#i've been meaning to post this since thanksgiving and then never got around to the last panel so here it is!

[cctinsleybaxter]

Doubting Thomas; dedicated to S. Michalak

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 71 (Back to the Brindleton Light)

NOTE: I'm taking a posting break until the 16th for Canadian Thanksgiving since I'll be spending time with family. Still planning to read and comment but might be spotty, and after that I've got posts queued every other day until November.

The every day schedule is too much for the length of my posts, I see that now (both for readers and for me!) and I want more time to read simblr stuff I haven't been able to thanks to my current output! I like where we leave them with this one, and I like even more what's queued up for the 16th, so it feels like a good time to pause the plot.

Conrad hadn't shaken his belief that someone - maybe a ghost, maybe not - was using the Brindleton Light as a home. The station was always taking reports from locals about strange sounds at the lighthouse, but most of the other detectives dismissed them all as overhyped ghost stories.

cw: skivvies I didn't realize we're sorta, um, thin. Sorry! They love that lighthouse what can I say?! 😂🌶️

He'd engrossed himself in the The Green Lady's Lost Tome since their meeting with Grim, reading it whenever he had free time at home.

With Ash in the city few months after Hazel and Nicola's wedding, Conrad invited Heather to join him and Gord on Deadgrass Isle after she'd finished her monthly accounting. He hadn't forgotten the old man and his offer to show Conrad around the lighthouse after hours, but they made a quick circle through the museum and didn't see him. "He must not be working tonight, but I still want to check the lighthouse."

Heather followed him up the dirt path from the museum to the point, where white paint peeled off the old gatehouse at the base of the tower. Curious, he picked up a candy wrapper and showed it to Heather and Gord.

"Anyone could have dropped that," said Heather. "A candy wrapper isn't proof that someone's living in here."

But the light inside the gatehouse flickered on again as she spoke. "Stand back here," said Conrad before he knocked.

"Shouldn't you wait for backup?" she asked. "What if they're dangerous?"

A blond figure in a jacket raced into view. "He climbed out that window!" cried Conrad. "Stop right there!" The man hesitated enough for Gord to catch up with him.

He cowered, and Conrad approached him carefully. "It's alright," he said. "I just want to talk."

"Screw you!" the man shouted, tackling Conrad as he reached for his badge. He never liked to carry his gun around when he wasn't on duty, and with everything he'd experienced lately, he sincerely expected a ghost, at most - not a squatter. Conrad fought him under the shadow of the lighthouse, as Heather watched helplessly from several feet away.

"Be careful!" she screamed. But Conrad was stronger than his target and subdued him without much trouble. The blond man whimpered, holding his face with a grimace.

"Why don't you start your story by telling me your name."

"John Brindleton. My ancestors founded this town, and I'm the last of my stupid name. I moved into the lighthouse after my family kicked me out. Said I was lazy and needed to make something of myself. But they wanted me to join one of the fishing boats and I...I hate fish!"

"So you thought you'd just live in an old dusty lighthouse until...?"

"Until I figured out a way to override the electrical and shut off the lighthouse. If there's no lighthouse the boats can't come in late. And if boats can't come in late, I can kill the fishing industry in this town. Then I'll never have to work it!"

Conrad offered a pitiful sigh to the wannabe criminal. "So you weren't just squatting, you were plotting destruction? I thought I'd be able to get through your criminal report on Monday morning in about five minutes, but now you're a felon."

"No! I mean! I just wanted to take revenge on the other boats who put my dad's fleet out of business! He'd be too busy working to worry about me if not for them."

Conrad clucked his tongue in disapproval. "Well, now you can think about your failed attempt at revenge from a cell."

"I'm not going to jail!" cried the man, racing down the path toward the museum. Conrad took off after him, with Heather and Gord following close behind.

With the man subdued on the ground, they waited for the Brindleton PD speedboat to pick up the perp, handing him off to the weekend patrol crew to process the late-night booking. "Give him a weekend in the cells and make sure he talks to a lawyer."

The patrol crew gave their senior detective respectful nods, and Conrad watched the boat speed back to the mainland as Heather wrapped her arms around him.

Even with a cool drizzle in the skies, they both wanted to feel the breeze from the tower, to calm their nerves at the observation deck. The lighthouse was cordoned off with police tape, so they knew they were alone.

"You were kind of incredible down there," Heather gushed with a coquettish grin. "You were right. Someone was in the lighthouse the whole time...But they're gone now. Is the observation deck part of the crime scene?"

"No, he said got electrocuted by the fuse box once and thought it smelled like wet dog up here."

"It's a little dusty, but it's not that bad."

Conrad grinned as Heather's hand slid gently down his back. "Ms. Nesbitt, are you trying to seduce me?"

She smiled. Returning to the electrical room, they made love over the dingy old blankets - untouched since their last visit - until both were completely satisfied.

When they'd finished, Heather nuzzled against his shoulder in the dark old lighthouse. "We've really got to stop doing this here," she said. "After how hard I pushed to end the free love action plan in town, if anyone caught us up here...And really, should a man as close as you are to making sargeant be found with his pants off inside the lighthouse?"

Conrad let out a playful groan. "Your logic is sound, but I don't have to like it," he said, pulling her in for one last embrace before they moved to get dressed again.

Conrad watched Heather's silhouette in the quiet darkness. "You're the most beautiful woman in the world," he said. Heather blushed.

Arf!

They both looked toward the sound, like it had come from inside the room. "You heard that this time?"

She nodded. "I heard it. That's definitely not Gord. Do you think it's a stray? Maybe that weird squatter had a dog?"

"The squad checked over the place and didn't find anything. I think that's the old lightkeeper's dog."

"All the strays in Brindleton Bay and you're sure it's a ghost?"

He knew it sounded ridiculous. "Maybe not," he sighed. "I want to talk to that old man the next time he's working."

"The one you said reminded you a little of your dad? What's his name?" She pulled out her phone to look him up.

Conrad searched his memory but came up short. "I didn't ask. I had a lot on my mind the night we met..."

"Maybe he was a ghost, too," she teased after they'd finally dressed, but Conrad stopped in his tracks down the lighthouse stairs. "I was kidding! I'm sure he doesn't work every night. But I'll make you ambrosia treats to bring next time you bring Gord to run around. If the barking dog is really a ghost, maybe the treats will coax him out, finally."

Joke or not, Conrad's curiosity over the mysteries of Deadgrass Isle had hardly been sated by the evening's events. ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 1 Summary | Gen 1 Start

NOTE: Gord is an adventurous dog and that unlocks these little CYO-adventures that are fun and cute but have no graphics. So this was my attempt to semi re-dramatize one of the adventures at the lighthouse where they catch a vengeful squatter, while ALSO trying to conceive a baby in a lighthouse to get a very specific 'lighthouse baby' moodlet if their kid ever comes back to the Brindleton Light. Heather does love to woohoo in inappropriate places (alleys, friends' couches, observatories...), but if you're thinking 'too clean, too weird, why didn't Conrad go to the station with the perp?' just ride the wave of trying to get those weird little gameplay bonuses with me lol.

[thewritersaddictions]

Day Seventeen: Alcina Dimitrescu + A Chirstmas Story

With thanksgiving just having ended your wife is all over the place. The kitchen looks like a hurriacane has come through. Dishes stacked up in the sink, flour litters the countertop and floor. While Alcina daughters had come inot town during the holidays, Alcina had tired her damnest to make sure that the holdiays were as good as they could possibly be.

So this was an every year sort of thing, the probelm was that she never sat down long enough between hanksgiving and chirstmas to take a single breath. She's always up before you are. In the kitchen making a new recipe that leaves the whole house smelling of fresh dough bread, cookies, or pies.

"Alcina!" You whine as soon as you wake, her side of the bed isn't warm. The sheets pulled back to make sure you stay warm underneath them. You padd to the kitchen, wrapped up in your throw blanket. It's nearly mid morning, and Alcina already got flour, and whatever else on her face smeared agasint her cheek. "Hello darling." She says warmly. She looks tired "How long have you been up for?" You ask her, she shurgs her shoulders as the oven beeps in alarm of being done pre-heating.

"I've been up for a few hours now." She says as she moves around the kitchen. "You're coffee is ready in the coffee pot." She says softly pecking your lips and then returning to her baking. You sit at your island and watch your wife. Her tired eyes reading the recipe once then twice, then a third and final time. You sip on your coffee with ease to not burn your tonuge.

It not til later that night when your wife has washed her dirty dishes twice over in the sink and now in the dishwasher. Alcina is pretty much on repeat for the months of November and December. Bake, sleep, wake up and repeat. "Alcina, will you come sit down next to me?" You yell to her from the couch. You hear the tiniest bit of a sigh.

But she walks into the living room. You pat the seat open next to you. "Alcina I think you should sit down." You're looking right at her, but she seems to be off in the disntace of her thoughts. "Well I… there's a few other things I need to get done." Your wife mutters not taking the open seat next to you. You challenge her words.

"What do you have to get done, baby? You've already been in the kitchen for what seems like the entire day." "I have to go…" Her words die in the back of her thoart as she looks down at you. You aren't trying to be mean, even if that's how your face, and vocie is making it out to be.

"Just come and sit with me please, I feel like I haven't spent any time with you since the start of November." You say sadly. Anoher sigh leaves Alcina lips as she sits down next to you on the couch. "Thank you." You mutter quietly. "Will you stay with me while we watch a movie?" You ask Alcina, she nods and snuggles into your side.

Even though your wife is taller then you she stills tends to be squished into your side. You had already pre-picked something earlier in the morning. A good ole' favorite. "What did you pick drag?" Alcina asks as she looks from your shoulder up at the larger flat screen. "A classic christmas movie." "Which is?" You and your wife banter with each other over what's a classic christmas movie.

"You aren't making me guess which one you pick, just tell me." She huffs out after a few minutes. "Okay fine… we are watching a chirstmas story. A classic." You remind her, she rolls her eyes and pecks your cheek. "I have to agree it's a rather good chirstmas movie for the holiday." Your wife says finally agreeing with you.

You feel Alcina wiggle next to you, as if she wants to get uo from the couch, "How about I go make some popcorn for us?" She offers, you shake your head. "No because if you get up and go back into that kitchen you'll never come back out I know you to well Alcina. Now sit and stay next to me." You demand, you clcik play back on the tv and return your attention to the title credits.

Completed on: 11/25/23

Posted on: 12/17/23

House Dimitrescu-

Resident Evil Master List // House Dimitrescu Master List // Christmas Stories Master List

[astroluvr]

Our Evergreen

summary: it's jack's first christmas with you as your fiance, and now he must put up with all of your christmas traditions

a/n: hi, it's literally been over a month (???) since i've posted, and like, just as long since i've even written, so pls go easy on me as you're reading this- i'm still finding my groove!! i am, however, very excited about it being the holiday season, so here's this. hope u enjoy :)

***

"Baby," Jack laughed, when you groaned upon seeing him still in nothing but his jeans and a wifebeater. "The trees aren't going anywhere."

"Okay, but the trees we want will go somewhere if you don't get dressed."

"I can't take you seriously when you look this cute." he pouted at you.

"I'm leaving you here." you threatened, tossing him the hoodie he picked out.

"Fine." he shrugged.

"Jack, do you even want to marry me?"

"Okay, baby, you're being a little dramatic." he scoffed, gesturing at the ring he slid onto your finger on the quiet coast of a tropical beach three months before. "Duh."

"How can you say you do if you don't even want to pick out Christmas trees with me- Jack!" you were cut short by a squeal when he stood up quickly and pulled you into his chest and kissed all over your face.

"Course I want to marry you, and of course I'll go pick out trees with you if you stop talkin' crazy." he mumbled against your ear and you couldn't help but smirk at how easy it was to make him get his act together.

"Then get dressed." you told him quietly, and he left a firm pat on your behind before grabbing the hoodie.

You squealed in excitement when Jack finally got a parking spot outside of the tree farm. He laughed when you threw your car door open and exhaled happily at the sight. In all five years that he'd been with you, he had never seen you so in the Christmas spirit. At Thanksgiving, you were hardly even done with your food before you were playing Christmas music.

He knew that you enjoyed the holiday, but he had never seen it in this capacity, and although it was a lot of work to keep up with, nothing made him happier than watching you fill your carts with Christmas decorations. You both had moved into your first house together and he was more than obliged to funding every single ornament and Christmas lights that he was procrastinating hanging up.

"Baby, I've never seen you with a real Christmas tree before. Where's all this energy coming from?"

"It's December! We have to get cracking, J." you explained, cuddling into his side as he threw his arm around you and kissed the top of your head.

"No," he laughed as you two walked into the farm, surrounded by massive trees that Jack cringed at the idea of putting on top of the Jeep. "I mean, I know you like Christmas, but usually it's... you know, minimal."

"I don't know, I'm just extra in the spirit this year." you shrugged, stopping short to look up at Jack. "Extra in love, too."

"These trees must be expensive." he smirked, and you rolled your eyes at him. "Love you, too, baby."

After you both made your way in, you ordered cups of hot chocolate and started to browse the tree farm.

"I haven't had a real tree in years." Jack said out loud, brushing a hand against a tree that still had snow packed on the inside as you took a sip of your drink.

"That's because you never bother to buy one." you raised an eyebrow, and Jack shook his head.

"I mean, yeah, but my parents gave up on it when me and Clay got older. Then we started buying those box trees." he said, standing in memory before laughing and grabbing your attention. "I remember one of the first years we came out to one, my cousin came along and they had Santa here, and he was scared as hell of him. We all got on his lap and he ran away and ended up running right into a tree."

"Jack!" you smacked his chest when he laughed loudly before joining him.

"I have to ask Clay if he remembers that. It was... damn, it was funny."

You both started on the paths, hardly looking at the trees or minding the other people there that side eyed your raucous laughter that was much louder than the speakers playing Christmas music.

"See, we never really had real trees. I don't know, maybe a couple of years, but I remember every year, putting up the star. I want to keep that tradition."

"What, putting up the star?" he grabbed your hand, taking in the scent of fresh pine mixed with your perfume.

"I want our babies to put it up." you said softly, and Jack squeezed your hand involuntarily.

It was almost impossible for the subject of kids to come up after you two had been so in love for so long, but you had never really discussed the ins and outs. You had giggled about what your baby might look like, about whether they'd be Jack's height or extra short, you had pointed out onesies, you had even shared your baby names, but the idea of having a baby to carry so many memories crowded your chests and created a fuzzy feeling.

"I-I mean, you know, that's still a while away, but-" you stammered, worried about creating too much of a shift in energy when you noticed Jack swallow hard.

"Is it?" he whispered, stopping in front of a short tree that didn't even look like it was meant to be there.

"Maybe not." you chuckled in realization, and Jack kissed your forehead.

"What else do you want? For our Christmases?"

"Well, I want us to come tree shopping every year, and hang stockings. And matching pajamas on Christmas."

"Yeah?" he raised his eyebrows and grinned at you, earning a smile back.

"Mmhmm." you nodded, growing excited at the pure image.

"And what about when they're all teenagers and just want money for Christmas?"

"Then I'll drag you out of bed and make you come tree shopping."

"Fuck them kids, huh?" he laughed out, and you giggled in return, nudging him out of your way before he pulled you into a hug.

You found solace in Jack's hoodie, loving the way he warmed you more than the hot chocolate was.

Your smile became more solemn when you looked up at Jack whose blue eyes lit up when they looked over your features. You shook your head as your heart swelled.

"What about you?"

"I don't know, I want them to love Christmas and being a family. I want them to, just, have all these beautiful memories. I don't care what kind of tree or it is or what we're wearing, but I want them to feel like this. I want them to feel like this kind of happiness." he whispered, trailing a thumb across your cheek.

"I can't believe I get to marry you." you laughed, pushing your face into his chest and shaking your head.

"Yeah, imagine how I feel. I can't believe I even get to know you."

When you looked back at him, he was ducking his head to kiss you. There was only a nip in the air, but it felt like it might've been a blizzard surrounding you when you felt that sharp warmth take over your body. You clutched your cup, and wrapped your free hand against the back of his curly hair, and sighed happily. He pulled away for a moment to take a breath and to murmur his admiration before going back in.

This time the kiss was a little less chaste, and earned a squeal from you when he worked his tongue into your mouth, bending over your body slightly as if he couldn't get enough of you. You wouldn't have even gotten a chance to stop him had it not been for high pitched giggled from behind you.

You both pulled away quickly, remaining intertwined as you looked around, expecting to see a little boy and girl, until you found an elderly couple in matching flannels with pink cheeks as they looked upon you. You gasped and tried to pull away before you could further your embarrassment.

"Can't keep my hands off her." Jack swallowed, and you pursed your lips in embarrassment. "Sorry about that."

"It's alright, I know how it is. It gets a little harder once you're fifty years in, don't it, honey?" the man winked at his wife, who only laughed.

You smiled at the interaction before shuffling closer to Jack who seemed absolutely entertained.

"I promise we aren't a couple of freaks," the woman began, before smiling. "We just noticed you two, and had to ask if this is your first Christmas together?"

"Well, not really." you spoke, a smile breaking across your face. "We've been together for five years, but we just got engaged, so it's our first Christmas doing everything together."

"Wow. You both should hold on to each other. You're a beautiful couple."

"I lucked out." Jack curled his arm around your waist.

"So did I." you smiled and looked upon the couple, their wrinkled eyes showing a lifetime of unconditional love.

"Well, it was nice to meet you both. We wish you all the best." the elderly man, rubbed his wife's arm before nodding towards you and Jack, earning a response from you.

"It was nice meeting you, too. Thank you."

Before you could continue walking, Jack kissed you once more and stopped you short. "We can't keep making out."

"That's not what I'm talking about." he rolled his eyes at you, and you pursed your lips. "I'm talking about this tree. We should take it home and plant it. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I think it's a good sign."

You stood next to Jack, and looked at it. It was small, but obviously evergreen, dwarfed by trees that had been fertilized by years and ready to be picked and loaded onto the back of trucks and the tops of minivans. It was the kind of tree that nobody would pick because it wasn't as big and green as the others, but still it stayed on its own, and would grow just as big as bright as the others.

"I think it's a great sign." you smiled, picking it up and laughing at how light it was.

"Do you want to get a bigger one?" Jack asked, taking the long forgotten hot chocolate from your hand as you cradled the pot.

"This one is good for this year, I think."

[ocean-in-my-rebel-soul]

Vent. Tw: late stage cancer, death, medical/health stuff (not mine)

My last surviving grandma is in Stage 5 renal cancer.

She called my dad a few weeks ago, asking for my and my brother's dates of birth and phone numbers. I shrugged it off, because I didn't want to think of reopening that wound if she actually called me. She's never answered my calls or texts over the years, and I didn't want to think about ignoring her call if she reached out, but dad suggested she might call for my birthday.

Well, she didn't call (and I feel conflicted whether or not I'm happy about that, knowing what I know now), which only means one thing: she's dying.

I have spoken to her maybe thrice in over a decade, and two of those times were when my dad was in the hospital following a massive stroke and aortic dissection. She hasn't been interested in reaching back when I tried calling and texting over the years, and so I just quit trying. I see her tagged in my aunt's posts online, but there's no response. She doesn't really do Facebook.

But now she's dying. She seems to think that she'll want my dad to visit around Thanksgiving, but when mom told me, she had a Look that said that she disagrees with Grandma's assessment.

I'm torn. Since my maternal grandma passed past year, and my paternal grandpa the year before that, and my maternal grandfathers in '21, I've been thinking a lot about death and what it means to be family. I feel, like, is reaching out now appropriate? The last time I really tried being Family with her, she broke my heart, and I hung up the phone on her over a decade ago. In 2016 she called to say how "surprised" she was that I'd changed my name, come out as trans, and was getting married. It wasn't a long conversation, but the first one we'd had in maybe five years? And in 2020, I gave her two updates on Dad's condition, just so mom didn't have to deal with her. Once she got the info she wanted (and didn't want), she never called back or returned my efforts to get in touch. So I feel like, I dunno. Too little, too late? But that goes for me, too. I regret not having been able to be there when my grandpas died, and my grandma was so stoic about hiding that she was dying, I couldn't even access her for the last month of her life, despite living in the same house just one bedroom away.

I don't know. She always made me feel bad about myself, about my family, about how we were growing up/how my folks were raising us, thwhiI finally had to convince myself that it's her loss. I'm cool and funny, and she doesn't want to be involved, so fuck her, you know?

On the other hand, most of my sporadic memories tend to be of contentment, or at least childlike innocence. We didn't have a lot of contact with her growing up, and the last time I saw her in person was in 2010 when I'd gone to her place for Thanksgiving vacation because I couldn't afford to fly home.

I don't know what I'm saying. I don't know what I even want. Or if I want anything. I've grieved over her for most of my life, that now I'm not sure if I even want to put the effort in. I'm exhausted about her.

But the part of me that's still that little kid, desperately wanting her affection and acceptance, still is hurting and still wants to be held by her.

[sssammich]

fanfic writer questions

Thanks for the tag, @foibles-fables

1- How many works do you have on AO3?

i'm at 122 right now (wahoo!)

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

794,634 (i am on a mission to 1 million in the next couple of years)

3. What fandoms do you write for?

well i've been around many a fandom block, but i'd say for current brainrot:

supergirl (mostly supercorp, but i have a smattering of rare pairs because women, amirite?)

swan queen

bumbleby (i also still have so many rosebird dreams i'll get there someday)

makayuro (with a smattering of rare pairs also because women, amirite?)

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

well unsurprisingly, ever since plopping down on supercorp fandom, the numbers have been from there. but shoutout to my victorious fic from 2012 holding strong lol

evergreen, closest i get, not for nothing, you've got mail, and one way or another

5. Do you respond to comments?

yes yes absolutely!! sometimes i am late and sometimes i just leave it in there so i can have it stay unread but anyway i try to respond and i appreciate everyone who sends them to me. i have historically been a oneshot writer so it's been nice also to get comments on wips!

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

oh shoot angstiest ending?? well i think i would say my supercorptober ficlet about memory loss of sorts might tick that (it ends kinda idk open but not bad, i will say)

but then there's also this one old soccer RPF i wrote that's more, idk, poetry than any real fic about one of them leaving lmao

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

the happiest ending? i mean all of them, i reckon. if they end up together or have a promise of together then they count lmao

8. Do you get hate on fics?

uhhh none that i've seen? i mean if it's in the comments, no? but if it's elsewhere, then also no? i have been fortunate in that way

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

OMG YES I AM FINALLY IN MY SMUT ERA

uh i reckon comedy smut for now (read DickFic here) but the day is young and my doc is empty so who's to say

but i have dreams for some sad smut because i'd like to develop the range LMAO

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

surprisingly, i do not. what i instead do is just little spin through five fandoms at any given time and just confuse myself that way

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

unfortunately yes. twice now. once was for my victorious fic that was used for a 5th harmony RPF lmaooo

and then on thanksgiving weekend, the first chapter of Crepe AU was posted by an anonymous for a The Wilds ship (but my friends rallied to get it taken down so i didn't have to send a takedown form to ao3 while i was traveling home)

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

nope but that would be totally rad

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

i love fic writing group work so yes! i have a series of sad angsty women that i have with my best friend in my revue starlight fandom, and then, of course, @sideguitars and i have 'humans in the storeroom' (that reminds me it's my turn to write the next part smh)

i also like jumping into writing sprints or writing exercises with folks (like a round robin)

14. What's your all time favorite ship?

let's not do this, i shan't pick amongst my children

15. What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

so far all my wips are things i wanna finish and will do my best to finish. i have a couple of retired wips that will just sit in my ao3 forever and i have made peace with them, though.

16. What are your writing strengths?

i wanna say characterization, pacing, emotional resonance, and a simple and natural writing style maybe

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

action?? plot??? proper AUs lmao

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

i do not because i find i butcher it and also then i cringe lmao

19. First fandom you wrote for?

oh written for but never posted? hermione/ginny

posted for? god probably All My Children (bianca and maggie) when i was like a teenager hahahahaha

20. Favorite fic you've written?

sorry no can do i love them all because i wrote them and there are so many things i enjoy about them. but i will say that the writing events circuit i've done this past year (supercorp bigbang, bumbleby big bang, and swan queen winter solstice) are born out of a lot of labor of love and i'm really proud of the work i've done for them.

and not for a writing event, but i am also extremely proud of re:live for mayakuro fandom-- that one makes me think that if i never wrote for that fandom again, that that's a really good fic to end on)

No-pressure tags, of course: @sideguitars, @eqt-95, @fazedlight, @luthordamnvers, @vox-ex, and @waytooinvested

(yall have probably done this before but here it just in case!)

[acaplaya-musings]

A review of old VoicePlay Christmas music, part 1

(This was split just because there were like 20 songs total that I listened to, and I didn't want the post becoming overly long. Go find part 2 HERE)

So basically there's a fair few old (or at least older) covers of Christmas songs by VoicePlay that I've either never heard or just have only listened to once or twice and since have forgotten about them completely. And literally everywhere and everyone around me has decided that Christmas season has well and truly begun (plus we don't do Thanksgiving in Australia), so like, I might as well make this the first Christmas music I voluntarily listen to this season, and make a post about it! (I'm bored and my blog has been quiet anyway).

(Note: I know at least a few of these tracks have videos to go with, but some are just audio, and so I'm just gonna stick to the audio tracks for all of them to keep it fair)

Title: Winter Wonderland Released: 2004, on the Unstoppable EP Am I familiar with this song? Heck yeah, I love this song! Thoughts: Wow they've always had a fondness for the old-timey radio effect huh? (Not criticizing though). Oh hello new lyrics? Where did these come from? Also the audio track on Spotify has like two minutes of complete silence at the end of it, which is odd.

Overall, it's neat, but personally I'd stick with a more "classic" version (unless of course VoicePlay wanna do a new version this year? 👀)

Title: Deck The Halls Released: 2012, on the Peppermint Winter album Am I familiar with this song? Of course! Thoughts: Oh hey Tony! (I'm sure it's absolutely a coincedence that Earl got the first "don we now our gay apparel" line) Omg Geoff <3 (sounds a bit different to how he does now, but that was still a really nice vocal line). And would that be Layne doing his sleigh bells impression? Hello remix version! And old-timey radio effect again! Kinda)

Sure, I'd relisten to that one, definitely one for the (currently hypothetical) Christmas playlist. Just wish it was longer!

Title: Holiday Road Released: 2012, on the Peppermint Winter album Am I familiar with this song? Nope Thoughts: Ooh they did some fancy audio mixing effects on this one! (Like when you're wearing headphones sometimes you hear some parts in one ear and then other parts in the other ear!) Oh a switch to Sleigh Ride? Lit! (Ngl I typically prefer covers that do the "ring-a-ling-a-ling-a-ding-a-ling bit, but eh minor nitpick). Okay I just looked up "Holiday Road", and oh it's from the movie National Lampoon's Vacation, and based on the OG lyrics, this "Sleigh Ride" interspersal is VoicePlay's doing! And hi again Geoff <3

Yeah this one kinda slaps actually, definitely another one for the playlist!

Title: I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas Released: 2012, on the Peppermint Winter album Am I familiar with this song? I mean duh Thoughts: Look, obviously I'm biased because of Geoff's solo cover, but I didn't wanna skip over this one regardless. I don't wanna be critical of this one, but basically Geoff has really honed his skills and improved a lot since 2012, and we love that for him... OH WAIT I FORGOT ABOUT THIS SPOKEN BIT *PFFT* (I've listened to this track maybe once or twice before in the past?) Yeah, one thing that hasn't changed much: Geoff's sense of humour! XD

Obviously Geoff's solo cover from 2022 still reigns supreme for me, but this one was good for a giggle if nothing else!

Title: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (ft. Michael Andrew) Released: 2012, on the Peppermint Winter album Am I familiar with this song? Absolutely! Thoughts: I'm sorry are they singing "Batman's coming", or is it meant to be "fat man's coming"? Also I don't know who Michael Andrew is but damn he's got the perfect voice for this! Like Robbie Williams or Michael Buble or whatever - he's got a very "classic/vintage" singing voice here! Omg they're mixing in bits from The Man With A Bag? Yes! I love that song! (There's specifically a cover by Darren Criss and Adam Lambert that I love, but that's for a post on my other blog). And YES GEOFF YES! He sounded so "natural" on his vocal line here, like he wasn't trying too hard to reach for lower notes, and it was wonderful. Hey I don't know some of these lyrics from Santa Claus Is Coming To Town? Where (or perhaps whom) did they come from?

10/10, no notes, love this one, throw it on the playlist! (Which I've just made)

Title: Christmas Island Released: 2012, on the Peppermint Winter album Am I familiar with this song? Not in the slightest Thoughts: Unrelated to the song, but fun fact: the actual Christmas Island is an external territory of Australia! Oh hello trumpet(?) imitations? Whom??? Earl and someone else? Oh I'm so biased to Geoff lol rip. I hear him start singing and immediately I go from :) to :D!!!!!!

Sure, that was nice. Good as background music I guess, but I'm leaving it off the playlist

Title: Season's Greetings Released: 2012, on the Peppermint Winter album Am I familiar with this song? I don't think so? Idk we'll see when I listen to it Thoughts: Wait is this an original VoicePlay Christmas song? Because I tried looking it up and the only other songs with that title are a lot more recent - i.e. I can't find any previous version! Who wrote these lyrics then? Was it Geoff?

I mean I feel like this one has to go on the playlist just by pure virtue of the fact that I'm pretty sure it's original.

Title: Here Comes Santa Claus Released: 2012, on the Peppermint Winter album Am I familiar with this song? For sure! Thoughts: "Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus - down Santa Claus layne!" They removed the word "right" and just made it a pause instead? Getting deja vu from Thriller ngl. Oh they're adding in bits of Up On The Housetop/Rooftop? Man VoicePlay be loving mashups in their Christmas covers, huh? (Not that I'm complaining - it honestly slaps). Oh go off Tony! I'm sorry Layne what was that beatboxing breakdown/changeup thing?

Hm, I'm not sure actually. I think I'll add it to the playlist, might as well, but eh

Title: Have A Holly Jolly Christmas Released: 2012, on the Peppermint Winter Album Am I familiar with this song? Definitely Thoughts: Hey Tony! :D Ooh whistling! Is that Tony as well? It's pretty good! (One thing I can't do whatsoever - I can't whistle! At least with finger clicks I can "cheat", but no such workaround for whistling, rip). "He's a rootin' tootin' Santa Claus" sorry what? Okay I just looked it up and apparently "Rootin Tootin Santa Claus" is an old song by Tennessee Ernie Ford! (Hey Geoff! I got a new Christmas song idea for ya!)

Sure, that can get a spot in the playlist - it's not often that I listen to stuff with Tony getting a lot of lead vocals, but it's nice!

Title: Left to Right Released: 2012, on the Peppermint Winter Album Am I familiar with this song? Not a dang clue what this is! Thoughts: Oh so that's why I don't know this song! It's a Hanukkah song! Honestly good for them - when two out of five of your group members are Jewish, you might as well do something for Hanukkah as well! (And thus it's fitting that Eli gets lead vocals for this one).

I don't feel right putting this song on my Christmas album, because of the obvious, but this is definitely a great song cover regardless!

Okay, that's part 1, now onto part 2!

[dausy]

I attempted a circus elephant. Didn't quite turn out like I wanted but alls good.

I had a horrible headache since Thursday evening and its finally given way this late morning. I was over it but once it wore off I was able to do a lot of stuff. The weather was great today. I walked outside in a skirt and I was actually warm. Just a couple days ago I was layering up still. I don't think the weather will last. Last year there was a snow storm around this time of year so I'm sure its false spring. I think I do get a bit of seasonal depression. I like cozy cold of Thanksgiving and Christmas but once the holidays are gone I was hot weather now.

I purchased a jean jacket which I've never had before that I can ever remember and I purchased a couple base layer summer dresses to layer with it. I hope they don't look dumb is all. I'm ready for farmers markets and brunch and sitting outside in the warm weather.

I did a lot of backyard work. I mean I guess it looks better but Im no landscaper. I think my neighbors were looking at me weird as I was mowing the lawn. All the grass is flattened and dead and its possible its not even grass but just a web of weeds. But I was using the mower as a leaf vacuum to try and pick up all the leaves rather than rake them. I did rake a good 10 bags of leaves but I don't have enough room in my dumpster. There was also a dead bird D: I had to pick it up. Probably gonna be bugs everywhere soon. I honestly think tomorrow Im just going to buy a ton of soil and grass seen and cover the entire yard. Im aware Im moving this year but I cannot let the sticker/goathead get out of control like it was when we moved in. My dog needs the back yard.

I have some weird work drama too. I always wanna talk about it but Im afraid of privacy issues. My boss bought us sub sandwiches for lunch a few days ago and I ended up being forced to take them all home. Ive been eating cold cut subs for the past 3 days (maybe thats why I have a headache). I gave some to the gate guards and my dog walkers family. Still had a bunch remaining. My dog walker is moving too btw in a couple months T_T my husband should be back by then but still. She said she has a replacement for me if I need it.

I've also posted this everywhere bragging on my spouse. He really did call me several weeks ago like "uhhh can you show me your Lion King collection I think I made a mistake" he knows I like TLK products and collect them but he's as clueless about my collection as I am if he asked me to buy him a gun. Like Idk what to buy. I guess its a little different because I own..a lot...and none of it is on display because we've moved so much the past couple years. So I had to take him into my closet and show him my breakables based on the boxes. I knew he found something online. I just wasnt sure which one it was.

Ive briefly scoured the internet for some sort of TLK 30th anniversary anything and havent found much. So this was a surprise to me. I would have found it eventually (and probably real soon) so he's lucky he got it to me. It was a very nice gift. It looks beautiful on my computer desk. I wish I had some of my other figures out but they'd just have to go in boxes again in a few months. One of these days I'll get a display case.

[oh-stars]

The entire time that I wrote The Man That I Could Be, I never did a teaser. It's done now, but... I have an epilogue written. Well, mostly. It was supposed to be out yesterday (it was supposed to be a five chapter mini fic) or on Christmas Eve, but it's not done. I was trying not to rush the fic and being kind to myself by giving myself permission to enjoy the holidays.

However... I'm not sure if this is even something people want? The story ended so nicely, in a way that turned out to be more perfect than I could have imagined, so a true epilogue doesn't feel appropriate. So I'd like to share a few words from the epilogue and if people want to see it, then maybe I'll post the whole thing.

Without further ado, I present to you a piece from...

Now I've Found a Real Love

An epilogue to The Man That I Could Be. This does contain major spoilers for the fic.

Max seemed to be the only one not trying to hide it from him. The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Steve and Max sat side by side in her bed, mugs of hot chocolate in their hands. Max’s nightmares were particularly rough right now, with school stress and Lucas complications aggravating them. Steve doesn’t mind though. 

She laid her head on his shoulder, legs curled up as she held the mug close to her chest. 

"You alright?" Steve finally said. 

"It's whatever," she mumbled. 

"It's not." 

Max shrugged, but didn't move. "Hey, Steve?" 

Steve took a sip of his hot chocolate and hummed into the mug in acknowledgement. 

"Are we celebrating Christmas this year?" Max whispered, voice so soft and careful it doesn't even sound like her. It's eerily similar to Jane's. 

"Yeah, why wouldn't we?" 

Max lifted her head, brow furrowed. "Uh, Steve?" 

Steve just raised an eyebrow. 

She doesn't look at him, not since some kid at school made a comment about how freaky it was for her to try and make eye contact. Steve had been trying to get her to forget about that twerp's comment, had tried to get names to take care of it, but Max couldn't let it go. Now she never looked at people's faces, always toward their necks or in their general area. "Steve," she said again, "are you sure?" 

"Max, it's our first Christmas together. Of course we're celebrating." He set his mug down on her bedside table and twisted to fully face her. "Hey," he said softly. "Why did you think we weren't celebrating?" 

She sighed, but let him take the mug from her hands. "None of us were sure how you felt about it." 

Steve paused. "About Christmas?" 

Max nodded. 

"I don't have a lot of traditions or many fun memories of Christmas," if any, "but I want to change that. It's different now that I've got you and Eddie around. Why wouldn't I want to celebrate with you?" 

She rolled her eyes and groaned. "Steve, you were the first person who gave me permission to be upset on the Fourth because it was the anniversary of Billy's death. So I am giving you permission to be upset on Christmas because, since you apparently are choosing to ignore it, it's the first anniversary of their deaths. And that's going to suck. So no, we didn't think you'd be thrilled about celebrating." 

Oh. 

Yeah. That made sense. 

Steve felt himself shutting down a little. It's been all too easy to forget his parents were dead. His life had moved on and it's not like they were staples in his everyday life. After those first six months, Steve stopped holding onto it. Or he thought he did, anyway. Sure it was kind of hard on his mother's birthday back in August, but Joyce and Claudia took him out to lunch to cheer him up. It was easier when he wasn't alone and even easier when he remembered that he was mourning the ‘could have been’s and not the people themselves. 

Is that a shitty thing to say? That he doesn't mourn who his parents were? 

He doesn’t care. They were shitty people. He thinks he’s allowed. 

Steve cleared his throat. "Max, I appreciate that, but... I've made peace with it--" 

"It doesn't mean it won't be hard," she countered. 

"You're right, but I'm also done letting them control me." Steve dragged his knees up to his chest, chin tucked on his arm. "I've never really gotten a chance to celebrate Christmas like I wanted to. Anything that could have been fun was a chore and..." He shrugged. "I like the idea that I have full freedom to do what I want now." 

Max carefully wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Can we get a real tree? I've always wanted one." 

Steve nodded. "You know, I've always wanted to cut my own down." 

She snorted. "Really?" 

"Yeah. I always liked the idea of finding a nice looking tree and cutting it down myself. You know, the Crowleys are out of town next week still and Eddie will be here. Maybe you can stay home on Monday and we'll go get a tree?" 

"Think we can find a place where you can cut one down?" she asked quietly. 

Steve smiled and patted her arm. "I'll look into it." They end up falling asleep not too long after that, with Max bundled under the covers and Steve teetering on the edge of the bed, he'd been so certain he'd make it back to his bed.  Oh well.

[1d1195]

Wait tell me why you would absolutely kill it having a gift wrapping job!! I can totally see you thriving in that lol and wrapping paper is fun and cute especially around the holidays!

I love when the guy is just obsessed and you absolutely know how to write it so well!! There for sure needs to be more grumpy girl representation!! And i would say this specific MC is like just guarded but rightfully so! Which is nice to see that she isn’t just straight up being too mean lol

Oh as a neighbors STAN this was a shock to me only because I didn’t think it would be this extra! But you’re so right the wedding could be sooo fun! But also super emotional because she has finally found someone who will love her and Rory unconditionally 😭

I think this past week has been extremely rough and I think it’s okay to feel some type of way about what happened with our country. It’s valid to feel all these kinds of emotions. I know at least for me it’s been a bit mind numbing.

Anyways lol yay I’m so happy that you’ve caught up with work, that feeling is the best!! And omg lowkey have forgotten about thanksgiving lol the stores are packed with Christmas stuff so in my head it’s Christmas already lol do you have any new books you’re excited to read?!

I’m very tired lol it’s getting colder and darker here so it’s been a bit hard to adjust lol and omg no I am almost done! I’m starting my 8th week! So I have about 2-3ish weeks left and I’m very much ready for it to be over!!! I actually did something fun this weekend! I went to the symphony with my brother and I absolutely loved it!! I have missed hearing love music since it’s been awhile so it was nice to just see the performance!

Okay now I can talk about Chances! BESTIE THAT WAS SO CUTE!!!! He’s so obsessed and I loved that we got to see a little bit from his perspective from the texts he sent! Like that was so cute! Also HE CALLED HER HIS SOULMATE😭 that was just so cute I loved it!! And she’s so me when it comes to the rambling omg lol btw she was so bold for kissing him like that but such a win for her! BUT THEM GOING TO THE SAME WEDDING 😭😭😭 and the fact he’s a baker and she’s a florist 😭😭 such a cute pairing omg!!! Ahhh this was so so so cute and I loved reading it!!! And BESTIE I KEEP FORGETTING TO MENTION THE CUTE DIVIDERS THAT YOUVE BEEN PUTTING IN YOUR STORIES LATELY!

I’ve missed you so much! I hope this weekend went well and that you were able to read and have some time for yourself 💕 hope that you are doing well and that your week starts off amazingly! Love you lots!!-💜

Sam my love how could I not remember your birthday?!? ONE OF MY FAVE PEOPLE ON HERE!!! I love you and please take time all the time you need to rest and get through the week! No need to worry about posting or responding to things! Promise it’s okay! as long as you’re safe and okay the asks can wait💕 love you lots bestie! You are just a beautiful human being overall. SENDING YOU ALL THE LOVE AND POSITIVITY!!💕💕💕-💜

--

It's probs the Type A life I live that would make me an excellent wrapper.

I always want to make REALLY grumpy characters but I can never fully commit to it. Like they're just angry enough but it's really just grumpy to everyone except them hehehehe

I'm trying not to think about it all too much. The world is so scary and it just makes everything worse for me mentally. It's terrible of me to pretend stuff doesn't matter, but I seriously don't see another way if it's my mental health or me 🤷‍♀️

I just have my stack of books waiting to be read. I cracked open one finally this week. I read 50 pages. I'm hoping to read another 50 tonight. I've got a couple I'm excited for kinda. We'll see how it goes!

I love that you went to the symphony! That's so grown up and nice! It's so sweet you went with your brother too! I get the darker earlier. It's pitch black around 5:15 right now, pretty crazy stuff. In some ways it makes me more productive. But I know you hate the cold! That never helps anything! How long is your break this time around?

I REALLY wanted to write like a CHEESY romance rom-com deal. The kiss was so over the top but I don't think I could get it out of my head if I was in front of Harry lol I'm glad you like the dividers too! I don't think I'm all THAT creative, but it's been fun. I sometimes make them before I write the story (and it inspires) or sometimes I wait till the end to match it. This time around neither of them were going to have jobs but at the last second I changed my mind.

The week had a rough start lol but I'm on an upswing I hope. Hoping to do some fun things this weekend and MAYBE I'll get some Christmas shopping done and I hope to get some writing done 💕

Thank you for being so sweet as always! I didn't think I had mentioned my upcoming birthday recently (maybe I did) but I was really not in the mood to celebrate last week. I also had a school thing I had to deal with naturally so it was a lowkey birthday. But I've got some really good people in my life and my students were cute about my birthday so it was a nice day 💕

I miss and love you too!

xoxo

[eusuntgratie]

Rec five fics that *changed* you?

okay this has been percolating around in my brain since you asked. such a good question <3

your blue eyed boys by feather (stucky/mcu) i feel like i talk about this one a lot but this one is like. THE FIC. that drug me into fandom and made me want to stay up all night voraciously reading. the characterization and the depth of care that the author brings to two of my favorite characters is just. perfection. you can tell when an author just LOVES and GETS characters in the same way you do, and feather's love for steve and bucky and so many of my fave marvel characters is present in every line (NAT!!). i come back to this one a lot. steve's devotion to bucky in this 'verse, to be whatever he needs, to never give up on him, to doing anything in his power to make his life a little easier, the way that the two of them wrestle with bucky's trauma, is incredible and is something that i come back to and think about and challenge myself about. i love fics that make me think and make me question things and help me process some of my own shit. i love it.

4 minute window (series) by @cesperanza (stucky/mcu) i don't even know where to begin. this fic is so goddamned good. and the universe here, the boys finding their happiness after, building a life together means a lot to me. the thanksgiving updates and advent calendars have gotten me through a couple of tough years of holidays. i'm not even caught up on the newest updates, but whenever new updates post it brings me so much joy. i love this 'verse so much; i want to roll around in it. it's just incredibly written; it blows me away every time.

Sell Your Body to the Night by @dsudis (sterek/teen wolf) THE sterek fic. this one absolutely wrecks me. the reason i got into teen wolf fandom. i re-read this fic often and it's so so good. reading this author's work makes me want to keep writing and keep getting better; i absolutely love everything of theirs i've read, across multiple fandoms.

The Standing Dead by standinginanicedress (sterek/teen wolf) I know I rec this one a lot too, but this is one of those fics that I would have loved anyway, but it came to me at the right time and is sort of seared into my brain along with a certain point in time. This fic got me through the worst anxiety of my life, and even though I don't share anything like Stiles' trauma in this 'verse, I relate to him a lot and just really connected to these two. Another one I re-read often.

Centrifugal Motion by @tkachuckles (tknp, men's hockey rpf) hi hello are you tired of hearing me talk about this one yet? this fic single-handedly revived my love of country music, which i, like many southern queer folks, have a weirdly complicated relationship with. i've had so many amazing conversations about music and country and folk and queerness, both online and irl, bc of this fic. it's amazingly written and it makes me incandescently happy. i will re-read it over and over and over again and will forever be devastated that i cannot watch tk and pat sing fishin' in the dark.

authors if you want me to untag you please let me know; i only tagged folks who list their tumblr on ao3 but am happy to take you out if you want.

know that your fics changed me and mean more than i can say <3

[soldierallen]

Married. 10

X

Warnings: a mention of "ending it all", some crying, a kissing, a big Decision.

Featuring: Evangeline Lilly, Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Henry Cavill. (Also my wifi has been out and I wasn't able to post :( so you will get another chapter this week!)

Part 9:

It's been two weeks since that day at my house, time flies when your life is getting miserable.

These two men have carried me through storm after storm breakup after breakup, I owe them I have to choose between them I can't just sit here and make up in the air decisions - "ms, line 2 for you" her thoughts scattering quickly answering the phone

"Creative director's office y/n speaking who am I speaking with" she said very professionally

"Why aren't you answering my calls?"

Mom. Oh shit

"Mom I could explain, I've been in a really bad situation and I don't know what to do.." she said she wanted the pity because well she didn't want to argue with her mother so why not make her feel bad about it.

"Honey what's going on are you coming to Thanksgiving in a few days?"

"I am but, I have a problem the whole sebastian henry thing is getting out of control, I don't know who to take with me and- I can't come alone you know that" she felt her sigh at the other end of the line which made y/n roll her eyes "who do you love? That's all this comes down this sweetheart."

"It's not that simple" a women walked in putting files on the table walking out,

"Oh and you're brother is actually coming this year" .. did I ever mention I had a brother? Probably not but my brother hated all of my friends which were the four men I care about the most he told me it was "stupid" and "childish" to have a group of boys as my friends and then I proceeded to tell him to fuck himself, that became a really good argument for my dad to break up.

He was the golden son, nothing he ever did was wrong never got in trouble always did the right thing went to college got married and raised his kids and he has a goody two shoes life style unlike me, I live in New York city in an apartment complex that used to live paycheck to paycheck to get through the weeks, he never had it hard.

I drive and go to work live alone and only have men as my best friends, everyone thought I was gay for a while until I was with Tom they stopped questioning me.

"Oh great is he gonna rub in my face that hes better than me? Most likely. love you mom"

"I love you to, just remember whoever you bring better be the one." they hung up, what did she mean by that? The one?. Like.. the one I marry someday.

○○○○

"Hey stop doing that" my mother yelled at my brother Steven "why does she have to bring her stupid friends over to the house?!" Her brother was angry that she was having them sleep over and he wasn't allowed to have his friends sleep over tonight

"I can't have a group of 7 boys plus my son in the mix, she has four friends that are boys you have four friends that are boys you have to live with it!" She said "shes a GIRL, girls aren't suppose to have friends that are BOYS!" he was only two years older than y/n at the time which made him 15 & her and her friends 13

"Girls could be friends with boys!" She said

"No they can't they're only friends with you because they want to get in your pants!"

"Steven Michael Y/L/N go to your room you're grounded" he stomped his feet into the ground going up the stairs saying swearing words underneath his breath

"do you think that's true.." she sat at the bar stool waiting for her friends to arrive she was kinda weirded out and never thought about it like that.

"Honey, I don't think that I think your brother is jealous that you have better brothers than he'll ever be to you" she whispered.

○○○○

She sat at her desk trying to figure out who she was going to bring.

"God just give me a sign or a billboard or a brick though this glass window"

A knock on her door startled her she got up, a warm smile greeted her it was sebastian "hey, I'm having a party tomorrow and you should come.." he smiled "a party?" She left from behind her desk coming closer to him

"Yes the new house and everything so you should come" he said "did you come all the way from the other side of town to tell me you wanted me at your party?" She laughed

"Yeah kinda" he nervously laughed and she put her hand on his shoulder "I'll be there" "good I want you there and everybody else."

Was this faith trying to tell me something, when I asked for answers I got sebastian at the door was this it..

I told myself I'm tired of loving someone who doesn't even want to try and than he shows up my heart beats fast and my stomach twists

"I'll see you tomorrow at 8?" She nodded "hey where are you going?" "Back to work?" "that's a 24 minute drive from here"

"I know" he smiled sleepily and fixed his suit jacket "tomorrow" he pointed at her walking away she shook her head with a smile at his tactics, he was becoming his self again, it was enlightening.

Just then she felt the whole office tense up not really sure why she walked out into the hall watching everyone shift the once talking and joking in the office became...quiet only the noises of mouse clicks and keyboard taps in the air she was very confused at this point, she walked around the office looking for answers she saw her coworker Evangelina "hey what's going on" she whispered "something's going on in Robert's office I think you should...handle it" Evangelina was blunt & she liked that about her, y/n nodded her head and headed towards Downey's office hearing absolute ruckus she knocked on the door no answer, she knocked one more time.. nothing she knocked again and with a word "mr Downey it's me I'm coming in" when she walked in papers everywhere, a whiskey glass shattered into millions of pieces.

"Mr Downey what's going on"

"We lost the investment" he yelled, she never heard him yell like that and not at her at least, "huh?"

"You know that company stock we did last week? Mr Daddario told us to specifically not to do!" She nodded her head "well was lost it and y/n if it wasn't for you this wouldn't of happened!" He yelled "excuse me?" She was baffled, why would he blame this on her she only fixed the designs and had nothing to do with the money or any other way this place operates.

"You told me not to fire you the day he called and I should've" his words felt like slashes to the back "I lost one of the biggest- most important people to this company on a count of you! Because you were having trouble with the bosses daugther"

"All I asked for was for you not to fire me on a count of his daugther!, mr Downey I've never asked for this and for you to hang this over my head that you did me a favor" He rubbed his face in complete anger he put back on his glasses and folded his arms over his chest leaning against his desk

"I want you gone by tomorrow"

Her heart dropped, her hands started to shake and she felt her breathing hitch

"I want you gone by tomorrow you're fired, that pretty little office of yours will go to someone who actually deserves it." She didn't even know what to say or how to resolve this.

"Well I don't work for you anymore so this was long awaited, you are a TOOL ROBERT! You do nothing for this company you sit on your ass and make everyone do the work for you, you're ungrateful and deserve nothing lets see how good you do without me." And with that she left the whole office and down stairs office heard the entire thing, "Evangelina" she said she threw her creative director badge around her neck she caught it "have fun working with that lunatic." She went inside of her office grabbing a couple things, she opened her top draw with the key and there was two letters she never wanted to open because she was too content with the life she had,

The Times, had contacted her back when she applied months ago and she was so content she didn't open the letter that came only a week ago.

People's Maginze as well, the only problem with people's was she would have to move across country for that she didn't know if she could handle that

she came home and took a bath her eyes swollen from crying she never knew what to do with her anger she just got so mad she would cry.

She heard the door being unlocked and she drank her wine in the bath "whoever it is can you get me my towel from in my room because honestly I wasn't expecting any guests!" She yelled out, she heard a small chuckle and paper bags fall onto the table "you know any other person would've been startled that someone could walk in at any moment" "well if it wasn't you or Henry or Sebastian or Anthony, I guess I would be dead" she drank her wine and Chris walked in with a blue long towel she put down her glass she motioned for him to turn around and that he did and she got out wrapping herself in a towel she drained the water

"Jenn will be here soon" he announced

"I got fired today"

He whipped around "you're kidding?" Chris said he gave her a comforting hug and let go

"Nope," she sipped her drink "Downey fired me on a count of the daddarios just like I said" she walked out the bathroom him following her right behind "that imbecil, I always hated that guy he's always been too big for his britches" Chris was never one to get mad unless he saw the people he cared about hurt, "I told you what was going to happen what am I gonna do now!" she opened her draws as

"You still have that Times Letter, open it." He said

"What if I get REJECTED I can't handle that OH AND EVEN BETTER Steven is coming to Thanksgiving!"

Chris sat on her door frame he opened his mouth to talk when she cut him off

" I have to choose between Henry and sebastian! I don't want to END IT ALL today!" She grabbed underwear and just when Chris was about to talk again she cut him off one more time

"AND TO THINK THINGS WERE JUST GETTING BETTER AND AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS" she used her hands to talk waving her underwear all around making Chris laugh he stopped her failing arms "stop throwing your underwear all over the place and get dressed come in the living room & let's work this out." She laughed with a smile "thank you for being here for me" "always" he booped her nose which made her laugh instantly, An hour had passed the three hung out drank and they went home.

--

It was the night of sebastian's party, she didn't know how to dress for it so she did what any women would do wear a dress there's no going wrong with wearing a dress...

"I'm glad you made it" sebastian smiled kissing her cheek giving her butterflies, he felt them to, but this time y/n butterflies didn't feel the same like they always have when he did small things like that it felt - wrong.

"Anything for you" he held her hand inside his house filled with a crowd of people he introduced her to some coworkers and a few of his friends, and he lead her outside she looked out into his backyard it looked almost exactly like his parents backyard the pool was shaped the same and his pool floaties were of weird things like a unicorn and a banana it was strange.

Two lawn chairs sat out by the pool it was dark, the moon was just perfectly bright the pool was warm and it just seemed... perfect

"What are we doing out here" she asked moving her hair out of her eyes "this is something you've never seen before I made this backyard look like my parents backyard, this is the place I always come to in my head when I need a moment, I know things for you aren't so great" they sat down on the grass,and she picked at the grown slightly listening to him talk

"But I want you to know this is a safe place, no arguing fighting or anything if you ever need some place to go this is the backyard you lost your virginity in" he smirked "you caught me?" She didn't even know he knew about that

"Of course I caught you, one minute your nagging me about smoking and drinking - which after that night I stopped for three years" he tipped his head to her and she smiled showing off her teeth which made him smile "to the next minute I come back in my backyard to see you having sex with some guy"

"Charlie watts" she added

"The kid who dressed up like harry potter that night?" She nodded her head drinking the sour red liquid in her cup, "I can't beileve you lost it to him" "what did you want me to lose it to you? You aren't interested and you made that very clear" she put the cup down "I would've wanted it to be one of the four" she was very confused "all of us love you, having you lose it to someone who really loves and cares about you would've made it that much better"

"So did you all think that way?" "No I was the only one who said it" Sebastian said "Well I never told anyone and he didn't either but I lost my lip virginity to Chris actually" she laughed "you're kidding" he laughed loudly, it was just the two of them in that moment nobody inside that house music was loud but it wasn't loud enough for her to notice.

"Oh I can't wait to bug him about that!"

"I promised I wouldn't tell!" "Well you told!" Sebastian saw y/n's phone on the lawn chair next to her car keys and the only thought in his mind... push her in the pool

"How much you like that dress you're wearing?" He asked, she wasn't waiting for that at all

"it's nice I guess I didn't know how to dress to this thing I mean honestly I didn't even think I would've came because of whole getting fired -" as she spoke she wasn't realizing what was happening as sebastian pushed her into the pool she fell in with a laugh "you know you were always a little bitch" she said wiping her eyes and pushing her hair out of face "yeah people have told me that" he peeled his shirt off his body and took his shoes off and jumped in to making the water splash on her "couldn't you just ASK me to get in the pool you know I would've" she swam closer to him he pushed his hair back his lips dripping with water as he spoke "y/n I want you to have fun, you never have fun anymore it's always work, it never got you anywhere I want you to feel something" he got closer to her as well "what am I suppose to feel" she asked

"happiness, love. that's what you deserve" his face got closer to hers, she was ready for this to be the first time her lips were on his, his wet face dripped onto her skin "if you don't want this stop me."

In a slow whisper "I want this"she said their lips touched together so lightly it felt like heaven to him his hands were on her hips she was leaned against the wall of pool, it felt as if their lips matched a perfect rhythm, finally

He detached his lips from hers, his lips on her neck making a small red blotch this was what she waited for, and it felt... Wrong, like she had been betraying henry. her hand on his skin felt so new to him he'd never felt like this before it was so amazing finally after months having her in his arms kissing her loving her the way she should be loved.

She didn't love him, she loved Henry. The kiss didn't really feel the way she wanted it to be.

Sebastian heard the glass door opening, she didn't, he didn't really care who it was to be completely honest he's got the girl.

"I see you two have forgiven each other, I thought it was take some time but a week?" The voice she knew all too well, a voice she heard for months on end giving her support sounded so hurt and upset, she knew she fucked up.

"Henry" she pulled away from sebastian, Henry is right here, he looked like he was getting choked up she saw it in his eyes she tried to quickly get herself out of the pool and he turned around walking back to the glass doors, "Henry wait" she yelled her soaking wet body following him

he knew she wasn't going to pick him Chris and Jenn gave him false hope again, he thought he could catch sebastian in the act kissing another women and to start something when he got a bit closer revealing it was her this whole time, he was crushed.

She kept yelling after him he wouldn't answer he wasn't mad or angry he was trying to hold back his hurt.

she followed him onto the porch "Henry" after her fourth yell of his name he turned around, the sound of party loud she closed the door behind her hearing muffled noise. "you love him, you'll never love me the way you love him and I just have to except it and all these months I finally thought shes done with him and this is my chance i got the girl" he said he stopped half way looking at her dripping everywhere she walked down the stairs

"Yeah however I needed to know what i wanted, who I wanted."

"And you've made your choice I get it." he opened the door to his car about to get in

"I did, henry it's you." He stopped his movements looking at her through the window of the door he shut the door loudly walking closer to her, as she looked at him getting closer

"Don't say things like that when am in a time of hurt, I'm losing you - you can't just say things like that I care about you and I put you before everyone else." His voice was slow and sounded so hurt

"tonight I made my decision, Henry since this whole time I thought it's always been him I never truly loved him and now I know I needed this one night of reassurance that it was over, and I love someone else it's you it's always been you" he hesitated what he was about to do watching him kiss her he didn't feel right kissing her however it was something that had to be done he pulled in her soaking wet body into his, his white t shirt making an imprint of her body, she kissed him with so much passion she thought she would explode,

Sebastian said he wants her to feel happiness, love. she didn't feel that with him, she didnt feel anything with him it was so anticlimactic she thought this will be my choice I'll be with Sebastian like I've always wanted he will be with me and we're gonna spend the rest of our lives together when in reality.. the fire was dead and the feeling was lost maybe he felt something she didn't not anymore.

"Let's get you out of these clothes" he said out of breath, "my phone and keys are at the pool" he nodded "hurry" he pulled her forearm towards himself giving her one more kiss She had a few seconds to herself and shes never been more happy.

She saw sebastian drying himself off talking to some friends of his, it didn't even faze her she didn't want him anymore "hey" he said pulling her to the side for a second, "I heard everything" she nodded her head "you guys look great together I'm really sorry that I almost ruined it for you both" she hugged him "thank you" he squeezed her body tightly "go get him" he let go of her, he didn't want to let go of her and let her end up with Henry however she was happy and it's what she wanted that's all he wanted for her. She went and got her keys her phone

she looked at Henry through the driver's seat window opening the door he was just sitting there, he gave a small smile when she appeared "hey what's wrong" she rubbed his arm with worried eyes

"Nothing, not anymore." he kissed her lips once more she felt her stomach twist "I'll follow you home" he nodded, after a while they got to her apartment and she changed and gave Henry his blue hoodie he left here a few days ago she straddled his lap her hands on his shoulders his hands on her waist studying her weight he kissed her lovingly her hands ran through his hair and he loved the feeling he let out small moan which she wasn't expecting and she let go "you have a hair thing"

"I have a y/n thing" she laughed so hard she fell over to the side, he's so cheesy she thought. making him smile holding her body in place so she doesn't fall off the couch,

he's a one of a kind.

Tagged @hiddlestonstansworld @lovely-geek @imcalledflorence @misz-adrii @escapistdreamer-wishfulthinker @someplxce @cuddlesforlashton @coffeebooksandfandomsohmy @weasley16 @ilovethewayyourheartbeats @vogueworthy-barnes @xeniarocks @thisismysecrethappyplace @racheo91 @gravedollie666 @inlovewith3 // if anyone wants to be untagged or tagged please leave a message ty♡ also I do not own any gifs or images of any kind.

[8771eh]

A Real Thanksgiving

@sidgenophotochallenge

Sid is ecstatic that they are in Canada for the real Thanksgiving. As soon as the schedule had been posted and he knew they were having a couple days between the Leafs and Habs with the Real Thanksgiving landing in the middle of the three day break in October, he rented a cabin where the team, some of their families and staff could all do a dinner. Granted the cottage was only going to be stayed in by Sid and his family.

Its not often he throws around his wants on the team but luckily Rutherford and Sully liked the team bonding aspect and it's a little delay in going back on a plane. In the locker room Dumo keeps teasing Sid about never using his powers for the betterment of the team, which earns him a wet towel being dropped on his head as Olli passes by him from the shower.

"What the hell, Olls?" Dumo chucks the towel towards the laughing naked Finn.

"Isn't that what Americans do-clean their kid's face when he is being disrespectful?" Olli smirks as he pulls up his suit pants and readjusts himself to make sure nothing is caught in the zipper. Dumo grumbles as their remaining teammates laugh at his expense.

Sid smirks from his stall as he sits up from tying his shoes. He leans back and glances over at Geno who is chatting with Murr, Riley,  and Brass with his shirt unbuttoned while he gesticulates, pulling laughter from his audience. Sid smiles softly as he pulls his gaze to look at the rest of his team.  There were several small groups that added to the noise of the room as some players finished getting dressed and others were lounging around before having to climb onto the bus.

They would come out to the cabin the next morning, but tonight Sid was going to head up to prep the cabin so he could greet his parents and sister warmly when they arrived tomorrow. He was looking forward to being able to have both of his families together for the holiday. His bags were in the rental car he had secured before the game. He had packed extra for this road trip and he knew he owed Dana a new bottle of whiskey for all his help.

"Hey, Sid, look at this pic I just got from Cath." Tanger thrust his phone in Sid's face as he presses on to the bench next to him. Blinking to adjust to the screen in front of him, Sid furrows his brow as he sees a series of texts as opposed to a picture. "What do you think?"

Sid glances at Tanger who is looking at him slightly exasperated. He looks back at the screen and reads the words. It's a conversation with Cath and Taylor. Having his sister in Pittsburgh has been a blessing and a curse. She doesn't let him get away with half as much as he would like to. This Thanksgiving was definitely something he had to wrestle control of. She had been so enthusiastic about a family Thanksgiving with the team that her plans quickly started to become too grandiose.  Especially with a couple of the wives and girlfriends involved.  The screen was a screen shot of a conversation between Cath and Taylor then Cath's texts to Kris.

/-Is he certain we aren't supposed to try and get there earlier tomorrow? I dont like showing up when the food is supposed to be ready

-Tay, let him host he has had plenty of parties at his place since he became Captain.

-But that's not depending on him cooking everything.

-He's not making all the food, everybody is bringing something. It will be fine. He needs the tasks to do. It's good for him. /

-this is a Crosby thing, isn't it?

"Thank Cath for me, please?" Tanger jerks his head. "You're still ok with picking everybody up at the airport?"

"Not a problem." Tanger's gaze softens as he assesses Sid. "You sure this is what you want to do?" Sid glances at his lap as a soft smile pulls at his mouth. "Alright, don't say anything. I've got your back, Cap."

"Alright, gents, last call for the bus. Get out of here so I can start to break down and go to sleep." Dana steps thru the doorway as the remaining men start to head out the door with random jibes about how Dana never sleeps. As Sid stands, Tanger claps his shoulder before he nods quickly at him and slips into step and speaking rapid French with Brass as they leave.

 Sid glances at the only remaining player who is quickly buttoning up his shirt and slipping his peacoat on. Geno smiles and Sid holds out his hand. As Geno twines their fingers together, Sid slips their joined hands into his coat pocket before leading him out with a goodnight to Dana.

***

The drive up was quiet and peaceful. A win meant that Geno and Sid tended to be running on a high, however the benefit of chatting with the boys in the room afterwards is they had allowed some of the energy to wind down. Making the 90 minute drive filled with more ease then restlessness. Geno occasionally will reach out to intertwine their fingers and lift their joined hands to hold Sid's finger tips or back of his hand to his lips while he reads on his tablet.

Sid pulls on to a quiet dirt road. He knows the small road would be a bit rocky as they make their way to the cabin and it does little to disrupt their peace. Sid parks the car outside the garage and cuts the engine as Geno turns off his tablet and slips it into his bag. They exit the car in silence. Sid makes his way to unlock the door and turn on the porch light as Geno starts to pull their luggage from the back of the vehicle.

"We sleep or you want to see how Kings play with baby goalie?" Geno asks as Sid takes his luggage from him.

"I was thinking about just relaxing in the bath after we get everything put away. There's something in the bathroom that sold me on this place." Geno chuckles and shrugs.

"So weird, my Sid." The smile they share is soft and content with years of familiarity obvious before they make their way inside.

***

"A fireplace?" Geno gawks at the gorgeous hearth across from the deep claw foot bathtub. Sid smiles lazily from deep in the tub. He allows his eyes to trace up and down Geno's naked form with a proprietary gaze. When his eyes meet Geno's he has no shame at the raised eyebrow and slight flush that greets him.

"I thought the view would be worth it." Sid let's his gaze slip to Geno's lips before closing his eyes and settling back in the tub, "definitely a worthy a view."

"Clearly you wrong because I'm have best view." Geno teases as he presses a kiss to Sid's head before climbing into the tub betwen Sid's legs and sinking down until he can rest the back of his head against Sid's shoulder. He presses a kiss to the patch of skin closest to him before humming quietly in contentment.

***

"Let's go for a walk. Its gorgeous and the leaves are falling. This is what Thanksgiving should look like." Sid grins, sipping from his coffee mug brightly. Geno nods half awake.

After breakfast, Sid preps the Turkey, and puts it in the oven as Geno puts together a couple cold salads and puts out eggs for a dessert recipe for after their walk.

Sid slides up behind Geno, pressing a kiss to his shoulder. "Come with me?"

Geno pushes away from the island and takes his coat and beanie from Sid's hands. He smiles as Sid throws his scarf around his neck and presses a kiss to Sidney's nose before the scarf covers his mouth. Sid chuckles fondly. "Can't have you freezing on me. I'm a bit too fond of you."

Geno makes a noise similar to a purr at Sid's words. He reaches out and readjusts Sid's beanie-he will never call it a toque no matter how hard Sid and their teammates argue. They join hands and make their way out of the cabin.

The backyard presses into a forest filled with trees in various states of autumn colors. Sid guides him off to the side of the cabin where a path has been worn down and leads into the forest.  They walk in silence for a few minutes, just taking in the scenary.

"Is it ridiculous that I'm nervous about this?" Finally breaking the silence, Sid keeps his gaze forward. "I know my parents love you. I'm pretty sure Taylor would trade you for me in a heartbeat." Sid sighs heavily and shakes his head. "And the team is the team, you know? It's not like they dont have a hint that we're together." Geno squeezes their joined hands.

"No, makes sense. I'm know Mama and Papa Crosby many years and Taylor so small when I meet her. But is like different that now we together. Like maybe they not like that you love me not like because I am man, but not sure, you know?" Sid nods as he pulls Geno's hand to his lips.

"Well I am Sidney Crosby and I only accept the best for myself when I've worked for it." Sid can see Geno's eyes crinkle as he hears the muffled chuckle.

"Of course, I'm best. Only best for me and Sid is best so of course Sid only deserve best. Work hard for eachother,  you know this." Geno glances back at Sid for a moment as they walk and can see a softness to Sid's face. He feels a tug at his hand and stops to look at Sid who has stopped in his tracks. He is looking up at the trees with a set in his jaw that makes Geno think of all the face offs they've taken against one another. There's a determination that both inspires and sets a flame of curiosity deep in Geno's heart.

"Baby?" Geno watches as Sid nods stiffly before making eye contact with Geno and letting out a slow breath.

"Good. That's good." He let's out another breath. "Makes this next part a little less frightening." He adds as he sinks to his knee. Geno stares in disbelief.  Sid reaches into his pocket with his free hand and pulls out a small velvet box. "Because I only want to try and be the best for you for the rest of my life. I want to be able to really mean it when I say this is my holiday with teammates and family and know you know you are family. That my parents know and accept you as family." Sid's voice quivers for a moment. "I want to marry you.You are all I want imprefections and all. Because honestly, I don't want anybody else by my side if I never lift a cup again or the next time I do. I want our numbers hanging next to Mario's to mean so much more." Geno's cheeks are wet as he stares at the determined and adoring expression on Sid's face. "I only want to fight with you about which shampoo to buy or where to go on vacation. I want to make plans with you about how to teach our kids about Canadian and Russian culture and laugh as you whisper with them in Russian that maybe one day I will understand. When I think about life after hockey all I want is you and I'm pretty sure you feel the same."

Geno stares at Sid quietly. Sid shifts softly on his knee and glances at the box. "Oh, really?" Sid chuckles and opens the box and turns it to Geno. A thin platinum band sits in the box with deep red ruby and diamond chips embedded in the band. "Zhenya?" Geno glances back at Sid and feels his brows furrow as the color drains from Sid's face. "Why are you shaking your head? I-I thought," Sid pauses and searches Geno's face intently. "You don't want to marry me?" Geno shakes his head vigorously.

"No, Sid. Want to marry you. Want everything you say. You mean most to me in world. I just have ring for you at home." Sid sighs as Geno drops to his knees in front of him. Geno pulls the scarf down and presses his lips to Sid's. "Have to say question."

Sid leans back and sighs before smiling. "Zhenya, will you marry me?" Geno grins and presses a kiss to Sid's nose.

"Yes." 

***

Geno wraps his arms around Sid's waist and hooks his chin over his shoulder. Sid is talking animatedly with Jamie, Troy, Matt, and Murr. Geno has had enough alcohol that the English is too much to focus on. He just let's the sound of his friends' voices roll over him.

There is a loud noise before Geno feels a body crash into him and Sid. He looks over and sees long blond hair and felt his hand being pulled away from Sid. Trina is staring at Geno's ring with tears in her eyes and cups Sid's cheek in one hand. She keeps glancing between Troy and Sid wordlessly.

"Its about fucking time!" Taylor cries as she throws her arm around Sid and Geno. Geno has only a moment to brace himself before more people rush into the kitchen to see what the exclamation was about. The hug grows quickly as words of congratulations come from all over. It's similar to the pile that happens when the final buzzer sounds in the final game of the playoffs when they know the Cup is their's but right now they get to enjoy with friends and family.

Sid starts to laugh his happy unguarded goose honk. There are voices speaking in multiple languages over eachother, arms and hands wrapping around him and random lips pressing kisses to his and Sid's cheeks.

Geno leans forward to press a kiss to Sid's ear and whisper, "most thankful for you this thanksgiving."

Sid grins up at Geno with tears in his eyes, "happy Thanksgiving, babe. I love you."