#he insists for years to anyone who asks that he isn't her dad even as she calls him dad

[ridiasfangirlings]

People start to wonder where Saruhiko's daughter came from, like, did he give birth to her himself or...?, and then Saruhiko reveals that he found her sitting around when he was sixteen. Saruhiko accidentally-intentionally becomes a teen dad because that kid was not gonna last. Maybe that could be great to keep him going? Maybe one of the reasons he joins Scepter 4 is that, besides his underlying issues, he could give her a better life there?

I’m assuming this is in an AU where it’s not an omegaverse and Fushimi is still a cis male, but even so when he shows up at S4 with this little girl in tow everyone just thinks he must have birthed her out of nowhere himself XD I imagine him finding her maybe a little earlier than when he’s sixteen though, otherwise Yata and Homra would probably have ended up taking some control of her care. Maybe this is like just after Niki dies but before Fushimi and Yata move in together and Fushimi is wandering around when he feels this tug on his shoe. Fushimi looks down and there’s this little girl barely one year old holding onto him, wearing just a diaper and a dirty shirt. She’s really thin and ragged looking and all alone, just staring up at him with these big blue eyes. Fushimi looks around but there’s no adults anywhere around, and when he tries to ask the kid where her parents are she just looks at him in confusion and makes babbling noises. Fushimi considers dropping her off at a police station but it’s not like he trusts any adults, even police, and besides it occurs to him that they might ask why he’s out alone so late too. As much as he complains about this kid clinging to him he doesn’t want to simply leave her there either, and in the end he has no choice but to take her back home with him. He figures it’s just for now, he’ll figure out how to get rid of her in the morning, but somehow despite him constantly telling himself that he keeps watching over her instead. 

In this case I feel like Yata at the very least would have to know about the kid, there’s really not much of a way that Fushimi could get around it especially if he was already planning to move out of his house and Kisa’s planning to sell the place anyway. Yata can’t believe that Saruhiko of all people adopted a kid, Fushimi says he’s just watching her until he finds her parents and he doesn’t want Yata to tell anyone. When they find an apartment maybe it’s slightly larger in this case and Fushimi and the kid have a room separate from Yata, Fushimi says it’s so she can have her own room so he doesn’t have to listen to her cry and can get some sleep but then in practice he ends up sleeping in the room a lot because she won’t stop crying unless he’s there (and the idea of just leaving her to cry until she gets exhausted makes Fushimi feel itchy and on edge, like that’s something that Kisa or Niki would do, and even though he’s adamant that this is not his kid and he is not her dad now he can’t bring himself to be like those two either). 

Yata really thinks they should at least tell Kusanagi about the kid because maybe he could help find her parents but Fushimi tells him not bother Homra with stupid things like this, he can find the kid’s family all on his own. Yata I think would be pretty helpful here even so, he knows how to deal with little kids so imagine he does end up ‘teaching’ Fushimi some parenting basics. Yata likes the kid but he can see that Saruhiko is unexpectedly attached and thinks maybe this is a good thing, Fushimi still seems on edge in Homra and like he’s not fitting in but here’s something that Fushimi is showing an interest in. Yata feels like eventually Fushimi will share the kid’s existence with the rest of them and Homra can help him raise the baby, and if it’s good for making Saruhiko happy then Yata will support that and be the best uncle ever.

Obviously having a kid is an extra expense, and even though Yata swears he can handle paying for the apartment on his own and he doesn’t need Fushimi’s half, really, Fushimi insists that he’ll pay his half and pay for everything for the kid too. In this case I wonder if Fushimi would even stoop to touching his inheritance (presumably he has one, Kisa didn’t need Niki’s money and I could absolutely see Niki leaving anything he has to his little monkey as one last joke), like he doesn’t want to get anything from ‘that man’ but his baby needs food and he has nowhere else to go. Maybe he starts taking odd jobs when he can, but since he’s only sixteen it’s either online coding work or shady in-person stuff. Kusanagi would probably become aware of the latter due to his own contacts and he tries to talk to Fushimi about it, worried that he’s going to get into something he can’t get out of, but Fushimi just rebuffs him.

Then when Munakata recruits Fushimi to S4 maybe this is part of his ‘sales pitch,’ like while he and Fushimi are doing the puzzle in the van Munakata just drops a ‘you’ll be paid of course, enough to support yourself and your dependent.’ Fushimi is immediately on guard because he never mentioned a dependent, Munakata just smiles calmly and says he has his sources and has become aware that Fushimi is working for two, so to speak. Munakata probably also knows whose kid Fushimi’s child is but won’t unseal that record unless Fushimi asks, though should he join S4 he would have full access regardless (also imagine Munakata hinting that he himself is a very dependable uncle and good with children and Fushimi is like I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that). 

Maybe one of the other things that gets Fushimi to decide to leave too is Yata finally breaks his promise and tells Homra about the kid — definitely not maliciously, like say Kusanagi decides to talk to Yata about the dangerous stuff Fushimi’s been doing lately to see if Yata can talk some sense into him. Yata’s really worried that Fushimi’s putting himself in danger and ends up blurting out ‘I told him I’d help pay for the kid.’ Kusanagi is like wait what kid and Yata desperately tries to think of a lie but of course he’s no good at that and eventually has to admit the truth (say while he’s stumbling over a bad lie Mikoto comes over and tells him it’s fine if he wants to say it, if he thinks that’s the right thing to do. Then afterward when Yata’s trying to explain himself to Fushimi he starts talking about Mikoto and Fushimi misunderstands, thinking Yata just told because Mikoto asked him to and not that Yata had already accidentally given it away). When Kusanagi, Totsuka and Mikoto try to gently confront Fushimi about it he gets defensive, on top of him seeing all the Niki hallucinations putting him on edge. All of this piles up to him deciding to go to S4, because he’s angry at Yata for breaking his trust and leaving him, angry at Homra for thinking he can’t take care of someone else on his own, and angry at himself for being just as useless as his own parents that he can’t give this kid a decent life and that he can’t bring himself to give her up even though he knows anyone else would be better at being a parent than him.

[planetpiastri]

pairing: logan sargeant x fem!reader [no faceclaim, reader is faceless] summary: when alex's childhood friend makes an appearance on his instagram, logan is instantly smitten, but the universe insists on keeping them only as a missed connection, and alex isn't helping matters. notes: the long awaited part three! i'm currently giving all my fics a facelift, but the guilt about this update has been eating away at me, so here you guys go<3 i've decided to stop living in denial and just admit this is a full series now so here comes the (brief) angst era! [series masterlist]

liked by lilymhe, georgerussell63, and 154,329 others

alex_albon winter break, you were fun 🫡 see you next year!

view all 2,876 comments

username1 try not to say parents challenge level impossible (failed)

lilymhe he stole that car

alex_albon you promised you wouldn't tell anyone!!

username2 looking good albono! excited to see you scoring points soon!

williamsracing Nice hat! :D

username3 guys can i confess something.... i miss yn :(

username4 you guys say this under all of his posts. obviously something happened and they don't post each other anymore for a reason, respect their space and stop bringing this up.

liked by alex_albon, logansargeant, and 71,823 others

williamsracing the boys are back and so are we 👀

view all 3,012 comments

username5 RRRAAHHH I SMELL DOUBLE POINTS

username6 the new suits are AWESOME, the boys are gonna kill it this season!!!!!

alex_albon who approved that corny ass caption

logansargeant Me alex_albon i'm gonna steal your tires

username7 even if yn has vanished off the face of the earth at least we can thank her for bringing the williams boys closer together so that we get to see them goofing off in the comments 😔

username8 yeah but it's all for show like they don't hang out off track anymore... landonorris oh are we just saying things in the comments? i wanna join!! george sleeps with a teddy bear georgerussell63 Don't drag me into this wtf alex_albon it's true, he does

liked by oscarpiastri, alex_albon, and 71,013 others

logansargeant Some bits and bobs from the break

view all 2,789 comments

username9 what kind of whack british caption is that

username10 maybe the rumors about him and alex not hanging out were wrong, maybe they're hanging out TOO MUCH actually...

alex_albon i have taught you well, young padawan

username11 omg logan and oscar content we're soooo back

williamsracing Looking energized, Sarge!

username12 the fact that we never got a hard launch for logan and yn so we'll never know if they actually got together is my roman empire

username13 no fr!! they were flirting and bantering all over the place and then suddenly BOOM! she just disappears like wtf happenedddd username14 you guys talking abt a possible situationship not happening vs twenty years of friendship between alex and yn that's gone... have some priorities username15 hi just popping in to say you guys are weird af for speculating like this under his winter break dump 💀 move tf on

logansargeant

liked by georgerussell63, oscarpiastri, and 68,578 others

logansargeant Quick trip back over the pond before locking in 👊 bring it on season ✌️

view all 2,549 comments

username16 wait did we miss a step

alex_albon that does not look like sim work

logansargeant Are you my dad or something? Get a life alex_albon DAMN

username17 um? um?? the last picture??? um??????

georgerussell63 What

logansargeant Who? georgerussell63 ?? logansargeant Asked

username18 please be a soft launch with that girl from the afterparty please please please please please

oscarpiastri Interesting.

username19 OSCAR WHAT DO YOU KNOW

williamsracing

liked by ynusername, logansargeant, and 78,321 others

williamsracing Good times in Bahrain! See you next year, Sakhir 😉

view all 3,253 comments

username20 WHAT was that strategy guys

alex_albon "good times" literally where that was nothing but pain

williamsracing ☹️👉👈 we're sowwy awex alex_albon ew wtf don't say that to me

username21 guys? yn liked? she's alive?

username22 JUSTICE FOR LOGAN'S STEERING WHEEL

tagging: @sticksdoesart @hiireadstuff @minkyungseokie @thatoneembarrasingmoment @croissantbakerylws @dear-fifi @imjustme-n @kn1n3 @captainfrisbee @ssrcsm @rhythmstars @urfavnoirette

if you want to be tagged in future parts, fill out this form

[silverynight]

Saw a post about how Christmas Eve is the Japanese Valentine's Day in terms of ~THE Romantic Holiday~ and it once again got me thinking about Culturally American Deku au... Izuku who spent enough of his childhood/adolescence in America with his dad that he missed some of these vital cultural differences and it makes his earnest obliviousness even worse... Izuku who gets into UA and reconnects with his childhood friend and makes all these new friends and frequently makes small Politeness Missteps and accidentally embarrasses himself and others sometimes but it's okay because they're very understanding and because if anyone even thought about making him feel bad about it his various guard dogs would tear them apart... Izuku who doesn't realize the romantic connotations of December 24th in Japan, who thinks of it as a fun family holiday, and who unintentionally becomes the heartbreak kid of class a...

Izuku who very innocently wants to get a group together to go see the Christmas lights on Christmas Eve like he did with his parents in America... who first approaches Kacchan and, being the first person he asks, he's a little nervous about it... he shuffles and stammers a little, but he's so sweet and so earnest and so hopeful, looking up at Katsuki with his big sparkly eyes, asking if he'd consider joining Izuku on the most romantic night of the year to do a classic couply activity... Katsuki freezes in shock at first, watches the way Izuku flushes and fidgets in awe for several seconds before he remembers he's supposed to respond, then jolts and agrees so loudly and aggressively he makes himself jump right along with Izuku... feels his ears burn and wants to blow himself up before Izuku recovers and lights up and bounces on his toes while he thanks him and he thinks he couldn't have fucked up too bad if Izuku looks this excited to go on a date with him...

Izuku who is running off the high of the prickliest person on his list already agreeing, who approaches Todoroki next with a little more confidence... Shouto who blinks in surprise and looks around to determine if he's talking to someone else or this is some kind of prank... but there's no one else and Izuku is too genuine for that and Shouto can't believe he could get so lucky twice - first for Izuku to choose to be his friend despite how cold and insistent he'd been that he didn't need any, and now for Izuku to be asking him on a Christmas date! Of course he agrees right away and Izuku hops away looking so pleased and leaves Shouto feeling so warm and actually looking forward to the break from school...

Iida is next, and he chokes on his water and mutters something about appropriateness when Izuku asks him... Izuku pats him on the back and smiles so gently and starts to say he understands if he isn't interested, only for Tenya to panic and cut in to say of course he's interested! He was just taken by surprise! Of course he'll be happy to join Izuku if he really desires his company! And Izuku smiles so big it makes his stomach cramp and his glasses fog up, and he immediately calls Tensei as soon as Izuku is out of sight for some brotherly advice for his first Christmas date!

Uraraka is already blushing when Izuku approaches because of some teasing from Ashido and Aoyama that she's trying not to let get to her head, so she startles and stammers when Izuku asks if she has any plans for the Christmas break and almost passes out entirely when he asks if she'd like to join him on Christmas Eve... She can't believe this is happening and her voice comes out an embarrassing squeak when she says yes, but at least Izuku blushes and squeaks too when she throws herself on him for a hug...

And so the pattern continues until Christmas Eve arrives and half of class a is standing at the same train station, each wearing their Christmas best and holding various gifts, blushing and bouncing with nerves, eyes shifting more and more suspiciously at their growing number... until Izuku finally arrives, beaming and waving from a distance and shouting "I'm so glad you could all make it!"

That's how Izuku ends up accidentally dating all Class 1a.

[all-pacas]

i wanna know your thoughts on cameron’s intense fear of becoming hateful. it seems consistent across her time on the show. why is she so paranoid about it??? in cursed she tells chase that “all that hate… it’s toxic” ma’am what is going on with you.

there are two very different ways i can take this question because i think about it all the time: cameron's stubborn insistence that the world play fair even though she absolutely knows it does not, even though she breaks her own heart time and time and time again. it's kind of the best thing about cameron and the worst, because she refuse to give in to cynicism and hopelessness even as it actively destroys her and makes her miserable. she's so miserable, too. she's a deeply unhappy person in so many ways. she clings to her own suffering out of a weird sense of justice: people should be remembered, people should feel pain, the world should be fair. it's insane to me.

but the other way i want to take it is: what the hell is cameron's family like. everything we know about them is that it's fine, her family is fine, but. there's something there, right? house suggests in s1 that marrying her Dead Husband was a symptom, not the disease, that she was already messed up when it happened, and she's so consistently weird about parents: refusing to believe chase's dad is really That Bad and trying to get them to reconcile, but also doing the same thing a year later with house's parents: how can he not want to see them? how can they not be proud of him? she never learned of the details of house's experiences with abuse, and in a way that's very good and in a way that's too bad, because i'm honestly not sure how she'd react.

cameron isn't naive, not in this way. and yet she has this blind spot. she cannot believe a parent would not love their child. she cannot believe a son would hate his father. she asks chase what rowan did, and of course she knows sexual abuse is bad, physical abuse is bad — she is not an idiot — but rowan seems pleasant. house's parents seem pleasant. if rowan didn't beat chase, then how bad could he be?

and it does tie in to her willful… her willful naivety, let's call it. her insistence the world should be good and fair, that people should be mourned, that people shouldn't be alone. cameron really, truly believes that, more than her martyr complex, more than her savior complex: people should not be alone. and to me that suggests a deep fucking well of loneliness, actually. a deep experience with being alone. she married her husband because she thought he had no one else. she sits in a room with a dying man and suffers because it's his wish. she refuses to believe a parent couldn't or wouldn't love their child, because that's unfair, sure. because that isn't right, sure. but also because she doesn't seem to understand it is possible.

the only things we know about her family are a) she has an older brother, b) they're from the mid-west, and c) her dad yelled at her mom during christmas one year, and cameron jumped in and got him to stop. and it's so tempting to read the last one as a Big Clue (it's certainly telling in its own way), but even that doesn't fit. cameron's always willing to fight for others, she's always surprisingly punchy and happy to throw down in defense of her beliefs or those she thinks needs it — marrying her dead husband is another form of fighting for her beliefs, honestly — but. when it comes to rowan chase and john house she doesn't get it.

she's (rightfully) horrified in skin deep when she finds out the patient has suffered abuse from her father. again, she's not naive. but she doesn't understand estrangement, she doesn't understand giving up, that chase and house really and truly have, that anyone ever could. and so i guess the ultimate irony is that she is the character who eventually does. who estranges herself from chase and house and leaves the entire show. but for real. what was her childhood like. what drove her to this. what the hell is her family really like.

[blujayonthewing]

I wish I had any way of knowing whether people have gotten Weirder™ about my name in recent years or if this has been happening behind the scenes the entire time

I've been going by Jay since I was 11. At the time nobody objected to or questioned this, at least not to me; I found out many years later that Jay is supposedly a "boy's name," but nobody ever said 'you can't use that as a nickname, it's a boy's name' and it went completely uncontested by anyone when I switched. Lots of kids announced some manner of name change at the start of a new school year in middle school; it was all normal and fine. My mom and, you know, grandmas and other relatives kept calling me Jessica, which was also fine! I didn't make a big family announcement or correct any relatives on this, I just wanted to differentiate myself from the half dozen other Jessicas in school.

For twenty years!! This has gone on being perfectly normal! My Real Name™ is an increasingly obscure bit of trivia I get to spring on friends who didn't realize I had one, which is always funny (my brother in law didn't believe me and demanded to see my driver's license). My mom and grandmas have largely still called me Jess, and that's also fine! It's nice, even! There's a particular intimacy there of having a name only my mother uses-- but, crucially, I have never asked her not to, or said that I don't like it. And as FAR AS I KNOW, this has all been true and fine for TWENTY YEARS.

My own feelings about it have never changed, and feel, to me, very straightforward: if I tell you that my name is Jay, and you decide that no it isn't, that is a problem. That's the rule. That's literally it. I had a high school teacher who asked on the syllabus for us to write down if we went by something other than our full name, who was nonetheless UNIQUE among all of my teachers from 6th grade onward in always and only ever calling me Jess, even though I signed all my work Jay, all the other teachers called me Jay, he literally asked whether anyone wanted to be called something else and I answered Jay, and I had him for two semesters. I met a work friend of Justin's once who asked upon introduction whether Jay was short for something, and when I told him it was short for Jessica he took it upon himself to call me Jess instead. This isn't me having a problem with any particular iteration of my name, this is just asshole behavior! I told you what my name was and you said 'no it isn't'. The problem here does not seem complex to me?

But within the last [hand wiggle] handful of years I feel like it keeps getting weirder? Apparently my dad and grandma argued about it at my wedding rehearsal-- she, dramatically, insisting 'I don't care, her name is Jessica, I'm going to call her that ;n;' and my dad angrily defensive that no it isn't, I go by Jay, that should be respected. And I'm sitting here listening to my dad relay this in utter bewilderment like. Well dad I love the energy but I have never been bothered at all if grandma calls me Jessica. I have never even once asked her not to or complained to anyone that she does. But also this is the grandma who HAS called me Jay more often than not?? My mom's mom never picked it up, but I was astonished to hear my dad's mom was acting like this was some New Dramatic Change that she Hated and not a thing she's literally already been doing for, again, twenty entire years. Why are you suddenly making it weird! Last weekend Justin's stepmom mentioned seeing my mom at the hospital where mom works, and how she said something like 'yes I'm Jessica's mom-- wait, no, Jay, she hates it when I do that' and I just?? I literally don't, the only problem now is that people who know me won't know who the fuck you're talking about

all of this and I'm just. I am literally just sitting here. why are we inventing problems out of this two decades later. what is going on

[hello-nichya-here]

What are your thoughts on MJ's daughter supporting Israel and trying to distance herself from her dad? Girl won't even defend him

Jesus fucking Christ, are you guys coordinating these asks? This is the third time one of you asked me it, I'm legit impressed.

Let's get the easy, and horrible part out of the way first: nobody on the fucking planet has any excuse to support Israel. You can hate Hamas and the goverments of countries like Iran without excusing the literal genocide of civilians in Palestine, because yes, that's what Israel is doing right now.

Paris Jackson (and everyone else, famous or not, that is still pretending Israel isn't commiting all kinds of crimes against humanity right now) should have known better and needs to get her shit together.

Now, onto the messy part:

Although Paris has recently said "it's not her role/place" to defend her dad, lets not forget the other things she said on that same controversial statement:

1 - She fully believes her father is innocent and called the "documentary" Leaving Neverland pure lies.

2 - She believes that everything that could be said about her father's innocence has been said already and she'd have nothing new to add to the conversation.

3 - Her cousin Taj has become basically the leader of the family's campain to clear Michael's name and has been doing an amazing job.

4 - She's not as patient as her father was to deal with that kind of stuff and she has been focusing more on trying to recover from her mental health issues.

That last one is important, specially when we remember that Paris has claimed to have been sexually abused in school (which left her with PTSD), and that she has struggled with addiction, paranoia and a freaking suicide attempt.

It would not be surprising to me if having to listen to allegations of childhood sexual abuse is extremelly triggering for her - especially since the person being accused of being the abuser is her late father, who was murdered by his doctor when she was just 10-years-old, and she was treated like a stupid child in denial everytime she tried to point out the things being said about him were not true.

Considering she has continued to praise her father over the years, both with small things like posting a family picture on Father's day this year and big things like saying he was a super accepting man that was totally cool with her not being straight, and DID defend him publically every now and then, like, once again, calling "Leaving Neverland" pure lies when it came out, I'd say she's not really trying to distance herself from her dad or imply she's starting to think he might have been guilty. I think she just genuinely cannot fucking stand having to act as his lawyer only to have every word she says ignored, no matter how much evidence she offers to back it up.

(And before anyone brings up the fact that Taj was also a victim of sexual abuse in his childhood and has is still speaking out in support of his uncle, including of how he helped him deal with his trauma, keep in mind that people cope differently and heal at different paces).

Do I think she could have phrased some things better? Yes.

If either of my parents were accused of something horrible and a bunch of people kept insisting they were guilty despite all evidence poiting to the contrary, would I interact with said celebrities? No, and it is extremelly disappointing whenever Paris does that...

... But then again, Michael was at war with his record label, Sony, for years and was convinced they were not only sabotaging his career but also trying to murder him, yet he still was ready to go on a final tour that was going to make them A LOT of money. Like father, like daughter.

Honestly, I would not blame the entire Jackson family if they just made one last big documentary to try and clear Michael's name, then, regardless of how it was taken, packed all their shit and moved to a remote island, far away from the spotlight and never spoke to any journalist or had any social media presence again. They've been getting screwed over and surrounded by awful people in the industry, the media, and amongst other celebrities since the goddamn sixties, it's a miracle anyone of them is still trying to "play the game" or explain themselves.

[iminye]

Ok so for your WIPs, I've heard about just of them lol but the time travel Bail one is one I haven't heard that much about so maybe you could elaborate on that one?

Ah yes I figured you'd want to hear about that one. I started writing that one when I was bored on a train ride and it's evolving little by little. Basically it's all in the title: "Bail Organa Time Travels and saves the Galaxy". Though the first bit I have written is him interacting with the Lars Family, I am not sure where that snippet will fit into the whole story but that's something future me can figure out :D

Here's what I have written so far:

26 BBY, Tatooine 

[1700 Planetary Time, 54° Standard, Sunny]

Shmi Skywalker Lars

When Owen and her return from the market there is a stranger at the farm talking to Cliegg. He is too well dressed to be another farmer, his accent too posh to be from the Outer Rim and the way he handles himself in this conversation screams wealth and to some degree influence. His eyes are kind though and he meets the approaching Shmi and Owen with just as much respect as if they were his equals. Which in his eyes they must be.

He calls Shmi by her last name - Madame Skywalker - even though rarely anyone does around here, she is always either Cliegg's wife or simply Shmi. Surnames are only used during business or as a token of respect. Shmi isn't sure which of the two it is for this man but he is well mannered and smiles kindly at her. 

Owen scowls but Cliegg is quick to scold him.

"He's a guest, son," her husband says sternly then he turns to look at the stranger again. "For the night at least," he adds after a moment. "Everything else we will sort out tomorrow. I need to think about everything you just told me."

"Of course," the man says and puts a hand above his chest. "I thank you for offering me a bed for the night."

"Wouldn't want you to die alone in the desert. The Tuskens are becoming bolder and bolder. They won't hold back when they spot a wealthy man in the wild."

The man's face goes through a couple of complicated expressions. Shmi can tell that he has an opinion about what her husband just said and that he believes it to be for the best not to tell them. 

He helps her and Owen prepare the table for dinner and her stepson, once he is over his initial weariness of the man, starts asking questions - a lot of them, like he always does when they have visitors from off planet, a rare circumstance but it does happen from time to time. He has become more tactful over the last three years but his curiosity remains. The stranger answers readily and with the same patient smile on his face that has been on his lips the entire time.

Shmi pays just as much attention to him as Owen does and when Cliegg joins them after he has taken care of the moisture vaporators for the night, does as well. 

"Bail," he says, is his name and he is from the core world of Alderaan. Shmi has never heard of it before but she can only assume that it is beautiful. His own story he insists isn't all that interesting but Cliegg disagrees with him almost immediately. 

"You haven't told me much, sir, but what you have said was a tale that nobody could make up. Don't downplay your role in it. Out here we folks are honest about our achievements."

Bail shakes his head but he doesn't look like he is disagreeing with Cliegg. What, by the Stars, had they been talking about? Bail sees her confused look and nods.

"I am still astonished that you believe me… and haven't shot me down with that rifle of yours."

Cliegg makes a clicking noise with his mouth. "Shmi wouldn't appreciate a dead body in her entrance way."

"Ah, yes of course," Bail replies.

"Why didn't you chase him out then, dad?" Owen asks, with the briskness of a sixteen year old. His father gives him a look and shrugs. Shmi knows why. He is too kind to do such a thing. Her husband, despite the experiences he has made in life, is a kind and good natured man.

"He doesn't look like the kinda guy who jokes about these sorts of things. Also…"

"It still hardly is my story."

"You played a role in it, so it is yours, simple as that."

Bail gives in and nods, still looking unconvinced. He must be some kind of diplomat, maybe even one of those fancy politicians the Republic has. She cannot help but think of Padmé, the young girl from Naboo who had been so shocked when she had learned that slavery still existed in the galaxy. She wonders how she is doing now. There's no chance Bail would know, right? Alderaan isn't Naboo. They probably never met.

Shmi shakes her head and choses this moment to put the food on the table. It isn't much, nor is it very fresh but it is food and it will drive off the hunger. Bail eats it without complaining. So does Cliegg. Owen on the other hand looks like he'd rather have anything but stew again for the third time this week.

She cannot blame him but harvest has been bad this season and they have to save as much money as possible. 

"I'm sure you're used to much more tasty food," Owen says to Bail. The man gives him a curious look.

"Yes and no, Owen. In the last few years I couldn't always guarantee to get good tasting food. All official events I was forced to attend served the same bland tasting dishes. Growing up however… it was all a different story back then."

He sounds like he is talking about something that happened decades ago and yet he doesn't look much older than his late twenties - though looks aren't always a clear indicator of someone's age, maybe it's just that Alderaani just look young even when they get older? It is a big galaxy after all everything is possible. Still… Shmi doesn't quite believe that. She just feels that his words are off somehow.

"Well if that's the case I don't wanna become a politician. It sounds awful."

Shmi turns her head to berate her stepson about his impoliteness but before she can even open her mouth Bail starts laughing. It's an honest laugh, straight from his heart and it has no malice or bad will in it. 

"I think, Owen, that people like you who speak their minds are exactly what politics needs," he says a few moments later and smiles politely again. "Especially these days. You might not make yourself a lot of friends but at least you're not clouding people's minds with lies.*

"Do you lie often?" Owen asks.

[arsonmurderandjaywalking]

Pls tell me me about alistair/uriel 🍵

this ask is like Pandora's box for me. Thank you, Plant.

Well first things first, I don't actually have any concrete plot or setting for them and the rest of the cast so there will be things that are incredibly vague.

But anyway, I first conceived Alistair as a play on the whole mysterious missing dad trope. He's the all-powerful chosen one of a previous generation through some sort of bloodline magic shit, he disappeared under mysterious circumstances, he had a child with a normal, civilian woman who didn't know anything about his status, and everyone thinks he's dead. He also -and this is absolutely critical- sucks absolute shit.

He's never wanted to be the hero, ever, and he has such a massive imposter complex due to a lifetime of being put on a pedestal he's convinced himself that no one actually knows him due to it, up to and including his childhood best friend who's known him since he was born, Uriel. He also uses this sense of disconnect from everyone to justify his manipulative and inconsiderate behavior, because, well, it's not like anyone actually cares about him past what he can do for them, so why should he care about them? As mentioned before, this behavior also extends to Uriel.

But the thing is that Uriel knows Alistair better than Uriel does himself some days, and is also so horribly head over heels for him and is fully intending on taking that secret to the grave. Alistair's already figured it out though, and while he's also so terrifyingly in love with him he feels like he might throw up sometimes (though he insists it's just a crush and that it'll go away) (he's been saying that for years), he's also insisting that Uriel isn't actually in love with him, just the (false) version of him inside his head and that it'll go away eventually. He also has a tendency to manipulate him and act in ways that specifically play on Uriel's feelings for him because, as mentioned above, he sucks.

Anyway, when they're like 18-19, Alistair starts a relationship with a human girl named Brook (the vague idea of Alistair's powers is that he can like teleport, especially between like dimensions/worlds. Don't interrogate it too much) (another thing I forgot to mention is that Alistair has this very intense wanderlust) to run away from his feelings for Uriel and other issues. He doesn't love her, but he does like her, she's funny and stubborn and dedicated to the people she cares about and completely willing to yell at him when he's being an ass, and he thinks he could maybe love her, someday. (He's describing Uriel. Everything he could see himself maybe someday loving about her is something he already loves about Uriel. There are differences, of course, she's loud and expressive and impulsive where he's solemn and silent and carefully thought out, but still. The relationship was doomed from the start.) This is absolutely not something he's supposed to be doing, so he hides it from everyone but Uriel knows that something is up, he just doesn't press on it too much because he knows that Alistair won't tell him and that he's been feeling the pressure of everything especially lately so he doesn't want to stress him out even more. This backfires on him spectacularly when Alistair and Brook run away together and start living in a van together, giving no explanation to his family or Uriel.

At some point on the road, less than a year, Alistair accidentally gets Brook pregnant. Alistair, who's been spiraling ever since they went on the road due to his issues getting worse and worse and worse and the cracks in his relationship with Brook starting to show and can not handle the idea of bringing someone with his pedestal to stand on, his burden to carry into this world, leaves without a word the morning after she tells him. Brook had been kicked out by her parents before leaving because they never approved of Alistair and other underlying issues between them and the fighting just got worse and worse until they gave an ultimatum of staying under their roof or staying with him and she chose to stay with him. The only reason they excepted her back was because she was pregnant. Brook never stops being angry at him. She loves her daughter (not his or their. He didn't want to be in either of their lives, so he doesn't get the privilege being a father) but she never stops being angry at him, not once in 15 years.

Back to Uriel, he's practically catatonic for about a year and a half. Alistair was the most important person in his life. He's centered so much of his life around him, so many of his plans for the future around him. And Alistair just left him. Uriel's technically still a functioning member of society, but there's nothing behind his eyes. He's just going through the motions. He's stuck in the what-ifs for over a year. What if he stopped him from leaving, what if he noticed how bad he was doing sooner (and the secret, stupid, traitorous question: what if he convinced Alistair to take him with him) but he can't stay like that forever, he has things to do.

He gets an apprenticeship with a local blacksmith, makes friends with his coworkers, gets his own place, works on personal projects, gets new hobbies, lives his life. But still, he never quite forgets about him, never quite moves on. Years pass, and people start assuming Alistair's dead. Uriel never quite accepts it, not because he thinks he's coming back, but because he thinks that Alistair just finally decided to run away. He says finally because this was a common pipe dream for a young Alistair. He's a bit angry at him- how couldn't he be- but he gets it, gets why he needed to get away so badly. If he ever saw him again he'd probably hit him, but they'd be fine after. Just like they always were.

But then 15 years later, he (somehow. Don't question me on how this happens) meets a girl with Alistair's eyes and chin and his platinum blonde, practically white hair named Stella, who's freshly 14 years old and ostensibly human and awakening to magic she doesn't understand (and why would she? humans aren't supposed to even have magic) and that Uriel has known since he and Alistair were 5. The girl tells him she's never met her father, because he left her mom while she was pregnant. He decides that if he ever sees Alistair again he's going to kill him.

[subject-2-change]

Getting personal because this hit me hard:

I was engaged a couple years ago. It ended for other reasons, but it should have ended with one of the last things he said to me in person.

I have lived my whole life with flight benefits (my dad is a pilot) and I was about to go on my last trip to visit my mom before losing them (an age thing). The night before my last flight out, he asked how I was doing. "Depressed and having a crisis." "Aw, I'm sorry love." And he continued on with what he was doing wile I cried on the couch.

The next day, he was driving me to the airport. It was raining and I was down. He asked what was wrong. I explained that this is a whole lifestyle change for me. "You just have to buy a ticket like anyone else now." That isn't financially viable. I have friends across the country and I can't just go to see them. My mother has a chronic illness and I can't fly off to help her. I have lived my ENTIRE life like this.

It felt like having my wings clipped. It didn't seem hard to grasp, but he was insistent that this is normal. "Just because it's changing to normalcy doesn't make it easy." "I had no idea you were feeling his way. Why didn't you tell me?" "I told you point blank last night when you asked." When he asked. But he didn't ask to listen. He asked because that's what he thought he was supposed to do.

I told him that it hurt me he wasn't paying attention, especially when he inquired in the first place. Even now he wasn't understanding me, though I was communicating clearly. We were pulling up to the departures area and he says, "well you say a lot of things. I just can't listen to all of it."

That's when it hit me. If my fiance wasn't listening, when would any man? He wasn't forgetting things because I spoke so much. He was willfully ignoring me. He just said so. It was the crux of our issues for the last year or so that I couldn't put my finger on. When I talked too much, he would redirect my energy to my best friend because he "couldn't follow everything" and she was better suited to this type of conversation. I ideate a LOT. It was one of his favorite things about me. As long as he didn't have to listen to all of it, I guess.

I realized I was slowly quieting myself more and more to not be a bother. I felt bad for taking up space. For talking too much. Not anymore.

"You say a lot of things. I just can't listen to all of it." Something broke in me in the best way. I became selfish with my thoughts. I dominate conversations. I got louder. If someone isn't listening, I will call them out. If they don't want to engage, that's fine, but I walk away. I'm not going to hang around to be silent when I want to speak.

I listen just as much as I speak. I soak in every word the people around me say. For all the women, minorities, or even men with toxic upbringings. People who were told to be quiet about x, or that they are too into y, that they are loud or domineering or annoying with their thoughts and interests. That they don't have anything of value to say.

The quiet doesn't make me feel uncomfortable. I know a lot of people feel awkward with silence in conversations. But, God, I hope we all never shut up.

there's this video you've probably seen already where a woman is shaking in front of a microphone and delicately tries to ask - how can i make my husband listen to me, i've tried everything, i don't want to seem ungrateful and the other man laughs - the problem is that you married a man, we're only listening 25% of the time and we only understand 5% of that! and the audience laughs and the woman laughs and you just sat there, phone in your hand, letting the sound of it echo

and the thing is that people make think-pieces about it (isn't this one of them) and satire versions and "flipping the script" which is good and fun but at the end of the day, there's some truth in that man's response about men-not-listening. and you have tried to language that feeling for years, this sense that you can only take up 33% of a conversation before others view it as being "dominating".

it's not that they aren't listening, it's that the action they're taking is purposefully silencing. it's different. you accidentally-don't-listen a lot; just because the world is loud and you're distracted. you don't mean anything by it. and the truth is that the man who spoke is relying on that to be true of you; the way it's true of everyone. but there is a different undertone to his kind of not-listening. what he means is they don't respect you and you shouldn't expect them to. there is a difference between oh shit i forgot to take the trash out and why didn't you remind me to do it, just like there is a difference between i didn't realize you wanted to go out this weekend and why do you expect me to plan things why can't you just tell me where we're going.

and the thing is that it isn't just him, and it's actually not just because of your gender - your skin, your class status, your weight, their ableism - it happens often. so often it feels like a tightness around your throat and a weight in your stomach. you're not even "really" allowed to be upset about it, because to them it's a joke. and they laugh. and you know exactly the amount of work that goes into every conversation. how you have to work to condense down your thoughts into intelligent, crisp soundbites; worried someone will try to swoop in and cut you off. and there's this sense from everyone else - oh stop being so sensitive, are you really upset just because they weren't listening and you don't know how to say the way that feels when it happens constantly.

there's that video of the science summit where a woman in the audience finally says let her speak please! and the whole crowd bursts into applause and the man leading the summit holds up his hands and bows his head and says oops, sorry! like what he did was awkward and embarrassing, a little social gaffe that happens easily. later in your meetings, you're asked to take notes, and you don't say anything, you just hear let her speak please! ringing in your head and know that you'll never be brave enough for that kind of thing. and besides. think of all the people who agree this was a one-off, he just got excited and all of the people who say one man is not indicative of all of society

at the dinner table you're talking about someone you don't like and how he's not good to his girlfriend and how she always has to remind him to put the effort in and before him, she was glowing with curiosity and passion but now she just seems... tired, unhappy. that he likes the way she burns out; she stays home and takes care of him and their 2 kids. and your father sniffs and says that men take a while to learn those kinds of things. and you just stare at him and think about your childhood and are like - no wonder i turned out like this

and you want to say - there's no fucking secret school or mystic form of communication. i was not sent to Rearing a Child University. i did not graduate from Getting Chores Done College. i ask questions and i listen and i pay attention, because that's basic fucking human decency. it stems from respect, and how i respect others and their agency. i clean the house because someone should clean. not because it comes "naturally".

hell, you had to google "how to boil an egg" the other day, just because you usually make them scrambled. you can never remember which of the 2 bathroom cleaners make chlorine gas, only that two of them definitely do. you've accidentally bleached your clothes. it took you like 3 years of self-teaching before you figured out how to actually cook things correctly - for that whole time, you burnt or undercooked everything. but you did teach yourself; just like you taught yourself how to listen with empathy. just like how you taught yourself to think before you speak. to be kind first, to be better at communicating. it seemed like a good thing, an adult thing.

the joke the man in the video makes is that women say i'm fine! when they are not fine. and you think about the 150 conversations that happened around that; about how she probably has had so many arguments with her husband. how she said i'm upset you don't take me anywhere and he got mad at her because of course i do, you made me go to that stupid restaurant like last week and she probably said that's not what i'm saying and he said now i'm supposed to be psychic or something and she said no of course not and he said how am i supposed to know what to do when you don't even like everything and she said i do like things and he said well how am i supposed to win? and her pastor probably told her to be more grateful because they do things at all, even if she has to plan them and her mom probably told her that's just how men are honey and she probably cried over her journal, trying to figure out why the fuck she "has everything" and is still so bitterly, horribly unhappy

and how, in your life, for so many reasons, you looked down the barrel of another argument; of explaining yourself and being vulnerable and begging for help again. how many times you just said i'm fine because it was better than doing that again; it was better than wringing yourself out when it's literally easier to just pretend. because he wasn't going to listen. your father wasn't going to be better and your boyfriend wasn't going to be better and your boss wasn't going to be more respectful.

and you sit in front of a video of a woman shaking, looking horrible and guilt-wrought that she's even asking this question. and you know; deep in your heart - that's you. in a different life, you are her. you've stood in her spot. and you had to listen while someone else cackled - why would we bother to notice when you talk?

[fyrefrostanimus]

Oh yay more OC posting!

Unlike the other two these guys actually were posted elsewhere before tumblr (it was DeviantArt before anyone asks) and they have some established backstory. But I wasn't really settled with the colors or even the full designs, so I thought I'd finish them up and post them here.

There's even more characters in the specific OC universe they come from but I'll stick with the main two for now.

So Arlen is a little guy. He's 9 years old. He's also a vampire. Not like he wanted to be, though.

Arlen's family hunts werewolves since the town they live in hates them and they get good pay for it. The other main group of werewolf hunters is some vampires who are paid in blood (quite literally). You probably see where this is going and Arlen gets jumped as someone in the vampire group seemed to miss their dinner. He gets bit multiple times in this incident and that's enough to start him becoming a vampire himself.

Instead of doing the actual right thing and seeking to at least stop the vampire who attacked him from attacking anyone else (or seeing what caused the attack), his family insisted that Arlen would work with the vampires so he doesn't attack anyone and gets the whole "being a vampire" thing handled. Which would mean working next to the vampire who attacked him. He runs off out of stress and not wanting to deal with having his hand forced into something he doesn't want, and that's where Arlen meets Blue.

~~~

Blue is half werewolf. They don't look human, but they're not quite a wolf either.

Other than their dad, Blue's entire family is full born-werewolves. They live in town, while Blue is on the outskirts of the forest raising sheep so they can eat and sell the wool (usually through their father, since they're not really welcome in town regardless of if they're friendly or not). Living alone in the woods isn't exactly convenient, but at least it isn't too loud, doesn't smell like in town, and people aren't hunting you down because you look a bit too wolfy. The werewolf part of Blue's family comes to their place on the full moons so they aren't wandering the forest that's regularly patrolled by hunting parties out to kill them (their mom Loren isn't about to make the mistake of letting them get her loved ones again).

When Arlen shows up on their doorstep, Blue's hesitant to let him in: his family is actively trying to hunt down werewolves like their own version of game hunting, after all. But the fact the little guy smells like his own blood and looks like he's seen a lot recently is a big factor, so they check to make sure no one's waiting to ambush them and bring Arlen inside. Hearing about the situation, Blue's not surprised that he wanted to get away. Having to work with someone who did something bad to you you're not ready to forgive yet is one thing, but it's another when it completely ruins your life and keeps you from getting any older than 9 (which Arlen was not aware would happen and it makes him even more mad). They give the kid as much time as they need to stay here so his family doesn't find him, even making sure that their own family knows he's here and he's not going to hurt anyone.

Blue and Arlen quickly forged a parent-and-child bond, not wanting to be separated for too long (especially not vampires, since not only is Arlen nervous around them from the incident but he's also worried about them dragging him back to town and killing Blue).

Some trivia because why not!

Blue actually knows a lot about vampires, having to watch out that they don't kill their family and all.

Blue's family is their mom Loren, dad Denholm, and half-sibling twins Peregrine and Maple. The twin's dad is Joyce, although he's not here anymore (Blue wasn't born when he was alive).

Blue actually looked a bit like a vampire when they were younger! They had the pointy ears and canines, but the ears weren't as big and they didn't have a tail or claws. When they hit puberty the other wolf traits started to show (including their hair changing into the fur color Loren's wolf form has).

Blue's a strict carnivore, can't really get anything from plants and eating too much veggies could make them sick.

Arlen's little neckband in his ref has cross patterns on it, and they actually can burn a vampire who's not expecting a nervous little 9-year-old child to slam their neck onto their bare skin. The only reason he's not affected is that it's two layers thick, with the inner layer not having the patterns.

Arlen gets the blood he needs from Blue's sheep (since he doesn't need to actually kill them to eat it still makes sure Blue has a food source).

Arlen's first time in bat form was STRESSFUL. He had no idea what just happened and why everything is so big and he was disoriented. Even after grasping that Arlen had to learn to fly and he slammed into so many walls.

Both of them grow winter coats in the colder months.

I mixed different versions of vampires into this world so I should probably explain how they work for sake of simplicity:

Born vampires, sired vampires, and turned vampires are actually all a bit different! Born vampires of course have fangs and slightly pointy ears, and while sired vampires look about the same they have mental bonds with the vampire who sired them (basically they have an extra psychic power in some ways). Turned vampires look a lot different, having a lot more bat traits such as the big ears and getting fluffy in the winter. Very rarely vampires will be herbivores (think fruit bats instead of vampire bats), and it's much harder to find turned vampires of that variety since they're less apt to bite enough times.

Siring needs a personal bond of some kind (platonic or romantic both work). Turning just needs more bites and is hard to do accidentally.

Vampires can go out in the sun, and survive on any type of blood. Human blood is the usual, but exceptions like Arlen exist.

Silver and stakes to the heart are somewhere in the middle. Prolonged contact with silver won't kill a vampire but may not feel that good, and a stake to the heart will paralyze a vampire for as long as the stake is in (if you take it out they'll get back up and it'll hea;).

Touching crosses (in general in this case: it's not meant as a religion thing but I didn't want to leave the cross weakness out), crossing running water, and garlic have negative affects on vampires here. A cross touching skin will burn, crossing running water makes them want to throw up, and garlic turns on their fear response (plus it smells strong to their sensitive noses).

That's really all I can think of saying here and it's already a long post

[prettyboykatsuki]

ARI YES PLEASE

temptation | g. suguru.

✫ tags ;; dark content ahead, stepcest, fem!reader (she/her pronouns + being called a girl), stepbrother getou, a general amount of delusion cause it's getou, slightest yan energy, richboy getou, college!reader, slight age gap, fingering, praise 18+

✫ wc ;; 1.9k (why. like.)

✫ a/n ;; im so nervous i could throw up LMAO. no extra thirsts abt this in my inbox cause im not really ready for all that yet but... here's this

Getou isn't someone who's typically appeased by other people. He has a bit of an antisocial streak, a disdain for most of the people in the circle of rich socialites his father hangs around.

A new marriage and a divorced but rich old man marrying a woman curiously young for him. He was expecting to exchange pleasantries with the same kind of people he's used to meeting with. Vapid, annoying leeches and air-heads, other various people he finds insufferable. You'll be a woman like your mother, he bets it.

To his surprise, more than anyones, Getou really likes you.

Temptation is a funny thing. A dripping faucet, a slow build that at first feels like a drop in the ocean. It doesn't matter until it does, and when it does - anything can make the water tip over it. Just one drop, one push is all it takes.

There are a couple thing that Getou finds interesting about you. The first thing is that you didn't come from money. He learns this about you through a couple of family bonding activities his dad insisted everyone went on. In a cabin in the woods, you drink wine and you're careless when you drink. You talk too much and apologize right after, but Getou eggs you on.

Your father left and your mother married rich, but you remember struggling for years before than. Getou likes the way you talk - when you drink your drawl comes out. Not prim and not proper like how you greet his father. You're clumsy and younger than him and not careful. When you lean over the brick fireplace to turn something onto the TV - your panties flash at him and they're printed with cherries.

You're.. sweet. And not stupid or even naive, but there's something about you that's different. An awareness about who you were in opposition to the people around you. You identify intention almost too easy. Your quips go over most people's heads.

Not with him, though.

You're younger than him still, so sometimes you act a little bratty. You fuss - when you get comfortable with him. He picks on you for fun. You don't have enough caution around him, and maybe you shouldn't. After all, he's supposed to be your brother. Your big brother, four years your senior - he's supposed to take care of you.

So, it's entirely possibly you don't know. That you trust too much. That you're a little desperate for someone to care for you, in a way that doesn't feel shoddy. Maybe you have no idea about how you seem. How Getou looks at you when you descend down the stairs in shorts and no-bra. Maybe you don't think twice about how you get when you're drunk and your cleavage is pressed against his chest - parted lips and flushed face tiredly wanting to get taken home.

It's possible. Because you let your guard down around Getou, and you laugh at his jokes. The way you treat him, learn slowly to ask him for things. For advice. Something about the way you lean into Getou so easily. Your big brother - you sing praises for him to your school friends over the phone, and you smile big when his dad asks if he's being nice to you.

Tempting. Awfully, awfully tempting.

Getou doesn't think about it for a long time. He doesn't act on it even in the privacy of his own bedroom. It's just that his curiosity gets overwhelming. Sometimes he looks at you and thinks about how boys at college must be after you. He wonders how you flirt, how you bat your pretty lashes at the people you like, if you're too trusting when your heart gets caught in the palms of someone else. Some boy, who doesn't know you like he does.

When you come home that first year, after your winter break - you spend most of your time crying in your bedroom over some guy.

And Getou knows because he's the first person you tell. You knock feebly at his door with a pillow in your arms and Getou welcomes you with an amused smile. You tell him you're sorry, you want to drink, and that he was the only other person you could think of telling.

Getou listens and doesn't know how to feel. Most of it is conflicted. You ramble about some nameless boy and cry your silly little heart out, sob to your big brother. He cradles you, brings your head to his chest when you wail. You sound distressed, and part of him feels bad.

But the other part, more heinous - is staring at your bare thighs. How your shorts ride up and he can see your skin.

"C-can't believe I'm c-crying over a guy who didn't even make me cum." You manage through a sob.

And then you freeze, like how you always do when you've said too much. You pull back and your hands are on his chest and you come to this realization that that's inappropriate.

Getou sees it on your tear-stricken face, the final drop that breaks the dam are the tears that soak your lashes. The horror in your expression that you're too close. Too close.

He can't help his hand from patting your head. He brings you in again, lulls you into the secure arms of your nice big brother.

The word family has always been lost on Getou. He never knew of his mother and his father was cold at best. Your mom was sweet to him.

But with you, his sweet, young, and all too trusting little sister - he's starting to get the point. Because it's not right to make you cry. Because he should know your everything. He's sure not gonna break your heart.

"Do you want me to make you feel better?"

You look up. And he looks at you, dark hairs frame his face. He's always been attractive. Your friends tell you it's a shame he's your brother. You always agree. And your heart hammers when you hear him speak.

"H-how..?"

Sweet. So, so, sweet.

His hand reaches between your thighs, rubbing circles with his thumb. And your breath hitches sweetly, soft in the back of your throat. But you don't stop him, don't flinch way from his touches. You lean back.

"What're you..?"

"I don't like seeing you cry, you know that?"

He reaches forward. Leans into you, where you sit. His lips are too close, and he smells like cologne. The one you bough because of him to spray on your pillows when you're away from home.

"It makes me feel like I'm not a good big brother to you. I'm supposed to defend you. Make you feel better."

Close. Too close. You hear from people that Getou is good in bed. Despite having graduated your campus is full of rumors.

"W-we shouldnt.. you d-don't have too."

"I think I want to. And they don't have to do. Our house is big enough so mommy and daddy dearest won't hear. Are you frustrated?"

You nod. It's so small.

"I can fix that. Guys your age don't know how to make you cum, right?"

He gestures you into his lap and you go. Of course you go, you have no choice but to go. You seat yourself on his lap and face him. And he presses your weight down onto his cock, and he's so hard. It surprises you, and you gasp - make that look that you do when you're excited.

"Look how hard you get me. I always tell everyone how proud I am of you. Not to your face though."

The praise feels good. The adoration, love from a boy who is supposed to be no one to you. Just through circumstance, through that do you have him. It makes you nervous when he looks at you.

"T-thank you."

His eyes go wide. He kisses your temple and the act is reverent. He's not normally this tender, but you deserve the best. It's only normal to treat you like this. You're family.

Getou kisses you first. You're inexperienced and it makes him hard out of his mind. He only kisses you to ease your nerves but you seem to like it. Your fingers thread through his locks and you rut your soft hips over his cock. You get desperate fast and Getou paces you. Clumsy little thing you are, like little sisters always are. He reads about it, and knows you well. Bratty and impatient, you kiss like you have something to prove. Of course you do.

"Sit like this. I'll show you something nice."

You don't think to question him. Listening well, you sit in his lap - and you face the wall. And Getou lets his head rest on your shoulder and his hands slip into the waistband of your shorts. And his hands are so big, but warm. His other one rests on your throat.

"I know you do this a lot, yeah? I always hear you."

You whine and throb. Too trusting. He teases your clit with his middle finger, just lightly. Presses the damp fabric

"Does it bother you? I would listen to you when I worked from home. Wondered what you thought about."

His fingers move into your panties, no longer teasing you. He rubs soft little circles into your clit. His dick pressing into your spine as he does. You preen under his attention. You whimper a little, the way your hard clit is pressed underneath his fingers. Pleasure fills your stomach, molten. Mind filled with him. Big brother, always - before Getou. Always big brother, your favorite. You want to be his favorite too.

He rubs your clit soft and easy. You want more, and he laughs at you. Not callous but amused, endeared. He dips his fingers down lower and lower. The pad of his middle finger is eager against your hole. You flutter, soaking his fingers and choking on a breath when he moves forward. When he gives it to you, lets his middle finger push into your sweet little cunt until he's knuckle deep. He presses onto your gspot and your hands fly to his wrist.

"Desperate, much?"

"Don't be so mean."

"I can do whatever I want. I'm older than you."

You whine when he curls up. Gestures up before careful fucking you open with his ring finger. You whimper the sudden stretch, a light burn before you adjust. Getou lets his palm rest on your clit. He pumps his fingers out of your pussy and grits about how tight you are. How no boy on your campus deserves to fuck you, do you understand? That Getou gets to do this because you're his.

And you nod. You whimper in agreeance, stupidly getting fucked. You whine his first name. Your stomach gets so tight, the impending feeling of an orgasm rushing through you. Like a riptide, you cum - more than that. A rush of liquid sprays onto Getou's sheets and all over your shorts. You cum, harder than you ever have and Getou encourages you with a coo.

"See? See why I'm so proud of you?"

You whimper. Your stomach drops, because you feel something unexpected. The lust for more. For more Getou, more of this. It makes you dizzy.

"Do you want me to teach you more things?"

Your voice shakes.

"P-please teach me."

Getou grins. He really likes you.

[and-justice-for-zoisite]

𝓛𝓪𝓼𝓽 𝓒𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓶𝓪𝓼 (Bernard the elf x disabled! reader)

Masterlist

Summary: Ever since the accident which rendered the reader permanently disabled, she's hated Christmas and dreaded the idea for the entire year since the accident, afraid to relive traumatic memories. However, her best friend Charlie has an idea to return this Christmas spirit to his friend, and a serendipitous romance blooms between herself and a certain head elf...

Warning/s: Traumatic events, car accident. However, lots of fluff will ensue!

For @katerinaval

A/N: so the original requester originally asked that I write it in a way that the reader still has christmas spirit, however I found i was much more intrigued by this spin of it so please do forgive me if this wasn't what you were after. Also, I am not physically disabled nor do I know anyone physically disabled so forgive me if this depiction is innaccurate. I do always put a lot of research into my stories but feel free to call me out on anything incorrect!

I hope you enjoy regardless!

Word Count: 4.1K

-

It'd been 339 days since the accident.

(Y/n) didn't know why she kept count of it when all she wanted to do was forget it. How could she though? She was paralyzed from the waist down.

From her room, (Y/n) stared out at the streets, feeling her body go numb as she watched the first snow trickle down gracefully onto her lawn. Before her life changing injury, such a sight would've sent her running out the door, doing all those stupid kid things like rolling around on the frosted grass and catching snowflakes on her tongue.

Now, all she could do was be sickened by it.

Last Christmas, (Y/n) and her family were struck by a drunk driver on the roads of their otherwise peaceful town. He was a provisional driver, it only made sense.

Her family made it out with but a few scratches and bruises.

For (Y/n) it wasn't the same.

The ambulance which took her away from the scene had discovered she'd suffered a severe spinal injury, and after a few consultations with various doctors and specialists, she was told there was no chance she could ever walk again.

The boy who hit their car copped a hefty fine and some jail time. Even so, not even that could bring back her ability to walk again.

And because of that, she was bitter to the world.

To think she was only just beginning life, and now it'd been taken away from her in barely a moment.

It wasn't difficult to see that she hadn't been the same since the accident, though more devastatingly her best friend Charlie could no longer celebrate the holiday he holds dearest to him with his closest friend.

The two had been friends since they were in diapers. She was there for him when his parents split up, when he acted out the way he did, and when his Christmas spirit returned to him after what he could only describe to her as 'making amends with his dad again'.

Charlie hated Christmas before he and his dad made amends, and (Y/n) was there as his rock, trying to convince him that the holidays were a time of loving and forgiveness.

Now, the roles were reversed, and it was Charlie's turn to be her rock.

-

"What you're asking for here is a bit of a stretch, sport."

"C'mon Bernard, you gotta help me out here!"

Bernard was always delighted when the kid he watched grow up shook his snow globe and summoned him. Usually he'd do this when he needed a shoulder to cry on or someone to vent to or even just when he needed some company.

This time however, Charlie needed a favour.

"Dad would never let this happen with only me asking for it," Charlie insisted, bouncing slightly on his bed as he sat up abruptly, "I need a second word put in there for me. And who better than his second man?" "This just isn't something we do kid," Bernard told him regretfully, pacing around the boy's room, "not just because she's in a wheelchair, but no humans with the exception of Santa's immediate family are permitted within the North Pole's factory vicinity." "Come on Bernard!" Charlie plead, unintentionally slapping his hands together in a beggars way, "You've gotta see it through her eyes! Ever since the accident, she hasn't been the same. Christmas used to be her favourite holiday...our holiday. I'd give anything to see that sparkle in her eyes again, and I know you of all people would too."

The kid was right. Even though Bernard had never met (Y/n), he always regarded her highly since she'd always been there for Charlie, and even tried to coax him back out of the wrong crowd.

He was reluctant to his idea, but he'd be damned if he couldn't at least do something to make things right.

"Okay, I'm not making any promises," Bernard warned him, pointing that old man finger of his as he always did, "but I'll see what I can do."

Charlie's eyes lit up at his words, and he was quick to spring up from his bed and throw himself at the elf, wrapping him up in a big hug.

"Thanks Bernard, you're the best!" he cheered, the elf groaning as Charlie squeezed him a little too tight. "Just keep being good, kiddo," Bernard wheezed, giving Charlie a light pat on the back.

He was sure there was some strings he could pull.

-

These days, even the quietest knock on her door would startle (Y/n), especially since she spent most of her time in her head, reliving those memories in which she could still walk.

She would never let that fear show however, as she'd always gather her composure and ask whoever was at her bedroom door to come in.

It wasn't unusual for her father to come upstairs with her dinner, one she hardly ever finished anymore considering her appetite left with her ability to walk. This time however, she could sense something different about his approach.

"Hey (N/n)," he greeted, as usual, with a plate of whatever the family was having for dinner in his hands, "I've got dinner. It's your favourite!"

His attempts at cheering her up were always in vain, and she felt so bad for that.

"Just leave it on my nightstand," (Y/n) said monotonously, staring back out her window to the ever-darkening scenery, "I'll get to it later." "Hey, uh, can I have a seat? I wanted to talk to you about something," her father asked.

Intrigued, she made the effort to roll herself over to the man, who she nodded to allowing him to sit on her bed. She was fixated, and she could tell he was figuring out a way to tread lightly on some sensitive topic.

"...Now, I know it's coming up to that time of the year, but I've just had Charlie over here for a proposal," he began, already seeing the way his daughter's eyes were glazing over as she started dissociating, "...he...wants to take you on a trip over Christmas, and your mother and I think it'd be good for you to get out of the house. Especially over Christmas." "What's the point?" she huffed, staring into space, "it's not like I can do much. If anything I'd hinder him in my state." "(Y/n), it's not about that," Her dad cut in, grabbing her hand gently and rubbing her knuckles affectionately, "he was never friends with you because you could walk. He's friends with you because he loves you for what's in there."

The man gently poked her lower shoulder, and she felt it burn like her heart was beginning to work for the first time in a while.

"He just wants to see you happy again, and he'll do anything he can to get you there - even with your circumstances."

(Y/n) sat there a moment, speechless. She really didn't want to go on this trip - since she was no longer independent, Charlie would have to take care of her and help her with her most intimate activities - which, god bless his heart, he had learned to do for her sake. But, she knew she couldn't turn this offer down of all things. She had to admit, she did miss her best friend and doing the things she used to love with him. It couldn't hurt to give it another shot, could it?

She sighed.

"Fine." "You won't regret it kiddo, I promise."

-

"So, Charlie. You still haven't told me where exactly it is we're going."

Charlie used to frequent (Y/n)'s house quite a lot before the accident. He remembered when her room used to be so messy you could hardly see the floor under her clothes and gossip magazines and torn up homework. It was nauseating seeing it so clean, so empty of what she used to be. He came over to help her pack for the trip that they'd be headed off for that same night, thinking he'd have to dig through clothes to find her valuables and necessities. He was wrong, but he was hoping he could bring her old self back to life with this trip, thanking his lucky stars as well as Bernard for making it possible.

Though naturally, he couldn't tell her where they were going. She'd never believe him.

"It's a surprise," he told her, throwing clothes he knew she liked into her dusty, old suitcase, "but you'll love it, I promise."

For the first time in a long time, (Y/n) felt excited. She was keen on this surprise of life, and for once, she wasn't worried about how she'd cope in the environment.

If she trusted anyone, it was Charlie.

So he helped her pack her things, fare welled her parents, and they were set for the airport shortly after.

However, this was no conventional flight.

Their air travel would be powered by magic.

-

The first thing (Y/n) noticed when she awoke from her slumber in which she had no memory of falling into, was how cold it was. It was as though she was no longer aboard a plane, but instead something with an open roof. Or rather, without a roof.

Her eyes fluttered open at the feeling of cold specks touching her face, like little ice fairies were dancing on her skin. In all of her confusion, all she could do was stare into the abyss above her - a night-fallen sky filled with little stars which limned their surroundings with subtle but beautiful glow, so unremarkable in the grand scheme of things though such a wonder to human kind. The stars were ancient and retained all the memories of this earth, and (Y/n) could tell just by looking at them that she was in a special place.

There was a splash of something in her eyes, over her nose, and suddenly, a wave of drowsiness was harsh and evident as her eyes became heavy again. She had no idea that this sleep was magic induced, though she'd let it take her under the impression that it was the cold.

-

This time, (Y/n) awake gently like she had before. This time, it was with a sudden jolt, and to the likes of a handsome stranger leaning over her in a way that was reminiscent of when she was being helped off public transport. She was startled by his presence, though she was intrigued by one thing and one thing only.

His ears were pointed.

"...who...-wh-a..." she stumbled over her words, groggy but very much now awake, "where am I?!" "Hey, hey, it's alright," the stranger assured her, pulling her wheelchair onto flat ground carefully, "Charlie! She's awake!"

She hadn't even taken into account the environment in which she found herself in - like the Christmas section of Walmart had thrown up in there. However, it didn't smell like cheap tinsel and plastic ornaments. Instead, the aroma was sweet, and of gingerbread and cocoa and peppermint. It was bittersweet, but she wanted answers.

As soon as he heard the elf's words, the boy came bounding over, a reckless mess of pubescence as per usual as he came to his friend.

"(N/n), you're awake," he pointed out as though it weren't obvious, "how'd you sleep?" "Don't give me that!" she snapped, confused and infuriated, "where am I? And why does it look like we're in line for a mall Santa?? Did you really fly me overseas so we could see a foreign mall Santa??" "Hold on, hold on! Let me explain," Charlie prattled, waving his hands in front of himself, "This is where my dad works." "Your dad is an overseas mall Santa?" she scoffed, furrowing her brows. "No, no! You don't get it. My dad is Santa," Charlie explained, (Y/n) letting out another scoff as she rolled her eyes. "Yeah, and my mother's the effing tooth fairy," she jabbed, crossing her arms, "Look Charlie, whatever this sick joke is, I don't like it."

Charlie noticed that her eyes had wondered to behind him, and in them her anger flickered away into shock, daze and wonder. He followed her gaze, turning in the same direction only to find his dad emerging from inside the factory into where they were, the reindeer shed. Behind him were most of the staff which specialised in caring for the reindeer, as well as his precious hot cocoa elf and the young elf in the spectacles he begrudgingly called his second in command.

Her eyes then flickered over to the animals, and then the sleigh. This was all way too elaborate for a mall Santa set up.

"(Y/n) (M/n) (L/n)," Scott recited, approaching her with that sweet jolly smile of his, "you've grown so much since last time I saw you."

She stared up at the man in awe, her lips parted slightly and her big (e/c) eyes widened. She could feel the magic emanating from his being.

"I remember when you were 11 years old, the year you wished for a Nintendo ds in your letter, but wrote last minute to me to trade it for some help with your mom and dad's financial situation. You didn't wanna see them fight about it anymore, but I still got you that ds too," the man reminisced, chuckling to himself, "then, when you were thirteen. You never really liked girly things, but you wished for them anyways to try and fit in. I saw past it though, and how you feigned disappointment when you found those action figures under the tree."

(Y/n)'s eyes welled up with tears, and as she blinked they rolled down her cheeks, the girl dampening her lips to speak.

"...not even my parents know that..." she whispered, her hands trembling as she looked down at them, "...h-how...?"

So, they all explained everything. How Scott became the current Santa Clause, why Charlie was in that mental rut the year before, and why they brought her here. It was very overwhelming to her, but at the same time...she felt something other than looming despair for the first time in a long while.

"I knew your dad worked abroad, but..." (Y/n) sighed, running a hand through her messy hair, wettened by the melting snowflakes in it, "...I don't think anything could've prepared me for this." "If I can get you anything please let me know," the head elf she had come to know as Bernard said, holding his hands in one another caringly, "I want you to be comfortable here while you stay." "Why don't you show her to her room? Take a break and show her around. Charlie will help me sort things out here," Scott suggested, patting his son on the back.

Naturally, Bernard agreed to this arrangement, and would go on to wheel the girl to her room so she knew where it is, before he showed her around.

She couldn't help but think him such a charming man as he spoke, his posture a key depiction of his confidence, his kindness as a mentor who guided his underlings to excellency. Though she noticed he had a bit of a temper to him, she found it striking that even such an ancient creature like him had imperfections. She wanted to know what he was about, intrigued beyond belief at what this handsome stranger held in store for her.

-

(Y/n) had never held such a keen interest in knitting before this trip. Now, Bernard had her knitting like a mad man. It was enjoyable sitting in a circle amongst other elves in the textiles department, everyone doing their own thing though still enjoying each other's company with a little talk or comfortable silence.

She was now four days into her trip, and to say she was enjoying it was an understatement.

Bernard had taught her to knit that morning, her face burning when he grabbed her hands and showed her the motions to begin knitting her very first scarf. She had to admit, it was hard to focus when all she could think about was how nice his hands felt on hers, even when they were as calloused as they were. She enjoyed discovering his imperfections, like little treasures scattered in his being. It was endearing seeing how human this elf really was.

She'd ask him:

"where'd you get those callouses from?"

He'd say:

"oh, it's nothing. I just handwrite most things."

She liked learning about all of his little cuts and bruises and scars. She'd retain each and every story and store it in her memory, though it was all unintentional.

Beside her in the circle, Bernard had sat in a chair, knitting something she wasn't sure of. When he left to run a quick errand, the textiles elves in the circle whispered to her about how he never spent this much time with them, and that she must've been pretty special to have him hang out with her for this long.

At first, she was flattered. But then, she had a bad feeling that he was only doing this because he felt bad for her. She'd heard the tinsel boys run outside to play their football, and how overjoyed everyone else was to go watch and join in. As much as she had succeeded in keeping her mind off of it, she obviously couldn't help but come back around to it eventually.

As the days went by, Bernard could see that (Y/n) was getting noticeably sadder and sadder. Naturally, he couldn't sit by and let this just happen without intervention, though he knew to tread lightly.

"Hey (Y/n)," Bernard greeted her, finding her sat outside in the snow, admiring the festive glow and scenery as the sun began setting, "are you alright?"

She looked back at him, taking him in for everything he was as she turned her head forward once again and nodded. Needless to say, with her sad expression, Bernard wasn't convinced. With a quiet sigh, he approached her, standing at her side and looking down at her.

"You know...you're a bad liar," Bernard pointed out, his hands on his hips, "you're not even trying to hide it." "I don't like pretending," (Y/n) shrugged, her eyes downcast, "I'm over my days of make-believe, it's much too exhausting. I don't see this world for it's colour anymore. Only it's shades." "You're very poetic," Bernard pointed out, tilting his head ever so slightly at her. "When you can't walk, you do other things. Like read," she continued, staring into space once again, "sometimes, I just need the world to be beautiful. I know how dark and ugly it can be but I just want to see something good and focus only on it if for a few minutes." "I know what you mean," Bernard added, the girl looking up at him, intrigued, "I've been around for a long time. I've seen things that I wish I could forget. But, you can't just keep looking back, no matter how bad the past has scarred you. You've just gotta keep moving forward and making the most of every opportunity life gives you. It's a waste of time pondering on the things that could've been."

Why did he always have a point?

(Y/n) felt her insides swirl when he looked down at her like that. Not patronizingly like everyone else did, but instead like he actually understood her. Like he actually cared.

"I'm sorry...I'm being cynical," she sighed, shaking her head, "I'm having trouble moving past my circumstances." "Hey, don't apologise," he told her, kneeling down on one knee in front of her as he took her hands, "it's okay to not be okay and I want you to know that. But it's also okay to push yourself despite the circumstances. You don't have to hide in your shell forever."

She liked staring into those dark, puppy dog eyes of his. Even on the coldest days she could find warmth within them, like two pools of hot cinnamon chai lattes with no milk.

"You intrigue me. You know that, right?" she asked him, a cheeky smile piquing her lips. "Ditto," he whispered, returning her smile.

He squeezed her hands and let them go, inviting her back inside for some cocoa which she happily accepted.

-

Bernard often helped himself to the duty of putting (Y/n) to bed, since they had become rather fond of each other over the past few weeks. It was hard for them not to when they were so intrigued by one another.

She liked it when he carried her bridal style from her wheelchair, careful not to let her legs dangle as he laid her down on her bed and tucked her in. This night however would be different than the rest.

They had engaged in conversation, and Bernard sat beside her in her bed, leaning over her to see her as they spoke.

"Okay, okay. What about that one?" (Y/n) asked, pointing to yet another scar on Bernard's body, this one being on his exposed collarbone. "Just a factory accident, machinery in mechanics department malfunctioned and nicked my collarbone. Could've been worse though, could've hit a major artery," he explained it's story, his heart fluttering at the way she giggled. "Is it weird...that I like all of your scars?" she asked, her face all rosy from laughing. "No, not at all," Bernard giggled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, "but what makes you say that?" "I just...I think it's so neat how we retain all these memories in physical marks. Your body tells me such an interesting story. Not just the scars, all the imperfections," she began, grabbing his hand and feeling his fingers, "like your callouses, and the random moles on your arms, and just anything you've attained." "Hm...you say that about me, yet you find it so hard to accept yourself for the way you are now," Bernard pointed out, and as he did her smile faded and she let go of his hand. "Well...my disability feels more like an inconvenience, and I feel like anyone who has to deal with me...thinks I'm nothing but a burden," she explained, her whole mood drooping back down. "But you're not, and I wish you'd see how much more you are thank you think," he said, taking her hand again and squeezing it tight, "I wish you could see yourself through my eyes." "Yeah? And what do you see?" she asked, trying to sound cynical though truthfully she was starting to feel hopeful again. "I see a beautiful, talented young woman, who despite her disability, excels in other things. And when she keeps her mind off of her dark thoughts, she becomes the most beautiful, most interesting person I have ever met."

In her big doe eyes, Bernard could see his reflection, though barely considering all that lit her room was the meek glow of the candle on her nightstand. Her lips were parted, and she simply stared at him for a moment, dazed.

His eyes flickered between hers and her lips, and he dampened his own to ask a question.

"Can I...?"

But she didn't let him finish that question, because she knew what he was going to say.

She reached up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him down.

She could taste the cinnamon altoid mints he always chewed on when she kissed him, and his lips were as soft as she had imagined them.

-

She was sad to be on her way out, after having spent an amazing Christmas with her best friend and her new partner. On her last day, they cuddled up by his fireplace all day before he saw her off with Charlie.

The boy had definitely noticed a difference in her behaviour. He could see that sparkle in her eyes again, and he found himself thanking his lucky stars once again for the way that this Christmas had treated her.

There was one thing he had left to do however.

As he finished helping her unpack her things, he pulled out a gift he had messily yet carefully wrapped and he handed it to her.

"Here (Y/n), I wanted to give you this," he told her, the girl taking the gift.

She was unsure of what it could be, and confused as to why he gave it to her after Christmas. However, when she unwrapped it, it all made sense.

It was the snow globe he had told her about, the one which summoned Bernard when shook with the right intention.

She looked up at him, shocked, only to find him smiling back at her sweetly.

"I figured you'll need it more than I will now," he conceded, pushing out the creases in his hoodie, "look after it, alright?"

-

[butts-bouncing-on-the-beltway]

In the late 70s, my mother's friends threw her a "Tess isn't getting married party" the night of her scheduled Bachelorette. She had just sat down with her fiance, a young man from Belgium she'd gone to school with who, head over heels, asked her to marry him and go back to Europe together. According to mom, he was kind about it, and told her he still loved and respected her and wanted her to be happy even if it wasn't with him.

My mom spent the next few decades insistently maintaining the label "bisexual" despite existing solely within the lesbian community and exclusively taking other women as partners. Even when lesbians in her community demanded she "pick a side", mom always said her answer was simple. Make me.

One day my mom woke up realizing she wanted a kid. She had options, of course. She was a single woman in her 30s with a career and some degree of stability in her life now. But ultimately, her choice was to find a man and propose an arrangement.

She and my father were together for just over a year. She got pregnant a few times but I was the only baby she carried to term. Before I was born, my father had already flown back to the UK, so at my mom's college graduation, her best friend, a gay man who was like an uncle to me, held me backstage while mom was waiting to get her diploma, and delightedly made up stories about his new fatherhood for anyone who asked who I was to him.

When I was 9, my mother dated a lesbian who had once been married to a man before she came out and had a daughter with him. We called each other sister, her daughter and I, and when my sister's other mom wanted another child, they called her father and made a plan. Before long, my sister had another sibling on the way, a half sibling between her dad and her mother's wife (not my mom, polyamory gets wild) and the whole family got a little more interesting as we all fell in love with the lil potato.

There is something about the obfuscation of how common, functional, and loving these kinds of stories and histories really are, in favor of rigid divisions and alienations. Growing up in a queer community that reveled not in "we're queer and that's awesome" but in "human sexuality and gender is both sacred and profane, and if it brings joy than why should we complain?" It was a beautiful way to feel endlessly accepted, no, loved.

I get why people are often defensive around these kinds of conversations. But I learned a long time ago to respond to threat with questions and curiosity rather than anger.

John Preston, from Sister & Brother: Lesbians and Gay Men Write About Their Lives Together, 1994

[doevademe]

Emmy's not the only one who NEEDS to know 😜 as a prompt please: the kids are asking for part two now, how did dad fell in love 😌? (I guess they gotta be older now to hear this?)

Asher had always thought of his parents when he imagined people in love.

The way his dad and papa would look at each other and just... talk, in such a way that they would forget the world around them filled him with awe.

Even after he found out it wasn't love at first sight, the idea of his parents loving anyone but each other was dumb and ridiculous.

Now, the seven year old knew better, and it was worse than he could have imagined.

"You cheated on papa?" He asked, flabbergasted. "And he took you back?!"

His father looked at him with wide eyes before shaking his head vigorously.

"No!" He said, looking between him and his older sister. Emilia's eyes were wide, and she looked at dad with such disappointment... "Your papa and I weren't together yet!"

"But he loved you!" Asher insisted. "And you still kissed Aunt Annabeth!"

"I didn't know!" he said helplessly. "I... this is why I try not to tell you all the details."

Yes, his dad mostly only told stories about monsters and gods in case they needed to fight anything of their hidden world, but tonight had been different.

After years of asking, their dad was finally telling them how he had made Mount Tamalpais blow up to destroy some monster base... and that he had recieved a kiss from their aunt before it happened.

"They were bound to find out sooner or later," their papa said, sighing. "Listen kids, life is not like one of your movies. Sometimes, people fall in love more than once in their lives."

"You didn't!" Asher protested. "You always loved dad, right?"

Nico smiled at his son.

"Yes, a part of me has always loved him," he confirmed. "But I did date someone else before we got together."

Asher's already frail world crumbled further.

True love was a lie.

"Is it time now?" Emilia asked. Asher turned to look at her. She didn't look as shocked as he was. "Will you finally tell me how dad fell in love?"

Whenever a story of their dad's featured their papa, Emilia always asked the same question. Their parents always said that, since the story was not demigod quest related, they could shelf it until they were older.

Well, Asher felt way too old after tonight's revelation.

"I guess I have to," Percy said. "But you guys have to understand... it isn't my proudest moment."

"Why not?" Asher felt offended for his papa's sake. "Did you not want to fall for papa?"

"It's complicated!" Percy exclaimed. "Kids, what you need to understand is that your dad was a dummy. He was 19 and living a life that... was not his."

"What do you mean?" Emilia asked, already immersed.

"After Chronos's defeat, your aunt Annabeth and I... dated for a few years," he admitted. "She's always been smart, and she had saved my butt so many times, I just sort of went along with anything she said, because she knew better."

Asher nodded. It was true. Aunt Annabeth knew everything about everything.

"So, I followed her to New Rome to study," he continued. "We lived together, we went to school together, we did everything together... and I felt like a prisoner."

Emilia hanged on every word their dad spoke. Asher just felt confused.

"Turns out, the life I wanted and the life Annabeth wanted were pretty different... that we were pretty different." their dad slumped on the couch. "I... didn't even know why I was studying, so I left, and went back to Camp Half-Blood to clear my head."

"And papa was there," Emilia guessed.

"Papa was there," he confirmed. "And he was not alone."

"As I said, people don't always date The One and no one else," their papa interjected. "I was... dating someone else. A boy who was helping me with some of my issues at the time."

"The thing is, I knew," Percy said. "I knew he was dating someone else, and I didn't mind... I thought I didn't mind... but seeing them together was... too much."

"You were jealous!" Emilia said, delighted.

Their dad looked even more ashamed.

"I knew then, the reason me and Annabeth weren't working anymore was because... I had fallen in love with your papa without realizing it. Seeing him together with someone else made me notice it."

"But that's a good thing!" Asher said. "Why do you look so embarrassed about it?"

"I was... very mean to that boy," he said. "I beat him in sparring matches, I went on quests to drag Nico along and away from him, I was constantly hovering over them to make sure nothing ever happened between them!"

"He swept me off my feet," Nico said, winking at them. "But don't think badly of your dad, he wasn't trying to make me and that boy split. He just was very bad at dealing with his feelings."

Asher felt like a puzzle piece slotted back in place.

"Dad loved you so much he couldn't help it!" He said, giddy. "And he made you fall back in love!"

Emilia nodded enthusiastically at her brother's words.

"Now, Asher, things aren't always so simple. When you're older, relationships..."

But Asher wasn't listening anymore.

Love wasn't a lie!

His parents were still meant to be, and had always been!

They had just been teenagers. Dad was always saying teenagers were dumber than kids.

"You got that, buddy?" Dad asked. Asher nodded. "Well, I'm all storied out. What do you say if we continue the Mount Tam story tomorrow?"

"That's okay!" Asher agreed.

No story right now could top his new understanding of love.

[ballorawan740]

SCP Scenarios: SCP x Fem!Child!Hybrid!Reader

Main Masterlist | SCP Scenarios Masterlist | My Works Masterlist | Rules | Request | Socials | My Original Post

Requested by: @nightfoxyycats

I'm so sorry this took longer than expected T_T

(Yes Ik it's longer than the others I do, and that's cuz I usually end up mixing the headcanons into drabbles/one-shots, but this time, I kept it as bullet points and I got carried away. Oops. And yes, it's easier to write headcanons this way but it'll end up being long af)

When Cain first met you, he overheard and was curious about this new SCP during a test, so he decided to come and watch, from afar of course.

When Cain first met you, he overheard and was curious about this new SCP during a test, so he decided to come and watch, from afar of course.

Anyways, the little test was just a plain and boring one and little (Y/N) was taken back to her containment cell after 10 minutes. Cain had requested to see you as he remembered seeing in your file that you can breathe fire and cry lava among other things due to your dragon abilities.

It's not like he didn't believe them since he's been in the foundation for many years, but he was just curious about a hybrid child like you and wanted to see if you were doing well. You being a shy child was quiet at first and when Cain went to visit you every so often, you both became close and he was a father figure to you, even though you were abandoned by your father since birth and your mother died not long later.

He took good care of you and made sure you were well fed. You were rather polite to the guards and staff so Cain wouldn't need to worry too much about you intentionally killing them. But only for a short period of time as who knows what you'll be like when you're older.

Luckily for Cain, you were also carnivorous, so he didn't have to worry about you eating your 5 a day (not that you wanted to anyways you ungrateful meat-eating child).

Whenever there's a containment breach, the first thing he does is to look for you

Aside from some side effects, he isn't worried too much as he wouldn't receive any wounds anyways so hell just charge towards anyone who looks/sound like you

He's basically your new dad ok?

SCP 076 (Abel)

Abel first came into contact with you during a containment breach

He just saw you casually flying around and occasionally lending the guards a hand by breathing fire just to burn some holes for easier access (how professional)

He saw you again moments later when you were alone and you decided to approach this hulk of a man to ask for some help, thinking he worked there. Abel had abandoned you (like your hopes and dreams left you a millennium years ago) but you insisted on going with him so he took you in

Later his rage in the facility had vanished as he had cared for you for the short period of time he had met you and handed you over to the guards, much to their surprise

He then ran away as he's not totally scared of kids or anything and hid in his box

You insisted on visiting 076-2 and so the researchers did, realising much later that you both had bonded. Abel was a parental figure to you.

A very overbearing protective guardian I must say.

Even more so when there's a containment breach

Like imagine 610 and 682 mashed up together to form an extremely hostile entity and that's Abel for you

But that's only if you were hurt, if you weren't or fit was just a normal containment breach, had be extremely worried

SCP 049 (Plague Doctor) (Guy's pls don't be mistaken, I don't have any beef with 049 ok? XD If I make any characters a little OC then 049 will gladly rid the pestilence from you without consent)

This sassy MF so-called doctor right here met you when for some reason, the doctors had decided to put you both into a testing room (no, it wasn't Bright's idea).

049 was just doing his thing as you just sat on a really high chair (cuz you do be short so ofc you wouldn't be sitting on a lower chair which is lower than your taste in men/women) and watched curiously. The doctor thought it was somewhat cute and laughed slightly from your curiosity.

Sensing that you didn't have the pestilence, he allowed you to scooch closer just to see. After the test was done, the guards took you back out with slight aggression, but you, for some reason, were still polite to the guards despite their aggression which made 049's heart swell due to your pureness.

You yawned slightly and accidentally blew out fire from your mouth which almost caused a containment breach if it weren't for 049's quick thinking

Later on, the researchers had decided to put you both in the testing room again, and you both began to bond as 049 requested you to burn the bodies he performed surgery on

Needless to say, you both had a great time and the researchers were mildly amused

If you somehow knew another friend (*ahem* 035), he'd probs ask him/her to care/loof for you if there were a containment breach

Or he would just sigh and look after you himself if you were closer to 035 and he asked so nicely

SCP 035 (Possessive Mask) (Right about 049 being sassy.... I'll take that back, 035 is the sassiest, right next to a certain sculpture in the foundation)

Anyhow, 035 was actually the reason you were stuck in the foundation anyways

God knows how, but you met this guy wearing this theatre mask and you ended up here in the foundation

Now everyone thought you were either a Keter or Euclid

I mean, you were so close to being put into the Euclid class but ended up in safe since you were so polite to the researchers as well as shy and relatively easy to contain... For now

Whenever they used you in a test, you were rewarded with whatever you wanted, within reason ofc, whenever you behaved well which was like 98% of the time minus minor accidents since you weren't entirely in control of your powers

Sometimes instead of a reward, you'd request to see 035 as he would perform to you and that was only granted when its safe to do so and when that hideous mask would do as he/she/it is told

035 would be that somewhat overprotective yet goofy uncle that everyone loved and he was totally wrapped around your fingers unless you were hurt or if he urgently needed something or someone

If there was a containment breach, he'd look for you, if not he'll call out his 'friend' to look out for you (*cough* 049 *cough*)

When 035 finds you, he'd most likely ask you to fly around to see the nearest exit or he'd just carry you when there's someone chasing you

If 035 were to kill anyone, you'd cry and tell him no to which did end up in burning the floor but oh wells, they're rich enough to contain him so why not use the extra money to rebuild the floor right?

Anyways, 035 loves you no matter what and he'd do anything to make sure you're doing well

SCP 999 (Tickle Monster)

Ok so, when you and 999 first met each other, you were kind of just wandering around the facility minding your own business

999 just casually slithered up to your leg and offered you some sweets and a hug since you looked upset and so you accepted it

You both found a place to sit and just talk bout stuff and what life was like before you were captured

But you were cheery just like 999 and rarely attacked anyone, and if you ever did, it was either that you were hella pissed or you accidentally breathed fire/teared up some lava which burnt some stuff

The researchers would secretly take in some notes bout your interactions and just continued on with their day and left you both alone, but would sometimes keep a stern eye on you

They say it's for everyone's safety, and that's true to an extent, but the main reason they do it is to monitor your progress of you controlling your powers

Anyways, sometimes when it gets busy in the cafe or down the hallway, you just fly across the room, and sometimes, you'll be extra cheeky and play hide and seek with the researchers

999 would occasionally join in but he's more like a worried older brother to you

During containment breaches, 999 would run around looking for you and when he did, he would check if you had any injuries

When you say you didn't, he was relieved but not for long since you mentioned bout making new SCP friends and he just died right there and then (not really)

SCP 682 (Hard to Destroy Reptile)

Similarly to Able, he'd be wary of you at first

Like, he can sense that you weren't just an ordinary child when you just appeared behind him

He was somewhat irritated when you followed him around, but you reminded him of 053, so he just let it slide and let you show some affection towards him

It's not like he didn't like it, he was just embarrassed

Anyhow, the researchers wanted to test how 682 would bond with you, so they made you meet up with him again but in his cell

You were both chatting like father and daughter and soon, everyone had found out that not only could you fly, you could also cry lava, which yes did burn a small hole on the ground and you could somehow breathe fire

You were also immune to the fire and lava so they decided to have a full-on body check and discovered that you were built similar to the komodo dragon with a side of 682 (XD Don't ask)

682 was left stunned, but luckily he didn't feel the need to run up the wall like that bunny

Like who tf invented a self-eating bunny?

Anyways, research shows that just like Abel, the giant lizard was very protective of you

The theory has it that you were somehow related to the lizard, perhaps he laid an egg before containment and some guy took it in and froze it then decided to hatch the egg

During containment breaches, he would basically rampage around the facility, killing anyone and everyone until he found you

And when he did, he would check on you like the amazing father he is and then carry on killing but was then stopped by you

So he would just carry you around until you fell asleep

SCP 105 (Iris)

I think Iris would be a good mother/sister figure when it comes to kids

It kinda came from the fact that Iris hangs out with Abel and Cain a lot, so it kinda just rubs off her

Her motherly/sisterly instinct just heightened when she first found you on a mission and she just took you in

It took a while to bribe the foundation that she kinda had custody

Not exactly custody, but she had a say when it came to your safety, especially the fact that you weren't exactly human and your appearance would cause a disturbance to others

I feel like Iris would be a stern yet kind guardian towards you, leaning towards the stern part since you're a child SCP and has fire breath and lava tears

Iris wouldn't be entirely bothered by you flying around, but she had to bribe the researchers and some SCPs to help you fly better

She would murder anyone who had to cry because they made you cry and cleaning up after your tears is such a mess considering that you have little control over them

Your fire breath on the other hand is slightly more controllable, but if you were hella happy or mad you'd breathe the fire and burn anyone/anything

Most of the time, its unintentional and you're usually sweet and kind towards anyone, so manners aren't a big thing for Iris to teach you

She'd even teach you some of the stuff she learnt/discovered and you'd just sit there being nosy and curious about everything

Like that one time, you almost caused a breach cus you were so curious and friendly that 682 was about to snap off your head and rampage out of the foundation

And don't even get me started with the brothers and 096, OML

Other than that, you both were like a family you never had :,) (You're welcome!!!)

During containment breaches, Iris would literally pick you up and run

Unless you weren't with her for whatever reason (Yes, you're attached to each other's hips... Don't lie, you love it!), she'd do anything to find you

If you were hurt, shed tend to your injuries immediately and lecture you about safety

If you weren't hurt, shed still give you a lecture, then pick you up and run

If you made friends on the way, she may or may not approve and bite of anyone head

And the foundation wouldn't want an Angry!Iris around

SCP 106 (Old Man)

This old man here is basically the definition of a cool uncle/granddad

Without a doubt, he'd go into his pocket dimension and comes back with a teddy bear or some sweets

He'd spoil you a lot and the foundation had enough of this cuz by the time you become an adult, you wouldn't be independent enough

Anyways, 106 would let you go into his dimension and practice your abilities there for the safety of others

The researchers would occasionally ask you to carry a camera with you just so they know what it's like in his pocket dimension

106 rarely gets mad, and even if he was, it'll be about someone trying to hurt you since you're too kind and shy to make him mad

You're even kind to the researchers and guards which is worrying to 106 as they might take advantage of your kindness (which may be true for some, but most of them are just glad you're kind since it makes their jobs so much easier)

Sometimes, you'd make things levitate which was a shock to anyone who walked by and witnessed this

But only for a few seconds though, so it's not much

106 would encourage you to use your telekineses and he'd attempt to train you

Which didn't work so well, so that sucks

During containment breaches, he'd use his pocket dimension to his advantage

He'd hide you in there just so you don't have to get hurt

If you weren't there with him, he'd kill and hunt down anyone who might know where you are

He'd make sure you weren't hurt otherwise he would go into scary uncle mode

If you weren't hurt, he would just hug you which stops you from crying lava

SCP 096 (Shy Guy)

Now what makes you and 096 a unique pairing is that you're both shy

The only difference is that you can speak but 096 kinda doesn't

But that's not a problem since you both just understood each other since day 1

I'd say 096 is that introverted uncle/cousin but he's kinda chill and sweet with you

As for containment breaches, the only difference with this tall guy is that not only will he kill anyone who sees his face, he'd also hunt down anyone who'd hurt you

096 has a newfound ability for this and the researchers were shocked when they first found out

A certain chainsaw loving doctor wanted to test it out himself but was stopped rather quickly by the other researchers

Anyways, one time you almost burnt down the foundation because 096 crept up behind you which scared you to tears

And you screamed as well which didn't help at all since you could breathe fire

Also, when you're not with 096, you'd use your levitating powers to grab lighter objects which did result in the objects falling onto your head

And this is why you need to train more, so then objects wouldn't be yeeted onto your tiny head and knock the nonexistent brain cells out of your nonexistent brain - Sorry not sorry (Ok so at least pretend to laugh)

If anyone bullied you and you didn't say a word, 096 would know and even if you tried to stop him, it wouldn't work

Unless you're in a life-threatening situation, but even then, he'd kill the guy

Dr. Simon Glass

Unlike the others on the list, you're the one who approached the doctor

Mainly because you were lost, but you were curious as well

Simon would probably be the best person to run into, other than Kondraki, but still

It's because he's a psychologist and still very much human (I mean, Kondraki's a normal human I guess, but he has those butterfly thingys)

Anyways, when he first saw you, you were in his office flying about and crying lava

Simon saw you and was shocked but attempted to calm you down and get you you sit with him for a bit, then call the others

But boy did that not work out, because this poor innocent boi was boutta get killed by your firey breath cuz he startled you too much

Bright, Kondraki and Clef just strolled in and saw the mess and even attempted to get you to chill, but this didn't work either

So poor Simon Glass had to find his way to get you to stop being so scared which obviously worked

You sat down with him and he let you doodle on a blank piece of paper

And being a good psychologist he is, he used psychological methods to get you to feel comfortable and to start talking to which you did

You were so polite he gave it to a chocolate bar, but instead of taking it off his hands, you used your telekineses to levitate it in your direction

Simon recorded what he had seen before letting the other researchers take you and offered to take you under his wing on the condition that you were you have a check-up every now and again

That wasn't much of a problem since you were so polite and chill - Usually

During containment breaches, he would make sure that you were safe first and it wasn't so difficult to deal with you since you were with him most of the time

When you're not with him, he'd be extremely worried like a mother hen and run in any direction that would take him to you

He'd be relieved to see you and if you were hurt, he'd bandage you up and try to not cry

If you've made new friends, he would be very happy about it - Unless it's a Keter or Euclid class

They'll be on his watchlist

Anyhow, Simon Glass is basically your mother and mentor

He'd teach you all the basics you'll need and help train you if he can (he'd most likely have to ask the other doctors and SCPs with some bribery)

Dr. Jack Bright

Our favourite doctor here would be that goofy uncle/dad

I feel that he'd sympathise with you since he's also an SCP (sorta) and he feels kind of trapped in the foundation

If you're lucky enough, Jack might be able to take you out for an hour for some fresh air

You'll automatically be under his wing and nobody will ever question it. Ever.

Although he may be goofy and does stupid things, he would be surprisingly protective and his fatherly instincts kick in right away since he first met you

He would allow you to use your powers to an extent and teach you how to use your power properly

You are well aware of his anomalous abilities with his neckless, so whenever Bright had to change bodies, you'd automatically know where he is (other than the obvious neckless thingy)

If there were to have a containment breach, Bright would panic but quickly become calm as that's the only way he could find you and keep you safe

When he finds you he would give you that lecture while finding any scratches on you

If you were to grow, he would give most guys the dad glare of the century and all those guys would run tf away cuz nobody messes with Bright's newfound daughter

I have high doubts that he would let anyone do tests with you when he's not there and even if he was, they would need his approval, so most of the time, you don't even need to worry much

Dr. Alto Clef

(OML Why do I keep adding new characters?! There's so much to write T_T)

Right, so when Clef found you, it was like as if his long lost (well... not so lost) memory came back to him

For some reason, you reminded him of 166 (OML I'm so lost for this SCP, like boi she had a rewrite)

So he took you in the foundation like he did with his daughter and took care of you Since he works for the foundation, he's not remotely terrified or anything, but he's curious about your abilities

And of course, you managed to use some of your abilities because of some SCPs and Bright Clef took you to meet 166 and you both showed your abilities and since 166 is older than you, she's probably trying to help you control your powers more

Which, of course, makes Clef a proud dad

If there were any containment breaches, he'd panicked but once he found you with his other daughter, he was relieved

166 made sure that you weren't hurt and if you were, you'd be bandaged up so Clef doesn't have to worry too much

Anyhow, if Clef decides to introduce you to the tiger doctors, he'd make sure Glass is the first since he's the most sensible person (but let's face it, he wouldn't admit it)

Then it'll be Iceberg, Coggs (that's his name right), Light and a couple others Bright and Kondraki would be last since they would be somewhat chaotic (mainly Bright) even though they're the fun uncle

Whenever Clef has a mission, he'd shove you to either 166 or Glass, if he's free, if not then it'll most likely be Light (and if she's also busy, then yall screwed)

And bless the guy who takes an interest in you when you become a teen cuz our messy boi would make sure that guy would suffer

Dr. Benjamin Kondraki

Ok let's face it, Kondraki would definitely be the mother hen of the dad world in the SCP Foundation

He's literally your mother, kinda like Glass but kinda not, ya know what I'm saying?

Like he'll feed your curiosity since many people around you wouldn't and you're an SCP so you're trapped in the foundation anyways

I'd say he's quite cautious and caring, obviously, but if he's out and about, he'd definitely let you go with him

Unless he's going out for a mission, then that's a definite no-no

He would let you hang out with the safer SCPs like 999 and maybe 166 if Clef is chill, but he has to let you hang out with her cuz she's the only other SCP who could help you get a grasp with your powers

Like how to not burn the bloody floor when you cry and stop breathing fire inconsistently by accident

An attempt was made when they try to train your telekineses but they'll have to wait till you're older

Since most of the time you're stuck with Kondraki, I don't think he'd be all too worried bout breaches, of course, he'd be worried about your safety, but you're there with him

If not then god knows what Kondraki would do

Like that one time, he begged Clef and Bright to look for you in which they did but then they made him do something for them in return

Let's just say, it wasn't pleasant at all, but it could be worse since Clef had a shred of sympathy left for the man and Bright just wanted chainsaws

[isabelladesoto]

Violet knew things needed to change. The fact that Clay stood in her parent's foyer a plus one guest rather than the boy she used to sneak in the summer she turned eighteen was a small change, but Violet knew her parents were encased in amber, stuck in a time not even Violet had ever belonged to no matter how hard she tried. Smoothing her palm down the front of his shirt, she smiled, and her nose scrunched, "Not even if he threatens to steal away your favorite album or your most prized possession?" Violet half teased in an attempt to smooth her nerves. Part of her was in a hurry to see them, to demand they give her answers. Another selfish part of her wanted to keep Clay to herself for as long as possible.

If she didn't know, she'd say he fit seamlessly into this world that she'd masqueraded in her entire life, but the polite way he greeted the staff and shook her hand gave him away, and Violet couldn't have been happier for it. Violet held his hand, her eyes scanning the room nervously. "I'm happy." As happy as she could be, at least where he was concerned, there was happiness. Violet swayed in front of him, both her hands on his chest, "You can tell me as much as you like." She cooed her arms over his shoulders just in time to see her parents spot them from behind him,"Shit." She breathed quietly and put a forced smile on her lips as she righted them both to face her parents.

Years of their meddling had come to a head and her mother's face paled as a twisted polite smile fell out of place on the matriarchs face. Her father was a stone of a man approaching them with his hands in his pockets. It was Mr. De Luca who spoke first, "Violet I didn't realize you were seeing Mr. Calhoun again. What happened to your fiance?" Violet sucked a sharp breath Jesse had become a ghost in her life thanks to her and it was something she'd have to contend with on her own, but the cool indifference he faced them with filled her with rage. "Oh fuck me. Cut the bull shit, dad." Violet seethed dropping all pretenses of the polite daughter they tried to force her to become.

Mrs. De Luca's smile dropped, and her eyes darted sharply at her daughter, "Violet Isobel De Luca, how dare you think you can speak to your father that way. Show him some respect." Violet's gaze volleyed between her parents, "Respect is earned, Mother." She said evenly despite the tremble that extended into her hands. "I know what you did." She said pointedly at her father. "Go ahead, Dad. Threaten him again." Violet stepped boldly closer, "Threaten me, Dad." She dared and shook her head. "You both control Serena where she is. Who knows...it's detrimental." She left no room for them to interject, "You can't keep controlling me too."

Violet's chest heaved with a shuddering breath, her mother looked close to tears, and her father's face was impassive except for the red at his temples and the vein thumping in his neck. "You did what?" Mrs. De Luca asked, clutching her necklace. "It was for her own good." He insisted, gesturing with a nod toward Clay. "This encourages the worst in our daughter. Do you think she'd talk to us this way if it wasn't for him?" Her father angled his body between them and their gues towering over Violet as he looked down at her, "I did not raise to be such a mouthy woman. You continue to push every boundary I make as if it isn't in your best interest."

Violet scoffed close to tears, "You wouldn't know a damn thing about what is best for me." Violet sniffled the rage of a fire in the pit of her stomach. "You don't know what's best for anyone. Not me, and Lucas, and not Serena!" She practically screamed, to which her father rose a hand as if he would slap her face; instead, he pointed curling his fingers into a fist. "This is a mistake, Violet, and if you can't come to that conclusion yourself you can say goodbye to any help from your mother and I in the future."

nothing would separate violet and clay again, not over his dead body. regardless of her father’s threats, of the worries tied to the wellbeing of his brothers, clay was here to stay—he had made a promise, and if there was one thing known about cowboys it was that a vow was a vow. the straw-haired ranchhand had attempted to dress up for the occasion, but even with a chambray collar to shield the redness of his neck and a last-minute shave, he was still just clay. rugged, hardened by the years, he stood next to violet, staring at he looming door in front of them and wishing the ground could swallow them both whole. his calloused fingers took hold of her hand, squeezing, offering a sweet smile that silently promised her things would be okay, that he wouldn’t leave no matter how uncomfortable the evening became. clay’s entire childhood had been discomfort. he could brave a few hours. “maybe we need things to change,” the male assured, "maybe we need to wipe that smug smile off your dad's face. there ain't nothin' he can say to take me away from you now i got you back."

eager to make a good impression towards those he knew and those he didn’t, he politely thanked the unfamiliar woman and reached his spare hand for her to shake. “ma’am.” clay spoke, following violet with a clueless bumble, his spit-shined ropers far from appropriate among the brogues and leather shoes. his nose scrunched as the music hit him—it wasn’t waylon, johnny cash, hank williams, and so it was far from familiar. “you’re gon’ be fine, i promise. there ain't anythin’ they can say that can tear us apart. they ain’t gonna be happy about it,” clay had already come to terms with such a thing, “but does it matter, ‘s long as we’re happy?” a fleeting smile was flashed to an onlooker as bodies flooded past them. his shoulders buckled, feeling sweat heavy his handlebar moustache, his back prickling with goose flesh. "c'mon, girl—you look pretty as a picture tonight, by the way. if i ain't told you yet."