#especially when laundry is also an obstacle

[hopalongfairywrens]

I love you people who struggle with hygiene I love you people who struggle with showering or brushing teeth due to depression or stress or any other mental illness i love you

[saistappen]

Dog park | CS55

In which Carlos and you meet again at the dog park and he asks you out on a date

▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄

The weather was almost miraculous. It had been raining heavy for the last few days, so there hadn't been a single minute when you could leave the house without an umbrella.

But now all the dark clouds had disappeared, leaving the bright blue sky free and even the sun finally said hello again after its days-long break.

The sun's rays shining through your living room window and literally tickling the tip of your nose caused your mood to suddenly change by one hundred and eighty degrees.

You actually liked the rainy weather. Especially in autumn, when the leaves turned red and gold, covered the ground in a colorful carpet and it was slowly becoming time for hoodie weather again and you could get the coziest blanket out of the closet and snuggle up on the sofa.

But the days of rain, as it had been for the last week and a half, had been so bad for your mood that when your alarm clock woke you up in the morning and you heard the rain pattering on the roof, you would have liked to pull the covers over your head and just go back to sleep.

Now, however, the sun's rays were more or less giving you a boost of energy, which had been woefully lacking for the last week and a half.

Your golden retriever lady, who was lying in her basket in front of the window, also felt the sun's rays on her golden fur, so she lifted her head and looked at you curiously.

"How about we go for a walk in your favorite park, Laika? " You approached the dog directly as you kicked the laundry basket in front of you on the carpet.

There was a huge pile of laundry in the basket, waiting to be folded. However, you could leave the laundry lying around for a few more hours. After all, who knew how long the sun would stay?

Tail wagging, the dog rose from her basket and stretched once before running out of the living room.

You looked after the dog with a furrowed brow. It was not uncommon for Laika to leave her basket in the living room and go back upstairs to her bedroom, where she also had a basket so that she didn't have to sleep alone downstairs in the living room at night.

Before you ran after your dog, you switched off the TV, which was showing the last few minutes of an episode of Hawaii 5-0.

Watching TV while folding laundry had recently become your ritual, so that the annoying folding of the laundry went even faster than in silence.

"Laika?" You shouted as you left the living room and your feet carried you towards the hallway where the wooden staircase led upstairs.

The golden retriever lady was already at the front door with her collar and lead in her mouth. And when she spotted you, she started to turn in circles, wagging her tail.

Laika always did this when she was excited or looking forward to something.

"I see you're ready, huh? " Smiling, you ran your hand through the dog's thick fur before taking off her harness and lead and getting Laika ready for her walk.

A short time later, after you had slipped into a thin jacket and your shoes yourself, you left the house in the direction of the dog park.

The park wasn't too far from your house. The dog park offered a huge green area where the dogs could let off steam with each other or where you could take your dog for agility - the dog sport where you could work the dogs out with various obstacles.

As the dog started to realize where she was actually going with every step you took closer to the dog park, she began to wag her tail excitedly and pull slightly on the lead.

Laika loved going to the dog park, spending time with other dogs and getting a good workout.

You usually spent countless hours in the park, so every now and then you had a book with you and the dog lady would stretch her legs while you sat on a bench and read.

"Take it easy," you chuckled as Laika began to bark excitedly while you pushed open the gate that separated the dog park from the road.

From a distance, you could see countless dogs and their owners either playing with their dogs or chatting in groups.

You already knew one or two of them from your many visits. Among them was the Spaniard, Carlos, with whom you had already had countless conversations.

Laika in particular had fallen in love with Carlos' male dog Piñón, so that even now, when she spotted him, she started barking happily and looked up at you impatiently.

"Take it easy. You can go straight to your lover," you smiled as you let the gate fall into the lock behind you and then released the lead from the harness.

Within seconds, Lakai sprinted off and seemed to know exactly where Piñón was. It wasn't long before she spotted the male dog among all the other dogs and the two greeted each other.

"Hey y/n! " the Spaniard shouted from a bench as he raised his hand and began to wave almost frantically and the smile on his lips almost doubled in size.

A slight tingling sensation formed in your stomach as you walked along the narrow gravel path over to Carlos.

While all the other owners stood together in small groups and mostly talked about the training of their dogs or even bragged about the tricks their dogs could do, you and Carlos always kept to the background.

And so it was that the Spaniard joined you on his and Piñón's first visit to the dog park and you talked about everything except training your dogs.

Because it was really annoying to listen to strangers bouncing around with their dogs and always trying to give you tips and tricks on how to train your dog even better. And most of the time you were accused of training your dog wrong.

"Hey you," you smiled as you came to a halt in front of Carlos and the bench.

Without hesitation, the Spaniard stood up and pulled you into a warm hug to greet you.

" You must have been waiting for better weather too, huh? " he grinned after he had hugged you briefly and then let you go again.

"Yes, Laika stood outside the door whimpering almost every evening while she watched the rain..."

The Spaniard nodded sympathetically as you sat down next to each other on the bench and your eyes scanned the park for Laika and Piñón.

The two of them chased each other playfully across the green space, with one or two dogs joining in and playing together.

It was nice to see how carefree and happy your dog was finally able to play again after the prolonged rain meant she could only just get out for a walk.

"I can totally understand that! Piñón felt the same way. He didn't understand why it had been pouring like that the whole time. "

"Laika didn't either. She missed Piñón incredibly too," you smiled as you looked over at the Spaniard, whose brown eyes were on you.

Even when you first met here in the park, you had clearly sensed that there was something between you. A certain tension that made your heart beat a little faster every time you were near Carlos and caused a slight tingling sensation in your stomach.

"And what about Laika's Mistress? ", the Spaniard raked, while his knee began to touch yours lightly and a slight electric shock was instantly sent through your body.

Reflexively, your teeth dug into your lower lip as your hands began to play with the light blue leash.

The last time you had flirted was in high school, if you could even call it flirting. Because you'd never been really good at flirting, so now you didn't really know what the perfect answer to his question was.

"Me? I missed Piñón too," you giggled, even though you knew full well that the Spaniard wanted to know if you had missed him.

Because you had. During the countless rainy days, you had always found yourself thinking about Carlos and wondering what the Spaniard was doing and whether he was even thinking about you.

You raised your eyes cautiously and looked straight into Carlos' brown eyes. There was an amused smirk on his lips, while his eyes - like every time he looked at you - radiated warmth.

You had often observed Carlos in the presence of other women who were here at the dog park and had sought a conversation with Carlos.

He had had a conversation with each of them without turning them down, as it was out of the question for him to tell them directly that he wasn't interested.

Even their flirtatious looks and words left Carlos cold, as he only had eyes for you.

You were the only one in the park that he looked at so specially and with so much warmth in his eyes. And above all, you were the only one he actively sought to be close to.

You were special to him. You could sense that. And Carlos also sensed that he was special to you.

But neither of you had made the first move yet.

"You know very well that wasn't my question," he almost breathed, causing goose bumps to spread across the back of your neck.

It was really crazy what the words or closeness of another person could do to your own feelings or physical reactions.

As if your body and its own feelings were slipping away from you and pressing into the other's hands and entrusting them unconditionally.

"I-I... I missed you," you said, almost whispering, while you could clearly hear your voice beginning to tremble.

The heat rose in your cheeks within a few seconds, making you feel like you had a fever, your cheeks felt so hot.

Maybe you should be embarrassed that your body reacted like a teenager to a grown man. But it didn't really matter, because your body wasn't the only one reacting like a teenager in love in this situation.

Carlos' cheeks also turned a light shade of red, which looked really cute on him, so that a smile crept onto his lips.

"I missed you too," Carlos replied softly, causing the butterflies in your stomach to wake up and start flapping their wings, making your tummy tingle.

Smiling, you now sat there, simply enjoying the words and the warmth that each other radiated.

No further words needed to be spoken. Because you could both clearly feel how attracted you were to each other and that there was something between you that screamed more than just friendship.

It was crazy that you walked into a dog park just to see your dog playing and romping with other dogs and hadn't even come close to the idea of meeting someone you could fall head over heels in love with.

One person would probably find it rather cheesy, while another would talk about fate or great love.

But for you, it was just a coincidence. It was a coincidence that Carlos came to the dog park right here and that you two got on well right from the start and that you hit it off pretty quickly.

And it was a coincidence that your dogs got on well and that there was an intimate connection between the two of them.

"Can I ask you something? " Carlos broke the silence between you at some point, causing you to flinch slightly and take your eyes off your dogs to look back into his brown eyes.

And there was the warmth and a hint of security in his eyes again, which made you literally lose yourself in them.

Unable to speak, you just nodded while your heart skipped a little and you waited anxiously to see what Carlos would ask you.

"Would you make me the happiest person in the dog park by going on a date with me? "

[lovelyyandereaddictionpoint]

Hello! I really like your Twisted Wonderland work!

I was hoping if you can do House Wardens/Vice Wardens/First Years (pick which one is easier for you) react to a Fem! MC that's like Nanami Kento from Jujutsu Kaisen?

It's ok if you don't feel like doing this! I hope you have a lovely day 💕

Nanami Kento Reader | Yandere Twisted Wonderland

You’re well dressed, unemotional, and fairly powerful. Facts are everything to you as well as convenience. You’ve been told you don’t act your age but you don’t care, being as strict as you are surely you're better off than most. Your future lovers friends don’t think the same and they can’t help but try to stoke the flames of your heart with their own:

Epel Felmier

“C’mon (Y/n), please don’t tell! I want to stay with you!”

“I don’t want to entertain your antics at my expense. Vil will be informed, shortly.”

“Noooo!”

That’s the greatest challenge when he’s pursuing you

Even with Rook and Vil policing his time and behavior 

you are the apple of his eye

Always out of reach, it gets tiring really quick 

Eventually he can’t help but use his training with Vil to bulldoze over his obstacles

All so he can focus on you

And solely you 

By the time he’s done he’s only focused on conquering you

Granted you’ll surely fight him but facts are your jam, right?

So its a given you two will be eternally bound together

Ace Trappola

“Whoa whoa why are you getting all bent out of shape?!”

“I doubt that’s all I should be doing. Considering I’ve found you stealing from my laundry.”

“But (Y/n)--Ahh! Now the butcher’s knife!” You both clash far too often

But man, does he love it 

The small side-eye when he’s annoyed you enough

The way you so cooly take down any body who dares bother you in NRC

The way you perfectly attack whatever you slice at

It all leaves him swooning

You have a tough shell but he’s going to break it

But in the mean time he’ll break the greedy nuisances in your favor

It bothers to emote to them all 

So consider their deaths it a gift

Sebek Zigvolt

“HOW DARE YOU–”

“Quiet. Lower your voice–”

“WHY SHOULD I–”

“Or I will make it so you cannot raise it again.”

He’s floored by your audacity

But you look beautiful doing that

Always dressed to the ‘T’

He only wishes to be graced by your praise

You don’t do that often

Which is why when he’s assured his Malleus -Sama is well protected

He darts to follow your every move 

Waiting for that acknowledgement silent vow to an eternity together

Steam-rolling puny humans is of second nature to him 

Especially if they’re also on the path to you

Deuce Spade

“P-please don’t talk to him anymore, he’s dangerous!”

“Is he? So now you are the expert?”

“N-n-no! I’m just looking out for you!”

“Than don’t.”

He wishes to reach your level one day

So beautiful, so strong, so irresistible

He’s not bad if he goes to defend your honor 

Even if those offenders want to idolize you too

Jack Howl

“How is your training?”

“It is…fair.”

“As expected it’d be foolish to learn the power of cursed energy in such a short time.”

“Give me time,  (Y/n)! I’ll take you on oneday!”

With a mate as desirable as you he knew he’d have to fight

Just not you

And on top of that the same is for his rivals

But he’s determined to have you 

So dispel your stubborn rationality and let him protect you

[tojiscrack]

hey tojiscrack! (can’t get over ur user lolll!) just wanted to drop by again to say that your fic is absolutely divine—truly everything i could ever want and more. i had a quick observation to share, though i’m not entirely sure if it holds up. ♡⸜(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)⸝♡

so, from what i recall, megumi doesn’t like change (or am i tripping? i think it was mentioned in the earlier chapters). he seems very at ease with the current dynamic he shares with our little mermaid—so accustomed to her being by his side that the idea of anyone else being interested in her feels almost bizzare to him. ｢( • ﾍ •)

so far, there hasn’t been a strong, viable love interest for y/n other than megumi. even the flyer guy, who showed some interest, was quickly brushed aside. megumi seemed relieved by that, since it meant his status quo remained intact, with no real threat to disrupt the life he’s so familiar with as y/n wasn’t interested/didn’t even realize flyer guy had a crush on her. nothing changed and life could continue as normal for them hehe. (๑˃́ꇴ˂̀๑)

now we have kamo expressing interest in someone, and while it could be anyone, my hunch is that it’s y/n (big surprise, right?). if y/n and kamo end up together, as you hinted at with the love triangle, it seems inevitable that megumi will *hate* it—much like he hated change in earlier chapters. even if it turns out to be the flyer guy, the result would be the same: megumi would despise the shift because it upends his sense of stability and changes the way things already are.

it feels like megumi’s aversion to change runs so deep that he’d rather remain friends with y/n and preserve the life he knows than risk complicating things by acting on his feelings. we’ve seen hints of his internal struggle, from how he reacted to her in elementary school, the airport hug scene, the dance scene, and more recently, when he claimed no one could have a crush on her, tweaking at the thought when she brought it up, how cute!! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝

i hope this makes sense, but essentially, my point is that megumi likely views anyone interested in y/n as a threat to his normalcy. he’s so resistant to change that it will undoubtedly be a major theme in the story, especially as y/n’s potential new relationship forces him to confront the reality that change is an inevitable part of life, especially as they grow older and navigate adolescence. 

or maybe i’m just yapping and everything i’ve said is just me doing obstacles to prove a point that doesn’t exist? idk, i saw the foreshadowing tag and now all i’ve been doing is actively looking for it hehe.

stay safe and omggg study for those exams girl, you’re in college!

liar, liar masterlist here:

WAIT…

IS THIS BIG BRAIN ANON? 🧠 😫

OMG IT MUST BEEEE, HELLOOO, I THOUGHT I’D NEVER HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN <333

okay let’s address this juicy thought 😋💓

my user is indeed stupid. i once again let everyone know that i am not a toji girly (like, at all). i am an AVID gojo girly through and through, he and i go way back and we’re going strong 💪❤️‍🔥 ‘tojiscrack’ is simply cuz it sounds funny LMAO, taster of what u’ll expect from my works. i’m also very, very, VERY flattered with all ur compliments. writing this story and reading ur comments and thoughts and amazing predictions, all of that is definitely the highlight of writing and publishing this altogether, so thank you sm for sharing! <3

no, you are most certainly not tripping. i think it was elementary school or smth, it was not only mentioned but vaguely implied that megumi the porcupine doesn’t like change. like, at all. he’s comfortable with the way things are: i wanted to parallel it to canon (EVERYTHING INSIDE THIS BRACKET IN BOLD INCLUDES MANGA SPOILERS FROM JJK266!!! — it was mentioned, tho i can’t remember the exact wording, that megumi just wants to be able to do the simple things with his family, the example being laundry. the change he experienced with sukuna and jujutsu society in general after gojo’s sealing was something he didn’t like, at all. albeit, it was very extreme, ANYONE would hate it, but his stance on doing something as simple as laundry inspired this stance megumi has in ‘liar, liar’, where he wants to remain comfortable with his friends and family as he is, a parallel to canon).

‘our little mermaid’ finished me, sorry 😭 don’t let her hear u saying that HAHA

i like this build up you’ve come up with (megumi seeing someone crush on y/n as ‘bizarre’) from just that (his discomfort with change). it’s accurate, scarily accurate. i can’t even try and sugar coat this one, but yeah. i was lowkey waiting for someone to realise that, i felt as if it was kinda in ur face but ig not 😭 well done!

here comes the debate tho! some of my readers have completely forgotten about jeremiah (the flyer guy), whereas others acknowledge him and believe him to be important in terms of the second love interest for the love triangle, and then you, who believes that he was important for the sole purpose of proving that point you’ve just made: that megumi was relieved by him being shrugged off, ‘cause it meant, in ur words, that ‘his status quo remained intact’.

because of the fact that everyone’s kinda torn on this, i am not gonna tell you whether you’re right or not 😋 i would have if there was just one collective stance on jeremiah, but there isn’t, and it’s fun reading all these theories, debates and predictions :) but i’m gonna say this: out of the three predictions for jeremiah, only one is completely right. now it’s time for everyone to guess which one it is (muahahahaha)!!!

‘we have kamo expressing interest in someone, and while it could be anyone, my hunch is that it's y/n’ — another thing my readers are lowkey torn on. this will be addressed in the next chapter as well as the chapter after that, so i’m not gonna say much on this just so that you can read those chapters with no spoilers 🌝 i can, however, say that you’re right with the whole megumi hating the love triangle thing again, and ur reasoning is half on point too (half, only ‘cause there’s another reason as well, but i wouldn’t expect you to know that ‘cause i haven’t touched upon this at all haha). but it won’t just be megumi hating this triangle — a lot of characters won’t be fans of it, including our mains, so no surprise there.

can i just add that you are so articulate as you’re explaining this? like your prediction is so extremely well thought out, and parts of it i’m only not revealing ‘cause it’s already gonna be shown in the next two chapters, so pls consider yourself SMART 😫👀

‘it feels like megumi's aversion to change runs so deep that he'd rather remain friends with y/n and preserve the life he knows than risk complicating things by acting on his feelings’

…

maybe. maybe not. interesting take. i’m patting myself on the back btw, u’ll find out why CHAPTERSSS away

‘we've seen hints of his internal struggle, from how he reacted to her in elementary school, the airport hug scene, the dance scene, and more’ — just curious, which scene in elementary school did you think this from? 🤔 i’m thinking you meant to write middle school, because there was an obvious change there that i wanted everyone to pick up on (and they have, thankfully 🤗) but maybe i’m just a lousy author who can’t remember wth happened in the earlier chapters 💀

‘i hope this makes sense’ — GIRL YOU DID NOT HAVE TO ADD THIS CUZ IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE <3 you’re so on point (and maybe not as well, but i shall not reveal this until later) about so many things here that i even considered just letting this rot in my inbox 😭 jk, i’d never do that ‘cause i want my readers picking this stuff up, so keep doing it! and i’ll eat it up every damn time 😤

but the whole ‘change is inevitable’ theme is kinda hinted at a lot, especially ‘cause… i was gonna reveal something i shouldn’t 😳 anyway, it’s a coming-of-age kinda story, and we all know change is inevitable there. megumi, despite being reluctant about it, knows it too.

‘or maybe i'm just yapping and everything i've said is just me doing obstacles to prove a point that doesn't exist?’ — three words: maybe you are. and that’s all you’re getting outta me 🌝🎀

the sole purpose of that foreshadowing tag is to force you to keep ur eyes open, and you’ve done just that, so pat ur back for me why don’t u? 🫣

[calumthoodshands]

LUKE HEMMINGS for TUSH magazine

- Tailor made -

On stage, Luke Hemmings is living his bloom, For Givenchy Beauty, the butterfly follows a different trail of scent.

Von Domen & Van De Velde - Into the flowerbed -

Interview by Afra Ugurlu.

It's pouring rain in L.A. when Luke Hemmings joins our zoom call. Just in time, the frontman of 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) finds refuge in his car on the side of a quiet road, not far from the big Hollywood sign. A look in the rear-view mirror: At the age of barely 16, Luke and his bandmates from 5SOS found themselves in the middle of an international fanbase. Their songs enthralled especially because of the band's juvenile euphoria, and the Australians quickly soared to new heights in the middle of the YouTube madness of the 2010s. But what happens when boybands grow up? After a decade of pop punk influences and with a little more chest hair, Luke took upon a solo career path for the first time and in 2021 released his debut album “When facing the things we turn away from”; a whole new insight into the obstacles and the success of the last years, he later reveals.

Almost 10 years have passed since “She looks so perfect” and “Don’t stop”. What has the last decade been like for you?

I'm living my dream, what else can I say? It was all very intense. You just accepted whatever came at you. For eleven years, for as long as I grew up, that’s been my whole life. Quite crazy, all the stuff that just came flying at us. I don't know whether we would have allowed ourselves this, even if rather short, break if not for the pandemic. Usually it all feels so fast-paced, I often have to pause to mentally take it all in—if you asked me to describe the last decade, then it’d consist of so many moments like that.

Did you ever feel like you were missing out on certain things and experiences during all that hustle and bustle?

I think they were very formative years, so there are probably some life skills I missed out on. In retrospect, you wonder: when was I supposed to learn that? And then you try to somehow fill those gaps. I had to emotionally catch up, but also with things like doing laundry, running errands and so on. There are some more significant matters, like not being close to my family, not to mention that I was missing my home in general. But then you start to put all those thoughts into another perspective: we did what we always wanted to do: write music and perform.

I remember 2014 and 2015, black, ripped skinny jeans and vans. How do you see yourself now, regarding your style?

Pop punk has always been a huge inspiration, and it was simply the style of all these bands like Green Day, Blink 182 and Silverchair. Back then, I was an absolute late bloomer and had to first of all grow into my own identity. I think it was similar with the other guys. We had found a thing that worked, and just stuck with it. It also just felt like a risk to me, doing something other than that, especially in front of an audience. Around the time of our third album, I started to open up a bit more. Our music was changing, and with it our style. At that point I understood myself a little bit better. From then on it just kind of evolved, and I think it still does.

By now you are someone who likes to step out and look beyond the binary. Was that always something that you were interested in or did you rather find yourself getting into it step by step over time?

Where I grew up, people weren’t open at all, everyone wore the same thing. For a long time, it simply wasn’t even on my radar. And of course, I’m not doing anything that someone else hasn't already done before me. I think it was in 2017 when I just started experimenting with glitter and nail polish. From that moment on it all evolved a bit, but it's actually always been something that fascinated me. It just took a while for me to find that part of myself. I feel pretty doing it, and who doesn't want to feel that way? If you only go on stage with a tracksuit, that might be cool. But I'm not an extrovert, quite the opposite, and when I perform and feel so much bigger, it's almost like playing a character. The makeup only emphasises that and turns me into someone who is not introverted and lost in thought. That's the origin of it all, so to speak.

How can we overcome these toxic gender perceptions and behavioural patterns, and heal?

I think a lot of the stigma we experience comes from people projecting their own insecurities onto us. I understand it better now because I grew up in a place that was very toxic in that regard. I'm from West Sydney, which was very conservative. If you’re a man, you have to be really ‘masculine’ and I think that's just complete nonsense. And I think that just sticks with you, growing up like that. There was a time when I came home and didn't want to wear makeup on stage. There was no way I would have done that, whereas now I just do what I'm most comfortable with. Personal growth means putting yourself first and accepting that people will think what they want either way. So really, you should just do whatever you want. That’s the way I'm trying to see it now. It sounds very simple and banal, but I wouldn’t know how else to put it.

Congratulations, by the way, on the release of your first solo album, “When facing the things we turn away from”. Which things do you want to turn away from this year and what else is there to come for you?

I’m facing myself and trying to be more open with the way I deal with stuff. My wish is to just enjoy everything a little bit more. I constantly worry about what might happen tomorrow. I’m not really present or enjoying the moment to the fullest. Everyone probably says that, but I believe it's more important than ever to live in the here and now. We're always looking for the next thing. You want to be at home when you're out and about, on the road when you’re at home. Only when it's over do you see what you actually had going for yourself, and are frustrated; so no ‘Live Fast, Die Young’. But I also think that this year will be a creative one for me. I want to try out new things. We’ll see which doors are going to open for me.

What kind of creative directions are you thinking about?

I can't really say yet. But also in general I don't want to limit myself by excluding new paths. Doing something by myself musically like the album was very intimidating at first. In the end, though, it was very encouraging as well because it was the first time in a long time that I tried something new again. Obviously I love being in the band, it’s my home base. But the solo album is something I never thought I’d be capable of, and now that I know that I am it’s definitely something I want to pursue further.

How do you manage working both on your solo career and with the band at the same time, and are there any points of overlap?

I have a feeling that with the first album it was a bit easier. We were in lockdown and everything on the band's schedule had to be cancelled. Suddenly, I had more free time than in the last 10 years together. I don’t think I would have made a solo album if it didn't come about this way. With four people in the band, all great songwriters and each having their own projects in the pipeline, I feel like it's actually for everyone’s benefit to give other things a try as well. I wondered what it could be like to produce a song from start to finish, and learned so much in the process. Afterwards, when I return to the band, it makes me feel like I know so much more about the recording process and can thus also be a better band member.

How did writing and composing for only yourself change your overall sound?

I don't know whether it significantly changed my sound, but I feel more confident than ever. When you're in a band, you have the luxury to lean on other people and ask: What do you think of this? Do you think it's good, or should we change this? Or someone will encourage you when you're on the right track, telling you to keep going. With this, the only input came from myself. I had to trust my instincts and first of all understand what my own sound really did sound like.

You have no features on your album. Was it important to you to create your first solo album by yourself?

After 10 years on tour, it was quite good to be alone for once and deal with my subconscious. The album is so personal and emotional to me, it didn't really lend itself to include any features. Maybe someday, but I think it has to fit perfectly then. And who knows what’s coming soon. But I think the point and purpose of doing something by yourself is to get accustomed to working without your usual tools.

What did you learn about yourself while working on “When facing the things we turn away from”?

Newfound empathy and love towards myself. The stories of these songs and the lyrics are mostly things I’m dealing with for the very first time. It's almost like writing a diary, you don't have any idea how to start. You sit down and something comes out of it, and that’s what you then try to decipher.

[merakiui]

Domestic life with Riddle? Share those thoughts with us 👉👈🥺

✧ waking up early to the usual phone alarm, but you and riddle always end up sleeping in for another hour or so (usually on days when there isn't anything important planned or on weekends). even riddle likes his relaxation, especially if it's with you. his schedules can wait.

✧ taking care of a pet hedgehog together!!! you and riddle like to make mazes and obstacle courses out of cardboard or empty parcels for the hedgehog. :D

✧ taking care of houseplants and flowers together. there will always be a bouquet of roses in a vase somewhere in the house.

✧ running errands with riddle, but the two of you always get distracted when you pass the pâtisserie. you usually end up returning home with lots of delicious pastries (especially strawberry tarts)!! though nothing can beat the strawberry tarts from the clovers' hehe.

✧ riddle getting home late from work and, after taking his shoes off at the door, he trudges in to find you preparing dinner and he gives you the sweetest hug from behind, resting his head on your back while you ask him how his day was. <3 on the days when you get back late, whether from work or errands or anything, he will do his very best to cook a delicious meal for you.

✧ lots of good morning and good night kisses. and plenty of cuddling!!!

✧ doing crosswords in the morning during breakfast, completing the ones in the newspaper before moving onto the book of crosswords.

✧ board/video game nights!!! winner gets lots of smooches.

✧ getting ready in the morning and sharing the mirror with riddle, playfully elbowing him or bumping hips. he always returns the gesture with a teasing smirk.

✧ trying new recipes for the very first time and failing miserably, but the both of you are covered in flour and smell like a bakery, and it's a silly sight that has the both of you giggling.

✧ laying your head in riddle's lap (or he lays his head in your lap) and the two of you converse about the most random things. or just sitting to watch the sunset/sunrise and enjoying the silence and each other's presences.

✧ reminding each other to eat/drink when either of you are focused on something. also, convincing each other to get up and walk around if you've been seated for too long or have been staring at a screen for a while.

✧ hugging riddle or holding his hand while he has to struggle through phone calls with his mother, running your thumb over the top of his hand to console him.

✧ trying all of the things riddle never got to try as a child: escape rooms, different types of sweets, coffee, karaoke, amusement parks, just a lot of fun things. with karaoke, the two of you either try your best to sing perfectly or you're singing off-key and in silly voices; it quickly becomes more giggles than singing.

✧ meeting up with trey and che'nya for lunch and being lightheartedly teased by both of them, who remark how in love the two of you are. despite being together for so long, riddle still gets flustered and tells them to hush.

✧ caring for each other when you're sick or aren't feeling well mentally. meals in bed and keeping each other company. sometimes you'll talk about deep topics. sometimes you'll talk about that bird that always comes to the window. sometimes you won't talk at all, preferring to nap or read or do something else while knowing you're still together in the same room.

✧ cleaning the house together and putting on music and having an enjoyable time doing laundry, dusting, organizing, etc. if a song comes on that both of you really like, you'll stop what you're doing to dance together.

✧ growing strawberries with riddle!!!! the two of you have an entire garden of strawberry plants. riddle always gets so excited when the strawberries are fully ripe and ready to be picked come early summer. the two of you attempt to make strawberry tarts with them, but sometimes you'll just pick a few, clean them on your shirt, and eat them as they are.

[vs-redemption]

Soft Sunday: I’m soft.

Iwa: it doesn’t click with him until later why you been running your finger tips down his entire arms all day. Every chance you got you were squeezing his biceps, his shoulders etc. Until he just pulls you into his arms on the couch to watch a movie. He laughs softly and states you can have cuddles anytime. He won’t ever say no.

Mattsun: day 2 of the being locked in the house due to hazardous conditions outside. Blizzards

He helping you put together one of those Lego sculptures. Y’all were doing pretty well until you thought you misplaced a few pieces. Which was starting to frustrate you. Seeing that you were getting a bit frustrated he just pulls you into lap to hold you. Giving you little soft kisses here and there. “How about a break love”. His physical presence just makes the frustration and anxiety melt away whenever he holds you. He also loves it whenever you hold him too especially after one of those days after work. Your warmth reminds him you’re still full of life and that’s precious enough to hold and enjoy.

Osamu: After hours in his shop. New recipe development. You ask if he needed any help he declines and just ask you sit and be pretty while finish up the dish for you to taste test. He can tell you love when your cheeks look like a chipmunk. Full. Which makes his heart full. He loves spending time with you especially in a moment where he is doing something that he loves. Sharing that with you makes his stomach flutter with butterflies. He never admit to you that to you.

Sakusa/Semi: You make a weekend day of house cleaning rather enjoyable. Playing music while you clean was something new you brought into his life. He didn’t think he would enjoy your singing n dancing while y’all did the laundry together. How you manage to coax him into singing along with you is a story in itself. With you he is safe to indulge. You say you can’t carry a tune, but he begs to differ. You can sing. Especially signing along with Etta James” At Last”.

Bonus: Don’t think Semi won’t get you to record a song with him later. 😊😁

Soft Sunday Headcanons

With: Iwa, Mattsun, Osamu, Sakusa, Semi

Nothing could make you feel more loved, safe, and warm than being wrapped up in Iwa’s arms on a cold day with a snuggly blanket wrapped around you both while movies play back to back in the background. It’s a perfect day for both of you.

Working on a project together as a couple, even with something as silly as a Lego structure, helps you and Mattsun both build that teamwork and closeness that is important in a relationship. You can strategize, laugh, and get frustrated together. And having him there to hold you when it gets too tough is a reassurance you have not only in this situation, but for all obstacles that come up in your life together.

Even when he doesn’t particularly need your help in the shop, Osamu always makes sure to keep you involved. He wants you around to give advice, taste test, and coax a smile out of him when something isn’t turning out the way he hoped. You are an essential part in his life and he needs you to know that.

The singing and dancing might push Semi and Sakusa out of their comfort zone, especially Sakusa, but they quickly find that chores are made more bearable when you add this silly aspect to it. It gets even more special when you two find that one song that you both love and can sing together. Suddenly, they start looking forward to those private Sunday cleaning days so they can share a song with you again.

[cto10121]

Midnight Sun Part 2!!! Possibly my favorite section; I could not put it down, especially the rescue part. I did have Des Notes, though:

“It wasn’t really a difficult ask.” Nope, no way a vampire from 1901 would say this 2020s slang in 2006. Don’t slip up, Meyer!!! Or get better editors!!!

Alice introducing herself to Edward by hugging him and calling him brother and Edward going like “Yep, legit” will never not be great

Edward lying in bed and nearly giving Bella a heart attack with his sluttishness is almost worse in his POV, omg. How the fuck does that happen

Edward reading Tooth and Claw just because Bella recommended it. Remind me again why some people don’t like Edward?

Wait—Edward describes Bella’s scent as “lavender” or “freesia.” One of Bella’s favorite scents is lavender, as well as clean laundry. And she blushed when she looked at Edward, clearly thinking about his scent. Could Edward’s scent actually…be similar to Bella’s? Is that why her scent affects him so powerfully? Holy shit.

Edward “It was enlightening and alluring to watch her in her element” (Bella *eating Cheerios*) 🤝 Romeo “See how she leans her cheek upon her hand” (Juliet: *leaning her cheek on her hand*)

“Bella had gone to the other room to calm her mother. And then the vision had overtaken Alice.” Nice way to cover up that little plot hole, very enterprising

“The image of myself astride the sleek black motorcycle was so appealing that for a second I ignored her” 🤣🤣🤣🤣 🤣🤣🤣🤣 It’s giving Terminator. Love it. Also, what a great parallel to Bella’s motorcycle adventures

Very ambivalent about the highway scene. Otoh, it’s interesting and clever and detailed how the Cullens worked together. Otoh, it’s over the top at places! Like why did they flip the car into upcoming traffic????? Why did they even have to switch cars to begin with????? Meyer really should avoid full-length action scenes (I did like the Victoria fight in Eclipse, though)

Ngl, the James hunt is probably better than in Twilight, if just because Edward is at the front of the action. Still amazing how James slipped away from them

“Bella’s blood was the opposite of pain. It erased every burn I’d ever suffered. And it was so much more than just the absence of pain. It was satisfaction, it was bliss. I felt suffused with a strange kind of joy���a joy of the body alone. I was healed and alive, every nerve ending thrumming with contentment.” The Metaphor(tm) has now become literal.

Book Edward *drinking Bella’s blood*: ✨Bliss ✨🥰 >>>>>> Movie Edward: *gnaws on Bella’s arm like a chicken wing*

“The chuckle that bubbled up from my chest surprised me. I had her blood on her tongue. It was probably tinting the edges of my irises red even now. It was drying into my clothes and dyeing my skin. But she could still make me laugh”

Jasper looks so dangerous to other vampires that James just…accepts his fate. Like welp, guess I’ll die. Iconic

“Why am I towing that ridiculous truck?” Okay, the Cullens hating Bella’s truck is officially a gag.

“For a moment, I imagined Renée as a vampire. Would her thoughts shout audibly at everyone, inescapable?” Nice foreshadowing/Easter egg for Renesmee. So there is a meaning and rationale behind the name other than Bella’s corniness.

That section where Edward watches James’ video and is so overcome with rage and despair and then starts to pray for the strength to leave Bella…that passage was so well-written I was nearly crying

Re: Edward’s decision to leave Bella, It is genius on Meyer’s part (or, well, just practical) to make the obstacles internal instead of external. Edward needs to deal with the consequences of leaving Bella and learn from his mistakes

Finished and in sum: This was great and only gets better in the re-reading. There is a lot of whinging and whining over certain aspects, mostly by anti fans, but those didn’t really bother me. Most lines were taken out of context, as they always do, and spun into something questionable; in context they were fine. Then there are those who say it is better and better-written than Twilight, but I disagree. Twilight was much better structured and less superfluous in detail than Midnight Sun, which could get bogged down in minute-to-minute summary. That said, Midnight Sun does have the advantage that all the dynamic change and development are on Edward’s side than Bella’s, as in a proper Beauty and the Beast telling. But Bella’s story does have power and is arguably more subversive than Edward’s. I think the two complement ultimately each other—the subtext of Twilight is the text of Midnight Sun, and vice versa. Reading both gets you a more complete picture…which the TV show would undoubtedly fuck up in some way if they decide to use parts of Midnight Sun. Le sigh.

[evelhak]

Hi Eve! I was wondering whether your writing ideas come to you when you're in the zone (pun unintended) or if they come when you're doing something active.

I'm just wondering bc when I go on long walks I feel like my mind gets flooded w/ ideas

Hi Mari! I love this topic. Short answer is both ways and they're not mutually exclusive either. Ideas can come to me from anywhere at any time and any state of mind, there's no predicting that really. New ideas or key plot points and solutions tend to come as sudden realizations though. Sometimes they come in dreams too, as clichéd as that sounds. Sometimes they just come because I saw something at the right time and my mind drew a pattern between the thing and other things I already know and a single idea was formed from their interconnectedness.

Sometimes it's as inconsequential as how I was putting a melted chocolate in the fridge, not at all thinking about writing (consciously anyway), but it somehow made a joke Kagami could make in a certain situation about melted chocolate to flash in my mind, and then that joke lead to a solution I had been looking for to slow the story down at a certain point where I had been running out of obstacles to throw in the characters' way.

When I'm actively developing an idea into a story though, that's when I like to go for a walk as well, and listen to music, or I listen to it in bed before falling asleep. I'm mostly a pantser so the plot only forms completely when I write, and I don't really benefit from traditional outlining techniques but I've found that collecting music that reminds me of the story and characters serves as a good sounding board, and my "outline" comes from arranging that music to a playlist in the order the events and themes the songs refer to, should happen. When I listen to them in order I always develop a better understanding of the grand scheme of the story as well as find new key details or flavours that enrich different elements in the story.

I think I experience the flooding of ideas the most at night if I can't sleep, or if I'm doing a monotonous task that leaves too much of my brain idle for hours (such as when I was carrying mail or working at a laundry place). But it's rarely many different ideas, it tends to be just one storyline or even just one conversation between characters that keeps going forward in my head and I'm unable to stop it, haha. So it feels like flooding.

The vast majority of my ideas, and especially how they fit together, do come while I'm actually writing the story though, zone or no zone. Also it's sometimes hard to tell which was first, did you come up with an amazing idea because your brain was in an ideal state, or did you reach that ideal state because you came up with an idea that inspired you so much?

But then, I did experience more flooding at the times in my life when I didn't have a lot of time to write. That was really really frustrating. It seems that my mind will keep filling up and I have to keep writing those stories out, because if I don't write they will still keep happening and going forward in my brain even though it's not in as much detail, and eventually it just becomes too much and I have to write it out or I will lose my mind, because the stuff just keeps coming and it isn't going anywhere unless I write. Once I have written the story out my brain naturally stops elaborating on the points of time that have passed in the story's timeline, because they become history; fixed.

So, in short it's like everything is part of the process of generating ideas and they come at all sorts of crossroads with my subconscious and reality? It's always going on in the background.

I hope that answers your question. 😁

[blubushie]

for jess - a9, a24, b7, c8, d4, f4, h9, i6

for charles - b1

for you - L1

have fun, you HAVE to answer ALL of them (you don't have to answer all of them)

I love you I love you I love you. Original post.

A9 Jesse: Does your OC make a lot of excuses? For themselves? Others?

Not for herself. She does make a lot of excuses for other people, namely her father and Mundy and especially for Mundy when she's speaking to her father about him. She has to defend the object of her affections from her angry dad and when she's discussing it with her father she consistently downplays just how bad things actually were during that month of captivity (mostly because she knows that if she told Charles the whole truth Mundy would be dead by the end of the week).

A24 Jesse: What are some of your OC’s biggest personal obstacles? This could be emotional, physical, social… Are they aware of it? Are they trying to overcome it?

Trauma and her estranged relationship with her father. She's convinced herself that what she's gone through really wasn't that bad—I reckon that her father telling her horror stories from the war didn't help much—but it definitely haunts her and that lingering trauma is anything but gone. She gradually works through her trauma with Mundy (they do it together) and her struggle shifts more to focusing on her relationship with her father and her sense of self-worth. She's aware of the trauma and how difficult her relationship with her father is, but the self-worth isn't something she even realises is an issue. She isn't making an effort to overcome any of them however, and resolves to just work through them in time.

B7 Jesse: How do they respond to babies crying in public?

Mostly indifferent to kids. Crying is a mite annoying for her but she just tries to ignore it. She's definitely the type to go over and start doing silly faces so the kid stops crying.

C8 Jesse: Is your OC more practical or ideal morally? I.e., do they hold people to high expectations of behavior even if it’s not realistic for the situation, or do they have a more realistic approach and adapt their morality to be more practical?

Definitely more on the practical side of things. She's a mercenary, so she doesn't necessarily have some high standard of morality—in fact, Jesse is not as innocent as she seems.

D4 Jesse: Would they like to be immortal? Why, why not? If they are immortal, would they rather not be?

She's definitely the type to say she wants to be immortal and then three hundred years later be desperately trying to come up with ways to put herself in the ground because she can't take it anymore. Jesse loves deeply and hard, and eventually the point of seeing everyone she loves get old and die and not being able to join them would get to her head.

F4 Jesse: How clean are they overall with home upkeep?

She has chores around BLU Base (does her own laundry, makes her own lunch, in charge of her own effects) but her room has clutter everywhere like a mad lady's washing despite how often Suki pesters her to clean it. It's not so much that she's a slob, just that she forgets and procrastinates when it comes to keeping things tidy. At the least she knows where everything in the clutter is so it's necessarily a complete mess, and it's much better now than it was when she first got to BLU.

H9 Jesse: What are some things that your OC finds to be an instant turn-off in potential partners?

"Not Mundy." Seriously though, it would be someone who can't listen. She yabbers constantly because her mind is basically always going and she needs someone who can just listen sometimes.

I6 Jesse: Could they eat the same thing they enjoy over and over and not get bored of it quickly?

“I grew up dirt poor, alright? Y’know what’s the cheapest meat you can buy? Chicken. I was raised on that shit. Never get tired a’ chicken.” Jesse loves chicken. Fried is her favourite but she loves the parmi Mundy makes. Thanks to Mundy she also ends up having a craving for rabbit since it tastes similar to chicken but just a mite more gamey.

B1 Charles: Do they believe you have to give respect to get it, or get respect to give it?

Charles is very formal and is of the understanding that some people are automatically owed respect regardless of whether they give any back (specifically the British monarchy and superiors in rank, for example). When it comes to his teammates he's a mite up himself and doesn't necessarily see them as equals with the exception of Okumura. He'll typically be the first to extend an olive branch when it comes to respect, but that's more of his diplomatic tendencies and negotiation skills coming through than anything else. Normally he holds himself to a high regard and would expect respect to be given to him first, and then he'll extend some back to you.

L1 author: How have your characters changed since you created them?

Quite a bit! Mundy was originally from Wiluna, WA, but I tried to keep close to canon and despite the physical impossibility of being shot out of New Zealand and landing "a mile away" in Outback Australia (everywhere on the east coast is too green for where his home is, and the Tasman Sea spans a lot wider than a mile) I decided to keep that as close to canon as I could and had him be from Tilpa, NSW instead. (Shout out to Tilpa, I love that little town.) Jesse was originally a bloke, and then I decided to make her a chick and she was briefly paired up with Liem but during some writing exercises I realised she worked better as having a brother-sister relationship with him than anything else. Instead I briefly considered pairing her with Jeremy, but even if Jeremy and Miss Pauling didn't end up together, according to the comics Jeremy is completely loyal to Pauling and I try to stick to comic canon as much as possible. While writing Chapter 4 I realised that I really liked the chemistry between Jesse and Mundy, and the rest is history!

[callmebrycelee]

9-1-1: LONE STAR REACTION

This reaction is for the season 4, eighth episode "Control Freaks" which originally aired March 14, 2023. The episode was written by Jalysa Conway and directed by Toni Garrett. Spoilers ahead!

***LAST TIME ON 9-1-1: LONE STAR***Paul went out on a date with Asha Fulton - the department advocate from the Professional Standards Division of the Austin Fire Department Internal Affairs. Also, Tommy hit a rough patch in her relationship with Trevor when his daughter, Melody, attempts to break them up.

Now that we're all caught up, let's chat about episode eight - CONTROL FREAKS.  

We begin the episode at Captain Strand's abode. Owen, Mateo, and Nancy are gathered to see TK and Carlos' tuxedos for the wedding. Now Ronen Rubinstein and Rafael Silva are hot just in regular clothes. In formalwear they are absolutely gorgeous. I love that they were wearing simple yet sophisticated black tuxes instead of doing the whole thing where one of them wears white and the other wears black. Even the bowties are black. People really underestimate the simplicity of black and white. Let the pop of color be the flowers and the other decorations. Anywho, I digress! Owen tells them the tuxes don't work and he isn't particularly fond of the pocket squares. He says they're bland like Paul's oatmeal.

SHAAAAADDDDDDEEEE! Mateo calls the tuxes dope but Owen tells them they're not going for dope. They're going for transcendent. Owen is a bit of a bridezilla, or rather a groomzilla, in this scene and it was so much fun to watch TK and Carlos bond over their mutual annoyance over the situation. 

We then see Marjan on her bike. It's so good to see our Firefox! She's all the way in New Mexico which I reckon isn't that far from Austin, Texas. She comes across a man and a woman standing next to an RV that's on fire. Marjan gets off her bike and tells them to step away from the RV. She uses a fire extinguisher and puts out the small fire. The couple introduces themselves as travel vloggers and Marjan tells them about her Instagram account. She also tells them that she used to be a firefighter. Marjan says she thought being on the open road would grant her some clarity and purpose but all she's found is more road. Marjan diagnoses the issue with the RV. Turns out it's the A/C belt creating the issue. Marjan cuts the belt and tells them they need a new one, especially out in the sweltering desert. She wishes them both luck. When Marjan goes to get back on her bike, she finds a note presumably from the woman, Kiley (Brooke Sorenson) saying Help, he's going to kill me. It is after this scene that I immediately told my mom this is very similar to the whole Gabby Petito and Brandon Laundrie case from a few years ago. I know Lone Star and the OG series parody real-life emergencies but this is one of the first times I can recall one of the shows actually drawing from a real-life situation.

In our next scene we see a man named Kevin (Cory Blevins) teaching his son Wesley (Benjamin Stockham) how to drive. Kevin's extremely Type A behavior is stressing Wesley out. So much so that it causes Wesley to hit one of the obstacles set up for his parallel parking test. Kevin chastises him and talks about his perfect driving record. Wesley calls his dad a control freak. They both end up getting out of the car and Kevin climbs into the driver's seat. Shortly thereafter, Kevin starts having an attack which causes his foot to smash down on the gas pedal. We then get a 9-1-1 call from Wesley telling Grace that his car has flew up the road.

The 126 arrive at the scene and everyone is baffled as to how there is a medium-sized sedan lodged in a telephone pole. Both Kevin and Wesley are still conscious which is a miracle in itself. Wesley thinks his dad is having a heart attack because his grandfather died from a widowmaker. There are live wires all around the car causing sparks to go off in all directions. Judd raises the ladder on the rig and Paul climbs to the top very similarly to how Buck did over on the OG series. Paul first hands Wesley a blanket to use to put over the broken window. The blanket will serve as an insulator. He then places a board int he car and tells Wesley that his dad will need to come out first since he's having a medical emergency. Kevin starts freaking out and tells them that it's not a good idea to leave the car until the electrical company arrives and shuts off the power. Wesley tells his dad to shut up and let him help him. Kevin complies and Wesley ties a rope around his waist. Meanwhile the car is now on fire so it's tick-tock, gotta hurry! Kevin is eased out of the vehicle and now it's Wesley's turn. Wesley manages to exit the car and Judd swings the ladder away from the car just in the nick of time. The car exploded but everyone is safe. The fire is put out and Wesley rides in the ambulance with his dad. 

Over at the firehouse, TK and Carlos are eating lunch. The rest of the 126 arrive and they are happy to discover that Carlos has brought them street tacos. YUM! Owen says he can't eat tacos because he has a wedding to go to. Oh, Owen. SMH. LOL. He reminds TK and Carlos of the cake-tasting at his house. He also tells them he knows of a gluten-free, daily-free, whatever-free bakery that can make their cake. Owen then starts to rail against sugar. Carlos calls him a dadzilla. Good one, Carlos! TK defends his dad but Nancy tells him that Owen is drunk on power. TK is happy because this is the first time in a long time he's seen his dad so invested. Judd suggests TK and Carlos have a talk with Owen and speaks of the issues he had with Grace's father prior to them tying the knot. Carlos says that someone needs to stand up to Owen and he knows the perfect person. Cue Godfather music.

TK and Carlos go to see Andrea Reyes (Roxana Brusso) and tell her all about Owen taking over their wedding planning. Andrea reminds them that the relationship between in-laws is too important. She cannot interfere. Carlos tells her Owen wants to go gluten-free on the cake and she responds with a resounding Hell to the No!

Back in New Mexico, Marjan pulls up to a diner. She sees the couple from earlier. A trucker named Patty (played by the amazing Dot-Marie Jones) sits by her at the counter. Marjan is too occupied with staring at the couple to notice. Patty tells her that she's being creepy. Marjan tells her she helped the couple with some engine trouble and when she finished she saw a note on her bike. Marjan can't reconcile the note with the happy couple eating. Patty tells Marjan that if she thinks something's going on, it's worth checking out. It's better to be a kook than for the girl to end up dead. Great advice, Patty! Marjan sees Kiley head for the restroom so she decides to make her move. Kiley hugs Marjan when she sees her and Marjan notices the bruises on her neck. Marjan says she will call the cops but Kiley says there's no use since the police won't do anything. Kiley says she was hoping Marjan would save her but Marjan says there's no room on her bike. She tells the woman to finish her lunch and she will think of something. They both leave the restroom. 

Marjan returns to her seat and asks Patty where she's headed. Patty tells her she's heading close to Denver. Marjan suggests that Kiley can ride with Patty and Patty seems on board with the idea. An announcement over the intercom lets Kiley and her boyfriend, Grant (Cameron Cowperthwaite) that their RV is ready. Marjan decides to send two pieces of apple pie over to Kiley and Grant to stall them.

TK heads over to Owen's house with Andrea and Carlos. Owen is looking at floral arrangements. Owen tells Andrea she should be involved in the cake-tasting. He has her try two pieces of cake and she likes slice number two. Owen announces the cake is vegan which is shocking to Andrea. Both TK and Carlos try the vegan cake and have to admit that it's delicious. Owen and Andrea appear to be getting along very well which means Carlos' plan to reign Owen in has backfired big time. Owen asks Andrea to help out with flower arrangements and Andrea is thrilled. It appears two monsters have been created!

Meanwhile, back in New Mexico, Grant is upset over the price of the fan belt for the RV. Kiley suggests posting more videos as a means of getting more money. He blames her for their added expenses. When he goes to start the RV, the engine won't crank up. He lashes out at the mechanic. Marjan walks up and tries to distract Grant while Kiley sneaks away to Patty's truck. The mechanic notices something unplugged and Grant gets suspicious of Marjan. That's when he notices Kiley is gone. Marjan tells him he will never see her again. We then watch as Patty's truck pulls away but Kiley is not on board. Kiley walks back over to Grant. Marjan is seething! Back in Texas, Owen and Andrea look at flower arrangements while TK and Carlos observe. TK is overwhelmed and Andrea says you only get married once - or, in Carlos' case, twice. SHAAAAADDDDDDEEEE! Owen and Andrea are shade assassins! TK and Carlos are not feeling the flower arches and orchids. TK's frustration and anger bubbles over and he snaps. He calls Owen controlling and fires him as their unofficial wedding planner. Carlos also fires his mom.

Back on the road in New Mexico, Grant is upset with Kiley because she almost left him. Kiley apologizes and tells him she loves him so much. She cries and he tells her she does not get to cry. Grant continues to yell at her and Kiley confesses to leaving a note asking for help on Marjan's bike. Grant tells Kiley that Marjan abandoned her just like everyone does - except for him. He tells her he is the only one who can stand her. Way harsh, Grant! The camera then zooms out and we see Marjan following them very close on her bike. My only concern for Marjan is what if the RV comes to an abrupt stop. She's gonna end up smashing into the rear of the RV.

Owen and Andrea retreat to the captain's house and have cake. Owen is upset over TK and Carlos' accusations. Andrea says this is not the first time she's been accused of not listening. She talks about Carlos coming out. Since she didn't know what to say, her and Gabriel said nothing. Andrea knows this hurt her son and it's her biggest regret. Owen assures her that Carlos forgives her. Her going overboard with the wedding plans is her trying to make up for sins of the past. She asks Owen what's his excuse.

The RV pulls over at a gas station. Grant forces Kiley to get out. Marjan watches them. After Grant refills the RV's tank, they get back on the road. Grant is playing music really loud and Kiley starts crying. He pulls over on the side of the road and slaps Kiley. Marjan emerges from the rear of the RV and hits Grant with Chekov's fire extinguisher. Grant is knocked out cold. Marjan calls the police and the marriage is taken away. Kiley thanks Marjan and tells her that her purpose is rescuing people. 

In our final scene of the episode, Owen arrives at TK and Carlos' apartment. TK answers the door and tells Owen that Carlos went to dinner with Andrea. Owen tells TK he doesn't have an olive branch but he does give him extra virgin olive oil which I thought was cute. Owen admits to TK that he went slightly overboard with the wedding plans and that he's been insufferable. He says he thought he was doing it for TK but he's been doing it for himself. Owen is scared that planning this wedding will be the last thing TK will need him for. He tells TK that Carlos is going to take great care of him so his job will be over. TK says he doesn't know the first thing about being married and tells Owen he's an amazing father and he will need him when he becomes a parent. TK calls Owen his best friend. The episode ends here.

So, a big complaint by viewers, or maybe a vocal few on Reddit, is that Lone Star is lacking this season on emergencies and rescues. This episode had only one emergency unless you count Marjan rescuing Kiley from Grant. Last week we only had two emergencies. While I think this is a valid critique of the show, as a long-time fan of this show, it's never been the emergencies and rescues that drew me in. I love the characters and I love their various relationships. This episode was short on the emergencies but I loved seeing the interaction between TK and Owen and Carlos and Andrea. Besides this is Austin, Texas. I sincerely doubt the 126 are responding to emergencies at the same rate the 118 are. Especially huge emergencies like cars hanging off cliffs or tsunamis wiping out thousands of people. The 126 probably spent the bulk of their time responding to small house fires and traffic accidents and let's face it, no one wants to watch those types of emergencies. We want the big ones. The bizarre ones. That is how I reconcile the lack of emergencies in my head. 

It looks like we're getting closer to a Tarlos wedding. I'm excited to see these two tie the knot. I'm so glad Owen is involved in the wedding planning especially since he's been a bit preoccupied with stopping terrorist plots at the beginning of this season. One of the things that really endeared me to this show is the relationship between Owen Strand and his son. I love that we got a lot of Owen and TK this episode. They are alike in so many ways but this episode was a reminder of how different they are. Owen is so fussy about details and TK could care less. I love how TK defended Owen to his friends. I think TK understands deep down that Owen is trying to make up for not showing up to things when he was younger and now that Gwyn is gone, he is the only parent. On the flipside, I like that we are getting more insight on Carlos and his relationship to his parents, especially his mother, Andrea. It would've been so cliche to have them be the super conservative Mexican family who turns their back on their gay son but they're not those parents. They love their son even if they haven't always understood him which is all that matters. I hope we get more Andrea and Gabriel.

As for Marjan, I like they we are following her on the road. It's giving Marjan a chance to shine away from the 126. Another thing I like about this being on the road plot is that technically she could go back to the 126 since that couple dropped their case against her but that's not the whole reason why she left in the first place. I think Marjan will appreciate the 126 and being a firefighter more after she has a chance to learn more about herself. I look forward to seeing what happens next with her.

Overall, this episode was pretty great. It did give filler episode vibes at times but the scenes with Owen, TK, Carlos, and Andrea are so important. Admittedly I did miss having Grace in the episode but we did get her voice at least. I think once we start getting some Nancy and Mateo stopies, I'll be extremely satisfied because so far those  two characters haven't had a real storyline this season. Perhaps we'll get that soon. Until next time ...

[elsycha]

The Unsung Heroes of Every Home - The Housekeeper

A properly maintained home is not simply an area to live; it's a haven, a reflection of one's individuality, and a sanctuary for solace. Behind every immaculate room and a welcoming ambience, there's often an unrecognized hero, the house cleaner. Caretakers play a vital role in the day-to-day upkeep of our homes, making them comfortable and arranged. In this article, we will certainly explore the world of housekeepers, exploring their responsibilities, the significance of their job, the skills needed for the task, and their role in the contemporary globe.

The Role of a Maid

Caretakers are the backbone of an efficiently working home. They are responsible for a range of jobs, including cleansing, organizing, and maintaining the general orderliness of a home. This includes cleaning, sweeping, wiping, vacuuming, laundry, and even dish preparation in some cases. Maids ensure that every corner of your house is immaculate, allowing you to loosen up and appreciate your area without the concern of chores.

Besides cleaning, maids are likewise delegated with organizing and handling family things. They make sure that whatever is in its rightful location, making the home extra efficient and reducing mess. In larger homes or establishments like resorts, maids are commonly in charge of coordinating with other personnel and making sure the building is in leading problem for visitors.

The Importance of Housekeepers

The importance of caretakers in our lives can not be overstated. They not only totally free us from the problem of everyday chores however also contribute to our overall health. A clean and orderly home is recognized to lower stress and anxiety and increase efficiency. Housemaids allow us to concentrate on our jobs, leisure activities, and relationships, making life extra satisfying. Furthermore, their thorough work ensures that our living spaces stay hygienic, decreasing the danger of health problems.

When it comes to companies, particularly in the hospitality sector, caretakers are vital to maintaining a favorable track record. A well-kept resort room or dining establishment area produces a positive impression on guests, bring about repeat service and radiant reviews. Housekeepers are typically the invisible hands that shape the understanding of a resort or any kind of various other service-oriented establishment.

Skills and High Qualities of a Housemaid

Being a maid is not merely regarding cleansing; it's a multifaceted role that requires a specific set of skills and high qualities. These professionals require to be detail-oriented, detailed, and efficient. They need to have an eager eye for spotting areas that need cleansing and an understanding of the best cleaning products and strategies to utilize.

Furthermore, housekeepers ought to have excellent time monitoring abilities. They frequently have a checklist of jobs to complete within a set period, making it essential for them to work efficiently without jeopardizing on high quality. The ability to adjust to various cleansing obstacles, such as stubborn stains or fragile surfaces, is additionally important.

In regards to high qualities, dependability is extremely important. Caretakers commonly have accessibility to the personal rooms and items of their employers, making it crucial for them to be trustworthy and very discreet. Great interaction skills are likewise beneficial, especially when coordinating jobs with various other house team or addressing the preferences of their companies.

The Modern Maid

In today's fast-paced globe, the function of the caretaker has evolved to adjust to transforming way of livings. The standard concept of the live-in maid is currently much less typical, and many caretakers work on a part-time or as-needed basis. The job economic situation and freelance systems have actually made it much easier for individuals to work with house cleaners for details tasks.

Technology has likewise had a considerable effect on the occupation. Numerous house cleaners utilize apps and digital tools for scheduling, task monitoring, виж страницата and communication with customers. This modernization has actually made it easier for both clients and housekeepers to collaborate and handle their responsibilities successfully.

In addition, the growing understanding of environmental sustainability has actually influenced the cleaning methods of many caretakers. They are progressively using environmentally friendly and non-toxic cleaning products, aligning with the international change toward a more lasting and health-conscious way of living.

Maids are the unsung heroes who make our lives extra comfortable and pleasurable. Their commitment to preserving tidy, arranged, and sanitary home is vital. In both private homes and business establishments, their job plays an important role in developing positive perceptions, decreasing anxiety, and enhancing our general quality of life.

As the duty of caretakers progresses with transforming times and innovations, their importance continues to be undiminished. In a globe where time is a precious asset, house cleaners are the aiding hand that allows us to take advantage of our lives. They transform chaos into order, and for that, they deserve our admiration and recognition. The following time you walk into a spick-and-span, inviting home or remain in a well-kept resort area, bear in mind the housekeeper-- the true guardian of cleanliness and comfort.

[silvawardrobesvd]

Designing the Perfect Built In Wardrobe: Tips and Tricks

When it comes to organising our homes, having enough storage space is a top priority. One of the best ways to maximise your storage potential is by installing a built in wardrobes Sydney. Not only does a built in wardrobe provide ample storage space, but it can also add value and style to your home.

However, designing the perfect built in wardrobe can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it can be challenging to know where to start. That's why in this blog post, we'll provide you with some helpful tips and tricks to help you design the perfect built in wardrobe for your needs.

From assessing your storage needs and planning the layout to choosing the right materials and adding finishing touches, we'll cover all the essential steps you need to take to create a closet that's both functional and stylish. Whether you're starting from scratch or revamping an existing closet, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and inspiration you need to design the perfect built in wardrobe.

A built in wardrobe is an excellent addition to any home. It can maximise your storage space, keep your clothes and accessories organised, and add value to your property. However, designing the perfect built in wardrobe can be challenging, especially if you're not familiar with the process. That's why we've compiled a list of tips and tricks to help you create the closet of your dreams.

Assessing Your Needs

When assessing your storage needs, think about how many clothes and accessories you have, how you want to organise them, and how much space you have available. Consider the height, width, and depth of your closet, and decide which items you want to store at eye level, which ones you want to hang, and which ones you want to fold. You may also want to consider adding additional features like a built in ironing board, a laundry basket, or a built in dresser.

Planning the Layout

When planning the layout of your built in wardrobe, start with a basic floor plan that shows the dimensions of your closet space. Determine the placement of your hanging racks, shelves, and drawers, and consider adding any additional features like shoe racks or built in lighting. Make sure to leave enough space for walking and dressing, and don't forget to take into account any obstacles like windows or doors.

Choosing the Right Materials

The materials you choose for your built in wardrobe will affect the look and durability of your closet. Consider using high-quality wood like oak or maple for a classic and timeless look, or choose a more modern material like laminated MDF or high-gloss finishes for a sleek and contemporary feel. You'll also need to choose the right hardware for your closet, such as handles, knobs, and hinges. Hardware can add a touch of elegance and functionality to your built in wardrobe, so choose wisely.

Adding Finishing Touches

To make your built in wardrobe even more functional and stylish, consider adding some finishing touches like tie racks, jewellery trays, or shoe racks. You can also choose a colour scheme that complements the rest of your room's décor, or add some decorative elements like moulding or trim to give your closet a custom look. Finally, decide on the door style you want for your built in wardrobe, whether it's sliding doors, hinged doors, or no doors at all.

Hiring a Professional

While it's certainly possible to design and install a built in wardrobe on your own, it's often a good idea to hire a professional to help you with the project. A professional designer can help you assess your needs, plan the layout, choose the right materials, and ensure that your closet is installed correctly and meets all local building codes. They can also offer advice on finishing touches and door styles, and help you create a closet that's both functional and beautiful.

In conclusion, designing the perfect built in wardrobe takes careful planning, attention to detail, and a good eye for design. By assessing your needs, planning the layout, choosing the right materials, adding finishing touches, and hiring a professional, you can create a closet that's both functional and beautiful, and that meets all your storage needs.

[skylarsblue]

Hi could you do the slashers with a yandere s/o who also happens to kinda brutally kill people? Thanks 😊

(This is the ask where I wrote like, 500 words, and then it deleted itself. The audacity. Also, fun fact, when I redid this it refused to save. So I had to go through and copy/paste everything. I barely managed to do it all before the site crashed again. I might do more of these later on, but for now, I'm only gonna do four of them.) Trigger Warning; Descriptions of murder, blood, & gore, kidnapping(mentioned), stalking(implied) Unhealthy relationships and an unstable (Gender Neutral) Y/N. Barely proofread.

Ghostface; Danny 'Jed Olsen' Johnson (A sweet-faced & doting lover; A House Spouse)

Danny had been stressed out of his mind. More so than usual. Combinations of his day job and his "passion project" were intense enough most days, tiring but manageable for his twisted mind. Though recently, a new variable had made it increasingly more difficult. Trying to keep his hobby a secret was easy when he wasn't close to anyone, being overly cynical and critical of others made it easy to keep himself socially isolated. Keeping appearances without risk. However, conflict arose when he met someone he genuinely enjoyed the company of. You.

Danny had managed to go years without this kind of outcome. And yet, here he was, straining himself more than usual to try and keep face. All you had done was move across the street. He'd done his usual sleuthing, played his All-American mask, charmed his way into your home. It was meant to be the same thing as before. Yet somehow, against all kinds of barriers and obstacles, you'd wormed his way into his psyche and stuck there. He knew he was fucked when his thoughts would drift off in the middle of writing articles. Especially when his beloved cat decided you were good enough to like. Months of late-night talks on his lawn chairs or inviting him over for coffee and something you had baked. He mentally berated himself for liking your cooking so much. He'd even opened up to you slightly. Complaining about the woman who wouldn't take no for an answer at his job, how it gave him headaches. The way you portrayed yourself would work so well with Jed. Polite, a bit playful, helpful. It almost made Danny jealous, of himself no less. It felt ridiculous and added a tremendous amount of strife to keep you from seeing anything incriminating. He found himself exhausted as he parked in front of his house, rolling his neck, allowing it to crack loudly. The brunet huffed and took a quick glance at your home. He stopped when he noted something…off. Danny knew your schedule to a T, even if it was a bit sporadic sometimes. The typical times you woke up, what you tended to have for breakfast, hell, he knew how you did your laundry. So seeing all the lights off, curtains drawn so tightly, it sent his nerves alight. Curiosity mingling with…worry? "God, I'm pathetic." Danny huffed as he made his way over to your home. He knew every exit, every lock, every shaky window. Your front door being locked didn't deter him at all. It felt odd doing this in his work clothes, however. With skill and practice, he jumped over your small fence and approached the side door that lead into the garage. Its lock was old and rusty, easy to jiggle out of place. The man let himself in. There wasn't a sound he could discern, no TV or kitchen noises. He shook off the idea that he was concerned for you and chalked it up to only being perplexed by the sudden change in your behavior. Even spaced steps lead him to the door that went from the garage to the main portion of your home, as he walked in silently, he could faintly pick out your humming. He carefully stepped down the hallway toward the sound, seemingly from the kitchen. The closer he got the more he could smell the heavy, chemical scent of bleach and peroxide. Turning a corner revealed the only light on in your home was the small light above your sink. One you essentially never used. For once, Danny showed a bit of apprehension as he went to the doorway to your kitchen. His breath hitched at the sight. A half-cleaned scene of carnage. Blood stained the tile and a few spots on the wall. Some spots were pink and streaked, clearly wiped over. Two bottles of bleach sat on your counter. Where he often had morning discussions with you. Caramel brown eyes looked to the corner where a body lay on trash bags. His coworker, the one he'd complained about. Stabbed so many times her torso barely resembled a body anymore. He tore his eyes from the corpse and finally looked at you. Sat on the floor, pleasantly humming a song he'd shown you from a high school mixtape, back turned to him. Wiping up a plethora of blood from your floor. Dressed in one of the aprons he, almost shamefully, had fantasized you in with nothing underneath.

It took you going to dip the rag in a blood-water bucket for you to notice him. There wasn't a moment of fear or panic. He watched you gasp and then smile sweetly, standing up. "Jed! I didn't know you were coming. I would've cleaned up faster." You said, stepping closer with an aura of peace & joy. Danny looked down at your face. Blown out pupils, a gentle gaze, he could practically hear your pulse. He glanced at the body in the corner. "Oh, right." You speaking made him look back to you. "I know you complained about her, and she was already upsetting me, so I figured I could get rid of her. You already work so hard. She shouldn't be making it any worse." Your explanation was affectionate. As if you'd done him a service… And indeed you had.

"So that's why you were busy today…" Danny smiled, allowing himself to tuck you closer by the waist. He felt bubbling pride at the way you didn't hesitate to melt. "You did a wonderful job, you know that? How about I help you clean up?" He asked softly.

"Then I can reward you."

Leatherface; Thomas Hewitt (A rough-edged soft-souled partner. A protector.)

The Hewitt family was always seen as odd in the tiny town of Fuller. Luda Mae was known as a hardass and Monty certainly seemed a bit off his rocker. Charlie was seen as a jack-ass, pretty rightfully so. But the member of that family that was most rumored about, most insulted, and most disputed? Thomas Hewitt. The baby pulled out of the trash. Luda swore he was her son and would go through hell to defend him. Anyone in Fuller who knew who Thomas was had an opinion, just about every single one of them was negative. It seemed that it was just his existence to be called ugly and stupid for the rest of his life. It got a bit better when he was pulled from school at age fourteen, but the rare time that the family needed to head into town, he could hear the muttering. However, unbeknownst to Thomas, for the longest time, there was one resident who didn't view him that way. Even when you never approached him, your opinion had never changed. You'd viewed Thomas from afar for the longest time. Usually in class when you two were younger. It crushed you when he suddenly stopped showing up. You hadn't forgotten him once despite having yet to see him again. He often plagued your thoughts, even now as a young adult, working for your family. It was easier to do than trying to get a job anywhere else. Cleaning the little shop run by your father now took up a large portion of your time. The world seemed pretty dull. Keeping to yourself and day dreaming about the boy you'd never had the confidence to approach as a child.

And then, like the heavens opened up to hear you, a somewhat familiar woman wandered into the store. Ms.Hewitt. You didn't approach her right away, simply listening to her discuss what she needed from your father. You winced when your father demanded more money. Followed by Luda asking for a favor, it was all the money she had. "I'll cover the rest." You said, setting the broom against the service counter. Luda Mae blinked in awe at the sudden act of kindness and you brushed off your father's arguments. "Just give this woman the food crates, pa. It's not like they're sellin' extra well anyway." You retorted, setting some money in the register before turning to get the cart that held said crates from the back. Luda Mae found herself smiling, though it wasn't very wide, it wasn't any less genuine. "So, how we gettin' these into your truck, Ms.Hewitt?" You asked as you dragged the cart out the door. "Oh, I brought my boy Tommy. He can handle it." She explained. Unbeknownst to her, your heart began to soar.

It was then that you watched the long-lost muse to your dreams get out of the truck. He'd grown so much. At least 6'4" now, if not taller. You swallowed as you watched him saunter over, a mask covering his face. He took only a second to glance at your face before he looked down, almost ashamed. "Well, he seems like he can handle the heavy lifting, that's for sure." You commented almost playfully. It made Thomas's attention flick for a moment. "That he can." Luda replied. Finally, after years, you managed to look Thomas in the eye and give him a smile. Something you used to be so fearful of. "Nice to see you doin' well, Tommy. Missed you when ya left school." You were confident he wouldn't really remember you. Even if he had noticed the quiet kid at the back of the class, your newfound confidence almost made you seem like a new person. Still, you felt the words needed to be said.

That day made such a difference. Luda remembered you and anytime she had to make a run to town, with Thomas or not, she'd make sure to clue you in on the family happenings. News about Thomas especially. Never before had someone regarded her son with such kindness, and she was intending to try and keep it. Naturally, word got around Fuller, and you became subject to some public ridicule. Much to your father's annoyance. He took his reputation very seriously, so hearing you had been heading out to the Hewitt house didn't go over well. But, as an adult, he couldn't force you anywhere. You remained there even when Fuller's population began dwindling. Staying in the tiny house about a mile from the Hewitt home despite your family's arguing.

And when the meat plant went out of business, Thomas and Luda were insistent that "Hoyt's" idea stay in the family. That not a word of it reached you. Lest you see Thomas as a monster like everyone else. Charlie & Monty didn't care for you. Harshly opinionated and far from submissive, but Luda refused to get rid of the only person that regarded her precious Tommy with such adoration. And then one day, you showed up unexpectedly, with some canned produce you felt they could use. Staying longer than the family wanted you to. You were about to ask where Thomas was when rapid footsteps and a scream resounded from the basement. Naturally, you turned to look. A bloodied woman arising from the steps and the rev of a chainsaw. Luda felt her heart sink at what you seeing this meant, Hoyt silently rejoiced that this meant he could get rid of you. Thomas was caught off guard by the sight of you, and it gave the fleeing woman ample time to jab him in the thigh with a screwdriver.

"Damnit boy! Pay attention!" Hoyt demanded as the girl went running again. There was nothing in the way of the front door, nearly home free. Bleeding, panicked, but all she had to do was run. She'd be home free.

The sound of something swinging, a blade colliding with bone and tissue, a choking-bubbling sound, and the dripping of blood on wood floor. The house fell oddly silent as the Hewitt family looked at you. Holding an axe grabbed off the wall, the rusted blade implanted deep in the woman's skull, face rather blank. You glanced up at Thomas, then his thigh. With a gasp, you let the body drop and rushed over, disregarding the blood on his hands and the chainsaw he held. "Tommy! Goodness, that's got to hurt like hell! Here, sit down, we need to get that out and disinfected. I don't want you gettin' sick." You insisted, gently pushing him to sit in a dining room chair. Not leaving any time for the family to process what they'd watched you do as you doted over Thomas. Said man however watched you with wide eyes, some of it shock, but so much of it adoration. He'd been so afraid that you'd flee from him if you ever saw what he was doing. Yet you didn't hesitate to keep his family safe and care for him. You pecked his cheek as you got the first aid kit, his breath stuttered in response. "If you're gonna be gettin' your food this way, you're gonna need to be more careful, Tommy. I don't want to see a single drifter put their dirty hands on you again." You said as you held his face tenderly. Whether Monty or Hoyt liked it, you were very clearly staying.

The Shape; Michael Myers (A childhood friend, loyal follower. An Accomplice)

When you arrived in Haddonfield as a kid, the last thing you wanted to do was make friends as your parents so insisted. You'd moved so much and every time you were always rejected by your peers. Then your mother forced you to meet the neighbor's son. A small blond boy, only a year older, with blue eyes so dark they resembled the ocean's abyss. He was offputting and quite frankly rude. Always so blunt the few times he'd spoken. Yet somehow, the universe seemed to shove you two together more and more. Much to your dismay, you found you had far more in common with the boy than you had with anyone else. So you allowed yourself to tolerate him.

Then, with things like bullies, your mother's pressure to live up to her standards, and then your father's growing absence? He seemed to be the only thing stable enough to keep you above water. Finding it easier to cling to him, despite his growing behaviors that clearly caused concern. Overlooking things like pictures of dead animals and ultimately the admission he'd thought of killing someone. It broke you apart the Halloween he finally decided to do it. Having him dragged away from you in a cop's car, sanctioned away from society for over a decade. Not once would your mother allow you to find him, even forced you to leave Haddonfield's safety. The first town you ever genuinely settled in.

Michael's presence remained a key fixture in your life well into adulthood. Never straying from the idea that he'd come back to you. Leading you back to Haddonfield, leading a bland life, a lonesome one. Why bother knowing anyone else when they weren't him?

And then Halloween came once again. Immediately followed by bloodshed, life broadcasts of new bodies being found, the ramblings of a doctor swearing he knew who was behind it all. You'd been out at the time. Leaving a job's late shift, weaving past giddy children on the sidewalk. You loved Halloween and it always ached to experience it alone again. It was when you turned to take a shortcut that you felt the weight of a stare fall on your shoulders. One so oddly familiar and distinct. Turning revealed an impossibly tall man, broad shoulders, dressed in a stained mechanic's suit and a white mask. A bloodied knife in his hands. Fight or flight arose, steadying yourself to run, only for something particular to catch your eye. His knife. A large switchblade with a decorated handle, blue and black. One that used to settle in the hands of your best friend. "Michael?" You uttered under your breath.

He staggered when you unconsciously rose your bracelet. As if to rest if he'd remember it. And it worked, he didn't kill you. Though he certainly wasn't the Michael he was when you were kids, it didn't matter in the slightest. Despite every change, enough stayed the same to ignite the flame in your chest. You snuck him into your home, patched up wounds, and scrubbed away evidence. Managing to keep him safe under your roof even as he continued his rampage. You knew fully what he was doing. You didn't care. Not when you, out of all the people he'd killed mercilessly, you were the one allowed to wash his hair. Make him food, clean his suit, sharpen his knife. He allowed you to see his unmasked face, lean into his side with a movie playing, see the faint playful side that he swore he lost long ago.

But he was on the run, and with the continued homicides, people were bound to go poking around. One of them being a rather snoopy neighbor, a man who'd shown interest in your aloof nature. Mysterious, as he called it. He was pushy and never seemed to take a hint or a no. Hence how why he ended up in your house, allowing himself in despite your attempt to stop him at the door. Ruining a perfect night with Michael.

"You need to leave." You insisted again, gritted teeth and burning anger. "Oh relax, I'm just checking in on you! There's been a maniac going around stabbing people, you live all alone. Don't you want someone around to protect you?" It was more a statement than a genuine question. You clenched your fists and ground your teeth together. Anxiety high. Michael was still in the house, if this idiot saw him, it could mean the end of your peaceful moments with the man you'd built a life around. "I don't need anything from you. Get out." You repeated. Your neighbor scoffed a little laugh. Turning around casually. "Man, it's almost like you want to get murdered..." His voice trailed off and his shoulders tensed as his gaze fell on the Shape. Standing at the end of the hall. Mask and all. Your blood pressure rose with your adrenaline as the realization settled over your neighbor. It all went so quickly. Michael took a step forward and your neighbor turned to run. You did the same, but not for the same reason. The fool neared the front door only to be stopped by what you held in your hand. Having cut him off via using your kitchen. His throat landed right into a sharpened blade kept on the counter from dinner. Your heartbeat filled your ears as life left the man's body, sliding off the knife and falling back on the floor, face now permanently locked in a state of fear. You stood with shaky breaths and a tight grip on the knife. Slowly rising your gaze to look at Michael who stood in front of you, taking in what you'd just done. There was no guilt. He watched you take a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Mikey, can you get rid of him? Far from here? I can't have the cops seeing anything like this near you..." You asked, voice a saccharine whisper. Michael raised his chin slightly before stepping forward. Like the man weighed nothing, he picked the corpse up and hoisted it over his shoulder. Your posture relaxed and you graced him with a smile. "I'll have brownies for you when you get back." This didn't change anything. He'd still have a safe place with you. No one would take him, not again. Not ever again.

The Problem Child; Bo Sinclair (An unassuming face, sadistic urges. An Actor.)

Out of all three Sinclairs, Beauregard was the one that left the most for his own wants. Lester had to leave for his job daily, but it was rare to catch him strolling through the neighboring cities just to enjoy himself. And of course, Vincent never left. Bo liked to stay in Ambrose but every once in and while it got stuffy. So heading off to a bar or small diner was what he usually did. A small moment to himself to enjoy himself. It was there that he met you. A new bartender at a small biker bar. With a shiny smile and a good sense of humor, he didn't see any reason he couldn't indulge in a bit of conversation with you. Turning up his charm and dusting away his secretive sadism. Of course, he was a little surprised when one day you wandered into town. He didn't notice until you entered his shop. He left the garage and saw you perched up on the counter, flipping through a magazine he knew he had hidden in his truck. Then again, he bought it in an average corner store, you could've just bought one of the same copy. You glanced up and gave him a smile. "Pleasure seein' you again, stranger. How's business been?" You asked charmingly. You didn't allow him to answer though. "Pretty slow probably, last person to come by was two weeks ago, yeah?" Bo blinked at the comment. It was true, but how you'd known that was beyond him. He shook it off as a fluke. "Yeah, you need somethin' done, sweetheart?" He questioned. You nodded. "Oil check and a new set of front tires. Weirdest thing happened, looks like someone jabbed at them. Crazy huh?" You replied. Bo swallowed and nodded. He mumbled something about you bringing your car around, a bit of a struggle with such low air in the back tires but you managed fine. Bo went into raising your car. He wasn't entirely sure why he was keeping up like he was actually going to fix your car. You were alone, it would've been easy to just deal with you now. Though, he supposed it wouldn't hurt keeping you alive a little longer. You were good with conversation. So, you made yourself comfortable seated on one of the tables in his garage. You kept up a conversation while flipping through that magazine, little mutterings about things that had been happening since he last showed up at the bar. As Bo went to take off your tires, propping the car up off the ground, you began speaking about the wax museum.

"It's really impressive, yeah? The entire building is wax. Not to mention in this heat? Your brother's got to be stressed trying to maintain it." You said. Bo paused and his shoulders tensed. He glanced behind him. "Pardon?" He asked, a suspicious glare falling over his face. You looked up from the crinkled pages with a calm smile. "Vincent's his name yeah? You two make quite the impressive duo, really. Gotta say though. I think your methods are a bit more favorable. Maybe that's just the gun though. Y'all been hurtin' for bases though. You can't seem to keep'em, huh? Just last week you had this pretty lil' red head so close to comin' home with ya." Your jovial tone and calm smile sent Bo on edge. Something rather difficult to do. His fist clenched around the X-wrench he held, patiently waiting for you to finish so he could just...whack you? Probably a poor plan but it was the best he had. "Honestly, I was surprised. But can't say I wasn't a lil' happy when she marched her happy ass away from you. Playin' hard to get and all? Annoying, right? Especially when I'm sure your brother could use her as a, hm, maybe a nun in the church? Or do you think she'd fit better as a cashier in the boutique?" You leaned forward a bit. Bo's eyebrow raised and his grip on the tool loosened a bit. Now more curious than on edge. You hummed at his lack of verbal response. Just then, a sound signaled from the back of your car, making Bo's gaze snap to it. He then glanced back at you with shock. You merely shrugged. "Eh, I'm sure you two can figure it out." Bo didn't respond to you as he popped the trunk. Barely conscious and bound, the redhead he'd failed to lure back to town. He looked back at you again as you picked up the magazine. "Oh, and by the way? The lock on your truck is a bit shotty on the back left door. Might wanna work on that." You added cheekily. After a moment to process everything that had just been laid out, Bo gave a little amused huff. He shut the trunk of your car and shook his head. "Darlin', you seem a bit off your rocker." He spoke. "Crazy even." You threw your hands up in mock surrender. "Only for you, big guy.~" The edge to your tone made his blood burn. He sighed and adjusted his hat. "Well if that's the case, maybe I can talk my brother into keepin' ya. After all, you've been a big help" He smirked at the way your pupils expanded. Bo was a playboy, he'd been able to charm just about anyone he wanted. But the crazier the person, the more fun it was.

[selkiesbittybonanza]

Bad Sans Harpy Bittys (FREE TO ADOPT)

Killer – Pierce

Bird: Blue-winged Kookaburra

Size: Bitty – Budgie-sized, Full sized – Cockatoo sized

Bio: Pierces are cocky birds with a sharp sense of humour, although it can run dark. They can often be found cackling to themselves at an excellent joke they’ve thought up! Kookaburras are the largest breed of Kingfisher so their favourite food is small fish that they can catch for themselves out of a bucket or tank. They will accept pre-killed, filleted fish as well, but enjoy the thrill of the hunt! They also enjoy lizards, rodents and other birds to eat, as they’re strictly carnivorous. Pierces noisy birds and can be territorial, giving them a nest box of their own helps curb those instincts. Pierces enjoy having an audience to show off to, so do surprisingly well in a large (understanding) bitty family. They also enjoy harmless pranks always punctuated by their signature laugh!  Their love language is shows of affection, such as grooming, preening and cuddling. Pierces are very romantic!

Dust – Strike

Bird: Whiskey Jack (Canada Jay, Gray Jay)

Size: Bitty – Budgie-sized, Full sized – Cockatoo sized

Bio: These willy corvids love to snatch and steal! Whiskey Jacks are called “Camp Robbers” because of their lack of fear of humans, commonly snatching food right from your hands! They like to act sly, tricking you into giving them what you want. Like cats sometimes they start intensely at an empty corner of the room, making you wonder if they can see ghosts; which is only made worse when you hear them murmuring to themselves… Strikes are omnivores, snacking on berries, insects, small rodents and even amphibians! They like to mimic the calls of other animals to throw them off balance or lure them away so they can snatch their treasures! They can be convinced to return said treasures, especially if they have sentimental value to the person or bitty in question. It’s the challenge of the heist more than the value of what’s stolen to them.

Cross - Slash

Bird: Australian Magpie

Size: Bitty – Budgie-sized, Full sized – Cockatoo sized

Bio: Slashes are very protective and will be the guardian of their flock! They’re famous for swooping at strangers that get to close of their homes and “scolding” them with their complex vocalizations. You’ll have to be patient and consistent with training, otherwise you’ll never be able to have guests over to your home! Slashes are omnivorous but prefer insects they can catch themselves and enjoy treats like berries and fruit. Slashes can develop a disliking to certain people which is hard to overcome, so making sure your guests and bittys give him lots of treats and praise in the beginning to avoid being a target. Slashes have a long memory and will remember those who have treated him well. Slashes can be very playful and like to show off their strength and agility! Such as: hanging from laundry just by their feet, playing soccer with balls, or competing with each other in all sorts of games and obstacle courses!

Horror – Crush

Bird: Long-eared Owl

Size: Bitty – Budgie-sized, Full sized – Cockatoo sized

Bio: Crushes are the largest of the harpy bittys and are nocturnal. During the day they’re calm and sweet but at night they become active, their low hoots sounding suspiciously like a growling chuckle. Crushes are carnivores who like to hunt small animals. During the day - Crushes are happy to have their wings stroked and cuddle with their adopter, yellow eye glowing dimly in their socket. But at night that eye changes from yellow to red and a Crush becomes more active, looking for a meal and to hunt. This can be intimidating to more quiet bittys that don’t have strong hunting instincts however a Crush knows the differences between family and food and won’t ever attack, even if they’re wound up at night. They love to give gifts of food so if you’re squeamish about receiving dead small animals this may be the wrong bitty for you.

Art donated by the lovely @imagination4days-oldblog, thank you so much again!

These guys are free-to-adopt which means you don't need to ask permission to adopt! They're already part of your family!

[the-witty-pen-name]

Deadbeat Pt. 3

Lee Bodecker x F!Reader

18+ ONLY 

Warnings: age gap (reader is 21), smut, cursing, abandonment, infatuation, cheating/divorce, angst, mild housewife kink, mentions of prostitution, mentions of alcohol, corrupt official 

Word Count: 4.7k

Summary: You work at the bar at the edge of town, the Sheriff is going through a divorce and needs to rent a room.

A/N: I’m terrible at writing summaries and I’m so sorry about that! I don’t think I would consider this a dark!fic, but it does cover a lot of themes, and topics that are darker than I usually write about- but I think that comes with the territory of writing about Lee Bodecker. I’ll make sure to update the warnings for each chapter and do not read if you are underage. I also ignored canon for this one.

This is unedited, and I missed anything I should include as a warning let me know! This chapter introduces some new plots and conflicts, so it jumps around a little more than the previous ones. 

I hope you all enjoy!

I also am having some writer’s block with my Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries I was working on, so expect Part 3 sometime Sunday hopefully! So sorry for the delay on the final chapter. 

Tags and Requests are OPEN 

Part One // Part Two 

Henry Curtis was one of the most infuriating people Lee had ever met. Curtis was a writer for the Columbus newspaper and constantly pestering the Sheriff. Curtis seemed to have a sixth sense for whenever the Sheriff did anything. He was desperately trying to catch the Sheriff doing anything but so far had remained unsuccessful. Curtis was the biggest obstacle Lee faced in winning re-election. The man would show up out of nowhere, pen and pad in hand ready to find anything that would be enough to keep the Sheriff out of office.

Maybe Curtis was just doing his job, but Lee always felt like it was much more personal. It was probably just his own resentment of the man who was just doing his job. But the man didn’t have to be so goddamn invasive. When the Sheriff had devised his plan on offering to rent a room from you, he was so tied up in his own mess of divorce and his somewhat confusing feelings towards you he had completely forgotten about the press. They would have a field day with the divorce alone, but now on top of everything else, Lee knew he should be more careful.

Lee always had to be careful, especially if he was meeting Leroy Brown. Lee would make sure he drove way out of town, and always insisted they met at a different location every time. This would infuriate Brown but Lee was the only lawman he had working for him. Sometimes Lee would drive several hours out of the way, always at some deserted ghost town or some sad excuse for a diner or a bar. Always somewhere no one would recognize him.

Lee lied to you and told you he and a few of the deputies would need to drive out of town for a stakeout when he needed to meet with Brown. It was one of those nights, sitting in the cruiser with the headlights off, as he parked in an abandoned parking lot almost two hours out of town.

He had been able to put this off for a couple weeks, lying about other legitimate jobs getting in the way. Honestly, it was because he wanted to one, avoid anything that would cause suspicion from Henry Curtis hearing he was back in town and two, he was selfishly allowing himself to just spend his nights at his new home, spending all the time he could manage with you. It was like being in that little white house was a place where he could let himself be delusional, and time spent with you was what his life actually was, not this mess he was currently dealing with. He wanted out.

Lee knew he wasn’t a good man. He knew that his laundry list of offenses had tarnished his badge a long time ago. He knew what he was doing, and before he never cared. Now, he’s thinking about how his actions could affect you. You were innocent, unaware of everything he was stuck in. He knew you weren’t stupid, and he was sure the town knows some about his corruption. But now, he couldn’t rationalize away his actions for any reason when it came to you. Janie? She didn’t care and would encourage it. She’d be in on it too. She’d have no problem lying to ladies at Church or starting other rumors to keep the town talking about anyone but Lee. She was as power hungry as he was sometimes, which could be a testament as to how their loveless marriage held together for so long.

***

“Hi, I’m looking for a Ms. (Y/L/N)?” the man asked when he approached you, talking a seat at one of the barstools.

“Who’s asking for her?” you asked raising an eyebrow.

“I’m Henry Curtis, I work for the Columbus Dispatch.”

“The newspaper?”

“That’s the one.”

“Why are you looking for her?”

“I’m doing a story on her mother’s marriage to Harvey Tucker.”

“She’s not here tonight. But I can let her know you were here. Do you got a card?”

The man pulled out a business card from his wallet and slide it across the bar. You picked it up and read all the information before putting it in the pocket of your apron.

“Seems weird for the Columbus paper to want to do a story on that a month and a half after it happened,” you said skeptically.

“We did cover the story when it happened,” Curtis informed you. “Doing a follow up since the story broke about his wife missing.”

“Missing?” you ask. “Do they know what happened?”

“Robbed the bastard blind and then ran apparently,” Curtis said casually looking past you at the chalkboard on the wall. “Scotch, neat.”

“Yes, sir,” you reply, grabbing the bottle from the shelf. “Has anything else been found out yet?”

“Not yet, that’s why I’m here. Checking in to see if she’d come back here because I heard Ms. (Y/L/N) still lives around these parts.” He then pulled a newspaper out of the inside pocket of his coat and started flipping through the pages.

“She has another kid too, right?” you asked, playing dumb. “A boy, I think. Do you know where he is?”

“Couldn’t say,” he sounded very indifferent, “Most likely went with her but who knows? I went to the Sheriff’s office to see if they knew anything but the Sheriff wasn’t there.”

“That’s too bad,” you say. “I’m sure Sheriff Bodecker would help you help if he can.”

Your statement made Mr. Curtis chuckle, but you didn’t follow up on it. You were just focusing on getting as much information about your mother and brother as you could.

“Speaking of Mr. Bodecker,” he began, “I recently saw his wife is getting remarried. Saw the announcement of the engagement in the paper.”

“Yeah, that’s right,” you respond, skeptically. You didn’t know why but you didn’t trust this man. It was something in the tone of his voice, or maybe it was just how he held himself. Very polished, a suit and a nice dress jacket. He looked very out of place in this town, and this little bar.

“You familiar with the Sheriff at all, miss?”

“Not too well,” you shrug, “Haven’t had any run-ins with the law myself.”

“Not even a speeding ticket?” He asks, only a little condescendingly.

“Can’t get a speeding ticket if you don’t have a car,” you point out.

“Touché,” he chuckles before taking a sip of his drink.

He doesn’t ask you anymore questions, and when he leaves, he gives you a five-dollar tip.

***

Lee receives his cut from Brown. There was nothing new to report on that front and his meeting went by smoothly. All Lee had to do was to turn a blind eye, and make sure the rest of the department stays unaware of the brothel’s existence. Brown always insisted on meeting with him, wanting to know what the Sheriff’s department was investigating and making sure his businesses stayed under the radar. He felt sick, and is preoccupied with the fact he has an envelope of dirty money in the cruiser’s glovebox.

It’s around midnight when he pulls up to the house. He expects that you’re already asleep, but he notices the lamp is on in the living room. He takes the money out of his glovebox and tucks it away into the inner pocket of his jacket. Coming inside, he finds you on the couch, knees pulled to your chest, staring at the business card Mr. Curtis had given you. You face is stained with dried up tears, and you still haven’t even changed out of your work clothes.

“What’s that?” he asks, the sight of you breaking his heart. He winces because he comes off a lot harsher than he meant.

“Some reporter came while I was at work wanting to talk to me,” you explain softly, you sound exhausted. “Wanted to talk to me cause he’s doing a story on my mother. Apparently, she’s on the run from the Columbus police.”

You extend your hand to give Lee the card. He feels his jaw clench when he reads the information. “What happened?” he asks, taking a deep breath and sitting down next to you.

“I pretended I wasn’t me,” you say, another tear rolling down your cheek. “He came in asking for me so I said I’d pass his card on. I didn’t want to tell him who I was because he didn’t explain why he was looking for me at first. I don’t know- just scared me. I’m more upset about the news itself than him.”

“You did the right thing,” Lee said softly, placing a hand on your shoulder comfortingly. He was angry, but he didn’t show it. It worried him, fucking Curtis snooping around this close to you. It made him feel protective, wanting to shield you from the whole ordeal. He had been on the receiving end of unsolicited attention from the press and he knew how ruthless they were. He knew this wouldn’t be the only time Curtis would try to get in touch with you. He’d find out where you lived, he’d continue to show up while you were working- the whole nine yards. He didn’t want you going through that.

Curtis talking to you also made him incredibly paranoid. It was his two worlds that he desperately wanted to keep apart were colliding. He knew it was impossible, but he so wanted to keep you separated from the other part of his life. It wasn’t who he wanted you to see. Hell, he hasn’t even been here for a month. It wasn’t that he wanted to keep you in the dark, at least that wasn’t entirely intentional. Actually, he wasn’t sure, maybe it was intentional. However, it wasn’t just you he wanted to hide aspects of his life from. He wanted his involvement with Brown and others hidden from every goddamn registered voter. You were no different, he tried to rationalize. But that wasn’t true. These feelings he harbored for you, were getting worse. He needed to unwrap himself from this situation, and for the sake of you finding out he was a shill, keep you away from that asshole. He didn’t want to let himself think about how the way you look at him would change.

And here he was, making the situation all about him. It was in his nature.

“He’s just going to show up again if I don’t call him,” you say, wiping your eyes. “Maybe I should just call him in the morning. Just be honest and say I don’t know anything. He can keep coming around but nothing is going to change.”

“I can take care of it,” he says. He couldn’t risk you talking to Curtis again. For all he knows, Curtis would tell you all about the story on the Sheriff he’d been trying to confirm for years. Lee knew he couldn’t let that happen. He fully intends on telling you, but how the hell do you bring that up? ‘Hey doll, I’m also on the payroll of every pimp and bootlegger in a ten-mile radius, just letting you know.’ It wasn’t going to come up, unless Curtis tells you about it. He’d be hoping to pull himself out if it, show you how you made him want to be better.

For now, he settles for comforting you, and just being there to take care of you. Make you feel better. He wraps an arm around your shoulder and lets you cry into his chest. He sighs, kissing the top of your head in a friendly way and you curl up against him. Under different circumstances, you probably wouldn’t have let yourself do this- show your vulnerability or allow anyone to comfort you like this. But it was all the events of the past month, your mother leaving, everything, just all hitting you at once, and you were happy you weren’t alone.

In the morning, you wake up on the couch with a blanket over you. You see Lee asleep in the chair, and you realize he stayed with you all night. It makes your heart flutter. You pull the blanket up over your chin and close your eyes again. You felt surprisingly well rested. The stress and worry were pushed to the back of your mind long enough to let you get some sleep. It still lingered in the back of your mind, but you reminded yourself that for now, there was nothing you could do. You had the day off, and you let yourself have a little longer time to sleep in.

You woke up to the smell of coffee brewing and the sound of sizzling on the stove. When you opened your eyes, Lee was no longer in the chair. You sat up and looked toward the kitchen, where you saw Lee with his back to you while he worked with the pans on top of the stove. The portable radio was positioned on the counter, and it was playing at a low volume, so it wouldn’t wake you up.

“Hey,” you say softly, still waking up as you walk into the kitchen.

“Morning, doll,” he says, glancing back at you for a moment. “How’re you feeling?”

“A little better,” you admit, grabbing a mug for yourself out of the cabinet. You pour yourself a cup of coffee, savoring the smell before making it how you usually take it. “Thank you for sitting with me,” you say honestly, “you didn’t have to do that.”

“I wanted to,” he says with a small grin. “I just wanted to help.”

“I really appreciate it, Lee,” you reiterate your thanks, hopping up to take a seat on the counter, watching him cook breakfast. “Didn’t know you knew how to cook,” you joke, making him chuckle.

“I’m full of surprises, sweetheart,” he smirks, making you feel flushed. You take another drawn out sip of your coffee to try to distract yourself. You watch his arms, and his hands as they maneuver and flex when he cooks. You imagine how they must feel, your eyes focused on the veins. You bit your lip and it reminds you of the dream you had a little while back when he first moved in. You imagine him stepping in between your legs as your propped up on the counter, his hands gently gripping your thighs and-

“I’ll get it,” you announce hurriedly as you hear someone knock on the front door. You hop off the counter careful to not spill your coffee, and head to answer the door. Lee watches you bounce out of the room, fixing your hair as you go and you don’t catch his smile.

“Arvin,” you say surprised, stepping out onto the porch. “What are you doing here?” you ask, with a small grin. You’re confused but nonetheless happy to see him.

“You look like you’ve been crying,” he observes, concern written all over his face.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” you say dismissively, “Just last night I was thinking about my ma and everything. Just had trouble sleeping is all.”

“The Sheriff didn’t do anything?” Arvin asked in a hushed tone, looking over your shoulder to see if Lee could hear you two.

“No, nothing, he’s been perfectly fine,” you say coming to the Sheriff’s defense. “I know you and Ms. Russell are worried, I know how it must look- but Arvin I swear he’s just my tenant. He’s been nothing but a gentleman.”

“Just making sure,” he says, letting it go for now. “Lenora asked me to bring these by for you.” He hands you the glass baking dish that you can see is filled with homemade cinnamon rolls. “She’s been practicing making all kinds of baked goods for when the Church does that bake sale and has me running all over town giving it away cause me and Uncle Earskell can’t keep up with it all.”

“Tell her thank you for me,” you say with a smile, “And I’ll bring the dish with me to Church tomorrow- give it back to her.”

“She misses you I think,” Arvin says sheepishly, pushing his hands into his front pockets. “I mean- I do- I think my whole family does- we all do. I’m sorry my grandmother hasn’t asked you over in a while…”

“I understand,” you nod. “Reputation is an important thing.”

“I just didn’t want you to think it was because of us,” he says looking down at the porch, his eyes fixed on a loose board. “You know how she is- everything no matter the context is somehow a sin. Scared to death of her own shadow…”

“I know you’re not that resentful, Arvin Russell,” you chuckle and he relaxes. “And I don’t hold any hard feelings towards anyone in your family- you all have always been good to me.”

“Well, um,” he says awkwardly, looking like he was holding back from saying more. “I got to hit a couple more houses before I head to work, so I guess I’ll see you tomorrow at Church?”

“I’ll be there.”

“Oh- I wanted to let you know,” he says, turning around as he’s already heading down the front steps, “The principal down at the high school is looking for secretaries- Lenora heard and thought you might be interested. It pays like $35 a week, I think. You should call Linda Carson; I think Lenora said- that’s the woman who’s in charge of hiring people, I think.”

“I’ll call the school first thing Monday morning,” you say, grin stretching from ear to ear. Arvin nods and says goodbye again. You walk back into the house like you’re on top of the world. You couldn’t contain your excitement. That job if you could get it would be a dream. You’d be making so much more than you’re already making. You were so excited.

“You’re in a much better mood than when I last saw you,” Lee jokes. He’s sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper while he eats his breakfast. You notice that he made you a table setting- brought your coffee over and everything. You place the baking dish in the middle of the table and sit down.

“That was Arvin,” you say happily, and Lee feels his heart sink into his stomach.

“Oh yeah?” he asks, trying to not let on how his heart feels like it’s crushed. He knew it was only a matter of time before a boy would come around- whether it be Arvin or someone else your own age.

“Well, first he was just dropping off baked goods Lenora made,” you say gesturing to the dish on the table. “He’s going around to everybody, I guess. He mentioned the high school is looking for office secretaries- Lenora wanted me to know. Thirty-five dollars a week! I’m going to talk to Linda Carson about it Monday morning. Can you imagine? I could get a secretary job.”

Lee feels just a crash of relief wash over him. He’s so happy that you are looking at a new job. You deserve better than that bar. He knew you deserved the job just as much as any of the other candidates. You work harder than anyone he knows.

“That’s fantastic, sugar,” he replies. “You deserve it.”

“Do you think I have a chance?” you ask, feeling a little self-conscious- you knew you weren’t as experienced as other candidates would be for sure.

“Of course, I do,” he says, putting down the paper to give you his full attention. “I feel like you getting this job is a definite. There’s no doubt about it.”

“You’re just buttering me up,” you scoff, finishing up your food, making him chuckle. You may have also seen his cheeks redden, but you couldn’t say for sure. You finish off your coffee, and then bring you dishes back to the kitchen, leaving them in the sink. Lee turns his attention back to his newspaper and you head upstairs to get ready for your day.

When you head upstairs, Lee notices that you took the radio with you- and he could hear you were listening to music from upstairs. He decides before it’s too late to ring Mark Cunningham. The line rings a couple of times before Mark answers.

“Cunningham.”

“Morning, Mark. It’s Sheriff Bodecker,” he smirks.

“What can I do for you Sheriff?” he asks, the sound of shuffling paper comes through as well. Most likely flipping through the paper.

“I wanna call in that favor you owe me,” he says, casually pacing the living room, holding the receiver up to his ear and the base of the rotary phone in the other.

“Of course, Sheriff,” he says. A while back, Bodecker busted the principal making moonshine in his old barn that was at the end of his property. Lee looked the other way and was waiting for the right thing to call in a favor for.

“I want you to hire (Y/N) (Y/L/N) for the secretary job,” he says, looking to the stairs, making sure you aren’t coming. The music is still playing loudly from upstairs so he determines he’s still got time.

“That’s all?” Mark asked surprised.

“That’s all I want from you,” Lee replies. “I expect you can make that happen?”

“Without a doubt. When can she start?”

“Still have her come in for an interview. I don’t anyone else knowing I called you about this- including her.”

“Done.”

With that, Lee hangs up the phone, feeling really good about this decision. He knew how much that job meant to you- he could see it in your eyes and how excitedly you talked about it. He can’t wait to see you when you find out you get the position. He knows it’s going to make you so happy. He knows you’d be a fantastic candidate, but this just eliminates any doubt. He reasons that there isn’t much difference, since you were very likely to get it anyways. He just had to make sure.

He can picture you know, coming home from the interview- excited to tell him that you got the job. You’d be so excited you’d jump up and hug him tightly, just so overjoyed that you let your feelings take over. You’d wrap your legs and around his waist and he’d hold you up by holding the back of your thighs. You’d wrap your arms tightly around him and bury your head in the crook of his neck. You’d lift your head up to look at him, embarrassed at your actions and then he’d press his lips to yours. You’d gasp softly, but your lips would melt against his own and your arms would wrap tightly around his neck. He’d walk forward, pressing you up against the wall and he’d kiss your neck mumbling praises of congratulations against your skin as his name falls from your lips at how good he’d make you feel. It’s almost unbearable how bad he wants you.

He heads to him room to get ready for his day, but his mind is still clouded with thoughts of you. He thinks about how much he wants nothing more that to just pin you on his mattress. He wonders if you know how crazy you make him. Sometimes there’s something in your eye that makes him think you want him too, but he’s not sure. His better judgement holds him back from everything he wants to do. He thinks about how it must feel to have his head right in-between your thighs. Back in the kitchen together, he wanted to just get on his knees and worship you. The feeling of them pressing against him as he sucks on your clit and runs his tongue across your folds.

Serval hours later, he can’t shake the thoughts, even sitting in his office at the sheriff’s station- working on a Saturday yet again. He’s cooped up in his office, unable to get through any of the paperwork that has piled up on his desk. He’s thinking about you, again, but in this daydream, you’re bent over his desk- because you came by to see him on your break from work at the school. His office door locked and his blinds pulled so he can bend you over and take you right there- rough and fast, sending you back to work with a feeling of him still there between your legs well after you’re back at your own desk, still sore from the encounter.

“You got a visitor, Lee,” the intercom on his desk lights up.

“Send ‘em in,” he responds back, shaking his head to snap out of it. He needed to get a grip.

“Sorry I didn’t call,” you say, walking into his office. His eyes widen and he wonders if he’s still day dreaming. He discreetly pinches himself. You’re actually here, standing in his office, while he looks at you dumbfounded. Part of him would think he manifested it if he was a man of any faith. “You forgot this,” you say, putting his wallet on the desk. “You must have taken it out of your back pocket before falling asleep in the chair last night. It was laying on the coffee table. I figured I’d stop by with it while I was coming up this way anyways.”  

“You’re a doll,” he grins, putting his wallet in his back pocket. “What are you doing?”

“I took the bus to the library to return some books, and now I’m going shopping for something to wear when I go in for an interview since I have the day off to go,” you explain. “I’m also probably going to get lunch after that before heading back home. I just didn’t want to be home in case that reporter stopped by. I’m not ready to talk to him yet.”

“I can take care of it,” he says, “He’ll make his way over here soon enough. I can talk to him.”

“You would do that for me?” you ask, the relief evident across your whole face.

“Yeah, I can talk to him, let him know you gave a statement here,” he says. You nod. “You know as much as he does, so it doesn’t matter if I tell him you don’t know shit or if you tell him.”

“You’re a lifesaver,” you sigh, so relieved thinking that you won’t have to hear from Henry Curtis again. “If he tells you anything about them… will you let me know?”

“Of course, sweetheart.”

“Thank you,” you say, hurriedly walking over behind him and quickly hugging his shoulders. You then are back by the door again before he can register the gesture. “Are you going to be home tonight?” you ask, your hand on the doorknob.

“Not until late,” he says reluctantly, and he can see the disappointment on your face- unless his mind was playing tricks on him.

“Okay,” you say finally, “Um, I’ll see you later then.”

“Bye, doll,” he says when you walk out of his office.

Are you going to be home tonight? Your voice lingers in his head. It was such a harmless phrase that could’ve just been one of curiosity. Maybe you were just asking because you were thinking about what you were doing for dinner. It most likely just meant nothing. But, the look on your face when he said no makes him think otherwise. Did it mean you cared? That you wanted to spend time with him? You wanted to see him and be with him as desperately as he needed you perhaps? Just the phrasing itself makes his brain feel like putty. It’s like you’re waiting up for him. It’s like you share the house in a way that’s much more than just him renting a room from you. It’s like you’re his and he’s yours. It’s like saying our house… our home. The question was so intimate and implied so much more about how you saw him and what he was to you. He knew seeing him as how he saw you was next to impossible, but you saw him as more than the Sheriff and more than just the jerk living in your house.

Part Four

 Taglist:

@scar-is-bi @jiminlife2k18 @asylummaniac01​ @rosalynshields​ @charmed-asylum @jamesbuchananbuckybarnes1917 @alexandrathegreat3