#she may have been your mother boy but she ain't your mama

[youcallyourselfafilmcritic]

There's a debate whether Pearl ever saw Steven as his own person or an extension of Rose when her entire frickin' arc was about learning to love this kid for who he is she BROKE THROUGH HER PROGRAMMING to tell him the truth about his mother

She loves this kid in this weird overreaching way only a mom can and they go from the frosty tension of Pearl being unwilling to detach his mother from him to respecting both his and her own individuality where she's just one proud overbearing mama

Uh-I like Pearl

[canyouhearthelight]

Nihilous Rex 20: Demands

Lash is trying to moderate her reaction to her parents being injured.

This is a woman who is deeply attached to her parents.... so yeah, @baelpenrose did have to rein me in a bit.

Life ain't always beautiful

You think you're on your way

And it's just a dead end road at the end of the day

But the struggles makes you stronger

And the changes make you wise

And happiness has its own way of takin' its sweet time

Gary Allan, “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful”

Lash

Mama was rasping, and the doctors weren’t happy about her oxygen levels, but they took her off the ventilator and gave her a mask instead.  Baby steps that may as well have been tremendous milestones when my only hope was that she survived this. I squeezed her right hand - when had it become so fragile? - while Mori rubbed the left.  Weaponized love to keep her from taking the hateful mask off.

“Baba,” she managed to get out, just loud enough for us to understand.

“They are doing circulation tests on this leg,” Mori explained, avoiding the reason behind the tests in an attempt to save Mama from worrying.

Regardless, Mama’s eyes went wide, wild.  Her head thrashed side to side between us. “The boy.”

Mori’s eyes flicked to me, and I nodded firmly. “Nils is fine, Mama. He was wearing protection for his motorbike. Scrapes and a couple burns at worst.”  I looked back to Mori and explained, “Nils. You met him earlier. He was caught in the same blast as Baba. But his clothing protected him.”

My sister nodded vigorously in understanding. “Yes. He is fine, Mama. Walking, talking. He made sure that everyone’s medical costs are covered.”

I could see Mama trying to force out more words, and just bit the proverbial bullet. “The baby is fine, as is his mother.  Only three people didn’t make it, and we have already spoken to Auntie Yildiz… Uncle Ahmet did not make it.” I refused to tell her about Imran.  I still could not believe he was gone, even with his wife Fatima haunting the hospital with the face of someone who was holding themself together by sheer force of will.  But Ahmet’s widow would be by soon to see Mama, and I didn’t want her to be shocked.

My phone abruptly buzzed and I glanced at it. Nils was texting. “They have news about your dad’s leg.”

“Mama, Mori, I need to step out. I’ll be right back.” I kissed the hand I was holding and nodded at my sister before slipping out of the room. I almost ran smack into my shadow, who was clearly waiting for me to step out.

Never a good sign.

“They wouldn’t tell me what it was, because I’m not ‘next of kin’ and they’re gonna be sticklers about policy, especially since they can’t be happy with us. I can take you to the people who can tell you, but…Lash, I’d…prepare for some bad news, about whether he keeps it. I know the doc working on him and he looked pretty grim.” Nils’ voice was tense. “I’m sorry, Lash.” 

I waved him away absently. “Doctors don’t want to share scary or bad news. They will violate HIPPA for good news.  As soon as you said they wouldn’t tell you, I knew the leg was toast.  Let’s go find out how far up.” I marched with purpose towards Baba’s room, uncaring of how angry I looked.

Nils trailed behind me, looking apprehensive. A doctor and a nurse were talking to Baba, who seemed to be somewhat more lucid. Nils winced when he heard the conversation. “They’re going over informed consent for the amputation, now that saving the leg failed.” 

I gathered myself and spoke as clearly and loudly as I dared. “I am Elashki Botelho, his youngest daughter. I know you do not need my permission for this surgery, but his wife and my mother is down the hall and I need to be prepared to tell her what is going on. Please tell me.”

The doctors glanced at Baba and, once he nodded, they explained. His leg needed to be amputated right above the knee, minimum, due to prolonged lack of oxygen. All the tissue in his calf and foot were either dead or dying. I blinked back tears, despite the feeling that I was trying to force whole bees into my eyes. “Thank you.”  I turned to Baba. “This will save your life.  We want you more than we want any money or pride.  Please consent.”  With that, I spun on my heel and left the room as fast I could while retaining any shred of dignity.

I whipped out my phone and started stabbing at it frantically.  Nils made a gesture to take it from me, and I growled with a feral tone I hadn’t realized I possessed. “I am telling Mori that she needs to pee and to meet me here. Giving my mother a panic attack while she is barely off a ventilator is idiotic. No woman ever questions the need to urinate.  Reach for my phone again, and I will bite you.”

Nils blinked. “Ah.” He stood silently for a moment. “I’ll wait here, and…Yeah. Go talk to your sister.” 

Mori arrived a few minutes later, and I explained that Baba would need his leg amputated. As I expected, she immediately sat in a nearby chair and started crying.  Once she caught her breath, I gripped her shoulder hard enough to grab her attention. “Mori. If they don’t do this, he’ll die. And we both know Mama may not survive that.”

Immediately, she sat bolt upright and shook her head. “Oh, hell no. Take it at the hip, I don’t care so long as that means he makes it.”

If nothing else, my family was practical. “They are going for above the knee with a prosthetic. We’ll see after that.”

“But does his insurance cover - “

I almost started to tell her that his insurance covered whatever the fuck I said it covered, but Nils beat me to it.

“Watch evening news reruns. We got hospital admins to agree that every victim of this horrible tragedy will ‘of course’ be helped free of charge.” His voice took on a cold note. “By telling the news that’s what was happening and daring the hospital to disagree with the free PR. He’s covered.”

I rushed to clarify. “That doesn’t mean he is completely secure. But, he is their best radiology tech, the only one who can keep peds patients from squirming. That has to hold some value.  We just have to support him adapting to any prosthetics.”

Mori groaned, loudly. “Baba hates assistance. He’s doomed.”

I chutted at her and corrected. “Baba hates not being independent.  We have to maintain that prosthetics are independence, not help.  I need you on my side on this, more than anything.”

Nils made a point that was simultaneously deeply morbid and exactly what I needed to get my sister’s help. “Lack of independence - or more accurately, men being stubborn about it and just giving up on surviving if it requires accepting help - kills more men recovering from wounds than basically anything else. There’s a reason so many older men buy it within a month or two of going incontinent. Women tend to be a lot less teeth-shatteringly obnoxious about the whole thing, and tend to outlive their husbands by a large margin. Helping him maintain independence matters.” 

I hugged Mori and stood. “I am going in there and asking him if he wants osteointegration or sockets. No option for not amputating. If he argues, I will scream this hospital down until they let Mama scream at him directly.  She’s dedicated over thirty years of her life to keeping Baba alive, she has earned the privilege.”

Nils broke in with a bit of characteristic irritation. “We are absolutely not getting your mother involved, right to or no. Woman just got off a ventilator and they JUST got her lungs and airways working properly again. She’s not doing any screaming for a while.”

I whipped around and stared him dead in his soul - or what substituted for one. “You are more than welcome to try to stop her. We will stand back and laugh as you fail.”

Mori nodded and blessed his attempt at stopping her. “Mama does what she knows is the will of her god. If she dies scolding Baba, he will never live down the shame.”

Nils gave me a long, slow look. “I can help with this. I grew up catholic, I know everything about guilt trips. Let’s go see if we can’t convince him to NOT waste all the effort we already put into saving him and his wife. Let’s start with that BEFORE we bring in the big guns of your mom coming in to literally scream herself to death.” 

I glanced at Mori and swatted my hand in an ‘I’ll explain later’ sort of way. Then we went into the room. 

“Baba. Are you going to have the sockets or the osteointegration for the prosthetic?” I asked matter-of-factly.

“They cannot take my leg,” he grumbled. “They will save it.”

I grabbed the leg in question as tightly as I could, devastated when he didn’t even flinch. “Baba. They cannot save it. You should hurt, but you don’t even notice. Let them take the leg, and discuss the best prosthetic for you.”

Baba threw the closest thing to him - an empty cup- as hard as he could across the room, only to yield a dull thud and some clattering.

“Children throw things,” Mori chided. “You are grown and a man. You are better than this.”

“Grown men have two legs!” he shouted, waving to dismiss us.

I move my grip up to pinch his hip painfully. “Grown men do not need help, yes. But if you do not agree to this, you are choosing to leave Mama - “

“I WOULD NEVER LEAVE HER!” he roared.

I nodded. “Then you will have this surgery. So you do not leave Mama. I am glad we agree.” He went to open his mouth again, so I started speaking. “I have looked in many support groups, and they agree that a socket is the best way to start. Can you imagine? Talking to children in short legs, looking at them eye to eye? They will be thrilled.”

“I am only losing one leg,” he argued.

“And some of them are losing one, maybe two,” Mori added. “Won’t they feel better to see you with only one foot?”

I watched his heart break - for my mother, for his patients. This man, not just my father, but the reassurance of so many children in the last twenty years. “I cannot leave your mother to fight alone, and I cannot leave these children thinking this is the end of the world.  Cara - she has leukemia. If I cannot survive losing a leg, how do I expect her to?”

As I sat back, I let a huge breath leave my body. “Thank fuck - sorry - but my next option was bringing in Mama.”

He sat bolt upright. “Your mother is in a respirator, don’t you DARE risk her life to yell at me!”

Nils waved a hand. “That’s what I said. They told me that I couldn’t stop her, so I could be an intermediate step. With all the knowledge of guilt that a catholic upbringing provides.” 

“Mama is willing to die to yell at you if it’s the last thing you’ll ever hear,” Mori stated flatly. “Both or neither, you don’t get the luxury of an afterlife without her.”

We all started cackling as Baba dove for the call button. “SOCKETS!” he screamed. “SOCKETS OR MY WIFE WILL KILL US BOTH!”

[aliypop]

Anyway You Do

Word Count: 2,374

Writers Note: This is my first Elvis fic so... I hope it's good.

Warning: Fluffy

Pairing: OC x Elvis

Plot: What happens when love, at first sight, becomes fate.

Taglist:

@darkmoviesquotespizza

@sissylittlefeather

Cotton Carnival May 15th, 1956 Memphis Tennessee

There was something in the 61-degree Tennesee carnival air. Perhaps it was funnel cake, cotton candy, the petting zoo nearby, or the slight chill in the air. Or maybe it was the feeling of a spring fling waiting to start. 

"I think that may have been my best performance yet ..." Denise said, walking past the sights and sounds. "And soon you go on next right, Cecelia...Cecelia..." Looking next to her, the young woman she was calling out for was already gone. "Jesus Christ, this child..." 

"Well, that's all right, mama..." were the lyrics and melody coming from the stage right in front of the young woman, "That's all right for you..." she heard the familiar voice sing. She had listened to the song millions of times. And she had practically worn her record of it out, "That's all right now, mama. Anyway, you do..." Blue eyes looking into her brown eyes, and through her brown skin, That was the moment in her 21 years of being on Earth she could say she was falling in-

"Cecelia Shanel Valmos, there you are..." Denise mumbled as her daughter focused on the young man with the gyrations going on, disgusted that her daughter of such class would even be looking at such a thing, "What is he doing with hips..."

"Ah da da dee dee dee dee..."

"Mother, haven't you heard it's called dancing." Cecelia's glance never left him. Watching as he caught the flying undergarments thrown his way, she couldn't help but laugh, and it seemed neither could he. She had to admit he was cute, with his perfect smile and hair, but something told her she would have to do something different to catch his attention. Something that not even her mother would expect. 

"Up next in 16 minutes debuting on this stage Cecelia Valmos." 

"Oh shit..." she mumbled as her mother nudged her, running through to the dressing room backstage. She took a deep breath as she gathered herself together. 

"So whatcha gonna sing..."

"Midge, what the hell are you doing back here..." she clutched her heart.

"You asked me to be here."

"Right, uh, an oldie." she smiled, handing her. Her coat. A slight chill down her spine from nerves. It was the low-cut dark red dress nearly clinging to her body. 

"Your mothers gonna be pissed..."

"Midge, she ain't the boss of me..." 

Midge glanced at her, handing her. Her Gretsch guitar. 

"Good luck, kid."

"Don't need it." she winked,

"What're you gonna play for us tonight..." The host said, looking at Cecelia and blushing. It was a bit of a gasp from the crowd about her risque outfit,

 "My first single ..." scanning the crowd for the one person she wanted to notice her, 

"What would that be..." 

"Oh God... she's embarrassing the label already..." Denise sighed.

"Hmm... Oh, uh, Is you or is you ain't my baby," she said. The band began to play the intro. It was a bit slow and agonizing like she was performing one of her mother's hit jazz songs which she was... Well, a cover more so. She could see the crowd in front of her losing interest, and it didn't help her anymore that she was a young woman of color in Tennessee, but it wouldn't stop her.

"Mind if we swing it, boys," she whispered to the band. "Guess they mind..." 

Taking the pick to her guitar, she did a rift that almost stopped the building and got his attention. Playing the melody but making it anew, she took a deep breath and sang. 

"Is you is or is you ain't my baby?" her singing was mesmerizing as her fingers picked and plucked the strings, blue eyes attached to her every word, "The way you're acting. Lately makes me doubt." she grinned, her mother wasn't pleased with the rock n roll blues infusion, she was proud of her daughter not being so awkward like when she was a kid.

"Youse is still my baby, baby. Seems my flame in your heart's done gone out..."  If someone were to tell the young man staring at her that he'd want to be the very guitar under her fingertips, he wouldn't believe them. 

"Elvis, you coming?"

"Yeah... Yeah..." he nodded his friends off as his eyes were glued on her. Sure, he had her record and had been trying to decipher her rifts and guitar licks, but seeing her in person, he couldn't even fathom his feelings. 

She noticed as he walked off into the distance alone. It was almost like he was lost like something was missing. "I'll be right back, Midge." walking towards the carousel as adoring fans nearly flooded her view. Cecelia had her eyes still set on the pair of nicely filled-out white pants leaning against the wall. 

"You okay..." startling the young man, he looked at her. She was even prettier up close, but so was he. "Yeah... just uh thinkin." his voice was deep with a southern drawl that could bring Jesus to his knees.

 "Well, you were great out there, Elvis, but you're always great up there..." a slight red tint on his cheeks, "You've been following me or somethin Ms.," he joked, 

"No, but I've caught a few shows down in Louisiana." she smiled, "And. The names Cecelia Valmos." she stuck her hand out, watching as he kissed it. 

"I know who you are, doll." he stood closer to her.

"You do..." 

"You're the daughter of a music legend." she sighed as he said it. "But you're also somethin on that guitar."

"Coming from you! Oh, stop tell me more." they both laughed, butterflies in her stomach as he continued. 

"Say you maybe wanna get out of-" Cecelia stepped closer until they both heard.

"Elvis, my boy..." 

"Cecelia, there you are."

"That's my manager." they both said in unison. The two a bit aggravated.

"Maybe I'll see you around sometime."

"If that's alright with you." she smiled back at him. 

Club Handy July 2nd, 1956 Beale Street

"Cece, you warmed up tonight." Rosetta Tharpe asked the young woman sitting by the bar. Her hair had been in a bun of pin curls and a pin curl swoop on her forehead. "Of course I am. After all, I'm releasing another album anyways, Mrs. Tharpe." 

"You might as well. Besides, didn't ya mama open a new recording studio down here."

"She did. Why I do not know, but I can tell you, we've had some random person callin the place 5 times a day." she laughed. "Sounds like a lunatic." BB King smirked as he looked at her, "Hey, you know who your hair reminds me of..."

"Don't you say it..." 

"My good friend Elvis. You tryin be like him or something?" he nudged her, 

"No." she deadpanned. Maybe it was a bit of a lie, or maybe, she was now getting tired of the press referring to her as "Well... if it ain't my competition Lady Elvis." that charming smile was right on his face. And there she was again, feeling things she couldn't hide.

 "If it isn't Mr. Suit tails and singin' to hound dogs," she smirked as his heart skipped a beat. 

"That's cold, don't you think, Cece," BB mumbled. Elvis had a hurt expression on his face. As he clutched his heart, "And I thought we was friends, babydoll."

"Sugarpie, don't cry." she teased as she stood up, walking towards the stage. He wouldn't lie and say the joke didn't hurt, but coming from her, well, it wasn't half bad. Besides the fact she was cute, and he liked it. Watching her perform was like therapy to him. Her voice was his medicine. Locking eyes with her, he couldn't resist how enchanting she was from the first moment he'd seen her in May. Catching his gaze, she looked away as a deep blush on her reddish-tawny cheeks arose. 

"You like her, don't you..." 

"I-I well ..."

"Well, don't." 

"And why not, " he glanced at the man beside him. 

"I'm her boyfriend," he said, his pompadour bigger than Elvis's. He looked a bit defeated at the news, "Just kidding, names Little Richard baby, and you got it bad." he winked as Elvis rolled his eyes, 

"I wouldn't say I do..."

"You're lookin at her the way the girls all look at you." 

"An how do they look at me," Elvis asked,

"Like they wanna fu-"

"You two talkin about fans..." 

"Cecelia... you were uh- uh amazing." Elvis stuttered. She was starting to realize he did that every time she talked to him, 

"Thanks... say can we talk," she asked. Both Richard and Elvis stood up, "Alone..." she mumbled. Elvis had a smug look on his face, but on the inside, he was panicking. Did he do something wrong? or say something odd, 

"Yeah, sure thing, mama." 

"Yeah, sure thing, mama" That's the best you could think to say. He thought to himself until he felt her hand touch his. It was like he was awakened from a sleeping spell. Cecelia pulled him through the club's crowd,

 As they were outside on the balcony, he couldn't help but take in her beautiful brown skin in the moonlight and how ethereal she looked. A slight cold chill ran past her arms, causing her to shiver. Elvis had noticed as he took his suit jacket and placed it over her shoulders, 

"What did you want to talk to me about." 

"I'm sorry about that Hound Dog joke..." she said, poking her head through the window. She saw a few spies of the press lurking around. "Cece, it didn't hurt much..." he shrugged, "Not like how being on that damn show did," he mumbled. "El... I saw... we all did," she sighed,

 "The Colonel says it was a smart move." 

"For who," Cecelia said, looking directly into his eyes, 

"For me. I mean, they want clean fun, and I can I- can"

"Lie to yourself and be somebody you're not." she laughed, "I mean if the colo-"

"Elvis Aaron Presley, you serenaded a dog on live television in a tux. That's not the Elvis I know nor like." she stared into his soul, "The Elvis I like was the one I saw at the fairgrounds with the wiggly hips." she smiled "So much that I-"

"Hurry, they're over here..." the sound of heavy footsteps coming her way.

"El... how much do you trust me."

"As much as Captain Marvel Jr believes in finding the rock of eternity."

"That's a lot of trust," she smirked, taking his hand and climbing, down the ladder. 

"You read comics?" 

"Personally. I'm a Wonder Woman fan, but yes." She then tried to get off the ladder until she noticed her babydoll-heeled shoe was stuck. She tried to pull away to break free. But it wouldn't budge, and the press was getting closer. She then tugged one last time until she heard a 

SNAP!

Oh, how Midge and her mother were going to kill her. Nearly tumbling over, she had landed into Elvis, who was carrying her like Lois Lane. She wouldn't lie and say she didn't enjoy it. "Don't worry, darlin, I gotcha..." he looked down as their eyes met again. It was just like a river flowing. Surely, to the sea. His heart was nearly pounding at how close they were. He could smell the sweet smell of her rose perfume while taking in every detail of Cecelia's face. Was he falling in love? He couldn't tell. Carrying her downtown in his arms, the two had gotten some weird stares, but he didn't care, and neither did she. In the background, there was music playing from a band.

 "Would you care to dance?" Cecelia asked,

"On what dance floor..." he asked, putting her down gently. She took his hand. And it was like electricity shot down his body. They were in the middle of Beale Street. Traffic was slowing down, and it was only them, " Anywhere's a dance floor if you're in the arms of the right one." taking her hand, he spun her close to his chest, the two pressed close together, her other shoe on the sidewalk. 

"You're gonna dance barefoot in the street?"

"I don't see why not..." her eyes twinkled as he blushed hard.

"Lord have mercy..." he mumbled. Spinning her into his arms, he heard the band play the melody of one of his songs. His right hand held hers, and his left on her back. The two swaying as her head was on his chest, he felt butterflies in his stomach flutter, and suddenly he realized that "Oh..."  he's got it bad, 

"Love me, tender. Love me sweet, never let me go."  He sang as she swayed with him. 

"You have made my life complete, and I love you. so." Cecelia felt every word he was saying... although maybe it was too early for her to even say she had feelings for him. But she couldn't deny that when he was looking at her like she was his universe did she want him as her star. 

"Love me tender, love me true, all my dreams fulfilled

For my darlin', I love you, and I always will." He dipped her, and their eyes locked onto one another. His eyes looked at her lips, then at her eyes, then back again at her lips. He wanted to cherish her and never let her go, he wanted to prove that she was all he ever wanted and ever needed and-

SPWOOSH!

It was as if buckets of water were splashed on them.

 "No one said anything about a rainstorm."Elvis chuckled, picking her up as she laughed, her hair getting puffy from the water. 

The next morning, there were papers on every doorstep with them both dancing in the street. Cecelia had been summoned into her mother's office, while Elvis had been getting scolded by Tom all morning. 

"I can't believe you would do this after everything I've done for you..." 

"It's not that bad, mother..." 

"My boy... this could be career suicide..." Tom grumbled,

"What are we gonna say." 

"How am I gonna cover this up my boy."

"Any way you do..." 

[narrativelysignificantturtleduck]

songs for the cycle-breaker

i also think i've taken a different approach to this playlist in that i've focused on just late s3 zuko breaking free from his family. this playlist has much less of an arc than he does.

the thing about putting together a zuko playlist for me is that i am not emo and i don't believe in putting showtunes on character playlists bc they are already About characters. so this playlist is not super reflective of what i think zuko would listen to and is also pretty different from most of the zuko playlists out there which ARE full of emo bands/popular tiktok music. nothing wrong with that but it's not me.

1. dynasty - rina sawayama

i'm a dynasty / the pain in my veins is hereditary / and if that's all i'm gonna be /would you break the chain with me?

perfect song for the cycle-breaker of a royal family. i've seen this song on azula playlists and like. what chain do you think she's breaking exactly. the whole tragedy of her character is that she doesn't get free.

2. walk this way - mø

there is a light for you, burning for you / oh my mama said "it is burning for you"

zuko is, of course, a mama's boy.

3. take the journey - molly tuttle

take the journey / someday you'll make it back home again

pretty straightforward tbh. i like to imagine the lines "take the hand of the one beside you / let the fire guide you" as being about him & aang meeting the dragons.

4. relay - fiona apple

evil is a relay sport when the one who's burned turns to pass the torch

if this lyric were shorter i'd have made it the title. if this song had a more conventional song structure i'd have made a full fanvid instead just a little snippet. there is no better summary of zuko than this line.

5. altar wine - david keenan

there was once a man who loved me / he was older, he left this scar / and a book about an angel / that made her way back home to god / i still think about him sometimes / running my finger up its spine / may he fall into a well / he left me old before my time

yeah this song is heavily christian, but the characters in this song - the sighing mother the narrator identifies with, the older man who left a scar, the girl who sets fire to the curtains - feel very fire nation royal family. the fact that the older man gives him a book about an angel who made her way back home to god also feels similar to how zuko was expected to redeem himself and find his way home.

also, the singer just sounds fucking anguished, and literally screams near the end, which is pretty zuko imo.

6. black sun - irma

hold back, hold back, can't you see / how harmful all this can be / this ain't no place to call a home

amazingly, a perfect song for zuko's speech to ozai on the day of black sun.

7. shivers - JOSEPH

i strike my own light / even if it's not quite as bright

zuko decides to leave and strike out on his own.

8. grave digger - matt maeson

goddammit, i cannot bend / i'm all shriveled inside

a recommendation from the write-in question on this uquiz i made, one that i got a LOT, and okay yeah sometimes the majority opinion is correct. it's about deciding to leave behind your toxic family, and it's also easy to read "bend" in this line to refer to firebending. you win this one, zuko fans.

9. fear and loathing - marina

don't wanna live in fear and loathing / i want to feel like i'm floating / instead of constantly exploding

about how he had to find a new drive for his bending after he left, find something besides anger and fear to fuel him.

10. white teeth teens - lorde

and everything works out so good / i wear the robe like no one could

zuko being crowned fire lord at the end despite never thinking he was one of the cool kids worthy of status and power.

12. heirloom - sleeping at last

you are so much more than your father's son / you are so much more than what i've become

iroh to zuko <3

13. a burning hill - mitski

the title track. like all our angsty firebenders, he's been a perpetrator of the fire nation's brutality, its victim, and a witness to it. zuko 🤝 azula 🤝 jeong jeong - this song.

[kip-and-kit-nightengale]

Claybrooke Hixon. Ranch Details

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My family, Kip,Kit and I all had a lunch the girls made. It was really good and we all complimented it pretty heavily!

"I'm impressed, ladies." My dad commented. "Wow, a nice comment?" Kip lightly joked. My dad glared a tad and my mom tsk'd at him. "Honey, you have been rather brash." "You're takin the outlaws side?!" He sighed a little. "Okay...maybe I've been a tad harsh...I apologize." Kip smiled a little "I *might* forgive ya." He teased. My dad just gently shook his head and then looked at my mom. "So...what did you girls talk about?!" Mom looked at Kip, Kit looked at me and they began giggling at my dad. He studied my mom hard before gasping. "You and your damn need for adventure, woman!" He yelled, very clearly messing around with her. She giggled and hugged my dad "Oh honey, it's nothing! You're still my tame one and only!" He shook his head and pulled her down in a seat beside him. Kip was totally lost and I were totally lost. "What need for adventure?" I asked. "Claybrooke, it seems your mother has found you a new dad in your dark horse over there!" I laughed and Kip turned a deep red, making Kit burst out laughing. "MAY I EXCUSE MYSELF FROM THE TABLE?" Kip yelled, clearly and rightfully embarrassed. That made everyone laugh more and I stood up "C'mon, outlaw! I'm sure we can find more chores!" He nodded and grabbed his hat along with a cigarette and ran outside "Let's hop to it, heifer!" I followed after, laughter still ringing as we shut the door. He leaned against the house and dramatically slid down to the ground, unlit cigarette in mouth. "You're really not used to that sort of...attention, huh?" "Not in the slightest! Your mama is a kind lady but yeesh!" "I understand and I apologize. My family shows any and all kinds of appreciation very strongly." "It's not a big deal, heifer. I'm sure it's just to mess with me." He lit his cigarette. "What chore we doin next?" "None" '...what?" "We got everything done already! Gotta say, Kip. Despite yer yellin you're a bit of a natural for hard labor and farm work!" "Well it ain't my favorite thing but I'm willin. Say, what's the plan now?" "Well...ya can finish that there cigarette and then we can head back inside! Let em know we finished and then just relax a bit. Maybe help the gals with dinner." "Sounds good to me heifer!" And that's just what we did.

"Yer done?! With all yer chores?!" Dad asked. "Sure am!" "Those normally take ya till sunrise, boy, how'd you-?!" "-Kip helped me!" My dad looked at him, mouth agape. He leaned over the table and shook Kip's hand. "You a farmer's boy?!" "No sir, just ain't a stranger to labor...." "Then son, again, why be an outlaw?!" He shrugs "Somethin about seeing yer face be put on a wanted poster makes ya feel powerful! Despite the nicknames they give ya...." "They usually give those guys glorious names!" "Yeah...usually...." "Well, boy, whats yours?!" "...Uh...coffin dodger...." He replied sheepishly. "THATS YOU?!" My mama yelled. "Yup...." "But yer so young!" He nods a bit and put his bandana over is nose. "Not with this on...." My mom nodded slowly and began to understand. "They all think I'm 40 or so." "At least yer name isn't so bad...though insulting given yer far from coffin age." My dad added. "Yeah, definitely could be worse." "Kip 'Coffin Dodger' Nightengale isn't that bad." "No, it ain't, but they don't know the 'Kip' or 'Nightengale' part." "True...." "What's yers, Kit?!" I ask. "I'm often referred to as the Black-Hearted Harlot." "Horrible but glorified." I stated. She nodded and shrugged "It's pretty great...I often hear I'm a vampire, witch, siren, demon, all the neat yet dangerous things!" She said, giggling. "What interesting lives you two live!" My mom exclaimed. The twins nodded and smiled at eachother. "Do you guys need help with anything?" I asked. "Do you and Kip mind helping clean as Kit and I start dinner?!" "Not at all!" I say and Kip nods in agreement. We all started on dinner and cleaning and now it's about to be plated, so I reckon I'd head out there!

[mxllitiam]

The air in the hallway felt cooler, he could notice it now, infiltrating the space between him and Delly and slithering into his stuffy room. Breaking his line of vision from the screen had seemed daunting seconds ago, but now that his attention was on another pressing (annoying) matter, he'd done it without realizing. As it dawned on him, he took a step back from the door, peeking towards it again. Still nothing new. Still just his mother, resting, Chandler keeping watch by her side. The careers and everyone else who seemed like a threat were pretty far, and people were hunkering down for the night, learning their surroundings.

Delly insisted on saying that thing -- the whole same side, stick together bullshit he had agreed with at some point. He didn't feel inclined to agree anymore. He felt stranded on an island, a one-man show destined to fail, ditched behind by everything and everyone he knew, and then what was the point in trying to keep allies? No one was in his corner. His mother had been, and there she was now.

"My ma is in the fucking Hunger Games, Cartwright!" He roared, sparing no thought to the set of other rooms that may hear him from the hall. Let them hear his despair. "'M sorry if I'm wallowing too much for your fucking standards!" He walked further back into his bedroom, but left the door open. He was begging for an argument, something to sink his teeth into. Yelling at Delly wouldn't make him feel better, but it wouldn't make him feel worse. Nothing could achieve the latter, probably, so he had little to go off of.

He hadn't eaten anything all day, of course. The idea of food felt repulsive before, and it still felt like that now, though his stomach's silent grumbling would argue with him. He was no stranger to hunger, it didn't matter. "I ain't going out to eat with you, you fucking--" he paused, fingertips pressing into closed eyes until stars bloomed on the back of his eyelids. He wouldn't stoop so low as to actually curse her out or call her any names; despite his temperament, he was still a mama's boy who was raised well. He'd rather swallow up some of his anger than to go around offending a girl he barely knew, when he knew he didn't mean it. "Delly, just go." His voice was lower now, suddenly tired, as if all the pent up rage had been spent in that one burst. He didn't have the energy for much else. His demand quickly turned into a plea. "Leave."

The Games felt different this year and for that, Delly felt guilty. Her emotional connection to the Games felt the same as every other year. It was horrible, what was happening, but it wasn't personal. Not like last year when it had been Peeta in the Games. She didn't really know Hazelle or Chandler but they were important to the people that were important to Delly so she was rooting for both of them.

Delly had watched the bloodbath from her room in the hotel as she was supposed to. She didn't want to watch the Games, but was there a choice not to? If she hadn't turned her tv on would the Capitol know that she had ignored them? It was hard to say. Peeta said to be careful about what she said and did, and she took that seriously. Delly didn't want to do anything that might get herself or Peeta into trouble. She already felt like she was in enough trouble, with President Snow knowing who she was. She wished she could go back to her status as an anonymous person. But she had been forced to come to terms with the fact that when Peeta won the Games, her ability to be anonymous had gone out the window.

After the initial bloodbath ended and the cannons went off, Delly turned the tv off. The District Twelve tributes had made it through, and it was a relief. It was going to be a painful few days as they were forced to watch and wait to see what happened. Delly refused to stay locked up in her room while the Games played, so she wandered into the Capitol.

It turned her stomach, the way that the people in the Capitol were celebrating the Games. They treated it like a game. She had known that before, had watched it on the tv her entire life, but there was something so...insidious about seeing it in person. In the way that Capitolites just stood around, celebrating and talking about things that had happened. They talked about the tributes like they weren't real. And it made Delly sick.

Delly returned to the hotel when it started to get dark, but she didn't want to go back to her room, alone. Her thoughts went to Gale and how he was holding up. Guilt flooded her for not checking on him sooner, not that it was her responsibility, but she had said that they needed to stick together. So she made her way over to his door and knocked. Fuck off, he had responded. Delly just rolled her eyes and knocked again. He didn't know how insistent she was, that being mean to her wasn't going to make her go away. Once Delly set her mind on something, she didn't give up easily. That was doubly true for people.

When the door opened and Gale appeared, asking her what the fuck she wanted, Delly just sighed. He looked a mess, but she couldn't blame him. She didn't like to think about what she had looked like last year. "Okay, first of all, rude. I know that you're having a hard time but we're on the same side, remember? District Twelve stays together and all of that. Second of all, you look like you haven't moved all day and that's a problem. You can't just sit here wallowing. Have you eaten anything today?" She crossed her arms over her chest. "Peeta's busy and I'm starving, so let's go, we're going to find somewhere to eat in the place. I'm not taking no for an answer, either, so get your shoes or change if you want and let's go."

[sincerelyasomebody]

Mama || Leticia "Letty" Cruz

(GIF: @angels-reyes)

A/N: This was created because I've seen some speculation that Letty may not make it to the end of Season 3 (😭🥺). My mind needed something fluffy to combat this and so this piece came about. Apologises for grammatical errors and please let me know if the Spanish translation needs correcting.

Characters/Pairing(s): Letty x Reader (mother-daughter relationship) ▪︎ Coco x Reader (mention) ☆ Mayans MC (brief mention) ▪︎ OCs (receptionist, mother and son duo) 

Summary: Just a mother protecting her daughter. 

Warnings: brief mention of altercation (male and female), description of injuries, fluff, language, nicknames, painkillers (reference to injury) 

Word Count: 1755

- ♤ - ♡ - ◇ - ♧ -

(Y/N) couldn't believe how busy the roads leading to the local high school were. It was a Wednesday, a little after ten and the streets were just packed with cars. She thought it was ridiculous considering people were usually at their jobs and children were in their age appropriate schools. There was no reason for people to be out and about. 

"The light's been green for five seconds!" she yelled and honked her horn, "move!" The driver in front gave her the finger before taking off, "you're so fucking lucky I've got somewhere to be, asshole!" she called out as she drove in the opposite direction. 

When her phone rang during her break, the last person (Y/N) expected to hear from was the receptionist for Santo Padre High School. According to the woman, Leticia (Letty as she was mostly referred to) had been in an altercation with another student and her parents or caregivers were requested to come and meet with the principal. Rachel, the receptionist, mentioned trying to reach her father but going straight to voicemail. With (Y/N) being listed as an emergency contact she was called. 

(Y/N) immediately asked about Letty, but was told that specific details couldn't be discussed over the phone. She found that odd, but accepted it (for the time being) and informed Rachel that she would be there as quickly as she could. After hanging up, she grabbed her belongings and told her manager she had a family emergency to attend to. She was cleared and (Y/N) informed him that she would be taking a week off as well and would keep them updated on her situation. 

From the moment she received the call to the time she pulled up in front of the high school, her thoughts revolved around Letty. Being with Coco for several years allowed (Y/N) to gain some insight to the type of life he had been subjected to. Through a lot of tears, constant reassurance and love (Y/N) was able to break through his tough exterior and get him to believe she was in it for the long haul. When (Y/N) was told by him about his daughter being in a similar environment to what he was in growing up, she demanded him to bring her home.

The second she laid eyes on Letty she saw Coco's features and personality shine through. (Y/N) didn't expect the teenager to respect or trust her right off the bat, but she made sure to let her know that she was here if she needed someone to talk to and gave her space. With every door slam, harsh comment and glare sent her way, (Y/N) continued being herself and showed Letty she wasn't a threat. It was challenging, especially when Coco left on runs, but she pushed through. Eventually the teenager began to accept her father's girlfriend without second guessing her. 

(Y/N) stepped into the main office and found a woman standing beside a teenage boy, who held some paper towels to his nose and had a couple of scratches on his face. She moved closer and realised the pair were towering over Letty who sat in the corner and was looking down at her lap. Clenching her jaw, she strode over to the trio. 

"Get the fuck away from my daughter!" she glared at the duo and turned around to Letty, who was now standing, "mi niña, are you okay?" she kissed her forehead and cupped her cheeks, "Leticia?" 

The teenager nodded, "uh… y-yeah, I'm fine," she went to move (Y/N)'s hands but winced, "completely fine." 

(Y/N)'s eyes widened at the state of Letty's hands. They were most likely bruised and what shocked her even more was that there was no ice-pack beside her seat. The boy clearly had been given assistance, but her baby girl hadn't and that pissed her off.

"Rachel!" she called out and a woman appeared around the corner, "you're the one who called me right?" 

"Yes." 

"And, you said you couldn't go over specific details of what happened over the phone?" 

"That's correct." 

(Y/N) nodded and gestured towards Letty's hands, "well I'm here now and would like an explanation on why my daughter hasn't been treated and that young man has?" When the mother tried to give a reason, she raised a hand in her face, "this doesn't concern you, this conversation is between Rachel and I." 

Rachel gulped and could feel the anger radiating off of (Y/N), "well… uh, he was bleeding and –"

"Were there other staff members present?" she asked and when she was given a nod, she continued, "why couldn't they have provided medical assistance to my daughter?" 

"She… didn't tell us she was hurt, ma'am, she said she was fine so –"

"Bitch do her hands look fine to you?" 

The mother scoffed, "at least we know where your daughter gets her attitude from." 

(Y/N) turned to her, "shut up, nobody asked for your ass to speak," she gestured towards her son, "the reason your son's looking like a fucked up tomato is completely justified I can vouch for that." 

"Are you kidding me?" She shrieked and pointed to his face, "he's most likely got a broken nose and there's scratches on his face!"

"Exactly, be glad my daughter didn't have a screwdriver on her." (Y/N) replied and almost laughed at the disbelief on the woman's face, "your son deserved every scratch, bruise and possible broken bone."

"Excuse me!?" 

(Y/N) ignored her and turned back around to face Rachel, "Letty and I will be leaving now."

"Mrs Fraser hasn't seen –" 

"My main concern right now is my daughter's well-being," she told her, "and you've got my details on file so I'm sure Mrs Fraser can contact me at a later date." 

Rachel spoke again, "please if you'd just –"

"No." 

(Y/N) picked up Letty's bag and walked over to the desk, with Letty trailing behind her. She quickly signed out on the tablet and the pair walked out of the building. Reaching her car, (Y/N) unlocked it and helped Letty into the passenger seat. Closing her door, she rushed to the driver's side and got in. 

She helped Letty buckle up, before buckling herself in, "everything okay, sweets?" 

"Yeah… uh, thanks." was the response she received, before she started up the car and pulled out of the school parking lot while explaining where they were off to next. 

-- ♡ -- ◇ -- 

"He's always talking shit," Letty explained to (Y/N) about the guy in the office, "it was about time someone shut him up." 

"And you were the person to do so?" 

She shrugged her shoulders, "he ran his mouth and then touched me, so I beat his ass." 

"Two for one special?" 

"Pretty much." 

(Y/N) chuckled, "when your hands heal up, we'll ask one of the guys to teach you a few moves in the ring, thankfully your hands are just bruised and not broken." 

"They still hurt like a bitch." 

"You've got another two hours before you can drink some more painkillers." 

"What would've happened if Coco answered the phone?" Letty questioned.

(Y/N) shook her head, "honey, I don't even think I wanna know what would've happened," she noticed the teen wince, "are you okay?" 

"Yes." 

"Are you sure?"

She huffed, "I'm fine, okay? I was fine when you picked me up. I was fine when we went to the doctor's office. I was fine at the grocery store and I was fine the last time you asked me." 

(Y/N) nodded and pulled into their driveway, putting the car in park, "I'm not gonna apologise about asking how you're feeling. I'm just – I just want to make sure you're okay. But, now I'll stop because I can see I'm annoying you." 

"Yeah, you are." 

She chuckled, "okay, I'll stop, but you'll tell –" 

Letty sighed, "yes, I'll tell you. You really take this parenting thing seriously. I mean… you've been referring to me as your daughter all day and I–I'm not. But you defended me –" 

"And I always will." 

" – against Kyle, his mum and even the receptionist. I–I've never had that before. And, even at the doctor's office you made sure I was seen by a female because you knew it'd make me more comfortable." 

"Letty?" 

"You treat me like I'm yours and you called me your daughter and I… I don't know, I just," she took a deep breath, shook her head and looked out of the window.

(Y/N) waited for her to continue, but she didn't. Thinking back on today's events, she realised she had referred to Letty as her own. She had been doing it in her mind for so long and didn't realise she had said it out in the open. Letty had heard her reference and it seemed to make her uncomfortable and that was something she vowed she wouldn't do. 

"When I started dating your dad he told me about the kids he had. He told me that he wasn't involved in their lives because being away from them was for the best. I asked him what would happen if one day a kid reached out and his response was "if they do, they do. I ain't gonna turn them away", (Y/N) spoke up, "and then you reached out, sweetums. You reached out and your dad took that as a sign. From the moment you entered our lives, it's been a whirlwind of emotions. We're not this picture perfect family, but we're our own version. Despite being almost an adult, Coco still views you as his baby girl. And, honestly, I've been viewing you the same way."

Letty sniffed and looked up, "really?" 

"Absolutely, gorgeous. The moment you stepped through that door you became mine as well," (Y/N) pointed at the front door of their home, before turning to her, "but that doesn't matter if you're not okay with it. I'm not trying to force you to be –" 

"I'm Coco's daughter," she cut in and smiled at (Y/N), "and now I'm yours too." 

(Y/N) beamed with joy and unbuckled her seatbelt, and Letty's, reaching over the middle console to bring the teen into her arms. Letty wrapped her arms around (Y/N), breathing in her (scent). The woman chuckled and kissed her cheek, "I love you, baby girl." 

Letty pulled her closer, "I love you too, mama." 

-♤ - ♡ - ◇ - ♧ - 

Spanish Translations: 

Mi niña - my girl / baby girl

[chaeiimimi]

14 𝖍𝖊𝖑𝖑𝖔 𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖞

Summary: you weren’t really sure how it happened, but an average student who wore glasses and spent all her extra time on bookstores and library managed to date your school’s volleyball club setter. On your 3rd year of law school, your ten years anniversary to be exact, he went home from Argentina and it was a week before he was going back, he broke up with you with the reason of he can't handle long-distance relationship anymore despite being at it for two years. You didn’t cry, you stood there as he was sobbing in front of you, you held his face in your palms and offered him a gentle smile, gentle enough to let him know you’ll support him and will always be watching him, together with the child in your stomach right now, but he doesn’t need to know that.

Oikawa's press conference broke the internet, who could've thought that the kind, lovely and innocent Sato Himari wasn't who she seemed to be?

The internet was quick to switch sides, of course some of Himari's avid fans were still on her side and were still pushing the fact that Oikawa was the father of the child and Y/n manipulated Oikawa to do the press conference, but the majority was on y/n's side

The night after the conference, there was a huge celebration at your house, since you and Himari decided to cook up a huge feast, Oikawa's teammates from Argentina stopped by and visited your home and had a few drinks, Iwaizumi, Akira and the Seijoh Volleyball team of your batch was also there

The night was filled with a lot of tone-deaf singing from Akira, Iwaizumi trying to save his girlfriend from embarassment and misserably failing, Kindaichi having to vomit every few minutes but still decided to drink more, the twins being passed around because people can't get enough of their cuteness until Haruto just fell asleep on Kunimi's lap and Hayato fell asleep on one of Oikawa's teammates lap, Maki and Issei slow dancing to Akira singing "Hello" by Adelle which was very off key, Oikawa taking a picture of them with his left hand while his right is securly wrapped around your waist, Oikawa's argentinian teammates speaking in spanish while Oikawa translates for the team and vice versa to his Japanese friends

It was indeed a fun time, it felt like your head was lifted from underwater, you can breath again, the heavy burden you've been carrying for the past few months evaporated into thin air

A week after that, you were able to file a case against Himari, although you didn't want to do it in the first place because she was still your cousin and she's also pregnant, but you were also a mother and you were only trying to save your kids and your family on what she can do in the future

It was also later on found out that she was mentally unstable and needed therapy before having her baby

Everything seems to be falling in place, and it was a week before Oikawa had to leave for Argentina to begin a new season

You laid in your bed face to face, his hot breath fanning your forehead while you nuzzle into his chest

"bubs?" he calls

"hm?"

"i'm going back to Argentina next week"

"yeah, I know you're gonna do well this season"

"for sure, I have to make you and the twins proud"

You chuckled

"win or lose, we're still proud of you Tooru"

He smiles as he pulls you closer

"I know this might be too fast, and I know it still hasn't been long since we got together, god this is the lamest way to say it, but, will you move with me? To Argentina"

You feel his breath hitch and his heartbeat quicken, was he nervous?

You looked up at him and smiled

"we'll follow you anywhere babe"

And just like that, the day after Oikawa was helping you pack your things, he also insists on only bringing your clothes and not empty out the whole house since he still plans on staying here during off seasons, which was why, unbeknownst to your knowledge, he bought the house

A week later, you flew to Argentina to start a new life with Oikawa and your sons

"papa rapido!" Hayato exclaims while clutching the bag filled with baby bottles

"Mama are you okay?" Haruto calmy rubs your back and stomach as you were sweating buckets and breathing deeply, a puddle of water in front of the chair you were sitting on

The twins are now six years old and grew up to be fine boys

You were now expecting your third baby and your first daughter, but you didn't expect to give birth to her in Japan, you travelled here during mid-pregnancy and Oikawa had a long off-season, but you weren't due in like a week or two and you were planning on returning to Argentina tomorrow

Looks like that's going to have to wait

"OIKAWA I AM NOT ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH IN THIS HOUSE" you screamed

Your husband came out of your room, multiple bags hung in his body, his lips were trembling and his hand clutching his phone was shaking

"y-yeah yeah l-let me call an a-ambulance"

He shakingly dials a number

It rings three times before somebody picks up

"hello!"

"hello pizza delivery how may I help you sir?"

...

What the fuck?

"did you just dial a pizza place while your wife is in labor?"

The twins looks at the door and cheered "Seijoh Uncles!" synchronised like they were looking at their saving grace

Lo and behold it was indeed the Seijon ex-volleyball team, right there to save the day

Maki and Watari took the bags hanging on Oikawa's body

"carry your wife to the van"

Oikawa mindlessly nods and carries you in bridal style to Issei's van, which by the way had a huge fucking funeral home logo on it

But it didn't matter to Oikawa, what mattered was to get his wife to deliver their baby girl safely

And soon a whole ass volleyball team except for Iwaizumi, a shouting pregnant woman and two hyperactive twins were able to fit in the funeral home van

Thank god it wasn't traffic 'cause you ain't never seen a funeral home van travel so fast it was practically flying

Your arrival caused a huge commotion, imagine fully grown men, stepping out of a funeral home vam, screaming "help she's giving birth!", two identical boys screaming "our sister is coming!" and a very pale husband who was carrying his pregnant wife with wobbly knees

What added even more to the commotion was an arrival of another van, it was black with a huge MSBY sign to it

It revealed a Bokuto in a maskot costume without the head, Akaashi holding his-well the maskot's hand, Atsumu and Hinata practically screaming "this is an emergency! A baby is about to come out of her!", Sakusa who was clutching all the baby bags looking very embarassed at his teammates while Iwaizumi was there, his trainer clothes crumpled, his hair dishevelled and carrying Akira who was practically going hysterical

The medical staffs were flabbergasted at the sight of a lot of tall, muscular man in the ER, they immediately led the two husbands to the place their wives on the bed and rolled them over to the same delivery room since there wasn't any vacant one

"hey Iwa, I don't mind if my daughter falls in love with your son"

Oikawa says out of nowhere, their screaming wives in the background

"shut up shittykawa...I don't mind either"

"YOU TWO BETTER STOP THAT BROMANCE MOMENT OF YOURS WE ARE LITERALLY DYING HERE" you screamed in so much pain

"IWAIZUMI YOU MOTHERFUCKER I'M NEVER GOING TO HAVE SEX WITH YOU EVER AGAIN AHHHHH" Akira was having it worst since it was her first time

Oikawa was pale, because of the nervous and the fact that you were squeezing his hand so tightly it felt like it was going to break

While Iwaizumi was taking Akira's tugs, kisses, and curses like a champ

After a lot of abuse for Iwaizumi and Oikawa, they finally heard theur babies' cries which made it all worth it

Oikawa takes a look at your daughtee, his eyes watered as he cuts the umbilical cord

He went to you and peppered your sweaty and unconscious face with kisses

"thank you bubs, thank you for making me the happiest man on earth now"

I may or may not be posting special chapters. Anywayssssss~ i just got home from a fam reunion and I'm finally updating this BHSHSHSHS, i love you guys so much, thank you to all those who read this until the end😭💖 sending virtual hugs and kithes😘 and remember to stay happy, healthy and safe babeesss💗💓

Taglist:

@heiressofdexter @artsamber @seashellmichellee @meri-soni-meri-tamanna @misssugarless @minnieminnie00-got7  @karakento @maizumis @torus-wiife @fiaesco @stormcastello @tintina365 @sakusasimpbot   @falconfeather23435 ​ @jojowantstocry @pluviophilefangirl ​ @qualitygiantshoepsychic

[thesagedahlia]

💏 Apryl Jones & Lil Fizz

Boy, oh, boy...Apryl & Fizz. A.K.A, the messiest couple of 2019. I lost any shred of respect that I ever had for Apryl, & I honestly didn't put it past Fizz to be this grimey. I always noticed the disrespect Moniece Slaughter endured on their seasons of L&HHH. As a MAN (the thing he should be by now, become he's well in his 30's & is a father), I would expect him to have more respect for her. As far as Moniece goes, she is always, unfortunately, at the butt of every 'bitter baby mama' joke, but honestly, I see wh she is so hurt by him. Contrary to what the public opinion may be, Moniece is WAAAAAY over those man, in fact she is disgusted by him. & who wouldn't be? He has, time & time again, allowed any & every new bitch he brought around to disrespect & disregard her existence, as if she isn't the MOTHER OF HIS CHILD. I can intuitively see him talking the most shit to pump them up to be as disrespectful to her as he is. Apryl ain't no different, nor better in this case. Fuck the fact that Fizz & Apryl were 'always friends', wouldn't someone who was the friend of Fizz, especially as a women & a mother, feel exactly where Moniece should be respected, regardless of her relationship with her & his thoughts & opinions of her? Wouldn't she be more understanding as to why she would be suspicious in the first place, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE FUCKING HIM, or if YOU'RE AROUND THEIR CHILD? Ummmmmthat's trash. But this is only my opinion. What do I know, I guess? I'm just single with common sense 🥴 final thoughts: Apryl needs to love herself, because applying your 🐱 before your mind is not it, pewiod. & Fizz.....I-

*thesagedahlia has left the chat, she was disgusted*

**DISCLAIMER**

I am not declaring, nor am I insinuating, that anything I say in my predictions are true accounts of any of the parties involved. This reading is for entertainment purposes only, & should only taken as such. All in good fun, folks 🤷🏾‍♀️🧿

💏 Energy Surrounding Apryl & Fizz?

Right now, the relationship seemed to be heading into, or I'd already in a standstill. I see financial gain that will benefit Apryl, but she may be feeling like the family aspect of their relationship is something only she is forcing. I see a lot of L&HHH benefiting both of them at this time, but I see that as being the only benefit. I know the rumor is that Apryl was pregnant & ended up aborting the baby, but the cards are showing a stagnant child (of passion) that is causing a depression, or immense pain. I'm getting the sense that Apryl wanted to keep the child, so that in itself caused a little bit of conflict & heartbreak on her part. I am also getting that Fizz is stubborn in the sense that he doesn't want any more kids, let alone any with Apryl. I'm getting that Apryl had the idea of being a blended family & having a happy home with Fizz, but he wasn't emotionally invested to start a family with her. Apryl figured that she will be able to accomplish the family she wants with someone she considers a friend, but Fizz had other plans. I'm getting that this was a certain strategy where she was trying to achieve her happy family, but it turned out to be smoke in mirrors. I'm also getting she is trying to move on from Omarion. This could have also been a ploy to get his attention or piss him off. What seems to be hidden here is that she may have always been using Fizz in order to get over her failed marriage, & she could have felt like Fizz was a better match for her. I see Apryl feeling grief, while Fizz is benefiting financially, as they are financial partners. In public, they will continue to defend their relationship because there is actually love between them (though it may not be enough for Fizz to want a family or more children). There is uncertainty & harsh change happening around this union & balance may be wobbly & unstable here. Apryl has to be the one to decide that this isn't the best thing for her, but she is focused on keeping things balanced between them, while Fizz on the other hand is only focused on his coin. The same card of a child keeps coming up for them.

💏 Apryl's energy toward Fizz?

Apryl is feeling some fears that she will have to confront. These may stem from fears of having history repeating itself. I keep picking up on some sadness with Apryl, & again, its surrounding a child that was neglected. I feel like Apryl is feeling Fizz will come to his senses in embracing the life they share, but it is like he'll have some things he needs to face in order to do so. He may not be opening up to her like she would want & he is having much control over doing so. There is much grief & sadness over the love she feels, & she feels isolated in her attempts to secure a family. I'm feeling she is looking toward her future & it may be without Fizz. Although she feels much love for Fizz, she understands there is healing they both may need to consider (or she may feel as though he needs to release control of his ego). She is needing to move away from Fizz because it isn't sitting with her spirit well, having to (allegedly) abort a child that came from this union. This may all be on her mind subconsciously. This relationship is becoming a cycle of distress & disappointment for her, & she needs to move forward from it. Freedom from the mind games they continue to engage in with each other isn't helping a looming depression that is manifesting for her. Emotionally, he's unavailable to her. As long as she continues to ignore her intuition, the more she will realize that her desires won't be fulfilled with Fizz.

💏 Fizz's feelings toward Apryl?

Fizz feels like their relationship will survive the test of time. He may have this idea that no matter what he puts her through, she will stay. He may be aware that he has cause some distress to her that may have left her emotional. He still isn't emotionally charged toward Apryl, as he is not so fond of showing his emotional side. Again, this is something he has to confront within himself. I feel like past relationships hasn't worked out for him, so he has an unhealthy feeling of what a relationship should look like. He has to come out of being selfish & thinking of his own needs over Apryl's. He needs to breaks some chains around what was keeping him from fixing his relationship with her, as he may feel he brought much pain to her. He is wanting to continue their relationship as a business partnership. He may be stubborn in facing some truth when it comes to the way Apryl feels, in the sense that he is the reason she's hurting. The relationship has come to a standstill because of things within their relationship that needs to be confronted, though there is a feeling of needing to end the cycle together & move on completely. Though he has a lot of joy being with her & they are able to secure finances together, he still isn't fully open to being with Apryl for the long term.

💏 Apryl's expectations vs. Fizz's expectations?

Apryl: She expected Fizz to want to be fully committed to her. She felt that they were friends, & that their bond could carry over into the long term. They were already living together & had a little bit of a blended life with their kids, so she expected things to become even more established as far as a family. She was even hoping for marriage. She didn't think Fizz would come off as being so emotionally unavailable to her & it was a shock to her. She ended up settling for the L&HHH checks. She is now realizing that this wouldn't become much more than what it is now.

Fizz: I think he was seeing how fast things where moving & that a commitment was happening. I think Fizz was expecting to still have his freedom & not really commit like Apryl wanted. He's expressed not wanting anything serious & he wasn't looking to be emotional. In fact, he is very much closed off from his emotions. He didn't want things to go as far as the (alleged) pregnancy, but he was already feeling that they each were fine having their own children. I don't think Fizz wanted long term commitment & that in turn hurt Apryl. Fizz was always about their relationship looking good in the public, for the opportunists that it will manifest for them, but he also wished for his freedom to be respected.

💏 What is the outcome of this relationship?

They will continue to gain abundance together as L&HHH is still on air. I think they will be having more opportunities presented to them to make money together, but I think it's safe to say they are both feeling trapped within the relationship. I don't think they are expressing much to each other, & are focused on keeping things light for their children (each, of course, with different people), since they are very much involved as they are with each other; they don't want to look dysfunctional in front of them or even in public. I'm picking up that divine intervention will continue to put pressure on their relationship until they decide to look at what is causing strain. Fizz will continue to refrain from giving much emotionally to Apryl & it is going to cause her to feel even more left out & neglected. In fact, Fizz could quite possibly be entertaining other women outside of the relationship, & Apryl either knows or will find out about it. There is much pride in saving face since their relationship has already caused a lot of traction & attention. Apryl is in a less than satisfied place, as she isn't as happy as she thought she would be. If a public break up happens, it will be sudden & unexpected, followed by much drama. For as long as they keep trying with what clearly isn't working, more pressure will be put upon the both of them within this relationship.

Just tragic, if you ask me. But don't ask me 🙃

[whiskeykneat]

One More Saturday Night [1]

Notes: trying something a little different since the ao3 link doesn't seem to be working for some people. I made a cut but if it doesn't work this is tagged #long post. // Summary: For everyone else, it's just one more Saturday night in 1964, but for Gale Hawthorne and Peeta Mellark, they’ve both received letters that will change the course of their lives forever. // Rating: this chapter is T, but some parts will be N*FW

I. Fortunate Son (1964)

CHAPTER ONE

It's eight o'clock on a sultry July night in Twelvetrees, West Virginia. Down at the carhop, Katniss Everdeen has just switched shifts with Joanna Mason, and as she leans against the freezer, stretching her sore calves, she's unaware that the boy who's just rolled up in the parking lot with his brothers, the one who carries fifty pound sacks of flour to the back door and gets tongue tied in her presence, would give her the world if he could.

While Joanna slicks red lipstick on her sultry mouth and clips on her garters under the flickering yellow light of the washroom, Peeta Mellark sits in the parking lot of the carhop and turns the words he'll say to Katniss Everdeen over and over again in his mouth, the official decision letter from the draft board burning a hole in his pocket.

He ain't needed here. Got some brothers. That son of yours has always been useless. Let the army straighten him out, Mr Mellark. His mother's words feel like they've been seared into his soul, deeper than the burns from his many years of tending the ovens in their family bakery.

[[MORE]]

"Peet! Cat got your tongue?" Delly giggles, elbowing Peeta in the side. Delly is like a sister to him, they grew up side by side in the garden between the shoe shop and the bakery, fast friends since the day she found him hiding from his mother under the rose bushes.

Unlike Peeta, Delly has always known what she'll do when she grows up, and that's marrying the boy with the easy, charming smile who sits even now with one arm slung over her shoulders -- Peeta's second eldest brother, Wheatley. Their lives are laid out before them like the instructions for a gingerbread house, all it takes it for the pieces to be iced together, like a fairy story, falling into place.

The letter crinkles in Peeta's shirt pocket when he pats it, and as if he knows what's on Peeta's mind, Wheatley nudges him unsubtly. "You gonna tell her?" Peeta has never been close to his older brothers, and this spirit of bonhomie at the eleventh hour feels like they've already picked out a plot at the VA cemetery for him.

Peeta shrugs, feeling a blush heat his cheeks as Katniss skates on by.

"My, I wish I could pull off those dungarees!" Delly chirps, pointing at Katniss.

"I think she looks..." Like a stone cold fox. "...Outta sight." And Katniss does. She's got her dark hair pinned up like old posters of Rosie the Riveter, with a plain scrubbed face and not a hint of makeup. Yet something about her is still so inexpressibly arresting that Peeta can't help but stare at her, lost in thought, as she skates between the cars, taking orders left and right.

She's a devil on skates: her form needs work, but she can serve five cars in under fifteen minutes, with nary a drop of root beer float spilled in a single lap. She never smiles, but Peeta knows any boy in town would love to take her to Lookout Point for some necking. The sexual revolution may not have made it this deep into the mountains yet, but when there's nothing else to do, people make their own fun.

Still, the line is drawn between the Seam and Town, Katniss is the girl from the wrong side of the tracks, and Peeta may not want to admit it to himself, but that's the real reason any town boy would take her out, to see if she'd go all the way, or if she'd keep her legs locked up tight.

As she passes by the finned Buick Electra, she looks up and meets Peeta's eye, and though she never breaks the flow, he sees her look back again, and he could swear she almost smiles.

•••

I don't know how you do it, Joanna had said earlier, with a tone in her voice that might have been a slap or a smile. You might just make something of yourself and get out of this town, kiddo. What she doesn't say is written on every silver scar that marks her flesh, but Katniss lets Joanna keep her secrets, and that's why they're friends.

When Joanna slams out the back door, Katniss hears a Caddy roar in the alley like a tiger, and there's the scream of her friend's high laughter before the only sound left in the waiting night is crickets and the catchy song trickling from the kitchen radio: Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do...

For a moment, Katniss is lost in the past, and she stares out the back door as the moths flutter at the neon lights, feeling every year of her eighteen summers and twenty more besides, as though she's faded to a pale reflection of herself before she's ever gotten her or Prim out of this place.

"You look like you're run off your feet, girl. Sit down and take a breather. Them Town kids can wait." Chaff plucks the order pad from Katniss's fingers and starts putting up the tickets as he steers her to a chair beside the fan. "'Sides, Mitch would kill me if you fainted on my watch." Chaff passes Katniss an ice cold bottle of pop, and she feels herself sag in relief.

Chaff once flew planes with Abernathy, back in the war with Germany, but beyond that she hardly knows him at all, for Chaff never talks about the city he left to come to their little town that sleeps as the rest of the modern world passes them by.

The bottle of pop sweats in her hands, and it makes her think of the way her pa would bring home one as a treat when she was little, to be shared sip by tiny sip with her baby sister, each fizzy bubble held in their mouths for as long as they could, to make the sweetness last.

"Shit, Miss Undersee was supposed to be here an hour ago." Chaff smacks a hand on the counter, but Katniss can tell he doesn't half care. "If she's late one more time, I'll fire her ass. I don't care who her daddy is."

Before Katniss can make up an excuse for Madge (the secret of how sick Madge's mama is lies on her tongue like a wedge of pitch, sticking her gums together), Chaff passes her a twist of greasy fries and a milkshake (strawberry, like the wild berries she used to sell door to door with her best friend Gale, before he went down the mine). She can't believe how ravenous she is, anyone would think she hadn't eaten since breakfast, and that's as close to the truth as she's willing to admit to herself.

Ever since the mine explosion that killed her father, back in '55, Katniss has had to shift for herself and her sister, keeping their small family afloat. The mine owner sent their mama to a sanitarium in Richmond to recuperate. When she returned, she seemed half the person she used to be, and had to return again and again to be put back together for something called hysteria.

But that's all water under the bridge now, and Katniss is no longer that frightened eleven year old girl, forced to survive on the kindness of strangers. Abernathy took pity on her and hired her as soon as she turned fifteen to work for him at the carhop, and she'll spend her life trying to repay a debt that can never be quantified.

Mr Abernathy passed out hours ago, he's almost as fond of white lightning as Katniss is of making extra tips, anything to get out of this town before it's too late. She's got a scholarship to the university, the same place Abernathy went to, even though she's no more likely to study physics than she is to sprout wings and fly away from the dust of this coal town.

At midnight, when the neon lights shut down, and all the moths in town flock to the lustrous glow the stars make over the quarry pond, she and Chaff will use all of their combined strength to roll Abernathy over and make sure he doesn't drown in his own vomit. That's part of her debt, and she'll be deep in it until she shuffles off this mortal coil.

So when Madge bursts through the door, not a single strand of blonde hair out of place, Katniss is too full of sugar and grease to protest when Madge insists she'll take the next orders out.

"Been pilin' up." Chaff nods to the tickets. "That little Cartwright gal came by and dropped 'em off while Katniss took a breather. By the sounds of it, they're gittin' liquored up out there." But he doesn't make a move to stop Madge from going out the door.

Madge blows a strand of golden hair off her forehead and adjusts her headband, her pale fingers flying over the laces in an intricate pattern as she re-ties her skates. They're pristine white, the kind that Katniss's little sister Primrose would give her eye teeth for, but nothing in the Seam stays white for long, not with the coal dust that gets onto everything, coating it like funerary ash.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she says to Katniss, biting her lip and looking away from her friend. Chaff makes a sound of deep disgust in his throat, and passes Madge the tray. Once she's skated from sight, he turns back to the fryer, and turns up the radio.

Come gather 'round friends and I'll tell you a tale / Of when the red iron pits ran a-plenty / But the cardboard-filled windows and old men on the benches / Tell you now that the whole town is empty (North Country Blues, Bob Dylan)

•••

Madge has skated eleven blocks to get here, refusing to take her daddy's car like some spoiled little debutante, although she might have a year ago, before she went to university, before everything began to fall apart. There's a run in her stockings that will have to be repaired soon, and a burning in her lungs that reminds her she's alive. Now that she's been to university and back, this town feels smaller than ever, but it's a good feeling, as if nothing bad could ever happen here, cocooned from the world outside.

When the lights turn down low, and the town sleeps, she'll lie in her bed and listen to the hum of the locusts in the sycamore tree, where the initials M+G are still scarred across the trunk, as if life followed a pattern, laid out like a children's jumping rhyme.

•••

It is quite propitious, as far as plans go, Miss Undersee. Seneca dabbed at his lips with his napkin. His mustache was damp with moisture, and she felt her stomach curdle at the way it gleamed wetly under the lights. She just hoped he got this whole breakup over with soon, because she was sure that one more minute of having to endure his rubbery lips and his mechanical groping on her knee would make her commit an entirely unladylike act.

As Madge fantasized about flipping Seneca the bird, he laid a clammy hand over hers and took a deep breath. With my money and your breeding, I think a marriage would suit the pair of us, don't you agree?

But my degree... I haven't finished it yet. Madge's smile froze in place, suddenly entirely too aware of the predatory gazes of the waitstaff, as though the entire moment had been orchestrated. She felt blindsided, and furious all at once. But good manners won out, and she smiled again, with a cheer she did not feel.

Seneca laughed, a touch of condescension creeping into his voice. I'm not marrying you for your mind, Margareta. Your father said you might be stubborn.

Madge reeled back in shock, stunned. Suddenly it all seemed too much: the soft candlelight felt as garish as the cheap lights of a carnival fanfare, the white wine in her glass tasted like rotgut mash. She tried to tug her hand back from Seneca's, but he held it fast. You talked to my daddy already? Her voice seemed to be coming from far away.

Why, of course I did, darling. Seneca squeezed her arm tight, a warning. Now, if you want to finish your university degree by mail, that's fine with me, but you won't need any of that when you're Mrs Seneca Crane, wife to the next senator of West Virginia. He continued his monologue, the room fading to a single pinprick of light until all Madge could see was that flashy diamond, all she could hear was the sound of champagne corks and applause, and all she could feel was the tightness closing in on her, as if Seneca's ring was around her neck instead of her finger.

[oncecaptain-blog]

Sarah straightened his jacket, making sure he was spic and span for church. "Ain't my boy being a sinner, nope. We are proudly goin' ta church, on this the Lord's day." Once she was happy with how he looked she stood on her tiptoes and kisses his cheek. "Aye, such a handsome lad, you are. 'M so proud of ye."

@petrxichor ...didn’t ask for this but i’m providing it

          oh, ma. any fulfillment church may have given your boy, it left with you. in this brave new world, he is so far from what she knew. and there are parts of him, parts of him that he thought were dark because he shoved it into the shadows of him, where he couldn't see it. but then he came here, to the answer of when, and it shone a light. it's a torch he carries, something good inside of him because it's a part of so many others, so many fighters, so many goddamn good people.

and mama's bringing him somewhere that might try to extinguish that. oh, that great big might. who knows, you might be accepted. it'll be a pleasant surprise, sure. but most queers are realistic about it.

and mama's looking up at him, fixing his wrinkled fabrics with a shine in her eyes. steve's been trapped in an elevator with an entire team designated to take him out. that was nothing on his pulse. but this, looking at his mother and hearing the pride in her voice. it feels like the first time he fired a gun, the kick not in his hand but in his chest. and he can't say no to her, because he's never been the kind of boy to say no to her.

there's love for captain america where they’re going. oh, he’s seen that. they use his fucking symbol to preach their bullshit. but he knows there ain't no love for someone like steve. so steve smiles a cap smile, and holds out his elbow for her.

         ❝ thanks, ma. let's go.❞

[thecursedson]

All Shook Up Ask Meme

"Here's a letter from my daughter... Here's one from my wife... And one from my mother."

"One night with you! Is now all I'm been prayin' for!"

"Is that something you find... Attractive?"

"Hey _____! A great lookin' guy needs a mechanic!"

"Everything you say makes me sweaty."

"I like to neck!"

"Throw me on the ground and start me like a Chevy!"

"Oh _____ ! Take me!"

"I can't help fallin' in love with you."

"A little less conversation a little more action, please."

"All this satisfaction ain't satisfactionin' me."

"Well, I've been with a lot of women/men. A LOT of women/men."

"Always lived a very quiet life! I could never do no wrong!"

"Now it seems life without you has been too lonely too long!"

"Just call my name and I'll be right by your side."

"Oh, this is so...Hot!"

"It's now or never!"

"My mama's gonna tell me, her friends'll tell me too, girl/boy that boy/girl you're foolin' with he/she ain't no good for you."

"That's alright."

"I'm all shook up."

"You gotta caress her. You know careeeeeeeess."

"Hey _____ How do I look in this?"

"I think you look like James Dean... About to enter an old folks' home."

"I dig hot women/men. And I dig hot art. And when I see a hot woman/men who digs hot art I say hot diggity!"

"Quote Shakespeare and peel me like a banana!"

"Your mother/father scared me!"

"By _____, do you mean that guitar-playing caveman with the libido of an Italian soccer team?"

"But ____ I love you!"

"Have we met?"

"Now I know that life without you has been too lonely too long!"

"Oh ____ I've never felt this way before!"

"He's a devil in disguise!"

"Right ____? Not now, ____."

"My love won't wait!"

"You've gotta follow that dream wherever that dream may lead!"

"I've gotta follow that dream to find the love I need!"

"You can do anything! Lay off of my Blue Suede shoes!"

[read-of-the-day-blog]

Lunula

Noun [loo-nyuh-luh]

Something shaped like a narrow crescent, as the small, pale area at the base of the fingernail.

The mid-morning sun washed through the sterile, white room of Abigale Peters as her nurse helped her into the chair set by the window. She lowered her slowly and with practiced care that would be given to any other resident of the Rolling Hills Nursing Home. "Betty, be a dear and fetch my purse. We have to make it to church in time to greet the pastor or ill never hear the end of it from that nosey Mrs. Bradberry."

The plump, young nurse, whose name was really June, smiled patiently and turned to face the woman in the doorway, who stood tall and lithe but with some reservation. Her fingers curled around the handle of a soft pink kaboodle kit. She nodded graciously to the nurse and stepped inside. "Mama, you've already been to church today. The pastor loved your hat, don't you remember?" The old woman never did, but Denise always felt the urge to ask. Always hopeful that her mother would one day respond with an "Oh, of course, Denise. How could I forget?" But she never did, not anymore. She watched as her aging mother's brow furrowed in brief confusion before quickly being distracted by the movement of the trees outside her window. Denise sighed quietly and thanked June as the nurse set up a stool beside the chair and took her leave. Denise tucked a strand of mousy brown hair behind her ear and set the kaboodle on the chair-side table. With a click, it opened and Denise took her seat on the stool, adjusting for comfort as she spoke. "Mama...its time for another manicure. What color would you like today?"

"I always loved yellow. My kitchen is yellow, you know. Jacob always hated it. But I told him, I said...'well you won't be in it near as much as me and if I'm gonna be making you breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day, I want to do it in a room that makes me happy." Abigale gave a tired laugh. "That damn husband of mine. He's always gone at work nowadays. Betty, do you know when he'll be back?"

Denise paused and looked at her mother. Those blank eyes hurt her more than the questions, but not as much as being called 'Betty'. Betty was Abigale's sister who had died ten years ago and who her mother hadn't spoken to for at least thirty. It cut her like a knife, taking a tiny piece of her every time, but her therapist had urged her to try and not take it personally. Spite rose like a poison in her and for a moment she considered reminding her mother that Daddy was dead and gone, but that would only upset her, and not for long enough to make Denise feel any better. She took a deep breath and counted down from ten in her head before shaking the feeling and correcting her tone to the usual forced pleasantness she used on Sunday mornings. "This afternoon, I'm told."

Her mother nodded with a smaller smile, satisfied. Figuring she would never actually give her a color (yellow was a ridiculous color for nails. If her mother were in any lucid state she would never stand for it), she decided to pick one herself. Primrose. A proper color for a proper lady.

She shook the bottle and grabbed the emery board, cuticle pusher, and nail trimmers, setting all aside and pushing through the other bottles for the acetone and some stray cotton balls. She took her mother's hand, wrinkled with age and almost impossibly soft. The knobs and twists of arthritis in her knuckles still felt foreign to her, even after so many years. Denise drew in a sharp breath meant to control her emotions and set to work removing the dark polish from the week before. "I spoke to Cynthia two days ago. I asked when she may be able to make it back in town for a visit since she had to push back last month, but she wasn't sure. She asked that I.." Denise tightened her jaw. "...that I tell you that she loves you. And she misses you." Denise didn't believe it. Not for a moment. Cynthia cried and confided in her how hard it was to watch their mother deteriorate but Denise couldn't help but think that if she were actually here, marinating in the decline as Denise had been, perhaps maybe it wouldn't feel like such a drastic change each time she saw her. It was hard on Denise too....but she was here.

Abigale smiled brightly. "Cynthia is such a doll! You know she won junior Miss. Dickson twice? Bell of the ball! Oh!" She laughed. "Jacob practically had to beat the boys away with a stick." Denise rolled her eyes and shook her head. Abigale continued. "Cynthia always takes such great care of herself. I wondered why she wasn't a bigger help to Denise. The poor child couldn't stay out of the yard for more than an hour at a time. Hair always a mess. Always dirt under her fingernails." Denise's shoulders tightened. She looked at her own nails, nowadays well manicured and clean as a whistle. Abigale always said she was a 'late bloomer' but Denise more or less saw herself as an appeaser.

"Im sure Denise tried very hard to make you happy..." She muttered as she moved to the other hand.

"Well, she did what she could with what she had I suppose. Never as blessed as Cynthia in the ways of social graces-"

"Well maybe you would prefer Cynthia do your nails?"

Abigail turned to face her youngest daughter. "...what?"

Denise wiped away the polish on the last nail and shook her head. "Nothing. Maybe I should put on some music, hm?" Anything to stop the Cynthia golden child hour. There was only so much Denise could take. She stood and tossed the used cotton balls into a nearby wastebasket a bit more aggressively than was necessary before going to the radio and turning the dial to the designated oldies station, filling the room with the musical stylings of Doris Day. Abigale smiled and hummed along. Denise took another breath as she gripped the edge of the dresser and counted down from ten once more.

When she returned to her seat she started trimming her cuticles and filing her nails. Denise sat in anxious silence for a few minutes before asking a question she was certain she would.immediately regret. "And what about Denise? Were...were you proud of her?"

"Whats that, Betty?" Her mother had been lost in the music but Denise couldn't take it. She let out a small, muffled, anguished cry. "In not Betty, Mama! I'm your daughter! I'm Denise! I am here every week! I take you to church and to the doctor. I do your nails! Why can't you remember!?" She pleaded.

"Denise lives in Birmingham.," Abigale said with a furrowed brow. "Yes I used to, but I moved back here. To take care of you! Me, Denise! Not Cynthia, not Betty. Denise!"

A blank stare was all she got in return. Denise stood and put the tools back in the kit and walked to the bedside table to pluck a kleenex from the patterned box that was stationed there. She dabbed at the edges of her eyes and wrapped her arms around her frame, cradling the broken bits of her in front of the only person she believed could put them back together, but simply didn't possed the faculties to do so anymore. Her mother was never one to coddle even when she was aware. Self-comfort was simply a means of survival as much now as it has always been.

Abigale watched her all the while, worry falling over her time-worn features. She was quiet for a moment, as though considering what should be said to comfort the woman in her room. She was clearly upset though she couldn't imagine why.

"Dear...I'm sorry if you're upset." Her voice was quiet and gentle. The radio, as if deciding to attempt and cut the tension began to play 'Ain't Too Proud To Beg' by The Temptations. It felt cruel in context to Denise, but Abigale lit up and even clapped. "Oh, I love this song, don't you?"

Denise did, in fact, but she was in no mood. She simply cleaned up her face and made her way back to the stool, snatching the color from the table and shaking the bottle again. She told herself she would not speak again if she could help it. Today was one of those 'bad days' they talk about in her support groups. It was healthier not to take part in it for her own sanity. But then her mother said the most incredible thing.

"You used to sing this song and dance around the kitchen when we would clean up after dinner. It always tickled me. You have such a lovely singing voice. It's a pity you wouldn't sing for the church choir. I suppose you had too much personality for it, really. Such a big voice for such a skinny little thing."

Denise froze. A droplet of polish fell from the brush onto her skirt, but she hardly noticed or cared. "You...you remember that, Mama?"

Abigale grinned. "Oh, of course, Denise. How could I forget?"

They smiled at one another. Recognition flashing across Abigale's face, and relief washing over Denise's. And for that brief and fleeting moment, Denise felt whole again.