#forever the big sister

[fragiledate]

i still cant believe another year just passed by and I didnt even see it

[jess-emurphy]

So real of The Deep and Black Noir II to be in love with Sage because ME TOO LOOK AT HER (they need to get in line)

[sleepyskeleton-0]

What if- what if Wind’s trauma doesn’t register with him until he’s older. What if as a teenager he thinks he’s super cool for going on adventures and fighting and stuff but then the trauma slams into him when he’s older. One day he’ll realise just how fucked up his life was and all the things he disregarded or made a joke about before come back to haunt him. What if…

[thenewgirl76]

Jazz and Jason have been dating for two and a half weeks now. And in this timeframe Danny still hasn't warmed up to the former Crime Lord. Not even when Jason makes the decision to share his vigilante i.d. with Danny.

As a last ditch effort Jazz leaves Danny in her boyfriend's care while she completes her college semester. She's eager to get back to their shared apartment once finals are over, more so when Jason tells her on the phone both he and Danny have a surprise waiting for her.

To say that she was woefully unprepared for what this surprise that awaited her at home turned out to be would be quite the understatement. As never in her wildest dreams did she expect to be met with her little brother having gone through yet another just as drastic though much less extreme change.

*while halfway through the door*

Jazz: So, what's this about you two having a surprise for me?

*smirking slyly*

Jason: Danny! Jazz is home!

*apartment practically shakes from the heavy thud of footsteps, followed by the appearance of a behemoth of a seventeen year old*

Danny: Jazzy, you're finally back!

*after sweeping her into a bear hug*

Danny: Ok, I admit it. I was wrong about him. From here on out I'm completely on board! When you guys get married, can I be the best.... Uh, Jazz? You okay there?

*quivering with horror while struggling to face Jason, still trapped in Danny's arms*

Jazz: WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY LITTLE BROTHER?!

[acourtofthought]

Elain had squared her shoulders and declared that she was a part of this court—and would do whatever was needed.

I think Elain's story will be about duty and responsibility over choice. Elain has had nothing but choices in her life. It was Feyre who their mother expected to care for their family. It was Nesta who their mother expected to make an advantageous match that would benefit their family. But it was Elain that was allowed to marry for love. I'm not saying their mother's opinion of Elain wasn't cruel, it was. Imagine your parent thinking you have nothing to offer the world but your good looks which is why she never bothered asking anything of you, because she didn't 't believe you were capable. But that lack of seeing Elain as anything more than a doll to dress up means there were zero expectations placed on her, she was free to do whatever she wanted and marry whoever she wanted whereas Feyre and Nesta were expected to do what was best for the family to further their station and keep them alive. Of course Elain didn't choose for their family to go into poverty, of course Elain didn't choose to be kidnapped and made or for their father to die but Nesta and Feyre went through those same things, the sisters all had things that were beyond their control. Outside of those things though Elain had the freedom to do whatever she wanted because nobody expected anything of her. Therefore choice in her story is simply redundant to how her entire life has been. She's ALWAYS been free to choose who she loves. She chose Graysen for love, did she not? She has chosen to not accept her bond this far, has she not? Elain has never been forced to love someone she didn't want to love and she's never been forced to do things for her family that she didn't want to do. Therefore I think a bigger arc for her character would be to worry less about choosing love and instead focusing on that which benefits their world. Ending up with Az doesn't do anything to help anyone. It doesn't gain them alliances, it doesn't offer them anything that they can't already have with Elain as Feyre's sister. Elain choosing Az for "love" is literally the same thing as her wanting to go back to Graysen because she loved him. But Elain ending up with Lucien? It's combining multiple courts: a lady of the Night Court marrying a son of Autumn, marrying a son of Day, marrying a liaison to Spring, marrying an ally of the human lands. Building an alliance like that can only help their world and the NC who struggles with the perception those other places have of them. Elain focusing on how she can make a difference in their world, how she can become a useful tool (and then falling in love with her mate) is a lot more girl-boss than sneaking behind everyone's back to choose love like she's always been free to do.

[jalicecookie]

Spider web Pattern

As the newest Carmine Family member, you wake up from your Nap and meet Zestial for the first Time.

It was quiet when you opened your red eyes and the only light source in the room gave a little bit of light through the half-drawn curtain on the window.

Why were you lying in your bed? Hadn't you just been playing with your big sisters Odette and Clara? The older girls had brought you a new stuffed animal from one of the shops in town and you excitedly showed the stuffed animal so many rooms in the big house and then... you woke up in your room. How very mysterious.

"Deedee? CeCe?" - you slide closer to the bars of your bed. Mommy said that when you're a little older, you can sleep in a bed for big kids and that the bars will protect you from falling out of bed while you sleep. Sometimes you try to climb over the edge of the bed, but you've never managed it.

It takes a lot of effort. So you hope that Odette or Clara hear your questioning calls. Of course, you don't call them by their real names, but rather come up with more childish nicknames.

And Deedee and CeCe knew that they were meant. Were their sisters nearby? A few moments passed in silence.

You kicked the blanket forward a little, supported yourself with your little hands on the fabric of the mattress and took a few wobbly steps closer to the bars to put your hands around them and cast a sleepy glance into your room. You could see that the door to the room was ajar and the light in the hallway was also on. Did you take a nap?

"Mommy?" - you now try your luck and call your mother's name. Sometimes you call her Mami or Mamá or Mommy.

But this call also went unheard and now that you were a little more awake and didn't want to stay in your bed any longer, you made another attempt to climb over the edge of the bed.

You stand on your tiptoes and try to grab the edge with your hands, slip a few times and land on your bottom. It's a good thing your diaper slowed your impact.

But how do you proceed with this problem? Your gaze goes to the pillows and the blanket in your crib. With effort you move, pull and push everything as close to the bars as possible, build a small tower out of it and climb to the top as best you can and hold on.

You stand on your tiptoes again as best you can, and can now swing one leg over the edge and then, with effort, the other. You land awkwardly on the floor again.

But you did it, and for the very first time! You absolutely had to tell your sisters!

"Raccoon too! Come too. We're looking for CeCe, DeeDee and Mommy!" - you went to the small table in your room, grabbed your raccoon stuffed animal and padded towards the open door.

You're not actually allowed to leave the room if no one from your family is around and near the many steps where there were no safety gates, it was also a thing.

Mommy had always told you that you were still too small to go up and down the stairs alone without adult supervision.

But you were curious and the pride of being able to climb out of your bed alone caused you to generously ignore this rule.

Full of energy, you ran out of your room with your raccoon stuffed animal and wanted to get closer to the stairs on the floor that were not baby-proof when you heard your mother's muffled voice from near her office.

Sometimes when you got a time out , because you tried to hit DeeDee , because she was being really mean or because you threw the food off the small plate of your high chair in a fit of rage, your mother carried you into her office and you had to sit on a stool for exactly 2 minutes and think about what you did wrong.

Often you cry when mommy leaves the office and after you apologize, there are lots of hugs and comforting kisses from your mother and everything is fine again. You knew exactly where Carmilla Carmine's office was.

You approach with clumsy, uncertain steps and are just about to push open the door, which is also only open a bit, when it is ripped open from the inside and a large spider-like demon steps out of the door.

You have to tilt your head back to look up at him. And surprise is reflected in the look of the strange demon.

"You must be the little child that Carmilla just told me about? Did you leave your room or do you already have the gift of teleportation?"  - Zestial said in an old dialect, who was now eyeing you with interest and bend down   a bit,  so that he is  not so scary to you any more.

You hug your raccoon closer to you and look at this stranger with surprise and curiosity.

Why was he here? And did mommy know him? And.....oooooh what a pretty pattern on the lower part of his coat. There were spider web patterns in the colors yellow and red.

"Pretty dress!" -  you said delightedly and you crouched down on the floor and your free hand tried to reach for the spider web pattern on Zestial's coat, fascinated.

¡Bebé no! Ven aqui con mami y deja en paz a Zestial" - Carmilla spoke to you in Spanish.

You could understand a few words.....but from your mommy's strict tone and voice you knew you hadn't done something right.

"It's all right Carmilla, the little creature was interested in the spider web pattern on my coat. If you're careful, little girl, you can touch the fabric", Zestial raised a calming hand and you carefully grabbed the fabric, made a high squeaky noise and gave Zestial a big smile.

"Mommy there! Pretty dress! Wanna same one mommy?"  - you said happily and addressed the words to Carmilla, who had also come out of her office in the meantime and picked you up with a practiced, flowing movement.

"It's a coat Bebé and not a dress. And it would be appropriate,  if you thanked Zestial, normally an Overlord is not so friendly and lets his coat be touched", Carmilla said to you and you looked from your mommy to Zestial, who had now straightened up again and was watching the interaction between mother and child with interest.

"Thank you... raccoon and I like... coat-dress-pretty!" -  you said with a childish laugh.

Zestial nodded briefly and then addressed the following words to Carmilla.

"It was a pleasure, as always, to pay you a visit, old friend. And to meet the newest addition to the family"

"You are welcome anytime, Zestial"

You play with your stuffed animal in your mother's arms , while the adults exchange further short conversations and you think about the name.

It was a nice name. Z-E-S-T-I-A-L. And the demon was nice to her and to your raccoon stuffed animal.

"Bye-bye Zestiaa", you called out friendly , as the spider demon walked towards the stairs that led to the basement.

You look at your mother and remember the great news that she wanted to share.

You didn't hear Zestial's amused, quiet laugh.

But Carmilla promised you , that she would take a few precautions so that your climbing action ,wouldn't happen again.

"....and now you can help mommy prepare dinner, OK? Odette and Clara are still delivering a custom-made weapon... you fell asleep while playing and Odette put you in your bed,  while I spoke to Zestial"

And with these words, your mother made her way to the kitchen with you in her arms, where you were placed in the high chair, which was safe from escape plans for the time being, and so you and your stuffed animal were able to watch as your mother prepared dinner.

THE END

¡Bebé no! Ven aqui con mami y deja en paz a Zestial

= Not baby! Come here to mommy and leave Zestial alone

[fullscoreshenanigans]

(Mystic Code Book Chapter 7 - Series Timeline; edit originally from this post)

Me whenever I remember Don, Emma, Gilda, and Ray spent more time with Zack than Lucas or Yuugo but I rarely see any Big Bro Zack works of him interacting with them </3

[thousandyearphantombunker]

"women need to be meaner! Men shouldn't dictate a girls boundaries"

You couldn't handle Connie Maheswaran setting healthy (and much-needed) boundaries with her best friend. You freaking called her toxic and abusive. While season 3 of Amphibia is a hot mess Sasha Waybright being upset with Marcy isn't the problem! It makes sense she'd be pissed that she found out her friend borderline kidnapped her! Even if she can be read as kind of hypocritical, I think she has every reason to be upset! She's like what 14 at the oldest? In a terrifying situation?

It's always "set healthy boundaries" until they set boundaries with your favorite baby and don't spend 100% of their time supporting them/don't forgive their friends for their actions that hurt others

I'm sorry that Steven is your woobie child and Marcy is your comfort character but Connie and Sasha have a right to their feelings and a right to focus on their needs! It's always 'don't feel guilty about focusing on your needs' except not really because apparently focusing on yourself is actually selfish and it's morally wrong to feel certain ways about people! Connie isn't toxic- she acted really mature about the whole situation and while Sasha definitely is toxic- I think she has the right to be mad her friend borderline kidnapped her and broke her trust.

I am a firm believer in setting healthy boundaries and never letting anyone decide your boundaries for you especially when it comes to being supportive. Even if the person you are helping is a good person going through a rough patch you should still have boundaries with them- you can be supportive if you want but you should be your main priority in the need and as callous as it sounds it's not mandatory to give support to everyone especially if your being worn thin

[tj3star]

🎃 Day 31 - Splatoween/Free For All🎃

Splatober • Linktober Complete!

[princess-self-shipping]

Something something overseer colors and how they're chosen

[realboutfatalfury]

I wanna see you, but I can’t see you

Missing feelings keep piling up

Following the path to you

I have to move on

Before I hit the brake

[todayimfour]

Raggedy Ann and Andy's First Slumber Party

A Raggedy Ann and Andy age regression fanfic by me!

Let me know if I should add trigger warnings! I'm not used to posting my writing

❤️

🩷

🩵

💙

Marcella is invited to a slumber party at her classmate's house to celebrate a set of twins' birthdays. She brings Ann and Andy to play/sleep with cuz it's her first sleepover. Ann is super excited but Andy hasn't been out of the house besides they're adventures in the deep dark woods so he's a bit nervous. He'd never admit it to anyone but Ann tho.

~

The first few hours of the sleepover went by quickly, Marcella set them both up at her sleeping bag by her pillow and went off to play with the other kids outside. This gave the two twin dollies a chance to meet the other kid's stuffed friends. They met a huge stuffed moose named Sammy, a plush cockatiel named Charlie who spoke in squeeks, a small cat full of plastic pellets named Fiona, and a stuffed dog named Frenchie. Ann was having such a great time meeting these new friends, Andy was doing his best to be friendly but he was having a hard time acclimating to the new environment. Something about this whole outing made his stuffing turn, he decided he would stick close to Ann. Purely so he could protect her if something happened, or at least, that's what he told himself.

After supper and cake all the kids rushed into the bedroom to grab their respective toys and bring them all to the birthday twin's shared playroom. It was a large bright room seemingly split through the middle between the two twins. One side felt similar to the nursery back home and the other was decorated with superheroes, zombies, even wrestlers. 'Great more toys to meet!' the ragdoll twins both thought with very different sentiments.

It was all going fine as the children played. Marcella was playing with the twin dollies, having a pretty fun time until one of the boys took Andy from Marcella's hand. It took all his effort not to come to life and rush back to his kid and sister. He was brought to the boyish side of the play room. There was almost a conflict between the children but then a woman came in to say it was time for a movie. The boy holding him tossed him back to Marcella and dashed out the door in a rush to find the best spot for movie watching, much of the other children followed suit. Marcella gave Andy a big hug before setting him down next to Ann and leaving the room. Once every toy was sure that no one would be coming back to the playroom the toys came to life once more.

"Oh Andy! Are you okay?" Ann exclaimed as she hugged her brother and checked a few of his more fragile stitches. Andy was struggling internally, it felt like this slumber party was only going to get worse and all he really wanted was for Ann to cuddle him and tell him it'll be okay. That they would be home soon. But he couldn't admit that out loud, not with all these new toys around that could judge him for being 'too soft'. Before he could get a word out to his sister a teddy bear approached the twin dollies. Andy stood behind his sister and held onto the loose sleeve of her dress.

"Looks like you got snagged by Michal, are you alright? No stitches popped" the bear asked kindly, "My name is Freddy, welcome to the play room! I'm sorry some of our kids play a bit rough" The bear, Freddy, seemed friendly. Andy nodded.

"That's one way to put it, who just grabs a toy out of another kid's hands at this age?" Andy asked halfheartedly. "Anyways I'm fine, thanks." Andy looks away, he didn't want to make nice with Freddy- or any of these other toys- he wanted to go home. Ann could sense the tension building in her brother and tried her best to keep the peace.

"oh- Andrew" she jabs playfully "Don't mind him, he's just grumpy. My name is Ann, it's nice to meet you Freddy! Your playroom is so nice! Much bigger than Marcella's nursery back home!" She and Freddy shook hands and began talking about... something. Andy wasn't paying attention. He decided he didn't want to be a part of this conversation anymore and walked off. He found a spot next to some building blocks that looked nice and sat down to settle himself.

He didn't like any of this, that much was obvious. He could feel a fuzziness creeping up in the corners of him mind, his regression. He really didn't want to do that here, not around toys he didn't know. Just the thought of it upset him. But he also thought about what Ann said, was he really being that grumpy? Was that his only two options? Grumpy or regressing? No, he needed to make some friends. He could have a good time here, just look at how great Ann is at making new friends! He decided, the next toy he sees he will try to befriend.

Not two seconds later an action figure came out of nowhere, crashing through the small tower made of blocks he was sitting by. He was a bit shorter than Andy was and he had a wrestling outfit on. 'oh sweet! a boys toy I could be friends with!' Andy puffed up his chest as he waited for the wrestler to get up and out of the tower's remains.

"that was wicked!!!" The action figure pops up yelling, facing a whole group of other figures. The wrestler ran back to the group and Andy followed.

"Hey guys, I'm Andy!" He put on a smile and held out his hand for a handshake like he's seen his sister do thousands of times before. The figures seemed to not notice him so he cleared his throat of any loose stuffing and tried again. "Hey guys, that was super cool! What games do you like to play?" A few of the plastic toys gave Andy the side eye and the toy in the middle of the crowd, a slightly taller toy with a removable biker helmet and molded on leather jacket and ripped jeans, approached Andy like he was bothered by having to look at the ragdoll.

"What do you want, Plush-Boy? We're busy." The dude said. "The tea party is that way, Doll" he pointed to where Ann and a group of other toys were playing a bored game. Andy was confused but tried his best to put on a genuine smile and he held out his hand again for a handshake.

"My name's Andy, what are you busy with? Maybe I could lend a hand?" The biker looked at Andy's hand and shook it. His mates behind him seemed surprised at this.

"No. You can't. You're far too soft for our stunts. You'll pop a stitch. Now get out of here and go back to the girls toy side." He said as if he were talking about something as mundane as the weather. The other figure behind him snickered and chuckled as they watched Andrew stammering.

"Hey- wait a minute! I'm no girls toy! I can do anything you guys can and probably better too." Andy defended himself, he didn't like being considered weak. Especially not by these... these hoodlums!

"Sure mate, you'll notice though.. none of us are wearing lipstick and mascara." The biker pointed out the stitching on Andy's face that looked like make-up. His goonies behind him were agreeing and exchanging high-fives as they laughed at the ragdoll. Before they could say anything else to him, Andy ran away.

He ran to his sister who was playing a board game, snakes and ladders, one of his favorites. He didn't ask to play though, he sat silently next to Ann and resigned himself to watching her play. He could still hear them across the room, he's sure if he looked they'd be laughing and pointing at him. It took all of his strength not to cry. He dug around in his overalls pocket for his paper flower, something that always made him feel less alone, upon finding it he put it safely in his lap. He smoothed out some of the crinkles in the petals, smiling sadly and humming quietly to himself. He hummed the song he and Ann always sung when one or both of them were feeling down, Candy Hearts and Paper Flowers. He was thankful for the ambient noise of the room so no one else could hear him. Or at least that's what he thought.

He was so deep in his own world he got startled when he felt Ann's arm wrap around his shoulders in a side-hug. After the initial scare he melted into his sister's embrace, leaning his head against her and closing his eyes. She leaned her head atop of his and they stayed like that until it was Ann's turn to play. She had to scoot forwards a bit and played one handed as she held Andy's hand. Andy paid more attention to the board and saw that the moose they met earlier had just won. They were all chatting and setting up for another round. As they were all ready to start Ann looked at him holding the two dice.

"Do you want to roll for me Andy? I could use some good luck," She asked with her perpetually kind smile. Andy nodded excitedly and rolled them, then Ann moved their piece. As the game went on it became more obvious to Ann that her brother had regressed, she wondered if he even realized it. Soon they were reaching the end of the game, it was what could be their last turn. Ann had to suppress a giggle when she saw just how seriously Andy was taking it. He shook the dice with both his hands before dropping them on the board, leaning in close to read what the numbers were. Three and five. Everyone else who saw had already put together the simple addition but waited for Andy. He counted the dots on the dice carefully. Eight.

"Annie!!! It's eight!! That's what we needed right?!" He spoke louder than he meant to in his excitement. Everyone at that board knew it was but we're playing like they didn't know so Andy could figure it out.

"Oh well, I just don't know Andy. Let's check!" So the two of them counted each pace with the player piece. The look on Andy's face when he realized they'd won was priceless. He was smiling ear to ear and got a few kind words from the other toys playing. He looked back at his big sister and she ruffled his hair through his hat. "See Andy? I knew you'd be good luck!" The boy beamed with pride, maybe this slumber party wasn't as bad as he thought!

.

.

.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I WROTE A WHOLE LOT HERE AND THEN WAS DUM AND LOST IT ALL SO HERES THE CLIFF NOTES

I enjoyed writing this and I am inexperienced at writing so call me out if you find it necessary

If you know me IRL the stuffies that are named are mine, some of them are also my roommates

I really just wanted an excuse to write some hurt comfort, sue me.

If I find inspiration I might write more :)

I friggin love these guys :)))))

Tag list take two! (Thank you to everyone who liked or commented or reblogged my original post, it kept me motivated to write past what I originally thought I would!)

@grauntiemotersblog <= my roomie/bestie/spouse

@bihexualandferal

@aew-kun-age-regression

@zea-es-arts

@xxbunnyxbabyxx

@babybard

@morgan-bug

@cottoncandyfreckles

[spinnysocks]

a happy pack :]

[planet4546b]

i do still constantly think about the first time maya sees mia when pearl is channeling her too btw. like jesus fuck the tragedy of your sister you love is haunting you and haunting the world Through you but you never get to see her. jesus fucking christ. i need to lie down

[butchnavi]

I randomly miss my stupid tumblr ex best friend

[timechange]

MCFLY JULY ‘24 — dave’s night off.

DECEMBER 14, 1985, 7:46 PM

“Okay, McFly, focus. You got this.”

Marty’s staring at the pristine living room wall, hands drumming his thighs. The familiar motions help him to think, be calm.

“Nobody knows what happened to the boat that Grandpa Artie gave Mom and Dad,” he begins, like he’s studying for a history test in the garage, “but that doesn’t mean it’s gone, it’s just… in storage… somewhere. Uh… Grandma Sylvia’s crochet blanket is in your room. It smells like her perfume, not popcorn, and that’s okay, ‘cause you miss her anyway and you need to call her soon. Nobody knows what the hell happened to Grandpa Sam’s scratchy plaid couch with the busted up cushions and Grandma Stella’s quilt’s in Mom’s hope chest… she thinks.”

“The weird modern art thing Mom and Dad picked up on… their honeymoon?...” He smacks his forehead, running a hand through his hair. “Dammit, no, not their honeymoon, it was their anniversary, their tenth anniversary. Dad replaces the flowers in the vase with fresh ones every week for Mom. There’s a million throw pillows on the couch so I guess nobody sits there anymore?…”

He rubs the back of his neck.

“Uh… kitchen. Right. We got the good chips and the good cereal, not the store brand, but... only one box ‘cause I’m the only one that still eats that junk. Everybody else has… bran and muesli and shit.”

He sighs.

“Photos…” Marty picks up an immaculate frame. “This is from Dave’s tenth birthday trip to Disneyland but you were five so it’s okay you don’t remember anything.” He stares at the family in the photo; a happy mom, a charming dad, three beautiful kids, the littlest one with a grin that looks like it’s about to break his tiny face in half. He thumbs over the glass. “I’m sorry, kid. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I hope you’re okay… whenever you are.” He sets the photo back down.

“We’ve been to Knott’s Berry Farm, Florida, New York…” They keep asking him where he wants to go after graduation and he’s beginning to run out of ways to stall.

“At least Long Beach still happened,” Marty continues. “Jen remembers, so do the guys. And you got the album and the poster and the t-shirt to prove it, so—“

“What the hell?”

“Jesus Christ!” Marty jumps, whirling around to meet his older brother’s eyes. “Dave, you scared the shit out of me! What are you doin’ home? It’s Saturday! You’re supposed to be out with the guys from the office!”

He’d had it all planned: Dave was supposed to be out, Linda was working late and then had a date, and his parents were off at the Baxters’ Christmas party. He thought it was safe.

“Oh, I scared the shit out of you?” Dave retaliates. “And yeah, it’s Saturday, but it’s the week before Christmas, genius! Maybe I’m supposed to, I don’t know, hang out with my kid brother!”

“I-I’m sorry, Dave,” Marty sighs, deflating, hanging his head and sticking his hands in his pockets. “I just…”

“You gonna tell me what that was all about?” Dave asks, putting his hands on his shoulders. Even without looking up, Marty can feel his brother’s eyes on him, searching.

There’s a long moment of silence.

“‘At least Long Beach still happened?’” Dave prompts. “Of course it happened! That stupid concert was all you talked about for months!”

Marty manages a smile, before it falls.

“You ever feel like you’re goin’ crazy, Dave?” he ventures. “Or maybe… like the world is? I-I know it doesn’t make sense, but…”

“Of course it makes sense,” Dave cuts him off with a sigh. “I was seventeen too, y’know.”

“Yeah, I remember,” Marty laughs, “you were kinda the worst.”

“Sure I was, I was a pain in the ass,” Dave agrees. He tilts Marty’s head up with his finger like their mom used to and gives him a smile. “You’re not crazy, Marty. I’ll tell you what’s happening. Senior year is makin’ you screwy and I know you haven’t been sleeping.”

“I-I haven’t,” Marty admits.

“So, here’s what we’re gonna do. We’re gonna order pizza, you’re gonna kick my ass at Nintendo while we wait, and then we’re gonna watch a movie. Okay?”

“…Pepperoni with extra cheese?”

“Duh. What am I, a monster?”

“Okay.” Marty smiles as Dave ducks into the kitchen to order. “Hey, Dave…?”

“Yeah?” He sticks his head out, receiver already up to his ear.

“…Thanks.”

Dave winks.

“Anytime, Marty. Anytime.”

DECEMBER 14, 1985, 11:29 PM

Dave turns the volume on the TV down, opting to watch the rest of the VHS on as close to mute as possible. He sets the remote down, turning his attention to his sleeping brother, curled into his side like a little kid. He ruffles his hair, sighing.

Normally, he’d tease Marty when he’d wake up about how he took photos or something stupid like that, or he’d just carry him up to bed, but things hadn’t been normal for months now. Something happened, he didn’t know what, and at least if he was right here he could watch him and make sure he was okay.

The front door opens and he recognizes his sister’s footsteps, the way she slips off her heels and the jingle of her keys and handbag as she sets them on the counter. She walks into the living room, about to say something, but Dave raises his free hand to his lips in a shushing motion.

Linda takes in the scene, then sits down on Dave’s other side. She grabs the remote, starts rewinding White Christmas, then leans her head on Dave’s shoulder as the movie starts to play.