#pink fairy gumdrop

[allthingsscented]

Winter/Holiday/Christmas Candle Collection ☃️

My favorites are:

1) Pink Fairy Gumdrop

2) Tis the Season

3) Hot Cocoa & Cream

[blasphemous-lies-and-deceit]

absurd terms of endearment

"Delivery time!" Gerry called out as he barged into the Archives. To his delight, he seemed to have caught Michael unawares, his head jerking up from his papers to look at him with wide shocked eyes. His surprise turned into happiness as a smile spread across his face, the exact expression that had made Gerry fall in love with him the first time he'd seen it lighting up the gloom of the Archives.

"Oh," he squeaked in delight. "I don't remember ordering out."

"That's because this is a surprise, you silly sausage," Gerry teased, setting the container of homemade soup on his desk and rounding it to give his boyfriend a hug. Michael spluttered a laugh, his cheeks turning adorably pink.

"Silly sausage," he snorted. "Like you're one to talk, sugarplum."

"Oh, that's how it is?" Gerry sat on the corner of Michael's desk, a fluttery happiness in his chest at the lovely back and forth. "Careful, my warm cinnamon churro, you might be starting something you can't finish."

"And what might that be, my sweet boba tea?" Michael asked, fluttering his eyelashes as he leant back in his seat. "What am I starting?" As if he didn't know already, as if he didn't have a glint of mischief in his eyes that Gerry loved so much.

"It seems like you're trying to out-nickname me, mister fairy floss." Gerry's words drew a snort out of Michael, covering his mouth with his hand to hold back his giggles. "But if you can't handle a few sweet epitaphs, I don't think you can keep up with me."

"Now listen here, you vanilla macaron-" Michael started, but stopped when Gerry burst out laughing. "See, you can't handle it either!"

"Fuck," Gerry gasped, trying to pull himself back together. It was too fun to stop. "You're pushing it, cream puff," he warned, sending Michael into another round of giggles. "Don't make me switch to another food group, you deep-fried mozzarella stick."

"Oh no you don't, you Sunday roast," Michael shot right back with a grin. "I'm sweet, you're savory."

"Yeah, you'd know that, wouldn't you, my iced lemon cake." Gerry added a lewd wink to his words, and Michael shot forward in his seat, a determined glint in his eye.

"You greasy morning fry-up, you don’t know what you've gotten into," he said, words loaded with warmth. "My succulent steak with potatoes, I could eat you for breakfast."

"Wish you would, my chocolate truffle," Gerry chuckled, leaning in as well until they were nearly within kissing distance. "All these foody endearments are making me hungry."

"Don't you worry about that, my tender soup dumpling, I'll make sure you're very well fed," Michael purred heavily, his lustful eyes heavy as they trailed over Gerry, leaving goosebumps in their wake. "Just you wait til I get you home. I'll load you right up with my sweet cre-"

"Enough!" A sharp yell cut them off, followed quickly by Gertrude appearing in the doorway of her office, looking incredibly cross. "Enough," she said again as Gerry toppled off the desk, laughing so hard his sides hurt, as Michael crumpled in his seat giggling just as hard. "No more. Pet names and euphemisms are no longer allowed in the Archives!"

"Oh, come on, Gee Gee-" Gerry started, only to be stopped by her accusing finger.

"Gerard Keay, I will banish you from these Archives, do not test me," she snapped, even as he continued to laugh. "And Michael, you can not eat that in here, no food is allowed near the documents."

"Oh, do we care about that now, gumdrop?" Michael shot back brightly, getting to his feet to help Gerry up from the floor. "Fine, I'll taking my break now. Since we're so hungry." He pulled Gerry close and pressed an obnoxious kiss to his cheek, earning another disgusted noise from Gertrude. Gerry grinned wickedly and wrapped his arms around Michael's middle, tugging him in tight.

"Careful, love, we don't want to offend Gertrude's delicate sensibilities," Gerry teased, earning an eyeroll and scoff from both Assistant and Archivist. It was over the top, but it was fun, and Gerry loved being able to joke around like that. Even if their lives were dark and horrible, at least he had some brightness to keep them going.

[silent-dragon]

TWST Student OC Profile - Neville Basil

"Can't learn that in a textbook." - Ezreal

Neville Song

Personal Info

Name - Neville Basil

Nickname - Gumdrop - Pankraz

Stage Name - Wonder Fairy

Group Name - SoulBeam

Age - 18

Birthday - 12/2

Zodiac - Double Sagittarius

Gender - Male

Species - Warm Nature Fairy Human Mix

Height - 167cm/5'ft6"in

Eye Color - Amber Yellow

Hair Color - Bubblegum Pink & Spearmint Green

Orientation - Pansexual

Homeland - Isle of Woe

Family - Father

Twist of Ezreal(Heartsteel & Faerie Court) From League of Legends

College Info

School - Night Ravens College

Dorm - Pomefiore

Year - 3rd

Best Subject - Flight,Musicology

Club - Pop Music Club

Other Info

Occupation - Social Media Influencer/Star,Solo Pop Artist,Natural Beauty Care Reviewer,SoulBeam Vocalist

Favorite Food - Chalky Candies,Fruit

Likes - Candy,Fruits & Veggies,Nature,Pink Flowers,Bubblegum,Flying Around,Photography,Smartphones,Social Media,Scrapbooking,Stickers,Natural Products,Taking Selfies,Sunglasses,Hanging Out with Friends,Learning How to get Buff,Kurai's Headpats,Sabir Letting him Piggyback when tired of Flying,Aruna his Bestie,How Funny Pankraz is,Adan's little hat,Singing Love Songs,Exploring New Places

Dislikes - Smartphone Low storage,Winter,Being seen as Baby or Too Cute,Meat(Vegetarian),His Wings being so delicate,Internet Trolls

Unique Magic - Fairy Pop In - With intense focus on where he wants to be Neville can teleport there with the speed of his wings going at the pace of pop/r&b songs he plays from phone

Personality - Heavily Extroverted type,he loves to be outdoors due to needing to keep connection to nature. Friends are his favorite to think about so he is super friendly and helpful whenever he can be. Due to being sheltered there are some things he is unaware of so easily can become confused or too curious. His life is mostly on the internet so very emotionally attached to people he has never met. Kurai has banned him from the news cause he just sits there and cries from it feeling bad he couldn't help.

Bio - Known small pop half fairy boy who is a sensation on the internet but in person he is just a super friend and curious about the world being he hasn't been out in it long. Always flying around and taking pictures of things and asking people if he can take one of them before doing so. He finds everything so interesting. Has such a deep voice that throws people off guard when he speaks. Been a trendy internet star since he was 12 yrs old and likes it but now wants to pursue a more mature and tough image so is hitting the gym with Adan & Sabir alot as noticed by how bulky of a fairy boy he is now.

Backstory

Neville family are well known ancient magical beings/artifact researchers. His birth was more a research experiment then a normal birth but his father grew too attached and convinced if he raise him in a normal home as still part of the research and was given the ok to.

Has always been deemed so cute as a child it was hard for his father to even go to the store with him cause people would stare and gather to look at Neville. The town they lived in was mostly very unaware of magical beings in person and using magic in everyday life so seeing lil kid Neville flying around and making things accidentally float was a mini event to them. Also most thought he was a girl even when his father said he was his son. Got to point his father started to panic that someone would take him so confined poor Neville into the spacious basement of his house til he got older.

His father made the basement into a indoor fairy forest basically it was like you were outside when in there as Neville needed to be around Nature partly to feel well. He didn't like that he was so lonely,his dad didnt even get him one animal to stay with him. Eventually his dad noticed this and solution was to introduce Neville to technology mainly social media where he could make friends that wouldn't physical be nesr him so keeping him safe. This is how Neville became such a media fiend to influencer while growing up.

People loved it when he started making short videos of himself singing trending songs,talking about current events,etc. Seeing a fairy boy who was so versed in modern technology and voice was so divine to alot. Not to mention how cute he was it's the main thing people discuss about him. Is now a social media star that is different and alot like that he is. Since joining SoulBeam he aiming to turn his cute image to more mature beauty.

Aruna & Kurai worry always someone going to hurt him somehow mentally given most of his life is on the internet. Adan & Sabir are helping him get buff as can see by Neville upper body and arms being quite big nowadays when he used to be more small and delicate looking. He determined to be mature,strong and pretty. Pankraz is known to be quite to flirtatious towards him which usually ends with one of the others chasing him off or giving him a boink to stop that. Neville finds it to be normal Pankraz behavior but also sees it as maybe he is getting more mature pretty if that wild boy says he is hot.

[14eliho]

trio collections

pink fairy gumdrop/ juniper breeze/lip bonbon

[ratscabies]

31, 44, 95

31. smell the air. what do you smell?

pink fairy gumdrop candle from bath & body works

44. what was the last movie you saw?

interview with the vampire (1994)

95. you just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. you have to depart right now. where are you gonna go?

croatia to see my ghoulfriend <3

[methylphenidate-already-taken]

Gumdrop

HEY

YOU MFS REMEMBER THIS AMAZING PIECE BY @anxiety-pocket I COMMISSIONED?? WELL HERES A LIL THING I WROTE FOR IT WITHOUT EDITING INSTEAD OF DOING THE ESSAY I NEED TO DO.

also if you reblog into the main tags I will cry plz don’t. 

Word Count: 600~

Content: mention of violence (not relevant to the story, just skip the first paragraph), Soft safe vore, g/t, fluff, like- toothrotting fluff, I love being self indulgent :)

The two made a good pair despite all odds. Sure, Cypress had to be mindful of her language so as not to get stabbed, shot, or murdered in other ways, but that was hardly a problem given where she liked to hide out most. See, Wilford seemed to understand that his treat needed to not be chewed if he wanted to keep having her, and if he were to chew her up he wouldn’t like the taste of blood anyway.

In truth, he adored Cypress and didn’t want anything bad to happen to her. He didn’t want to hurt any of his friends, of course, despite what his actions told.  He was an absolute softie, absolutely insane, but an absolute softie.

So here Wilford was, mouth open wide to allow his sweet to stare out into the world. Cypress lay on his tongue with her arms folded over one another. He could feel her gentle weight pressing into the soft flesh. Instinctively, his mouth was watering from both her taste and the prolonged time it was open.

A content sigh came from his small friend and he could practically feel her deflate.

Are you ready, gumdrop?

Wilford couldn’t speak, of course, so some telepathy(?) fourth wall breaking(???... it was hard to tell what kind of rules or lack thereof he had) would have to do. Cypress didn’t respond at first, her mind too fuzzy with the feeling of his hot breath washing over her.

I’m ready she gave him, not even bothering to reply out loud either.

When he tilted his head back she closed her eyes. With one strong ‘GLK’, she was already sent travelling down his gullet. This was the closest to a fairy tale either of them would ever get. Cypress was surrounded by warm pink, dragging her down deeper into the depths of the gentle giant. It was magical to be completely engulfed by someone who loved and cared about her. Squished from every angle in the slimy confines, the throat muscles making her hug herself tightly. Cypress relished every single second of it, her eyes squeezed shut with delight and mouth upturned in a smile of gratitude.

Wilford felt his friend move deeper and deeper down inside of him. For him, the magic came from knowing he was protecting her with his whole being. That she loved and wanted to stay settled inside of him. This feeling was amplified tenfold once the warm lump of Cypress slid into his waiting belly.

His stomach, although small, was nowhere near as cramped as his throat, leaving Cypress with enough wriggle room to adjust what way her legs had to tuck up. Soft flesh surrounded her from all sides, and though she couldn’t see in the dark, the colour of her surroundings matched that of the scar crossing her lip. It was always overwhelming at first when she settled and took in that every single inch of her was surrounded and held by her friend. That was one of the reasons why she didn’t let go of her self-hug. It was just too much in the best way possible! With her eyes still shut she hunkered down and allowed Wilford’s tummy to do its job of welcoming her with its gentle kneading and warmth. Safe and sound protected behind strong muscle tucked within Wilford’s core.

Wilford gripped onto the strap of his suspenders with one hand while the other one went to his pleasantly full belly. While Cypress didn’t make a visible bump on his abdomen, he still felt her weight within him. Her gentle breaths, the little adjusting movements, all of her was so clearly with him. The tiniest bit of drool slipped from his lips, residue from the mouthwatering taste of his treat.

♡

He expressed in her mind, and she felt the same.

[gyftbox]

REPOST & FILL IN THE WORDS U MOST ASSOCIATE WITH YOUR CHARACTER.

ANIMAL : goats, ravens/crows, general creepy crawlies (spiders, roaches, worms) COLOR : really any bright saturated colors, but specifically purple + pink, forest greens, lots of weird textures (craft glitter, fuzzy yarn, acrylic paint) MONTH : april, february bc ties to aphrodite/general themes of love, bc he’s sappy ASTRO SIGN : cancer, virgo

SONG(S) : the princess who saved herself - jonathan coulton, there’s something happening - jack stauber, eighth wonder - lemon demon, scary mask - poppy NUMBER : three bc ties to lunar cycles, life + death, and use in fairy tales DAY OR NIGHT : night, of course! (stars, constellations, galaxies, etc etc) PLANT : diff types of herbs, venus flytraps, dolls eyes, voodoo lilies, bloodroots

SEASON : spring GEMSTONE : mystic topaz, amethyst SMELL : earthy smells (ie. dirt, wood, herbs), death/something rotting, sugary and baked smells, (birthday cake, strawberry frosting, cookies fresh out of the oven) FOOD : lots of desserts for the most part; cakes/pies/cookies/brownies, but also, sweet fruits; strawberries/peaches/blueberries/pomegranates, honey

CANDY : rainbow swirled lollipops, gumdrops, candy jewelry, pixie sticks extra dark chocolate, chocolate covered bugs (spiders, crickets, roaches) DRINK : diff types of tea, fizzy soft drinks, milkshakes, diff types of poison   (NORMAL) ELEMENT : earth, darkness (CHEMICAL) ELEMENT : raduim, arsenic

[chernobylsideeffects]

pink fairy gumdrop

[babyybitchhh]

Perona x Reader 18+

Rating: Explicit/R-18+

Words: 1,000

Warnings: cunnilingus, scissoring, first time (wlw experience)

A/N: Some of my best works were written out of spite. That's a joke, I was actually thinking about writing for Perona already but I'd REALLY like to write something for Yamato. I just ... don't know if I have the balls for it 😅

♥♥♥♥

Glossy layers of pink - a pink so soft and rich in the way sugary gumdrops that melt on the tongue are - sweep across the pillow in a delicately curling halo. The mass of it shifts and catches the light when she looks up at you. From under the petal tip fringe of her hair and through the enviable fall of luxurious lashes, her dark eyes glitter with the zeal of polished gemstones. She was somehow both coquettish and endearingly bashful at the same time; both eager and shy at being laid out on the bed like this, and you don’t try to hide your smile.

Couldn’t have even if you’d wanted to.

“Is this your first time?”

Perona arches underneath you, pushing her bare chest up in invitation. You gladly accept the offer and reach out to cradle the weight of one full breast, earning a sigh of satisfaction from her.

“Yes.” It’s little more than a whisper in the quiet hush of her bedroom, so very, very late at night.

But this was her domain. The place in which she was most comfortable and at ease so the two of you were free to explore one another here, in the plush indulgence of her bed, just as curious nymphs might out in the deep, secluded wood. It was fitting for her, this woman of perfect porcelain and cotton candy, and translucent specters. She looked every bit the part of a fairy princess and you think, idly, that such a title would be suited to Perona almost as much as her ghost princess epithet.

She coos so sweetly for you, too, when your mouth brands a hot trail of kisses down her stomach in taunting slow motion. It was obvious where you were headed and it was obvious she knew it. Her breathing shallows out, coming quick and short now while she moves against the sheets, against you, like a gently cresting wave.

Your first taste of her, an exploratory kitten lick through satin folds, is as divine as taking a bite from the ripe red apple of Eden. As intoxicating as the wine served at the last supper.

You groan into the silk cradle of her body and Perona responds with a stuttering mewl of her own. Delicate hands find their way to your hair, tugging you into action even though you could hardly deny her anything, least of all this thing that you wanted just as badly as she did.

“God, you smell so good.”

She whimpers faintly at the stilted breath you draw to savor her and truly taste her on your palate. Your cunt offers a muted throb in response, aching for her as much as you hoped she was aching for you. But your tongue still takes its time lapping at her in the same way a fine brandy is meant to be appreciated, slow relish and at a staggered pace, until she’s writhing against your mouth with muted pleas tumbling from her carefully painted lips of rose.

Perona peaks surprisingly splendidly fast.

Perona, you quickly come to find, is a sensitive pillow princess befitting of the title.

“You should do that again,” she murmurs, all sultry and blissed out once she’s caught her breath again. “You’re good at it.”

You can’t keep the grin off your face now.

“I’ve got something even better for you.”

She looks at you in a way that would suggest she can’t imagine anything would be better than having her pretty little pussy ate. You could already see the pout forming on her mouth, practically hear the huffy demand she wanted to issue for you to continue as she’d asked, but you weren’t lying to her. It would feel good and you were going to make sure of that, for you were as devotedly loyal to her pleasure as any good subject should be.

A brief shuffle to rearrange yourself soon finds your legs intertwined with the creamy white of hers. Perona catches on quickly enough, though her baby doll face continues to reflect a certain amount of doubt even as she nudges closer to slot her pelvis into the space between your thighs. She looks at you with that same sheepish anticipation as before, fine strands of bubblegum clinging to her skin where it’s damp with sweat, and you offer her a slow grind of your hips by way of explanation.

Her puffy cunt is almost obscenely slick with the vicious mix of fluid you’ve left in your wake, making the glide of your slit against hers smooth. Your chest tightens when you see those voluminous lashes flutter at the sensation and you do it again. The drag of pudgy lips rubbing together is exquisite, the darker hair on yours a stark contrast to her pink. A true sight to behold and it only heightens all your senses to the point of delightful agony as you tip your head back with a groan, certain you’ve been bewitched somehow.

Such an ability did not seem out of the question for someone such as her.

“O - oh …”

Perona sounds surprised and it’s a charming color on her. Emboldened, you push down on her with more fervor to make those delicate thighs twitch and splay further apart for you. Still, though, she does not move to reciprocate the effort and, still, you do not mind.

She’s so drenched that you find yourself equally sticky in just a matter of moments, the excited discharge that leaks from you blending with hers to create the perfect amount of easy friction. And Perona is alive with it, desperately twisting her hips up into the pressure before finally succumbing to the throes of release yet again.

Eventually, you ease back to give her a moment's respite and the gossamer threads that stretch and snap between your cunts pulls a haggard moan out of you. She would be the end of you at this rate and you were quite certain she’d be fine with that.

[allthingsscented]

so excited to burn this one 💕🍬🧚🏻‍♀️ fun fact: it is tied with pumpkin apple as my all time favorite bath & body works candle 😋

[mczenrath]

aesthetic.

what are your muse’s aesthetics? bold any which apply to your muse! remember to REPOST! feel free to add to the list!

[ COLORS ] ~ burgundy. red. crimson. scarlet. maroon. mahogany. copper. amber. chocolate. brown. tawny. tan. bronze. brass. orange. gold. saffron. yellow. chartreuse. spring green. lime. mint. green. olive. forest. turquoise. teal. cerulean. blue. navy. cobalt. periwinkle. indigo. pewter. plum. purple. magenta. fuchsia. lilac. lavender. pink. coral. peach. ivory. cream. white. silver. grey. smoke. charcoal. ebony. black. pastels. vibrant. matte. metallic. muted. dark. light.

[ BODY ] ~ mutations. claws. fangs. wings. tails. feathers. webs. spikes. scales. fur. stripes. spots. freckles. acne. bruises. scars. scratches. gashes. lashes. wounds. amputations. burns. brands. teeth. gums. tongues. lips. beards. mustaches. cheeks. noses. ears. eyes. eyelashes. eyebrows. hair. heads. neck. shoulders. collar bones. arms. elbows. wrists. hands. fingers. breast. back. ribs. abs. belly. hips. curves. butts. legs. thighs. knees. shins. ankles. feet. toes. nails. sweat. spit. tears. blood. heart. stomach. lungs. liver. veins. guts. bones. spine. muscle. skin. feline. canine. masculine. feminine.

[ WEAPONS ] ~ bites. fists. kicks. sword. dagger. spear. arrow. bow. crossbow. hammer. shield. poison. guns. axes. throwing axes. whips. knives. throwing knives. pepper sprays. tasers. machine guns. slingshots. katanas. maces. staffs. wands. powers. magical items. magic. rocks. mud balls. bombs. missiles. boomerangs. lethal pets. lasers. canons.

[ MATERIALS ] ~ metal. gold. silver. platinum. pewter. titanium. iron. steel. copper. bronze. brass. tin. bismuth. diamonds. pearls. rubies. garnets. sapphires. emeralds. jade. peridots. alexandrite. opal. topaz. jasper. quartz. rose quartz. smoky quartz. amethyst. citrine. fluorite. amber. malachite. turquoise. lapis lazuli. sodalite. pyrite. labradorite. moonstone. petrified wood. wood. paper. parchment. hemp. canvas. burlap. oils skin. muslin. rayon. faux. wool. fur. lace. leather. skins. suede. corduroy. silk. satin. chiffon. velvet. denim. linen. cotton. charcoal. clay. stone. rocks. flint. asphalt. brick. granite. marble. dust. rust. glitter. sand. dirt. mud. smoke. ash. carbonate. rubber. synthetics. nylon. polyester. plastic. glass. porcelain. bone. shells. coral.

[ NATURE ] ~ grass. leaves. trees. bark. flowers. roses. daisies. forget me nots. tulips. lavender. sunflowers. petals. thorns. seeds. hay. roots. ocean. pond. river. stream. waterfall. creek. meadow. forest. desert. tundra. savanna. rain forest. tropical. jungle. marsh. moors. swamp. plains. hills. highlands. caves. underwater. coral reef. beach. waves. space. clouds. mountains. fire. lava. ice. frost. water. air. earth. rain. snow. wind. moon. stars. sun. heat. cold. steam. lightning. sunlight. moonlight. dawn. dusk. twilight. midnight. sunrise. sunset. dewdrops. shadow. tornado. hurricane. water spout. thunder. hail. twisters. humidity. dryness.

[ ANIMALS ] ~ birds. penguins. eagles. owls. falcons. vultures. hawks. swans. parrots. parakeets. doves. pigeons. ducks. robins. cardinals. blue jays. bluebirds. blackbirds. crows. ravens. magpies. mockingbirds. flamingos. ostriches. seagulls. albatross. peacocks. condors. finches. pelicans. chickens. geese. quail. bats. sheep. cows. buffalo. deer. hedgehogs. elephants. horses. giraffes. cats. lions. tigers. pumas. cheetahs. jaguars. foxes. dogs. wolves. coyotes. bunnies. mice. rats. monkeys. apes. bears. pandas. polar bears. snakes. iguanas. chameleons. alligators. crocodiles. turtles. lizards. frogs. toads. whales.dolphins. fish. sharks. stingrays. octopus. lobsters. crabs. bugs. spiders. moths. butterflies. flies. maggots. roaches. ladybugs. beetles. cicadas. dragonflies. fleas. termites. leeches. worms. snails. mosquitoes. werewolves. unicorns. pegasus. dragons. dinosaurs.

[ FOODS/DRINKS ] ~ pepper. salt. sugar. honey. syrup. caramel. candy. bubblegum. mints. candy canes. gumdrops. lollipops. chocolate. vanilla. cinnamon. ice cream. cake. cookies. brownies. biscuits. pie. tarts. lemonade. soda. champagne. wine. brandy. rum. whiskey. vodka. tequila. sake. beer. soju. gin. crema de cacao. cocoa. latte. coffee. tea. spices. herbs. fruit. apples. oranges. lemons. cherries. strawberries. blueberries. raspberries. cranberries. watermelons. cantaloupes. bananas. coconuts. grapes. kiwi. pomegranates. tomatoes. vegetables. potatoes. cucumbers. carrots. turnips. onions. leeks. celery. broccoli. cabbages. lettuces. roots. nuts. white meat. red meat. raw meat. veal. pork. chicken. beef. venison. fish. lobster. oysters. pizza. ambrosia. pasta. sandwiches. soup.

[ HOBBIES ] ~ music. piano. flute. woodwinds. whistles. drums. guitar. cello. synthesizer. violin. lute. harp. fiddle. harmonica. trumpet. brass. singing. composing. folk. classical. bluegrass. blues. jazz. big band. pop. country. rock. punk. metal. electronica. hip hop. reggae. ska. rap. vinyl records. cassettes. cds. soundcloud. itunes. spotify. art. sculpting. pottery. painting. watercolour. drawing. pastels. charcoal. sketching. graffiti. printing. inking. collecting. fighting. martial arts. self-defense. boxing. fencing. sumo. wrestling. jousting. paintball. lazer tag. duelling. hunting. fishing. climbing. weight lifting. training. sports. football. football (usa). rugby. baseball. cricket. lacrosse. volleyball. basketball. tennis. badminton. skating. cycling. sailing. swimming. rowing. hiking. running. gymnastics. dancing. ice skating. hockey. reading. writing. cooking. sewing. acting. photography. video games. horseback riding. gardening. smithing. shopping. traveling. movies. theatre, libraries. books. magazines. playing cards. poker chips. chess. dice. science.

[ STYLE ] ~ nudism. perfume. cologne. piercings. tattoos. henna. body paint. war paint. make up. lipstick. mascara. eyeliner. eye shadow. powder. beauty marks. blush. nail polish. lingerie. fishnet. pantie-hoes. socks. stockings. leggings. long johns. under armor. corsets. sports bras. bustles. camisoles. blouses. button ups. tunics. vests. waistcoats. leather jackets. ponchos. sweaters/jumpers. hoodies. skirts. jeans. kilts. breeches. scarfs. cravats. ascots. belts. sashes. gloves. heels. sandals. platforms. tennis shoes. penny loafers. jordans. slippers. boots. cowboy boots. rain boots. army boots. armor. justaucorps. trench coats. capes. cloaks. burqa. suits. tuxedos. kimonos. saris. sun dresses. gowns. jewelry. earrings. nose rings. lip rings. tongue piercings. belly rings. gauges. eyebrow rings. necklaces. pearl strings. leis. bracelets. bangles. cuffs. watches. friendship bracelets. rings. pendants. lockets. broaches. boutonnieres. pocket watches. cuff links. hats. crowns. circlets. flower crowns. helmets. hijabs. turbans. baseball caps. cowboy hats. brocade. doublet. gorget. bracers. masks. cowls. braces. glasses. sun glasses. eye contacts. pajamas.

[ MISC ] ~ balloons. bubbles. candles. battle. war. diplomacy. peace. money. power. clocks. photos. mirrors. pets. diary. fairy lights. madness. sanity. sadness. happiness. optimism. pessimism. loneliness. family. friends. assistants. co-workers. enemies. loyalty. smoking. drugs. kindness. love. sex. hugs. duality. sin. lust. greed. wrath. envy. sloth. gluttony. pride. virtue. chivalry. honor. piety. charity. diligence. chastity. gentleness. aggression. romance. hatred. grief. pity. success. bitterness. sorrow. joy. fear. anger. good. evil. relativity. vampirism. sapphism. life. birth. time. death. illusion. silence.

Tagged stole from: @ababwa Tagging: @direbcrn @sunsreign & anyone else who wants to do iiit

[i-really-should-change-my-url]

Methlin as Bath and Body Works 3 Wick Candles (Seasonal Edition)

Andro: Vanilla Bean Noel

Change: Spiced Gingerbread

Donts: Hot Cocoa and Cream

Duckie: Cinnamon Caramel Swirl

Ferret: Spiced Apple Toddy

Imy: White Tea and Sage

Jax: Winter Candy Apple

Lemon: Marshmallow Fireside

SC: Snowy Peach Berry

Tilt: Pink Fairy Gumdrop

[rightpath]

aesthetic.

What are your muse’s aesthetics? BOLD any which apply to your muse! Remember to REPOST! Feel free to add to the list!

[ COLOURS ]  ~  burgundy. RED. crimson. scarlet. maroon. mahogany. copper. AMBER. CHOCOLATE. brown. tawny. tan. bronze. BRASS. orange. gold. saffron. yellow. chartreuse. spring green. lime. mint. green. olive. forest. turquoise. teal. CERULEAN. blue. navy. cobalt. periwinkle. indigo. pewter. plum. purple. magenta. fuchsia. lilac. lavender. pink. coral. peach. IVORY. cream. white. SILVER. grey. SMOKE. charcoal. ebony. black. pastels. vibrant. matte. METALLIC. muted. dark. light.

[ BODY ] ~ mutations. claws. fangs. wings. tails. FEATHERS. webs. spikes. scales. fur. stripes. spots. freckles. acne. bruises. scars. scratches. gashes. lashes. wounds. amputations. burns. brands. teeth. gums. tongues. lips. beards. mustaches. CHEEKS. noses. ears. eyes. EYELASHES. eyebrows. HAIR. heads. neck. shoulders. collar bones. arms. elbows. wrists. HANDS. fingers. breast. back. ribs. abs. belly. hips. curves. butts. legs. thighs. knees. shins. ankles. feet. toes. nails. SWEAT. spit. TEARS. BLOOD. heart. stomach. lungs. liver. veins. guts. bones. SPINE. muscle. skin. FELINE. canine. MASCULINE. FEMININE.

[ WEAPONS ]  ~  bites. fists. sword. dagger. spear. arrow. bow. crossbow. hammer. SHIELD. poison. GUNS. axes. throwing axes. whips. knives. throwing knives. pepper sprays. TASERS. MACHINE GUNS. slingshots. katanas. maces. staffs. wands. powers. magical items. magic. rocks. mud balls. BOMBS. MISSILES. boomerangs. lethal pets. LASERS.

[ MATERIALS ]  ~ METAL. gold. silver. platinum. pewter. TITANIUM. IRON. STEEL. copper. BRONZE. brass. tin. bismuth. diamonds. pearls. rubies. garnets. sapphires. emeralds. jade. peridots. alexandrite. opal. topaz. jasper. quartz. rose quartz. smoky quartz. amethyst. citrine. fluorite. amber. malachite. turquoise. lapis lazuli. sodalite. pyrite. labradorite. moonstone. petrified wood. wood. paper. parchment. hemp. canvas. burlap. oils skin. muslin. rayon. faux. wool. fur. lace. leather. skins. suede. corduroy. silk. satin. chiffon. velvet. denim. linen. cotton. charcoal. clay. stone. rocks. flint. asphalt. brick. granite. marble. dust. rust. glitter. sand. dirt. mud. SMOKE. ash. carbonate. rubber. SYNTHETICS. nylon. polyester. plastic. GLASS. porcelain. bone. shells. coral.

[ NATURE ]  ~ grass. leaves. trees. bark. flowers. roses. daisies. forget me nots. tulips. lavender. petals. thorns. seeds. hay. roots. OCEAN. pond. river. stream. waterfall. creek. meadow. forest. desert. tundra. savanna. rain forest. tropical. jungle. marsh. moors. swamp. plains. hills. highlands. caves. underwater. coral reef. beach. waves. space. CLOUDS. mountains. fire. lava. ice. frost. water. air. earth. rain. snow. wind. moon. stars. sun. heat. cold. steam. lightning. sunlight. moonlight. dawn. dusk. twilight. midnight. sunrise. sunset. dewdrops. shadow. tornado. hurricane. water spout. thunder. hail. twisters. humidity. dryness.

[ ANIMALS ] ~ birds. penguins. eagles. owls. falcons. vultures. hawks. swans. parrots. parakeets. doves. pigeons. ducks. robins. cardinals. blue jays. bluebirds. blackbirds. crows. ravens. magpies. mockingbirds. flamingos. ostriches. seagulls. STORKS. albatross. peacocks. condors. finches. pelicans. chickens. geese. quail. bats. sheep. cows. buffalo. deer. hedgehogs. elephants. horses. giraffes. CATS. lions. tigers. pumas. cheetahs. jaguars. foxes. dogs. wolves. coyotes. bunnies. mice. rats. monkeys. apes. bears. pandas. polar bears. snakes. iguanas. chameleons. alligators. crocodiles. turtles. lizards. frogs. toads. whales. dolphins. fish. sharks. stingrays. octopus. lobsters. crabs. bugs. spiders. ants. moths. butterflies. flies. maggots. roaches. ladybugs. beetles. cicadas. dragonflies. fleas. termites. leeches. worms. snails. mosquitoes. werewolves. unicorns. pegasus. dragons. dinosaurs.

[ FOODS/DRINKS ]  ~  pepper. salt. SUGAR. honey. SYRUP. caramel. CANDY. bubblegum. mints. candy canes. gumdrops. lollipops. CHOCOLATE. vanilla. cinnamon. ICE CREAM. CAKE. COOKIES. BROWNIES. biscuits. pie. tarts. lemonade. SODA. champagne. wine. brandy. rum. whiskey. vodka. tequila. sake. beer. soju. gin. crema de cacao. COCOA. latte. coffee. TEA. spices. herbs. fruit. apples. oranges. lemons. cherries. STRAWBERRIES. blueberries. raspberries. cranberries. watermelons. cantaloupes. bananas. coconuts. grapes. kiwi. pomegranates. tomatoes. vegetables. potatoes. cucumbers. carrots. turnips. onions. leeks. celery. broccoli. cabbages. lettuces. roots. nuts. white meat. red meat. raw meat. veal. pork. chicken. beef. venison. fish. lobster. oysters. pizza. ambrosia. pasta. sandwiches. soup.

[ HOBBIES ]  ~  music. piano. flute. woodwinds. whistles. drums. guitar. cello. synthesizer. violin. lute. harp. fiddle. harmonica. trumpet. brass. singing. composing. folk. classical. bluegrass. blues. jazz. big band. pop. country. rock. punk. metal. electronica. hip hop. reggae. ska. rap. vinyl records. cassettes. cds. soundcloud. itunes. spotify. art. sculpting. pottery. painting. watercolour. drawing. pastels. charcoal. sketching. graffiti. printing. inking. collecting. FIGHTING. martial arts. self-defence. boxing. fencing. sumo. wrestling. jousting. paintball. LAZER TAG. duelling. hunting. fishing. climbing. weight lifting. TRAINING. sports. football. football (usa). rugby. baseball. cricket. lacrosse. volleyball. basketball. tennis. badminton. skating. cycling. sailing. rowing. hiking. running. gymnastics. dancing. ice skating. hockey. reading. writing. cooking. sewing. acting. photography. VIDEO GAMES. horseback riding. gardening. smithing. shopping. traveling. MOVIES. theatre. libraries. books. magazines. playing cards. poker chips. CHESS. dice. science.

[ STYLE ]  ~ nudism. perfume. cologne. piercings. tattoos. henna. body paint. war paint. make up. lipstick. mascara. eyeliner. eye shadow. powder. beauty marks. blush. nail polish. lingerie. fishnet. pantie-hoes. socks. stockings. leggings. long johns. under armor. corsets. sports bras. bustles. camisoles. blouses. button ups. tunics. VESTS. waistcoats. leather jackets. ponchos. sweaters/jumpers. hoodies. SKIRTS. jeans. kilts. breeches. scarfs. cravats. ascots. BELTS. sashes. gloves. heels. sandals. platforms. tennis shoes. penny loafers. jordans. slippers. BOOTS. cowboy boots. rain boots. army boots. armor. justaucorps. trench coats. capes. cloaks. burqa. suits. tuxedos. kimonos. saris. sun dresses. gowns.jewelry. earrings. noes rings. lip rings. tongue piercings. belly rings. gauges. eyebrow rings.necklaces. pearl strings. leis. bracelets. bangles. cuffs. watches. friendship bracelets. rings. pendants. lockets. broaches. boutonnieres. pocket watches. cuff links. hats. crowns. circlets. flower crowns. helmets. hijabs. turbans. baseball caps. cowboy hats. brocade. doublet. gorget. bracers. masks. cowls. braces. glasses. sun glasses. eye contacts. pyjamas.

[ MISC ]  ~ balloons. bubbles. candles. BATTLE. WAR. DIPLOMACY. PEACE. money. POWER. clocks. photos. mirrors. pets. diary. fairy lights. madness. sanity. sadness. happiness. OPTIMISM. pessimism. loneliness. family. FRIENDS. assistants. co-workers. enemies. LOYALTY. smoking. drugs. KINDNESS. love. sex. hugs. duality. sin. lust. greed. wrath. envy. sloth. gluttony. pride. virtue. CHIVALRY. HONOR. piety. charity. DILIGENCE. chastity. gentleness. AGGRESSION. romance. hatred. grief. pity. success. bitterness. sorrow. joy. fear. ANGER. good. evil. relativity. vampirism. sapphism. life. BIRTH. time. death. illusion. silence.

[nikkigrand]

Drabble Dump #2

KakaSaku Age Swap “Sakura-sensei awoke the beast”

In Kakashi’s, admittedly short, lifetime, he’d never paid attention to the fairer sex. He didn’t think anything wrong with them, but he didn’t find them interesting either. Where Obito gushed over Rin’s pretty hair or pretty eyes, Kakashi complimented her medical ninjutsu and usefulness to the team. To him, girls were just boys with different parts. He didn’t see the point in crushes when he could be training; he didn’t understand why Naruto-baka-sensei got all tongue tied around his pink haired teammate, or why his father’s eyes lingered on Ayame-nee’s chest.

He understood attraction, in theory, but it just didn’t rank high in his list of priorities. There was too much to do, too many jutsu to invent, too many records to break. Girls and their soft parts were just another distraction he didn’t care for and Kakashi had been content with his feelings on the matter.

But then his stupid, dumbass, idiot, sunshine happy sensei came down with a bad case of the flu in July and everything had just gone downhill from there.

“I’m sorry, guys,” Baka-sensei sniffled, blowing into a handkerchief. “I’m really sick and won’t be able to teach you guys for a bit.”

Rin gasped, the dramatically empathetic thing she was, eyes wide as she asked, “Will you be alright, sensei?!”

Naruto-sensei nodded, loudly blowing his nose. “Yeah, but Sakura-chan says I should be resting and she’ll kill me if she knows I’m out here with you guys instead of—”

“That’s right, Moron, you’re supposed to be in bed.”

Naruto-sensei paled, his hand freezing in place at his dripping nose. It was like a cloud suddenly appeared to loom over his head, thundering and menacing with promises of pain and danger.

Kakashi scoffed as his blonde haired sensei turned around with a nervous laugh, sweat beading along his brow in what was quite obviously fear.

“Aha-ha-ha, Sakura-chaaaann! Fancy seeing you here!”

Rin gasped at Obito’s side and she grasped onto his sleeve tightly. Kakashi glanced over at her in concern only to see that same look she got whenever she caught a glimpse of Tsunade-hime in the hospital.

Crossing his arms, Kakashi’s lip curled in disgust beneath his mask. Right - Rin had a bit of a hero worship thing going on with the Senju and her apprentice.

His eyes rolled back to where his sensei was groveling at the pink haired woman’s side. She didn’t look like much. She was nearly a foot shorter than Naruto-Baka-sensei, extremely skinny, and that pink hair was absolutely ridiculous. How was she supposed to blend in with her surroundings with hair like that?

He had enough trouble with his own hair, but at least silver was a respectable color. The Nidaime had silver hair - but who ever heard of a ninja with pink hair? Now, Kakashi was not in the habit of lying to himself, so he could admit that it was a nice pastel shade of pink; but how was anyone supposed to take her seriously when she so clearly looked like a fairy?

He’d heard the rumors of her prowess, of course, but he believed they were just that - rumors. People had a tendency to embellish and he had a hard time believing that this small girl with gumdrop and rainbow fairy eyes could do such damage.

Even as she yelled at Naruto, grasping and shaking him by the lapels of his jonin vest, her voice was too sweet and her cheeks too rosy.

Therefore, Kakashi easily dismissed her.

Even as she picked up Naruto-Baka-sensei and tossed him far across the training grounds, he deemed her beneath his notice. More pressing was that weird feeling fluttering in his belly and crawling up his chest.

It became more pronounced when the pink haired fluke of a ninja turned around to stomp towards them, her feet leaving small craters in the ground.

She stopped before them and gave them a dazzling grin as she dusted her hands and Kakashi suddenly needed some water because his throat had curiously gone dry.

[lamechellephotog]

Sweetest lil gumdrop! 🐈 #WelcomeBackXiumin @e_xiu_o @weareone.exo ©owners - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #시우민 #엑소 #exo #xiumin #kimminseok #photography #pink #sexy #fairy #kpop #idol #love #cute #beautyguru #lips #boss #adorable #omg #chest #beautiful #pretty #gorgeous #king #boyfriend #fashion #trend #fangirl #eyes #xiumin_always_you https://www.instagram.com/p/CIItqcIBcTq/?igshid=ggehuqlpv3o6

[pynkhues]

Prompts for Center and Circumference if you are..... I'd love to see Rio having a tea party with the girls and Beth getting a picture of him wearing a funny hat.

Not exactly a tea party, and not exactly a hat, but I hope you like it anyway, anon. :-) 

- 

“When do they come on?”

“Soon, pop,” Rio hums, shifting further back in his seat and glancing sideways at his son. He squints, rocks his jaw when he clocks Marcus’ heels hooked into the padded bottom of the chair, and shit, if that ain’t Jane all over. Rio makes a pointed noise in his throat, dragging Marcus’ attention back from the stage, down to his feet. He promptly drops his legs.

“We’ve been here for ages,” Danny whines on Marcus’ other side, and Rio’s basically inclined to agree. He had vague recollections of watchin’ his sisters at their own recitals thirty years ago, but it had nothing on this whole thing. Elizabeth had been stressin’ about it for weeks, and in here now – at some hired out little theater, it’s easier to see why. Ain’t exactly Radio City, but school halls ain’t got shit on it with its high stage and dark velvet curtains, bright, moving stage lights and thousand-chair audience. Not that the seats are full exactly, but it’s close, he’ll give ‘em that.

Then again, it is the girls’ dance school’s end of year revue.

It had been a big enough deal at home anyway – with double the amount of classes for the girls as usual – a fuckin’ scam if ever he’s heard one, because next thing Elizabeth’s fiddlin’ with their household budget and suspending her yoga classes until the end of the year to pay for it like they’ve got to count pennies (and shit, she’d been pissed when he’d called the club to unsuspend it, but he knows how long it’s taken her to find an instructor she likes, and he knows just how fast spots get snapped up there, and he ain’t havin’ her goin’ without for no damn reason. Not that she’d agreed with that either.

“The whole point of a household budget is to stick to it,” she’d insisted in bed that night, her freezing feet pushed between his calves for warmth. “We can’t just keep magicking up more money to pay for things.”

He’d scoffed, pulling her closer, until she was half draped across his chest, hand drifting down her back, canvassing the knobs of her spine before sliding over the swell of her ass.

“Do you even remember what trade we in, mami? Or you wanna go pick up some more wrappin’ paper with your girls for reference?”)

It hadn’t just been the extra classes though. If it was, maybe it would’ve been easier, but it was the fact that the parents were expected to make the costumes themselves – the dance school emailing out patterns and listing out fabric stores like they’re doin’ them a favour. Elizabeth being Elizabeth had gone and volunteered to make half the other girls’ in the class’ too, and shit, he feels like Halloween was yesterday (two months, but still) and now he’s pretty sure the electric whir of her sewing machine has become the soundtrack to his nightmares.

It had only gotten worse too when Emma had been promoted to head dancer for their class, something that had the kid alternately glowin’ like she’d swallowed a lightbulb and sobbin’ over her footwork not being good enough, which had only in turn gotten Elizabeth all in her head, stressin’ about this whole thing being perfect for Emma, despite Rio trying to tell her nothin’ good would come of protecting a kid from the reality of hard work and the rewards of it (like, fuck, she was already head dancer – if that wasn’t winning, he wasn’t sure what was).

Rio sighs, shifts back in his seat, resists the urge to rub at his forehead at what feels like the twentieth group of little girls in tutus skipping out onto the stage. Tinkling piano music starts up again (and he’s sure they’ve played this song before), when a dim light hits the corner of his eye. Rio twists in his seat, looking to his other side to find Kenny with his cell shoved up his shirt for cover, reading some bullshit on somethin’ or other, and Rio levels him with a look, holding out his hand. Kenny at least has the good sense to look bashful, pulling his phone out from his shirt and passing it over to Rio.

On stage, the dance wraps up, and a tall, thin woman with a head of tight black curls steps out onto the stage, still clapping as she approaches the microphone stand in the far corner of the stage.

“Wow, what a performance from our Bright Little Bees class! Now we’re moving from the backyard to the forest for our next performance with our Gumdrop Fairies!”

Marcus gasps at that, and all three of the boys sit up a little straighter, looking over the heads in front of them to get the best view of the stage, and Rio quickly passes Kenny back his phone, gesturing out to the aisle.

“Film it for your ma and your aunts and your abuela, yeah?”

Because shit, he’s already preparin’ himself for an earful from his mom for not inviting her (nothin’ personal – Emma had banned extended family, too up in her nerves), if she finds out he didn’t even tape the thing, he doesn’t think he’ll ever hear the end of it.

Kenny nods, pleased for a job, sliding out of his seat and into the aisle as the piano music starts again from the front of the theatre.

Rio’s only just had the time to turn around when a little girl dance-runs out onto the stage, a puff of white tulle and silver glitter, her hair bundled up on top of her head. She curtseys to the audience, and then behind her, another little girl does the same, and then the third is Jane, making Marcus and Danny burst into cheers beside him, and Rio grins too, watching her curtsey a little roughly to the audience, and he sits up taller, hoping she’ll be able to see them only - -

Rio frowns, because Jane spots him and Marcus and Danny, but averts her gaze, no toothy grin or proud little chin tilt to be seen. He narrows his eyes, watching as little girl after little girl dances out onto the stage, and then the fairy queen, only - -  

“That’s not Emma,” Danny says a little too loudly, making a bunch of the parents turn around to shush him, but Rio gives them all dark looks, making them quickly turn back, because that little blonde girl definitely ain’t Emma. He waits a minute, watching the stage as Marcus and Danny murmur confused beside him, and even Kenny’s looking back at him from the aisle, and finally he waves a hand at them.

“Stay and watch Jane, I’ll be back in a minute. Kenny’s in charge.”  

With that, he scoots out of the seats, glad Elizabeth had booked them closest to the aisle in case Rio had needed to take a call, before ducking out. He heads out the back doors and then around towards the backstage area where he’d seen Elizabeth briefly before the thing had started – every inch of her sparklin’ from where she’d been spraying glitter onto costumes and her hands a little bloody from pin pricks and needles.

Slipping through the door, he’s met with a mess of cheap, pop-star perfume and bouquets of wilting gas station flowers, tiny kids in tights and tutus rushing around, laughing, mothers shushing, a few running through steps, more just giggling as they pelt each other with powder puffs covered bright with pink blush. Glancing around the space, he spots the names of the group classes – following through from the Bright Little Bees to the Dancing Divas to the Princesses of Power and Rio’s rolling his eyes a little at the names before he finds the empty corner for the Gumdrop Fairies. He ducks over, briefly checking over the area before spotting Elizabeth’s bag, shoved into the corner beneath one of the little dressing tables. Crouching down to peak inside, he rolls his eyes when he finds both her cell and her wallet left in it because clearly she gets off on not listenin’ to him, and he grabs both, shoving them into the back pocket of his jeans before standing back up.

He glances across the room again, only to spot a dark-haired woman at the next class over eyeing him a little uncertainly. Rio rolls his shoulders back, gestures with a tilt of his head down to Elizabeth’s handbag.

“Yo, you see the woman and little girl who was here?”

The woman blinks, opens her mouth, her hands fluffin’ up a tutu, and her eyes drop down to his tattoo, but she firms up her step.

“I’ve seen a lot of women and little girls here,” she says carefully, and Rio huffs, tries to soften his expression.

“I’m lookin’ for my partner and her daughter. She’s supposed to be out on stage right now with her sister, but she ain’t. Just tryna figure out what’s goin’ on.”

The woman’s brow draws, her expression shifting cautiously as she looks like she’s trying to gauge intent in his expression, and she must see something she likes, because she smiles sympathetically at him, before glancing down at a little girl who can only be her own daughter, hoppin’ around in a lime green leotard.

“There’s always drama at these things, I swear,” she says with a huff, holding the tutu down to the ground for her daughter to step into. “What do they look like?”

“Kid’s cute, blue eyes like her mama. She’s brunette though – hair down to her ankles,” Rio says with a good natured huff, and at least that makes the woman laugh.

“Which one won’t let you get it cut?”

“Ain’t figured that out yet,” he replies easily, and the woman laughs all over again.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think that narrows it down. Your girlfriend?”

“Hair blonde, a little red,” he gestures to just below his jaw. “’Bout this tall. Wearin’ a dress with flowers on it.”

A look of dawning surprise crosses her face.

“The one with the - - “

She gestures a bit to her chest, and then promptly looks embarrassed, but Rio just grins, dimples and all, huffs out a laugh.

“That’s the one,” he says easily, and the woman nods, pointing out across the room.

“Her daughter was really upset. Seemed like something happened with another girl. I think she might’ve taken her into the bathrooms.”

Rio nods, says a quick thanks, and darts off across the room. He sucks in a breath, knocks a little, and when nobody says anything, he slides right in, and shit, at least that answers that. The bathroom is completely empty except for Elizabeth and Emma, who are sitting on the tiles, Emma red faced, clutching her flower crown, and sobbing at Elizabeth’s feet, her hair out of it’s sprayed-up bun, and Elizabeth, furiously combing it out. She glances up at Rio, and just - - something in his jaw sets on edge, because her expression is somethin’ between furious and grief-struck.

Striding over, he’s barely a foot away, when Elizabeth turns her gaze back down to Emma’s hair and he sees the tangled mess of it, held together with a bright, big glob of somethin’ pink and ugly. Elizabeth seems to sense he’s there in that way she does, seems to know what he’s lookin’ at too, because she sighs thickly.

“She put gum in her hair,” she says, her voice strained, and Rio frowns.  

“Who did?”

“Savannah Brinkly. That little - -” Elizabeth huffs out another breath, cutting herself off, scowling. “She’s the girl who’s out there now dancing Emma’s part.”

The words only serve to make Emma sob all the louder, and shit, Elizabeth’s face just falls apart. He leans in a little closer, drops a hand to her neck, pressing just slightly, then harder when one of Elizabeth’s hands come up to squeeze his. After a moment, she looks up at him, glassy eyed and pink cheeked.

“Is Jane on stage?”

Rio hums in affirmation, and Elizabeth exhales a breath he don’t think she even realised she was holdin’ in.

“She was almost as upset as Emma.”

“Didn’t look happy up on that stage,” Rio agrees, crouching down on the floor beside Elizabeth, behind Emma. He watches Elizabeth work the comb a little longer, but her hands are shakin’, so he pries the comb from her fingers, replacing her grip on Emma’s hair with his own. He combs a bit, but it ain’t gonna take a salon to tell them this shit is just gonna have to be cut.

“She did it right as they were about to go on. Just shoved her hand right into Emma’s hair. I’d seen her chewing gum all night, and I knew she was jealous of Emma getting the part – she’s the same girl who pushed her during class last week, remember Emma’s grazed hands? I should’ve done something.”

“What could you have done?” Rio asks her, lowering his voice, but he don’t think Emma’s listenin’. Too wrapped up in her own tears. “Can’t protect her from jealous bitches, ma.”

Beside him, he can feel Elizabeth stiffen, can feel her sigh.

“She worked so hard,” Elizabeth whispers, her voice thick. She shakes her head, and Rio glances sideways at her, his jaw rocking. He looks down at her hands – marked up from cutting through tulle and pinning fabric and weeks of work and energy and it’s strange – the feeling it tightens in his gut. He opens his mouth to reply, only for the bathroom door to spring open and another woman to run through, urgency thick in her tone.

“Beth, we need you out there right now.”

Swivelling beside him, Elizabeth blinks wildly over at the other woman, and Rio follows her gaze.

“What? Why?”

“Jane’s just, like, thrown herself at Savannah on stage.”

“Oh, god,” Elizabeth groans, and Rio passes the comb back to her.

“I’ll handle it,” he tells her, but Elizabeth shakes her head, getting up to her feet beside him.

“No, stay with Emma.”

And just like that, she’s following the other woman out, the door swinging shut behind them, taking all the noise of the theatre with them. Rio sighs, sitting back on his haunches, watching Emma’s glittery shoulders shake in front of him. After a moment, he just sighs.

“’Ey, enough of that now,” he says gently, turning Emma around, and she avoids it – tries to at least, tries to cement herself to the floor like she weighs anythin’ upwards of fifty pounds, but still. Rio moves her as gently as he can. “She worth all this?”

Emma shakes her head, but her bottom lip is still wobbling.

“No,” Emma says. “But this was supposed to be special.”

Rio hums, rubbing a few tears off her cheek with the pad of his thumb.

“This ain’t special? Can’t say I spent a dance recital in a bathroom before.”

And shit – it would’ve made Marcus laugh, but Emma just bursts into tears again.

“Ain’t sayin’ that’s a bad thing,” Rio says quickly, but Emma’s little hands are growing white knuckled around her flower crown, and Rio just sighs. “What she did ain’t right, and I’m sorry, darlin’. I’m sorry you missed your show, sorry we gonna have to cut your hair too.”

Emma sucks in a wet breath, but he thinks she might be all cried out, if the look on her tired little face is anything to go by.

“I don’t know why she was so mean, I’m never mean.”

“Nah, you ain’t,” and shit, Rio thinks, he wishes she was sometimes. He doesn’t think he’s ever known someone who smells the roses as much as this kid, and it still surprises him – how much he wants to protect it.

Protect her.

And - - not just her, he thinks, the picture of Elizabeth’s glassy eyes and sagging shoulders and scratched up hands taking up too much room in his head. He huffs, annoyed at himself before he can help it.

That woman’s fuckin’ wrecked him.  

Emma hiccups again in front of him, and Rio’s gaze drops to her face, to her hands, to the white and pink flowers in her flower crown, and he sighs all over again.

“This sorta thing, it ain’t really about you,” he tells her gently. “It’s about her, and it’s about what you have and what she don’t, and it ain’t on you to make her feel better about that.”

Emma looks up at him again, her face red and all her little dancer’s make-up practically leaking off her face, and Rio watches her hands tighter, her grip white knuckled to match the flowers, and she starts to say something, hiccupping all the while, when the bathroom door bursts open again, and Rio looks up, expectin’ Elizabeth, only - -

He laughs.

“Damn, darlin’, look at you.”

Because it’s Jane standing furiously in the doorway, her little face twisted up and her tutu ripped enough to hang off the back of her dress like a tail. She stalks over to them, dropping heavily down to the floor beside Emma, facing Rio, and he lets go of the comb to knock her up by the chin. There’s the start of a killer shiner reddening around her eye, and Rio’s brow furrows.

“Savannah do this?”

“I got her better,” Jane says sharply, tilting her chin up proudly like she hadn’t had it in her to do on stage, and Rio grins.

Say shit get hit, he thinks, amused, dropping her chin and turning his attention back to Emma’s hair.

“Where’s your mama at?”

“She’s talking to the teacher and Savannah’s mommy,” Jane says. “They’re yelling a lot. Mommy told me to come in here with you.”

Rio hums, trying to comb out Emma’s hair again, but giving up after a couple of brushes. Ain’t nothin’ but a pair of scissors left for it.

“Are we gonna have to cut it?” Emma whispers, her voice soft, and Rio nods.

“Yeah, darlin’. Your mama will do it when we get home, yeah?”

She exhales a wet breath, the sound coarse in the otherwise quiet of the bathroom, and Rio rocks his head from side-to-side, considering.

“Guess you’re a regular princess now, huh?”

And that’s enough to get both their attention, their twin sets of blue eyes blinking bright up at him, and Rio hums thoughtfully.

“Rapunzel had to cut her hair at the end of the movie too, didn’t she?”

Because shit, he’s watched it enough with the two of them now he thinks he could recite the thing – had to almost kill a guy at a drop because he’d clocked Rio humming that dumb I’ve Got a Dream song. It’s an ear worm, that’s all, burrows in your head.

“She lost her magic though,” Emma says, and Rio shrugs.

“Yeah, coz she didn’t need it no more. And you don’t need it neither – you got somethin’ better. You got skills and smarts, and you got bruiser over here to knock down anyone on the playground who says otherwise.”

Jane practically glows at that, holding up her little bruised fist, and shit, Rio thinks with a grin, she really knocked that kid out. He fistbumps her, before looking back over at Emma, turning over the flower crown in her hands. He knocks it a little with his hand, and Emma looks up at him.

“Do you think mommy can cut my hair to make it look like Rapunzel’s at the end of the movie?”

“Don’t think there’s a lot your ma can’t do, baby.”

Emma grins, dropping her gaze back down and they sit in silence for a minute, like she’s considering it, and Rio glances over at the door, wondering if he can get her out of here. He feels like it’s time to clear out – to get the girls home and happy and out of this fuckin’ place. Emma swipes briefly at her face, getting rid of a few of the shed tears, and Rio rocks back a little on his haunches.

“So what’d you wanna do?”

The words are enough to make Emma look back up at him again, and then back down at the flower crown in her hands, and Rio follows her gaze.

“Want me to get rid of that for you?”

She shakes her head, glancing back up at him, and then, after a beat, she climbs up onto her knees, lifts up the flower crown and drops it ceremoniously on his head. The action is enough to send the girls into flights of giggles, and Rio pops an eyebrow at them, playing up his shock and outrage.

“Oh, you think that’s funny?”

The girls just laugh louder, and Rio opens his mouth to reply, only to see a quick flash of light, and his head jerks around to see Elizabeth in the doorway, her cell in the air, pointed right at him, and Rio gives her an unimpressed look as she looks innocently back at him.

“Okay,” Rio says shortly, pulling off the flower crown and standing up. “Pack up your things, let’s get outta here.”

Leaping to their feet, the girls scurry out of the bathroom to collect their bags, and Rio strides easily over to Elizabeth, looking at her bite her lip at him, play innocent even as he says:

“You’re deletin’ that.”

“I absolutely am not,” she says. “In fact, I’m going to get it printed and send it out with the company Christmas cards. Seasons greetings from the boss. An honourary gumdrop fairy.”

She laughs, the sound melodic, echoing up through the bathroom, and Rio can’t say he ain’t glad to hear it after tonight. Still, he steps in a little closer, enough their chests are almost touching, enough she has to crane her neck to look up at him, enough he can just about see down the neck of her dress. He rocks his jaw, and he can see that too – the slight look of trepidation in her eyes, like she ain’t quite sure how he’s gonna play this, and shit if he don’t love that he can still surprise her.    

“Everythin’ okay with the teacher?”

And that definitely wasn’t what she was expecting, but the second the surprise wears off, she’s sighing harshly, dropping her arm and tilting her head to the side.

“No. I mean, yes, it’ll be fine, but they’re acting like Jane’s the one who did something wrong when none of it would’ve happened if Savannah hadn’t had it out for Emma.”

“Sounds like Jane still knocked the kids lights out,” Rio says with a shrug, watching Elizabeth’s chest rise and fall beneath the neckline of her dress, when Elizabeth suddenly cringes.

“And a tooth.”

And well – shit. Rio barks on a laugh at that, and then Elizabeth starts too, a little hiccupping giggle that makes him inch closer.

“I mean, it was a baby tooth! With the way Savannah’s mom was talking about it, you’d think she’d fractured her skull or something.”

Outside, Rio can hear Kenny’s voice now, and Danny, and then Marcus too (with awe in his tone, no doubt at Jane’s display, and shit, Rio thinks, it’s not like he don’t love the kids, but Jane’s trouble with a capital T). He can hear the bustle of the performers and a few mommas yelling about somethin’ or other, and there’s a whole rest of the night to get to, but still. He presses a little closer into Elizabeth.

“Tonight was a disaster,” she says, groaning. “And everyone’s gonna know.”

“Yeah,” Rio agrees, because the thought of his sisters finding out doesn’t particularly appeal to him neither, but it is what it is. He lifts his hand up holding the flower crown and pushes it down onto Beth’s head, watching the white petals fall down into Elizabeth’s curls, and he doesn’t move his hands from it when she looks up at him, her blue eyes bright as anythin’, and she looks somewhere between suspicious and entranced, which is really just the way he fuckin’ likes her, he thinks, grinning as he uses the crown to bracket her head and pull her up for a kiss.

“You’re deletin’ that photo,” he says against her mouth, feeling her breasts press soft against his chest.

“Never.”

Arching an eyebrow down at her, he bites her lip, just a little sharply, just until he feels her shiver.

“I got methods, mami.”

And Elizabeth just scoffs, and well, if that ain’t a challenge, he don’t know what is.