#t; granny was once a beauty!

[lgcichika]

ᴍʏ ꜰᴏʀᴇɪɢɴ ɢʀᴀɴᴅᴅᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ ᴇᴘɪꜱᴏᴅᴇ : 004 ( granny was once a beauty! ) ꜱᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟ ɢᴜᴇꜱᴛ: @yujinlgc

By the fourth time Ichika meets Granny Lee, the woman’s warm personality truly penetrates the idol’s shell. She wonders if this is because even in her younger years, she always felt more comfortable in the presence of older women or if it’s just a testament to Granny’s nature—though both could be true at the same time. And perhaps it helps too that today one of her members, Yujin, is joining her. Even with the eyes of the filming staff, it’s easy to slip into this world and comment on how Granny doesn’t need to peel fruit for them, as they’re both happy to help when something catches her eye. She can still hear the old woman chatting in the kitchen while she scoots on her knees toward a nearby bookcase and removes a very thick photo album. 

“Granny, you were so young!” the idol can’t help the shock in her voice as a page of old photos lays open in her palms. In one, Granny has to be a teenager at the time, judging by her school uniform and the bob of her hair. There’s a woman next to her and two younger children, one half a head shorter, holding the hand of a surly-looking child with a bowl cut— both looking ready to attend school as well. Other photos seem to be around this, faded and old, showing the family in various states of life. 

“Oh yes, you found some of my old photos, have you?” Ichika’s head turns back up as the old woman speaks, watching while she settles down at the table with the fruit and urges Yujin to eat the pears. Bringing the album closer, Ichika sets it down on the table so the other two women can better see. “That’s one, right there, is a photo of me, my mother, and my little brothers. I think I was about 16 years old… about 1960, I think. Ah tea! Let me get tea!” 

Before either girl can refuse, Granny is getting to her feet, groaning and joints pooping but oddly quick despite it all. 

“Oh!” Turning a few more pages, Ichika can’t help but gasp as a few photos slip out, clearly unbound. Instinctually, she moves to try and gather them when she notices some of the photos feature a slightly older Granny and a man in a military uniform. “Oh,” she pauses and blinks before pointing at the man, “do you think this was her husband?” 

[ratsoh-writes]

SO likes to spice up domestic life and has commandeered the lawnmower.

with some DIY engineering and creative spray paint they have turned it into a speedy little go-kart that will destroy grass and play rock music. SO is cackling maniacally. they want to add a flamethrower. help

who's the common sense who's encouraging the chaos who's hurriedly considering contacting law enforcement etcetera

-wisteria

Sans: he painted flames on the lawnmower to make it “go faster”. The flames look suspiciously like.. grillby??? If SO zooms in with their phone camera, they’ll find that each flame is just a tiny flame elemental painting. How much time did he spend doing this??

Papyrus: oh my stars!!! He’s making a playlist immediately for SOs beautiful lawn care abomination. Papyrus and SO proceed to cruise down the highway on the lawnmower going 100mph and blasting “let the bodies hit the floor” together. They proceed to get arrested by Star.

Star: he comes across his SO terrorizing the neighborhood while he’s on the job, so he does what any cop would do. He arrests his SO, takes them to the station, makes them turn in the keys to the lawnmower… and all the cops proceed to take turns driving it lol. They’re all giggling like school children. The police chief makes every one take a group picture with it. (And of course SO just goes home with Star after they have their fun lol)

Honey: if he and SO have any kids, he won’t let them within 10 feet of the death trap. If there’s no kids though, yea it’s pretty sweet. Just don’t tell star or else he’ll arrest you and take you to the station so he can show it off lol

Red: who do you think suggested the flamethrowers? Red is all for this project when SO suggested it. He’s the one who souped up the engine after all! He thinks y’all should also duck tape knives to the front of it like some murder rumba.

Edge: no flamethrower!! It’ll ruin his beautifully maintained lawn! It should have a giant loud chainsaw on the front instead! With flames painted on of course. Edge is naming it the weed god of death and despair 2000. He considers this lawnmower one of his SOs greatest achievements.

Mal: oh my stars this is so stupid. It’s so… ok ok once he’s done b*t hung about the waste of time, he gets really into playing with the lawnmower. What? You want a turn? Nope: his murder cart now. See he bedazzled his name on the seat. No take backs

Cash: the prank potential this has is legendary. Cash can practically smell the chaos he and SO will create in the future. He’s so excited his eyelights are sparkling! And of course you’re adding a flamethrower! And a giant water hose, and a police siren that he stole off a cop car…. This lawnmower may actually get you both arrested for real.

Oak: he’s terrified of the lawnmower lol. It’s loud, smells like gasoline, loud, goes way too fast, loud and now it’s playing heavy metal. Thanks willow. Whenever SO brings it out, oak hisses and rushes for the saftey of indoors like a spooked cat.

Willow: this idea was so stupid that willow decided to help for the jokes. And to make the music playlist for the lawnmower of course. He crocheted a cute pink granny square seat and wheel cover for it so SO can look snazzy while they zoom down the street playing breaking Benjamin lol.

[f10werfae]

Hey beautiful I was wondering how lumberjack Henry would react to shy wife getting drunk? Is she a happy giggling drunk? Or just randomly confident and not shy at all? ❤️

Lumberjack!Henry Dealing with Drunk Shy!Short!Wife

A/n: Loved this idea so much I made it into a spicy sweet drabble

Disclaimer 18+ / Lumberjack!Henry Masterlist

“Hey pretty girl, I missed ya” Henry whispered helping in his drunk wife, who was clearly having a damn good time at her best friend’s hen party; too precious for her own good. “I-I miss m-my hubby n-n my m-marly” She hiccuped hugging onto Henry’s side tightly for balance, his hand subtly running down her back to give her ass a tight squeeze.

“H-hey only m-my husband can do that Mister!”

Y/n scolded wagging her finger in the older man’s face, still not recognising that it was indeed her grumpy lumberjack husband, her Henry. “Oh sorry bunbun, my apologies” He smirked helping her onto their shared bed, which was full of anything pink, from pillows to small fluffy blankets; it was all for her. Henry’s cabin used to be the epitome of dark, if possible any piece of furniture was black, but now with this little light in his life that was changed. His lunches for work had tiny love notes in them, their toothpaste was strawberry flavoured, his couch had pink covers and his bedsheets were no longer black, but a dusty pink.

That wasn’t even all of it.

“Wait! Y-you just called- called me b-bunbun, n’ o-only my husband does t-that” She said squinting her eyes as he took off her heels, massaging her poor feet, before pulling down the stockings she was wearing to protect herself from the Winter cold. “I am your husband sugar, your one n’ only lumberjack” He chuckled hovering over her as she pulled him down on top of her, her hands tracing over his nose bridge as usual, “O-oh baby i-it is you! M-missed you s-so much, need y-you so bad. I-I got a little d-drunk so am sorry, b-but I love youuu” She sang out in a little song, throwing her arms around his neck, his lips raining kisses on her face as she giggled.

“S’okay bun, remember I told ya to enjoy yourself, as long as ya text me to pick ya up, n’ ya did” Henry replied slowly, pulling down the side zipper of her black sweater dress, her head lazily nodding along to his words. “Are ya p-proud of me? M-made sure to keep an e-eye on my drinks n-n’ I didn’t go t-to the toilet a-alone, and AND! I r-replied to y-your hourly t-texts” She hiccuped smiling proudly to herself, her arms coming up so Henry could pull the dress off her, leaving her in her favourite pair and comfortable pair of granny panties; which Henry swiftly took off because of the rule, no panties indoors.

“Mhm so proud of you bun, couldn’t make me happier, did ya enjoy yourself?” Henry smirked placing a kiss right above her pussy making her shudder, before pulling up her sleep shorts, which were actually Henry’s that shrunk in the laundry. Her giggles filling his ears as she tangled her hands in his mop of curls, his hands lifting hers up to put the shirt on, but not without unclipping her bra first. “N-no, don’t wanna shirt, s’too warm” She whined flopping around like a fish, making him sigh and just throw the shirt to the side, not like he was complaining much.

“n’ what if ya get cold baby?” He quirked helping her crawl under the soft crisp covers, his hands coming to push a headband on, keeping her hair away from her gorgeous face. Reaching for the micellar water on the nightstand, he took a few cotton pads and began wiping the light makeup she had put on that night, her mouth jokingly trying to bite onto the cotton.

“Ey, no bitin’ or else no sexy time” Henry smirked instantly watching her stop and straighten her face, but her lips filled into a pout. “I-if I get cold, then I-I have you s-silly” She smiled once he finished, her head bouncing side to side on the pillow, her energy still bouncing off the walls. “Mhm you’re right bun, i’ll keep ya warm, all night” He whispered sliding into his side of the bed, his hand patting his chest invitingly as she wiggled over, her head landing on top of his pec. “Y-you’re so fuzzy n’ warm, I-I kept tellin’ the girls, th-they were sooo j-jealous. Course I told them, y-ya were mine, LOOK AT MY FINGER!” She rambled holding up her left finger, pointing at the golden wedding band sitting snugly, a giddy smile on her face as she felt Henry’s hand rubbing up and down her side.

Henry’s chest swelled with pride at the thought of his precious little wife getting the confidence to tell people she was his, proudly showing off how they claimed each other with the rings on their fingers, the next step of putting a baby in her already cooking in his head. “Gah maybe I should let you get drunk more often sugar, you’re like a little sprout of energy, but I miss my little sugar pie who needs me” He grumbled kissing her cheek wetly, hearing her squeak in delight at the affection. “I-I do need you bear, m-more than ya know, am y-your woman af-after all”

Grinning she leant up and kissed his lips sloppily, the taste of Vodka on her tongue causing Henry to smirk and deepen the kiss, her whimpers and moans being swallowed by him readily. Her fingers trying to direct his hand to her needy clit, but she failed. “W-why not?” She whined against his lips, a string of saliva connecting their mouths, her eyes glistening like stars. “Not right now bunbun, not when ya drunk alright?”

“S-so I have ta wait till mornin’ t-to h-have sexy time?”

“Well the quicker ya sleep the quicker ya wake up my love” He chuckled softly caressing her cheek, her skin soft n’ smooth to touch, the scars from her acne only defining her beauty further. “Hm okay!” She replied closing her eyes tightly pretending to sleep, before yawning and opening her eyes, “Is it morning?”

“Not funny sugar, go ta bed” He growled nipping her nipples gently, pressing a kiss to her jaw, “fine fine i’ll go to bed, mr grumpy” She whispered nuzzling into his chest, and within seconds her small snores vibrated against her husband’s hairy chest; Henry smiling triumphantly.

——-

A/n: I found this so cute and fun to write🥹🥹

Library blog of works: @f10werfaes-cosy-collection

Taglist (not accepting, please use library)

@pandaxnienke @thereisa8ella @kimhtoo17 @beck07990 @dumb-fawkin-bitch @madebylilly @kebabgirl67 @marvelgurl @uwiuwi @stormcloudss @girl-of-multi-fandoms @misshale21 @hallecarey1 @nikkitc0703 @mischiefsemimanaged @oliviah-25 @aerangi @bookfrog242 @alina02 @alexxavicry @lastwandastan @hp-hogwartsexpress @angelmather1 @acornacre @ggmimitf @thebaileybugle @p4st3lst4rs @kzhlvlysstuff @thoughtsofreid @cilliansangel @theekyliepage @cookielovesbook-akie @luvabellee @elenavampire21 @hoya122 @rosiesluv7 @yaminax @esposadomd @meyocoko @disaster-rose @severewobblerlightdragon @kemillyfreitas @adoreyouusugar @queensgirl718 @sweetybuzz25 @helenaellie

lots of love xoxo

lots of love xx

lots of love xo

Lots of love🫶

[thornsinmycrown]

DOMESTIC LIFE | HEADCANONS.

DAN TORRANCE x GN!READER

warnings: none, brief mentions of nightmares and implied PTSD. word count: 649

summary: how sharing a simple domestic life with dan would probably be like.

After some months dating, you agree to try living together and see how it goes. He is not so convinced when you first try to talk him into it, but after three years sober —and your insistence that everything would be fine—, he finally says yes to moving into your house.

At first, he didn't get used to it. He walks in a world softer and safer than what he usually did before being sober, for once there are no sharp edges and he doesn't dislike it at all.

Anxiety and insecurities from his shifts at the Rivington dissolve the moment he looks at the clock hanging on the wall and thinks is almost time to go back home to you.

He cannot seem to choose which are his favorite kisses now — good morning kisses or goodnight kisses.

He feels brought back to life every time your lips pepper his face with soft pecks all over his face in the mornings, and every little attempt of you to get out of bed seems impossible now, but there's no time to complain when you’re being loved.

You were aware of the fact Dan had a gift, though he hadn't opened up completely about it yet, you were patient and never forced the topic on him — one of the many reasons he was so fond of you.

The fear of you finding him spooky or creepy because of his shining was always haunting him in the back of his mind every time he shared a room with you in your small house. You, on the other hand, were always attentive of his little shining outbursts, fascinated by how much he understood you though you always tried to be ahead of things.

It came in handy when you couldn't remember where you left that sweater your granny gifted you on snow days or when you forgot to stop at the convenience store to buy more milk, you would get home to find him folding the clothes you forgot to take out of the washing machine before leaving to work — but there were negative aspects.

Nightmares were less frequent, yet, the probability never lowered to zero. He would wake up abruptly at midnight, sweaty and shivering, babbling about demons you couldn't understand — and frankly didn't ask about. You could only shy away some of your sleepy state and think of how to make him feel safe again.

Nights were somber pools of self-deprecating thoughts before drifting off to sleep, where he seeked the calm of nothingness. Now, as you cuddle under the sheets, he seeks the comfort of your warmth and the soothing touch of your fingertips on his scalp, easing all his worries goodbye.

On days that are not so busy, he would wake up to the smell of coffee or the sound of your singing in the shower. Clashing cooking utensils was almost the norm. He was an awful cook and you were no chef either, but the bliss of sharing a table with you made the whole morning ritual a good reason to be alive.

And he doesn't mutter any thank you's after he finishes, but when he washes the dishes, you can hear how content he hums sweet tunes and it makes you smile to see how happy he is compared to when you first met him.

He would occasionally ask for you to lend him things just to brush his hands with yours, sometimes ridiculously near him, like the remote next to him —it amuses you—, and you silently wait for the moment he pulls you into a hug once you reach out to him, sitting you in his lap to watch T.V.

He had no dreams before you, nothing to hold on to, living for the day in ragged T-shirts, he found beauty in the ordinary, in the simple quiet life he was sharing with you.

Author's note: So, I realized there is little to nothing content about Dan and he's frankly one of my favorite of Ewan's characters. This reader was thought as a non-shining reader. I'll probably write more on him if this is well received.

[exhaustedpirate]

my mom is dating a vampire

another entry for the CS Spooky/Autumnal Bingo, this time the prompt was 'bats' - once again, i got a little carried away with it and this turned out more emotional than i expected (but also i'll never apologise for providing yall with some captaincobraswan) a million thanks to @ultraluckycatnd for betaing!

rated T | 9059 words

also on AO3

summary: Emma Swan is dating Killian Jones. Which Henry is completely fine with.

On a completely unrelated note, how does one get rid of a vampire?

Emma Swan is dating. Henry is sure of it.

There’s a significant increase of flowers in their home - significant because there hadn’t been any before. Anything from red roses to buttercups fills every available surface in improvised vases. They are running out of space.

“Who’s giving you all of these?” Henry asks as his mom fills an empty can of soup with water to put half a dozen forget-me-nots in. 

“Just a friend.” But there is a decidedly smitten smile on her face as she tries to push the other occupants of the kitchen windowsill aside to make space for their new friend.

“Maybe your friend should relax on the flowers before our apartment is filled with bees.” So maybe Henry is brooding. He’s 13, he’s allowed to brood; it’s part of the job requirement even.

“Don’t be a grump, kid.” Emma taps his nose with her index finger and stands next to him to look at the flowers surrounding their living space. “Aren’t they beautiful?”

Henry only groans in response.

During her days off, Aunt Ruby babysits - it mostly involves eating snacks and watching movies or playing video games together - while Emma obsesses over her looks. She never did that before. Ruby has to give her a hushed pep talk to get her out of the house. 

Ruby knows. But he doesn’t. He learned long ago that his aunt is impossible to interrogate.

When she comes back, Ruby leaves after securing a promise to hear all about it the day after. Henry doesn’t get those promises, he only gets evasive answers. And when she kisses his forehead in greeting, she smells differently. A spicy scent that he knows is not hers. She’s been smiling into her phone and talking late into the night - either texting or calling. 

She looks…happy.

---

“The usual, Swans?” 

It was tradition. Every Sunday night, they would go to Granny’s for dinner and talk about the week before.

They had had a “monkey problem” three years ago - Walsh Ozman had appeared to be a great attentive guy, helping Henry with homework and playing video games. But only when his mom was watching. When she was gone, he was dismissive and rude, always making him feel like an obstacle in his mom’s life. In his gullibility, he had kept it from his mother until she caught him crying in his room. He told her everything.

While Walsh Ozman got berated in his place of work as well as a broken nose, Henry got closer to his mother. Emma had felt guilty for not having seen the signs before, especially considering he had also been cheating on her. And while Henry didn’t blame his mother for having been in love, he wasn’t complaining about getting more of her time - especially without monkeys around.

So Sunday nights became their time to talk - about nothing, about everything, about their week, about the upcoming week, or about Henry’s unrequited crush on Violet or when his crush became requited. It was their time for honesty.

But his mom is keeping a secret.

When she jumps at Ruby’s customary greeting, Henry frowns. Emma’s quick to pretend as if nothing happened. “Uhm, not yet, Ruby. We’re, uh,” she glances towards Henry, “we’re waiting for someone.”

They must share a sign that Henry wasn’t made aware of because Ruby seems to know who that someone is. His frown only deepens when his aunt Ruby leaves without further questions.

“We’re waiting for someone?”

“Well,” his mom wrings her hands nervously and takes a deep breath. “I met someone.” 

“A boyfriend?” He raises his eyebrow.

Emma tucks her hair behind her ear and a blush crosses over her cheeks. “Yeah, a boyfriend.” There’s a quick smile on her lips at the label. “We started dating a month ago. I, uhm, thought it was time that you two met.”

There’s a hopeful expression on Emma’s face and Henry is finding it hard to breathe. His mother hasn’t dated since the monkey disaster, at least nothing serious enough to reach the “meet the son” stage. He should have expected this - considering the flowers, the dates, the smiles, all the evidence - yet all he can see is Walsh’s cruel smile and hear his hurtful words.

“Henry?”

Maybe it’s just the unexpectedness of it all. It’s sudden, right? Why is it so hot?

“Henry.” His mom takes hold of his hand and his wide eyes focus on hers. The hope is gone and there’s only nerves there. “Are you ok, kid?”

“I, uh, I need to go to the bathroom.” Henry jumps out of his seat.

“Henry, a-”

“I’m fine.”

He rushes through the arch at the back of the diner before he sees his mom’s concerned expression again, passing through the bathrooms towards the back door. The night air is cold but he takes a deep breath in and it releases the weight on his chest. He focuses on breathing, on feeling and loosens his fists when it doesn’t feel like he’s going to suffocate anymore.

The night sky is littered with stars and he’s happy to live in a small town instead of the city. A colony of bats flies through the sky and Henry frowns - he’s never seen bats before. They disappear over the next building - an ice cream shop - and he looks up at the sky again.

“You can see Cassiopeia from here.” Henry startles at the voice of a man crossing the alley behind “Any Given Sundae” towards the diner. “Apologies, lad, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Oh, uh,” the strange accent has him blinking repeatedly. “You didn’t.”

As the man approaches him with a friendly smile, he picks up a familiar cologne. He seems to recognise Henry as he gets a closer look at his face.

“You’re Henry.”

Bats, a strange man, and a scent he recognises. It’s all too much for him. “You’re British.” The man has a nice laugh. Henry regains his focus. “You know me?”

“Well,” the man scratches the back of his neck in a nervous move, “I know of you.” Henry frowns. “Emma’s told me a lot about you. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

Mom’s new boyfriend. Of course.

“Henry!” His mom’s panicked voice echoes from the other side of the door and the man - her boyfriend - frowns, stretching an arm around him to open the door.

“Swan?”

Emma appears at the door and spares only a surprised look towards the stranger before crouching in front of him. “What are you doing out here? I thought you were in the bathroom.”

He notices, out the corner of his eye, how the man takes a step back, an attempt at privacy. He remembers Walsh’s overbearing presence everytime his mom tried to talk to him, or if they wanted a moment together. “I just needed some air.” He shrugs.

His mom glances towards her boyfriend again before she turns to him again with a serious look. “Do you want to go home? We can order in and watch a movie, just the two of us.”

He had seen the hope on her face when she had talked about the man now standing a couple of steps away, had seen that hope fall when he rushed out. Henry shakes his head.

She cups his face and looks into his eyes. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I want Granny’s fries.” His smile is soft but genuine. He trusts his mom. 

And when she smiles brightly at him and kisses his forehead, he knows he made the right decision. She stands up straight and they turn towards the man who looks at them with a fond and patient expression, hands stuffed in his jacket.

“This isn’t exactly what I envisioned your meeting would be but,” Emma chuckles before gesturing for the man to approach them. “Henry, this is Killian Jones. Killian, this is my son, Henry.”

He has a nice smile too, it reaches his eyes, makes his face softer and younger. “It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Henry.”

He takes his outstretched hand. It’s cold. “Same.”

“Now that that’s out of the way,” Emma claps her hands and the delighted smile on her face is infectious. “Let’s go back inside, it’s freezing out here.”

Right, it’s cold. Cold hands. 

Henry follows them back to their table and watches as Killian keeps a respectful distance from his mother. Ruby struts her way to their table with a wide grin on her face and his mom sighs in defeat.

“I guess you don’t need to see the menu, girl, you already have such a fine dish here.” Killian blushes up to his ears and Emma hides her face in her hands. “I’m Ruby Lucas, you?” 

“Uhm, Killian, Killian Jones.” He nods in greeting.

“I’ve heard a lot about you.” 

His mother groans from her hideout and he smirks, he’s never seen his mother acting so childishly. “Didn’t Granny warn you about being professional once before?” Henry sasses towards his aunt.

Ruby leans towards him as she keeps her eyes on the bashful couple on the opposite side. “She makes an exception for you guys, especially when it makes your mother act like a teenager.”

“Alright, alright,” Emma gestures with her hands as she glares at the other woman whose grin only widens in response. “We’ll have the usual. Killian?”

“I’ll take whatever you recommend, lass,” he answers towards Ruby. “Just nothing with garlic.”

“Hope you like surprises,” Ruby sweeps up all the menus in a fluid move. “Be right back.”

“That was my best friend,” Emma explains. “I’m sorry, she can be a bit much.” 

Walsh hadn’t liked Ruby, and went so far as to manufacture an argument between the two in order to pull them apart, as they learned later. He remembered the string of muffled curses - that he had not meant to hear, of course - coming from the living room the day Emma told Ruby everything. He imagined that his aunt had wanted to rip Walsh apart limb from limb. But, just like with his mom, it brought them all closer.

“Nonsense,” Killian waves away Emma’s excuse with an amused smile. “She’s delightful.”

His mom’s shoulders deflate and he wonders if she had the same thought as him. The movement has Henry noticing the scars on Killian’s left hand. 

“Wow, what happened to your hand?” 

“Henry!” his mom scolds but Killian just keeps smiling.

“It’s alright, Swan.” She bites her lip and Killian’s smile softens. “It’s natural for the boy to be curious.” He turns to Henry, pulling up his sleeve so that Henry can see how the scars continue up to his forearm. “It was an accident in the navy.”

“You were in the navy?”

“Aye.” His grin is proud and Henry finds himself smiling back. “We were attacked and I got caught in an explosion.”

“Cool,” Henry breathes out and the man chuckles. “I mean, it’s not cool that you got into trouble but cool that you survived an explosion.”

There’s a shadow that crosses Killian’s face and Henry’s chest tightens at the thought of having put that expression on his face. “I didn’t lose my arm but,” he clenches his fist, a slow movement that has his hand shaking until it finally closes and Killian winces in pain, “it’s little consolation.” 

“Okay,” Emma takes hold of his mangled hand and Killian’s face clears as he looks at her. The pain seems to leave his body at her touch. Interesting. “I can’t believe we’re starting with tragic backstories.”

Henry and Killian share a laugh. He does have a nice laugh. “What? Did you plan the whole dinner, Mom? Did we go off script?”

Emma covers his face with her hand and pushes on it until his back hits the back of the chair and his laughter intensifies. “No,” she scoffs in faux indignation. “I just thought we’d start with the basics.”

“Apologies, Swan.” Huh, they have nicknames. “We’ll follow the rules.” He winks and she rolls her eyes and it looks like he’s used to it.

And that’s how, with some delicious food in front of them, he learns that Killian is 32 to his mother’s 30, has been in Storybrooke for a year after travelling the world all his life, loves the sea and has a boat. 

“Ship, my boy,” he corrects.

“I’m sorry, Captain,” Henry mockingly salutes and Killian narrows his eyes at him even as he is fighting a smile. “Maybe we can go out on your ship together sometime?” He looks hopeful between his mom and Killian. “It’s your birthday soon, Mom, we could celebrate on Killian’s ship!”

Emma bites her lip and Killian smiles. 

“You’re always welcome aboard my ship, love.”

She nudges his shoulder with a smile. “It’s still two weeks away, we’ll see.”

“I’m counting that as a ‘yes’,” Henry grins victoriously. “What about your birthday, Killian?”

“Oh.” The man frowns and scratches behind his ear. “Well, I don’t know the exact day but it’s sometime in Summer. Late July?”

Henry frowns. “What do you mean, you don’t know?”

He chuckles nervously. “I lost my birth certificate when my house burned up when I was young. The foster family I was with for years after that didn’t care much for birthdays so all I have to go with is a vague memory of a hot day, a picnic in a garden and a delicious strawberry cake.”

“Wow,” Henry breathes out. “That’s crazy. Why haven’t you tried to get another copy?”

“He says he forgot,” Emma answers instead. “Can you believe it?”

Killian shrugs, even as his cheeks turn crimson. “I kept putting it off and I haven’t needed it yet.” He puts on a charming smile that doesn’t affect his mom the way he intended.

“If someone comes along to arrest you over that, I’m not bailing you out.” She crosses her arms and raises her eyebrow at him.

Killian winks surreptitiously at Henry before draping an arm over the back of the booth inching closer to Emma. “If my punishment is being parted from you, I shall fix it.”

His mom rolls her eyes but he can see how charmed she is by his words and the way he plays with a strand of her hair. Henry had never seen her act this way with anyone. “Yeah, yeah, you think you’re so charming with your blue eyes, your smile and your antiquated vocabulary.”

“I mean, it’s working.” Henry smirks and it grows into a grin when Killian turns to him with a conspiratorial smile. And there’s something to the fact that he’s not restricted from their moments, to how he doesn’t feel like he’s intruding.

They laugh together when Emma huffs. “If I knew the two of you would get along so well, I would have thought twice about introducing you.”

Killian raises his left hand to high-five Henry which he does gladly. And he gets some satisfaction from the fact that the man isn’t hiding his injury from him. Even more when Emma rolls her eyes once more.

“Any desserts, Swans?”

Ruby stands next to their table with a self-satisfied smile and he thinks she likes to see them together. Henry doesn’t hate it.

“What do you say, kid?”

“We could go for ice cream…” Henry puts his best puppy-dog eyes and isn’t distracted by the way Killian chuckles at it.

Emma fumbles. “It’s October…”

“And we could take a walk to the docks,” Killian supplies.

“It’s October.”

“You can always huddle for warmth,” Ruby smirks.

“Guess we’re eating ice cream and walking close to the cold sea air,” Emma sighs in defeat and Henry shares a grin with his partners in crime. “How much do we owe you, Rubes?”

“My treat, Swan.” Killian hands over his credit card to Ruby before she can reply. His aunt winks at Emma and struts back behind the counter.

“Killian, y-”

“No use arguing, Swan.” He leans back with a self-satisfied smirk. “This is a special occasion and I want to treat my girlfriend and her son to dinner.”

Emma blushes even if she tries to hide it, crossing her arms and looking into his eyes. “I’m paying for ice cream then.”

Killian shares a wink with Henry. “We’ll see.”

Emma huffs but there is a smile on her face.

Henry remembers when they went to the zoo 3 years ago. He had missed the class trip because of the flu and had cried for a whole day. His mom then planned a zoo trip for the weekend, just the two of them. Walsh had weaselled his way into coming with them, claiming that it was supposed to be their weekend together. So it became the three of them.

He had refused to pay for his ticket since it wasn’t his initial plan and Henry still remembered the way Walsh had accused him of ruining their weekend on purpose, of being spoiled, when his mom wasn’t around. Henry didn’t let his mother see him cry when they got home. He felt a little vindicated when, at the monkey exhibit, one of the monkeys threw their poop at the exhibit glass, aiming towards Walsh’s head - and caused a teenager to throw up in his shoes. 

And if he paid for anything, there was an expectation of retribution. 

Unlike Walsh, Killian looks genuine with his offer. No ulterior motives in sight.

It is in fact cold when they leave the diner. Emma tightens the scarf around his neck to protect him and digs into her coat for their gloves. She fusses over Killian’s unseasonal outfit choice - from the couple of buttons he left open on his shirt, to his flimsy leather jacket, to his exposed ears - over the few steps it takes to reach “Any Given Sundae”.

Killian’s smile is wide as she argues with him over his choices. He enjoys the way she expresses her care for him, her concern, and allows her to button his shirt and hold his hands in order to warm them with her own. And Henry knows that, for all that Emma has been happier and free with her feelings, she still hides it through her fussing. He thinks Killian knows too.

Emma abandons all concern when they reach the door to the ice cream shop. She all but locks the business’ door in both their faces to keep him from paying for them. It’s a good thing they know the owner and that his mom is the Sheriff.

“Get me some red berries ice cream?” Killian pouts as he speaks through the glass and laughs when his mother blows him a kiss from the other side. He chuckles when she turns to the counter. “She’s stubborn.”

“You say that like you’re surprised,” Henry chuckles.

“I’m just always amazed by your mother,” Killian shrugs with a smile as he leans against the wall. “And very thankful to have met her.”

“She looks happy.”

“She makes me happy too. And I’m very happy to have met you too.”

Henry blushes and can’t help but wonder if he’s just putting up a front for him, despite the fact that Killian hasn’t shown to be prone to that sort of behaviour. Then again, neither did Walsh. “I didn’t thank you for paying for dinner, you didn’t have to-”

“Nonsense,” Killian interrupts with a disarming smile. “I already said that I wanted to do it.”

“Yeah, but-”

“No buts.” Killian smiles as he places a hand on Henry’s shoulder and it feels less heavy and more comforting than it felt before from a man who had claimed to want to join their family. “You deserve to be cared for, my boy, and I’ll aim to remind you of that. You and your mother.” 

The door to the ice cream shop opens and Henry is glad for the distraction. He feels tears prickling the corners of his eyes and he knows that these are happy tears. That his coat isn’t responsible for the warmth in his chest and that he doesn’t have to look into the face of a man who looks and feels too good to be true.

A bird flies overhead as Killian helps Emma balance the small cups. Henry is reminded of the bats. Of the cold hands. Of the unknown date of birth. 

“Here you go, kid, rocky road.” His mom hands him the small cup, distracting him.

They walk in a line, thankful that there aren’t many people around to be annoyed by them taking over the whole sidewalk. Henry walks between Killian and Emma as they all chat about their weeks. He learns Killian works as a bartender at the Rabbit Hole and that Sundays and Mondays are his nights off.

“That means you can join our weekly dinners.” Henry exclaims.

Emma whips her head towards him and her mouth is parted in surprise. Killian is suspiciously quiet on the other side. “A-are you sure, kid? I mean, these dinners-”

“I mean, you don’t have to,” Henry backtracks as he glances between the two adults before focusing on his half-eaten ice cream and shrugs. “I-I just thought that you might like to join our traditions or something.”

There’s his hand again. And when it goes from his shoulder to his back and back up in a revering and comforting move, Henry has to swallow through the lump in his throat before looking up at Killian, who waits until he does to nod. “I would be honoured, my boy.”

Is it too early to have a favourite word from a man you just met?

His mother sniffs from his other side and clears her throat. “That damn sea air,” she grumbles when they turn to look at her. 

The tension vanishes as they share a conspiratorial smirk before they change subjects. Henry tries not to mourn the loss of that damn hand on his shoulder as they return to their ice creams. 

He learns that Killian doesn’t have any family left alive, the fire taking his brother and mother from him, and they tell him that they only had each other for years until they moved to town 4 years ago. Henry thinks that maybe they can be a family together before quickly pushing down the thought. Too soon.

They walk slowly along the docks, the sea at their left dropping the temperature around them but Henry can barely feel the cold as he walks between the two adults. He tells Killian about how Star Wars is his favourite movie franchise and clutches his imaginary pearls when the man tells him he hasn’t watched any of the movies. Emma joins the teasing over him not having watched “Princess Bride” either - Henry guesses her lie detector doesn’t work on omissions because there’s a glint in Killian’s face that reveals the truth. But it’s not his secret to tell.

“It’s definitely time for a movie night.”

And if the adults share a hopeful look over his head, Henry is distracted by thoughts of a movie night where they share popcorn and hot cocoa in the warmth of their living room. Where the Swans share a part of themselves through the movies they love and hope to be accepted.

They stop at the end of the docks, the presence of the enormous ship looking straight out of a pirate movie effectively putting all thoughts and fantasies to the back of his mind. 

“Wow…” Henry breathes out, looking from one side to the other, inspecting every inch.

“Behold,” Killian holds out his arm in a grand gesture as he takes a couple of steps to stand in front of the gangplank. “The Jolly Roger.”

Henry looks back towards the man, mouth parted. “This is your ship?”

“Aye, since we were here, I thought you might like to see it.” Killian reaches up to scratch the back of his ear.

Emma leans towards Henry and pretends to whisper in his ear. “I think he is trying to win you over, kid.”

Despite it being dark, he can see the way Killian’s cheeks darken at being caught. The man stammers a response and Emma exchanges a conspiratorial look with Henry.

“Is that why you named your ship that?” Henry looks at him with a searching look, the one that Uncle David called his “detective look”. He watches as Killian fumbles before sending a mock glare towards Emma who is trying very hard not to laugh.

“It’s a pirate ship,” Killian holds out his arms as if it made his point. “It should have a pirate name.”

“There it is,” Emma nudges his side and Henry presses his lips together to avoid laughing. “We found the reason for the old-timey speech, kid. Killian is actually a time travelling pirate.”

They both lose their battle against laughter when Killian huffs and crosses his arms at them. “I’m revoking your rights to board my ship, both of you. And I was even going to let you have a try at the wheel.” He raises his eyebrow and Henry sees it as a challenge. 

If Killian wants to be dramatic, so can he.

“Please, Killian,” Henry grabs onto his crossed arms and looks up with an exaggerated pout. “We were just kidding.” There’s an uptick at the corner of his lips and Henry is ready to admit victory. “Your ship is so cool and the name is so original and you should let us aboard.” He is really laying it on thick and both adults know it by the looks on their faces.

“Come on, how can you say no to that face?” Emma points out, her voice wobbly from laughter.

“Fine, fine,” Killian sighs and uncrosses his arms. “That is a dangerous face.” Henry is ready to whoop in excitement when Killian touches the tip of his nose. “Stay close to me.”

Henry shares a grin with his mother who holds his hand before he takes Killian’s left hand. There’s a stumbling pause in the man’s steps before he starts walking. They are ordered to wait at the centre of the deck while Killian’s boots echo across the deck while he lights up lanterns around them. The faint light makes the ship look even more out of this world and Henry feels like they are about to set sail on an adventure to fantastical realms.

Henry looks around with a parted mouth and when he finally finds his mother’s eyes, he sees her smile at him, a soft smile that he knows is a reflection of her love for him. “It is very cool, huh, kid?” 

He nods and her arm wraps around his shoulders as they watch the deck light up in the warm colour of the lanterns. “This would be a good spot to do some star gazing.” 

“With a picnic,” his mom supplies.

“I could teach you about the stars,” Killian finishes, standing to his mom’s side as they look around. Henry sighs. 

He can imagine cosy nights learning all about the position of the stars and their stories while they lie in comfy blankets and drink hot cocoa. And in the warm months, after a day of swimming, they could see how different the sky looks in summer. He realises he’s expecting Killian to stay until the coming year and it brings him out of his fantasies. 

Despite the man’s promises and assurances, Henry can’t help but feel like there’s something more. Something about Killian Jones that feels…wrong. That’s not the right word…

“Would you like a tour below deck?”

Killian’s offer startles him out of his spiralling thoughts. He pushes them away - let’s himself believe that he’s not as deeply screwed as he actually is. Henry nods quickly, what is he gonna say? No? It’s a pirate ship!

They follow Killian as he lights the way below deck. They see the galley - retrofitted to look modern and with a large table in the middle of the room - the storage room with shelves full of food and other non-perishables, and the officers’ and crew’s quarters.

“Or it would have been had I any crew or officers,” Killian chuckles, gesturing towards the doors. “Maybe you can choose one of them for yourself?” There was a hopeful look on his face and Henry felt his mother’s hand tighten its hold on his shoulder. 

The fast beating of his heart is dangerously fast and he wonders if she can feel it in her palm. 

So much for putting away those thoughts. 

“Maybe we can talk about that another time,” his mother suggests, sparing him an answer.

“Of course, of course,” Killian is quick to dismiss his idea. 

Henry is glad for it and even more glad when the adults act as if the question was never posed in the first place. They all ignore the hint of tension below the decks of the ship as Killian shows them where the pirates used to store their guns and where the crew would row the ship if the sails didn’t work. 

“And last but certainly, not least,” Killian’s bright grin is back and Henry tries to ignore the warmth in his chest at seeing it. “The Captain’s quarters.”

He opens the door to a large room, helping them down the few steps before hooking the lantern on an overhead hook. A large bed takes up the back wall, perfectly placed under the rectangular window. There are trinkets strewn about in a precise way in the window sill. A book shelf takes over the left side of the room while a table and a high-winged chair take over the right side. It’s all meticulously clean and tidy, so much like its Captain.

“Do you live here?”

“Aye,” Killian leans on his desk with a proud smile. ”A home fit for a pirate Captain.”

Emma chuckles before she crosses her arms to look at him. “Don’t know how well you’ll do when winter comes along, Captain.”

“Yeah, but at least he’ll be sleeping on a pirate ship,” Henry points out and beams when Killian smiles proudly at him as well as pointing a finger in his direction. He takes another look around. “Why is it so dark in here?”

Henry notes the drawn curtains just like he’d noticed it in the other rooms. Despite the bright full moon outside, none of its natural light made its way inside the ship. 

“Oh,” Killian immediately stands upright to open the curtains, letting the moonlight filter in.

“Our Captain is a bit of a nocturnal creature,” Emma teases and Killian scratches behind his ear.

“I sleep during the day,” he explains. “I can’t have that pesky sun ruin my plans.”

Henry chuckles with them even as a thought tries to worm its way into his mind. The moonlight reflects on a globe with a strange town inside it and he takes a closer look at it.

“Are these from all the places you’ve been?”

“Aye.” Killian stands at his side as he carefully straightens a ceramic bowl. “Some of my prized possessions.”

A small frame stands between a colourful seashell and a cross made of a soft light brown grass. There’s a young boy with curly hair next to what he thinks is a person. The being is blurry and burned, the only thing visible is an arm wrapped around the man’s shoulders.

“Who’s this?”

Killian clears his throat next to him and when he looks, a muscle is popping on his cheek due to the clenching of his jaw. “That was my brother, Liam.”  

“Oh.” Henry looks back at the picture, giving Killian some privacy with his emotions. Emma’s presence is silent behind them but, from the corner of his eye, he sees her place her hand on Killian’s shoulder. “You have the same eyes. Who’s next to him?”

“That’s me.” Henry frowns and leans forward to look at the picture better. Killian chuckles at the movement and the weight on Henry’s chest lightens at the sound. “Well, it was me. Water damage.”

“You don’t have any more pictures?”

“None that depict my devilishly handsome looks.” The smirk on his lips is softer than it had been before but it still brings a lightness to his bearing. 

“Not that this one does you much justice.” Emma grins and there’s a heat to Killian’s eyes when he looks back at her.

“I’ve never gotten complaints before.”

“You never forget your first.” She winks and Henry marvels at how light she looks. No matter how happy his mother has always looked when it’s just the two of them, this is a side of her he hasn’t seen before. It’s good.

They stay for another hour. They talk about music - he discovers Killian knows how to waltz and watches while his mother is being led around the cabin to the sounds of “A Thousand Years” from his phone - about sweets and how Killian has never tried a Pop-Tart much to Emma’s shock. Henry even secures some sword fighting lessons for himself, under the assurance that no actual blades will be used. 

“Not for now, at least,” Killian adds with a wink that is covered by a cough when he notices Emma’s narrowed eyes and hands on her hips. “No actual blades, Swan, deal.”

Henry giggles at his mother’s exasperated huff. “I made a big mistake,” she mumbles with no real heat behind it.

They say goodbye to Killian after they descend the gangplank. His mom shares a quick kiss with him - in a way that shows their affection but without making him feel like he wants to disappear. Killian ruffles his hair and promises that they’ll start their lessons soon. Before they leave, Emma invites him for dinner at their place the next day. The other two try to hide their surprise, Killian’s morphs into delight whereas Henry tries to simply express his approval.

His mother wraps an arm around his shoulders as they walk away from the ship, feeling Killian’s eyes on them as they do. She smiles down at him when he looks up at her.

“So, kid,” She starts, trying to hide the concern he can see in her green eyes. “What did you think of Killian?”

“He’s cool,” Henry shrugs even as he smiles at Emma’s beaming grin. “He’s good.” 

Too good.

---

Henry enters the bus to school after a kiss to his head from his mother and a wave. Just like every morning he has to go to school, Emma will head to the station for her shift while he goes to school and then takes himself home at the end of the day and waits for Emma to get back.

Despite the opinions of most 13-year-olds, Henry likes school. He likes learning, likes the friends he’s made since they’ve moved to town and he especially loves to have Violet around. 

But he is, for the lack of better word, distracted. 

His teachers call his attention more times than they ever had to - which is significant when they have never had to - and his notebooks are littered with nonsensical scribbles or doodles as opposed to his usual meticulous notes. Violet’s exasperated huff in the middle of her retelling of her weekend of horse riding with her father finally brings everything to a halt.

“I think my mom’s new boyfriend is a vampire.”

Henry tells Violet his Sunday activities - promising to listen to hers afterwards - and he begs for her to use her all-knowing vampire knowledge to prove him right or wrong. He doesn’t tell her that he hopes he’s wrong, he really wants to be wrong.

But Violet presses her lips together when he’s done and his heart feels like it’s going to burst out of his chest, like that alien from that movie he promised his mom he didn’t watch during a sleepover at Ava and Nicholas’ for their birthday - their dad is new at this but after Nicholas almost puked from fear, he got better at it. But that’s not the fear that’s making him almost puke all over the lunch table.

“What?”

“You need to be careful,” Violet bites her lip and he sucks in a breath. “Your mom must already be in his thrall, did you know vampires can hypnotise people? But you are not.”

“She needs my help.” Henry’s eyes are wide and panicked and Violet takes hold of his hands. “What do I do?”

“Take a deep breath, you can’t panic.” Henry does as she says and she rubs her thumbs over his knuckles. “If he hasn’t done anything until now, you’re probably in luck, he’s taking his time.” Violet’s shoulders set in determination and he sees the awesome girl that impressed him when they first met. “I have a plan.”

---

After school, safely at home, Henry is prepared and waiting.

He didn’t dare distract himself with video games or books, simply rehearsing what he wanted to tell his mother as soon as she arrived. There was probably a dip in the carpet due to his pacing route back and forth in the living room. 

The door opens and he startles despite the fact that it’s exactly the time his mom usually gets home. Come on, Henry, get your head in the game.

“Okay, I-Shit!” his mom huffs from the door as she stumbles. There are two thumps against the hall before the door closes from taking her boots off. “I got us food from Bella Notte for dinner, it’s too late to cook anything and you know how I love their-”

Emma startles when she sees him standing in the middle of the living room, hair probably a mess from how much he ran his fingers through it and pulled. His mouth is parted and his eyes are wide and he must look like he’s seen a ghost.

“H-hey,” she says carefully, putting the bags down on the kitchen counter without taking her eyes off him. “Are you okay?”

Henry takes a deep breath and she looks even more worried. “No.” He shakes his head when she tries to put her hands on his shoulders and points to the couch in front of him. “You need to sit down.”

She does so in a worried daze, putting her hands on her knees and he sees the panic in her eyes that he saw the day she caught him crying in his room. “Okay, I’m sitting. What’s going on?”

He takes another deep breath, letting it fill his chest before letting it out. “Killian is a vampire.”

That wasn’t what Emma was expecting, clearly, and she shakes her head with her brow pulled low in a frown. “What?”

“Killian is a vampire,” Henry repeats and resumes his pacing back and forth on the living room floor. “You probably don’t realise it because he has you in his thrall, probably because you kissed,” His nose scrunches up in displeasure now. “But he is dangerous and I need to keep you safe.”

“Henry,” Emma sighs and starts to stand from the couch. “Kid-”

“No.” Henry carefully pushes her back down to sitting, his eyes wider as they look into hers and she is taken aback by the resolve in his eyes. “I need you to come out of it, Mom.” He sighs and takes a step back putting his hands on his hips. “You’re a cop so you care about proof; I’m going to give you proof.”

“Henry-”

“First, he doesn’t eat garlic.” Henry ignores her and starts ticking off fingers. “Vampires don’t eat garlic either. Second, he doesn’t know his birthday. Yeah, he has an answer for it but it’s still suspicious.” Emma frowns and opens her mouth but he carries on. “Because now he can’t prove he’s not from, like, the 18th century! You even noticed the way he talks, he was clearly turned like centuries ago.

“Then we have the dark room. He didn’t even notice until I pointed it out because he’s so used to avoiding the sun!”

“He has a tan.”

Henry continues, not noticing her mumble, focusing only on her concerned eyes and parted mouth. “And then, and then his hands! They were cold when we shook them, and yeah, it was cold, but they were really, really cold. There was also the picture, Mom,” His voice grows desperate without him noticing, high pitched and he isn’t sure when he took a proper breath. “How is it possible that only his part of the picture got ruined? And he doesn’t have more? He clearly can’t be photographed, Mom!”

“Henry!” He sucks in a breath, effectively shutting up, when Emma stands in front of him, hands heavy on his shoulder and frightened eyes on his. “Do you hear what you’re saying, kid?”

“I’m right, Mom, I promise.” His voice is quiet, the desperation in his making his mother’s eyes grow more panicked. “There were bats!”

“What?”

“Before he showed up at Granny’s, I saw bats! They flew behind the ice cream shop and not a second later, Killian appeared!” Her hands cup his cheeks and he grabs her wrists tightly. “It’s true, you need to get out of his spell.”

Emma sighs and he clenches his fists over her wrists. “Henry-”

A knock on the door startles the two of them and they both look towards the door.

“That’s him, Mom,” Henry whisper-yells, tightening his grip when her hands slacken. “You didn’t invite him in already, right?”

“He’s been here before, kid.” She sighs and cups his cheeks again before turning to the door. “It’s open!” The door opens.

“No, no!” Careful shuffling at the entrance masks his quiet begging he feels for his back pocket.

“Shh, kid, it’s okay,” she soothes, thumbs caressing his cheeks.

“I hope I’m not too early, I got-” Killian quiets himself as he finds the two of them in the living room. “Is everything alright?” His eyes go from Emma to Henry and his frown grows.

“Yeah,” Emma nods, glancing back at Killian before returning to Henry. “I just need to talk to my son. Think you can go to my room and-” 

But Henry doesn’t let her finish and pulls out the wooden stake Violet helped him make after school. He couldn’t let Killian get out of his sight. He ignores Emma’s calls of his name and focuses only on Killian’s wide eyes. He needs to stop this!

He takes a few steps towards the vampire before a crash and a curse behind him diverts both his and Killian’s attention to Emma. There are flowers on the floor and his mom’s hand is quickly pulled back from the broken glass of a tall cup she’d used as a vase - she ran into the table in her efforts to get to him. Emma is holding her wrist and he sees the red blood in her palm.

“Mom! A-Are you bleeding?” His eyes are wide in panic and he holds up the stake even higher when Killian takes a step towards them, eyes on her hand.

“Yeah, kid,” she sighs. “But it’s going to be okay, I promise.”

Killian starts walking around Henry. “Swan, let me-” 

“No!” His frightened yell causes them both to stop and look at him. “You’re not getting close to my mom. If you hurt her, I’ll-I’ll stake you!” His hand shakes as it grips the wooden stake. 

“Henry, please.” Emma takes a couple of steps towards him and Henry sees how Killian can’t keep his eyes on him, looking instead at Emma’s wound. “Killian is not a vampire.” There’s a startled expression on the man’s face, looking between Emma and Henry now. “He is just trying to help me.”

“A-aye, lad, I have a first aid certification,” he explains in a dazed tone, surprised at being caught, he’s sure. “That’s all.” He raises his hands in defence.

“No.” His voice wobbles and his vision gets blurry. He feels a tear run down his cheek. “There’s something wrong with him, Mom, there has to be!”

Emma sucks in a breath and Killian’s eyes widen impossibly more. He can’t look away from the understanding in the eyes of the man in front of him, the way his shoulders tense in a different way and Henry feels something loosen inside him. As his mom moves in front of him, Killian takes a couple of steps back, almost like a coordinated move. She easily takes the stake from his trembling hand with her uninjured one and drops it to the ground.

“Henry,” she breathes out and that’s all it takes for him to bury his face in her chest, sobbing as his arms wrap around her waist.

They move to the couch between his loud hiccuping sobs and when they calm down into sniffles. Emma’s hand moves slowly, reassuringly, up and down his back and she speaks low in his ear, comforting, patient words. His arms tighten around her and he hides his face on her neck when his breathing calms but none of them move beside that.

“Henry,” Emma tries again, speaking calmly, and when he doesn’t interrupt, she pulls away so she can look into his eyes. “Do you think we can have a conversation now?”

He nods and feels his chest tighten in shame when he notices how Killian sits patiently in a chair parallel to the couch, his right hand slowly caressing through his short beard. He is giving them a sense of privacy, not reacting to Emma’s voice and not looking at them, lost in thought. He needs to apologise.

His mom’s hand on his cheek brings his attention back to her and he notices how there’s a bandage around her previously injured hand. He guesses Killian must have taken care of it during his tantrum and he feels the weight in his chest grow heavier. 

“Kid,” Emma’s voice is quiet as she urges him to look back at her, her eyes are understanding and calm despite the pain beneath them. “We could not have known that Walsh was such a horrible guy. You could not have known and it wasn’t your job to protect me.” Her words are final, without a chance for debate, and he can only nod. “He hurt us, he was a horrible guy but he is gone. Not everyone is going to hurt us like he did.” Henry nods again, he remembers his mother saying how she was going to be more careful with the people she brought around them.

“I-I’m sorry,” he whispers and closes his eyes in shame.

“You’re forgiven, kid,” Her fingers rub against his cheek and he leans into it unconsciously. “I thought we could just leave all the shit he did to us in the past but I forgot to talk to you about it. To make sure you were ready.”

“I kept comparing them,” he confesses and his mother’s brow furrows in sorrow even as she nods. “I think I liked the time we spent together so much that I remembered when we first met him. How it was all too good to be true, how Killian was too good to be true.”

Emma glances towards the man in the chair and Henry feels his eyes on him but he can’t look back. Can’t bring himself to face how much he screwed up their relationship. 

“Actually, kid?” His mom lets out a small, ironic chuckle and Henry looks up at her in surprise. “I know exactly how you feel. I actually put my gun to Killian’s head when we first met.” There’s a soft chuckle from the couch and Emma’s cheeks turn pink. “That’s why it took me so long to introduce you two, because he was too good to be true. Even if I knew by, like, the third day, that I was in love with him.”

A sharp intake of breath comes from the couch this time and his mom’s cheeks turn a deep shade of red. But mother and son keep looking at each other. “You did? Weren’t you scared?”

“Terrified,” Emma confesses, a soft smile on her face. “But sometimes we have to put fear behind us and let people in. We have to allow ourselves the chance to love and be loved.”

Henry’s nose scrunches up. “That sounds like something Aunt Mary Margaret would say.”

Emma laughs and his chest doesn’t feel as tight or heavy. “Yeah, I might have asked for her help on this.”

Henry sighs. “I’m really sorry, Mom, I didn’t mean-”

“I think you’ve apologised enough to me, kid.” She stops him gently with an encouraging smile before gesturing with her head towards the man still quietly sitting on the chair.

He takes a deep breath before turning on the couch, wringing his hands on his lap. Killian looks at him with a patient look on his face. “I’m sorry, Killian.” He is looking so kindly at him that he feels his eyes watering, how can he deserve this? His mom resumes her caresses on his back. “This didn’t have anything to do with you but I hurt you and that was wrong of me, I’m really sorry.”

Killian stands from the chair and crouches in front of him. His hands are holding each other with his elbows on his knees. “A long time ago,” Killian starts in a calm tone before chuckling and correcting. “20 years ago, not centuries.” Emma snorts next to him and Henry feels his cheeks burning. “My father abandoned both me and my brother in the middle of the night. There was a short circuit in the fuse and it caused our house to burn down.”

“I lost my brother and my father on the same day.” His tone is quiet, mournful and he can’t look away from the pain reflected in the blue of his eyes. “I had the chance to reunite with my father a few years ago and I let my hurt stop me from trying. I know how it is to sabotage your relationships because of your wounds.

“But,” Killian’s lips curve up in a small smile and he takes hold of Henry’s hands. His hands are so warm. That remaining weight on his chest vanishes. “I can promise you that it’s going to take a lot more to push me away.”

“I’m sorry that I tried,” Henry whispers and Killian nods. 

“You’re forgiven, my boy.” Henry feels his eyes water and his shoulders relax at his words. “I know what that man did to the two of you and, while I never thought to be compared to a vampire, I knew I had to take that into account when I met you.” Killian’s cheeks turn red and he scratches at the back of his ear. “I just think I got too ahead of myself yesterday. Truth is, I’ve always wanted a family,” he confesses, his eyes glancing between his and Emma’s. “Meeting you two made it all too real and I think I got too desperate so if I-”

Henry doesn’t let him finish what he thinks is going to be an apology to his own apology and lunges at him for a hug. Killian stumbles and ends up falling on his butt. But he doesn’t care, he simply tightens his arms around his neck and relaxes when he feels Killian’s arms just as tight around him. “I want you to be part of our family too,” he confesses and hears a sniffle from behind him. “Especially now that I know you’re not a vampire.”

His words make them all chuckle, like he hoped they would, even as there are tears gathering at their eyes. “It’s an honour to be a part of this family, my boy.” His hand running up and down his back feels just as good as his mother’s and he grins.

“Okay,” His mother’s voice is watery and they separate to watch as she wipes under her eyes with the back of her hand. “Now that it’s all solved, we should eat.”

“Aye, I’m starving,” Killian grins. “There’s not that many people in Storybrooke who let me drink their blood.”

Emma rolls her eyes with a smirk while Henry laughs embarrassedly. “I’m never leaving this down, am I?”

“Not likely, lad.” Killian ruffles his hair and even though he huffs and puffs, Henry thinks he might like the idea of being teased by the man, especially if it means he’ll stick around for a long time.

“Come on,” Emma helps them both up from the floor and while Henry lets go of her hand as soon as he’s standing, Killian doesn’t. “Let’s eat.”

“Actually,” Killian glances towards Henry asking for permission and for some reason, Henry thinks he just might know what he wants. He nods. “There’s something I need to do first.”

Emma frowns confused. “Huh?”

Before she can get an answer, Killian pulls her to him for a kiss. He keeps it soft but it’s clearly full of love and his mom lets out a hum. Henry thinks he should look away but he basks in the sight of their love.

“What was that for?” she mumbles when they separate.

“I love you too,” Killian confesses in a quiet tone, eyes on hers, and Henry feels that last piece of the puzzle slot into place.

Her smile is wide and she kisses him again, a press of lips due to how wide both of them smile. His phone buzzes on the table, no longer full of glass shards, and it catches all of their attention.

“Your phone keeps buzzing, kid, what’s that about?”

Henry frowns in confusion before a metaphorical lightbulb flashes above his head and his eyes widen. “Oh crap!” He dives for his phone and starts tapping at it frantically. 

“What is it?”

“That was Violet,” he answers, pressing his lips together to stop from saying more. His mother raises an eyebrow to incentivize him. “She was my second line of defence.” 

Killian seems to understand before his mother and he can see how he is seconds away from bursting into laughter. “What do you mean?” his mother asks. 

“Well, she was going to bring holy water…”

There’s a moment of silence before they all succumb to hysterical laughter. 

Maybe Killian is too good to be true. But as Henry laughs with his family, he thinks his aunt is right - he’ll put the fear behind him and allow himself to be loved.

[ivory-lamps]

B01: ep [1] flowers for?

Characters: Toi & Ryui Location: HAMA Summary: Toi and Ryui are trying to make a bouquet for someone. Proofreader: Shay

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ📍 A memory

Toi: ……Hmm……

Ryui: …Have you chosen a flower? I’ll help you pick one if you haven’t.

Toi: Thanks, Ani-sama. But I should take my time to carefully choose one, right…?

Ryui: …Yeah. I think that would be best for him, too.

Toi: Have you already picked one out, Ani-sama?

Ryui: Yep. We’ll start practising how to make bouquets once you’ve picked one.

Toi: Right. I’ll hurry and choose one, then.

Ryui: It’s fine. Take your time.

Toi: Okay…

Ani-sama, don’t leave me behind, okay?

Ryui: You dummy. There’s no way I’d ever leave you behind.

Toi: …Okay.

Ryui: ……

Toi: ……

Ryui: Toi.

Toi: Hm?

Wha… What’s wrong, Ani-sama…?

Ryui: You looked like you wanted me to do this. …Am I wrong?

Toi: …Hehe.

No, you’re right. Ani-sama, you always know what I want.

Ryui: ‘Course, I do. I’m your other half.

Toi: Ah…!

Ryui: Hm?

Toi: I think… I’ll go with this flower. It's looking at me.

Ryui: It’s fitting for you, Toi. I think it’ll make him really happy, too.

Toi: Yeah. I hope this will cheer him up, even if it’s just a little.

Ryui: Alright. Let’s get started on that bouquet for him, then.

Toi: Ani-sama, do you have any scissors?

Ryui: I’ll cut them. I’m worried you might cut yourself.

Toi: I can manage this on my own. …See?

Ryui: Yeah. You’re using the scissors like a pro.

Toi: Hehe!

……

Ryui: ……

Say, Toi… Do you remember the scissors we bought when we started primary school? The handles were pea green.

Toi: Yup, that brings back memories. We bought them separately but we ended up picking the same one.

Ryui: Yeah.

Toi: We didn’t know which one belonged to who, so our teacher labelled them with our names on them.

Ryui: You tore it off, though, saying that we didn’t need something like that.

Toi: You did that, too, Ani-sama.

Ryui: Yeah.

Toi: We’ve always been together, picked out the same things, and spent the same time together, huh.

When I got hurt, you got hurt in the same place and when I wanted to call you, you called me first. We were always matching.

Ryui: And Dad couldn’t even tell us apart when we went to the public bath.

Toi: He dressed us differently to tell us apart, didn’t he? So we always traded places and had fun doing that.

Ryui: …Yeah.

Toi: (We’ve always been the same ever since we were born. Even the colour of our hair was the same before we met Aa-chama…)

I’m glad we’re twins.

Ryui: Yeah. I can’t imagine what it’d be like to have been born alone.

Toi: ……

Ryui: Here. You want me to hold this down so you can tie the ribbon, right?

Toi: Yeah, thanks.

Hmm, I can’t do it right… It just comes loose…

Ryui: How about tying it a bit tighter?

Toi: Okay… I’ll try that.

Ryui: ……

Toi: ……

(Say, Ani-sama. If I get to live for a long time, unlike Father, I wonder if we’ll still be matching, even when we turn old.)

(Does Ani-sama wish for that, too?)

(I want to always match with you, Ani-sama – forever.)

Ryui: Hm? Did you say something?

Toi: No, it’s nothing.

Ryui: You’re just gonna make me curious. Tell me.

Toi: No. I decided not to.

Ryui: ……

(It’s been a few weeks since we came back from Hakodate.)

(Preparations for the first tour or whatever started, and he disappeared during the chaos… So much stuff has happened.)

(I bet I made Toi feel so anxious… He must’ve been worried, wondering if he’d be left all by himself with the Shiramitsu Family.)

(Yeah, as if. We’ll always be together from now on. That’s if Toi wants that…)

Toi: Oh, I think I can do a good job with the ribbon…!

Ryui: I’ll hold the knot down for you. Here, do it one more time.

Toi: Mm… Hmm… Like this…

Ryui: …You’ve tied a granny knot.

Toi: Huh? Oh, you’re right. I’ll start again… Wait… huh…?

It keeps turning into a granny knot.

Ryui: It’s the ribbon’s fault. Pass it here. I’ll make it work.

…Alright, maybe something like this?

Toi: You’re amazing, Ani-sama… What a beautiful bow!

Ryui: Right? I bet I can tie ‘em better than most florists.

Toi: Ehehe, yay!

Ryui: I guess this is pretty much done.

Toi: I think you made the right choice picking dried flowers for the bouquet, Ani-sama. It looks lovely.

Ryui: This is just practice, but I’ll make one for you once I get better. It’ll be way more beautifulthan this.

Toi: Really? I’m so happy! Maybe I should put it in my room? Or maybe the store?

Ryui: …You look like you've cheered up a bit. I’m glad.

Toi: Yeah. Thank you for what you’re always doing for me, Ani-sama. Let’s… make a nice bouquet for the real thing.

I hope our sincere apologies will reach him.

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[grimmswan]

Dracula in Storybrooke part 2

For Captain Swan Supernatural Summer 23

Once Upon a Time missing storyline/AU

Killian noticed a man staring at Emma.

He had on leather pants, leather boots, and his shirt was opened clear down to near his naval. Revealing a well toned chest.

“But greatly lacking in chest hair.” Killian thought smugly.

The man who introduced himself as Drake, gazed at Emma with fascination.

“My, my, you are by far the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. The very sun is dim in comparison to your golden hair.”

Killian rolled his eyes. Just who did this git think he was. It irritated him more to see that Emma was actually smiling at the fool.

Neither man knew it, but Emma’s smile was due to her seeing that the two men, who seemed to be trying to one up each other, were very much alike.

“I really must have a type.” She thought to herself.

Both men had dark hair, deep blue eyes, and accents.

Drake wore a shirt with most of the buttons undone, reminding Emma of Killian’s wardrobe before he started wearing modern clothes.

She sometimes wished Killian would go back to wearing those clothes, at least on some days. She had always loved how sexy and dangerous he looked.

Yet Killian was staring daggers at the man, as if he considered him a rival.

Killian didn’t like the pure hunger he saw in Drake’s eyes as he stared at Emma. It was too possessive.

“It’s strange how in this world, a woman can cover her whole body, and still her lovely form is revealed.” Drake’s eyes moved over Emma. “I look forward to discovering what other wonders this place has in store.”

“He’s a smooth one.” Granny commented. “My mother always said, “Beware of a silver tongue. It tends to lay next to the sharpest tooth.”

“He was awfully flirty with Emma.” Snow remarked in puzzlement. “She was pressed against Killian nearly the entire time. Obviously her heart belongs to him. But that didn’t stop Drake from showing his interest.”

“I think we need to keep a close eye on that guy.” Charming said with a scowl. Father’s instinct warned that Drake would bring nothing but trouble in his daughter’s life.

Just as the Sun had slipped under the horizon, one figure walked up to another in the shadows of the alleyway near Granny’s Diner.

"I would stay away from Emma Swan, if I were you. Captain Jones won't allow anyone to take her away from him."

"Captain Jones is a mortal. An ordinary simple man. What is he compared to one such as myself?"

 “Captain Killian Jones is far from being a simple man. The pirate captain has faced God's, demons, and monsters and survived. You may be powerful, but you are far from the worst thing Captain Hook has faced.

There is also Emma Swan. She is not going to be easily seduced away from the man she went to the underworld for. Especially not by a man spouting fancy words and performing magic tricks that she could beat. One would wonder what it is you think you can offer her? From what I heard, your grand castle is in ruin."

“There are other castles. From what I understand, there are two castles long since abandoned in another land. The former residents now live in this world. In this town. If I understand correctly, Emma Swan would inherit both, should something happen to those former owners.”

“Even you can not believe that you could charm a lady into accepting you after killing her entire family.”

“The blood lust made my other brides accept the same. I do not think Emma Swan will be any different.”

“I think you will find that Emma Swan will be very different. But you have a tendency to be far too confident in your own prowess to see reason. I still want to caution you. I feel I owe you something, since you once offered me immortality. Would have given it to me, if you hadn’t been outwitted.

 That bloodlust only works if you're in power. Mina was willing to forgive you in regard to her dearest friend Lucy when you blinded her with your seduction. But once Jonathan Harker and Dr. Van Helsing sealed you in that tomb, she reverted back to her old self. And she hated you for what you did.”

“I was careless. I didn’t anticipate Harker’s strength of spirit. Or his devotion to Mina. I shall use more patience. And will pay closer attention to the players. I underestimated my opponents before. I will not again.”

The Count from Transylvania smiled. “Despite your insistent loyalty to the man who stands between me and the woman who holds my salvation, it is good to see you again, Renfield.”

“It’s good to see you again, Vlad. But it’s Smee, now. Renfield got the reputation of a lunatic. No one would take him seriously. I had to change my name and do business in another port, to escape the shadow of your story.”

“Perhaps the ending to this story will be more to each of our likeings”

Smee didn’t say it, but he was certain this story’s end would be the same as the previous one.

"Emma, I think Count Drake is dangerous." Killian spoke in earnest, hoping to get her to understand that she should stay away from the man.

"I know he is. I think he's a vampire." She said it so matter of factly, it made Killian’s jaw drop.

"Oh, come on. Count Drake. Count Dracula. It was pretty obvious. Plus, he stayed away from the windows? Out of direct sunlight?"

Killian wanted to kick himself. His jealousy had blinded him to the real threat.

Emma wrapped her arms around Killian's neck. "You really need to stop being jealous of every guy who looks like he might be my type. I have my perfect man, the man I love, right here. I would never do anything to mess that up."

"I do trust you, love. It's me I don't trust. I can never be rid of the thought that I don’t deserve you. That you could have someone better."

Emma opened her mouth to argue with him, 

"I know what you're going to say, love. But knowing that you love me and think I'm a hero is far different than actually believing it myself."

Emma knew what Killian was saying. But she still wished she could find some way of convincing him how important he was to her.

He always knew what to say to help her understand how special she was to him. She wished she had his gift with words, so she could return the favor.

An idea on how to remind him that he was one of the most important people in her life came to her.

She might have been bad with words. But she was really good with her actions.

Drake snarled in frustration. He wanted to burst in through the window and tear the lovers apart. He vowed that he would find a way to kill Killian Jones, and take Emma Swan for himself.

Killian’s instincts warned him that the woman he loved was in danger. He couldn’t shake the feeling that all of these attacks were only a precursor to a much bigger problem.

He wanted to find out more about the beings that were called vampires. He believed that knowing your enemy was the best way in the path to defeating him.

And while he did not think that Whale was lying to the group, Killian was certain that the doctor did not actually know as much as he thought he did.

So Killian went to the one person who had traveled the many realms and has encountered various beings of power.

William Smee.

Killian suspected his former first mate knew more about what was going on than he had admitted.

Smee was not without his resources, he knew how to protect himself from the monsters that constantly invaded Storybrooke.

@cssns

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Friday, September 27th

Doyle: So, you got everyone figured out, huh? Cordelia: Not everyone. I mean you I don’t get. Doyle: Me? Cordelia: Yeah, I mean, what’s with those vision things of yours? Doyle: They’re messages I get, you know from the higher powers, whoever they may be. You know, it’s my gift! Cordelia: If that was my gift, I’d return it. I mean you get those headaches, and you do this bleh thing with your face.

~~Lonely Hearts~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

The Stranger At My Fireside by vampbrat (Spike/Drusilla, E)

Lovers To Friends by Spikelover4ever (Buffy/Spike, T)

[Chaptered Fiction]

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Shadowed Suspicion, Chapter 343 by madimpossibledreamer (Ensemble, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure crossover, T)

Aegis, Chapter 19 by dogbertcarroll, Narsil (Xander, multiple crossovers, T)

Season 1, Episode 12: Play it Again, Chapter 4 (complete!) by Emcee (Connor, Andrew, Lorne, T)

Buffyy the Vampire Slayer: A Bad Weeks Sleep, Chapters 1-4 (complete!) by Muhabba (Buffy/multiple characters, E, warning: rape/non-con)

Buffy sequel series, Chapter 1 by DarkReeper87 (Scoobies, G)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer 2, Chapter 1-3 (complete!) by demolition18 (Buffy movie sequel, T)

Into Thin Air, Chapter 5 by Leighroyal (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

The Neighbor's Point of View, Chapter 134 by the_big_bad (Buffy/Spike, PG)

The Degradation of Duality [Series Part 2], Chapter 53 by Ragini (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Lost in Desolation, Chapter 11 (complete!) by Melme1325 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Mysterious Destinies, Chapter 11 by EnchantedWillow (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

Troubling Deaf Heaven, Chapter 6 by JuneCurry (Buffy/Spike, R)

Unholy Matrimony, Chapter 6 by CheekyKitten (Buffy/Spike, NC-17)

A White Knight Amongst The Stars, Chapter 2 by Cdog (Xander, Stargate crossover, FR21)

Perception, Chapter 5 by flootzavut (Buffy/Spike, G)

Enchanted Dawn, Chapter 3 by VeroNyxK84 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13)

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork: Buffy/Spike by novivi (worksafe)

Artwork: School Hard Buffy & Spike by smoochiekissies (worksafe)

Fanvid: BTVS|| All I know So Far by Lottie

Fanvid: spike & buffy - skyfall by Giulia Wonderwall

Fanvid: Buffy & Spike ~ These Beautiful Things by Dacy Toxic

Fanvid: buffy & angel; the word 'love' by lostlcve

Fanvid: Buffy Summers - Bird Set Free - w/ Angel, Riley & Spike by MissNikkie

Fanvid: "I'm Not Yours Anymore" - Buffy, Angel & Spike by MissNikkie

Fanvid: Buffy Summers ~ Sit Still, Look Pretty by MissNikkie

Fanvid: Angel and Buffy Tribute circa 2001 by Jeffrey Bailey

Fanvid: Buffy Summers - Small Town Girl by juliaroxs241 (vidder also posted several other vids)

Fanvid: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 3 Opening Credits (Charmed Style) by Rotten Lemonade

Fanvid: Buffy and Spike - I’m gonna love you like I’m gonna lose you by Naki-a Littlejohn

[Reviews & Recaps]

Video: Bring on the Night-Slayer Sunday by Jane Talks Buffy

Video: S4E06: Wild at Heart by One Girl in All the World

Video: Buffy 2.17 Passion by Jen Katz and Ryan Something

Video: Granny REVIEWS BTVS 1.1 by grannyandthegeek

Podcast: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 1 Episode 7 - Angel Audio-only by Sh*t 90s Shows Taught Me

Podcast: Potential S7 E12 Buffy and the Art of Story by Lisa M. Lilly

Podcast: Slayer Talk 56: Earshot by Massive Late Fee

Podcast: Buffy S7E11: Showtime by Booze & Buffy

Podcast: Episode 128: Older and Far Away by Myth Taken: A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Podcast

Podcast: Buffy 2.18 Killed by Death by Once More: A Rewatch Podcast

[Recs]

Fic Rec: Wallflower by Girlytek (Buffy/Spike, R) recced by flowspuffy

A quick vid rec for my fellow Buffy fans by educatedinyellow

Dawn centric fanfic recommendations by Wickie_Stan_8764

[Community Announcements]

2024 Schedule and Rules by Buffyverse Secret Santa

2024 Nomination Guidelines by Buffyverse Secret Santa

LONELY PROMPTS WEEK :: 27 SEPTEMBER § DAY 5 by comment_fic

Buffyverse Secret Santa Gift Exchange 2024 by buffyversesecretsantaex

[Fandom Discussions]

what if the vampire invitation thing where vampires can’t enter a home only applies for actually trying to enter? by confusedguytoo

Wesley and Fred dating by oveliagirlhaditright

could you imagine a season five of angel if they wrote it like it was the last season? by figsandfandoms

cordy and connor sleeping together is probably the worst and the most interesting thing in season 4 by all-seeing-ifer

my cordy thoughts by all-seeing-ifer

POLL: Who is the better whumpee? Spike Angel by just-a-little-whump

What if Angel had shut down Wolfram&Hart by redskinsguy

Does anybody have a favourite [AtS] line that sticks out in their mind? by bettysketty97

SpikexFred is a top tier platonic relationship by DevilManRay

Buffy Slayer Popup in Chicago review by Boollish

Angel to buffy is like the last Airbender to legend of Korra [a downgrade] by Lil-Hall

What misconceptions did you have about the show before you watched it? by p-u-n-k_girl

spike and dru remain iconic No_Performance223

Does anyone else wait to re-watch Buffy during October?? by PlanetHunter23

Buffy on Tubi by SoapNugget2005

What movie do you think Buffy and Angel watched in Enemies? by ucwhaticthick

Why are some people so opposed to living in a fantasy world? by notsosprite

How dangerous is the average Vampire? by Technical-Web6152

Hairstyles and an anime influence? by Artistic-Computer140

Does Glory have any redeeming qualities whatsoever? by AndrewHeard

Video: 10 Strongest Buffy the Vampire Slayer Demons, Ranked by Zeliard

Video: 10 Easter Eggs You Might've MISSED In Buffy! by Weirdly Beloved

Video: 🧛🏼‍♀️Buffy Season 3: Things nobody talks about 🤨 by Crysta Grim

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Join the editor team :)

[nagdabbit]

we collide with shoulder and steel: chapter 6/25

words: 530

rating: t, just to be safe

danny sees yuta again after seven years

also on ao3

a few days early cuz i'm gonna be out of town. this is my favorite chapter and i'm so sorry about that :D

He was at the far back of the expansive garden, where the clearing began to rise back up into a mountainside again. Where the soft, gentle green faded back into ashen dirt and bare tree branches.

Danny found him knelt before a bush of delicate, blooming lilacs.

He looked older. Despite the years that had passed, Danny expected to find the same boy. That was who he'd pictured, in all their imagined reunions. The same clean-shaven cheeks, same shaggy hair, pulled back from his face. All soft, rounded edges and bright smiles. Instead, he found a man in his place. One with a scruffy beard, hair shorter than he ever remembered it being, yet still flopping gently over his forehead. The Yuta before him was made up of long lines and sharp angles.

Creeping thyme had sprouted up around Yuta's knees, blanketing the path in delicate pink blooms. The dry, medicinal scent of spice kicked up around Danny's feet as he slowly stepped closer. 

Yuta's corner of the garden was quiet, even in the stillness of the mountain. The miles and miles of echoing silence was muted by the blooming edelweiss and yarrow, a blanket against the sparse, empty expanse. Someone had taken great care to keep the beds there tidy, where the rest of the garden was lush and overgrown, pruning back the lilacs and tending to the rosemary. He could smell sweet pea and tarragon.

It was peaceful and beautiful, where Yuta's end wasn't.

His face was turned toward the sky, a mask of pain and fear, frozen forever in cold, smooth marble. 

He'd seen many gardens in his travels, thick and crowded with all manner of berries and fruiting trees. Passed many fields of wildflowers, verdant life as far as he could see. Plains of sweet corn and wild grains, mountainsides covered with every color of granny's bonnet he could've imagined. But it had always been the beauty of a well-tended burial plot that had drawn his eye. There was something about the ferocity of a wild, ancient rose bush, a nigh-forgotten gravestone, and the care of a mourning hand. Something beautiful in that tragedy.

A cluster of delicate lilac blooms brushed the smooth, cool stone of Yuta's cheek, bobbing on a breeze too gentle for him to even notice.

Danny felt a familiar fissure open up inside his chest, a cold, gaping wound that had never quite healed right. Seven, almost eight years on, and it still felt as though his ribcage would crack open at the slightest pressure. 

He had loved Yuta dearly, just as much as he hated him for leaving. They'd always planned to leave together, return triumphant—the way so many before had failed to do. They'd done everything together, been everything to each other. The boy who survived, and the boy who'd been left behind. The boy who stayed at Danny's side, held him through the cold loneliness, carried him when the weight of hunger brought him to his knees. The boy who walked into the woods, and didn't once look back.

Danny turned away from the cold, lonely statue of Wheeler Yuta, and picked his way back toward the ruined house.

[nancypullen]

A Monday in January

It's just a week before I start my new job at the library. I am cautiously optimistic. I know without a doubt that I can do the job and do it well, though I'm probably a bit rusty. My concern has been improving my wardrobe a bit. Lucky for me, the library has a very casual dress code, but I don't think they want me showing up in sweatshirts. That's been my uniform for far too long. I need one of those What Not to Wear interventions. Today I wore this sweatshirt, purchased from an Etsy shop.

It's actually perfect for the library because it's a nod to Mr. Darcy's insult to Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice. I mean, that's literature, folks. Still, they'd like for me to wear business casual so I've been attempting to add a few pieces here and there. When taking stock of my closet I realized that I'm apparently a collector of black pants. Straight legs, boot cut, leggings, ponte, denim - you name it, I've got 'em. I need a couple pairs of nice indigo/dark wash jeans, they look good with just about anything. I have enough tops and sweaters to rotate. I doubt anyone will really notice what I'm wearing. But, because I have Xmas money and gift cards I traveled to Easton today to shop at the Kohl's there. It was so frustrating. I found plenty of pretty things, but the whole store looked like it had been ransacked. If I found a sweater or top I liked, the color I wanted wasn't available in my size. I refuse to buy anything I don't truly like, so if I want the cobalt blue but they've only got my size in beige, I'm not getting it. I spent hours in the store and finally came out with two tops and a necklace. I found a pair of shoes I liked but again, no 6 or 6 1/2 in stock. I came home and found them on the Kohl's website and ordered them. So that's enough of a happy ending for me. I'll always be tidy and clean, I'll accessorize and then slap on some lipstick. Granny chic! I mentioned the sweatshirt I purchased on Etsy. I was gifted a very generous Etsy gift card for Christmas and I've had a ball spending it. Look at this treasure.

I ordered a beautiful journal, and had a quote and my initials added. I'm filling it with my thoughts, my poetry, and sometimes my melancholy ramblings. If you love it as much as I do, you can order your own here:

Choose the color, your own quote or saying (whatever inspires you) and get to writing. Wouldn't this be a lovely gift? It's beautifully made and quite thick.

I couldn't love it more. It's perfect for me during this season of my life. I am truly out looking for myself. The mister is upstairs on a Zoom photo club meeting, I think they have a guest speaker or something. I'm downstairs with both kitties enjoying the quiet. I just downloaded a couple of books from the library so I've got some good reading for the stormy day ahead.

I'm okay with everything but a power outage. Let the storm rage, but I'm going to need to heat up my soup, ya' know? And speaking of books, I'm considering joining the Modern Prairie Book Club. Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura/Halfpint Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie has a company called Modern Prairie - I loooove all of it, the cookware, the home goods, the clothing, the recipes, everything.

I absolutely love the Modern Prairie Instagram account -

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Modern Prairie (@officialmodernprairie)

so of course I was intrigued by the book club. She mentioned revisiting old books that we all read once upon a time and discussing how we view them now, decades later. I laughed when I saw the first book choice.

Then I got nostalgic (it's been more than fifty years for me!!) and then I became curious. I think I'll give it a whirl. What's the worst that can happen, I'll change my mind and go back to reading Lisa Jewell or Liane Moriarty? No big deal. Best case scenario is that I'm able to recapture some of that sweetness and simplicity. So that's where I'm at on this quiet Monday evening in January - optimistic about the new job, but yearning for the past at the same time. I suppose that's normal for most of us, isn't it? Looking forward with hope while trying to hang onto the best of what was. Sending out loads of love tonight. I hope it finds you and wraps you in a hug. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[aquadestinyswriting]

Where the Flowers Grow

Summary: Edwin takes stock of the situation in Toreguarde's Garden of Galana while the city is besieged by demonic armies.

Words: 937

Tags: @druidx @homesteadchronicles @flashfictionfridayofficial @asher-orion-writes,@warriorbookworm, @odysseywritings, @blind-the-winds, @thesorcerersapprentice,@writeblrcafe

Warnings: blood, injuries, mention of a maimed puppy

Notes: Set during the closing chapters of the Destiny's New Servants campaign. The party have toddled off somewhere else in the meantime

It had been days since anyone in the city had seen the sun. Ash and soot from the hundreds of fires that had cropped up since Harbinger's arrival choked out the sky, covering Toreguarde in a shroud of hazy grey.

While the Garden of Galana had been spared the horrific devastation wrought upon the area in the vicinity of the wizard's tower, it yet suffered the after effects. A three inch layer of sooty ash covered the once verdant garden, masking the beauty of Galana's grace; hiding it from those who could find comfort and solace in the surety of nature's survival in the face of such a cataclysm.

Edwin sighed, brushing soot and freshly fallen ash away from the leaves and flower buds of the wisteria that made up his church. He glanced up at the sky, staring at the roiling green tinged clouds that were barely visible through the thick haze of smoke. 

The Abouna was no stranger to such a sight; the sky had roiled in a similar manner only ten years before, at the height of the Demon War. Unbidden, memories of that horrific time flashed into his mind. 

Edwin couldn't help the scream that tore from his throat as Granny Apple's trunk split, then shattered with a horrific Crack! The demonic creature thing now birthed from the treant chittered as it bore down upon his friends.

Edwin shook his head brusquely and forced the memory back, closing his eyes. No, there was no time to dwell on past horrors when there were likely yet more to come in the present. 

A soft 'thwump' caused the man to open his eyes once more, only to widen as he saw who had just arrived. He rushed to Selene's side as she pushed the child and small puppy she had brought with her, seemingly completely unaware of the blood dripping into her eyes and down one arm that hung limply at her side.

"Hey Edwin." The wizard greeted, "Figured you had space for a couple more." She added, using her good arm to gesture to the young boy. Edwin wrestled a flare of concerned anger back, opting instead to direct his attention to the boy, who clutched a maimed puppy in his arms,

"T-there were big mean bird things. Travis was trying to protect me." He hiccoughed. Edwin glanced up at Selene, who waved off his glare,

"I'm fine, it's probably not as bad as it looks." She said. Edwin arched an eyebrow at his partner, then sighed. So she was going to be stubborn about it. He could lecture her later, for now, there was a very heroic puppy to save. 

Edwin kneeled down next to the boy,

"It's alright, you're both safe now." He said quietly, "Are you hurt?" He asked. The boy shook his head,

"No, this nice wizard got their attention and fought them away." He replied, "But Travis –" 

Edwin didn't need to hear any more, his hands already moving over the puppy's body. The Abouna closed his eyes, muttering a prayer under his breath, allowing Galana's grace to flow from him into the barely breathing animal.

Selene sat heavily on a nearby rock, smiling at the flowers that bloomed around the cleric as he worked. She glanced around the rest of the garden, an unhappy grimace making its way onto her face. The garden was her second favourite place to retreat to when the responsibilities of her position became too much to bear. She cast her gaze back over to Edwin, a beaming smile replacing her grimace as the puppy in the boy's arms whined and yapped. The flowers that had bloomed around the Abouna remained for the briefest of moments, before crumbling as the bearded man stood.

"Right, I suggest you head inside and speak to the woodling woman in the refectory about getting you both some food and water." Edwin told the now smiling child. The boy nodded, gripped the puppy tightly, and rushed into the wisteria building.

Edwin dusted off his vestments as he stood, heaving a sigh before rounding on Selene,

"I seem to recall being told that the Triumverate were to remain on the backlines during this seige." He sniped. Selene rolled her eyes, wincing as Edwin lifted her injured arm,

"And you expected me to actually listen?" She retorted, "I might be a squishy in comparison to some of our friends, Edwin, but I'm hardly a pushover in a fight!"

Edwin glanced up at Selene, his expression softening,

"No. I suppose not." He agreed, "I forget how resilient you are sometimes." He looked around the garden, a slow smile creeping onto his face as he spotted the climbing rose that had just started to bloom despite the severe lack of sunlight for these past weeks.

Resilience. The ability to endure despite hardship. If there was one thing that nature, and mortals alike were good at, it was surviving. Edwin tutted as he reached up to Selene's head,

"But just because you are, doesn't mean you should go taunting a flock of Vrocks all by yourself." 

"There were only six of them. All it took was taking a couple of scratches while I fired up a decent Chain Lightning." 

"'Only' six?! And I wouldn't call these scratches! The one on your arm was less than an inch from severing something important!" 

Selene huffed a half irritated, half amused snort. Well, if he was ranting like this, he had to be feeling better. And it was worth it to see him inadvertently cause the wildflowers at her feet to grow and bloom, even if only temporarily.

[kazoosandfannypacks]

"It Now Belongs To You" by kazoosandfannypacks

Chapter 4/10: Captain Hook Returns Pairing: CaptainSwan Rating: T Word Count: (1.2K/10.6K) Summary: When Emma and Killian receive a pair of magic beans as a wedding gift, they take a voyage on the Jolly Roger for their honeymoon- but a wrench is thrown into their romantic getaway when they run into a notorious pirate who's staked a claim on the Jolly Roger. Chapter Summary: Upon Emma's persistence, Killian tracks down Black Beard in an attempt to outwit him once again and escape with The Roger. Tags: post-canon, canon compliant, fluff, no smut, suggestive themes, alcohol, gambling, self indulgent fluff with a sprinkling of angst Author's notes: part of the opening dialogue of this chapter was actually part of the dialogue in my concept notes for this fic, so like. that's special. Taglist: @zahara @kmomof4 @jonesfandomfanatic @booksteaandtoomuchtv @jrob64 @tiganasummertree @anmylica @teamhook @undercaffinatednightmare @gingerchangeling @lonelyspectator @caught-in-the-filter @ultraluckycatnd @cs-rylie [if you'd like to be added to or removed from this list, hmu in my dms or askbox!]

Also on Ao3!

 Despite the grave stakes of their quest, Killian couldn’t stop smiling at his wife. She was resourceful, brave, fast-thinking, determined, street-smart, beautiful, savvy- everything his pirate heart could dream of finding in a woman- and somehow she loved him- him of all people!

 “You seem awfully chipper,” Emma said, “for a guy who might be losing his most prized possession.”

 “I was just thinking,” Killian said, “how did I manage to woo the most amazing, beautiful, perfect woman in all the realms?”

 “Can’t say for certain,” Emma blushed, “But it probably helps that you’re amazing, handsome, and perfect yourself.”

“I’m far from perfect.”

“You’re perfect for me.”

 He kissed the top of her head and took her hand in his as they walked down the street. Before long, they found themselves in front of the pub.

 "Now, love," Killian said. "This is a rather unsavory joint- full of the worst sorts of pirates. Watch yourself."

 "You don't think I can handle a few filthy pirates?" Emma smiled. "I've already stolen the heart of the filthiest pirate in the realms."

 He smiled and booped her nose with his hook. "And that's why he wants you to be careful."

 “And you’re sure you’re up to the task?” Emma asked.

 “Of course, love.” Killian said, not sure he believed it but hoping Emma would. “Why wouldn’t I be?,

 “Killian.” 

 “I’m not sure.” Killian corrected. “But we’ve faced higher stakes before, and always come out on top.”

 He put up the hood on her cloak, wishing she hadn’t come along with him to such a seedy joint, but knowing that she’d’ve followed him either way- best to bring her on his own terms.

 “Now remember,” he said, “don’t come in until a few moments after I do, don’t watch us too closely, and…” “Stay out of trouble, I know.” Emma said. She stepped up on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Good luck.” she said.

 “Aye, love.” he smiled with all the confidence he could fake and walked into the pub.

 Upon first glance, he was hit with two feelings- the first: remembering that this place used to bring him so much pleasure, and the second: wondering why this place used to bring him so much pleasure. The lighting was subpar, the smell of gross food and alcohol unbearably strong, especially when mingled with the smell of dirty pirates, and the shanty crew playing by the bar was off-key- though he supposed if your rum was strong enough, none of that would matter.

 Still, as fondly as he remembered this place, he almost wished they were back in Storybrooke, at Granny’s, sitting down with grilled cheese and onion rings- and cinnamon hot cocoa.

 “I understand now why people’ve been saying I’ve gone soft.” Killian thought, “Wonder of all wonders is why I used to take that as an insult.”

 He'd hardly taken a few steps into the pub when he heard a wench call out "Girls, looks like Hook's back!" and he was immediately flocked by women, tavern wenches, half of whom he'd remembered being, ahem, a patron of at least one night, and the other half- well, just because he didn't remember it doesn't mean it didn't happen. Apparently though, they remembered him, and they were on him like spiders on a fly.

 The old Captain Hook would've doubtless appreciated this kind of attention and flirted with each of the wenches individually in the seven seconds since they'd surrounded him, but the new Captain Hook was different, and, as it stood, their attention almost made him feel cheap and uncomfortable, especially knowing Emma was right outside- and hoping she wasn't watching through the window.

 His plan relied on two things- the first being that Black Beard had already begun his celebratory drinks- a drunken opponent, or even a half drunken one- is far easier to win against.

 But the other card up his sleeve was his own reputation, and to save that, he couldn't simply brush off these maidens surrounding him- you walk into a pirate's pub and start telling the wenches you're off the market, and there goes your entire reputation.

 "Unfortunately, ladies," he said, "I'm here on business today- and not your kind of business I'm afraid."

 Some of them giggled and a few rolled their eyes, but for the most part they just winked as they slinked away, one or two saying something about sticking around "in case you change your mind."

 Killian rolled his eyes at the ceiling for only half a second before heading to the boisterous table in the back- a table he could tell was patronized by Black Beard's crew.

 "What are we playing tonight, mates?" Killian asked.

 The crew laughed a little when they saw him, and Black Beard smiled.

 "So, here's the newlywed." Black Beard sneered. "Your first mate told me you've gone soft and settled down."

 "Settled down, yes." Killian said, shoving one of the men out of their seat so he could sit across from Black Beard, "but few men have called me 'soft' and lived to tell about it."

 He picked up the cup in front of the guy next to him and took a sip- not that he especially wanted his cheap ale, but the effect of barging in on someone else's game, stealing a seat and a swig of their drink- no one could call him soft now.

 Black Beard picked up the deck of cards in front of them and shuffled it.

 "I take it you're after the Roger now?" Black Beard asked. "How's the new wench feel about that?"

 Killian clenched his fist under the table, about to kill Black Beard right then and there for speaking ill of Emma, but instead he kept his cool.

 "I'm still her Captain." Killian said, leaving the "her" ambiguous as to being the Jolly Roger or his new bride.

 "Roger's not yours anymore, mate." Blackbeard said.

 "Smee made an interesting point when I returned aboard." Killian said, pulling a piece of metal out of his pocket and twirling it between his fingers, "Something about only needing one piece of the ship to track it back down, anywhere it is."

 "You wouldn't know how to use that kind of magic." Black Beard reached across the table for the piece of rigging.

 Killian laughed as he grasped the piece more firmly. "The realms I roam these days, a locator spell is an average Tuesday. And have you forgotten I survived two hundred years on Neverland magic? And has the news not reached this realm that I spent half a month as The Dark One, and have quite literally been to hell and back? If anyone's messing with magic he doesn't understand, it's you."

 "So it seems we're at a standstill, ever chasing each other across the realm."

 "Not if one of us leaves it." Killian said. "I myself have acquired a magic bean, and with it, I can be out of this realm aboard my ship anytime I wish."

 "So why haven't you left yet?"

 "Because I don't wish to leave yet. But, I can't have washouts like you tailing me across the high seas- terribly bad form. So, I propose a new bet- the winner gets the Roger, both pieces we have here, and the magic bean to get her out of here.

 "Now how do you know I don't have a bean of my own?"

 "You'd've used it to leave Neverland last month if you had one. How long did it take for your men to come find you?"

 Killian took a sip of the ale again, smiling at Black Beard's frustration.

 "One round." Black Beard sneered. "Winner take all."

 "Deal." Killian said, and he cut the deck, and the game began.

[softguarnere]

Like A Girl (Like A Man)

Like A Dream (Like A Plan)

Shifty Powers x OFC

Three: Innocence Retained

Summary: For once in her life, she would like to have done something. But at the same time, she’s just grateful that she doesn’t have to worry about it anymore. The problem got taken care of, no matter who came out of it a hero.

A/N: Another early update because I have no self control and no concept of what day it is anymore! 🤗 The ramps (or wasti) that Zenie refers to near the end of the chapter are a type of wild onion that are popular in the southeast.

Warnings: mentioned animal death

Taglist: @latibvles @liebgotts-lovergirl @mrs-murder-daddy @lieutenant-speirs

North Carolina, 1938

Stars shine brighter on cold nights. Zenie has noticed this several times throughout her life, on nights that she’s spent lying on her side in bed, staring out the window at the dark world on the other side of the glass.

Being out under the stars is different. They look so close that she feels like she could reach up and touch them. It’s a beautiful distraction.

Her hands are cold. Summer nights have a reputation for bringing a chill with them, and this one with its dazzling stars and enormous moon is especially so. But Zenie has to remain vigilant as she watches the chicken coop. Even with the cool ground freezing her legs. Even with the stars calling to her from above. She has to watch and be ready. She readjusts her grip on Matthew’s old rifle and sighs through her nose.

All her vigilance is for nothing. All her practice shooting down old bottles from the fence so that she could defend the chickens against whatever kept leaving pawprints and scratch marks on the door of their coop doesn’t amount to anything.

She trudges back into the house the next morning, sore and cold and exhausted, and with nothing to show. Well, that’s not true – she has the live chickens, but it’s not like she did anything for them. Not really.

Granny is gliding about the kitchen when Zenie comes in through the screen door. She’s got eggs and bacon already on the table, and she immediately pours a cup of coffee that she hands to Zenie with a smile.

“Ma, Zenie shouldn’t have coffee,” Mama says as she removes a tray of fluffy biscuits from the oven. “It makes her all shaky and distracted.”

“You mean more so than usual,” Marilyn quips. She holds out her own mug and kisses Granny on the cheek as she fills it for her. When Zenie sticks her tongue out at her, she returns the gesture before smiling, ever prim and proper, and taking her seat at the table.

“She needs to get warmed up,” Granny insists. “Poor child looks half frozen.”

Zenie tries to sip the coffee. She can’t taste the bitterness of it for how hot it is. “Yeah, and all for nothing. I watched all night, and nothing ever showed up.”

Marilyn passes Zenie the plate with the biscuit that she’s just buttered. “Whatever it is, it’ll probably be back soon.” She gives Zenie that look she always has when she’s teasing – a barely restrained half-smile and eyes that are full of laughter. “Guess you’ll just have to become nocturnal and stay out there every night, Zee. Gosh, I sure will miss seeing you.”

“Ha ha,” Zenie deadpans around a mouthful of biscuit.

The sound of an engine rumbling pulls their attention toward the window. Outside, gravel pops and snaps as a truck pulls up in front of the house.

Conversation ceases as all four of the women in the kitchen immediately make their way over to the door, crowding around to see who gets out of the truck. Mama is already pushing the door open when Zenie’s father calls out from the other room.

“Who is it?” he asks over the sound of the radio. “Who just pulled up?” His chair never creaks, signaling that he’s making no move to get up and come check himself. “Lily, who’s outside?”

The three McGlamery women and their matriarch are already out the door, tuning out his questions the way that they’ve all learned to tune out the sounds of his loud radio broadcasts over the past year. By the time that Dr Dills from next door is shutting the door of his truck behind him, they’re already in the yard, the screen door shut behind them, separating the two worlds.

“Good mornin’!” the doctor chirps.

“Good morning,” they all echo.

Mama steps forward. “It’s nice to see you, Dr Dills. How are you this morning?”

“Oh, I’m fine,” he says with a smile. A big smile that’s a little obscured by the curls of his white beard. Zenie has always liked their neighbor, because he seems to always be in a good mood and seems to mean what he says. He’s sturdy, both in his physical build and his demeanor, and his forearms have tan lines from all his afternoons out in his field. It doesn’t seem likely that he’ll ever just give up and wilt away like some people’s fathers.

“Just wanted to drop in and let y’all know that a fox tried to get into our chicken coop last night,” Dr Dills continues. “Daniel managed to pop him. Don’t think anyone has to worry about that little menace anymore this summer.”

A fox! That’s what’s been trying to get the chickens. And the one night that Zenie had been determined to put a stop to its tricks, it decided to try its luck next door instead.

Well, she tells herself. At least I won’t have to spend another night out in the cold.

“Good,” Marilyn bites her lip and clasps her hands behind her back as she nods. “Good for Danny. He must be pleased.”

Dr Dills laughs, loud and jovial. “Oh, he is! We’re not likely to hear the end of it for the rest of the summer.”

“Thank you for letting us know,” Mama says. Zenie and Marilyn echo her appreciation and Dr Dills smiles.

“No trouble at all. I’ll see y’all later. Take care.” They head back inside when he backs out of the driveway, Zenie’s father’s questions about who was outside punctuating the sounds of tires spitting gravel as their neighbor leaves.   

Mama immediately begins fixing a plate to take to her husband. She pats Zenie on top of the head as she leaves. “Still be careful with the chickens, please. Watch them carefully when you let them out. The fox might not be the only one after them.”

“I will,” Zenie promises. Following them around the yard and catching them when they try to wander too far is nothing compared to sitting on the ground in the cold all night, staring at one fixed spot, waiting for something to happen.

“Darn, I was so looking forward to having my own room,” Marilyn sighs, even though there’s a grin on her face. “Hope you’re pleased with yourself.”

“Oh I am.” She can’t contain her smile. She tries to hide it with her coffee cup when she says in a quiet, sing-song voice that’s supposed to mimic her sister’s, “Danny must be pleased.”

It’s a miracle that Marilyn doesn’t resort to murder then and there – probably only because Granny is about to take her seat on the other side of the table. She does snatch the biscuit out of Zenie’s hand, though, putting it back on her own plate and giving her a sharp look that cannot mask the embarrassment on her face.

There’s a special sense of satisfaction that comes from intentionally upsetting a sibling. If she weren’t already, now Zenie really is pleased.

The smell of moist dirt being turned up is one of the best in the world. It reminds Zenie to enjoy the few months when the earth comes to life and she can enjoy her time away from school, outside and content.

“Oooh, look at these,” Granny says, holding up some of the plumpest ramps that Zenie has ever seen. She tosses them into her basket. “We’ll use those tonight.”

Zenie would have accompanied Granny anywhere this afternoon. She likes spending time with her, and it’s aways nice to get her all to herself. But digging ramps – or wasti, as Granny tells her they’re called in Cherokee – is a real treat, because it gets them away from the house for a bit. In the small patch of woods behind the barn, it’s just the two of them, and Zenie feels like she can speak freely, secrets and thoughts spilling easily from her lips without consequence. They’ll have to go back to the house eventually, but Granny will fry the ramps up with some potatoes, and it will feel like a delicious consolation prize.

With a sigh, Granny sits back on her heels and looks up at the sunlight filtering down through the canopy of trees above them. She sets down her shovel and carefully lowers herself to a seated position. The smile she gives Zenie is warmer than the summer weather.

“Can I ask you something?”

Zenie pauses with her shovel halfway in the ground. It doesn’t sound like she’s in trouble. Still, sometimes her father has started lectures with that sentence, so she can’t be sure.

“Hawa,” she says, partly because she knows it pleases Granny when she makes an effort to speak Tsalagi, and partly because she hopes that might soften the blow of whatever is about to be said.

As if she can read her thoughts, Granny assures her. “You’re not in trouble, I promise.

“I was just thinking about the fox. I know you care about those chickens. You were so determined to protect them. Are you disappointed that Danny Dills got the fox and not you?”

Is she? She’s a little upset that she stayed up all night in the cold and didn’t get to prove herself. She’d like to have something to prove her devotion to the safety of the chickens. For once in her life, she would like to have done something. But at the same time, she’s just grateful that she doesn’t have to worry about it anymore. The problem got taken care of, no matter who came out of it a hero.

“Ayoheli,” she admits. A little.

“Hmmmm.” Granny tilts her head, studying her. After a pause she asks, “Do you think you could have done it though?”

“Done what?”

“Killed the fox. Do you think you could have done it?”

Zenie sets down her shovel and thinks long and hard about it. She’s never killed an animal before. Her father used to take Matthew hunting, back before everything went sour, but even then it was strictly a boy’s activity – no girls allowed. She would like to think that she would have been willing to do it. She can picture squeezing the trigger . . . but she doesn’t know how she would feel after that.

“I think so.”

“You do?”

She reconsiders. “I wouldn’t want to kill one for fun, like when our dad used to take Matthew hunting. But if I had to protect my chickens, I think that I could do it.”

“Hawa.” Granny nods. She shrugs. “I was just curious.”

“Why?”

Her grandmother shrugs again. “You’re an incredibly loyal girl, Zena. I think you would do almost anything for those you care about.” She shifts her weight, leaning closer, like she’s going to tell Zenie a secret. “Just remember to take care of yourself. Sometimes that’s who you really have to stay loyal to.”

Nothing bothers the chicken coop for the rest of the summer. Zenie gets to pass her nights warm under her blankets, safe in her room while they’re safe in their coop. There is no more discussion of foxes and what might have been. Yet some nights when Zenie can’t sleep, she stares out the window and thinks about Granny’s question.

If it really came down to it, could she pull the trigger?

[itsthemysterykids]

Into the woods au

Once upon a time, in a far-off Kingdom There lay a small village at the edge of the woods

Lili: I wish (And in this village) More than anything (Lived a young maiden) More than life, more than jewels

(A carefree young lad)

Neil: I wish... More than life!

Mabel/Coraline: (And a parentless girl) I wish (With her friend)

Mabel: More than anything.

Coraline: More than the moon.

Mabel: I wish

Lili: The King is giving a Festival (more than life) (I wish) I wish to go to the Festival (More than riches) and the ball

Neil: I wish my cow would give us some milk (More than anything)

Mabel: I wish I had parents (please, pal) I want a mom and dad (squeeze, pal)

Lili: I wish to go to the Festival (I wish you could give us some milk)

Mabel: I wish I might have a home, I wish...

Priscilla: You wish to go to the Festival? (The poor girl's parents had died) You, Lili, the Festival? You wish to go to the Festival? The Festival? The King's Festival? (And now she lived with her stepmother) The Festival? Ha! (Who had two daughters of her own)

Pacifica: Look at your nails!

Siobhan: Look at your dress!

Pacifica: People would laugh at you

Lili: Nevertheless, I still want to go to the Festival!

Priscilla/Pacifica/Priscilla: And dance before the prince Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha (All three were beautiful of face, but vile and black of heart)

(And the boy's sister)

Winnie: I wish (Well, she was at her wit's end) I wish my bro were not a fool I wish my house was not a mess I wish the cow was full of milk I wish the walls were full of gold I wish a lot of things

Winnie: What in heaven's name are you doing with the cow inside the house?!

Neil: I thought if he got nice and warm, he might produce some milk.

Winnie: It's a she, how many times do I have to tell you only shes can give milk?

(Then there was a young boy who always wore a black cape)

Wybie: I wish It's not for me, it's for my granny in the woods A loaf of bread, please To bring my poor old hungry granny in the woods Just a loaf of bread, please

Priscilla: Lili, if you can pick up these lentils, and finish your chores on time, then you may go to the ball with us. Come along ladies.

Pacifica: Yes, mother

Siobhan: Good luck

Lili: Come, little birds Down from the eaves, and the leaves, over fields, out of castles and ponds

Neil: Now, squeeze, pal

Lili: Quick, little birds Flick through the ashes Pick and peck but swiftly sift through the ashes, into the pot.

Winnie: Now listen to me well, Neil, Milky-White must be taken to market

Neil: Sis, no, he's the best cow in the world.

Winnie: Was, she has been dry for weeks now with no food or money, and no choice but to sell her!

Neil: But Milky-White's my best friend!

Winnie: Look at her There are bugs on her dugs There are flies in her eyes There's a lump on her rump Big enough to be a hump (but) We've no time to sit and dither While her wither's wither with her And no one keeps a cow for a friend Sometimes I wonder what's goin' on in that head of yours.

Wybie: Into the woods, it's time to go, I hate to leave, I have to, though Into the woods, it's time, and so, I must begin my journey Into the woods and through the trees to where I am expected, ma'am Into the woods to grandmother's house Into the woods to grandmother's house

Pepa: Are you certain of your way?

Wybie: The way is clear, the light is good I have no fear, nor no one should The woods are just trees, the trees are just wood I sort of hate to ask it, but do you have a basket?

Pepa: Yes, we do.

Camilo: I don't suppose you're planning on saving some for the rest of us.

Felix: Ah, leave the boy be. Now, don't stray and be late, alright?

Camilo: Yeah, stay out for as long as you’d like. *Wybie takes his arepa* Dios-!

Pepa: Leave it.

Camilo: You always let him steal seconds!

Wybie: Into the woods and down the dell, the path is straight, I know it well Into the woods, and who can tell what's waiting on the journey? Into the woods to bring some bread to granny who is sick in bed Never can tell what lies ahead, for all that I know, she's already dead But into the woods Into the woods, into the woods to grandmother's house, and home before dark

Priscilla: Lili! Get up here!

Lili: Fly, birds, back to the sky...

Priscilla: We're waiting!

Lili: Back to the eaves, and the leaves, and the fields, and the-

Pacifica: Hurry up and do my hair, Lili Are you really wearing that?

Siobhan: Here, I found a little tear, Lili Can't you hide it with a hat?

Lili: You look beautiful.

Siobhan: I know (she means me), no she didn't

Lili: Mother said be good, father said be nice That was always their advice So be nice, Lili, good, Lili Nice, good, good, nice (tighter!)

What's the good of being good if everyone is blind Always leaving you behind? Never mind, Lila, kind, Lila Nice, good, nice, kind, good, nice

Pacifica: OW! Not that right! CLOD!

*Back at the bakery, there’s a knock at the door*

Mabel: Who might that be?

Coraline: The last loaf was just sold!

Mabel: ... It's the witch from next-door.

*Agatha makes her dramatic entrance*

Coraline: We have no bread.

Agatha: I don't want your parents' bread.

Mabel: Then what is it you wish?

Agatha: It's not what I wish, it's what you wish. Still no family to call your own? Well, it'll stay like that. Unless you do exactly as I say. In three days time, a blue-moon will appear. Only then can the curse be undone.

Mabel: What curse?

Agatha: The one I placed on your bloodline.

Mabel: What are you talking about?

Agatha: In the past, when you were no more than a babe. Your father brought his young wife and you to your old cottage. They were a lovely couple. But not lovely neighbors. You see, your mother was with child. And she developed an unusual appetite. She admired my beautiful garden, and she told your father that what she wanted more than anything in the world, was Greens, greens, nothing but greens Parsley, peppers, cabbages and celery Asparagus, and watercress, and fiddleferns, and lettuce

He said, "All right", but it wasn't, quite 'Cause I caught him in the autumn in my garden one night He was robbing me, taking from me Rooting through my rutabaga Raiding my arugula and ripping up the rampion My champion! My favorite! I should have laid a spell on him right there!... I could have turned him into stone. Or a dog... Or a chair. But I let him have the rampion, I'd lots to spare. In return, however, I said, "Fair is fair. You can let me have the baby that your wife will bear... And we'll call it square"

Mabel: I had a sister?

Agatha: No, but you had a brother.

Mabel: Where is he?!

Agatha: He's mine now! And you'll never find him. Small price to pay for what else your father stole from me. It cost me my youth, my beauty. My mother warned me. She would punish me with the curse of ugliness if I ever lost any of them.

Coraline: Lost what?

Agatha: The beans (beans?) The special beans I'd let him go, I didn't know he'd stolen my beans I was watching him crawl back over the wall When bang! Crash! A lightning flash!...

Well, that's another story, never mind, anyway At last the big day came I made my claim "Oh, don't take away the baby" They shrieked and screeched But I did And I hid her where she'll never be reached

Your mother cried, and your father died When for extra measure, I admit it was a pleasure I said, "Sorry, I'm still not mollified" And I laid a little spell on them You too, dear. That your family tree would end... With you.

Mabel: How could you do that?!

Agatha: And when your father died, your mother deserted you. Your mother was no mother, so why should you get to be one? Now there's no more fuss, and there's no more scenes And my garden thrives, you should see my nectarines! But I'm telling you the same I tell Kings and queens Don't ever never ever mess around with my greens! Especially the beans

Neil: But why do we have to go to the next village?

Winnie: Because everyone in this village knows the cow hasn't given a drop of milk in weeks.

Neil: That's cheating!

Winnie: We're starving, Neil! Can't you understand that? Now, you're not to accept less than five pounds for her. Are you listening to me?

Neil: Yes.

Winnie: How much are you to ask?

Neil: No more than five pounds.

Winnie: Less than five!

Winnie: Into the woods, the time is now, we have to live, I don't care how Into the woods to sell the cow, you must begin the journey Straight to the woods and don't delay, we have to face the marketplace Into the woods to journey's end.

Neil: Into the woods to sell a friend.

Agatha: You wish to have the curse reversed? I'll need a certain potion first Go to the woods and bring me back

One, the cow as white as milk Two, the cape as black as ebony Three, the hair as brown as bronze Four, the slipper as pure as gold

Bring me these before the chime of midnight In three day's time tis' then the blue moon reappears Which comes but once each hundred years Bring 'em, and I guarantee a child as perfect as child can be Go to the wood! *Dramatic exit*

Priscilla: Ladies, our carriage waits

Lili: Now may I go to the Festival?

Priscilla: The Festival? Darling, those nails, darling, those clothes Lentils are one thing, but, darling, with those You'd make us the fools of the Festival and mortify the prince!

Lili: The Festival lasts three nights. Surely, you could let me be there for one of them.

Priscilla: The King is trying to find his son a wife, not a scullery maid. We must be gone, go!

*The stepfamily leaves*

Lili: I wish.

Coraline: *Finds beans in a coat pocket* Beans? These must be the witch's beans, we'll take them with us

Mabel: We?

Coraline: Yeah.

Mabel: You're not coming, it's not safe out there.

Coraline: I can help you.

Mabel: No, I can do this on my own. The spell is on my house, only I can lift the spell.

Coraline: Well, yes, the spell is on your house. But we can lift the spell together, so the spell is on our house!

Mabel: Now tell me, what am I to return with?

Coraline: Ugh, God! You don't remember? The cow as white as milk, the cape as black as ebony The hair as brown as bronze, the slipper as pure as gold

Mabel: The cow as white as milk, the cape as black as ebony The hair as brown as bronze, the slipper as pure as gold

Lili: I still wish to go to the Festival (the cow as white as milk) But how am I ever to get to the Festival? (The cape as black as ebony, the hair as brown as bronze) I know, I'll visit mother's grave, the grave at the willow tree (the slipper as pure as gold) And tell her I just want to go to the King's Festival (the cow, the cape, the slipper as pure as gold, the hair!)

Mabel/Coraline: Into the woods, it's time to go, it may be all in vain, I know Into the woods, but even so, I have to take the journey.

Coraline: Into the woods, the path is straight, you know it well.

Mabel: But who can tell?

Coraline: Into the woods to lift the spell.

Lili: Into the woods to visit mother.

Winnie: Into the woods to sell the cow.

Neil: To get the money.

Lili: To go to the Festival

Wybie: Into the woods to grandmother's house Into the woods to grandmother's house

Coraline/Mabel/Lili/Neil/Wybie: The way is clear, the light is good I have no fear, nor no one should The woods are just trees, the trees are just wood No need to be afraid there.

Mabel: There's something in the glade there

Into the woods without delay, but careful not to lose the way Into the woods, who knows what may be lurking on the journey? Into the woods to get the thing that makes it worth the journeying

Priscilla: Into the woods to see the King.

Neil: To sell the cow.

Mabel: To make the potion

To see, to sell, to get, to bring To make, to lift, to go to the Festival

Into the woods Into the woods Into the woods Into the woods Into the woods Into the woods

Into the woods, then out of the woods To see, to sell, to get, to bring To make, to lift, to go to the Festival Into the woods, then out of the woods, and home before dark

Close Curtains!

[grannyandgrandpascreations]

Christmas Cheer Spray 20 Ounce Stainless Steel Tumbler with Straw

Spread festive joy with our Christmas Cheer Spray 20-ounce stainless steel tumbler! This stylish tumbler features a vibrant design that captures the essence of the holiday season, making it the perfect companion for hot cocoa, mulled cider, or your favorite cold drinks.

Crafted from sturdy stainless steel, this tumbler is engineered with double-wall insulation to maintain your beverages at the perfect temperature for hours on end. Whether you prefer your drink piping hot or refreshingly cold, this tumbler ensures it stays just right.

Its sleek and slim design feels great in your hand and effortlessly fits into your car's cupholder, making it ideal for travel and daily use.

Complete with a convenient straw and spill-proof lid, this tumbler is designed for ease and practicality. The premium polymer coating not only enhances durability but also showcases vibrant colors with a glossy finish, ensuring the design remains bright and clear.

The slender straight shape makes it a breeze to hold and perfectly compatible with car drink holders. Versatile enough for both hot and cold beverages, it's your go-to companion wherever you roam.

Whether you're hitting the road or relaxing at home, this tumbler combines style with functionality, making it a thoughtful and practical gift for any occasion. Treat your friend (or yourself!) to this stylish tumbler and enjoy the perfect sip, every time.

This tumbler has a premium polymer coating which makes the design colors bright, clear, and complete with a beautiful glossy finish.

- The completely skinny straight shape makes it really easy to handle and even fit into your car drink holders.

- Can be used with Hot and Cold drinks.

- Made using a sublimation printing process that can be more costly than other methods, but it lasts longer, and will not crack or peel over time.

Tumbler Care instructions: Hand wash only- Do not soak in water- Do not use any type of abrasive sponges - Avoiding extreme heat- Not placing in dishwasher as it can be exposed to high heat temperatures. - Never placing your tumbler into a microwave- Allow your tumbler, lid, and straw to air dry

Due to different picture lighting settings the actual color might vary a bit from the pictures.

After a package leaves my hands with the post office, Granny & Grandpa's Custom Creations is not held responsible. Current Turnaround Time due to upcoming Holidays - 1-5 Business Days. While we always use priority shipping options, once shipped we cannot guarantee delivery due to the backlog current being experienced USPS/UPS/FedEx. If you have a strict deadline, please message me when ordering so that I can note any rush requests. Ownership of packages turned over to USPS transfers to the Buyer. We are not responsible for lost, held, damaged packages or delayed packages, once your package(s) leaves our Shop it is completely out of our control. Thank you for understanding!

Thank you so much for supporting our "small Granny & Grandpa's Shop", we truly appreciate YOU!

Please visit www.grannygrandpascustomcreations.com/shop to view more of our creations!

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Welcome to Granny’s Store! We’ve got a fantastic selection of distressed flannels, cozy t-shirts, trendy tumblers, and so much more. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back outfit or a fun accessory, you’ll find something special here. Don’t forget to check out our seasonal items and unique finds that capture that charming, vintage vibe! Remember, Granny and Grandpa's Custom Creations is that "hidden" gem with unique, great quality, fun, gorgeous, innovative, and inexpensive gifts for your Loved Ones or yourself for your next shopping trip!

[naturallyalisia]

Jamaica Day 5

Day 5 was the last day for the following morning and I was tired I didn't get to write anything or post because we were focused on getting to the airport on time. For the last day we went to the Bob Marley Museum on Nine Mile. The road was a long one as the roads further in and away from the coast tend to be worse in terms of driving. Our driver made sure to be careful as driving on a mountain isn't easy plus you have to be mindful of other cars.

The drive itself was scenic so much greenery and wild life of mostly cows, goats, chickens and dogs. We saw where my granny and her late husband lived on a hill top as well as her own shop when she was well enough to work. T

The museum tour was nice, there was music, a bar and a dispensary. We werent allowed to take photos once we got to suagr hill where the tour started. We saw the mausoleums of Bob and his mother but not before taking off our shoes to show respect. We sat in a ethiopian orthodox chapel and listened to a prayer, that was an experience too.

We saw the bed he slept in as a boy, and the rock stone that was his pillow. The tour guide told the story well. It was nice short and sweet and only 30 US.

After this we visited some family for my grandmother two of her sisters. Then we got some food, souveners and settled down to eat before repacking and heading out for the next day.

The morning of departing was hard, said goodbye to granny and my grandma prayed for her before we left. She asked me if I was alright and told me to take care of myself. She also told grandma to make sure we come back. I said goodbye to everyone else but I was overcome with emotion from all the love and the hugs. I think what hit me was that this was the first time I truly realized how lonely I've been.

How I've realized how much I've been separated from my family and the beginnings. For most I've never been embraced as much as I have been here and it isn't to say everyone but the people who did hug me and it felt real mended something in me I didn't know was broken. I didn't want to leave, there wasn't one day where I didn't have family near me or see someone on the road and they didnt say hello.

It's shown me that I crave that serenity and I can't say I've been so calm in my entire life.. it's the most relaxed and at home I've felt in a long time to the point where I almost decided not to take my anti depressant meds ones day because of how good I was feeling.

This trip has shown me that there is more to life, that there is a place that isn't lonesome.. even though I'm not from Jamaica it was a different feeling to be around other people who look like me and my family and to be shown such kindness to be considered one of them.

There was so much beauty in this trip that has inspired me to begin making changes and moving forward with my life. I have family and I'm not alone..

I only want to surround myself with people who make me feel like I’m wanted and not otherwise.