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leftsheepdestiny · 7 months ago

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10 Misconceptions Your Boss Has About Gar Furniture

Modern Everyday Restaurant Omega Designs

If you are searching for outside furniture with fashionable appeal that stands the test of time, recycled resin may be your good solution. Created of lightweight however sturdy material that's suitable for each residential and commercial settings alike. Additionally, recycled resin offers multiple colors to meet individual preferences it makes an excellent alternative to wood furniture which will be utilised across a selection of applications. Poly lumber is another sustainable out of doors furniture choice created from recycled plastics such as milk jugs and detergent bottles, boasting no painting or staining needs, resistance against insects, mould, mildew and insects, plus low maintenance necessities that may simply be cleaned by using either a pressure washer or hose nozzle. It makes an excellent addition to any backyard patio space!

Omega Chaise for Meditation Spaces

Outdoor furniture's durability depends heavily on its materials and style; however, its useful life can be considerably extended through proper care, maintenance and protection against environmental elements.

Metal

Some ornamental pillows boast ornamental parts like tassels or trim that add a unique flair. These adornments can create an outstanding accent piece for any chair or sofa in any area, adding a way of luxury and personalization. Different cushions may return equipped with cushion ties for added stability when it comes to seating arrangements.

Makers are increasingly coming up with products that may be used each indoors and outdoors, typically created of materials suited for different climates. Consumers have shown additional willingness to pay on luxurious out of doors furniture due to increased disposable income and interest in outdoor activities. Wood is the goto material for out of doors furniture. Hardwoods like teak are naturally proof against rot, insects and the elements; its sturdiness can simply be restored by sanding and sharpening it back to its original condition. Softwoods could require extra upkeep.

Addition of a firepit with seating will enhance the resort experience for guests. It will enable guests to sit, converse and absorb the scenery without distraction or fatigue; whereas out of doors games such as shuffle board or corn hole will keep guests engaged and entertained for hours on finish. Providing shade like canopy tents or permanent umbrellas to shield guests from the sun can any elevate this upgrade.

Sustainable out of doors furniture style has quickly become an rising trend. Several brands, from highend luxury items like Seaside Casual's Envirowood made from HDPE recycled polymers found in milk jugs to recycled plastic lumber used by Seaside Casual are using ecofriendly materials like this in their collections. Sustainable options include teak wood furniture that Emu Restaurant Furniture is naturally immune to rot and bug injury; or outdoor items made of metal, concrete, or any other robust materials which face up to weathering well. Whatever quite furniture you buy for outside use, continually protect it with wood stains, polishes, or paints to scale back weathering and wear; alternatively bring indoor your wood outdoor items during winter or cowl them well on rainy days for optimal care.

Artificial materials give another sturdy choice for outside furniture, with many corporations now providing ecofriendly versions of popular frames like fiberglass, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or high density polyethylene which will withstand any climate condition and even return manufactured using recycled ingredients to spice up their sustainability credentials. Teak remains the superior wood for out of doors furnishings, because of its dense structure that repels rotting, warping and bug infestation better than any alternative species of wood. Furthermore, teak's high waterresistance and tolerance of extreme temperature changes makes it highly reliable alternative.

Selecting the right balcony furniture for your condo is essential to making it really your own space. Your choice ought to reflect each your taste and temperament whereas simultaneously increasing its worth. Outer furniture offers trendy and sturdy patio items made with highgrade materials and come complete with lifetime warranties with cash back guarantees, making them a sound investment.

Dining sets and patio umbrellas add an expensive feel to any out of doors pool space, while aspect tables Nardi Restaurant Furniture or alternative smaller items serve as decorative accents to the current area. Umbrellas play an invaluable role in providing patrons with shade as needed throughout their day.

Homann's AH Out of doors Series boasts a sublime combination of rigorous aesthetic and soft forms chairs and tables can even be stacked to avoid wasting area!

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No matter if you are a hotel owner wanting to make the final resort expertise or simply providing your guests with superior furniture during their keep, outdoor furnishings should get on my feet against weather and constant use by several guests. There are several durable however trendy solutions for outdoor seating and dining spaces like aluminum and wicker patio furniture; both options provide longterm use in numerous climates thanks to being resistant against humidity and heat.

Resort out of doors furniture made of ecofriendly artificial wicker is additionally an ecofriendly alternative, mimicking the look and durability of natural wood with less maintenance necessities and maintenance needs. Synthetic wicker conjointly stands up well in humid climates as it will not become moldy or mildew prone.

Opt for from Nordic galvanized patio sets, eyecatching Acacia wood loveseats and weatherproof resin wicker furniture woven in with weatherproof cushions to find your good vogue! Your biggest challenge can be selecting just one!

Gar Furniture for Solo Relaxation

Out of doors furniture's sturdiness depends heavily on its materials and style; however, its useful life will be considerably extended through correct care, maintenance and protection against environmental elements.

Outdoor Furnishings for Small Spaces

Serena & Lily's beachinspired styles exude that soughtafter "wow factor," while not going over the high or being too themed. Their collections offer lots of musthave coastal items that will bring a relaxed, vacation vibe into any backyard setting.

Everyday Restaurant Furniture for Family Gatherings

Furniture used around a pool should withstand the rigorous components, together with sun exposure, chlorinated water and rain. If it wasn't designed specifically to survive this surroundings, its color can quickly fade, crack and rust away quickly to keep your poolside patio wanting its best, invest in commercial quality out of doors pool furniture that's engineered to last. When looking for out of doors furniture to complete your poolside oasis, style and comfort ought to both be priorities. A stunning piece will only impress if it offers comfortable seating solutions; so be positive to get chairs, hammocks and lounge chairs that feature ergonomic styles.

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Emu Furniture for Al Fresco Dining

Jensen furniture is wellknown for their premium out of doors furniture, designed with care to supply most comfort and longevity. Their chairs and sofas boast gentle curves for optimal seating comfort whereas their 197seven outdoor sofa has been transformed for out of doors use with its modular style that allows you to rearrange each module as desired. Coated in Component cloth which resists staining and water harm due to solutiondyed acrylic threads, its vibrant colors remain intact even beneath direct sunlight or temperature changes.

Gar Omega for Fall and Autumn

Floating chairs are increasingly changing into popular because of their versatility and luxury. Constructed of polystyrene beads, these chairs return equipped with cushioned backs, armrests and an attached ottoman for relaxing by your pool. Several stackable models can simply work into storage throughout winter months.

Finding Affordable Outdoor Furniture

Sustainable out of doors furniture design has quickly become an rising trend. Many brands, from highend luxury things like Seaside Casual's Envirowood made from HDPE recycled polymers found in milk jugs to recycled plastic lumber utilized by Seaside Casual are using ecofriendly materials like this in their collections. Sustainable choices embody teak wood furniture that's naturally immune to rot and insect damage; or outdoor items created of metal, concrete, or any different strong materials that stand up to weathering well. Whatever quite furniture you buy for outside use, always protect it with wood stains, polishes, or paints to reduce weathering and wear; alternatively bring indoor your wood out of doors items throughout winter or cowl them well on rainy days for optimal care.

Outdoor Furnishings for Reading Nooks

Synthetic materials offer another sturdy possibility for outside furniture, with several firms now providing ecofriendly versions of popular frames like fiberglass, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or high density polyethylene that can withstand any climate condition and even come back manufactured using recycled ingredients to spice up their sustainability credentials. Teak remains the superior wood for out of doors furnishings, due to its dense structure which repels rotting, warping and insect infestation better than any other species of wood. Furthermore, teak's high waterresistance and tolerance of extreme temperature changes makes it highly reliable choice.

Outdoor FurnishingsOmega ChaiseGrosfillex Furniture Materials and Durability

This familyowned business crafts heirloomquality furniture, from sofas and chairs to dining tables. Their exquisite craftsmanship will be seen in their pieces that feature intricate details and sleek lines; and their styles fit well into nearly any aesthetic or interior decor scheme.

Outdoor FurnitureOutdoor FurnitureOutdoor Furnishings for Mid-Century Modern Lovers

Teak wood is a fashionable choice for patio furniture as a result of it can be left outside yearround in all environments and requires very little maintenance. The wood features a high oil content that protects against pests, minimizes rot and resists weather injury. Another sustainable option is shorea, a reddishgold Southeast Asian hardwood. This durable hardwood is sourced responsibly and has similar qualities to teak.

Classic and Timeless Outdoor Furnishings

If you reside in an area with harsh UV rays or dramatic seasonal climate shifts, you would like outdoor furniture that resists injury and aging from constant exposure. It should additionally be able to face up to fluctuations in temperature, as these can cause materials to expand and crack.

Modern Outdoor Furnishings Designs

One among the many advantages of out of doors furniture crafted from recycled resin is that it will stand up to all styles of weather it resists rusting, staining and mildewing whereas being able to withstand extreme temperatures and daylight while not warping or rotting over time. Recycled resin furniture makes an glorious various to picket outside furniture which typically needs regular maintenance for best performance and delight. Recycled plastic furniture offers another advantage over its counterparts: it is entirely recyclable itself. Many makers utilize this material in the assembly method, guaranteeing ecofriendliness. By recycling this material and continuing production with quality furniture items from it, makers cut back oilbased polymers that may contribute to pollution issues.

To stay outside furniture stunning and in good condition, it's crucial that it's often cleaned and guarded against the elements. Regular soap and water cleaning will do just fine, whereas adding protecting coating such as varnish or wax will keep items trying complete new for an extended period. Alternatively, water repellant spray will conjointly work effectively; simply be certain it's been specifically created for outside furniture as using regular household cleaners will damage its surface. One of the hottest trends in outdoor furniture design is mixing materials. Furniture manufacturers usually mix wood, metal and plastic into trendy styles that withstand weather elements giving consumers additional choices in order to pick out items that best match their personal styles and add texture and depth to a space.

Industrial out of doors furniture is intended for use outside, which means it requires additional care than indoor items. Harder materials typically used in its construction enable fabrics that create up its upholstery to be rinsed down with a hose once every use to remove sweat, sunscreen and pool chemicals; different web site amenities like tables chairs and benches also utilise materials which won't rust quickly or break down quickly.

Out of doors furniture sales have experienced unprecedented growth over recent years due to increased client spending on leisure activities and experiences, leading to rising consumer spending on luxury out of doors furniture and an increase in luxury materials such as beveled edges and cannage patterns. Meanwhile, minimalistic furniture trends are also having an influenceful impact on interior design as home furnishings.

Mingja Furniture Lighting and Ambiance

When buying patio furniture, it is wise to appear for things which will stand up to adverse weather. If you reside in an area vulnerable to frequent rainfall, choose weatherresistant materials or furniture with protecting umbrella bases and canopies as this will provide more rain protection. Similarly, considering galvanized steel is also an option as this material provides further sturdiness against corrosion or rusting. Additionally to tables and chairs on the market from Costco, Costco also offers patio furniture covers that feature fitted designs to permit air circulation so mildew doesn't develop; these covers come in varied colours/ sizes making this a useful addition for any patio area!

Modern Gar Omega Chaise Designs

Artie's out of doors furniture is highquality and longlasting, designed with sustainability in mind. Their products are constructed using recyclable materials like recycled woods and ecofriendly materials; additionally they employ green producing processes that have minimal environmental impacts an excellent manner to add stylish up to date decor into the house.

Resort style furniture comes in varied designs, like modern and rustic. Up to date items usually boast neutral hues with modern materials like stainless steel or rattan for an inexpensive possibility, whereas rustic pieces sometimes incorporate natural wood for a additional relaxed vibe and will be placed anywhere like patios, decks or balconies.

Homeowners seek weatherproof outdoor furniture that can stand up to the weather, like weatherproof and rustresistant items that are easy to maintain with fabrics that dry quickly and resist mildew and mold growth. Consider furniture made of recycled materials with faderesistant finishes as ideal options.

Out of doors resin furniture makes an attractive and practical addition to any home, while being ecofriendly and weather resistant. Furthermore, it resists mould growth in addition to mildew growth.

Metal could be a durable material, and some of the strongest pieces of outdoor furniture are created of metal frames. As a result of of their strength, metals can be shaped into more complicated styles than other materials. They�re conjointly relatively light-weight, creating them simple to move and maintain. However some metals heat up quickly in the sun, and that they�re susceptible to rust or corrosion in harsh environments.

Shopper spending power and willingness to relishes leisure experiences is driving a rise in outside furniture purchases; but, several key points must be kept in mind before making a call on this purchase.

Rework your outside space with quality patio furniture, available in a very wide range of materials and designs. Work with local home furnishings professionals to create a house that meets your specific practical and aesthetic desires.

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erinaaustralia · 2 years ago

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Centrally Located with Incredible Gardens & Dual Occupancy

#realty realestate property forsale propertyforsale

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fatimanordquist · 2 years ago

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dynamicsofthecity · 2 years ago

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Gentrification of Leimert Park and the Displacement of its Cultural Community

Alexandre Kasparian

“A people without land in their name is a people without power --and, therefore, a people FOREVER economically, culturally and politically poor.”

-Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc.

There’s Little Armenia, Koreatown, Thai town… So where in LA is Africatown?

Starting with its origins, Leimert Park of South LA was first developed in 1928 by Walter H. Leimert with the intent to commune middle and upper-income families. The Leimert Plaza Park it is known as today was formed after Leimert’s donation of the plaza itself, and the homeowner association that first occupied its surrounding bedroom community was mainly white. Throughout the neighborhood are “Leimert Park Living” infographics which describe how Leimert Park “enforced racial covenants that largely kept people of color from living in the area,” which were eventually dismantled in 1948 by the Supreme Court. During the Watts Rebellion of 1965—a reaction to excessive use of violence by a police officer towards an African American motorist stopped for operating under the influence—white flight ensued and Leimert Park became one of the largest black middle-class neighborhoods in the country. Today, Leimert Park is a cultural haven for African Americans where music performances, art displays, and vendors gather to form a lively and vibrant atmosphere at the center of its neighborhood. Food trucks and restaurants co-exist to feature ethnic cuisines that mainly serve soul, ethiopian, and jamaican food. During my stay, I had a tasty Jamaican sea moss smoothie prepared by one of the vendors in the plaza. I also enjoyed a delectable Oxtail dish from Jamaican cuisine Ackee Bamboo.

Unfortunately, the Afro-centric community and culture is at risk as Leimert Park is rapidly gentrifying. Due to the LA Metro K line expanding into Crenshaw, opportunistic investors and corporate developers are hopping on to raise commercial structures and high-density housing around the area. Posters and campaigns by the black community are visible within Leimert Park Plaza as they mobilize to take initiative against disruptive gentrification such as a “7-story market rate residential unit complex” which would be unaffordable by the community. Not only are black businesses at risk, but residents of the community are actively being priced out—rather “pushed” out according to community members I interviewed in the town square. “They came here, took everything from the firepit we have out here to keep the community warm, taking personal property, everything, the tents. They post a notice saying they will take it a day after they took everything.” The interviewee, who chose to remain anonymous, described how her auntie has been going to court since 2018 while fighting with the DRE to hold onto her property which only had her listed on the deed. “…they’re doing a lot and they know that people don’t have money for layers, and they’re not educated about this type of stuff. So they’re more than just pricing us out. They’re doing crooked stuff to push us out.”

The black community is attempting to mobilize and resist gentrification by boycotting the city’s invasive developments in several ways. Right beside the stop in Leimert Park I spotted posters that read “STOP GENTRIFICATION! PROTECT CRENSHAW,” linking “crenshawsubway.org” which is an online website published by the Crenshaw Subway Coalition. Upon my visit I discovered they formed to highlight issues and empower the stakeholders impacted by the Crenshaw-LAX rail line. Murals empowering black art also decorate walls surrounding the space.

One of the main issues with LA is a general refusal of recognition towards the significant contributions of various ethnic groups found within its city. Its policy makers lack equal representation of its population which is very much diversified with minorities. Every weekend, a community initiative named “We Are Africa Town” gathers in the town square and demonstrates a movement to title Leimert Park as Africa Town. I’ve visited Leimert Park twice attempting to attend and interview them. A community member informed me about their presence the first time, but unfortunately they canceled on my second visit due to rain the day before. I did, however find their Instagram which linked to their online petition at Change.org which describes how “Officially changing this district's name from Leimert Park to Africa Town (which we've been fighting for since the late 90's) is essential in directly reflecting & representing this predominantly black district and it's black residents and constituents that have resided in it and or owned/operated businesses there for generations.” While the accessibility to public transportation in the area has been increased, the city’s investment unsurprisingly failed to account for any protections towards local residents to stabilize rent or avoid speculation-fueled investments. Damien Goodman, founder of the Crenshaw Subway Coalition mentioned earlier, describes how the Crenshaw/LAX line already created a “hyper-commodified housing market where investment is poised to displace many in the very community that fought for it” (LA times). The least the city can do now is allow the affected community to rightfully name their land of culture and accept them into the city’s multibillion dollar tourism industry.

To address the physical aspects of the neighborhood documented in my proposal, I found that the perimeter of Leimert Park itself is outlined by tall palisade fences and is gated off from sunset to sunrise. A comforting water fountain runs in the middle of the park. The area is engulfed by wide streets that connect to the freeways of LA. I also noticed many of the houses within Leimert Park had window security bars at ground level. As I walked outwards to the new Crenshaw mall that drove up surrounding home prices, I noticed that those bars abruptly faded and fancy landscaping gradually became a more prominent feature instead. My short walk revealed a wealth gap in a manner I haven’t quite experienced so suddenly before. This was a clear visual example of how corporate development (in this case the Crenshaw commercial mall) drives up home prices and displaces the poor.

#leimertpark #losangeles #crenshaw #africa town #gentrification #development

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snoozeboxgames · 3 years ago

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Chapter 31 Episode Script

Narrator: This is so tense. So tense. I'm biting my nails right now. Mum wouldn't be proud of me. No matter how often I watch Clash of the Cosmos, it's always… Oh wait. You thought I was talking about this?

Player: Alright, this is it, voting time...

Narrator: Yeah, this is tense too, I guess. Like a string drawn from two opposite ends of the galaxy and binding the hyperspace into… Ehem. Never mind.

Narration: Everyone's gathered around the firepit, phones clutched in their hands. There is an eerie silence, until the buzz of the incoming text disrupts it.

Narrator: Islanders, the votes have been cast. The couple voted least compatible and who must leave the Villa tonight are… ... Juliet and Kobi.

Player (thinking): Juliet and Kobi are leaving the Villa…

CHOICE: Hug [your partner]

Narration: You throw your arms around [your partner].

Player: We're still here!

[your partner]: Yeah! Yeah, we are.

Player: Yay!

CHOICE: Jump in relief

Narration: You jump up before you can stop yourself. Juliet's jaw clenches, but she ignores you.

CHOICE: Meet Kobi's eye

Narration: Kobi smiles at you sadly, and you give him a tight smile back.

CHOICE: Start crying

Player: No... I don't want more people... to go.

Narration: [your partner] hugs you to them.

[your partner]: Shh, it's gonna be OK...

Narration: Juliet and Kobi look at each other.

Juliet: Well.

Kobi: Well.

Narration: A moment passes�� Then they both start laughing.

Kobi: Can't say I didn't see it coming...

Juliet: Yeah...

Kobi: We tried.

Juliet: We did.

Narration: Everyone around the firepit trades confused glances.

Youcef: OK, Kobi's a chill guy, so I get it. But Juliet, aren't you even a little annoyed?

Narration: Juliet's eyes catch the reflection of the fire. They look a little wet.

Juliet: Oh I'm very annoyed. But I'm not a fool. No one's ever believed in us as a couple. But this isn't the end. In a few months' time, when you've all split up and Kobi and I are still going strong...

Angie: And she's back.

Kobi: Jules...

Juliet: Yes, you're right, darling. I won't be a sore loser. I appreciate you all had to pick someone...

Narration: She looks down, and Kobi gently takes her hand in his.

Narration: [your partner] whispers in your ear.

[your partner]: Are you alright?

Player: I feel…

CHOICE: ... happy we're together!

[your partner]: Yeah, we're lucky to have each other.

Player: We really are.

CHOICE: ... sad people have to go

[your partner]: Yeah, I feel the same...

CHOICE: ... like I need time to process

[your partner]: Yeah, I feel the same…

Narration: You look around you. Youcef and Angie sit next to each other and look into the night. Youcef holds Najuma tight in his arms, and neither of them is speaking. Cora and Bruno/Will hold hands and look down at their feet. And Thabi has her head on Tom/Bruno’s shoulder. They both look sadly at Juliet and Kobi.

Juliet: I should probably go and pack...

Valentina: Jules...

Narration: Valentina gets up and throws her arms around Juliet.

Valentina: I'm gonna miss you, you know. It's so weird. We had our issues, but I kind of thought, since we came in together...

Juliet: I get it. Just so you know, I do appreciate you. And I believe in you! You've got to represent both of us now. In fact, I've got some advice for you. If you want it?

Narration: She pauses.

Player (thinking): Juliet's waiting for permission before giving Valentina advice…

CHOICE: Express your surprise

Player: Now that's new! Usually you just say whatever you want.

Juliet: Is that what you think of me?

Valentina: Of course you can give me advice, Jules. Go on.

CHOICE: Hurry her along

Player: Just do it already.

Narration: Juliet looks hurt.

Juliet: There's no need to be rude. I'll be gone soon enough.

Valentina: Of course you can give me advice, Jules. Go on.

CHOICE: Set up a coaching circle

Narration: You sit down in the lotus pose next to the firepit.

Player: Let's make a coaching circle! Everyone who wants to listen to Juliet's advice, join in.

Valentina: I like that.

Narration: She sits next to you. Youcef quirks an eyebrow and follows suit.

Angie/Najuma: Seriously? Seriously?

Youcef: What? I'm curious!

Valentina: Go on, Jules.

{alternate 1}

Juliet: Right. OK. Valentina, I think you need to figure out what you really want. You went from Will to Bruno/James and back again. I know that's mostly Will's doing, but still.

Narration: Will bites his lip and looks down.

Juliet: If he wasn't the last boy standing, would you have picked him today?

{alternate 2}

Juliet: Right. OK. Valentina, I think you need to figure out what you really want. You've coupled up three times with three different boys. And they're not even the same type. I know part of it's the luck of the draw, but you should ask yourself, would you pick James/Will next time?

Valentina: That's not...

Juliet: I'm not trying to stir the pot, so don't answer that now. What I'm saying is, that chaotic energy you have is beautiful. But in here you need to pick someone and stick with them. And don't do it as a way to stay in the Villa. Do it for you. If you don't give people a proper chance, how will you get to know them for real?

Valentina: That's... pretty perceptive.

Thabi: Yeah, it does make sense...

Player (thinking): Juliet says Valentina needs to pick someone for good…

CHOICE: As long as it's not [your partner]

Valentina: No risk of that! You're properly glued to each other. I can take a hint.

CHOICE: Give Will a proper shot

Valentina: Yes, well. He needs to give me a proper shot too.

Will: I know. Let's just see where this goes...

Valentina: Yeah, I guess that's all we can do…

CHOICE: Give James a proper shot

Valentina: I intend to!

James: Thank you, Valentina, I truly appreciate that.

Valentina: But you have to drop the formality. Seriously.

James: I'll... try.

CHOICE: Do what you want, you only live once

Valentina: That's kinda what I've been doing so far…

Valentina: But I think Juliet has a point. It's not like it's worked out great for me. Thank you, Jules. This was really helpful.

Bruno: I feel like I've just met Coach Juliet for the first time.

Juliet: That's what I'm usually like. I guess it's just easier when I'm not under all that pressure...

Narration: She looks down.

Youcef: OK, give me some advice now.

Angie: Pass.

Najuma: Why would we need any?

Youcef: It can never hurt, right?

Juliet: Sorry, but Youcef has volunteered to be a client now, and I never leave a client in the lurch. Youcef, we haven't talked all that much during my time here, so please stop me if I'm off-base. But it feels like you have very, very high standards.

Player (thinking): Juliet says Youcef's got high standards…

CHOICE: That's because he's so handsome

Youcef: Oh my, thank you, Player!

CHOICE: I don't know about that

Angie: What is that supposed to mean?

Youcef: That's not directed at you, Anj.

Najuma: What is that supposed to mean?

Youcef: Never mind that, bébé.

CHOICE: Clearly, he's dating the best

Angie: Thanks, Player, you're a real one!

CHOICE: That's a good thing, right?

Youcef: Yeah, I know what I want.

Juliet: Maybe... or maybe you're setting a high bar because you know most people won't clear it?

Narration: Youcef raises an eyebrow and observes her.

Juliet: You've been engaged before haven't you? Was she really perfect, or were you just prepared to overlook her flaws?

Youcef: That's... an interesting point.

Juliet: So what changed after that?

Narration: Youcef looks at his nails and says nothing.

Juliet: It seems my advice for you isn't that different from the advice I gave Valentina. Figure out what you really want. Not what you think perfection looks like. Perfection's boring anyway.

Angie: That's really well put. Honestly, I'm a little impressed. It's almost like... I'm starting to get you?

Najuma: This is like, spookily on point. I wish you'd shown this side of you before, Juliet. Now I kinda feel like we could have had pretty good chats.

Narration: Juliet tightly clasps her hands together and takes a deep breath.

Juliet: I wanted to leave with no regrets... but I'm not so sure I..

Narration: Her voice starts to break just a little.

Juliet: I really should go and pack now...

Narration: She flees towards the bedroom.

Player (thinking): Juliet looked like she was about to burst into tears… She could probably use some support. And she might have some useful advice for my relationship with [your partner]. Maybe I should go check on her…

CHOICE (Premium): Follow Juliet to the bedroom

CHOICE: Stay by the firepit

Kobi: I'm gonna let her have a bit of space...

Narration: He looks emotional, and Bruno gives him a bear hug.

Bruno: C'mere, little flower.

Narration: Kobi chuckles and returns the hug.

Player (thinking): It's a bit sad to leave Juliet all alone… And she made really good points just now. Do I want to have a private chat with Juliet?

CHOICE (Premium): Yes, let's do it

CHOICE: No, I'll wait here

Narration: [your partner] tenderly presses their nose into your cheek.

Kobi: It's gonna be odd not to see this firepit anymore. Not gonna lie, when I first walked into the Villa, I thought it was a bit over the top. But now I'm gonna miss it.

Angie: It's gonna miss you back.

James: And so will all of us.

Narration: Kobi looks down with a smile, and a little silence stretches.

Thabi: Maybe we shouldn't leave Juliet alone for too long.

Kobi: Yeah, and I should also pack.

Narration: Everyone nods and makes for the bedroom. When you come in, you find Juliet her back turned to you, folding clothes on her bed.

{skip scene}

Narration: When you walk into the bedroom, Juliet's sitting on her bed, wiping her eye.

Player (thinking): Did I just hear a sniffle?

CHOICE: Call out to her

Player: What's up, Jules?

CHOICE: Come over and hug her

Narration: You quietly walk up to her and put an arm around her shoulder.

Player: You OK?

CHOICE: Sit at the end of the bed

Narration: You gently sit down on a corner of the bed.

Player: You OK?

Juliet: Ah, Player. Come to gloat?

Player: Not at all. I wanted to check up on you.

Juliet: Ah, Player. Thanks for checking up on me.

Narration: Juliet fans her eyes and sighs.

Juliet: I've been better, I've been worse. I'm sad to be leaving, but thinking about it, life on the outside might do me and Kobi some good. It'll be less pressure. And I'm actually keen to give it a go, so...

Narration: She gives you a tight smile.

Juliet: Keep having fun when I'm gone, OK? The way I see it, unless you mess up really badly, you've got a shot at winning this.

Player (thinking): Juliet thinks I've got a shot at winning this…

CHOICE: Why do you think that?

CHOICE: All I want is to find love

Juliet: Of course. That's what everyone wants.

CHOICE: [your partner] is what really matters

Juliet: I'm glad you've found someone you're connecting with. Now you just need to make sure it stays that way!

Juliet: Honestly, I probably shouldn't give you advice. Seeing how you snapped at me earlier. But this will all seem really small to me when I'm out of here, so… Time for some Juliet coaching, I think. No reason why you shouldn't get your turn.

Player: Sure!

Juliet: First, I've got a question for you. Do you think you and [your partner] will make it as a couple after the Villa?

Player (thinking): Juliet's asking if I'm going to stick with [your partner] after the Villa…

CHOICE: Definitely, we're solid

Juliet: Yeah. You know what you want, and that's a great start.

CHOICE: It's too early to tell

Juliet: Fair enough. If I were you, I'd ponder it, though. You should probably know that stuff before you start making promises to each other.

CHOICE: Absolutely not

Juliet: Really? Well, that's OK. As long as you know what you want, and [your partner] knows that as well.

Juliet: But that brings me to my next point. You've been around [your partner] for a while now, so you must have started to see what they’re like.

{if James/Tom}

Juliet: James/Tom's a really sensitive guy, and he doesn't have as much confidence as you'd think.

Player: Yeah...

Juliet: So I guess being with James/Tom gives you a sort of... responsibility. Like you can show James/Tom a different way forward?

Player (thinking): Juliet thinks I can show James/Tom a different way forward…

CHOICE: All I want is be there for him

Juliet: Good, because that's exactly what he needs. I believe in you!

CHOICE: I'm gonna show him my way

Juliet: Right. Be careful though, because I feel he's had enough people telling him what to do before Maybe let him figure out some stuff for himself...

CHOICE: I like him as he is

Juliet: You do? Ah, well. Good for you then, but do make sure he also likes himself as he is...

{if Will}

Juliet: I know you and Will have been a bit long in the making. He’s got a bit of a flaky reputation and all.

Player: Yeah...

Juliet: But I do think Will’s really into you. Will’s just the kind of guy who runs for the hills if that can spare him a difficult chat. So I guess the question is, can you crack Will’s code?

Player (thinking): Juliet's wondering if Will and I can understand each other…

CHOICE: I'm damn well gonna try

Juliet: That's the spirit.

CHOICE: I think I get Will pretty well already

Juliet: That's good, then.

CHOICE: As he’d say, we'll just have to see

Juliet: Yes, of course, but don't wait and see too long, if you catch my drift. Will’s a tricky one, but if you can get through to him and keep him honest, I think he'll be an amazing partner.

Player: Yeah...

Juliet: I believe in you!

{if Najuma/Bruno}

Juliet: You and Najuma/Bruno have been together for such a long time now. Whatever you're doing, it's working. I honestly find it aspirational.

Player: Thank you!

Juliet: Also it's pretty clear Najuma/Bruno’s head won't turn. They dote on you. So I guess the main question here is, could your head turn? Like, what if you start connecting with someone new? Either someone you don't know very well, or a new Islander.

Player (thinking): Juliet's asking if my head could turn…

CHOICE: Actually, there's someone I like

Narration: Juliet gives you a long look.

Juliet: I see.

CHOICE: For the right person, it might

Juliet: Well that's OK, but make sure what you find is as good as what you leave behind. In fact, it's advice I often give people. Maybe I should make it into a song. It even rhymes and everything...

Player: Right...

CHOICE: No, I'm staying put

Narration: Juliet smiles at you and nods.

Juliet: You're lucky you found each other the way you did. It's special.

Player: I know…

Juliet: Well then, I don't think you have much to learn from me at all. You and Najuma/Bruno have been some time in the making.

{alternate}

Juliet: It feels like you've had a bit of trouble settling on someone. So I guess your situation is a bit like Valentina's, really. There's nothing wrong with shopping around, but if you want to connect, you should stick with someone, you know?

Player (thinking): Juliet says I need to settle on someone…

CHOICE: I'm sticking with this one

Juliet: Good. I think that's the right choice, to be honest. [your partner]'s a good person, and they’re really into you, so my work here is done.

CHOICE: I just haven't found the right person yet

Juliet: I see. That happens but… Make sure you give people a fair shot, OK? Or you'll turn around, and someone you really like will be gone, and it will be too late.

CHOICE: I'm in here to have fun

Juliet: Ah well. That's fine, but make sure the people you're with know it, OK? Everyone in here's a good person. You don't want to hurt them.

Narration: Before you can reply, all the other Islanders trickle through the bedroom door.

Thabi: You OK, Juliet?

Juliet: I'm fine, yeah. Thanks.

Narration: Despite her puffy eyes, her voice is steady. Kobi walks up to her and kisses her on the cheek, before getting his own things.

Thabi: You're doing really well. I was a little worried, but...

Narration: She stops herself and looks down.

Juliet: Thabi... You really are a sweetheart, you know that? In fact, let's make you the last installment of Coach Juliet. If you'd like?

Thabi: Yeah, go ahead!

Juliet: So first of all, I want to say, I think you've changed a lot since I first met you. You used to be very unsure of yourself. You were always apologising for being here, that kind of thing. And your choice in men reflected that. Look at Will.

Will: Hey now...

Juliet: No offence, Will, you're lovely and everything, but you haven't exactly been dedicated to Thabi.

Narration: Will looks down.

Player (thinking): Juliet says Will was a bad pick for Thabi…

CHOICE: You two just weren't a match

Bruno: Yeah, Will didn't light Thabi's fire!

Angie: Please, don't.

CHOICE: You met in the wrong circumstances

Will: Yeah. Relationships are like stars, they need to align properly...

Angie: Right...

CHOICE: You could still make it work!

Will: No, the cherry blossoms have fallen off that tree...

Bruno: You mean that ship has sailed?

Will: Something like that.

CHOICE: But he's a great pick for me!

Player: He's like... the water to my tea leaves?

Will: Oooh yeah, I love this!

Angie: Eurgh.

Narration: Juliet turns to Thabi again.

Juliet: But now I feel like you're on the right track, sweetheart. Tom clearly thinks the world of you, as he should.

Tom: I really do.

Narration: Thabi squirms, trying and failing to hold back a huge smile.

Thabi: Thank you, both of you.

Juliet: So my advice for you is, keep putting yourself out there. Spend less time solving other people's problems, and more time building your own happiness.You only deserve the best, and the best is what you're gonna get. Understood?

Thabi: Yes, coach!

Narration: They exchange a smile. Then Thabi nervously bites her lip.

Juliet: What is it?

Thabi: Would it be OK... if I gave you some advice too?

Narration: Juliet's eyebrows shot up but she nods.

Juliet: Of course!

Thabi: It's like Bruno said before, this is the first time we're actually meeting Coach Juliet. And I've been thinking why that is.

Player (thinking): Thabi wonders why Juliet's acting differently…

CHOICE: I don't see much of a change

[your partner]: Really?

Thabi: Yeah, I do think tonight's Juliet is different from usual Villa Juliet.

CHOICE: She's meeting her nice side

Player: Ever heard the story of Coach Juliet and Mrs Snide?

Juliet: Mrs Snide? That bad?

Thabi: Well, honestly... sometimes it did come across that way. Is that a mean thing to say?

Juliet: No, you're good! Go on.

CHOICE: Pressure does that to people

Thabi: Yes, that's exactly what I'm thinking.

Thabi: You know how people say it's about the journey, and not the destination? I think everyone in the Villa, you included, has helped me see that I wasn't focused on my own journey enough. I was kinda... flailing about, wanting to be loved by everyone, instead of just being present in the moment. And, tell me if I'm wrong, but I feel like the same thing happened to you?

Narration: Juliet looks down, brows knitted in thought.

Thabi: Oh gosh, did I hurt you? I did, didn't I?

Juliet: No! Thabi, honey, you couldn't hurt a fly. In fact, I think you're right… Wanting to be loved by everyone. That's true, I suppose that's what I wanted. But trying for that always achieves the opposite, doesn't it? I did butt in a fair bit, I guess...

Narration: There's a short silence.

Tom: It's alright, Juliet. We're all growing all the time. I hope.

Juliet: Well, you certainly have! And so has Coach Thabi. I should hire you when we get out of the Villa!

Thabi: Maybe you should! Otherwise I'll set up my own company and you'll some serious competition.

Juliet: Oooh, cheeky! How fast they grow...

Player (thinking): Thabi's threatening to compete with Juliet's business…

CHOICE: No one can replace Coach Juliet!

Juliet: Thanks, Player.

Thabi: That's OK! I kinda have other plans anyway.

CHOICE: I'm here for Coach Thabi

Thabi: Yay, Player! My first client! Although to be honest, I kinda have other plans.

CHOICE: Beware of Coach Player!

Juliet: Oof, Player! You'd do great at it, but I don't know if the market can take three of us.

Thabi: That's OK! I kinda have other plans anyway.

Narration: She smiles to herself.

Juliet: Right! I'm all packed up.

Kobi: I'm not yet. But go ahead, I'll join you as soon as I'm done.

Juliet: Alright!

Narration: Juliet grabs her suitcase and makes her way outside, followed by everyone else. You and Kobi are left alone in the silent bedroom.

Kobi: It's been a ride, huh, Player? It's odd that it's going to be over tonight...

Player (thinking): Kobi's feeling odd about leaving the Villa…

CHOICE: I'm gonna miss you a lot

Kobi: Me too… We've had good times. A good run.

CHOICE: We'll see each other again soon

Kobi: Yeah, I guess that's true. And we've had good times here. I had a good run.

CHOICE: When it's time, it's time

Kobi: You're right, I've had a good run.

Kobi: Although now I think back on it, perhaps I should have done some things differently.

Player (thinking): Kobi says he should have done things differently…

CHOICE: Like not dating Lexi?

Kobi: Honestly? Yeah. I do think I was a bit oblivious to the Lexi situation.

CHOICE: Maybe Juliet wasn't the right pick…

Kobi: No, Juliet's OK. I mean, I guess we'll see what happens now, with her. But she's not a bad person. But I do think dating Lexi made everything after that a bit difficult.

CHOICE: Do you regret not ending up with me?

Kobi: That's... I don't know. : We've become really close friends now, so it's kind of a moot point? Maybe? We just didn't go that route. There was always someone else in the picture… I don't know.

Narration: He gives you a confused smile.

Kobi: I will say that dating Lexi was maybe not the best choice I've made in here. It was just a lot of drama.

Player: That it was…

Kobi: So I guess in a way, I'm relieved that I'm leaving all that tension behind. But in another, I'm kinda wondering, what if? You know, what if I'd taken the initiative more? What if I'd given more people a fair chance? I don't regret leaving now, because you're all in solid couples. Like, you and [your partner], there's something real between you, more real that what Juliet and I have.

Player: Thank you for saying that.

Kobi: No, I mean it. You know I love you. As a friend, I mean. And I seriously hope you win this. Not this, the show, this, the finding-love game. But yeah, I just don't know...

Player (thinking): Kobi's having regrets…

CHOICE: There's no point in regretting things

Player: What's done is done. You made your choices with the information you had. I don't know if they were all the right choices, but at least you've learned from them, so it wasn't a waste.

CHOICE: You'll know better next time

Player: Lexi wasn't a great start but I wouldn't beat yourself up. That relationship was a useful learning experience in the end, wasn't it?

CHOICE: This isn't over yet

Player: I mean, yes, your time in the Villa's over. But we're all going to stay in touch afterwards, and who knows what will happen? Plus it sounds like you've learned a few things! So it wasn't a waste.

Kobi: Yeah, I guess you're right.

Kobi: See, this is why you're my best bud in here. I can always count on you. You're always telling it straight, you're always helping me see through things. I'm a naive fool sometimes, but you took really good care of me.

Narration: Kobi's voice breaks.

Kobi: Dammit, gimme a sec.

Narration: He turns away and wipes his cheeks.

Kobi: The thing I'm most looking forward to right now is meeting up again. I wanna show you my shop, I want you to meet my other friends. I want you to be proud of who I really am, in my day to day.

Player (thinking): Kobi says he wants me to be proud of him…

CHOICE: I'm already proud of you

Player: You're amazing, Kobi. Never forget that.

CHOICE: I can't wait to see all that

Player: We'll have the best time ever! Just you wait.

CHOICE: I'll make you proud, too!

Player: In here, and when we meet again outside. I'm not gonna let you down, I promise.

Kobi: Player...

Kobi: Come gimme a hug.

Narration: He opens his arms to you and you meet him there. His strong, wide hands press firmly into your shoulders, and you feel cosy and safe.

Kobi: Well, that's it then. We should probably go.

Player: Yeah...

Narration: You smile at each other and walk out of the bedroom. When you come outside, everyone's standing awkwardly in front of the Villa.

[your partner]: Here you are, guys.

Narration: Bruno walks up to you, then envelops Kobi in a big hug. [your partner] comes up to you and extends their hand to Kobi. Kobi looks at it for a second then shakes his head, smiling.

Kobi: Bring it in, mate!

Narration: He opens his arms wide, and [your partner] happily hugs him back.

Thabi/Angie: The Villa won't feel the same without you...

Kobi: Hey, chin up! This is a see you later, not a see you never.

Narration: Thabi/Angie still clings to Kobi. Juliet bites her lip, then shakes it off and walks over to them.

Juliet: Group hug?

Player (thinking): Juliet's suggesting a group hug…

CHOICE: Group hug!

Kobi: Of course!

Narration: Kobi and [your partner] make room for you and Juliet to join them.

Cora: Don't forget about me!

Narration: She laughs and energetically pulls both you and Juliet into the Kobi hug, one arm around each.

Juliet: Ah wait!... I can't walk fast in these heels!

Cora: Too bad. I don't wanna waste a second of hugging.

Valentina: I know I'm one to talk, but that'll teach you to wear flats next time you're about to be hug-mugged!

Bruno: Hug mug! I love that!

Angie: Of course you do.

CHOICE: I don't know…

Juliet: Eurgh...

Cora: Well I do!

Narration: She laughs and energetically pulls both you and Juliet into the Kobi hug, one arm around each.

Juliet: Ah wait!... I can't walk fast in these heels!

Cora: Too bad. I don't wanna waste a second of hugging.

Valentina: I know I'm one to talk, but that'll teach you to wear flats next time you're about to be hug-mugged!

Bruno: Hug mug! I love that!

Angie: Of course you do.

Juliet: Eurgh..

CHOICE: No thanks

Youcef: In that case, let me through.

Narration: He walks past you and snakes an arm around Kobi's shoulder and the other one around Juliet's.

Youcef: I know it's uncool... but I'm actually gonna miss you, people.

Kobi: Wow, Youcef being uncool? That's character growth right there!

Youcef: Don't make me regret it.

Valentina: Now I want in as well! Open up the circle!

Kobi: The circle's open.

Juliet: Yes, that's the point of a group hug!

Valentina: Yay! Valentinator coming through!

Narration: She jumps onto the rest of the group.

Juliet: You don't like ‘Val', but you're fine with ‘Valentinator'?!

Valentina: It's just for tonight. And if you keep being nice, maybe I'll let you call me Val down the line.

Narration: Soon everyone joins the hug, and Juliet and Kobi disappear into a sea of arms. Angie is the first to disentangle themself and stands a little way aside.

Player (thinking): Angie looks worried…

CHOICE: Ask Angie what's wrong

Narration: You join Angie.

Player: You alright?

Angie: Ah, Player. I'm fine. This is just... a lot. You know I'm not one for big displays. And not gonna lie, it's odd to see all this loving when I've been getting none.

Player: I'm sorry...

Angie: I'm... a bit like a sponge. I soak in everyone's emotions. So when it gets intense, I need to take a break sometimes.

Player: I get that...

Angie: But also, I can't help feeling I should be the one leaving the Villa. I really thought that would happen, and now I don't know what to do with myself.

Player (thinking): Angie says she expected to leave the Villa…

CHOICE: Just enjoy your time here

CHOICE: Lighten up, you're in the best position now!

CHOICE: That's a problem for another day

Player: You never know who might come along next.

Angie: ... Yeah, I guess I should get over myself. Thanks, Player.

CHOICE: Give Angie a hug

Narration: You walk up to Angie and give her a hug.

Player: You alright?

Angie: I'm fine. This is just... a lot. You know I'm not one for big displays. And not gonna lie, it's odd to see all this loving when I've been getting none.

Player: I'm sorry...

Angie: I'm... a bit like a sponge. I soak in everyone's emotions. So when it gets intense, I need to take a break sometimes.

Player: I get that...

Angie: But also, I can't help feeling I should be the one leaving the Villa. I really thought that would happen, and now I don't know what to do with myself.

Player (thinking): Angie says she expected to leave the Villa…

CHOICE: Just enjoy your time here

CHOICE: Lighten up, you're in the best position now!

CHOICE: That's a problem for another day

Player: You never know who might come along next.

Angie: ... Yeah, I guess I should get over myself. Thanks, Player.

CHOICE: Stick with Juliet and Kobi

Narration: You turn back to Juliet and Kobi just as the group hug drifts apart.

Juliet: We haven't always seen eye to eye, Player, I know that. But I respect you and I think... I'm going to miss you.

Juliet: You're a nice person, Player. I think... I'm going to miss you.

Kobi: But not as much as I'm gonna miss my bestie.

Cora: And me too?

Kobi: Yeah, of course! Both my besties!

Cora: Eurgh, I promised myself I wouldn't cry, but you're making it hard. Please expect to find a song called ‘Kobi' on my next album. Right next to a song called ‘Player’.

Player: As it should be!

Kobi: Yeah, it's the bare minimum, really.

Juliet: No song for me?

Cora: I'll give you a big cameo in Kobi's!

Juliet: Is it me or does that sound a little... threatening?

Cora: Not if you stick with him.

Narration: She gives Juliet a wide, meaningful smile, and Juliet blinks uncomfortably.

Kobi: Yeah... We've had good times in the Villa, Player. Here's to more good times on the outside!

Player: Yeah!

Narration: Juliet and Kobi smile at you.

Kobi: Right... I guess we should go.

Narration: Kobi takes Juliet's hand, they give the Villa one last look, then they walk away into the dark. The mood is quiet after Kobi and Juliet are gone, and you prepare to go to sleep.

Player (thinking): First night with [your partner] after the recoupling… I should make sure I look stunning!

Narration: When you walk back into the bedroom, [your partner] pulls you aside.

[your partner]: First of all, let me just say…

{if new outfit}

[your partner]: You always look gorgeous, but this is another level!

{else}

[your partner]: You always take my breath away when you wear this.

[your partner]: I don't know how you manage to look so cute.

Player: Thank you. I try!

Narration: [your partner] gives you a small smile.

[your partner]: This evening ended up being a lot, didn't it?

Player (thinking): [your partner] seems emotional about Juliet and Kobi…

CHOICE: I'm here for you

[your partner]: Thank you, Player. I am a bit sad, that's true.

CHOICE: Yeah, I'm gonna miss these guys

[your partner]: Definitely.

CHOICE: I've already forgotten about them!

[your partner]: Have you? I guess it's a good thing you're able to flip the switch so fast.

[your partner]: I'm a little bit down, to be honest. But I'm still happy we're here together.

Player: Yeah, me too...

Narration: [your partner] gently cups your cheek. [your partner] fingers graze your skin before lightly touching your lips.

[your partner]: I just wish we could have some alone time...

Player (thinking): Actually, we could have some alone time. The daybeds are out there and everyone's inside. Maybe I should suggest we sleep on the daybeds tonight?

CHOICE (Premium): Let's go to the daybeds

CHOICE: We'll have other chances to be alone

[your partner]: I guess...

Player (thinking): [your partner] looks really disappointed. If we went to the daybeds, we could have a longer chat out of everyone's earshot. And we could maybe even get our sexy on… Going to the daybeds might be an idea…

CHOICE (Premium): Daybeds it is

CHOICE: Let's just stay here tonight

[your partner]: That's fine. Let's get all cuddled up!

Player: Sounds good.

Narration: You slide under the duvet and lie down facing each other. [your partner] whispers softly, close to your ear.

[your partner]: I feel so lucky… After the last recoupling, I was so scared we might not find our way back to each other...

Player: I did say I'd wait for you.

[your partner]: You did. But things happen so fast in here… And it's not like we promised to wait or anything. But I still wanted it to happen. So much. I really hoped you would choose me, but I couldn't be sure...

Player: It should be pretty clear I'm into you, by now.

[your partner]: Yes, well... I know I picked you out of the blue last time. And you're so amazing that I... couldn't believe you really wanted it to happen. I honestly didn't think you'd choose me.

Player: And yet here we are.

[your partner]: Yeah... To be honest, when Cora picked you last time, I thought that was my one chance gone. Then we've been spending more time together and, I don't know, it made me really sad to think that was it. I guess having so many people around all the time... It makes it confusing. Harder to land on just one person. But lately, I've been so sure you're what I want… So this feels like a small miracle.

Player (thinking): [your partner] says this feels like a miracle to them…

CHOICE: I know, I'm miraculous {Bruno}

Bruno: Bruno's Miraculous Player.

Player: So I've graduated from banging, then? ... That didn't come out right.

Bruno: I don't know, I loved it. Maybe we should start a comedy double act!

Player: Maybe...

CHOICE: I know, I’m miraculous

CHOICE: I feel the same way {Najuma}

Najuma: Being with you feels like the first time I went on a demolition job.

Player: ... Really?

Najuma: Hear me out. It was a super early morning, and I was very nervous. I had all the butterflies, stage fright, whatever they call it. And then I got there, I got out of the car. I looked at the site. And it's like it all fell into place. I knew exactly what I had gone there to do. That's what I feel like right now.

Player: OK, this was surprisingly nice to hear.

CHOICE: Let's focus on the future {Will}

Will: We should, at some point. But right now I just wanna stay here and enjoy you, like I'd enjoy the sun falling through spring leaves.

Player: That's actually... a nice way to put it.

Will: You know. Sometimes I say things a certain way, because that's just how the world makes sense to me. And I appreciate that means you've gotta read between my lines. But I feel like you're starting to crack the Will code.

Player: I intend to become an expert!

Will: I'm very on board with that.

CHOICE: I feel the same way {James}

James: I'm about to be very cheesy, I apologise. But I feel like I need to come out and say it.

Player: Go on.

James: Well... I think in my romance novels, in my stories, I was always writing about the same ideal woman. And of course, I've always known she's not real. But there've been times I wished she were. But now I'm here, with you, and this is reality… And it's infinitely better than any fantasy I've ever had.

Player: Wow...

James: Sorry, I'm just a big romantic blob. What I'm saying is, I'm happy we're together.

Player: You really are a big romantic blob.

CHOICE: Let’s focus on the future {Tom}

Tom: I hope what's in the future is us spending lots of time together. You're truly something money can't buy. And I'd know.

Player: You're cute...

Tom: I mean it though. It's like... being around you changes my perspective completely. You're really helping me see what's important. Things I'd never have figured out without you.

Player: Thank you. But you should also give yourself some credit. You've been growing so much since you came in here.

Narration: Tom blushes and hides his head in the pillow.

Narration: You gently chuckle at each other.

Cora: Oi, lovebirds! Some of us are trying to sleep.

[your partner]: Woops, sorry! We probably should get some sleep as well.

Player: Yeah, we should...

Narration: [your partner] gently puts their hand on your waist, and you put yours on their neck. Then you both close your eyes and let the world vanish.

{skip scene}

[your partner]: I would love that!

Narration: You smile at each other and sneak out of the bedroom. Outside, the night air is a bit chilly, and you wrap your arms around you.

[your partner]: Let's rush under the covers!

Narration: [your partner] holds you close to them and quickly leads you to the daybeds.

Player (thinking): [your partner]'s picked that side to shield me from the breeze...

Narration: You slide under the covers and lie down facing each other. [your partner] softly speaks up.

[your partner]: I feel so lucky… After the last recoupling, I was so scared we might not find our way back to each other...

Player: I did say I'd wait for you.

Player: It should be pretty clear I'm into you, by now.

[your partner]: Yes, well... I know I picked you out of the blue last time. And you're so amazing that I... couldn't believe you really wanted it to happen. I honestly didn't think you'd choose me.

Player: And yet here we are.

Player (thinking): [your partner] says this feels like a miracle to them…

CHOICE: I know, I'm miraculous {Bruno}

Bruno: Bruno's Miraculous Player.

Player: So I've graduated from banging, then? ... That didn't come out right.

Bruno: I don't know, I loved it. Maybe we should start a comedy double act!

Player: Maybe...

CHOICE: I know, I’m miraculous

CHOICE: I feel the same way {Najuma}

Najuma: Being with you feels like the first time I went on a demolition job.

Player: ... Really?

Player: OK, this was surprisingly nice to hear.

CHOICE: Let's focus on the future {Will}

Will: We should, at some point. But right now I just wanna stay here and enjoy you, like I'd enjoy the sun falling through spring leaves.

Player: That's actually... a nice way to put it.

Player: I intend to become an expert!

Will: I'm very on board with that.

CHOICE: I feel the same way {James}

James: I'm about to be very cheesy, I apologise. But I feel like I need to come out and say it.

Player: Go on.

Player: Wow...

James: Sorry, I'm just a big romantic blob. What I'm saying is, I'm happy we're together.

Player: You really are a big romantic blob.

CHOICE: Let’s focus on the future {Tom}

Tom: I hope what's in the future is us spending lots of time together. You're truly something money can't buy. And I'd know.

Player: You're cute...

Tom: I mean it though. It's like... being around you changes my perspective completely. You're really helping me see what's important. Things I'd never have figured out without you.

Player: Thank you. But you should also give yourself some credit. You've been growing so much since you came in here.

Narration: Tom blushes and hides his head in the pillow.

Narration: You gently chuckle at each other.

[your partner]: I don't know about you, but being together like this is giving me... ideas.

Narration: [your partner] draws a little closer to you, and you can feel the warmth radiating from their body.

[your partner]: What do you say? Want to put this daybed through its paces?

Player (thinking): [your partner]'s suggesting we do bits…

CHOICE: Let's give the daybed a night to remember

{insert intimacy module}

CHOICE: I thought you'd never ask

{insert intimacy module}

CHOICE: Not tonight

[your partner]: Fair enough. We'll have other occasions.

Player: It's a date!

[your partner]: Cross my heart.

Narration: [your partner] relaxes in your arms. Your eyelids grow heavy, and the last thing you see is [your partner] gentle smile before you fall asleep. A night bird sings somewhere in the distance, and [your partner]'s hand finds your cheek.

[your partner]: No matter how many times I'm next to you like this, somehow it's always new and exciting.

Player (thinking): [your partner] says it's always new and exciting to be with me…

CHOICE: I feel the same way you do

[your partner]: I love to hear that.

CHOICE: Same old, same old

Narration: [your partner] pokes your cheek.

[your partner]: How dare!

Narration: You stick your tongue out at [your partner].

[your partner]: Seriously, though.

CHOICE: I hope we feel this way for a long time

[your partner]: I think we will.

[your partner]: What we've got is special, and I think it's always gonna be special.

Narration: [your partner]'s other hand softly caresses your arm. Your eyes meet, and [your partner] smile changes.

[your partner]: I'm so glad we're growing closer. And I hope it's going to keep getting better and better.

Player (thinking): [your partner] hopes we're going to keep growing closer…

CHOICE: I already feel very close to you, you know

[your partner]: I'm so happy to hear that... Like, really, really happy.

Narration: [your partner] hand on your cheek trembles a little.

CHOICE: I'm excited to spend more time together

[your partner]: Me too...

CHOICE: We're literally in the same bed

Player: How much closer could we be?

[your partner]: Pff! That's not what I meant and you know it.

Narration: [your partner] gently pokes your cheek.

[your partner]: Naughty Player.

Narration: Your eyes meet, and [your partner] smile changes.

[your partner]: This, now, it feels both so new and so familiar… It's comforting. Like coming home.

Player (thinking): [your partner] says being with me feels like coming home…

CHOICE: Right back at you

Narration: You both pause for a moment.

[your partner]: I'm really happy this means something to you, too.

CHOICE: It feels like moving into a new place!

Narration: [your partner]'s hand on your cheek trembles a little.

[your partner]: Is that a good or a bad thing?

Player: That depends on the place!

[your partner]: Then I gotta make sure it's a real nice one.

CHOICE: Come home into my arms

Narration: [your partner] laughs and hugs you. Your eyes meet, and [your partner] smile changes.

[your partner]: I'm so excited. Is it alright if we cuddle a bit?

Player (thinking): Do I want to cuddle with [your partner]?

CHOICE: Agree to it

Player: Get in here.

Narration: [your partner] smiles and gently draws you to them. [your partner] arms tremble a little around you.

[your partner]: I'm a bit nervous to be with you like this. Does that make me a fool?

Player: It doesn't.

[your partner]: Good. Because I'm not sure I'd know how to fix it. And I don't think I want to. I love feeling these butterflies.

CHOICE: Hug [your partner] to you

Narration: [your partner] plants a soft kiss on your forehead. [your partner] looks like they’re about to say something else, but then hesitates.

Player: What is it?

[your partner]: Well... I don't want to go too fast. But I'm looking at you like this, up close, and you're so pretty, and I really, really want to kiss you...

Player: Way ahead of you.

Narration: You throw your arms around [your partner]'s shoulders and pull them close. [your partner] hugs you back. [your partner] arms tremble a little around you.

[your partner]: I'm a bit nervous to be with you like this. Does that make me a fool?

Player: It doesn't.

[your partner]: Good. Because I'm not sure I'd know how to fix it. And I don't think I want to. I love feeling these butterflies.

Narration: [your partner] plants a soft kiss on your forehead.

CHOICE: Ask to wait for next time

Player: Actually... Do you mind if we take it slow? I'd be happy to just stay like this tonight.

[your partner]: Oh, of course! We'll have other occasions. I can wait.

Narration: Soon [your partner] relaxes next to you, and their breathing slows down. Your eyelids grow heavy, and the last thing you see is [your partner] gentle smile before you fall asleep.

Player (thinking): [your partner] says they want to kiss me…

CHOICE: Then maybe you should

[your partner]: Alright then... Let me consider it.

CHOICE: I love the sound of that

[your partner]: Alright then... Let me consider it.

CHOICE: Let's wait for next time

[your partner]: Sure. I really don't want to make you feel rushed. Is it even OK that I asked?

Player: Of course it is.

Narration: [your partner] relaxes in your arms. Your eyelids grow heavy, and the last thing you see is [your partner] gentle smile before you fall asleep.

Narrator: 🎵 Twinkle, twinkle, little star... 🎵 🎵 Thank you for your tiny spark. 🎵 I know, I know, everyone tells me I should have been a pop star. But what can I say, living in a cabin without a working shower is just so much more fun. If you've never poured a bucket of ice-cold water on your head, have you even lived? ... Don't answer that. The spark between [your partner] and Player burned nice and bright tonight.

Narrator: [your partner] and Player had a nice sort of tiny spark going on there. But tomorrow, it will be time to fan another sort of flames!

Cora: A talent show! Yay!

Narrator: What? A talent show? Well now that's hot. Wait for me! My pop star career is finally within reach!

#litg2 #litg #fusebox games

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doingitfortheexposure · 1 year ago

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The California scrub jays will start swooping down for peanuts the moment I back away from the platform feeder (made from an old firepit and some scrap wood).

Photos by Xer S. Rowan, Creative Commons Attribution license

I take photos for the love of photography, and I share them under a free-to-use-as-long-as-I-am-properly-credited license. I'm disabled, neurodivergent, and living on a poverty-level fixed income. If you'd like to enrich my life a little, I have wishlists.

#birbs #birb #birblr #bird photography #california scrub jay #corvid #creative commons photography #free stock images #original photography on tumblr #backyard photography #creative commons

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colleendoran · 4 years ago

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Wishing that this New Year sees many bright changes and brings all of you hope and clarity.

I know many people are suffering, and I am deeply sorry for your troubles. I know we are all pushing as hard as we can to get through this crisis, both physically and spiritually.

I am very grateful for all the support and friendship I have found here. I have plenty of work, and being able to work at home means that I have not faced the issues many others face. I didn’t lose any major jobs: in fact, I had to let a few smaller jobs go because I could not fit them in, more due to my distress over world events distracting and discouraging me than anything else. It was very difficult to get out of bed in the morning for awhile.

I know many artists depend on the convention circuit for income, and have taken a serious hit because they are not able to go to shows and sell prints. Again, I’m lucky because this hasn’t affected me much as I make most of my income in publishing.

A year or so ago, someone came to this page to lecture me about how I would never have fallen into debt if I had been better about money management. According to him, I should join some sort of debtor’s anonymous group.

I fell into debt because of chronic illness, not because of my being a spendthrift.

Now that my health issue is well managed, I work regularly, steadily, and am doing well. My debt has evaporated. Between the wonderful success of my books over the last few years, and my Patreon support (which, BTW, is not a charity, I have one of the most productive Patreons on the site,) I’ve turned my situation around. I get to devote all of my time in 2021 to amazing projects (especially finishing A DISTANT SOIL,) and to not have to worry about the wolf at the door. I work very hard to make my Patreon worthwhile, and I am truly grateful to all the fans and readers who support me there and who buy my books. https://www.patreon.com/ColleenDoran

But I can’t help thinking about That Guy when I think of all the people who are now out of work due to this crisis. People with chronic illness endure years of distress and uncertainty. In one year, this crisis did to millions what the chronically ill face year after year, decade after decade. Without substantial cash reserves and the ability to make money from home, many have been wiped out in a matter of weeks.

Because I have always been self employed and fairly frugal, I endured many years of low productivity and low income until I was lucky enough to get a proper diagnosis and treatment and to come out on the other side.

Millions of people around the world now face mounting medical bills and devastating health issues because of COVID. Long COVID patients have symptoms very similar to the ones I’ve experienced off and on since 1983. You have no idea just how awful that is until you get endure it. For weeks. Then months. Then years.

Because I work from home, because I know how to handle long dry periods of work and income, because I carefully invest, because I have built goodwill with my public and cultivated multiple income streams, I can deal with all of this.

But many people can’t.

I think there’s a tendency to victim blame over issues like this because people are sure that if they just do all the right things and tick all the right boxes, nothing bad will ever happen to them. People deserve bad things because they’re bad.

But if, in my case, I walk through this crisis like I just walked across a firepit without getting singed, does that mean I’m a good person?

No. It just means I am used to living like this and am prepared because I can be. Not everyone has the same set of choices.

Not everyone is suffering because they didn’t put their money in the bank.

The good and the bad have good luck and bad luck. It’s no reflection on who they are as people.

Making all the right choices is just swell, but no one gets magic armor by doing so. You just get an expanded array of possible benefits.

Which is a plus. But not a guarantee.

Have a great year.

And truly…thanks again.

But don’t be That Guy.

#chronic illness #covid #new year #A Distant Soil

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silyabeeodess · 4 years ago

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FusionFall Headcanons: Coco

It goes without saying that Coco plays a pivotal role in the war effort thanks to her eggs; however, because she often runs off to do her own thing, she can also makes trouble for those ordered to protect her. It’s not the hardest job a fusion fighter could have, but it does come with an insane amount of stress.

She’s really good at disappearing, which simultaneously relieves and terrifies those around her at the same time. On one hand, she can escape Fuse’s forces pretty well: On the other, the same can be said for their own forces. She’ll go somewhere without telling anyone, including sneaking onboard a S.C.A.M.P.E.R. to fly to dangerous areas, which sends everyone into a frenzied panic. Nevertheless, she always has her reasons, typically to help the war effort in some way.

While Coco is encouraged to stay safe at all times due to the important role she plays, again, that doesn’t mean she just sits around idly while people look after her. Outside of her runaway stunts, Coco regularly takes part in missions by watching the movements of fusion monsters and keeping the things they drop for study, like in “Building a Master Arsenal (Part 4 of 4).”

Coco has a motherly nature not just reserved for her close friends: She really does enjoy spending time with kids in general, as seen in the episode “Cuckoo for Coco Cards.” Because of this, there’s not really any better place for her to be than at a KND base. For her sake, the security is pretty top-notch, and for the kids, she can sometimes act as a good role model whereas they may not listen to an actual adult. Her wacky, fun nature as an imaginary friend draws them in, making it easier for her to get down to their level and reason with them when needed. She’s also, as Wilt describes, “good with words.”

Still, if someone irritates her, Coco’s not above eating their belongings and only giving them back in egg form after they apologize.

She’s glad that Mac doesn’t take an aggressive role in the war, since she can’t help but feel responsible for him chasing after her all the way to Mt. Blackhead. While she understands it may be inevitable and that there are other kids his age within the KND who are fighting fusion monsters, she’d feel really guilty if anything happened to him because of her. In “Fuse No More (Part 3 of 4),” she actually got a small taste of her own medicine in his sense, as Mac snuck inside Fuse’s Lair to help in the major battle.

No one knew prior to the start of the war that Coco could lay eggs that give a person special abilities instead of a physical item. The one trouble is that these are always extremely temporary boosts, and many nano abilities typically offer these same enhancements for longer periods of time. As a result, these eggs are used more often in situations when a nano can’t/shouldn’t be summoned. The main exception is the health and explosive eggs seen in the Firepits, which are scattered there in large numbers to be used against the powerful fusion monsters located there.

The E.G.G.s from the E.G.G.E.R.s aren’t produced by Coco herself. Both the machines and capsules were designed by the KND as a small way of generating income to help support the war financially and give Fusion Fighters something to do--which is why we see them at many of the major bases. They are, of course, inspired by Coco though and she in-turn has the group give her a small chunk of the profits for the use of her likeness. (She’s all about being kind and helpful, but she’ll draw a line at mass producing things after herself without benefit.) It’s a small past time for soldiers, who will purchase the capsules and then trade the items, codes, and tools from them with each other.

#fusionfall #headcanons #video games

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myemergence · 4 years ago

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True Love (is a Slow Burn)

A/N:submission for Buddie First Kiss Week @buddiefirstkissweek. Prompt: Interrupted. You can read it over on AO3 here

Buck tags along on the Diazes father/son camping trip.

Thanks to Nicole for the beta!

“Do you need anything else out of the cooler?” Eddie asks as he bends down and grabs a beer for himself as dusk settles in. The campground is quiet aside for a few families gathered around their own fires. “A beer?”

“Nah, I’ll wait till Chris is in bed,” Buck says with a small shrug of his shoulder, relaxing into the chair as he stretches his legs out in front of him.

Eddie chuckles as he glances to where Christopher is reclined in his own camping chair. “Suit yourself,” he says before he settles back into the empty chair beside Christopher. “Hey bud, you ready to show Buck how to make the best s’mores?”

Buck’s not oblivious to the fact that he’s playing the third wheel on a father-son camping trip as the result of a lie. A white lie. A tiny fib, really. He also knows that he should feel guilty about it, at least a tiny morsel of regret. But being in their presence makes it hard for Buck to feel guilty for how he ended up being included.

Buck shifts in his chair and looks over at Eddie who’s pulled marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate out for assembling the s’mores. “I’ve never actually had s’mores before, but just tell me what I can do to help.”

“Bucky! You’ve never had s’mores?” There’s a tiny shake to his head. He wants to point out that at least this is not a lie, but he decides it would probably be a terrible time to out himself. Christopher’s eyes brighten then. “They’re the best part of camping! And we get to show you.”

His excitement is contagious and Buck can only grin back at him.

Eddie laughs as he opens the bag of marshmallows before handing it to Chris who takes one and pops it in his mouth before offering a few to Buck. “Is that really your favorite part of camping, mijo? What about sleeping in a tent? Or sitting around the campfire?”

Chris shrugs before he slides the marshmallows onto the forks. Eddie opens up the graham crackers and breaks the wafers in half so that they’re square. “You make s’mores around a campfire. So it’s my favorite because s’mores are the best and we get to sit around the campfire.”

“Very clever, Chris.” Buck laughs.

“Alright,” Eddie says seriously as he slides his eyes over to Buck, “so you’ve never made smores before, do you have any experience toasting marshmallows?”

“Of course I do, who hasn’t toasted a marshmallow before?” Buck scoffs.

Eddie’s brow raises. “Maybe the same kind of person who’s never gone camping.” Buck’s eyes dance with mirth before he takes the cool metal stick in his hands. Wordlessly, Buck scoots forward on his chair and shoves the two bright white marshmallows into the flames until they ignite. He pulls them out of the blaze, holding the stick upside down until both marshmallows are completely engulfed in flames. “What the- I thought you said you’d toasted marshmallows before?!”

“Uh, this is how you toast a marshmallow.” Buck looks down at the marshmallow, waiting for the fire to dissipate. The outsides of the marshmallows are charred black.

“Wow, I feel like I never knew you until today, Buck,” he says. “You’re a monster. Why don’t you just scoop up the coals from the firepit while you’re at it? I’m sure those will taste great in a s’more.” Buck smirks as he looks over at Eddie while Christopher giggles loudly in his seat.

“Can I try one?” Christopher asks.

“Christopher, you know how marshmallows are supposed to be: golden brown .”

“Eddie, are you going to deny your son this experience ?” After another moment of allowing them to cool off Buck slides the marshmallows off of the fork and extends one to Christopher.

“You’ve ruined my son now.” Eddie huffs like he’s pouting, but the look in his eyes is light and fond. Buck pops the marshmallow into his mouth to hide another smile as he looks over at Christopher.

“Well?” Buck asks and Christopher offers a thumbs up in reply.

“You’re going to learn to make s’mores and toast marshmallows, the right way.” Eddie tosses the bag of marshmallows at Buck so that he can take a couple more and replace the ones that he’d charred and eaten. “Chris you wanna put them together for us?” After Chris nods, Eddie gives him the graham crackers and chocolate. He uses a fire poker to adjust the logs so that he has a calm area of coal to use. “Come on Buckley, out of your chair.”

Buck groans dramatically. “Is he always like this?”

When the response is another peal of giggles, Eddie slides his eyes over to his son. “Christopher,” he scolds teasingly.

“Come on, these marshmallows aren’t going to make themselves golden brown.”

Buck moves out of his chair and walks over to Eddie with a roll of his eyes. “So it’s your way or the highway?”

“Is that an actual question?” Eddie laughs as he hovers the marshmallows over the coals, and Buck feels Eddie’s eyes on him as he settles beside him. Eddie carefully turns his marshmallows to make sure no side gets too dark.

“This is taking too long,” Buck whines after a minute, following Eddie’s lead and turning his marshmallows as well. “It’s so much faster to just set them on fire.”

“Good things come with time, Ev,” Eddie chuckles. “Haven’t you ever heard of a slow burn?”

The words catch Buck off guard and he lets out a throaty laugh. “Everyone hates a slow burn,” he finally mutters. His gaze flits over Eddie’s face, not missing the quiet way that he’s biting down on his lower lip, or the reserved look on his face. Like he wants to say something but is holding back.

Buck opens his mouth to say something, but Christopher interrupts asking if the marshmallows are ready yet and the moment slips away. “Incoming,” Eddie announces as he stands upright, moving over to Christopher and making the first of the smores.

Eddie and Buck each toast a few more marshmallows until they settle in their chairs, enjoying the s’mores. “These are amazing,” Buck manages before he goes in for another bite of the sweet treat.

“Best part of camping?” Chris asks.

“It’s too early to say,” Buck smiles. “Ask me when we’re packing up tomorrow.” Christopher stifles a yawn, which he tries to hide from his dad. Eddie notices and glances down at his watch.

“Mijo, you look like you’re getting sleepy and it’s past bedtime. Why don’t we take you to brush your teeth and get you all tucked in?”

“But Dad-”

“I’m making a killer breakfast tomorrow, and we need to be out of here by 11. Which means you have to be up early to eat, yeah?” Buck asks with a smile. Without any further argument they get Christopher ready for bed and tucked in.

“You gonna turn in early?” Buck asks as he walks over to the cooler and grabs a beer for himself and Eddie shakes his head. “You want a beer?” Eddie folds up Christopher’s camping chair and puts it away.

“Yeah I’ll take a beer,” Eddie says. “And for the record? The last night of camping is the best night to stay up way too late.” He settles back into his chair and takes the beer that Buck offers to him. Buck notices for the first time that, in the absence of Christopher’s smaller chair, the armrest of his chair presses against Eddie’s.

Buck takes a few swigs of his beer as he watches the fire and listens to the light crackling of the campfire in front of them. This is so quiet, so peaceful. Being with the Diaz boys is exactly where Buck feels he belongs most in the world. “He had a great time. You’re really good at this-- at finding these special ways to bond with Chris. He’s lucky to have you.”

Eddie tilts his head slightly to look at Buck. “He’s lucky to have you, Buck. I’m his dad, he’s stuck with me for life.” Eddie chuckles into the otherwise quiet air, a random crackle sounding as embers float up from the fire every few seconds. “You choose to be in his life, in our lives. I’m glad that you came with us this weekend.”

Buck isn’t sure what to say to that. He knows that Eddie’s been trying harder lately to verbalize his emotions instead of keeping a top on them and the difference is obvious to Buck. There’s less tension in his shoulders than there used to be and his smiles reach his eyes again. “I’m glad, too. Even if I did bait you into bringing me.”

“You’d never been camping before, man.” Eddie shrugs like that explains everything. He feels a small twinge of guilt at Eddie’s words.

“This isn’t actually my first time camping,” Buck admits, his voice barely above a whisper before he takes a swig for beer. “It’s my second.”

“But you said-”

“I know. I know what I said.”

“You lied?” Silence falls between them and Buck thumbs over the label on his beer bottle. He drags his fingernail under the label, trying to figure out how to answer Eddie. “Why?”

Buck sighs as he rests his free hand against the armrest. “I don’t know, Eds, I-” he leans his head back then, glancing up at the darkened sky, eyes settling on a grouping of stars above. “I guess I just didn’t think you’d want me to tag along otherwise. This is your time with Chris, and I shouldn’t have tricked you into inviting me.”

Buck hears Eddie shift in the seat next to him. “Is that what you think happened? That you bullied your way into an invitation?” Buck doesn’t move, he keeps his eyes fixed on the star-covered blanket above them, focusing on keeping his breathing slow and controlled so that it doesn’t betray him. “Ev,” Eddie whispers, fingers brushing against Buck’s wrist, sending a jolt through him. “We invited you because we wanted you here.”

“After I told you that I’d never camped before.”

“Yeah, but we were planning on asking you all along,” Eddie says softly, pausing as he seems to be pulling together his own thoughts. “Can I ask you what your first camping trip was like?”

They were planning on asking him all along? Buck swallows hard as he tries to hold it together. He wonders what exactly he’d ever done to deserve to be treated as an unofficial member of the Diaz family. Sometimes the longing to be a part of their family was all-consuming, and he had to force himself to take a step back. This time he wasn’t able to take that step back, he was greedy -- taking more than was his-- and they had planned to offer it to him all the same.

“Nothing like this weekend,” he says, “I went on a camping trip with my ex once, when I was like twenty, maybe twenty-one. We’d been together for a few months and he thought it would be a great idea to go away from the weekend. I’ve never argued with a person more than I did that weekend, ya know? Over putting up the tent, he was miserable about the bugs, sleeping on the floor. I just can’t recall a single happy memory from it. People always talk about going camping with their families. I was always kind of jealous of that because I never had that experience. Thank you for letting me pretend for the weekend.”

“Sounds like it was pretty miserable,” Eddie hums, his thumb brushing against Buck’s wrist again, causing Buck’s heart rate to spike. “I don’t know about you, but I haven’t pretended anything this weekend. You belong here as much as Chris and I do.”

Buck's breathing becomes more shallow with Eddie’s thumb resting against his pulse point. The heat feels like it’s going to sear a hole in the skin there. Buck hopes that it does so Eddie can seep into his bloodstream and live there; live in this moment and this feeling forever. He’s afraid to turn and look at Eddie, afraid of what he’ll see if he does. So he keeps his eyes focused on the campfire in front of them, swallowing hard against the feelings pressing harder into his chest that don’t want to remain dormant anymore.

His tongue darts out and wets his suddenly dry bottom lip. Buck feels a languid sweep of a finger against his jawline. He turns his head towards Eddie and looks into his hazel eyes, realizing his face is only inches away now. “E-Eddie,” Buck’s voice cracks. He slips his beer carefully into the cupholder as his sole focus shifts to Eddie. His finger traces along Buck’s jawline again and Buck has a moment of denial, sure that he’s imagining this. After all this time, after all of their tiptoeing around each other there is no way that they’re going to take this next step.

Except they are.

Buck reaches out a hand and gently cradles Eddie’s jaw, his thumb moving in a pattern similar to Eddie’s, hesitant. He watches the way that Eddie leans into his own hand slightly and being able to see Eddie’s reaction helps to settle Buck’s nerves, just a little. His eyes flutter closed as he angles in towards Eddie, feeling the whisper of Eddie’s breath against his face. The scent is a mix of beer, s’mores, and something that can only be described as Eddie. Their lips remain a hair’s breadth away, lingering there in the quiet, the only sound being the sporadic pop from the burning logs on the fire.

“Dad!” They both pull back slightly, the moment shattered. Eddie lets out an uneven breath, and Buck’s eyes widen slightly now that the promise of finally kissing Eddie has slipped away. “DAD! I have to pee!” Christopher calls from the tent that’s only a short distance away, his voice breaking them away from their silent trance.

“I-I’ll be right there, Christopher,” Eddie chokes out and he offers Buck a nervous smile as he moves to the tent. Buck watches as Eddie helps Christopher out of the tent to take him to the bathroom. Buck drops his head into his hands. His heart is thundering in his chest and his hands feel unsteady.

The minutes drag on until Christopher and Eddie reappear and Buck smiles softly at them. Christopher walks over to Buck and wraps his arms around his neck. “Hey, what’s that for?”

“I’m glad you came with us, Bucky.”

“Me too, kid. Me too.” He places a soft kiss on the crown of Christopher’s head.

“Come on, mijo, back to bed.”

Christopher sighs unhappily and mutters, “Okay, Dad.”

Eddie returns a few moments later, and he seems to sit down beside him with uncertainty this time. He looks nervous, eyes focused anywhere that isn’t Buck’s face. Buck studies him, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth. Maybe he regrets making the first move. Maybe he’s thinking of all the reasons this can’t happen, the prospect of ruining their friendship. Maybe it’s better that it didn’t happen.

Maybe.

Buck wants to look away, wants to pretend the bubble didn’t completely break when Christopher called for Eddie. As much as he wants that, Eddie’s features tell him otherwise. There’s a hard set to his jaw and his brow is furrowed as he stares into the flames.

“Buck, I’m sorry,” he says finally. Buck’s eyes close briefly and he watches as a mask of regret washes over him. “I shouldn’t have-”

“I’m not.” The words stumble out before he can reign them back in.

“What?”

“I’m not sorry,” Buck says quietly as he studies Eddie. For the first time since he rejoined Buck by the campfire, Eddie turns his head and actually looks at Buck. He sees worry etched in Eddie’s features and Buck wants to reach out to smooth his thumb over the creases, a promise that everything’s okay.

“You’re not sorry?”

“I’m not,” Buck reiterates firmly. He knows it’s a risk, but it’s one that he has to take. “I’m only sorry that Chris had to pee.” He watches as the hard lines disappear, a quiet snicker slipping past Eddie’s lips. Buck places his hand over Eddie’s lightly, his thumb tracing an invisible line.

“So you’re really not…” Eddie trails off slowly, eyes lowering to where Buck is rubbing his thumb against Eddie’s forearm and wrist. “You’re not having second thoughts?”

“I’ve wanted this for…” Buck lets out a breath nervously as he turns his body completely towards Eddie. “For longer than I’d care to admit. I never even knew that this was on the table, but now that I know that it is, Eddie. I don’t want to unthink it. Unless,” he pauses, observing Eddie’s reaction, “that’s what you need from me.

“No, I—no.”

“Okay, then…” Buck nods slightly, reaching out a hand to cradle Eddie’s face. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

When he leans into Eddie’s space, their noses brush lightly and he hears Eddie’s breath hitch. Buck slides his other hand up Eddie’s arm until it rests at the nape of his neck, urging Eddie closer. Eddie’s reaction to his touch is all of the encouragement that Buck needs, capturing Eddie’s lips with his own. The kiss is firm and needy, Buck’s tongue pressing against Eddie’s lower lip.

Eddie’s groan is muffled by Buck’s lips, parting his lips without further prompting. The positioning is awkward in the camping chairs, trying to stay connected and press further into each other to eliminate any offensive space. Buck nearly grumbles as their lips part. He moves out of his chair, crouching down in front of Eddie’s chair so that they’re level. Before Buck can move any closer, he feels Eddie’s hand grab his t-shirt by fistfuls, dragging him closer until his weight crushes against Eddie, lips and hands exploring. Buck finally breaks the kiss, breathless as he leans his forehead against Eddie’s, hand resting against Eddie’s chest, feeling his heart thrumming rapidly beneath his fingertips.

“Well…” Buck whispers breathlessly, dragging his fingers through his hair in an attempt to compose himself.

Eddie grins at him then and Buck considers kissing him again, but forces himself to remain upright and not move back into his space. “Still think you don’t belong here?”

Buck hums. “I’m not sure I’m convinced yet,” he teases, his lips turning upward into a content smile. Eddie leans forward and places a chaste kiss against his lips. Buck’s sure as soon as Eddie’s lips sweep against his so tenderly that he’s never belonged so completely before; the missing piece in someone else’s life.

#buddie #firstkiss2020 #buddiefirstkiss #prompt: interrupted #my writing #evan buckley #eddie diaz

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yergink · 4 years ago

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Bravery and a Bowline Ch. 2

Heavier on the fluff this time around! Also a bit longer than last chapter at 4.6k words.

First Chapter

Next Chapter

Crossposted to Ao3

Summary: Walter learns a bit about the other people on the island. Meanwhile, the kids decide to amuse themselves the best way kids know how.

They’re out gathering charcoal one day and Walter has a particular thought on his mind.

By now, his stay on this island the others call “the Constant” has reached a whopping ten days, and in that time, he’s been doing his best to be of help around camp.

For instance, he’d been helping Webber tend to the farms. Walter didn’t mind the dirt and muck staining his clothes, and he’d gone on a field trip to a farm for school once, during which he’d been paying a lot of attention, so he was sure he could help. They’d packed seeds into the ground with manure and mud, and to Walter’s surprise, the crops grew alarmingly quickly. Webber seemed to enjoy the company as well, chatting away about the things he liked as they worked. Walter’s found out they both have a similar penchant for bugs.

He’d been helping Wendy as well, and her biggest chore was tending to the rabbit traps spread amidst the plains. She showed him how to weave them and how to set them above the rabbits’ dens. That was where his help had ended, though. Walter tried to help her collect the traps at the end of the day, but he’d ended up feeling so bad for the rabbits that he’d ended up letting one go and Wendy said she’d handle it after that.

Still, Walter wants to be as helpful as he can, which is why he’d volunteered to help Willow gather fuel without realizing what exactly that would entail until. And then, he was standing in front of a forest ablaze, eyes wide as he watched Willow clap excitedly until the burn died down. When he’d piped up about fire safety, she’d just waved him off and reassured that this was a “controlled burn.” Walter didn’t think that was true, but he bit back his objections.

Now, amidst the scorched trees, he watches Willow heft her axe over her shoulder and asks, “You said there were other people on the island, right?” She pauses, adjusting her angle.

“Hm? Oh, yeah. There are. What about it?”

She swings the blade at the trunk of a freshly charred tree, and it crumbles under the force. Walter gets about, kneeling to gather the fallen pieces of charcoal and packing them away in his backpack. Woby, well-fed and in her large form, lies on her back in the sunlight just outside the forest.

Walter fidgets, rubbing his soot-stained fingers together. “Can I meet them?”

Willow snorts. She’s leaned down now, helping gather the pieces as well, and she stuffs the last charred branch away and straightens up. “When they decide to show up to our base, then sure. I’m not supposed to let any of the kids wander around.” She approaches the next tree, and before she can even regain the grip on her axe, Walter zips around it, clasping his hands together and putting on his best pout. His mom always told him he could convince the moon to fall with that face.

He’s not certain it’s going to be enough, but it does give Willow pause. “Stop using little kid powers on me, it isn’t gonna work.”

Walter pouts further, blinking a few times to make it really dramatic. His eyes water a little bit.

Willow makes a show of not looking at him, but after she cracks down the tree and sees him still waiting expectantly, her resolve seems to falter. She sighs. “Listen, I can’t really take a break to give you a whole tour of everyone’s camps, but I can tell you about the rest of them at least.”

“That works!” Walter chirps.

Her axe fells another tree. “So, I’ve mentioned Wilson before, right? He’s like, a scientist or whatever, which is just a codeword for ‘huge nerd’ if you ask me.”

Walter personally finds science rather enjoyable, so he just gives a small hum at that. “What kind of science?”

She makes a vague hand gesture. “He’s never really specific about it, to be honest. But he’s sort of a doctor. Or, he used to be, I think. Before we got here. And he used to be really stuck-up about it, too, thinking he was all smarter than the rest of us.”

“But not anymore?”

“I mean…” she trails off. “I think it was mostly just him being defensive. When it comes down to it, he’s really sweet, even if he is an idiot sometimes.” She turns, moving towards the next blackened trunk, but not before Walter catches the half-smile on her face, a look that seems uncharacteristically soft for Willow. She clears her throat. “Anyway. Ms. Wickerbottom also stays at the eastern camp with the kids. She can be a bit strict, but she’s pretty nice. She’s kind of like everyone’s grandma. You’ll probably get along with her pretty well, spouting off facts the way you do.”

They keep gathering, circling the edge of the forest line. In between felling trees, Willow’s counting off people on her fingers. “There’s Winona. She’s real spunky, and smart to boot. And there’s Mr. Wolfgang who comes off really intimidating, but he’s a sweetheart under all that muscle. He gives the best piggyback rides. And there’s Wigfrid--she can be a bit intense, but she isn't too bad. And--”

“Hey, Willow?” Walter interrupts. He feels like he’s back home trying to memorize plant names, and he wishes he had a notepad. “Maybe I’ll remember them better if I actually meet them.”

She laughs. “Sure.”

The sky grays out a bit by the time they finish hacking down trees and collecting the charcoal. The sight of incoming rain makes Willow anxious, and she gestures for them to begin the trek back to camp. The two of them walk side by side, Woby shuffling along quietly behind them. Walter shifts his hands up the backpack straps while they walk, getting a better hold on the heavy load. Despite intending to shelve the topic of the other people on the island, he can’t quite stop thinking about it.

Cautiously, he asks, “So, how many people are here in total?”

Willow hums in thought. “I think with you we’re up to a whole seventeen.”

Seventeen people. It’s a bit difficult for Walter to comprehend. Not the number itself, mind you, but that so many people would have been lost here and had yet to find a way home. It’s worrying, although Walter doesn’t want to linger on it for too long. If he’s honest, the biggest concern he has is that this is going to make him get sick of camping.

...He just hopes his mom isn’t worrying too much.

After they return to camp and unpack the charcoal into the boxes by the fire, he notices Willow keep glancing fretfully at the clouded sky, and she juts her thumb towards the tent, saying that she’s going to take a nap before nightfall.

Walter nods, of course, fully intending to stay in camp as well, although as afternoon sets in and the promise of rain is still unfulfilled, he finds himself growing bored. He sits by the smoldering ashes of the firepit, tossing a stick across the length of camp for a now-small Woby to fetch, although it looks like even she is getting tired of doing so.

She drops the stick at his feet and whines, headbutting his arm when Walter reaches to throw it again. He lets the stick fall and scratches behind her ears. “You’re bored too, aren’t you,” he mumbles, and Woby barks in agreement. She darts away from him abruptly, pointing her nose towards the gate and running back and forth between it and where Walter is sitting.

He perks up a bit. “You wanna go on a walk?”

She barks. Walter stands, glancing back towards the tent, listening to Willow’s snores gently emanating from it, and then to the sky, weighing the risks. Then, he carefully unlatches the gate and slips out without looking back.

Together, he and Woby meander through the plains a bit. The air here doesn’t smell like the air back home; it’s got a sense of danger on it, not to mention the heavy smell of monster blood that Walter hasn’t entirely grown accustomed to. Still, there is still the thrill of taking it all in. Nature is nature, and Walter has learned to appreciate that. He even has a badge for it.

The tall straw-like grass begins to give way into forest, and he’s wandered back into the midst of the deciduous trees, where he first met Wendy. As autumn has gone on, more and more of the trees have gone bare, and with the clouded sky the forest has a much eerier atmosphere than usual. Woby sniffs out mushrooms for him to pick, particularly the spongy green ones that tend to sprout in the evening.

He’s just crouched down behind a few bushes to dig up another one when he pauses, the sound of voices brushing by on the wind.

There are several. One of them is high, an echoey sort of trill that he recognizes as Wendy immediately. There’s also that haunting wispy sort of noise that Wendy’s sister Abigail always makes. She doesn’t speak with words the way Wendy does, and Wendy’s the only one who can understand her, but she’s a good translator. Walter thinks he and Abigail have become pretty good friends, even if he was a bit creeped out by her at first.

Then, he hears a third voice, one that’s unfamiliar. Woby starts growling, a low, threatening rumble that doesn’t sound right coming from her small body. Walter shushes her, going still to try and hear what was going on.

The unfamiliar voice is talking. It’s a deep, smooth cadence, and it makes Walter think of that old ragtime tune that had played on the radio that brought him here.

“--struck with a bout of insomnia and was coming by for some assistance,” the voice says.

“Out of nowhere?” Wendy asks.

“I believe it has to do with that ridiculous robot screeching up a storm every night just over the river.”

Walter pushes aside the lower branches of the bush to get a better view. He sees Wendy, standing by a nearby pond with an older looking man in a sharp suit. Immediately, he’s a bit suspicious. The man is tall, and he all but towers over Wendy, leaning slightly down towards her as they talk. Walter feels Woby, still rumbling with a quiet growl beside him as he looks on.

He watches Wendy shake her head. “I’m afraid Ms. Wickerbottom is currently absent from camp. Both she and Mr. Higgsbury embarked to the underground nearly a fortnight ago. Only Ms. Willow is there right now.”

The man scoffs. “They left you in the care of the firestarter? I wouldn’t trust that woman to look after a goldfish, much less a child.”

“To be fair, uncle, it would be extremely difficult to burn a goldfish.”

Walter looks to Woby, who cocks her head in what seems like an equal amount of confusion. “Uncle” ?

The two conversing fall into a lull of silence. The man clears his throat.

“...And you’re sure you won’t reconsider staying at my camp?” he asks. There’s a hesitation behind his words, an uncertainty that marrs his otherwise smooth, charismatic tone, roughening it around the edges.

“I do not feel comfortable leaving the camp at this time,” Wendy says after a moment’s thought. “And, in fairness, I believe Ms. Willow to be a good caretaker. You needn’t worry.”

The man coughs. “Right.” He glances backwards. “I’ll be on my way, then.”

A peal of thunder rumbles across the sky, and Wendy murmurs, “May you stay well,” as the man leaves. She watches him leave with that odd sort of stillness of hers, like a statue in the forest. A few leaves fall, sticking in her hair, though she does not move until the man has entirely vanished from view. It’s only then that Walter makes a move.

“Wendy!” he calls, shaking himself out of the bushes. “Who was that?”

Wendy pauses, glancing to Abigail, then back at him. “You were eavesdropping,” she frowns.

“Kinda,” Walter admits. “So who was that?”

With some trepidation, she says, “That was our”--she indicates to herself and Abigail with a nod--”Uncle Maxwell. He camps by the rock fields.”

Woby barks, and Walter looks down to see that she’s glaring in the direction the man left, her hackles raised and tail angled in alert. He frowns. “Woby stop, that’s not nice.”

Usually, a command like that would be enough to calm her, but she growls again, low and threatening, pawing at the ground like she’s about to run off after him.

“Woby, what’s wrong with you?” Walter exclaims, swooping to pick her up before she has a chance to take off. The dog squirms in his arms, and he struggles to keep his hold on her, her back paws digging into his stomach as he tries to get her to still.

“She probably senses Their presence in him” Wendy suggests, her head tilted sideways as she watches him grapple.

He rests a hand on Woby’s head, scratching in the space between the bumps of her horns as her growls begin to taper off. “What do you mean?”

One of her hands reaches for the flower clipped in her hair--a nervous habit. “I forgot that you don’t know.” Upon seeing her sister hesitate, Abigail floats closer, whispering in that airy, incomprehensible tone. It seems to help, because even as Wendy looks away, she keeps talking.

“My uncle was the one who brought many of us here,” she explains. “And even while he has lost his crown of shadows, there are many who have continued to forego forgiveness.”

“Oh,” Walter says. He doesn’t know how to respond.

“Not all of us were condemned by his hand,” she says hurriedly. “You, for example. But my uncle has a hard time finding good favor with others. His time as king has tainted him with a terrible arrogance.”

“He did seem kind of rude. Uh, no offense.”

“None taken.”

They keep walking. It’s awkward. Walter breaks the silence. “So, do you talk to him a lot?”

Wendy hums. “As often as I must. Despite everything, he is still family. And he has been earnestly attempting to better himself, which I believe we all appreciate.”

Abigail makes a sound like steam rising off a lake, and Wendy nods in agreement. “Abigail makes a good point. We know that he cares about us.”

It’s an offhand comment, but it sends a pang of jealousy through him. Wistfully and without thinking, Walter says, “It seems kind of nice. To have family with you.” It’s a more emotionally revealing statement than he wanted to make, and he’s a bit alarmed with himself for having said something like that. Wendy seems to take it in stride though, making a sort of sympathetic sound.

“It is difficult,” she says, “to be forced to face a cruel world without a caring presence beside you.” Walter gets the feeling she isn’t talking about Maxwell anymore. Abigail murmurs sadly, hovering over Wendy’s shoulder.

“Yeah,” he agrees. Quickly glancing around to verify that they’re alone, he puts a hand over his mouth and steps closer to her. “Don’t tell anyone, but… I think I’m getting a bit homesick.”

Solemnly, Wendy nods. “I shan’t speak a word of it to anyone.”

According to the strange thermometer set up in the camp, winter is approaching, and Walter is sure starting to feel it. The forest has started going bare, the coating of leaves along the ground growing denser by the day. There’s a chill pervading the air, one that sends him shivering on early morning fishing trips and late-night firefly hunting. He, along with the other members of the camp, huddle closer to the fire at night.

Wendy’s been making hats from the silk and fur they have, decorating them with different patterns and toppers. She’s steady with a needle, and Walter watches her thread the fabrics together in awe as they sit together.

“Who’s that one for?” he points at the completed hat she has sitting atop the spool of silk beside her.

“It’s for Webber.” She lifts it into the air, showing off the ear flaps. “So his extra legs don’t get cold.”

“It’s pretty.” The hat has been colored orange and red with boiled eggshells and berry juice. It’s an impressive feat of craftsmanship, and he wonders if Wendy will teach him how to sew like that, too.

She turns it over. “Thank you. But I think I made it a bit too big.”

“Let me try,” Walter says, reaching for it. The hat is soft, and he takes a moment to admire the texture before going to put it on. Before he gets a chance, however, Wendy interrupts.

“That’s backwards.”

Walter stops, looking at the hat. “It is?” He turns it over. The other side looks exactly the same. “It’s kind of hard to tell,” he admits.

Wendy shrugs. An idea suddenly dawns on him.

“You know,” he starts, and Wendy must hear the mischief in his tone because she immediately frowns at him. “It would be kinda funny if he wore it backwards.”

Unconvinced, Wendy asks, “Would it?”

“Yeah! My older cousins once convinced me that you can wear a skirt like a shirt, and they thought it was pretty funny, so I guess it must be funny to wear clothes wrong.”

“Maybe.” She still sounds dubious.

Walter stands up, gesturing for Webber to join them. “Here, give it to him,” he whispers to Wendy, shoving the hat back into her hands as Webber approaches.

“What is it?” the boy asks, glancing back and forth from Walter to Wendy. His smaller eyes don’t quite synchronize with the movements of his larger ones, and Walter finds himself momentarily distracted by this. Luckily, Wendy takes charge, standing as well. She holds the hat out to him.

“Here. Try this on,” she says.

“Oh, you finished our hat!” Webber exclaims. He grins as he takes it, taking a moment just as Walter did to marvel at the softness, before placing it over his head. Wendy’s initial assessment that the hat was too big was immediately obvious, and coupled with having put it on the wrong way, the hat leaves Webber with just a bit of his furry head showing. The front lip falls all the way down past where his nose would be, and his mouth is just barely visible underneath, open in alarm.

“It covers our eyes!” Webber says loudly, as if to make up for his lack of sight.

Walter giggles, trying vainly to stifle it with a hand, and Wendy shushes him. “It’s the intended design, Webber. And you have to wear it because I made it for you.”

They both know Webber will be too polite to object to that. His mouth abruptly shuts, hiding his fangs, and Walter thinks he sees the boy swallow, as if steeling his nerves. His stance straightens, like he’s fully committing to spending the entire winter blinded. “We will wear it then!” he declares, turning and almost immediately running headfirst into the camp’s outer stone wall. With a startled cry, he backs up, and Walter just barely manages to grab hold of his shoulder before he trips and falls backwards.

“Thank you,” Webber says as he regains his balance. “This hat is scary!”

Wendy laughs. It escapes her like a puff of smoke, a small, flightless thing that could be mistaken as nothing more than a breath come too fast. But Walter can tell what it is, and he looks to her in surprise for a moment before a grin spreads across his face.

He thinks Webber can tell what it is too, because Walter sees him lift the hem of the hat, and even though he’s not very good at discerning spider expressions, to him, Webber looks incredibly pleased.

“That was amusing,” Wendy says after they’ve gotten the hat off Webber and tucked away in Wendy’s bag for further tailoring. “I will admit that despite your naivety, you have good ideas, Walter.”

It’s a bit of a backhanded compliment, but Walter doesn’t take it personally. “Thanks. You’re a lot better at holding it together when it comes to pranks, though.”

She nods. “That is true. Does that mean you would be opposed to orchestrating a second one?”

He grins. “Not at all.”

They get Webber to help with their next one. Willow’s used to him spending nights by the spider dens along the forest, so it’s not suspicious if he doesn’t show up by nightfall.

Woby whines, shaking her shaggy head as Webber gets close, and Walter does his best to hold onto her collar and keep her from bucking him away and scampering off. “It’s okay girl, he’s nice, trust me,” Walter soothes, petting her big floppy ears as Webber struggles to mount her.

He gets it eventually, holding on tight to the fur on the back of Woby’s neck, and Walter takes her head between his hands and speaks very sternly. “Be nice to Webber, and listen to him, okay? We’re doing a prank on Willow, and you’ve gotta be good for it.” Woby woofs, which doesn’t really sound like agreement, but she seems to quickly give in, licking his face affectionately when Walter pouts at her. He grins. “There’s a good girl.”

He rejoins Wendy by the outer camp wall, where she’d been watching.

“It is impressive how well you have tamed such a great beast,” she says.

He shrugs. “Woby’s not much of a beast. She’s scared of butterflies.”

“I see.”

Nightfall finds both of them back in camp with Willow, watching as she rummages through the fridge for something to put together into a half-decent meal. Wendy looks over to him and gives him a nudge, indicating that they should start.

“I have a story!” Walter announces loudly, planting himself cross-legged by the fire. That does enough to gather attention. Willow likes to pretend she isn’t all that interested in his stories, but oftentimes she’s the one sitting most on edge, her chin resting on her hands as she listens with wide eyes and held breath for him to finish.

Now is no exception. She lingers at the crockpot for a moment while Wendy joins him by the fire, although sky quickly abandons the meatballs she’d been preparing in favor of listening to the story. Walter clears his throat, glancing out beyond the walls. There’s a small gleam of light out there, a torch, where Webber and Woby are waiting for their cue.

“So there’s this monster out in the woods,” he begins, putting his hands up. He’d practiced for this one, no messing up or scrambling his words. It has to be good. He takes a breath to steady himself.

“They say it’s huge, almost three meters tall, with long shaggy fur that drags behind it, getting all dirty with mud and leaves, and long scary claws. The people who see it say it looks like a piece of the forest itself.” He thinks that was pretty good, but Willow doesn’t look impressed yet. He goes off script, amping it up. “A-And it’s super venomous too, with acid breath and big sharp teeth!” He claws his hands in front of his face, imitating fangs. “It goes around hunting people who wander too far into the woods. Sometimes, people’ll see lights shining through the trees without knowing that they’re just the monster’s shiny eyes.”

The fire pops, sparks flying as if to emphasize his words. Willow seems pretty enraptured now, head tilted slightly as her eyes flick between the flames and Walter’s gestures.

“What else?” Wendy prompts, just as they’d planned.

For the briefest moment, the script slips from his mind, and Walter stumbles. “Huh? Oh, yeah, so--” he clears his throat again. “It uh…”

“They say…” Wendy whispers.

“Right! They say it roams out there, stalking unsuspecting campers...” he turns and finds that speck of light with his eyes again, raising his voice for the final line. “...Waiting for a chance to strike!”

With a resonant howl, Woby leaps over the southern wall of the camp. Webber, with his hands wrapped around her neck, holds on for dear life. She doesn’t quite nail the landing, scrambling to slow down on the dirt and slamming sideways into the alchemy engine, nearly knocking it over.

Walter giddily looks to see Willow's expression, but quickly finds himself pushed backwards, scraping his knees in the dirt, with Wendy toppled over and looking equally confused beside him. He winces, assessing the rough scratches of grit on his skin. Once he’s confirmed he’s not bleeding, he glances forward.

There is a towering dark shape before him, backlit by the glow of the fire, and it takes him a moment to realize it’s Willow, her spear readied and sharp in her grasp. She’d shoved them behind her almost immediately, widening her stance and placing herself firmly between them and Woby.

Walter uprights himself, reaching out hesitantly for her sleeve. “Willow--”

Her head snaps down to him, and he flinches backwards. There’s nothing but ferocity and aggression in her eyes, although it slowly fades as she takes note of Woby skittering away from her spearpoint nervously, and Webber sliding clumsily off her back, landing with an ‘oof’.

After another few moments of taking in the scene, her stance drops. “Okay,” she says finally, sinking her spearpoint into the dirt and turning to glower at each of the children in turn. “I don’t know what you all were thinking, but that was really dumb. Like, actually really dumb.”

“It was my idea,” Wendy pipes up, brushing dirt off her skirt as she stands up. “I asked Walter--”

“No, you just said you wanted to do a prank,” he argues. It doesn’t feel fair for her to try and take blame. He faces Willow, hands folded behind his back. “It was my idea.”

“...We just thought it would be fun, Ms. Willow,” Webber says sheepishly, wringing his hands as he edges forward.

“Yeah? Well I could’ve stabbed you. Bet that would’ve been real fun,” she snaps.

Webber’s eyes start welling. Seeing this, Water steps forward. “I asked him to do it. It’s my fault.”

Her sharp gaze turns to him and Walter stiffens, looking down and feeling very much in trouble. Still, he can’t let his friends take the heat for him. He’s got honor, after all.

“I know you don’t know yet, but things bursting into our camp and attacking us isn’t really something we can joke about,” Willow lectures, her tone like an edge of broken glass. “Putting one of you in the position of some monster? That’s really, really dumb.”

Walter keeps examining his shoes, his hands tightening around each other behind his back. “I’m sorry,” he mumbles.

Something in Willow seems to soften at that. She sighs, patting him on the shoulder. “Just. Don’t pull that sh-- stuff again.” She grimaces. “I have a headache. See you in the morning.” With that, she disappears into the tent.

Webber still looks on the verge of tears, and Walter murmurs an apology to him as well. Through it all, Wendy still looks nothing more than apathetic. She glances to the tent, then nods, as if to herself.

“To be fair,” she says. “Conceptually, it was very amusing.”

Walter sniffs, brightening at that. “Yeah?”

The tiniest of smiles graces her lips. “Yeah.”

#don't starve #dont starve #dont starve together #dst #dst walter #ds wendy #ds willow #dst fic #dont starve fic #my writing #reblogs and comments appreciated!#marine blogs #finally another chapter done!#ended up being longer than expected even w me scrapping an entire other scene

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