#started over having to see photos of my step siblings celebrate the birthday of the kid that was essentially my fathers do over from me

[care666bear]

LIKE y’all think I overshare here. These are regular things I put on my Facebook for family and friends to read lool Actual queen of oversharing but make it decent communication & processing of my life 🤣 this is vague too but like it’s not even necessarily for anybody but me, I just start typing and don’t stop ? Idk what it is. Mental illness for sure but idk. Anyways I miss my mom & I well articulated some feelings. There was a point in my life I would’ve just lost my mind about it & said nothing, feels like a positive step but still SO embarrassing when the clarity is there but I feel lighter after saying it all without hiding, I hid for too long

[the-active-news]

How Old Is Alabama Barker?And How She Became Reality TV Actress!

American actress, singer, and internet sensation Alabama Barker. Her role in the hit TV show Meet the Barkers catapulted her to fame. She also has a large number of devoted followers on Instagram and other social media sites. She has inherited her parents' fame, thus she is well-known as well. Alabama Barker is a well-known reality TV actress who shot to fame thanks to her appearances on Meet the Barkers. Alabama Luella Barker was born in 2005 in California to Travis Barker (the drummer for the band Blink-182) and Shanna Moakler, a former beauty queen.

Alabama Barker Biography, Age &Relationships

Landon Barker is the older brother in Alabama. Both kids have been on the show since they were infants. Alabama has been showing off her musical ability, and she has released her first single, "Our House," despite being only ten years old. For someone so young, Alabama Barker has a bright future ahead of her because of her positive attitude and laid-back demeanor. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cof-viYvXfI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link She gave the modeling industry a shot in the 2020s. On December 24, 2005, Alabama Barker entered this world. Alabama Barker is 17 years old at this time. There are 9 months and 26 days until Alabama Barker celebrates her next birthday. She started dating Travis Barker, the drummer for the band Blink-182, in the summer of 2002, and the couple had their son, Landon Barker, the following year. Alabama's birth would be included in the show's season finale, marking her first appearance on television. According to this thethings.com 

Alabama Barker Career

She shot to fame after making cameos on Teen Mom on MTV and Dog and Beth: On the Hunt on CMT. The famous country music duo of Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler have a daughter named Alabama. She's been a part of the show since she was a toddler, and her bold and confident character has made her a fan favorite. Alabama Barker, along with her parents and two older siblings, made her acting debut in the long-running sitcom Meet the Barkers. The act was mostly inspired by the routines of her parents and brothers. In 2017, she also released the hit singles Heartbreaker and the album Our Home.

What Happened Between Shanna Moakler And Her Daughter Alabama Barker?

In 2006, Travis filed for divorce, and after a brief reconciliation, the couple finally separated in 2008. Many people believe that the stress of trying to co-parent their children peacefully is what has driven a wedge between Shanna and Alabama for so long. https://youtu.be/cdVxge_WM_8 Although Shanna and Travis had a rocky start to their relationship, it appeared that they were getting along well with the actress's kids. She has said over the years that she and her ex-husband always wanted the best for their kids. Their attitudes towards their mother changed as news of her ex's romance with Kourtney Kardashian spread. In 2021, in response to a comment on TikTok, Landon explained that, unlike Barker, his mother isn't involved in his and his siblings' daily lives. Alabama then posted a similar message on Instagram, "My mother has never truly been a part of my life. Can you just stop making her out to be the perfect mother? On Mother's Day, my mother didn't make an effort to see me. Reality shows, I can no longer keep a secret."  some twitter posts are. EXPOSED: Travis Barker’s daughter Alabama exposes her mom with DM where her mom accuses Travis of being emotionally abusive and cheating on her with Kim Kardashian before moving to Kourtney. “My mom has never been completely in my life ... stop painting her out to be” amazing. pic.twitter.com/NWmUyCR1pk — Def Noodles (@defnoodles) May 16, 2021 To which Shanna responded, "utterly ludicrous." Her boyfriend, Matthew Rondeau, stepped up to defend her, saying that being a mother was just one of the many reasons he loved Shanna so much. Shanna's daughter Alabama had posted a photo of alleged infidelity on Instagram days previously, voicing the disapproval of the rest of the children. The mother and daughter were already estranged when the public acknowledgment of the rift drove a deeper wedge between them. Shanna and Matthew are still together, and Alabama stayed with her father, Travis. Similar Articles  - How Old Is John Larroquette: Is John Larroquette Still Alive? - Brandon Smiley Age: Is He Not In The World? Conclusion- Starring in Meet the Barkers catapulted Alabama Barker to popularity, and she has since starred in numerous other reality shows. In spite of the public feud between her parents, Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler, she has chosen to remain in her father's care. She is a model from the 2020s and has just released her debut single. Talented and ambitious, young Alabama Barker has a promising future. Read the full article

[moonlit-imagines]

Headcanons for being Hope van Dyne’s child

Hope van Dyne x child!reader

Scott Lang x stepkid!reader

warnings: insects (ants), sharp weapons

a/n:

prompt: anonymous: “Happy holidays darling! Would you write HC for Hope Van Dyne's child? Love the step-parents HC 🥰”

growing up as a lil smarty pants

grandpa hank was pretty proud, although he didn’t see you very much

once every few years

but he did tell you all these crazy stories about his adventures that you honestly thought were just fiction (until you were older)

“and i was as small as an ant, but i was still incredibly strong! remember that, kid. just because you aren’t as big as someone else doesn’t mean you can’t beat them” -hank

“y/n doesn’t need to be hearing those stories, hank” -hope

“why not? they have important life lessons in them!” -hank

“why does mommy call you ‘hank?’” -you

“because mommy hates grandpa, isn’t that right?” -hank

“okay, i think that’s enough of this visit. come on, y/n, time to go” -hope

your mom was very supportive of you, nonetheless

she wanted to be different from her dad

so she showed up to EVERYTHING

birthdays, sick days, tucking you in for bed, parent-teacher conferences, art shows, you name it

“here’s some tea, jellybelly. it’ll make your throat feel better” -hope

“mom, i think i’m dying” -you

“you’ll be fine” -hope, givin’ u a kiss on the forehead

life wasn’t like, extra crazy or anything. sometimes she’d bring you to work and honestly? darren cross didn’t seem like the worst guy. he even brought you whatever you might need if your mom was staying late at work

“hey, van dyne junior! i brought you a puzzle that might keep you busy for a while...and a happy meal from mcdonalds! let me know if you need anything else, me and your mom will just be in the lab for a little while” -darren

“thank you!!!” -you

uh huh, ur mom taught u manners!

anyways you started spending more time with your grandpa cuz they had a plan

thats when you found out that his “turning small” stories were not, in fact, bullshit

“wait grandpa...you actually did shrink as small as an ant?” -you

“why would i lie?” -hank

okay well cue you wanting to shrink down to ant size now it was your new aspiration

you did learn how to command ants tho!!!!!!

but unfortunately (or not so unfortunately) hank brought scott to the party

“hi!” -you, waking scott up

“what?!” -scott, jumping back against the headboard

“hi.” -you, staring at him “im y/n. these are my ants”

bullet ants were just crawlin around the place

“oh, that’s....that’s cool. any chance you could tell me where i am or how i got here” -scott

“wouldn’t you like to know, weather boy” -you, leaving abruptly

“are you bothering our guest?” -hope, watching you proudly nod “good job, jellybelly”

mom taught u how to punch 🥰🥰🥰

and let you use scott as a punching bag

but scott wasn’t like awful or anything he was just insufferable at times

“i think you’d like my daughter cassie. she’s weird and smart just like you” -scott

“did you just call me weird? mom, can i punch him again?” -you

“no no no! i meant weird in a good way! please dont hurt me anymore!” -scott

chasing him around the yard ready to ATTACK

hank had to tell u to cut it out

“dont tell them what to do” -hope

“someone has to” -hank

“excuse me? i parent y/n just fine, better than you ever did for me!” -hope

“do they do this often?” -scott

“every time they see each other but that’s not very much” -you

“hm...hey, do you like ice cream? specifically baskin robbins?” -scott

ur mom said “we do not associate with idiots ❤️” and then proceeded to associate with said idiots

scott did end up saving u from darren tho bc that mf tried to hold u hostage and scott was really not in the mood for that bullshit

“you alright, y/n?” -scott

“murder is okay, right?” -you

after that whole ordeal he and your mom were kinda a thing uh huh

and he introduced you to cassie!!! she was amazingly sweet and you could def see the family resemblance

“is this my new sibling?! i’ve always wanted one!” -cassie

“hey, me too!” -you

you hung out with her on a weekly basis, with or without scott

and mom and grandpa were working on a ✨special project✨

one you insisted on being apart of

“no, y/n, we can’t make you your own suit. you’re too young for this sort of thing” -hope

“pleaaaaase mom? i swear i’ll he responsible with it!” -you

“you’re mother is right, y/n. you’re just not ready yet. maybe someday, but not anytime soon” -hank

scott took you on family bowling trips yes he did

and just corny stepdad shit

but he went to germany and mom and him broke up and FF to two years later when you guys had finally reunited

“scott!! you asshole!!” -you, like this -> :)

“kiddo!! sorry to hear that!!” -scott, same energy

shading him the whole time

“ach mein gott” -you

“are you kidding me, y/n? i make one mistake. ONE” -scott

“you’re one mistake has caused me to live in MINIATURE HOMES” -you

“THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD THING” -scott

“WELL IT’S NOT” -you

“did you at least miss me?” -scott

“sicher habe ich” -you

“god dammit” -scott

surprise!! u kind of had a suit (for emergencies)

as a van dyne/pym, it was almost a necessity to know how to use pym particles

scott acted like a proud dad

“wow, you’re really doing it!!!” -scott

“halt die klappe” -you

“please stop” -scott, tearing up

finding out about ✨grandma✨

she possessed scott and touched ur face and told you that she was so excited to meet you but you didn’t know wtf was going on and you had the urge to smack scott but THANKFULLY you did not

“i have to meet her for real! let me help you guys!” -you

“okay” -hope

“what? really?” -you

“it’s about time we put your genius to good use” -hope

scott offered you a high five for that and u literally accepted it

“don’t get too happy, that was just an in-the-moment thing” -you, watching scott’s eyebrow raise “fine. you can have a hug”

okay okay well everything went okay and then half the world ~vanished~ including ur whole family but like cassie and her family took you in and you spent five years very alone and upset until one day cassie called you downstairs and whoopdedoo???? scott???????

“is my mom with you?” -you

“sorry, sport, she’s not...do you have your suit with you? we need to go on some...hero business” -scott

you missed scott a lot over the past 5 years, this really did cheer you up, even if it was just him

“how’ve you been holding up the past few years” -scott

“the world sucks, man” -you

“i can see that” -scott

he turned on some tunes for the two of you to enjoy otw to the avengers hq and it was probably the best memory you created since everyone disappeared

“wait, reach into the glove box” -scott

“oh, god, i hope there’s no rodents in here...” -you, reaching for a picture “is this..?”

“family photo!! you were little back then, i can’t believe how time flies. i mean, it flew really quick for me, the quantum realm is no joke” -scott

you were busy staring at the picture of your mom, you really missed her

busy ~saving the world~

and going to 2012 with scott

“hey uh just so you know, i might be able to make pym particles” -you

“‘might?’ and if we use faulty pym particles we ‘might’ die. would you like that?” -tony

“hey, back off, stark. they’re just trying to help” -scott

next thing u know ur in present day and THEN u actually got to hold the scepter bc scott let u

“im gonna stab you!!” -you

“no!!!” -scott

the other avengers, literally mourning natasha while you chase him around with a sharp weapon: 😧

okay after the place was destroyed u got to face mr. purple man and yo mama showed back up and saw you on the front lines

“y/n????” -hope

“mom????” -you

“scott!!!!” -scott

“really, scott? a shrek reference? now?” -you “...nice”

the reunion with your mom was short and sweet but you missed her forehead kisses and she gave you one immediately!!!! and she was crying but you were too bc damn

“listen, after this, we’re gonna have such a fun family night. i’m so sorry i couldn’t be there for you all this time” -hope

“mom, it wasn’t your fault...it was that purple bastard, let’s get him!” -you

“they grow up so fast...” -hope

i n s e c t f a m

insect fam killed it out there and then ✨attended tony’s funeral✨ together right after

that’s one solid family 😌💖

anyways time to celebrate a (halfway) return to normalcy

with your *sister* cassie and your mom and your...scott

you were just happy to all be together again, it’s been WAY too long

taglist: @alwaysananglophile // @rorybutnotgilmore // @locke-writes // @sweetheartliz07 // @queen-destenie // @natasha-danvers // @lokihiddles // @frostedficrecs // @lotsoffandomrecs // @johnmurphyisqueer // @teenwaywardasgardian // @pappydaddy // @captainshazamerica // @freya-xo // @ravenmoore14 // @thisetaernallove // @ofthedewthesunlight // @canarypoint // @zoeyserpentluck // @randomawesomeperson102 // @spideyandtheboys // @ghost-bich // @wonderful-writer // @of-a-chaotic-mind // @groovyfluxie // @procrastinatingsapphictrash // @lxncelot //

[lovesgonnabe]

Love Is Worth It - Mini Episode I: Happy Mothers Day

Characters: Chris Evans x Maya Alonso-Evans (Black OFC)

Warnings: Angst, Fluff, cursing,daddy kink, fake IG Post.

Word Count: IDK Yet(Soon)

Summary: What happens when there is a surprise on the Horizon?

AN/Disclaimer: There’s only slight edits so there may be errors. Also if you haven’t noticed this series will have many time jump things referenced here may make more sense later on in the series when new episodes come out so please bear with me.

Taglist: @thesecretlifeofdaydreamss, @canadian-girl87, @i-just-like-fanfics, @omg-mymelaninisbeautiful​ if you would like to join the taglist let me know.

Please leave a note and tell me what you think!

May 9th, 2021

Boston was moving from chilly too warm with still more cold days than not. Boston at this time was beautiful even The Evans home was littered with flowers. The beginning of 2021 has been eventful for the Evans Family.

Chris's A Starting Point has taken off like no one had expected, doing incredible number in educating a whole generation on one of Chris’s passions politics and the world.

While Maya within the few months has launched her skincare line Lavish Lilah Skin, and has been able to open back up her dermatology offices with the slowing down of the current devastating pandemic.

This Mothers Day for the family of 3 was different but the same at the same time.

Maya's Birthday has just passed, Chris filming schedule will pick up in the Summer and for the last year Delilah has been homeschooled.

With work picking up for the couple May 9th was a beautiful day for the Evans to just relax and be together as a family.

Its 9 am and Maya was sprawled in the middle of their California King Bed as Chris and Delilah were in the downstairs getting Maya's Mothers Day Gift ready.

"Ok Lilah you've got mommy's gifts and I've got the food you ready?" Chris asked with the tray in his hand.

Delilah nodded and they headed up the steps to the master bedroom the 5 year old ran up too the room first leaving Chris in her dust.

"Mom wake up its Mommy Day" Delilah said trying to climb the large bed.

Maya began to stir awake with a smirk on her face when she heard her baby girl struggle to to get up on the bed.

Delilah hooped on the outerman at the front of the bed and climbed to her mom laying up on Chris's said of the bed.

Delilah began to play with Maya's face.

"mommy get up me and daddy have gifs" Delilah said trying to open Maya's eyes with her little fingers.

Maya breaks out into a laugh now completely awake and pulling Delilah into a big hug kissing her all over the face.

When Chris walked in his two favorite girls were both laughing their heads off the sunlight in the room glowed on their golden skin as their smiling faces brought a bright smile to his.

"Are you two having fun without me" Chris asked as he walked to Maya's side of the bed.

Chris lays the tray on the night stand, pecking Maya on the lips mumbling a sweet Happy Mothers Day against her lips as he pulls her into a deeper kiss just enjoying the taste of her sinful lips.

When they pull away Maya moves over to make room for Chris in their large bed.

Delilah and Chris handed over the gifts to Maya, it wasn't a lot just some small things a card made by Maya from her zoom arts class, a mini breakfast in bed and more flowers *like she needed anymore*.

"Sweetheart I told you that you didn't have to do anything for me for Mothers Day especially everything you have done for me recently" Maya said taking sip from her coffee mug.

Chris chuckles thinking about the last few months, and he has been what you would call a rockstar husband.

With the pandemic Chris has been home a lot more he dropped a film he planned to star in and went full throttle on ASP which kept him home a lot making him kind of a stay home dad.

Chris did everything from some cooking to cleaning to school with Delilah. Him staying home was not only for him to do ASP and spend more time with his family but to let Maya work and bring her employess back so she can get her dermotobly practice back to as close to 100% as she can during a pandemic.

Not only that Chris hosted a surprise launch party/brithday party for Maya's new skincare venture in early April that was a small get together with all there closest friends and family (that were vaccinated). Even flying her parents who they haven’t seen in a year out to see them. (who were still in town and staying out in their guest home)

The three were still sitting in bed watching cartoons.

"My love if you thought today would go by and I would not celebrate you then you are out of your mind" Chris said kissing Maya's head.

The last four months have really shown Chris how much he admires Maya because everything he has been doing is what Maya has been doing since Dede was born.

So at least for today Chris was pulling out the red carpet for love of his life, after an hour of just lazying around Chris grabbed a now napping Delilah and told maya that she need to be dressed and ready to leave the house by 1pm which was 2 hours from the current time.

When 1pm hit the Evans and the Alonsos were out of the house and all in Maya's Truck.

They drove the 3 hours to the Alonso Family Estate in Martha's Vineyard and with Maya having absolutely no idea where they were going she grew antsy because unbeknownst to everyone in the car except her mother Maya was now Pregnant with her and Chris's second child and she was afraid she was going to have an accident in the car.

Maya was about 16 weeks how she has hide being pregnant from Chris for that long is a surprise and a miracle on its own.

However she just wanted to wait until she was absolutly sure that she could carry a complete trimester before telling anyone but her mom because her and Chris have tried 5 times after Delilah and has miscarred everytime.

All that faliure takes a toll not only on your body but on your psyche and she didn’t want to keep getting Chris's hopes up to keep failing him.

Even though he has been there through it all to hold her when she cries thinking about it or pick her up from the pool of blood in the middle of the night he was there holding her hand, but the of how many more times will he be able to do this with her still creeps in the back of Maya's mind.

Her mom's reassuring smile kept her calm while Chris and Maya held hands the entire ride up as they rolled up around 5pm to the estate that had multiply cars in the driveway.

When they walked in Maya's Brothers were both there along with Chris's parents, siblings and their kids.

Chris explained to Maya that with the kids out of school they all decided to being summer vacation a bit early.

As the night went on the all talked, laughed, ate good food and enjoyed each others company as one huge blended family.

It was coming up around 7pm it was golden hour outside and Maya knew for some reason it was time to tell Chris.

As Maya walked outside closet to the horses her mom followed.

"May baby cakes its time you can't live in fear forever" handing the ultrasound she kept in her purse and walking back into the house Maya took a deep breath as she sipped on her water and looked at sun hint the vinyard in the most majestic way.

"Maya you ok your mom wanted me to come and check in on you" Chris asked walking next to Maya who bit her lip which she did whenever she was nervous.

"Babe whats wrong" Chris knew something wasn't right the her body langague was and Chris could read his wife.

Maya tightly gripped the ultrasoud and turned toward Chris looking into his ocean blue eyes made her weak at the knees but she needed to focus.

She handed him the photo

"For the last 16 weeks or so I haven't found a way to tell that we are pregant and I guess this is it I am sorry I waited so long" Maya Says.

She smirks trying to keep it light hearted and Chris Smiles not even taking enough time to really process the new information with tears in his eye picking up Maya who squeals as he spins her around.

"I hope you know I knew already” he says putting her down leaving his arms around her waist.

"What do you mean you knew" Maya asked as her eyebrows frowned as she looked up at him.

"You underestimate how well I know your body" Chris says rubbing his hands up and down the curves of her body till her reached her ass giving it a good squeeze.

"Also you definitely did not hide this ultrasound that well so when I did first have hunch you had already confirmed it to me without even knowing it" Chris said.

He gave Maya his trademark smile and kissed his wife like his life depended on it.

"why didn’t you tell me you knew" she asked breaking the sweet embrace of the two lovers.

"the same reason you didn't I know that with you even though I hate it, some times I need to just watch from the sideline before you can put me in coach, but next time please do wait this long" Chris said.

Maya eyebrow raised "who said there will be a next time you better be lucky you are even getting 2 out of me sir" she said.

Chris laughs "thats what your mouth is saying now we will see what it says later when you riding papi's cock" He said kissing her lips even harder as they fought for domanice.

They knew both of there families were inside and thats why they stopped and just stood enjoying each others company.

"lets take a picture babe for memories" Chris said.

They pulled apart and Maya laughed .

"Chris look at you trying to take flicks for the gram" Maya said posing next to her favorite horse.

Chris took the picture and put it on his instagram along with a picture of Maya when she was pregnant with Delilah.

Chris laughed grapped her hand and they walked inside and told everyone the good news.

This will definaly be a Mothers Day they would never forget!

[onbeinganangel]

for @skeptiquewrites who sent me a prompt from this list of kisses for me to work with! the prompt was 'we're with family and can't kiss but let's sneak into your old room for a minute' and she asked for a little bit of Perciver. this got a bit out of hand (who's surprised, not me) and it features discussions of coming out to one's family

not beta read and tbh barely edited, this is just straight out of my brain and into your eyeballs since these prompts are meant to be a warmup to working on The Big WIP, so my apologies in advance for any dumb mistakes

harder than i thought

(percy/oliver, 1.3k)

They’ve been dating for almost a year when Oliver decides he’s coming out to his parents and bringing Percy home to Glasgow for the first time. All for his birthday party, because when it comes to one Oliver Wood, it’s always go big or go home.

It’s weird that it’s when Oliver brings it up that Percy realises he’s never been to Oliver’s childhood home. Percy has met the Woods before, of course. Percy and Oliver had graduated the same year, fought the same war, and been generally inseparable way before their relationship crossed the line over from platonic to romantic.

Percy hasn’t been out to his family long either, so it all feels a little fragile, despite it being the surest thing Percy has ever had in his life. Coming out to his family had been slightly underwhelming, after all his overthinking and the practicing of his speech. He had made a big show of clinking his fork against his glass at Sunday dinner, pushed himself up with his sweaty palms flat over the dinner table and announced, as loud and as proud as his shaky voice allowed it, “I’m gay.” His mum had reacted with a casual “as long as you’re happy, love, do you want more roast potatoes? Oh, and do bring Oliver over next week” and that had been only after Bill coughed something that sounded suspiciously like “yeah, we know.” Despite the subdued reaction, Percy had felt lighter for it.

But Oliver has his own plan to air things out with his parents, and Percy will do the same as always until Oliver is ready: pretend they are just friends.

It’s not as easy as it seems. They do it plenty in public, whenever Percy goes to Oliver’s matches or they’re out with friends. But it’s different at home. It’s different because they’re too casual, both at theirs and at the Burrow now.

They wake up tangled up in one other, like one creature with too many limbs. Oliver gets out of bed first and goes for a run and Percy is up and ready to leave for work by the time Oliver is back. It’s way more than the freedom of going on dates in the Muggle world. It’s the way they brush hands softly even while doing the most mundane of things, the way Oliver puts his feet on Percy’s lap when they watch tv together, the way Percy wraps his arms around Oliver’s waist and places his chin on Oliver’s shoulder when he’s cooking or standing in the kitchen drinking a cup of tea. It’s the temple kisses, and the forehead kisses, and the knuckle kisses, the neck kisses, the kisses right on top of Oliver’s gorgeous hair that always smells fresh and minty. Percy’s fear is that he’s too used to all of that. And he’d have to survive Oliver’s birthday party and pretend they’re just friends for as long as it takes.

He takes a steadying breath and fusses with the collar of his shirt for the 900th time. It’s fair that he’s trying so hard. Meeting the parents, even if you’ve met them before, is a big deal.

“You ready?” Oliver’s voice comes from the other room.

His worry must be obvious in his face when he steps into the front room because Oliver’s mouth curls into a small frown and he says, “You don’t have to come, you know? I’ll say you’re a wee bit under the weather.”

“Merlin, no! I don’t want to miss your birthday party,” Percy argues. He really doesn’t.

Oliver crowds in on him, lips brushing Percy’s. “We can celebrate properly when we come back home,” he says, voice low, lips parting and puffing hot air against Percy’s.

“Will you behave, please? We just have to survive a few hours without touching. Stop making it harder than it is.”

“Oh, I could make it harder,” Oliver says.

“Bloody hell, you’re a hazard,” Percy says and pushes him away playfully. “Let’s go, okay?”

“Aye, let’s go.”

*

It’s nice. Nice, in the sense that Mrs. Wood hugs him as if he’s her own and asks about his parents and siblings. And nice in the sense that he can point at ridiculous photos on the walls (most of them featuring Oliver on a broom or posing with one, some featuring a rosy cheeked chubby baby) and say stuff like “Circe, is that what you looked like?” just to receive a deadly stare from Oliver.

It’s torture, though. It’s torture because more than once he finds himself reaching for Oliver’s hand or about to call him “love” before he reins it back in. It’s torture to make small talk with Oliver’s dad because Percy is saying “Yes, sir, I’m the Deputy Department Head now” and making jokes about if they ever have issues with their Floo, he’s the man to get in touch with but what he’s really thinking is “will you hate me when he tells you?”

Dinner is gorgeous and followed by a giant chocolate cake with pieces of fudge on top. Percy is fidgety the whole way through, even after a healthy dram of whisky. The quiet gets to him — a side effect of growing up in the loudest household in Britain, probably. But it’s weird, when it’s just the two of them, Oliver’s parents and his gran, and it’s weird because there’s not much to distract Percy and he just wants to hold Oliver’s hand and squeeze, and not entirely selflessly. They don’t touch but Oliver keeps looking at him, those gorgeous big brown eyes melting through every single one of Percy’s defenses and making him want to touch him even more.

He ends up in Oliver’s room and he’s not even sure how. They’d moved to the living room after lunch, with a Quidditch match on on the Wireless that Percy tried to pay attention to. The quiet had started seeping into Percy’s bones like when you walk into too-cold water at the beach.

Oliver pushes him into the small room at the top of the stairs, follows him inside and closes the door. The room is decorated in shades of blue — the walls, the duvet, the cushions on the bed, the shaggy rug — and covered in Quidditch paraphernalia — posters on the walls, more Little League trophies on the desk than he can count, more photographs of Oliver and his broom.

It’s so Oliver that Percy wants to drown in it. In all the blue of it, all the cosiness and that smell — that smell that has never left, despite Oliver not having lived at home for years. Spicy and minty and homey.

Oliver walks past him, leaving Percy at the door, still observing, committing every detail to memory and walks over to the desk, cocking a hip against it.

When Percy looks at him directly again, he’s smiling.

It feels a little like they’re about to kiss for the first time ever, excepted when they had, months ago, had been tentative and shy and had none of the fire this has. Percy crosses the room and lets himself be pulled against Oliver’s warmth. They just kiss for a while, a steady rhythm that tells Percy he’s not the only one struggling with the pretense.

“Not touching you is harder than I thought,” Oliver says against his spit-shiny lips.

Percy smiles and he sees the moment Oliver’s eyes light up and he realises what Percy is about to say, just before he says it. “Oh, Oli, I could make it harder.”

“You’re a bastard, you know?” Oliver says, but laughs.

Silence stretches comfortable, just slightly tinged with a hint of fear.

“You okay?” Percy asks, after a while, as Oliver tucks his head under Percy’s chin, his breath hot and tickly against the skin on his neck.

“Yeah. They’re not going to have a problem. They’re sound,” he says, and Percy squeezes his hand tight, watching the way Oliver’s eyes fill with apprehension. “It’s just hard, saying it, you know?”

“I know. I’ll be here,” Percy says, for lack of a better answer.

“I know.”

[peakyxtommy]

Last First Birthdays

Summary: Tommy & you celebrating your last child’s first birthday. You’re sad that the kids are growing up. Tommy provides a listening ear. 

Warnings: All Pure Fluff, slight mention of birth/pre-term labor. 

A/N: I am not a doctor, but did do some research. Enjoy, I loved writing this. Soft Tommy & Tommy with kids is my forever weakness. 

Word Count: 2.4K 

Today was a special day. Your last born was having his first birthday today. Attius James Shelby.

“Look at the birthday boy.” You coo, your fingers patting your son’s stomach as he releases a small squeal, happy to see your face. He had just awoken from his pre-party nap.

You dressed him in his 1st birthday onesie, khaki shorts, and clipped his pacifier to his top, which would come in handy later. His little blue orbs stare into your eyes, as you stand him up on his changing table, before lifting him into your arms.

“Let’s go find your dad and siblings.” You peck his forehead, brushing your hand over his brown curly locks. You walk down the stairs, to see the hustle and bustle of the last minute platters of food and drinks being placed. 

You walk into the living room to see Henry, your eldest son reading a book on the couch. Lydia, your second child with cards in her hands, slapping one down against the carpet. While Tom sits on the floor with Maeve, your third child, assisting her while laughing at something she says.

“Who’s ready for the birthday boy?” You speak gaining their attention.

“Me! I can’t wait for cake.” Lydia screams with excitement causing Maeve to scrunch her face up in annoyance at her sister.

“I am going to play with Jonas. He’s bringing his new card game over.” Henry responds, closing his book.

“Mummy we sing for Atty, right.” Maeve asks, calling her brother by his nickname, not able to pronounce his full name.

“Yes we will sing and have one slice of cake each. I will be watching.” You wag your finger playfully at Lydia. All the while your husband sits with a smirk on his face, his eyes fully enticed with yours. The doorbell rings, causing the kids to scramble to greet their family and poor Tom left with cleaning up the card game, but it wasn’t new to him with a house with four kids.

“Looks like you need some help Mr. Shelby. Bones of yours are getting old.” You tease, earning an eye roll, as he leans himself gently into you, as your free hand helps him off the floor.  

“Keep it up while it lasts, you are right behind me.” He chuckles pulling you into his side. “You look lovely, dress suits you well. Always a beaut.”

“Why thank you, my love.” Your lips press against his cheek.

“Let’s go birthday lad, we have to spend time with our crazy family.” You laugh as he takes your son from your arms, fingers entwined with yours as you make your way to the backyard. - The party was a smash. It was an overall great day with your’s and Tommy’s family and a few close friends. You hoped Tom was able to get Lydia to bed because she had a sweet tooth almost as bad as you, knowing someone gave that girl a second piece of cake (John), which was more unnecessary sugar the girl needed in her system, hoping she wouldn’t have a stomach ache from all the treats today.

Atticus enjoyed being passed around, trying cake for the first time, and being more interested in the wrapping paper than the presents. You took enough photos to last a lifetime.  

As you rock your son asleep in his rocker you mind couldn’t help but think back to what a year it had really been since he was brought into the world, a miracle really. You couldn’t take your eyes off the photos you would switch out periodically (as you took new ones) around his bedroom. Keeping the same ones you took of him when he was just born, when he arrived home, family photos throughout the year. The images floating in your head. The memories forever imprinted in your mind.

He was born eight weeks early in September.This pregnancy came as a surprise as you and Tommy weren’t expecting to have any more as your hands were full with three kids already. You both weren’t getting any younger. 

When you told your husband the news, he took it in stride, telling you how excited he was, despite the chaos of his world around you. All your pregnancies so far were a breeze but this one was stressful. Tommy tried his best to be home, get extra help around the home with the children, and get your older two children to be more helpful when possible.

Your water broke 8 weeks early and you had to have an emergency c-section. Tom was by your side through it all panicking on the inside but putting a brave front on for you. He wheeled you to the NICU to see your small infant son with tubes hooked up to him. Learning how to connect with him through the two small holes of the incubator. That was the start of a journey, for the family.

It definitely put a strain on your marriage of having Tommy balance work, the kids, and taking time visiting the hospital and helping you recover. Both your families provided as much support as possible. The car ride home was nerve wracking having to remember all this information and doing this without the help of the nurses.

Atticus settled in pretty quick to the environment and his siblings who would come to say goodnight to their little brother. It would be hard to sleep during the night with either one of always getting up to check on him, even if he was just sleeping peacefully. He was a little behind his milestones which was to be expected but each step of the way was worth it. He was growing healthily, was able to say little phrases, and was getting closer to walking. He was the calmest out of all your children and easy going.

Your heart was happy to celebrate his first birthday. All your children’s birthdays made you emotional, as you knew they weren’t going to stay young - little - forever. As much as you both wanted them to. This one was the last first birthday you were going to celebrate, as you weren’t planning on having anymore children. Atticus like the rest of your kids were going to grow on their way to independence and need you less and less. You knew you had to let them find their way in this beautiful but cruel world.

“Knew I'd find you in here.” His voice brings comfort to your heart as he whispers to you in the dim lighting across the room, opening the door, just leaving it cracked a bit.

“The rest of the crew are finally to bed and remind me to slap John on the back of his head the next time I spot him for giving Lydia a second piece of cake.” His head shakes with a roll of the eyes as he paces across the floor, to take half a seat on the arm of the rocking chair. You can’t help the smile that plays on your lips.

“Those two are as thick as thieves, poor lad can never say no to her. Spoils her rotten, like the rest of your siblings do to all our kids.” You reply knowing all the Shelby siblings loved all your children equally, each one having similarities to them all, but knew which children brought a weakness or were closer to their uncles/aunt.

It’s quiet for a moment, just the two of you, staring at your sleeping son in your arms. “You know he’s not going anywhere, none of them are. They’re always going to need you, need us. Hell, even I'll need you when I'm old and grey.” His lips peck the top of your head, fingers squeezing your shoulder with gentle reassurance.

He knew you like the back of his hand. His words rang true in your mind and heart, knowing this wasn’t the first time he found you in this spot, with the same thoughts, that come along with parenthood.

You wanted old and grey with Tom, you wanted to believe in it, even though you both knew it wasn’t promised not in his world especially. You were blessed with him thus far, this man aged like fine wine the older he got. You could tell he was getting older in trying to keep up with the energy of the kids, the glasses you adored, and the crow’s feet that was starting to make an appearance.

“I know, just working myself up over the small things. I know we don’t have to worry but I do. Just want to make sure everything will go right. Henry is going to be a teen soon, that boy is too smart for his own good. Lydia is just as stubborn as you are and free-spirited but reminds me of you. Maeve is sweet and our little helper, she’s only just started preschool. Both of them wrapped around your finger in different ways.

I accepted it then in my mind after Maeve but then Atticus came along. I think about the what if’s of that day, the weeks passed, but then I'm reminded of today. How it all feels right and complete. It all goes by so fast, I just want to hold on to this moment, ya know.”

He listens to your continuous thought, walking through it as you speak your mind. You were a deep thinker and took everything to heart because you cared so much. It was the little things that added up. That made life sweeter than the grand things. That was one of the things he loved the most about you, the thing that attracted him from the very beginning of your relationship. He doesn’t miss the quiet tears that release gently out your eyes, the smallness of your wet voice.

He knows what you mean because he has the same thoughts, even though he doesn’t always share them. He has enough nerves for his lifetime and lines in his forehead to prove it.

Henry the eldest reminded him of the earlier years of your relationship. Young, in love, just starting out. The excitement of your first born. He knew after Henry was born, he would do everything in his power to stay alive. He was smart, a leader, and enjoyed spending time with his cousins. He was a younger version of himself, but better. He was glad for it.

Lydia came a few years later and she took his heart when his blue eyes met her brown ones. She was a handful from the start (she was definitely his daughter). She reminded him of Ada in her sass and the mouth on her but also John as she was the child that brought the most laughter and entertainment to the family as she was extroverted. They would enjoy being silly together and tease you to no end.

Maeve was like you in all ways, sweet, loving, and ready to help the best way a 4 year old can. She was a shy girl but was definitely a daddy’s girl. Always searching for him when he was away or would try to sweet talk her way to stay up to see him before bed or read her an extra story. Would make herself comfortable in his home office to play with her toys or find a way to sit on his lap as he did paperwork. She would always ask him the sweetest of things or most serious things, trusting whatever answer left his mouth. He had the hardest time telling her no.

Atticus came as a surprise but in the best of ways. His birth changed something within him. Thomas Shelby wasn’t a religious man by any means, but when he watched his son get wheeled away by the nurses and was watching him through the big glass window the first few hours of his life, he prayed hard for the first time, in a long time, since he was 18. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing a child, let alone losing you.

He remembers your tears as he wheeled you to meet your son for the first time. Him reassuring you and himself, that it was all going to be okay. It was this child that made him slow down the most and rethink his priorities, putting them in check once again. These past two years were hard business and family wise. Managing the logistics of expanding and meetings, risky deals/death threats, raising 4 kids, with two under the age of 5 and in need of constant attention.

Handling the nerves of it all, your/his moods, and the tiffs you both would get in due to sleep deprivation, late nights working, stubbornness on both ends, or just not having a minute alone together or for intimacy. Moments like these, in the quiet night of his home with you and the children at peace made it worth every minute of the day. Made him want to be around even longer, even though it wasn’t necessarily promised.  

“I do too love, I know.” His fingers brush the sleeping infant’s cheeks, watching as he snuggles subconsciously closer in your arms. He knew he didn’t have to say much because in that small phrase communicated all you needed to know, to hear. The both you could read one another like a book where it speaks for itself.

“Come let’s get to bed.” He hums, blue eyes shimmering with affection, as his lips turn upward in one of your favorite smiles, reserved just for you. His soft lips press against yours lightly into just a small peck. The pads of his soft fingers, brushing against your wet cheeks to collect this remainder of the tears. He stands to his feet, holding the chair still as you get up to place your son into his crib.

“Goodnight, sweet Atticus. We love you.” You whisper, feeling the warmth of Tommy wrap around your frame, chin resting on your shoulder, fingers tangling together, bands touching as you both stare down at your sleeping son.

You knew that everything was going to be okay. Even though you weren’t going to be celebrating anymore first birthdays in your household, you knew every birthday after would still be as special as the last one. You always made sure of it as you loved celebrating birthdays as much as holidays. You had all you needed within yourself, the man you loved dearly, and the four sleeping children you called your own.  

[sunmoonandeddie]

light up my moon

pairing: steve rogers x stark!reader

word count: 7,014

summary: Not everyone gets a second chance, but you’re one of the lucky ones.

prompt: stark!reader

warnings: swearing, violence, tony stark’s death

a/n: This is a part two of yellow lights, which I wrote for @youngmoneymilla‘s writing challenge a while back, and I finally fucking wrote the sequel like I promised.  You don’t necessarily need to read yellow lights to read this one, but it does help.  This was written for @afterglowparker‘s 1K Celebration!  I’m so sorry it took me so long!  Thank you for your patience!  Let me know what you think!

“Are you gonna talk to her?”

Steve jumped almost a foot in the air, whirling around to see Bucky standing behind him.  “Warn a guy, will you?” He huffed, glancing down at the bit of champagne that he’d spilled.  It had splattered down his hand and on his suit.

His seven thousand dollar Armani suit that Tony had gotten him for his birthday.  God, Tony was gonna kill him when–

No.  Tony wouldn’t kill him.  Because Tony wasn’t here anymore.

Whatever.  He couldn’t get drunk off the champagne, so what did it matter if he wore it on his suit instead?

Thor wasn’t even here with the good stuff that actually could get him drunk.

Fucking ridiculous.

“Stupid bullshit,” he said under his breath before finishing off the bubbly liquid.

“Hey.  Language,” Bucky said, coming to stand beside him.  His metal arm dinged against the metal railing of the balcony.

The city was completely lit up for the first time in over five years.  It had taken months to get everything back in order, and even then, the effects of having half the universe’s population pop back into existence after Earth spent five years adjusting to not having them there…  It had been nothing short of disaster.

“She always said that growing up…  She almost never got to see the stars growing up in New York, so she said the city lights became her stars,” Steve said softly, before scoffing and shaking his head.  “She says.  She says.  Not said.”

“You spent five years thinking she was dead,” his best friend scoffed, nudging him with his elbow.  “Cut yourself some slack.  It’s not like…  It’s not like you went and found someone new.”  He paused.  Then, eyeing him: “You didn’t, did you?”

“No,” he snapped, rolling his eyes.  “How…  How could I–”  He shook his head.  “No.  No way.”  Almost as a reflex, he pulled out his old compass and flipped it open.  It used to have Peggy’s picture in it.  It did for years.  But you had been the one to pull him out of that funk, out of his past.

You reminded him that he was alive.

But it wasn’t until after he’d left you in the Raft that he’d switched the pictures out.  He’d stuck the one of Peggy into one of the lockers on the quinjet, replacing it with one of you.  It was one of you after you’d first gotten back from college, before everything, before… before you’d gone on the run with him.

Before he’d ruined everything.

“Stevie, can you hand me the bowl?” You asked, absentmindedly scrolling through whatever app was open on your phone.  It was probably Instagram or Twitter.  One of the ones that Steve still hadn’t quite come around to yet.

He’d get there.  Eventually.  Maybe.

Probably not, but whatever.

When he didn’t immediately move, your eyes flicked up to find his.  “Please?” You said, pulling your legs up to cross applesauce style or whatever that rhyme you told him was.  “Pretty please, Steve?  With whipped cream and a cherry on top?”

And, okay.  How the hell was anyone supposed to say no to that?

Granted, he’d always had a soft spot for the youngest Stark, especially after you came home from college.  You weren’t the eighteen year old that hid away in her room and ignored the Avengers every chance you could.  Well, that wasn’t exactly true.  You spent a lot of time with Natasha and your dad.

With Natasha, it had started with training.  Tony had needed you to be able to protect yourself, even more so after he announced to the world that he was Iron Man.  She had been more than happy to spend a few hours each day teaching you how to properly kick someone’s ass.

But part of Steve wished that she hadn’t.  You had been itching to officially become an Avenger ever since you graduated, and he hated it.

And he hated that Tony had told you that he’d think about letting you join once you got your degree, because you took that as a guarantee that you could join.

Steve grabbed the mixing bowl form where it sat in front of him before sliding off the island stool and bringing it to you.

Without a single blink, you swiped your finger through the leftover brownie batter and smeared it across his cheek.

“You little…  You little Stark,” he said, getting a dollop of batter of his own to cover your skin in.

You certainly hadn’t been expecting him to retaliate.  At least, not in such a childish manner.

This was Steve Rogers, after all.  Captain America.

He was the Golden Boy.  The one who always followed rules, who never got his hands dirty.

And yet, there was a gleam in his eyes as he looked at you.  One that screamed ‘troublemaker.’

Maybe…  Maybe you’d misjudged him.

“Was that a challenge?” You asked, not-so-subtly dipping three fingers in before getting it all over his face and into his hair.

“Now it is.”

It turned into a flurry of hands and laughter as you two scrambled to cover the other in more brownie batter.  At some point, you ran out of batter, but then you just started smearing the batter that was already on the two of you more.

“What the fuck is going on?”

Both of you froze, turning to see Natasha standing in the doorway, her hands on her hips.

You two were both staring at her like you’d been caught with your hands in the cookie jar.

“Uh…  We’re making… brownies?” You said slowly, though it came out more like a question than a statement.

“You know what?” Natasha said after a long moment looking between the two of you.  She raised her hands in surrender, taking a few steps back.  “I’m not even going to ask.”

When she disappeared back around the corner, Steve and you slowly turned to each other.  The impish look mirrored on each of your faces dissipated as you both erupted into giggles.

“D-Did you see… the l-look on her face?” You asked, struggling to get out your words or even breathe.

As he looked at you, something in Steve’s chest stirred.  Something that he hadn’t felt in seventy years.

You made his heart feel so… light.  Like when he was with you, the weight of the world no longer rested on his shoulders.  At least, for a little bit.

And he couldn’t help himself.  He grabbed his phone–the one that Tony insisted he have–and snapped a photo of you.  It was mid-laugh, and you were just starting to reach to cover your face, but it was perfect.

It was you.

Steve swallowed around the lump in his throat as he stared at your smiling face in the compass.  There were streaks of brownie batter over your face, in your hair.  You looked so carefree, so young.

He turned around, his eyes finding you effortlessly.  Even now, in the glittering lights of the party, you looked like you’d aged ten years since coming back in the Blip.

You had been clinging to Pepper’s side all night, like a thirteen year old girl at a family reunion.  Your dress was some black Dior number that clung to you in all the right places and definitely cost more than he ever made in the forties.

The champagne glass in your hand was still full, though the rim rested against your lips as you stared at whoever was currently speaking to your stepmother.  It was some senator or other that was more than likely trying to sell you on some policy of theirs they wanted you to back, but he could see all the way from the balcony that your eyes were glazed over.  It was going in one ear and out the other.

But your attention was stolen as Morgan ran up to you, grabbing the hand that was laying by your side.  Your eyes lit up, the senator long forgotten.

Morgan had seamlessly become your favorite person ever since you came back, and you became hers.

You’d spent years telling Tony that you wanted a younger sibling after him and Pepper finally got together, and you finally got her.

But you’d missed the first five years of her life.

He could see the guilt and remorse in your eyes every time you looked at her, thinly veiled with pure adoration.  No matter what anyone said, you felt like it was your fault for not being there for her, for missing her first steps and her first words.

But at least you didn’t think she was your replacement.

Steve knew that Tony had actually been worried about that when they were getting everything ready to get the Infinity Stones, and it had broken his heart.

Tony stared down at the ground, his hands shoved in his pockets.

“You alright?”

He looked up to see Steve coming towards him, his strides slowing down as he realized just what he was looking at.  He cleared his throat as he motioned to the door.  “Have you…”

He shook his head.  His lips were pressed in a thin line.  “No.  No, I…  I couldn’t bring myself to…”

The two men stood there in front of the door with your name printed across it in floral letters.  Even after five years it wasn’t covered in dust thanks to the cleaning robots that dusted weekly.  So much had happened since the last time that either of them had stood there.  The world had…  The world had fallen apart.

“I…  I went in once.  Right after she chose you in the whole… Accords fiasco,” he said.  He wasn’t even sure where he was going with this, why he was saying it.  “I couldn’t even go in before I moved out to the cabin.”

The hall was completely silent as they stood there.  Side by side.  They were no longer enemies but they weren’t exactly friends anymore either.

Tony cleared his throat before looking up at him.  “You…  You can open it.  If you want.”

He didn’t want to say that he still couldn’t bring himself to open that door on his own.

Steve nodded once at him before reaching for the doorknob and carefully opening it.  It swung open with a soft creak, revealing your room just as you’d left it.  He couldn’t help but let out a laugh, shocking even himself.  “She always hated making the bed.”

A weak smile tugged at Tony’s lips, and soon enough the two of them were both laughing.  It wasn’t a happy laugh, by any means, but it was a laugh.

It was Tony who flipped on the light, and he sighed as he saw the Christmas lights hanging up on your walls flicker on.  There were a few little bulbs that didn’t come on.  “When I first built this place, she asked that her room have Christmas lights instead of an overhead.”

Just like with the door, there was no trace of dust.  But there was an eerie feeling in the air as the two of them stood in your room.

“If she were here right now, she’d be whining and telling us to knock,” Tony said.  He paused.  “Well, she’d be telling me to knock.  I don’t know about you.”

A snort.  Both of them shifting their weight.

“God, I wish she was here,” Steve said as a wave of sorrow washed over him.  He rubbed the heels of his palms into his eyes as he tried to stop himself from crying.  “Stop crying, stop crying, for fuck’s sake, stop,” he muttered to himself as he turned away.

Tony sniffled, tears streaking down his own cheeks.  He knew how hard it was for Steve to cry in front of him.  He was the same way.  Always being told to man up and take everything in stride.

But this was his daughter, this was Steve’s…  This was the love of Steve’s life, as much as he didn’t want to admit it.

“I keep thinking…  What if she thinks I’ve tried to replace her with Morgan?” He said, voice cracking.  “What if she thinks I’ve forgotten her?”

“It’s impossible to forget her,” Steve said, rubbing his hands along his pants.  “And she…  She won’t.  Pepper was pregnant before everything happened, wasn’t she?”

A nod.

“And there’s no way she’d ever be upset with you for trying to heal, for trying to have a family,” he said, his eyes landing on a framed photo of you and him resting on the bedside table.  It was taken at some gala he doesn’t remember.  There were so many.  “She’s gonna love Morgan more than she’s loved anyone in the whole world.  You know that.”

Steve watched as you crouched down to her level, sitting on your knees.

The senator was rather affronted that you’d rather pay attention to your little sister, but you didn’t care.

Morgan had become your world.  Your anchor in a new world that you didn’t quite understand.  You had spent almost every waking moment with her ever since you learned of her existence, and she loved it.

She’d spent the last five years with only pictures and videos and stories.  Stories of the first love of her father’s life.

And you didn’t really understand just how much you meant to your father, of course.  Sure, you knew he loved you, but Tony had hid how you had been the one to save him.

The man had told him about it one night when you were still at college, the two of them completely exhausted after pouring over mission plans.

“I thought I had my life all figured out,” he said as he read a text from you, letting him know that you got home to your dorm safe after a night of studying at the library.  “And then…  This baby shows up on my doorstep.  I mean, not literally on my doorstep,” he corrected after a moment.  “But this girl I had a fling with shows up and tells me she’s my kid.  She doesn’t want any money or anything, she just can’t handle taking care of a baby.  She’s not ready to be a mom.”  His eyes glazed over as he stared out into the distance.  “And yeah, Pepper made me get a paternity test because she was worried the girl would come back and claim I kidnapped her kid or something, but no.  She was mine.  And…  I looked at this little… pink bundle in her arms, and I knew.  I knew I’d do anything for her.”  His eyes refocused as he looked back at Steve.  “She saved me, you know.  I would’ve been dead a long time ago if she hadn’t come into my life.”

There was no doubt in his mind that Morgan was going to be the one to save you, to keep you from sinking and drowning in the waves of sorrow and guilt, so much guilt.

Steve wanted to be there for you.  He wanted to hold you when you cried in the middle of the night and be the one to let you let your walls down.

But he couldn’t.

Because he fucked up.

Because he waited too long to act on his feelings and then he left you in the Raft and then he couldn’t even keep you safe and defeat Thanos and–

He was spiraling.

“You know, you get kind of creepy when you stare at her like this,” Bucky said.

But Steve’s eyes never left you.

You nuzzled your nose against Morgan’s as she burst into giggles, her tiny hands clutching onto hers.  Your bottom lip was caught between your teeth as she whispered something in your ear, before you nodded.

You two were definitely up to something.

Pepper watched the two of you with so much love in her eyes.

It had been hard for her, losing her husband.  And then she’d had to help you get through coming back to life and then losing your father less than a day later.

You were all still going through it.  You’d probably still be going through it for the rest of your life.  It was something you took day by day.

“No, really.  You’re a fucking creep.”

Steve’s head rolled to the side, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the other super soldier.  “You’re a real pain in my ass, you know that?”

“Are we talking about how Steve is a pervert?” Sam asked as he came out to the balcony.  He looked sharp in his three piece suit.  “Because, really, dude, the way you stare at her is getting weird.  You need to talk to her soon or someone’s gonna call the cops on the former Captain America for stalking Tony Stark’s daughter.”

That was another thing that was going to take some time to get used to.

Not being Captain America.

After all this, he’d realized just how… tired he was.  He was tired of going off on mission after mission and not knowing whether he was going to be home again.  He was tired of giving every part of himself to saving the world.

He wanted to be selfish.

He wanted to know that he was going to be home at a certain time and that he’d have holidays off.  He wanted to be able to sleep in on Sundays and maybe–just maybe–have someone to share those moments with.

And by someone, he meant you.

Steve would be a fat ass liar if he didn’t admit that you were a huge reason that he’d demoted himself.  He was done lying.  He’d lied to the support group he led in the five years after the Snap, telling them that they needed to learn to move on and grow.  Truth be told, he’d had no right to tell them that when he’d clung to your memory.  When one of the guys had tried setting him up with a girl he knew, he had refused point-blank.

But how was he supposed to just… go on a date with someone else?  Even just the thought of spending his life with someone other than you was… repulsive, to say the least.

So he stepped down to a consultant position.  The Avengers and, by extension, whatever the hell was left of SHIELD were only allowed to call him during extreme emergencies.  Like, a Thanos level of emergency.

Steve watched as you ran off with Morgan, slipping out of the party without so much as a glance back.

You didn’t care that it could be considered rude.  You’d stopped giving a shit about societal expectations long ago, and even more so once you came back and realized you’d been dead for five years.

“Are you ever gonna talk to her?” Sam asked, echoing Bucky’s words from just a few minutes earlier.

Steve was brought back to where he was on the balcony, and he glared at the two.  “Since when are you two friends?” He asked.  “I liked you two better when you were fighting and not ganging up on me.”

The centurion smirked at the newly named Captain America.  “Someone’s gotta knock some sense into you, right?”

“Gotta call your ass out when you’re being a shithead.”

“Which is all the time, by the way.”

The blond huffed as he stared at their matching shit-eating grins.  “Yeah.  Fuck both of you.”

“Language!” Sam called after him as he headed back into the party.

Fuck.  That was never gonna end, was it?  One little joke made over the comms and now everyone who had ever even breathed the same air as an Avenger knew about it.

The ballroom of the Tower was packed full of people.  Anyone who was anyone was in attendance, celebrating the return of the Avengers to the city since the Compound was destroyed.  It hadn’t been hard to convince the new owners to allow Pepper to buy the Tower back from them.  The Avengers were being hailed as heroes again after the Final Battle and the Blip.

But he knew it would only be a matter of time before some politician tried to bring the Accords up again.

He could only hope that this time they’d be better.

He ignored anyone calling his name, making a beeline for the elevator.

He was on a mission.

He was gonna talk to you.

Steve didn’t really remember the elevator ride up to the residential floors.  He was too busy trying to figure out exactly what he was going to say.

“Hi, sorry I didn’t talk to you for four months, I was scared you’d hate me for leaving you in the Raft.”

Yeah, right.

“Mr. Rogers, we’ve reached your destination,” FRIDAY said.

He blinked, realizing that the elevator doors had been sitting open for at least several minutes.  “Uh, thank you, FRIDAY,” he said as he got off, heading down the hallway.

It was also a little weird to hear the AI referring to him as Mr. Rogers and not Captain Rogers.

But not in a bad way.

He slowed down as he heard giggles coming from down the hall.

The light from Morgan’s room was on, pouring through the slight crack in the door out into the hallway.

“–and they lived happily ever after.  The end.”

Steve peered into the room, happy to find that he was out of sight.

You were sitting with your back to him, sitting with Morgan between your legs.  You’d changed your little sister out of her fancy dress and into her Tinkerbell footie pajamas.  Even though you were still in your evening gown, you’d pulled the skirt up, the slit up your thigh making it easy to get comfortable.  You were working on undoing her hair, taking out the little braids throughout her hair because she wanted to look like ‘Uncle Thor.’  “Alright, viking princess, we’re almost done,” you said, grabbing her brush from the bed stand.

The tiniest Stark’s energy had considerably dipped since he’d last seen her in the ballroom.  Her head was lolling to the side every few seconds as she fought to stay awake.

“Just a few more minutes, sweetheart,” you murmured, tenderly brushing out her waves.

“Sissy?” Morgan said, brown eyes blinking up at you.

Steve could see the sharp intake of breath, followed by a shaky, “Yes?”

“I miss daddy.”

You bit your lip, willing yourself not to cry.  “Me, too.”

“Sissy?”

“Yes, Mo?”

“Does daddy miss us?”

Steve’s heart broke a little as he watched you wrap your arms around her, squeezing her tight.  “So much, sweetheart.”

You held onto her for a long time, humming a lullaby in her ears as you rocked her back and forth, back and forth.  It didn’t take long for her to fall asleep, but still you held her.  You could feel her little heart beating steadily, giving you an assurance that she was there, she was alive, and she wasn’t going to be leaving anytime soon.

Not if you had anything to do with it.

There was so much going on around you.

Aliens, Avengers…  They were all fighting in the rubble of the Compound.

You kept catching glimpses of your friends, your family, but you didn’t have time to stop and cry.  To greet each other after apparently being dead for five years.

Yeah.  You were gonna need a moment after this to wrap your head around this.

You’d seen Steve when Strange had first opened up the portals, his broken shield in hand.  He looked like he’d been through hell and back and fuck, he probably had.  Your heart clenched in your chest when you remembered that he hadn’t been one of those to die in the Snap.

He’d watched both you and Bucky turn into dust within seconds of each other and had been living with that for five years.

For you, it was just a blink.

“Your man is a goddamn idiot,” Bucky said beside you as he cocked his gun.

“My man?” You said, raising your eyebrows.  “He’s your boyfriend.”

“When he’s making stupid decisions, he’s your man.”

As you heard Thor’s battle cry, everyone started to run towards Thanos and his army.

“You know,” you said as you charged forward with the rest of them, “if we make it out of this alive, we should really get Steve a dumbass jar.  Kinda like a swear word jar.  We can use the money for movie night.”

Bucky barked out a laugh.  “If we make it out of this, we’ll do it.”  He nodded towards you.  “Stay safe.”

Panic reared its ugly head in your chest, but you nodded back.  “You, too.”

As you fought alien after alien, you couldn’t help but wish that you’d taken your father up on the Iron Girl suit that he’d made for you.  It had been a point of contention between the two of you several times.

As much as you didn’t like how clunky it could be, you could appreciate the extra protection that it provided and admit that you might need it now.

But you’d been trained by Natasha.  You were more of a spy than a soldier, though you could still hold your own.

Speaking of–where was Natasha?

You could see flashes of your father, your mother, and Steve every now and again.

Was she…

You shook yourself out of your thoughts.  There was no time to think about that now.  You had bigger things to worry about.

But even just that one moment had been enough for the enemy.

You were thrown to the ground like a rag doll as an alien with particularly creepy eyes leered over you.

There was no way you’d be able to beat that thing in hand-to-hand.  It was more than three times your size and had six arms.

You scrambled backwards, your hands getting cut on the rubble of what used to be your home.

This was it.  You were going to die.

You were going to die again and there was no way that you were going to be brought back this time.

Your chest was heaving as you stared up at the beast with wide eyes.

But then it flew back, hitting a slab of cement and falling to the ground dead.

Tears pricked your eyes as you whirled around to see your father standing above you, his hand held out in front of him with the blaster still on and ready to strike again if it came back.  “Daddy?” You cried, relief flowing through you at seeing your father again.  You felt like you were five years old again, running to him with scraped knees after falling on the playground.

“No one touches my daughter,” he said, eyes still trained on the alien.

Without a second thought, you flung yourself into his arms, not even noticing the cold metal of the Iron Man suit cutting into your skin.  Red hot tears streamed down your cheeks, washing away the dirt that caked your skin from fighting in a bunch of rubble.

“I’ve missed you.  So much,” he gasped out as he clutched onto you.  He tried to stop himself from crying, but fuck, he spent five years without his daughter.

“Not to interrupt this reunion, but we’re trying not to die here,” Wanda said as she suddenly appeared by your side.  But there was a knowing look in her eyes as she looked at the two of you.

Tony took a deep breath and nodded at you.  “I love you.  Stay alive.”

“I love you, too,” you said.  You watched as he took a long look at you, as though he was imprinting you into his mind.

Almost like he knew something was coming.

It wasn’t until you were watching your father on his knees before Thanos that you understood what that was.

“And I… am Iron Man.”

Snap.

“DAD!” You screamed as you ran for him.  It was too much.  Too much.  He wasn’t going to make it.

The aliens were disappearing around you, fading into dust just like you had.

“DAD!”  You were scrambling over rubble and dead bodies.  No one else seemed to be moving, too entranced by what was going on around them.  You came to a stop a few yards away, watching as Thanos himself sat down before he disappeared with the wind.

You were frozen in place as you watched Tony drag himself over to a pile of rubble to sit himself up.  “Daddy?” You croaked.

The others were quickly taking notice, realizing what was happening.  First came Rhodey, and then Peter.

They were saying goodbye.

It all felt like static as you heard Peter telling him that you won, apologizing over and over.

And then Pepper.  Your mother.

You took a few shaky steps forward as you heard her voice.

“Hey.”

“Hey, Pep.”

She inhaled sharply as his hand came to rest on hers over the arc reactor.  “FRIDAY?”

“Life functions critical,” the AI responded.

“Tony, look at me,” Pepper said, turning his face to her.  “We’re gonna be okay.  You can rest now.”

“Dad?”  His eyes shifted to you as you fell to your knees in front of him.  Your hands trembled as you reached for him.  “Daddy, you…  You…”

He took in a deep breath as he mustered his strength together.  “Hey, kiddo.”  He winced as pain jolted through him.  “Don’t cry.  Don’t cry for me,” he said as he reached up to wipe at your tears.  “You gotta…  You gotta go home and meet your sister.”

“I-I have a sister?” You asked, letting out a weak laugh.  “It only took me dying for me to get one, huh?”

He tried to smile, but it was too much.  “I love you, kid,” he breathed.  He was fighting now.  Fighting to stay alive.

“I love you, too,” you said, your voice cracking as you hugged him once more.  His tears wet your shoulder, not that you minded.

When you pulled away, he was gone.  His eyes stared blankly ahead, and the arc reactor went dark.

You collapsed against your father’s chest was your body was wracked with sobs.  You tore the Iron Man glove off his left hand, the one that hadn’t been destroyed by the Infinity Stones, and held it to your chest.  Pepper kissed his hair as she dissolved into tears.

The others around you didn’t know what to do.  How could they tear you away from him?

It wasn’t until you got home and met your little sister that you found the hologram recording.

Well, Pepper had found it, and the two of you had agreed that you would wait to watch it with the rest of your little family until his funeral.

Morgan sat in your lap, having been clinging to you ever since she met you, Pepper with her arm around your shoulders.  The living room of the cabin was filled with those your father loved.

“Everybody wants a happy ending, right?  But it doesn’t always roll that way.  Maybe this time,” your father said.  Or, rather, the hologram version of him did.  “I’m hoping if you play this back, it’s in celebration.”

The tears were already falling, and here you thought you’d cried yourself out.

“I hope families are reunited.  I hope we get it back.  And something like a normal version of the planet has been restored, if there ever was such a thing.”  You couldn’t help but smile as you watched the hologram Tony crack a sad grin, shoving his hands into his pockets.  “God, what a world.  Universe, now.”  He went off onto one of his tangents like he did, getting all excited.  “If you told me ten years ago that we weren’t alone, let alone to this extent, I mean, I wouldn’t have been surprised, but come on, who knew?  The epic forces of darkness and light that have come into play...”

You squeezed Morgan closer to you.

“And for better or worse, that’s the reality Morgan’s gonna have to find a way to grow up in.  Hopefully with the help of her big sister, if this goes right.”  He paused, growing a little somber as he straddled his chair backwards.  “So, I thought I better record a little greeting… in the case of an untimely death.  On my part.  Not that death at any time isn’t untimely.  This time travel thing that we’re gonna try and pull off tomorrow… it’s got me scratching my head about the survivability of it all.  That’s the thing.”  He let out a weak laugh.  “Then again, that’s the hero gig, right?  Part of the journey is the end.”  He stood up, and Morgan clung tighter to your arm.  “What am I even tripping for?  Everything is gonna work out exactly the way it’s supposed to.”  

God, he looked so much older than before the Snap.  Like those five years had aged him twenty.

He stopped in front of you and Morgan, squatting down.  His eyes flickered up to yours, a shiver running up your spine.  It was almost like he knew exactly where you were gonna be, that they were gonna pull it off and undo the Snap.  He gave you one last smile.  “I love you 3,000.”

And then the hologram disappeared.

Even four months after losing your father, you kept having to remind yourself that he wouldn’t want you to grieve for him.  He would want you to live, to remember all the things that you’ve gained.

A second chance.  A sister.

You looked up as you heard the door creek, eyes widening as you spotted Steve standing there looking like a deer in the headlights.

You had Steve.  Maybe.

The jury was still out on that one.

“Hi,” you said, voice soft enough to not wake Morgan up.

He gaped at you, blinking wildly.  It was as though he couldn’t believe that you were talking to him.  “H-Hi.  Uh…  Uh, sorry about, um…”  He pointed towards the door and the hall.  “I shouldn’t, uh, I…  I shouldn’t be eavesdropping.  I’m…  I’m sorry.”  All the gusto that he’d had when he first got into the elevator was gone.  “I’ll just, um…  I’ll just…”  He rubbed the back of his neck.  “I’ll just go.”

Oh, hell no.  This was the first time he’d talked to you in months.  There was no way you were gonna let that slip by.

“Wait!”

Steve stopped in his tracks, his face red.  “Yeah?”

You swallowed thickly, looking down at your sister.  “Uh…  Let me put her in bed and then we could…  You know.”

“Yeah,” he said, rushing out his words.  “Yeah.  Yeah, that sounds good.”

His heart felt soft as he watched you carefully peel back the covers before laying her gently against the mound of pillows.  After tucking the covers in around her, you pressed a sweet kiss on her forehead.  You slipped out of her room with a quiet, “Goodnight,” and then you were left with Steve alone in the hallway.

Fuck.

He was even more handsome than you remembered.

“You shaved your beard,” you said, not quite sure where to begin.  “And…  And you cut your hair.”

A beat.

“Do you not like it?” He asked.  “Because I can grow it back out–”

“I like you no matter what your hair looks like.”

Steve’s cheeks flamed as he looked down at his shoes.  “Uh…  I, um…  I missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too,” you breathed, relief settling in your bones.

Even though Steve hadn’t tried speaking to you in four months, you also hadn’t tried to talk to him.

“I…  I didn’t know whether you…”  Steve cleared his throat, rubbing his clammy hands down on his suit pants.  There was still a few damp spots from when he’d spilled his champagne.  “I wasn’t sure if you would.  After everything.”

Yout brows furrowed as you took a step towards him.  “Steve, what are you talking about? about?  Of course I missed you.”

All of a sudden, he became extremely aware that the two of you were standing in the hallway, where any of the other Avengers family could walk in on a very private, personal conversation.  “Do you wanna, uh…  Do you wanna maybe go up to the roof?” He asked.

The roof.  Where the two of you sometimes escaped to talk when everything became too much.

“Yeah,” you breathed, nodding maybe a little too eagerly.  But as you started to head for the elevator, you remembered that you were still in a fucking designer gown and heels.  “Give me ten minutes to change?  Into something more comfortable?”

Steve’s smile could light up the night sky as you agreed before he glanced down at his own tux.  “Oh, yeah.  I should do that, too.”  He walked backwards towards his room, on the other side of the floor.  He’d taken up his old residence after decided to stay in the Tower for a little while.  He still had his Brooklyn apartment, but he needed to be close to everyone, at least for a little while.  “I’ll meet you up there?”

You nodded, biting your lip as you headed the other way towards your room.  “Yeah.  Ten minutes.”

Five minutes later, your heart was pounding in your chest as you tried to decide what to wear.

What did it even matter?  Steve had seen you at every stage and still decided that he liked you.  Hell, he’d liked you when you were covered in blood and brain matter.

At least, you thought he still did.

Five years was a lot of time.

A wave of anxiety overcome you as you realized that you were supposed to meet him in two minutes, and you were standing in the middle of your room in just your underwear.

And not even the good kind.  The granny panty kind.

Whatever.  It’s not like you’d be having sex tonight.

… Right?

Shaking it off, you rushed to get dressed, pulling on an old oversized sweatshirt before bolting out the door.  You couldn’t even remember where you’d gotten it, but it smelled faintly of aftershave.

When you reached the roof, you were welcomed with the sight of Steve Rogers in a pair of gray sweatpants.

God bless.

“Hi,” you said softly, catching his attention.

He’d been staring out at the city lights as though he was in a trance.

“Hey,” he said.  His blue eyes were taking you in like you were the best thing he’d seen in years.  When he saw the blue sweatshirt you were wearing, a grin tugged at his lips.  “You look good in my clothes.”

You flushed as you realized what he was referring to.  “Oh, uh…  I’m sorry.  I can give it back–”

“No,” he said, waving you off as he gestured for you to join him by the railing.  “I like when you wear my stuff.”

The only sound between you for a long time were quiet breaths as you looked out over the city.  It was beautiful, all lit up, and you swore to yourself that you’d never take it for granted ever again.

“You know, I looked out at the city every night,” he said slowly, testing the waters.  His blond hair, a little longer than when he first cut it a four months before, blew in the wind.  “Kept thinking about what you told me.  About how the city lights were your stars growing up.”

Your brows furrowed, your eyes drifting up to look at him.  To your surprise, he was already looking at you.  “I didn’t think you’d remembered that.”

“How could I not?” He asked.  His hand was inching closer and closer, until his pinky brushed yours and he hooked it around.  “The city was only half lit, if that, most of the time.  And I kept thinking about you, and wishing you were here.  Almost like the city would be completely lit if you were by my side.”

“Steve–”

“God, I’ve missed you, sugar,” he gasped out, tears pricking his eyes for the millionth time that night.  “I’ve missed you more than anything.”

But you were already crying.  You seemed to do that a lot these days.  “I love you.  I love you so much,” you said, not bothering to wipe away the tears.  “I was…  I was trying to tell you, but then I–”

“It’s okay,” he said as he pulled you into his chest.  “It’s okay.  I love you, too.  I love you.”  His fingers cradled the back of your head.  “I was so scared.  I thought after…  I thought you’d never want me again.  Not after I fucked up so badly and left you in that prison.”

“I don’t care about that anymore,” you laughed into his chest, clutching onto him.  “You’re here.  You’re here.  We’re alive and you’re here.”

“Yeah, sugar,” he said with a watery grin as he squeezed you tight.  There was so much that he’d never gotten to say, and he was hoping that it was all coming through with how tightly he was holding you.  And if it wasn’t, he’d gladly tell you.  “I’m here.  I’m not leaving, I swear.”

Biting your lip, you leaned back, your hands resting on his chest.  “Say it again.”

His eyes crinkled as his nose brushed yours.  “I love you.”

“Again.”

“I love you.  I love you.  I love you.”

“Again,” you teased, erupting into giggles as he tickled your sides.  You broke off as his lips pressed to yours, melting into him.  Your heart was thumping against your ribcage, your brain a flurry.

He leaned his forehead against yours as he broke away for air, his chest heaving.

The city lights blinked lazily as you nuzzled your nose against his.  “I really think dad would come back to life and actually murder us if we didn’t get together,” you mused.  “After all, I did kind of risk everything to be with you.  He wouldn’t want it to be for nothing.”

Steve blinked at you before throwing his head back in laughter, pulling you in for another kiss.  “It was never for nothing.”

[kaimelia]

Christmas Cards

a/n: I accidentally posted this yesterday oops....but here’s a cute little thing I wrote and I hope you enjoy it! merry Christmas to those who celebrate and happy holidays to everyone!

--------------------

They hadn’t sent Christmas cards out any other years, which was probably why Amelia was so excited. She had spent the past few weeks compiling photos of their little family onto various card designs while making Link get all of their friends’ and family’s addresses. And now, they were both sat at their kitchen table, piles of cards, envelopes, and stamps in front of them. She smiled as she picked up one of the cards, a photo of the three of them on Scout’s second birthday surrounded by other pictures of her and her husband. As adorable as it was, she was most proud of the back of the card. When she found out she was pregnant a month ago, part of her knew it was her chance to have a corny holiday card. It was a photo of the three of them in front of their Christmas tree. Link was holding Scout with his spare arm wrapped around Amelia, whose hands were cradling her small bump. She stopped for a moment to admire it, a hand resting on top of her stomach that had been hiding in bigger scrubs and sweaters for the past few weeks.

“I’m pretty sure my parents know.” Amelia raised her eyebrows and sat up at the sound of his voice.

“What? How?”

“We were facetime this morning and I went to get Scout some apple juice from the fridge and I think my mom saw the ultrasound photo. She asked what was on the fridge but I just showed her Scout’s elephant drawing.”

“We said only Meredith and Maggie would know.” Although Amelia hadn’t wanted to tell anyone until they sent out cards, Meredith had quickly picked up on her symptoms and put it all together one morning at their weekly breakfast. Amelia had made Link promise to come up with a quick excuse, like food poisoning, if she felt nauseous so that her sisters wouldn’t find out yet, but as soon as she left the bathroom Meredith asked if she was pregnant and the wide grin on Link’s face gave it away.

“And Winston, Cormac, Meredith’s kids-you realize no one we know can keep a secret?” She narrowed her eyebrows at him and shook her head.

“I made them promise not to say anything. Plus, Mer and Maggie telling their boyfriends doesn’t count.” Amelia closed another envelope and handed it to Link. “When did we become these people?”

“Hm?”

“Sending out Christmas cards, doing a pregnancy ‘announcement’” She made air quotations with her fingers. “I used to hate this woman, and now I am her.” Link grinned toothily, placing an address label on an envelope.

“For whatever it’s worth, I never pictured myself like this. But, I wouldn’t trade it for anything, now.”

“That was incredibly cheesy,” she whispered.

“What, am I not allowed to say how insanely in love with you I am? Is being happy a bad thing?” Amelia rolled her eyes while feigning annoyance.

“It’s extremely annoying.” She watched as Link paused with a label in his hand. “What is it?”

“We’re sending a card to Alex? How’d you even get his address?” She shrugged.

“We started talking a bit ago. He knows about Christopher and what happened and wanted to know how I was doing. I know you don’t like him because of Jo, but he’s my friend. Plus, it’s just a Christmas card.”

“Has he sad anything about Jo or what’s her name, Izzie?” Amelia shook her head at him.

“We don’t talk about that. Really just about Scout and work.” Their son perked up at the sound of his name.

“Momma,” Scout mumbled, holding his arms up towards his mother. Amelia grinned and picked him up, placing him down on her lap.

“It’s almost your bedtime, buddy.” He turned around to look at her, a pout on his face.

“I want to stay up with you and Daddy and baby.” She rustled his blonde hair with her hand, trying to hide her joy at his excitement over his new sibling. Amelia had expected jealousy from him when they told him; he loved the constant attention from his parents and she assumed the idea of having to share that attention wouldn’t please him. Instead, he’d asked for a baby doll for Christmas and asked to share his room with the baby as if it was the most normal thing ever.

“How about this, Mom and I don’t have to work tomorrow, so if you go to sleep now, we can go shopping for the baby,” Link suggested, standing up and walking around the table. He kneeled down next to Amelia and smiled at his son.

“Okay.” Scout held out his arms as Link picked him up. He placed a kiss on the top of Amelia’s head.

“I’ll be back down, soon.” She continued filling envelopes and sticking labels on them until the entire table had been cleared, just a neat stack of envelopes on the floor below her. Amelia grinned and stood up, slowly walking up the stairs to see her husband laying in bed with their son who was fast asleep as he read one of Scout’s books.

“He’s asleep,” she whispered, stepping into the room. Link looked over at his son beside him and dropped a kiss on the boy’s forehead before carefully climbing out of the little bed. He set the book down on top of the bookcase and followed Amelia out of the bedroom, turning off the light as he left. “You got him down fast.”

“He was really insistent on going to bed so that we could go baby shopping.” Amelia pushed open their bedroom door and laid down. She watched as Link pulled off his shirt, joining her in bed and pulling her close to him. “Did you finish all the cards?”

“Yup,” she nodded, placing her hand over his on her stomach. “All done, we’ll just drop them off at the post office tomorrow morning.”

“For the record, I love our corny Christmas cards.” Amelia grinned at his words and brought his hand up to kiss it.

“Honestly? Me too.”

[sibillascribbles08]

Blow It Out

Echo’s birthday feat. clone universe. A bit of angst but good feelings in the end.

Apologies if you have no prior context, main things to note, Zane isn’t around and Gizmo is now 8ft tall.

    Typically the factory was an empty place. Only select people even dare tread into it, much less actually climb the tower. 

    That’s why, when Echo heard footsteps, he reacted to his instinct to draw his pistol.

    “Who’s there?” He pointed the gun down the hall, letting the cameras in his eyes adjust to the low light.

    Cryptor stood there, hands up. “Only me, Echo. You may want to refrain from being so quick to draw a weapon in the city. You’d get an alert if there was a threat.”

    Echo snorted but put his gun away. “What do you want?” He turned his gaze back to what he was staring at earlier. A worn out frame. The corner of the glass chipped. Underneath was an aging picture of his father and Dr. Borg. It was some commemoration of yet another technological advancement made under their collaboration. A collaboration that only lasted a short while, he had read, as his father passed away less than a year after the two started working together. 

    “Gizmo was looking for you. Said you wouldn’t respond to your messages.” Cryptor came closer, tucking his arms behind him. His pink eye glanced at the photo on the wall. “I didn’t expect to find you on this floor.”

    “I hardly have any other reason to come in here.” Echo crossed his arms, trying to look as annoyed as possible. He certainly felt that way the longer he stared at the picture. It was just one of many, too. There were dozens more in the hall. An entire hallway committed to his father, celebrating his achievements, the things he’d done.

    If only they knew. 

    But even if they did, would they have cared?

    Cryptor stood beside him. “Gizmo mentioned your birthday. Is that why you came out here?” 

    “Sure, whatever.” Echo shoved his hands in his pockets now. “I know he likes to celebrate it, but I’m not sure I do.” He kept staring at the photo. “Just reminds me that I woke up to an empty lighthouse and an empty promise.” 

    “It’s understandable.” Cryptor took a step back. “I can tell him you wish to be alone right now.” 

    “Don’t speak for me.” Echo sighed. “And don’t tell him I won’t show up cause I will just...need some space to think.”

    Cryptor stopped walking away, but didn’t say anything. 

    The silence drew on for too long. It made Echo nervous. “He gets so excited about it that it helps, sometimes. Makes it feel a little less terrible.” He made his way down the hall. None of the lights worked, but the sun from the windows was more than enough. It amplified the dust in the room. 

    He kept looking at the photos and the plaques, some of which showed signs of tarnish. Eventually he reached the one with Dr. Julien and Zane. 

    Echo narrowed his eyes and ignored the temptation to throw it out the window. “Why do we even keep this place around?”

    “I imagine if you wanted to clear out this floor then–”

    “No, not just this floor.” Echo gestured around him. “This whole building, the factory, the tower. Why not just torch it and replace it with something else?”

    Cryptor let out a long sigh. “Echo I can’t count the number of times I’ve had this conversation with others.” 

    Echo turned to look at him. “Doesn’t that just prove that we’re all in agreement.” 

    “But that doesn’t prove you’re right.” Cryptor frowned, staring down at him. “Maybe one day, farther in the future, we will take this place down and replace it with something else, but doing so right now won’t help any of us recover from what happened.”

    “Oh bull shit.” Echo rolled his eyes. “How is keeping such an awful reminder around good for anyone?” 

    Cryptor kept his gaze firm. “It reminds me to keep myself humble. And for a lot of the kids, erasing all of this would be an expression that their past means nothing.”

    “What? Are you telling me the kids want to keep this place around?”

    “They do, if you ever bothered to speak to them you’d know that.” Cryptor turned his gaze to the pictures. “It’s a hellish memory to them, yes, but in their mind they conquered it. The empty building serves as a reminder that they overcame it.” He shifted his stance, folding his arms behind his back again. “If you wish to clear out this floor, I don’t see how it would be a problem, though you may want to ask Pixal if she wants that picture of Zane.” 

    Echo glared at it. Part of him didn’t understand what Pixal saw in Zane, but he also knew his hatred toward his sibling was mostly because of their father. Zane was probably fine, just as kind and heroic as everyone said. 

    Not that Echo would ever find out. His anger tried to latch onto the fact that it was Cryptor’s fault Zane was gone, but he squashed it back down. 

    Ultimately, outside of Gizmo, Cryptor had made the most effort to be kind to him. Despite the time Echo shot Cryptor over that time machine idea. He regretted the fight not long after, when Gizmo gave him a long lecture. 

    Maybe life right now wasn’t ideal, but there was no proof going to the past and changing things would actually make it better. 

    Echo shook his head. “She has enough pictures of Zane. Maybe I’ll let Jay have it instead.”

    “Oh?” Cryptor tilted his head. “Are you two friends now?”

    “I mean, he’s cool, even if he’s super jumpy.” Echo shrugged. “I work with him enough, and he doesn’t tell me to stop talking.” 

    “It’s just good to see you socializing in some form.”

    Echo glared at him. “Hey, I’m not a hermit or anything, unlike you Mr. Security Office.” 

    “I have quite a lot of work to do.” 

    “Yeah, well so do I.” He spun on his heel and began to head down the hall again. “City won’t rebuild itself.” 

    “That’s why you’re spending time up here.”

    “Hey, it’s my birthday, I get the day off.”

    Cryptor chuckled. “Of course. I’ll leave you to it then. Don’t leave Gizmo wondering for too long.”

    Echo looked back to see Cryptor leaving, but didn’t say anything. Being alone in this hallway wasn’t entirely wise, but he didn’t want to force Cryptor to stick around either. He probably should just head back to the apartment. 

    He began to head to the stairs when a glint of bronze caught his eye. He stared up at the plaque on the wall, reading the text engraved on it. 

    Dr. Edward Julien. Brilliant Inventor and Loving Father–

    Echo snatched it off the wall so hard the nail came with it. He tossed it on the ground and tried to stomp on it, but of course it didn’t do any damage. He once again thought about throwing something out the window, but that may end up causing more damage than it was worth. 

    He stared at it, jaw clenched, begging for his anger to recede. At least for the time being. 

    When it finally did, he moved his foot and picked the plaque back up off the ground. He stomped down the hall toward the staircase with it tucked under his arm.

    He had an idea of what to use it for. 

۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵

    Pi-ting! 

    Another bullet bounced off the bronze surface, leaving another harsh mark. Echo narrowed his eyes and opened his gun to add more bullets. 

    “Echo?”

    He looked over to see Jay peeking around the building. Echo thought he picked a spot far out of the way, tucked behind one of the buildings they were still repairing. 

    “Wh… what are you doing?” Jay glanced at the gun and then the plaque. 

    “Target practice.” Echo finished reloading the gun. He snapped it shut and fired off all six rounds.

    Jay squeaked and ducked as the bullets ricochet around the area. “Hey! That’s dangerous.” 

    “Maybe for you.” Echo muttered but still put the gun away. “Did you need something or were you just curious?”

    Jay slowly stepped out. “Ah no, just curious when I heard the noise.” He looked over at the plaque, squinting. “Um… where did you get that?”

    Echo answered flatly. “The tower.” 

    “Where in the tower?”

    “On the floor with the rest of the stuff about my dad.” Echo pretended to study his knuckle joints. “There’s a photo of Zane up there, by the way, if you want one.” 

    “Oh.” Jay almost looked frightened. He pulled his hands closer, one of them rubbing his wrist. “Would probably be weird to see that, to be honest.” 

    Echo raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

    “Just, you know, it’s been so long.” He gave off his usual nervous laugh. “Um, to be honest I’ve almost forgotten what he looked like. How sad is that?” His gaze fixed on the ground before he blinked and straightened up. “Oh, sorry, haha.” He waved his hands. “Didn’t mean to go on a tangent there.” 

    Echo shrugged. He wasn’t much for sympathy, couldn’t even understand Jay’s position, but he was on friendly enough terms he didn’t want to leave him upset. “If you forgot maybe the photo would be a good idea. Your other friends might appreciate it too.”

    “Yeah.” Jay sighed. He walked over to the plaque and picked it up, trying to read the text that was left. “Ah, yeah, your father. Should have guessed.” 

    “It’s a decent substitute for punching him in the face.” Echo glared at it. 

    “Aha, well, I’ll leave you to it.” Jay put it back down. “And I’ll see you later. Try and watch the bullets though, don’t know who else might be around.” 

    Echo didn’t reply to that. He watched Jay leave with an awkward wave. He knew he shouldn’t be this bitter or cold, but his irritation made it hard to act otherwise. 

    He looked at the plaque, wanting to deface it more, but knew Jay was right. He should find somewhere safer to do this. 

    He sighed and went over to pick it back up. He checked his messages. Ten of them from Gizmo. 

    No sense in avoiding it anymore, he really should get back. 

۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵

    Echo headed up the steps to the apartment and tried the door. Locked. He pulled his I.D. card out of his pocket and scanned the door. It opened with a click and he pushed it the rest of the way with his knee. It was dark inside. Was Gizmo out? Echo extended his free hand to flip on the lights.

    POP!

    Echo screamed from the sound, and would have gotten ready to fight if the colorful confetti didn’t cross his vision.

    “[Surprise!]” Gizmo beeped, party popper in the claws of his vacuum tubes. 

    “G-Giz? What are you doing?” Echo stared at the confetti that was now on the carpeted floor. 

    “[Surprise party.]” Gizmo put the empty popper away as one of his vacuums already worked to clean up the confetti. “[I was told that was how it worked.]” 

    Echo let out a long sigh, now that his panic was subsiding. “I suppose, but it’s not like I forgot it was my birthday.”

    “[I will have to try harder next year.]”

    He snorted. “Okay big guy.” He glanced around Gizmo into the small living room. Even from here he could see a pile of wrapped gifts. “What are all those?”

    “[Presents!]” Gizmo’s beeps came out as a pleasant chime as he walked over to them. He pointed at them one at a time with one of his hose arms. “One from me, Cryptor, Mindroid, Pixal, Jay, and even Toby.” 

    “Oh.” Echo wasn’t sure what to say to that. He didn’t expect this many people to even send him presents. “Were you advertising my birthday?”

    “[A bit. These people are also your friends, yes? It would make sense to invite them to celebrate if they want.]” 

    Echo wasn’t sure if he could call them his friends, but they went out of their way to do this, so it was something. 

    He was silent for a while, lost in his thoughts, so lost he wasn’t aware that Gizmo was reaching for the plaque until it was snatched from his grip.

    “Hey!” Echo protested and made a dive for it, only for Gizmo to hold him back with one of his hands. 

    “[What is this?]”

    “I know you can read Ninjagian, you know what it is.”

    “[Why are there such violent scuff marks on it?]”

    Echo sighed. “Target practice.” 

    Gizmo let go of him and handed the plaque back. “[Do you really think it wise to keep holding onto your anger toward him?]”

    “I have plenty to be angry about.” Echo snatched the plaque. “You know as well as I do. I’m not sure why you don’t hate him more. He left you on the island to rot too.”

    “[Yes, but he is dead, and we are not.]”

    “We would have been if Toby didn’t learn we existed from another universe.”

    Those blue eyes stared through him. “[Things worked in our favor. However lucky you want to call it, we are able to live our own lives out here. Why is that not satisfactory to you?]”

    “I don’t know.” Echo admitted. He ran his thumb over the dents in the metal. He couldn’t feel the texture, just the rises and dips. “I don’t know how to stop wishing for something I can’t have.”

    “[Which is?]”

    “To ask him why he thought it wouldn’t matter if he left us there.”

    “[And would an answer actually satisfy you? Or make you feel worse?]”

    Echo didn’t have an answer to that either. He didn’t know. Either their father admitted he was just as terrible as Echo thought or it was played out as some kind of accident. That he intended to come back but died before it happened. 

    Gizmo walked toward the kitchen. “[Well, you know what they say, sometimes wishes you make on birthdays can come true.]” He came back with a small candle. His two hose arms lit a match in order to ignite the candle. 

    Echo snorted. “What, you think I should waste a birthday wish on that?”

    “[It is up to you.]” 

    Echo took the candle, pondering it. He could wish for it, he already did after all, but Gizmo was right. An answer wouldn’t satisfy him. 

    He needed something else. He needed something to better anchor him in the life he had now. If only he had a clue where to start.

    Regardless, he reached out and pinched the flame, putting it out. 

    Gizmo’s hand rested on his head, ruffling his hair through his hat. “[Happy Birthday, Echo. I understand being made isn’t an entirely fond memory for you, but I am glad you are here.]”

    Echo couldn’t keep himself from smiling. “Thanks, Giz. Glad you’re around too.” He headed over to the coffee table and tossed the plaque aside onto the sofa. “So, which of these should I open first?”

۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵۵

    Mindroid hummed as he worked on cleaning up all the dishes from breakfast. Always a lot to go through, but worth it. The kids ate so much more these days than they did when Mindroid first started caring for them.

    The ping in his head caught him off guard for a moment, even more so when he saw who it was from. 

    Unusual for Echo to send him a message.

    >Hey, tell the kids I said thanks for the present. Though Gizmo’s griping just a bit about the glitter cards. I probably should come around and see them sometime, huh? Is there a good time for that?

    Mindroid couldn’t keep himself from smiling as he went back to his dishes.

    >Almost anytime is fine, though afternoons are best. Just let me know before you show up.

    >Yeah, no problem. I’ll swing by in a few days. 

    >I look forward to it. 

[sixsclassic]

Refuge- Chapter 1

Cathy finds herself in a new place, finding refuge in her new foster siblings.  WC: 2072

Home. The place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household. It’s quite ironic how those words can have such little 

meaning to so many. Especially Catherine Parr, well Cathy, Catherine was her grandmother’s name and she grew up with the nickname so that her eldery grandmother wouldn’t get confused. Well it was eight years of that and she’s grown so used to it, her friends at school always referred to her as Cathy through grade school. Her life was okay as far as she was concerned, it was perfect. She had a loving mom and dad, and loved being an only child as they put so much focus into her life. Up until Catherine’s father passed away when she was nine, it was horrible. She’d lost her grandmother the year before, her favorite person passing away in her sleep suddenly and she couldn’t handle that her father was gone too. He’d had a heart attack at work and couldn’t be saved, no one saw it coming, it’d been the first time ever he’d been seriously ill. 

Then she watched as her mother slowly spilled away from her for ten months, at first it was the drinking and Cathy could handle clearing the empty beer bottles from the living room, but then her mother wasn’t buying groceries or going to work and her co workers called in a welfare check on the family. And Cathy was quickly removed from the home as her mother was off to rehab, but it wasn’t smooth sailing from there. It was supposed to be only two months, but that two months slowly turned to five years as every time her mother was released, she went right back to drinking. 

So Cathy celebrated five birthdays alone in foster homes with people who could care less other than getting a check from the state, and she was slowly becoming too old for people so her social work thought it was time for her to be placed in a group home. Though Cathy was convinced she’d never end up one, hearing horror stories from her older foster siblings that you’re more likely to be abused or assaulted, but she found out that she was going to be placed in a group home with only girls. But that didn’t help her feelings as she lugged her duffle bag behind her, trailing behind her social worker as they headed up the steps of the porch. 

To be fair it was a nice home, two stories with a wrap around porch, it seemed… stable as far as Cathy could see. Something she hadn’t had in a long time as a lady probably in her forties or fifties opened the screen door, a pleasant smile on her face. “Good morning to you both, come on inside.” She greeted them and Cathy noted the warmth in her voice, something she hadn’t heard in a long time as Melissa, her social worker , stepped into the home, first entering a foyer. A set of stairs descended to the second floor as Cathy craned her neck to meet eyes with a young girl, probably a year or two younger than Cathy. 

The girl had her lips in a scowl with her arms crossed as if telling Cathy she was invading her space, her long brown hair highlighted with bits of bright pink hair dye. Cathy didn’t know what to think as she maintained eye contact with the girl for a moment as the lady spoke. “I’m Helen, and up there is Kat. You’ll be meeting some of the other girls, but they'll all be returning from school in about ten minutes.” Helen explained as Cathy pondered that for a moment, why wasn’t Kat in school with the rest of the girls in the home. 

She didn’t question it as Helen led them towards the kitchen and she offered them each a cup of tea as Melissa spoke up, stating she’d have to get going since she had a hearing to get to in an hour. She wished Cathy luck and told her to call her if she needed anything and then her one life line was gone. Cathy did take Helen up on the tea as she sat at one of the bar stools in the fairly sized kitchen as Helen stood across from her. “Catherine correct?” Helen asks as she places a mug of tea in front of Cathy. 

“Yes, um is it okay if I go by Cathy?” Cathy asked timidly. 

“Of course, so Cathy tell me, how old are you?” Helen smiles as Cathy thought she must at least know how she is but didn’t want to be snippy or make a comment that could land her in trouble on the first day. “Fifteen.” Cathy replies as she took a sip from her tea, while Helen nodded her head slightly. 

“Perfect, you’ll be sharing a room with Maggie. She's very excited to meet you, she’s only a year older than you and I think you'll get along.” Helen explains and it was Cathy’s turn to nod her head in understanding as the screen door creaked open and a flood of voices entered the home. “Helen we’re home!” a voice bloomed over the others and Helen just chuckled as she poked her head out to the hall. 

“In here Catalina, I’d like you all to come meet someone.” Helen says and Cathy’s heart dropped to her stomach, she had no idea how many girls she would be meeting, but they were all about to be her housemates after all. First to enter the kitchen was a tall tan girl, her hair tied back in a bun, she seemed a lot more welcoming Kat did honestly. “Hey, you must be our new fibling! I’m Catalina.” the girl spoke and Cathy smiled at her timidly. 

“I’m Cathy.” Cathy replied, her voice cracking and she felt completely ridiculous to be embarrassing herself in front of the girls. “Nice name, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Catalina added as she headed further into the kitchen, stopping at the fridge as another girl trailed behind her, passing Cathy without saying a word, to be fair Cathy wasn’t sure if she had noticed her. The girl was younger than Cathy, probably around the same age as Kat if she was going to guess. She was as tan as Catalina but had blue tipped hair. Catalina shut the fridge and looked down at the girl, “Maria it’s impolite to not greet new filbings.”

The young girl turned and jumped in surprise as she saw Cathy. “Oh goodness, I’m sorry I didn’t see you! My name is Maria! What’s yours? How old are you? Do you like fish?” Apparently she was quite the talkative one too as Cathy chuckled, feeling even more relieved. 

“I’m Cathy. I’m fifteen and fish are cool.” Cathy replies. 

“Perfect, so Bessie and I have a fish in our room, his name is Gilbert, you’ll need to come and meet him.” Maria explains which made Cathy giggle as another girl bolted her way into the kitchen. 

“You!” she exclaims as she spotted Cathy and pointed to her. 

“Me?” Cathy asks, pointing to herself. 

“Maggie please use your words.” Helen chuckles as the tall brunette girl facing Cathy with a look of pure excitement. 

“You’re my roomie!” Maggie finally spoke as Cathy smiled, relieved to find that she was going to be sharing a room with the girl. 

“Could you show Cathy the room?” Helen asks, “And find Anna and Bessie.” Maggie waved Cathy over to her room and Cathy lifted her bag over her shoulder as Maggie looked back at Helen before stating, “Oh yeah, Anna is setting fireworks off in the driveway and Bessie is holding the matches.” 

“Not again.” Helen sighs as she leaves the kitchen and heads out the front door to find Anna and Bessie, Cathy assumed as Maggie let Cathy up the stairs. Kat was no longer staring at her from the top of the stairs as they passed a number of doors as Maggie spoke, “So that’s Maria and Bessie’s room, then next door is Anne and Catalina, that’s a bathroom, then it’s mine and your’s room, Jane’s room is next to the other bathroom and the last door on the right is Anna and Kat’s room.” 

Cathy nodded her head as they passed the rooms and Maggie opened the door to their joint room, she was already noting how open the room felt. The curtains were open to the two windows in the room, letting in lots of sunlight as the walls were painted a light blue, keeping the room bright. Cathy liked the look of the room already since it seemed homey, something she hadn’t felt in a long time. The one bed had creme colored sheets on it, with some pillows surrounding the headboard. Photos were set up on the wall behind it with a set of books on a nightstand. 

The other bed had simple greenish sheets covering it with a few pillows as well, Cathy assumed that was her side since it was bare and the other side seemed lived in. “That’s your bed and the dresser beside it, is yours.” Maggie says as Cathy thanked her as she set her bag on the bed and began to unpack as Maggie perched herself on her own bed. There was a comfortable silence over the room for a few minutes before Cathy spoke up and asked, “So tell me about the other girls, I met Catalina and Maria, but not everyone else.” 

“Well let’s see there’s Bessie, she’s the baby of the family-” Maggie started as Cathy cut her off. 

“Family?” She questioned as she glanced over at Maggie who nodded in reply. 

“Helen treats us all like we’re her daughter, whatever we want or need, she’ll have it here for us.” Maggie replies as she continues to explain everyone, “Then there’s Anna, she’s hilarious, and she loves a good prank or too. Jane’s the only one with her own room right now, which is probably a good thing.” 

“What do you mean? Sorry I don’t mean to keep interrupting.” Cathy says, starting to feel bad for cutting off Maggie while she spoke. 

“She’s not exactly the nicest, like she’ll snap at you for looking at her. But she does have her nice days, just don’t catch her on the bad ones. Then there’s Kat, she’s okay for the most part, she got in trouble at school last week and got suspended for a week, I still don’t know what she did. Then there’s Anne, she's alright, she’s been here almost a year but she’s never talked.” 

“What about you, how long have you been here?” Cathy asks as she sits on her own bed, looking over at Maggie. “It’ll be two years this week, I’m grateful to have something as stable as this.” Maggie responds, and her answer shocked Cathy a bit, the longest she’d been in a home was three months, she was always bouncing around. It made her a bit more relieved to know that Maggie had been there for a long period of time, that it was something stable. That it was somewhere where she could breathe and not have to worry about having to leave again. 

Maggie leaned her ear up, as Helen called up for her to help prepare dinner, which made the older girl smile slightly. “Cooking is one of my favorite things to do so I always help with it. You can come with you’d like Helen and I can always use an extra set of hands.” Maggie says as she stands up and looks over at Cathy. 

“I’d love to.” Cathy nods which caused Maggie to smile once again. 

“Great.” Maggie replies as she heads towards the door as a question finds its way into Cathy’s mind and she figured it was a good time to ask Maggie. “Before we go downstairs, what’s a fibling?” Cathy asks as Maggie looks back at her. 

“Oh it’s a little nickname Catalina has for all of us, since we all live together and are basically are a family, we’re fiblings, a combo of foster and siblings.” Maggie explains and the term brought a smile to Cathy’s face, maybe she shouldn’t been so happy with being an only child now that she has eight fiblings to call her own. 

Also thank you to @musical-stan-first-human-later for listening to my rambles about this story!

[papichriscnco]

Silent Treatment - Chris

Description: You introduce Chris to your strict family but when he doesn’t follow the rules, you get angry and give him the silent treatment until you have to celebrate his mums birthday. 

He knew he had really screwed up this time. You came from a strict family, you still lived with your parents and according to Chris, you had kept your relationship a secret for a few months too long. No matter how much you assured him that it wasn’t that you were protecting your family from him but you were protecting him from your family, he begged to meet them. You eventually agreed but you were very nervous. Just before you walked into the house, you take one look at him, you pull the sleeves of his sweater down hoping to cover his tattoos knowing that they were enough for your parents to want to turn him away. Nothing could cover the tattoos he had littered on his hands. So you made him promise to be on his best behaviour, hoping that his respectful and polite nature would make your family understand why you were dating him.  

“It’s going to be great nena,” he gave you that classic Chris smile, teeth showing and a cheeky wink. 

You took a deep breath remembering that Chris is probably secretly nervous and you should be the one to reassure him. You smile up at your boyfriend and have the urge to lean over to kiss him but before you can your mother opens the front door. You quickly take a step away from him nervous that she would disapprove of the close distance between you both.

“There you are. We were wondering how much longer until you came home.” she stepped aside allowing you both to walk in. “That’s what you’re wearing for dinner?” She asked not taking a second to acknowledge Chris but instead looking you up and down. You were wearing an oversized t-shirt tucked into your jeans. You looked down immediately self-conscious but Chris put a hand on your lower back. 

“She looks incredible, doesn’t she?” he smiles. 

Her gaze moves to his hand hidden behind your back and she looks up to his eyes. “Hmm.” she comments. “You must be Christopher.” 

“Nice to meet you,” he walks over to kiss her on the cheek and your mother allows it but you can feel the tension building. You could feel your breath becoming more shallow and your father walking into the room didn’t help. Sure your mother was a bad dream but your father was a nightmare. They both loved you to the best of their ability but you knew that they would be protective especially meeting Chris. “Hello Sir.” Chris holds his hand out to shake your dad's hand but your father looks at it briefly and you fear for a brief moment that he is about to slap it away but instead he shakes Chris’ hand harshly.

“Lets move to the dinner table or the food will get cold,” your mother comments walking towards the dining room. 

Your parents walk in front of you and you take a breath of relief that they are moving away from you. Chris looks down at you, still smiling as brightly as ever, he puts his hands on either side of your face and leans down to kiss you but you jerk away.

“Don’t. If they see they will be angry,” you whisper sadly. There’s nothing more you want than to be in his arms right now but you’re not sure you can. 

Chris nods but rolls his eyes when he thinks you won’t notice. You let it slide, you don’t have the most conventional family and you know to most people all of these measures you’re taking are dramatic. Chris follows all the rules, your older brother gives him the third degree and barely says a word to him the whole time at dinner. Chris tries to contribute to the conversation but similar to when you try to contribute, his words are met with brief blank stares and then ignored. 

While everyones clearing the table, your mother suggests you take Chris on a tour of the house. You nod, excited to get away from your siblings and parents. You want to pull on his hand so that he walks as fast as you but you know that if you do, the second Chris leaves, your father will tell you it was inappropriate. So you wait until you reach the hallway, when Chris finally follows you, all the weight on your shoulders disappears.

“Are you okay baby?” he asks.

“Are you?” You question placing a hand on his face but not before checking that no one was following behind you both.

“I’m doing great.”

Family meant everything to Chris and it did to you too but you didn’t have a family like his. One you could be close with. That’s why you were so happy to always be with Chris’ family, they replaced the one you were never given. You pulled away from Chris and started walking him around the house. Chris was listening intently to everything you spoke about from the mirror that belonged to your grandparents to the little cushion you accidentally stole as a child from your first trip overseas. Then he saw a door with your name written in wooden letters and smirked.

“Nena?” 

“Yeah?” 

“What’s in there?” he winked pointing to your room. 

You turned your head and looked at him like he was a child. “My bedroom Chris.”

“Show me.” he smiles.

“No.” you laugh, “What if my parents try to find us and we’re in my room?”

“Come on. It’s hot to be sneaky,” he puts his hands either side of your hips and pushes you against the hallway wall. “Don’t you think it’s hot?” he bites his lip looking down at your lips.

“Chris come on. Seriously,” you blush pushing on his chest.

“Show me your room or I’m going to kiss you right here right now and my hands might slip lower than your waist.” he demands. 

You love when he’s like this but right now you want to groan at him. Submitting to his wishes you look around the hallway again and quickly slip into your room.

“You happy?” you ask once he has been in your room for a few minutes. 

“Nope,” he smirks, looking over at the photos you have on your mirror of the two of you together. He falls onto your bed, “Come ‘ere.” You walk over, his legs are open so you stand in between them laying your hands on either side of his shoulders, holding your hands behind his head. He looks at your chest and smirks, “nice view.”

“Shut up,” you roll your eyes moving to walk away but before you can he pulls on your hips and you fall on top of him. “Chris!” you squeal too loudly as you try to get off him. His hands have a firm grip on you and he won’t let you leave. You’re both laughing but it’s becoming too much and you’re nervous someone will walk in. “Stop!” you say too loudly once again. This time you’re serious. If anyone catches you, you will be in trouble. “Chris!” you groan as he kisses your face. You’re trying to push his face away from you when the door opens and your father stands there, disapproval evident on his face. 

Chris lets you go and you quickly stands up straightening your clothing as you look at your father. Chris stands with you but this time keeps his distance from you and doesn’t stand as close as when you first walked in the door. 

“You know the rules,” your father growls, “no boys in your room! Let alone with the door closed.” You nod your head. “Well, out,” he gestures to the hallway and you rush out of your room. 

You can hear Chris begin an apology to your dad, “I’m sorry Sir. I didn’t mean to-” but before he can finish your dad walks away. You turn to Chris with an annoyed look on your face but he just shrugs, “I tried to say sorry.”

“Just leave,” you say leading him to the front door.

“What? Why?”

“Say goodbye to my family and go.”

“Tell me why,” he demands.

“I don’t want to speak to you right now,” you whisper growling. 

Chris says goodbye to your family, your dad shakes his hand again which is a good sign but doesn’t say a word. You know your mum has already been informed of the situation your dad caught you in because she makes a ‘tsk, tsk, tsk’ sound as Chris walks away. You open the door to let him out, once he is outside, he turns to kiss you goodbye but you shut the door before he can and head to your room. 

---

It had been three days since you saw Chris. You were so angry, you told him so many times that your family was strict, that he had to be careful and not do anything disrespectful. In your family's eyes, laying on top of him in bed with the door closed was definitely disrespectful. He had tried to call you over and over again but you ignored him. The only time you answered was when he called from his mum's phone. As soon as you realised it was him you hung up. 

Today was his mum’s birthday. You had been invited to celebrate and no matter how annoyed you were at Chris, you weren’t going to ignore his mother's birthday. As you stood in front of her house, nervous with a present in your arms, you almost turned away. How could you celebrate his mum’s birthday and keep up the silent treatment? You rang the doorbell and immediately Chris opened the door.

“Baby, I thought you wouldn’t come,” he sounds relieved but your face is cold. 

“Leave her alone Chris!” His mum walks up behind him, pushing him slightly so he wasn’t in the doorway. “Let her walk in,” you blush embarrassed that his mum knows you’re fighting.

“Happy birthday!” you smile.

“Thank you,” she smiles as brightly as her son and wraps an arm around you leading you to the back garden, Chris following close behind. You hand her the present and watch as she opens it. “Oh I love it!” She gushes hugging you while Chris just watches from a short distance away.

The day goes by with lots of dancing and laughing with his family. Even though Chris keeps his distance, you can feel him watching you through the entire day. Even when you went to the bathroom, he found his way into the kitchen just waiting for you to come out and then followed you back outside. 

You were standing alone while everyone danced to a slow song with their partners, even the kids had partners! You felt awkward as you and Chris sat on chairs too far apart, the two of you being the only ones not dancing but you were just upset that Chris had ignored you when you said stop and he didn’t understand your family. You wanted to cut him some slack because your family was hard to understand but you had asked him to behave so many times. Deep down you were pushing him away before your family could do it for you.

“Fine.” he muttered standing up behind you, “if you won’t talk to me I know how to make you talk to me.” He stood up on a chair demanding everyone's attention. “SHUT THE MUSIC!” he screamed, you looked up at him puzzled. The music was silenced and he looks out at the crowd. “So I fucked up, I was disrespectful in front of my girls family.” His family listen in but he’s just embarrassing you further. “So now I have to do something stupid in front of my family to make it even for her.” The fear immediately overtakes you.

“Oh shit.” you mumble afraid of what he’s going to say.

“Mum remember that time you found my underwear in your car?” 

The memory of having sex with Chris in his mothers car flooded your memory. He had borrowed his mum's car because his had broken down just before you were meant to go away together for the weekend. 

“Chris!” you growl, capturing his attention. He looks down at you. “Stop!”

“Will you promise to talk to me again?” He looks at you concerned. You roll your eyes but this gesture encourages him to continue, “well my underwear were in your car because-”

“Fine! I’ll talk to you. Okay I will.” By now everyone around you is laughing and Chris just smiles as he jumps down from the chair, embracing you. “You’re an idiot.” you laugh.

“An idiot you love?”

“Well obviously.” his hands are around your waist and yours leaning on his chest.

“How have your parents been?”

“They got over it but you have to behave next time!”

“I will. I will. I’m sorry.”

“You were right though,” you look around making sure no one is listening. “Being sneaky is kind of hot.”

---

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[obscure-sentimentalist]

19. tibny

Prompt from the drabble challenge list

Part of the “Take It Back Now Y’all” (TIBNY) timeline; follow-up to this

“And that’s how you ruin a life. Congratulations.”

Connor comes to with a half-snort just in time for what feels like a newspaper to smack him full in the face.

“The hell, Tommy?” he grouses, doing his best to disguise the high-pitched whine underneath a jaw-cracking yawn. He flounders with the blankets to groggily push himself up into a seated position against the wall behind the bed, before belatedly snapping, “Get out of my room, asshole” like a sullen teenager.

“Happy to oblige,” his brother replies cheerfully, yet Connor doesn’t hear any shuffling or footfalls to corroborate that statement. After a moment, he finally cracks one eye open (immediately protesting the sun’s glare through an opening in the curtains) to see Tommy standing directly in the doorway, making jazz hands.

“Threshold, it doesn’t count!” The Cheshire grin doesn’t waver—it grows, even—when Tommy contorts his body to evade the pillow that Connor subsequently lobs at him.

Not willing to try again and further feed into this childish back-and-forth, Connor lets his head fall back against the wall as he scrubs a hand over his face. “Do I want to know why you thought it was necessary to use the spare key I gave you for emergencies and come barging into my place at…” He fumbles his free hand blindly over the nightstand. “…where’s my phone…?”

The very distinctive sound of a throat clearing makes Connor pause in his poorly-planned search. “If you’d turn your attention to your morning briefing,” Tommy prompts, nodding towards the jettisoned paper now resting in Connor’s lap. He clearly means to phrase it like a joke, but there’s an undercurrent of unease in his tone.

The reason for it becomes clear once Connor’s vision defogs enough for him to make out the contents of the front page.

(It’s admittedly not very difficult to do so, not with the font choice and very recognizable subjects of the blown-up photo positioned front-and-center.)

“Oh.”

“Yeah, ‘oh’,” Tommy parrots, finally sinking down to sit with his back propped against one side of the doorframe. “Just wanted to make sure you knew that this is what you signed up for and very casually accepted when we told Dad.”

“I guess I just… wasn’t quite expecting it to be on this level,” Connor confesses, a whole truth that he so rarely tells these days. He had, indeed, been ready for the Starling City media outlets catching wind of a lookalike to one of their questionably-favorite headline-makers, and whatever fallout ensued from telling their father.

(So far, it’s just been a simple press release pulled together through the preferred Merlyn Global PR channels—Malcolm forwent any sort of public address, likely so he could regroup and reexamine how being pulled into the spotlight like this might affect his plans moving forward. Neither of the twins have crossed paths with him since securing the future of the clinic, putting them into direct contrast with Malcolm’s ghostwritten wishes of “reuniting and getting to be a family with [his] two sons.”)

But this?

FROM RICHES TO RICHES: CHICAGO DEPARTMENT STORE HEIR REVEALED AS SON OF STARLING CITY BILLIONAIRE

Connor could maybe live—albeit uncomfortably—with being demoted from (up-and-coming, at this point) surgeon to just “that Rhodes.” Being called Malcolm’s son is toeing a line, but it’s an admittedly necessary evil. Even the accompanying photo—snapped by some paparazzo or another during one of Connor’s carefully-coordinated excursions through downtown Starling City—gets a pass, having captured Connor with his eyes squeezed shut in laughter and Tommy’s arm slung playfully around his neck.

No, the thing that really smacks Connor with his miscalculation is the newspaper’s logo printed across the top, and how it decidedly does not match that of any of the local publications.

“This is a big day for you,” Tommy says, falling just short of teasing as he rolls his head towards Connor and his eyebrows shoot up. “You made national news, you overnight celebrity, you.”

Connor groans, tipping to the side and unceremoniously face-planting into the mattress.

. . .

“You are seriously lucky that you told Claire that all of this was coming down before word got out,” Tommy declares around the slice of toast dangling out of his mouth when Connor steps into the kitchen, freshly showered and dressed for casual comfort.

(Evidently, he’s not going to be showing his face outside of his apartment today, so faded jeans and the first t-shirt blindly unearthed from one of the boxes yet to be unpacked it is.

��At least the sunglasses-wearing Golden Retriever screen-printed on the front is adorable.)

Cringing—both at the reminder and the ill-mannered voicing of it—Connor yanks open the refrigerator to retrieve the orange juice bottle. “I know, I know, and I should be grateful that you were the one who pushed me to do so…”

“Damn right.” Tommy takes a bite and then waves the remainder of the bread for emphasis. Miraculously, not a single glob of cherry-berry jam slips off and plops onto the kitchen island as he does so. “You almost forgot entirely.”

“I didn’t… forget entirely,” Connor counters weakly. He ignores Tommy’s displeased look in favor of grabbing a clean juice glass from the cupboard. “I was trying to handle one reveal at a time, and getting the clinic back was the higher priority.”

“Right. And that’s why you yelled, ‘Oh shit, Claire!’ and whacked your knee on the dashboard as we were about to pull out of the parking lot after dropping the bomb on Dad. Clearly a smooth transition into the next stage—I commend your planning skills.”

Connor takes a swig of orange juice rather than giving that a verbal reply, daintily lifting a finger that’s decidedly not his pinky as he does so.

“Hey, it might be made for spreading delicious jams and jellies, but I will use this knife if you keep being rude,” Tommy warns, pointing the utensil at Connor threateningly enough that the dulled edges can be excused.

Withdrawing the glass from his lips, Connor raises his hands in casual surrender before setting it down on the counter. “Alright,” he starts, blowing out a deep breath, “so maybe I had a bit of… tunnel vision about all of this.”

Really, that’s the nicest way Connor can phrase it, without exposing the full ugliness of the truths underneath. Tommy’s right—Connor owes him credit for getting that conversation with Claire in motion immediately after the realization hit. But he’s also mistaken, thinking that this was something that just slipped Connor’s mind and to-do list.

In actuality, the idea had never truly crossed his mind, not until after they’d confronted Malcolm.

It’s a cruel confession, one with many layers that drive the knife in deeper and deeper. Connor had been single-mindedly focused on saving Tommy’s life, uniquely capable of doing so due to his knowledge of the months to come—as a result, everything else took an automatic backseat. And while that alone admittedly isn’t the healthiest mindset, the situation worsens the more Connor thinks on it and can rationalize what might have been, had Tommy not intervened.

He can tell himself that things would have been fine, leaving Claire be for a while. He’s lived through this before, knows that his relationship with his sister was as simple and distant as exchanging a few texts on birthdays and major holidays at this point in the timeline. It would still be a few years yet before they’d begin to repair things, after both are in Chicago again and Russell is brought in and Claire reaches out and Connor finally breaks, one mid-May night. He has time.

That would have been justification—cold, but still reasonable—enough, had things transpired as they did before. But with Connor doing everything in his power to alter the timeline, to avert mass casualties and his own personal loss… if everything goes right, he’s never going to hit that breaking point. Never going to move back to Chicago, at least not under the same circumstances. Any time he thought he had doesn’t so much run out as become nonexistent—no progress with rebuilding their relationship, but also no further decay.

At least, that’s what would have been the case if he didn’t fix things with Claire and didn’t reveal himself to Malcolm. It was moving forward with the latter that finally sent the consequences careening into Connor’s face, and slapped a definitive countdown clock on the former.

Saving Tommy while flying under the radar like Connor’s always done would be one thing. Doing so by coming forward as a Merlyn, and leaving the Rhodes family to hear the news along with the rest of the public, though?

Banging his knee against the dash at the realization was only going to be the beginning of Connor’s pain, if he didn’t handle things right and immediately.

Sacrificing his relationship with his older sister has never been on the table, even if Connor wants nothing to do with Cornelius Rhodes ever again. Yes, they aren’t blood-related, and yes, Claire’s loyalty to Cornelius (and discrediting of Connor’s issues with him outside of genetics) was still a rift even after reconciliation the first time around, but those are, in no way, grounds for complete severance.

“You can’t risk irreparable damage with one sibling just so you can officially be recognized as a brother to the other,” Tommy sighs, dragging Connor out of his thoughts even as the sentiment grounds them. Brushing stray toast crumbs off the island and onto his plate, Tommy slides off his chair to bring the dish over to the sink. “So no more of that ‘tunnel vision’, okay? I was actually hoping to invite Claire out for a visit once things settle down, and that isn’t going to go well if the two of you aren’t talking.”

Connor’s stomach twists at Tommy’s request—it’s too easy to equate giving up that laser-focus with risking Tommy’s life—only to plummet, heavy with guilt, when the rest hits him. “You were?”

“Well, yeah.” Tommy shoots Connor a confused look over his shoulder as he turns on the faucet. “She’s your sister, and even if that doesn’t really make her mine too, I still want to get to know her. Especially since I’ve had ‘Claire for Fashion Help Only’ saved in my contacts list for years and never put two-and-two together.”

Right, that had been a surprise. Knowing that Claire and Tommy had met once before at Dolan Rhodes and that Claire remembered it enough that she kept the receipt had been one thing; finding out that she’d given Tommy a means to contact her and he held onto it even as the memory of where it came from faded was something else entirely.

It meant that, even as Tommy’s existence shattered the truths she thought she knew about her family, Claire still cared enough to quietly anchor him to the Rhodeses and ensure that he wouldn’t be lost again. It meant that, even though the encounter didn’t linger and the gravity of it was concealed, Tommy was just aware enough of that tether to keep a grip on it.

Most importantly, though, it meant that this was a link that had existed in Connor’s original timeline, and could have surfaced in a quieter and more personal way than over a hastily-placed phone call, warning Claire of the oncoming explosion of her family’s private life.

It would have been entirely possible to keep both—eventually all, with the addition of Thea—of his siblings and forge bonds between them without causing a big fuss. Claire might have balked at first over not telling Cornelius anything, but Connor has enough faith that her wishes to reconnect with one brother and accept a new one would have won out in the end. Tommy, if his latest confession says anything, would have smothered the eagerness, but still jumped at the chance to acquire a new sibling. All Connor would have had to do was give his two family ties a tug, and that thin, invisible connection between them would keep the ends close while drifting to center.

But that was a could-have-been in a timeline gone by, one that Connor had never grasped for even though it was fully in his power to do so. Any second chance he has this time around is going to come with a sea of new complications and resistance, and that’s after he almost let it slip from his fingers at the very start.

It’s a certain painful irony, Tommy salvaging Connor’s fraying family life while Connor does his damndest to ensure that Tommy remains alive in general.

“We’ll shoot for this summer to get together,” Connor finally says, throat tightening around the words as if fearful he’s promising too much. “Let the fifteen minutes run out and give the media time to go rabid over something else.”

Tommy hums in acknowledgement, setting his clean plate on the drying rack next to the sink. “We could probably make it a little earlier, really—beat out the summer heat wave, but still leave enough time for the story run its full course. She could come in mid-, late spring, maybe?”

Connor is incredibly grateful that Tommy’s back is still turned, because the agonized cringe that suggestion provokes is insuppressible.

Tommy is going to survive—Connor won’t accept any other outcome (never again). But in the event that he can’t bring an end to Malcolm’s plans ahead of time, or prevent them from being put in motion, or…

“Nah, I’m thinking July,” Connor manages after a moment, keeping his voice level and casual before he takes a final swig of orange juice. “We’ll get Claire in town for a few days, then maybe do a short road trip. Get out, see some sights—you know, family bonding stuff.”

Tommy lets out a snort of laughter at that and flicks some lingering soap suds at Connor’s face before toweling off his hands. “Long hours in an overstuffed, overheated car with your adult siblings—that sounds like the perfect set-up for a successful fratricide.”

“Come on, a little positivity here. Claire’s going to love you.”

“Oh, no, I’m not the victim here, and neither is she,” Tommy corrects. “If you pass out in the back and start saying weird shit in your sleep again, I get the feeling that she’ll be on the same page as me about booting you out of the car in the middle of nowhere.”

Connor allows himself an exaggerated eye-roll at that, but otherwise lets it slide.

Tommy shoots his balled-up paper towel into the kitchen trash can before turning his attention back to Connor, his eyes stopping pointedly on the grinning, shades-sporting Golden. “Alright, since you’re clearly not dressed to be going anywhere in broad daylight, what do you say I run you off Rainbow Road a couple times? Don’t think I didn’t notice that you prioritized hooking up the Wii over all of your other unpacking.”

“Big talk for a guy with a shell-shaped target on his back,” Connor swipes back, but he grins and heads into the living room to grab the remotes and wheel controllers.

As driven as he is to save his brother’s life, a few Mario Kart victories are a worthy-enough detour.

[tabloidtoc]

OK, November 23

You can buy a copy of this issue for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks

Cover: Jeff Bridges opens up about the fight of his life 

Page 2: Contents 

Page 3: Contents 

Page 4: Lori Loughlin’s life behind bars -- Lori’s been having a hard time adjusting to her new reality

Page 6: The holiday season will look a little different for Prince Harry this year -- originally the plan was for Harry to travel to England around Christmastime and Meghan Markle reluctantly agreed though she was far from happy with the idea but now with new travel restrictions in place due to Covid-19 she’s told him there’s no way they’re leaving California which is crushing for Harry who was looking forward to spending the holidays with the royals especially since he missed out last year and he’s been horribly homesick these last few months and he misses the holiday traditions he grew up with even though he loves his life in America with Meghan and son Archie 

Page 7: Newly single Kelly Clarkson has been swooning over country crooner Brett Eldredge her collaborator on the flirty new Christmas tune Under the Mistletoe -- they spent lots of time together in the studio and on the phone and really bonded while they were cutting this sexy song, Brad Pitt’s most recent ex-girlfriend Nicole Poturalski has started talking to friends about what happened between them in detail and it’s an embarrassing mess for Brad who prides himself on privacy, after 16 seasons as colleagues and sparring BFFs on The Voice Adam Levine and Blake Shelton are besties no more because there was a lot of talk between them about keeping in touch and hanging out after Adam left the show but amid lingering tensions neither has made an effort and Adam may not even be invited when Blake marries Gwen Stefani

Page 8: Ever since Sofia Richie split for good from Scott Disick she’s been out every night with some really shady types to the dismay of her dad Lionel Richie who is not liking what he’s hearing about her partying and dating habits -- Sofia has already jumped into a new relationship with Cha Cha Matcha founder Matthew Morton and is hanging nonstop with his crew -- Lionel thought breaking free from Scott would mean a calmer life but it just sees like she’s gone off the rails, Betty White is already gearing up to celebrate her 99th birthday in January with a low-key yet reverent bash, she’s been linked to several Hollywood hunks of late but Lily James just wants her old beau back and she’s regretting breaking off her five-year relationship with Matt Smith -- since the split she’s been linked to Dominic West and Armie Hammer and Chris Evans and the onslaught has only made her miss Matt more -- Matt’s always had her back and Lily knows she made a mistake letting him go but Matt feels duped regarding all the rumors about her and other guys but she swears nothing happened and that she misses him

Page 10: Red Hot on the Red Carpet -- stars wow in romantic ruffled gowns -- Keke Palmer, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kirsten Dunst 

Page 11: Lupita Nyong’o, Halsey 

Page 12: Who Wore It Better? Renee Bargh vs. Alessandra Ambrosio

Page 14: News In Photos -- Paris Jackson posed for a portrait in Beverly Hills days before releasing her debut solo album 

Page 15: Adam Brody with his newborn son in Malibu, pregnant Jinger Duggar stepped out in Venice with husband Jeremy Vuolo and their daughter Felicity for lunch, Lady Gaga on stage at a drive-in concert in Pittsburgh 

Page 16: Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell headed out for brunch with one of their twin daughters in Encino, Camila Cabello held on tight to one of her three pups while chasing another one who escaped from his leash in Miami, Pierce Brosnan playing golf in Hawaii 

Page 18: DJ Diplo took a dip in the ocean in Miami, John Legend took his Ford Mustang out for a spin with wife Chrissy Teigen and one of their dogs in Beverly Hills 

Page 19: Bella Thorne and boyfriend Benjamin Mascolo in Rome, Scott Disick was Ace Ventura for Halloween in L.A. 

Page 20: Ruff Life -- stars show love for their canine companions -- Ariel Winter and her latest rescue Cobey, Jamie Chung and her dog, soccer star Alex Morgan with her dogs Kona and Blue 

Page 21: Nev Schulman cuddled up with Dancing With the Stars partner Jenna Johnson’s dog Ziggy, PLEASE ADOPT, DON’T SHOP  

Page 22: Shawn Mendes on a walk in Miami, Kate Mara stopped by Target with her daughter, Ellen DeGeneres dressed up as a nurse who is her favorite superhero 

Page 24: Skai Jackson headed to rehearsals for Dancing With the Stars, Elizabeth Lyn Vargas of Real Housewives of Orange County gave a tour of her home, Joe Jonas strolling daughter Willa around the neighborhood 

Page 25: Thomas Brodie-Sangster attended the premiere of Stardust a biopic about David Bowie in London, Donnie Wahlberg and Steve Schirripa filmed a scene for Blue Bloods in Brooklyn 

Page 26: Taking over duties from Prince Harry his stepmother Duchess Camilla arrived at the Field of Remembrance to commemorate those who lost their lives in the armed forces in London, Amber Heard enjoyed a hike with her dog in L.A., Renee Elisa Goldsberry and Sara Bareilles and Paula Pell and Busy Philipps filmed a scene for Tina Fey’s upcoming series Girls5Eva in NYC 

Page 27: Offset delivered free food to voters waiting in line on Election Day, Ciara in Seattle 

Page 28: Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes have finally become husband and wife in a low-key ceremony in the backyard of their L.A. home with just a handful of family and close friends like Steve Carell and Emma Stone were in attendance -- Ryan wore jeans with a button-down shirt while Eva wore a red dress from her own collection -- now that the party’s over Eva and Ryan have been talking about having a third child

Page 29: Reality hit Love Is Blind hooked viewers with its OMG premise but the show’s married cohosts Nick Lachey and Vanessa Lachey were decidedly less riveting and their presenting style was laughably wooden and stiff and while the duo is slated to return for the show’s second season Nick and Vanessa have been put on notice to spice it up, Tori Spelling is freaking out at the prospect of her husband Dean McDermott spending six months alone in Toronto which is the same town where he cheated on her seven years ago -- Dean has signed on to star in Canadian TV show Lady Dicks and while Tori should be thrilled that that he’ll be bringing in some income for their often-struggling family of seven she is preparing for the worst 

Page 30: While it appears Nina Dobrev and Shaun White have spent 2020 in hardcore flirt mode Nina’s friends have cautioned that this is a dead-end romance because Shaun shows up and posts pictures of them on social media but the fact is they’ve barely spent any time together and they hook up and then he goes back to his own place -- Shaun rarely invites Nina to either of his two Hollywood Hills pads and is proving his flaky reputation is legit, things are looking up for parents-to-be Kit Harington and Rose Leslie after a rocky start to their marriage the two are finally in a happy place -- Kit has stopped boozing and this baby has put a fire under him to be more accommodating and besides helping update and baby-proof the couple’s 15th century countryside manor Kit’s been more attentive to Rose in every way, Love Bites -- Erika Jayne and Tom Girardi split, Maya Erskine and Michael Angarano are engaged and expecting, Ashlee Simpson welcomed her second child with husband Evan Ross 

Page 32: Cover Story -- Jeff Bridges: I’m not giving up -- how the beloved star is coping during his brave health battle 

Page 36: Katherine Heigl why she disappeared -- the reason Katherine walked away from the spotlight ad how she found her way back 

Page 38: Home Alone turns 30 -- in honor of the holiday classic’s milestone anniversary secrets and trivia about the movie and its stars 

Page 40: Feel the Burn -- fitness fanatic Morgan Coleman is here to take your home workout up a notch 

Page 42: Healthy Holidays -- how stars stay fit and feeling their best during the festive season 

Page 46: Style Week -- Olivia Culpo has teamed up with her siblings on an exclusive collection for Macy’s 

Page 48: What’s Hot Right Now -- Madewell wants you to Make Weekends Longer with its new sustainable MWL collection 

Page 49: Steal Her Style -- Drew Barrymore 

Page 50: Dress the Halls -- festive pieces to rock through the holidays even if you’re celebrating at home -- AnnaSophia Robb 

Page 54: Entertainment 

Page 55: Q&A -- Jake Tyson

Page 58: Buzz -- Just weeks after Kim Kardashian West was slammed over her 40th birthday bash Kendall Jenner received similar criticism for throwing a jam-packed soiree for her 25th birthday 

Page 60: Sound Bites -- Cameron Diaz on having a baby at 47, Conan O’Brien on the props that were stolen from his late-night set, Sacha Baron Cohen joking that he and his wife Isla Fisher are not A-listers, Anne Hathaway on the embarrassing ways she handled the lockdown 

Page 61: Florence Pugh on her close relationship with her Black Widow costar Scarlett Johansson, Christine Quinn on not being bothered by negative comments, Chelsea Handler on crushing on New York governor Andrew Cuomo 

Page 62: Horoscope -- Lisa Bonet turned 53 on November 16 

Page 64: By the Numbers -- Colin Jost

[myemergence]

Lean on Me

Summary: After they don’t get the results that they hoped for with radiation, Michael starts to consider brain surgery to treat his cancer. The aftermath leaves May struggling, afraid to lose her dad. Buck is worried, determined to make May see that she’s not alone.

Or, the one where Buck is a big brother to May.

Author’s note: I was scrolling through tumblr the other day and saw this gifset of Bobby/Buck after Bobby’s scare in 3a, and then Michael/May in 3b - it inspired me to write this. I hope you enjoy it.

BIG thanks to Nicole for the beta!

Check me out on AO3 

**

“Hey, Chim, do you mind if I take home some of this birthday cake for Harry and May?” Bobby asks. He closes the lid to the box that contains the rest of Chimney’s cake from the crew’s small birthday celebration at the firehouse.

“Sure,” Chim says unenthusiastically, pushing the cake around with his fork in disinterest, “knock yourself out.” 

“How are they doing?” Buck looks up from his plate, his gaze settles on Bobby, a look of concern softening his features. “How’s Michael?” 

“Uh,” Bobby hesitates, “he’s upbeat, he’s fighting. Radiation was supposed to be his best shot, now we’re all grappling with putting our hopes on his next best shot, surgery.”

“How are the kids handling it?” Eddie asks from where he sits beside Chimney at the table, turning his attention to their captain. 

“I think Harry’s doing okay, it’s May I’m worried about. She’s got a better understanding of what’s going on,” Bobby explains.

“She’s the oldest sibling,” Chim interjects, “older siblings don’t get to be blissfully ignorant, they have to be the realists.” They continue to talk as they clear the rest of the mess, and Hen joins everyone at the table.

Buck purses his lips, and he hesitates briefly. In every way that matters, the one-eighteen has become his family over the last few years. Aside from his family at the firehouse, Maddie is all he has. So the blood that courses through his veins is one-eighteen strong. That also means that his concern for the youngest members of the one-eighteen family runs deep. “Is there anything we can do? I mean if there is  anything you can think of that might help, just name it.”

“Thanks, Buck, I appreciate that- I just don’t even know what is the best thing for them right now. If I think of anything, I’ll let you know.”

Buck pauses, then nods his head. “Sounds good, Cap.”

**

Buck thinks about how he can help the Grant children from the moment the conversation shifts to Karen and Hen fostering. He tries to think of some elaborate way to let May know she’s not alone, that he’s been there. That’s how Buck finds himself standing outside of Bobby and Athena’s home, knocking on their door a few days later.

Bobby pulls open the front door, a look of surprise on his face when he sees Buck. “Hey, Bobby, sorry to drop over unannounced.”

Bobby shakes his head, “Come in.” Buck steps into the house, and Bobby closes the door behind him. 

“So, you’re probably wondering why I’m here.”

“The thought did cross my mind,” Bobby says with a light laugh. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“No, I’m good,” Buck glances around, sees May sitting at the dining room table and, despite the fact that she has earbuds in, talks in a loud whisper to Bobby. “I, uh, I actually came to see May.”

“Oh, wh-” Bobby begins to ask what he has to talk to May about, but stops when Buck looks at him more closely, his intent clear. Bobby leads the way to the dining room and Buck follows. May seems wrapped up in her Instagram feed, and Bobby attempts to draw her attention. “Hey, May? Look who stopped by.”

May forces a tight smile, pulling one of the earbuds out. “Hey,” She moves, as though to put the earbud back in place.

“May,” Buck starts, “I actually came to ask you a favor.” May stops, setting the earbud down on the table, and takes the other one out, before turning her attention to Buck.

“A favor?” She looks at Buck quizzically.

Buck pulls out his cell phone. “I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a cat for weeks, and I just can’t decide which one I want. The shelter has quite a few.” He swipes through the photos and shows them to May.

A small smile tugs at the corner of May’s mouth, “That one is cute.” She motions towards his phone, looking at a gray short-haired kitten.

Buck scratches the back of his head. “Are you busy for the next few hours? Maybe you could come with me? I’m terrible at making decisions.”

“Oh, I don’t know, Buck, I need to do some cleaning before my mom gets back.”

“Go ahead, May. Harry and I have you covered,” Bobby promises as he steps out of the dining room and into the kitchen.

Buck flashes a smile, “So, what do you say?” He looks at May hopefully. He really wants her to come out with him. Being a teenager is not easy, and being a teenager with an ill family member is even harder. He thinks back to what Chim said earlier, about older siblings having to face the truth and not be blissfully ignorant. Although Chim was referencing his current situation with Albert, he knows that what was said earlier wasn’t untrue either. 

May is silent for a minute, and he is sure that she’s going to say no. “Alright, I guess a couple of hours couldn’t hurt. I’m just going to go grab my purse.” Buck beams.

Buck stops in the kitchen where Bobby pretends to be cleaning. Buck rests a light hand on his shoulder. “She’s gonna be alright, Bobby,” he promises.

Bobby breathes out and turns to look at Buck. He looks like he’s searching for the right words, then finally settles on, “Thank you.”

“Of course,” Buck says, “she’s family.” He steps out of the kitchen so that he can wait at the door for May.

A few minutes later, Buck’s Jeep pulls out of the driveway and onto the road as they head in the direction of the animal shelter. “I appreciate you helping me out.”

May locks the screen on her phone and lets out a small sigh at his words. “You don’t have to pretend this is me helping you out with something, Buck.” She levels him with a serious look, which he catches out of the corner of his eye. Buck almost chuckles because it is so clear at that moment that she is Athena’s daughter.

“I’m not pretending anything.”

May sighs. “So you’re telling me that Bobby didn’t put you up to this? Or my mom?”

“No, they didn’t,” Buck says honestly, then adds, “but they are worried about you.”

“I’m not going to break. You didn’t need to take me out just to make sure that I’m okay.” May says with a roll of her eyes, glancing out the passenger window.

“Not  just  to make sure you’re okay,” Buck says and then chuckles, “I really need someone to help me with this.” He reminds her, laughing lightly as he pulls the Jeep into the parking lot.

May looks down at her phone, fidgets with the edge of her phone case. “They told us a few days ago that the radiation didn’t work. Not like they were hoping for.” Buck remains silent and now that he’s parked, he turns his attention fully to May. “He’s going to have brain surgery, and they don’t even know if it’s going to help,” May’s voice wavers, “what if it doesn’t?”

“You can’t think like that, May. You can’t immediately settle on the worst-case scenario. I know you’re scared. I-I understand,” Buck stumbles with his words for a brief moment. “If you are all convinced that he can’t do this, then he won’t,” Buck says gently. “But, if you are all convinced that he can, then there is still hope.”

May swallows, moves her hand to dab at her tears. “How could you understand?” 

The silence is heavy for a moment and then, “My grandpa, he died from brain cancer when I was a kid. It was really hard to watch him go through that. The hardest part was when he gave up on himself.”

“He died anyway,” May says stricken.

“Things were different then, they didn’t have the advancements that they do now, May. But when we stopped believing that he could fight it, so did he. Maybe he would have died anyway, but I wonder how much longer he would have had if he saw us believe in him instead.” Buck reaches over and places his hand on top of May’s, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

May forces a smile, “I don’t want him to give up. I want him to fight.” 

“Good,” Buck smiles, “now are you ready to help me pick out the perfect furry creature to destroy my place?” 

**

May spends too much time researching on the internet. She knows that looking at the statistics and worst-case scenarios aren’t going to do much in the way of calming her fears. She knocks, then unlocks the door and steps into her dad’s apartment.

“Hey, this is a surprise. What are you doing here?” Michael asks.

May frowns. “I didn’t think I needed a reason.”

“Yeah,” Michael draws out, “but you usually have one.” He begins shuffling around some papers on the table, but May still sees his living will lying on the top, before he’s able to shuffle it under some nondescript papers.

“I knew it. I knew you were lying,” May says as she shakes her head in disbelief.

“May,” Michael starts, “this isn’t-”

“You’re updating your will. People do that when they’re dying.” She says plainly, hurt and worry evident on her face. Was it even worse than she thought?

“And they also do it when they have two children and are about to undergo major surgery.”

“A  risky surgery,” May says from where she is still standing in front of the doorway. “I looked it up.”

“Okay, uh, you’re right,” Michael stands upright, walks around the table and stands in front of his daughter. He pauses briefly once in front of her before motioning to the two chairs that are in front of him. “Okay, let’s sit down.” He sighs, waiting for May to sit in front of him. She does after a moment and as she looks at him, all she can think is that this is her dad and this surgery is risky. There are so many possible scenarios. What if he doesn’t come out of it?

“It is risky,” Michael admits, “and I don’t know what’s going to happen. There are no guarantees here, but without it…” He breathes out slow, steadies himself for his next words as he looks at May. “I could be dead in a year.”

May closes her eyes, lets the words sink in. When she opens them, she looks at her dad distraught, eyes red-rimmed and her lips pressing into a straight line.  “So then why didn’t you tell us? Why did you lie to me and Harry?”

Michael shakes his head, a pained look across his features. “I didn’t want to scare you,” He admits. 

“Aren’t you scared?” Michael lowers his eyes, eyes wet as he considers her question. 

“Yeah.” His voice is barely above a whisper, his nod infinitesimal. Michael looks around helplessly before his eyes settle on May.  “I’m scared of dying. I’m scared of living and being worse off than I am now. And most of all, I am terrified of not seeing you and Harry. That’s why-that’s why I’m doing this, it’s to make sure that you two are taken care of-”

May thinks of her conversation with Buck in his Jeep earlier that day. She remembers him talking about his family losing hope and how his grandfather gave up too. He declined so quickly after that. She doesn’t want the same thing for her dad. She needs him to still hope.

“Stop,” May says sternly. “Stop doing that. Planning for your death, you can’t think like that. You still have options, and as long as you still have options and have us, there’s still hope.” Her eyes settle on Michael.

“When did you grow up on me?” He asks with a deep laugh, looking at her in awe.  “I love you.”

“I love you too,” She says softly as Michael embraces her in a tight hug, and she closes her eyes in the embrace. 

**

Buck hears a knock on the door and shifts from where he is lounging on the couch. “That was quick,” he says as he pulls open the door for their takeout order. “May.”

May shifts under his gaze, “I-I hope this is okay?” She starts, pressing her lips together tightly, her eyes wet with unshed tears. “I didn’t know where else to go.”

“Oh, May. Of course it’s okay,” Buck says, and in an instant his arms are around her slim frame, drawing her to him in a comforting hug. He lets out an even breath and kisses the top of her head. “Let’s get you inside.” 

Buck leads her into his apartment, and she sits down on the couch next to him. Buck remains silent, knowing that May will say something when she’s ready. “This is all my fault,” she cries, folding into herself as her body shakes.

“Woah, woah, woah…” Buck reaches an arm out and pulls her over until she is pressed against his side. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s not.”

“It is,” May says through tears, allowing herself to lean into Buck for comfort. Gently, he brushes the hair away from her face so that he can see her face more clearly.

“Can you tell me what happened?” 

“After you dropped me off at home the other day I want to see my dad,” May says. “He was updating his will. I told him that I’d been reading up on his surgery and that I knew how risky it was. But I thought about what you said, about your grandfather. So I encouraged him to fight. I told him that as long as he still has options, as long as he still has us that he still has hope.”

“There is still hope,” Buck agrees.

“He-he’s not going to get the surgery. And radiation didn’t work. So he’s going to  die and it’s going to be my fault, Buck!”

“Hey,” Buck’s forehead creases as he looks down at May, this girl that he has come to look at like she’s his little sister. She is coming apart at the thought of losing her dad, and Buck can’t say that he blames her. He thinks back to Bobby’s scare not that many months ago. He remembers the fear well.

“This isn’t your fault, none of this is.” Buck continues and draws her snugly against his chest, then kisses the top of her head. “And just because Michael chooses not to get the surgery, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have options. Did he say why he didn’t want the surgery?” His voice is gentle as he looks down at May, who has visibly calmed down.

“He thinks the surgery is too risky. He said he doesn’t want to focus on his death anymore, he wants to focus on living, however long he has. ”

“It is risky. The good news is that there are trials and other options to look at. Maybe he’ll be able to get into one of those. And either way, we aren’t going to lose hope.” May breathes evenly as her eyes close.

“I just panicked,” She whispers. “I don’t want him to die.”

“The good news is neither does he.” Buck smiles gently, hearing movement up in the loft. “Hey babe?” He calls out. “Can you bring Sadie down?”

Buck feels May sit upright before he feels scrutinizing eyes on him. “Babe?” Her brow raises. She leans forward, and a grin breaks out on her face as Eddie makes his way down the stairs. “Oh hey, Eddie .” She turns to Buck and smacks him gently across his chest with the back of her hand, then practically hisses. “I knew it!”

“Oh, please. You did not,” Buck says with a roll of his eyes as Eddie chuckles, carrying the kitten over to May who happily scoops her up. There is a knock on the door and Eddie answers, getting their takeout food and setting it on the counter.

“Hey, May,” Eddie calls as he glances up, “we’d love it if you’d stay for dinner.”

“Are you sure?” 

“I’m positive,” Eddie says as he grabs plates from the cupboard, and it’s not lost on May how easily Eddie navigates Buck’s kitchen, how comfortable he seems in Buck’s space.  “You are family and you’re welcome anytime.” Buck and May make their way out to the kitchen with May still snuggling the kitten to her chest.

“So,” Buck motions to the spread of Chinese takeout that Eddie has spread out over the counter, “what do you want?” 

“I want to know when the two of you are going to tell everyone that you’re a couple,” May says with her first genuine smile of the night.

Buck stutters and glances at Eddie who just shrugs his shoulders, smiling in amusement. “When we’re ready,” Buck says carefully.

“That doesn’t sound like an actual time.” May bends down, setting the kitten on the floor before she walks to the sink to wash her hands.

“You’re right, it doesn’t sound like an actual time,” Eddie teases.

“I’m not telling you what to do,” May says as she dries her hands and turns to look at Buck and Eddie. “I’m just saying that life’s too short to not be happy. And life’s too short to not let people be happy for you.”

“She does have a point,” Eddie says, turning his gaze to Buck.

“That she does,” Buck whispers, dipping his head down and placing a quick kiss against his lips before he turns back to May. “We’ll tell them the next time that we see them.” Eddie finds Buck’s hand and interlaces their fingers.

Buck looks at May as she smiles warmly and he wonders if he actually helped her tonight, or if she helped him. One thing they all need to remember is that life is short, and you can never predict what is going to happen tomorrow. Even in the face of tomorrow’s uncertainty, Buck knows that he can face whatever is thrown his way as long as he has his family by his side. 

[cassoliver]

new york’s very own cassandra “cass” oliver was spotted on broadway street in reebok club c 85 vintage shoes . your resemblance to  sydney sweeney is unreal . according to tmz , you just had your  twenty-first  birthday bash . while living in nyc ,  you’ve been labeled as being  naive  , but also compassionate . i guess being a  pisces  explains that . 3 things that would paint a better picture of you would be exposed tan lines , loud laughter , and only ever wearing gold jewelry  . ( i slept with one of my co-stars while we were shooting on location, not knowing they had a significant other back home )  &  ( cis-female & she / her  )

lia takes on a second character TAKE TWO whAT is up you guys , it’s ya girl back at it again with another muse . i randomly got a lot of inspiration for this new girly pop and i feel p good about it ! go ahead and smash that mf like button if you wanna plot ! i can slide into your ims or on discord if that’s more your jam !

S T A T S ↴

– * FULL NAME : cassandra rosemary oliver – NICKNAME(S) : cass ( commonly referred as ), cassie – * AGE : twenty-one – * D.O.B : march 16th – * ZODIAC : pisces – * GENDER : cis-female –* ORIENTATION : bisexual biromantic – * HEIGHT : 5′4″ – * NATIONALITY : american – * BIRTHPLACE : asbury park , new jersey – * OCCUPATION : student + actress – * TRAITS : compassionate, creative, intuitive, gentle, empathetic, fun-loving, naive, whimsical, loyal, subservient, overly emotional, pensive, fearful, overly trusting

B I O G R A P H Y ↴

   you’d have to be living under a rock to not know jeremy and elizabeth marie oliver . think brad pitt and angelina jolie , will smith and jada pinkett , or whatever other celebrity IT couple you fancy . jeremy is notoriously known for his acting career that took off in the late 80′s . around the same time , elizabeth marie’s acting / modeling career was taking off across the pond . the iconic duo met through work and quickly fell in love . after their over the top wedding ceremonies ( yes plural . they got married once in jeremy’s hometown in new jersey and then again in elizabeth marie’s hometown in england ). shortly after their holy matrimony , they produced three healthy babies : mason , samuel , and cassandra . there were a few years in between the kiddos , but they were all raised in a tight knit family outside of the limelight in asbury park , new jersey . their parents decided to take a break from working in order to raise their kids . i wish i could say that gave the oliver trio a normal childhood . but it’s kind of hard to go to public school and not draw attention to yourself when your parents are household names . it was hard for cassandra to understand that her parents were super famous and for some reason that meant something to people . if you asked her , there was no reason to get all starstruck over her parents . they were just people after all .

    so i guess you could say she had a normal childhood . at least , as normal as one could have with their name and photos constantly plastered all over tabloids . cassandra grew up in a happy and loving environment , which is nice . and with her dad working part time as a professor at his alma mater , juilliard , she and her family bounced back and forth between their coastal home in new jersey and their urban townhouse in new york . and she throughly enjoyed experiencing the best of both worlds . both places felt like home to her and she and her brothers made the best memories together . see , her brothers were her best friends growing up . mason and samuel were five (5) and three (3) years older than her , respectively , and she followed them around everywhere they went . the two boys let her reluctantly at first when mom and dad forced them to but over time it became enjoyable to have her be just another member of their friend group . cassandra was well liked and throughly protected by her brothers and their friends . they shielded her away from all things dangerous : from substances to rude people . this led to a pretty sheltered upbringing . she lived in this little bubble where things were all good all the time .

   as she got older , she had to learn to fend for herself a bit more . no longer was she under the watchful gaze of her brothers , for they had rushed into graduating high school early so that they could pursue their own acting careers-- following in line with their infamous parents . having the oliver last name gave them an advantage in the film industry and they ran with that opportunity . meanwhile , cassandra stayed back and took her time . acting was always something she was interested in . there’s no way she could be a member of her household and not dabble in the art at least a little bit . but it wasn’t a top priority to her for a long time . she didn’t want to rely on her family name to get her somewhere in the industry . if she was going to do it , she wanted to do it right . she wanted to earn her place just like anybody else . and if it worked out for her then great ! and if it didn’t , well she prepared a back-up plan . she elected to go to NYU for business instead of studying acting or just bypassing college all together . she figured if all else failed , then she’d start her own company and branch out of the creative arts .

  and she took her college career very seriously . she’s studious and hard-working , genuinely enjoying learning new things and having a ‘ normal college experience ’. even though people still look at her funny or talk about her behind her back once they figure out why she looks so gosh darn familiar , she’s come to find that college students are much more chill than the kids that used to bombard her with questions about her famous family on the play ground . most days , cassandra gets by feeling like a completely normal girl . no fame or fortune , just a regular schemgular student trying to get by . and she’d probably gotten away with just melting into the background and never breaking out into the limelight if it wasn’t for one little netflix project she agreed on .

  it was just supposed to be another passion project . cassandra had done a few small roles in indie movies at that point . just enough to dip her toes into the movie making world but not enough to drag her away from getting a higher education . but when a script for a new netflix original series was slid in her direction by a family friend turned agent-- well , she just couldn’t put it down ! she loved everything about the show and knew she just had to be a part of it . so she gave up one summer of her life to film OUTER BANKS , not at all thinking that it would blow up the way it did a year later when it premiered . and now news is breaking out that the youngest oliver is finally stepping out into the acting scene , which is warranting a lot of media attention towards her . honestly , she feels pretty good about the project itself . she’s very proud of the show and is incredibly grateful that it’s doing as well as it is . but when it comes to all the notoriety she’s getting because of it , well ... she’s still adjusting to being famous in her own right and not just secondhand through her family . she’s a little overwhelmed . she’s a big girl now that has to navigate through this next chapter of her life without anybody holding her hand or shielding her from the highs and lows of being known . whether or not she thrives in the limelight or crumbles under the pressure is to be determined .

P E R S O N A L I T Y  &  F U N  F A C T S ↴

i think it’s really funny to call her the third franco brother ( yes dave and james have a third brother , his name is tom ). bc like her brothers are essentially mega stars w all the movies they’ve been in at this point and she’s sort of the other sibling that everyone forgets about . y’know until recently lol

she is a giant sweetheart !! just v lovey and kind and empathetic ,, has a warmth to her that makes it feel like it’s summertime all the time

v humble bc she does not consider herself famous what so ever . like being second-hand famous from her family and getting a few extra instagram followers bc of her last name is one thing , but with the success of her current show she’s being put on covers of magazines , being interviewed for teen vogue and stuff like that , getting verified on everything , and gaining hundreds of thousands of followers DAILY . it’s crazy to her

naive in the sense that she’s rlly out here thinking that everyone has a heart as big as hers and has only the best intentions when sadly that might not be the case !! so like ,,,, probs gets taken advantage of and doesn’t even realize it . or messes things up bc she thinks she can just continue living a normal average joe life when in reality her whole life has been far from average ,, the whole world’s got their eye on her and everything she says and does publicly can and will be scrutinized and she is just …. not prepared for that

wants to have a good time and do cool art sh*t !! as long as she’s being creative in some aspect , she’s happy . honestly doesn’t take a lot to make her happy

but also when she gets sad oh boy oh boy does she get sad . pretty much down and out and nothing anyone says or does can make her feel better unfortunately . will just self isolate and you just gotta let her ride it out ://

hobbies include painting , reading , collecting plants , and taking photos

has a second instagram account just for her photography ! @casstookthis lol

lives with her “babies” which are like 10 house plants and all of her books

v family oriented ! goes to visit her parents regularly and talks to her brothers basically daily despite living on two different coasts

acting was always something she knew she wanted to do-- and that may or may not have to do w her parents’ influence and the pressure to follow in their foot steps just like her brothers did 

as kids , she and her brothers would work together to put on performances in the living room for their parents . they’d make “short films” and upload them to all 6 of their subscribers on youtube

allergic to cats but wants one so bad ,, has never had a pet in her life actually

the little things amuse her . her sense of humor is really quite simple . hit her w some puns and / or a dad joke and you’ll have her rolling

is learning how to speak mandarin and french

always over-prepared , never underprepared ,, needs to feel like she is capable of handling anything or else she panics

cannot tell a lie to save her life , gets nervous and can’t make eye contact

at any given moment , you can tell what she’s thinking and what she’s feeling just from taking one look at her face . sometimes she tries to mask it because she is an actress after all . but it’s not hard to see through the facade that she puts on if you know her well

hopeless romantic af ! romanticizes everything in life ! loves love in all forms , romantic , platonic , self love , whatever ! looks at the world through rose tinted glasses and heart eyes ! probably falls in love with a person , place , or thing at least 5 times a day !

prefers summer and living near a beach / some body of water over living in the middle of the city . so she’ll often visit back home or go stay with her brothers in LA , not just to be closer to family , but to be more in her element

her family has so many houses simply bc their lives are all over the place ???? like they kept her childhood home in new jersey but they also always had a luxury townhouse in new york plus a summer home in the hamptons and a cottage in england and an apartment in los angeles that her brothers currently reside in . she used to just stay in the townhouse while going to school but she recently bought her own apartment bc she wants to be #independent

might catch her as the lead in a new netflix original movie coming soon *wink wink*

is in love with her best friend east harvey and they’re getting married

WANTED CONNECTIONS PAGE HERE

[groovyzombiellama]

Tempting Fate

Title: Tempting fate

Requested? No.

Plot: You and Colson meeting for a few times by accident before going on a date, realising something along the lines of fate was pulling the two of you together.

Word count: 1555

---***---

You never believed in chance encounters, to you everything that happened was planned out, and there was absolutely no way that you were gonna have a cheesy meet-cute one day that will just sweep you off your feet. You spent a lot of time thinking that, until life decided it was going to prove you wrong. That Saturday was like any other. You had made a pact with your best friends in college to take every Saturday off, even for an hour or two, and just go out for a coffee together, and keep your friendship strong. You can still remember it like it was yesterday. You can even remember the exact outfit you wore on that day. It was a bit chilly out, so you had your camo leggings on, and a black t-shirt, covered with a black leather jacket, along with a pair of timberland boots on your feet. You've always tried your best to choose clothes you feel comfortable in, and also know you look good in. Your friends all told you that combo looked good, so you just grabbed the clothes out of the wardrobe, because not being a morning person, among other things, meant that you couldn't be bothered to plan out an outfit.

Yoir hair was up in a ponytail, and after grabbing your purse and phone, you were put the door, somewhat rushing. Why did you always have to be so late? You hated it the most that every time you leave even so much as five minutes earlier, you spend over ten minutes waiting for everyone, but when you give yourself the liberty and time it out to leave with just enough space left to be there on time, you always somehow end up being late. If it ends up happening today too, you were ready to start looking into the reason behind this strange occurrence. Luckily, on your way there, you got a message from your friends, saying they were running a bit late themselves, so you could just slow down your pace and enjoy the cold breeze pinching your cheeks. As you approached the coffee shop you and your friends frequented, you could notice it was a lot more crowded than usual. The biggest appeal to the coffee shop was that it wasn't way too many people constantly coming in and out. It was more a place where people came to have a quiet moment, do some work on their laptop or even read a book while they sipped on a warm beverage.

Taking a closer look, you noticed that the people who were currently populating the coffee shop weren't exactly interested in that sort of thing. They were more interested in a certain customer. You couldn't really see who it was, but you could tell how frustrating it was for the workers of the coffee shop to kindly ask them to leave. They knew you and your friends very well and when your friends arrived, about a few moments later, you could see their pleading eyes almost begging you to help. And you were going to do just that, not knowing that you would set in motion one of the weirdest and yet happiest days of your life.

"Alright everyone, I don't know what this whole fuss is about, but I have to ask you to respect the people who work here and the people who just want to enjoy their drink. Whatever it is, it can wait at least a little bit. Please."

You pushed your way towards the counter and raised your voice just enough to gain everyone's attention.

"She's absolutely right guys. We can take photos outside when I'm done, but please step away for a moment, okay? You don't have to wait outside in the cold, but if you stay here, please be respectful."

A voice you found pretty familiar agreed with you and caused you to turn your head to the side to identify the owner of that voice. And that's when you realised where you knew him from. You were mesmerised for a moment, looking in the gorgeous blue eyes of your celebrity crush Machine Gun Kelly. You somehow managed to come back to reality and smile at him, a blush creeping on your face when he sent you a wink, and you and your friends went to your usual table. You couldn't help but sneak glances at Colson's table, and your cheeks would get redder and redder every time you looked in his direction to find him looking back at you, his lips curving into a slight smirk. You could also feel a lot of cold stares from his fans, and it was all making you really self conscious. After being done with his drink, Colson got up, much to his fans delight, and after paying for his, and what you'd later fond out, yours and your friends drinks too, he was out the door, and he took a few photos with his fans and disappeared after sending you another smile.

Your friends were teasing you constantly after that, and you couldn't wait to get back home and Bury your face on your pillow and daydream about what could have happened. But your cousin ended up calling you and asking if you were up for lunch, which you gladly accepted, your cousin being like a sister to you and after you were done catching up with your friends, you were on your way to see your cousin. A similar situation awaited you in the restaurant and you couldn't help but chuckle after meeting eyes with Colson again and he smiled at you before shrugging, and you ended up shaking your head with a smile on your face, and turned to talk to your cousin. You were talking and laughing, and you could feel Colson's stare burning in the back of your neck. You felt weird meeting him here again, since your college town isn't that small that you only have several restaurants to visit. He could have chosen any other, but as if that one thing you didn't believe in at work here. Good old fate. But you still refused to accept it and regarded it as another coincidence. Even your cousin was naming fate when you told her that you'd seen him today already.

"You know, I think she's right. Even though you don't. I'm Colson, nice to meet you. Sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier and thank you for helping me calm my fans down a bit."

Colson appeared next to you as you answered to your cousin how fate doesn't exist. He smiled and reached his hand out to you when he introduced himself and you shyly took it and you shook hands. His gaze lingered on your eyes for a moment before introducing himself to your cousin too. He invited you two over to his table for dessert and your cousin had to drag your blushing self along. You spent some time talking and laughing together, before you had to part ways and you made a bet with Colson that you'd let him take you out if the two of you met for the third time before midnight. Of course you wanted to go on a date with him, but you also didn't like losing, so it was a tough call.

You asked your sibling who was going out that night to let you know if they see him, so you'd know what bar you could avoid and then pop in before midnight to let him know that you won, but you kinda maybe still wanted that date. Confusing plan, but you felt like it was sound. Oh how the tables will turn. When you and your friends arrived at your club, a good while away from the club you heard Colson was in, you got comfortable. You aren't usually a big fan of parties, but it was your friend's birthday, so you wanted to celebrate with her. Everything went swimmingly for a few hours, until you felt someone snake their arm around your waist and pull your back flush against their chest. You were ready to curse out this imbecile for even thinking he can touch you, but as you turned, you realised that it was no imbecile, but Colson. He leaned over and whispered in your ear.

"Looks like someone owes me a date."

His words made heat rise in your cheeks once again, making him chuckle at how cute you looked to him. You could say that the rest is history. You went from the first date to the second, then third, and it was then that Colson asked you to be his girlfriend. Three years have passed since then and the two of you are still going strong. It isn't always easy, but you make it work. Although Colson would never admit that he in fact searched for you that night, to make sure he doesn't lose his chance with you. Oh no, if you ask him, it was fate for the third time. And it was in a way. He searched for you, but just as he was about to give up and think you purposely stayed home, he stumbled into the very club you were in. So maybe there is such a thing as fate, who knows.

---***---

I'm trying my best to write as many requests as possible so that I'd have the ability to queue them and be able to focus on classes as well, but it's super tough for me sometimes to spend all day at college and then muster enough energy to write more than one fic. But I will give it my best, and hopefully I'll be able to post them soon 😊😉

I hope this time the app doesn't send the gif all the way to the bottom like it did the last time I posted here 😂