#oh god…trudy…my heart…

[emmett-in-the-real-world]

Just listened to peachyville ep 4…holy shit…

I’ve been thinking about Francis. Yeah i know that weirdo did some freaky stuff in this ep, but what i wanna walk about is when Kelsey’s talking poorly about herself, saying she’s a vagabond (I actually don’t remember the exact wording, forgive me), and Francis is like “no you’re not Kelsey! Don’t talk about my friend like that!” (Which my friend has said that to me when I talk shit about myself)

Like…maybe I’m projecting, but he is so protective of his friends, and making sure…I dunno, they’re kind to themselves? Like he’s been bullied his whole life, and maybe he hates it when people (esp his friends) bully themselves? Cuz truly we’re all our biggest critics, bullies, etc, and he doesn’t want his friends to be mean to themselves, to feel the way he’s been feeling?

Then i thought about my Older Brother Francis headcanon with BB. Maybe, for a time, she was doubting herself on her detective skills, having a hard time in middle school (cuz even someone with a lot of pluck will have a hard time in middle school). A rough case, something. and Francis said, “BB you’re a great detective! don’t talk about my friend like that!”

Maybe BB doesn’t consider the soda jerk guy her friend, merely her assistant? But after he says that, she might reconsider, ask for his help more, or even tip him (or something i dont know anything about 50s tipping culture, or really anything about the 50s).

Even though he might be scared of this 12 year old, he still doesn’t want someone to be cruel, especially to themselves. So he fixes her usual order, and they work it out together.

Francis cares so much about his friends.

[babacontainsmultitudes]

OUGH call me Big Shane Silva the way that episode had me falling over and torn into pieces fuuuuuuuuuck oh the Trudy and Francis heart-to-heart... The group hug... The gunkata... The middle-aged witch yuri... The hole in the stars... MAN.

[hethuisanubiss]

Every Latin phrase in season 2 of Het Huis Anubis

I finally finished watching season 2 of HHA and translated (almost) every Latin phrase that was said so you never have to wonder again what Van Swieten, Victor, and the rest of the secret Anubis society talk about 50% of the time. Below are all phrases and sayings in chronological order of when they were said* (only phrases that were said more than once have been left out to avoid duplicates in this list).

*The first phrase is not in chronological order because when I was watching season 2, I wrote it down somewhere else while making notes and now I don't know exactly where it should be in this list anymore for it to be chronological, so I decided to just put it at the top of this list. But I do believe that it was said by Arie van Swieten somewhere in the the beginning of season 2.

Singularis porcus = Wild boar / wild pig

Amice = Friend

Principium abducet finem = The beginning will lead to the end

Dabit deus his quoque finem = God will also give an end to these things

Finis adest rerum = The end is near

Acta est fabula = The play is over

Ite, missa est = Go, it is the dismissal

Ab imo pectore = From the bottom of my heart

Ad augusta per angusta = Through difficulties to honors

Littera scripta est = What is written stays

O tempora, o mores = Oh the times, oh the customs

Silentium = Silence

In episode 175 Van Swieten said something that sounded like "Oteum quom deritale!" after Nienke had dissapeared and he was trying to calm down Amber and Appie who were talking over each other, but I'm not sure if this is exactly what he said and I also couldn't find any translation or anything that sounds similar.

In the same conversation in episode 175 as mentioned in the point above, Van Swieten also said something that sounded like "Er politest" to Amber and Appie. I couldn't find a translation of this either, but it probably means something about politeness.

Tempus fugit = The time flies

Festina lente, recte, sed festina = Make haste slowly, good, but make haste

Festino = In haste

Dum spiro spero = While I breathe, I hope

In episode 192 Victor said something that sounded like "Potsum livem" after he got sprayed by Trudie with garlic water. I'm not sure if this is exactly what he said, but he probably said something that means "I want to live".

Primi inter pares = Firsts among equals

Ultra posse nemo obligatur = No one is obligated beyond what he is able to do

Hora ruit, tempus fluit = The hour rushes by, time passes

Amor et melle et felle est fecundissimus = love is rich with both honey and venom

Aut vincere aut mori = Either to conquer or to die

Veni, vidi, vici = I came, I saw, I conquered

Difficile est longum subito deponere amore = It is difficult to suddenly give up a long-standing love -------------------------------------------------------

Post nubila lux (as seen on the screenshot of the secret Anubis society above) = Light after the clouds

-> Find here the Latin translations of the other seasons: season 1 | season 3 | season 4 | Movie: Anubis en het Pad der 7 Zonden

[bugcartoons]

Dndads c3, ep 23 spoilers?? Im just gonna compile all my thoughts on the ep here as im listening to it and after

Currently listening -

“Is she pulling me by my remaining leg?” ANTHONY THAT WAS SO FUNNY BUT ALSO LIKE REALLY SAD CAUSE I ALREADY FORGOT ABOUT THAT

Telling Kelsey that Francis belongs to Zuzel was probably the worst choice cause that girl can literally talk with Zuzel whenever she wants

“Freddy, you get one more time to say there was a gun there” “he didnt time gate that” god i hope they use that in a funny way. Just like at the store picking up apples and the bisons attack them but oh look! Theres a gun in the apples. Problem solved

“Blake was ahead of his time in many ways” yeah and behind it too… cause… cause he went back in time kind of. Its a really bad joke but im keeping it cause i think its funny

Milton, im so sorry they are making you do this but like it does kind of fit the character

Im so sorry but brunhilda saying “my sweet dark prince” to francis was such an ick. I had a physical cringe on my face

FRANCIS MY SWEET BABY BOY. MY CHILD. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH FOR SAYING NO OH MY GOD. Guys thats my literal son. Im a proud mother rn

Saying wizard battle in this fairly serious moment just kicked me out of it so fast. I felt fear for kelsey and then matt said that and was like “oh it isnt that serious”

I’ll be so real. I listened to the first 20 minutes (basically just the intro) when it came out like three days ago so i forgot they had an entire conversation about the big TV they just got and in the middle of combat freedy goes “big TV matt” and i fucking lost it

Take a shot every time freedy sings “big shane sylva” this ep and another for every time anthony laughs as if its the first time he heard it

“Man now im starting to like the mom” “you dont like anything about her, you just like the version you came up with” Talk about a read

The fact that they all independently said “thanks for the cool scar babe” after matt

“Another smaller flame thrower” sent me. I love beth

Will getting so jokingly annoyed with the whole gunkata bit is amazing cause like i would too. Its really funny but it isnt helping the dm at all

I need someone to make a list of every movie or show refrence they make on this podcast. Its probably like 50 pages long

Will explaining the whole situation without any of the jokes or humor made me realize just how badass this group is. I mean common, thats sick as fuck. I need to animatic it rn

“This is the hour of the hole” man im not mature enough for that name

Anthony i swear to god. Do not do this to me right now. You have already given so many of my favorite characters so much trauma. Do not give Francis any more

If i ever meet anthony it is on sight. He will instantly catch these hands for this (thats a joke. How tf is he so good at making characters that i love????)

This is such a serious moment and trudy talking about the bowling team being her family and important to her is so extremely sweet and heart wrenching but like…. We forgot about Tony real fast. Mf was NOT someone she cared about

After thoughts -

Fucccckkkkkk man… i think this might be a turning point for Francis. At least i hope so. I hope he finally realizes just how much his friends care about him. I also hope Trudy adops him because they really are mother and son

[radical-revolution]

In Memory

After I got the call that Ram Dass had died yesterday, I closed my eyes.

He is still here.

I could feel the vast field of love that was shining from Ram Dass when Trudy and I taught with him just a couple of weeks ago. And I always will.

On the final day of this last retreat, called “Open Your Heart in Paradise,” Ram Dass was frail and didn’t have access to many words. But he was there in the most powerful way. He swam delightedly with the group in the ocean, chanting “Oh Joy, Oh Joy.”

And on the retreat’s last morning, he put his hands on a basket of 350 wrist malas, each tied with a thread of his guru’s blanket, to tenderly bless them. Then, as participants came by slowly to receive their malas, he silently looked into each face, offering to all what is sometimes called “the glance of mercy,” a gaze so full of love that it left many of us speechless and weeping, drunk with blessing.

I have known Ram Dass for 48 years, as master teacher and inspiration and role model, as a dear friend and benefactor who helped me begin to teach, as a companion on the path, as a truth teller and prankster, as a profound healer and whisperer of souls, as a kind of prophet for a generation. Out in public with him across the years, over and over people would come up to him and speak lovingly, tentatively, urgently, offering thanks, “Ram Dass, I just want to let you know you changed my life!” And he did… for so many of us.

Yes, his book “Be Here Now” changed countless lives. Yes, his work with Seva Foundation cured 5 million people of blindness. Yes, he taught almost nonstop for 50 years, spreading wisdom and humor, wild devotion and love and a vast timeless mystical perspective across the world. His obituaries will be filled with his many other accomplishments.

For me he is family and Sangha, even now still spreading his playful, tough, delicious love everywhere, connecting with our hearts. “Yum, yum,” as he would say.

He was so ready to leave the wheelchair and skinny and broken body, to go home.

Home is not somewhere else.

It is here, in life and death, in the eternal dance of consciousness, weaving together form and the formless mystery from which it all comes.

Ram Dass is the vastness reminding us that in the end, there is only love.

~ Jack Kornfield, two years ago🙏

Be Here Now

Please read aloud, pause in-between, and listen to the poetic heart-words of a Great Teacher...a Beloved Guru, and a true inspiration for so many of us throughout this life.

_________________________________________

We're fascinated by the words--but where we meet is in the silence behind them.

The quieter you become, the more you can hear.

It is important to expect nothing, to take every experience, including the negative ones, as merely steps on the path, and to proceed.

The most exquisite paradox… as soon as you give it all up, you can have it all. As long as you want power, you can't have it. The minute you don't want power, you'll have more than you ever dreamed possible.

I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion - and where it isn't, that's where my work lies.

In most of our human relationships, we spend much of our time reassuring one another that our costumes of identity are on straight.

The heart surrenders everything to the moment. The mind judges and holds back.

Your problem is you are too busy holding on to your unworthiness.

As long as you have certain desires about how it ought to be you can't see how it is.

Treat everyone you meet like God in drag.

The most important aspect of love is not in giving or the receiving: it's in the being. When I need love from others, or need to give love to others, I'm caught in an unstable situation. Being in love, rather than giving or taking love, is the only thing that provides stability. Being in love means seeing the Beloved all around me.

Suffering is part of our training program for becoming wise.

What you meet in another being is the projection of your own level of evolution.

The spiritual journey is individual, highly personal. It can't be organized or regulated. It isn't true that everyone should follow one path. Listen to your own truth.

Let's trade in all our judging for appreciating. Let's lay down our righteousness and just be together.

Only that in you which is me can hear what I'm saying.

Everything changes once we identify with being the witness to the story, instead of the actor in it.

We are all affecting the world every moment, whether we mean to or not. Our actions and states of mind matter, because we are so deeply interconnected with one another.

A feeling of aversion or attachment toward something is your clue that there's work to be done.

The next message you need is always right where you are.

I would say that the thrust of my life has been initially about getting free, and then realizing that my freedom is not independent of everybody else. Then I am arriving at that circle where one works on oneself as a gift to other people so that one doesn't create more suffering. I help people as a work on myself and I work on myself to help people.

I'm not interested in being a "lover." I'm interested in only being love.

The game is not about becoming somebody, it's about becoming nobody.

Learn to watch your drama unfold while at the same time knowing you are more than your drama.

If you think you're free, there's no escape possible.

Every religion is the product of the conceptual mind attempting to describe the mystery.

It's only when caterpillarness is done that one becomes a butterfly. That again is part of this paradox. You cannot rip away caterpillarness. The whole trip occurs in an unfolding process of which we have no control.

We're here to awaken from the illusion of separateness

We're all just walking each other home.

~ Ram Dass now, just as before,

at home with Divinity

[chesacakeripper]

Author Ask Game!

tagged by @adainesjacket thank you ^_^

Total number of AO3 works: 32

Total AO3 word count: 206,075

Fandoms I've written for: in order of volume: Legends of Tomorrow, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Buddy Daddies, Hannibal, Sherlock, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Black Magician Trilogy (my first...), Supernatural, The Apothecary Diaries (my latest!)

Top 5 fics by kudos:

Taste Me, Drink My Soul - Buddy Daddies (1,138)

Lie Still and Close Your Eyes - Buddy Daddies (666)

You Let Me Desecrate You - Buddy Daddies (581)

Temptation Waits - Legends of Tomorrow (524)

The Best Laid Schemes of Mice and Men - Legends of Tomorrow (519)

Do I respond to comments? I try my best to! Sometimes I don't respond on my older fics but that's more of a personal failing as I forgor..

What has the most angst-ridden ending? Oh ho! Now, that's a stickler. I think probably a toss up between Best Laid Schemes (this is NOT my fault, I was writing along with the first season as it aired and they threw in a major character death that fucked my plot up innit) and From The Pain (you drive into the heart of me) (Buddy Daddies) but I DO still intend to write a nice fifth part to that series.

What has the happiest ending? Probably Cocoa isn't Cocoa without the Mini-Marshmallows (Legends of Tomorrow), pure fluff at the end there tbh. Rare for me.

Have I received hate? Not really hate, per se. I've had a few rude comments and bookmarks here and there but no direct hate.

Do I write smut? And what kind? HO BOY do I write smut. I like my boys a bit desperate, a bit roughed up, a little bit kinky and wet & messy. I have also delved a bit into dub-con too, which can be fun. I like to treat sex as first base and all the relationship stuff and feelings as much later stages.

Do I write crossovers? No, because if its within the same cinematic universe etc I wouldn't count it as a crossover.

Have I ever had a fic stolen? I don't think so, but I've never checked

Have I ever had a fic translated? I don't think so either.

Have I ever co-written a fic? I have not!

A WIP I'll never finish? Dance with the Devil, a Hannibal fic I wrote between seasons 1 and 2 but then season 2 came out and my conclusion was sort-of ruined (as I partially managed to guess some plot points) so I gave up on the fic and will never finish it.

Writing strengths? character voice, one shots, possibly action and fight scenes that lead into smut.

Writing weaknesses? plot cohesiveness in longer fics and the sustained attention to actually write them

Do I like foreign language dialogue? when it's needed, sure, but also I speak English and stopped formally learning German about 10 years ago so my grasp of other languages is not the best.

First fandom I wrote for? The Black Magician Trilogy by Trudi Canavan, it was a werewolf AU

Favorite fic I've written? I'm most happy with About to Break (and it's dead-dove follow on Punch Drunk) I think, which are the fruit of my reading the Yu-Gi-Oh! DM manga and really getting my teeth into Kaiba and Jounouchi's early canon personalities and extrapolating that out.

tagging @alectoperdita @saiikavon @rockoutwithyour-spockout and YOU dear reader, if you wish to do it, but also no pressure if you don't. Also feel free to remove the statistic based Qs if that makes you feel weird about fandom engagement!

And self-plugging again for my newest fic Sticky Sheets (The Apothecary Diaries) because, as one very kind bookmarker has said, "Jinshi beating his own cheeks thank god"

[power-chords]

Some Miami Vice Thots*:

Big Screen, I Notice More Stuff: That club is called MANSION. Linkin Park (from Agoura Hills, or what seems to me to be the Westchester, NY of the San Fernando Valley — Californians please correct me if I'm wrong), mashed up with Jay-Z (a Black billionaire from the mean streets of Bed-Stuy, the New New Gatsby/Big Joe Turner). Relevant to bullet point immediately below.

According to Michael Mann Miami in the mid-aughts is Age of Discovery (Digital Edition) meets Crime Family Feudalism in recursive recurrence, multiple timelines and identities inhabiting the same geographic vectors (everyone is always forever in motion). The very first interaction Sonny has with someone who is not a team member is a bartender who says she is from Lisboa, to which Sonny replies, "But you got your tan in Miami." This is what I read: She's the "reformed" Portuguese equivalent of the character in this Butch Walker song. She came from money, she lost it perhaps, but she's been since... repossessed? There's a more sinister interpretation under the surface, since she is under the roof of a powerful (and possibly related) employer whose business operations require unwavering loyalty + utmost discretion in exchange for protection (which in this case is also exploitation). Tan, in other words, as a form of Midas touch. Sacrifice to a sun(/SON!!!) god (or is Sonny more of a defecting Samson figure, speaking to an inert "Neon" Delilah who will only feign at seduction/betrayal, moving through the moves?). So already these two characters are speaking in code to each other, which is an amazing storytelling device on Mann's behalf, and you can shake so much out of that.

Derived from the above: "My Mommy and Daddy know me," hilarious line btw, becomes double-doublespeak, quadruple-speak! Not only is he pretending to tell the truth under a fabricated fundamental, the statement itself is yet another subtextual lie. His parents don't really know him, they just thought they did, which is why he's run off to become what he's become. Rico is the partner who acts out of duty first, love secondarily; Sonny is the Byronic inverse. Diaspora southern gothic. I like to think this is the mythic re-interpretation/inspiration Mann wishes a certain American population would draw from, in lieu of... current political/pop cultural figureheads.

Gina tenderly comforting the injured Zito... this shot is seconds long and yet captures my heart every time! Where is the backstory fic for these two!

Once again, the Rico/Trudy sex scene is a definite contender for the most affectionate, respectful, and sensual one in Hollywood history

Oh, Isabella. My girl Isabella. I overheard someone in the lobby call this film "such a guy movie." I don't know what drugs these people are on. Especially when counterpart to the hypermasculine satirical camp is the sensitivity and sympathy with which Mann portrays the situation of women, how we are exploited either way/anyway, deprived of romantic trust/human partnership by being put at risk by men and also by them denied the agency of taking risks for ourselves. There's both heartbreak and hypocrisy in how she attacks Sonny at the end, screaming "Who are you!" (The audience's heartbreak is: We have an instinctive uneasy sense of the systems that force her, and the rest of us, to live as hypocrites. Who are any of us, anymore, really!)

I was like MICHAEL DO THE GARMENTO CRIME DRAMA W/ ME and he was like "I made Miami Vice already, dummy! Pay attention!" Me: "OK!!!" [Pays a visit to Auerbach's Keller in Grand Central Terminal and then stays up until 5 AM playtesting West Village: Walpurgisnacht/watching the Chicago & Miami Postmodern Pseudepigrapha about Non-Recourse Factoring]

The "color coding" in this film is bonkers. More on that eventually, I'm still chewing on it.

The duality of Man(n)ager: the tragic pathos imbued to Alonzo vs. the vaudevillian coercion of Nicholas. "Why is this happening to me?!" cracks me the fuck up. This most powerful, literally biblical quandary of them all, the whole of Mann's filmography boiled down to its most singular and direct (I.E., truthful) expression, in the form of a persecuted exclamation, and it's played for laughs. Because what can you do except laugh! It's Job(/lowercase job) as circus performance, as a cabaret act. Job's poetry parodied into factional slogans and Shandyan-American dick jokes. I can't believe people think this is a stupid movie, it's pretending to be stupid!!!

*The appropriate spelling for this film in particular

[jackals-ships]

anyways sweeping everything off my desk we're talkin about the book series that i think me and like. 3 other ppl have read. that post of "books that are lowkey not so good but you read them as a kid/teen and it Altered You" that's me vs this series

so synopsis "The Black Magician Trilogy follows a girl called Sonea who lives in the slums of Kyralia. Sonea’s magical ability is revealed during a confrontation between the poor and the Magicians’ Guild. Her life seems outside of her control from that moment on as she tries to understand what is going on. In her struggle to learn magic and find her place, she discovers a dark and terrifying secret at the heart of the Guild. It not only involves forbidden magic, but her friends in the city’s underworld, and the very survival of Kyralia and the Allied Lands."

and like i love Sonea, my darling, but i am Fascinated by whatever the fuck Jackals whole deal is. 1st book bc i could talk Forever

so first off the 1st book plot starts on the fact that Sonea is a dwell, someone who should Not be able to do magic, and the guild has no idea who it IS which is why they're chasing her down (i stand by the fact forever Sonea did nothing wrong. ever <3) but you have Jackal, showing up to talk to the Thieves at basically exactly the same time that she is and calling her by name (i stand corrected one™ thing wrong. not immediately asking wtf)

a fun detail tho i only connected on a second read through was "You can just call me Hound." There's an odd lilt to their words, making her wonder if they're amused or that's merely an accent." Jackal has So Much Canine coding just in general but they're literally called the High Lord's Dog by characters that don't like them. they're being a little shit !!

the next time we see them actually is when Sonea breaks in looking for information and stumbles upon Oops! High Lord's Doing Blood Magic! (but yanno none of us know that til Lorlen truthreads her) where they're described as "A similarly dark robed stranger sweeps into the room, his face is hidden by the hood. Sonea can't make out the words passed between the pair but there is a tenderness in the way he touches his arm."

"oh but Jackal is described with they-" first off they/he king SECOND we are literally never introduced to a male love interest but we Are given so many scenes of Jackal Akkarin Thinly Veiled Longing And Homoeroticism

the next time we Confirmed see Jackal is imo, the funniest, Rothen and Fergun are having their little bitch baby slap fight about who should be Sonea's mentor right. and they just. swan in during the trial. well technically the End of the trial

(first scene of Gay Gay Homosexual Gay too Jackal is described as "looking up at the High Lord on the stands, lips quirking up in a soft smile. Their tone takes on an air of, Sonea doesn't know how else to say it, teasing.")

anyways they swan in and Yoink Sonea. EVERYONE is shocked because apparently? Jackal just doesn't take on apprentices one on one (this is confirmed in the Novice btw they're SO MEANNN to the students oh my god)

the ending scene is about as expected, Jackal is helping Sonea settle in but then !! but then !! you have them "inclining their head in her direction, something fond in Lord Jackals expression. Something..almost too friendly. As if they had not met properly mere hours ago, but they knew her far longer."

hey trudi, hey hey what do you MEAN by that. like ik Jackal has some weird seemingly meta narrative stuff going on but what do you MEAN?

[fictionalreads]

Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4

Carver

I hope he finds out about the text. In the real world it probably wouldn’t be as big a deal but it’s a drama show. Everything is

Oh damn I don’t think he’s as into her as she’s into him.

Is that girl for real? Why would you ask for the worst thing? I mean weirdest thing? Sure. Most miraculous? I’ll take it.

Pascal

Something is wrong with this man. But I also don’t like his “enemy”. Who goads people about that? Either file your complaint and get him fired or let it go.

He’s being nice to Violet. I don’t know if I trust it.

See this is why I don’t trust that man. Why is he on Kidd’s ass like that? She is not your punching bag for when you’re going through shit.

He went and apologized to the man (which I get the feeling he doesn’t do often or easily) for Violet. But he hates on Kidd? I don’t get why he doesn’t like her. Everything I can think of I find a way it doesn’t fit.

Cruz

NOT JAVI’S BIKE!! I wanna see Javi and Otis.

Mouch, Trudy is gonna yell at you.

Cruz and the musketeers are going at it.

Why are y’all stressing Joe out 😂😂

Damn Joe.

JAVI!!

YOU STOLE THE WRONG BIKE😂😂

Violet and Novak

Violet let’s be smart about this. I know you wanna help but scrubbing in on 2 c-sections is very different from performing one in the field on your own.

While I’m not a fan of this plan, NOVAK YOU A REAL ONE AND IM SO GLAD I FINALLY LEARNED YOUR NAME

I still can’t stand Chief Robinson.

GOODWIN. I haven’t seen Chicago Med in forever (for mental health reasons).

Who has political muscle that she knows?

I love Novak’s support.

Ah. Robinson had a change of heart.

I knew she wasn’t going anywhere.

That hand hold was not a friend hand hold.

Kidd

Fuck Damon.

LET’S GET KYLIE BACK!

Look at her trying to help her husband make amends with his little brother. Even if that brother is an ass.

Awe man. No Kylie 😔 WHO THE HELL IS GONNA BE ON TRUCK?! I volunteer as tribute 🙋🏽‍♀️

Emergencies

Awe man. She’s dead already.

A BABY?! (In my head I said it the same way the Kringles from the movie Santa Claus is coming to town said it)

Oh please let this baby start breathing.

Oh thank God. Violet is already in deep shit she didn’t need dead baby on top of it.

Miscellaneous

Fucking Chief Robinson is back.

Riley daddy kinda cute.

Wait Hermann what’s the plan? I don’t have you and Mouch’s mind reading thing.

Severide did it cause you’re his brother numnuts.

Oh shit is Severide the only sibling with the name Severide?

LMAO HERMANN POACHED KYLIE

[sunnyhoneyshimmermagic]

(Dee Dee and Teddy are at town square, selling apples and introducing our story):

Dee Dee: Get 'em while they're fresh! Apples! Christmas apples!

Teddy: We got Mclntosh!

Dee Dee: Get your Christmas apples.

Teddy: Red Delicious. Tuppence apiece while they last. Whatever the fuck that means.

Dee Dee: We... They won't last long the way you're eating them.

Teddy: Hey. I'm creatin' scarcity. Drives the prices up. Read all about it in Ladie's Home Journal

Dee Dee (sighs): Teddy... (sees us) Hello! Welcome to The Big Nate Christmas Carol! I am here to tell the story, in my usual dramatic fashion!

Teddy: And I am here for the food and bantz! This Christmas, I wanna be written with an actual character!

Dee Dee: My name is Charles Dickens.

Teddy: And my name is Teddy Ortiz! Hey, wait a second. You're not Charles Dickens!

Dee Dee: I am too!

Teddy: No. Dickens was called that for a reason!

Dee Dee: omg it's 2023

Teddy: your name isn't even Charles!

Dee Dee: good, cringe name

Teddy: Dickens was a 19th-century novelist! A genius! God I hang around Francis too much.

Dee Dee: Oh, you're too kind. :3

Teddy: Why should I believe you?

Dee Dee: Well... Because I know the story of "A Christmas Carol" like the back of my hand.

Teddy: do I smell a wager?

Dee Dee: I hope, otherwise I didn't brush my teeth well.

Teddy: ugh, just prove it! Prove you know it!

Dee Dee: All right. Um, there's a little mole on my thumb, from when I tried to taste the wood on my stage, and, uh, a scar on my wrist, from when I fell off my bicycle performing as Lance Armstrong: licence to juice.

Teddy: No, No, No, No, Don't tell us your hand. Tell us the story!!

Dee Dee: Oh! Oh!

Teddy: Thank you. Yes.

Dee Dee (ahem): The Betancourts were dead to begin with.

Teddy: Wha, Wha... Pardon me?

Dee Dee: That's how the story begins, Teddy. The Betancourts were dead to begin with. As dead as a doornail.

Teddy (getting into it): ooh! It's a good beginning! It's creepy and kind of spooky. Like Mrs. Godfrey in a conga line.

Dee Dee: Thank you, Teddy!

Teddy: You're welcome, Mrs. Dickens!

Dee Dee: now, where was I? Ah, yes. In life, the Betancourts had been business partners... With a shrewd moneylender named Gina Hemphil-Scrooge. You will meet her as she comes around that corner.

Teddy: Where?

Dee Dee: There. See, next to the klassic komix and Mr. Pretzel?

Teddy: Uh huh! When?

Dee Dee: Not yet... Not yet... Let the tension rise...

Teddy: I am, I am!

Dee Dee: ...Now!

(Gina enters, draped in a black coat and top hat, carrying a cane. Every step calculated and cold)

Dee Dee: There she is! Ms. Gina Hemphil-Scrooge.

Teddy: Say, Is it gettin' colder out here?

(Song)

Emmit the custodian: When a cold wind blows it chills you

Chills you to the bone

Czerwicki: But there's nothing in nature that

Freezes your heart

Like years of being alone

Rosa: It paints you with indifference

Like a lady paints with rouge

Clarke: And the worst of the worst

The most hated and cursed

Is the one that we call Scrooge (yeah)

Chester: Unkind as any

And the wrath of many

This is Gina Hemphil-Scrooge

Miranda, Angie, Kelly, Trudy, Kim, Jenny: Oh, there goes Ms. Humbug

There goes Ms. Grim

If they gave a prize for bein' unfair

The winner would be her

Brindle: Oh, Gina loves her money

'Cause she thinks it gives her power

If she became a flavor you can bet she would be sour

Staples, Shipulski, Calhoon, John, Galvin: There goes Ms. Skinflint

There goes Ms. Greed

The undisputed mistress of

The underhanded deed

Marty: She charges folks a fortune

For her dark and drafty houses

Vern and Marge: Poor folk live in misery

Uncle Ted: It's even worse for louses

Miranda, Angie, Kelly, Trudy, Kim, Jenny: She must be so lonely

She must be so sad

She goes to extremes

To convince us she's bad

She's really a victim of fear and of pride

Look close and there must be

A sweet girl inside.

...

Naaaah!

Everyone: There goes Ms. Outrage

There goes Ms. Sneer

Ahe has no time for friends or fun

Her anger makes that clear

Don't ask her for a favor

'Cause her nastiness increases

No crust of bread for those in need

No cheeses for us meeses

There goes Ms. Heartless

There goes Ms. Cruel

She never gives

She only takes

She lets this hunger rule

If bein' mean's a way of life you

Practice and rehearse

Then all that work is paying off

'Cause Gina's getting worse

Every day

In every way

Gina is getting worse!

(Gina sharply turns, giving a cold stare)

Everyone: OH, UM, I HAVE SOMETHING TO DO SUDDENLY

(They escape)

Gina (quiet rage): ...Humbug.

[georgiaandgray]

Meet the Staff (And Try Not to Conjure Lightening) (Todd From Asgard)

Carver Elementary wasn’t the most glamorous of schools. The copier was sentient and vindictive. Half the ceiling tiles were water-stained into Rorschach shapes. But it had heart. And maybe asbestos. But mostly heart.

Delaney had promised herself she’d keep her love life separate from work. But Todd—the human embodiment of an epic poem—had different plans.

“I would like to meet your village,” he said one morning, handing her a thermos of what he called “fortified tea.” It tasted like lightning and licorice.

“You mean… my coworkers?”

“Yes. The other warriors. The elders. The... snack providers.”

Delaney blinked. “Are you asking to come to work?”

“I would be most discreet,” he said solemnly. “Invisible. Like the silent hawk.”

Spoiler: he was not.

He showed up during morning prep in a flannel shirt, boots too nice for city sidewalks, and a respectful-yet-impossible-to-miss aura of divine intensity. Every teacher in the building immediately noticed.

Kaleem spotted him first and gasped so hard he dropped a tray of googly eyes.

“Oh my god, he’s real,” he whispered. “And hot. Like, ‘my sister would fake an injury to meet him’ hot.”

“Be cool,” Delaney muttered, guiding Todd toward the lounge.

“I am always cool,” Todd said sincerely, before knocking over a coat rack and catching it with reflexes that made everyone stop chewing.

In the lounge, Ms. Trudy—resident wise elder and queen of side-eyes—gave him a once-over.

“Who’s your lumberjack?”

“This is Todd,” Delaney said. “He’s, uh… shadowing me.”

“For what? Logging?”

Kaleem, hovering near the vending machine, whispered, “I bet he calls trash cans ‘refuse chalices.’”

He wasn’t wrong. Todd did, in fact, later refer to the staff fridge as “the communal ice vault.”

But he was polite. Helpful. When the science teacher dropped a box of magnifying glasses, Todd caught two midair and set them down like priceless artifacts.

“Thank you,” she said, blinking.

“I honor the lens of discovery,” he replied, bowing slightly.

By recess, students had caught wind of Delaney’s “guest.”

One kindergartener approached and asked, “Are you the prince?”

“I… am a prince,” Todd said carefully.

The kid nodded and offered him a Capri Sun. “Then you can sit with us.” He did.

Outside, Todd stood guard like a Norse sentinel while the kids built a leaf pile and debated the ethics of sharing glue sticks. When a squirrel ran too close, Todd gently redirected it with a quiet

“Be at peace, tree beast.”

Back in the lounge, Trudy cornered Delaney.

“Okay,” she said. “Is he normal?”

“No.”

“Is he dangerous?”

“Only to outdated gender roles.”

“Well, shoot,” she said, nodding. “Lock it down.”

At the end of the day, Todd helped clean paint brushes, offered a shoulder rub to the custodian (who now referred to him as “Captain Shoulders”), and gave Delaney a carved wooden charm “to protect her from negative Yelp reviews.”

Delaney walked home, charm in one hand, stupid smile on her face. She was falling. Fast. And if she noticed that thunder seemed to roll whenever Todd got too emotional?

Well. She chalked it up to spring.

[anestofmuses]

"Oh they will," If Trudy had been a cartoon himself, they'd be covered in floating hearts just talking about their darling dears. Their spouses neant so much to them. Although the attempt at bargaining by Lux made them frown. A reminder of why they trapped him in the first place.

"..That was sort of the intent. You can be of chaos and not malicious at the same time." Trudy nodded as they thought back to a happy bit bittersweet moment, " I was married to the personification of chaos once, absolute sweetheart til they vanished poor dear. Loved me to the end." She was about to on a different lecture when Lux touched, then recoiled from the light. In that moment they were able to look at them. Their heart shattered for the lonely god. Once in their mortal life, they too knew that loneliness far too well. With a wave of her hand the orb was gone and instead, a shrunken down Trudy sat next to hom within the jar. Able to go in and out themself easily.

"..I was alone even in a crowd once too." Trudy's voice was gentler, softer in the memories of her sorrow. Offering her hand to Lux in understanding. "People who I thought were my friends, my brothers in arms. Betrayed me, belived in a monster instead of the person who had healed their wounds and fought by their side."

How'd he know Lux was planning to do exactly that?

"Aw..." The toon sits down, propping up his head in his hand as his antennae curl into a heart shape. "That's so romantic...! I heard this thing gets sold out ages in advance. Those sweetie-pies of yours better appreciate it!"

She must really love her spouses; that look in her eye is the same one Mr. Pye used to get when he'd talk about Helen. ...poor Mr. Pye. Lux still hasn't forgiven the Doctor and Belinda for talking his favorite little plaything into offing himself. Oh, well.

"Don't make me laugh! 'After the contest' is much too vague, my dear! Why, if I agreed to that, I'd hafta make sure I never hurt a thing for the rest of existence! How about this; I solemnly swear that I won't cause intentional harm to anybody or anymind for, um... twelve standard rotational units after the liveshow's complete?" That's fair, right? A whole twelve-day head start?

"...gosh!" Well, now he feels bad-- this is such a nice gesture! He should probably try to be more generous, too.

"Okay, okay. ...thirty rotational units?" He'll grant a bonus in honor of the Earth's mooncycle. He loves that thing.

Lux tentatively reaches out to touch the little orb, his eyes shining blue. When he makes contact, however, he flinches back as though burned, tears welling up immediately. He can feel it. The certainty that they're loved. The love they feel in return. He can feel Trudy's devotion and adoration and warmth--

And he can feel, in turn, his own loneliness. He cares for the other Gods, and they care for him, he thinks, but it's not like this. Lux has never had something like this.

The way he sniffles and scrubs at his eyes is genuine this time, all jealousy and pain and a deep-rooted desire to truly love someone other than himself and be loved in return.

He pushes himself up against the far end of the jar, refusing to look at Trudy.

"I don't want it. Make it go away."

[dashuisofanubis]

So Patricia's just come back and now she's leaving again 😭

[collecting-stories]

King of my Heart - Jay Halstead

Request: Hi! Can i request King Of My Heart with Jay Halstead?❤️ 

A/N: I just really like the idea of Jay with like a firefighter s/o. I think I've written like two other fics with him and a firefighter s/o, pretend they're all interconnected lol.

TS Anthology Series | One Chicago Masterlist

...is this the end of all the endings?...

Dating with your schedule was not easy. Finding time to actually connect with people outside of work was next to impossible, especially since you’d taken on some paramedicine shifts for Sylvie on your days off from the Firehouse.

While you were trying not to rush into things or make any assumptions about whether dating was the correct term, you’d been spending a lot of time with Jay in recent weeks. You’d volunteered to help at a city garden that Trudy helped organize and he’d been there too and you’d both sort of clicked (at least that’s how you described it to Stella later on because you were too hesitant to admit that Jay had pretty much stuck to your side that whole day and asked you for drinks immediately after).  

“I just don’t wanna like...move too fast.” You explained, pulling your shirt over your head and fixing your hair, “like, okay...what if it’s just supposed to be like a casual thing and I make it this big thing in my head that it isn’t? Then I feel stupid and I can never show my face when he’s around.” 

“Listen, if it’s casual, he’s the one who should feel stupid. You’re a total catch,” Stella replied, always ready to be your cheerleader when you were feeling insecure about something. “You are a total badass, you’re on Squad. You don’t need some guy and he’s lucky you’re giving him the time of day.” 

“I wouldn’t go that far.” 

“I would!” Stella insisted, “you don’t need him, don’t feel like you need validation or something.” 

“I don’t. I’ll admit I’m okay single but, it is kinda nice having someone...I don’t know, want to put in the effort after a long shift. I mean, it’s not like we have easy jobs.” You replied, grabbing your duffel from the bench and slinging it over your shoulder. “I guess I just want some clarification. Are we dating? Is he thinking this could be something more serious? Is he even looking for something more serious?” 

“Are you?” She deadpanned as you both made your way out of the locker room. Most of the other third shift had left already but Stella had hung back with you while you showered, mostly to listen to you have a mini-crisis over your budding relationship with Jay.  

“I feel like I could be.” You shrugged, “that sounds stupid but like, sometimes I just look at him and think like, yeah I could do this every day of my life. That’s really fucking scary Stella...like...” 

You trailed off as you made it out onto the driveway and saw Jay’s pickup parked out front. He was standing there on the passenger side, leaning against the truck and when he saw you he smiled. Stella nudged your ribs playfully before giving you a silent wave goodbye and heading to her car.  

“Hey,” you called out as you got closer, “don’t you have work?”  

“Caught a double yesterday, just got off like an hour ago.” Jay replied, “Figured if you don’t have plans this morning you might wanna get breakfast?”  

“Oh my god yes, I’m starving,” you said, letting Jay take the bag off your shoulder and toss it in the back of his truck. “Herrmann has a new candidate and he offered to make dinner last night-” you shuddered and Jay laughed. 

“That bad?” 

“Terrible! And we ended up getting a call anyway so basically...no dinner.” 

Jay shot you a sympathetic look over middle console, “Shit baby, I’m sorry.” 

You felt yourself warm up at the sound of him calling you baby. You weren’t much for pet names but somehow hearing the word out of Jay’s mouth squashed all the worries you’d been keeping close to your chest.  

- 

“Jay!” You whispered, trying not to laugh and draw anyone’s attention, though most everyone in the house was asleep at this hour. Aside from Herrmann who had gotten stuck on night shift and was currently trying to keep his eyes open to reruns of Lets Make a Deal in the common room. He had ears like a hawk though and you knew he’d come snooping if he heard commotion. “We’re gonna get in trouble.” 

Jay smiled against your neck, placing another kiss there before responding, “I don’t work here so technically...” 

“Well don’t get me in trouble then!” You replied, unable to stop a laugh from escaping this time as you bumped into the washing machine.  

It was nearly one in the morning when Jay had shown up at the firehouse, texting you and telling you to let him in the back door. He’d just gotten off work and you still had six more hours on shift but it was officially your six month anniversary and he was surprisingly sentimental. Although you weren’t sure that making out in the laundry room like two horny teenagers was exactly sentimental.  

You didn’t get much time to consider anything at all because the siren went off, the overhead voice alerting the firehouse, “Truck 81, Engine 51, Squad 3, Ambulance 61.” 

“I have to go,” you insisted, pulling away, “Jay, I have to go.”  

“I know, I know.” He let go of you, stepping away so you could head out to the apparatus. He followed behind you, careful to stay out of the way, stopping at the Squad table. 

“I knew I heard something!” Herrmann laughed, walking through the double doors with Ritter, “Sneaking around the firehouse like a couple a kids!”  

You did your best to ignore Herrmann as you geared up, stealing one more kiss from Jay, “I’ll see you after shift?” 

“Yeah, I’ll pick you up.” 

“Get in the rig lovebird!” Tony called out the window and you rolled your eyes before climbing up into the back with him and Capp.  

You couldn’t resist a last glance out the window as you pulled out into the street, Jay standing there with his hands in his pockets, watching you and grinning. By the time you got to the fire, you’d be clear headed and ready to work but until then, you’d let yourself be a little lovestruck.  

[ronearoundblindly]

Sneak Peek!

excerpt of Threadbare, Part Three a Steve Rogers x fashion designer!Reader tale

Warnings: none. WC 552

Summary: Steve hopes to see you by going to your atélier.

Steve rolls the garment bag he brought off his shoulder and does not take an extra deep breath right before pulling open the door. It’s a normal breath. He’s fine. Fine.

Again, as several other times before, you’re nowhere to be seen.

“Oh my god,” your fourth assistant squeaks from behind the counter.

He knows his name. They know each other’s names—clearly—but have never met.

The young man stands taller. “Oh…my god. Hell-oh.”

Steve…is not sure whether the once-over your employee gives him is flattering or objectifying but rallies to get to his point.

“You must be Byron,” Steve tries casually, suppressing the awkward smirk rising with gentle heat to his cheeks. “I was wondering if the lady of the house was in to return this.” 

Steve’s glad he has the jacket as a prop, something to do with his hands as he nervously glances toward the upstairs where he knows you live anyway. You’re here. He knows it. You’re working, and Steve doesn’t want to interrupt you. He has no other options, or at least, no other options that don’t make him feel a bit creepy.

“‘Fraid not, sir. But—“ Byron gathers his wits more admirably than Steve seems to be “—I’m sure I can help with anything you require, Mr. America.”

“Just Steve is fine,” he smiles back. Steve scans the open fitting rooms for Dominica or any of the others he has a rapport with, but no such luck. “And just the jacket.”

“What seems to be the problem with it?”

“Oh, no, it’s not mine. I was just standing in for a fitting when I got called away and...accidentally took it.”

Byron eyes Steve suspiciously. “You…you stood in…for the fit of another client’s jacket? Another client that…looks like you?”

Steve rolls his shoulders in discomfort. “She asked me to,” he defends lamely.

Byron keeps looking at him as if Steve’s grown an extra head instead of just a head taller than his original stature.

“Ok,” your assistant shrugs, “let’s see who the marker is for.”

Steve shoves the hanging bag in Byron’s outstretched hand, nervous again. He shouldn’t have come. This was a bad idea.

Deftly, clearly recalling a move he’s executed thousands upon thousands of times, Byron unzips the bag, tucks the opening under the shoulders of the jacket, runs his hand down the left side seam, and flips up the corner to peek at the lining.

Steve sees a glint of metallic he never noticed.

“Remind me of your middle name, Mist—sorry, Captain Rogers.”

“It’s Grant,” Steve blurts without thought. “Why?”

“This is your jacket, sir, down to the threads.” Byron smiles, a glistening white band of teeth bared for the enjoyment of all, and gleefully spins the garment around to show a delicately stitched ’S G R’ in silver against the deep purple.

Steve’s cheeks are on fire.

“But…” he stammers. “That’s not…” Steve hunches over the counter as if it will settle a bet his mind and heart are arguing.

You asked about the color…and he said he loved it.

You shyly asked if he’d spare the time to help you…and he jumped at the chance.

You made him a custom jacket and tricked him into having it fitted.

Steven Grant Rogers: Idiot.

[Main Masterlist; Light Masterlist; Ko-Fi]

Is everyone as excited as I am? No? Have you also noticed a ridiculous drop in Tumblr interactions? Yes? Do I care? Kinda, but it can't stop me from enjoying this mini-series. The cuteness! It's so wholesome I AM DYING. 💚💜

Tags (to prove to y'all I'm not dead): @supraveng @1950schick @patzammit @whiskeytangofoxtrot555 @bucky-fricking-barnes-reads @fallinallinmendes @deandreamernp @shelbygeek @rogersideup @eyebagsanonymous @trudy-shams

[plotting-against-you]

Ways to Say 'I Love You'

Fandom: One Chicago

Characters: Ellie Halstead, Greg 'Mouse' Gerwitz, Jay Halstead, Hailey Upton, Will Halstead, Trudy Platt, Hank Voight

Summary: Five times Mouse and Ellie say "I love you" without saying "I love you," and the one time they actually say it.

Warnings: PTSD nightmares (not detailed, just mentioned), self-doubt, self-consciousness, deployment

Time 1: You wanna, I don’t know, grab a drink?

“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Trudy smirked as a familiar blonde approached her desk.

Ellie smiled. “Hey, Trudy. How have you been?”

Coming around her desk, the older woman hugged Ellie. “It’s been too long. How was the tour?”

The youngest Halstead shrugged and smiled. “Really good. I think it was probably the best one yet.”

“Well, good. You know we really enjoyed coming to see you when you stopped here.”

“I could feel you guys in the crowd. It was…something special. It made the night better for me, the band, and the crew.”

The older woman nodded. “Well, get upstairs; I know your brother will want to see you.”

“Yeah, I didn’t exactly tell him I was coming; thought I’d surprised him.”

Trudy smirked as if she knew a secret no one else knew. “There’s a lot of that going around today.”

“What?”

“Nothing! I’ll buzz you up.”

Making a face at the woman’s obvious brush-off, Ellie sighed and followed the steps that led to Intelligence. As she neared the top of the steps, she heard the team talking to someone, and it didn’t seem like they were discussing a case.

“Is this a non-work day I don’t know about, or did you all just know I was coming?”

As everyone turned to her, Jay smiled and hurried to her. “Oh, it’s good to have you back.”

She held on just as tightly as he did. “It’s good to be back.”

Jay pulled away and smirked at her. “You know, your timing is impeccable….”

Ellie furrowed her brow until Jay moved aside, and her eyes landed on the man that stood by her brother’s desk. “Oh my, God. Mouse?”

The man in fatigues smiled at her. “Hey, El.”

Hurrying over, she hugged her friend and sighed. “I didn’t know you were coming home so soon. I would have come with to pick you up.”

He shrugged. “I got a ride from a friend and surprised your brother. I see you had the same idea.”

The blonde laughed, though some would call it a giggle. It was no secret that Mouse and Ellie had had a thing for each other for years, even before he returned to the Rangers. Now that he was home, everyone hoped they would finally act on their feelings and start dating.

“Well, not that these reunions aren’t nice, but we have some work to do.” Voight reminded them, though they could tell he hated to break up the moment.

Jay’s visitors turned to him and waved off the unmistakably torn look he held. “Hey, get back to work. I’ll meet you back at your place after shift, alright?”

The detective nodded at his friend and then turned to his sister. “I’m guessing you’ll be stopping by to see Will? He’s at work now, but I think he’s off at seven.”

Ellie nodded. “Sounds good. Thanks.”

Then she waited for Mouse to grab his bag, and they walked down the stairs of Intelligence together.

Biting her lip, Ellie touched his arm, ignoring the twinges of arousal that flew through her body. “Hey, do you wanna…I don’t know…grab a drink?”

He smiled. “I thought you’d never ask.”

…

Time 2: To us

Ellie smiled as she sat lakeside across from her boyfriend of six months. It was their anniversary, and he’d surprised her by taking her to dinner at her favorite restaurant by the lake.

The weather was nice and warm, the sunset creating a beautiful atmosphere for their special occasion.

“You’ve written how many songs now?”

Ellie laughed. “Only about twenty…for this album.”

She winced as he smiled, and her heart lit up at the sight. There was nothing quite like the view of Mouse’s smile that made her day.

“And that’s so far….”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” She waved him off with a smirk. “You know I don’t get on you for all the techie talk you bring home.”

“True, though I wouldn’t blame you if you did. Your brother and Hailey pretty much want to kill me for it.” His lip twitched. “That’s why I stay with you so much.”

Her eyebrows shot up, and her jaw dropped, though the smile couldn’t be stopped from spreading across her face. “Oh, that’s why you stay with me, is it?”

He blushed. “Well…maybe only part of the reason.”

Ellie shook her head and sighed. “You are a rare person, Gregory Gerwitz.”

“Is that rare in a good way?”

She picked up her old-fashioned and held it out until he clinked his glass against hers. “Here’s to us, Mouse. To our crazy, amazing, driving-my-brother-up-a-wall relationship. To us.”

His smile softened, and he grabbed her free hand in his own as he held his glass up. “To us.”

…

Time 3: You okay?

Mouse sat by the computer while waiting for Ellie to join their Zoom meeting. He’d been back overseas for a few months and missed her like a lost limb.

As the minutes ticked on, his irrational fear that she’d forgotten their meeting crept into his head, as he knew she was probably caught up in meetings for her new album. She might have even been in the studio all day and forgotten what time it was.

Then the screen opened, and though his heart lifted at the fact that she didn’t forget him, it fell again when he saw her face. “Babe…”

Ellie sniffled. “Hey. How are you?”

He gave her a concerned look. “I’m okay. I miss you. What’s wrong?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”

“Ellie…talk to me.”

She sniffled again, her eyes red and puffy. “I just…everything is just…it’s so loud. Everything is just so loud and crazy. I can’t get my music back, and I have to rerecord, but I have all this new music in my head waiting to get out. And now my fans are fighting with other fans, and it’s just…everything is too much.”

She broke down for a moment, and Mouse ached to be able to hold her. Then, after a minute, she gathered herself and sighed. “I’m sorry.”

He shook his head. “It’s okay.”

She nodded and smiled through her tears. “You okay?”

He shrugged. “I miss you.”

“I miss you, too.”

“Listen, call Jay. Go have a drink or have dinner. Just do something that doesn’t involve your music and try to relax.” He told her. “I wish I was there with you.”

“I wish you were, too. But you will be soon enough.”

He nodded. Little did she know, it would be sooner than she thought.

…

Time 4: I have to hand it to you; you certainly know how to make a statement

Ellie sighed as she sat at a table with Jay, Hailey, and Will. It was a rare night she let herself go out and avoid responsibilities, and Mouse had been bugging her to do it, so she took his orders and did as told.

He was right, she realized. It was nice to be out without thinking of her new music or her stolen records, or even her feuding fans. She enjoyed being at Molly’s, surrounded by those who comforted her, and could only wish Mouse was sitting by her side.

“So, how is the album coming?”

“Will!” Jay admonished. “The whole point of tonight was to get her mind off that, remember?”

“Sorry…sorry.” He winced. “I forgot.”

“That’s alright; I have a feeling she’ll have a lot more on her mind in a second anyway.” Hailey smiled.

Ellie furrowed her brow and cocked her head. “What are you talking about?”

Then she heard people start to clap, and Herrmann’s voice rose above the crowd. “Hey, make some room! We have a soldier in the house!”

Spinning around in her seat, Ellie’s heart froze. “Pinch me or something?”

“What?” Will questioned.

“Tell me I’m not hallucinating from lack of sleep or stuck in a dream.”

Jay laughed. “He’s real. Now go before he thinks you don’t like his surprise.”

Leaping from her chair, the blonde ran across the bar and threw herself into Mouse’s waiting arms. He’d dropped his bag on the floor to make room for her, and it lay forgotten, as did everyone else in the bar.

The only thing that mattered was the couple standing in the middle, one with his feet on the floor, the other with her legs wrapped around his stomach as she held on to him for dear life.

Pulling away from him, she sighed. “What are you doing here? You weren’t supposed to be home for a few more months.”

He laughed and kissed her. “My return date got pushed up. I figured I’d surprise you. Are you surprised?”

She dropped to the floor and smacked him gently. “Of course, I am, you dork.”

They kissed again as Herrmann brought over a beer. “Welcome home, man.”

“Thanks, Herrmann.”

Ellie sighed. “I have to hand it to you, babe. You certainly know how to make a statement.”

“I try.” He shrugged, and they moved together to walk to the table where their family sat.

…

Time 5: When things get crazy, don’t push me away

Ellie blinked a few times to let her eyes adjust to the room's darkness. She wasn’t sure what woke her until a grunt came from next to her, and she turned to see her fiancé tossing and turning in his sleep.

Biting her lip, she laid her body down and only then shook his shoulder. She’d learned different ways to wake him from his nightmares without being punched in the face, and this was the best they’d found that worked for them.

He immediately swung but hit only air, and his body leaped from the bed. “No!”

“Babe,” Ellie said calmly. “Hey, you’re home. You’re okay. Everything’s okay.”

He breathed heavily for a few moments before his eyes settled on her. “Did I hurt you?”

She shook her head. “Never.”

Sighing, he sat up and stuck his slippers on. “I’m going to go sleep on the couch. I don’t want to bother you.”

“Please don’t do that.” She begged him, knowing he felt bad but not wanting him to. “You’re fine, really.”

“Babe…”

“Don’t do that.” She told him.

He looked confused. “Don’t do what?”

“When things get crazy, don’t push me away.”

Laying back down and turning to face her, Mouse kicked off his slippers. Then he put his arm around her and pulled her close, kissing her and looking into her eyes.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“The good thing is, you’ll never have to know.”

…

+1: I love you

Ellie bit her lip as she bounced her one-month-old to try and quiet her down. It was as if the baby could sense the nerves coming off her mother and felt them too.

“Ellie, relax. He’s going to love her.”

“I know, I know. I just haven’t seen him since I got pregnant, and I look different, and now it’s not just us and….”

Hailey sighed. “You know he loves you no matter how you look. Plus, he’s overjoyed about her, you know that.”

Ellie nodded. “I know, I do. I just want them to get here already.”

As if on cue, the front door opened; Jay walked in, followed by Mouse in full fatigues. She couldn’t run to him this time, as she had precious cargo in her arms, but the sentiment was still there in their eyes.

“My God…” He breathed and dropped his bag and hat on the floor before moving to them.

His hands came up to cradle the tiny head nestled in the crook of Ellie’s arm, and he looked at his wife in tears. “She’s beautiful.”

Ellie had similar tears in her eyes. “Mouse…meet Charlotte, your daughter.”

He leaned down and kissed her head. “Can I hold her?”

“Of course.” He surprised her with a kiss as she leaned forward to hand off the baby to him, and she chuckled. “What was that for?”

His eyes held admiration and all the love in the world. “I love you.”

She smiled, and all her nerves melted away. “I love you, too.”