#thank you for your wonderful art lyla!

[miguelswifey04]

miguel o’hara x blind! wife headcanons

love language: physical touch…i think miguel would always cup your face, caress you face, gently rub his nose against yours which earns you some giggles, nose kisses, cheek kisses, forehead kisses, and of course regular kisses <3 but he would always go in the order

he may kiss your neck and collarbone and gently trace circles onto your skin to show you his love…you may not see him :( but you can imagine your husband being handsome (like imagine not being able to see your beloved’s face ☹️)

always holding onto you whether he has his arm wrapped around your shoulders or holding your hand whenever you go so you don’t bump into things, now, you’re capable doing anything on your own but miguel is very protective of you

he made sure that whenever you went out in public you had the best technology to assist you wherever you may go & safe to say it has worked wonders for you !! lyla makes sure to check up in on you every once in awhile and reports it to miguel because he a worrisome person (he tracks your location LMAO)

other than that though, you like to paint and draw on your free-time!! you’re very into arts and crafts so you made miguel a big quilt! he was in utter shock because it was very intricate and pretty, very well made done. he made sure to use it whenever he could :) and he cannot thank you enough for thinking about him <3

miguel is your muse 🧚🏽‍♀️

you’re very outspoken and love to play around with miguel in which miguel adores a lot! “i can’t see you but i do know you’re handsome….” “well, how do you know darling?” “i can hear it in your voice” and you both break out in laughter, honestly so cute 😭

another love language; words of affirmation…you always tell your husband how much you love him and how he his your dream man for as long as you could ever remember :( OH! miguel is very good at affirming his love with you, definitely mutters sweet praises whether you’re doing a chore or doing nothing <3

music is a part of your life

miguel has brought you to many concerts to your favorite artists

gabriel is very fond of you and he thinks you’re a very cool person yet he always pokes fun of miguel because he genuinely thought no woman would ever fall for him because of his stoic and serious nature. gabriel refers to you as his sister and loves you like one

“for as long as i live, you’ll always be the best thing that has ever happened to me,” he says it while he holds your ears in his hands and gently caresses them which makes you all flustered and shy <3

tags 🏷️: @kairiscorner @meeom @emiemiemiii @sabcandoit

[adrealucia]

hii ! ive been obsessing over sean diaz for years and you might have a lot of requests from me soooo, I was wondering if you could do sean diaz (pre-accident) hard on crushing on reader who's like the popular kid who usually doesnt really notice him until he gets their number and turns out reader is actually funny and pretty nice despite popular beliefs :))

ah i have been dying to write this request ever since i got it, this idea is just really cute and i could totally see this being canon !!! I hope you like it

Popular Misconceptions

Sean Diaz glanced across the cafeteria, his eyes locking onto the table where you sat, surrounded by a group of friends. You, the popular girl, laughed and chatted animatedly, effortlessly commanding the attention of everyone around you. Sean couldn't help but feel a pang of envy mixed with curiosity. He had always admired you from afar, never quite daring to believe he could be part of your world.

"Hey, Sean, you zoning out again?" Lyla's voice broke through his thoughts, and he turned back to his best friend.

"Yeah, sorry," he mumbled, taking a bite of his sandwich. "Just thinking."

Lyla followed his gaze and raised an eyebrow. "Thinking about her, huh?"

Sean blushed, looking down at his tray. "I mean, she's... interesting."

"Interesting, huh?" Lyla smirked. "Well, why don't you go talk to her? She's not as unapproachable as you think."

Sean shook his head. "Yeah, right. Like she'd even notice me."

"Hey, you'd be surprised. She's in your art class, right? You've got a reason to talk to her."

Sean sighed. "Maybe."

Later that day, Sean found himself in the art room, his sanctuary. He was sketching absentmindedly, lost in the details of his drawing, when he heard footsteps approaching. Looking up, he was surprised to see you standing there, a friendly smile on your face.

"Hey, Sean, right?" you asked, your voice breaking the quiet hum of the room.

Sean's heart skipped a beat. "Uh, yeah. Hi."

You held out your phone. "I was wondering if you could help me with this art project. I heard you're really good."

"Sure," Sean replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "What do you need?"

You sat down next to him, placing your sketchbook on the table. "I need some advice on shading. I can never get it to look right."

Sean glanced at your work and immediately saw the potential. "You're actually really good. Just need a few tweaks here and there."

You smiled, a genuine warmth in your eyes. "Thanks, that means a lot coming from you."

As you both worked on your projects, Sean found himself relaxing. You were genuinely nice, and as you started talking more, he discovered you had a great sense of humor. You cracked jokes and shared stories, making him laugh more than he had in a long time.

"Did you hear about Mr. Johnson's car getting covered in post-it notes?" you asked, giggling.

Sean chuckled. "Yeah, I saw it. Who even has the patience for that?"

You shrugged, grinning. "Probably someone with a lot of time and a lot of post-it notes."

Sean found himself enjoying your company more than he expected. Over the next few weeks, you and Sean grew closer. You'd text each other about everything and nothing, your conversations filled with banter and mutual interests. Sean realized how wrong he'd been about you. Despite your popularity, you were down-to-earth and kind, breaking every stereotype he'd had.

One afternoon, you both sat under a tree in the school courtyard, enjoying the rare sunny day. You were telling a particularly funny story about a recent party, and Sean couldn't stop laughing.

"See? You're not just some quiet artist," you teased, nudging him playfully. "You're actually fun to be around."

Sean's cheeks flushed. "Thanks. You're pretty cool too. I never thought I'd get to know the real you."

You leaned back against the tree, looking thoughtful. "You know, people always assume things about me because I'm 'popular.' But I get tired of all the pretending sometimes. With you, I can just be myself."

Sean's heart swelled at your words. "I'm glad. I like getting to know the real you."

You smiled, a genuine warmth in your eyes. "Well, I'm glad you did. And for the record, I've always noticed you. It just took a while for our paths to cross."

Sean looked at you, surprised. "Really? I thought you were too busy with your friends and... well, everything."

You laughed softly. "Appearances can be deceiving. I've seen your art in the hallways. You're really talented. And you've always seemed like a nice guy."

Sean's heart swelled with happiness. "Thanks. That means a lot."

"Hey, anytime," you said, nudging him gently. "So, you want to hang out more? Outside of art projects, I mean."

Sean's eyes lit up. "I'd like that. A lot."

As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the courtyard, Sean realized that maybe, just maybe, this crush wasn't so impossible after all.

[keri-mcberry]

Just realized I haven’t swung by yet to tell you how wonderful you are and how lucky this community is to have you in it 💕💕

Your art is adorable and I can feel the love you put into it. I hope to see more of your lovely art and the fantastic Lyla (I need to draw her soon 🫶)

😭💕😭💕😭

AWW thank you so much for sending me this!! I've been having a rough time at work lately, so coming back to this and seeing all of the kind comments from everyone today has made me feel LOADS better! I love this little community, and I'm even more lucky to have you all here with me 🥹🫶

[just-a-simpel-narrator]

Hey! I hope you're having a nice day

I saw your masked feather AU art, and I got curious. Is it a ducktales/PKNA crossover?

I see UNO got a body, right?

The art is really cute too

Heyyy! I'm doing great, thanks!

I hope your day is wonderful too!!

This if officially the first ask I ever got so I'm currently very excited!

This Au has been cooking in my head for so long, that I, to be honest, don't really know where to start or end, but I'll give my best to stay on topic

Yes, Masked Feathers is basically a Ducktales 17 and Pkna Crossover, though some other aspects from the Comics are also present (like events from other comics having happened, or a certain one-of-character that I really really love being there. I'll talk about him sooner or later)

To give a (hopefully) short summery, it all started with me being pretty pissed about how they handled Donald in the Ducktales Series, especially him trading places with Della on the Moon. Which ended up evolving into, the Duck Avenger is the one to save Della from the Moon, due to Uno detecting a weird Signal.

Don't get me wrong, I do love how Della manages to get back all by herself (and she would have made it back by herself here too, Pk was simply faster) but they did Donald dirty, so I'd say it's pretty justified.

Other things of Course changed too, for example I could talk pages about the Situation with Gyro, but this is getting pretty long already, I just wanted to get into the original thought.

The Au currently consists of a Main and Secondary Storyline, the Main one following Donald and well all that's happening, and the second one tbh is basically all about Stefan and Lylas Friendship. (Aka Lyla slowly finding out more about Stefans Backstory, which yes. I do have completely planned out)

And yes, Uno also gets a body

He secretly starts building it after the whole ordeal with Due, but gets "interrupted" when Ducklair gets back. Lyla (and possibly Gyro, I haven't decided yet) ends up helping him finish it. After a few upgrades he's also able to control most of the DucklairTower without having to transfer his consciousness. I just thought it would be neat

Also Pk straight up deck's Everett in the face after he offers him the money

Anyway, I hope that answered your questions in some way, I know it got pretty long, sorry about that

I'll gladly go more in depth into the timeline or whatever if you want to know more, but that's it for now!

I hope you have a wonderful day/night and thank you so much for reading/asking!

[hoshifighting]

Joshua's anklet anon here!

Hi Lyla it's been a while (not that much but i came back to Tumblr after a quick break, work is giving no time to come here to enjoy your art) i just read the Joshua smut 😩😩😩😩😩 YOU GET ME LIKE YOU TRULY GET ME 😩😩😩😩 THANKYOU i'm not even joking when i Say it was PERFECTION LIFE CHANGING

As i mentioned on My initial ask, i'm not even a Joshua biased (97 line + Wonwoo lover) but he just 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫, anyways this really made My day so i'm really thankful also want to thank this lustful thoughts to that Youngji drinking ep that reminded me that he INDEED is a gentleman and INDEED Will rearrange My guts while wearing an anklet

HIHI SWEETHEART! (I've also been working a lot these last few days, being a woman in the corporate world is not easy lmao)

AND OMG!! I'm so touched that you liked this much!! made me feel so happy 🥺🥺🥺🥺 also, I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOUR IDEA LIKE, SO CREATIVE!!! when I've read I needed a pause cause I was swinging my feet like a little girl hshdhdjhdsjhdsjahsdauhdhsd (no wonder many people liked it!) but I owe it all to you! Thank you very much Anon, I hope to see you here more often ❤️🥰

and yes, this gentleman is just one of Joshua's versions, I'm sure he's a pillow ninja– 💀

[valkyrieandstrangeridingaragorn]

I haven’t seen GOTG Vol. 3 yet, but I was planning on seeing it this Mother’s Day with my mom and family because they’re the MCU movies and characters she likes the most and really the only ones she’s been super invested in. However, after seeing news of the discussion around some of the particularly distressing scenes with animals in the movie, I’m wondering now if we should reconsider going on that day or something, just because I wouldn’t want to bum everyone out or make them upset on what’s supposed to be a happy day.

With my mom in particular, because while she can handle stuff like that because she can understand the importance of addressing important stuff like animal abuse in art, she also isn’t someone who seeks stuff like that out or wants to fill her life with things that cause such intense emotions for entertainment. She’s not naive or anything, but I can see how maybe she wouldn’t want to spend a day made for what she wants to do watching something that is just a movie to her, but a particularly heavy and distressing one. It’s especially concerning for me because her favorite animals are otters, so I don’t know if something bad happens to Lyla, but if it does and it would upset my mom then I don’t want to invite that.

Obviously you don’t know my mom or how she would react, and your tolerance for upsetting scenes in movies is likely different from hers, but what I was hoping you could maybe help with us sharing your thoughts on the films content with those scenes and elements (in the most spoiler-free way if possible) and I could take it under consideration when I bring it up with my mom later. I realize this is a lot to ask for being so heavy, but thank you very much for your time and effort.

It's okay, dear! I think it's so sweet that you're taking this so seriously just so you can make it a pleasant experience for your mom. 👍

There's nothing too graphic or especially bothersome in the movie, and the sad beats even though they're respected and they have their moment to shine, don't ever linger so much that you can't enjoy what comes next. You may feel sad or cry for a moment... but soon after you're laughing and having a good time. And many things are hinted at but not shown at all.

I'd say it's all more emotional pain than anything else, there's nothing too gore or distressing, at least in my opinion. I won't lie though, a few scenes are a little heavy on the emotional side.

Of course this depends on what kind of thing you might be comfortable with or not but I can assure you the sadness you might feel at certain parts is replaced by laughter and joy and celebration in the next. And if your mom likes otters... she's going to love Lylla.

[celosiaa]

comfortable, proud, safe, home

Hey everybody!! Couldn’t let Ace Awareness Week slip past me without writing a little something. I was so inspired by @lylahammar​ ‘s wonderful art here that I couldn’t resist writing a fic loosely inspired by their Jon--who uses he/they pronouns and is asexual (of course!). I hope you will enjoy :)

Comfortable.

This should be comfortable.

I should be comfortable.

I am home, I am safe, I am loved.

I am loved.

I am…

“Oh, look out, love—” Martin warns softly from the other side of the bed, reaching over to point at a spot in his knitting. “You’ve slipped a stitch, I think.”

He hadn’t realized Martin had been paying him any mind, so engrossed was he in his new book—eyes hungrily flitting over the pages in a way Jon finds so endearing, happy to see him enjoy anything so very much. Though, in hindsight, of course Martin would be keeping an eye on him. Jon is new to knitting after all, only just starting his first real project.

Well. Restarting, that is. For the fourth time.

In reality, Jon knows he had not really been paying his stitches any mind, rather focusing on looking for something to do with his hands, shaking as they were, willing to try anything to calm his racing heartbeat. It hadn’t worked—of course it hadn’t, and now he’s slipped a stitch and ruined everything once again. Without a sound, he begins to slip the rest of the stitches off the needles, starting to pull at the leading string to tear the rest of it to pieces once again—

Before warm, steady hands come to cover his own.

“Hey, hey,” Martin begins, eyebrows creasing together at once as he leans closer to Jon in worry. “No need for that, I can fix it.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Jon spits, unable to control the panicked thrumming of his chest, letting it spill over into his words no matter how hard he tries to stop it. “It’s ruined again, I can’t—”

“Woah, easy, there.”

And now Martin is leaning over him properly, carefully plying Jon’s fingers from the yarn, threading his own fingers through them instead.

“Easy, Jon. Are you panicking?”

“N-no, I—” he begins—because he isn’t, not exactly, not the same.

Not in the way that Martin seems to find so important, anyway. Although…

He’s going to leave you, whispers that dark part of his mind, the part no therapy or medication had been able to heal completely.

He will leave you. You know he will.

And now, perhaps—perhaps he is panicking a bit.

“Tell me what I can do, darling. Anything at all.”

Too good you’re too good you’re going to leave me—

Even with the pounding of his pulse, the tears springing to his eyes anew—the ache in his chest tells Jon that this is something that must spill from his lips now now now, distantly wondering if this is what it felt like for those he had compelled—

“Martin, I—”

Voice briefly falling short in a choked-off sort of way, Jon takes another shaking inhale as Martin’s arm gently comes to rest across his shoulders. Comfort, you should be comfortable, you are home and you are safe—

“I’m—I have to, to tell you something. I’m…I’m nonbinary, Martin.”

Flowing now—the words are flowing in time to the blood rushing in his ears, the overwhelming sound of everything everything everything drowning out all else but his confession.

“Oh, Jon—”

“A-and it’s okay if, if that’s…if this makes things different for you, I understand, I wouldn’t blame you if…”

“Jon.”

“—if you wanted to leave. I—I would understand if—”

“Jon, I wouldn’t—”

“—if this is too much. I know it’s already got to be difficult, be-because I’m ace and you’re not, it’s got to be different—”

“Jon, please—please take a breath with me.”

No harshness, no cruelty—for a moment Jon almost believes that Martin may be alright, that they might stay together, that this might not be the start of being let down easy—but of course Martin would be kind of course he would this is it—

He takes a breath, steady as he can—and meets his eyes.

Finding nothing but warmth—always warmth.

Always for him.

“Listen to me. Are you alright to listen?” he asks, running his hand back and forth across Jon’s shoulders, the gentle pressure untwisting something dreadful that has been knotted away in his stomach for a long, long time.

“Y-yes,” he finds himself whispering, desperate to swallow the lump in his throat as Martin shifts on the bed to sit in front of him, pulling Jon’s forehead forward to press against his own, hands resting softly against his ears, and the line of his jaw on either side.

“I need you to know how proud I am of you.”

One sentence—once sentence is all it took, and the tears spill like rain down Jon’s cheeks, unbidden and lovely and so, so relieved.

Proud of me he’s proud he’s proud

“For so many things, I’m proud of you. And this is no exception, my darling.”

No exception?

“But you—heh, sorry,” he laughs damply for just a moment, reaching up to wipe his tears away, finding Martin’s thumbs already doing the job.

“But what?”

“I—you—I’m not, not a man, Martin. I’m not—”

“Jon, I—”

“Let me finish, please,” Jon begs as he pulls away from Martin, fully unable to stop his tears now, voice shaking on every note.

“Okay.”

“I-I know you’re—you’re interested in men, and—I’m not….that. A-and I’m not, not interested in sex, and—and I know you said it’s alright, and that you’re alright with that. But in case that wasn’t—wasn’t true, I. I can’t bear the thought of you feeling stuck here. With me. So, you’re—”

He swallows thickly, fruitlessly.

“You’re not. And I need you to know that.”

A pause, a small pause that sets Jon’s heart pounding again as Martin blinks at him silently.

He’s going to leave he’s going to leave

“Are you finished now?” he whispers, his own voice wobbling a bit as he refuses to look away from Jon’s gaze.

“Y-yes—mmph.”

Cut off by the warmth of Martin’s lips against his own, Jon finds himself melting—always melting, always for Martin.

He loves me he loves me he loves me

“Jon,” Martin murmurs gently as he pulls away in favor of resting their foreheads together once more, eyes brimming this time as he gazes into Jon’s tear-streaked face.

“I am not. Stuck here. I have never, not once felt ‘stuck’ with you, my love. Never.”

Overwhelmed, too much, not enough. Never enough of Martin.

“I love you, Jon. Not in spite of who you are—I love you because of it. And nothing—nothing, you understand?—that you tell me like this could ever stop that. You are my partner. You are asexual. You are nonbinary. And I am so, so proud.”

Something small and aching in Jon’s chest shatters—and he is free, so much freer than he ever has been, in this moment. With his love. With his everything.

“M-Martin, I—” he chokes around his sobs, now with a different, smiling edge. “I love—I love you. Thank you.”

“I love you,” Martin breathes easily, pressing another kiss to Jon’s lips, before pulling him forward against his chest, ever so gentle even with all his strength.

Smiling against the fabric of his shirt, Jon finally allows himself to be.

Comfortable.

Proud.

Safe.

Home.

[bazwillendinflames]

Gravity Falls/LIS2 AU

The last place Sean wants to spend his Summer is in a weird town in the middle of no where, Oregon, reconnecting with a Mother who hadn’t wanted to see them in years in her weird tourist trap. But Daniel is determined to go and his Dad gives Sean little choice but to babysit him.

But soon it becomes clear there is more to Beaver Creek than meets the eye and the strangeness of the town soon unlocks some family secrets and strange abilities. Maybe their Summer won’t be so boring after all.

AO3 

“Lyla, I will die of boredom.” 

“It can’t be that bad,” she replied, her voice a little tinny still. The bad reception was just one of many reasons that Sean was having an awful time. (In the week and a half since they had arrived, he’d already made a list.) 

“Nope, it is exactly as bad as I’m saying.” 

“I mean, come on, you’re Mom’s there. What’s that like that?” 

Sean scowled. “Number one on reasons this place sucks. All she talks to us about is all this weird mystic stuff she likes. Her store is so weird, it’s all crystals and bad poetry.” 

Lyla snorted. “Really?” 

“Yep. Not to mention this is the whitest town ever.” He glanced out the window, where Karen was smoking, notebook in hand and ducked his head before she could spot him. “There are no cool people.” 

“Come on, you have Danny.” 

“I get enough babysitting at home thanks.” He glanced outside again, wondering exactly how long he could bitch on the phone for and call it a break. “Anyway, this place is just making Daniel weirder. He’s convinced this place is magic or something.” 

“That’s sweet. Hey, we used to play witches when we were kids, remember?”

“Hey, you were the witch, I was a manly wizard.” 

That time Lyla actually laughed. “Sure dude. I’ll believe it when I see it.” 

“Anyway, we were into the Harry Potter books, you know before terf-face ruined them. Daniel is into the ancient runes and fake spell cards Mo- Karen sells.” 

“That’s adorable.” 

“Ugh, only you could find him adorable. That’s only because Daniel doesn’t kick you in your sleep-” 

“Did Lyla call me adorable?” 

Sean sighed as Daniel barged in. Not much had changed since home tehre at least, apart from the fact they now shared Karen’s attic room. (Bunk beds, making the being kicked in the shin at night thing even more annoying.) 

“Hey, I’m kinda on the-” 

Daniel yanked the phone and rolled on the bed. “Hiiiiii Lyla. Do you miss us?” 

“Give me that back.” 

He wiggled out of his grap. “Did you know Sean talks in his sleep, it’s so weird-” 

“You would know about weird,” he grumbled, snatching his phone back, only to find the shitty signal had finally cut out on Lyla. “Dude.” 

“Sorry.” Daniel grinned at him. “Hey, I’m helping Mom restock, can you help me reach the top shelves?” 

He checked the time on his phone. He had almost managed a whole brother-free hour. 

“Guess I should I get back to work.” 

“Cool.” Daniel followed him downstairs, bouncing with energy. “Hey, Sean what does terf-face mean?” 

  Sean was stuck behind the register, although the store was still empty. He wasn’t sure why Karen insisted on such early opening hours when no one else showed up. 

He rubbed his eyes, the early start not helped by the fact Daniel had been reading with a torch all night. He had picked up a weird book from the store or something. Of course he would pick up a late night reading habit once they were sharing a room. 

“I brought you guys some toast.” Karen balanced the plate on the top of some unsold art books. (Her organization was as great as her parenting.) 

“Thanks Mom!” 

Sean poked at a black spot under a thick layer of peanut butter. “Yeah, thanks.” 

“I gotta do some inventory but I’ll be back up for lunch.” 

“Can we go to the cool diner? Chris says the milkshakes are great.” 

Karen smiled. “Yeah. Does that sound good Sean?” 

He grunted in response and her grin flickered. 

“Right, work. You boys got this.” 

“We’re not your boys,” Sean muttered, although she didn’t hear. 

“Why are you so mean to Mom?” Daniel asked, his mouth full of toast. “She’s always nice.” 

“Right, she’s been real nice the first nine years of your life.” 

Daniel looked up at him with big eyes. “Sean…” 

“Fine, I’ll try. Put those eyes away Bambi.” 

He smiled. “So, I was thinking the strawberry milkshakes are Chris’ favourite but I like chocolate more so you could get one and we could share?” 

“Huh, yeah, sure.” Sean had only been half listening, distracted by the newest customer. Waking up early suddenly had its appeal. The girl had matted purple hair, an arm full of tattoos and a guitar strapped to her back. She caught him looking and winked. 

“Are you okay Sean? You just went really red and-” 

“What? No. Shut up.” Sean moved into a more casual position, his eyes still fixed on the pretty girl. His elbow knocked the tip jar and it fell off the edge. “Shit-” 

“Here.” Daniel put it back. “Woah…” 

“Good catch Enano.” 

“Yeah. Catch! I totally caught it.” Daniel smiled a little suspiciously. “Hey, you said a swear, you owe me a dollar.” 

“A dollar? It’s only a quarter at home.” 

“Now we’re away from Dad, you’re supposed to be a good influence.” 

“You get a quarter.” Sean dropped the coin in his hand. “Be cool.” 

“What?” 

“Hey boys.” The purple-haired girl leaned against the other end of the counter, an easy smile on her face. Her voice had a faint Southern tang. “So, I come to this town every Summer and I don’t recognise either of you cuties.” 

“I- we- um-” 

His brother beat him to it. “I’m Daniel.” 

Cursing his stammering, he finally managed to introduce himself. “I’m Sean.” 

“Why hello. I’m Cassidy.” 

“Hi. Um, cool guitar. You play?” (Internally, Sean cringed: You play? Why else would she have a guitar?) 

“Yeah, funnily enough. I’m actually here to hand out flyers for my band’s show. Could you hang it up?” 

“Yeah.” Sean took the flyer. “Your show is this Friday?” 

“And every other Friday. You wanna come?” 

“I’m invited?” 

Cassidy laughed. “Yeah sure. It is a concert. You’re lucky you’re cute, City Boy.” 

“City boy?” 

“It’s on your sweatshirt idiot,” Daniel whispered. Seattle Track Meet, 2015. He was frowning in the general direction of Cassidy. “We’re busy Friday so-” 

“No. Nope, I’m not busy. Ignore him.” Sean flattened his hair. “I’ll be there Friday.” 

“I’ll look out for you City Boy. Nice to meet you.” 

Sean waited until Cassidy had left before pumping his fist. “Yes! She called me cute Dan!” 

“You’re the worst.” 

“What?” 

Daniel pouted. “You promised you’d take me camping in the woods Friday. I already brought us marshmallows and walkie-talkies.” 

“Hey, there is plenty of time to camp in those freaky woods. But I only have one chance with a girl like Cassidy.” 

“Wrong, you have zero chances with any girl.” Daniel stomped off to the corner of the store. “You’re the worst.” 

“Dan- come on.” His brother went back to ignoring him. Sean crossed his arms. “Fine. Be like that!” 

There was the only sound of a raspberry in response. 

  “Nope, I’m totally with Danny. That was a jerk move.” 

“What? Lyla, you’re supposed to be my hype man- er woman. You’re always trying to set me up on dates.” 

“Dude, three weeks ago you were so into Jenn.” 

He sighed. “And Jenn was into Derek Anderson. We had ice cream and everything.” 

“Dude, don’t fuck up your relationship with Danny over a dumb Summer romance.” 

Sean buried his head in his pillow. “You sound like my Dad.” 

“Go to this hippy girl’s show next time. You Danny will do the face.” 

“The Bambi face?” Sean groaned. “I have been facing the Bambi face all week.” 

Lyla scoffed. “Is there anything else to add?” 

“Fine. I’ll go camping. But only for the s’mores.” 

“Okay, brother of the year.” 

“Thanks jerk.” 

Lyla blew him an exaggerated kiss. “Aw, love you too.”

Sean grabbed his backpack, moving to shove in his hoodie and torch. Daniel had already shoved one of the walkie-talkies inside. 

“Calling little wolf, we are back on for camping.” 

There was nothing but static on the other end. Sean pocketed the walkie-talkie and headed downstairs, calling his brother’s name. There was no one in the kitchen and only Karen sitting in the living room, chewing on the edge of a pen. 

“Hey, have you seen Daniel?” 

Karen looked up. “Oh, I thought you already left? Daniel passed by twenty minutes ago with the sleeping bags.” 

“That little-” Sean wasn’t panicking, but he was maybe sweating a little more than he had been before. “Um, right. I just forget a…” he scanned the room and grabbed Daniel’s weird book, “scary story. Classic camping right?” 

“Oh. Have a nice time then.” Karen hesitated. “I know you’re not thrilled to be here. But I hope by the end of the Summer we can understand each other better. 

“Me too.” Sean tried to look as un-guilty as possible. “See you tomorrow Karen.” 

  “Daniel!” He yelled, running head first into the spooky mass of woodlands beyond their store. “Dan, I’m sorry okay. Quit hiding!” 

No answer. Sean went digging for the walkie-talkie, now glowing an eerie blue. 

“Dan?” 

The walkie-talkie crackled again- “Sean?” 

“Dan.” He let out a shaky breath. “Hey, I’m sorry I ditched you-” 

“Sean, help!” 

He was clutching the walkie-talkie so hard his knuckles went white. “What’s wrong? I’m coming okay. What’s happening?” 

“Creature- help- monster- ahh!” 

Sean scanned the trees around him, suddenly aware he was lost too. Daniel had been the one eager to explore the woods but he had said it was too creepy and now it seemed he was being proven right. 

“Sean- book- monster-” 

He dug around to find the weird book Daniel had been carrying around all week. He had assumed it was from one of Karen’s displays but now he was looking at it, the journal seemed too real to go with the modern witchcraft bullshit she was trying to sell. The cover was dark blue and the pages thick with drawings and polaroids. 

“Dan, I have the book, what do I need to look for? What is this thing?” 

“Page- tree- monster-” Daniel was breathing heavily. “Hear?” 

“I can hear you,” he said comfortingly, “I’m coming.” 

He held the torch in his teeth, flicking through pages until he came across a few marked with Daniel’s doodles and writing. He seemed to be studying telekinetic powers, complete with a superhero sketch: SUPER /DUDE DAN/ WOLF? ask Sean for name ideas

He finally came across the page that looked like a bush drawn with yellow eyes. 

Dangerous 

camouflage shape shifters 

Hard to photograph shush ma-

Likes dark 

Under the original writing Daniel had added his own note: babies in woods. 

“Hey,” Sean held up the walkie-talkie, “is it these moss creatures? What well?” 

“Sean!” This time Daniel’s voice was clearer, his voice steadier. 

“Dan. What happened? Please tell me you had a good reason to go into the woods alone without telling me or Karen.” 

“Come on, that’s it? Can you yell at me when I’m not being chased?” 

“Okay. I’m coming, where are you?” 

“Where are you?” 

“By some trees. There’s a sign for a lake?” 

“Go to the lake, I’ll meet you there.” Daniel was cut off by some more static. “Hey, stop chewing that Mushroom!” 

Sean followed the signs, hoping Daniel at least would know a way out. How did he know the woods so well already? Was Sean that much of a shitty brother he hadn’t noticed him running off into these haunted-ass woods? 

The lake slowly came into the view but it was empty. 

“Daniel? Dan?” 

The lake was weirdly normal, just muddy water and a few droopy looking frogs. Still, Sean was still on edge, swinging the heavy torch from hand to hand. The faster they got home, the better. 

His relative peace was interrupted by the rustling of tree branches and heavy footsteps. Daniel came barging through the trees, a small bundle of something wrapped in his checked shirt. Something was chasing him and fast- Sean barely had time to move out the way as Daniel crashed into him. Something big and fast ran past.��

“Sean!” Daniel threw himself into his arms. “I’m sorry, don’t yell at me.” 

“I’m not mad. But you did scare the shit out of me.” 

“Sean-” 

“Fine, you get a dollar, let’s just go-” 

“No, look.” 

Sean turned slowly, met with amber eyes and a large face of bark and weeds. The creature sniffed at him curiously. 

“Um-” 

Daniel hid behind him. “Any ideas?” 

“You have the stupid haunted book!” The creature snorted, blowing hot air in his face. “Wait, the book said-” Sean slowly moved for his pocket, finding Dad’s lighter. 

“Dan, on three, we run.” 

“One-” he reached for a branch, “two-” he flicked the lighter on, “three!” Sean held the flaming branch up the creature’s face, dragging Daniel out the way as it squirmed. “What, the light should have scared it off.” 

“Remember when you said you weren’t going to get mad?” 

Sean turned to him, as Daniel revealed the squirming mass of moss in his arms. 

“You stole it’s kid?” 

“I always wanted a puppy! She’s called Mushroom-” 

Seeing it’s child, the larger creature started inching slowly towards Daniel. 

“Put it down! We can’t keep this weird monster-baby!” 

“We bonded!” The larger creature nudged its nose towards the smaller one, poking his chest with a spikey horn. “Okay, I’ll give her back.” 

Daniel held out his arms, placing the small creature on the floor. It wiggled a loose vine that could almost be a tail and followed its parents into the woods. 

Sean punched him in the arm. “That’s for trying to adopt an actual monster.” 

Daniel rubbed his arm. “Ouch.” 

Sean pulled him into a hug. “And that’s for scaring the shit out of me. I’m glad you’re okay though.” 

“Me too.” Daniel smiled. “Hey, now you owe me two dollars!” 

  After all the excitement, the brothers’ settled on camping in Karen’s yard. 

“So, you found that spooky book in a tree and didn’t think to tell me?” 

“You were being the worst!” 

Sean laughed. “Okay, I deserve that. But, next time you find a weird monster thing, tell me. We’re in this together.” 

“Okay promise.” Daniel threw another marshmallow at him. “Sorry I made you miss your concert. I guess Cassidy wasn’t that bad.” 

“Hey, I saved your butt, that’s more important.” Sean took a bite out a s’more. “Hey, there isn’t anything else you’re not telling me right?” 

“Actually,” Daniel held out his hand, a marshmallow hoovering a few inches above his palm. “Surprise?” 

(A boring Summer suddenly looked so much more appealing.)

[olivarryprompts]

Fanfic Friday #5

Welcome to Fanfic Friday! Each Friday I will post a new fanfic here and on A03. Enjoy x

Read/Save it on AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/32197966

{crossover}

Ship: olivarry

Warnings: small amount of angst, swearing

Status: dating

Wc: 2,413

Once again, there were some sort of god-like presents threatening Central and Star city, hence it was up to everyone’s favorite superheroes, and their teams, to defeat the crisis and save the world.

I am said superhero, the fast one specifically. Oliver and I have been dating from around since I awoke from my coma. How did we get together? That’s a story for a different time. Oliver and I, throughout all of this, have been able to keep our relationship a secret. I know, huge shocker.

“Oliver, Cisco and Ray have made the tech, but it needs to be tested.”

“So,” he said, with his Oliver look, “Test it.”

“How are we supposed to test tech that should defeat Aliens without actual Aliens?”

“Kara.”

“Ollie! We can’t shoot at Kara.”

“You're so cute,” Oliver said, under his breath, “Sometimes I just want to cuddle you like a teddy bear, however out of character.”

I blushed deeply, “Stop it. We need to save the world.”

He leaned it, laying a careful kiss on my forehead, “And we will.”

“You’ve really helped on the ideas front,” I said, sarcastically.

“Let’s get the teams together and discuss what we know so far. We can think up our next moves.”

“Okay, yeah. I’ll get everyone to the hub.”

“Barry Allen do not speed m-”

I sped him to the hanger.

“I hate you,” he commented with an underlying smirk.

“I love you, too.”

I quickly sped everyone into the room before returning to Ollie’s side.

“Yes Barry?” Sara Lance, captain of the Waverider, said.

“Well, I-i,” I looked over at Oliver for help.

He whispered, “Thought as though we should call a team meeting.”

“Right, I thought we should call a team meeting to, to discuss, uh, um-”

He continued in a subdued voice, “what we know, our plan, and our next steps.”

“To discuss what we know about our big bad, what our plan is, and our next steps to ya know, save the world.”

“Are we meant to pretend we aren’t hearing the brooding man?” John Constantine, local warlock, said.

“I give up. Ollie, lead the team. You know what to do.”

“You tried,” he smiled, a little over fondly, “Right so, Nate, Iris what have we got on her?”

“Well, she seems to have no record of life until she popped up in our time and attacked Central city,” Nate explained.

“We wondered if there was a chance of her being from another Earth, and Cisco tracked her residual frequency from the attack, and the frequency matched one from this Earth.”

“So that leaves us nowhere, loves,” Constantine said, lighting a cigarette, which Sara promptly knocked out of his hand and stamped on.

“Well, not necessarily. We know that she just appeared which narrows down the search to anyone without a record, which is very few people,” Cisco explained.

“If we can just get a strand of her DNA, I could take a look into how to gain her powers and where they come from.”

“To get the ladies NDA we need to find her,” Mick grumbled.

“Thank you Mick,” Oliver said, rolling his eyes, “Dig, did Lyla get anything.”

“Argus satellites haven’t picked up anything. She said she’d call and let us know.”

Felicity entered, and Oliver raised an eyebrow at me.

“She told me to put her back,” I said lowly to Oliver.

“I-i told you not to PUT me.”

“She’s scary,” I defended further.

“Sorry I was not present, I mean I wasn’t here because I was well-that’s the point. I was hacking, obviously, that’s what I do, I hack, but you guys know that-”

“Felicity,” Ollie said, “The point.”

“Right. There was something on her arm, almost underneath her skin. I looked further into it and it seemed to be of a technological origin. I came back and instantly drew the “thing.” I think it might be some sort of microchip. After consulting Ray, I did some digging, and I came back with some interesting results,” she projected the images from her tablet, “This was a theoretical experiment planned in-you guessed it, Star City. it was, well, awful. It was talking about mutation and how technology had the power to change any and all humans for the better. It was called Project Mutant.

“Oh yes Felicity, I bring you, Mutant, our big bad.”

“Not your best work,” Caitlin commented.

“Offended,” Cisco replied with a grin. Oliver was clearly getting annoyed, so I touched his arm subtly. His demeanor began to soften.

“Right,” he cleared his throat, “Can we track this chip?”

“Well, yes and no. The chip is on a completely different server to any domain I’ve come across. I don’t even know what it is. It’s essentially in a different world. I’d need to get track of her personal server to begin the hack, which-”

“You obviously can’t do,” Ray said, “Can I see the server?”

Ray, Cisco, and Caitlin all looked at the server Felicity pulled up on her tablet.

“Does that look like a wave function to anyone else?” Cisco said.

“A what?” I said.

“Somehow, her DNA, it’s acting like a particle on the quantum level,” Caitlin further explained.

“So we need to treat her, in essence, as a quantum particle.”

“So that’s why everytime I try to hack into the database it moves. Why it acts like a domain I’ve never seen before.” Felicity said in some sort of revelation.

“So how do you track a particle?” Ray said, “You can’t, wave function collapses.”

“So we can’t track her in any way.”

“No, no we can. The art of quantum mechanics is tracking particles, that's the whole point.”

“So you “solve” quantum mechanics before this looney destroys a city. Hell no.”

“Right, moving on from the science, which I am sure you guys will figure out, let’s say we can track her and find her. If she’s like a particle then can’t she just pop in and out of anywhere at any time, ya know wave particle duality and all. Light goes so fast that it theoretically travels through time. “

“Oliver, are you in there? When did you learn quantum physics?” I said, shocked.

“Y-you pick up things here and there. That’s relevant anyway. How do we stop her.”

“Simple, what stops a particle?”

“Cold.” Caitlin said.

“So, we need to track her, build a weapon to slow her down on the sub-molecular level, and keep her in that state. Easy,” Ray summarized, looking defeated.

“Hold up, she came back to this time for a reason. She clearly has motive. If we know her motive, we can predict where she will attack next. She can’t just pop out of existence if she has a goal she needs to complete. She can go back to this time for a reason, out of all the times she could have existed,” Sara said, “She came back now. This timing, this place, it has to mean something to her. That could hold the key to stopping her.”

“You’re right,” Iris said, “She has a reason.”

“We could run some samples of history through Gideon to look for significance,” Nate suggested.

“There’s an idea,” Sara said.

“Right, looks like everyoens got work to do, let’s get this rolling.

I brought Oliver into flash time. He was stressed and uptight.

“Ollie?”

“Barry, what-what are you doing? They can all..”

“Flashtime, remember.”

“Why did you-”

“Sometimes you just need the world to stop for a moment. You know that better than anyone.”

He just wrapped his arms around me and kept me close.

“We’re going to win this. We’re going to be fine,” I told him.

He just hummed.

He leaned in for a kiss, which we both needed.

“Let’s do this,” Oliver said.

“Let’s.” I pulled away from him and smiled.

The fight was intense and it was Oliver and I left with the task of finishing her.

“Ollie, go, go please. I can do this, I’ll be able to.”

“It’s my bow that has the tech, no way in hell I leave you here.”

“Think Oliver! I am the only one fast enough to stop her.”

“Barry, don't. Don’t grab my bow and speed off. Please,” he was begging. Before I could think much more about what was on the line, I kissed Ollie, grabbed the arrow, and sped off towards her. With her caught off guard, I was able to plunge the arrow into her forearm. When I pulled the bow out, I saw that the world around me had changed.

Oliver’s POV

Just like that he vanished. First from my touch and then from this time. My bear, bazza, barry, just, gone. I ran at the spot where he’d disappeared from yelling, “BARRY! BARRY!”

“Oliver,” A voice said.

“H-he can’t be gone. I-i can’t do this, any of this, without him. Please I need him. GET HIM BACK!.”

I found myself slumped against a wall. I threw my bow across the room and chucked some arrows wherever I pleased. I waited a few moments before collecting my bow and getting on my motorbike. Tears threatened to fall. How could I lose the one person in the world that matters the most to me?

Once I arrived back at the hanger, I immediately went into the storage room. I grabbed my phone and unlocked it. My back screen was a picture of Barry cuddled into my chest. If anyone questioned it, I’d tell them I lost a dare to Barry and this was my forfeit. Obviously it was a huge lie as it was one of my favorite pictures of the two of us. His cute smirk is on show as well as his clingy nature. I missed his reassuring touches already. Angry, I threw some boxes around the place.

I instantly drew an arrow back at the tapping of someone's feet. Closer, closer, here. It was just Felicity.

“Hey,” She said in her sweet voice.

“Hey,” I said, monotone.

“We’re going to find Barry, wherever he is.”

“Don’t tell me that! Don’t tell me that when he could be anytime and anywhere,” I sneered through gritted teeth.

“Okay,” Felicity said in her felicity voice, “What is going on? Not keeping a level head is not helping Barry.”

“Felicity you don’t understand.”

“Then make me understand, Oliver.”

“It’s HARD TO KEEP A LEVEL HEAD WHEN IT'S THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE!”

“Love of your life?” she questioned.

“Yes, love of my fucking life.”

“You and-”

“Me and Barry.”

“How long?”

“Long. Year and a half.”

“W-who knows?”

“No one does.”

“Oliver, look at me. We will find Barry, okay? We have all the best minds working in here, and we will get him. You have got to stay calm, though. We need you Oliver, okay? Do it for Barry.”

“Alright,” I said, sucking in a deep breath.

We entered the main portion of the hangar again, “Anyone got any ideas?”

“Ray thinks he can hack her biochip now that she is no longer in quantum flux,” Caitlin reported.

“Would that tell us the time or just the place?” Iris, equally as worried, inquired.

“Just a locational ping.”

I racked my brain, “When was she experimented on?”

“Around May 2012 they started.”

“Where?” I questioned again.

“Floy Woods Hospital, Central City. It had closed down by then but-”

Cisco took over from Cait, “It looks like their electricity was still on around that time.”

“Ollie, mind catching the rest of us up to speed?” Sara asked.

“Whenever I’m in a stressful or panicking situation, my mind always rolls onto Lian Yu. If she was in a similar state, surely she was thinking about where her trauma began. Or, if not that, a place that made her feel safe, her apartment, family home, ect. I’m hoping it's the former because the latter means she could be there at any point in time.”

“Right.”

“I’ll take Oliver and whoever needs to come on the waverider to check out his hunch. Hopefully we will find him then.”

“Let’s go! He hasn’t got time to waste,” I yelled.

“The rest of us will stay here and keep looking for clues,” Kara said.

I shot my way through the security detail in the building before carefully scouting out the rest. Heat signature saw three people in a singular room, one atypically warm. Barry. I bust my way through the door, easily taking out the two other people. I quickly cut off the restraints and picked off the metahuman dampeners.

“Ollie,’” Barry said, weak.

“Come on Bazza, let’s get you home,’ glad to have him back in my arms.

“What about her?”

“Sara should have taken care of her by now. She’ll be on the waverider, in cuffs.”

“G-good.”

“What did she do to you?”

“S-s-some s-s-s-”

Barry collapsed into Oliver, and Oliver cradled him in his arms. He carefully made it up to the roof where the waverider awaited. Barry needed treatment quickly.

They told the team to meet them back at star labs asap. Barry could be treated best there. I stepped off the waverider and quickly ran through star labs, trying to get to the cortex where the medbay was. Caitlin was already there, waiting to treat Barry.

I walked out of the lab, unable to see Barry like that. He’s going to be fine, I told myself. I went into the speed lab. I found some balls, and I began throwing them up and pinning them against the back wall with arrows.

Barry’s POV

My eyes fluttered open. I felt outstandingly weak.

“O-oliver? Where’s Oliver?”

“I’ll go get him,” Caitlin said.

“Gave us a real scare there Bear,” Joe said, concerned, “How are you feeling?”

“Weak, but I-i’ll be alright.”

“We got her by the way,” Cisco chimed in, “Locked away in iron heights.”

“Nice.”

“Barry,” Ollie said, making his entrance known.

“O-ollie?”

“Right here,” he said in his low, sugary voice.

“Thought you left,” I whispered lowly.

“Never, darling,” he said, equally as quietly.

“I’ll give you two a minute,” Joe said, leaving. Cisco and Caitlin followed.

Oliver wrapped his arms around me, “You idiot. My idiot.”

“I’m here, right? Nothing happened.”

“But it could have.”

“Hey, look at me. I’m fine, Ollie. We’re fine.” I leaned in for a kiss. He happily obliged.

“I just thought I lost you.”

“I thought I lost you, too.”

“Love you,” he smiled.

“Love you more.”

He let it slide. Just this once.

[capricornsims]

Strangetown Interlude: Olive’s diary

13 Deadend Lane, was the address that my home resided in, away from the disaster that was happening in the main part of town. Thankfully the spores had yet to breach my sacred space, as I spent the last few weeks in humble silence without my dear Ophelia. That girl believed that having an extended sleepover at the Smith’s was a good idea at a time like this, without knowing the true dangers of what the outside world had to offer. Behind these stone walls, I had protected her for years, away from the cruelty of the living and providing for her every need. After all, Ophelia was the one person in my life that was spared from my terrible luck. Everyday I contemplate on the bitter strictness that I held my niece under, but it was all out of love. She should be thankful for the knowledge that I have passed down to her, yet she refuses to understand the importance of it. 

My life as Olive Muenda, Mortis, Thanasia and Specter was a very unpleasant one to say the least. To spare my loved ones from the cruelty of my existence was my only wish, but Death had other plans. I was a harbinger of bad luck, everything around me had been affected by my curse no matter how much I cared for them. Grieving was temporary,but my garden is an everlasting collection of my past, ingrained in my memories. The ghosts know that my time in the mortal world is about to end with all the unfinished business that I have laying on my conscience. My one true love calls to me as I plan my burial ground in the very spot that I sit in right now, contemplating the will that I have yet to write for my niece...and my lost child. In the meantime, I plan to right the wrongs that I have brought upon the flowers in my garden.

My last flower, Lyla, has been suffering for the last few years, gripping onto the memories of her sons in order to remain intact with the living. She was a bright young lady that took refuge in my home during her marital disputes, little did she know that her demise would be in this sanctuary. I should have called an ambulance when she passed, but I knew better than to draw suspicion into my home,so now she rests along with my other victims flowers.  Her wails and haunting have annoyed me to no end, and I prayed that bringing her closest relative would soothe the ghost’s restlessness. All I want for her is to move on and be at peace with her death and to stop causing puddles with her tears. That is the least I could do for her at her most difficult time.  

Unfortunately, inviting her ex-husband to see the garden was the worst possible option to soothe her restless spirit. I soon came to realize that my path of redemption would come to an abrupt end if I had to stand any longer with the raving lunatic before me.“ You killed my wife and buried her with your other victims!”  He shouted at me. I was about to threaten to give him the same fate as his wife but I composed myself before falling for his tricks. I pity Lyla for suffering this long with the General along with the sons that were now stuck with him. At least, she is able to find an eternal refuge in my garden as lonely as it may be. Sometimes I go to bed at night wondering if I had done her a favor. 

I left the General to search the graves for any vague clue of where she was buried, after all, I never really engraved my headstones with their names for their own sake. It was rather amusing to hear his remorseful sobs as I disappeared behind my doors, realizing the errors of his ways and paying for the pain that he caused her. For such a strong self assured general, I thought he would have the courage to apologize to her in life, but now he has to settle with her tomb.

                                                          ...

As the outcast of Strangetown, I have contemplated my place on this Earth, having Death as a constant companion in my midst as people disappear from my life in an instant. I have embraced the rumors that the outsiders have labeled me : a witch, a murderer, and an evil hag...I would never admit that the rumors are true but my heart knows it. The most I can do now is to look towards the future of my dear, Ophelia and my missing child. 

I may have not done the best things in my time, but that doesn’t mean that they will be left with nothing. I hope that my niece will return to me so that my gifts would be passed down to her as if she was my own daughter. Her own abilities have yet to be realized, and it is only fair that I teach her our heritage with the dark arts, as much as I wanted my child to join her. 

                                                           ...

Forgive me for rambling, I’m just an old soul in need of the company dear reader. I have been a mess since an odd looking man with round glasses handed me a missing poster asking if I had seen the boy in the photo. How could I respond? A mother never forgets their baby’s face no matter how long I have been apart from him. His face was a gaunt pale white, with the faintest bit of color in his cheeks that showed his livelihood, my son was alive...but barely living. Despite his condition, he seemed happy to have his photograph taken by his friend and his brown eyes stared at me hopefully, as if he was seeing me for the first time in his life. The two years that I spent with him flooded back to me as I examined the photo, thinking back to the days I spent alone with my son, caring for him with all the love that I had in the world until that fateful day. I hoped that his disappearance from this town would be temporary and that I wouldn’t be reunited with him in a wooden box. 

Wherever you are, Nervous. 

I miss you. 

We miss you.

[ofhoneyandrosepetals]

Summer Roads - Chapter 4

Pairing: Sean x Fem! reader

Description: You’ve always been Lyla’s best friend, but since Sean moved you became an inseparable trio. But who could say that, after all these years together, you would start growing feelings for Sean?

Warning: swearings only.

Word count: 1.741

A/N: I really wanted a gif of Sean smiling and that’s the one I could find. Plus, the subtle kinda holds the vibe from the end of the chapter :)

“Ugh, finally, I was starting to think you guys decided to bail on me,” that’s how Lyla received you and Sean.

“Not today, no,” Sean said. You giggled.

“Good to know you’re up to something. I’ll keep tabs on you two.”

“Me too?” You pointed to yourself. “But I didn’t said anything.”

“I’ll. Keep. Tabs.” You hoped this wasn’t true, because you thought if Lyla suspected anything, you would be dead.

“Uh, backyard?” You raised your bag, indicating if you should leave the things there. Lyla nodded.

“I can see you brought some food, too.”

“Not food exactly, it’s more like… things we chew.”

“You want to say chips, don’t you?” Lyla said deadpan.

“But they are…”

“Girls, I really don’t wanna pull that thread,” Sean passed his arms around yours and Lyla’s shoulders. 

“I thought knowledge was always welcomed,” Lyla said.

“Only during school. It’s summer, Ly,” you gave a kiss on her cheek and went outside. 

Starting to place your sleeping bag, Lyla lied on the grass, arms behind her head. Sean sat on the bench, elbows on knees. 

“I have the feeling that this summer is going to be a special one,” Lyla started.

“Why’s that? Sometimes I think that too, it’s my last summer before becoming a freshman. But you’re going to be a sophomore,” you said.

“Hey, I’m going to be a freshman too,” Sean says.

“You guys are so cute. Don’t worry, we’ll always be together there.”

“You putting it like that makes us feel like kids, as if you were some big grown up,” you were too wrapped up on your own thoughts to pay attention to Sean or Lyla. You guessed she was right, but not because of the changes high school would bring. Maybe it was because how the sun rose on the first day of summer vacations, how the morning was cool but as time kept going it got a little warmer. The sun was this shining guiding light hanging on a blue, clear sky, that if you glared too much at you would start feeling lost.

It was easy to get lost when the sky had no clouds.

“Earth calling Y/N?” You hear someone calling you.

“Yes?” You answer both ways, Sean and Lyla.

“I was thinking that, since Lyla can’t stop saying how this summer is special and whatever shit…”

“Hey!” She protests.

“It made me remember she promised me long ago I could tag her wall.”

“My mom is gonna freak,” Lyla said.

“I think it’s a good idea. Maybe Sean could put our three ideas into one.”

“I’m not that much of a pro,” Sean said humble.

“C’mon Seanie, have some faith,” you say. “You’re great.”

“I think I have a board we could tag and just hang in the wall, it’s better this way. I’ll keep my promise and my mom won’t kill me.”

“You’ll keep an edited promise, but that works,” you nod in concordance. 

“Okay, lemme find it.”

“What you have on your mind?” Sean asks you.

“What?” You got caught off guard.

“For the mural. What you have in mind?” He asked with a smile, one you couldn’t take your eyes off from.

“The beach,” you said without thinking first. “I always wanted to visit California, all that coast surf. My brother lives there with my father.”

“Yeah, I remember. It seems like a nice place.”

“Maybe you’re watching too many TV?” Lyla said, a big board covering her. You could only see her hands and feet.

“I don’t think it’s too much different from what they show. At least not from what my brother tells me.”

“Oh, right, he lives there, doesn’t he? I forgot. Well, my idea for this summer is a lot of skating. Sean?” Lyla places the board on the fence, where the paint wouldn’t reach the wall.

“I guess I know what I’ll do. Let the pro work now.”

“I thought you said you were no pro,” Lyla teases.

“Shoosh.”

Sean grabbed some spray can from his backpack while Lyla dragged your ass all the way across the backyard. She started chattering about the summer, the parties and the new year in high school, having ideas of what you three could do and go. She was so excited that she didn’t even noticed you kept your eyes on Sean working, or at least you thought so. You noticed how his hair was starting to grow and wondered if this time he would let it grow through summer.

You followed every movement of his, how his hand held the spray can and how his arm moved around to tag, how sometimes he would get down or be on tiptoe. Eventually you remembered yourself to look at Lyla and nod your head, trying to keep it casual. You didn’t want your crush to be so obvious, or obvious at all.

Watching Sean working made you realize how you liked every part of him, because every part of him made sense. It was… what he was made of.

“Are you guys peaking? I really prefer you to not,” he said loud enough so he didn’t need to turn his head.

“No!” Lyla answers and turns your head to her, grabbing your chin. “You never could not peak on his art, right? You were always so curious,” breathing nervously, hoping like hell Lyla didn’t suspected anything, you shrug.

“Nothing I can do. I like it.”

“I know,” and Lyla started from where she stopped. Maybe this was a good sign, she didn’t paused her plans to try a talk with you on the matter. “Do you think you need anything new for you roller skates?”

“Uhn… no? I guess.”

“You’ve been using them for a while, isn’t time for an upgrade?”

“I take good care of it,” besides, Sean gave me them, you added in thoughts. You had no plans on changing anything about those roller skates. 

“I was thinking that maybe I could work on them.”

“Whoa whoa whoa, hold up,” you rose your hands. “Forbidden territory. No touch.”

“No fair, you let Sean sketch on them!”

“That’s because he was the one who gave me them,” you said without much confidence.

“I see that favoritism there. It’s unfair, I’ve known you longer.”

“I’m hearing that discussion and I don’t like it, I’m feeling pushed aside!” Sean said out loud.

“You know I love you, Seanie, but it’s not me, it’s Y/N.”

“I’m just protecting my roller skates,” you defend yourself.

“Now I’m offended,” Lyla said, a finger up.

“We all know your skateboard is a deadly machine,” Sean said.

“Artists are not supposed to give their opinion,” you heard Sean laughing. “Seriously, Y/N.”

“Seriously, Lyla. My roller skates are perfect, I take care of them. I keep maintenance,” she puffed. “But I know you always wanted to give my backpack a treat. To compensate you, I’ll let you do it tonight.”

“FINALLY!” Lyla shouts. “Gimme the thing.”

“It’s called a backpack.”

“Gimme,” smiling, you handed her your backpack. Lyla went inside the house for a couple of minutes and got back with a little box. “You’re not allowed to choose the patches.”

“Your responsibility,” you said raising your hands. You watched Lyla work on your backpack, but here and there you would glare at Sean for a few seconds. 

“You’re quieter than usual,” Lyla pointed.

“I guess this afternoon got me tired.”

“Maybe. You do seem a bit off today. Do you miss your brother? I know he visits every summer.”

“I haven’t thought about it, really. Maybe it’s this whole summer idea, it got me dazed,” you throw your head back, hitting the fence behind you. “I do feel kinda off,” without noticing, your look froze on Sean, but you didn’t notice him. Lyla rose an eyebrow. “I just want to have the best time before school starts again.”

“Oh… I know what this is about. Your first high school year. You’re scared.”

“I’m not scared,” you said defensively. 

“You just don’t know it, hun. I felt like that too. But now we’re gonna be together, all three of us. Besides, you’ll always have Sean by your side.”

“That’s true!” He shouted from the distance.

“My guess is that you feel like you’re leaving something behind,” Lyla said and this time you looked at Sean. You were leaving something behind, you felt like it, but you weren’t sure what it was and what it meant to start growing feelings for Sean, your childhood friend, almost like a brother. You smiled.

“I guess so. Thanks, Ly.”

“But I haven’t said anything.”

“You said enough.”

“Well, I do acknowledge I’m a terrific friend.”

“Ladies, I’m done!” Sean announced and Lyla pushed you to the ground.

“I tag your ass!” She ran to see Sean’s work. You got up laughing and when you got to her side you pushed her. “Wow,” you heard her saying before you could take a look.

It was a beach, leading you to assume Sean wanted to represent California. At the beach, in the middle of the sand, was a huge skate ramp, and you could see skaters all around. And, attacking them, coming out of the water, was an enormous squid, its tentacles grabbing the skaters and crushing the ramp. 

“Dude, that’s rad,” Lyla said. “I loved it.”

“Yeah, me too,” you tapped his shoulder. “But maybe you should let us add something? So it could be our mural?” Sean gave you what you judged to be his biggest smile ever.

“How couldn’t I think about it? Yeah, sure.”

You and Lyla grabbed each a spray can and exchanged looks.

“Is this what I think it is?”

“If you’re thinking about the same thing I’m thinking.”

“Why do girls do it?” Sean mumbled.

“I get tops,” you say. Lyla nodded.

You could see Lyla making little roller skates on some of the squid’s tentacles while you made a giant bow on its head.

“Oh my fucking god,” you heard Sean laughing. “You are creative, aren’t you?”

“We are,” Lyla said proudly and wrote her initials at the corner of the board. You did the same and, after you, Sean.

You noticed your pointer finger was pink and you held it up for your friends to see. Lyla’s was blue and Sean’s had a little rainbow on his.

“To the best summer ever,” Lyla said and you three touched your pointer fingers, as some kind of toast. 

[littleroundpumpkin]

//Yooo, I know only just started following your art stuff recently, but I gotta say your designs for Lyla Callalily, Flora Thorns are both beautiful and charming. Seeing them on my dash makes me want to get into drawing toon characters again. Thanks so much for sharing them, keep up the good work, and happy holidays to you and yours!

OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

I'm so glad you like them and that they inspired you!! You're so sweet and I hope you have a wonderful holiday as well!!!!

[ducklooney]

My first fanfiction-Quack Pack fanfiction?!

Here is finally something to do, I would just ask for some mistakes that I have right now on fanfiction to correct me and show me some things that are wrong, since they are certainly written the way I imagine those things. Thank you in advance for your help. Since unfortunately not only on Tumblr, but also on Instagram and on Deviantart and other social networks there are few things related to the cartoon series "Quack Pack", I decided to write fanfiction. Since unfortunately there is not much fanart related to Quack Pack, I wish there was a little more, I actually thought I was drawing related to it, but since I do not have the conditions for it, and I draw on my computer and it turns out a little bad, I decided to do better with fanfiction writing, but not the ones most write, but quite different, mostly from my perspective, the way I would like it to be in my fanfiction. Who will and who will read and like what I will write about now (I will post at the beginning on my blog, then I will see what happens later), he can. Freely draw based on my story, and I would love to be a little more fanart related to the Quack Pack. I know the Quack Pack has had some problems and I'm sure to include many things in my fanfiction story, first and foremost from the comic book world, and this fanfiction is actually going to be some kind of crossover. Please note that this is my first fanfiction and there will probably be mistakes I make and please correct me. Thank you for your understanding. And if I forgot, it would mostly be based on Donald Duck and his nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie Duck (but in the Quack Pack version) and Daisy Duck, but there might be characters that could appear, but unfortunately they didn't appeared in the Quack pack but will certainly pop up in my fanfiction story, but it will be a surprise. There is so much to begin with, and I will certainly start over and this story will be divided into parts. Here I am going to start with my fanfiction story and I want you to enjoy my story and apologize in advance for some things I have offended by something and made some mistakes that made you offended and I apologize for that. And yes, if there are any questions, feel free to ask me. Here's a start:

Morning. It was dawn, actually. July month. Yesterday was over thirty degrees, and it's not easy for ducks to keep that temperature under so many feathers, and so is Donald Duck, who has experienced everything in his life and so on. He slept in one solid dream, and he certainly dreamed of beating the Evronians as a Duck Avenger, or of fighting Maui Mallard with his martial arts, or how he, as a Double Duck, perform special espionage missions to save the world or simply how he likes to fish on one lake and enjoy it. Whatever it is, he certainly loves that kind of dream. However, someone interrupts him, in the sense of someone or something interrupting his dream. Yes, it was a boring alarm clock and digital. It was four o'clock in the morning and Donald slammed his fist into his alarm clock to turn it off. He turned off the alarm clock and stood up all awake, realizing what day it would be like today. Yes, he will have a lot of work to do, both as a cameraman and as a reporter, but not with Kent Powers, who fired him long ago, but with Everett Ducklair, his chief. Yes, Donald hated Everett as much as he did Kent Powers before, as he kept upsetting his life by forcing him to do some trivial things instead of his main job, such as cleaning toilets, hallways, halls, and the like. Fortunately, for all his work, he was paid a lot of money, and with that Donald could be satisfied, first of all, because he devoted all his money to his beloved nephews. When he had some free time or a break at work, he thought of Huey, Dewey, and Louie, who were no longer young children and could soon be adults. They have long since entered puberty, their personalities have formed, and they will soon start whether or not for a year in high school. Although they had different traits, they still acted as a team except in some things. Donald, of course, first went to the bathroom to do his work, so he washed and brushed his teeth. Afterwards, he put on his Hawaiian shirt and went to have his breakfast. After breakfast, he got ready for work, but before he went to work, he wanted to go to his nephews' room to see if they were sleeping any longer. As they continue to sleep, Donald merely smiled at them and slowly approached them and gave them his parental kiss on their cheeks, but they did not notice or feel it after they slept soundly. Donald then left their room and walked down the stairs to retrieve his business bag. Yes, at that point it was five o'clock in the morning, but of course Donald had to get to work early, as his boss had ordered him to do. He had to be at work at six o'clock. So he took it in his bag, in the meantime he heard a loud voice, and Donald replied:

"Silence!", And gestured Donald with his index finger to his beak as a sign of silence, and pointed to the top floor, thinking it was one of his nephews. As the loud noise stopped, Donald turned to the hall and then to the door and meanwhile, his nephew Louie Duck appeared in his pajamas with a backwards cap and said to Louie his uncle: "Can I please Uncle Donald go with you to work?" "No!" Donald replies loudly, "you can't go to work, and besides getting out of bed now, is it too early to play and go to school?" "Uncle Donald, so we're on vacation now, school's not working during the month of July, have you forgotten that? Besides, we'll be alone when you're gone," Louie said, and Donald suddenly thought and put his hand on his forehead as that he had done something wrong. And they sit in a small chair in the hall.

I almost forgot about it. Yes, I worry about you, that something bad doesn't happen to you. I can't quite leave you alone. Especially not to my worst neighbor in the history of humanity, Neighbor Jones, and his family. It just makes a mess in my yard and makes my life even worse, and again I would not move, ”Donald said, sad. "Don't think so badly Uncle D, you're for my brothers and for me my best uncle, and also the best parent we have. You always think of us and keep an eye on us whenever you can, even if my brothers and I make hell instead let’s make paradise for you. ”Louie said as she approached her uncle. Uncle Donald hugged Louie crying with happiness and said, "You never make me hell, even if you sometimes ruin my house, but I'm very happy to have you, as if you were my sons and not my nephews. Without you I'm empty man." "Don't, Uncle Donald. So you have the best cousins you have, you have your girlfriend Daisy, who is also our aunt, you have Uncle Scrooge, you have best friends Panchito and Jose, and Goofy certainly, our mom Della, who is in space right now, and now I can't remember who else. But you have more support than you think, "Louie said, hugging his uncle. "Oooohh... Thank you Louie, but I have to tell you something and please promise me you won't tell your brothers or anyone, especially Fethry Duck. Okay?" "All right, Uncle Donald. But why?" Louie asked, wondering who was hiding something, since he was of such a nature that he neither loves nor can lie. "Here, Louie, why. You and I know that Uncle Scrooge and I had a fight, don't you?" "I know, Uncle D. I'm sad it must have happened, and I haven't seen Uncle Scrooge in a long time. I know he's a lot of stingy and hard-hearted, but I know for sure, and I believe he surely deep in our heart, thinks of us, and we probably miss him . ”Louie replies sadly. "Ooohh ... I know Louie, but then again, he only thinks of himself and his business and especially his money and I don't think I'm sending you there. In my opinion, better come to you Webby and Mrs. Beakly, than you to you go to Scrooge. And I wouldn't argue about it any more. Okay?!” "All right, Uncle D." Louie sighed miserably. "Next, my only real friends are Jose Carioca, Panchito, partly Goofy, Gyro Gearloose and Fenton. They are the only ones who give me confidence," Donald replied. "What about One? Lyla Lay? Kay K? Reginella? Don't they matter to you? And what about Fethry and Gus Goose?" Louie asked mysteriously. "Be quiet! Don't hear anyone. I know, but these are my private affairs, so don't talk to anyone about this or you won't go on adventures with me like Duck Avenger! Okay?!" - Donald replies angrily. "All right, Uncle Donald," Louie replies. "Yes, I know you very much love my cousin Fethry, or your further uncle, but I'm afraid to make a mess again so I have to pay big fines later. Remember the last time Fethry guarded you?" Donald asked. "I remember. But it was fun. We had a great time with Fethry and my cousin, or Fethry's nephew Dugan Duck," Louie says excitedly. "I know, but a mess was made, and besides, I had a lot of reports from my awkward neighbors. I can't allow such things next time. You understand what I'm talking about, don't you?" "I know, Uncle Donald. I know." Louie says sadly. "Then you know why I can't trust you, my cousin Gus Goose." "I know, because he only thinks about the food he eats all the time," Louie replies. "Not only that, but because he's too stupid," Donald replies. "Okay, but he's fun too," Louie replies. "Yes I know, but I can't take the risk again. What I'm talking about is babysitting, and since I can't trust everyone, I can only entrust that job to Dickie Duck, Goldie's granddaughter. I just hope she's not too busy writing her student master's work. " "Dickie is great. I don't mind being a babysitter. She's never bored with it," Louie replies happily. "I'm glad about that. I'll talk to her and if she's free, she'll come to watch over you. Okay?" "Ok, Uncle D." "Now, back to bed." "All right, Uncle." "And don't tell anyone about this, okay?" "Ok. And good luck at work, Uncle D."                                                                "Thank you Louie. Goodbye! See you in the evening," Donald said, getting up and heading for the door, in the meantime ringing the phone. "Who's calling this at this time ?!" Donald mumbled and picked up the phone and asked, "Who is it?" “Can I keep your nephews safe?” Fethry asked cheerfully in his sweater, living two blocks away from the Donald. "Noooooo!" - Donald angrily answered and hung up. Poor Fethry. All in all, he takes his bag and wristwatch, leaves the house, runs to the bus station, manages to catch the bus and leaves for work. However, it was six o'clock in the morning. Louie Duck goes to his room and goes to his deck chair (this was also his bed) and in his pajamas, wearing his cap on his head, reads a comic book while his brothers sleep. But Louie didn't read any comics related to super heroes, he read a comic about Darkwing Duck, which really existed in his world.

End of Chapter One.

[iwannapushyourdaisies]

woah time for a super long, super mushy end-of-year message

FIRST OFF, thanks to all those i met or got closer to this year, and all my friends outside of groups!! sometimes we may not talk all that much, but i’m still immensely grateful for your presences. includes saj, R, elle, oz, link, lesle, zae, zuki, misaki, Z, lyla, eda, ceren, allison (princeamethyst I JUST REALIZED I NEVER ACTUALLY LEARNED YOUR NAME UNTIL NOW FBFHJBF??) and so many others wow!! if i left you out then please don’t feel bad i love you there’s just so many hfbghf........

SIN SQUAD!! mushy, dandy, claire, gems, ian! you guys have been my friends for what feels like so long now, and i’m so grateful for you lot being a memeful and steady presence!! i’m sorry work and drama on my end has made me miss out on most of our nightly calls, but this year imma make big efforts to hop in anyways cuz i miss you guys... thank you for always taking care of this lil gremlin ;u;

now fuck squad gets individuals fbjhgbf

GABE- HEY I STILL DON’T KNOW YOU ALL THAT WELL YET but you’ve already been a real wonderful presence in my life!! you’re real supportive and even if i don’t know what all’s going on for some charas, i enjoy reading your oc headcanons and how much love you pour into them!! and your art tasty

NESS- NESS!! you’re like a sibling to me!! i’m so glad we got closer and i love you a lot! you’re so much fun to write with and i love how we can just toss shit out at one another with abandon, finding foils, combing through psyche layers. you make sure to check up on me whenever shit goes down, and i’m immensely grateful for everything you do!! 

JAY- BITCH I RESPECT YOU. not only are your creative pursuits absolutely enthralling, you’re a kickass writer and i love reading anything you put out!! you’ve got a lot of emotional maturity i aspire to emulate, and your hardworking spirit is always inspiring. everything you say is profound and you know just what to say to help bolster others up and keep them going; i love you lots!!

ICKY- ICARUS MY LOVE,, you’ve got such a kind soul and your worldbuilding?? astounding, i always look forward to anything you pull out, lore characters thoughts boom, including anything not even related to tsw. you know how to make everything a lot of fun, and you’re also dearly considerate of everyone!! you’ve got a really kind soul and you deserve a lot, i hope to help you feel safe and loved and be a fun presence in return. i love you lots, and i look forward to seeing where we’ll go in 2019!

and last, to my dearest friend with whom i parted ways with this 2018-- you probably aren’t reading this, but. i still miss you, a lot. i hope life has been treating you well, and i’ve been working harder at bettering my own! you still keep me going, even if you’re not here. satake has had his happy ending, and ondrej has long made peace as well, so. don’t worry about them, and i hope you’re not worrying too much about me! we’ll see each other again one day, i’m sure of it!

so, this year’s been super tough, but i’ve grown and learned a lot and i’m really happy with how far i’ve come. i look forward to moving ahead in the new year, seeing just how much further i’ll go, and getting so many more chances to love all my friends, make new ones, learn and grow alongside everyone. life sure is tough but, it’s thanks to all the fun and kind and wonderful people in this world that help make it worth living and exciting! thanks for sticking around with me for so long, and i wish all of you a happy new year!!

[madfox89]

Sorry for the lateness of this post, life got in the way. Also thanks for everyone who read, liked and reblogged my first story!

For @flashfictionfridayofficial’s prompt, I decided to write one in the world of my WIP The Champion. This takes place a couple years before the book starts.

The Funeral

Word count: 957

Lyla has only ever known how strong magic was, felt it grow stronger each passing day, creeping like vines up the side of a house until it reached the roof. But today she understood how magic must have felt back then, how utterly powerless it was.

She had failed to choose between him and her father, and now she watched as her father was placed on a funeral pyre. The other assassins gathered behind her, here to honour their leader. The air felt thick, their tension was palpable. She knew what they wanted to know; if she would take her father’s place as Head of the Assassins.

When the last of the pyre was built, Lyla approached it. She looked at her father one last time, studying his grey skin and his near white hair. She clutched the gold encased amulet around her neck, feeling the hum of magic coursing through it and her. With a flick of her hand and a murmured spell, she watched as the green shimmer of her own magic sparked a fire that quickly engulfed the pyre, burning away her father’s flesh and charring his bones.

After a moment, she turned to the Assassins, who watched her with emotionless and calculating eyes. “My father told me that when he was a young man, magic couldn’t be used for more than mere parlour tricks that belonged in travelling acts and devious witches. He said that the great acts of the wizards and sorcerers of old were considered myth and legend. But now we know they are truth, we have seen those with magic shake the earth and move boulders and summon fire from thin air. He said magic was growing stronger every day, and I know you have all felt that, and so I have. The magic I knew as a girl when my father summoned flames in his hands is nothing to the magic we know now.”

She looked over at the pyre, where the smoke was crawling into the sky in dark angry fumes. It reminded her of how angry her father was before he passed, how his usually calm demeanour was shattered by a furious rage she had never seen before.

She turned back to the assassins. “Even though my father is dead, his rumoured successor in hiding, this is not the end. I have stood by my father’s side ever since he started training me in the art of magic, and I know what he dreamed for this organization to become- to not just operate in Convera, but also in Viare. It was his dream to have blades in every major city in the world, to influence just not the politics of Convera’s lords, but of the kings and holy men of Viare.”

She paused, spotting at the back of the crowd a familiar face. She stared at him, wondering why he was here. Esben noticed she was staring and gave her a smile that seemed to say everything from “I’m sorry” to “I love you”. A part of her wanted to smile back, but she couldn’t. How could she smile at her father’s murderer?

She tried to collect herself, aware of the silence weighing down on her. She had to continue with the speech she had rehearsed for hours before the funeral. Yet, a part of her wished to run back to the fine beaches that was home for her naive romances, to lean against him and feel his heartbeat under her fingers. Instead of the smell of smoke that lingered around them, she could smell sea salt on the warm breeze, mixing with the lingering sweetness of strawberries on her tongue.

Lyla’s hand went to her amulet her father had given her on her sixteenth birthday. It marked the beginning of her training, and she remembered how she first felt it hum with magic in her hands. It was her childhood dream come true, despite what her mother said: that girls weren’t allowed to practice magic.

It hummed in her iron grip now, and she knew she didn’t have a choice in this. She had a duty to her family, to her father and mentor. She would be sure to not fail him again. Lyla cleared her throat and continued, “I am prepared to give everything, even my life, to see this dream become reality, and I ask you to stand by me as we complete my father’s vision.”

His smile disappeared, and Lyla looked over the gathered assassins. “Will you stand with me?” She asked.

“We will,” an older man stepped forward. She smiled, recognizing the man as one of the senior assassins. “We stood by your father, and we will stand by you to see his vision completed.”

Her smile widened as more stepped forward and pledged to help her complete her father’s vision. The magic flowing through the amulet buzzed, sending a tingling sensation through her, reminding her of the strength of magic. Her father may have never been able to fulfill this dream, but she was stronger than him, wielding magic that was stronger than it was in his youth. She would succeed where he failed to remedy her previous failure.

Though she fought against it, her eyes scanned the back of the crowd once more, trying to find Esben’s face. Her shoulders slumped when she saw he was no longer there, disappearing just as quickly as he appeared.

She couldn’t smell the burning flesh or taste the ash that rained down on them. She only tasted sweet strawberries from his lips and smelt ocean salt that lingered in his hair.

The tears falling down her face was not for the dead man burning behind her, but the life she would never live.

[monster-mum]

Sorry, not sorry

Trying to be kind, helpful and respectful in an ever-growing world can seem like a difficult task at times. There are many out there who wouldn’t give someone else’s well-being a second thought but for many of us it is second nature. Growing up me and Andrew regularly saw our parents reaching out and helping others. Not huge extravagant things but the little things like holding the door open for a Mum struggling with a pushchair, or giving up their seat to the elderly lady on the train or seeing a stranger upset and going over to see if they were okay. I can remember one time, when I was around fourteen years old, the four of us were heading out in the car when we noticed an elderly gentleman struggling with his shopping while trying to cross a busy main road. Suddenly he dropped his shopping and it spilled out all over the pavement and road. Without a word to each other our Dad pulled over and our Mum jumped out of the car to go and assist the man. This was just the normal thing for me and Andrew to see our parents do and so as we’ve grown into adults we both go out of our way to follow in their footsteps. I think it is a good thing to put a little kindness out into the world when and where we can, sometimes just that one moment can turn someone’s day around. Have you ever read that book ‘The Five People You Meet in Heaven’ By Mitch Albom? If you haven’t you really should. It is a book of influence and has changed many people’s perspective on interactions with others. It’s a fantastic read. I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of one person’s act of kindness the other day and I was so grateful.

There I am on my own with my tiniest monster who has decided that he despises Tesco’s with a passion and screams bloody murder from the entrance of the shop and down every single aisle. Half way down the shop it’s beginning to wear thin and I’m contemplating either ending the shopping trip and coming back later or cutting my ears off. Just as I am about to give in and head over to the kitchenware aisle a lady comes over and offers to carry the little gremlin so I can finish the shopping. I couldn’t believe it. I stood and stared at her for far too long, she must’ve thought I had been frozen in time with a freeze gun (totes real thing). Eventually I responded with an enthusiastic “Yes, please!”

There is this misconception with many people that parents enjoy the sound of their children screaming, like it’s a beautiful symphony. The fact of the matter is we hate it so fricking much. It is like a screwdriver to the brain for most parents. If anyone wants a screaming, tantruming child to sit down and be quiet the parents are at the top of that list. I never really understood how stressful a screaming child could really be until our little banshee Lyla Rose arrived into the word with a series of loud screams.

Lyla is a beautiful, strong, independent, fierce character. A wonderful array of personality traits for any young girl to have, unless you are the parent of said young girl. Teaching manners and respect to a child that was born knowing all the answers can be somewhat a challenge.

Set scene: I’m in the kitchen with Lyla, having just set down her lunch I begin tidying bits away.

Lyla: “Mummy can I have a drink please?”

Me: “Sure.”

I pour her drink and set it down in front of her, I wait patiently for the thank you which should follow. Lyla glances at me and gives me a look that demands “why are you looking at me servant?”

Me: “Lyla, what do you say?”

Lyla: “You’re welcome.”

Me: “No Lyla, I’m supposed to say you’re welcome.”

Lyla: “Then what do YOU say Mummy?”

Me: “Lyla you’re supposed to say thank you.”

Lyla: “Why? I’ve already said you’re welcome, which you are supposed to say Mummy. You need to have better manners.”

What! I mean seriously where do you go from here. Knowing that I have lost this round I walk away. Lyla: 2,352 points. Me: 1 and a half points. Yes, I have just been schooled and outwitted by my four-year-old. It happens to the best and the worst of us, and to me and Chris on a regular basis.

I think teaching children respect can be particularly difficult. Many parents desperate to step away from the “seen and not heard” parenting style, and not wanting to go too far towards the “free rein” style, are stuck bouncing between the two trying to find a balance. I’d like to tell you that I have all the answers and I know the exact right way to go about it but I struggle to call the right child by the right name let alone be able to give any decent parenting advice. A lot of parenting involves guess work, attempting to not sound like your own parents but sounding exactly like them and learning to adapt to how tired you are. That’s something no one really tells you when you have a child. Many new parents are aware that you are tired for a while after having a baby and that is true, but the misunderstanding occurs when they believe that you manage to catch up on all the sleep you miss. I’m sorry to tell you all but that never happens, yep never. You simply adjust to being tired and with each consecutive child you just adjust to being even more tired.

Trying to teach my kids respect seems to be particularly challenging. Our dog is better trained than our kids. I have tried to get the kids to respond to a whistle and for an hour it worked, I did treat based training and our spaniel joined in too. The three of them had a ball. I was feeling pretty chuffed with myself and was getting a bit cocky at the thought of outsmarting all those parenting books. Surely this was just a type of positive reinforcement. It was all going well until it wasn’t and that is a common theme in parenting. This happens a lot with children, you think you are on the home straight and there’s no way you can lose and then out of nowhere you get hit with a curve ball and you’re out.

Set scene: I’ve just sat down to do some writing. Lachlan is having some ‘beat the crap out of my toys’ time in his play gym. Steven and Lyla are off in another part of the house shouting and trashing whichever room they’re in when suddenly they quietly appear. Steven walks in with his IPad.

Me: “Steven what are you doing?”

Steven: Playing the role of a film director his attitude is of someone creating a piece of art as he points the iPad at me. “I am making a film Mummy.”

It’s about 1 in the afternoon and I am still in my pj’s. My hair looks like a family of birds has been nesting in it and I’m pretty sure I have some left-over breakfast down my top, so I am sure you’ll appreciate how little I wanted this moment in my life documented on my son’s iPad. He is also the type of child who enjoys showing anyone and everyone anything and everything he has done so it undoubtedly would’ve been halfway around the village before dinner time.

Me: “Steven, I don’t want to be videoed, please stop.”

Steven: Looks like I am “The Man” tearing down his right to a creative vision. “Fine Mummy, I’ll film Lachlan.”

I glance down at Lachlan and notice that he is in his favourite sleeping at gunpoint position and is out for the count. Just as I am about to ask him not to film Lachlan, Steven and Lyla shove their heads under the play gym and are practically nose to nose with the poor boy.

Lyla: “Aww Lachlan you’re so chuubbbyyyyy!”

Lyla has heard us say this a few times to Lachlan and has decided it is a term of endearment, which it is for a baby, but when you’re sat with your four-year-old on your lap cuddling into you and she says “Aww Mummy you’re so chubby” it doesn’t have quite the same sentiment.

Lachlan jumps out of his skin and opens his eyes and then jumps again at the sight of his big brother’s and sister’s faces that are about a centimetre away from his own. The next thing he sees is Steven’s blue covered IPad in his face.

Me: “Hey! Guys! Come on, Lachlan was asleep.” Lachlan pulls his sad face and I look at the login screen on my laptop, so close yet so far, and close the lid.

The kids stand up and pull their ‘sorry but not sorry faces’. You know the ones I mean where they don’t really care but they know that if they play the part they can get away quicker and with little to no lecture.

Me: “Please be more aware of others. You could see that he was sleeping and you just woke him up. That’s not nice is it?”

They Shake their heads “no Mummy.”

Okay this is looking like it’s going well. I am parenting my arse off and they seem to be actually taking it on board for a change. Feeling like I’ve done an awesome job I mentally pat myself on the back as I tell them to just be more mindful in the future and to go have fun and play. Then…

Steven: “Mummy, before I go can I just take a photo of you with two heads?”

Urgh! They fooled me again. Dammit. I need to start being more suspicious of my little monsters. I tell them both to go play and no, Steven cannot take a photo of me with two heads. I look down at my tiniest monster who by now has fallen asleep with a smile on his face as he listened to his brother and sister getting told off, he’s probably going to be the worst out of all three of them.

The lack of respect at times is infuriating but I guess even them learning to humour the idea of it is better than nothing at times, they just need to get better at humouring for a bit longer than three seconds.