#listen nana's pies are the shit

[innytoes]

Ahhhh is so hard to choose but... Ot3 is super married 😁

Surprise, you accidentally picked the one Leverage fanfic in the bunch. This is for my Leverage Longfic Let’s Go Steal A Protégé, aka 'the reason Inny's not allowed to post wips anymore' because it took me a full year between posting ch 24 and 25. BUT I WILL GET IT DONE. ONLY TWO MORE CHAPTERS LEFT.

Have a snippet that hopefully is at least a little funny knowing nothing about Leverage:

“I need you to promise to never tell Hardison about this,” they opened with, which was of course enough to get her attention. “Or Nana. Like, Hardison would kill me but Nana would withhold pie and that’s worse.” “Go ooon,” Breanna said, and they could just picture her flopping on the bed, kicking her feet.

[thatfairyfangirl]

Blind Date Chapter 6

“Oh Matt...my adorable superhero...my love….” You cooed as you snuggled into him under the blanket, the crisp october air spilling in through your open window as the day began.

Matt wrapped his arms around you eyes yet to open from his sleep. “Finally ready to ask for what you've been wanting?” He mumbled sleepily as he pulled you in close. He could tell for weeks something's been on your mind.

“Well the thing is Samhain is coming up and I need to let everyone know if you're coming or not.” You looked up to him as he sat up, able to tell from your pulse and breath this one was important to you.

“Samhain? You've told me about that one before.” He thought out loud as his fingers traced small circles over your shoulder. “That's the super magic witchy one on Halloween isn't it?” You nodded, knowing he knew you did. “Oh I don't know sweetie.” As much as he wanted to support you in your religion something like Samhain sounded like something he should stay away from.

“Oh pleeeeeease? I know I promised I wouldn't push but Samhain is really important. Everyone will be there and they all want to meet you.” You pleaded with a soft pout. “You don't have to participate...just come upstate with me? Besides, you've been working so hard...let one of the others protect the city for a night.”

He sat there for a moment mulling over the idea. You had him wrapped around your finger and with the way you were pouting he was sure you knew it. “On one condition. I'll go with you to your ritual if you come with me to Saint Patrick's.” Fair trade to him, but he could hear your heart race with nerves at the suggestion. “Father Lantom is a good man, and he's dying to meet the girl that actually puts up with my shit.” He chuckled. “I went to confession after the other night...when I told him you knew and how you reacted he told me I better start thanking your gods and mine for you.” He paused cupping your cheek, letting his lips brush against yours in a soft loving kiss. “And I do...every day.” He assured you as he rested his forehead against yours.

~ ~ ~ ~

The smell of wet autumn leaves hit him all at once as he got out of the rent a car. In the distance he could smell burning and hear wood cracking as someone put more wood on a large bonfire. A smile drew on his lips as he heard the sound of children giggling while carving pumpkins in the kitchen. So far it seemed like a normal Halloween.

“Hey everyone, Bug's here!” An old man called into the house as you reached into the back to grab a large box of cookies Matt recalled you calling soul cakes. His muscles tensed as he heard the man rushing toward them before taking control of his instincts and relaxing as the long haired slightly rounded 60-something scooped you up into a hug.

“Hi dad.” You chuckled lightly as you worked to balance the box until he let go. “Oh! Dad this is Matt.” Matt smiled politely though slightly confused as he reached his hand out in any direction. Dad looked him over, noting the glasses and cane before kindly taking the hand and moving in front of him as to not embarrass the por guy.

“I'm sorry I'm confused. Sweetheart I thought I was coming to meet your coven?” Matt asked softly, hoping to not offend anyone.

“That's alright son, very common mistake with newcomers.” Dad said lightly as he took your overnight bag from the trunk for you both. “In this coven we're both.”

“Most of my coven is family. And those who aren't,” you paused helping Matt up the front porch steps for appearances, he loved that you instinctively knew to play the act, “we think of as family. I'm sorry I should have been more specific.”

“No it's alright Sweetheart!” Inside he could smell fresh baked bread and pies, it was obvious where your talent came from. But in the back of his nostrils he could smell something else, something he couldn't quite place his finger on...something sweet and comforting but somehow unsettling deep down. “So...Bug?” He couldnt

“Yeah...its short for boggart.” You explained as you placed the box down on the table, children rushing from the livingroom to get their hands on the small cookies. “Its a mischief making fairie.”

“And this little bug was the biggest handful when she was small.” Dad added as he took a soul cake for himself. “But hey, you guys are here just in time, Nana is upstairs getting her cards.”

“As fun as that sounds I think I'm going to have to sit out.” Matt said with an awkward smile, amazed Dad didn't feel the slightest bit bad about offering a blind man a game of cards. “I've got a pretty good poker face but never can tell if I have a good hand.” He joked with a light smile.

“Oh no” you explained taking Matt's hand, “Nana does tarot readings.” You then turned to your father with a sorry look. “And umm Matt's a Catholic Dad.” You watched your father blink in disbelief as the commotion of the house went quiet at the news. Matt could feel all eyes on him, realizing how rare news like this was to this family. He could hear soft whispers of the family ‘Be on your best behavior he's a Christian.’ 'Oh I hope we won't scare him.’ He couldn't help feeling a slight sense of relief hearing no negative words.

“Oh! After that loser I assumed you were going to find a good pagan boy.” He finally said before resting his hand on your head. “Leave it to my bug to bring a Catholic to Samhain.” He added with a laugh.

“Mr (y/l/n) I assure you I'm nothing like Johnny. I treat your daughter with respect, including her religious beliefs.” Matt stated reassuringly. “I'll just be sitting out of all the...umm magic stuff.”

“Oh I know. If you were anything like him You wouldn't be here.” Dad said with a smile. “Welp, tomorrow's All Saint's Day, I'm sure you have some Saints you can pray to while we're calling our gods.” He offered as a way to compromise.

Matt smiled at the thought, appreciative of the feature. “Oh no,” he waved his hand in protest, “this is your day. It wouldn't be right for me to interfere with your traditions. I can just sit out on the spell stuff.” He said respectfully.

He stuck close to you most of the day but all the while he couldn't shake the feeling in the pit of his stomach that there was something juat behind him though he knew otherwise., While you carved your pumpkin he listened to the story of Stingy Jack and the origins of the tradition Nana told the children. While you took your tarot reading he couldn't help smiling to himself as the lovers and the devil were announced as pulled. “Bugger,” the old woman said peering up from the cards to Matt, “did I hear your father say your friend is a Christian?” He knew you were nodding. The old woman lifted her head, addressing Matt. “I'm truly sorry young man, the cards seem to have included you.” Every muscle in his biddy stiffened, did she know? How?! “I'm an old witch with an old deck young man, I see many things in these cards, especially on Samhain. And right now they tell me your love for my granddaughter saved her from that wicked boy. I do hope I haven't offended you. These cards have a mind of their own.”

Matt breathed out a soft sigh of relief with a polite grin. “It's alright ma'am-”

“Call me Nana” Matt could feel you beaming with delight at her words.

“Nana,” he corrected with a bashful smile, “it's nothing a confession can't fix.”

As the sun set the bonfire burning on the back of the property and the pumpkins became the only light casting an ethereal glow around the property as the scent tickling Matts nostrils grew, if magic had a scent this would be it. He followed you to the fire, sitting himself on a stump as you called the corners and welcomed your gods and the spirits passed on. He could feel a static in the air and the hairs of his body rise as Nana lead the rituals. “Matthew” a familiar voice whispered in the air...She was here. He could taste her on the back of his tongue, almost feel her breath on the back of his neck. “This is different for you.” He stood looking around for the source, for Elektra but could not find her. “You are truly happy now, aren't you Matthew?”

“Elektra?” He whispered, his heart racing. “How are you here?”

“I'm not. Not how you think. I came to say goodbye Matthew. It's time for me to be at peace.” He could feel an emptiness in the pit of him as the formless apparition of his past love brushed invisible lips against his before vanishing from his senses entirely,replaced by the scent of sage and burning wood. But Elektra left him with a sense of empty guilt in its wake, for a long moment it felt as if he lost her all over again.

Matt turned his scenes to you, resting one of your soul cakes on a stone alter a few feet from the flames. He felt an energy coming from you and the rest of your coven similar to Danny's hand, yet worlds different. He stood for a moment letting the smoke from the fire and the smell of burning sage cleanse the thoughts of Elektra from his mind. In his strange way he watched you, listening to praise your gods. Was this your doing? He felt a gut wrenching guilt just thinking it. The static in the air grew. He was all for being supportive but he realized now that this was to much too fast.

The smell of aether  washed over him once more followed by sweat blood and boxing leather. “Dad?” He shook.

“Hey Matty. Look at you. A lawyer like you've always wanted.” Matt felt a chill down his spine and an unseen hand resting on his head just like Jack used to. “Reading that braile faster that I did regular books yet?”

“You can't be here.” His heart races as his mind tried and failed to wrap around what's happening.

“I'm so proud of you Matty. Fighting the good fight. Hells Kitchen is lucky to have you fighting for them.” And then with a short burst of wind he was gone leaving Matt to wonder if he was ever really there as midnight rolled in

You rushed to Matt wrapping your arms around him but he just stood there, blank. “Baby? What's wrong?” All color had left his face. “You're pale as a ghost!”

“I thought we agreed I wasn't going to be part of your spells.” He finally said flatly

“Matt, I didn't. I swear.” You insisted with a soft defensive voice, unsure where this was coming from.

“Really? Because I've never heard ghosts before tonight.” He hissed under his breath, low enough for only you to hear. “Never smelled or felt someone...something that wasn't really there.”

Your hand clasped over your lips as you listened to him. “Come with me.” You whispered urgently as you grabbed his hand, leading him in a rush into the house and up the stairs to the bedroom you were staying in for the night. “What happened?” He told you of the visitation from his twice dead ex and long gone father. “Matt, I swear that wasn't me. Hell, Nana's the oldest practitioner here and the most powerful thing she can do is read cards. And that's just from years of intuition and learning” You ran your fingers through your hair as you searched for a reasonable comparison. “It's all on faith. My spells works on the same level your prayers do.”

Matt shook his head. “No. That was way more than a prayer.”

“Well, I mean tonight is when the veil between worlds is the thinnest and you were sitting at the edge of the circle…” You let out a sigh as you mulled over what happened, digging through your lifetime of learning. “I've felt things before, like 'this is what Gramps would want to say to me’ or ‘l almost feel like mom is here’. Maybe with your heightened senses in the circle you just had a more vivid experience.”  

Matt let out a sigh as he sat on the bed, still shook by tonight's events but conceding to that mmm more than likely being the cause. “Well...I suppose it does feel good knowing what they told me...but don't want to go through that ever again.”

You sighed sitting behind him, gently rubbing his back to calm his nerves. “I wish I could have witnessed what you did.”

Tag List:

@sillydecoy

Announcement from the writer:

With the new terms of use and the impending ban on adult content on this site I will be moving my writing. This fic will soon have a chapter that needs that adult content to have the same impact that I had originally intended for the scene and I will not falter on it.

I have decided to move my writing to Patreon so that I can keep as much of the community feel as possible. You can find me on Patreon HERE. I know, I know, it sounds like I am expecting you to pay for my writing but fear not! I will only be charging $1 a month, and even that is voluntary. The majority of my fics will be available for free. The $1 subscription will be for access to the really adult content stuff I have been sitting on such as what I have been calling “Blind Date’s Deleted Scene” and access to the discord I have created. As a bonus for you guys since you have been with me since the beginning of Blind Date I will grant you free access to the discord if you shoot me a message here on tumblr and ask.

I will still post fics on Tumblr up until they are no longer welcomed by the staff, but patrons will be able to view them early.

For those who have trouble with hyperlinks on their device or find it hard to click a small word vs an actual link here is the full link to my new Patreon    https://www.patreon.com/fairyfangirl

[holyfuckthisfishcandrive]

Ant: ... :|

T: "Nana once called her a whore when she thought I wasn't listening. That's all I know safe for that one picture in the attic."

Evelyn: "She is... okay I guess. Sometimes she made me snacks and sweets or read stories to me. I just wish she had been brave or strong enough to stand up for me when I was little."

Pi: "She didn't care about me. She gave me approval when I did something good but other than that she didn't give a shit."

Kiana: "She was always... busy. I know that she had to work to provide for us but sometimes I wish she'd been around more."

Magnus: "My Mama is really cool. She taught me how to fix things around the house and when I was little she built a tree house for me. I think I wanted to help but it was too risky. And Mum taught me how to read. She's almost always reading something and really smart. Both of them taught me a lot actually. They're amazing."

How would your OC describe their mother?

[imagineironfalcon]

Imagine IronFalcon in the 'my Nana thought you're my boyfriend so now I have to bring you to thanksgiving dinner or I'm pretty sure she's going to hate me forever' situation where they're good friends who have to pretend to be boyfriends, and then becoming boyfriends for real.

(Watch out for the cut)

“So you don’thave actual plans for Thanksgiving,right?”

Tony glanced upas Sam sat down next to him, fingers already tapping nervously over thetextbooks for their shared lit class.

“Actual plans?”he echoed, and Sam nodded. “You mean like, actual plans besides the ‘annoy theshit out of Howard until Mom asks me to stop’ plans I already mentioned?”

Sam noddedagain.

“No,” Tony saidslowly. “No actual plans.”

“Good, good. Souh, I have a situation.”

Tony’s eyesnarrowed, suspicious and wary. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this….”

“Stop quotingStar Wars at me,” Sam said, then blurted, “Nana thinks you’re my boyfriend anddemanded I bring you to Thanksgiving dinner so she can finally meet you.”

“She… what?How’d she get that idea?” Tony yelped, eyes going wide and panicked.

“I don’t know!”Sam said back desperately. “She just did, okay, and she’s so happy aboutmeeting you and I am pretty sure if I show up without you that she’s going tohate me forever! Tony!” Sam whined. “I can’t have my nana hating me forever,she makes the best pies and she’ll not make my favorite for me if she’sdespairing that we’re not actually dating!”

Tony made arough noise, like a scoff. “She’ll hate us both if you lie to her!”

“Only a littlebit!”

“This is a bad idea,” Tony insisted.

“It’s just forThanksgiving! You’ll get free food out of it! I’ll buy you all the coffee youwant for the rest of the semester!”

Tony paused,giving him an incredulous look. “Finals are coming up. That’s a horriblepromise to make, Sam.”

“I am that desperate,” Sam said seriously.“Please?”

After a moment,Tony sighed, caving. “Alright, alright,” he muttered. “I’ll pretend to be yourdamn boyfriend, even though I think this is a horrible idea.”

“Thank you,”Sam gushed, hugging Tony for a moment before sitting back and opening histextbook. “Okay. Now that that crisis is over, on to this one.”

Tony grumbled,but opened his book as well.

~*~*~

“Mom,” Tonytried, and sighed when she interrupted him again. He turned, leaning againstthe doorframe, putting his back to Rhodey who was watching him closely thoughpretending not to. Quieter, Tony repeated, “Mom, please. It’s justThanksgiving. I’ll come home for Christmas.” That seemed to, finally, appeaseher, though she made him repeat his promise before she let him go.

Tony hung upand went to plop into his desk chair, spinning it in circles. Thanksgiving wasin two days. He should probably back.

“So you’rereally going to do this?” Rhodey asked, scribbling notes for one of his physicstextbooks.

“I told Sam Iwould,” Tony reminded him.

Rhodey lookedat him, brows furrowed. “Yeah, but won’t it be awkward?”

“Nah, notreally.” Tony spun around again. “I mean, a little bit. Sam’s like, my secondbest friend.” Tony shot Rhodey a grin. “But it’s just for a few days.”

“You describedthis whole thing to me as ‘the worst idea you’d ever agreed to’.”

Tony waved hishand dismissively.

Rhodey shookhis head after a moment, muttering to himself about idiots and how he hoped Godreally did protect fools – or something to that effect. Tony stopped reallypaying attention, instead debating if, as the “boyfriend”, he should bring somekind of gift. He was pretty sure that was the kind of good manners his momwould want him to have.

“What kind ofgifts do you bring to your pretend boyfriend’s family for Thanksgiving?” Tonyasked aloud.

Rhodey groanedand thunked his head down onto his textbook.

~*~*~

“We shouldprobably hold hands,” Sam muttered as they walked up the porch steps.

“Good idea,”Tony said, and linked their fingers just in time for the door to be yankedopen.

“Mom, Sam’s finally here!” yelled the kidon the other side of the door. He looked back at them, eyes locking on theirhands, and made a face. “Oh god, are you going to be as gross as Sarah now?”

“Shut up, Gid,”Sam said, pushing open the screen door to get inside.

Tony bit back asnicker when the kid – Sam’s brother, Gideon – grumbled, “That means yes. Ugh.”

Tony met Sam’s parents,Darlene and Paul, and his sister Sarah. It was a whirlwhind of hugs andhandshakes and loud voices all talking over each other catching up and greetingand Tony grinned the whole time.

He didn’t meetthe infamous Nana until they stepped into the kitchen, after they’d storedtheir stuff in Sam’s old room. Tony had been aiming for coffee; he wasintercepted and appraised by keen eyes in a lined face.

He froze. “Um…hi?”

“You’re Sammy’sboyfriend he’s been hiding from us?”

“…Yes?”

Her eyesnarrowed. “He tried to tell me he didn’t have a boyfriend. But I told him,there’s no way something put that kind of light and happiness on your facewhile talking about studying of allthings unless it’s a boy.”

Tony scratchedat his hair, down to his neck, and grinned sheepishly. “My best friend Rhodeycalled us fools, if that helps?”

She cracked asmile, the crinkles at her eyes thickening, and reached up to pat Tony’s cheek.“Does explain some things, yes.” She shook her head, turning to stir somethingon the stove – it smelled delicious, Tony wondered if Nana would be as sharp atprotecting food from tasting fingers as Jarvis was. “Sammy never could tellwhen someone was flirting with him.”

Tony snorted. “Herecognizes flirting just fine,” Tony said, as he noticed Sam walking into theroom. He grinned slyly. “Just so long as it’s completely cheesy.”

Sam rolled hiseyes, not missing a beat as he added, “Thankfully for me that’s the only kindof flirting Tony knows how to do.”

“Excuse you, Ican flirt just fine, you just never notice it when I’m being smooth!”

“Uh huh,” Samsaid, in a voice that completely conveyed ‘I’m just saying this to pacify you’.“Sure you can.”

Tony cast aquick look to be sure Nana wasn’t looking before flipping the bird.

Sam stuck histongue out.

~*~*~

Sharing the bedwasn’t a problem. Sam warned Tony that he snored, and Tony told him veryseriously that he would probably cling to Sam in his sleep worse than anoctopus, and they climbed under the sheets.

In the morningthey woke up with Tony using Sam as a pillow, arms and legs tangled together,and Sam snoring in Tony’s ear. They stretched and climbed out of bed and gotready, moving around each other easily.

Sam made Tonysome coffee, while Tony plopped across the entire couch in front of thefireplace. Gideon came in a few minutes later and whined for Tony to move hisfeet, but Tony just stared at him with a smile and raised brow until Sam camein with two cups.

Tony lifted hislegs for Sam to sit, and then put them in Sam’s lap. Sam passed over Tony’scoffee, just how he liked it.

Gideon groanedin despair and went to sit in one of the armchairs.

The daycontinued smoothly. No one seemed to pick up that they were only pretending tobe boyfriends.

To be fair, Samand Tony didn’t have to change their behaviors too much. No one seemed toexpect them to kiss or anything. They held hands a bit more, but the sittingclose and hugging and snuggling wasn’t that unusual. Tony was physically affectionatewith his friends, and Sam liked to reciprocate.

They banteredlike usual. Talked with Sam’s family. Sent Rhodey and Steve some snapchats ofthem, because their plan was gong perfectly despite best friend disapproval,and they both wanted to rub that in their faces.

They atedinner, played some games with Sam’s family, and went to bed again.

Tony stretchedthe next morning when he woke up before Sam, and rested his chin on his hands,over the top of Sam’s chest.

Sam keptsnoring.

Smiling, Tonywatched Sam for a few moments, before rolling out of bed and going to makehimself some coffee. Nana and Paul were already awake, sitting at the smallkitchen table in the corner, next to a sunny window. Tony joined them; none ofthem spoke, just sat and enjoyed the quiet and sunlight and coffee together.

When Sam cameout, pajama pants with little Superman symbols all over them low on his hips,covering his feet because they were too long, Tony smiled. He held out hiscoffee, and Sam sipped at it, before nudging Tony over so they were sharing thesame chair. It was far from comfortable.

Tony stole hiscoffee back before Sam could drink all of it, the thief.

~*~*~

“You know, thatwent… shockingly well,” Tony said onthe ride back.

“You’re thatsurprised?” Sam asked, glancing over his shoulder as he merged.

Tony shrugged,flipping through his music to find something good. “A bit? I mean I didn’texpect it to go epically wrong like some after school special or anything,” hesaid. “But I didn’t expect it to go that smoothly either. Like, seriously Sam.That was easy. It shouldn’t have been that easy to pretend to be dating.”

Sam was quietfor a little while, then said, “Yeah, probably not.”

“No one even suspected, did they?” Tony continuedwonderingly. “We were apparently like, super fucking awesome boyfriends.”

“Hell yeah wewere,” Sam said with a proud grin.

Tony laughed.He tilted his head back against the headrest, then turned it until he wasstaring right at Sam, thinking.

“You know, Iwouldn’t mind dating you for real.”

“Oh yeah?”

Tony nodded. “Sure.You’re smart. Funny. Caring. Damn fine. You laugh at my corny jokes.”

Sam snorted.

“You actuallylike me for me,” Tony continued, quieter. “You listen when I’m upset, and tryto make me feel better.”

“That’s whatfriends are supposed to do.”

“Yeah,” Tonysaid softly. “I don’t have many of those. Would hate to lose one. But if thepayoff was a super awesome boyfriend….”

Sam glanced athim, quick, before focusing back on the road.

“You want togive it a shot? For reals?”

“If you wantto,” Tony said. “I’m happy being friends. I think I could be happy beingboyfriends, too. So whatever would make you happy….”

He waited whileSam thought it over. He glanced at Tony some more, a few times.

“I wouldn’tmind dating you either,” he said. “All that stuff you said about me, I think it’strue for you too. Smart, obviously. And funny, with those corny jokes,” heteased. “Caring, despite how other people take advantage of it or misinterpretit. Always trying to help people.”

Smilingslightly, Tony slid his fingers slowly over the console. Sam dropped one handfrom the wheel and linked fingers with Tony at the edge of his seat.

“Rhodey andSteve are going to be so exasperated,” Tony chuckled quietly.

“Just an addedbonus,” Sam said, grinning cheerfully.

~*~*~

Tony leanedover and whispered to Sam, “I bet only dogs can hear the noises they’re making,”when they told their best friends they were now boyfriends during lunch the dayafter returning to campus.

Sam almostsnorted lemonade out his nose.

[basicvulcanqueen]

The Scientist

warnings: none/cursing

summary: Keanu develops a friendship with a girl and eventually it progresses, but not without some serious shit on the way lol

Chapter One, The Spot

   In a corner of the world often overlooked, there was a park. Commonly named, remotely located in the small town of Dayton, Tennessee, only a small city of locals and some others even knew of its existence. Behind the park was a short, grassy path, overgrown in the summer, making poison ivy a definite if you traveled to the spot in shorts. Walk back far enough, and there is a bridge, train tracks above you, and a creek deep enough to swim in ran as far as the eye could see.

   There was also an overpass, all four lanes of the highway running across on the right side, graffiti plastered all over the bridge and the under passage. Most of it was vulgar, middle school shenanigans, but along the posts of the train tracks, there were several, colorful, interesting paintings. It was sort of like a town treasure, everyone loved to hang out under the tracks, the adrenaline rush as a train rushed overhead, all other noise cancelled out over the roar of the engine, and the shaking beneath you.

   I'd done the paintings my first year in high school, finding the spot after theatre rehearsal one day. My nana rarely let me take the car, but when she did, I made every excuse to stay out. She didn't mind; she trusted me, I stayed out of trouble. I kept my grades and my actions in order, my flaws? Graffiti and cigarettes. I had friends all over the county, willing to buy me smokes as long as I paid for them, so despite Nana's concerns, I had them on hand at all times, never once asking her to buy them for me. That made her feel a little less convicted.

   It had been several years since I'd returned to the spot, now well into my twenties, 22 to be exact; I was driving the same exact car I used to keep out late in my teens, a birthday gift from my Nana and Papa, the nostalgia hitting hard every time I was in the drivers seat. As a grown woman, life had been a struggle. I'd dealt with depression, and bi polar disorder, driving away all of my friends. I spent my time with my mother, staying in the cottage behind her house. I'd stayed there all of my life, the solitude and peace of being at home. Comfortable. The woods surrounded me at night and it was always dark and mysterious, and I loved it. I was buried in the trees, the gushing waters of the creek behind the house comforting my slumber. I loved my small town.

   I came from a family of strange traditions and simple living. We lived modern, sure, with our technology and our video games, but as for our way of life, we were old fashioned. My mother had turned me onto cast iron skillets, and I'd become a little bit of a chef, loving to cook and bake as much as my mama did. As for heat, my mother and stepdad had bought a wood stove for their home, and I'd done the same. We cut our wood, tending to the horses and several outside dogs, as well as indoor pets and a few chickens.

   My brother bred and sold rabbits, making petty cash for silly high school things, basketball and girls being his only worries for the moment. We really were plain, but we were all so different. We all had goals, and aspirations, but we were simple to please, loving the smallest of things. I worked part time in a 24/7 dinner called Pete's Pies and Other Things, reading and exploring in my spare time. I often spent my days in the woods, journal in hand, listening to the sounds of the forest. That was my favorite place to be. I'd just recently gotten a puppy, a Belgian Sheppard named Nero. He was named partly after my Trekkie fandom, partly after the Roman Emperor Nero because I was a history fanatic, driving everyone in my family crazy with my fun facts and my knowledge and opinions, and if I was anything, it was definitely opinionated.

   Relationship after relationship, I was finding myself unsatisfied, lacking connection, and solitude being my safe haven. I couldn't find anyone I could truly connect with, and when I had, they were all significantly older than me. It drove my family nuts, my fascination with older men. I'd been thrown out of school my senior year for dating a teacher in another district. It was bullshit, the teacher kept his job, and I got my GED. I was fine, by myself. I didn't mind it. I never had, I could always occupy my time with something else, reading, writing. I had a world full of adventuring to do.

   I'd found myself chilled by the fall, the autumn air creeping in through the slight crack in my drivers side window. I faithfully ashed my cigarette, my curly black hair thrown in a loose ponytail, Kansas blaring through my speakers. I was in my usual autumn attire, my leggings, black, baggy black cardigan. I'd recently purchased my first belly shirt, white with a tiny alien on the breast pocket, hardly showing any skin, more visible than anything was the hourglass tattoo on my stomach, the left side covered halfway to my hip, the right side occupied by a turtle, beneath it, the entire world on his turtle back, the branches filled with birds and the initials of several loved ones. My body was covered in tattoos, my parents more than encouraging about my body art. I got several compliments on my work, oogled by most pig headed men because how often do you see a mulatto female covered in tattoos? Apparently not very often.

   I drove to clear my mind, no particular place I was heading. I loved to drive, especially with Nero at my side, when the sun was setting. I'd roll up a blunt or two and just drive, making my way to my favorite secluded places, letting Nero out to explore the terrain. He'd go on my hikes with me, and I'd pack the two of us treats and water, that way we could spend all day doing what we loved. He was laying in my backseat; I kept a blanket spread out for him, since his black fur would be everywhere if I didn't. I don't know why I found myself turning into spring city, the road narrowing as I came out by the middle school, just minutes away from the park. As I pulled into the parking lot, the only car I noticed was, undoubtedly, a fucking Porsche, with New York tags, sleek and beautiful, but too fancy for anyone around these parts of town. I gave it no second thought as I grabbed my bag, tossing my lighter and cigarettes, along with my water inside.

   It was a short walk to the trail that led back to The Spot, Nero never leaving my side as we made our way back, the cars passing by on the highway coming to a slow as the traffic from the day died down. The lamps that lit up the park gave great passage as we made our way back, the weeds and ivy mowed down now that it was fall. Nero led the way, sniffing out anything peculiar, perking up when he realized the beauty ahead of us. He quickened his pace, leaving me before I turned the corner of the wall/post that my balloon painting was on, not even noticing Nero standing near the rocks by the post, lapping at the crystal clear water. He went on to explore the surroundings, keeping close, as I took a seat, digging in my bag for my metal Star Trek tin, removing a blunt and lighting it, feeling finally at ease after a long day of work and nonsense. I'd made decent enough tips, more than any of the other servers, and I had the next two days off work, which I was thrilled about. I was going into relax mode, knowing after I returned home, I could start a fire, make some coffee, and read until the wee hours of the night, accompanied by Nero and the peaceful repetition of nightly crickets. Nero had gone out of view, but I could hear him, playfully prancing around the area. I don't know how I didn't hear the human footsteps approach, but Nero did. He bolted around the corner, sniffing out whoever it was, and I stopped in my tracks, quickly dubbing out my smoke and putting the unfinished blunt into the tin, replacing it with a lit cigarette. Nero wasn't alarmed for long, I quickly heard whoever it was tell Nero, "Aren't you a good boy? Where's your owner, pal?" And I quickly stood up, Nero returning to my side just before the man rounded the corner, and much to my surprise, I was greeted by the face of a celebrity. I almost thought I was seeing things, but sure enough I recognized the jet black hair, and the deep, penetrating brown eyes on the gorgeous face of none other than, Keanu Reeves.

   I took a step back, Nero nudging at my hand to pet him, forcing myself not to stare as he smiled at me, his face perfectly visible in the lamplight. He spoke up first, taking a step towards me and reaching out his hand. "Beautiful dog you have there, I'm Keanu, didn't mean to sneak up on you like that." He laughed it off smoothly, and I shook his hand, surprised at his friendly, welcoming demeanor. "Thank you, he goes everywhere with me. I'm Raven. And this is Nero." Nero sat at his feet, letting Keanu pet him, happily accepting the affection. I was a mess in my head, unaware of how to react, really. I had never encountered anyone famous in my life. Lowly stage actors, and film extras, once or twice, but never anyone as famous as him. What the hell was he doing here? In the middle of nowhere? As if he was reading my mind, he asked me if I was from the area, and I nodded, saying I'd lived here all my life, however my house was 20 minutes away on the other side of the county. "What brings you here?" I asked politely, resuming my seat, and he joined me, Nero laying between the two of us.

"I dunno, really. I wanted to get out of the city. My mom knew a photographer here, and I saw a picture online of the area, and I just... wanted to see it for myself. I've never been here. I wanted to work up some inspiration for a project I'm working on, and I figured this would be the place to start. I'm staying at a place called The Holiday Inn, it's in Dayton." I nodded, chuckling at the coincidence. Pete's was directly in front of The Holiday Inn, I was there almost everyday. "I work in Dayton. At the diner right in front of your hotel." He smiled, saying he was planning on making a stop there tomorrow for breakfast. I mentioned I was off work, and he sighed dramatically, causing us both to erupt into laughter. We talked for the better half of two hours, well into the sun going down, before we made our way back to the parking lot, Nero leading ahead of us, the night air cook around us. He looked relatively normal to be so gorgeous, in his long black coat, and his dark jeans, his grey boots and white shirt reminding me all too much of the many part he had portrayed in his career. It was like, for so long of seeking adventure, I'd met someone who had a life full of journeys and discoveries. It was odd, how well we hit it off, being from two totally different worlds. I lit up a cigarette, offering him one, and he accepted, using my lighter. He offered me his cell phone, saying he would like to keep in touch, and so we exchanged numbers, parting ways with a casual hug. He asked me to text him when I got home, so he knew I made it there okay. I said I would. I waved before getting in my car, my music starting up as I fished for my tin in my bag, Nero taking a seat up front as I lit my blunt, driving into the night, the 20 minute drive home exciting as I drove with Keanu in my taillights. He followed behind me until he had to turn off for his hotel, honking his horn, and I did the same. I couldn't wait to get home and tell my mom about the day I'd had.

   I had managed to sneak some proof, a quick picture of Nero standing next to Keanu, his hand placed lovingly on his head, a grin on his face. My mom was going to be so shocked. I was excited to return home, but disappointed to see all of the lights off at my mother's place, so I drove past, onto the gravel driveway that would be paved eventually, leading to my cottage. The space opened up, the creek running behind my house, through an orchard. My cottage was three bedrooms, flowers and plants of all sorts growing wildly around the house, my stepdad always joking that my house looked like something sort of like a fairy tale. I'd always kept up my garden well maintained through the year, but it was getting colder now, and all I had left were a few buds here and there, along with my weeping willow that took refuge in my front yard, always casting the most ominous shadow on my house. Nero and I made our way inside, my first objective to start a fire in the woodstove. I grabbed my lighter from my bag, shooting Keanu a text that I'd made it home ok, and sat my phone down, determined to get my fire started before I replied. The house was quiet, so I turned on my stereo, a treasure I'd found at 20 in a yard sale, the hits of the 80's,90's and today playing softly throughout the house and I piled wood atop my ever growing fire, and I took a minute to have a seat in front of it, having a cigarette as I watching the crackling flames. My phone vibrated on the table in the living room, and I retrieved it, a message from Keanu.

   K: Glad you made it home safe. What are your plans for the night?

   R: Just started a fire, I'm going to make some coffee, curl up with Nero and read. Anything exciting on your end?

   K: Not a thing, sounds like a fun night. Started a fire?

   I sent him a picture of my woodstove, and he sent me a text back shortly, amazed at the fact that I lived alone and used wood heat. He said he'd never met anyone who relies on it for a source of heat, which is always weird to me. It's always been my favorite form of heat. It's cozy, reliable, and if my power ever goes out, at least I'll be warm. Plus, cooking on a woodstove is ideal. The quality of the food is incredible.

   K: You'll have to show me sometime. If you're up a little later, care if I give you a call?

   R: I'll be up for a while, that's perfectly fine with me.

   K: Alright, I've got a conference call with a realtor in 15 mins but after that, I'll call you. :)

   R: Looking forward to it!

   I took the time to change clothes, the room next to mine serving as a storage room for nothing but my clothes, considering I had so many. I was devoted to thrift shops, finding 50 cent and dollar treasures everywhere I went, a collection of clothes, shoes, books, and all sorts of handy items, mine for a low price. I'd fallen in love with the beauty and the history of the things in thrift shops, some of my favorite Star Trek memorabilia purchased at several different thrift shops. I had Star Trek sheets, posters, paintings, figurines, and even a landline phone. I'd purchased lots of strange knick knacks over the years, including a Japanese tea set, several Buddha figurines, some handmade windchimes made of spoons, some very cool, wooden end tables, 5 of them to be exact, all under ten dollars from thrift stores.

   My mom and I had a crazy huge library of movies, dvds and vhs tapes, and we added onto it every other Tuesday when I got paid. We were all about home entertainment, being content with our lives. And we were. Simple, loving folk. We enjoyed our things, and spending time with each other. We did that more than anything. My mom and I had a rocky start growing up, but now, we have become best friends, the two of us enjoying the silly little hobbies we had. My stepdad went through a phase where we stockpiled can goods and nonperishable items, because of the economy, and now, we've done it ever since. We have an entire storage room in my basement dedicated to all things survival. A year's supply of canned goods, 10 adult survival blankets. Cases of water stacked to the ceiling, from years of preparation. We'd always taken advantage of our resources, so when we saw 4 folding cots at a yard sale, we bought them, and slowly over time, had bought up enough for all of us, taking measures to preserve the lives of our animals as well, stocking dog food and jugs of water for them. It seemed crazy, but the way we saw it, you could never be too prepared. We stocked up on toiletries and medicines, cabinets full of first aid equipment, antibiotics, mild pain relievers and Tylenol, of course, along with several other over the counter medications, both human and pet friendly, we were set there too.

  My stepdad, John, had kept in mind when building both their house, and my cottage, the need for shelters, especially underground. The land our house was built on had belonged to my family for generations, several houses being on the same exact land before it. Although none of the original houses remained, one cool feature was able to be used in the construction of our homes. A bomb shelter, ten foot underground, connecting the space between our houses. An enclosed area roughly the size of a tennis court, it had 5 separate living quarters, big enough for two cots and a wardrobe on wheels. There were solar panels connected to the kitchen in the shelter, so we would be able to cook and still have power for hours out of the day, along with a plethora of generators from junk yard trips and trades. He was the smartest man I knew, and he had taught us everything he knew.

I was killing time, waiting for coffee to finish brewing when I received a facetime request from Keanu, throwing the lights on in the kitchen nook and accepting, greeted by his face, smiling at me from his hotel room.

"So that's what your house looks like," he said, giggling at my table for two and all of my memorabilia. "I have so much crap. I'll give you a tour if you want. There's so much house I feel like I'm useless. I don't even take up half of it." He laughed, sitting up as I showed him my closet room, turning the light on to the basement staircase and descending it. "Woah, where are you now?" He asked, and I switched the view so he could see the space in front of me. There was the stockpile room, off to my left, and to the right, the hall that led to the bomb shelter, and that definitely struck his attention. "That's probably the coolest thing ever," he said, wowed at the time we had put into everything. I promised to show him one day, but I definitely didn't feel like walking all over the basement in the dark. I made my way back upstairs, listening to Keanu talk about the penthouse he just purchased in New York. He was planning on taking a vacation there next, he said. He was tired of California. He wanted to see what the bustling world of NYC had to offer. I told him that would be amazing, I'd always dreamed of going there in high school, being on the stage, taking the subway to work. But I told him, I never planned on leaving my little town. That seemed to disappoint him, but he quickly recovered when he asked me if I had plans for the next few days. I told him that I was off work 2 days straight, and he asked if I'd like to take him hiking the following day. He wanted Nero to come, and I quickly accepted. I told him I knew a great place, that I'd take my camera because the leaves would be changing and it would be a real sight. He agreed, and kept talking about how excited he was. I was excited too.

   We made plans to meet for breakfast, when he asked where, I offered jokingly to cook, and he encouraged it, so I said I would text him my address, and he was going to come to my house for breakfast the next morning. I cooked on Saturdays, my mom and stepdad would be joining, along with both of my brothers. He said that was perfect, that it had been a long time since he had a nice, normal breakfast. I assured him we were not normal, but told him I was thrilled to spend the day with him. He yawned loudly two hours into our facetime, and I immediately did the same, saying we would both need our rest for the next day. I quickly sent him a text with my address as I stoked the fire, putting more wood on it for the night, crawling into my own bed for the night before hanging up the phone. Nero climbed into bed, settling himself in next to me as I set my alarm for the next morning, peacefully drifting into sleep after the best day I'd had in a very long time.