#this is why I call myself pan because I do NOT know what the rest of y'all are doing tbh

[witchthewriter]

Poly141! | Mission Pixie Dust

Okay so... I was making up scenarios in my head as I was falling asleep last night and I made myself cry ... so I obviously had to share...

Poly141; the four men are your husbands and all deployed at the same time, leaving you home with your three kids at the beginning of the school holidays.

This turned out longer than I thought it would but I just had to write it out. I love Poly141 AND them being dads :')

Da = Johnny

Papa = John P.

Dad= Simon

Daddy = Kyle

School holidays had just started, and your three pups were buzzing as soon as they came home. Bags were thrown on the floor, school shoes unlaced and scattered around the shoe stand. They knew the rules, but first day of school holidays meant they were allowed to get a little wild.

Your oldest, Paesha, had just turned eight and her father was obvious. Thick curls, dark skin and warm brown eyes made it plain to see. But all your husbands loved her the same. In fact, she had a special bond with her Da (Johnny).

Malachai, your second, could have been any of the three other men's. Light brown hair, fair complection, and utterly/overly protective of his sisters. He had been born a year after Pae.

And your youngest, Felicity (known as Flick), had started her first year in big school. She was known for having exceptional blue eyes.

None of your husbands wanted a DNA test, they thought it useless because everyone treats the children with the same love, compassion and warmth.

Throwing your keys on the counter (Paesha picked them up and placed them on the hook). You rubbed the bridge of your nose and tried to quell the longing in your soul. You didn't know if it was worse when the kids were gone or with you. Being completely alone let the terrible thoughts attack but you didn't want your kids to miss out on having their fathers'.

Calming the oncoming tears, you turned around and asked, "who wants pizza for dinner?"

"YES!" Yelled Mal, a fist punched in the air. Paesha nodded her head enthusiastically while Flick did a little happy dance.

Paesha halted and squinted at you, "Not homemade right?"

After dinner arrived, the four of you sat on the large dark green couch. Your two ex-military dogs, Moth and Teddy, sat on either end of the lounge.

Turning onto the streaming service, you found the exact movie you were looking for. The 2003 version of Peter Pan.

With the lights off (except for the kitchen, the kids were still scared of too much darkness), you watched as one of your cats jumped into Pae's lap. Barnaby started purring instantly. His fluffy white tail settled around his body.

The seven of you settled in. Your four human babies snuggled up to their mama, smiles already on their faces.

When the movie had finished, your kids still wouldn't go to bed.

"Oh wait, I know why it isn't working - we don't have the pixie dust!" Flick pulled on your sleeve with a huge gap-toothed smile.

You had been watching as they jumped around the room. Lights flicked on, bodies flinging from one couch to another.

"I know! But ... we don't have any in the house..." You grumbled.

Paesha was staring dreamily at Peter Pan, a cheek resting against her face. "Where do we get some?" Her head turned slightly to look at you, her eyes nearly heart-shaped.

"Ugh-" god trying to keep childlike wonder alive was bloody difficult. Like a sign from the Universe, your phone started to ring.

All three kids ran over to it, knowing exactly who was calling at this time of night. Swiping the screen, four familiar faces popped up.

"Da! Papa! Dad! Daddy!" Smiling through the screen, the men had been just as eager to see their kids as their kids were to see them.

"Hello little munchkins, ya been good for mum?" Simon greeted first. His mask was off and no black could be found around his eyes. He never showed that side to the children.

"We're going to fly!" Flick chirped, her arms outstretched and running around.

"You're - what?" Price said with a slightly panicked face.

"But we need pixie dust," Malachai explained. Shaking his head like this was obvious information.

"I introduced them to the ... live action Peter Pan," you explained and a smile of regret grew on your tired face.

"Oh honey," Kyle replied, understanding the situation. He was the first of the men to.

"But we don't have any and we have to go buy more!" Pae said while leaning against you.

"Eh, pixie dust ...?" you heard Johnny mumble in the background.

"Oh! I have an idea!" You said with a faked expression, "why don't the Dada's get us the pixie dust!"

The chorus of cheers was heard throughout the house. Alerting the the tired Moth and Teddy.

Kyle shook his head. And Price's nose flared. Mum: 1 - Dads: 0.

"We'll bring back the goddamns finest," Simon said. You couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

"See! You heard Dad! Now get your butts' upstairs and in bed."

"Yes ma'am!" They said in unison (a nickname they'd heard their father's use one too many times.)

Once the kids were upstairs, your face dropped.

"I miss you guys," you whispered into the phone. The tears welling and spilling down your cheeks.

"We miss you too," John said, his words strangled with his feelings.

It was always hard to hang up.

It hurt.

But tonight's farewell felt like the hardest. You could just imagine how the scenario would've played out if their father's were there with them. With you.

'Can't always get what we want,' you thought bitterly.

"Not long now," Kyle said. You stared at his eyes and then his lips. God how much you wanted to kiss him.

"You better make sure you bring back some fucking pixie dust or there'll be a riot."

"Aye, Laswell definitely knows someone-" Johnny replied, giving you a wink. "Miss you gorgeous." He always tried to uplift the mood. And it nearly always worked.

You fought out of your misery, knowing the four soldiers couldn't bear to see you upset. And as they said their goodbyes, you said so in return.

"We love you, our precious wife. We'll all be together soon."

[back2bluesidex]

Give Me A Taste - MYG (18+)

Pairing: Idol!Yoongi X Fem!Reader

Theme: PWP, SMUT, established relationship au

Wordcount: 1.3k+

Summary: Yoongi is down bad for you, he has been missing your taste crazily. Thanks to unexpected turns of events and a cancelled show, he can finally satiate his hunger for you.

Warnings: Titty fucking, yes, he fucks her tits, tit play (a bit), fingering, he cums on her chest, a heated make out, Unprotected sex (don't try this at home), NSFW!!

Minors are not allowed in this blog!!

A/N: It's been a minute since I have written anything for Mr. Min. so... here it is. also, this is an apology because I won't be able to update WDBHG this week. I'm so sorry.:(

You are trying your best to scrub off the burnt patch of your frying pan when you hear the door lock chiming its jovial sound. 

“What the –” muttering to yourself, you start peeling off the washing gloves from your hands. It’s only you and Yoongi who know the passcode of your shared home. You are inside the condo and Yoongi is out on a world tour still having three more weeks to come back home. So it’s definitely a trespasser, or worse, a burglar or a robber trying to break into your house. 

Your blood runs cold at the thought as you walk towards the door for taking a look at the doorbell screen. Your steps halt when you see your boyfriend putting off his shoes and slipping into home slippers. 

“Yoongi?” you whisper, your eyes fill with moisture at an instant. It’s been nearly three months since you last saw him, smelled his calming scent, traced his skin with your fingertips. You have been missing him crazily and a brief phone or video call a day does absolutely nothing to quench your thirst. 

“One of the shows got canceled due to extreme weather conditions, we have a week till the next one. So, we decided to rest for a bit.” Yoongi reasons in his usual calm voice, before you get to ask him. He comes to stand right in front of you as you keep on staring at him. 

“Oh. Have you-” 

“Are you just going to stare at me?” Yoongi cuts you off. His face is unreadable but his eyes are dark, which makes it hard for you to assume anything. 

“No, I-” 

You get cut off again but this time because Yoongi slams his lips onto yours, pinning you to the nearest wall. 

Your boyfriend is usually calm and collected but he becomes a beast when lust takes over his senses. 

He grabs your wrists with both of his hands, pinning those above your head as he presses his body on yours. 

He kisses you hungrily, as if trying to lavish your lips for all the times he was away from you. You kiss him back with just as much urgency. The make out session is so heated that it spreads heat all over your body, including your pussy that just started wetting your cotton panties. 

You realize Yoongi is on the same page when his semi hard bulge presses on your stomach. 

He bites down on your lower lip, pulling it with his teeth before leaving you fucked up with only kisses. 

Yoongi loves you. Oh hell! It will be underestimated to say that he just loves you. He is obsessed with you! He craves for you like a lunatic. He starves for you. 

This prolonged period of staying away from you has been taking a toll on him, that’s why he came rushing back to you as soon as he got the chance. 

He looks at you with hooded eyes, stares down at your swollen lips then at your perked nipples. Fuck! You look heavenly like this. He can’t wait to feel your warmth wrapped around his length.

“I’ve missed you,Y/N. I can barely control myself anymore.” Yoongi whispers as he latches his lips to your throat, placing soft and lingering kisses wherever he could reach. 

“You don’t need to control yourself, Yoongi. I am all yours. Do whatever you want. I am all yours.” You breathe out. Yoongi’s tight grip on your wrists arouses you by an impossible amount. 

“Yes baby. I am going to fuck you so good now. But before that.. Give me a taste? Will you?” Yoongi’s low voice sends a trail of goosebumps all over your body. You suddenly find an urge to shy away from him and his eyes which are currently boring in your chest, more precisely, your nipples.  

Yoongi finds it adorable the way you get a little shy whenever he asks for a taste of your tits. He loves your tits, he can never get enough of those and fucking your tits is one of his most favourite ways of ruining you. 

He leaves your hands and clutches at the rim of your oversized tshirt to pull it off of your body. His eyes turn even darker as soon as you are topless in front of him. 

He palms your tits for a few moments. You push your tits out to enjoy more of his touch by arching your back. Yoongi chuckles at your eagerness. 

“Guess you missed me too, darling?” he squeezes both of your tits at the same time to erect a soft contained sigh from your lips. 

“You have no idea how much.” you murmur while enjoying Yoongi’s rough hands on your soft supple flesh. 

His fingers find your nipples and he twists those to satisfy himself, “then you will let me fuck your titties today, won’t you?” 

“I will…” you voice somehow. 

Yoongi bends down and takes one of your nipples in his mouth. 

As soon as the bud is inside his mouth, he starts lapping it up with his saliva before sucking it hard. All of your breath is knocked out when he worries your nipple between his teeth, not quite biting it rather playing with it with practiced skills.  

One of your hands finds its way to his long dark hair, nails raking through his scalp, earning a moan from your boyfriend. Your other hand travels down to south, brushing through the rough material of his jeans, grabbing his bulge and rubbing it to satiate your burning need that has developed for him.  

Yoongi repeats his actions with your other nipple, arousing you more and more.  

You are far too gone with the pleasure to notice that Yoongi has smeared your chest with his saliva, seemingly preparing you tits to take his cock. 

“Should we head to the couch now?” he asks with his gentle yet low voice. You nod eagerly. 

He lifts you up effortlessly, carries you to the couch and lays you down. Swiftly removing the rest of your clothes and leaving you lying naked on the couch, he reaches for his own clothes. 

His cock springs out of his boxers, tall and proud and ready to fuck you. He smirks, feeling you eyeing him like the horny, hungry girl that you are. 

Yoongi climbs on top of you, places his knees on either side of you, and lines his cock in the middle of your tits. You squeeze your tits tightly to make a tight passage for your boyfriend’s greedy cock. 

His first thrust is a little messy, the head of his cock nudges you on your chin, painting your chin with his precum. 

The next thrusts are more stable and steady and soon you hear Yoongi groaning in pleasure. He is such a goner when it comes to your tits. You tighten your tits even more to rile him up. 

“B-Baby, ugh, Y/N! I will c-cum at this rate.” Yoongi whines. Your eyes roll back at the sensation of his cock being squeezed by your big tits. 

But you start seeing stars when you feel Yoongi’s fingers parting your folds and drawing tight circles on your clit. 

“Oh my– Yoongi” you fumble to make any coherent sentence. 

Arousal pools out of your hole and creates a mess down there.

Apparently, it’s too much for Yoongi to take in your fucked up state, your wetness on his fingers and your tits squeezing the hell out of his cock, all together. His dick starts twitching and before he could warn you, he is cumming all over your face, throat and chest. 

Your grip on your tits loosen as you bring your hand to wipe your face off. When your vision returns to you, you find Yoongi licking your juices off of his fingers while maintaining a steady eye contact with you. He definitely doesn’t look like someone who just cummed all over you. 

Repositioning himself, Yoongi lowers his head to the level of your cunt and chuckles in his breathy voice, “Next up is your pussy. Give me a taste, yeah?” 

And you know you are going to have a long day ahead.

Taglist:

@phenomenalgirl9 @variety-is-the-joy-of-life @sukunabitch @chimchimmarie @coffeedepressionsoup @meowstake @vonvi-blog @nochuel @chimmisbae

[jasclearwaters]

Learn to Fly

Part Four

We spend the morning at the docks, meeting with marine biologists working on tracking dugong populations. Robert is completely in his element—confident, knowledgeable, passionate. It’s hard not to get caught up in his energy.

I film snippets for my TikTok as we go:

Clip One: Me, pretending to wipe sweat dramatically from my forehead. Text overlay: POV: You came to Australia for a conservation trip and immediately got humbled by the heat.

Clip Two: A quick pan of Robert explaining the tracking process, his hands animated as he talks. Text overlay: This man really has Steve Irwin’s energy and I am STRESSED.

Clip Three: Me holding up a dugong plushie I picked up from the zoo gift shop, giving it a serious look. “This is the only one I trust.”

The rest of the day is a blur of data collection, recording GPS points, and taking notes while Robert and the team discuss patterns. I do my best to keep up, but I’m mostly just in awe. This isn’t just a passion project for him—it’s his life.

As we pack up, another boat pulls into the dock, and a woman with long, sun-streaked hair jumps out. She’s effortlessly gorgeous in that way outdoorsy girls tend to be—tan, lean, a little windblown but in a cool way.

“Rob!” she calls, walking over with a bright smile.

“Sophie!” He grins back, pulling her into a quick hug. “Didn’t know you were back in town.”

She laughs, swatting his arm. “You never check your messages. Just got back yesterday.” Then, her gaze slides to me, curiosity flickering in her blue eyes. “And you must be Kendra.”

I nod, keeping my expression neutral. “That’s me.”

“Sophie’s an old friend,” Robert explains. “She used to work on the reef conservation project with us.”

“Oh, cool,” I say lightly, but something inside me pulls back a little.

Sophie is… comfortable with him. The way she stands close, the casual touches—it all speaks to a history I don’t know about. And I’m not the kind of girl who jumps to conclusions, but I also know when I don’t have all the facts.

So I do what I do best—I shift gears. Film another TikTok, focus on the project, and remind myself why I came here in the first place.

Because whatever this thing is between me and Robert, if there even is a thing, it’s not something I’m going to push for. Not when I don’t have the full picture yet.

---

That evening, I edit some of the day’s TikToks while sitting on the edge of my bed, the quiet hum of nocturnal wildlife filtering in through the open window. My phone buzzes—comments are rolling in fast.

"The chemistry between you two is crazyyy"

"Girl, blink twice if you’re catching feelings for the Wildlife Prince."

"Sophie who??? We only acknowledge Kendra in this house."

I snort at that last one, but my stomach twists just a little. It’s not like Robert and I are a thing. Hell, we haven’t even crossed that line. But still, something about Sophie lingers in my head longer than I’d like to admit.

A knock at my door startles me.

"Hey," Robert says when I open it. He’s leaning casually against the doorframe, hair still damp from a post-boat shower. He smells like salt and eucalyptus. "Just wanted to check in. Big day today."

"Yeah, it was," I say, keeping my voice easy. "Pretty amazing, actually."

He grins, and I hate that it does things to me. "Glad you think so. You really held your own out there."

"Well, I had a good teacher," I quip, tucking my phone under my thigh before he can catch a glimpse of my TikTok feed.

For a second, there’s something unspoken between us. It hums beneath the surface, much like the dugong we spotted earlier—just out of sight, but undeniably there.

Then he clears his throat. "We’re heading out early again tomorrow. More data collection. And, uh… Sophie’s joining us. She’s back for a bit, wants to help out."

I nod, keeping my expression neutral. "Cool. The more the merrier, right?"

Robert studies me for half a beat longer than necessary, like he’s trying to read something in my face. But then he just nods. "Right. See you in the morning, Kendra."

When he’s gone, I flop back onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. The logical part of me knows there’s nothing to worry about. But the other part—the one that’s spent the last week laughing at Robert’s bad jokes and getting butterflies whenever he flashes that grin—is a little less sure.

And that’s dangerous. Because I didn’t come here for this.

I came for the work.

At least, that’s what I tell myself.

---

The next day, we’re back on the water.

Sophie fits into the team seamlessly, and it’s clear she knows her stuff. She and Robert have this easy rapport, finishing each other’s thoughts when they talk about conservation efforts, bouncing ideas back and forth.

I stay focused on my tasks—filming updates for my audience, making sure I don’t fall overboard, the usual.

Clip One: Me holding up the tracking device, looking skeptical. "Me pretending I understand the science behind this when really I’m just here for the vibes."

Clip Two: A slow zoom-in on Sophie and Robert laughing over something while I sip from my water bottle. Text overlay: Me realizing I’m the side character in my own storyline.

I tell myself I’m not bitter. And honestly, I’m not. I barely know Robert, and it’s not like I expected anything.

But as the boat bobs along the waves, I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve just stepped into a scene that’s already been written. And I’m not sure where I fit into it yet.

---

We’re back on the water early, scanning for dugongs when a distress call crackles through the radio. A juvenile dugong has been spotted tangled in a discarded fishing net, struggling near the mangroves.

Robert exchanges a quick look with me. “We’re the closest boat. Let’s go.”

I nod, ignoring the way my stomach clenches. Getting in the water still brings a rush of memories I’d rather not deal with, but this isn’t about me.

By the time we reach the location, the dugong is barely moving, its large, dark eyes blinking sluggishly. The net has wrapped around its body, restricting its movement. Robert and another researcher slide into the water first. When Robert looks back at me expectantly, I take a steadying breath before following.

The second I’m in, my heartbeat skyrockets. The water is murky here, the shadows shifting. I force myself to focus.

“You okay?” Robert’s voice is calm, but his eyes search mine.

I nod. “Yeah. Let’s do this.”

Carefully, we work together, cutting the net free. The moment it loosens, the dugong stirs, flapping its tail weakly. I place a hand on its side, feeling the rough, scarred skin beneath my fingers. It’s okay. It’s alive. And I’m still here, still breathing.

When it finally swims away, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Robert’s hand brushes my shoulder. “You did good, Shark Girl.”

I huff out a laugh. “Yeah, yeah.” But I feel lighter as I climb back into the boat.

---

After I’ve showered off the salt and exhaustion, I find myself in the kitchen with Terri. She’s been back from Oregon for a couple of days now, and we haven’t really had a moment to talk.

“I saw the video Robert took of you helping that dugong,” she says as she stirs something on the stove. “You looked strong out there.”

I lean against the counter. “Felt more like ‘barely keeping it together.’”

Terri smiles knowingly. “That’s how growth feels sometimes.” She gives me a considering look. “You remind me a little of Steve, you know.”

I blink. “What?”

“He never let fear stop him. But that doesn’t mean he wasn’t scared. He just didn’t let it win.” She sets a plate in front of me. “You’re doing more than just surviving, Kendra. You’re still fighting for what matters to you. That’s bravery.”

I don’t know what to say to that, so I just nod, tucking her words away somewhere deep.

---

The next morning, my phone is still blowing up. I groan, rolling over to check TikTok, and immediately regret it.

A clip of Robert helping me onto the boat has gone viral—someone slowed it down, added soft music, and captioned it: “He’s so in love, it hurts.”

Oh no.

The comments are a mess:

“The way he looks at her?? I CAN’T.”

“They’re actually soulmates, right?”

“Someone check on Sophie.”

I roll my eyes and text Robert.

Me: The internet is unhinged.

Robert: You’re telling me? I just got asked about it. In an interview.

My stomach drops. Me: Oh god. What did you say?

Robert: I panicked.

Before I can respond, he sends a link. I click it, and sure enough, it’s a clip from his interview this morning.

Interviewer: There’s a lot of buzz online about you and Kendra. Any truth to it?

Robert laughs, rubbing the back of his neck. “Kendra’s incredible. I mean, have you seen her in action? Total legend.”

The interviewer smirks. “So that’s not a no?”

Robert stares for a second too long, then says, “We’re just—uh—saving dugongs.”

The comments under the video are even worse than TikTok.

“HE DIDN’T DENY IT.”

“Bro is blushing. Case closed.”

“What does ‘just saving dugongs’ mean??? Is that code??”

I groan, flopping back onto the bed. Me: Thanks for making it worse.

Robert: I panicked, okay??

Me: We’re never hearing the end of this.

Robert: Probably not. Wanna go save some dugongs and pretend the internet doesn’t exist?

I sigh. Me: Yeah. Let’s go.

---

Out on the water, the morning is smooth—until it’s not.

I’m climbing over the side of the boat when I feel it—something shifting, a faint click where there shouldn’t be one.

Then my prosthetic gives out.

I barely have time to react before I lose my footing, slipping sideways. Robert moves fast, grabbing me before I can hit the deck.

“Whoa, you good?” His grip is steady, his voice calm, but my face burns.

“I’m fine,” I say quickly, trying to push away. But my prosthetic is jammed, the knee joint locked in an awkward angle.

Robert kneels beside me. “Let me help.”

“I’ve got it.” I fiddle with the latch, but my fingers are shaking. The stupid thing won’t move.

Robert waits a second, then—gently—rests a hand on mine. “Kendra. It’s okay.”

I exhale sharply. I hate this. Hate feeling vulnerable. But I swallow my pride and let him help.

Together, we get it unstuck. As I readjust, Robert gives me a look—soft, but serious. “You don’t have to do everything alone, you know.”

I force a smirk. “That’s rich, coming from Mr. ‘I Wrestle Crocs By Myself.’”

He grins. “Fair point.”

We don’t say anything else. But as we get back to work, I feel a little less alone.

--

That night, the team invites us to a beach bonfire. The air is warm, the fire crackles, and for the first time in days, I let myself relax.

I’m mid-sip of my drink when Sophie plops down next to me. “So,” she says, nudging me. “You and Robert, huh?”

I choke. “What? No.”

She laughs. “Tell that to the internet.”

I groan. “It’s just people reading into things.”

Sophie hums, swirling her drink. “Yeah, people love a good story.” She glances at the firelight reflecting off the small ring on her left hand, then smiles to herself. “Liam—my boyfriend—proposed last month. I should probably start planning a wedding at some point.”

I pause. “Wait—what?”

She grins, holding up her hand. “I thought Robert would’ve mentioned it.”

I glance across the fire at Robert, who’s busy making someone laugh.

Huh.

That weird, unsettled feeling I’ve been carrying? It disappears.

Maybe I don’t know what’s happening between me and Robert.

But for the first time, I want to find out.

TAGS: @nicolej04 @honethatty12 @acdassenza @em-writes-posts @serenityisanerd @amanda08319 @x-d1vine @moonlighthycanith @hippiemuppet @sonthingwithl @lflores2008 @ac3may @spitfire445

[agendabymooner]

ride home ! carlos s. x ofc (filipino!content creator!ofc)

“and my weary heart has come to rest in yours.”

summary: carlos sainz accidentally outed himself as a married man and his wife is filipino, which is quite ironic if you would look at the history between the two nations. OR mona magdalena was something of a surprise to the f1 world as she’s something of an… ordinary person. but the ferrari driver’s in love with her and that’s enough for anyone to understand.

content warning: established relationship, use of explicit language, unclear plot (intro to carlos sainz’ ofc wife), fluff, lando = knowing something you don’t, poorly translated comments, mentions cheating (no one did), connected to the alessandro/hearth universe (see masterlist)

note: there will be a translation to some of the words in this post (context: spain colonized philippines for 300 years and language/culture/practices were adapted from spain.)

this is a self-indulgent fic. a little bit of it i think. this came from my halo-halo homies’ asks and i was inspired to write. i should write some fernando alonso soon, no? enjoy xx

masterlist

liked by carlossainzjr, landonorris, zildbenitez

user1 CONGRATS MAMITAAAA

user2 welcome back to philippines magda!!

zildbenitez sex or chocolate? liked by monamagdalena

monamagdalena the city by the 1975

user3 i cant believe that you’re working a regular job in spain/england while you’re a whole ass celebrity in the philippines 😭 liked by monamagdalena

monamagdalena duality of a woman 😉

benandbenmusic gimmick sa’n? where should we hangout?

monamagdalena i want some inasal :)

benandbenmusic bet, meet u at the nearest mang inasal then 🫶

carlossainzjr y u so pretty cariño? liked by monamagdalena

carlossainzjr posted a story !!!

this story in unavailable

[translation: my wife should just quit her day job and come travel with me]

[translation: there’s no one i would yearn for more than you, my lovely lady.]

tagged monamagdalena

liked by charles_leclerc, blastersilonga, landonorris

user1 ok but why doesn’t she give wag vibes? did she ever attend any of his race?

user2 she doesn’t seem to be like his type tbh. why does she have a huge fanbase?

user3 bestie they’re married- what more can they do?

user4 she’s hella gorgeous

user5 i didn’t even know who carlos was until now :’] magda really chose the perfect one 😭

user6 welcome to the pits of hell we call f1. ferrari’s at the deepest depth - carlos drives for ferrari

user7 y’all btches blind if you don’t see the heart eyes carlos is giving her

user8 he’s so in love i wish that were me

landonorris ok but i’m rooting for you two though 🥲 liked by carlossainzjr and monamagdalena

monamagdalena thanks, lando! i’m also rooting for us :)

monamagdalena you’re the best partner to have existed. mahal kita sobraaaaaa ❤️ i love you soooo much liked by carlossainzjr

carlossainzjr see you soon cariño ❤️

user8 she really said “colonizing his heart” 😭

user9 who cooks better though?

carlossainzjr her because she grew up with a single mother only and they always make the best cuisines - lena taught me how to cook most filipino dishes

monamagdalena most filipino dishes that NEED to be paired with rice 🥲 i get so lonely having to eat rice by myself at times

landonorris you should have me over so we can eat rice together

monamagdalena you betcha. i’ll be making you dinner like it’s a filipino birthday party lando!

user10 now THAT is the dream 😩 imagine being so sweet that you’d make your husband’s mate some roast pans full of filipino food and pull up the karaoke ughhh so mother of u

bonus !!!

translation

mahal / irog = terms of endearment, “love”

[storkmuffin]

Hi again! I’m the anon that asked if you could elaborate about the Jongho statement. Thanks for taking the time to explain! In addition to your bullet point about how Seonghwa doesn’t mind the term ‘wife’, have you seen how he’s openly accepting of being called ‘mom’ or ‘mommy’? I really love how Seonghwa doesn’t fall into the stereotypical traits of masculinity. I find his mentality of just doing him like wearing whatever he wants now to be one of the many reasons I love him! Do you think he would ever come out or make an announcement about being queer? This is totally getting into just my own personal thoughts but I get mixed feelings with Seonghwa where I think he is queer or if he’s just more in tune with his feminine side. What do you think?

OK so this is where being a Korean person in Korea who is fluent in English and well versed in American pop culture (up to a point) hits a limit. I actually don't understand what you guys are doing when you do the whole 'mommy' and 'mother' thing. The cultural position of Mother in Korea is completely asexual , and self-abnegating in the Giving Tree style - she is the one who sacrifices, who care-takes, who suffers in silence, is all accepting and never critical. (Personally this is why I think so many of us Korean women are refusing to become mothers, bc this role fucking sucks as defined.)

But when you guys say Mother - it means something else, doesn't it? So if Seonghwa is happy to hear it, maybe he understands what you're getting at?

In any case, I think he's actually queer and that's why he is willing to show himself in touch with his feminine side. You can have a gentle and soft persona off-stage, and many many many Korean boy idols absolutely cultivate exactly that image, without going over into being actually as feminine or queer as Seonghwa has done.

Moreover, to be super cynical about this, it's a pretty clever marketing strategy for someone who wants to have a long term show business career when his home base is Korean women. Because Korean culture is so confrontational, energetic and competitive, us tired modern women are desperate for the relaxing, the harmless, the soft, and the gentle in men. Being able to present yourself as the super-handsome, wild-on-stage man who, off-stage, in a fantasy version of 'real life,' is at heart a fastidious, soft-spoken good girl just like you? ABSOLUTE CATNIP. Also, so smart! It helps him differentiate himself from the rest of his group too, who tend to stay within established masculine roles. Wooyoung dancing in a skirt or Yeosang being very pretty isn't the same as being feminine, to me.

This isn't what you asked, but I will also add: Seonghwa puts on the 'soft spoken' voice which isn't his actual speaking voice. Wooyoung, who is irrepressible and competitive, has expertly imitated the 'muted' voice effect that Seonghwa does when speaking to Atiny in one of their behind the scenes things right after Seonghwa said something, asking' Why can't you just talk using your normal voice?' for example. Wooyoung exposed him on the spot like that, because he knows it's very seductive to Korean women lol.

OH and - you actually asked this - do I think he'll ever come out? And actually announce like, hi, I'm gay/bi/pan and this is my boyfriend? I mean, it doesn't seem likely, but if you know anything about Korea, you'll know that when we experience a shift, the shift is abrupt, fast and complete. So I wouldn't rule it out, but I will say - I feel myself to be living in very mainstream Korean middle class society, and I work for a very big corporation, I live in Seoul, and I don't know a single out person from work, school, social network, or church in my real life. It's a chicken and egg thing, but I do think that until more ordinary, every day queer people can come out, and like date in public like straights do, people who need to stay on the right side of public opinion, like idols and actors, wouldn't be ok coming out until the 'main' time of their career is over.

[winged-thinged]

I need to be so real with you guys. 

It’s possible to be a Christian and just not be homophobic. I was for years. It’s easy. Just take a small handful of passages and ignore or reinterpret them. You already know in your heart that hating other people is wrong. Hell, even the Pope is saying it, these days. (Hate the sin.) God loves everybody. You know in your heart that love is holy. Love is love. You can live life with a grain of sand under the lens. 

It’s possible to be a Christian and not believe in the fire and brimstone. It’s possible to focus on the love. Call it a message of hope, and don’t think too hard about what the hope is hiding you from. Lots of people live their whole lives like this. Just focus on love and don’t take the rest of it too seriously. Reinterpret and reinvent. Hold love in your heart. Hope nobody goes hungry. Trust in God. Blame yourself when what you hope for doesn’t happen. 

It’s possible to be a Christian and disbelieve in the other bad stuff, too. Harder. Ignore and reinterpret, refuse and repeat. Disavow slavery and sex abuse. Lambast literalism. Learn to ask some questions, learn the Church has answers. This one takes some work. You might have to  learn some apologetics. Did you know what the text actually says in Hebrew? Do you know what it says in Greek? It’s not what it sounds like. But you’re one of the special few who gets it. You know that all the other churches (and your church) are wrong. If only they would just stop and listen. God is talking to you in your heart, and She says that men and women were created just alike.

But somewhere, in between going, God isn’t a white man and, I don’t know if I believe in hell anymore, you have to stop and ask yourself the question: Why do I believe in this and not that? What’s the difference? Where is my faith actually coming from, if it’s not the Church and it’s not the Bible and it’s not (it’s not) God? You have to ask yourself: Is the voice in my heart that keeps telling me what to love just…me?

For me, the process of questioning just led me to more questions, led me to ask how I knew even the things I thought I knew, led to the slow building of the inexorable knowledge: It’s not real. It took time. A lot of time. I renounced the Church forever and still held onto hope, looking for God in sidewalk cracks and the spaces in between the clouds. But eventually, I couldn't hide from my heart any longer, and I had to ask myself the question: What if this is it? What if this world is all we ever get? What would that mean? How would we know? How would we be able to tell the difference between that and a world with God in it?

And it was such a huge, sweeping relief. To stop doing all the work that cognitive dissonance requires. To put my belief in God down. I was so much lighter. Maybe some people are happy just half-believing, professing to be Catholic but taking their birth control anyway, showing up to church on Sunday to chat with their friends and then leaving it behind in the church parking lot. That has never been me. I have always been the kind of person who needed to take things seriously. I needed it to be real.  

And there are good reasons sometimes to believe in things that aren’t real. Gender isn’t “real.” Money isn’t “real.” Many of our favorite stories aren’t “real,” but that doesn't mean that they have nothing to teach us. Christianity is a culture, a community. It’s a powerful framework, one that gives you free access to hijack any moral conversation in the country if you can just say the right combination of words at the right time. It’s strategic. It’s meaningful. It divides people and it brings them together. 

But I think it’s important to keep it straight. To be honest about when something is real and when it’s not. Because the Church likes to pretend that it’s the only real thing, the truest thing. It tells you to reject the real world in favor of a promise that won’t ever pan out. To deny science, to reject truth, to cling to your belief in the face of everything, no matter what—and that’s how you get people like my family, who worked hard to help vote a wannabe fascist into power because he promised them he’d ban abortion and because they thought he'd make their poor little lost prodigal child (me) detransition and go back home.

[oathkeeper-of-tarth]

More voice line posting! Because I like digging them up and I always want to see/hear more of Isobel.

At some point you were able to have Isobel join your camp by herself even after letting Shadowheart kill Aylin - a game state that's no longer possible, as Aylin's death means Last Light falls, too. But all the voice lines and dialogue trees are still there. I haven't had a chance to try, but manually messing around with the "SHA_Nightsong_State_PermaDefeated" flag might be able to get these lines to trigger.

Here are some highlights (and transcripts) from the Moonrise reunion and the camp conversation that we now only see the "take care of my angel" branch of.

Isobel: You did it. I knew you would. Player: Yet you don't seem glad. Isobel: Oh, I am. It's a momentous day. I suppose I need to catch my breath or the momentum will outpace me.

Player: What will you do now that your father's gone? Isobel: Oh, I don't know. Change my hair colour. Buy a horse. [Curse was lifted] Isobel: In seriousness, I intend to help you fight the Absolute - what lies behind the Absolute, that is. Isobel: None of us will be safe until that looming horror is defeated. When the time comes, I'll fight at your side.

[Curse wasn't lifted] Isobel: In seriousness, my home needs me. It's still enveloped in Shar's horrific curse. If it can be cleansed, I'll find a way. Isobel: But I admit that plays second fiddle to helping you. None of us will be safe until the horror behind 'the Absolute' is defeated. When the time comes, I'll fight at your side.

Player: Why wait? Isobel: To be perfectly frank, I'm exhausted. It feels a bit as though I've been dropped into another dimension. Isobel: A little time to rest and reflect, and I'll be ready to go at it anew. What say you? Player: It's not over yet. A nautiloid is on its way to Baldur's Gate. Isobel: Gods. One day, you go to sleep and everything's square. Then you wake up, and it's a dodecahedron. With tentacles.

-

You could also talk about Aylin specifically. If you were feeling particularly horrible, you could lie and convince Isobel she could still find and save her beloved. Presumably, however you played this, she would leave your camp either hating you or trying to save Aylin - which is a bit similar to how the Act 3 Lorroakan betrayal pans out.

Player: Aylin - do you mean Nightsong? Isobel: Nightsong? What do you mean?

Player: Ketheric captured her and was using her to fuel his invulnerability. She was called the 'Nightsong'. Isobel: She... what?! Does this mean she's still alive? I've got to find her - set her free! Tell me everything you know. Please.

Player: It's too late for that. She was dead when I found her. [Roll Deception] [Roll succeeded] Isobel: My father said she was gone. I'd tried to make peace with it. But... she was so special. So very dear. Isobel: When we met, it was like a lightning strike. My father wasn't sure about us - she was immortal, after all - but I never doubted. [Roll failed] Isobel: Liar. Wicked, wicked liar. Murderer.

Player: Give me your map. I'll show you where she's being kept. [Roll Performance] [Roll failed] Isobel: You're lying. She can't be saved, can she? My father told me she was... gone. It's true, isn't it? Isobel: Why would you lie? What's the matter with you? [Roll succeeded] Isobel: Thank you - thank you so much. I'll gather some supplies and head out shortly. Aylin... I can't believe she's alive. Before the day's end, I'll have her in my arms. Incredible.

Isobel: I hope Aylin's alright. I can't wait to have her in my arms again.

Player: Never mind. Isobel: As I was saying, I fell in love with Aylin swiftly. It was as easy as breathing.

Player: That's what Ketheric and his chums called her. Killed her myself. / It's too late for that. I killed her. Isobel: You what?! But she was immortal. How could she... how could you...? She is the Moonmaiden's daughter. And you call yourself a Selûnite?!

Player: It was the only way to make Ketheric vulnerable. Isobel: Was it? Was it truly? I don't believe that. Not for a second.

Player: Shar got the better of me. It won't happen again. Isobel: Oh it won't? Then I suppose we'll just forget this little misstep, file it under 'lessons learned'?

Player: It was a mistake. One I bitterly regret. Isobel: I should hope so. I can't imagine what insane course of thought led you to murder someone so dear. Isobel: Get out of my sight before I do something you'll regret.

Player: When the Lady of Loss speaks, her faithful act on her behalf. Isobel: You're disgusting. You've killed someone so precious, so good. I knew Shar was wicked. But I'd hoped for better from you.

Player: I couldn't hold my companion back. She had a mission to fulfil. Isobel: A mission? A mission?! That Sharran murderer destroyed someone so precious, so good...

[thewritingofspencerrose]

Mistakes Made

Travis Kelce x OC

I've gone to stay with Jason and the girls. When you've decided you're ready to talk, you know where to find me.

Those words weren't the first thing to trigger Travis to the fact that he had fucked up.

The first was when he had left without a response on Friday, but he had assumed she would reach out and they would fix things.

The second was the night before the game. There was no facetime, no call, nothing to soothe the amount he was missing her.

The third was when he only got a single text from her during the week he was gone, on Sunday just before the game, and it was only five words. Good luck, I love you.

He had realized immediately how badly he had fucked up. But not for a moment did he want to recognize that.

"You are the biggest asshat I have ever had the displeasure of knowing."

"Jason-"

"Who do you think you are showing up at my front door?" It's Kylie this time, still wiping her hands on a towel from the kitchen but her expression is anything but the image of kind housewife that the rest of her is portraying. "After what you did to Dorthy, you have the audacity to show your face?"

"Ky," Is all he can manage to mumble, every ounce of exhaustion clear in his whole body. "I'm here to fix things, not to fight with you or Jason."

"You shouldn't have left yourself with something to apologize for Trav," Jason is the one to offer as advice, letting him into the entry. "Thea showed up to the house sobbing with an overnight bag on Friday and Ky couldn't even get the reason for your fight out of her until yesterday."

"I fucked up, I know that."

"Your girlfriend told you she was pregnant with your child and you walked out of the house without a word. You more than fucked up Travis," Kylie corrects, the end of her scolding being punctuated with soft giggles from another room.

"What are the girls doing up so late?" Travis asks, knowing the sound of his nieces giggles by heart. "I thought they had a bedtime of 8:30?"

"Dorthy and the girls are making your mom's cookie recipe," Kylie answers, moving her body out of his path to the kitchen, the three adults entering to a sight that would bring smiles to anyones face.

But the sight only made Travis want to cry.

Because there was the love of his life, wearing his sweatshirt with his middle niece on her hip, the new tightness of the sweatshirt and little girl's leg accentuating the woman's baby bump.

How far along did she say she was again?

His oldest niece is beside them on a stool, scooping the cookie batter onto the pan of they all dance around to music.

It's so domestic, and it's something that he and she will have in their futures. If he can fix this.

"Wyatt, Elliotte, come with me to get ready for bed and Auntie will put the cookies in the oven. Daddy and I will even let you come back down to have cookies with Auntie and Uncle when they're done," Kylie promises, the little girls being helped down and hugging their aunts legs, doing the same to their uncles' on the way out of the room, chasing each other up the stairs.

"Jas, come on, give the two a minute," Kylie instructs, tugging on my brother-in-law's arms, a soft smile being shot my way as they leave the room.

And now it's just Trav and I, the man who's presence I hadn't noticed until Ky took the kids.

"Hi," Is the only greeting I can manage, tucking the cookies into the oven for the girls before wrapping my arms around myself.

"How did I not notice this before?" He asks in a response, feet carrying him in long strides over to me. His eyes are trained on my stomach the entire time, until his eyes catch mine, "May I?"

"Trav, you've touched everywhere on my body, I don't know why you're asking now," I mumble, but this just seems to insult him.

"We haven't talked in a week Baby, I don't deserve to touch you, prior or not," He whispers, and I can feel the tears coming to my eyes.

"You can," I approve, his hands meeting my stomach, rounding over his sweatshirt to see the true size of the bump.

"How have I not noticed you were growing our little bean in there?" His tears slipping down his face. "I'm so sorry for walking out. I didn't know how to process the information, but that was no excuse to just walk out. I should have celebrated you, I should have celebrated our baby. And instead I walk out for a fucking football game." He scoffs.

I hate that he's crying. Argument or not. He's apologizing and I just hate that he's upset.

Taking the pads of my thumbs, I rub the tears from his eyes, taking his hands from my sides and into my own.

"Actually, she's about the size of an artichoke these days," I correct, chuckling lightly in an attempt to soften the sadness. "And it's ok. I mean, it's not, it really tore me apart thinking you didn't want our baby, but I should have told you sooner. Just with practice and games and -"

"You're not allowed to apologize when I'm the one who did wrong, Baby," He interrupts, a bright smile breaking out on his lips as he pulls me closer to his body by my hips. "So we're having a little girl?"

"I'm convinced your family can't result in boys," Kylie's voice chimes from the doorway, her and Jason standing wrapped in each other's arms. "I mean, this is four for four on kids that is going to be a girl."

"Speaking of," Travis starts, looking between all of us, "Do the girls know?"

"We're having a baby cousin!!" Wy cheers, bursting into the room with Elliott hot on her tail.

"Does this whole family just eaves drop and bust in?" I can't help but question, because this is just wild.

"We do, you should be used to this Kid," Jason confirms, Wyatt and Elliott joining Trav and I in a little hug.

"You girls know about your little cousin?" Trav asks, smiling as he crouches next to the two.

Ellie just nods, but it's her sister who answers.

"Yeah, Daddy said it will make Grammy love you more."

"That's it, I'm calling Mom!"

[thesolaireslawyer]

Chamomile Daisies

{TW: Curs1ing, Lasko's rants- um.. candle wax.. uh- Lasko gets called airhead like quite a few times honestly- he also gets called airboi huxley and Damien being too cute- ( voice mails ) A tiny bit of yelling (the word murdered) Guy, an unhealthy amount of knowledge about pizza I'm not kidding... and finally I'm not a great writer.. but I'm trying and learning lmfao- Gavin doing freelancers voice mail(do what you want with that information )- I threw in some guy and honey- the blue is Lasko's rambles }

this got very long for some reason

WC: 2022

This is one of the dumbest things you could think of Lasko. And I mean dumb- like it isn’t even scientifically proven to help you with your rambling.. Well, you can’t say that because every person is different... So what affects you could also not affect the rest of the population.. And empowered and unempowered are different entirely so could DNA have anything to do with it? And I'm doing it again..all fuck it I’ll get to 2 of them. 

  Lasko makes his way over to the cashier, maybe this could work. God, he’d hoped it’d work. The first date was already fucked up..he didn’t want to mess up the second one. He pays and walks out of the store. His place was right around the corner.. Maybe the candles weren’t necessary... But Lasko wanted to make sure nothing went wrong this time. 

               Just thinking about what happened at Max’s made him drop his keys. Damnnit bending down to pick them up. He groaned at the thought of a repeat because of anxiety.. Lasko pushed the thought aside and placed the candles on the tabletop. Where did he put his clothes for the night? The airhead sighed and walked into his room. Going through the mess on the floor. Was that it? No, that’s not dark enough to cover stains.. That's not it.. No.. no.. no..no.. YES, that's it!  Lasko smiled as he pulled up a light turquoise heavy shirt! Unbuttoning his grey work shirt, with the same small smile on his face.. Maybe with the help of these candles, he could stop being so nervous and have a nice date with his dear.

Wait what would be the most effective way to burn the candles? Maybe he could melt them down in a pan well.. Rather a heatproof container… let's be real here he’s not gonna wanna clean that... Like you, how annoying would it be? Scraping the sides.. just sounds like too much work. It could stop with burning you know? Perhaps.. What would be the other method.. I could try a microwave.. Of course, I’d have to cut them in half… they're pretty long candles after all… I was thinking to myself.. Did I ever think about what scent I bought..? What if it smells bad?? Dear god, what am I gonna do fuck.. shit .. mother fuc-.. 

Lasko began buttoning his shirt over his white t-shirt. He walked out of his room, walking to the dryer. Now that he was actually in the kitchen and laundry room. He could try on his pants or well put them on he already knew they could fit. Now that he was dressed ( a few hours in advance ). He grabbed a pan, and a heat-proof container (a small one), and he finally opened the bag and looked at the candle. 

Chamomile Daisies that seem like a nice smell.

Didn’t dear say how much they loved the smell of flowers? Or was it the morning dew smell on the flowers? Was that just a them thing or it is because they a water elemental? I mean they never really said anything about liking flowers.. Did I miss something? Wait have they ever dropped any information about liking flowers..? Should I get some flowers? Just in case.. Maybe I should text them.. ? NO surprises are better.. Right? Actually no. The last time I did that I was completely soaked in water… alright.. Pants on.. Stove on..now.. Should I put some Oil in there? No.. I don’t want to clean the pot more than I already have to. 

As the airhead watched and waited for the candles to melt. His phone rang. It was dear.. Why were they calling? What was going on..? WERE THEY CALLING TO STAY THEY CANCELED?  No silly Lasko. LASKO PICK UP THE PHONE DAMMIT! Right. Right, answer the phone! 

‘’ Hey Dearie! I was just checking up on you! ‘’

D-d-dearie?! That’s new!? 

‘’ H..Hey Dear-r! I'm doing fine! ‘’ 

‘’That's great to hear! I can’t wait to see you, I just wanted to make sure you’re not overworrying… you’re not right? ‘’ Dear asked waiting to hear his response 

‘’ y..y-y-..yea! I'm o-..okay! N-..not worry-ying! A-at all! ‘’ his voice was a dead giveaway. Dear sighed on the other end of the phone. ‘’

'' Dearie..no..Lasko please don’t worry yourself too much.. Alright?’’ 

‘’ right.. I..-I’ll try..my dearest..’’ Lasko looked at the boiling pot on the stove.. The wax was red with light blue accents.

‘’ Lasko? You there?.. Lasko…?? LASKO!! ‘’

Dear’s yell caught poor Lasko off guard. He dropped his phone and in that moment our dearest Lasko forgot that he was an air elemental or at least for the right objects. See he used his magic to catch his phone just before it hit the stove? Wait, where was the candle wax? As Lasko looked up. Dear still on the phone trying to get his attention he saw the pot of wax fly in the air. And practically in slow motion watched it fall landing on the counter, wall, and the floor it also landed on his shirt…His shirt!?. Wait.. his.. His.. his what..HIS FUCKING SHIRT! SHIT..SHIT..SHIT.. THAT’S NOT GOOD

‘’ HEY DEAR I..-ILL C-..C-CALL YOU B-BACK! ‘’ as much as the poor airhead wanted to answer his Dear’s questions. He hit the red button faster than normal. 

Good job Lasko.. Now Dear is more than likely upset with me. And now I have to deal with all this wax. I knew I shouldn't have brought those damn candles! But No.. Lasko wanted to be calm..But NOOO Lasko wanted to do this and that!.. Goddamnit.. I’m like this because I wanted our second date to be better than the first one.. Fuck.. maybe…perhaps freelancer.. Would have any idea of removing wax..from he looks around everything.. 

~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm.. Afraid my deviant..~ can’t make it to the phone right now~~ They’re busy at the moment.~~ But please.. Leave a message..~ make it worthwhile..~~ 

‘’ hey Freelancer.. When you get the chance.. Could you um.. Call me back.. i .. m-..may or m-..m-may not have gotten.. W-wax on my c-clothes.. ..f-f..or my date.. Please ca-call back! ‘’ 

~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry Dames! Huxley Just record the voicemail, please!.. Right, right! Sorry Dames and I can’t come to the phone- Leave a message and Dames and will get back to you! HUXLEY IT'S YOUR PHONE!! An-  

‘’ Hey Huxley.. Um- whenever you g-g…get the chance.. Could you um.. Call me back..I need some help..I may have or hav..have n-..not gotten wax.. everywhere..? ‘’ 

~~~~~~~~~~

It’s Daimen. I'm afraid I can’t answer the phone.. Leave a message.. Not a long one.

‘’ o-oh.. Straightforward.. U-uh… um. I- I need some h-help with a.. Waxy situation.. ‘’ 

~~~~~~~~

Well as another hour passed, no one seemed to get back with him, well Damien sent him a text about wondering what he meant by straightforward. Lasko tried to explain it.. But Damien didn’t understand how it happened.. But tried his best, to help.. Thanks to his help he got the dried wax off. But the shirt itself was stained.. The red on the shirt made him wanna cry. Red is already a hard color to get out of clothes, and his shirt being blue did not help.. Honestly, it looked like he murdered someone- not the point! He frowned and picked up his phone again. Dialed a number and sighed..it rang once.. Then twice and then eventually someone picked up. 

‘’ Lasko what happened earlier!? You hung up so fast..I thought I did something- ‘’  Dear sounded sorrowful and it hurt Lasko a little. ‘’ No dear, you do anything.. I.. may..have messed something up.. ‘’ that last part left the Airbois mouth almost inaudibly.

‘’ messed what up Lasko? ‘’ it was dear’s turn to be concerned

‘’ Well..I wanted today’s date to go smoothly and not a repeat of what happened at Max’s..’’ dear cringed at the thought.

‘’ yes..what happened..? ‘’ 

‘’ a-and.. we..ll I heard- ab-about.. the-these..ca-calming c-candles..an..d ki-kinda.. Spilled.. The w-wax.. Ev-everywhere.. in-.. Including the-..the shirt.. F-for t-tonight..’’ Lasko managed to stutter out. 

‘’ Lasko.. Dear.. y-you did…wh-at..? ‘’ dear said holding in snickering

‘’ Are you laughing right now!? ‘’ Lasko seemed more shocked than surprised. 

‘’ AHAHAHAAHAAHAHAAHAHA Lasko im sorry! I-..Just.. I ‘’ Dear could barely hold in their laughs. And Lasko entirely lost his nerve and decided to join in the laughing. 

‘’Lasko.. Listen I’ll cancel the plans and you can just come over here.. ‘’ Dear says small giggles in their sentence. 

‘’ Dear! I couldn’t just, didn’t that.. Like I already messed up the first date and now I'm ruining another one! And I just don’t think it’s fair.. That you have to cancel our plans- ‘’ Lasko attempted to ramble on but dear interrupted him. 

‘’ Lasko Dearie.. I love.. That you don't want to quote on quote to ruin another date.. But I just want to spend my time with you.. So come over and bring the shirt.. ‘’ though Lasko couldn’t see his dear’s face he knew they were smiling.. And smiling hard. 

‘’ fine.. I’ll be over in a few ‘’ Lasko responded.. Giving in. Perhaps this is better than embarrassing himself at another restaurant.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And I know I feel so bad because I ruined our first and now the second date! I just don’t know how I let this happen. Dear, I feel so bad.. Like really bad.. Maybe I shouldn’t have come over.. Look Dear, I'll just put the shirt in the wash and I..i- Lakso stops mid-sentence losing his train of thought.. His dear looked so nice.. They always looked nice whether it was nice clothes or just a plain T-shirt and shorts. Like what they were wearing now, maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. 

‘’ well, Dearie! Your shirt is in the wash! I used a little magic to make sure the bleach didn’t ruin the whole shirt. ‘’ his dear smiled pulling out their phone. 

Lasko rubs the back of his neck, chucking ‘’ well I could leave once it's washed.. ‘’ Dear glared back at Lasko.. Scarying the power airboi- ‘’ w..w-w.well..i-i..cou-could..j–just s-stay! ‘’ Lasko stuttered out.

‘’ well good! I'm ordering some pizza for the night.. Lasko was a little nervous, but for once his poker face held. Theirs no way it could be the same waiter from before right?

~~~~~~

‘’ hey the pizzas here! Do you wanna go get it? ''Dear looked at Lasko with puppy dog eyes. As if begging him to get the pizza. Lasko wondered who taught them that as he went to open the door. 

{ Lasko is about ramble about the preparation of pizza feel free to skip- }

It. Was. The. Same. Guy.         

  Fuck

‘’ um.. Order for a D- oh.. It’s you- ‘’ guy started with a faint laugh

‘’ Y-Yea.. Haha me woo! ‘’ Lasko was losing him as he grabbed the box of pizzas. 

Did you know pizza could be sold fresh? HAh.. it’s a really funny process actually.. You can even get it whole or portion slices. Though the methods vary. That and have been developed to overcome challenges! Like preventing the sauce from combining with the dough! Because who the hell wants soggy pizza am I right?? HAhah, dealing with eh crust is another hard thing to deal with! Like the methods had to change often because the crust… could become rigid and who wants that? Not me and I'm sure not you! H-h-ha that’s even if you like pizza- l-..like a lot of people who work at their job d-d..-don’t like what they do..l-l-l..like there are a lot of things i..-I don’t like about my job but..but it’s a job you-..you know.. Haha?  

Dear taking notice of the situation.. Giggling a little and going to interrupt Lasko and the pizza guy. 

‘’Lasko go put the pizza on the counter please. ‘’ lasko sighed in relief before disappearing into the other room. 

‘’ sorry bout that- here take this for your troubles..’’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

‘’ HONEY GUESS WHAT I GOT TODAY!!!! ‘’ Honey turned around to greet their very happy lover tonight.. ‘’ Yes Guy ‘’ 

‘’ I GOT A 150$ DOLLAR TIP ‘’ honey nearly spit out their drink

(@laskosprettygirl this is the Fic.. I hope it was worth the wait- )

once again my Adhd brain made this take harder than it needed to- I hope this lives up to expectations! and have a good day or night!

[itsjuststardust]

Heaven in Hiding - Chapter 24: Ya'aburnee

Heaven in Hiding Masterlist

Chapter Summary: “Darling, you will bury me before I bury you” -Halsey

Word Count: 12,847

Author's Note/Chapter Warnings: This chapter is full of memory flashbacks and bittersweet angst. You’ve been warned. 🎵Chapter Soundtrack🎵- “Ya’aburnee” - Halsey & “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” - Taylor Swift MINORS - DO NOT INTERACT - 18+ ONLY

Chapter 24: Ya'aburnee

“Penn, I’m home!” she yelled as she walked through the doors of her friend’s flat. 

“Kitchen!” he called back.

Alaina toed off her shoes and hung her bag on its hook by the door, inhaling the wonderful smell filling Penn’s flat. “Whatever you’re cooking smells delicious!” she commented, following her nose through the living area to the kitchen, where she found her best friend cooking dinner at the stove.

“How did it go?” Penn asked, stepping away from the stove to offer her a glass of red wine.

Alaina set her glass down so she could hop up to sit on the counter. “I don’t know,” she sighed, playing with the stem of her glass before she took a sip. “I forgot how stressful auditions could be… and for a new company…” She petered off and shrugged.

“You did great. I’m sure you’ll get the job,” Penn praised her, returning to the stovetop to stir the food in the pan. 

Alaina shrugged, “They said they’d call next week, so now I’ll just have to find something to distract me for the next week.” She paused to reach across the stove to pluck a mushroom out of the pan to pop in her mouth. 

“Stop that,” Penn scolded her, swatting at her hand. “Don’t make me ban you from the kitchen. Again.”

She let out a mock gasp. “Hey, I didn’t warrant the first ban out of your kitchen!” Alaina argued.

“Really?” Penn smirked, nodding at the glass in her hand. “How do you like my new wine glasses?” he asked, eying her over the rim of his glasses.

Alaina smirked, remembering the incident in question. “Hey, I bought these for you—”

“Because you broke my old ones,” Penn reminded her with a pointed look as he pushed his glasses further up his nose.

“Which is why we came up with the rule of no work in the kitchen,” Alaina nodded. “I can’t practice my choreography, and you!” she paused to set her glass down and slide off the counter. “You aren’t supposed to bring your work into the kitchen!” she reminded him, walking across the galley to pick up his datapad. “And what do we have here?” came her knowing question.

“Lainey, put that down!” he ordered, stepping closer to her.

“I will put it down outside of the kitchen, per our house rules,” she replied, sticking her tongue out at him. 

“For your information,” he countered, snatching the datapad out of her hand, “it wasn’t work. It was my mother’s report from her doctor.”

“Oh,” Alaina pouted. “Is everything okay?” she asked nervously, suddenly feeling childish for giving him a hard time.

“I think so,” he nodded, placing the datapad back off to the side before returning to the stove. “She hasn’t been feeling well lately, but you know how stubborn she is. I had to threaten to drag her there myself if she wouldn’t go. She just sent me the report as proof that she went right before I started on dinner. I haven’t had a chance to look over it yet.”

Alaina nodded and had to turn around to hide her tears, unprepared for the swell of grief that washed over her. 

Three months.

Three whole months since she’d lost her own mother. The grief had slowly become easier to deal with, but it had a pension for coming at the most inopportune times. 

A sad sigh came from behind her. “Lainey, I’m sorry,” Penn soothed her, coming to turn her around to pull her into a hug. “I shouldn’t have mentioned my mother—”

“No, it’s okay,” Alaina nodded into his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his middle to return the hug. “I can’t go the rest of my life sobbing every time I hear someone mention their mom,” she sniffled. “I just went two days without crying… At least this time, I’m breaking down in front of you and not at the market sobbing over my mom’s favorite fruit and everyone staring at me like I’m crazy.”

“Well, you are crazy,” he murmured. Alaina scoffed and shoved him away, chuckling along with him. “I’ve known you since you were five, Lainey; you can’t hide the crazy from me,” he teased, playfully shoving her shoulder back. 

“Yeah, yeah,” Alaina grumbled, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Don’t let dinner burn.”

“Oh!” Penn exclaimed, returning to the stove to stir the pain again.

Alaina walked back to her perch on the kitchen counter, and once her feet were dangling over the ledge and her wine back in her hand, she bit her lip nervously.

“What?” Penn asked without looking at her.

“What?” Alaina questioned, scrunching her forehead in confusion.

“I know that look, Lainey. Spit it out.”

Alaina sighed and took a long drink from her glass.

“I think… I was… well, you know how much I’ve appreciated you taking me in for the last three months. Seriously. I could not have survived being on my own at home—”

“Oh, speaking of your old place, my mother put me in touch with someone who can help sell your home,” Penn said, giving her a bright smile.

“Sell?” Alaina questioned with a frown.

Penn nodded, “You haven’t been there since… well, and you’ve got most of your belongings over here now. And when you start with your new dance company—”

“If I get the job,” she said, reminding him that she’d only just auditioned.

“You’ll get it, Lainey. They’d be idiots not to take you,” he told her, giving her an honest smile. “But when you start there, it just makes sense that you stay here, in the same city as your job.”

Alaina nodded and downed the rest of her glass for courage. “You see, that would make sense, but remember, I’m crazy,” she cringed, holding out her glass for more.

Penn eyed her with a wary look before grabbing the bottle to fill her glass back up. “Lainey?”

“You know, by train, it only takes thirty minutes to get here from my old place. Forty-five if it’s raining,” she told him with a shrug. “It’s not too bad of a commute.” Penn stared blankly at her, and Alaina’s shoulders slumped before she finally broke the news to him, “I’m going to move back home.”

“What?” Penn gasped and shut the stove off to give her his complete attention. “Why would you move back?”

“It’s home,” Alaina sighed. “This has been nice, and you’ve been amazing… but it’s home. I’m twenty, almost twenty-one… it’s time to live on my own.”

Disbelieving eyes stared blankly back at her. “You hate being alone,” Penn argued.

“I know, but I can’t just bum around here all the time—”

“You’re welcome to stay as long as you want. I’ve already told you that—”

“Yeah, but that’s the kind of thing you tell your best friend, even though you know that they will eventually figure it out. You gave me time to figure it out, Penn,” she told him, smiling at him and resting her hand on top of his shoulder. “And I’m extremely grateful for that, but I think I need to work on me.”

Penn fiddled nervously with his glasses before saying, “You can work on you… whatever that means here… with me.”

“I know this has been nice being so close again, but we’re adults now,” Alaina pouted. “I can’t just live with my best friend forever.”

Penn looked gutted at that comment, making Alaina feel terrible. “What if your best friend wants you to?”

Alaina sighed, “Penn, I need to do this for me. I need to know that I can stand on my own two feet. Besides, you’re getting ready to take your new super secret job,” she reminded him. “What if they transfer you somewhere else?” Penn shrugged his shoulders. “Besides, if I move back home, I’ll only be two blocks away from your mom. So, the next time she is stubborn about going to the doctor, all you have to do is let me know, and I’ll walk over to her house and drag her there myself.”

“I guess it’s only thirty minutes,” came Penn’s defeated reply. “But only if you’re sure. Because if I gave any indications that I didn’t want you here—”

“Penn,” Alaina cut him off with a smile and set her glass down so she could lean forward and wrap her arms around his neck. “You’ve been great. I swear. I’m just not ready to let go of my home yet. And if I don’t do this now… I don’t know. It just feels like the right thing to do. It’s paid for already; it would just be the usual monthly expenses, which I can easily pay for once I get a job… I want to do this, Penn.”

Penn wrapped his arms around her waist and nodded, giving her a pat on the back before the two pulled apart. “This kind of feels like goodbye or the end of an era or something.”

“Oh, stop,” Alaina laughed and slid off the countertop. “We’ve known each other since I was five, and you were eight, and you’re still my best friend.”

“Yes, well, my mother isn’t the only stubborn woman I know,” he teased.

“What you call stubborn, I call resilient,” she countered, sticking her tongue out at him. “What I’m trying to say is after fifteen years, I’m still here, so chances are high that I’ll still be here in another fifteen years.” 

“I hope so, Lainey,” Penn gave her a short smile, and she gave him a friendly punch to his arm. 

“Okay, enough sad talk!” Alaina declared and grabbed her wine glass and the bottle. “Dish up that food, and you can tell me all about your new job, Doctor Pershing.”

Penn chuckled but nodded in agreement as he returned to the stove to grab their dinner. “I’ll be out in a second. Don’t drink that whole bottle without me!” he called after her.

“You were my friend once, and… Lainey, please don’t be stubborn.”

That dinner with Penn was the last time they would have a ‘normal’ dinner as friends. Over the next few months, she would learn that Penn had joined the Empire, Penn’s mother would pass from heart failure, she would make the mistake of showing him her powers, and then she would go on the run.

“You were my friend once, and… Lainey, please don’t be stubborn.”

If Alaina had it her way, she would never see Penn Pershing again, and the man knew that. He knew the stakes had to be big enough to get Alaina’s attention… And what bigger stake could you throw out there than dying?

Alaina scoffed as she struggled to open up the cot she had been given on Sorgan for their impending guest. Although, for Cara’s sake, she hoped the former soldier was smart enough to see through Din’s half-thought-out plan.

Dying.

Of course, now that things were finally calming down, now that she had a family, now that she had a reason to live… she was possibly dying.

“Would—you—just—open!” she growled and slammed her weight down on the offending side of the cot until it finally snapped into place.

“You aren’t doing this all just for me, are you?”

Alaina’s head snapped to the sound of the new voice and saw that Cara had returned with Din and Grogu. 

“Cara,” she greeted, getting off the floor to greet their guest. “You came,” she said flatly, glaring at Din.

Cara raised a surprised eyebrow and turned to look at Din, who ignored Alaina’s less-than-enthusiastic comment as he walked to pass Grogu off to Alaina. “Well, it’s nice to see you too, cutie,” Dune deadpanned.

Alaina sighed, “I’m happy to see you, Cara.” She grabbed Grogu from Din’s arms and smiled at the wide-eyed toddler. Grogu babbled and tugged on one of the curls hanging over her shoulder, and Alaina imagined he was giving her his version of his trip with Mando to get Cara. “What did he tell you?”

“Well, at first, I turned him down, and then he told me it was for you,” Cara informed her with a shrug. “Couldn’t turn him down then. Then Mando had to sweeten the pot by dangling the possibility of taking out some Imps along the way, and I couldn’t refuse.”

Alaina shook her head at the other woman’s words. Grogu chirped and gave her a large smile, but she couldn’t quite return it.

“I’m going to get us up in the air. We’ve got another stop to make,” Mando announced and turned to hit the button to close the hold door.

“It’s not too late, Cara,” Alaina whispered. “This is a trap. You could get hurt or killed. You don’t have to do this.”

“Are you trying to talk me out of tagging along?” Cara asked.

“She’s not,” Mando answered, his helmet lingering on Alaina’s face before he climbed up the ladder to head to the cockpit.

Cara just lifted a single eyebrow at her. “Wanna talk about it?”

“Not particularly,” Alaina grumbled.

Cara nodded as the engines to the Crest came to life. “He’s just worried about you, ya know?”

Alaina sighed and gripped the corner of the alcove with one hand to brace herself, holding Grogu in the other. The Crest rattled as it took off, heading toward wherever they were going next. “I know,” she answered sadly. 

“But, mama, please,” Alaina begged, trotting around her mother, who was currently chopping vegetables to go with the stew she was working on for dinner. “Literally, everyone is going to be at this party. I have to go!”

“Penn?” her mother drawled without looking up from dicing the vegetables.

Penn looked up from his datapad at the table, no doubt already working on his homework, and answered with, “Yes, Ms. Corra?”

Her mother heaved a sigh and glared at her friend, “What did I say about the formalities?”

Penn smirked, “That anyone who survived one of your daughter’s temper tantrums and still wanted to be her friend got to call you Ana?”

Alaina rolled her eyes before returning her glare to her mother, whose smirk matched Penn’s now. She gave him an expectant look and raised her eyebrows while she waited.

“Yes, Ana?” Penn tried again.

“Are you also going to be at this party that everyone is going to?” her mother asked. Alaina pursed her lips at the sarcasm lacing her mother’s words. The woman was just making fun of her now.

Penn’s eyes slid to hers, and Alaina gave him her most pleading doe-eyes. Besides, this was his class's last big party before they graduated. His shoulders sagged slightly before he nodded, “Under protest.”

Alaina beamed at his answer and turned her grin toward her mother. “Please,” she pleaded, knowing that getting Penn to go was half the battle.

Her mother rolled her eyes at her antics but kept her attention on her friend. “And at this party, will there be drinking?”

Alaina shook her head quickly. Penn gave her a knowing look. “More than likely,” he answered her mother’s question honestly.

Alaina scoffed and dropped into an empty chair at the table across from her so-called friend, who had just ruined any chance of her actually getting to attend this party.

“And will you be drinking at this party?’ her mother’s interrogation continued.

Penn shook his head, “No, Ms.—Ana,” he corrected quickly at her mother’s glare.

“And if I let Lainey go with you to this party, do you promise to make sure she doesn’t drink?”

Alaina perked up at that question, “If you let me go? As in, you’re gonna let me go?!”

“Yes, Ana,” Penn agreed, giving Alaina a wink.

Her mother lifted a single, high-arching eyebrow into her forehead before asking, “And when she goes behind your back and gets drunk anyway, you promise not to leave her side and bring her back home safely?”

“I promise to stay by her side and bring her back home safely,” Penn agreed with a nod. “Even if she throws a tantrum when I make her leave early or pukes on my shoes at the end of the night,” he finished, giving her a knowing smirk.

Alaina stuck out her tongue at him but couldn’t hide the smile on her face.

“Fine, you can go,” her mother eventually acquiesced before returning to prep dinner. “But if you come home and puke on my shoes at the end of the night, or I get a bad report card from Penn, you’re grounded for the rest of your life,” she threatened, stopping her chopping to point the knife in her direction.

“Eeeeek!” Alaina squealed as she jumped up from her chair to wrap her arms around her mother. “Thank you, mama! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“Don’t make me regret this,” she grumbled as she kissed the top of her head.

“You won’t, I promise!”

Penn smiled at the mother-daughter duo and returned to finish his schoolwork on the datapad while they waited for dinner.

“That’s a pretty good friend you’ve got there, Lainey,” her mother told her.

Alaina smiled brightly at her studious friend and squeezed her mother tighter. “He’s the best.”

“Alaina?”

“Tranyc.”

Alaina blinked, and suddenly, her vision was filled with silver beskar kneeling in front of her.

“Tranyc,” Din murmured again, gripping her thighs.

Alaina blinked the past out of her mind while she attempted to focus on the present.

“Hey, you with me? Are you okay?”

She looked around her new room, which he had made just for her in his own ship.

“I don’t want to see him,” she whispered, duking her head to look at her hands, fidgeting nervously in her lap.

“Kuiil?” Din asked, tilting his helmet in confusion. ���You’ll like him. He’s kind.”

Alaina sighed and shook her head. “Penn,” she clarified quietly.

Din’s hands gripped her thighs before he stood up and moved to sit next to her in the bed.

“I just…” she started but fell quiet as the words escaped her. “He was my best friend,” she murmured.

“And he turned you into a science experiment,” Din filled in the blanks, but Alaina shook her head.

“It’s more than that. He was my best friend in the entire galaxy. For fifteen years, no matter what happened, I knew I had Penn. Fight with my mom? Go to Penn’s. Bad rehearsal? Go to Penn’s. Get a great score on a test at school? Go celebrate at Penn’s because he stayed up tutoring me until I knew the material as well as he did. Bored? Go hang out with Penn,” Alaina paused to shake her head. “He was an integral part of my life. He was my person,” she paused to bury her face in her hands to hide her tears. “I don’t want to see him,” she finished, voice muted by her hands.

She felt Din’s hand come to rest on her upper back, and she smiled into her palms when she felt him try to soothe her by rubbing her upper back. With her elbows on her knees, she let her hands fall away from her face. “And do you want to know what the worst part is?”

Din continued to rub his hand up and down her spine as he hummed for her to continue.

“I still find myself wishing I could talk to him,” Alaina admitted with a shrug. “I wish I could tell him about you—about us. Maker, I can picture perfectly the dumb look he would make when I told him I was with a Mandalorian,” she giggled. “His eyes would get wide, and he would nervously fiddle with his glasses before he would look at me and say, ‘Lainey, please tell me this is one of your jokes.’”

“So… tell him,” Din suggested with a shrug of his shoulders.

Alaina blinked dumbly at the suggestion and turned to stare at Din’s helmet, searching for the obvious missing screws that had fallen out of his beskar armor. “Tell him? About us?”

Din shrugged, “He was your best friend at one point. Maybe you need to remind him of that.”

She scoffed and shook her head, “He ruined that before he sent you after me.”

“Alaina?”

“Look,” she continued, not wanting to rehash that nightmare again, “I know you think that you have things covered with Cara and whoever this Kuiil person is, but you don’t know him like I do. You don’t know the Empire like I do. Din, this is a trap. I can feel it in my bones.”

“Alaina—”

“What happened to I have a choice?” Alaina interrupted, pleading with Din. “What happened to being partners?” Din sighed, and his head hung in defeat at her questions. “You haven’t even filled me in on your full plan! We get to Nevarro, we have the meeting with Penn, and for the sake of arguing, let’s say that he isn’t lying and I am dying… what then? Are you just going to kidnap him and force him to help me?”

Silence hung in the small room, and Din didn’t even attempt to argue or look at her.

“Are you kidding me?!” Alaina screeched, reaching across the bed to swat Din’s shoulder.

“What? I didn’t even say anything!” he attempted to defend himself.

“You didn’t have to! I may not have known you for fifteen years, but I know what that kind of silence means coming from you! That’s your grand plan? To kidnap Penn?”

“What other options do we have, Alaina?” Din snapped.

Alaina rolled her eyes, “Oh, I don’t know, maybe nawt kidnapping an Imperial soldier!”

“Alaina, if he’s right… we need him. We can find a medical facility anywhere—”

She scoffed and pinched the bridge of her nose, “And if the Empire wasn’t after us before, they most certainly will be now!”

“And you underestimate my abilities. I’ve kept us hidden for months already!” he defended.

Alaina shook her head, “Din, I’m not underestimating your abilities. You’re underestimating Gideon’s.”

The two glared at each other when a strange noise made its way up to her room. Alaina scrunched her nose, trying to place the guttural sound, but came up empty.

“What was that?”

“A blurrg.”

Her forehead wrinkles deepened at his explanation, “A what?”

Din sighed, “Come down and meet Kuiil,” he said, standing up from the bed. “I’ve discussed my ideas with Cara, but we need to fill Kuiil in. I promise to let you make your arguments, and if we come up with another valid option, then I’m open to changing the plan.” Alaina opened her mouth to tell him exactly where he could shove his plan, but Din cut her off. “But doing nothing isn’t an option,” he finished, holding out his hand for her.

Alaina glared at the gloved hand hovering in front of her.

“Alaina,” Din murmured. “Tranyc,” he repeated, pulling her attention up to his helmet. “Friends, real friends are a somewhat new concept for me,” he began. “So, I can’t say that I’ve ever had a best friend, but I have a partner,” he said, giving her a nod. 

Alaina’s glare softened at his words, and a smile began slowly appearing on her face. “Yeah? And you're open to changing your stupid plan?” she asked, giving him a hopeful smile.

Din chuckled and nodded, wiggling his fingers for her to take his hand.

Alaina’s smile broadened at the sound of his rumbling chuckle, and she slid her hand into his larger gloved one, letting him pull her up off the bed. “What if I want you to punch him instead of kidnap him?” she asked, lifting an eyebrow but was unable to keep the teasing smile from her face.

“What if I do both?” he countered, gripping her hand tightly as he led her out of her room and to the hold.

“Now, there is no need to be an overachiever. Just one quick jab to his face,” she said, giving Mando a fake punch to the middle of his helm when he released it so she could go down the ladder.

Din nodded at the ladder, and Alaina rolled her eyes before she went down the hatch.

A warm breeze drifted in the hold, and Alaina found that the ramp was down, giving her a view of another desolate planet.

“Why don’t more places look like Dietes?” she grumbled as Din joined her in the hold. The same sound she heard earlier roared again, and Alaina jumped. Her eyes widened when she saw the animal corralled in the distance that made it. It was somehow both large and small. Standing on two back legs and hunched with tiny arms and no neck. It looked as if a child had been asked to draw what a fish would look like on land, and that’s what they drew.

“But Dietes didn’t have blurrg,” Din countered, holding his hand out for her to take again.

Alaina’s face scrunched at the thought, but she still placed her hand in his, interlocking their fingers as Din led her out of the Crest and toward the strange… animal.

The warm breeze intensified as they walked down the ramp toward Cara, who was holding Grogu next to the blurrg pen. Cara turned her head as she heard them approach, and when she caught Alaina walking hand in hand with the Mandalorian, she gave Alaina a not-so-subtle suggestive smile.

Before anyone could say anything, a short, squat man walked out of a nearby hut and made his way to greet them. Din squeezed her hand and tugged her along beside them to greet their host. The man was short. It wasn’t often that Alaina was significantly taller than someone else, but the height difference between her and the man who must be Kuiil was noticeable.

Their host shook Din’s hand and nodded, briefly turning to her and then glancing at Cara and Grogu, who were walking up behind them.

“Come inside for refreshments, and then you may speak your story,” the man said with a nod, turning to head back into his hut. “I have spoken.”

Alaina raised her eyebrows in question, looking at Din curiously. Din nodded and rested his hand on the small of her back, gently pushing her to follow Kuiil. 

Alaina punched in the code to let herself inside Penn’s new home. She looked around the unfamiliar flat and pursed her lips at the expensive furnishings. It wasn’t Penn’s taste at all, but then again, when the karking Empire was footing your bills…

She closed her eyes and took a deep inhale through her nose. Today was about attempting to mend fences, she reminded herself. Today wasn’t about arguing. It was about talking to her oldest friend and finding a way not to regret showing him her gift.

“Lainey? Is that you?” Penn’s voice floated through the flat, and Alaina forced herself to plaster on a fake smile for her friend.

“Yeah, it’s me. I hope it’s okay that I’m early. Rehearsal ended earlier than I thought,” she told him as she snooped around the new home.

“Of course,” Penn replied, stepping out of a room to her right. “Make yourself at home; I’m finishing up a meeting.”

Alaina shooed him back into his office and walked around the living area to inspect it further. 

It didn’t look like Penn had brought any of his old furniture to his new place, and while Alaina could admit that the new furniture was nice, it wasn’t him. It was modern and flashy, not like the comfortable, lived-in furniture they had grown up with. 

As she continued her survey of the living area, pictures on one of the tables grabbed her attention, and she crossed the room to examine them. She smiled at the three holo pictures flickering on the table. One was of her and Penn when they were teenagers. They were sitting together on the couch at his mother’s house. Penn had his nose buried in a book, and Alaina was stretched out across the couch with her feet resting in Penn’s lap, giving the camera a big, cheesy smile. The next one was of just Penn and his mom when he graduated medical school, and Alaina smiled fondly at the two. She remembered that day so vividly. Both of their mothers were still alive, Penn was a doctor, and everyone was happy. The last picture was just her. She was holding a bouquet of beautiful flowers and was dressed in her elaborate black outfit from her final performance with her old company.

Alaina shook her head at the three pictures of smiling people and kept moving. Things had changed so much in such a short period of time. She had lost her mother, and Penn was now employed by the… it pained her to admit… Empire. Penn had also lost his mother and had genuinely worried Alaina about how he handled her sudden heart failure. Alaina thought it was her turn to help her friend through his grief, seeing as Penn had done the same for her. Penn refused her help and instead threw himself into his new job. They’d gotten into more arguments in the last month than they had throughout their fifteen-year friendship, which was probably why Alaina had caved and showed Penn her powers.

She hadn’t regretted it at first, but she did now. Penn looked at her like a science experiment and not his best friend. It angered Alaina to the point that she had kicked Penn out of her home and refused to speak with him. That was a week ago.

Tonight was supposed to be a truce of sorts. They would have dinner and attempt to talk out their problems.

Alaina looked around the sleek apartment and hoped that she wasn’t too late to save her friend.

She blew out a long, nervous breath and headed to sit on the couch while Penn finished his meeting. Alaina frowned and scrunched her nose at the uncomfortable couch as she attempted to make herself comfortable. Apparently, Penn had traded comfort for looks, which was unfortunate and something else for her to add to the list of things to discuss.

With a frustrated grunt, Alaina leaned forward to grab one of the datapads off the table in front of the couch to try and find something to distract her from the uncomfortable couch while she waited on Penn.

The first datapad was filled with notes and documents about various trials. Everything appeared to focus on cloning people and organs. Poor Penn… He was looking for anything he could have done to give his mother a better outcome. She looked at the picture of Penn and his mom and shook her head. The next pad had even more complicated jargon, and Alaina immediately set it down to grab the last pad. Her green eyes scanned it quickly. There was more talk about clones and what looked like Penn’s personal notes and thoughts. It was all over her head, and she was just about to set the datapad back on the table when something caught her eye—a single word—Alaina.

She scanned over the pad again with renewed interest. The words melted and blurred together as she moved from pad to pad, slowly putting the pieces together—

“I thought I’d order takeout from that vegetarian place around the corner you like,” Penn announced, stepping out of his office.

Alaina’s head slowly swiveled to fix her eyes on Penn and lifted the datapad she was reading into the air. “What the hell is this?” she demanded, keeping her eyes locked on him so she could study him.

“Lainey, you shouldn’t be reading those,” he scolded her. He hurried to take the datapads away, but Alaina jumped off the couch, holding the pad out of his reach behind her.

“Then you shouldn’t have left them out. Now, what the hell is this?” she demanded again, waving the pad in front of Penn’s glasses.

He sighed and tutted, “Lainey—”

“No, don’t Lainey me! Explain yourself!”

The two stared each other down, but Penn refused to speak.

“Penn, I’m not a scientist, but this reads like you want to figure out how to clone my gift,” Alaina prodded, waiving the datapads in front of his face.

Penn’s face fell, but he had no rebuttal to defend himself.

“I can’t believe you,” Alaina whispered. “I showed you something special, something I promised my mom I would never share with anyone! You promised me you wouldn’t tell anyone else about me!”

“Lainey, your gift… your gift could be the answer to… everything!” he exclaimed frantically.

As if she hadn’t had enough surprises over the last year—that statement pushed her over the edge. “What are you talking about?”

Penn sighed and motioned for them to sit on the couch. Alaina fixed him with an angry look but eventually gave in and retook her seat. “The Force, what you have, has been lost more or less since the Jedi… well, with the Jedi disappearing, much research has also vanished. There is some out there, but not enough. Lainey, think about it… what if you could do more?”

Alaina frowned at the question, “What do you mean?”

“The Force has several documented abilities amongst its users. Your ability to move objects is just scratching the surface!” he began, and Alaina noted the familiar teacher mode that Penn was shifting into. “Some users have had several documented abilities. Some have been able to sense when a particular event in time was changed; some can harness electricity, some can heal others.”

“I can’t do any of those things,” she reminded him, beginning to feel exasperated with this discussion.

“You can’t do any of those things now, but what if there was a way to tap into the Force to learn something new? What if you can, you just don’t know how.”

“I don’t understand.” Learn something new? What in the world was he talking about? She could move things. That was it. Her mother could move objects and taught her how to control her own abilities. There wasn’t anything else she could do. “Why would you care about what I can or can’t do? Why does your job care?”

“Lainey, what if you could do more than you know? If you could heal someone? It would take a lot of studying and tests, but what if you could heal someone?” Penn asked with pleading eyes. “If we could clone that ability so others could heal or even possess the ability to heal themselves? Lainey, what if you could have saved your mother?”

Alaina's breath hitched, and she froze at the question. That was… that would be huge.

“I know you have your opinions about the Empire, and those opinions were shoved down you by your mother,” he reminded her. “They are different now, you’ll see. Lainey, they are giving me the ability to look into possibilities no one else could even dream up. If we could figure out how to unlock or even copy your existing abilities… Imagine the possibilities! That would be a huge scientific breakthrough.”

She nibbled at her bottom lip while she processed what he was proposing. “But the Empire—”

“Is allowing me to change modern medicine as we know it,” Penn argued. “If we could figure out the cloning process, imagine being able to replace organs when they fail.”

She should have known that this had something to do with his mother. “Oh, Penn—”

“I know what you are about to say, and I promise this isn’t about my mother. I’ve had a lot of time to think and research, and the Empire wants to help. The New Republic is only worried about maintaining the status quo.”

Alaina’s eyes fell on one of the other datapads on the table, and she picked it up. “They are advancing modern medicine but willing to put their soldiers up as test subjects?” she questioned, looking at Penn for him to make it make sense.

“All volunteers,” Penn told her as if that made it better. “And I only move to them when we enter the final stages. Lainey, this is big, but think about all the good we could do.”

Alaina’s frown deepened as she stared at the pad in her hand.

“Lainey,” Penn whispered and scooted closer to her on the couch to take the datapad away from her. “The Empire is transferring me next week, and I want you to come with me.”

“What?”

Penn grabbed her hand in his, “Come with me, and you’ll see!” he pleaded.

“I’ll see what?” Alaina demanded. “Penn, you are talking about giving my gift to their soldiers.”

Penn nodded, “It’s a small price to pay for the information we could learn from this!”

“A small price?” Alaina questioned, feeling as if her world was turning upside down. “You don’t see anything wrong with having an entire legion of super soldiers?”

Penn returned the datapad to the table and grabbed her hands, giving her his full attention. “The price is small in the grand scheme of things. We’ve lost our parents, and we have no other family; we just have each other,” he started, squeezing her hands tightly. “I can’t lose you too, Lainey.”

“Penn,” Alaina sighed, melting slightly. 

Penn was spiraling. Spiraling Penn she could fix. She got him through his first finals in university, got him through applying to med school, and then his final round of finals of med school, she could get him over this. He’d been so closed off and stoic since his mother’s passing that he’d finally reached the spiraling portion of his grief.

“Penn, I’m not going anywhere. We’ve been around so much death recently—”

“You don’t know that! What if you get cancer like your mother?” he argued. “What if you get cancer or heart failure, o-o-or something else that I can’t fix?”

Alaina let his hands go to wrap her arms around his neck to hug him tightly. “You can’t think like that. Sometimes… sometimes people die—”

“Not you,” he whispered, nuzzling his head into her neck.

“Penn—” she began but was cut off by Penn’s hands on her face right before his lips crashed into hers.

Alaina froze in shock at the kiss. And the hits just keep coming today. Was there a solar flare that scrambled everyone’s brains? Or maybe a toxic sewer gas leak. Her eyes flew open in shock when Penn laid her back on the couch.

“Penn, wait,” she tried to stop him, but her words only intensified his kiss. “Penn, stop,” she murmured, pushing at his chest.

“Don’t you see, Lainey, we could change everything,” he murmured, kissing and pressing his weight into her, oblivious to her struggles.

“Stop,” she ordered, pushing harder against his chest. There was a brief moment of relief when she felt him shift, but the moment was short-lived when she felt his hands sneak under her sweater. Her struggles intensified as her panic increased when she felt one of his hands drift lower—

“Stop!” she screamed and shoved at Penn’s chest, letting her powers flow through her as she flung Penn off of her across the room.

When his weight was off her, Alaina shot up off the couch. She scrambled to straighten her sweater and looked around for where she had placed her bag.

“Lainey—”

“No,” she growled. Alaina didn’t think she’d ever growled at anyone before, but she was reasonably sure that if any situation called for it, it was this exact situation. “No, you don’t get to Lainey me! Not after you forced yourself on me!”

“B-but I thought—”

“You thought what? Listen to yourself, Penn! You’re working for the Empire! You’re suggesting using your best friend as a science project to make a fleet of super soldiers!” she finished with a screech as she stomped to the front door to snatch her bag. “I don’t know who you are anymore.”

“Lainey—” Penn tried to start, but when Alaina’s furious eyes locked on his. “Alaina,” he sighed, scrambling to stand up, but the moment he stepped closer to her, Alaina lurched back toward the exit. “Please stay. I’m sorry. We can talk this out!”

“Talk this out?” Alaina scoffed. “Talk this out?! I’m so mad I can’t even look at you! You’re the one person I’m supposed to trust!” she cried. “I’m ashamed of you, Penn Pershing,” she snapped.

“Alaina—”

“And if your mother were still alive, she’d be ashamed of you too.”

Her words had the intended effect. Penn’s eyes hardened, and he jolted back as if she had physically assaulted him.

“I’m leaving,” she announced, putting her hand on the door to leave. “I’m not going to go with you. We’re not even friends anymore. You’re not the man I thought you were, Penn.”

“Alaina,” Penn called after her, and she turned back to snarl at the blank face staring back at her. “You’ll come with me one way or another.”

“Go to hell,” she growled.

And without a look back, Alaina Corra left her best friend and life behind her.

“What are you doing?”

Alaina jumped in surprise and turned to find Din standing at the bottom of the ramp, watching her with his helmet cocked. She sighed and wiped the sweat from her brow along with a lock of hair.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” she grumbled, returning to trying to move the heavy crate from its regular spot to make room for their impending guests. She snarled and kicked at the offending box when the heavy crate refused to budge. The deep chuckle she heard from the ramp only made her angrier. “Are you going to help, or are you just going to stand there?”

Din’s helmet tilted slightly, and he hooked his thumbs in his utility belt before asking, “And what exactly am I helping with?”

Her green eyes narrowed at the Mandalorian as she felt her patience snap.

“Alaina?” Din questioned as she stomped down the ramp. She showed no evidence of slowing down as she approached him.

With one final snarl, she reared back and shoved his chest as hard as she could. Din was caught entirely off guard by her outburst, and his arms waved wildly to keep his balance before gravity won, and he fell to the ground with a quiet oof.

A cackle startled them, and Alaina glared at Cara as she stepped over Mando’s prone body to walk up the ramp.

“Good to see you haven’t lost your spunk,” Dune said, giving her a wink and a smile before passing her to head inside.

“I thought you were staying at Kuiil’s?” Din grumbled as he stood up, brushing the dirt off his armor.

Alaina perked up at the comment. “Staying?” she questioned the former Droptrooper, hoping everyone had changed their mind about this terrible plan after leaving Kuiil’s.

“For the night,” Cara clarified, holding her pillow up for Alaina to see. “Kuiil didn’t have any extra bedding, and if we’re going to be meeting your old Imp friends tomorrow, I’m gonna need my beauty sleep. Sorry, cutie,” she finished with a shrug as she walked past her to head back toward Kuiil’s hut. “Unless…” she paused to look expectantly at Mando. “Unless you want me to stay here with Spunky, and you can sleep on Kuiil’s cot,” she offered, turning back to give her a playful wink.

“We’ll see you in the morning,” Din grumbled, walking past her to the ramp where Alaina was waiting.

“Suit yourself,” Dune shrugged. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she called over her shoulder as she continued to head back to Kuiil’s.

Once again, leaving her alone with Din.

“Alaina—”

“I have work to do,” Alaina cut in, turning to head back to try and move the crate again.

The irritated sigh that followed her only fueled her anger. However, this time, she took her anger out on the crate instead of the Mandalorian.

“What is your fascination with trying to move this crate?” Din asked as he leaned against it.

It was Alaina’s turn to let out an irritated sigh this time as she stopped trying to move the impossibly heavy crate. “Mando—”

“Mando?” Din interrupted her and looked around the hold to check that they were alone. “You haven’t called me that when it was just the two of us since I gave you my name.”

“Yeah, well, when you’re irritating me, it’s Mando,” Alaina told him, smirking at the head tilt he gave her at her comment. “We’re adding two people, a droid, and three blurrgs. There’s barely enough room for the three of us in here as it is now—”

“We’re not bringing the droid,” Din stopped her, and Alaina hadn’t heard that level of disgust in his voice at the suggestion before.

She rolled her eyes, “Are we still going to Nevarro?”

“Yes.”

“Then the droid is coming with us,” Alaina told him, leveling him with a knowing look.

Silver beskar stared her down for several moments, but Alaina knew better than to think she had won that round.

“Close your eyes.”

Alaina blinked in confusion at the order, “What?”

“Close your eyes,” Din repeated, giving no other insights or indications as to what was up his sleeve. When Alaina stared blankly at him, Din’s hands gripped her shoulders before asking, “Please?”

“Fine,” Alaina agreed with a sigh, closed her eyes, and waited.

For a moment, there was nothing. Then, there was the familiar click of Din’s helmet followed by a soft hiss, and then…

His lips met hers, and Alaina sagged into his chest, eagerly returning his kiss. Din kept the kiss brief and chaste, pulling away just as quickly as he initiated the kiss.

“That’s it?” Alaina pouted.

“Well,” Din began, and Alaina opened her eyes when she heard the familiar digitized, processed voice return. “You did shove me earlier.”

Alaina smirked and then ducked her head. “Sorry,” she apologized.

“You wanna talk about it?” he asked.

She shook her head, “Not really.”

Mando cocked his helmet before saying, “You, uh, you wanna go to your room so we can not talk about it some more?”

Alaina snorted at his suggestion. “Are you propositioning me, Mandalorian?” she asked, unable to stop smiling.

Din took a step closer, “Might be.”

She shook her head and rolled her eyes at the man before her. “You’re incorrigible,” she muttered half-heartedly, a smile still plastered on her face. Alaina’s eyes slid out to the landscape and the lowering sun in the distance, a different idea coming to her mind instead. “Where’s Grogu?”

Din’s helmet nodded toward Kuiil’s hut. “Kuiil offered to watch him for the night,” he replied.

“So, if Grogu and Cara are staying at Kuiil’s, we have the Crest all to ourselves?”

“Looks that way,” Din confirmed, leaning one of his shoulders to prop it against the crate she had been attempting to move.

“Come on,” she whispered, giving him a conspiratory smile before she latched onto his hand and tugged him down the ramp.

“Where are we going?” Din asked but didn’t try to stop her. Instead, he gripped her hand tighter as she turned left.

“You’ll see, come on!” Alaina tugged on his hand harder.

She led them past the blurrg pen and Kuiil’s hut. They walked past the moisture towers and another kilometer before they came to a small rock formation. Alaina picked up her pace, tugging Din behind the rocks until they effectively shielded them from Kuiil’s hut.

“Okay, sit,” she ordered, moving him into position and pressing down on his shoulders. When the man didn’t budge, she turned her emerald doe-eyes to his helmet and laid into her pout. Hard. “Please?”

A short static sigh escaped under his helmet before Din caved and began folding himself to sit on the ground with his back propped up against the rock. Alaina smiled and followed him, forcing his legs apart so she could sit in the ‘V’ they made. After a brief moment of squirming, Alaina leaned back to rest against his chest.

“Okay, one last thing, take your helmet off,” she instructed, keeping her face directed at the horizon. “I won’t look. I’m just going to keep my head forward,” she said, pointing to the sun as it descended in the distance.

His gloved hands squeezed her waist briefly before moving up to disengage his helm. Alaina stopped him from placing his sacred piece of beskar on the ground and grabbed it from him so she could put it in her lap instead. Din didn’t say anything but instead wrapped his arms around her waist to tug her tight against his chest.

“What are we doing?” he asked, nuzzling the back of her head with his face.

“We’re watching the sunset,” she told him, keeping her face directed at the horizon. Alaina smiled when she felt Din smile in her hair before he pressed a kiss to her right temple.

They stayed like that, watching the sun as the sky changed from brilliant orange to pink to purple until the last of the sun’s rays disappeared behind the horizon, leaving them under a blanket of unfamiliar stars.

“When’s the last time you watched a sunset?” Alaina asked, not ready to move just yet.

“Couldn’t tell you,” Din answered, voice quiet and deep, sending a shiver down her spine as his lips brushed against her ear.

Alaina looked down at the silver helmet in her lap, noting how the stars reflected off the shiny surface. She stroked the cheeks with her thumbs. “Din?” she whispered, keeping her eyes on the silver beskar in her lap.

“Mmmm?” he hummed back, kissing her temple again.

“Promise me that if something happens to me, you’ll do this kinda stuff with Grogu.”

His arms stiffened around her at her request, “Alaina—”

“Stop,” Alaina murmured, but her quiet words had their intended effect. “We don’t know what is going to happen, and we don’t agree on going at all, but the one thing we do agree on is Grogu,” she started, unable to take her eyes off the helmet in her lap.

“Nothing is going to happen to you, Alaina,” Din told her, pressing another kiss to her temple. “And we’ve already talked about where we’re going to go after this is over.”

Alaina smiled. After. “We talked about the best-case scenario. But we need to talk about the worst case, too.”

“Alaina—”

“I get to tell you what I want you to do if something happens to me, and you have to promise me you’ll do it. And you get to tell me what you want Grogu and me to do if something happens to you, and I promise I’ll do it,” Alaina continued.

Din’s chest inflated behind her, but it deflated quickly as he nodded his agreement.

“If something happens to me, I want you to keep Grogu,” Alaina began in a whisper. “I know you were a loner before, but I kinda think you’ve liked having us around.” Din hummed behind her, and she gently snapped her elbow back into his gut, making him chuckle. “I want you two to travel, and explore, and take jobs, and… and whenever you come across a beautiful sunset, I want you to stop and enjoy it.”

A quick puff of air escaped Din’s nose, but he nodded before pressing another gentle kiss to her ear. “My turn?” came his quiet question, making her shiver.

Alaina nodded and pulled her right hand away from Din’s helmet to reach past her shoulder and run her fingers through the mess of helmet hair.

“If something happens to me, I’ve already told Cara to take you and Grogu back to Dietes,” he whispered. Tears pricked her eyes when she realized he’d already laid out his ‘what-if’ contingency plan for Cara. “I want you to surround yourself with friends and let them take care of you. And promise me if you—when you get bored and decide to do something rash, you’ll have Cara or Iris go with you.” Alaina snorted and wiped the tears from her eyes. “And if the worst happens,” he continued and paused. She frowned when she felt him shift and shuffle for a moment behind her. When he stopped, Alaina jumped when she felt him place something over her head.

She looked down at her chest at the silver pendant hanging from a leather cord. The charm wasn’t something she recognized, so she grabbed it between her fingers to examine it closer.

“It’s a mythosaur,” Din explained. “There’s a Mandalorian Covert hiding in the sewers under Nevarro City,” he explained. “If the worst happens, I want you to take Grogu and go find them. Show them that and tell them you were a part of my clan. Tell them you were my… partner,” he whispered, kissing her temple again. “They will take care of you.”

Alaina couldn’t take her eyes off the necklace he had given her. “What is the Mando’a word for partner?” she asked, rubbing her thumb over the mythosaur.

His lips pressed another kiss to her temple before he replied with, “Riduur.”

“Riduur,” Alaina repeated, clutching the pendant to her chest. She sniffled and frowned when she saw a drop of blood fall from her nose and splatter across Din’s helmet.

“Alaina…” Din’s concerned voice told her that he had also witnessed the beginnings of her nosebleed.

Alaina slammed her eyes closed. “Tell me everything is going to be okay,” she whispered.

His arms constricted painfully around her. “Everything is going to be okay,” he told her as another drop of blood landed on his helmet. “We are going to get to Nevarro, and we are going to find that flaming pile of osik you used to call a friend and force him to make this right,” he continued, peppering the side of her face with tender kisses. “We are taking him with us, and we are going to find the best medical facility in the entire karking galaxy, and he’s going to fix you.”

Alaina nodded, leaning her head into his lips. “And then what?” she asked, hoping for Din’s story to distract her.

“Then we go back to our moon to celebrate,” he continued, sliding his left hand over her eyes before using his right to tilt her head back, allowing his lips to meet hers. “I believe we promised to exchange equal sentiments,” he murmured into her lips before kissing her again.

“Equal sentiments?” Alaina giggled before Din silenced her with a deep kiss.

Eventually, Din broke the kiss to nod. “And then we’re going to go find your mother’s trunk, and you can give me the grand tour of where you grew up,” he continued, never leaving her lips long.

“What about Grogu?” she asked, feeling her tears slowly begin to dry up.

“The kid is going to continue to be a menace,” he teased, nipping at her bottom lip.

“Yeah, but he’s our menace, right?”

Din hummed, “Right,” he agreed, and his prominent nose knocked into hers as he nodded. “Maybe we’ll get him a sibling to entertain him.”

Alaina froze at the suggestion, and if it weren’t for Din’s gloved hand covering her eyes, she would have seen his face when her eyes flew open. “A sibling?”

Din’s lips pressed a tender kiss to hers, and she could feel him smirking against her stunned lips. “Another foundling. Obviously.”

Alaina snorted and returned the kiss. “Obviously,” she replied, shaking her head.

“Unless you want to make him some siblings the old-fashioned way,” he teased, trailing his lips down her chin to her jaw as he made his way to her neck.

“Wait,” Alaina laughed and pushed him away from her, only for him to attack her lips with his own again. “Din,” she panted between his increasingly heated kisses. “You want kids?”

“Already have one,” he shrugged. “What’s another one? Or another two or ten?”

“Ten?!” Alaina wheezed, dissolving into a fit of giggles. “And just who is going to be having your ten children?”

Din’s lips smiled against hers in answer.

“Well, having ten children is really going to put a damper on my dancing career,” Alaina argued, smiling against his.

“Mmmm,” Din hummed in mock contemplation. He pressed one last solid, sloppy kiss to her lips before he righted her back up and removed his hand from her eyes so she could see the night sky again. “That’s what we’ll do,” Din declared with a nod. “After this is over, and you’re better, you’re gonna dance again.”

Alaina smiled and settled back against his chest. “Yeah?” she asked, trying to imagine what that would look like. “Even if we have to go to the inner rim to find a good dance company?”

“Even if we have to live on Coruscant,” he confirmed.

“We’d be quite the sight,” she warned him. “What would others say when they see my Mandalorian riduur and our green kid at my performances?”

She could feel Din’s cheeks pull taut against the side of her face when he smiled at her question.

“A Mandalorian and a ballerina?” he whispered his question into her ear. “They’d never see it coming.”

Alaina couldn’t help the happy tear that trailed down her cheek at his words. She brought her hand up to cup the other side of Din’s face, running her palm up and down the scruff there.

“And maybe after a few years, once I’ve gotten to have a career… we could work on making a sibling for Grogu the old-fashioned way.”

Din’s sudden intake of air through his nose brought a smile to her face. “Really?” he whispered as one of his hands drifted down to rest low on her abdomen.

Alaina shrugged as she rested her hand over his and intertwined their fingers. “I mean, my implant would need to be replaced in five years… I could just have them take it out and not replace it… and whatever happens… happens. Just… maybe not ten,” she finished with a smirk.

Din chuckled and nodded. “You did say whatever happens—”

“Not ten,” she countered, rolling her eyes.

“Five years…” Din started and tapered off. “A lot can happen in five years.”

“Yeah,” she agreed with a whisper. “Din?”

“Mmmm?”

“Do you ever wonder what would have happened… if, five years ago, things went to plan and I never ended up as Penn’s experiment… do you ever wonder what would have happened with us? If we would still be this?” she asked, gripping his hand tightly.

There was a beat of silence from the man sitting behind her, but Alaina kept her eyes on the blanket of stars above them.

“I find it doesn’t do any good to focus on past what-ifs,” he finally answered. “I prefer to look at the future.”

Alaina smiled and nodded. “I like that. And a lot can happen in five years, but it’s also like right around the corner.”

“It is.”

“Maybe we should practice,” she suggested, attempting to sound innocent.

“Practice?” Din laughed.

“Yeah,” she whispered. “I mean... we wouldn’t want to be out of practice when the time came to make Grogu a sibling, would we?”

“Alaina Corra, are you propositioning me?” he teased, nipping at her bottom ear lobe.

She giggled and squirmed at the shiver that ran through her. “Maybe,” she answered, attempting to sound aloof and coy.

In the blink of an eye, Din plucked his helmet from her lap, and Alaina’s giggles turned into squeals when he hoisted her up with him and tossed her over his shoulder.

“Din!” she laughed, not even trying to get down. “What are you doing?”

“Practicing,” was all he said before he took off toward the Crest with her laughing all the way back. 

Alaina peaked nervously around the corner.

“Well, go on, little one,” her mother encouraged her, pushing her back toward the other children playing in the alley.

Alaina bit her bottom lip nervously as she watched the other children run and chase each other around the alley.

“You’re not gonna make any friends lurking in the shadows,” her mother tried again.

Alaina’s nerves increased. She’d begged her mother to let her play with the other children, and her mother had finally agreed. However, now that the time was finally here, she found herself absolutely terrified to join in on the fun.

“Five minutes,” her mother tried again, and Alaina stopped spying on the other children to look back at her. “Just go walk around and check it out for five minutes. If you’re not having any fun at the end of your five minutes, then we’ll go home.” Alaina pursed her lips as she contemplated the offer. “It’s either this, or we go back and practice meditating some more.”

“I’ll go!” Alaina jumped—anything to get out of meditation.

Cautiously, she stepped into the alley. Children of all ages were there, running and laughing. A line of four girls looked to be about her age, sitting in a row, braiding each other’s hair. At the other end of the alley was a group of boys playing with random objects, pretending they were blasters. A mix of others were running around trying to tag each other. And to her left was another boy wearing glasses… reading?

Out of nowhere, one of the boys from the end of the alley ran up to the boy in glasses and kicked the book from his hand.

The other boys started pointing and laughing, making the boy wearing glasses look away from them in embarrassment.

Alaina glared at the bullies. She couldn’t help it. She let her powers come forward, knocking the bullies to the ground and into a large puddle of water left over from last night’s rain.

Uh oh.

She cringed and looked behind her to her mother, staring at her as if she’d lost her mind. Oh, there would definitely be extra meditating for this, she thought. But her mother did say she had five minutes…

Alaina scrambled to grab the book that had been kicked from the other boy’s hand and brushed the dirt off the cover before walking back to the boy in glasses.

“Here,” she mumbled nervously.

“Um, th-thank you,” the boy stuttered as he took the book back from her.

“What is your book about?” Alaina asked curiously.

“Um, boys who run away from home to look for buried treasure,” he answered, fidgeting with his glasses.

“Fun!” Alaina answered, plopping down on the ground beside the other boy. “My name is Lainey,” she introduced with a smile.

“Um,” the boy stuttered again, and Alaina stared curiously at his wide, nervous eyes. “P-Penn. My name is Penn.”

“Lainey!” her mother called from the open end of the alleyway.

“I have to go home, but maybe see you again? I’ll bring my favorite book to read with you!” she suggested excitedly.

“O-okay,” Penn mumbled, surprised by her offer.

With one last beaming smile at her new friend, Alaina skipped down the alley to her waiting mother.

“Lainey, what did I tell you about using your, you know what?” her mother scolded her quietly as she scooped her up into her arms. “What if someone saw you!”

“I know, but they were being mean to Penn,” Alaina argued, pouting at her mother.

“Penn?”

Alaina nodded, “The boy with the book. He’s my friend now.”

Her mother sighed and looked up at the sky. “I thought I wouldn’t have to worry about boys until you were fifty, not five,” she muttered to herself, and Alaina giggled. “What are you laughing at, runt?” her mother teased, digging her fingers into her daughter’s ribs, making Alaina squeal as they left the alley to head home.

“Can we go back tomorrow? I told Penn I would bring him my favorite book!”

“Maker,” her mother grumbled. “Your father was supposed to be here to help me through the boy phase…” she said, and Alaina frowned when her mother’s face turned sad.

“I don’t like that daddy makes you sad,” Alaina commented, turning sad herself.

Thunder rumbled in the distance, and both Corras scrunched their faces when the first raindrops struck them. “He doesn’t make me sad,” her mother told her, jogging the rest of the way to the staircase that led up to their flat. “Your daddy made me very happy. It makes me sad that he doesn’t get to be here with us and see what a beautiful little girl you turned out to be,” she told her once they made it to the top of the stairs.

Her mother set her on the ground as they walked to their door, waving to the neighbor across the way as she left her flat to head out.

Her mother helped her out of her jacket and hung it up with hers next to the door.

“That smells good, doesn’t it?” her mother asked, commenting on the smell of stew simmering away in the kitchen. Alaina nodded but couldn’t take her eyes off her mother, sensing something was wrong. “Why don’t you go pick out a book to read after dinner tonight? I’ll be right back,” she said as she headed into her bedroom, leaving Alaina alone in the living room.

Alaina watched as her mother disappeared into her bedroom. She looked at the bookcase next to her but walked past it to follow after her mother. Alaina froze at the entrance to the door when she heard the sound of sniffling coming from the other side. Curiosity got the best of her, and she poked her head into her mother’s room to find her sitting on the trunk at the foot of her bed, crying into her hands.

She didn’t think she’d ever seen her mother cry before. Instinct took over, and Alaina entered her mother’s room to check on her.

After a brief struggle to climb the trunk, Alaina settled next to her mother and asked, “Mama, what’s wrong?”

Her mother sniffled again and tried to wipe any evidence of crying from her face before she turned to look down at her daughter with a watery smile. Alaina frowned at the tears in her mother’s eyes and noted that even her cheeks and nose were red and splotchy.

“Nothing’s wrong, little one,” her mother tried to tell her with a strained smile. Alaina gave her mother a disbelieving look, and her mother chuckled and brought a hand up to stroke her hair. “I’m just remembering,” she tried to explain, brushing some of her hair behind her ear.

Alaina frowned, and her eyes fell to her mother’s lap. She became even more confused when she saw her mother’s silver sword resting there. “Why does it make you sad to look at your sword?” she asked, looking up at her mother for an answer.

Her mother smiled and stroked her head. “I supposed it would look like a sword when you’re just a little runt of a thing,” she teased, bringing her fingers down to tickle her ribs. Alaina giggled and squirmed until her mother finally stopped, and she let her body sag into her mother’s side in relief.

“It has green eyes like us,” Alaina pointed out, touching one of the green gems.

“It does,” her mother nodded, brushing her fingers along the silver weapon. “And my dagger… sometimes it makes me sad, but most of the time it makes me happy. I like remembering all the happy memories that come with it,” she explained. “Some day, when you’re older, I’ll share some of those with you.”

“Why can’t you share them with me now?” Alaina asked, still rubbing the gem embedded in the blade.

Her mother’s fingers carded through her unruly curls and tisked at all the tangles she found. “How about I tell you what it reminds me of instead?” she asked, and Alaina shrugged. “It reminds me not to give up,” she told her, bringing her lips down to kiss the top of Alaina’s blonde head. 

“It reminds me that Corras,” she paused to squeeze her daughter tightly to her side, “don’t give up.” 

Alaina stared at the emerald-eyed, fanned rawl dagger in her hands. A soft cooing noise pulled her attention away from the blade, and she smiled at the wide-eyed toddler staring back at her.

“It’s gonna be okay, little one,” Alaina whispered to Grogu. She tucked the dagger away into its spot on her belt and went to fuss over Grogu, ensuring that he was tucked away and comfy in the new floating pram Kuiil had crafted for him on the journey here.

“Alaina,” Din’s voice said quietly from somewhere behind her, but Alaina shook her head, keeping her focus on Grogu. “Alaina,” he called again, and Alaina slammed her eyes closed. “It’s time.”

It couldn’t be time. There was still more to do. And Grogu… Grogu must be terrified to be back on Nevarro. She’d barely had any time to prepare him—

“Hey,” Din whispered behind her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Everything is going to be okay.”

When Alaina opened her eyes, she tried her best to wipe the tears from her eyes before she turned around, but judging by the tilt of Din’s helmet, she did a poor job hiding her tears. She looked around the hold and saw Cara at the front of the line of blurrgs, pretending to ignore them while she did one last inspection of her weapon. Behind them, Kuiil was also paying close attention to his blurrg at the end of the line, leaving Alaina and Din with the illusion of privacy inside the cramped hold.

“You’ve got your dagger and blaster?” he asked, taking a step back to do one final inspection of her. His hands fumbled with his mentor’s old blaster in its holster, pretending to shift it to a better position before letting go with a nod.

Alaina had taken advantage of her new wardrobe, which Iris had gifted her. She had changed into a black outfit, befitting her somber mood. The shirt was tight, with sleeves that went just past her elbows. She wore black tactical pants that cut off mid-calf but had plenty of cargo pockets along the sides. She smiled when Din’s helmet landed on the anklet on her right leg, which was visible now with the cropped pants. 

“You know, the last time you brought me here, it was five years until I saw you again,” Alaina reminded him, smirking when he looked up from her anklet to cock his helmet at her.

“I already told you that I’m not skipping over anything,” he whispered, reminding her of his words to her back on their moon. “Not with you, Alaina Corra.”

“Ya know, the quicker we get out there and grab the scientist, the quicker you two can get back here and finish being disgusting,” Cara commented, still keeping her eyes on the weapon she was holding.

Alaina blushed at the ex-soldier’s comment, and when Din’s helmet turned to glare at Cara, Alaina giggled when the Droptrooper gave them a wink.

“One last thing,” Din said, returning his attention to Alaina.

She didn’t even realize the Mandalorian had her old cloak hanging off his arm when he approached her. Alaina smiled as he shook out the old velvet green cloak and draped it over her shoulders. He took his time as his bulky, gloved hands struggled to tie the cloak at her neck, but once it was secured, he reached behind her to pull the hood up to cover her golden, braided hair.

Alaina couldn’t take her eyes off his helmet. She suddenly found it fascinating how her emerald eyes reflected back at her.

But then the moment was over when Din nodded. The change was instantaneous. He was no longer Din Djarin.

He was the Mandalorian.

Alaina smiled and nodded back.

“Alright, everyone knows the plan?” he asked the others, who nodded back. “Then let’s go,” he ordered, planting his boot in the stirrup before mounting his blurrg.

Once mounted, he turned to offer her his hand, wiggling his fingers at her when she didn’t immediately grab on.

A Mandalorian and a ballerina? They’ll never see it coming.

Alaina smiled and slid her hand into his, allowing him to help hoist her up to straddle the blurrg behind him.

They looked down at Grogu, who waved back up at them from his floating pram. Mando pressed a button on his vambrace that sealed the pram, hiding the Child from view, and then pressed another one that opened the hold doors.

One by one, the blurrgs marched off the Crest and onto the wasteland that was Nevarro.

“Well, well,” a vaguely familiar boisterous voice greeted them.

Alaina nervously wrapped her arms around Din’s middle and moved to peek over his shoulder. She relaxed slightly when she realized Penn wasn’t there. However, that left three unknowns as their welcome party.

“It appears introductions are in order,” the booming voice of the darker man in the middle spoke again. “It seems we both provided a security detail.”

“Where’s the doctor, Karga?” came Mando’s annoyed question.

So this was Din’s former boss, Alaina put the pieces together. The other two flanking him weren’t familiar to her, so she assumed they were other bounty hunters from Mando’s old guild.

“He’ll meet us at our previously determined rendezvous point. It’s easier for him to sneak out under the cover of darkness,” Karga explained. “But we have a different matter to discuss.”

“We’re only here for one matter, Karga,” Din growled. “We’re here to talk to the doctor.”

“Yes, yes,” Karga brushed him off. “But I want to talk about the doctor’s boss.”

Despite the layer of beskar, she could feel Din’s muscles tense, and she gripped him tighter, unsure which one she was trying to comfort. Cara, Kuiil, and Mando exchanged brief glances before returning their attention to Karga.

“What about him?” Din asked.

“I want him dead.”

Silence settled over the group at Karga’s admission. Alaina’s eyes flicked between Cara and Kuiil, but neither showed any sign of surprise.

“Why? You never had an issue with your Imp friend before.”

Alaina scrunched her face, feeling as if she missed something.

“That was before. They laid low and kept to themselves. But now they have made work virtually impossible,” Karga explained. “Help us eliminate the Imps from the city, and in exchange, I’ll clear you with the Guild,” he offered.

A nervous ball began to form in her stomach at the offer.

“I’ll sweeten the pot,” Karga continued. “Not only will I clear your name with the Guild, but I won’t ask any questions if a certain Imperial Doctor goes missing.”

“Deal.”

“This is a trap,” Alaina seethed from behind him, but Din didn’t acknowledge her warning.

It felt as if the world was closing in around her. There was some discussion about leaving Cara, but Din refused, and Alaina was only vaguely aware of it happening. One moment, they were mounted in front of the Crest, and the next, they were on the move, heading to their rendezvous spot to meet Penn.

If it hadn’t been for the sun disappearing from view, Alaina would have thought only seconds had passed.

“This is it,” Karga announced. “We’ll make camp here. The doctor should be meeting us soon.”

Din nodded and dismounted the blurrg, with Cara and Kuiil following suit. Once his boots were on the ground, he offered his hands to help her down.

“I’m telling you, something is wrong,” Alaina whispered once she joined him on the ground. 

The beskar Mandalorian helmet stared unflinchingly back at her.

“She’s beautiful, Mando,” Karga commented, slapping Din’s shoulder as he came to stand beside his former bounty hunter. “No wonder he was so upset about turning you over all those years ago!”

Alaina refused to acknowledge the other man. Instead, she kept her eyes locked on his helmet, but Mando said nothing. She spun around and stomped off toward the lava river, ignoring Mando and the rest of their party.

“Alaina!” Mando called after her, but she refused to turn around.

This was a karking trap, and Mando’s tunnel vision prevented him from seeing that. It was one thing to come here and kidnap Penn, but to go after that terrible old man who Gideon had selected as Penn’s babysitter… It was idiotic. Gideon and the rest of the Empire would be on their heels in an instant—

“Oof,” Alaina commented as she ran smack into someone because she was so lost in her own thoughts that she wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings. “I’m sorry—”

She cut her apology off as she stared at the crisp white uniform she had just encountered. Slowly, her head rose, and she locked eyes with a pair of glasses and a sad pair of eyes behind them.

“Hello, Lainey.”

Author's Note #2: Ya’aburnee is an Arabic phrase meaning, “You bury me.” ONE MORE CHAPTER LEFT IN 🐍🐍ACT 2🐍🐍 💔

Tag List: @racheldon @zenrobbins0021 @locked-ness @smoochispoof @hipcheckchick

Comment or send me a message if you would like to be added to the taglist!

Heaven in Hiding Masterlist

Next chapter in series - Chapter 25: Don't Look Back

[the-ace-of-arrows]

I don't truly experience anything

- a poem of some sort, I suppose

aromantic - I've never felt this thing that others say define us as human.

this feeling that in media seems to be the one feature that qualifies an alien or a robot as owning a soul

this one feeling that everyone seems so obsessed over

the thing behind the curtains of everything

the thing that surely, no one could ever live without, right?

I've never been with a person, thinking about how I'd love to spend the rest of my life with them and them alone

I've thought I might have, several times, with my closest friends, the ones I feel comfortable around

but it's not the same

it's not how others describe it

I've never wanted to kiss anyone

the closest I've come to romantic love is platonic

but if it is

if it turns out I'm pan- and polyromantic

if I've only ever experienced romantic love, and never platonic

then I'm still one form of love short from everyone else

I'm still less

asexual - I've never wanted intimacy the way others seem to.

I've never seen a person and felt anything like what people have described

I've never been able picture myself in a sexual setting, and I've certainly never enjoyed it when I've tried

I've never experienced an orgasm, not even sure I could if I tried

I've never felt the need to do anything of the sort

I've felt the want to, sure, but even then, not really

because I've never wanted it for it, I've wanted it to feel included

I've wanted to know what everyone else seem to revolve their life around

I wanted to understand, and to stop being so alien to the people around me whenever I just don't understand something

agender - I don't understand it

really, it just doesn't make any sense to me

never has, and tbh I just thought we'd all agreed to just go with it, because that's what everyone else did

I've never felt like a girl

I've never felt like a boy

I have yet to understand what this "feeling" is supposed to feel like

I'm me

just me

my body exists, sure

and I guess it's keeping me alive, so I'll try not to damage it too much

but it has never really meant any more than that in any way that means anything

it's a house

and you can decorate it to your choosing

and sometimes you'd like to move, but then you look at the housing market at the moment and decide that actually

the house I have now isn't that bad

and of course, you can't tear down a load bearing wall, the whole house would collapse

but otherwise, do whatever you want with what you've got, and you'll be good.

I guess in that sense I've kind of seen trans people as claustrophobic people stuck in a small attic-appartment without windows

the housing market is still horrible, and so they start by making modifications

make a window

let the air in

maybe even make a terrace on the roof out the window

doing what make them feel better

and if that so means I'll have to stop calling their house and attic, because they've expanded so much it's really a proper house now, then sure, I'll change the mailing address, why not?

agnostic - I say agnostic, but really I'm just afraid to say atheist

because I've never been able to believe

I don't even think I've ever really grasped the concept properly

but I want to

I really really do

I want to believe that there's some higher power out there

that there's someone looking out for us

taking care of us

I so badly want that comfort that others seem to get from talking into the void and somehow still feeling heard

but I don't know how

belief is such an amazing thing

belief is unconditional trust, something I'd almost call stronger than unconditional love

it's trusting that someone else will do good without any guarantee beforehand

and yet even when it comes to my closest friends, I can't do it

because I only actually believe in them if I've seen proof of it before, and that's not belief, it's a conditional trust

and I'm so incredibly jealous of the ones who are able to do so

I wish I was religious

a human - ahuman

I sometimes don't think I'm human

and I it

so much

because these are the things that everyone else call "reasons to live"

these are the traits that everyone says define what it means to "be human" or "be alive"

and so if I don't

if I never experience the reasons to live

if I never experience what it is to be human

if I never experience the essentials of being alive

then what am I?

I have no reason to live, so I'm meaningless

I'm not a human, so I'm alien

I'm not alive, so I'm dead

I'm a meaningless alien, dead to the world and to myself

a non-human, walking around with no purpose or light

a nothing

existing in the background

and even then, not really existing either

because what is existence without purpose or life?

a - the greek prefix for no, and the letter that seems to pursue my very being

a-being

a-thing

no-thing

I'm nothing

I'm nothing, wanting everything

staring at the rest of the world as if through the pages of a book that I'm doomed to only ever read and never experience myself

I hate it

I'm jealous

I want what everyone else has

And I'm crying

Somehow

I'm crying

because even with all the everything that I just seem doomed to never feel

for some reason the universe never thought to add sadness to that pile

[bed-chemist]

❝i got cake and i know he want a slice.❞

read the rest of the series before this chapter or you’re getting spoilers.

A/N: we're back, barbies! i successfully survived midterms so now I can breathe!! i've been working on this all week and tomorrow i promise, i'll work on my requests. a lot of y'all have been in my comments and reposts with pitchforks because joel didn't kiss ginny yet and all i have to say is, same babes. i don't make the rules (yes i do) i just enforce them. this isn't edited so ignore any mistakes. please leave feedback in the comments ★ ˙ᵕ˙ liv

Chapter Summary: the sweetest baker enlists joel to help her volunteer at ellie's school.

Chapter Warnings: language, alcohol, slight age gap (F!MC and Joel are 6 years apart), racial descriptions (tommy says black girls are his type basically), symptoms of anxiety and depression, lmk if i forgot something.

Series Tags: chef! Joel, single! father Joel, no outbreak! Joel Miller, slow burn, dual-pov, fluff, flirting, friendship, eventually established relationship, eventual smut, original character, black!fem!MC, no y/n.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ series masterlist, joel masterlist ⋆ spotify playlist ˖ ݁ 𖥔.

“Taste this,” I demand Joel, shoving the spoon of icing towards his mouth.

Joel stops stacking the plastic plates, looking down at the utensil. “What did you say?” he asks with scrunched eyebrows.

I shake the fork impatiently. “Try,” I demand. He looks at me skeptically before leaning forward and taking a bite of the warm sugary liquid.

His mouth moves slowly as tastes. “Mmmhm, that’s good,” he compliments.

I want to put my hands up to hide the blush that’s inevitably covering my face right now. But I don’t want Joel to notice my reaction. “Thank you. I tweaked the recipe last week,” I say quickly, turning around so I’m not facing him.

“That’s why I’m here,” I hear Joel say.

Shaking my head, I pour the icing over the cakes. “No, you’re here because I didn’t want to be the only one working the booth today,” I defend myself.

“You would’ve called someone else,” Joel points out.

My shoulders rise with my eyebrows. “You’re probably right,” I conceded.

I enlisted Joel to do a booth with me instead of having two separate booths. Neither of us wanted to pull staff from the floor but still wanted to participate for Ellie’s sake. The two of us could handle it, with the help of some friends.

Joel and I mirror each other's movements in the kitchen. He makes sure the COVID-safe fall fest meals are ready and me adding something sweet into the mix. The hum of Taylor Swift plays in the background and I catch Joel slightly humming to ‘Welcome to New York.’ A snicker involuntary leaves my throat and I shove it down, hoping he didn’t pick up on it.

Once my job is done, I allow the dishes to clatter in the sink. The worst part about baking is the prep and the cleaning and I don’t have the energy for that right now. 

“Hello?” Madeline’s voice rings through the stairwell.

“Don’t shoot us,” Leonardo’s voice follows shortly after.

A scoff leaves my lips and I near the island to watch Joel skillfully move around the kitchen. Every move has a crafted purpose and I can practically see the blood pulsating through his veins. 

My breathing hitches and I shift in hopes of gaining composure. “I don’t even have a gun,” I pipe up.

Joel walks in front of me and motions behind me. We dance around for a little before he grunts in frustration and puts his hands on my waist. My eyes go wide as Joel easily lifts me onto the cold island before reaching behind me. “I do,” he murmurs, sliding the pan of bundt cakes toward his muscled torso.

His smirk has me wanting to strip my clothes off and give it to him in the nastiest way possible. Bad, ginny. He was just sick of you being in the way. “I don’t think that applies to this scenario, Joel,” I stress.

Joel moves from in between my legs and I turn my head to watch Leo strolling into the room confidently. “Hey, Miller,” he boasts.

“Hey,” I hear Joel respond next to me.

Maddie follows shortly behind him, wearing brown leather pants and high-heeled boots. She’s overdressed for a school event, but knowing her she’s probably looking for a husband. “Hi, Joel,” she purs, flashing him a smile.

My body turns to survey Joel’s reaction, but his poker face is stone-cold. “Nice to see you, Madeline,” he tries his hardest to force out through a smile.

It’s not that Joel doesn’t like Madeline, she’s just an acquired taste. Too much time around her can drive you crazy and sometimes when Joel picks Ellie up from the bakery, Madeline is sobbing her eyes out with a glass of wine in her hand. 

“Didn’t know you were working the party, man,” Leo notes once he and Madeline cross the large open floor plan into the kitchen.

“Joel’s daughter, Ellie, goes to school with Dina,” I tell Leo, motioning towards Joel.

Madeline nods, sliding into the bar stool and putting her shiny silver purse on the counter. “That makes sense.  What are you making?” she leans forward and asks Joel.

Joel rolls his shoulder forward, hunching over to plate the food. “Thanksgiving meals. Each meal comes with turkey and 3 sides. My brother Tommy’s bringing the rest,” he informs her.

Maddie's eyes light up and a smirk creeps onto her face. “I didn’t know you had a brother. Is he a chef, too?” she asks, voice laced with mischief.

Joel shrugs, not bothering to make eye contact with her. “Mostly just a pain in my ass but, yeah. He helps out at the Austin from time to time,” he grumbles.

“That's awesome! Is he cute?” Maddie asks excitedly.

“Maddie!” I hiss towards the blonde.

Joel’s phone buzzes on the counter next to us and he picks it up, turning the screen towards the group. “That would be him,” he says, shaking the device lightly.

Once Joel exits the room, I hit Maddie on the arm with the back of my palm. “What?! Not everyone has a Michelin-star chef whipping meals in their kitchen trying to get in your pants,” she frowns.

My eyes widen and I feel the sudden urge to yank my hair out. Now I know why Joel tugs on his roots. “Joel’s not– he’s not,” I stammer, pausing to collect my breath. “Joel’s not trying to get in my pants,” I sigh.

Maddie raises a brow, looking me up and down. “I beg to differ,” she counters.

Jumping down from the counter, I start to pick up where Joel left off with the meals. “He doesn’t have time to– Leo, don’t eat that,” I swat Leo’s hand, stopping him from picking up a bundt cake prematurely.

Leo winces, putting his hands up in defense before sliding into the bar stool. “So, how’s things been between you two?” he questions.

My brows furrow and I feel confusion wash over me. “What do you mean?” I ask.

“I mean, you’ve been seeing each other for what, a month. Right?” he asks.

Maddie snickers next to me and I shake my head, resuming my careful placing of the assorted dessert flavors. “No, Leo. We literally haven’t even been on a date,” I point out.

Leo twists back and forth in the spinning chairs like a child who’s bored out of his mind. “That means nothing,” he scoffs.

My head tilts and I point the spatula at Leo. “To you, you whore. To me it means something. We’re just friends,” I inform him.

Leo purses his lips and his brows furrow. “Oh, fuck off,” he nips at me.

“What?” I ask him.

Leo rolls his eyes and I want to lean forward to snatch them out of his socket. “I still don’t know how you’re blind to him flirting,” he complains.

Maybe I am reading things wrong. Maybe Joel is interested. “If he flirts with me so much, why hasn’t he asked me out on a date or kissed me?” I ask the pair confused.

My head darts back and forth between my friends. “Maybe he just wants to take things slow,” Maddie tries to explain.

Leo clears his throat and my head whips to face his. “Yup. You said yourself he has a daughter,” he shrugs.

My eyes look at the clock to check and see if we’re doing good on time. Ellie and Dina will be bursting in at any moment. They don’t need to be privy to this conversation. 

Once I have my confirmation, I refocus on the to-go containers in front of me. “Then why would he and his daughter sleep in my bed with me the other night?” I ask. 

Maddie's jaw drops and her eyes widen. “You slept in the same bed together?!” She practically shrieks.

“Yeah, I told you,” I remind her.

Maddie shakes her head in disbelief. “No, you told me they stayed the night. Not that you were cuddled up with Joel Miller,” she hisses.

I shake my head and begin pleading my case, “I wasn't cuddled up with him. Ellie had a sit–”

Joel walks in and I shut myself up, my eyes immediately finding his. “Hey y’all, I want to introduce you to my brother, Tommy,” he bellows with a smile, stepping to the side. 

A man a bit younger than Joel steps through my entryway, his hair slightly slicked back. He’s not my type, but he’s definitely Maddie’s. I stop placing the cakes in the to-go boxes, crossing the floor to meet them halfway. “Come on in. It’s nice to meet you,” I smile, putting my hand on his arm to pull him into the kitchen.

Tommy looks down at me and smiles. “Likewise. Heard a lot about you,” he confesses with warmth in his voice.

Fucking attractiveness and charm must run in the family. “Good things, I hope,” I suggest to Tommy, peering up at him.

Tommy nods, chuckling a bit. “Fantastic things, darlin’,” he assures me and I almost melt. It’s good to know that Joel and Ellie talk about me positively.

When we get to the kitchen, Maddies is already standing seemingly posing by the counter. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Madeline,” she flirts, extending her hand for him to shake.

I let go of his jacket, sliding into Maddie’s seat at the bar. “Tommy,” he shakes her hand before awkwardly turning toward me.

He raises his brow almost as if he’s asking how I know them silently. “Madeline and Leo are my friends from elementary school,” I quickly explain.

Tommy lets out an ah sound, nodding a bit before Leo clears his throat. “Nice to meet you, man,” Leo chimes.

“Likewise,” Tommy returns.

I clap my hands softly, clasping them together in front of my chest. “Now, Tommy. I hate to put you to work but can you help me carry this stuff out to the van?” I request.

Tommy smiles, pushing his hair back with his fingers. “Of course,” he agrees.

My body turns towards my best friends. “Maddie, can you and Leo grab the cookie tubs and put them in the other van?” I ask the pair.

“I can do it by myself,” Leo grumbles and I realize I’ve hurt his ego.

“I know you can. Maddie is just the brains of the operation,” I soothe him.

Maddie snickers and Leo rolls his eyes. “Fine, let’s go brain,” he says, putting his arm around her shoulder.

“Aye aye, Pinky,” Maddie salutes him as they stomp out of the room.

Tommy and I get to work grabbing the Fall Fest dinners and putting them into a large box. After they’re stacked on a dolly, we begin to load them one by one onto the first bakery van. A comfortable silence fills the van as we secure the last of the food. “So, are you single?” I ask Tommy, attempting to play matchmaker for Maddie.

Tommy wipes his hands on his pants and my nose scrunches. Later he’s going to wonder where that stain came from… men. “Depends on who’s asking,” he drawls suspiciously.

I scoff, hopping down out of the van. “You and Leo are the biggest whores I’ve ever met. It’s a simple question Tommy,” I rant before forcefully pushing another box towards him.

Tommy stops the box from moving so quickly across the large metal floor paneling. “Who’s asking, Ginny?” he directs.

My leg bounces and the ways Maddie will kill me for this runs through my brain. “Madeline,” I jabber, hoping he won't tell her.

Tommy looks up at me blinking rapidly. His mouth forms a large o and his brows furrow. “I’m single, but I’m not interested,” he declares.

I put my hands on my hips. “What do you mean you’re not interested? She’s literally perfect,” I say, pointing out the fact that she’s a blonde with blue eyes. She’s every man in America’s dream.

Tommy shrugs. “Hate to say it but we Millers have a type. She’s beautiful, just not my cup of tea if you catch my drift,” he explains resuming his work.

Ohhhh. I didn’t know the Millers prefer brown women. But then again, I’ve never actually been to Joel's house or seen a picture of Sarah, or his exes. How the fuck was I supposed to know? “100%” I confirm, pushing him another box. “Can I ask you something?” I ask.

“Depends-” Tommy starts and I cut him off.

“On what it is I know,” I snap, gnawing on my bottom lip. “How do I say this?” I think out loud.

Tommy's choleric disposition takes over his face, similar to Joel's when he’s had enough. “Whatever it is spit it out,” he growls lowly.

The sweat on my forehead collects and I feel like hot water is being poured onto my scalp. But I have to know how Joel feels about me, and Tommy would know. “Is Joel interested in me?” I blurt, feeling like I’ve finally submerged myself in a cool bath.

Tommy doesn’t say anything, he just purses his lips. The comfort I felt turns into pain when the water turns into ice. My body is frozen and I’m rendered speechless.

I want to flee. I need to get out of here. I shouldn’t have asked. “Oh my god,” I finally speak.

“Mmmhm,” Tommy hums, motioning for me to pass him another box so I can continue t

I rub my eyebrows as the pit in my stomach fills with anxiety. “Oh god, Tommy. What am I gonna do?” I ask, unable to stand anymore with the alley seemingly spinning.

I take a seat in the back of the truck, putting my head in my hands. “What do you want to do?” Tommy asks.

“I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking you,” I groan towards the ground.

“Well the way I see it, lean into it or tell him so he doesn’t fall harder for ya,” he advises.

My brain runs through all the moments that I’ve had with Joel. How the first day we met he offered to cook for me. Every lingering touch, all the compliments he’s given me, when vulnerable he’s been with me. You don’t do that with someone who’s just a friend. 

I peel my hands away from my face with realization. “Oh my gosh, he’s been sending so many signals. I’m going to throw up,” I groan.

Tommy steps out of the van, looking down at me. “Please don’t,” he pleads.

Suddenly, Joel comes around the corner at the most inappropriate time. These Millers just pop up anywhere and one day, they’re going to make me piss myself. They need a bell on their ankles. He hands the last boxes to Tommy and I pray to the gods above he didn’t overhear our conversation. “Don’t what?” Joel asks.

Fuck. My body tenses and I try to focus on containing the bile rising in my throat. “Ginny’s feelin’ dizzy. I’m almost finished here. She’s just gonna sit for a second,” he tells his brother.

Joel sits down on the metal butt of the truck next to me. He puts his hand in my lap, palm facing up towards me. I accept his offer, intertwining our fingers. “You need anything, sugar?” he asks sweetly, and I sigh.

I nod, running the back of his hands with my thumb. Attentive Joel is my favorite, but only because I’m an attention whore. “Can you get me a Coke from the fridge? Maybe I just need some caffeine,” I request.

Joel nods, trying to let go of my hand. Although I don’t want him to, I allow him to disconnect from me. “Of course, I’ll be right back,” he says, petting my head before turning around and disappearing behind the van.

A sigh of relief slips my lips and I try to refocus on calming my breathing. “So are you?” I hear Tommy say behind me.

I scoot back against the inside of the van walls, allowing the sides to cool me down. “Am I what?” I ask him with a raised brow.

“Are you single?” he reiterates.

A smirk creeps onto my lips. “Depends on who’s asking,” I taunt him.

“Joel,” Tommy cuts straight to the point, unlike me.

I giggle and I feel like the panic has finally subsided. “Yeah, I’m single,” I tell him.

Tommy finishes securing the last box and he turns around to face me. He puts his hands on his upper thigh, leaning on one leg. Jesus Christ, now that’s attractive. “And open? Ready?” he interrogates.

I nod, sliding out of the truck. “Tommy, I mean it. Make sure Joel knows how ready,” I say to him as he shuts the back doors.

Joel turns off the engine to the bakery van, having pulled into the spot at the school where vendors unload. He turns to me and flashes me a smile. “You alright?” he asks concerned.

After that conversation with Tommy, I needed more than just a Coke. I needed multiple shots of tequila. I forced Tommy and Maddie to join me, leaving Joel and Leo the only sober people to drink the trucks.

I nod, and my body bobs unstabily. “Yes,” I slur.

Joel shakes his head and his head falls back. He lets out a loud bellowing laugh, holding his stomach and I know he’s caught me in the lie. “Well, you are not talking to any parents tonight,” he chuckles, wiping his hands over his face.

I roll my eyes at him. “I wasn’t planning on it. Besides, all the moms are going to be all over hot Chef Miller,” I complain, hoping he doesn’t notice my jealousy. 

He laughs again and it’s so beautiful, I want to make his laugh featuring Ellie’s giggle my alarm clock so I can wake up peacefully. Snap the fuck out of it, Imogen. “That’s not going to happen,” Joel says, opening his door.

I don’t get to respond before he shuts it, jogging over to my side to retrieve me. Joel opens the door and I’m reading to pounce. “Yes, the fuck it is,” I counter, feeling my emotional drunk alter ego arise.

Joel leans against the door frame, extending his hand to help me down. “Well good thing I don’t want any of them,” he claims.

I accept his hand, looking at him with hope in my eyes. “Really?” I ask.

Joel’s pupils dilate and he flashes me a smile. “Really,” he confirms, putting his hands on my hips.

He guides me until my back is pressed against the cool metal of the truck. His eyes flicker down to my lips before back up to me. If he’s going to do anything, he better do it now before someone sees us.

“Joel!” “Ginny!” I hear Ellie and Dina’s voices call from behind Joel. Fuck, scratch a bell bracelet. They need a fucking air horn.

Joel steps back, putting some space between us. “Hey kiddo,” he greets her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

Fucking cock blocking crotch demons. Let it go, Imogen. He was probably just trying to perform a wellness check on you. “Hey, Dina,” I say, teetering over to her in my heels.

“Thanks for coming,” I hear Ellie say to her dad.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I hear Joel say before the second van pulls up in the spot next to us.

Ellie gasps when she sees who’s in the passenger seat. She slams her hand on the glass window, effectively scaring Leo who’s on the other side. “Uncle Tommy!” she cheers before running over to the passenger side.

Joel leans over until his lips are touching my ear. “It’s always ‘Uncle Tommy, Uncle Tommy.’ But never ‘Dad’,” he complains in a whisper.

I sway a bit, unstable from the drinking. “Patience, young padawan,” I quote Star Wars to him.

Joel wraps his arms around my waist to stabilize me. Dina’s eyes look us up and down. She leans forward and sniffs the air in front of my face. “Ginny, are you drunk?” she asks loudly.

“Shhhhh. You’ll tell the whole fucking school,” I shush her, pulling her towards me so Leo can get out of the car.

Dina snickers, lacing her hand in mine. “Come on, we’re walking to the corner store for snacks before it starts,” she enlists me.

I nod excitedly, thinking about the possibility of having slushies and Hot funyons. “Count me in. Got any cash, Joel?” I ask the resourceful man. He’s bound to have something on him and I don’t feel like bringing my purse.

He nods, reaching into his back pocket to pull out a brown leather wallet. “Mmhm. Take Tommy with you, Sugar,” he hands me back two twenties and I gladly accept them, slipping them into Dina’s hands.

I wine, squirming a bit. “But Joel, Maddie will be with us. All girls with Tommy would just be weird,” I complain.

Joel brushes past me, heading towards the back of the trucks. “I don’t care, you’re both drunk. You need someone out there lookin’ after y’all,” he says over his shoulder.

Dina tugs my hands a couple of times, dancing in place. “Awwww,” she coos.

I cover my mouth to try to stop the giggle that slips out. He’s cute when he’s all protective and shit. “Hehe. Does he have a gun?” I ask, pulling Dina towards the back with me.

Joel grabs the handle, opening the heavy doors. “Yes,” he answers.

“Well okay, as long as he doesn’t bother us,” I conceded.

The 3 others from the van join us along with Ellie. Dina immediately ditches me, joining her now best friend. “Tommy, walk with them to the store,” Joel commands his brother.

“Why can’t Leo do it?” Tommy groans like a child.

Joel takes out the Dolly to start unloading the items. “Because Leo’s sober, and I need his help with this shit,” he states frustratedly. 

Leo snickers, walking over to the truck to start unloading the boxes. “Ahem,” I clear my throat at Joel.

That fucker forgot one crucial part. “And stay ten paces behind them,” he adds.

Tommy puts his hands up. “Fine by me. I don’t wanna know you’re girly bullshit anyways,” he jeers.

Madeline pats him on the shoulders. “That’s what they all say, Tommy,” she argues.

Maddie links her arm with mine. “We’ll see you guys later,” I say to Joel before joining the teenagers for the walk down the block.

We walk through the parking lot for a bit before entering the school. Whenever I have a drop of liquor in me, I have the urge to Irish goodbye. I drag Maddie with me until were walking closer behind the girls. “We should really lose him,” I suggest.

Ellie looks over her shoulder at Tommy before nodding at Dina. “Okay, follow us,” Dina intrusts.

I nod as we move quickly through the hall taking a left and running into a room. We quickly shut the door behind us, and I peer out the window waiting for Tommy to walk by. When he does, he looks confused turning around in circles. I snicker and he seemingly hears. I quickly pulls my head away from the small plexiglass, hoping he didn’t notice me. “Did we lose him?” Ellie asks, looking over my shoulder.

Maddie takes matters into her own hands, stepping past me to check. “Coast is clear,” she informs us with a smile.

We break out into laughter and I feel like I’ve just pulled off the greatest inside job ever. “Let’s go,” Dina says, reaching for the door handle.

When we get to the store, I bolt toward the Slurpee machine. I grab the largest cup size, filling it with cherry and coke flavors. Once my drink is secured, I grab and fill two cups for Tommy and Joel. Ellie finds me, grabbing Joel's cup, and together we wander the store looking for the spicy chips. 

I snatch three bags from the top shelf, figuring someone will stick their fingers in my bag and piss me off. It’s always good to have extras. “You know, I’d be okay if my dad dated someone like you,” Ellie pipes up randomly next to me.

I almost drop the Slurpee onto the tile floor beneath me. “Oh. Where is this coming from?” I ask her with a raised brow.

She grabs some chips before we walk towards the candy aisle to meet with Maddie and Dina. “He asked me if I was okay with him dating someone the other day,” she leaves me hanging on her every word.

“What’d you say?” I dig deeper.

She turns towards me with a smirk on her lips. “I said I wouldn’t care as long as it was you,” she admits.

The door to the corner store dings and Tommy is pushed in by the windy city. He looks pissed as fuck as he stomps over towards us. “The hell? Your dad is gonna kill me if he finds out–” he starts before Ellie cuts him by shoving a Slurpee in his hand.

“He’ll be fine. Let’s go, Uncle Tommy,” she motions towards the counter.

By the time we’re back in the gym, everything is set up. Joel graciously accepts the Slurpee, which turns his tongue blue, sending Ellie into a fit of giggles. Now hours later, I walk around the gym shopping at other booths with Madeline. I can’t deny that every time I look at Joel, our eyes link for a second too long. The simple interaction causes my breath to catch in my chest every time, and I try to ignore it. 

After some time, we’re finished looking in the main gym, and we head into the hall to see the art auction pieces. Eligible students can create anything they want; a poem, a painting, or a sculpture to put up for action. The people who come to Fall Fest pledge money towards an art piece, and the money earned goes towards the student’s college tuition.

We stroll down the hall, mindlessly chatting about which pieces we want to bid on before Maddie points at a specific piece. “That’s fucking gorgeous,” she blusters.

A smile creeps on my face when I look closer at the signature. The familiar white calligraphy makes my heart sing. “It’s Ellie’s,” I boast about the talented young girl.

“Now I see why she’s painting the mural. This is some good shit. I’ve gotta commission her for some art,” Maddie rambles, seemingly entranced by the swirls of paint before her.

I nod, smiling at the though of Ellie becoming an artist of some kind. “She’d probably love that,” I tell her.

When I turn around, I see Joel walking through the door of the large hall. His eyes dart around till he finds me, b-lining for us. He stands in front of me awkwardly and when Maddie turns around, she jumps from being startled a bit. “Well, I’m gonna just go look…” she trails off, effectively excusing herself.

“Can we talk?” Joel asks, tilting his head towards a darker secluded hall.

“Yeah,” I say to him, pulling him into the area not lit by prison lighting.

Once we’re alone, I lean back against the wall. “What’s wrong?” I tilt my head attempting to cajole him into telling me.

“Nothin’ it’s just, I’ve bit my tongue 'cause I was unsure if–” he pauses and takes a deep breath. “I enjoy spendin’ time with you, Ginny. You’ve become important to me and you should know that I care about you deeply, sugar,” he confesses.

Oh, I wasn’t expecting that. This train has a one-way route towards the friend zone. “I care about you too Joel! And I like spending time with you too. And Ellie,” I sadly follow his lead.

Joel steps closer, putting his hand over my head and leaning forward. “I just really don’t wanna lose you,” he expresses, voice laced with sincerity.

My hands snake up around his waist and I grip the grey shirt he’s wearing. “How would you lose me, Joel?”

Joel's eyes stay fixed on mine and the brown in his eyes swirls like hot chocolate. “Sugar, I feel more than just a friendship level for ya. I like you,” he stresses.

“Oh, Joel. I’m not going anywhere. I wouldn’t,” I promise him, pulling him closer so our upper bodies are pressed towards each other.

He sighs, looking down at the ground between us. “I know, but telling you that means changing our relationship. I don’t want to scare you and I didn’t know–” he starts before I tap his side, cutting him off.

“Joel, I like you too. Like… a lot,” I confirm.

His head quickly rises and he sighs, “Oh.”

I’m starting to feel embarrassed by the whole situation. “Dear, god. I-I don’t know why my brain goes blank when I look at you. I think I’m going crazy. I feel like a high schooler,” I falter.

Joel chuckles, leaning forward to press his forehead onto mine. I clear my throat, impatient tugging at his side. “So, I think this is the part where you’re supposed to kiss me,” I murmur.

Joel takes his forehead off of mine, searching my face seemingly wary of crossing the line. All he’s going to find is my stupid shit-eating grin. “Are you sure?” Joel asks for consent and I think it’s the most sexy thing I’ve ever heard leave a man's lips.

“Positive,” I nod, radiating with excitement.

“Okay,” he sighs and a wolfish grin creeps onto his face.

His hands slide up to my neck, pulling me closer. “Okay,” I murmur.

He grabs the back of my neck, crashing his lips onto mine. We both smile into the kiss and I force a giggle back down my throat. My lips open slightly, granting him entrance. His warm tongue dances with mine and I marvel at the taste of whiskey and apple on his lips. It’s filled with so much passion, that I feel like my heart is about to explode.

His fingers thread into my hair, massing my scalp as he kisses me. I moan into his mouth and my clit pulsates with a hunger for him. He disconnects our lips, leaving us both panting because of the other. “Was that as good for you as it was for me?” I murmur against his lips.

“Probably better,” Joel grunts before pulling back and motioning towards the hard member protruding through his jeans.

“Joel, oh my gosh,” I giggle, stepping forward and wrapping my arms around his torso. “Can I have one more?” I practically salivate, batting my lashes at him.

Joel nods, snaking his hand back around my neck. His thumb strokes my jaw and I lean into him. “Mmmhm,” he hums, dipping his head back down.

His lips connect with mine and my tongue continues to explore his map. I want to stay in this moment forever. It feels like a dream and I don’t want to wake up. His lips are surprisingly soft and I kick myself for not doing this months ago.

The smacking of our lips is apparent when we pull back this time and I know my face is covered in pink flush. “Damn it. I was supposed to do this right. Date first, then kiss,” he curses himself.

I giggle, standing on my tip-toes to press a kiss against his cheek. “Joel, I asked you to kiss me. Besides, we’ve known each other for months,” I acknowledge our past.

Joel nods, but he doesn’t seem ready to let it go. “You’re right, but still. Can I take you out on a date?” he pleads.

I’m practically bouncing on my toes, my mind racing with thoughts of my future with Joel. Relax Ginny, he just asked you out on one date. “Yes,” I blurt.

Joel chuckles at my excitement, taking a step back and lacing his hand with mine. “When are you free next?” he turns to me and asks as we walk back to the gym.

“Thursday, but it’s Thanksgiving. After that, on Friday. Speaking of, do you guys have any plans for the holiday?” I inquire.

Joel shakes his head, confirming my suspicions. “No, just me, Tommy, and Ellie eating at an undecided time,” he informs me.

“How about you join me at Maddie’s house? Her family always orders catering for Thanksgiving,” I offer, hoping he’ll grace me with his presence sooner than a week from now. I get we’re both busy food industry owners, which I love, I just don’t think I can wait that long to be in a romantic setting with him.

“I know. They’ve put in an order at The Austin for the past two years,” Joel dictates and I nod. Just my luck, the man’s food I’ve been shoveling into my mouth for the past 6 holidays is also the man I’m trying to date.

I poke his muscular bicep with my free hand. “Even better, you can personally deliver it and tell everyone who doesn’t like it that they’re wrong. Just like you did on my birthday,” I joke with him and he puts his hands on his chest, seemingly hurt by my statement.

“I’m sorry about that, darlin’. Really I am,” Joel apologizes.

I tug on his hand, trying to grab his attention and snap him out of a spiral. “I’m fucking with you, Joel. Please come. I’m sure Ellie would love it,” I practically beg him.

Joel pauses, looking up to think about it. He’s probably worried about how unpredictable his two family members would be in this setting. “Okay, we’ll come,” he concedes, finally.

“Good. I’ll text you the details. You’re standing straighter,” I beam, pointing out his posture change.

Joel chuckles, rubbing his thumb across mine soothingly. “I feel like a house just lifted off my back. I’ve had my eyes on you since June 30th,” he confesses.

I smirk, leaning closer to him. “So Maddie was right, you were practically drolling on my shoulder,” I taunt.

“She said that?” he asks with furrowed brows.

I nod, attempting not to give him too much information. “Mmmhm,” I hum.

He tugs on my hand, stopping me in my tracks before I reach the entryway. “I’m not going to deny that, Sugar,” he looks me up and down like I’m a meal he wants to ravish.

The thought of us fucking turns me on even more, and I have to remind myself we’re in a high school. “Okay, one last kiss before we’re back in the gym?” I use my siren eyes against him, peering up at him through my lashes.

“I like how you think,” Joel mumbles, sliding his free hand up and around the front of my neck. He gently pulls me forward, connecting our lips one final time. A wave of relief hits me, and I moan as his tongue dances with mine in the filthiest way. Me and Joel Miller are going out on a date.

read the rest of the series

[snickerdoodlles]

I disagree with your chan headcannon

But I like your other headcannons so can I for macau headcannons if you don't mind

😂 well the good news is that i’m in the fandom minority with my “Chan is loyal to Korn only” camp and rarely ever post about him, so keep asking me about brothers and we'll be delighted together

and yes!!! MACAU MY DARLING BOY!!! i love him SO much, but i will limit myself to only three (3) headcanons for him on this post in a futile attempt to keep it from getting too long

Macau & Kim

his favorite way to piss Kim off is by making club mixes of chinese drama OSTs. he does this with Kim's actual songs too after those start rolling out, but this feud began long before they started posting to social media. Macau also starts off with a larger following for his mixes than Kim does for his covers, and while that eventually plateaus and Kim passes him in their follower counts by the time canon rolls around, Kim is still so fucking bitter. the day Kim starts to let it go is the day Macau posts a video of himself playing hot cross buns on the drama dizi* he stole from Kim years ago.

Macau & Chay

Chay and Macau do Not like each other. i know people like to make them friends, i just don't see it happening without a lot of work first and it's so much funnier to me if they're frenemies. i do love them as online gaming besties tho (before they find out who the other is), because then they both have to live with the mortifying knowledge that Chay once called Macau 'daddy' after he gave him a bunch of turnips in animal crossing, because they are teenagers and teenagers make stupid daddy jokes. any inclinations of trying to be friends because Porsche and Vegas are friends dry up faster than water on a hot pan after that.

Macau & Pete & Vegas

you know what's a great way to bond with brothers and in-laws? movies. you know what's the worst leisure activity to do with Pete and Vegas? WATCH MOVIES. every action scene is scrutinized and criticized and Pete keeps rewinding the same three seconds to mock the character's kick stance. any murder scenes are WORSE. Vegas hates romances and hates ballads. the only things not totally infuriating to watch with him are cooking shows and home improvement shows and the occasional gardening show and yawn. Pete's tastes are much broader thanks to Khun, but he also comes with so many opinions on how to properly watch shows and Macau doesn't actually want to dress up every time they watch a horror film.

so movie nights are almost a bust. they do find some movies they're all into, but it's usually an exercise in frustration. but then, one day while they're queuing up a film they're only 37% sure on, Pete's grandma calls with the hot town gossip--"do you remember Kobb Pete? yes, the nice old man who runs the fruit stand, remember how he gave you a mango on your first day of school and you dripped all down your new uniform? well, you'll never believe what's happened, you know how Kobb passed his stand down to his son Mew and Mew was training up his son Mod to take over one day, except they got into a fight on how to best display the pineapples and papayas and they had a fight, yes, right there in the middle of the road, and Mew fired his son, but Kobb backed Mod, so they opened a rival fruit stand with Mew's wife, but Kobb's wife sided with Mew and got the neighbors involved, and--"

it takes grandma forty minutes to regale the tale of the on-going fruit vendor feud. then she continues to update Pete on the rest of the hometown for another three hours. Macau and Vegas are enthralled. how often does your grandma tell you things Pete, can we be there for the next one, what's the full story behind the thing with Folk's fishing boat, why did you ask grandma if Sine's husband was in the garden--

listen, small town drama is the best drama. and Vegas is having a journey to discover which mafia things are things he likes vs which ones he forced himself to like to survive, and being a nosy cunt sniffing out all the juicy scandals is absolutely something he takes to with glee (he will become grandma's favorite when they visit, they are terrifying together). Macau just loves hearing all the petty drama and neighbors feuds that result in increasingly passive aggressive displays of garden gnomes instead of gunfire. movie night becomes grandma call nights and it's the best family bonding.

*inspired by Jeff buying one of the Wei Wuxian's flutes and the fact that he reportedly learned how to play it because he's a big ol' cql nerd ❤❤❤ this is also a reference to @majestictortoise's fic Middlegame, which everyone should read if they haven't yet and reread if they have

Send an ask, get a headcanon (prev: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

[girllovestorock925866]

behind the scenes

This story is based in 2024 with current Nikki sixx and Tommy Lee it's fiction

Nikki and Tommy are their current ages reader is 32

Warnings age gap threesome mmf

21+ to read

Inspired by my fantasy

You are an upcoming photographer who recently got an opportunity of a lifetime to photograph your idols aka mötley crüe well 2 of Nikki and Tommy it was for a upcoming photoshoot featuring the terror twins

You couldn't believe it when you got a message from Nikki on Instagram saying he loves your photography and would like you to do the photos you had a crush on them both you had to keep it professional because this shoot could get you places

At the studio you set up for the shoot then go next room to get a water only to see Nikki and Tommy walking in to get red bull

Well hello camera girl Nikki says with a sexy smile on his face

Yo picture girl what's up Tommy says who seems very excited to see you as well

Hi guys my name is Jess I'm the photographer of the photo shoot

We know who are we talked on Instagram remember ?

Yeah but that's part of my job introducing myself first so you guys ready to get started

Yeah give me a few minutes I got to call my fucking soon to be ex wife to tell her come and get the rest of her shit out of my house Nikki says throwing his red bull can across the room hitting the trash can

Yeah I'm go grab a smoke right quick

Ok guys I'll be waiting to set up the first shot

Dude she's fucking hot you should totally hit that sixx your single now

T bone I'm not going to date anyone let alone get married again Donna and that bitch who I was married to for 7 years made me realize it's better to just fuck around and not commit to anything

Bro I've been telling you that for years why don't we ask her for threesome bro she's hotter the c even though of being

Nikki Walks in the dressing room with Tommy changing into their wardrobe for the shoot Nikki wears a red sleeveless shirt a par of black leather pants with a and checkerboard vans while tommy went for a a black tank top jeans and Converse

And walk out to the shooting room where Jess was waiting for them

Wow you guys look hot

Not as hot as you babe Nikki says walking up to you as Tommy makes his way over to you to

So I think we should put that camera to better use for more pleasurable reasons don't you think t bone Nikki says looking at tommy smirking

Absolutely sixx

Jess looking at two older men next to her in total shock and slowly getting turned on by their words

You don't mean me and you 2 do you ?

Ding ding ding we have a winner Nikki says sarcastically as he picks up Jess's video camera checking it out then putting it back on the tripod

With Tommy behind you kissing your neck

Nikki turns the camera on walking back to you smashing his lips against yours as Tommy starts to undress you he gets your top off and starts to massage your boobs moaning as Nikki starts deepening the kissing as he slides his hand down to your panties slowly rubbing you easing a finger inside after a few minutes he pulls his finger out licking it clean

He and Tommy undress themselves

Ok baby get up on that table on all fours

Nikki comes up behind you as Tommy gets in front of your mouth Nikki hands Tommy a bandana Tommy ties it around your mouth to keep you from moaning out loud so others in the photography studio couldn't hear Nikki enters you from behind while tommy enters your mouth then the pleasure just took over both of them pounding away the older men moaning and throwing their heads back Nikki gripping her hips Tommy releases down your throat not wasting a single drop

Come on open up show the camera what a good girl you are by swallowing it all Tommy puts the video camera on your face have you swallowing his loud than panning out to show Nikki fucking you fast and hard a few minutes pass Nikki shoots his load inside of you

Just when you thought they was done using you they switch places tommy enters you from behind and Nikki hitting the back of your throat the room was filled with moans and nasty sounds no matter how quiet they tried to keep you a moan would still escape even with a bandana around your mouth you all 3 reach your releases get dressed and get back to the photo shoot now with a steamy video for keepsakes

[dashawns-world]

Escaflowne Opening Sequence

Alrighty y'all, I talked about the story, but now I wanna take a look at the opening scene. I'm curious about why I like it so much. It's easy to say, "Because the animation is sick!" 

But I wanna go a little deeper. I’ll be covering the opening sequence. Once again, the link for the movie is here. Shoutout to Neat Flicks on Dailymotion for uploading the movie. I’ll also post the vid link from the Sakugabooru site, which houses a much better quality sequence.

https://www.sakugabooru.com/post/show/170797 - I recommend checking out this site in general if you’re a fan of animation—credit to PurpleGeth for uploading this scene.

So off the jump, this sequence starts at a fair pace. We start on the stars and slowly pan down to a view of some clouds/mountains. BGs can only take you so far, and that pan is like a whopping 25 seconds, so I like that the next shot gives us some movement/animation. The goats were a nice touch because what the heck else would be this high? Birds? Amateur shit! (that I would’ve done) I do like the framing of this scene, though. 

I highlighted the foreground so that you could see the goats better. You're welcome. Something about the mountain taking up half of the frame, with the goats in the far background, sits well with me. The goat that runs in the foreground helps bridge the next cut, where the same (or possibly new) goat continues moving into the scene. Oh, what does bridge mean? Why is it highlighted? I’m glad I asked. That’s my cute little way of saying the goat’s movement helps the audience connect the dots between this scene and the next. ;) Little decisions like that help me understand we’re still on the mountain. This is a relatively benign example, but pay attention to fight scenes in action movies, and you can see how essential bridges can be. 

Let’s continue! As the camera pans up this mountain, I’m shown a giant dragon skeleton embedded inside of it. This is important for simply one reason. It’s visual storytelling! I know now that dragons (or whatever fantasy creature this could be) exist in this world/movie. It’s tempting to explain a lot when you have a fantasy story, and while the film will eventually tell you about the dragons, it’s not a “wait, there are dragons moment?” Because I saw one myself!

The fact that it’s a skeleton even adds a bit of mystery. Are they extinct? Is it just this one? I imagine one wants their audience to ask questions, so long as they’re asking the right ones and you have the answers. 

Eventually, a large shadow is cast on our mountain, and the next cut reveals a large ship passing by. Nowadays, 3D is far more accessible, and some may argue this isn’t that grand of a reveal. But I like it! The goat and mountain in the foreground give a sense of scale to the whole scene, and it’s a very economical shot choice. I work in TV animation, and shots like this are functional and attainable regarding skill level and time. 

Up until the fight starts, this entire sequence is exceptionally economical. Japan, in my opinion, are masters at the conservation of animation. They save the crazy stuff for the scenes that matter but generally tend to have pleasing compositions to supplement the rest of the show/film. If you’re wondering why they don’t just go wild like that all the time, the most straightforward answer is time. It takes a lot of it to get things looking right, and generally, it’s usually a few artists who have the skill to get it done on time in the first place. (More on that in a second)

So we’re treated to some more shots of the ship. Kudos to the director for even coming up with this many. I find it challenging to do this many non-character scenes in a row. You really have to know what you want your audience to see. Thankfully, they do. We’re treated to this wild tracking shot of something flying through the clouds. I almost called this a POV shot, thinking we were looking through Van’s eyes, but Van is the little speck with wings flying in. 

So this can’t be his POV. It’s gotta be the camera guy, lol. 

I talked already about Van’s approach in the previous post, and also, by this point, I hope you’ve watched the sequence. So Van gets on the ship and kills a soldier, yadda yadda. I do wanna take a moment to acknowledge this shot, though.

I’m partial to all of this. ^^^^

Back to my little review of this sequence, though, I LOVE the music kicking in. Those drums interrupt the dreaminess of it all. The action has begun! There’s a tiny part I’ll point out later. A small aside, this fight sequence was done by the insanely talented Yutaka Nakamura. When I started to learn about the animators I was inspired by, I found out this guy did a LOT of my favorite scenes in anime. He did stuff on Cowboy Bebop, Fullmetal Alchemist, Soul Eater, and my absolute favorite that I will eventually talk about, Sword of the Stranger. He’s still kickin too, doing some incredibly insane stuff for My Hero Academia. The guy’s a legendary animator. You have to be… to pull off the insane scene where Van RUNS INTO THE SHIP’S HULL AND KILLS TWO GUYS. WHY DO THAT UNLESS YOU EAT PENCILS FOR BREAKFAST?? All my artists out there… y’all know. This is insane. If you can’t draw, and everything seems to be the same level of impossibly difficult, lemme tell ya. You gotta be made of sterner stuff than the average artist to pull this scene off well. 

I'm gushing, sorry. And blushing too. I’m not gonna apologize for that, though. Now let me summarize why I like this fight so much and why it’s both a good (and kinda bad) establishing scene for Van. 

So far, his kill count is three dudes. And they’ve been effortless kills, too. Remember that screenshot above where Van is on all fours? (I know, it was so long ago because of my rambling.) Very… animalistic to me. It’s for a reason. Notice how he hasn’t said a word yet. Even after dispatching those two guys, he immediately attacks the next dude. It’s so fast, the other soldiers are telling each other to stay calm when honestly, we’re beyond that now. Like, seriously, Gary? (That’s the guard’s name now.) 

“I’m getting my shit rocked over here, I can’t stay calm!”

Oh crap, I wanted to talk about this! Van then takes out this dude in the sickest way possible. Seriously, it’s my favorite kill. Van’s positioning, alongside how the artists decide to bridge between these three scenes, gives me the feeling that I was cut. I know that’s dramatic, but what I mean is: the cuts are disorienting. I can’t keep up with them. I replayed it multiple times, and I truly believe this is due to them breaking the 180 rule. For the uninformed, the 180 rule is a film principle. It’s a way to keep characters in a consistent place onscreen so that the audience does NOT get disoriented. Action scenes are usually places where the 180 rule can be broken, but it works here REALLY well here, to me. 

That guard is history.

God, I said I’d summarize. So Van gets all his kills off and confronts the general. One of the kills is timed to the music that's bumping. Oof, it's SO good. The general is unimpressed, though. Like, was he even listening? He barely reacts to most of his men dying. Either that, or he’s trying not to shit himself. He simply states that he knows who Van is: the dragon he’s heard so much about. (Remember, we saw a dragon skeleton earlier. Not too shabby, eh?) Then we get this shot of Van:

He looks SO FREAKY! I loooove it. I know I’m thinking an extra layer too deep, but Van’s off-model look really helps me see him through the eyes of the general. Van is a monster in the general’s eyes. And Van’s response to the general after all this is, “I will slay all my enemies.” I love the way this establishes Van as a killer. This is how you establish a powerful and scary character! Despite its coolness, the question must be asked: Does it serve the story? 

Well yeah, of course, but there’s one thing I thought could’ve made it better. Deleting this scene here:

Hmm.

What’s wrong with this? Well, I think it gives away too much about Van. And not even the correct information, either. His smiling made me think he enjoys doing this. Viewers of the movie, or readers of my long-ass post, know that he does not, in fact, enjoy this. This smug face of his is why I thought of Van as an antagonist at first. It’s badass, tho. I’m ngl. And I mean, come on, would all of the movie’s problems be fixed if they deleted this very short scene? Absolutely, and I’m offended that you’d even ask. Jokes aside, I love this sequence. I wish it added up to a better whole, but it’s not bad on its own. And even after all these years, I still watch it in awe. Anyway, thanks for reading this! Despite my gripes, I still enjoyed my time with this film. I think my next deep dive will be for a game. Keep an eye out for it! 

-Dashawn

[bunny-hoodlum]

👩‍🏭 🌈 ( what usually inspires you to write all your fics?) 🧠🖊 👀 📥

Fanfic Ask Game Answers!

👩‍🏭 If one of your fics was going to get you arrested, which one and why?

Omigosh, huhhhhhh... My Genin!Hinata/Jonin-sensei!Naruto dubcon WIP, I guess? 😅 50-50 either stuff happens when she's 12yo or 14yo, but the part of me that's a coward and doesn't want to invite drama gonna shoot for when she's 14. 😅 12-13yos gonna be emotional manipulation stuff. 🤔

🌈 What inspired you to write all your fics?

The age regression sequence in The Last is solely at fault for my Age Difference obsession. Sometimes it's something I see, for example, "be the end of me" is only because I saw an Asian female customer with super long hair but most of it was bleached blonde. Or "Handsy" is because I saw yoga equipment. My brain just handles the rest. I get hit with a semitruck of narrative and it's a WIP! Soaking up online discussion or other people's fics help too. Sometimes I'll jinx myself in reverse and tell someone "I'm stuck, I don't know how to handle this part, it's sooo boring", and then something hits me after and it's kind of embarrassing because I have to tell them "Nevermind" and ugh. 😅 Songs, too ofc! So many songs! I have playlists and everything.

🧠 What’s an idea you have that you can’t quite call a WIP yet?

I answered this one with Wicker-Mayne's ask, but let me see if I don't have another. 🤔 Maybe my Shibari AU? I still have to read the rest of the book and taking notes will help me remember the material, so I really got to find the time and do that. But it shouldn't be a hard one to write. I have an old post with the 3 or 4 variations that I thought of before, but all-in-all, it's just hentai doujin material. Hinata and her Shibari Instructor or sShibari Partner, whichever one I choose to do.

🖊 Post a snippet from a current WIP.

From Work Friends Chapter 3

She thought porn stars were supposed actors. Her previous co-star certainly was. The penetration was real. His hands on her body were real. But the angles weren’t for her benefit and his thrusts had been too shallow. Even with his decently sized cock, she felt like very little sex had ever occurred. She thought she wouldn’t mind if the next five years of this went on like that. Even though the world would doubt her purity and consider her used goods, someone out there would know better. Someone out there wouldn’t find her disgusting. Because it was all just acting. But this man. This man… She squeezed her thighs tighter together and nibbled on the hard lip of her water bottle. God, were they done yet? Menma was busy going over details with the director as they watched the playback together multiple times, sitting where she had been earlier, right behind the front passenger seat. He sat with one leg bent, his thick, muscled arm perched atop his knee, the other leg laying straight out. He took up twice the space she did, had to hunch beneath the ceiling when he stood up earlier, giving her a tantalizing show that made her mouth water. She tipped her bottle back, taking a furtive sip of chilled water to clear the unrestrained insanity plaguing her imagination. His commanding voice in her ear was going to haunt her dreams later, she was certain of it. That hungry aggression telling her to grab his cock. And he stained his sweats when she touched him. Was he really that aroused by her? Or was it something he was on? He’s old enough to need to pop blue little pills, but she doesn’t know much about them and how they work otherwise.

👀 Do you have any WIPs that you would never let see the light of day? If yes, what are they about?

Only the WIPs inside my mind, lol. 🤭 I honestly don't have anything I've written that I'm too scared to post. If I'm writing it, I'm usually planning on posting it. 🙈 Any WIPs that are ancient or incomplete count, I suppose. And so far, I still haven't properly shared the entirety of "Kotatsu" something-something. It was a flash in the pan kind of thing and I just lost all motivation to clean it up. 😅

📥 What is your fave fic to receive comments/messages on?

All of them! 💖 But especially anything that's new, haha. I need that first chapter reception to feel like I'm good to move forward. 😁

Thank you so much for all the questions!