#getting to know each other

[skylarrxaustin]

Questions to ask people when you're getting to know them or maybe just yourself: 1. Do you think people have to like majority of the same things in order for them to get along?

2. What's something that you've always wanted to learn and what's stopped you from not doing it so far?

3. What is something that makes you feel alive?

4. What do you consider important qualities in building a true friendship?

5. Whats something that you've learned about yourself that you've alwasy wanted someone to know but no one has ever asked you about?

6. How do you make people in your life feel seen?

7. How do you want people to show up for you?

8. Do you believe people have the power to change? What are some things that people do to show you they have that capability?

9. Would you say that you're good at setting and enforcing boundaries with your loved ones? What makes you good or not so good at that?

10. What is a small thing that brings you deep joy? Do you find joy in the small things around you?

[thatmexisaurusrex]

Totally My Boyfriend

Okay, this is for @cliophilyra for a holiday gift exchange. This is a "What if Eddie and Ali all happened in season 1 and this is an end of season 1/start of season 2 Buck meeting Tommy because Ali dumped him right before his parents came to town and Buck needs a perfect partner to show off just how far he's gotten in life" fic with a holiday twist. Enjoy! 🥰

Totally My Boyfriend

| Pairing: BuckTommy | Rated: M | WC: 25.5K | Chapter: 5/5 |

Summary: Evan "Buck" Buckley wanted to show off to his parents during the holidays - great life, great job, great girlfriend. But when his recently moved-in girlfriend of eight months dumps him before the holiday season, he decides to take Chimney up on his offer to find him a fake partner for when his parents visit. He just didn't know that the partner would be a fake boyfriend by the name of Thomas "Tommy" Kinard. And Buck didn't expect that he might want to keep Tommy as his actual boyfriend.

Excerpt:

“Hi. I’m Tommy Kinard. The partner,” said Tommy as he extended the flowers to Evan, “Do you need any help with preparing for the parents? I’m great at cleaning up. I’m admittedly an okay cook too, but I do take direction well, if that helps.” Tommy. Might have. Winked. Because, fuck it, the man was handsome. This might be his last conversation with the man. Why not put on a bit of the charm? Evan. Blushed. Crimson. It seemed to spread to his neck; his chest a bit. He swallowed hard. Oh. Well. Maybe this wouldn’t be the last conversation. Or. Maybe it would at least be more than a five-minute conversation.

READ THE REST ON AO3!

[wangxianficrecs]

🔒 if you really want me (move slow) by sunflowersfield

🔒 if you really want me (move slow)

by sunflowersfield (@sunflowersfield)

G, 1k, Wangxian

Summary: This cannot mean what he thinks it means. Wei Ying is probably dating someone. No, he is probably married. Lan Zhan will surely meet his wife the next time they spend time together, and then he will have to erase all of the scenarios he has created in his mind. Then he will have to forgive himself for the ridiculous conclusions he has jumped to. Kay's comments: Lan Zhan is really going through it in this stories as a chronic overthinker, but luckily, he has a very good therapist and Wei Ying can be very direct when given a hint! Excerpt:“You’re here!” Wei Ying exclaims, and Lan Zhan can’t help but wonder if he’s imagining the excitement in his voice. Why would Wei Ying be excited to see him? “I am,” he answers, unsure of what else there is to say. For some reason, this response makes Wei Ying giggle. When he pulls Lan Zhan toward the bar and offers to buy him a drink, Lan Zhan can do nothing but follow. “Water, please,” he manages to say, and Wei Ying fulfills his request with a smile that could light up the entire city. When Lan Zhan returns home later that evening, he goes over this interaction in his mind for nearly an hour, committing every detail to memory. Finally, he falls asleep.

pov lan wangji, modern setting, modern no powers, getting to know each other, strangers to lovers, developing relationship, fluff and angst, falling in love, angst with a happy ending, mutual pining, mental health issues, therapy

~*~

(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

[suitelif3]

A Hot Frosty Steve

rated t | cw: recreational drug use | wc: 4.5k

ao3

For @steddiemas, prompt: snowman

I based this idea on that new movie where a snowman becomes a real man and made it steddie haha (I have not seen the movie)

thank you to my beta reader @hiseyebrowsaregone for all the help!!

**

Eddie’s walk through the Christmas lights was savored by the hot chocolate he has clutched in his hands. His personal annual tradition was even better than last year since it seems more people participated in putting up lights.

He’s loving it even more considering how stoned he got before leaving on his little walk through town. The hot chocolate tastes that much sweeter and the lights are blinking brighter ever so slightly.

Although he can barely feel his toes through all the snow, he’s having a great time. A downright jolly time.

He continues walking down the road, the only ground he can get any reprieve from the snow, sipping at his hot chocolate.

But wait-

Is that a man?

He goes to investigate, while trudging through the snow - he mourns the loss of feeling in his toes, to this strange looking man.

Eddie stops to see a snowman, but not just any snowman. A snowman that looks shaped by the gods. It’s a such a realistic sculpture of a man, Eddie can’t help but silently applaud whoever made this masterpiece.

He laughs at the notion that it was a real man, he must be more stoned than he thought.

He wonders who created this absolute hunk of a snowman, and briefly wishes he could take him home.

Giving the snowman a glance once more he notices it has everything except for a scarf. While the snowman doesn’t need coal for eyes or sticks for arms since they’re carved out, he needs a hat or scarf, and has neither. That just won’t do.

He unwraps his red knitted scarf and puts it around the snowman, it looks better on him anyway.

Eddie turns away to start heading back to his trailer as his tradition is deemed a success. He walks a little faster trying to get some feeling back in his toes, and yup, his fingers too. He can’t wait to get back into the warmth of the trailer.

He makes it a little ways down the road when he hears some shuffling. It sounds like someone in the snow?

He turns around to check but no one is there, except for his snowman, who is still pretty far from him. He shrugs and continues on his way.

He makes it down the street when he hears the sound of a branch breaking. This time he jerks around, looking for the culprit. All he sees is his snowman again, but his snowman is closer? How is that possible?

His snowman is still facing the street, back against the start of the forest, but he’s marginally closer to Eddie than he was before. And the snow isn’t twinkling off the man anymore. He squints his eyes trying to get a better look.

He makes the decision to just go up to him, even if it means sacrificing the heat the trailer will bring just a little longer. As he starts getting closer, he starts to realize the snowman doesn’t seem to be all that snowy anymore.

His arms are tan, the hair is chestnut, his face is blushing red and everything about him is decidedly not white like snow. And the man is naked with only Eddie’s scarf around him.

Eddie rushes up to him, notices warm brown eyes staring back at him and screams.

The man screams back at him, with much higher pitch.

“Who are you?” Eddie demands.

“Uh- I don’t know.” The naked man replies.

“Were you the snowman?!” Eddie shrieks.

“What’s a snowman?” The naked man smiles.

Oh my god, Eddie is losing his mind. That’s what’s happening right now. He just smoked a lot more than he originally thought and is now experiencing hallucinations. Although, he didn’t think you could hallucinate on weed, but he obviously is! The best course of action right now is to continue on to his trailer, drink loads of water, and warm up in blankets with some much needed sleep. Then everything will be fine in the morning.

“Okay.” He turns to continue to his trailer planning to do just that.

“Hey, wait!” The snowman shouts. He catches up the Eddie, matching pace with him.

They walk in silence for a bit, and Eddie stews in his thoughts of weed effects. Is he overdosing right now?!

“So, where are we?” The snowman speaks.

Eddie glances at him, but turns back to the road when he remembers, naked.

“Hawkins, Indiana.”

Maybe this is subconscious speaking to him, trying to get him to repeat things he should know. So he knows he’s still coherent.

“What do you do in Hawkins, Indiana?” The snowman asks.

“Nothing really.” Eddie’s not sure how to reply. Is he really talking to a naked snowman right now? He seems to be more of a naked man right now though. Actually-

“Aren’t you cold? You only have a scarf on.”

The snowman shrugs, “It’s not too bad. I’m pretty comfortable right now. Guess I’m used to it.”

“Right…”

They go back to silence. After a couple moments, the trailer is finally in view.

“Alright, Mr. Snowman, it’s been nice, but I have some blankets to wrap up in and sleep to catch up on. So hopefully I won’t ever see you again, and I can go back to my completely normal, non-hallucinogenic life.” Eddie grins and stomps up the stairs, ridding his boots of the last bits of snow.

“Wait, uh, where am I supposed to go?” The snowman asks him, his honey eyes staring up at him.

“I imagine back to where I first saw you, I’ll check on you tomorrow, to see you all made of snow again.”

“I don’t know where that is.”

“Just walk back down the road, I’m sure you’ll find it.”

“But I don’t want to go back, I want to stay with you.” The snowman pleads.

Fuck, those eyes are really working on him.

“Well, you can’t stay here, you’ll melt. Since you’re made of snow and everything.”

The man looks down at himself and up at Eddie with an unimpressed stare.

“If I was made of snow, I think I would know.”

“Well obviously not now! But you were and you will be, you just aren’t right now because my mind is playing tricks on me with some ridiculously good kush and I need to sleep it off!” Eddie cries.

“But I don’t have anywhere else to go.” The once snowman looks sad, and those eyes are dangerously close to watering. Eddie just can’t have this gorgeous man crying at him, no matter how unreal he his.

“Ugh, fineeee. You can come in, but you better be gone by morning.” Eddie grumbles to himself, keying open the door. He takes off his boots, hangs his coat by the door, puts his mug in the sink, and turns up their heater plus ten. He can’t feel any of his toes or fingers.

He sees the snowman standing in the doorway, taking everything in. Eddie quickly ushers him in, closing the door behind him.

“Um, do you want to watch something? I gotta warm up before trying to sleep, so I guess we can chill before then?” Eddie asks.

“Sure.”

First order of business, getting some clothes for the snowman. Second, he grabs any and all blankets he can find. He throws them all on the couch and hands the clothes to the still very much naked man.

“What do I do with these?” The man picks at them.

Eddie tries not to be offended since those are some of his comfiest sweaters and sweats!

“You put them on, for your modesty dude.” Also the fact that he can’t focus when a naked gorgeous man is walking around his living room. But Eddie doesn’t mention that.

The man picks up the boxers first with a confused expression. Eddie sighs and mimes putting pants on. That seems to jog the man’s memory and he put on the boxers and sweats. Eddie says a silent goodbye to the view.

The man has some trouble with the sweater, so Eddie helps him out a bit. With the sweater on, they’re much closer than Eddie was expecting.

He can see specks of gold in the man’s eyes, his hair shining perfectly and his lips jutted out in a perfect, pink pout. Eddie wants to reach out and touch but is suddenly reminded about how not real this man is.

He clears his throat loudly. “Okay! Let’s watch something.”

He grabs to remote to turn the tv on and dives into his mound of blankets. He rearranges them all around him so he can gather every bit of warmth and pats the seat next to him.

The man sits down, getting comfy. Eddie offers him a blanket but he just shakes his head.

Eddie shrugs and looks to see what’s playing on the tv. It’s just some sort of soap opera that’s been running for too long probably. Eddie could care less to be honest, so he zones out. He can’t help thinking he doesn’t feel high anymore, the feeling he got from the weed seems to have burned off, so why was he still seeing this man?

Maybe Rick dosed it with something else so it wasn’t entirely weed? Or maybe Rick didn’t try it this time and the guy he got it from dosed it? Is he on another drug that doesn’t feel like anything but has a lot of visuals? But nothing else is moving, and the Christmas lights seem normal, not overly blinking or bleeding together. Maybe he’s just sleep deprived. Wouldn’t be the first time, but last time he didn’t hallucinate a whole person. Is he lonely? Is that why his subconscious wants him to talk to someone. This was all so confusing.

“Hey, what’s your name?” The man spoke and Eddie jumps, not expecting it.

“My name’s Eddie.” He grins.

“Oh, cool. Can you call me Steve?” The man asks.

“I guess, what made you want to be called Steve?” Eddie was curious.

Steve gestures toward the tv. The soap opera Eddie had never seen or at least paid attention to was still playing. A blonde boy pops up and Steve points.

“I like him. His character is cool and I like the name.”

“Alright, I‘ll call you Steve.” Eddie smiles at the snowman, that’s now a man, called Steve.

“Thanks.” Steve says softly.

Steve pulls at Ed-his sweater, “Is it a little warm in here?”

Eddie, who’s barely regaining any feeling in his toes, empathetically replies, “No?”

“Oh, must be me then. I’m getting a little overheated. Are you sure I can’t take this off again?” Steve pulls at the sweater by his sides.

“I mean how hot are you?” Eddie reaches over to touch Steve’s hand, and feels his icy skin.

“Steve! You’re like freezing cold, you should be under these blankets with me! How are you not freezing?!”

“I’m actually just really hot.” He could say that again. “I thought it was nice outside, not too cold. It burns a little being in here.”

Eddie’s gears were turning.

“Hm, yeah, I can see that. You were a snowman before so maybe you just need to stay in the cold. I guess it could feel like you’re melting if heated up too long.”

Eddie is really rocking this whole hallucination thing.

“Oh okay, should I stand outside then?” Steve wonders.

“Maybe, I can stand out there with you for a little bit while I smoke. But then I gotta come back in before I lose all my extremities.” Eddie teases.

The cold might sober him up a little too.

He grabs his pack of cigarettes and a lighter and heads outside with Steve.

The cold air rushes in and Eddie is freezing all over again. His fingers are definitely numb at this point.

He stands on the little porch next to Steve and lights his cigarette, putting it between his lips and taking a long drag.

He watches as Steve looks out to the snow with a small smile on his face. His snowman really is beautiful, is downright one of the most handsome men Eddie has ever seen.

“What do you usually like to do in the snow?” Steve asks.

“Nothing really…I didn’t usually play in the snow growing up. And it doesn’t snow as often here.”

“Why not?”

“Well I think because the world gets a little hotter each year so it’s harder for it to stay on the ground.”

Steve giggles. “No, I mean why didn’t you play in it when you were younger.”

“Oh!” Eddie snaps his fingers. “Well, I grew up with my old man and he never let me play outside when it snowed. Said it would be too much to clean when I came back inside, and we didn’t have a fireplace so it would’ve been harder for me to keep warm after I guess. Here it’s better though, Wayne doesn’t care and the snow is prettier.”

“Ah, who is Wayne?”

“He’s my uncle, took me in after my dad left, been livin’ with him since. It’s been a lot better.” Eddie tilts his head toward Steve.

“Hmm, well might I suggest some sledding or snowball fights, or maybe even snow angels for things to do in the snow?” Steve has a twinkle in his eye, thinking of all the ways to play in the snow.

Eddie grins. “Yeah, sounds fun, Stevie. Maybe I’ll invite some of my sheeps to come play sometime this winter. Before all the snow melts.”

“You have sheep?” Steve asks bewildered.

Eddie laughs, a full belly laugh. “Well, they’re not real sheep, they’re some kids I like helping at my high school. Kinda some outcasts, you know. Not many people like to talk to us, so I just take them in, show them the ropes of surviving in high school. They’re good kids.”

“That sounds nice, I wish I knew what it was like to have a family. Maybe some kids, we could all play in the snow together.”

“Yeah, do you even know how to have kids?”

“I imagine you just make them out of snow, and they’ll appear.”

Eddie snorts. “Well, maybe. I guess it worked with you.”

Eddie flicks some ash off his cigarette. It’s kinda nice talking to Steve, even if he is a figment of his imagination.

“What do you like to do big boy? Any favorite snow activities?”

Steve smiles brightly. “Well, I love anything you can do in the snow, but my favorite thing would have to be this.“

Steve grabs some snow from the ground, flattening it in his hand and rolling it. He repeats it a couple times until he holds out a snow rose to Eddie.

Eddie gapes at him, “How did you even do that?”

Steve shrugs. “It’s fun to make things with the snow.”

Eddie shivers from the cold, he lets go of his cig and snubs it out with his shoe.

“Here, it looks like you need this more than I do.” Steve unwraps the red scarf Eddie put on him, and wraps it around Eddie, pulling him closer. Steve tangles the ends into a knot, and smiles shyly at him.

Eddie flushes.

The man is hot, who can blame him?

“Okay, well, I’m gonna head inside. It’s still a little too cold for me out here, but you can stay out here as long as you need, and you can come inside whenever. I’ll just be in my room if you need anything. Goodnight Steve.”

Eddie salutes to him, not sure how to end this little hallucination, and rushes inside.

After he’s lying in bed, leagues warmer than before, he realizes he’s no longer tired.

“Fuck.”

**

“Boy, if you don’t get up now.” Eddie hears Wayne vaguely hiss.

“Eddie!” Wayne claps and startles Eddie awake. “What the hell is some shirtless boy doin’ in our house!”

“Mnngh, what?” Eddie mumbles.

“A boy, that’s shirtless, is in our livin’ room. Now, I don’ mind what you do, or how you live your life, you know this. But I do care when you invite a boy over without tellin’ me.”

Eddie’s mind was still fuddled with sleep, but the longer Wayne spoke, the more Eddie panicked. How was Wayne able to see Steve?! He should’ve been gone, he’s completely sober now! And not as sleep deprived! This was bad, how was this snowman alive?!

“Oh my god.”

“Eddie! For god’s sake. Get dressed, and start making breakfast for him or something. I taught you to treat your partner right, even if it’s one night.”

“Oh god! Wayne please stop talking. It’s not what you think.” This was so embarrassing, Eddie will never be able to bring someone here again.

Wayne gave him a deadpan look.

“Sure, son. I’m going to bed, just tell that boy to put on a shirt.”

Eddie flops over and groans. He pulls his pillow over his face before attempting to get up.

What should he do about Steve?

His mind starts to drift, wondering if he has a time limit, will he go back to snow soon? Is there a way for him not to feel like he’s melting?

After he stumbles into the living room, telling Steve to put on a shirt while blushing profusely, he decides to call in his reinforcements.

The party all shows up half an hour later.

They crowd around Steve, who’s sitting on the couch wringing his hands together nervously.

Dustin starts the onslaught of questions, all of them rushing to ask, voices overlapping each other - “Who are you?” “Do you remember anything before?” “You used to be snow?!” “How’d you become alive?” “Are you going back to snow?”

A voice pipes up from the back, “It was my fault.”

Everyone turns to look at Jane, she has a guilty look on her face. “I made him come alive.” She looks at Eddie. “Max and I were playing a game, and I saw you with him” - she points to her head - “when you were putting your scarf on him, so I searched for his mind, and gave him form.”

“You can do that?” Mike exclaims.

Jane shrugs. “I’ve never tried before, but yes.”

Everyone gapes at her, but Eddie has to know, “Will he turn back? I mean does he have a certain amount of time before going back to snow?”

“I don’t know.” She replies.

Eddie nods.

The kids go back to asking a million questions, this time pointed at Jane.

Eddie stares at Steve. Knowing he’s not a figment of his imagination anymore makes him feel better. This Steve is real, he’s living and breathing and hot. He really hopes Steve won’t turn back to snow, he seems pretty cool.

Shaking himself out of his stupor, he rounds up the kids again.

“Hey! Why don’t we go outside and have some fun in the snow? I’m sure Steve knows a thing or two about what to do.”

Steve’s responding grin is blinding.

“Yeah! We could go sledding, make snow angels and have snowball fights.”

They all pause for a moment before shouting bouts of excitement.

Eddie bundles up, with the kids following suit. Everyone heads out into the snow, Steve being the only one in sweats and a flimsy t-shirt.

Steve leads the group toward the woods, giving them more space to play and there’s a steep hill leading into the trees.

Eddie grabs some trashcan lids for sledding before chasing after them.

The blanket of snow is thicker across the ground since the full night of snow flurries. It’s a blinding white, the sun shining off the snow clustered on top of hanging branches.

He hands the lids to Dustin and Lucas, each of them racing to the hill, plopping onto the lids, and flying down. Their laughter is heard from the woods as they stumble out of the woods, and up the hill.

“You have to watch out for the trees! But it’s fun, it’s like a game trying to avoid them at the bottom.” Dustin laughs.

They all take turns going down, but when it gets to Eddie and Steve, he’s suddenly nervous.

It would be just his luck to sled down head first into a tree next to the hottest guy he knows. Steve senses his hesitance, “What’s wrong?”

“Just don’t wanna crash into a tree, man. Would ruin my street cred.” Eddie laughs it off.

“We can hold hands going down? We could help steer each other away from them.” Steve suggests, eyes searching Eddie’s imploringly.

“Huh. Yeah, that’s a good idea.” Eddie will take any excuse to hold his hand. Eddie puts his gloved hand in Steve’s bare one, Steve lacing their fingers together.

They slowly inch off the hill together, before Eddie’s lid slips, bringing Steve down with him. The wind rushes past his ears, blowing his hair back and the cold chill seeps into his cheeks. He keeps a tight grip around Steve’s hand, his eyes watering against the cold, with trees coming up fast. Steve pulls him out of the way of one, but they’re still speeding on, the lids not offering much friction.

A tree ends up right on target for Steve so Eddie tugs his hand as hard as he can, with maybe a little too much strength, because Steve barrels into his lid, crashing into Eddie, both of them slipping off and rolling.

When they finally come to a stop, Steve is on top of him, pinning him down. His eyes are glowing with rosy cheeks. Eddie can’t look away.

Too lost in taking Steve in, the sudden white flakes in his hair makes Eddie giggle, hearing the cackles of the kids around them.

Steve rolls off of him, rushing to stand with snowballs already in his hands. The kids scream and scatter into the trees. Eddie hauls himself up to start preparing snowballs. Steve takes off running after them, and Eddie searches for them by hiding behind trees.

The kids are ruthless, coming at Eddie and Steve in all directions. Steve followed Eddie’s example of hiding behind trees to have some relief from the snowballs hurling toward them at all times. They joined together, “We need a game plan.”

“What if one of us is offense and the other defense?” Steve suggests.

Eddie squints his eyes. “How do you know about sports?”

“Had a lot of time last night, I watched a lot of tv.”

“Ah, well, I think you should be offense since the cold snow doesn’t affect you as much.”

“Mm, you’re probably right. Okay, I’ll come at them from the side, you stay behind the tree where you think they’ll start running so we can get them from both sides.”

“I like the way you think, Steve.”

Steve has a soft smile on his face. “Thanks. Ready?”

“Let’s do this.”

Steve’s plan worked wonders, the kids run away from him straight toward Eddie who’s at the ready, drenching them with snowballs. Steve runs after them throwing snowballs, and they are quickly humbled from the amount of snow covering them at the end of the fight.

Eddie cackles, and Steve runs into him, hugging and jumping them up and down.

“We did it! The plan worked!”

“Your plan worked, Stevie. I’m just glad I was apart of it so I didn’t get drenched in snow too.”

“Don’t be humble, you were a great asset.” Steve brings his hand up, brushing some snow out of Eddie’s bangs.

Eddie notices Steve getting closer.

“Excuse me! Are we going inside anytime soon? We’re all pretty cold now if you haven’t noticed.” Dustin shouts.

Eddie and Steve spring apart, the former rolling his eyes. “Jeez dude. Yes, you can go inside anytime the door is open. Go get warm, we’ll come in later.”

“You don’t want to go inside to get warm too?” Steve asks.

Eddie and Steve slowly start walking back to the trailer together, their arms brushing.

“I’ll go inside later, I know it gets warm for you and I’d rather be outside with you anyway instead of inside with those little twerps.”

“I’d rather be outside with you too. But they’re fun, good kids.”

“Oh yeah, no, the best. Just a little exhausting sometimes.”

“Makes sense. Maybe you just need help wearing them out.”

Eddie glances at Steve. “That would be nice.” He says faintly.

They walk back in silence, only the crunching of snow beneath their feet being heard, the snow around them being touched and messy than the pristine snow from before their adventure with the kids.

When they get back to the trailer, Eddie stays on the porch with Steve, peeking inside to see the kids cuddled around the couch with blankets piled on top of them. He reminds himself to make hot chocolate for them later, knowing they’ll appreciate it after all the excitement and cold of being in the snow.

“I just realized, we never made those snow angels.”

Steve blushes. “Oh, I didn’t think you would remember. We don’t have to, it was just another idea.”

“Come onnn, Steve. It’s something you wanted to do, so we should. You probably won’t get me in the snow this long again. It’s so cold.” Eddie tugs on Steve’s hand, bringing them to the yard again. Eddie hunts down a perfect pristine part of snow.

He plops down, spreading his arms and legs wide open, dragging them against the snow. Above him, Steve’s face is red, but he quickly joins in next to him.

Their hands brush when making their wings, heads turned to each other with big grins on their faces.

“Eddie, thanks for suggesting this day outside. It’s been the best day, I don’t want it to end.”

“I don’t want it to end either. Even though I’m freezing my ass off, you make me feel a little warmer.”

Steve smiles at him, and reaches over to grab Eddie’s hand. “I really like hanging out with you.”

Eddie squeezes his hand. “Me too, Steve.”

Deciding to just go for it, Eddie leans over to Steve, kissing him soft and chaste. Steve’s lips are cold to the touch, but when Steve deepens the kiss, it gets much warmer. Steve’s tongue pushes against Eddie’s lips.

Steve breaks away after a moment. “Eddie.” He whispers. “I’m cold.”

Eddie’s eyes grow wide, worried about him.

“You’re cold?! But I thought you couldn’t get cold?”

“Well, I’m cold now. Freezing, actually.”

“Let’s get you inside then!” Eddie pulls Steve up, rushing to get him inside.

As soon as the door closes behind them, Steve sighs, and grabs a blanket from the kids’ pile. Shouts of protest begin before Eddie shuts it down with a look.

With Steve all wrapped up in a blanket, he turns to Eddie. “I don’t feel like I’m going to melt anymore.”

Eddie barely has time to process that this means Steve is real. He’s not a snowman anymore, but completely and utterly real. He strides over to Steve, grasps his face, leaning into him with lips pressing gently against him. He barely hears the groans of disgust in the background, too focused on Steve’s warm hands around him.

He’ll have to remember to thank Jane for making the snowman his.

**

the show Steve gets his name from is Dynasty, from the character Steve Carrington, who’s gay in the show

this story really got away from me, I wrote so much more than I thought it was going to be, but it was fun writing!

[theevilscribbler]

People I'd Like To Know Better Meme

I had a few people tag me for this! Thank you @sanzosin, @cawyden-gaming and @clevermird!

Last Song: This is Me - Keala Settle, from "The Greatest Showman" (I'm trying to put together Ada's playlist!)

Last Book: Currently listening to Madeline Miller's "Circe". Not for the first time, but I love the story and writing so much it's worth a revisit and I highly recommend it!

Last Movie: Hubby and I watched "The Electric State". Okay film, but nothing mind-blowing.

Last Show: Hell's Kitchen! I've had it on in the background while I'm doing other things.

Last thing I searched: Music from Love and Deepspace. I like the soft piano melodies, they're very soothing, and I'd love to actually learn them myself.

Favorite Color: Black and red

Sweet/Savory/Spicy: If I had to pick, sweet would win hands down! But I like to alternate between sweet and savory things.

Relationship status: Married! ^_^

Looking forward to: The Rogue Trader Live Reading this weekend. It's always great to hear everyone read their excerpts, cheer on the wonderful writers in the fandom... and this time we're getting the extra treat of the first Bad Smut contest! Ready to throw down with some truly terrible euphemisms!

Current Obsession: If it wasn't absurdly obvious to all... Rogue Trader and Marazhai Aezyrraesh in particular! Although I will confess that Sylus from Love and Deepspace has succeeded in elbowing his way into my brain space!

Hmmmm..... tagging.... @pycnolite, @holylustration, @blesby and @amasec!

You know the drill... no pressure at all!

[darcydekarios]

People I'd Like To Know Better Meme

Thank you so much for the tag, @nashcandream! ❤️

Last song: oh Gods, it was “Positions,” by Ariana Grande 😅 look, it’s catchy okay 😂

Last book: “Hooked,” by Emily Mcintire. Read the whole thing in a day. 10/10 reccomend if you like a little dark romance. I was super down after I’d finished the ACOTAR series, and this book for sure was a nice little transition

Last movie: I haven’t watched a ton of movies lately, so honestly I’m drawing a bit of a blank on this one. No joke, I think it was either “Holes,” or “Hercules” on one of mine and my boyfriend’s movie nights 😂 gotta love those Disney classics 🤭

Last show: My bf and I have been watching “Hell’s Kitchen,” and are currently on season 18, I believe? Idk, we just seriously love Gordon Ramsay in our house

Last thing I searched: No joke, “Gale Dekarios” 😂 I was in an online class for my new job and needed something to look at while I was working. So, just pulled up some google search images of Gale on my computer to stare at.

Favorite color: I always used to say pink, but I definitely love most shades of greens and purples as well. Especially because I associate purple with Gale

Sweet/Savory/Spicy: Can I say all the above? Definitely love sweet and savory together, but I do love some spice

Relationship status: Have been in a relationship for almost 4 years now ❤️

Looking forward to: I would have to go with meeting Tim Downie in April 😍

Current obsession: OH YALL ALREADY KNOW. Although, the bat boys from ACOTAR are coming in close 👀 but I’ll have to go with my babes, Darcy and Gale because my computer is overtaken with my fanfics of them. DnD universe, AU modern, and uh.. another AU coming soon 🤭 (attaching pics of them because duh) screenshots provided by: @emmy-dekarios-bg3 and @swordsbardkat

Tagging (no pressure): @optimisticgrey @astarioffsimpmain @tociminna @avabjorna36 @senualothbrok

[silverraindemon]

~People I’d like to know better~

Thanks so much for the tag @turtleybeachin!! ♡ (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡

Last song - "Lost in Silence" - Marcus Skeen

☆ Yes, a fan-made league song for a specific skin line- but league makes good music! and this song is good too! (also I'm here for the lore, nothing more lol)

Favourite colour - Black & Red

☆ Can't go wrong with black! and red is always a pretty colour!

Currently reading/watching - Nothing at the moment

☆ Haven't really decided to pick anything up recently. 100% open to suggestions though!

Spicy/Savory/Sweet - Sweet > Spicy > Savory

☆ Don't get me wrong savory is good, but in the hierarchy sweet shall always be king. \(★ω★)/

Relationship status - Single

☆ Too busy doing my own thing honestly lol.

Current obsession - Genshin, BG3, & Our Life

☆ Forever a genshin girly lol Oh and Xiao is best boi. ☆ I joined Bg3 late but played non-stop for a bit. The hold Astarion has on me is concerning. ☆ Our Life is a Vn that I highly recommend and I'am always throwing it into my chaotic mix of games daily.

Tagging - @madwoman1313, @married-to-google-translater, @i-slept-for-13hours-ohshi, @angelltheninth, @a-local-idiots-shitpost

☆ (Y'all are cool! but don't do it if you don't want to! You're still cool either way!) (ﾉ´ヮ`)ﾉ*: ･ﾟ

[nashcandream]

People I'd Like To Know Better Meme

Oh golly, I was tagged by @LostInTheWeave and now I’m grinnin’ like a fool!

Last song: The Engram Dichotomy by The Seven Mile Journey

Last book: Lol this is the most embarrassing question to answer because I have not been reading books like a good Nash. Oh no, not at all. I think it was “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jeanette McCurdy. I feel like I read it toward the end of last year when I was still working for the hotline. I have, however, been reading fanfiction, news articles, and tons of lore for my own fanfiction.

Last movie: “The Girl in the Picture” and “The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari”. Sometimes I like to have documentary movie nights on the weekend and those are the two I recently went with as my double feature. True crime and natural disaster/human interest because whyyyyy not lol

Last show: I’ve been in a White Collar, Burn Notice, and Shameless cycle for the last month.

Last thing I searched: Katie Sorensen jail time. I couldn’t remember if she actually served time in lock up or if she was only given community service. I don't like to use this phrase often but because it applies so well here, “this bitch…” Yeah. Yeah. I was really happy to know she served some time. It was a really random thought I had earlier today. I don’t know, I have ADHD.

Favorite color: I really like shades of green and purple. 

Sweet/Savory/Spicy: I’m a sweet and savory person, preferably at the same time or through a fun pairing. I like a little heat but nothing that overpowers the flavor of the dish/snack. I like purposeful spiciness, if that makes sense. 

Relationship status: Partnered.

Looking forward to: Well, it’s only Wednesday morning, so I feel bad for saying the weekend but, yeah, the weekend lol My best friend is visiting later this month, so I am really looking forward to that! Umm…I have chicken tortilla soup for lunch, so that’s exciting. Or I could walk down the street for something. Oh! I’ve been writing more recently, so I look forward to putting more time into that! I guess I am most looking forward to all the opportunities and possibilities of the day/week. Let’s do thiiiiiis!

Current obsession:

Gale x Lennox, the fanfic I’m writing for the two of them, Gale on his own, Lennox on their own. Non-BG3 related? Ummm….my cherry-lime gsupps is definitely top of the list. There is this ham, brie, apple slices, and fig jam sandwich on a warmed croissant at the cafe near my work that I cannot get out of my mind and have at least once a week. My instrumental music playlist has been on repeat for, like, days so that counts lol Good times!

Tagging! @thelittlesorceressbg3 @emmy-dekarios-bg3 @darcydekarios @puggnugget @worfs-glorious-hair and anyone else who would like to participate! I want to get to know you better :)

[bitchwitch1981]

10 Things for 10 People You'd Like to Know Better!

Thank you @jessthebaker for the tag

last song: Smoke by Maddie and Tae

last (current) book: Things Unspoken edited by Anisa Larkwood & Jasmine Luck

last movie: Marching Powder

last TV show: Narcos (again)

favourite colour: Royal Purple

sweet/savory/spicy: all 3

relationship status: unsatisfying situationship

last thing I googled: X-Files reboot

current obsession: sourdough bread (even though I can't eat it)

looking forward to: not having to work this Friday.

Npt: @jennaispunk @schnarfer @mysterious-moonstruck-musings @beefrobeefcal @sp00kymulderr

@covetyou @yxtkiwiyxt @whatsnewalycat @probablyreadingsmut @perotovar

[foxyaran]

10 people i would like to get to know better

I've never been tagged in one of these before so I hope I'm doing it right XD. Thanks for the tag @orangez3st

Last song: "Down With the Wolves" by The Score and 2Wei

Favorite color: Navy blue :D

Last book: (Does fanfiction count??) "It's Called a Flush" by deniigiq

Last movie: My mom and I watched a random Hallmark movie... I don't remember the name though :O

Last show: Star Wars: The Clone Wars XD of course

Sweet / Spicy / Savory: Sweet all the way

Relationship Status: Aro but I do love some clone boys

Last Thing I Googled: Interactive Icarus map

Current obsession: Commander Fox every day, all day :O

I look forward to telling you: Uh, putting up more clone art is all I can think of :D

NPT: I have no idea if any of you'll are interested, but if you are be free!!! @whiskygoldwings @mereelskirata @stealthetrees @amityax @captain-mozzarella @mis-mcgifsten @hastalavistabyebye @sexy-rex @aknightreaderr @themeghanlodon

[kristingelatin]

[thatmexisaurusrex]

Hill Country and Swamplands and Rodeos

Hey, people! This fic is inspired by @moeyoon's art, which you will see down below, or can see in its original post here. I meant for this to be a one-shot, but it's 😂 it's a multichapter fic now. It's very Texas, so I hope that's okay. I hope y'all enjoy it! 🥰

Hill Country and Swamplands and Rodeos

| Pairing: BuckTommy | Rated: M | WC: 17.8K | Chapters: 5/5 |

Summary: Pilot Thomas "Tommy" Kinard hasn't been a ranch hand for seven years. However, a chance meeting with his old coworkers and some new cowboys, especially a certain Evan "Buck" Buckley, seems to be changing his life for the better.

Excerpt:

“Evan!” Tommy. Turned his gaze back to the dirty blonde. And Tommy would say the man was a little sheepish, but it seemed as if something else overcame him once Tommy was looking straight at him again. Excitement? Nervousness? Awe? No. Couldn’t be any of those. Tommy wasn’t the kind of guy who inspired that. “Evan Buckley,” breathed Evan. And. And Tommy forgot that he should be shaking his hand too, right? Not that – not that Evan was offering. But. Tommy took the initiative, extending his own. “Wow. Uh. Big hands,” said Evan, maybe babbled, as he shook Tommy’s hand and looked so expectantly at Tommy. Tommy couldn’t say no to that face. He couldn’t say nothing. “You have a good handshake too, Evan,” offered Tommy, a little distracted by Evan’s adorable smile. The little laugh he was making. Wait. Were they still shaking hands? Was that weird?

READ THE REST ON AO3!

[wangxianficrecs]

🔒 still life by sunflowersfield

🔒 still life

by sunflowersfield (@sunflowersfield)

G, 1k, Wangxian

Summary: So, Wei Ying knows a couple of things about his new neighbor. One, he does not drink coffee. Two, he is rather rude. But Wei Ying has always been stubborn, and this is not enough to discourage him. Kay's comments: Lan Zhan is Wei Ying's new neighbour, so obviously, he has no choice but needle himself into his life! Love how Lan Zhan eventually switches and goes all in despite being quite frosty in the beginning. Excerpt: He discovered this about a week after the handsome stranger moved into the two-bedroom apartment across the hall. The very first time that Wei Ying tried introducing himself, he’d knocked on the man’s door and offered him a cup from a nearby cafe. “I do not drink coffee,” the man had said with a scowl, as if Wei Ying’s mere presence was an inconvenience. That day, he'd practically slammed the door in Wei Ying’s face. So, Wei Ying knows a couple of things about his new neighbor. One, he does not drink coffee. Two, he is rather rude. But Wei Ying has always been stubborn, and this is not enough to discourage him. He tries bringing bagels from the shop around the corner. His neighbor looks at him suspiciously and closes the door once more. He tries a box of tea from a fancy gift shop. This, at least, his neighbor accepts, and Wei Ying manages to find out his name. When Lan Zhan does not open the door the next day, Wei Ying leaves a small bouquet of daisies on his doormat.

pov wei wuxian, modern setting, modern no powers, neighbors, fluff, fluff and angst, angst with a happy ending, getting to know each other, references to illness, hurt/comfort, caring lan wangji, happy ending

~*~

(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

[nat1em0xd]

So, here’s my community, I’m pretty new to this so I hope I’ll do great. We will chat about emo and scene bands here.

Looking forward to this community!!!:D

I hope this community goes well!!!!

Join please:) here

[trashyswitch]

Getting to Know The Crafty Nook

Isabelle is trying to get to learn more about Tom Nook. Amidst his questions, Isabelle quickly discovers that Tom doesn't take breaks! Like, at all! And that will not due! So, Isabelle tries to change that...if only for a moment...

This fanfic was suggested by 🌠anon! Thank you for the amazing headcanons, and I sincerely hope you enjoy!

Tom and Isabelle were working a shift in the town hall. Tom was typing away on the hall’s laptop and reading daily documents. Isabelle was writing notes in her notebook, and checking her teal notebooks for more information. It was a normal day in the workplace on the island. 

Isabelle put down her pen and looked up at Tom. She noted Tom’s focused face as he typed on his laptop. She mentally noted how hard he had been working up until this point. He was always a hard worker who failed to give himself the time to rest. He would usually do this through his nephews, but even then, it’s not truly a rest if you’re still looking after children, is it? She wasn’t sure. How would she possibly know? She didn’t have children of her own. 

“Hey Tom?” She asked softly. 

“Hm? Yes Isabelle?” he replied, looking up. “What do you do to wind down after a long day?” Isabelle asked. 

“Hmm…” Tom thought for a moment. “I usually take care of Timmy and Tommy. Helping them close the store, taking them to the house and reading them a bedtime story before tucking them into bed.” Tom explained. 

“I see…and…after that?” She asked. 

“Well…I usually go to bed myself.” Tom Nook replied. “This old raccoon needs his rest after the long shifts, yes yes.” Tom Nook admitted with a chuckle. 

Isabelle widened her eyes. “You don’t read? Or do any hobbies after work?” Isabelle asked. 

“Well you see, Isabelle…work IS my hobby.” Tom Nook admitted. “I worked hard to get to this place. No time leftover for funny business.” Tom replied. 

“...Funny business, huh?” Isabelle sat back and crossed her arms. “I personally prefer calling them ‘hobbies’. They are supposed to help you learn more about yourself and add some variety to your life.” Isabelle explained. 

“Well…Work does that same very thing for me.” Tom explained. 

“You’ve gotta be getting bored of work…” Isabelle reacted. 

Tom chuckled. “Something tells me you’re confusing my feelings for your own, hm?” She teased.

Isabelle rolled her eyes. “Sure…whatever you say.” Isabelle said. 

Tom went right deep into his work once again. It was like Isabelle hadn’t interrupted him at all! Some things just don’t change, do they? 

Well, Isabelle was determined to change that. Right here, right now. 

Isabelle got up out of her seat and picked up her seat. With the chair in hand, Isabelle walked up to Tom’s side of the desk. “What are you doing exactly?” She asked him, placing the chair beside him and sitting down. 

“Nothing interesting for you.” Tom replied. 

“Oh really? Try me.” Isabelle encouraged. 

Tom raised his eyebrows in surprise and looked at his screen. “Uhh…” He muttered, unsure how to react himself. 

“Tell me.” Isabelle encouraged him again. 

Tom sighed and scratched the back of his head. “Well…I’m working on a spreadsheet of our representatives' earnings in Bells.” Tom explained. “He has paid me 10,000 bells today, which is 1000 more bells than yesterday.” He explained. “If [Player] continues giving 10,000 bells everyday, he should be able to pay for his house upgrade in about 197 days.” Tom admitted. “Though, I have a feeling [Player] will pay different lump sums of money daily, which may decrease his loan payment days.” Tom Nook explained. 

“Wow…That’s a lot of work for our representative.” She admitted. 

“But telling by their payments, it’s not impossible.” Tom admitted. 

“And you’re charting their progress because…” Isabelle asked next. 

“Because I like to know about their daily progress.” Tom admitted. 

“Ah…” She muttered. 

“Is that all you want to know?” Tom asked. 

“Well…” Isabelle muttered, thinking for a moment. “I do want to know more about you.” She admitted. 

Tom nodded his head. “Ask away.” He replied. 

“Like…What are Timmy and Tommy like?” She asked. 

Tom chuckled. “You say you want to know about me…and yet, you ask me a question about the twins?” Tom mentioned. 

Isabelle smiled and looked away. “Maybe…” She teased. 

Tom shook his head with a smile. “Alright.” Tom cleared his throat. “Timmy and Tommy…they’re typical children. Outgoing, rambunctious, mischievous little tanuki children.” He told Isabelle. 

“I see. What else?” She asked. 

“Timmy is the most quick-witted little tycoon I have ever met.” Tom Nook admitted. “And Tommy is a sensitive mastermind. And together, they are the perfect duo to take over the Nooks corporation after I retire.” Tom explained. “I am very proud of the tanuki’s they have both become.” Tom Nook admitted. 

Isabelle smiled and patted his shoulder. “If they are wonderful kids like you tell me…then just wait until they’re fully grown!” Isabelle reacted. 

Tom closed his eyes with a smile under his little snout. “Don’t make me get ahead of myself, Isabelle. They won’t be pups forever.” Tom warned her. 

“I won’t, I promise.” Isabelle replied happily. 

Isabelle looked at Tom out of the corner of her eye. Tom spoke so highly of the twins, and it was adorable. But he rarely ever gave himself enough of the credit. 

Tom could feel Isabelle’s gaze on him. “.....Do you…need something?” Tom asked. 

“Are you ticklish?” She asked absolutely out of nowhere. 

Tom’s body froze in place. His typing paws had paused in place, and he had stared at the computer for a little longer than he was expecting. He didn’t even have anything to say in response. The only thing he was able to really say was: “Uuuuuhhh…why?”. 

Isabelle smirked. “Oh, just curious.” She replied. 

Tom closed his laptop and turned to look at Isabelle. “I know you're planning something devious. You’re not exactly stealthy.” Tom told her. 

Isabelle giggled and poked his side a couple times. “Is that so?” She teased. “Tell me, Tom: What exactly am I planning?” She asked. 

Tom jumped and attempted to push her hands away. “IsaBELLE-” Tom squeaked as a claw poked him square in the ribs. “StOP-” He tried and failed to cover his sides. “Please! We both have work to do!” Tom reacted. 

Isabelle chuckled. “Come on, Tom. You haven’t even answered me.” Isabelle told her. 

Tom stared at her. “A-About what?” He asked. 

“I asked you ‘Are you ticklish?’ earlier.” She reminded him. 

“…You wanted an answer?” Tom asked for clarification. 

Isabelle leaned her head back and laughed. “Why else would I ask you?!” She reacted. 

“I don’t know!” Tom reacted. 

“You don’t know if you’re ticklish or not?” She teased as she poked and scratched his furry sides. 

“That’s nOTWHAT-” Tom threw his head back. “BAHAHA-?!” He reacted, surprised by his own cackle. 

“I think you’re very ticklish!” She declared. “And personally…” She shoved her paws into his armpits with pure excitement on her face. “I think you need a break from work.” She told him. 

Tom threw himself against the back of his chair and cackled rather hysterically. “HAHAHAHAhahaha!” He squeezed his eyes shut, showing off a few of his eye wrinkles as he wiggled around in an unintentionally aggressive manner. “IHIHISABEHEHEHELLE PLEHEHEHEASE!” He yelled. 

“Goodness, you’re louder than I thought you’d be!” She reacted. 

“SHUHUHUHUSHHH!” Tom yelled back. 

“But shushing wouldn’t be as fun! And you know this.” Isabelle replied confidently.

Tom attempted to curl up similarly to how Mayor Tortimer would’ve curled up into his shell. 

“Trying to hide from me?” Isabelle teased before moving her paws to his neck. “Well I hate to break it to you, but you’re not going anywhere.” She declared proudly. 

Tom gasped and widened his eyes. Oh NO! “P-PLEASENO-NOT THERE!” He pleaded. 

Isabelle smirked. “Not where? Not here?” She poked his neck. “Not this sensitive neck right here?” She scritched his neck insanely gently. “Not this exposed, fluffy little neck?” She kept teasing in a voice only her twin brother would’ve heard. 

“NaaaAAAHAHAHA! EEEEEEHEEEHEEEHEEEHEEHEE!” Tom screeched and squealed. 

Isabelle was thrown off by this reaction at first. Isabelle and Tom had been friends for ages by this point. So seeing a serious businessman completely lose control of himself, was so out of character! Tom had always tried to present himself as a reserved, charismatic businessman. So it was almost shocking to see him squealing and losing his composure! Is this the same person?! Where’s the proof? How can we be so sure that this is the same person?!

It didn’t matter if Tom’s words were coherent or not…Isabelle seemed to have an answer for every single comment. 

“PLEHEHEHEASE-” Tom pleaded. 

“Goodness, you’re giggly! Does it really tickle that much?!” Isabelle asked. 

Tom attempted to nod his head amidst his giggly laughter. 

“How ticklish?” She asked with a smirk as she fluttered her paws up his neck towards his chin. 

“WAHAHAIT WAITWAIT-!” Tom squeaked and struggled to cover up his ultra sensitive chin. 

“On a scale of 1 to 10, how ticklish is your chin?” She asked curiously. 

Tom gasped as her finger presented itself mere millimeters away from his chin. He knew that if Isabelle so much as touched his chin, it would be all over. He would lose all his composure, and surely die from the embarrassment alone! And all it would take…was a tiny, simple touch.

The claw finally touched down…but it was only for a second. But that second was all it took for Tom Nook to disappear. The ticklish coworker she had been playing with in the town hall, had suddenly disappeared from her field of vision. 

Isabelle widened her eyes and pulled her paw back. The desk chair that was seating the raccoon had become completely empty. What the- Where did Tom go?! Isabelle looked around the room, flabbergasted by his sudden disappearance. Did he teleport?! There’s no way…no one can teleport like that. Not even the representative is capable of teleportation! 

Suddenly, the back door opened, revealing an exhausted, slumped-over Tom Nook. He was holding a cup of water in his right paw, while leaning against the doorframe with weariness written all over his face. The man looked like he just ran a marathon. 

“Oh my gosh- Are you okay?!” Isabelle asked, running up and offering to help carry him. She gently grabbed his arm and tried to wrap it around her shoulders, so she could place part of his weight onto her. 

But Tom didn’t interpret her actions like that. He assumed that her actions were part of her new elaborate plan to tickle him all over again. So naturally, Tom doubled over and pulled away before falling down. Isabelle took his water cup and let him fall. Isabelle watched as Tom curled up into a little ball the moment his body hit the floor. He wasn’t even able to stop the extra  giggles from leaving his snout. It was somewhat adorable, and still quite out-of-character for the man. 

Isabelle smiled and continued to watch as Tom sat himself up. When Tom reached for the water, Isabelle gave it to him. Tom drank the rest of the water in one big gulp, before huffing. “Are you happy with yourself?” He asked, looking up at Isabelle with a loopy smile. 

Isabelle’s heart dropped for only a second. Did she do something drastic?! Were her actions out of line?! 

…but the Shih Tzu felt immediate relief the moment she saw Tom’s crooked smile. Everything seemed to be okay. He wasn’t angry at her…and she was thankful for that. 

Tom got up onto his feet and got himself some more water from the water jug. “What time is it?” Tom asked. 

Isabelle looked over at the analog clock up on the wall. “It is…10 to 5.” Isabelle said. 

Tom hummed and speed-walked to his desk. “I promised the boys I would make them fish and chips for dinner.” He admitted. 

Isabelle raised an eyebrow. “And you have the time to do that?” she asked. 

“I will as soon as I leave.” Tom replied. 

Isabelle laughed and watched as Tom closed the laptop and put his book away. Then, he pulled out his Nook Phone. “That must be the boys.” He said before picking up the phone. “Hello?” He said. 

Isabelle turned her ear to the right, to attempt to hear what the boys were saying to him. 

“I’m on my way now, Timmy. Alright?” He told him. 

Isabelle smiled as she closed her notebook and schedule.

“I know my voice sounds groggy, but that’s none of your concern.” Tom told them. 

Isabelle looked up, and giggled silently into her paw. Unlike the boys, she knew EXACTLY why Tom’s voice was a little raspy. 

“Alright, I’ll see you in a few minutes. Bye.” He said, before hanging up. “Alright. That’s my cue to leave.” He told Isabelle. “See you in an hour, Isabelle.” 

“Bye Tom!” Isabelle replied, waving until the double doors closed.