#double trouble fic

[starcrossedxwriter]

Double Trouble (Aaron Pierre x Black Reader x MBJ)

Warnings! NSFW, HEAVY BDSM, HEAVY Daddy kink, threesome (MFM), Everything is consensual! Degredation kink, Praise kink, Bratty reader, Dom! Aaron, Dom!MBJ

A/N: went hella overboard with this one! The plot is pure filth.

***

“Baby?” 

Your soft calls were barely loud enough to be heard over your boyfriend’s latest afrobeats obsession, which blasted through your shared home’s sound system. You lazily kicked off your red bottoms, a guttural sigh of relief escaping you as your exhausted feet relaxed out of the painful position it required to sport such beautiful but impractical shoes all day.

On your way to hunt down the love of your life, you stopped by your study, not even bothering to turn on the light as you discarded your Chloe work tote in your chair and closed the door behind you. 

After closing the biggest case of your career, you would not need to see the interior of either of your offices for a week and that almost brought tears of joy to your eyes. You and Aaron did not even have the energy to plan a trip. Having just wrapped a project two weeks prior, you both were overjoyed to spend a week at home wrapped up in each other.

You rolled your shoulders. Prayerfully, your boyfriend would take pity on you and give you a massage to ease the knots that took up residence in your back. You lazily made your way to the kitchen, knowing where you’d find the man you loved - but currently did not like. 

His back was to the arched entryway as you snuck in behind him, stealing a grape from his masterful charcuterie board that sat nearby. 

Despite your righteous annoyance at him, you never missed an opportunity to simply admire Aaron in his element. Like most actors, he suffered from the curse of always having to be “on.” But in the sanctuary of your home, he could just be Aaron, your gentle, loving, goofy, carefree boyfriend. 

And it certainly helped that he looked positively delicious today, setting a stupid table for a stupid dinner you didn’t want to host. He did every day but something was about him today in particular just made you want to sink to your knees and worship him with your tongue. But you wouldn’t give him the satisfaction today. You were pissed off. 

And that lust simply soured into red hot annoyance at the surprise guest your too-kind boyfriend invited to dinner. And while you never usually complained about company,  after months of endless days and sleepless and sexless nights, your vision of a relaxing evening was not entertaining a third wheel. 

It was a tall glass of wine, an amazing meal. And… then having your daddy twist you into a literal human pretzel and fuck the stress out of your body. 

But he hated you, clearly.

A sentiment you articulated (along with others) in a snarky text hours earlier. But Aaron, forever unbothered by your theatrics, merely responded that you should trust your daddy because… 

Daddy knows best. 

And despite the strong independent lawyer inside you who demanded control and to be right (and she usually was), you knew he was right about this one thing. Aaron could always see exactly what you needed. 

And despite your attitude earlier, you still spied his traditional gift for you after winning a big case neatly displayed on the white marble counter: your favorite cake from a bakery nearby and a bouquet of tulips. The varying vibrant shades of pink made something in your soul smile. He knew you too well.

Your silent studying did not go unnoticed for long, Aaron turning around not even startled to find you there. His expressive eyes lit up at the sight of your half grin, which you tried to suppress because you were supposed to be angry at him, and the hand on your hip as you leaned into the counter. 

He was in front of you before you could blink, his strong arm wrapping around your waist to pull you into his embrace. His muscles were threatening to destroy the fabric of his crisp button down, many of his clothes ill equipped to handle the additional muscles he gained for his latest project. 

“Hey princess.” 

Forever a brat and annoyed at the implosion of your plans for the night, you jerked your head to the side as he kissed you, forcing his lips to catch your cheek instead. 

Aaron merely let out a low chuckle, knowing that your bark was far worse than your bite. 

When it came to Aaron, you were about as strong as a lawn chair. You’d fold without resistance. Every. Single. Time. You always thought you were God’s strongest soldier… until you met Aaron. Kryptonite indeed. 

“Still mad at me?” 

“Yes,” you folded your arms as best you could against your chest, scoffing. “Between you playin’ the british assassin all around LA and me trying to negotiate with that asshole partner, we’ve had zero time together and no time to relax. And our first real free night in months without briefs and lines to run, you wanna play captain save a nigga with your friend? And then you spring it on me on some last minute shit. Those lips aren’t gonna get you outta this one, A.” 

“I know, I know, Y/N. And I’m sorry for messing up your plans for the night. I know how excited you are to finally have a break. But I’m trying to surprise you so please just trust me. If I know you like I think I do, you’re gonna like it.” 

“Well I think we’re about to make history then.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“The first time you get a surprise wrong. Honestly it’s probably a good thing? You’ve always been a bit too perfect to be real,” you added, causing him to grin. “But the only thing I would like right now is for you to fuck me into oblivion. So unless this dinner guest can help with that, I doubt I’ll like it. But what’s done is done. Now let me go so I can get ready.” 

A stare down. Another moment where you’d inevitably crumbled. Because only Jesus himself was strong enough to stare in those eyes and not give this man everything you had. 

However, to your surprise, he looked away from you first, nodding and letting his arm fall so you could head upstairs. 

You started to walk out of the kitchen, prepared to sulk the last of your frustrations away before putting on the smile of a gracious host when you heard him call after you. 

“What if they can?”

“What if they can what?” you glanced behind you. 

“Help me fuck you into oblivion.” 

You lurched forward, his words stopping you dead in your tracks. 

No… he couldn’t mean… The tiniest thrill of excitement jolted across your brain like a shooting star. But you steadied yourself. He couldn’t possibly mean what you were thinking. So you played it off. 

“Ha. ha. Ha. Very funny, A.” 

“You hear me laughin’?” 

You slowly turned around to find him behind you, his eyes brimmed with pure lust. But nothing in his face signaled he was joking about a single thing. 

“Remember all those fantasies you told me about, princess?” 

It would take lifetimes for you to forget. You had the most Earth-shattering orgasm of your life telling Aaron every filthy fantasy you had while he fucked you on your apartment balcony. You prayed they were long forgotten by breakfast the next morning, but he remembered every single one. And ever since, he made it his mission to help you fulfill them. 

“Wait… you’re ser- you’re serious? You want to-” 

It was most certainly a fantasy but the practicalities of it seemed unrealistic. You never seriously considered that Aaron would ever try to arrange it.

He merely smirked and pressed his lips to the top of your nose. His voice was low, hypnotic and mesmerizing. 

“Got a few treats upstairs for you. Go get ready.” 

“Wait… we aren’t gonna talk about this?? You aren't gonna give me details?” 

“Nah. You’re gonna be a good girl for me tonight right, baby? I’d hate to punish you in front of company, princess.” 

But EYE wouldn't hate that. A voice echoed in your brain, the thought of a spanking making you want to disobey just for the hell of it.

“Of course you’d like the sound of that,” he teased you before his eyes softened a bit. You could tell he saw it. That kernel of hesitation at the whole affair, that side of you that had to be in the driver’s seat wanting to talk and litigate every risk before you leaned into the pleasure of it.

“Hey, Y/N… baby. This is just going to be a fun night. And the moment it’s no longer fun for you, we stop. Just like that. Just say the word. If you aren’t feelin' it and him, we end it and it's still just a fun night with a friend. Understand?” 

You nodded before correcting yourself so he didn’t have to. “Yes, I understand. Your surprise might’ve won out again… maybe you really are perfect.”

He shrugged. “That’s what I’ve been tryin' to tell you. Just gotta trust me. Now go get ready. Only wear what I laid out for you.” 

Every step to your master suite pumped up your adrenaline. And made you fall deeper in love with your boyfriend. And his ability to fulfill your needs and desires and center your pleasure. He knew your limits, your boundaries, your needs and never wavered. 

A black cocktail dress waited for you with strappy gold heels. Along with your gold choker, with “good girl” engraved on its gold charm and your gold bullet.

Your skin felt electrified, a buzz radiating from every cell as you readied yourself. You weren’t surprised at the slick already pooling at the crest of your thick thighs when you slid your thong to the side and eased the bullet into you. You hissed at the cool silicone against your heat but you persisted. It was uncomfortable for a moment but as you continued dressing, you long forgot its presence. You knew its companion, a small gold remote, was with your master. Exactly where it should be.

You examined yourself in the mirror, hands running over your soft curves as you studied yourself. You had to admit that Aaron picked well. The dress accentuated his favorite parts of your body, hugging your hourglass shape so your ass and thighs were on display. The cutouts and mirroring each side of your ribs and plunging neckline would give him easy access to your boobs, which were begging to be freed from the confines of the tight bodice. 

“You look fuckin’ gorgeous baby.” 

“Thank you. You picked well.” 

“Final touch?” he picked up your choker, which waited for him on the bed. He always had the privilege of putting it on you. Because it signified the official start of your game. When the choker was on, your pleasure, your body was his to command, his to give and his to take away. Sweet surrender of control to the person you trusted most in this world. 

He towered over you as he stood behind you and placed the piece on your neck.  

“We’re gonna have dinner, dessert and then if you’re comfortable with continuing the night, just ask him to stay for a drink. Otherwise, the night will end. Understand?” 

“Yes sir.” 

“Good girl.” His hands traced the hourglass shape of your curves, his hands stilling only once along the near-indistinguishable lines of your thong. However, as he opened his mouth to speak, the shrill chime of their doorbell interrupted him. He sighed, turning you around in his arms. “Later. Ready to have some fun?” 

“Yes daddy.” 

Even in heels you had to stretch yourself to reach his lips. He took your hand, leading you down the stairs, some of your nerves being replaced by sudden intrigue. 

“You really aren’t gonna tell me who it is??” 

“What would be the fun in that?” With a wink back at her, he jogged the remaining steps and crossed the foyer with the quickness of an athlete and swung their door open. 

“Hey man! Thanks for coming by. Glad we could do this.” 

“Definitely, definitely. Thanks for the invite, man.” 

And that was the second time today you found yourself stopped dead in your tracks. The Michael B. Jordan stepped into your foyer, his charisma and star-powered charm oozing out of his pores as if he naturally produced it. 

Fuck me. He invited your celebrity crush, the main character of far more wet dreams than you’d ever admit out loud. And while Aaron was it for you, if you could ever take advantage of the “celebrity hall pass” concept, Michael Bae Jordan would be at the top of your list.

Well, that’s what he’s here to do. Daddy does indeed know best. 

At first, you had a feeling you’d be taking Aaron’s out. But now? Hell would have to freeze over before you gave up the opportunity of your dreams. Part of you cursed yourself for not guessing it was him to begin with. Aaron had been in a total bromance with the man since they wrapped filming. But now you had more questions. How did this even come up? How do you organize a threesome? Is this just a normal thing to talk about?

Who the fuck cares? You’re about to have the night of your life. 

You pushed them to the back of your mind, filing them away for tomorrow.

“And I don’t think you met my girl yet officially, but this is Y/N." The introduction forced your legs to start to move again, down the stairs and toward him.

“Geesh… they didn’t make lawyers like this when I was comin’ up. Michael,” he introduced himself. He held out his arms for a hug. “Aaron’s told me so much about you.” 

“Good thin-,” You started to toss your boyfriend a teasing grin as you closed the last couple of feet to return Michael’s hug. However, just as you were in arm’s length, the forgotten vibrator nestled inside you came alive. You let out an involuntary cross between a sigh and a moan that couldn’t be hidden. 

Could the ground open and just swallow me? 

Michael’s eyes glistened with amusement, letting you know he was not ignorant to your reality. 

“You good, baby girl?” he asked, with a knowing grin as you tried to avoid squirming in his embrace.

“Y-Yea, yea. Just h-had a chill. I was just gonna say that I hope he’s t-telling you good things,” you stammered, the jolts of pleasure siphoning off fractions of your vocal ability.

“Only good things, I promise. Just that you were the sexiest and best lawyer he’d ever seen. He was right about the first part, I’m sure he’s right about the second too.” 

“Hardly the best.” Your tone and smile were the picture of humility at his praise. You liked the sound of it on his lips, you also didn’t hate the way “baby girl" sounded when he said it too. 

“Y/N is being hella modest. She’s about to be the youngest junior partner in her firm’s history. And the first black woman.” 

“Aye! That’s what’s up! So we’re celebrating tonight?”

You grinned. “Don’t wanna get ahead of ourselves… just office gossip you know. We’ll see in a week.” 

Fuck, he was sexier than you imagined. Somehow tvs and movies simply didn’t do him justice. Like Aaron, he was at his peak physical weight, his muscles thick and lethal. They both stood in front of you looking like Gods, cut from the most perfect stone. 

“I-it’s just so great to meet you. You’re one of my favorite actors.” 

Michael drank you in like you were the finest glass of scotch, savoring every inch of skin exposed, every curve on prominent display. You felt hot underneath his stare, as if he had xray vision to see the promised lands this dress covered. You almost wilted like a flower under his intensity. 

We aren’t gonna make it through dinner, you thought to yourself. Or I can just be dinner. 

It was not your worst thought by far. The vision was quite enticing. Aaron ordering you to strip for them before displaying you on the table so they could feast on you. Your eyes darkened with clouds of lust. You cleared your throat, taking a deep breath, noting the amused glance that passed between the two men. Were all your thoughts broadcasting to them? 

“We… should go into the dining room. Dinner’s basically ready,” you offered as the lamiest attempt to escape the spotlight of them. You held your hand out for his coat, giving both men a perfect view of your ass as you turned to hang it in the closet. 

You didn’t attempt to hide the grin at the quiet but distinguishable wolf whistle from Michael. It felt good to know he liked what he saw. 

And the feeling was most certainly mutual. Michael and Aaron kept you laughing all through dinner as they enthralled you with stories from set. He was engaging and funny and you loved the genuine brotherhood between him and your boyfriend. There was nothing but raw sexual chemistry between you but that was all you needed. Mutual attraction.

The only disappointing aspect of dinner was the utter silence between your legs. Once he turned it off at the start of dinner, Aaron didn’t touch that remote again, much to your chagrin. Two hours and several glasses of wine at the dinner table with two men gently caressing your arms and exposed thighs was a recipe for disaster. And you knew he could tell, see how worked up they had made you, how desperately you wanted more attention. 

By dessert, you stopped retaining their words. They were utter nonsense to you because there were far more important things to consider. Like Michael’s dominating muscles and large hands, wondering how strong his grip will be when he fucks you from behind. Punishingly so, you prayed. 

You swung between wanting to savor the compliments and worship of two men with needing to be filled, a need that almost had you begging them to fuck you right amongst the dinner plates. But you knew Aaron. The night was young and he liked to play with his prize. 

By everyone’s fifth glass of wine, the conversation started to wind down, Michael getting up to head home. 

“Thanks so much for this, man. Appreciate the invite. Good to catch up n shit.”

“Oh you have to leave so soon?” There was a hint of sadness in your voice, coupled with the pleas of your signature puppy eyes. 

“I probably should… Gettin’ late, can’t take up your whole night.” 

You assessed the moment briefly, confirming with every cell in your body and functioning brain cell in your head that you needed this more than the oxygen in the room. 

So instead of wishing this walking wet dream a good night, you said, “You should stay for one more drink. We got this amazing bottle when we went to the South of France for our anniversary. Baby, we should open it and sit outside? It’s so nice out. We’re down to keep the good times going if you are.” 

“You sure?”

“I insist! Besides, between the three of us, I think we can find some ways to entertain ourselves." The implication in your words couldn't be clearer. You were in and you were ready. 

“I’ll grab that bottle from the cellar. Take Michael outside and make him comfortable, princess. Show him a good time while I’m gone.”

And with that, he turned your vibrator back on. He chose the second setting, which was just distracting enough to make the simple tasks of walking, talking and speaking exponentially harder for you. 

“Yes sir.” 

You forced your feet toward the giant sliding glass doors that led to your expansive backyard. You glanced behind you to find Michael jogging up behind you as he slid something into his pocket.

You tried to distract yourself from the pulses against your g-spot, the growing tension in your belly as pleasure started to build ever so slowly, by turning on the soft string lights hanging above your patio and the speakers to play music. 

“Yall got a great view.” 

“It was definitely the selling point of the house,” you smiled, awkwardly standing behind one of the chairs across from the couch.

His stance was wide, powerful and assured as he stared at you. 

“You gonna sit with me?” When you didn’t move, he sighed. “He said you were obedient. But maybe you just need an incentive…” 

Your knees almost gave out beneath you as he increased the setting to five. 

“If you wanna feel better, I think you should sit, baby girl,” he offered, his voice low and comforting. “I don’t bite, promise.”

The menacing glint in his eyes let you know that he most certainly would bite if asked. And you would most certainly ask. 

“S-sorry,” you awkwardly, quickly finding your way to the couch next to him. You started to sit when he beckoned you closer with a mere gesture of his finger. By the time he had you where he wanted you, you were sitting on his lap. 

You leaned into his chest, your eyes falling closed as pleasure shot through you with every pulsing vibration. You bit the inside of your cheek to avoid moaning. 

“You ok, Y/N? Seem a little flustered?” His fingers created flames all across your bare thigh as he subtly pushed up the fabric of your dress. 

There was still something… tamed about how he touched you and caressed you. He came so close to the spots that demanded a firm strong hand, he held back every time. Like right now. Drawing featherlike patterns on your exposed side, toying with the edges of your thong but not shifting them to the side like you craved. 

No, he simply savored the time teasing you, enjoying the soft moans his touch and the bullet caused. 

“I’... I’m… fine, t-thank you,” you whispered back. “Just… o-overwhelmed.” 

“You wanna cum, don’t you?” his husky voice demanded in your ear. At the sound, you couldn't suppress the moan of pleasure that escaped your lips. You rolled your hips, chasing more.

“Y-Yes…” you whimpered. “P-Please…” 

“How’s my girl treating you, Michael?” Aaron’s voice interrupted their moment, his eyes piercing with desire as you writhed and rode another man's thigh. You looked perfect, unrestrained and free. 

“Oh she’s perfect. You got a great girl here, A.”

“I know… she is. But she disobeyed me earlier so before she can cum, we have to punish her. Isn’t that right, baby?” 

“Y-yes sir.” You didn’t even know what you did wrong but you weren’t going to argue or push back on him. Because this was already like entering a promised land of bliss. To hear him speak so openly about your punishment to another man while he masturbated you on his lap? Aaron was right. This was the destressor you really required. 

“Can you tell Michael and daddy what you did wrong, princess?” 

You raked your brain, knowing that “I don’t know” would only increase your punishment. Not that you would have particularly minded. Frequent punishments were simply the norm for a proud and loud brat. 

And then it hit you, such a small and silly infraction that Michael’s fingers were currently playing with. 

“I… w-wore my panties w-when I wasn’t allowed,” you answered. 

“That’s right. And we don’t cover up daddy’s prize, do we?” 

“No… daddy.” 

“You want to be a good girl for Michael and I… don’t you?”  

His voice was hypnotic. Despite the pleasure disobeying him brought, you could not help but want to please him, to be his good girl again. 

“Y-yes, daddy.” 

“And good girls deserve what?” 

“Punishment before pleasure.” 

“That’s right, baby. So tonight, Michael’s gonna have the honor. How many spankings you think our slut deserves?” 

“I’d say 25… 30?” 

“30 feels fair. What do you think, princess?” 

“Wh-whatever daddy wants,” you whimpered. That was the only acceptable response. Besides, you knew Aaron knew your limits and wouldn’t let Michael cross them.  “That's right, baby girl. She can be good when she wants to, just needs remindin’ of her place sometimes,” he mused. And with that, Michael turned off the bullet, a groan of pure frustration escaping your lips.

Punishment before pleasure, you reminded yourself. Why can’t my punishment be sucking their dicks or something?? 

Michael helped you up, your legs feeling slightly weak after they robbed you of your orgasm. They didn’t bother trying to carry you up the stairs, Michael merely directed you to your deep forest green sectional in the living room and leaned you over one of its arms. He slid off his belt and tied your hands behind your back, ensuring they were loose enough to avoid injury but tight enough not to escape without effort. 

You were deliciously helpless. 

“Fuck, that’s a gorgeous sight,” you could hear Michael mutter as the two men merely stared at you, boobs pressed out due to your hands being bound, your ass high in the air from being bent over. “Her ass is perfect, man.”

“It’ll look even better when you’re done. Don’t hold back. She loves that shit and she knows our safe word.” 

You were glad he assured Michael that you would adore the sweet sting of his palm. You encouraged Aaron to put his entire weight into your spankings when you took on the role as his princess. Forever a gentle soul at his core, he did not like the idea of causing you real, significant pain, preferring to lean heavily into other aspects of dominating you. 

It certainly made you fall more in love with him, witnessing his gentleness and concern for your well-being to such a degree. You supposed it was the greenest of flags that it took about 10 long discussions for him to feel comfortable. And even years later, he still checked in throughout to make sure you still enjoyed it. You weren’t a masochist by any means spankings in particular were more than enticing to you. It left you drenched and on the cusp on an orgasm without Aaron doing anything else. 

Even more so right now with your ass presented to the two men like a hard-earned prize. You subconsciously stuck your ass out further in search of something. A touch, a slap… literally anything. Your body was reeling. 

And you did not even care who was behind you to give you what you needed.

“She’s fuckin’ desperate for it.” 

“Yea, she’ll be begging you for it in a minute. I mean I was gone for what? 5 minutes, princess? And I come back and you're humpin' his leg like a filthy whore? And you loved it didn't you? Wanted more? I bet you wanna beg him to tear that ass up right now, don't you?” 

Daddy knows me too well. Because the word please was on the cusp of your lips, begging to tumble over like water on a cliff. 

You moaned as two hands gripped the firm meat of your ass, kneading and caressing you before they found the helm of your dress. You knew exactly whose hands they were, confirming that Aaron was indeed giving Michael the pleasure of administering your punishment. 

His fingers pushed your dress up the rest of the way to expose your ass cheeks, an unmistakable wet spot at the center of your thong. 

“Don’t think she’ll be needing this anymore. Whatchu think?” Michael asked Aaron as his finger hooked the delicate fabric around her hips. 

“Nahhh, definitely not.” 

“FUCK!” You cried out as your thong was unceremoniously ripped clean from your body, the fabric leaving welts on your skin. 

You felt his fingers graze your lips.

“All this for us, kitten?” 

You merely whimpered an affirmative answer as he presented his fingers covered in your juices. He stuck them in your mouth, you sucking your cum clean off his fingers.

"Can't wait to make you cum all over my tongue, kitten. You taste so fuckin' good."

“P-Please…” You thought you’d implode if you continued to suppress your desperation. Your body felt as if you were betraying her. Why weren’t you trying hard enough, begging loud enough to earn the pleasure you were being deprived of. 

“See?” 

“You weren’t lyin’. Tell me what you want, kitten”  

He’s gonna make me say it?? 

The words were caught in your throat, blocked by a mental barrier to admit such a depraved thought out loud. 

“If you wanna cum at all tonight, I suggest you say that shit. Cause we got all night.” 

The lethal warning in his tone forced your thighs together, an electric shock through your body. He was a natural. And the dominance in his voice was all it took to rip the weeds of hesitation right out of your soil. 

“S-spank me… please,” Half words, half sobs filled the quiet air. This was untenable. Could you die from this? It felt like you might die from this. “I n-need it. P-Punish me… please.” 

The first vicious sting of his hand did make a real sob of joy escape, the sound reverberating through the living room. 

You buried your face in the couch cushion for the first few in a foolish attempt to quiet your mounting screams of pain wrapped in the sweet pleasure. His brute strength ensured you felt the ache of every hit. On par with Aaron when your punishments were severe. You were still feeling it days later. 

Your head pulled back, his fist wrapped around your curls.

“Do that again and I add five. Understand?” 

“Y-yes, yes. I’m sorry,” you moan, keeping your eyes forward and head up. 

You felt familiar hands cradle your head, Michael releasing your strains to play with your slick folds in between each blow. 

Aaron’s body came into view as he held your chin, forcing you to stare into his beautiful eyes. Clouded with lust, you still could see every ounce of his love and devotion. 

“You ok, precious?” he whispered. “Got 10 more.” 

“M-More.”

“You’re such a good slut for me, baby. I love you.” His eyes softened a bit. “You want a treat while Michael gives you your punishment? I wouldn’t usually but tonight is all about you, princess.” 

You licked your lips, the sudden sparkle in your eyes answering his question without words. You were impatient at the pace he went to unbutton his pants. 

He knew how much you loved sucking dick. Genuinely loved it. On more than one occasion, you came home after a long day and immediately dropped to your knees to serve him unprompted. Of course, it always ended up leading to him giving you back the same pleasure tenfold. So it was a win all around. 

You licked the beads of precum from his head before enveloping him into your mouth, moaning around him just as Michael rained down the last of your punishment. 

Fire. Your skin felt hot and inflamed with every bite of his palm against your skin. And they sent jolts of lust straight to your clit. 

“You’re taking your punishment so well. You’re not gonna disobey me again, are you?” 

Strings of your spit stayed connected to his dick as he pulled back so you could answer him. 

“Never again, daddy!”  

“That’s my good girl. You took that so well. Didn’t she?” 

You hissed as he gently massaged your hot skin. Fuck, why did his hands feel so good? 

“She did. You think she’s ready, A?” 

“I think she is.” 

You found a secret joy in the way they spoke only to you to dole out orders, but then talked about you to each other like you were merely a piece of furniture.

Aaron scooped you up in his arms, your body immediately nestling into his chest as he carried you to your master suite. He tossed you on the bed like a rag doll as Michael closed the door to your suite. And for a few moments, they simply stood there. Towering over you, intoxicated by the power and anticipation, they didn’t speak or move. They just watched you squirm beneath them. 

“You know I love you right?” Aaron broke character for a single moment. 

“Of course.” 

“Good. Cause it ain’t gon' seem like it for a minute. You know how daddy wants you.” 

Fuck. Yes. 

There was a challenging grin on your face as you removed the last obstacle to their conquest, leaving you bare before them. With great pleasure, you shifted onto your hands and knees and sank into position. Presenting yourself to him. Vulnerable, exposed. To two apex predators. 

And you were ready to be devoured. 

Michael pounced with such swiftness of jaguar indeed, you suddenly finding yourself straddling his hips. His punishing grip around your lower back kept you flush to his chest as his lips claimed yours. 

Frenzied, animalistic, downright sloppy kisses as you two gave into your most base desires. There was no love here, just lust in its most instinctual level. You two fought for dominance in your kisses, you mainly showing him that you were no damsel.

He moved you with ease, like you were a feather, turning you so your head dangled off the edge of the bed.

“I think our kitten needs a bit of attention.” 

His lips kissed a burning trail down your body, veering off course to engulf each of your nipples in his wet mouth, while his hand played with your throbbing clit. 

You whined, feeling his breath against your sex, his grip holding your hips firmly to the bed to stop you from getting any more pleasure than he decided. 

“So eager.” 

He licked up the wetness that spread to your thighs, still avoiding touching you there. He was a menace. The devil really.

You screamed as he wrapped his lips around your bud, every nerve ending in your body zeroed in on him.  

Aaron guided your agape mouth onto his hard member again, your tongue licking him like he was your favorite lollipop. He exchanged the bullet for his fingers, easing a second one inside your pussy. 

Your litany of curse words were indecipherable with Aaron’s mouth ramming down your throat. He did not let you control the pace one bit. Your mouth was merely a means to an end for him. 

You gagged, tears streaming down your face from the sensory overload of having them work in tandem to bring you pain, pleasure, and everything in between.

You arrived at the cliffs of pleasure far faster than you expected, your body ready to fall for the first time all night. Your thighs tightened around Michael’s head as you tried to control it. Foolish it sounded, to stop the fall. But you couldn’t tumble just yet. 

You didn’t stop your task of sucking to ask. Instead, you simply stared up at him with plea-filled round eyes.

“Cum on his tongue, princess. Cum for daddy.” 

You dove off the cliff with earnest as Michael chose that moment to add a fourth finger, finger fucking you with relentless speed.You let your eyes fall close and surrendered to the crashing waves and thrilling currents that pulled you into oblivion. Right where you wanted to be. 

Only Aaron could find the cherry on top to this already perfect sundae as he spilled down your throat. It was typically reserved for her treat as he knew you adored swallowing. And you were grateful he found you deserving. 

Aaron took a step back, you pouting at the loss of his dick in your mouth.

“Don’t worry, princess. Won’t be your last taste for the night.” He leaned down and kissed you deeply, a soft whimper escaping at how familiar his lips felt. Home. “I think you need to thank Michael for punishing you earlier and making you cum. How do good whores say thank you?” 

"On their knees, daddy."

You moved off the bed and onto the carpet, Michael already sliding off his boxers. Your voice hitched as his girthy thick member sprang from his boxers.

He smirked told her he knew what he was wielding and how to use it well. Admittedly, you had only had sex with three men in your life, two of whom were present. But you felt confident in saying these two Gods among lesser men had the most impressive dicks you’d ever seen. 

You’d never live down the humiliation of your near panic attack during you and Aaron’s first time. 

“I don’t think you’ll fit,” you remember muttering before trying to escape to hide in his bathroom, your brain overloaded with the fear that he would somehow break you. 

But like the perfect gentlemen he was, he held you close and calmed you with sweet kisses and talked you through every inch as he sank into you for the first time. He naturally reached regions you thought were anatomically impossible. You often referred to it as his weapon, one that left you utterly immobile too often. 

Michael was similarly blessed and highly favored. Though he lacked a bit of Aaron’s length, his had a girth to it that you knew would cause a stinging stretch. It would be different and you liked the idea of that. As much as your body wanted to skip to that part, you also were feral for a taste of him. 

Aaron sat in the arm chair across the room, the perfect view to watch as Michael slid his dick between your plump lips. He stroked his dick back to life watching you spit and gulp down his dick.

“That’s right. Fuckkkk. Get it sloppy, baby girl. Fuck your throat feels good.” 

Your body glowed at his praise, Aaron grinning to himself. He adored seeing you in this light, gaining a new perspective to how you felt freedom and pleasure. He never wanted to stop learning how to love you better, please you better. 

Inexplicable pride swelled when your eyes connected with him, your dilated pupils lighting up at his smile.

“You ready for me to fuck that pussy, kitten?” Michael demanded, punctuating each word with a deep thrust into the back of your throat. Attempting to respond was a foolish endeavor with him balls deep down your throat. 

He pulled out of your mouth and lifted you up to your feet, immediately moving you into his desired position. He bent you over the edge of the bed, one hand glued to your hip while the other pushed your head into the mattress. He positioned you so you were staring right at Aaron.  

Being watched. New kink unlocked. You were an actress on display and he was your director, in full control. And it was time to watch his masterpiece. 

Your eyes fluttered out of enticing humiliation and bliss as Michael’s head bounced against your pulsing clit. 

“Eyes open, princess. And on me."

And this was a moment that made you question who you truly were. A good girl or a disobedient slut? The devil on your shoulder didn’t need deliberation time. You were a disobedient whore. You wanted to be utterly spent when this night was over. 

But you also knew he knew that, which is why he picked a task he knew you’d fail either way. You could try as hard as you wanted, it would be impossible to maintain eye contact. 

“You ready for Michael to fuck you, princess?” 

“Yesssss! Fuck me… I need it.” It was as critical to your survival as air. 

You immediately failed at your task, your eyes clenching shut as he pushed inside of you. 

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!” you hissed, begging for the moment when the lightening flash of pain subsided and pleasure took root. 

“Fuckin’ tight ass pussy on you, kitten,” he gave you a few moments to adjust. When your expletives turned into quiet moans, he moved. 

"Won't tell you this shit again, princess. Eyes open and on me or I start spankin’ you when it’s my turn. And you ain’t gon’ like that shit.” 

“Sorryyyy, dadddyyyyy.” 

His hips snapped viciously into you, his dick curving into your g-spot with every thrust. 

Bliss. 

Joy. 

You panted as  he fucked you with relentless precision, he didn’t let a moment go to waste as he fucked you. His grip along your hip was bruising as he pushed and pulled against your body. Never the lazy lover, you met every thrust, using your arms as leverage to throw your fat ass back at him. 

“That’s it! Take this dick, slut! You like how I’m fuckin’ this pussy??” he demanded, a hard smack coming down on your still aching ass when you didn’t answer fast enough. 

There was no way he actually believed you could form coherent thoughts right now. 

“I… love it! D-... don’t stop! Fuck… I’m gonna cum!” Your eyes had not stayed on your master as they should’ve, nor had you even tried that hard. But you deliberately cast them on him to beg for permission. “C-Can I cum daddy?? He feels so gooddddd…” 

“Why the fuck would I let you cum? You disobedient whore? Can’t follow simple fuckin’ instructions. 

Well shit. He was pissed. 

Your face was one of sadness at upsetting your daddy but everything inside was filled to the brim with glee. You weren’t going to be able to walk tomorrow. And then you could look forward to a day of aftercare and pampering from your love. 

“P-please, please. I-I’m sorry!! I tried. I-I can’t…” Michael was not helping your cause as you pleaded your case in front of a less than sympathetic judge. He found some superhuman ability to increase his already punishing pace, jackhammering into your g-spot. “Let me cum, pleasseeeee! I can’t hold it.” 

“She’s clenchin’ on my dick, brah.” 

You were going to cum either way, inevitably, but you were holding strong for those magic words. Moments before you felt yourself starting to break, you finally heard him.

“Cum for me.” 

“She’s creamin’ on this dick. This some good pussy, my man! You one lucky nigga.” He didn’t slow his pace as he fucked you through your second orgasm. "That's right, cum all over this dick, baby."

How were you not spent yet? No, you still wanted so much more. 

You lost track of your orgasms as Michael moved you into his desired positions, fucking you every type of way that suited him. And all the while, Aaron just watched, commanding your eyes to him in the moments leading up to your orgasms, forcing you to hold his gaze across the dark room. 

You thought the Earth had reversed on its axis somehow. 

“I’ll let you decide where you want it, kitten. On you or down your throat.” 

“Cum on my ass!” 

“Whatever baby girl wants.” He pulled out of you and sprayed your back and ass cheeks with his seed. You sighed out of contentment as you laid there, knowing your night was far from over. But you were grateful for the brief reprieve. 

Michael shifted off to the side as Aaron rejoined you, the Brit studying your ass painted in another man’s cum. If there was a way be any harder than he already was, he would be it right now. 

“You’re fuckin’ gorgeous, princess. I love you so much, you’re such a good girl for me. You ready for daddy, now?” 

You nodded enthusiastically. Michael was amazing but no one fucked you quite like Aaron. Those were the simple facts. 

“Good girl,” he flipped you and pushed your legs up so your knees were essentially up at your ears. 

This was a frankly evil thing to do, to start with this position. It was simplistic but he would pound you so deep, you saw fucking stars. At this rate, you would be tapping out far earlier than you would have hoped. 

“Ahhhh! Yessssss… thank you daddy! Love your dick, daddy!” You screamed as he entered you in one fluid motion, ending deep in your guts. 

“You take me so well, baby. You like how deep I’m fuckin’ this pussy?” 

“Yes, yes! Shit! God I love it! Oh Goddddd, fuck, baby…” 

“Ain’t no God to call out to here, princess. Just your masters.”

You gasped at the sudden all consuming emptiness of him exiting you. You felt his hand catch your ankle, which was still in the air where he left you. He dragged you to the edge of the bed and lifted you to your feet. You almost collapsed on your stiff legs but you quickly realized, he was not intending for you to support your own weight long. 

He hinged you at the waist, your fingertips supporting balancing some of your weight until he reentered you and regained control of your hips. He did all the work, holding all your weight with his strength as he fucked you straight into a sweet abyss. Nothing else mattered. Just the two of you. 

Well… three of you. Speaking of which… as if Aaron could read her mind, he says, “Suck him like the whore I know you are.” 

Using his strength to turn you both so you were eye level with Michael’s dick. He was getting hard, rested and ready for round two with ease. Both men looked as if they could do this all night while you knew you looked like you had been fucked just as good as you felt. 

You surrendered your mouth to Michael, allowing the actor to face fuck you to his heart’s content. And you simply enjoyed every moment of them fucking your holes like men possessed. No breaks, no time for breaths. Nothing. Just unforgiving feral fucking. 

You didn’t bother counting the orgasms they gave you as the two men traded places multiple times, using your mouth and pussy to their heart’s content. They worked up a perfect rhythm that brought you thrilling moment after thrilling moment  

“Don’t run, fuckin’ whore! You been takin’ it all night. Came in here with that fuckin' attitude. Take this dick!” Aaron ordered as you shied away from his forceful thrusts as he fucked you doggy style. 

Your body was being driven past overload as they stimulated every part of you. You could barely concentrate on Michael’s dick in front of your face with how Aaron was fucking you, clearly getting the last word of the evening. 

You thought you knew what overstimulation felt like but you had no fucking idea until today. But you knew the orgasm you were building toward would be your best yet, would be worth every moment of this. 

“Shit, I’m gonna cum!” Michael called out. 

“I’m close too. Daddy’s gonna cum in this sweet pussy, baby. But first, your other punishment. Cum as much as you want.” 

And with that, he and Michael went utterly and completely feral on your body, chasing one goal: their collective simultaneous pleasure. 

Michael grunted as he painted your face in his cum, much of it landing in your open mouth. He collapsed on the bed next to you, your body immediately crumbling forward without him holding you up. He caressed your skin as Aaron mercilessly fucked you, matching every thrust of his hips forward with a harsh slap to your ass. You knew you would have to endure as many as it took for him to cum.

Shit. You really fucked up.

You screamed and squealed, Michael roughly making out with you and sucked and bit your titties as if you needed more. You and Aaron reached the peaks of your mountains at the same time. At the warmth of him filling your pussy, white blanketed in your vision and sent you free falling into a new stratosphere.

Time felt inconceivable when you opened your eyes again. In your mind, no time had passed but instead of being on the bed, you were surrounded by warmth. Warm water lapped over your aching muscles, something hard propping you up from behind. 

“What’s…” you started to say, trying to lift up when a muscular arm snaked around your chest to hold you flush to him. 

“Relax, relax, princess. You’re good. Take a breath. Just blacked on us for a minute.” 

His voice calmed all the uneasy waters of your soul, you were safe and home with him. There was no better place to be in this life or the next. 

“Where’s… our guest?” Your voice cracked from the overuse of your throat. You rubbed your neck instinctively. 

“I’ll make you some tea when we get out,” he kissed your temple. “And he passed out in one of the guest rooms. I may have told him there was a strong possibility you’d be up for another round in an hour or two. Told me to get him when you finish soakin’ so he can give you a massage.” 

And you knew exactly where the yellow brick road of a massage would lead: to the Emerald Fucking City of Round 4.  

Your libido was just as high, if not higher than Aaron’s. More than once, it had been you demanding rounds 4-6 after he already wore you out during 1-3.

“One day you’re gonna get it wrong, you know?” you tease, allowing your head and back to rest with ease onto his chest. His hands massaged your hips and thighs and breasts, all sore from their spanking and biting. “That feels soooo good. You got the magic touch, baby.” 

  You ok, love? We were rough on you.” 

“More than ok. That was the most… insane and fun thing I’ve ever done. Exactly what I needed and wanted. Thank you, Aaron.” 

“Anything for you, princess. Rest for me, love.” 

You allowed your eyes to flutter closed again, dozing in the comfort of your boyfriend’s arms as he continued releasing knots from your muscles. You simply laid there with him, savoring him and the afterglow of being his. 

However, after about 15 minutes, you had rested long enough. This night would end eventually, you wanted to make the most of it with your two daddies. 

“Daddy… I think I’m ready for that massage now,” your eyes glistened with your true intentions, letting Aaron know that you were no close to done. 

He let out a low chuckle of disbelief. “You really are one of a kind, Y/N.” 

“I know,” you winked at him with a playful grin. “Now massage, please.,” you demanded like the spoiled brat you were.

Aaron got out of the bath first, his entire body glistening with water on every perfect panel of muscle and taunt skin. Was it nice being a bead of water sliding down that skin? It might be nice to be a bead of water on his skin. 

He quickly toweled himself off before helping you up, using his arms around you as your legs shook. 

He dried you before laying you back down on the bed, disappearing down the hall while you laid on your stomach and simply waited. 

“Well well well… couldn’t get enough could you, kitten?” 

You heard them before you saw them. 

“No sir.” 

“She’s insatiable. Makes her a good little whore for me, doesn’t it, princess?”

You felt their weight on both sides of the bed. 

“Yes, daddy,” you whined as their fingers started doing the Lord’s work massaging out every knot and kink buried in your limbs. 

You turned your head toward Aaron, reaching up and kissing him softly as a private thank you before laying down again. You closed your eyes and let them work, let them take care of you. 

Whoever said “three’s a crowd” clearly hadn’t met these two.

Tag list: @hxneyclouds @planetblaque @slutsareteacherstoo @theereina @prettyisasprettydoes1306 @apenasumlug4r @motheroffae @blackerthings @kindofaintrovert @thegreatlibraryofalex @melaninpov @hiwasteland @yamst3rdamctrl @miyuhpapayuh @dxddykenn @sageispunk @atribecalledqwest @4pfsukuna @beenathembo @throwmymbackout @nahimjustfeelingit-writes

***

A/N: Hoped you enjoyed that as much as I did! Thanks for reading!

[scribblesofagoonerr]

valentines day hijack | buddy & monkey: double the trouble

summary: valetine's day plans fall through when buddy ends up crashing leah and elle's romantic valentine's day date night, not that she minds too much about it.

word count: 11617 words

brace yourself lads, it's a long one so i definitely reccommend making a cuppa and getting comfy to read this one

double the trouble masterlist

“Give them to your Mummy,” Elle whispered encouragingly, carefully handing you a neatly wrapped bouquet of red roses. You cradled them with both hands, treating them as the most precious treasure, your little frame bundled up in your favourite red Arsenal dressing gown, “And remember, you have to wake her up gently.”

“I do it Elle!” Your little voice insisted, the excitement was evident as you held onto the flowers with gentle care, donned in your favourite red Arsenal dressing gown as you crept up towards Leah, “Mummy! Mummy, wake up!”

Elle winced, “Gently, Buddy,” She reminded, barely suppressing a chuckle, “I don’t think your Mummy will like being woken up like that.”

From beneath her pillow, Leah groaned, her voice thick with sleep, “I’m way too used to it,” She mumbled, blinking blearily at the sight before her. As her gaze landed on you and the flowers in your hand, her exhaustion melted away, “What have you got here then, Bubba?”

“Red ‘oses, Mummy! For Balentines Day!” You beamed, proudly holding them out.

Leah gasped dramatically, pushing herself up on her elbows, “Wow! You got me roses for Valentine’s Day?” She accepted the bouquet, brushing her fingers over the delicate petals, “I love them!”

“Dey’ red like Arsenal!” You pointed out excitedly as if you’d discovered something groundbreaking.

Leah let out a soft chuckle, “They are, aren’t they? That must mean that they’re extra special.”

You nodded eagerly, bouncing slightly on your knees, “An’ I made ou’ a cardl!” With a flourish, you shoved a crumpled envelope into Leah’s hands, “Ou’ ‘ave to open it now, Mummy!”

“Okay, Bubba, I will open and read it now,” Leah wasted no time, carefully unfolding the homemade card. Her eyes softened as she read the words aloud, her voice thick with affection.

Leah laughed, pressing a kiss to your forehead, “Wow, did you write that all by yourself?” She teased, glancing at Elle with an amused glint in her eye.

“No, Monks’ ‘elped me!” You announced proudly, puffing out your chest.

“I thought she might’ve,” Leah chuckled, pulling you into a warm hug, “I love it, Bubba. Thank you,” She squeezed you gently, pressing another kiss to the side of your head.

“And here’s my card for you, babe,” Elle chimed in, handing Leah another envelope, this one neatly sealed and adorned with a little heart.

Leah raised a brow, smirking as she took it, “Ooh, fancy,” She teased, her voice laced with amusement.

Elle rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile, “Yeah, yeah,” She muttered before leaning in to kiss Leah’s forehead softly, “We’ve also got breakfast in bed for you. Today is all about you, babe. I’ve planned a whole day just for us–and the girls.”

Leah sighed, stretching lazily, “Baby, Buddy has preschool today. And I have training, remember?”

Elle waved dismissively, “One missed day won’t hurt, will it?”

“Not happening, this training session is important ahead of the derby,” Leah said firmly, her tone leaving no room for debate.

Before Elle could protest, the unmistakable sound of violent retching echoed down the hall.

Leah winced, “Monkey? You alright in there, my girl?”

A miserable groan followed from the bathroom, “Your grandchild hates me, I swear.”

Leah chuckled, shaking her head, “You’ve got this,” She told her, “Do you need anything?”

“For this spawn to stop making me feel like death,” Monkey grumbled from the bathroom.

“Oh dear,” Elle frowned, feeling sorry for your favourite person, “She’s not having a good time with this pregnancy so far, is she?”

“No, not really,” Leah admitted.

A thoughtful silence hung between them before Elle suddenly smirked, “You know, I never thought about it until now but the fact I’m practically dating a GILF now,” She noted, letting out a low whistle, “I think I just fell in love with you even more.”

Leah’s eyes widened, “Little ears–” She tried to warn, quickly covering your ears, but you were too quick to ask the important question.

“What’s a GILF?” You asked, innocently.

Leah shot Elle a playful look, “See? Now look what you’ve done.”

Elle bit back a grin while Leah scrambled for a response, “Uhm, well… It’s a word that you don’t need to worry about right now. Now, how about you go and help Elle put those beautiful roses in some water and I’ll go see how your big sisters’ fairing, how about that?”

“Ou’ got it, dude!” You agreed, sticking your thumb up with your signature lopsided grin.

“Good girl, off you go then…” Leah encouraged, failing to bite back a smile, “Wait at the top of the stairs, don’t go down on your own. You have to wait for Elle, remember?”

“I be okay!” You insisted, darting off the bed in a hurry.

As soon as you ran off, Elle leaned in, lips ghosting over Leah’s, “Phew. That was a close one.”

“Yeah,” Leah huffed out a laugh, “My bubba doesn’t miss a thing sometimes.”

Elle grinned, pulling back, “Guess I’d better go sort these flowers out, huh?”

“You should, or you’ll have Buddy running back in here and demanding you hurry up,” Leah noted, knowingly.

Right on cue, your voice called out from the next room, “Elle! ‘Urry up!”

Leah smirked knowingly, “I told you so.”

“I’m going, I’m going,” Elle grumbled, shaking her head, “You Williamson girls– so bossy.”

“Not bossy, it’s more like… strongwilled,” Leah laughed as she slipped out of bed, she grabbed a robe and headed toward the bathroom, “I’m gonna go check on Monkey and I’ll meet you downstairs.”

Elle nodded, watching her go with a soft smile, “You’re a good mum, you know that?”

Leah paused in the doorway, glancing back with a small, grateful smile, “I try my best, but lucky for me, I’ve got good people around me.” With that, she disappeared down the hall.

“Elle, ‘urry up!” Your small but mighty voice demanded, laced with impatience.

“I’m coming, little miss impatient,” Elle chuckled, sauntering out of the bedroom and shaking her head fondly, “Happy now?” She teased you, ruffling your hair.

“I not impatient, ‘ou’re just slow!” You huffed, crossing your arms over your chest, your sass on full display, “Come on!”

Leah padded down the hall, tightening her robe as she reached the bathroom door, “Monkey?” She knocked gently before pushing it open to reveal Monkey curled on the floor, looking absolutely miserable, “Oh, my girl.” She frowned, crouching down beside her.

“I feel like I have the devils’ spawn inside of me,” Monkey grumbled as she felt Leah’s cool hand run over her back, “I swear it– Mum, I feel so horrible. I feel like absolute death.”

Leah’s heart ached for her. She knew that pregnancy wasn’t all it was cracked up to be sometimes, but Monkey wasn’t just dealing with any ordinary morning sickness–this was hyperemesis gravidarum. And it was relentless on the poor girl.

“I know,” Leah soothed, reaching for a damp washcloth and dabbing it against Monkey’s clammy forehead, “But you’re doing so well.”

Monkey scoffed, “Am I? Because I currently just feel like if I move then I might just throw up again.”

Leah exhaled a sigh, shifting so she was sitting beside Monkey on the floor, “That’s the joy of pregnancy, I’m afraid, my girl.”

“Well this isn’t joyful,” Monkey grumbled, pressing her cheek against the cool tile floor, “I feel like my whole body has been taken over. I feel… useless.”

“You are not useless,” Leah shook her head, “You’re far from it. You have to think about the fact that you’re growing a whole tiny human. That’s a full-time job, and a bloody hard one at that.”

Monkey huffed in response, “This is no fun at all. I thought you said that pregnancy was supposed to be magical? It doesn’t feel like it. Not one bit.”

“It is special,” Leah said softly, squeezing Monkey’s shoulder, “But it’s not always smooth sailing I’m afraid. It wasn’t for me, either. And I know it’s even harder for you.”

Monkey didn’t feel the need to respond right away, her hand subconsciously drifting over her stomach, “I just want to be able to feel normal,” She admitted, “I’m so fed up of being stuck here unable to do anything.”

Leah studied for a moment, “Think you’re still up for going to training, or are we calling it?”

“Dunno,” Monkey mumbled quietly, “I just… I usually can push through, but I feel like absolute crap. I know I’ve got that stupid light training plan, but I feel like I barely even wanna move, let alone do any of that.”

“That’s okay if you feel like that,” Leah rubbed her back in slow, soothing circles, “I want you to remember there’s no shame in taking a step back when you need to. You’re not weak. You’re not failing. If your body’s telling you to rest, then that’s what you need to do, yeah?”

Monkey exhaled shakily, nodding though she still looked uncertain, “I’ll think about it…”

“Tell you what,” Leah said, brushing some damp hair away from Monkey’s face, “See how you feel after you’ve eaten some breakfast, okay? There’s no pressure. Just let me know.”

Before Monkey could answer, a loud, unmistakable crash echoed from downstairs, followed by Buddy’s loud squeals of laughter.

“Well that sounds like trouble,” Leah noted, rubbing her temples.

Monkey cracked a tired smile, “It always does when it involves Buddy.”

“And you as well,” Leah teased, getting to her feet, “I’d better go and check out what’s going on. You just stay here if you need to.”

Leah gave Monkey one last reassuring squeeze before heading downstairs to see the chaos in the kitchen.

The moment Leah stepped into the kitchen, she was met with absolute chaos.

“Oh, my God…” Leah’s eyes widened in horror, her once pristine kitchen was the complete opposite, “What an earth… What happened in here?”

“Mummy!” You squealed from where you were standing on a chair, your hands covered in flour while Elle frantically flapped a tea towel over the smoking pan on the stove, “We makin’ ‘cakes for ou’!”

There was a suspiciously large amount of batter dripping from the edge of the counter, and the scene of something slightly burnt filled the air.

“I… I can see that,” Leah said, trying to not laugh at the scene.

“She insisted,” Elle muttered, still battling the pan, “But apparently, it’s not going that well.”

“Yeah… I can see that, too,” Leah murmured, wincing at the sheer amount of mess caused in such a small time frame.

“I did mix all by m’self!” You told her, puffing out your chest with pride.

“You did? Clever girl, Bubba,” Leah said, her lips twitching into a smile, But what happened to my lovely clean kitchen?” She added, emphasised the word with a raised eyebrow, taking in the flour streaks on the counters, the batter splatters on the floor and the bits of mix in your hair.

“It’ ruined now!” You announced, beaming up proudly at her while completely unfazed.

“It is,” Leah said, reaching round to gently lift you from the chair, “And it looks like you’ve got more batter in your hair. I think you might need a bath before pre-school, or I might get some concerning looks today.”

“But I had a baf’ yesterday!” You protested, wiggling in Leah’s arms, “We still makin’ ‘cakes for ou’, Mummy!”

Leah chuckled, “Right, let’s see what we can salvage from this, shall we, my little chef? And then… It’s definitely bath time.”

“We save some for Monks’ too!” You added, excitedly.

Leah’s expression softened, her heart warming at your thoughtfulness, “I don’t think Monkey is up for eating much at the minute, but the thought of that is very kind, Bubba.”

“How’s Monkey doing?” Elle questioned, her tone sympathetic as she wiped her brow.

“Not great at all,” Leah admitted, exhaling a sigh, “I’m a bit worried about her. Would you mind sticking around today? I know you had plans, so don’t worry if you can’t, but I don’t want her alone all day.”

Elle blinked in surprise, “Me?”

Leah nodded, meeting Elle’s eyes, “I know she won’t admit it but she hates being myself herself when she’s sick, and it would put my mind at ease. Obviously, if you can’t then don’t worry…”

“No, no, it’s fine,” Elle cut her off, clearly surprised by the question still, “I can move some things around. I can keep her company. I was just surprised you’re asking me when she doesn’t seem to like me all that much, does she?”

Leah breathed a sigh of relief, “Thanks, babe. I owe you one,” She knew Monkey wouldn’t be thrilled, and despite Elle being kind and patient, she still hadn’t exactly warmed up to Leah’s new girlfriend.

Sure, Monkey was polite enough, but it was clear she wasn’t a fan.

It wasn’t outright hostility–just a quiet, stubborn resistance.

Elle smirked, “Mhm, you sure do,” She whispered, leaning in to press a quick kiss to Leah’s lips.

“Ew, kissin’ yucky!” You scrunched your face up in disgust, “Ou’ can’ kiss my Mummy!”

“Oh, can’t I?” Elle teased, raising an eyebrow.

“Nooo!” You cried, your hands going up in protest.

“But what if I…” Elle trailed off, trying her luck to wind you up.

“No, Elle!” Your little voice shouted aloud, your brow scrunching up in disgust still, “‘Top it!”

“Hey, inside voice please,” Leah gently corrected.

“But Mummy, ou’ bein’ gross. An’ me no like it!” You whined, wrinkling your nose.

“We’re only messing around, Bubba,” Leah said with a grin, before turning back round to face Elle, “Right, I’d better go check back on Monkey. Can I trust you to not burn the kitchen down in the meantime?”

“Rude, I’ll have you know that I am an excellent cook,” Elle huffed playfully.

“Sure, sure, whatever you say,” Leah teased before heading back upstairs, hoping that Monkey wouldn’t kick up a fuss about staying with Elle for the day.

When Leah re-entered the bathroom, Monkey was still lying on the floor, looking pale and exhausted. It was a stark contrast to Monkey’s usual cheeky smirk, and Leah hated seeing her that way.

“How are you feeling, my girl?” Leah asked though she was very much aware of the answer already.

“Like shit,” Monkey muttered, her eyes squeezed shut in discomfort.

Leah crouched down beside the teenager, “So, training’s off for today then, huh?”

Monkey sighed, the weight of her sickness heavy in her voice, “Do you think… Do you think it would be okay if I stayed here today?”

“That’s absolutely fine, my girl,” Leah’s gaze softened, brushing her hand over Monkey’s forehead, “I’ve asked Elle to stay with you–”

“Elle?” Monkey’s eyes snapped open, her expression was immediately sceptical.

“Yes, Elle,” Leah’s voice remained gentle, trying to ease the resistance she could already see building, “She’s the only one available at such short notice. She’s nice, Monkey.”

Monkey huffed, clearly unimpressed, “Is there nobody else? What about ‘Manda?”

“My mum’s at work today, remember?” Leah gently reminded her, “It’s either Elle, or I stay home as well, and I can’t afford to do that with the game this weekend.”

“Sure, whatever…” Monkey mumbled, not exactly thrilled about it, “I don’t need a babysitter. I’ll be fine to stay on my own.”

“Hey, no arguments,” Leah said firmly, making sure Monkey heard the soft but resolute tone in her voice, “I don’t want you to be here alone, not when you’re feeling like this. She’ll be here in case you need anything.”

Monkey didn’t argue, but the look on her face said enough about how she felt.

“Just… be nice,” Leah warned knowingly.

Monkey scoffed, “Oh, please… I’m always nice.”

“Of course you are,” Leah huffed out a quiet laugh before standing, “Right, do you want a hand up? I can’t imagine the floor is too comfy down there, is it?”

“Yeah,” Monkey hesitated, her eyes flickering to meet Leah’s, “I’m… I’m just scared in case I move and start to feel sick again.”

Leah nodded understandingly, her heart breaking a little hating to see her oldest suffering so badly, “It's okay, I’ll wait,” She said, crouching down to be at eye level, “You just let me know when you’re ready, alright? There’s no rush, whatsoever.”

“Right, Bubba, that’s better now you’re all clean again, isn’t it?” Leah said, ruffling your soft curls as you made your way back downstairs, fresh out of the bath and in a set of clean clothes ready for your day at pre-school.

“Me’ smell good now, Mummy!” You declared proudly, clutching Mr. Bear in your small hands.

“You do, much better without any of that batter in your hair,” Leah teased, making it to the bottom step as you did your usual trick to jump off the last step, “Careful, Bubba.”

Elle, watching from the doorway with a cup of coffee in her hand, grinned, “Look at you, trouble, you look so cool. Are you ready for pre-k?”

You scrunched your face up in confusion, “No, Elle. I goin’ preschool!”

“That’s what Elle means, Bubba,” Leah bit back a smile, reaching to grab your coat off the hook in the hallway, “Come here so I can put your coat on, it’s still freezing outside.”

“Why no’ say ‘dat then?” You asked confused, begrudgingly agreeing to wear your coat without much choice in the matter.

Elle chuckled in amusement, “It’s just what we call it in America, Buddy.”

“Dat’ silly!” You insisted, trying to attempt to break free from Leah’s clutches as she tugged your arms through the sleeves.

Leah knelt to zip your coat up, “And don’t forget, Mama is going to pick you up afterwards as well, and you’re going to spend the night at hers’ tonight, aren’t you?” She reminded you.

“All weekend with Mama!” You beamed.

“That’s right, Bubba. You’ll be back on Sunday before the game,” Leah explained to you, “Are you excited about that? You can tell Mama all about what you’re up to.”

“And Ez’ too!” You reminded her.

Leah smiled, “Oh yes, Erin as well. I’m sure they’re both excited to see you.”

“An’ Blu as well!” You mentioned the small pup.

“Oh, well we can’t forget about him, can we?” Leah teased, brushing a strand of hair out of your eyes.

“Nooo!” You giggled.

Leah turned to Elle, “Thank you for sticking around today. Just… keep an eye on her, yeah? I know she won’t admit it, but she’ll be happy you’re here for her when she’s not feeling well.”

“Yeah, I got it,” Elle nodded in agreement, “No offence, but she’s not exactly thrilled about me being here though.”

“I… I know,” Leah exhaled a small sigh, “Just don’t take it personally. She’ll come around… eventually.”

Elle smirked, “Eventually, huh?”

Leah rolled her eyes before grabbing your backpack, “Right, Bubba, let’s go. Do you want to say bye to Monkey?”

“BYE MONKEY!” You didn’t hesitate to yell into the living room where Monkey had now resided too, making Leah wince.

“I… I didn’t mean it like that, Buddy,” Leah sighed, “I meant to go and give her a cuddle, I think she could probably do with one at the minute with how poorly the baby is making her feel.”

“Ou’ said to say bye to her,” You said innocently, before running off, “I go hug her and make ‘er feel better!”

Leah shook her head with a small sigh, “Good girl. Be quick then.”

You clambered onto the sofa beside Monkey, wrapping your little arms around her, “Monks’ I goin’ pre-school now but Mummy said ‘our baby makin’ ou’ feel icky!”

“Have fun, Buddy,” Monkey gave you a tired smile, hugging you back, “I’m alright, the Rugrat is just being difficult right now.”

You frowned and patted your big sister’s tummy gently, “Ou’ ‘ave to be nice to Monks’ now Rugrat, or she’ll cry again.”

Monkey couldn’t stifle her laughter, “That helps, Buddy. Thank you.”

“Buddy, come on, or we’re going to be late,” Leah popped her head around the door to rush you along.

“I comin’ I just sayin’ bye to Monks’ an’ Rugrat!” You insisted from where you continued to sit on the sofa.

Leah shook her head fondly, “Well that was nice of you to do,” She said, her keys looped in her head as she turned to glance at Monkey, “Right, we’ll be off now. Monkey– Be good, don’t get giving Elle a hard time, and babe,” She turned to Elle, “Thank you again for this.”

Elle smirked, “Just remember that you owe me.”

“I’m sure I’ll figure out a way to make it up to you,” Leah teased, subtly.

“Ew, gross,” Monkey scrunched her face up in mock disgust while attempting to cover your eyes too, “Can you two not flirt right in front of us? You’re both, like, so old.”

“Old?” Leah gasped, “Are you joking? I’m in my prime right now I’ll have you know!”

“Sure…” Monkey smirked, mischievously.

Leah ruffled her hair, “Well I’m glad to see some of your usual cheekiness is making its appearance, I was beginning to get worried for a second,” She teased, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to the top of Monkey’s head, “Be good, yeah? Give Elle a chance, and I’ll see you when I’m home.”

Monkey huffed but didn’t argue.

“Right, let’s go, Bubba,” Leah said, gesturing you out of the front door.

You scrambled off the sofa before rushing towards the door, waving excitedly, “Bye Elle! Bye, Monks’!”

With one last glance toward Monkey, Leah stepped out, hoping that Elle wouldn’t have too much of a battle on her hands.

"Mummy! Turn da' music up!" Your little voice demanded, sitting in the backseat of Leah's car as you heard the familiar tune of your favourite song begin to play, "I like dis' one lots!"

Leah smiled,  reaching for the volume knob to turn it up a bit more, "I know you do, Bubba. So do I as well."

As the familiar tune filled the car, you wasted no time belting out the lyrics,  "Norf' London forever, whatever da' weather!" You began to sing your little heart out, before looking at Leah with excitement, "Mummy! When ou’ p'ay game den' dis' song be p'ayed!"

Leah chuckled, concentrating on the road in front of her, "That's right, and you'll get to hear everyone sing it, hopefully in a sold-out stadium.”

You look at her confused, "Sold out?"

"Hopefully, Bubba," Leah nodded in agreement, "It's going to be exciting, isn't it? You'll get to walk out with me, and your little cousin, Henry too..."

"Nuf' talkin'-- Sing da' song, Mummy!" You cut her off, eager for her to join in. Leah obliged but as soon as she started singing, you scrunched your face up in disapproval, "No, no, Mummy. Ou’ are singin' it wrong! I do it better than ou’!"

Leah huffed playfully, “When did you get to become so bossy, huh?

"I just like 'ou!" You giggled cheekily, kicking your feet to the tune of the song.

"Excuse me, little miss!" Leah gasped dramatically, peering to look at you through the rearview mirror, "I'll have you know that I'm not bossy. Who told you that?"

"Monks' did!" You don't miss a beat to dob your favourite person in it, "Ou' are! Ou' always shoutin' at people on da' pitch all 'da time and ou’ look grumpy when ou’ stand der' with 'our hands on 'our hips!"

Leah opened her mouth to argue, then paused, "That's... Well, you know, that's what my job is to do as a captain sometimes."

"Noo," You shook your head dismissively, "Auntie Kimmy is da' captain as well an' she no bossy like 'ou!"

"Yeah... Well..." Leah hesitated, stuck for words, "I feel like I'm being mugged off my own toddler right now," She muttered.

"See? 'Ou so bossy. Even Monks' say so!" You beamed a wide smile.

"Oh, is that right? I guess I'll have to be havin' words with your big sister then, won't I?" Leah joked, shaking her head, “Telling you that I'm bossy. Unbelievable."

You ignored her, moving on to a far more important topic, "Mummy?"

"Yes, Bubba?" Leah replied, curiously as she pulled up to a set of traffic lights.

"When can I see Roo 'gain?" You asked, eager to see your best friend.

Leah smiled as she waited for the lights to change colour, "You'll be able to see her this weekend, won't you?"

"Dats' soooo far 'way 'do!" You groaned dramatically.

"It's just two sleeps, Bubba,” Leah couldn’t help but laugh at your flair for dramatics, “I’m sure you can be patient enough to wait.”

"Still long 'do!" You told her, huffing impatiently.

Leah smiled at your dramatics, waiting for the next question as she continued to drive through the quiet streets.

"Mummy?" You piqued up with your next question.

Leah peered to see you in the rearview mirror, "Hmm?"

"Can we get a pet pig?" You asked.

Leah nearly choked on air, "I'm sorry, what?"

"I wan' get one of 'dem!" You said enthusiastically.

"And where exactly would we keep this pet pig of yours then, Bubba?" Leah questioned, raising an eyebrow.

You thought about it for a moment or two, "In da' garden!"

Leah failed to hide her amusement, peering at you in the rearview mirror, "I don't think that would be a good idea. They might eat the grass,"

"We don' need da' grass 'do! I  could keep it m' room!" You insisted.

"Oh, definitely not," Leah shook her head firmly, “Your room would smell horrible, wouldn’t it? And it would ruin your bed, and all of your favourite toys.”

You huffed, then sat up straighter, "But Mummy, 'ou need to listen!"

Leah bit her bottom lip to stifle her laughter, "I'm listening to you, Bubba.”

"If we get a pig den' it can p'ay in da' Norf' London Derby!" You exclaimed, beaming a wide smile, “Dat’ be cool!”

Leah blinked in disbelief, "I... I don't think that would go down well,"

"Beat da' smelly Spurs, dey' yucky!" You exclaimed.

"Somehow, I don't think that a pig would be allowed on the pitch though, Bubba..." Leah couldn’t hide her amusement any longer, “That would be a bit silly, wouldn’t it?”

You furrowed your eyebrow, crossing your arms over your chest, "Das' no fair. Why no'? It' be good piggy, Mummy!"

"I'm sure they would be, but rules are rules, I guess,” Leah braced herself for your next question as she parked the car in the car park just outside your preschool, and she didn’t have to wait long.

"Mummy?" Your little voice piped up again.

"Yes?" Leah replied.

"G'anddad 'ports smelly Spurs," You stated as a matter of fact, "An' Uncle J do'!"

"That's right, they do," Leah sighed as she turned the ignition off on her car, unsure where this conversation was going, "They chose the wrong team in North London, didn't they?" She joked.

"Uh huh!" You nodded your head, "We hafta leave dem' outside!"

Leah couldn't hide her laughter as she unbuckled her own seatbelt, making fast work to get around to get you out of the car, "Why's that, Bubba?"

"Dey' no 'llowed to come in cos' dey' 'sport smelly Spurs," You scrunched your face up in disgust, "Only Arsenal people 'llowed!"

"I don't think it would be very nice to leave them both outside though, would it?" Leah tried to reason with you as she unbuckled you out of your seat, "It's a bit cold at the minute."

"No matter, dey' can stay out der'!" You told her, determined.

Lifting you out of your car seat, Leah made sure to keep a gentle hold of your hand while she reached to grab your backpack, "But you love your Uncle J and Granddad. You wouldn't want them to freeze out there, would you?"

"Der' fault for 'porting da' wrong team," You didn’t hesitate to hold back about how you felt.

Leah cracked a smile, "Where do you get your ideas from, hmm?"

"Monks' told me dat' Spurs p'ayers are yucky! So 'porting Spurs is gross, too!"

"Of course she did," Leah murmured, shaking her head with an amused sigh.

True do'! I' glad 'ou p'ay for Arsenal, Mummy!"

"I'm glad that you're happy with that, my little Gooner. Right, come on, let's get you inside, I'm already running late as it is..."

"Let' go!" You were excited to go in and play with your friends inside.

Leah smiled at your overall enthusiasm, "Hold my hand when we cross the road, Buddy. It's busy, isn't it?"

"Okay! But Mummy--" You began to speak as Leah peered down with a small smirk spread across her face.

"I think I might change my name, you know?" Leah teased.

You let out a dramatic gasp, shaking your head frantically, "Nooo! Dat' silly cos' 'our my Mummy!"

"That's right, I am,” Leah grinned.

"Den' why do' people call ou’ Leah?” You tilted your head in confusion, “Dat' no 'our name!"

Leah chuckled, nodding in agreement, "It is, but I'm just Mummy to you. That name is reserved especially for you," She told you.

You thought about it for a second, "Monks' calls ou’ Mum sometimes too.”

"She does, and that's okay,” Leah said, pausing as she opened the door to your preschool, glancing at you with amusement, “Right, any more questions before we go inside?"

"Nooo," You giggled, "But I still fink' we hafta get a pig!"

"Maybe we can revisit this conversation another time, hm?” Leah teased in amusement, the two of you walking inside.

“Good morning,” One of your preschool teachers greeted you with a kind smile, “And how are we today?”

“Good!” You beamed up at her, eyes sparkling, “Mummy say we can get a pig!”

Leah’s head snapped toward you, “N… No, I didn’t,” She said completely dumbfounded, as she quickly signed you in for the day, filling out the usual details–her name and contact number.

An’ we gon’ kick my uncle J and G’anddad out cos’ they ‘sport Spurs!” You added matter-of-factly, arms crossed over your chest.

Leah out a breath,  shaking her head in exasperation.

Your teacher chuckled, clearly entertained, “Oh dear, well, that’s quite the plan.”

Leah sighed, finishing up the paperwork, “Just to let you know, Jordan will be picking her up today since it’s her weekend.”

“Not a problem. I’ll let the other teachers know for the handover tonight,” Your teacher assured her.

“Yeah, I get to see Mama!” You grinned, bouncing on the balls of your feet before turning to Leah with a hopeful look, “Maybe Mama will let me ‘ave a pig if ou’ won’t. She’s nice an’ never says no.”

“Oh?” Your teacher smiled, leaning in like she was listening to a very important secret, “Do you have  a name picked out for your pig?”

“Peppa!” You declared proudly, “Den’ we can get ‘nother one an’ call it George!”

Your teacher laughed, “I’m sensing a theme here.”

Leah let out a quiet groan, rubbing her temple.

“I don’t think a pet pig would be such a good idea though,” Your teacher mused, “They might be a bit…  smelly, wouldn’t it?” 

You shrugged your shoulders, “But so do da’ Spurs players so dat’ okay!”

Leah gasped, “Buddy!”

You turned back to your teacher, unfazed, “An’ Elle said Mummy gon’ be a GILF soon, but I don’ know what dat’ means…”

Leah’s eyes widened like saucers and her face went bright red, “Oh my God,” She let out a choked laugh, pressing a hand to her forehead, “Little ears, always hearing things they’re not meant to,” She turned to your teacher with an awkward chuckle, “My eldest is having a baby, you see…”

“Yeah!” You nodded excitedly, “Monks’ keep callin’ dem Rugrat, an’ when dey’ old enough, dey’ can come ‘ere too!”

Your teacher smiled warmly, “That’ll be lovely! But for now, we’re painting today. Shall we say bye to Mum and go find a spot at the table?”

“Yeah!” You eagerly reached for your coat, already halfway out of it, “I hafta take m’ jumper off too!”

Leah winced in deep regret, “I’m suddenly regretting letting her wear her new top…”

You started to rush off, but Leah caught your wrist gently, “Whoa, hold on. I think you’re forgetting something?”

You huffed dramatically, before leaning in and smacking a quick kiss on her cheek.  Then, with a squeeze around her middle, you gave her a big hug, “Buh-bye!”

Leah smiled, pressing a kiss to your forehead before squeezing you back just a little tighter, “That’s better,” She murmured, standing up, “Have fun, Bubba. I love you loads.”

You pulled away, bouncing on your heels, “Bye, Leah!” You called over your shoulder before dashing into the room, leaving Leah frozen in place, completely dumbfounded.

“Here she is!” Steph was the first to notice Leah rush into the changing room once she’d arrived at Arsenal training grounds, running late from dropping you off at pre-school.

“Running a bit late this morning, are we?” Beth teased the blonde.

Leah sighed, rubbing her temples, “Ah, I was hopin’ to sneak in without anyone noticing.”

“Rough morning?” Lia asked, overhearing the conversation.

“I guess so,” Leah mumbled, dumping her stuff on the bench before she undid her shoelaces, “Monkey’s suffering from this pregnancy, and Buddy was full of questions the whole ride to pre-school. She’s got it in her head that she wants a pet pig.”

“A pet pig?” Beth cackled.

“And then she went on to say that she reckons we should leave my brother and dad outside in the cold because they support Spurs,” Leah told them, continuing to get ready.

Katie wandered over, hearing the tail-end of the conversation, “Well our little munchkin ain’t wrong there I guess.”

“Oh, and get this…” Leah huffed, throwing her top over her head, “When I went to drop her off, she called me Leah before she ran off!”

Steph snorted, “She’s too funny sometimes.”

Leah groaned, rubbing her face, “That’s not even the worst part. She decided to tell her teacher that I’m gonna be a GILF.”

The room fell into a stunned silence before Beth completely lost it, wheezing with laughter, “Oh my God, Leah! Where did she even hear that?!”

“Elle mentioned it this morning in front of her by accident,” Leah admitted, exasperated, “She just blurted it out like it was the most normal thing in the world! Her teacher didn't know what to say either and I just felt absolutely mortified.”

“Oh, I’m never letting this one go,” Katie chuckled, shaking her head, “I can’t believe she would even come out with that in front of her teacher! That’s so funny!”

“Oh I can’t wait to see her this weekend,” Lia added, grinning, “I wonder what she’ll come out with next time.”

“I swear, she’s doing this on purpose,” Leah grumbled, “She’s three years old– she shouldn’t even be coming out with this stuff.”

“Well, you know who you have to thank for that,” Steph laughed, shaking her head.

Kyra, who had been suspiciously quiet, suddenly perked up, “Oi, Leah! Where’s Monkey?” She asked, clearly missing her partner in crime.

“At home, she’s not feeling well,” Leah informed her as she finished putting her socks on before proceeding to shove her football boots on.

“Awh, shucks,” Kyra huffed before proceeding to be a pest and attempting to climb on Steph.

“Ah, Kyra! Get off!” Steph groaned, swatting her away, “You absolute pest!”

“So, who’s Monkey at home with now? I’m shocked if you’ve left her alone,” Lia wondered.

Leah finished lacing up her boots before looking at the older girl, “Elle.”

Beth let out a low whistle, “Ooft, wonder how that’ll go.”

“I know,” Leah muttered, “She was already a bit overwhelmed just making pancakes with Buddy this morning, and now she’s got Monkey to handle too. But I didn’t have many options, and I certainly wasn’t about to leave Monkey alone in the state she’s in.”

“Get away, pest,” Steph continued to bet Kyra’s face away from her own, “That bad, huh?” She questioned.

Leah hesitated before sighing, “She spent the majority of this morning huddled up on the bathroom floor. I hate to see her like this,” She admitted, her voice quieter.

Lia frowned, “It can’t be easy.”

Leah nodded, exhaling heavily, “And to top it off, Buddy and Elle attempted to make pancakes this morning. Attempted being the keyword there.”

“Well hopefully things can get only better now, right?” Beth questioned with a faint smile.

Before Leah could answer Beth, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, glancing at the caller ID before answering warily, “Hey, Jords, what’s up?”

“Le, I really hate to do this and I’m so sorry but I’m not going to be able to take Buddy this weekend,” Jordan said, her voice tight with stress, “My mum just called–my dad’s been rushed to the hospital. I need to go home for a few days.”

Leah’s stomach dropped, “Shit. Yeah, of course. Is he okay?”

“I… I don’t know,” Jordan admitted, exhaling heavily, “I’d have loved to have taken Buddy with me, but I don’t think sitting in a hospital waiting room would be much fun for her.”

“Of course, I get it,” Leah said, her tone softening, “Don’t even worry about it, Jords. Just focus on your dad, yeah?”

“I’ll make it up to her, I promise,” Jordan murmured.

Leah shook her head before realising Jordan couldn’t see her, “It’s fine, Jords. This is way more important. Buddy will understand.”

“Are you sure?” Jordan hesitated.

“Yeah, of course,” Leah assured her, “Safe travels, alright?”

Jordan let out a quiet sigh of relief, “Thanks, Le. Give the girls a big hug from me?”

“I will,” Leah promised, “Take care, Jords.”

“You too,” Jordan mumbled before hanging up.

Leah stared at her phone for a beat, sighing before slipping it back into her pocket.

“Bad news?” Lia asked, concern evident in her voice.

“Yeah,” Leah ran a hand through her hair, “Jords’ dad’s in the hospital. I don’t know the exact details, but it’s serious.”

“Shit,” Beth muttered, eyes widening.

“I know,” Leah nodded, “Obviously, she can’t take Buddy now, not with everything going on. She feels awful, but I’ve told her to not worry, but well, easier said than done I guess…”

Steph frowned, “Mate, that’s awful. I hope he’s alright.”

“Me too,” Leah exhaled again, rubbing her temples.

“I’ll text her in a bit and check on her,” Beth added.

Lia hesitated before remembering something, “Wait… Don’t you and Elle have plans tonight? Valentine’s date night?”

Leah’s eyes widened in realisation, “Oh, shit– I completely forgot!”

“What are you gonna do?” Beth asked.

“I… I don’t know,” Leah admitted in a bit of a panic, “I mean, I could ask my mum, but that means rushing Buddy back from preschool, and it’s just a hassle… Shit, I’m gonna have to cancel.”

“No, don’t be daft. I’m free tonight– I can babysit if you want,” Beth offered casually.

Leah blinked, “You wouldn’t mind? What about plans with Viv?”

“Viv’s in Manchester. It’s just me and Roo tonight,” Beth reassured her, “What’s easier–us coming to yours, or Buddy staying with us?”

Leah thought for a moment before deciding, “Would you mind coming to mine? It’s not just Buddy I’m worried about–Monkey’s been so unwell, and I don’t want to drag her out of the house.”

“Not a problem. Just let me know what time,” Beth agreed easily, “I know that Roo will be so excited to see her cousins.”

“Yeah, Buddy was asking me about when she would see Roo on the way to preschool, so she’ll be ecstatic,” Leah told her blonde friend.

“Auntie Bethy to the rescue, eh?” Steph teased.“More like life saviour,” Leah muttered, already feeling a little lighter.

Leah sighed as she pulled into the preschool car park, feeling a sense of deja vu as she rubbed her temples. At least she wouldn’t have to endure another awkward encounter with your teacher after what you had said this morning.

That was a small win.

Stepping inside, she scanned the room for you, only to be met with a frown instead of your usual excited greeting.

“What ou’ doin’ ‘ere?” You questioned, tilting your head to the side, “S’posed to be Mama’s weekend!”

Leah crouched down, brushing a stray curl from your face, “I know, Bubba, but there’s been a slight change of plan. Granddad isn’t very well so Mama has had to go see him.”

“G’anddad not feelin’ good?” You repeated, confused.

“That’s right,”

“Why I no go wif’ her? I wan’ see G’anddad,”

“Not this time I’m afraid, but there’ll be other times, won’t there?”

You pursed your lips, processing the information. Then as if remembering something far more important, you gasped and grabbed at Leah’s arm.

“Mummy, ‘ook! ‘Ook, ‘ook, ‘ook!” You tugged at Leah’s trouser leg, “I got a poorly knee, jus’ like ou’ now! See? No football for me!”

Leah blinked in surprise as you proudly lifted your trousers slightly, revealing a small but dramatic-looking graze on your knee, covered by a Peppa Pig plaster.

“Oh, Bubba,” Leah cooed, smiling softly, “What happened?”

You puffed out your chest, “I falled over outside. But it’ okay do’ I was b’ave, Mummy! I didn’ cry!”

“You didn’t?” Leah chuckled, pressing a light kiss to your forehead, “Brave girl, Bubba. Though, I think I still win. My knee was a bit worse than yours, don’t you think?”

You hummed, tapping your chin in thought before shaking your head, “Nuh-uh. Mine’s worser.”

“Oh is that right?” Leah laughed, scooping you up onto her hip, “Right then, little miss Drama Queen, let’s get you home.”

“I home again! I ‘ere!” You shouted, barreling through the front door without a care in the world. The sound of your voice immediately alerted Tater-Tot, who came rushing toward you, barking excitedly, "Ello' Tate-Tot!" You giggled, dropping to your knees to greet the excited pup.

"Quietly, Bubba," Leah hushed, wincing at your sheer volume as she followed you inside, "Monkey might still be asleep."

You gasped dramatically, "Still? Monks' bein' lazy!"

"She's carrying a baby, and it's hard work doing that," Leah chuckled, shutting the front door behind you both, "She's allowed to be a little bit lazy on this occasion."

Before you could respond, Elle appeared in the hallway hearing to noise you were making.

"Well hello there, I thought I heard your voice, little miss," Elle teased,

"Ello' Elle!" You beamed a smile at the American woman who appeared in the hallway, "I 'ere!"

Elle smirked, exchanging a confused glance with Leah, "What happened? I thought Jordan was having her tonight..."

Leah exhaled a sigh, rubbing her forehead, "There's been a slight change of plans. Luckily, Beth is coming round with Roo to keep an eye on both of the girls so we can still go out."

"I see," Elle nodded in understanding, "Well, I'm going to head back home to get ready for our date night and you can tell me what happened," She exchanged a brief kiss with Leah before she slipped her coat on.

Leah hummed in agreement, "And you can tell me all about how you're day went with my eldest," She grinned, eager to know how it went, "I'll see you in a bit. Pick you up at 6?"

"It's a date," Elle winked, heading out the front door, "See you later, Buddy!"

You waved to the woman, "Bye, Elle!"

Just as Elle left the house, Leah caught your wrist gently before you attempted to zoom off into the living room, "Ah, ah. Shoes off before you run into the living room," She told you.

You huffed dramatically but obeyed, attempting to take the off yourself, "I can' do it!" After a few seconds of struggling, you flopped down on the bottom step with an exaggerated whine, "Mummy! I need 'elp with them. Ou' do it. Dey' too hard!"

Leah crouched down, expertly undoing the velcro straps before placing your trainers neatly by the door, "That better?" She teased.

"Much better. Thank ou' very much!" You said, nodding in satisfaction before springing to your feet and racing into the living room, "Monks' I 'ere!"

Monkey groaned, lifting her head from the sofa cushion, "I know, I can hear you from outside," She muttered, sarcastically.

Giggling, you scrambled to sit on the sofa, all but collapsing against her, "I tired now."

"Must be a hard time being at preschool all day?" Monkey smirked, ruffling your hair.

"It hard!" You pouted, slouching and making yourself comfy against your favourite person, "An' I got a poorly knee. I jus' like Mummy now! I even got a p'aster!"

Monkey gasped, eyes widening in mock horror, "What? No way! Lemme see?"

You rolled your trouser leg up slightly and pointed dramatically at the Peppa Pig plaster, "See? I no play football now. Jus' like Mummy!"

"Ooft," Monkey let out a low whistle, "That does look bad. I reckon we'll have to chop your leg off, you know?"

"What? Nooo!" Your eyes widened in sudden fear, darting to look at Leah who had just walked into the living room, "Mummy, I no want it to be chopped off! I no wan' that!"

"What?" Leah asked confused about what was going on.

"Monks' said she might 'ave to chop m' leg off, but I don' wan' dat'!" Your bottom lip wobbled and you were near the point of tears, "Don' let her chop it off, Mummy!"

Leah shot Monkey an unimpressed look, "Monkey," She said warningly.

"It was too easy," Monkey grinned, holding her hands up in mock surrender.

Leah tutted, shaking her head, before she turned to look at you, "Monkey was only messing around with you, Bubba. She doesn't mean that," She assured you.

You still continued to look at Leah with wide eyes, "No chop it off?"

"Nobody's chopping your leg off, Bubba," Leah confirmed the sentence, mock-glaring at Monkey, "Don't say things like that to her. You know she takes it literally."

It was your turn to glare at Monkey before using your small hand to hit her on the arm, "Mean Monkey!"

"Ow," Monkey whined, rubbing the spot on her arm where you hit her, "No, Buddy--Mum! She's hitting me!"

"Hey, no," Leah was quick to de-escalate the situation, fixing you with her 'Mum' look, "Buddy, no, we don't hit."

"She bein' mean do'!" You whined, continuing to glare at Monkey.

"Monkey was being silly," Leah explained gently, "But it doesn't make it okay to hit her, alright? You know that we don't hit."

You furrowed your eyebrows, "Even when she's bein' a meanie?"

"Yes, even when she's being a meanie," Leah agreed, before looking at your favourite person, "Your big sister is a wind up sometimes, but she'll stop now, won't you?"

"Yeah, yeah," Monkey huffed, her fun being spoilt, but it was nice for Leah to see her usual cheekiness make an appearance again, "I thought Buddy was going to Mama's this weekend?" She asked, just as confused as Elle was.

Leah's expression softened slightly, "Granddad's in the h-o-s-p-i-t-a-l," She spelt out carefully, avoiding the actual word so you wouldn't get scared, "Mama had to go home to be with him."

Monkey's smirk vanished instantly, her eyes widening in concern, "What happened?"

Leah hesitated, glancing between you and Monkey. She didn't necessarily want to panic either of you, but she also wasn't quite sure what to say, "Mama's gone to be with him," She said carefully, keeping her voice steady, "I'm sure it's nothing serious..."

Monkey's frown deepened, "But if it's not serious, why'd she have to go back so quickly?"

Leah swallowed hard, "Nothing gets past you sometimes, does it?" She joked, trying to keep the conversation light, "She just wants to be there. You know what she's like."

Monkey didn't look at all convinced but nodded slowly. Leah could see the gears turning in her head, the same way she always did when she was worried but trying not to show it. And you--well, you were still half-clinging to Monkey, your little brow furrowed in confusion.

"I make a card for G'anddad to make him feel better!" You declared.

"I'm sure he will love that, Bubba," Leah smiled softened as she opened her arms, "C'mere, you two."

Monkey barely had time to react before Leah pulled both of you into a tight hug, squeezing you close. You weren't keen on it, trying to wriggle to break free while Monkey melted in Leah's embrace, her head resting against Leah's shoulder.

"Mummy, ou' squeezin' me too tight!" You whined, trying to get out of her reach.

"This hug is a special one from Mama," Leah murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of your head.

You blinked up at her, puzzled, "Why a hug from Mama?"

Lea forced a small smile, trying to keep her own emotions in check, "Well, because she misses you both so much," She said softly, her arms tightening around you both, "And she wanted me to squeeze you extra tightly."

You continued to wriggle in Leah's arms, "Squeezy hug!"

Leah laughed, but Monkey wasn't fooled. She didn't say anything, just hugged Leah a little tighter. Leah exhaled slowly, rubbing soothing circles on both of your backs.

"Alright," Leah murmured after a moment, "Auntie Beth and Roo are coming round tonight so who wants pizza for dinner?"

Your eyes lit up at them words, "Me! Me! I wan' pizza!"

"Of course you want it," Leah grinned, brushing a stray strand of hair out of your face, "Monkey, you feeling up to eat now?"

Monkey shrugged her shoulders, "I guess so. The baby has stopped me makin' me feel like crap, finally."

Your eyes widened as you dramatically gasped, "Ou' swore, Monks'!"

"Bite me, you little worm," Monkey grumbled, rolling her eyes.

"I no a worm! Dat' mean!" You huffed, glaring back at your older sister.

Monkey smirked, "You look like one."

"No, I don'--" You started to speak until you're cut off.

"Girls, enough," Leah looked between you with a pointed look, "Just one day. One day were you two don't argue, that's all I'm asking for."

"She started it," Monkey mumbled, "Why is Beth comin' round? I can take care of Buddy by myself!"

Leah scoffed, shaking her head, "Absolutely not."

"You don't trust me?" Monkey pretended to act faux-offended.

"Nope, not one bit," Leah didn't hesitate to agree, playfully poking her on the nose, "You've been feeling rotten all day, and I'm not taking any chances. I don't want you to be left on your own."

Monkey huffed, "Do I have a say in this?"

Leah gave your favourite person a pointed look, "Just spare me the peace of mind this time, please?"

"Fine," Monkey reluctantly agreed, slumping her shoulders.

"Monkey! That'll be Beth and Roo--Can you let them in please?" Leah called from upstairs where she was finishing getting ready, leaving your big sister the task to answer the front door.

There was no response.

Leah finished adjusting her earrings, "Monkey?"

Still, nothing.

"Forget it, I'll just do it myself," Leah muttered to herself, standing up from the dressing table and heading down the stairs, "Monkey? Did you not hear me shoutin' you?"

"Huh?" Monkey blinked up at her, sprawled out on the sofa, absentmindedly scrolling her phone while you sat at your little table, crafting the perfect get-well-soon-card for Jordan's dad.

Leah exhaled a sigh, shaking her head, "Never mind," She headed for the front door, opening it just as an excited Rory practically launched herself forward.

"Auntie Le! Auntie Le!" Rory squealed, throwing her arms around Leah's waist, "Where's Buddy?"

"Hiya, Roo!" Leah crouched down, engulfing the five-year-old in a quick hug, "She's in the living room, just go on through."

Rory didn't need to be told twice, dashing off into the living room to find you.

Beth lingered in the doorway, smirking as she eyed Leah up and down, "Wit woo, don't you scrub up well. I bet Elle doesn't realise how lucky she is."

"Oh, stop it," Leah chuckled, but her cheeks tinged red all the same, "Thanks again for tonight. You're a life saviour!"

"Eh, what're Aunties for?" Beth grinned, waving her off, "I know you would do the same for me if I needed help, besides, who can resist hanging out with my two favourite nieces?" She asked, walking into the living room.

"Personally I'd prefer Wally," Monkey piped up into the conversation with a cheeky grin on her face.

"Rude," Beth gasped in mock offence, "I'm glad to see you're feeling better. Your mums' been frantic about you all day," She told her.

"I'm alright, it's just my delightful child makin' me feel proper miserable and sick," Monkey groaned, resting a hand on her belly, "My own fault, ain't it? Should've known better..."

Beth chuckled as she patted her on the shoulder, "We live and learn by our mistakes. This baby will be the making of you, I'm sure!" She insisted, grinning, "So, have you thought of any names yet?"

"Oh yeah, sure. Devil child, Spawn of Satan, Gremlin, and my personal favourite, Rugrat," Monkey smirked playfully, "Which do you like the best?"

Leah shot her a look, "Monkey."

Beth just laughed, shaking her head.

Leah checked the time, "Right, I'd better head off and pick up Elle--"

Before she could finish, you looked up from where you were busy making the card, "Where ou' goin', Mummy?"

"Me and Elle have dinner plans tonight, remember, Bubba?" Leah reminded you gently, crouching down to meet your level.

"An' me come too?" You looked at her somewhat hopeful.

"No, Bubba. It'll just be me and Elle tonight," Leah shook her head in disagreement, "but you're going to stay here with Monkey, Auntie Beth and Roo, that'll be fun, won't it?"

Your face immediately dropped, "No! I wan' come wif' ou'."

"You can't tonight, Bubba," Leah tried her luck, but you weren't having any of it.

"Nooo," You whined, dragging out the word as your eyes filled with tears, "P'ease Mummy. I wan' stay with ou'. I wan' come!"

Leah exhaled a sigh, already knowing she was fighting a losing battle. She rubbed a hand over her face before releting, "Okay, you can come with me, Bubba."

As she grabbed her phone, she sent a quick text to Elle.

Going to be running a bit late to pick you up, babe. I'll explain when I get there x

Elle's reply came through fast.

No problem. See you when you get here ❤️

Leah pocketed her phone and looked down at you, who now sat happily on the floor, none the wiser to the chaos you were about to bring to dinner.

Now she just had to make sure that you didn't cause too much chaos at the restaurant...

Easier said than done.

"Let's just hope that the fancy restaurant has chicken nuggets now, eh?" Beth joked, amusement clear in her voice.

"That's the least of my worries,"Leah huffed, running a hand through her hair, "Right, Bubba, we need to choose something for you to wear--quickly."

"I wan' match with ou'!" You said determinedly.

Leah exhaled but smiled, "Okay then, that's simple enough. Let's go and see what we can find," she rushed you upstairs into your room to find an outfit that was somewhat similar to her own before helping you get changed.

"I 'ook like ou' now, Mummy!" You giggled, twirling around.

"You do, don't you? My little mini-me," Leah grinned, pressing a quick kiss to your forehead, "Right, come on--say bye to Auntie Beth, Roo and Monkey and then we need to get goin' to go and pick Elle up."

"Buh-bye!" You chirped, waving enthusiastically.

"Good luck," Beth called after Leah with a smirk.

Leah let out a dry chuckle, "Thanks I might need it," She glanced at Monkey, giving her a pointed look, "And thanks again for being here... Monkey might not admit it but she does need people around her."

"It’s okay Auntie Le I will give Monkey lots of cuddles!" Rory declared proudly.

"Thank you, Roo, you're the best girl," Leah smiled, ruffling Rory's curls before giving Monkey one last look firm look, "Don't give Beth a hard time. Order whatever you want on my card--just don't go too wild."

Monkey smirked, watching Leah and you walk out the front door, "No promises."

An hour later than Leah should have been, with a quick stop at the florist on the way, Leah finally pulled up outside Elle's flat. She gave the horn a quick beep to let her know she was outside.

Originally, she'd planned to get out and hand Elle the bouquet herself, but that was a little tricky now--with you happily settled in the backseat, swinging your legs and humming along to the music.

"Mummy?" You piped up as the previous song ended, "Can we listen to Norf' London Forever again?"

Leah sighed but smiled, "Okay, Bubba."

The familiar tune started up again, and within moments, Elle appeared at her front door, making her way toward the car.

"Hello, babe," Elle greeted, leaning down slightly as Leah rolled down the window.

"Hi, love," Leah offered an apologetic smile before leaning over to unlock the door, "Sorry I'm a bit late..."

Before Elle could respond, your little voice piped up from the back, "Hi, Elle!" You chirped, waving your hand excitedly.

Elle blinked in surprise, turning her head toward you, "Hi, little miss."

You beamed, practically bouncing in your seat, "I'm comin' to dinner wif' ou' and mummy!" You pointed proudly at your clothes, "Me an' Mummy matchin' too!"

Elle playfully gasped, "Are you? Wow!"

Leah gave Elle another small, sheepish chuckle, "I'm sorry. There were almost tears as I was about to leave, and well, I just thought this would be easier."

Elle slid into the passenger seat with a grin, waving Leah off, "Babe, it's fine. I get it. You have kids--These things happen. It'll be fun to have a little dinner guest tonight."

Leah exhaled in relief, "Yeah, I... I guess so," She gestured to the bouquet sitting beside her, "I got you flowers. Would've come to the door, but, well..." She tilted her head toward the backseat with a knowing smirk.

Elle glanced at the bouquet and smiled, leaning over to press a quick kiss to Leah's cheek, "I appreciate the thought either way," She paused, turning back around to face you, "Now, miss Buddy, what's it gonna be tonight? Nuggets or spaghetti?"

Leah groaned, already knowing the answer.

"Spaghettiiiii!" You cheered, throwing your hands up in the air.

Elle laughed, "Let's hope they have colouring sheets in the restaurant."

Leah could already tell--this was going to be a very eventful dinner.

“Elle! Ook at m’ picture!” You exclaim, glancing at the American woman in excitement, “See? It’ a dino’daur!”

Elle leaned in, eyes widening in mock amazement, “Wow, that’s some great colouring in, little miss. It’s very purple. Is that your favourite colour?”

“Nooo. M’ favourite colour is red!” You declared proudly.

“Really? No surprise there,” Elle smirked, glancing at Leah, “I wonder why, huh?”

Leah rolled her eyes but grinned, “Takes after me, of course…” She took a bite of her food before shifting the conversation, “So, how was it, just you and Monkey?”

Elle winced, "Well... It wasn't terrible."

Leah groaned, already bracing herself, “Oh, God. I’m so sorry if she was rude or difficult–I told her to be nice. I swear, that girl sometimes–”

“We watched Shrek,” Elle interrupted simply, cutting up a piece of her dinner.

Leah blinked, “Oh?”

“Yeah. She seemed really set on watching it, and who am I to deny a Shrek marathon?” Elle teased, shrugging her shoulders as she popped a forkful of food in her mouth.

Leah squinted, “Wait. So she actually sat through all of them with you?”

“Yep,” Elle agreed.

“What? All four?” Leah questioned, raising an eyebrow.

“Uh-huh,” Elle smirked, “And wow. I did not realise she knows every word by heart.”

Leah sighed but chuckled, “Yeah… she’s been obsessed since she was, like, nine. Probably even before that.”

“Monks’ loves Shrek!” You perked up, beaming.

“Does she?” Elle gasped playfully, “Well that is good to know. I guess I’ve got an easy gift idea for her birthday then. When is it?”

“Not until May,” Leah answered, taking a sip of her drink.

Elle nodded, filing that way, “A couple of months, then. And what about you, little miss Buddy? When’s your birthday?”

“I don’ know,” You frowned, tongue poking out slightly as you focused on your picture, “I don’ remember…”

Leah smiled knowingly, reaching over to brush a stray strand of your hair out of your face, “Yes you do, silly. It’s in April, isn’t it?”

Your eyes lit up, “Oh yeah! I wan’ a fishy!”

Elle raised an eyebrow, glancing between you and Leah, “A fishy?”

Leah looked just as surprised about your words, “This is the first I’ve heard about it.”

“I wan’ a fishy!” You nodded enthusiastically, “An’ I call it… Fishy!”

“That is very original,” Elle grinned.

“I think you’re looking for the word… Creative,” Leah murmured, amused.

Elle leaned forward slightly, “And how old are you going to be this birthday?”

“I be four! I be a big girl!” You straightened in your seat, puffing out your chest, “Monks’ said when I four I can hold Rugrat when she’s born!”

“Oh, is that right?” Elle smiled in amusement.

You nodded fastly, “Uh huh! I be a big girl!” You insisted.

Leah nodded, “That’s right, Bubba, and you’ll be starting primary school this year.”

“Yeah!” Your excitement doubled, “I goin’ big school!”

Elle chuckled, “Big girl indeed.”

“Don’t remind me,” Leah sighed dramatically, “Feels like she was just a baby yesterday. Now she’s asking for a fish named… Fishy.”

“Well, hey, at least she knows what she wants,” Elle smirked, shrugging her shoulders, “A fish is easy enough, right?”

Leah scoffed, “You say that now, but give it a few weeks– I’ll be the one feeding it, cleaning the tank, and making sure it doesn’t die.”

“Nooo!” Your brows furrowed in determination, “I won’ forget, Mummy! I be a big girl. I look after Fishy all m’self!”

Elle nodded solemnly, “Well I don’t know about you,” She glanced at Lea briefly, “But I think that sounds very responsible, little miss.”

Leah snorted, “Try saying that when she’s demanding spaghetti for every meal and refusing to go to bed.”

“I like dis’ ‘ghetti. it so yummy!” You exclaimed, poking at your half-eaten plate.

“I can tell with how much you have around your face, Bubba,” Leah joked, reaching for a napkin to wipe your face, looking at Elle, “So, besides Monkey forcing you into a Shrek marathon, was she… okay?”

“Yeah, I think so,” Elle hesitated before nodding, “She was really quiet at first–Like, barely said a word. But once Shrek started, she didn’t stop talking. She’s passionate about it, huh?”

Leah smiled softly, “Always has been. I was wary about leaving her… She doesn’t open up to people easily.”

“I wasn’t expecting to say too much to me to be honest,” Elle admitted quietly, “But she’s alright, y’know? I get why she’d be guarded, but… She’s a good kid.”

“Yeah, she is,” Leah exhaled, nodding, “She’s been through a lot. But from the moment I met her… I just knew. She’s mine.”

Elle’s expression softened, “She’s lucky to have you as her Momma. They both are.”

Leah glanced down, almost bashful, “Thank you.”

“Mummy! Elle! ‘Ook! Dino’daur all done!” You exclaimed, holding up your masterpiece with bright, eager eyes.

Leah gasped dramatically, clapping her hands, “Wow, Bubba. That is so amazing!” 

Elle nodded enthusiastically, “That’s great, little miss!”

“We’ll put it on the fridge when we get home so everyone can see, yeah?” Leah suggested with a genuine smile on her face.

Your whole face lit up as you bounced excitedly, “Yeah, yeah, yeah!”

Your little body grew heavier as the evening went on, exhaustion creeping in despite your best efforts to stay awake. You fought it at first, shifting in your seat and rubbing at your eyes, but eventually, you gave up, letting out a tiny whimper as you reached for Leah.

“M’ tired, Mummy,” You mumbled, your voice muffled as you climbed onto her lap without any hesitation.

Leah barely reacted, simply adjusting her posture so you could settle against her properly, “I know, Bubba,” She murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head as she wrapped an arm around you, “I guess that pudding is off the menu then,” She added in a quiet tone of voice.

Elle smiled softly, watching as you rested your head on Leah’s shoulder, your tiny fists clutching a tight hold of her shirt, “Well, I think that’s our sign to call it a night,” She said lightly.

“Yeah, I think so,” Leah sighed, shifting to glance at the time before nodding, “I think it’s time to get my Bubba to bed,” She agreed, rubbing gentle circles into your back.

Carefully, Leah stood up, keeping you securely in her arms as the three of you made your way back out to the car. You barely stirred, already half-asleep as Leah carried you out to the car. The gentle rocking of her steps and the warmth of her embrace lulled you further, and by the time she buckled you into your car seat, your eyes were struggling to stay open.

“Little miss must be pretty wiped out,” Elle slid into the passenger seat as Leah got behind the wheel, glancing back at you with a soft smile, “She’s already out,” She whispered.

Leah glanced at the rearview mirror and smiled softly, “Didn’t even last five minutes,” She murmured.

The drive to Elle’s place was quiet, filled with the occasional soft hum of the music and the rhythmic sound of the tyres beneath them. Leah kept one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on the gearstick as she glanced at Elle.

“You know, you’ve really won Buddy over,” Leah murmured, nodding toward the backseat where you were fast asleep, “Usually she’s a bit sceptical of people.”

Elle smiled softly, turning her head to look at you, “Yeah?” She asked, her voice gentle.

Leah nodded, a smirk tugging at her lips, “Mhm, I think you won her over with the colouring. You might be stuck with us now.”

“I wouldn’t mind that,” Elle chuckled, reaching over to squeeze Leah’s hand briefly, “Your kids are both pretty great.”

“And full of attitude, too,” Leah snorted, glancing at the rearview mirror again to check you were still asleep, “I reckon she’ll have you wrapped around her little finger soon enough.”

Elle laughed, not failing to hide her amusement, “I don’t think I will mind that too much. She’s pretty adorable.”

The car fell into a comfortable silence again, the warmth of the moment lingering between them as Leah continued the drive, a small smile still playing on her lips.

Leah pulled up outside Elle’s apartment, turning to look at her, “Thanks for tonight,” She said genuinely, leaning over to exchange a soft kiss with her girlfriend.

“Of course,” Elle smiled, “Thank you for letting me hang out with you and little miss. I had fun colouring in,” She teased before nodding towards you, “Get her home safe, yeah?”

Leah chuckled, “Always.”

After Elle disappeared inside, Leah drove home, taking extra care not to hit any bumps that might wake you up. Parking in her spot on the driveway, Leah heard the faint hum of the TV background noise, cradling you close as she moved through the familiar routine of putting you to bed.

“You’re back,” Beth whispered, turning her head from where she was sat on the sofa, Rory was curled up on her lap asleep while Leah looked further into the room to notice Monkey curled up on the other side of the sofa, snoring softly, “How’d the date night go with the gatecrasher?” She joked.

“It wasn’t the worst,” Leah answered back quietly, shifting you in her arms slightly, “Has everything been okay here tonight?”

“Yeah, yeah, it was fine. Roo and Monkey have just been watching movies, I guess they must have not been that good if they’re both asleep,” Beth grinned, shaking her head, “Too much excitement that she fell asleep?” She joked, motioning to you fast asleep in Leah’s arms.

“Definitely,” Leah smirked, peering down at you as you started to stir slightly, “I’m gonna get her settled in bed before she wakes up,” Continuing her way up the stairs to your room, she changed you into your pyjamas with practised ease, tucking you in with Mr. Bear beside you, “Sweet dreams, Bubba,” She whispered, smiling as you stirred slightly, curling deeper into your duvet.

Later that night, as Leah lay in bed winding down, she found herself scrolling through her phone as she landed on the picture from earlier that morning, dressed in your Arsenal dressing gown and clutching the bouquet of roses you’d given her with a sleepy, proud smile.

Within minutes, the comments started rolling in, but Leah wasn’t paying attention anymore. She was already curled up in bed, ready for sleep, knowing that by morning, you would be up bright and early, chattering away as if you hadn’t practically fallen asleep through dinner.

But she wouldn’t have it any other way.

© scribblesofagoonerr

[nataliasquote]

Double the trouble | Switch Up | n romanoff

Double the trouble AU

Summary: Yelena is back, the twins are older, and her scheming ways do nothing but backfire. a mother always knows…

Age: 8

Warnings: none

wc: 3.3k

note: hello! I’m back with another little oneshot for DTT. I’ve missed writing tbh and although this isn’t the best, I’m pleased to finally write. I’m sorry for keeping you waiting!

-⧗-

Leaving the twins with Yelena was either the best idea or the worst idea Natasha had ever had. But with Wanda away visiting her brother, Natasha didn’t really have much of a choice. Work didn’t allow her to take time off like this, so she turned to the next best thing.

The blonde was as grumpy as anything until she was faced with the two bundles of joy that were her nieces. She hated kids, but Isla and Y/n were an exception. She opened the door with a huge grin as the twins came barreling towards her, crouching barely over the threshold to collect them in a hug.

Natasha hovered back by the stairs with a soft smile tugging at her lips. Despite having a rocky patch, she truly loved Yelena with all her heart. And seeing her girls happy was all that mattered. She wished she could stay, but with new development plans happening at the studio, she had to oversee the final meeting.

“Are you staying all day?” Isla asked, peering round to look at Yelena’s truck parked in the driveway. “Where’s Fanny?”

“I’ll get her out in a minute, and yes I am, lucky duck.” The twins cheered at her response, their chatter tumbling over the top of each other as they bombarded their aunt with questions. Natasha quickly stepped in, taking them by the hand so Yelena could finally enter the house. After sending her girls over to the couch, Natasha pulled Yelena to one side, whispering in hushed voices.

“It shouldn’t take long, but in case I’m held back, there’s boxed mac and cheese in the cupboard and the girls made cookies last night so they’re in the green jar.”

“Mac and cheese, green jar, got it.”

“Please don’t give them too much sugar,” Natasha warned, knowing her sister’s tendencies, “and they have been arguing a lot, so good luck.” She didn’t really need to tell Yelena what to do, she’d babysat since they were really little, but it gave Natasha a piece of mind to know they were well looked after.

“Natasha, they’ll be fine. Don’t you trust me? Yelena asked with a grin.

“Absolutely not.”

Yelena rolled her eyes, stuffing her hands into her pockets. “So who’s the troublemaker this time?”

“Y/n has been in a mood for the past few days, so it’s currently her. Apparently Isla's existence annoys her.” As if on cue, a yell sounded from the living room and Natasha inwardly groaned. A moment of peace was never on the cards.

As she went to sort out whatever argument was occurring with her eight year olds, Yelena let Fanny out of the car and watched the Akita bound up the front steps, her tail wagging frantically. Any normal person would feel bad about the amount of hair she shed, but it only made Yelena laugh. She truly made every place her home.

The scene in the living room was absurd even for Yelena. Natasha was scolding a pouting Y/n whilst Isla cried in her arms, clutching something hidden behind her hair. Yelena hovered awkwardly, unsure how to approach, and Fanny did the same. It was almost like she could read the room.

Natasha, breathing a sigh of relief, gestured for Yelena to approach, to which she did. A sniffly Isla was pushed in her direction and the young girl lunged at her aunt, clinging to her waist with a sob.

“What happened?” Yelena mouthed, her eyebrows shooting up as Natasha held up what looked like a barbie doll. “Where’s the hair?”

“This one got scissor happy,” Natasha said exasperatedly, jabbing her thumb in Y/n’s direction.

“She stole my barbie!” Y/n protested, folding her arms across her chest in a huff.

“No!” Isla burst out,” that’s mine!”

“Well I don’t care, I was playing with it!”

“Get your own!”

Above their heads, Natasha gave Yelena a look. This is what she had been dealing with since Wanda left and although she hated leaving her kids, the bickering was starting to wear her down. It was Yelena’s turn to handle it for once. She just hoped the house would still be standing when she got back.

“Girls, please,” Natasha sighed, standing up with the barbie in her hand. “Mama has to go in a minute, and I’m not having you acting up for Yelena.” She used her stern mom voice and Y/n paled, hating being told off. “Y/n, can you apologise to Isla please.”

“No.”

Natasha may have a soft spot for her youngest but the glare that crossed her features made the little girl’s eyes well up and she hung her head in shame. “Y/n…” Natasha warned, knowing what came next if she didn’t start behaving.

“Sorry,” Y/n mumbled, suddenly very interested in the sleeve of her pink sweater.

“Good,” Natasha stated, brushing off the dog hair from her sleek black suit trousers. “I want you two on your best behaviour, and Yelena will tell me everything that happens. If I find out that you’ve been disrespectful and naughty, I will tell Mama. Okay?”

The girls mumbled in chorus, with Isla still clinging on to Yelena and Y/n standing by herself. It was just a phase, Natasha had to keep reminding herself that, but it certainly felt as though it was going to last forever. She wasn’t the bad mom, but Y/n’s behaviour had been so bad lately that not a day went by where she wasn’t being told off. It hurt her to see her daughter so upset, but Natasha stood strong. It was her own kindred spirit that she saw in Y/n, and now she understood why she was such a difficult child sometimes.

“We’re going to have fun, right guys?” Yelena asked with extravagant enthusiasm, although the responses she got were far from it. “You can go and do your boring adult stuff whilst the cool kids do… cool kid stuff.”

Natasha anxiously glanced at her kids, a wave of doubt washing over her. “Are you sure you’ll be okay? I can cancel-”

“Natasha, go, I’ll be fine. They’re angels with me and I’ve got Fanny with me if it all goes wrong.”

The dog in question gave a small woof and Natasha eyed her warily, far more a cat person than a dog person. She wasn’t totally convinced, but motherhood had made her anxious so she straightened out her jacket and nodded, psyching herself up.

“I’ll be back by 5, 6 at the latest.”

“Have a good day Mama,” Y/n said quietly, trying desperately to get back on her good side. Having Wanda mad at her was bad enough, but having Natasha was the worst thing she could think of. And when her Mama crouched down and opened her arms, Y/n took her chance to get to the hug first, muttering another ‘sorry’ to try and make amends.

“Be good, girls. I’ll be home soon.”

‘Aunty Lena, does Mama hate me?” Y/n asked as the door closed. The blonde frowned and turned to her niece, her large green eyes piercing into the Russian’s soul.

“Of course not, little bug. But you have to start being nice to Isla, okay?”

“I know,” Y/n replied. “She just really makes me mad.”

“That’s what sisters do. Your mama and I used to fight all the time.”

Y/n’s eyes lit up. “You did?”

“It’s totally normal, little bug. When your mama had blue hair, I used to tease her about it all the time.”

Isla’s head perked up at that. “Mama had blue hair?”

“Has she never shown you pictures?” Yelena asked in disbelief. Both girls shook their heads and Yelena grinned. “I’ll make some hot chocolate and I can show you. Your grandma put all our photos as kids in an album.”

The twins cheered loudly and ran to the kitchen, laughing with each other. It was such a stark contrast to earlier that Yelena had to do a double take at what she was witnessing.

“I’m glad you’re not this much work,” she muttered to Fanny, who barked happily at the noise. Kids really were hard work.

~~~

“Lena, kick it!” Isla yelled across the garden, dancing around the goal whilst her aunt really took her time. She was doing it purely to mess with her niece, and it was working perfectly. With another yell, Isla sprinted out of the goal in an attempt to tackle, but Yelena took her chance and sent the ball flying into the goal with a thud.

“That’s not fair!” She cried, running over to retrieve it.

“Another point to Aunt Lena!” Y/n announced from her place at the side before launching into another back walkover. She’d only recently learned the skill at dance and was more than happy to do acro tricks whilst they played. As long as she kept score as promised.

“No! That doesn’t count,” Isla protested, one foot propped up on the ball. “She cheated.”

“I didn’t cheat, you just have no patience,” Yelena said sassily, propping a hand up on her hip. “You’re not going to make a very good goal keeper.”

“I hate soccer anyway,” Isla grumbled, kicking the ball as hard as she could in Yelena’s direction. “It sucks.”

“It’s only because you’re bad at it,” Y/n piped up, now sitting on the porch steps after exhausting herself from cartwheels.

“You’re worse!” Typical comeback but Yelena had had enough. With a roll of her eyes, she marched towards the goal, giving Isla a bump with her elbow as she walked past.

“New game, I’ll be in goal and you have to work together to score. Deal?”

Isla shook her head. “I’m not playing with her, she can’t even kick a ball!”

“I can too!” Y/n protested, sprinting up to her sister. “I’m better than you and I don’t even have lessons.”

“That’s so not true. You-”

“Guys!” Yelena shouted, her Russian accent thickly coating her words. “Do you ever stop this fighting? It’s so annoying!”

The twins went silent, an uncommon phenomenon. Y/n muttered something under her breath but Yelena didn’t have it in her to care anymore. Every time she babysat it made her more and more impressed at how Natasha did it. A true saint.

“New rules. You have to pass it to each other before trying to score. If you don’t, the point goes to me. Okay?”

“Fine!”

Surprisingly, very few fights broke out over the course of the game. Isla did most of the scoring after Y/n well and truly botched her tries. But in her defence, her legs weren’t made for kicking the shit out of a soccer ball.They were made for cartwheels, which Isla soon got fed up with.

After far too long outside, Yelena rounded them up and herded them back inside after teeth started chattering and Y/n’s soaked trouser legs from falling over were turning her lips slightly blue.

After a quick bath she sat them both on Isla’s bed and dug through her closet for some comfier clothes. After a few minutes she sat back on her knees, her mind racing.

“Do you guys match anymore?”

“Ew,” Isla said, her nose scrunching. “Never. All Y/n wears is pink, and I hate pink.”

“You also hate dresses too.”

Yelena was quiet for a moment, the cogs in her head turning. She turned around with a sheepish smile, almost shaking with excitement.

“I have an idea, but you need to cooperate… okay?”

~~~

Natasha sighed as she stepped out of her car, her breath forming a small cloud in front of her. It was far too cold for October and she rushed up the front steps to get inside. The building work was looking amazing and she knew Y/n was itching to get back to the studio just as much as she was (there was only so much kitchen ballet they could do).

It was eerily quiet as the front door opened, only her heels sounding on the wooden floor as she approached the kitchen. She wasn’t met with a pile of bodies throwing themselves at her, which was probably more strange than the silence. Had she trusted Yelena too much and her sister had kidnapped her children and ran off to Russia? Honestly it wasn’t such a surprising theory.

Empty kitchen… empty living room… this was weird. But the sound of giggles couldn’t be hidden and Natasha kicked off her heels at the bottom of the stairs and took the stairs two at a time, her trousers straining around her thigh muscles. Isla’s laugh was the most distinguishable and she pushed the door open slowly, trying not to startle anyone.

The wholesome sight of the three of them sitting on the floor surrounded by stuffed animals was enough to melt Natasha’s heart and she smiled softly, leaning on the doorframe waiting for someone to notice her. And strangely it wasn’t Y/n but Isla who jumped up first, almost stumbling over Fanny to get to her Mama with a shriek.

Natasha caught her daughter in her arms and pressed kisses all over her face, warmth flooding her body. She would never feel complete when she was away from her girls.

Y/n quickly joined in, wanting the same cuddles. Natasha crouched down and stroked their cheeks before pausing slightly, squinting. Something wasn’t right and Yelena’s overly wide grin didn’t help her suspicions either. She stroked Isla’s hair with a chuckle and straightened up, her back aching from bending down so much.

“Did you girls have a good day?” She asked, watching as Y/n settled back on the floor beside Fanny. “You both look happier than when I left.”

“We played soccer and beat Aunt Lena!” Y/n piped up. “I scored all the goals.”

“No, I helped too!”

Natasha didn’t miss the way Yelena nudged her nieces or how their eyes went as wide as saucers. But the redhead just chuckled and took a seat on Isla’s bed, her legs slightly aching from standing all day.

Isla stood in front of her, clearly torn with where to go. Natasha knew she wanted to sit on her knee but watched as she settled beside Yelena again. It was impressive, Natasha gave her that much. Very dedicated to the cause.

“You did? Well done baby. Have you behaved today?”

“They’ve been angels, sestra, as usual. It’s only you they are bad for.” Yelena had a shit eating grin and it took everything in Natasha not to launch a pillow at her head. But she could not condone aggression around her violent children anyway before Y/n got any more ideas.

“Is that right?”

“Mama you had blue hair!”

If looks could kill, Yelena would be well and truly dead. If there was one thing Natasha hated, it was pictures of her younger self. She made far too many questionable decisions and went through one too many boxes of hair dye, so seeing pictures was a no no. Not even Wanda had seen many. And now her daughters had seen the worst ones which she was never going to live down.

“Yelena Belova… what did you do.”

The blonde just shrugged and jumped up, causing Fanny to do the same. The queen of avoiding things. “Who wants Aunt Yelena’s special mac and cheese?”

The twins both cheered and raced out of the room after their aunt, leaving Natasha slightly bewildered in the blue and white room. There were times where Natasha convinced herself that Yelena wasn’t all that bad, and then she pulled stunts like this and put herself back on top of Natasha’s hit list. But that was never going to change.

“What else did you show my kids, Yelena?”

No reply. Typical.

Natasha truly was outnumbered when her sister was around. But then she remembered what was really going on and a small laugh escaped Natasha’s mouth. Adorable, really.

Y/n and Isla helped as much as they could to make dinner, including standing on a chair to stir the boiling noodles and dumping the cheese packets in when instructed. Natasha was banished to setting the table after Isla gave her a lecture about her inability to cook, clearly something else she’d picked up from Yelena. But Natasha yielded, setting the cutlery down with a shake of her head. The longer it went on for, the more she tried not to laugh. And the more slip ups she noticed.

Like how Isla wouldn’t stand on the chair because she was scared of heights, even though yesterday she climbed the largest tree in the backyard. And how Y/n stood still when waiting for her turn, when she’d usually be twirling around with her apron. Natasha could only watch as Yelena heavily emphasised their names and the twins burst into giggles whenever they answered her. It was adorable to see and she couldn’t wait to tell Wanda.

They ate in silence, which was usually the case when mac and cheese was involved. And the girls did very well, Natasha gave them that, until she pulled an admittedly evil move.

“How about cookies?” Yelena asked once plates were cleared and the table was wiped down.

“It sounds good to me,” Natasha agreed, grabbing the tin and sitting back at the table. “One each, you too Yelena. And Y/n, you know the rules. You got in trouble today so you don’t get a cookie.”

She slid the tin to Isla who happily reached in until a protest sounded from the girl next to her.

“That’s not fair! That’s my cookie!”

Isla had already shoved her cookie in her mouth at this point, the crumbs sticking to her cheeks and the front of her shirt. She grinned happily, thankful she agreed to Yelena’s scheming plot.

“Mama! That’s mine!”

Natasha shook her head. “No Y/n, those aren’t the rules, you know that.”

Isla smacked her palm against the tabletop. “I’m not Y/n! She is!” She pointed at her sister harshly, who was licking the crumbs from her fingertips. “We switched!”

“Isla!” Y/n whined, “You weren’t supposed to spoil it!”

“I’m not losing my cookie, give it to me!”

“No,” Y/n said with a grin. “Mama said you can’t have one, so you can’t.”

“I hate you!”

Natasha watched the scene unfold, with Yelena looking more and more concerned. The blonde turned to her sister for help, but was met with only a smirk and a raised eyebrow.

“Do something!” Yelena hissed, but Natasha shook her head.

“Absolutely not,” Natasha said, leaning back in her chair. “It’s your mess, you fix it.”

“Tell her Aunt Lena!” Isla cried, tears threatening to spill. “Tell her I’m Isla! I’m not Y/n.”

Whilst Isla was nearing a breakdown, Y/n’s mean streak thickened. “These cookies really are good.”

“Mama please!”

Natasha rounded the table and placed a kiss on Isla’s forehead before passing her the biggest cookie from the tin. “Here baby, you’re okay,” she soothed, gently wiping her tears. “But your Aunt is an idiot. I did know it was you all along Isl’s, I’m sorry baby.” She picked her daughter up and set her on her lap, holding her close as she ate her cookie.

Yelena’s mouth fell open. “You knew?”

“From the moment ‘Isla’ ran to me first.” Yelena hit the table, muttering ‘dammit’ under her breath. “A mother always know, Yel. Always.”

[thebat-musicman]

WIPS I COULD REREAD OVER AND OVER AGAIN:

Wants and Needs (well, mostly wants): Chefs kiss, I am in love. Tim is so evil and so cute. Such long chapters that i totally love.

1-800-Gotham: SO MANY MISUNDERSTANDINGS!!!! All the bats want to adopt Jax and think Angel is evil.

Drake’s Spoiled Brat (I’m sorry Dad): As you can see I am a SLUT for Tim joining the batfamily late or early. This is also filled with identity shenanigans which are my favorite.

little menace: He’s such a cute little monster. Timmy is deaged to a vaguely evil toddler which is just awesome.

Double Trouble: CHAOS LORD TIM. Nothing else exists of this which is so disappointing as im in love now.

Jason Todd’s Guide on How to be Haunted with Minimal Stress: MWAH I AM KISSING THIS. I literally reread this the second i finished it. If it’s abandoned i will host a funeral. Dick, Tim, and Damian are sent back in time and Robin!Jason mistakes them as ghosts. They’re all surprised by what a sweet innocent child he is.

god turned human: Percy Jackson crossover. It only updates once a month which is so sadddd. I need to know where it’s going.

[cipher-the-sidhe]

“You cannot speak to him,” Moon says as he sets his hand over your mouth, silencing you. You don’t have the strength to resist, much less stay conscious, but your heart begins pounding.

“You cannot look at him,” Sun says gently but with a great deal of warning in his voice as he covers your eyes with his dark digits. You’re in the dark. The speed of your breath through your nose picks up as you become hyper-alert through the fog of tiredness.

“You cannot listen to him,” they say together, voices overlaid and sending your pulse spiking as arms reach across your chest as your familiars cover the ear opposite of them. Together, their combined efforts hold you in a cage of their palms.

You’re made deaf. You’re in the dark. You’re held silent.

Perhaps you have tempted an evil into this world you were not ready for.

. ✨✨🌙✨✨✨🌙🌙✨✨✨🌙🌙✨✨

From @naffeclipse ‘s “Double Toil and Trouble”

I love this scene and this fic and I wish wish wish I had time to do a proper illustration but I DONT, so I did this instead and it’ll have to do.

[jamieroyjamieroy]

Double Date

This is a one shot that takes place in my Tommy and Rocker are long lost twins universe. Buck and Tommy host Rocker and Luca for a dinner to allow Tommy and Rocker to spend more time getting to know one another. Brotherly banter and swapping weirdest call stories ensue. Just some fluff (with a bit of smut) because I love the thought of Tommy and Rocker being twins and I couldn't leave this story alone.

“Baby it’s Rocker and Luca I’m sure they are going to be happy just to be fed.” Tommy says resting his chin on Evan’s shoulder.

“I know. Sorry. Just running through the checklist of things we still have to do.” Evan replies sinking into the hug.

“Oh no. Not a checklist. Is your clipboard around here somewhere?” Tommy asks pushing his hips forward and smiling into the kiss he places on Evan’s neck.

Evan smirks over at Tommy “No, no clipboard. Just a mental checklist, sorry to disappoint.”

“Still sexy” Tommy kisses Evan’s birthmark.

Read on Ao3

[furashuban]

Fairy Memories

Words: 200

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/57228424

Summary: Johanna remembers being a kid and meeting Hilda in the Fairy Isle.

Curled up cozily on the sofa, Hilda kept herself busy with her sketchbook over her lap and a pencil on hand. She drew herself and Twig strolling along fairy country, and beside her was a younger girl, staring and grinning back at her as they held each other’s hands and pressed on.

“Aww, Hilda, that looks lovely,” Johanna admired, taking a seat beside her daughter.

“Thanks, mum,” Hilda held up her artwork for her and Johanna to behold, “it’s been helping me relax drawing our time at the Fairy Isle. Well, all the good parts about it, at least.” She carried on putting the finishing touches on the gargantuan mushrooms and overgrown shrubs surrounding the girls as her mother watched closely.

“I still have memories of that day, you know,” said Johanna, “You finding me alone while I was crying, exploring fairy country together, yet somehow, it really feels like that happened so long ago for me. I always realize one thing whenever I look back on it, though.”

Hilda looked up at her mother curious, and Johanna grinned softly, caressing her cheek in return.

“It’s that you aren’t just my daughter, Hilda, you've always been my best friend, too.”

[lopsicle]

••Everyone Wears A Costume••

TickleTober Day 21: Costume

Characters: Lee! Double Trouble, Ler! Glimmer

Summary: While Double Trouble is held captive at Bright Moon, Glimmer decides on a different method of interrogating her prisoner.

Warnings: SFW Tickle Fic, Non-Con Tickles.

Double Trouble's time at Bright Moon had been unsuccessful, for both them and their captors. Being captured at all was obviously undesirable for the shapeshifter, but their captors had proved very, very annoying. Adora and Glimmer were constantly at each other's throats with Bow caught between them, Mermista had been sitting in a bath tub, depressed while devouring tubs of ice cream. They'd been excited to meet this Entrapta character that Catra had mentioned, only to have learned that was a lie. All they could do was sit around in their very lovely prison, shooting taunts at their imprisoners to pass the time.

And for the residents of Bright Moon, Double Trouble was nothing more than an uncooperative nuisance, not willing to give up any information about the Horde. Glimmer had suggested using more...practical means of getting them to talk, only to be promptly shut down by Adora, much to both of their irritation. Since doing anything to harm Double Trouble was out of the picture, and that Shadow Weaver's teachings were slow at helping Glimmer, she began thinking of another method to get them to talk.

Glimmer entered the lavish dining room where Double Trouble was kept, sealed within a magical circle in the centre of the room. They were draped over a velvet couch, their long legs hanging over the arm of the couch. They perked up a little at Glimmer's entrance, smiling cockily at her.

"Ah, Sparkles, what an unpleasant surprise. Here to bother me with more of your failed magic?" They let out a little giggle at the word failed, though it just caused Glimmer's stare to harden before she took in a deep breath.

"No, actually, I thought of a better way to bother you." Glimmer smirked, approaching Double Trouble who sat up with curiosity.

"Really, what's that? Gonna call in your little blond friend to argue with in front of me? Ugh, please, I can hear you two through the walls, can you keep it down?" They smirked at her, remaining unfazed as Glimmer stepped through the mystical seal, standing before Double Trouble.

"Oh, I'm gonna enjoy this." Glimmer declared with certainty that Double Trouble hadn't heard from her before, making them raise an eyebrow in curiosity before rising to their full height, staring down at Glimmer.

"Oh please, what are you gonna do Miss Friendship is Magic?" They taunted her once more, to which Glimmer looked up at them to meet their gaze.

"This." She responded simply before clasping Double Trouble's sides in her hands, vibrating her fingertips against their skin. Double Trouble made a sound akin to a dying bird and flinched back, falling back onto the couch leaving them at eye level with Glimmer. Double Trouble had been expecting something much more horrible or much more pathetic from Glimmer, given that living in the Crimson Waste for most of their life had really toughened them up. It was almost embarrassing that something as soft and silly as tickling finally got them to break composure.

"Ah! J-jehehez, I knew that ahahall of you wehehere incompetent but thihihis is a nehehew low, Spahaharkles." Still, they tried to keep up their bravado, even if they didn't look as imposing while giggling.

"Ugh, don't you ever shut up? You are going to stop belittling everything we do and actually be honest for once!" Glimmer exploded, their fingers digging into Double Trouble's torso and scratching about roughly.

"Hah, ahahahs if, prihihincess! Ihihits going to tahahke a lot mohohore thahahn your chihihldish gahahames to get me to breahahk my act!" Double Trouble smirked confidently, making Glimmer realise they were right. They weren't squirming or breaking down or even batting her hands away, they were just sitting there and taking it.

"Don't call it an act, this isn't some stupid play, its war!" Glimmer exclaimed, stomping her foot against the ground, getting more and more frustrated with Double Trouble by the second, who was finding this increasingly amusing.

"Everything I do ihihis an ahahact, juhuhuhust like how everyone wehehears a costume." Double Trouble recoiled away from Glimmer's touch, standing up off the couch and escaping her hands. She huffed in aggravation and turned to face them; they were standing so sure of themself as per usual.

"Take yourself for instance." Double Trouble's skin become silhouette-like, before appearing to melt down and then reform itself, shifting to take on Glimmer's appearance. She recoiled at the disturbing mirror, before reminding herself to keep it together.

"Your trying so desperately to be a good leader, aren't you? But, let's face facts, darling," Double Trouble approached Glimmer, who kept a stern, but combative expression on her face, like a dog acting out. "Your whole alliance is going down worse than Catra and Adora's friendship." Double Trouble flicked some of their new hair with pizzazz, about as pleased as a cat which just knocked a glass vase off of the counter.

"You are so annoying to deal with! You are talking about things you don't understand!" Glimmer whined defensively, taking a hold of Double Trouble's hips and squeezing them. Surprisingly, they shrieked and jumped back this time, seeming startled at their own reaction. It took Glimmer of guard for a second too, before a look of conniving realisation sparked in their eyes.

"Oh, I get it, you become as ticklish as the person you become, don't you?" Glimmer smirked, moving closer to her double who also stepped backwards until their back hit the transparent magical seal.

"It would appear that way, darling, real smart move to reveal your own weaknesses to me though." Glimmer, however, wasn't taking any of their teasing seriously anymore, simply reaching for her, and therefore Double Trouble's, death spot. She began kneading her fingers against their thighs, scribbling their hands about against the pudgy skin.

"H-HEHEHEHEHY-WHYHY ARE YOHOHOU SO DAHAHAHMN TIHIHIHCKLISH?!" Double Trouble screamed, having trouble adjusting to their new found sensitivity. Their composure broke instantly, keeling over and desperately trying to grab at Glimmer's hands. Unfortunately, she was a lot more coordinated than them and expertly swerved her hands away whenever they got close. Glimmer knew exactly how to press their buttons, suddenly starting to scratch at Double Trouble's inner thighs, causing them to lose their balance and fall on the floor, kicking their ticklish legs up in the air.

"What's the matter, DT? I thought you were too good for my childish games." She teased them, earning a whine from Double Trouble. She smirked in satisfaction and kept scritching and scratching away at their inner thighs, making them howl in laughter and buck their legs about in the air. A little idea buzzed into Double Trouble's head; they're only this ticklish because they shapeshifted into Glimmer, all they have to do is shift into someone else! With little time to think, Double Trouble quickly shifted into someone else from the Princess Alliance, the first person that popped into their head, Bow. Glimmer blushed for a brief moment at the change in view, before a new wave of confidence burst through them.

"Great move, genius, Bow's my best friend, I know where he's most ticklish." With pride, her fingers slid to Double Trouble's waistline, delivering light but sharp jabs against the sensitive stretch of skin. The goosing made Double Trouble scream and twist about on the floor, wrapping their arms around their torso in a protective hug while trying to unsuccessfully flip themselves onto their hyper sensitive stomach.

"G-GLIMMER, IHIHISN'T THIS A WAHAHR CRIHIHME OR SOMETHING?!" Double Trouble screamed, praying that just about anything would save them from this fate. Glimmer just tutted and shook her head.

"Shadow Weaver has it on good authority that it is not, and she seems like she'd know something like that." Glimmer responded coolly, earning another whine of some mix of desperation and frustration from Double Trouble. There had to be at least one person in this cursed castle that wasn't ticklish, right? Frantically, they began shifting their form once again, landing on a familiar blond sight, donning a red jacket with white pants. Adora. Glimmer's eyes narrowed in a mix of motion, but she kept up her costume, retaining her bravado.

"Not gonna work either, DT, I got Adora's spots down too." She teased, quickly straddling their waist before plunging her fingers into Double Trouble's ribs, scratching against the delicate bones. They pounded their heels against the floor, covering their face with their hands and gripping onto their scalp so, so tightly.

"GLIHIHIHMMER, QUIHIHIHIT IHIHT!! WHYHYH ARE YOHOHOU AHAHAHLL SOHOHOHO TIHIHHICKLISH?! JUHUHUST STOHOHOP, IHIHI'LL PAHAHAHY YOHOHU!" That offer just made Glimmer realise how much progress she had made with her previously stuborn prisoner, only encouraging them to scrape against their ribs even faster.

"You and I both know the only thing I'm interested in being paid in is information. Go on, tell me all about the Horde's plans, I'm alllll ears." She prompted them, but surprisingly, Double Trouble still shook their head, mostly because their loyalty had been brought out by the Horde and partly because of some misplaced affection for Catra.

"I-I'M GOHOHOHOHNNA PAHAHAHASS OHOHOHOHUT!!" Double Trouble announced triumphantly, all their shifting had ended up really tuckering them out, and Glimmer's constant, intense ticklish barrage. Glimmer looked into their drained eyes, realising that they had gotten them to tell the truth. Finally. It was a start, she thought to herself. Double Trouble breathed a sigh of relief as they felt her touch leaving their body, panting for breath.

"Fine, if you can't handle my childish interrogation tactics, I guess we'll call this a draw." She annouced, hoisting Double Trouble up back onto their couch, which they lazily flopped onto, burying their face in one of the soft pillows.

"I can respect that judgement, darling." They offered, not wanting to snap back and potentially anger Glimmer even more. They'd had just about enough tickles for a lifetime after that, but Glimmer still seemed like they were just getting started.

[starcrossedxwriter]

Y’all want a double trouble part 2 👀👀

I’m currently inspired by all the terry richmond fics I consumed today soooo I may or may not have another one up my sleeve 🙈

[scribblesofagoonerr]

sunflowers & strawberry kisses | buddy & monkey: double the trouble

summary: buddy and monkey spend the day with lia, kim and stina while leah is having a bad day with an endo flare-up. what better to do than distract the kids with sunflowers and strawberry picking? but it's not always as simple when double trouble are involved

double the trouble masterlist

massive thank you to both @wosov, @lvnleah and @alotofpockets for the help with this one... it's been in the drafts for a while so it's about time it's out there for you all now!'for the help with this one... it's been in the drafts for a while so it's about time it's out there for you all now!

“Girls, Auntie Kimmy and Auntie Wally are here!” Leah calls aloud, shuffling on her feet as she walks to open the front door, clutching hold of her stomach in pain, “Hiya, Kim. Hiya, Wally. How’re you both doin’?”

“Hiya, Le,” Kim is the first to wrap her free arm around the taller girl, “I’m doin’ alright, how’re you feelin’?” She questions, concerned.

“Bit sore, but the meds are making it more bearable,” Leah explains, trying to mask her pain.

“Hey, Le,” Lia smiles, gently extending both her arms around her best friend, “What’re you doin’ up? You should be lying down and resting. We could have used the spare key…”

“It’s alright, I’m doin’ better than I was earlier,” Leah waves her best friend off, shutting the front door behind the two women, “Do either of you want a cuppa?”

“Yes, please,” Kim agrees with the blonde.

Lia nods in agreement, “I’ll make them if you want, Le? You should be taking it easy today.”

Leah nods, shuffling back into the kitchen as she flicks the kettle on, before settling back on the bar stool and allowing Lia to take over making the hot drinks, “I know the girls wouldn’t be no bother with the way I feel, but thanks for taking them out today. I think they’re both quite excited about it.”

“It’s not a problem, we’ve both been quite looking forward to it,” Kim tells the blonde, “Lia has planned for us to go strawberry picking.”

“Yeah, there’s strawberries and sunflowers as well,” Lia adds, reaching for three mugs out of the kitchen cupboard.

“Oh, that does sound like a lot of fun,” Leah hums in agreement, resting her hand over her stomach as she winces, “I know that Buddy will love that, for sure!”

“Le, do you want me to make you a hot water bottle?” Lia offers, noting Leah's expression, “It might help a bit ease the pain.”

“Please, if you don’t mind,” Leah winces as the pain floods through her, “I think this one’s gonna be bad.” She mumbles in realisation.

“Right,” Kim begins to speak, “Why don’t you go lay back down on the sofa, and tuck yourself up with a blanket, Lia can make you a hot water bottle, and bring it through to you?” She offers.

“What about the girls?” Leah asks, wearily.

“Don’t worry about them. They’ll be fine,” Lia reassures her best friend, finishing off making the hot drinks and stirring the teaspoon in the mug, “Speaking off which, it’s quiet. Should we find that a bit suspicious?” She wonders, placing two of the drinks in front of Kim and Leah.

As if on cue, loud shouting erupts from upstairs.

“Gimme dat back. It mine!” The shrill of Buddy’s tiny voice rings out.

“Nah, it’s not. It’s mine, shrimp!” You retort, your tone fiery.

“Oh for god sake. Just one day,” Leah groans, pinching the bridge of her nose, “Girls, what’s going on up there?”

Kim chuckles knowingly, “Spoke too soon.”

Before Leah can respond, the three-year-old whirlwind barrels into the kitchen, her Lightning McQueen toy car clutched in one hand. 

“Auntie Kimmy!” Buddy squeals, launching herself into Kim’s arms and peering up at her with a lopsided grin on her face.

“Hello, troublemaker,” Kim chuckles, settling the three-year-old on her lap, “How’re you doing today?”

“Good!” Buddy beams, “We goin’ out?”

“We are, yeah,” Kim confirms, smoothing a hand over Buddy’s curls, “Are you excited?”

“Uh huh,” The three-year-old nods, resting her head on Kim’s shoulder.

The peace is short-lived as you hobble into the kitchen, your mischievous grin plastered firmly in place, “Tiny! Wallaby! You’re here!”

Leah’s sharp look stops you in your tracks, “One word,” she warns, holding up her tea mug meaningfully.

“Oh, come on…” You groan, already knowing where this is going, “Listen, I know what yer’ gonna say and I would use them but you see, you know I find them well annoying half the time, and I’m only taking the trip to here from upstairs, so it’s fine, innit?”

“Don’t care,” Leah interrupts firmly, “I’ve told you before, you need to use them.”

“Yeah but–” You start to trail off.

“No buts,” Leah cuts you off, her tone final, “If you don’t, your ankle won’t heal. You know this, Monkey. You have to be careful!”

“Oh, spare me the lecture,” You resist the urge to roll your eyes.

Leah continues to fix you with a firm look, “Go get them, now.”

“Fine!” You huff dramatically, turning to stomp upstairs, “Whatever.”

“She’s a handful,” Lia chuckles as your grumbling fades.

“You don’t know the half of it,” Leah exhales a sigh, leaning back against the stool, “You two are saints for offering to take them both today.”

When you return–begrudgingly, crutches in hand–you haven’t lost your attitude,  “Happy now?” You grumble, tossing them onto the floor.

Leah raises a brow, her patience thinning, “Don’t leave them on the floor like that. Pick them up before someone trips.”

You sigh, but obey, leaning the crutches against the counter, “So, where are we going?”

“You’ll see,” Kim says, her tone teasing.

“It’s a surprise,” Lia adds, taking a sip of her tea.

You frown, clearly unimpressed, “Ah come on. Where’s the fun in that?”

“Alright, you two,” Lia says, shaking her head, “Go get your shoes, or we’ll not end up getting anywhere at this rate.”

Buddy groans dramatically, sliding off Kim’s lap, “Auntie Kimmy, I don’ know where m’ shoe is!”

Kim crouches down to her level, “Alright, sweetheart. Let’s find it. Where did you last see it?”

“I don’ know!” Buddy flails her arms for added effect, clutching her Lightning McQueen toy in one hand, “I’ take McQueen wif’ us?”

“Of course, you can,” Kim agrees, reaching down to help her, “Now, let’s hunt down that missing shoe, okay?”

You follow, grumbling as you adjust your crutches, “She’s lost her shoes again? I swear she does it on purpose sometimes.”

Lia chuckles, shaking her head, “You’re one to talk, Miss ‘I-Don’t-Need-Crutches.’”

“Me? Nah, you know I’m innocent!” You shot back with a grin, earning laughter from Kim as she ruffled Buddy’s curls, “Good luck trying to find it. She’s probably lobbed it down the back of the sofa.”

“I’m bored,” You huffed, slumping back into your seat, arms crossed dramatically over your chest.

Kim sighed, glancing at you in the rear-view mirror, “Monkey, we’ve been in the car for ten minutes.”

“Exactly! Ten whole minutes!” You exclaimed in a dramatic tone of voice.

Lia turned in her seat to give you a knowing smile, “We’ll be there soon, little one. It’s not going to be that long.”

“To you, maybe,” You groaned, “But I am literally wasting away here,” You let your head loll back against the seat, “I might die of boredom. What a tragedy.”

“It’s not a tragedy. It’s a car ride,” Kim replied dryly, clearly debating whether she regretted bringing you along.

Buddy, however, was having the time of her life, bouncing in her car seat, “We ‘ere? We ‘ere yet?”

“Almost,” Kim said, sparing a quick glance at the satnav.

“Ooooh, ‘ere soon!” Buddy squealed, swinging her legs, “I so ‘cited!”

You rolled your eyes, crossing your arms with a dramatic huff, “S’just some stupid berries.”

“Pickin’ berries, pickin’ berries!” Buddy sang happily.

Kim smiled, “That’s the spirit, Buddy! We’re going to have so much fun picking them, aren’t we? You need to cheer your big sister up–she’s a bit moody right now.”

“Not my spirit,” You mumbled, slumping further into your seat, “My spirit is tired… and broken.”

Kim threw you a look in the mirror, “Your spirit is dramatic, is what it is.”

Buddy, on the other hand, was delighted, “We ‘ere yet? We ‘ere yet?” She chirped, kicking her feet against the seat.

“Almost,” Kim answered with forced patience.

“Pick strawbies?” Buddy beamed up at her.

“Yes, Buddy, we’re going to pick strawberries,” Lia said kindly, watching your little sister bounce excitedly in her car seat, “Doesn’t that sound like fun, right, Monkey?”

“Oh yeah, I can’t wait for the plants and bugs and… work,” You retorted sarcastically with mock enthusiasm, “That sounds like a whole bunch of fun.”

“You didn’t have to come if you didn’t want to,” Kim pointed out.

“Don’t you have a phone to distract yourself with?” Lia turned to face you with a knowing look, “Why don’t you text Kyra?”

You slumped even further, dramatically pressing a hand to your forehead, “Kyra’s in Paris at the Olympics, remember? I’m lost without my sidekick!”

“Kyra will be back soon,” Lia reassured you, “You’re not lost, little one.”

Kim glanced at you in the rear-view mirror, exhaling a sigh, “I feel like I’m having déjà vu here.”

You stared out the window, counting the trees as they blurred past. Then, inspiration stuck, “Did you know that penguins can swim up to 7 miles per hour?” 

The shift was so sudden that Lia blinked in confusion, “Oh? That’s fascinating.”

“Yeah and did you know they don’t have teeth?” You leaned forward, animated now, “But they do have spines inside their beaks and on their tongues to help them hold onto prey and swallow.”

Lia hummed, “That’s interesting, little one.”

Kim shook her head, “Where do you even find this stuff?”

“Oh, I was bored so I Googled random facts about penguins when I was meant to be doing something else,” You retorted, shrugging your shoulders carelessly, “It was more interesting!”

“That makes so much sense,” Lia murmured, amused.

You grinned, leaning forward in your seat again, “Do you want to hear some more? Apparently–”

“I think that’s enough penguin facts for now,” Kim cut in, “How’s the rehab on your ankle coming along?”

You let out an exaggerated sigh, “Oh, it’s so borin,’ Kimmy! It’s so repetitive, just the same thing every day–how did Le cope with this? It’s horrible! I just want to be back on the pitch already! It’s so stupidly long and gruelling!”

“I regret asking the question now,” Kim mumbled.

“I know it’s hard,” Lia said gently, “But you’ll be back before you know it. You just have to think positively about this.”

You huffed, crossing your arms over your chest, “Yeah, sure, that’s easier said than done.”

“You just have to keep your chin up, Monkey,” Kim added, slowing down as she approached a set of traffic lights, “And if anything, this will teach you to not mess about on skateboards, eh?”

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” You mumbled, rolling your eyes.

Buddy kicked her legs against the seat, her whole body practically vibrating, “We ‘ere?”

“Almost there, little miss,” Kim chuckled.

“I so ‘cited!” Buddy beamed, wriggling like she couldn’t contain it.

“Oh!” Your eyes widened in realisation, “I got another penguin fact–”

“Monkey,” Kim warned.

“Just one more! They’re great divers and can swim up to 1,740 feet deep. That's like, so cool, ain’t it?”

“I think you need to find a new hobby,” Lia teased, “Weren’t you learning the guitar?”

“I tried and failed,” You admitted, slumping your shoulders, “It’s harder than it looks, you know?”

“Oh I bet that Leah was thrilled to have wasted her money on that guitar then,” Kim joked, knowing full well how happy the blonde was about you giving up so quickly.

“Well, let’s just say she’s not very happy about it,” You mumbled, scratching the back of your neck awkwardly.

Kim pulled into the car park, “Alright, we’re here!”

Buddy squealed, clapping her hands, “We ‘ere!”

“Finally,” You let out a dramatic sigh, but when you went to open the car door and swing your legs out, Kim’s voice stopped you.

“Where do you think you’re going?” The Scottish woman asked with a pointed look.

You blinked, “Um. Out of the car?”

“Not without your crutches,” Kim reminded you.

You groaned, “Kimmy, it’s grass. Nice, soft, cushiony grass. Why do I need ‘em? I’ll be fine!”

“Crutches,” Kim repeated, crossing her arms.

You huffed, crossing your arms stubbornly, “But I don’t wanna use ‘em!”

Kim simply raised an eyebrow, “One…”

You scowled, but she didn’t falter.

“Two… If I get to three, I’m phoning Leah.”

Your eyes widened slightly as she reached for her phone, “Ugh, fine, fine!” You muttered, throwing your head back in frustration but begrudgingly grabbed them, “No fair at all. I don’t need the stupid things!”

“Yes you do, little one,” Lia told you, patting you on your shoulder as she helped unbuckle Buddy out of her car seat, “Out you get then, little miss. Let’s go pick some strawberries!”

Buddy took the help out of the car and hopped down, her eyes suddenly going wide in amazement as she caught sight of the sandpit, “Auntie Wally! Ook! Der sand!”

“Oh yeah, I do see,” Lia said, following her gaze.

“I play in it,” Buddy said determinedly.

Lia furrowed her brow, looking ahead to the fields of strawberries, “Do you not want to pick strawberries first?”

Buddy scrunched her nose, “No berry! Sand bettah!”

“How about you play in the sandpit after you’ve picked some strawberries?” Lia tried to bargain, “There’s sunflowers to see as well.”

“Sand, Auntie Wally!” Buddy insisted, not budging one bit as she tried to tug impatiently at Lia’s hand, “I wan’ play in sand!”

Lia sighed, running her hand through her hair, “After we pick some yummy strawberries, you can play, okay?”

“No! Now!” Buddy whined, not understanding why she couldn’t play in the sand first.

“Buddy…” Kim began to speak.

The toddler stomped her foot and dramatically threw herself onto the grass in front of her, kicking her feet, “NOW!”

You let out a low whistle as you leaned on one crutch, “Bet you guys didn’t think you’d have to deal with a Buddy meltdown today, huh?”

“Not now, Monkey,” Kim muttered, already pinching the bridge of her nose.

“Buddy–”

“Come on, little miss,” Lia crouched to Buddy’s height to try and reason with her, “I know you want to play in the sand, but won’t it be fun to do that afterwards, yeah?”

Buddy, however, was having none of it as she wailed louder and flailed her arms on the grass, “No! I wan’ play in the sand now!”

“Buddy, listen…” Kim began to speak.

“No! Ou’ don’ understand! I hafta play now!” Buddy declared, crossing her arms over her chest and stomping her foot for emphasis.

“Oh look, there’s Stina!” You turned your attention away from your little sisters’ meltdown to notice the tall blonde heading over your way, “Stina Stina Ballerina!” You spotted the woman.

Stina turned at the call, smiling as she approached with a smile, “Hello, Monkey.”

“What’s happenin’ Stina Ballerina?” You grinned at the tall blonde.

“Are you going to keep calling me that all day?” Stina questioned, curiously.

“Eh, probably. I mean if you don’t like that, I could try Stina Ribena, maybe?” You offered with a cheeky grin.

Stina huffed, shaking her head, “No, no–Stina Ballerina is fine.”

“Good choice!” You beamed a wide smile.

Meanwhile, the three-year-old had sprinted to the sandpit–where her tantrum escalated. She stomped, screamed, grabbed a clump of sand and threw it. 

“Buddy, stop throwing sand,” Lia warned.

Kim rubbed her temples to keep her calm, “Buddy, listen–”

A handful of sand sailed through the air–right into Stina’s eye.

You snorted in amusement, “Well, this just got a whole lot more interesting.”

Kim exhaled sharply, “I need a drink.”

“Buddy, we do not throw sand at people!” Lia told your favourite little buddy off.

Buddy, wasn’t even phased by that and scooped up another handful.

“This is why I don’t babysit,” Stina, still blinking sand out of her eye, muttered.

Kim took deep breaths, trying to keep her cool. Stina unfortunately, had become collateral damage, frozen in place as she blinked back tears, sand still in her eyes.

And you? You were filming the whole thing, barely holding in your laughter.

“Lia, do something,” Kim said through gritted teeth.

Lia, ever the sensible one, sighed and pulled out her phone. “I’ll handle it,” she muttered, dialling Leah’s number. “Hiya, Le. Sorry to ruin your peaceful day without the girls, but uh, we have a bit of a situation here…”

“It’s totally Buddy-coded,” You chimed in with a wicked grin, holding your phone out in your hand like you were about to watch the world burn. 

Kim shot you a glare as she rubbed her temples. Stina sniffled, still blinking out sand. Buddy was now flat on the ground, wailing at the top of her lungs. And you? You were having the time of your life.

“What’s going on?” Leah’s tired voice crackled through the phone, her tone calm and sounding like she’d just woken up from being asleep.

“Well, we’ve arrived at the place and we were about to pick strawberries until Buddy found out there was a sandpit,” Lia started, clearly trying to keep things together.

“Oh boy, I know where this is going…” Leah’s voice was laced with sympathy for Lia, but also a touch of understanding.

“And well, she’s decided that she wants to play in the sandpit instead… and threw a tantrum,” Lia continued, her voice tinged with a little more exasperation, “Now poor Stina has sand in her eyes, and Kim looks ready to quit for the day.”

Leah exhaled a sigh, “Let me speak to her,” She said, the firmness in her voice making it clear she was ready to take charge.

“Sure,” Lia agreed, pausing to look at Buddy, who is in the middle of throwing another clump of sand in Kim’s direction this time, “Buddy, Mummy’s on the phone and she would like to speak to you.”

“Ooooo, you’re in trouble now, Buddy!” You teased, making sure she heard every word of it.

Buddy froze mid-wail at the mention of Leah’s name. Wide-eyed, she sat up instantly, brushing sand off her shorts with a dramatic flair only a three-year-old could manage.

“Mummy!” Buddy gasped, toddling towards the phone with grabby hands, “I speak to her!”

Lia smiled faintly as she held the phone closer to Buddy, “She’s right here. Want to talk to her?”

“I speak to her, Auntie Wally!” Buddy demanded, eager to grab the phone, “Mummy! I in da sandpit!”

“I know,” Leah stifled a laugh, “But what’s this about you throwing sand at Stina? That’s not a very kind thing to do now, is it?”

“I no mean to do it,” Buddy lied, attempting her best innocent face.

“Yeah you did, Buddy, don’t fib,” You continued to wind your little sister up, oblivious that Leah could hear you crystal clear on the other end of the phone, “You so did it on purpose!”

“Oi,” Kim swatted you round the back of the head.

“Ow,” You yelped, rubbing the back of your head where you’d just been hit, “What’d you do that for?”

Kim gave you a firm look, “Quit antagonising her, will you?”

“Fine,” You muttered, sulking as you continued to rub the sore spot.

“It’s not nice to do things like that, Bubba,” Leah continued in a gentle tone of voice that still came across as firm to the three-year-old, “And when you do those things, you’re being very naughty, aren’t you?”

“I be an angel though, Mummy!” Buddy declared with unwavering confidence.

You couldn’t help but snort in amusement, “More like the devil.”

“Monkey,” Kim warned, shooting you a glare.

“What? I thought it was funny!” You insisted, holding your hands up in mock surrender.

“Stop it,” Kim stated, firmly.

“You’re no fun,” You mumbled, slumping your shoulders.

Back on the phone call, Leah tried to speak to Buddy as she could hear you winding her up, “I thought you wanted to have a nice time with Auntie Wally, Auntie Kim and Stina. If you continue to throw sand, then you won’t be able to, and you’ll have to come home. You don’t want that now, do you?”

“No, Mummy,” Buddy pouted, “I gon’ pick all da berries for ou’!”

Leah fauxed a playful gasp, “You are? Wow, I can’t wait to see how many you pick. But remember, only good girls get to pick berries.”

“I be good!” Buddy exclaimed, puffing out her chest.

“I know you can, Bubba,” Leah smiled on the other end of the phone, “Now, can you give the phone to your big sister? I need to have a word with her too.”

“Monks’ in trouble?” Buddy asked, curiously.

Leah exhaled a sigh, “A little bit.”

“Uh oh!” Buddy gasped in a dramatic sense, “Monks’ ou’ in big trouble wif Mummy! Ou’ need a timeout!” She announced smugly, handing over the phone to you.

You frowned, “What? I haven’t even done anything!”

“Oh, so that wasn’t you in the background winding her up?” Leah’s tone was unimpressed.

You shrank a little, suddenly regretting your choices. “Uhhh… Well, when you put it like that…”

“Uh-uh, don’t even try it,” Leah cut you off, her tone remaining not in the mood for your antics, “I’m fed up of having this same conversation with you, over and over again, Monkey. I’m this close to taking your iPad away. Or do I need to remind you that you’re already on thin ice after last week, eh?”

You tilted your head back and resisted the urge to groan, “Ah, come on, Le. It’s just some harmless fun… And it’ll make a great TikTok video–”

“You had better be joking there, Monkey!” Leah exclaimed, not happy at all.

You winced, “Chill, It’s fine. I was just kidding, Le!”

“Yeah? Well, I’m not,” Leah replied firmly, “We’ll talk when you get home.”

You swallowed hard, trying to lighten the mood, “Aw, come on, Le, don’t be like that. You love me too much for that, right?” You attempted with a sheepish grin, even though she couldn’t see you.

Leah wasn’t having it, “You think I don’t know what you’re like, Monkey? I’m hardly in a position to even drive to come and get you right now, am I? You had better not be up to no good for the rest of the time that you’re out–You know this is the last thing I wanted to be dealing with you being a pain in the arse today!”

“Geesh, I really feel the love right now,” You muttered, rolling your eyes.

“Monkey!” Leah shouted.

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop,” You told her, holding your hands up in mock surrender even though she wouldn’t be able to see it.

“You’ll stop now because I’m telling you. Not when it suits you,” Leah continued to scold, “So unless you really do want me to come down there and drag you back home so you can sit in your bedroom the rest of the day, I suggest you stop while you’re ahead, sunshine–I don’t care if you’re 19 or not, I won’t have you winding your little sister up and being a menace for Kim and Wally. Do you understand?”

You groaned but didn’t argue, “Yes, Mum.”

“Good,” Leah said, her voice softening just slightly, “I need you to set an example for your little sister, yeah? I don’t need you acting like your usual menace self!”

You grumbled something under your breath, and Leah didn’t miss it, “What was that?”

“... Nothing,” You mumbled.

“That’s what I thought,” Leah retorted in a firm voice, “Now go be helpful. And if I hear one more complaint, your iPad is mine.”

You clutched the phone tighter as you frowned, but you knew better than to argue, “Okay, Mum.”

“Right, now put Lia back on the phone,” Leah instructed, making sure that you understood not to cause any more trouble.

“Here,” You mumbled, passing the phone back to Lia so she could talk to Leah.

Lia took the phone, “Hi, Le.”

“Right, I’ve had a word with both of the girls–Buddy knows not to throw sand, and Monkey shouldn’t be too much of a problem now either,” Leah explained to her best friend.

“Thank you, sorry for disturbing you… This is probably the last thing you wanted to be dealing with today,” Lia apologised, running her hand through her hair.

Leah chuckled on the other end of the phone, “Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a break from motherhood.”

“I guess you’re right there,” Lia chuckled in agreement, “Try and take it easy. We’ll be back later.”

We’ll see,” Leah hummed, clearly unconvinced.

“Right, I’ll let you go–Monkey, use your crutches!” Lia exclaimed, catching you attempting to walk away without them.

You froze mid-step, a few paces ahead of her, and quickly looked down at your feet, guilt flashing through you, “I wasn’t gonna… Never mind, I know, I know,” You mumbled, slumping your shoulders.

“Oh please don’t tell me she’s not using them,” Leah said, gritting her teeth as she felt a wave of pain flood through her, the image of you overexerting yourself, “She needs to use them or she’s not going to get better.”

“Pick them up,” Lia gestured to the abandoned crutches on the floor, not giving in until you grabbed them with a dramatic sigh and eye roll, “There’s been a bit of resistance when we got here, and well, now. But Kim started counting, and she caved.”

Leah let out a laugh, “Ah yes, the magical counting to three.”

“And the threat of calling you,” Lia added.

Leah laughed harder before a second wave went straight through her that left her clutching the phone in her hand, “I’m gonna go. I’ll… I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Okay. Get some rest and we’ll see you in a bit,” Lia said goodbye, ending the phone call before turning back to you and your favourite little buddy, “Right then, who’s ready to go and pick some yummy strawberries?”

“I wan’ pick berries!” Buddy shouted aloud at the top of her voice, “I pick all da good ones for Mummy!” She squealed, excitement fully restored.

You snickered turning to look towards Stina, “Five quid she eats more than she picks.”

Stina groaned, “I’m guaranteed to lose.”

You were definitely still posting that TikTok. There was no way you could leave something that good in your drafts. It was too perfect, too hilarious, way too you to just let it sit there.

“Mmm, der yummy berries!” While everyone else was busy picking strawberries, Buddy seemed much more interested in stuffing them into her mouth.

You rolled your eyes but smiled at her, watching her make a mess with her sticky hands. The sight was amusing, but you were also struggling. You weren’t in the best mood, having to rely on crutches, “You’re meant to put them in the basket, Buddy, not eat all of ‘em.”

“I just testin’ them so der nice for Mummy! I hafta make sure I pick all da nice ones!” Buddy insisted, her cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk.

“You’ll have none left by the time we get back to the car,” Kim told her, amusedly, “And then what will you give to Mummy?”

“It okay! Der will be more!” Buddy declared with determination, though her hands were mostly busy shovelling the fruit into her mouth.

Lia chuckled, shaking her head before glancing over at you, “Are you not going to pick any, little one?” She asked, noticing the emptiness of your own bucket.

“Yeah, yeah, I am,” You mumbled, shifting awkwardly on your crutches. Truthfully, your mind wasn’t on the strawberries–you just hated to rely on the dumb crutches, and the idea of walking around with them was just… annoying.

Lia gave you a knowing look but didn’t push, “Make sure you pick some good ones, eh? At the rate Buddy is going, she won’t have any to take home with us.”

“She’s gonna make herself sick,” You muttered, watching as Buddy crammed another strawberry into her already full mouth.

Kim grimaced at the thought of it, “Buddy, sweetheart. I think you’ve eaten enough. How about we just focus on putting them in the basket now, hm? We don’t want you to get a poorly tummy.”

“I be fine! I no get a tummy ache!” Buddy protested through a mouthful of berries, “I pickin’ all da bestest berries for Mummy!”

You scoffed, “Yeah but if you eat them all then there’ll be none to give her, Shrimp,”

“Dat no true. Der be loads!” Buddy declared with sheer determination.

“Pft, yeah, sure whatever you say,” You mutter under your breath, shaking your head.

“Monks’ ou’ don’ understand dat I can eat dem all!” Buddy exclaimed, puffing out her chest. 

“Sure, eat them all and then you’ll end up sick,” You grimaced at the mention of it, “I’m not being the one to clear up when you do!”

“Ou’ don’ know dat!” Buddy whined.

You rolled your eyes in disagreement, “I do! You did the same thing with Mum’s birthday cake,”

“Nuh-uh!” Buddy argued.

“Uh-huh!” You fought back.

Buddy furrowed her eyebrows in determination, “Nuh-uh!”

“Uh-huh,” You teased, grinning.

“Girls, come on, that’s enough,” Lia stepped in before the bickering could spiral any further, “Come on, let’s just finish picking the strawberries before we end up being here all day.”

“Keep it up and neither of you are getting any strawberries,” Kim warned.

Buddy gasped dramatically, clutching her basket to her chest, “Nooo! M’ berries! Ou’ can’ take ‘em away!”

Lia failed to hide her amusement, “Then let’s stop the arguing and start filling those baskets properly, yeah?”

Buddy pouted but finally relented, reaching for another strawberry–though, judging by the look in her eye, she was still debating whether to put it in the basket or her mouth.

“Buddy,” Kim warned, crossing her arms.

Buddy huffed, exaggeratedly placing it in the basket instead, “Happy now?”

Kim smirked, “Very.”

You shook your head, shifting slightly on your crutches as you tried to focus on picking some strawberries of your own. It was still annoying, but at least the ridiculousness of Buddy was distracting enough to keep your mind off it.

At least until she toddled over to you with something in her hand.

“Ook, Monks’! Ook I found a c’eepy c’awly!!” Buddy, oblivious to the problem, had found a tiny caterpillar and was admiring it with wide eyes, “Ook! Ook!”

You were already regretting her wander off ahead.

“Hell nah–get that thing away from me!” You freaked out, seeing the small caterpillar enclosed in her hands, “Don’t come any near! Nuh-uh!”

“It cute doh, Monks’!” Buddy giggled, clearly mischievous and before you could stop her, she had placed the caterpillar on the handle of your crutches.

“Buddy! No! Get it away!” You shrieked in fear, jerking your crutch out of your grip, “Get it away! Get it away!” You flung both of your crutches in sheer panic–it went flying, landing with a soft splash in a nearby pond.

You turned to watch your crutches sink slowly, bubbles rising to the surface as they disappeared beneath the water.

“Oh shit,” You mumbled, eyes wide at the realisation of you what you had done, and what was too late.

The field went eerily silent.

“Well…” Kim broke the silence, her tone almost deadpan, “Who’s gonna tell Leah that she needs to buy another pair of crutches then?”

Everyone stood still, staring at the water where your crutches had sunk, leaving nothing but ripples.

The first problem? Your crutches were now submerged in a body of water.

The second problem? Your little sister was absolutely distraught over the sudden loss of her new best friend.

You watched as the tears welled in Buddy’s eyes as she stomped her foot, bottom lip wobbling dangerously, “Ou’ meanie!” She screeched, pointing an accusing sticky-red finger at you, “Ou’ throwed my fwiend ‘way! Dat not nice! Dat so not nice, Monks’!”

“Buddy, mate, listen… It was a bug–” You tried, but she gasped like you’d committed an actual crime.

“NO!  Him was not just a bug! Him was my fwiend! An’ ou’ was a big meanie an’ ou’ throwed him in da water an’ now he gonna get lost an’ he gonna be so sad!” Buddy wailed, her little fists clenching at her sides as she stomped her foot again.

“Monks’ ou’ threw my new friend away!” Buddy wailed, in a state of overwhelming sadness, “Dat is not nice! Ou’ a meanie!”

You groaned, pressing a hand to your forehead, “Buddy–”

“NUH-UH!” Your little sister cut you off dramatically, her sobs turning into full-on ugly crying, “Ou’ don’ even cawe! Him was my bes’ fwiend! I loved him! Now he aww gone foweva! Foweva!”

“OU’ A MURDERER!” Buddy suddenly screamed at the top of her lungs, dropping her basket of forgotten strawberries as she passed an accusing finger right at you, “Ou’ murdered my bestest friend!”

You rolled your eyes dramatically, “Oh, come on, you’re overreacting–you can’t even consider a caterpillar a friend, Shrimp.”

“OU STILL A MURDERER!” Buddy continued to scream aloud, attracting nearby attention from people walking past and giving her a concerned look.

“This isn’t what I was expecting today,” Stina mumbled, scratching the back of her neck awkwardly.

Lia cleared her throat, clearly trying not to laugh at the absolute meltdown unfolding in front of her, “It’s okay, Buddy. I’m sure… uh… I’m sure your friend is swimming happily somewhere now.”

But Buddy? Well, she was having absolutely none of it.

“HIM CAN’ SWIM!” Your little sister shrieked, completely horrified, “HIM GONNA DROWN! HIM GONNA BE SO SO SAD!”

“Oh for god’s sake,” Kim groaned, rubbing her temples, “Buddy,  sweetheart, that bug was not your lifelong best friend.”

“YES HIM WAS!” Buddy argued, hands resting on her hips with a scowl that even made Leah’s took tame.

“Okay, fine, he was. But you cannot stand here in the middle of this field screaming about it,” Kim told her.

Buddy ignored her completely, now throwing herself onto the grass in a full-body tantrum, fists pounding in the ground, “I wan’ him baaaaaaack!” She sobbed, “I wan’ my fwiennnnnnnnd!”

You huffed, throwing your head back in exasperation, “Yo, Buddy this hissy fit is causing a scene. How about… If you stop cryin’ then I’ll go and buy you that new Buzz Lightyear that you really want, yeah?”

Buddy stopped mid-wail, picking herself up off the floor and a big smile appeared on her face, “I wan’ buzz!”

Kim let out a sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose, “You cannot just bribe her out of tantrums, Monkey.”

“Well, it worked, didn’t it?” You pointed out, motioning to Buddy, who was now wiping her tears away like they never existed, already bouncing at the thought of her new toy, “Unless you have a better idea!”

Kim exchanged a look with Lia, who was barely holding in her laughter, “That’s not the point,” She muttered.

“Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!” Buddy started chanting,  dancing around you in excitement, completely forgetting about the “friend” she had been mourning just moments ago.

Lia finally let out a chuckle, shaking her head, “I think we should probably call it a day before she finds another “best friend” to grieve over,” She suggested.

Kim let out a long frustrated sigh, but after a brief pause, she nodded, “Never again. Never. Again.” She spun on her heel and started walking back to the car, clearly over it.

“Wait for me! I got little legs!” Buddy called out, her tiny feet trying to catch up with Stina’s long strides. She clung to Stina’s hand as she toddled along, her eyes wide with excitement.

Lia, ever the softy, took pity on you and your lack of crutches. Without a word, she bent down, easily lifting you onto her back for a piggyback ride, her strong arms making it look effortless.

You let out a dramatic sigh as you settled into the ride, “Can we get McDonald’s on the way back?” You asked, hopeful.

“No,” Kim shot the request down instantly, her voice flat and final.

“Awh, shucks,” You grumbled, “But I’m hungry!”

“Tough,” Kim replied, giving you a side-eye, “You can eat when you get home. We’re heading back now.”

You rolled your eyes, but Kim’s will was as strong as ever. Still, in a rare moment of weakness, she relented, “Fine,” She muttered, “But we’re going through the drive-thru.”

In the end, you scored a Quater Pounder meal with a strawberry milkshake, while Buddy gleefully clutched her Happy Meal with chicken nuggets and a fruit shoot.

“If you make a mess in the back of my car then you’ll be clearing it up,” Kim warned, glancing at you through the rear-view mirror as you happily munched on your burger.

You grinned, stuffing a bite of burger into your mouth, “This is why you’re my favourite Auntie!”

As the car hummed along the road, Buddy’s face twisted, her hand pressed to her stomach, “Auntie Kimmy,” She whined softly, her voice barely audible, “I don’ feel so good…”

Kim’s eyes darted to the rear-view mirror, panic rising in her chest as she saw Buddy’s pale face and the faint green hue creeping up her cheeks, “It’s alright, sweetheart, we’re almost–” Her warning was cut off as Buddy’s small body lurched, and a sickening sound filled the back of the car, “Home…”

“Oh my God,” Your eyes widened in horror, most definitely put off the rest of your McDonald’s–that was until the familiar, queasy feeling hit you too. Your stomach churned in sympathy, “Kimmy! Pull over… Pull over, quick. I’m going…  I’m going to be sick!”

Lia froze, her face drained of all colour, “Oh no,” She murmured, her voice high in panic.

Kim, who usually kept her cool in any situation, was no different. She slammed on the brakes, pulling the car over to the side of the road in one swift motion, the tyres screeching against the asphalt.

You didn’t waste the time, rushing out of the car, hunching over and throwing up your recently eaten McDonald’s into the nearest bush.

“Oh my God, this is… this is not happening. I can’t believe this is happening!” Kim stood outside of the car, her hands gripping the edge of the door, trying to collect herself, “Why does this always happen to me? I try to live a good life, I’m kind to others, I’m helpful, so why does this happen to me?” She muttered to herself, glancing up at the sky like it was going to give her an answer.

Inside the car, Lia had unbuckled herself, quickly getting to Buddy’s side, “Hey, it’s alright, little miss,” She soothed, opening the back car door, “It’s alright, we’re going to get you cleaned up, and you’ll feel better soon.”

Buddy’s tiny face was contorted in distress, tears running down her cheeks, “I… I sorry, Auntie Wally,” She whimpered, her little body trembling, “I… I didn’ mean it,” She sniffled between hiccuping sobs, still clutching her stomach, “I don’ wanna feel sick…”

“I know,” Lia cooed, her heart breaking as she dug around in Buddy’s bag of spare clothes and everything else, relieved to find the baby wipes she was looking for. Pulling one out, she gently started wiping the three-year-old’s face with it, “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s not your fault. I guess you ate too many strawberries, huh?”

“I didn’t mean to. I sorry. I didn’t mean to be sick!” Buddy cried, distraught with herself.

“It’s okay,” Lia reassured her, still dapping at the corner of her mouth with a wipe, “Do you feel better now you’ve thrown up, hm?”

“I feel bit better!” Buddy mumbled, nodding her head.

“I feel… horrible,” You couldn’t help but continue to gag at the smell of the car as your stomach churned again, “I’m not getting back in that car with it smelling like this! It’s awful!”

Kim gagged, taking an exaggerated step away from the car like it might lunge at her, “Oh my God, oh my God, the smell! It’s in the air! It’s in my lungs! I can’t–” She bent over, hands on her knees, dry-heaving at just the thought of it.

Kim was still bent over, hands on her knees, still dry-heaving like her life depended on it. Lia was busy cleaning up Buddy, and you–well, you had mostly recovered from your own episode, but the menace in you? That part was thriving.

Wiping your mouth with the back of your hand, you straightened up just enough to glance toward the car, then dramatically clutched your stomach again, “Oh no…” You murmured, voice laced with faux dread, “Kimmy… I think I see it…”

Kim let out a panicked wheeze, “See what?”

“The chips,” You whispered ominously, “They’re looking back at me…”

Kim slapped a hand over her mouth so fast it was almost impressive, “SHUT UP. STOP TALKING, MONKEY.”

Which, of course, only made it funnier.

“Oooooh,” You groaned dramatically, clutching your stomach, “And the ketchup too… all mixed up with–”

“MONKEY! STOP!” Kim all but screeched, whirling around to face you, eyes wide with sheer terror, “DON’T SAY IT!  DON’T YOU DARE!”

You staggered back, clutching your stomach dramatically, like you were having some sort of sick-induced vision, “The McFlurry… it’s melting…”

Kim gagged so hard she nearly collapsed.

Lia sighed from inside the car, “Do you have to be such a menace?”

Buddy, now freshly cleaned up but still sniffling, peeked out at you with wide eyes, “I don’ wanna see my strawberries again,” She whimpered.

You softened for a moment seeing your little sister looking so vulnerable, “Aww, it’s okay, Buddy. No more strawberries for you today,” Then with zero hesitation, you spun back to Kim, “But, Kimmy, what if you do see them again?”

Kim shot you a look, “I swear to God–”

You wiggled your eyebrows, “Big. Red. Chunky.”

That was enough to send Kim over the edge as she let out a full-bodied scream, fanning herself like she was about to faint, “I CAN’T. I CAN’T DO THIS. I AM DONE WITH THIS.”

At that, you continued to have a wide shit-eating grin plastered on your face as you stood opposite her, arms crossed over your chest, “Don’t ya just love me, Auntie Kimmy?”

Kim glared, pointing a trembling finger at you, “I hate you.”

You gasped in mock betrayal, “What? But I’m your favourite niece!”

Kim scoffed, “Not when you’re being a pain in the arse. Obviously, it’s Buddy.”

Your jaw dropped, “This is outrageous! And here I thought you loved me, Auntie Kimmy!” You huffed before tossing out, “Well, you’re not my favourite auntie either. It’s Wally.”

Lia, unbothered, simply shrugged, “Naturally.”

Lia strode through the front door, you draped over her shoulder like a misbehaving toddler. The moment Leah saw, her face dropped.

“Oh, I’m having flashbacks,” Leah muttered, her tone half-exasperated, half-amused, “Dare I ask what happened?”

Lia didn’t dignify that with an answer. She just marched straight over to the corner where you’re old timeout spot was and plopped you down without another word.

Meanwhile, Kim followed behind, Buddy on her hip as she gleefully shouted, “To infinity and beyond!” As if nothing had happened, still not fully aware of the chaos she’d caused, “Mummy!” She chirped, leaning out towards Leah.

“Hi Bubba,” Leah’s expression softened as she scooped Buddy out of Kim’s arms, “Have you had a good day with your aunties and big sister?”

Buddy nodded enthusiastically, “Uh-huh! Monks’ is gonna buy me Buzz Lightyear!”

“Oh?” Leah raised an eyebrow turning to face you, “Are you now?”

“Well…” You shifted in your spot, “I kinda promised that I would, and I can’t break a promise now, can I?”

Buddy beamed, “Monks’ pwomised to buy me it cos’ she throwed my bes’ fwiend in da water!”

“Only cos’ you put that little creepy crawly on my crutches!” You exclaimed, shuddering at the memory of what happened in the last few hours.

Leah blinked, “And where exactly are your crutches?”

A beat of silence.

“Oh… Well, they’re in the water too,” You admitted with a simple shrug of your shoulders.

“What?” Leah exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose, “Do you want to explain yourself, or should I just go ahead and take your iPad now?” Her voice was low. Dangerous.

You scuffed your foot against the floor, refusing to meet Leah’s gaze, “... I was just–”

Leah crossed her arms, levelling you with the kind of look that had you sinking lower into the corner.

“Just not listening and being a complete menace, right?” Her tone sharpened, “I should ground you for a week, but we both know that won’t do anything because I will still have to deal with your whining. So guess what?” She leaned down, voice dripping into something final, something heavy, “Your iPad’s mine.”

Your head snapped up, eyes wide in horror, “WHAT? NO!”

Kim raised an eyebrow at that, shaking her head as she chuckled, “Oof. That is rough, ain’t it?”

Buddy, completely oblivious to your suffering, was too busy singing the Toy Story theme song to care, “You got a fwiend in me–”

Leah simply held out her hand, palm up, expectant, “Give it.”

“Mum, come on!” You groaned, tilting your head back in frustration, “That’s not fair! If you take it, how am I supposed to watch Shrek?!”

“You should have thought about that before,” Leah said coolly, not missing a beat, “Now, hand it over.”

“But Mum, I–”

“You know the rules,” Leah interrupted, her tone unwavering.

You groaned dramatically, flopping back against the wall like you’d been personally wronged, “I can’t give it to you.”

Leah’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, “And why not?”

You crossed your arms, gaze darting to the side, “... It’s on charge.”

“Okay? Go get it,” Leah gestured in the direction with a wave of her hand.

“How, exactly?!” You pointed dramatically at your ankle, “You saw Lia carry me in! I can’t walk without my crutches.”

Leah let out a sharp exhale, pinching the bridge of her nose, “So let me get this straight. Not only have you been winding Buddy up, but you also threw your own crutches in the water?”

“Not to mention she was winding Kim up as well,” Lia mumbled, giving you a knowing look.

“In my defence–”

“There is no defence,” Leah cut in, already making her way to the kitchen where you’d left it on charge before going out.

You sighed, knowing the battle was lost as she returned a moment later, your iPad in hand. You stared at it longingly, already feeling the withdrawal symptoms kicking in, “This isn’t fair!”

“Maybe you should’ve thought about your precious screen time before you decided to be a pain in the arse,” Leah muttered, tucking your iPad securely under her arm, “Maybe you can take this time to think about your actions.”

You groaned, your whole body sagging like a deflated balloon, “But, Mum, it was Buddy-coded,” You tried, voice bordering on desperation, “Doesn’t that, y’know, count for something?”

“It does,” Leah raised an unimpressed eyebrow, “It counts for an extra day without your iPad.”

“What?” You gasped, hands flying to your face in mock horror, “Mum, nooo! That’s not fair! You’re so mean!”

The worst part? You couldn’t even storm upstairs in protest because, well… no crutches. Instead, you slumped in the corner, arms crossed, glaring at Leah like she’d personally ruined your entire life.

“I just want to protest the absolute injustice of it all,” You huffed.

Leah, entirely unbothered, pulled out of her phone, snapped a quick photo of you sulking, and sent it to Jordan with a smirk.

Does this look familiar? 😂 Someone’s sulking because they’ve lost the iPad for the day

A second later, Leah’s phone dinged.

Oh dear. Some things never do change I guess 😬

You're still committed to your silent protest, you slumped further against the wall in exaggerated misery. But then, an idea struck you–one last, desperate act of rebellion.

With a dramatic sigh, you let yourself slide off the wall, flopping onto the floor like a lifeless ragdoll, “I can’t go on,” You wailed, kicking your good foot feebly, “I have nothing left to live for!”

Leah, utterly unimpressed, stepped right over you without so much as a glance.

“Mummy! Can I watch Toy Stowy?” Buddy questioned, oblivious to your dramatics.

“Course we can, Bubba,” Leah agreed, picking up the TV remote and finding the requested movie.

“Oi! At least acknowledge my suffering” You called after her, twisting your head to glare at her retreating figure.

“Yeah, yeah,” Leah waved a dismissive hand, “I’ll be sure to send flowers to your funeral.”

You huffed in defeat as you sat there, slumped and sulking in your own misery, “I’m never speaking to you again!”

… Only to break that promise five minutes later when you realise without your crutches, you were stuck.

“Right, so, uh–” You shuffled awkwardly, “I know I said I wouldn’t speak to you, but… I need help getting up,” You gestured to your ankle and the complete lack of crutches, “This doesn’t mean I forgive you, though.”

Leah smirked, “Yeah, course not. Guess I won’t bother making your favourite dinner tonight then, huh?”

Your head snapped up so fast it was a miracle you didn’t get whiplash, “Whoa, whoa, whoa–hold on just a second now,” You backtracked, eyes wide with panic, “No need to be so hasty, Mum. You know I love my nuggets.”

Leah fought a grin, “That’s what I thought,” She said, her tone teasing yet firm as she turned to Lia and Kim, “Right, does anyone want a drink?” She asked, her smile growing as she enjoyed the playful standoff before making her way into the kitchen with Lia and Kim to leave you to your endless moping about the loss of your iPad and beloved Shrek.

© scribblesofagoonerr

[loverbobby]

"I didn't say you couldn't, I just wanted to help." He says, shrugging a shoulder but he doesn’t pull his gaze off her, noticing the way that India puts space between them with a step back, hitting her hip against the edge of the bar.

“Yeah, well.” She huffs, rolling her eyes. “You lost that privilege when you lied to me.”

after her ex—boyfriend, Marshall, steps in to save her from a man in a club, it leads India down a path of unlearning everything she thought she knew about her breakup.

read on ao3

[welcometololaland]

Double, Double, Acting Trouble | RWRB | 30k | E

(for @clottedcreamfudge. thank you to @celeritas2997 for beta reading)

I don't really have any way to describe this fic except to say that if you've ever wanted to read the most unhinged version of Alex and Henry getting together (in a crack-taken-seriously way), then this fic is for you. It features a divorce subplot (not Alex and Henry), a sea cucumber in a pickle costume, sushi for breakfast and a rat with half a tail named Henry.

Alex, Nora and Henry stare blankly at Professor Jenemy for a long moment before Henry sighs. “Sir, is that really the point of the play?” “Yes.” “I thought the point of the play was sea cucumbers,” Nora mutters under her breath. “Would a hug suffice?” Henry offers hopefully. “A long one?” Nora adds. “We can make it extra tender. I can leap into his arms—” “A hug could be interpreted as platonic,” Professor Jenemy argues. “It must be a kiss.” “Idea,” Alex offers, seemingly without thinking. “Nora and I swap roles.” Professor Jenemy’s jaw drops open. “In what world does that make sense?” “She doesn’t want to kiss Henry and I…wouldn’t say no,” Alex amends quickly. “And besides, I’m a better kisser.”

Read more on Ao3

[argonaut--keene]

Okay fuck it, even if I don't finish it anytime soon or ever, I have 40 chapters of this fic that have been waiting to see the light of day for years and you know what, they're good, so I'm going to share them. Get ready, it's time to find Another Way

[eskiix]

Roberto/OC Enemies-to-Lovers, Post-Villa

Chapter 6

Read on Ao3

Summary: Louise cares too much about everything, and the only thing Roberto cares about is his career. Neither is strictly true, but that's how everyone sees them. Including each other. —-- Just when Louise thinks everyone’s moving on and leaving her behind, she’s handed the golden opportunity to fix everything by planning her best friend’s hen do. At least, that’s the idea, anyway. One week of sun, sea, cocktails, clubbing, and… the world’s most arrogant pilot.

[phoenixcatch7]

I know 'person with secret to hide spots other person with secret to hide but doesn't say anything' is like. Thee trope in superhero crossovers, but come on! Some of these guys have been doing this for decades! There's tons of heroes that have gone to pretty extreme lengths to be Completely Imperceptible in civilian life.

Don't you think it's scarier, after all is said and done, to sit there and think I didn't notice a thing? I wouldn't have ever realised? I would never have known? To know that someone you were familiar with - close with, even! - had this whole other personality and skillset and powers and experiences and life just behind the curtain, and they hid it so completely you didn't even see it was there.

'I always knew there was something off' what if you didn't. How world shaking would it be to be so utterly blindsided? To know that this person had somehow learned to so deceptive?

[lupine-trees]

humility

[ for @microficmay day 14. drarry | rating: t | word count: 254 | part 12 | part 1 here | read the full story here ♡⋆˙ ]

— — —

After a morning of broom maintenance and more testing on his (as-yet-in-progress) training wheels charm, Harry finds Draco in the tertiary lab. It’s small and unadorned and the one McGonagall set aside for Draco to complete his Owl-post potions mastery program.

Draco sits at his scattered desk, flipping through envelopes and scribbling into his notebook. The work table is a stark contrast, organized carefully, neat as a pin. A small pewter cauldron bubbles over the low simmer of a charmed hearth stone.

“Wolfsbane?” Harry murmurs, finally catching Draco’s attention.

His gaze snaps up, a smile flicking over his face before falling away.

“The mod I’ve been working on. I’m trying to imbue some of the elements of a Pepper-Up, so the characteristic crash isn’t quite so abrupt, but the bicorn horn and the occamy egg powder are counteractive— I mean, obviously. I thought I could use dried occamy as a substitute, but it doesn’t perform as efficiently alongside the necessary dosage of Sopophorous beans.”

He taps his fingers across the desktop, thoughtful.

“I’m wondering if I could supplement the dried occamy with porcupine quills, but there have been limited studies on their interactions, and nothing that’s gone to the clinical stages, and I don’t really have time to start from scratch, at least not right now, but I thought— what?” Draco falters.

“Nothing,” Harry says, lopsided grin unchecked.

Draco frowns.

“You’re remarkable,” Harry huffs, approaching his desk.

The tips of Draco’s ears go pink.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he says.

“Don’t be modest,” Harry answers.