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deceptive-daydreams · 2 years ago

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California Dreamin’

Chapter Three: Roxanne (18+ ONLY)

Modern!Eddie AU - In which Eddie travels to California searching for something more out of life. And then he meets you. Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 4

Warnings: smoking weed, drinking alcohol, eventual smut, mentions of a deceased parent, mentions of abuse, brief moment of abuse, please let me know if I missed any

6.8K words

Eddie x reader, Friends to lovers, Slow burn

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Note: I’m kinda experimenting with my writing style so forgive me if this seems a little different than the first two chapters. I’m just trying to have fun with it til I figure out what I like :) and then hopefully I can create more series later on.

Masterlist

—

Red, white, and blue smother the interior of the local grocery store, sparklers stacked neatly in their boxes on a shelf near the checkout and supplies for s’mores settled nearby. Those tiny American flags are staged in a matching flag design cup by the register, ready for patriotic citizens to purchase for the local Fourth of July Parade. Barbecues along with bags of charcoal are lined up at the front of the store awaiting homes where the dads cook up burgers and hot dogs in the backyard for their eager families. And last but not least, the bags of chips and the tub of potato salad that occupied your arms are tossed onto the conveyor belt to ring up.

Every year for the past five—was it five? Maybe it was six years, who knew anymore—a potluck was held at Marlene’s. Everyone would bring one or two things either homemade or store bought, it didn’t matter as long as you contributed something. The tradition required using the fire pit in the backyard, loud music, and of course once the fireworks started, a quick drive to the top of the hill that overlooks the city where you could see at least ten different sets of fireworks in the distance along with roasting marshmallows after that to make s’mores, the goo sticking to everyone’s lips and caking onto their clothes with one wrong move.

There was a list in the group chat where everyone designated what they were bringing this year. Marlene usually cooked up a few things, this year her menu including a vinegary pasta salad, a DIY taco station with various meats along with the fixings, cilantro, onions, her homemade salsa, some Mexican rice, and finally, some jalapeño poppers that are so delectable your mouth salivated at the thought of them. Of course she would also have Jos grilling up some hot dogs and burgers just to cover all bases and El would most likely bring her signature brownies. They were always nice and fudgy, just enough chew to them but not enough to stick to your teeth. As always you opted to bring some store bought items, you were never much of a cook, not that you weren’t capable, you just never feigned interest and would stick to the basics — spaghetti and meatballs, sandwiches, and every now and then a nice salmon dinner for yourself. Marlene would often send you home with leftovers when you had dinner at hers which was quite often so you had her to thank for the less frequent trips to the grocery store.

The store was booming with people hurrying around the aisles for their last minute barbecue essentials. Many of them were in a rush to get back before the parade took place, you on another hand had taken your time, never sticking around for the parade as you weren’t interested in all of the in-your-face USA imagery. Jos and everyone else felt the same which is why you all celebrated at her house. Paying for the items, you make your way back home and although you didn’t plan to cook, you still planned to put together a quick treat for the dessert table. It was something you accidentally threw together one time that had become a favorite among the group. It was as simple as some crushed up Oreos and a block of cream cheese molded into little round spheres which were then chilled. Also known as ‘Oreo Ballz’ among the group. Jonathan tacked on the ‘z’.

Weeks had gone by since the beach where you’d witnessed Eddie staring into the ocean like it had parted just for him. You couldn’t get the vision out of your head as you drove home.

The afternoon was now dissipating into evening, a sliver of gold left as it cascaded along the shore and took with it the sun’s rays. A light breeze danced through the air to a melody no one could hear. The night was within an hour of kissing the sky, leaving a trail of stars behind until morning.

You and Eddie had walked back from the pier and returned to your friends among the waves. The remainder of the day was spent splashing, swimming, and repeating. You didn’t dare go out too far into the water, the height of the waves intimidating you and leaving you closer to the shore where you could better predict their movements. Jonathan, Eddie, Will, and El on the other hand had no fear, they faced the waves head on, swimming into them and riding them all the way back to land. Jos and Argyle opted to do the same as you, playing it safe closer to the beach. The three of you tossed around a foam football, the kind that soaks up the water enough for you to then squeeze it out. You can’t help but giggle as you spot Eddie in the distance being tackled by a wave, his sopping wet hair thrown over his face at the impact. He’s then bantering with Will, shoving him by the shoulder as he shakes his hair out of his face like a wet dog. Will gives him another push back, sending Eddie off balance and into another oncoming wave. “You’re gonna get what's coming to you, Byers.” He jokes, pointing a stern finger at the boy, bangs draped across his eyes. “Oh, really?” Will looks at him quizzically. “Cause what I’m seeing is you on your ass most of the time.” He finishes, leaving Eddie with a dropped jaw, astounded at Will’s true nature coming out. It was heartening seeing Will warm up so quickly to Eddie, a contrast to what the boy was used to in his social life. Besides his friendship with El and the group.

Exhausted, everyone disperses from the water—Jos and El to the pier for some fries, Will, Argyle, and Jonathan laying on beach towels, more than likely falling asleep, you sitting atop the wet sand staring off into the ocean, and Eddie standing a few feet away doing the same. He looked angelic, his head of hair outlined by the remaining daylight, broad shoulders all burned and freckled, and his eyes twinkling as if he were a child on Christmas morning. You almost don’t notice him backing up to claim a spot next to you in the wet sand, his knees to his chest and arms draped over them. “Shit’s unreal.” He mutters quietly. “Never thought I’d get to see the ocean to be honest.” He admits, never once looking away. His bangs are just tickling his eyelashes in the most endearing way.

“How’d you like your first official beach day?” You ask, squishing the sand in between your fingers, repeating the motion over and over. “It was better than I imagined. I thought the beach was just sittin’ around all day on your ass, sand getting everywhere and in everything—which, that part is true but I don’t mind it now.” He explains, eyes squinting in the remaining sunlight. “Oh and sunburns. I’ve been sunburned before but this has that beat by like a thousand percent.” He pushes his palm into his bicep, the flesh turning white and then back to red again when he pulls away.

“You’re gonna need a lot of aloe. And you’re gonna peel like a lizard.” You joke, taking a leap and pressing a finger into his arm just as he did with his palm a moment before. “Ouch! Don’t do that!” He flinches away, softly rubbing his arm although his face almost says that the touch was welcome, a small grin displayed on his lips, eyes meeting yours for a brief second. You could drink up the Coca-Cola fountain in those irises. You murmur a humorous ‘sorry’ as he turns his focus back to the water. And there he is again, enamored with the horizon and the tide’s movements. The water meets at your legs every once in a while before retreating back into the ocean. There is comfort in the silence of conversation between the two of you. An understanding of some kind that just being in each other's presence is all that is needed right now. You haven’t known Eddie for long but there is something—a kind of empathy detected in the air that neither of you could quite put your finger on.

—

Firewood was stacked into the fire pit in preparation for later and the backyard was coming together for its annual Fourth of July potluck. Marlene assigned Eddie to hosing off the back patio where the fire pit and chairs sat while Jocelyn set up the fold out tables alongside the house near the back door so food could easily be set out. Sunflower patterned tablecloths were then laid across both tables, creating one long table. Marlene plugged the lights in, the bulbs hanging above, draped diagonally across the patio creating a perfect summer setting.

It was nearing six o’clock which was just around when everyone agreed to show up. Eddie winded up the hose as he finished, his hair in a messy-barely there-low bun and one of Jocelyn’s old snapbacks with the ‘Monster’ logo jokingly on his head. They’d been rummaging through her room earlier as Marlene asked her, even at the grown age of 23 to clean it and he took it as a souvenir or as he called it “an homage to Jocelyn’s emo phase”. He’d been wearing it all day, refusing to take it off and now here he was on the patio in only his ripped jeans and a snapback. If only you could have avoided the sight by arriving a few minutes later.

You arrived at Jocelyn’s at six on the dot, always punctual. Stepping out of your car with the items you’d bought at the store earlier in a grocery bag as well as the tray of ‘Oreo Ballz’, you made your way to the front door and let yourself in, heading straight for the kitchen. Many smells flooded your senses, Marlene had been preparing food throughout the day for tonight. The bag was placed carefully on the counter and just as you began to turn around to place the dessert into the fridge before setting them out for everyone to devour, you just had to catch a glance outside the kitchen window into the backyard only to find Eddie Munson in probably the best outfit he’s worn so far. If you could even call it an outfit seeing as he wasn’t even wearing a shirt…again. Usually a guy in a ‘Monster’ snapback would be deemed as a douche by your standards and you wouldn’t give them a second thought however Eddie made it work in a way that seemed almost ironic and he looked good—really good.

Before any drool leaks from your mouth, you avert your eyes and spin around to place the treats in the fridge as originally planned. A dampness made itself known in between your legs, a throbbing accompanying it as you stood pathetically in Marlene’s kitchen alone, thirsting over the sight in the kitchen window you’d just witnessed. It’s then you realize you possibly have to face him in order to place the bags of chips and potato salad out on the tables. Hiding out in the kitchen is an option, maybe even the bathroom but then you risk Marlene asking why you’re late since you’re always on time and you knew she’d see through any little white lie, she always did.

Hands clammy, you grab the bag of food and bravely slide open the screen door just off the kitchen that leads to the back patio. All three faces turn at the sound as they wrap up what they’re doing, Jos throwing the cushions on the chairs around the fire pit, Mar straightening out the tablecloths, and Eddie fighting with the water spicket the hose is connected to. “Hey, there’s Peach.” Eddie announces, almost as if they’d mentioned you right before you got there. “Yeah, weren’t you gonna help us set up?” Jos raises a brow playfully. “I said I’d try and be here before six but I got caught up on some stuff, I had to run back to the store for more cream cheese cause there wasn’t enough for the Oreo Ballz.” You explain as you pull the noisy bags of chips out and set them on the table followed by the potato salad. “Hang on—‘Oreo Balls?’” Eddie questions as he finally gets the water turned off. “Ballz. With a ‘z’.” Jos corrects him as she picks up a bag of charcoal near the door, setting it next to the grill. “Yeah that helps.” Eddie replies with a roll of his eyes. “Peach was experimenting one day and came up with Oreo Ballz, it’s cream cheese and Oreos rolled into…y’know balls—or ballz, I guess.” Jos enunciates the z with finger quotes as she explains.

The fact that she’s now calling you Peach unironically has you giddy. You’d never had a nickname before and now you felt somewhat special as stupid as it sounded. “Pretty straightforward name, I like it.” Eddie decides while nodding his head. “Those are Jonathan’s favorite, you better hide a few for yourselves.” Marlene teases while doing one more sweep through of the patio with the broom. You nod to her before answering. “Don’t worry I made extra. But if he does eat them all this time he’s going to have some serious digestive problems, that’d be like eating two blocks of cream cheese.” Your face scrunches in disgust as you finish the sentence. “You know that’ll be no problem for him when he gets back from his ‘walk’.” Marlene points out with a smirk. She wasn’t necessarily against it but she did find it funny how everyone tried to hide it from her. “Boy could eat like it’s the last supper if we let him.” Jos adds, you and Eddie laugh.

“Help me get the food from the house?” Marlene asks the three of you as she leans the broom back in its spot and opens the sliding door, stepping inside. Without a word you each follow and grab what Marlene instructs you to grab. Holding a tray of searing chicken, pork, and asada, you walk it out to the table outside, setting it down while pulling the foil over it to keep bugs away as well as to keep it hot. Soon enough one of the tables is full of the meat, taco fixings, pasta salad, rice, some bowls of chips that Marlene had transferred them into, the famous jalapeño poppers, and the tub of potato salad now accompanied by a large serving spoon. Eddie emerges from the kitchen carrying his contributions to the potluck, some pinwheel sandwiches in a plastic container bought from the store and a seven-layer dip, also from the store. From this, you gather he isn’t much of a cook either.

Jos adds her offering to the table, her famous deviled eggs sprinkled with paprika that she only makes because she enjoys them the most. Around six fifteen everyone else shows up in Jonathan’s car, the vehicle coming to a noisy halt in the driveway letting you know they’ve arrived.

El carries a fruit salad medley along with a Tupperware container filled with her delicious brownies while Will holds a tray of sweet and sour meatballs. Jonathan brings his cheesy potatoes and Argyle his chocolate drizzled potato chips and a liter of Sprite. Everything is laid out to soon be feasted on as everyone greets each other. Eddie and Jos rush upstairs to change since they’d been cleaning up the patio earlier, their clothes having absorbed a thin layer of sweat. Well Eddie wasn’t even wearing a shirt so you assume he’s gone to throw one on.

—

The sky was still coated with some daylight, a cool tone as the day winded down. Everyone stuffed their faces as their paper plates were piled high with food and every once in a while a firecracker would go off in the distance and the speaker played a 70’s rock radio station as you ate without a word, the group too hungry and occupied to engage in a conversation at the moment. Jos had grilled a few burgers and hot dogs for those who wanted them, she called herself ‘the neighborhood’s best dad’ as she did so. The dogs, Winnie and Diesel waited patiently for a bite to miss someone’s mouth so they could act as the cleaning crew should any food hit the floor. It was like Thanksgiving in Summer.

As plates were discarded in the trash can , bellies full, Argyle lit the firewood placed in the above ground fire pit. Each one of you found your seats around it, the smoke now filling the air smelling like a campfire. The dogs now laid at Marlene’s feet lazily while she listened to El enlighten her about something she learned in her agriculture class.

“Peach, we’re gonna go for a walk in like fifteen before hitting up the table for seconds, you gonna come?” Jonathan asks, leaned back in his chair with his feet kicked up on the edge of the fire pit. Peach seemed to be your nickname according to everyone now, not just Eddie and Jocelyn. You liked it, it made you feel special which wasn’t really a major occurrence in your life. “I think I’ll sit this one out, I don’t know if I could eat another bite—even after a ‘walk’.” You reply, he nods in understanding. Your eye catches Eddie from across the fire pit, the flames dancing along your view of him, his hair down and his torso now adorned with a plain white t-shirt—he was scowling towards Jonathan though Jonathan didn't notice. Why was he looking so intensely at him?

Before you could register it, the look displayed on Eddie’s face was gone just like that as he glanced down and fidgeted with a rip at the knee in his jeans. You’d have to tuck away your curiosity for now. Glancing back over at Jonathan, you spark up a new conversation, quietly. “Have you invited Eddie on a ‘walk’? I told him your stuff is unreal.” You almost whisper, leaning toward his ear, not wanting Marlene to hear. “No, but thanks for reminding me.” He whispers back, snapping his fingers. He stands up and before walking away, looks back to you. “You sure you don’t wanna come and just walk? Like actually walk?” He whispers the last part, sneaking a glance at Mar to make sure she isn’t looking. It’s as if you’re teenagers sneaking around when in reality you’re all adults now. You suppose everyone is just scared to disappoint Marlene since she’s like the group mom. “I’m okay, have fun.” You giggle, waving him off. He smiles and proceeds to move toward Eddie on the other side of the fire pit who has a distant expression on his face.

“Peach.” Will flops down next to you with a mouthful of pasta salad. “Hm?” You hum tearing your gaze from Eddie and Jonathan. “You got the booze for later?” He asks, swallowing his food. You give him a look of bewilderment before answering. “What are you, 85?!” You laugh as he scoffs. “Okay, first of all, rude. Never say that to me again.” He crosses his arms, his eyes wide. “Then don’t say things like that!” You justify, giving his shoulder a nudge with your palm. “Do you have it or not?” His face is now pleading, his lips pouting. Taking a moment to think for longer than nexessary you finally give him a response. “I don’t but Jos does.” Will grins and sighs out a ‘yes’. It was also tradition to get drunk at the end of the night every Fourth of July and have a sleepover in the garage. Was it really considered a sleepover if everyone actually just passed out before being given the chance to Uber home?

“We’re going to take a walk.” Jonathan announces as Eddie, Argyle, and Jos follow. Will hops out of his chair a little too enthusiastically to join them. El remains seated next to Marlene, she was never really one to participate and you only dabbled occasionally when you felt like it. Marlene shoots Jonathan a knowing look, not mean, just teasing. He awkwardly shoves his hands in his pockets and avoids her eyes as he gives the three of you a small wave.

“So…” Marlene begins as she directs her attention to you. “How is everyone treating Ed?” She asks like the concerned mother she is. “What do you mean?” You inquire, tilting your head to the side, looking at El who is wearing the same puzzled expression you are. Marlene sighs before answering. “Is everyone getting along?” She vaguely clarifies. Searching your brain for anything she may be referring to, all you can recall is that everyone got along, especially with Eddie. “Yes, why? Did something happen?” You ask with furrowed brows. Mar shakes her head, running a hand through her long dark hair. “He’s just been through a lot for someone so young. Just wanted to make sure things were okay.” She says, worry evident in her light brown eyes. You’re unsure of what exactly may be stirring up this uncertainty and you’re not sure if you should impose by asking either. El doesn’t give you the chance to decide when she blurts out “What happened?” concern filling her features. Marlene ponders for a moment, her eyes shifting back and forth in thought. “It’s not really my place to say, if he feels comfortable he’ll talk about it.” Mar replies, glancing down with almost a look of guilt. As if she brought up something she wasn’t supposed to. “Just keep an eye out for him?” She asks gently. You and El nod. “Of course.” You assure her with a small smile. This only made you want to gravitate toward Eddie even more.

—

Jonathan, Eddie, Jos, Argyle, and Will smoked in the field or the ‘reservoir’, near a tunnel that led to the sewers at the edge opposite of the dam. They stood on the concrete at the opening of the tunnel. It was covered in graffiti, tagged by people who had stopped by long enough to give it the time of day. The skunky smell wafted through the air between them as Jos puffed on the joint. “This is our little stoner spot.” She explains to Eddie, gesturing around as if to say welcome. Eddie nods, his curls bouncing with the motion. “Don’t have the balls to do it in front of Mar?” He mocks. Jos hands the joint off to Will as she answers. “I’ll have you know Jonathan is the one who’s fucking terrified of her. I just do it on the down low in the yard. I don’t even think she cares.” She shrugs and Jonathan’s eyes widen in disbelief. “You are SO scared of getting caught, don’t pin it on me!” He says in his defense. Will passes the joint to Eddie, he takes a long puff as the two continue to argue. “At least I don’t get all anxious and weird when she gives you the ‘look’ every time we take a ‘walk’!” Jos states factually. “I do not!” Jonathan shoots back. “Oh dude, you so do.” Argyle butts in as Eddie passes him the joint. “Argyle!” Jonathan pleads. “Sorry, dude—it's true TV.” He puffs on the joint, blowing it toward Jonathan’s face. “Jonathan, just drop it.” Will pipes up shaking his head. “Dude, not cool, I’m your brother, you’re supposed to be on my side.” Jonathan whines. Will shrugs in response, leaving his brother defeated. “I love this kid.” Eddie giggles, eyes glassy and heavy, a dopey smile on his face while he slings his arm around Will’s shoulder.

The rest of the conversation that took place was not remembered by any of the participants, too stoned to even know what was being said moments after saying it. High and happy, they retreated back to the fire pit to resume the night’s activities which would hopefully involve devouring any leftovers.

—

As the evening darkened and more fireworks appeared throughout the sky, the cracks and pops heard through every neighborhood, the fire got brighter and created a glow across everyone’s faces. Not even five minutes after coming back, Argyle and Eddie had finished off the chocolate drizzled potato chips, another serving of everything, and a couple dozen Oreo Ballz. Jonathan only put up a slight fight, giving up after Eddie set aside a plate with a few of them, Jonathan too dazed to keep up with the two boys and returning to a seat in front of the fire.

Conversations were flowing and you had been chatting to Argyle about his disgust for cats. Eddie and Jonathan were both holding acoustic guitars, strumming random melodies as discussions continued and they gave their two cents every now and then. Argyle removed on about how terrifying cat claws were and you suddenly weren’t listening when you overheard Marlene telling everyone else about her younger years. The side conversations ceased as everyone tuned in on her, even Argyle forgetting he was even talking while turning his attention to her.

“She did not!” Jos yells in disbelief at her mother. “She did! Stacy Harrington worked with us at The Hideout. Before she was all rich and housewifey—�� “—and snobby!” Jos interrupts with a nasally voice laughing to herself. “And snobby…” Marlene confirms. “She was just like us regular folk.” She speaks with a sudden southern accent, causing El and Will to bark out a laugh. All attention was on Mar as she relived her younger years, a glow in her aura as she spoke.

“Yeah, me and Roxanne had to teach her pretty much every single little thing, even wiping down a table! She didn’t have a clue how to clean things!” She describes through a wide smile. “So even before she was known as ‘Stacy Harrington’, I guess she still didn’t know how to work?” Mar guesses with a shrug. “Oh my god, but me and Roxy would always have to go behind her after she cleaned and do it again. There was no point in even hiring her since it was double the work.” Jos’s expression is amused as she learns this information. “What about the time you had to ride on Roxy’s motorcycle and you peed yourself! Tell them about that one!” Jos remembers, excitement seeping out of her. “No!! I only told you that one out of confidence!” Mar jokingly scolds her daughter, taking a sip of a beer she had been nursing. Everyone roars with laughter around the fire, warmth felt inside and out. “We got into some situations back then, she was my best friend.” Mar smiles, replaying the memories in her mind. “Where is she now?” Jonathan asks, a grin on display. It gets quiet, crickets chirping in the distance, mirroring the atmosphere just created. What was just a cozy and inviting environment was now uncomfortable and tense. Marlene glances at Eddie so quickly you would miss it if you weren’t looking directly at her but you were.

Eddie’s eyes are void of life, glassy but not from smoking, you don’t think. His face is pale from what you can tell in the glow of the fire in front of him. He makes no movements and is seemingly frozen, breaths quick and staggered as his chest heaves ever so slightly. Suddenly in one quick motion, he stands and is gone before your eyes, leaving his guitar on the seat and making his way out to the front yard away from everyone. All eyes are on the chair he was previously occupying, no one knowing what to say. Marlene clears her throat quietly. “Roxy—Roxy was Eddie’s mom.” She manages to get out, a shake in her voice. “But…” she continues as she straightens her posture. “I think that’s enough for tonight. Once Ed gets back we’ll go up the hill for fireworks?” She questions. A simple nod is all she’s offered from the group. Jos speaks up and shifts to a new topic, hoping to aid her mom.

As they move on to a new subject, you’re confronting the fact that all those stories about Roxy Marlene had told you and Jos about, were about Eddie’s mom. Everything they’d been through together, all the good times, all the bad. The time they took their kids to the local water park when they were little, their first day of kindergarten when they dropped them off together, the nights Roxy would drag Mar along to a local concert on their night off and they had extra tip money before they had kids. But not once did she mention Eddie was her son in the time he’s been here. Eddie was the renowned Roxy’s son, the woman in Marlene’s stories. And Jos didn’t mention anything either. You’d concluded that since it appeared to be a sensitive topic, they didn’t mention anything to protect Eddie—that is until they got caught up tonight and forgot he was right there.

Wild mocha colored curls, wide doe eyes, and deep dimples etched into her face, the woman in the photo you recall Marlene showing you is the spitting image of Eddie. She wears a denim jacket with several pins and patches placed throughout the front pockets. Some display logos for bands such as Black Sabbath, Dio, Metallica, and several others. A few of them are for different causes such as one that reads ‘Women’s rights are human rights’. She’s beautiful and from what you can see and what you’ve heard, she was the definition of a badass woman who was also the most kindhearted soul in the small town of Hawkins.

Pulling yourself from your recollection of Roxanne from the stories and pictures, you come back into your body and find that everyone was once again conversing among each other as normal. A tinge of worry swirls in your mind, Eddie coming to the forefront of your thoughts—where was he? Was he okay? Probably not, you decide based on his reaction however it seems Marlene wasn’t worried and she probably had a better idea of what was going on in his head seeing as she didn’t run after him to console him. You could leave it at that—you probably should leave it at that and just wait for him to come back on his own but there’s a surge within you that’s forcing you to gravitate to him. “I’m gonna use the bathroom.” You mutter to no one in particular before making your way through the kitchen door and then through the front door.

There’s not a soul out front, not a trace of the curly haired man, only the bugs making their presence known as the crickets play their tune and mosquitoes buzz through the air. It’s dark out now, the stars are sprinkled across the night sky almost intentionally placed. Fireworks are booming and echoing as they explode, the prominent smell of several barbecues still happening throughout the community. Approaching Eddie’s van, you peek through the windshield looking for any signs of life but to your disappointment he’s not there. The end of the driveway calls your name and you're walking toward the street, searching to the left and to the right for any signs of where he could have gone. It occurs to you that maybe you’re thinking too hard and Eddie just ended up going upstairs and called it a night. That is until you catch a glimpse of a figure seated on top of the dam across the reservoir, too far to actually decipher who it is though no one else really hangs out there and he seemed drawn to it like a moth to a flame that day you went up there with him. Much like how you were becoming toward him.

—

Things were quiet atop the dam as usual save for the occasional pop of a firework. Eddie had found himself sitting up there quite often throughout his stay, usually when he wanted to be alone and think, sometimes he’d smoke and let off some steam. The city lights twinkled at him and the moon beamed, creating a bath of celestial light around him. Eyes blurry with unshed tears and his mouth wobbling as he tried to keep his cool, Eddie sniffled and inhaled a deep breath as he stared up at the moon. His lashes were wet, collecting as much liquid as they could without spilling toward his cheeks. A nervous hand ran through his hair, trembling while he exhaled shakily before he spoke softly into the night.

“Hey mama.” His voice wavers as a tear escapes the confines of his eyes, rolling down his cheek and onto his lip. He licks it away and brings his hand up to wipe any remnants away. Shaking his head and sniffling harder than before, the dam cracks and hot tears spill over his cheeks while his lip quivers. As much as he tries to keep them at bay, the salty tears continue streaming down his face while he smudges his hands over them again and again as if each time he does it will be the time they vanish. “I miss you.” He chokes out, finally relaxing his shoulders and releasing a sob, burying his face in his palms. “I fucking miss you.”

A memory plays out in his mind, a memory of mama, his mama…

“C’mon baby, there’s no use crying over spilled milk—or—spaghettios.” Her eyes are kind as little Eddie wails from his spot at the table, the watery tomato sauce coating the wooden surface and spilling into his lap, little ‘o’ shaped pastas scattered throughout the mess. “M—mama.” Snot drips from his red nose, his small hands rubbing it all over his face and mixing it with his tears. “D—daddy’s gonna find o-out I—I spilled—m’ sorry mama.” Roxanne grabs the mini white plastic trash can from the kitchen, not too far away from where she’d been sitting across from Eddie. The house was cramped and could barely fit the three people living in it. She takes an old rag and starts swiping the mess into the trash, kneeling next to her son still sitting in his chair. The tomatoey spill is cleaned from the table and wiped from Eddie’s lap, leaving some stains behind on his ripped denim shorts and a few on his shirt. Mama tosses the soiled rag into the sink still kneeling. She looks to the little boy in front of her and rakes her fingers through his curls that were just barely falling into his face. “You let me worry about that, okay Peach?” She assures him, a touch of her southern drawl slipping out. The six year old looks into his mom’s deep brown eyes, nothing but love filling them.

“No—no, don’t want him to hurt you again.” He whimpers as he clutches his mama’s shirt into his little fists, tucking his face into her shoulder, the scent of coconut shampoo overtaking him. “He’s not gonna find out, Eddie. Okay? We’ll wash your clothes before he gets home, don’t you worry.” She promises. Eddie nods, sniffling into mama’s shirt, she’s unbothered and welcomes it as she cradles his head with her hand. Letting out a gentle sigh she vows to him “I’m gonna get us outta here, you hear me? Gonna go some place where he can’t scare us or touch us.”

Eyes now bloodshot from crying and his face puffy, Eddie lets out a few hiccups before calming down and engulfing himself in silence once again. Little does he know that as you approached the dam, hoping to check up on him and see if he needed anything, you’d see him sobbing and froze. It felt wrong to watch but you physically couldn’t move as you rapidly tried to figure out what to do in your head. As he seemed to settle down, you figured this would be the moment to make yourself known.

“Eddie?” You speak softly, slowly stepping toward him. Shooting up, he does one more wipe of his face, hiding away as much emotion as possible. “I was just leaving.” His voice is deep and raspy, nose stuffy. “Eddie, you don’t have to—I’ll go back right now, I didn’t mean to…” you trail off trying not to startle him more than you have as if he were a horse just seconds away from being spooked. “I was going to anyway.” His expression is stoic as he clenches his fists to his sides. You don’t know what overcomes you but a second later you’re wrapping your arms around his waist in a tight hug, head to his chest, offering your support through your actions. He becomes paralyzed, arms in the air as if defending himself and a gasp falling from his lips while you hang onto him. Every emotion hits him at once, overstimulating his mind and before he knows it he chokes out a sob he didn’t know he was holding onto, hands grabbing at the back of your shirt tightly while he cries into your shoulder.

He’s lost his cool in this brief moment, memories flashing in his brain, “Men don’t cry.”, “Boy, I’ll give you something to cry about if you don’t quit!”, “Stop being such a sissy and man up.” All of it rushes through his thoughts, the vision of his dad rolling his sleeves up with fire in his eyes while mama was working the night shift at The Hideout and he was supposed to be asleep.

He got curious when he heard another woman’s voice from where he was laying in bed, the one he shared with mama. Dad usually took the couch, always passing out after coming home late and crashing onto the nearest cushion. It was rare when mama would leave Eddie alone with him and this was one night she couldn’t find anyone else, she had to work to keep the bills paid and food on the table for her only son. Before leaving she instructed him to stay in bed and that she would be back before he knew it. He could never forget the fear that coursed through him when his dad caught him peeking around the corner, a bright red hand print delivered to his cheek and a bloody lip to match. He swore the devil lived in his fathers veins. Told Eddie “Suck it up, you stop pouting that lip at me or I’ll put it back for you.” And when mama came back home that night to find Eddie asleep with a bruise under his lip crusted with blood and a handprint on his face, she knew she couldn’t wait any longer to pack up and leave. They couldn’t go far with such little money but she had to do something.

Eddie’s hands are still clenching your shirt, tears soaking the fabric at the collar. Stroking his back gently over his leather jacket, you stayed there for as long as he needed, whispering to him “It’s okay, I’m right here. It’s alright.” He was shaking uncontrollably, cries consuming his body. Until you feel him tense up and his entire demeanor shifts. Letting go, he stumbles backwards, a flash of fear in his eyes. “Are you okay?” You ask with concern, taking a step toward him. He quickly steps back again before his features display something you can only make out as anger as his brows come together and his stare becomes cold. “Just—“ he croaks out, his face still wet, eyelashes separating delicately. He appears to be having an internal battle with himself. You frown at him, unsure if words would help the situation so you opt to remain quiet. “Leave me alone.” He says sternly, brushing past you and back toward the house.

Within seconds Eddie disappears into the night and back toward the house. Confusion clouds your brain, unsure of what just occurred. He was suddenly so upset, his energy completely devoid of the sadness he previously displayed. Anger seeped through his pores with a hint of embarrassment. You didn’t know how to take it. Was he angry at you for coming out and finding him when he wanted to be alone? Was he just taking it out on you because his mother was mentioned? You couldn’t be sure and you’d have to carefully address the subject the next time you had a chance. Eddie was a closed book that you were determined to read.

~end~

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Masterlist

#Eddie munson #eddie munson fic #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x fem reader #eddie munson x feminine reader #eddie x reader #Eddie munson fluff #eddie munson smut #cal dreamin’

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banesapothecary · 3 years ago

Text

baby, you’re a firework - flufftober day 4: sparklers and fireworks

read on ao3

“You’ve never seen fireworks?” She asks in a voice more bewildered than she means it to be.

Aline looks down, a blush rising in her cheeks as she shrugs. “We’ve lived in Idris most of my life. I’ve heard of them, obviously, but no. I haven’t.”

“Hey,” Helen says softly, a hand on Aline’s shoulder. “I get it. I forget sometimes not every Shadowhunter grew up in LA with siblings way more engrossed in mundane culture than they should be.”

The corner of Aline’s mouth quirks up, and her eyes are big when she looks up at her. Screw the fireworks, Helen wants to say. She has plenty exploding in her chest right now.

“You said they’re having them tonight?” she asks, and it reminds Helen so much of her little sister, Livvy—still so young and so eager to see everything in the world with brand new eyes.

“Yes,” Helen says, returning Aline’s shy smile and glancing out the window behind her. “They won’t start until it gets dark, but we can go down to the beach now. Make sure we find a good spot to watch them.”

“Why tonight?” Aline asks.

“It’s the Fourth of July,” Helen tells her. “America’s Independence Day. They do this every year. It’s a nationwide tradition.”

Aline nods thoughtfully. “That seems very American. Celebrating by blowing things up.”

Helen snorts. “And being as flashy and loud as possible.” She trails her hand down Aline’s arm and takes her hand. “Shall we?”

Aline doesn’t answer for a moment, instead staring at Helen like she was a book she needed to write a ten page paper on by the end of the night. Helen had never liked being looked at like that, like she was being studied, but Aline’s gaze is different. Her eyes don’t hold apprehension or disgust for Helen’s parentage or half-blood, but that same eagerness that said she simply wants to learn more. Helen knew with a bone-deep certainty she would gladly teach Aline anything she wanted to know.

“We shall,” Aline says finally, letting Helen lead her out of the LA Institute and down to the beach below.

The rest of the Blackthorn kids are already down there, with Tavvy and Dru covered in melted chocolate from Julian and Emma’s apparent attempt at s’mores. Helen groans as she sees them, knowing she and Mark will likely have to clean the kids up before bedtime later that night, but Aline laughs, the sound bright and beautiful as a song.

Soon, it’s finally dark enough for the fireworks to begin, but Helen barely spares a glance at the sky above as the rockets light it up. Instead, she watches Aline with the same intensity Aline had watched her earlier in the Institute.

The fireworks reflect in her dark eyes, and every so often, one is bright enough for Helen to see all of her face. Her smile is so wide Helen thinks it must hurt because it hurts her to look at it and not be kissing Aline right at that moment. But she holds herself back because she can see how much this means to Aline, how excited and happy she is to be experiencing this with Helen and her family.

“They’re beautiful,” Aline says, her words like an exhale in the ocean breeze.

“Yeah,” Helen says, but she still hasn’t looked at the sky.

#shadowhunters #heline #heline fic #helen x aline #helen blackthorn #aline penhallow #post show canon but could be read as canon divergence for the books #my fic #flufftober2021

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tf2-hellhole · 4 years ago

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It’s the 4th of July! What are the mercs planning / up to?

I imagine they’d all party together if they aren’t able to go home (I imagine the Administrator won’t give them the vacation). Here’s what happens at the party, plus who planned to bring what.

Scout:

Brings all sorts of snacks, like chips and candy. It’s all junk food.

Will mention the Boston Tea Party at least three times

Soldier:

Definitely will wear some dumb Uncle Sam costume or something like that

He will rub this day in all the immigrant mercs’ faces, which they are obviously very annoyed by

Pyro:

Starts the grill and all of the fireworks and sparklers for the others

Makes s’mores for the other mercs. They are baffled when they find Skittles inside them

Demo:

Doesn’t care about America’s independence but he’s down to party

Brings sparklers and fireworks he made himself, as well as lots of scrumpy and beer

Heavy:

He’s honestly extremely confused by the American mercs’ extreme patriotism

Gets drunk really late into the party; god bless whoever has to help him back inside

Engie:

YEEHAW, BBQ HOUR HAS COMMENCED

Definitely invented some grill that flips the burgers by itself. All of the other mercs agree that it is stupid and hilarious

Medic:

Is also only here to party

Gets drunk and starts singing the German National Anthem. The others are relieved that Soldier has no idea what he’s singing

Sniper:

Brings his family’s moonshine and passes out from drinking it in the first hour

Doesn’t wake up until three days later. Medic hears that he’s still passed out the next morning and takes some of the moonshine to experiment with. He still has no idea what’s in it, and Sniper won’t tell him.

Spy:

Complains about how July 4th isn’t the actual day of American independence, much to Soldier’s dismay

Makes sure all of the mercs know he’s only there for food

#tf2 #teamfortress2 #tf2 headcanon #scout tf2 #soldier tf2 #pyro tf2 #demoman tf2 #heavy tf2 #engineer tf2 #medic tf2 #sniper tf2 #spy tf2

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jjsjuiceboxx · 4 years ago

Text

FORTH OF JULY WITH JJ AND THE POGUES WOULD INCLUDE-

SUMMARY- just a head canon of your fourth spent with the pogues.

⚠️WARNINGS⚠️: cussing.

A/N: let me know what y’all think should I do more ??

☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎ ☮︎

- JJ waking you and the pogues early to get supplies because John b forgot and JJ isn’t good at planning ahead nor is he good at thinking on the spot “you guys no I’m not good under pressure I get duressed”

- At the store he picks up anything and everything that is food ( he smoked weed on the ride to the store and now has the munchies ) “JJ we do not need 5 bags of m&ms and 3 family sized bags of chips”

- Back at the chateau where you all are organizing the food and drinks and other important parts to a 4th of July bash and JJ is rolling blunts up for everyone and putting them in a mason jar

- “Let me help you roll that, it’s a lot that’ll take you forever” “no Pope it has to be perfect and precise or else it won’t light correctly”

- deciding this was just a thing for the pogues and no kooks or tourons allowed so that meant a private beach spot “guys I know a great spot on the beach no one would find us at” “JJ I swear to god if it’s you and Y/N’s sex spot I’m going to hurt you” “it might be....dont think about it”

- you going to help Sarah carry one keg while pope and ki get the other and JJ not wanting you to get hurt such as dropping the keg on your foot and breaking your toe ( yes you’ve done that and not more than once so JJ isn’t risking it ) “I got it for you baby, Sarah I’m a strong man you let go let me carry it and show you how it’s done” JJ would say flexing his muscles

- once everything is set up a camp fire, portable grill, s‘more stuff, all the food and drinks, a table for drinking games, a tarp and buckets of water with soap to make a home made slip and slide, corn hole ( JJ made it especially for the 4th of July and let you paint it how you wanted out on the dock while y’all had a pic nic, his idea of a date it was simple but so cute and beautiful when the sun started to set )

- once the sunset JJ handed you a beer cracking it open for you and then doing the same for himself he pulled you into him and raised his beer into the air to say a toast “you guys are my family and I just wanted to say you’re my favorite people to get wasted with” JJ said, you all knew that was JJ’s way of saying he loved you guys and would always be there everyone knew that too and put their beers in the air and saluted and yelled a bunch of booyahs JJ leaned into your ear and said “I love you and I always will” then he would kiss your cheek and let it linger for a bit “I love you more” you would say sincerely and making eye contact that you held for awhile so he really knows and sees you mean that so deeply

- you guys brought an old ratty table and solo cups to play beer pong of course I mean is it really a party if there isn’t beer pong? Pope and JJ were on one side of the table while you and John b were to the other when playing beer pong you and John b were always a team because you work well together and almost always can tell what’s on his mind without asking and vise versa. “Babe you’re so going down John b and I have this in the bag” “in your dream sweet cheeks” he’d wink at you Sarah was everyone’s cheerleader “GO POPE DEEP BREATH IN AND LET IT OUT AND TOSS” “Sarah you’re my girlfriend” “sorry babe I don’t like picking sides” “ooouu babe a little to the right and you got it” “wow thanks” when JJ shoot 3 in a row you and Sarah both cheered “good job babe” “thank you but love you’re not supposed to cheer your opponent on” “oh right aww boo” that made everyone laugh you and John b won one and then JJ and Pope won one Sarah and kie didn’t but better luck next time

- because of beer pong and the drinks you had before you guys were tipsy which makes the slip and slide THAT Much more fun you pored buckets of water and dish soap on the tarp that was on a hill you guys brought boogie boards and stuff to slide down with Incase you didn’t want to slide on your stomach or back “I’m going first since I’m the pro” kie said grabbing the boogie board and running down it then landing on the boogie board on kies way down she was laughing and squealing, because she had a boogie board when she hit the water she kept going a bit further out “oh my god you look like a skipping stone” JJ would laugh at her John b went on his stomach saying he wanted to see what being a penguin was like Sarah went right after John b making them crash into one another at the bottom and Pope would fall in the sand laughing, JJ grabbed your hand and you guys would run so fast then jump onto the slip and slide and JJ would not let go of your hand even on the way up he still held it and would look down at you smiling so wide you loved when he looked that happy with out a care in the world. Pope went last because he wanted to calculate his move like a weirdo. “Ok so I calculated my speed and where I need to jump at to gre-“ “just got already Pope” “ok” pope stepped back and took off towards the slip and slide and jumped slightly but stayed standing as if he was surfing or skateboarding he made it all the way down that way we all jumped up and cheered him on “dude that was soo cool” “good job Pope that was awesome” “man I wish I thought of that” you guys went down the slip and slide some more

- once it was dark out you guys made a bonfire and started to cook the hot dogs of course you burnt some of them but it’s ok because you brought extra thanks to kie you guys ate dinner and drank some more and talked.

- after dinner you decided it’s dessert time which of course is smores it isn’t a bonfire without it you pope and kie would say when John b asked if it was necessary, JJ looked so confused at all of you using sticks and putting the marshmallow on the stick then into the flames “j what’s wrong?” “N-nothing I’m good” “oh my god JJ do you not know what a smore is???” JJ would pout “shut up kiara of course I know what it is” “if you say so” you would continue talking when you felt a slight nudge you looked over and saw JJ looking at you then his marshmallow on the stick “aww j it’s ok if you have never made a smore before this makes this so much more cute and I’ll teach you” “ok baby, it’s just no one ever showed me or made me a smore before ever” he would say looking down you put your hand on top of his hand that was holding the stick and put it in a flame “the fire will cook and melt the marshmallow you can let it burn it so it’s black and crispy or have it so it’s slightly burnt” you said rotating his hand and stick around to get all sides “how do you like yours done” “I like mine burnt so I just let it catch fire then a few seconds later blow it out plus it is a lot more faster” “then I want mine how you do yours” you put y’all’s hands out further letting it catch fire you pull it closer to you so you can blow it out “ok now hand me a block of chocolate and two graham crackers” he gave them to you and you put the chocolate on one side then put the stick between your thighs and You squeezed your thigh together to keep the stick still you put the marshmallow between the graham crackers mushed them together and pulled the marshmallow off the stick then handed it to JJ “voila a smore made out of love for my love” you smiled and then did a chefs kiss JJ smiled and giggled at what you said “why thank you my lady” he said then took a bite of the smore you saw his eyes light up “oh my god oh my god this is so fucking good this is my favorite thing, I can really taste the love too” he would say smacking his lips around. Every one stopped to look at JJ who had chocolate and marshmallow all over his face you all busted out laughing and JJ realized why quickly laughing too you went to kiss his lips then pulled away and licked the mess off his face then kissed him again “that was so gross” “you’re just jealous popo” “I’m not responding because that is not my name Y/N” “it is now” you would shrug. After you ate the s’mores to the point you would explode. JJ was a mess he has so much chocolate and marshmallows on his hands so he started to chase everyone with his sticky hands “JJ I swear to god if you get your sticky gross fingers on me I will drown you in the ocean” “JJ don’t I just bought this top” “JJ don’t get Sarah’s top gross” “oh my god are you 5?” “4 actually” “that’s fan-fucking-tastic”.

- you could see the fire works from figure 8 you were a good distance away but they were still super close and big “I can’t believe it was 20$ to go to that thing” “yeah you’d be stupid to do that” “we are geniuses we get a free fire work show and we have such a good view of it” you guys all watched the show in aw of how beautiful it was and how it would reflect off the ocean you took pictures of the view for a bit then cuddled into JJ for the rest he would hold you very tight and make sure you had enough drink and food ( chips ) and made sure you were comfy and warm enough.

- it was dark enough to do fire works so Pope, John b, and JJ decided they would be the ones lighting the fire works because “we don’t want our girls to be blown up in the face” all three boys would say. After you guys did your fireworks which were shitty cheap ones you did sparklers “guys someone take pictures” “Sarah we have to live in the moment” “if Sarah says we take pictures we take pictures” “I want to make photo frames for all of us so you can each have one in your room” that ended up being a valid reason so the boys didn’t mope around when they were told to pose.

- the last fire work was a message that read out “Sandra will you marry me?” You all could hear the cheers from where you stood then you heard what you assume to be Sandra shout “oh yes Steve I will” which lead to louder shouts and cheers Sarah mumbles “wow congrats Sandra, thanks for making my parents drag me to more kook gathers” “oh fuck that means me to doesn’t it?” “Of course it does John b” you could hear pope and kie arguing over how fire works ruin the planet when JJ whispered into your ear “one day I’ll have a fire work show for you and it’ll have words and everything because I love you so much and I want everyone in obx to see it they’ll be that big” you smiled up at JJ and kissed him “I love you JJ since you’re doing a fire work show I’ll do something else but it’ll be HUGE don’t worry” “I don’t doubt that” you went to kiss again and were startled apart by more fireworks from kooklandia as you and the pogue refer to it you all laugh at everyone’s scared faces but you turned back to JJ to kiss him again you heard a few clicks and some flashes you pulled apart and kie and Sarah were taking photos “now my photo obsession isn’t so stupid anymore is it?” “Yeah you’ll thank us later when you have such a cool and cute shot of y’all locking lips with the ocean and fireworks in the back” you and JJ just rolled your eyes but by this time next week when you all got the photos back you knew you would for sure thank kie and Sarah for the photos.

#jj maybank imagines #jj maybank outerbanks

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nonsimsical · 4 years ago

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| Happy Birthday Freeman!! |

..July 4th Freeman turned 31 years old! He celebrated with Faye and the kids at their new house in Virginia. Faye surprised him with a brand new truck that his parents drove to the house in - as Faye is 6 months pregnant with their sixth child (yes you read that correctly - the Rodriguez family is adding another family member to their lot) and is practicing social distancing, she had her in laws pick it up a day before they were due to come over. Freeman and his Dad spent the majority of their day outside working on the new planter boxes for a garden and the kids swam in their new pool whilst Faye and Florencia, Freeman’s Mother, baked and cooked all of Freeman’s favorites!

Later that night, when it got dark enough, they built a little fire in their new firepit and let the kids roast s’mores and play with sparklers Freeman’s parents brought with them, they left before it got too dark as they had to drive to Freeman’s eldest brother’s house, before the big fireworks show (the twins slept through the whole thing as did Bishop and Faye’s new corgi, who were in the house with the girls). It was pretty late when they headed inside so Faye agreed to letting the older girls have a little slumber party in the living room (spoiler alert - it didn’t last long - they ended up on the floor in their parents room with their sleeping bags) while Freeman put Caleb to bed in his new room (all to himself).

@charsimatic

#fayemen #Freeman Rodriguez #ts3 #simblr #my sims #mine #sims3sims #sims3male #sims3ship #charsimatic #Faye Elizabeth Rodriguez #Faye Rodriguez #Freeman x Faye

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27emailsicantsend · 5 years ago

Text

3x14 and 3x15 Andi Mack scene by scene recap + my unnecessary opinions lol

Forewarning: as from the title these ARE spoilers to the episodes if you haven’t seen it. I’m tagging spoilers out but there’s still a chance they could be seen. Also, I’m giving a scene by scene recap with my opinions of the show. I’ve been requested to do the recap but I also want to talk about what I thought from these episodes in more detail than my post yesterday. So for the most part it’ll be factual but I’m really invested in these two episodes so I’ll definitely be adding my own twang. It’s virtually impossible for me not to recap my own hype for the episodes lol. Hope you’re a Muffy and Tyrus stan bc I’ve got some cOnTeNt for you ❤️

Ok here. we. go.

3x14

Scene starts in the spoon. It’s Andi, Muffy, and Cyrus. Muffy and Cyrus talk about Andi’s parents not getting married while Amber overhears. She gets upset and asks why. Andi clarifies her parents aren’t married, but still together and Amber makes the comment, “unlike my house. My parents are still married but barely together”. Which gets some awks looks from the table. Andi tells them she’s not sad, but angry. Then she says that B&B (Bex and Bowie) said she’s entitled to her feelings to which Cyrus claims as being manipulative?? (Still don’t see how, but he explains that they are playing dodgeball and b&b are on one side and Andi on the other. She has a ball of anger she wants to throw, but they’re ready for it. So if she throws it, they’ll catch it and then she basically can’t show her anger- he’s obviously been listening to his counseling parents hahaha). Andi asks where she can throw her anger ball (lol) so Amber takes her to a sledge hammer place (Rage Cage) where everyone is in individual cages that have old items that you just beat up with a sledge hammer.

*opening song*

Andi is laying on her bed and gets a really excited phone call from CeCe about the wedding to which Andi feels guilty. She tries to tell Bex to tell CeCe it’s cancelled but Bex refuses bc the next day is CeCe’s bday. This scene had some really good acting BTW (I’ll probably tell you when this happens too bc honestly props to the actors. And the cinematography and music in these two episodes is beautiful. Literally made me feel like I was watching a movie).

Buffy runs up to Marty at a bench and he gets a big dimple smile bc why wouldn’t he be excited to see her?? Lol Buffy starts mocking Marty’s shoes because they have toe inserts and that’s when he tells her they are for a marathon. Buffy gets confused (and lowkey upset) she didn’t know about the marathon and Marty is all, “we have a lot of catching up to do” and I’m all (you have a lot of dating to do because my soul has been empty this past season without you. #RIPME 😭 ⚰️). So Buffy gets all flirty competitive and says she wants to race as well. Marty tries to talk her out of it bc he’s worried about an injury, dehydration, etc. but this is Buffy we’re talking about and she insists she can do it and then runs away lol, but Marty can’t help the love he feels for her and smiles sheepishly as he goes to run away with her (very metaphoric. I love)

Jonah and Cyrus are walking and Cyrus invites Jonah to see a meteor shower in his backyard for a campout (good Jyrus moment if you ship that) Jonah makes a lame joke about not having a s’more in awhile and so he has “s’less”- Cyrus tells him not to hurt himself making that joke 😂😂

B&B and Andi are at a restaurant waiting for CeCe & Ham. CeCe shows up and tells everyone Ham went back to India.

Cyrus and Jonah go into a beautifully set up tent where Cyrus obviously had to out-do himself and make everything in the tent extra. I love a gay interior design queen.

Back at the restaurant, CeCe says Ham went to India for rest. CeCe makes some really weird remark about seeing him again (yikes) and the rest make comments about him doing what he needs to do and that they have to accept it and not take each other for granted. Very subtextual of the real situation, but also a great way to write off his character and play into Bex worrying about cancelling the wedding. She showed fear like she wouldn’t want to say anything to CeCe bc he’s gone, but since CeCe was ok with him leaving, Bex calmed down too. Just really well done. CeCe tried to show Bex venue photo’s and Bex tried to stop her but then Bex just says she had a problem mailing the wedding invites *cliff hanger*

Cyrus and Jonah back at the tent. Jonah is panicking about dying in Cyrus’ backyard and Cyrus brings meat into the tent but makes it all flirty and weird- I don’t ship Jyrus but the whole thing lowkey felt like they were trying to impress Jyrus shippers with date vibes haha (also the meat is BAD if you’re camping bc animals can get to you). Then an animal hits their tent at (obviously) the right time

CeCe now knows the wedding is off and is PiSsEd™️. The waiters are all completely unaware and don’t know how to read the room so they bring a sparkler cake. CeCe flips the sparkler upside down, shoves it in the cake, and exits as dramatically as possible. Leaving the mustached waiter with an awkward face like:

Then there was this weird commercial on my app promoting season 2 like bish you already know I watched that season at least twice don’t play me like that

Back to the pointless tent scene (for real- this scene was just filler. You rip off Tyrus FOR THIS? Actual homophobia). Jonah mispronounces some weird thing (and Cyrus says don’t hurt yourself again) and then breaks the tent. Cyrus makes a failed attempt at opening the tent with a cheese knife but Shazam! saves the day by telling Cyrus not to hurt himself and opening the tent with the same cheese knife (honestly, weird flex but ok). They escape and are saved and watch a poorly CGI’d meteor shower like two old men on their front porch. and yippee five minutes of wasted screen time are over. I don’t care if you ship Jyrus. It was a waste of time when we could have been focusing on the TeA of the show. *rant over- no worries. Many more to come*

Back to important matters, Muffy is now running their race. Marty doesn’t want to race. He just wants to finish in under 4 hours and Buffy wants to finish under his time. Buffy agrees with Mr. Party at first, but then hears the word “race” and bolts away like Lightning McQueen.

Bex and Andi back at the house. Bex says it went bad with CeCe bc she won’t even act like Bex exists. Andi realizes her anger and knows where to take her (you guessed it. RAGe CAGe- Andi said it wasn’t for Bex lol so she wouldn’t tell Bex where she was going with CeCe 😂 the shade)

Marty is jogging along like a middle aged white woman and sees Buffy wheezing. He gets all husband like and concerned as he catches her in his arms. (Which reminds me of a pic I saw on Tumblr where they drew her in his arms but laced it with the “Miss Keisha” vine and I was here for it). Then Marty and Buffy put their arms around each other and he escorts her to a bench. (Just saying, everyone knows Tyrus is going to involve a bench scene but as us loyal fans know, Muffy shadows Tyrus and they have also encountered two (2) benches thus far. Coincidence? Maybe. Will I believe it was a coincidence? Absolutely not). Then he puts her on the bench and acts all cute and paramedic and concerned. He’s been taking doc notes at General Hospital obviously. (He even mentions taking her to a doctor). Buffy is all like, “Run your race Marty. 4 1/2 hours. [I’m the supportive girlfriend you hoe].” And he doesn’t want to leave her and she accuses him of being a martyr? Then she snaps at him (like tf) to go away and he gets all angsty™️ and runs off and my heart broke bc I was not ready for a Muffy battle.

Andi and CeCe at the Rage Cage... rage. In a cage.

Marty comes running back to Buffy with a dimple smile again bc he knows she was trying to “White Fang” him from a movie they saw together (❤️). To “White Fang” is for the boy in the movie to send the wolf away, wolf doesn’t want to leave, so the boy throws rocks at him to make him go. Buffy is caught (but she ain’t mad) and I need to quote this part word for word bc it’s TOO CUTE 🥰🥰🥰

B: You’re the one who said we should run our own race

M: That’s what I’m doing

B: Wanna sit here with me?

M: No. I wanna cross the finish line with you 😭😭😭

And that, my friends, was the day my heart ripped in half from joy

Then he picks her up and they put their arms around each other (I seriously can’t. They made me cry last night and lowkey I thought it was bc I was tired but I’m fully energized and watery eyed... sooo....) then Marty makes a joke about them running and Buffy goes, “you’re hilarious” and his voice gets all soft and he looks at her all gentle and goes, “you finally figured that out” AND PLEASE TERRI STOP IT HURTS. But no, the scene CONTINUES BECAUSE MY HEART APPARENTLY COULD TAKE THAT (lies). And the scene changes and now Marty is PIGBACKING HER ACROSS THE FINISH LINE THREE HOURS LATER. LIKE STOP. STOP. I CAN’T HANDLE THESE TENDER MOMENTS. (Seriously they were together an extra three hours with him helping her. I’m WeAk). And they both get medals and Buffy compliments him so he gets all happy and tells her to keep going, but she runs out of compliments so he goes, “ok, I just wanted to see how deep that well went” with his eyes darting all over her face and then the music shifts to almost like progressive-romantic music as BUFFY PUTS HER ARM BACK AROUND HIM AND THEY WALK AWAY (the music was placed so we knew they were having a moment) and that was the exact moment I died. MY PARENTS. (Watched this scene 3 times and will 100% watch it at least 1000 more).

Then Andi sees Amber raging. In a cage. She’s like “excuse me? What are you doing here” and Amber is all mad at Jonah and Andi’s all break up with your boyfriend yeah yeah cuz I’m bored. And Amber wasn’t here for it because apparently she thinks she’s in love with Jonah now? (with tears in her eyes... I mean, love to me isn’t that angry and hating everything he does [he only sent her six emoji’s apparently and just isn’t there for her] that it drives you to physical violence but ok)-(but good acting along with the last Muffy scene but I’m sure ya’ll picked up on that from my synopsis lol)

3x15

FYI this synopsis won’t be AS long, but that’s because Muffy is absent and I have an unexpresible love for them and this episode also sent me over the EDGE with Tyrus 🙄😤🙃 but I’ll do what I can with Tyrus bc it’s still gay and angsty and I was here for that part of it (also I love the Terri devoted two separate episodes to Tyrus and Muffy. Like she really knows this Friendom and what will keep us watching lol)

Unnecessary opening scene with B&B and Andi going to the movie instead of spending time on their phones (it was cute but unnecessary. I liked in the last episode that the rage cage in the beginning scene actually tied into the episode)

*opening credits*

Buffy and Cyrus watching Kira and TJ like hawks from the bench far away and Buffy is confused af about it. She asks Cyrus and he gets all angsty (I WILL over use this word bc it’s too accurate for this episode, wait til you actually see it) and goes “I don’t know” *shoulder shrug* “I haven’t been hanging out with TJ lately”

Buffy: because of that?

Cyrus: they’ve been pretty much attached at the hip (then Kira has the AUDACITY to jump on TJ’s back) and the back. They look happy.

B: it won’t last. Kira’s not a nice person. Only took me a day to figure that out. Since he’s a GUY, it’ll take longer.

Cloud 10 with Bex and Andi discussing Bex and CeCe making up, but in front of CeCe. CeCe is still PiSsEd™️. Bex tries to talk to her and BEGS to make up with her mom but her mom is cold and I felt Bex’s pain. (Great acting in this scene too. I just wanted to hug Bex. Like did you really have to do her a dirty like that? With Tyrus and Bex, this episode is starting to feel like 3x13 again and I thought we all agreed to never speak of that episode ever again)

Cyrus is sitting all angsty and alone with some frozen yogurt in front of a greenhouse? Literally no idea where he is at but it’s such a mood lol and even funnier that TJ found him there. Like where are they?? Hahahaha but ANYWAY, TJ sits down and confronts Cyrus about avoiding him. Cyrus says he isn’t but TJ is like “kinda feels like it”. Cyrus tries to say that TJ has been occupied with Kira taking up his time and TJ denies that hard. And here’s the TEA sis:

Cyrus: you two are clearly hitting it off. Which is great. I’m happy for you guys.

TJ: you make it sound like we’re a couple. We’re not. We mostly just talk about basketball.

C: and then you give her a piggy back ride?

T: she bet me I couldn’t carry her. That was all

Then TJ tried to tell Cyrus to hangout with them more and Cyrus rejects that bc Kira knows Cyrus is Buffy’s best friend. Then Kira comes in to hoe around the scene and sits at the table. Says “heyyyy” all flirty to TJ 😒 and “hi Cyrus” direct and cold to Cyrus. Then becomes the most fake hoeeeee when pretending to agree with TJ that they should hang out more with Cyrus. Cyrus YEETS outta there and Mr. heart eyes looks like he created depression (it was that prevalent). Kira gets all needy and is like, “hellooo? I’m over here” and TJ just looks at her with the fakest angsty smile. Like why.

At the spoon, the GHC AND Jonah are sitting and Andi tells of this store called Mint Chip where they burn clothes rather than donate them bc it would make the brand look bad and lose sales if it’s with charity. Like??? Ok you actually look better with charity sooooo take two steps back B. Buffy gets the taste of wanting to be a bad guy (cue bad guy by Billie Eilish) and they all go dumpster diving and get the clothes from Mint Chip’s dumpster. Not much happens other than them stealing clothes and Buffy says her ankle hurts so she can’t get in the dumpster. IDK if that’s from the dehydration last episode (bc when she’s walking with Marty 😍 she’s limping) or if she fell wrong at the dumpster. It’s foreshadowing bc I know she has a hurt foot in a later episode so not sure where it will come in or why.

The kids have an outdoor “sidewalk sale” where they give away the free clothes from mint chip and some lady comes and gets a coat. She shows up later in the episode to tell Bex and CeCe about the sale but they do nothing. It was really weirdly staged like this character had more importance in the episode and got cut or she has importance later on. IDK? She just got a ton of screen time for it to go nowhere so we’ll see. And Cyrus is a Queen and styled some guy for an interview and Buffy is a Queen and styled a lady for a first online date. Then Jonah is just himself and doesn’t know what a pencil skirt is. *cue clothing sale montage with Jonah being a player and talking to lots of girls and the GHC+Jonah looking all sweet looking at pics from the day*

B&B get a wedding gift from Celia. It’s a snow globe from the night Bowie proposed, but since it’s mailed, was sent before CeCe knew about the cancellation. Bex tries to write her a thank you card but can’t and cries through it (great acting here too- Bex just takes the cake on acting TBH)

At the sale, Cyrus shows Buffy a shirt he wants to give to TJ (which isn’t a hoodie, surprisingly). He takes a pic & sends it to him to ask if he likes it and Buffy says “it’ll look good with his eyes” and Cyrus is all “it WILL 😍”

Buffy: he’s gonna like it. Why don’t you just give it to him?

C: I thought about that. I’m not sure how much he’s want that.

B: a free shirt??

C: ME. Giving him a free shirt.

B: there’s a great way to find out

C: what is it?

B: *forcing the shirt back to Cyrus* give him the shirt. Maybe it’ll mean something to him. Maybe it won’t. Either way, it’s a nice thing to do [seriously though I stan a Tyrus Ally]

C: it’s TJ. Thumbs up on the shirt *replying to Teej lol* you should come by the sale. It’s amazing. *back to the Vampire Slayer* was that too braggy?

B: not braggy enough

C: TJ *reading the message* I’m at the park *back to Buffy* what do you think that means?

B: he wants you to meet him?

C: you think

B: why else would he tell you where he is?

C: should I bring the shirt? I’m gonna being the shirt. *walks away and comes back* the shirt feels weird

B: then don’t take it

C: *walks away and comes back*

B: *whilst saying nothing hands Cyrus the shirt with a loving, yet so over Cyrus’ gay angst expression*

C: he’s gonna be expecting it... so I’m just gonna- yeah *yeets out of there in gay*

Kira and TJ at the park. Kira asks who TJ is texting and he says no one 😤 so TJ suggests feeding the ducks and Kira decides to hoe around yet again and suggests swinging first. She’s all flirty and TJ is ~not straight and not here for it~. He’s all like “I’m not five” like he doesn’t go swinging and Kira gets all competitive over who can swing higher and makes comments reflecting his and Cyrus’ convo which gets him to get on the swing (reluctantly) and also she is on Cyrus’ swing?? So umm? Get tf off???? And that’s when Cyrus pops around a tree, shirt in hand, to see THAT DISGUSTING MOCKERY OF A FRIENDSHIP I HATE IT SO MUCH??? EWWWW. And he’s all sad and angsty and jealous so he walks away **AND AS HE’S WALKING AWAY DOES A LOOK BACK SOOOOOOOOOO HE IS FOR SURE IN LOVE FREAKING HECK I CAN’T** and I just want to hug my boi and I can’t hug him and ugh 😭😭😭 my sad tears are here.

So Cyrus sees Buffy and tells her TJ was with Kira so that makes Buffy all annoyed (she’s a real one). Cyrus becomes a liar and says they’re “good together” again. Buffy tries to reassure him it won’t last, but Cyrus isn’t sure and now has this shirt he doesn’t know what to do with. He gives it to Jonah and says he has nice eyes too??? Like umm? Rebound much, Cyrus?? Like Boo. Don’t do that. I’m here for YOU. Jonah then tells some woman about how they pulled off the clothing shop and a police officer shows up. They don’t have a license to sell and never bought the clothing so they can’t give it for free. Next thing you know Bex is getting a call (after trying to make things right with CeCe AGAIN and more A+ acting.. seriously though freaking FORGIVE HER ALREADY SHE IS DOING EVERYTHING SHE CAN) and runs with CeCe to go help bail the GHC+Jonah out of jail (this was also after the woman in the coat makes a 2 second appearance at cloud 10 to talk about the sale and NOTHING HAPPENS WITH HER SO WHY). The scene ends with the cell door closing so I hope next episode maybe this scare freaks CeCe enough into making up with Bex. But IDK.

I’ve got many mixed feelings about these episodes. Hope you enjoyed my highly detailed and opinionated synopsis of the show 😂😂 can’t wait for next week!! ❤️

#andi mack #am spoilers #andi mack spoilers #tyrus #muffy #epidode recap #buffy driscoll #marty from the party #tj kippen #cyrus goodman #sophia wylie #luke mullen #garren lake #joshua rush #bexie #cece mack #bex mack

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lavendersmiles · 6 years ago

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Fireworks

SasuSaku Month 2018

Day 16: Sparks

***

Author’s Note: my tired brain can only write AU oneshots now 😂

FFnet link

***

If there was one thing the three best friends have in common, it would be their stubbornness.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura begged their parents to let them go to the camping trip that Itachi went to, but the adults blatantly refused. The ten year olds crossed their arms at the final verdict despite their pleas and decided to meet up at the wide backyard of the Uchihas.

“It’s really no fair! Why can Itachi-nii go and we can’t?!” the blonde screeched with irritation.

The only girl laid back on the well-maintained grass which the boys followed not a moment later. She looked to her left where Naruto was. “Okaa-san said it was for older kids only. And she said to wait because we’ll have our own field trip as well.” A small pout formed on her lips. “But I remember that the teacher said it will only last a day and we won’t go camping.”

Sakura turned her attention to her right when she heard a snort. “They treat us like kids.”

“But we are, Sasuke-kun.”

“Nuh uh! We’re ten. That’s two numbers already!” Naruto butt in. Then a wide smile appeared on his face. He sat back up, waving his hand around. “Let’s just camp here then! We can make our own tents and bonfire and watch the stars and all that!”

Sasuke and Sakura sat up as well. The childhood friends slash neighbours looked at each other with matching grins on their faces. The three then ran off to their respective houses, gathering materials for their impromptu camping. They found a loophole in their parents’ words, and now they’re going to have an adventure of their own.

But the adults found out while they were busy rummaging things for their activity. After a quick meeting between the Uzumakis, Uchihas, and Harunos, the kids were granted permission to camp out at the vast lawn of the raven-haired family. The grownups helped with setting up the large tent for the three to share and the kids spent the majority of the afternoon playing around the yard. When twilight came, Sasuke’s parents came to bring them food and prepared a bonfire for them.

As the sky turned darker, the trio lied down on the ground, watching the twinkling stars. “I wish we had fireworks,” Sakura thought out loud.

Naruto raised his hand in agreement. “That’s right! It would be perfect dattebayo!”

But the little girl suddenly shuddered. “But I find them a bit scary though. They’re beautiful… only that they’re too loud.”

“Not all of them are loud and scary,” obsidian held jade eyes in his gaze. Seeing her confused, Sasuke smirked and took off to the shed, where a stack of sparklers left after the New Year’s celebration were kept. He took the box and presented it to wide emeralds and sapphires.

“That’s so cool, Sasuke!” Naruto exclaimed, practically drooling at the sight. He took some and proceeded to arrange the sparklers in a large circle on the ground. The young Uchiha took one and handed it to Sakura. He was taken aback with how hard she shook her head.

“It might burn in my hand,” Sakura wailed.

“No it won’t,” he assured her. He took her hand to make her hold the unlit sparkler and clasped it with his. “You trust me, right?”

She nodded, though her eyes still held a little fear in them. “Of course, Sasuke-kun.”

“Then there’s no need to be afraid, okay?” She nodded again in reply and the dark haired boy called out to their friend who was still busy with his work.

“Oi, Naruto, light up this sparkler.”

“Ehhh let me light up these first!”

Onyx eyes darkened into a glare. “Usuratonkachi.”

The blonde crossed his arms and pouted. “Fine!”

When he did, Sakura tightened her grasp on the hand-held firework and Sasuke held on to her even tighter. Sparks then formed, and despite her glassy eyes, the pinkette started to smile. The Uchiha waved their joined hands around until a laugh came from the girl.

“See? It’s not so bad right, Sakura-chan?” Naruto asked her.

Her grin became bigger. “Yeah!”

“Sasuke!”

The trio turned around to see Fugaku walking towards them with a frown, Mikoto following closely behind. “I told you not to light these without adult supervision, right?”

The boy lowered his head, feeling the full effect of his father’s scolding. Somehow, it seems like he was always disappointing him. Before he could say his apologies however, a voice spoke up for him.

“It’s my fault, Fugaku-san! I wanted to see fireworks but I find them too loud and Sasuke-kun said that not all are loud and brought the sparklers but saw that I’m afraid and he helped me not to be scared anymore,” Sakura proclaimed in an earnest tone. “Please don’t be mad at Sasuke-kun. He was only helping me.”

The little girl bowed while her two friends were bewildered. Following her, Naruto also bowed and responded, “And I was the one who lit up the sparkler, Fugaku-san. Though it was Sasuke who told me to but I followed him anyway on my own will ‘ttebayo.”

‘They’re defending me,’ Sasuke thought. Gratitude filled his heart and also mirrored his friends’ action before his parents. The sight softened the Uchiha patriarch’s heart. He felt his wife’s hand grasp his own, much like how his son was still holding Sakura.

“Fugaku, there’s no need to be so harsh.” She turned towards the youngsters who were still bowing low. “Sasuke-chan, Sakura-chan, Naruto-chan, please raise you heads.”

When they did, she gave a motherly smile at them. “We will supervise you in lighting the sparklers. I actually prepared marshmallows, chocolate, and crackers for you three. You can make your own s’mores after, okay?”

The three beamed at her. In no time, the backyard lit up with bright sparks. Fugaku was the one who lighted them all up and the children’s eyes reflected the bursts of light. Making the s’mores was the next agenda, and the adults left them for a while.

While they were busy in making the snack, Sasuke was a bit bothered with Sakura’s stare. When he called her out for it, surprise came to him in the form of her hugging him out of the blue.

“I’m sorry, Sasuke-kun. You got scolded because of me.” Wide onyx eyes saw Naruto with an all-knowing and teasing smile. He wanted to wipe it off his face but his mind focused on the girl’s warmth. Tentatively, he returned the gesture.

“It’s not your fault, Sakura.”

She tightened her embrace, not daring to look at him. “But you still got in trouble because of me.”

“But you defended me, right? I don’t mind as long as it’s for you,” he whispered before he could think of his words. The boy felt his heart racing, silently praying that Sakura wouldn’t notice it. He felt like a entire fireworks display was happening in his chest. But as the moments passed, he realized that he didn't hate it. Too distracted with his own reaction he didn’t realize that the pinkette was in the same state as him.

“Thank you for helping me overcome my fear, Sasuke-kun.” When she removed her hold on him, she was surprised to see him turn as red as his favourite tomatoes. The boy didn’t trust himself to say anything, so he simply nodded in reply.

From afar, Mikoto was busy taking photos of the two with her DSLR, smiling widely and already planning to present her little collection of photographs she’s taken as a gift for Sasuke and Sakura’s wedding day in the future.

#sasusaku #ssm18 #ssm18d16 #sasusaku month 2018 #prompt: sparks #lavender writes #mother ship #otp forever

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myycamp · 4 years ago

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A little bit of family camp!

It is sad to have had to cancel our traditional overnight Labor Day family camp. Some of our families have been coming since the 1950s and so this will be the first year they will not be at camp. I will miss the hilarious skits, jokes before meals, stories of horse trail rides, catching up on all the family gossip, going from table to table in the dining hall to check in on the day, seeing which young adult family members brought a new boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse this year, sitting together at the Temple of the Trees, watching the babies get a year older, and of course, taking pictures of all the toddlers with a fist full of cotton candy while dancing to T’s Square Dance music. And so much more.

I have worked here full time for more than 18 summers, and if you count my counselor years, almost 30! So, dear family campers, I can say with love that you HAVE become my family and I will miss you this year!

The Mace Family (Katie, Paul, Margot, and Luke), HUGE #campernst fans who attend not only Labor Day camp every year, but Memorial Day too, had their own family camp experience with their neighborhood earlier this summer! Here are a few things they shared with us:

In Margot’s own words:

I know family camp at home isn’t the same, but it is still really fun! We gave all of our neighbors a flier saying what time and date and the activities we would be doing. The first thing we did was go no a hike/creek walk. That was definitely a fun adventure. After, we had a water balloon toss (intense) and then we made teams and had a water fight! We also roasted s’mores and I even cooked a hot dog! We even got sparklers out when it started getting dark. The rain shortened our time, but we were going to play flashlight tag. Flashlight tag is instead of touching people in tag, if the flashlight shines on you, you are out. Don’t worry, we played the game two days later when it wasn’t raining. Anyway, I hope this inspires you to have fun with family camp even if we aren’t where we were expecting to be!

Maybe you don’t have a cool creek in your neighborhood or space for a firepit for s’mores... Well--you’re in luck!

For the next two weekends we’ll host FAMILY EXPLORE DAYS here at camp. For $25 per person ($100 min per family) you can bring the whole crew to enjoy our 365 acres and maintain distance from other families. We’ll have the 100 foot waterslide, banana boat, canoes/kayaks/corcls open, as well as time at the archery and bb range, and horse back trail rides. On your own you can go fishing, creeking, hiking, or just play around on the sport court and enjoy nature!

Hope to see you soon! Ernstlove,

eli

#campernst #ymca #familycamp #family #cincinnati

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my-one-love-is-music · 7 years ago

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Kisses By the Campfire

Summary: The end of summer and the beginning of the school year is always a sad time for high school students because it means missing out on the beach and prime sun hours. Luckily, Tim has a special back-to-school tradition that he has with his friends every year that keeps the memories alive just a little bit longer. And this year, Jason's invited, too.

For JayTimWeek Day 3: Campfire/Popsicles and also a sequel to Day 2.

Also on AO3!

“Hey.”

Jason still wasn’t used to it. He’d been dating Tim for a month now, but he still wasn’t used to the smile that always seemed to tug at his lips when he was around, or whenever they texted, or whenever he greeted him, or whenever he was even thinking about him really. Dick always teased him about it, but he couldn’t bring himself to be more than just a bit embarrassed over it. Tim was his first boyfriend and everything about their relationship was new and magical and just felt right.

He turned from where he was stacking clean glasses underneath the counter and smiled at his boyfriend. And, God, if that word just didn’t make him feel ridiculously giddy inside. Tim was leaning onto the counter in that familiar way of his, body hunched over where his arms were crossed in front of him.

“Hey, what’s up?” he asked, doing his best to stack glasses and pay attention to Tim.

“So…since summer is almost over and we have to return to the dreaded institution next week, I was wondering…”

“Yeah?” Jason asked glancing at him and catching the fact that he could barely restrain his smile.

“My friends and I get together for a campfire each year and I was wondering if you wanted to join us? You know, since you’re my boyfriend and all?”

Jason pursed his lips, trying not to smirk, but knew that some of it slipped through, like it always did. “Don’t you have to go camping for there to be a campfire?”

Tim just raised an eyebrow and smirked right back. “Don’t worry. We will be camping.”

“So where’s this going down then?” Jason asked, mimicking Tim’s posture and leaning on the opposite side of the counter from him.

“Saturday at my house. It’s at 7pm, don’t be late,” he said, leaning forward.

“Couldn’t be even if I tried,” Jason said, closing the distance between them and kissing him gently and quickly before pulling away. “Now get outta here. I can’t be distracted during my last week on the job.”

“Give me one more kiss and I promise that I’ll do my best to stay out of your hair for the rest of the week,” Tim said, eyes falling half-closed.

“You’ll only do your best?” Jason huffed.

“You’ll forgive me if I slip up though, won’t you?”

Jason was grinning into their kiss but he didn’t care. “Now how can I say no to that?”

Tim bit his lip as he stepped backwards, putting more space in between them then they’d had before.

“Don’t forget! Friday at 7.”

“I’ll remember. And even if I forget, I’m sure you’ll remind me plenty of times over the next few days,” Jason said, smiling.

Tim gave him one last look before turning and walking out of the shack.

Jason easily went back to work, not bothering to hide his smile. Tim always left him smiling and he couldn’t even be embarrassed by it. Dick had told him that it was nice that he was smiling more often. And Jason couldn’t even work up the energy to get annoyed with his incessant teasing, because it was nice. All of it was.

The rest of the week passed in a blur. Jason always seemed to be distracted with thoughts of his boyfriend, but still managed to work as efficiently as he had been the rest of the summer. It was more than he could say for Dick who he’d always catch daydreaming or trying to text Wally. He could finally understand now. Knew what it was like to want to talk to someone all the time and think about them.

Jason was thankful that he was able to get off work earlier than he normally would on a Friday. Not just because it meant that he was on his way to see Tim and spend time with him, but the owners of the shack were nice enough to give them a chance to celebrate their last bit of freedom before school started up again the following Monday.

After he hung up his apron, he nearly sprinted out of the shack shouting his goodbyes to everyone as he went. Dick tried to get him to slow down and wait, but he couldn’t stop himself. He needed to get home and grab his overnight bag before heading over to Tim’s house after being on edge with excitement all day.

Jason was grinning long before he walked up the steps to the front door of Tim’s place, but he couldn’t be bothered. As he knocked on the door and waited for it to be opened, he shifted from foot to foot, ready to finally enjoy his night off.

Finally, the door was pulled open by Tim’s mom and she smiled up at him, stepping aside and letting him walk in.

“Everyone’s already in the back yard,” she said, shutting the door behind him.

Jason nodded and hurried through the house to push open the glass doors that overlook the large backyard and pool. Once he stepped outside, he finally realized what Tim meant about them going camping. Set up a little ways away from where Tim’s friends were already gathered around the fire pit, even though the fire hadn’t been lit yet, were several tents.

Bart caught sight of him first and waved at him. “Hey, Tim your boyfriend’s here,” he said, pointing.

Tim turned around in the lawn chair that he was stretched out in and pulled the red popsicle from his mouth, grinning at him. Jason had to swallow and force his legs to move forward at catching the sight of Tim’s lips shining a bright, cherry-red. He really hoped that he wouldn’t have to watch Tim eat popsicles all night because he knew that he wouldn’t be able to survive the night without combusting.

“Hey,” Jason said as he approached.

“Hey,” Tim snorted. “You can throw your bag in the furthest tent. We have soda and popsicles in the coolers and some chips and dip, too. Dad’s going to come out and grill some burgers for us later, but until then, feel free to snack all you want.”

Jason nodded and walked off down the line of tents. He unzipped the door to the last tent and set his bag inside. He saw a second bag on the other side and wondered who he’d be sharing with. He guessed that he’d find out soon enough as it was. He closed the zipper and looked back at Tim and his friends. Tim was laughing and leaning forward. He started talking animatedly about something and waved his popsicle stick around in his hand as he gestured, or tried to gesture how he normally did when he talked.

Tim glanced over at him and smiled, tilting his head even as he continued to talk. Jason slipped his hands into his pockets as he walked over, maintaining eye contact with Tim even as he talked to his friends. Jason stopped by the coolers to grab a soda before sitting down next to Tim and finally started listening to what they were talking about. Tim leaned up against his side and finished what he was saying.

“Dude, you didn’t tell me that you bought sparklers!” Bart squealed from where he was going through the many bags that had been set on the lawn table.

“Crap,” Tim groaned. “You weren’t supposed to know about those yet.”

“Why not?” he whined.

“Because you’ll use them all up before it even gets dark. You need to wait so that the effect isn’t lost. I don’t care how much you love playing with sparklers and running around with them. You’re not allowed to light them until later.”

“Just one! Come on, Tim!” Bart begged as he rushed over to him while holding the boxes in his hands.

“No,” Tim said, taking the boxes from him. “I don’t want a repeat of two years ago when you got all depressed after running out of sparklers.”

“Fine,” Bart grumbled and moved to sit next to Kon.

Kon pat him on the back in the most patronizing way Jason had ever seen, making him snicker. They heard the back door slide open behind them and turned to look who was joining them. It was Tim’s dad coming out with a plate full of uncooked hamburgers and hotdogs.

“You ready for me to start cooking?” he asked.

“Sure thing, Dad!” Tim called.

Jason watched as he walked over to the sleek, silver grill and started fiddling with it, making sure to get the gas going and the grill to heat up so he could start cooking.

“So what’s the plan for tonight?” Kon finally asked.

“What do you mean, what’s the plan for tonight?” Tim asked. “It’s the same thing we always do. Eat food, sit around the fire, watch Bart run around with sparklers, make s’mores, and then sleep under the stars. Why would this year be any different?”

“I’m just saying that we could make things a little bit more interesting,” Kon said.

“Your idea of interesting is most likely going to end in disaster,” Steph said with a snort.

“Come on, when was the last time that we played truth or dare or something?!” he cried.

Tim raised an eyebrow. “You want to play truth or dare? Why?”

Kon made some particularly vague gestures with his hands before something dawned on Tim.

“Oh, I see. You just want to make Jason do something embarrassing.”

Jason narrowed his eyes at Kon who looked at him before glancing away.

“That’s not what I’m saying at all!” he protested.

Tim rolled his eyes. “I’m not going to let you torment my boyfriend, Kon! Besides, knowing the rest of you, it’ll probably be something like dying his hair with Kool-Aid so that he has to start school with orange hair or something on Monday. Yeah, we’re not doing that.”

“You’d still love me anyway though, right?” Jason asked, trying to keep the smile off of his face.

Tim eyed him. “Sure. I just wouldn’t be seen in public with you until it all washed out.”

Jason lifted a hand to rest against his chest. “I’m hurt. You’ve wounded me. I thought I meant more to you than that.”

Tim patted his cheek. “Sorry but I have a reputation to uphold.”

“You mean your reputation of being a total nerd?” Steph asked with a quirk of an eyebrow.

Tim nodded sagely. “That’s exactly what I mean.”

Silence descended on the group for a moment before they all burst into laughter. When they finished, Tim’s eyes were sparkling bright as he bit the end of his popsicle stick. Jason smiled back at him and wrapped his arm around his back, glad that he could have this.

They talked about everything and nothing. Letting their voices fill the spaces between them and the silences between breaths. The minutes passed by and the Sun continued to drop closer to the horizon.

“Food’s ready, everyone! Everything’s set up on the table so you can help yourself. Tim, Mom and I will be inside if you need anything, but I’m sure that you’ve got everything under control. You can get the fire going, right?”

“Yeah, Dad. I’ve done it for the past few years, I got it.”

“Great! Don’t wait too long to get it started. We don’t want all of you staying up too late. School starts on Monday after all.”

“We know. Unfortunately.”

His dad nodded and walked into the house even as the group started prepping their burgers and hotdogs. The sight of all of the food was making Jason’s mouth water and he made sure to grab both a burger and a hotdog. Even the promise of s’mores later wasn’t going to keep him from enjoying all of the food that had been set out.

Tim shoved his plate into his hands after he’d set down.

“Hold that for me, real quick,” he said before grabbing a pack of matches and some firewood.

Jason watched as Tim quickly lit a small pile of newspaper and placed smaller pieces of wood around it to help it catch fire. From there it was built quickly and grew until larger pieces could keep it going. Jason was kind of amazed that he’d gotten the fire going that fast in the first place. Tim brushed off his hands on his shorts and turned back to him with a smile.

“We are good to go!” he said cheerfully, taking his plate from Jason and sitting back down next to him.

“How did you do that so fast?” Jason asked, still staring at the flames

Tim shrugged as he took a bite of his hotdog. “Practice,” he said around his mouthful of food. “I’ve done it enough times that when conditions are right like this, it takes no time at all.”

“Were you always such a boy scout?” Jason asked as he balanced his plate on his lap so he could pick up his burger.

Tim snorted. “If you think just being able to start a fire is what it means to be a boy scout then you are sorely mistaken because I have no other wilderness skills to offer.”

“You were the one that called this camping.”

“Yes because setting up tents in my back yard is so difficult. Especially when we have running water and toilets inside. Not to mention a pool and a grill.”

“Exactly. With all of those skills I’m sure that you would’ve been moved up to Eagle Scout by now,” Jason said with a smile.

“You’re such a dork,” Tim said, shaking his head. “I can’t believe I’m dating you.”

Jason grinned. “Me neither, but here we are.”

“Ugh, can the two of you stop being so gross?” Kon asked even as his lip curled.

“Shut up, Kon. Just because you can’t get a girlfriend, doesn’t mean that you have to get on to them for being like that. I think it’s cute,” Steph broke in.

“Of course,” Bart said as he returned with yet another hamburger. Jason wasn’t sure how much Bart had eaten by this point when he was still working on his first plate food. He always seemed to have something in his hands.

“Can we stop analyzing my relationship?” Tim asked.

“Not when you’re all gross like this,” Kon replied.

Tim rolled his eyes. “Whatever. Keep that up and I won’t let you have any s’mores.”

“For shame!” Bart said going wide-eyed. “You can’t keep the s’mores from me!!”

Tim quirked an eyebrow. “You don’t know that,” he teased with a grin.

Bart fell back in his seat and grumbled about the injustice of Tim holding s’mores hostage or something similar.

Steph jumped in, turning the conversation to another subject as they continued to eat. Since Bart was the first of them to finish eating, he grabbed a package of sparklers and pulled them open. Tim grumbled, but didn’t stop him.

Jason kept pretty quiet, only really contributing to the conversation when Tim turned to him with a question or for his opinion. He was more than happy to sit back and watch Bart leave a trail of sparks behind him. He was content in watching Tim animatedly talk to his friends while waving his hands around in his usual Tim fashion. He wasn’t afraid to laugh when they were making s’mores and Tim got marshmallow all around his mouth and he somehow ended up with melted chocolate on his cheek. But he was afraid of how red his face had probably gotten when Tim wiped if from his face and licked the chocolate from his finger. And from everyone’s laughter, he didn’t do a very good job of hiding it.

He also wasn’t afraid to be the first one to jump into the pool, much to Tim’s shock. They’d been talking about something. Someone had made a comment about going in the water and Jason hadn’t hesitated to do it. He kicked off his shoes and pulled his socks off. As he walked over to the water he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it to the side before jumping in feet first.

Everyone stared at him as he resurfaced. Tim’s eyes were wide before a grin pulled at his lips and he was shaking his head fondly and chuckling.

“We’re going swimming now? Sweet!” Bart shouted and jumped in next, making water splash in Jason’s face. From there it wasn’t long before everyone was in the water. It was still warm from the summer sun even as the air was cooling around them.

Jason pulled Tim close, wrapped his arms around his back and Tim draped his arms around his shoulders to stay upright. They moved around in the water slowly, a little lost in each other’s eyes and smiles despite how loud and raucous everyone else was being. It was like their own little bubble for the moment where they could just be together.

The sounds of their laughter and their splashing didn’t take long to attract Tim’s dad. He walked out of the back door with a stack of towels in his hands.

“When you’re done, get dried off and throw your clothes in the washing machine so we can them cleaned before tomorrow morning.”

“Thanks, Dad!” Tim called.

“Sure thing, Tim. But next time you want to go for a swim, just have everyone bring their swimsuits with them.” He walked back into the house, chuckling.

Tim laughed as well and when he turned back to Jason his eyes were shining brightly. The light of the moon was dimly reflected in them, making Jason think of stars and galaxies and the vastness of space as worlds came into being and disappeared almost simultaneously.

Tim was the first of the group to pull himself from the pool when he started shivering from the cool night air. Everyone followed quickly after him and so began a whirlwind of drying off and changing and crawling into tents. Jason hadn’t been expecting the sudden change from goofing off and hanging out to getting ready for bed. He would’ve thought for sure that they would’ve stayed around longer since Tim’s friends were all pretty active and chatty.

He was the last person to get the bathroom to dry off and change. By then his clothes had become uncomfortably cold and he was more than ready to put on something dry and warm and crawl into a sleeping bag to either get warm or sleep. He yawned as he walked back outside and towards the tent that he’d thrown his stuff in earlier. The other tents were already zipped up tight, but he could still hear Bart whispering excitedly to whoever he was sharing a tent with.

The flap to his tent was still undone and as he prepared to crawl inside he froze. Tim was lying in a sleeping bag with his hands behind his head. He was looking up through the mesh opening at the top of the tent and staring at the stars. Jason forced himself to move and as he stepped inside, Tim glanced over at him and smiled.

“I thought you’d never get back out here,” Tim said.

Jason zipped the tent flap shut behind him and maneuvered around the other sleeping bag so he could get inside. “You were the one who got to change first. I had to wait until everyone else was done.”

Once he was settled, Jason turned on his side so that he was facing Tim and had his head pillowed on his arm. Tim did the same and Jason reached out with his hand in invitation, allowing Tim to tangle their fingers together. Tim sighed, letting his whole body visibly relax as he gave Jason the most meaningful and caring smile he’d ever seen come from him.

Jason pulled their intertwined fingers to his mouth and kissed the back of his hand. He rubbed his thumb over where he’d kissed and watched as Tim’s eyes slowly lowered, the smile still on his face. It wasn’t long before they were both asleep, hands still intertwined as they would remain until morning.

#jaytim #jaytimweek #molim writes

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