#starshiphufflebadger

[trek-tracks]

My dash did a thing

(Post above by @northstarfan, which didn’t fit on my screen)

[kinkykinard]

FMK: Buck, Leonard, Ianto

You’re such a horse���s ass, wife.

Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh fine.

Fuck: Buck Marry: Leonard Kiss: Ianto

I refuse to use kill for K because that gives me Ianto feels that I am NOT READY FOR RIGHT NOW.

[nerdsbianhokie]

starshiphufflebadger replied to your photoset “direquail: Me too, Dani. Meeeeeeeee tooooooooo.”

Can someone please tell me what show this is?

It isn’t a show but a movie, it’s from Terminator: Dark Fate

[bkwrm523]

9, 19, 25

9) Favorite accents?

Anything British isles, really.  I’m a slut for most of them.

19) Be it from mythology, theology, or anything else ending in “gy,” who are your favorite figures?

ehhhh, I don’t know.  I tended to turn more towards fictional characters growing up.  Eowyn, for one.  Galadriel and Hank McCoy.

25) If a salty magical being decided to curse you and you were doomed to spend the rest of this life as an animal, which animal would you prefer and why?

DOG.  I’m a dog person.

Ask game!

[impalaanddemons]

Hi there! Congrats on your follower celebrations! Can I please get #37 "Imagine if there were two of me!" for AOS Leonard/Reader please? :D

Thank you for requesting this! I took some liberty and it turned out a bit more steamy then expected ... uhm... I hope that’s okay for you.Drabbles can be requested for my Follower Celebration!

You’ve put the Doctor in some sort of situation ... but he doesn’t really mind.

„Hun.“ the chief medical officer uttered in a raw growl. You perked your head just a little and watched him look at you with half a smile on your lips.„Sorry, Len.“ you whispered back.You were pressed with your back against the door of his office, one of his hand frozen on your thigh, the other cupping your behind.There was his heavy breath just behind your left ear and the hint of tomorrows beard scratching over the skin of your neck whenever he moved just slightly. And there was also the thud of shoes outside said office.

„Doctor! Bones! You out there?“ Kirks voice carried through the rooms and over to you.You stifled a chuckle and nipped at his neck with your teeth. A light peck of your lips on his chin.„Y/N“, he muttered again and lowered his head now to search for your lips, pressing himself against you, you against the wall, the heat of his body spreading over you and the heat of his kiss making your head light.Your finger tips travelled down his side to his thighs and he ‚harrumph’d and gave you a gentle shove that pinned you back to the door.„I had an appointment with Jim, Y/N“ he mumbled, interrupting the kiss for the fraction of a second to look at you. His hair was now wonderfully disheveled from your hands in them a few minutes before.„You never wanted to be found by your captain while making out with your girlfriend, Len?“ you whispered in return. „Where has your thrill for adventure gone?””On a five year mission with everyone else”, he grumbled in return, butyou could see half a grin and half smile on his lips now, his brows furrowed but mischief twinkling in the corner of his eyes. There was a very soft spot beneath that ruff exterior, you had learned that a while ago.„You’re gonna be the death of me, woman.“ he then said, softer now.The steps outside grew louder, apparently getting closer to them.„Now, imagine there were two of me. I could arranger for a transporter acci-„ at which point he cut off you by kissing you hard on the mouth again, silencing every word that would’ve followed.

[elektranhatcios]

As a Canadian who only just got sucked into the amazingness of Eurovision, I have only seen two Eurovision finals and noticed that both times Moldova has put out incredibly solid songs. What are your 5 favourite Moldova entries? :D

moldova always blesses us with bops!!

hey mamma- sunstroke project- 2017

my lucky day- doredos- 2018

hora din moldova- nelly ciobanu- 2009

run away- sunstroke project and olia tira- 2010

lautar- pasha parfeny- 2012

i’m gonna add a n6 here: so lucky- zdob si zdub- 2011 (this isn’t just a song it’s an experience)

eurovision ask game

[brownjet-archive]

"#i have a cool personal story about eliza that i can share if yall want!!" Please do, I love her 8D

Yeah!! Of course, lmao!! So, this was a story of something she did that has affected my life!! 

So, there was this summer camp that her elder brothers went to (a super outdoorsy camp where like you went on hikes and learned survival skills and did arts & crafts) and she was super jealous because they only had all boys sessions for it. Sooo, she went to the camp directors and convinced them to let her join the camp by creating an all-girls session, and I actually ended up going there one year!! It’s not really as cool as it sounds, but honestly the fact that she was the one who started this opportunity for the girls in my city is really cool!!

[justlikeheavenfest]

register now for access to passes, on sale this friday at 11am PT. May awaits with arms outstretched. 🫶 $49.99 down payment plans available. www.justlikeheavenfest.com

[dominiqueprovostchalkleynews]

starshiphufflebadger replied to your post: Admin Note!

Thank you for the warning!

Of course! I know how frustrating it can be to just be scrolling on the dash and see a spoiler. I never want to be the one to ruin a show for someone else. 

[thefanficfaerie]

starshiphufflebadger replied to your post: Notification Fix

Which notifications are broken?

They aren't broken necessarily. But if you got tagged in something you will get notifications every time someone reblogs it. 

[goldenalec]

Your Malec fic about Alec painting Magnus' nail was just so sweet and intimate and I can't even articulate how much I wish I could capture all the little things in the scene the way you do. The noises they make, the small gestures... its so wonderfully written and was an enchanting, incredibly fluffy read. This was the first fic of yours I've read (I'm pretty new to the SH fandom) but I'm so looking forward to reading others

Ahh thank you so much lovely! This is such a sweet message :’) I’m so happy you liked it! Thank you for reading 💖 and welcome to the fandom! We’re pretty crazy, as I’m sure you can tell :’) 

[fireladybuckley]

Colourful Beginnings

Fandom: 9-1-1 Pairing: Evan Buckley (Buck) / Reader (female) Prompt: Soulmate AU - black marks turn to rainbow when your soulmate touches you for the first time Word Count: 3060 Summary:  Reader has an accident at work and finds herself in need of help from the 118 crew, leading to an entirely unexpected event. Rating: PG

              It was nearing the end of your shift, and you just couldn’t wait to be finished.  You had committed to staying an extra two hours to help because one of your coworkers had gone off sick, but as the end of your ninth hour approached you were seriously starting to regret agreeing to the overtime.  You dipped deeply into your willpower in an attempt to keep your eyes open, but kept yawning as you restocked a shelf with packets of wildflower seeds.  It had been a trying day with many rude and difficult customers, and though the last rush had finished a couple of hours prior, the department had been left in chaos. It had taken you nearly two hours to clean up all the spilled and discarded items left behind, and you still had to finish replenishing stock.

             You finished restocking the wildflower, vegetable, and grass seeds, then headed to the back to grab a few bags of soil.  As you returned and let the soil bags drop on their proper places on the shelf (a little more roughly than you’d intended), the entire shelving unit swayed dangerously.  Swearing, you jumped forward and steadied it, nervously watching the products lining the shelves and praying they didn’t all fall to the floor.   After a tense moment, you were able to let go of the shelf and it stood, precarious but seemingly stable.  You made a mental note to badger your boss about the shelving unit again; you’d already mentioned it three times, and you had been given the false impression that it had been taken care of.  

             You were inspecting the shelf next to it, writing down the products you’d need to grab from the back, when out of the corner of your eye you saw movement.  You turned your head and to your dismay, saw the precarious shelf start to lean.  Ignoring a burst of apprehension in your chest, you dropped your notebook and leapt forward as the metal frame began to buckle on the side nearest you. Far more quickly than you’d expected, the buckled frame began to bend, shifting all the products on the shelves above it.  Accelerated by the extra weight, the side of the shelf started to tip towards you.   You were about to throw your arms out in an attempt to catch the falling shelves, but you realized belatedly that the entire thing was about to fall over and you were not strong enough to catch it.  You scrambled and attempted to back up, but you were not quick enough.  

             Products began to topple from the tilting shelf, and you screamed as bags of potting soil, plastic seed tray liners, packets of seeds and other items came pelting down on you. You tried to run, but a bag of potting soil crashed into the back of your shoulders, nearly slamming you to the floor.  In a desperate attempt to stay upright as soil burst over you, you grabbed at the nearest shelf for purchase, only to have it begin to tip as well.  You tried to run, but the second shelving unit fell too quickly.  Another cascade of products rained down on you, slicing into your skin and peppering you with bruises, and you were unable to get out of the way as the unit came down.  It slammed into your back and shoved you forward so fast you couldn’t stop your momentum.  You let out a second shriek as you flew towards the ground, the sound ending abruptly as you cracked your head on the shelves across the aisle.  The world went dark at once, and you slid to the floor, unconscious, as the shelving unit and products buried you in place.  

----

             “9-1-1, what is your emergency?”

             “Yeah, hi, I work at Pan’s Garden Emporium and a bunch of shelves just fell over in the back.  My coworker was back there and I heard her scream!”

             “Okay sir, can you see her at all?  Is she responding when you call to her?”

             “No!  I can’t get to her, there’s too much stuff on the ground and there’s big shelves on top of it all.”

             “Alright sir, please tell me your location and help will be on its way immediately.”

-----

             Buck wasn’t thinking about anything in particular as the siren-blaring 118 truck pulled up at a garden store for their first call of the shift.  He hadn’t slept well the night before, and he stifled a yawn, putting his right hand, his two leading fingers streaked with black, over his face.  He mulled over the details they’d been given (young female worker caught in merchandise avalanche, unknown injuries, unknown level of consciousness).  As he leapt out of the rig, the first thing that caught his eye was a display of brightly coloured garden gnomes.  He shook his head at the giant grins on their ceramic faces; in the darkness and knowing they were there to help someone who could be gravely injured, their expressions seemed almost sinister.

             “Buck, Diaz, head inside and assess the situation. Start digging if they haven’t already been uncovered,”  Bobby ordered, and Buck nodded as Eddie jumped out of the rig and joined him. They ran inside and were directed by a clearly alarmed cashier and a couple of customers to the back of the store where they could see a few people moving mounds of merchandise aside.

             “Step aside, LAFD,” called Buck, and the nearest person jumped out of the way for them as they approached.  A worker and a pair of male customers had started moving the pile of items, but the shelves were still toppled and there was no sign of an employee.

             “Are you sure your coworker was back here when it happened?” Eddie asked a young man wearing an employee shirt, who looked scared.

             “Yeah, she was restocking the seeds and potting soil.  I heard her scream and then there were a bunch of crashes and now she won’t answer when I call her.”   The man wrung his hands in worry, and Eddie gave him a gentle clap on the shoulder.

             “Don’t worry, we’ll get her out of here,” he assured him, as Buck began tossing aside bags of soil behind him.

             Eddie joined in, and together they made quick work of the chaotic pile of gardening supplies. The shelves were flimsy but still heavy, and it took both of them to lift first the broken, bent shelving unit, and then the other.  Face shining with sweat, Buck wiped his forehead and peered around, but he still couldn’t see the missing person.  Buck heard the other employee start freaking out, yelling into his phone about unfixed shelving units and that the person on the other end of the line had as good as killed the victim.  As Eddie turned to try and calm the man before he incited panic, Buck tossed a bag of soil out of the way and uncovered a leg clad in black pants.

             “Here! I found her!”  He exclaimed, speeding up considerably as he began to grab at stuff to move it.  Eddie hurried forward and Buck tossed the items to him, quickly uncovering the employee.   She was in a crumpled heap mostly on her back, turned slightly to her side, her head propped up on the bottom-most shelf.  She had many small cuts, bruises were already starting to bloom over her face and exposed arms, and she was clearly unconscious.  

             Buck leapt forward and settled the first two fingers of his right hand onto a black mark on her neck, feeling for her pulse, his other arm coming to rest on her upper arm, over the sleeve.  He paused tensely, waiting, and then sighed with relief when he felt her pulse.

             “She’s alive! Get a board over here!”  Buck shouted, and Eddie radioed to Chimney and Hen, who showed up seconds later with a backboard.  Buck and Eddie cleared a larger area around the woman so they could get her on the board easily and watched as they skillfully transferred her over to it and strapped her in.

             Chimney and Hen lifted the backboard and were about to transport her towards the stretcher when some merchandise that had been precariously stacked fell over, directly into their path, blocking them.  Eddie ran forward to clear it, and Buck stood at the patient’s side, waiting. Suddenly, he felt a hand grip his own and looked down in surprise.  The patient was slowly gaining consciousness, and had taken his hand.  Buck wasn’t sure whether she was unaware and had grabbed him out of reflex or if it was an attempt to feel comforted, but he shifted his hand so he could grip hers, squeezing it gently in reassurance as she slowly opened her eyes.

             You groaned as feeling came back to you, your entire body aching, your head spiked with hot pain.  You thought you felt someone’s hand brush your own and reached out for it in a haze, seeking comfort and reassurance, though you had no clue what was happening or who was there.  You felt a warm hand wrap around your own and squeeze, and the feeling was enough to prompt your brain to open your eyes.

             You blinked sluggishly, your vision blurry as you stared up at the garden centre’s ceiling, the bright fluorescent aisle lights like hot fire pokers to your brain.

             “Wh.. what happened?” you mumbled, wincing as the pain stormed through your body.  

             “Hi there,” said a friendly male voice, and you shifted your eyes to the man standing beside you.  He had a kind face and smiled down at you as he spoke.  “The shelves fell on you while you were working, we’re just going to take you to the hospital to make sure you don’t have any serious injuries.”                

             “Oh,” you say faintly, trying to look around to see the shelves, but found you couldn’t move your head.  You felt your hand squeezed gently again as a female voice spoke this time.  

             “We’ve just secured your head, neck and back until we can be sure you didn’t injure your spine,”  the paramedic positioned directly above your head explained.

             “In the meantime, if you’re scared, you can just squeeze my hand,” said the first man, and your eyes flickered back to him as he spoke.  He was still smiling, and your eyes took in his kind expression and the curious birthmark over his left eye.  “My name’s Buck.”

             You smiled faintly at him, noting vaguely that he was pretty cute.  However, you were in major pain and covered in dirt, blood and bruises, so you were feeling pretty bedraggled and a bit embarrassed to have such a cute firefighter holding your hand.  You mumbled your name to him, averting your eyes.

             “Nice to meet you,” he said, but was stopped from saying any more as Eddie cleared the last item and Hen and Chimney were free to move again.

             You winced and sucked in a sharp breath as the backboard swung, letting out a cry of pain as they transferred you onto the stretcher.  Buck appeared at your side as they were pulling a blanket over most of you, and you were grateful as you felt anxious and overwhelmed as your coworkers rushed forward, all clambering to see if you were alright.

             “Alright, give her some space,” Buck said, seeing the pain and fear on your face. Another firefighter led your coworkers away, and you sighed slightly, feeling your heart beating uncomfortably fast.

             “Okay, Y/N, we’re taking you to the hospital now,” said the female paramedic, fastening straps over your legs and torso.

             “That’s Hen, and the other one is Chim,” Buck said, pointing at the other paramedic, who gave a little wave as he helped Hen push your stretcher towards the waiting ambulance.  

“They’ll take great care of you.  Hope you feel better!”  Buck waved as you were pulled away from the front doors, and you lifted your hand in a weak return wave, wishing he was going to be going with you, but not really sure why. You figured it was just because you were in pain and scared, and he was the first friendly face that you’d seen when you woke up.  Somehow you know it’s more than that, though; you can still feel the warmth of his hand holding yours, and you watch him move back into the store as the conversation around you fades into the background.

Buck had returned with Eddie to the back of the store to make sure no one else was injured. He felt a weird pull towards the woman they’d just rescued and he couldn’t explain it.  Something about her had just made him want to comfort her and make sure she was okay, even more than he usually did with the people he helped save.  He shook his head slightly, thinking maybe his lack of sleep was just messing with him. Buck realized suddenly that Eddie was talking to him, and looked over, confused.

             “Sorry, what?” Buck asked, shaking off his thoughts and confusion, noting that Eddie was pointing at his hands.

             “I said, what’s with your hands, man?” Eddie’s eyebrows were raised and he was staring at Buck’s hands, gesturing towards them.

             “My hands? I don’t…” Buck started to say, then looked down at them.  His words were cut short and he stared in shock as a rainbow of colours blossomed over his skin where it was usually just black.  Eddie, one of the employees and the few customers hanging around all stared as well; everyone had soulmate marks, of course, but it was rare to actually see them change.

             “I… I don’t understand.” Buck said blankly, his mind buzzing as he watched beautiful blues, greens and purples slowly appear, replacing the black marks on his skin.

             “I think you just found your soulmate,” said Eddie after a moment, gripping Buck’s shoulder.  “No other explanation.”

-----

             Out in front of the store, the paramedics were just about to load you into the ambulance when Chimney gasped.

             “Hen, look!” he said, pointing at your neck.  Hen moved closer, and you watched as her expression went from confused to shocked, to joyful.

             “That’s her pulse point.  It’s either Buck or Eddie,” Hen said, grinning at Chim.  “Who touched her first?”

             “Ex-excuse me?” you croak, feeling very much like you were missing something, your anxiety creeping higher by the moment.  “What’s going on?”

             “Oh, sweetie,” said Hen, her eyes full of excitement as she looked down at you. “Things are about to get very interesting!”

             “Hen, you’re scaring her,” Chim chided as your eyes widened in worry.

             “Oh, sorry, I meant in a good way!” Hen replied, smiling.

             “Diaz, Buck, get out here,” Bobby called on the radio, as Hen and Chimney moved your stretcher and got it up into the ambulance.  You were still feeling very confused, and were about to ask again what was happening when the two young firefighters appeared in the doorway to the store, ten feet from the rig.

             “Which one of you took her pulse?”  Hen asked, as she jumped down from the rig after securing your stretcher.

             “He did,” Eddie said, pointing to a speechless Buck as he raised his hands and wordlessly showed them all his rainbowed marks;  two fingers on one hand, and the whole palm and fingers on the other.

             “The same pattern as her mark,” Chim called, peering at Buck’s hand and then down at your neck.  “But I don’t see where the second one is.”

             “Y-you.. you mean…” you stammered, finally catching on to what was happening, your voice shaking.  “My soulmate touched me?”

             “Yup. Assuming the other mark matches up, of cours—” Chimney was saying, but as he spoke you reached over and pulled up your left sleeve, where your second soulmate mark was; a hand print on your upper arm, just below the shoulder, and you could tell by Chimney’s expression that it had changed.  He began preparing a dose of pain meds for you as you struggled to comprehend what was happening and wanting to see Buck, but you were unable to move your head, strapped into the c-collar.

             Buck came closer and held up his hands for you to see;  even in your current state, you could tell that they were the perfect match for your marks, which you knew must now be awash with colours, just as his hands were.   You stared at him in speechless shock until you felt dizzy and then let your eyes close, feeling absolutely exhausted and overwhelmed, unable to process this information.  You intended to open your eyes again to continue looking at him in wonder, but you suddenly felt heavy and a bit woozy, and instead you fell into a state of semi-consciousness.

             Buck made a noise of concern, moving forward, and Chim grinned at him, shaking his head and making a gesture of reassurance.

             “She’s okay, just very overwhelmed and now full of pain meds.  I promise she’ll be fine.”

             “Oh. Alright,” Buck managed, also unsure of how to process everything that had happened in the last couple of minutes.   He watched, feeling unexpectedly upset, as the paramedics secured everything and prepared to head out.

             “Go,” said Bobby’s voice, startling Buck from behind.

             “Huh?”

             “You can go with her to the hospital,” Bobby elaborated, a small smile on his face.

             “Oh, but Captain;” Buck began, though his heart had swelled with hope at Bobby’s words. “I’ve barely started my shift, I don’t want to leave you short—”

             “Go, I’m sure we can handle it,” Eddie jumped in, waving away Buck’s stammered protests.

             “But –”

             “Go!” Bobby and Eddie spoke together, prompting a laugh from all three of them.

             “Thanks, guys,” Buck replied gratefully, receiving a clap on the shoulder from Eddie and brief hand squeeze from Bobby.  “I’ll keep in touch.”

             The others nodded and Buck hurried forward, leaping into the ambulance and sitting himself down beside Hen as Chim slammed the rig door behind them.  As the ambulance started up and drove off, Buck held his soulmate’s hand, examining her face and musing that as sad as he was that she was hurt, he was just so thankful they’d found each other, and he couldn’t wait to start getting to know her, hardly daring to believe his luck.  

---------

NOTE:  THis is my first ever 9-1-1 fic!  Please let me know how I did in characterization!  Thanks for reading! <3

Please let me know if you’d like to be added to (or removed from) my tag list!

@outside-the-government​ @littlecarowrites​ @star-trekkin-across-theuniverse​ @stormsnevercometostay​ @southernbellestatues  @mad-girl-without-a-box​ @reading-in-moonlight​

[dragontribeadventures]

Hi there, I saw that you have hissers and I was wondering if it was okay if I asked a couple questions? I'm probably getting two hissers soon and I was curious about a couple things... is a 5 gallon fish tank (8"x16") large enough for two males? They will be juvies when I get them but obviously they will grow. Any suggestions for a good heating pad that wont damage the surface the tank is sitting on? Also what (in your opinion) is the best substrate for them? Thank you so much in advance!!

I’m just going to qualify this by saying that I’m no expert (I’m still in the process of learning myself) and it’s important to always use more than one source when doing your research.

That out of the way, five gallons should be a good amount of space for two males as long as they each have their own areas to hide and set up their little territories. My trio have about the same amount of floor space as what is available in a five gallon in their tub and since I rearranged their enclosure to provide more cover there have been remarkably few instances of actual fighting except when and where the female is concerned (and even then it isn’t particularly long lasting). As for a heating element my advice is that if you are worried about burning the table then your best bet would be to fix your heat source on the side. As long as there’s some form of cover to hide them your hissers will use it either way since they are very good climbers and mine have no problem with being vertical or horizontal as they warm up. I personally use a zoomed heating pad for mine but heat tape and other forms of heating are also valid options (just be aware that any heating element is susceptible to failure to some degree so it’s always a good idea to have it fixed to a thermostat that can shut it down if it does). For your tank I would probably recommend some climbing structures as well to give them some more options on places to go.

As for substrate I recommend either coco fiber or that you consider bioactive since those will help with humidity. I personally have a mix between the two (part of the tank is coco fiber and the other part is a soil mixture for the clean up crew) and I have noticed that they will nibble on leaf litter to supplement their diets. I advocate bioactive over coco fiber simply because I think it’s the most enriching setup, both for you visually and for them in terms of stimulation, and it’s especially fun if this is going to be a display tank.

I hope this helps!

[kinkykinard]

FMK: Maura, HG, Marjan

Fuck: HG Marry: Maura Kiss: Marjan

I almost went the other way with fuck and kiss, but I’m into some kinky shit and I think Helena would be down just a little bit more than Marjan.

[katiemcgrxth]

Your icons are so awesome! I was looking for an icon of this exact pic/scene of Alex and I was so happy to find it here! I love all the colours and there are so many others I want to use! I have a feeling I will be using them a lot! :D I gave you credit on my profile, as well. Thank you SO much!

you are so lovely, thank YOU so much! xo

[waverlyearpgifs]

Hi, I was wondering, do you have any suggestions for a good tutorial on how to make fandom gifs? I really want to learn how before Waverly week so I can participate! Thank you in advance for any links/suggestions!!

here’s some helpful tutorials:

this page is really helpful 

this tutorial (goes into how to color as well)

this tutorial (goes into both methods)

you can also browse this tag to find more

some tips:

psds are really helpful to use first before you start coloring yourself (you can browse through some here  and here’s a tutorial explaining how to use them)

just browse through blogs like @itsphotoshop and @completeresources they’ll normally have a tutorial or explanation that’ll help you out.

[star-trekkin-across-theuniverse]

Dani’s Birthday Fic!!

@starshiphufflebadger had a birthday on August 11 (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANI!) and ran a birthday fic challenge. I got so exhausted from the overtime at work that I ran out of steam and couldn’t write anything. Then I started something, decided it wasn’t personal enough, and pitched it. Then I decided I didn’t like the second thing. Then I finally had a stroke of inspiration and was able to come up with an idea - it’s just been finding sit-down time to write it for the last four days. Well, Dani... I finally finished it. And I’m so sorry it took so long, but I hope it’s good enough that you forgive me!

“You know, normal people listen to medical advice” (Leonard)

Shore leave was drawing near its end, and as a result, Dani was enjoying her last day at the beach. She’d been up before dawn after checking the tide chart, determined to see the the ocean life in the tide pools. Squelching across the mucky shoreline as the tide reached its lowest point, Dani admired the sunrise cresting over the horizon. She was so caught up in the oranges and pinks streaking across the morning sky, she stepped through a patch of seaweed, soaking her flip flops with the decaying mess. Making a disgusted face, she slipped them off and went to swish them in the nearby tide pool.

As she disturbed the still water of the tide pool, she saw tiny crabs scuttling under rocks, and a snail lazily creeping across a rock at the bottom of the pool. And then she notice a blue ring. Dani carefully pulled her flip flops out of the tide pool and waited for the water to still, keeping her eye on the blue ringed octopus that was looking agitated from her disruption.

Dani had studied the octopus at the Academy, and knew better than to poke at it, as tempting as it was to see those beautiful blue rings again. Fortunately for her, the octopus sighted a small crab and set upon it, the bright blue rings flashing again. Dani was so caught up in watching the octopus that she didn’t notice the storm rolling in, and was taken unaware by the sudden change in pressure as the wind picked up. She scrambled to the shore and back to her hotel, but by the time she got there was dripping wet from the lashing rain.

The floor of the hotel was polished marble, and Dani’s flip flops had been no match for the slipperiness of them before she was soaked. Still caught up in the joy of seeing the beautiful, tiny octopus, she mindlessly wandered through the lobby, slipping and landing hard on her tailbone. She saw stars, it hurt so badly. Before she could scramble to her feet, embarrassed and breathless, someone in barefeet and swim trunks was at her side.

“Take it easy, kid, you took quite a spill.” The soothing drawl of the ship’s CMO drew her in, and she felt her cheeks flush even brighter red.

“Doctor McCoy,” she muttered. “Of course. Because this couldn’t possibly be more mortifying.” Everyone in the bio labs thought McCoy was hot. And now he was standing at her side, casually topless with sunglasses pushed up into his messy hair, and baggy Hawaiian print trunks in a blindingly bright pattern that emphasized the trail of soft hair descending below his waistband. She felt breath catch, equal parts embarrassment and arousal. She pushed herself to her knees, and tried to push herself back to her feet. A blinding pain shot down her leg and she groaned, and slumped back on her hip.

“Stubborn,” he commented, with a wry smile. “Come on, let’s try that again, and I’ll help this time.” He slung her arm over his shoulder and helped her propel herself back to her feet. The pain wasn’t as bad once she stood up, but it was still enough that when she tried to move toward the elevator, she hobbled.

“What a way to end shore leave,” she grumbled. McCoy laughed.

“I have my tricorder and med kit back in my room. Come on, I’ll check you over, see what we can do for you,” he insisted, selecting his floor from the panel on the elevator wall. He kept his arm looped in Dani’s as they exited the elevator, and helped her to sit gingerly on the plush sofa in his room while he rummaged in his duffel bag for his med kit. “I know this is probably just adding insult to injury, but I’m gonna need you to lie down on your side so I can assess that tailbone.”

Dani groaned and tentatively brought her legs up on the couch before rolling on her side for him, glad she could bury her scarlet face in the pillows. The tricorder chirped a short series of beeps, and from behind her McCoy made a sound of approval.

“Good news, kid, it’s broken, it’s not displaced and I can fix it right now. Just hold still for me. Don’t run off anywhere,” he announced.

“Even if I wanted to run off, I’m kind of slow right now,” she replied, her tone dry.

“You’re in the bio labs, right?” He asked, as something began whirring quietly behind her.

“Yeah. I specialized in marine biology and then did a secondary speciality in xenobiology with a focus in aquatic life,” Dani explained. McCoy made a sound of approval.

“I seem to recall reading a paper you wrote on the medical applications of Andorian Eel slime in wound treatment,” he commented. “It was well rationalized. Did I hear they’re starting clinical trials on that back on Earth?”

“Yeah, it’s actually really cool. In situations where dermal regeneration is not available or feasible, a compound made from the slime can be used to stimulate cell regeneration in minor wounds,” Dani explained.

“Let me guess, you learned this from practical trials? On a human subject?” He teased.

“I sliced my finger open on a piece of broken glass, and dropped the eel. When I picked him up, I wasn’t thinking about anything other than making sure he wasn’t harmed. By the time I got Ed sorted, my finger was healed, and there was just eel slime left,” Dani admitted.

“Ed?” McCoy asked with a chuckle.

“Ed,” Dani confirmed.

“You named the eel?” He asked.

“Of course I did. He has the funniest personality and -” she started, indignant.

“That’s fantastic,” he interrupted. “I named my cadaver in med school. Yorrick.”

“Gross,” Dani snorted, and then noticed the whirring had stopped. The pain in her backside had lessened considerably as well. “Are you finished already?”

“I am,” McCoy confirmed. “You are ready to go. Just be a little more careful, would you?”

Dani sat up and wiggled a little, confirming the pain was, in fact, gone. “Thank you so much, Doctor McCoy,” she smiled, slipping her flip flops back on before standing. They squeaked a little, still wet from the rain.

“Anytime, Lieutenant,” he smiled and gestured to the window. The rain had stopped and the sun was coming out. “You could probably hit the beach again.”

Dani smiled and started toward the door, hurrying to get back outside before the tide came in. She started to slip again, her arms flailing as she tried to regain her balance, and Doctor McCoy was suddenly beside her, helping her regain her footing. “You know, normal people listen to medical advice,” he teased.

“I don’t recall any being offered,” Dani retorted, feeling comfortable enough with the doctor to be a little sassy.

“I said to be more careful. Marble floors are still slippery, you know?” He laughed.

“I didn’t realize that was a prescription for ongoing care,” she chuckled.

“Alright then, how about this Rx? Lunch, stat. Take with Doctor McCoy, and follow-up in the evening?” he flirted. Dani felt her cheeks burn again and looked down at her feet, conscious of her cut-off shorts and tank top, and disheveled appearance from the rain and wind at the beach.

“I suppose those are doctor’s orders and I can’t refuse?” She asked, feeling awkward.

“Every patient has the right to refuse treatment,” he said, looking crestfallen.

“I’d be much more interested in getting a coffee and sandwich with Leonard,” Dani explained, suddenly aware that he still had his arm looped through hers, holding her up.

“Given that you seem to be struggling with your balance today, how about we order room service, and just get to know one another a little more?” He agreed. Dani nodded, and allowed him to lead her back to the plush couch. He offered her a bottle of water from the mini fridge and then called down for lunch to be brought before sitting down at the other end of the couch and facing her.

“Thanks, by the way,” Dani offered, feeling self-conscious again.

“For what?” He looked confused.

“Helping me out. Healing my ass. Not embarrassing me too badly. Leaving my dignity somewhat intact?” She let out a soft huff of laughter as a broad smile spread across Leonard’s face.

“Sweetheart, I’ve been trying to figure out how to ask you for a date for a while. Falling on your ass was a gift from heaven, as far as I’m concerned,” he grinned. “Now tell me more about Ed the eel.”

[justlikeheavenfest]

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