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hellishjoel · 2 years ago

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dark paradise

5.2k / pairing: dbf/neighbor!joel x f!reader

Series Masterlist l Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

pt. 1 pt. 2 pt. 3 pt. 4

summary: Your mind is flooded with the memories of your private time with Joel in his woodshed, but he hasn't reached out to you since the bonfire and it's been a week. You go next door to give him a piece of your mind.

warnings/information: MA 18+ (minors DNI), no outbreak, smut, age gap (reader is in her early 20’s, Joel in his 40’s), dbf/neighbor!joel, semi-public sex, oral (f receiving), fingering, pet names, praise, Joel being a horrible communicator and texter

A/N: I edited this 12+ times and kept changing stuff, so therefore there’s probably mistakes. There’s your one and only warning lol. I’m so excited you guys are eating up the first part (off to the races), I hope the next parts to come keep ya’ll entertained ;)

“Joel-” You clenched your eyes closed. “Outside? Are you serious?” Your scolded whispers were useless. Now that Joel knew you had these needs, he wasn’t going to let you be underserved. He perched one of your legs over his shoulder, the other spread to the side and held open by the warm palm of his hand. You could feel his hot breath on your inner thighs, your walls fluttering as he came closer and closer to your core with each kiss to the exposed skin. “On the tailgate, Joel?” You whimpered, a flash of concern passing over your face. “I know how much you love the truck, baby.” Son of a bitch.

Time seemed to slow after your interaction with Joel in his woodshed. The days following the bonfire were filled with excitement but quickly followed by dread and anxiety. It had been a week.

No text, no calls, no anything.

It wasn’t that serious. It was just Joel. Besides, you had a vibrator to fill the void until he finally decided to reach out to you. Whenever that may be.

Days one and two were the most riveting. Every time you thought of Joel, your heart raced a little faster. You didn’t have a long list of sexual endeavors, so this was still noteworthy. Giving head to your hot forty-year-old neighbor. You wondered what else would come from it. More importantly, when.

Days three and four felt routine and mundane. After picking around your breakfast and staring out the window to Joel’s empty driveway, you would wander to your back porch to read a book on the dock.

You were lucky to catch glimpses of Sarah. Her summer was busy with her friends from school and working a part-time job to afford having fun the summer before her senior year. If she was free, you guys would jump in the lake, sit on the dock together, tell stories, and catch up on everything that was happening in each other’s lives. Well, not everything.

Days five and six were torture. Your vibrator had died from its excessive use, and your fingers weren’t cutting it. You wanted Joel, you needed Joel. You hated to admit it, especially since he hadn’t paid a singular ounce of attention to you since the bonfire last Saturday. Even worse, after deciding to watch Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron with your family during a movie night, you started thinking even the horse was kind of attractive.

Day seven started with your room covered in a pale blue light. You didn’t know what time it was. You weren’t sure how much you slept, but you knew it was very little. This ache was pestering your insides, spreading a rot like an old tree log. Your mind couldn’t fade away from the way Joel felt inside your mouth, the way he filled your throat, and you breathed through the choke. Or the way he finished on your face and your tongue.

Your well-painted memory of it all was already beginning to fade. The details weren’t as crisp, you wanted to remember every detail and hold on to it for as long as possible.

That’s what you were trying to imagine at this ungodly early morning hour. The birds weren’t even chirping outside yet. Your fan slowly circled, trying to cool you off from the sticky Texas heat. You wished your windows weren’t jammed closed.

You heard a thud outside, your body alert as you swiftly sat up and peeked out the window.

Despite it being a Saturday, you watched a tired and slow Joel walk out to his old pickup truck and toss a brown bag lunch inside. Where was he off to so early?

He was wearing his chunky worn-in work boots, splattered with drops of white paint stained into the leather by the steel toe. They were heavy with each step he took on his rickety wooden deck. His faded dark blue jeans sat snug on his hips with his wallet stuffed in the back pocket. His dark hair dashed with silver grays was still damp from his morning shower.

You watched behind foggy glass as he patted down his jeans and mumbled something, swiftly turning on his heel and lightly jogging up his steps before disappearing inside again.

Seeing him after a week of silence bubbled up a hint of anger and annoyance in you. It annoyed you that he looked so good.

Your feet found their way onto cold hardwood before you could waste another second. You would give him a piece of your mind in fuzzy slippers and an oversized rusty-orange Texas Longhorns t-shirt that was so draped over you that it covered your black sleep shorts.

You tiredly navigated your way out of your room quietly, not to wake your parents down the hall. You crossed your arms and hugged them to your body, the early morning chill hitting you once you were outside. You crossed your driveway to his truck, slowing once you reached his perched-down tailgate. Joel had resurged from his house with his truck keys in hand, his steps slowing once you two shared eye contact.

You’d be standing here all day if you expected Joel to speak first.

“Hey.”

He gave you a small nod, his eyes dropping to the shirt that reached the tops of your thighs before they managed their way back up to your face. “Mornin’.”

He closed the gap between his porch steps and his tailgate, setting down his toolbelt and box in the bed. He looked rigid, tight in the shoulders and chest. His close proximity made you step a few paces back, the length of the tailgate separating you from Joel.

You were afraid that if he stood too close, he might feel how badly you wanted him by radiation alone. Especially now, fresh out of the shower, half-wet curls plastered to his forehead, still smelling a little musky with his body wash.

You finally let out an aggravated sigh, hip landing against the tailgate with your arms still crossed.

“So… where are you going this early on a Saturday?” Your face still held a slightly pinched expression though you tried to ask a casual question.

Your curiosity made the left side of his mouth tick up in a lopsided little smirk.

“You wanna tell me the real reason you came over here?” Joel’s tactics were ruthless. It made you feel small, young. But you weren’t, not anymore.

You took in a sharp breath through your nose, eyes on his as your head fell to the side. Finally, the ticking time bomb inside you was counting down. All of your pent-up sexual frustration would be launched at this lumberjack of a man.

“You haven’t texted me.”

“Christ,” he muttered, annoyance passing over his face. “Sun’s not even up yet.”

“Joel.” You pushed.

“Haven’t texted you in a few years.” He said lamely.

“I know, the last thing I have from you is asking me what you think my dad would like for a birthday present.”

“I value your input.” His teasing didn’t make you any less angry. Joel could tell. “I don’t text anyone much besides Sarah. ‘ts the only way I can get ahold of her. Don’t even remember I own a phone half the time.”

“I know.” Your arms crossed tighter around your body. “But I have… needs.” Your voice awkwardly teetered as you evaded his eye contact.

“Needs? Do ya, now?” Joel’s accent came out swinging, his signature smirky-smile working in combination with his cocked up eyebrow. But your face held evidence of your disappointment.

There’s a gentle lull. He should have texted you, and you shouldn’t be here telling him that. He knows. Or maybe you shouldn’t expect so much from a guy like Joel. No wedding ring, brooding, a bull with horns, Joel. Wouldn’t know it was his birthday without Sarah reminding him, Joel. Wouldn’t leave the house if he didn’t have to, Joel. Wouldn’t think to text his horny neighbor next door, Joel.

“Didn’t text me either, sweetheart.” He points out, making your head snap up with wide doe eyes. Shit. He was right.

You didn’t text him, either. You were just sort of expecting it out of him. You hoped he would lead the way, be the guide, reach out wanting more. But that wasn’t Joel. Were you both playing this devilish waiting game? You felt a little silly, your insides wrapping in knots as he surveyed you.

“Well I-”

“You what?”

He was the one grilling into you now. The sun began cresting over the water, bleaching your surroundings in a pale orange. The sun’s glare caused Joel’s eyes to squint slightly to block it out.

You rolled your head to the side and wiggled around as you tried to stand still against his tailgate. Your frustrations were evident as you rubbed your crossed legs together.

This wasn’t the same girl who took a leap of faith in his woodshed, who crossed the boundary between nothing to something, and set you and Joel up for a thrilling summer. You just wanted him to tell you that he wanted it too. To fuck around and do something different. Make this summer worth a damn.

“I didn’t know if you wanted more.” You finally muster up, your voice smaller than you intended, shifty eyes looking over his.

Your statement made him scoff, having to look away from you with a wicked smile. The orange luminescence of the sun warmed his otherwise cold face. He was amused, maybe even a little offended by your statement.

“‘Course I want more.” He strained before pausing, his voice lowering as he took another step closer. “Look at you. Wearin’ my shirt.” He said before he towered over you, making the first point of contact as his hand reached for your hip and pulled you in closer, his fist clutching the worn-in orange t-shirt.

You blinked a few times before looking down where he fisted the material. Shit. He was right again.

Joel had given this to you the last summer you were in Danbury. You and Sarah took a late-night dip in the lake, and she wanted you to sleep over and watch a movie in the basement. You were too lazy to walk back home and change, so Joel gave you a towel and his Longhorns t-shirt.

You easily could have snagged a shirt from Sarah’s closet, but Joel caught you sneaking into his house and dripping water everywhere.

“Just take this. Go dry off. Get warmed up.” A statement laced with annoyance and precaution for his floors, but also attentive care.

It was probably supposed to be just for the night, but you stole it.

You remember that evening vividly. It was the first time you fantasized about Joel. Because the shirt wrapped you up and smelled of his musk and deodorant. It brought on a certain warm fuzziness in your tummy. The shirt had been incorporated so much in your wardrobe these last two years or so, you had forgotten its origin. But it was Joel’s.

And now you were standing here in front of him, his shirt draped over your body like an oversized blanket, showing the curves of your tits. He was fantasizing about you too. Fucking you while wearing his shirt.

There was an undeniable tension that now settled between the two of you, one you surely couldn’t satisfy in his driveway. But that didn’t mean Joel didn’t feel the same way.

His hold on your hip tightened, your lips parting in surprise as his other hand came to your waist and hoisted you up onto the tailgate of his truck.

He was hot, possessive of your body wrapped in his shirt.

“Does it look like I don’t want you?” Joel’s voice was husky, lust filled. You liked getting this sort of reaction out of him. His question caused an ache in you, white heat pooling in the base of your stomach.

Your neediness for him returned. Addicted to his touch, you felt a rush of adrenaline pulse through your body. Joel parted your legs with his body by standing between them, your little fists gripping his large biceps as you tried to regain your bearings. He was so big and burly, wide set shoulders, and a toned chest. You wanted to see him shirtless, examine his body when your time together wasn’t so limited.

“Joel,” his name dripped off your lips with desperation, sweet like honey. He knew how you said his name when you wanted him. It brought back vivid memories of you kneeling in front of him in his woodshed.

Comfort brought you back, knowing it was safe to lean in and start kissing his stubbled neck. You didn’t want to kiss his lips, it still felt too intimate. Joel picked up on your hesitations and silently obeyed.

Once you got to the base of his neck by the collar of his shirt, he let out a surprisingly loud grunt that he tried to jam down into silence but had failed. It caught you off guard, the ways he displayed his pleasure.

You moved back in, eager to duplicate the noise as you paid special attention to his sweet spot. You suckled and glided your teeth over the pinpoint before he forced himself away.

“Keep it below the collar, sweetheart.” His twangy southern drawl was drenched in pleasure.

You smirked as you tugged at the collar gently with your teeth, letting it go and seeing it snap back into place around his tan neck.

His lips found the crook of your jawline, his lips brushing your earlobe as he took it between his teeth and gently nibbled. The sensation struck a nerve down your center, a weak whine echoing against the collar of his shirt as you tried to stay quiet.

The air had warmed up with the sun’s presence, the birds starting to chirp. Your parents could wake up any minute now, being the early risers they were.

You pulled away to gauge his reaction. Joel was looking between you and the horizon carefully. He was debating. You both had so little time.

“Your parents.” He pointed out, his voice ridged with pain as he planted his body between yours, his large palms splayed on your lower back and upper thigh with his fingers ghosting your sleep shorts.

“Work.” You reminded, lightly tugging on the sleeve of his shirt, fingers delicately brushing over the faded Miller Contracting logo on his breast pocket.

You’re compelled to tell him that you need him. Because you do. You need him terribly.

There was a silence, a deliberation of the masses. Stop while you’re ahead, at least you and Joel realized you were on the same page about wanting more. You could let him go, you should let him go. Meet up another time when it was less risky.

“You’re not pulling away.” Your whisper broke his thoughts. Your long lashes fluttered, and your eyes were filled with an eagerness only Joel could satisfy.

He rolled his head around, jaw tight before shaking his head.

“Well, you have needs.” His words were filled with grit, promise. Be quick.

Your arms wrapped around his broad shoulders, feeling the planes of his back under your small palms. Both of Joel’s big hands moved under your t-shirt, your lips parting at the feeling of his calloused and rough hands traversing your soft body. He liked how soft you were, you could tell by the way he was delicately exploring you with his lips plastered on your neck.

“Fuck, Joel,” you whisper, grinding your hips against his desperately while one of your hands wound into the damp curls at the base of his neck. He could use a haircut soon, the longer strands winding around your fingers.

His body loomed so much over you that you were arching your spine, your legs desperately wrapping loose around his waist until he had sufficiently guided you onto your back.

Suddenly his presence lifted. You didn’t realize you were seeing stars until he pulled away. He had way too much of an effect on you.

“Don’t have time to fuck you right, pretty girl.” His words made you puff out a desperate sigh.

“But-”

“But you have needs.” He finished for you, your head feverishly nodding. The truck bed had odd ribs, half your back raised up an inch while your other half was on a little slant. It was uncomfortable to lay your head down on. Once Joel was tugging down your sleep shorts, you were quick to forget the discomfort.

A heavy breath left you as Joel tossed your shorts over his tool belt in the truck bed beside you, feeling him pull your body closer to the edge of the truck bed with your legs pried open for him.

Your eyes widened as he sunk to the ground, jaw dropping as your eyes looked to the sky. Holy shit.

“Joel-” You clenched your eyes closed. “Outside? Are you serious?” Your scolded whispers were useless. Now that Joel knew you had these needs, he wasn’t going to let you be underserved.

He perched one of your legs over his shoulder, the other spread to the side and held open by the warm palm of his hand. You could feel his hot breath on your inner thighs, your walls fluttering as he came closer and closer to your core with each kiss to the exposed skin.

“On the tailgate, Joel?” You whimpered, a flash of concern passing over your face.

“I know how much you love the truck, baby.” Son of a bitch.

You wished every second with him right now wasn’t fleeting. You wished he could take his time. But the both of you were so wound up anyway, you were happy just to have him be a guest between your legs.

Joel’s beard stubble tickled your thighs, his warm lips leaving a wet trail to your cotton underwear. Your hands needed to stay busy, one planting itself against one of the ribs of the truck bed and the other fisting his toolbelt that adorned a Carhartt patch.

Joel’s mouth was absent for a moment. He was admiring you. Admiring you with your legs spread for him in his Longhorns shirt that was several sizes too big on you. Heat chased through your body, a sly little smirk on your lips.

“Time is of the essence, Joel.”

He didn’t say anything back. He was staring at the wet spot that had formed through the material of your panties. He hummed, cocky satisfaction filling him to the brim.

Joel placed an excruciatingly soft kiss over your covered mound that had you writhing under him eagerly. His palm planted your thigh down again, feeling you quiver under his hold.

You swallowed a lump down your throat as he pulled your underwear to the side, out of his fucking way. He was seeing you for the first time. It made your chest heave with shakier breaths.

You were glistening for him, wet and gleaming in the sunshine that was starting to dance across the lake and over the truck. Panic flooded your core. He was taking his damn time. You needed him now.

“Joel-” you warned again, but it was too late.

His nose nuzzled against your clit as he flattened his tongue and licked up your center, tasting you properly. Your head dug into the truck bed, a loose moan leaving your parted lips as you closed your eyes and experienced a sweet paradise. His tongue flooded you with his saliva, Joel’s taste buds in galore as he tried you for the first time.

You wondered if he thought about you tasting you like this before. The thought as well as his head between your legs left you humming in appreciation.

Your free hand found its purpose, nestling your fingers into Joel’s hair while his head made gentle nods against your core. His jaw was slack, mouth lodged open as he consumed your sex in its entirety. He didn’t leave one centimeter of you unmarked. He commandeered the landscape like it was his territory, his possession.

Puffs of his name left your mouth, you couldn’t help but be vocal when he made you feel this good.

Joel’s tongue moved now with purpose, precision. He lapped at your entrance, tongue dipping in to feel your tight walls before moving back up and around your swollen clit. He was discovering you, what made you tick, what made you burn with passion and lust.

You held back moans of his name, bringing Joel’s shirt you wore up into your mouth by the collar to bite down onto. Your muffles were concealed by the material for now.

You ground your hips lightly into his face, finding a rhythm you liked. He lets you. He wants you to feel good.

Thumps of your heart pounded against your chest, Joel’s tongue still working perfect circles and swipes at your clit. He pulled away just for a moment to wet his fingers, you watch through hooded eyes. His amber ones flick to yours. Can I?

You nod your head, a silent and desperate yes.

He pursed his lips, face pierced with concentration as he pushed his middle finger into you, your walls welcoming the intrusion with a flood of arousal to allow him deeper. You took in a shaky gasp as he filled you to the knuckle.

“Fuckk-” you said a little too loud, your eyes widening as you covered your mouth and got a well-deserved glare from Joel.

“Can’t hold yourself together, can ya, pretty girl?” His voice was as rough as gravel.

You couldn’t even answer him back, the threads that held together your integrity were slowly plucking loose.

You whimpered like crazy, the shirt swallowing as much of the noise as it could, but the rhythm of his finger and his mouth returning to your clit was sending electric currents through your entire body. You were short-circuiting with Joel’s tongue and fingers playing with your pussy.

Joel’s mouth was warm, the taste of you a new hunger for him. You could hear his jeans scuff against the ground. He was trying to hold himself steady. The realization made you throw your head back, losing the shirt as a vice as you gripped his strands tighter between your knuckles.

“Fuck, Joel--, ohmygod-” you whimpered quietly. The slurping of your cunt was louder than your words. The noise felt so loud in your pounding ear drums, you were worried it would wake the neighbors. The neighbors being your parents and Joel’s daughter.

You were close, even with just one of his fingers inside of you, you were close. You

weren’t sure if it was because of your pent-up sexual tension, your vibrator dying, or your fingers not doing you justice. Maybe it was the fact that it was Joel Miller, but you were holding onto a very thin rope on the verge of snapping.

You pulled your shirt up, releasing his toolbelt as your hand fondled your tits. You could feel him smirk against your thighs as you pinched at your hardened round nipples.

“Such a pretty girl.. Taste so fuckin’ good too.” His words reverberate against your core, the vibrations tickling your clit and making you whine his name. His compliment caused a certain warmth in your chest.

Your head lulled from side to side. He wasn’t letting you know peace once he added a second finger. You had to take a moment to adjust but Joel could feel it, he knew exactly what to do and when. He was so seasoned, experienced, he’d be the first guy to make you cum like this.

Your thigh against his head clenched tighter around his shoulder, keeping him in close against your core as he continued to work his tongue in figure eights around your clit. The soothing circles were creating a harmonious rhythm, your stomach felt like it was going to fall through a trapdoor. You weren’t going to last much longer.

Then he tried something new.

A loud gasp left your lips, your body scraping its way to sit up on your elbows as you watched him nibble and suckle at your clit. Your elbow had nicked his exposed flathead screwdriver in the process, a hiss seething from your mouth. It didn’t matter now. All your mind could focus on was Joel and his hellish tongue.

The suckling at your clit unlocked something undiscovered, your lips parting in fascination before your head fell back and landed on the tops of your shoulders as you looked to the heavens with blurry vision.

A lazy smirk was plastered on your face as he held you in place. You weren’t going anywhere.

Heated pants left your mouth, unable to breathe with the new sensation. The sucking was a distinct sensation, one you liked. You could feel his teeth just lightly grazing your sensitive bud. It made your thighs twitch, and your walls flutter around his still pumping fingers.

Joel’s digits moved gently with their thrust, a gasp of his name flooding the air as he curled them deep, massaging your spongy walls.

You were breathless. You could barely muster up anything besides his name weakly on your lips. You tried to tell him, but it was already too late.

“J-Joel I’m-- I’m cominggg, shit,” you moaned out a little too loud. The whole valley around you echoed, or so it seemed. Joel’s protective grip tightened, your hips convulsing as you came over his tongue. He fucking loved it. He held you there and took you for everything you were worth.

You dropped to your back once more, his fingers still working a slow rhythm that he was insistent on not breaking until your walls stopped fluttering around his knuckles. You were still trying to come down to Earth when he licked you clean, your body twitching every time he flicked his tongue against your throbbing clit on purpose. Fucking asshole.

Your hold on his hair loosens. You can’t help but make a face at the sight of him. Wild curly locks, mouth and chin covered in your slick, slightly flushed cheeks. He looked just as fucked as you did. He looked submissive on his knees, his eyes gleaming as he looked to you.

You watch with obsession as he mindlessly pops his two fingers past his lips, licking them clean of your slick. Such a compliment.

He guided your leg off his shoulder and put your underwear back in its place.

You leaned up on your elbows, still seeing stars. Joel stood up from the ground and brushed any residual dirt and dust off his jeans. He brought his hand up and toyed with his jaw, meaty fingers adding pressure into the masseter muscle as he worked to relieve the tension that had built while going down on you with such dedication.

You weakly sat up, the slotted ribs of his truck bed making indents in the flesh of your arms and thighs. Brands of your filth. Your big shirt fell back into place, your legs swinging lightly as they hung off the truck bed. You glanced at the back of your arm, seeing the scrape from his tools. You’d be fine.

Once you turned straight to face Joel once more, you noticed he was fighting back a little smile about something, his hands on his hips and his knee cocked out.

“What?” You ask, trying to scoot further down the tailgate.

“Nothin’.” He said gruffly, taking you by your hips and lifting you with ease like a ragdoll back onto the ground. His eyes stayed on the floor, your curious gaze following his down to your fluffy slippers.

“Oh.” You muster up, clicking the toes together.

“They’re uh… cute.” He tried to compliment, still with a teasing smirk on his face.

“Shut up. They’re slippers.” You griped, your hand coming up to wipe away the glisten on his chin. He took over, pinching the collar of his shirt between his fingers and bringing it up to wipe away what was left of you. It was oddly attractive.

He reached past his toolbox and belt, handing over your black sleep shorts after feeling over the material for a moment with a swipe of his thumb.

You muster up a thanks, looping one foot in and then the other before you adjusted the band around your waist, the orange t-shirt falling back into place at your thighs.

You couldn’t help but look around, the serenity of the early morning hours would only last so long on the lake. People liked to walk their dogs and jog, you didn’t want anyone reporting gossip.

You turned back to Joel and assessed him. The Texas sun was already making both of your skin swelter, despite it being just past sunrise.

You took in a sharp breath to say something, pursing your lips to keep them shut. Joel looked at you expectantly.

“What?”

You shook your head and shrugged, holding your hands behind your back as you teetered on your feet.

A stern expression passed over his face. “What?” He pressed harder.

You tried to smother a laugh. “Your hair, Joel.”

With an annoyed sigh, Joel amused trying to tousle his curls into place with the assistance of his truck’s driver-side mirror, grumbling a few curse words in response before leaving it be.

You admire him, how handsome he looks so effortlessly. You suddenly became glaringly aware of how you looked right now. No makeup, baggy clothes, could use a shower. Fuck.

“I gotta get goin’, already late.” Joel said as he returned to the tailgate, lifting it with ease and slamming it into place with a few sharp snaps. “I’ll see you. And I’ll message you.”

A small smile ticked at one half of your mouth, nodding. It was a promise. “Please call it texting, Joel.”

He furrowed his brows as he looked over your face. “What difference does it make?”

You snickered and shrugged. “How old you sound.”

Cue the classic Joel Miller eye roll. “Fine. Textin’.”

“How can you be working on a Saturday? That feels illegal.”

This mustered up a short little chortle from Joel. “It’s not technically working, that’s why.”

Your head curiously tilted to the side. “What do you mean?”

Joel shrugged, avoiding your eye contact as he looked past his truck and to the lake.

This was what you had to deal with. Trying to get information out of Joel was an investigative effort, one you didn’t have the energy to dig into at the moment. You finally felt tired after your week of restlessness.

You waved each other off, your face electric as you turned away from Joel and snuck back inside without a peep. As soon as you lay back in bed, feeling your heart thumping after your meet-up with Joel, you heard the door to your parent’s room crack open, and your father’s obnoxious morning yawn followed accordingly. Couldn’t have cut it any closer.

Finally, you felt sleep caressing the edges of your mind. Not a beat after your head hit the pillow, you felt your phone vibrate beside you. With hazy eyes, you turned it over in your palm and squinted at the brightness.

joel miller Anything I can do to get in your good graces again?

You instantly smiled, lazy fingers typing a response.

how about a movie night?

He took a moment to respond. You could see him thinking it over in your mind’s eye.

joel miller Fine.

Your face lit up as you quickly took advantage of him owing you one.

and I can pick the movie?

You could practically feel Joel’s eye roll from a mile away.

joel miller Jesus. Fine. Tomorrow night.

Tomorrow was perfect. Sarah said she would be on a camping trip and your parents would be visiting old school friends in a neighboring town for drinks and dinner.

tomorrow night it is, mr. miller

joel miller Whatever you say sweetheart.

---

wanna read part 3? read cherry!

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theflowerofthecommonwealth · 1 month ago

Text

Power Armor Punch Part Sixty Nine

Masterlist

Aaaaaaaah, encore!!! We baaaaaaaack!!!!

(Note: I’m editing Rosalinda’s backstory heavily, so now she’s more Mexican and grew up in Texas. So is her family at the Lighthouse So bare with me at all the changes lol)

⚠️TRIGGER WARNINGS AS USUAL!!!!!!!⚠️

Nick: *tenderly takes her hand in his right* Don't worry. My sealants still seem to be intact... *Mutters, thinking about all the times Lucille led them into a flooded building* So far...

Jasmine: (Still eyes up her Dad with concern, blinking slowly at the patches and worn down skin on his neck and face)

Gardio: Got it... And none of these would be damaged or tainted easily with radiation?

Donovan: (Shakes his head) “Nawh, the crates and containers they are in are sealed tight. Should be all good.”

Gardio: *starts moving the the crates to their new and proper homes as Donny instructed. Taking great care not to drop any of their precious belongings*

Teshteal: The place that turned me into this. The place that made my life hell the moment I stepped in it- *the slits of his eyes narrow with dread as the sound of commands, shouts, and manipulative sweet urgings grow louder and louder*

Joyce: (Timidly, taking and squeezing Gertie’s bundle to her chest) “Teshteal? You okay…?”

Teshteal: No. I'll never be okay... *Spiralling* Why would I deserve that? I've always been a terrible excuse for a person. I couldn't even do simple tasks without messing up! How have I survived this long? Are the people on the boat spies? Soldiers operating on a code word? Is everyone in danger? Are they after me-?

Nick: *sees where she's eyeing and waves it away, as if shooing a fly* Eh, cosmetic... Don't worry yourself with it. *Wry laugh* I'll get it replaced, one day. Haven't seen a need to, yet... *Readjusts his hold on her so she's more comfortable* How about you focus on getting some sleep and I'll think about that, hm?

Jasmine: (Is now also focused on his bad hand that she seizes and brings up to her face, playing with his fingers curiously)

Nick: *softly hums* Try not to pinch yourself on the joints... *Keeping his hand slack so she can play as she likes*

Donovan: (Goes outside to bring in more crates, walking a bit slowly)

Gardio: *soon as most of the items neatly stacked where they need to be. He starts getting in a rhythm with Donny, taking them from the younger man's hands and eventually noticing his slow pace* Are you alright? You seem sluggish with a few of these packages.

Joyce: (Gets even more worried and stops walking) “Teshteal? No- you'll be okay, you’re not a terrible person…”

Teshteal: *crouches in the middle of the path, his tail swishing wildly* Th-then why do I keep getting these thoughts to kill or hurt everyone around me? Why do I want to act on them?! Do I actually love you? *He grips and tugs at his hair* Or is that just a means to a horrific end?! Why do they still control me-?!

Joyce: (Swallows hard, her voice shaking. She wants to be able to spit out something wise for her boyfriend to ponder, but she can’t find the right words. So she goes back to what she only knows) “Teshteal? Can you take some deep breaths? You’re safe here….” (Wonders if she should run and go find Gardio or Nick)

Teshteal: *he tries to take a deep breath, but somehow chokes on it and swears between coughs. Despite this, he keeps trying to breathe deeply, eventually succeeding*

Donovan: “Hm? Oh, I’m alright…. Just thinking about things….” (Gives Gardio another forced smile and nod) “I’ve gotta help Ma set up the large clawfoot tub they brought for her in her master bathroom, I want her to be able to have that spa bath she talked about.”

Gardio: Would you like some help with that? I can install the tub, too. It wouldn't be a problem at all for me in fact. *flashes a confident but also helpful smile* It's the least I could do to repay you all for housing us.

Donovan: (Looks at Gardio with partial astonishment) “Really? You can do that?”

Jasmine: (Toys with his fingers, tilting her head curiously while humming a note in question, wondering what happened to the skin on his hand)

Nick: *sensing the question hinted at by that solitary hum* Lost that doing repairs on Diamond City. Or at least that's what I would say if it weren't from another model. Seems we generation 2 synths can't keep the skin on our bones.

Jasmine: (Nods her head slowly to show that she understands, then lightly runs her fingers near the gash on his neck, her eyes flickering to him expectingly)

Joyce: (Breathes a sigh of relief when she sees that it’s working, lightly petting his messy hair) “You’re okay…. We’re safe here…. We can go inside and get you a cup of some nice cold water.”

Teshteal: *flinches a little, not expecting the comforting gesture. He leans into it, much like a cat headbutting their owner's hand. Softly* Okay... I'm sorry...

Gardio: Of course! Wouldn't be the first time I've hauled a tub up a set of stairs. I did that in my old settlement a few of times for folks. *Gestures vaguely with a tilt of his head as he hauls another crate to the kitchen* Just point me to the tub, where you want it, the plumbing supplies, and the water supply and a I'll have it done by the end of the day!

Donovan: (Rubs the back of his head) “The tub is probably still on the dock and you can ask someone to help you wheel it in. The tub goes into the bathroom in Ma’s room and I’ll let her know so that you don’t give her a fright. The rest of the stuff should be in a little utility room in the basement.”

Nick: That's a combination of a lot of hard detective work, living in the ruins, and, you'd guess it, fixing up Diamond City... *Pets her head with his good hand*

Jasmine: (Looks up at her Dad with her sparkling amber eyes that catch the sunlight and reflect beautifully, smiling at him, still toying with his bad hand)

Nick: *taken back by the honey colored eyes before fondly smiling at her. Again, he's just happy to see that she's in such good spirits for once.*

Gardio: Understood. *Flashes a confident smile as he makes his way to the door. As he passes by the pair, his look shifts to concern. He doesn't stop walking, keeping mind of his deadline*

Donovan: (Waves him off and just kinda stands there in the living room for a moment, taking a deep breath)

Joyce: “It’s alright, here….” (Holds out her hand to him with a gentle and understanding smile) “Let’s go inside.”

Teshteal: *slowly takes her hand and lets her head him to the house*

Joyce: (Shifts the little bundle in her arms, gently squeezing her boyfriends hand, leading him back to the house)

Jasmine: (Cutely scrunches her nose, whatever that light was surely brightened her soul back up, it’s even reflected in her eyes that aren’t resembling a haunted doll at the moment)

Nick: *wonders if this is the most she's been this calm and hopeful since they first met, not counting the trip through her memories*

Teshteal: *face goes red, looking at their joined hands, both flustered and embarrassed simultaneously. Flustered because of the contact. Embarrassed for his breakdown just moments before*

Joyce: (Leads him inside to the kitchen, opening the fridge to browse what’s inside, deciding to take out a small pitcher of what appears to be lemonade) “Want some of this too? Or just water?”

Gardio: *reaches the dock and eyes the huge crate containing the tub. He approaches the crew working the boat with a wave* Mind if I get some help hauling this to the lighthouse? *He thinks he hears the brush rustle behind him, but shrugs it off as a gust of wind blows through the nearby treetops*

Crewman: “Yup. It’s too bad we don’t have our forklift.” (Motions for everyone nearby to gather around the crate that’s on wheels so they can push and pull it with rope)

Gardio: That is a shame. *Clucks as he walks along the tub* I'll push. *Gets behind the crate and braces himself against it, squatting so his legs do all the work* When you're all ready.

Jasmine: (Softly, and hoarsely because of her screaming and crying earlier) “You okay?”

Nick: I'm more than okay- you seem to be doing better and that's done me a world of good in itself!

Jasmine: (Searches her fathers eyes for a moment before nodding, glancing down at herself, then their surroundings, trying to catch up on what the hell is even going on)

Teshteal: *sniffs the pitcher. It's definitely lemonade adjacent* I'll take it.

Joyce: (Takes out two glasses and pours herself and Teshteal some lemonade, handing him his glass with her still warm smile) “Here you go!”

Teshteal: *accepts the glass, his hand trembles but he feigns a smile as he sips the tangy drink*

Lucille: *heaves a deep, relieved breath, the pressure worked out of her system* Thank you, Mama Evie...

Ma: (Tenderly, stroking Lucille’s head) “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

Lucille: ...I think I'm ready to get out of the bath, now...

Nick: If you're wondering why you're up here, you crawled onto the roof from the window.

Jasmine: (Looks like she’s about to ask more questions but then she hears voices coming from the bottom of the house and she gets spooked since she’s underdress, snagging Nicks coat that Ma had brought up earlier to throw over her, curling up to her dad for safety)

Nick: *laughs a little and rubs her shoulder* Don't worry, doll. I got ya... I think I'm the only person in earshot if you're wandering what's going on.

Joyce: (Takes and squeezes his hand in hers, beaming at him as she drinks her lemonade)

Donovan: (Comes up from the basement where he was putting away more stuff)

Crewman: “Alright then. One…. Two…. Three!!!” (With that they all start pull on the crate to haul it up to the lighthouse with Gardios help)

Gardio: *with his strength they make short work of it. Before they know it, they're at the doorstep* Good work! Thank you for the help! *Considers talking to Donny to see if there's anything they can do to pay them back extra for their service*

Crewman: “No problem. Anything for the good mother.” (Starts to walk back the house with the others to finish the rest of the stuff)

Gardio: *goes down to the basement, quickly locating the utility room and fetching a crowbar to free the tub from its wooden prison. It isn't long before he's on the front step again and doing just that*

Ma: (Nods and rises from the chair to grab a large towel for Lucille, offering her arm for support) “Okay honey, just move slowly for me and don’t put pressure on your ankle.”

Lucille: *wry laugh at that* I've walked on worse- *Attempts to rise but nearly falls over from the shooting pain in her ankle. She supports herself with the side of the tub*

Ma: (Firmly) “But under my watch you won’t. Come here.” (Puts her arm under Lucille’s so she can guide her out of the tub and onto the chair)

Jasmine: (Shivers with fright and because she’s actually cold for once, huddling up to the warm safety that is dad. She peeps just her head out so she can look up at Nick and breathe better, tightly clinging to him)

Nick: Cold? I think this broth here is still warm enough to do some good if you'll take it... *Jerks his head at the bottle as he rubs the small of her back*

Gardio: *props open the door then takes in a few deep breaths and lifts the giant tub on his own, occasionally grunting as he carries it through the house to its final designation*

Teshteal: *blushes again, his ears pricking up a little... Quietly* I get so flustered around you... *Takes an awkward small sip of his drink*

Donovan: (Had walked into the kitchen and raises a brow at the two) “Having a drink?”

Joyce: (Giggles and nods, balancing Gertie’s bundle in the crook of her arm) “Yup- drinking some of the lemonade I helped Mama make.”

Teshteal: *turns an even darker shade of red as he keeps the drink to his mouth, hoping it can hide his face. He doesn't even remember if Donny knows about their relationship*

Gardio: *managed to get it all the way up to Ma's bathroom. He heaves a sigh of relief once it's out of his arms. He wipes his hands together and presses them on his hips as he assesses the situation before getting the tools*

Ma’s Room: (Pretty large since it’s the master bedroom and well decorated, a distinct scent of flowers in the air. There’s a big bed with colorful embroidered luscious pillows and sheets positioned at the left wall with two nightstands on each side of it, but only one of the nightstands is full of stuff while the other remains strangely bare besides a lamp. Her rocking chair is besides a large collection of books, a TV, and holotapes of what seem to be playlists of songs from the labels that are either titles of full albums or specially mixed playlists, in both English and Spanish. Also a few movies and shows are mixed in there. There’s a large vanity besides the walk-in closet that’s lined with different perfumes and other ladies trinkets. She also has a sewing station set up complete with a high grade sewing machine and an adjustable mannequin. The rest of the room is decorated with a rug and a few decor items and her walls are plastered with photos of different people of varying ages from infants to older folks, sometimes Ma is in posing those photos with Donny also making an appearance)

Ma’s Bathroom: (A dreamy vintage pink bathroom with patterns of hearts on the walls. On the floor are matching bath mats and matching towels are hung up on the walls. There’s a empty spot in the little indent meant for a tub that had long been removed to make way for the new one)

Gardio: *a little awestruck when he can finally fully view the room upon return. He feels like he just stepped into a movie... Then has to remind himself that over 200 years ago, people had lusciously decorated and populated rooms like these... He takes a moment to admire the sewing machine, the TV and holotapes, the records, and bed. It almost brings a tear to his eye. He doesn't know why- the whole house is a snapshot of life before the bombs... He sighs as he looks at all the photos with a nostalgically sad smile*

Lucille: *hangs onto the older woman for support. She mentally curses the state her body is currently in- unable to support its own weight*

Ma: (In one fast and fluid motion, she wraps Lucille in the towel and plucks her out of the water, seating her in the chair) “There we go, now you may dry off and get dressed.”

Jasmine: (Blinks up at Nick, her eyes getting a light mist to them) “Tainted….?”

Nick: What? Tainted...? *A horrific realization of what she means dawns on him, but instead he firmly shakes his head* I doubt Donny would do that to you... But it if makes you feel better, I'll test it for you *Reaches for the bottle, tips it, then massages the top. A couple drops of the broth lands in his mouth. He mimes chewing to get a better sense of the flavor then tilts his head* No, not tainted. There's a bunch of salt and herbs. But other than that, it's your run of the mill beef and bone broth. *Offers the bottle to her*

Jasmine: (Stares at her dad almost in astonishment now) “Donny….” (Covers her mouth and mumbles something into it that sounds foreign, then giggles as she closes her eyes) “Donny….” (Opens her eyes with a disoriented expression, banging the side of her forehead with the palm of her hand, trying to get herself to process things better. Her head hurts and so does her stomach, but it’s probably hunger at this point. She takes the bottle into her mouth and slowly starts to suck, looking like she’s thinking very hard about something)

Nick: *glad to see she's drinking something without much fuss. He does wonder what's on her mind but he's not going to interrupt her*

Donovan: (Chuckles and waves a teasing finger at Joyce and Teshteal) “No closed doors.”

Joyce: (Rolls her eyes) “I’m not twelve! Plus- Gilbert wouldn’t allow anything anyways.”

Teshteal: *panicking a little. He's definitely stronger than a ferret and there's always the risk of losing himself to the programming looming over his head. He just keeps sipping his lemonade, pretending everything's fine. He's caused enough trouble, for now.*

Donovan: (Gestures at Gertie in her bundle, approaching so he can see the new little one) “Aaawww, she’s so precious.” (Reaches out to gives the baby some scritches on the top of her head)

Gertie: (Leans into it and closes her eyes, licking her nose again)

Joyce: (Excitedly, lemonade dribbling down her chin) “I know!!! She’s more adorable than I ever could’ve imagined!!!”

Lucille: *blinks with slightly wide eyes. For a moment she reexamines all the scars on her body, then she reaches up to her hair and lets out a mild gasp... It's gotten a bit longer since she's cut it, last.* Another thing I'm going to have to take care of later, I guess... *Starts to reach for her clothes*

Ma: (Offers Lucille some lotion if she wants it) “I could give you a haircut later, honey. I have all the tools, but you did just take a shower. Unless you’re one of those who don’t feel like ants are all over them after a haircut and don’t have the need to take a rinse.”

Teshteal: *notices the lemonade dribbling down her chin and finally puts down the cup, dashing for a hand towel then, with a surprising delicate and gentle touch, dabs the liquid dry from her face. Sweetly* Swallow next time before you speak... Okay?

Joyce: (Crinkles her nose at Teshteal) “Okay I’ll try, but no promises.”

Donovan: (As he gets himself a glass of water) “She does the same thing with snacks, which is why Pirate always hovers near her feet when she’s talking.”

Pirate: (Is in fact hovering near under the table)

Teshteal: *light chuckle. Something about that reminds him of himself*

Lucille: Yeah, you're right. I would get pretty itchy. *Accepts the lotion and starts to rub it on herself before putting on her clothes completely*

Ma: (Strokes Lucille’s damp hair) “Would you like me to call your father to come help you, or would you like some crutches to use?”

Jasmine: (Settles down against Nicks chest again, eyes still locked up on him) (Signing) “Speak, please.” (Wants to hear his voice right now since it’s so soothing)

Nick: Heh. Want to hear my thoughts? I could ask you the same, honestly. How's your memory from the last day or so?

The Photos: (Are all in uniquely decorated photo frames, each one lovingly handcrafted for each photo it holds)

Gardio: *fond smile despite not knowing any of them. He decides to get started on installing this tub, only heading out for a moment to turn off the water then back up to attach the pipe to the tub itself, plumbers glue, caulk and all. Part of him wonders if he should fashion a shroud for the pipe so it doesn't look garrish against the emaculate bathroom, but he finds it's well hidden with some adjustments to the plumbing and position of the tub*

Donovan: (Pats Joyce’s shoulder) “I need you to help me with getting some of the smaller broken down crates back to the dock so they can take them back.”

Joyce: (Sets her glass down) “Okay!” (Holds out Gertie’s bundle to Teshteal) “Do you mind watching her for me while I help Donny?”

Lucille: Get me some crutches. I'll figure out how to get to the attic. *Finally fully clothed... Though she does miss some of the secure feeling her armor gave her*

Ma: “Oh sweetheart, if you’re going back up to the attic after this, then there are a lot of stairs to get back up. I’m sure your father wouldn’t mind coming back down to help you.” (Gently cups her cheek and tilts her face up to hers) “He wouldn’t want you to fall, and neither would I.”

Lucille: I'm sure I could get back up. I'm sturdier than that... Besides he's probably busy with something. I don't want to bother him-

Jasmine: (Makes a so-so motion with her hand, shaking her head) (Signing) “Foggy.”

Nick: Do you remember where we are...?

Jasmine: (Raises her head a bit more to slowly look around, eyes going up to the lighthouse where she had previously put a gun to her own head, the pieces hardly clicking in her head) (Quietly) “Donny….”

Nick: I take it from that look, you do- at least a little. *Nods his head at the bottle* Looks like you still have some broth left...

Gardio: *fiddling with the pieces of pipe he brought up to make sure he has all the right bends and connections and that they're the right size for the tub... It's not like he can just go down to the hardware store and buy more pipe.*

Teshteal: *takes Gertie and holds her close to his chest* Sure! Be careful out there!

Joyce: “I will be, don’t worry!” (Walks off to grab some of the crates off the counter and carry them off.”

Donovan: (Quickly follows after her after a wave to Teshteal over his shoulder, mind occupied with something else already)

Teshteal: *blinks before looking down at the tiny ferret resting her head just outside of her bindle* She'll be okay, right...?

Gertie: (Licks her nose some more and yawns, blinking up at the gremlin like the baby she is)

Gardio: *fitting the connectors together then test fitting them to the tub and water line*

Ma: “Love, what did we just discuss, hm? That your family is here to help you, that it what families do.” (Starts to walk to the door, looking at the young woman over her shoulder) “I’ll go find your father, your wellbeing never should be a bother to him.”

Lucille: *frowns at her feet. No one bothered to simply reach out and help her when she was over encumbered or injured in the past two years. Sure there was the occasional offer to lighten the load, but often they had too much on their hands as it was. Unless her companions were fighting something on her behalf, there was hardly any assistance if she was injured... The only exception was when she lost a limb and an eye. Or her wife gave her a stimpak for her troubles*

Donovan: (Sees Ma leave the bathroom just before he goes back outside) “Detective Chapel is helping with your bathtub.”

Ma: “Oh really? How sweet of him.” (Smiles and quickly heads up the stairs to find Gardio. She lightly knocks on her own door so she doesn’t startle him entering) “Detective Chapel?” (Steps into her room and walks over to her bathroom)

Jasmine: (Nods her head at the bottle and continues to drink while staring at Nick with interest)

Nick: *looks lost in thought about something again. He wonders if she even remembers her outburst at Lucille. Now probably wouldn't be a good time to bring it up*

Jasmine: (Still wants to hear her Dads voice so she lightly taps on his shoulder for his attention)

Nick: Hm? Sorry, I was thinking of Lucille... What is it, Rosie?

Lucille: *thinks about trying to stand but then she remembers the struggle of getting up in the tub. She grunts in annoyance. She already feels like a terrible person but now she's just pathetic...*

Teshteal: *licks his own nose in response and giggles* Yeah. She'll be fine. *Pokes the bridge of Gertie’s little nose playfully*

Gertie: (Cutely nibbles on Teshteals finger)

Teshteal: *laughs* Hey, that tickles! *Attempts to remove his finger* You're such a wittle baby! Yes you are! *Pets the top of her little head*

Gertie: (Gives Teshteal a bunch of little licks with her itty-bitty tongue)

Gardio: *has the tub pulled out at an angle so he can reach the pipes. Currently he's fastening then to the wall, glue and caulk already applied* Yes, ma'am? *He fastens the last section of pipe to the wall*

Ma: (Leans against the doorway of her bathroom) “Your daughter needs some assistance getting back upstairs, she’s done bathing and is waiting in the bathroom.”

Gardio: Oh? *Finishes securing the pipe, then pivots the tub back in place so he can attach it properly when he gets back* I'll be right down. *Rubs the sweat from his brow before wiping his hands on a work towel he snagged from the utility room. He approaches Ma just before leaving* Thank you for letting me know. And thank you for taking care of her...

Ma: (Steps out of the way so he may pass) “You’re more than welcome…” (Sighs sadly) “May I add- you should have a talk with your daughter about her current life arrangements centering around her settlements. The poor dear sounds like she’s shouldering a lot more than one should on her own, and I do not think it’s helping her mental state.”

Gardio: *concerned frown but gives an understanding nod* I'll see what I can do... *As he walks past her, he pauses to look at her once more* Perhaps she can discuss trade with some of your allies in the future. *He continues to walk out of the room*

Ma: (Nods her head after the glowing ghoul, watching him leave for a moment before she decides to go downstairs herself and get things ready for Rosie)

Lucille: *tracing one of the scars on her arm, idly*

Jasmine: (Face crinkles with disdain when she hears Lucille’s name, securing her fathers coat more over herself) (Signing) “Talk to me, please.”

Nick: About Lucille? Are you sure? *Raises an eyebrow* I don't think now is a good time for it.

Jasmine: (Shakes her head at that, scowling through the bottle) (Signing) “About ANYTHING else.”

Nick: *sighs* Fine, fine... What about that thing you were trying to reach out to? Looked like a bit of haze on my sensors. Thought it was some sort of glitch but Detective Chapel sensed it, too. Even poor Dogmeat was confused.

Gardio: *knocks on the door* Lucille? Sweetie? Can I come in?

Lucille: *looks up* Yeah, Dad.

Gardio: *walks in* How are you feeling?

Lucille: ... *Looks flatly up at him* Like I'm causing nothing but trouble.

Gardio: You aren't. Trust me.

Lucille: *eyes the rag looped through his belt* You were busy with something.

Gardio: *crouches next to the chair, facing her side* It can wait for a moment. I can finish it when I'm done taking care of you. *Puts one arm under her legs and the other behind her back, scooping her up*

Lucille: *sighs* I'm an adult.

Gardio: And adults still help each other. Parents still help their adult kids all the time. At least, even in this world, they should.

Lucille: *frowns at herself. She wonders how Shaun... Or rather, the synth child based on him... Is doing*

Gardio: *carrying her up the stairs* Besides, we need to talk about your settlements.

Lucille: *a chill runs down her spine at the thought of trying to untangle herself from them*

Teshteal: *takes to just sitting on the couch again, waiting for his girlfriend to return, letting the baby ferret nap in her bindle against his chest*

Ma: (Goes over to the med room to get some fresh bandages ready for Rosie, then goes into the empty bathroom to clear it out)

Jasmine: (Hums softly, getting a dazed look in her eyes while she thinks of the misty haze of warmth that kissed her) (Softly) “Mamá….”

Nick: Your mama...? *muttering to himself in confusion* Has she been watching this entire time? If so, why hasn't she stepped in sooner?

Lucille: You shouldn't concern yourself with tha-

Gardio: I will if it means you can have time to actually live. When's the last time you had a vacation?

Lucille: *grumbles* People don't get vacations in the wasteland. That's not a luxury-

Gardio: Bullshit.

Lucille: *taken aback. looking up at her father and tilting her head in shock* I'm sorry...?

Gardio: Bullshit- I've lived for over 200 years. People do take breaks, even if it means having someone on guard to keep the rest of the group safe.

Jasmine: (Blinks at her dad, tears suddenly welling up in her eyes, pulling away from the bottle) “Cause…. I told her to go away. I made her go away…..”

Nick: *carefully wipes her tears away with his thumb on his good hand. Sadly* Oh Rosie...

Ma: (Sighs to herself when she remembers yet again that she must clean up the top of the lighthouse to get rid of all the blood and glass…. She’ll have to set time aside for that later. And work up the heart to actually do it)

Lucille: *frowns in disapproval* I can't just drop everything without having someone to take my place! Who's going to gather the materials to build? Who's going to repair the settlements? Who's going to build them up???

Gardio: You have hundreds of people living on Settlements and none of them have thought to build up their homes on their own?! None maintain the buildings?! None build them?!

Lucille: They don't know HOW-

Gardio: How do you know that? Have you asked?

Lucille: *goes quiet*

Gardio: You haven't, have you...?

Lucille: No...

Gardio: *sighs as he enters the attic and carefully sets her in bed*

Jasmine: (Sniffles on her tears, clutching onto Nick tightly for comfort while she shakes) “Daddy….”

Nick: *rubs the top of her head, gently brushing her lovely curly hair with his good hand*

Ma: (Comes out of the bathroom after it’s cleaned up and smiles at Teshteal on the sofa as she walks outside to ask Nick if he wants to take Rosie to wash up himself or allow her to do so)

Gardio: Lucille, I think you need help-

Lucille: From? You? Nick? The Minutemen?!

Gardio: *even more perturbed* Are they not??? I thought that was part of their job.

Lucille: No! I'm always leading the charge to gather settlements for the Minutemen! That's my job as the General... *mutters* I don't even know why Preston appointed someone he just met-

Gardio: *huffs through his nose* And where is Preston?

Lucille: *looks up at him, concerned* Dad, please don't go on a rampage on my behalf.

Gardio: I'm not. I'm just-! *takes a deep breath, then slowly exhales* I'm just trying to understand the gravity of the situation. Now... Where is Preston?

Lucille: At Sanctuary... *looks away with slight resentment* Like he always is...

Gardio: That's not very fair to you...

Lucille: ...I know...

Jasmine: (Squeezes Nick even tighter, allowing herself to be comforted and feel safe in his arms)

Ma: (Strolls outside and up the stairs on the side of the house slowly so that they can hear her coming up)

Jasmine: (Gets frightened anyways and pulls up Nick's coat over her head while scrunching into a smaller ball, whimpering quietly)

Ma: (Approaches the two on the chair) “How are you two doing up here?”

Nick: *calmly and reassuringly* It's alright, Rosie... Just Mama Evie. *lifts the jacket just a little so she can see her aunt. To the woman in question* She's feeling a little better. She drank quite a bit of broth- I'm proud of her for that. *smiles back down at the now trembling girl*

Gardio: I think we should call on the minutemen more.

Lucille: *looks up in shock* More...?!

Gardio: I don't mean you! I mean the rest of the minutemen- which I assume are the settlers you've recruited?

Lucille: *slow nod, then hesitates* They might get killed, though...

Gardio: *sad sigh* If they truly care about the people they're building up the settlements for, then it will have been for a worthy cause. The weight isn't for you to bear alone, Lucille...

Ma: (Smiles warmly at the girl) “Hi there princess, are you enjoying the sun?”

Jasmine: (Just stares at Ma with her wide doe eyes that are filled with fright, curled up to Nick like a scared little fawn)

Ma: (Tries not to let her sadness over the teen being scared of her show on her face) “The bathroom is open if you would like to take her down to get dressed for the day.” (Approaches a bit more) “Or if needed, I can take the little one and tend to her instead.”

Jasmine: (Shakes her head at that last idea, turning her gaze up to her father)

Nick: I think it would be a good idea for her to reconnect with the rest of her family without me there. It would probably be healthier. *looks up at Mama Evie again* Why don't you take her. I really oughta check in with the others.

Lucille: But I promised them they'd have protection-

Gardio: And how has that been working out for you, my dear?

Lucille: *thinks about how many times she's received word that the settlements got ransacked because she couldn't make it in time, or she was down in a cave or labrynthian building or Vault looking for supplies. Or another settlement* ...Not very good.

Gardio: *nods* Which is why it shouldn't be on one person to do the job of several.

Jasmine: (Looks utterly heartbroken upon hearing that, as if Nick had just said he’ll dump her on the side of the road despite the fact that she’ll be going with her aunt who’s aided in taking care of her and her siblings from birth. She couldn’t be in safer arms)

Ma: (Carefully sits down on the end of the lounge chair, reaching out a hand to rest on Jas’s cheek)

Jasmine: (Allows her adoptive aunt to do this, staring into her eyes like a kicked puppy, years of heartaches and horrific trials reflecting in her eyes)

Ma: (Tenderly strokes her face) “C’mon babygirl, let’s get you changed into something nice and pretty. Then we can go and see if we have something fun for you to play with.” (Tucks some curls behind the girl’s ear, letting the child get used to her touch again in hopes Jas will remember their shared times together)

Jasmine: (Her heart lurches for a moment when she looks into Ma’s warm expression and gesture, but she doesn’t reach for her to take her, much rather wanting to stick to her Dad like glue since so far he’s the only person who can truly make her feel safe. She’s skeptical to leave his side, what if he disappears while she’s away? What if she blinks again and he’s gone? She can’t take that kind of heartache anymore…)

Nick: It's okay, Rosie. I'll come back for ya. *rubs her back reassuringly with his good hand* I'll still be somewhere in the house if you need me, doll. *gently, as softly as he can make his voice* I trust Mama Evie will take good care of you.

Lucille: ...There aren't enough people I trust to care for them.

Gardio: Not even the Minutemen?

Lucille: *scoffs* The Minutemen barely have the numbers to keep up! I'd have to build more robots to guard every settlement!

Gardio: *hums thoughtfully, followed by a slow but heavy sigh. She talks as if there are hundreds of settlements* How many of them do you manage alone...?

Lucille: *eyes widen* How many....? *She scans her sheets as if searching them for the correct answer before growling in frustration and covering her face with her hands* Too many to count!

Gardio: Can you give me an estimate...?

Lucille: *shakes her head, then almost as if the mere thought of them wore her out* ...30? Maybe 45? *rubs her face desperately but keeps it hidden behind her hands* Including Hangman's Alley-

Gardio: *shock, then rage jolts through him* 45?! Alone?! Lucille- Sweetheart! That's a lot for any one person to handle without help! I'd dare say it's impossible!! Have you asked for help?! Has Nicholas?! Anyone?!

Lucille: Nicholas...? Wait- you mean Nick? Why would he? *looks up for a moment and immediately looks away at the sight of her father's glare* I-it's not up to him. Why would it be? I made the decision to take on this many settlements on my- *she hesitates, her father's hand gently taking hers*

Gardio: I know you did. But you should have asked for help and if Nick cared about your well-being, he should have said something. It's not fair to you.

Lucille: *speechless at that. She isn't quite certain that she doesn't deserve the workload she's found herself under...*

Teshteal: *petting the little baby ferret, occasionally tickling her nose with the tip of his tail. Currently, not a single terrible thought can be had looking at such a sweet little face*

Jasmine: (Now looks at Nick with her big wet doll eyes, pointing at Ma with one hand while parting her lips as if she’s going to say something, but then stops because she realizes that she can’t)

Ma: (Continues stroking the girl’s cheek with one hand, the other she uses to ruffle her curls)

Jasmine: (Leans a bit more into the touch of her aunt because she’s missed it after all these years, her eyes of uncertainty remaining on Dad)

Nick: *encouragingly* She's not going to hurt you. *glances up at Mama Evie to confirm that he's right on that* She just wants to give you a nice warm bath. Wouldn't you like that?

Gertie: (Napping like a little angel noodle, a little ferret smile on her little face)

Joyce: (Is still helping her brother with dragging back the boxes and chatting with some of the crew members)

Teshteal: *wonders if he should go and help... but that might put the little baby ferret in danger... He trills thoughtfully about it. Typically he'd just jump at the opportunity to help but he'd hate to hurt the little noodle on his chest*

Lucille: It doesn't matter if it's fair. In fact, I shouldn't be resting right now- there might be repairs I have to make here! *tries to move to get up but winces when she remembers her leg, freezing her escape from the sheets*

Gardio: Don't worry about that! Worry about yourself!

Lucille: Why should I? At least I'll have died doing something productive.

Gardio: Please don't talk that way... Why must you punish yourself for something you can't help...?

Lucille: *goes quiet. She's not quite sure why she believes she deserves any of this...*

Gardio: *sighs and wraps his arms around her and kisses the top of her head* We can work all this out. You aren't alone anymore... *rocks her from side to side*

Lucille: *tears prick the corner of her eyes as she lets her father hold her. She isn't sure how anyone could possibly help... isn't this her burden to bare? What's her father going to do? He isn't even part of the Minutemen...* Is it even doable?

Gardio: Currently, on your own, no. But I'm certain we'll figure something out.

Ma: (Nods along) “He’s right muñequita-…”

Jasmine: (Winces like she did last time she was called one of her nicknames in Spanish)

Ma: (Corrects herself) “He’s right sweetheart, I would never hurt you like that.” (Gently wraps her arms around the girl so Nick can hand her off when he feels the timing is right)

Jasmine: (Still looks uncertain with tears on her face, but she’s not clinging to Nick while screaming to be left with him)

Nick: *slowly but carefully begins to withdraw so she doesn't feel like he's suddenly leaving her* You're not going to be left alone. She just wants to help, Rosie... *another reassuring rub on her back- this time towards her shoulder- very lightly nudging the girl more into Mama Evie's comforting arms*

Gardio: Perhaps we could ask our hosts for help. They seem to have a few resources up their sleeves.

Lucille: I don't want to put them out...

Gardio: If it's a fair trade, no one will be putting anyone out. Besides, we have to start somewhere- even if it's just getting more information. *strokes her hair*

Jasmine: (Holds Nick’s coat tightly around her shoulders as she’s transferred into Mama Evie’s arms, sniffling softly, her gaze never leaving Dad)

Ma: “C’mere babygirl.” (Smiles warmly down at the girl as she holds her close, still leaving room for Nick to comfort his daughter)

Jasmine: (Instinctively nestles up to her aunt like it’s second nature- because it is. She’s been cared for by Mama Evie since she was a newborn, so aside from her mother, Tía Evita is the closest maternal figure she has)

Teshteal: *starts bouncing his leg, the stillness beginning to get to him. He's just waiting... but it feels so agonizingly slow... A second feels like minutes. Minutes feel like an hour. An hour becomes an eternity. Gertie is asleep, and he can't just leave a baby ferret on the couch- can he? She's just a baby. What if the dogs eat her? What if a hawk bursts in through the front door and snatches her?? Do hawks even exist anymore? Maybe a wolf? isn't a wolf just a big dog? He holds onto the bindle tighter, protectively, and hopes he isn't squeezing her too tight*

Joyce: (Can be heard giggling from outside the window, her eager footsteps approaching the house)

Donovan: (From a distance) “Don’t fall!!!”

Joyce: “I wooooont!!!”

Teshteal: *head snaps up from his mini spiral of runaway thoughts he gets up, possibly startling Gertie, and scrambles to the door and opens it*

Lucille: *reluctantly nods. She knows her father's right about that. Unless there's something nefarious behind the scenes, the worst that could happen is going back to the way things currently are* ...Okay...

Gardio: Just rest for now, okay?

Lucille: *quietly nods. She feels silly for putting up such a fuss over this...*

Gertie: (Squeaks when she’s suddenly jostled around, wiggling around in her little burrito bundle)

Joyce: (Bursts in with a big box in hand, unable to see Teshteal clearly from behind it) “They gave me some new clothes and stuff!!! Mama ordered it for me!!!”

Nick: *slowly moves his hand from the teen's shoulder to her arm, gradually reducing the comforting rubs so Mama Evie can take over comforting the girl*

Jasmine: (Whines and closes her eyes, curling up into a ball against Mama Evie to hear her heartbeat, her lips trembling)

Ma: (Rocks back and forth to soothe the girl, increasing her back rubs in place of Nick’s as he withdraws, nodding at the father to reassure him that she’s got the little girl)

Nick: *nods back and gets up to leave, deciding he should check in with Lucille first*

Jasmine: (Somehow presses herself even closer to Ma, silently crying faster, both because Nick is leaving and because she’s missed Mama Evie’s hugs…. She still can’t get over how long it’s been even though Ma has hugged her multiple times already)

Ma: (Seems to be thinking alongside what Nick is planning) “And may I add- perhaps it’s best that you have a talk with some of the other members of your group to clear the air…. Before the situation, that I’m sure everyone here senses, bubbles out of hand.”

Teshteal: *nearly gets knocked over but hops to the side. He notices the poor little baby noodle's distressed wiggling and immediately regrets moving so fast* Oh! I'm sorry! *strokes the top of Gertie's little head* I didn't mean to startle you... *he turns his attention to Joyce* I wonder what kind of clothes she ordered- *excitedly, trying to match Joyce's energy without spooking the baby again* Maybe we could do a fashion show!

Gertie: (Doesn’t look too happy about being woken up like that, she’s now a grumpy little sausage)

Joyce: “Yeahhh!!! Normally, Mama makes me all my clothes, but some of her other kids wanted to pitch in and give me some new stuff!”

Donovan: (Enters behind Joyce) “It’s cause you’re the newest addition to the family, they wanna spoil you to welcome you.”

Joyce: “I ought to meet them all to say thank you!” (Starts waddling over to the stairs)

Donovan: (Mumbles to himself when he thinks about how many siblings he has) “That might take an eternity…” (Shakes his head) “Are you sure that you don’t need help?”

Joyce: “No- I’ve got it!” (Tries and fails to get up the first step, almost falling over)

Donovan: “NOPE! I’m helping you! Chivalry isn’t dead, and I don’t want you to die falling down the stairs!” (Rushes in to grab the box from her)

Joyce: (Huffs to blow some hair out of her face as the box is taken from her)

Teshteal: I can help... *reaches out to Donovan, but stops, remembering he has a restless little noodle in one hand that he so rudely woke up from a nap. Instead, he returns his attention to Joyce, resting his hand on her shoulder* Are you okay? You didn't pull anything, right?

Nick: *stops and looks back at her with a frown* I'm sure you've noticed, I think we might be long past the point of this bubbling over. *resumes his journey to the stairs and eventually disappears from sight*

Ma: (Watches him leave with a somber look, stroking the child’s hair)

Jasmine: (Whimpers quietly when she senses Dad is truly gone, squeezing her eyes shut as tightly as she physically can)

Ma: (Rocks faster, deciding to wait a moment before standing up to get Jas into the bath) “It’ll be okay, sweetness.”

Jasmine: (Bites her bottom lip, because Dad being gone means her shields are down against the voices… And they waste no time in making themselves known. But at the very least she has Tía Evita to comfort her)

Dogmeat: (Has his big puppy eyes on the two, deciding that it was best to stay with the little one that Nick loves as opposed to following his owner)

Joyce: (Smiles at her boyfriend) “No I didn’t!” (Reaches out to pet Gertie) “Hiya Gertie!!!”

Gertie: (Licks her nose, still very much fussy)

Teshteal: She's all squirmy cause I ran to open the door... *hands Joyce the bundle followed by a tiny kiss on the cheek*

Nick: *makes his way to the attic, sighing somberly when he sees Gardio comforting Lucille* How's she doing?

Gardio: Better. But we should talk, Nicholas.

Nick: *furrows his brow at the formal form of his name. Nevertheless, he walks across the floorboards more briskly than he'd prefer* Someone's not happy...

Gardio: And why should I be? From what I've heard, Lucille's had to manage 30 or MORE settlements without so much as a suggestion of assistance!

Nick: What do you mean?! I've asked her to take breaks!

Lucille: ...That's true... He has... *looks down at her sheet-covered legs* I brought it on myself-

Gardio: *defensively* Even so, you shouldn't be doing it all yourself. Someone- *he glares at the detective* Should be helping you in more ways than just giving guidance.

Nick: Detective Chapel, why is that my responsibility? She could have asked for help herself.

Lucille: *her shoulders slump in defeat at that. Of course, she could have*

Gardio: *holds his daughter a bit tighter* When would she have the time, Detective Valentine? Between gathering, building, and fighting on behalf of the entire Commonwealth? What were her options? Ask raiders for help? The Institute? The settlers that sit idly by while she waits on them hand and foot?

Jasmine: (Stops biting her lips since she’s starting to draw blood, swallowing hard)

Ma: (Kisses the top of Jazzy’s head) “Sssshhhh….”

Jasmine: (Feels an empty pit open up inside of her, a dark void that’s ready to swallow everything she holds dear despite her efforts to stop it) (Hoarsely) “….It is all in vain.”

Ma: (Startled for a second) “….Hm?”

Jasmine: (Shakes her head, her heart sinking down to her stomach) (Pained) “It is all in vain.”

Joyce: (Takes the bundle that is her new baby, swaying from side to side) “Ooooh, you poor thing!”

Gertie: (Tries to get out of her bundle)

Joyce: “Soon, you’ll meet your big brother!!! Hopefully he gets over his jealously sooner rather than later!!!”

Teshteal: Sorry I couldn't keep her calm. I was just so excited to see you again.

Joyce: “That’s fine, we can calm her down before she goes to meet Gilbert.”

Nick: You act as if Lucille didn't have a choice in the matter. She could have said no.

Gardio: She could have but did anyone remind her to? That's what I'm angry about- that no one stepped in to pick up the slack or looked out for her to ease her burden on the settlements. Survival is already trying enough as it is in the wasteland.

Nick: *bitterly* Again. I did ask her to not push herself so hard. She's stubborn like Rosalinda- rushing everywhere to accomplish something she won't tell anyone about until she's exhausted herself-

Lucille: *resentfully, not looking up to meet his gaze* Of course...

Nick: *raises an eyebrow then leans to the side to look at Lucille* Hm?

Lucille: *trembling with rage* It's always Jasmine. Or Rosie. Or whatever she's going by now.

Nick: No it's- why are you so jealous of her? She's a kid that's-

Lucille: *her head whips up, her breath heavy as she seethes* Been through a lot?! I'm very aware of that, Nick. Extremely aware. But I can't help feel abandoned and looked down on since Vault 88!

Nick: *angrily, in that tone only a parent could achieve* There might be good reason for that, Lucille. You've haven't exactly been helpful since we left-

Lucille: *frustrated scream as she nearly claws her way out of her dad's embrace to bore holes between Valentine's eyes with her own* I'VE BEEN MORE THAN HELPFUL, NICK!! I GUARDED EVERYONE WHILE THEY SLEPT!! I'VE HELPED FIGHT OFF RAIDERS!! I DON'T GET ONE SCRAP OF GRATITUDE FOR IT, THOUGH!! JUST GLARES THE MOMENT I OBSERVE ANYTHING ABOUT JASMINE!! LIKE I'M MIRELURK SHIT!!

Ma: (Softly) “What is, honey?”

Jasmine: (Coughs, her throat feeling dry and like it wants to close in on itself) “I will…. Never measure up.” (Hides away against Mama Evie with the coat pulled partly over her face, not daring to look up) “I will always fall short…”

Ma: (Adjusts the girl so she can hide better, her strong and loving arms holding Jas securely and protectively) “No baby, that’s not true. You’re precious inside and out, no matter what.”

Jasmine: (Doesn’t give an acknowledgment that she hears her aunt, she only shivers) “It is all in vain…”

Teshteal: *jumps hearing fragments of Lucille's angry tirade. To ease his mind he pulls Joyce to his side for comfort like a teddy bear*

Donovan: (Had just finished putting the box in Joyce’s room when Lucille erupts like a volcano from the attic, and he freezes misstep)

Pirate: (Alerted bark from the couch, perking up her head, attention drawn to the staircase)

Joyce: (Eyes widen with alarm)

Nick: *briefly taken aback before taking up a stern composure* You need to calm down-

Lucille: *still screaming, tears streaming down her face* WHY?! BECAUSE I SAID SOMETHING ABOUT HOW I'VE BEEN TREATED LATELY?! BECAUSE I'M AN ADULT AND ONLY JASMINE GETS TO SCREAM AND CRY WHEN SHE'S IN PAIN?! BECAUSE I'M BEING JUST AS LOUD AS YOUR APPARENT ONLY DAUGHT-

*SLAP*

Nick: *as he retracts his hand* I can't explain why if you won't quiet down-

Gardio: *grabs his hand by the wrist* That wasn't extremely unnecessary, Valentine. How would you expect Jasmine to react?

Nick: I don't have to imagine it to know. I've seen how she would. And this is exactly how Lucille handled a similar situation back in 88.

Lucille: *stunned, tracing her cheek*

Gardio: *growling* Whether or not Lucille's actions were called for is not reason enough to respond in kind. Rosalinda may be your child, but it's clear to me Lucille's considered you a father figure in my absence!

Nick: *furrows his brow. Tersely* You're right. I was out of line. Sorry. *A little more sincerely* Both of ya.

Lucille: *quietly* ...I don't accept it...

Ma: (Looks out into the distance. They can sort of hear all the drama happening below, not very well, but just enough that she can tell that things are not going well inside)

Jasmine: (Sneezes and shivers some more, her leaky eyes continuing to dribble silent waterfalls)

Ma: (Knows that trying to convince Jas that what she said isn’t true would be fruitless, so she simply moves her focus into getting the girl back inside since she’s cold, then into the bath) “Let’s get a move on, hm? A warm bath will do you good, and you can choose something cute to wear beforehand.” (Slowly stands with the girl held close)

Jasmine: (Whimpers at the sensation of movement, her brain flashing white)

Teshteal: *flinching at Lucille's yelling. Wants to hide behind Joyce or in her arms. Considers even kissing his girlfriend to distract himself from the upstairs drama*

Donovan: (Comes down the stairs while shaking his head, stopping when he sees Teshteal clinging into his sister)

Joyce: (Worryingly) “Are they okay up there….?

Donovan: (Glances behind him) “….I dunno.”

Teshteal: *clinging to Joyce for dear life* They aren't going to come down here, right?

Nick: Lucille-

Lucille: *hurt* Go back to your daughter, Nick.

Nick: We should talk about this-

Lucille: There's nothing to talk about. I'm not your kid. I'm just another finished case to you. Another partner left to the wayside. You'd sooner close the agency.

Nick: *as he pulls his hand out of Gardio's* That's not true!

Lucille: When's the last time you've taken a case that wasn't related to her? When's the last time you've actually looked at me with any sort of pride of having me as a friend after Jasmine entered our lives?

Nick: .... *At a loss for words*

The radio, somewhere: *a song about what it takes to be a happy man ends and the radio DJ chats excitedly on the air* That was Trouble Man by Jungle and you're listening to Kickin' it Back with Ciddark Kick! Up next is...

Nick: *quietly despondently* Have I wronged you that badly...?

Lucille: *turns her head completely away from him* Come back when you know the answer.

Gardio: *gently rubbing her shoulders and arms* I think you should go for now, Detective Valentine.

Nick: I think... *Pulls out a cigarette and places it in his mouth, taking care to resist the reflex of lighting it then and there* You're right. I need some time to mull this ordeal over. *Sighs then turns to leave. He pauses before climbing down the stairs* I... hope we can patch this up...

Lucille: *doesn't respond. Simply leans into her father for comfort*

Donovan: (Gives a concerned look at Joyce, but for a different reason, stepping closer) “Joyce…”

Joyce: (Looks at Teshteal when she hears the warning form Donny, hugging him back, frowning at her brother) “I don’t think they are coming down here, Teshteal.”

Teshteal: *sighs with relief at both the news and her holding him so protectively. He purrs and nuzzles her neck affectionately* That's good...

Jasmine: (Wouldn’t know how to explain the state she in if anyone ever asked, it’s like she’s both blissfully unaware of reality, but also painfully aware of it. Somehow she’s both, probably her subconscious fighting to stay awake while her brain tries to shuts down to protect her from anything else traumatic. It’s exhausting, and painful, especially with the tortuous voices that sound like they are trying to break out of their containment…)

Ma: “I’ve gotcha, sweetheart. I’ve gotcha…” (Rubs the poor girl’s back as she carries her down the stairs and towards the side door, ensuring that she’s covered with her father’s coat)

Dogmeat: (Follows close behind Mama Evie, attempting to sniff Jas whenever he gets a chance)

Nick: *climbs back onto the roof to light his cigarette an reflect for quite a while*

Lucille: Still think he cares about me?

Gardio: To an extent.

Lucille: *grunts in disagreement*

Gardio: Be reasonable... He seemed to regret his actions.

Lucille: Uh huh. Just wait until I take note of something regarding his precious daughter...

Gardio: *sighs then kisses her forehead* It's hard to balance your personal life with parenthood, sweetheart.

Lucille: *rubs her face in her father's chest* Can we just drop it? I'm tired of everything, Dad.

Gardio: Sure...

Ma: (Enters through the side door and into the laundry room, climbing the little staircase in the corner to reach the loft above where she stores all the extra clothes, and she has A LOT)

Jasmine: (Nose wrinkles slightly at the smell of so many garments from different places. Her sense of smell isn’t overly sensitive like Teshteal’s, but it’s still stronger than it should be)

Ma: (Balances the girl on one hip so she can rummage through the section of clothes that she sorted for young girls) “What do you want to wear? A dress perhaps?” (Carefully peels back the coat so Jas can see)

Jasmine: (Blankly stares at all of the clothes before her, her eyes not locking on anything in particular) “…………….”

Ma: (Encourages the girl to participate in choosing her clothes by taking her little hand so she can feel the dresses) “This one is real soft, and it’s your favorite color, pink. There’s also this lovely sky blue one, and this pretty leafy green.”

Jasmine: (A single big hot tear goes down her tear stained cheek, not daring to look behind her or off to the side. Because she hears laughter, and she knows better than to turn her gaze to see what it is. She can only nuzzle against her aunt to hide, that’s all she can do)

Donovan: (Protective brother voice) “Don’t you think that you’re a little too close to her, buddy?”

Joyce: “Donovan!”

Donovan: “If you don’t say it, the I will!”

Teshteal: *blinks in confusion and lifts his head* I got scared and wanted comfort... *his tail raises and swishes slowly, nervously*

Nick: *replaying the past week's events over in his head, trying to isolate them to moments where Lucille was involved...*

Ma: (Rakes her fingers through her niece’s curls, swaying from side to side) “Sssssh…..” (Picks out a cream puff pink dress) “We’ll go with this one for now, since I know you adore pink and flowy skirts. But if you want something else later, we can change that.” (Also takes a white pair of shorts and some underwear that she figures will fit the girl. She knows that wearing the right clothes will help someone who’s been beaten down regain their confidence and dignity)

Jasmine: (Coughs again, hard enough that Mama Evie has to pat her back to help clear her airways, her face damp with fevered sweat and tears)

Ma: (Frowns, then whisks away to get the child to the bathroom quickly so she can have that warm bath)

Donovan: (Crosses his arms) “And she’s young- she doesn’t have the capacity to keep you and herself afloat. She wants to- she has a sweet soul, but she can’t.”

Joyce: (Stamps her foot) “Donny!!! I’m not a little girl!!!”

Donovan: “I never said you were! But you’re still my little sister, and we’ve been through this before!”

Teshteal: *eyes widen as he stares in fear at Donny, his now trembling grip on Joyce loosening. Memories of being talked down to by not just THEM but his colleagues on the force for being a "nuisance" or a "burden" flood his mind. Softly* I didn't mean to make her suffer...

Joyce: (Quickly tries to comfort him) “No no no- it’s okay! You didn’t make me suffer-…”

Donovan: (Firmly) “Joyce, for both of your sakes, don’t lie. I know you want to help everyone, but you don’t have the emotional capacity or stability to be an anchor rock.”

Joyce: (Scoffs) “You don’t say anything about me and Teshteal yesterday!”

Donovan: “Because tensions were high and I assumed that you were both just finding comfort in each other in the moment- but now I see that there’s a problem stemming deeper in him and I don’t think you’re equipped to deal with it!”

Ma: (Has to enter the living room to reach the only bathroom with a working tub, and the door to this bathroom is right next to the staircase the intervention is taking place)

Jasmine: (Whines when she senses the tension, throwing Nick’s coat back over her head so she can hide)

Donovan: (Faces softens slightly when he sees that Mama Evie brought in Rosie, but he’s still upset)

Teshteal: *has the sinking feeling he's been caught for... something. His mind screams at him to run away but instead, he simply lets go of Joyce and slowly starts to back away* He's right... I'm always a problem. My issues are way more than anyone can handle...

Nick: *He almost swears at everything Lucille did around Jasmine back at 88. Where does she get off lecturing him about his actions when she couldn't control her own anger towards the traumatized teen? It's not the end of the memories, but he's got half a mind to storm back into the attic and remind the woman exactly what she did back then*

Donovan: (Looks Teshteal over) “As it currently stands, yes it is. And for both your sakes you need to tone it down a notch until you get some stability.”

Ma: (Rocks the crying child while bouncing her) “What’s going on here?”

Joyce: (Gets tears in her eyes as she grabs onto Teshteal) “Donny is butting into my personal life!!”

Donovan: “I’m trying to be responsible and guide Joyce away from making another mistake that will send her crying again!”

Jasmine: (Sobs with alarm, latching onto Mama Evie with her tiny yet mighty arms so that she’s clinging as tightly as she possibly can)

Teshteal: *freezes when Joyce grabs onto him. He's torn. He wants to hold onto Joyce for comfort but he also just had his personal fears confirmed- that he's too much to be around her- no ANYONE. He just stammers out an obedient, yet stilted* Y-yes sir... I'll leave her alone. I won't cause any more trouble for anyone.

Joyce: (Eyes widen, tears dribbling down her pale and rosy cheeks) “Donny! You’re scaring him!”

Gertie: (Looks fearful in her little bundle)

Donovan: “And he’s weighing you down! Maybe not on purpose, but someone has to step in before you both-…”

Ma: (Holds out a hand) “I want everyone to-…”

Jasmine: (Screeches and wails loudly, kicking her feet as she squirms to break free, the walls around her closing in, the laughter and voices getting LOUDER)

Ma: (Has to use both of her arms to keep the girl from wiggling free)

Teshteal: *feels like the world is spinning, Rosie's screeches pelting him like stones. He glances at Mama Evie with an almost empty look in his eyes. Almost robotically, methodically, hauntingly calmly* Please don't worry... Just take care of Rosie... Everything will be fine... *internally- without me here to make everything worse*

Nick: *slowly blows smoke, frowning at what he's seeing. Lucille isn't exactly wrong... but she also isn't exactly blameless either, especially since she broke her promise to stay by Rosie's side earlier. He wonders if they should talk once cooler heads prevail. Not a lecture. But to set differences aside. He flicks the ashes off his cigarette and reviews the memories again*

Ma: (Has a hard time answering because she’s trying to contain a screamy Jas) “Alright, I think everyone needs to take a step back to calm down, then regroup once we do.”

Joyce: “Mama! But-!”

Donovan: (Reaches down to grab his little sister and pull her away from Teshteal- not liking his sudden robotic demeanor) “Jo-Jo, I’m not telling you that you need to break up with him, just slow down.”

Jasmine: (Takes in a sharp breath, and screams her lungs out, putting her hands over her ears, like she’s trying to outdo someone in a screaming contest)

Dogmeat: (Barks with alarm at this)

Pirate: (Also joins in, standing on her hind legs)

Teshteal: *overwhelmed. Scared. He's withdrawn into himself further at the dogs suddenly barking and Rosie's screams. Trembling anxious whisper* Just help Rosie... She's scared. This situation is scaring her. Just help her...

Gardio: *his head jerks up from resting on Lucille's* What's going on down there?

Lucille: *tiredly* ....Sounds like Jasmine is having another episode. It's hard to tell if it's related to what Donny is shouting about, though.

Gardio: Hm. Maybe I should go see if I can do anything to settle the situation.

Lucille: *doesn't comment on that*

Gardio: *retracts his embrace then gets up* I'll be back, soon. Try to relax while I'm away.

Lucille: ... Okay. *Lays down and curls up in bed as best as she can with her leg being injured*

Teshteal: *Wants to reach out and reassure her but with everything happening around him, he's in a state of decision paralysis. Instead he leans against the wall and collapses into a ball* I promise I'll behave if you help her. *Sniffles* I'm sorry. For making everything harder.

Donovan: (Is torn between going over to his mom to help her settle Jazzy, and getting his sister away from trouble) “Joyce, step back.”

Joyce: (Tugs to get back to Teshteal) “No!!!

Jasmine: (Eyes are glassy and unfocused but her gaze is fixated on the wall besides Mama Evie, her chest uncontrollably heaving in and out, desperate choked sounds emitting from her lips)

Demonic Voice: “Kill. Kill. Kill.”

Jasmine: (Stills for a moment and blinks twice, lifting her head to look at what she tried to avoid looking at earlier, the thing that she felt escape her head where she tried to confine it)

Demonic Figure: (Slowly starts to smile at her from the corner it’s in, cackling darkly. It’s a tall and bulky figure that resembles somewhat of a man, its face uncanny with white dots as eyes, a sharp toothed smile, and just vague hints of other facial features)

Ma: (Tries again to be the voice of reason while managing the hysterical girl) “Donny-…” (Suddenly yelps in pain as something slashes her arm and side, crumbling to her knees, her mother instinct not allowing her to drop the child)

Donovan: (Practically flies across the room) “¡MAMAITA!”

Jasmine: (Grabs a nearby lamp on a side table, smashing it against the wall, giving her access to several thick shards that she hurls like throwing knives to the spot she sees the demon)

Joyce: (Screams and covers her mouth)

Dogmeat: (Howls and bolts forwards)

Pirate: (Aggressive bark at Mama Evie being hurt)

Gardio: *freezes on the stairwell* What's going on down here?!

Teshteal: *clutching his head at the sound of the dogs and Gardio's shouting* I don't know! They won't help her!! *Completely lost track of what they were originally arguing about only that good vault sibling needs help and he can't do anything about it. No one is doing anything about it*

Gardio: *not sure what to make of that. Does he mean Jasmine or Mamá Evie? He looks between Joyce and Donny with concern before noticing the girl is swiping at a specific spot in the air* Hmm... *He starts humming gently and sweetly before reaching out to rub the teen's small back. He'd disarm the girl but that would only escalate her panic*

Donovan: (Practically trips over himself to reach his mother) “¡MAMÁ!”

Joyce: (Actually trips over herself in front of Ma, crawling the rest of the way over to be as close as possible to her)

Ma: (Winces, doing her best to stay upright and hold onto the girl, crimson blood staining her dress) “Rosita!”

Jasmine: (Does a choked cry when she feels her back being rubbed by someone her brain briefly tells her is a safe person, tears taking over her vision again)

Demonic Figure: “Them, or you. Them, or you. Them, or you. Them, or you.”

Demonic Figure 2: (Manifests besides the other one, chanting its own string of words) “Blood! Blood! Blood!”

Jasmine: (Struggles again, down to her last shards. She can’t get rid of the figure, and she feels the uncontrollable surging rage filling her, one that she’s supposed to use as fuel to make a bloodbath)

Demonic Figure: (Growls darkly) “PICK ONE.”

Jasmine: (Turns the shard on herself and tries to stab to literally make herself the sacrificial lamb as opposed to her family surrounding her…. Because it’s like the voices say- it’s her or them, just like it always is, which is why she ends up turning the blade on herself… Just like when Lucille told her to kill herself)

Demonic Figure: “YOU OR THEM PATHETIC C*NT!!!!”

Demonic Figure 2: “BLOOD! BLOOD! BLOOD!!!”

Gardio: *quickly intercepts the glass and pries it out of the teen's hands, letting it fall to the floor. He then takes hold that same hand in the same swift motion. He pauses his humming for just a moment. In the same gentle tone* Officer Rammstein. I need you to disarm whatever is attacking Rosie. *Resumes humming sweetly into the girl's ear, increasing the volume and adding the tiniest amount of pressure to his curricular rubbing.*

Teshteal: *blinks hearing Gardio giving him an order. It's like a knife cutting through the indecision in his brain. Takes one last sniff as he looks up at where the girl is swiping and clawing* Oh- Yes sir. *He gets up and starts approaching the specters on all fours, swishing his tail like a cat*

Jasmine: (Cries out in alarm when she’s disarmed, her cut on her chest and stomach not deep enough to satisfy the voices. She starts throwing her entire body around to try and break free so she can grab the shards again)

Ma: (Takes in a controlled breath as she’s tousled around, ignoring her own pain to keep balanced) “Rosalinda! Please, baby!”

Donovan: (Realizes that his mother is bleeding a lot) “FUCK!” (Turns and runs to get a Stimpak from the med room)

Demonic Figures: (Close in on the shivering girl)

Jasmine: (Panicked and pained, blood dribbling from her nose) “Nooooooo!!! It is coming!!! It is coming!!!! Nooooooo!!!”

Demonic Figure: (Grows bigger and bigger) “YOU OR THEM!!! CHOOSE ONE!!!”

Gardio: *lets go of Jas's hand and pulls the girl out of Ma's arms* I've got her.

Teshteal: *pounces as Jas is pulled away and slashes furiously at the demons she was trying to swing at. He chitters and growls at them* Leave her alone!!

Gardio: *Holds her similar to how her aunt was, using one arm to support her legs and the other on her back where he continues the gentle motions* Ssh... See? Teshteal is trying to fight them. *Bounces her slightly like a baby* He wants to protect you.

Ma: (Holds out her hands to the girl as Gardio takes her, a fearful look in her eyes)

Donovan: (Comes running back and grabs his mother) “Hold on, Mama. You’re bleeding a helluva lot…” (Carefully injects her with the Stimpak where she’s hurt the most)

Jasmine: (Whines at the transfer, kicking her feet, then she watches as Teshteal tries to fight her monsters…. He’s literally missing every hit on them because they aren’t real, but he’s trying his best) “No-!!! They will-…! They will-…! Nooooooo!!!!” (Tries to crawl over Gardio to protect Teshteal and the rest of her family) “Please!”

Demonic Figure: “KILL. KILL. KILL. KILL.”

Demonic Figure 2 “KILL THEM ALL!!!”

Gardio: *holds her still* It's okay. Look- he's not getting hurt. And they definitely won't hurt me. I'm too hard to kill.

Teshteal: *still swiping and biting at them like a cat chasing a laser pointer*

Gardio: *gently, as if hushing a baby* You don't have to listen to anything they're telling you. Whatever you're seeing can't physically touch us. Not really.

Jasmine: (Whimpers like a feeble child, sneezing and then coughing on the blood in her nose and mouth, Gardio’s soft words a vivid contrast into the dark world she’s stuck in)

Demonic Figures: (Cackle some more, slinking back into the shadows to watch the girl from afar as they always have done. The damage has been done for now, Jas has been reminded of what she’s meant to be doing, what she actually is)

Jasmine: (Tenses and locks her limbs, then tries to continue to kick her wild little feet while twisting her wrists, wanting to run and hide so the monsters can’t find her or her family again)

Donovan: (Cradles his mother as he waits for the Stimpak to work it’s magic) “You’re gonna be alright, Mama…”

Joyce: (Is huddled around Mama Evie as well, her hands holding her’s)

Ma: (Her focus is still on Rosie, not caring about herself at the moment because her mother instincts are too strong) “She’s covered in ghoul blood-! And she has open wounds!” (Worried about blood-borne diseases possibly transferring to the girl since she herself is a ghoul and they don’t know what could happen)

Gardio: Then we need to clean her wounds. *Looks to Joyce* Can you get Detective Valentine for me so we can give her a bath?

Teshteal: *pauses, realizing the fight's over* Anything I can do?

Gardio: Help Mama Evie and Donny. Gather some supplies for her wounds. *Starts heading to the bathroom with Rosie*

Joyce: (Stands up on shaky feet with a look of determination on her face) “Got it! Where is he!?”

Ma: (Holds onto her son) “I believe outside, probably back on the roof or the porch, my dear. If he’s not, check the pastures.”

Joyce: (Nods and turns to run outside, calling out as soon as she gets out there) “Detective Valentine???” (Runs around the porch to confirm that he’s not around there, then heads up the stairs to the roof)

Donovan: (Guides Mama Evie up onto her feet, his stomach doing flip flops at the sight of all her blood. He hates to see his dear precious mother get hurt….) “C’mon Mama… We’ll clean this up later… You come first.”

Jasmine: (Squeals fearfully when she’s carried off, scrunching up as much as she can into a ball up against whom her head tells her is still a safe person, unsure of what the hell is going on, or who is even holding her. All she knows is that Gardio smells, sounds, and feels somewhat familiar, but she doesn’t have a strong profile of him since she hasn’t been held much by him. She hasn’t even known him that long)

Gardio: *enters the bathroom, still holding and comforting the traumatized kitten* Let's get some nice, warm water running in the bath, hm? *stoops down a little to turn on the faucets, letting his knee replace the arm that was supporting her legs and rear. He starts testing the water with his hand to gauge the temperature so she doesn't get burned or freeze to death*

Teshteal: *Sprints in carrying a bag filled with gauze, needles, stimpaks, suture thread, and anything else they might need to replace her bandages and patch up possibly reopened wounds on his tail and a basket of bath supplies in his mouth. He sets both near Gardio and Jas* Brought a buncha stuff for ya, boss!

Gardio: *to Teshteal* Ssh... Not so loud. *taking Rosie's hand gently in his as he slowly rises and leans over the tub with her still in his arms* Would you mind testing the water a little for me? I don't want you to get burned when you get in, kiddo.

Nick: *glances over his shoulder when he senses Joyce. He was so lost in his head he barely registered the scuffle downstairs. When he sees her panicked expression he nearly spins on his heel to address her, cigarette dangling between his fingers* Is something wrong?

Joyce: (Trips on the last step, falling on her knees, hoisting herself back up using the railing so she can look at Nick and urgently point down the stairs) “Everyone is okay and alive, but they need you downstairs in the bathroom to help with your daughter. And quickly, please.”

Donovan: (Brings his mother to the med room) “Irradiated blood pack?”

Ma: (Touches her side, then looks at her arm) “Yes mijito…”

Donovan: (Rushes to get things prepped for an IV catheter insertion)

Jasmine: (Absolutely freaks out when she’s brought near a tub of water, choking on her spit and blood, making her think she’s drowning for a second) “AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!” (Clings to Gardio like a baby koala and tries to hide away in his shirt, her hands pawing desperately to be held tighter by someone who she thankfully can feel safe with even if she can’t tell who they are)

Gardio: Oh- I'm sorry- I didn't mean to frighten you. *holds her a little tighter so she feels more secure* I promise. I won't let you drown.*rubs her back some more* How about this- I get Teshteal to get a cup so we can test it more easily? No way you can fall into that, right? *nods at his gremlin partner*

Teshteal: *does a dramatic salute and darts to the kitchen*

Nick: Got it. *crushes the cigarette in his hand, snuffing it out thoroughly before tossing it aside in a rush* Thanks for letting me know! *a quick pat on Joyce's shoulder and he's running downstairs*

Joyce: (Steps to the side so that Nick can rush by her, watching as he flys down the stairs)

Teshteal: *already back in the bathroom with a glass cup* Got the cup!

Gardio: Good. *takes it from him, then stoops low again before he scoops some of the water out of the tub. He lightly brushes her arm and cheek with the side of it* Does the side feel too warm? Nod if it is.

Jasmine: (Babbles incoherent words like a baby just learning how to talk, shying away from the cup because now she thinks she’s being offered some water to drink. She puts her thumb into her mouth so she can’t be forced to drink, biting down)

Dogmeat: (Waiting outside the bathroom door, whining softly)

Pirate: (Doing the same but outside the med room, but she can see into there, though she knows she’s not allowed to enter)

@lucilleandherrobots

#Yeah we know. This chapter is a looooong one.#Took forever to edit. But it’s fiiiiiiine.#fallout #fallout 4 #fo4 #nick valentine #fallout oc #fallout original character #fallout role play #fallout4 #fallout 4 oc #fallout 4 original character

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thatweirdtranny · 12 hours ago

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it is absolutely bizarre to me that the flooded county in texas just straight up didn’t have a flash flood warning system

regulations are written in blood

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butmakeitgayblog · 5 hours ago

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heavy rains in Texas, people are missing, including 20 girls at a summer camp, how are you? i just don't know what state you live in. i hope the missing are found safe and sound

Oh I'm not anywhere near Texas so I'm safe, but thank you for checking in! It is tragic, it truly is, and I hope as many people are found as possible.

Gonna go in a bit of a weather rant so feel free to scroll on.

I'm just frustrated because this didn't need to happen. At all. Between Doge kneecapping the National Weather Service and people routinely ignoring watches and warnings... this is what happens. I'm not trying to blame the victims I'm truly not, but it is emotionally frustrating that this is happening when it could've been avoided. There was a flood watch out for like 12hrs. There was a Flash Flood warning out for I believe 3hrs. 4 DAYS in advance they were saying that a flooding potential was active within these days. And people STILL didn't leave. Some probably didn't even bother to check the weather before heading out. Or ignored the warnings altogether. Why??? Why put yourself in that kind of danger when we already know that the services that are here to warn about this stuff are understaffed, and actively pushing out Warnings as fast as possible to keep you safe despite being overworked and underappreciated???

I'm not talking out of my ass here. I come from a tornado prone area, and it's a huge joke here about "hehehe when there's a tornado warning, I go outside to look at it 😂", and this is that exact same shit. It's that same mentality and propensity to ignore the very people who have devoted their professional lives to keeping you safe from weather disasters. The disregard for one's own safety in the interest of just havin a good time. I know that sounds crass and insensitive in the face of the tragedy, and I apologize for that because this is horrific and I do feel for each and every person and their families, as well as am praying for them to be found safe, but it is frustrating because this was preventable. Meteorologists are not sending watches and warnings because they want to ruin your camping trip, and moreover, a camping trip is not worth putting your life at risk by 1. Not checking the weather, or 2. Ignoring the warnings.

Sorry. I've just had a pit in my stomach since this all started and I had to get that out.

#reader-mary #obviously for the children I am absolutely blaming the adults in charge #how... fucking... dare... you put those babies lives in danger like that #i just *steam pours out of my ears*

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justinspoliticalcorner · 5 hours ago

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Oliver Milman at The Guardian:

Rescuers by Saturday had begun the grim task of recovering the bodies of children who were swept away in a deadly flash flood in Texas, caused by a powerful storm that killed dozens of people. The exact number of missing people was not immediately known, but 24 of them were girls who had been attending Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe River. Torrential rain caused the river to rise 26ft (8 meters) in just 45 minutes before dawn on Friday, washing away homes and vehicles. Some of the victims of the disaster have now been recovered and are being formally identified. One of the girls, Renee Smajstrla, who was nine years old, was confirmed to be among the dead by her uncle. “Renee has been found and while not the outcome we prayed for, the social media outreach likely assisted the first responders in helping to identify her so quickly,” Shawn Salta wrote on Facebook. “We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life.” A number of camps were situated along the river for the Independence Day weekend, and up to 25 of about 750 campers remain unaccounted for, according to Larry Leitha, sheriff of Kerr county, who said that “catastrophic” rains had devastated the area, located to the north of San Antonio. Leitha said at least 27 people were confirmed dead, among them nine children. Authorities said about 850 people had been rescued, with roughly 400 people involved in the search-and-rescue operation.

Searchers used helicopters and drones to look for victims and rescue people stranded by flood waters. The confirmed death toll is almost certain to rise, although hopes remain that some of those affected will be found alive. “They could be in a tree, they could be out of communication,” said Dan Patrick, Texas’s lieutenant governor. “We are praying for all of those missing to be found alive.” The danger was not over as more heavy rains were expected Saturday, with flash flood warnings issued for parts of central Texas. “This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION,” the National Weather Service (NWS) warned in a bulletin. “SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!” Huge downpours like this are becoming more common around the world due to the climate crisis, with a warming atmosphere holding a greater amount of moisture. In eastern Texas, there has already been a 20% increase in the number of days with heavy rain or snow since 1900, with the intensity of extreme rain set to rise by another 10% in the next decade.

27 people killed and several dozens more missing due to the rapid swelling of the Guadalupe River in Texas, including Camp Mystic campers.

The cause of the flood is due to all the heavy rains that caused the river to rise 27’ in 45 minutes, no doubt at least in part to climate change.

See Also:

AP, via HuffPost: Desperate Search For Two Dozen Missing Girls From Summer Camp After Texas Floods Kill At Least 24

#Camp Mystic #Flooding #Texas #US News #Extreme Weather #Guadalupe River #Climate Crisis #Texas Flooding #Texas Hill Country #Climate Change

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posttexasstressdisorder · 20 hours ago

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I lived in about five miles past Hunt for about a year, spanning '91-'92. The Guadalupe is nothin' to laugh at, lots of "vacation resorts" right along it for miles, known to flood, but usually enough fore-warning they get everybody out. Those "historic" floods were always referred to by the year they happened...they happen more often now.

The last year I was in south Austin, it rained 15 inches in 5 hours at Blanco, about 35 miles west/southwest. It barely rained in Austin, but the flood came down the river and creek system LATER, and the water came up with no rain...catastrophically came up. Our place was on a creekbed, I spent the night in the car on our driveway, out by the road so I could get out. None of our cabins got water inside, but it got right up to the front doors...and these cabins were on stilts, about four feet in the air. Flood waters are serious shit. Respect nature and realize when it's time to evacuate.

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beardedmrbean · 1 day ago

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A "catastrophic" and deadly flooding emergency was unfolding in Texas on the Fourth of July as heavy rains caused the Guadalupe River to rapidly rise.

People have died in Kerr County and roads were flooding in Kerrville, a city of 25,000 people about 60 miles northwest of San Antonio, authorities said.

"This is a catastrophic flooding event in Kerr County. We can confirm fatalities but will not release further information until next of kin are notified," the Kerr County Sheriff's Office said. "The entire county is an extremely active scene."

Residents were urged to shelter in place and not attempt to travel. Anyone along creeks, streams and the Guadalupe River should seek higher ground, the sheriff's office said.

The area was under a flash flood warning and between 5 and 11 inches of rain had already fallen by about 9 a.m., the National Weather Service in Austin and San Antonio said. Another 1 to 2 inches could fall before the rain threat dissipates later in the afternoon, the weather service said.

"This is a very dangerous and life-threatening flood event along the Guadalupe River! Move to higher ground!" the weather service there said.

Earlier in the morning, the Guadalupe River at Hunt in western Kerr County had already reached the second-highest level on record at over 29 feet, surpassing levels of the 1987 Guadalupe River Flood at that spot, the weather service in Austin and San Antonio said. The 1987 flood killed 10 teenagers on a church camp bus and van on July 17 near Comfort, Texas.

In San Angelo, Texas, about 150 miles from Kerrville in the central part of the state, the weather service shared a photo of a flooded-out intersection with water reaching the level of road signs. The weather service office in San Angelo said it had received multiple reports of flooded roads and homes in Tom Green County, calling the conditions "life-threatening."

Disaster declaration in Kerrville

The mayor of Kerrville, Joe Herring Jr., issued a disaster declaration the morning of July 4. Fatalities and missing people have been reported in Kerr County with water rescues ongoing, the city of Kerrville said.

"Search and recovery efforts are ongoing and will increase as the waters recede," the city said.

The city said it cancelled its Fourth of July celebration, "Fourth on the River."

Mandatory evacuations along Guadalupe River

Officials in Comfort, Texas, issued mandatory evacuations for residents along the rapidly rising river.

"Please take immediate action to protect yourself and your loved ones," the city said.

Residents were instructed to bring necessary documents, medications, clothing and important valuables with them as they escape to higher ground.

#nunyas news

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mariacallous · 1 year ago

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If you’re one of the millions of Americans worried about your pocketbooks and the general cost of living, you might have picked up on some good news recently: Inflation has really been cooling off this summer, as long-sticky (and long-lamented) food and energy prices continue to moderate. Some economic indicators remain stubborn, however—and they aren’t likely to abate anytime in the near future, no matter how long the Federal Reserve keeps interest rates high, what tweaks President Joe Biden makes to his trade policy, whether corporations decide themselves to slash prices on certain products, or whether Covid-battered supply chains finally get some long-needed fixes.

Other, grimmer recent headlines help to explain why. Hard rains from a tropical disruption in the Gulf have been battering Florida’s southern regions for days, leading to a rare flash-flood emergency. Another batch of storms is swirling near Texas at the moment and could form into a tropical depression, according to forecasts from the National Hurricane Center. Even if both states end up missing bigger storms now, it’s likely only a matter of time before they’re threatened again: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that the United States will see its worst hurricane season in decades this summer.

Meanwhile, the heat waves that have enveloped Phoenix are intensifying to the point that some analysts are deeming its latest conditions “a Hurricane Katrina of heat.” Spanning outward, the Midwest and Northeast are projected to get their own extreme heat warnings as early as next week, with energy demand set to skyrocket as people turn on their air conditioners. The country has already seen 11 “billion-dollar disasters” this year, including the tornadoes that slammed Iowa just weeks ago. Meanwhile, the already strapped Federal Emergency Management Agency faces a budgetary crisis, and sales of catastrophe bonds are at an all-time high.

Now, let’s look back at the inflation readings. One of the categories remaining stubbornly high while other indicators shrink? Shelter and housing, natch, as rents and insurance stay hot—and still-elevated interest rates make construction and mortgage costs even more prohibitive. On the energy front, motor fuel may be cheapening, but fuel and electricity for home use are still pricey. Auto insurance remains a driving outlier, as I noted back in April, not least because of insurers hiking premiums for cars in especially disaster-vulnerable regions—like the South, the Southwest, and the coasts.

Look at what else is happening in those very regions when it comes to home insurance: Providers are either retreating from or dramatically heightening their prices in states like California, Texas, Florida, and New Jersey, thanks to their unique susceptibility to climate change. These states have seen supercharged extreme weather events like floods, rain bombs, heat waves, and droughts. National lawmakers fear that the insurance crises there may ultimately wreak havoc on the broader real estate sector—but that’s not the only worst-case scenario they have to worry about.

Agricultural yields for important commodities produced in those states (fruits, nuts, corn, sugar, veggies, wheat) are withering, thanks to punishing heat and soil-nutrition depletion. The supply chains through which these products usually travel are thrown off course at varying points, by storms that disrupt land and sea transportation. Preparation for these varying externalities requires supply-chain middlemen and product sellers to anticipate consequential cost increases down the line—and implement them sooner than later, in order to cover their margins.

You may have noticed some clear standouts among the contributors to May’s inflation: juices and frozen drinks (19.5 percent), along with sugar and related substitutes (6.4 percent). It’s probably not a coincidence that Florida, a significant producer of both oranges and sugar, has seen extensive damage to those exports thanks to extreme weather patterns caused by climate change as well as invasive crop diseases. Economists expect that orange juice prices will stay elevated during this hot, rainy summer.

(Incidentally, climate effects may also be influencing the current trajectory and spread of bird flu across American livestock—and you already know what that means for meat and milk prices.)

It goes beyond groceries, though. It applies to every basic building block of modern life: labor, immigration, travel, and materials for homebuilding, transportation, power generation, and necessary appliances. Climate effects have been disrupting and raising the prices of timber, copper, and rubber; even chocolate prices were skyrocketing not long ago, thanks to climate change impacts on African cocoa bean crops. The outdoor workers supplying such necessities are experiencing adverse health impacts from the brutal weather, and the recent record-breaking influxes of migrants from vulnerable countries—which, overall, have been good for the U.S. economy—are in part a response to climate damages in their home nations.

The climate price hikes show up in other ways as well. There’s a lot of housing near the coasts, in the Gulf regions and Northeast specifically; Americans love their beaches and their big houses. Turns out, even with generous (very generous) monetary backstops from the federal government, it’s expensive to build such elaborate manors and keep having to rebuild them when increasingly intense and frequent storms hit—which is why private insurers don’t want to keep having to deal with that anymore, and the costs are handed off to taxpayers.

When all the economic indicators that take highest priority in Americans’ heads are in such volatile motion thanks to climate change, it may be time to reconsider how traditional economics work and how we perceive their effects. It’s no longer a time when extreme weather was rarer and more predictable; its force and reasoning aren’t beyond our capacity to aptly monitor, but they’re certainly more difficult to track. You can’t stretch out the easiest economic model to fix that. And you can’t keep ignoring the clear links between our current weather hellscape, climate change, and our everyday goods.

Thankfully, some actors are finally, belatedly taking a new approach. The reinsurance company Swiss Re has acknowledged that its industry fails to aptly factor disaster and climate risks into its calculations, and is working to overhaul its equations. Advances in artificial intelligence, energy-intensive though they may be, are helping to improve extreme-weather predictions and risk forecasts. At the state level, insurers are pushing back against local policies that bafflingly forbid them from pricing climate risks into their models, and Florida has new legislation requiring more transparency in the housing market around regional flooding histories. New York legislators are attempting to ban insurers from backstopping the very fossil-fuel industry that’s contributed to so much of their ongoing crisis.

After all, we’re no longer in a world where climate change affects the economy, or where voters prioritizing economic or inflationary concerns are responding to something distinct from climate change—we’re in a world where climate change is the economy.

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melmac78 · 28 days ago

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You know one interesting thing I thought about the past couple of days after the tornado warning is how people are a bit awkward asking how you’re doing.

I went to my favorite eating place yesterday to get breakfast for the weekend and a dear friend of mine who works there asked if I was - and she hesitated to ask, shrugging sheepishly.

I finished it up and said “after the tornado warning?” to which she nodded and I answered I was doing OK.

I also got to tell her is the first time in six years I’ve ever had to bunker down for a tornado here and that everything was fine and Ash was her sweet silly cat self after I wrangled her into the bathroom.

•••••••

I had a friend who lives in New York, who contact me about the two hurricanes I went through to make sure I was OK and joked too too say “so I guess I don’t have to call you?” I laughed at that and I told her yes I appreciate it but now I’m doing fine.

I have to admit – I’ve been through as mentioned pretty much every natural disaster, including minor earthquakes we’ve had in the past year due to being close to a fault line (not San Andreas, where people built on top of fault line, but within a decent distance) -

- but it’s nice to know that people up here take the time to ask if you’re doing OK if they know that you have to sometimes be out in that stuff during and after a storm.

And if you wanna know the damage where I live, we had 73 windows broken although the flats use a double windowpane system and lots of broken branches and tree limbs.

Where I work, they had flash flooding where someone even canoe down part of the street which in West Texas is not common and a couple of operated trees, which were probably dead longer than I’ve been here.

I know there were some places that had some more serious damage in the country, but thankfully, most places the tornadoes touched down or fields, which isn’t great for farmers, but they do have insurance for that.

I won’t talk much more on this as far as Thursday night, but pretty much as I’ve mentioned if you have questions about in particular hurricanes and tornadoes since I know they’re not as common we’re most of you are feel free to ask me.

I say this because full disclosure I will say the biggest gripe I have on fanfiction is folks not understanding what those two can do and how widely and I do emphasize widely varied. Those storms can be as far as damage.

Example tornadoes can be so general like dust storms or Sandies where you and your car get gently nudged to the side if you get brushed by one to fu out flatten the city ones. (at least Sandies you can prepare for them because they tend to be across farm fields so they kick up more dust and sand hence their name.

#melmac78 observation #tornado warning wrap up #Please feel free to ask about those storms if you need to #Oh and I did get hit by a sandie last week so I do know how they feel

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dancesinlight · 1 year ago

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Quite the weather we are having. My gazebo is no more. Lawn furniture strewn about. Off and on power. Severe weather and Flash Flood warning in effect. MONDAY in SE Texas! **chuckles** y'all have a good one..

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yourlocalmerchgirl · 2 years ago

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Texas Transplant pt. 3

Paring: Tommy Miller x Reader

Word count: 6k

Part 1 Part 2

Summary: Tommy is tired of living in Joel's shadow. He feels broken and unloveable, just going threw the motions of life. Then you walked into his life making him realize it is possible for him to be loved and cared for.

Tommy Miller x reader AU (the out break doesn't happen

Warnings: 18+ MDNI First date heavy making out light mention of body issues Slow Burn Slow Build Pining Mutual Pining Smut Fluff Tooth-Rotting Fluff Falling In Love I think that’s about it for this part let me know if I missed anything

A/N: Hi friends! Sorry it’s taken me a longer than normal to get part 3 up, life’s been crazy but it’s finally here! We finally get to see these two love birds have there actual first date! I’m so so proud of this part and really hope you all love it as much as I do! Thank you @svittok2 for being my editor, bouncing ideas back and forth with me and loving this story as much as me!

Tommy’s pov

Tommy’s eyes flutter open, taking a moment to adjust to his surroundings. As he opens his them all the way he realizes hes curled right up to you, head nestled on your chest, arms wrapped tightly around you as if his life depended on it. You had your arm wrapped around him just as tightly and all he could think of was how perfect this moment was. The way you both clutched on to one another like the world was ending, the way the warmth from your body seeped into his like the sun. The sound of your heart beating washes this sense of calm over him that he’s never felt before.

Tommy pulls back ever so slightly to look at you, making sure not to wake you.

He admires the way the early morning light illuminates your peaceful form, thinking how beautifully precious you look. He brings his hand up to softly caress the side of your face with the back of his fingers, tracing along your cheek bone with the pad of his thumb. Your lips curl into the cutest sleepy smile at the sensation of his touch, letting out the softest sigh, causing his smile to reach his eyes. But then the guilt and dread set in, like his mind isn’t capable of enjoying true happiness for long. His mind races with thoughts about last night, about how you were already having a rough night, how you completely opened up to him even though you were terrified it would change things and how does he repay you? By throwing you in the middle of the worst panic attack/ flash back episode he’s had in a while. He was supposed to be taking care of you, making you feel loved and relaxed. But instead you’re thrust into taking care of him like your problems didn’t matter, like you hadn’t already been through enough yesterday.

This is the type of guilt that always ate at Tommy. Party due to him being abandoned by most everyone he tried to get close too but also due to the fact that Tommy has always been incredibly hard and unforgiving on himself.

He gets up slowly from the bed as to not jostle you and makes his way to the bathroom. As he’s settling back into the bed he’s surprised that you curl right up to him when you feel the bed dip down. As you Snuggle closer and closer to him he opens his arms, not expecting what happens next. Almost instinctively as if you weren’t asleep you move right into his embrace, draping you’re arm around him tightly and nuzzling youre face in the spot where his neck meets his chest, letting out the cutest most content hum.

Tommy feels so much happiness flooding his entire body he thinks his heart might explode. It’s in this moment he realized all hope might not be lost, he might not of scared you away with his incident. He needs to figure it out, because if that’s the case he needs to finally grow a pair and ask you out. Tommy can’t even begin to express how special you are to him, how much he cares about you. Hell if he’s being honest, he’s in love with you. He’s been in love with you since he spent the entire day with you, taking you around to get things for the house to then be invited to share dinner and a movie where you fell asleep on the couch. He thought he was in love before but realizes the only other time he’s felt this amount of love, true love was the day Sarah was born, the day he became an uncle.

You starting to stir in your sleep pulls Tommy from his thoughts. You stretch and adjust a little, bring your leg up over his to rest in between his legs. Pulling yourself closer into him and nesting your face in the crook of his neck, your forehead resting on his cheek. And then it hits him, he wants you to be the first thing he sees every morning and the last thing he sees every night. He wants a life making memories with you. He wants to make you laugh on good days and help you pick up the pieces on bad days. He wants to learn how to cook your favorite meal and shower you with the love and support you deserve. Just as he pulls back a little and leans forward planting the softest kiss on your forehead your eyes flutter open.

When he pulls back he’s surprised to see you with the cutest smile, your beautiful hazel eyes already looking at him.

“Morning sweetheart” she say with a beautifully sleepy smile

She….she called me sweetheart

“Mornin’ sweet girl” Tommy reply’s lightly caressing the side of your face before resting his hand to cup your face, holding your soft hazel eyes in a gaze. He watches as your eyes flit from his eyes to his lips and back a couple of times, almost as if your trying to tell him something.

Before Tommy knows it or can stop himself he’s moving forward and crashing his lips into yours in the softest most tender kiss of his life. You don’t hesitate reciprocating the kiss, bringing your hand up to cup his face as you kiss him back with the same soft tenderness. When you break the kiss for air you can’t help but to instantly blush causing you both to giggle.

Tommy searches your eyes for anything to reassure him he didn’t cross a line. He cares to deeply about you to have you being in his life slip through his fingers.

You reach up softly, rubbing the side of his face with the back of your finger before tracing along all his freckles with the pad of you’re finger. Tommy’s eyes flutter closed as he just takes in this beautifully calming moment. Your touch alone is enough to sooth him, to melt away any trouble he could be having and ground him in away he never knew possible.

“How did you sleep? I hope you were comfortable here”

“Quiet honestly sweetheart, I don’t think I’ve slept this well in a very long time”

A few beats of silence wash over the two of you.

“Look sweet girl…. I-I ah I feel terrible about last night. It wasn’t fair for you to have to deal with that after you were already having a rough night.”

“Tommy….”

“I didn’t want you to ever have to see that side of me but it’s a part of me, I can’t help it and I’m so sorry i freaked out.”

“Tommy Please! Can I say my piece?” She says more sternly.

“Of course sweetheart” Tommy says meekly, a little scared about what might happen next.

“Nothing about what happened last night makes me think or feel any differently about you.” She says softly, cupping her hand over mine.

“You want to know what was going through my head when I heard that glass break? What was going through my head head when I ran inside?”

“Yes….” Tommy reply’s his voice barely above a whisper. His eyes focused on your hand holding his.

“The only thing i could think was making sure you were ok, making sure you knew you were safe and felt safe. That you knew you were surrounded by love and support. And when you fell forward into my arms the only thing I thought was thankfulness. Thankful that in that moment that trust was there.”

As you’re saying all this Tommy laces his fingers in yours and squeezes you hand tightly.

“Because you know why?” Her voice began to crack.

“Because…because that’s what you do when you care about someone….an-and I-I care about you a lot Tommy”

“It’s not about there only being space for one person to have a bad day, it’s about us being there for each other no matter what, it’s about the fact that we clearly bring a lot of comfort to each other.”

Tommy pulls you into his arms as you both have tears, albeit tears of relief streaming down your faces.

“Fuck sweet girl…i don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m thankin’ my lucky stars ‘cause I can’t imagine my life without you.”

You squeeze him tighter at his worlds thinking about the beautiful situation in which you both are in. Where you both were so terrified that something about the other would drive each other way but in fact made your relationship stronger. It’s made all this love bubble up to the surface, little did Tommy know you were starting to realize that you were in love with him too.

“You’re stuck with me now Miller” you tease

“Yea I ain’t ever lettin’ you go sweetheart, so your stuck with me too” Tommy jokes back. But you know there’s seriousness behind his words, and he knows there is behind your words too.

You reach up tucking some of Tommy’s unruly black curls behind his ear before you start tracing his face and connecting all his freckles again with the pad of your finger. Tommy’s never seen someone look at him as intently as you do in this moment, like your trying to commit every part of him to memory. The love and adoration Tommy sees in your eyes makes his heart beat faster. He only hopes that he makes you feel the same way you make him feel. As you run your hand gently down the side of his face he leans into your touch, wanting more, needing more.

Tommy reaches out running the pad of his fingers down your temple and along your jaw. His deep brown eyes, pools that you could get lost in. You’ve never seen someone look at you the way Tommy does, with all the love and compassion in the world. It’s in the very moment that you realize your in love with Tommy, you’ve been in love with him since the day the two of you spent the together gathering things for the house. You’ve just been to scared to admit it out loud, thinking for sure your past would drive him away but it didn’t, and now he looks at you with the same kind of love in his eyes that you have in yours. Could he possibly love me too?

Your eyes flutter closed as Tommy starts tracing over your bottom lip with the smooth pad of his finger. He loves seeing how you blush and giggle a little when touches you. She couldn’t get more beautiful if she tried.

“Sweet girl” Tommy whispers

Your eyes flutter back open, locking with his beautiful brown eyes already on you.

“You alright? Is this alright?”

“Yea…I’m ok, just getting lost in the moment” you whisper back, bringing you thumb to trace along his bottom lip. He gently places a kiss to your thumb as you smooth it over his lips causing you both to smile shyly.

Before either of you know it your lips are crashing back together, igniting your entire body in flames like some kind of super hero. My god I hope he’s feeling this way too.

The kiss is both slow and beautiful, sensual and tender, the both of you relishing in the moment trying to commit it all to memory.

Tommy pulls away from the kiss and leans his forehead against yours. The happiness in the room is palpable, you swear the whole neighborhood must be able to feel it too.

“Do…do you feel it too” Tommy whispers.

“Y-yes, I feel it too”

The sun was beating down already, which could only mean one thing, it was going to be a hot one. July in Texas could be brutal and unforgiving. Tommy pulls up to Joel’s house and puts it into park. But his mind isn’t there, it’s with you. A smile tugs at his lips as his mind flashed back to waking up in your arms and the kiss…THE KISS. It had only been a day, but god did he miss everything about you.

“Hey dipshit, breakfast is getting cold. You gonna come eat or just sit there” Joel shouted pulling him from his thoughts.

“Jesus man, don’t need to shout. Gonna wake the whole damn neighborhood”

“Well Christ Tommy, you’ve been sittin’ there for like 10 mins.”

“Your plates in the microwave Uncle Tommy I made eggs, bacon and toast” Sarah called out from upstairs

“You didn’t have to do that sweetheart”

“I know but I’ve gotta work early this morning so I figured I’d make us all breakfast” Sarah says coming down the stairs.

“Hey…can I talk to you real quick before you head out Sarah? Won’t take long”

Joel stops dead in his tracks and whips around, so curious about what his brother could possibly have to say.

“Of course, let’s go out onto the porch so dad minds his business.” Her uncles not one to do this so she’s knows it must be important.

“What’s up Uncle Tommy, everything alright?”

“Yea everything’s alright, I just uh…god this is embarrassing. I-I I was wondering if you could teach me how to cook? Like give me some lessons before you leave for school?”

Sarah’s eyes light up. “Of course uncle Tommy, I’d love too! Anything specific?”

“I was thinking a couple breakfast things and some dinner things, nice meals”

“Look I dont wanna keep you, I know you gotta go to work but maybe we could brainstorm tomorrow after your dad and I are done for the day?”

“Sure sounds good”

Tommy turns to head back inside.

“Wait, what’s this for? Ooo is this for

(y/n)?”

“Am I that obvious?” Tommy says chuckling, smile wide across his face.

“She’s always cooking for everyone else, I want to be able to spoiler her, do nice things for her. She’s like you, she gets so excited about food, I want to be able give her some of that excitement but I can’t cook anything fancy. Plus I ah… I’m planing to ask her out soon…”

“Jesus about time! You guys are perfect for each other, I’m pretty sure the whole world can see it.”

Tommy can’t help but blush and laugh at her response.

“Ok well we will talk about it tomorrow, I’ve got some idea because I want to know how to make some of her favorite things”

Tommy heads back inside as Sarah heads out for the day for work.

“Hey sorry I can eat on the way I’m sure we gotta head out.”

“Well actually the Smiths called when you were having your mystery chat and their kid is sick so they asked us not to come by until tomorrow to finish the work. And I called Marks crew and they’re ahead of schedule and Jensen doesn’t need any help so looks like we have an unexpected day off. I’ll still pay ya for today because I was thinking we could go get some supplies for upcoming jobs first.”

“Sounds good to me, I’m happy to do whatever we need. Hopefully their kid feels better soon.” Tommy says sitting down with his coffee and breakfast.

They allow a comfortable silence to take over as they’re finishing their morning coffee. Tommy decides to break the silence.

“I had an attack the other day”

“Shit, Tommy it’s been a little while hasn’t it? Was it bad?”

“It’s was one of the worst ones I’ve had in a while, damn near crippling.”

“You alright? When was this? you should of called me for help”

“It was at (y/n)’s the other night when you left and Stacey went upstairs”

Joel freezes, scared what Tommy might say next. Knowing how scared he was for you to see that part of him.

“Shit…it was the fire crackers wasn’t it? Damn I was hoping you had left or that you guys were doing other stuff at that point when they started going off.”

Tommy stays silent for a few beats only adding up Joel’s worry.

Tommy drops his head as the tears start to well in his eyes. Joel’s frozen, he doesn’t know what to do he’s only ever seen Tommy like this a handful of times.

“I-I though it would of scared her or pushed her away. Thought for sure she’d think I was a burden, that I was too much.”

“But-but sh-she was by my side the whole time…she ran inside when she head the glasses I had smash. Without hesitation or question she dropped to her knees surrounded by glass to talk me through everything. To let me know I was safe and ok. When I let out a guttural noise and fell into her arms crying she met me with the tightest embrace that I’ve only ever felt from you. It was her voice Joel… her fuckin’ voice that brought me back.”

“Jesus Christ Tommy…I’m so glad your ok, that she’s ok. It’s a miracle neither of you cut yourselves. You didn’t drive like that did you?”

“I stayed there….her and Stacey got me up and into her room. She put light music on and stayed with me….I woke up in her arms Joel, we were holdin’ on to each other like all we needed was each other.”

“Tommy…you gotta tell her how you feel. It’s so obvious that you guys have feelings for each other. You both faced some traumatic shit together in the same night and the only place the two of you ran was into each others arms. You guys deserve each other.”

“I-l know brother I know, I’m planning on it. I don’t want her to slip through my fingers. She makes me happier than I’ve ever been, I don’t want to be without her. Hell if I’m being honest Joel, I love her, I’m in love with her. Heck if she’d take my hand I’d marry her tomorrow.”

“I love seeing you like this Tommy, that you’ve found someone that cares about you the way you care about them. I love that girl, both of them really. I’ve loved having her be apart of this family and our lives, It would make my heart swell to see you two together.”

Tommy’s phones buzzes

Y/n: when you unexpectedly have the day off because of tech problems you stay snuggled up in a mountain of blankets and have a geeky movie marathon

(Insert a cute selfie of you snuggled up in a mountain of blankets)

Y/n: ps hope you’re having a good day!

Tommy looks down at his phone and his face lights up just seeing the messages from you and then even more so when he opens them.

Tommy: well don’t you look cute and cozy…great way to spend your day off!

Tommy: we have a unexpected day off too, our clients kid is sick so they asked us not to come and the other crews are ahead.

Y/n: well I could think of one way it could be better. 🙂

Tommy: oh yea what’s that? You need somethin’ sweetheart? I can go to the store if you need.

Y/n: I do need something…

Tommy: anything sweetheart just let me know.

Y/n: I uh… I need you Tommy…

Tommy’s eyes go wide when he sees the message, thinking he can’t be reading that right. You take his silence for fear.

Y/n: shit…I’m sorry I shouldn’t of said that…I’m gonna go die now 🫣

Tommy: no no no sweet girl it’s not like that, Im just surprised by your message. I’ll be right there 🙂

“Hey uh any chance you could just go on that supply run on your own? I gotta go win my girls heart”

“Jesus Tommy get outta here and go get that girl!”

As Tommy closes the door Joel realizes that if he doesn’t do something, the girl of his dreams is going to slip threw his fingers too. Except he has no idea if she’s even interested in him, but talking to

Tommy has inspired him that he needs to atleast try.

Joel: Hey… would want to get a drink sometime?

——————————————————————

Stacey hears a knock at the door as she’s heading back upstairs.

“I’ll get it” she shouts over her shoulder into the house.

“Hey Tommy! Come on in” she happily greets Tommy

“Nice to see you sweetheart” Tommy chimes in as he’s toeing off his boots.

“Look ah about the other night..”

“I’m gonna stop you right there Tommy. There’s nothing to worry about. I don’t think any differently of you and there’s nothing you need to apologize for. We’re all family and I would do anything to help family.” She says placing her hand on his arm

“Get over here sweetheart!” Tommy says pulling her into a big bear hug.

“I’m so happy (y/n) and Sarah have you in their lives, hell I’m happy Joel and I have you too”

“Yea I know, I am pretty great aren’t I?!” Stacey teases, them both laughing grinning ear to ear.

——————————————————————

Tommy knocks on your door

“Come in” you say pausing the movie.

“It ok to come in sweet girl?”

“Tommy!” You excitedly exclaim sitting up in bed. Smile so wide it’s reaching your eyes.

He quickly flops onto the bed, wrapping his arms around you before you lay back and he settles his head on your chest.

“It’s so good to see you sweet girl”

Bringing your hand up to run through his thick black curls, stopping to message his scalp every so often.

“It’s good to see you too Tommy, honestly all I can think about is spending time with you.” And you instantly think shit should I of said that?

“Can I talk yo you about something sweetheart?” Tommy says as he’s sitting up

“Of course” you say sitting up

“I really like you a lot, as more than just friends, and i was wondering if you’d go out with me, if I could take you out on a proper date?”

“Jesus I’m sorry I’m so bad at this” he says rubbing the back of his neck.

“Yes, I’d be love too Tommy”

“Wait say that again”

“Id love too Tommy, I’d love to go on a date with you, I’d thought you’d never ask”

The week inched by as slow as molasses running up a hill. But the day was finally here, your date with Tommy. Just thinking about it made your heart skip a beat. You’d been up for hours unable to contain your excitement or your smile.

Your phone buzzing on your nightstand pulls you back to reality. You can’t stop the smile that spreads across your face when you see a text from Tommy.

Tommy: Morning sweet girl 🥰 make sure you wear comfortable clothes and shoes, doin’ lots of walking today.

Y/N: Morning sweetheart 🥰 what do you have up your sleeve Tommy Miller? 😂🧐

Tommy: You let me worry about the details sweetheart, I’m pretty confident you’re gonna love today.

Tommy: oh bring an overnight bag with you incase you fall asleep…wouldn’t want to wake your grumpy ass up 😂

Ever since Stacey told him you get grumpy when you get woken up Tommy doesn’t miss the opportunity to lovingly tease you about it.

You’re in the kitchen talking to Stacey when Tommy knocks on the door. Butterflies over take you as you excitedly make your way over, unable to contain your smile. You open the door to Tommy standing there in a white tank top undershirt with a gray button up shirt open over it, tight blue jeans and sneakers. His jet black curls glowing in the morning light, tucked behind his ears and gelled back just enough to keep them out of his face.

“Tommy!” You excitedly exclaim a little embarrassed when you hear yourself. But that all washes away in an instant when you see that classic beautiful Tommy Miller smile.

“Com’er sweet girl” Tommy says grabbing your hand and pulling you against him into a big hug.

You pull your head back slightly so your cheek is flush against his. “You look so handsome. You always look so handsome to me” you whisper in his ear. You feel a deep hum vibrate from his chest into yours as he squeezes you tighter.

Tommy pulls back dragging his lips over the shell of your ear, tickling you with his mustache. Causing that giggle that Tommy loves so much to bubble up.

“You’re the most gorgeous girl in the world” he says placing a kiss on your jaw.

“You all ready to go sweet girl?”

“Yea! I just need to grab my bag.”

Returning with your bag, Tommy takes it to carry as you guys head out to the truck. He puts your bag in the back and moves to open the door for you.

“Wait” you whisper as Tommy moves to shut the door. You swing your body around so your legs are dangling out of the truck. “I didn’t get to kiss you” you whisper as you reach out cupping his face, your thighs parting instinctually to fit him as you pull him into a soft sensual kiss. His lips are soft and tender as he wastes no time returning the kiss and licks your bottom lip for entrance. As you oblige and your tongue tangles with his you both simultaneously lets out a hum, vibrating through both of your chests and into the others.

As Tommy pulls away he feels this fire that starts in his belly and spreads through every nerve in his body when his eyes meet yours. The same expression of love and adoration grace your features that he can see on his own in the reflection of your soft hazel eyes.

“Jesus I dunno what I did to deserve you, but I ain’t never lettin’ you go” Tommy whispers as he kisses your forehead.

“I don’t want you to let me go”

Tommy leans down to kiss you when you hear “ Hey lovebirds your giving’ the whole neighborhood a show!” Frigging Joel

You both look up simultaneously giving Joel the finger.

“Love you guys too” Joel jokes causing you all to laugh.

“We gotta get goin’ anyway, can’t have us being late”

“What do you have up your sleeve you sneak?”

“You’ll see sweetheart, you’ll see” he says giving you that classic Tommy Miller smirk that you loved so much.

Tommy can’t help stealing glances of you as he’s driving. Your head leaned back, eyes lightly closed, letting the morning sun warm your face as you sing along to the music playing. That cute smile that graces your face everytime his thumb draws small circles on your thigh as his hand rests there.

“You know I didn’t ask you to stay over because I wanted to sleep with you right?”

His question catches you off guard.

“Not that that I don’t want to sleep with you, I just want you to know I’m never going to push you faster than you want to go. I know this is big for you, after everything you’ve been through and I just want you to know I’ll go at any pace. I asked you to bring a bag because I just want you to be close to, I want to wake up in your arms, I want you to be the first thing I see again.”

His words hit you like a tidal wave, you have to hold back the tears you can feel pricking at your eyes.

“I didn’t feel that way at all Tommy, honestly I’m glad you did ask me too because I haven’t stopped thinking about waking up in your arms.” Before you can catch them a few tears roll down your cheek and Tommy notices right away

“Jesus, baby I didn’t mean to make you cry” he says reaching up to catch the tears.

“You didnt, they’re happy tears, I’m just so over come with happiness being with you, it just all feels like a dream”

Your interest peaks when you notice you’re getting off the highway in San Antonio, eyes glued to the window. You perk up when the truck slows down at the entrance for the San Antonio Zoo. Tommy’s heart skips a beat at your expression when you turn to him and he falls in love with you all over again.

“We’re going to the zoo?!” You’re entire body lit up at the idea, un able to hold back your excitement.

“You love it?”

“Of course I do, this is literally the perfect date, who wouldn’t want to enjoy a day at the zoo bonding over the shared love of animals with someone your head over heels for”

Tommy’s heart swells at your comment, replaying it over and over in his head. You have no idea what his plans are but he can’t wait to give you the world today.

As you guys walk through the gates and to the ticket counter your hands find each others, fingers interlacing as if your hands were magnets. Your hands fit together like a puzzle piece and everything just feels right, like everything is meant to be.

While Tommy is paying and talking to another person at the counter you let go of his hand to look at the map of the zoo displaying the different sections you can visit and each animal there.

Your so engrossed in the map you don’t hear Tommy coming up behind you. He pauses for a second to take in the site of you being completely enamored with the map before he wraps his arms around you resting his chin on your shoulder. To his surprise you don’t jump, instead you relax into his touch, your back flush against his chest. The little content hum you let out as you tilt your head back to look at him.

“Babe! they have giraffes here!” You say eyes completely lighting up as you point to it.

Babe. It would never get old hearing you call him that.

“Shit, they’ve changed a lot since I came last!”

Little did you know, Tommy knew this. It’s part of his surprise but he can’t let you know that. Loving giraffes was something you both bonded over early.

“Let’s walk that loop first so we can get to the giraffes soon, then we can walk and do the other side”

Tommy needed to make sure to get you to the giraffes between a certain time but he needed to not raise any flags as to why.

When you get to the giraffes you realize their area is closed.

“The giraffe area is closed for a hour?” You say pouting as you read the sign, trying not to show how disappointed you are.

Tommy says nothing instead he takes out his phone and appears to be texting someone. Your trying to peek around to catch a glimpse of them when you hear a voice you don’t recognize come from the roped off area.

“Hey Tommy! It’s good to see you brother”

“Hey Johnny! Man it’s so good to see you brother, thank you for doing this.” Tommy says reaching for your hand up pull you closer to him.

“This must be the beautiful lady I’ve heard so much about.”

He’s been telling people about me?

Tommy sees you blushing out of the corner of his eye. Admittedly a little nervous Johnny told you that.

“Hi! I’m (Y/n), it’s so nice to meet you” you say reaching out your hand to shake his.

“You got yourself a incredible guy here, wouldn’t have wanted to serve along side anyone else. He’s as loyal as they come.”

You smile so wide as Johnnys talking about Tommy.

“I don’t know how I got so lucky, honestly meeting him was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Tommy squeezes your hand and kisses you on the temple. “She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, I guess we both got lucky finding each other.”

God. You just want to shout it from the roof top how you love him.

“You guys ready? They’ll be hungry and waiting for their snack.” Johnny says as he leads you through the gate and up the stairs to the plate form.

“Who’s they?”you ask really unsure about what’s happening.

You get to the top of the platform and see buckets of lettuce.

“Ar-are we feeding the giraffes?” You ask turning to Tommy who has the biggest smile, his big brown eyes lit up brighter than you’ve ever seen.

“Surprise sweet girl”

You can’t help but look at Tommy with happy tears in your eyes, nobody has done anything this thoughtful for you.

The two of you spend the next hour feeding and enjoying the giraffes, Johnny taking pictures with your phone the whole time. You and Tommy make it back to the truck after spending the rest of the day walking around the zoo and laughing as if you were the last two people on earth.

Relaxing you lay your head on the window letting the evening sun warm your face, Tommy messaging your thigh as he drives.

A quiet comfortable silence falls over the cab, the two of you soaking up each other presence.

Stretching out and yawning as you guys pull up to his building.

“Are you sore sweetheart?” Tommy asks you as he opens the front door.

“A little bit, not just from today but from having terrible posture while I’m working at my computer.”

“Well make yourself comfortable on the couch, I’ll put your bag in my room and get us some drinks”

Laying back on the couch you let out a sigh full of contentment and happiness. Today was pulled from the pages of a fairy tale, you just wanted to live in the moment forever, you’re so lost in thought you don’t realize how long Tommy’s been gone.

“Hey, sweet girl come here a minute” Tommy says softly pulling you back from your thoughts. He’s standing there in the doorway of his room, the softest expression graces his features. It’s filled with love and admiration as he reaches his hand out to you as you approach, pulling you into him and wrapping his arms around you as son as your in arms reach.

“I have another surprise for you” he says placing a beautifully soft kiss on your lips, it’s tender and sensual, soft and loving making you melt into his arms.

“But I gotta cover your eyes”

“Ok” you giggle smiling shyly as you turn around allowing him to cover your eyes and turn you around slowly walking you into the room. The deeper you get into the room you can hear faint music coming from somewhere, the sent of mint making it’s way into your lungs. What could Tommy possibly have planned?

Tommy slowly stop the two of you, removing his hands from your eyes to rest on your waist. You slowly open your eyes to his master bathroom dimly lit, soft music playing and a bath drawn in his big tub, different bath bombs and bubble baths laid out with a few mint candles lit.

“Tommy…” you manage to squeak out, your voice cracking slightly.

“You like it babe?”

You tilt your head up to meet his gaze, eyes glossed over on the verge of tears”

“Is…is this all for me?”

“Course it is sweet girl”

“Tommy….I-I don’t know what to say, you didn’t have to go through all this trouble for me”

“I know…but I wanted too. I knew today would be alot of walking and I know you always feel beat up from sitting in that computer chair all day and your my special girl I just wanted to pamper you and make you feel good.”

“I love it Tommy, thank you”

“So pick what ever you want to put in the water and relax here and I’ll come get you when dinners done.”

Tommy kisses you before leaving you to relax.

You lay back in the tub, sinking in, closing your eyes and loosing all sense of time. Letting the warm water seep into your bones when you hear a light knock on the door.

“Come in” you say softly, folding your arms on the side of the of the tub and laying your head down as Tommy enters the room.

“Hey baby” you say smiling up at him.

Tommy kneels down next to the tub, caressing the side of your face with the backs of his fingers. Taking in your simple beauty, how your eyes are filled with so much love and trust.

“Dinners almost ready sweet girl if you want to get dried off and changed” he says kissing your forehead.

You dry off and make your way to the bedroom to change when you see a small box on the bed with a card on it.

The card reads:

“I saw these and they made me think of all the time we’ve spent looking at the stars together so i had to get them for you”

You open the box to find a tank top and shorts lounge wear set, they’re black with little consolations on them made out of the softest material you’ve ever felt.

Tommy stops settling the table when he hears the bedroom door slowly open. He looks up to see you standing in the doorway, your smile touching your eyes, glowing with happiness.

“I love it!” You say basically jumping into his arms. Tommy squeezes you tightly, nuzzling his face into the crook of your neck.

“Your so fucking beautiful, today and everyday I hope y’know it”

“I’ve never felt more beautiful than I do when I’m with you.”

Tommy trails wet open mouth kisses up your neck, his hands tightly gripping your hips. He pulls back “ Is this ok (y/n)?” Tommy rarely called you by your name, but he wanted you to know he was serious. He searched your face for any hesitation or discomfort. You’ve both been through hell and back and the last thing he wants to do is ruin the special thing you guys have by pushing things to move to far to fast.

“Y-yes it’s ok, I’m ok”

Tommy pulls you into a passionate kiss, licking your bottom lip for entrance which you eagerly grant him. He grips your hips tighter as your tongues tangle tangly together in a kiss that’s both tender and passionate, needy and sensual. He trails open mouth kisses along your jaw and down your neck.

You let out a low moan as you throw your head back, allowing him more access to your neck. A low growl vibrates in his chest at the sound of your moan. Tommy spins you around and slowly starts walking backwards until the back of his legs hit the couch. He breaks away from the kiss just long enough to sit down, pulling you down to straddle him. You shift a little bit, unsure about sitting on him fully, being a thick girl your worried about being to heavy on him. Tommy picks up on your nervousness. “It’s alright baby girl, we don’t have to keep going”

“No no it’s not that… I ugh”

“What is it baby you can tell me”

“I’m worried about being to heavy for you”

Your checks flush with embarrassment.

Tommy brings his hands up to cup your face. “Your the sexiest, most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. Don’t ever think your too heavy for me. I love you’re thick thighs and your soft belly. Why don’t we have dinner and we can pick this back up later?”

#gabriel luna #the last of us #tommy miller x reader #tommy miller #fanfic #tommy tlou #tommy miller x f!reader

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