#carry this little joy with me (⁠/⁠^⁠-⁠^⁠(⁠^⁠ ⁠^⁠*⁠)⁠/
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aspookycrow · 23 hours ago
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I have mixed feelings on this, let me share my use case and maybe it’ll open up some possibilities where perhaps you will see that not everyone is using it for space eugenics etc.
I agree in a lot of ways with OP. As much as I am perpetually fascinated by stories and semiotics, I think a lot of spiritualism can be a a mask for indulging some nasty unexamined biases. Hhhowever as a queer who will never have kids, increasingly being surrounded by friend groups who are coupling and reproducing and facing both success or in some circumstances, stress and tragedy, you never want to have any bit of advice that can be read as condescension. Premature or late or even perfectly on time, those parents are being surrounded by well-meaning platitudes or nudges that carry passive undercuts about their strategy and what they should have/could be doing differently.
The astrology friend though, you get to be the low-pressure nonsense relief. Your friend has intense pressure on her bladder that shows no sign of relent? “He’s holding out to be a Leo, smart kid imo~”
Your friend’s kid is two weeks premature? “Yooo, scorpio gang let’s goooo!”
This works for any number of scenarios. Just announced an early April baby? “An Aries? Better start baby proofing now, babe ❤️.”
These words likely don’t mean anything material to them, but what they mean is that they get to have a low-pressure conversation about their kid and the kid’s future that isn’t bogged down in dietary or nursing advice. You’d be shocked how quickly and how often diffusing the tension like that will turn into a cute little afternoon doing a birth chart for someone who literally cannot bear having one more conversation about their hospital bills.
Use what you have to spread benevolent joy, as much as you can, always.
“Bat swinging at wasp nest” post but I cannot be nice about astrology people. No you did not find the one good or cute or quirky way to believe the quality of someone’s character is biologically pre-determined. Just because you found a way to not base it on race or ethnicity or gender does not make judging someone’s character on an innate and uncontrolled attribute suddenly teehee fine.
I’m even more baffled by the people going “it’s just fun!” “It’s just a hobby!!” Sure if it was something harmless. It’s not. We are quite literally talking about how you intend to judge, treat, view, respect, and interact with someone entirely differently based on an inherent trait. How are you not aghast? How are you not embarrassed? Why are you so insistent on needing to operate on a hierarchy of pre-determined character judgement?
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daisymbin · 15 hours ago
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have you ever been in love? - choi seungcheol
warnings: none
pairings: choi seungcheol x reader
genre: friends to ???
wc: 900
check out my masterlist!
"have you ever been in love?" you ask, your eyes still fixated on the carefree clouds drifting lazily through the night sky, illuminated by the city lights.
seungcheol chuckles softly, the sound getting caught in the cool breeze that surrounds you both. he takes another sip of his beer, masking the way his heart races. how much more obvious could he be? are you really that oblivious?
"i suppose i have," he answers, his voice steady and calm even as his eyes can't help but trace the outline of your face, the way your features soften in the moonlight.
"what's it like?" you turn your head slightly, curiosity written in your expression. he's not sure how he should feel about your question.
seungcheol pauses, thinking about the feeling he’s harbored for you for so long. "it’s... terrifying and exhilarating at the same time," he says, a wistful smile playing at his lips. "it feels like wanting to be someone's everything, wanting to make them smile even when the world feels too heavy for myself. it’s being so scared of losing them that it’s all you think about. but at the same time, it makes everything brighter. love changes the way you see things, you know?"
you take a moment to process his words, letting them sink in, before you say quietly, “i guess..i dont know.”
“have you ever been in love?” he asks carefully, its a past tense question so it shouldnt hurt….right?
"i'm...not sure if i’ve ever been in love before.. but lately, i’ve started feeling things i’ve never felt before, and i wonder if it’s love. that's why im asking you.”
seungcheol’s heart stops, breaking a little at the thought of you loving someone else. his voice comes out smaller, almost vulnerable. "does what you’re feelin…m-match what i said?"
you think for a moment and then nod slowly. "yeah," you admit, a soft blush spreading across your cheeks.
his breath catches & he feels his stomach churning. this isn't a past tense situation, this is present tense, NOW. "who is it?" he asks as his voice trembles. the 4 years he's spent pinning over you seems to have made him timid tonight, he's not usually like this, but still, he braces himself for an answer that he knows will shatter him.
you hesitate, your eyes finding his, sparkling with adoration. "you," you whisper, your voice firm with sincerity.
seungcheol’s eyes widen, and for a moment, the world stills. and then, without thinking, he’s reaching for you, the biggest smile breaking out on his face. "me?" he repeats, as if he can’t quite believe it.
you nod, "you...you like me too right?"
"like?" seungcheol laughs, finding humour in your choice of words, his laugh holds a hint of disbelief, his eyes crinkling with pure joy. "like?" he repeats, his voice still colored with amusement. "i don't just like you," he confesses, his voice growing softer, more sincere. "i've been completely, ridiculously in love with you."
you feel your heart skip a beat, disbelief and hope swirling in your chest. "really?" you whisper, your voice small, almost afraid that this moment could shatter like a delicate glass figurine.
his gaze softens as he reaches for your hand, his warm fingers intertwining with yours. "really," he says, his thumb brushing over your knuckles.
"did you really not notice?" he asks, "i almost started to think you knew but just didnt have the heart to reject me."
your cheeks flushes as you think about all the little moments you'd noticed—the small ways he always seemed to look out for you, the way he'd remember the tiniest details about your life, and how his eyes would light up every time you entered a room. "i just... i always thought it was wishful thinking...like the time you carried extra snacks just because you knew i'd forget to eat, or when you'd always find an excuse to walk me home, even when you lived in the opposite direction. or how you’d get so quiet and protective whenever you thought someone was being unfair to me."
seungcheol's eyes widen with a mix of surprise and endearment, a fond smile spreading across his lips. "so you noticed all that?" he asks, his voice warm with a hint of embarrassment.
"i did," you say, a shy smile tugging at your lips. "but it just seemed too good to be true."
he pulls you a little closer, his eyes searching yours, filled with a mixture of adoration and relief. "it wasn’t too good to be true," he whispers, and then, with the most tender of touches, he leans in.
when his lips meet yours, it's everything and more. it's gentle, sweet, and filled with all the love that has been building between you two, unspoken but always there, waiting for the right moment.
when you finally pull away, you're both breathless, cheeks flushed. seungcheol's smile is still there, brighter than ever.
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trippinsorrows · 3 days ago
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ltye: my little girl
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authors note: roman being soft with his youngest (as of this oneshot). we love to see it. this is dreamland based.
*gif belongs to @romanreigns*
words: 3k
warnings: fluff galore, some angst
It happens every so often. Not a ton, but definitely on more than one occasion.
Where the house is empty sans the pets and one or two children.
Typically, it occurs over a weekend where there’s some type of overlap between the older kids' extracurriculars. This time, it’s Lina having a volleyball conference out of town, Leya tagging along to go support her sister, Tama attending a football camp, and Koa and Kai at some type of weekend tech training for kids. Roman doesn’t really understand what that last bit entails, but they, along with the rest of the family all have their security details with them, Jacob with the girls, and Zilla and Lance with the boys. They’re safe, and that’s all that matters to him.
However, with everyone else gone. That just leaves him and his youngest. 
Little Ms. Aroha Reigns.
The same little girl who’s currently using her equally little hands to try to shake him awake. “Daddy.” The dichotomy of her trying to keep her voice down while also wanting to wake him up makes him smile a little. “Daddy, you gotta get up.”
He knows he does, but a part of him wishes she would have slept a little longer. Her tiny body curled against him, as she’s always scared to sleep in her room by herself when her siblings are away. It’s too quiet in that wing of the house for her, hence her sleeping with him and bringing Coco with her. 
But, Roro is up now. There’s no going back.
Roman groans quietly and rolls onto his back, opening his eyes to see her staring down at him, just as alert and awake as all the outdoors. 
She's clearly pleased at her wake-him-up victory. “Daddy, you’re up!”
He chuckles. “I’m up, but why are you up?”
She pouts, and his smile reappears. “Cause we gotta make breakfast.”
“We do?”
She nods happily, informing him like he doesn’t live there. “Mommy always makes breakfast.”
She’s not wrong about that. Roman can only recall a few times where his wife hasn’t gotten up early just to ensure their family starts off their day the right way with full stomachs. He’s tried to tell her countless times that she doesn’t have to, but he sees it’s something that brings her joy. The cooking, but specifically, the cooking for them.
So, he leaves her be, and obviously, the importance of this now tradition is something that’s been burned into his youngest child’s head. 
Roman clears his throat and rubs his eyes, asking, “whatchu’ want us to fix, baby girl?” 
With raised fists of excitement, she shouts, “sparkle pancakes!”
Roman laughs a little. “Daddy knows how to make regular pancakes.” One of the few meals he’s learned how to prepare over the years. The Tribal Chief knows his place when it comes to the culinary arts. That’s all Solana. Definitely not him.
Again, there’s that pout. “Regular pancakes are boring.” Her eyes light up. “I’ll show you how to make sparkle pancakes! Mommy taught me.”
Another not surprising thing. Similar to Leya, Aroha has shown an interest in cooking and baking, often wanting to help her big sister and mom when it comes time to prepare food. 
Aroha has clearly set her mind to this being the plan, thus her trying to shove on him to get him moving. “Come on, daddy!”
Roman gives one more heavy sigh before sitting up, scooping Aroha up with him as he climbs out the bed, seeing Coco still sleeping away.
“Hygiene first, kiddo.” Roman carries her into his master bathroom, setting her on the counter as she grabs her toothbrush from her little section of stuff he already set up for her. Together, they get teeth brushed, faces washed, and Roman does a lazy bun with his hair but focuses on getting her ponytail just right as she talks away about all of the “fun” things she wants to do with him this weekend.
He doesn’t mind. Roman can’t recall the last time it was just the two of them, so he’ll do whatever she wants—within reason—to make this weekend special for her.
After letting the dogs outside and putting out their breakfast, Roman and his youngest get started on their own. He lets Aroha lead, allowing her to walk him step-by-step through her unsurprisingly detailed tutorial. Even the parts that are no-brainers, because she clearly enjoys feeling like she’s the one teaching him. 
She does get a little heavy handed with the sprinkles, probably more than Solana would approve of, but Roman also knows his daughter. Knows that while she may be on a bit of a sugar rush for a part of the day, when she crashes, she crashes hard. 
She’ll be knocked out for the night when all is said and done, so he’ll just give her the now.
And they sit in the living room, using trays to share their breakfast together, Roman having to ‘force’ her to drink orange juice instead of the chocolate milk she could finish all on her own if left alone.
Kid has a sweet tooth like him.
Grabbing the remote, he asks right as she sticks her fork into her stack of two pancakes, “whatcha’ wanna watch?”
Her eyes squint as she deliberates over this very important question, finally settling on, “Inside Out!”
Roman smiles a little. That was one of his guesses. “Which one?” Of the four films, he knows she doesn’t really have a favorite, but it’s still worth asking.
She lifts her index finger, answering with excitement, “the first!”
Roman nods. “The first it is.” 
Navigating to Disney Plus, selecting Roro’s profile, he hits play on the film that’s already in her watchlist. Settling back on the sofa beside her, the two eat together, Aroha taking time in between bites of food to explain certain things. If she doesn’t end up doing something with animals, he can see her being a teacher. At seven, she’s pretty damn good with explaining stuff. 
Aroha’s adorable giggling is music to his ears as she points at the TV. “That’s you, daddy.” 
Roman looks up at the TV from the phone that he was using to send a quick check-in text to the rest of his family when he’s met with one of the scenes of Anger, well, being angry.
He scowls, disagreeing. “That is not me.”
“Yes, it is,” she laughs, climbing off the sofa and moving in front of him to provide a demonstration. “You get all angry like this,” Roman laughs as Aroha attempts to provide an example of how Roman turns up his face when irritated, disgusted, or….angry. “Kids! Get down here now!” The laughter continues as she clearly tries to mimic him. “Roro! Time for bed! Koa, Kai, time to get off the games! Tama, Lina, Leya, come help bring in these groceries!”
Roman shakes his head as she climbs back on the sofa, on her knees, looking up at him. “That really me?”
Aroha shakes her hand. “Mommy says you can be a grump, but I don’t know what that means.” She finishes with a confused look, shrugging indifferently as she refocuses back on the film. 
Thinking, probably overthinking, about what she said, Roman finds himself hitting the pause button a few minutes later.
She turns to him with a frown. “Daddy?”
“Aroha…..” Roman angles his body toward her. “I know….I get angry sometimes, but you know it’s never at you, right?” Because that’s something Roman has always done his best to be mindful about, not losing his temper with and on his kids. They might frustrate him from time to time, because they’re kids, but he would never want them to be scared of him.
That would kill him.
“I would…..I would never yell at you or your siblings or your mom like that.” It’s a bit difficult for him to explain given her young age, but he has to try. Has to make sure she understands that she’s always safe with him. 
“Daddy, you’re never mean to us.” She says it so sweetly, like she almost can’t believe he would even ask such a thing. “You’re the best daddy ever.”
Feelings. So many feelings. Things he used to shield and shove away like they were something to be embarrassed of. But, falling in love, becoming a parent, it’s all made him realize that there’s nothing wrong with them. They’re normal and okay to have.
And he has a bunch of them festering with such kind, genuine words from his daughter. Roman pulls her into his side, kissing the top of her head. “thanks, kiddo.” It’s all he wants in life. To do right by her. By all of his kids.
By his family.
“You’re welcome, daddy.” She peers up at him, in all of her randomness, asking, “can I do you hair?”
Roman smiles and laughs, not sure where it’s coming from but obliging her, nonetheless. “Sure.”
She cheers and climbs off the sofa, running off, probably to get the ‘supplies.’ He takes the opportunity to check his phone, seeing missed texts from his wife. 
Solana: We’re good, my love. 
Solana: I’d ask how you guys are doing, but it’s not needed.
Solana: She’s with her favorite person. And vice versa. ❤️
Roman chuckles as he types out a reply. 
Roman: I’ll probably take her out in a lil bit.
Roman: Dogs need more food.
Solana: You wanna take her to the pet store with you?
Solana: Well, send me pictures of the latest pets. 😉
Roman shakes his head. 
Roman: I’m not getting her anymore pets, babe.
Solana: Lol. Okay. 🙂
Roman readies to reply and defend himself when Roro comes back in the living room with one of her sparkly backpacks as she directs him to sit on the floor. He climbs down, as Aroha hops on the sofa behind him and gets to work.
He hits play on the movie as she takes his hair down and does a lot of probably unnecessary brushing and combing, all the while explaining her actions. As always, he just lets her do her thing, playing into and supporting her along the way.
They stay like this for the duration of the movie, after which Roman asks the unnecessary question as to if Roro wants to go with him to pick up more food for Coco and Max. It’s a no-brainer, because the way that little girl rushes to get dressed and is ready to go in less than fifteen minutes should be studied.
So, after cleaning the kitchen and Roman throwing something on, he’s out the door with his mini-me who talks almost the entire car drive, not that he minds. He remembers times like this with Leya and Lina.
It goes by so fast. He just wants to enjoy the here and now.
Wants to revel in her being cute and little for as long as he can. 
But, it’s that cuteness that’s about to get him in trouble and eat his words as soon as they’re about to checkout at the pet store when Aroha passes the animals.
The bunnies. 
She gasps, letting go of his hand, rushing over to the small selection. It doesn’t bother him that much, mostly and largely because he had the entire store cleared and has security stationed around the place. Inside and out.
He never takes any chances when it comes to his kids. Especially little Roro.
 “Look, daddy!” Roman walks over, leaving the cart unattended to see the two small bunnies that have caught his daughter’s attention. “They’re so little….”
“They are.” He knows where this is going. Knows exactly where this is going, a part of him wishing he had listened to Solana. Taking her here with him maybe wasn’t the best idea. 
With sadness in her cute little voice, she realizes, “they’re here, because….because they don’t have a home.” 
“Not yet,” he answers, taking her other hand, giving a gentle squeeze. “But, they’ll get one.”
With hopeful eyes, she looks up, asking that question he was dreading. “Can they come home with us?”
Roman shuts his eyes.
Damn.
“Baby…..” He sighs, trying to explain in as calm and gentle voice as possible. “We already have the dogs and Nala.” Nala being the kitten his animal loving child found and rescued, hiding in her room for almost a week before being discovered.
The memory makes him chuckle a bit. That was….something else. 
Aroha’s frown deepens as places her hand up on the glass, looking at them before gazing back at him with those big, sad eyes. Solana’s. She has her mothers eyes. “But, everyone needs a family.”
And it’s that single sentence that seals the deal.
An hour later, Lola and Thumper are the latest additions to the Reigns household, Roman spending more than what was necessary to get all of the supplies Aroha wanted for her latest “little babies.” 
The smile on her face is more than worth it for Roman, however, as he sets everything up in her room for the bunnies. 
And it’s even on her face as she finds him a little later in the day, plopping her body on top of him as she takes a nap, needing a respite before tackling the rest of the day. 
But, it’s as she sleeps peacefully on top of his chest, her little lips partially open, breath escaping and chest moving up and down as she holds onto him that Roman reflects.
47 seconds. 
That’s exactly how long Aroha went without breathing when she was born. 
Roman has really only ever experienced fear a couple times in his life, most of which have revolved around his family. His wife. His children.
But, the day that Aroha was born, the minute Solana welcomed her into the world and instead of being met with the sound of their daughter's wails, thus officially making her grand entrance into the world......they were met with silence.
Aroha didn’t cry. She didn’t cry, because she wasn’t breathing.
And it’s those 47 seconds that stretched and felt like fucking hours as the labor team went to work on their not even a full five minutes old daughter.
Roman will never forget the sheer terror that set in the minute Solana realized what was happening. “She’s not breathing.” With her medical background, it was both an easy and horrifying thing to realize. “Why—why isn’t she breathing? Something’s wrong.”
The reason, that they would find out later, being something called Birth Asphyxia. The cause having something to do with Solana not having enough oxygen in her blood during childbirth. To this day, he doesn’t truly understand fully. But, at that time, he wasn’t concerned with why his daughter wasn’t breathing.
He just wanted her to be okay.
Aroha was rushed to the NICU where she received the best care money could buy, including some type of whole body “cooling” treatment that was apparently significant in her care. But, at seven days old, they conducted an MRI that revealed slight brain damage. As a result, Aroha received early intervention PT and OT, which was something Roman didn’t even know existed until then for such a young child. 
However, it was effective, because while Roman and Solana were advised Aroha may need to continue therapy up until her first few years of her life, their fighter of a daughter ended up beating the odds, cleared and meeting all milestones on time by five months of age.
It was the biggest relief and blessing they could have ever asked for, but Roman can and will never forget the devastation he felt trying to comfort Solana as they had to return home without their baby girl. It was rough, trying to spend as much time in the NICU with her while still being available and present for their other children.
The day they finally got to bring her home remains one of the happiest days of his life.
And now, at age seven, she’s a happy, healthy child who continues to not only meet all milestones but presents with intelligence that bypasses what’s expected for her age.
But, most importantly, she’s alive.
And that’s why Roman knows and is well aware of the fact that he might let Aroha get away with some things she shouldn’t, agrees to things that he doesn’t have to, says yes when he maybe should no.
The thing, however, is that none of that could be an option. It could not be an option because she couldn’t be here right now.
She could have died, but she didn’t. His little girl is a fighter, and he’ll always love her just a little bit harder just because of it. 
Grabbing his phone, careful not to disturb her, Roman sends Solana the picture Roro used his phone to take of her "babies."
He then adds the caption.
Roman: She named them Thumper and Lola.
Solana texts back not even five minutes later.
Solana: 😂😂😂😂
Solana: Told you.
Solana: They are cute......
Roman: I guess.
He can practically see his wife rolling her pretty eyes through the phone.
Solana: But, you know we're gonna have to get the boys those lizards now, right?
He does, and while he's not exactly thrilled about it, he knows it's the right thing to do. Knows that it's unfair to grant Aroha's wish, but not Koa and Kai.
Roman knows all too well what it's like to feel like the less favored of his siblings, and he'll be damned if any of his kids will feel that way.
Ever.
Roman: I know. I'll take them next weekend.
Solana: Good.
Solana: Girls said to tell they love you. I love you too. ❤️ Give my baby a kiss for me.
Roman: Love ya'll too. I will. ❤️
Roman sets his phone back down on his nightstand and chuckles as Aroha adjust herself on top of him, smacking her little lips a little as she sighs in her sleep.
Roman kisses the top of her head, one arm around her, holding her closer for as long as he can.
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m4rv3l-girl · 2 days ago
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Forget Me Not
Bucky x Y/N
Bucky wants to pop the question. Except, he’s forgotten one very important thing…
Requests Open!
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Warnings: None. Just fluff!
The night was perfect.
From the clear autumn sky dusted with stars to the way the city seemed to glow just for them, Bucky could tell this was their moment. He’d spent weeks planning, going over every little detail to make this evening unforgettable. But as he adjusted his shirt for the hundredth time, nerves began prickling down his spine.
Across from him, Y/N looked stunning. Her smile was warm and knowing, and Bucky could tell she’d noticed his antsy energy. She seemed suspicious, maybe even expecting something big, and he couldn’t help the soft grin tugging at his lips as he watched her. She always knew him too well.
“Kitten, you’re staring,” he teased, breaking the silence and reaching for her hand across the table.
She raised an eyebrow, giving him a playful look. “Me? You’re the one who’s been adjusting your shirt for the last five minutes. Is something up?”
“Just want to look my best for you,” he said smoothly, though his heart was pounding. He could feel the tiny box in his pocket, a little weight pressing against his chest with each beat. “Can’t a guy want to look sharp for his girl?”
“You always look sharp to me,” she replied, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “But there’s something else, isn’t there?”
Bucky swallowed, trying to find his calm. “Maybe. But I think it’ll be worth the wait.”
As the dinner continued, Bucky did his best to act natural, though every word and every touch felt like a countdown to the question he was about to ask. The restaurant was quiet, with soft music playing in the background and a gentle hum of conversations around them. He’d chosen this place because it felt intimate, a cozy spot tucked away from the rest of the world where it could be just them.
They had fallen into a comfortable rhythm, sharing memories, laughter, and quiet looks that spoke volumes. Bucky smiled, watching as Y/N took a sip of her wine, and felt his heart nearly burst with the quiet joy of being here, in this moment, with her.
“So, remember that time you tried to teach me how to cook?” she teased, raising her eyebrows at him over the rim of her glass.
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Oh, come on, Doll. I wasn’t that bad.”
“Not that bad?” she echoed, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Bucky, you set spaghetti on fire. Spaghetti. I didn’t even think that was possible.”
“Hey, the stove was more complicated than it looked,” he protested, his lips quirking into a grin. “Besides, who needs fancy pasta when I make such a good breakfast-for-dinner?”
“True,” she admitted, laughter still in her eyes. “I will give you credit for those pancakes. I mean, only a man as charming as you could convince me that a plate of slightly burned pancakes was a five-star meal.”
“‘Slightly burned pancakes,’” he muttered, feigning offense. “I prefer ‘crispy edges.’ And let’s not forget, you said they were the best pancakes you’d ever had. I still remember that.”
“Did I really?” she asked, a hint of a blush creeping up her cheeks as she glanced away.
“Oh, you absolutely did. It’s one of my fondest memories, Doll,” he said, leaning in slightly. His voice softened, carrying the weight of his sincerity. “Anytime I can make you smile like that…those are the moments I want to remember forever.”
She stilled, looking at him with wide eyes before a gentle smile softened her features. “You always say the sweetest things.”
“Only for you, Kitten,” he murmured, his voice low. He couldn’t tear his eyes away, captivated by the glow of the candlelight on her face, the way her eyes shone with laughter and warmth. In that moment, he knew without a doubt—this was it.
This was where he was supposed to be.
As they finished their meal, he decided it was time. He reached into his jacket pocket, feeling for the small box, but instead, his fingers met…nothing. His heart stilled, and a sense of dread clawed its way up his throat. He checked his other pockets quickly, all while keeping his expression neutral.
No box.
Panic settled in as he realized what this meant.
The ring—the one he’d spent days picking out, picturing the exact moment he’d slide it onto her finger—it was sitting at home, in his nightstand drawer. He’d been so focused on planning every single detail of tonight that he’d forgotten the most important part.
Y/N’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Bucky, you alright?”
His gaze snapped back to her, and he realized he was probably giving her the most ridiculous, deer-in-the-headlights look. He tried to smile, but he could feel the strain. “I…uh, yeah. Just…y’know. Maybe I’m just nervous.”
“Since when does Bucky Barnes get nervous?” she teased, her eyes sparkling with affection. She reached across the table, taking his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. “You can tell me anything, you know that.”
His shoulders slumped slightly. There was no use hiding it from her, especially not with her looking at him like that. He took a deep breath, brushing his thumb over her knuckles as he held her hand.
“Alright, so, full disclosure,” he said, his voice low and a little sheepish. “I had this whole night planned out, Doll. Every little thing, down to the music they’d be playing and the wine we’d drink. And I was gonna…ask you something really important.”
He paused, watching her expression carefully. Her eyes widened slightly, a faint blush rising to her cheeks, and he could tell she was already piecing it together.
“You were going to propose,” she whispered, a smile beginning to form.
“Yeah,” he admitted, letting out a chuckle that was equal parts relieved and embarrassed. “Except…I forgot the ring. Left it right at home in my nightstand.”
For a moment, there was silence. Bucky braced himself, half expecting her to be disappointed or to tease him mercilessly for messing up such a big moment. But instead, she broke into soft, melodic laughter, her eyes filled with the same warmth that made him fall for her in the first place.
“Oh, Bucky,” she said, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. “Did you really think I’d care about a ring?”
He blinked, his heart hammering in his chest. “I just…I wanted it to be perfect. Wanted everything to be just right for you.”
She reached across the table, resting her hand on his cheek, her thumb brushing over his cheekbone. “You don’t need a ring to ask me. I’d say yes a thousand times over, even without it.”
He swallowed, a rush of emotion catching him off guard. Here he was, standing on the edge of everything he’d ever wanted, and she was telling him it was already perfect, just because they were here together.
“Doll…” he began, his voice rough with emotion. “You’re sure? No fancy ring, or the big speech…?”
She smiled, nodding. “Positive. Just you and me, right here.”
He got up from his chair, kneeling beside her with a grin, his hands cradling hers as he looked up into her eyes. “Then let’s make it official. Y/N, will you marry me?”
Her answer came in the form of a radiant smile, a simple “yes” whispered through her tears.
He pulled her into his arms, the two of them laughing and holding each other, oblivious to the other diners. She was everything he needed—everything he’d ever wanted—and in that moment, nothing else mattered.
They left the restaurant hand in hand, walking down the quiet street with the stars shining above them. Bucky looked over at her, feeling that familiar warmth flood his chest as he squeezed her hand.
“When we get home,” he murmured, pulling her close, “I’ll give you that ring. Promise.”
She laughed, leaning into him as they walked. “You could’ve proposed with a ring pop, Hun, and I’d have said yes..”
He grinned, pressing a kiss to her forehead, then her cheek, then her lips. “Doll, you’re my best girl..”
“Damn right.” She stated.
And as they strolled through the city, wrapped in each other’s arms, Bucky knew that forgetting the ring had been the best mistake he’d ever made.
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v6quewrlds · 22 hours ago
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if ur comfortable, could u write tee or joe with a AKA girlfriend? love ur work 💗
had to respond to this immediately because yes of course i will bae <3
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1908, ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA
A week ago, you had casually mentioned to Joe that you were inviting two of your sorority sisters to stay for the weekend. Joe, bless his heart, had insisted on coming along with you to pick them up. You two had never crossed paths at Ohio State during your time there, but he had heard enough stories to know your sorors were a force to be reckoned with.
The moment the sliding doors parted and your friends emerged, you knew you had nothing to worry about. Kia and Taylor, both equally as radiant as the day you met them, strutted out of the arrivals terminal. You practically leaped out of the car, your face lighting up with joy, and the three of you embraced in a reunion filled with squeals and laughter. The years hadn't changed you; you were still the inseparable trio from the Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, your bond as strong as ever.
Kia, a petite lawyer with glowing caramel skin and an infectious laugh, spotted Joe first. "Ain't that your man?" she exclaimed, pointing to the tall, visibly nervous figure as he leaned against the car. "Look at that color!" Your two friends giggled, noticing Joe's ill-fated fashion choice.
Taylor almost floated over to the car. "Joe," she called out, her voice carrying over the airport crowd, "we see you tryna rep!"
Your eyebrows furrowed as you followed Kia's gaze to Joe, who was indeed wearing a pink polo shirt. "Oh my god," you murmured to yourself, "I didn't even realize." You had told Joe to wear something that would make a good impression, but apparently, he had misunderstood your instructions.
Your friends couldn't contain their laughter as they approached the car. "Joe, honey," Taylor said, her voice thick with amusement, "are you gonna pledge?"
Joe looked down at his shirt, the realization dawned on him, and his cheeks flushed pinker than the fabric. Kia and Taylor couldn't hold it in any longer, bursting into laughter as Joe looked up, his blue eyes wide with embarrassment.
"Well," Kia managed through her giggles, "you're definitely supportive. And that's all we want for our girl."
You stepped in, placing a reassuring hand on Joe's shoulder. "It's okay, baby," you said, your voice warm with affection. "You look hot in pink."
Joe rolled his eyes, but his tension visibly eased. "Thanks," he mumbled shyly, his sarcasm not quite as sharp as usual. "I'll take your bags."
As he loaded their luggage into the trunk, your friends couldn't stop teasing him about his outfit. "You know, Joe," Kia said, winking, "we might just have to give you a little something for this. Maybe an honorary pin or something."
Joe chuckled, trying to play along. "Yeah, sure," he replied, "just be patient with me. I'm still learning the strolls."
As Kia and Taylor huddled into the backseat, you reached for Joe's hand, stopping him as he closed the trunk of the car. "Thank you," you said, your eyes full of genuine gratitude.
Joe's smile grew genuine, the awkwardness fading away. "Anything for you," he replied, his thumb brushing over your knuckles. You leaned in to kiss him before sliding into the driver's seat.
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pdriesta · 3 days ago
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CHAPTER SEVEN
“even when it’s bad, i love you”
pairing — trentxblack!girl
genre — angst, angst and more angst
word count — 7k
summary — y/n and trent's once strong relationship is strained by his growing distance and her unexpected pregnancy. as they clash over their future, y/n faces the painful choice of leaving behind the love and they love they worked so hard creating. will they overcome their struggles and rebuild their love, or will their fractured bond break beyond repair?
an — i hope you are all well! let me know your thoughts and preditctions.
masterlist
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as the late morning light filtered through their living room, trent wrapped his arms around y/n as she lay nestled against him, her head resting on his shoulder. he watched her fight to keep her eyes open, her hand absently rubbing her bump as she tried to keep up with the quiet conversation between them. he could see the exhaustion starting to weigh on her, how the pregnancy seemed to tire her out faster with each passing day.
“baby,” he whispered, his voice soft as his fingers brushed her cheek. “how about you sleep with me? just for a bit, before i head out?”
she glanced up, a sleepy smile tugging at her lips, and let out a small sigh of contentment. “only if you’re staying right here,” she murmured, her voice thick with drowsiness.
he chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “right here, promise. we’ll take a nap together.”
earlier that morning, he'd watched her moving around the house in baggy sweats and a cropped tank, her bump now round and unmistakable, stretching against the fabric. she’d been organizing, moving things around, too determined to get everything in its place before the babies came. but even with her hair a little messy and her cheeks flushed from effort, she looked so beautiful to him, so strong. still, he couldn’t help noticing how every few steps, she’d pause, hands finding her back, and her shoulders slumping, exhaustion clearly tugging at her.
she’d brushed off his suggestion to rest, insisting she was fine and had things to do, but he knew her well enough to see through it. so now, as she settled in his arms, he gently pulled her onto his chest, letting her fully relax against him.
he could feel her breathing start to slow, her body softening, melting into his warmth. as her fingers traced gentle patterns over his chest, he stroked her back, feeling the curve of her body, the slight weight of her belly pressing against him. it was in moments like this that everything felt real, that the love he had for her seemed too big to contain.
with his hand resting over hers on her bump, he murmured, “you don’t have to do it all, you know. just take it easy… you’re carrying our whole world in there.”
she let out a soft hum of agreement, her eyes closed, but there was a small, content smile on her lips. “i know,” she whispered. “i just want everything to be perfect… for them, for you.”
“it already is,” he said, pressing another gentle kiss to her hair. “just being here with you… it’s all i need.”
her hand tightened slightly over his, and he could feel the rhythm of her breathing settle even more. he let his thumb brush small circles over her knuckles, feeling her pulse beneath his fingertips, as if grounding himself in this moment, in her. he closed his eyes, allowing himself to sink into the warmth of her, the quiet weight of their love, and the peaceful anticipation of everything ahead.
there, wrapped in each other’s arms, they found a pocket of calm amidst the whirlwind of their lives. time seemed to fade away, leaving only the soft rise and fall of their breathing, the gentle weight of her against him, and the quiet joy of what they were building together.
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the next day their morning had started in the best way possible, wrapped up in each other in bed, the sun barely peeking through the blinds. trent had been soft and sweet, his hands tracing lazy circles along her back, his lips brushing her shoulder as they whispered sleepy good mornings. they’d stayed close like that for hours, just soaking in each other’s presence. after a breakfast in bed that had ended in laughter and syrup-sticky fingers, y/n had suggested they move to the couch for a movie.
“let’s watch a walk to remember,” she’d said with a soft smile, her eyes bright, pulling him into the living room. trent chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist as they walked.
“this again?” he teased, smirking. “you’ve watched this movie a thousand times, love. you know how it ends.”
she rolled her eyes, nudging him. “i know, but it’s a classic. besides, it’s comforting.” 
he gave her a playful side-eye, clearly not convinced, but he didn’t argue. instead, he let her settle against his chest as they nestled into the couch, her head on his shoulder, his arm securely wrapped around her. it felt perfect. cozy. he ran his fingers softly along her arm, pressing gentle kisses to her temple.
but a few minutes into the movie, he noticed her body tense under his arm. the shift was subtle at first, like she was trying to ignore something, but then she shifted again, pulling her shoulder away from his kisses, her body inching just out of his hold.
“hey,” he murmured softly, tilting his head down to look at her. “everything okay?”
she crossed her arms over her chest, visibly frustrated, but not at him exactly. “i just… i don’t know. i don’t want to be touched right now.” her voice was clipped, guarded.
trent blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “oh, okay. but… you wanted to cuddle, right?” he asked gently, the hint of confusion softened by his patience. 
she sighed, rolling her eyes as if he should already understand. “that was then, trent. this is now.”
he held back a chuckle, nodding slowly as he scooted away to give her space, though he kept watching her with a gentle curiosity. “right, got it. i’ll just be over here… not touching.” he said with a small, amused smile, hoping a bit of humor might ease whatever tension she was feeling. 
y/n just huffed, her arms still folded tightly as she turned her gaze back to the screen. trent sat beside her in comfortable silence, giving her the room she clearly needed. he turned his attention to the movie, chuckling to himself every so often at the cheesy dialogue, sneaking glances at her, trying to gauge if her mood had shifted again.
but then, just as the opening scenes played out—before anything remotely sad had even happened—he heard the softest sniffle beside him. he looked over, and there she was, eyes already glossy with tears, lips quivering slightly as she blinked up at the screen, her chest rising and falling a bit faster.
“baby… it’s barely started,” trent said softly, keeping his voice light and teasing, but filled with genuine concern as he gently reached for her hand.
she let out a shaky breath, wiping a tear from her cheek, clearly frustrated. “i know,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “i don’t even know why i’m crying, trent. i just… i can’t stop. everything feels… all over the place.”
trent’s heart ached a little at her words, the vulnerability in her expression catching him completely. “oh, sweetheart,” he murmured, wrapping his arm around her slowly, letting her decide if she wanted the closeness. she didn’t pull away this time, instead leaning into him, her fingers clutching onto his shirt like she needed something to ground her.
“it’s the hormones, right?” he said softly, brushing a hand through her hair. “nothing wrong with you at all. it’s just… pregnancy stuff.” 
she looked up at him, her brows pinched in that way they did when she was trying to hold back. “i feel so… i don’t know, trent. like i’m not myself. like i’m losing it. i wanted you here, then i didn’t, and now… i do.” her words came out broken, her voice barely above a whisper.
trent only held her closer, his hand softly rubbing her back, his patience infinite. “love, it’s okay. really. we can go back and forth all day if you need,” he said with a small, reassuring smile. “doesn’t matter what you’re feeling. whatever you need, i’m here. i’ll keep up.”
she sniffled, her fingers curling tighter in his shirt. “i just don’t know what’s wrong with me… we were fine this morning, weren’t we? i was happy, and now… i feel like i’m breaking down over… this.” she gestured vaguely to the screen, her face softening in a self-conscious way, like she was embarrassed.
trent kissed her temple, his voice warm and low. “i think you’re pretty incredible, actually,” he whispered. “carrying all of this, feeling everything so intensely. and if you need to cry during a movie you’ve seen a thousand times, i’m not going anywhere.”
her lips trembled, a soft smile breaking through her teary expression. “i don’t know what i’d do without you, trent.”
he kissed her again, his hand gently tracing her shoulder as he held her. “well, lucky for you, you’ll never have to find out.”
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the day started with excitement. y/n had been practically buzzing since breakfast, and trent couldn’t help but smile at the energy she radiated. they sat together in the kitchen, y/n’s hands wrapped around a mug of tea while trent scrolled through his phone.
“so, guess who’s coming over?” she asked, a mischievous grin spreading across her face as she leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with barely contained enthusiasm.
trent looked up from his phone, intrigued. “who?”
“aura!” y/n exclaimed, almost bouncing in her seat. “tyler and his wife are going on an anniversary trip, and we get to watch her for the night!”
trent raised an eyebrow, surprised. “aura? as in… my niece, aura?”
“yes!” she laughed, her excitement only growing. “she’s coming over tonight, and she’ll be sleeping here. i thought it’d be fun for us to take care of her. you know, kind of like a… test run.” she wiggled her eyebrows at him, clearly pleased with herself for coming up with the idea.
trent chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “a test run? for what?”
“parenthood!” y/n said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “i mean, we’re about to have two babies soon, so why not practice with aura? she’s only, what, two and a half? it’ll be good for us to see how we manage with a toddler. besides,” she added with a playful glint in her eyes, “how hard can it be?”
trent smirked, setting his phone down and crossing his arms over his chest. “how hard, indeed. alright, i’m up for the challenge. let’s do it.”
y/n grinned, reaching across the table to give his hand an affectionate squeeze. “we’ve got this. she’s going to love it.”
by 6 p.m., aura was there, tiny pink backpack slung over her shoulder, her big eyes wide with excitement as she waddled into the house, holding tyler’s hand. she looked like a miniature version of her father, her wild curls bouncing as she moved, her small voice chattering non-stop.
“thank you so much for watching her,” tyler said, slightly frazzled but clearly grateful. “she’s got her snacks in her bag, and her bedtime’s at 8 p.m.—well, we try to get her to sleep by then, but good luck with that. oh, and she loves ‘the wheels on the bus.’ just a warning.”
y/n and trent both nodded enthusiastically, waving tyler off with reassuring smiles. aura, meanwhile, was already making herself at home, toddling around the living room as she inspected every corner with curiosity.
“easy peasy,” y/n whispered to trent once tyler had left. she crouched down to aura’s level, her smile wide and warm. “hey, aura! are you ready to have some fun?”
aura looked up at y/n with wide eyes before giggling and running over to the couch, climbing up with surprising agility. “wheels on the bus!” she declared.
trent raised an eyebrow at y/n, who stifled a laugh. “she doesn’t waste time, does she?”
“wheels on the bus, huh?” y/n said, picking up the remote. “alright, aura. we’ll start with a little tv, and then we’ll do some fun activities.”
the next hour passed in a whirlwind of nursery rhymes and toddler chaos. aura, true to her nature, was a bundle of energy—demanding snacks one minute, refusing them the next, asking for different toys, and then promptly getting bored with them. she sang “the wheels on the bus” on repeat, over and over, her tiny voice echoing through the house like a broken record.
trent tried to keep up, offering snacks, building blocks, and even attempting a dance-off at one point to keep aura entertained, but the toddler was relentless. nothing seemed to hold her attention for more than a few minutes. y/n had taken over for a bit, reading her a book, but even that failed after aura decided she’d rather flip the pages herself—at lightning speed.
“how is she still going?” y/n whispered, her eyes wide as aura zoomed across the living room again, running in circles around the coffee table. “she’s like a little tornado.”
trent leaned against the doorframe, watching with a mix of amusement and exhaustion. “i have no idea, but i’m starting to think we underestimated her.”
y/n sighed, glancing at the clock. “it’s only been an hour. i thought we’d be pros at this by now.”
“same,” trent muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. aura suddenly jumped onto the couch again, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she pointed at the tv.
“wheels on the bus!”
y/n’s eyes widened in horror as the opening notes of the familiar song began to play again. “oh no… not again.”
trent burst out laughing. “you said it wouldn’t be that bad. look at us now.”
aura began clapping along with the song, blissfully unaware of the adults slowly losing their minds.
y/n threw her hands up in mock surrender, a laugh bubbling up despite her exhaustion. “i’m hiding,” she whispered dramatically. “i’m not even joking, trent. if i hear that song one more time…”
with that, she tiptoed away, sneaking off down the hallway and into their bedroom, closing the door quietly behind her as she leaned against it, letting out a deep sigh of relief. silence. glorious, wonderful silence.
she slid down to sit on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest as she tried to compose herself. how did parents do this every day?
a few minutes passed before the door creaked open, and trent poked his head in, his face a mixture of amusement and exhaustion. “you’re hiding too, huh?”
y/n looked up, letting out a soft laugh. “i couldn’t take it anymore. i needed a breather.”
trent walked in, closing the door behind him before collapsing onto the bed with a groan. “same. i’ve heard ‘the wheels on the bus’ more times tonight than i have in my entire life.”
y/n snorted, crawling over to join him on the bed. she laid on her side, propping her head up on her hand. “she’s so cute, but wow. i’m exhausted.”
“me too,” trent admitted, closing his eyes as he lay back against the pillows. “and she’s just one kid.”
“one kid,” y/n repeated in disbelief. “how are we going to handle two?”
“we’ve got time to figure it out,” trent said, though there was a faint note of doubt in his voice.
y/n let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. “if i hear ‘the wheels on the bus’ one more time, i might lose it.”
trent grinned, reaching over to gently squeeze her hand. “well, look at it this way—if we can survive aura, we can survive anything.”
just as they began to relax, they heard a knock on the door. both of them froze, glancing at each other before they heard a tiny voice calling out.
“uncle trent? auntie y/n? where are you?”
trent groaned, dragging his hand down his face. “i guess break time’s over.”
“let’s just pretend we didn’t hear her,” y/n whispered, her voice half-joking, half-serious.
“she’s relentless,” trent muttered, reluctantly getting up and heading toward the door. but as soon as he opened it, he was met with aura’s wide, expectant eyes.
“what are you doing?” she asked innocently, her hands on her hips like a tiny adult.
trent glanced back at y/n, who was stifling her laughter behind a pillow. “uh… nothing, aura. nothing at all.”
as aura skipped back toward the living room, trent turned to y/n, his expression a mix of exhaustion and amusement. “remind me to never say ‘how hard can it be’ again.”
y/n sat up, shaking her head with a grin. “never again.”
trent shut the door behind aura and collapsed back onto the bed with an exaggerated groan. "we are never saying yes to babysitting again. when our kids are born, we should just… I don’t know… leave them on some rich family's porch and live our newlywed lives in peace."
y/n burst out laughing, leaning into him as her shoulders shook. "right? let them raise our kids while we sip cocktails on some beach in the maldives, living our best lives."
trent grinned, pulling her into his side. "exactly. we’ll visit once in a while, just enough to make sure they don’t forget us."
y/n giggled, nuzzling into his chest. "honestly, we’ll probably be too exhausted to even think about it. if aura is anything to go by… we’ll never sleep again."
“oh, we’re doomed,” trent sighed dramatically, but his smile betrayed his lightheartedness. “but at least we’ll have each other, yeah?”
y/n looked up at him, a soft, genuine smile on her face now. “yeah, we will.” she shifted closer, her voice lowering, teasing. “and when we get those rare, precious moments alone… we’ll have lots of fun."
trent's eyes sparkled mischievously as he wrapped his arms around her. "oh, I’m counting on it."
she giggled again, snuggling into him as they both relaxed, the chaos of the night fading away as they enjoyed the peace between them.
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it was late, the kind of quiet that settled like a soft blanket over their home. y/n and trent were curled up together on the couch, her head resting on his chest as they mindlessly watched something on tv, neither fully paying attention. they were both so tired yet peaceful, soaking in the rare quiet before the chaos of their twins arriving. y/n shifted slightly, a small, almost unconscious wince passing over her face as her hand went to her belly.
trent noticed immediately, his eyes flickering down to her hand. “hey, you alright?” he murmured, brushing his thumb over her shoulder.
she blinked, almost confused herself, her hand resting over the curve of her stomach as she tried to figure out the sensation. it had been so quick, a little nudge that she’d almost missed it. “i… i don’t know,” she whispered, her brows knitting together in surprise.
and then, there it was again—a tiny, distinct little tap from inside, like a secret meant just for her. her eyes widened, and she looked up at trent, realization dawning as her mouth dropped open. “oh my god… trent… i think… i think they just kicked.”
trent’s eyes lit up, a slow grin spreading across his face, and he scrambled to sit up, both hands immediately coming to rest on her belly, fingers splayed wide. “no way… are you serious?” he whispered, his voice full of wonder.
as if on cue, another gentle nudge pressed against his hand. his mouth dropped open, his expression one of pure awe as he looked back at her, speechless.
that was it; they both broke into the biggest, teary-eyed smiles, their eyes locked in mutual disbelief and wonder. “that’s… that’s them, babe,” he breathed, voice cracking just slightly as the reality of it all washed over him. “they’re really in there… they’re real.”
she nodded, her own eyes brimming with tears, her emotions too tangled to express. she let out a small laugh, sniffling as she reached for his hand, pressing it firmly against her belly as if to share the moment just between the two of them. “i can’t believe it… it’s like they’re saying hi.”
trent pulled her closer, not even bothering to wipe the tears that slipped down his cheeks. his voice was choked as he whispered, “hi, little ones… it’s your dad. can’t wait to meet you both.”
y/n let out a small, shaky laugh, burying her face into his shoulder as the tears finally spilled over, full of a love so intense it left her breathless. “god, trent, they’re actually in there… kicking… our babies.”
he nodded, his own voice rough, kissing the top of her head as he tried to keep himself together, but failed miserably. “our babies,” he repeated, laughing through his tears, brushing his thumb over her cheek to wipe away her tears even as his own kept coming. “you’re doing so amazing, y/n. you’re… you’re incredible.”
they sat there, holding each other, both openly crying, laughing at how ridiculous they probably looked. but in that moment, nothing else mattered—not the chaos of their schedules, the stresses of the future, or anything else in the world. all they knew was that they were here, together, with two little lives that had just announced themselves in the most perfect way.
trent pressed one last kiss to her forehead, his fingers never leaving her stomach as he whispered softly, “can’t wait for you to meet them, love. they’re already so perfect. just like you.”
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trent was moving around the house, pulling on his liverpool tech fleece, that one she usually couldn't stop herself from admiring on him. it clung to him just right, a familiar sight that, despite herself, y/n loved to see. his bag sat by the door, toiletries zipped up tight, everything packed and ready for another away match. the reality of it set a quiet weight in her chest—he’d be gone for days, missing the little things, their routines, their tiny moments that were quickly becoming the core of her days.
but she stayed silent, acting distracted, looking over some paperwork on the couch. every time trent passed her to grab something, he’d pause, drop a quick “bye, i love you” or “see you soon,” but she barely responded, nodding absently, her eyes never leaving the papers. her mind was somewhere else, far from the day’s plans or the to-do list in her hand. she just kept thinking about how long he’d be gone, how he’d miss the way the babies kept learning new little things every day, the way they needed him just as much as she did. before, she could shrug it off, let him go without so much ache, but now... she felt like a piece of her was leaving, too.
he paused, eyebrows drawn in as he waited for her to say something, anything, back. “y/n… you know i love you, right?” he tried again, voice edging with a bit of humor as if to coax a smile from her, but she barely lifted her head, just hummed something that sounded like “uh-huh.”
he walked away for a second, grabbing his bag, but returned to her side, looking down at her with a soft, exaggerated sigh. “okay… i love you, y/n.” his voice lingered, as if giving her time to respond.
another “uh-huh.” he tilted his head, crossing his arms, his pout growing. “did you hear me? I. love. you.”
finally, trent walked over to the couch, leaning down with a gentle smile, aiming a kiss toward her, but she turned her cheek just before his lips brushed her. he pulled back, brow raised, studying her in that careful way that was too knowing, too aware. 
“hey,” he murmured, crouching down a bit so they were eye-level, “what’s going on, baby? you’re not gonna kiss me goodbye?” he tried to keep it light, but the hurt was obvious in his voice, like he couldn’t understand why she was pulling away.
she gave him a small shrug, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the corner of a page. “i dunno,” she said, feigning nonchalance, “just... thought you were in a rush.”
trent’s eyes softened, catching the edge of her sadness even in her attempt to hide it. he leaned in closer, not letting her off so easy. “c’mon,” he whispered, slipping a hand to her chin to lift her face gently toward him, “don’t pretend with me. what’s really going on?”
her defenses broke a bit, and she sighed, letting her gaze fall. “it’s just… every time you leave now, it feels harder. before, i could handle it,” she admitted, voice low, almost like she didn’t want to say it out loud. “but now, with the babies… what happens when they need their daddy and he’s just… gone?”
trent’s face softened even more, his expression serious as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “baby, i know it’s hard. i don’t want to be away either, but i’m doing this for us, for them too.” his thumb traced gentle circles on her cheek, grounding her, pulling her out of her worries. “and no matter how far i go, you’re the first thing i’m thinking about, all of you. every minute.”
she bit her lip, glancing up at him with a vulnerable look. “sometimes it feels like it’s just gonna keep getting harder. like one day you’ll come back, and they’ll already be doing something new without you there to see it.”
trent’s heart clenched at her words, at the weight she was carrying alone. he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close despite her hesitation, letting her rest against him. “y/n, every little moment is a part of us,” he murmured, “whether i’m here or not. and when i’m away, i’ll keep reminding them just how much i’m wrapped around their little fingers—yours too.”
she let herself sink into his arms, her hands clutching the fabric of his fleece. “it’s not just them, you know. it’s me too.” her voice was soft, almost a whisper, carrying the weight of her feelings.
trent smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “oh, trust me, i know,” he said, playful but gentle, his eyes full of warmth. “don’t think i didn’t notice you ignoring me. thought you’d get away with it, huh?” he teased, and she laughed quietly against him, her walls slipping a little more. “i love you,” he said firmly, “and i don’t want you ever doubting that, okay?”
he leaned closer, nudging her playfully. “you’re not even gonna say it back?” he asked, faking a wounded look, his lip jutting out in a dramatic pout.
she finally looked up, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “mm, i don’t know. are you sure you deserve it?” she teased, fighting a grin.
his pout deepened, eyes widening as he stared at her with a mockingly hurt expression. “wow. wow here i am, practically professing my undying love, and you… you don’t even have the decency to throw me a ‘love you’ back?”
her smile finally broke through, and she reached out, tugging on the hem of his fleece. “alright, alright… i love you too, trent alexander-arnold” she whispered, barely able to keep from laughing at his dramatic pout.
he softened instantly, leaning down to kiss her cheek with a triumphant little smile. “that’s all i wanted.”
she nodded, managing a small smile as he kissed her properly, slow and warm. as he pulled back, he looked her in the eye, his thumb brushing away the hint of a tear. “i’ll be back before you know it,” he promised, his hand resting on her cheek.
“you’d better be,” she whispered, managing a smile. “i’ll be waiting.”
he lingered just a second longer, pressing one last kiss to her forehead, before finally standing and grabbing his bag, casting her one last look before heading out.
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after the match, trent found himself strolling the quiet streets of milan with dom by his side, the city's soft glow and evening crowds buzzing around them. dom was mid-sentence, pointing out a sleek italian shoe store, but trent’s eyes had caught on something else entirely: a boutique with tiny designer outfits displayed in the window. his mind went straight to the twins, and his lips curved up in that undeniable smile—the one he got whenever he thought of them. he nudged dom, nodding toward the shop.
“you really going in there, trent?” dom laughed, eyeing the window with mild amusement. “y/n’s gonna think you’ve lost it, mate.”
“ah, come on,” trent chuckled, “she’s always saying we shouldn’t spoil them yet, ‘cause they’ll grow out of things so fast.” he could practically hear her voice from a few weeks back, playful but firm: “they’re gonna be huge, trent, and outgrow those little outfits before we know it. let’s hold off a bit, yeah?”
but tonight? the temptation to ignore that and pick up a few special things for his little ones was too strong to resist. “but… we know what we are having now,” he reasoned, laughing as he pulled open the door. “besides, it’s milan. why not get them something fancy?”
dom shook his head, but he was grinning too, following trent in. trent was quick to scan the shelves, carefully picking up tiny designer onesies, delicate caps, and soft blankets, already picturing his boys in them.
“gonna go home with a suitcase just for them, aren’t you?” dom teased as trent held up a tiny sweater with such pride.
“maybe,” trent replied, shrugging but grinning all the same. “i mean, how can you not? i just… i want everything to be special for them, you know?”
as they entered the boutique, dom’s amusement turned into outright laughter watching trent’s reaction to the rows of tiny designer clothes. trent’s eyes had practically doubled in size as he spotted a pair of matching baby outfits—a soft, cream-colored onesie with the most delicate lace for a little girl and a classic, navy blue set with tiny buttons for a boy. without even thinking, he reached for both, holding them up with a wide grin, completely lost in imagining his twins wearing them.
“mate, it’s like you’re on a shopping spree for royalty,” dom teased, watching trent turn the onesies over in his hands, grinning like he’d just struck gold. “y/n’s definitely gonna scold you for this one.”
trent laughed, knowing dom wasn’t wrong. he could already hear y/n’s mock-stern voice in his head, reminding him about not going overboard. it took him back to a few weeks before, right after the gender reveal, when she’d put her hand on his arm, eyes soft but firm: “they’re gonna grow so fast, trent. we don’t need a whole closet yet.” she’d playfully poked his chest, adding, “plus, you know they’re gonna be huge, just like their dad.”
but trent couldn’t help himself now. “look at these, dom,” he said, holding up the tiny clothes like he’d discovered the world’s greatest treasure. “i mean… how can i not get them? one day they’ll look back on these, you know? little heirlooms.”
“yeah, little designer heirlooms,” dom smirked, leaning back to enjoy the scene. “i never thought i’d see trent alexander-arnold losing it over baby clothes.”
“laugh all you want, mate,” trent shot back, but he was laughing too, unfazed. “just wait until you see their nursery. y/n’s been the one to keep me in line, but she’ll love these. i just… i want our little girl and boy to have everything.” he gently ran his fingers over the fabric, his mind wandering back to y/n’s growing bump and the soft kick he’d felt under his hand just a few nights ago.
“gonna go home with a suitcase just for them, aren’t you?” dom teased as trent held up a tiny sweater with such pride.
“maybe,” trent replied, shrugging but grinning all the same. “i mean, how can you not? i just… i want everything to be special for them, you know?”
“sounds like you’re already in full dad mode,” dom laughed. “how’s it been, anyway? the whole pregnancy?”
trent’s gaze softened, shifting as he thought of y/n. “honestly, man? she’s an angel. strong as hell. i can’t imagine anyone else doing this with me.” he shook his head, a mixture of awe and love in his eyes. “she’s handling it like it’s nothing, but… i know it’s hard on her. makes me wanna be the best for her, for all of them.”
dom nodded, his expression serious for once. “sounds like she’s lucky to have you too, mate. those boys are gonna have a great dad.”
trent felt a warmth in his chest, a strange but welcome mix of pride and gratitude. “just hope i can live up to all of it.”
with his new stash of tiny clothes packed, he headed back with dom, already envisioning y/n’s face when she saw the little gifts. and as he boarded the plane back, his mind wandered again to her—her laughter, her strength, her determination to keep him grounded even when all he wanted to do was spoil her and their bbabies.
dom nodded, clearly amused but softening a bit at the sight of trent so devoted and ready for the changes ahead. “you’re really gone, aren’t you?”
trent glanced up, smiling. “absolutely. i want them to know, from day one, they’ve got us—me and y/n. she’s made everything feel… possible, you know? her strength is insane as hell, that one.”
dom gave him a nod, acknowledging the emotion in trent’s voice, and offered a small smile. “they’re lucky kids, trent. lucky to have both of you.”
with his shopping bags filled and his heart full, trent couldn’t wait to get back and show y/n. he could picture her face, the way she’d light up at the thought of their twins in the carefully chosen outfits, and even the little laugh she’d give him as she pretended to be cross with him. in the end, though, she’d know just how much he cared—and how he’d been counting down every second to be back with her and their babies.
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trent steps through the front door, dropping his bags as quietly as he can. he knows it’s late, but that doesn’t stop the wide smile spreading across his face as he sees y/n coming down the stairs, her face lighting up the moment she sees him. she moves as fast as she can, waddling into his arms, and he scoops her up, pressing a long kiss to her lips as he holds her close.
“missed you,” he murmurs against her lips, grinning when she nods, a sleepy smile on her face.
“missed you more.” she nuzzles into his chest, taking in his scent, the faint smell of his cologne, the hint of travel exhaustion. they stand there for a long moment, just holding each other, both soaking up the comfort of being back together.
but then y/n’s eyes drift down to the bags he’s brought in and land on an unexpected sight—a second suitcase, one she doesn’t recognize.
“what’s… that?” she asks, her brow arching as she points at the extra bag, suspicion creeping into her voice.
trent glances down, and for a split second, his face gives him away. “oh, that? uh, it’s nothing.” he starts to push it behind him with his foot, but y/n’s eyes narrow playfully.
“nothing?” she crosses her arms, giving him a look. “you don’t usually need an extra suitcase, trent. you pack like, one hoodie and think you’re sorted for a week.”
he chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck as he glances at the bag, trying to downplay it. “well… i might’ve… done a little shopping while i was there.”
“shopping?” she echoes, suspicion morphing into amusement as she moves to grab the suitcase, but he’s quicker, pulling it away. “for what?”
“for our little ones,” he says, a sheepish grin creeping onto his face.
her jaw drops slightly, and she lets out a dramatic sigh, hands on her hips as she shakes her head. “trent! we said we’d wait until they were closer to coming before we started buying clothes… they’re growing at superhuman speed, remember?”
he nods, looking more guilty than ever, but there’s a glimmer of excitement in his eyes that he can’t hide. “i know, i know… but y/n, i was in milan. and you know they’ve gotta be fresh… our babies have to look on point from the start.”
she rolls her eyes, fighting back a laugh. “fresh? trent, they’re barely the size of a pineapple right now.”
“exactly,” he retorts, raising an eyebrow, “and they need to be the freshest pineapples anyone’s ever seen.”
she lets out a little huff, tapping her finger on her chin as if seriously considering his reasoning. “right… except, remember we talked about saving a little for later? you know, in case you spend all your money?”
a smug smile crosses his face, and he steps closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. “first of all it’s our money and please, y/n. look at us. do we look like we’re gonna run out anytime soon?”
she can’t help but snort at his confidence, rolling her eyes again. “maybe not right now, but what happens when we do, huh? i’ll have to find someone richer than you.”
he raises a brow, his smile turning into something darker as he steps closer, backing her up against the counter. his voice drops low, almost a purr. “oh yeah? someone richer?”
she grins, still teasing, hands pressing against his chest to keep a little distance between them. “mhm. someone who doesn’t go overboard and buy out entire stores before the babies are even here.”
his eyes narrow, a playful glint flickering in them, and before she can react, he grabs her waist, pulling her flush against him, his voice a soft challenge. “try me. i dare you.” his hand slides down, giving her a firm smack on her bum, making her jump and laugh.
“what’s that supposed to mean?” she asks, feigning innocence, though her pulse skips at the way he’s looking at her.
“it means,” he murmurs, leaning in close enough that his lips brush against her ear, “you’re not going anywhere, baby. so, you better get used to me spoiling you—and them—rotten.”
she feels her cheeks heat up as he leans back, watching her with a smug grin, and she scoffs, trying to keep her composure. “oh, so sure of yourself, are we?”
his hands slide to her hips, his thumbs grazing over her bump as he gives her a long, slow look. “absolutely.” he gives her a quick kiss, then leans back, smirking as he takes in the flustered look on her face. “besides, you’d never find someone who’d love our kids as much as i do… or someone who’d take care of you and your insatiable sex drive.” his eyes gleam with mischief as he steps back, looking far too pleased with himself.
she rolls her eyes, trying to ignore the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. “we’ll see about that.”
he chuckles, grabbing her again and pulling her closer. “oh, we will,” he whispers, his mouth brushing over her neck before he kisses her again, slower this time, leaving no room for doubt. “and trust me, baby you’re not finding anyone better than this.”
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they lay together in the dim glow of their room, the soft rustle of the sheets wrapping around them like a cocoon. trent’s arm draped lazily over y/n’s shoulders, his fingers gently playing with her hair as they basked in the afterglow of their intimacy. their skin glistened with a light sheen of sweat, the heat between them a comforting reminder of the connection they had just shared. the world outside faded into a distant hum, leaving just the two of them in their own little paradise.
as they settled into the quiet, y/n felt a warmth radiate from trent, a steady heartbeat beneath her ear that calmed her racing thoughts. she shifted slightly, glancing up at him, taking in the way the light danced across his features, illuminating the love and strength she had always admired.
they lay together in the dim glow of their room, the soft rustle of the sheets wrapping around them like a cocoon. trent’s arm draped lazily over y/n’s shoulders, his fingers gently playing with her hair as they basked in the afterglow of their intimacy. the world outside faded into a distant hum, leaving just the two of them in their own little paradise.
“you know,” she began, her voice soft and thoughtful, “we’ve come a long way to come back to ourselves. an even better version of us.”
trent smiled down at her, his eyes glimmering with affection. “we really have, haven’t we? it’s been a hell of a journey, but i wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
a playful smile crossed y/n’s lips as she remembered the way they navigated the chaos of impending parenthood, supporting each other through the ups and downs. “i just feel like… with everything happening, and the twins coming… it’s like we’re at this turning point.”
“yeah?” trent prodded, raising an eyebrow, intrigued by where her thoughts were leading. “what do you mean?”
y/n took a deep breath, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and nerves. she thought about how close they had become, how much she cherished every moment they spent together. it felt like they were already more than just partners; they were a family. and yet, there was one more step she couldn’t shake from her mind.
“i’ve been thinking about how we’re starting this new chapter in our lives,” she said slowly, her eyes locking onto his. “and how we’re going to raise our kids together.”
“yeah, it’s going to be amazing,” he replied, a soft smile spreading across his face. “they’re going to have the best parents.”
y/n felt her pulse quicken as she continued, “and i know we’ve talked about the future, about how we want to be there for each other and for them. but i can’t help but think—”
“think what?” he prompted, his expression shifting to one of intense curiosity.
she bit her lip, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. she could see the love in his eyes, the way he was so fully present, and she felt a rush of determination. this was it. this was the moment to say it out loud, to make it real. 
“let’s get married.” 
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© PDRIESTA 2024
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639-hear-me-out-bby · 2 days ago
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pairing: namjoon x afab! pregnant! reader
warnings: pregnancy mentions (nothing heavy, just the idea of being pregnant)
a/n: hello! so this is just me testing my waters on writing again after losing my mind to an indefinite hiatus + studying. hope y'all enjoy!
"Well, aegi has been very active recently. As much as I hate to admit it babe, it's probably 'cause you've been home over the weekend." You say as you trail behind.
"Pregnancy is no joke in Korea, hon. I'll give it that." You say as you trail behind Namjoon who's been carrying yet another box to the nursery. "Well, that's what a hardworking country gets. All the economy, none of the kids," he trails off as he enters the nursery, "Watch yourself, baby. You, your clumsy self, and our soccer star."
What you say is true. As you've been reading relentlessly all the prenatal books the world has to offer. It's been saying that you should listen to classical music or, at least, play music so it stimulates the baby and you have been doing that but it's just not working.
But life has been colorful on the recent days. All this "baby prep", as Namjoon would call it, has you in a whirlwind. Deliveries and packages have built up on your home's doorstep the minute you've hit your second trimester.
Namjoon carefully sets down the box, brushing a stray hair out of his eyes as he turns to you, a soft smile lighting up his face. "Guess our little one knows when Appa's around," he says, his voice a mix of pride and amazement.
You walk over to the box he’s just placed, giving it a curious shake, and laugh as he raises an eyebrow at you. "What? I'm just trying to guess which of your 500 delivery orders this is," you tease.
He chuckles, reaching out to pull you close, his hand resting gently on your bump. "Hey, I can't help it if our baby deserves the best. Plus, I have to compensate for all those long work hours," he says, a bit of guilt lacing his words. You can tell he's still adjusting to balancing his passion for his career with this new life you're building together.
You lean your head on his shoulder, feeling his warmth seep into you, grounding you in this perfect moment. "Well, all that matters is that you're here now," you whisper, feeling your heart swell as he presses a gentle kiss to the top of your head.
As if on cue, the baby kicks—a strong, unmistakable nudge that has both of you jolting. You gasp, and Namjoon's eyes light up, pure joy spreading across his face as he drops to one knee, hands instantly resting on your belly. "Was that…? Oh, aegi, you’re going to be a real little champ," he murmurs softly to the bump.
The way he talks to your baby, that quiet adoration in his voice, makes you melt. He’s already so in love, and you realize this journey is going to be so much sweeter because of moments like this. Your hand rests on his, fingers lacing as you both stay there in the stillness, absorbing every flutter and heartbeat.
In that moment, you know that, yes, life is a whirlwind. But with him, it’s the most beautiful one you could ever imagine.
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infinite--92 · 3 days ago
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Confronting the family
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The Journey Back Home
The days after her walk brought a growing realisation to Sophie. She could no longer avoid the inevitable: she had to tell her family. Living with this new reality on her own was unsustainable. If there was a chance that she would be stuck with this swollen belly indefinitely—or, even worse, if the situation escalated into an actual pregnancy that could last years—her family had to know. The thought of facing her parents filled her with dread, but the idea of lying to them felt even worse.
With a deep breath, she booked a last-minute flight back to Portland for the weekend. The short flight felt like an eternity. She couldn’t help but notice the side glances from passengers as she navigated the narrow aisle, her belly bumping against the seats. She forced a smile when an elderly woman offered her a sympathetic nod, assuming she was just an expectant mother traveling home. Sophie clutched her bag tightly, mentally preparing herself for the questions and concerns she knew her family would have.
Arriving in Portland
As she stepped out of the airport, the familiar damp, pine-scented air of Portland greeted her. The taxi ride to her parents' house was filled with memories. The streets, the cafes, the parks—everything reminded her of simpler times before her life had taken such an unexpected and bizarre turn.
When the taxi pulled up to her parents' driveway, she took a deep breath, resting a hand on her swollen belly for comfort. She could already see her mother, Susan, waiting by the front door with a bright smile on her face, oblivious to the bombshell Sophie was about to drop.
“Sophie!” her mother exclaimed as she rushed forward, arms open wide. But her expression shifted from joy to shock the moment she noticed Sophie’s exposed, massive belly. Her smile faltered, replaced by confusion and concern.
“Sophie... what—what happened?” Susan’s voice wavered, her hands instinctively moving to touch her daughter’s belly but stopping short, as if unsure whether to believe what she was seeing.
Sophie’s father, Peter, stepped out of the house a moment later, his face mirroring his wife's shock. “Sweetheart,” he said, his voice filled with worry. “Are you... pregnant?”
Sophie forced a smile, but tears were already welling up in her eyes. “Can we talk inside?” she asked, her voice trembling.
They nodded silently, leading her into the living room. The familiar comfort of her childhood home did little to ease the knot of anxiety in her stomach. She sat down on the couch, her hands resting on her enormous belly, and took a deep breath. Her parents sat opposite her, still stunned, waiting for an explanation.
The Revelation
Sophie hesitated, searching for the right words. She had practiced this conversation in her head a hundred times during the flight, but now, face-to-face with her parents, it felt impossible.
“I’m not pregnant,” she finally said, her voice breaking. “Not in the way you’re thinking.”
Her mother’s eyes filled with confusion. “But, Sophie, look at you,” she said, her hand fluttering to her mouth. “You look...”
“I know,” Sophie interrupted. “It’s complicated. I was part of a medical trial at the university. A pharmaceutical company offered me a lot of money to test a new product, a hormone injection. At the time, I thought it was safe. I thought it was just a simple study.”
Her father’s brow furrowed. “What kind of study would cause this?” he asked, his voice tinged with anger.
Sophie took a deep breath. “The injections were supposed to be a fertility enhancement. But they didn’t tell me everything. The formula caused my body to... react in ways they didn’t predict. My belly swelled up like this, even though I’m not carrying a baby. It’s like a false pregnancy. The doctors can’t explain it, and the company has disappeared. I don’t know if this will go away, or if...” She paused, tears finally spilling over. “Or if I’ll be stuck like this forever.”
Her mother let out a gasp, covering her mouth in shock. Tears filled her eyes as she moved to sit beside Sophie, wrapping her arms around her daughter. “Oh, Sophie, why didn’t you tell us sooner?”
“I didn’t know how,” Sophie whispered, her voice filled with guilt. “I was scared. I still am. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Her father’s face was a mask of fury and helplessness. He stood up, pacing the room. “This is outrageous! We need to find this company and hold them accountable. How could they do this to you? To our daughter?”
Sophie wiped her eyes. “I’ve tried. I went to their office, but it was empty. I spoke to the lead scientist, Dr. Hale, and... she’s in the same situation. She injected herself too. She said they didn’t know this would happen.”
Peter shook his head, running a hand through his hair. “This is unbelievable. We need to get lawyers involved. We’ll fight this, Sophie. We’ll find a way to fix it.”
Sophie’s mother squeezed her hand tightly. “Honey, whatever happens, we’ll get through this together. You’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.”
Sophie felt a wave of relief and gratitude. She had dreaded this moment, feared their reaction, but their support was unwavering. The fear of being judged or blamed melted away, replaced by the comforting realisation that her family loved her unconditionally, no matter what.
The Weekend at Home
The next two days were a mix of difficult conversations and quiet moments of solace. Her parents asked questions—endless questions—about what had happened, how she felt, and what the doctors had said. Sophie answered as best she could, but there were still so many unknowns.
On Saturday afternoon, her parents took her out to the park. It was a quiet place where Sophie used to play as a child. They walked slowly, side by side, her mother holding her hand, her father keeping a protective arm around her shoulders. They didn’t talk much; there wasn’t much left to say. But the silence was comforting, filled with a shared understanding and the unspoken promise that they would face whatever came next together.
As they sat on a bench by the lake, watching the ducks swim by, her mother turned to her. “We’ll find a way, Sophie,” she said softly. “You’re strong, and we’ll get through this. You’re still our daughter, and we love you, no matter what.”
Sophie looked at her parents, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. For the first time in weeks, she felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe the road ahead was uncertain, and maybe she couldn’t change what had happened, but she wasn’t alone. And that made all the difference.
For the rest of the weekend, Sophie allowed herself to relax, to be a daughter again. She knew the future was still filled with unknowns, but she took comfort in the strength of her family’s love. As she prepared to return to the university, she felt a new resolve forming inside her. She would keep searching for answers, keep fighting for a solution, but now she knew she had a support system to lean on. And that gave her the courage she needed to face whatever lay ahead.
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mindifirelax · 1 day ago
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Fireflies (Pre-Fall Drabble) (Based on image 1)
In the subtle glow of the hallway, outside of the Planning Room. There on a bench, Judith reclined against her brother's lap, her head nestled comfortably as she adjusted the fabric of her gown to better accommodate the growing curve of her belly. Her hand idly traced the intricate embroidery at her side, while her other reached up, quill in hand, twiddled it in her fingers. They sat together in a rare moment of quiet, a small pocket of time stolen away from the demands of their lives—hers as queen, carrying the king's child, and his as the ever-reliable son, the one so often tasked with their mother's burdens. Her pregnancy had just begun to show, a faint curve beneath the soft folds of her gown, and the sight filled him with a fierce love and protectiveness he couldn’t voice. But Judith’s expression held mischief today, her gaze sharp as she glanced up at him.
“Tell me, brother,” she started, her tone light, “how long do you plan to stare at that report without reading it?”
Hamnet looked down, feigning innocence, but Judith caught the flicker of tension in his eyes. He could never fully relax, not under the weight of all the duties his mother had pressed upon him, nor the responsibility he felt for his family’s safety.
Hamnet blinked, snapping out of his reverie. "Have I? Guess my mind wandered off again, do I fail to entertain you sister?"
"My mind grows curious as to when you plan on actually finishing that report." replied the queen"
Hamnet merely gave a soft, playful scoff, casting a glance down at his sister. "What? And leave you here all by yourself to waste away in boredom?" He quirked an eyebrow, folding his arms with mock indignation.
"My duty is to ensure your entertainment, Your Majesty. I wouldn’t dream of abandoning you."
“Oh, don’t even try that with me,” Judith countered, a glint of amusement in her eyes. “You might be good at acting the fool, but you can’t convince me. You’ve barely managed a single smile since you’ve come in, and I know it’s not just because of this report.” She nudged him gently, gesturing toward the stack of papers he’d been avoiding for the past hour. “It’s more than the words on those pages. You’ve been carrying more than anyone can see. I have the power to ease the work load she places upo-"
"If anyone needs to occupy themselves with less work, it is you. And the beautiful nephew you carry in your belly." he pressed
"Vikus believes it to be a girl, though we both can guess where that stems from." she replied
Hamnet's smile faltered slightly, his shoulders stiffening. He looked down, brushing a stray hair from her forehead, his touch careful, protective. "Mother does what she thinks is best for Regalia," he said softly, as if explaining it to himself as much as to her. "And as her son, I’m bound to it. It’s a privilege to serve, to support you and to honor the family…"
Judith rolled her eyes, a little exasperated sigh escaping her lips. “Yes, yes, I’ve heard that speech before. But that isn’t what I’m asking, Hamnet. When was the last time you felt that joy, that lightness you used to carry so easily? It’s been ages since I’ve seen you laugh—really laugh. Not just for my sake, but because you feel it."
Hamnet hesitated, the mask of lightheartedness slipping, allowing a rare glimpse of vulnerability. He exhaled a long breath, leaning back, his gaze drifting to the library's tall, shadowed shelves, as if they held answers he could not voice aloud. "Judith, this life… it’s not what I once thought it would be. The weight of it all… I didn’t expect it would ever feel so heavy." His voice softened as he added,
"Mother expects so much, and I don’t want to let her down. I want to be the son she believes in.”
Judith listened, a pang of empathy tightening her chest. She lifted a hand to cover his, squeezing gently. “Hamnet, you do not have to carry all of that alone. Mother may place those responsibilities on you, but you’re not just her son. You are my brother. And I see you, Hamnet, in ways that maybe even she refuses. I know how much you give, even when you are empty. I worry that someday… will be too much.”
She paused, a sly smile forming as a glimmer of mischief danced in her eyes. “Though I do not seem to be the only one who sees you,” she teased, the tone of her voice shifting, warm and knowing.
Hamnet’s cheeks reddened instantly as he caught her meaning, his gaze darting away, an embarrassed chuckle escaping his lips. “Oh, don’t start with that,” he muttered, attempting to brush it off with a wave of his hand, though his smile betrayed him.
Judith only grinned wider, pressing on, undeterred. “I start nothing!” she said, feigning innocence. “It’s true! I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Mareth’s gaze follows you everywhere. Honestly, I’d be surprised if the whole palace hasn’t noticed.” She laughed, her voice soft and rich with delight, a sound that filled the room with warmth.
Hamnet shook his head, though he couldn’t hide the faint smile tugging at his lips. “He is just doing his duty, Judith. Since Vikus has assigned him to our detail, of course we've become friends."
“You think I don’t notice the way Mareth’s eyes linger on you, how he watches you when he thinks no one is looking? He may be a soldier, yes, but even he cannot hide everything."
Hamnet looked away, his gaze dropping to his hands. The way he fidgeted with his fingers was a tell Judith recognized immediately, and it only spurred her on.
“I’d say you have quite the effect on him,” she continued, her tone both gentle and amused. “In fact, I’d wager he’d do just about anything to see that smile of yours more often. Perhaps he’s already doing more for you than you realize.”
Hamnet finally let out a laugh, short and soft, the tension easing just a little as he shook his head. "You don’t know that for certain."
“Oh, but I do,” Judith replied with certainty, her eyes sparkling. “I think he’s just waiting for you to notice it, or perhaps waiting for the courage to say something himself. Perhaps he’s hoping you’ll make it easier for him.”
She gave him an encouraging squeeze on the shoulder, her expression softening. “Hamnet, sometimes life only gives us one chance to follow our hearts. Maybe you should try letting him see you the way I do—the way he seems to want to.”
Her words settled into the quiet, and Hamnet found himself with no response, only a deep warmth and a flicker of something more—hope, perhaps—beginning to take root. And as Judith nestled back into his lap, her laughter still lingering in the air, Hamnet allowed himself, if only for a moment, to wonder.
“Perdita is also convinced that the two of you must have been shiners in a past life—with the way she keeps catching him staring at you. It is as if he expects your backside to start flashing messages back to him.”
"Judith!"
“Oh, please,” Judith replied, feigning innocence. “You should be flattered! It’s not every day one’s presence is so captivating it inspires… well, such dedication.” She gave him a playful nudge.
"Besides, it’s clear enough that Mareth is simply waiting for you to notice him noticing you."
Hamnet could only shake his head, both mortified and amused. "You really don’t know when to stop, do you?"
"Not when it comes to seeing my brother finally smile like that,” she said softly, her playful tone softening. “You deserve him, Hamnet."
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My sister had her baby last month and I’ve had baby fever SO bad ever since. Drawing some Hamareth+Luxa cuteness because otherwise I might combust. I’m finally gonna meet my niece in a couple weeks!
Hamnet & Judith are waiting for her husband to be done with yet another planning meeting. She’s doing her best from distracting Hamnet from the report he’s supposed to be finishing for the briefing.
Mareth sewed that little bat and you can’t convince me otherwise. I headcannon that he’s always bugging Hamnet to go get her from Judith. He wants a few of those wiggly stinky things of their own, when the mess with Gorger is over.
Hamnet and Luxa on the beach looking for crystals. Her first time outside of Regalia.
Luxa and Hamnet doing some pre-workout stretching. Ughhh baby yoga. It’s fine, I’m not crying.
LOVE the newborn snuggles. One nice thing about being in the upper military is that Hamnet is housed in the palace and can always get a snuggle whenever he wants— especially after a long day.
I had a really tough week and it’s been nice to focus on these in the evening instead of scrolling. I’m still trying to nail down the style i want to draw them in, but I’m getting close :)
I’ve got a few more ideas for happy scenes, but WAY more angst coming up.
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sinnabee · 9 months ago
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You do moons ass Mondays right
so do suns ass Sundays
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your wish is my command, anon
everyone say hello to sun ass sunday. but of course, as the rule goes... suns out? guns out. >:3c
i will be barring the castle doors and fortifying my defenses in preparation for the uprising, but no, i am not sorry for this
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Finally got to listen to the new episode! I don't have too much to say about this episode other than the fact that I have this weird little soft spot for the trope where characters are drunk/affected in some way and they're just sad. Like, my man was high on fairy mushrooms for 2 minutes and immediately sobbed about his parents and I love it because his mask falls off, and he doesn't even realize it.
Arthur is the hopeful one, he trusts in fate, in his humanity. He follows whatever path brings him to the light. He follows the light his daughter brought him, because being a father brought him that joy and hope and he's always dipping in that supply of brightness she brought him.
But he's also carrying this heavy shit with him, and yes he talks about it, but he's never really let on how much it affects him now, other than the poem he wrote about his parents, which he told John in Larson's mansion. He doesn't hide it, but it feels like he's sort of pushing it down, focusing on whatever good he can find (John, Oscar, Faroe) to ignore the deep dark hope his parents left.
And what's the one other time we saw him drunk? What's the first thing he asks Yellow when he's drunk in that bar? To read him a story. God I love Arthur so much- the second he can't control his thoughts, they all come flooding in and it's like he cannot stop himself from thinking of his parents anymore. He cannot stop himself from feeling, from realizing all the things he doesn't let himself think about.
I love Arthur<3
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that-butch-archivist · 1 month ago
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At last, I achieve victory .... the almighty Book Wall. Unfortunately I'm still gonna need another bookshelf. You know how it is.
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skippygoldfish · 2 months ago
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another big stowaway goldfish popped up at my job FUUUUUUCK!! this time from us harvesting all the fish. its safe for now in a sorting tank with some sunfish and another mystery carp. i know its technically no more special than the other fish but i dont wanna feed it to a bass 💔 i wish i had a pond so i could yoink all the stowaways SO BAD!!!!!!
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firmly grasp it ☝️
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sunnibits · 2 years ago
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god. something about samfro is so…
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fileckz · 5 months ago
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took Faith out today while disc golfin. i think she enjoyed her adventure
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axolotlworld · 1 month ago
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The turn Lavos gets trolled in the 2019 Smogon classic tournament recreated with the text from the resulting forum post
#competitive pokemon#smogon#“Unfortunate” doesn't begin to describe my series#this game rewards blind luck and nothing else#I am beyond convinced at this point. After getting completely tooled by scheduling with my opponent changing times on me last minute and re#losing this way somehow felt even worse than I had thought possible. My preparation was superior#my play was superior#and I lost#so I don't see a reason to continue engaging in an activity where what is within my control is overwhelmingly outweighed by what is not.#I am done with competitive Pokemon#and you won't get a fond farewell. This community is infected to its roots with a degenerative disease that grows stronger over time but st#this has been transplanted and replaced with an artificial organ that feeds on vitriol and mockery from insecure little boys that heckle by#and escaping it requires acceptance of the harshest reality we all scramble to explain away#that none of the countless straining efforts we put ourselves through here will ever amount to one single shining glimmer of significance.#but World Cup is still ongoing#and I would never leave so many great friends out to dry#so I'll suffer through a few more games for them.#One last thing before I leave you all to react with disdain#ridicule#and self-righteous fervor#before you do everything in your power to minimize my words and thoughts#box them up and shove them to some cobwebbed corner of your memory#and hope they disappear forever as a stain on your finite time ground to dust. From this moment on#nothing you say matters to me. The foulest insults you hurl with intent to wound will calmly settle at the earth before my feet#and the venom you spit will bring all the pain of a warm summer breeze. You are less than anything you can conceive#while I carry on#brimming with joy distilled from detachment.
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