#i got a quesadilla for today and a bowl for tomorrow and the quesadilla is so fucking good

[regular-lord-reckoner]

also, whoever made my chiptole today???

i hope you find a million dollars and have good sex and/or good meals (in case you’re not into sex) every single day of your life, thank you !!

[thehazbins]

OOC // It has been.... a day. Sorry, I usually try to keep things chill and fine but man I started crying because Applebee's got my order wrong. Today has been so full of bullshit, I genuinely hope tomorrow goes better or I'm gonna lose my shit. If you wanna read about my day- feel free to proceed. I won't be upset if you don't though.

First off, I couldn't sleep well last night. I fell asleep at like 5am? Woke up at 11 so I got alright sleep but it was not what I wanted. But that was fine. Didn't get time to grab breakfast before leaving for work since my partner was picking up, there was a whole car thing. But I think okay, sure.

I go to order breakfast from this fruit bowl place I like, for a solid 10 minutes door dash is saying "Pick up only." Which is annoying. Eventually it fixes and I go back, debating the restaurant but decide fuck it- I'll do the fruit bowl place. They messed up the order a few times but I was like surely I'll be better this time.

Wrong. I asked for no pineapple, extra banana. Usually this is no issue. Cheaper for them in fact. They left the pineapple, and removed the banana. This is the second fucking time. Like at least give me the regular amount of banana. Come the fuck on.

So it's fine. It's my coworkers last day at the shop so I ask him to make me a drink. A final coffee made my him before he calls it quits. Sure. Makes sense. If you saw my post earlier, you know where this is going.

He goes to leave, the coffee grinder goes weird and I have him come back and fix it since he hadn't gotten out the door. I go on about the day. Answer some questions then go over to the coffee bar and go to make a mocha. It's sticking a little weird so I get tired of the super pumping of it and grab it to clean it out. A actual small plume of green comes out of it. I just stare and pull it out. The whole length of the pump and inside of the bottle is coated in mold. So the drink I had... had that.

I basically just panic for the rest of the day. Which wasn't long but thankfully my partner was very kind and came in and chatted with me and helped me out while I cleaned. I just tossed the whole thing of chocolate sauce.

I get home, cool. We're gonna play a game a bit. I work on replies a bit then we get playing and there's no real moment to. Okay that's fine. Then we get this REALLY fun lucky break, we finish one of the events, and the world changes- so NO ONE knows we just did it. The treasure room is open too. Fuck yeah now we have an extra key. We don't know if we can unlock another but hell we're gonna try. So we grab shit annnnd then we get fucking jumped and obliterated by a PVP guy. We get one win and sell two of the more expensive items we have but that's about all we could manage.

So we're frustrated, go back to try to get revenge and the PVP guys just kill us again and we're like okay fuck off. And just- leave. Decide to hop out of the game. Dinner time, we're both hungry. We go cool we had plenty of left overs of katsu left.

JK roommates ate it all for lunch.

I'm so frustrated and trying not to be upset at roommates, it was really just like ANOTHER thing it wasn't a big deal. My partner goes. "Let's order something you want. Make the day better." So it's too late for what I really want but I settle for applebees.

My order is so fucking wrong when it gets here. I wanted just a plain cheese quesadilla. I bite into it, it's got pico or some shit on it. My partner goes out because my roommates are making dinner for one of them and they ask if I can be included.

I ended up getting alfredo but it was just... so tiring. I'm so over it. One of these would be NOTHING but all of it just kept piling on and I'm just like please for the love of stars please. Let me be.

[gwayenjoyer]

I'm losing a little. I was stuck at 180 for a fucking month y'all. I wasn't really trying that hard, I was definitely losing motivation since I wasn't losing very quickly .

But I think I'll wake up at 175ish tomorrow and that's exciting. I thought I was stuck at 180, but now I know that's silly. I just have to try harder.

Yesterday I had a boy over and we had spaghetti and garlic bread. I didn't eat the day before so I had a bigger bowl that I usually would have, a piece of garlic bread, and 2 cookies.

I'm not mad at the meal, and it was delicious.

Today I had a kids quesadilla meal from Chipotle. Let me tell y'all, you get one quesadilla and 2 sides (I get brown rice and beans) and a fruit or chips, I got the fruit but I forgot to eat it. It's like $7!!

I'm really fucking hungry right now and I want the spaghetti in my fridge but I'm gonna save it till tomorrow. I HAVE to go to the gym before work tomorrow because I'm getting my wisdom teeth out the next day and I definitely won't be working out while I'm recovering from that.

I'll try to remember to post my weight in the morning, but I think I'll be 175 and I'm just excited!

It's always hard for me to eat when I reach a new low, I feel like eating anything is sabotaging my hard work and there's nothing in the world that won't make me feel like a fat pig.

But I have to eat early in the day, I shouldn't wait till I'm hungry at night because that's how I end up eating shit I know I shouldn't. So I'm gonna have to eat right after hitting a new low tomorrow, knowing I won't be able to work out for a while.

Idk. I'm nervous and hungry and I miss that boy from last night :(

[m-a-n-g-o-m-i]

the world is so beautiful when you realize that eating doesn’t have to be this insane calculation of calories in vs calories out and protein vs carbs and all that. I ate two tortillas today. One of them was as a quesadilla with my leftover chili and the other was just part of a random snack. And I ate a big bowl of the chili too even though I didn’t leave the house or do anything active today. And I also ate these peppermint crème candies I got from Trader Joe’s this morning with my breakfast and they’re too minty but they’re weirdly enjoyable anyways. A year ago I would’ve barely let myself have one tortilla a day because that’s too many carbs or whatever but maybe I’ll have 3 tortillas tomorrow. If I feel like it. Who knows what the future holds

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

If I Fell For You (Part 3) - A Moment

Summary: Jensen is away from home for a few days but isn’t having the easiest time being away from the kids for the first time since the accident. When he returns home, he has a gala to attend on Saturday night but a kiss on the cheek and slip of the tongue will snowball into the reader and Jensen sharing a moment...

Masterlist

Pairing: Jensen x nanny!reader

Word Count: 6,100ish

Warnings: language, death of a spouse, death of a parent, anxiety, self-worth problems, referenced past harassment

A/N: I love this part so much for so many reasons. Please enjoy!

________

“Hi Jensen,” you asked Monday night when your phone rang. “How was your flight earlier?”

“Same old same old. I just got out of work,” he said with a yawn. “Gonna grab a bite out with a friend. Kids eat dinner okay?”

“We had honey sriracha glazed salmon with brussel sprouts and roasted red potatoes.”

“Really?”

“They had kraft mac and cheese and I had Taco Bell.”

“See this is why I like you,” he chuckled.

“I’ll try the salmon again tomorrow. I was gonna make it but they didn’t have any at the store,” you said, opening the fridge and taking out a pint of ice cream. “Hey can I have what’s left of this mint ice cream?”

“Sure. Pick some more up for me sometime before friday please,” he said. “Also, Taco Bell? You do realize we live in freaking Austin right. There are literally hundreds of places you can go that have better mexican food.”

“Yeah but fake cheese tastes good,” you said. He laughed and your stomach rumbled. “I so should have gotten more than two tacos.”

“You in the kitchen?” he asked. You hummed and you heard him let out an oof in the background.

“Yeah. You alright?”

“This bed in my hotel room is comfy,” he said. “But I was starting to say, go in the drawer at the end of the counter by the table. There’s only five hundred gajillion take out menus in there. Order a treat for yourself. It’s on me.”

“Jensen. I can get my own dinner.”

“True but you’re on call 24/7 until I get back.”

“Well in that case I bet you got a menu for a fancy steakhouse in here somewhere,” you teased as you picked up one for a tex mex looking restaurant. “Does this place really have quesadillas this big?”

“You must be looking at the menu on top. I almost ordered from there last week actually. The food’s great. They do delivery too. Just buzz the guy into the gate when they get there.”

“Any recommendations?” you asked, taking out the menu and flipping it over.

“Quesadillas are good. Loaded nachos are amazing. I’ve literally never had a bad thing from there,” he said. “To be honest I’d rather be getting that than where I’m going tonight.”

“Why’s that?” you asked, reading through your options, surprised to find such good prices.

“I have to wear a suit,” he said with a sigh. “After being poked and prodded all day I literally would rather just eat crap and watch food network.”

“How long have you known this friend of yours?” you asked.

“Twenty years, why?”

“Then you guys knew each other when you were young. It’s not too late out there. Call him, see if he’d rather get some crap food, a six pack and just catch up on his couch or in your room. I’m pretty sure he’s more looking forward to seeing an old friend again than the food,” you said.

“You make very good points. I should pay you more,” he said.

“You pay me plenty and barely let me spend a dime of my money on myself,” you said. “I don’t need more.”

“You got that fancy computer though.”

“You literally have the exact same mac in your office.”

“You moved in like three boxes and two computers,” he said.

“An ipad is not a computer,” you said.

“Debatable.”

“Well I like to draw sometimes and it’s easier on an ipad when you’re laying in bed,” you said. 

“Are you any good?” he asked.

“No.”

“I bet they’re really good,” he said as you rolled your eyes. “I see you draw with the kids sometimes and those are good.”

“It’s a hobby is all,” you said, leaning back against the counter, your stomach grumbling again. “Anything else you want me to grab at the store? I’m going to hit it tomorrow while everyone’s at school.”

“Nah. Get the usual stuff,” he said. “The kiddos in bed?”

“Yeah, got the last one down about fifteen minutes ago,” you said. He hummed and you heard the sigh in it. “I got a video of them playing earlier I’ll send you.”

“Thanks. It’s my first night away from them in a long time. Normally I’m able to come back same day. I was kinda hoping they’d still be awake to say goodnight.”

“They’re safe and sound dad. We’ll call again after school tomorrow to talk like today,” you said.

“Yeah,” he breathed out. He was quiet and you pulled the phone away, taking a deep breath. 

“You okay?” 

“I haven’t been alone like this in a really long time.”

“I know. You check out your backpack yet?”

“No. Why?”

“You didn’t bring a jacket with you so I put that yellow hoodie that’s always on the hook in there in case you got cold.”

“That was Dee’s hoodie.”

“I was pretty sure it was,” you said. You heard him shuffle around briefly before he hummed, much happier that time. “I thought you might like to have a piece of...something-”

“I really don’t pay you enough,” he said quietly. “Thanks for putting this in there. I need something from home more than I realized.”

“Well put it on, call up your buddy and have some fun tonight, Ackles. Nanny’s orders.” He laughed and you felt that twinge in your stomach again, your eyes quickly closing.

“I will. Hey you mind if I call again tomorrow night? I don’t have any plans and sitting in a hotel room by myself isn’t very fun.” You smiled and felt heat in your cheeks, quickly thinking it away. He wanted company for a few minutes was all and you were friends. It was completely normal to talk with friends on the phone everyday.

“Of course. As long as you get a dinner in at some point that’s more than fine with me,” you said. “We can talk about The Bachelor!”

“Oh God no,” he groaned, chuckling after a few seconds. “I’ll settle for Grey’s Anatomy.”

“This Is Us?” you asked.

“Supernatural?”

“I haven’t watched that yet. I’m working up to it,” you said. 

“Work faster woman. I only know legit everything about that one,” he chuckled. “But probably not a good idea to watch that one until I get back and you're not alone. First episode is kinda scary.”

“Oh well thanks for that,” you said, watching the clock tick by, knowing it had to be almost seven out there. “I’ll let you go. Have fun tonight Jensen.”

“I will Y/N. Promise.”

Friday Night

“Arrow,” you said after she’d flung her pasta bowl all over herself, covering her hair and face. She sniffled and you forced a smile. “Okay. How about a bath after dinner?”

Fifteen minutes later JJ and Zeppelin were in the movie room watching a cartoon while you had Arrow in the kids bathroom, scooping up some water over her head in the tub.

“Well hello ladies,” you heard behind you. You jumped and spun around, glaring for a moment before you recognized Jensen.

“Just me,” he said, backpack still on his shoulders. 

“Daddy I got ziti all over my head,” she said.

“You did?” he asked, dropping his bag and taking off his jacket, kneeling down next to you. You got the last bit of sauce off and squirted some shampoo in her hair, Jensen watching you with a smile. “How was your day?”

She told him all about breakfast and daycare, playing with a few toy boats with him while you rinsed out the soap. You did a bit of conditioner before getting it out as well and putting the spray nozzle back.

“I got the rest if you wanna get the dryer ready?” he asked you, reaching for the soap. You swapped spots with him, Jensen washing her up while she kept talking about her day. By the time he was all done you had the dryer out and plugged in, Jensen picking her up and wrapping her up in a big bundle of towels before he set her on the counter. You went to work drying her hair, Jensen draining the tub and finding some pajamas for her.

“Do you want your hair up or down, sweetie?” you asked. She tried gathering it up and you grabbed her soft scrunchie perfectly fine for sleeping in from the counter. You put her hair up in a soft little bun, Jensen making an adorable sound when he returned.

“Aw, you look so cute, baby. I’ll be right there alright?” he said. She hopped off the counter and got dressed, rushing off downstairs when she was all done. “Survive the day?”

“Somehow we always do,” you said, gathering up the towels. “Kids are in the movie room.”

“Thanks. I’m gonna shower but we’re all good for the night,” he said. “Thanks for watching them this week.”

“You gotta go do your job,” you said. “You working on a movie or something? You never said.”

“Uh gonna be in a show called The Boys,” he said. “I’m gonna be one of the superheroes so I gotta go out and get my suit made all special for me every so often.”

“You’re gonna be a supe! That’s so fucking cool!” you said. He grinned and you blushed, shaking your head. “I’m so sorry. That was so not appropriate.”

“I don’t see any little ears around,” he chuckled. “You like the show then?”

“Yeah. It’s great. Like no other show consistently makes me go what the fuck did I just see. That’s so cool you get to be a supe though. Are you a one off or like a main character?”

“I’ll be very present in the next season. Gonna deal with the seven, all that,” he said. “I’m gonna be Solider Boy.”

“I can see that. You have that all American boy thing about you.”

“It’s my adorable face,” he teased. 

“Well remember to not stay up too late. You have the gala tomorrow night remember?”

“Yes mom,” he said as you walked out. “Get the kids some takeout for dinner tomorrow and yourself.”

“Sounds good boss,” you said. “Night Jensen.”

“Goodnight, Y/N.”

The Next Night

You froze from where you were mixing up some brownie batter with JJ at the kitchen counter as Jensen popped downstairs. He was in a gorgeous black suit, a maroon pocket square and no tie going on, his hair scruffier looking than normal.

He started to laugh and you realized you were staring, your cheeks feeling hot as you went back to stirring.

“Mmm, you guys save me a brownie or two for when I get home?” he asked, leaning over and dipping his finger in the bowl of cream cheese frosting.

“We’ll spare one for dad,” you said, Jensen going back for seconds. “Ah, ah. No.”

He dipped his finger in and got another fingerful, kissing the top of JJ’s head and the twins at the counter.

“Be good for Y/N guys!” he called as he rushed out.

You whistled and he jogged back, catching you holding up his phone from the counter.

“Thank you,” he said, taking it and pecking a kiss on your cheek. You looked up at him and he froze. “I am so sorry. I…”

“It’s okay. Go have fun and be all charitable,” you said. He shoved his phone in his pocket and ran out, JJ scratching her head.

“Dad’s kinda weird sometimes,” she said.

“Yeah, he is. But so is everybody,” you said. “Let’s get this in the oven so you guys can pick out colors for your frosting, hm?”

“I really shouldn’t. But I really should,” you said to yourself, plopping your second brownie of the night in a bowl and sticking a scoop of ice cream on top. You carried it over to the couch and lay back, watching TV on the big screen as you heard the door open. Jensen came into view a minute later, taking his jacket off and groaning as he washed up at the sink. He went to the tray of brownies on the counter and picked one up with a big sigh. “Fun night?”

He jumped and whacked his head against the cabinet above, hissing before he spun around.

“You okay?” you asked. He nodded and left the brownie behind, pushing his sleeves up before taking a seat on the other end of the lounger.

“Y/N I’m really sorry about the kiss on the cheek. That was so inappropriate. You’ve kinda implied that there was some stuff that’s happened to you at other jobs you found over the line and I’m really truly sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I wasn’t...I forgot you’re my employee for a moment. I really am sorry.”

“Jensen if I had a problem with it or you or your behavior I would quit on the spot. I don’t let myself get pushed around anymore. You were happy and busy and you pecked a kiss on my cheek, not reach a hand down my pants. It’s really okay. You’re way too hard on yourself.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Positive. It’s barely ten which means you left as soon as you could. You’re supposed to be out having fun,” you said.

“I was kinda freaking out that you hated me,” he said.

“Dude you gotta relax,” you said. “Have a brownie and some ice cream.”

He got up and after a minute took a seat at the other end with a bowl of his own, smiling as he got a taste.

“This is fucking awesome,” he said.

“I know,” you said, Jensen smirking. “Do you feel better now silly boy? I promise that if you ever do anything I find inappropriate I will promptly kick you in the balls.”

“I can agree to that,” he said. He ate for a moment, watching the TV and laying back. “Do you ever like, want to go do things with your friends on a Saturday night? If you do that’s totally cool. These aren’t normal hours anyways.”

“Being a nanny eats up a lot of your social life,” you said. “Kinda got kicked out of my friend group after I broke up with my ex anyways.”

“Well they sound like they suck,” he said.

“Yes, they do,” you said. “I don’t mind so much. I meet plenty of new people through work. Only person you can depend on is yourself and I don’t tend to let myself down.”

“That’s a very lonely way to go through life,” he said.

“It’s not easy to make friends in your thirties,” you said. “Maybe for someone like you who travels and meets new people a lot and stuff but you have like, real friendships. You know?”

“Well we have a real friendship, don’t we? You’re friends with Jared and Rob and Ruthie and Rich,” he said. “I don’t trust just anybody with my kids. That’s real.”

“Yeah,” you said, taking a bite. “So when’s your friend free?”

“Hm?”

“Blind date guy. Maybe he could be a friend if things work out,” you said.

“Oh yeah. He uh, he actually got a gig up in Canada so you might need to wait like a month or so. But he’s excited to meet you,” said Jensen.

“Can I have his number?” you asked. “Or do you think that’d be weird?”

“No, not weird. I think he just kinda wants to do it old school if that’s okay. Meet you first and go from there.”

“This friend of yours better be like super hot,” you said.

“If it’s a problem-“

“I can respect him wanting to do things like that. But I’m gonna want a firm date soon,” you said.

“I’ll make sure to get you one,” he said. “I’ll get it down tomorrow, promise.”

“He better not mind me eating like this either. I ain’t a salad on the first date kinda girl. He’s gonna need to keep up with my eating while were at it,” you said. He snorted in his seat beside you and ran his hand over his face.

“I will keep that in mind. I have occasionally had dessert first truth be told,” he said.

“This is why I like you Ackles. You get my sweet tooth,” you laughed.

“It’s a good thing your dinners are healthy cause I swear I haven’t consumed this many baked goods in months,” he said. “The kids love it and my stomach loves it though.”

“I’m gonna need to start working out though if I keep this up. Oh hey is it okay if I do laps in the pool in the mornings? I’ll be super quiet and stuff.”

“You don’t gotta ask,” he smiled. “Like I said when you started, you got free reign to use the pool, the gym, whatever, aside from my room. You a swimmer?”

“Not really but I hate running and supposedly it’s a good workout or something,” you shrugged, eating another bite of brownie.

“Anything in the gym you’re free to use. I know you must get a little bored sometimes when I’m gone and the kids are,” he said.

“Not bored per say. Ordinarily I would do more chores but you have like a cleaner and a landscaper and you just...give me more time in the day than I’m used to is all. It’s actually great though. It gives me plenty of time to come up with ideas for the kids and stuff.”

“Well as long as you’re taking breaks and your lunch do as you please,” he said, his spoon scraping the bottom of his bowl.

“Now that’s just sad.”

“I really should get another one of these,” he said, sucking the spoon.

“It’s really the only choice you have,” you said. He laughed as he hopped up, skirting back into the kitchen and fixing up another brownie and ice cream combo.

“Hey you want more, Dee?” he asked. You popped your head up and he spun around. “I’m-“

“Don't apologize, Jensen,” you said. He tapped his fingers against the counter and took a deep breath, putting his back to you.

“That’s the second time tonight I’ve done that,” he said. 

“Jensen. There’s nothing wrong with missing your wife.”

“I’m still sorry.”

“You don’t...talk about her much.”

“It was...she wasn’t…” he trailed off. He sat down on a barstool and you got up, walking over and hopping up on the counter beside him. You set your feet in the stool next to his and paused before you put a hand on top of his head and ran your fingers through the short strands. “This shouldn’t have happened to her.”

“Death is the price for living. Pain’s the price for caring. Doesn’t mean it’s not worth it,” you said. You started to move your hand away when he turned his head. 

“Don’t…” he said, easing when you played with it gently again. “That’s always calmed me down since I was a little kid.”

“Someone should take care of you every once in a while you know. Your parents, siblings, friends. Everyone needs a break.”

“I had a lot of help at the beginning. I don’t need a whole day. Just a moment here and there,” he said quietly.

“It’ll be okay, Jensen,” you said. He nodded and you played with his hair a few moments, watching his shoulders ease. This time when you pulled away he smiled up at you. “Better?”

“Yeah. Thank you. That’s not in your job description to do that sort of thing.”

“Well I think your wife would want somebody to watch your back, even for only a minute or two,” you said.

“You don’t have any brain aneurysms I should know about, do you?” he chuckled. 

“No. That what happened?” you asked, a single nod coming from him.

“She was sleeping. Not a bad way to go I was told, you’d never even know,” he said. “Not a fun thing to wake up to in the morning though.”

“My dad had a mass at the back of his head. It was that same kind of thing where one second it’s fine and the next everything’s different deal. It was inoperable. Then he goes and dies from a car accident of all things before it got bad. My mom had a hard time with that.”

“You said she had a boyfriend later on right?” he asked.

“Yeah. I know you’ll be okay, Jensen,” you said. You ruffled his hair and he smiled, a soft look on his face. “Pro tip too from someone who’s been there, kids with a single parent turn out just fine.”

“Do they ever wish they had another parent?” he asked.

“They wish the parent they still have around is happy again someday. They won’t understand until they’re older that it’s a different kind of love between parents. But they’ll know it’s a little different and they’ll hope dad feels better too. Your kids are tough. They’ll be okay too.”

“Thanks, Y/N,” he said. You hopped off the counter and washed up your dish, sticking it in the dishwasher before you went to leave for your room. “So I gotta ask. Who takes care of you?”

“Me?” you asked, pointing to yourself. He shrugged and smiled, your gaze going past him. “I’m all good. I don’t need somebody to take care of me.”

“Liar,” he said softly. “You know my friend tells me everybody needs to be taken care of sometimes.”

“That’s the difference between us Jensen. You’re not like me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he scoffed, his face scrunching up suddenly.

“It means you’re not on your own and even if you feel like it, it’s only been a little while. You’ll be okay. I’ve been taking care of myself since I was a kid. I don’t need anyone to take care of me.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it.”

“You haven’t lived my life and I haven’t lived yours. Don’t try to tell me that I’m not capable of-”

“It’s not about what you’re capable of. You said pain is part of life, it’s the price for living. You’ve had more than your fair share-”

“Lots of people have it a lot worse.”

“Don’t compare your pain to someone else's. They haven’t lived your life,” he said. You rolled your eyes and started to walk away, Jensen out of his seat and catching up with you in the hall. “You can be taken care of too you know.”

“By who? My non-existent circle of friends? My crappy ex? My mom’s ex boyfriend who’s got his own wife and kids? I am perfectly fine managing all of this by myself. I’ve been doing it for years.”

“You’re so frustratingly annoying,” he said, running his hand over his face. “Me. I’m talking about me. You just...you took care of me tonight. The least I can do is show you the same compassion.”

“No,” you said.

“No? Why not?”

“Because taking care of me turns into you walking into my shower without my permission and you being a dick and this going away and I don’t want you to be those things so no. We’re getting too friendly. Please leave me alone tomorrow.”

You left him in the hall and went down to your area of the house, shutting the door after you. There was quickly a knock and you growled, ripping it open.

“What?” you snapped at him.

“I am not going to hurt you or be a dick to you or whatever else you think. You need to realize in the real world, not everyone is an asshole.”

“You’re the one not living in the real world then, Jensen. Everybody’s an asshole.”

“Fine. I’m an asshole. But I’m not leaving until you say I can take care of you tomorrow. Two minutes is all I’m asking for.”

“This is my part of the house.”

“And technically I am outside your door,” he said. “Why are you so resistant to somebody doing something nice for you?”

“Because I don’t wanna get used to it,” you said. He stared and you shook your head. “You’re attractive and an actor and kind and funny and it’s not a matter of if you date again but when and when that day comes, we ain’t gonna be sitting on the couch eating ice cream anymore. Please do not invite me to anymore outings as a friend. I’ll attend if required as a nanny but this between us is done.”

“For the record, the only one around here that thinks of you as just the hired help is you. My children are completely like their old selves. I feel more like my old self. You seem happier than when I met you but for some reason, that’s a big problem to you. I do not understand that.”

“Leave or I resign and move out first thing,” you said. He crossed his arms and lifted his chin. “This is my formal resignation then. The company will-”

He moved quickly and you weren’t sure what he was doing at first but soon you realized he was hugging you, your hands resting against his chest. You swallowed and he didn’t move, your forehead resting against him.

“What are you doing?” you breathed out.

“When’s the last time you got a fucking hug?” he asked.

“The kids-”

“Not the kids.”

“I don’t remember,” you said quietly. 

“Then you are overdue,” he said. You let yourself reach your arms around him and return the hug, breathing deeply, a small bubble in you rising up. You tried to push it down but it came back harder and you were fighting back tears before you knew it. 

He could feel when you lost that battle, hand rubbing up and down your back. There was a soft shushing in the air and after a few minutes you felt better. You lifted your head but didn’t look at him, Jensen squeezing you in his hug again before it eased.

“You know you’re not allowed to quit on me...like ever,” he chuckled. You let out a small laugh, Jensen smiling at you when you forced your head up. He wiped off your cheeks and you let out one last sniffle. “You’re not alone. I promise you’re not. It’s not the quantity of people you have in your life but the quality and I’m sorry but we are friends and there’s nothing you can do about that so I’d just accept it now.”

“I’m sorry I was such a bitch.”

“You were scared, not a bitch,” he said. “I wish I could make you happier is all.”

“I wish I could bring back your wife for you,” you said.

“One of those is a lot more possible than the other,” he said. A small smile crossed his lips before he ducked his head down, shoulders heaving back before his head raised. “Y/N, can I confess something to you? I hope...I hope it doesn’t bother you but if it does, you don’t have to continue working for me. I’d still like to be friends regardless.”

“What’s wrong?” you asked, Jensen looking past you.

“My single friend I was going to set you up with? He doesn’t exist.”

“Oh.”

“Cause he’s kinda me.”

“Oh,” you said, staring at him, a lot of his previous behavior starting to click into place. “That’s…”

“I know,” he said, stepping away and rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s weird and douchey and I’m sorry. I like you and I was trying to see if you would ever go for a 42 year old actor. I left out the widow and kids part but...I’m sorry.”

“When did you like me?” you asked quietly.

“The whole time?” he said, laughing nervously to himself. “It’s kinda snowballed since we met. I never in my life thought I’d like someone again. I didn’t want to like you. I hired you because you were the best candidate and I knew the kids would be in good hands but everyday it’s there, even more, and I know this is so inappropriate on so many levels and I’m really starting to ramble here but you make me think maybe your mom had a point and people are allowed to have...more than one…and sometimes the way you talk to me and treat me and look at me...” 

He swallowed as you stepped in front of him, taking a quick breath. 

“I will keep working for you and I’ll be your friend...and you can make me dinner tomorrow,” you said with a smile. “We’ll see where it goes from there?”

“You’re not...weirded out?” he asked.

“By your age, you’re my boss or the cheeky lying about a fake friend?” you said.

“All of the above.”

“Age doesn’t bother me. You have no idea how to be a boss, no offense, and the friend...I don’t blame you for wanting to test the waters first,” you said. “But I expect honesty from here on out.”

“Absolutely,” he said.

“Good,” you said.

“You do like me right?” he asked. “Like you don’t feel obligated or-”

“I like you Jensen. Why do you think I was trying to push you away before you got too close? I didn’t want to be hurt.”

“Give me a chance to not,” he said. “We can have dinner and see how it goes from there.”

“Normally the best course of action,” you said.

“But maybe with a few more hugs from now on,” he said. “For the both of us.”

“That’d be okay with me,” you said. He smiled and you returned it. “I guess I’ll see you in the morning then.”

“I guess you will,” he said. He turned to go when he spun back on his heels. “Or we could go back out there, eat way too much dessert and hang out?”

“Yeah,” you said with a smile. “Give me a minute to wash up my face.”

“Take all the time you want. I’m gonna change into something more comfortable anyways.”

He left and you washed off your face in the bathroom, drying it off and taking a deep breath.

You did like him. There was something calming about him to you and you enjoyed his company, even if it was just the two of you having a quiet cup of coffee in the morning.

But he was an actor. And kinda famous. And a widow. And had three kids. 

“But your face is cute,” you said aloud, looking the mirror. “Gah, of course you have to be like...into me. Nutjob. He must be a nutjob. That’s it.”

“Y/N?” you heard him saying and you smacked yourself in the face. “Are you talking to yourself?”

“Uh, yeah,” you said, stepping out and seeing him in the hall sporting a pair of pajama pants and a t shirt. “That was fast.”

“Well I didn’t go through an eight step skin routine too,” he chuckled.

“For your information, my routine is only three steps,” you said, walking past him and waggling your fingers.

“I didn’t realize I was living with such a savage,” he said. You laughed and went back to the kitchen, making up another dish of brownie for him while he went over to where he kept his liquor. “You a bourbon kind of girl?”

“Is there any other kind?” you said.

“Touche.” He poured out two glasses and slid one over while you passed his bowl to him. “So what’s this three step routine? Do I need to up my game or what?”

“I think I need your routine, not the other way around,” you said.

“Nah. I like looking at your face more than mine. Trust me.”

“Oh. How long you been holding back those kinds of comments?” you teased.

“Longer than you’d think,” he said, sharing the bowl with you. “Feel okay now?”

“Yeah. I can’t remember the last time I cried,” you said. “Especially in front of someone.”

“A good cry session has never hurt in my experience. I’ll do it for work and stuff but normally I’m not much of one. Aside from the past six months I mean.”

“Are you ready to try this?” you asked.

“Yeah. I know I am,” he said. “I’m positive of it.”

“How can you know that?”

“Because you make me happy. You make me...want to do stuff again, believe in all the romantic...if I wasn’t ready, I’d feel guilty. But I don’t. I just know that maybe some people get more than one chance and maybe I’m one of them.”

“I know you are, whoever it ends up being,” you said.

“Are you ready to try this?”

You took a drink and bite of ice cream, pushing the bowl back.

“I miss my family,” you said. “I miss being happy. I’d like to...have someone that could take care of me for a moment every once in a while. I might mess that up sometimes but I’m willing to try.”

“Me too,” he said. “I’d expect some screw ups on this end too. I’ve been out of the dating game for a long time.”

“I’m sure it hasn’t changed all that much,” you said.

“Well I’ve never dated with kids and as a widow,” he said.

“I’m just in this for them to be honest,” you laughed. 

“I see how it is,” he said with a smirk. 

“I don’t think it’ll be as hard as you think,” you said.

“I hope not,” he said. 

“Do they know? You want to date?”

“JJ does,” he said. “She’s little but she understands that it doesn’t mean I’ll never love her mother any less. She’s been strangely okay through this whole thing aside from the first few weeks. She helps her brother and sister out more now.”

“As someone who was that kid, minus the siblings, I know they’ll be okay. She’s a great kid. I’ve met plenty of spoiled brats. Yours are not.”

“Well that might just be the second best thing I’ve heard tonight,” he said.

“Whatever was the first?” you teased, eating a spoon of ice cream.

“Oh I think you know,” he said, stealing the spoon back. You smiled and heard some feet run around upstairs before the stairs creeped and a little head ducked down into view. “Arrow. It’s bedtime sweetie.”

“I had a accident,” she said. “Sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry for, honey,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”

“Want help?” you asked.

“Sure,” he said. He scooped up Arrow on the way up the stairs, setting her down in the kids bathroom. He got some clean pajamas and you found a pair of pull ups, Arrow pouting at you. 

“I don’t need ‘em,” she said.

“Your brother wears them. I wore them and your mommy and daddy wore them. Everybody wears pull ups when they’re your age,” you said.

“Just tonight,” she said, stepping into them. Jensen walked past with the mattress liner and she was dressed by the time you heard the washer going off in the distance. You walked her back to bed, Jensen slipping in past you and tucking her in. “Night daddy.”

“Night sweetie,” he said, kissing her temple. 

“Night Y/N,” she said.

“Night night kiddo,” you said, giving her a tiny wave before you left, Jensen flipping off her light and pulling the door shut. 

“Come here a second,” he said, nodding and you saw him head towards his room. The double doors were open and you stepped inside, Jensen going past the bed and over to a set of french doors. He pushed one open and waved for you to follow, showing you out to a rooftop balcony.

“Wow,” you said, a set of chairs, a table and a lounger out there along with a whole lot soft string lights. “I didn’t realize you had this up here.”

“Kinda a place to go unwind, relax,” he said. “I disappear out here sometimes. Been out here a lot at night lately.”

“Thinking about what?” you asked.

“You,” he said. “I talk to Dee about you sometimes as crazy as that sounds.”

“Doesn’t sound crazy at all,” you said.

“I just wanted to say...this area isn’t off limits anymore. Nothing is,” he said. 

“She asked you out, didn’t she,” you said with a smile. He rubbed the back of his neck and blushed. “You’re cute.”

You leaned up and kissed his cheek, heading back towards inside.

“Come on, Jensen. Before the ice cream melts on us.”

_______

A/N: Read Part 4 here!

[skinsharpenedteeth]

WIP Wednesday!

Okay, doing something a little different. I’m going to share a little bit from the three big WIPs I’m working on right now. Also, this Friday/Saturday is the next chapter update for AWT for keep your eyes trained!

There’s Only One Bed and Oh, Can We Explore the Area Between Tortured Lust and ‘Sup, Bro?’ With Our Dicks?

       “You’re going to smell like an old man all night with this stuff,” Michael commented before rubbing it between his hands to warm it up slightly and then starting to spread it on the leg furthest from him. Michael let his fingers start slowly pressing into the muscle under his hands, sliding up and slightly under the leg of Alex’s boxers. He drew back and pressed forward again, using slightly more pressure, and when Alex let out a contented hum, he knew he’d found the right amount. Michael slowly and methodically worked his way up and down the back of Alex’s legs. He tried not to concentrate on the sounds Alex made or the feeling of his muscles under his hands, but it was tough. He was ready to stop and end his torture for the night when Alex grabbed his wrist to stop him from capping the tub of Biofreeze. Michael looked at him with a raised eyebrow.       “Will you do my right hip for me?” Alex asked, hand falling away from Michael’s wrist. Michael held his gaze for a moment before nodding.       “How do you want me to…?” Michael asked, voice trailing off as Alex worked his underwear down until the band rested right under the curve of his ass cheeks. Alex was either the most obtuse person in the world or the cruelest and Michael wasn’t sure which as he stared at his naked ass in front of him.       “Michael?” Alex’s voice pulled him out of his trance. He blushed a little and scooped out a little more of the astringent-smelling gel. He pressed his hands against the side of Alex’s hip in a spreading, circular motion. Immediately, Alex was pressing his face against the pillow under his chin and moaning softly. Michael stared at his hands hard, trying to block out any other input but what he felt under his fingertips, but Alex’s moans broke through every time and by the end of his ministrations, he was half hard and hoping Alex couldn’t tell. Quickly, he capped the jar of Biofreeze and scrambled off the mattress to go wash his hands. When he turned back, Alex had pulled his underwear back up, but he was still laying on his stomach.       “Thank you,” Alex said simply as he watched Michael dry his hands on the towel he’d used earlier from the shower. Michael looked over his shoulder at him and smiled genuinely.       “No problem. Want some water?” Michael asked carefully. Alex shut his eyes and shook his head.       “Just the cover once you get back in bed,” Alex responded through a yawn. Michael tried not to be charmed, but Alex was already getting that adorably sleepy look he got when he was already halfway out. It was unguarded and made Michael’s chest hurt with how soft it made him look. Alex felt Michael crawl into bed a moment later and then draw the covers up over him. Once he was safely hidden, Alex turned onto his side facing away from Michael and reached down to adjust himself. The hip thing had been a bit much, but Michael’s hands had felt so good on him…. And if he was honest with himself, since letting the idea of having sex with Michael had entered his mind, all their interactions seemed to take on an entirely different tone. The stretches? How had he done that with Michael every night for over a week and not gotten a boner? How had he not been waking up from wet dreams every night? Michael had given him a massage before and actually straddled his ass, why were they not already balls deep in each other?       Their friendship had been hard won and this trip wasn’t supposed to change anything between them. Alex laid in bed with his eyes closed and stared into the dark of the hotel room, aware of every shift and breath of the person sharing the covers with him. He didn’t know how he fell asleep that night, but eventually he did. If he hadn’t been so absorbed in his own thoughts, Alex might’ve noticed that it took just as long for Michael to achieve sleep as well.

Undisclosed Desires

    Alex woke up feeling like he almost had a hangover. He was laying in a cold, porcelain bathtub with his knees bent up and his hands crossed over his chest. There was a rolled up towel under his neck in lieu of a pillow. He’d spent the last three days sleeping like this since it was the only relatively light tight room in Forrest’s apartment across town. He groaned loudly as he pushed himself to sit up and stretched. He had to go back to the house tonight. He needed to convince Forrest that by leaving the apartment he wasn’t leaving him. He probably should text Michael back and let him know he wasn’t dead… Or he could just wait until tomorrow to do what he dreaded today. 

    Forrest opened the bathroom door and flipped on dim vanity lighting above the sink.He climbed out of the bathtub and slipped on his shirt and jeans that he’d left folded on the toilet lid. Forrest looked at him from where he leaned his shoulder against the door frame with an appraising look on his face. 

    “Hello lover,” Forrest cooed, looking self-satisfied and a little lascivious. Alex internally groaned again. His dick was sore. His ass was sore. He’d had sex more in the last three days than he’d had in a long time and all of it was initiated by Forrest as some sort of validation for their relationship. Alex could not have sex again all night tonight. He smiled anyway, also not wanting to fight again.

    “Hey baby,” he replied, stepping close and nuzzling his nose against Forrest’s. Forrest kissed him and wrapped his arms around his shoulders, pushing up onto his toes to press more into the kiss. Alex kissed him for a few minutes until he felt his arms relaxing and his hands starting to travel south on his body. 

    “Mm, I need to go back to the house tonight,” Alex told him as soon as he could end the kiss. He grabbed Forrest’s hands and knit their fingers together, pressing their palms close. Forrest looked up at him with a pout and Alex kissed his nose affectionately. “I need to change clothes and check in with Kyle about the carriage house. Tomorrow we’re doing a parlor party. Come over, hang out, sleep over, whatever you want.”

    “Whatever I want?” Forrest asked, looking up at him with a sultry, mischievous smile. 

    “Within reason….” Alex amended, but he grinned at Forrest before kissing him quickly and then playfully swooping down to gnaw playfully at his neck with blunt teeth. Forrest shrieked but didn’t push him away. His hands tightened in Alex’s and only relaxed when Alex kissed the spot he’d sipped from the other night. He had no idea how Forrest had any energy left after the blood draining and sex. He’d seen other humans in bed for days after a single feeding. 

    “Maybe I’ll drop by, you know, just to see who’s there,” Forrest said overly casually. Alex clenched his jaw behind his smile. 

    “Sounds good,” he replied, before giving Forrest’s hands a quick squeeze and side-stepping around him to go grab his boots from the living room. He picked up his things as he went, a sock here, his phone there, and pocketed everything he couldn’t put back on. Once he was as put together as he was going to get, he started toward the front door. 

A Working Title

   “Did you make me something tasty?” he asked, leaning over to eye the quesadillas laid out on plates. 

    “Cheesesteak quesadillas. They go great with Guinness,” Michael commented, nodding his head over at the sweating six pack on the counter. Alex wrinkled his nose a little when he spotted them and Michael laughed easily at him. “Don’t tell me you’re a hop head?”

    “No, just… It always takes me about half a beer to remember that Guinness isn’t terrible. I prefer something just a few shades lighter,” Alex replied. He went ahead and grabbed two beers and transported them and himself over to the dining table. With a quick motion, he popped both the bottle caps off on the side of the table and set them between Michael and his seats. Michael brought over the food and set it down in front of them along with a bowl of strawberries. Alex raised an eyebrow at him in question at the strawberries. Michael’s cheeks pinked a little as he sat down. 

    “They’ll just go bad in the fridge. Might as well eat them,” Michael replied after clearing his throat. Alex tried to suppress a smile and failed spectacularly at Michael’s cheesiness and lack of subtlety. 

    “Did you buy chocolate dip too?” Alex asked, picking up a piece of his quesadilla and watching Michael’s reaction as he bit into it. Michael pointedly did not look up at him and if anything his cheeks went pinker. Alex put down his piece and scooted his chair over to where he could reach Michael to kiss one of his cheeks. “You’re seriously the cheesiest, most ridiculously romantic person I think I’ve ever met and it’s one of my favorite things about you so don’t you dare think about ever stopping, okay?”

    Michael turned his head to look at him, cocky smile back in place. He kissed Alex’s lips lightly. 

    “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he replied, lasting a full three seconds before his close lipped grin turned into a full fledged, teeth showing smile. Alex scoffed, but kissed him again quickly before moving his chair back so he could eat.

[pbandjesse]

I am very very cold!!! I am in my fluffiest sweater (one my brother gave me for Christmas last year) and using my heating pad. It is helping. But since the sun went down I was just ridiculously cold. I was mostly cold all day. But it got worse as the day went on. Despite my best efforts.

But it was a very good day. I slept well last night. Though I was woken up at 8 by a pretty awful nightmare. James had pulled the heater into the bedroom but the windows are very leaky in here. We are going to try to get something to help with that tomorrow because just the curtains aren't helping as much as I need them too. I wasn't in a rush to get up though.

I would text with James and watch tiktoks and scroll on Tumblr until 930. I would finally get myself up and get washed and dressed. I felt so cute today. This was an excellent outfit.y hair looked great. I was in a great mood.

Food did not sound appealing to me. I wouldn't eat until well into the afternoon. I don't know why.

Instead I made myself a fun drink. Got myself together. And headed to the thrift store.

It was kind of a terrible drive out because the 9

83 on ramp was closed and it was sort of a nightmare to figure out how to get on the highway. But I would figure it out eventually and it was a good drive.

My big plan was to look for a shelf. So I went in the complete opposite direction then I normally do. Everything was topsy turvy.

I would end up finding a small shelf that was nearly perfect. I also found a pretty excellent wall file holder. I had ideas for storing washcloths in that.

I also just had fun walking around finding fun things. Even if I didn't get much. I had a funny chat with am old man who wanted to make sure I was a member and I was getting discounts. I assured him I always get a discount.

I would find the mostly darling duck dish thing. And a pretty purple glass bowl. I also found skewers shaped like fencing foils and of course I had to get that. And a furby fake called a Chilla Chilla. I remembered it from when I was a kid but it is much smaller then I remember. Much closer to furbys actual size then I had pictured. I remembered it being closer to my Rizmo. But I was still very excited to find it!!

I wasn't looking for clothes. But I did get a black pair of silk pajama pants. My orange ones are getting a little worn. I also spent a long while looking at new born baby clothes for my bears. This ended up being harder then expected. There weren't a lot of just. Regular shirts. I ended up getting a few pieces. Everything under $2. I was still excited to find anything I liked.

I headed home after paying. I was only gone for about an hour. And when I got home I got right to work on my shelf.

I ended up cutting one of the wooden shelves I already had in half and using that to create legs on the shelf. I broke three screws. Something that has never happened to me before. But I would make it work. I cut the wood with my dove tail saw and for eye balling it it was almost perfect. I am very proud of how it came out. We have much more working space now. Mr Will came over with some mail for me. And just checked in. I got to show off my shelf and he said I was very silly but he understood why I would saw things by hand. He will be back Monday to do some work but it was nice to see him.

I would work on the file wall storage next. My plan originally was to hang it in the bathroom but are walls are all tile. So instead I figure out how to hang it in the closet. Which worked out really well. I took a bunch of stuff out. Including the beach towels which I moved to a different box. So the whole closet feels so much more organized and clean. I am very happy with how it came out. Made me feel good.

I started making a late lunch after that. I had a quesadilla and a half of an avocado. Ms Tina came over to apologize about the heat still not staying on. Apparently the furnace is working but it only staying on for a few minutes and so the man is coming back to check it out. But she showed me on our radiators how it can collect water and how to take the piece off. She said something nice about how the apartment looks and it made me feel very proud of my hard work.

I worked on my knitting for the day next. Having the same high temp a few days in a row is nice. Tomorrow should be a little warmer though. I'm excited that I can see the work outside of the loom now without having to pull it out. I'm excited to see it grow more and more.

I gave myself an hour to lay on the couch. I texted with Jess and just laid under a blanket. I got really cold as the sun moved behind some buildings. I was actually so cold my rings kept slipping off. Which made me upset.

But I would get up and try to work in my studio. I made a new pattern for a larger/thicker bear. I think I sort of solved the next issue but I sort of made them a little wonky in the pattern. I will try to solve that tomorrow. But I love how chunky they came out and while I want to get different eyes for the larger friends, I'm just really happy with how they came out.

While I was working on the second bear James came home. They told me about their say. Which was busy! Not surprised because it was a free day. But I think it was still fun for them. I'm really glad they are able to work a full job and get home so early.

We would spend a little time working on our own projects before they made us pasta for dinner. I started not feeling good from the cold but dinner helped. Eventually James would go work on something and I would be a potato on the couch until they helped me up and I went to shower. I also painted my toes and now I'm I am in bed.

I am very much ready to sleep. Tomorrow we may bake cookies. I hope you all have a good day too. Goodnight everyone.

[sohotthateveryonedied]

Do Whatever You Want, I’m Super Dead

Read here on AO3!

Summary:

Tim has come to the stunning conclusion that human bodies are defective and evolution needs to pick up the fucking slack.

Tim has come to the stunning conclusion that human bodies are defective and evolution needs to pick up the fucking slack. Why else would he be this miserable? Tim is settled in the manor’s TV room, curled up on the comfiest sofa in the house. He’s on his third episode of Riverdale in a row—not because he enjoys the show, definitely not. But he lost the remote under the couch some three hours ago and if he moves even an inch from his current position, he’s sure he will bleed out and die. Tim should have been prepared for this. For two days now he’s been crampy, but he figured it was just a stomachache and ignored it. Like an idiot. He let himself get lulled into the false sense of security like a helpless lamb being led right into the slaughterhouse. Needless to say, he learned his lesson when he woke up this morning feeling like his insides were being torn out with rusty pliers. Of everyone in the household, (which pretty much just means Cass and occasionally Barbara and Steph), Tim gets the worst periods by far. Yes, that is incredibly unfair and he is seriously considering selling his entire reproductive system for ten dollars on Ebay just to be rid of it. Bruce says he can get the surgery when he turns eighteen, but Tim would rather wait a few years than be put out of commission for such a long stretch of time. This is making him regret that decision, though.

It’s bad enough that every time Tim does a tampon run he has to look at that stupid “feminine care” aisle sign, like it’s accusing him of something. (And, yes, he knows that statistically there are far more cis women in the world who have periods than trans men, but still. Not fun.) To make matters worse, Tim couldn’t find his heating pad anywhere and didn’t feel like tearing apart his room for it, so instead he presses a hot thermos of coffee against his stomach, willing the cramps to subside. (Spoiler alert! They don’t. Tim’s body hates him.) Speaking of spoilers: “You’re doing the next food run after this,” Steph says as she enters the room. She’s got a bowl of hot mashed potatoes in each hand. She places one on the armrest next to Tim and snuggles into the nearby armchair with her own. “I almost blew up the stove.” Tim sits up a little, replaces the thermos in his lap with the warm bowl of potatoes. He’s starving. “You’re the best, Steph.” “Fuck you.” “So grouchy.” “I have a right to be.” “Come on, I’m too cute and crampy to be mad at. Also you’re currently in my house, so you have to be nice to me.” Steph throws an aptly named throw pillow at him. This one has the quote, “World Peace Begins With Inner Peace” stitched on the front—one of Alfred’s futile attempts at abolishing bickering in the household. Poor guy never stood a chance. “You did this to me,” she hisses. “How was I supposed to know we’d sync up? It was an innocent oversight on my part. Couldn’t be helped.”

“Jerk.” If Tim is a lamb in a slaughterhouse, then Jason is a kangaroo stepping into a boxing ring with two other, just as aggressive kangaroos. Tim didn’t even know he was at the manor today. Jay takes one look at Tim, burrowed under two blankets in a fetal position, and laughs. “Did the demon finally poison you?” “Har, har. You’re fucking hilarious.” Jason flops on the couch by Tim’s feet, probably would have crushed them if Tim didn’t move them out of the way just in time. Jason reaches over and steals Tim’s mashed potatoes like the absolute villain he is. He takes a bite, then gestures with his spoon to the television. “Why are you watching this crap?” Tim snatches the bowl back and smacks Jason in the arm for good measure. “Can’t find the remote.” “So? I thought you were a genius. Just hack into the TV or something. What else are we keeping you around for?” Tim shakes his head and eats his potatoes, uncaring when they scald his tongue. “Too tired.” “Are you sick?” “No, but my organs are melting.” Steph snorts. “And you called me grouchy.” “Oh, yeah? Says Miss “wahhhh, my boyfriend sabotaged me even though it’s actually not his fault at all and he’s just trying to live his life.’” “You did this to me on purpose and you know it. I was supposed to have another week and a half, but nooo, you had to take the reins and change it up. I have an English presentation tomorrow.” “I said I was sorry!” “Are you guys serious?” All eyes snap to Jason. “It’s just PMS. Get over it.” Tim slams his foot into Jason’s stomach as hard as he can. Jason lets out a wheeze and doubles over. “Jesus. What the hell was that for?” “Leg spasm,” Tim says innocently. “My bad.” “You bruised my fucking kidney, you little ingrate.” “Oh, you’re in a little bit of pain? Get over it.” “That was a joke.” Jason rubs the forming bruise with a wince. “I didn’t ask for a demonstration.” Tim eats his mashed potatoes and does his best to ignore Jason. He’s miserable enough today as it is; he doesn’t need his brother adding on to that misery. He gets hit with another cramp and grimaces, curling in on himself as tight as he can. So not fair. Jason stands and goes to the kitchen, leaving Tim alone on the sofa. He takes advantage of the free space and stretches out his legs across the full length again, biting back what is definitely not a whimper. Look, having a uterus fucking hurts, okay? Tim can take a gunshot any day, but his own body attacking him is just uncalled for. Whoever decided that anyone with XX chromosomes deserves to be put through pain as a regular part of life while the other sex doesn’t should be lined up and shot. Jason returns in seconds, this time with a chocolate bar that Tim vaguely remembers seeing in Jason’s junk food stash behind the microwave. He throws it at Tim, who fumbles to catch it. “Here. Am I absolved of guilt now?” Tim considers that for a moment. He gives the chocolate to Steph, who tears off the wrapper and wolfs the entire thing down in record time. She should be a gold medalist in eating. “Not much of a chocolate fan,” Tim admits. “It’s too sweet.” “Then what do you want?” “I like money.” “Why the fuck would I give you money? You’ve got PMS, you’re not dying.” “It’s like buying me another candy bar, but instead of buying the candy you can just give me the cash. Cut out the middleman.” Jason rolls his eyes. “This is what I get for trying to be nice.” “Fine, fine. If you want to buy me food, can you get some guacamole from that place next to Wayne Tower? The one with the really good quesadillas? I don’t want any quesadillas, though, just the guacamole in a to-go cup with a spoon.” Steph holds up two fingers. “Make that two,” she says around a mouthful of chocolate. “Two guacamoles. And maybe a handful of those chewy mints they have at the front counter too.” Jason sighs, grabbing his jacket from the back of the couch. “Coming right up. But you two owe me for this.” Tim burrows deeper under his blankets, smiling. Yes, they can be annoying. Yes, they are utterly hopeless when it comes to things like this. But sometimes it pays to have brothers.

[lovemesomesurveys]

Have you ever overflown a bathtub? Nope. What's your favorite pizza place? A few local places. What was the last stupid thing someone talked you into believing? I don’t recall. 

What's at the top of your to do list in life? Right now it’s trying to get my shit together. What's a song that would describe your life at the moment? *shrug*

Do you ever scream at inatimate objects? I’ve definitely gotten frustrated with them and said things like, “ugh, you stupid thing why won’t you work??!” What was the last thing that you shared? The new Kit-Kats I bought recently. They’re “fruity cereal” flavor, which of course is Fruity Pebbles and they’re very delicious. What smell/s can you absolutely not stand? Shit, vomit, garbage, old food, seafood... Do you ever eat leftover pizza cold? I used to love it when I was younger, but not anymore. It’s weird. Where are you the most ticklish? Just my neck. When you're wanting a midnight snack, what do you normally get? My midnight snack is my nightly bowl of ramen. What color best represents you? Hm. Gray for moodiness and gloom. Do you like marshmallows? I do. What is your favorite flavor of candy cane? Good ol’ classic peppermint. Do you have any shoeboxes full of old photos/letters/other memorable stuff? Yeah, a few. Are you in any way double jointed? My thumbs are. Have you ever considered a career in music/acting? No. I have zero musical or acting abilities.  When was the last time you felt seriously embarrassed? Recently. Have you ever liked a song, looked up the lyrics to it, then hated it? No, I don’t think so. Which is worse for you: being hot, or being cold? Being hot, hands down. It makes me miserable. What would be the icing on the cake for you this Christmas? We booked a weekend stay at a cozy cabin somewhere where it snows. If you had the opportunity to live forever, would you take it? Well, I believe in life after death in heaven. Have you made someone happy today? No. Do you generally watch a lot of television? My TV is always on, but it does serve as background noise quite a bit. If your bedroom walls could talk, what would they most likely say? Yikes.  What's your favorite Christmas song? I love all the classics. Did you ever really believe in Santa Clause? Yes. Do you like the band Relient K? I liked a couple of their songs. Actually, “Who I am Hates Who I’ve Been” has been stuck in my head recently. Do you like quesadillas? Chicken quesadillas are delicious. Did you like the show Invader Zim? No. Do you think tomorrow will be a good day? Just another day, I’m sure. Do you ever talk to yourself? I think out loud a lot. Who's butt did you last slap? I don’t slap anyone’s butt. Do you think that chivalry is dead? No. What's the greatest/most influential song you've ever heard? Worship songs. What's the weirdest thing you've seen in a grocery store? Uhh. I don’t know. Do you like chocolate milk? No. Have you ever bought yourself a present on Christmas? Yeah, I get myself some things as well. Have you ever been on a mechanical bull? No. Do you prefer to pull off band-aids slowly or quickly? I do it slowly unless it’s not super sticky or painful. Depends where it is. Have you made a mistake in the past week? I'm always making mistakes. What was the last weird thing you said to someone? I don’t know. Have you ever met any bands/band members before? No. Have you ever sat on a copy machine and made copies of your butt? Uh, no. Are you a camera whore? Definitely not. Have you ever purposely dropped someone's toothbrush in a toilet? EW, omg. Nooooo.  

What kind of mood are you in right now? A blah one. What was the last thing someone told you that had you at a loss for words? Some news from my last doctor appointment. What's something that always makes you smile, regardless of whats going on? There isn’t really anything like that these days. :/ 

What was that last thing that you bought online? Food delivery. Do you enjoy riding around town looking at Christmas lights? Aw, we used to do that every year when I was a kid. It’s been a long time since I’ve done that. I should start that up again. Is there someone that you're mean to for no good reason? No. I’m not a mean person. I’m moody and cranky and miserable, but I’m not mean.  What was the last thing you got out of the freezer? Ice cream. Are you currently reading anything? Yeah, “Such a Good Girl” by Willow Rose. It’s the 9th book in a series. What's a good book you'd recommend? Willow Rose has a few different series I’d recommend, as well as Mary Stone. Also, the Emma Griffin series by AJ Rivers. They’re all murder mystery/psychological thriller authors.

[thecaseofthedisappearingel]

I have my first first date in years tomorrow and I’m actually really excited. My friend FaceTimed me today and we went over outfit ideas that were causal and cute since I’m just meeting him at the park and then having him over for dinner. But he’s checking off all these things on my list and I’m so excited. He’s not judgy about me being a vegetarian at all and that’s just cool. I’m making vegetarian quinoa burrito bowls with quesadillas. I am going to track everything in my calorie app before hand so I won’t be that freak at all and I got this. I’m going to be a new me and present myself as best as I can without being fake. If anyone has tips or tricks let me know. I’ve been out of the game for wayy to long tbh.

[marwritesgood]

Collateral | O. Diaz

Pairing: Oscar x Matinez!Reader

Timeframe: Post-Season One

Summary: When Y/n’s life is placed in jeopardy, everyone she loves is worried sick. Especially since it isn’t just her life on the line.

A/N: This imagine is pretty intense, so please just keep that in mind before reading. Am also considering writing a second part, so tell me what you think x

“Does it show?”

I looked at Oscar through his reflection in my full-length mirror. He had spent the night at my apartment, and was lounging on my bed, watching me intently as I got ready for Olivia’s quinceanera.

“Baby, you’re only a few months along,” he laughed, his smile growing wider as I rubbed my stomach. “- And I still don’t get why this is something you need to hide.”

As he spoke, he slowly got up from my bed and stood behind me, snaking his arms around my waist placing light kisses on the crook of my neck.

“It’s not that I wanna hide my pregnancy,” I began, turning and and looking Oscar in the eye. “Olivia’s just had a rough couple of months... Today should be about her. But, as soon as the Quinceanera is over, I will tell everyone, okay?”

“Whatever you say, babymama,” he whispers, before leaning in and kissing me softly. As he pulls away, I scrunch my nose at him.

“I thought I told you not to call me that,” I said, before wrapping my arms around his neck. He pulls me closer and smiles. He did a lot of that- smiling and holding me close to him, even more so after we found out we were expecting our first child together. It was definitely something I could get used to.

“I’m just excited,” he murmured. “And I like knowing your my babymama... I like knowing we’re gonna be parents soon.”

And I liked it too. I really really did.

******

After Olivia and her court made their entrance, Cesar was helping me bring out the last platters of food to my mum, who was organising where everything was going.

“Are you sure you’re okay carrying that?” He asked, as I reached to pick up the last platter of quesadillas. “Because I can finish it up, so you can rest. I read that heavy lifting isn’t good for the-”

“Cesar, I will be fine,” I reassured him. “It’s just a plate of quesadillas. You and your brother are way too much alike, I swear.”

He picks up the last platters and follows me to where the food table was. People were already dancing in the middle of our driveway, my abuelita included.

“But, forreal, Y/n, if there’s anything I can do to make this whole thing easier-”

“Make what thing easier?”

My mother turned around abruptly, and snuck her way into our conversation. As she took the patters off our hands and organised them on the table, she managed to maintain eye contact with either me or Cesar throughout.

“Uh-”

As soon as Cesar spoke, I shot him a look and shook my head subtly. He nods and turns back to my mother, who was waiting for a reply from one of us.

“He means cleaning up,” I answered. “- After the qunices... Remember how I said I would help clean up, mami?”

“Oh... okay,” she replies, before turning her attention back to a distant relative who made their way over. I quickly pulled Cesar aside.

“I’m telling them after this is over, Cesar,” I began. “So can you please please not tell anyone for the next twelve hours? I want them to hear it from me.”

“Got it,” he nodded, before smirking at me. “Anything for my brother’s babymama.”

“Okay, whatever,” I laughed, before nudging his shoulder lightly. “Don’t have a certain Mose to be dancing with? I think they’re gonna be playing a slow song soon.”

As he walked away and headed towards where Monse was standing, I went back inside to get a head-start on cleaning the dishes. My mother had been cranky the entire week, so the least I felt I could do was make her workload as small as possible.

As I turned to grab the rest of the dirty dishes from the kitchen table, I noticed a hooded figure heading towards the entrance to where the dance floor was. Whenever you see something like that happen on our block, the first thing you need to do is warn the people who might be in harms way.

So I quickly headed towards where everyone was gathered, and I tried to look for where the hooded figure was walking. And then I found him, heading straight towards where Ruby, Olivia, Monse and Cesar were dancing. I knew instantly, then, who the figure was. 

Racing straight towards where the kids were dancing, I pulled Ruby behind me and instinctively shielded him from getting in harms way.

“Cesar!” Ruby yells, prompting Cesar to pull Monse behind him.

Latrelle pulled out an object from inside his jacket, and before I realised what he was about to do, a loud noise sounded throughout the perimeter and I felt a strong burning sensation on my right shoulder.

“Mija!”

The last thing I remember seeing was my mom racing towards me, and my brother cradling my head. Everything else became darkness in what felt like a spilt second.

******

As everyone fled the scene, either to follow the ambulance that carried Y/n, or to rush home to safety, Cesar sat on the steps of the Martinez’s front porch and waited for his older brother to arrive. Needless to say he was terrified of what was about to happen. And rightfully so.

“Cesar, I am gonna kill you.”

Never in his life had he ever seen his brother so angry. But Cesar understood why. Hell, he was just as angry at himself. It was because of him that the lives of his brother’s soulmate and their firstborn were on the line.

“Oscar, I’m so sorr-”

Before he could finish crying out an apology, Spooky’s fist collided with his jaw. 

“The one time, Cesar.” Oscar’s voice began to crack, something Cesar was not unfamiliar with, but knew was a significant sign. He really messed up. “The one time I count on you for something, you let me down.”

“I know, I’m so so-”

“No.” Oscar kissed his teeth loudly and aggressively kicked the rocks on the pavement. “You fucked up, Cesar. You fucked up really bad.”

“What do I do, Oscar?” At this point he was begging. Begging for his brother to do what he had done his whole life: save him and clean up his mess. “Tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”

“You can’t do anything,” Oscar replied monotonously. “Come pick your stuff up from the crib tomorrow, and don’t ever show your face to me again... You’re done.”

“No,” Cesar cried, following after his older brother like a lost puppy. “Please. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I didn’t know this would happen. Please just help me fix this. Please, Oscar.”

With fought back tears and a lump in his throat, Oscar turned around and engulfed his little brother in a hug.

“I love you, mana,” he whispered. “But you’re on your own.”

******

The next thing I saw was the ceiling of my hospital room. After a few more days of being in the hospital, I was finally discharged and my parents brought me home where I agreed to stay until I felt safe and well enough to go back to my apartment.

“Thank goodness you and the baby are okay,” my abuelita commented, as she tucked me into bed. The same bed Olivia used. I never wanted to leave home as much as I did when I found out that’s where I would be crashing until I healed up. “I can’t believe I’m gonna. be a great-grandmother.”

“I can’t believe I’m gonna be a Grandmother,” my mother chimed in, as she began unpacking my hospital bags into the drawers. 

“I didn’t want you guys to find out this way,” I muttered, as I leaned back against the headboard. “Are you... Are you two mad?”

Before the twins were born, I was the only girl in my family. With that in mind, both my mother and grandmother have always held high expectations when it came to me and my future. As much as I loved Spooky, and loved the fact that we were gonna be bringing life into the world, it would mean just as much to me to know that they were okay with this too.

After exchanging looks with one another, my mother sighed before placing my clothes down and sitting on the edge of the bed. Abuelita does the same.

“Of course we aren’t, mija,” my mom whispers, before gently grabbing hold of my hand. “Do we think this maybe could’ve happened a bit later in your life, sure. But, with everything that’s happened, and everything we’ve been through... Mija, you are so strong, and courageous.”

“You don’t have to-” I began, wiping the tears away from my eyes.

“I saw what you did for your brother that night,” she whispered. “You’re gonna be an amazing mother, and I cannot wait to meet my grandchild.”

“-and great-grandchlid,” Abuelita added.

They both leaned towards me for a hug, before pulling away after hearing Ruby knock on my door. After they let go of me, we all turned to the doorway. There, we saw Oscar holding a duffel bag and a bowl from the Chinese takeaways places located across from my apartment.

“We’ll give you some privacy,” my mother whispered, before following Ruby and Abuelita out the door. “- Pero, keep the door open! One grandbaby is enough.”

I rolled my eyes, and sat up, before patting the empty space next to me so Oscar could sit down. I hadn’t seen him since I first woke up in the hospital. It was needless to say I missed him. Very much.

“I got you that combo you like,” he explained, before placing the bowl of food on the nightstand. “I know it’s one of your cravings.”

“How’d you figure that out?” I asked, smiling at how much attention he paid to the little details. I always appreciated that about him. It showed a lot.

“You used to like the other combo, remember?” He smiled, before reaching for my hand. I did remember. “Then, when you became my babymama you started getting this one... Like everyday.”

“I missed hearing you call me that,” I whispered. “How come you didn’t come visit me the past few days?”

I was asking more out of concern than anything else, but it still did hurt not seeing him, even if it was just for a few days.

“I’m sorry, baby,” he said, crinkling his eyebrows at the realisation that he hurt me, even if it was unintentional. “I... had to deal with some things.”

“Yeah... like the truce?” Oscar raised his eyebrows. Shocked that I knew about it so quickly. “Jamal kept me company in the hospital, before I was discharged this morning.”

He laughed, and continued to rub his thumb across the back of my hand. I stared at our hands intently for a while, until I noticed the faint trace of bruising along his knuckles. I had a small idea as to who he might have punched.

“You kicked Cesar out didn’t you?”

He coughed lightly, and straightened his posture, which gave me more than enough answer.

“Spooky, c’mon, he never meant for this to happen.”

“It’s done, Y/n.” His mind was already made up, and I knew better than to try and convince his stubborn ass to think otherwise. I also knew he would come around eventually. He loved Cesar too much to just leave him out in the cold.

I did too.

*****

It was New Years Eve, and around about a month since Olivia’s quinceanera. I had excused myself from the party going on at home, because I noticed a familiar figure standing in front of the memorial we made to Olivia outside of our gates. 

Cesar was standing in front of her photo, with his head down and tear running down his cheeks. I slowly walked behind him and draped my blanket over his shoulder.

“How many times have I told you to wear something warm when you’re out at night?” I whispered, catching him by surprise.

He looked different. Like the light had been sucked out his soul. It broke my heart to see him like that.

“Y/n? What are you doing?”

“Making sure you don’t catch a cold,” I joked, before wrapping my arm around him for extra warmth. “And also making sure you don’t enter the New Year alone.”

“Wh-why?” He seemed to be genuinely confused. “After everything, I thought you never wanted to see me again.”

“Cesar...”

“I wouldn’t blame you,” he cried, looking at his feet. “It’s my fault all of this happened. It’s my fault you got shot. It’s my fault Olivia...”

“Hey, stop that,” I murmured, before lifting his chin up and holding his face with both of my hands. The way I used to with Mario and Ruby whenever they would get overwhelmed. Which happened a lot. “Cesar, this was not your fault... None of it.”

“You mean that?”

“Of course I do.” Without thinking twice, I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into a hug. “If I hadn’t been on bed rest for the past month, and if this baby would stop kicking me every goddam second, I would have told you this earlier... Stop beating yourself up about this, Cesar. You never meant to hurt anyone... I know that. Olivia knew that... Hell, even your niece knows that.”

“Niece?” He finally broke a smile, and it finally felt like the light was coming back. Both into his soul and mine. “It’s a girl?”

“I found out two days ago. You’re the only one who knows.”

“Really? You haven’t even told Oscar?”

“No, not yet,” I replied. “But when I make the announcement, you have to act surprised. Ruby will never forgive me if he finds out I told you and didn’t tell him.”

Cesar and I stood outside the gate laughing. And for the first time in a month, I finally felt okay again. Now that Cesar knew I didn’t blame him for what happened, I finally felt like I had my family back. 

Even if him and his brother hadn’t quite reconciled yet.

NEXT PART

[jennhoney]

I cooked again today. It takes me a long time. But I think the slow walking around with resting is helping my back (I’m also stretching for hours throughout the day and for the last two days I’ve been applying dranks). Fafner was at puppy camp all day so I was a bit lost. Cooking today was increasingly frustrating as I was poking around the refrigerator figuring out what needed to be used up. Murble got burritos at last weekend’s farmers market but didn’t cook or eat them all didn’t freeze the remaining ones. Yesterday I put the last one on the front main shelf so maybe one of them would eat it for breakfast, but no.

“Are you going to eat this burrito?”

“I’ll eat it tonight for dinnner.”

(I just shook my head. And heated it up when I was making the quesadillas, splitting it among the three of us.)

“And you bought more greens yesterday but you haven’t even used the bags of salad that we got with the last grocery order?” (At that point she just vanished and we snapped at each other a couple times through the rest of the day)

I would get it if it was her being pandemic burnt out. I’ve got a terrible case of pandemic brain but it’s always like this. And just so much worse because she’s my pandemic partner.

She zoomed off yesterday morning to go to a store that is going out of business and today I found a bag of those bargains piled on our fruit bowl.

“I found a bag of dog toys piled on food we eat.”

“Oh yeah! I forgot to spray that bag.”

“And you put it ON FOOD WE EAT.”

“I’m learning slowly!”

“I have to have the same conversation with you constantly. All I ask is that you don’t bring the stuff into the house if you aren’t capable of taking care of things yourself.”

But I almost lost it when I found the cold sesame noodles that no one finished. The night I made them she was raving about, “I’m so glad there is so much leftover!” But not glad in a way that she actually put any of them in her fucking mouth.

The bleak night I had roasted corn kernels for dinner. She grilled hot dogs and I kinda fucking hate that and she knows it somewhere in her brain. And the hot dog was cold by the time it got to my plate.

I just said, “what were you guys even doing when I was sick??? And now I’m in my room for the night.

I made “spicy potato stew” which is what I call it for Uncleducey. Because I wanted it and slipped in some broccoli that needed to be used. I always forget to take a picture of it when it is pretty, the beginning stages, when the potatoes are coated in toasted cumin seeds and spices.

My dad might visit tomorrow.

[aestheticsandwriting]

One-Shot a Day, Day 4: Power Outage. RvB

Day 4: Power Outage. The overnight blizzard has caused a power outage. Thankfully the cabin Tucker, Junior, and Wash are staying in has plenty of firewood and candles, and the three brought plenty of card games and board games to keep them busy. 

“Hey, bud, how long have you been up?” Wash jogs down the stairs, spotting Junior sitting on the couch, doodling in a notebook, blanket draped over his hoodie-clad torso, taking note of the early time; about six-thirty.

“Not too long, but I moved down here to sleep about two this morning. My room got too cold.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty chilly in here. Had breakfast yet?” Wash tries to set the coffee pot going, not thinking about the lack of electricity until it won’t start, sighing and walking back over to the couch, glancing down to see Junior’s dragon drawings. “I’m going to put some more wood in the fire, and then get me some cereal or something. We’ll have to move all our cold and frozen stuff outside at some point today since the fridge isn’t running.”

“Nope, not too hungry right now. Papa Wash?”

“Yeah?” He smiles at the new name.

“Can I help you put the wood in the fireplace? Dad’s never let me cause he says it’s too dangerous.”

“Sure, I’ll let you help with a couple of small pieces. Big pieces can be really hard to put in cause they roll sometimes, but we can do a few smaller ones instead of one or two big ones.”

“Yay! Thanks!” Junior throws his notebook and pencil on the coffee table and scrambles to the small wood stock they laid next to the fireplace the previous night. The blond man knees down, showing the boy how to put the wood into the fireplace safely, using the poker to make sure the wood is back far enough before they close the door again, rinsing their hands and deciding to get some cereal for breakfast, taking the milk outside and setting it on the porch to stay cold.

After washing out their bowls and spoons, Junior looks at his dad’s boyfriend. “Papa Wash?” 

“What’s up?” 

“Will you tell me some stories?”

“What kind of stories do you want to hear?”

“I know you don’t like to talk about some of it, but would you tell me about some of your time as a soldier? I want to know what it’s like to be one.”

“Yeah, I think I can tell you some things. I have some funny stories from basic training.” The two lay down on the couch, Wash throwing his arm over Junior’s torso, wrapping them both up in the blanket. “There was this one time in basic,” a chuckle at the memory, “we had this obstacle course we had to do some days in PT. And one of the sections was kind of like a rope wall thing we had to climb. I was terrible at it. Well, that particular day I got my foot caught in one of the ropes, I just dangled there while everyone else was climbing all around me and I couldn’t get free. I had to re-do the course all by myself in front of everyone after they all finished to make sure I could do it in the right amount of time.”

Forty-five minutes and three stories later Wash pauses, glancing down curiously even though the boy can’t see him. “Why have you become curious about my time as a soldier recently?”

“Oh… well. I just am.”

“Junior… what’s going on? If you’re just curious, that’s fine you can tell me, but is there something else?”

“Well… both you and dad were soldiers, so I thought that you would want me to be one, too.” A pause as the boy fidgets slightly, the older man seeing that he wants to say more, so he stays quiet. “And, I figured I should know as much as possible about what it’s like in the military so that way I don’t disappoint you and dad.” 

“Oh, Junior.” Wash squeezes the boy tight against him. “Your dad and I want you to do whatever you want to do. If you truly want to be in the military, you can go into the military and we’ll both be very proud of you. But if you want to go to school and become a scientist or a veterinarian, or a nurse, or doctor, or if you want to go to trade school to become a mechanic, or welder, or carpenter, then that’s fine too! We want you to do something that you can be happy or content with. Trust me, it is not worth it to be doing a job that you hate if you have other options. You’re a smart person, and both your dad and I agree that we think you could do whatever you want if you set your mind to it.”

“Oh… So you don’t expect me to go into the army?” Junior squirms, turning himself in his step-dad’s arms so he can face him, concern bright in his dark eyes.

“Of course not.” Wash drops a kiss to the boy’s forehead. “Like I said, if you’re just curious about my time as a soldier I’m happy to tell you, and if you want to be a soldier, then your dad and I will be proud of your choice, but that’s not our expectation just because we were both soldiers.”

“Oh… Okay! I like that much better. Cause I was thinking I might want to be an artist.”

“And I think you’d be amazing at it.” 

“Could you tell me some stories about when you were a kid?”

“Did I ever tell you about my cat, Loki?”

“Nope.”

“Ooooh man. We had him back when I was a kid. Loki was always getting into trouble. One time he got stuck in a tree in our backyard.”

“Oh no!”

“Yeah. My mom’s about to call the fire department when dad stops her. Says he’ll handle it. So he sends her inside and gets out his chainsaw. Dad was never a cat person. So he starts to cut down the tree, but it falls the wrong way. Right into the power lines!”

“What happened to Loki?!”

“Poor cat was electrocuted, falls thirty feet out of the air, lands on his feet, and then walks away like nothing ever happened.”

“Wow!”

“Yeah! Another time, we found him in the dryer once ma had finished a load of laundry. And another time we found him in the engine of dad’s truck. That cat lived to be twenty-five years old.” Wash continues, telling him a few more stories of his childhood, Junior giggling as he obviously embellishes a few of them, and that’s how Tucker finds them close to two hours after Wash had come downstairs. 

“Hi, dad!” The boy calls, having stayed in his facing upward position so he could see Wash’s face while he was story-telling, giving him a perfect view of the open landing above.

“Morning, T, nice of you to finally join us.” Wash grins up to where his boyfriend is standing.

“Yeah, I must’ve really needed the sleep. What have you boys been up to?”

“Wash has been telling me about when he was a kid! He had a cat named Loki that could live through anything!” 

“Ooooh, that sounds fun. Have you eaten yet?”

“Yeah, we both had cereal. The milk is already outside to stay cold. I didn’t measure, but it looks like the blizzard last night dropped about two and a half feet of snow, but I turned my phone on to check the forecast quick, and it looks like it’s supposed to start warming up enough tomorrow to melt it. But who knows how long the electricity will be out, so we should probably move the rest of the cold stuff our there and surround it with snow.”

“Oooh, I’ll put my snow clothes on and pack the snow around stuff if you and dad bring it out!”

“Sounds like a plan to me. Let’s let your dad eat breakfast first, though, okay?”

“Okay. Oh, dad! Wash taught me how to put small logs in the fire this morning, too!”

“I hope that’s okay with you? I didn’t let him put in anything too big.”

“Yeah, that’s fine. He’s grown a lot since last year, and I trust your judgment.” Tucker finally descends the stairs, dropping a kiss on his son’s forehead and his boyfriend’s lips before walking into the kitchen, grabbing a pop-tart and heading back into the living room, nudging Wash feet. “Move, lemme sit.”

“That’s pleasant.” The blond grins at him as he moves his feet, plopping them back down on Tucker’s lap after he sits.

After Tucker finishes, the three don their winter clothing, Junior bundled heavier than the two adults, still volunteering to stay outside and surround their food items with the snow to keep them cold. They set to work, carrying the food out and insulating it. 

After that job is done, Tucker sets to work turning on and heating up the gas stove to heat water, dumping in hot chocolate packets once it’s hot enough and passing mugs to his son and boyfriend, picking up his, and then settling on the couch with them again. 

“Dad, Papa Wash?”

“What’s up?”

“Can we play some games? Like Uno, or Clue or something? I’m starting to get bored. Wash and I were gunna play more of the racing game today, but we can’t do that until the power comes back on.”

“Yeah, go pick a game and we’ll play!”

“Yes! Be right back!” Junior hops off the couch, running up the steps to his room where the game bag had been placed, running back down with the whole bag a minute later. “I thought it’d be smarter to just bring the whole bag so I don’t have to go back up when we want to change games.”

The trio spends the afternoon and evening playing various games like Uno, Clue, Sorry, and even a round of The Game of Life before deciding to break for dinner. “Wash, will you go out and grab the stuff out there that we need for the quesadillas? I kept the chicken in here thawing cause those will cook with the gas stove and don’t need the oven since we can’t use it right now.”

“Yeah, sounds good to me.” 

Once Tucker has the ingredients, he sets to work, cutting up the chicken, placing it, cheese, sauce, and beans on tortillas, folding them, wrapping them in foil and placing each of them on a stove burner, keeping a careful eye on them to ensure nothing catches fire as they cook.

“Dinner’s ready, guys,” Tucker calls, carefully pulling back the foil from the last of the quesadillas, setting them on plates for each of the others to grab as they come into the kitchen and dining area. “Hey, Junior, are you going to sleep down here tonight or do you want to bunk in mine and Wash’s room if the power still isn’t back on?”

“I’ll just sleep on the couch. It’s pretty comfy, plus I’m getting too big to be sleeping in the same bed as y’all.”

“Okay, just wanted to make sure you were comfortable.”

“Yep! Can we play another game of Clue after dinner?”

“Sure, bud.” 

After dinner, Tucker sets about finding the candles he knows the landlord stores for power outages, lighting them and setting them around so they can see, Wash re-stocking the fireplace with more wood, also grabbing more from the covered woodpile on the deck to bring in for the night, taking some up to his and Tucker’s room, rekindling that fire, too.

After a few more hours of games, and Junior nearly falling asleep during the last game, Sorry this time, Tucker tells his son it’s time for bed and that tomorrow they’ll put the tree up and decorate it weather they have electricity for the lights or not since it’ll be only two days until Christmas. 

The three trudge up the stairs, Junior to put his pajamas on and brush his teeth, Wash and Tucker retreating to their room for the evening, taking a few candles with them for light, making sure Junior has his battery-powered lantern and that all the candles downstairs had been put out and dosed with a slight bit of water for safety. “Come in and tell us goodnight before you head downstairs, J, but make sure you knock first if the door is closed in case we’re still changing.”

“Okay, dad.” Junior’s voice muffles as Wash closes the bedroom door behind them, him and Tucker changing into their pajamas as well, each man throwing on a pair of sweatpants and an old t-shirt, not needed anything heavier due to the fireplace in their room. 

“Goodnight dad, goodnight Papa Wash. I love you both.” Junior walks into the room, his father having opened the door after they finished changing, signaling to the boy he could come in whenever. 

“Goodnight, Junior. I love you, too.” The couple says in unison, Wash hugging him and dropping a kiss to his forehead, before the boy’s father moves to do the same.

“If you wake up cold in the middle of the night cause the fire’s dying, come wake one of us, yeah? I trust you, but I still don’t want you putting in new firewood by yourself, especially not in the middle of the night, okay?”

“Okay, dad, I will.”

“Good. I love you.” He drops a second kiss on his son’s head before Junior turns and walks out of the room, the couple hearing his footsteps fade away down the stairs. 

“You know, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing him call me that.” They each step into the bathroom, brushing their teeth and readying for bed in their normal routine for whenever Wash decides to stay at Tucker’s. “So Junior and I had a talk this morning,” Wash’s voice is soft as the couple crawls under the covers, the dark-skinned man tucking himself into the light-skinned man like normal, and Tucker notes the slight caring concern in the voice that he gets when they talk about an important subject.

“Yeah?” Tucker turns his head enough to make eye contact with his boyfriend. “About what?”

“His future job. He was asking me all sorts of questions about what it was like to be a soldier. At first, I just thought, ‘well, okay, he’s a ten-year-old boy that’s interested in this kind of thing.’ But then he kept asking about things, and when I questioned him about it he told me he thought we would want him to become a soldier because we both were, and he wanted to know what to expect that way he could have plenty of time to be prepared and not disappoint either of us.” A sigh from the younger of the two breaks the silence that had been left by Wash finishing his sentence.

“I wonder where he ever got that idea.” 

“No idea.”

“What did you tell him?”

“The truth.” Wash pauses for a second, internally marveling at how much Tucker truly does trust him with his child; it’s still so hard to believe sometimes. “That we both want him to do something that he can at least be content with, and hopefully happy doing. And that if he truly wants to become a soldier, we’d be proud, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be proud if he does something different. That was okay, right?”

“Yes, Wash, that was wonderful. You did great. You know Junior really does see you as another father, right? He was ecstatic when I asked him what he thought about you moving in with us.” 

“Yeah, I know. I just… Sometimes it doesn’t seem real.”

“I know. Did he say anything about what he might want to do after he found out we don’t expect him to go into the military?”

“He said he might want to be an artist. He’s good at it. I’m sure if he applied that into digital design he could do really well.”

“I bet he could make a killing at that. That or an animator of some kind. But he’s got plenty of time to decide and even change his mind. I can’t believe he’s going to be eleven in a couple months, though.”

“Ugh, stop that, you’re making me feel old.”

“It’s cause you are old.” The younger of the two grins, laughing when Wash playfully slaps him, pretending to be offended.

“Really? Cause I’m pretty sure old guys can’t do this.” The blond slings a leg over Tucker’s waist, straddling the younger man and leaning down to kiss him, grinning when he hears Tucker mumble the word ‘asshole’ against his lips. 

“Yeah, but you chose to have me around.”

“True.” As the word leaves Tucker’s mouth the light from their bathroom, which had been on when the power went out the night before, flicks back on, the heating system almost kicking on due to the thermostat being in the cold hallway, not the room filled with the heat from the fireplace.

“I’m going to go lower that temperature so it doesn’t run too much overnight since we have the fires going.”

“Sounds good. I’d like to not wake up in a puddle of sweat.”

“Agreed.” Wash climbs off Tucker, heading into the hallway, and Tucker stands to turn off the bathroom light, getting back into bed when Wash walks back into the room.

“Come ‘ere Mr. not-so-old guy,” Tucker smirks, kissing Wash again as he climbs into bed. “Let’s get some sleep, I have a feeling we’ll be playing in the snow with J tomorrow.”

“Agreed. Goodnight, Tucker, I love you.”

“I love you too, Wash.”

[losingitinjersey]

Apparently productive weekends are becoming a thing for me now.  (And I’m surprisingly okay with it).  

Saturday included:

A trip to Costco

Doing our taxes

Making two dinners since Kevin was concerned the creamy asparagus shrimp alfredo wouldn’t be filling enough so I also made a repeat of the chicken quesadillas for him.  

Going out on a 3 mile walk where we followed the signs to the new Little Free Library installation (which included such gems as the Princess Bride DVD and Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone).

Catching up on my very neglected DVR

Sunday included:

Waking up at 6:30 a.m. and planning my day.

Made coffee and breakfast for myself while I meal planned for the week.

Out the door by 9:30 a.m. and headed to Walmart where I bought supplies to make my front porch all happy for spring.  

Went to Lowe’s to buy lots of plants.

Ran out of trunk space so I had to make a pit stop at home to unload everything.

Went to the grocery store for my week’s worth of meals.

Discovered that the salmon, sirloin steak and flank steak needed for the planned recipes were way too expensive so I decided to improvise and use the meats I already have at home.  

Potted eight plants and arranged them in a pleasing manner as well as hung four new hanging plants (photos below).

Talked to my parents for our weekly phone date. 

Decided to start pruning all the hedges which had grown wild (which I love, but I’m sure the neighbors think otherwise)

Helped Kevin make dinner which was a sous vide adaptation of Julia Child’s Supremes de Volaille Archiduc (Chicken Breasts with Paprika, Onions, and Cream) (SO GOOD)

Clean up the kitchen and the house. 

Reorganized under the upstairs bathroom sink (that I’ve been wanting to do forever). 

Did a load of laundry in preparation for work tomorrow.  

And today was supposed to be a rest day!  Dang.  BUT, it feels so so good.  I’m really happy with how the front porch went and it was SUCH a gorgeous day outside that it didn’t feel like a lot of effort, I was just happily flitting between tasks. 

My Tetris skills were on point today.  

Other than a wreath and a welcome mat, I’ve never done much with the front of my house until today.  

I got these four big planter vases from Walmart for $15 a pop! 

The hanging plants were around $9 a piece and add some nice dimension and color to my porch.  

This section is by far my favorite.  My tiny succulent corner with everything in a slightly at a different height with complimentary colors and pot patterns.  And yes, I used an upside down bowl to give the dark blue pot some lift.  

It’s a shame I don’t enter through my front door every day and can be welcomed by this.  Guess I’ll have to go out on more walks so I can see it more!

I can’t believe I kept going after the plants were finished but here you can see my giant pile of roughly half the branches I trimmed off bushes. 

And check out this guy I found?!  Not sure if it’s just his carcass or if he’s alive and well but this dude is crazy looking.  Anyone know what he is??

Finally sitting down at 8:30 at night with just enough time to update my space on the internet and paint my nails for a busy work day tomorrow.  I bet I’ll sleep well tonight!  

[ellawritesficssometimes]

Just a Tat Too Much (FrUK One-Shot)

Summary: FrUK ONE-SHOT- Arthur runs a tattoo parlour, one that he's very proud of. If only he didn't have to be outshined by a flamboyant, over-the-top flower shop across the street. Don't even get him started on the insufferable git who runs said shop. (Punk! Arthur). Fic Exchange with browsofglory :)))

Word Count: 6214

Let me enlighten you with a tale of just how shitty and ironic my life is. My college years had brought me unprecedented wonders; I excelled as one as the top students in my business school. Unfortunately, this endeavor had also entailed the acquirement of a rival, Francis.

Francis was a stuck-up Frenchman who I could only handle in small doses before having to suppress the urge to throttle him. He was arrogant, nosy, and knew just how to get under my nerves. He was bright and lively in both appearance and personality, whereas I preferred to wear dark colors and drink bitter tea to match my cold, 'soulless' heart. We were like day and night, if you want to get figurative with the descriptions.

For some reason, Francis found our differences to be part of some bigger picture. A picture where we would someday be lovers. I humored Francis in our final year of college, teasing him on occasion, but never really taking him seriously. In all honesty, I thought that I would never see him again after we had graduated.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

I branched off to open and run a brand-new tattoo parlour of my own. All was swell and business was booming until a certain effeminate fiend from the past conveniently decided to open a flower and chocolates shop across the street from me. For those of you who are slow on the uptake, that effeminate fiend was none other than Francis. He followed me everywhere in college, so it was really quite foolish to have believed that he wouldn't have done the same in the workplace.

My shop looked utterly ridiculous next to his. Where my parlour was dark, gothic and, full of blacks and shades of crimson, Francis's shop was a hue of rosy reds and pinks, smiles, and sunshine. The folks leaving his shop would gawk at my parlour in horror – admittedly, this was one of the most amusing parts of the job – taking in the skulls, crosses, bones, and demon decorative designs as if they just seen the gates of hell.

Nothing felt better to me than watching 'ordinary' people get flustered over my shop and those who worked in it. So what if we had more piercings, scars, and ink on our bodies? I've often been mistaken for a demon or Satanist, as absurd as that may seem. Perhaps the pentagram designs on my arms didn't help with that impression, but what can I say?

I didn't give a rat's arse about what people thought of me. I owned my business, and I would conduct it however I pleased to. I didn't have to worry about 'being unemployable' because of my tattoos; my work life revolved around them. The only people to please were my customers; certainly not a snide Frenchman who thought that he could woo me over to the 'vibrant side of life'.

I had taken the early morning shift today, which meant that I wouldn't be dealing with too many customers. Most people came to the parlour at night, especially when they were drunk. Who was I to refuse service? Money was money, and even if the tattoo a customer had chosen was ghastly and horrid, as long as they signed the release forms, my workers would happily adorn them with their mid-life existential crisis tramp-stamp. We did offer tattoo removal services, after all. One drunken mistake could easily be rectified with a fat wad of cash!

Oh, don't give me that pissy look. Yes, yes, I recognize that I'm a complete asshole. Get over it, darling. It's a brutal world out there. A gentleman's got to survive somehow.

Currently, I was sprawled over the glass front counter, face cupped by both hands. I began to bite off the black nail polish from my nails, knowing that I had a long day ahead of me. I looked outside the window, spotting a little girl peering inside my shop. I shed her with a cryptic grin, revealing the fake pair of fangs that my co-worker Vlad had insisted that we all wear. Apparently, it added to the 'aesthetic' of the parlour.

The little girl licked her strawberry ice cream cone, green eyes wide with curiosity. Curiosity quickly became terror when she spotted me grinning at her. "Hullo, dear," I mouthed, running my tongue over my lips.

"Big bruder!" the little girl gasped, dropping her ice cream cone on the pavement, the ribbon in her hair flying behind her as she ran away in the opposite direction. "There's a mean monster who wants to eat me!"

I chuckled to myself. "Monster, huh?" I mused. "Well, that's certainly a new one."

Pleased with causing childhood traumatization so early in the day, I went back to lounging lazily on the front counter. Usually by now Francis would have visited to tease and/or flirt with me. Just what was he up to today? Oh well, can't say that I cared all that much.

BRING!

I looked up, expecting to see said Frenchman, only to scowl when I realized that it was my half-brother, Alfred. The oaf looked absolutely miserable. His wheat-blond hair was sticking up more than usual, his blue eyes puffy and wide with fear. He reminded me of a cornered animal who had nowhere to go…the defeated expression on his face was concerning.

He was wearing a Hawaiian print blouse that was tucked into a hideous pair of quesadilla print leggings. Yes, you heard me correctly, leggings. The guzzler hat that he wore on his head made me roll my eyes so far back that I was nearly blinded.

The twat had gotten black-out drunk again.

"Artie! Artie!" Alfred wailed, running towards me, figurative tail hanging between his legs. "I fucked up, man! So bad! So fucking bad!"

I jumped a little when Alfred slammed his massive hands on the counter.

"Get your filthy hands off the glass!" I snapped. "I just cleaned it this morning. And you know how I don't like talking to people until I've had at least three cups of tea in me!"

Alfred gave me an incredulous look. "Dude! I know you have no soul, but could you at least pretend to be concerned for your little brother?!"

"Oh?" I hummed, crossing my arms. "And why should I be concerned? What could you have possibly done that's bad enough for you to abandon your pride and come crawling to me for advice?"

Alfred whimpered, looking like a vulnerable five-year-old child. "Okay, first, screw you. Who shit in your morning bowl of blood of the unborn? And second, I got drunk…"

"Congratulations, twat-face," I scoffed. "I think the quesadilla-themed leggings already made that obvious enough. What are you trying to do? Protest Trump's wall by ignorantly perpetuating harmful stereotypes? Oh, and very funny."

Alfred sighed, still too intoxicated to come up with a clever rebuttal. "Look, you jackass," he scowled. "I really do need your help."

"Whatever happened to 'I'm fine, Arthur. Stop worrying. I'm not going to party in college. Stop sticking your pasty finger up my butthole?'" I smirked.

"Okay, Christ!" Alfred cussed. "Do you always have to be right?"

"I wouldn't have to be right all the time if you hadn't grown up to become such an insufferable moron," I retorted, only to falter when Alfred leveled me with an unamused glare. "All right, all right. I think you've suffered enough. What happened? What did your drunken arse decide to do last night?"

Alfred pushed himself off the counter, turning his back to me. He pulled down his pants before I even had the chance to say anything. "Just look," Alfred whined.

I covered my eyes, nearly knocking over my mug of tea. "Fucking hell, Alfred!" I snarled. "You could have at least warned me!"

Alfred stifled a sob. "Just look at it, will ya? You can lecture me later."

This job didn't pay me enough for what I was about to see, or rather un-see.

Through the spaces of my fingers, I peaked at Alfred's bum. There on his right cheek, was a palm sized tattoo of an eagle.

"Did you see it yet?" Alfred asked, no doubt on the verge of bawling his eyes out from the shame of his drunken mistake.

"Just one moment," I bit my lip, suppressing a snicker. I pulled out my phone, snapped a quick picture, and saved it to drive. "All right, I've seen enough." Hello, new Christmas cards…

Alfred pulled up his pants and turned around. It was a good thing that no people were outside to witness this potential, not to mention unwanted, flash. "So," he said, his voice jittery and nervous. "Can you fix it?"

"Fix what?" I asked, despite knowing exactly what he meant.

"You know," Alfred whispered. "Remove my tattoo…?"

"Do you have a spare three grand lying around?"

"Arthur!" Alfred shouted.

"Fine," I relented. "You can come in tomorrow at 8. Lukas will be working then. You might need several laser treatments though…"

"Why can't you do it?" Alfred blushed.

I shook my head in disbelief. "I've seen your bum enough times when I changed your diapers. You've really pushed it this morning."

Alfred sighed, bowing his head. "I wanted freedom for this country, not an invitation for guys and gals to grab my ass," he muttered.

"Please," I grinned, hoping to cheer up the poor sap. Being sad didn't suit him. "The only time your butt is ever free is when you've had an unhealthy dose of Chipotle."

Alfred laughed, only to have his stomach growl, and loudly at that.

I shook my head in disbelief, opening the cash register to pull out a twenty. "Go get yourself some breakfast," I scolded, reaching over to ruffle his hair. "Mum isn't going to be very happy if she finds out that you've been skipping out on your classes again."

Alfred's expression brightened considerably. "Does this mean you won't tell her about the tattoo?"

"Of course not! She already doesn't approve of this parlour. The last thing I need is for something to justify her prejudice."

Alfred skirted around the counter and pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. "Thanks, Artie!" he exclaimed, bellowing into my ear loud enough to cause my piercings to rattle. "You're the best!"

"Sod off, and go brush your teeth!" I grunted, pushing Alfred's much taller and heavier person away. "I can still smell basic bimbo and tequila on your breath."

"HAHAHA!" Alfred cackled, blowing me a smug air kiss before opening the parlour's front door. "Nice one. And thanks a bunch. I'll remember this the next time you're looking for an excuse not to come to a family outing."

I smirked. "You know me so well."

Alfred said his goodbyes, slamming the door shut, despite how many times that I've told him not to do that.

With the parlour empty again, I took a relaxing lunch break, enjoying the silence save for the rock metal softly playing in the background.

The sound of voices outside the parlour a half hour later prompted me to eavesdrop – I looked down so that they wouldn't catch me staring. I had very little entertainment during the day. The only interaction I could count on was an infuriating visit from Francis. Uh, not that I wanted the frog to visit me…of course not!

I stand corrected. Francis's moronic friends often visited me too. Except usually they were with Francis, not alone like they were now.

"But I don't want to go in," Antonio whined. "He's rude, and I don't like him."

"Stop being such a little bitch, Toni," Gilbert deadpanned. "We're doing this for Franny. Sometimes you've got to take one for the squad. Even if it means dealing with a scary, grumpy old man hiding in a 20-something-year-old-body."

The hair on the back of my neck prickled.

Okay, ouch.

Us 'demons' had feelings too, believe it or not.

"Fine," Antonio pouted.

BRING!

Gilbert and Antonio strolled into the parlour, pathetically forcing grins on their faces.

Antonio's green eyes widened into saucers when he spotted the iron maiden prop lying on the wall to their right. His tanned cheeks flooded a faint pink as he nervously twirled the cross pendant wrapped around his neck. He was a very devoted Catholic.

Gilbert pulled up his sunglasses, nestling them in his chalk-white hair. "Arthur, mein sassy man. How goes business these days?" he asked, his crimson red eyes nervously flitting around the parlour.

"No business during the day, I'm afraid. Just nights," I mused. "Unless you two are interested in getting some tattoos?"

"Dios mio!" Antonio swore, jumping back like a spooked cat when he 'accidentally' poked and prodded at a mechanical skull prop. He hadn't been expecting it to shout: "The power of Satan tempts you!"

I pulled out a notebook, grabbed a pen, and crossed off a tally:

Antonio shits his pants for the 47th consecutive time upon touching that skull prop.

Poor bloke keeps forgetting about what it does.

While Antonio motioned the sign of the cross, Gilbert walked over to the front counter. "And what if we were interested in getting tattoos? What would you say to that?"

Gilbert leaned a friendly arm over the counter, causing me to pull back in disgust. I fancied my personal space, thank you very much. "I'd say you were lying," I answered, narrowing my eyes at the German in suspicion.

"On the contrary," Gilbert smirked. "I hardly have any brows as it is, being an albino and all. Perhaps I'm in need of something more…prominent…"

I caught Gilbert looking at my eyebrows. "Is that a crack at my eyebrows?" I leered, gritting my teeth.

"Nein, nein!" Gilbert waved his hands back and forth. "Your brows are glorious, truly," he winked.

I gave Gilbert a sour look; I didn't believe him at all.

Antonio yelped when Gilbert grabbed his arm and pulled him over to the counter. "Stick to the plan, and stop fucking around," Gilbert hissed through his teeth.

"You said we would get ice cream," Antonio whimpered, his mood reminding me of a puppy who had just been kicked in the stomach.

"Hmmph," I crossed my arms. These two were definitely up to something.

"So…" Gilbert drawled, his voice cracking awkwardly. "Those are some cool drawings you got there," he remarked, pointing behind the counter.

I glanced over my shoulder at the various drawings that were pinned up on a clothing line.

"Indeed," I hummed, winking at Antonio when I caught him childishly ogling at my gages. "Those are custom tattoos that clients draw up for us."

An awkward silence fell between the three of us.

Antonio's attention span was quick to fall elsewhere. "Oh!" he exclaimed. "That's a cool design!" He gestured towards a drawing of a crystalized rose.

Gilbert and Antonio exchanged suspicious glances.

Gilbert's cheeks spread into a shit-eating grin. "I never took you for a flower person?"

"I'm not," I huffed.

"But, you draw them on people? Surely you must like them?" Antonio asked.

"Ja, what's your favourite?" Gilbert chirped.

"I already told you, I'm not fond of flowers," I deadpanned.

Antonio pursed his lips. "How about chocolate? Your perfect idea of a date? Are you a top or bottom? Favourite sex pos-! Ay!"

Antonio yelped again when Gilbert elbowed him in the rib-cage. "Haven't you ever heard of being subtle?!" he spluttered.

"Oh, so that's what this is all about?" I rolled my eyes. "Well, you can tell that disgusting amphibian jerk friend of yours that if he truly wants to know the answers to those questions, then he can grow some balls and come here himself."

"So, you do like him!" Antonio exclaimed, beaming from cheek to cheek.

I picked up my favourite pen, which was styled as a decapitated finger. "I'm about two seconds away from shoving this down your happy-go-lucky throat," I warned. "Now, if you two imbeciles aren't here for tattoos, quit wasting my time and get the hell out!"

Antonio's eyes watered. "Okay," he sniffled.

Gilbert wrapped his arm around Antonio. "You monster!" he scolded. "You know how emotionally fragile he is. He doesn't like to be shouted at."

"Not my problem," I said, sticking up my nose.

"Lovi yells at me all the time," Antonio moped as Gilbert led him out of the parlour. "Why doesn't mi tomatito like me anymore? Am I not husband material?'"

Gilbert consolingly rubbed Antonio's arm. "Of course not. You're perfect husband material. Some people just don't appreciate how sweet and adorable you are."

I ignored Gilbert when he looked over his shoulder to glare at me.

When the front door shut, I drummed my nails against the counter, a devious smirk on my face.

I wonder what Francis would do next? After all, it was always good fun to make him flustered.

I had that pretty boy wrapped right around my finger.

…

I didn't have to wait long before Francis strolled into the parlour, his face smug with an infuriating smirk. He was wearing an open collar white blouse, loose denim capris, and his hair was kept in loose blond curls that fell to his shoulder. I felt a nerve in my temple twitch when I spotted the bouquet of roses that he had tucked under one of his hairy arms. He was like Gaston from Beauty in the Beast, save for the muscles, but was twice as grating and arrogant.

The heels of Francis's dress shoes clacked obnoxiously loud as he pranced over to the front counter. The smooth, purring tone of his voice did absolutely nothing for me. Nothing. "Would you like to explain to me why poor Antoine is sobbing? Or rather, explain to me what you did?"

My nostrils flared; the scent of Francis's rose perfume was suffocating. "He came here on his own free will. It's not my fault that he's a sensitive twit."

Francis rolled his eyes. "Oh, mon Dieu. That attitude is exactly why you're going to end up alone in life."

"The bouquet of flowers you're holding points otherwise," I huffed, lazily puffing out a few strands of fringe from my face.

Francis's expression lifted. "Does that mean you'll actually accept them this time?"

"Sure," I smirked, grabbing the bouquet of roses from him. "I'm always in need of something to burn. I can't have people finding out about the corpses we have stored in the back."

"Haha," Francis laughed dryly, placing on elbow on the counter. Shrewd blues eyes were met with an unforgiving forest of green. "Very funny. Let me guess, as soon as I leave, those will be going in the waste bin?"

"Hardly," I answered. "I forgot to get my mum something for Mother's Day. These should do just fine. Thanks, truly."

I was hoping that Francis would have given up and left by now.

But, oh no. No, no, no. Francis was just as stubborn as I was, remarkably.

Francis's eyes widened as we watched me tuck the bouquet in a cubby underneath the counter.

"You dyed your hair pink!" he blurted out.

I raised a heavy brow at him. "Why, thank you Captain Obvious. Oh, relax, it's just the tips."

"Wait!" I fumed. "Why am I telling you to relax?! It's my hair, I can do whatever the hell I want with it!"

I felt my face flush. Unfortunately, I wasn't wearing any concealer or foundation today.

Francis gasped, and in a blur of blond hair, he was suddenly behind the counter, looming over me. "Why?" he whimpered. "Why do you taint your natural beauty with these crude, unnatural colours?"

I grit my teeth. "I'll have you know that-! Oi! Geroff!"

Francis cupped my face with two warm hands, tilting it to the side as he shamelessly inspected me further. "Pink hair? Thick eyeliner? And is that a new brow piercing? Tsk! Tsk! And what is this?"

Francis used one hand to tug at the fish-net long sleeve shirt that I was wearing as a bottom layer.

I growled lowly under my breath when Francis let go of my face, instead opting to grab my right hand. "What am I, a bloody zoo animal?" I snapped. "Is it really that shocking that I have a different sense of style from you?"

Francis ignored me completely. "At least let me trim your nails. Hmmm. Or perhaps those unruly eyebrows of yours…"

"I'll h-have you know that I do in fact trim my eyebrows," I spluttered, feeling my face redden further. There was always something about Francis that caught me off guard and I hated it. I hated how warm his hands felt; how gentle his touch was; how he hummed softly under his breath when he was around me. He was a familiar face that intruded my personal space as if it were child's play.

But, for reasons inexplicable, I let him.

"All right, all right! That's enough groping out of you!" I huffed, shoving Francis's eager hands away from me.

Francis pouted, but gave me my space nonetheless by walking over to the other side of the counter, where he damn well belonged.

I sighed, knowing that he was expecting me to fill the gap in our conversation. Honestly, he could be such a child sometimes. "What did you come here for?"

Francis met my gaze, lips puckered in a stubborn grimace as he spoke. "You know why, Angleterre," he muttered. "I think we'd make a wonderful couple."

"That's why," he grinned, his expression suddenly becoming excited again. "I've come here to prove once and for all that I'm serious about you."

I bit my thumb, a nervous habit of mine. "Oh?" I asked, feeling as if I had just been winded. "And how are you going to do that?"

Damn him for making me feel this way. We've known each other for so long, and yet now he'd rendered me completely speechless. There was something about him today that was different, I could sense it. Behind the teasing look on his face, there was solid determination. And, to be perfectly honest, it frightened me terribly.

I didn't let many people this close into my life. Why Francis stuck around after all these years still boggled my mind. Being rude was a defensive mechanism. I hurt others before they could hurt me. Francis, however, was one of the few people who bit back with insults of his own. I never knew what to expect with this man. Perhaps that's why I was so afraid to let him in…

"I came here to get a tattoo!" Francis declared proudly.

I blinked several times, contemplating his words. Then, like the emotional porcupine that I was, I went on the offensive. I would call Francis out on his bluff. Surely, he didn't actually intend to get a tattoo…right?

"Oh God," I feigned shock. "You're not serious, are you?"

"Of course I am!" Francis chuckled, azure eyes burning holes into my own. "You're stubborn, and this is the only way to make you believe me."

"Fine," I relented, smirking as I bent down to grab a stack of freshly printed release forms. "What would you like? Do you have a drawing for me to imitate? Or perhaps, you'd like to pick a design from our catalogue?"

I licked my lips, waiting for Francis to cave. So far, he wasn't budging. I'd make sure to change that soon enough.

"How about I let you pick one for me?" Francis suggested, batting his lashes. "I'd like one on my forearm, just like you," he purred.

"I don't see how this is proving anything," I muttered. "Give me your arm."

Francis let me take his right arm. It took an immense effort on my part to keep my hands steady as I pushed up his sleeve.

"Pity," I remarked, running my fingers over the smooth skin of his forearm. "I can hardly imagine tainting such pearly white skin with permanent ink."

Francis wavered. "Well, as they say," he smiled weakly. "Lovers should be willing to dedicate their body and soul to their partner…"

"Did you just imply that I'm your partner?" I asked, biting the inside of my cheek. Bloody hell. The cringe was just too strong for me not to be embarrassed. How could he be so brash and open like this? If I wasn't so perturbed, I would have felt admiration for him…

"Surely, you'll have to go out with me after this, non?" Francis smiled, his eyes filled with strain.

I couldn't bear to look at him, otherwise my own bluff would be called out. Instead, I poked and prodded at his forearm with my nails, making sure to dig them in occasionally. "Those are some bold words," I smirked. "Perhaps we should match that with some even bolder tattoos. I know the perfect design for you!"

"Sign those forms, I just have to get the machine ready," I smiled, baring my fake fangs.

I plugged in the chord for the liner machine, the familiar hum of the monstrous contraption sounding like music to my ears. From the corner of my eye, I saw Francis fill out the release form, his entire body stiff and his face paler than milk.

Satisfied with his reaction, I turned around, determined to make him sissy out before it was too late. Francis was merely trying to impress me. I was going to make him crack. He cared too much about his appearance to willingly let something blemish his 'flawless' appearance. "Done already?" I asked.

Francis weakly nodded his head.

"Well then," I drawled. "Roll up your sleeve. I was thinking of giving you a skull and roses tattoo. Just like that one," I pointed to a drawing hung up on the wire behind me. "It's one of my favourites…"

"H-how wonderful! I'd love that!" Francis just about squeaked, his lips trembling. "It'll represent my 'dying' passion for you~"

Cheeky bastard.

We were both too prideful to give in to the other. At least, not yet anyway.

I grabbed Francis's arm again. "Jesus Christ!" I exclaimed. "Loosen up, will you?"

"D-desole," Francis apologized.

I shook Francis's rigid arm, but his tense muscles refused to uncoil themselves.

We both fell into a stubborn silence as I marked up his arm with a fine sharpie pen, sitting him down in a chair.

"You know," I mused. "It's not too late to change your mind."

"N-non!" Francis refused. "I want this…I want you…"

My face burned again. Thankfully, Francis was looking anywhere but me.

I grabbed the inking pen. "Last chance?" I taunted.

Silence.

I clicked a button, causing the pen to vibrate.

"I'm really doing it."

"O-Oui, I know."

"It's going to hurt…"

"Love demands pain sometimes…"

"Here it comes."

Francis swallowed heavily. "I can't wait."

I brought the vibrating pen closer and closer to his forearm, my eyes flickering towards Francis. The Frog was showing no signs of backing out. He had his eyes shut tight, his jaw clenched in nervous anticipation.

Damn it. This has gone too far.

I turned off the inking pen. "For fuck's sakes, Francis," I deadpanned, letting go of his arm. "Did you really think I'd force you into getting a tattoo that you didn't want? You bloody, stupid, stubborn bastard."

I despised how I had been the first one to give in.

Francis slowly opened his eyes, breathing for the first time in what must have been minutes. He muttered something in French, most likely a prayer of gratitude, before he fainted, his head lolling against the back of the chair.

"Fuck," I cursed.

I grabbed the bouquet of roses he had given me, sticking them under his nose. "Here Frenchie, Frenchie, Frenchie," I cooed. "Here's your daily fix of flamboyance and sunshine."

No response.

I quickly lost my patience.

"Come on you effeminate scoundrel, wake the fuck up already!"

I then took it upon myself to slap his cheek, scowling at the roughness of the stubble peppering his jawline.

Francis spluttered awake. "Q-quoi? What happened?!"

"You wanted to get a tattoo, I called out your bluff, and then you fainted," I muttered bitterly, crossing my arms.

Francis's cheeks became pink. "Oh," he murmured. "That sounds like something I would do."

Francis stood up, wobbling to the side.

I grabbed his arm, steadying him. For someone so thin, he sure did weigh a lot. "What the hell do you think you're doing? You need to sit down and wait until the dizzy spell passes. And lay off the wine and bread, will you? You're not going to stay thin forever," I grumbled.

Francis laughed, shrugging of my arm. "Silly Arthur, I'll be fine. My pride is what needs to be salvaged. Besides, wine and bread is good for the soul. I won't ever give up those luxuries, just like I won't ever give up on you."

I watched him in stunned silence as he staggered towards the front door. "I'll be back, Mr. Kirkland. You can count on it."

"You're never going to leave me alone, are you? Idiot."

Francis chuckled warmly, sending chills running up my spine. "Oui. Not once have you ever said that you didn't want me. It's only a matter of time before you realize that I'm the one you need."

"I-! Just wait a minute!"

BRING!

Francis left the parlour, leaving me speechless once again.

I cupped my flushed face, burying it in my hands. "Damn him. Fuck me," I cursed.

I paused, realizing the double meaning of what I had just said. "FUCK!"

…

Lukas came in a few hours later to take over my shift.

"Arthur?"

"Wot?!"

"Why is your face so red? Do you have a fever?"

"No, why do you ask? And what's that smug look on your face for?!"

Lukas sighed, an unreadable expression on his face. "Looks like that Frenchman finally got through to him," he muttered to himself.

"Wot was that?!"

"Nothing."

…

One week later…

I was beginning to grow worried. I hadn't seen Francis's ugly amphibian mug for close to a week now. Don't get me wrong; I enjoyed the quiet. But, I couldn't help but wonder: What if he did decide to give up on me? Had I really been that awful to him?

I couldn't explain it, but I felt empty. As a man of routine, I expected things to run according to schedule. So when they didn't, I felt…off.

As if the God's were testing me, seeing how long my patience would wane, a familiar face in an unfamiliar get-up walked into the parlour. My jaw dropped, and I burst out laughing.

Francis had 'gothed' up. His blond hair was replaced with a black wig, making his blue eyes appear to be sharper than before, despite the copious amounts of eyeliner and eyeshadow that covered his eyelids. His shallow, slender nose now had a ring embedded at the tip of it, with plenty of other lip piercings to complement it underneath. His face was much paler, so pale in fact that I suspected him of wearing face makeup. His lips were painted a matted black, tight and held in a firm 'stoic' grimace. For his outfit, he was wearing a graphic Metallica t-shirt, tight black skinny jeans, and matching combat boots.

"Dear lord!" I guffawed, wiping tears from my eyes. "Did you just come back from a ritual of sacrificing virgins?"

Francis's 'stoic' expression lifted, his painted lips curling into a predatory grin. "What, do you not like my outfit?"

"Of course not!" I wheezed, bending over to clutch my rib-cage. "You look bloody ridiculous."

Francis furrowed his brows. "I don't understand? I'm dressed just like you?"

And then he became angry.

"Mon dieu! You're impossible to please!" Francis snapped, raking his hand through his fake black locks. The piercings were also fake. "It took me several days to make myself look like…like this!"

I faltered. "No one asked you to do this for me."

"But I wanted to!" Francis threw his hands up into the air.

"Sorry to shit on your emo parade, but not everything can go your way, you know," I smirked.

"I dyed my hair for you!"

Oh bollocks.

My mouth parted open in shock. Francis's hair was the thing most dear to him. "Francis," I began, swallowing heavily. I was still stunned that he had taken things this far. And what for? To impress me? To win me over?

"Don't tell me that dye's permanent," I croaked, biting my lip. I felt downright awful.

Francis groaned, looking up at the ceiling. "Oui, it is."

I left the front counter, walking up to him. "You're such an idiot," I scoffed. "I don't even use real dye."

"You don't?" Francis asked.

"My Mum would disown me," I smiled weakly. "She's an uptight and traditional sort of person."

"Oh," Francis breathed, winded by his own shock. "I see…"

"Well fuck," I placed both hands on my hips. "What now? This is quite possibly the sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me."

Francis finally met my gaze, hope sparking in his eyes. "Really?"

"Yes, really," I huffed, thoroughly embarrassed to be admitting something so personal. "Now can we get back to the part where I lecture you for being an idiot?"

"Oui," Francis bowed his head.

In response, I reached over and placed my hand over the back of his head, ruffling his hair lightly.

"You looked better before," I said gruffly. "If I can't spell it out to you, then I'll just be outright with it. You don't have to change anything about yourself to please me. I wouldn't have kept you around if I hadn't liked you. Likewise, you don't have to prove anything to me. The fact that you stayed all this time is enough proof in itself."

"Arthur...?" Francis looked up at me finally.

I sighed. "Fine. I'll go on a date with you. I've finally succumbed to the realization that I'll never truly get rid of you."

Francis squealed, surprising me when he pulled me into a hug. "Oh, mon petit hedgehog!" he cooed. "So you do have a heart~!"

I awkwardly patted Francis's back, blushing furiously. "Yes, yes. I think that's already been established. Now if you could please remove yourself from my torso and let me breathe, that'd be very much appreciated."

Francis pulled away, straightening his posture as he beamed down at me.

"I'll go pick up a packet of hair dye from the drugstore. It's painful looking at you like this," I muttered.

Francis cupped my cheek, batting his mascara coated lashes. "As a true French, I'll do anything for love. Eh, perhaps I did go a bit overboard with this look though…"

I leaned into Francis's touch, sighing contently.

As an Englishman who worshipped clever wordplay, I couldn't dream of missing out on this opportunity to make a good pun. "Just a tat too much," I mused. "Now c'mere, you. Let's rub off that lipstick of yours."

Francis and I exchanged smirks before he bent down and kissed me.

Although the smudge of his lipstick on my lips wouldn't last, his unconditional love had forever marked a place in my cold, bitter heart.

Tattoos weren't the only things that could be permanent, after all.

~The End

A/N: Make sure to check out browsofglory’s one-shot. They’re an amazing author :D You can find their one-shot here: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12592784/1/Arthur-and-Francis-Go-to-Couple-s-Therapy

Thanks again. Have a great day/ night :D

[pbandjesse]

I just took like a half hour nap but I woke up and teh sun was down so it feels like I was asleep for a year. I am very much looking forward to going back to sleep. But what a nice day off. I only wish it was longer because honestly I could use a little more rest. But still, a really good day. 

I slept really hard last night. But I did get woken up because the room got to warm. I slept until 930 and honestly could have kept sleeping. But I knew that would have just made me feel bad. 

James had already gotten back from getting groceries and was laying in bed with me. But I knew I had to get up. He made me an omelet. And we hung out on the couch together. I checked on our island and played the bug off for a couple minutes. But at 1030 I wanted to clean. So we cleaned the apartment together and it was just very good. 

I finished my quilt! I had some issues. I had some trouble with the middle because I was rolling the quilt to fit it in the machine and I think it bunched it up so I had to try to pin and improvise. Mom says that the Amish leave their mistakes to remind themselves they arent perfect and that was such a sweet way of looking at that. Made me feel a lot better about it. And honestly I am really proud of how the quilt came out. I wrapped it up to bring to my brother tomorrow. I hope he likes it too. 

Once that was done me and James had lunch/ I had quesadillas and a half of an avocado and he had pesto pasta. I watched him play video games for a little while. And around 2 I left to go to the store while he finished getting ready to leave for work. 

I headed out to savers. I felt really cute today. I did my eye liner for the first time in forever. I was in a good mood. I ran into Cj at the savers which was funny because when I was walking in from the parking lot I said to myself wouldnt it be funny is Cj was here. And there she was! So I kept bringing her things in the store that I thought was funny. It was nice to see her out inn the real world. 

And I did find some funny stuff. A frog pitcher. An artscape pin. 2 horse saddles that I did not buy. I was there for rain boots and a long sleeve shirt and found exactly none of those things. They didnt even have a long shirt section out yet. Still to much summer I suppose. 

But I had a good time. I got a few books. A few enamel bowls. Somethings I think would be a good christmas present. It was a nice time. I also found a whole display of Dark Shadows VHS tapes and that made me laugh. I went through the whole pile looking for my mom's face but I didnt find it. 

And then I was onto the next place. I went to Ross to look for a face wash. Failed but found a face cream. I also got a dress and a shirt I only sort of regret buying. And then a nice man let me in front of him in line for no reason. He was just being nice just to be nice. 

I went to Sally beauty next door after that. I got more hair dye and me and the cashier had to fight the computer to change my address. But it was okay. 

I got five guys for dinner. And ate some fries in the car before I drove home. 

I got back here and took the stickers off of everything. I put things away. I cleaned the kitchen stuff I bought. The gifts. I finished reading my book and it broke my heart. I started one of the new books I bought. 

I mixed up some cookie dough and put it in the fridge and I laid for for 45 minutes that made today feel like yesterday. But I am in a good mood and Im going to wash my face and take the cookies out of the oven and go back to sleep. 

Im going to visit my family tomorrow. I am hoping to spend the whle afternoon just enjoying their company and feeling a little normal even if we are all in masks and giving eachother space. I just want to feel normal. 

I hope you all have a gerat night tonight. Take care of eachother. Sleep well. Goodnight!