#it could be that newton just really likes his dad

[axowotl-l]

more craftlings but this time theyre stress doodles! i have been struggling to make and finish an essay :")

[starsinthesky5]

husband & dad joe burrow (headcannons) || joe burrow x reader

description: little things about husband joey and dad joey 

a/n: ahem, the bitch is back 🗣️🗣️ it’s been three long weeks of no fics but im here ;) this was a request i got! i’ve been in my dad/husband joe feels lately and UGH. i can’t. i just felt the urge to write this and get it out asap because he’s just had me in a mood lately that like 🤰🤗

side note- the next part of nothings gonna hurt you baby is coming! thanks for your patience loves ��

word count: 8.6 k (i got carried away lol)

warnings: fluff, allusions to sex

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husband joe

joe always wakes you up with little kisses in the morning. he knows you hate alarms because of how startling they can be, so instead, he presses his gentle lips against the soft skin of your face to ease you into waking up. his trail of kisses always starts on your jawline and ends at your lips, he hits every single spot that he knows you love to be kissed at. you usually wake up midway through his little gesture, but you love the feeling of his lips on you too much so you only open your eyes when he’s done. he always has this lazy look on his face, his voice raspy and scratchy, his hair all messy and soft. he’s so adorable when he wakes up, and even cuter when you open your eyes because his smile gets bigger. “morning, princess,” he mumbles before leaning in for another kiss. you wouldn’t want to be woken up any other way

joey always makes your morning coffee for you. he says “can’t have wifey walking around all cute and snuggly but acting like zombie,”. you never have to ask him to do it for you, he just knows. he knows exactly what kind of coffee you want, how many splashes of creamer, and specifically what mug you like to have it in. it was a little souvenir mug you got during your honeymoon from the almafi coast in italy. sometimes he'll even warm the mug before pouring the coffee, just so it's extra cozy. those little things he did for you were your absolute favorite. you really didn’t need anything else in the morning, just joey and his perfectly brewed, as he called it, "love in a cup"

during the off season, he’d even make you breakfast every morning—regardless of whether he had something going on that he had to do. it was a routine for you during those months, walking down the stairs to the smell of cooked bacon and freshly chopped fruits while he was flipping pancakes on the griddle. you’d make your way downstairs, sit on the kitchen island, and just watch him like a lovesick fool, his bare back to you as he worked away, humming softly to the music in the background. he enjoyed making you breakfast with the soft melodies of sweet, classic love songs playing. some of his favorites were “it had to be you” by frank sinatra, “hopelessly devoted to you” by olivia newton-john, and “look after you” by the fray. you loved to see him like this, so normal, simple…so husband. seeing him doing something so simple and domestic made your heart swell. he was in total "husband mode" according to you when he was cooking

and whenever he put that chef's apron over his bare chest...let's just say the pancakes didn't always turn out as perfect as they could. it didn't take long for his attention to shift--especially when he caught you looking at him a certain way. before you knew it, the pancakes would burn and he'd be too distracted by other things to care ;)

joey is such a cuddle monster in private. the man cannot keep his hands off you when you’re alone together. you thought you had seen the peak of his cuddle monster ways when you were dating, but it only got worse after you got married. he just needed to have his head lying on your chest or burrowed in your neck. he loved to have his legs tangled with yours, bonus points if he had his seinfeld sweats on. that was maximum “on some comfy shit” vibes for him. you didn’t mind, his warmth was the best feeling in the entire world 

and whenever you tried to get up to go do something, he’d follow you around like an adorable lost puppy, waiting for you to be done so you could go back to snuggling

after a late night out with your girls, joe would always help you get un-ready. he'd be there with a bottle of remover and some cotton pads, gently removing your makeup as he asked you about your night. he'd help you get undressed, guide you through brushing your teeth, and then help you get cozy in bed. he would then plug in your phone for you, fill up the water bottle you kept on your nightstand, and clean up any mess in your bedroom. he knew you'd be dealing with a hangover the next morning, so he took care of all the little things so that your only job was to rest

joe leaves you little hidden notes around the house--inside your purse, tucked into a book you were reading, or in drawers around the house. each note was filled with sweet messages reminding you how much he loves you and appreciates you

"you make me a better man. thank you for loving me as I am"  - found in your skincare drawer "i fall in love with you more each day. you're my everything," - hidden under your pillow "remember our first date at the planetarium? i still get butterflies every time I see you, just like I did then," - stuck to your vanity mirror "i'm head over cleats for you :)" - taped to your shoes "what does taylor swift say in her one song? oh right, "have you ever thought just maybe...you belong with me ;) ?" - taped to your shampoo bottle "remember our first date at the planetarium? i still get butterflies every time I see you, just like I did then," - stuck to your vanity mirror

"you make me feel so high school every time i look at you." - tucked into your planner "i know how to ball, and you know aristotle. well, we both do. but you're a bigger philosophy buff than me :)" - tucked into your computer "i love the feeling of your skin against mine. i want to feel that warmth all night," - found inside your book "just a little reminder that i can't wait to have you all to myself tonight. you drive me wild," - taped to your bottle of pomegranate juice “i love my wife. i love my wife. i love love LOVE my wife :),” - taped to your jewelry stand "i've been thinking about the last time we...let's do that again, shall we? - found on the full body mirror in the bedroom, hinting at a special moment "i love when you wear this dress. it drives me fucking wild. you're so god damn sexy baby," - taped to that little lacy red dress you wore for his birthday last year "you've intercepted my heart," - tucked under your waterbottle

joe is weirdly (it's so cute though) obsessed with getting the laundry done just right. he knows the exact way you like your clothes folded, and he's mastered the wash cycle for some of your delicate tops. sometimes, when you're tired and lazy after a hard day at work, you'll come home to find your laundry neatly folded on the side of your bed. you wouldn't have to ask him to do it, he would just know. he's definitely beating the "he can't do his own laundry" allegations ;)

joe didn't let the fact that you two were now married and together for life get in the way of still having weekly date nights. sometimes it would be as simple as ordering chinese takeout and watching a movie in bed, wearing your comfiest clothes. other times, he'd choose a free night during the week and surprise you with a night out at a restaurant you'd wanted to try or an activity that brought out your silly sides (mini golf, bowling, etc). sometimes he would even cook up a little dinner for you, candlelit table and everything. he would say, "just because we're married, doesn't mean i'm done wooing you,". it honestly didn’t matter what you two did, as long as you were together, everything was perfect

every week it felt like you were still dating, still falling for each other, deeper and deeper, one date night at a time

joe insists on driving you everywhere, no matter the weather or even if you could've driven yourself. you have a nail appointment? joe drives you. you need to go to the store? joe drives you. you want to go to your besties place? joe drives you. he loves the excuse to spend extra time with you, and you'll catch him reaching for your hand at every red light and stop sign

those drives are filled with secret--not so secret--glances too. he just can't stop staring at you, like ever. you're the most beautiful thing he's ever set his eyes on, sometimes not even being able to believe that you were real

after a long game, joe would likely come home exhausted, but he's never too tired to check in on you first. he'll let you fuss over him--ice packs, massage gun and all--but in return he makes sure you've got everything you need for your night. whether that's a hot bath, a cup of tea, or just a spare hour to let you bitch and complain about the game because he knows you get heated very fast when watching football. he knew that all this was just as mentally exhausting for you as it was him. he couldn’t imagine how it felt to be in the stands every week, watching him get tackled to the ground and fight his way to victory. but the fact that you still stuck around, after all the pain and frustration that this brought you, stood out to him. you were always there for him, no matter what

“thank you for being there for me. you’ve been with me through it all–every practice, every game, every injury, every tough loss...and even through the pressure, the media, and the expectations that never seem to let up. you’ve seen the worst parts of this career–the long hours, the hits I take, the doubts that creep in after a tough game–and still, you’re always there, no matter what. unconditionally. i don’t even think I can put it into words…how much I appreciate you. how much I love you for standing by me. you’re there for me after the worst games, when im beating myself up, and somehow, you always make it better. i don’t know how you do it, but i know i couldn’t do this without you. you make everything feel worth it, even when it’s hard. and i hope you know that, even if i can’t always find the right words to say it. i love you more than anything, and i’m so damn lucky to have you by my side,”

joe goes all out when decorating the house for christmas, and especially did when it was your first christmas as husband and wife. he obsessed over finding the perfect tree, you think you went to maybe 3 or 4 places before settling on the perfect one. it made your heart swell when you remembered the twinkle in his eyes when they landed on the perfect tree. he eagerly yanked you over, his voice all high and laced with excitement. “oo, ooo. we can do like red and gold ornaments. wait no. maybe orange? because go bengals! or would that look tacky. or wait we also have a bunch of those family ornaments so maybe no theme? ah, i don’t care, it’ll be perfect no matter what,”. he was acting like a little kid and it was the cutest damn thing you think you had ever seen

he brought out all the festive pillows, hung all the little lights everywhere he could, and even bought one of those blow-up santa's reindeer decorations for the front yard. "it's our first christmas as a married couple, babe. we're practically obligated to have the best decorated house on the block,"

then when you tried to put a stop to his christmas explosion after you came home and the inside of the house looked like santa’s workshop had exploded inside, he said, "look, if we don't go all out this year, how do we tell our kids one day that we started a tradition of being the most festive couple ever, hmm?" he asked while holding up a ridiculous amount of mistletoe for emphasis

on christmas eve, you two ended up wearing cheesy matching pj's--joe rolls his eyes at them but secretly loves wearing them because its "peak couple behavior" and you two make it work. "i'm only doing this for you," he says, but then you'll find him wearing those same pjs long after christmas is over

joe lowkey is an absolute gift wrapping pro. every gift is cleanly wrapped with perfect corners and bows. he says he learned it from his mama--which wasn't surprising since joey was an absolute mama's boy and looked up to her for everything. he even adds a little note to each gift, reminding you how much he loves you. that he did on his own, something he didn’t get from his mama. that was just your husband being the best damn husband to ever husband

joey secretly hangs mistletoe all over the house and each time you pass under it, he's right there with a silly grin, lips puckered for a kiss. "oh, look where we are again," he smirks every time before pulling you in for his favorite way to pass time

joey surprised you with a custom ornament on christmas eve too. it said "our first christmas, mr. & mrs. burrow", and he looks so proud while giving it to you. you act like you don't notice the blush on his cheeks when you hang it on the tree together, but boy did he feel like exploding into a cloud of pink sparkly dust at that moment

if his hands weren’t always on you, his lips definitely were. you lost count of how many times you two were late for something because he just couldn’t get himself to pull away from your lips. it would usually start innocently, maybe a quick peck or two before heading out--but one kiss would turn into two, then three. before you knew it, he'd have you pressed against the doorframe, his lips lingering longer each time. “mmm, 5 more minutes baby,” he would mumble against your lips before stuffing his hand in your hair and pushing your face closer to his. you would try to resist by laughing between kisses and reminding him you had to go, but he'd just smile at you and then lean in for another one

joe has a habit of surprising you with flowers, but never for a specific reason. he'll come home with a bouquet of flowers on a random day after practice, saying something like, "just felt like my wife deserved this today for being the amazing woman she is,"

joe often stays up late watching game film before important games, but he always invites you to come sit with him on the couch, even if you end up falling asleep midway. you'll wake up with his arm draped around you, the TV quietly playing game highlights and he'll whisper, "sorry honey, i didn't mean to wake you up," before dropping a sweet kiss to your forehead. but there are times where you stay awake and watch the film with him, snuggled up together on the couch. when he's in analysis mode, he'll absentmindedly start explaining plays to you, "okay, so if you're the wide receiver, you'll run this route," he says while guiding your hand to demonstrate. it always ends up with him getting...distracted though. the game film had long been forgotten as the only route joe was concerned about was the route he was going to let his lips take to the place where you needed him the most ;)

even though joe is the star on the field, you're the star off the field. whether it's a work event, casual dinner, or something important to you--joe's there for you in full support. you are the star of the show, the most important thing in the universe. he'll be cheering you on like it's the super bowl or something. he just loves to see you work hard and have that pay off. he loves to see good things happen to you because you deserve all the happiness humanly possible

he’s always the loudest clapper and cheerer whenever you get an award or recognition at work. he’s the first one to shoot up from his chair when your name is called, and the last one to sit down after you’re done being serenaded with praise. he knows how much you support him, how you tirelessly shower him with love and support. so he always makes sure to do the exact same for you

before every game, you slip a little handwritten note into joe's locker with some words of encouragement and something to make him laugh, even for a brief moment. "bring home that win and I'll have a sweet treat waiting," or "you make this look so damn easy. go out there and do your thing, baby. i'll be cheering for you, always," or even "the faster you wrap up that win, the sooner we can play our own game. i've got a new playbook for you to try. hint: it involves less clothing,". he always kept these notes in his bag and will read them when he's feeling stressed or overwhelmed--during halftime or even before the game again--and they'll act as a little boost

joe’s love language is all of the above. but gifts, physical touch, and quality time were the frontrunners

gifts-

he showers you with gifts all the time, for absolutely no reason. one day you’ll come home to a new handbag waiting for you on the table. or a new necklace to add to your expensive collection (he has great taste). or you’ll be surprised with adorable little things like a new stuffed teddy bear or a funny spongebob sweatshirt (you both were equally as obsessed with the cartoon). he loved to buy you things for no reason because he just loved to see that bashful smile on your face and your little nose scrunch up

you even remember that one halloween when he made you a boo-basket after overhearing one of his teammates talk about making one for their wife. after hearing that, joe went straight to the store to pick up the essentials and then when he got home, got started on the more...extravagant pieces of the basket. joe covered all the grounds with it, even adding in his own flair. there was a cozy blanket, a bunch of sweet treats and savory snacks, halloween candy, a few candles, a book you’d been wanting to read for a while, face masks, fuzzy socks, a new heating pad, and new ugg slippers. but then there was also a new diamond tennis bracelet, a new pair of cartier shades (so you can match him), and a little designer clutch to go along with a new dress you bought just a few weeks before

during the off season, he would occasionally surprise you with spontaneous weekend getaways as he knew you loved traveling. he would always take you somewhere you were dreaming of--a cozy cabin, a beachside resort, or even a staycation at a fancy hotel nearby

after one of his biggest wins--his first AFC championship win--joe had a game ball set aside just for you. on the ball he wrote, "this one's for you, forever and always yours - j.b". it sits in a display case in your home, a constant reminder of how you're always on his mind, even in his biggest moments

every season, joe gives you a signed jersey (one of his own, of course. usually the first jersey from week 1). each jersey has a personal message for you on the inside of the collar like "my #1" or "forever yours" and are dated to match the significant milestones. you have a collection of them now, and they're one of the most treasurable things you own

quality time- 

anytime together was quality time for joe. whether that be picking out new paint colors for the house or new tiles for your bathroom, or snuggling up on the couch together to watch trashy reality tv, or sitting on the back porch with a glass of wine and watching the sunset. he just loved any and all time he got with you

he always made sure to make time for you. football took up quite a bit of his time, but that made it even more important to take time out for you

one thing joe loved to do with you was late night drives and walks

he loved to drive around with you on the golf cart, especially down to the river behind the house. your head leaning on his shoulder, fingers entwined, and the breeze blowing through your hair. it was so simple yet so pleasurable for him. it gave him the serenity he craved every day, an escape from his chaotic football world

late night walks were also exciting for him. he loved to take you out for a lap or two around the neighborhood after dinner. the only light was coming from the lamposts and the moon above you two. oftentimes during these walks, you two would have some of your deepest, intimate conversations. before you got married, those deep conversations would be about marriage, about your future. but since that was now sealed, your deep conversations would be about things such as kids, his future in cincinnati, and where you two see yourself in 15 years. but it didn't always have to be serious. you two would often find yourselves giggling about aliens, time travel, and old stories from your days back at LSU

oh and he also just loved to spend time between your legs

physical touch-

joe is handsy as hell. he’d always been like that, but you thought it would die down as the years went by and you two started acting more like a unit than a bunch of horny college kids. but those two things can be true at the same time

he’s always holding your hand when he can. he needs to feel you at all times. whether it’s holding hands in the car, holding hands underneath the dining table at dinner with friends or family, or holding hands in a crowded room to calm his anxieties. he just needed that touch. his hand is also often found at your waist or in the back pocket of your jeans. he likes to have it in your jean pocket because according to him, “it’s the only way i can touch your ass with decency in public,”

he also had a habit of fidgeting with your wedding ring. you don’t know why but he just loved to play with it, twist it around your finger

the reason was that he just needed to remind himself that it was there. that it was real and it was on your finger. sometimes he couldn’t believe that you were his wife, couldn’t believe that someone like you was with him till the day he died

he’s also handsy in some…other ways ;) 

if he could, he would absolutely keep you in bed with him for eternity

he was so damn good in bed. like everytime you guys got down to it, you’d be left breathless, speechless, and in awe

as your marriage progressed, the sex only got better and better. he knew what you liked and what you didn’t like, so he made the things you did like even more intense. he wasn’t opposed to trying new things at all either, as long as you were comfortable and felt satisfied. he wanted to do whatever he could to bring you to heaven

also because there was no need to be careful anymore. you were married. you wanted kids together. and well, the rest is self explanatory....but once he got to feel you without any barriers, that's when he really went feral. like a whole other level of down bad for you. he really needed to be pried off of you because he could never get enough of you or your body

joe loved praising you the entire time too, and honestly, you earned it. the way you'd make him feel in bed was unlike anything he'd ever felt before. you were so insanely sexy, so insanely good at it all. every time you two got down to it, you'd make it unforgettable ;)

"baby...fuck you're amazing. i can't get enough of..oh..i can't get enough of you. you're doing so well...just like that...do what you want. make yourself feel good, y/n...take it,"

joe was so obsessed with you, and that love and infatuation had not once gone down over the years. it somehow got bigger. he was so happy to be your husband, and he was even happier that you were his wife. 

engagement and honeymoon joe

you and joe had been dating for about 4 years before he popped the question. from the very beginning, he knew you were his girl. his forever girl. his special girl. he loved you quite literally more than life itself, nothing could ever come before you. you were his biggest priority. joe from years ago would've laughed if someone told him that in the future, something else other than football would become his first priority. but joe now? joe now was proud of the fact that you were his biggest priority. he was proud to shower you with unwavering love, and affection; he loved being able to give you the world. loved being able to give his wife everything she could ever want

there was never a doubt in his mind, but it wasn't until just after your fourth anniversary that he decided to make it official. he was waiting for all the stars to align before doing it. you weren't surprised that he did--he'd always dropped hints about the future, about how he couldn't imagine his life without you. but you were surprised by when he did it

he flew both of you down to louisiana for a few days that summer, claiming that it was a work trip. it was a work trip on the surface. he was helping with scouting, recruitment, and training as he was one of, if not the most, successful LSU football alums in recent years. but on a deeper level, this was the proposal trip. every moment seemed casual, perfectly normal, but you didn't know he had a ring, the ring, tucked away; waiting for just the right time to turn this work trip into the start of forever

he had an entire day set aside just for you two. it started with breakfast at one of your favorite spots from your LSU days--a cozy little diner, just walking distance from joe's old apartment. you two used to find yourselves in the same booth every weekend, sharing pancakes and debriefing your weeks together with endless cups of coffee. it was like stepping back in time, a sweet nod to the beginning of your journey together. then, he took you to the planetarium--the same place he brought you on your very first date. he'd always been fascinated by space, and you remembered how he told you that his universe seemed a little less overwhelming with you in it; that you were the brightest star in his sky, and you outshined everything else

it was as if he was recreating the milestones of your relationship that day, building up to something bigger

then he took you to a romantic dinner at the same restaurant where he told you he loved you for the first time--yet another milestone recreated. he got the same table, the same food items, and even got you the same flowers he did on your first date. he remembered it all

after that, he ended up driving you to Tiger Stadium

you were so confused as to why you were at the football stadium that night, especially because there was no event going on that joe needed to be a part of. the entire stadium was empty except for you two. you thought it was just a little walk down memory lane, but little did you know, joey had other plans

joe had always been sappy when it came to big moments in your relationship, so when it came time to propose, he knew there was only one place where it could happen. the same place he first asked you to be his girlfriend: LSU’s Tiger Stadium—after one of the most important games of the season back during his first year at LSU. this was the place where he was now going to ask you to be his wife. yet another milestone was recreated, but also another milestone being created at the same time

you didn't think much of it as you two walked hand in hand through the tunnel and onto the turf, you could almost hear the echoes and chants of the crowds from years ago. but when he led you to the exact spot where he asked you to be his girlfriend--the fifty years line--your heart skipped a beat

"remember this?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle, his body filled with nostalgia

but then you saw his expression shift to something more serious, more raw as he looked around at the stadium he once called his home. he reached into his pocket and got down on one knee right there, right in the middle of the field. "this place means everything to me. it's where my dreams started, where I became the player I am today. but it's also where we started. where I asked you to be my girl for the first time. everything changed when you said yes, and since then you've been my biggest support, my constant, my person. it hit me early on that there's no one else i'd rather have by my side. not just through the football stuff, but through life. and i realized there's no place more perfect than this...to ask you what i've been dreaming about for years. this is where we started--where i first asked you to be mine. now i'm asking you for forever. y/n, you're my heart, my home, my everything. you single handedly rocked my entire world when you first walked in, and now i just can't get enough of you. i want to spend the rest of my life loving you, making you laugh, and building a life together. will you marry me?"

and he even got the jumbotron to show an old photo of the two of you from the night he asked you to be his girlfriend, right at the exact spot where he was on one knee right in front of you

when he opened the little velvet box, you felt like your heart popped out of your chest. the ring he had for you was the most gorgeous thing you had ever set your eyes on, well other than joe. it was custom made, designed to resemble the promise ring he gave you all those years ago

small diamonds lined the sides of the ring, giving it an extra sparkle that caught the light with every movement. he knew you loved sparkle, so he made sure the ring was extra sparkley

the breathtaking cushion-cut diamond in the middle of the ring was just perfect. a little halo of smaller diamonds surrounded it, highlighting it's brilliance just enough

the most special part of the ring was the inside of the band. inside, the words "forever and always yours - j.b" were engraved in cursive, just like your promise ring

and of course you said yes to his proposal. why would you not? he was your dream man. this was your dream

the hours after the proposal were so magical

the first thing he did was pull out his phone and call your family, excitedly sharing the news of your engagement with them. the proud smile on joe's face is forever burned into your head. he was so excited to make you his wife. he was oozing love that night. you'd never seen him so in love before

then, you guys had some celebratory drinks to commemorate the engagement. let's just say you two might have had one too many glasses of champagne because, by the end of the night, you two were honestly contemplating if you should elope to a foreign country next week and get married

you fell asleep that night dreaming together. you talked about your dreams for the future--where you see yourself living, your dream vacation spots, and even little details about your wedding like the flavor of cake. "i want red velvet," was all joe said when you brought up the cake. "i want red velvet. i want red velvet. if you love me, you'll let me have red velvet,"

for your honeymoon, joe took you to the amalfi coast, italy. one of your dream destinations

each evening, you two took long, romantic walks along the coastline. you walked hand in hand along the scenic walkways, the gorgeous sun setting behind you which casted a golden glow on both of you. you both took turns taking photos of little candid moments, laughing as you tried to get the perfect shot. "hey shorty, just hop up on my shoulders," he would cutely tease as you tried to get a good shot of the view, but your height got in the way

joey booked you a private boat tour on one of the days too. you both enjoyed the clear blue waters all day as you were surronded by breathtaking cliffs and coves. you even convinced joe to get a nice tan with you, but his stubborn ass refused to put on sunscreen, so he was a tad but overbaked at the end of the day. "ha, you look like a tomato," you giggled as you booped his red nose

he also booked you a private cooking class where you learn how to make authentic Italian dishes. you both laughed and teased each other while rolling out the fresh pasta and preparing a classic marinara sauce. "mmm, you look so delicious right now," he whispered in your ear as he felt himself get a bit overjoyed at the sight of you in an apron and your hair wrapped in a messy bun, flour all over your cheeks and arms. you pushed him away so you could focus, but in retaliation, he coated his big hands with flour, and then planted each hand on your ass, leaving big floury handprints on your ass which was so visible because of your black dress

you also have quite a few late-night gelato runs

after spending quite a few hours in bed, wrapped up in a passionate, heated bubble, you both would be craving the sweet, cold treat. so you'd quickly throw on some clothes and stumble out of your hotel, finding yourself at the doorsteps of local gelato shops. you tried sooo many flavors on the trip, playfully feeding each other spoonfuls as you walked through the charming streets under the moonlight

the entire trip, you two were so attached at the hip. like way more than usual. you were like magnets. he even made sure that during your beach days, you were secluded and away from everyone else so that nobody would interrupt your makeout sessions...and well, some other things too. he just wanted to be able to love up on his wife in peace

the honeymoon was so perfect. it was like the perfect escape for you two, the best way to start off forever :)

dad joe

joe talks to your baby bump sooo much. sometimes you'll even wake up to his head level with your bump, and the sound of his voice whispering to his unborn daughter. he loved talking to her, not caring if the conversation was one-sided. he just wanted baby tessa to be able to recognize his voice when she was born

"good morning little tiger. mommy is still sleeping but daddy is wide awake. thanks for letting her sleep in, baby. she had a long night because of your little kicks. they hurt sometimes, so just be gentle with her, okay? we love you and can't wait to meet you, pumpkin,"

his featherlight kisses around your belly were both you and your baby's favorite thing. every night before bed, he'd help you moisturize your belly with some special pregnancy lotion you ordered online, and right after he was done, the kisses would begin. the first couple of times he did this, it was calm and quiet. but one night, a kiss to your bump resulted in the baby's first kick

"oh my god, y/n! she kicked! babygirl kicked!" he excitedly said while meeting your eyes. the look on his face just made you want to die right then and there. he was so damn happy. he was just so excited about all of it--for the baby, for you to be a mom, and for him to be a dad

he even gives his football commentary to your bump

during MNF or TNF, you two would be snuggled up on the couch and joe's cheek would be squished up against your swollen belly. your hands would be stuck in his fluffy hair, playing and twirling with the strands as he talked to baby burrow about what was going on in the game. he would have this adorable little smile on his face when he spoke football talk to your bump, because each time he said something, he'd get a little kick in return

"alright, babygirl. you're about to witness some football magic," he says against your belly, his eyes glancing up at you for a second so you could see his excitement. he had a twinkle in his eye as he spoke, "see that guy over there?" he said while pointing at the screen. "that's my buddy. he's got an arm like you wouldn't believe. he's gonna throw a TD any minute and I want you to remember that feeling and sound of excitement for when you watch daddy do the same thing, okay?" he asked, his fingers tracing over your bump as if he was trying to connect with her. and he did, because she gave him a gentle little kick in response

joe took it upon himself to order and read a boatload of parenting books and articles. he wanted to know all the ins and outs of being a dad, even asking advice from all his friends and family. you found it so heartwarming to see the amount of dedication he put into preparing to be a dad. joe always gave everything his 100%, but it seemed like he was giving this particular thing 110%

he got a little too psyched out, however, after reading an article about the appropriate age to let your daughter start dating

"babe. no boys. she can't let that poison seep into her brain? tessa needs to be on top of everything if she wants to be the best possible version of herself, at least until she graduates college. no boys at all," joey said, his expression was so serious it made you giggle

"listen, i was the same way. but then I met you in college. you didn't poison my mind, right? tess will be fine. besides, we have sooooo many years before we need to worry about which boy our daughter is sneaking out at midnight with," you giggled. "babe!" joe gasped, "this is not funny,"

joe loves baby shopping a little too much

going to the baby store with him is like going into victoria's secret with a teenage girl. he was lost in his own little world

as you're browsing through the clothes, he gets overly excited about the little outfits. "the clothes are so tinyyyy," he pouts while picking up a little baby joe burrow jersey. he picks out a bunch of cute little onesies for his babygirl, many of which have cute little football sayings on them like "daddy's cheerleader" or "MVB: most valuable baby". he wanted her wardrobe to match his love for football as much as possible. which is also why a few days later, he came home after practice with a tote bag of baby bengals merch just for her

in the toy section, joe completely loses it. he can't resist touching each plush toy and rattle, often making silly faces or sounds to see what toy gets a reaction from you or your baby bump. "oh wait, i need to get her a squidward plushie. oh wait, i also need to get her a squidward beanie to match me sweatshirt game days," he nodded as he stood in front of the spongebob section with both hands on each sides of his hips. he was already standing just like a dad and you couldn't help but giggle at it

"god, i can't believe we're gonna be parents," he pouted as he walked out of the baby store, bags galore in his hands. "im so excited,"

during labor, joey was the most supportive and gentle husband possible. he was the calm in the storm and just his presence was doing wonders for you

he held your hand, rubbed your back, and helped you through breathing exercises. he was very hands-on, which you loved. his touch always put you at ease

during those intense contractions, he always reminded you to hold eye contact with him. those baby blue eyes were your safe haven and each time you looked into them, you allowed yourself to get lost. the pain of the contractions basically faded away with just one long stare into his warm eyes

joe made sure that he was in communication with the medical staff. he needed to make sure you were receiving the best care possible and that he knew everything that was going on at all times

during labor, he was your biggest cheerlead. whenever you felt anxious or scared, he was right next to you, whispering words of praise into your ear, "you're doing amazing, princess," or "i'm so proud of you mama. you're so strong, i love you so much. she's going to love you,"

joe made sure that you had quiet moments too--where he was just sitting next to you, gently stroking your hand as he talked about how excited he was to meet your baby. he just wanted you to lay back and listen in order to conserve your energy

he even cracks a few jokes during your intense moments to calm you down

breathing during a contraction- "okay, babe, remember: in through the nose, out through the--wait, isn't this basically football practice? you've got better form than half the team right now!" he laughed

after a contraction- "sooo. i guess we can skip leg day for a while after this, huh?"

as he massages your back- "you know, i’ve been meaning to tell you, this is great practice for the halftime pep talks and relaxing mechanisms you'll need for tess when she’s older. if she's anything like her mom, she won't hesitate in marching down to the locker room and cursing out the entire d-line,"

when you're trying to relax- "just think, by the end of the day, we'll have a little new teammate on our roster. you think she's more offense material? or defense?"

after your baby is born, joe's first words are so soft and emotional. he's so overwhelmed with emotions, but the first thing he thinks about, is you

"you did it, princess. you're so incredible, mama," he says as he kisses your forehead, tears in his eyes, completely in awe of you

a few days post birth, you're coming down the stairs after a much needed nap and the sight your met with literally causes you to melt

baby tessa's squished up against joe's bare chest, sleeping while he just held her against him. you can see that he's quietly relishing the moment, this little bonding time with his daughter. her little baby cheek is pushed up against his muscular chest and that alone drives you wild. those raging pregnancy hormones were definitely getting to you ;)

the sleepless nights don't faze joe. everytime she wakes up crying, he's up in an instant. he lets you rest, knowing that you needed it way more than you thought. you were working so hard as a new mom, you needed to just relax. "i've got her babe," he whispers to you. you love watching him cradle her in his arms, rocking her back and forth while softly humming a song. you saw him visibly release the tension in his muscles as he felt her calm down in his arms

joey is hyper aware of every sound she makes. the second she lets out so much as a tiny squeak, he's right by her side, making sure she's okay. he absolutely adores his little girl

joe has set daddy-daughter bonding time in the morning. each morning, he walks around the house with her in his arms, talking to her about football, his training, and all the things he plans to teach her about the sport. he's convinced she's listening, even if she's only staring at him with wide baby eyes and a drool-covered chin

joe is all about family naps. he tells you that all three of you need to snuggle together on the couch during the day and you obviously agree. your home was those two right there. of course, you wanted to snuggle up with them. you'd often wake up and see him with baby burrow resting on his chest, both of them fast asleep as his big hand gently rested on her tiny back

"baby, she's so cute! look at her little squishy face," joe would giggle to you as he played around with her in his lap

joe constantly reminds you of how incredible you are. he's in total awe every time he watches you feed the baby or rock her to sleep. "you're such an amazing mom. i'm so lucky to have both of you. you're my two favorite girls," he would say

joe jokes that he's already making a baby-friendly football playbook

he scribbles down little plays and shows them to her as if this is film study and she's taking notes. "okay, tessa. here's what we're gonna do. first, we tackle nap time. then, we conquer tummy time," he would explain to her with a goofy smile, one that caused her to shriek and squeal

joe has this video camera that he uses to document her progress. he tells you that he's gonna film her little moments just like his dad did for him. seeing joe walk around tessa with a camera in his hand, trying to get every angle, made your heart melt. nothing brought you more joe than hearing a mix of both their soft giggles, shrieks, and laughs. "tessa...over here, pumpkin. daddy's over here!" he would softly say as he tried to get her to look back at him and his camera as she tried to play with her squidward plushie--her favorite thing in the world right now

crawl training was one of your most favorite parts of the day because you could just sit back and watch joe be in full daddy mode for an hour or two

he would playfully get down on his hands and knees, demonstrating how to crawl. he slowly moved one hand forward along with his knee, "look, babygirl. it's just like this! one hand, then the other--easy peasy, right?"

every time she moved the smallest inch, joe's face lit up with pride. "you're so strong, tessa. you've got this!" he cheered on

he'd even motivate her with toys, gently waving it in front of her. "you want mr. squidward? come get him, sweetie," he teases, proud of every shuffle she makes

"c'mon, you're almost there, babygirl. you've got this," he would encourage. "you're almost to mama," he added as he met your soft eyes while you patted your legs so tessa would remain focused

each time she struggled, you watched him quickly scoop her up in his arms for s break. peppering her with kisses and tickles while whispering, "it's okay, we have all the time in the world. me and mama are soo proud of you, pumpkin,". his patience was so special to you. he was so gentle with her, so understanding

but when she managed to push herself even further than before, joe would celebrate like it was a touchdown. "that's my girl!" he'd cheer, clapping his hand softly as he watched her giggle and squeal in your lap while you showered her with kisses

"huh, i guess she'll be crawling all over the place now, isn't she?" joe asked you as he sat down with you after crawl training with his little tiger

"probably. but that's all your doing, baby," you would tease

tessa was such a daddy's girl, and how could she not be? he was so good to her

seeing joe as a dad just made you fall in love with him even more. the way he took on this major new responsibility like a champ made your heart explode. you didn't think you could possibly love him any more than you already did, but tessa's arrival proved you wrong in the best way

joe was the absolute perfect husband and an even better dad. he was naturally good at everything he did, but loving you and his babygirl was the easiest thing for him to excel at

--the end--

[respectthepetty]

I really love that Wa and Yotha are good exes to each other now that they are in other relationships fifteen episodes into Perfect 10 Liners. And I love that they keep talking under the "Don't text your ex" sign.

Because even though Wa's relationship with Klao has more than its share of problems, they balance each other out. Klao needs someone to save him from himself, and Wa wants to be a savior.

And Wa couldn't be that person for Yotha. Wa couldn't rescue Yotha all the time. Yotha needed a guy who saw all his darkness and embraced it.

Sometimes a Black Brooder doesn't need to be saved by a Heavenly Human. Sometimes he simply needs a chill Green Guy to remind him that the world isn't such a dark place.

And Yotha found that light in Gun.

Much like Red Rascal Arc realized he could experience happiness every day instead of believing every day was a fight through his love for Yellow Yal Arm.

And Blue Boy Sand and his elite Mean Girls shirt found the perfect guy to understand him in Orange Oddity Pond.

Pond makes him breakfast and leaves little orange notes with daily encouragement.

And Sand loves every second of it!

So it's time for these color-coded boys in love to follow their seniors into domestic bliss, so now that Yotha has apologized for hurting his Green Guy, all is well.

Regardless if Faifa likes it or not.

They could have at least waited until Faifa was pretending to be asleep. The disrespect!

But our pretty Blue Boy still comes out on top after becoming the newest campus star, and he gets a beautiful crown of flowers for it because he deserves nice things.

So while his brothers and brother-in-law are about to go through trails and tribulations, Faifa is just going to be enjoying his win.

And while MY HEART IS BEING RIPPED OUT OF MY BODY, Faifa is going to be celebrating in the bar with his friends.

AND WHEN YOTHA'S HEART IS BEING RIPPED OUT OF HIS BODY AND BEING SMASHED IN FRONT OF HIS FACE, Faifa will be drinking the night away knowing he is the bestest boy on campus.

Narrator: Faifa will, in fact, be very pissed off.

But thank goodness Newton is about that business and decided to bring a gun to a knife fight, so the Jets and Sharks will have to sort out their differences another day.

(These two are so dramatic and constantly remind me that this is a JittiRain series)

But, thankfully, Faifa and his "Where there is love, this is life" shirt exit quickly once he sees everyone is okay and notices that Gun is wearing Yotha's black shirt since he knows that shirt isn't going to stay on long now that Yotha is aware of his feelings.

Gun is pulling a Sally Field right now and is shocked that Yotha actually loves him when all of the signs pointed to Yotha being in love with him, but I love this journey of realization for Gun.

And now Yotha has to negotiate how many cows he is willing to give Gun's family so he can keep him and Gun's dad said he just needed to pay a utility bill every now and then (probably electricity, am I right?), and he can keep his son for life. I love this for them!

BUT I DON'T LOVE THIS! Love does not heal trauma, babes! NO! You are not certified to perform exposure therapy! Don't make Gun cry like this. IT HURTS ME!

*rocking back and forth* I'm going to look at the parents' books about colors and design to calm down. Just leave me here for a second. I'll be fine.

Now this is more like it. Just be there for him when he wakes him. Comfort him. Love him.

Be his sunshine in the darkness.

But do NOT do what you are thinking about doing in his childhood room in his parents' house.

You know what? Actually, go for it! They deserve this.

I have a sister to put to bed anyway.

AYEEE

[newtonsheffield]

Since I read Anthony talking to Neddy before sleep I can't stop imagining how it will be the first time Anthony tucks him to bed! 🥹

I think the first time Anthony stays late enough to see Neddy to bed he thought he’d just watch Kate do it. He loves watching Kate with Neddy anyway so it’s not like this is a burden really.

He watches her get Neddy ready for bed. Watches him get into his dinosaur pyjamas, watches Kate say side to side while heating milk on the stove for Neddy while he hugs her from the side, already singing him a lullaby. He watches Neddy settle into bed and Kate sit on his bed beside him which her arm around him and her chin resting on the top of his head as she reads him a story.

And then Neddy looks up at him, “Now my Anthony?”

Kate smiled encouragingly at Anthony as he stumbled forward, picking one of the books off the bookshelf that he remembered liking when he’d been a little boy. He sat on the other side of Neddy from Kate, feeling a Little awkward until Neddy nestled closer to him, sighing contentedly.

“I like this one.”

“I like this one too.” Anthony said gently, “Here we go.”

“I love you, Neddy.” Kate said gently when they slid off his bed, Neddy’s eyes already drooping as she kissed the top of his head.

“Love you Amma.”

“I love you as well, Neddy. Daddy loves you.” It’s the first time he’s told Neddy that and Anthony’s chest feels tight as Neddy nods sleepily.

“Love you too.”

“You need a drink.” Kate hummed as she closed the door behind them, already making her way to the kitchen. “You survived bed time, you deserve it.”

“I didn’t know one kid could want to hear Hairy Maclary so many times.”

“Eh, it’s a crowd pleaser.”

“We should add a Newton page in.” Anthony cleared his throat. “My brother Ben is pretty talented. He could match the artwork. It would surprise Neddy, he’d like it.”

Kate tilted her head as she stared at him. Almost as though she were seeing him for the first time, “You’re… really good at being a dad.”

“Thanks.” He tried to brush it off but it meant more to him than he could say.

“I mean it, Ant. I couldn’t have asked for a better co-parent. Glad my uterus got confused around you.”

“Me too? Not sure if that’s the right sentiment.”

Kate smirked, plucking two wine glasses off the shelf, “She was going and confused, I try to cut her some slack. You were very pretty after all.”

“Always happy to be a crowd pleaser myself.”

[aprilblossomgirl]

i feel like i'm hurting so much for faifa in this episode. he doesn't deserve to hear that many hurtful words. before i continue, i think i need to say this first: as an asian myself, i will always understand why most (asian) shows choose forgiveness when dealing with bad parents/parenting, no matter how unforgivable they might be seen by the rest of the audience. and that, i believe, is not of any agenda by the showmaker. of course, to not generalize it, few medias didn't go through that route because of a different preference or goal in the storytelling. however, understanding forgiveness doesn't necessarily mean i believe it is always the 'right' way of wrapping up an arc.

thinking about the upcoming faifawine's story starting next week, i feel like some dialogues in this episode, no matter how they really felt off to me, are intentionally right there as a further backstory for faifa. and especially if the directing choice of faifa's expression changes through that scene with the whole family is anything to go by.

when yotha called fai, he said this first: "Tell me honestly. Don’t be scared of hurting anyone." as if yotha knows that fai always keeps his feelings to himself to avoid hurting anyone else.

fai trying to come up with a reasoning, "I was probably just angry with her, but I think everyone was hurt by what happened— Dad, Newton, and Mom." as if to avoid answering yotha's question, "Do you hate her?" with his real answer.

"If Mom really wanted to abandon us, why would she have taken me with her?" shows that fai was not being optimistic (as yotha implied) but somehow trusted the mom. only to be shattered later, "I thought if I brought Faifa who loves being with his Dad and brothers, at least he would ask me to bring him back to visit everyone often and we’d all see each other sometimes. On the other hand, if I’d brought you, Yotha, we might have been so happy that we wouldn’t have wanted to come back and see anyone here again..." (what nonsense! i cannot understand any logic behind this one.) in a way implying that she might haven't been that happy with fai, which somehow validate what he and yotha had been talking about before: "I don’t know why she took me with her even though you were the one who wanted to go." / "Because she loves you more than me." / "That’s definitely not the reason." oh, i was right. mom doesn't love me. but she's hurting. but...

imagine being faifa, hearing all of those hurtful excuses, but his immediate response was trying to justify why mom did what she did instead of trying to validate the real feeling he himself was having. and i say this with my whole being: that's a pretty accurate representation of how we, asian kids, mostly were nurtured. the scene just stabbed me right in the heart.

faifa might haven't said anything, but his face didn't lie. you could very clearly see how his face instantly dropped once mom told her reason for taking him instead of yotha at that time. and i still cannot forget the face he made a few episodes back when mom gave him something he was allergic to. the level of gaslighting here is too suffocating to witness. the emotional neglect just hits too hard. i cannot even begin to break it further into fai's loneliness.

all these made me wonder how the upcoming third arc will 'deal' with fai's inner wound. i hope the show won't brush it off because i think it would add more depth to the romance part, how he navigates his feelings once someone finally enters his life, as it has been implied that wine was also dealing with heartbreak.

[bl-inded]

Chosen, but unwanted

We have gotten enough glimpses into Faifa's childhood and trauma that need to be unpacked to understand why he behaves the way he does. And I hate to connect everything back to his mother, but it really explains why he feels so lonely despite being constantly surrounded by people.

She took him outside his home, away from his brothers and father who he loved a lot to a house with a stranger. He had the burden of being the one that was chosen, especially because he knew how much Yotha wanted that love instead. So, he bore it and did the best he could to earn that love- be worthy of that choice (not that that's something a child ever has to do! But Fa probably felt that burden nonetheless. He was a guest in his mom's new life, so he was polite and an easy child.)

Instead, not only does she make him feel like a visitor in what should have been his new home, but his mom sends him back to his dad the minute her new family gets bigger.

They are his family, but Newton, Yotha and their father have an established dynamic now that he probably feels like a cog in their well-oiled system. I can only imagine how lonely he felt after he moved back, still making sure he was not a bother in their lives.

He learnt it anyway. He learnt how to be a happy and useful part of everyone's life so he doesn't have to be alone. But all he wants to do is belong- which is a very different longing.

But he sacrificed so much of himself to feel worthy of choices he never got to make only to then realise that Faifa was the son his mother chose, but not the one she wanted.

And now that her relationship with the rest of them is more or less fixed...

He is the only one left behind. Again. No closure, no place he belongs, no purpose as the bridge, no person who can see all the pain he's borne for such a long time, and no one who is angry for him the way he is for everyone else.

Then in comes crashing into his unassuming life this cutie.

Now that he has Wine in his life, I'm thinking about what all of this would mean to his feelings- not just about Wine, but about being in love.

Wine doesn't need a caretaker, and that is all Faifa offers to everyone.

And Wine sees through his bullshit soooo quickly. Wine cares about Fa's well-being. He sees the sacrificial idiot and calls him out on the self-destructive behaviour.

But he is heartbroken- and Fa offers to "fix it"

Meaning Wine has someone else that he used to like/date. Fa is either going to help him get over it or help him get back together with this person. Knowing they are going to end up together doesn't take away the trauma. Fai has been chosen before, but he has never belonged.

So even if Wine and Faifa end up together, is Faifa the one he chose but not the one he wanted? Would Fai think that Wine would be happier with his ex?

How much of a barrier to his own acceptance will that be? I feel like Fai is convinced he could never be anyone's first choice and Wine will have to work extra hard to make sure that Faifa doesn't feel like he is discardable, or a means to an end, or like he is only valuable to Wine if he is "useful".

I want him to experience the kind of love where he doesn't feel the need to constantly justify receiving it.

[anjuschiffer]

Of Forgotten Memories and A Beloved Mother - Chapter 2

...So this was only suppose to me a oneshot but has turned into a short mulitchapter fic... enjoy!

-

Chapter 2: Dami's Whale

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They had warned him several times to never lower his guard. Never. 

To never underestimate his opponents. 

And yet he did, causing this current dilemma.

“Give it back!” Damian yelled, running after a howling Jason, Damian chasing him with a Nerf gun in his hand. 

“I’m so glad it’s only a Nerf gun in your hand!”

“You’re lucky Dad doesn’t- Dad!” Damian yelled upon seeing their father enter the foyer, scowling at the fact that he just missed a shot. “Dad! Jason won’t give me back my sketchbook!”

“Jason.” Bruce tried to say sternly but failed when a smile escaped him. He had come back from work, Alfred walking off with his coat in hand and wasn’t expecting to hear Damian call him Dad shortly after entering the manor. After all, he was always calling him Father up until a few weeks ago. “Give Damian back his sketchbook.”

“I say you look at it. You should really be getting him better materials for his drawings instead of whatever office supplies you keep getting him.” Jason suggested as he gave back Damian his sketchbook. “Like seriously, whatever you’re getting him keeps drying up the day he opens it.

So I asked an artist buddy of mine to give me some suggestions.” Both stifled a smile when Damian’s scowl softened upon hearing the words ‘art store.’ “He highly suggested Holbein gouache or Winstor and Newton acrylics for someone who paints.” Jason said with an innocent smile.

The boys watched as Bruce gave it some thought.

“I’ll ask Alfred to look into it and we’ll take Damian to pick out whatever he wants.” 

“We’re going to an art store?” Damian asked with a twinkle in his eye. “Can I get whatever I want?”

“He’d buy the whole store while you’re at it.” Jason instigated, watching Damian stare at his sketchbook.

“Dad, we have to go. Now.” Damian practically begged, lifting his sketchbook to his father’s face. “I’ve been meaning to turn more of my sketches into portraits to put around the manor.” 

“Excellent idea, Master Damian.” Alfred spoke, returning from the coat room. “The manor can surely use a more modern touch to its decor. Your paintings will add a nice touch of color to this dreary place.”

“Alfred.” Bruce tried to admonish but was met with an unfazed look from the man.

“I’ll make sure to leave a list of some nearby art stores on your desk. If you’ll excuse me, I have dinner to prepare.”

-

Calls. Bruce forgot how much he hated them. But this one was an exception.

Bruce was already halfway through settling the conditions he had set down for the art store he had planned to take Damian that weekend when the boy himself hung up the call.

Bruce watched as Damian lifted his finger from the switch hook, his eyes not once looking away from Bruce’s. Bruce listened as the dial tone droned in his ear.

“Damian. I was in the middle of finalizing the trip to the-”

“I know.”

“So why-”

“Can’t we just enter like any other customer?”

“But you’re not any other-”

“Can’t we just go? I don’t care if people see us go in just like that. You’re my dad and- people should accept the fact that you’re my dad. And just like any other dad, you’re spending quality time with his kid- me. Is that too much?”

And with that mini speech, Bruce agreed to just walking into the art store that weekend, doing his best to ignore the glances he and his son would get every now and then. 

Bruce had his share of following people around a store and trying to understand their enthusiasm regarding products. He would smile and give them nods of approval and sweet words of encouragement as they would ask him questions about items he could care less about. 

But unlike the various times he had to follow a woman around a jewelry store, Bruce found himself intrigued and actually invested in the conversation between Damian and the store employee who greeted them upon their arrival.

It didn’t take long for Bruce to completely ignore the stares and whispers that surrounded the two.

Heck, he was too busy absorbing every piece of information the store employee gave them, he didn‘t realize they had already been in the store for two whole hours.

He listened as the employee would ask Damian what media he was looking for and what type of project he was working on. 

They discussed different types of media, the types of paint and texture each variety would give him. How oil paint would give him the texture he wanted in this project but if he was on a short deadline, it would not be recommended to use.

Damian would then go on a lengthy discussion on how he didn’t have a deadline and would much rather use oil paint opposed to acrylic due to the tones he needed for this piece, considering he needed a paint that had a longer drying time frame. He also had to consider that he wasn’t set on all the colors of his painting and had found mixing oil paints was easier for him compared to acrylic paint. 

Bruce couldn’t forget the face the employee made upon hearing that.

Wrapping up the media choice, they moved on to canvases, something called gesso, as well as thinning and thickening agents for the paints. They then spent another hour at the brush aisle, Damian carefully selecting at least 20 different brushes before they made their way to the register to pay. 

Luckily there was no one in line and the employee who had helped them already placed most of their items into several canvas bags. Paints, carefully wrapped brushes, bottles of unrecalled liquids, palettes and containers peaked from them. When Bruce was told the whopping total of 700 and something he had to pay, Bruce just handed over his card. 

‘Pocket change,’ was all Bruce could think of when he heard the price.

As they waited for the employee to finish the transaction, Bruce realized it was already three in the afternoon. He turned to Damian to ask him what he wanted to do afterwards.

Maybe he was hungry. They had skipped lunch after all.

“Damian, what do you think about going to- Damian?” Bruce called out when he realized Damian wasn’t by his side, feeling a pit in his stomach. 

He was starting to notice the edges of his vision fuzz as he scanned the area near the counter. 

Empty, save for a single person who just realized Bruce was standing right in front of them.

“Damian?” He called out again, apologizing to the staff and letting them know he was coming back as he found himself picking up a jog as he searched the store for his son. 

“Damian.” But no response. “Damian.”

“Damian!” His chest felt heavier with each aisle he found void of his kid, his eyes darting all around as he passed by yet another aisle with no Damian in sight. 

“Damian!” He called out once again, when he came to a halt when his eyes caught sight of Damian standing near a gallery tucked in the back of the store. “Damian!” Bruce scolded as he turned the boy around to face him. “What are you-”

“She made that.” Damian cut him off, turning back to look at the wall behind him, Bruce only then realizing that the gallery was a collection of paintings. With a quick glance, he realized it was a collection of paintings put together by participants from one of the store’s events. 

A Mother’s Memories.

Each painting that hung on the wall portrayed one of the many memories that a mother who participated in the event cherished. 

Some mothers had painted their kids at a park, a family outing, visiting a farm or aquarium. Family time at home. Holidays. Birthdays.

Every painting had a child painted on the canvas, the children usually smiling back, except one.

There, on the upper most corner to the right, on a canvas no bigger than a sheet of paper was a painting of what appeared to be a bathtub filled halfway with water. A fluffy baby blue towel hung on its side, bubbles floating on the surface of the water. And there, right in the center was a lone blue whale. 

The tiny baby toy smiled right at them, as if having been waiting for them all this time.

Bruce looked back at Damian, noticing his son stuck in a trance. “She made that.” He said again, but louder this time around.

“She? Who are you referring to?” Bruce dared to ask.

“Momma did.” Damian easily answered, Bruce hearing his breath hitch. There was that name again.

Momma.

Ever since Dick told him about the day he found Damian talking about a person named Momma, he tried his best to coax an answer from Damian himself. But every time he tried to, all Damian could remember from her was the color of her eyes and her voice. 

“Talia?” Bruce asked, hoping it would jog up his memory a bit. 

Maybe this time, Damian could recover some information on the woman he once called ‘Momma.’

“No, Momma.” Damian clarified, his brows furrowed. “Mother never delved into the arts the way Momma did. She’s the one who taught me how to draw.”

“How did you figure out she was the one who made it?”

“The whale.” Damian pointed out, letting out a ‘tt’ when Bruce only stared back at him. “Momma made me that whale with her magic. There’s no other whale like that anywhere in the world.”

Bruce looked back at the whale, wondering how that exact whale didn’t look like any other baby toy on the market. “Momma even made sure to flawlessly replicate the Guardian’s Emblem at the top of the whale’s head.”

Guardian’s emblem? What was a Guardian?

“Emblem?”

“Don’t you see it?” Damian asked. “It’s right there.” Damian tried to point, but the longer Bruce stared at the whale, he couldn’t see what Damian was able to. “Dad, it’s-”

“Oh, I see you’ve taken a liking to one of my favorite pieces.” A voice spoke up, Bruce and Damian turning to see an old lady with a red ladybug cardigan. Her gray hair was short, two strands framed her wrinkly face, the curl ends reminding Damian on bug antennae. “Such a heartbreaking story that one has.” She said, tutting as she remembered the tale.  

“Heartbreaking?” Bruce asked. “Did something happen to the artist behind, um.”

“Dami’s Whale. That’s the piece’s name.

When I asked Marie why she chose to draw this piece, she told me that bath time was her baby’s favorite activity of the day.” The lady smiled when she saw Damian quickly look back at the painting.  “She told me she would do anything in the world to go back to those times, saying his squeals and laughter were all she needed to get through that part of her life.

When I asked her what she meant by that, she told me one thing.”

“What did she say?” Damian asked, returning his attention to the old lady. “What happened to her? To her baby?”

“They took him away from her.” The lady softly said, frowning. “She only loved him the way she was meant to love him. And they took her away from him.”

“They got separated?” Bruce tried to understand what the owner was trying to say.

“That I would not know. Shortly after finishing the piece, Marie suddenly got a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital.”

“The hospital?” Damian asked, his voice warbling. “Is she okay? Where can I find-“

“You seem to be familiar with Marie, young one.” The lady looked at Damian and then at Bruce. “Do the two of you know-”

“He has been searching for other family members ever since he recovered some of his memories from his childhood.” Bruce provided. “He used to live with his mother as an infant but then lived with his grandfather when his mother couldn’t provide for him anymore.” 

“Oh dear.”

“He was brought to me by social services once he passed away as I’m a family friend and someone his grandfather trusted” Bruce struggled to say as he half-lied to the owner. “Since then, Damian has been searching for his only other living relative.

Somehow, this painting of Marie’s seems to be a clue to finding his mother.”

“I see.” The old lady softly said, patting Damian’s head. “You must’ve really loved your mother, didn’t you, little one?”

“I had a whale like that as a kid.” Damian spoke to divert himself from the commentary of being seen as a child. “I want to ask Marie some questions regarding it…if she can.”

The old lady hummed  

“Marie did tell me only a few people would be able to tell that the whale would attract some attention.”

“A few?”

“She told me to be wary of those who ask about her upon seeing that painting. But, she did tell me to do one thing if a young boy were to ever ask about her location.” 

The lady took an envelope out of her pocket and handed it over to Damian, an oddly designed wax stamp sealed on it. “Do you recognize this?”

“It is a Guardian's Emblem.” Damian answered in a whisper. “It looks just like the one on-“ he looked up to tell the old lady it looked like the one on the whale only to find her gone. 

“Where did she go?” Bruce asked, wondering what the hell happened. 

Weren’t they just in front of a gallery? 

How did they manage to be standing outside the store with bags of art supplies in hand?

Bruce turned to Damian who still held the envelope in his hands. 

Damian ran his finger over the wax stamp before deciding to open it, finding a photo of the same exact painting that was inside the store. Only, this time, he was also in the photo. 

Or rather, his baby self was in the photo. 

He looked so small. So fat. 

He turned it over, feeling a weight lift off his shoulder. 

You’ll find her at Gotham General Hospital. Best of luck, Damian. 

-Tikki

NEXT

[theunbearableweightofpedropascal]

Angel

Summary: Coming home from college without a degree has you scrambling to find your place in the world. Charlie just might be your savior.

A/N: I was thinking this would be set around eclipse. This was in the drafts for a while.

Warnings: Besides an age gap (reader in her 20s Charlie in his 40s) there is none.

Word Count: 3.1K

You didn’t expect your life to turn out the way it did, and neither did the people of Forks. If the confused looks you would get on the way into town were anything to go by. You had been a stellar student, assignments were early if not on time, and teachers never had a bad thing to say about you. You graduated and moved on to college like everyone would expect, but college was harder. It wasn’t even the work, it was you. 

For once you had no set path, everyone else just seemed to know what they wanted to do. After 2 years you realized how far behind you felt you decided to take a break. If you didn’t know what you wanted to do you were just wasting time and money. The loneliness set in soon after too. Although you have friends they’re all off doing their things, making their place in the world. 

Your dad helped if only by sending cringe Facebook posts captioned “It’s never too late.” His efforts were much appreciated but it’s not a good feeling when you feel like you are in last place for a race you didn’t even know you were running. Staying holed up in your room won’t help but at least you won’t have to run into anyone you know. You hate feeling like such a disappointment even though your parents assured you that would never be the case.

After a few weeks of licking your wounds, you started looking for jobs. You reach downtown and begin combing through your options. All of which would require you to run into people who would ask too many questions that you do not want to answer. Forks was already limited in what they had and if you wanted to avoid working for the Newton family your choices were much more slim. But you do take note of it just in case. Syphering through your selections you almost want to give up.

Turning the corner you bump smack into another person, you brace yourself for a fall that doesn’t come. Peeking through one eye you make out a badge and ‘C. Swan’. You immediately straighten yourself up after realizing you just bumped into Chief Swan. 

“You alright-”

“I’m so sorry-”

The both of you speak at the same time, a loud silence fills the air as you both stare at each other. Your wide eyes and his furrowed brow. You snap out of it first and bend down to pick up your fallen pamphlets, The Chief crouches down to help you. 

“You don’t have to do that Chief Swan.” He ignores you in favor of picking up the rest, stealing a glance at them before handing them back to you. 

“Charlie’s fine.” He scratches his head before telling you, “Since you’re looking we could use another receptionist down at the station.” Charlie took pity on you, Although he isn’t one for gossip everyone’s been talking about how you came back from university without finishing. He knows what it feels like to be lost especially in a town like Forks. 

“Really?” The prospect of working at the station was much better than any option sitting in your hands. “Is there anything for me to fill out?”

“No just stop by on Monday and I’ll have Helen walk you through everything.” His mouth forms into what you think is a half-smile, and you return it tenfold.

The conversation with Charlie was so refreshing you’re unsure why out of all the people in Forks he was the one to make you feel normal. You realize it’s because he’s the first person to not question or probe why you’re back here. Working at the station doing administration would be perfect. On your way home you mentally comb through your closet for appropriate clothes you can wear to the station for work. The combination list isn’t huge but you could make it work.

……..

Monday morning you awake at 6:00 am to begin getting ready, he never mentioned a time but you imagine how bad you would look strolling in there at 1:00 pm. You decide on black stretchy office pants, a chocolate sweater, and white sneakers that are comfortable enough to do sustainable walking. Grabbing your backpack you pack your essentials and bid your father goodbye before heading off.

On the way in you have enough time to stop for some coffee so you order for yourself and Charlie as a thank you. You make sure to get his black with no sugar, though you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover you can’t imagine he enjoys cremer. The last stretch of your walk toward the station has your heart pounding. You're not even sure what you are nervous about it shouldn’t be that hard since it’s Forks.

The station smells like stale coffee and mothballs, the atmosphere is mostly static but that’s given. Upon walking up to the front desk you see an older redhead who you assume is Helen. You smile as you approach her and she returns one.

“Excuse me, Chief Swan said to come up here for you to train me on administration stuff.” You hope Charlie actually talked to her.

“Of course, he told me about you yesterday dear follow me.” You set down your coffee before being given the grand tour. After a minute you’re back at the front being directed on your daily duties. Most of which is pretending to look busy, Helen prefers solitaire on her computer to get her through the day. On the other hand, you brought a book that remains hidden behind the ancient monitor in front of you. 

You thought about bringing Charlie his coffee but his office lights are off and his doors are locked so he must be out patrolling already. Within 45 minutes you’re given your first task of making more coffee, while the water pours out you see Charlie step into the break room. His eyes look surprised to see you but his face doesn't change, he peers around you toward the coffee maker before he can ask you to tell him. 

“I bought you coffee on the way in, it is at the front desk.” You quickly leave the break room to get it before he can react. On your way back you inform him, “Black, no sugar, no cream.”

“Thank you.” As he takes the cup your hands brush his, and he can feel the increased beating of his heart. It’s the most contact he’s had with a woman. He likes it. Your bright smile gives him that butterfly feeling he hears Bella talk about with her friend.

“No thank you, Sher- Charlie I appreciate the opportunity.” He waves off your thanks as if he does stuff like this all the time. 

“You adjusting OK?” He finds he wants to keep conversation with you despite his nature. You may be surprised but you don’t show it, enjoying this interaction.

“Yes, Helen is nice and I get to just pretend to work all day.” You bump your hip against him before you can think better of it.

Charlie surprises you with a deep chuckle, It’s not a full-blown laugh but it’s more than enough. It’s no secret that Charlie is one of the more attractive men in Forks, but you didn’t think of him like that until now. Not many men could pull off the 70s pornstache, or his grumpy attitude without being a complete ass. Your thoughts are interrupted by Charlie leaning down to speak quietly to you.

“Well let me know if you need more books to keep you busy Bella’s got tons of those romance ones.” He rolls his eyes playfully and nods his head before heading to his office. 

In the wake of his leave, you revel in the way his deep voice felt so close to your ear. However, you don’t dwell on his actions too much because there is no way he was flirting with you. Making your way back to the front desk you see Helen packing up to leave, she informs you she’s taking lunch. 

Charlie lets out an exasperated sigh at the stack of paperwork waiting for him when he unlocks his office. The coffee you brought him goes straight down like a shot, he appreciates the fact that you knew he wouldn’t like the extra bullshit. Throughout his shift, he sneaks peeks at you. He pauses when he sees you talking on the phone, telling himself he’s only checking to make sure you don’t need help. But the way your lips move has him in a trance, he snaps out of it before you can catch him. 

Even though he spent a fair amount of time staring at you he managed to complete over half of his paperwork. He’s overdue for a break and he knows you could use one since you never took a lunch.  

You have been manning the phones even after Helen came back, you know you should’ve taken your 1-hour lunch but you were in a groove. At least until Charlie strolled up beside you to see what you were doing. You could smell Irish Spring wafting off of him with a hint of laundry detergent. 

“You busy?” It was a loaded question on his part but he didn't want to just command you to come with him. 

“Not for the Chief.” You turn your body towards him to prove your words, and in return the corner of his mouth lifts almost like a smile.

“Lunch on me then?” He asks you with his hands balled in his pockets.

“I’ll never turn down a free lunch.” You turn to Helen to check that she’ll be okay, and she gives you a wink nodding her head toward the chief telling you to ‘have fun’. You raise our eyebrows at the implication.

On the way out Charlie gets the door, and his veiny forearm peeks out from his uniform. You wouldn’t say you have a thing for hairy guys but yet again Charlie somehow makes it work. Luckily you could blame the frigid breeze for your flustered expression. You follow his lead to the cruiser and he opens your door for you again. Your bashful expression after thanking him goes straight to his lower stomach, it’s been a while since a woman looked at him so fervently. 

Once he’s in the cruiser a comfortable silence fills the air, and you think of all the things you could bring up with him later in the diner. So far all you’ve come up with are sports and books but honestly, that should be more than enough for Charlie. Orange leaves take up most of the ground, a warning for the upcoming months. The diner is the same as always when you pull up, you open the door before Charlie can hustle his way to where you are. The stern look he gives you only makes your sudden attraction to him worse. 

The bell above the door alerts Cora to your presence. Charlie saddles up right behind you urging you forward with his hand on your middle back. Walking past the patrons, you can feel the questioning stares. But you’re sure Charlie won’t pay them any mind so neither do you. At the booth, Charlie gestures for you to slide in first.

Cora turns to you for your order since she already knows Charlie’s by heart.

“I’ll do a burger and fries with a sprite please.” You smile at Cora as she takes down your order. 

“So,” You turn to Charlie, “What’s been going on in the sports world?” 

Charlie’s side glance is enough to make you laugh. “Steelers are cleaning up, they have a path to the Super Bowl.” He didn’t mean to look at you crazy but it was the first time in a while someone was genuinely interested in his interests. The flutters in his stomach make another appearance. 

“My dad’s a cowboy fan so it’s the same thing every year.” Charlie snorts at that. 

The sound of plates landing in front of you ends your and Charlie’s moment. Looking up your eyes meet Cora’s and you thank her before she leaves again. You and Charlie waste no time digging into your food. With all of your fries and most of your burger gone you throw in the towel, leaning back against the booth.

“You gonna eat that?” Charlie eyes the rest of your burger.

“No, you can have it.” After your acceptance, he finishes it in one quick bite. You wish you didn't find that attractive.

……….

After your first lunch together many were shared, Charlie would always schedule his break around yours to make sure you ate. He also wanted to spend time with you when the opportunity would lend itself. The feeling was mutual, you put in more effort with your work outfits and make-up. Every morning you would stop to get Charlie coffee on the way in, and Helen would always give you sly smiles. You figured she picked up on the undertones of your and Charlie’s interactions, but unlike most people, she kept it to herself.

That didn’t stop others from probing you about your “Diner Dates” with the Chief. When you were collecting produce a few older women came up to you under the guise of concern. They told you getting with a man that age wouldn’t be good for any girl your age, while it was good advice you know it wasn’t given with good intentions. Instead, you pretend to not know what they are talking about effectively outing their ill-informed gossip. Charlie also hadn’t shown any initiative to ask you out on an actual date so you’re unsure where the fuel is coming from. 

The next day at work you decide to pull back seeing as the entire town somehow thinks you both are dating. You took your lunch before Helen, the words of the older ladies on replay in your head. Sure it was the wrong messenger but it was the right message you don’t know what you were thinking. 

It didn’t last a day, Charlie came by the desk deliberately when Helen took her lunch. 

“Hey there’s some discrepancies with the evidence log of Riley’s stuff, can you help me sort through it.” Though he posed it as a question he began to walk toward his office immediately. 

Once you’re in the office he shuts the door behind you before he moves to stand in front of his desk.

“I just uh wanted to check that everything was alright,” He clears his throat before continuing, “That you feel comfortable or if there’s something I’ve done.” After he finishes your face morphs to shock.

“No of course not, I just know there’s been some gossip around town about us dating and figured I’d have lunch by myself.” Charlie’s eyebrows furrow at your admission.

“I haven’t heard anything did someone say something to you?” His voice drops at the thought of anyone badgering you about this. 

“It’s not a big deal, and I didn’t want you to feel uncomfo-” He cuts you off with a deadpan stare. 

“Why would I be uncomfortable with people thinking a woman out of my league is dating me?” His definitive words leave you stunned. “It is a big deal, do you remember who it was?”

“No it’s fine Charlie really,” You try to convince him.

“It’s not if means you don’t go to lunch with me.” He gripes.

“I didn’t realize you enjoyed my company that much.” You stare at him until he returns your gaze.

“Well I do.” He assures you.

The both of you stand in front of each other in silence, the smile grows bigger on your face at Charlie’s confession. 

“Does this mean you want to go on a date with me?” You inch your way closer to him, gently tugging his tie. 

“Of course I do, I was working my way up to it.” He swallows hard when he feels you get even closer to him. 

“Yeah?” Your eyes never stray from his as your smile widens. Charlie’s eyes fall to your lips just as quickly as he looks away. You grab his hands placing them on your waist before bringing your lips to his ear. “How about now?” 

Charlie’s hands firmly grip your waist when he feels your warm breath tickle his ear. His pants grow tighter when your perfume invades his nostrils. When you reer back to look at him he wastes no time planting his lips on yours. His mustache tickles underneath your nose but you respond back with the same fervor. You tilt your head to the side to deepen the kiss, Charlie groans at your eagerness. 

Your hands slide up his chest and wrap around his neck to play with the hair on the back of his neck. When his tongue licks your bottom lip you eagerly open your mouth to him, pressing your chest against his. Charlie lets his hands dip to cup your ass through the jeans you’re wearing, earning himself a pretty moan from you. The way his tongue licks into your mouth gives you ideas of what else he would be good at. 

But all good things come to an end, and a knock at the door sends you two flying apart. You immediately focus on fixing yourself so it doesn’t look like you were in a make-out session with your boss. A folder catches your eye and you pick it up hoping to look busy. Helen peeks her head in to let Charlie know Bella is getting dropped off by Edward. Charlie’s eyes roll to the back of his head at the mention of his daughter’s boyfriend, you can’t stop the giggle that pours out of you. 

Helen slips back out and Charlie walks over to the far corner you’ve placed yourself in. “It’s a little backward now but would you let me take you out on a proper date?” 

“I’ll have to check my schedule.” You smile up at him knowing he knows you’re joking.

“How does Saturday at 7 sound?” He bends down to your ear before continuing, “I know a nice Italian place in Port Angeles.” When he pulls back he is glad to see the bashful expression on your face. He’s still got it. 

“It sounds great Charlie.” You get on your tip toes to peck him on the cheek before exiting his office. 

On the way to your desk, you see Edward and Bella sitting in the waiting chairs talking. As you sit down you see Bella’s head snap in your direction, her and Edward's conversation halting. You pretend to do work as usual until Charlie comes out to greet Bella and grunt in Ed’s direction. 

[st1tch-p0p]

IMPORTANT LORE!

When Thatcher is inside the Murray home. In the clip, he is being taunted by an alternate (whether its Six or N or whatever else) its clearly singing a Childs lullaby in a low, masculine voice. The lullaby that is being sung is called "Amazing grace". It was written by John Newton, and it's a common lullaby to sing to fussy or worried children.

This particular lullaby is also VERY biblical! (Explanation Later). Also,

I have brightened the video as much as possible, and as you can see, a hand reaches around the corner and flips the light switch out as, whatever it is, sings.

Looking at the arm, I will say that this might not be Six, the arm lacks, yknow, a characteristic hoodie sleeve and there is no discernible face or features that would point to Six. But, listening to the voice, it sounds an AWFUL lot like Six himself/ something he would do and say. In the speech to Adam, he refers to Adam as his "sweet boy", and says that "he kept him safe".

Going out on a limb here, but Jude and Lynn are divorced right? Which leaves just Lynn to watch Adam most of the time. But just maybe when she wasn't looking or paying attention, or doing something else (sleeping, out of the room etc) and Adam was being fussy or upset, Six would probably "fill the role" as dad and sooth Adam back to sleep via lullabies or whatever he could do. This might be why Six has such a "bond" with Adam, because Jude wasn't there at the house to be "dad". Yet most of this goes down the drain, as whatever it is, it doesn't look much, if at all, like the Six we know and love.

So this is maybe N OR some other Alternate. We also know N had some part in tormenting the murrays. This is seen when N follows Jude to the safe house and corners him in the closet. Jude proceeds to yell at the Alternate saying, "IT'S YOU! ITS FUCKING YOU. YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME- MY WIFE, MY CHILD." This implies N might not only have been the one singing the lullaby at the house, but this also might just mean N plays a way bigger role than we think, ESPECIALLY in the death and torment of the murrays.

Then again, this could all fall flat because we don't know FOR SURE, it is N, it could be another alternate, or it could just be a hoodie-less Six being really, really weird.

[EXPLAINATIONS]

Newton's view of redemption and divine grace formed his perspective that he considered himself a sinner so vile that he was unable to change his life or be redeemed without God's help.

The song is ALSO said to represent the ability of humanity to transform itself instead of a transformation taking place at the hands of God.

So do whatever you want with this information, but I think it holds some importance to Gabriels plan, or some kind of lore with the murrays.

[folkwhoreberry]

Hopelessly Devoted To You

lando norris x reader

or… the one where you and lando reunite after years of not seeing each other

word count : 2.2k

warnings : none really, one poor mention of sexual innuendo, lowkey enemies to lovers, english is not my first language!!!

on the radio : hopelessly devoted to you by olivia newton-john

🧡🏎️

you will never escape him.

here he is, your literal shadow, standing a few meters away from you at a gala event your brother’s invited to as a reporter and took you as his plus one.

god, will you ever leave me? you thought to yourself, internally rolling your eyes at the words playing in your head.

lando norris, the renowned racing driver, isn’t just anyone to you, no - he’s your mortal enemy, in simple words.

it all started at school, where you had to fight for just a bit of attention from the students to maybe, just maybe, have some friends. while he, the most popular kid, got it without asking. he always got everything he ever wanted, that son of a bitch. always flexing on everything he had, not caring about his grades, well not that he had to, he copied everything from all the pretty chicks bickering around him. while you studied your ass off, fighting for every grade and then acting like it’s easy peasy lemon squeazy.

the sigh of relief you let out when he left your school in favor of his racing career was huge, thinking you will finally get a moment of silence without having to hear his friends teasing you for being the grade’s nerd.

until - oh wait there he is, on the screen every time there’s a race, and of course your dad and brother just had to be formula 1 fans, more specific mclaren fans.

it all became even worse once your brother got a job in sky sports, when he started to go to races to report and interview the drivers before and after sessions, often dragging you with him to track because how could you say no to your sweet little darling of a brother?

how you ended up having a crush on him you don’t know, probably his charming personality, or his looks that get better every day, maybe his physique - you don’t know. but who’s gonna blame you? you aren’t the only one in that boat.

and now, with a bit of convincing, begging, and a promise to buy your dream bag, you’re here, at some charity event with your brother, trying to look as elegant as possible while drinking the overpriced champagne, desperately attempting to not choke on the bubbly drink in your hand when you heard a very familiar voice, now much deeper than before, whisper in your ear, “meet me near the bathroom in a bit,” before disappearing into thin air. you didn’t even get a look at him, just a quick wiff of his expensive cologne.

quickly wiping away the small bit of champagne that trickled down your lip, you walked away from the bar top you were standing at, smoothing out the long, silk black dress that you’re wearing as you walked though the tables and people, soon enough finding your way to the small hallway leading to the restrooms. with your heels clicking on the marble floor being the only sound apart from the muffled music and sound of people talking through the wall, your ears rung, your eyes searching for him, slowly making your way into the small, relatively quiet space with two door leading to the two bathrooms, jumping and whipping your head around once you felt a big, warm hand on your shoulder.

“didn’t think you’ll actually come here.” lando spoke, smirking at you as he looked at you with a mischievous look in his eyes, clearly hiding something under that pretty face of his. “what did you want, norris?” you said, trying to keep your composure as you looked at him, turning to face him so that now you got a look at his fancy suite, making sure to not let your eyes linger too long on his body before looking back in his eyes.

“what, can’t say hello to an old friend?” he said, still very proudly wearing his smirk, oh how annoying he was, will he ever get enough of teasing?

“we’re not friends, we never were and will never be.” you answered coldly, folding your arms over your chest and cocking your head to the side, almost as if your mocking his confident demeanor.

scoffing, his shoulders shook slightly, his eyes rolling at your words. “yeah, you’re right, I guess…” he said, his gaze lowering to the floor, staying quiet for a few moments before looking back at your face and speaking again. “so, what are you doing here?”

you shrugged your shoulders, unfolding your arms from your chest before moving to lean against the marble tile wall. “my brother begged me to come here with him, he’s a reporter for sky.” you replied, watching as he nodded his head at your answer. “and, uh… are you having fun?” he asked, cocking his eyebrows at you while you furrows your own. “why do you care?” you asked.

he sighed, taking one step closer to you and leaning against the wall as well, so that now your distance was under one meter. “I, well… umm…” he stuttered on his own words, making you try to not just laugh and roll your eyes at him. “didn’t see you in a while, how are you?” he asked, his voice gentle and full of softness you never knew.

“uhh, yeah, I’m alright. yourself?” you answered, internally weirded out by his sudden interest in you, though it did made you tummy swarm with butterflies of excitement. he nodded in response, muttering a small “yeah” under his breath.

this small talk didn’t continue further, leaving you both standing in front of each other in the deafening silence of the small hallway near the restrooms despite the soft music playing from a speaker in one of the corners.

this silence was broken by him after a few more moments of quietness. “so… what are you doing here?” he asked, sounding genuinely curious as to why your at this charity event, seeing at you probably have nothing to do with the organizers and anyone involved. “already told you, idiot. came here with my brother.” you answered, your eyes trying to read the expression on his face. he hummed and nodded at that, his cheeks turning a soft shade of red at the embarrassment of repeating his question twice, looking down at the floor for a moment, rubbing his palms together as he thought about his next words. “yeah, yeah, you’re right…”

once again the quiet set down around the two of you, you bounced your heel on the marble floor, the black shoe clicking on the tiles. “what did you want from me, anyway?” you asked, sounding almost defeated while trying to act like you want to go back to the main room, which you know you don’t.

“uhh, yeah, about that…” he started talking, his gaze moving to find yours again, looking into your eyes for a few moments before speaking up again, “just… didn’t see you in like, what, eight, nine years? wanted to see how you were doing, that’s it.”

“uhh, yeah, I’m fine, my job’s great, and I finally moved away to london.” you replied, trying to keep you voice calm and collected and not just straight up be excited that your crush of almost ten years actually pulled you aside and asked about your life. he nodded at your answer, starting to fiddle with his fingers as he continued. “have a boyfriend? or maybe… girlfriend? anyone?” he asked, making you question the odd direction that the conversation is going. “no, no one at the moment. broke up with my boyfriend, well now ex, around two months ago or so. why, you got anyone?”

he shook his head quickly at your follow up question, almost as if he was offended by it. “not really, though my team are trying to stick me in a pr relationship every other day, but I always tell them no.” he answered, the silence once again settling around the both of you, only broken by the quiet music and a quite messy looking couple stumbling out of the women’s bathroom hand in hand and walking back to the room where the event was happening.

“you don’t need to go back there?” you questioned, relaxing further against the wall you were leaning against, with your head now resting on the expensive looking tile, watching as he shook his head no at your words. “nah, I’m only here to look nice, don’t really need to say any speech or anything.” he said while shrugging his shoulders, taking one step closer to you.

“so… are we just going to stay here like this or what?” you asked, quickly realizing how the last part of your sentence can be taken in the wrong way. “uh, I mean, there is something I wanted to talk to you about…” his voice was soft and almost unconfident, the complete opposite of what you were used to after all those years going to school together, his tone usually being heard laced with arrogance and over-confidence. “spit it out then, I guess.” you said, waiting for him to finally speak and maybe you’ll find out why he asked you to come here in the middle of the event.

“umm, I don’t really know how to say it, but… I, like you, I guess? I don’t know, honestly, but I always had butterflies when I looked at you, ever since the start of middle school. I know it sounds stupid, I know, but… I just had to take it off my chest.” he spoke quickly, the words spilling out of his mouth like a waterfall. your eyes widened and jaw dropped slightly at his confession, you would’ve never thought that the boy who you thought despised you the most liked you. now, like a puzzle, many things clicked for you - all the looks he gave you in classes and hallways, you always thought they were dirty looks, was he just admiring you, just like you were about to do when you turned your head towards him all those years ago?

“god, I… I don’t even know what to say, Lando. I mean, I never thought that…” you said hesitantly, gulping down a lump of stress down your throat before continuing to speak, “that you like me back.” you whispered, your voice barely audible in the small hall. “you - wait, what? like you back? what do you mean, do you like me too?” he asked as soon as his brain processed your words, his eyebrows cocking in surprise and a small hint of a smirk lingering on his lips.

you nodded, looking down at the floor as your hand moved to fidget with the necklace around your neck - a habit you had while nervous since forever - biting your bottom lip as you thought how can you even respond to something like that. “yeah… yeah, I do. as dumb as it sounds, I like you, I can’t even believe I’m saying this to you.” you said with an airy chuckle, clearly one forced out of you to try and lift the nervousness around you two.

“wow, who would’ve thought… little miss (y/n) has a crush on me, I did my part in life, that’s it.” he chuckled himself, his eyes finding your own when you lifted your gaze from the floor. “so… what now? what do we do with that information?” you asked, desperately trying to hide the pink blush hue appearing on your cheeks, watching as he took two steps closer to you and shrugged, his lips sinking into his own lip to try and keep a father straight face and not smile widely.

“umm, dunno. wanna dance?” he asked, making you chuckle at his rather absurd offer. “dance? here?” you questioned, raising both of your eyebrow as you waited for his response. “yeah, I mean why not? it’s the bathrooms that are more farther away, we won’t get interrupted.” he said, his smirk now fully taking over his lips and stretching over his face. he leaned off the wall and held his hand out to you, waiting for you take his and yours. you chuckled and rolled your eyes and complied, leaning off the wall as well and placing you hand in his.

he intertwined his fingers with yours, his other hand finding the curve of your waist while yours was placed on his shoulder, the two of you swaying from side to side with the sound of “hopelessly devoted to you” by olivia newton-john starting to play from the corner speaker, your chests basically pressed against each other’s as you danced.

the sweet pair of you swayed from side to side while the song played, lando’s eyes fixated at you and a smile spread across his lips when you turned your head to look at him. he just stared into you eyes in silence, his gaze occasionally flickering down to your lips before looking back into your eyes and breaking the silence.

“can I… kiss you?” he whispered, the swaying coming to a stop as his eyes stared deep into yours, trying to find any answer in them for his question. you didn’t answer though, just simply stood on your tiptoes and pressed your lips against his, the action taking him by surprise though he quickly came back to his senses and kissed you back, his hand leaving yours in favor of cupping your cheek in his palm gently.

you pulled away from each other after a few long moments that felt like hours, keeping your foreheads pressed against each other’s as each of your gazes burned into the other’s eyes.

you will never escape him. not that you’d ever want to.

————————————————————————————

a/n : ahhh!! first fic I’ve ever written, hope you like it!!💕

[bloominghaos]

I want to take a moment to talk about the reconciliation scene in episode 16 of Perfect 10 Liners

Yes, for Yotha, he needed this explanation from their mother, he deserved to be able to let go of his resentment (even if I don’t think she necessarily deserves any of their forgiveness) for his own well-being. But that healing moment for Yotha was really overshadowed for me because, for Faifa? His heart was broken again in that same moment.

Faifa had to sit and listen to his mother tell his brother that she took Faifa instead of him, because if she took Yotha, she would have been so happy having Yotha with her that she wouldn’t think of visiting her other children. So she took Faifa from his brothers and his dad, all of whom she admitted she knew he loved being with, because he would miss them and want to see them, for her own selfish reasons with no regard for how that could affect him. Because she needed him as an excuse to force her into being semi-present in their lives. And then, she ultimately sent him back anyway, further traumatizing him, because he missed them like she knew he would but she was too preoccupied with her new family. She verbally admitted she chose to take Faifa, not for his sake, but because she knew if she had taken Yotha, she would have wholly abandoned the rest of her children. In that moment, Faifa was made to feel like a second choice to her. He was othered. Again.

Then she drops the news that she’s leaving the country with her new family (and she hadn’t even initially planned to tell them at all before she left, it was pure luck they were there when she came to say goodbye to their father) Effectively abandoning them all again. And Faifa had to sit there, hurt etched into every detail of his face. And he couldn’t even say anything.

For the rest of the scene, he can hardly even bring himself to look at her. He wasn’t even really allowed the time to sit with his feelings before she was telling him how his half siblings missed him and he had to put his emotions aside, again, for the sake of others; agreeing to see her off at the airport so they could see him before they all left. He let her hug him despite how obvious it was (to the audience at least) that he did not find it very comforting. Because he didn’t feel loved. He hugged her, assured her that he knows she loves him when she asked, not because he actually felt that way, but in order to not hurt her feelings, to not cause a stir.

She gets the comfort of being forgiven and making up with all of her sons so she can go and live her life guilt-free, all the while blissfully ignorant of how harshly she just hurt one of them, no matter how unintentional it may have been. She was not, and still isn’t, a good mother to her sons. Despite this scene being one where she is supposed to reconcile her mistakes, she is still selfish throughout, in her words and actions. Everything is done for her emotional benefit.

Despite this being a mostly positive moment for Yotha, one he needed, I couldn’t help but feel so devastated for Faifa. Faifa who is always putting himself on the back burner. Faifa who probably thinks that if he makes himself as small as possible, if he doesn’t need to have his feelings cared for, if he’s agreeable to a fault and doesn’t make a fuss, maybe, just maybe, the people he loves will stop abandoning him over and over again.

(And don’t even get me started on how overlooked Newton’s feelings are because he’s the oldest and it’s “his responsibility to look after his younger brothers”. Gmmtv can not let a series end without an attempt to redeem even the worst parents and I hate it sometimes. They have every right to resent her for her decisions. No matter what her motivations were. In fact, they have every right to resent her because of her motivations even.)

[rainydayandmondays]

Thanksgiving Potluck

Summary: It’s time for the annual Thanksgiving potluck at work. Andy wants to make sure that he brings something special for you. You worked so hard, you deserve it.

Pairing: Andy Barber X Reader, Jake Jensen

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: 18+ only. Explicit language, explicit sexual content, male masturbation, slight non-con

Author's Note: This came about after seeing a challenge to write a spicy Thanksgiving story. With the blessing of @georgiapeach30513 to use Andy Barber, this is what I got.

You had been planning the department’s Thanksgiving potluck for weeks. Running around, trying to get everyone to sign up to bring in something, even if it was just silverware and napkins. Andy never participated in these get-togethers. They were some weird kind of team building bullshit that he had never really subscribed to. Why play nice that one day, while all the remaining days everyone was trying to one up each other. Comparing their win-loss ratios like they were some goddamn a-list athletes. The fucking Red Sox, they were not.

But you had started earlier this year, right around Valentine’s day. He remembered your first day, you wore your pink button down shirt the first two buttons undone and your simple gold necklace nestled in the crux of your shirt. Your pencil skirt was knee-length but seemed to hug from your waist to your hips. He imagined his hands could skim down the sides of it as if it was a second skin. Then your sensible flats, all that up top and did you finish with three-inch heels? No, just sensible flats. The red nail polish on your fingers with a small heart decals on each ring finger, let him know that you enjoyed celebrating holidays.

He watched you as you grew into the department, quickly planting roots and befriending each person you met. You were easy to get along with, never really asked for much, but always willing to give. He had spent most of October working with you. You were assisting on the research for his latest case, spending nights in the conference room with law books spread out in front of the two of you and boxes of half-eaten Chinese in each of your laps. You had asked about his story as you took a break from the mind-numbing reading of passage after passage. He had given you the cliff-notes version. The “everything is pretty on the outside” story. Loving wife at home and kid excelling in school. It was easier that way. Even if he could tell you didn’t totally buy it, you let him lie.

You on the other hand, were open. Told him everything. You were a paralegal, barely starting out with dreams of making it to law school one day. A sick mother at home had meant your law school dreams had taken the back burner. Your mom had been part of the last of the baby boomers and their idealized version of marriage. She had taken care of the household, you and your dad. With her bedbound, your dad was completely lost. You took over and everything else had been pushed aside. No sign of any romantic partners or life outside of work and home. But the glint in your eye talking about becoming lawyer, let him know you had more to offer. You had told him how you had aced your LSATS, spent every night up until 4 in the morning studying for them. You were younger then, could handle the late nights. Shit, you are younger now. Just barely hitting your late 20s, if he had to guess.

After those nights spent over cold takeaway dinners and finishing the McDonald v. City of Newton case, he realized that family dinners with little more than polite conversation paled in contrast to those talks and stale fast food. He had tried to get you on his next case, but Neal had snatched you up the moment you were free. He remembered the apologetic look you gave him when he swung by your desk with some briefs to review.

“Sorry Mr. Barber. I’m already working with Mr. Longudice. But you can leave those here and I’ll look at them when I get a chance.” You fidgeted with your pen, twirling it between your fingers. It was your nervous tick, he had noticed it the first night when you had found a passage that completely derailed his current case plan.

He nodded and walked away, noticing Neal looking on from the corner smirking. Fuck him, he wasn’t going to just use you to improve his standing in the department. He watched as the month progressed and Neal worked you into the ground. He found you more and more frequently in the break room, loading up on coffee. You were up to four glasses a day. That couldn’t be good for you. Not if you still had to go home and get your mom ready for bed.

He started to stay later and later, just to make sure someone was still here when you left. Neal took most of his case work home, leaving you with a list of readings to cover and present the next day. He watched as you flipped through pages, making notes in the growing stack of legal pads, and only the small desk lamp providing any light. He told Laurie that he had a big case he was finishing up. It was easier to keep working at his desk, instead of making the trip home, only to end up in his study. It didn’t take much to persuade her. He was pretty sure she preferred having the time to herself, she barely moved when he finally made it home to bed.

One night, he had timed it just right to meet you at the elevators at the end of the night. He walked up behind you, watching as you raised your right foot to scratch at the back of your left calf. Your pencil skirt rippled around your hips as you ran your foot down your leg. The sensible flats, the same ones you had worn that first day skimmed down the back of your left calf and he wondered what it would be like to have you run those sensible flats down his pant leg. He could feel himself twitch in his dress pants. This was a first. Up until this point, he had found you endearing, wanting to help you as much as you helped everyone else. But now, right now, he could imagine grabbing onto your hips, dipping his head into the crook of you neck as he ground against your pert ass. He felt his cock harden that bit more at the image, starting to push against the fly of his dress pants. Using his overcoat from that day’s chilly morning, he covertly covered the front of his slacks.

It wasn’t until the chime announced the elevator’s arrival and you turned around, that he came out of his brief stupor. You smiled and waved him into the waiting lift. That smile did nothing to help him, he shoved his hand into pocket to discreetly adjust himself before walking towards you. Standing next to you, he could smell those last remnants of your perfume. Was it your perfume? It had been a 12 hour work day, maybe that smell was just you. Why hadn’t he noticed that before? You chatted with him, promising that you were going to get to those briefs he left. It would be the first thing you would work on the next day. He listened and tried his best to feign interest, but you then looked up at him as you made your promise to him, and all his brainpower was immediately redirected to willing away his excitement. His hand still in his pocket, it brushed against his tip and he cleared his throat to cover the small groan that wanted to escape.

Reaching the garage, he offered to walk you to your car. You had gestured to the nearly empty lot, but he only uttered, “Better to be safe.”

You only nodded, leading him to your small late 2000s sedan. Reaching the car, you opened the squeaky driver’s door and threw in your workbag and handbag, before easing yourself into the seat. Andy held the door open for you, only to close it once you had settled. Lowering your window, you gave him a smile, thanking him for the escort, “You really didn’t have to do that. You’re a good man, Mr. Barber.”

He leaned down into your window, sighing before bidding you a good night, “You get home safe, sweetheart.”

He hadn’t meant to let the term of endearment slip, but your bashful smile was all it took to let him know he would be using that name again. Watching as you drove off, he made his way to his car. Popping the trunk on the Audi and throwing in the coat and briefcase, he hustled back to front of the car. Giving one more look around the lot, he noticed the security cam pointed at the opposite corner of the garage. Slipping into the driver’s seat, he only took a second to think through his next action. Closing his eyes, he remembered your big eyes looking up at him in the elevator, promising him something and his hand reached down to his pants.

He hadn’t gone down, no matter how he tried to calm himself, his coat had been his only saving grace, hiding away his reaction to you. Wrestling with his belt and button of his pants, he shoved his fly open, grabbing onto himself through his boxer briefs. He had already been steadily growing a nice wet spot on the front side of his briefs. Admittedly, bumping against himself with his hand in his pocket as he walked with you, might have gone a long way to making that spot. A couple of strokes, he reached in and pulled himself out.

Fuck, his hands were still cold from outside. It made his cock jump in his hold and he imagined your little hand taking him. You would apologize to him about your cold hands.

“Sorry Mr. Barber. Let me warm up my hands.”  The imaginary you whispered to him.

“Andy. Call me Andy, sweetheart.” He mumbled into the empty car.

He spit into the palm of his hand, before wrapping it around himself. He could feel you next to him, cuddling as much as possible against him, reaching across the console. Your hand stoking up and down, making sure to twist around the head of his cock. He dribbled onto your fingers and you took your thumb rubbing it along the tip urging more to come out.

“Fuck sweetheart. That feels so good. You’re making me feel so good.” He grunted, his head falling back against the headrest.

He could hear you giggle at that, pressing hard against the vein on the underside of his cock, causing it to throb in your hold.

“Ah shit, sweetheart, squeeze me. I know your hand is so little but try my sweet girl. Come on, try for me.” You would hum at that, reaching between his legs and grabbing onto his sack. Rolling his balls in one hand as you steadily stroked him with the other, giving a squeeze to his cock before a squeeze to his sack.

“What do you need Andy? Whatever you need, I promise I’ll give it to you. Please Andy, tell me what you need.” The imaginary you nipped at his neck, murmuring another promise into his neck.

“Fuck me, sweet girl. Look at me, watch me cum for you. Just for you, sweet girl. Just for you…” He reached for the empty coffee tumbler in his console, placing it under the tip of his cock as he let go. Groaning he pulsed a couple times, continuing to stroke himself until he drained himself fully, because that’s what you would do. You would never do a half ass job.

Sitting back, he looked into the tumbler, seeing a layer of his cum coating the bottom of the cup. He hadn’t cum that hard in a long time. But he supposed a sexless marriage would leave him with a lot of pent-up energy. Remembering Laurie, he grabbed a couple of napkins from the glove compartment, wiping himself before shoving them into the tumbler. After buckling his pants, he started the car, backing out lot and turning onto the freeway for home.

That night had been a couple of weeks ago and he found himself hovering around your desk as much as possible, asking for help finding a text. He would time your coffee breaks and bump into you in the breakroom to make small talk with you. Each time he saw you, he tried to get you to smile. Even on your most stressful days, your shoulders hunch, he would make quick jabs at Neal which would inevitably cause a small giggle to pass your lips. He liked those times, the sound of your laugh would get stored away in his mind, coming out only in the shower as he painted the walls for you.

When you came by with the potluck sign up sheet earlier this week, you mentioned that there were still a few sides left that no one had chosen. Looking at the list, he saw the mashed potatoes listed and quickly jotted his name down beside it. He could probably get Laurie to make it for him. She had been in a better mood recently. Had waited up for him when he worked late. She would welcome him to bed and curl into his side, rubbing circles along his chest. He wasn’t sure what had changed, but if it meant not having to deal with a moody Laurie daily, he would take it.

The day of the potluck, he walked in finding most of the office milling about. It didn’t look like much would be getting done today. With Thanksgiving tomorrow, most had spent the last few days easing into their vacation. He looked at the conference room to see the spread already laid out, you were flitting around making sure everything was set up just right.

“Here you go, sweetheart,” you jumped a little as he came up behind you, placing the dish of mashed potatoes in front of you.

“This will be perfect,” you took the dish moving it next to someone’s version of cornbread stuffing.

Turning around, you smiled at him. He thought about stepping back from you, but instead stood still. Reaching up to his arm, you grabbed his elbow and let out small breath, “I should let everyone know it’s ready.”

Slipping from around him, you walked out to the bull pin area, inviting everyone to come and dig in. He watched as everyone hustled to the conference room as he stepped out of the other door. Making his way towards his desk, he settled down, starting up his computer to check some late correspondence. He needed to spend time with you but not with everyone around. He placed his coffee tumbler on the clay coaster that Jacob had made him back in 4th grade. Sighing, he would wait to talk with you later.

The din in the conference room started to slowly die down and looking at the clock he saw that it was nearly half past 2. Most of the office should be heading out for their holiday and he figured, now would be his best bet. Grabbing his stuff together, he headed back out to find the room mostly empty. He couldn’t possibly have missed you, could he? Staring out to the row of desks, he spotted your workbag and handbag still on your desk. So, you were here, just not in the conference room.

Walking into the breakroom, he saw you at the sink scrapping off food into the trash and rinsing off dishes. Standing in the doorway, he watched this small glimpse into the domestic side of you and fuck, if it didn’t do something for him. Imagining coming home to you in the kitchen, prepping dinner for the two of you. You would still have your work clothes on but only now you would be barefoot. You would relax into him as he came up behind you, arms circling your waist.

He let out a quick breath, shaking himself from his daydream, before setting down his bag on the small table in the room. Coffee tumbler in hand, he approached you, quietly interrupting your dishwashing, “I bet you haven’t even made yourself a plate.”

Looking down, followed by a small bashful smile, you nodded, “There was so much to do.”

Grabbing onto his mashed potatoes, he looked for a spoon before starting to serve a portion onto a plate, “Come on. It’s your potluck too. You should get to enjoy it too. Besides, you got to at least try these mashed potatoes. A lot of effort went into making them. Go on now, sit down.”

Watching you sit down, he turns back to the counter, grabbing the gravy boat beside the sink. Taking the coffee tumbler, he had set down, he carefully removed the lid before emptying the contents into the remaining gravy. He stared as the viscous liquid drizzled out. With the spoon, he quickly mixed the gravy with the new ingredient together before pouring out the mixture on the mashed potatoes.

Turning back towards you, you sat at the table patiently waiting for him as he set the plate in front you. Quickly thanking him, you dug in, spooning a generous amount, gravy and all, onto your utensil and bringing to your mouth.

“Mmm, that’s really good Mr. Barber. Kind of earthy tasting. Are there mushrooms in the gravy?” You looked at him, a small amount of gravy stuck to the side of your mouth.

“Something like that,” he whispered, eyeing that speck of gravy and reaching out to clean it from your lip.

“Oh, I’m a mess,” your cheeks heated as you grabbed a napkin to clean the corner of your mouth.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” he replied, taking his thumb with gravy still on it and licking it clean, “Go ahead, finish it all.”

You followed his direction, cleaning your plate, your spoon making a sound as you laid it down. You had eaten it all. Enjoying it, if he were to go by the little happy noises you made as you ate. He knew you would love it.

“Here, let me put this up for you,” he took the plate and spoon back the sink and as he rinsed the plate, he asked over his shoulder, “Did you like it, sweetheart?”

“Yes, Mr. Barber. I promise.”

He gulped, steadying himself against the counter at your promise.

“You know, what, why don’t you take the rest home? There’s still a little bit of mashed potatoes and gravy left,” he asked already reaching for the lid of the Tupperware Laurie had used when packing it this morning.

“I couldn’t do that. You made it, you should take it home,” you answered next to him, and he realized that you must have gotten up from the table.

Locking the lid on the dish, he turned to you, already handing over the remaining potatoes covered in his gravy, “I insist.”

He had made that gravy just for you. After stroking another one out in the front seat of his car in the courthouse parking garage, he had sprayed another load into his tumbler. Looking at the cup again, he swore each session’s load was getting bigger even though this was a daily occurrence at this point. It had ended with a particularly bountiful finish, as he imagined you between his legs. Head bobbing on this cock, tits hanging from your top, before you had spit onto his cock, trapping it between your breasts and finishing him with a hard snuck to just the mushroom head of his cock.

It hit him then what a waste it was to rinse out his tumbler every night when he got home. You would love the taste of him. He knew would. Over the next few days, he collected each load, storing it in his coffee tumbler on the top shelf of his fridge at home. He had a couple of close calls when Laurie asked why he was keeping his coffee cold. He brushed it off, saying it was just water. He was trying to stop drinking so much coffee. Bad for his health. She had just nodded, leaving the tumbler alone.

“Thank you, Mr. Barber,” you nodded taking the dish with a smile.

“You can call me Andy. Promise you will?” He asked, shoving his hands into his pockets, giving himself room in the suddenly tight pants.

“I promise. Thank you, Andy,” smiling up at him, he swore you could feel what he did. He swore you knew exactly what he had given you. Swore that you were happy and willing to take it. His sweet girl would take anything he gave her.

“You almost done, Ace?”

Andy was interrupted from his trance, hearing a male voice enter the room.

“Jake!” You called to the blonde man walking into the room. His shirt was untucked and his tie not quite knotted straight.

“I’m supposed to take you out for a Friendsgiving dinner today, remember?” Jake moved towards you, wrapping an arm around your waist.

Who in the ever-loving fuck is this guy? Andy watched as you hugged Jake around the waist, shaking your head, ready to apologize, “I’m sorry Jake. My day got away from me. Oh, this my kind of boss, Andy. Andy Barber.”

Jake reached out a hand to him to shake while his other still stayed slung along your waist, “Jake. Nice to meet you.”

Andy looked at the hand in front of him, before nodding and giving this fucker a firm handshake. If he squeezed a little harder than he should, well that wasn’t on him.

“Go get your stuff together and then we’ll head out,” Jake whispered down at you, to which you just nodded and flitted out the room.

Stuck with just Jake in the room, Andy leaning back against the sink giving this other guy a once over. He wouldn’t be an issue. No way did this guy have the prowess or charm to lure you away. You were his sweet girl. This fucker wouldn’t change that.

“I’m only going to say this once, leave her alone.”

Andy looked back at Jake, eyebrow raised, before scoffing, “And who are you exactly?”

“I’m guy who knows how to download the feed from the parking garage’s cameras.” Andy swallowed hard as Jake stared him down. He refused to nod, instead crossing his arms and looking down.

“I’m ready Jake!” You came back in, your handbag slung over your shoulder and the mashed potatoes in your arms as Jake took your workbag from you.

“Let’s shake a leg then, Ace,” you giggled at Jake and Andy frowned. When did that giggle change from just being his?

“Bye Andy. I’ll see you next week. Happy Thanksgiving!”

Waving goodbye to the two of you, Andy waited to hear the ding of the elevator before grabbing the tumbler and throwing it across the room. It clanked against the wall before rolling back towards his feet.

Hands on hips, he looked down at the cup. It was okay. Jake couldn’t do anything to him. He had checked to make sure the cameras were never pointed at him. But you, his sweet girl, he needed a new plan. Grabbing the cup from the floor, he rinsed it before setting it next to the empty coffee maker.

It hit Andy then. You did love your coffee. And you always made sure to have cream with it.

@buckybarnesisdaddy, @theinheriteddutchess, @sarahdonald87

[mewhenimanangel]

spiderboy, miles morales x reader

part 1 ʚɞ part 2! ʚɞ part 3 ʚɞ part 4 ʚɞ part 5

pairing: earth 1610! miles morales x reader

chapter 2 synopsis: Mr Johnson’s assignment brings you and Miles closer together

wc: 2.3k

warnings!: cursing

It had been two months now since you started going to Visions and you were settling in nicely. Growing closer to your new friends and Miles.

You were sitting in physics when Mr Johnson assigned your class a project. "Your assignment is to study and prove a law that we've learned so far. Any one. And I’ll be pairing you guys up" he began calling out names until he got to you "L/n, you'll work with Morales". You two looked at each other with small smiles on their face. “Thank god. Didn’t wanna get paired up with anybody else.” he whispered to you

🩰

"So, I was thinking we could do Newton's law. For Mr Johnson's project?" you suggested stepping over a small pile of leaves that were collecting on the ground. Miles was walking you home, a new usual to your daily routines. "Yeah, yeah I'm cool with that. Where you wanna work on it?" he asked you, looking down at his feet to avoid stepping on any cracks. "My house should be fine, it's just me and my mom anyways so nobody would really disturb us." "Just you and your mom?" he questioned looking at you.

"Uh..yeah. My dad's not in the picture much" you brushed off with a light chuckle. "Oh..m'sorry" he said, an apologetic look plastered on his face. "Nah it's cool. Anyways I think my mom should be fine with it so just lemme know when you're free and whatever" "Yeah, see you tomorrow" he said when you opened your building door. "Bye" "Bye" he waved, walking away.

🩰

You gathered your notebooks from your locker while Zoya waited on your side. "So, when are you gonna admit you like Miles?" she teased. "And who said I like him?" you raised an eyebrow. "Girl please, i know a crush when I see one" she rolled her eyes. "It's been like a month please give it a rest." Just then Miles walked up with Ganke on his side. "Hey Zoya. Hey Y/n" Miles said with his usual grin. "Hey Miles" you greeted, hiding the smile on your face, lips ultimately betraying you.

A beat passed as you two just stared at each other without a word said "Uh.. I cant walk with you today. But we're still on for the project right?" he asked. "Yeah, yeah that's fine. Don't worry"

He nodded his head and walked away with Ganke to class. You took her eyes off him and landed back on Zoya,who was staring at you with a smug look on her face. You giggled out a “what?” closing your locker. "Oh it's nothing Ms. 'who said i like him'" she mocked. "Because i don't.." you said. "Girll when he came up you basically melted, don't piss me off." You laughed it off and you guys made your way to class.

Later, in physics, you found yourself staring at Miles though the corner of your eye. Zoya's pushing made you think, did you like him? No, he's just a friend, just a sweet guy, who also happened to be extremely attractive. You snapped back into reality when Mr Johnson called out your name name "Do you know the answer?" "Uh..no?" you answered, slightly embarrassed. He simply raised his eyebrow implying that you needed to pay attention.

Miles looked at you with a glint of amusement in his eyes. Unbeknownst to you, he could feel your stare burning into him a moment ago.

🩰

You were at home, frantically cleaning your apartment and bedroom, and putting away things you didn't want Miles to see. It's not that you’re embarrassed of who you are or how you live, you just wanted to make a good first impression is all. You looked through your drawers for an outfit that was laid back but still pretty cute. Settling on a pair of dark blue track pants, a black tank top and black socks, you put your braids into pigtails and went in the mirror to put on a glossy lip balm. You hated that you wanted to look good for when he came over, you really didn't want Zoya to be right.

You laid your notebooks and textbook out on your bed when a knock was heard at the door. Going out into the kitchen - Bobo following behind - and looking through the peephole you saw Miles standing on the other side with his backpack and a bag that looked like take-out. Opening the latch you pulled the door open with a small smile on your face.

"Heyy" you greeted, allowing him inside before closing the door behind you. "Hey, I brought some food so I hope you like Chick-fil-a" he said taking his shoes off at the door, something you informed him to do over text. "Aw you didn't have to, I was gonna have snacks". He looked down when he felt something rub up on his leg. "You have a cat!" he exclaimed. "I do! His name is Bobo" you reached down to hold him in your arms.

He let out a snigger "You know 'bobo' means fool in Spanish right?" You giggled "Yeah, I learned that word from my dad when I was like nine and the name stuck" Only now did it dawn on you that this was your first time seeing him in 'normal' clothes. He wore a pair of grey sweatpants and a black t shirt. You had to admit, the way the shirt clung onto him, made him look even more good-looking.

"Oh and you can bring your bag down here" you let Bobo down to roam around and sit on his flower tree before leading Miles down the hallway to your room, him resting his backpack on the floor by the door.

An awkward silence rolled by as he stared at you and studied your room. He focused on the hello kitty plushies, the naked angel baby figurines, the pictures of you and your family and friends, the posters all around the room, a little figurine caught his eye. "You like spider-man?" he lit up walking over to look at the little black and red suit. "Yeah, I like that he's helping people, i think he's cool." you responded going next to him to look at it. Miles heart beat a little faster, you thought he was cool - well not him directly but he was spider-man so. "Yeah..I think so too"

"Do you wanna eat before we start?" you asked him, heading to her door. "Yeah, I'm cool with whatever" he followed behind you, taking in your image. He would be lying if he said he didn't think you were pretty, he would often sneak glances at you because he just couldn't keep his eyes off for too long. He loved your braids, your natural hair, to him anything looked good on you. When he sees you in the halls with Zoya and Maya, he would let his eyes linger a little longer, watching you laugh and throw your head back when someone said something. He would zone out of Ganke’s chatter and watch you as you walked to class, you always had this confidence about you.

"Seriously thank you so much for this though. I've been craving bad" you put her palms together and shook her head playfully. "Yea, it's nothing. Chick-fil-a just too good to pass up" he took a seat at the small island in the kitchen, grabbing his sandwich.

Finishing your food, Miles went to wash whatever dishes you’d used. "Oh you don't have to do that" you told him. "It's cool. I know how to clean up after myself" he shrugged off. "Alright well before it gets any later let's get started on this shit" you groaned, making your way to your room.

Miles began lowering himself to the ground "Oh uh you could sit on the bed...if you want" you told him, trying to make him feel comfortable. He nod his head and sat near the foot of the bed. You two just smiled at each other before getting into their work.

Laughing as you built the base layer of their project, you heard a knock on the door as your mom eased it open "Hey baby" she greeted. "Oh hey mama, I didn't hear you come home" "Miles, sweetie your mom just called asking when you're coming home?" she told the boy. He looked at you with a questioning expression. "Uh, I think we got pretty far?" you said asking Miles. "Oh..uh sure we got a good amount done." he reluctantly went along. Truth is, he was having a really good time with you and didn’t want to leave yet.

"Alright honey, I'll drive you home" she told him, going out into the living room to wait. "We can just leave the project here if you want?" you offered. "You sure? I could deal with it" he said putting his notebook in his bookbag. "Yeah, gives you a reason to come back" you blurted out. His lips awkwardly quirked into a smile as his heart dropped, you wanted to hang out again. "Yeah I guess it does, but I don't need a reason" he smirked. Just then your mom called out from the living room "Are you guys ready?" "Yeah mom, we're coming"

You opted for the back seat with Miles so he didn't feel awkward and alone. Pulling up to the front of his building, Miles smiled and closed the door "See you tomorrow, Y/n.” "Bye Miles" you called out. They waited until he was in the building to drive off. "So..." your mom teased. "Soo what?" you looked up. "He seems nice" "Yeah, so?" "Nothing" your mom brushed off with a tight lipped smile.

🩰

It was Saturday and you woke up feeling the sun shine on your face. Miles would be coming back over today to work on the project for Monday. You opened her phone to check your notifications.

mommy 👩‍👧 - i'm at the grocery store, want anything?

zoya 🩰 - peter's throwing a party tonight, pleaseeee come thru 😪

miles ˃̵ᴗ˂̵ - is 2 a good time to come over later

You answered them telling your mom to grab a few foods you liked and Zoya that you'd think about it and Miles that two was fine. You pushed your blankets off and rolled out of bed. Walking to your bathroom, you washed your face and brushed your teeth. After changing into a pair of sweatpants and an old t-shirt, you went out into the kitchen to feed Bobo. "Hey baby, good morning good morning" you talked in a playful baby voice while scratching his head.

You walked over to the fridge to grab an egg, cheese, and some bacon for breakfast. You fried the egg and put the bacon in the oven, letting them cook to just how you liked it. Grabbing a bagel, you put it in the toaster while you warmed some coffee. Assembling the sandwich and putting caramel creamer into your coffee, you walked over to the living room, turning the tv onto an episode of family guy. You lolled around on the couch before your mom opened the front door. "N/n, come help me"

You got up and put your dishes in the sink before helping your mom put the groceries away. Once finished, you found your spot on the couch again. "Don't you have a project to be working on?" your mom questioned. "Miles not coming until two." She nodded her head before heading down the hallway.

"Wait mommy...do you think I could go...to a party tonight" you begrudgingly asked. "Who's party?" she raised an eyebrow. "Peter's. For his birthday" you answered. "Ugh Peter, that damn hooligan" she rolled her eyes "Please like he's my friend" "Where?" she sighed "It's at some venue down the road. I could send you the address?" you said excitedly. "Fine. But! I want that phone charged and on you all night, location on, do not go anywhere with anybody you don't know, do not go anywhere but where you say you're going. And I swear to god if you get in any trouble-" "Mommy, I won't!" "Alright"

"Oou thank you mommy!" you called out as she went to her room. You told Zoya you could come and that you'd see her later.

Before you knew it, it was 1:57 and Miles texted that he was on his way. Hearing a knock, you checked to make sure it was him and opened the door. "Hey y/n" he smiled walking in, taking off his shoes. "Hey, I was just about to go grab the project from my closet" you walked down to her room where Bobo was laying on her window sill. "Hey Bobo" he greeted, practically running over to pet the cat. Bobo rubbed his head up against Miles' palm and licked it. "I think he likes you" you smiled. "Who wouldn't" he joked in a cocky tone, to which you rolled your eyes and smiled.

You opted for the floor this time, working hard to get the project finishing, not wanting to work any more past today. You had taken a break when your mom ordered pizza for you to munch on, before getting back to work. Before you knew it, it was around 6 pm and you finished writing up the thesis. "Ugh finally!" you groaned out, leaning against your bed. "So glad to be done" he blew out a breath. After packing up, Miles went over to Bobo to play with him. "Hey um, are you going to Peter's party tonight?" you brought up. "Oh yeah he told me about it. Not sure if I'm going though" he said.

"Oh well uh, would you wanna go...like together, to hangout or whatever?" you asked, awkwardly fiddling with your nails. "Together? Yeah." He answered with a smile on his face. His heart was doing backflips, you wanted to hang out with him, outside of project duties.

[bubbipond]

I’m sorry but what was I supposed to get from their mom’s speech? Normally I am able to tolerate parents even when they suck in Asian Bl’s because I acknowledge that cultures are different and how you see your parents will be different based on that. But what exactly was the point of this??

First of all, Yotha saying sorry? Why? What was there to be sorry for? Because he didn’t talk to the woman that abandoned him and then raised his brother and sent him back like he had a return policy??? And I just feel like it makes no sense to Yotha’s character because he is insanely protective of Fai. He was literally pissed that he wanted the lesser bed in the beginning of their episodes, but you mean to tell me I’m supposed to believe he’s just so OK with the woman who very literally is ruining his brother’s mental health??? He and Newton also KNOW that Fai is scarred from being sent back. So I don’t really understand the decision to have Yotha be so apologetic and see her in this new light? So everything is cool in Yotha’s eyes because he’s in fact the favorite? That literally makes no sense.

I realize Newton isn’t a central character but can we discuss how apathetic he looks about all this??? He seemed so unmoved by their mom and like he truly does not care. Which is another form of trauma and ptsd. He is seemingly quite a bit older than Yotha/Fai so even if he is 2-5 years older, that means he was quite an older kid when his mom ABANDONED them. To the point where he has become apathetic towards the entire situation. Except in his personal life where he admitted that he does not try to find love. Oh, and keep in mind he runs a bar, but all he ever does at his bar is drink??? The man is not OK.

Finally, the best character in the entire show was just told fuck you by his mom and nobody in that room flinched. It looks like Newton may have caught it but I can’t be 100% sure. It does appear that he is the only one who sees Faifa literally drowning in tears but who knows.

Fai has been walking around, not fully understanding why he was sent back just to be told that he was basically sent back so she could come back and vie for Yotha’s attention??? Plus a part of him must have known that she actually favored Yotha because he says it before she even explained it. Not to mention, I don’t even understand the whole, “ I wanted to go back” thing from their mom because why not leave them all, and still come back when you could??? What did taking one of them have? If they were all home, you could have still come back.??? I would have given it to her if she acknowledged her selfishness and past mistakes and said that there is no difference between her boys. Hell, I would have accepted her being like , “I was young and stupid and I will do anything to reconnect with all of you”. But instead, she’s like, “ oh yeah, I’m moving to England, wasn’t gonna tell any of you, was going to tell your dad who I’m supposed to hate (????), then book it to England without a word with my actual kids… but this works too” eYE.. Now I am forced to watch 6+ episodes of Fai liking a guy and helping him get with another guy. Please…tell me this is where I die because I hate this whole thing...

[newtonsheffield]

take me home country roads was probably the softest thing I’ve ever read I’m so obsessed with it that i read all the snippets you wrote in the hashtag for this story here! do you think you will ever write something in this universe again so we can have a little update for them? thank you for this one💚

Oh Muffin and Bear.

I miss those two softies. They were so sweet. They really helped one another heal and I think because of that their relationship is really strong. And their children would be so loved.

Imagine the very first time Neddy whittled something for Kate. Imagine how Neddy’s always sat with Anthony in his workshop, sat on the bench watching his Dad work, fascinated as he watches the shapes appear.

“Can I make something, Papa?”

Anthony knelt in front of his son, five years old and Anthony still can hardly believe Kate found him. Let alone the two beautiful children they have and a third on the way. His chest feels tight every time he watches Kate with their sons, the swell of her stomach just visible when they pile onto the sofa around her, desperate to be as close as possible to her while she reads to them with her chin resting on the tops of their heads. His wife and their children.

“Do you want to?”

“Yeah!” Neddy grinned at him with his curly hair falling in his eyes, his feet swinging over the edge of the table. “I wanna be like you!”

It had brought tears to his eyes the first time they had let Neddy pick out his own clothes and he’d ended up with a pile that looked just like Anthony’s half of the wardrobe and he’d let them fall with his head against Kate’s chest and he fingers in his hair.

“Of course he wants to be like you. You’re a great father, Bear.”

Anthony kissed his son’s forehead, ruffling his hair. “Let’s make something for Amma then.”

It takes weeks. Weeks and weeks of Neddy’s hard work. His determined frown and his frustrated pout before finally it’s done and he takes them inside, wrapped in brown paper and twine.

“Mummy!” Neddy rushed forward, the parcel big in his hands as he races towards Kate sat at her easel with Miles on her lap as she works, Newton dozing at her feet. “Amma I made something!”

Kate smiled at their son and Anthony’s chest felt tight when she kissed his cheek, wrapping him in her arms tightly for a moment. “Did you? That’s so amazing little cub. Did Daddy help you?”

Her eyes met Anthony’s sparkling at him in the fading light of the day. And Anthony shifted slightly, still lost for words when he looked at her sometimes. “Just a little. It’s mostly his work.”

“Well, let’s see then.” Kate hummed, tugging carefully at the twine while Neddy practically vibrated with excitement as the paper slipped away.

Four bears on a log. That’s what Neddy had wanted to make. They were a little lumpy and imperfect but he’d made them with love and Anthony could see the way Kate swallowed thickly as she ran her fingers over the roughly oiled carvings.

“Neddy, it’s beautiful.”

“It’ll hold your brushes.” He said proudly. Leaning in to the touch of Anthony’s hand on his shoulder. “Daddy made the holes. That’s Papa, and Me, and Miles and the new baby.” He pointed to the Bear and his three cubs.

“You did such an amazing job, baby.” Kate’s voice shook as she kissed his face again, “I am so proud of you.”

Neddy took a deep breath, his chest puffing out, “Can we call gramma Mary and Violet so I can show them?”

“Absolutely, go and grab my phone.”

Neddy raced inside and Miles took off after him, desperate to catch up to his brother.

Kate stood slowly, wrapping her arms around Anthony’s waist and pressing her face against his chest. She breathed deeply, “You’ve been keeping secrets.”

Anthony huffed, holding his wife tighter, “It was hard. He was so cute about it but I took lots of videos.”

Kate sighed, leaning back in his arms, “Ugh who would’ve thought the grumpy bear I stayed next to one Autumn would make such sweet babies?”

“You did.”

“Yeah, I did. It’s so incredible to be right about everything.”

“Yeah yeah yeah.”

[synthapostate]

@lastdaysofwar, Day 28: Politics (Hermann Gottlieb/Newton Geiszler)

The thrilling conclusion to Groundhog Day and Commitment. It technically fits the prompt!

“Okay, but seriously,” Newton says, once they’re both completely sated and could not possibly move another muscle if the building was falling down around them. “Do you want to take my name?”

“Mmm, yes, darling, I love your name. It’s a wonderful name. Stop trying to bait me.” Hermann is very nearly asleep now, tucked under his fiancé’s arm, head on his shoulder, quite warm and comfortable. He does not want any unpleasant arguments to intrude upon his peace. No pleasant arguments, either. No arguments.

“I’m not baiting you, dude. I mean, unless—”

“No smutty jokes.”

“Okayyyyyy,” Newton groans. “I just really like the idea of making you a Geiszler, you know? And it would make my dad happy, and your dad would be so pissed off. It would be a real slap in the face, disassociating yourself from him like that. He couldn’t take credit for your amazingness if you weren’t even a Gottlieb anymore.”

“Mm-hmm…” Hermann nuzzles closer, to feel the vibrations through Newton’s chest as he speaks.

“Of course, changing your name might cause you some problems in academia, like, nothing insurmountable, but it would be annoying. You deserve not to be inconvenienced, by anything. Besides, everyone associates the name Gottlieb with you now. You could live your life as a reminder of his continued irrelevance.”

“Mm, yes.” Very satisfying. Lars Gottlieb could be remembered in all the history books as the father of noted physicist Hermann Gottlieb. He rather likes that.

“Hey, and? Imagine if I took your name and then the other most famous Gottlieb on earth was a biologist. Ooh, he’d hate that!”

“You’re giving my father a lot of consideration here.”

“Yeah, well, he’s given you a lot of grief.” Newton runs his fingers through Hermann’s hair, humming softly to himself for a moment or two before he gets back to chattering—and how he has the energy to talk so much, Hermann will never know. “If we did decide to hyphenate, and I know you’re not sold on it but if we did, we’d kinda have the best of both worlds, you know? Or if we wanted to get really nontraditional we could mash them up. Geiszlieb? Gottszler? What do you think?”

“Perfect,” Hermann murmurs sleepily.

“Dude, you’re not even listening to me.”

“I am. M’enjoying the sound of your voice.”

“Ha! Liar, why would you?” Newton scoffs.

Hermann could quite honestly say that he has never heard another voice like Newton’s, and that its unusual timbre makes it stick in the mind, or that his utter lack of control over his pitch and volume are signifiers of the passion Hermann so admires in him, or even that, musically speaking, a perceived discordance may still be aesthetically pleasing in the right circumstances. But he’s really very tired, so he simply gives the truest reason of all.

“Because it’s yours.” And how could he not love anything of Newt’s?

“You—dork!” Newton squeaks. “I love you.”

“Mm. Love you, too. Keep talking.” He closes his eyes. If Newton doesn’t expect any intelligible responses, his running commentary will be enough to lull Hermann to sleep, and at the moment, he can’t think of anything nicer.

“Okay, babe. I’ll take that bullet. But only for you,” Newton says. His fingers stray through Hermann’s hair again. “You know what we could do? We could hyphenate, but we could each have it in a different order so we wouldn’t have to argue about which comes first. And then I could run for president. I’m old enough now, and I’m totally famous, so, weirder things have happened. I’ll make you my running mate, and then we can run on a Geiszler-Gottlieb-Gottlieb-Geiszler ticket. You think we’d take the popular vote?”

“Of course…”

“Damn, I should wear you out more often! I can say whatever I want and you just agree with me? Hey, sleepy guy, is it okay if I bring a couple of tiny little experiments home from work? You’ll hardly even notice them.”

“Don’t push it,” Hermann says.

“That’s, ‘Don’t push it, Mr. President.’”

“Mm-hmm…” He could argue, and he certainly will if any biological specimens make their way into their apartment. But for now, he is simply too blissfully content to make the effort. All he can do is lie there, drifting off with his future husband’s voice in his ears.