#the nanny starters

[manymusescherry]

It was late, later than Alaric had thought he would be home.  He’d told her he’d be home around nine, but it was pushing eleven.  He knew she was used to this by now, but it didn’t help the guilt he felt.  What did help slightly that was his daughter adored her and he knew she was a good kid.  He was aware that most parents thought their kids were great, but he was pretty sure his was actually great.  Daniva was the sweetest little girl who stole hearts everywhere she went.

That being said, he also hated the nights that he wasn’t around to put her to bed, to read her stories.  Bridget, Daniva’s mother, had been a nightmare all day, which hadn’t helped since his caseload was already more than usual while one of his associates was out.  He could have handed more caseloads to some of the other lawyers, Alaric was a partner, but he tended to be more hands on for those under him.  By the time he walked into the door, he was tired and emotionally drained...sadly most of that wasn’t for his case load but from Bridget.  She always had a way of making him feel like the worst father in the universe, He barley managed to hold his tongue, though he wanted to point out she rarely saw their daughter and Daniva always begged to stay with him, not her mother.

Still, the guilt ate away at him as he placed his briefcase on the counter in the kitchen and debated whether he had the energy for a beer or if straight to bed was better.  Hearing footsteps, he cursed softly, forgetting about her.  “I’m incredibly sorry.”  He murmured, “You’ll be paid extra for this and the guest room is yours if you want it.”  His gaze met hers and not for the first time did he have to remind himself she was too young for him, that she was paid to watch his daughter.

[fingertipsmp3]

I love the sims 2 because it will completely wreck your shit right when you’re least expecting it

[queerlyglittering]

Martin the butler and Chessy the nanny from The Parent Trap (1998) are both such bisexual icons

[shehadstyleshehadflair]

open to: anyone.

“Oy…” FRAN muttered almost comically, widened eyes looking towards the still empty halls while she realized what she did. Shit. She took a quick turn, steps turning into quicker ones, heels echoing through the room. From one second to the other, she was pushing the kitchen door open, running behind the counter, “If Mr. Sheffield asks, I’m not here!” She exclaimed, not even turning to look at the person that was in the room, feet moving fast. For all she knew, Maxwell could be in that room already, but she did not thought of that while she escaped. Before things could turn around, she tried to ran upstairs.

[almoststedytimetravel]

My rational brain: can we please just write a normal essay for once! This is only supposed to be 600 words. C'mon!!!

Me, halfway through writing a tangent about the classification of bread types: I'm sorry, did you say something?

[crevassier]

Sylvain skipped many of his lessons, including training and other time allotted for practice and study, which by how had only contributed to his already less than stellar reputation. In his eyes however, that wasn’t exactly a problem, if anything closer to the opposite, more than anything. The more they think he’s a low effort piece of nothing, the better.

Not to say it didn’t hurt. 

But he’d rather ignore a wound and live in a peace only he could understand than to find a way to patch it up only to risk cutting an entire limb off. Some pains are better off being lived with until they blended with normalcy.

Yet that didn’t mean he skipped every single lesson or class work- in the end Sylvain was very aware of his current responsibilities and he’d walk within the limits he could push, but the mission he had been assigned to for the time being was one only a fool would’ve skipped. Sadly no girls were included in the matter, but perhaps it was something even better. Something that wouldn’t look at him with opportunistic eyes and feign hurt at getting toyed with, something that wouldn’t see him as an easy win lottery ticket. Something cute, soft, and tiny that would provide him with more glee than most people could and ask for almost nothing save for the basics for survival and love in return.

Puppies.

Wolf puppies- but puppies nonetheless.

“If every lesson included training puppies, I’d be the top student of the Blue Lions in no time!” Sylvain commended with a carefree smile as one of the staff tasked with the wolves handed him some last pieces of ‘equipment’, that being tools to clean the kennel stall and some toys. “I’m gonna have a buddy for this too, right? I hope it’s a cute girl, this would count as a date! Girls love men caring for baby animals!”

With one final…eyeroll and mildly annoyed glance, the staff member left and Sylvain sat down in one of the stall corners, smiling as soon as a couple of the furballs went over to smell and lick him. It truly was the perfect lesson. Indeed, if only his tasks were something like this…though he was quick to return on his act as soon as he heard steps approaching where he was. Heavy yet not brute, a cadence that by now he had memorized. Looking up with a puppy in his arms, Sylvain met his father’s gaze.

“Father! Hey…look, this is a mission I was assigned to, ok? I’m not slacking off, you can check with the staff…” The boy had already begun his defense before looking down and spotting…something in Matthias’. Hands. A kit similar to the one he had received, though with some extra dog toys. A moment passed, in silence.

“...wait, you’re not going to be my partner for this, are you? It’s fine if you are! But I just…didn’t expect…” The nervous smile in his face was hard to shake off, even with the young wolves trying to lick his cheek or nibble and pull at his uniform.

matthias double wielding as wolf nanny and sylvain nanny

closed starter for @cielenruine (+1 riding)

[infernal-scales]

a hot and thirsty starter || @fell-feathers

A GLASS OF LEMONADE, pinched between long, black nails, drops down into the peripheral of the sweating gardener. Standing above him and offering said drink is none other than Warlock’s dearest nanny, her own glass in hand as her black sunhat casts them both in glorious shade from the blistering summer sun.

It’s been a humid, hellish season so far. Satan himself would likely be sweating up an ocean in this heat.

❝ Mrs. Hannigan wasn’t too pleased with you in this morning’s meeting, was she, Brother Francis? ❞ Mulberry lips quirk up into a smirk. ❝ I don’t believe I’ve ever heard her voice turn that shrill before. WELL DONE. ❞

Well done on a job… not so well or done. The poor rose bushes, Mrs. Dowling’s favorites, were practically twigs at this point.

[lumosandnoxwriting]

Crossed Lines || George Weasley

Title: Crossed Lines Pairing: Single Dad!George x Nanny!Reader Summary: Crossing the line between professional and personal is always a risk, and this time it’s one George is willing to take.  A/N: I love dad!george and you can pry him from my cold dead hands. Feedback is always appreciated! <3

-

George Weasley never imagined his life would turn out this way. 

As a man in his mid-20s, he was living the life most would be envious of. For starters he and his brother started their own company as teenagers, and now several years later they are still their own bosses. Not to mention he’s a single man, living in central London, free to do whatever and whoever he pleases. He gets to do what he loves, makes his own decisions and he makes enough money to do whatever he wants while also saving enough for his future. 

That is until one fateful Tuesday morning, when he answered the door and found a car seat sitting on the welcome mat with the smallest baby girl he’d ever seen tucked inside. Whoever left her there was long gone, and when George brought her inside the note that fluttered to the floor revealed him as the father, with whoever wrote it stating that they weren’t cut out to be a Mother and the baby was George’s problem now. 

Two weeks and one paternity test later, George took full custody of his daughter Remi.

Despite having no real hands-on experience with babies, and having no intentions of having children for at least a decade, the second George held that little girl he knew in his heart that he could never give her up. So in the blink of an eye George Weasley went from a single man to a single dad.

Thankfully his family is the best, and rallied around him as he settled into fatherhood. Fred took on more responsibility at work so George could have a more flexible schedule, and his Mum moved in to help him as he learned how to be a Dad. And of course his siblings were always more than eager to babysit when George needed a break. 

But now that Remi is six months old, four months after she was dropped off at the front of his brownstone, it’s time for his life to resume. He misses work, and while he loves having his Mum around, he’s desperately in need of having his privacy back. Not to mention all the parenting books he’s consumed over the last few months all talk about how important it is for babies to have a routine, and it’s hard getting into one when George’s work schedule is in the air and Remi never knows if it’ll be her grandmother or her dad getting her up from her nap. 

When discussing what childcare arrangements George wanted now that he’d be back at work full time and Molly would be back up North, both Fred and his Mother vetoed his idea to just have Remi at work with him all day. Day care seemed like the obvious solution, but even after touring the best rated facility in London George was hesitant. He hated the idea of dropping his daughter off at some strange building everyday, and wasn’t too keen on the idea of Remi not being the only child someone was looking after. 

So George tasked his Mum with finding him the best Nanny in all of London. 

While more expensive than daycare, George liked the idea that Remi would be at home where she’s most comfortable and she’d have her caretakers undivided attention. Not to mention he liked how easy it would be to stop by and get some time with his baby whenever he could sneak away from work.

He left all of the hiring decisions up to Molly, citing his inexperience with raising a child. Who better to pick the person that will be caring for his child than the woman who raised seven of her own kids? 

And George didn’t regret trusting his mother for a second. 

Well until he answers the door on his Nanny’s first day, only to find the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen standing on his doorstep. 

She smiles up at him brightly, and George curses himself for not at least asking his Mum for a picture of his Nanny. All she had told him was that her name is Y/N and she has a degree in early childhood development. Truthfully, when George thought about having a Nanny, he always pictured an older woman who was looking for work now that her children have grown and flown the nest. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine someone like Y/N standing on his doorstep. 

“Hi,” she greets awkwardly when George doesn’t say anything. “You must be George, I’m Y/N. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Snapping out of his daydreams, George gives her a nod. “Nice to meet you as well. Come on in.”

He steps aside so Y/N can walk through the door, and he has to suppress a shiver when their bodies brush. She can’t be much younger than him, and the subtle scent of strawberries wafting from her skin is driving him crazy. George shuts the door a little too hard, before motioning for her to follow him into the living room. 

Remi is sitting on the floor supported by some kind of special pillow Fleur bought for him, drool running down her chin as she chews on a toy. George watches as Y/N gets a look at his daughter for the first time, and the smile that takes over her face is breathtaking. 

“Oh my goodness,” Y/N coos as she approaches, crouching down in front of Remi. “And you must be Miss Remi,” she greets, her voice soft and cheery as she reaches out to stroke the baby’s cheek. “Your Granny has told me so much about you, Gorgeous. I’m Y/N and I can’t wait to get to know you better.”

George is a puddle as he watches this woman interact with his child. That little girl is his entire world, and watching people fall in love with her always fills him with pride. Remi giggles as Y/N strokes her tummy and a grin breaks out over George’s face. 

“She likes you.”

“I like her too.”

Remi squeals with joy as George scoops her up in his arms and he presses a kiss to her wet cheek before he places her on his hip. “Let me show you around and get everything sorted before I have to head off to work.”

Y/N follows behind George as he gives a quick tour, taking note of where everything is. Which is harder than it should be, since she’s distracted by the adorable baby and the gorgeous man that’s holding her. Molly had shown Y/N dozens of pictures of Remi during the interview process and talked about her nonstop, but she had been pretty silent when it came to her son. All she said was that George was young and had become a father unexpectedly when Remi’s mother abandoned the two month old on his porch. 

Her heart had broken for the little girl and her father, which made saying yes to Molly’s job offer a piece of cake. And as George points out all of his daughter’s favorite things Y/N is sure in her decision to take this job. It’s clear that George doesn’t know a lot about being a parent, but it’s even more clear that he’s trying his best and he loves his daughter with every fiber of his being. 

Y/N would be lying if she didn’t admit how attractive that is. Seeing this man who so clearly used to live the bachelor life bend over backwards to give his daughter the life she deserves is a major turn on. It doesn’t hurt that he’s extremely good looking either. 

But it’s really in her best interest to push those kinds of thoughts away considering the fact that George is her boss and he’s trusting her to care for his child. Remi is the only Weasley Y/N will allow herself to fall in love with. 

“So as far as a routine goes, Remi doesn’t really have one,” George admits sheepishly as they make their way back into the living room. “When she gets cranky we put her down for a nap and when she cries we feed her. We tried, but with my work schedule always changing and my Mum and I switching on and off, nothing we tried ever really stuck.”

”That’s what I’m here for,” Y/N reassures him with a smile. “It’ll probably take a few days for Remi to settle in from the change and get used to me, but once things settle we’ll start putting a routine in. And I’ll write everything down so you can follow it on the weekends as well.”

“Ugh, you’re amazing,” George gushes, and he doesn’t miss the way Y/N’s cheeks flush. “Okay well I guess that’s everything. I should head out now.” He’s thankful that Y/N turns away, pretending to look at her phone so he can have a private moment with his daughter. 

“I love you Rem-Dog,” George murmurs as he presses his lips to the top of his daughter’s head. “I gotta go to work now, but I’m gonna miss you so much. And you’re gonna have so much fun with Y/N. Okay, baby?”

George kisses his daughter one last time, pressing his nose to the crown of her head and taking a deep inhale of her sweet baby scent before he pulls away and hands Remi off to Y/N. 

“Call if you need anything,” George says as he walks towards the door. “My cell and office number are on the fridge. I should be home by five but I’ll call and let you know if that changes.”

”Sounds good.” Y/N follows George out, picking up Remi’s hand and making her wave. “Say bye to Daddy, Remi. Say don’t worry about me, everything’s going to be okay.” Her voice has that same dreamy quality it did when she first greeted Remi, and it immediately puts George at ease.

Y/N stays on the porch while George climbs in his car, bouncing Remi as she makes the little girl wave. He keeps his eyes on them for as long as possible, sighing when they disappear out of view. 

-

“Well your first full week back is almost over,” Fred starts as he enters George’s office. “How does it feel?”

”Fucking exhausting,” George groans, flipping Fred off when he laughs. 

Truthfully he really has enjoyed being back in the office. Over the past few months he’s been pretty hands off with the business, only coming in for important meetings or for emergencies, and it’s nice to get back working on the actual fun parts of his job. But holy hell is George tired. 

After being at work all day George heads home, and after a quick pass off Y/N also heads out, putting George on Dad duty for the rest of the night. Which he totally loves after being away from Remi all day, but by the time he gets her fed, bathed and settled in for the night he’s absolutely exhausted. It doesn’t help that she’s started some kind of sleep regression since he went back to work, so he’s up a few times to put Remi back down. 

When discussing with his mom what he might want from a nanny, they had discussed whether the position should be a live in one. George had shut that down pretty quickly, adamant that he only wanted someone there when he couldn’t be and that he could handle everything else. But after only one week he’s already considering asking Y/N if she’d be willing to make that change. 

And if part of that is motivated by his craving to spend more time with his nanny it isn’t anyone’s business.

The only time he gets to spend with Y/N is the few minutes before he leaves for work when he hands Remi off, and then the few minutes in the evening before they do it again when he gets home. But seeing the way she lights up when she talks about his daughter has George craving her presence every moment of the day. 

It helps that Remi seems to be just as infatuated with Y/N as he is. When he got home from work last night, Y/N had gushed about how amazing Remi has been, and that she barely seemed to need an adjustment period. She explained that sometimes babies have difficulties getting used to their parents being away and having a stranger in the house, but from that very first day Remi took everything like a champ.

The photo George has on his phone of Remi fast asleep on Y/N’s chest from Monday afternoon is a testament to that. The little girl has formed a bond with her nanny right from the start, and George knows his daughter would be thrilled to have some more time with Y/N.

“And how’s the nanny? Still hot?” Fred asks as he plops down in a chair across from George’s desk.

”Ugh, fuck. I never should have told you that.”

”Don’t worry, dude. I’d never try and screw one of your employees,” Fred assures. “Especially one that you wanna fuck too.”

George throws a pen at Fred in an attempt to knock the stupid grin off of his face. “I don’t wanna fuck Y/N.”

”Oh right, you wanna kiss her and hold her and date her and make love to her,” Fred teases.

”You’re such a fucking prat.” George sighs, shuffling some papers on his desk. “Fuck this. It’s Friday and I’m tired and I wanna see my baby. I’m going home early.”

Fred stands up as George starts to collect his things. “Fine, go back home to your girls. I’ll see you later.”

He’s almost out the door when George registers what he’s said and he whips a pad of post it notes at his brother’s retreating back. “Fucking prick!” He shouts, trying to ignore the bright pink blush on his cheeks. 

-

George’s decision to ask Y/N to move in is solidified the second he comes through the door. 

Remi’s cries echo off the walls, and he barely has the door shut behind him before he’s barrelling down the hall towards his daughter. When he reaches the living room George stops in his tracks. Y/N is slowly swaying back and forth, quietly murmuring to Remi as she rubs her back soothingly. His daughter’s red face is pressed into her nanny’s neck and even from across the room George can see how wet her cheeks are. 

“Is she okay?” George asks as he approaches, his voice frantic. 

Y/N spins around so she’s facing him, an attempt at a grin crossing her face. “Teething,” is her simple reply, and George nods in understanding. 

He vaguely remembers when Victorie, his niece, started teething since Bill often came to hang out with Fred and George when he needed a break. Not that George can blame a baby, if he had something sharp cutting through his gums and had no ability to verbalize the pain and ask for help he’d be screaming his head off too. 

“Yeah, my Mum thought she might be close to cutting one in the front.” Y/N passes Remi to him when he holds his hands out, and he immediately cuddles her close to his chest. “It’s alright, love. Daddy’s here.”

Y/N can practically feel her heart melt as she watches George soothe his daughter, and she silently kicks herself when she realizes how attractive it is watching this big man hold a baby. Of course she’s read those books, the ones where the hot single dad and the nanny end up falling in love and becoming a family. But when she graduated from Uni and decided to go into private care over a day care or teaching she had promised herself she would always remain professional.

Except the moment George Weasley opened his front door that notion went right down the drain. 

Watching this man be a parent makes her ovaries ache, and in a futile attempt to squander any feelings she may have for George, Y/N has tried to keep their interactions to a minimum. She keeps their hand-offs as brief as possible, showing up in the morning with only a few minutes to spare and exiting so quickly in the evening that George barely has his shoes off before she’s out the door. 

The last thing she needs is to fall in love with the man who signs her paychecks. 

It doesn’t help that Remi is probably the best child she’s ever looked after, and considering she started babysitting at 10 that’s a huge compliment. After only a week she already has formed an attachment to the little girl, and it pains her everytime she has to hand her back at the end of the day. Which usually ends up pissing her off, because how could the woman that gave birth to such a beautiful baby just give that all away? 

Apart from today’s teething related meltdown Remi has been nothing but a ray of sunshine. She giggles at everything, and Y/N instantly fell in love with her gummy smile. She’s also learned that Remi is a baby that loves to cuddle, and she spends most of her afternoon laying on the couch, holding the infant close to her chest as she sleeps. 

Sometimes she feels thankful for that horrid woman who gave all of this up, because Y/N is the one who gets to bask in the glow of little Remi. But sometimes those thoughts lead her down the bath of daydreaming what it would be like to be Remi’s Mum, and by extension George’s wife, and she has to shut them down quickly. Lusting after a life she can’t have is not helpful. 

“I put some of her teethers in the freezer,” she explains as George starts to sway back and forth in his own attempt to soothe Remi. “The cold will help soothe and numb the pain, but if you have a hard time getting her to bed you can give her some children’s tylenol.”

Y/N can feel her heart breaking as Remi lets out another wail, hating the fact that she is about to leave when she’s still so upset. She steps closer to George, resting a hand on Remi’s back before she leans in to kiss her tear-stained cheek. 

“Bye, Rem-Dog. I’m going to miss you so much, but you have your dad here with you, yeah? And I know you’re in pain but go easy on him, okay? I can feel the anxiety rolling off him,” she pauses to look at George, giving him a teasing wink before she refocuses her attention on the baby. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

“You got this, George,” Y/N reassures, giving his arm a squeeze. 

She turns to grab her things and head out when a hand closes around her wrist. 

“Wait, Y/N,” George calls, tugging so she turns to look at him. “There’s actually something I wanted to talk to you about, before you go. I was wondering if you’d consider becoming a live-in nanny?” He rushes the question out, clearly nervous.  

“You want me to move in?” Y/N asks, her voice breathy. Immediately she clears her throat, shaking her head to bring her back to reality. This is George asking for more help with his baby, nothing more. 

“I do yeah,” George confirms with a nod. “I'm in way over my head, and I could really use the extra help in the evenings. I can tell how attached Remi is to you already, and I know she’d love to have you around more.” He leaves out the fact that he’d love to have her around more too, figuring that would be anything but helpful to hear. “I’d pay you more, obviously, and you’ll still have the weekends off. If you’re stuck in a lease I can pay to get you out of it, anything you need.”

“I’ll do it,” Y/N agrees without even taking a second to think about it. 

Is moving in with her hot boss and his incredible daughter probably a bad idea? Absolutely. But with the wide grin George is directing at her it’s easy for Y/N to push all of those negative thoughts to the back of her head. 

Besides, living here with George and Remi is a good thing, she’ll probably learn all of George’s annoying habits and whatever feelings are starting to develop will fade just as quickly as they started. 

At least Y/N hopes so.

-

Turns out her plan to use moving in with George as a way to diminish her feelings for him is a failure. An epic, fucking failure. 

Because as it turns out, George has no annoying habits. 

When he wakes up with Remi in the morning he’s quiet, taking extra care to whisper and tiptoe around as to not wake Y/N up before her alarm. When he makes his breakfast he always sets some aside for her as well, and there’s always a fresh pot of coffee waiting. He’s always sure to clean up after himself, to the point where sometimes Y/N forgets he even lives there. And despite the fact that she moved in to help him out more, George is always respectful of her time. When he gets home from work he takes over with Remi, giving Y/N some time for herself. When she takes over again, putting Remi to bed, George always cooks them dinner and they spend the rest of the evening talking and hanging out. 

Everyday it feels less and less like she’s his employee helping him care for his daughter and more like they’re a couple caring for their baby together. 

Which Y/N knows is a bad thing, and there’s constantly a voice in the back of her head telling her she needs to put up boundaries to keep both George and Remi at arms length. But the more time she spends around them the harder it is. She is quickly discovering that she isn’t just attracted to George’s looks and his dedication to being a father, but to his personality as well. He has a great sense of humor and such a kind heart, and Y/N finds herself missing his presence when he’s not around. 

So again, her plan has been an epic failure. 

It certainly doesn’t help that three weeks into her new live in position, Y/N rushes into the nursery one night to comfort a screaming Remi only to find her boss standing in the middle of the room shirtless as he rocks his daughter. 

“Oh,” Y/N gasps as she steps in the room, alerting George to her presence. When he spins to face her it takes all of her willpower to keep her eyes focused on his face and not his naked torso. “I just wanted to check and make sure everything is okay.”

George swallows thickly, reminding himself that he’s got his crying child in his arms and now is not the time to be ogling his nanny. But fuck is it hard. Because Y/N is standing there in the tiniest pair of sleep shorts and the thinnest tank top George has ever seen, her hair still mussed from sleep. 

“Yeah, everything’s fine,” he mumbles once he finds his composure. “I was hoping to get her back to sleep before she woke you, I’m sorry.”

Remi’s been cutting two new teeth this week, and it’s safe to say sleep has not been something happening here in the Weasley house. He and Y/N have been taking shifts during the night, but he could tell that the lack of sleep was starting to wear her down, so when Remi woke him tonight his sole mission was to soothe her back to sleep as quickly as possible.

“And is there a reason why the two of you are half naked?” Y/N teases, and even in the dim light George can see the blush tinting her cheeks.

George shrugs a shoulder, giving her a grin. “I read in a book that skin to skin contact is supposed to help comfort babies.” Truthfully he hadn’t even considered the possibility of Y/N coming to help him, so George hadn’t given it a second thought when he stripped Remi down to her diaper before he pulled his own shirt off. All he wanted to do was soothe his child, but seeing the way Y/N is having a hard time from looking at his bare chest George is thankful for his actions for a totally different reason. 

“I’ll have to keep that in mind,” Y/N responds playfully, and she doesn’t miss the way George’s eyes scan her body. It sends a shiver down her spine, and if there wasn’t a crying baby in his arms she certainly would be throwing herself at him. 

Over the past few weeks Y/N has had an inkling that the feelings she has are not totally one sided, and the way George is looking at her now is confirmation. Clearly they are both trying to keep from crossing into unprofessional territory for Remi’s sake, but she’s not sure how much longer they’ll be able to resist this pull. 

“Go back to bed,” George instructs, his voice low. 

Y/N nods, her stomach fluttering at the command in his voice. Wanting him to be just as affected as she is, she approaches George, maintaining eye contact as she places one hand on his bare shoulder and the other on his abs. She smiles to herself as he tenses under her touch, leaning in to kiss Remi on the forehead. 

“Goodnight, baby girl.”

Just as quickly as she was there Y/N is retreating, looking back over her shoulder at George as she lingers in the doorway. 

“Sweet dreams, George.”

As soon as she’s gone George tosses his head back and groans. “God damnit,” he mumbles. He looks down at Remi, who’s cries have finally started to quiet. “You two girls will be the death of me I swear.”

-

It’s the first sunny day they’ve had in weeks, so when he woke up this fine Saturday morning he decided a picnic in the park was the best way to spend it. Even though it’s technically her day off, after he’d packed up the food, Remi George had stopped by Y/N’s room to see if she wanted to join them. Much to his delight, a yes was coming out of her mouth before he’d really even finished asking. 

And as he watches her push Remi in a swing, both of them giggling like crazy, George knows one thing for certain: he’s fallen for his nanny. It’s something he’s come to terms with in the two weeks it has been since that night in the nursery. After the way she touched and teased him George had an inkling that his feelings for Y/N were mutual, and their interactions these last few weeks have only confirmed it. 

For starters, touching has become a normal part of their relationship. Now when they pass Remi back and forth it’s normal for their hands to brush, lingering just a few seconds too long. When they sit on the couch together in the evenings Y/N takes the spot right next to him, as opposed to sitting on the opposite end like she had previously. It seems like both of them take every opportunity to be close to the other. 

Their conversations seem to have a flirty air to them now too, with both of them taking every opportunity to make the other blush. Not to mention the fact that Y/N is supposed to have the weekends off, and yet she somehow always ends up spending them with George and Remi. 

Sometimes George even forgets that Y/N is his employee, because when the three of them are together it just feels like they’re a family. Much to George’s pleasure it seems that way to others as well, because on at least four different occasions when the three of them have been out together people have complimented them on how adorable their daughter is, and Y/N has been mistaken as his wife at least a handful of times. Even strangers know that they’re meant to be together. 

And George is just waiting for the perfect moment to make it official. 

He grins as Y/N starts to head towards him, holding his arms out for the baby. 

“Dada, dada, dada!” Remi babbles as Y/N places her in his outstretched hands, and it makes his heart burst just like every other time she’s said it. 

“Hi baby,” George coos, settling Remi down on his lap. He shivers when Y/N takes a seat next to him on the blanket, their sides pressed together tightly from how close she chooses to be. “Did you have fun on the swings?”

“Yes I did,” Y/N answers for Remi, her voice morphing into the delicate tone she always uses when talking to the baby. “Y/N is so much fun, Daddy. So much more fun than you,” she teases.

They both let out a laugh when Remi reaches for Y/N, seemingly confirming her words. 

Instead of taking the baby Y/N leans into George’s side, holding out both her hands so Remi and grab on to her pointer fingers. George immediately wraps an arm around her waist, pressing Y/N even closer into his chest. It feels so natural that George has to resist his urge to lean in and kiss her on the forehead. 

Y/N smiles as Remi tries to shove her fingers in her mouth, keeping her attention focused on the baby so she doesn’t get lost in George’s eyes. She can feel his gaze on her, and it’s taking everything in her not to return it. 

She shouldn’t even be here right now. She’d had plans to get brunch with some of her Uni friends, but the second George stopped in the doorway of her room, a stupid smile on his face and his perfect baby in his arms as he invited her on a picnic she couldn’t say no. It’s definitely not normal, the amount of time she spends with George and Remi when she’s off the clock, but Y/N stopped caring about that weeks ago. In reality, George could never pay her another cent and she’d still be sitting right where she is. 

Which should terrify Y/N, but it doesn’t. 

“I can’t believe how big she’s getting,” George comments, pulling Y/N out of her thoughts. 

She hums in agreement. “It’s crazy how fast they grow at this age. I swear some days she grows overnight.”

“She looks so much like her mom.”

Y/N freezes, just watching George stroke his fingers over the dark, wispy hair that covers Remi’s head. He’s never talked about her before, and Y/N would be lying if she said she wasn’t curious about the woman who makes up the other half of Remi’s DNA. 

“Maybe,” Y/N comments, grinning as Remi giggles. “But she has your eyes and your smile.” When all George does is hum in acknowledgement she continues. “What was she like? Remi’s mom?”

George shrugs as best he can with Y/N pressed against him. “I don’t know, really. Which sounds awful. We didn’t really spend too much time talking, if you get what I mean. I had totally forgotten about her until Remi showed up on my doorstep and the note from her fell out onto the ground.”

“I know I probably shouldn’t think ill of someone I don’t know,” Y/N says cautiously. “But it must take an awful person to just abandon their baby. Especially a baby like Remi. I mean, what if you weren’t home? Remi would have just been sitting out there on the porch for who knows how long.” She shudders in horror at the thought. “I just can’t ever imagine leaving her behind.”

The protective tone in her voice drives George crazy in the best way possible. He knows, obviously, that Y/N cares for his daughter, but hearing her be so angry at the woman who abandoned his daughter is something different. 

“I know what you mean. Being a dad was something I never even considered. But the second I held that baby for the first time I knew I could never give her up.” George pauses, considering his next words carefully. “Sometimes I think about what life would be like, if Remi’s mom had come to me when she found out she was pregnant and we had the opportunity to be a family. But I don’t think I would have liked it that much.”

“Oh?” The soft tone of George’s voice is sending goosebumps all over her body. “Why is that?”

“Because then I never would have needed a nanny, and Remi and I wouldn’t have met you.” 

His words take all of the air out of Y/N’s lungs, and her heart feels like it might beat out of her chest. Because she’s had those thoughts too, and as selfish as it is Y/N has always come to the same conclusion as George. Remi will never know her biological mother, and part of Y/N aches for that little girl. But a larger part of her is thankful that Remi will never know the pain of her mother’s abandonment, and she’s thankful that she gets to be the woman in her life. 

“Thanks for coming with us,” George murmurs after a few moments of silence, causing Y/N to finally look up at him. He has the dopiest grin on his face and it makes her heart race. 

“There’s no place I’d rather be,” Y/N responds, and the conviction in her voice lets George know she’s being honest with him. 

George reaches out to tuck a stray piece of hair behind Y/N’s ear, and he grins at the hitch in her breath. “Remi likes spending so much time with you.”

“Just Remi?” she asks teasingly, digging her teeth into her bottom lip. 

“No,” George murmurs honestly, reaching up to trace Y/N’s jaw with his thumb. “Not just Remi.”

-

Things finally come to a head a few days later, and they have to decide whether to end this arrangement all together or finally cross that line. 

-

“Y/N? Remi?”

Y/N grins as George’s voice echoes through the house as the front door clicks shut behind him. “Living room!” she calls back. 

As soon as George comes into view Remi starts babbling, her tiny fists reaching out towards George. “Dada, dada, dada!”

They’re sitting on the floor, with Y/N’s back against the sofa as Remi sits in her lap so they can read a book. But as George comes closer Y/N tosses the book aside, focusing on the man approaching her. Ever since the picnic in the park they’re subtle glances have become more obvious, and she doesn’t shy away from checking George out. 

Because damn that man knows how to wear a suit. 

“Hey Rem-Dog,” George greets, taking a seat on the floor across from Y/N. He opens his arms as Y/N lets Remi go, waiting for her to crawl closer before he swoops in. Picking Remi up under her armpits George hoists her in the air, blowing raspberries against her belly to make her laugh. 

Y/N waits for George to return the giggling baby to his lap before she acknowledges him. “Hi. How was work?”

George shrugs, giving her a smile. “It was okay. Couldn’t wait to get home though.”

The intensity in his gaze makes Y/N blush, and she clears her throat as she looks away. “Well it’s a good thing you’re here now,” she manages to squeak out once she’s calmed down. 

Things have felt so intense between them lately, but Y/N is waiting for George to make the first move. While she’s absolutely sure he feels the same way as she does, she doesn’t want to risk it by being the first one to make a move. Because on the off chance she goes for it and George rejects her, not only will Y/N be humiliated but she’ll lose Remi and that’s not something she’s willing to risk. 

“Yeah, good thing.” George leans down to kiss the top of Remi’s head. “How was she today? Any problems?”

Y/N chuckles at the notion of Remi being anything but a perfect angel. “Nope, she was perfect, as per usual. She tried broccoli for the first time and went down for her nap easily. And every time I’d show her a picture of you she’d reach for it shouting Dada.”

That makes George’s heart melt. “That’s my smart girl,” he coos. 

They both just watch for a minute as Remi squirms on George’s lap, one of her hands fisted in his dress pants while the other smacks his knee. No one says anything, but the silence between them isn’t awkward at all. 

George suddenly takes a deep breath and just as he’s about to open his mouth to say something Remi cuts him off. 

“Mama, mama!” she babbles for the first time, her little arms reaching out towards Y/N as she makes grabby hands. “Mama!”

Tears immediately spring to Y/N’s eyes, and she stands up, turning away from George so he can’t see how affected she is. “Oh. Um. I’ll be right back.”

George watches dumbfounded as Y/N disappears down the hall, presumably into his room. “Shit, shit shit,” he murmurs, standing up to follow after her. He places Remi in her playpen, kissing her quickly on the forehead. “Hang on, baby. Dada has to go check on Mama.”

Y/N’s door is closed when George reaches it, and he gives a tentative knock. “Y/N? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, George!” She calls, but George can hear her sniffling. 

“No, you’re not.” He pauses, grabbing the doorknob. “I’m coming in.”

She’s sitting on the edge of her bed, furiously wiping away tears and George immediately takes two steps into the room before falling to his knees in front of her. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, nothing,” she dismisses, shaking her head. “I don’t even know why I’m crying to be honest. It shouldn’t be a big deal, obviously I’m not Remi’s mom-”

“But you wanna be,” George murmurs, cutting her off. 

“Fuck, I’m so sorry, George,” Y/N apologizes. She wipes away the rest of the tears on her cheeks before she starts to push him away. “Let me just pack my stuff and I’ll be out of here, I’m sorry.”

George grabs Y/N’s wrists, keeping her hands pressed to his chest but keeping her from pushing him away. “What the hell do you have to be sorry for, Y/N?”

“I’m her nanny, George. I’m just supposed to be looking after her while you’re at work or whatever. I’m not supposed to be imagining a life where she’s my child and we’re a family. I crossed a line and you should fire me.”

“Fuck that,” George scoffs. “Look at me, Y/N.” He doesn’t continue until Y/N meets his gaze. “If anyone here crossed a line it was me. The second I saw you on my porch that morning I was fucked, I wanted you in every single way I could have you, Y/N. Hell, I asked you to move in under the guise that I needed more help with Remi when in reality I just wanted an excuse to be closer to you.”

George’s confession shocks her, and a humorless chuckle leaves her lips. “Really?”

“Really,” George confirms. “So if I should fire you for what you did, then you should quit for what I did. And if you really want to leave I will walk away right now. I’ll head back into the living room and sit with Remi while you pack and I’ll let you walk out the front door.”

“And if I don’t want to leave?” Y/N immediately asks. 

“Then I’m going to kiss you, and once I've conveyed to you how much you truly mean to me, we’ll go back out to the living room to spend time with our daughter. Because Y/N, you stopped being just the nanny weeks ago. And I think you know that.” George gives her a pointed look. “The choice is yours.”

Her choice comes in the form of her hands fisting in George’s shirt seconds before she pulls him into a kiss. George’s arms immediately wrap around her waist, and he pulls Y/N off of the bed and into his lap, needing to get her as close as possible. 

“Dada! Mama!”

Remi’s shout breaks their kiss, but George keeps their foreheads pressed together as they chuckle. “I guess we’ll have to wait until Remi goes to bed to cross other lines.”

Y/N shakes her head, playfully smacking George on the side of his head. He can be such an idiot. But at least he’s her idiot, and that’s all that really matters. 

[seat-safety-switch]

As strange as my town can sometimes be, it is still home. I'm used to it. Things happen a certain way. The rich and connected control everything. Parking is abundant, except for downtown, and in the same place it has been for decades. If I go next door, over to the Other Town, things get strange in a hurry.

For starters, their local sports team has a different name altogether. It's strange to hear people cheering on the Skyhawks instead of the Shih-Tzus. You have to be really careful if you're going into a sports bar, because the enthusiasts within can smell the odour of their ancient enemy on you, and will say rude things about your breeding and education when they think you can't hear them. And that's basically where the differences end.

A truly alien culture would feel brisk and invigorating, full of opportunities to learn and discover. They'd probably have different shit-box cars, too, so you could be really weird and annoy your fellow travellers about having seen a Vauxhall Hammerstein or a Honda Mercy. Not so in the Other Town, where things are basically the same as at home, but you don't get to sleep in your own bed at the end of the day and you have no idea which roads the cops actually run speed radar on. This unsettling feeling of "home, but not home" permeates every moment of your experience there.

Don't think that I'm some kind of play-it-safe nanny who decries the convenience of the highway system. I do encourage you to visit the Other Towns around you. Namely, their thrift stores. Make friends, and ask them where you can get cheap parts. Discover new places to eat and drink. Enjoy your visit, and take those lessons back home, where you will trade your newfound knowledge of the enemy for increased political and financial standing in the community. War is inevitable, and we know the Skyhawks are a foe to be feared.

[pacifierbby]

~ POV

walking around London

a/n~ sorry lovely I'm off work now for 9 days so I'll be updating my stories abit more obviously the nanny still on going don't worry. I've just get ideas and jot them down before they go

tag list ~ here

warnings ~ masons being cute and fluffy kissing and hugging

pairing ~ mason x you

you and Mase will be constantly holding hands walking around London

Mason will be constantly dragging you into every shoe shop possible making you buy the same shoes so you can be twinning obviously it will be ether high top converse or low in any colour

you be showing mason every makeup and facial skin cares. which mason ask if he can do some home with you. you also show mason different face masks.

Mason would want to dry different food every time you guys go out so when you walk around London mason notices a new Italian restaurant opened he drags you inside which you both try the pizzas and the starters.

side glances when masons looking away.

quick kisses when ever you guys are alone because PDA wasn't your thing and masons knows this

going to every sight seeing view

when it starts getting dark you go on the London eye. and seeing London in the dark on the top will always be your favorite

saying i love yous

[angelasscribbles]

All That She Wants Chapter 7: Now What?

Series: All That She Wants

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings for this chapter: Liam x Olivia

Word Count: 1,297 Rating: MA

Warnings for this chapter: faintest whiff of lemons

My other stuff: Master List.

Chapter is under the cut.

"Damn, that was good.” Olivia was still pinned against the shower wall, water cascading down her naked body as Liam pulsed inside her. Her nails raked across his shoulders. “But this isn’t what you summoned me to the palace for.”

“No, it isn’t. But it is a nice fringe benefit.” He smirked as he pulled out of her and lowered her to the ground.

Olivia made a noncommittal noise as she turned the water off and stepped out of the walk-in shower. She grabbed two towels from the warmer and tossed one at Liam before drying herself off. Wrapping herself in the plush robe hanging on the back of the door, she turned to face her lover expectantly. “Are you going to tell me, or do I have to guess?”

“I thought we could discuss things over dinner. It should be here soon.” He opened the door and exited the bathroom.

The bedroom in the suite that was always reserved for House Nevrakis contained a dresser stocked with men’s clothing in the king’s size. He began dressing, humming happily to himself.

Olivia followed him. “I would prefer if you just tell me whatever it is. Is it about the annual budget for Lythikos? Because—”

“No, no, nothing like that!” He assured her as he pulled on a pair of pants. Noting her serious expression, he huffed out, “Fine. I’ll tell you now.”

“Please do.”

“Riley has given me two days to decide to either give her a baby or a divorce. I have a day left to decide.”

“Okay…” Olivia said carefully. “What does that have to do with me? If you want to keep your wife, give her a baby. If you don’t, then what’s the problem?”

Liam gaped at her. How could she not see the obvious? “It has everything to do with you, with us! This is our chance to be together, Liv. For real this time! I’ll give her the divorce and then you and I can get married. No more hiding, no more pretending!”

Olivia’s face bore a mixture of horror, disbelief, and amusement. “Liam, you know all the reasons I said no to your proposal the first time.”

“But this is different, Liv! I know you never wanted children, but I’ve already had them! You won’t have to—”

She drew back as he stepped toward her. “You expect me to be a stepmother?”

“I have nannies, Liv. And they have a mother. Riley won’t stop being their mom.”

Olivia shook her head vigorously back and forth. “I hope you didn’t call me here to make some sort of proposal. If you want to divorce your wife, be my guest. But I’m not replacing her.”

“Why not?”

Olivia snorted with exasperation. “We’ve been over this. Your world comes with too many strings and obligations, for starters.”

“You don’t want to be queen.”

“No. You know this.”

Liam sighed in frustration, but he wasn’t giving up. “There is a third option.”

“What is it?”

“Let someone else give her a baby.”

Olivia’s eyebrows shot up. “Would you even agree to that?”

“If I agree to it, we would go public with the Cordonian Arrangement. There’s no way around that. The mandatory paternity test would out us.”

Her eyebrows shot even higher. “That is not something I would expect you to do. You’re too conscious of your public image, decorum, tradition—”

“Generally, yes, but there is an upside here.”

“I’m listening.”

“If it’s public knowledge, then that frees me up to do what I want without the hiding and sneaking around. You and I can still be together publicly, Liv, even if you don’t want to marry me.”

She watched him warily. “Together how?”

“I could make you the official royal mistress.” He offered, his tone, facial expression, and body language implying that he believed this to be a boon.

She stifled a laugh. “Liam, that title comes with almost as much baggage as being queen.”

It also would require her to remain faithful to the king, giving up all other lovers, something she was not prepared to do.

His face fell. The romantic dinner he had planned was going completely sidewise, and the food hadn’t even arrived yet.

Olivia tried to disarm the situation. “I’m sure she’s bluffing, anyway. Riley is in love with you, Liam. She’s not going to get pregnant by someone else.”

He laughed humorlessly. “She’s already sleeping with Drake.”

“With Drake?” Olivia focused on him with an intensity he found a little uncomfortable. “He had a vasectomy. When he and I were an item. We both agreed—”

“He offered to reverse it for her.”

Olivia felt like the floor had fallen out from under her. “He what?”

Anger rose like the tide inside him as he clocked her reaction. “He offered to reverse it for her. Why are you so upset? Do you still have feelings for him?”

“What? No!” she scoffed, but her inability to look him directly in the eye told him everything he needed to know.

He tamped down his rage as best he could. He needed things clarified for him. “So, you won’t marry me if I get divorced, and you won’t be my official mistress if I don’t. Do you actually want any type of relationship with me at all, or have I been wasting my time all these years?”

She threw her hands up in the air as she stalked away from him. “Don’t be so fucking dramatic. I have always been crystal clear that our relationship is purely sexual. You know I have other lovers and I like it that way. I need my space and freedom, Liam. I don’t want to be tied down to any one person.”

“Unless it’s Drake, you mean.”

“Oh, for the love of God, stop it. I am not in love with Drake.”

Liam felt like he’d just been slapped. “Who said anything about love? I didn’t use that word, you did!”

“Stop trying to make this about me! This is about you and Riley! Why do you need my input to make this decision?”

“Because I love you and I thought you loved me back!” White hot fury mingled with wretched despair.

He had convinced himself they were star-crossed lovers, kept apart by circumstance. He had believed that if the universe aligned so that they could be together, then they would be together.

He had been willing to throw his reputation to the wind for her. Willing to disregard public opinion and be the first monarch in Cordonian history to get a divorce. He had frozen out his wife, the woman that did love him, for a lie. A lie he’d told himself.

Olivia Nevrakis had just ripped his heart out for the second time in their lives.

“I’m sorry, Liam. Maybe you should go.”

He gathered his things and left without another word. The walk back to the royal wing felt like a million miles as he contemplated the fact that Olivia was still in love with Drake.

He hated him for it.

He knew it wasn’t fair. Drake didn’t seem to return Olivia’s feelings, nor did he seem to be encouraging or leading her on in any way.

Still.

It rankled that the only reason the woman he loved didn’t love him back was because Drake Walker existed.

Exacting any type of revenge seemed pointless. Drake hadn’t done it on purpose. He had, in fact, backed all the way off when Liam had asked him to.

Olivia wasn’t aware of it, but Liam was the reason Drake had broken things off with her.

That fact didn't make him feel any better about the situation.

An emotion he wasn't proud of stirred in his chest.

If Liam couldn’t have the woman he wanted, why should Drake get the one he wanted?

Maybe it was time to reconnect with his wife.

[stardustprompts]

thirteen ghosts  sentence starters change tenses/pronouns as needed !!  some lines have been edited for clarity / length / ease of roleplaying tw ;  language , blood , death

'oh, bad! that's one way to describe it. uh, 'insane' seems a little more appropriate.'

'it is my professional opinion that we should get the hell out of here. now!'

'I just need to take the edge off.'

'careful, (name). don't get too curious.'

'who are you to play god?'

'playing's for children.'

'I thought you were psychic.'

'that's not how it works and you know it!'

'perhaps we'll meet again in another life.'

'you crazy son of a bitch, what did you do?'

'you're being paranoid and overprotective.'

'I know this is gonna sound completely whacked, alright? but I need you to stay with me.'

'don't laugh at me.'

'not so fast, you gotta cater to my ego first.'

'don't touch me.'

'how's your head?'

'they're kids, what'd you expect?'

'just this once, don't argue with me.'

'what part of that code are you having trouble cracking?'

'I don't see any ghosts.'

'I want you to do me a favor and stop with all the haunted house nonsense. okay?'

'you don't have to scream, alright? just ... chill.'

'no, I don't think we should split up.'

'I told you, I can't see any ghosts.'

'it's a ghost! just like I've been saying all night.'

'there are ghosts around us all the time. most of them, they can't hurt is. most of them don't wanna hurt us. but there are exceptions.'

'there's no such thing as ghosts.'

'don't speak. don't move.'

'I don't think you should be teasing the ghost.'

'it looks to me like I'm saving your ass.'

'if you want help, you gotta help me first.'

'can I rely on you not to get me killed?'

'what the hell are you doing here?!'

'stop dragging your ass, man!'

'you got something to say, say it.'

'let's start with this is all your goddamn fault!'

'if you haven't noticed, I'm a little bit of a freak!'

'I touch somebody, and a whole life full of shit just flashes in front of my eyes!'

'so yeah, I'm depraved. and (name) was my friend and he accepted me!'

'he didn't accept you, you're pathetic! he used you!'

'god, I've been trying to help you.'

'love is the most powerful energy.'

'I don't read latin.'

'it doesn't add up. it doesn't make any sense. there's gotta be a better way.'

'how much of this equation makes any sense at all?'

'I sure as hell hope I don't bleed to death, 'cuz that would suck.'

'why are you so mad at me? I did everything you asked me to do.'

'you're not mad at me, are you?'

'I've been looking for a reason to like myself for a long time.'

'greatness requires sacrifice.'

'I'm nothing without you.'

'the world has no time for little people like you. it needs people who are willing to do anything for greatness.'

'I am sick of this nanny shit.'

'this was not in the job description. I quit!'

[ladykailitha]

NANNY AU

WIP Wednesday! Make me write!!

Other asks here, here.

Snippet

When Steve got to the house, he would have liked to have said that he wasn’t impressed because he had seen dozens of large houses and even larger sprawling mansions in his time as a full time nanny, but he was. Very much so.

It wasn’t a gaudy modern monstrosity for starters. It liked a Victorian era manor that had been modernized for living in today. It gave off a spooky vibe, but in a fun way and not a horror movie way. Like the Addams family or the Munsters kind of vibe.

He really dug it.

He went up and knocked on the door. It swung open almost immediately to reveal a pretty, petite woman with sparkling green eyes and strawberry blonde hair. She had a sweet smile.

[shehadstyleshehadflair]

open to: anyone.

SHE stepped down the stairs, a big grin covering her features while she interrupted the previous conversation. Her loud voice covering all sounds around, managing to catch their attention. “Alright, the wait is over — Now I’m ready!” Fran made her grand entrance, eyes going up to check the other’s reaction as she showed off her newly bought dress. “How do I look?”

[squirrellypoo]

The many occupations of fic Louis de Pointe du Lac

I’ve been reading a lot of fic to get me through the long wait to season 2, and I’ve been delighted by the sheer diversity of professional occupations writers have imagined for Louis. Here’s a list off the top of my head of ones I’ve read and enjoyed, though please do tell me in the comments if I’ve missed any!

Spa owner and massage therapist in "You're the one, designed for me"

Fashion photographer in "Let the flesh instruct the mind"

Coffee shop owner in “It’s like a sucker punch straight to my heart” by @thefairylights

Chef in "Saveur de la Maison" by @suikamelon6

Ballet dancer in "Meet me at the barre" by @dancermk

Club promoter in "Grenadine" by @penguinsandbats

Nanny in "Cord of Communion" by @brightfelon

Sugar baby in "Music when the sun goes down" by @mythicaltzu

Cabin crew in "The Mile High Club" by @bronzeriot

Publishing editor in "Brooklyn Baby"

Bar owner in "Under the Blood Mood" by @revolution-starter

University lecturer in "Practical Ethics" by @prouvaireafterdark

Teacher in "Your mouth and madness" by @brightfelon

Art gallerist in "The Saint" by @revolution-starter

Crown prince in "Part of Your World" by @weather-mood

Bartender in "My companion heart" by @mythicaltzu

Whereas Lestat is nearly always musician/rockstar/music producer (which makes sense since that's canon). Though I must give a special mention to his porn star career in "Pretty Boy" 👀

EDIT: I went and made a fic occupation post for Lestat now, too!

Apologies if I’ve mis-tagged or forgotten to tag any authors here, I’ve tried to match them up from AO3 references where possible!

[pupmkincake2000]

The main problem in Stardew Valley and DBH fandom is that people often misinterpret the characters' personalities and behavior. Especially when it comes to shipping or relationships. In Stardew it's Shane, in DBH it's Hank.

I often see people say that Shane “can be a good friend, but he will make a bad husband. A Farmer shouldn’t marry him. He’s an alcoholic, he can’t be fixed.”

And I see almost the same thing about Hank: “Connor shouldn’t be his nanny, this is consumerism on Hank’s part, he's alcoholic, he can’t be fixed” and a lot of other things like this.

But this is actually sad to realize that this is the way people perceive the usual care that any good person would show towards their friend or lover or just someone close. Although, people like when characters take care of each other, yet when we talk about Shane and Hank, people consider this care to be nothing but some kind od babysitting or other crap that actually has nothing to do with the Shane/Farmer and Hank/Connor relationships.

Let me explain.

For starters, what do Shane and Hank have in common? They are both deeply depressed, both have lost the will and interest in life after the death of someone dearest, both have suicidal tendencies and drink alcohol.

However, both still cling to life, despite all the pain they experience, both work hard. The main argument against Shane is his messy room after the wedding and the fact that he drinks cider or beer about twice a week. Hank's house is a bit of a mess too. Still, both of them are incredibly strong. Shane is aware of his problem, as well as Hank, the Farmer just needs to push him a little so he could start healing. In Hank's case, Connor helps him to believe that the world can become a better place.

It is very difficult for people who have never dealt with depression to understand those who have it. This illness cannot be removed simply by taking a pill. It can torture you from the inside for many years and you may simply not know that you have depression. In this state, it is very difficult to take care of yourself, or even think about cleaning the house you live in, it is very difficult to concentrate on work, you may have problems with memory, sleep, you may be haunted by constant fatigue and suicidal thoughts, which are incredibly difficult to get rid of. For some people with depression, it will take years to even feel a little better. Depression may not go away at all and you will have to take pills and visit a psychiatrist for the rest of your life. At the same time, you may think that you are just a lazy piece of shit who simply cannot clean up your own apartment. Depression is scary.

I can tell as a person who has depression, officially confirmed by specialists. Living with depression means fighting for your life every day. And, unfortunately, it is almost impossible to cope with it alone. Often, in order to simply start fighting depression, people need a push and help, and those who say such nasty things about Hank and Shane do not understand this.

There is no shame in asking for help. There is no shame in accepting help.

What Farmer and Connor do is not babysitting, it is caring.

Shane and Hank don't need to be fixed, and I am truly disgusted by those who say "they can't be fixed".

Shane and Hank are not broken (depressed people are not broken). They are desperate, in pain and need help and care.

Both Connor and Farmer help them

heal.

They don't try to fix them,

they just help them heal.

This is what

care

is.

Many people say that Connor shouldn’t become a housewife/babysitter/nanny etc. for Hank… but excuse me, if your loved one gets sick, will you not take care of them? Will you not cook them food and support them during a difficult period of life? Does caring mean being a housewife/babysitter/nanny etc.?

It's called caring, caring for someone you love, and that's what Connor and Farmer do. They take care of Hank and Shane when the men have a difficult period of life. And accepting this care, this love, accepting this help is not selfishness or consumerism or predatory behavior. This is normal for those who sincerely want to survive and recover. Heal.

There is no shame in asking for help. There is no shame in accepting help/love, remember?

Yeah, Shane doesn't stop drinking right away. If you have depression and drink because of it, it is very difficult to stop drinking right away. And a can of beer twice a week is not a crime. However, Shane tries, he really tries to heal, he looks after the house, helps on the farm and wants a family. Same thing with Hank. It is unlikely that he will immediately stop drinking, but he is also trying, he began to smile sincerely and was ready to give his life for even the tiniest hope that the world could be better, that androids would become the new hope of humanity.

It is incredibly difficult for depressed people to accept help from others. The fact that Hank accepted Connor, believed the android is alive and tried to protect the androids, only tells us he was ready to fight for his life, that he wanted to live and to be happy again, and it was Connor who was the one who gave him that push, it was Connor who became the reason of Hank's healing. And for Shane it was Farmer and there is nothing wrong with them getting married, because Shane, just like Hank, is ready to change, ready to heal, ready to fight for his happiness.

Hank and Shane are wonderful characters, and I believe they deserve love and happiness more than anyone else.