#home inspection katy

[homeinspectioninkatytx]

Protect Your Home This Winter: Pest Prevention Tips For Homeowners

Paragon Inspection

Winter is here, and pests like rodents, cockroaches, ants, and spiders are seeking shelter in homes, posing risks to health and property. Protect your home with proactive pest prevention tips, including sealing entry points, inspecting for signs of activity, and storing firewood properly. Stay pest-free this season! Read more...

Learn more about termite inspection Katy TX

[russo-woso]

A New Adventure || Alessia Russo x Pregnant!reader

Request | Masterlist | Prompt list

Summary You and Alessia share the news to your teammates and make them guess which one of you is pregnant

A/N First one shot from the A new Adventure Universe!!

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

“I can’t believe we’re going to tell them.” Alessia whispered as you sat down in the meeting room.

Today you were 12 weeks pregnant and you and Alessia were ready to tell the girls.

You’d loved having the secret kept between you both. The lingering touches on your bump, Alessia eyeing your stomach. But it was time to share everything with your team.

You’d had your first scan a few days ago and when you returned home, you and Alessia took some photos with the pictures.

You had approached the Arsenal staff, wanting it to be put into the slideshow so you could announce the pregnancy in the meeting.

Alessia’s hand rested on your thigh as you sat, looking at the PowerPoint at Renee spoke about tactics.

As she got to end of it, Renee took a breath before looking at you and Alessia.

You took Alessia’s hand in yours, squeezing it as Renee started speaking.

“There’s one more thing that I’d like to mention. It’s not to do with any upcoming matches but it is something that will affect us as a team.” Renee looked down at the clicker, pressing it to reveal the picture of you and Alessia.

You looked at the team, watching as all their faces turned into big smiles.

Alessia kissed your cheek, thanking everyone as they offered their congratulations.

They all got up to hug you both, your heart swelling with love at how happy they all were for you both.

“So, which one of ye’s pregnant?” Katie asked, all the girls huddling round.

It would’ve been a bit of a stupid question to ask, clearly the pregnant one between you both being which ever one hadn’t been playing but Alessia had picked up a a hamstring injury so she hadn’t played for the past five weeks so it looked like she could be the one pregnant. But on the other hand, you’d been out because you did your ACL, the whole reason why you decided to do IVF because you figured you’d be out for nine months anyway.

“Try guess.” Alessia said, deciding to make it into a game.

“Well, you’ve both been out for weeks. How are we supposed to know?” Kyra pointed out, looking between the two of you.

“Shirts up.” Leah said, you and Alessia lifting up your shirts to reveal your abdomens.

The girls inspected the side profile of your stomach, trying to spot a baby bump.

“This is a lot harder than what I thought.” Leah sighed

“Alessia mentioned she was feeling sick a few weeks ago. Morning sickness?” Beth added, remembering her conversation with Less.

“Y/N had that really weird meal when we went out. Do you remember?” Vic said, the team humming.

“But I saw less talking to the medics and she pointed to her stomach.” Lia spoke up, the girls nodding along.

“This is fun, isn’t it?” You whispered to Alessia, watching the girls go back and forth about the evidence as to who could be pregnant.

“I think I know who it is.” Leah said, the girls pausing and looking at her. “When we went to the pub for team bonding last week, I offered Y/N a drink, and she turned it down, saying that she had an early start the following morning. Less was speaking about how they’d had such a relaxing day the following day so there was no need for Y/N to wake up early. She also hasn’t been drinking coffee for the past few weeks. We all know how much she likes coffee. And… she’s been turning up for physio late, claiming she had a lay in but less manages to get to training on time so surely Alessia would wake her up? But if Y/N’s pregnant, then she’d have morning sickness and not be able to get here on time.”

You and Alessia just smiled as she spoke, the points Leah was making were very valid and were enough to make the team settle that it was you whose pregnant.

“Final decision?” You asked them

“You.” Leah said, pointing directly at you.

“I must say, if ever you have to retire early or something, I’d definitely look into being a detective. Your points were all right.” You tell her, Leah pumping her fist in the air.

“Everyone, you can call me detective Williamson from now on.”

“But what about all the symptoms Alessia had? Were you faking being sick and everything?” Vic questioned

“I genuinely was sick, I think I had a bug. And I was talking to the medics about Y/N and the baby to find out how much exercise she can do.” Alessia explained, wrapping her arm round your waist.

“That explains it all. I’m so happy for you both!” Lia smiled, hugging you both.

“We have a new gunner on our hands now.” Caitlin added

“I’m gonna be the favourite Auntie.” Vic said

“No I am.” Kyra argued

“No, I’m gonna be the favourite auntie.”

“I am, not you lot.”

It went back and forth for ages, you and Alessia just stood there laughing at them all.

This was gonna be a new adventure in your lives, but the best one by far.

[greatestexpectationss]

A Quiet Moment

Luke Castellan x Fem!Daughter of Persephone Reader

Description: You and Luke get a rare quiet moment in Cabin 11 accompanied by some troubling thoughts. Luke's always there to make you feel better and you know him better than anyone else.

Can be read as a stand-alone or part 2 to Poison Ivy

Warnings: mentions of alcoholism, mentions of mental health (season depression), making out, I think thats it?? Also not edited sorry!!!!!!!

“Luke, this is not good,” you’re pinching the bridge of your nose in exasperation. The cabin is in total disarray, you’d left Luke and a majority of other campers there to begin to clean it while you helped the Demeter kids in the Strawberry fields. You’d come back to, though a smaller mess, a mess nevertheless. 

 Cabin inspections are later tomorrow afternoon, and you can already tell the Hermes cabin is so totally screwed. Cabin 11 is chaotic as always, to be fair it isn’t Luke’s fault, Hermes houses his children, unclaimed children, and minor gods' children alike. As a child of Persephone, you’ve only ever known the Hermes cabin as home other than the few nights you’ve spent in the Demeter cabin with your friend Katie, you fit in there as a child of Persephone and your power of chlorekensis makes you fit right in. Chiron in a desperate attempt to make more room in the Hermes had asked you if you’d like to move into the Demeter cabin permanently. You’d told him no, Luke needed your help managing the campers, but you’re sorely regretting it now. 

Your boyfriend pouts at you from his bunk where he’d collapse in exasperated exhaustion just moments before you’d return. “This whole thing is rigged, how’re we expected to be clean, we’ve got like triple the campers?” he groans. Then he sits up on his elbows eyeing you up and down. You’ve discarded your camp half-blood t-shirt and are left in your forest green spaghetti strap and dark denim shorts. He smiles like he’s won the whole damn lottery. You're exasperated resolve melts a bit when he speaks again.

“You look pretty,” he compliments you. You smile, blush, and roll your eyes before collapsing on his bunk beside him, ignoring the campers scurrying around you to get to their activities and clean up their own messes. 

“Thank you,” you whisper as he reaches over and moves a piece of hair out of your face. “Anytime Poison,” he replies, a cheeky smile on his face. Then as if remembering something he sits up and addresses the few campers that are still scrambling about the cabin, “Go enjoy the rest of your free time, we’ll take care of the rest of the damage in the morning.” They all cheer and thank him, but you know this was just a clever ploy for Luke to get the cabin empty for a second. 

“How was your day?” you ask him, sitting up and sitting crisscross on his bed. He follows suit facing you and interlacing both your hands between you. “You’re looking at it sweetheart,” he gestures around to the mostly not clean cabin. 

“This took you all day?” you tease. Luke flicks your forehead, you laugh in response. 

“Don’t be mean.”

“Who me? I’m not being mean.”

He shoots you a look.

“Well now you know how I feel, you’re always teasing me.”

It’s takes about five seconds for Luke to wrestle you onto your back, knee slotted between your thighs, while both of his hands mercilessly attack your side. Your writhing beneath him, laughing so hard you can’t breath. 

“Alright, alright, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” you squeal, he halts his movements and pokes the dimple by the corner of your mouth, that only shows when you’re laughing hysterically. 

“That’s what I thought Poison, you know we’ve gotta stop meeting like this,” he’s slowed his movements, now one hand still stroking you cheek, moving down to your hip and pressing you depper into the mattress, his other hand holds him up so he’s not completely crushing you. You blush furiously at his implication, the last time the two of you had been in this position, it had been sinful, granted you weren’t in your cabin where anyone could walk in at any moment, but still. “You’re gross,” is what you decide to respond with, but he just laughs and leans down to kiss you anyways. 

Kissing Luke is like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. You’ve kissed other boys before him, but something about the way he kisses you, you know he’s absolutely ruined you for anyone else, he kisses you in a way you know will screw up forever. You don’t know what you’ll do if he wakes up one day and decides he doesn’t want you anymore. The thought makes you kiss him harder, and pull him closer. His thumb rubs soothing circles against your exposed skin from where your shirt  had ridden up a bit. One of your hands rests at the base of his neck pulling him closer, begging him to kiss you harder. Your other hand hovers at his lower back, when you try to pull him closer there too, he pulls his face back from yours, breathing heavily. 

“What’s wrong?” he asks you, he kisses your check once on both sides softly and then looks at you again.

“Nothing, just keep kissing me,” you tell him before pulling him back to your lips. 

He mumbles your name against them, but then indulges you for a moment, your brain is going a million miles a minute, you don’t know why you can’t turn it off sometimes, but the thought of loosing Luke plagues your mind too often, were you destined to be like your father, who loved your mother in the spring only to be left again by the fall, he had never truly gotten over his one great love, Persephone. You couldn’t imagine ever getting over Luke either, especially with the way he’s kissing you so tenderly now.

He pulls away again, making you pout. 

“I can hear you thinking, what’s up?”

You almost tell him but he’s always trying to make you feel better and for once you want there to just be nothing wrong. You’ve always been a little more darkness than Luke, you think. He’s the camp golden boy, perfect in all the ways that count. You’re Persephone’s only (claimed) daughter, who grows plants from nothing, and grows vines of poison ivy around people who piss you off. Your moods change with the seasons, and as Fall grows nearer you can feel yourself growing darker. You just want a moment with your incredibly hot boyfriend to not think of the impending darkness that’s right around the corner.

“I’m okay, really,” you tell him, he’s not convinced clearly because he stays hovering over you but he won’t lean back down to kiss you. “Luke, c’mon we’ve got like–” you check your watch, “30 minutes until the first round of campers are back.”’

“But you’re worried about something, I can tell,” he mutters, “It’s almost September, that’s what’s buggin’ you huh?” 

Sometimes you hate how well he knows you, “Okay, yeah, you’re super duper smart now do you wanna make out with me or what?”

He laughs, and leans down to kiss you again, it’s a peck not at all what you were looking for and you groan. “Luke–”

“Look, I’m all for making out, and I’ll distract you if you really want me to,” his voice is husky in your ear, in the way he knows you love, but then he pulls back to look at you again, “but we both know this is still gonna be buggin’ you afterward, and I just want to make you feel better.”

You sigh, cause you know he’s right, annoyingly right, and stupidly handsome, you still really want to make out with him, but you don’t want him to feel like he’s a distraction, because he isn’t. He’s Luke, and you love him with everything you have.

“You’re never a distraction,” you promise him eagerly, you move to sit up and he follows suit, leaning against the headboard of the bunk and opening his arms wide for you to snuggle into is chest, you place a kiss over his heart. “You’re the main event baby.”

He snorts and pulls you closer, “That was incredibly corny Poison, you going soft on me?”

“Oh yeah, for sure. But seriously, you're incredibly sweet."

You lean up and kiss his jaw. He kisses your forehead in return.

A moment of silence passes before he asks the burning question on both of your minds. 

“Are you going home this year?”

You’d spent most of your time at Camp Half Blood being a summer only camper, but the last two years you’d been a year rounder. Your dad had never really been the same after Persephone disappeared from him, never to return, at least according to your aunt. When you’d been younger you’d been a handful and provided your dad with a distraction from his sorrows. But as you’d grown older, made friends, and forged your own life, your father had started drinking again. The more he destroyed himself, the more he destroyed you and your already almost non existent relationship with your mother. You resented him, but you resented her more for leaving him with nothing more than a hollowed shell of who he used to be. He’s been writing you letters, but you can’t bring yourself to respond.

“Probably not,” you admit finally, “I don’t want to see him and besides,” you curl into Luke more, “I want to stay with you.”

Luke’s arms tighten around you as he peaks down at your face, “You do?”

“Of course I do.” 

Luke kiss your head, you smell like flowers and goodness and the things he loves. He thinks he could stay right here with you forever. “Are you sure?” he asks you. 

“Do you want me to stay?” you ask, feeling self conscious now, you don’t have the opportunity to let your anxiety consume you for long before Luke is reassuring you. 

“Are you kidding? Of course I want you to stay. I love it when you’re here, you know that.” 

You smile up at him softly, his brow furrows, a little crease at the center where you can tell he’s thinking really hard about something. You reach up to smooth it out, but he catches your hand with his own. “You do know that right?”

“Yeah,” you nod, and you do. You really know it, in the back of your mind, you know Luke loves you as much as you love him. 

“Good, because sometimes I think you don’t get it, how much I love you. I’d do anything for you, just say the word,” he lets you reach up to smooth the crease from his brows.

“What’re you doing?” he asks.

“You get this little crease between your brows when you’re worrying about stuff, did you know that?”

Your pinned back down on the bed before you get a response, he’s kissing you like you’ve been wanting him to this whole time, Hot and searing with his hands in all the right places. You could die happy, right here, wrapped in his arms, his lips pressed against yours, and his tongur sneaking into your mouth. You stay like that for a few minutes, unaware of the time ticking away. You both pull away a little breathless. 

“I love you,” he says quietly, “a lot.”

“I love you too,” you reply kissing the bottom of his scar softly, “a lot.”

He leans down to kiss you again but you place a hand on his chest pushing him away from you. “We should probably clean the cabin now,” you relent, sighing as you look at your watch, the first round of campers should be returning in about five minutes, Luke takes a look at your watch and groans.

 “You were right,” he admits, head tucked into you neck as you play with his hair.

“I’m sure I was but youre gonna have to be a little more specific babe,” you reply matching what you’re sure is his cheeky smile buried in you neck. 

“We should have just made out.” 

You push him off the bed.

[scribblesofagoonerr]

— Under the weather

pairings: katie mccabe x reader, caitlin foord x reader

summary: readers' sick with chicken pox and its' definitely not a fun experience for anyone involved.

"Mammy, mammy!" You rush to the front door, excited to see the older women after you had been at nursery all day until your auntie Ella picked you up, while Katie was at training.

"Theres' my little rascal!" Katie beams a wide smile and scoops you up into her arms, more than happy to see you after you'd spent the weekend at Ruesha's. "Mammy's missed you, so so much!"

"Ook' Mammy, I got cool spots!" You tell Katie and point to the several spots that are starting to appear all over your face, arms and tummy; You can't help but want to itch them because of how irritating they are.

Katies' eyes widen in suprise as she bends down to your level, "Oh no-- Did you have these at nusery today, rascal?" She wonders, concerned.

It was either something that you got at nursery, or somehow over the weekend while you were with Ruesha instead.

Katie is already making a mental note to phone Ruesha and ask her about it.

"Uh huh. Mammy, I feel itchy," You whine in complaint, rubbing your arm as you start to feel confused and uncomfortable about them.

"Oh rascal," Katie inspects them closely and has the sudden realisation of what the culprit is...

Chicken pox.

You'd been lucky to escape them, at least that is until now. However, Katie knew it would only be a matter of time before you caught it.

"I don' like these spots, mammy," You whimper and go to try and itch them even more; Your definitely not a fan of these newfound spots.

"Its' chicken pox," Katie exhales a sigh and keeps you in her arms, to carry you back to the comfort of the sofa where she wraps your blanket around you to keep you comfy. "Now listen to me, rascal, alright? Its' important that you don't scratch any of your spots, okay?" She tells you gently but in a firm voice, although she knows' it difficult for you to understand when your only little still.

"No scratch them mammy," You nod in response, although you know it's going to be difficult to not do that. "They're itchy though!" You huff in protest.

You really, really don't like chicken pox at all.

"I know they are, but it will get better," Katie tries to reassure you and wrap her arm around you to comfort you. "How about you sit here and watch Toy Story, hm?" She suggests, knowing watching your favourite movie might help perk you up a bit.

"Uh huh," You mumble in agreement, burying yourself in your blanket as Katie works to turn on the movie for you to watch.

"There we go," Katie smiles at you sympatethically. "How about Mammy goes and gets you something to drink, hm?" She asks, stroking your hair.

"Juice, please," You say between yawns.

"Mammy will be right back then," Katie tells you before she heads into the kitchen and returns with a small cup of juice, to hand it to you. "Sit up and drink it rascal, okay?" She questions, placing a gentle kiss on your forehead.

"Thank you," Your voice isn't louder than a whisper as you willingly take the cup and drink it carefully to not spill any of it. "Don' like this, Mammy."

"I know you don't, but you'll be better in no time," Katie tells you as she settles back on the sofa besides you and your more than happy enough to worm your way to literally sit on top of her.

It's a known fact when your sick that you become extremely clingy and this time round is no difference.

You've currently got yourself latched on to Katie and your not willing to let go, even when the door goes.

"Let go a second, rascal. Mammy needs to get the door," Katie tries to prise your hands off her as she needs to move and answer the door.

Your Auntie Ellas' not home right now, so she can't even get it so you can continue to cuddle instead.

"Don' go, mammy!" You whimper in objection.

Katie frowns and still tries to get up from the sofa, "It's okay, its' alright. I'll be right back," She promises you.

"No, Mammy-- Don' go!" You continue to whine, tears at bay at the thought of her leaving.

"Alright, alright," Katie exhales a sigh and lifts you up into her arms. "Come on, lets' go and answer the door together, hm?" She states, moving to walk over to the front door with you in her arms still.

"Okay," You mumble and clasp your tiny arms around her neck.

Katie opens the door and smiles at her girlfriend, "Hi Cait," She greets her.

"Hey Katie-- Oh no, what's the matter, kid?" Caitlin instantly feels concerned when she see's you looking not so happy in Katies' arms.

You frown instantly and move to bury your face in Katies' shoulder.

"Someones' gotten the chicken pox," Katie explains, stepping aside to let her girlfriend inside the house. "And shes' also incredibly clingy right now."

"Ah, I see," Caitlin hums in agreement as shes' hesistant to overstep the mark as she follows her girlfriend into the living room. "I'm sorry your not feeling well, kid. Chicken pox aren't nice at all."

"No like 'em," Your bottom lip wobbles as the tears become visable, threatening to spill. "They itchy!"

"I know they might be," Caitlin sympathsises with you, knowing how uncomfortable you might be now.

Katie manages to unlatch your tiny hands from her once your back sitting comfortably on the sofa, "I just need to nip upstairs to the bathroom. Do you mind sitting with her until I'm back?" Shes' hesistant to leave you knowing how clingy you've been, but she is desperate to use the toilet.

"Go ahead, we'll be fine right here, right kid?" Caitlin sends you a warm smile.

"No, Mammy, no. Don' go!" You whimper and try to cling onto Katie, not wanting her to leave your side when you feel so miserable.

"Mammy will be back in a few minutes. Just stay down here with Caitlin for now, okay?" Katie bends down to speak to you on the same level. "I'll be really quick, rascal. I promise you'll be fine here with Caitlin."

 Your hesistant to agree but you slowly nod, "Otay, mammy... But come back quick." You tell her.

Katie smiles and places a gentle kiss on the top of your head, "I will, rascal. Mammy will be right back, okay?" She reassures you, before turning to look at Caitlin. "I'll be quick as I can, thank you." With that, she rushes upstairs, grateful for the 5 minutes break from you clinging onto her.

"What're you watchin' then, kid?" Caitlin eyes' the TV as she notes its' Toy Story again. "Ah, Andy and Buzzlight year, huh?" She jokes.

"Buzz lightyear!" You repeat, wearily looking at Caitlin from the comfort of your blanket wrapped around you. "Infinity and beyond!"

Caitlin gasps slightly and smiles, "Is Buzz your favourite character?" She wonders.

"Uh huh, Mammy brought me shoes' just like Buzz!" You exclaim, starting to retreat out from your initial shyness; You know Caitlin, you know you will be okay with her for a few minutes until Katie comes back.

"Wow, that's to cool!" Caitlin exclaims, still continuing to beam a wide smile. "You'll have to show me them sometimes. Do you have any more Toy Story toys?" She asks.

"Uh huh!" You nod, wriggling from the space on the sofa and toddling over to the Toy Chest, where you know where your toys will be, including your very own Buzz Lightyear. "Ook' Caitlin! I got Buzz!" You all but shove the toy in the Aussie girls' face, eager to show her now.

"That's awesome, kid!" Caitlin keeps up her enthusiasm, somewhat grateful for the fact that you're wanting to show your toys to her. "Maybe when you're feeling a little better, we can go to the toy shop and find some more cool Buzz stuff, huh?" She wonders.

"Yeah!" You nod in agreement, climbing back up onto the sofa to sit beside her still with your Buzz Lightyear toy clutched in your arm; You didn't think Caitlin was so bad after all.

"I'm back. Hows' my rascal doin'-- Oh, I see we've decided to show Caitlin your buzz lightyear toy, hm?" Katie notes' the toy clutched in your arm and beams a wide smile, glad to see you opening up to her girlfriend.

"Mammy, Caitlin said we can go toy shop when I'm better and find more Buzz stuff!" You state in excitement. "Right, Caitlin?" You turn to look at the Aussie girl for confirmation.

"Yep, you bet!" Caitlin replies in agreement.

"Wow, really? That's so cool, rascal!" Katie gasps in excitement. "You'll have to get better first though, my very own little Buzz Lightyear." She jokes with you.

© scribblesofagoonerr

[leah-lover]

Closed for maintenance. Leah williamson × reader.

This is part 2. I took a gamble on the ending. If you don't like it tell me so that I can change it.

PS: thank you for all the support ❤️❤️.

I woke up the next day with a painful headache. The light painfully affected my eyes as soon as I opened them. At first I didn't take in my surroundings, all I thought about was the pain. Then suddenly it all came back, the party, the drinks, Leah, the kiss. Holy shit Leah I kissed Leah. “Oh no why do I do this why the hell do I always do this. Fuck.” I cursed at myself. Then I jolted up. This is not my room, it's probably Leah's. I quickly inspected the room, no longer feeling the pain in my head as I was preoccupied with the trouble I got into. I then noticed a note that said “ good morning beautiful, come join me in the kitchen.” 

I got up to refresh my hair. I was still in yesterday's clothes, so I just tidied myself and went out to join her.

I was met with the cutest sight in the world. Leah blasting ABBA, dancing and cooking what looks like eggs. With the biggest smile on my face I said “ good morning cap.”. She embarrassed turned down the music and replied “ good morning to you sleepy head, you were drunk last night so I brought you home I am not sure if you remember “

“ I do remember everything despite the earth shaking headache I am experiencing right now.” I added, which made her nervous. 

“ Leah the pan it's burning.” I pointed out. “Shit. Oh god. What are we gonna do?” she said while putting the pan in the sink.

“ Well I guess the girls are having brunch, maybe we should join them.” I suggested, afraid of the outcome of us being alone.

“ Good Idea I am gonna go get ready you tell the girls we are coming together, I mean yeah…., not together like in the same car I guess.” She blurred out while going up the stairs.

On our way to the restaurant Leah seemed nervous, she kept fidgeting with the console not knowing what to do. I just ignored the tension and stared at the window.

Once we arrived we were greeted by Katie. “ Look who just showed up in yesterday's clothes late.” She said,

“ Katie fuck off please and thank you.”She replied, ushering me to an empty seat and pushing the chair out for me. “Such a gentleman “ said Katie, which earned her a stern look from Leah.

The conversation flew rather quickly, and the girls grew tired and started to leave one by one. After a while I was left with Leah alone.

“ We need to talk about what happened yesterday, it is eating at me.” She started, “ it , you, have been eating at me since you joined. You are one of if not the most beautiful human beings I know. You are kind, sweet, and confident. You are a leader and a good friend. I ….” She added before I stopped her when I put a finger on her mouth. 

“ I need you to listen to me Leah. I can't let this go far. I have been in a relationship with my teammate. It has ruined my career. I left Chelsea because of my relationship with Niamh. I lost friends because they were hers first. I was left alone. I like the family here at arsenal. I don't want to lose that. Plus my heart is closed. I don't want a relationship. I can't handle a relationship right now.” I said with tears falling down my cheek.

“hey it's okay. It's not gonna be like that. Here at Arsenal what is mine is theirs. We have formed a group with Katie, Caitlain, Lia, Alessia,and Steph. What is mine is theirs and vice versa. That fact is known within the team. They won't only be my friends they will be your family. You won't be isolated. If god forbid something happened. Do you understand me?” She said, nervousness was apparent  on her face.

I stayed quiet for a moment, not knowing what to say or what to do. “ If you are not up to it that's okay.” She said, worry in her face. “ I don't know what to think. Maybe I just need to understand more.” I replied.

“ Let's go to  Katie's house, there you will understand.” She added, grabbing my hand and leading me out of the restaurant.

And right then and there a new chapter in my life began.

[greynatomy]

surprise

katrina gorry x reader

based on this request.

harper’s gonna be a big sister!!!

part 1 part 2

———

“Flowers.”

“Check.”

“Chocolates.”

“Check.”

“Card.”

“Check.”

You and Harper are at the store, buying things for Katrina for Mother’s day. It isn’t until tomorrow, but you wanted to get everything ready.

The next morning, you woke up extra early, leaving the comfort of your wife’s embrace, successfully not waking her. You walked to your daughter’s room, rubbing your hands up and down her back.

“Wake up, Harps. We gotta make Mummy breakfast.”

“Mmm, no.” She stuffs her face closer to the pillow.

“It’s Mother’s Day, remember.”

Harper sits up, gasping, suddenly wide awake.

“Mother’s day!”

You carry Harper on your hip to the kitchen, hair all over the place.

“What should we make Mummy?”

“Uh, pacakes, eggs, bacon.”

Harper helped you mix the pancake batter, reminder her to not eat it cause it’s yucky. You plate all the food and place them in a tray. Walking to the room carefully, you place it down on the table in the corner of the room, helping Harper up on the bed.

“Happy Mummy Day!” She yelled, going into Katrina’s space, cuddling her.

Katrina sits up, back against the headboard, eyes light in up at the sight of her family.

“Oh, this is amazing. I love it.”

You had a bit of a family day, Katrina saying she wanted nothing more than to relax with the two of you. She also did get you some goodies to celebrate you on this day too and you were more than grateful.

———

A month later, you were in London for some meetings. Kyra practically forced you to stay in her place instead of some hotel, saying “I wanna spend some time with my Papa.”

You couldn’t say no.

You arrived in the afternoon, looking for the spare key Kyra told you where, but it’s nowhere to be found.

“Woah, woah! Can I help you?” You hear near you.

“Yeah, just looking for the spare key, by I can’t find it.”

“Are you at the right place?” You can tell they’re a bit cautious of you from the tone of their voice.

“Of cour—”

“Papa!” A voice you recognize all too well yells, jumping into your arms. “You’re here!”

“Hey, Roo. How ya been?”

“Good. Good.”

You both are catching up, completely forgetting about the other two that came with Kyra.

“Why’d Kyra call her Papa?” Katie asks Caitlin.

“That’s Mini’s wife.”

“Ah.”

The next day, you left the apartment before Kyra even woke up, leaving a note in the kitchen. It’s a busy day for you.

What you didn’t know was that Kyra was already up, texting your wife the all clear that she could come up. Opening the door, Kyra greeted her mother and sister figures.

They’ve decorated the whole place, having many, many breaks in between. Charli and Kyra were in charge of baking the cake, Mini obviously supervising.

It isn’t until a couple hours later that they hear keys unlocking the front door. They all get into places, lights turned off.

“Happy Father’s Day!”

You flinch in shock, not expecting this kind of welcome home.

“Harper!” You exclaim, excited to see your daughter after being away for a while. You carry Harper on your waist, walking over to where your wife stood. “Hey, baby.”

“Uh, hello? I’m here too.”

“Charli! You’re here!”

“Thanks! I feel the love.”

You didn’t expect to be celebrated on Father’s Day, don’t was an unexpected but appreciated surprise.

“I’ve got one last present.” You wife spoke up, handing you a small box. “Go ahead. Open it.”

She has a big smile on her face, which makes you skeptical, but open the box nonetheless. Carefully lifting the top off, you see a small little stick.

“What is this?” You ask, taking it out for further inspection. “Do you have covid?”

“Wha-no. I don’t have covid.” She looks at you as if you’d grown two heads.

“Two lines means covid though, right?”

“Huh? Let me see.” Kyra takes the stick out of your hands. “What! No way! Are you stupid?”

“What? What is it?”

“She’s pregnant!”

“What? Oh my god!” You carefully walk towards your wife, going down on your knees, pressing your forehead to her stomach. “There’s a baby in here?”

“Are you crying?”

“Shut up, Charli.”

“Harper! You’re gonna be a big sister!”

“Big sister!”

“Yeah! There’s a baby in Mummy’s belly.”

“Mummy eat a baby?”

“No!”

[totaly-obsessed]

Could you maybe do a part two to Muffin top?

Berry Cute

Alessia Russo x reader Drabble & Request

-> Muffin Top pt.2

-> Reader finally gets the nerve to ask Lessi out

➳ Masterlist

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

As much as it pained Viv, she listened to her friends and girlfriend – leaving you to figure it out yourself. The Dutch could appreciate that your cute character and straightforwardness were appealing to her fellow striker but could not help but feel bad, seeing you stumble over your words again and again.

Some of the Arsenal girls were meeting up for a bake night at their captain's house, making all kinds of different treats. While a hoard of chaotic girls certainly wasn’t the calm evening atmosphere Kim usually had, she wouldn’t change it for the world.

Currently, you were making one of your favorite pastries from back home – rosinenbrötchen. But seeing as the word ‘brötchen’ was too difficult for most of the team to pronounce you had settled on a bread form, so you were making raisin bread instead, and it was already in the oven.

Alessia and Laura were meanwhile attempting to make a pizza, but with Laura’s endless laughing and Alessia’s clumsy nature, it wasn’t going so well. As badly as you wanted to help, every single approach you had made – failed. Alessia knew what you wanted with your hints, but she tried to get you to use your words.

In more ways than one.

In the end, it was Katie who couldn’t take it anymore. While she had been all in for the teasing, seeing you look like a kicked puppy was too much. Strong hands pushed you in the middle of Alessia and Laura who still hadn’t pulled it together, laughing their asses off. “Right, this is your helper Less. Laura and I’ll continue over there.”

With a big grin, the striker pulled you by your arm to her self-appointed workstation. Jazz Hands, accompanied by a little ‘Ta-da!’ showed you her pizza. If you could call it that. “Less did you use dried yeast Or any yeast?”

Big blue eyes looked at you before she put on an innocent façade and shrugged her broad shoulders. “I don’t know?” Upon further inspection, you could make out that the pair had completely forgotten the yeast at all. “God Less, you are a terrible Italian.”

So you got to work, starting over all together. The blonde had given up on helping and opted to stand behind you, wrapping her arms around your middle, and pulling you as close to her as possible. It was amusing how shaky your hands suddenly were and how your sentences started to be a little confused.

Alessia made you nervous, and she knew it – she loved it. Seeing your face go completely red after whispering a sweet compliment into your ea. Hearing your shaky exhale when her fingers massage your hips. Smelling your favorite perfume, which had by now become her favorite drug. Feeling your soft hair tickle her chin, as she rested her head on yours. The striker loved it.

“Hey, I’m only half Italian.”

With more teasing you finished making the Pizza, leaving Alessia to the toppings while you went back to your raisin bread.

You didn’t know what came over you, but with sudden motivation you turned, invading Alessia's space, cornering her against the kitchen aisle. “Hey Less, Do you like raisins?” The blonde couldn’t help but smile, enamored by your charm. “I love raisins, baby.” You pulled your hand out from behind your back with a terrible tremble, nearly dropping it, a fist formed as you extended it to your crush who hesitantly held out an open palm. “How do you feel about a date?” A soft, deep purple date landed in Alessia’s hand when she started giggling. “Dates are not my favorite fruit, my love.”

Your mouth was wide open. Did she not understand? I mean, you asked her on a date, that was obvious.

Right?

Your stunned silence made her laugh even more, leaning on your shoulder to keep herself steady. “Less- I asked if you wanted to, wanted to uhmm, go on a date with me?”

From the corner of her eye, the taller girl could see a gathered crown of Katie, Beth, Kyra, and Laura who were currently getting the best soap opera of their life. “I know baby.” When your eyes started to tear up and the kicked-puppy look came back, she couldn’t take her own teasing anymore, “And I would love to go on a date with you!”

Breathing felt refreshing after the silence you endured. Cheering made you look towards your teammates who started clapping and chanting.

“Hey baby you know what?” Gentle fingers gripped your jaw, turning your face back towards her own. “I think you are berry cute.” Now it was your turn to laugh, loving her cheesy pick-up line as a response to your own.

“Oh my god. One worse than the other.”

[gpcwsl]

Warnings: short, not read through.

Katie McCabe x Reader:

A Christmas Cookie Competition.

(Trying out new techniques.)

MasterList.

Katie McCabe adjusted the Santa hat perched on her head as she stood in the kitchen, watching the chaos unfold. The house smelled of gingerbread, sugar cookies, and an overwhelming sense of Christmas spirit. Y/N’s family had taken over their shared home, transforming the living room into a festive explosion of tinsel and fairy lights.

“Alright, everyone!” Y/N clapped their hands to get the room’s attention. “It’s time for the annual cookie decorating competition! You’ve got thirty minutes to create the most festive cookie masterpiece. Katie and I will judge, and remember—no bribes this year!”

“Speak for yourself,” Katie teased, nudging Y/N playfully. “I’m open to persuasion. A mince pie might do the trick.”

Laughter erupted around the room as everyone took their places at the dining table. It was piled high with every decorating supply imaginable—icing in every color, sprinkles, edible glitter, and even tiny sugar snowmen.

Katie leaned against the counter, arms crossed, as Y/N’s youngest cousin smeared bright green icing over a star-shaped cookie with reckless abandon. “That one’s a contender for most…creative,” Katie whispered to Y/N, who chuckled.

“Don’t underestimate them. Last year, they somehow turned a snowman into Santa, and it was surprisingly good.”

The competition was in full swing, with everyone focused intently on their creations. Y/N’s dad was methodically piping delicate patterns onto a reindeer-shaped cookie, while Y/N’s sister was attempting to replicate the Grinch. The kids were less precise, their cookies an explosion of color and candy.

Katie couldn’t help but smile. She loved how Y/N’s family embraced traditions, making her feel like part of it all. This was her second Christmas with them, and she had never felt more at home.

“Done!” one of the kids shouted, holding up a cookie that vaguely resembled a Christmas tree if you squinted hard enough.

Katie grinned and stepped forward with Y/N to inspect the entries. They took their judging roles seriously, examining each cookie with exaggerated focus.

“This one’s got bold use of color,” Y/N said, pointing to a blob of red and green icing that may or may not have been a stocking.

“And this one…” Katie picked up the Grinch cookie. “Well, it’s terrifying, but in a festive way.”

“Perfect for scaring off carolers,” Y/N joked.

After much deliberation—and a little playful arguing—the winner was declared to be Y/N’s dad, whose reindeer cookie looked like it had stepped out of a holiday bakery. Cheers erupted, and everyone dug into the pile of cookies, despite the mess.

As the night wound down, Katie and Y/N stood in the kitchen, sipping hot chocolate and watching Y/N’s family laugh and chatter in the living room.

“You know,” Katie said softly, “this might be my favorite Christmas yet.”

Y/N leaned their head against her shoulder. “Mine too. Thanks for putting up with my chaotic family.”

Katie kissed the top of their head. “Are you kidding? I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

[queen-of-deans-booty]

Right After All: Part Four

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~1.6k

Warnings: minor angst, banged-up dean

Summary: After a hunt lands Dean in your hospital, he's in worse shape than he realizes. He has to have around-the-clock care, and you volunteer without thinking about the consequences.

Right After All Masterlist

Square Filled: latte for @spnonewordbingo (deleted bingo)

Author’s Note: any and all comments are appreciated <3

x

You haven’t talked to Dean since your fight in the hospital. You’re not sure what you’d say to him. He basically told you he didn't care about you so what can you say that will make it all better? Your boss has given you the extra hours you asked for just so you don’t have to go home and see him.

Clarissa might have him at the house and you’d rather not have to face that demon yet. So, you’ve been holed up in the hospital and even have gone far enough to sleep in the on-call room before your next shift. The hospital has showers for the nurses, interns, and doctors which is what you’ve been using to take care of yourself. 

It’s been working so far.

“Here, looks like you need this more than I do.” Your friend hands you a latte from the coffee cart on the first floor of the hospital. You take it with a grateful smile and take that first sip of Heaven. Delicious. “So, how are things with Dean?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him for a week. I’ve been too busy with work.”

“You mean avoiding him by sleeping here?”

“What should I do, Katie? He said kissing me was a mistake and he didn’t care about me. He made it clear he doesn’t think about me so that’s that. I have to move on.”

“Sounds like you don’t want to.”

“Yeah, well, life is funny like that, I guess.”

You grab some paperwork to file away when your nurse manager comes over with a clipboard in her hand.

“Y/N, I need you to check the patient in room 2319. A guy came in with a gash on his abdomen and a broken leg. I’ll page Ortho when you’re done with your assessment.”

“Okay.” You take the clipboard and walk to room 2319 expecting to see someone who got into an accident of sorts. Maybe a car accident? Animal attack? “Mr. Johnson? My name is—Dean?”

You almost drop everything and run to his side. He’s lying on the hospital bed clearly in an immense amount of pain. 

“Hey, Y/N. What’s up?”

“What happened?” You close the door so you can speak in private and approach his side. “Where’s Sam?”

“Pulling the car around,” he chuckles.

“What happened?”

As you speak to him, you’re hooking him up to monitors and getting his vital information before Ortho comes in and takes a look at his leg.

“A hunt gone wrong, I guess. I’m fine.”

“You have a broken leg and look at this gash. I hate that you put yourself in danger like this.”

“I thought you didn’t care.”

You roll your eyes and look at him. Of course, he’d bring it up like this.

“You’re an ass.” You leave the room and inform the nurse manager that you’re done with your part. You step off into the stairwell and call your sister who you have yet to see at the hospital. “Hey, did you know Dean is at my hospital?”

“Yeah, he called me in the car. He said he was fine and didn’t need me there.”

Hearing her say this brings tears to your eyes.

“As his girlfriend, you should be here to support him whether he says he needs you or not.”

“I got shit to do.”

“You know, if you’re going to treat him this way,” your voice cracks, “just end it with him.”

“What do you mean?”

You don’t elaborate and hang up on her. You wipe your tears and slow your breathing before going back to room 2319. This time, Dean is out from sedation and Sam is in the room. He has cuts and bruises on his face and arms but nothing like what Dean has.

“Hey,” you say and close the door behind you. “How is he?”

“He passed out the second they gave him morphine.”

After doing a quick check on Dean’s vitals, you grab Sam’s jaw and inspect the cuts on his face.

“Let me clean this for you.” You grab the necessary equipment and begin cleaning his wounds. “You two are always getting hurt. What does Eileen think about this?”

“She’s a hunter, too. She understands.” He lets you work in silence before breaking it with the million-dollar question. “How are you doing?”

“I’ve been better. What the hell happened out there?”

“We were chasing a wendigo. We haven’t fought one in a while, and Dean went to use his flamethrower when it grabbed him, sunk its claws in him, and threw him into the cave’s walls. I barely got to it before I could end up the same way. I had to carry him back to the car so I could get him here.”

“Dean’s lucky he got here in time. He was bleeding pretty badly. He’s the strongest person I know. He’s going to be okay.”

“I know,” Sam smiles.

Once you’re done fixing him, the doctor comes in and wheels Dean into surgery. Not only to fix his leg but to clean and stitch his abdomen wound together. Once he’s done, thirteen hours later, Clarissa visits him in the hospital. You’re not sure what her endgame is with Dean but you know it’s not marriage. If she doesn't love him, what the hell is she still doing with him?

“Where were you?”

“I told you. I had shit to do. Is he okay?”

“He’ll be fine. Surgery went really well but he’ll be in a cast for some time.”

The doctor who performed the surgery comes in but Dean is still knocked out from the drugs they gave him.

“He’s lucky he came here when he did. I was able to repair the damage to his abdomen and Dr. Torres was able to fix the break in his leg. He’ll be in a cast for at least six weeks but I plan for maybe ten. I have outlined how to care for the wound on his abdomen but please call me if you have any questions. Does he have someone at home who can help care for him?”

You, Sam, and Clarissa all look at each other unsure how to answer. Sam is okay enough to keep hunting and it’s not like Clarissa will volunteer to take care of him for ten weeks while he heals.

“Yeah, with me,” you blurt before you can stop yourself. “I live close to the hospital with my sister who is his girlfriend. We’ll look after him until he’s good enough to go home.”

“Okay. He needs to stay here for three days for observation but then he can go home.”

“Are you sure you want to take him? I can do it,” Sam says once the doctor leaves.

“And keep you from hunting? No, Clarissa and I can do it. Don’t worry about him. He’s in good hands.”

Three days later, you’re the one to bring Dean home from the hospital. He hates not being able to do things for himself but he’s going to have to learn since he can’t put any weight on his leg. Plus, if he moves too much, his stitches will open on his abdomen.

“This will be your home for the next ten weeks. Think you can handle it?”

You’ve made Dean comfortable on the guest bed as best as you can.

“Can you handle it?”

“I’ll manage,” you smile.

Clarissa doesn’t seem like she cares about Dean because she is never home whenever you need him to be. When you’re at the hospital, she will pop in every few hours to make sure he gets what he needs but will otherwise leave him alone. When you get off, you stay in nurse mode to take care of him. Clarissa will come home and act like the caring girlfriend only to sleep in the same bed as him.

It’s honestly exhausting.

It doesn’t matter what you do or how you do it, but you can’t seem to move on from him. You look at him and see everything you two could be. Then you see Clarissa and you’re not going to be the one to break them up. You’re not a homewrecker. It just hurts so much to see them together when you know the truth.

Weeks go by and Dean is slowly getting better but still needs someone to take care of him. You’re bringing him some grilled cheese and tomato soup, one of his favorite meals.

“I made it extra cheesy for you,” you grin and set the tray of food on the bed.

“I thought you didn’t care.”

There he goes again, saying the same thing he did weeks ago. Of course, you care. You care ven when you don’t.

“I care about your well-being.”

You take his dirty dishes and go to leave but he stops you.

“That’s not what I mean, and that’s not what I meant in the hospital.”

“Yeah, I know exactly what you mean,” you scoff. You turn to leave again but he stops you by saying your name. “What do you want me to say, Dean? You made it perfectly clear how you feel about me. I’m just taking care of a friend and nothing more. I’d like to think you’d do the same for me, right?”

Is he being unfair to you? Maybe. He has his reasons for acting the way he does but maybe they’re not good enough anymore.

“Thank you for taking care of me.”

You two stare at each other meaningfully. You’re about five seconds from going over there and kissing him when you hear the front door slam.

“Baby? I’m home!” Clarrisa calls out.

“We’re in here!”

Clarissa bounces into the room with a smile and goes over to Dean so she can give him a proper kiss. The worst thing about it is that he kisses her back. You turn and leave the room because if you had stayed even just a second longer, they would have seen the tears falling from your eyes.

x

Follow my library blog @aqueenslibrary​​​​​​ where I reblog all my stories, so you can put notifications on there without the extra stuff :)

[spectrechosts]

Bloodsuckers - Chapter 2

Full Series

Katie stirs from another sleep under the eternally blackened sky.

"Morning, starshine." One of the vampires says, and she grumbles and slides her chair back into the kitchen compartment for coffee.

"She's grumpy. Maybe we shouldn't give her her present?"

"And after we brought a human all the way here to be her friend…"

Her adrenaline spikes, and she scrambles back to her dashboard.

"That woke her up."

She closes the cockpit and puts it under lockdown protocol, turns on all the interior lights and draws her sidearm. A thralled human is so much more dangerous to her right now than the vampires. It could already be in here, could have planted something while she slept-

"She's still out here, hunter." She hears one of the vampires say, filtered through the exterior mics. She quickly checks under the dashboard- clear- and puts her back to it, leveling her pistol at the rest of her cabin before glancing outside.

There is a human outside with them. She types out a command with one hand, diverting as little focus to it as she can while she inspects her surroundings. After a few moments her computer chimes with results- nothing set off the motion sensors while she slept. She's safe in her home. She mutes the speakers and cuts the lights, retreating back into her blanket until her heart stops racing.

"Get the fuck away from me." She says, clicking the speakers back on. "I'm- I'm armed."

"Aww, bad girl." One of the vampires says. "You'd shoot our darling pet?"

"A sweet little thing like her?"

"Fuck off, you bloodsucking cunts." Katie hisses.

"Fine, fine."

When she looks out again, she can see three of them retreating into the dark.

Three of them.

"Hey! Hey!" She shouts. "Don't leave your thrall here! HEY!"

She pounds on her windshield impotently, but it's no use. They're gone, and now she's stuck with… it.

It shuffles anxiously, left without the guiding leash of it's masters. Katie squints into the dark and attempts a visual diagnosis.

The thrall seems well fed, it's clothes are well-fitting and undamaged. It's too dark to get a good read on it's skin, if it has the anemic pallor typical of it's kind. It could be a recent addition, not beyond saving yet. Katie fights against her better judgement and opens the cockpit just a crack, to speak with it without broadcasting their conversation over speakers.

"Hey." She half-whispers. "What's your name?"

The thrall looks nervously up at her and inches closer to the mech to speak.

"I'm Sammy. S-Samantha." It says. "Are you going to shoot me?"

Maybe.

"No. Listen-" Says Katie. "How long have they had you?"

"Oh, long time." Says the thrall. "They found me when the evac was just starting."

"What?" Katie asks. That's- That's impossible. The evacuation was over a year ago. Millions of workers, shipped off planet before the vampires could get them. Everyone unaccounted for had been presumed dead since the first month. An entire farming colony, completely lost. There's no way a thrall could last that long.

"Yeah!" It says. "We were all supposed to get new assignments, and I thought, well what if I just didn't go? And I'm still here."

"You're… still here?"

"I'm still here!" It practically squeals with excitement. "Listen- Have you ever had strawberries?"

"…No?" Katie replies, dumbfounded. She's… aware of strawberries. She's had strawberry flavor. "But-"

"I hadn't either." It continues, clambering up to sit closer to the open cockpit. "I used to pick them! There's a whole sector, strawberries for miles and miles. The planting is automated, but the harvesting is too variable, too delicate."

What does any of this have to do with-

"Thousands of us, that's all we did, all day. You pick the strawberries and you sort the ugly ones from the nice ones and the ugly ones get recycled for seeds and the nice ones go right into cryo; get shipped all the way to the core worlds."

That all sounds about right to Katie. That's why the hunters are here, to secure the farms so they can get producing again. The place is worth billions of credits. "Okay, so-"

"But you couldn't eat any of them. We were monitored every single moment, offworld security watching the footage to report any theft, yeah? Some people did it, got shipped right off to prison worlds." The thrall pauses, swallows. "So the evac orders go out and I thought, I could go do that on another colony, or I could stay and try my chances with the vampires."

"And?"

"And the vampires found me right away. They can smell you."

"What did they do to you?"

"Drank my blood." It says. "But then, then there's only so much blood they can healthily take, right? And they weren't really sure how things were going to shake out that early, so they just… let me go."

"They let you go and you still didn't evacuate?!"

"No, listen- So they let me go, and the evacuation is still going in other sectors, I could probably get to a ship, but… it doesn't hurt that bad, when they bite."

"What?!"

"Listennnn." It says. Katie can't believe this, why would anyone who had been caught stay to get caught again? Could they have thralled it that fast?

"So they let me go, and mostly everyone's evacuated, and I don't really know what to do. So I go pick strawberries."

"…What."

"Oh my god just listen! This is the good part, okay? So I go pick strawberries, but everyone's evacuated, and the vampires have control of the sector and are probably going to take the whole colony. So I just… eat one. And it's so good." She says, practically shuddering with delight at the memory. "It's so juicy, and sweet, and soft, with just a little crunch from the seeds while you chew. And it's just, a perfect bite. You eat the whole berry in one bite and toss the leafy bit in the dirt. And then you can eat another, and another, and another. I just sat there eating strawberries, I didn't even sort out the ugly ones. And-"

"You let yourself be thralled by vampires because you wanted to eat some strawberries?"

"Hey, you were thinking about it because you wanted to get laid." Says Sammy.

"Like hell I was!" Katie lies.

"And anyway-" Sammy continues. "It's not just strawberries. Corn, potatoes, peppers- If you can think of something, it's probably in the crop rotation for some sector. And the animals! They've practically taken over their sectors, we shut down all the incubators and we're still overrun with the things! Chickens and cows and sheep-"

"Sheep?"

"Sheeeeep." She says almost reverently. "Have you ever seen one?"

"…Pictures." Katie admits. "Are… Are they as soft as they look?"

"Softer." Sammy says. "And it's all ours. The whole colony."

"The whole colony…" Katie shakes her head. "The whole colony is overrun with vampires!"

"Oh, who cares?"

"Who cares?!?" Katie shrieks, aghast. "They've enslaved you, made you their thrall!"

"Pssh. They're not as scary as you think they are, hunter."

"They drink blood!"

"Yeah, and it hurts, sure." Sammy says. "But the way they look at you! And they get so cuddly after, when they feel safe. Not to mention- have you ever sat on a vampire's face?"

"OBVIOUSLY NOT???"

"They don't need to breathe." Sammy says, a wild glint in her eye. "Trust me, the colony's the best it's ever been."

"I- You're insane. They're using you and you don't even see it!" Katie screeches. "All you are to them is food!"

Sammy stares blankly at her for a moment, and then snorts; and then laughs, and laughs, and laughs.

"You're funny." She says. "I'll bring you some strawberries, okay?"

[voltrontranscript]

VLDS7E2: The Road Home

Season 7 Episode 2: The Road Home

Transcript by @lasersheith

Summary: The Paladins stop at a base that belongs to the Blades, only to find it's been abandoned. But they come under attack before they can investigate.

[Google Doc]

[Scene begins with the Green Voltron Lion standing on a rocky cliff]

Pidge: This is Katie Holt, Paladin of the Green Voltron Lion, broadcasting to Earth. 

[Scene pans to Pidge sitting inside the Green Voltron Lion cockpit]

Does anyone copy? Over.

[Display beeping]

Pidge: I repeat, this is the Paladin of the Green Lion and part of the Voltron Coalition. If you hear me, please respond. Over. 

[Static crackling]

Pidge: Dad, are you there? 

[Pidge curls up in the seat sadly, hugging her knees to her chest]

[Scene pans to all five Voltron Lions standing in a circle on a rocky cliffside, zooming in on Hunk staring up at the Yellow Lion]

Romelle: What are you looking at?

Hunk: Oh, hey. [Chuckles] Didn’t see you there -- right there. I’m just checking out the Lion. Y’know a good pilot can tell you everything you need to know by a solid visual inspection. It’s time consuming, yes, and it takes impeccable attention to detail, but it’s worth it, trust me.

Romelle: Amazing.

Pidge: Hunk, I just ran a multi-lion system diagnostic test. The report back showed that the faunatonium partially replenished the power cores, but they’re still not at one hundred percent, so we’ll need to take it slow. 

Hunk: Yep, “partially replenished” power core. Nailed it. That’s pretty much what I got, too.

[Scene pans to the rest of the Paladins sitting and standing among supply boxes near the Lions]

Shiro: Were you able to contact Earth? 

Pidge: No luck. The low power levels are probably affecting our broadcast distance. I’ll keep trying as we head for Earth. 

Lance: I can’t believe we’re finally going home.

Hunk: I’m gonna hug my parents and never let go. 

Pidge: I can’t wait to see how Dad integrated Altean and Earth technologies together! I bet he came up with something amazing! And my mom… Oh… She’s gonna be so mad at me for running away. I hope I’m not grounded. 

Keith: How long do you think it’ll take us to get home?

Coran: I was just calculating that now. Without the luxury of a wormhole and with diminished power cores, let me see, carry the one… Oh, it’s going to take us approximately one hundred fifty thousand Earth years.  

[Everyone recoils and gasps in horror]

Keith: A hundred and fifty thousand years!?

Pidge: Coran, I think your finger counting is a little off. It’s gonna be one point five years. 

[Everyone groans, then sighs in relief]

Coran: Oh right! I didn’t carry the three. 

Allura: It’s going to be a very long and difficult voyage, but it’s our only chance to replace the Castle of Lions. 

Shiro: There were times when I thought I’d never see Earth again. To be able to go back -- 

Lance: Well, what are we waiting for, guys? Let’s hit the space road! 

Krolia: I suppose we need to figure out who’s flying with whom. 

Coran: And what about the animals? 

Pidge: What about them? 

Coran: Well, the wolf can’t go with Kaltenecker, wolves eat cows.

[Kaltenecker moos]

Coran: And the cow can’t be in the same area as the mice because aren’t cows afraid of mice?

[Mouse chitters]

Lance: No, elephants are afraid of mice.  

Coran: Elephants?

Lance:  Yeah. They’re giant, gray animals with long noses that grab things. 

Allura: Giants, with long, grabbing noses? Earth seems so strange. 

Keith: The wolf is riding with me, but that means Hunk will have to take the cow. 

Hunk: Me with the cow? Not a good idea. 

Lance: Hunk’s right. Keith, you’re keeping the cow. Someone else is gonna have to take the wolf.

Pidge: Not me. I am allergic. 

Allura: I’ll take the mice. 

Keith: How come you get the smallest passengers? 

Hunk: I say, we go old school and draw straws. 

Allura: But I’m terrible at drawing!

Coran: She really is. One time, she tried to draw her nan-nan but what she came up with, I’ve got to say, it looked more like a flan-blan-diplor.

Lance: Guys, you’re all overthinking this. I know exactly where everyone should go. 

[Scene pans to Hunk in his cockpit]

[Mice chitter]

Hunk: Hunk and mice, ready to go. 

[Pans to Allura, video display of the wolf in her cockpit]

Allura: I’m ready too. But the wolf looks restless. How did I get stuck with it again? 

[Pans to Keith’s cockpit where Krolia, Coran, and Shiro are standing crowded together behind Keith’s chair]

Keith: I’d gladly trade you the wolf for --

Coran: I have a question. Why did we let Lance decide all this? 

[Pans to Lance’s cockpit, where Romelle is leaning over him in his chair]

Lance: Enough whining! Romelle and I are going to Earth, who’s coming with us? 

[Mechanical whirring and clinking, Lions begin to power up and roar one by one before blasting off into space together]

[Pans to Hunk’s cockpit, where the mice are feeding Hunk snacks and holding a drink pouch for him to sip]

Hunk: Oh this is so great. You guys are like the ultimate road trip companions. 

[Pans to Keith’s cockpit]

Coran: Oh, and I get to finally play some of your Earth road games! I’ll go first. I spy with my little eye, something that starts with “plexis.” 

Shiro: Coran, we don’t know the Altean alphabet. 

Coran: Well then this is perfect! I can teach you!

[Coran begins singing]

Coran: Exus, plexus, ceedus, flee, jaydus, nacto, pledum, ree

[Pans to Lance’s cockpit, where Romelle is pressing random buttons on the displays]

Romelle: What does this one do? Is this the lasers? Where’s the mouth-blade button? 

Lance: It’s jaw-blade, and please don’t touch that! Romelle, come on. This is a dangerous war machine.

Romelle: What if something happens to you? What if you have to go to the bathroom and you break your leg and then we’re attacked, and I have to save the day? 

[Hunk pops up on Lance’s video display holding a photo where the mice are making fearsome faces and much closer to the camera than Hunk is, making them appear much larger]

Hunk: Lance check it out! Ahh! I’m being attacked by giant mice! Stop! They’re eating my face! 

[Hunk chuckles and removes the photo to show the mice sitting calmly on his shoulders and headrest]

Hunk: Ah, just kidding. I took these pictures myself. They’re mice-selfies.

Lance: Not now, Hunk! I got my hands full! 

Hunk: Oh, man, I gotta send this one to Allura. 

[Pans to Allura’s cockpit]

Allura: No! Bad! Stop biting that! 

[Wolf snarls] 

Allura: Put that Belexiam assembly down right now, or so help me!!

[Allura presses a button on her display and calls Keith]

Allura: Keith, your wolf is tear up the cargo hold!

Keith: Because he’s lonely. Just let him in the cockpit.

Allura: I will absolutely not let that beast in the cockpit! 

[Hunk’s display pops up over Keith’s]

Hunk: Guys, check out this picture! The mice look so cute! 

[Pan to Lance’s cockpit, rapidly filling with smoke]

Romelle: Oh, this looks shiny! 

Lance: What did you touch!?

Romelle: What if I touch this? Oops!

Lance: Guys, I think I did a bad job choosing the passengers. 

[Romelle continues making curious/destructive noises in the background]

[Coran returns to the display, still singing the Altean alphabet]

Coran: Exus, plexus, ceedus, flee, jaydus, nacto, pledum, ree. 

Romelle and Coran: Joodum, ruu, and leeum too. That puts us just halfway through! There’s mai-ox, kay, and jibley-way. Afus, nofus, youkus-play.

[Pans to Pidge’s cockpit where she is playing a video game. The game beeps while Coran and Romelle can still be heard singing]

[Various other cockpit displays pop up]

Romelle and Coran: Beefur, leefur, agus-play, at the end, flancko and blee!

Hunk: Who wants to see the mice stacked on my head? 

Lance, covered in goo of some kind: You’ve gotta be kidding me! 

Coran: From the top!

Allura: Wonderful, now everything is covered in wolf drool.

[Romelle and Coran continue to sing the Altean alphabet]

Keith: Oh yeah, he’s uh, super drooly.

Hunk: Say cheese!

[Other displays leave the screen, back to just Pidge in her cockpit with her game]

[off screen] Lance: Romelle! 

[off screen] Keith: Just let him up front!

[off screen] Allura: No!

[Singing continues off screen]

[Scene pans to Keith’s cockpit]

Keith: That’s it! We’re switching passengers!

Allura: I second that!

Lance: Agreed.

Hunk: Hey, why haven’t we heard from Pidge?

Lance: Yeah. Wait, who’s in her lion again? 

Keith: I don’t know, you’re the one who came up with this grouping. 

Hunk: Well, she must have -- no, they’re with Keith. And the wolf is with Allura, I have the mice. 

Allura: Is she all alone? 

[Pans back to Pidge’s cockpit, zoomed in on her face with two mice hugging her helmet]

Pidge: Oh, come on, guys, this is so not fair!

[Pans out to reveal Romelle, Coran, the wolf, and the rest of the mice in her cockpit]

Coran: I call dibs on playing the video game first! 

Romelle: But I already have the controller. 

Coran: Pidge, tell Romelle to give me the controller! I called it first! 

Pidge: No. Nope. Nuh-uh. No way. Can’t do this. 

[Scene fades to lions flying in space together in formation] 

[Zoom in to Keith’s cockpit, with Krolia and Shiro behind his seat]

Krolia: This is the Klii-Nyn System. There’s a Blade of Marmora rally point located on a moon here. We should check in with them and get an update on their operations. 

Keith: Team, we’re gonna make a quick stop. Everyone, follow me. 

[Scene fades to an asteroid belt centered on a diamond shaped space station]

Krolia: Hailing Zailox Station. Please respond. Repeat, Zailox Station. Please respond. 

[static crackling] 

[The Lions land on the station and the team approaches an entrance which Allura pries open] 

Keith: It doesn’t look like anyone’s been here for years. 

[Pidge approaches a dark console while the others look around]

Pidge: The system won’t boot. Looks like the backup power has been out for a while. 

Hunk: If the Blade of Marmora abandoned this place, that means something really bad must’ve happened. 

Krolia: That’s impossible. This base was still fully operational during my last check in with the Blades. 

[Thud off screen]

[Everyone grunts as dust and debris begins to fall] 

Coran on comm: Enemy ship! Incoming!

Keith: Everyone! Back to the Lions.

[Building continues to rumble as the team retreats]

[Lions powerup and roar as they take off]

Keith: It looks like a small fleet. Mostly Galra fighters. 

Lance: That’s good. We should be able to take them out pretty easily. 

[Pans to Green Lion cockpit]

[Rumbling]

[Coran, Pidge, Romelle grunting]

Coran: Oh!

[Wolf teleports with Coran out of Pidge’s cockpit]

Pidge: Yeah, but remember, we’re not flying at full power. 

Keith: Pidge is right. Everyone, stay sharp. 

[Wolf and Coran teleport into Keith’s cockpit behind Shiro and Krolia]

[Wolf teleports out of Keith’s cockpit]

[Galra fighters chase and shoot at Red Lion]

Lance: Keep an eye out! Where there are fighters there’s usually a cruiser nearby. 

[Wolf teleports Romelle into Allura’s cockpit and then vanishes again]

Romelle: Some of these ships look like they belong to Lotor’s fleet!

Allura: How did you get in here?

[explosion outside cockpit]

[Romelle and Allura groan]

[The Green Lion dodges Galra fighter lasers. The wolf teleports into the cockpit with Pidge]

Pidge: Whoa! How did you do that?

[explosion outside cockpit]

[Pidge groans]

Pidge: Sorry, it’s gonna be a rough ride. Ah!

[the Lions are encircled by Galra fighters as they continue evading lasers]

[Keith groans]

Keith: We need to get out of here.

[the Yellow Lion is tethered by two of the Galra ships]

Hunk: Guys, they’ve got me. I can’t move. 

Keith: Hang on, Hunk. I’m gonna get you out of there. 

[Keith accelerates the Black Lion towards the Yellow Lion. Krolia, Shiro, and Coran are squished against the back wall of the cockpit]

[Krolia, Shiro, Coran grunt]

[Keith cuts the tethers holding Hunk]

Hunk: Thanks, Keith! 

Lance: We’re getting our quiznacks handed to us! We need to do something! We need to form Voltron.

Keith: Okay. Everyone, in formation. 

[Lions begin coming together, mechanical warning beeps]

Lance: It’s not working! 

Keith: Hold! 

Allura: The Lions can’t take much more of this! 

[Keith grunts] 

Keith: Abort!

[Lions leave formation. Lance grunts] 

Lance: What the heck just happened?

Pidge: I’m guessing the Lions didn’t have enough power to form Voltron.

Hunk: So now what? 

Keith: We run! 

[The Green Lion is struck by Galra lasers. Pidge groans and yells as her lion is flung off course] 

[The Red and Yellow lions narrowly avoid explosions. Lance and Hunk grunt] 

Lance: Is everyone okay? 

Pidge: I’m okay. 

Allura: Me too. 

Hunk: What did we hit? 

Coran: Xanthorium crystals. They’ve been cloaked. 

[the Black Lion hits a cloaked crystal, rocking with the resulting explosion. Coran and Shiro grunt.] 

[Pidge is nearly struck by a powered up Galra laser and groans] 

Pidge: Whoa! Where did that come from? 

[the Yellow Lion is nearly tethered again but narrowly escapes, hitting another crystal and setting off a chain reaction of explosions.]

Hunk: I’ve never seen the Galra use weapons like these before. 

Allura: And they’re not using standard Galra battle formations. 

Hunk: How are we gonna get away? 

Keith: They’re trying to trap us by chasing us through this tunnel of crystals. 

Pidge: He’s right. Look, there are more crystals up ahead!

Hunk: They’re corralling us like we’re space cattle! 

Lance: They backed us into a corner. We got xanthorium crystals all around us, pirates behind us, and a cyclone blocking our exit! 

Keith: We have no choice. Everyone into the cyclone. Hunk, that means you and I are gonna have to punch a hole through the storm and create a path for the team. You ready? 

Hunk: As I’ll ever be.

[Black and Yellow Lions thrusters rev as they approach the cyclone] 

[Lance groans]

Lance: Guys! We can’t take much more of this! 

Keith: Everyone scan the area for anything we can use for cover. We need to go somewhere where we have the advantage. 

Pidge: There’s a volcanic ice planet nearby. It has geysers, uh steam vents, ice tunnels, extreme changes in temperature and an unstable core. It’s super dangerous. It’s perfect. 

Keith: Okay, team. Let’s do this. 

[the Lions veer out of the cyclone into the atmosphere of the dangerous ice planet, chased by Galra fighers] 

Keith: Alright everybody, stay in formation and follow me. 

Hunk: Geyser! Geyser!

[Lions dodge through a series of Geysers. At least one Galra ship is destroyed but many continue to pursue, firing lasers.] 

Lance: Ha! You missed! 

[Galra lasers strike an ice and stone arch high above the Lions. Debris begins to rain down on their escape path.]

Shiro: Watch out for the falling ice! 

Keith: A cave! That gives me an idea. Lance, bring up the rear. When everyone’s through the tunnel, fire above the cave opening. Red should be fast enough to get in before the avalanche completely blocks the way. 

Lance: Roger that, team leader. 

Keith: We’ll see each other on the other side. 

Lance: Here goes nothing.

[display beeps] 

[the Lions make it into the cave before Lance collapses the tunnel. Only a few Galra ships make it in with them. Several are destroyed and several more veer around]

Lance: Uh-oh! Some of them still made it through! 

Keith: Split up! We need to thin our attackers. 

[the Lions split up]

[One Galra ship follows the Black Lion and attaches a tether to it. A lone figure slides down the tether onto the Lion’s exterior]

[Display beeps alerting the cockpit of the intruder]

Shiro: He’s trying to break in. I’ll take care of him. 

Krolia: No! You’re still recovering. I’ll do it. 

Shiro: Alright. 

Keith: Wait! 

[Keith unsheathes his knife and hands it to Krolia]

Keith: Take this. 

[Krolia smiles, takes the blade, and exits the cockpit]

Coran: I’ll help, too! 

[Coran follows Krolia] 

[as soon as they leave the cockpit, turbulence knocks Coran off his feet and he becomes trapped in a storage closet]

Coran: Hello? Krolia? Anyone? A little help here. Guys? 

[Krolia opens the lift to the exterior of the Black Lion, luring the Galra invader into throwing range of her knife. The invader dodges and they face off on the Lion’s back blade to blade.] 

[Keith grunts in the cockpit]

Keith: Hang on!

[the Black Lion dodges around and blasts through dangerous terrain while Krolia and the attacker try to hold on]

[the Black Lion narrowly avoids a stalactite, but the Galra attacker slips and smashes into it]

[the scene changes to Hunk dodging a Galra fighter] 

[the Yellow Lion is caught in an explosion from the Galra fighter and crashes onto the cavern floor. Hunk exits, bayard drawn.] 

[Hunk yells incoherently as his bayard changes to gun form and he shoots toward the Galra fighter. Suddenly his bayard glows and changes form, shooting turrets onto the cave walls. The turrets fire with Hunk and the Galra ship is destroyed in an explosion.]

[the scene changes to Allura and Romelle in the Blue Lion]

[Allura yells a battlecry and charges a Galra fighter with the Lion] 

Romelle: Nice!

[display beeps in warning, showing the pilot exiting the mangled Galra fighter with a handheld weapon] 

Allura: Oh no!

Romelle: What are you waiting for? Shoot him! 

Allura: I can’t. The jaws are stuck shut!

Romelle: I’ll take care of him. 

[Romelle exits the cockpit] 

[The Galra pilot approaches the Lion with their gun up, cautiously entering. Romelle kicks them back into the wreckage of their ship.]

[Romelle finds the shrapnel preventing the jaws from moving and pulls it away]

Romelle: Allura, open the mouth!

[the Blue Lion opens its jaws and the pilot and wreckage of the Galra ship are ejected] 

Keith: Is everyone okay? 

Hunk: Clear.

Allura: Me too, thanks to Romelle. 

Lance: Well, Pidge and I need help! 

Pidge: Yeah, we can’t shake these guys and we don’t have any room to maneuver. 

[Keith’s display beeps with colored indicators for the Lions] 

Keith: I see your location. We’re headed your way!

Lance: What should we do? You usually have ideas! 

Pidge: I don’t know! My cannon isn’t operational! 

[the Green Lion rocks. Pidge grunts and turns to the wolf] 

Pidge: Y’know what? Let me know if you have any thoughts. We could really use some help right now. 

[the wolf teleports out of Pidge’s cockpit and into the cockpit of the Galra ship firing at her] 

[Galra soldier gasps]

[Wolf snarls]

[Galra soldier whimpers]

[Scene cuts to Galra ship spinning out of control and crashing] 

[The two other ships firing on Lance and Pidge also quickly spin out and crash]

Lance: What just happened? 

Pidge: I think the wolf just saved us.

[wolf teleports into Pidge’s cockpit] 

[Pidge laughs and pets the wolf]

[The wolf whimpers and lies down] 

Pidge: Oh, no. Are you okay, wolfie? 

[the wolf pants and whimpers on the floor]

[the Lions exit the caves and return to formation only to be hit by a large beam that pins them all to the ground] 

[Paladins all groan]

[scene fades to the cockpit of the ship that has captured the Lions, slowly panning to reveal Ezor and Zethrid smirking] 

END

[wickedsrest-rp]

TIMING: Current LOCATION: Vicker's Beach SUMMARY: Night 1 of the Wicked's Rest Bondfire is here, and while it's debatable whether everyone had a good time, everyone did have a time. Feel free to take home some leftover food and goodies! NOTE: Please be sure to reblog this thread if your character is in it, and we will count it as a thread for the next Activity Check.

There were a lot of shrimp splashing in the tide today, weren’t there? Ah, memories. OLD JONATHAN smiled fondly at the swarming crustaceans as the team of volunteers finished setting everything up. The craft tables were ready, the fire was crackling now, and the setting sun painted purple all of the sails sticking up from the harbor. Another Summer was set to conclude and night 1 of the customary Bondfire was ready. He admired the work, the whole beach stretched around them. Just like the boats pulling in to dock for the evening and the shrimp now forming those sweet little compact shrimp balls (those memories), townsfolk were now gathering to be together. Already, several food items and activities were being brought for everyone to enjoy, and the fire dancer had quietly – very quietly – arrived. 

“Alrighty folks,” OLD JONATHAN waved a hand at the team, “Let’s leave ‘em to it. It’s getting past this old man’s bedtime.” Jonathan chuckled, but before departing, he plucked up one of the shrimp and dropped the squirming critter right down his gullet, thinking nothing of it. “See everyone tomorrow, same time, same place. Maybe we’ll be able to save on some materials, eh?” You never knew in this town. Something could kill everyone here before the fire even went out. Groceries are expensive these days. They could really save on graham crackers and marshmallows.

This wasn’t his typical scene. EMILIO wasn’t a particularly social man. There were only a handful of people he hung out with intentionally, and it was due to a few of those people that he was here tonight. Plenty of them could use a break, and apparently a bonfire was a good way to offer something like that. And while food and conversation weren’t exactly things Emilio was known to enjoy… he did like fire. Fire was all right.

Taking an idle swig from his flask, EMILIO inspected the table in front of him. There were a lot of food options to pick through, though he did so with only a faint interest. He probably wouldn’t eat most of it, but people looked at you strangely if you weren’t at least holding a plate at these things. Squinting at the table, he made a face. “That’s a lot of cheese,” he commented to no one in particular.

The dead fish sloshed and squelched around beautifully in the bag as REGAN trudged through the sand. Katy Perry had nothing on a bag of dead fish, but they still weren't half as beautiful as her bone partner. She shot Jade an easy smile, and pointed to where smoke hazed through the colorful sky in a pillar up ahead. "Why didn't we think of logs to sit on, hm? Just Couches really should have carried those. Or maybe we missed them. I think you were distracted." Only Jade. Looking more closely at the crowd, there were a few people she knew there, which... was that better, or worse? It seemed like Emilio was one of them. Worse, then. She had come because Jade was excited, even after learning this was not a bonefire to venerate bones (dead), but a bonfire, to make s'mores (not at all dead). 

"Oh! Over here!" REGAN found the perfect spot. She tilted the bag and the dead fish slid out in a smooth, slimy glide, making a pile on the sand. The scent tangled with the fire. "And look, they even have a table for your cheese. People better appreciate those labels and toothpicks. You worked so hard on choosing suitable colors." Regan stood proudly over the fish. In her eyes, cheese was best enjoyed in the presence of decomposing fish. People would surely flock over like sea gulls, except not actual gulls, because she wasn't letting them get her fish.

It had taken some hyping up beforehand on CHARLIE’S part to get him to come out to the bonfire without Finn attached to his side. But this wasn’t at all Finn’s scene. It was his nightmare, actually. So that’s why Charlie decided to go at it alone. He’d brought some speakers to play some music in the background, give this bonfire an actual chance at being a good time, and nothing was a good time without music, in his opinion. So he set up his speakers on a table and allowed anyone to be able to connect to the speakers to play whatever they pleased. 

Making his way over to the large fire, CHARLIE crossed his arms over his chest and stared into it for a moment before backing away, looking over to the things that everyone had brought. “God, what’s that fucking smell?” He complained, covering his nose with a displeased expression. Then, he saw it. Rotting fucking fish. “You’re kidding, what?” He said to no one in particular. “Dead fish, really?” He spoke to the pale woman with an incredulous expression on his face.

Something about fire was so inviting. Maybe a callback to the days when this was all humanity was, people bonding over shared food, warmth, and light. A dispelling of the darkness and illumination of what community could mean. TEDDY often felt othered. From their childhood, pulled from one family, sacrificed to a demon, turned into a demon, growing up a demon around humans and never quite bonding with the other kids, to this strange amalgamation of human but not entirely, of part of something, but still on the outskirts. 

Tonight things felt different. Together. Whole. Like the pieces finally fit, and not just because they were snuggled up next to Emilio, with an arm looped around his waist as he contemplated various fermented milks. “Don’t know if I’ve ever seen that many in one place that wasn’t a cheese store.”

The prospect of the speakers was a fun little addition. One TEDDY immediately hopped on, queuing up some generally pleasant jams then throwing in one total vibe changer (but still a banger) every once in a while. 

METZLI hated social gatherings just as much as they hated small talk. The very thought made them shiver, but they sat down anyway. Leila had convinced them to venture out and do something other than lay in bed. So they settled in, sulking past the fire as it reminded them of a certain little ember that had been blown out. 

"Cheese. Yeah. Cheese." They nodded idly in their seat, taking note of a few familiar faces as they contemplated how to continue their amazing contribution to the conversation. "Um..." They licked their lips and added, "It tastes like...cheese. Probably."

VIC would definitely not go to such a ridiculous event if it wasn’t for Rosie, who loved the town and to watch people in it. It simply would have been cruel to keep the poor child from the endeavor, even if attending it was practically torturous for VIC. Or… at least, that was the story she was planning on telling, if anyone asked why she was there.   In truth, she was sort of rather excited to attend- watching the townspeople and seeing what they were up to had become quite fascinating. It must have been because she couldn’t wait to find what they were doing wrong. 

VIC had spent the night preparing two comically large sized dishes of potatoes au gratin, a delicacy if you asked her, and found a spot for them immediately when she arrived. She was glad she brought plates and cutlery too, because someone had apparently thought it appropriate to dole out paper plates and plasticware. In 2024? Preposterous. It wasn’t long before she and Rosie found the craft table, where the toddler had taken to painting rocks and VIC was currently making a wide array of bracelets- both for friendship and criticism. 

They should've invented a new word for the kind of excited JADE was. It was like her body was charging UP with extra energy the closer they got to the people gathered around the bonfire. (Not in a energy vampire kinda way, okay? Just... in an extrovert way). It was hard to ignore the scent of dead fish by her side, but one look at Regan's content smile shut down like, all her smell receptors. Gone. She didn't care how stinky they were between the both of them (Fish and cheese? Yup, it was a little much, but), cause they were doing this together. And! Cause she could spot a few familiar faces already. She couldn't wait to go pester Emilio and hang out with Teddy. Just like... oh. Oop. Metzli and their boo were here too. And that woman from the park who banged her sister? Penny, was it? Yikes. Things might get a little awks depending on who else showed up. (But like, that potato dish looked all kinds of amazing, truth be told).

She kept a big smile on her face, cause everybody was here to have a good time, including herself. She'd even brought her delicious cheese to the bonfire, knowing it would be a crowd pleaser. JADE set up her little arrangement of cheese cubes, watching as Regan let the dead fish free, not unlike a little kid drops their toys on the sand. (Maybe one day, someone would make a bonefire happen too). "I don't mind if people don't vibe with my labels, as long as they're gone by the end of the night, I'll be happy. I mean... cheese! Who doesn't love it?" she shrugged, noticing a few curious folks already approaching the table. She waved at the strangers, then turned to Regan. Was she planning on looking after the dead fish all night? "Should we make the rounds and say hi? We have manners, don't we?"

LEVI knew there were far better things to bring to a pot-luck style get together than century eggs, but it would be a fun little activity watching people eat them, confused, and then realize what was in their mouth. On the other hand, it had a container full of bacon-wrapped asparagus, grilled to perfection. The actual tasty treat among the two, unless you had the palette of a three year old who refused to eat asparagus. 

Leaving its offerings on the provided tables, LEVI didn’t waste much time in dropping eaves on the conversations of others, figuring where there were people, there was work. For now, it would stand back and listen (and keep an eye on the eggs for a laugh or two), and if it heard something interesting, it might engage that individual to dig a little deeper.

There was a stink that was currently permeating VIC’s nostrils so strongly that she had the urge to scoop Rosie up and shield her from such an offense. As she looked to where it was coming from, the sight was probably worse than the smell. “Baby Bloodworth and the Irish bone partner”, she muttered under her breath. Louder, she called to them. “I think you two got the wrong idea. The dumpster fire was last week. This one is about community.” Rummaging through the bracelets she’d made, she handed one each to the women. To Jade, a bracelet that said ‘societal menace’, and to Regan, one that simply said ‘stinky’. She wondered if they’d like them.

At least Teddy was nearby. EMILIO felt a little more secure with their arm looped around his waist, even if he was facing down impossibly unfamiliar things, like a table full of cheese and people making bracelets. (What were the bracelets for?) “There’s a cheese store?” He turned to Teddy with a furrowed brow, glancing over to Metzli as they spoke. “I don’t think it’s supposed to all taste the same.” Was it? Fuck if he knew.

METZLI shrugged at Teddy's comment, and shook their head while a foul scent overtook their senses. The pungent smell of fish became overwhelming for Metzli. It didn't mix well with the cheese, coating the inside of their nose with the horrible concoction. Sighing, they made their way to the crafting table and gazed at the assortment before organizing a few sets of beads in front of them to start their project.

While the debate on cheese was thrilling, TEDDY’S proverbial dog ears pricked up as someone mentioned Jade’s last name. At first it was excitement, hooray! Jade is here!! They could annoy Emilio with their friendship IRL. Perfect, except it was being called by some exceptionally snippy stranger. Teds frowned, which then immediately grew into a devilish grin. “Let’s go say hi.”

OH! Penny was approaching them, that was so interesting. Maybe she wasn't so scared of JADE after all. Wasn't that nice? Maybe now, with her D as limp as it was, (keeping "innocent until proven guilty" in her mind the way Van wanted it), she would be able to have a fine, civil conversation with the other woman. In reality, Penny had approached to complain, what a hater. "Nothing says community like cheese!" she forced a smile, turning to the pile of fish. "And um... dead fish. Something about... consumerism." A think piece if there ever was one! She reached for the bracelet, carefully reading what it said. "Aw, you made one specially for me. That's so sweet of ya!" 

Finding the smell of the fish a tad too overwhelming to handle, CHARLIE waved a hand as if it would make the smell go away, and made his way back over to the fire. The snacks were tainted, as far as he was concerned, seeing as the smell of rotting fish far overwhelmed anything else going on. He smiled as someone began playing music on the speakers, glad that he had brought them along. He took a deep breath of the fresh air (away from the rotting fish) and closed his eyes, deciding to let himself relax for once.

This had all sounded a bit too wholesome for KIERAN'S taste but once an event reached a certain size, the faun would be amiss not to show up and see if it was worth his time. The sand part of this also wasn't enticing for someone whose cheapest pair of shoes retailed for around 300 dollars but it was a sacrifice he was willing to make rather than chance missing out on the possibility of a new kind of fun. He faintly remembered the encouragement to bring something for sharing as he arrived (fashionably late, as per usual) and noticed the spread of various food and... other things? Whatever, bringing himself felt like plenty, attention moving from the table to the people milling around, a few familiar faces clicking. Kieran knew he had probably run into more of them but his interest in memorizing faces was notoriously bad. It was hard to forget someone who had popped up at your place of work to beat the shit out of you, and even with a drastic change in hairstyle, Charlie was easily spotted as well. Deciding to avoid both of them, Kieran settled close to the mostly empty craft table (really? crafts?) where a quiet and one armed stranger was poking at the beads.

Metzli took off, and Teddy was zeroed in on Jade. EMILIO sighed, eyeing his friend — and her ‘bone partner,’ and her bone partner’s dead fish, and… the woman he’d done some arson with at the Good Keep — and tried to decide if there was any feasible way to get out of conversation. It wasn’t as if he didn’t enjoy all those people individually (to an extent; he didn’t know Vic well enough to have a solid opinion beyond ‘didn’t get me killed’), but all of them together were a bit much. Teddy wanted to say hi, though, and Emilio wanted Teddy to have a good time, so he relented. “Sure,” he agreed, “but can we try to get them away from the fucking fish? Smells like shit.” He could barely smell it; smell had never been his strongest sense. It was more the principle of the thing.

Oh, her fish were getting so much attention. This was going better than REGAN had dared hope. The humans were even keeping a respectful distance while observing. There was only one dissenter, a man who seemed to think she was kidding about something. “I do not kid,” Regan said with crossed arms. She wasn’t a child either, for that matter. “It doesn’t look like you brought anything worthwhile, so you’re in no place to judge what I’m honoring today.” Those cookies looked pretty good, though. Regan gave Jade a questioning look. “I don’t have patients. There are no rounds to make. But if you’d like to say hi to Emilio, Teddy, and – wait a second, is that Chuck?” Before she could explain that Chuck was from the mayo mobile, a snippy woman who seemed to know Jade approached and handed them each, uh, bracelets. Regan didn’t examine hers but accepted it. The woman’s implication was not lost on Regan. “Then why are you here? You seem like you would be right at home in a dumpster fire. Awful smell, isn’t it? Burning trash?” So unlike her fish.

Seeing that a few of their friends were there, METZLI sorted out the letter beads to make a few bracelets for people. A small smile ticked up the corner of their lips as they spelled out 'death' for Regan, 'knifes' for Emilio, and 'loser' for Jade. When they tied the ends to secure the bracelets, Metzli rose from the table and handed them out accordingly.

“Oh yes, that one was made especially for you”, VIC agreed, pleased that Jade was finally getting the picture. Rosie liked the idea that she and mommy were giving people gifts, and she quickly joined VIC over where she was, her hands gripping two rocks she’d just finished. Shyly, she handed one each to Regan and the nice lady from the park, still wet with a mess of colors, as were her hands.  Overwhelmed by the sweetness, VIC picked her up, ignoring the mess of paint now staining her shirt. “If you’re implying that I am the stinky one, you are sadly mistaken, ma’am.” It was important for Rosie to witness good manners, even when scolding someone. “I am very clean, so my scent is only offensive to people unaware of cleanliness.” 

“Maybe you just don’t have any taste, the good doc brought us all a bountiful feast.” TEDDY stepped in, not that Regan or Jade or really anyone here needed defending, but there was a chord of chaos they sensed, unplucked. Ripe and ready for the setting. Just needed to put the pieces in order.

Opening his eyes, CHARLIE looked around, and his eyes stopped when he saw the familiar figure of Kieran over by the craft table. Fuck, really? Well, he could certainly leave, no one was talking to him, so who would miss him? Except... he couldn't get himself to leave after just getting there, something about a crisp 'I told you so' from Finn upon his arrival home was too much to handle. So instead, he took a deep breath and walked over to Kieran, a tight smile on face. "Crafting?" He asked in an amused tone.

"But still, it's good to know who everybody is. Show off your conversational intercoursing skills" JADE pointed out, noticing Emilio and Teddy approaching. She waved even bigger, in case they didn't see her. And... Regan knew someone named Chuck! Nobody named Chuck could be a bad vibe, right? That was like top, chill name. Not as chill? Regan and Penny having a Karen off. Jade tapped Regan's wrist, hoping to have some effect on her. "It's fine, she can have bad taste. Variety is the spice of life or something," she put on her bracelet proudly, then looked at the paper plates. Nice! Environment friendly and all. And when little Sammy came over and handed her a rock, she beamed at her too. Kids had good taste always. "Why don't we grab some of those nice potatoes? Food makes everybody happy!" She would even make a plate for Emilio and Teddy too, who had just come around.

Just as METZLI approached Jade to give her her bracelet, they saw a child hand her a rock. It reminded painfully of Cass. They stopped in their tracks and let out a shaky sigh, somehow managing to force themself to close the distance. "Here," Metzli hissed, shoving the bracelet in Jade's hand and walking away to sit by the fire. They should've stayed home. 

The woman from the Keep — Vic? He thought her name might’ve been Vic — seemed to have some kind of problem with Jade and Regan, and EMILIO wondered if it was fish-related. The big, stinky dead fish was probably a good reason to be annoyed with someone. But, really, Emilio was more focused on the kid Vic was holding. He hadn’t known she had a kid. His expression softened a little, and he offered the little girl a small wave before Teddy grabbed his attention again. “A feast? Babe, that’s a dead fish.” A very dead fish. That smelled. He glanced around the party absently as the conversation moved forward, making notes of everyone he saw. He bristled at the sight of Kieran, tensing a little. Levi was… doing whatever it was Levi always did. Metzli was making bracelets. Did Metzli understand the bracelets? Could they explain it, maybe? He thought of asking them as they approached, but they disappeared again in an instant. “Maybe we burn something?” He suggested, looking between everyone. “Is that what we do here?”

Taking note of the people was at least worth the trip, noticing the outliers and trying to determine them as social outcasts or watchers, like himself or grimacing at the cutesy couples. It seemed the hunter hadn't been lying about being taken, even if the person sharing his space looked nothing like what KIERAN would have expected. His musing was cut off by an approaching figure, easy smile settling on his face in sharp contrast to Charlie's tight one. "Since I'm not a child, no. You're all by your lonesome?" Noticing the child with some very wet paint on her hands, Kieran made a mental note to steer clear.

CHARLIE hummed in response to Kieran's question, and nodded his head. "Yeah, couldn't convince my boyfriend to join. He's a bit of a shut-in." He explained with a shrug of his shoulder, not thinking too much of it. Charlie watched the group of people conversing by the dead fish, and smirked. "I'm a party person, so I decided to check it out." He wrinkled his nose as he looked over at the dead fish. "Though this is the weirdest fucking party I've ever been to, I'm gonna be honest." He sucked on his teeth, looking about. "Not that I'm... surprised."

As Metzli approached, REGAN was surprised. Because... well, she didn't feel Metzli. What? How? She gave them a perplexed look, which was just an added layer of confusion to their last in-person interaction at Leila's (ex) store. "For me? You can look at the fish from up close in exchange. But why is everyone giving me bracelets? These are for children, aren't they?" Regan frowned at the one the first lady handed her (stinky?), then defiantly rolled the nitrile gloves off her hands. They were slick with dead fish juices. She offered the bracelet to the child. "You're not a fragrant child, but maybe you can give this to someone truly stinky. Your mother gave it to me by mistake, I think." Regan shot a cool glance at the woman. "I, too, am exceptionally clean. Aseptic technique is a hobby of mine, actually." Oh, good, Teddy agreed. "Isn't that right? There has never been a cleaner doctor." A look at Metzli's bracelet now. "This one is better. Not only because of what it says, but the craftsmanship." 

Watching was interesting. There was already a lot of people that seemed to be... agitated by one another's presence. Fascinating. Keeping mental tabs, CHUCK made his rounds, letting himself get caught up in some small talk there, some discussion about the smell there... and eventually landed on hovering by the fire itself, a roasting rod in hand with a weenie stuck to the end of it. He had an unusual love for things in miniature, and these tiny weenies were no exception. Slowly, he began to stick weenie after weenie onto the thin metal rod, glancing up to catch Teddy's eye and waving the stick excitedly. "Tiny food!" He called over to them and the gathering of people they were standing with, delighted.

PEDRO was at his most comfortable when he was in the middle of the natural world, or with a guitar. He’d come with the latter strapped to his back, and with some chips and drinks because he was not exactly good at cooking. Hey, a guy couldn’t do everything! 

He also had to resist the urge to fill up the speakers with a list of pop classics, although PEDRO did let himself put a few in the list. Having deposited his chips and drinks somewhere he couldn’t be really mocked for his lack of effort, he decided to stay away from the dead fish (what the hell?) and gravitate towards the cheese. “You can’t go too far wrong with cheese, for sure.” Or so he hoped.

“Babe, all fish you eat is dead.” They had eaten some live fish, but that was mostly when they were all kaiju-ey. TEDDY grinned, plucking a similarly dead fishy off the table and dangling it dangerously close to their face. Surrounded by familiar folks, emboldened by weeks of staying inside; Teds shot off a wink towards their dad and its miniature treats, and downed the fish in one long slurp. 

Never one to show up on time to anything, especially when socializing was involved, ALISTAIR walked up toward the group of people with Tommy guiding them over to the snack table, a giant smile on the child's face as he immediately loaded up his plate with potatoes that Vic brought. Once abandoned by their son, Alistair gripped onto Brutus's leash a little tighter, finding themselves stranded by the table of people talking about dead fish. "Is that what that smell is?" They asked, brows furrowing together. Alistair looked through Brutus's eyes in time to see Teddy slurp a dead fish. "Oh, gods no."

She didn't get a chance to see what Regan's bracelet said before she gave it to little Sammy. She smiled softly at their interaction. And...WOW. Another bracelet? Metzli really didn't have to bother, especially with everything they'd gone through recently. But JADE appreciated it, the time and effort. So she like, nodded politely when it was shoved into her hand, putting it on switfly. ('Loser?' The fact that she had two bracelets already would disagree). JADE gave her a small 'hey' of acknowledgement (in the honor of community!) and that was it, Metzli was off. She wondered how they were doing after Cass, but not cause she cared. She was just nosy. By her side, Regan explained that she was the cleanest doctor (not-doctor) in the world, and she hummed her approval, grabbing a paper plate and serving a portion of that potato dish she kept eyeing. She placed the cheese cubes on top. Cheese and potatoes, top notch convo. "Who wants food?" She offered the plate until it was taken off her hands.

Oh, this was fun. Rosie hadn’t realized just how many gifts there would be at this beach party. She slid down Vic with the bracelet that was handed to her, excited to find someone new to give it to. As Rosie trotted over to the person sitting along by the fire, who looked very sad, VIC  looked over at the person who stepped in on behalf of the smelly couple in front of her. “Dead fish is hardly a bounty. Have you tried my potatoes au gratin? I think you’ll find they’re flavored to perfection!” As she spoke, she scooped up a serving for them on one of her plates, handing it over with a smile. Rosie, for her part, handed the bracelet that Regan had given her to the sad person by the fire with a smile, because presents and hugs always made everything better.

Alright, so seemed the people he knew here were a hunter and a rockstar who had settled down with a shut in. "If this is the weirdest thing you've been to, your bar is set very low," KIERAN mused, his attention already moving from Charlie in search for some more interesting company - the people arguing over bracelets, the burly man excitedly holding up a stick chock full of food or the person that had just slurped down a raw fish whole. "Although this isn't really a good kind of weird so far..." Oh, and someone had shown up with an acoustic guitar. Perfect.

The fire glowed a haze of orange on the vampire’s face, each feature's shadows altering with each flicker of the flame. METZLI could feel the tears burning at the corner of their eyes, but they were interrupted by a random child they didn't know. A little girl, innocent and kind. "Leave me--" Metzli paused, shoulders sinking as they noticed the bracelet she was handing them. They smiled softly, taking the gift with teary eyes. "Thank you." They whispered, holding it to their chest. "Do you want to swing on my arm?"

There were far too many people from the keep incident here and VIC felt filled with equal parts dread and relief at seeing them. Must have been something about a trauma bond? Every time she caught one of their eyes, she nodded in solidarity.  Jade, the known murderer and proud societal menace, seemed to be trying to… keep the peace? VIC watched her with fascination and wonder, wondering when the facade would be dropped. Devilishly, she smirked as she scooped some potatoes. “Are you enjoying my cooking, Jade?” Over by the fire, Rosie took a moment to respond, the shyness of childhood and being away from her mother taking over. She chose to nod, instead, at the person’s idea of swinging, grabbing their arm excitedly. From her position, VIC watched cautiously, ready to pounce if even one hair fell out of place on her daughter. 

They put on the bracelet and jingled it around their wrist, hoping to coax a small giggle as they stood. The girl could not be no more than a few years old, and METZLI found themself yearning to fill the void in their chest, if only for a few moments. "Okay," They chuckled, extending their arm and raising it when the little girl had a grip on it. She was a light thing, easily going up and down with each raise of Metzli's arm. "What is your name, hermosita?" 

DAIYU was unfashionably late, if only because she had a poor sense of fashion. She hadn't been out a lot since her whole spat with lavagirl, but she figured that a bonfire was a great outing when recovering from burns. Even better, there'd be free food. Swinging her sandcastle contest prize (a bucket and pail) in one hand and a greasy bag filled with chicken nuggets in another, she deposited the latter at the snack table. A singular nugget was fished out and thrown towards Brutus. "Sup Tommy and all others," she said, still finding Alistair's new body strange and discomforting, "Pedro, are you gonna play Wonderwall?" 

After Kieran seemed to lose interest on CHARLIE, the rockstar hummed and walked away, feeling that he'd exhausted himself with that man for long enough. He walked over to sit beside Pedro, a grin on his face at the presence of someone with a guitar. "A musician, huh? Glad to fuckin' see it, what can you play?" He asked, plopping himself on the log beside the other.

A loud, hedonistic sluuuurp caught REGAN'S attention. Of course it came from Teddy. And honestly, the sound wasn't half-bad. "Careful not to choke, hm? Are you here with Emilio?" She knew the answer. He was standing right there. But she was being a little rude because she had paid Emilio $75 today, like always, but still hadn't received her daily affirmations. Also, people really seemed to be enjoying the cheese platter; Jade must have been thrilled. One man in particular was hovering over it, making a careful selection. Regan gave Pedro a small wave in acknowledgement that it was so much harder to choose something than to not. "Are you asking me to try your potatoes because I'm Irish?" She thought about it for a second, looked at Jade, and -- alright, she was digging in already. "I'll try some if you think it'll get her off my figurative back. Do you know this lady? I don't stink." A little more defensive, muttering. "Maybe she does. I can't smell her properly while we're so close to the dead fish."

Immediately, EMILIO wanted to insist that he didn’t eat fish at all, but he doubted Teddy would let that stand. They’d say they’d fed him fish before, and call back to specific instances, and that was hard to argue with. So, instead, the slayer crossed his arms over his chest. “Not fish like that,” he replied stubbornly, making a face as Teddy picked up a (thankfully less stinky) fish off the table to slurp it down. “I’m not going to kiss you later,” he said, though they both knew it was a lie. Levi was slurping down meats with a similar vigor, and Emilio wondered how he’d wound up here. He sighed as Alistair, too, joined the party. Wasn’t that exactly what the evening needed? Someone else who annoyed him and was annoyed by him in return? Fucking Christ. Eyeing Daiyu, he shifted towards her slightly. “Oh, I thought you were dead,” he greeted her. He pretended the thing tugging at his chest at the sight of the cast on her arm.

DAIYU glanced at Regan, "It is nice to meet you I R L, old doctor lady. Jade talks highly of you." She would extend her hand, but she was still holding the pail and shovel. An annoyed look was sent to Emilio. "I would be haunting you if this was true. Boo. Etcetera."

Tommy whisked his head around to Daiyu's voice, throwing up a hand and waving. "Hey, Daiyu!" He greeted happily, before his eyes locked onto Daiyu's cast. "Can I draw on it?" He asked, eyes alight with excitement. ALISTAIR sighed dramatically as Brutus seemed to be eating something out of the sand. "Daiyu, did you just feed my dog?" They asked with a look of disappointment. Tommy was busy jogging over to Daiyu and looking at the red cast, seeing the perfect canvas. 

Her cast was not signed besides Jade's glorious work and DAIYU was secretly kind of sad about it. Just like she was sad about not having found a way to take it off herself. "Fuck yeah you can, Tom-Tom! I just don't have any markers or whatever, but someone's gotta around here." Her head angled towards Alisander. "Nope. I would never." 

This must have been Daiyu, Jade's friend. REGAN studied the short woman for a moment, her eyes spending too long over an injured arm wrapped in a red cement block of a cast. "Eye are el? Yes. Hello. You can call me Regan, because that is my name. Though old doctor lady is also acceptable." She seemed to know Emilio too, which made Regan wonder if she was another slayer. "She likes you, too. So I'm pleased you could be here today, despite your obvious injuries. The fish may provide comfort. I've learned that's important for you..." Humans. "...beach... goers." Regan shook her head. that wasn't so awkward, right? "Brutus." Her eyes widened at Daiyu as she spotted the talented canine nearby. "I know that dog." 

“You wouldn’t even be a scary ghost,” EMILIO scoffed, rolling his eyes. There was a quiet pang at the sight of the kid he assumed was Alistair’s son. He took his flask from his pocket, taking a long swig and turning his attention to the adults instead. Or… Kavanagh. Whatever she counted as. She’d given him his daily seventy-five bucks — a portion of which had promptly been spent on the whiskey filling his flask — so he owed her a statement. Was it acceptable to say it here, at the party? In front of people? She might like that. “You’re looking human,” he told her flatly. “Bringing dead fish is normal.” He’d give her that one for free.

REGAN'S eyes lit up as Emilio finally said what she was paying him to say. She looked around, optimistic that many others would hear and agree, because humans were like that with group think. "Yes. I am. I know. Aren't I?" She looked around for supportive nods. "I thought someone else might have also wished to bring dead fish, which would have been embarrassing, but then I decided, can there really be too many?"

ALISTAIR frowned as Daiyu denied the allegations, then shook their head as a familiar voice called out Brutus's name. "Oh, Regan, right? Brutus, your howling friend is here." They spoke to their dog with a conspiratorial nod of their head. Tommy pulled out some markers from his pocket with a grin. "I'm always prepared to draw!" He declared, then began to draw a rather good drawing (for a 12-year-old) of Brutus onto Daiyu's cast, then signed his name below it. "There! Now it's cool!" Tommy spoke happily, looking up at Daiyu with that same grin on his face. 

It didn't take long for Charlie to pick up on the lack of interest and KIERAN watched him head over to the man who hopefully knew how to play that guitar strapped on his back. The faun prized himself on being able to turn almost any situation but one commandeered by someone badly playing the guitar around a bonfire? That wasn't a situation worth salvaging. Left to his own devices again, Kieran wandered over to the fire (giving Emilio and the sticky looking children a wide berth) and lamented on his assumption that there would be alcohol here. So far, it seemed the only person that had brought any was the one more likely to shove him into the fire than share. "Don't suppose you had the foresight to bring anything to drink?" he asked the stranger who had previously shown such excitement about the miniature food.

"Nope. I'd be an annoying one. Even worse." DAIYU figured that being sleep deprived because of annoying people would become scary at some point. She flipped Emilio off before turning her attention back to Regan. She really was weird. Even by her estimates. "In real life. Regan, I can do that. My name is Daiyu, but you may call me Blade too. Dead fish don't bring me comfort. They kind of fucking overwhelm my sense of scent. Your source is incorrect." As she was yapping, Tommy was working on his artwork and once done, Daiyu lifted her arm to look at the drawing. "Holy shit, this is amazing. So cool. Hey, Tommy, do you want to give that marker to that grumpy man?" She pointed at Emilio. "He wants to sign it too."

Someone CHUCK didn't know approached him, lifting a brow at the question and then laughing breathily. "You're in luck, stranger," he obliged, fishing a hand into the antique-looking messenger bag that hung at his side and pulling out a leather-bound flask. Passing it to him, CHUCK plucked the last weenie off the stick where he'd been roasting it over the fire. "Leave me some."

Tommy beamed up at Daiyu as she praised his artwork, then nodded his head as he was told to bother Emilio. ALISTAIR walked over to the group conversing about dead fish and frowned. "I'm afraid to ask," they commented with a wary expression. Tommy walked over to Emilio and stared up at him, holding out a marker. "Wanna sign Daiyu's cast? I drew Brutus." He held out the blue marker and wiggled it in front of Emilio's face. "Also I'm Tommy. Hi!"

JADE cackled at Teddy's antics, shooting a quick look at Emilio, who had that annoyed but smitten look about him. She was gonna make fun of him so hard. And, she almost got to, until she spotted her girl Daiyu approaching the group. She was looking so much better since she visited her at the cabin, which made her feel all kinds of relieved. And... was she planning on building more castles? She would join in for sure. "Daiyu!" She hollered, despite her friend being at like, arms length. She smiled in approval as she and Regan got acquainted. Another person was approaching Regan and wow, wasn't she way more popular than she gave herself credit for. She was so proud of her. (Why did Emilio call her human though? Weirdo). JADE began drifting a little, talking to other folks (like the guy who was debating over cheese), and even Penny, who was apparently responsible for the amazing potato dish. "You're not half a bad cook," she shrugged. See, she could play nice! 

While TEDDY hadn’t ever met Daiyu “Eye Are El” as Regan put it, they’d seen pictures and heard stories enough to know that she was perhaps their greatest nemesis. (Maybe) But other folks didn’t seem to carry the same animosity towards her that burned in Ted’s heart. So they veered off. Parking their butt by the fire next to Levi, and the cute dog they’d seen out with that Necromancer guy. Allystair? Aelister? Alistair! Wondering where he was, or if he’d just been a dog walker, which didn’t make total sense cause Teddy thought the pup was working, maybe it was a rent a seeing eye dog thing?? Must have been cause they didn’t recognize the guy attached to his handle.

At least Regan seemed pleased by his statement, though EMILIO told himself that he didn’t care about that beyond the fact that she might choose to tip him. He tensed as Kieran approached, jaw clenching as his hand tightened around the flask he held. But Kieran seemed to know better than to approach him, going over to Levi instead. Which was fine, until Teddy joined them both. Emilio watched his partner warily, expression dark as he contemplated approaching. Before he could do so, someone was holding a marker up to him. He glanced down, seeing Alistair’s kid — Tommy, apparently — staring up at him. And, despite the complicated wave of emotions he was struck with (this kid was just a few years older than Jaime, from the looks of it, or a few years older than how old Jaime would have been now), he softened slightly. He didn’t know what the hell the kid was talking about (signing a cast?), but he nodded anyway. “Yeah,” he said, quietly uncertain, “sure. Won’t be able to, uh… draw Brutus, though. Not much of an artist.”

There was some hope for this evening after all and KIERAN was quick to accept the offered flask - not accepting drinks from strangers was for lesser people. After a quick drink, he returned it just as Emilio's partner appeared next to the well-prepared stranger. Seeing that the hunter was currently occupied with one of the children, Kieran risked sticking around. "Appreciate it. I'm Kieran," he greeted, offering a hand to each of the strangers in turn.

Grinning at Teddy as they came to sit by the fire, CHUCK gave them an affectionate, soft pat on the shoulder. "Hey, tadpole," he greeted warmly, looking back at the stranger -- Kieran -- and accepting the flask back. "Mm, pleasure to meet you. I'm... Chuck." he added, shaking his hand with a nod. It was his turn to take a quick swig of the liquor in the flask, and then he glanced at Teddy. "How's Mister Grumpy Gills handling the soiree?"

TEDDY knocked their head against ‘Chuck’s’ shoulder, leaning their for a second to enjoy the contact. “Ahh, well Oscar the Grouch would probably be happier if he threw some things on the fire.” Their hands outstretched, one going for a snack to offer to the pyre, another doing grabby hands at Emilio who was far too far away. That’s when they noticed the guitar guy. “Oh sick, live music is amazing. We should hook you up to the speakers bud”

Sometimes, with people they didn’t know, mommy told people names that were different than normal. It must have been important to know who to tell what, because it always made mommy so very serious. So, between giggles as she swung on the persons arm, ROSIE said “I don’t know. What’s yours?” And then, after a moment, “I have a doggie.” VIC watched the interaction with a small smile, still cautiously waiting for something to go wrong.  She nodded approvingly at Jade’s comment, wondering if she was finally seeing the light.  And, oh god, she knew Daiyu. Of course they were friends. “Are you two… bffs?”

She offered a large grin to her friend, "Jade!" She was always a delight to see, which was not a sentiment DAIYU extended to many people. At Vic's question, she shrugged. "We're pals, yep!" To call Jade her BFF would be presumptuous and she wasn't sure she even knew what constituted a BFF, due to never having had one. She moved to catch up with Tommy rather than overthink it. She extended her arm towards Emilio. "You can just write something really sweet and heartfelt on here."

"Yes," REGAN confirmed for Brutus's owner. "And you're Alistair. Is your dog going to perform tonight? Whoever's on guitar should stop this..." She tilted her head. "Are they playing ABBA or Chappell Roan? Forget it." She nestled in a little closer to Jade, because it had been over two minutes and forty three seconds, which was illegal even if the state of Maine hadn't signed that into law yet. "I like the name Blade," she told Daiyu-now-Blade, which was as close to a compliment as most people received from her (that didn't evoke comparisons to death like something more heartfelt). "My source is correct and you're atypical, but that is your loss. I will sign your cast. That seems to be a gesture that is still done." 

After speaking with Pedro, CHARLIE watched Metzli playing with Rosie, a smile on his face. "You're pretty good at that," he said to Metzli with that same smile on his face.

METZLI furrowed their brows curiously at the girl's answer, afraid that she might be hurt. They stopped swinging for a moment and scanned her for injuries, but she seemed fine. "Hm..." Metzli hummed thoughtfully, remembering an old adage about children and strangers. She had every right to refuse Metzli the knowledge of her name, and they respected that. "My name is Metzli." They swung the girl one more time before taking their seat back by the fire. It felt nice to feel lighter for the first time in weeks. "You have a dog? Where is it? Can I meet it?" Someone else spoke to them and they arched a brow. "Oh. Do you...want to swing too?" 

After considering it for a moment, CHARLIE grinned. "What, you offering?" He asked with a playful smile on his face. "Because you're definitely tall enough that I absolutely could go for a swing." Charlie looked over to Regan asking the music to be shut off, then laughed. "The dog sings? Fuckin' nice." Charlie spoke before turning back to Metzli. "I totally won't swing on your arm if you don't want me to, but I won't say no to the offer."

ALISTAIR frowned at the idea of Brutus howling again, and sighed. "Brutus. Speak." The necromancer commanded, causing Brutus to sit in the sand and begin to sing the song of his people. A loud howl began to drown out all the conversation happening. Alistair slowly nodded their head, letting out a tired sigh as Brutus seemed to get louder. At least Regan was having a good time now.

“You want me to lie?” He deadpanned, twirling the marker absently between his fingers. It was the same motion he often defaulted to when holding a knife, not quite a nervous tic but a thing to do with his hands when his body was forced to stand a little too still. Popping the lid off the marker, he scribbled a note on Daiyu’s cast and signed his name at the bottom. Later, when Daiyu read it, she’d probably be less than impressed at the way EMILIO phrased things, but he doubted she’d mind walking around with so many ‘fucks’ written on her arm. Although… he eyed Tommy again. Were you supposed to curse in front of children? It hadn’t mattered with Flora or Jaime, who were viewed by the rest of his family as less children than they were weapons, but maybe it was important for other kids. “Don’t, uh… Don’t read that,” he muttered, turning back towards Teddy, who seemed to be gesturing him over. He eyed Kieran again, pressing his tongue against the back of his teeth. Fortunately, he was saved by the sound of Brutus howling. “Christ,” he muttered. “Loud.”

CHUCK scoffed. "Bit of a pyro, that one," he explained to Kieran, nodding his head in Emilio's general direction. He took a moment to take in Kieran's appearance a little more, then passed the flask back. "Nice outfit. You a city transplant? Don't see many folks from around here that take the time to look presentable."

“Get a room Dad, jeeze.” TEDDY elbowed Chuck.

Trying to decipher the relationship between these two, similar age and strange nickname considered, didn't get KIERAN very far - they clearly weren't fae and lacked a family resemblance. Then again, he didn't really care. The conversation turned to Emilio, who seemed to be attempting to make the faun vanish with the pure intensity of his gaze and in pure opposition, Kieran moved closer to the duo clearly trying to gesture the hunter over. "He looks the part," was all Kieran offered, deciding against revealing that he had in fact met Emilio. A topic change to Kieran's clothing - a personal favorite - dragged his gaze from Emilio. "Been all over. It's my personal mission to bring some style to this town. The two of you should drop by Covet Couture some time, I already have a few things in mind that would suit you."

"Come on, can't a guy appreciate some effort being put into one's appearance?" CHUCK laughed at Teddy's dig, elbowing them back. But, there was an offer on the table, and CHUCK wasn't one to ever let an opportunity slip by. "All over, huh? We could say the same. Interesting offer, though... one I'm inclined to accept! Where've you been that was your favorite?" Good conversation and tiny food? This was turning into a very profitable evening out.

It was a strange request from a grown man, but who was METZLI to refuse such joy? "Uh..." They stood up again and towered over the man, putting out their arm for him to latch on to. "I can spin you too. You probably have better grip than small child. Ready?"

CHARLIE was seriously considering it, then decided fuck it! It was being offered, why the fuck not? Shrugging his shoulders with that same 'fuck it' attitude, he latched onto Metzli's arm and held on tight. "Swing me!" He shouted, ready for the ride.

She was certain Emilio would be unable to write something actually nice on her cast, but it didn't matter. She was just glad to be gathering more text. DAIYU grinned. "Appreciate ya!" She glanced at her arm for a moment, noting a few 'fucks' and finding the sentiment fitting. She plucked the marker from his hands and turned towards Regan, extending it to her. "Blade is a great name, is it not?" That it was the alter ego she'd given herself when she was 13 was a detail best forgotten. "What is your source? A troll account on reddit, I bet. Please sign my cast."

JADE grinned when others offered to sign Daiyu's cast. Her own little cat doodle was looking lonely there. She loved that for her friend. Penny seemed to be aware who Daiyu was too, which was super interesting. Did she like, know every hunter in town. "Wait, you guys know each other?" Huh. Maybe there was more to the squeaky clean Karen after all. As soon as she drifted away, she felt Regan's presence follow. (Gay, but sweet). Okay, so maybe she still needed a little encouragement. Nope, wait, how long had it been? Probably like three minutes already. Time went by fast when you were having fun, but that didn't mean she would neglect their promise. She placed hand on her lower back, and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek, just cause she could. And cause she was proud that she was also gonna sign Daiyu's cast. "I don't think it's either ABBA or Chappell. But it's a nice little ambiance music, maybe I can go request some Carly Rae," in fact, why couldn't she shout it? "Hey! Can you play Run Away with Me? I'll give you my whole cheese platter". 

The dog had started howling, and the night immediately got so much better. REGAN pulled Jade closer, to one of the logs by the fire, because the twinkling stars and mournful baying of a retriever who needed no lyrics to convey anything was a beautiful backdrop for a kiss. And then the rotting fish nearby? And the log an uncomfortable reminder beneath her coccyx that comfort like Jade was a luxury? Perfection. It didn't even occur to her that six months ago this would have felt an impossible thing here. "What do you think of the dog?" She asked Jade quietly. "And the night. Do you think we should check on Teddy to make sure they're digesting that fish okay?"

Taking a few steps from the fire, the vampire rose their arm a little higher, dangling the man and few inches from the ground. They took a few more steps to avoid hitting other people and began to spin. Almost instantly, METZLI could see the man's feet go higher and higher as the momentum grew in speed.

Shocked as CHARLIE felt himself lifting off the ground, he found his grip slipping. He began to swing faster and higher before he lost his grip and felt himself go flying. Flying RIGHT into the ocean. A loud splash was heard alongside the dog's howling, and Charlie just sat in the water, shocked. "What the fuck?" He found himself saying aloud, eyes locking onto Metzli's with astonishment. "How the fuck?" He asked, rising out of the water and sloshing over Metzli. "That was amazing, but how the hell did you fucking do that?"

People started getting closer to the fire and DAIYU felt little interest in doing the same, though it was just because fires were boring. In stead, she pointed her not injured arm at Charlie in the water. "Ha!"

Kieran was looking back at him, and EMILIO felt the anger burning in his chest grow a little hotter when he shifted closer to Teddy and Levi. Fuck it. Daiyu was busy bothering Regan now, and he had no more marker to twirl between his fingers, so he made his way over to the group on the other side of the fire, anyway. He’d be uncomfortable in Kieran’s presence, but he could take some solace in the fact that Kieran would be just as uncomfortable in his. Having no winner was fine so long as it meant Kieran was losing, too. He made a quick stop by the food table, snagging a plate and carrying it over. “Brought you cheese,” he greeted, handing it to Teddy and greeting Levi with a nod. Kieran got no greeting. “You think we can convince them to make the dog stop —” A splash interrupted him. He turned towards the sound, raising a brow at Charlie plucking himself from the ocean. If anybody threw Emilio into the water, he thought, he was going to start setting things on fire. But Charlie seemed pleased with it. (More proof, Emilio thought, that Charlie was a weird fucking guy.)

Oh no. They made a horrible miscalculation and a man, now presumed human, was flung into the ocean. He was asking questions, likely because METZLI'S strength was unnatural. "Uh..." They bristled, looking around  and taking a few steps back to prevent any water from landing on them. "I...exercise." Which wasn't a lie, at least. "I...have to...go." Metzli swiveled on their heel and fast walked out of view.

It always caught PEDRO’S attention when Daiyu started pointing and laughing at something. Or someone. “Hey; what happened here?” He chuckled, jogging over to join her.

The night went on, and ALISTAIR cut off Brutus's howling after a few minutes, getting annoyed with it. They pat the top of the dog's head, then softly commanded Brutus to find Tommy, which he did, finding him beside Emilio. "Having fun?" Alistair asked his son in a rather uncharacteristically soft voice towards his son. "I got to draw on Daiyu's cast!" He explained. "And gave it to this guy, but now Daiyu has the marker..." Alistair rolled their eyes. "You're never getting that back, kiddo." Alistair told his son before holding out his arm for the boy to take, ready to head out now that Tommy had their fun. "Sorry," Alistair said to Emilio with a shrug before walking off with Tommy on their arm. "Time to get you home for bed," he told his son, who groaned in response and stomping off with Alistair.

JADE needed zero encouragement to let herself be whisked away by Regan, especially when that meant a little alone time. The night was young, there would be plenty of time for socializing. She considered sitting on Regan's lap, and making it more uncomfy (for Regan, who'd have to deal with the weight), but there was a perfectly decent (albeit boring) log next to it. So, she sat there instead. Snuggling up to Regan. She still had a plate of potatoes in her hand for some reason, so she took a stab at it. They really were scrumptious, after all. "The dog is just as incredible as you described it, even better. He deserves all the crackers. And actually... he looks kinda familiar." She couldn't remember from where, though. She glanced toward her friends, a soggy smile spreading across her face. "We will, but first... which one was the large intestine and small intestine?" she wondered looking up at the sky, which somehow, still paled in comparison to how bright Regan's eyes looked tonight. 

It would be interesting to see whether Emilio would spill the beans on what had transpired between the two or keep his mouth shut and allow his partner to knowingly meet up with a faun, even if it was just for clothing advice. At least Chuck seemed plenty interested and so, along with making Emilio uncomfortable, this evening had also provided a new customer and maybe a connection to someone intriguing. So KIERAN would stick around, allowing for the small talk of where he'd been, all the while professionally hiding the tension in his shoulder just in case the hunter decided it was time to throw more punches but luckily, it seemed this Teddy was an expert in diverting Emilio's attention. At least there was someone here worth talking to, even if the threat of violence and honestly, the presence of children making this feel about as wholesome as Kieran had expected it to be did result in the faun leaving the beach much earlier than the rest. He had better places to be, people to feed on. And sand to get out of his shoes.

Alistair was pulling Tommy away and, frankly, that was probably for the better. EMILIO wasn’t the best person for a kid to follow; history had proven that much. In any case, the party seemed to be winding down. Apparently, the shrill howls of a dog and seeing a guy get launched into the sea were the signs of a social event coming to an end. Emilio made note of this for future occurrences, then looped an arm around Teddy’s waist. He shot Kieran another glare (one he thought was subtle, but might not have been) and looked to Levi. “Going to get drunk on the beach,” he announced once Kieran had left. It wasn’t an invitation, but it wasn’t not one, either. Levi was one of the few people who could keep up with him when it came to drinking, after all. It was, in any case, an announcement of his departure, and he tugged Teddy gently back towards home.

"Have fun, kids," CHUCK said to Emilio and Teddy when they decided to take their leave, instead opting to stay at the party well into the night. Kieran eventually left as well, leaving the demon to his own devices, which did end up resulting in a couple new deals. Profit!

Watching as Metzli ran off, CHARLIE shrugged, now sopping wet. "Yeah, laugh it up. I had a great time." He told the others laughing at him. "But fuck, I'm dizzy..." he complained with a hand to his head. "Anyone bring a towel?" He asked with narrowed eyes. "Should probably go and... change." He decided, realizing that wet clothes did not make the rockstar very happy to be there. He considered drying off in front of the fire, but after shooting Kieran one last look, decided it was time to go home. "Whoever wants the speakers can have them," he announced before walking off to his van.

She laughed even harder at Charlie's request, feeling a level of ease that she hadn't in a while. DAIYU looked at Pedro, shrugged, "No fucking clue. He was thrown in, I think. Real funny." Back to Charlie: "Alright Chuckie, see ya!" Wasn't it strange, how she was certain she'd see him and plenty of the others here again? Maybe the fire was bonding.

[annahxredaxted]

New neighbor (sweethearts Version)

Characters: Milo/Sweetheart

Type: slice of life

Tw: cursing.

The neighbor in question is female, please don’t come for me.

(It was a poll)

————

Sweetheart swiftly strode into the room, shorts and a tee shirt, relaxed and at ease. When they’d walked into the living room, they’d caught milo inspecting their bookshelf, now now of course milo was allowed to read from it. But it was in fact the books they’d hoarded since their teen years, and the specific genres didn’t seem like they’d appeal to Milo.

“Whatcha looking for stink-butt?” They jokingly asked, poking out behind him, resting their head on his shoulder.

He jumped at the sudden voice.

“God damnit sweetheart! You damn near gave me a heart attack!” He proclaimed breathing heavily, one hand clutching his tank top, bending over, with his other hand on his knee.

“Sorry Milo,” they chuckled to themselves, kissing his cheek “,it just riles you up to much to not scare you.”

He rolled his eyes, bringing them in his embrace, sourly hugging them. “Whatever you fuckin monster.” He mocked, kissing their head.

“Anyways,” they started, looking at Milo then back at the heavily stuffed bookcase. “,what are you lookin to read?” They asked, raising their eyebrows.

He looked at them, moving his hands to their waist.

“Ehh I dunno. I’m just sick of watching TV, ‘was looking for something to sit down and read.” He explained away, rubbing light circles in his sweethearts waist.

“Oh yeah that makes sense,” they muttered. “, I just don’t think you’d have interest in any of these- well actually hold on.” They broke of contact with Milo, turning to the shelf.

“You might like this one. It’s not bad. By bad I mean scary- like at all.” They chuckled, handing him some random Nancy drew book.

“Fitting.” He chuckled, picking the book up readying the blurb in a British accent.

“Shut up you asshole.” They laughed out loud, playfully slapping him upside his head.

He smiled lopsidedly, his canine tooth sticking out the bottom of his upper lip.

They smiled back at their beautiful boyfriend, gazing deeply into his enchanting sea foam eyes, observing his face, his freckles, scars, moles, and itty bitty hairs poking out from when he’d shaven earlier that day. They thought about how much they’d loved him. And always would love them.

“I love you milo” Sweetheart said, raspiness in their voice at their attempt to whisper. Milo smiled bigger, one of his eyes almost shutting.

“I love you too baby.”

They smiled, resting their head against his shoulder.

“Oh wait sweetheart i forgot something in the car, here come with me it’s for you.” Milo stated, moving swiftly towards the front door.

“What? Like a gift?,” they asked. Milo nodded. They begrudgingly groaned “,Milo…” they held the O longer than necessary.

“Oh come on Sweetheart. I swear I know you don’t like gifts, and I didn’t set out to buy you one, but I saw it and thought of you so I just had too!” He defended himself smiling.

They rolled their eyes and followed him out to His car.

As they walked outside they saw a woman, about their age, walking up to their house, holding flowers.

Sweetheart raised an eye brow.

“Here I’ll handle this you get the thing.” They whispered to milo, he nodded. They walked up to the woman, meeting her halfway.

The Woman smiled, Sweetheart recognized her— she was their neighbor across the street. She has a husband in the military, If the flag on her house had anything to say about it.

“Hi, Can I help you?” Sweetheart asked politely

“Hii I’m Katy, I’m your neighbor. Welcome into the neighborhood.” She exclaimed.

Sweetheart nodded with a smile “thank you.” They muttered.

Katy looked at them, then at the house behind them. “Is your husband home?” She asked, looking around.

“My- My.. Husband..?,” they paused “,oh you mean Milo. No he’s my boyfriend, and yeah he’s home, just in the garage.” They explained away.

“Boyfriend?..” Katy repeated with a gleam in her eyes. “,how long?” She asked with a shred of hope.

“Oh uh six years. Nearly seven.” They stated, sticking their hands in their pockets.

That surely made Katy feel a wee less hopeful.

She scowled oh so slightly, a fake smile plastered on her face.

“Oh well I’d love To meet him. You know, get to know the new neighbors.” She said, grinning.

“Oh sure,” sweetheart started “, Milo! Can you come here please!” They yelled, facing the garage, seeing milo walk out with a bag in hand.

Said action made Katy’s eyes literally light up, she straightened her posture, brushing her shirt off.

“Hey there,” he said with a bit of gruffness to his voice “, nice to meet ya, I’m Milo.” He introduced himself, holding his hand out to shake hers.

She immediately grabbed his hand, shaking it lightly, as her hand pulled away, she caressed his knuckles, being sure to go slower than necessary.

Sweetheart nearly died laughing, but they maintained themselves, stifling their laughter.

“Pleased to.. meet you I guess.” Milo muttered.

“Pleasures all mine.” She winked, “oh! Here’s the flowers- fresh from my garden, picked specifically for you two.” She said, snootily Turning her head away from sweetheart.

They couldn’t help but let out a quick laugh at her action.

She snapped her head at them.

“Something funny?” She asked with a fake smile, raising a brow with a sick cold look in her eyes.

Sweetheart immediately stopped. “No.” They muttered, looking down with a smirk being hidden on their face. “,just..allergies.” They explained away

“I think we need to go back to our—,” milo thought for a second. “The stove! It’s running we need to head inside, right Sweetheart?” He asked smiling at them

“Stove— oh yes! Our stove!” Sweetheart agreed, going along with Milo.

They both smiled, stifling laughter, walking swiftly back to the front door as Katy yelled a hasty ‘goodbye’

•••

The two of them closed the door, chuckling slightly before walking further into the living room.

“Some people are extremely bad at being secretive.” Milo said rubbing his head.

“You got that right. Oh my god I think if I turned away for even a second she woulda pounced.” Sweetheart laughed breathily rubbing their eyes.

Milo laughed, pulling them closer, peppering their cheek in kisses and rubbing their back, in between laughs.

“Mmm I love you..” milo muttered against their neck leaving a lightly kiss.

They smiled, looking him in the eye.

“I love you..More..” they cackled with a smile before milo and kissed them and said,

“Let’s not start that.” He laughed

“Let’s not”

“After all, everyone knows I love you more than you ever could.” Milo said before laughing and kissing them once more.

••••

Taglist!!!!

@itsdaifuku @verrverii @youisagayhooman @darlin-collins @shellssstuff

[owlintheemptiness]

Lady in red

My trade part for @phoenix-the-mistfit-fire-bird, hurt/comfort oneshot featuring her OC Amelia and someone's else OC Katie and her child.

TW: tiny bit of gore, shooting, alcohol mention.

Also WLW ship and author's first language is not English.

______________________________________

Lady in red

At the morning Amelia is sitting in the kitchen and drinking her coffee. It’s black and bitter, so she adds balsam. Not too much, just a couple of drops. Maybe a little more but not more than usual. She sips her drink, quiet and calm. A few precious moments of peace she’ll miss all day. Air smells bitter, just like her coffee, and also a bit rotten. It’s fall.

The skyline is painted red, yellow and purple, sunlight casts golden flares on the windows. It makes her eyes hurt a little. Not more than usual.

The fox leaves her house, slowly slipping in her officer Holmes persona, cold and relentless like nature around her. Officer Holmes doesn’t stop, doesn’t hesitate, she’s watching, listening, investigating and then she acts, quick and clean. She’s not afraid to get herself in danger. She’s not afraid of blood.

But Amelia is.

Amelia fears, shivers and breaks every time she sees blood, her ears crack and ache with every shot, her paws feel so so heavy when they raise up a gun. She doesn’t even realize at first that one of the bullets hit her. But when shootout is over, officer Holmes bursts and underneath this shell appears hot, pulsating, wet flesh of Amelia. It’s her who bleeds all over her already red fur, not the hero of the day. Shot didn’t get to her bones, but muscles burn with pain, and blood just keeps pumping making her shirt red too. “Talk about one splash of colour” the fox thinks tiredly.

When tight stitches cover the wound, she exhales. It’s almost like at the morning, but instead of soft rustle of leaves there’s sharp buzzing of the lamp. It makes her skull itch. Soon some of her colleges come in, they ask how she doing, wish her to heal fast. They congratulate officer Holmes, she did great they say. Officer Holmes is grateful and proud. Amelia feels lonely. Maybe a little more than usual.

A few hours pass when suddenly she hears a knock at the door. It crack the silence and cracks her loneliness. It’s Katie.

- It’s me, - she says.

- It’s you, - Amelia smiles weakly.

Katie apologizes for making her wait for so long, gives her homemade Toad in the hole, inspects her wound. Bobcat’s paws are warm and her touch is gentle. It rebuilds Amelia piece by piece, quiet and calm. They drink coffee together, and there’s no balsam in the hospital, only cheap and plastic cream. But Katie is smiling back at her and jokes and laughs and the tips of her ears shake a little, so it tastes better than what Amelia had at the morning. The visitor gives fox a painting, clumsy scribble from her kid. It shows an animal, splash of red colour, crooked but happy. Little Amelia replica eats the biggest cupcake ever made. Katie says, they really had some at home but David got so scared and worried for auntie Mia, he ate it all. It’s okay. None of them are mad.

And then it’s unexpectedly so late already. Amelia wants to stay up, but she knows it’ll slow her healing and Katie will bite off her ears for this. She also knows David needs his mom. They share goodbye and then last it a bit longer.

- Pass David from me, - the fox asks, ruffling other’s fur.

- And you take it from me, - Katie grins coyly before giving her quick peck on the cheek.

The light still buzz even louder in now asleep and quiet hospital but it doesn’t bother Amelia anymore. Tossing in bed, fox can feel herself turning red.

[crittercrossing]

Introducing... Chance!

It's been one heck of a day. As of the time of this writing, I've known this chicken for less than five hours. Everything has happened so fast, and completely unexpectedly, but it looks like the universe gave me an early Christmas gift.

I was on the way to a vet appointment with Katy and Chevelle today, and just before I reached the vet's office, I saw a chicken standing on the side of the road—I mean, less than a foot away from the edge of the very busy road that runs right through the middle of town. I recognized the body shape immediately as a Cornish cross, a specific type of mixed breed chicken that is bred for the meat industry. I knew the poor bird must have fallen off one of the many trucks around here that carry these chickens to processing. I was surprised to see them standing there, seemingly unharmed and alive—I come across chickens that have fallen from trucks fairly often, and they have always either been dead or gravely injured (and had to be euthanized).

Normally, I would not hesitate to stop and pick up a chicken in this situation. My first-ever chicken was a Cornish cross, and I have a soft spot for this breed that suffers from a tragic fate. There were complications at this time, though—my dogs were in the car with me, and there's the current bird flu outbreak going on, which can be very dangerous to people and is connected to commercial poultry. I desperately wanted to help this chicken, but was afraid of putting my loved ones' lives at risk. I was running late to the vet appointment, so I decided that I would go to the appointment, and afterwards, drive by again and see if they were still there.

The chicken was indeed there after the appointment, standing in the same spot. I pulled over and thought about what to do for a while. I called the nearby emergency vet to ask if they could help. They said they couldn't take the chicken and try to rehome them or anything. They could treat the chicken if they were wounded, or they could euthanize them. I checked with the vet clinic I had just been to with my dogs, and they said they don't have any exotic vets on staff who could help or advise (which is fair). I knew I had to make a judgment call on my own, and I knew in my heart what I felt was right. After some online research about bird flu, I decided to take a chance.

I drove closer to the chicken, pulled over, left my (very confused) dogs in the car with the windows cracked, and walked up to the chicken with a cat carrier and a hoodie in hand, while wearing two masks. The chicken looked up at me as I approached. I had watched them walk into the road at one point while I was making phone calls and saw them almost get hit. They were now back in the grass next to the road. They only started to panic once I draped the hoodie over them to pick them up. (I didn't have gloves, and didn't want to directly touch the chicken in case of bird flu.) I didn't have a way to safely examine them there, so I put them carefully into the carrier in case they were injured and put them in car. I didn't have any sort of plan. I didn't really know what to do. I started driving back home.

I kind of just subconsciously decided to take them home. I thought about how wild the whole situation was on the drive. I knew before we even got to the house that their name was Chance. It was by chance that they survived their fall from the truck, and that they happened to be there when I happened to drive by. I took a chance on picking them up. I'm giving them a chance to have a safe, happy rest of their life.

Chance was put into a spare chicken pen in the backyard, where they cannot interact with the other chickens for now. I held them up while my dad inspected them for injury. Chance has no visible outer injuries aside from one of their toenails having been torn off. It was bleeding, but not fatally. I'll keep an eye on that toe and take them to an exotic vet if needed. Chance doesn't have feathers under their wings or on their belly (chickens of these breeds often don't). Their comb and wattles are small and pale, and it's not completely clear how much of that is due to age and how much is due to stressful living conditions. They have bright, curious eyes, and they don't seem sick.

I'm not yet certain what sex Chance is, or exactly how old they are. I'm currently thinking five-week-old pullet, but I'm going to do a bit more research. Also, time will tell as they continue to grow.

I can't imagine what this day must have felt like to Chance. Today was almost certainly their first time ever seeing sunlight or touching grass. This is probably the first time they've ever been not completely surrounded by other chickens, all crammed together in a small space. I wonder if they've ever really had a chance to breathe fresh air before. All the hands that held them previously were probably not kind. They started their day packed in a chicken truck, most likely on their way to slaughter. Now, they are safe in their own pen, with unlimited water and a good meal for tonight, with a little house to hide in.

Here's the thing: Chance will not live a very long life. I am very familiar with the complications that Cornish crosses face in their short lives. These birds have been selectively bred to grow no matter what, to produce more meat, and to do it as quickly as possible (they are about eight weeks old when they go to slaughter). Darcy, my first chicken, was a Cornish cross. I cared for her from the time she was roughly three days old. I did what I could to help her live longer. She was on a restricted diet to encourage weight loss, and I helped her exercise and encouraged her to run. She was six months old when she passed. Presumably, her heart gave out, as she just suddenly dropped. Most Cornish crosses who are kept as pets meet this fate. No matter what you do to fight their extreme growth, they get so big that their hearts can't take it or their legs give way beneath them. It's a big deal if these birds make it to their first birthday. I only saw Chance in their new pen for a few minutes before I had to leave for the day (chickens live at my parents' house, and I currently do not), but the entire time, they were sitting on the ground in the way Cornish crosses do when standing is too hard. Of course, some of it may be shock. I'm excited to visit Chance tomorrow and see how they're doing then.

Today, Chance went from facing the day of their death, having never seen a Christmas before, to being safe in their new home just in time to experience Christmas. Chickens don't know about holidays, and I'm sure they wouldn't care even if they did. I'm just sentimental.

It's been a long time since I've been able to rescue an animal like this, and I'm so incredibly glad that I got to do it today. This is one of my favorite things that I ever do, the kind of thing that makes me feel like I'm fulfilling my purpose. I know Chance will probably only live a few more months, but they will know love, safety, sunlight, grass, and companionship while they're here. If they start to suffer, I won't let them linger like that. They got their second chance, and I'm happy to be a part of it.

[crazyforkasey-blog]

When we met

Final Chapter

Chapter 21

Zell Am See

At dawn on May 9, the ragtag convoy arrived at Zell Am See. Around the lake stood numerous mansions. The civilians and the German soldiers stood in amazement and stared at the ragtag soldiers. How did these bustards defeat them?

Winters and Katie were walking along the lakeshore. It was a beautiful day and Winters couldn't wait to jump into the lake and go for his morning swim.

"So did you give him an answer yet?" Katie asked Winters

"No I told him I would think about it," He told her and handed her his towel and jumped in the lake

The previous day Sink had approached Dick and offered him a promotion if he stayed in the army. Winters told Sink he would think about it. He wasn't too keen on the idea, all he really wanted was to go home to Pennsylvania and find a quiet place to live the rest of his life.

Katie heard footsteps behind her and turned around to find a hangover Nixon standing behind her

"Hey Nix, what can I do for you" Katie asked him and motioned for him to sit down

Nix sat down and handed Katie the package he was holding

"Oh great, we ran into the regimental photographer he told us he had a bunch of photos of easy company and we traded them for a couple of lugers" Katie opened the package and the first photo she pulled out was one of Winters and Nixon together

"I can't believe how handsome you were" A voice behind Nixon said

Nixon turned and grabbed Lane and pulled her into his lap "Hey that's not fair" He said and kissed her

The group returned to the hotel they stayed in, and sat down on the terrace. Dani, Speirs and Welsh joined them. Welsh told everybody that he was going home to Kitty. Speirs and Dani told everybody that they would stay in the army and all of them knew that Lane and Nix would return to New Jersey. The only ones who were undecided were Katie and Dick.

The sun was shining and the group was sunbathing. There wasn't a lot to do. After accepting the surrender of the Germans in the area and ordering all weapons to be collected at the local school and church and inspecting the camp for the POWs, Winters and Katie had little to do and that went for the men as well. Either displaced persons or locals willing to work for food or cigarettes did the activities of daily living.

The men spend a great deal of their time either swimming, playing sports, or doing close order drills.

The last task Winters had done was sorting out the German and American equipment that was no longer needed for combat and it was shipped to storage facilities in France.

It should have been the perfect summer for the men and women attached to second battalion and the first couple of weeks they loved it. Then the frustration with the army bureaucracy set in, they were bored, they were drinking too much and they wanted to go home.

Shifty had won the points drawing and he handed in his paperwork and gathered his loot. He showed up on the sun deck of the hotel where the officers were gathered and said his goodbyes. Lane hugged him and walked back into the hotel and Katie and Mia looked at him "Don't take it personal, she sucks at goodbyes" one by one the officers shook Shifty hand and he saluted them and got on board the waiting truck. The truck was hit by a passing G.I truck and an injured Shifty didn't get home until months after the comrades he left behind.

Adding to the problems of frustration and anger caused by the points system, was the combination of too much booze, too many pistols and too many captured vehicles.

There were many road accidents and there were seventy wrecks in the first three weeks in Austria, twenty men were killed and nearly one hundred injured.

Dani and Grant were driving a couple of privates to a roadblock one night. Dani went with him, Dani and Speirs, thought the world of Grant. They were talking about an incident, which had occurred during D. Day, the young private in the jeep didn't get it, he was a replacement who had joined them in Germany. He never met the infamous Bill Guarnere.

They were about a hundred yards from the roadblock, when they encountered a drunken G.I.

The G.I was standing with a pistol in his hand and two dead Germans at his feet. He had stopped the Germans and demanded Gas, because he was out, the two Germans didn't understand him and when they resisted he shot them dead.

A British S2 happened to drive by. He and his sergeant got out of the jeep they were driving, to check out what was going on, the drunk had pointed at them with his gun and told them to back off.

At that moment Grant and Dani came driving past. The drunk took a shot at Dani, but he missed her by three inches.

The British S2 made a move to disarm the drunk. The G.I turned on him and shot him and his sergeant, both of them died on the spot.

Before Dani could stop him, Grant was out of the jeep and he ran towards the G.I who turned and shot him in the Brain.

Dani screamed and shot the G.I in the knee and the shoulder with her side arm, she made sure he would live to be tortured by E. Company.

A jeep with Luz and Perconte drove by, they didn't stop, they just continued into town and when they told Speirs what happened, he and Foley got in a jeep and drove to the hospital and Katie got in the jeep with them and they drove towards the scene.

A jeep came racing past them and Speirs recognized Dani and turned around he sped all the way back and the two jeeps arrived at the same time.

Katie ran into the hospital and started to bark orders, she then escorted the stretcher with Grant on it to the O.R

Speirs started to follow, but Dani stopped him "Don't, he is in good hands, Katie know what she is doing she did part of her residency in neuro and she is the best in the field and they have an excellent brain surgeon on staff here"

The Drunk had been brought to Company HQ and was still alive, but he was about to wish he wasn't. The E. Company men was milling around him swearing revenge, it turned out the culprit had tried to rape a girl in Zell am See, just an hour before he shot Grant.

Luz walked thru the door to the hospital and found Speirs "We can't find the weapon," he whispered to him

Speirs got on his feet, Speirs rushed into HQ and shouted at the prisoner "Where is the weapon?"

"What weapon?" the prisoner spit out.

Speirs pulled his gun, reversed his grip to hold it by the barrel and hit the man right in the temple with the butt "When you talk to an officer you say sir " The man was escorted to the brick, where he was beaten until his blood ran.

Nixon, Lane and Dani were waiting for Speirs outside the room. Nixon looked at the two officers "Grant is gonna make it" he told them

Lane let out a breath she had been holding and shook her head; she grabbed Dani by the arm and dragged her out of the hotel and towards the lake.

"Ok let it out" Lane told Dani and waited for Dani to yell and curse

Dani just put her hands on her hips and started to pace "Goddamn son of a…how the hell…why the hell…oh god I can't believe it"

Dani never got any further "Hunt you should have shot him" Sink saluted the two girls and left

Lane looked after the regimental commander and laughed "What the hell"

Dani hugged Lane "You want to get drunk" She asked him

"Ah ha" Lane said

Lane and Mia stepped into the local Bier Keller and found half the company there. Mia was sitting on Lipton's lap. They were happy and they had their future planned out. Lane looked around the group of men. Yeah most of the men would have a bright future and if they took advantage of the G.I bill, they would do well.

Nixon and Winters stepped into the place and found the men. Nixon grabbed Lane and kissed her. "Dick and Katie are going to New Jersey with us"

Lane kissed him back and smiled. Yeah things were going to be ok. They would be ok. They would be family forever a Band of Brothers.

….

At the end of July the Company was transferred to France, the only veteran left was the long-suffering Webster.

Winters, Speirs, Nixon and the girls were still with the division and were waiting to get rotated home.

In August Katie and Mia were rotated home.

Nixon Winters, Speirs and Dani was sent to Berlin with 82nd airborne and Dani and Speirs fell in love with the town.

In November 101st was inactivated and Nixon and Winters were dismissed from the army and went home and Dani and Speirs were rotated back to fort Bragg.

The war was over and now civilian life awaited.