#i try to put a lot of thought and care into my dads birthday gifts and it will be genuinely very upsetting if i cannot do this

[meowmedusa]

my sibling fucked up our dads 2ds so it wont boot !! i am going to explode !!!

[lunarlando]

Hi I just saw ur girl dad lando requests r open and ran over bc I'm obsessed with dad lando too and there's simply not enough fics on it unfortunately.

Anyway my fic/blurb idea is fluffy and slightly angsty? so lando and fem!wife!reader's daughters r in their teens and and they're used to reader (their mum) typically being the "bad cop" and lando being the "fun parent" who will spoil them and can never say no to them when reader does. One day readers tired of her teens hating her for being the mean one so they decide to switch roles and the girls r rlly confused and angry at lando and start being nice to reader who's enjoying watching lando take her place for once. Maybe the girls ask to go out to a party or ask for new phones or smth u can decide. Ignore my request if it doesn't seem interesting 😭 and have a grt day byee xx

thank you for the request! a few other grid kids make an appearance, hope that's okay! and lando is such a fun dad type guy you're so right x

feel free to request more :)

Having teenage girls was not an easy feat.

You were warned of the terrible twos and gotten through them twice with your sanity intact, but nobody had ever warned you about teenagers. You suspect it should’ve been a given, but when you thought about having teenagers you always saw yourself as the type of mum who your daughters would feel close to.

Now that you’re the mum of a sixteen and seventeen year old, you find yourself becoming the opposite. You’ve turned into the bad cop between Lando and yourself. He’s the fun parent, you’re the party pooper. He spoils Estelle and Delilah because he can, because he loves his girls more than life itself, and you’re stuck reining in his gift giving because you don’t want them to become accustomed to always getting what they want when they want no matter the cost.

Even when you put your foot down on some of their more extravagant requests, Lando finds a way around it. 

Part of the reason Lando spoils them so much is because he was still racing in Formula One when both of them were born and while they were growing up, so he’d miss things sometimes. He tried his hardest not to miss bigger events like their birthdays and holidays, but other stuff like their school recitals, sports games—he did the best he could, but a lot of the time it just never aligned with his busy schedule. 

Now that he’d taken a step back from being in the seat of a car for the past three years, he was trying to make up for lost time. 

“I feel like the girls think I’m a hardass,” you sigh as you’re getting ready for bed one night. Lando is brushing his teeth, but he sticks his head out of the bathroom at your words, frowning at you with the brush still in his mouth. “Do you think they hate me?” 

“You’re their mum, they don’t hate you,” he replies through toothpaste bubbles, wrinkling his nose at you. “All you’ve done their whole lives is take care of them. How could they hate you?” 

“Because I’m their mum,” you say pointedly. Lando cocks his head, like he doesn’t understand what you’re saying. “Mums and daughters are different from mums and sons. Trust me.” 

“Okay, fair. But I don’t think you’re a hardass. You’re just…firm with them, is all.” 

You snort unattractively, looking at him pointedly. “Yeah, I have to be, mister take my credit card, buy whatever you want.” Lando hums thoughtfully, disappearing back into the bathroom to finish washing up before reappearing and padding over to his side of the bed. “I love that you want them to have everything they could ever dream of, and I say this with nothing but even more love, but you’re not the best when it comes to saying no to the girls.” 

“I know. I just…I hate it when they look so disappointed and sad.” 

“And you think I do? I don’t want to be the bad cop, but someone has to,” you grumble, setting aside your book. Lando snuggles up close to you, propping his chin on your shoulder. “You should try it.” 

“Ha, that’s funny.” 

“No, I’m serious, Lan. Tomorrow, we switch roles. You’ll be me and I’ll be you, and then you’ll understand,” you propose, smiling at him in that way you know he won’t be able to resist. All these years and you’ve still got your husband wrapped around your finger. 

“That doesn’t sound like a good time.” 

“Oh, it won’t be. Not for you, at least. But we’re a team, aren’t we?” 

“I hate it when you’re right.” 

—

Fortunately for Lando, things at the Norris household don’t get interesting until nighttime the following day. 

“Hey Mum, we’re going out tonight. Just wanted to let you know since we might be out after curfew,” Estelle says absentmindedly, not looking up from her phone. Beside her, Delilah giggles quietly, ever her older sister’s follower. You want to tell them no—their curfew is late enough as it is and they’ve got school tomorrow—but you refrain. It’s Lando’s turn to be the bad cop. 

“Sure, I don’t see why not. Ask your father first though,” you reply instead. From the couch where he’s watching some rerun of an old grand prix, Lando straightens at the mention of his name, twisting around to look at you with wide eyes. You raise a brow, tilting your head at the two girls who’ve turned their attention on their dad. “Go on, he’s listening.” 

They share a confused look with each other, but you can see the gears turning in their quick teenage brains. If mum said yes, dad would definitely say yes. Easy.

Or so they think. 

Delilah bounces over to sit on the couch next to Lando, smiling at him widely. “Hi daddy! Can we go to a party tonight?” 

Now Estelle’s sitting on his other side, bringing out the same patented charming Norris grin. “Well, it’s not really a party. More like a few friends hanging out. Super laid back.” 

“Uh huh. Gonna need some more details, lovebugs,” Lando hums, flashing their same smile right back at them. There’s no use in trying to play the guy who invented the game. “Who’s gonna be there, where it is. You wouldn’t want your mum and I to worry, would you?” 

“Um…” Delilah balks. She probably wasn’t expecting him to ask so many questions. He usually doesn’t, just says yes because he can’t bring himself to say no to them. 

Estelle cuts in before her sister can potentially dig them into an inescapable hole. “Adrien’s going, Clara and Maeve will be there too, and Teo.” 

Adrien and Teo—Charles’ and Carlos’ sons, respectively, and Clara and Maeve—Oscar’s twin daughters. You know that she knows the two of you trust your friends, so name dropping their kids would give them a fighting chance. She’s smart like that. You’d admire it more if her intellect wasn’t aimed at sweet talking her parents. 

Lando sneaks another panicked glance back at you, and you shake your head slightly. That solidifies his resolve, because as much as he doesn’t want to disappoint them, you have an agreement, and a deal’s a deal. “Sorry girls, it’s gonna be a no. We’re all staying in tonight.”

“What?” 

“Let’s do something as a family, yeah? Game night? Or you can do some laps on the sim, I know how much you like that,” Lando offers up, as if enticing them with sim racing would soften the blow of their dad’s first no. 

“Seriously? But dad, it’s not a party! We’re just gonna watch a movie or something!” Estelle exclaims, crossing her arms over her chest.

The girls share another look with each other, this one more irritated than confused. Lando just tries his best to stay firm looking. You, on the other hand, watch the whole thing play out from where you are, fighting to hide a smile, because now he knows how you feel all the damn time. It shouldn’t please you, but as someone who’s been taking the brunt of their teenage-ness for a while now, it brings you just a smidge of joy. 

“That doesn’t change things, unfortunately. You two will be staying here with your dear old parents, and that’s it.” 

“That’s so unfair though!” Estelle huffs, rolling her eyes. 

Lando cocks his head at her, brows raised in challenge. “I’d watch the attitude if I were you, Stell.” 

Delilah switches her tactic to try and salvage things, coming over to where you’re still chopping vegetables at the kitchen counter. Out of the two of them, your youngest knows exactly where her mum’s soft spot lies. “Mum? We just want to hang out with our friends. Please?” 

“You heard your dad, girls,” you say, shrugging. “If he says no, it’s no. Sorry.” 

They disappear down the corridor grumbling to each other rather quickly after that, no doubt already texting their friends about how awful their dad is. It almost makes you laugh, because for once, you’re not the one they’re mad at. Lando trudges over to you, pressing himself against your back in a rather dejected hug. 

“Doesn’t feel great, does it?” 

“Is this what it feels like to be you?” he groans. You can feel him frowning against your neck and you chuckle, running your fingers through his curls affectionately. “We’re setting some more ground rules, effectively immediately.” 

“Like what, don’t be mean to your mum? They’re teenagers, Lan. It’s what they do.” 

“I was never like this.” That draws quite a laugh from you. “What?” 

“So if I call your parents and ask them if you were ever a little shit when you were younger, they’d say no?” 

“...Don’t call them.” 

“That’s what I thought.” You kiss his cheek gratefully still. “We balance each other out well, I’d say. I don’t mind being the bad cop sometimes, but you can’t just be a fun dad all the time.” 

“But it’s so fun being a fun dad,” he whines, but you know he understands. “I don’t have to feel like this.” 

“You’ll get over it, darling. They will too, and we’ll be back to the same old thing tomorrow.” 

“I love you, bad cop.” 

“Love you more, fun dad.”

[2hoothoots]

So I was going through your blog (again) and found some of your stuff mentions fsau Raz having ADHD, as somebody with adhd I’m intrigued, may I have some of those headcanons (canons??) related to that? Also, I would give “a penny for your thoughts” but I’m out of pennies, so here’s various images of a drawing of ur blorbo I put next to my animals, note that a rock had to be added in one picture to keep him from flying away (BONUS: his now permanent place with the wifi guardian frog)

NOTHING brings me more joy than seeing physical drawings of these guys, like, out and about. in situations. thank you for this gift, and ALSO for the great ask because it's a perfect chance to ramble

so first of all, canon Raz having ADHD is very real to me. he's constantly fidgeting and moving around, getting distracted by sidequests and scavenger hunt objectives, always talking to himself out loud, gotta write everything down so he remembers it because there's so much to DO!, running away from home because his dad yelled at him one time and now Raz assumes he must hate him forever... i could go on, but i think there's a lot of room for interpretation there!

in my headcanon, he never got diagnosed as a kid. maybe there were some notes about it in his reports each year, sure - but a little hyperactivity and distractability never seemed to slow him down. he excelled in lessons and on missions, and when he was with his family their performances gave him something to focus that energy into. it was only really when he turned 18 and graduated to a full agent that the cracks started to show.

because there's a big difference between the responsibilities you have as a minor, and the responsibilities you have as an 18-year-old living away from home! one who's expected to cook and clean for themselves, and take care of adult life stuff, and also work the 9-to-5 office job he's just graduated into that involves sitting in front of a computer and write reports all day.

short-term, he found he could get himself to power through a deadline with energy drinks and psi-pops (a lot of psi-pops...)

long-term, something had to give. he was working himself to exhaustion, constantly stressed, swinging between days spent staring at his computer screen doing nothing and all-nighters desperately trying to finish his paperwork before the deadline. it just didn't make any sense to him. he'd finally started his job as a Psychonaut, he was living independently like he'd always dreamed, he'd gotten top surgery after planning it for so long. he should have everything he ever wanted. why wasn't he happy?

following a deep post-surgical depression, about a month before his 19th birthday Raz was living out of his car, couch-surfing or sleeping in his office. he got kicked out of his apartment after falling behind on bills and rent. it wasn't that he didn't have the money, it was all just too much for him to stay on top of.

he'd probably have stayed in that misery hole for a lot longer if Frazie hadn't marched into his life and demanded he let her help him move into a new place, or she was telling mom that he was homeless. together, they sorted through all of his possessions from the last place - everything that had been hastily shoved in his car, or tossed in a box in his office, piled in a heap that was giving him anxiety even looking at it.

things do get better for him from there.

when he eventually explains things to Hollis, she gently suggests that he should get a roommate. he ends up moving in with Phoebe, and they become pretty good friends after a couple months! something about having another person around to help do the chores and wash the dishes and share the space helps, even if it takes him a while to admit it.

he gets his ADHD diagnosis, and finding the exact right medication and dose is a journey he's still on years later - but they're a huge help in getting him to actually knuckle down and finish his work on time. and the whole thing ends up being a chance for him to take a step back and really think about what he wants to do with his life. he'd always assumed that being a Psychonaut was his dream, but he'd never really reckoned with what that dream would look like before.

in the end, he sticks with it, but also decides to follow Lili's example in branching out. he applies to study a part-time Bachelor's in Psychology on a remote course, and gets accepted. juggling missions and paperwork and study and relationships (because the whole thing made him realise he also wasn't setting aside any time for himself, and wow, dating is a thing) is a lot - but he manages to figure it out, day by day.

(Lili comes back to the Psychonauts after graduating. she and Raz have both changed a lot over those four years, but on their first mission together they hit it off like a house on fire - and the rest is history!)

[planet-crait]

Might as well bite the bullet and watch it Operation Birthday Takeback is a go!

Oh damn this is a 22 minute one. Yep it’s definitely going to hurt the longer episodes always do.

Oh the intro again. Well I’ll need the serotonin from it lolz.

Devs face when he sees Cosmo Wanda and Hazel be still my heart this poor boy he’s so shocked.

Peri why do you look so annoyed though? This is your godkids birthday!!??? Is there no other emotions besides annoyance you can muster for this child? His dad is missing it and clearly this is hurting him!

DEVS BLUSHING DEV IS BLUSHING OH MY GOSH MY BOY!!

PERI IT IS YOUR GODKIDS BIRTHDAY WHY ARE YOU ROLLING YOUR EYES???

Awww Hazel got him the next book in the series they both love that is so cute. Look at how happy he is oh my gosh he loves it so much. I love how much Hazel has learned about Dev like Dev learned about Hazel.

….i wonder if Dale never gets Dev presents or like acknowledges his birthday? That would explain why he’s reacting so much to it being treated as special and important.

Oh no. Wanda bad idea. Oh fuck Project H. I know what it is and Dev is so bitter his dad is always on it even on his birthday that like hurts so much. I shouldn’t be surprised he doesn’t even pay attention on Devs birthday but I cannot imagine how painful that would be to live like that knowing nothing about your very existence matters to you parent. Dev trying to brush it off but it’s clear it’s bothering him a lot but I get it he doesn’t feel safe talking about or expressing it and maybe doesn’t think caring will do anything so he’s trying not to but can’t help but care.

Oh Cosmo. No. No. Just. No he doesn’t give a shit about Dev or did you already forget the founders day statue? I’m emotionally torn on Devs reaction to what Cosmo is saying though. Like it seems like Dev likes the thought but he quickly and firmly dismisses it completely.

Also curiously Peri does look at Dev in concern like he’s worried this is going to be a sore spot for Dev but he’s smiling even as he says no. Like it’s a nice thought or dream for him even if he knows it’ll never happen. Fuck Dev really needs godparents like Cosmo and Wanda more then Peri because we don’t see any signs of Peri really checking in on Dev emotionally and that’s what Dev needs most, emotional care and support.

Or Dev is putting in a brave face because he feels he has to with how quickly his smile falls away here. There is so much going on with Dev it’s painful. I could see a lot of different readings on this and I’ll have to rewatch probably to sort out my thoughts but it could be like a nice thought and reality really sets in or trying to be polite and put on a brave face likely as his dad drills into him his whole life and doesn’t know how to let people into the pain he’s in or a combo of both. Either way we can see Hazel knows something is wrong.

It’s so cute Hazel wants to cheer him up and thinks objects will help but Dev can get whatever he wants easily himself and material things aren’t what he needs. Hazel doesn’t realize this and just sees a sad friend and wants to help I’m not dissing her it’s just sad everyone just wants to throw things at Dev like that will fix the pain he’s in. It is cute how excited Dev is though at another gift.

Yep yep Peri is missing the point. He cannot see what Dev is trying to say and is feeling and Dev doesn’t know how to express his pain.

WANDA SERIOUSLY???? Dev clearly is going through it and needs support can you stop implying he’s torturing Peri and holding him hostage? Why does everyone look at a literal CHILD and think he’s a monster???

Dev excitedly flying around is beyond cute though. Hazel you’re so funny I’ve never tried mixing cereals before but makes sense.

Wait actually remembered this year? Dale does forget every year??????

I’m sensing this meme will get a lot of mileage when I’m talking about Dale regarding Dev huh.

Oh no Cosmo got the idea in Devs head. Oh no. Devs going to be shattered when he learns the truth oh no.

He’s so excited thinking his dad got him something Dev actually likes. Dev sounding so nervous when he calls for the AU Pair is doing something to my heart. Like he feels safest with a robot and that’s just sad from what I’ve seen they’re who have shown to most care and concern for Dev. Not a human or even fairy. A robot likely programmed to look out for him.

Ah. He didn’t even try to learn what his son likes and used an algorithm oh. Yep that’s uh. Sounds about Dale alright. IamgoingtodtabhimwitharustyspoonIswear-

The AU pairs barely try and hide it before admitting to what Dev clearly already knows. What’s worse is Dev doesn’t exactly hide what he likes at home it wouldn’t be hard for Dale to figure out what he’d like. He literally could ask the AU Pairs they clearly know Dev better than his father and could easily pinpoint what Dev would like most but he couldn’t even be bothered to do that.

Dev looks so defeated and sad and maybe annoyed here and it’s so sad. The moment passes so quick it’s hard to grab a shot of and admittedly it was pure accident I snagged as good a shot as I did but when Dev grabs his arm with his hand it almost seems like a bit of a self soothing gesture.

Like when you rub your arms when you’re feeling anxious or sad?

Hazel trying again to cheer Dev up is so sweet. She cares clearly and is trying but she can’t help Dev the way he needs. Oh no oh Vicky. Vicky is going to make these kids suffer oh no. Hazel creeping Vicky out is kind of hilarious though. Oh Hazel you’re so cute.

Oh yep yeah Vicky looks ready to kill okay yep.

Aww Jasmine is so excited for a party princess how cute. Though kiddo princesses can have any name they don’t have to be romantic. Everyone guessing is so cute though. I’m surprised Vicki is able to fake it for as long as she does.

I knew the song got mentioned I thought the kids listened to it not the parents. I wonder if that’s why she left babysitting cuz all the kids she tormented grew up and refused to hire her?

Ohh Dev looks angry I wonder if he’s just mad in general or particularly mad she broke his friends phone?

Funny that Hazel and Winn are just oblivious to everything though. Poor Jasmine though. Oh Jasmine got over that fast and Dev to I guess with how he ran over to make friendship bracelets.

Wait Peri how would you get charged for an elevator ride??? They don’t have any way to charge you? Scary looking room though. Oh no Cosmo this is a bad idea. Oh uh that’s uh oh uh Dale wtf i have no words. I agree with Cosmo turning off the lights immediately. Peri why do you want to explore this room? This is a bad idea. Umm Peri. If his expression is always that upsetting that means said upsetting expression is levied towards DEV ON A REGULAR BASIS. Does that mean ANYTHING TO YOU SIR!?

Oh no. Oh these poor kids being forced to work like a sweatshop oh dear. Lowkey I wonder if Dev thinks his dad did this on purpose to get them to make him more money? It’s very Dale thing to do and I hate it.

Oh callback to the lemonade stand. Lolz poor Dev Vicki invading his personal space cannot be comfortable.

Ohh this sucks as Devs first real party with real friends. Hazel calling it as it is lolz. Poor Dev. Oh the kids trying to call their fairies but being ignored by them. Poor things.

Yep oh Cosmo dancing on the buttons lolz. Yep that’s how they find out project H. That’s also uh a complex password lolz. Wait wouldn’t other kids have fairies too? There can’t be only two miserable kids in the whole city.

Oh Cosmo so slow but so cute. How does he know human Cosmo and Wanda are connected that’s what I want to know.

Cute that Dev, Jasmine and Winn are blowing up balloons together. They’re uh hanging out? Sort of? Kind of? Ish. It’s something.

Aww Hazel trying to save the party so cute. Winn I love your desire for violence lolz. Dev that uh. Epic fail. Nice attempt at a save but uh no. Lolz. Oh Dev I love you so much. You are so awkward and silly. Kind of adorable he’s laying ontop of one of the Au Pairs though why he doesn’t have them toss her out I don’t know.

Hazel is unamused by Devs failure of trying recover lolz. Kind of interesting the AU pair knows what Dev wants just from him clapping.

GUYS STOP WRITING CRITICAL INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT HAZEL PAGE ARE YOU TRYING TO GET CAUGHT??!!!?????!!!??? GUYS!!!! He’s going to find out about fairies because of you guys. Peri is so done with his parents. Peri please try and remove this. Please. Why do you WANT this asshole yo know???????

Hey Icky Vicky lolz. Amazing they’re messing with her I love it.

Uh oh Vicky is onto them. Uh oh. They’re in trouble. Aww Dev wants to be a big kid. Oh hehe Dale bans lemonade makes sense. Still hate him though. Instead of healing he continued the cycle of violence.

Oh Dev was smart in how he helped them escape. Kind of sad he didn’t try to call for help again while Hazel tried calling for all three of them. Wait is Hazel afraid of heights?

Hazel wants him to find the fairies? And finally uses the AU pairs lolz. Oh that’s how they find the secret lab.

Aww lolz I love how Dev panicked and covered Hazels eyes I would be genuinely horrified by that image as well of my parent.

Oh. Oh no Cosmos gonna. He’s gonna show Project H oh no. Wanda don’t be proud of that. Wanda no. Oh no Dev thinks Peri knows about it. Uh oh. Aww Cosmo you’re so cute. And make an adorable princess.

Lolz they only know Vicky who does that kind of evil. Oh but her name is Vicky and oh yep they all panic and are terrified when they realize it’s the Vicky they knew.

Ohh TIMMY NAME DROP OMG!!!!

Aww Dev looks worried about Cosmo. Thats actually really sweet. But no Cosmo honey that’s not in your head.

Ohhh Peri thought he imagined Vicky? Interesting? That would imply she left before he was old enough to necessarily remember her fully. I wonder when Timmy stopped needing a babysitter? Also curious Peri hides behind Hazel and not Dev.

Oh Peri disguising himself as an AU pair lolz. Oh Vicky behaving when she sees adults lolz. Oh another Timmy name drop I wonder how long Cosmo wanted to tell at her for how bad she was to Timmy? Those are Timmy’s real parents dang it. Interesting they corrected to Dev instead of Hazel, maybe cuz they’re both boys? But why wouldn’t they go to Hazel since they’re sort of guardians for her?

Lolz Vicky running away amazing lolz. Peri raising good points though but oh they were trapped all day? Poor kids and poor Dev for having a shit birthday party thanks to his dad. What’s worse is it might have been the first real good one Dev had since like having a real friend. A couple decades ago? Are we getting a hint for the timeline?

Oh no Dev is seeing project H oh no. Oh no. Oh he’s realizing what Project H really is. Oh no. Hazel is trying to help but Dev is misunderstanding her. She’s right it’s better he doesn’t suspect his kid has a fairy because it would be hell to try and hide but he thinks she thinks hers are more important and oh Dev thinks she wished for them to be friends (which is true) but thinks it’s for the wrong reasons and Dev thinks everything they had wasn’t real. Oh no.

“Dimmadomes don’t just make friends” is a sentiment that hurts a lot. Like yeah they’re rich and people only want to be friends with rich people often for selfish reasons. They don’t actually care and just want the perks which sucks. And poor Dev thinks that’s all Hazel wanted which isn’t the truth at all. She wanted to know why he was mean and befriended him naturally in the process but he just doesn’t get how friendship works.

Oh no the wrong names again. No Hazel don’t just leave!! He needs you no!!!!!! Fourth wall break again. Oh no. Oh no they’ve forgotten about Dev again. And left all of the fairy stuff on Dales board. While Hazel has Cosmo and Wanda comforting her I feel like Peri won’t really try for Dev. It’s kind of sad how quickly Hazel pushes Dev out of her mind despite how much she knows he’s hurting.

Oh Peri tried but only thinks Wishes will help. clearly him suggesting wishes hurts because the word wish along is what sends Dev into a rage.

Peri also gives up so quickly. He sounds so defeated as he says as you wish but it hurts because he’s abandoning a kid who clearly needs someone so quickly and won’t stay and help him. Devs having a complete breakdown and no one seems to really…care.

Oh Dev sort of messed up project H but didn’t destroy the fairy stuff. Oh this is going to bite them in the butt later but oh. The feels. Dev crying and screaming in rage it really hurts. Dev feels betrayed by everyone he cared about and doesn’t have anyone he feels he can go to. And Hazel so quickly left him it might solidify his rage and feelings that Hazel only befriended him because he’s rich. Interestingly he only lets out his pain really once he’s alone, like he’s been taught to not let people see negative emotions.

Yep this uh. My heart is in tatters. FUCK YOU DALE YOU RUIN EVERYTHING.

I have a lot of thoughts about this episode that will definitely have to be all in a part two Dev analysis because I’ll need more then the two parts I originally planned cuz oh gosh this kid is going through it. But for now, enjoy my breakdown along with Devs.

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.139 Buzz kill

The next day, I noticed Sophia getting around better and looking more lively, so I seized the opportunity to go meet my niece and nephews, with her blessing, of course. When I arrived, a less angry, more serious Alessia greeted me, and I was glad to see her getting better as well. Even though our birthdays were mere days apart, I had always viewed her as a little sister. But if I had gotten older and wiser, so did she. Maybe this situation caused her to mature very quickly. Jace's actions were beyond her control, and stewing in anger every day didn't get her anywhere. I told her I was proud of how she handled it, murderous thoughts aside.

"Don't applaud me yet," she said. "I still dream about killing him."

"No one would fault you for that, Less. What he did was foul, and I personally want to lay hands on him."

She smiled, shaking her head at me.

"I still can't believe my super Jedi Zen brother wants to hurt someone."

"Everyone has limits, sis. Now, can I please meet the babies?"

As we walked up the stairs, I heard one of them crying.

"I'm coming, Lex," Alessia shouted.

"How do you know which one it is?"

"Well, dear brother, when you're trapped in the house with them 24/7, you learn a lot of things," she said in a snarky tone.

She went straight to his bassinet, picked him up, and fed him, and I watched her in awe.

"See? I told you it was in you," I said.

"Yeah, yeah. They're not so bad when they're not screaming at you. That's right! You're not so bad...cute little devil."

She looked at him so lovingly. I knew despite the rough road she would have, everything would be okay.

"So you must be Arvin, then," I said, picking up the other boy. "Do you remember my voice? I'm Uncle Luca!"

Less asked if I could watch them for a little while so she could do some things around the house, and once again, she impressed me. I had never seen her even wash a dish before, and now she talked about taking care of the house? Motherhood did her some good, I suppose. That, or she was that desperate to get away from the babies.

I put Arvin down and met the young queen, Breanna. She had green eyes, just like Dwayne. I shook my head as I thought about his situation. The poor man invested all that time and emotional energy into their relationship only for Mama to abandon him at the end of his life. He had always been so supportive and understanding of the complexities of our family dynamics, and even the complexities of their own relationship. I'm glad he finally stood up for himself, but it was just so sad.

When Alessia came back, I told her I'd love to stay but needed to go because I told Sophia I wouldn't be long. Mama caught me as I stepped onto the porch and said she needed to talk to me. I tried to tell her I'd call her tomorrow and that I needed to get home, but she insisted.

"I don't have long, Luca," she said in a stern tone.

"Mama..."

"No whining. You're going to listen to me, now. This is happening whether you want it to or not, and I want you to be prepared!"

She was right. My parents had been trying to talk about their pending demise, but I didn't want to hear it. And it wasn't like I hadn't noticed them getting older. But I still wanted to build that treehouse with Dad, and I wanted Mama to drop by unannounced with suitcases filled with gifts for Desiree and the dogs. I still looked forward to them being there when she got home from her first day of school. But none of that would happen, and I couldn't ignore it anymore.

"I'm listening," I said.

"I want you to bury me next to Mommy."

"Yes, ma'am."

"And I want you to have that other painting she did."

Tears wet my cheek, so I nodded so my voice wouldn't break.

"I don't want a funeral. Have a party and dance. Don't cry because you wish I was still here. I didn't always do things right, but I lived, Luca. Celebrate that."

"A party, though?"

"Party! Promise me you'll take care of your sister. She's gonna need you more than ever now."

"I always do, Mama."

"I know you do. You've been such a great big brother. I'm so proud to call you my son. You're everything I wanted. If all I did was be your mom, I'd still die happy and fulfilled."

"How can you be so casual about this?"

"I told you. I had a full life. If I could spend more time with you, I would. But I know you'll be alright. I get to be with my parents again! Why would I be sad about that?"

I had so many thoughts swirling through my head and so many unanswered questions. I felt anxious about running out of time to get answers, and that conversation seemed like the perfect time to bring them up. But at the moment, none of that seemed to matter anymore. I wanted her to enjoy whatever time she had left, rather than bombarding her with uncomfortable questions. I was a very grown man who could figure things out for myself.

"You've been a good mom. I may not always agree with you, but that never changed how much I loved you. I just want you to know that."

"I know that, buddy."

"I know you know, but I haven't said it enough. Thanks...for everything."

"It's been my pleasure, Luca."

[homestuckreplay]

EOA1 - Character Opinions

I think it'd be fun to do a quick roundup of how I'm feeling about each major character at big milestones in the comic (such as ends of acts), to see if these opinions change over time. So far I think we have six characters and one vague, looming force of indeterminate sentience to discuss.

Love

John Egbert - I loved this kid since I saw his silly little grin on p.3 when we got his name right, and he's still my favorite character. He's a mystery, an enigma, but he's not trying to hide anything, he simply hasn't figured out who he is or what he wants. He has simultaneously the best and worst taste in media and sense of humor. He loves computers but knows fuck all about them. He finally got an apple snack after eating nothing but cake all day. He may or may not have arms at any given moment. I could talk about him forever.

Rose Lalonde - Absolute loser dork who doesn't know it and wouldn't admit it anyway. She's so much fun to read about, and honestly, so much fun to totally dunk on. Because of her I checked a 750 page book debunking Freud out of the library. Great taste in animals, cats and eldritch horrors are some of my favorites too. I don't endorse her actions but I'm deeply excited to see what she does next. Saving John from this meteor is going to do insane things for her ego. I love her and I hope her computer gets hacked by the lab.

Like

gardenGnostic - We've only seen them twice (p.110 and p.169) and know near nothing about them but I like their energy, I always like it when someone has a really expressive typing style with lots of punctuation and emojis, and they're clearly excited about John's birthday and him getting their present. Definitely the character I'm most excited to see more of.

Neutral/Mixed

turntechGodhead - I really didn't like him based on his first couple of pesterlogs, he seems like somebody who would call his friends cringe and refer to himself as 'brutally honest' as an excuse to be cruel, and the way he types makes him sound bored all the time. But when he gave John that super thoughtful gift I did see him in a different light. He will probably shift one way or the other when we know him better, but right now I see a spark of goodness that keeps him out of the dislike category.

Dislike

Sburb - Not a character exactly, but somebody made this game, and right now I think they are deeply malevolent and suspicious. I do not trust this game farther than I could throw a cruxite dowel and I do not think whoever created it had good motivations, although I'm uncertain if they are actively, intentionally evil or if they are simply an irresponsible game scientist. The consequences are the same either way. They put my boy John in danger (and probably a whole bunch of other people too).

Hate

None... yet????

Uncertain

John's dad - Literally what the fuck is going on with this clown. Who IS he. Will he please lend me the Serious Jester magazine because it seems like a good read. He writes supportive notes of love and care for his son AND THEN PIES HIM IN THE FACE. What an enigma. He is operating on a plane of existence I cannot access

Rose's mom - I do not consider Rose a reliable source of information <3 so I'm holding judgment until I meet her mom for myself.

[ryker-writes]

Jaxon Crowley's Birthday Interview

(Image made with this picrew)

Jaxon Crowley's masterlist

Happy Birthday!

Ah...thanks.

You look nice! It's not often we see you dressed in white.

For good reason. It's not my color. I much prefer darker clothes, but apparently you have to dress like this if it's your birthday.

Is someone making you wear it?

Not exactly. If I was being forced, I simply wouldn't do it. But...Riddle and Deuce were hounding me about it being necessary for my birthday.

So you wore it for them?

...

I wore it so they'd stop hounding me about it. Clothes hardly matter to me anyway. I could wear scraps and I'd be fine.

But doesn't it feel nice to be dressed for your birthday?

I've never particularly cared for my birthday. It might as well just be a normal day.

Do you normally not celebrate your birthday?

No. I've never seen much of a point to it. Though I usually don't have people who want to celebrate it with me either. Even when I was younger, my birthday was never a big deal.

I would've thought Crowley would've thrown a big party for you.

When I was really young, he did. Though the parties got smaller as the years went by. Can't say I mind it too much.

Has he said anything to you today?

He not-so-discreetly shoved a card under my room door that had some guitar picks inside with some designs on them. Leona caught him trying to sneak out of Savanaclaw.

That was nice of him. Have you gotten any other presents?

Deuce got me some sunglasses for the bright lights, Leona got me some new golden earrings, Silver got me a star projector that even shows constellations, and Riddle managed to transfer a bunch of books, including textbooks, into audio form for me.

It sounds like each of them put a lot of thought into their gifts.

It's good. I much prefer things I'll actually use rather than stuff that will just sit around.

That makes a lot of sense. Now...I do have a few questions to ask you for the interview.

Go ahead.

If you could pick any student from Night Raven College to be your sibling, who would you choose?

That one's not too difficult. I'd pick Deuce. We're already similar enough, and he's not annoying. We get along pretty well and he's already similar to a younger sibling to me. If not Deuce, I'd pick the little fighter.

Little fighter?

Epel. He's the little fighter. Tiny, but he's got bite to him.

What's your favorite food?

Sushi. I generally like all kinds of seafood, but sushi is the best. Especially nigiri, even more so if it's shrimp. Anytime I go to the Mostro Lounge, I get some type of shrimp.

What about your least favorite food?

Avocados. They taste disgusting. My mother used to try and get me to eat them all the time when I was young. I guess hating avocados is one of the things me and my dad have in common.

Can you tell us more about what your parents were like when you were young? Perhaps a different side to the Headmage?

When I was really young me and him used to get along. But I was so young that I hardly have any memories of it. I spent most of my time with my mother or the ghosts of Night Raven College.

You know the ghosts well?

More like they know me well. They've known me basically my entire life. In fact, I spent a lot of time in Ramshackle. It was a nice area to just relax. I had hoped I could relax in it again when I returned, but then I found out about you and the cat...

You're always welcome to come over!

I'll keep that in mind.

I only have one more question for you. If you were to join any dorm other than Savanaclaw, which dorm would you choose?

Probably Ignihyde. Those guys know how to keep to themselves and they aren't very demanding. No one there is going to try and boss me around. Ignihyde students barely talk to me now anyway.

Alright! Thank you for the interview! And happy birthday again!

Yeah, thanks.

Bonus Special Ryker Facts About Jaxon!

Jaxon is probably my favorite oc out of them all. I have many ocs in many different universes, but I carry Jaxon with me to almost all of them. There's a Genshin Impact Jaxon, Honkai Star Rail Jaxon, Legend of Zelda Jaxon, DnD Jaxon, and so many more! He originally started as a vague concept of an oc, but developed into a full fledged oc about a year ago! I thought I'd share some little facts about Jaxon that we didn't know, or I haven't fully dived into yet!

Jaxon's original design was much different than he is today. In fact, he was originally made for the DC comic universe. His first design looked a bit different, but still had the core parts of his personality and his delinquency arc. His early design actually had wavy black hair and light blue eyes. In his early designs, he actually had a sister named Sophia who also had black hair, but brown eyes instead. She often tried to set him on the right path and was very stubborn, but was one of the few people he cared about.

Another thing I wanted to mention about Jaxon is his struggles with schoolwork. This is something that's very consistent regardless of what universe he's in, and there's actually a reason why he struggles so much. Jaxon has dyslexia, but teachers in the past just sort of gave up on him or found him too difficult to work with, and he pushed them away. Because of this, he never officially got tested and still struggles with it sometimes.

Jaxon's character is one that I've always felt works best in my favorite dynamic of light and dark, or the good and bad dynamic. While Jaxon isn't all bad, he certainly has a lot of negative traits and a lot of trauma weighing on his mind. While he's capable of functioning on his own, he wouldn't do well with someone who is equally as negative as him. That is why Jaxon leans towards people who are seen as good or more positive. It balances him out well.

He's by far my favorite oc and I will forever be grateful for all of you for supporting my writings about him, and loving him just as much as I do! It always makes me so happy to see you guys enjoying him, talking about him, or even making artwork of him! It really makes me feel so special! And we've made it to a year since Jaxon's official creation! It's odd because I almost feel like he's my son and he's growing up so fast. It's amazing to watch how he's developed in this past year, and I'm very happy with him!

[britishsass]

Wei - MTaS Headcanons

I've seen basically nothing about this guy, so I feel like posting some headcanons about one of my favorite characters in My Time at Sandrock.

Wei has anger issues. (Or, rather, had-- He's gone to seminars and read multiple books about it, as he says when you compliment him on his personality.)

He can be absolutely terrifying if he's upset. (Have you seen what he says if you give him hated gifts? "Are you not afraid someone will put you in your place, going around acting like this?" according to the wiki, holy heck. Dude can be horrifying if you ever do get on his bad side, but he tries his best to make that hard)

He's tried to get away from Yan before. There were lots and lots of incidents with the two of them accidentally moving to the same town and ending up arguing over who moved first, until Wei just sort of... Gave up on trying to escape.

He's got major trust issues. (He mentions his own team was paid off to abandon him in the Periphs, his partner Esmerelda left him because of Yan, etc.)

He liked his dad better. (He mentions how his father tried his best with teaching them, while Yan mentions his mother when sand drawing)

Wei's love of weapons is partially from his time spent in the Periphs, though he enjoyed a nice spar beforehand as well. (He used to win every Showdown at High Noon. He stopped competing after a while because he thought it ruined the fun for others.)

Wei and Yan lived in Portia when they were younger, though most of the Portian residents don't remember them. However, Presley, Higgins probably do, though Higgins was young when he met them and wasn't a fan of either.)

He loves relics, and used to have a nice collection of his own! However, during his stint of being presumed dead, Yan sold all of them.

He has chronic headaches and backaches, though he usually works through them. Fang, Owen, and maybe Mi-an are the only ones he's ever told that to-- mostly because he never thought it was important to mention.

Wei's closest friends in Sandrock are Owen and... yeah, it's just Owen for a long time. Though he appreciates Mi-an and the builder, he's most likely to go to Owen if he needs someone to just talk to.

He doesn't celebrate his birthday. Throughout his life, it was a day of arguing with Yan, so he just. Doesn't care about it being his birthday anymore. It's another day, and if someone celebrates it with him, bully to them! But he's happy to just have a normal day.

He'd like a very normal life already, please, just give him a normal life without Yan ever coming up again.

He loathes it when people call him President, Yan, or anything even vaguely about that.

He doesn't really agree with the Church of the Light (Too interested in relics and the like) but he does understand them.

Feel free to add more if you have any headcanons! I'd love to hear.

[elisysd]

11. That's why I'm lying to my therapist

Masterlist - Previously - Next

Chapter soundtrack: Tornado Warning - Sabrina Carpenter

She had never dreaded and been excited to be home. But there was always a first time for everything. Ethan organized a birthday party to which she was of course invited. There would only be his closest friends, as well as Romy. They were supposed to meet later, in front of the nightclub, but for now Julia was occupied, trying to find a birthday gift for Ethan. She was completely lost, not knowing what she could get him that he had not already. Because after all, she still didn’t know him. That's when it hit her. She knew about his fears and his relationship with his dad, something she was sure not a lot of people knew about, but she didn’t know his favorite color or his favorite season. Basic things that friends knew about each other and even more, people that were in a relationship together. She mentally put a note in the back of her head to talk to Ethan about all of this.

But there she was browsing the alleys of her favorite bookstore, in the search of a new comic book for her brother. She felt so bad about lying to him that she hoped spoiling him a little would appease her mind and help her get rid of the guilt. As she was absentmindedly walking down the alleys, her eyes caught a book that made her smile. How to stop being a dick to people for Dummies. It would make a fun gift for sure, very on brand for them she thought. She picked it up and put it along Louis’ book under her arm. Before going to pay, her feet took her to the notebooks sections. She loved pretty notebooks. She had many at home, most of them were not even used. She loved to collect them more than writing in them. As she was looking at the new arrivals, she saw a poor little cactus, in a corner and once again her mind went back to Ethan and his flat. A cactus would bring a little color to the space and would make it a little more personal. And a cactus didn’t require a lot of attention and care. Perfect she thought.

Her new belongings under her arm, she went back home. The house was unusually quiet. Whenever Julia was back home, she would at least be welcomed by the happy barks of Bailey. She called out for her mom but nothing, not even Louis answered her. They must have been out.But her dad was also nowhere to be seen. The door of his office was opened, something rare when he was not working in it. His laptop was opened on a few tabs showing datas that Julia recognised quickly. She was looking at the same results every race weekend. She was definitely not supposed to see that and she couldn’t help but feel worried about the quietness of the house. There was no way her dad would have left the datas in plain sight if something hadn’t happened that caused everyone to leave in a rush. But still, she had a lot of her unanswered questions that could be solved a few centimeters away from her. It was tempting. So tempting. It was a one time only type of situation. She wasn’t sure she would use them but in any case, she still snapped a few pictures of the results with her phone before quickly leaving the office as if nothing happened.

Back in her room she retrieved the USB drive from the box she put it in and transferred her pictures on it before deleting them quickly, as if it would make her phone explode. Then, she stared at the new added files, not knowing what to do with them. She didn’t have much time to think as she heard noises in the entrance. She closed her laptop before getting downstairs and saw Louis, his left ankle in a cast looking visibly distraught.

“Oh gosh what happened?” she exclaimed.

“Your brother thought he was a monkey for some minutes. The reality check was a bit brutal.” explained Lyanna, ruffling her son’s hair.

“But I told you, it was a rare bird! And I wanted to see it closely. It’s not my fault if the branch was unstable.”

“Thank God, dad heard the noise it made and reacted fast.”

As if he heard his name being mentioned, Charles appeared with Bailey and Louis’ crutches.

“I had an eye on him ever since he had gone out and was trying to climb. I could see the incident happening from miles away.”

“And you didn’t try to stop him?”

“Lya, love, I don’t know one kid that had not tried climbing in a tree before. I used to hide in them with a book when I was Louis age to have some peace and quiet. Falling is part of life, look he is okay. It’s just the ankle, it will be fine.”

“But it could have been worse! You should have said something the minute he started climbing.”

Julia saw her brother putting his headphone on his ears and closing his eyes. The argument that was starting between their parents was triggering him, she could see it.

“I went to the bookstore today to find something for Ethan. I’m going out tonight to celebrate.”

It had the effect she hoped for. Ethan’s mention made both of her parents stop arguing to focus on her.

“Nice, where are you going?” asked Lyanna.

“Restaurant with Romy before joining the boys downtown.”

“And what did you pick for lover boy?” snorted Charles, earning a side glance from his wife.

“I found a cute cactus and a book for him. I didn’t know what I could get him that would be useful.”

“A cactus?” repeated Charles.

“Yeah… you know, to symbolize our relationship. The hope it will last for a long time since you can’t kill a cactus that easily and the prickles are a nice metaphor of us throwing shade at each other but just like they are here to protect the plant, our banter is us showing that we care about one another.”

That was so cheesy she wanted to gag. She was not the only one, her dad looked at her weirdly as her mom sighed in content.

“That’s very cute, Ju’. I’m sure he will love it.”

“Did you know that a cactus actually symbolizes endurance and strength in the face of adversity, because they thrive in harsh and arid environments?” said Louis.

“I… didn’t. But you know what, Louis? I think it sums up our relationship pretty well.”

“When will we meet him? When is he going to come home to see us?”

“He will be allowed to come when he beats me on a track, Louis.” said Charles.

“When he what?” asked Lyanna, completely unaware about the trial her husband set for Ethan.

“Dad wants to play male Alpha with Ethan, he wants to organize a karting race between him and Ethan.” explained Julia, clearly annoyed.

“Well, in that case, why not invite Kat and Max as well? Max could race too, it could be fun. And it would be a good occasion to have a nice reunion, it’s been a while.”

“I’ll talk to Ethan about it, but for now, I have to get ready. I’m meeting Romy downtown.”

It was always easy to find Romy in a crowd, her confidence made her stand out in a crowd. She was always the one laughing the loudest, talking to everyone in an attempt to make them feel at ease. With Julia, they couldn’t be more different, but that’s why she loved Romy. They spent a little time catching up before Romy looked her dead in the eyes.

“You and Ethan. How? When? Why? I have so many questions and I’ve never seen it coming. You’ve never told me that you liked him. It was always quite the opposite.”

“Yeah, it just happened. It still surprises me but, you were right, he is not that bad.”

“I bet he is not.” said Romy with a suggestive wink making Julia blush.

“But enough about me! Tell me more about Kyle and you!”

The blonde shrugged it off, sipping on her drink and avoiding Julia’s gaze.

“It’s not serious. I know that, he knows that and we are fine with it. We have fun. There is nothing else to say.”

Julia didn’t insist, knowing very well that if her friend wanted to talk to her about her relationship she would, when she would feel ready. Trying to get something out of her would only result in Romy closing off. They finally left the restaurant to meet Ludwig, Kyle and Ethan in front of the nightclub. They were soon escorted to the VIP sections where drinks were already waiting for them. Ethan didn’t want a big party, with many people whom half of them were unknown to him. He wanted to keep it lowkey with only his closest friends. They chatted and laughed altogether and his gaze fell on Julia. She was having fun and even let Romy drag her to dance along with her.  He liked seeing her so carefree and at ease around him and his friends, as she had always belonged here. It left a bittersweet taste in his mouth and couldn’t help but wonder how would have been their relationship if they had grown up as friends and not as enemies. Would they be strangers? Would they be friends? Best friends, maybe? More? Did he even want to be something with her? As he was still watching her, he didn’t notice his two best friends getting closer to him.

“So… how is the fake dating going?” asked Ludwig with a mischievous look in his eyes.

“Better than expected, to be honest. She is not what I thought she would be. She is not the insufferable girl that I remember. I think we could be great friends, if she wanted to.”

“Oh, look at you being sweet. You are cute.” Ludwig laughed.

“ Shut up.”

“I’m glad you guys are getting along well but I have to admit that I’m still skeptical about all of that. I hope that lying to everyone is worth it. Especially to your parents.”  said Kyle with calm.

“We are invited by my parents for my birthday tomorrow. We will have to act as a couple and I have to admit that it’s stressing me out. My mom can smell bullshit from miles away and I know that it will be hard to convince her.”

They enjoyed the rest of the night and it was late when they finally exited the club. Julia hugged a very drunk Romy that was clinging to Kyle as he tried his best to not let her fall on his ass and Julia joined Ethan near his car.

“You didn’t drink?” she asked.

“Nope. Didn’t feel like it.” he simply answered.

“Why? It’s your birthday.”

“I have a lot on my mind and we are meeting my parents tomorrow, I don’t want to look like a mess.”

She nodded and opened the door of the car before sitting on the passenger seat, as if she had always belonged there. He took his place behind the wheel and drove back to her place in silence. Monaco by night was quiet and it was always something he enjoyed. It allowed him to hear his thoughts. But lately Julia seemed to occupy a huge place in them and he doesn’t know how to describe it. When he closed his eyes, before falling asleep, sometimes he could swear that he could hear her laugh or see her eyes. And he couldn’t explain why it helped him relax. They finally arrived at her house. He expected her to jump out of it to avoid being near him longer than what she had to, but was surprised to see her rummaging through her bag and taking out two small packages that she handed to him.

“You didn’t have to, but thank you.”

“Look at what I bought before saying thanks.”

Ethan couldn’t help but laugh when he saw the book and the small cactus. He looked at her and saw a playful gleam in her eyes. She was trying her best to refrain from laughing too and was biting her lips.

“Well… I will have to top my game for your birthday. You set the expectations very high.”

“I hope we won’t be together anymore by then!” she replied, laughing.

“Maybe… we can still be friends, right? I don’t want to go back to hating you. I can’t.” he told her, very seriously.

“Maybe. We can learn how to be, at least.”

They were surprised to see the lights on in the Leclerc’s household and a silhouette lurking behind the living-room window. Ethans quickly recognised Charles that was more than likely looking at them. Julia noticed him too and turned to Ethan.

“Lean in. Pretend you are kissing me.” she said, almost ordering him.

“What?”

“We have to make it believable! Put your hand on my face and lean in!”

He didn’t know why but he panicked. He had his fair share of girls asking him to kiss him. But never in a million years would he have ever thought that he would hear that from Julia. Suddenly, his palms were sweating and his clothes felt too tight and Julia was too close. He could almost see the light sparkles of gold in her green eyes. If he was focusing on them hard enough he swore that he could count them. She had freckles. He didn’t know about them, he never paid enough attention to notice them. His throat was dry and he didn’t know why. He found her beautiful and he didn’t know why. And it terrified him. He would have run away if her two cold hands didn’t suddenly grab his face and she put her forehead against his. He could feel her breath mixing with his and if he moved, even an inch, he could bump her nose with his. And he would have to if two knocks against the passenger’s window didn’t wake him out of his transe. He was quick to leave the car, as Julia took her bag and opened her door. Charles was in his sweatpants and was clearly waiting for Julia to come back before going to bed.

“Thank you Ethan for bringing her back safe and sound. You didn’t drink, right? Because if you took the wheel while having drinks in your system…”

“I’m totally sober, Cha… Mr. Leclerc. You can test me, if you want.”

“It’s okay. You are not irresponsible. I trust you on this. But just on this. If you want me to trust you more, let’s meet the day after tomorrow, on a karting track, so you can show me your worth. And bring your family along, Lya would love to see your mom and I wouldn’t mind racing against your dad, like back then.”

“You know me, I’m always up for a challenge, you can count me in. Especially if it’s to beat you. I’ve alway dreamed of that! And I’ll talk to my dad. Speaking of, is it okay for you if I come to pick you up around six, tomorrow?”

Julia nodded and as if it was natural for him, Ethan smiled and leaned in to kiss the top of her head. Totally unbothered, he went to shake Charles’ hand, before squeezing one last time the young woman waist who thanked the stars that it was so dark so no one could see her blushing.

The next day, before dressing up for dinner at Ethan’s parents, she decided to work on Ferrari’s car. She didn’t know where it all would go, if she even wanted it to go somewhere. She opened her notebooks and started to watch some onboards from the drivers, as well as the data she wrongfully collected. But without knowing what the data represented it was tough to extract anything from it. But still she gathered some info. Against her will, her thoughts drifted to Martin. She would need to know the feelings of someone who was actually driving the car, it would help her so much. But it felt wrong, especially after the birthday party and what happened in the car. She had felt the atmosphere changing and she didn’t know what could have happened if her father had not interrupted them. And she was grateful that he did, something she never thought she would say. But part of her still wondered… would they have kissed? Would she have let him kiss her? Or would she have been the one to kiss him first? Did she want to kiss him? She shook her head. She didn’t want to think about this. Not now, not ever.

Her gaze fell on her notes and the endless scribbling that was not going anywhere. She knew she had all the information in the palm of her hands if she wanted to open the files that were on the USB plugged in on her laptop. She felt sick. This whole USB drive made her sick. No matter how much she wanted to, she couldn’t help but think that it was still cheating and the consequences could only lead to disaster. But she was curious, so curious. So she opened the file and started to browse the documents, paying more attention to them than the first time. She quickly understood that they could and would help her but, a wave of nausea got a hold of her and she closed the tabs quickly. It was too much and she couldn’t brace herself to add another lie to the list. She unplugged it and threw her in a box that she hid far away from her, as if it could erase the temptation.

Finally it was time for her to get dressed and a part of her was thankful for it. It would get her mind out of the bomb that was in her room. Ethan was on her way to pick her up and she felt stressed out. She didn’t know how she was supposed to act or how she should behave. Did Ethan expect her to be clingy? Or did he want to keep the physical interactions to the bare minimum? She had never been in a situation like that before, she had never met in-laws, even fake ones. She felt stupid. She knew Max and Kat. She knew them very well and not once had she ever felt uncomfortable at the idea of eating with them. Was she supposed to dress fancy? She looked at her clothes and sighed before setting her mind on a jean and a blouse.

As she was finishing applying her makeup she heard a car parking in front of the house and the door opening. She breathed in and breathed out one last time, took her bag and went down to see Louis ambushing Ethan in the entrance.

“You’re my sister’s boyfriend.” said Louis as a matter of fact.

“I…am?” replied Ethan.

“Why?”

“Why, what?”

“You fancy her. She is my sister. It’s weird.”

“Louis, please, don’t bother Ethan.” stepped in Julia.

“No, please, Louis keep going, I also want to know why.” Charles came out of his office, a half-smile on his face.

“You guys are embarrassing.” complained Julia.

“I just want to know why. You didn’t like him a few weeks ago. It’s just weird.”

“Hum, well… Julia is… well she is Julia. She is not as unlikable as I thought she was.”

“Thanks…” gritted the young Leclerc between her teeth.

“What I mean is… I had the occasion to properly get to know her and besides her sarcastic comments, the fact that she always wants to be right, how she has boring ice-cream tastes, she is not so bad. She is actually very caring. She talks a lot about you, Louis and I hope that I can be your friend, someday. And I admire her work ethic. She always wants to do the right thing and most importantly, she didn’t judge me when the whole scandal blew up. She actually agreed to keep talking to me and explore our connection. She quickly became one of the most trustworthy people that are around me. But I clearly can see that she got all of that from her dad.”

“No need to rub me in the right way, Ethan. It won’t work.”

“Yeah, it’s a bit too much.” added Julia.

They finally managed to leave and soon they were finally alone, on their way to Ethan’s parents.

“You didn’t have to pretend in front of my parents, you know.”

“Maybe I went a little overboard with the compliments, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t mean all that I said.”

When they finally arrived, Kat almost jumped on Julia, asking her how she was doing and saying how happy she was to have her. Julia felt so overwhelmed that Ethan intervened to tell his mom to calm down. He was not surprised to see that his mom had already thought about who would sit where. Julia found her seat next to Ethan as Max and Kat sat opposite of them. The conversation was pleasant and far from what Ethan had imagined. They didn’t talk about their relationship, his parents preferring to focus on Julia and getting to know her as a person and not as Ethan’s girlfriend. For once he was not the center of attention and he could watch her talking about what she was most passionate about and he found that endearing. He watched her talking about engineering with his dad and he had to admit that he was completely lost and didn’t understand half of what they were talking about, but still, he didn’t want to look away. As he was going for another glass of wine he found his mom looking at him with a soft smile on his face.

Soon, the conversation resumed around the season. Ethan was actually proud of his results and it’s with confidence that he started talking about them, thinking that his dad would be happy for him and that maybe he would get praise.

“Yeah, you were good. You had nice moments and some I really thought you could get close to the podium but you still make some mistakes that you shouldn’t make three years into F1. Not anymore. You are not a rookie anymore. But if you want we can find some time to watch some moments that I recorded so we could watch and work on them together.”

It made Ethan angry.

“Can’t you just for once, say something nice about the way I race. Can’t you just acknowledge that I don’t alway mess everything up? That I’m doing a good job?”

“I just want you to improve so you can achieve your dream. And you will never do that if you don’t listen to advice.”

Julia jumped when she felt Ethan abruptly stand up.

“Stop pretending that you care about my dreams. You don’t and you know what? I would trade them for a dad that actually cares about me. Me! And not the driver that I can be!”

And just like that he left the table as his dad was calling out to him. Without thinking twice, Julia stood up as well and excused herself as she went after Ethan. She found him outside, on the patio, sitting on the floor behind his mother’s flowers. He only noticed her when she sat down next to him.

“I’m sorry you had to witness that.” Ethan whispered.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“To say what? There is nothing to say. It’s like that. My dad doesn’t understand. How could he anyway? He is Max Verstappen and I’m only his son, just a copy. And not the best copy. No matter how hard I try, it will not be enough. I’m not enough.”

“That’s not true. You wouldn’t be here if you were not. Ask my dad, he always had good things to say about you as a driver. Surely, that doesn’t not mean nothing . You know how my dad is.”

“I just… I want my dad to act as a dad and not a fucking coach. I want his advice but I also want to hear him say, I’m proud of you son, you were great out there. Not how I should have taken a corner or how the overtake would have been more effective if I had done this or that. He doesn’t understand. He never did.”

“That’s the thing when we grew up with dads like ours. The pressure, the expectations… It's tough. I don’t think Max wants to hurt you, he just wants to push you.”

“Easy for you to say. You are your dad’s little princess. He would do anything for you.”

“Doesn’t mean that it made me happier. It brought a lot of other problems. Parents and teachers reunions ? It was always my mom who would go. I can’t even count the number of birthdays he missed because of races. Or how people looked at me and constantly judged me when they would learn about him.”

“He loves you, Julia.”

“And your dad loves you too.”

Ethan paused and looked to the ground. Julia saw Adam's apple bobbing before he spoke again, but this time with a strangled voice.

“He never said it. My dad never told me that he loved me. I know, he does. But… We were never ones to talk about feelings, I know that. I just wish that he would say it. Just once. I would love to have him come on a race to support me. Just be there, and be happy for me.”

“I’m sorry Ethan. Maybe you should talk to him. About your feelings, it would do good. Surely, it’s not healthy to keep that bottled up inside.”

Ethan shrugged before getting up. Sadness replaced anger and Julia could swear that tears were threatening to fall. She had never seen him looking so vulnerable and she didn’t know what to do. If they had been friends, she would have hugged him. But they were not, or barely were. She didn’t know where they were standing. They were not enemies anymore, but she wouldn’t go as far as saying friends. They were just two people linked to each other by a lie. So she stood up as well and waited for him to move or say something.

“I’m sorry I ruined your night. And you were not supposed to see me like this either.”

“You didn’t ruin anything, don’t worry. And seeing you vulnerable reminds me that you are human, with feelings, something I’ve never thought I would see happening.” she joked.

“You sure know how to make me feel better, Joolsie.” he said with a half-smile on his face.

“Always there to help.”

It was not a surprise when Ethan said that he was leaving. He didn’t want to stay there longer than necessary and so he brought Julia back home. The car ride was silent and a little awkward. When they were finally back, Julia didn’t waste much time before saying her goodbyes. They would see each other the next day, but for now she just needed to be alone. And Ethan did too. He hated how she had seen him like that. She was not supposed to. He was not sure, he wanted her to be. But still, it felt nice to be able to talk about his relationship with his dad. She understood him. But part of him couldn’t help but think that involving her too much into his very private life would do more bad than good. He didn’t react much when she put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed it lightly before leaving him, deep in his thoughts.

When she opened the door, she was not surprised to see that her dad was waiting for her.

“How was it?” he asked.

“Weird. I witnessed Max and Ethan fighting… They don’t have the best relationship, I wasn’t expecting it. I always thought that Max was supportive of Ethan’s career. Turns out it is not what I expected… I feel bad for Ethan. I know I can’t do anything but…” she explained sitting down next to her dad.

“Do you want me to try and talk to Max tomorrow? See if I can do something…”

“We shouldn’t get involved…”

“I know but if Ethan is important to you then I guess that he is important to me as well. And I won’t repeat it twice so you better hold onto that only time I will say it because if you ask me to repeat it I will play dumb.”

She sighed. It made her feel better to know that her dad would not be too big of a problem in her relationship. She kissed him on the cheek before going back to her room. She quickly got rid of her clothes and threw her blanket over her head. As she was tossing and turning in her bed, replaying the conversation she had with Ethan, she grabbed her phone to text him.

For what it’s worth, I think you are amazing on tracks.

Author's note: What do you think will happen next? Let me know your theories, I love to read them.

Don't hesitate to leave a comment or an ask, as well as reblogging and leaving a like. It helps a lot for the story to find its audience. I also have a taglist for this story, so if you want to be added so you never miss a chapter, let me know.

Taglist:

@herondalism @aundercover @musingsbyshreya @karmabyfernando @reengard @mycenterfold @smoooothoperator

[paisholotus]

Ch.2

Nalae's pov

My birthday is today. I am finally 17 years old. We are planning on throwing a party. My parents aren't going to stay because they have to work. I'm not upset because I understand how difficult their jobs are. My mom is a lawyer, and my dad is a doctor. They can't be home all the time, but they try to make time to spend with us.

 

I wasn't planning on throwing a big party, but a lot of my school friends were coming. And my cousins were coming to visit, all the way from Brooklyn. School was about to be out for the summer, so they were going to be staying with us.

 

I was getting ready in my room. I had just finished my hair and was checking myself; I thought I looked pretty damn good. This boy named Michael that goes to my school asked me on a date, and I said yes. He was also going to be at my party tonight.

Nalae's outfit

I left my room and went downstairs. I went into the living room and double-checked everything. There's going to be food, drinks, and music for everyone. Tisha also brought some alcohol; she sometimes lets me turn up and gives me alcohol as long as I drink responsibly.

 

I get up, hearing a knock on the door. I squealed as I opened the door to see my cousins April and Aaliya. I hugged them both tightly and told them how much I missed them.

April's & Aaliya's outfits

"How y'all been?" I asked them. I let them in and took their gifts, which I placed on the kitchen counter. "We've been good. Happy school, finna be out! My classes be kicking my ass." Aaliya said. 

 

"Same, where your bags?" I asked them. Aaliya walked back to the door. I shook my head. "Nah, Ant can get them for y'all." I said. I walked towards the steps to yell for him. "ANT! COME GET THEIR BAGS." I returned to the kitchen and poured them a drink. Our options were Henny, Tequila, Ciroq, and Blue MD, because apparently my sister and brother don't like the other ones. And we also had a whole bunch of hounds.

 

"Damn, you getting fucked up, ain't you?" April said, laughing. I chuckled, dapping them up and nodding. Tisha walked into the kitchen along with Ant, who had just come back from upstairs. They hugged April and Aaliya and asked them how they were.

 

I scrunched up my face, confused as to where Mar was. "Where's Mar?" Ant rolled his eyes and clenched his jaw. "Where do you think his ass at?" Tisha grumbled at me. She was walking around the counter, fixing herself a drink. I rolled my eyes and huffed.

 

He was hanging with them, niggas, again. We don't know how he met them, but he needs to leave them alone. Me and Mar are going to have to talk, hanging around a bunch of disrespectful little boys; they ain't nothing but trouble. Tisha side-eyed me, still looking pissed. And I looked away, feeling guilty.

 

Tisha and Ant were angry when I told them I went to get Mar at the party. They mostly yelled at Mar, but they were disappointed in me because I could have put myself in 'harms way'. But I know how to take care of myself, but saying that would probably have made the argument worse.

 

April and Aaliya must have noticed the tension because they looked for someone to say something. "Uh, oh, what's going on with him?" April asked. 

Ant told her about how Mar had been hanging around boys who were selling drugs and other things. I kind of tuned him out.

 

 

I'm not sure what's going on with Mar, but he's been missing classes, and his grades are dropping. This isn't like him, who is literally the smartest kid I know; he makes straight A's in all his classes. We are both the youngest, so we tell each other everything—at least we used to. But lately, he's been avoiding me, and it's making me feel like I've done something. It's my birthday, and he's not even here.

 

I lowered my gaze to the counter, swirling the ice in my drink. "You can't be sad! It's your birthday, boo. Let's turn the fuck up and get drunk!" Aaliya said, raising her cup, and I smiled, raising mine. "YES, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY, BITCHES."

 

-Time Skip- 

Going in two hours, and this party was FAT! People were planning party games, smoking, drinking, and having a good time. It was nothing wild, just people chilling.

 

I bobbed my head while sitting next to Aaliya and my friend Miranda.

 

"Because I will be a freak until the day

Until the dawn

And we can (pump, pump).

All through the night 'til the early morning'

Come on, and I will take you around the 'hood.

On a gangsta lean

'Cause we can (pump, pump).

Any time of day, it's all good for  me."

 

The song blasted through the speakers. This was my favorite song. Ain't nothing like the 90s, man. I stubbed out the remaining blunt and picked up my cup, motioning for my cousin to follow me to my room so I could get some more green. Don't anybody know I have it except for Mar? I can't believe he hasn't even shown up, which hurts my feelings because it's honestly starting to feel personal. But I ain't letting it stress me; we'll talk later.

 

I walked past Tisha; she looked good. Tisha and Ant are tall. Leaving me and Mar the shorties of the group. Tisha was 5'9, pretty much a stallion, and I was 5'4, pretty much a midget. But I ain't worried about it because I'm a pretty bitch with a fat ass. And this personality is one of a kind.

Tisha's outfit

Tisha grabbed my arm, asking me where we were going. "Imma go grab something from upstairs real quick." She nodded, talking to this tall, dark-skinned boy. 'Ok, Tisha, get yo mack on girl.'

 

Me and Aaliya walked into my room; she was sitting at my desk, checking herself out. I rapped to Eve. Can't anybody say I don't have good taste in music because I always play bangers.

 

"If I had to give you more, it's only been a year.

Now I've got my foot through the door, and I ain't going nowhere.

It took a while to get me here, and I'm going to take my time.

Don't fight that good shit in your ear; now let me blow your mind."

 

I was rolling up the blunts and putting them into the bag when I heard a knock on the door. I thought it was just April or Tisha, so I said, Come in.

 

And it just happens to be light skin. He slowly walks into my room, looking at Aaliya and me but mainly staring at me. I squinted my eyes at him, crossing my arms. "What the fuck are you doing here? And how do you know where I live?" I said, looking him up and down.

 

Aaliya passes the lit blunt to me, and I take a big puff out of it. I glared at the light-skinned boy smirking at me. Who told his ass he could come up the steps? As if he lived here—disrespectful! He takes some steps forward, giving a boyish grin. "Can I sit down?" He asked. 

 

I continued to glare at him. I looked at Aaliya to see if she felt comfortable with him staying. She shrugged, taking the blunt from me again. I slowly nodded, sitting at my desk beside Aaliya. He sat down on my bed, continuing to stare at me with that same dopey smile on his face. "How long have you been up here?" He asked. 

 

I scrunched up my brow, looking at him questionably. Why did he need to know? He doesn't live here; he's a little too nosey for my liking. "I don't think that's your business." I remarked back. He chuckled, going back to smirking at me. His eyes were raking up and down my body.

 

 

"What's your name, baby?" He asked. Leaning back on his elbows, he took a squig out of his cup. His eyes hovered over the rim, staring back at mine.

 

"Nalae. Why you want to know?" I asked, inhaling the smoke and blowing it out of my nose. My eyes started to feel heavy. I was feeling really good at the moment.

 

I finally got a good look at him. He was muscularly built, but not over the top. His skin was a very light caramel color. The definition of a high-yella nigga He had a little stubble, but not too much; he still had a baby face. To say he was fine was an understatement. I usually don't try to find light-skinned niggas attractive because the ones I've had a crush on made it very clear they don't like dark-skinned girls. So I became only interested in brown and dark-skinned boys.

 

"Your brother wouldn't tell me your name for sh*t. I'm Marcus, but you can call me Lucious." He said that, giving me a big smile. He motioned for me to sit down beside him, and I lifted my brow at him. Looking at him like hell, Naw Then suddenly Aaliya got up and smirked at me, grabbing her drink and one of the blunts. "Ight, imma go downstairs. See you later, boo." She said, walking towards the door. I glared at her, watching her slowly close the door before she stuck her tongue out at me.

He patted the bed, motioning for me to sit beside him again. I bit the side of my cheek, slowly standing up and moving towards him. I sat down beside him, blowing out rings of smoke. I turned to see him staring dead into my eyes. It's like I couldn't look away. This nigga had the prettiest eyes I've ever seen. He was truly sex on legs.

 

I put the blunt in my mouth, going to take another puff, when he reached over, taking the blunt from my hand and taking a puff from it. "How old are you?" I asked him. He laid on his back, looking at the ceiling, blowing out the smoke. "19. How about you?" I smiled, getting up from the bed and walking towards the desk, grabbing the blunts. I sat back down and laid down, looking at him. "17. But I'm pretty sure you knew that already, considering today is my birthday." I said it smartly.

 

45 minutes later...

 

"So rich girl, how you liking Philly?" He asked, playing with my hand. I rolled my eyes and looked at him. "I'm not rich. Just middle class." I said, staring at him blankly. He sucked his teeth, sitting up, leaning on his side, looking down on me.

 

"You live in this fancy ass house. In this nice ass neighborhood, filled with white folk." He said, smirking down at me. I smiled at him and sat up, copying his position. "I recognize I have it better than anyone else who's less fortunate. But just because I live comfortably doesn't mean I haven't struggled. Everybody has a story. And just because I have nice things don't mean I treat people like they are below me." I said, softly. Leaning over, my nose touching his, I grabbed the blunt from out of his hand, sitting straight up.

 

He chuckled, sitting up and looking at me, licking his lips and looking at mine. "I like you. You hold your own. I also like how you came down to my crib a couple days ago. You slapped the fuck outta my boy." He said, laughing, at the glare I was giving him.

"Well, your boy ought to watch his mouth." I said, with a playful attitude. He slid closer to me, pulling my hair behind my ear. "Let me take you out on a date. You know, show you around a little bit." He said, pulling my face closer to his. I grabbed his wrist, pulling it away from my face. "Ion know. You seem like a fuck nigga." He looked back, pressing his hand against his chest. "Damn mama. That shit hurt my feelings." I cackled. Getting up, I walked towards the door with him close behind me.

 

I was about to answer again when the door swung open, hitting the wall. "LUCIOUS! FUCK YOU DOING IN HERE?" My brother, Mar, asked him. I crossed my arms, glaring at him. Oh,  so now all of a sudden he cares who's in my room? Mf couldn't even stay home for my birthday. Gon show up hours late, fuck he get off at?

 

"Nothing, little nigga. Just talking to you, sis." He said, not taking his eyes off me. Mar walked closer to Lucious, grabbing his shirt. "Didn't I tell you to leave her alone? Come on, we have to go." And after he said "go", my heart dropped, and it made me more irritated.

 

"I'll see you later." He said. Kissing my cheek. "COME TF ON, MAN!" Mar yelled at him. Lucious glared at Mar before smiling at me one last time and walking out. I went and grabbed Mar's arm, and his eyes softened when he saw the tears in my eyes. I might have been acting dramatic, but I need to know if he was mad at me.

 

"What's wrong, NaNa?" He asked me softly. "What's going on with you, Mar? You've been ignoring me, missing school, and hanging around people I've never seen you hang around. You don't even talk to us anymore, and I understand that you are upset with Tish and Ant, but never with me. Our relationship has always been tight, and it's making me feel like I've done something to make you hate me. You weren't even here when my party started, so it made me feel like you wouldn't come. I just don't know. I feel like we are drifting apart." I said, with tears rolling down my face. I'm pretty sure my makeup is ruined.

 

Mar lifted his hands up to my face, wiping my tears. I hugged him tightly, crying into his shoulder. "I don't mean to hurt you, Nae. I'm just going through something. But I promise I'll talk to all of you, okay? And I wasn't here earlier because I was out buying you a gift. I've been missing school because I've been working." I pulled away from him, looking at him shocked. He chuckled, "Nothing illegal. I got a real job. So I can be more responsible. But I promise Imma to bring my grades back up so we can be the smartest out of Ant and Tisha again." I giggled and was awed at the gift he pulled out of his coat. I opened the long velvet box, and it was a name plate with engraving that said,"my twin forever" on it. I smiled, giving him another hug and kissing his cheek.

 

"Come on, we still have some time before Ma and Dad get here." He grabbed my hand, leading me out of my room and walking towards the step. "Oh, and Lucious ain't bad people. He is a good person; I just don't want you dating his ass. He a fuck nigga." I laughed as we walked through the crowd, looking for my people. "HERE'S TO 17 BITCHES." I yelled, raising my cup in the air. Having the people cheer with me

[akihabaradivision]

ARB Birthday Special: Nikki Yoshie

~~ May 13th ~~

"Games have so much freedom. You can go anywhere you want."

Login Lines:

"A click here, a click there, and... done. I now control over 99% of the finances from Norinchukin Bank here in Tokyo. Now then, send and... transfer complete. You're welcome, Diabla. ...Hmm? An email? Probably just another subscription. ...Wait. It says... 'Happy Birthday, Nikki.'"

"...Oh right. Today is my birthday, isn't it? ...Peh, not that I really care, to be honest. It's just another day, to be honest. ...But I guess I may as well make an effort to be joyful."

Voice Lines:

"I've gotten a lot of emails and text from my friends and fans wishing me a 'happy birthday'. I question how most of these people have gotten my number, but I suppose that's what happens when you're famous, I guess. Still, it's kind of ironic that so many people like me now when they didn't give a crap about me when I was younger.

"My mom and dad called. They both wished me a 'happy birthday', which was nice, I guess. They asked if I wanted to go out today, but I told them it was fine since I know they both have work. They still sent me some cash and paid off my rent for the next month. I keep telling them they don't have to do that, but... well, it keeps cash in my pockets, I guess."

"I called my younger brother after I was done speaking with my parents. He was glad to hear from me. I asked him how things were at his school, but... he didn't elaborate, which is a sure sign that he's still having problems there. I may have to call in one of those favors that Scorpion Den owes me and find out who it is exactly that's giving him so many problems."

"Keiko? What are you doing here? ...I just figured you'd be too busy with your manga and schoolwork to visit. ...Let me stop you right there: if this is another attempt at trying to get me to join university, then the answer is 'no', it will be 'no' again the next time you ask, and any other time after that. ...Whatever. Did you come all the way here on my birthday to say that?"

"A gift from you? I shudder to imagine what it is. ...What the heck are these? Workout bands? Keiko, in what universe would make you think... ...Uh-huh. Fine, I'll take them, but don't count on me using these things, or not giving them away the next chance I get. ...Blame yourself for giving me a crappy gift."

"Hmm? Oh, hey Criss. What are you...? ...Criss, you have exactly three seconds to let go of me before I hurt you. One... two... thr... I don't care how long we've known each other. If you know me so well, then you also know full well that I don't like being touched, not by anyone. ...Yes, I'm quite fine with being a 'meanie'. Now, if there's nothing else..."

"Oh, a present? Gee, what could it be? ...Oh, a... a handheld retro arcade machine? Hmm... well, I do enjoy playing old games some of the times, I'll admit. ...Yes. Yes, I do like it. A lot. Thank you, Criss. Really, this is... this is nice. I'll definitely use it. ...Criss, I said I don't..." *Sighs* "Fine, you can get one hug. No more, understand? ...Okay, that's enough. Now, let go."

Keiko Lines:

"Hey Nikki, happy birthday. ...I put my work on my manga on hold for a bit. And as for my schoolwork, I already completed it. You know, speaking of schoolwork, have you given any thought to..." *Sighs* "Fine, but I'm telling you: you are wasting your life away by not taking advantage of this opportunity. Someone with your smarts could do a lot at school."

"Anyway, here. Happy birthday. ...They're workout bands. Now before you start complaining, hear me out first. You probably don't know this or care, but sitting for long periods of time in the same position can give you very bad hip and back issues. If you do, at least, ten minutes of hip flexor exercises with these bands, they'll eliminate most standard gaming-induced hip and back pain. ...Look, just try them out once, okay? ...You'd sell a gift that I went out of my way to get you? Why am I not surprised, Nikki?"

Criss Lines:

"Nikki! Happy birthday! ...Come on, let me hug you a bit longer! ...Okay, okay, fine! Sheesh, we've known each other for a long time, Nikki. You should be used... Ugh, you're such a meanie, Nikki! Anyway, happy birthday! Yeah, I noticed before you seemed upset cause one of your favorite sites where you play arcade games was shut down, so I bought this. ...Aww, no problem, Nikki! I'm glad you like it! ...Yay! Hugs!"

[trashbag-baby666]

Untitled-Webgott

Summary: Web needs space.

WC: 1,017

C/W: discussions of going through a thought time in a relationship.

BofB Masterlist!

"You're starting this again?" Web shoved Lieb off of him gently. Web had waited till the last moment to finalize his book report and he was having a hard time with it.

Everyone said Web had a way with words. How to put them down and make them sound so beautiful.

Even if it was just a piece of white paper with black pen ink on it. Web could make it beautiful with his words.

So, why this book report essay wasn't coming to him, was frustrating. He had written 100’s of these before. Knew what to say, what not to say, how to format perfectly.

"What," Lieb sat back as he fell back onto his bed.

“What? We've talked about this before." Web shut his laptop, tossing it onto the end of Joe's bed and sitting to face Lieb.

"Jesus fuck, David." Joe rolled his eyes looking at the wall.

"Fucking hell,” Web shook his head, “How you can’t just expect me to want to have sex with you all the time. I need to focus on this paper and you’ve been trying to get in my pants all night.”

“No I haven’t.” Joe shook his head.

“Can you just take me home?” Web said calmly, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

“Whatever,” Lieb sighed, getting off of his bed.

Web grabbed his shoes from next to his backpack and pulled them on. He didn’t like being around Joe when they argued. Because he was the person who couldn’t let things go till he could get to a point that they were fixed. That or he’d hold a grudge till the day he died.

Web liked to just be by himself when he was mad. He could think more rationally if he stepped away. More of a ‘let's talk when we both have calmed down and come to our senses.’ But he didn’t have a choice, his dad had taken away his car because his grades were slipping. Then god forbid he has more than one B at a time. So, Lieb was his ride everywhere.

Web went downstairs after he got his shoes on and his bag.

“Heading out?” Dick over from the living room.

“Yeah I have a big test tomorrow and I want to be well rested.” Web lied offering a small smile. He could never disrespect Dick and Lew, they were always so good to him.

“Well, goodluck.” Dick smiled.

“I’m gonna take Web home, I’ll be home before dad is done making dinner.” Lieb shrugged on his leather jacket, “I’ll be home before Dad is done making dinner.”

“Okay, drive safe.” Dick said, waving to the two as they walked out the front door.

Web could tell by the heavy steps Joe was taking he was still upset and was going to stay that way.

David got into the passenger's seat of Liebs clunky, old car. The car had held so many memories. It had belonged to his Bubbe before she passed and she had gifted it to him on his 16th birthday. Him and Web had shared many intimate moments in the car. Lots of ones with raw emotions and fighting words.

Web took in the familiar scent of weed and black ice air freshener as Joe put on a random playlist and shuffled it. There was a silence between them that Web wasn’t even sure if he considered awkward. It wasn’t awkward, it was the tension.

It was that feeling in your chest that hurts and it feels like there's an invisible string pulled tight between you and the other person's chest.

He rested his head back on the headrest and watched the houses as they passed them. The tension was thickening and Web was glancing over at Joe.

He was beginning to worry a bit, sometimes Joe had a hard time managing his emotions. He’d get pent up and explode or break down crying.

Yeah, he was still mad at Joe but he still cared about him.

Web watched as they drove past the Walmart and then drove into the tucked away area. Large houses, each of them different in some way. He hated everyone who lived in the neighborhood, they were all so flashy and judgmental.

Around the same familiar bend, the last house on the street. A larger one than around it, pulling into the long bricked driveway.

“Can we talk first?” Web broke the silence between the two. He looked down at his hands, his palms sweaty from nerves.

“Yeah?” Lieb shrugged, pausing his music and looking over at Web.

Web couldn’t bring himself to meet Liebs gaze but he could feel it.

“I’m not mad at you okay? I know how you get and I don’t want you thinking that I’m mad. I just need a little bit of space tonight to work on my essay.” Web had thought about what he was going to say the whole ride home.

“I know, I was thinking about it and I’m sorry.” Lieb let out a sigh. Web was a little confused, usually Joe would rather die on a hill than admit he was wrong.

“I just don’t want you to be upset because it makes me sad when you’re sad. I just need to focus. Thanks for the ride, I’ll take the bus in the morning.” Web looked up looking into those big, beautiful, brown eyes.

“I’ll be okay, Web. Just text me tomorrow when you’re ready to talk.” Lieb nodded and Web hugged him like he always did when he got dropped off somewhere.

“I love you,” Web murmured as he pulled out of the hug and pressed his lips into Liebs. He loved the feeling of Liebs slightly always chapped lips on his soft lip glossed ones.

Lieb pulled away gently, “Love you too.”

Web smiled at him and grabbed his bag waving to him as he shut the door and ran up the steps of the deck and put his keys in the door going in.

Then Lieb put the car in reverse and returned to his respected area.

[jmagnabo92]

The Best Present

The Full Fic for the Best Present - HSBonding Series Part 10.

AO3

***

Despite the initial uncertainty of everything, Sirius had determined that this would be the best Christmas ever.  He and Harry spent the better part of the next two days decorating the whole house, which had gotten everyone else involved, too.  

After the house was decorated, Sirius spent nearly every minute he could with Harry.  He taught him the wizarding Christmas songs (both to play on the piano and to be sung), told him about some of their traditions (like opening a present on Christmas Eve or playing the piano as it nears midnight), and eager to make the most of this time with him, he’d given him one of his Christmas presents early: A photo album.

The album had every picture that Sirius could scrounge up, which was a lot considering that he practically lived with James and Lily whenever he didn’t have an Order mission that took him away and included all of the letters he could find between the three of them (including the ones when they were in school and opting to leave out the ones that included any mentions of their sexual relationship – Harry didn’t need to see those).  They’d taken loads of pictures because they didn’t have much else to do, which means he’s very happy for now because it means he could delight Harry with the stories behind the pictures.  

Harry’s clearly thrilled getting every story he can behind each picture as they sit in the sitting room going over it and determinedly ignoring the Order members, who don’t seem happy about them spending time together.  Sirius doesn’t care about their opinions, so he just keeps going – smiling down at his kid and enjoying their first holiday together.

“Oh, is that me on a broom?” Harry asks as he flips to the next page, which shows Harry’s first birthday.  

“It is,” Sirius smiles, ignoring Molly about to give him bollocks for something he did fourteen years previously (especially when his kid’s other parents loved it).  “I bought you a child’s broom for your birthday, figured that you’d be the natural you obviously are – I sadly didn’t get to be there, but I had to get your favorite present.”

Harry laughs, “How’d you know it was my favorite?”

“Because I know my kid, but also, your mother wrote me this letter,” Sirius states, pointing at the next page.  “As much as I loved the letters, I thought you might enjoy them, too.  Ones that didn’t go with the photos are in another album.”  

Sirius had utterly spoiled Harry this holiday (with the sheer number of gifts he’d put together/bought for him), but given the hell he’s been through, he deserves a little spoiling.

Harry’s focused on reading the letter and doesn’t appear to hear him.  He traces the letter g in the letters, “She makes – made her g’s like mine.”

“Hmm-mm,” Sirius hums.  “You have many similarities to your mum, but you’re definitely your own person.”

He chuckles, quietly.  “She sounds like she truly loves you, too.  Not just dad.  Asking you to come visit and all because they miss you, telling you about how much she and I loved the baby broom, sending you the photo... it seems like she really cares for you.”

Sirius can tell that Harry’s obviously got questions but doesn’t want to come right out and ask.  He understands.

“She does – did,” Sirius states.  Somehow, he hasn’t touched on the friendship between him and Lily since first year because they spend most of their conversations talking about issues Harry’s facing at school.  He should really try to fit in more stories about James and Lily, obviously that is what Harry’s most interested in.   He smiles, “Lily and I had a unique friendship.  Everyone thought she just put up with me because of James, but I’d actually been friends with her first as we’d been sort of secret friends since first year…”

“Secret friends?” Harry questions, slightly teasing.  “How’s that work?”

Sirius clears his throat.  “Well, you know that my biological family wasn’t the greatest, they were real upset that I sorted into Gryffindor, and my brother, Regulus, had written to me about the disappointment I was – how I wasn’t his brother, not really.  And you know Petunia…”

“She did the same to mum?” Harry questions, looking upset, and he can see Molly opening her mouth to intervene so Sirius rushes to explain a bit.

“I don’t tell you this to upset you, I just wanted to explain the background of it.”

Harry nods.  “Of course.  I know that.  So…”

“So, anyway, it’s in the first few weeks of school, and I got the letter – your dad and I were always close – had gotten on together since we met on the train ride there –, but I wasn’t really ready to share it with him, what if he decided I wasn’t worth it?” Sirius questions and is dismayed when Harry nods in understanding.  “Well, anyway, I snuck downstairs to the common room to be alone and wallow a bit … and Lily was there, doing the same.”

“I guess she was afraid to tell anyone just yet?” Harry asks, knowingly.  “Being new to school and uncertain, like you.”

“Hmm-mm, your mother and I had a lot in common.”  Particularly their interest in a mate, Sirius thinks with a smile.  “She might’ve told her best friend if he wasn’t dismissive of muggles,” Sirius states, leaving out naming her best friend.  He didn’t want to get into the Snape of it all.  It would only make their animosity and his treatment of Harry worse.  Harry’s better off not knowing that Snape and Lily had been best friends for a time.  “But er, yeah, that was it.  We ended up talking about it – she’d been unsure because of the reputation of being a Black, but I assured her that I was always different.  So, eventually, we talked, and it helped.  Because of other factors, we decided that we wouldn’t talk about it outside of the nights we got together, which was about twice a week for the first couple of years of school.”

“So, you knew her as well as you did Dad?” Harry asks, curiously.  “How come you never mentioned it?”

“Oh, well, I haven’t had much time to really talk about your parents, but I like to think I knew them both very well – I spent just as much time with Lily as I did James,” Sirius smiles.  “We spent a lot of time together in those first few years talking about families and how hard things can be to be different from your family.  She struggled being in a world that she couldn’t even show her parents or sister and I struggled with all of their nasty beliefs.  None of it made sense to me.  We used our struggles to support one another.  She taught me all about the muggle world and I told her all about the wizarding world – things that many purebloods take advantage of knowing, but don’t worry about sharing with everyone else.”

“Things you’ll tell me?”

“Of course,” Sirius smiles.  “But back to your mother – you know she taught me how to drive?”

“No!  She did?  Will you teach me?” Harry questions, excitedly.  “I always wondered how you could’ve learned how to ride your motorbike.”

Sirius laughs, “Yeah, she did and yes, of course, someday I will – I always wanted the bike, I’d always been interested in muggle travel, sometimes it’s just better – there was just something freeing about riding a bike according to everything I’d seen – so, I was determined – I found a bike and I wanted it and er, your Potter grandparents wanted to buy it for me as an end of schooling present, but they didn’t want to buy it if I couldn’t actually use it.  Since they didn’t know how to drive, they had been spit balling ideas when Lily offered to teach me.  So, they gave it to me when we got home after we finished Hogwarts and told me that it came with a caveat that I didn’t drive it until Lily had deemed me competent enough to get a license and had taken me to get that license.”

Harry laughs, “How long did that take you?”

“Far too long for my liking – she kept telling me that I had to be absolutely perfect because of how easily the worst could happen – she was always particular about certain things, driving was one of them –, but eventually, she caved, and I got my license just before your parents married in December of ’79.  She was my first passenger on the bike.”

Sirius grins at the memory.  The two of them spent a lot of time working on teaching Sirius to drive and he loved every minute of it (especially because sometimes James was put out that neither of his partners – later, fiancées were spending that time with him).  

“Did I ever ride the bike?” Harry asks, eyes wide with wonder and curiosity.  

“You did.  Whenever you couldn’t sleep, we’d bundled you up and take you for a drive – eventually ending in the sky.  Seems that flying always helps relaxing you,” Sirius smiles.  He nudges Harry, and teases, “Explains your love for it – I remember when you told me it helped make your worries fly away, even against a dragon.”

“Yeah, I could’ve completely forgotten about the tournament or the dragon in that moment – it felt so great to fly.”  Harry smiles, wistfully.  “It felt so great – I should’ve done it without practice just to enjoy flying on my own.  It always feels so freeing especially the first time after spending so long…” he stops, and it’s clear that whatever he’s thinking of he doesn’t want to say out loud.

Given what he knows about Petunia, and the fact that Harry had plainly stated that the room that he lives in at the Dursleys is Dudley’s second bedroom, he’s sure that he doesn’t want to know lest he lose his control and goes to kill them.  

“Yeah, I had no idea with that gigantic letter you sent,” Sirius teases, trying to focus on the pleasant part of the discussion.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist,” Harry blushes.  “I just – I wanted you to be proud, but I – I wasn’t trying to make it that long…”

“I was proud, kid.”  Sirius laughs, “And I loved it – I wish you’d done the same with that first letter after you found out about the tournament, maybe then you wouldn’t have spent an hour practically ranting that night I stuck my head in the fire to check on you – not that I minded.  I love you a lot and I’d gladly read any length of letter you’d like to send me or listen to you rant for as long as you need me to.  Unfortunately, right now, we can’t, but I did enjoy it, even if I had seen it for myself.”

“You – you what?  You didn’t tell me that,” Harry states, surprised.  “You were there?  You could have – I could have talked to you – I could have –”

There’re so many things that they could’ve done had Harry known that Sirius had been on the grounds, but Sirius had very valid concerns regarding Harry’s reaction to Sirius’ presence during the tasks given that letter that he received when he told him that he was headed North immediately.  Harry would’ve freaked out and demanded that Sirius leave.

“Well, your immediate reaction when I told you that I was heading back was to try and tell me (which failed because I know my kid) that you imagined your scar hurting and that I shouldn’t waste my time coming back,” Sirius states, giving Harry a look.  “I wasn’t about to worry you any more than you already were.”

His kid looks embarrassed, “I didn’t want to lose you.  You could’ve been caught, and it would’ve been my fault.”

“It would not have been your fault – it would’ve been mine – it was a calculated risk, and I took it,” Sirius states, sternly.  “Still, you were so worried when I appeared in the fire that I didn’t want to worry you more by telling you that I was actually on the grounds watching.  As much as I was dying to talk to you about it, I just – I thought it was better that you weren’t any more worried about me than you already were.  You had much bigger concerns to be focused on.”

“I could’ve gotten over it,” Harry counters, still clearly upset.  “It would’ve been nice to have support from an adult that didn’t think I cheated my way into the tournament.”

Sirius nods, “I know – and I battled back and forth with telling you…”

“But you didn’t,” Harry states.  Then frowns, “Why did you risk it?  It’s one thing to be in that cave in Hogsmeade, it’s another to be on the grounds with all those Ministry officials…”

“Like I said – I weighed the odds on the risk.  It was worth it.”

“If something had happened…”

“You didn’t think I’d wait for a letter to determine that you were safe, did you?” Sirius questions.  The idea absurd to him.  “I just couldn’t wait and wonder – I had to be there.  I would’ve gone crazy…”

“Would have?” Harry teases, evidently not as upset that Sirius was on the grounds to support him for the tasks.  Maybe he figures it doesn’t matter now since Sirius evidently made it work and wasn’t caught.

“Oi!”

“Just kidding,” Harry grins.  “It is kind of nice thinking about you being there for me.  Since you’re the only adult that tried to help me – the only one that believed me and supported me.”  Harry’s so focused on him that he doesn’t notice the looks the adults in the room are giving him.  Guilty looks.  Apparently, they’re only just now realizing how badly they screwed up regarding the tournament.  “I kind of wish that I’d known, but I get it – I likely would’ve spent the time worrying about you instead of focusing on what I had to do.  Were you there for all of them?”

“Of course.  Like I said, I wasn’t going to wait for a letter – the others would’ve been dreadfully boring if I wasn’t completely stressing about you making it through them safely,” Sirius states.  Those tasks had been awful days, worrying about Harry’s potentially deadly task and hoping he’d survive.  “Especially that second one – first, you were nearly late, you looked like a right mess and then you were down there for so long – I didn’t know if you could swim – I thought you drowned –”

Harry flushes, again.  “I shouldn’t have taken the clue seriously, but I was already forced into a deadly competition and with – well, it’s just, I don’t exactly –” trust the adults to keep things safe.  He doesn’t say the words but given the stories this year of Hogwarts that he’s told Sirius, he completely understands.  

“Yeah, well, I think it made sense.  If it’d been anyone else in that situation where they had their two best friends and the girl who’d be their girlfriend as underwater hostages and being held back, exhausted in a deadly tournament – I’m not surprised that you believed it.  Anyone in your position would have.  Besides, it was a deadly, adult tournament that you didn’t want to be in that was once ended due to the death toll that got too high.  It’s only logical that the stakes were real.”  

He’s relieved by Harry’s slight smile.  It tells him that Harry seems to feel better about his ‘being a prat’ thanks to Sirius’ words.  A quick glance around could see Hermione and Ron looking guilty for their comments that lead to Harry believe he’d been a stupid prat for believing the egg clue.  “Besides, you weren’t even the only one to believe it – Fleur clearly believed it, too.  As did most of the audience.”  

He leaves out that Percy as a judge had clearly believed it judging by his wading into the water to help Ron and clears his throat.

“Still, I was relieved when you resurfaced,” he finishes turning back to Harry.  “And I was proud of you for what you did.  It shows a lot about you that you didn’t just take your hostage and leave when the other two that made it to the hostages just cared about their own despite seeing you literally held back for trying to rescue more than just yours.”  He could see the frown at the slight dig at Krum and Cedric and says, “Anyway, you made it through, and I could’ve honestly gone running into the lake the way – someone else did – if I wasn’t worried about being caught.”  

Sirius gives him a little side hug, and he can see the effect of his words on Harry.  He looks like he feels a thousand percent better about the situation.

“Yeah, I was just glad it was over, I didn’t really want to win just wanted to show up the arses that gave me such utter bollocks before the first task,” Harry sighs.  

“Well, you certainly did,” Sirius says, smiling.  

“You know, far too late for it to work, I considered asking you for advice on becoming an Animagus so I could be a frog or something…” Harry jokes.

Sirius laughs, “I don’t think you would’ve had time, and I doubt you’d be a frog…”

“I know, obviously.  Besides, I don’t think being a frog would’ve helped me get Ron and Fleur’s sister out of the lake.”

“That’s also true, but I also think you have no chance of being a frog,” Sirius states.

“Oh?  Why not?” Harry asks, curiously.  “Is that not an option?”

“Any animal is an option,” Sirius offers.  Then he flips a few pages to the photos that Lily and James had taken of baby Harry playing on Padfoot and turning into a mini-Padfoot.  “But I’m partial to thinking that you’d be a little bit more like this.”

Harry looks down at the page with wide eyes, “I – is that really me?”

“Of course it is,” Sirius laughs.  “Who else would it be?”

Harry rolls his eyes at his little joke.

“How’d I even do that?” Harry questions, surprised, taking in the photos.  

“We don’t know, but it happened almost every time that I played with you like that, which was often to say the least,” Sirius smiles.  He always loved that his kid became a mini-padfoot over a mini-prongs, but he also loved that Harry always wanted to play with him, too.   “Once you started talking whenever you’d see me, you’d yell ‘Pa’foo, Puppy!’ because you always wanted to play with me as Padfoot.”  Harry laughs and Sirius continues, “Your dad freaked out pretty regularly about it, but managed to figure out how to fix you pretty quickly after the first time, so Lily and I were only freaked out the first time… James… well, as I said… he tended to be the worrier.”

Harry looks up at him a little in awe, “Exactly how many times did I spontaneously turn into a mini-Padfoot?”

Sirius laughs, “We lost count, but enough that we gave you a name.”

“You didn’t!”

“We did – ironically it’s the one I gave you to call me last year instead of Padfoot.”  At Harry’s incredulous look, he adds, “What?  You didn’t think I’d actually give myself a name like that, it’s rather embarrassing – it fit baby/puppy you a lot better.”

Harry’s laughing, “I can’t believe that you gave me that name – it’s like … so embarrassing.”

“You were a baby, you couldn’t be embarrassed, besides it’s a parents’ job to embarrass you.”

“Yeah, okay.  Sure, it is,” Harry says, rolling his eyes.  “So, does this mean I’d be like Padfoot if I tried?”

Sirius smiles, “As much as I’d love that, I don’t know.  There’s every chance that you’d be like Prongs given your patronus, and there’s no studies on a baby doing it and then, again, later in life.  We always thought you were just trying to mimic me rather than be a dog yourself.  As a baby, you didn’t exactly have much of a personality.”

“Hmm-mm, I think I’d like to be more like Padfoot than Prongs, ‘cause dogs are easier to pretend to be strays like you do – there’s no stray deer running around,” Harry offers.

“No, there definitely aren’t, and I do like my form for that reason.  Easy to hide and be … I don’t know, playful, I guess.  You loved playing with me whenever you could, whether it was fetch, or climbing all over me…”

Harry smiles, “Did I ever play with dad like that?”

“Well, we tried, but Prongs is much bigger and has pointy antlers, so it wasn’t safe for a baby to be around and you much preferred doggy time anyway,” Sirius teases.  “At first, your dad was a bit jealous about it – wishing that you wanted to be like him or could play with Prongs like you could with Padfoot, but then he realized the benefits…” like not having to do it all the time and getting to laugh at Sirius’ predicament.

“Like not being exhausted after having to play with me?” Harry asks, flipping through several pages of he and Sirius as Padfoot clearly playing together while James and Lily laugh from the couch.  They had taken turns with the camera and every so often appeared in photos with the two of them.  He stops at the photo of Padfoot and Snuffles curled up together.  “I appear to have tired you out a lot.”

Sirius laughs, “Yeah, it was exhausting, but worth it.  Hearing baby you cheer for your favorite puppy always brought a smile to our faces.”

Harry smiles, “Guess I did that a lot, huh?”

“You did.  There weren’t many options to entertain you stuck in the house, so that and the broom were your favorites.”

Harry’s quiet for a few minutes, flipping through the album, which had started at the latest pictures and went backward in time.  He stops when he sees a photo of James with antlers.  “Er, what’s this?”

“That is what happens when you aren’t focused enough on the transformation,” Sirius laughs at the memory. James with antlers – playing games and pretending it was a prank gone wrong.  It was worth the detention just as long as they weren’t found out.  “James had been trying to transform and we were still quite new to it.  He got distracted and couldn’t figure out a way to either become Prongs or lose the antlers.”

“So, what happened?”

“Well, we finally figured out how to fix it about three weeks later.  In the meantime, we – er – lied and told everyone I hexed him to be like a reindeer for the holidays and couldn’t figure out the counter curse.”

Harry stifles a laugh, “He walked around school with antlers for three weeks?”

“He did – he had no other choice.  We made a joke out of it – in fact, we started a game where people would throw rings on him trying to get them on his antlers, unfortunately, he got hit in the face a lot, which was funny to the rest of us.  Not to say that we didn’t spend every possible minute trying to fix him, it just – we made the most out of it.  At least it was the only time it happened to him, he didn’t laugh much, but he thought it was a lot funnier when it happened to me.”  Sirius points to the next page where he’s got dog ears and a tail.  “Mine was easier to hide, but definitely just as embarrassing with all of the dog jokes that followed me around.”

Harry laughs, “I bet it was easier to sleep with a tail and ears than antlers.”

“I’ll give you that – it was a lot easier on me than him.  Still, it reminded us that we were messing around with things we shouldn’t have – so even if you had asked, I would’ve said no.”

Sirius is mildly nervous about Harry’s response to this given that it’s the first time he’s ever told Harry couldn’t have something that he wants, aside from the incident with coming to Grimmauld Place for the holidays.  

Harry frowns, “But I could’ve had guidance from you.”

“Yes, but you’re much too young – we got lucky that we managed to fix it.”

“You were the same age and – and you could fix me if I tried…” Harry continues to argue.  He’d be making good points if it wasn’t for the fact that Sirius knows how dangerous it is and that they had all agreed to making Harry wait until he’s of age.  He wouldn’t go back on what all of his parents had agreed on.

Sirius gives him a look.  “You’re not allowed to even try until you’re of age.”

“What?!” Harry asks, clearly angry.  “But you just said that you could help me.”

“Except that I can’t help you from here and it’s better to wait.”

“But I – I practically did it as a baby.”

“Yes, you did, and we’re terribly happy about that.”

“But you said…”

“Harry, kid, listen to me,” Sirius states, giving him a stern look.  “It’s not that I’m worried that you won’t be able to do it.  It’s just that even with spontaneous animal transfiguration as a baby, which yes, James was able to fix, we discussed it then, and agreed that we wouldn’t allow you to attempt the transformation before you’re seventeen.  We got lucky that it worked out, but I’m not risking something happening to you for no reason, not after everything you’ve been through.  You can attempt to do it when you became an adult – it’s only a year and a half.  I’m sure you can wait.”

Harry sighs, clearly still upset, “Fine.”

Sirius sighs, “I didn’t even realize you wanted to learn.”

“Well, I just – you and dad could do it; I didn’t see any reason I couldn’t try, especially given …” he flips through the pages to him as Snuffles.  “… this.”

Sirius nods, “I understand.  I just… we already agreed, it’ll just have to wait.”

“I guess,” Harry shrugs, clearly disappointed.  

Had he been planning to ask Sirius to teach him over the break?  Sirius wonders.  Not that it matters, he would follow their wishes and postpone any Animagus training until Harry’s of age.  Maybe he could make him feel better by at least giving Harry their Animagus journals.

“I will, however, give you these –” he pulls out some journals that he and James had written in that discussed the transformation and the process to finding their inner animals.  “– if you promise to wait until you’re of age to attempt it.”

Harry lights up at something from his dad, “Yeah, I promise.  I won’t attempt it without you.”

“Good, kid.  Then they are yours.”

Harry smiles, accepting them.  “You know, these are probably my favorite presents I’ve ever gotten.  They’re the best – the photos, the letters, the journals, the stories, the room… I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Well, lucky for you, you don’t have to worry about that because I’m not going anywhere,” Sirius smiles, ruffling his hair.

“Good.”

***

They had continued to talk when some of the other kids had expressed interest in reading the letters and stuff, it was clear that it made Harry uncomfortable to have his privacy invaded.  Most likely because he rarely ever gets personal items from his parents.  Given what he knows about Harry’s recent privacy issues, Sirius decides to give Harry the privacy he wants and needs by going to Harry’s new room.

“Why don’t you go upstairs to the privacy of your room, and I’ll bring us up some hot chocolate?” he offers since Harry’s new bedroom is on Sirius’ floor and no one could get up there without the express permission of either Harry or Sirius.

Harry looks grateful, nods, and takes his things upstairs, while Sirius goes down to the kitchen.  He begins making the hot chocolate but doesn’t fail to notice that he was followed into the kitchen by Molly.  He chooses to ignore her, but he knows that it won’t last forever as eventually he’ll have to turn around to take the hot chocolate upstairs.  

“I’m sorry,” she says, jarring his attention to her.  

“For what?” Sirius questions, although he could think of many reasons that Molly should be sorry for regarding him.  She had already apologized for some things, and he had, too, but there were others.

“For not realizing all of what you’d done for Harry last year,” Molly states.  “For not realizing that you know a lot more about Harry than I do – that you are parent material for him.”

“I see – well, you’re not the only one, so it’s okay.”  

Of course, it’s not okay, not to him, not to Harry, but there was nothing that he could do about it.  He had no choice but to accept the apology, just like he’d done when the twins offered their half-arsed apologies.  He’d told them that they owed Harry an apology more than him, and at least, according to Remus, they had followed through with it.

“It’s not – it’s not okay,” Molly offers.  “I – I tried to take away your kid and that’s not okay.  Harry is yours and I shouldn’t have overstepped.”

Sirius turns to look at her, and seeing that she’s genuine, says, “Thank you, I appreciate that.  Harry has been my kid since before he was born, and it’s nice for someone else to realize that.”

“I just – I care about him, too.”

“I know, and I appreciate that, really, I do.  He told me about the jumpers and fruit cake, and that’s nice and all.  It’s just not the same as actually being his parent – which is okay, you’ve got enough kids to worry about,” Sirius offers.  

“And I should let Harry be yours,” Molly finishes for him.  “That’s fair.  Still, I just – came to say that and that I’m sorry I wasn’t there for Harry last year.  I’m sorry that I believed that he chose to be in the tournament.  I’m sorry that I didn’t fight with Charlie or Arthur to tell him about the dragons.  I’m sorry that I didn’t write to him, that I only showed up before the third task because of Dumbledore… I’m just I’m sorry.  I haven’t been any better this year and I am sorry for that, too.”

“Thank you.  I am sure he’ll appreciate that; I’ll be sure to tell him.”  He smiles.  “And I want you to know that neither of us would ever expect you to be there for him, and it’s okay, if you do want to try to support him – I won’t stop you, but I would appreciate the support here.  If you really mean that – it’d be nice to have some support.”

He’s not expecting anything from her, but he hopes that slowly, his voice will start to get heard.  

Molly nods, “I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you.”  He grabs the hot chocolate now separated into two mugs.  “I’ll be going upstairs with my kid now, feel free to let me know if you all need anything and if you need to be with Arthur, I can happily take care of the kids.”

Molly smiles, “Thank you.”

As he walks away, all he could think was that it was a nice present for at least someone to realize that he is Harry’s parent, and they shouldn’t be stepping on his toes.  For it to be Molly?  That was the best present of all.

[wegingerangelica]

It's been a hell of a year for you, darling! So, please answer any or all of the following, if you would?

End of the year Asks

Song of the year?

Album of the year?

Favorite musical artist / group you started listening to this year?

Movie of the year?

TV show of the year?

Episode of tv or webisode that defined the year for you?

Favorite actor of the year?

Game of the year?

Best month for you this year?

Something that made you cry this year?

Something you want to do again next year?

Talk about a new friend you made this year

How was your birthday this year?

Favorite book you read this year?

What’s a bad habit you picked up this year?

Post a picture from the beginning of the year

Post a picture from the end of the year

A memorable meal this year?

What’re you excited about for next year?

What’s something you learned this year?

What’s something new about your place of residence (room, home, or general location) now vs the start of the year?

Favorite place you visited this year?

If you could send a message to yourself back on the first day of the year, what would it be?

Did you keep any New Year’s Resolutions?

Did you create any characters (in games, art, or writing) this year? Describe one

Thank you, lovely Caffiend!

Song- Face It Alone by Queen. Bringing our beloved Freddie Mercury back to us one more time.

Album- Queen's re-released The Miracle Collector's Edition that my hubby gave me for my birthday.

Elley Duhe

Jurassic Park World Dominion

The Essex Serpent

I saw a 3D picture of The Twin Towers at GROUND ZERO. I thought to myself, "this sums it up."

Tom Hiddleston- Favorite actor of every year!

Game of 2022- Survival of the fittest.

None.

The Insurrection at our Capitol. War on Ukraine. My church Elder died. My Dad died. My Mom doesn't know who I am, etc...

Nothing from this year, but I would like to see Colorado Springs again.

I met a wonderful lady at church. She talked of all the states she's lived in and how her family is spread out all over the eastern US. She told me about her baking and the fruit cake she made for Christmas. After she and her husband left (we were at potluck), she returned to the bottom of the stairs, motioned for my husband to come over, (I did not see her), then she handed him her last homemade fruit cake and said, "Merry Christmas".

My husband showered me with gifts! The best one was The Miracle Collector's Edition.

I read The Night Manager Saga and I Love the Way You Lie again. Wonderful way to put all the turmoil out of your mind! I have been reading a lot of Loki fanfiction.

I am swearing like a sailor! I am truly trying to stop.

I will try at the end.

Ditto.

Thanksgiving when my kids were together with us.

World Peace! People getting along!

The eye opener for me was how hateful, cruel and harmful that some people are in this country.

We have a pug family!!! Our kids are all gone so we now have another family to love and care for! Max the dad, Angel the mom, Lilly Belle and Lila Mae the children, and JackJack the grandpa.

My sister in Lincoln, Ne.

Fence in the yard!!!

No.

Yes. A perfect mate for Loki to drive him crazy and delight the reader. She struggles with 3 personalities and has yet to learn her abilities.

[mcnobi]

Send this to people you'd like to know better.

thank you lovely @lowkeyanakin for tagging me. and i'm also sorry to everyone because I can't be concise even if you paid me.

What book are you currently reading? I haven't picked up my kindle in an age but last time I read it was Critical by Matt Morgan, who is an Intensive Care Doctor, talking about some of his experiences, particularly through Covid. Going to try and read a couple of new things over the Christmas break.

What’s your favorite movie you saw in theaters this year? To be fair it was the ONLY film I saw in the cinema this year, but it was Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio. I love that tiny blue cricket and I don't care who knows it.

What do you usually wear? At the moment it switches between midi dresses and ankle boots or trainers, or leggings and big slouchy tops with ankle boots or trainers. I almost always have a scarf on from about October to March. (Can you tell it's -3 here and that's all I'm preoccupied with?)

How tall are you? Small enough that I had to stand on a pallet when I had to be on camera for some filming a couple of weeks ago. Rude.

What’s your Star Sign? Do you share a birthday with a celebrity or a historical event? I'm a gemini and I fit it right down to the ground. One of the most famous people I share my birthday with is now a notorious anti-semite unfortunately so I'm going to go with Tim Berners Lee instead.

Do you go by your name or a nick-name? Usually my name IRL but I have a ton of nicknames, some of which have absolutely no relation to my actual name. I get cas, cassiopeia, casserole from the online besties. My old work pals call me johnson (which is not my surname and isn't even close but it's a long story) but usually it's case if it's a RL pal, or sweetpea if it's my dad.

Did you grow up to become what you wanted to be when you were a child? I don't know, because I flitted between ideas for a long time. I wanted to be a magazine editor for a time when I was about 8, and did work in magazine publishing for a couple of years, but really when I was a teenager, I wanted to be a doctor in emergency medicine. I wanted to be a cinematographer during university, but I ended up in marketing and comms instead, like most humanities grads.

Are you in a relationship? If not, who is your crush if you have one? Single and 100% good with it. There's this fit Scottish guy though who keeps making films about these wars in space, I don't know if you've heard of them or anything....?

What’s something you’re good at vs. something you’re bad at? I never know what to say for these things. I know I'm very thoughtful, and I put a lot of thought into my friendships, and my gifts, and my work, because that's just how I'm made. I'm terrible at asking for help, because the fear of burdening people is embedded deep down in me. Even though I would never ever see anyone else as a burden, ever. It's weird how it works.

Dogs or cats? CATS ALL DAY EVERY DAY.

If you draw/write, or create in any way, what’s your favorite picture/favorite line/favorite etc. from something you created this year?  I thought I'd written something this year but it was actually LAST YEAR. Good god. However I did do a couple of little crappy sketches a couple of weeks ago (the drawing was crappy, not the content) of @thetorontokid and @weaponizedwit's beautiful little cats which I quite liked doing.

What’s something you would like to create content for? I'd literally like to create content for ANYTHING at the moment. My brain is a bit atrophied from constantly creating work content but never fun fandom stuff. I'd like to try and write some fic soon, and do more art too.

What’s something you’re currently obsessed with? Ewan Gordon McGregor.

What’s something you were excited about that turned out to be disappointing this year? This is going to be a controversial one for some so I'm going to be very specific; Obi Wan Kenobi's WRITING. All the right parts were in play, but it never felt like the writing ever went below a shallow glance over the story. And the acting was so great and deserved so much better. So yeah, Joby Harold - do better, you prick.

What’s a hidden talent of yours? Again, I have no idea what to put for these things. I don't know that I even have any talents!

Are you religious? No.

What’s something you wish to have at this moment? For one of my best pals, who is currently in labour, to have her baby safely and without any drama. Beyond that, I'd like to be able to hang out with my gremlin pals without an ocean in the way. Otherwise, I'm all good.

I'm never on here much now (I know I know I'm sorry) so I don't know who has already done this - so I'm just going to tag the gremlins @thetorontokid and @weaponizedwit and lovely brit @obiknights

[thespaceace124]

I got broken up with recently and I'm feeling messy so we're going to compare how I drove 8 hours to visit my girlfriend in college 6 times in the span we were dating (including her final return trip where all of their shit was in my car) and she went to another country and all she brought me was a jar of fucking sand. And not like, a nice jar of sand. It's a sample tube that has the name of the country written on the top. Is it possible for this to be a nice and thoughtful gift? Yes. However here are some circumstances. (picture at the end)

I was super sick the week they went. So, some extra consideration would have been nice

They got herself a very nice bag and 1 o r 2 other items

She waited 2 months to even tell me they got me a gift.

Between the trip and when I received the gift, I got into a major car accident that totaled my car and has left emotional scars I am still dealing with

I do not collect sand, or other items like sand. On occasion I will pick up a Cool Rock™

I take pride in getting gifts that are thoughtful and relevant to a person's interests. For their college graduation I got them an American girl doll (one that she had been expressing interest in) but because I also wanted to make sure the gift was good, I also found some Taylor Swift merch and bought it in 2 colors to cover my bases. This is all in addition to the cost of me traveling 8 HOURS by myself a month and a half after getting into my car accident and the emotional work of DRIVING FOR 8 FUCKING HOURS BY MYSELF with car trauma.

But I got a jar of sand. Not to mention this was right before my birthday but I knew that this was going to be a weekend about her so I put my feelings aside and graciously accepted this jar of sand. And I'm regretting it because I... A jar of sand?

This is on top of the fact that the previous summer, they had decided to stay up at the college. Fine, cool, stay there enjoy the vibes do you. I had to BEG her to visit me, one time. Beg! Because they couldn't drive and "didn't want to inconvenience anyone" and then after I said 'please plan for and get yourself down here for one week at some point during the entire summer' she tried to guilt me into changing the dates (the ones they decided) after I had gotten my pto approved and then was mad when I wasn't willing to do that, then shamed me for being upset that during I this week I had to BEG for that they were all moody about not spending enough time with her dad.

Like... Ok, you want to see your family cool I get that, but would you have come down if I hadn't begged you to?

Idk. I'm processing a lot of things and realizing that for a long time I was prioritizing them but she wasn't prioritizing me and how much of that I excused with "oh theyre in college" and "oh they don't make the same kind of money that I do" and how when we were together when I was visiting it was awesome but how when they moved back something was different.

I dont want to make this seem like I only care about gifts but they kinda highlight a bigger issue. Some other imbalances:

Outside of the college travel, I was the primary driver. She lives 20 minutes across town and so we either had to spend time at her house OR I had to make a 40 minute round trip to get us to my place. Their mom gave me gas money once or twice but this was not a regular occurrence and she wasn't giving me any.

All of the push for intimacy was from me because they asked for more. I was trying the whole time but it was NEVER reciprocal. I would try to cuddle, put my arm around them, on valentines day I really tried to dress sexy for her (a huge thing for me is that I am asexual and have 0 interest in sex) and after being asked for more I gave her a foot massage because I thought it was an easy, non-sexual way to get used to more touching. They couldn't even undress in front of me.

I was told that the way I text tends to shut down conversation so I varied it up. The biggest complaint is that I wouldn't ask questions in return like if they asked how I was, I was really bad about asking how she was. So I made a conscious effort to start texting first, to make sure I was returning questions and to make sure I was checking in throughout the day. Sending work anecdotes, pictures of random stuff, videos about things they were interested in and... Nothing. I didn't get the same consideration in return.

So again, the jar of sand is emblematic of the fact that I got very little consideration, particularly from March to September of this year.

I'm... Tired. I was really trying. This was only my second serious relationship and my first physical one (my previous long term relationship was online with someone I am still friends with) and I'm breaking a lot of things down I think. It also doesn't help that after processing the breakup for a week I sent a message saying essentially 'hey, just recognizing that you've been shitty isn't enough and until you can apologize and support me how I supported you we won't be talking" and I still haven't received an apology is immensely frustrating especially after she said "I want to stay friends because you are my best friend" like mm. Girly you haven't texted me since the end of September. You didn't respond to me when I told you I made it home. (after I drove us to dinner, my house then back to her house) and you want to stay friends? Where is the effort from you? Hmm? The only time you said "oh I want to take you to dinner" is the night you broke up with me!

So that's it, that's the post.