#can we play him more Edin?

[buzzingfairy]

MOUKI SHOW EM WHO YOU ARE

[schlottiszn]

I can't even begin to describe what the 22/23 season means to me. Every single one of these boys is so special to me.

They have a bond. They have team spirit. They play for each other. They fight for each other. They give everything for each other.

They are a family.

And THAT is what this season and this team is about. And nobody can take that away from us. Nobody. We will always have these memories.

We'll always remember how Sébastien came back after he had beaten cancer. How he fought against every obstacle that stood in his way and what he gave us when he finally came back. He was and is such a strong person who fought so much bigger and more important things this year than this championship. I am so proud of him. Thank you, Sébastien.

We'll always remember players like Julian Brandt, Donny Malen, Rapha Guerreiro and Karim Adeyemi. Those players that most people had already given up on. How they fought their way back with outstanding performances. How much they influenced our attacking game. Their individual qualities were so important. Karim's speed, Julian's talent for spotting and creating space and his timing for runs, Donny's incredible dribbling ability and Rapha who somehow combines all of these qualities. Thank you, boys.

We'll always remember our faithful, I kind of wanna say child, Felix Passlack. Felix plays for us since he is a kid. He loves us and the club and we love him. I wish him the best of the best in Bochum. But he will always be a Borusse. No matter what. Thank you, Borusse.

We'll always remember our fighters. Emre Can, Julian Ryerson, Marius Wolf. The boys who gave everything for our badge. They threw themselves in every tackling. Often they had to do the dirty work. But they got it done. Without complaining. They just did what had to be done and were amazing while doing that. Thank you, fighters.

We'll always remember our centre backs Niki, Mats and Schlotti. Of course. They were the heart and soul of our defense. With their amazing and outstanding straddles but also with every, sometimes the smallest, mistakes which also are a part of us. They gave everything for a win. Everything. Even a discolated shoulder couldn't stop Schlotti from doing his work. They were impressive and true role models. Thank you, boys.

We'll always remember the man without we would've never even gotten as far as we've come. Gregor Kobel, our wall in front of the wall. This guy was and is one of the most talented and extraordinary goalkeepers in Germany and even Europe. But when he couldn't stand on the pitch for us, our number 2 Alex Meyer was a perfect replacement for him. They always gave their best! Thank you, my goalkeepers.

We'll always remember one of the most talented players our club has ever seen. Jude Bellingham. I can't even start to say how much this guy means to me and how much I'll miss him. It hurts so much that he will not stay with this wonderful team for another season or even more. But I truly wish him all the best and that he reaches every possible goal he has in his life. He breathes our club philosophy. He lives our values and everything us fans believe in. This boy IS Borussia Dortmund in every sense. Thank you, starboy.

We'll always remember our one true captain, Marco Reus. This title would've been for him. Every player, every fan wished him this trophy. His life and career was marked by many many setbacks and unfortunate moments. But he fought his way back. Everytime. So today he could stand where he stood. Every single human wanted to see him lift the trophy. But it isn't over. He still has one season to make his dream come true. Thank you, Captain.

And at the end, of course, we'll always remember our coach, Edin Terzic. I couldn't even imagine another guy standing at the side line of the pitch, just after one (full) season. I love his energy, I love his personal nature. I love how he can motivate a large group. This guy is just so perfect to be OUR coach. He loves this club from the bottom of his heart and we love him from the bottom of ours. Thank you, Coach.

This. I needed to say all of this. Cause as I said, this season is special to me because of exactly those people. And nobody can take that from me. Ever.

[diemannschaftblr]

@/iMiaSanMia: Julian Nagelsmann: "Ilkay Gündogan remains captain. But Manu's word will continue to have weight. The captain is intended to be a contact point for his teammates. Players should feel like they have a leader in their ranks. He’s a representative of the team"

On Hummels being dropped: Mats hasn’t played as much recently as before. We now have a different system and one less centre-back. There are currently other players there. I don't see Mats as the ideal choice. It’s not always just about finding the best players, but perhaps simply the most suitable ones.

On who will start in goal in the next two games: We will have a conversation with both of them [Neuer and ter Stegen] - and then decide.

On dropping Goretzka: The decision was not between Pavlović and Leon. Leon's last few games have been much better, that's right. It's about finding the right players for the roles, I see other players ahead at the moment. We had others in mind. Through very good performance and an understanding of the role, the door is not closed. It wasn’t a pleasant conversation [with Goretzka], as you can imagine, but you have to make decisions.

On Pavlović: He has shown very strong performances recently. He was one of the best players at Bayern. Of course this was not a political decision. We didn't have to convince him. That was the consequence of the performance principle. We'll see whether it'll be enough for the Euros. He talks in the dressing room and doesn’t hide despite his young age.

On his future: I currently have a contract with the DFB until after the European Championships. I don't have any other contract available. My full focus is on the European Championships and the national team.

But, Nagelsmann is definitely thinking about his future: I would advise that to anyone whose contract is about to expire.

On Thomas Müller: He’s been playing a lot recently. He knows what his role is, he knows what importance he can have in each role. Thomas could also settle for a spot off the bench. He already knows the role at FC Bayern. Thomas is a player who also has a role off the pitch. He is an intelligent player who doesn’t focus on himself but on the team.

On Kroos' comeback: He is very important, but also not the sole savior. He knows what he can do. On the other hand, he also knows what he can't do. He has a very good instinct, a good calmness. He can be a brilliant link between defense and attack. There is always this expression in Germany “Querpass-Toni” [sideways pass Toni] - Anyone who says that knows nothing about football. I'm extremely happy that after many conversations I persuaded him to come back. I give him credit for that.

On 4 Stuttgart players called up: That’s also momentum. This year they are doing very, very well. I could have called two or three more from VfB. Waldemar Anton is a very good defender, also with an offensive urge. He won't demand to play every game from the start, but he'll still give it his all. Maxi Mittelstädt is currently the most stable left-back in the Bundesliga. Statistically speaking, he is by far the best left-back in the Bundesliga. Chris Führich is an extremely valuable player, with 1v1 and good finishing, that can be key if we need a goal. Deniz Undav has a great ability to read spaces. He runs a lot, is hard-working and has a good nose for goal.

On Jan-Niklas Beste: He can play an offensive role but also at the back and can play left-back without any problems. Plus he is an exceptional set piece taker. He deserved the nomination with the goal involvments he has.

Nagelsmann says Rüdiger and Tah will be the starting CB duo: Toni and Jona are initially the starters in central defense. They can confirm this through good performances.

On BVB players (except Füllkrug) being dropped: The assessment is not always about talent. I spoke to Edin (Terzic) and Sebastian Kehl on the phone, I can imagine that neither of them are happy. I think other players have better momentum. Everyone knows what it will take to get back in. From the discussions we had, they know what is missing so that they can be called up for the Euros. The player decides at the end. I’m just the executive body. Julian Brandt was a tough decision, Führich probably has the better momentum at the moment.

[jacensolodjo]

Playing Telltale Expanse makes me love Camina Drummer even more especially because do you KNOW how much Camina Drummer we had in the books? basically nothing. So there is even LESS of Camina we have for the telltale game.

Cara Gee basically pulled Camina Drummer out of thin fucking air. Everyone asks 'where did you get ___ for Camina?' and she basically shrugs. From herself. The only answer she has about the accent is she got that from what she heard from what was given for Dawes.

Cara Gee, an Ojibwe woman, almost definitely has some real life experience to pull on when it comes to playing a Belter woman. Always looked down on, no matter what exactly she manages to accomplish. Which is quite honestly a lot no matter who might have done it.

Anyways what follows are major spoilers for the Expanse: A Telltale Series (it's a prequel but like... YEAH)

She is considered a murderer as seen in the Telltale game because of a terrorist act committed by Dawes. But it is proven time and again that what she did was not what she intended which wound up being a bomb at a meeting. She was put into that position by Dawes. The OPA are considered terrorists because of Dawes' actions, not hers. But it's clear she still loves the OPA and the Belt and will do absolutely everything she must for the Belt. The OPA is more of a smattering of factions than a faction in and of itself. She had to leave Ceres because of Dawes and it clearly eats her up inside. Ceres was her home and because of him she had to leave.

The game slowly goes through this kind of backstory. The other characters keep kind of joking and bringing up the past, kind of nudging her with 'yeah so tell us why you can't go back to Ceres huh, Drummer???' "remember, Drummer, we could've cashed in your bounty but didn't for what you did, remember?' "well one of us here knows about explosives don't we, Drummer?"

So essentially this is what colors a lot of peoples' interactions with her is this shadow that walks with her. Is she or is she not an actual fucking terrorist. Is she or is she not an actual fucking murderer? Because she can be violent (punching Fred Johnson 'in greeting'). And yeah she has fucking killed but not in cold fucking blood. She will kill a dude (Staz and Edin as well as a drug seller all for good reasons).

But her Belter heart is always in the right place. She forgives but she won't forget easily. She owns up to her actions. She is self-sacrificing (how many people has she watched leave because she knows it's for the better if not for them then for the Belt?). She is Belter through and through.

But no way do I think she knew there was an actual fucking bomb that was going to take human life, BELTER LIFE. And she says as much. She wasn't part of the OPA to kill Belters. That was never part of the deal. She has always believed there's another way. They were innocent people there at that meeting. The people she has killed, have to have done something to warrant that death.

The people she kills in the game warrant their deaths. They go after her first. It's the only way that gets her to shoot. It's the same way in the show. She needs a reason.

I'm love her.

[greenwith-ivy]

ok i’m writing this fresh off of finishing wednesday (fresh as in like half an hour ago) and BOY DO I HAVE THOUGHTS

- wednesday doesn’t blink! very cool. i noticed this almost immediately and i pointed it out to my dad (we were watching it together) and he said that he hadn’t noticed before! (he’d already seen it twice.) so that’s fun :D - i hated both of the White Boys. i don’t even remember either of their names but i despised them. they were basically the exact same person!! i could not keep them straight, they look similar and they act nearly the exact same. i am so annoyed that they both ended up playing relatively important roles at the end - dude!!!!!! eugene!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love that guy he’s great. my favorite character - edin was kinda fun. i don’t think that’s her name but i can’t remember it. whoops. anyways she was also annoying but i think that was kind of the point, and her brand of annoying was way more endearing than the White Boys. she grew on me - i’m probably gonna make a separate post about this actually but wednesday is aro/ace and you can’t convince me otherwise. i rarely (never) headcanon characters to be a certain sexuality, but i feel so strongly about this!!  - now i’m gonna speculate what the popular ships for this show will be (or are). endi/wednesday is probably the most popular if i had to guess, then White Boy 1/wednesday and White Boy 2/wednesday will probably be pretty close in popularity. next up i think we’ll have wednesday/bianca. which. i haven’t written a thought about bianca yet i need to do that. after that maybe it’ll be enid/whatever his name was who she was actually dating in the show.  - okay i just checked ao3 and i was pretty close. i got the first three right and the fifth one! but apparently WB1/WB2 is the fourth most popular ship. which i didn’t even consider because why would i. they interact like a total of 3 times in the show and they both suck. why would anyone want to write more about either of them let alone both of them?? and it’s a little sad that bianca wasn’t up there in the 10 most popular (which is including friendships but i didn’t guess those) because she deserves it.  - bianca time!! she’s awesome i love her. i wish she wouldn’t do the blue eyed stare all the time but i can excuse it because she’s a fish.  - i was so sad when thing almost died. i couldn’t believe it i was in shock that they would DARE kill thing. fortunately for me i stayed strong and didn’t believe it and fortunately for them they didn’t kill him - love all of the unsubtle metaphors in this show. my favorite was probably lycanthropy as a metaphor for being queer. that one was incredibly in your face and it was fantastic - honestly a lot of the drama between wednesday and her parents seemed so forced??? like. maybe i just haven’t consumed enough addams family media (the only things i’ve seen are the two movies from the 90s and i know there’s more) but it felt like that was kind of out of nowhere? i get she’s a teenager now but idk i just never thought the addams family would have that kind of drama - fester annoyed me. we barely saw him but he just wasn’t right. (and again, maybe this is just because i haven’t seen enough other portrayals of him) - all the old women in this show had so much makeup on it was ridiculous. they’re old! let them have wrinkles please i beg you - speaking of makeup morticia’s eyeshadow wasn’t big enough and fester’s eyebags were too small and too light

i’m realizing a lot of these thoughts are negative and i promise that’s not how i feel. i loved the show i really did. it’s just i noticed i wasn’t happy with a lot of the details but i was very happy with the overall product. does that make sense? anyways, i’m excited for a potential season two at some point. i didn’t think they’d be able to get everything wrapped up in the last episode but they did! it’s a satisfactory ending (for me at least) and i would be totally fine if it didn’t get continued, but i wouldn’t object to another season either

[littlelemontarte]

He did the bare minimum of passing a ball to his own player against the bottom team in the table “power” ok ok we are rewarding the bare minimum. How long until he is back taking cocaine and being extremely arrogant like last time? The reasons we let him leave in the first place. He can stay gone.

i'm assuming this is about jadon. this will be the only ask i'll answer regarding this - you are entitled to your own opinion but i have no desire to further discuss this because my opinion is a different one.

- first of all, i am not a fan how you casually threw in "how long till he's back taking cocaine". who cares if another adult is consuming a drug (and it's a big if, considering i couldn't find a single source supporting that claim)? i am not a better person because i'm not taking cocaine. it is also not on me to judge another person's coping mechanism (this is once again NOT related to jadon, i am NOT indicating that he ever consumed cocaine or that he used it to self medicate/as a coping mechanism. this is a generalized statement regarding drug use/drug addiction to kind of illustrate my stance on this).

- you are of course correct that it is his job/the bare minimum to help the team score goals as a forward. however, the team's offense has been severly lacking this season so far and has often been played in a very uninspired way. in my biased opinion, edin putting in jadon helped revive it yesterday and helped to secure a win. we were at a bit of a tipping point yesterday, before the 2:0, darmstadt wasn't harmless and could've scored the equaliser. and that could've opened up the match completely and we could've lost. instead, jadon made a good pass and we scored the 2:0 and went on to score the 3:0.

- no one on this website who follows/supports bvb has to engage with my blog. but if one does, i'm quite sure they noticed that i'm a fan of what i like to call "football romantic". i like the story behind this goal, that jadon assisted marco, because these two seem to have a special bond and seem to share a friendship. yes, it is their job to do this. but i can still be happy about it and i can still consider it one of the stories that "only football manages to write".

- no one of us knows how these people are behind closed doors. we get small glimpses in carefully staged behind the scenes videos, during interviews that are sometimes more, sometimes less authentic, on the pitch and on social media (which is often heavily curated). i don't claim to know these people. i, however, did not get the impression that jadon at an issue with being arrogant at dortmund. everyone at the club (including the staff) seemed to be overjoyed to have him back (and especially aki never had an issue with airing out if he had an attitude problem with someone in the past. we haven't heard such comments about jadon). yes, there have been instances with him being late to training (and he got a punishment for that every time, which he accepted without talking back, as far as i remember), and i admittedly only loosely followed his time at manchester united. but i don't think arrogance was why he left us in the first place.

- we had a lot of questionable transfers in the past, especially regarding the financial aspect. i do believe, only looking at it from a business point of view, that this isn't an irresponsible transfer. a loan is often cheaper than simply buying someone. jadon has a lot of talent and players like that aren't particularly cheap nowadays. there's no guarantee that this will work but if it doesn't, we didn't lose a lot of money with getting him for the second half of the season. of course it's only a short term solution but the market isn't exactly overflowing with players within our budget.

i hope this made some sense. i don't want further discussions regarding this in my inbox but i wanted to express my point of view.

[mitjalovse]

One of the things we forget about Sting might be the fact his seriousness works in his favour as he can enter many weird places thanks to that. Thus, Songs From The Labyrinth finds him playing a lute. There's a version of this LP in an alternative timeline with him covering his own tunes, but our doesn't present this opportunity, except on some bonus tracks. No, he partnered on the disc with Edin Karamazov to play the pieces by John Dowland, one of the most prominent composers for the instrument. The results floor you. Sting's expertise and his voice fit these songs so well I'm upset he didn't do more in this vein. I mean, we have to be honest here – him releasing such a platter makes a lot of sense for his broody exterior.

[the-celluloid-correspondent]

All Quiet on the Western Front

When 17-year-old Paul joins the Western Front of World War I, his initial excitement is soon shattered by the grim reality of life in the trenches.

War films have always been very difficult to watch for me. The nature of seeing humanity tear each other apart is heartbreaking. Seeing actors playing boys who are either the same age or younger than you going through the horrors of war is terrifying. So it makes me a little sick when I see Hollywood glamorize war. Thankfully, this new adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front showcases the real face of war and what it does to you.

Director Edward Berger chose not to mask the horrors of war with this new adaptation of the classic by Erich Maria Remarque. We see the carnage of trench warfare to the desolated and destroyed wilderness, to bodies manged in horrors unimaginable. Furthermore, Berger takes it a step further by not only showcasing the physical terror of the war but also its psychological terror. We see boys crying for their mothers while dying from their wounds and the same boys brutally killing soldiers the same age as them. It's a harrowing and powerful portrayal of war that will haunt you. Berger perfectly showcases the manipulation that these boys faced while heading into battle only to be shattered by its reality. All Quiet on the Western Front is easily one of the best war films of the 21st century so far.

What is somewhat of a sad reality is that if this film was an English-spoken film, there would be some Oscar nominations for some of the cast. Felix Kammerer makes his acting debut in this film and showcases a range that very few actors can hit. We see him as a boy eager to go to war, to a man hollowed out by its terrors. He masterfully portrays the stresses, anxieties, and terrors of someone going through combat situations. Kammerer easily deserves an Oscar nomination but sadly I feel like he will receive none. His chemistry with the rest of his troop, Albrecht Schuch, Aaron Hilmer, Edin Hasanovic, and Moriz Klaus, brought forth some lighthearted moments in an otherwise incredibly dark film. Furthermore, these actors also masterfully portray the horrors of war. Daniel Bruhl is again great in his role. The remaining cast sells it in their roles and I hope they get some award recognition.

The film masterfully portrays the gloom and horror of war, through their recreation of the trenches of the First World War. From the dark, gray, and isolated cinematography to the disgusting, diseased-filled trenches, the audience is thrown into this war. The score is minimalistic and uses the sounds of war to create tension rather than music. Furthermore, it looks like they aged the actors as the war progresses. If that is the case, that is a remarkable detail to add to the film.

Overall, All Quiet on the Western Front is definitely one of the best films to come out this year so far. It's a powerful portrayal of the horrors of war. I hope this film gets more recognition as it finally drops on Netflix on the 28th.

I am giving All Quiet on the Western Front, an A.

[roseantasy]

Review of Endless Seas by Morrigan Rivers | Inkitt Book Club

Genre: Romance / Adventure

Author: Morrigan Rivers

Link: https://www.inkitt.com/morriganrivers

Summary:

"Enid is about to get married and she can't wait. She did her waiting and found herself a blacksmith, a great step up from a farmer like her father. Everything's going exactly to plan, until she finds herself stuck on a boat with strange men who all look like giants. But what will happen when hatred turns into trust? And what will Enid do with her newfound freedom? Will she go back home to the life she's worked so hard to build or is there more out there for her than she ever thought possible? Find out in Endless Seas, a heartwarming, historical, Viking story filled with love, family and romance in all the right places."

Endless Sea is a Viking Romance story following the English woman Enid, who was kidnapped by a group of Vikings during their raid in England. We see how she has to adjust to her new life and the different culture she stumbled into. Endless Sea has a continuation.

Generally, I loved the story. I breezed through it, even though it's a relatively long book! The description of the characters and environment was wonderfully written - not too many details, but also not too brief.

Morrigan has such a unique writing style, more so in the beginning than in the end. It felt quite poetic and very different from what I usually read. I had to admit, I had to get used to it, but I'm glad I did. The flow of the story was amazing, and I kept wanting to click to the next chapter, always eager to find out more. I liked that she took the time to build the relationships between the characters and that nothing felt rushed or forced. It felt genuine, like I was part of the journey. I also very much enjoyed the displayed conflict between different cultures and religions. It added a nice, yet realistic dynamic to the story, and how all characters had to adjust to it. It was not a snip with a finger and everything was great, no, Morrigan kept adding the conflict back into the story, showing that it's not easy to adjust to different viewpoints! But that there can also be an understanding. Morrigan described each character in a realistic and nuanced way, making them feel very real. The backstories of all the characters were sprinkled in small bread crumbs throughout the story, ending up with a full picture in the end. Edin, the female protagonist, went through a very realistic and strong character development, and I really liked her. The way she started as the damsel in distress in the beginning to the person she turned out to be, was amazing, and such little steps, too. Edin had to put in effort to change, and it was amazing to see her pull through. Nothing was changing out of thin air, which made it even better to read. Ivar, the male protagonist, also had a wonderful development. He was so easy to dislike in the beginning, but the more we got to know about him, the more sense everything made. I also enjoyed that he appeared to be very honest and caring. Despite what I started to think about him at the start. It's great when an author can change your mind about a character, without forcing it. But also all the other characters were wonderfully added into the story, complimenting the two main protagonists and leaving room for their own thoughts, struggles, and endeavors. And also the "villain" was greatly written. It really left me a bit flabbergasted how Morrigan sneaked that sort of conflict into the story, rounding it up perfectly.

I hope I'm not wrong, but I believe the story plays in historical Norway. All the places were explained well, giving us enough detail to know how they lived back then. Especially the focus on the cold, and what sort of struggle it brings, was a great detail. Letting it play mostly in the winter was a great idea! As I already mentioned before, I loved the conflict between Edin's culture and religion and those of the Vikings. Also, the topic of seers and visions, was a great addition to the story, adding a nice twist to the plot.

I also loved the slow building romance and friendship which built throughout the book, adding the right amount of heartache as well. The entire story felt so honest and genuine, and you can tell how much love Morrigan put into the story. People who enjoy historical stories with a slow-burn romance will enjoy this one. There is nothing negative I can say about this book, I loved it through and through, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Should you be interested in reading Endless Seas by Morrigan Rivers, head over to Inkitt and read it for free! 

Click here to head over there right now: https://www.inkitt.com/stories/romance/814731

This was my review of Endless Seas by Morrigan Rivers. Maybe it will be the next book on your TBR list, too! 

Have a good day! All the best, Rose~♥

Did you also read Endless Seas? What were your thoughts on the story? Leave me a comment below, and we can talk about it. 😊

[danielxricciardo]

promt 35 angst with julian brandt please? he rarely gets blurbs on tumblr :(

35. "What will you do if we break up?"

Falling into a void? This is a pretty good description of the last few months of their relationship.

Although the relationship had become toxic and no one was happy, they had been together for 8 years. Who could give up on that thing? The thought of taking it from the beginning scared them both.

They always hoped that it was just a phase and they will recover but that phase started a little over a year ago.

It started with little lies that they told each other that were painful at first, because they never lied to each other, then slowly they didn't care what the other person was telling, even if they knew the truth.

Julian spent more and more time with his teammates, sleeping at their place and going home just to get some clean clothes.

She stayed in the apartment they shared, not because she wanted to, but because she had nowhere to go. Her friends were actually his friends. The girls she went out with for coffee were the girlfriends and wives of his friends. Her parents were in another city and she could not leave all the life she had built there to run in the arms of her parents. Although that life was sad and toxic, she still wanted to fight for the boy that she once saw as the father of her children.

Even though they no longer beared each other, she still went to all his games and hugged him after each one. Yes, he upsets her, he was the reason she cried more than five times a day, but she still loved him.

It was after such a game in which Borussia Dortmund lost when she went to to hug him. Julian sat alone in the corner of the pitch after the game was over.

"Hey, I'm sorry for the result. You did everything you could." she says, stretching out her arms to embrace him.

Julian avoided her hug and stares at her as if she was the reason they lost. His eyes, which were once blue, had turned black.

"What are you talking about? I played horrible. Do you even hear yourself?"

She had taken a step back when she heard Julian's hateful words.

"What do you want me to say? That it would have been better if Edin wouldn't have put you onto the field and you're the reason the team lost? You only played 25 minutes and the score was already 3 to 0."

"Just shut up! Shut the fuck up, I can't stand to hear you now." he yelled at her.

"Sure thing, Julian. Can't stand hearing me come to comfort you after a lost game, but you can bear to hear yourself spitting poison around you? How much longer do you think I can last? I just want the boy I fell in love with and been with for 8 years to come back."

Julian snorts and looks at her.

"Take a good look at me. That's me now. You're ok with it, fine. No? Goodbye."

She laughs even though she has tears in her eyes.

"No, I am not ok with this."

"Fine by me." he says, shrugging.

"Then that was it, wasn't it?"

"That was it? What will you do if we break up?" he asks curiously.

"Damn it, I'd be happy! Maybe I'd be with someone who loves me! Someone who appreciates me and doesn't make me unhappy every day. It hurts my soul to say this."

Julian nods. "Maybe you'll find someone like that. I can't."

[one-real-imonkey]

Bliss 19 with jasTor I need some happiness

I’m going to tickle you if you don’t come over here.

Set a little after this though you don’t need it to understand this fic.

You wanted fluff, and fluff you shall get.

———

Jaster Mereel.

He was beautiful, smart, persevering.

Brilliant.

Tor knew a lot of people underestimated Jaster Mereel, he certainly had, but after the fateful mission that the two of them had ended up completing alone, he was smitten.

The man was just... perfect.

A smattering of giggles echoed across the courtyard from where a group of foundlings were playing. Jaster was looking after them, given that his leg wasn’t healed enough yet to clear him for training and, if Tor had to guess, because he loved ade. Jaster got that look in his eyes when he was looking after ade, he’d be an amazing Buir one day.

The kids were scampering around, and Jaster was keeping an eye on them, but he clearly couldn’t resist playing with them too. He wouldn’t be surprised if the brilliant man ended up hurting himself playing with them and delaying his healing, but then, that was the dedication of someone who truest loved being with ade.

Even if those ade seemed to be running away with his crutches.

He but his lip to stop himself laughing. It was an adorable image.

“Bi’anca, kiddo, I’m going to tickle you if you don’t come over here.”

Tor choked on another laugh.

Jaster was laughing, his face a picture of pure joy and gentle love and affection and oh Tor was so in love it was stupid. He could stand here leaning against the wall and watch this brilliant beautiful man all day.

A hand gently smacked the back of his buy’ce.

“Tor, you di’kut, come on. We have training.”

“Edin, Bak, we still have a few more minutes.”

“You can swoon and blush over your ven’riduur later, we have training.”

He felt his face go red. He’d been staring certainly, but swooning...

“Guys, it’s not like that.”

“It’s not, no, you’re just making heart eyes at Mereel, who you’ve barely stopped talking about since that mission. I mean dear Ka’ra, have you even spoken to him since he got out of the med bay.”

No he hadn’t, but that was beside the point.

Tor would face armies and assassins without fear. Face the enemies of Mandalore, stand in the face of death unflinching.

He hoped one day he’d be brave enough to ask Jaster to let him love him, or at least start a conversation without making a fool of himself.

A hand grabbed his arm and he begrudgingly followed his friends to drag him to sparring. Sparring Jaster wouldn’t be at for a while because his leg was healing, though if Tor was lucky he’d come to watch again while reading his books.

Oh he hoped.

The last thing he saw before leaving the large courtyard entirely was Jaster picking up one of the ade who shrieked and giggled in his arms.

Ok, yeah, he was swooning just a little.

———

How was that for happy and fluffy?

Some pining Tor, some loveable Jaster, cute kids, teasing friends.

Don’t worry I’m sure there’ll be more angst soon.

Thanks for prompting.

Inbox is open, as always. I’m here to comfort characters, or break them. Up to you lmao. (-:

[iwriteficsandtragedies]

The View

Warnings: smut

______________________________

It’s Edin’s birthday, and Aleks is lighting up the party. Lia keeps hearing his laugh across the lawn, loud and happy and frequent, so different compared to the stoic face he wears for the media. So different compared to the smiles and quiet chuckles she sees when they’re alone together, away from… Stop it, she chides herself, stop it. They’ve kept their… whatever this is a secret for months. Friends with benefits? No, it’s been much more than that for a while. Relationship? She makes a face, and Amra touches her arm with a look of concern.

“Lia? What’s wrong?”

She fakes a cough, rubbing her throat. “Stuck cracker,” she says, taking a sip of wine. Amra doesn’t look convinced, and she takes a larger drink. “Where’d this come from? It’s delicious.”

“You were there when I bought it,” Amra replies, her brow furrowing. “Honey, are you sure you’re alright? Do you need to sit down?”

“Just a long week. Really,” she clears her throat again. “I’m fine.”

“Hmm.” Amra hooks her arm through hers, leading her inside. She smiles at the party guests they pass on the way into the kitchen, pausing to adjust the birthday banner strung over the door. “Let’s get you some water,” she says, leaving her at the island. “Then maybe you can tell me what’s going on between you and Aleks.”

Lia’s stomach drops through the floor. “What?”

Amra gives her a knowing smile. “Edin might be oblivious, but I’m not a dumb man. I see your face when he laughs.” She opens another bottle of wine, topping off their glasses. “Spill.”

“I thought you were getting me some water.”

Amra leans in. “Spill.”

Lia slumps over onto the counter, taking a gulp. “Are we that obvious?” She taps her fingers on the glass. “I don’t know what it is.”

“How long has it been? Is he making you stay quiet?”

“No. We didn’t even have that talk, we just… kind of didn’t tell anyone? I guess it’s still new-ish. A few months. Five. Five months.” Lia pauses when she hears his laugh again.

“God, look at you,” Amra grins. “You’re blushing!”

“Shut uuuuup,” Lia groans, throwing a cocktail napkin at her friend. “Please don’t tell anyone.”

Amra motions locking her lips and tossing the key. “Are you dating? Hooking up? ‘Talking,’” she laughs, followed by an “Ick. I do not miss that.”

“It started out as a friends with benefits thing, but now… I don’t know. We’re staying over, going to dinner, giving gifts. Whatever it is, it’s really nice.”

“Girl, that’s a boyfriend.”

“Who has a boyfriend?” Edin breezes into the kitchen, searching for something.

“A friend.” Amra lays a hand over Lia’s, giving her a wink. “What are you looking for?”

“Another bottle opener,” Edin says. “We had two out there, but one’s gone missing.”

“Well stop destroying my drawers.” Amra grabs one off the refrigerator, handing it to him. “How many years have we lived here? You still don’t know where anything is?”

Lia watches them play bicker, laughing with each other as they return to the party outside, and Amra motions for her to follow. It’s time for birthday cake, and she has outdone herself this year. The cake is beautiful, and Lia is certain it’s delicious, but she can’t focus on anything but the feeling of Aleks standing behind her, his fingertips grazing against her arm. In the crowd around the table and down low, nobody sees, and she slowly raises her hand to connect her fingers with his. She feels the heat flame over her face, and is grateful Amra isn’t looking.

They have to let go when the birthday song is over. He brushes his hand over the small of her back as he moves away from her, though, and the goosebumps are instant. A moment later her phone vibrates in her pocket.

“My house tonight?” She looks up. He’s talking to another man on the other side of the yard, but he catches her eye long enough for her to give him the briefest of nods.

“I saw that.” Lia nearly drops her glass. Amra is at her side again, grinning mischievously. “What was that?”

“Sleeping arrangements.” She may as well take advantage of having someone to talk to, she reasons. She smiles at Amra’s suppressed squeal. “You’re going to give me away.” They settle into a couple of nearby chairs, Amra digging for more details and Lia trying to give them as quietly as she can. She’s paranoid someone will overhear, but everyone is wrapped up in their own conversations and drinks.

“He’s leaving,” Amra says suddenly. Lia sees him hugging his teammates and friends, and is suddenly overwhelmed with dread.

“I’m gonna go.”

Amra doesn’t question her. “I’ll tell Edin something came up.” They hug, maybe a little longer than they usually would. “Have fun,” she whispers with a giggle.

She drives to Aleks’ house on autopilot. It’s not that far a drive from the Dzeko’s, but when she arrives at the gate she can’t remember how she got there. She hears a beep of a horn from behind her as the gate lurches open, and Aleks follows her into the compound. When she looks back at him, he’s on the phone having what looks to be a serious conversation, so she lets herself in with the key he’d given her a few weeks prior.

She goes straight to the kitchen to put the kettle on. The smell of his house is always a comfort, and usually just being here is relaxing, but she’s still uneasy about something she can’t quite put her finger on. She watches the steam rise from the kettle, twirling a teabag in her hand. What is it that set her on edge?

“I hate accountants.” Aleks drops his keys and his phone on the counter as he enters the room, crossing to her in long strides to take her face in his hands and capture her mouth in a searing kiss. She melts in his arms, the heat from the earlier touch of his fingers roaring to life again. He holds her there for a long moment before breaking away with a sigh and a smile. “That’s better.” He brings his lips to hers again for a softer kiss, putting his arms around her in a tight embrace. “Four hours of just staring at you,” he says, laying his head against hers. “It was awful.” Lia nuzzles into him and takes a deep breath, trying to blow out the anxiety she’s feeling. “What’s up?”

She looks up at him, returning his smile. “We should talk.” His expression changes. “Not a bad talk.”

He raises a brow. “Couch.”

His couch is custom made and “stupid-big,” as she referred to it the first time she saw it. There’s easily room for six grown men, and sprawled out on it with him under blankets is her favorite way to spend a weekend. He shucks off his jeans and flops down right in the middle, arranging the blankets and pillows the way he knows she likes them. She joins him after maneuvering out of her bra and her own jeans, sighing contentedly as she snuggles in next to him.

“So,” he says. “What are we talking about?”

She bites her lip, nervous again. “Amra saw us tonight.”

He’s quiet, tracing his fingertips over her arm. She lets him think. It’s no use asking him any questions. Finally, he speaks. “I like having you to myself. It’s nice to just have this with each other.”

She knows exactly what he means, and she realizes what her anxiety earlier was about. “Pretending is getting old, though. I left the party early just so I wouldn’t have to deal with saying fake goodbyes to you.” He purses his lips, thinking. “We can still go on like we have if you want. Amra won’t tell Edin.”

“She can’t lie to her husband.” He sounds more like he’s talking to himself than her. “We’ll tell everyone. It’s time.”

“Tell everyone what, though,” she asks. “What are we?”

“I guess I’m your boyfriend,” he says, wrinkling his nose.

“Don’t look so pleased about it.”

“I’m too old to be someone’s boyfriend.”

“I’m too old to be someone’s girlfriend.”

“Life partner.” He smirks.

“Sweetheart,” she retorts.

“Companion.”

“Beau!” His chest shakes with laughter. “I love your laugh,” she says, looking up at him. “That’s what gave me away tonight.”

“Could have been the way I kept staring at you, too.” He strokes his thumb across her cheek. “Should we put a movie on?”

“We could,” she says, craning her neck up to brush her lips against his. “Unless you have something else in mind.”

He smiles into the kiss, and she pushes him over to straddle his waist. His smile grows, his bottom lip pulled between his teeth. One day she expects he’ll actually clap his hands with glee. “My favorite view,” he says, running his hands up her thighs to tug on the hem of her shirt. “Obstructed, though.”

She slowly pulls it over her head, tossing it to the floor. “Did you just lick your lips,” she laughs, leaning over him.

“Maybe,” he mutters, taking a handful of each breast, rolling her nipples under his thumbs. She closes her eyes, grinding against him as they harden under his touch, sucking in a breath when he bites gently down on one. She can feel his erection growing. “Get these off.” He snaps an edge of her panties against her skin, and she rolls awkwardly off to wiggle out of them. She can feel his eyes on her, even in the near-darkness. His gaze is always so intense.

“Gonna stare at me all night?”

“I enjoy the view.” He traces his fingertips over her chest, his touch leaving chills in its wake.

“You’ve said that already,” she says, her breath catching as his fingers travel lower.

“I really,” he says, punctuating his words with kisses. “Really like the view.” A soft whine parts her lips when he strokes his fingers over the delicate skin, newly bare. “Did you do that for me?”

“Maybe,” she teases him. “What do you think?”

“I prefer it on my face,” he responds quietly, parting her folds to drag his fingers through the wetness gathered there, probing at her entrance and chuckling softly when she arches into his movements. “Come here.”

She crawls over him, her excitement building as he shifts himself underneath her, and when he pulls her core to his mouth she lets out a little “Oh,” rolling her hips against his face as he slides his tongue over her sensitive clit. He’s gentle at first, lazy and slow, his hands strong on her thighs as her muscles quiver.

He quickens his movements, and her mouth drops open in a moan. Her belly is tense and her core is pulsing around his fingers as he presses them into her, her breath rapid as her pleasure builds. His movements are practiced and precise. His tongue and his fingers work together to bring her shaking to the edge, the soft hums of his enjoyment sending bursts of heat through her til her orgasm finally floods over her, her body rolling and her head dropping back as she cries out his name in relief.

The look on his face, peering up at her from between her legs, makes her smile, even as she struggles to catch her breath. He loves to make her come. He pushes himself up to sit and lets her slump into him, stroking his fingers over her back and leaving kisses over her shoulder. “I love you,” he murmurs, the first time he’s said it, and it fills her with a joy so intense it brings tears to the corners of her eyes.

“I love you.” She repeats it, just as quietly, and his smile is so bright she swears it lightens the room. She giggles, kisses his cheek. He’s rock hard against her with a schoolboy’s grin. And she loves him.

“Enough mush,” he says, but the smile still pulls at his lips as he rolls her off of him, her squeak of surprise replaced with delight when he flattens his tongue against her clit again, back arching hard off the bed.

“Oh, fuck, fuck, yes, baby,” she whines, grabbing at the sheets as he devours her. She can hear the wet sounds of him licking at her core, his tongue dancing over her clit and probing inside of her. He slides his hands over her body, taking handfuls of her soft skin and pinching at her nipples, allowing her thighs to clamp down around head and her hips to writhe wildly under him. “Aleks… I’m… more…” He pulls the bead between his lips, suctioning as he flits his tongue across it til she falls again, a string of curses flying from her mouth as she’s rocked by another orgasm.

He sits back on his knees, stroking himself, smiling down at her. He rests his other hand on her bent knee. “I could go down on you for hours.”

“I’d die.” Her leg muscle is still twitching. “Happy, though. Fuck, you’re good at that.”

He lowers himself over her, trailing kisses over her chest and neck as he grips himself in his fist and nudges against her. She’s more than ready for him, but he sinks slowly into her, letting her take him in, and the moan that rumbles through his body when he’s sheathed fully within her sends chills through hers.

The kiss he claims from her is hot, a little sloppy as he starts to rock in and out of her. “Fuck, Lia,” he moans into her mouth, lust heavy in his voice. She’s so tight around him. It stops just short of pain, a feeling she craves when he’s away too long. His hips start to pound against her body, deep thrusts that hit exactly right. They fit together perfectly.

He reaches between them to her clit to match his rhythm, still seeking her pleasure even as he chases his own, and her whine is high pitched, arms tight around his neck as her breath starts to come in shallow pants. “Aleks, baby,” she whimpers. “Oh, Aleks, baby, please...” Her third orgasm of the night is so close, coiled and ready to snap within her.

He thrusts harder and faster into her. “Give it to me,” he says, low and quiet but forcefully. “One more time, come for me, baby.” She’s panting his name, begging for release, and with a jerk of her body she comes hard around him, her walls contracting and milking his cock as he tumbles over the edge with her, a vice grip on her hips as he buries himself to the hilt a final time and stills, save for the heaving of his chest.

Lia traces her fingertips over the back of his neck, letting his body weight settle into her. It’s comforting. She’s perfectly content to stay here all night, wrapped up in him, but he soon gets restless. “I’m hungry.”

“We just left a party,” she laughs, pushing him off. She finds her panties and grabs his shirt, pulls it over her head. It’s so soft, and it smells of him. “Go run us a bath and I’ll make us something.”

He pulls her in for a kiss, smoothing his hand over her hair. “I love you.”

“You’ve said,” she smiles. “I love you, too.”

“Just checking.”

She feels his eyes on her as she pads into the kitchen. “What are you in the mood for?” She stands at the refrigerator door, looking for inspiration.

“Whatever you like,” he replies, rolling off the couch and heading for their room. She’s admiring his butt as he walks away when her phone dings with an Instagram notification. He’s made a post, something he does so infrequently that she’s turned on alerts for when he does.

It’s a photo of her in the kitchen, taken moments ago from where he lay on the couch. She’s framed in golden sunlight through the window, her face blurred slightly by the contrasting light of the refrigerator, and it’s captioned simply “My favorite view.”

[subtleshenanigans]

Just something I wrote - probably won’t do anything further with these characters.

In Bloom

————

————

Birch Brickpaw, mother of the dibbuns of Redwall. Brickpaw for her speedy cuff and sizable paws.

Badgers don’t name in clans like otters, not in a traditional sense. They like codes and riddles and secrets to share. It’s about fitting a long name, a meaning, into something simple. Like Hares, but not broadcasted.

Birch had grown up in the plains, in a humble home. Her mother grew flowers and herbs, her father farmed. It was a simple life.

“My little garden,” her mother would say. “See the flowers? They bloom in their own time. But the week you were born, my oh my! It made no sense. Borage, Iris, Rosemary, Catnip, Hyssop - they all bloomed with one another, so I named you for them.”

“I thought daddy said I was named after a tree,” Birch had asked in puzzlement. They looked over to where her father was splitting logs.

Her mother had winked. “Well, that’s what he thinks.”

It was happy, and simple. Her father called her ‘little sapling’ and marked as she grew. Nights were warm in summer, they holed up in winter at Redwall Abbey, came back for spring and sent gifts from autumn harvest.

Until one day they went to Redwall in late summer, and her father and mother kissed her brow, worry etched on their features.

The Abbot held her paw as they watched them leave, with the Skipper of otters and his entire crew.

And the door shut behind them.

And her parents didn’t come back.

———-

She would always be thankful for the otters, who under a new skipper, had tried their best. They hadn’t hid what had happened to them, and she was thankful for that as well.

Abbot Verum wasn’t that old, even as she was full-grown now. He had raised her, and trained her, and though she still held a temper after losing her parents, she was a kind, loving creature.

It was customary to have a Badger Mother at Redwall, and while Abbot Verum assured her that she need not take the position, she found caring for the little ones soothed the hurt in her heart. Even with the add-on of Brickpaw, she was gentle, and kind, and never raised a paw in anger. Discipline, don’t punish, and only if truly needed was her motto.

Many dibbuns were under her care throughout the seasons; the mischievous and the shy and the clever and the kind. She took in orphans and helped raise those who had parents. Life was beautiful, even if the hurt never truly left.

So when Skipper Wagrudder and his crew came one somber day, five rescued oarslaves and an orphaned babe, who was she to say no?

Until she found out it was a rat babe.

“Birch-“

“No, Verum.” She growled. That thing needs to be taken out of the abbey, immediately.

It was the first time Abbot Verum had ever been mad at her.

“That thing, as you put it, is a babe, with no family, and no home. He will be staying at Redwall Abbey, regardless whether you take him on or not.” He folded his paws into his habit sleeves, and his gaze softened. “I know you’re angry, and you have every right to be. But my child, don’t blame him for what happened.”

She watched him leave, the hurt aching.

—————

He’s a rat! Vermin, he’ll grow up one day and murder us left and right.

. . . but he’s also just a little baby. Will he really?

All vermin are the same!

. . .but, art they?

She remembered something her dad said once.

“Well, sapling, vermin are vermin, it’s true. But I knew a weasel once, and he wasn’t so bad. He made tools for cooking - I can tell you he shocked me right out of my fur when he first pointed that knife at me! But he wanted me to try it out. Gave me some of our nice spoons and ladles too. Said if I cooked him something and he liked it, I could keep the tools. Odd weasel, just liked making useful things I suppose.”

————-

The babe is wrapped in a shawl, chewing on the fabric and making it wet. It’s fur is gray with a blueish tinge. It doesn’t look too different from a mousebabe.

“They called him Houndstongue, according to Skipper,” Sister Fallow says, rocking the babe. The Abbot sits in the great armchair. Cavern Hole is empty this late at night, except for them, and Mother Birch, who watches from afar.

“Hmm, well we should change that. A new name for a new start,” the Abbot looks right over his glasses at Birch. “Any ideas?”

He reminds her of a periwinkle. “Pervenche.”

She doesn’t realize it was even her who said that, until she flees, his voice echoing up the stairs.

“A lovely name, I think.”

————-

By time he’s toddling around, which isn’t too far off, her fears come back tenfold, as does her doubts.

It will kill everyone I care about-

But-

But he cries, the first time he sees a fire lit, and crawls to hide behind the Abbot. He’s scared to take food without asking, and even then is scared to ask.

And he plays, tentatively at first, but then joins in more. Skipping and twirling and giggling with the other dibbuns, who look at him no different from themselves.

He holds his tail in his left paw, when he’s nervous, and chews on his right. He wants to learn to spell, doesn’t want to learn to swim, and likes cloudgazing with the others.

And Birch grumbles to herself, berates herself, because her she was, judging a child. A child who will grow and learn, and who better than her to teach him.

“Everyone is able to love, as much as they are to hate,” Sister Fallow mused, that night he was named. Before Birch fled. She hoops his nose, and he sneezes. “And this little fellow needs a lot of love, I think.”

————

Seasons pass, and he is walking instead of toddling. He’s wary of Birch, but knows the other dibbuns trust her.

“Ma Birch! Lookit meeee!”

It’s Ringul the squirrelmaid, hanging from a branch by her tail. Birch gently plucks her off. “Naughty little Ringul, you’ll fall on your head.”

She sets her down. “Now go off and play.”

“Butter kite stuckina tree!” Edin the otterbabe huffs. Thankfully, Birch is used to hearing baby speech run together.

Sighing, she crouches down, “Well master Edin, I’ll have to go get Addle, but for now-“

There’s a tug on her dress. “Mama, I’ll get it.”

And before she can respond - it’s the first she’s heard his voice - he’s scrabbling up as well as any squirrel, and back down, slipping a bit but using his tail to wrap around limbs and branches.

She wonders, then, is it really only because they corsairs rats are good at climbing?

——-

Pervenche still calls her Mama instead of Mother Birch or Ma, and she, in bewilderment, allows it.

Pervenche is still scared of fire, too, so he turns his back to it to enjoy its warmth. He wakes in his sleep with silent cries, and Birch only knows because she checks on the dibbuns every night.

But as he grows, he learns. He gains good friends, finds a skill in penmanship; Brother Mells teaches him how to plant crops.

“All the dibbuns are shaping up to be fine abbeybeasts, aren’t they?” Abbot Verum comments, one evening. Most of the young ones are helping set up for a late summer supper; Ringul and Pervenche helping with the lanterns.

And Birch thinks about the hurt that has steadily begun to leave; about small, tentative smiles and how he snuggles in her arms as she brings him up to sleep.

He’s no longer a little babe, but the worries she had had long since faded.

He sees her and the abbot staring, waves a paw after elbowing Ringul so that she’ll join in too.

“Yes,” she says at last, “they really are.”

[ober-affen-geil]

This is a short fic for @bialiencowboy, for the cosmic love exchange! 

I gave a shout out to some of the gems (this one, and this one) on @roswellprompts which, if you don’t know, is run by the ever wonderful Edin that this is gifted to, but the bulk of the story sprang from several references to Teen Wolf I saw on both blogs. I was a fan of Teen Wolf as well and as soon as I saw the reference, an idea dropped into my head so.........I wrote a crossover ficlet :D 

Some author’s notes. 1) While this was somewhat inspired by the idea of werewolf!Michael, the fic is a crossover and not an au so it’s canon compliant to both shows. 2) As much as I wanted to write Malex I couldn’t find a place for Alex in this fic in my head so he’s off doing something else. Don’t worry, Michael misses him. 3) No one dies, but there are some injuries related to gun violence so CW for that. 4) Many, many thanks to the lovely and patient @chasingshhadows and @ubiestcaelum for tweaks, comma wrangling, and cheerleading. 

Hope you enjoy!

The crowd at the Wild Pony was finally starting to break up as, one by one, people peeled off and headed home. Karaoke night was always a popular one and tonight had been no exception. Michael was half sure the house was actually going to come down when Maria led everyone in "Bohemian Rhapsody", but by now it had thinned to their small group and two young men sitting in a booth near the bathrooms.

They both looked to be in their early twenties; one of them spoke with large, animated hand gestures and the other listened and laughed more quietly with the ease of long friendship. Michael had seen them from the pool table and didn't recognize them, so he figured they must be tourists passing through.

Michael spent most of the night playing pool as he normally did, but it was getting to be closing time and the last of Michael's pool competitors had left. Since Alex wasn't there for him to pull into a dark corner or snuggle up to in a booth, he settled down at the table with everyone else. Isobel had begged off that night but Max and Liz were there, as was Kyle. Unfortunately.

He saw Maria make her way out from behind the empty bar and over to the bouncer by the door. The Diné man towered over her almost comically, in every way fitting the physical stereotype of his profession. She laid a hand on his arm to get his attention. "Wolf, I'll be right back. You're in charge, ok?"

“Sure, boss.” He nodded, crossing his arms over his black leather vest and settling into an easy, alert stance.

"You running out on us, DeLuca?" Michael called after her, craning his head to catch sight of her as she whisked out the door. 

She stuck her head back in and raised an eyebrow at him. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"If you don't come back does that mean my tab is cleared?" He grinned at her over his drink.

Maria rolled her eyes. "Keep dreaming, Guerin. One day the whiskey fairy might grant your wishes but until then, you owe me 63 dollars." She flashed him a bright smile with just enough teeth to let him know she meant it and slipped back out the door.

"Well I've got to go to the little surgeon's room." Kyle heaved himself up to a chorus of teasing protests.

"What's the matter, Valenti? Can't hold your liquor?" Michael smirked at him from across the table.

Kyle rolled his eyes. "Just don't get up to trouble while I'm gone, Guerin. And I don't want to come back to Evans here going off about - what was it again? Twilight?" 

Max hunched, slightly embarrassed, as Liz laughed. "That was one time."

"Well make sure it stays that way." Kyle turned and headed towards the bathrooms.

Max seemed undeterred. "All I was saying was that it would have been more interesting if the focus had been less on the conflict between the wolves and the vampires. You know the original Dracula could turn into a wolf, so really-"

He was drowned out by a chorus of groans.

"What do you think, Liz?" Max turned to her and raised his eyebrows.

Liz leaned back and seemed to consider for a moment. Then she beamed at him. "Team Jacob all the way."

Max clutched his heart in mock pain. "I am betrayed!" 

Liz laughed and shoved him playfully. He flopped dramatically, then leaned over and pulled her into a quick kiss.

Michael scoffed at them around the lip of his beer as they looked at each other in sickeningly sweet contentment.

"Nobody move!"

Michael jerked around and saw that a man had just walked in. His clothes were dirty and clearly unwashed and he sported a scraggly and unkempt beard. It looked to Michael like he was a drifter, but the thing currently commanding his attention was the gun he had leveled at Wolf. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the two tourists stiffen to attention and he sincerly hoped neither one of them tried anything stupid.

Max leapt to his feet but quickly spread his palms when the gun swung around to him. "Take it easy ok, what do you want?"

"Money. In the till." The drifter's eyes flicked to the bar, then back to Max. "Now!" he yelled when no one moved.

"Ok, ok, just-"

"What'd I miss?" Kyle walked out of the hallway from the bathrooms, directly next to where the drifter was standing.

"Wait-" Max reached a quelling hand out, a moment too late.

The drifter startled at Kyle's sudden appearance and swung around. The hand holding the gun lashed out and Kyle's head snapped back as the metal made contact. He bounced off the wall, crumpled to the ground, and lay still.

Michael saw one of the tourists, the quieter one, make an abrupt aborted movement as if to help Kyle, then apparently thought better of it after a second glance at the drifter. Michael tried to catch his eye to warn him off trying anything further, but was distracted by a flurry of movement next to him.

"Kyle!" Liz gasped and started forward out of her seat. She froze as the gun swung around again and pointed at her, the muzzle shaking slightly along with the hand holding it.

Max spread his hands again, and edged between Liz and the line of fire. "Alright, calm down, we'll get the money for you. Wolf?"

Wolf moved toward the register on the bar, eyes trained on the drifter.

Michael tracked him for a moment, waiting until he got far enough away. Then he focused on the gun's safety and narrowed his eyes. He heard and felt the faint "click" it made as he switched it on, and he glanced at Max. 

Max gave him the slightest of nods, then in a fluid motion he stepped forward, grabbed the man's wrist, and twisted, forcing him to drop the gun. Max kicked it across the floor, away from them, and used his momentum to carry them both against the wall with a grunt. He got the drifter's hands behind his back and pulled a pair of handcuffs from his belt where he kept his spares.

Michael stooped to pick up the gun as Max read him his rights, putting it on the table. 

Max handed the man off to Wolf. "Take him out front and wait, I want to check on Kyle." 

Wolf gave the drifter, who was protesting loudly, a shove towards the door. "Sure thing. Why do these things always happen on your day off, am I right?"

“Tell me about it.” Max scoffed in rueful agreement. He called after Wolf as he manhandled his charge out the doorway, "Someone should be by shortly from the department." 

He nodded to Liz who was just getting off the phone with Sheriff Valenti. Liz nodded back as she slipped her phone back into her pocket, then her gaze sharpened. "Hey! What are you doing? Get away from him!" 

Michael turned and saw that one of the tourists from the booth, the one who he thought was going to pull a dumbass move before, was kneeling by Kyle on the floor. He had Kyle's hand in a tight grip and his head was thrown back, jaw clenched and teeth bared in what looked like pain. What was most concerning though were the fingers of unnatural black something snaking up his arm that seemed to be coming from Kyle.

Liz had already started towards them and without thinking Michael reached out and pulled. The young man went flying into a table where he lay groaning on the floor.

Max's head snapped around and he kept trying to catch Michael's eye as he went to crouch next to Kyle, but Michael ignored him in favor of making doubly sure whoever this potential threat was wasn't going to cause more trouble.

"Woah, woah, woah! Calm down!"

The other tourist was suddenly standing with his arms spread wide in a placating gesture. Michael sized him up. He didn't look like he weighed more than 150 pounds soaking wet and he was tall enough that it made him almost gangly. Michael narrowed his eyes, confident he could take him on if he had to.

"Look, he was trying to help ok? Lemme just, go over and make sure he's alright." At this he started to sidle towards his companion on the floor, hands still raised in the air.

"Hey!"

The young man jerked to a stop as Max stood to his full height.  

"How about nobody moves until we sort out what just happened?" Max said, using what Michael thought of as his Officer Evans Voice.

"Ok! Ok, sure, we can do that." The tourist craned his neck, trying to get a look at the figure on the floor. "Hey Scott? Buddy? How you doing over there, huh? You ok? You maybe wanna, I don't know, help me out a little?"

His companion - Scott, apparently - groaned and started to heave himself up. He had leveraged himself onto the table top when Liz marched up to him and shoved him to the ground again. 

"What were you doing to Kyle?" she demanded, glaring down at him threateningly.

Scott, wisely, lay flat on his back with his palms spread in a show of surrender. "Nothing! I was just trying to make him more comfortable."

On cue, Kyle moaned and put a hand to his head. Max crouched next to him again and touched his shoulder gently. "Hey man, how you feeling?"

Kyle squinted up at him. He pulled his hand away from his head and looked at the blood on his fingers. 

"Better than I should be considering I may have a concussion." He heaved up into a sitting position and let himself fall back against the wall with a groan.

Max turned over his shoulder and traded a look with Michael.

"See?" Scott's friend interjected. "We weren't trying to mess with your pack, ok?"

"Pack? What do you mean, 'pack'? " Max asked, brow furrowed.

Scott grunted as he pulled himself to his feet, glancing at Liz, who glowered but stepped back a little to give him room. 

"Stiles, they're not werewolves." He winced as he pressed a hand to his side where the table hit him.

"What kind of a name is - wait, werewolves?! Who’s - what - 'werewolves'? Those aren't real." Michael stared at him in disbelief. He shot Liz a glare when she snorted, then looked at Stiles to see his face twisted in derision.

"Yeah, ok, Mister Broody. Deny away. But we're in on your little secret. And don't try to tell me that Puppy Eyes and Cheekbones over there aren't werewolves either because hello?" He swept an arm towards Kyle and Max, who looked mildly affronted. Kyle just looked confused. 

"Should've known we'd run into another pack," Stiles muttered to himself. "'Come on a road trip Stiles, it'll be fun!' Why do I still listen to you, Scott?"

"Stiles, I told you, they're not werewolves. He's human." Scott pointed to Kyle on the floor. 

"Thank you," Kyle said, clearly done with trying to make sense of the conversation.

"He smells funny though." He swung his hand to Max, who tensed. Liz took a step towards Max, half blocking him from the accusing finger.

"Scott, we've talked about sniffing people without their permission. It's creepy and gross. You gotta cut it out." Stiles seemed unbothered by this revelation and was looking at Scott in exasperation.

"Come on man, you know I can't help it." Scott gave Stiles a long-suffering look and dropped his hand. Then he turned his gaze on Michael. "You're not human either, are you?"

Michael froze, but Stiles just rolled his eyes.

"Wow Scott, brilliant deduction. I got that when he threw you across the room with his freaking mind. What tipped you off?" Stile gestured wildly at the table Scott had knocked over when Michael forced him off Kyle.

"Like I said, he smells funny," Scott answered without a hint of the sarcasm that Stiles' question was dripping in.

Michael gritted his teeth. This was going nowhere. "Yeah I get that a lot. What exactly does it mean?" He stepped forward threateningly. "You got 5 seconds to answer or I-".

"Michael," Max warned.

"What, Max?" Michael snapped.

"Woah, hey, guys. Look, I get it. How 'bout I show you my thing so we're even, ok?" Scott spread his hands, supplicating.

Max stood and moved closer to Liz. "What do you mean 'your thing'?" he said, cautiously.

Rather than answer, Scott bowed his head. When he looked back up, Michael recoiled with a curse.

His eyes, which had been a deep brown, were a blood red that nearly glowed. He seemed to have sprouted extra hair around his face; his ears now ended in long points, and his lips pulled back to reveal fangs that definitely hadn't been there before.

Michael heard a startled stream of Spanish from Liz and Kyle let loose a very emphatic, "What the fuck!" from his position on the floor.

Scott quickly ducked his head again and suddenly his features had returned to normal. 

"See? Can we please calm down a little?" Scott was acting like everything was fine now when Michael felt like his head was spinning even worse than before. 

Michael broke the shocked silence. "Ok, what the hell was that?"

Scott seemed disappointed that no one had relaxed. "I'm a werewolf. Look, it's not a big deal, can we all-"

"Not a big deal? You turn into a character from an 80s B-movie and it's not a big deal?" Michael flung his hands wide in disbelief, but Liz cut him off before he could continue.

"Do it again."

"...what?" Scott seemed nonplussed.

"Do it again. That thing." Liz gestured helplessly, searching for words. "Cambia otra vez, muéstrate. You say you're a werewolf, prove it." She crossed her arms and stuck her chin out, challenging. 

"Liz, I'm not sure that's-" Max started.

"No, it's ok." Scott interrupted. He grew silent again, concentrating, and this time they saw the change ripple over him.

No one moved for a moment, then Liz stepped forward.

"Liz-" Max said warningly. She shot him a look, and moved closer to Scott. They all jumped when he said "You can touch if you want." 

"You sound...normal." Liz said, tentatively. 

Stiles snorted and Michael glared at him. But his curiosity was piqued, too. He made his way over to stand next to Liz, who was tilting her head while she examined him up close. She reached a hand out and gently touched some of the excess hair on Scott's face, then she tugged on it.

"Ow!" Scott flinched away and rubbed his cheek. 

Liz held her palms up in apology. "Sorry, just making sure."

Scott shook his head like a dog, and his face returned to human.

"So when you say you 'smelled us'..." Michael started, mental gears clicking into motion.

"Yeah. Side effect." Scott looked mildly embarrassed. 

"What exactly were you doing to Kyle?" Liz asked, eyes narrowed in suspicion, not willing to back down that easily. 

"Oh." Scott rubbed his hand self-consciously against the back of his neck. "I was taking his pain."

"Taking his - what? Like healing him?" Michael looked over at Max whose gaze had sharpened in interest.

"No, I can't heal other people like that. But I can ease their pain, make it hurt less." Scott shrugged.

"Huh." Michael digested that information. "What do you do?" He rounded on Stiles, who looked taken aback.

"Uh, nothing. I'm human." 

Michael's face twisted derisively, and he raised his eyebrows at him.

"No, seriously!" Stiles threw his hands up. "So what, two seconds ago you don't believe in werewolves, and now you don't believe in humans?"

"Alright," Michael thinned his lips and dropped his chin in a nod of concession. But Stiles apparently wasn't done.

"And by the way, how do you not know about werewolves? What are you that don't know werewolves are real?"

Michael schooled his features into a practiced mask. "None of your business."

Stiles was insistent. "Come on, you can tell us. We know lots of different types of people like you. Banshees, kitsune, you name it."

"None of them smell like you though." Scott was looking at them with an expression that suddenly made him look older, more mature. Michael had an uncomfortable suspicion that he might already know. 

"You smell…" Scott tilted his head and considered. "I don't know, shiny?"

Kyle barked a laugh and Liz snickered. Then again, Michael thought to himself, maybe not.

"Dude." Stiles was looking at Scott with 'what the hell' clearly written on his face.

"What?" Scott said defensively. "That's what they smell like."

Michael shot a glance at Max, who looked helplessly back.

"Oh, just tell them." Kyle said from the floor, exasperated. "Can't make this much weirder than it already is."

"Max-" Liz tucked into his arm and looked up at him with concern etched into her features.

Max softened down at her and gave her hand a squeeze. He looked at Michael, questioning.

Michael shrugged and looked away, annoyed at how much his stomach was churning with anxious energy. He wished, not for the first time that night, that Alex was there. "Fine, whatever. But you have to explain it to Isobel."

Max grimaced, but nodded and squared his shoulders. He looked at Scott. "We're aliens."

An explosively loud silence fell, and Michael took a moment to savor the fact that they had finally gotten the upper hand. Whatever Scott and Stiles had been expecting, it wasn't that.

Stiles, who couldn't seem to decide which of them to gape at, spoke first. "You gotta be fucking kidding me."

"For real?" Scott looked like his birthday had come early. "That's so cool!" He turned excitedly to Stiles. "Oh man, if Lydia were here she would freak out."

"What about me? I'm freaking out!" Stiles ran a slightly panicky hand through his hair. Then he froze. "Wait. You don't actually probe people do you?"

Michael rolled his eyes. "Don't worry, you're not my type." 

"Wh-" Stiles looked down at himself and then over at Scott, who shrugged. He looked back at Michael, insulted. "Why not?"

"Excuse me."

Everyone jumped and turned to look at Maria who had appeared in the doorway with her hands on her hips. "What the hell people? I leave for five minutes and you can't keep it together? Everyone out."

Max turned and offered Kyle a hand. Kyle took it and pulled himself to his feet with a wince. Max put a hand on Maria's shoulder as he walked past. "I’ve got to go down to the station to deal with this, I'll cover their tab when I come back." He said, gesturing to Scott and Stiles as they headed out the door.

Maria nodded shortly in acknowledgement, and Max walked outside after Liz and Kyle.

Michael swiped his hat from the seat where he'd set it down. "Do you want-"

"Not another word Guerin, or I ban you for life. Permanently. " Maria shot him a look that told him this wasn't a time she was feeling friendly banter.

Michael clicked his mouth shut and plopped his hat on his head to shuffle out after the others. He emerged into the parking lot to see Liz had cornered Scott and was excitedly asking him questions. Max was walking Kyle over to his car, hand at his elbow.

"So."

Michael turned to find Stiles standing next to him.

"Alien, huh?"

Michael heaved a sigh. It was going to be a long night.

[kristannafever-fics]

The Lake House

Kristanna Modern AU

Rated: K

WC: 3035

@lukin08    Happy Birthday Edin!  I hope you like this fluffly little fic and have a wonderful and amazing day! <3 <3 <3

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

Anna paused after Kristoff helped her out of the truck.  The only sounds were birds chirping, the breeze through the trees, and water gently lapping the shore.  No noise from traffic or planes overhead or the constant sounds of people living together in a city.  They had been searching for a place with peace and quiet and this was the first one that actually seemed to fit the bill.

It was a bit longer of a drive than she would have liked, and on some pretty narrow gravel roads, but Kristoff had been smiling the whole way.  Anna could not help but feel excited with him, despite her reservations. He had told her it was a fixer-upper and the property was well within their price range, even with all the work that needed to be done to it.

“Come on!” Kristoff said with a wave of his arm, as he walked up to the small dilapidated-looking house.  He opened the door and disappeared inside.  Anna followed him, standing at the entrance and taking a long look over her shoulder at their wooded lakefront surroundings, before stepping over the threshold.  

It smelled of must and decay.  Anna instinctively put a hand to cover her nose, worried over breathing in something harmful.

“There’s no mold or anything bad, I promise you.  I made sure to check it over very closely.  It’s just old.”

She could just make out Kristoff’s form moving towards the back of the space.  It was very dark inside.  The windows were boarded shut and Kristoff had told her that there hadn’t been power to the property for a decade or so.  Anna suddenly hoped there weren’t any wild animals or anything lurking in the shadows.

“And you don’t think this is a tear down?” she asked her husband, following him further into the house.

“No, no, it’s structurally sound.  I had Frank come with me yesterday to make sure before I showed it to you.  It just needs to be gutted, that’s all.”

‘That’s all’, he says. Anna was continually amazing how there was yet to be a scope of work that Kristoff thought was too much.   What she hoped he realized, was how much longer it was going to take, working on weekends to fix up a place like this when they could easily afford one that was ready to live in.  All the other houses they had looked at were closer to the neighboring town sure, and there was less land, not to mention that this was actual lake-front property, but was the extra work and longer drive really worth it?  While it was definitely the quietest of everything they had looked at so far, Anna wasn’t sure if that was enough to dive into something that might cause them endless aggravation?

Anna wandered over to the entrance to the kitchen, following Kristoff.  There was a lot of counter space and there was plenty of room for a large table.  Perfect for family and friends.  Anna rubbed a hand over her swollen belly absentmindedly as she walked through the space to a door at the back.  She opened it to a little boot-room encased in windows, making it seem as though it were outside.  Well, she supposed she was outside since there was no glass in the windows.  Still, she could appreciate the design.  Obviously, an add-on by a previous owner, with a small deck built off of it and enough space for a picnic table and barbeque.

Anna scanned the expanse of trees as she heard Kristoff approach behind her.  She realized just how far out into the woods they were, not to see anything besides an endless treeline.

“Look here,” he said, pointing to the floor of the boot room in front them.  “I can install a bench seat here with a top that lifts for storage since there’s no closet, and then I can build a boot rack on the other side for all the shoes and whatnot.”

Anna looked down on either side of her, picturing what Kristoff was talking about.  She didn’t have an eye like he did but she could imagine what he had in mind.

“And once we have proper insulation and glass in here, we can knock out that door so it’s open to the kitchen.  More light for the kitchen and the added view.”

Anna nodded, following him back into the house.

“And in here,” he said, walking over the far corner the kitchen, “I want to put more windows in this wall, and a built-in breakfast nook in the corner.  Then the dining table would go over there of course, because if we knocked out that wall it would be open between here and the living room. I know how much we both want an open concept.”

Anna nodded, trying again to see what Kristoff did.

“And in here,” he said, grabbing her hand and leading her back into the living room, “I was thinking about putting a big rock fireplace on that back wall there, surrounded by built-ins for books and games and stuff.”  He turned around and Anna followed his lead.  “And both of those front windows need to be replaced, so I want to build them out with a recess for bench seats.”

“That would be lovely,” Anna said.  She’d always wanted to have a window seat.  She turned around to find that Kristoff was already across the room to a door under the stairs.  

“There’s a powder room here. It’s a little tight because I think they converted it from a storage area, but I can re-work the layout to make it more space efficient.  I mean, it is kind of nice to have a bathroom on the main floor, right?”

Anna nodded, poking her head inside the small room.  It certainly did have a weird layout with the toilet seeming a little too far under the slope of the stairs, especially for someone tall like her husband.  Still, she knew if anyone could make it functional, it was Kristoff.

“Come upstairs,” he said, taking off up the rickety looking staircase.  He paused when Anna wasn’t following him.  “It’s safe, I promise,” he said tenderly.

Anna smiled and started up the stairs.  She trusted him.  She always had and always would.  He would never do anything to put her and their child in harms way.

At the top of the stairs, he led her into the first small room.  “I want to build a couple bunk beds in here for our kids and if any of our friends eventually have kids, there’s plenty of room.  They can hang out and have fun in their own space if they want.  Either that or they’ll all end up camping on air mattresses on the living room floor downstairs.”  He laughed.

Anna smiled at the thought as he led her to the door of the next small bedroom.  

“And a double bed in here for out adult guests of course,” he said.

Anna peeked in the room. It was the same size as the previous one with the window on the opposite wall.  It looked a little tight for a Queen size guest bed.  She supposed that if they had guests, they’d most likely be outside or downstairs anyway.  The beds would only be used for sleeping at night.  A simple double wouldn’t be all that terrible.

She followed as Kristoff continued down the hall.  “And this is the master,” he said with a big grin, as he opened the door and stepped aside.

The first thing she saw was the lake, glistening in the bright sunlight.  It was the only window of the house she hadn’t seen boarded up so far. She understood as soon as she stepped in the room and saw the plywood leaning against the wall that Kristoff had removed it, probably when he was there the previous day with Frank.

Anna walked over to the window and looked out over the expanse of water.  They had always dreamed about having a lake-house.  They had been talking about it since college. They wanted to have a place to take their kids on weekends in the summer.  Somewhere they could swim and fish and learn to waterski.  Somewhere they could hike and explore and enjoy the outdoors.  It was always something they had wanted to give their children.  

Kristoff came up behind her and pointed down.  “I want to put a porch on the front so I was thinking about extending the roof line, then brining a couple beams across here so that we can put in some French doors instead of this window and we can have a small balcony.”

Anna suddenly saw her and Kristoff enjoying a morning coffee on their little deck as the sun rose over the lake while their kids still snoozed in the beds.  She saw the built-in breakfast nook in the kitchen, and the beautiful window seats in the front room, and cuddling with her family around the big rock fireplace on cold nights in the fall and winter.  She saw their friends coming up for weekends with them, having a cocktail and playing card games while the kids were sleeping.  She saw them all laughing around a campfire and splashing on the shore in the hot afternoons…

They had been working their whole lives for this.  They had sacrificed an expensive wedding and a three-week trip to Europe for this. This was their dream, and Anna suddenly saw it clear as day.

“Anna?”

Kristoff’s voice was full of concern.  She didn’t even realize she had started to cry.  She cursed her pregnancy hormones for the millionth time then turned and pushed herself up to Kristoff’s chest.  

“I’m sorry, Anna.  I know it’s too much work.  Not to mention I guess the baby will be here is a month and we won’t be able to start until the next spring.  I just… I’m sorry Anna.”

“No Kristoff.  This is it.  It’s the one,” she said into his shirt.  “It’s perfect.”

“Really?”

Anna wanted to cry harder at the hopeful and happy tone of his voice.  

“I know how run-down it is and it will certainly need a lot of work, but I think I can turn it around.”

“I know you can,” Anna said, hugging him tighter.

*****

Anna rocked their sleeping son as she watched Kristoff from the shade of the bench swing that he had built under the big willow beside the house.   He was on the roof, shirtless and dripping sweat in the heat of the summer sun as he worked on the roof line extension so they could have a deck off their bedroom.

He paused, wiping a forearm across his brow before leaning back over to finish hammering the nail into the wood.  After a decade together, she was still as turned on by him as the first time they’d ever met.  Things had been so hot and heavy in those days.  Even though that mindless, lust-filled passion had left them, they were still deeply attracted to each other.

Anna watched him continue to work and thought about all the things she was going to do to him when they were home that evening after their son was asleep.  They had been blessed by having a baby that slept incredibly well. By three months old he was sleeping a solid six hours and Kristoff and Anna both thanked their lucky stars that they were able to start feeling like functional human beings again.  They both liked to joke that they were so lucky that they would most likely end up paying for it with their next child.  

The lake house was put on hold after the birth of their son but Kristoff was making amazing progress on it once work resumed.  His best friend Sven was often there to help and she loved him for it.  Sven knew just as well as anyone that he would be spending a lot of future weekends at the lake house with his girlfriend, and not once did he ever complain about spending so many of his current weekends helping Anna and Kristoff build their dream.  Anna was just wondering where he was when she heard a truck approach and a short couple of taps of the horn.

“Sorry I’m late,” he called out as he hopped from his truck with a tray of coffee’s and a box of donuts. “There was an accident on the freeway and it took me a bit to get out of town.”

Kristoff came down the ladder and walked over to the plastic lawn table beside the bench swing where Sven was putting down the donuts.  He handed Kristoff a cup of coffee as he approached then took a seat on a lawn chair across from the bench swing as Kristoff sat on it beside Anna.

“So, I have some big news,” Sven started while Anna slid her free hand into the donut box and snagged the chocolate one.  “Rita is pregnant.”

Anna nearly choked on the bite of donut to hear that Sven’s girlfriend was pregnant.  She was thrilled that their best friends were going to have a baby.

“That’s great news!” Kristoff said, as he got up and went over to give Sven a hug.  

“That is wonderful!” Anna piped up as Kristoff came back to sit beside her.  “How far along?”

“Three months.  We were waiting until the first trimester was over before we told anyone.”

“I didn’t even know you guys were trying,” Kristoff said.

Sven shrugged.  “We wanted to keep it quiet.  We’ve been talking about it for so long we decided that now was the right time.  I think it’s mostly because she fell in love with little Spencer.”  Sven smiled at the six-month-old in Anna’s arms.  “She wants to have someone for Spence to play with,” he said in a joking manner even though they all knew he wasn’t joking. Rita loved kids, and it was no surprise that she wanted to have a baby right away.

“Well, they’ll be pretty close in age.”  Anna smiled at him.  “I just know they’ll get along famously.”

“Are you going to find out what you’re having?” Kristoff asked.

Sven laughed.  “That’s still up for debate.  I want to know but Rita wants it to be a surprise.  What are the chances of me winning that one, do you think?”

“Not good,” Anna and Kristoff said in unison and they all burst out laughing.

“It’s going to be an interesting year to say the least,” Sven said, still chucking while Anna popped the last of the donut into her mouth.

“Are you and Rita going to eventually tie the knot then?” Kristoff asked.

Sven nodded.  “After the baby arrives and we’ve had time to settle in we’ll plan something small.  You know me, I couldn’t care less.  I don’t need a marriage certificate to define what we have together, but I know it would mean a lot to Rita and her family.   Then after we get married, I just know she is going to want to have another kid. Especially if you guys get pregnant again.” Sven waggled his eyebrows at the both of them.

Anna and Kristoff looked at each other and smiled.  They were just talking that morning on the drive up the cabin when it would be a good time to have another kid.  They knew they wanted at least two, then they would see where life was taking them before they planned for any others.

Sven looked over to the lake house for a moment.  “We’re going to have a lot of fun times when this place is done.  I can already hear our kids laughing and playing.”

Anna watched Kristoff’s eyes appraise the cabin thoughtfully before he turned his gaze back to her. “Me too,” Kristoff answered Sven, not taking his eyes from Anna’s.  

“We are going to make some pretty great memories,” Anna added, smiling back at Kristoff, thinking of all the times they had talked about that very same thing.

 FIVE YEARS LATER

Kristoff stepped out onto the deck with two cups of coffee in his hand and passed one to Anna.  Anna thanked him and held the cup between her hands. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, painting the lake in a glorious golden shimmer.  

She had never been so content.   Her and Kristoff… they were officially living their dream.

It had taken two years to work the lake house into what they had envisioned.  During that time things were a struggle on occasion.  They spent much of their time working on it while balancing time with the little miracle that came into their lives.  Sven and Rita welcomed their daughter a short time later and it was that incredible moment for their friends that had Anna and Kristoff feeling extra sentimental about their future plans for another child.

As it turned out, Anna found out she was pregnant again a month shy of a year after the birth of their son.  They were about to tell their best friends that they were having another kid when they were surprised with the news that they were expecting as well.  Sven and Rita had just found out but wanted to share the information with Anna and Kristoff – the closest people in their lives – before anyone else.  That had been a night of laughter and congratulations and bright sunny outlooks on the future.

Now, as Anna watched the sun clear the horizon across the lake, she realized just how perfect life could be sometimes.  All four kids, close in age, slept soundly through the night after a wonderful summer day in the sun and water.  Their parents had a wonderful evening of cribbage and a few drinks while they laughed and talked about how great it all really was before turning in to bed themselves.

“This is perfect,” Kristoff said quietly, pulling Anna from her thoughts.  

“It’s everything we dreamed about, isn’t it?” Anna responded.

Kristoff kept his eyes on the lake as he reached blindly for her hand and gripped it gently when Anna offered it to him.  “It is,” he agreed.  “It really is.”

[neycrisbale]

That’s DaDa *Justin Kluivert imagine*

===========================================================

“Jabi, Jabi-Jab it’s DaDa” Justin said 

I chuckled as I watched Justin and Jabari, our 10 month old son, play with each other. Both of them making the other smile, today Justin had the morning off so we were able to sleep in a little  more and have some family time. 

Most of the time Justin and I are up early, so I can push him out the door in order for him to be early to practice. 

“Hey Babe, are you bringing Jabari with you to the game?” Justin asked 

I looked up from Jabari and nodded, “Yeah, now that you’re back to one hundred and he’s older I don’t see why not” I said 

He smiled, “Jabi you’re going to get to see DaDa play” Justin cooed

Jabari made his baby noise as if to emphasize his excitement while clapping his hands. I chuckled, “I love seeing you like this” I said

Justin looked up and smiled, “Imagine if we had a girl”He said wiggling his eyebrows

I laughed holding up my hands, “Slow your roll down Tiger, let’s get him an actual age and then we can talk about a second child.” I said getting up from the bed 

~~

“Alright I’m leaving” Justin called from the door

I walked out of the room with Jabari who, I’d just finished getting ready in his A.S Roma jersey. Justin smiled, when he saw Jabari. “Look at my little man, and his beautiful Mama. Both of them making me not want to leave” He said hugging the both of us. 

I chuckled as he placed a kiss on my cheek, “You better leave so your son can see you play” I said 

Justin nodded, “Alright, alright I’m going” He said smiling 

Justin placed a kiss on Jabari’s cheek, and another on my lips before he said ‘goodbye’ and left for the game. I waited with Jabari until Justin was out of the driveway before we went back into the room so I could finish getting ready. 

After I finished dressing, I placed Jabari in his carseat and grabbed his stuff and mine. I locked up the house, and got in the car putting Jabari in the back and then starting up the car. 

The drive to the stadium was quiet a ways from the house, and when I arrived at the stadium, Jabari was asleep in his carseat. Picking up his carseat, and his bags I made sure to put on the ear muffs before we entered the loud stadium. 

Getting to our seats he was still asleep, and the guys had just begun to warm up on the pitch. “He’s so adorable “ Amra said as she sat next to me

I smiled, “Thank you” 

“Justin must be happy that he’s finally here to see him” Mia said smiling 

I nodded, “He almost didn’t leave the house on time because he was playing around with him. “ I said chuckling 

Amra smiled, “That’s how Edin was when Dani was born, didn’t want to leave the house once he got his boy” She said chuckling 

“Is he asking for another one already?” Sarah asked 

I looked over to her, “How’d you know?” I asked 

The girls laughed, “Once they get their first child, they want a second one before the first can even speak sentences” Amra said shaking her head

We talked for a little bit more, before the game started and when it did it seemed like Jabari had woken up and wasn’t feeling being in his carseat at all. I chuckled picking him up, and sitting him up so that he could see everything. 

As soon as Jabari’s eyes locked on Justin, Jabari began clapping and throwing his arms all around the place. “Well I see who’s your favorite parent” I said to him

Throughout the first-half of the game Jabari was practically bouncing out of my hands with excitement. When half-time came around Justin was able to see us in the stands before he went into the tunnel and waved at us. 

They were doing a good job, they were up by 2 leaving Florentina with only one point to end the half with.  

Jabari chilled out during the half, just taking in everything that was going on in the arena. When the half-time finished, the guys jogged onto the pitch and the second half started quickly. 

I stood Jabari up and he began bouncing once again. With the half continuing on, the ball kept getting closer and closer to the goal and quick enough they did just that. 

Jabari clapped along with everyone in the stands, and the girls and I laughed. “Yay” I said bouncing him a little bit 

As they restarted the ball Florentina got some good looks at the net but weren’t able to get it in exactly. And the boys took this as a sign to up their defense. 

Robin held the ball and looked for someone open, the only one was Javier. Sending the ball to him, Javier carried the ball up the midfield and with one look passed it up to Justin who’d gotten freed from his defender. 

Chesting the ball, he carried it to the goal and it was just a one on one with the goalie situation. The goalie went left and Justin went right, and the ball went right in. 

Jabari and everyone in the stadium clapped their hands and cheered, Justin jumped in joy and ran over to where we were pointing towards us and placing a hand over his heart. Jabari clapped his hands continuously, “DaDa” 

Amra and I looked at Jabari, “DaDa!” He screamed

I smiled placing a kiss on his chubby cheeks, “That’s DaDa” I said to him excitedly 

As they reset the game after the goal from Justin, Florentina kicked the ball and about a minute later the whistle was blown. 

We all cheered for the boys’ win, and they shook hands with Florentina before making their way to thank the crowd. Afterwards they headed towards the tunnel to change, I placed Jabari back in his carseat much to his dislike and grabbed our stuff making our way down to the tunnel. 

As soon as we got there I took him out, and we waited for Justin. “Jabi” Justin called out as soon as he spotted the two of us. 

Jabari’s eyes grew wide as they looked at me, and then his head slowly turned and his eyes made contact with Justin they lit up. “DaDa! DaDa!”He called out 

Justin stopped walking and held onto Nicolò’s shirt, “Bro, he just said his first words” Justin said in shock 

Nicolò look over to Justin, “What?” He asked confused

Justin let go of his shirt and jogged over to us placing little kiss on his face, making him giggle and smile. “He just said DaDa” Justin said happily 

I nodded, “He’s been saying it and cheering for his DaDa all afternoon long”I said 

Justin smiled, and placed him in his carseat. Jabari didn’t cause a fuss, and smiled instead up at Justin as he carried the carseat. “So we’re only being fussy   for me? That’s cute” I said

Justin laughed, “He just missed his DaDa is all”