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#the dogs fans just like 'wait what about the other kids?' & pies fans like 'what a beautiful man taking all his kids in the car with him'
snowviolettwhite · 6 months
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Spent today working on the mood-board for my upcoming 9-1-1 Alternative Universe Fan-Fiction Set In 2011. Making moodboard and doing interested boards help inspire me and get ideas flowing. So I want to share it. Look how adorable teenage Buck, Eddie and Shannon are. They look so young, little cutie pies.
It will be called "don't have to be sorry for leaving and growing up." It is from Harry Style's Matilda.
Below is what I have written so far, it is still in the works. You can also check out my 9-1-1: Lone Star Fan-Fiction.
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Set in the early 2010s with barely eighteen and barely out of high school Buck and Eddie running away from home to California and joining the fire academy and eventually joining the 118. Eddie would bring baby Christopher with him. Eddie's parent did not think he was mature and adult enough to take care of Chris as a 20-something year old, so is would be even worse for teenagers, people who are transiting from childhood/teenage-hood to young adulthood and still being treated like kids.
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It is June of 2011. The schools wide across the nation are all out for summer vacation from Hershey, Pennsylvania to El Paso, Texas.
Evan Buckley is the blonde, blue eye rascal who is always getting hurt and in trouble. He is the baby of the family but the only person who has ever paid attention to him is his big sister Maddie.
Edmundo Diaz is the young teen dad who got his best friend and girlfriend pregnant. He is the middle child and was the sane one compared to sisters until now.
They say if you want to be treated like an adult act like an adult. How are supposed to act like an adult at eighteen years old, haven’t been out of high school even a month, being dragged home by the cops and being scolded at the front door or being yelled in your childhood bedroom. Sometimes this makes you want to run away.     
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It is June of 2011.
The city of El Paso, Texas school district has let for summer break and held graduation for this year’s high school seniors, they are no longer twelfth graders.
They are adults or as much as one can feel like an adult at eighteen years old, and silently sobbing in your childhood bedroom, hugging your worn-out stuffed animal dog with your back pressed against the door, trying not to wake your napping infant son who in his crib as your mother is yelling at you.
“Edmundo Diaz, you are in so much trouble young man. Open this door right now! You live under in my house. You live by my rules and aren’t too old to be put over my knees. Just wait until your father gets home. I can’t do deal with you.”
Edmundo Diaz or Eddie as he prefers being called was a good catholic boy. He never misbehaved or caused trouble but a little too soft, that was until Shannon showed up. They met in the eighth grade. They became best friends and were inseparable until they lose touch but found their way back to each other. She introduced herself being all sweet and friendly. She was sunshine. His family hated Shannon. They said she was a bad influence on him and he started acting different after meeting her. She was his first kiss, his first girlfriend, this first time. Good catholic boys wait until marriage, she is his first and only.
Shannon will back soon, she is visiting colleges in California. When she comes back they will make a plan for themselves and for their beautiful baby boy, Christopher. For now, he has been having never ending fights with his parents. It is about how stupid he was getting a girl pregnant while still in high school and a teenager or how he needs to toughen up or grow up. It is kind of hard to grow up when nobody goes around hiring eighteen-year-old and your parents are still treating you like a child.
“Edmundo, how could you let this happen? You and Shannon are still kids. You are barely able to take care of yourselves. How are you supposed to take care of a baby?”
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Inspired By This Photo:
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thatslikely · 4 years
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Fireball - F.W.
Fireball- Fred Weasley x fem!reader (unspecified house)
Warnings: food and allusions to sex
Word Count: 3k
A/N: did I go overboard? yes. do I want to go to an amusement park with Freddie? yes.
Just a reminder: Y/N is Your Name and Y/L/N is Your Last Name
Taglist: @amourtentiaa @probably-peeves @anchoeritic @theweasleytwinsgirl @horrorxweasley 
if you wanted to be added, send me a dm or ask!
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“Sweetheart, have you got everything all packed up? I hope you didn’t accidentally pack any Canary Creams this time!” Fred jested from the room across the hall of the Burrow as you eagerly stuffed various waterproof jackets, sticky bottles of sunscreen that smelled pungently of hot summer afternoons spent loitering by the lake, and stacks of Muggle ‘cash’ into a small backpack.
“I think so. And do you really have to bring up that one time every time I’m in charge of snacks?” Zipping up the pockets of the sack, you gave it a satisfactory pat. 
“Don’t worry, I thought you still looked cute, even as a bright yellow birdie.” You were helpless to stop your eyes from rolling in your skull with a sarcastic grumble.
As Fred sauntered over to you, arms extended and ready to give you a bear hug, you extolled, “are you excited? Your first time at an amusement park!” His muscular arms tightly wrapped around yours’; so tightly, in fact, that you lifted off the ground, still wrapped his playful yet loving embrace like a familiar blanket of comfort. The shirt handsomely draped over his figure smelled like home; of the common room after the crackling fireplace ceased, the deserted aisles of a fluorescent convenient store at midnight, burnt popcorn kernels smoking from the microwave. 
“Of course I’m excited, Y/N. You’ve only blabbered about this place since the beginning of time. It better live up to the stories you’ve told!” he said cheerfully into your ear, his warm breath fanning your face, causing electric shocks of thrill to pang every one of your nerves. 
“Today’s gonna be so much fun!” Your chest fluttered as Fred gently set you down like a prized china doll, throwing the stuffed backpack over his broad shoulders.
“I hope the fun carries over into tonight, too.” Fred painted a devilishly handsome suggestive smirk on his features, barely fighting off the urge to buckle your knees with his signature wink.
“Oh shove off, Freddie!” you giggled as you friskily swatted your boyfriend’s bicep. “Let’s just focus on the park for now, we can worry about that later.”
His intoxicating lips pressed a small peck to your forehead before he asked, “You ready to go have the best day ever with your impossibly amazing, handsome, clever, boyfriend?”
“Yes, Fred,” you smiled as he unsheathed his spiky-handled wand, “yes!”
With a quick, pickle-jar-lid pop! you and Fred were instantly engrossed in the eye of a large crowd of joyous Muggle families scurrying around in circles reminiscent of the windy spirals of a cyclone. Most grinning adults had a tiny, chubby hand gripped in their palm, and most of the bubbly kids had a drippy strawberry popsicle in theirs’. 
The familiar plaza surrounding you flooded your heart with comfort and security. Wheeled food stands with bright, enthusiastic neon signs formed street-like pathways; the distant screams from speedy roller coaster riders melded with the thematic music echoing from speakers.
“We’re here!” you squealed, running over to a stand to grab a neatly labeled map of the park, despite knowing its layout like the back of your hand. Fred had been prone to getting lost before, especially in non-magical places, such as malls or airports (We have a lost boy named Fred Weasley, lost at gate thirty-six, and he’s looking for his, er- significant other, Y/N Y/L/N. He’s sixteen years old, quite tall, and has bright red hair, impossible to miss. Please come pick him up at the travel counter, thank you). You were tempted to tease him as you handed him the map, but considering the high possibility he had some sort of prank secretly stashed on his person, you wouldn’t dare risk it.
Fred uttered a “whoa,” as he took in his surroundings with enchanted, curious umber eyes, “this place is absolutely wicked.” His gaze then downturned, scanning the map, intently awaiting the vibrant, printed graphics to spring to life like pamphlets in the Wizarding World do.
“The map’s not going to start moving, if that’s what you’re waiting for, silly,” you teased, pointing to your location on the detailed unfolded brochure. 
“Pfft, I knew that.” His insincere arrogance didn’t help to conceal the slight pink tone that heated his cheeks at all. Pure-blood wizards were truly an enigma.
You ignored his unsuccessful cover-up with an expression that screamed, ‘yeah, right’, as you explained to him (a bit condescendingly) like a schoolchild, “we’re right here, at the entrance. There’s a list of the rides, bathrooms, shops, and places to eat off to the side.”
The blazing sun overhead coated your surroundings with tepid, dandelion-hued light, and the relaxed summer breeze softly ruffled your flowy strands of hair, as well as Fred’s. He quickly combed through his fiery mane with his fingers, a smirk quirking his lips at the promise of so many exciting things to do and see.
“We’re gonna start off with my favorite ride ever: The Fireball.”
Fred dropped his jaw to respond, but you wasted no time maneuvering to the beloved orange scream-producer. You hastily snatched his large hand before weaving him through the cluster of people, scuttling towards a looming bright, tiger-orange arc towering above everything in the distance: the peak of the Fireball. The Fireball was the single best roller coaster ever constructed: its seats were comfortable and secure, its extensive track was fluid and fast, and the excellently paired loops and corkscrews were enough to spark terror in even the bravest riders.
You had been savoring the thrill of the beloved flame-colored coaster for as long as your crown had finally surpassed the minimum-height indicating green line on the sign before its intimidating crimson gates so many years ago. 
Tears streamed horizontally across your face, a painful, open-mouthed smile etched onto your features. Screamed giggles echoed from your toothy mouth as you firmly gripped the bar in front of you, letting the rapid twists and turns of the coaster envelop you wholly. By the time the track had slowed and looped back to the station, your head was spinning, allowing you to barely think, let alone walk. Your hair was fluffed out like a bird’s nest but you couldn’t care less. All you knew was, you had to ride Fireball again.
No other coaster could even dream to compete with the beast of an attraction; it drew you in like a magnet, and hadn’t let you go since. Every other ride just felt inexplicably off in a way that even the most eloquent weren’t capable of articulating. And you finally got to share your favorite coaster with the person you undoubtedly love the most: Fred.
“Freddie, are you ready to go on the best roller coaster of all time? It’ll blow your mind!” you excitedly asked, pulling him towards the coaster’s spaghetti-twisted track. The look of pure bliss that exuded from your body was so, so difficult to say no to. There was something so child-like about your pupil’s vivacious glow; it reminded him of the days so long ago when his biggest stressor was whether he should pull a prank on an unsuspecting Ron or Percy next. 
But an equally childish emotion struck his heart: fear. Fred Weasley feared nothing. A furious Umbridge, maniacal Dark Wizards, and even speedy rogue Bludgers wouldn’t even make him flinch. A roller coaster however, was different. Whether it was the sketchy-looking track held together by metal bolts, the loopty-loop that he would surely fall out of, or the fact that it was made by hands, not magic, inexplicable waves of nervousness flooded his body, causing his heart to boom faster and louder in his chest and his palms to condensate with sweat.
“Hey, uh, angel, it’s actually getting pretty hot, don’t ya think? Why don’t we go have some ice cream first, my treat?” Fred nervously asked, an unshakable stutter in his words. He delved into his pocket, revealing fistfull of bills and coins, eagerly looking for an ice cream stand. “I hope you know where the ice cream is?”
“‘Course I do, Freddie. The best cones are this way, follow me.” You giddily guided the lanky ginger through twists and turns, passing a multitude of fun (and tamer) rides Fred had never seen before. At long last, the two of you reached a small, dark and light blue-striped stand with a snowman holding a cone of strawberry deliciousness hung out front. The best ice cream in the whole park.
While the prospect of romantically sharing a cone of ice cream with Fred sounded tooth-rottingly sweet, the both of you were a tad too stubborn to be willing to share a single frozen treat. He did generously give you a lick of his drippy strawberry cone, however, and you relented to his pitiful puppy-dog eyes and quivering lip, letting him have a bite of yours’.
The ice cream almost instantaneously sent Fred back to summers at the Burrow when he was still equally adorable, but a far cry from who he was now. He was short, only an inch or two taller than Ron, his grin was crooked, and the bridge of his nose was dotted with bright orange freckles. Every cherished summer afternoon was spent slashing in the creek, throwing mud pies at Percy, digging up worms in the dirt, and daring Ron to bite into a cattail to see what it tasted like (that didn’t end well).
Once the delicious cream safely resided in your stomachs, you eagerly asked if the vermillion-haired boy across from you was ready to go on the ride of his life. When he responded with an inscrutable expression, the trips of his ears pricking with nervousness, you added persuasively, “c’mon Freddie, the line’s gonna get long if we wait much longer. The park’s filling up fast.” 
“Hey! I have an idea. Instead of waiting in a boring line that’ll take forever,” -he exaggerated each syllable- “I could try to win you a prize at one of those booths over there. How does a giant teddy sound?” The grin on his face was impossible to renounce.
“Only if I get to play too. We’ll see whether you’re gonna be the one lugging around a huge stuffed bear!” 
Fred yanked you to the nearest carnival game like an eager golden retriever, which evidently was a vibrant water gun race. The object of the game was to position your water gun to hit the target perfectly, and whoever held the jet until the quota was filled won. 
Fred slapped a few bills onto the counter proudly, and the Muggle worker eyed him confusedly, before handing back a stack of greens to Fred. “It’s only five to play, sir.”
Fred took the vacant stool to the right to you, eyes glued on the prize: a large, bubble-gum pink teddy bear. Before he could even learn how to play, the bell rang, and water spewed out of the guns in front of you. Easily, you lined up the stream to the orange target before you, causing varicolored lights to flash and spiral., clashing the darkening sky above. Fred, however, wasn’t so lucky; he accidentally drenched the less-than-happy carny’s clownish uniform. The dripping employee sharply handed you the teddy before grumbling for the both of you to leave, preferably immediately.
“Ha! I won!” you boasted, rubbing the plushie in Fred’s amused face as you walked hand-in-hand past coasters and rides. He chucked before grabbing it from your hands, offering, “I’ll hold your prize for you, Miss Champion-water-gunner.”
“Okay, let’s go ride a coaster! I’m sure you know which one I wanna ride by now.” However, Fred was still nervous as ever. He’d never admit it, so naturally, he came up with every possible excuse. 
“I- erm, why don’t we go ride that spinny one over there?” 
“The carousel? That’s a toddler’s ride!”
“If I want to ride a horse-y, I will ride a horse-y!” Fred swooped you up in his arms, carrying you to the roped-off queue bridal-style while you flailed your arms, your face reddening with embarrassment.
In the blink of an eye, you found yourself seated on a jewel-embellished caramel horse, one of your hands gripped onto the golden pole lifting your pony up and down in a galloping motion. Your other hand was intertwined with Fred’s, who was perched on a mahogany horse draped in orange and green carpets and tassels beside you. Astonishment swam in his cocoa pools; his toe tapped in the stirrup to the old-fashioned circus music playing, he fiddled with the plastic emeralds of the horse’s bit, and he gave you the most innocent, heart-melting grin you’ve ever seen.
Once the bejeweled horses’ hopping halted, and the melodic recording of the march slowly faded, the sun crept below the horizon, granting the prussian blue air a chilly nip; it looked as if a Monet painting were suspended above the millions of flashing cabochon bulbs. 
“Freddie, it's getting dark. We have time for probably one more ride,” you said, not failing to note the lively glow drain from Fred’s rosy cheeks and faint saffron freckles.“What’s wrong?”
“I uhh… I didn’t want to tell you this before, but…” -he scratched the nape of his neck with furrowed brows- “I’m scared of roller coasters.” Fred cracked a nervous side-mouthed smile. “Something about it just… I feel like I’m gonna fall out!”
“Oh, Freddie, I had no idea,” you said apologetically, resting your hand on his flanneled shoulder. The coruscating glow of the kaleidoscopic lights highlighted the fearful darting of his pupils.
“I wanna ride Fireball, it looks sick, but I’m more scared than I’d care to admit.” 
“Here it’s okay, we can go on a smaller coaster if you want. Rocket’s always a classic, too,” you suggested, gesturing towards a short, blue and silver arch suffused in colorful carnival irradiance.
“No, I need to face my fear! Let’s go ride Fireball, darling. No buts!” Fred ushered you towards the Fireball, despite not having a clue about where it’s spaghetti bowl of track was grounded.
“It’s just like riding a broom! More safe, actually.” Fred lifted the chains of the queue for the both of you to mischievously slip under; you were pleasantly surprised to see the line was relatively short. 
“Oh by the way, you better not tell anyone that I, Fred Weasley, star Quidditch player and most popular student, actually can get scared, or expect a foul prank in your future.” Fred embraced you with a hug from behind, not shy of showing some more risque displays of affection to the other teenaged riders to cement the unwavering fact that you were his, and only his.
“Well someone doesn’t seem so nervous anymore,” you teased, poking his chiseled chest playfully.
“What can I say? You’re too distracting.”
You gave him a sarcastic simper as you pulled him by the collar closer and closer to the loading station which was packed with workers and thrill-seekers alike. Fred continued to stay tricksy, a permanent smug smirk upturning his lips as his hands stayed glued to your body, in one place or another.
At long last, the mechanical locking of lap bars and revving of coaster-cars stiffened the slightly cocky Weasley (his nervous form reminded you oddly enough of a breadstick). You gave him more compassionate touches of affection, combing your fingers through his messy hair and tracing small circles on his back, humming.
When the menacing silver gates opened, allowing the two of you to climb inside the fire-truck red carts, Fred looked as if he would explode at any given moment. You grabbed his large, defined hand, your thumb soothingly rubbing vertical strokes on his metacarpal. Fred’s knees were nearly level with your chest once he was securely seated; the lap bar was generous with your wiggle room, but you didn’t mind, as long as Fred felt safe.
Fred’s hand’s grip was tight on yours’; you could feel his heart pump through each of his branchy veins rapidly. He asked seconds before the train was off to slowly climb the first daunting hill, “promise me you won’t let go?”
“I’ll never let you go, promise.”
The next approximately two minutes of ride time were a fantastic blur, just as magical as anything the Wizarding World had to offer. Streaks of golden lights shone around snippets of swirling orange tracks that subjected your body to addicting G force. Your weightless figure flew up and down serpent-esque hills and valleys, you were firmly pressed into your seat, hair hanging down in a flame shape on loopty-loops, and on corkscrews you swear your insides were rearranged.
As promised, you didn’t let go of Fred, in fact the opposite. On the first steep drop, he mustered the courage to hold your intertwined fingers above his head as he emitted a bellowing scream of raw pleasure. He submitted to the following expertly engineered twists and turns, letting his lanky body swish and fly at the mercy of the ride. It felt like a fierce match of Quidditch to him, except for the fact that his eyes were scrunched closed with joy, not open and alert for Bludgers. 
Once Fireball came to an impossibly speedy ending, reality smacked you like a bus. As you got up from your seat to exit the dock, your legs wobbled and shook due to the copious amounts of adrenaline coursing through your veins. You concernedly surveyed Fred, who graciously supported you out of the station.
You peeled your awe tingling lips open to ask how he felt, and almost physically, he uttered a single, “wicked!” 
“How could I have been ever scared of that? I feel like my bones are shaking inside of me!” he managed to exuberantly smile. He swished his arms back and forth pure joy flooding through him, prickling at his every nerve.
“I’m so glad you had fun, Freddie.”
“Thanks for helping me, y’know, have fun, let loose. I feel alive in a way I never have before, it’s insane!”
“I think we may be able to squeeze in one more ride. Wanna go for round 2?”
Fred pressed a rough, passionate kiss to your unsuspecting lips, his electric taste overwhelming you, coating every inch of yourself with red-hot desire, a new and welcome sensation that would linger for weeks.
“You know it.”
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noladyme · 4 years
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xo - Red (A Clark Kent/Superman oneshot)
Just a really funny; warm; kind; built like an Olympic athlete, with perfect lips friend? Tag-list: @wolf-lover-bookdragon @wonderlandfandomkingdom​
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TW: Fluff. So much fluff. Explosions.
Fifth date. Things were supposed to happen, right? I mean, at least a kiss; other than a peck on the cheek. But he was a friggin’ gentleman; which I couldn’t help but be a little annoyed about; as it made it very difficult to get to the fun part of our relationship. Not that we didn’t have fun, mind you. Clark had an uncanny way of turning my frown upside down.
Ever since I’d run in to him – literally – at that coffeeshop a few months ago. I had left home early, so I wouldn’t be late for my first day at my new job, at the elementary school. I’d been so nervous about it; I hadn’t been able to fall asleep until 3 am; and was now battling exhaustion, nerves, and the fact that my new red shoes were really uncomfortable – all at the same time. I’d ordered a large black coffee; extra strong; and was on my way out the door – the sun in my eyes – when I tripped on the steps; my drink splashing out of the cup.
Suddenly; two strong hands were grabbing my shoulders; and pulling me up to stand. “Are you ok?”, a warm voice said. I looked up, and found two friendly blue eyes looking me over. “Yes, thank you”, I smiled; before noticing the large brown stain on the man’s white shirt. “Oh, crap. I am so sorry!”. He looked down himself; and smiled. “It’s fine. White isn’t my color anyway”. I laughed. “Still, I’m so sorry. Didn’t I burn you?”. The coffee had been scolding; I knew. He smirked. “I’m thick skinned”, he insisted.
He was still holding on to me; and I felt a warmth spreading in my stomach; making me short of breath. “Miss?”. His eyes suddenly looked worried. “Are you sure you’re ok?”. I smiled. “Yes, absolutely. It’s just been… a morning”. He chuckled. “Can I buy you a new cup of coffee?” I simultaneously nodded and shook my head. “Yes… no… I mean, I should buy you one; as an apology”.
He removed his hands from my shoulders; leaving me to stand on my own. “No need for an apology”, he smiled. “But I’ll take the coffee”.
We’d spent 10 minutes sipping at our hot drinks – for which he’d insisted to pay – and talking about what we did for work, and what our favorite movies were; having noticed an advertisement for some superhero movie on a passing bus. Apparently Clark wasn’t a fan of superheroes; but found it hilarious that I loved The Wizard of Oz – being from Kansas himself. Then; Clark had asked for my number, and I’d given it to him. He shook my hand, and we’d said goodbye.
The next afternoon; he’d called me, and we’d gone to see a movie – one about aliens instead of superheroes. He’d still been frowning all the way through it. “It was just really… unrealistic”, he said afterwards over a beer at a local bar near my apartment. He walked me home, declining my offer to come up for coffee; and had given me a short hug, before saying goodbye.
The next time has been a trip to an apple picking farm. “You can take the boy out of Kansas…”, I’d chuckled, as he’d carried a bushel of Granny Smith’s back to his car. “I just really like pie”, he’d smiled. He’d driven me home; and on the way there, told me about his moms pies; and how it was his favorite thing in the world – next to sweet potato fries. When he dropped me off; he leaned in, and kissed my cheek. “Goodnight”, he’d whispered; and I’d bit my lip – and hoped for more. More didn’t happen.
Then there was the quick cup of coffee on both our lunchbreaks; where I’d told him about how I’d sprained my ankle on roller-skates – 3 times in the same amount of years. He’d snorted a laugh. “Well you are kind of clumsy”, he’d said, and removed a strand of hair from my face; putting it behind my ear – before running off for a sudden work emergency.
And lastly; the roller-skating rink. Because I insisted. And he said he couldn’t say no to me. That night, he’d held my hand as we went about the floor; and grabbed my waist several times, as I was about to fall. “Careful, slick”, he’d said. “Oh, is that my nickname now?”, I’d chuckled. “No. I think I’ll call you Red. From those godawful shoes you were wearing when I met you”. It was another kiss on the cheek; and a hug that lingered, and made my knees weak. And then just… goodnight.
So yes. I was just about desperate to kiss the man. He was gorgeous; which at times had made me feel insufficient and a bit self-conscious – but then there was the way he looked at me. His eyes would light up as I talked; as if I was the most fascinating person he’d ever met. Even when our conversation was about cereal, or how one of the kids at my school had put bead up his nose. It was like his eyes drew me in; and then – as my breath would hitch, and I’d part my lips – he’d pull back as if nothing had happened.
I couldn’t help but ask myself; does he just want to be my friend? My really funny; warm; kind; built like an Olympic athlete, with perfect lips friend? I’d decided that I needed clarity on where we were going with our relationship – even if that thought did make me feel like I was living in a sad rom-com, where everyone was always talking about their feelings.
Tonight, it was dinner. Nothing fancy, just a steakhouse I’d suggested. If Clark turned out to just be in it for the apple picking and coffee; then at least I could drown my sorrows in a medium rare steak, with enough bearnaise-sauce to drown a small elephant.
Putting on my favorite jeans, black pumps, and a snug top; I waited for the call to let me know Clark was by the door on the street. He’d never been inside my apartment; and didn’t seem very interested in it either. This isn’t real, I told myself to guard my feelings against the inevitable rejection I’d have to face that evening. We’ll eat, laugh; and he’ll walk me home – and then tell me that he’s got a wife and three kids in Smallville, waiting for him to come home for game-night.
A text message made my phone light up. Hey Red. I’m late. So sorry. Be there as soon as possible. – C
Great. That gave me even more time to just hang out… and be anxious.
No worries, Kansas. See you. xo – R Send… Crap, why did I write xo? What am I; a teenager?
I sat down on my couch. Deciding I needed to pass the time doing something other than stare at the wall; I turned on the television. Landing on the news; I dropped the remote.
In Stockholm, Sweden, the building of a new sky-scraper in an old neighborhood; had made a nearby building begin to crack in the foundation. The old residential was quickly giving in; and families were being evacuated from their homes. There were firetrucks spraying water at the structure, to avoid flames from any electrical fires.
Though it was a terrible situation for those families; I was confused as to why one building falling apart half way around the world, was a breaking news story here. That was until I saw a figure at the bottom of the screen; seemingly supporting the weight of the building on his shoulders. Oh, right! That guy! The Superdude…, I chuckled to myself; and went to see if Clark had texted me back yet.
Nothing. It was probably the xo-thing. He didn’t know how to reply to that.
The news story ended when cameras filmed Superman handing a shaking and wet puppy to a little girl; who kissed his cheek in thanks. I always found it kind of neat, that the flying caped man managed to know where every camera was; so that anyone watching would find it difficult to make out his features. From what I could see; he was sort of cute. If Clark doesn’t work out; I could always throw myself of a building; and have that guy catch me. It must be lonely in that fortress of solitude; maybe he’d like some company.
A text. Outside in 5. Can’t wait to see you. xo – C
xo. He’d written xo. Right. Big girl pants on, and go talk to him.
Outside the door of my building stood Clark; a smile the size of the sun plastered across his face. My heart jumped. He opened his arms; and took me in for a hug.
“Hi, Red”, he breathed. “I’m so sorry I’m late. It was a work emergency”. “It’s fine”, I said and looked up at him; and opened my mouth to say something more – until I noticed something strange.
“Clark?”, I said. He was still holding on to me. “Yeah?”. “This is going to sound weird, but… why do you smell like wet dog?”.
He pulled back. “Yeah… I was doing a story at an animal shelter”, he said. I narrowed my eyes at him. “Let’s go!”, he said, and took my hand.
It was a beautiful night; so we decided to skip the cab, and walk the few miles to the restaurant. We walked down the street, hand in hand. It wasn’t the first time we’d held hands; but then it was because he was trying to keep me from falling. This was different. It wasn’t strange; but warm… familiar. I swallowed hard. “I want to talk to you about something, Kansas”, I said. He looked down. “You don’t want to do that at the restaurant?”, he said with a strained voice. “No, I think I need to do it now”, I answered. He nodded. “Ok. Do you want to sit down?”, he asked; and gestured at a bench on a playground we were passing.
Once seated; I let go of Clarks hand. “What’s up, Red?”, he asked earnestly. “You seem… tense”. He laughed nervously. I smiled. “I like you, Clark. A lot”, I said. “I like you too. A lot”, he smiled. I matched his nervous laughter. “It’s just… lately, I’ve been thinking. About us… and what we are”. He looked down. “Yeah, I figured we’d get to this at some point”. I nodded. “We have fun”, I said. “Like friends. But I don’t know if we both feel like this is more than that. Friendship, I mean”. He sighed. “Right. No, I get it”, he said. “You’re new in the city, and shouldn’t be settling down with anyone serious”.
I looked at him confusedly. “I’m not sure I follow”, I smiled. He took my hand. “You’re an amazing woman, Red”, he said “And I’ve enjoyed spending time with you. But maybe you’re right, and this is a good time to call it quits. If that’s what you want”. My heart fell into my stomach. “Is that what you want?”, I asked timidly. “I want you to be happy”, he said, smiling sadly. “With or without me in your life. I’d just hoped I’d have a few more dates before you came to your senses about me”.
I frowned. “Clark… you need to be clear with me here”, I said. “Are you breaking it off with me?”. He looked at me with a frown on his face. “I thought you were breaking up with me…”, he said. “You suggested that restaurant; and I thought you wanted to be in public when you did it”. I laughed. “No. I just… really like steak”, I smiled.
He exhaled with relief. “Good. Because I was lying. I really don’t want you to be happy without me…”, he said. “I mean… crap… I want you to be happy; I’d just really like to be a part of it. If you’ll have me”. I bit my lip and nodded. “I’d like that”, I said. “I thought you saw me as a friend because… you haven’t…”. I couldn’t finish the sentence. He took my hand, and tried to meet my gaze. “What? Tell me”, he said. I took a deep breath. “You haven’t kissed me”, I said; meeting his eyes for a second; before looking down in embarrassment.
He put his hand under my chin, and raised it to finally meet my eyes for real. “Red, I’ve wanted to kiss you since the moment you spilled scorching hot coffee on my least favorite shirt”, he smiled. “I was just waiting for the right time, and…”. He exhaled and took my other hand; playing with my fingers.
“My life is… complicated. The work I do; sometimes it’s dangerous”, he said. I raised an eyebrow at him. “You write fluff pieces for The Daily Planet”, I chuckled. “That too…”, he muttered and looked down.
I smiled; wanting to ease the tension. “You know, I was watching a news story while I was waiting for you”, I said. He looked up at me with questioning eyes. “Yeah?”. I chuckled. “It was about that Superman guy. He was helping some people; in Sweden I think”, I said. “I was telling myself; that if you didn’t want to see me anymore; I could always just… throw myself of a building, and he’d rescue me. Then I could hook up with him”. He laughed nervously. “What? Like a rebound?”. “More like a… third choice. If you didn’t work out”. He narrowed his eyes at me. “Only third?”, he said. I scoffed. “Have you seen Aquaman? I mean, come on!”, I grinned.
His lips tightened, and he stifled a laughter. “So… if Superman is third… and… Aquaman…”, he raised an eyebrow at me, “… is second. What does that make me?”. I sighed. “The guy I’ve been waiting months to kiss”.
He looked deep into my eyes; and my breath hitched. He put his hand on my cheek; and he leaned in close to me, stroking my temple with his thumb I brushed my nose against his; and closed my eyes, letting my lips part.
Suddenly; he pulled back. “Clark?”, I asked. His eyes were scanning the area; before they met mine again – alarmed. “Red, go home.” “What’s wrong?”, I said. “Did I say something?”.
He stood up and began backing away; his eyes again searching his surroundings. “Listen, go straight home. Don’t stop for anything. I’ll… I’ll call you when I can”. He ran around a corner, and was gone. I heard a strange woosh, and a stray cat ran from the alley he’d gone in to.
I felt suddenly cold. This was the weirdest date I’d ever had; and it hadn’t even really started. Then there was the fact that the guy I was falling head over heels for, finally said he care about me too – and then just… left. That’s it, I laughed to myself. I’m finding a really high building to jump off.
I began walking home. Slowly. I didn’t want Clark to have the pleasure of getting me to do what he wanted me to. Jerk. Not a jerk. Crap; I really like him. More than like. This is real.
I heard a crash, and then a screech; like metal being torn apart. I felt a warm gust of wind, forceful enough to make me stumble. I looked up. Was that seriously a bus flying through the air?
Another crash; this one even closer. I fell to the ground; and was scrambling to get up, when I saw a minivan sliding on its roof towards me. I got on my feet, and bean running out of the way; when something red and blue slammed into the minivan; making it alter its course. Was that?…
I ran towards my block. Red, go home. I’m going; but where are you Clark? Are you ok?
I kept running; fishing my phone out of my pocket, and dialing Clarks number. It kept ringing, but went to voicemail. Hey. This is Clark Kent. Leave me a message and I’ll get back to you… beep. Come on, Clark. I need to know you’re ok!
I redialed. Suddenly I heard a phone ringing near me. I looked into a bush; and saw… Clarks jacket? His phone was ringing in his pocket. 2 missed calls from Red – heart emoji. Damn it, Kansas. If I wasn’t so pissed at you; I might think this was really sweet. Where are you?
Screeching… a car landed on the ground 10 feet from me; the force of it throwing me to the ground again. I got up slowly; rattled from the shock.
I began running again; getting closer to my block.
Suddenly; a tank truck was blocking my path; crashing into a bus-shed. My heart was in my throat, and my chest hurt from having run so fast. I tried turning around, but a bus had crashed into an RV, blocking my path in both directions. I was trapped.
I looked up. The sky was covered in smoke from the many burning vehicles around me. The sound of a large crash made me look towards the truck. Something made the vehicle fall onto its side, and slide towards me with such speed that the shock of it made me fall.
I looked back – there was nowhere to run. In three seconds, I would be smashed between the truck and the bus.
Three… Oh God…
Two… Clark, where are you?
One.
A gush of wind; and I flew in to the air. No… I didn’t fly; I was lifted. My feet were dangling in the air; and one of my shoes fell of, landing on the ground hundreds of feet below me. Someone was holding on to me; his strong arms around my waist; and my chest pressed to his – which was adorned with a red S on a yellow background. What?
I let out a terrified whimper. “It’s ok. I’ve got you”, a warm voice said. I looked up into my saviors face. “Clark?”, I gasped. “Hi”, he said with a crooked smile. I opened my mouth to say something. “Don’t speak…”, he said. “The air is kind of thin up here”.
I looked down; and realizing how far up in the air we were, I panicked. I wrapped my arms around his neck and let out a weak squeal. “It’s ok, Red”, he chuckled. “I won’t let you fall”.
He set me down on the top of a building a few miles from the explosions. Once on stable ground, he held on to me for a second; making sure my legs would carry me. I stepped backwards, holding my hand up in front of me. “Y-you…”, I stuttered. He looked at me apologetically. “I know. I should have told you. It’s just… complicated”. He tried to smile.
I stumbled; and fell to my bottom. He took a tentative step forward. “I know. I get it. You’re scared”, he said. I shook my head. “No… it’s… you!”, I said.
He reached his hand out to me. “Please, let me help you up”. I gave him my hand; and he gently raised me to my feet. “Are you ok?”, he smiled. I simultaneously shook my head and nodded. “Yes?”. It was almost a question. He sniggered.
Suddenly I began laughing – the ridiculousness of the situation too comical. “I was supposed to fall off a building; not land on it”, I chuckled. He began laughing with me. “Yeah, I must have gotten those two mixed up”, he said. “It’s like I’ve said; I can’t say no to you”.
I sighed, and gently laid a hand on the S on his chest. “So… what now?”, I asked. He smiled. “I really want to continue what we started on that bench”. I chuckled and bit my lip. “Ok”.
He slid his arms around me – his tall and broad frame almost enveloping me – and I melted into his arms. His face came close to mine; and the last thing I saw before I closed my eyes; where his striking blue ones, boring deep into me.
He tensed up; and when I opened my eyes again, he was frowning, and turning his head, as if listening.
“I’m so sorry, Red; but I have to finish this”, he said. Another gush of wind; and he was gone. “Seriously?!”, I yelled after him.
I made my way down the skyscraper Clark had left me on; where I was met by the sirens of police cars, and people pointing at the sky. I was out of danger – I knew – but no less rattled. I was wearing a pump on one foot, and limping barefoot on the other; until I simply gave up; and took off the shoe – throwing it in a trashcan.
I walked all the way home; confused and dizzy. On my block, people were standing in the streets, murmuring to each other; and looking at the fires in the distance. It was as if there was line drawn through the city. On one side; havoc, and crashed cars – on the other, where I was… nothing. It was as if nothing had been touched.
One of my neighbors tried to stop me in the doorway; noticing the shell-shocked look on my face, and my bare feet. “Were you in that? Are you ok”, he asked. I shook my head. “I’m fine. It’s nothing”, I smiled.
I stumbled into my apartment; threw my jacket on the floor, and grabbed a beer from the fridge – plopping down on the couch.
Well… that was something…
Without anything else to do, I took a large swig of my beer; and turned on the television.
“… explosions in downtown Metropolis this evening; as terrorists connected to the incarcerated Lex Luthor, placed explosives on multiple vehicles, throughout the city…”
Footage of explosions, and scenes of police cars and firetrucks racing down the streets.
“… no casualties, due to the quick intervention of the group calling themselves The Justice League…”
A man who looked like Robocop, pointed at the camera, and the screen blurred. There was a flash of red; and just after it, footage of a group of men captured by a shiny lasso, held by a woman dressed like a Greek goddess. A burning building was drowned in water; and a smirking longhaired man – still hot… – was yelling booyah’s at it.
“… headed by the Batman; and Metropolis’ own Superman…”
I saw the Gotham Knight shaking hands with…
It was Clark. It was always him.
There was a knock at my door. When I opened it Clark stood outside. Not red and blue Superman – just my Clark; dressed in jeans; a plaid flannel; and wearing his glasses.
“Hi”, he said. “Hi”, I answered. “I brought you something”. He pulled out my black pump; the one I had dropped from the air. I chuckled. “Great, now I just need the other one”. He pulled out the other one as well. “It might smell a little. It was laying in a trashcan”. I took the shoes from his hands, and half smiled at him. “I have something of yours as well”, I said, and gave him back his phone, from my jacket on the floor. “Thanks”, he said. “The suit doesn’t really have pockets”.
He clenched his jaw. “Can I come in?”, he asked. I stepped aside, and he walked into my combined kitchen/living room. “You have a nice place”, he smiled. “Thanks”, I said quietly; as I closed the door behind him. His large frame seemed to fill the entire space. “Do you want a beer?”, I asked. He looked at me warmly. “Yeah, sure”. I handed him a cold one. “You can sit down”, I said. “Unless… you pulled a muscle flying me through the sky”.
He chuckled at me, and sat down on my couch. “No, I’m fine”, he smiled. I raised a brow; and sat down on the couch with him – leaving some space between us. “Right; you can lift buildings and stuff like that”, I muttered.
He exhaled, and took a swig of his beer. “Yeah… about that”, he began. “I was going to tell you”. “Why?”, I muttered. “It seems like something pretty big. I get why you’d want to keep it private. Have a… secret identity”.
He frowned. “I wanted to tell you, because I care about you. And I want you to be a part of my life… all of it”. I met his eyes. “Really”. I bit my lip. “You… care”, I said. He reached for my hand; and I let him take it. Our fingers linked into each other. “You’re funny; smart; passionate”, he said. “And you’re beautiful”.
I scrunched up my face in embarrassment. “Ok, now I’m uncomfortable”. “Why?, he said, and stroked my cheek; moving closer to me on the couch. I sighed. “Because you’re… you. The Superdude. You can see every flaw…”. “There isn’t a flaw on your body”, he smiled. I scoffed at him. “I’m serious! Every little thing… the wrinkle between your eyebrows when you’re concentrating… how your one hand is a little bit smaller than the other… that beauty-mark on your back…”. “How did you know about that?”, I interrupted. He smiled embarrassedly. “That loose fitting top you wore on our last date. The dark blue one”, he muttered. “I love all of it”. I half-smiled. “There’s actually two of them… the beauty-marks”, I said. “I didn’t want you to think I was creepy for looking”, he smirked.
“You love it?”, I mumbled. He swallowed. “Yeah, Red”, he said. “I mean… I’ve fallen hard for you”. I giggled nervously. “So, this is real…”, I muttered. “I want it to be”, he smiled. “Do you?”. I nodded, and looked at him through my lashes. “Yeah, I do”, I said.
He let out a relieved sigh, and chuckled “Good… Are you sure?”, he smirked. “I could introduce you to Arthur”. I frowned. “Arthur?”, I sneered. “In that case, never mind!”.
We laughed together; before Clarks face became apprehensive. “And…”, he couldn’t form the words. “Your other side?”, I said. He shook his head. “It’s not my other side. It’s me. It’s who I am”.
I squeezed his hand gently, and placed it on my knee. “I fell for you, without knowing everything you were”, I said. “What I know now… just makes you… better”. His eyes lit up. “Really?”, he half-whispered. “Yeah”, I smirked. “Besides; I kind of like how the suit makes your butt look”.
He raised his brows at me and laughed – putting his free hand to my cheek, and stroking my temple. “Oh!”, he said. “Well… yours isn’t half bad either”. I frowned. “Did you x-ray my pants?”, I asked; narrowing my eyes at him. He tightened his lips. “Not yet… do you want me to? I mean… I’m up for it”, he smiled, and moved his other hand up my thigh.
I chuckled; and put my hand on his cheek; pulling him closer. “Let’s do the kissing part first – we can get to what’s in my pants later”, I smirked. “Unless, of course, you have another superhero emergency you need to tend to".
He closed his eyes and listened; then opened them again. “Nah, we’re good”, he smiled; and his lips met mine.
He tasted like apple pie and sunshine.
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thesunshinydays · 4 years
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hello im thinking about jessica telephone welcome to sunny thinking about jessica telephone hours featuring sunny’s many headcanons and also whats on the wiki if it happens to coincide with my opinions and probably not the common jt fanon this is gonna be long
i subscribe to the pies version of jess for a lot of pre grand siesta blaseball. teenage dirtbag!jt, who skates poorly and gives unintelligible interviews and invents SKATE JUICE and keys bam margeras car. but i dont think it was always at that intensity. i think before she got shelled the first time, she was a little bit of a disaster emboldened slightly by her status as this fantastic blaseball player, but she reigned herself in a bit for the sake of pr. tried to look good for the fans and whatnot. but then she got shelled and she just stopped caring about that.
she got shelled and listened to whatever music the janitor was playing at night in the oven as she waited in that shell after everyone else went home for the day. she memorized rap god which would go on to be one of her claims to infamy, of course, but like. she must have been so lonely. 
and then she got out of the shell the first time, and she became a little hellion. enough to get regularly chewed out by the pies pr team probably, but i imagine other members of the team like mickey or ed or ruslan would have defended her cause like, shes just a kid really and theyve seen what the splort can do to people, but also i think she just, didnt care at all about what people thought of her anymore. truly my wildest head canon is that i think she would have been friends with tillman, comrades in pissing people off. and i think she probably started having real fun.
but then the fans shelled her again. and she would have gotten so angry. and the pods gave her a chance to be a real villain for a while which would be fun, but then she lands in kansas city and i think shed just be tired. of like, not being in control of her home or her image or her own choices for so long. and then the coffee cup happens and shes shuffled again. and eventually her teams goes up against club de calf and she plays SO poorly. for multiple games in a row. and i cant help but imagine that its a form of rebellion, choosing to play poorly to have some sort of control because there on the opposite team is beasley day, her former teammate and goodest dog(s) in the league. and she pays all of her attention to that dog instead of the game and thats her choice.
and then i think over the siesta, she grows up a little. she matures. she starts acting in ways that let the spotlight fall off of her a little. (never entirely). and like, i dont think everyone ages during the siesta because blaseball is weird. but i think she does. and i think she finds a happy medium between bending over backwards to please fans and acting out to spite them, and she lands somewhere around sticking up for herself.
and then the fans wimdy her back to philly. and the pies welcome her back but it feels different this time. theyve kept in contact obviously, because once a pie always a pie (its the whole team, no matter what team you happen to be on), but she puts the uniform back on and it fits her better now. she wears it differently and the other pies are so proud of her. and she sees nerd pacheco in their shell, and sometimes, she’ll stay long after practice and just sit nearby and maybe talk to them (because she knows they can hear her) and sometimes she’ll just play music, frequently metal. just so they arent quite as alone as they might have been otherwise.
and when nerd breaks out theyll have opinions on music that werent there before, and a friend in jessica telephone
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Hobbit Tricks
Hello everyone. I submitted a microfiction to a fan fiction contest. Thank you @studiocitypsychic​ for helping me edit this! You’re amazing! I hope everyone enjoys it:  Buildings didn’t blaze with fire. Frogs weren’t raining down upon the city. Sidhe queens stayed clear of duking it out tonight. I intended to keep it that way.
If the fate of the world isn’t hanging in the balance, I’d typically spend this day of the year curled up enjoying my comfortable recliner, a cup of cocoa in one hand, book in the other, fireplace burning brightly in the background as I reveled in being the Grinch of Halloween. This holiday is all well and good when you’re not me.
Who am I? I’m the only wizard in the Chicago phone book, Harry Dresden. To say this day’s my least favorite is putting it mildly. This year I couldn’t just attempt to ignore it. No more fireplace, basement apartment, or staying in. I’m a dad, and there are certain responsibilities a single parent needs to live up to. It might not be saving Earth from becoming an undead paradise, but it’s still important. Tonight I’d be escorting two Hobbits and an ax-wielding Foo dog on an epic adventure to claim unspeakably valuable treasure…
Candy.
Father mode engaged as I let my baby girl help me get my fake bushy white eyebrows glued on. Maggie insisted they were absolutely necessary with the wig and beard. My beautiful little girl dressed up as Frodo. She had little makeup freckles on her cheeks, the elven cloak, and the iconic clothing made from what I guessed might be a pattern based on the movies, with lots of grays, greens, and browns. On top of that they’d picked out boots a few sizes too big and decorated them to look like Hobbit feet.
Scratching my jaw a little I determined I would not disappoint her by complaining about my costume she and Charity Carpenter made. Maggie and the Carpenters spent weeks on these outfits. No matter how itchy fake facial hair and wigs could be, not a single negative word would come out of my mouth about it. Anyway, I rarely get to dress up like one of my favorite fictional wizards, and this made both Maggie and me happy. Mouse wore a helmet, fake plastic ax, and that big goofy doggy grin of his. He couldn’t help it as he noticed how much Maggie enjoyed all of this.
Hope or another one of the Carpenter kids normally lead the trick-or-treating. They’d instead volunteered to help with Father Forthill’s trunk-or-treat at the church this year. Maggie and Hank demanded an old-fashioned door-to-door experience instead. I couldn’t lie about the fact that taking Maggie trick-or-treating made my heart grow three sizes.
We picked up Hank, and he brought out a map the Carpenter kids developed over years of experience of the best houses to get candy from. And with that, Sam, Frodo, Gandalf, and Gimli were off on an adventure. Now and then I’d whisper a spell, and Maggie’s plastic version of Sting would glow with a pale blue light. It delighted her and the surrounding kids. One house gave the kids full-sized candy bars as the adults complimented the costumes.
“Dad! Look!” she hurried over to show me. The large boots decorated to resemble Hobbit feet made running or walking tricky. She still half-waddled impressively fast. I whistled and smiled as she held up the candy bar.
“Seems the costumes impressed them. You did an amazing job, kiddo. I mean, these costumes couldn’t be more perfect. Starting to dig the beard. Maybe I should keep this look, huh?” I stroked the fake beard and tried impersonating that knowing stare into the distance Sir Ian McKellen used in the movies.
She giggled, hurrying off towards the next house, Mouse and Hank right by her side and me just behind. No way would those kids leave my sight. Her eyes lit up each time she said ‘trick or treat’. Every few houses she brought her bag over to show off the bounty of the adventure. It made painful memories wash away little by little. Soon we ran out of houses on the map. We were all loaded into the car as Hank checked his watch. I half expected him to jokingly call the watch ‘my precious’.
“Hey, Harry, isn’t there anywhere else you can take us? It’s still super early,” he pleaded as they buckled up.
“That’s all the places on the map, kiddo,” I replied, thinking about how fast we got through it, and blaming it on the kids’ energy and excitement.
“Nowhere else, dad?” I might not have seen it since I kept an eye on the road, but my dad senses felt the pout Maggie had while asking that.
“Alright, fine. Off to Helm’s Deep,” I grinned, changing direction to head to Murph’s house.
When we got there Murphy wasn’t home. There were no signs of foul play from what I could see. She might be at a party. I didn’t expect that with her injuries, but I’m not her keeper. I had really wanted to see her tonight, and couldn’t help the slight ache in my chest. Oh well, on to try Waldo’s place.
I gave a few quick knocks on Butters’ door when we arrived before waiting for an answer. No answer. He might be busy with knight business or his job. He enjoyed working late. Billy and Georgia were the next destination. They also weren’t home.
Before going to Thomas’ apartment, I called him. No answer. He and Justine were likely at a White Court party or busy with other activities. I’d rather not chance interrupting them with two kids in tow.
Back in the car, I noticed that Maggie and Hank were being remarkably quiet. Maybe they were bored. I tried to think about where else we might go. The church was a good option since they had set up games for the kids.
“Hey, sorry, it’s a bust. We’ll head to the church and see what they’re up-”
“No!” the two kids blurted out, interrupting me.“I mean, uh, I think I’d rather head home and you and Maggie could stay over and watch a scary movie or something?” Hank asked.
I turned to glance at the two of them and noticed Maggie change her attention to Mouse, away from Hank’s watch. The way they kept hovering over it, they reminded me of the Hobbits and the One Ring. Hopefully Maggie wouldn’t attempt biting off Hank’s entire hand to get it.
“Uh-huh… You two are up to something,” I said and narrowed my eyes.
“We don’t want the adventure to end just yet. We haven’t even been to Mordor,” Hank chimed with a half smile.
I needed to keep them safe from watching anything nightmare inducing or Charity’d mince me up and bake me into meat pies Sweeny Todd style. Out of the many monsters I’ve fought, I’d rather face them over her. Soon we parked in front of the Carpenters’ home. A shiver ran up my spine from the eeriness of Michael’s house with all the lights off. I thought at least one of the Carpenters would be home. Before I could ask Hank anything both the Hobbits rushed out trailed by the furry Gimli.
“Hey!” I shouted, not wanting to lose sight of them.
Why were they running off knowing how dangerous tonight of all nights could be? Might just be heading to the backyard to play, but it was still Halloween. Even knowing literal angels protected Michael’s property, my chest felt tight with worry when I couldn’t see the kids.
Once I entered the backyard, a bunch of lights blinded me.
“SURPRISE!” voices echoed in the night.
My eyes adjusted and I saw everyone and all the decorations they set up. The Carpenter family arranged themselves behind the table everyone had gathered around. I noticed Butters hanging out with the wolf pack to one side of the table. Murphy sat up in a chair with her crutches close by. Thomas and Justine were even there, wearing modest clothing and standing next to Murphy. The large cake on the table featured a t-rex picture on top, probably Butters’ idea. Next to it were plates and forks. A cooler filled with different soda sat next to the table. To top everything else off, the Monster Mash played in the background.
I felt Maggie hug my leg. Bending down, I picked her up and wrapped her into an even bigger hug. She kissed my cheek and wrapped her arms around my neck as I held her close. Everyone had planned this together. They set me up. Michael brought out an old Polaroid camera to take pictures. Wizards don’t photograph well on most modern equipment.
“You sneaky little hobbitses,” I tried to say in my best Gollum impression before sniffling as the fake beard tickled my nose. “You tricked me.”
That smile she gave me made me feel… Well, let’s just say if it were sunny out I could have used magic to catch daylight in a handkerchief.
“Happy birthday, dad.”
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luckylq54-blog · 4 years
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star-light-fae · 5 years
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Muse Interview Meme!
█ FILL IN THE QUESTIONS AS IF YOU ARE BEING INTERVIEWED FOR AN ARTICLE AND YOU WERE YOUR MUSE.
Tagged by @othello-nightshade​
Featuring Lunascie and Lrangi together since they’re both twins
01. WHAT IS YOUR NAME?                ❝Name’s Lrangi and this is my sister, Lulu or Luna!❞               ❝I’m Lunascie and this is my idiot brother, Lrangi.❞ Smacks him on the head.              ❝Hey!❞
02. WHAT IS YOUR REAL NAME?               ❝Well, Lrangi and Lunascie are our real names. Now, if you’re going for our full names, our surname is Faestar. Lunascie Faestar for me.❞               “Though if I had to choose, my full name would be: Lrangi Most Handsome Cat Boi, Biggest Di-OW!”
03. DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU’RE CALLED THAT?             ❝Faestar? Mom says that she found the both of us during a meteor shower. And her last name is Fae, so she decided to add Star after it when she adopted us.❞             ❝As for our first names? Mom says that Lunascie means Moon and Lrangi means Sun in a special language. Though I’m not sure if you’ve ever heard of it. It’s not well-known here. Mom does travel a lot.❞  
04. ARE YOU SINGLE OR TAKEN?             ❝We’re both single and open! I’m strictly looking for guys though haha! My sister doesn’t know yet! Right sis?❞             ❝...❞             ❝If you ask me though, I saw her hanging out with a cute Viera lady the other day and-WHY IS MY TAIL ON FIRE?!❞
05. WHAT ARE YOUR POWERS AND ABILITIES?            ❝Ho-kay, now that the fire on my tail is out, you probably guess what my sister does. She specializes in ranged and solely magic classes.❞             ❝I do like to main healing though. Cause mom is a healer. My moronic brother is the idiotic melee DPS who is probably the most useless of the party though.❞              ❝Exact-HEY!❞
06. WHAT COLOR ARE YOUR EYES?            ❝Red and Yellow! We mirror each other! See?❞             ❝Get your hands off my face or I’m going to set your whole body on fire.❞
07. HAVE YOU EVER DYED YOUR HAIR?            ❝Yes. No thanks to him.❞            ❝What? It wasn’t permanent! It’s so easy to dye our hair anyways since it’s white. Though my sister and I do prefer our natural hair colors. Cause they’re like mom’s and her sisters.❞             ❝It was a really dumb color combo he choose. Bright neon Lime green and hot red highlights. It took a month to wash out completely. He tricked me when we were at a spa and I was getting a facial so I didn’t get to see the stupid bottle.❞
08. DO YOU HAVE ANY FAMILY MEMBERS?            ❝Well, there’s mom. And her older sisters I guess. Do we call them out aunts?❞             ❝Obviously.❞
09. DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS?            ❝Yeah.❞             ❝We have a lot. Mom likes pets. Dogs, cats, ferrets, Foxes, rabbits, birds, etc.❞
10. DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OR ACTIVITIES YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?            ❝I’m so glad you asked! I lov-mpph!❞             ❝Do NOT get him started. He will go on for hours about what he likes to do in explicit detail. For me personally, I enjoy listening to mom’s stories the most. She has so many to tell. I also like exploring and helping other people. Just like mom.❞
11. HAVE YOU EVER HURT ANYONE BEFORE?            ❝What? The fact that my psycho sister doesn’t say enough for you?❞             ❝We’re adventurers. It’s a given trade.❞
12. HAVE YOU EVER… KILLED ANYONE?            ❝...next question.❞             ❝Ditto.❞
13. WHAT KIND OF ANIMAL ARE YOU?            ❝Does the cat ears and tail not say enough about us?❞             ❝My brother is actually a male Viera. Don’t tell anyone.❞              ❝OI!❞
14. NAME YOUR WORST HABITS.           ❝This girl, is by far, the worst sibling ever! She’s been bullying me this entire interview!❞           ❝You are the worst brother ever! You sleep with your shoes still on, you steal all the hot water from the shower in the morning, you leave your dirty magazines out for everyone to see, you always have first dibs on dessert, you SNORE, and you are an utter narcissistic, playboy!❞   
15. DO YOU LOOK UP TO ANYONE?           ❝Mom.❞           ❝Mom.❞
16. GAY, STRAIGHT, OR BISEXUAL?           ❝He’s gay. Enough said.❞           ❝She doesn’t know yet. I tried signing her up for some dating meet-ups, but she assaults me instead.❞            ❝ONE-NIGHT STANDS ARE NOT DATES.❞
17. DO YOU EVER WANT TO MARRY AND HAVE KIDS SOMEDAY?           ❝Him? Being a dad? He’d be the worst father.❞            ❝I think you mean-THE BEST! You on the other hand, would be the terrible aunt.❞
18. DO YOU HAVE ANY FANS?           ❝Don’t remind me augh. He gets so much fanmail every day.❞            ❝What can I say? I’m handsome-OI! Stop hitting me!❞
19. WHAT ARE YOU MOST AFRAID OF?           ❝Me? Afraid? As if!❞           ❝Says the guy who needed me to hold you hand while you went to the bathroom at night.❞           ❝I WAS A KID.❞  
20. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY WEAR?           ❝He’ll find every excuse not to wear a shirt. Enough said.❞            ❝He-llo? I want the world to see me for all my beauty and glory!❞
21. DO YOU LOVE SOMEONE?           ❝Not yet, but I hope to find some nice guy for me~❞           ❝I love mom. But not this idiot.❞           ❝Naw, you love me sis~❞            ❝Ruffle my hair one more time. Don’t even.❞
22. WHAT CLASS ARE YOU?           ❝Monk, Dragoon, Ninja, Samurai, Machinist, Gunbreaker, and Dark Knight.❞           ❝You forgot Dancer.❞           ❝Shhh! That’s a secret for only my lover!❞           ❝You don’t have one.❞           ❝Oi!❞           ❝As for me, I’m a White Mage, Black Mage, Astrologian, Scholar, Summoner, Bard, Red Mage, and Dancer. I main as a healer like my mother of course.❞           ❝DON’T IGNORE ME!❞      
23. HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU HAVE?          ❝A few. I don’t ask for much.❞          ❝All I see you do is hang out with Blue and no one else though.❞          ❝You don’t even hang out with anyone. Do you even have any friends?❞          ❝S-shut up! I’m working on making friends around here!❞
24. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON PIE?          ❝Mother Miounne made me one of her famous eel pies. It’s my favorite kind of pie!❞           ❝I’m telling Mom that you don’t like her pies anymore.❞           ❝Don’t you DARE!❞
25. FAVORITE DRINK?          ❝Mom’s hot cocoa, hot spiced apple cider and lemonade.❞           ❝Can’t go wrong on that.❞
26. WHAT’S YOUR DICK SIZE?        ❝Why it’s-H-hey sis! Put down that gun!❞         ❝NEXT QUESTION. NOW.❞
27. WOULD YOU RATHER SWIM IN THE LAKE OR THE OCEAN?         ❝Oof. The lake. The ocean is too salty for my fur.❞         ❝There is also that one time that giant fish almost bit your butt.❞         ❝Do you have a death wish?❞         ❝What kind of healer are you?❞         ❝One with an idiotic brother of course.❞  
28. WHAT’S YOUR ‘TYPE’?         ❝Me? I’m all for any kind of male too be frank. And yes, the mythic male Viera as well. As for her, she’s not sure yet. Do you need help making a dating profile for her-WILL YOU PUT THAT SWORD DOWN!❞
29. ANY FETISHES?         ❝H-hey sis! Come on! Calm down!❞         ❝LET ME GO!❞         ❝I DON’T WANNA HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO MOM WHY YOU KILLED AN INNOCENT PERSON!❞            ❝IF SHE DOESN’T KNOW, WE WON’T HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING!❞
30. TOP OR BOTTOM? DOMINANT OR SUBMISSIVE?         ❝SWITCH! I’M A SWITCH! SIS, PUT DOWN THE GUNBLADE! HOW MANY MORE GODDAMN QUESTIONS ARE THERE?!❞
31. CAMPING, OR INDOORS?         ❝WE LIKE CAMPING! JUST FINISH ALREADY!❞          ❝GOING BACK TO CASUAL QUESTIONS WON’T SAVE YOU!❞
32. ARE YOU WAITING FOR THIS INTERVIEW TO BE OVER?         ❝YES!❞         ❝GET THE FUCK OUT!❞         ❝I’m home~ How is the interview going-❞         ❝Hi mom...❞         ❝Lunascie, why did the journalist run out so quickly? And why is there bullet holes in the chair?❞         ❝...Shit she’s mad...❞         ❝You distract her while I run for it.❞         ❝Right-OI! GET BACK HERE!❞         ❝Lrangi.❞         ❝H-hi mom!❞    
Lunascie was later caught and she and her brother had to do the dishes after dinner.     
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Drowning (2)—S. Crosby
Warning: two sentences implying an abusive relationship. Don’t worry, it’s just the neighbors. I’m so happy you guys love this series. I’m really excited for it! Check out my other imagines and master list on my blog with #hockeyimagine. This series and all questions and statements about it can be found under #drowningsc.
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Sidney hadn’t had the time to look to see if Y/N and Andy were in the box. Zach had assured him that they were coming. He was still obviously suspicious of Sidney and the whole situation. He had every right to be. That was his family.
They won 4-3 against the Rangers in overtime. Sid barely listened as Sully congratulated and berated the team and then instructed Olli, Murray, and Horny to do media. He rushed to put on his suit.
“Hey did you wanna go out with us tonight for drinks?” Kris asked Sid. “Cullen is the only one out so far.”
Sid shook his head. If this night was going to go how he hoped, he’d be out eating in a quaint diner in an hour with a beautiful woman and her son. Not that it was a date or anything, he reminded himself. He was merely treating a lovely family to a nice night that they deserved. That’s it. No romance involved at all.
“I have plans.”
“Involve pretty woman and small boy?” Geno grinned. Kris looked intrigued.
Zach patted Sid on the shoulder. “I’m going out with the guys. Walk them up to the apartment. Tell Y/N not to wait up for me. I might end up staying with Olli tonight depending on how many drinks we have. Make sure she locks the door too. Just because I have some money still doesn’t mean we live in the greatest area of Pittsburgh.”
Sid understood then. “You have plenty of money to get a nice place for yourself, and even them. You live with them to try to help but she doesn’t like charity.”
Zach nodded. “I know you like Andy and genuinely want to spend time with him because he’s a good kid. She still believes that you are on charity mode,” he explained. “You’re right, she doesn’t like charity or pity, especially when it involves Andy. That kid is her life. ‘The best accident in my life’ she says. She won’t warm up to you until she realizes a you’re there for him as a kid and for her as a woman of interest.”
Sidney wanted to speak up about that last part and argue, especially under the watching eyes and listening ears of teammates. “Don’t even deny it, Sid,” Zach interrupted. “Just don’t make me regret this.”
Zach walked out of locker room with some of the guys, leaving him, Evgeni, and Kris alone. “What am I missing?” Kris asked.
“Sid in love,” Geno told him.
Sid shook his head. “I’m not in love.”
“ZAR disagrees,” both countered.
“I explain later,” Geno whispers to Kris.
Kris nodded. “The 3 of us are going out tomorrow night in Boston to talk about this,” he informed Sidney. “You’re going to tell us about tonight. You’re going to explain all of this to us. Got it, Sid?”
Sidney nodded. “See you guys in the morning for the flight. Enjoy tonight.”
Sidney grabbed his bags and walked towards the exit. He stopped right before pushing the door open. Nerves rushed over him. He wouldn’t normally be doing this. He wouldn’t probably go to these extremes for another teammate’s family. Okay, so that thought was wrong and he probably would, but without the feelings he has right now. There was something about this situation that pulled him in. He pushed his nerves away as he pushed the door open.
Y/N and Andy sat outside the locker room on a bench. Sid smiled a waved. A small part of him feared they would have left, but that fear was gone now and replaced with excitement.
“Hi Sid,” Andy waved. “You played good tonight, and your box is really cool,” He then whispered, “I actually fell asleep during the second intermission and missed part of the third because it’s so nice up there.”
Sidney chuckled. “Did you enjoy it, Y/N?” He asked. She nodded. He took this time to glance over her. She was wearing one of ZAR’s jerseys, but it was the color of the shirt underneath her jersey that caught his attention. “Are you wearing a Rangers shirt under that?”
She smirked. “Guilty. I couldn’t help myself. Zach wanted to wear my Rangers jersey because he thought your reaction would be funny. I said I didn’t want to torture you that much.”
Sidney, smiling, shook his head. “Well, clearly since your cousin being a Penguin and your son a future one doesn’t convince you,” A large grin appeared on Andy’s face, “I suppose I must convince you to become our #1 fan. Maybe we can go get something to eat. I know a nice diner only a few blocks from here.”
Y/N blushed as Andy yanked on her arm, begging her to agree. Y/N nodded and Sid led them out of the arena. “I hope you guys don’t mind walking. It’s only a few blocks from here.”
Y/N shook her head. “Not at all. We took the Light Rail here anyway.”
Andy stood between Y/N and Sidney, holding each of their hands, as they walked to the little diner. Y/N had objected at first but Sidney didn’t mind. He didn’t say it aloud but it felt like he had a family of his own for once. Andy talked the whole way there about the game. He praised both teams but admitted he was upset when Horny hit Zuccarello and then when Kreider tripped Sid. Sidney had to keep reassuring him that he was okay.
Very few people were in the diner when they walked in. A middle aged woman waved to them from behind the counter. “Hiya Sid!”
“Hi Marnie,” Sid greeted. He led Y/N and Andy to a booth on the left and the waitress, Marnie, brought two menus.
“I suppose you want your usual,” she said. She looked at his guests and smiled. “You’ve never brought your family here before, Sid. Mama’s gonna be upset.”
“Mama?” Andy and Y/N questioned.
“She’s talking about her mom, Sue,” Sid net explained. “Everyone calls her Mama and she calls everyone Baby or some other affectionate term.”
They nodded and glanced over the menu while Sid and Marnie caught up. It had been awhile since he had been into the diner. He had been craving their fries lately though, and one of Mama’s pies.
“I want nuggets,” Andy demanded. Y/N shot him a look. “Please.”
Marnie nodded. “And for you, miss?”
“I’ll have a Pittsburgh salad.”
“And an order of pierogies for the table too, Marnie,” Sid added.
Marnie nodded and walked off. “You come here often?” Y/N asked.
Sidney chuckled. “Is it that obvious? They don’t make a big deal about me here.”
Andy gave him a strange look. “But you’re Sidney Crosby.”
Sid nodded. “And I’m also just Sidney,” He stared at Y/N as he said this. He wanted her to understand. “I’m a normal guy. I come to a little diner to pig out because it makes me feel normal. I love judging people on House Hunters. I binge watch Friends. I like cooking. I play video games. I’m normal.”
“I’m sure your girlfriend loves that,” Y/N commented.
“I don’t have one. It’s just me.”
“Do you have a dog?” Andy asked. Sid shook his head. “You should get one. Or a cat. You need a friend for when you’re home. It probably gets lonely.”
Sid didn’t respond as Marnie had brought out their appetizer, and he also didn’t know how to respond. An 8 year old kid had hit his situation head on. He was alone. He had no one. He visited his team to feel wanted. He played hockey to keep busy. He looked up at that moment to see Y/N staring at him. There was a look in her eye that said she understood him. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it quickly. Sid just nodded, and she gave him a weak smile.
He heard a shout. “Baby Sid!” Instantly a pair of arms wrapped around him. “Don’t you dare wait so long to come see me again.”
Sid chuckled. “I’m sorry, Mama. I fly to Boston tomorrow and then New Jersey. It’ll be a few days until I come back then.”
Mama Sue patted him on the back and glanced up to his company. “Baby you brought another baby Sid and a pretty woman! Why did you hide such a gorgeous family,” She pinched Andy’s cheeks. “You are a good looking boy. Look like your father.”
Sidney glanced at Y/N and saw her face pale. Andy giggled. “Sid’s not my dad. But she is my mom. Sid is our friend. I’ll still be Baby Sid Jr. though.”
Mama Sue chuckled. “And who are you, baby?”
“I’m Y/N. A friend.”
“A beautiful friend,” Mama added. Marnie brought over the tray of food. “Pittsburgh salad for beautiful friend. Chicken nuggets for Baby Jr Sid. And a basket of fries and today’s soup of Zuppa Toscana for Baby Sid. I make fresh peach-raspberry today pie too.”
“Thank you, Mama.”
They didn’t say much as they ate but the feeling was enough to keep Sid full. Andy tried playing with his food and Y/N told him to stop. He shared his fries with her after he caught her several times eyeing them. Andy would talk about his day and chomp on his food causing Sid to tell him to chew and swallow and then talk. He wiped Andy’s face when he was all done. Andy was yawning by the time Mama brought the pie out...in a box.
“Baby Jr Sid looks tired. Eat pie later. I wrote on top how to heat up,” Y/N tried to hand money to Mama for the dinner. She shook her head. “Nonsense. I put on Sid’s tab.”
Y/N pursed her lips. Sid didn’t want Y/N to be offended. “She can pay if she wants to, Mama,” Sid said.
A sharp pain radiated through Sid’s shoulder after Mama Sue hit him. “Stupid boy. You take beautiful friend on date and make pay? You’re hunky Canadien pseudo-father not teach you anything?”
“Mario taught me lots of things,” Sid answered. “Just let her pay.”
Mama huffed and turned to Y/N. “I make deal with you. This meal free as long as you and cute son come back to visit me. Then I let you pay.”
Y/N nodded. “I’ll take that deal.”
“And make sure Baby Sid shares pie with you!” Mama Sue shouted as they left the diner.
“She can be a lot,” Sid said when they were a few storefronts down. “But Mama Sue means well. I’m sorry you had to argue with her back there.”
Y/N shrugged her shoulders and pulled her coat tighter. Sidney had to resist the urge to wrap his arms around her. “It’s fine, Sidney. I know she meant well, but I like to feel that I am capable of taking care of Andy and I without any help.”
“Sometimes people want to help because they care,” Sidney blurted. He was going to apologize and then Andy started coughing hard. Sid dropped to Andy’s level. “Are you okay, bud?”
“Cold,” he muttered.
Sidney watched Y/N huff and purse her lips. “The station is another four blocks from here,” she murmured.
It was clear that Sidney was not supposed to hear that, but he did. “I can give you a ride home,” he offered. “The Rail isn’t going to be warm.”
“Sidney—“
“Take the nice man’s offer, momma,” Andy interrupted, his teeth chattering.
Y/N glared at Andy. “I was going to say yes. I’m not going to let you freeze.”
Andy blushed. “Sorry, momma. I just know how you can be.”
Y/N sighed and bent down to kiss Andy on the forehead. “I will always put you first, Andy. Always,” Y/N stood back up. “Where is your car, Sidney?”
—————————
Sidney pulled up to a mediocre brick apartment building in a shabby part of Pittsburgh. “Do you think Uncle Z will be back tonight, momma?” Andy yawned.
“Probably not bud,” Sid answered. “Your Uncle Z is out with some of the guys. He might stay with Olli tonight.”
“He’s with Olli a lot. Why aren’t you with the guys?” Andy asked.
“Because I wanted to spend the night with you and your mom,” Y/N was quiet throughout the conversation. “Shall I walk you guys up?”
“You don’t have to, Sidney. You’ve done plenty tonight. I really appreciate it.”
“I insist,” Sid leaned over and whispered, “I’ll be honest too. ZAR asked me to. Not that I wouldn’t have anyway.”
Y/N rolled her eyes and chuckled. “That sounds like him,” Y/N glanced back at her son. Sid looked back too and saw Andy slowly dozing off. “Would you mind carrying him up? It’s been a long day and I don’t want to wake him up. He might be a little heavy though.”
Sidney nodded. “I don’t mind. Maybe I can get out of lifting tomorrow,” he joked, causing Y/N to giggle. “Lead the way to your abode.”
The seven story brick apartment building opened with a simple key code—1-2-3-4 to be in fact. Sidney didn’t understand how this was safe. There was only one set of stairs in the building also, and they lived on the seventh floor.
“No wonder ZAR hates cardio workouts but is really good at them,” Sidney commented by the time they got to the fourth flight of stairs. “This is quite the workout.”
“Zach isn’t really here much any more,” Y/N told him. “He’s only here during the season when he’s on the roster. He has been spending a lot of time with Olli. I think they are thinking about getting a place together, but I know Zach doesn’t want to abandon us. He’s always been so supportive and I will always be grateful for that and liking out for us, but I just want him to live his own life. I did it before he got here. I can do it again.”
At the fifth flight Sidney heard the thump of music. At the sixth the moans of sex. Andy didn’t stir through the whole trip up. Once they reached the seventh floor, they had to go to the opposite end of the building to Y/N’s apartment. Sidney briefly stopped in front of one apartment, 7E, where he heard lots of screaming and yelling. Y/N shoved him along and stopped two doors down at 7C. Quickly she unlocked the door and shooed Sidney in.
“Andy’s room is this way,” she told him.
“Is that couple going to be okay?” Sidney asked.
She shrugged. “They fight all the time. As long as they don’t disturb apartment 7K, everyone will be fine and the cops won’t be called. I’m praying that doesn’t happen. It’s just a mess then.”
“Y/N, this isn’t safe,” Sidney whispered. He laid Andy down in his bed and walked out with Y/N. “This can’t be good for Andy.”
Y/N bit her lip and crossed her arms. Sidney watched many emotions cross her face. “I work the front desk at a downtown hotel and occasionally waitress at the hotel’s restaurant when someone can watch Andy. I can’t get a nice little townhouse and pay for the hospital bills. This isn’t where I ever pictured myself being.”
Sidney lunges forward to catch her as she collapsed in tears. He held her close and walked towards the couch. Y/N curled into his touch as he sat down. Sidney didn’t say anything; he just let her cry and rubbed her back. That’s what she needed. She was a 29 year old with an 8 year old son. Both hadn’t had the best life, but Y/N was doing her very best to make sure Andy was ahead in life, even if cancer pushed him back. She had no time for herself, Sidney realized. She had no one to vent or cry to. She put everyone ahead of her and left nothing for herself. She was alone—just like him.
Sidney glanced down and saw her tears had stopped and her breathing was even. Sidney didn’t have the heart to move her; besides, he liked the feel of someone being next to him. He could survive this one night.
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leepace71 · 5 years
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LEE PACE AND HIS NEIGHBOR, JESSICA LANGE, CATCH UP ABOUT WILD FANS, THE WILDERNESS OF EMPTY HOTEL ROOMS, AND NATURE ITSELF
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The first time I met Lee Pace, we were outside, next to the East River in Brooklyn, and I was a little stoned. We had just been introduced through a mutual friend, and within minutes of speaking to one another, he invited me up to “the farm,” a country house with five fireplaces, about two hours north of the city. The farm has played an important role in Pace’s life, offering him a retreat from Hollywood, but also purpose; there, with his own hands, he built a rustic barn, in which he lived until he bought the property adjacent to his from his then-neighbor, the two-time Oscar-winning actor Jessica Lange.
It makes sense that Pace feels at home outside of the city; the actor, now 40, was born in the small town of Chickasha, Oklahoma. He gained a modest, albeit devoted following by appearing on two beloved but short-lived TV series: Wonderfalls, in 2004, and, three years later, Pushing Daisies. His star, however, shot into a whole other orbit beginning in 2012, when he joined what seemed like every franchise at the time by starring in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2, all three of the films in The Hobbit series, and Guardians of the Galaxy—as the hooded, blue-faced villain Ronan the Accuser. His recent role as the closeted Mormon Joe Pitt in the Broadway revival of Angels in America was magically exhausting and eloquent, and it coincided with a public truth of his own—or, as a headline in The New York Times put it, “Lee Pace Came Out Seven Times a Week. Then He Came Out for Real.”
The actor’s two upcoming projects reemphasize his dual—perhaps dueling—interests in entertainment and art: He reprises his role as Ronan this spring in Captain Marvel and, later this summer, he’ll play John DeLorean, opposite Jason Sudeikis, in Driven, a biopic about the controversy-courting automobile tycoon. In anticipation of both films, Pace invited Lange to his apartment in New York’s West Village to talk about moviemaking, marketing, and, yes, the farm. She did a slight twirl upon entering the main room and, as one might expect from the queen of elevated shade, said, “Not bad, Lee—for a pied-à-terre.” —NICK HARAMIS
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LANGE: Should we jump into acting?
PACE: Let’s start with the farm.
LANGE: I remember the first time I saw you, I had walked down to the pond and I looked across, and I saw somebody in that next field over there to the right. And I thought, “Fuck, I’m going to have a neighbor.” But then it turned out to be you, and that was swell.
PACE: I can’t imagine what you saw because those first few times, I was camping out there in a tent to try to figure out where I was going to build a house. I remember that first night, it was about four o’clock and it must have been early March or something. I had made camp, but I didn’t have enough time to make a fire before it got dark. I got into the tent, and I opened up my roast beef sandwich and start eating it, and then all around the quarry I heard the coyotes. I swear I heard one of them sniff the tent just right outside that nylon. So I made a ton of noise and ran back to the car.
LANGE: The land up there is haunted, but beautiful.
PACE: One of the things I’m most proud of is building that old frame out of raw timber on the edge of the woods. Then, right before Thanksgiving, I got a bunch of my friends together to push it up.
LANGE: It was like an old Amish barn raising. I remember because Sarah Paulson was staying up with me that weekend. I baked a pie and walked across the field with it wrapped in a linen basket, thinking, “This is something from another time.”
PACE: That farm has become such a big part of my life.
LANGE: As an actor, most of the time you’re staying in a hotel room in some strange city somewhere.
PACE: I do love seeing the world, and being in those hotel rooms. It’s such an incredible thing playing a character all day, and then at night you go home to this hotel and you wake up in the morning and you don’t quite know where you are.
LANGE: I think the part of it I’ve loved the most, and the part that’s been most difficult, is that nomadic life. When my kids were little, we were like a caravan. We moved dogs, birds, cats, kids, tutors—and that was great. But when you’re by yourself doing it, it’s incredibly lonely. Being an actor is an inherently lonely life.
PACE: It really is, isn’t it? It’s kind of disorienting in that way. It’s like having this sheet of thick glass between you and everyone else.
LANGE: Do you think in some way actors are already lonely people, who are then drawn to this life more than others?
PACE: There must be something.
LANGE: That and a traumatic childhood make a good actor.
PACE: Check.
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LANGE: Tell me about Captain Marvel.
PACE: I’ve never read the script. I was doing Angels in America when I shot it.
LANGE: How in the hell did you do that?
PACE: That whole time of my life was insanity, so it just added to it. I basically did a matinee on Sunday, flew out to L.A., got painted blue, and put on a costume. Then I stood in front of a blue screen, and they’re like, “Okay, there’s a hologram in front of you and they’re saying this.” It’s so surreal in a way. I did two days of that, and then I was back onstage playing Joe Pitt in Angels in America.
LANGE: Well, that kind of covers acting A to Z, doesn’t it?
PACE: So many people see those movies and they entertain so many people, and I guess I’m an entertainer, so I embrace that. But if I’m being honest, it’s disorienting.
LANGE: When you were in Angels in America, you stepped in for another actor, right?
PACE: Yes, they had rehearsed it and had a whole run in England, so when they brought it back to Broadway, I was the only one who was new, so I was playing catch-up. As with all big experiences, life informs the situation, and it informed the interpretation of the character. When I read the play in high school, I understood this cognitive dissonance of Joe feeling like an alien in a world full of humans. I wanted to advocate for his point of view, because as a queer person, I’m seeing everyone behave as human and I feel like I’m painted blue. And the character really just goes through hell. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done because there was no pulling the punch going onstage. I was terrified about it every day, about walking through those shoes in that public way, because the character has just stripped off his skin.
LANGE: Sometimes those are the best acting moments, don’t you think? It confirms all the reasons why we do this. Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but in that production your performance was by far the most moving.
PACE: That means so much to me. I just felt so cooked by it, do you know what I mean? I think Tony [Kushner] knew it was coming to me, because I ran into him in Provincetown and he was like, “Hey, would you consider doing this?” I think he knew it was coming, and I’m glad I didn’t know.
LANGE: You don’t have to answer this, but how does it feel when there’s a certain discord—and I’m putting it lightly—with an actor opposite you. How do you find your way around that?
PACE: Well, I guess you’ve just got to show up for that first moment, right? You make your entrance, and that’s all I could do, really. I had to love this woman deeply, profoundly, unconditionally, and I did not. But the play does the work, really. Some nights, it hit such beautiful notes. Then there were times when I would look across at her, and I was like, “This isn’t the play we’re doing. You’re angry at someone else right now.” But there’s no redoing it, so yeah.
LANGE: This summer you’re going to star in a film as John DeLorean. How is playing an actual person different than playing a fictional character?
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PACE: I love playing real people. You just get so much more color. The thing that was so fun about learning about John DeLorean is that no one has the same story about him. He left such different impressions on everyone he came into contact with. There are people who thought he was a visionary of a certain time. There are people who thought he was a crook.
LANGE: What ever happened with that car company of his?
PACE: There was this whole house of cards where he needed money to keep the business running, and so he got involved in a coke deal. But the FBI was setting him up, and they got video of the whole thing.
LANGE: If you could play anyone in the world, who would it be?
PACE: Putin? Trump? Let’s stick to mega-villains. I don’t know. I want to work with a good director who will pick for me.
LANGE: Is there a part you want to do onstage again?
PACE: I’m not 25 anymore, but I would love to have played Romeo. That’s a character I find so interesting and contradictory. I would also like to play Uncle Vanya. I think I could still play him.
LANGE: I think you could, too.
PACE: I can’t wait to get onstage again.
LANGE: I’ve found that with series, you get to have longer to develop a character. For all the disadvantages of doing a series, that’s one advantage.
PACE: There’s also the writers. I loved our writers on Halt and Catch Fire, because they watched us and saw things in us that they brought out of the character.
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LANGE: They see you and know your strong points.
PACE: I think the writers in our room were like, “He’s going to hate this,” because my character gets dragged through hell. For the first few seasons, I was like, “This isn’t fair.”
LANGE: How much do you think an actor owes his fans? Is that even part of the way you think?
PACE: I think that’s a very contemporary view. Social media creates this call-out culture where people can view something as being problematic. But I don’t really consume a lot of media, so I don’t really pay attention to it much.
LANGE: Do you have—what are those sites called? Twitter?
PACE: I have Instagram. But it’s not really the media outlets on it that I find interesting. I just find cool people doing interesting stuff. To be honest, I look at very dumb memes.
LANGE: What’s a funny anecdote you remember from a fan approaching you?
PACE: I once went up to the farm—this was after I bought your house—and I saw this rotting bag of dumplings outside, along with a ticket to Shen Yun. Do you know that Chinese dance?
LANGE: Yes.
PACE: And there was a note that said, “I know you like dumplings, please come with me to Shen Yun. I’ll be waiting with a ticket for you. By the way, you have a beautiful farm.” [Laughs] I’m so grateful that people like the work that I do and that they respond to it. Twenty years ago, I never would have dreamed that people would have felt strongly about the work that I do. But one of the lessons I learned playing that role in Angels in America is that approval is really not what it’s about. Understanding is what it’s about.
LANGE: I’m so far outside the realm of social media, but from what I’ve heard people say, your presence—or following, or whatever—now adds to your bankability. It’s insane. I passed by somebody on the street today who was talking on her phone, and she said that she had 20 million followers.
PACE: I wonder who has the most. Would it be Selena Gomez? Let’s see how many she’s got—145 million followers.
LANGE: What does that even mean?
PACE: If she posts a picture, 145 million people will see it on their feed. I mean, that’s more than a movie.
LANGE: That’s a lot of people. It feels dangerous to me. I don’t mean to be a conspiracy theorist, but do we really understand what any of this stuff is? It makes you want to retire to the farm.
LEE: I love those days when you wake up and just make coffee, then walk out into the fields.
LANGE: Do you remember that one beautiful coyote that used to cross the field?
PACE: Yes.
LANGE: He was gorgeous!
PACE: I remember one time, the pond had frozen over and these coyotes chased a doe out onto the ice and then she slipped and fell, and they ripped her up. There were tracks going back into the woods where they took a piece of her. The next day, it thawed and it all disappeared like it had never happened.
x
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ayehatethis · 6 years
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Take me out to the ballgame
A/n: I saw an anon on someone's page recently, complaining that the girl in Niall fics are never into sports so i wrote this. i apologize for the POV I apparently don't know how to write otherwise, but I'm working on it. 
I can’t believe this is actually happening. My favorite boys in black and orange are in the world series.
I was raised on baseball. Baltimore baseball, to be exact. Raised in a small suburb outside of Baltimore, my grandfather had always taken me to games at Memorial Stadium, and then Camden Yards when it was built in 1992. To this day, it’s difficult to go to the Yard without thinking of him. He always dreamed of seeing another world series, as the last time the Birds won, was in 1983, far earlier than I was born.
Niall had been on tour for the past few months, and he finally got home last week. I’m thrilled to have him home, but he’s invited a bunch of friends over and its game 5 of the World Series between my Birds and the Marlins and we’ve won 3 games and all we need is to win this game. Four wins and the title is ours. Watching from LA isn’t ideal, but I’m happy he has the sports package from the cable company and I can watch it live.
Niall bursts into the room, laughing and leading a parade of drunk Irishmen behind him.
“Can you guys keep it down? We’re tied in the 9th and all we need is one win. I’d like to hear this.” I keep my focus on the screen, waving my hand at them in an attempt to shut them up.
“Ah, petal, its alright we just wanted to see what was happening.” he chuckles sitting down next to me.
“You can stay, just.. shut up.” I put my hands up next to my face so I can keep them from my view.
Niall scoots closer, if you can call it that, it’s more like on top of me. I shove him over and his friends find seats around the rest of the room. A few minutes later and the game ends. Orioles 3 wins, Marlins 2. I put my head in my hands, as Niall rubs my back reassuringly.
“They’ll get ‘em tomorrow night, darlin’, don't worry.”
The next night, the Marlins win again. We’re tied for the series 3 to 3. I am so excited for them for reaching this far, but fearful of them losing in the last game. There is a two day break and then the final game, game 7.
The day of the last game, I woke up alone. Niall usually isn’t up early for a few weeks after tour. He doesn't plan anything or do much of anything. I get out of bed and throw on a hoodie that had been discarded next to the bed. I start to walk down the hall, when I can faintly hear him talking to someone. Getting closer, I pause.
“Yeah, 5:30…uh no…definitely…maybe six. Ten? Sure. Yeah it’s a surprise….can’t wait.. Thank you ma’am. See ya then.”
I hear the phone being set down and walk to stand in the doorway of his office. He’s sitting in his boxers at his desk, the laptop open away from me. He sees me and clicks a few things, closing the laptop and turning his phone around. “Hey, petal, I didn’t hear ya come in. When did you wake up?”
‘‘Just now, I was cold and wanted to see where you went. Why are you up so early?” I ask walking to his desk and leaning on the wood.
“Just needed to take care of something. Hey, I have a surprise for ya.” he grips my hips and pulls me into his lap. I wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him on his cheek.
“Oh yeah?”
“yeah, I need ya to pack a bag for a few days. I wanna take you away.”
“Can it wait for after the game tonight? I really want to see it.” he chuckles at me, and kisses my neck.
“I promise you can watch the game. Just pack the bag, we leave in an hour.”
“Wait what?”
He pushes me out of his lap, and stands up, dragging me back to the bedroom with him.
“Come on love, we don’t have much time.”
A few hours later we are on an airplane. I’ve been given a blindfold and earplugs so I do not know our destination. When we get into the air, he lets me take out the earplugs. He had chartered a private plane for our trip, so I’m not sure why he went to all this trouble of blindfolding me. His personal trainer/bodyguard Mark is waiting for us on the plane, which makes me think this won’t be as private of a getaway as he’s described to me.
Once we are off the plane and into a car, he blindfolds me again and I’m growing tired of this game. We drive for what seems like hours and finally the car stops. He tells me to wait and soon he comes and opens my door, grabbing my hand and pulling me out.
I can hear a lot of people, so we are somewhere with a lot of people. He asks his driver to take our bags to the hotel and he says he’ll meet us there later. Mark tells a few people to back away, that Niall is not signing autographs or taking pictures right now, and I feel a little bad that he has to turn fans away. But I’m also worried that now the word is out that he’s here and whatever he has planned will be ruined. Wherever here is.
We stop walking finally, and he asks if I’m ready for my surprise.
“Niall, please just tell me where we are.”
“Take off the blindfold”
I slowly peel it from my eyes and I am standing at the home plate entrance to Camden Yards. Oh. My.God. How.
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“NIALL JAMES HORAN!” I yell, immediately engulfing him in a massive hug.
He just laughs at my reaction, wrapping his arms around me.
“Come on, this isn’t all.” he takes my hand and we walk to the attendant, and he hands her our tickets.
“You may take this elevator here if you want more privacy to the club level or you may take the escalators on the main concourse.” She tells him.
I thank her, and he chooses the elevators. “I have another surprise for ya upstairs”
We reach the club level and he guides me to our Private Box. “Are ya ready for more?”
I nod my head and he pulls open the door and pushes me inside. I look around the room, seeing everything inside. My parents, my brother John and his wife Sarah and their daughter, my best friend Anne and her husband Brian.
“What are you all doing here?!” I yell. After they laugh at my reaction, they each come to give me a hug. My niece comes running up, “Uncle Niall called us and invited us! He told us it was a surprise!”
I give her a big hug and tell her I am so happy to see her and how great of a surprise it is!
We have about an hour before the game starts, so Anne and I decide to walk around the main level for a while and get some hot dogs. Something we used to do before I married Niall and moved to LA. Mark with us of course, walking close by.
“I can’t believe he planned all of this in one day.”
“I know! I couldn’t believe it when he called last night and told us his plan. But remember I told  you we’d be here one day.”
“Remember those days when we’d be here and there wouldn’t be anyone else in our section? There would be maybe 500 people here tops? Or when we’d sit in the rain and dream about being here for this?”
“Hold on to this one! If he did all of this for you, he’s husband of the year.”
“I know. I’m going to owe him big. I wonder if we’re staying at the Hilton, he told the driver we’d walk to the hotel, so it must be that.”
“Oh, he must have. He got us a room there too, and I’m not sure about your parents, or John, but I’m sure he offered.”
“We better get back up. I am so glad you’re here.” I stop her and pull her in for a hug.
“I wouldn’t have missed it”
We take the escalator back up to the club level, and walk to our box. Inside, they’ve set up a buffet of hot dogs, crab filled pretzels, popcorn, and some of Boog’s famous BBQ.A fridge full of Natty Boh is in the corner. My niece is running around asking everyone to buy her ice cream and cotton candy, while my husband is chatting up Brian about his latest golf trip and trying to coerce John into going on a ‘lads trip’ to the masters this year. I laugh, but I’m sure Sarah, Anne, and I could turn it into a girls weekend, too.
We sit in our seats and Anne and I fall right back into our old patterns of being at the game, of not moving from our seats, only talking between innings, singing and dancing during the seventh inning stretch to John Denver’s “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” .
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Ninth inning, we need two runs to win. We’re down by one. Marlins bat first and its three up, three down. Manny Machado bats first, and hits a single. Chris Davis bats next, and he strikes out. I’m chewing my nails down to the bone and my fingers are raw. I’m on the edge of my seat and my hat is on inside out. My rally cap. I look over at Niall and he is staring at me, smiling. I smile back and look back to the game.
Caleb Joseph up to bat, strikes out. The Marlins fans are positive they are about to win. When my favorite Oriole, Adam Jones comes up to bat. He’s been in Baltimore his whole career. If anyone deserves a world series win, its him. I’ve watched him in every kind of weather, good games and bad. Full stadiums and empty ones. He lives and breathes Baltimore. He is Baltimore. He brought this city together. He still does. He dreams of running this team someday. I look a few boxes over and his mom is here with their whole family. His wife, his kids, brother and step dad.
We’re all on edge. She sees me and smiles, we’ve met a few times over the years. She knows how much Anne and I support her son. I make a mental note to go say hi and introduce Niall before we leave.
The closing pitcher for the Marlins throws the ball, and SMACK, Adam hits a home run, the bat sending the ball all the way over the stands to Eutaw Street. The fans in the stadium go wild. Anne and I scream and jump up in our seats. The team runs to the field, throwing pies at each other, celebrating, an Adam Jones Tradition. ‘All I do is win’ plays over the loudspeaker.
The team runs inside their dugout to celebrate in their locker room and the fans start to leave the stadium.
I run to my mom hugging her tightly. “I wish Pop-pop was here to see this. He’d be so happy.”
She sighs, “He’d have loved to be here with you, especially. You know, he’d love Niall, not just because he’s Irish.” I know he would. It’s so hard to talk about him in the past tense.
Niall finds me and pulls me into a massive hug, lifting me off the ground. I nuzzle my face into his neck and tears find their way to my eyes.
“Hey, darlin, why are ya crying?”
“I’m just so happy and you’re so amazing and I’ll never be able to do anything near this amazing for you, and my grandfather would just love you and he’d love you for being a fellow Irishman, and for taking such good care of me, and cause your so amazing, and it’s hard to be here without thinking of him, and he’s the one that made me love this game and this team, and I can’t believe I’m here in this stadium, and I’m with you and my family and Anne, and I never thought I’d see them win the world series, and stop me from rambling at any time!”
“You’re cute when you ramble like this. I love seeing you this happy. You never need to do anything like this for me. I loved doing this for you, cause I can. I promised you I’d spend my life making you happy, and you deserve it. I love you so much.”
“I love you, Niall. A thousand times, Thank you.”
“A thousand times, you’re welcome.”
“We’re at the Hilton, right?”
“Yes.”
“Overlooking the field, right?”
“Of course. But we’re on a different floor than everyone else.”
“Good. I wanna thank you properly later.” I press my lips to his, softly, before pulling away and walking to my niece to celebrate with her.
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astainedteamug · 6 years
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Getting Rid of that Holiday Stress Ahead of Time
If you are finding yourself worried about the holidays, then you and I are in the same boat. And so is everybody else. Legitimately, everybody. Even the lady at work who always has a perfect party and she never has a hair out of place, she’s worried if her quiche will burn or if she will have enough decorations. Everybody has some kind of stress going on right now.
Some people are triple checking their travel plans to make sure everybody has a ticket and if they have a big enough budget. Some people are checking their list of people to give a gift to and realizing that they STILL don’t know what to get their mom for Christmas.
But whatever it is you are going through right now, you should take a minute off of your feet to read through this and see if one of these could help you.
1. The Clutter
It is amazingly easy to hold on to things in the modern world. And you don’t even know why. Especially after Halloween, there are candy wrappers, fairy wings, tiny toys, and just all around mess. The birthdays of the year have left you with gifts that you never wanted and you couldn’t return, so they wound up shoved in a corner to never be used or seen again.
But for some reason, you find yourself stressed out about it. That thing Jim gave you at your office party that was so ugly you didn’t even want it in your car. It’s bothering you that it’s still here, yet it has to take the back burner. And pretty soon, you start to feel like your house looks something like this:
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Yeah, I know!
But between work and school and getting everything ready, you just don’t feel like you have the time to go through all of it.
Behold, my friends, the beauty of November. This is a beautiful grace period that most people will skip over to start putting up decorations for Christmas, thinking it will help them not be stressed about the decorations. But they are wasting perfectly good cleaning time. It’s time for a detox, and your house is begging you to do it, just this once.
Now wait just a minute, this isn’t an excuse to throw out your wife’s figurines that you hate but she loves, in fact I don’t recommend throwing much away at all. Go through your things first and donate what you can.
Old clothing, shoes, toys, books, purses or bags, and even movies. This is a great time of year to donate those things and let somebody else enjoy them. Old dishes can be sold or donated, dog and cat toys can get washed and de-stinkified. Candles that have been sitting around for years can get burned and help get any unpleasant smells out of your house while freeing up cabinet space for candles to come. Old mail and documents can get shredded and recycled, or even stocked up as fire starters for your fireplace. And those decorations that “complete the room” can be stowed away until they are needed again. Don’t let them jumble you up and stand in the way.
And this is an excellent way to see what you need around the house. Maybe you didn’t know the drill was broken, but now you know what to get your husband for Christmas. Or maybe the kids need new pjs. And that new coat would look great in place of your old one.
And once you’re done with the clutter aspect of all of this, then it’s time to move into phase two.
2. The Mess
It is entirely possible that the corner of your living room behind your television hasn’t been dusted in months, correct? It’s an easy thing to forget. It’s an easy thing to push aside, or to say to yourself “would anybody really notice?” Aunt Barbara might when she visits on thanksgiving with her specialty cranberry stuffing. And you would never hear the end of it. Okay, now punch your anxiety in the face and pick up a duster.
It really isn’t that big of a deal which corner is dusted and which one isn’t, but November is a wonderful time of peace before the holiday guests arrive, so why not make sure the house is nice so you aren’t worried about it. They’ll make a mess when they get there anyways, you may as well conquer what you can now. Get those expired bath products and cleaning concoctions out of your house before area 51 gets involved. Soap is NOT good forever!
Move around your furniture to sweep under it, dig out all of those coins and wrappers in the couch, dust off your movie and CD collection so you can pick out the holiday films for when everyone is over. You may as well put one on while you vacuum your floors, those corners and your ceiling fans and vents. Heck, you can even wash your carpets if your feeling REALLY festive!
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There really isn’t any point to making the holidays harder on yourself than they already can be, so why not get a head start on all of that mess and just get rid of it? It can be a good excuse to have your kids wash the windows or clean their bathrooms, or even go through their clothes and toys and put everything they don’t use into one bag to donate. And with your mess all taken care of, you can take a breath and relax before you begin part three of this holiday mission.
3. The Food
This is the biggest time of year for food sales for home baking. Which also means the fire department is busy too. Please be careful whenever you are in the kitchen with loved ones and keep the heat down, your sockets dust free, and make sure all handles are out of reach of little ones. And remember, a falling knife has no handle.
All of those vegetables that are going into your casseroles and soups, or getting turned into a side, you know you can use your freezer, right? Chopping them up now and freezing them in the measurements that you need is an excellent time and mess saver for your holiday baking. Those fruits that you bought too early, go ahead and chop those up too and freeze them until the day you need them for your pies and fruit salads. And honestly, why did you buy SO MANY cranberries? Nobody eats them! Stop doing this to your wallet and to yourself.
Over spending on food and wasting it is another stupidly easy thing to do. Half of it rots away before it even sees the cutting board. You can stop yourself from doing this with a few easy tools, like shopping lists, dates, and coordination with the other cooks in your family.
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Everybody should bring a dish to thanksgiving. Whether it’s a pie, some creamed corn, or even something to drink. You won’t be the only cook during the week leading up to thanksgiving. So coordinating with your relatives about who is bringing what will save everybody from making the same thing and will make sure nobody is confused about what they’re doing and keeps you from making too much of one thing if not everybody is able to come. Especially if Kenny is the only person who is vegan and gluten intolerant, then his special dish doesn’t need to be fussed over this year. And everyone can bring something, even if uncle Dave just brings the disposable cups so grandma doesn’t have to do a million dishes with the grandkids later. And yes, everybody needs to do their share of work after dinner. A good rule of thumb is to clean up dishes before dessert.
But before the baking even begins, you need to figure out what ingredients you will need to buy to make that food. And some ingredients can be nearly impossible to get your hands on. You would not believe how difficult it was for me to find rhubarb for my pie this year. I had to google where I could get it, and it took me a few hours to get ahold of it. So making that shopping list can save you lots of time and hassle when it gets down to the wire. And having the dates of parties and holidays next to you makes it easy to know when you’ll need to shop for that food and save space in your fridge.
Ah yes, the fridge. Your old pal, full of old take out containers, a few odds and ends when it comes to ingredients, expired dairy products, and an endless assortment of condiments. Why do we do this? The fridge looks full, yet there’s nothing to eat.
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Clean it! That smell can be taken care of with a box of baking soda. Just leave it open in he back corner and it will absorb it for you. Take your trash can and have it ready for the avalanche of forgotten meals it will need to hold. The old products and empty cartons need to get thrown out now so you can have space for leftovers during the holidays, but you’re much less likely to forget about those. Once you’ve emptied out all of the rotten veggies and old yogurts, now is the time to wash the shelves and clean it up in there to get a head start on the dishes.
Bravo. You have earned another break. But you are so far from being done.
4. The Yard
This is an ongoing task, and I’m afraid not much can be done that will stay done. Especially if you live somewhere the leaves turn red and then fall every time the wind blows. Honestly, it can’t really all be done at once. But after it snows, it has to stay there. That stick could trip you if your boot snags it and you forgot it was there. Those leaves will kill your lawn if they stand as a frozen barrier between the grass and the snow. And the weeds will only populate while they can.
Head to a hardware store and grab some tools if you need them. And get some gloves too, those thorns can be vicious. Taking care of lawn maintenance before you decorate should be high on your list of to-do’s, yet many people skip it all together. Clean out your gutters and send your hubby on the roof with a broom before you send him up with lights and a fake santa. It’s safer and it can actually save your roof from too much damage all at once.
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Mow the grass while you can, trim your bushes before they get lined with lights, and rake those leaves up before they have to stay put for the next four months.
And if you have a dog, this is your last chance to double check nothing was left behind when your kids last took them outside.
5. The Car
If you’re traveling with your family, you have to clean out your car now! The tissues, old receipts that need to be organized, wrappers, straws, socks, and crumbs all need to go.
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Suitcases and crock pots will soon take their place as well as bored kiddos and grumpy adults just trying to drive through the traffic. Pack those CDs into the car, download some podcasts, or get some audio books to help pass the time. But make sure the smell is gone too. Get a new air freshener and some febreeze. It’s amazing how much smell can come from one toddlers sock.
6. Finances and Documents
That giant pile of papers in your room, on your desk, or in your coffee table? Yeah, it won’t take care of itself. And during the holidays. The last thing you want to worry about is knocking it over so it isn’t 'organized’ anymore. Go through it now.
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This will give you the chance to get your finances in order before you spend three hundred dollars on lights for the tree when really you can only spend thirty. I found a paper I wrote in fifth grade the other day, and tossed it right out. Honestly, why do we cling to these things? It has been in my life for ten years, and it has served its purpose. Now it’s time to go. This frees up space not only in your desk, but in your mind as well. It was one of those little things that you had been worried about for far too long. And now it’s finally gone.
7. The Decorations
Now is the time, folks, to get your final affairs in order. We are now approaching the holidays so please prepare for landing.
Decorations are the easiest thing in the world to freak out over when you get down to the wire. You count the lights, you measure for garland, you buy the plates and the napkins and even special straws that are made of paper. Candy canes are beautiful on a tree, but the tree isn’t up yet. Not to worry though. Your shopping list is that much smaller because you already took care of it.
Buying what you can ahead of time is something I’ve been doing since April. Buying candles, drinks, and even some gifts before they’re at their holiday prices is something I do to avoid the crowds and the chaos. Yes, I’m on a budget and I know how to work the system to my favor. Buying discount wrapping paper and tinsel the year before is nothing to hide, and props to you if you make your own decorations.
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That’s what I did. Wreaths can be up to $70 when they come pre decorated. I bought one for ten and put my own decorations and lights on it for less than forty dollars. And I’ll use it over and over again. Making decorations can also help tame that beast inside of you that is screaming at you to put up the lights now! It’s not even thanksgiving, calm down you little elf.
Once you’ve ticked all of these things off of your list, you’ll find it much easier to breathe while you wrap gifts or wade through the sea of people at the mall. Having your lists organized, your budget in mind, and the peace of mind that your house is organized and ready, you’ll be unstoppable this holiday season!
Happy holidays everybody!
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Creating A Life With You
Part 13
Part 14 - A Little Transition
Derek wasn't stupid. He could tell something was up with his youngest son. What that something was, he couldn't quite tell. But he was going to get to the bottom of it. Clark had been acting weird. If Derek thinks about it, he can tell it's been happening for a while and he just hadn't picked up on it. It was a very subtle and slow change in the fifteen year old.
Derek can't pinpoint exactly when it started, but he can pinpoint the first odd think he noticed. Clark has always been very outgoing, a young Stiles on steroids, but recently he hasn't been. He's been very quiet and withdrawn. Normally, during the day, he's out and about. Out with school friends, or his cousins, he's always doing something.
When he is home, he's bugging his sisters. He's cooking or baking, playing video games with Cadi, running circles around Miranda, going on tangents that rival Stiles'. Lately though, he hasn't been going out. He stays home, but not with his family, he stays in his room. When he does make an appearance downstairs, it's only when he's expected to be.
He comes down for dinner, and family time, but otherwise he stays upstairs. When he is around, he isn't talking a mile per minute, or tugging on Miranda's hair. He sits quietly, only speaking when spoken to. Normally you can't get him out of the kitchen, he's always wanting to cook something. Derek hasn't seen him in there for longer than a couple minutes in weeks.
He's still the smiley kid that allows his twin to braid his hair while they watch movies that he's always been, but Derek can tell it's forced. Derek wants to blame it on Clark being a teenager, wants to brush it off and say it's normal. But he knows his kids, and something just isn't right. He can smell it on Clark, he smells miserable and sad. It makes Derek want to lash out at whatever is hurting his kid, and curl protectively around him.
But instead of letting his more animalistic side get the best of him, he decides using his words might be the better option. For now.
He knocked on Clark's bedroom door, waiting for Clark's voice to beckon him in, before pushing the door open. Clark is sitting on his floor, his back against his bed, with his laptop in his lap and earbuds in his ears.
Pies was curled up next to him, glued to Clark's side. The damn dog was ten now, but she didn't like to act her age. Derek wasn't looking forward to the day she finally got too old. Bull terriers normally lived anywhere from ten to fourteen years, so hopefully they didn't have to deal with it anytime soon.
Clark pulls one earbud out when his father walked in, pausing the music he was listening to.
"Ya, Pops?"
"Hey, kiddo. Can I sit with you?"
Clark nodded, scooting over a bit so Derek could lean against the bed too. Derek sat next to his son, ruffling his hair as he did. Clark huffed indignantly, batting his father's hands. Derek chuckled at his son's antics. His flailing reminded him so much of Stiles.
"Your hair is getting long." Clark just nodded, looking anywhere but at Derek. "Do you wanna get it cut soon?"
Clark's head snapped in Derek's direction, his eyes wide. He shook his head frantically, pushing Derek's hand away from his hair.
"No! No, I-I'm good. I like it."
Derek was a little confused by Clark's reaction, but didn't say anything. He just nodded, raising his hands in surrender.
"Alright, I was just asking. It looks good on you."
"Yo-you think so?"
"Ya, of course. You have great hair, you get that from me."
Clark scoffed, rolling his eyes fondly. Derek chuckled, bumping shoulders with Clark.
"Okay. Well I didn't come up here just to talk about your hair. I wanted to check in with you, see how you're doing."
"I'm fine, Pop. All good."
Derek could hear the obvious tick in Clark's heartbeat, easily picking up on the lie.
"Clark-"
"Really Papa, I'm fine. I have a lot homework to finish though."
Derek just looked at Clark for a moment, searching his face for something. But Clark wouldn't look at him. Derek finally sighed, nodding.
"Okay. I'm not going to push you. Just.. When you're ready to talk about whatever is bugging you I'm here, kiddo. Both Dad and I are, okay?"
"I know, Papa."
Derek nodded, pressing a kiss to Clark's head before getting up. His back cracked and groaned as he got off the floor. God, he was getting old. Clark softly chuckled at him, but quickly looked away innocently when Derek sent him a glare.
"Dinner should be read soon."
"Okay, I'll be down."
Clark shoved his earbuds back in, pushing play on his music. Derek sighed, closing the door behind him.
****
Derek let it continue for another week, but it just got worse. So then he had to bring in the big guns. The big guns being Stiles. He wasn't even slightly surprised to find out Stiles was already well aware of Clark's odd behavior, as the younger man was just as in tune with their kids at Derek was.
"I don't know, I just figured he'd come talk to us when he was ready.. But it's been a while, Der. Why hasn't he come talked to us?"
"I don't know. I tried to talk to him last week about it, but I got absolutely nowhere."
Stiles walked closer to Derek, plastering himself to the werewolf's front and tucking his head into the crook of Derek's neck. Derek wrapped his arms around Stiles' smaller frame, pulling him closer as he leaned back against the kitchen counter.
"Where did we go wrong, Der? I thought we were raising our kids so they would always know they were loved, and that we here for them no matter. They can always be honest with us. Hell, I would hide a body for one of them! First Randa wasn't comfortable coming to us about C.J, now Clark is hurting and won't tell us why. Did we do something wrong?"
Derek hushed his husband, pressing a kiss to his head.
"No, sweetheart. Teenagers are just like this. My parents raised us the same way, with open arms and loving hearts. It didn't stop us from keeping stuff from them. Some things are just difficult to handle, some things we just have handle and sort through on our own."
"It still kills me to see our little boy in so much pain. I wish I could just shelter him from everything for the rest of his life."
"I know what you mean. The smell of his misery is starting to reek up the whole house, it's killing me. It's starting to affect Cadi too, she's been moping. They've always told everything to each other."
Even after the twins went through their own identity crisis, trying their best to obviously be two different people and stand apart from the other, they were still super close. They've always been close, the other's best friend. It was hard on Cadi to not have her brother around, especially when he was obviously upset about something.
"What should we do?"
"If he doesn't tell us what's wrong, I don't think there is anything we can do. We just need to be here for him."
It was only a couple of days after Stiles and Derek's conversation when shit hit the fan. Derek was in the kitchen, cleaning dishes, while Stiles was upstairs in the office. Miranda was off with her friends, something about senior prom committee. It was a quiet peaceful day in the Stilinski-Hale household.. Until it wasn't.
It started with yells, shortly followed by a loud crash. From there it escalated to growls and snarls, along side the sound of a fight breaking out. Derek dropped the plate he was cleaning into the skin, the sound of it shattering not even catching his attention as he ran up the stairs to Clark's room.
Stiles had made it there first, trying desperately to push his way between Cadi and Clark. His attempts were useless though as the two wolfed out teens continued to swing and scratch at each other. Derek let out a roar, the sound of it shaking the house as his eyes glowed red. The twins instantly reacted, their beta forms melting away as they backed away from each other.
"What the hell is going on in here?!"
Neither twin spoke up, their eyes set on their feet, determinedly not looking at their fuming father. Derek took in the scene around him. The shallow cuts on both of the teens were already healing, small bits of blood left where they were, and there was a shattered lamp on the floor that fell off of the desk.
"That was not rhetorical. Both of you sit. Now."
They did, sitting on the edge of Clark's bed. There was a good gap left between them though. Stiles moved to stand by Derek in front of the kids, his arms crossed over his chest.
"I am very disappointed in both of you. You both know better. Do you want to tell us what this is about?"
Again, neither teen spoke up, only adding to their parents' anger.
"You both are already in a lot of trouble. Not speaking is only going to make it worse."
Finally Clark spoke up, sending a glare his sister's way.
"Cadi shoved me."
"Only because-" "No, you d-" "You were-"
Derek growled again, much quieter this time, silencing both of them. If it was any other situation, the two men might have found it comical how their kids still argue like they did when they were five. But now was not the time for that.
"Cadi, why did you shove your brother?"
"I only came in here to talk to him. I just want to know what's wrong with him, but he won't talk to me!"
"I get that you're upset about that, but that is no reason to resort to violence."
"I only shoved him cause he said he wasn't my brother."
Stiles turned to Clark, confusion laced on his face.
"Clark, why would you say that sweetie?"
Clark didn't answer. He looked anywhere but at his family, his arms curled protectively around himself. Derek's stomach was starting to hurt from the waves of grief that were rolling off of him.
"Son-"
"Stop calling me that!"
Stiles stepped back, shocked. Clark had never once risen his voice like that at his parents. Clark's eye kept flickering back and forth from gold to hazel, like he was struggling to control it. His fists were clenched tight, his claws drawing blood as they pressed into his palms.
Stiles stepped forward again, kneeling in front of Clark. He took Clark's hands in his and getting them to loosen. Derek followed suit, sitting between the twins on the bed. He put his arms around both of them, rubbing soothing circles into Clark's back.
"Tell us what's wrong, baby."
Clark was crying, tears falling down his cheeks. Stiles wiped them away, brushing Clark's hair out of his face.
"I- I don't feel like her brother..."
No one spoke, knowing Clark was just having a hard time forming his words. They waited patiently, letting him work through it.
"What if I wanted to be her sister instead? What if that's what I feel like?"
Derek felt a weight fly off his chest. This, this he could deal with. He and Stiles have always encouraged their kids to express themselves how they want. Clark always had his nails painted as a kid, or would wear the girls' dress up clothes around the house, sometimes even out. It wasn't even something Stiles or Derek had ever thought about, it was just who their kid was. It stopped when Clark got a little older, but again neither of them thought anything of it.
When Clark said he wasn't Cadi's brother, it made Derek's chest get painfully tight. Having Clark disown his family, that he could not deal with. This, this was not something he would ever even consider thinking of as a problem. Stiles seemed to share his feelings on this.
"That's it, baby? That's what you've been so miserable about? Clark, if that's what you feel, then that's what you feel. Okay? That does not change anything. Well, we might need to change which pronouns we're using, but that is so easy. If that is what you need, that is what you will get. Okay, baby?"
Clark nodded, pressing his tear stained face into the crook of papa's neck. Derek just rubbed his back, Stiles still holding Clark's hands. Cadi put a hand on her twin's knee, trying to offer physical comfort. Clark mumbled something, but it was muffled as his face was still buried in Derek's chest.
Stiles and Derek shared a look, their hearts expanding. Clark used to do that a lot when he was younger whenever he was upset. They would have to coax him away from his papa, just so they could hear what he was saying.
"What was that, kiddo?"
Luckily that's all the goading it took, it used to take forever. Clark barely pulled back, his head still resting on Derek's chest.
"I love you guys."
Derek smiled, pulling Cadi into his lap so she was closer to her sibling. Stiles and Derek held both of them close, the two of them smushed in-between the couple.
"And we love you, baby."
They stayed like that for a bit longer, enjoying each other's company, and Clark recovering from his emotion explosion. It was Cadi who broke the silence.
"Does this mean you're going to start stealing my clothes again?"
They all broke out laughing, her question breaking the heavy mood that had formed in the room. Ya, this wouldn't change anything. They were both still their kids.
****
Clark's transition was easy enough. She decided to keep going by Clark, simply stating to fuck gender norms and the separation of names by gender. Plus she wanted to keep the name that her big sister, Miranda, had chosen for her.
Stiles and Derek prepared themselves for the worst when it came to Clark's public transition. They did their research, had read enough, knew enough that they weren't expecting things to be easy. Surprisingly, they really didn't have any troubles. The kids accepted it easily enough, the parents didn't cause any trouble, the school was great at cooperating with them. If anybody had any problems, they had kept it to themselves. Even werewolf hearing hadn't picked up on any snide comments. Things were going well.
Stiles and Derek sat down and talked with Clark about what she wanted to do moving forward. She decided she wanted to start hormones, so they got her set up on the right track to do so. Doctors visits, appointed psych evals, multiple conversations about what Clark wanted and making sure she was aware of everything that would and could happen. It was a long process, but one Clark wanted, so they made it happen for her.
Miranda just shrugged, saying it didn't change the fact that Clark was an annoying little twerp. Clark had tackled her, Randa complaining about her skirt getting dirty. She ranted about having to teach Clark manners, and how to be lady like. Clark just playfully snarled, nuzzling her forehead against Randa's cheek. Miranda huffed, pushing her off, but she reeked of fondness.
Clark hadn't wanted to tell Toby over the phone, but the college student was planning a trip home in a couple weeks anyways. So she just told him she had a surprise for when he got home, and left it at that. He was shocked, but just pulled Clark into a hug, saying he was just adding another little sister to the hoard. Clark nuzzled into his shoulder, missing her brother's hugs more than she would admit.
Clark started hormones, her hair continuing to grow, and her sisters trying to convince her to let them take her shopping for a new wardrobe. But Clark was content how she was. Other than her pronouns, and some physical attributes, she was just the same old Clark. She spent way too much time in the kitchen, watched every game that her grandpa wanted to watch with as much enthusiasm as she had when she was five, and continued to talk too much and get into way too much trouble.
Things were good. Stiles didn't want to say he was waiting for a shoe to drop, but things were almost too good. He wanted to remain hopeful, so he pushed those thoughts out of his head. Things were good, and he would go through hell and high water to ensure they stayed that way. His little girl deserved for things to stay good, so they would. Whether the universe had that in the plans for them or not. Stiles has never really been one to listen to the universe anyways.
Part 15 - coming soon
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echocircles · 6 years
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★  FILL IN THE QUESTIONS AS IF YOU ARE BEING INTERVIEWED FOR AN ARTICLE AND YOU WERE YOUR MUSE.
TAGGED BY: the wonderful @wholehcartedly TAGGING: anyone who’d like to do this can go for it! <3
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1. WHAT IS YOUR NAME?   "Talia!”
2. WHAT IS YOUR REAL NAME?   She cocks her head curiously. “Talia...is my real name?”
3. DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU’RE CALLED THAT? She can’t help but smile, clearly running through memories in her mind. “My moms call me Dewdrop sometimes because my name means ‘dew from God!’“
4. ARE YOU SINGLE OR TAKEN? "Haha! I don’t know why this is of interest to you, but I’m single. University and work both keep me pretty busy. I’m happy with my friends, though!”
5. WHAT ARE YOUR POWERS AND ABILITIES? She tilts her head from side to side, humming as she considers for a moment. "Hmm... I guess I’m pretty quick and sturdy? And I’m good at remembering things... ‘Powers and abilities’ sounds a bit more magical than what I can actually do.”
6. WHAT COLOR ARE YOUR EYES? “Brown!”
7. HAVE YOU EVER DYED YOUR HAIR? "Nope! It’s just too much upkeep for me to handle. I really love seeing other people’s dyed hair though!”
8. DO YOU HAVE ANY FAMILY MEMBERS? "Yes! I’ve got Mom, Mama, and Eli!” She purses her lips for a moment. “Mmmm... Yeah.” Her smile now seems a bit tight.
9. DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS? "Oh, I wish! I just don’t have the time. Back home though, we have a dog, Pepper, and a cat, Mocha! They’re more Eli’s than mine, though.”
10. TELL ME ABOUT SOMETHING YOU DON’T LIKE. “Something I don’t like... I guess... You know when you get a drink like coffee or hot cocoa and while you’re finishing it, it gets all grainy at the bottom? It always irritates my throat.”
11. DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OR ACTIVITIES YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? “I like to cloudgaze! And stargaze! And I spend a lot of time exploring places...knitting things for my friends...reading... I have a little window garden that my friend Nozomu and I set up, so I take care of that in my spare time.”
12. HAVE YOU EVER HURT ANYONE BEFORE? “...I’m sure I have.”
13. HAVE YOU EVER… KILLED ANYONE? "Huh? That’s a pretty weird question. Of course I haven’t!”
14. WHAT KIND OF ANIMAL ARE YOU? “Oh, this is cute! My brother says I’m like a cat. I guess I picked up a lot from Mocha growing up, haha.”
15. NAME YOUR WORST HABITS. "I know I tend to get distracted and ramble on a lot. And I’m not...great at saying when I’m having a hard time.”
16. DO YOU LOOK UP TO ANYONE? "Of course I do! My mom, my mama, my brother, Nozomu, and my psychology professor, to name a few.”
17. GAY, STRAIGHT, OR BISEXUAL? "I’m bi! Uh...what’s this interview going to be for?”
18. DO YOU GO TO SCHOOL? "Yup! I go to the nearby university!”
19. DO YOU EVER WANT TO MARRY AND HAVE KIDS SOMEDAY? "I...don’t know if anyone would have me, haha... But, yeah...”
20. DO YOU HAVE ANY FANS? “Fans? I’m not famous or anything.”
21. WHAT ARE YOU MOST AFRAID OF? “I...don’t want to be forgotten. And I don’t want to forget.”
22. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY WEAR? "Jeans, joggers, t-shirts, sweaters... Nothing fancy as long as it’s comfy!”
23. DO YOU LOVE SOMEONE? "Of course! I love Mom, Mama, Eli, Nozomu... It’s impossible for me not to love them!”
24. WHAT CLASS ARE YOU? "Class? I’m in my third year at uni. Unless you mean social class? My family and I are middle class, I guess.”
25. HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU HAVE? "I don’t really count, but I’m happy with them and that’s all that matters!”
26. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON PIE? "I like pumpkin pie! And fruit tarts! And cream pies are really good!” Thank goodness she’s not a dirty-minded person.
27. FAVORITE DRINK? "My mom’s rose tea with honey.”
29. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE? "This is probably weird, but...Nozomu’s place! I feel like I spend a lot of our free time there, and I feel really safe and at home there. I’m sure I only feel that way because it’s Nozomu’s place, though. Like, I’m sure I could go anywhere and if it were with him, it would feel like home, you know? He’s my most important friend.”
30. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SOMEONE? "I’m interested in everyone! Everyone has a story, right?”
31. WOULD YOU RATHER SWIM IN THE LAKE OR THE OCEAN? "I...can’t swim.”
32. WHAT’S YOUR ‘TYPE’? "I’ve never really thought about it! I guess someone who feels like home?” Hey. Hey hey hey go back a bit there, Talia.
33. ANY FETISHES? "Whoa! Um, that’s a bit personal, don’t you think?”
34. TOP OR BOTTOM? DOMINANT OR SUBMISSIVE? She hums, staring until you move on. All right, even she’s done with this topic.
35. CAMPING, OR INDOORS? "Oh, definitely camping! My family and I would always go camping in the summer, and I love exploring outside! I get in less trouble for climbing things when I’m outdoors. Which is understandable.” 
36. ARE YOU WAITING FOR THIS INTERVIEW TO BE OVER? "No, this was really fun! A bit weird at some points, but fun! Um, this won’t be published internationally or anything like that, right?”
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waywardnerd67 · 6 years
Text
The Prom
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Summary: The Winchesters hear of mysterious deaths that were classmates from Truman High School. Sam and Dean go back to Fairfax, Indiana to investigate what is going on. When they get there, it is filled with alumni for the Class of 1998’s twenty-year reunion and Dean gets to experience one high school event he never thought he would. Characters: Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, Peyton Harris (OFC) Pairing: Dean x Peyton (OFC) Warnings: Fluff Word Count: 1980 (With Lyrics) Louden Swain Song: “Prom” – Able-Legged Heroes A/N: My second entry for @mrswhozeewhatsis 2018 Louden Swain Fan Project. This time I went with my favorite Swain song, “Prom”. I love how upbeat it is and can’t help but bounce along to it whenever I hear it. Lyrics are bold. As always this is unbeta so all mistakes are mine. Likes, comments and reblogs are splendid and I will love you doubly for them! Enjoy!
Dean Winchester sighed heavily as he had east out of Lebanon, Kansas. “Sam, are you absolutely, one hundred percent sure that this is our kind of thing?” He asked as Sam was looking over the few articles he had found online. “Two mysterious deaths in Fairfax, Indiana. Oh, and get this, demon omens for the last two weeks. So yeah, I would say this is our kind of thing. I know the last time we were here was no cake walk but we should at least check this out.” Dean nodded, “Alright. At least we’re not going back to that god-awful school again.” Dean shivered as Sam chuckled. Dean stopped in Jefferson City, Missouri to grab some food and stretch his legs. While they were sitting in the little roadside diner, Sam’s phone buzzed on the table. “What is it?” Dean asked as Sam looked down at his phone his worried look on his face.
“There’s been another death in Fairfax.” Sam looked up at his face going from worried to sympathetic. “Okay, so who is this victim?” Sam handed over his phone as Dean looked down to a woman who looked familiar to him. As he read her name his eyes snapped back up to Sam, “You’re kidding? Once again this has to deal with Truman High School?” Dean began reading the article on the death of Amanda Heckerling, one of the many girls Dean had a fling with during their month stay at Truman High. Dean looked up seeing Sam pulling out his laptop and he glanced back down to Amanda’s picture. She was beautiful and she had the perfect family with a husband, kids and even a dog. Dean was once again reminded of what he could not give any one, the perfect life.
“Why didn’t I catch this before?” Sam muttered looking at his computer screen. He turned the screen towards Dean showing a connection between victims. “You’re kidding?” He asked in disbelief as Sam shook his head, “They all graduated the same year you were supposed to. It’s almost like something is…” Dean looked up, “Trying to call me out, let I’m getting that message loud and clear.” He sighed turning the computer back around looking down at his food suddenly not feeling hungry. Quickly, they got back on the road driving six hours to Fairfax. After arriving, they changed into the Fed suits so they could interview Amanda’s family. Dean was sitting outside in the Impala waiting for Sam to finish talking with her husband. People were coming and going from their house that all looked familiar to him making his stomach churning.
He watched as Sam walked out with a girl that took Dean’s breath away. She had long light brown hair, fair skin and hourglass figure. Sam laughed at something she said and then gave her his card as they parted ways. “Who was that?” Dean asked as soon as Sam was in the car. “The woman I was talking too?” Dean gave him a pointed look, “No the tree that was next to you and the woman. Yes, the woman!” Sam chuckled as Dean started to drive towards their motel. “Of course, you wouldn’t remember the nerds from school. That was Peyton Harris. She wore thick glasses, had braces, on the heavier side and always wore a mustard yellow sweater.”
Flashes of her came to Dean’s mind as he remembered that ugly sweater, “Right. Some of Amanda’s friends would make fun of her because she looked weird. I guess it was just a phase.” He glanced over to Sam who rolled his eyes. “Peyton told me that everyone who has died was involved in the twenty-year reunion that is happening this weekend. Amanda was organizing it all so I figured it would be a good idea for us to go. Peyton said she would put us down to be there so we could talk to more classmates.” Dean groaned, “Great. Exactly what I don’t want to do.” Sam snickered holding up a flyer he got from Amanda’s husband, “It gets better. The theme is Prom Night, so we’ll have to dress accordingly. Suits or tuxes are a must.” Sam started laughing as Dean growl. “Oh, this just keeps getting better and better.”
Jenny said she don't wanna be depressed 'Cause she looks so good in her satin dress And we're playin' the prom
Trevor's sad, he don't wanna be mad But his tux got dirty that he borrowed from his dad, And we're playin' the prom Yeah we're playin the prom
Dean grumbled as he and Sam walked into the school gymnasium that was decorated with balloons in the Truman High colors and pictures from the senior class. “Dean, is that you? Wearing an apron?” Sam asked trying not to laugh as Dean felt his cheeks burning. “Dude, I hate this.” He said ripping down the picture and placing it in his coat jacket. “I’d appreciate it if you gave me my picture back.” Dean slowly turned towards the lovely voice behind him seeing Peyton in a gorgeous royal blue dress that matched her eyes. “Th-This is your picture?” He asked as he handed it back to her. She pinned it back up on the board and then Dean saw that right next to him she stood with an apron on as well. “Yes, I remembered I had this picture of you from Home Ec class. Our pie one first place our of all the classes mainly because you were an expert on how pies should taste.” He chuckled nervously shrugging, “I do love pie.” She giggled and someone called out her name as she excused herself.
The jock's all cleaned up, we're all impressed But who's that girl, and why's she wearing my dress? And we're playing the prom
The gymnasium never looked so good We're the best fuckin' school in the neighborhood And we're playin' the prom Yeah we're playin' the prom
Sam walked away to talk with some of the alumni there about Amanda and the other victims. After listening to a girl complain about someone wearing the same dress she was and one guy admitting he had to borrow a suit from his dad he decided he needed a drink. Dean walked over seeing a guy spiking the punch who was wearing his old football letterman jacket. “Smart man.” He mumbled as he grabbed a glass for himself. “Trust me, you don’t want to drink that.” He glanced over to Peyton who was walking up to talk with the caterer. “Could you please empty this bowl and refill it with the hurricane mix.” Dean looked surprised at her, “You already pre-spiked the punch.” She smiled at him making him weak in the knees, “No one should have to suffer a high school reunion without alcohol.” Dean nodded smiling back at her, “My kind of girl.” Peyton scoffed and then started laughing, “Not really. I mean I was the loser freak of our class. What was it everyone called me, Mustard Ball because of my sweater and weight.” Dean looked down at his glass knowing he had probably called her that back then.
So grab a girl or grab a guy You better be drunk, 'cause we're already high And we're playin' the prom Yeah we're playin' the prom
“I’m sorry, kids are jerks and I certainly know I was.” A slow song came on and Peyton set down her drink. “Well, you can make it up to me by dancing with me.” She said grabbing his drink and setting it next to hers then pulling him onto the dance floor. “Peyton, I’m not really… I mean I’ve never…” She giggled placing his hands on her hips as she wrapped hers around his neck. “You just sway back and forth. Just try not to step on my feet.” He chuckled, “I make no promises.” He looked down to Peyton who was looking around to the other couples dancing. 
For the first time, in a long time, he felt like a normal guy dancing with a beautiful girl. “It’s funny, most of our classmates haven’t changed. The popular girls are still snotty and tow-faced. The jocks are still dumb. I’m still the social outcast who finally got the courage to dance with her high school crush.” Peyton looked up at him through her thick lashes as he swallowed the lump in his throat. “Me? Trust me, I’m not worthy of having any feelings for. I’m much more of an outcast than you realize.”
She was about to say something when Sam ran up to them. “Sorry, Dean I need to speak with you. Now.” Peyton let go of him, “It’s fine. Thanks for the dance Dean.” As she walked away, Dean groaned following Sam out to the hallway. “What is it?” He asked and then saw a woman walking into the girls’ bathroom coughing violently. “I spiked the punch with holy water and she just ran out with smoke coming from her.” They ran into the bathroom seeing the woman whose black eyes were shining in the mirror. “Winchesters, don’t drink the punch it’s got a nasty afterburn.” Dean pulled out his angel blade as Sam had out the demon knife. Dean then recognized the woman the demon was possessing.
“The woman you’re possessing is one of Amanda’s friends, why? Why do all of this to draw me out?” She started laughing, “Our new leader wanted to show you what is to come for you and Sam. We are going to take out everyone you love, everyone you met, everyone who has ever spoken to you Winchesters. This is personal boys and my leader isn’t the forgiving type for messing with hell so much. Next on my list is loser turned hottie, Peyton. I don’t know when, but I will get to her don’t you worry. For now, I’ll let you have your fun with her at the Prom.” 
Black smoke came from the woman’s mouth as her body dropped to the floor. Sam rushed to her making sure she had no wounds, “She’s just unconscious. He picked her up and carried her out just as Peyton was coming out of the gym. “Rosalie?! What happened?” she asked frantically. “She’s okay, just a little too much to drink is all. Sam is going to take her into the nurse’s office so she can rest.” Peyton took a deep breath as Dean gently rubbed her back. “Are you sure she’s okay?” He nodded as he led her back into the gym.
Someone was up on stage talking about their class, remembering Amanda as their prom queen and the other alumni that had died. “Now, we are going to crown our reunion prom king and queen who are…” Dean looked down to Peyton thinking she would look great with a crown on her head. “Dean Winchester and Peyton Harris!” A spotlight shined down on them as they both stood their shocked. “Come on up guys!” Someone behind them pushed them towards the stage and once they walked up crowns were placed on their heads. 
“Congratulations! Dean we all remember what kind of music you loved so this one is for you.” The beginning of AC/DC’s ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ started to play as people filled the dance floor again. Dean and Peyton walked back down where Sam was waiting for them. “Wow, king of the prom.” Dean pointed a finger at him, “Not a word.” Peyton started laughing as she grabbed Dean’s hand. “Come on, Dean.” She tilted his crown slightly pulling him onto the dance floor. Dean looked back panicked as Sam started laughing.
We're gonna play all the songs from your favorite groups Rush, AC/DC, Motley Crue! And we're playin' the prom Yeah we're playin' the prom Yeah we're playin' the prom Yeah we're playin' the prom
My Nerd Herd: @waywardbaby @waywardrose13 @carryonmywaywardcaptain @anotherwaywardsister @ladywinchester1967 @dwgrl1903 @akshi8278 @ericaprice2008 @mirandaaustin93 @spnbaby-67 @time-travel-bouqet @1967-essentialghoul @weirdoblogger69
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olgagarmash · 3 years
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6 Reasons Fall is the Best Time for Weight Loss
Don’t wait for New Year’s Day. The start of fall is the ideal time to embark on a crisp, cool journey to weight loss success.
Why? The unpredictability of summer barbecue fare is over, as are the splurges of summer vacation. It’s time to focus on yourself, your food choices and your health. We put together a list of reasons to embrace the bracing chill of fall as the start of your weight loss victory.
Here are six reasons why autumn is the best time to drop pounds:
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1. Fall is all about routine.
The kids are back in school, which means getting back into a routine. Getting up for the bus, packing lunches, after-school activities and scheduled bedtimes.
This also makes fall a great time to create new routines and solidify new, healthy habits of your own. According to Jamesclear.com, one way to help cement these new routines is by doing something called “habit stacking,” where a new habit is paired with one you’re already doing. Doing so creates a cue to do a new, healthy task when you’re already doing a task that’s a habit.
If you already make the kids’ lunches each morning and you’re hoping to eat more non-starchy vegetables as part of a weight loss program, stack them! When you’re making the kids’ lunches, chop up one container of carrots, cucumbers or another veggie for yourself to eat later in the day. If you’re trying to drink more water and you already brush your teeth every morning, stack them! After you brush, drink an eight-ounce glass of water.
Weight loss success is all about finding routines that you can stick to. Fall is the ideal time to create and solidify those routines.
2. It’s not so blazingly hot!
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, July 2021 was the world’s hottest month ever recorded. So hot, in fact, that it was often unbearable to be outside exercising. Fall brings those mind-melting temperatures to a merciful end, meaning it’s a great time to enjoy the outdoors.
A morning walk in the newly-crisp air could help you control your appetite for the rest of the day. In a study published by the American Physiological Society, scientists found that those who did aerobic exercise had lower levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite. Getting in your steps at sunrise could give you this appetite-suppressing hormone advantage all day.
If you’re not a morning person, know that taking a walk doesn’t have to be at the crack of dawn. Making a habit of getting moving on weekend hikes, bike rides or just longer walks with the dog can help you feel healthier and add to your weight loss success. It’s finally cool enough outside to do so!
Autumn is also a great season to start in the gym because it isn’t as crowded as January. This will give you the space to get the weights and machines you need for your workout. Gyms often have sales and free training sessions as the leaves start to turn.
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3. It’s the season of harvest.
Nutritious and fiber-rich favorites are in season, which can be great for your wallet and health. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), some of the delicious produce that is in-season during the fall includes:
Fruit: Apples, cranberries and pears.
Root Vegetables: Beets, carrots, sweet potatoes and radishes.
Leafy greens: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale and Swiss chard.
Squash: Pumpkin, butternut and acorn.
Other Vegetables: Cabbage, cauliflower, green beans, mushrooms, peas and onions.
Get creative with your favorite autumn produce and incorporate them throughout your weight loss menu. Add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, rosemary or ginger to add some fall flavor. If you need inspiration, try our recipes for Maple Cinnamon Butternut Squash, Roasted Rosemary Beets and Carrots or Pumpkin Pie Applesauce!
4. It’s soup season!
Another reason to love the cooler temperature is heating up a bowl of hot, comforting soup. Whether it’s Nutrisystem’s fan-favorite Chicken Noodle Soup, Classic Pasta Fagioli or something homemade, warm dishes like these are perfect for fall. There are many soup recipes that are healthy and diet-friendly. It’s a versatile meal that you can make using your favorite ingredients. Have fun and experiment with different proteins, vegetables, grains and broths. Click the link below for some ideas!
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5. Hearty desserts are on the menu.
Wait … what? Sure, fall is full of hearty favorites like apple pies and pumpkin spice everything. But how can hearty desserts help you lose weight?
When they’re Nutrisystem-approved, that’s how! Whether it’s Nutrisystem’s Carrot Cake Cupcake or one of these guilt-free versions of your fall favorites. > Having dessert on Nutrisystem isn’t about depriving yourself, it’s about learning how to enjoy your favorite foods (even sweets) with the right portions and ingredients. By enjoying these dishes in autumn, you’ll have tools and smart strategies to tackle your cravings without packing on pounds when all the holidays roll around.
6. New Year’s resolutions can be WAY more fun.
Since you’ll already be on a diet plan, you’ll be ready for the high-calorie temptations during the holiday season and celebrating weight loss success. You won’t have to resolve to “lose weight” when New Year’s Day rolls around. Instead, you’ll be able to make resolutions about what you’ll do now that you’re already closer to your goals.  Create resolutions like going on a vacation or road trip, rocking a killer new dress or fitness goals like running a half-marathon. This is a great time to plan new experiences and create memories. Make your New Year’s resolutions more fun by resolving to lose weight starting now!
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source https://wealthch.com/6-reasons-fall-is-the-best-time-for-weight-loss/
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josephinebardot · 3 years
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THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DINING ON A CRUISE WITH KIDS
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The best part of a family vacation is all the new experiences you share together. But sometimes that same excitement doesn’t apply to mealtime, where new foods can be a challenge for the littlest travelers. At the Dolphin cruise in St Pete Beach FL, there are so many choices for delicious dining that every meal can be easy — even with a picky eater in tow. 
WINDJAMMER
When you’re on vacation with your family, it can be tough to find a casual, no-fuss restaurant that caters to everyone in the group. Windjammer is the perfect spot for just that. Every cruise ship in the fleet has one, and they all offer complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner in a laid back self-serve buffet-style setting kids love.
In the mornings, you’ll find stations heaped with traditional breakfast options like eggs, bacon, yogurt, fresh fruit and cereal, plus dishes from around the world, like Italian rope sausage, sugar-dusted Berliners, and southern-style fried chicken and waffles.
On some ships, there’s even a made-to-order omelet station. There is also plenty of choices for the little ones, including traditional pancakes and waffles.
THE MAIN DINING ROOM
Like Windjammer, the Main Dining Room is another fleetwide complimentary dining option that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with lots of variety to choose from.
While most cruises host a formal night that allows guests the option to get glammed up, the usual attire when having dinner in the Main Dining Room is resort casual — that means sun dresses, nice slacks, blouses and collared shirts. Breakfast and lunch allow for more relaxed attire.
With its sophisticated décor and personalized wait service, the atmosphere in the Main Dining Room is more upscale than the casual vibes you’ll experience at Windjammer, but it’s still a family-friendly dining option for anyone traveling with small kids.
Breakfast and lunch in the Main Dining Room both offer the choice between a self-serve buffet of classic hot and cold dishes and à la carte menu items.
The dinner menu features a rotating assortment of global selections and classic staples that don’t change, all of which are completely customizable to suit your preferences or dietary needs. And for little ones, a kids’ menu highlights easy-to-eat comfort foods like chicken tenders, burgers, pizza, spaghetti and more.
BEST BITES WHEN YOU’RE ON-THE-GO
CAFÉ PROMENADE
Café Promenade is another casual complimentary option available on all Oasis Class ships, as well as Quantum, Freedom and Voyager Class ships. Open 24 hours every day, it steals the title of ‘most convenient’ snack-spot onboard. Whether you feel like indulging in breakfast pastries with your morning cup of coffee, light sandwiches at lunch, a sweet treat or a glass of your go-to wine, you can count on Café Promenade to cater to every craving, no matter what time of day.
JOHNNY ROCKETS
At Johnny Rockets, you can treat yourself and your little ones to rich handspun milkshakes, perfectly grilled burgers, and crispy golden waffle fries served with an extra dose of quintessential Americana.
This iconic retro-inspired diner is the perfect place to stop in with the kids for a quick bite and a side of nostalgia. Johnny Rockets has a modest cover charge for lunch and dinner, and offers complimentary breakfast on Allure, Harmony, Oasis and Symphony of the Seas.
SORRENTO'S
Sometimes, nothing beats the classic simplicity of a well-made pizza — and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Sorrento’s. This popular onboard eatery elevates every slice to delicious new heights. Baked in a stone oven and topped with the freshest ingredients, the pies at Sorrento’s hit the spot whether you’re stopping by for a quick snack with your little ones in between onboard thrills, or satisfying late-night cravings after an evening spent dancing at Boleros or Club Twenty while the kids are having a blast at Adventure Ocean.
And while pizza is certainly the star attraction at Sorrento’s, you’ll also find a variety of antipasti, salads and desserts — all complimentary, of course.
PARK CAFÉ
All Oasis Class ships have a complimentary Park Café — you’ll also find it on some Radiance and Vision Class ships. In the mornings, Park Café serves cereal, sweet treats and some hot dishes. It’s also the only restaurant onboard with a full bagel station. But the real star of the show at Park Cafe is the legendary Kummelweck.
Featuring two slices of roast beef, slow roasted for 12 hours and placed on a fresh baked roll, this lunchtime sandwich has become something of a fan favorite. The restaurant also serves healthy made-to-order salads, fresh-pressed panini and deli classics.
DOG HOUSE
If you think this is your average hot dog stand, think again. A favorite among cruisers, The Dog House is all about making lip-smacking gourmet sausages packed with flavor and inspired by different places around the world — like “The Sicilian,” made with pork, garlic, oregano and Italian spices in a parmesan and cheddar baguette, “The Big Apple,” a chicken sausage blended with juicy bits of apple, and the bestselling “Wünderdog,” made in the traditional Austrian style with 100% delicate veal.
This quick and easy casual spot available on selected ships is a favorite grab-and-go dining option that’s popular among little kids, teenagers and adults. Dog House serves up specialty hot dogs and sides like sauerkraut, sautéed onions and potato salad every day for lunch and dinner, and it’s all included in your cruise fare.
EL LOCO FRESH
As far as grab-and-go dining options are concerned, El Loco Fresh is a proven hit among kids. True to its name, the all-new El Loco Fresh serves up insanely delicious Mexican fare like savory beef burritos, flavor-filled fish tacos, tasty carnitas and cheesy quesadillas — not to mention classic mole sauce, creamy and refreshing guacamole and a salsa bar that caters to all levels of spice lovers.
Open daily for lunch on Symphony and Navigator of the Seas, El Loco Fresh is a great complimentary option for explorers of all ages.
FAVORITES THE WHOLE FAMILY WILL LOVE
PLAYMAKERS SPORTS BAR & ARCADE
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade doesn’t just deliver on delicious food kids will love — it also offers endless hours of entertainment for adventurers in every age group. The à la carte menu spotlights game day classics like buffalo wings, sliders and the signature Playmakers Burger, which adults can pair with icy cold domestic and international drafts.
Kid-friendly options off the Pee Wee menu include cornflake-breaded chicken tenders and a juicy all-beef Home Run Hamburger that’s the perfect size for little hands and smaller appetites.
For dessert, kids can dig in to the Campfire Cookie — a warm homemade chocolate chip delight topped with gooey melted marshmallow and rich Nutella — or the massive perfect-for-sharing Touchdown Sundae, served in a mini football helmet. Once you and your squad are done chowing down, the whole family can get their game on in the arcade with a round of Skee-ball, Connect 4, Ms. Pacman or Super Mario Racing — the list goes on.
ITALIAN FAVES: JAMIE’S ITALIAN BY JAMIE OLIVER AND GIOVANNI’S KITCHEN
If you’re in the mood for homemade flavors inspired by the Mediterranean, it doesn’t get better than the two Italian dining concepts Royal Caribbean has brought to life onboard: Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver and Giovanni’s Table.
Helmed by one of Britain’s most famous celebrity chefs, Jamie’s Italian serves Tuscan-inspired dishes on Harmony and Symphony of the Seas, the Royal Amplified Mariner and Navigator of the Seas, and Quantum Class ships, while Giovanni’s Table spotlights rustic trattoria-style classics on Oasis and Allure of the Seas, all Voyager and Radiance Class ships, plus several others across the fleet.
Both are smart casual specialty restaurants that offer hearty Italian comfort food like lasagna, bruschetta and homemade focaccia, antipasti and salads, and a delicious selection of pasta often served family-style so that it’s perfect for sharing.
If you’re dining with a group at Jamie’s Italian, you should definitely order the Famous Plank — a shareable app loaded with cured meats, artisanal cheeses and tart pickles.
A SWEET BONUS ON SYMPHONY OF THE SEAS
SUGAR BEACH
If you happen to be cruising onboard Symphony of the Seas or the newly amplified Navigator of the Seas and you have a sweet tooth, you’ll definitely want to check out Sugar Beach on the Boardwalk. Stocked from floor to ceiling with all kinds of creative confections and indulgent ice creams, this new addition to the Royal Caribbean roster of edible delights is a can’t miss stop for a decadent pick-me-up.
In this colorful candy oasis, both children and adults can treat themselves to tasty sweets priced by the ounce or per piece. The shop also regularly hosts family-friendly activities, like cupcake decorating classes.
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