#i'm gonna take my perseverance and the fact that i finished it on the same day

[ofmdee]

finished them!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so relieved that this is done! i'm not totally satisfied with it, some of the colors kinda bled together, and stede's face is weirdly shaded, but i do think i used the wrong color in one place WOOPS

but anyway. it is them! i still have to seal and then frame it, but. it will fit right in in my lounge area~

[rosietrace]

Melodic Misconceptions 🎹

Track 06: Ellis

Synopsis: Victoria Shard was a former member of the popular idol group [ Poisoner ] from NRC corporations. After discourse with her group leader, Victoria decided it was best for her to leave and pursue her solo career in a record label run by her parents.

It had been half a year since her separation from her old group, and Victoria had never been more successful. But now she has a new problem. She must return to NRC corporations in order to mentor the seven idol groups.

Ellis Clawthorne is a member of [ (Co)-connect ] the most recent group under NRC'S belt. With no experience as an idol, Ellis must persevere in order to succeed and pursue her dreams.

Will both girls be able to adapt to their current situations?

✐ ✎_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_✐ ✎

Author's note: That's a wrap for the first 6 tracks y'all! I'm actually really happy that this is the last piece of writing I'm gonna post for this AU for 2022, since I've grown really attached to this AU ^^

This AU means a lot to me because of how enjoyable it is to write for, plus the fact that it brings me and my fellow creators together for the endless possibilities this AU can bring XD really excited for the future content I'm gonna make for this AU in 2023

As for this track specifically, I'd like for my fellow content creators of this AU to write their thoughts about this track specifically, since it's basically the starting point for newer content for this AU ^^

I'm sorry if this track didn't reach expectations, but it was definitely fun to write for ❤️ happy new years everyone

──ㅇ─────↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺───ㅇ────

As soon as Ellis woke up and realized that her ankle was fully healed, she ran straight to the bathroom to shower.

The shower was relieving, but also frantic. She left as quickly as she came in, storming into her closet to put on some clothes.

I should wear something comfortable, it's not like I'm gonna meet Victoria as soon as I walk out… Ellis thought, putting on a tank top and pajama pants with strawberry patterning.

She smiled while looking at her reflection. It was comfortable, but also a tiny bit fashionable. Quickly taking out her phone, Ellis snapped a couple of pictures to post for funsies.

After posting, she surprisingly walked out of her room at the same time Yuuta walked out of his. Ellis looked at him, a tiny bit confused.

"Why are you wearing that?"

"We're gonna discuss with one of [ H & R ]'s members for a collaboration, I might as well look good."

"Eh- Should I change?"

"No need, we're gonna discuss it in the afternoon anyway. We've got a lot of time until then." When Yuuta eventually turned to face Ellis, he scrunched his nose.

"Why the hell are you wearing that?" Ellis left her mouth agape at his words, feeling offended.

"What's wrong with these?"

"Everything?"

"Hey! It's not like I'm gonna encounter Victoria at this hour!" Yuuta sighed and gently pinched her cheek, which made Ellis swat his hand away.

"Pffft- What?" Ellis squinted her eyes and sighed, walking to the living room alongside Yuuta.

"Nevermind…" she muttered, opening the living room door and walking to the kitchen to make some coffee for her and Yuuta.

Completely unaware of who's also in the room.

Although Ellis was unaware, Juvia, Yuuta, and Chizuko knew. The fact that she didn't even notice Victoria in the room was hysterical for Yuuta in particular.

Once the coffee had been finished, Ellis put them on two saucers. One had a pink ribbon with hearts while the other had a purple crown.

Setting down the two saucers of coffee on the table, Ellis was oblivious to the fact that she happened to sit next to Victoria. And the glance the latter sent her made Yuuta resist the urge to cackle on the spot.

Juvia held back a snort."Um…. Morning, Ellis." She laughed awkwardly, making Ellis a little skeptical.

"Morning Juvia. Uh…. What's wrong? You look a little more awkward than usual." Chizuko looked to the side awkwardly, a glint of amusement in her eyes while Juvia continued to give Ellis a couple of signals about who she was sitting next to.

Which Ellis did not catch in the slightest.

"Anyway…. Morning Chizuko, forgot to give you a good morning so good morning Yuuta, good morning Victoria-"

And boom, silence ensued as Ellis whipped her head to the girl next to her. Her idol. The one she was most excited to meet.

Victoria. Shard.

Ellis felt her jaw drop."V-VICTORIA?" She exclaimed, backing away a bit instinctively. Victoria raised her eyebrows in slight surprise before her poker face properly returned.

"Good morning. You must be Ellis Cawthorne, it's nice to see that your ankle is fully healed." Victoria smiled tenderly, which made Ellis freak out even more.

But honestly, can you blame her? If your idol smiled at you and happened to sit next to you, you'd probably do the same thing-

Ellis was too stunned to even speak. She just looked at Victoria with saucers for eyes.

Eventually, she took a couple of breaths, trying to calm herself down. Ellis stood up, a calm look in her eyes.

…. And she bolted out of the living room.

And that was enough for Yuuta to fall to the floor and start wheezing. Victoria couldn't help but laugh with him, feeling amused with what Ellis did.

Soon, Mayuu, Miren, and Carol entered the room to find Yuuta and Victoria of all people laughing.

Mayuu's eyes narrowed."I don't even wanna know…" she groaned, walking to the kitchen with Miren to make breakfast for everyone. Naturally, Miren narrowly avoided being in the same proximity as Victoria.

Carol walked to Yuuta and patted him on the back."Let it all out…" she said with an exasperated tone.

As for Victoria, she began pondering about Ellis.

Hopefully, I didn't scare her off…

──ㅇ─────↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺───ㅇ────

"HURRY UP, I'M GONNA BE LATE!"

"WOULD YOU CALM DOWN? WE'RE NOT GONNA BE LATE!"

"YEAH BUT I WANNA SEE VICTORIA AND APOLOGIZE!"

Yuuta groaned, trying to keep up with Ellis while she was frantically running around the corporation to try and look for the recording studio everyone else was in.

"Just- Just hurry!" Exasperated by his struggle to keep up with her, Ellis grabbed Yuuta by the arm and essentially dragged him into each recording studio until they found the right one.

By the time they entered the right recording studio, the discussion was already in motion.

Carol sighed heavily."You two are late… For the most part." She commented, massaging the bridge of her nose in annoyance.

Yuuta was panting, trying to play it cool and act as if he wasn't a sweating mess wearing practically the most suggestive clothing in the room.

Freyah stood up and rushed to their sides."Are you two okay?" She asked worriedly, and Ellis laughed nervously, realizing Victoria was also in the room.

"Yup… We're fine, Freyah." Ellis assured, holding onto Yuuta as they both stood up, using each other as support. After doing so, Freyah carefully guided them to their seats so they could continue discussing with each other.

Freyah stood at the far end of the long table, and cleared her throat.``Anyway… As I was saying, I officially have the approval after convincing the company! Now, we'll be able to sing and perform 'Nxde'." She exclaimed.

"Ohhh, smart move on naming the song that way. It'll prevent groomers from searching for child pornography." Nyx, a soloist from the Octavinelle division, added.

Victoria smiled."It was my idea after Freyah talked with me about a song concept." Freyah blushed and smiled bashfully, making Juvia giggle.

"I think it's a good idea! It's an interesting way of showing female empowerment!" Juvia exclaimed, elevating the mood in case there was any tension in the air.

Zen hummed in perplexity."If the song's about female empowerment, why are Yuuta and Miren here?" He asked.

Carol smirked."Yuuta's got the hips to pass as a woman." She chimed in but frowned when Yuuta smiled proudly at her statement.

Chizuko hummed."I wonder about that as well. Hmm…" she pondered, making Miren chuckle awkwardly.

"Yeah…. Mind explaining that for us, Freyah?" Miren requested, making Freyah grin.

"I'd love to!" She and Ellis giggle in unison as she clasped her hands together and was given paperwork from Mayuu.

"To give the boys their moment to shine, I'm letting them have their mini performance as a bonus after our first performance of 'Nxde' in front of a live audience," Freyah explained.

Mayuu nodded discreetly."Yes, we've discussed things with the head director and we've been permitted Yuuta and Miren to perform whatever they want after your first live performance of the song." She repeated what Freyah said in more innate detail.

Miren gulped, and Yuuta grinned mischievously."Anything?" Miren questioned, already knowing Yuuta's gonna cause some sort of trouble.

Ellis glanced at Miren and laughed a bit." I'm sure Yuuta's not gonna do anything weird, Miren…" her sentence trailed off as she stole a glance at Yuuta, whose grin remained.

A bead of sweat fell down her face, an awkward smile forming.

".... I hope."

──ㅇ─────↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺───ㅇ────

Tagging:

@starry-night-rose @nem0-nee @authoruio @windbornearchon @fumikomiyasaki @sakuramidnight15 @geminiiviolets @twsted-princess @crazyyanderefangirlfan @knights-escort

( Happy new years ❤️ )

[theluxuriansecret]

04062023

2:14 pm

I honestly have so much anxiety right now and I'm not sure if that has anything to do with all the coffee that I've drank today. I have so much work to do, I need to apply to my internships tomorrow, I need to finish a case analysis study tonight. I have a lot going on. But I think I more so have anxiety because of the guy I'm dating.

The last two nights he's kinda been distant idk. Like, the night before last he said he would take a nap around 5 and then I didn't hear from him until the next day. And then yesterday he called me 11:30 and I asked him if he wanted to shower with me (watch me shower otp) and he said yes.. and then two minutes later was like I'm gonna go to bed. I want to attribute it with the fact that he was high, but at the same time I don't like any of this or how it's making me feel. I need to be told, "i'm busy" or "i'm going to be busy" i need that type of reassurance and I feel like I have already communicated that and I'm not receiving it. I understand that he has a job and a life, and all those great things I'm working towards but I do not do well left in the dark.

We have a date coming up on Saturday and I'm hoping it goes well because I really miss him and I wanna see him. I am honestly kinda nervous that I'm losing myself or if I'm just having a stagnant off within myself again. Im hoping its the second thing. I'm struggling with being able to do my school work. I cannot sit down and just do it. I even try ti romanticse it but I cant. I've been dressing up to feel good but its not making me feel better. I haven't been working out. I'm currently ovulating. I'm a fucking mess right now.

BUT I WILL PERSEVERE

[flo-shifting]

I think surrender is the final push.

Long story short, I'm highly skeptic of every "fact" about shifting that I hear in the shifting community. Not because it's from shiftok or amino or whatever, but because I realize that most of the beliefs this community has on shifting are just that personal beliefs, opinions.

Like when we expect to shift in just a couple of tries. LIKE WHAT? Who told us this? Why did we believe them?? And don't get me wrong I'm so glad for those that shifted on their first try or even after a few months (also kinda jealous, but I'm working on this lack mentality) how in the hell that became the standard that we measure ourselves with?!

We're thinking that two, three years to learn ON OUR OWN a skill like this is a long time? Guys, let's put shifting into perspective. If you want to learn how to astral project or lucid dream, more experience people will WARN YOU NOT TO EXPECT IT IMMEDIATELY. They tell you straight up: this could easily take you a decade, sit down and get comfortable.

Why do we pressure ourselves so much? I know that we shouldn't overcomplicate shifting, but also let's take all the time we can to actually learning about this. The amount of things I am discovering about not only myself, but about the universe. How energy is transmuted, how we co-create our reality and the amount of actual power our conscience has. IT'S INSANE, and all came through shifting.

Also, patience is so so so important. I know that sometimes accepting that something that you want is not gonna happened right now and there's nothing that you can do to change it feels like giving up or accepting also that you can't shift at all, or it feels like you're out of control. But this desperation is counterproductive, energetically you're blocking your own progress. The more you hold on to what you want, the more you're repelling it simultaneously. The universe it's fuck up like that.

I don't really care anymore how much time it takes me to shift, personally I think it is because I'm not doing methods anymore. I've never been very fond of them, to be honest. I've tried a bunch of them, got symptoms with some, got weird dreams with others. More than anything, they made me anxious, specially after they didn't work. So I stopped doing that, and now I just meditate for a while, set intention and just vibe with the idea of shifting before going to sleep. lol that's literally a method.

What I really don't like about how we approach methods is how they "end" when you shift or, more importantly, when you don't. I've been listening to some podcast on Spotify of Neville Goddard, and it really stuck to me the way this man view the universe and manifesting. I definitely think Neville Goddard teaches you how to shift, but not with methods like we normally do, but with continuous perseverance in the idea of already achieving the goal and focusing on your feelings.

He has this hole thing of being God and creation being finish, and the power of the mind over all but the great importance of our feelings.

Feelings make you shift. I'm so sure of this. They align you with your desired physically. I think it is because when we feel something, so strongly we feel it in our body, like how painful heartbreak feels or how big your chest can get when you feel proud. Feelings are fuel.

So my strategy became just affirming during the day, taking a moment to truly feel like I had already shifted. To explore the feeling and let myself get carried away with it. But quickly transform in me kinda forcing myself to stay in that same "zone", which maybe that's the idea. But I felt stuck, so I'm changing the approach.

Surrender.

I know that I sound like I'm crazy, but I've been getting this messages or "downloads" about letting go, about surrender completely to this process and just accepting that I'm being carry. Y'know. Divine Timing and all that.

Also, if you never read "A la deriva" you should. It's a short story of Horacio Quiroga, a big writer in my country that I read when I was in highscool, but it just got to me how it relates to how I'm feeling right now. So as it seem I'm talking about this now, the story is about a man that lives in the Amazonas, and one day like any other he leaves his house but a snake bites him. He's only option is to get on a little boat and float in the Amazonas to a doctor's house in the area. The point of the story is that as he drifts though the river his mind also stars to drift and, well, he dies.

And to continue with this insane analogy, I think I just need to surrender like the man in the story. Of course not to actually death lol I don't think surrender is the thing that's going to make me shift either. I think I'll end up having like an ego death or something. Like, I have all these limiting beliefs to myself that I'm deconstructing little by little, and this "final surrender" is the last step to a new breakthrough, or a new perspective, a new me.

Yep, a little dramatic, but I'm really excited.

I feel so liberated with this "new" way of shifting. Like I literally am putting it in the hands of fate and my own subconscious, I'll shift when the moment is right, and I'll also know it when I know it? idk I have been stressing over shifting and everything in my life for so long, I don't want to do it anymore, so I'm not lmao

Anyway... I'll be reporting anything worth reporting on this.

chausito.

[not-so-mundane-after-all]

Fandom: DC Titans

Title: Not the Last but One of Many

Pairings/Relationships: Dickkory, Core Four

Summary: He can't think of it as their last kiss, because it isn't. It can't be. It's only one of many they have ahead of them - a whole lifetime they will spend together because he is not losing her today.

Kory is the only one who can finish Blackfire and put an end to this. But there's no way Dick is gonna let her turn this into a goodbye.

Kisses | 10. goodbye kisses and 27. desperate kisses - for candlelit

Also for my besties and Graysonfam royalty @wonderbatwayne and @undertheknightwing 👑👑

-------------------------------------------------------

"Kory, no. You can't do this!"

"This is my only chance, Dick! Our only chance!"

Dick's grip on her arm is steel but his brown eyes stay soft as satin sheets when they bore into her green ones, pleading and begging her to listen. But once Kory sets her mind on something, there's no going back. That resistance, that perseverance is in her blood, a DNA stamp of the Royal Family of Tamaran. It's the strength she says she got from her mother, the spark her father once ignited in her, the Starfire of her people running through her veins. Unfortunately those same things are now posing a threat to her new home, a threat in the form of her own sister and one look at Kory's face tells Dick she's willing to go fight against her own flesh and blood, to kill and to die, so that home lives to see another day.

A battle like the Earth has never seen is raging around them, spaceships hang above their hands like boots of giants, ready to squash them like they are nothing but ants. Shots are being fired, laser bolts make the ground around them shake and explode, the noise of the chaos is piercing their brains. The rest of their team is out there somewhere, fighting tooth and nail with Tamaranean soldiers puppeteered but Blackfire, standing their ground, protecting their planet.

But here, in this little bubble of stillness, it's all quiet. It's just the four of them, standing in a tight circle, fighting a battle of their own. A battle with much higher stakes than the fate of the world. It's Dick pulling Kory closer and keeping her by his side when she's determined to tear herself away from him. It's Gar and Rachel, two shining stars in his dark sky, watching them with tight jaws and straight backs, holding their breaths waiting on how this is gonna end.

"Kory, please." Rachel pleads as she takes a step closer and puts her shaking hand on her shoulder. Stubborn teardrops hang on her long eyelashes, not willing to fall just yet. "Stay. We can fight her. Together, like we always do."

"You can't go alone." Gar joins her, pale as a sheet and trembling, but still keeping his chin up. "We can't lose you."

Dick can't help but smile at the strength his children display in that moment. The way they stand next to Kory, high and proud and stubborn as hell, it feels like a mirror image of her. Or maybe it's a mirror image of them both because overtime Gar and Rachel syphoned the best parts of both him and Kory and infused them into themselves. They're both scared, terrified of losing her just like he is but Rachel's eyes, despite being glazed with tears, burn with Dick's fire when she's staring into her mother's eyes and Gar keeps his head up with confidence and royal dignity, throwing Kory a challenge. You won't dare to leave us, his face seems to say.

And Kory sees it too, she sees it all, but this time it's not enough to convince her. Biting her trembling lip she reaches out to cup their cheeks, looking from one beloved face to the other.

"My angels," she sighs and her voice cracks from emotion. "You know as well as I do that this time it's not that easy. I'm the only one who can stop her. I'm the only one strong enough to put an end to this."

Gar's eyes close as his fingers curl around her wrist.

"But we can make you stronger."

"You already did." Kory smiles at him, brushing her thumb over his cheek. "You both are my force and I will use every ounce of it to keep you safe."

"There's no way to change your mind, isn't it?" Rachel more states a fact than asks, her voice brittle and so small Dick's heart shatters to milion sharp-edged pieces in his chest. 

"I'm sorry, honey, but no." Kory shakes her head, then crushes them both to her, burying her face in their shoulders. Rachel and Gar cling to her, digging their fingers into the fabric of her suit. Kory's hands brush gently through their hair as she speaks. "I love you both. I've never loved anyone more in my entire life."

"Stop making it sound like a goodbye." Rachel chokes out into her neck, holding on tighter. Dick feels his throat closing, tears burning behind his eyes like acid.

"It's not, okay? It's a reminder." Kory insists and pulls back, her hands sliding to their shoulders and gripping tightly. And just like that the tears in her eyes dry out, the fear disappears from her face, replaced by pride and strength worthy of both a mother and a queen. "Now go out there, watch each other's backs and kick some ass."

The two young faces harden as well, abandoning their child-like features in a matter of seconds. The cold steel comes back to their eyes as they nod simultaneously.

"Yes, ma'am." They speak in unison and Kory smiles, pride written all over her face.

Then she turns to him, slides her hands into his and suddenly Dick is out of breath. She comes to stand so close their faces are mere inches apart and presses her forehead to his. He sucks in a sharp breath, feeling his heart racing in his chest.

"Fight, my love." she whispers, brushing her nose against his. Her breath is warm and familiar on his face and all Dick wants to do is pull her, closer, closer, closer and keep her there forever. "Fight for our home, for our kids. Fight for us, just like I will."

"Kory…"

"I have to go." She interrupts him and steps back. She straightens her back, lifts her chin up and just like that he finds himself in the presence of a warrior, a queen, a goddess. She towers over him, making him want to kneel in front of her. He would, of course he would, he would bow his head and pledge his allegiance to her with his dying breath. 

"Take care of them." She says after sending one last glance to their children. He nods once, gulping down a lump in his throat.

"You know I will."

They hold each other's gaze for a moment longer, lingering to it like it's a lifeline keeping them alive, until Kory turns her back to him. But before she flies away Dick steps forward. There's one more thing he has to do, one thing he won't survive without, the world be damned. He grabs her arm and turns her back, then pulls her to him, curling his arms around her waist and presses his lips to hers.

It takes his breath away, drags him to his knees, sets his nerves ablaze as if she injected him with her fire. He's hungry and desperate, holding her tightly against his chest as he kisses her with fiery passion that makes his vision go red. Kory answers with the same heat and hunger, arching her back and running her fingers through his hair. It takes him back to their first night together, to the soft yellow glow of a bedside lamp and an old squeaky mattress of that motel bed under their tangled bodies. It takes him back to the starry night and clear sky over Gotham when he took her to the rooftop of the Wayne Manor and kissed her like his life depended on it, for the first time since the night after the asylum. He couldn't take it anymore, being with but still without her, having her so close yet out of reach. 

Just like back then, Dick loses himself in the kiss, in her, trying to savour the taste, to remember it, stash it in a deposit box of his mind under lock and key. He can't think of it as their last kiss, because it isn't. It can't be. It's only one of many they have ahead of them - a whole lifetime they will spend together because he is not losing her today.

When they force themselves to break apart, they're both breathless. Kory leans her forehead against his again and smiles, grins like the sunshine she is. 

"Come back to me, Kory." Dick whispers, squeezing her tighter. She nods, stroking her fingers over his cheek and jaw.

"I love you, Grayson."

And then she's gone between the clouds, only a trail of orange glow left behind her. He keeps his eyes on the sky, straining them to spot her, but there's no use, she must be too high up. He keeps observing though, even when two sets of arms circle around his waist and shoulders. He pulls his kids closer, letting Rachel curl herself to his side and pressing Gar's head to his shoulder. Their eyes are pointed at the clouds as well and together they stand there, three out of four, waiting.

Everyone must have sensed what is about to happen because the battlefield around them goes still and deadly silent. Fighting stops, there's no head that isn't turned towards the sky. The world pauses, holding its breath and Dick starts to pray.

Then the clouds start glowing, explosions of purple and green light against the red sunset. There's no way to hear what's happening, they can only observe as the two sisters take over the skyline. The two colors whirl around each other in a complicated, centuries old dance, tangled together one moment then breaking apart the next. Dick doesn't know where to look, his breath caught in his chest watching as the purple light and green light fly right at each other, coming closer and closer and closer. Rachel shivers against him and he presses her to him even tighter, already knowing what is gonna happen, just like she does.

Then the two lights clash in an explosion so bright they all need to look away to not have their eyes burned. It's like a supernova went off in front of them, turning into stardust.

And everything goes still.

One minute passes. Two. Three. Nothing is happening, neither of the sisters is coming down to announce their victory. The sky is clear and empty and the sight only makes Dick's insides twist into tight knots.

"What's going on?" Gar's confused voice echoes next to his ear.

"Dick, where is she?" Rachel asks him, staring at him with those baby blues like he has all the answers in the world.

He doesn't.

"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon." he whispers at the sky, wrapping his arms tighter around the kids. Rachel hides her face in the crook of his neck, he can feel her hot tears damping his skin. Gar rests his forehead on his shoulder and chokes on a sob. Dick can only hold them tight, kiss their heads and pray.

Pray and pray until his prayer is answered.

It's a blink of an eye. A twink of the first star in the night sky. And then she's there, falling down slowly with the grace of a goddess, embedded in golden light. Her eyes glow green, hair a red flame and she touches down to the ground with the lightness of a feather.

She smiles at him and that's all it takes for him to run to her. With Gar and Rachel on his heel he gets to her in a few quick strides and she falls right into his arms, wrapping hers around his neck and kissing him fiercely. Gar and Rachel tug themselves under their arms and they both pull them closer, locking them in the safety of their embrace.

Dick smiles, pressing his lips to Kory's forehead. Not the last kiss, but one of many. 

[justsmilestuffhappens]

Whose dad

It was no secret Eddie felt good about the fact that buck loved Christopher like he was his own son. He could trust buck would only want to do the best for his kid. But at times it could get a little confusing and difficult.

"Christopher obviously gets his good looks from you huh?" Christopher's new teacher said during parent teacher night.

Buck came along for two reasons. It just felt right like nothing was odd about it. That and he was taking them out to eat afterwards in celebration of Christopher's accomplishments.

"Ha. Right? No, I wish. He just hasn't grown into having more of those Diaz good looks his father has." Buck tried defusing the statement. It wasn't the first time someone thought he was actually buck's instead of Eddie's recently. "He's got plenty of things from his father though, like his perseverance, and umm, kindness."

"I'm responsible like daddy is. Buck forgot to put the plates in the dishwasher a week ago." Christopher piped in.

"Ha ha. You two aren't gonna let me forget that huh. Maddie's call distracted me." Buck explained.

Christopher then led them to see his creations on the walls and tables that were set up.

-

"Hey buck?"

"Yeah buddy?"

"Did you have a gap in your teeth too like I'm getting? Dad says he didn't," Christopher asked as he was brushing his teeth for bed.

"Well, yeah. I did when i was a kid. My teeth weren't too bad to actually need braces though. But don't worry. If you do need them later on then that just means you're special because you'd be like part robot for a while kiddo." Buck smiled.

"Cool. Ok. Maybe mine will go away like yours did."

Buck couldn't bring himself to remind Christopher that they weren't actually related. Hopefully either way Christopher would be happy and healthy. That's all he could really ask for.

"So little Buck had buck teeth?" Eddie asked in the doorway to Christopher's room after they put him to bed.

"Huh? You head that? Yeah. But not for too long. I uh, i couldn't tell him. That he's-" buck faltered.

"Not exactly yours. Yeah. I sometimes catch myself thinking the same. You're really good with him. I'm glad we've got you around to help us buck." Eddie patted buck's shoulder.

Buck tried to contain his mirth as he went to let himself out.

-

There was this one really bad time that a rude officer asked if Eddie was Christopher's father but it came out more an accusation that Eddie wasn't supposed to have him.

Buck had straightened that up really quick before Eddie could be arrested for decking a cop. "Yes he is his father. And you need to think before you start making assumptions. Christopher isn't in distress and Eddie isn't doing anything that could even remotely look wrong other than being here sitting at the park with his son." Buck had memorized his name and car number to pass on to Athena in case Eddie wanted to file a complaint or the guy did similar to others.

He hadn't seen the look Eddie got behind his back as he stood between them to clear the air for his friend.

-

No it was great that buck loved Christopher and Eddie would be damned if he let something petty like a little jealousy ruin what they had going.

They had come into the hospital with Christopher after he'd either fractured his wrist or possibly harshly sprained it.

"You can visit your son sir but if he's not your spouse it's best he stay here." The desk nurse had said only focusing on buck as he handed over the spare medical card for Christopher he carried.

"He's my son. He may not look like me but I'm his dad. This is my best friend and he will be joining me in the room with his doctor now." Eddie told him firmly as he was told the room number.

"I'm sorry. I should have let you give them your copy. I just wanted to save you time Ed"

"No. That's not your fault. None of this is on you. Maybe getting Chris that toy but i know he begged you for it and you caved like the big hearted dog you really are Buck."

They came into the room as Christopher's cast was being finished so they'd need to wait for it to start drying a little.

"I broke my mini drone." Christopher said as if finally realizing it after his crying from his fall on the way here.

"It's ok mijo" Eddie kissed his head.

"I'll get you another one. But promise you'll be careful when you play with it buddy. You really scared us" buck said from his seat nearby.

-

"Christopher no!" Buck said as he swatted the candy off the table.

"What?" Christopher frowns confused.

"Buck what's wrong? Why did you knock his candy off the table?" Eddie asked as he came back from the restroom.

"Almonds. He's- I'm allergic." Buck's brain finally caught up fully to him. "Oh. I'm so sorry Christopher." Buck went to pick up the now dented wrapped chocolate treat."

"It's okay buck." Christopher said unwrapping it with a shrug.

"You just reacted. That'd be good if Christopher was allergic and forgot but he's not. It's the thought that counts Buck." Eddie moved over to pat bucks shoulder.

"Yeah. You don't wanna have an allergic reaction. Ha. When i had mine it was scary buddy. I'm glad you can eat them Chris." Buck went back to the pasta he'd started for them.

"Daddy am i allergic to anything?" Christopher asked.

"Just shellfish mijo. Like me. So if buck ever sees us about to have some or someone bringing some around he can fling them away all he wants to. He's just trying to protect us." Eddie sat down to continue helping Christopher with his homework.

-

"So Bobby needs a new kidney, and that's why he's in the hospital?" Christopher asked in the waiting room as they all took turns visiting him before the survey.

"Yeah mijo. His are all tired out so he's gonna get someone elses. Everyone has two but he's a little older and they've been working a lot for him." Eddie explained as buck and chimney signed some of the last forms for their volunteering to be his donors today.

"If you needed one could i give you one?" Christopher asked. Of course he'd want to help his father. He was too good to believe sometimes.

"No mijo. Our blood types aren't the exact same. I could give you one but you couldn't give me a kidney. Plus you're too young and small kid."

"Oh. Well buck's giving Bobby his and they're like a dad and a son too." Christopher thought.

"Yeah they kinda are. But Buck's a universal donor, he's special and rare. He can give almost anything to anyone. So Bobby is lucky. And chimney is the same type as Bobby too so they're both gonna help him out."

"Okay. So we're about to go get prepped. Next time you see me I'll be a little lighter but me, Bobby, and chimney are gonna be like blood brothers or family or whatever you'd wanna call it. See ya later bud. Bye Ed. If you record me when I'm coming out of it i expect the video to be only for us, no posting it." Buck winked as he went to catch up.

"So if i got sick then Buck could probably give me something i needed?" Christopher asked as Buck and chimney disappeared past some double doors.

"Yeah. I know he would. If anyone needed something he'd do it. That's just Buck. Bobby was just the first to really need it since he's older than us." Eddie thought about it.

Buck was barely off his medications. He know even if he was still on the blood thinners Buck would have agreed to it.

They all didn't deserve Buck. He could be a handful at times but the guy had a damn heart of gold.

"He'd help you too if you needed it daddy." Christopher said.

"I think the answer to that would be a yes bud."

"No dad. I wasn't asking a question. i was stating a fact." Christopher said smiling before getting coloring.

Maddie came over soon followed by Athena to keep them company until the others were out of surgery.

After a few hours they were finally both out one after the other as Bobby was now in his own.

While Maddie wasn't with Buck they came in to him waking up.

"Hey Eddie. Where's my kiddo? Oh there you are Chris, my favorite little buddy. Psst, don't tell your dad that. Your cheeks are so adorable like your dad's." Eddie looked at buck with wide eyes.

"Was i not supposed to say that? Did i do bad again? I'm sorry Eddie. I'm sorry Christopher. Hi Mads. Look i got wires in me. I'm a computer, no wait a cyborg. Pew pew pew." Buck looked at her coming in.

Eddie had already forgot buck's drugged claim to Christopher as his. He was clearly out if it but then did that mean he didn't find Eddie and Christopher's cheeks cute?

"Oh. So he's even more affected by it than chimney is. Chim was telling me things i didn't understand but i think they were good. They're loveable while anesthetized huh?" Maddie came closer to Buck's beckoning her. "Yes little brother you can get a hug too."

"Hugs are so good. Christopher do you wanna hug. Eddie you want one too?" Buck said as he had a dopey grin. "I'm gonna hug everybody. Where's Thena, and Hen, and Bobby."

Buck continued listing names until Christopher started entertaining him with animal facts from the zoo.

Buck's demeanor changed after hearing about the rhinos.

"Hey Eddie. Are Bobby and chimney okay?" He asked stone sober.

"Yeah buck. They're good. So are you." Eddie soothed buck's worries.

"It's late. How are you still here?" Buck asked.

"We're family buck." Christopher cheered.

"I uh. Might have told the staff we were engaged so that we could stay longer or overnight. Maddie backed me up." Eddie said from his seat with Christopher.

"Oh. That's- good. Smart. Umm. Yeah."

"I figured we could use people's assumptions for good sometimes. I mean, we're already like a family. You're family to us." Eddie smiled as he kissed Christopher.

"Yeah. Y'all are. i like the sound of that." Buck wouldn't say it was the engaged part as well as the family part. "But you two should get some good sleep though, at least some of us could." Buck reached out his hand and waited for Eddie to meet it.

"Alright. But we'll come back tomorrow. Good night buck." Eddie rubbed the back of buck's hand before getting up.

"Good luck with the food buck. Maybe daddy could get you something before we leave. Night buck." Christopher giggled.

"That'd be great. I'm a little hungry." Buck said still feeling the warmth from where Eddie's touch was moments ago.

Christopher was at the door waiting as Eddie whispered. "I have something to tell you later." Buck gasped as Eddie slowly moved to follow and get buck something small to munch on.