#spiff replies

[unreliabletv]

vro vro can i know what your cruel king blog's @ is vro. I wanted to make a cruel king ask blog account but then i found out there already was one and its yours but i CANT FIND IT WHAT IS IT :broken_heart:

@artic-king IS MY CRUEL KING BLOG!! You can still make your own blog of him too if you'd want! Honestly we just need more Block Tales parody blogs, there are barely any here 💔💔💔

[rumblecrow]

Daniel gonna be streaming soon, and im gonna be sketching while watching him. But i want to say as someone who is very new to this community i just want to thank you all, you have all been very kind to me <33

I know i have been drawing RT but im gonna draw other people here too. Spiff has been in my radar awhile and i really want to draw something for him too, some of their old collab dynamics is so funny to me. Clueless guy and his definitely not evil very much human jester/advisor.

[kouros-herc]

Maybe... maybe for Prom, he could think about getting something tailored, or some special occasion that might come up when he wanted to look extra nice. But for the moment he couldn't ever imagine being a person who simply got things customised to actually fit him properly.

"Oh, I mean... obviously it's a bit more casual?" So he wouldn't wear it to all the same occasions he'd wear a proper shirt? Right? That said it was a whole lot more formal than the t-shirts he often settled for. "But I like the green," he said, almost quietly and as if he didn't want to be heard. Hercules smiled to himself. He knew green was a good colour for him, people always said that about redheads, that dark green looked good on them but... yeah. He really liked it, it looked nice.

It made him look like some confident guy, it showed off his physique without looking too tight or that it was trying to, it made him look like ... some successful business owner, ready to give a TedTalk or something. Not just him.

Ken felt like he was back having that conversation with Mary again, unable to understand people's aversions to getting nice things and then treating them as they needed to be treated. Not everything needed to be tailored but a nice pair of trousers? So that they could get their worth in wear? What was so insane about that instead of spending the money on a pair that didn't fit right but putting up with it? Wouldn't the not-putting-up-with-it and looking nice in them make it worth the money?

But he didn't want Hercules to get mad at him the way Mary had seemed to. He wasn't averse to confrontation or anything like that, but Hercules was already doing something that had obviously made him uncomfortable. Not the time.

This was very motivating to become better at sewing, though, so that Ken himself could do the altering for people like Mary and Hercules so they didn't have to worry about it.

"Yeah, absolutely," he said with a nod and smile. "But you do like it, right? How do you feel about the polo rather than the usual button down?"

[humblewarriorgentleman]

"Calvin? Calvin, sweetheart?"

In the darkness Calvin heard the sound of Susie, his wife of fifty-three years. Calvin struggled to open his eyes. God, he was so tired and it took so much strength. Slowly, light replaced the darkness, and soon vision followed. At the foot of his bed stood his wife. Calvin wet his dry lips and spoke hoarsely, "Did... did you.... find him?"

"Yes dear," Susie said smiling sadly, "He was in the attic."

Susie reached into her big purse and brought out a soft, old, orange tiger doll. Calvin could not help but laugh. It had been so long. Too long.

"I washed him for you," Susie said, her voice cracking a little as she laid the stuffed tiger next to her husband.

"Thank you, Susie." Calvin said.

A few moments passed as Calvin just laid on his hospital bed, his head turned to the side, staring at the old toy with nostalgia.

"Dear," Calvin said finally. "Would you mind leaving me alone with Hobbes for a while? I would like to catch up with him."

"All right," Susie said. "I'll get something to eat in the cafeteria. I'll be back soon."

Susie kissed her huband on the forehead and turned to leave. With sudden but gentle strength Calvin stopped her. Lovingly he pulled his wife in and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips. "I love you," he said.

"And I love you," said Susie.

Susie turned and left. Calvin saw tears streaming from her face as she went out the door.

Calvin then turned to face his oldest and dearest friend. "Hello Hobbes. It's been a long time hasn't it old pal?"

Hobbes was no longer a stuffed doll but the big furry old tiger Calvin had always remembered. "It sure has, Calvin." said Hobbes.

"You... haven't changed a bit." Calvin smiled.

"You've changed a lot." Hobbes said sadly.

Calvin laughed, "Really? I haven't noticed at all."

There was a long pause. The sound of a clock ticking away the seconds rang throughout the sterile hospital room.

"So... you married Susie Derkins." Hobbes said, finally smiling. "I knew you always like her."

"Shut up!" Calvin said, his smile bigger than ever.

"Tell me everything I missed. I'd love to hear what you've been up to!" Hobbes said, excited.

And so Calvin told him everything. He told him about how he and Susie fell in love in high school and had married after graduating from college, about his three kids and four grandkids, how he turned Spaceman Spiff into one of the most popular sci-fi novels of the decade, and so on. After he told Hobbes all this there was another pregnant pause.

"You know... I visited you in the attic a bunch of times." Calvin said.

"I know."

"But I couldn't see you. All I saw was a stuffed animal." Calvin voice was breaking and tears of regret started welling up in his eyes.

"You grew up old buddy." said Hobbes.

Calvin broke down and sobbed, hugging his best friend. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry I broke my promise! I promised I wouldn't grow up and that we'd be together forever!!"

Hobbes stroke the Calvin's hair, or what little was left of it. "But you didn't."

"What do you mean?"

"We were always together... in our dreams."

"We were?"

"We were."

"Hobbes?"

"Yeah, old buddy?"

"I'm so glad I got to see you like this... one last time..."

"Me too, Calvin. Me too."

"Sweetheart?" Susie voice came from outside the door.

"Yes dear?" Calvin replied.

"Can I come in?" Susie asked.

"Just a minute."

Calvin turned to face Hobbes one last time. "Goodbye Hobbes. Thanks... for everything..."

"No, thank you Calvin." Hobbes said.

Calvin turned back to the door and said, "You can come in now."

Susie came in and said, "Look who's come to visit you."

Calvin's children and grandchildren followed Susie into Calvin's room. The youngest grandchild ran past the rest of them and hugged Calvin in a hard, excited hug. "Grandpa!!" screamed the child in delight.

"Francis!" cried Calvin's daughter, "Be gentle with your grandfather."

Calvin's daughter turned to her dad. "I'm sorry, Daddy. Francis never seems to behave these days. He just runs around making a mess and coming up with strange stories."

Calvin laughed and said, "Well now! That sound just like me when I was his age."

Calvin and his family chatted some more until a nurse said, "Sorry, but visiting hours are almost up."

Calvin's beloved family said good bye and promised to visit tommorrow. As they turned to leave Calvin said, "Francis. Come here for a second."

Francis came over to his grandfather's side, "What is it Gramps?"

Calvin reached over to the stuffed tiger on his bedside and and held him out shakily to his grandson, who looked exactly as he did so many years ago. "This is Hobbes. He was my best friend when I was your age. I want you to have him."

"He's just a stuffed tiger." Francis said, eyebrows raised.

Calvin laughed, "Well, let me tell you a secret."

Francis leaned closer to Clavin. Calvin whispered, "If you catch him in a tiger trap using a tuna sandwich as bait he will turn into a real tiger."

Francis gasped in delighted awe. Calvin continued, "Not only that he will be your best friend forever."

"Wow! Thanks grandpa!" Francis said, hugging his grandpa tightly again.

"Francis! We need to go now!" Calvin's daughter called.

"Okay!" Francis shouted back.

"Take good care of him." Calvin said.

"I will." Francis said before running off after the rest of the family.

Calvin laid on his back and stared at the ceiling. The time to go was close. He could feel it in his soul. Calvin tried to remember a quote he read in a book once. It said something about death being the next great adventure or something like that. He eyelids grew heavy and his breathing slowed. As he went deeper into his final sleep he heard Hobbes, as if he was right next to him at his bedside. "I'll take care of him, Calvin..."

Calvin took his first step toward one more adventure and breathed his last with a grin on his face.

Credit to Redditor samuraitiger19

His reply to the comments there 10 years ago

EDIT: Wow... just wow... I am speechless here guys. I did not expect such a reaction to my story or prompt. I am not worthy of your praise or your gold. I am truly humbled. Thanks so much! I'm truly glad so my story touched so many people.

[floridaboiler]

"Calvin? Calvin, sweetheart?"

In the darkness Calvin heard the sound of Susie, his wife of fifty-three years. Calvin struggled to open his eyes. God, he was so tired and it took so much strength. Slowly, light replaced the darkness, and soon vision followed. At the foot of his bed stood his wife. Calvin wet his dry lips and spoke hoarsely, "Did... did you.... find him?"

"Yes dear," Susie said smiling sadly, "He was in the attic.

"Susie reached into her big purse and brought out a soft, old, orange tiger doll. Calvin could not help but laugh. It had been so long. Too long.

"I washed him for you," Susie said, her voice cracking a little as she laid the stuffed tiger next to her husband.

"Thank you, Susie." Calvin said. A few moments passed as Calvin just laid on his hospital bed, his head turned to the side, staring at the old toy with nostalgia.

"Dear," Calvin said finally. "Would you mind leaving me alone with Hobbes for a while? I would like to catch up with him."

"All right," Susie said. "I'll get something to eat in the cafeteria. I'll be back soon."

Susie kissed her husband on the forehead and turned to leave. With sudden but gentle strength Calvin stopped her. Lovingly he pulled his wife in and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips. "I love you," he said.

"And I love you," said Susie.

Susie turned and left. Calvin saw tears streaming from her face as she went out the door.Calvin then turned to face his oldest and dearest friend. "Hello Hobbes. It's been a long time hasn't it old pal?"

Hobbes was no longer a stuffed doll but the big furry old tiger Calvin had always remembered. "It sure has, Calvin." said Hobbes.

"You... haven't changed a bit." Calvin smiled.

"You've changed a lot." Hobbes said sadly.

Calvin laughed, "Really? I haven't noticed at all.

"There was a long pause. The sound of a clock ticking away the seconds rang throughout the sterile hospital room.

"So... you married Susie Derkins." Hobbes said, finally smiling. "I knew you always like her."

"Shut up!" Calvin said, his smile bigger than ever.

"Tell me everything I missed. I'd love to hear what you've been up to!" Hobbes said, excited.

And so Calvin told him everything. He told him about how he and Susie fell in love in high school and had married after graduating from college, about his three kids and four grandkids, how he turned Spaceman Spiff into one of the most popular sci-fi novels of the decade, and so on. After he told Hobbes all this there was another pregnant pause.

"You know... I visited you in the attic a bunch of times." Calvin said."I know."

"But I couldn't see you. All I saw was a stuffed animal." Calvin voice was breaking and tears of regret started welling up in his eyes."You grew up old buddy." said Hobbes.

Calvin broke down and sobbed, hugging his best friend. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry I broke my promise! I promised I wouldn't grow up and that we'd be together forever!!"Hobbes stroke the Calvin's hair, or what little was left of it. "But you didn't."

"What do you mean?"

"We were always together... in our dreams."

"We were?"

"We were."

"Hobbes?"

"Yeah, old buddy?"

"I'm so glad I got to see you like this... one last time..."

"Me too, Calvin. Me too."

"Sweetheart?" Susie voice came from outside the door.

"Yes dear?" Calvin replied.

"Can I come in?" Susie asked.

"Just a minute.

"Calvin turned to face Hobbes one last time. "Goodbye Hobbes. Thanks... for everything...""No, thank you Calvin." Hobbes said.

Calvin turned back to the door and said, "You can come in now.

"Susie came in and said, "Look who's come to visit you.

"Calvin's children and grandchildren followed Susie into Calvin's room. The youngest grandchild ran past the rest of them and hugged Calvin in a hard, excited hug. "Grandpa!!" screamed the child in delight.

"Francis!" cried Calvin's daughter, "Be gentle with your grandfather.

"Calvin's daughter turned to her dad. "I'm sorry, Daddy. Francis never seems to behave these days. He just runs around making a mess and coming up with strange stories.

"Calvin laughed and said, "Well now! That sound just like me when I was his age.

"Calvin and his family chatted some more until a nurse said, "Sorry, but visiting hours are almost up.

"Calvin's beloved family said good bye and promised to visit tomorrow. As they turned to leave Calvin said, "Francis. Come here for a second.

"Francis came over to his grandfather's side, "What is it Gramps?"

Calvin reached over to the stuffed tiger on his bedside and and held him out shakily to his grandson, who looked exactly as he did so many years ago. "This is Hobbes. He was my best friend when I was your age. I want you to have him.""

He's just a stuffed tiger." Francis said, eyebrows raised.

Calvin laughed, "Well, let me tell you a secret.

"Francis leaned closer to Calvin. Calvin whispered, "If you catch him in a tiger trap using a tuna sandwich as bait he will turn into a real tiger."

Francis gasped in delighted awe. Calvin continued, "Not only that he will be your best friend forever."

"Wow! Thanks grandpa!" Francis said, hugging his grandpa tightly again.

"Francis! We need to go now!" Calvin's daughter called.

"Okay!" Francis shouted back

."Take good care of him." Calvin said.

"I will." Francis said before running off after the rest of the family.

Calvin laid on his back and stared at the ceiling. The time to go was close. He could feel it in his soul. Calvin tried to remember a quote he read in a book once. It said something about death being the next great adventure or something like that. He eyelids grew heavy and his breathing slowed. As he went deeper into his final sleep he heard Hobbes, as if he was right next to him at his bedside. "I'll take care of him, Calvin..."Calvin took his first step toward one more adventure and breathed his last with a grin on his face.

Credits: samuraitiger19 - from redditNote from the author - on reddit: "Wow... just wow... I am speechless here guys. I did not expect such a reaction to my story or prompt. I am not worthy of your praise or your gold. I am truly humbled. Thanks so much! I'm truly glad so my story touched so many people".

https://www.facebook.com/groups/315603703347018

[cherrifire]

Hello this is probably super random but I’m personally curious on how to start working with content creators like people from the traffic life serries? Like specifically with YouTube video thumbnails. I really think it would be a good thing to try out and I feel confident in my skills to do it.

I'm unfortunately not going to be much help since I don't usually find work, work finds me. I don't even have my commissions page public yet and CCs keep showing up in my dms like "heyyyy 🥰"

I think the only time I specifically reached out to a creator was Rendog. He said something on stream about wanting to find an emote artist. Told stream to send artists to him on Twitter. So I decided to shoot my shot and sent him a message basically saying "Hey Ren, I heard you were looking for an artist! Here are some examples of my emote work, hope to hear from you soon <3" and it worked!

I guess in the case of Spiff and Martyn (who both just showed up one day), keep a steady social media. Regularly post art and keep up with the creators you like. If they see your work and they like it, they WILL do something about it. This doesn't always work of course and is not a genuine suggestion to find work, but this is how it happened for me.

The better advice I can give is in the case of Ren. Keep an eye out for opportunities and ALWAYS try to take them. The worst they can do is say no. So there is no harm in trying. When Creators want to commission an artist, they will sometimes go to the community to ask for suggestions. Tweets like "looking for an artist with ___ style, reply with examples or artists you think are good ^-^" are fairly common.

ALSO! This is going to sound so cliche, but take any job you can and PRACTICE. I MEAN IT MAN.

Reason 1: I started working for Grian because he saw my work through Martyn. Plus, Grian isn't the only one to find me this way.

Reason 2: Improvement is real and WILL get you.

As proof, here's my first and super ugly thumbnail from a year ago (don't be fooled by the high view count, the other videos around it had views in the millions. So this thumbnail did not help):

And here's my newest thumbnail:

Hope this helps at least a little. Sorry I can't say much else. Things just keep happening to me and I didn't do much to get there.

[sweetsbfreex]

the binky garden (the binky fairy pt 2)

summary: part two of the binky fairy. "Steve tries to make it up to y/n but we aren’t letting up so easily and gives the silent treatment bc they were supposed to be a team but doesn’t let up for like a couple hours or until the next day and then just fluff ? Idk if that even makes sense" +

""okay but now we need to see steve grovel and work his ass off to please his wife and get out of the doghouse right? right??????"

in the dad!mafia!steve universe

pairings: dad!mafia!steve rogers x wife!reader

warning: none really

-

After an hour or so working in his office, Steve heads to bed.

The moment he becomes in close proximity to the bed, his eyes fall on your sleeping figure, and the alarms in his head go off. His wife is facing away from his side of the bed. He noticed the wrinkle between your pinched eyebrows. That’s never a good sign. She went to bed simmering.

Most nights, you and he cuddle face-to-face every night. His palm would spoon the back of your head, as you rested your head on his chest, and their legs tangled together. As long as you were close to each other, you both were happy. 

Steve sighs, strips off his shirt and sweatpants. Leaving him in his underwear for the night. He knows his wife in and out, and he couldn’t blame her stubbornness on this. He had fucked up exponentially and all on his own account. 

Once he’s set his watch, signet ring, and wedding ring on the matching dish y/n had made years ago. He’s able to relax under the soft duvet, his body is able to finally relax when it hits the luxurious, plush mattress. Then, he’s rolling over to cuddle his girl. He's as close as he can get. With his arm thrown over your waist and his nose pressed against the back of your neck. 

“Just because I am allowing you to cuddle with me doesn’t mean I'm no longer upset,” you mumble sleepily. 

“What?” Steve utters, propping his body up with his elbow. 

“You heard me,” you say sleepily. 

“Fine.” Steve replied curtly. He repositions himself, before placing a kiss to your cheek. 

“Don’t push it,” you tell him, bringing a hand to push his face back.

Not only does it hurt, but it fucking sucks. He doesn’t enjoy the fact that you’re so upset over this. Not even allowing a pert kiss on the cheek. But he loves you just as much as he respects you. 

What he hates most of all is how you wouldn’t look at him as you spoke, let alone open your eyes, as you feigned sleep. 

This was going to be one long, tortuous night. 

-

The next morning, you wake up alone in bed. Fortunately, you can’t help but think. It gives you the chance to avoid the elephant in the room a bit longer. 

You get yourself ready for the day. Your stomach in turns to be honest. You didn’t like fighting with Steve. You absolutely hated it. And unlike most, you could say it didn’t happen often between you two.

Nonetheless, you’re finally ready for the day. You walk down the extravagant staircase in mom jeans, sneakers, and one of Steve’s tee shirts (ironically enough). 

Elysia sits in her highchair. Her hair is in bunnies as she shrieks along to the Frozen soundtrack playing from Steve’s phone. 

Steve stands in the kitchen, cutting an apple for Elysia. 

You walk up to Elysia, hand cupping her cheek. 

“Good morning, baby.” 

You go to kiss her plump cheek, only to be met with a whine from your little one. Elysia shakes her head, pouts, and crosses her arms over her chest. 

“No! Mean mommy. Take away my binky,” she spouts, eyes closed as she looks away. 

You stood to your full height, mouth dropped in surprise. Your eyes tie to Steve’s distraught, surprised ones for a millisecond, before you turn back to the pouting (age)

You know your toddler has the dramatics of a soap opera. This wasn’t a small spiff of you having her use the potty in the morning, even though she didn’t want to. She truly was cross with you. In her eyes, you had taken a treasured item from her. This is exactly what you didn’t want to happen. 

“Honey, don’t you remember what we talked about? The fairies need them for the smaller babies who don’t have one.”

She keeps her pout, but you watch her resolve begin to break when she finally decides to face you. 

“I miss my binky.” she says solemnly, looking up at you with those big eyes. Eyes Steve could never hold out against.

You know exactly what she’s doing, but you won’t fall for it and give in. As much as you want to pinch her cheeks and pop her binky into her mouth, you don’t. 

You sigh, “Did I ever tell you about the really nice gifts the binky fairy leaves?”

She shakes her head with wide, eager eyes. Just waiting for you to spit it out!

-

Even though you had slowly broken Elysia’s resolve. The day continued with Elysia being slightly short with you. She didn’t prefer you to hold her, didn’t want you to feed her, and god forbid you try and play with her. She wouldn’t allow it without the promise of getting her binky back. For a two-year-old, she knew exactly how to play her cards.

It wasn't until a few hours later that Elysia toddles to you, her tail between her legs as she apologized. Or tries to, as the three of you have been working on it for a while. You know it’s for sure Steve's doing. 

In addition to Elyisa’s newfound attitude grew the tension between you and Steve. He was feeling guilty over the whole thing, and you didn’t feel any amount of remorse in that. 

At one point in the afternoon, you roll your eyes walking past the white roses spread about your bedroom. And two purses you’ve been eyeing for a while sitting pretty on your side of the bed. A lovely note attached to them. 

Currently, you’ve made your way to the kitchen and are rummaging through the fridge for you cranberry brie bites. 

Elysia was down for her nap so this would be the perfect time to go for the kill. Steve shadows over your hunched figure as you look for something in the fridge. His hand caressing your hip as he tried to get your attention. 

“Doll” his voice tender as he says your name. There’s a hint of desperation in his voice, you note.

You ignore him, continuing your search for the brie. Naturally, you can’t help the butterflies when Steve’s other hand moves your hair to the side, pressing light kisses to the back of your neck. 

“I’m upset with you. Did you forget?” You can continue your search, begging your voice to remain calm.

“What do I have to do to make you not so upset with me?” He strategically lowers his voice in that soft, sultry way. The one that makes you so weak that you end up falling in bed with him every time. 

You ignore him again, taking in his roaming hand.

“Hm?” He kisses between your shoulder and neck. 

“I don’t know,” you shrug. 

“There has to be something. Anything.” 

You turn abruptly, “All I know is: I’m still really pissed off and a little hurt. And I’m not being dramatic this time, you let me think I had finally weaned her off her pacifier, just for me to end up being the bad guy because you were sneaking it to her this whole time” you huff. “And you shoving yourself on me is not helping.”

“Shoving myself?” He sounds offended and taken aback at the last part of your vehement.  

“Yes.” 

Maybe shoving wasn’t the perfect word choice. 

“Okay.” He exhales, resting his hands on his hips. “I’ve let you simmer in your anger all day, I’ve given you your space, and I’ve been patient. But now we’re talking it out.”

“And if I don’t want to?,” You tell him, raising an eyebrow in challenge.  

But Steve has had it. His fingers gripping your chin gently as he turns your face, “Sit down, Y/n. I’m not asking again.” 

You’re taken aback by his gesture, but in a concerningly good way. You concede as you follow him to the main living room. You sit on the couch while Steve makes a point to sit on the center table, his knees brushing yours. 

“Why are you upset?” Is the first thing Steve says. 

“Oh my god, Steve. Why do you think?”

“Well obviously I understand the reason, I just don’t understand why. It’s just a pacifier, what's the big deal.”

She loves this man with her whole heart, but my god, could he be frustrating at times.

“Right now isn't just about a binky, then it’ll turn to curfews, deciding when she can date, when she can dye her hair— we’re supposed to be a unified front. And I don’t want us to do things behind each other’s backs because we disagree. and letting Lys see that too is another thing. I don’t wanna seem like a bad parent, Steve, and it sucks that you let me celebrate this milestone when you knew it wasn’t true.”

“Baby,” Steve breathes as he grasps your hand and pulls on your arm, tugging you onto his lap. When you’re seated, he caresses the cut of your jaw, kissing the corner of your lips. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see it that way and it wasn’t my intention to hurt you either. I promise it was only supposed to be one time, but it got out of hand when she kept pulling those damn puppy eyes.” 

You gently laugh at the last part. “She can be very convincing,” you tell him.

“She can…and I don’t want you to think I don’t respect any of the opinions you have towards Elysia.”

You smile at his admission, “I’m sorry for the way I acted.”

“It’s alright, I understand. And while we’re at it, I don't like you walking around as if i’m not here. I mean, not even a good morning?”

“I’m sorry. I’ll work on it, I promise.” You pull his face to yours. “Do you want a blowie to make up for it?” You mumble against his lips. 

Steve smirks at your proposal, dragging a hand down to squeeze your ass, “As long as I get to show you how sorry I am.”

“Deal.” you kiss his lips and before you know it, you’re being thrown back onto the couch. Steve hovers over you, his gold pendant resting against your collarbone. “Steve!” you laugh. 

Steve lifts himself up with one arm, while he turns the other to glance at his exorbitant watch, “We have about fifteen minutes until she wakes up from her nap.” Steve informs you, descending to place a peck on your lips before eagerly tugging your jeans down. 

-

It’s a bright and sunny day. The three of you are in your backyard, behind the gazebo where your flowers, fruits, and veggies stay.

You and Steve are knelt on either side of Elysia who stands with her bag of binkies clutched in her hands. 

“You ready?” You ask her softly, running your hand over her hair. 

“Will I get lots of stuff?” She looks up to you. 

“Lots and lots of stuff.” You promise. 

“Okay..” she’s still unsure about it, but the promise of new things was enough to reel her in. 

The three of you begin to shovel a hole big enough for the ziploc bag. When you're done, you all sit back. 

“Ready, babydoll?” Steve asks. He smiles when she nods her head. 

“I am so proud of you,” you praise your little one, kissing her cheek. 

Elysia smiles at the praise and quickly drops the ziploc bag into the hole, “We can cover it.”

So the three of you do just that and then she picks up her watercan to water the spot. 

-

The next morning is like christmas. Elysia comes running into your bedroom. The bed is still too high for her, so she stands at the end of the bed, jumping in her spot.

“Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!”

“Lys,” you groan. 

“We have to go outside!” 

When Elysia’s contagious energy rubs off on you and Steve. The three of you finally make it outside. Pajamas and all. She was eager more than ever to make it outside. None of your voices had even settled before you got out here, voices still gravely and full of sleep. 

You and Steve each hold one of Elysia’s hands as you walk to the garden. She babbles on with excitement, trying to get her father to indulge in it too. Her father who trudged along and rubbed the scruff of his beard and eyes every five seconds. 

But when Elysia finally sees the flourished part of where her Binkys are planted, her small hands cover her mouth in surprise. She bounces in glee, running towards the patch. Her excited giggles fill the air and her eyes brighten, in awe at every gift. 

There’s a variation of sealed lollipops, sealed cake pops, and new fisher-price little people figures. Everything on sticks looks like they were grown from the ground. 

“Mommy! Daddy! Look, look, look” she points behind her. “I gots new stuff!”

-

a/n: after months of waiting, i hope you enjoyed it!!!! a lot of people asked for a part 2, so i hope i lived up to your expectations <333

if you enjoyed pls don’t forget to reblog or give feedback 💐

[artic-king]

Ah.. Greetings.

I welcome you to Blackrock, my kingdom. You're welcomed to stay here as long as you'd like, and to ask me what you want.

Enjoy your stay in my kingdom.

Just some rules for you all to follow. — Ask what you want, but I do implore you to not ask anything suggestive, or anything in that matter. — I ask you all to be polite. — I'll have my guards expel you from my kingdom if need be. — If I have to add more, I will, though I believe these will work for now.

Spiff here again! This game has me in a grip, I needed to make a blog for this guy HCs galore!! I'll make a HC post eventually (hopefully)

Note I am very forgetful and most likely will forget to respond/reply to asks so if you want to remind me to I won't mind!! I'd appreciate it a bunch honestly

— Icon by @/0MNIOXI on Youtube — IC will be Blue — OOC will be Colourless — I follow from @/unreliabletv

Enjoy!!

[accessiblecalvinhobbes]

10 Panel Comic - Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson. Calvin is a young boy often in a striped shirt. He has an imaginary tiger friend named Hobbes. When Calvin is alone Hobbes is a tiger who stands on his hind feet and talks only to Calvin. Others see Hobbes as a stuffed tiger toy that Calvin carries with him. This particular strip on this date was in full color.

Panel 1: A pink, purple and blue barren rocky terrain is under the words "Calvin and Hobbes" in yellow. There is a yellow space space that is shaped like an airplane approaching the planet.

Panel 2: Calvin is dressed like Spaceman Spiff who has a futuristic body suit with round sleeves and a rectangle pair of glasses on. His eyes look to be a single line. He is holding onto a space blaster. At top it says "Our hero, the valiant spaceman Spiff, is marooned on a strange world..." Spiff says "I'll set my mertilizer on "deep fat fry".

Panel 3: Miss Wormwood, Calvin's teacher is holding a pointing stick over one shoulder, dressed in a green dress with yellow spots, as she stands before Calvin's school desk. Calvin's head is turned and he is leaning on his hands. He has a far off look with a smile on his face as he is day dreaming. Miss Wormwood says "Calvin! You're not paying attention!"

Panel 4: Spiff is hiding behind a purple rock and behind him is a green with yellow spots alien with a pig snout nose on the other side of the rock. The alien is growling and making "Gronk! Argh!" sounds. At the top it says "... We join Spaceman Spiff on the distant planet Zorg". Spaceman Spiff holds onto the rock with his back to it says "Zounds!"

Panel 5: At the top it says "Trapped by a hideous Graknil, Spiff draws his trusty atomic napalm neutralizer!" Spiff clenches his teeth as he brings both hands together to hold his space blaster. A red ray comes from it as Spiff says "Chew electric death, Snarling Cur!"

Panel 6: At the top, it says "But the weapon is useless! Spiff is doomed!" The green and yellow alien's mouth is closed with a black char mark where it had been. Spiff looks a bit surprised.

Panel 7: At the top, it says "Our hero makes a break, and ducks into a nearby cave!" Spiff is running across the pink planet's surface toward a cave.

Panel 8: It is pitch black and only the two yellow squares of Spiff's eyes are visible. He says "Weeooo! What's that awful smell?"

Panel 9: Spiff is surprised as the lights turn on and he is surrounded by aliens. There are two large ooze types on the left that are shades of orange. One has a long neck and looks like a giraffe with one large eye in the center of its face. And the one on the right has a long nose like an anteater, but yellow. Spiff shouts "Eep!"

Panel 10: Calvin is shown running down the hall of his school having just slammed the door Teacher's lounge. From inside the lounge are two voices. One asks "Who was that?" and the other replies "Beats me, Fred."

[alphaman99]

Calvin and Hobbes  ·

Calvin? Calvin, sweetheart?"

In the darkness Calvin heard the sound of Susie, his wife of fifty-three years. Calvin struggled to open his eyes. God, he was so tired and it took so much strength. Slowly, light replaced the darkness, and soon vision followed. At the foot of his bed stood his wife. Calvin wet his dry lips and spoke hoarsely, "Did... did you.... find him?"

"Yes dear," Susie said smiling sadly, "He was in the attic."

Susie reached into her big purse and brought out a soft, old, orange tiger doll. Calvin could not help but laugh. It had been so long. Too long.

"I washed him for you," Susie said, her voice cracking a little as she laid the stuffed tiger next to her husband.

"Thank you, Susie." Calvin said.

A few moments passed as Calvin just laid on his hospital bed, his head turned to the side, staring at the old toy with nostalgia.

"Dear," Calvin said finally. "Would you mind leaving me alone with Hobbes for a while? I would like to catch up with him."

"All right," Susie said. "I'll get something to eat in the cafeteria. I'll be back soon."

Susie kissed her huband on the forehead and turned to leave. With sudden but gentle strength Calvin stopped her. Lovingly he pulled his wife in and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips. "I love you," he said.

"And I love you," said Susie.

Susie turned and left. Calvin saw tears streaming from her face as she went out the door.

Calvin then turned to face his oldest and dearest friend. "Hello Hobbes. It's been a long time hasn't it old pal?"

Hobbes was no longer a stuffed doll but the big furry old tiger Calvin had always remembered. "It sure has, Calvin." said Hobbes.

"You... haven't changed a bit." Calvin smiled.

"You've changed a lot." Hobbes said sadly.

Calvin laughed, "Really? I haven't noticed at all."

There was a long pause. The sound of a clock ticking away the seconds rang throughout the sterile hospital room.

"So... you married Susie Derkins." Hobbes said, finally smiling. "I knew you always like her."

"Shut up!" Calvin said, his smile bigger than ever.

"Tell me everything I missed. I'd love to hear what you've been up to!" Hobbes said, excited.

And so Calvin told him everything. He told him about how he and Susie fell in love in high school and had married after graduating from college, about his three kids and four grandkids, how he turned Spaceman Spiff into one of the most popular sci-fi novels of the decade, and so on. After he told Hobbes all this there was another pregnant pause.

"You know... I visited you in the attic a bunch of times." Calvin said.

"I know."

"But I couldn't see you. All I saw was a stuffed animal." Calvin voice was breaking and tears of regret started welling up in his eyes.

"You grew up old buddy." said Hobbes.

Calvin broke down and sobbed, hugging his best friend. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry I broke my promise! I promised I wouldn't grow up and that we'd be together forever!!"

Hobbes stroke the Calvin's hair, or what little was left of it. "But you didn't."

"What do you mean?"

"We were always together... in our dreams."

"We were?"

"We were."

"Hobbes?"

"Yeah, old buddy?"

"I'm so glad I got to see you like this... one last time..."

"Me too, Calvin. Me too."

"Sweetheart?" Susie voice came from outside the door.

"Yes dear?" Calvin replied.

"Can I come in?" Susie asked.

"Just a minute."

Calvin turned to face Hobbes one last time. "Goodbye Hobbes. Thanks... for everything..."

"No, thank you Calvin." Hobbes said.

Calvin turned back to the door and said, "You can come in now."

Susie came in and said, "Look who's come to visit you."

Calvin's children and grandchildren followed Susie into Calvin's room. The youngest grandchild ran past the rest of them and hugged Calvin in a hard, excited hug. "Grandpa!!" screamed the child in delight.

"Francis!" cried Calvin's daughter, "Be gentle with your grandfather."

Calvin's daughter turned to her dad. "I'm sorry, Daddy. Francis never seems to behave these days. He just runs around making a mess and coming up with strange stories."

Calvin laughed and said, "Well now! That sound just like me when I was his age."

Calvin and his family chatted some more until a nurse said, "Sorry, but visiting hours are almost up."

Calvin's beloved family said good bye and promised to visit tommorrow. As they turned to leave Calvin said, "Francis. Come here for a second."

Francis came over to his grandfather's side, "What is it Gramps?"

Calvin reached over to the stuffed tiger on his bedside and and held him out shakily to his grandson, who looked exactly as he did so many years ago. "This is Hobbes. He was my best friend when I was your age. I want you to have him."

"He's just a stuffed tiger." Francis said, eyebrows raised.

Calvin laughed, "Well, let me tell you a secret."

Francis leaned closer to Clavin. Calvin whispered, "If you catch him in a tiger trap using a tuna sandwich as bait he will turn into a real tiger."

Francis gasped in delighted awe. Calvin continued, "Not only that he will be your best friend forever."

"Wow! Thanks grandpa!" Francis said, hugging his grandpa tightly again.

"Francis! We need to go now!" Calvin's daughter called.

"Okay!" Francis shouted back.

"Take good care of him." Calvin said.

"I will." Francis said before running off after the rest of the family.

Calvin laid on his back and stared at the ceiling. The time to go was close. He could feel it in his soul. Calvin tried to remember a quote he read in a book once. It said something about death being the next great adventure or something like that. He eyelids grew heavy and his breathing slowed. As he went deeper into his final sleep he heard Hobbes, as if he was right next to him at his bedside. "I'll take care of him, Calvin..."

Calvin took his first step toward one more adventure and breathed his last with a grin on his face #calvinandhobbes #comics #billwatterson #hobbies

[strictlyfavorites]

"Calvin? Calvin, sweetheart?”

In the darkness Calvin heard the sound of Susie, his wife of fifty-three years. Calvin struggled to open his eyes. God, he was so tired and it took so much strength. Slowly, light replaced the darkness, and soon vision followed. At the foot of his bed stood his wife. Calvin wet his dry lips and spoke hoarsely, “Did… did you…. find him?”

“Yes dear,” Susie said smiling sadly, “He was in the attic.

"Susie reached into her big purse and brought out a soft, old, orange tiger doll. Calvin could not help but laugh. It had been so long. Too long.

"I washed him for you,” Susie said, her voice cracking a little as she laid the stuffed tiger next to her husband.

“Thank you, Susie.” Calvin said. A few moments passed as Calvin just laid on his hospital bed, his head turned to the side, staring at the old toy with nostalgia.

“Dear,” Calvin said finally. “Would you mind leaving me alone with Hobbes for a while? I would like to catch up with him.”

“All right,” Susie said. “I’ll get something to eat in the cafeteria. I’ll be back soon.”

Susie kissed her husband on the forehead and turned to leave. With sudden but gentle strength Calvin stopped her. Lovingly he pulled his wife in and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips. “I love you,” he said.

“And I love you,” said Susie.

Susie turned and left. Calvin saw tears streaming from her face as she went out the door.Calvin then turned to face his oldest and dearest friend. “Hello Hobbes. It’s been a long time hasn’t it old pal?”

Hobbes was no longer a stuffed doll but the big furry old tiger Calvin had always remembered. “It sure has, Calvin.” said Hobbes.

“You… haven’t changed a bit.” Calvin smiled.

“You’ve changed a lot.” Hobbes said sadly.

Calvin laughed, “Really? I haven’t noticed at all.

"There was a long pause. The sound of a clock ticking away the seconds rang throughout the sterile hospital room.

"So… you married Susie Derkins.” Hobbes said, finally smiling. “I knew you always like her.”

“Shut up!” Calvin said, his smile bigger than ever.

“Tell me everything I missed. I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to!” Hobbes said, excited.

And so Calvin told him everything. He told him about how he and Susie fell in love in high school and had married after graduating from college, about his three kids and four grandkids, how he turned Spaceman Spiff into one of the most popular sci-fi novels of the decade, and so on. After he told Hobbes all this there was another pregnant pause.

“You know… I visited you in the attic a bunch of times.” Calvin said.“I know.”

“But I couldn’t see you. All I saw was a stuffed animal.” Calvin voice was breaking and tears of regret started welling up in his eyes.“You grew up old buddy.” said Hobbes.

Calvin broke down and sobbed, hugging his best friend. “I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry I broke my promise! I promised I wouldn’t grow up and that we’d be together forever!!"Hobbes stroke the Calvin’s hair, or what little was left of it. "But you didn’t.”

“What do you mean?”

“We were always together… in our dreams.”

“We were?”

“We were.”

“Hobbes?”

“Yeah, old buddy?”

“I’m so glad I got to see you like this… one last time…”

“Me too, Calvin. Me too.”

“Sweetheart?” Susie voice came from outside the door.

“Yes dear?” Calvin replied.

“Can I come in?” Susie asked.

“Just a minute.

"Calvin turned to face Hobbes one last time. "Goodbye Hobbes. Thanks… for everything…”“No, thank you Calvin.” Hobbes said.

Calvin turned back to the door and said, “You can come in now.

"Susie came in and said, "Look who’s come to visit you.

"Calvin’s children and grandchildren followed Susie into Calvin’s room. The youngest grandchild ran past the rest of them and hugged Calvin in a hard, excited hug. "Grandpa!!” screamed the child in delight.

“Francis!” cried Calvin’s daughter, “Be gentle with your grandfather.

"Calvin’s daughter turned to her dad. "I’m sorry, Daddy. Francis never seems to behave these days. He just runs around making a mess and coming up with strange stories.

"Calvin laughed and said, "Well now! That sound just like me when I was his age.

"Calvin and his family chatted some more until a nurse said, "Sorry, but visiting hours are almost up.

"Calvin’s beloved family said good bye and promised to visit tomorrow. As they turned to leave Calvin said, "Francis. Come here for a second.

"Francis came over to his grandfather’s side, "What is it Gramps?”

Calvin reached over to the stuffed tiger on his bedside and and held him out shakily to his grandson, who looked exactly as he did so many years ago. “This is Hobbes. He was my best friend when I was your age. I want you to have him.”“

He’s just a stuffed tiger.” Francis said, eyebrows raised.

Calvin laughed, “Well, let me tell you a secret.

"Francis leaned closer to Calvin. Calvin whispered, "If you catch him in a tiger trap using a tuna sandwich as bait he will turn into a real tiger.”

Francis gasped in delighted awe. Calvin continued, “Not only that he will be your best friend forever.”

“Wow! Thanks grandpa!” Francis said, hugging his grandpa tightly again.

“Francis! We need to go now!” Calvin’s daughter called.

“Okay!” Francis shouted back

.“Take good care of him.” Calvin said.

“I will.” Francis said before running off after the rest of the family.

Calvin laid on his back and stared at the ceiling. The time to go was close. He could feel it in his soul. Calvin tried to remember a quote he read in a book once. It said something about death being the next great adventure or something like that. He eyelids grew heavy and his breathing slowed. As he went deeper into his final sleep he heard Hobbes, as if he was right next to him at his bedside. “I’ll take care of him, Calvin…"Calvin took his first step toward one more adventure and breathed his last with a grin on his face.

[unreliabletv]

zaggot

[artorojo]

'

"Calvin? Calvin, sweetheart?"

In the darkness Calvin heard the sound of Susie, his wife of fifty-three years. Calvin struggled to open his eyes. God, he was so tired and it took so much strength. Slowly, light replaced the darkness, and soon vision followed. At the foot of his bed stood his wife. Calvin wet his dry lips and spoke hoarsely, "Did... did you.... find him?"

"Yes dear," Susie said smiling sadly, "He was in the attic."

Susie reached into her big purse and brought out a soft, old, orange tiger doll. Calvin could not help but laugh. It had been so long. Too long.

"I washed him for you," Susie said, her voice cracking a little as she laid the stuffed tiger next to her husband.

"Thank you, Susie." Calvin said.

A few moments passed as Calvin just laid on his hospital bed, his head turned to the side, staring at the old toy with nostalgia.

"Dear," Calvin said finally. "Would you mind leaving me alone with Hobbes for a while? I would like to catch up with him."

"All right," Susie said. "I'll get something to eat in the cafeteria. I'll be back soon."

Susie kissed her huband on the forehead and turned to leave. With sudden but gentle strength Calvin stopped her. Lovingly he pulled his wife in and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips. "I love you," he said.

"And I love you," said Susie.

Susie turned and left. Calvin saw tears streaming from her face as she went out the door.

Calvin then turned to face his oldest and dearest friend. "Hello Hobbes. It's been a long time hasn't it old pal?"

Hobbes was no longer a stuffed doll but the big furry old tiger Calvin had always remembered. "It sure has, Calvin." said Hobbes.

"You... haven't changed a bit." Calvin smiled.

"You've changed a lot." Hobbes said sadly.

Calvin laughed, "Really? I haven't noticed at all."

There was a long pause. The sound of a clock ticking away the seconds rang throughout the sterile hospital room.

"So... you married Susie Derkins." Hobbes said, finally smiling. "I knew you always like her."

"Shut up!" Calvin said, his smile bigger than ever.

"Tell me everything I missed. I'd love to hear what you've been up to!" Hobbes said, excited.

And so Calvin told him everything. He told him about how he and Susie fell in love in high school and had married after graduating from college, about his three kids and four grandkids, how he turned Spaceman Spiff into one of the most popular sci-fi novels of the decade, and so on. After he told Hobbes all this there was another pregnant pause.

"You know... I visited you in the attic a bunch of times." Calvin said.

"I know."

"But I couldn't see you. All I saw was a stuffed animal." Calvin voice was breaking and tears of regret started welling up in his eyes.

"You grew up old buddy." said Hobbes.

Calvin broke down and sobbed, hugging his best friend. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry I broke my promise! I promised I wouldn't grow up and that we'd be together forever!!"

Hobbes stroke the Calvin's hair, or what little was left of it. "But you didn't."

"What do you mean?"

"We were always together... in our dreams."

"We were?"

"We were."

"Hobbes?"

"Yeah, old buddy?"

"I'm so glad I got to see you like this... one last time..."

"Me too, Calvin. Me too."

"Sweetheart?" Susie voice came from outside the door.

"Yes dear?" Calvin replied.

"Can I come in?" Susie asked.

"Just a minute."

Calvin turned to face Hobbes one last time. "Goodbye Hobbes. Thanks... for everything..."

"No, thank you Calvin." Hobbes said.

Calvin turned back to the door and said, "You can come in now."

Susie came in and said, "Look who's come to visit you."

Calvin's children and grandchildren followed Susie into Calvin's room. The youngest grandchild ran past the rest of them and hugged Calvin in a hard, excited hug. "Grandpa!!" screamed the child in delight.

"Francis!" cried Calvin's daughter, "Be gentle with your grandfather."

Calvin's daughter turned to her dad. "I'm sorry, Daddy. Francis never seems to behave these days. He just runs around making a mess and coming up with strange stories."

Calvin laughed and said, "Well now! That sound just like me when I was his age."

Calvin and his family chatted some more until a nurse said, "Sorry, but visiting hours are almost up."

Calvin's beloved family said good bye and promised to visit tommorrow. As they turned to leave Calvin said, "Francis. Come here for a second."

Francis came over to his grandfather's side, "What is it Gramps?"

Calvin reached over to the stuffed tiger on his bedside and and held him out shakily to his grandson, who looked exactly as he did so many years ago. "This is Hobbes. He was my best friend when I was your age. I want you to have him."

"He's just a stuffed tiger." Francis said, eyebrows raised.

Calvin laughed, "Well, let me tell you a secret."

Francis leaned closer to Clavin. Calvin whispered, "If you catch him in a tiger trap using a tuna sandwich as bait he will turn into a real tiger."

Francis gasped in delighted awe. Calvin continued, "Not only that he will be your best friend forever."

"Wow! Thanks grandpa!" Francis said, hugging his grandpa tightly again.

"Francis! We need to go now!" Calvin's daughter called.

"Okay!" Francis shouted back.

"Take good care of him." Calvin said.

"I will." Francis said before running off after the rest of the family.

Calvin laid on his back and stared at the ceiling. The time to go was close. He could feel it in his soul. Calvin tried to remember a quote he read in a book once. It said something about death being the next great adventure or something like that. He eyelids grew heavy and his breathing slowed. As he went deeper into his final sleep he heard Hobbes, as if he was right next to him at his bedside. "I'll take care of him, Calvin..."

Calvin took his first step toward one more adventure and breathed his last with a grin on his face.

[the-littlest-bot]

....[START_UP_SEQUENCE]....

ZZT- Wooaaw!! I've heard of this place before!! Others have been making thingys on here too... I hope they don't mind I join them on here!

Oh!! I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Prototype!! ^_^

Okay!! Some rules!: — Nothing dirty please! I'm not sure how I would even answer those... — Be nice!! — I'll have to ask you to leave if I don't want you here, sorry — Please don't make me add more :(

OOC: Spiff here again! Finally got this blog up I might not be as active (along with my other blogs) since of school, but I'll still try my best to reply to everyone! Just be patient please Everyone is free to interact please do I love this silly guy

— Icon by @/aminyashafr — IC will be Pink! — OOC will be Colourless — I follow from @/unreliabletv — Enjoy!!

(HC post eventually)

[cooterxp]

Calvin and Hobbes one last time..

Borrowed from another page

This one is a tear jerker....

"Calvin? Calvin, sweetheart?"

In the darkness Calvin heard the sound of Susie, his wife of fifty-three years. Calvin struggled to open his eyes. God, he was so tired and it took so much strength. Slowly, light replaced the darkness, and soon vision followed. At the foot of his bed stood his wife. Calvin wet his dry lips and spoke hoarsely, "Did... did you.... find him?"

"Yes dear," Susie said smiling sadly, "He was in the attic."

Susie reached into her big purse and brought out a soft, old, orange tiger doll. Calvin could not help but laugh. It had been so long. Too long.

"I washed him for you," Susie said, her voice cracking a little as she laid the stuffed tiger next to her husband.

"Thank you, Susie." Calvin said.

A few moments passed as Calvin just laid on his hospital bed, his head turned to the side, staring at the old toy with nostalgia.

"Dear," Calvin said finally. "Would you mind leaving me alone with Hobbes for a while? I would like to catch up with him."

"All right," Susie said. "I'll get something to eat in the cafeteria. I'll be back soon."

Susie kissed her husband on the forehead and turned to leave. With sudden but gentle strength Calvin stopped her. Lovingly he pulled his wife in and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips. "I love you," he said.

"And I love you," said Susie.

Susie turned and left. Calvin saw tears streaming from her face as she went out the door.

Calvin then turned to face his oldest and dearest friend. "Hello Hobbes. It's been a long time hasn't it old pal?"

Hobbes was no longer a stuffed doll but the big furry old tiger Calvin had always remembered. "It sure has, Calvin." said Hobbes.

"You... haven't changed a bit." Calvin smiled.

"You've changed a lot." Hobbes said sadly.

Calvin laughed, "Really? I haven't noticed at all."

There was a long pause. The sound of a clock ticking away the seconds rang throughout the sterile hospital room.

"So... you married Susie Derkins." Hobbes said, finally smiling. "I knew you always like her."

"Shut up!" Calvin said, his smile bigger than ever.

"Tell me everything I missed. I'd love to hear what you've been up to!" Hobbes said, excited.

And so Calvin told him everything. He told him about how he and Susie fell in love in high school and had married after graduating from college, about his three kids and four grandkids, how he turned Spaceman Spiff into one of the most popular sci-fi novels of the decade, and so on. After he told Hobbes all this there was another pregnant pause.

"You know... I visited you in the attic a bunch of times." Calvin said.

"I know."

"But I couldn't see you. All I saw was a stuffed animal." Calvin voice was breaking and tears of regret started welling up in his eyes.

"You grew up old buddy." said Hobbes.

Calvin broke down and sobbed, hugging his best friend. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry I broke my promise! I promised I wouldn't grow up and that we'd be together forever!!"

Hobbes stroke the Calvin's hair, or what little was left of it. "But you didn't."

"What do you mean?"

"We were always together... in our dreams."

"We were?"

"We were."

"Hobbes?"

"Yeah, old buddy?"

"I'm so glad I got to see you like this... one last time..."

"Me too, Calvin. Me too."

"Sweetheart?" Susie voice came from outside the door.

"Yes dear?" Calvin replied.

"Can I come in?" Susie asked.

"Just a minute."

Calvin turned to face Hobbes one last time. "Goodbye Hobbes. Thanks... for everything..."

"No, thank you Calvin." Hobbes said.

Calvin turned back to the door and said, "You can come in now."

Susie came in and said, "Look who's come to visit you."

Calvin's children and grandchildren followed Susie into Calvin's room. The youngest grandchild ran past the rest of them and hugged Calvin in a hard, excited hug. "Grandpa!!" screamed the child in delight.

"Francis!" cried Calvin's daughter, "Be gentle with your grandfather."

Calvin's daughter turned to her dad. "I'm sorry, Daddy. Francis never seems to behave these days. He just runs around making a mess and coming up with strange stories."

Calvin laughed and said, "Well now! That sound just like me when I was his age."

Calvin and his family chatted some more until a nurse said, "Sorry, but visiting hours are almost up."

Calvin's beloved family said good bye and promised to visit tomorrow. As they turned to leave Calvin said, "Francis. Come here for a second."

Francis came over to his grandfather's side, "What is it Gramps?"

Calvin reached over to the stuffed tiger on his bedside and and held him out shakily to his grandson, who looked exactly as he did so many years ago. "This is Hobbes. He was my best friend when I was your age. I want you to have him."

"He's just a stuffed tiger." Francis said, eyebrows raised.

Calvin laughed, "Well, let me tell you a secret."

Francis leaned closer to Clavin. Calvin whispered, "If you catch him in a tiger trap using a tuna sandwich as bait he will turn into a real tiger."

Francis gasped in delighted awe. Calvin continued, "Not only that he will be your best friend forever."

"Wow! Thanks grandpa!" Francis said, hugging his grandpa tightly again.

"Francis! We need to go now!" Calvin's daughter called.

"Okay!" Francis shouted back.

"Take good care of him." Calvin said.

"I will." Francis said before running off after the rest of the family.

Calvin laid on his back and stared at the ceiling. The time to go was close. He could feel it in his soul. Calvin tried to remember a quote he read in a book once. It said something about death being the next great adventure or something like that. He eyelids grew heavy and his breathing slowed. As he went deeper into his final sleep he heard Hobbes, as if he was right next to him at his bedside. "I'll take care of him, Calvin..."

Calvin took his first step toward one more adventure and breathed his last with a grin on his face.

[mariacallous]

Days after Meta launched its new app, Threads, this month, a software engineer at the company named Ben Savage introduced himself to a developer group at the World Wide Web Consortium, a web standards body. The group, which maintains a protocol for connecting social networks called ActivityPub, had been preparing for this moment for months, ever since rumors first emerged that Meta planned to join the standard. Now, that moment had arrived. “I'm really interested to see how this interoperable future plays out!” he wrote.

Warm replies to Savage’s email filtered in. And then came another response:

“The company you work for does disgusting things among others. It harms relationships and isolates people. It builds walls and lures people into them. When that doesn't suffice, brutal peer pressure does … That said, welcome to the list, Ben.”

Meta’s embrace of ActivityPub, used by apps including the Twitter-like Mastodon, was bound to be a little awkward. The constellation of small apps and personal servers that currently use the protocol, known as the Fediverse, is marked by an ethos of sharing and openness, not profit-seeking or user bases denominated in the billions. ActivityPub is designed to allow users of different apps to not only interact and view each others’ content, but also move their digital identity from one service to another. Mastodon, the largest app in the Fediverse, is open source and run by a nonprofit, and smaller Fediverse apps like PeerTube and Lemmy are often held up as a repudiation of the closed nature of services such as YouTube or Reddit. Corporations like Meta are typically held up as the enemy. No surprise that, despite appeals from ActivityPub leaders for civility when Meta arrived on the listserv, some couldn’t hold their tongue.

Weeks-old Threads already dwarfs the Fediverse, which has been around for more than a decade and recently peaked at about 4 million active monthly users. Some Fediverse fans see that imbalance as a win: Suddenly, the network could become many times more relevant. Others consider that view naive and expect Meta’s size to push the small world of apps built on ActivityPub in undesirable directions. Some have circulated a pact to preemptively block content from Threads’ servers from appearing on their own.

“The Fediverse community has been jolted into motion—due to fear and loathing of Meta, and also excitement,” says Dmitri Zagidulin, a developer who leads the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) group responsible for discussing the future of ActivityPub. The prospect of Meta joining the decentralized movement has people trying to spiff up their projects and prepare for the spotlight. “There are furious meetings. Grants being applied for. Pull requests. Pushes for better security, better user experience. Better everything,” he says.

Zagidulin is himself a member of a Mastodon server that operates as a social cooperative, where users collectively decide major decisions. They recently held a vote on whether to preemptively block Threads, a process known as defederation. The result: 51 percent in favor, 49 percent against.

That divide reflects different visions for the Fediverse’s future. One involves embracing Threads to bootstrap the network’s stagnant growth. The ideals of openness and giving users more control didn’t tempt many people to join platforms like Mastodon until Elon Musk’s chaotic takeover of Twitter sent many longtime users looking for new digital homes. Even then, the bump quickly went bust. Some users gave up after finding federation tools confusing compared to Twitter. Then came Bluesky, a competitor supported by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey that reflects many of the same principles but is developing a rival decentralized protocol to ActivityPub.

Amidst those challenges, Meta’s interest dangles the potential of the company’s vast resources and reach to inject new life into the Fediverse movement. “This is a clear victory for our cause,” wrote Eugen Rochko, CEO of Mastodon, in a blog post on the day Threads launched.

Others simply want Meta out. To Fediverse users like Vanta Black, the warm response from community leaders to Meta’s interest felt like betrayal. In 2017, as she navigated her gender identity, she found a home in small Mastodon communities where moderators and users intermingled and held shared values for how to filter out hateful posts. She fears the arrival of millions of Threads users will unleash volumes of content into the Fediverse that are impossible to manage.

This spring, after rumors that Meta was planning a project that would integrate with ActivityPub, Black launched the “Anti-Meta FediPact,” a pledge for Fediverse communities to defederate from the company’s future offering. So far, the pact has been signed by a few hundred admins, most representing smaller Fediverse groups. Others are having similar debates to Zagidulin’s group, part of a lively discussion about whether members of an “open” ecosystem should preemptively block new participants.

Black points out that there’s precedent: a collective effort in 2019 to block the far-right social network Gab after it began using Mastodon’s software. The effort was considered broadly successful at blocking Gab content from filtering into the Fediverse. Meta’s content moderation policies, as well as its role in human rights abuses and global conflicts, Black argues, put it in the same must-block bucket. She sees the hunger for growth expressed by some Fediverse leaders conflicting with what’s best for the community. “Success for the Fediverse to me is retaining what makes it the Fediverse now,” she says.

Johannes Ernst, a member of the W3C’s ActivityPub group, says he can sympathize with those who wish to defederate for reasons of personal safety. But at the same time, he can’t help but feel that attracting Meta realizes an elusive dream for the open protocol.

The Fediverse’s small size can feel intimate—but also isolating for people who want to connect with family and friends not interested in the arcana of distributed online services, or who want to build new Fediverse services to serve large user bases. Suddenly, rather than trying to build a network from scratch, they will potentially have access to more than a hundred million users. “It’s an entirely different conversation,” he says.

How Meta decides to implement ActivityPub in Threads will help determine the outcome of what could be the Fediverse’s big bang. “It’s not plug-and-play,” says Ernst. The company will have to choose how closely to allow Threads users to integrate with other Fediverse servers. That includes deciding how easily users can migrate their accounts and networks to other services, and whether to provide support such as tools that redirect followers to a user’s new home. Meta’s leaders will also have to decide what kinds of Threads content will be broadcast out into the Fediverse—including, potentially, the role of ads—and how users outside of Threads will be able to see or interact with it on their own platforms. Meta did not respond to a request for comment.

Given that Threads could at a stroke represent the majority of Fediverse users and content, those choices will be deeply felt by existing users of decentralized apps. And anyone building a Fediverse app could find themselves essentially forced to optimize sharing content with Threads users. Mastodon plays a similar role on the network right now because of its large relative size, Ernst says, but so far it has a good relationship and open dialog with other Fediverse developers. A giant for-profit corporation might not manage to do the same.

Meta executives told staffers last week that ActivityPub integration “is a long way off,” according to The Verge. There’s a history of large platforms being quick to announce their interest in the protocol but slower to implement any integration, Zagidulin says, pointing to Tumblr’s as-yet-unrealized announcement last year of ActivityPub integration. Meta itself has a fickle history with open protocols. A decade ago, the company briefly embraced XMPP, an interoperable messaging protocol, along with competitors like Microsoft. But the effort was quickly abandoned.

But conditions are different now. Government officials mulling how to regulate large tech platforms today often turn to the idea of requiring interoperability, says Georgios Petropoulos, a researcher at the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy. Threads is not currently available in Europe, due at least in part to uncertainties related to the EU’s new Digital Markets Act and other regulations—especially rules related to how Threads user data will interact with data on other platforms, Petropoulos believes. The new EU rules also contain provisions on interoperability that are still being hashed out. It’s logical, Petropoulos says, for Meta to work with a protocol that’s partly managed by W3C, a respectable global standards organization, and that has already attracted other mainstream platforms like Tumblr. But it’s too soon to know how seriously the Facebook parent will take interoperability.

In the meantime, users like Zagidulin and Black are already taking action in response to just the specter of Meta’s integration into—or engulfment of—the Fediverse.

Zagidulin’s co-op server is planning more votes to determine how exactly to proceed. With the community evenly split, he says, one scenario would be to split the community across two servers—one that communicates with Meta’s empire and one that doesn’t. Black isn’t so optimistic about managing the divide. “I’d prefer the status quo, rather than two castles where one is sunny and one is dark,” she says.