonizi

Story Masterlist // Seren’s Masterlist

If you’d like to be a part of this OC’s work/edits, let me know!

Seren's living room was bombarded with boxes all stuffed with things she needed for her new home. She was leaving tomorrow morning so whatever she wanted to bring had to be packed by tonight. It was a good thing that she wasn't doing it alone because she had such great friends...

"Oh God, look at this!" Natasha called from Seren's bedroom.

Seren and Steve were in the middle of stacking more boxes in the living room. Seren exhaled deeply, already knowing what Natasha was going to do. "I swear to God if she's picked out another 'embarrassing blouse' we're going to be short one friend."

Steve laughed when she headed for the hallway. Natasha had already embarrassed Seren one too many times that morning, between pictures and "outdated clothes", there was a lot of bickering content to watch. Steve followed Seren just to make sure that Seren didn't actually strangle Natasha or throw her a literal space star.

Natasha was sitting cross-legged on the foot of Seren's bed when they walked into the room. She was holding an album in her arms and was clearly amused by one of the pictures.

"No! That's it! Hand it over!" Seren was quick to dash for the redhead but Natasha jumped to her feet on the bed. "SHOES OFF THE BED!" Seren cried so suddenly that Steve flinched behind her.

So I guess she has a thing about shoes on the bed, he quietly noted to himself.

"Natasha, c'mon! Get — at least take your shoes off!" Seren said frantically.

Natasha hopped off the bed on the other side. "Look at this!" She ran straight towards Steve and held the album to him.

Seren folded her arms with the biggest frown that could mark her face. "Natasha!"

"It's actually not bad, calm down," the redhead assured her but at this point Seren's faith in her was totally shattered.

Seren moved over to see what lucky picture had caught Natasha's eye. To her relief, it wasn't anything outrageously embarrassing. She remembered the picture like it was taken yesterday.

The day was her 21st birthday and her parents had taken her to a beautiful apple picking farm. She wore a white sundress with a yellow flower pattern. Unlike her current hairstyle, back then her hair had been long, wavy golden brunette with straight bangs. She stood in front of a huge tree that was partially out of the picture frame, but they could see some of the dangling apples above.

"When you're 21 on Celessia, you've finished the markings of your training," Seren said quietly. "It means you're officially an adult."

"Really? Twenty one?" Natasha made a face. "I'm going to see if there's more photo albums you have hiding around."

"There isn't," Seren said flatly but Natasha wasn't taking her word for it. She hurried out of the room, leaving the album in Steve's hands. "Maybe some time away from her won't be so bad..."

Steve chuckled at her but he was honestly more focused on the pictures in front of him. The two pages chronicled Seren's 21st birthday. Whatever farm or ranch she was in was beautiful, but it didn't compare to her. She was simply, naturally, pretty.

"I loved that place," Seren's quiet voice managed to pull him out of his thoughts. He looked up, feeling warmth on his cheeks. "Because of what I was, we lived in a more secluded part of Hudson. I didn't get to go out a lot but our home was on a small ranch. It had a lovely field and a nice stream that I always spent time at. It was quiet and if I happened to accidentally misuse my powers, no one would notice. It was a quaint place for mousy Seren."

"You're not mousy," Steve tried to say but she laughed.

"I promise you that I was! No one really talked to me growing up. In high school, I only had one friend and that was only because she insisted. I was always on my own, even after I was an adult."

Steve went through the album, though he expected Seren to snatch it from him like she had wanted to when Natasha had it. Fortunately, she didn't say anything. She didn't even move. At first glance, all the pictures seemed like they were taken from an earlier period in time. Steve would probably never get the courage to say it out loud, much less to her, but Seren had a timeless beauty to her. In. Every. Single. Photograph. How was that even possible? Steve didn't get it. It had to be some space magic or something else he didn't know about.

There was one picture he was particularly drawn to. Seren didn't look all that younger from now so he assumed this was in her early twenties. Her long golden brown hair had been tucked into a low bun with a sunhat on top but there were still strands dropping over her exposed neck. She wore an off-the-shoulder, white dress with black polka-dots. The way she smiled at the camera made Steve lose his breath in one go. How could anyone not want to be around her? He was losing his mind just remembering that he was going to lose her tomorrow.

"I told you I was brunette," Seren said, once again pulling him out of his thoughts.

He was flushed with embarrassment but Seren was too busy dealing with her own embarrassment to notice. "Yeah, yeah you are…" He smiled at the pictures. "You look nice with both styles."

"Thanks," Seren blushed and so kept her gaze on the album. "My Mom couldn't get over the day I cut my hair. I was just tired of being mousy Seren that when I finally got into S.H.I.E.L.D. and I didn't have to hide anymore, I just wanted to show that I could be different now without repercussions. I guess I'm in a rebellion stage."

"Have you ever thought of going back to that?" As soon as he asked the question, Steve realized how it could come off as. "I-I mean, not that...I mean both styles look nice. I just meant, you know…"

Seren chuckled and took the album from him. "I get it, don't worry. And to answer your question, I have...but I don't know. I've grown partial to being ginger. Plus, the short hair is kind of nice in terms of taking care of it. Can you imagine how long it takes Chloe to wash her hair?" Chloe with her long blonde tresses was something to fear when it came to managing it. "I think for now I'm going to leave it as it is."

"Like I said, both ways look nice." It was easier to say it twice and be able to look at Seren at the same time. She smiled at the pictures but he was sure that it was for the compliment too. He spotted another box poking out from her closet and walked over for it. "I'll bring this one out too."

"Thanks," Seren said as he walked on out. She would stick with the album for a couple minutes.

Steve came back to the living room with the new box in his arms. Natasha was seemingly waiting for him because as soon as he came, she had put her phone away and smiled in a type of way that gave her up. She'd done something.

"So, did you tell her?"

"What?" Steve put the box down next to the coffee table.

"C'mon Rogers," Natasha dramatically groaned. "I don't go picking fights with Seren for nothing, you know." Steve tilted his head at her with an expression that said 'you definitely do'. Natasha smirked. "Fine, I do. But I've been giving you chances to come clean to her already!"

"About what?"

Natasha wasn't amused that he was really making her go through a whole circle just to get to the point. "One of us would really like to take a Celessian out on a date and it isn't me!"

"I have no idea—"

"Oh no," Natasha wagged a finger at him. "You may be clueless about a lot of things but you know exactly what I'm talking about. You like Seren and tomorrow she's leaving to a whole other country."

"Yeah, I've noticed that."

"Well?"

"Well what?" Steve wearily looked at her. "I'm not...there's...there's no point," he decided that the day Seren told him her plans. "As usual, I missed my chance. I think the world is telling me that this whole stuff isn't for me. I tried it once and I was literally put under ice."

"That's not going to happen this time! You should tell her!"

"I can't!"

"Why?"

"Because telling her would just confuse her and make her feel like she has to stay here with me."

"But if you tell her what you feel then you guys can, I don't know, have a long distance relationship or something."

"I may be from another time but even I know those don't usually work. Besides, I'm not forcing Seren into any relationship that involves someone not even in the same country. And this is assuming she'd even consider me as an option."

Natasha snorted. "You're joking right?" The expression on Steve's face said it all. "Oh God, you're both ridiculous. Rogers, she's head over heels for you. Haven't you noticed?"

Of course not because he refused to believe that Seren would look at him twice.

She always acted like a friend because that's what they were. "Natasha, drop it," he warned the redhead. "I don't want to hear it. Let's just help Seren and...get this over with."

Natasha shook her head at him but she had no choice.

~ 0 ~

As the night approached, Seren's family dropped by for a final goodbye. None of them wanted to be anywhere near S.H.I.E.L.D., not even if it was to say goodbye to Seren. Even Atria preferred doing it the night before to avoid time rushes.

"You guys are acting like I've never been away from you," Seren sighed as her mother hugged her again.

"You've been away but you always come back," Liana dreaded to pull her arms off her daughter but she did so in the end. "I don't like the idea of you staying in another country, all by yourself."

"I'm a big girl, Mom, I can take care of myself," Seren said though she suspected that no matter what she said, Liana wouldn't see it that way. Her father seemed to be a little better in that aspect.

"Your mother just worries because of S.H.I.E.L.D.," Brooks said after giving Seren another round of tight hugs. "And truth be told so am I. My only child—my little girl—off in another country to create a whole new team?"

"You should be proud," Atria said despite knowing the context of her words would cause some type of bickering.

Liana was quick to mutter 'of course' under her breath. Seren sighed and walked for her living room. Brooks, however, motioned both his wife and mother-in-law to watch what they said.

"Sweetheart, is there anything you need help packing?" he went after Seren, forcing both women behind him to follow.

"Not really Dad. Everything I'm taking is already packed," Seren pointed at the stacks of box on the opposite wall. "Natasha and Steve were helping me all day."

"Oh, that was nice of them," Brooks smiled. "Are they still here?"

"No, they left to go shower and rest. But they said they'd be back soon. Some small gathering before tomorrow."

"Well, we won't be long here," Liana walked over and sat Seren down with her on the couch. "We don't want you to stay up late anyways. We have a gift for you. From your father and I."

Seren didn't miss the intentional jab for her grandmother. "You didn't have to, Mom."

Liana had already taken out a box from her bag. "We did. You can take this with you and set it in your new home."

Seren gingerly took the box and opened it up on her lap. She chuckled when she pulled out a wooden craft resembling a water stream. "Is this supposed to be home?"

"Of course, made it myself," Brooks said proudly. "Just add the water and it'll start pouring just like home."

"Taking a little piece of home with me," Seren nodded. "I love it, thank you!" she hugged her parents then carefully put the craft back inside its box.

"I don't have anything material for you," Atria began as she moved on closer to the couch, "because my gift is…" she tapped the side of her head.

Liana rolled her eyes but Seren would graciously take it. She could do with some foreknowledge of what England would hold for her. She had Atria come sit where Brooks had been to listen with all ears.

"Now you know things always change, nothing is set in stone," Atria warned before anything else.

Seren chuckled. "Of course I know that."

"You'll meet some good people over there with your occasional bad apple, but it's nothing that you can't handle," Atria patted her granddaughter's cheek.

"I hope so," Seren sighed but Atria reassured her that she would be just fine.

"But mark my words, you will be coming back," Atria went on to say, "And when you do, things will be different."

"Good or bad?"

"Both."

Seren wasn't sure what to make of that and it showed. Atria didn't seem to be that worried so it helped ease her nerves.

"You'll be just fine," Atria said then flashed her granddaughter a soft smile. "Even if things feel bad, you'll have something very good on your side."

"What is it?" asked Seren.

"I think that'll be better when you get to it." Atria chuckled when Seren sighed. "It'll make things all the more memorable."

Seren would have to take her word for it.

The knock on the door pushed the Soul family to start leaving. Seren led the way to the door and opened it up for Steve and Natasha.

"Hey guys," Seren greeted them. They looked fresh and sharp. "Umm, you know my family, right?"

"They know me alright," Atria walked up to the pair of agents. "Good to see you again."

"And these are my parents," Seren said as they came up. "Brooks and Liana."

"Evening," Liana greeted, giving the agents the image of an older Seren the way she smiled.

"Hey," Natasha was cool and casual like she simply was.

Steve was also himself, simply greeting her like he always would to anyone else. "Ma'am."

"Mr. Rogers," Brooks shook hands with Steve. "It really is good to meet you. Like Seren, we know what you did for New York, just like before. Thank you."

"No need for that," Steve said and looked at Seren. For some reason she wasn't looking at anything right now.

"We were just leaving," Atria announced. "But don't stay up too late."

"Grandmother," Seren shook her head.

"She's right," Liana said, surprising both mother and daughter. She came to hug Seren one more time. "You take care, alright? Be safe." She squeezed her daughter as tightly as possible and considering their extra strength, it was something.

"Please look after yourself, sweetheart," Brooks scooted up to his daughter's side to hug her next.

"Of course, Dad," Seren didn't know what to do with so much affection from her parents. It wasn't often that they were all together without a single argument. She even admitted that despite their problems, she struggled to let them go. She closed the door behind them and turned to face her friends.

"You okay?" Natasha raised an eyebrow at her.

Seren nodded a bit too fast. "I honestly don't know why it's affecting me so much."

"They're your parents, Seren. It's natural," Steve said. He didn't want her to see her affection for her family as something to question. In fact, he simply didn't want to see her upset today of all days.

"Okay, c'mon," Natasha clapped her hands together. "We're going out today."

"What?" Seren blinked. "But I thought we were just ordering in—I'm not even dressed!"

"Change of plans," Natasha said all too suspiciously.

Seren crossed her arms over one another. "Why?"

"If it's any consolation, it came as a surprise to us too," Steve shrugged and put his hands into his pockets. "He just called."

"Who?" Seren asked, even more suspicious yet just a tiny bit curious.

~ 0 ~

Seren had no idea what was going on, especially now that it involved some high-class restaurant she wasn't prepared for. She had thrown on the only remaining garment in her closet: a short, spaghetti-strapped white dress that Chloe had given her a while ago. It became clear to Steve that her favorite color was white. There were so many white blouses and dresses in that closet of hers.

"Is either one of you going to tell me why we're here and who invited us here?" Seren asked once they had gotten past the host. Steve had taken care of it, probably to keep her on her toes.

"If we had to go through it, so do you," Natasha said.

"Oh! That's not—"

"Twinkle Star! You made it!"

Seren froze in her tracks. "No…" she whispered with a scrunched face that had both Natasha and Steve laughing.

"I told you, if we had to go through it then so do you," Natasha said a moment later.

"Steve, c'mon," Seren turned to the man but he shrugged too.

"I had no control over this," he said and gestured to her to take the lead.

Seren huffed and started walking for Tony Stark who was waiting by their table with the smuggest face ever. "Did you figure it out or did they have to tell you?" he asked once they were decently close.

"Neither," Seren sighed and ultimately smiled at him. "What is all this?"

"I heard you were leaving town—countries—so I had to say goodbye too," Tony gestured to their table.

"Tony, you really didn't have to do anything. You hardly know me."

"Hey, once we fight together in a battle against aliens and go into space together, we're kind of bonded for life."

Seren laughed. "Yeah, alright, you got me there."

Tony looked past her to Natasha and Steve. "Romanoff. Capsicle." Both of them rolled their eyes in response. "Oh c'mon, a little fun wouldn't kill you." He winced though when the words registered. "Sorry, maybe it does. Sit down, please! Dinner's on me."

As the three grabbed their seats, a tall, pale woman with light ginger hair approached the table. Tony immediately pulled out a seat for her, surprising the trio across them. "This is Pepper Potts, current CEO of my, well, everything."

Pepper rolled her eyes almost exactly the way the others had earlier, a sign that made them warm up to her. "Please don't say things like that," she looked at Tony with no trace of amusement on her face. He motioned her to sit down and she did, but not without offering the others an apologetic smile. "Sorry about him and in advance: sorry."

"I like her," Seren smirked.

"Of course," Tony was the one rolling his eyes now. He grabbed the seat right next to Pepper.

"It's nice to meet all of you," Pepper said, her eyes darting from Natasha to Seren and Steve in one quick motion that they wondered if she wasn't getting dizzy. "I-I saw you on television and the pictures, but...I haven't really met anyone from S.H.I.E.L.D."

"Not true, you met Megamind," Tony said off-handedly as he called for a waiter.

"Chloe really hates that nickname, you know," Seren said but she suspected that like her nickname, Chloe's was a lost battle.

"Again, sorry about him," Pepper told her with a sigh.

"It's not an insult, a simple nickname to what they are," Tony explained. While the others tried to make him see it wasn't really the case, he started ordering the drinks. "Dine with fine wine," he smirked specifically at Steve. "Sorry it won't be doing much for you, Captain."

"I'll live," Steve assured him, matching Tony's smirk with his own. "It's not about me anyways." With that, his head turned to Seren beside him. She smiled at him and that's how they stayed for a minute or so.

Tony's eyes squinted just slightly as he took in the scene. When his finger raised to point at them, Pepper promptly lowered it to the table and smiled apologetically at Natasha.

"Seren?" Pepper gently called. "If I can, I have to say that your record is very interesting."

"You read my record?" Seren tried her best not to look so surprised but it was too late.

"Oh, I'm sorry, he—" Pepper nodded at Tony, "—has records on everyone. I literally know everything about all of you."

"Not everything," Natasha had to make the comment and with a wide smirk too.

Pepper nodded slowly, deciding to take her word for it. She looked back to Seren with an eager smile. "With everything that happened a while ago, it's not that hard to believe that there's actual extraterrestrial life out there. I mean, there's Thor and his brother Loki but...you've lived on Earth for your entire life."

"Born here too," Seren reminded her, throwing a look at Tony because that's exactly what she told him many times the last time they saw each other.

"The world is more interesting than we thought," Pepper said, this time adding a look in Steve's direction. "From all angles, right?"

Steve chuckled. He could honestly say that he was already liking this woman. "Miss Potts, you have no idea."

"Please, Pepper," she made it clear for everyone.

Tony took the liberty of ordering for everyone with the assurance that he knew what was best served in the restaurant. He was the first to try the wine that was served and had everyone else, including Steve, do the same. "Told you it was the best," he said after everyone took a sip. "But enough of the simple chatter. Seren, what the hell are you doing going to England?"

Seren wasn't expecting such a direct question and it showed. Her green eyes widened in the initial seconds. "Umm, well...I thought you knew everything?"

Tony smirked at her quick recovery. "Humor me."

Seren rolled her eyes. "The idea is to recreate the Avengers in other parts of the world. England is a trial run."

"And you're in charge?"

"Something funny about that?"

"No," Tony sniffed. "I mean, I was the one who got the Initiative moving again, isn't it?"

"You wish," Steve said bluntly, eliciting a dramatic gasp of offence from Tony.

"Rogers, that type of sarcasm is beyond you!"

"Come off it, Stark. I fought in an actual war—"

"Yes, grandpa…"

"Boys," Seren frowned, only to add a second later, "The Initiative wasn't started until Carol Danvers came back to Earth."

"Oh, blah, blah with that story!" Tony waved her off.

"It's true!"

Pepper didn't know who to stop first but she was relieved to see that Natasha was on the same boat as her. "Is this really what happened the last time?"

Natasha nodded. "Oh yeah."

"Alright, you want to know what?" Steve put an arm on the table and leaned forwards, his eyes meeting Tony. "If we want to be accurate, it's Seren. It's always been Seren."

"You got that right," Natasha cleverly said under her breath. Pepper heard and raised her eyebrows at the comment.

"Steve," Seren touched his arm to stop him. "It's not really accurate."

"Yes it is," he said firmly. "Stark?"

Tony was smirking for some reason that Steve couldn't figure out. "Whatever you say, Captain. And clearly, whatever she says too," he made a gesture towards Seren.

The two in question made a very clear attempt not to look so affected by the comment. It was ultimately Pepper who sympathized with them and decided to help.

"Seren, do you know how long you'll be gone?"

"No," Seren shook her head. "I'm thinking at least a year but I really don't know."

"Will you come back and visit?"

"Of course. I still have my family here and my friends."

"Well, we brought you a present," Tony announced as he pulled something out of his inside pocket. It seemed like Pepper was just as surprised as Seren was.

"You really didn't have to, Tony," Seren said as Tony slid the box across the table.

"Oh, I think I did." Tony's smirk made Pepper dread what he'd come up with.

Seren opened the box and found a strip of paper inside. "I swear to God if this is one of those 'free hug coupons', I will slap you here and now."

"Oooh, please let it be a free hug coupon," Natasha reached for the bottle of wine to pour herself a new glass.

"It's not," Tony said just as Seren picked up the strip of paper and turned it over.

"It's a phone number," she said with a scrunched face. "Whose is this?"

"Mine," Tony grinned. "My gift to you is my phone number. Feel proud, not many people get it."

"Oh Tony," Pepper sighed deeply.

But Seren laughed. Hard.

"Ah, see?" Tony gestured at the woman. "She likes it."

"I can't, I really can't handle you, Stark," Seren drew in a deep breath in hopes of calming herself down. She was making a scene with such a loud laugh.

"Not a lot of people can," Tony winked at her.

"You really are something else," Steve shook his head at him. Of course he would pull something like that.

"Take notes, Captain."

"You know, I think I'm good." He was actually thankful that Tony had managed to pull something so incredibly him that it made Seren forget any troubles.

"Call me anytime you need something, Twinkle Star," Tony said once Seren had managed to stop laughing altogether. "Seriously, anything, no matter the time."

Seren smiled and reached over the table to find one of his hands. "Thank you, Tony." When it came down to it, he was someone she could trust in.

~ 0 ~

When the night begged for dinner to be over, the group left the restaurant but lingered on the sidewalk.

"Hey, have you heard anything from Megamind?" Tony asked Seren in the middle of their goodbyes.

"Uh, yeah, she'll be coming back next week," she nodded. "I think she'll be staying for about a month and then she'll be off to Japan for some time."

"She always travels, doesn't she?" The way he had asked the question made Seren wonder if there was something she was missing.

"Part of her job."

"But always on her own, right? Does that happen to any of you?" Tony looked at Steve then Natasha but as he suspected, it didn't. "I wonder why Fury always entrusts a much younger agent to do solo missions."

"It's always been like that," Seren said, not understanding where the interest in Chloe had ever come from. "And you know, that record you said was erased, wasn't. I checked it myself."

"Oh, you did?" Tony said, raising an eyebrow at her.

Seren nodded. "There is nothing wrong with Chloe's record and I should have trusted myself. You don't know SHIELD, Tony."

"Guess not," Tony said, though there was something about the way he smiled. He soon felt Pepper's elbow nudging his side. That was his sign that he needed to reel it back. "Well Twinkle Star, it's been fun." He opened his arm for a hug and though slowly, Seren let it happen. "Don't be a stranger. Seriously."

"Yeah," Seren chuckled and pulled back. "And it was nice meeting you, Pepper. Good luck with that guy."

Pepper laughed. "I do try not to go crazy."

"A true hero."

Pepper laughed harder while Tony deadpanned the culprit. Seren simply smiled and backtracked.

Tony let her be so he could move onto Steve. "We'll be in touch, Captain."

"Of course," Steve nodded.

"Romanoff?"

Natasha very happily raised the wine bottle she'd somehow gotten Tony to buy her. "It's been fun, Stark."

"Aha…" Tony turned himself and Pepper around to walk away.

"You are terrible," Seren giggled when Natasha turned back to them with a proud smirk.

"And I just got free wine!"

"You really are bad," Steve sighed.

"And you two are so similar you're even the same kind of buzzkills," Natasha dramatically groaned and started leading the way home.

Seren watched her get ahead a bit and warned Steve not to let her finish that wine bottle in one go.

"I'm not sure I'll be able to do anything about that."

"Oh you better get some training because when she and Chloe get together, it gets interesting."

Steve pretended to shudder. "Don't go," he says, only half-joking. It may have not been his smartest choice of words.

Seren turned to him with a strange look in her eyes. "You know, I think you are more than capable of being on your own now. You don't need me anymore."

"You're kidding, right?" Steve raised an eyebrow at her. Seren only half shrugged.

"I mean, the only reason we know each other is because I was assigned to be your guide."

"Right, and then afterwards you were assigned to be my friend too?"

Seren chuckled. "No—"

"Then why would you think that the only reason we still see each other is because you're my guide?"

"I don't know..." Seren ducked her head. Maybe she just liked making up excuses...

"Seren, I don't think you know how important you are to me," Steve sighed. That was an understatement and it was all his fault. "You were my first friend after I woke up from a literal nightmare. You stopped being my 'guide' the moment you let me talk about it and listened to me. And I don't think I'll ever finish thanking you for that."

"Steve, you don't need to—"

Steve had pulled her into his arms for a tight hug. He suspected that his words would be jumbled if he tried to say anything else. He was terrible at words when it came to her. It was fine, though. For their friendship, little words like that would suffice.

Seren wrapped her arms around his neck and let herself stay between his arms for as long as she could. She had a feeling that it would be a long time before she got to do something like that again.

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lulusjourney · 1 year ago

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Many more years have passed in the terraced rice fields, and as I've grown older, I've become acutely aware of the challenges my grandparents face. The farm that my grandfather tended to grew smaller as the need for money became more pressing with each passing day. I could see the weight of their worries etched on their faces as they tried their best to provide me with a good life.

I never asked for much as a child, understanding that we didn't have much to spare. I'd often pretend I didn't want anything, lying in bed as if asleep, overhearing my grandmother's tears and my grandfather's comforting words, assuring her that everything would be alright. But I couldn't help feeling that their struggles were my fault. Sometimes, I wished I had never been born, burdened by an overwhelming sense of guilt.

In the early mornings, around 4 am, I would rise and join my grandparents in the fields. They were getting old, and with no one else to help, the work was arduous. Yet, those moments of shared labor are etched in my memory forever. As we toiled, I would often hear stories of my mother, described as a goddess in her beauty and kindness. I wondered if she looked down on me from Heaven, whether she smiled, whether she was proud of me. Whenever I felt I'd done something wrong, I believed she was angry with me, and I'd eventually confess, a source of amusement for my grandparents.

Our days were tough. Wake up, assist on the farm, go to school, endure taunting from classmates, return home, and abide by the rule of doing homework before anything else. Then, it was more work, washing up, and preparing for dinner. Most of our meals came from what we grew, but occasionally, my grandfather would go fishing, and we'd enjoy the taste of freshly caught fish, a flavor that still lingers in my mouth.

I spent most of my free time reading, often turning to the Bible. I found its stories incredibly captivating and inspiring.

One Saturday morning, we ventured into town. We indulged in ice cream, bought some much-needed tools, food items, spices, and bathroom necessities. As I stood by a stand, my eyes fixated on a book, and I ran to my grandma, begging for it. Regrettably, she said we had no money left, reminding me that my birthday was approaching. I pleaded for it as a gift, wanting it more than anything I'd ever desired. My grandfather also declined my request. The book was titled "No Future Without Forgiveness" by Desmond Tutu, and its cover had captivated me. I cried all the way home, feeling dejected and angry at the world. That night, I refused to eat and spent the entire night in tears.

In the middle of the night, I heard noises outside. My grandfather was up to something. I went back to sleep and awoke around midday, still in a bad mood because of the book. My grandma entered my room and urgently called me outside. I reluctantly got up and, to my astonishment, found the book there. I looked at her, puzzled, and asked how she managed to get it. It turned out my grandfather had gone fishing during the night, caught a significant haul of fish, sold them, and used the proceeds to buy me the book. I asked where he was, and she replied he was at the far end of the field.

I rushed inside, put on my shoes and work clothes, ran outside, and embraced her tightly, apologizing profusely. I told her how thankful I was and how much I loved her. Then, I made my way up the hill to the far end fields, where my grandfather was. I threw myself into his arms, crying as I expressed my regret and gratitude. I poured out my love for him, pleading with him to rest while I continued the work. He smiled through it all.

As we headed home, I put away the tools and cleaned myself up. We sat down to eat, and I began to read my cherished book. The words were challenging, but I understood them. My grandmother suggested that I read it aloud to them, so I translated the words, and they listened intently. We ended up reading 30 pages that evening, creating a precious bond through the act of sharing and learning together.

#china #desmond tutu #reading #sacrifice #love #family

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fortheloveoflatinum · 1 year ago

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the banner is so nice, it's perfect! never noticed it before now tbh. i hope the day is treating you well good soul 💙

For reference, the image in question is this, I believe:

It's what appears to be an AI-generated image of the U.S.S. Discovery in the foreground, piloting through a kind of debris field, with some sort of red and orange nebula in the background.

I couldn't find whether or not it was an actual screenshot from the show or fanart or a computer-generated image or maybe some combination of the three. Google Lens was uncooperative this morning.

I don't know if you celebrate Midsummer, but my house (and my life) has been in an uproar preparing for the party. Midsummer is traditionally celebrated mostly in Nordic nations, although I just learned yesterday that the Baltics have a similar holiday they call "Jani in Latvian, Jaanipaev in Estonian and Jonines in Lithuanian," respectively. And, of course, some Germans celebrate as well and there are a few other countries scattered across Europe that have similar festivals.

In the city I live outside of, the Swedish embassy (or one of them) to my country takes care of the festivities for the public, so I've always associated it as a Nordic holiday, and particularly a Scandinavian one.

I started celebrating many years ago because I am pagan. I was raised as a Wiccan, though now I also recognize other pantheons and Gods in my belief system, because I feel that humanity's connection to the divine can never be limited to a single God or even a Goddess.

However, the party is completely secular, and everyone is welcome! We have a sign on the door saying that no discrimination or hateful remarks or behavior towards other guests is allowed, otherwise you are free to leave.

We did that because we used to have one or two slightly toxic people at the party, but what the sign ended up doing even after we ditched those toxic people is that it helps foster a safe space for everyone, regardless of their race, religion, belief system, ethnicity, immigration status, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexuality, or any other aspects of their identity. We have a small but diverse crowd, so it's important.

And I might have spent a little too much time making sure that everything was rainbow-themed. We always decorate, but this time, we decorated for Pride! My dog is celebrating a very special birthday and she is also wearing a rainbow dress.

Anyway. Long!post is long.... All I meant to say was "Happy Midsummer to you and your house," but you got an essay instead.

I e-mailed my friends and family who couldn't be there that I would raise a toast in their honor and say Qapla' for them to bring them success this summer. Most of them probably would have thought it pagan - but I explained in the e-mail it was just Klingon.

Qapla' my friend. May your days be full of light, now and always.

#personal log #personal post #ask me any question #ask #ask me anything #pride

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lovemesomesurveys · 2 years ago

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What was the last thing you spent more than $20 on? A bill. A bit more than $20. Sigh, adulting.

Give us a lyric from a song you’ve recently listend to: “He said Cashapp or Zelle, never mind scratch that I’m gonna send you a stack just cause you fine as hell. And I said, thank you, baby. Anything for my favorite lady.”

Do you wear actual designated ‘pajamas’ to bed? I am now; it’s a short gown. It’s blue and says, “Eat. Sleep. Coffee. Repeat.” Typically, I just wear t-shirt dresses or oversized tees to bed.

When was the last time you were tempted to do something you’d later regret? Hmm.

Have you ever had feelings for someone who was seeing someone else? Yes.

Have you ever had feelings for your best friend’s significant other? I’ve never been interested In a friend’s significant other.

What color is your hairbrush? It’s gray and green. I want a new brush. I really like the Wet Brushes.

How many times did you ride in a car today? I had my medical transport service pick me up with the gurney to take me to and from my doctor appointment this morning.

Who was the last non-relative to call you? Some spam call.

Are you comfortable in your own skin? No. I feel like I get so itchy sometimes and it’s an itch I can’t scratch and I just want to rip my skin off. Like sometimes whatever I’m wearing I can’t stand to have on my body cause it feels like it’s just rubbing against me and wrapping around my neck.

That probably sounds crazy.

What are your plans for tomorrow? I don’t have any plans outside of the normal stuff.

Are you in a good mood right now? I’m okay. I think after a few weeks I may have found the special gummies for me to help with my anxiety, pain, mood, and appetite. I have a few different ones; certain ones for certain things. I was trying to figure out what dosage was right for me and how each made me feel. I think I finally have found them. Game. Changer.

When was the last time you had an ice cream cone? Uhhh. I have no idea, honestly.

Did you eat breakfast this morning? Yep. I switched it up from my normal Cream of Wheat and had over-easy eggs, beans, cilantro and onions, guacamole, crema, and cotija cheese sprinkled all over. It was sooo good.

Have you ever been in a cemetery at midnight? No.

Do you live on your own? If not, who do you live with? No, I live with my parents, my brother, and our doggo.

How old are your siblings, if you have any? 23 and 39.

Can you tie a cherry stem in a knot with your tongue? No.

Have you ever used your cell phone as a lightsource in the dark? Yeah, many times.

Is your birthday in less than 6 months? Yep, my birthday is next month.

How old will you be in 3 years? I’ll be 36.

Do you remember who you were dating in August 2007? Yep, no one.

Why did you cry the last time you did? Mehhh, life.

Where are your parents right now? My dad is asleep and my mom is at the gym.

Would you rather be able to fly or breathe under water? Fly.

Have you ever had a crush on a sibling’s friend? No.

Do you know where your calcaneus bone is located? I don’t remember.

Have you donated blood in the last 2 years? I’ve never donated blood. I have severe anemia.

What was the last free t-shirt you received from? Uhhh. I have no idea.

Have you kissed your 10th contact in your phone? I’m not checking, but I can bet I haven’t.

When did you go to bed last night? I think it was a little after 11PM.

Is there anything you are looking forward to at the moment? No.

Who was the last person to piss you off? Blehh.

Are you a Scorpio? Nope. Are you an Atheist? I am not.

Are you Asian? I have some Filipino.

Are you blonde? No.

Are you taller than 6'0"? Haaaa, no. I’m like 5′3.

Are you fluent in another language? No, I wish I were fluent in Spanish.

Are you in the military? No.

Are you female? I am.

Are you single? Very much so.

Are you a parent? No.

Are you an artist? No, I wish.

Are you a musician? No. I sadly have zero talent.

Are you an athlete? Nope, another field I suck at. I’m not athletic at all.

Do you like winter? I love winter. The holidays, the weather, the scents, the colors, the decor, the coziness, the treats.... I love it all.

Who did you spend last New Year’s with? My mom and my aunt.

Did you do anything special for St.Patrick’s Day? No. I got into the whole ‘wear green’ thing as a kid growing up. I’ve had a few green beers. And my mom has made corned beef and cabbage every year for my dad cause he loves it. I personally don’t care for it.

Did you have a Valentine last time Valentine’s Day came around? No. I’ve never had one.

What is your relationship with the last person to comment you? Comment me where?

Who was the last person to sit on your bed? My mom.

Do you have a favorite flower? Not really. They’re all beautiful.

What is the best gift someone can give you? What I really want isn’t something that can be bought or is even tangible.

Was your last kiss a mistake? No.

Would you rather be stuck on a desert island with your ex or a python? Oh hell nah, I’ll take the python! lol kiddinggg, I’d take the ex. There’s really no hard feelings there, it’d just be awkward as fuck. I’m terrified of pythons, so that’s a definite N-O.

Do you kiss on the first date? If it feels right.

Would you rather visit Norway or BrazilI? I’d love to visit both.

Name three objects within your reach? My Starbucks energy drink, my phone, and a notebook.

What jewelry are you wearing? I have a ring on.

Would you get a shamrock tattooed to your forehead for $5000? Uh, absolutely not.

What do you smell right now? The cream of wheat my mom is making me.

Are you very flexible? I’m not flexible at all.

Where was your display pic taken? It was taken when Alex was at the Met Gala this year.

Do you like Chinese food? Sure.

Where was the last place you went that was more than an hour away? Why were you going there? To the beach early last year for my dad’s birthday trip.

If your best friend asked you to marry them what would you say? I don’t have a best friend. Or friends.

Are you under the influence of anything at the moment? I’ve had an edible and a pain med.

Would you consider yourself open-minded? Yes.

Who was the last person to tell you you looked nice? I have no idea. I haven’t looked nice in a very long time.

Have you ever been to a nude beach? No, and I have no interest in going to one.

What time is it? 11:33AM.

What are you going to go do now? Watch some YouTube, eat breakfast, scroll through Tumblr. I may do another survey at some point.

#personal #text #survey #surveys

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star-gazeey · 4 months ago

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The summer that I turned 21, before my birthday, I made one of the most dangerous but best decisions of my life. The Grateful Dead was visiting Chicago and hosting a 3-day farewell concert at Soldier Field. I was working at a bar nearby and watched as the streets filled with hippies, crust punks, old heads reminiscing, onlookers, and more. I was miserable at this current job of mine- I didn't fit in with anyone, the commute was not worth the money, and the general clientele was extremely annoying (think drunk football fans from the suburbs, finance bros, and obnoxious college kids.) So when the first day of the festival came and I was told to go on break, I grabbed my stuff and began wandering the streets that had been taken over by Dead Heads. If I tried to explain to you every single thing I saw on my break that day, I would have an entire book for you. Alas, one thing might get the sentiment across: I never returned from my break back to the bar. I ignored all calls and texts from my manager, as I believed I had now found my true people.

I spent the entire 3-day weekend befriending countless people. I stood in parking lots where every car or van had been turned into a hippie home on wheels, and I huffed helium out of freshly blown balloons as the L rode past over my head. I will never forget the deep, grating, pounding noises of the train roaring past, amplified by the effects of the helium. During this weekend I met a couple, R and J. R was from Israel and J Syracuse, NY. R and I had an instant connection, and she invited me to sleep with them in their van over the weekend. After the helium, I also did ketamine for the first time this weekend, another moment frozen in time in my brain to this day. The sensations, both physical and emotional, were overwhelming. But that did not stop me from doing ketamine several more times that summer, along with a cocktail of other drugs. I held a snake, I did cartwheels in the park, swam in the lake, and napped in the sun. I met so many people from all over the world, and while I can't recall many of their names or faces today, the impression they all left on me remains special. R and I would stay up all night long talking, singing, cuddling, giggling, going for walks, and playing music together. R was a gifted musician and singer, and it helped make them money as they travelled around in their van.

At the end of the 3 days when Monday morning rolled around, and the city was attempting to return to it's normal routine (although the young people coming down from acid trips wandering down Michigan Ave begging for water did not help) I felt an immense weight on my heart as I crawled out of the back of R and J's van and prepared to say goodbye. I knew deep down I would never see them again, and likely never experience anything like the weekend I just had; it was the first taste of completely carefree living I must've experienced at that point in my life. And, as if reading my mind, R then extended her invitation even further, and asked if I wanted to join them on the road to their next destination, although they weren't completely sure where that was just yet. I didn't have much time to decide and that was okay because I didn't have much to consider. I wasn't on a lease anywhere, in fact, I was crashing on someone's couch. I had already bailed on my job 3 days prior. School didn't start for another two months. There was nothing keeping me in Chicago, so...

The world that R and J lived in was a world so new, so unique, so weird and so special to me, that hopping in a van full of strangers and letting them take me wherever they wanted to go did not seem strange or dangerous at all. It simply felt like an adventure that I could not pass up.

So they quickly drove me to my friends house where my things were and soon we were off. I was crammed in the back of a stinky yellow van with 3 other random people who didn't seem to know each other all that well either. We dropped some of them off and picked up new people along the way, with R, J, and myself being the only constant passengers. Oh, and J's dog, Captain. How I could forget that sweet babe?

We made our way throughout the Midwest and some of the East coast with plenty of stops along the way. We camped out at a few Rainbow gatherings, stopped off to work at a weed farm, and also volunteered at a few small music festivals so we could have access to showers, toilets, and some free shitty food for a couple days. At the gatherings and on countless nights when we were in between destinations, we either slept in the van sharing the double bed in the back, or pitched a tent to sleep just outside the van. At what some people might view as the "worst" part of this adventure, I would sometimes go a whole week without showering. We ate camp food every day and GOD do I miss the simple pleasure of a shitty cup of coffee as I wake up on the beach somewhere in Michigan. No matter how dirty I got every day pitching the tent, building campfires, or hiking through the random forests we landed ourselves in, and no matter how much i may have sometimes missed the meals and comforts of home, I felt so free and absent of the necessity of these privileges. For the first time in my life, I had nothing to lose and nothing to gain. The only responsibility I had was to take in the world around me and enjoy the crazy adventure I had signed myself up for.

I turned 21 about two weeks into what I can only sum up as an impromptu extended road trip- and when I say extended... I did not return home to Chicago for two months, just before my freshman year of college was to begin. I would eventually take a train home from Syracuse following a disastrous break up between R and J. I had so many mixed emotions getting on and off of that train knowing that I was leaving a life of excitement, weirdness, and yes even danger, behind me and trading it in for a reality that i was not quite ready for. I wasn't ready to leave behind the big yellow van, my heart feeling full as we are slowly pulling into a Rainbow gathering, everyone welcoming us home. I didn't want to forget the feeling of waking up to sunsets and shitty camp breakfasts. What was waiting for me in Chicago was responsibility, conflict, routine, the need to fit in, and the need to survive. I was going to need to find a job and a stable place to stay immediately. The stress and sadness began to sink in the moment I sat down in my seat on the train and only continued to cement itself throughout the fourteen hour ride.

Nine years have passed now. If only 21 year old me knew then what 30 year old me knows now, I would have never gotten on that return train to Chicago. While I am eternally grateful for everything I have now, it's a sad fact that I have not felt that carefree, confident, or excited about life since that summer. The ups and downs that I've faced have made the notion of jumping in a van and leaving everything behind more tempting than ever, and as I grow older I am feeling myself growing weary of the material codependency I have formed. If somebody handed me the keys to a van and a wad of cash right now, I would be gone come morning.

That being said, I have to get myself to bed to prepare for a long day at the office tomorrow.

"Never had such a good time in my life before, I'd like to have it one time more One good ride from start to end, I'd like to take that ride again" -Might As Well, Jerry Garcia

#journal #personal #writing #traveling #grateful dead #jerry garcia #memories

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cdt-toomi-vangrizzle · 1 year ago

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My Anaconda Don’t Want None Unless you Got Butte, Hon

July 23-27

From Helena, you have some decisions to make about which trail you want to take: you can continue on the official CDT, cut off 80 miles by going to Anaconda on an alternate, or cut off almost 300 miles by taking the Big Sky / Super Butte Cutoff. Owen and I were torn about which option to take. We’d heard amazing things about Anaconda, but we were also considering adding miles by going to the Tetons, so the Big Sky Cutoff could be beneficial. We set out on trail planning to make the decision as we walked, because we’d thought both Anaconda and Butte would require the same amount of food. That was, however, incorrect, so we had to head to Anaconda to get more food. That was fine with us; we decided to see Anaconda then cut our own trail to Butte in order to take Big Sky.

Walking out of Helena was a HOT day of road waking. Luckily it turned to dirt roads after 5 miles.

The next day we were fortunate to be in the woods for most of the day. We climbed Thunderbolt Mountain, which was our highest peak yet at 8,632 feet. There were remains of an old fire tower on the summit, and a decent view despite wildfire haze. Later on, we found almost an entire skeleton of a large buck or moose. We camped in a lovely cow meadow after encountering the cattle on the trail and standing in the water source (a giant bathtub). They took some convincing to move out of the way, and we luckily had enough water not to use that source.

In the morning, the cows bellowed consistently, probably upset that we were consuming powdered milk. We continued most of the morning through pastures and safe fields. Owen called Mason for his birthday (happy birthday, Mason). We got to the junction of the CDT (to Butte) and the road to Anaconda. We went towards Anaconda, listening to Anaconda by Nicki Minaj and practicing our harmonies for “When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings.” There wasn’t any water at our intended camping spot, so we continued on and slept at a wildlife management and dam facility after 24.4 miles, our longest day so far.

On the 26th, we walked about 11 miles on the highway to Anaconda. It was an awesome town, with a free hiker hut that had loaner bikes for us to get around town. We used the showers at the public pool and spent our money on town food and beer from Smelter Brewing. We spent a good amount of time looking around town, eating huckleberry ice cream and running errands. We hung out some with our hiker friend Worm. I was delighted to discover that the old mining town’s high school mascot is the Anaconda Copperheads. Sick puns.

The next day, we walked out of Anaconda on the highway then routed to Butte on some paved (ugh) bike trails, defunct old jeep trails, and the like. We got to Butte and checked into the KOA just in time to jump in the pool and do our laundry. The showers were quite nice.

#cdt #Helena #anaconda #butte #montana

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elizainjapan · 1 year ago

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June 9th- Travel Day to Kyoto

Oof, what a silly day. We got back from our night on the town at 6am, and class was at 8:45, so I had a good hour and a half of rest. The morning was spent stuffing clothes in backpacks and deciding if I really needed all of my socks. I left some fun wet socks as souvenirs for Hotel Edoya. I think my brain was on autopilot the entire morning until we got to the train. At one point, Sam and I were lost in the station, but we conveyed the platform number to a stranger and they helped us. I was very excited to go on the train and watch out the window for the whole time, but instead I conked out in 3 minutes and woke up 2 hours later. Raj, Chelsea, and Aulora didn’t make it off the train in time, so like any good group of friends, we left the station and got pancakes. They were amazing. I got chocolate banana ones that were divine. After this, we walked to the new hotel (major upgrade because we don’t have to pump our own shower water), and I fell asleep for 5 hours. I woke up at 8:30 to call my dad because it is his birthday! Then, Sam and I went to 7/11 for dinner, and I watched the new G-Idle music video. Since then, I’ve watched Youtube Reels for hours procrastinating this blog post. By some miracle, I’m still super tired, so I’ll probably go to bed soon!

Academic Reflection:

Todays reading was primarily focused on the expansion of cities that had access to a Shinkansen station nearby. As these stations became more popular, more industries started clustering around them, and with more industries comes more people, making a previously rural area into a metropolis. While I was sleeping for a good portion of the train and didn’t get a chance to see the stops that we passed, I was awake for Kyoto station. The running joke these past two weeks had been that Kyoto is an empty field of nothing. After how densely populated and energetic Tokyo was, we expected Kyoto to be an ancient relic of Japan that has yet to be modernized. Our itinerary is full of temples that we will be seeing. Clearly we were wrong, but the Kyoto train station really put our doubts to rest. There were designer stores that I had only previously seen in Ginza at the station. The architecture of the station was incredible too, and it was built by Hiroshi Hara, a famous japanese architect who also designed the Tasaki Museum of Art, the Umeda Sky Building, and the Sapporo Dome.

The reading also spoke about the downfalls of the Shinkansen, especially with rural communities who feel more secluded than ever. Poor families have been getting worse education because of how far things are. The Shinkansen makes many things feel much closer together, but it doesn’t augment the reality that Japan is a huge country that cannot be easily accessed my many people.

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sailorlibracrack · 2 years ago

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TDA- Episode 0 ( Summer Break 2022)

I’m gonna start my diary right after my first year of college in History of Arts, at the debut of the great vacations, to where I am now. So it’s pretty recent, but all the stuffs/events etc... that happened before will be post in another way, classified by years. But anyway, this Teenage Dirtbag Archives (TDA) is about my 20s.

I was born on September 26th of 2022. So every year, right after the summer vacs, I celebrate my birthday. But this year was different, cause the nineteenth boy I recently was new that after this three months, I will turn 20. And it wasn't something I wanted for as I hated celebrating my birthday. It wasn't in the odd way to be the center of the attention ( I kinda like that haha) but it was the fact that pretty much every time I blew out new candles, it was an inner reminder that another year was ending, without myself being satisfied of myself, my life or achieving my goals. Certainly, I had many parties and funny and sad stories to tell as much as chaotic adventures, but as I grew up and went to college, they didn’t appear that much and everything was starting to be more....serious. So this time, I wanted my life to move, to take another turn...which it did, in some ways.

Anyway, my first month of summer can be resumed as a literal debauchery. I pretty much went every night partying after my all year of study, that I take very seriously { I can cry if I don’t achieve the best scores :( }. It’s not very interesting to tell you about that month cause we all party the same and end up the next morning with a terrible headache. The only significant event I can talk about is the departure of my boyfriend ( I will dedicate an entire post about him haha) to Singapore, where is father lives. He had spent the entire year in another college far away and I only saw him a month before he went for the entire summer. Oh ! and I went to my first Pride in Paris and it was fun.

The next month, July, was terrible and great at the same time. I had my first real job as a receptionist in a bank, that was located not in the best neighborhood of Paris. This experience meant a lot to me, bc I finally prove myself I could be independent ( I ended up having the biggest score and best recommandations from my boss). It was a pretty boring month, but I kinda grew as a person and funny things happened to me. I had a client coming, drunk af, threaten me to literally piss in the agency if I didn't give money, which obviously we didn't kept here. Every client was original and a peculiar character but all were mostly drunk or high, maybe both, so it was a funny game for me to help them.

Finally, August comes. And I will stat this month by telling you about the best summer party I ever went to. I have this very special friend of mine, that we are gonna call Louise, that invited me to one of her college friend’s (Steve) boyfriend party. The boyfriend in question, Pascal, was living quite far, in the countryside in a very lovely cottagecore and BIG house ( he was criminally rich). The moment I saw his house, I knew I will come every time to take a rest here from the city. It was spacious, with hectares fields, a pool, a jacuzzi, horses, an abandoned tennis court and more. The party was in the fields, near the pool, and everything seemed detailed. There was lighting, a professional DJ and even a liquor bar with a drinks menu. Quickly, Louise and I met everyone and I started to get really drunk as alcohol was free and in abundance. It turned into a pool party (my first one) and It was really fun. I don’t remember being that WILD at a party ever. Anyway, as we went all inside, in a random coincidence, I started to talk to the DJ, which I don’t remember the name. We’re gonna pretend he’s Josh. He was actually kind, and seemed nice if it wasn't for the Versace bathrobe he was wearing proudly. I knew he was starting to get flirty with me, and I admit I liked it, as it didn’t happened to me often. I played with that flirtatious bond we had so he could mix all the songs I loved. I was so drunk i couldn't feel his hands going over my body and not responsive enough to stop him from biting my neck. But what had to happen happened. After and joint shared with Steve, we both went to different bathroom to puke. But bad luck for me, it fell at the same time Josh was taking his break. When he saw me going to the bathroom in the catastrophic state I was in, he followed me. Louise was there too, but the gentleman kindly let her out on the pretext that he knew how to "manage this kind of situation". I confess without lying, that I was on the verge of fainting. So, I find myself in a delicate position where I have to throw up my guts accompanied by a stranger who wants to flirt with me at the same time. I wasn't going to mind throwing up, so that's what I did, in front of him. He of course took the opportunity to touch me when he was cleaning me. Anyway, when he went to fetch me some water, Louise was able to get in and I remember being at that moment two fingers away from dying. Josh comes back and while I'm throwing up again, I hear him talking with Louise. And this bastard, instead of doing what everyone else would have done, no, he starts asking Louise if I have a boyfriend and everything and he thinks I'm just his type. After a while, and unable to take it any longer, I ordered Louise, not without difficulty, not to let him in. The end of this night is quite vague in my mind. I only remember that the next morning, while I was smoking my morning cig, Josh came downstairs to say hello. He had me so disgusted that the moment he left to get his cigs to smoke with me, I ran away from the house. And that was the debut of my (gay) friendship with Steve and Pascal. I ironically learned after that he did quite the same with Steve, but less flirtatious and apparently, had done some filth with Pascal back in the time.

The rest of the summer, with Louise, we went to Portugal, on a little road trip with daddy. Steve lived in a village right next to mine, so we all went out quite a bit together in Porto and we even saw our old friend Manon. Obviously, with Louise, we had a certain mess like the time we lied to my mother to go party at Steve's villa. But in the end we know we had fun. I keep a very good memory of it and I think that the one that marked me the most was when Louise and I took a pedal boat in a huge lake where we ended up falling on the wild bottom of a mountain where lived dozens and dozens of cows. We hastened to jump into the water to see them closer. Everything was perfect.

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