#today is my moms birthday so if you're able and you want to feel free to send bday wishes to her

[iguessitsjustme]

Choose Your Own BL Adventure - Day 16

Options:

Go with Gelt. Tell Snow you know he has homework to catch up on.

Go with Snow. This could be your only chance to see if you can bring up what happened this morning.

Tell them you should all go together since they both want to go and you’re all together now anyway.

Tell them you can’t make it today. You have to study and actually be a good student.

Day 15 here.

[xhoneygirlxx]

We’re Not Friends

Best Friend!Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

summary: Eddie is just trying to help when he offers to be your date to your sister's wedding, but with all the love in the air will you and Eddie be able to stay friends?

warnings: lots of angst. reader's family sucks. reader's mom makes a comment about her weight. anxiety attacks. reader has low self esteem. fluff. best friends to lovers. fake dating. modern au. (this is titled after an Ed Sheeran song and I also use another one of his songs in the fic, sue me). slight smut. allusions to sex. alcohol consumption. swearing. minors dni!!!!!!!!!! reader and Eddie are both in their 20's. no y/n used, reader is referred to as Birdie. skin color/ethnicity/body type is not mentioned. spelling errors/shitting writing, just pretend you don't notice lmao. also the venue is completely made up and so is the location if you couldn’t tell, im not that creative.

*if I miss anything plz lmk*

a/n: hi my loves!!!! this is one of the last fics on my birthday fic list!!! I want to thank all of you for being patient and being so so supportive of my work. I love you all so much!!! also I do go back to work on Monday so I'm going to try to get as many fics pumped out by the end of the weekend.

And that's why friends should sleep in other beds

And friends shouldn't kiss me like you do

And I know that there's a limit to everything

But my friends won't love me like you do

The turning color of the leaves create the prettiest backdrop, tall trees blooming with orange, red, and a pinch of brown. The ones that have already fallen to the ground get swept up under the wheels of Eddie's car, lifting up and swirling around in a pretty dance, and falling right back into place waiting for the next car.

Although the crisp fall morning is peaceful you can't help but feel like you're living a nightmare. As he soft hum of Eddie's playlist flows through the speakers, you're coming up with a plan to turn the whole car around.

So far you thought about faking an illness, one that would stop the whole journey in it's tracks, only to dismiss it because you couldn't put your best friend through that stress. The idea of pulling the steering wheel also came to mind but you quickly threw that out of the window, not wanting to cause injury to the innocent man next to you or anyone else. Your final idea was one you're sure you could pull off as long as you used all the power within your being. If you pushed your feet on the floorboard hard enough, you could poke them out like the Flintstones and stop the car that way.

Between science and logic, you knew that wasn't possible no matter how hard you wished it would. Instead you'll stare out the window, watching all the pretty trees dance in the wind while you push down the rising anxiety that's forming in the pit of your stomach.

"You good over there, Birdie?" The deep voice next to you shakes you from your thoughts.

Turning your head Eddie's already looking at you with a lopsided grin. His demeanor matches the landscape outside, relaxed and serene. As you look at him you wish you could trade places, be as pleasant as he is.

"Yeah I'm just tired." Trying to sell him your answer, you smile lazily at him even though your response holds more tension than a game of tug of war.

Turning his attention back on the road, you watch as the pavement moves on the darkened lenses of his sunglasses. Eddie looks pretty like this, even though you always thinks he looks pretty. Usually he would be a grump having to be up this early, but today he wears his smile like a badge of honor. The dark curls of his hair cascade down his back, while some falls over his shoulders.

He's wearing the same red and black checkered flannel he always does this time of year, the same one you said was your favorite three years ago and it still holds that title. Underneath is a plain black tee shirt, the only one he has that's free of any band name, and a dark blue pair of jeans that have no holes.

He's still the same Eddie, his rings still sit on his fingers and his pick still hangs from the chain around his neck, but it seems that he only gets prettier and prettier as time passes by - like the turning leaves that still hang on the branches of the trees that you drive by.

"I think you're worried about this whole wedding thing," His voice is unwavering, screaming "I'm right" like it always does. "I don't get what's so bad about an open bar and free food."

Although his point is valid, Eddie couldn't be more wrong than that. This wasn't just an event to get drunk for free and stuffed to the gills at no charge. This was your older sister's wedding, the same sister that was the apple of your parents' eyes. Veronica was your arch nemesis since birth, a rival that you had no option but to defeat in order to survive.

You were the outcast of the family, the black sheep if you will, and you had to endure eighteen years of nonstop torture because of it. Your parents, Christine and Tim, were nothing but successful. The doctor and his trophy wife, the star couple in your small community, that had two beautiful and healthy children.

However you were the hardheaded child, the daughter that didn't have a bright future, you didn't carry as much promise as Vee, and your parents made sure to remind you of that every day. So when you moved out three years ago, you made sure to distance yourself as much as you could. But when you received a pristine white envelope with a glamorous invite on the inside, you were roped right back into the hell hole you worked so hard to leave behind.

You could've just ignore it, faked that you were on a trip and couldn't make it but your mother pretty much threatened you into showing up. So that's how you ended up in the countryside right outside of Chicago, driving in Eddie's Toyota Corolla to the Jefferson Manner on a Friday at eight am.

"You're right, Eddie, I should be so thrilled by that. Thank you so much for pointing it out to me." It's snippy with a hint of malice, and your eye roll held enough venom to injure an army of men.

Whistling loudly, Eddie chuckles lightly. "Woah, killer. Relax, I was just tryna help." He's still soft despite your outburst, sweet like your pumpkin spice latte that sits in the cupholder.

Hanging your head, you inhale a deep breath and release it slowly. "I'm sorry, Eds. I just really fucking hate my family."

He switches his attention from you and the road, taking in your saddened features. Reaching his right hand over the console, he places his hand searches for yours and laces his fingers through yours, which you gladly except.

"Don't apologize for that, kay? That's a valid reason for you to not want to go, I was just trying to make you laugh." The sincerity in his voice wraps around you, easing the nerves that go haywire in your body.

His palm is warm like the coffee cups that sit in the cup holders, his voice is as calming as the trees in the wind, and his smile is just as pretty as it was the first day you met him. You're safe with him, the safest you've ever been in your life, and here in the front seat of his car he reminds you of that.

"They just make me crazy, s'why I don't like seeing them." You feel shy being vulnerable, refusing to meet his gaze by focusing on tracing the back of his hand with your free one.

Eddie doesn't mind, instead he reassures you with a quick squeeze of your hand. "If it makes you feel any better, Birdie, I like you a little crazy."

Dimples deep as the sea and smile still as delicate as a flower's pedal, Eddie looks like a painting that hangs in the Louvre. You want to capture this moment of him to have for the rest of your life, so no matter what you can always remember him just like this.

"You say that now." You tease and he eats it right up.

Looking back over to you, he shines his smile onto you, filling you up with the light of a million stars. "And I'll say it till the end of time." There's no tease to it, nothing but truth in the way he says it.

It turns you into jelly, the feelings that swim through your blood stream, and now you've become too sheepish to answer. You decided to trust your touch over your words, squeezing his hand the same way he did to yours, trying your best to communicate the feelings you hold secretly in your heart for your best friend.

The cobblestone driveway leading to the entrance of Jefferson Manner is, for a lack of a better word, beautiful. It is a straight drive to the property, but once you get closer, a large fountain sits in the middle where the arch of the circle driveway starts.

Different colored cars are already lined up, some you recognize and the rest you have no clue who they belong to. Either way it's pretty evident that Eddie 2018 Toyota sticks out like a sore thumb.

The same dread that you left 45 miles back, is now running through you again. Unintentionally, you squeeze his hand harder as your heart begins to pound in your ear and if it hurts him he doesn't mention it. Instead, Eddie gives you one, two, three squeezes and then lets you continue your attempt to stop the blood flow to his hand.

Pulling behind the Mercedes Benz S Class, he puts his car into park and then shuts the car off. Reading your expression the way he always does, he sits in the silence of the car with you until your features loosen up.

"You okay, Birdie?" Even though he knows you're not okay, you still appreciate him asking anyway.

Breathe in. This is temporary. Breathe out. This is not forever. Breathe in. I am safe. Breathe out. I am here.

You repeat this to yourself a few times, eyes clamped shut as you focus on your breathing pattern. Once your head is above water and your heart stops racing, you open your eyes back up to the real world.

Relaxing your shoulders, you let go of the grip you're holding Eddie's hand in. "I'm okay. I'll be okay." Despite answering him, it sounds like you're trying to convince yourself of what you're saying.

Another brief pause goes by and Eddie continues to monitor you, sunglasses now removed so not only can he see you but you can see him.

Your gaze is unwavering, the thousand yard stare has fallen over you and you have yet to dig out of it. "Are you prepared for what we're about to walk into?"

The tone of your voice scares Eddie, the emotion being sucked right out of the words that you speak despite the feelings that battle in your mind that he doesn't know about.

"Honey, I'm prepared for anything as long as I have you." For a split second he winces, wondering if that was too cringy but when your face breaks out into a sweet smile he feels better.

The two of you get out of the car, retrieving your suitcases and dress bags from the trunk. When the door shuts you begin to count the steps it takes to get to the big wooden doors of the mansion.

You don't have to ask Eddie for his hand, he's already giving it to you and you gladly except it, gripping on for dear life the closer you get. Despite the beautiful landscape and the soothing sound of the running fountain, you feel like this is the soundtrack that plays before your imminent death.

The tall, thick, wooden doors sit menacingly in front of you, the skeletons of your past standing just right behind it waiting for your arrival. The ghosts that have haunted your dreams, the graveyard of your history, and the phantoms of your family, mingle and laugh right behind this door.

Eddie waits for you, not moving a muscle until you say so, and you silently thank him with a smile. Like a switch, he watches your face change from flight to fight mode. In a flash your looking over your outfit, brushing down the long black sleeved shirt that sits on your torso, and then straightening out the jeans that stick to your legs.

Your hair is the next thing you frantically fix, pushing it behind your ears and out of your face, letting it fall over your shoulders while doing so. Like a buzzing bee, you zone in on Eddie, fixing the collar of his flannel and then smoothing the material of his shirt. With out speaking, you pick off a singular piece of fuzz from his pants and then let it blow away in the wind.

Moving your hands back up to his chest, you center the pick on his chain. Then move his hair, fixing the ringlets that got blown around in the breeze. Once your satisfied, you move back to your spot next to him and sweep his hand right back into your hold. Releasing on more deep breath, you settle your pinched eyebrows and your determined eyes, and let the worst fake smile settle onto your lips.

The smile doesn't reach your eyes the way it usually does, your teeth push against one another so forcibly Eddie wonders if you'll shatter teeth, and you simply look like your in pain. Either way, you push open the big oak door and let yourself inside with him following right behind.

The lobby of the manner is everything you expected, high ceilings, a crystal chandelier, and every single family member of yours gathered around sipping champagne and speaking to each other like a potential client.

Even though it's magnificent inside with the beautiful décor and lively plants, the sight of everyone in their gaudy outfits and cheap laughter makes it feel like an eternal hell.

Eddie must feel the way your shoulders tense because he's quickly leaning into you, his voice just a whisper in the shell of your ear.

"Hey, it's gonna be okay. You have me and I won't let anything happen." He reminds you, his smile is more sympathetic than anything.

Nodding your head you remain smiling, it's awful and it hurts even doing it but if you want to survive the whirlpool of piranhas, then you just have to fake it until you make it.

"If it isn't our lovely Birdie!" The sound of your mother's voice is like silk, smooth and confident, just like she always was. Walking over to you, she holds a champagne flute in her hand and you wonder how much the bubbling spritz cost your father.

The last time you've seen her was last winter, her million dollar smile outshining the Swarovski crystal tree decorations that sit behind her. Your mother has always been beautiful but her insides are rotten, ugly and maggot infested, all hidden behind the mask that she put on for everyone to see.

You gave up a long time ago trying to figure out her brain, finally accepting defeat to the maze that was her mind. Now when you look at your mother all you see is a shell, a hallow covering that has nothing to offer you other than it's pretty design.

Pulling you into a hug, you're hit with her scent. She smells like Dior and cashmere, the Chanel outfit that sits on her body scratches your skin, and the pearl necklace she wears jabs you right in your collarbone.

"Hello mother, thank you for inviting me to such a wonder occasion." You instantly revert back to your old accent, the same one your mother instilled into you from the time you could even under stand the English language.

A faux laugh comes from her bright red lips, "No need for that, darling, you're always welcome." Her manicured hand waves at you in fake genuineness.

The smile on your face continues to show and you hate to think it matches hers. Even with the sweet tone you use and the gentleness of your actions, the blood that runs through your body continues to boil the longer she stands there.

Eddie on the other hand stands next to you completely and utterly amused by your fake performance. The snort he lets out when you continue to use your "eloquent" voice is quickly covered up by a sniffle.

Like a vulture, your mother's eyes are quick to zero in on the curly haired man next to you. "Excuse my daughter for her bad manner of not introducing us, I'm Christine."

The minute her hand reaches out for a handshake, you're heart stops. This is the one thing that could make or break this whole trip and it was the only thing you didn't prepare your best friend for. Many years of your life, you were trained that a handshake is all it takes for someone to learn about you.

Without skipping a beat, Eddie simply picks embraces her hand like a prince out of a Disney movie and places a kiss to the back of her unwrinkled hand.

"What a pleasure to meet you, Christine, I'm Eddie. And might I say how beautiful you are."

He's all dimples and doe eyes staring at your mother, a true prince charming in his red flannel and jeans. His voice is like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day, it's smooth going down your throat and it warms your belly better than any blanket can.

That warmth is now tingling your body, a frenzy of butterflies flapping around in the walls of your heart. It clearly works on your mother as well but unlike you she doesn't hide it very well.

"You're really the charmer, Eddie." It's flirtatious and alluring, the same voice she put on for every pool boy your father ever hired.

Annoyance and anger floods through you and you know that your eyes would be shining green to anyone with a trained eye.

While she clutches her pearls and eyes Eddie like he's a four course meal, you intervene into the conversation before it can continue.

"Where's daddy? I'd really like for my boyfriend to meet him." You bat your eyelashes like a pageant queen and your arm acts like a python wrapping around Eddie's, making a mark on what is yours.

"Oh you're father's around here somewhere, you know how he is." She dismisses, taking a drink from her glass and swallowing down the golden liquid quickly. "So how long have you and Birdie here been dating?"

"It's going to be two years next month. Isn't that right, honey?" Eddie turns to you and gives you a playful smile.

Looking back at him you hope he can see the misery that hides being your eyes, a white flag of surrender.

Your mother on the other hand doesn't care about your answer, that's why she didn't ask you. She's reading Eddie, trying to see how much she can push your so called boyfriend until she gets what she wants.

"Well that's just wonderful, young love is a beautiful experience. You have to be careful with Birdie here, she's known to leave the nest quickly." It's a jab, a spiteful and mean comment headed right for your gut.

Eddie doesn't miss the way you're lips falter for a second, the flash of hurt in your eyes. It kills him watching you stand there and take all the comments from your mother like stray bullets.

Turning his attention back to your mother, he gives her a smile, one that you would know as a wicked one but to a stranger would seem kind. "I don't think that will be a problem. Birdie knows where her home is."

It's a direct warning, a clear sign to your mother to not mess with you or what is yours. Just him sticking up for you like that makes your stomach twist in excitement, a feeling you've grown so used to over the course of friendship with Eddie.

"Well, I'm glad she finally found her place then." Your mother responds coldly, clearly hearing the bite in his tone. "Why don't you two go find your room and get settled in, rehearsal dinner is in a few."

Before retreating into the large crowd of family, your mother turns back to you in one more attack.

"Oh and Birdie, wear something that will hide that stomach. Don't want anyone to assume you've been knocked up."

Once you've found your room, you all but rush Eddie inside slamming the door behind you. In the quiet safety of your suite, you can relax your shoulders that have been sitting high since you've arrive.

"Jesus Bird, you weren't lying." Eddie says as he flops himself on the queen sized bed.

You don't respond, instead you squeeze your eyes shut and try to calm the heaviness of your breathing. Behind the darkness of your eyes, little twinkles of stars flash from how hard you have them closed, the swooshing of your heart continuing in your ears like angry waves of the sea.

Breathe in. This is temporary. Breathe out. This is not forever. Breathe in. I am safe. Breathe out. I am here.

You repeat this to yourself over and over again, trying to erase the cruel words of your mother and the images of disgusted family member's faces out of your mind. You're not sure how long you've been standing by the door until a hand grasps at your wrist lightly.

"Birdie," Eddie's coax goes unanswered, "Come on, Birdie."

Warm calloused hands travel to the plump of your cheeks, lifting your face up just enough that he can see you. Finally opening your eyes, you're relieved to be looking into the golden whiskey pools of his.

Smoothing his thumb over your cheek he doesn't say anything, just lets your breathing calm down. Here you are, in the nice room behind the shelter of the locked door, and he's here.

Breathe in. It's okay. Breathe out. You're safe. Breathe in. You are here. Breathe out. So is he.

It's enough to let your feet move on the plush white carpeting, while Eddie leads you to the bed with the tug of your arm. Sitting on the plush mattress on crisp linen sheets you're grounded, and with the heat of Eddie sitting next to you and his hand in yours, you're anchored.

The rehearsal dinner goes over well enough, the Irish mule helping with every single speech that's given and every horror story of your childhood that is told. Luckily for you, Vee didn't ask you to be in her bridal party so you didn't have to attend the actual wedding rehearsal, and even better you won't have to deal with her for the real thing tomorrow.

Eddie does great at dinner, he talks to your father who surprisingly likes him, both getting along over their love for vintage cars. Your soon to be brother in law and his groomsmen also get along with Eddie, they laugh and cut up most of the time while clinking beer bottles together. Not to mention every single woman there wanted to get into his pants, swooning at everything he said and giving him the 'fuck me' eyes while doing it.

You hated it, every single minute of it. Like always you were ignored, simply looked over until some story was being told where you were ultimately the joke of. Any time someone asked you what you were doing with your life, you were met with cringing smiles and snickering laughs.

Four separate times your mother commented on your dress, the way it fit, the price value of it, and how it really wasn't a good color on you. All of your sisters friends rolled their eyes and whispered back and forth while staring at you, aunts and uncles acted dumbfounded when you told them that you were a freelance writer for a small music magazine back in Indy, and your cousins made comments about how badly you look since the last time you saw them.

It didn't matter anyway, even if your sister asked how you managed to get a stand up guy like Eddie to agree to be with you, in front of all of the guests. You had to remind yourself that you were there for the free booze and food or whatever the hell Eddie said in the car on the way here.

This wasn't a popularity contest for you, it was simply you being forced to do something against your wishes because your mother said so. You asked yourself why you even listened to her in the first place while letting the brown liquor burn in your stomach.

Why was it so important that you even showed up here? Why did you have to come to the awarding ceremony of favorite kid when you knew you weren't going to win? Why would you even set yourself up for such failure just because your mom said so?

Well, you're answer came when a flushed faced Eddie was laughing with your grandparents at one of the round tables in the corner. His eyes crinkled at the sides and his head was leaned back so you had a clear view of the neck you loved so much.

Then you looked over at your sweet looking grandparents who laughed loudly at whatever was said. Your grandmother had her hands on her cheeks, shaking her head back and forth, and beaming brightly. Your grandfather smiled around his cigar, big round belly jumping with laugher, and his cheeks smooshing up against the frames of his big glasses.

You didn't come here to win a competition. You didn't come here because your mother threatened you within an inch of your life if you didn't. You didn't come here because you thought it would be fun.

You showed up because you wanted to prove to the people who doubted you for so long just how happy you were. You wanted to prove that happiness doesn't come from the amount of money in your account or how many rooms sit in your house. You came here because you wanted to prove that they were wrong, that the grass on the other side of the fence could be green too, and that someone who grew up differently that you could still do amazing things.

Eddie was someone that your father would've had you kicked out over bringing him home in high school. Eddie was the boy your mother would tell you to stay far away from. Eddie was the kind of guy that your sister wouldn't look twice at because of who he was.

But right now, during the beautiful dinner the night before your sister's wedding, your best friend/fake boyfriend has them all wrapped around his guitar calloused finger.

-

Not much has been said between you and him, especially when he was the man of the hour. You're not really complaining though, you're happy that he made a good impression with them. When the night began to settle into your bones and the alcohol started to make you tipsy, you slyly walked up to Eddie and tugged on his sleeve to let him know it was time to go.

On the walk back to the room, you sway slightly with every step you take, balancing on the walls with one hand while the other holds your strappy heels. When Eddie stops and turns to the door of your room, you all but smack into him with clumsy steps.

While he fumbles with key, you're in blissful content with your eyes closed. The kick of the lock and the turn of the handle doesn't even pull you out of your daze, instead you hold your arms out like a mummy and feel around until you find Eddie's clothed back.

You can tell Eddie is laughing by the large breath that passes through his nose and the tell tale sign of him kissing his teeth. Large hands wrap around your wrists, guiding you into the doorway that you can't see.

Your cheeks are warm, the smile on your face is permanent, and the buzzing in your heart makes you feel light on your feet.

"Alright mummy, lets get you into bed." Letting go of his hold on you, you feel him slightly brush past you to close the door. His voice sounds like the way stars look, sparkling and bright, twinkling all around.

You giggle, eyes still shut and your nose scrunched up. "M'not a mummy but I could be if ya want."

Putting your arms out, you lean back and forth on your feet to mimicking what you think is a mummy but looks more like a zombie.

"Baaaaahhhhh, I'm a mummy. Be very afraid." You deepen your voice, dragging the syllables of every word to make them come out slower.

Eddie must be entertained because the sound of a loud raspberry comes from where he stands, the clear sign of him losing the grip on the laugh he'd been holding in.

Cracking one of your eyes open, you hope to find him with rose cheeks and dimples flashing, the look you love so much. Instead you see him, beaming at you without the shine of his canines. It's an admiring smile, one where your eyes go all gooey and your smile is simple yet dipped with so much love.

Opening your eyes all the way, you let your arms down slowly to rest by your sides, a meek look painting your face.

"Did I do good?" You ask, even though you didn't really want his opinion.

"I think you're perfect." It comes out even, smooth like the hilltops in December covered in a layer of the purest snow.

The two of you sit there for a while, soaking up the glow of each other and letting it sink into your souls. For a moment you wonder if he feels it too, the spark that you feel whenever he's around. You wonder if he feels like crying simply because he loves you that much. You wonder if he wishes this whole dating thing wasn't just a lie and that it was true, the same way you wish it was.

Once the moment ends for him, he's clearing his throat to clear any lovesick daze that's left. "I guess we better head to bed, huh?"

Scratching at the back of his neck, you try with everything in your power to not look down where his turtle neck rode up, where the patch of mouth watering hair trails from his belly button to underneath the waist of his pants.

A part of you wishes you stuck it out longer, stayed in your seat at the dinner table just to see him in his outfit longer. He asked you to help him pick it out this morning and when you think back to it, you get flustered with thinking how domesticated it felt. Making him try on different shirts and jumping for joy when he walked out of the bathroom wearing a turtleneck he swore he'd never wear. The khakis you pulled out of his suitcase was the cause of so much laughter and the pink tinge that sat on the rounds of his cheeks.

God, he looked so good, especially with his hair pulled back and the dangled earring that sat in his ear, but now it would all be a memory for you to file away in the back of your brain.

Eddie had already started taking off his dress shoes, sitting on the edge of the bed bent over and messing with the knots that kept the laces together.

The smile that once held your lips high and proud, now weigh down in a sad frown. Even after the success of the dinner and proving everyone wrong, you are now brought back to the reality of what you and Eddie were. Just friends.

"Since I'm a gentleman and I can't see to get these shoes untied, I'll let you shower first." His voice comes out strained from how hard he pulls on the knotted strings.

You don't say anything, quietly nodding your head before shuffling over to your suitcase that sits by the closet. Grabbing a sleepshirt and some shorts, you go to move around the lanky man that can't get his shoes off no matter how hard he tries.

Without a sound, you kneel in front of him, placing your clothes somewhere off to the side. Taking his calf in your hand, you place his foot on your thigh. Delicately, you remove the first shoe and then the next.

"Y'didn't have to do that." It's quiet but not enough to be a whisper, still you shrug.

"I didn't but I wanted to." It seems so simple when you say it, even though deep down inside you wanted that last piece of your fantasy before it goes away for the rest of the night.

"Will you help me with my dress?" You ask him, standing on your feet and turning so that the golden zipper is facing him.

In the mirrored closet door you can see him and how he hesitates for a moment, shaky hands lingering in the air before they close in on the gold slider.

The sound of the metal teeth unlatching from one another fills the room, clouding the unrhythmic beat of your heart. You try to remember the feeling of him on the sacred part of your skin, the way his light touch tickles you and makes goosebumps rise. You want to memorize it like your favorite song, so that when you leave this place and the fake nature of this whole thing goes away, you still have something to think about on those bad days.

It ends too soon for your liking, his hands retracting right back to the sides of his body like a measuring tape. With the fuzz of your tipsy has now wore off but the sting of everything still remains.

Giving him a small smile and muttering a thank you, you hide in the bathroom where the sound of running water hides the muffled cries that leave your throat.

Waking up felt more painful than any hangover you've ever had. The pain of Eddie's bare back facing you was heartbreaking. You force yourself not connect the freckles that litter his skin or trace your fingers along his spine and shoulder blades.

It's a sight you've seen plenty of times and sharing a bed is something you've done more than enough that you're not uncomfortable. Yet your heart squeezes, wrapping itself up in the tightest loop so that it hurts to even breathe.

The sound of his soft snores only makes it worse, imagining what he dreams about and if it's you.

You use all of the willpower that's left in your body, marching over to the small kitchenette that sits in the corner of the giant room. Pouring yourself a cup of coffee, you try to focus on the swirl of dark liquid mixing with the coffee creamer and how they mix together so perfectly. Without much of a peep, you slide the glass doors that lead out to the balcony and sit down in one of the plush chairs.

You look out over the mountains of colors, tracing over the lines of trees that go on for miles. Although pretentious, you think Veronica did an excellent job and choosing this location.

Sipping on the hot beverage, you watch the clouds in the blue sky go by, wondering what it would've been like if your sister asked you to be a bridesmaid. You imagine that the two of you would've actually gotten along and maybe even laughed together. You envision what it would've been like to have your mother compliment you in your gown and how it would feel to take a picture with your family where all the smiles were real.

Tears begin to burn the back of your eyes, falling rapidly like a fall rainstorm. The skin of your cheeks burn slightly from the heated trails of water that fall. You're sad and incredibly so. Within the first twenty four hours of being here, you remember how much of an outsider you really are to these people.

Even with the company of Eddie, someone that truly loves you, you still can't help but feel so fucking lonely. To put on the mask you wore for many year back on and pretend that the man standing next to you is yours to claim is harder than any other time you had to do it.

This time you weren't really faking it, the love that you showed to him, the happiness you felt with him was real, just the titles weren't. With the cool fall chill, your coffee has gone cold but your tears keep coming.

"You made yourself a cup of coffee but not one for me, and this is how I find out? That's just mean." Eddie's curly hair pokes out from the small gap in the sliding back door that he's created.

His eyes are squinted from the harshness of the morning sun but his cheeky smile is forever unwavering. Sliding a space big enough for him to go through, he stalks out onto the small space in his plaid pajama pants and a hoodie he must've thrown on.

Trying your best to cover up that you've been crying, you wipe the back of your hand across your cheeks, but Eddie still catches your movements.

Instead of embarrassing you, he sits down in the chair across from you and looks out over the balcony.

"You okay?" It's a simple enough question, one that you can answer with one word and he wouldn't pry for more information to not overwhelm you.

Sniffling, you shake your head yes and then move your gaze to where his is. "No, yeah, m'good. The view really does something for me." You say, chuckling just a bit at your own joke.

Eddie also laughs, only this time it's not as genuine as it usually is, just a hard exhale through his nose.

"Yeah, sure does." He agrees, letting his eyes follow the red and orange of the tree tops.

A calm silence falls over you two, only the sounds of the birds that fly and the ruffle of the leaves can be heard from where you sit. It's peaceful.

"You know, I really thought this weekend would be different." It comes out of your mouth as easy as the breeze that blows. Still your eyes stay trained out in front of you and past the mountains of trees.

Eddie doesn't respond but the hole that he burns through the side of your head with his eyes tell you he's listening.

"When I was little, I used to imagine the day Vee got married. I would fantasize that maybe one day we could be close enough that I could enjoy this day with her and we could be sisters for once." You exhale an uneven breath, moving your sights to the cup that still sits in your hand.

"I just wanted all of us to be a family for once. I wanted my mom to actually act like she liked me, for my dad to say that for once he was proud of who I was, and for Veronica, I just wanted her to say she's happy that I'm her little sister."

Just like that, every single thing you've carried since you were little is now out in the open, whipping around in the wind like the dead leaves. Even with the amount of burden that's been lifted, the pain still remains the same. It all hurts, stabbing you over and over again in the scars that you worked so hard to patch up.

Eddie doesn't say anything and for a moment you don't think he'll say anything at all. You watch him pull out the pack of cigarettes he had nestled in his pocket and place one in between his pretty pink lips.

Another second goes by and he's flicking the wheel of his lighter, shielding the flame away from the wind so he can light it. When the end of the smoke burns red, he takes a big inhale and then lets the cloud of smoke out.

"I know what I say won't matter," He starts before taking another drag of his smoke, "But these people don't fucking mean anything."

"They're you're family and I get that but they don't fucking deserve you, they never have. A fake boyfriend, a new haircut, or a cool job shouldn't define their love for you. They're shitty people who were blessed with an amazing person and they didn't even realize it."

Eddie looks at you the same way he speaks, with nothing but truth. You let the words settle in your mind, letting them soak in, in case you forget.

The tears that once ceased start to flow again, except this time it's from relief. It feels good that someone else sees your worth, to know someone actually holds value to you.

"It kills me that they treat you the way they do, that they can say all those things without batting an eye. I know why you asked me to come here and I know I have a job to do, but man do I want to rip them all a new asshole."

Although he speaks with fire behind the words, you have to laugh from the thought of the actions. The moment you giggle, his own smile forms.

"I hope you know that I love you and when everything is done and over with, we'll give them the bird." To make his point, Eddie raises his middle finger high into the sky.

Repeating his actions, you hold your own finger to the sky and smile happily while doing it.

Letting his arm fall back down into place, he pats the tops of your thighs and stands from the chair.

"That's my girl, now let's get ready for an open bar and free booze." Holding his open palm to you, he helps you up.

The wedding reception was what you thought it would be, drawn out and boring. The only saving grace of the whole thing was Eddie's commentary, the scruff on his face tickling you every time he leaned close to your ear.

A lot of the things he was saying was probably just to make you feel better but you did have to agree, the dress Veronica picked out was a bad rip off of Princess Diana's and it shouldn't have seen broad daylight.

You did however get choked up when the vowels started, not because you were happy with your sister but because you wish that were you and Eddie up there instead.

All and all it was okay, even though one of your brother in law's aunt's wore a hat so big you couldn't see past it most of the time.

The wedding reception though was beautiful. The décor of the manner looked exquisite against the maroon coloring of all the bridesmaids dresses. The tables had beautiful bouquets sitting in the middle and you can't help but laugh imagining your father cutting a check for all of them.

To much of yours and Eddie's delight, there is an open bar that is stacked high with pricey alcohol. Again you laugh thinking about your father having to pay the tab, which you and Eddie will be happy to run up.

So far this is the most the two of you had fun, both laughing and enjoying the company that's around you. The table you've been stuck at is also occupied by other family rejects that enjoy the titles they've been given.

Eddie's hand hasn't left your thigh, which you're more than happy about, and every so often he flexes his fingers squeezing the meaty flesh.

You feel good, the boost from the drinks and the feeling of your best friend makes you bloom like a flower in the spring. You watch as he talks to the people at your table and how his hand moves with enthusiasm. You trace the muscles in his neck and watch his adam's apple bob up and down when he speaks. Your chin sits in the palm of your hand as you watch him be himself like he always is.

He's so beautiful, he always has been, and in this moment he gets to be yours. You don't have to think about what anyone else thinks, you don't have to question how the two of you look from another's perception, because you know that your heart bleeds for him and it always will.

Eddie's your home, he's your best friend, and he's your person. You think back to what he said to you this morning and how he called you a blessing but you think he's wrong. Eddie is the true blessing. He's sweet, he's smart, and he's so fucking caring it's disgusting. Behind all the jagged features and dark clothes, he's nothing but a giant teddy bear that wears his heart on his sleeve.

"Birdie." He smiles at you, all goo and mush it makes your heart skip.

You hum in response, still sitting in the same position, looking at him as if he were a painting.

"You wanna dance?" He blushes, embarrassed by the request and you feel like you're back in junior high.

"You, Eddie Munson hate dancing." You say, scrunching your nose cutely.

Laughing loudly, he nods, "Yeah, I know, but I'd dance with you."

That breaks you out of your daze, breath catching in your throat. "O-oh, yeah. I'll um dance."

Again he stands, holding a palm out to you so he can help you up. Leaning you to the dance floor, you can't help but feel jittery despite the wine that you've consumed.

Once out on the floor, he pulls you into his chest. Strong hands grip your waist through the silk fabric of your red dress and you desperately try to fight the need that rises in your guy.

You stand stiff, unsure of what to do with yourself and Eddie's quick to help you, placing your hands around his neck where they lay contently.

He looks good tonight, even better than last night, and you hate how it makes butterflies flap around in your stomach. The black button up shirt sits nicely on his torso, wrapping his arms so deliciously you want to take a bite out of them. The black slacks he wears fit nicely and you wonder if he had them tailored and you have to ignore the want to undo the sleek black belt with a bright golden buckle that holds them up. Again his hair sits in a low bun and that silver chain peeks out at you from underneath his collar.

"I can't believe you asked me to dance to Ed Sheeran." You say breathlessly, still nervous with being this close to him.

Eddie snorts, lopsided smile forming on his lips. "What, a guy can't like Ed Sheeran and metal? That's gatekeeping, sweetheart." He teases.

Rolling your eyes, you try to ignore that tingle that settles in your cheeks. "Whatever you say, Munson."

"I'm serious, Thinking Out Loud was in my top ten last year." The two of you hold eye contact until you can't take it anymore, both bursting into laughter at his admission.

"That's something you shouldn’t repeat." You sputter at him and he laughs even harder.

"Hey, I like this song, okay?" He defends, still swaying back and forth with you.

Raising your hands in defense, you pull back on your clowning for the sake of your friend. Placing your arms back around his neck, you lean your head on his chest and try to hear the beat of his heart.

The scent of him floods your nose, cologne and smoke, whiskey and linen, and you wish you could bottle it to keep forever.

"Why do you like this song anyway? It's kind of basic." You mutter at him.

His shoulders lift in a shrug, and he takes a moment to respond. "Honestly, I like it cause it reminds me of you."

Your eyebrows furrow in confusion and you remove your head to look up at him.

"Wha'do you mean?" You mumble, eyes searching his for some sort of answer.

Looking bashful again, red tints his cheeks and ears in a blush. Sticking his tongue out to wet his lips, he hesitantly answers.

"I always felt like he said everything I couldn't, ya know? Everything I ever wanted to say to you, he put in a song."

It feels like the whole world stops, that time freezes and it's just the two of you. You're in shock and for some reason you can't wrap your head around anything he's saying.

"What?" You say harshly and again he shrugs, shying away from your burning focus on him.

"Reminds me of you and everything I ever felt about you. I always wanted to call you mine but if you hadn't noticed, I'm a chicken shit."

You don't say anything, instead you stare at him with your mouth wide open. Eddie starts to loose his cool, frantically flexing his fingers against the material of your dress, looking around at anything but you.

"Sorry, I - shit, I really fucked this up," He doesn't get to finish his sputtering apology because you quickly smash your lips into his.

His lips taste like brown liquor and chapstick, like love and forever, and you can't believe you waited this long to experience it. Two heart sync as one, two people fall together like the leaves outside, and anxieties are finally laid to rest.

You hate that you pull away first but the need for air is too much. Eddie bends enough so that his forehead leans on yours, both looking into each other eyes living in the moment of your blissed out hearts.

"Tell me if I'm being too forward but do you wanna get out of here?" He flirts and you respond simply by pecking his lips once more.

"Thought you'd never ask."

thank you all for reading!!! love you guys <3

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[earl-grey-teacake]

Hey, could you write something about your baby Loscar AU, if I remember correctly one headcanon was that George sneaked into Alex's driver's cab to hug Logan as if he were a teddy bear… maybe baby Logan didn't want to stay at Williams for some reason for the Australian GP (🙃) or did he just want to be with George but couldn't, and after the race Alex finds George hugging/sleeping with Logan? (sorry for my English, it's not my first language)

Absolutely! After that race I am racing to write as much fluff as I can!🥰

You're English is perfect! Don't worry, you're doing great!❤️

*******

It felt like he was on autopilot. Toto had pushed debriefs to later, instead choosing to send the team doctor and psychologist to examine him. The last lap had everyone rattled and it was unlikely they would be able to be productive in this state. So George's body took him to the safest place he could think of. The place where his love, his life, was gathered into one room.

He lamented that his child could not spend his time in Mercedes. The garage and hospitality was simply too crowded with staff and VIPs and Logan was so shy, so terrified of new people that George would have been unable to put him down. How could he when his son clung to him so tightly for protection? But now, he wanted needed to see him. He needed to be where it was safe.

The Williams garage was empty, everyone was in the debrief. Making it much easier for him to get in, even though he had never met resistance before. The knock was an empty gesture since he knew he'd be allowed in anyways. The nanny smiled and left upon seeing him, knowing well enough to give him space.

Logan with his cherub-like face and golden hair, was lying on his play mat and perfectly content with the little lion Max had gifted recently. George said no word, instead choosing to watch as Logan waved the lion around. Logan, spotting his father out of the corner of his eye, squealed in delight and reached his arms out to him.

George smiled and in that moment, he felt the ache and weight of the past couple days. Pulling Logan into his arms, the boy wrapped his arms around George and babbled joyfully. Yes, this was where he needed to be. No matter how hopeless he felt, how exhausted and tired and disappointed he was about his failure to provide Mercedes with points, how scared he was today- it all disappeared. Logan didn't care about point, or winning, or constructors championships, he just wants to see his dads. That's all he needs to be happy.

George placed a kiss on the top of Logan's head. "I'm back, Logie. Did you miss me?"

Logan babbled nonsensically in return. George only hugged him tighter, taking in the warmth and the soft smell of baby powder and banana puree.

Alex was exhausted when he came back. He wanted to go home to the UK. They were all staying at his mom's before flying out to Suzuka. He wanted to go home, celebrate his birthday and forget about this whole weekend. He wanted cake, and kisses, and cute photos of Logan with the pets.

Though, he would take the sight before him as compensation for his awful week. Alex quickly pulled out his phone to snap the adorable scene in front of him. George, with all his long, lanky limbs, had managed to squeeze himself within the confines of the play mat. He was curled around Logan, the boy asleep on George's arm. Alex knows he should wake George up, especially with the back pain he could get sleeping in that position, but he let it go. It seemed like they all needed this today.

****

I hope I did your prompt justice!

Please accept this as consolation. This weekend was heartbreaking.

If you would like to send an ask, please feel free to!💕

[lostfirefly]

Trembling, crawling across my skin, feeling your cold dead eyes, stealing the life of mine (Ch.1)

This fanfiction story is my present for my friend @yujo-nishimura, whose birthday is today! Sending hugs from Russia and wish you a lot of Crocolove!

Two things inspired me to write this fic: One of my fav songs from which the title is taken and Elena and Damon's dance (from The Vampire Diaries, S1). My 1st attempt to write the story about this character.

Description: Yujo is a young girl whom her father has betrothed to Mr. 3. She and her sister come to the ball, where she meets one of the members of the Cross Guild Corporation Sir Crocodile.

Warnings: No warnings

Words: 1307

Sir Crocodile x OC

The title is taken from "Dance with the Devil" by Breaking Benjamin.

English is not my native language, errors may occur. As always, feel free to share your thoughts :)

Taglist: @gingernut1314

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"I can't believe we're going to the castle ball tonight!" A blonde girl with curly hair and brown eyes was bouncing happily on the bed.

"Helena, calm down," another girl with green eyes sitting by the dressing table answered her in a calm voice. She brushed her brown hair, occasionally glancing in the mirror. 

"I'm so impatient. We're going to see your fiancé, Mr. 3 again, Yujo! He's so cute!" Helena jumped off the bed, spinning around the bedroom. Her light white dress in small florals fluttered beautifully in the air. 

"I don't know. He doesn't seem like a bad person. Writes nice letters and courts quite non-trivially.", Yujo put her hairbrush down on the table, slowly stood up and walked over to the closet. "Stop spinning around, Helena. Our parents are expecting us for breakfast."

The day passed in preparation for the trip to the ball. After breakfast, Helena and Yujo strolled around the large summer garden and talked about many things. Helena could hardly contain her excitement for the evening, dreaming that she would be able to meet a wealthy young man at the ball.

"And I also heard that either all the members from Cross Guild Corporation are expected to attend, or at least just one. They're some kind of tycoons. I bet they're all handsome and young."

"I've never heard of them." replied Yujo calmly, gently running her hands along the branches of the trees. 

Finally the evening came and Yujo and Helena walked down the steps of their house down to the front entrance. It was a warm summer evening, and a large white carriage drawn by two red horses was waiting for them at the gate.

"Oh, my God! Ball, ball, ball, ball!" Helena ran up the stairs faster than anyone else. 

"You're incorrigible!" Yujo laughed as she watched her sister hop into the carriage. She lifted the hem of her mauve colored chiffon dress and sat down carefully next to her sister.

"What if Mr. 3 isn't coming alone? What if he brings someone cute?"

"Who? Mr. 2 or 4?" Yujo put her arm around her sister's shoulder. "Our parents are already there. For all I know, our father was going to discuss some kind of deal with Mr. Jinbe. And mom probably wants to gossip with everyone. 

It was already dark when they arrived at the gates of a large castle made of gray stone. 

"Here we are, here we are!" Helena jumped out of the carriage and adjusted the hem of her mint-colored dress. "Yujo, where are you?" 

"Coming!", Yujo stepped out of the carriage and looked at her sister. "Let's hurry up or you're going to die of impatience. Just please behave yourself."

They walked into a huge spacious hall. There were tables covered with white and gold tablecloths all around. A large crystal chandelier adorned the ceiling. The ladies were dressed in their best clothes, and the men were all in suits. 

There were whispers, negotiations, and girlish chuckles coming from various directions. 

"Good evening, Yujo, Helena!" a skinny man with a funny hairstyle in the shape of the number three, walked up to Yujo and kissed her hand. "It's nice to see you here. I brought you both some wine.”

“Thank you so much!” they both said in unison. 

"Say, Mr. 3, is it true that the owners of Cross Guild are expected to come?" Helena giggled and sipped her wine a little at a time.

"I don't know about the others, they seemed to have some pressing business, but one is definitely coming." said Mr. 3, looking around the room. "And why are you inquiring, Ms. Helena?"

"No reason..." Helena blushed. 

"I'll leave you ladies alone for a moment," Mr. 3 bowed and stepped aside.

"I heard there's a swordsman there and he's available, and he's pretty cute," Helena poked Yujo lightly in the shoulder. 

Suddenly all voices were briefly silenced and heavy footsteps were heard.

"Ladies, let me introduce the member of the cross guild, Sir Crocodile." Mr. 3 turned back to the girls. "This is Yujo, my fiancée. And this is her little sister Elena."

A tall man with purple hair and dark eyes stood before them. He had a coat thrown over his shoulders and a hook hand.instead of one arm. Yujo was surprised, but tried not to show it.  

“Nice to meet you,” Crocodile kissed the girls’ hands. “So young and so beautiful.”

Helena turned red as a lobster hearing these words. She lightly rubbed her sister’s hand. 

“You see? You see? The hook!” Helena whispered to her sister. Yujo lightly stepped on her sister's foot, silencing her.

“Excuse me, ladies. I have to speak with one man and I’ll come back to you,” Crocodile said calmly. 

“Woooow! He’s so.. So handsome.” Helena was so amazed by Crocodile that she seemed to forget how to breathe. “There seems to be another one there, but I don’t remember who. He must be somewhat unremarkable, since I don’t remember him. I wish I could see the swordsman. Who’s better, that guy with the hook or the swordsman? What do you think?” 

“I have no idea. Aren’t there other people there or what? In this Cross Guild,” Yujo quietly asked her sister, watching Crocodile out of the corner of her eye.

Helena shrugged. “Don’t know. I’ve heard about these three.”

Yujo's father, a plump man of short stature with gray hair approached her with Mr. 3. They had a long discussion about the upcoming wedding ceremony, the guest list and the menu. Yujo found herself looking for Crocodile with her eyes the whole time. 

Finally the start of the ball was announced and Mr. 3 took Yujo's hand and led her to the center of the room. The girls had to stand in one line, the man in another. Yujo found herself in front of Crocodile. The music started. Everyone stepped towards each other, touching one palm to the palm of their partner's hand. Holding their palms side by side, they moved smoothly in a circle. After making a couple of circles, everyone put their second palm to the partner’s palm.

"Sorry you have to settle for a hook," Crocodile said dryly.

“That’s ok,” Yujo said and smiled. 

After making a couple more circles, everyone came closer to each other. The men put one hand on the girls' waists. Crocodile hugged Yujo with a hook. 

Finally the dance ended and everyone bowed to each other. At the same moment, Helena ran up to Yujo.

“God, the chemistry between you just killed me!”

"What?" Yujo asked. She felt as if her mind was clouded during the dance.

"I'm so jealous of you. I want it too! You should ask your Mr. 3 to introduce me to a swordsman!" Helena was almost jumping next to her sister.

“Will you calm down? We are at the ball after all. What if someone is looking at you now, and you are behaving inappropriately,” Yujo laughed, noticing how her sister pouted. Yujo looked around the hall and saw how Crocodile approached her father. They shook hands and started talking about something.

“Yujo, this is Mr. Magellan. He will marry us,” she was pulled out of her thoughts by Mr. 3, who approached her with a tall man, his face resembling a mandrill, with very sharp teeth and thick beard. 

“I have to admit, your bride is amazing, Mister 3. Can’t wait to perform your ceremony,” Magellan said and kissed Yujo’s hand. 

While the all-important potential guests were discussing the upcoming wedding, Yujo was catching more and more that she was thinking about Sir Crocodile. What was it? A charm after the dance? Or is it something else?

[corrodedseraphine]

upside down radio | #1 the dopest radio in America

pairing: steve harrington x munson!fem!reader | mentions of Steve x Nancy

chapter summary: When everything in Hawkins is trying to come back to life, you and your friends get a crazy idea for your future.

The story is also avaliable on ao3

masterlist | steve harrington masterlist | general masterlist

📻 LEAVE US THE MESSAGE 📻

Today is my birthday, so as a gift I decided to publish the first chapter. 😂

Honestly, I have no idea what to expect from this, the idea was sudden. I see this story as one of those where you can interact with some of the characters if you feel like it, I thought it could be a fun variation. This chapter is a small introduction to their lives, I hope it's not too boring.

Your opinion, feedback, questions or ideas are always welcome! If there is something what would you like to see in the story feel free to tell me about it in comments or in my inbox which is always open for you guys! Thank you so much for reading!

"Oh my God I can't believe you still got it!" Chrissy giggled as she took the floral dungarees out of your closet. She had the same pair, unfortunately, while she was still able to fit into them without a problem, you, sadly, were no longer getting into yours. 

"I have too many memories with them to just get rid of them." you replied with a smile. "I can't believe I have my own room." 

After the apocalypse that swept through Hawkins, the government in an exchange of silence offered you all many amenities. You, Eddie and Uncle Wayne were given a small house on the outskirts, your neighbors were Max and her mom, and Argyle lived across the street with his mom and grandparents. 

Chrissy, as your best friend, had helped you with unpacking and decorating your room, but now the clothes scattered on the floor were to help you find something to wear to the charity festival taking place in the nearby town, which will raise money to rebuild Hawkins. Hopper immediately got you all involved to help. Chrissy will be in charge of face painting, and you'll be at the same booth doing colorful braids, and right next to you will be Robin doing henna tattoos. Eddie and Argyle are to be in charge of the audio system, and Steve has been given the role of coaching the basketball team that will be playing at the game taking place at the very end. 

"We'll finally be able to do sleepovers without chasing Eddie out of his own home," she laughed.

"Right." you replied.

"And what do you think about that?" she asked throwing a yellow dress in your direction.

"Chrissy we are going to a festival not a fashion show." you rolled your eyes. Ever since the scars from the demobats' attack appeared on your body, you didn't feel comfortable in your body and wanted to do everything to stay out of sight. 

"Come on, I'm sure Steve will appreciate this beautiful dress on a beautiful girl." she giggled.

"Chrissy!" 

"What?"

"You're mean!" 

"Why mean? I've been trying to get you the boy you've been in love with since the moment you saw him in that tragic sailor costume at Scoops Ahoy!"

"We established a long time ago that Steve would never look at me that way, besides, he's in love with Nancy." 

"Nancy who cheated on him and called bullshit. Nancy who is in a relationship with Jonathan, open your eyes y/n, in all honesty I think you have a chance, find at least some hope in yourself, come on!" she said in a very dramatic way.

"Hope is the mother of fools." You rolled your eyes.

"For that matter, I can be the biggest fool in the world, for both of us." she smiled broadly. "Now go change into that beautiful dress, I don't want to hear a no!" 

In the meantime while you were dressing up Robin and Steve arrived at your house. You recognized it from Robin's annoyed voice and the unusually fast words out of Steve's mouth.

"Get him away from me because I swear I'll murder him tonight!" she shouted. 

"Jesus, can someone tell me what's going on here?" you asked running down the stairs. 

"Steve has officially lost all his brain cells!" 

"Oh come on, I really don't understand why you're angry!"

"I'm not angry, Steve. I'm worried because you're going right into the lion's mouth, you're on the perfect path to end up with a broken heart all over again!" 

"Now we definitely need to know more." interjected Chrissy. 

"So, Henderson told me that Nance and Jonathan broke up-"

"And the Dingus thinks that coming back to Nancy is the idea of the year!" interrupted Robin throwing his hands in the air.

"Why not?! She already fell in love with me once, she can do it again!"

"Excuse me but are we talking about the same Nancy? I'm sorry to be the one to make you realize that this is the same Nacy who cheated on you with Jonathan, who never loved you and called you bullshit! Do you want to feel like that again? Do you really want to relive it all over again?" 

"If I'm not mistaken you were always the first to say that everyone deserves a second chance!" 

"Oh I'm so sorry I'm worried about my best friend because I don't want someone to take his heart again and dump it!" 

"Me and my heart will be fine without your care!" 

"Okay, enough!" Eddie shouted. You were all shocked by their behavior, because when the two of them argued, it was like the end of the world was near. "It's time to cool down, I propose a little swap. Robin will go to the festival with me and Chrissy, and y/n will get into Harrington's glittering chariot and keep him company on the journey. I think this will be the best solution and...the safest."

Steve wordlessly left the house slamming the door, everyone looked at each other in shock until finally all pairs of eyes were on Robin.

"Are you okay?" asked Chrissy approaching her slowly. 

"I just don't want him to suffer again, everyone knows that she never loved him, after all, she even admitted it herself..."

"You just want to protect your friend, it's not a bad thing, we want the best for him too." She gently placed her hand on her shoulder. 

"Of course we want, but in this case trying to pull him away from her may end up in unnecessary drama." Eddie added. 

"And what do you think y/n?" asked Robin. 

What were you thinking? Many things. You definitely agreed with her that going back to Nancy was not the best idea however your reasons for thinking that way were a bit more personal. For a long time you had been trying to come to terms with the fact that Steve wouldn't look at you as anything other than a friend, but you hadn't quite succeeded. Maybe this was just what you needed? To witness and see for yourself that the place at his side belongs to someone else? A painful but quick rip off of the band-aid?

"I think Eddie is right, it doesn't matter if we like it or not..." you sighed, and Chrissy sent you a sympathetic look, she was the only one who knew how you felt about Steve. That would be enough of the hope she was trying to ignite in you. 

When you got into the car Steve sat quietly clenching his hands on the steering wheel. There was an expression of irritation and nervousness on his face. You knew it wouldn't be the most pleasant thing for you to talk about, but you also knew that since you couldn't have him in your life as a lover, you at least wanted him as a friend. And what do friends do at a time like this? 

"Do you want to talk?" you asked quietly, watching the irritation on his face mellow and turn into sadness. 

"I just- I don't understand! Why is it so bad that I want to go back to Nancy?" 

"It's not, Steve... Robin is just worried, no one wants to look at the breaking heart of their soulmate." 

"Why does everyone think right away that she will break my heart? Maybe this time it will be different?" 

"You won't know unless you try." You smiled weakly. "Whatever happens...you can count on us, and I know Robin will support you too. If it works out for you, we will all be happy for you." You extended your hand toward him, and after a moment he gave you his and squeezed. "But, if it doesn't go so well and she breaks your heart, we'll all be happy to help you put it back together again." 

You didn't expect him to pull you close and lock you in a hug mumbling a silent thank you into your neck. It felt so warm, his scent entered your system slowly. Your heartbeat definitely sped up when, instead of letting you go, he pressed you even tighter to him. As you reciprocated the embrace, you desperately wanted to remember this feeling for as long as possible, the way his arms embraced your body, the way his hair gently tickled your cheek, and how everything together created a place you'd most like to never leave.

"You are the best." he whispered right into your ear, and you naively wanted to tell yourself that the shudder that went through your body was caused by a gust of wind that came in through the open window. Feeling your flinch, he moved away, and you quickly closed the window to hide your embarrassment.

"So…" you began, not wanting an awkward silence to fall between you. Despite the fact that you and Steve now considered each other good friends you very rarely managed to spend time just the two of you. "Excited about the match?"

"Yeah! But also damn stressed." At the very mention of the match he beamed. "The guys are in great shape, but I'm afraid that after a long break they might have some slight problems with chemistry y'know. Especially since we had to change the captain after what happened to Jason…"

"I'm sure they'll do great, they had a brilliant coach." let out a playful laugh.

"You will come, right?"

"Sure I will, go Tigers!"

"go Tigers!" he laughed and started the engine.

All the way he talked about the strategies they devised for the match, you didn't quite understand everything, but when you asked questions he didn't seem annoyed. On the contrary, he was very eager to answer all of them with a smile, quite as if he was pleased with your interest. Your favorite part was when, with a gleam in his eye, he told you how much potential he saw in Lucas, the boy had great talent in him.

When you pulled in Eddie, Robin and Chrissy were waiting in the parking lot. They were joined by Argyle, Max and Lucas. Robin, with a serious look on her face, approached Steve apologizing for her earlier behavior, to which he immediately hugged her, saying that he was also sorry and understood her worries.

"Thank God the world is in balance again!" exclaimed Chrissy clapping her hands.

"I really don't know if we would be able to survive another end of the world." you laughed and started walking toward your stations. "Oh shit."

"What?" asked Eddie.

"Steve I forgot my bag from your car, can we go back for it?"

"Yeah, sure."

When you got back to the car, you quickly pulled the bag out of the car and slammed the door, catching your dress with it. You only noticed it when you felt something preventing you from walking away from the vehicle.

"Hey, careful!" the brunette ran up to you and, with an amused expression on his face, opened the door releasing the material. "You look very pretty in this dress, don't ruin it." he grinned.

"Oh." There was an error in your brain caused by this compliment. All you could do was stare at him and feel your face getting hot and certainly red.

"Come on losers, what is taking you so long?!" fortunately your brother's impatient voice got you back on track and with a quick step you moved towards them.

"Tooold you." said Chrissy quietly catching you under the arm.

"How the hell did you hear that?" you asked hissing through your teeth.

"I hear everything." she giggled, and you rolled your eyes.

After a full day of braiding, your hands were begging for a rest, especially when your most demanding customer turned out not to be little girls but Argyle and his long beautiful hair. The artificial, light green hair perfectly matched his real black one.

You took a seat next to Max in the front row with pleasure. Next to you sat Robin and El. Argyle, Will, Mike, Dustin and Eddie sat a row behind you. Your brother was initially reluctant to watch the game, but you watched in shock as Argyle successfully persuaded him to do so, explaining that his three friends would be there, and his support would definitely help them. Thus, you all watched as Lucas scored the winning points for the team, Chrissy as the born captain of the cheerleading squad motivated the team to play, and the crowd to cheer and Steve almost fainting from stress in the last minutes of the game.

No one was surprised when, after the win, Lucas immediately jumped on Eddie with excitement after hugging and kissing Max, thanking him for coming. The metalhead unsuccessfully tried to mask his emotion, making him a momentary target for jokes. Steve looked around. Everyone knew exactly who he was looking for in the crowd, however, today neither Nancy nor Jonathan showed up at the festival despite the fact that the rest of their families were actively participating. Seeing his disappointed face made you sad, and the thought that you weren't the one he was looking for in the crowd nailed you even more.

"Yo, Lucas!" suddenly one of his teammates approached you. "I'm hosting a little party at my house, y'all should come!"

At that moment, six pairs of eyes turned toward you. Funnily enough, you were the first ones they turned to for permission, and not their own parents.

"I know that look…" said Steve and rested his hands on his hips, taking his "mom pose."

"Please, coach!" said Lucas, hitting that name right in his heart. Moments later, he was joined by the rest of the puppy eyes.

"Fine!" he groaned. "But there are a few conditions! You don't get in the car with anyone other than me or Eddie, no alcohol, cigarettes or drugs-"

"Oh come on man, who are you trying to fool?" interjected Eddie. "All we can do is believe that these crackheads will be responsible with what they drink and do."

"Just- be safe okay? And Timmy, write me your address on a piece of paper so I know where to pick them up from, and you." he pointed to Max knowing that she would be the most reasonable of them all. "Call me when the party is over."

As the excited teenagers disappeared from sight Argyle suggested that since the younger part of the group was celebrating today, you should follow their example. Thinking of a place where you could feel the magic of your new friend's purple palm tree in peace, Eddie suggested a building that had been abandoned long before the "earthquake."

The building where Hawkins radio used to be headquartered and the place where you used to hide from Wayne, whenever one of you or together got into some trouble. The old tenement welcomed you with the smell of dust, because there was no electricity you had to rely on portable flashlights to light your way, and then a room with an old couch, chairs and equipment needed for broadcasting.

When everyone had taken a seat, Agryle fired up a joint and all of you except Steve and Eddie began passing it around. You were discussing the course of the day's events when suddenly your black-haired Rapunzel moved over to the big console and microphone.

"Goooood eveeening Hawkins! This is Argyle and you are listening to Upside Down Radio!" he said causing you to laugh. "Today's guest is none other than a world-famous star of the heavy metal scene…" he began, slapping his hands on the table pretending to drum. "Chrissy Cunningham!"

Robin nearly choked on a laugh seeing Eddie's surprised face when he didn't hear his name.

"Oh thank you so much!" Chrissy played along. "I am so happy to be here and represent my band Corroded Coffin!"

"Ha, ha, you both are sooo funny. " Eddie rolled his eyes. "If you didn't get your guests' names wrong you'd even have a good career on the radio." he bit back.

"Hey! I would be a perfect match to your band!" Chrissy tried to look offended.

"Sure thing, candy girl."

"This place is so cool, dude." Argyle said looking around. "Maybe we should actually think about bringing it back to life?"

"We?" asked Eddie raising his eyebrows.

"Yeah, all of us! Instead of looking for a job, let's create one for ourselves!" he replied excitedly.

"We could get the government to rebuild this place, each of us could have their own program!" Robin quickly picked up on the idea.

"People could call us, or leave messages, ask for advice or order songs!" The excitement quickly spread to Chrissy as well.

"Wait, are you guys really serious about this? How high are you?" asked Steve.

"Actually, it sounds like a really good idea." interjected Eddie, who was completely sober. "We even already have a name." he chuckled.

The conversation got really heated, ideas came to your heads at the speed of light, even Steve, after a moment's hesitation, got involved, saying it was a much better option than going to work for his father's company.

"So what do you say my dudes? Ready to create the dopest radio in America?"

"Yeah, but let's talk about this tomorrow when y'all not higher than a bat's ass, 'kay?" laughed Eddie.

"And who's to say!" you shouted.

"Hey, shut up! I'm totally clean today!"

"Uniquely." you stuck out your tongue in his direction.

taglist: @i-me-mine @phantypurple @tlclick73 @mizzfizz

[squirrelthewriter]

How I met you again- A PJO and KotLC crossover

Chapter 3: A flashback leading to tears

Sophie's POV

My heart pounded so hard I could feel my ribs moving as all the memories I thought I had lost hit me.

 F L A S H B A C K  

        I exited the door to go skipping into the neighbor hood, the ice blue packaging in my hands.

        Today was the day where I got to I give Annabeth Chase the birthday present I had bought a few months back. The one I had pleaded my Mom to get at the store, because I thought it suited her so well.

        But today was not only Annabeth's birthday, but mine as well. Which meant we would be able to spend the whole day together without our parents coming to annoy us.

        Of course, I had the choice between spending my birthday with my best friend, and my parents alongside Amy. Annabeth was a million times better. And I think Annabeth thought the same thing.

        Other than Annabeth, I didn't have any friends, but she was just enough for me.

        I rubbed my temples, feeling the mental bombardments seemed to attack my brain as people passed by.

'Why do people have to think so horribly loud?', I thought to myself, trying to shield myself from the attacks.

        Annabeth was the only person who’s thoughts didn’t blare into my brain constantly. Her thoughts were quieter, and I didn’t always hear them.

        I still hadn't brought myself to tell her I could hear what people said in their heads.

        What if she called me a freak? What if she wouldn't want to hang out with me if I told her?

        I was interrupted by the sound of a door closing and a blond little seven year-old walking our of it.

        Her eyes were a stormy gray that darted around and looked like they were processing hundreds of things at once.

        Annabeth Chase, my best friend.

        She squealed when she saw me and sprinted to me, with her hair bouncing in the wind behind her.

        I hid the ice blue package I had in my hand behind my back as I greeted her.

“Hey! Happy birthday!!” we exclaimed at the same time, before giggling at our twinness (A/N: Is that even a word?).

        I looked at her hand, which, identically to me, was hidden behind her back.

“Wat'cha hiding?” we asked in unison.

        Annabeth had apparently seen my hand.

“Nothing,” we replied simultaneously.

        I cleared my throat responsively.

“Okay,” I said, “How about you show me what you're hiding, and then I'll show you mine?”

”No, I’ll think I’ll let you go first,” she said, her voice sweet.

I placed my free hand on my hip, replying in that same sugary voice,

“Oh no, darling, I insist! You must!” I told her.

“Truly? Don’t you want to reveal your secret first?” Annabeth teased.

“I-Secret-Uh-No,“ I stuttered, shook for a second. I quickly recovered saying, “Oh, no, you go, you absolutely should show me! I simply cannot wait another minute!”

Annabeth giggled. If she noticed my slip-up, she didn’t say anything about it.

”Ready?” She asked.

        Nodding vigorously, I watched with excitement as Annabeth removed her hand from behind her back. Her hand uncurled to reveal a package carefully wrapped in gorgeous paper, bold brown and gray lines imprinted on it.

“For you!” she exclaimed happily, handing me the gift.

        I gawked at her.

“You didn't have to!” I said, taking it in my free hand.

“I took both our eye color for the wrapping, and I think they go really well together!” Annabeth said proudly. “And of course I had to get you something, you’re my best friend forever!!” She added.

“It looks amazing, thank you so much! I'm actually scared of ripping it!” I laughed.

        She shrugged.

“It doesn't matter if you rip it.” she said smiling.

        I smiled back and thanked her again, before putting my own present at my feet. I unfolded the wrapping paper delicately.

        It revealed the same box as the one in my hands at the present day.

 E N D   O F   F L A S H B​​​​​​ A C K  : 

        I blinked very hard as I took the necklace with my shaky hands. It was as beautiful as it was the day Annabeth had given it to me.

        I slipped it around my neck and continued to rummage in the backpack.

        Where was the friendship bracelet I had given her that same day?

        Did Annabeth still have hers?

        I sighed in relief as I found a small bracelet.

        Looking at the half-heart and the little elves and owls that adorned the jewelry, I smiled at the memories of Annabeth Chase. 

        But where were the other halves?

[gamequeenanya]

Fredbear's Birthday Tickles (Lee Scott, Ler Mike, Ler Henry)

Summary: Phone Guy goes to Fredbear's Family Diner to check if things are going smoothly. While there, the owner discovers it's his birthday and insists on celebrating! Will he be able to relax and enjoy it or will something go wrong?

…

"Oh Scottyyyyy…!" Mike's voice called from the other room.

Giggling, Scott ran behind a table. He knew that tone of voice.

Having visited Fredbear's for the third time in his life, Scott came to check out the restaurant. Even though he worked at the Freddy's restaurant down the block, it was nice to check out how the sister location was doing.

He'd discovered a boy who was crying on the floor and talked to him, finding his mom, and telling her she shouldn't bring her child here if he's scared. That he has the right to go home if he wants to. The boy looked at him strangely, like it was the first time an adult man had been nice to him, and the mom admitted he was right - that this was his father's idea. It was a little heartbreaking to Scott that the boy was forced to be here; but at least now he wouldn't have to worry. The mom took her son home, the boy looking back at him curiously.

Mike thought it would have been funny to scare his little brother, but he was nowhere to be seen. So he got a different idea. The Freddy's manager was fun to mess with.

"C-come on, Mike! It's my birthday!"

It was years since Scott had babysat him and his siblings and he'd hoped Mike would have forgotten how ticklish he was.

"Haha! Happy Birthday, then!" Mike approached him with wiggling fingers.

"Mike, please!" He squeaked, laughing in anticipation. "No! Hahahahaahaa!"

Wrapping his arms around Scott like an octopus, Mike squeezed his sides and tapped his fingers up and down them. The sounds of a grown man's squeals and laughter echoed through the party room. He hopped up and down in a funny looking dance. Kids and grown ups noticed and laughed along. Scott blushed in embarrassment.

"Hahaahaaahaahaaaa! Oh my gosh, Mike! Haahahahaahaaa! Please stop! Hahaahahaha!"

One particular grown up came over to rescue Scott. As soon as Mike saw Henry, the owner, approaching he stopped. Henry smiled.

"Have we been staying out of trouble, Mike?"

Sheepishly, he froze.

"Heh, it's okay sir!" Scott said, catching his breath. "This is just Mike's way of wishing me a Happy Birthday!"

Mike looked up and nodded.

At hearing that it was someone's birthday Fredbear came off stage, being programmed to greet the birthday person. Waving at Scott, he spoke in a deep dopey tone.

"Hey, I heard it was someone's birthday today!"

Scott opened his arms, letting Fredbear hug him. He knew he'd be safe as long as he stayed away from the head and joints. The feeling of Fredbear's hug was warm and welcoming, the robot knowing exactly how much pressure to use.

Letting go, he smiled. It really was no wonder kids loved Fredbear

And yet, Scott found that he was now stuck. Fredbear was still holding him around the ribs and back. He tried to slip out, but there wasn't enough room.

"Uhh… little help here?" he tried, looking at Henry and Mike.

"Oh, we'll help alright…!" Mike said, with an evil smirk. Henry chuckled as well.

"Sorry Scott, but rules are rules!"

"Whahahaat ruhuhuhules?!" he squeaked. Wiggling to try and get free on his own. Henry slipped his hands under Scott's armpits.

"Why, the rules of whenever a person gets stuck like this, they get tickled!"

Scott froze, grinning with his body stiffened. He wouldn't let them have this. He wouldn't.

Michael came over, smirk never leaving his face.

"Oh Scotty… Haven't you learned by now?"

He poked and prodded at his ribs. Scott let out a girlish shriek. Henry helped by softly but surely moving his index fingers around his armpits, careful so it didn't hurt.

"AHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA! PLEEEEEHEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAHEEEEEEAAAAAAASEEEEEE!!"

"You're kidding…?" Michael said, with a teasing hint. "No one's that ticklish!"

Scott couldn't shoot back at him, but he was SO going to get it when this was over!

"STAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAAAAHAHAAAP!" He begged, thrashing to get away from Henry's expert armpit tickles.

Mike took off Scott's right shoe.

"Alright, Phoney. Let's see if this is still your squeal spot!"

He slipped his sock off and held his ankle and top of foot tightly in a headlock. Then he tickled right under his index toe!

"EEEEEEHEHEHEEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEHEEHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Scott squealed and thrashed hard, doing his best to escape.

"Or perhaps, it was on your left foot…?" Michael thought, now uncertain. It had been a long time since he'd discovered this trick when Scott had fallen asleep while babysitting him. Mike had decided to be mischievous and had struck gold! He started taking off the left shoe.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEKK! MIKE! PLEEEHEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAHHEEEAAASE!" Scott whined. Meanwhile, Henry had managed to find a pathway for Scott to escape from. He did his best to guide him there with his tickles. He moved to tickle his sides, letting him wiggle a bit higher. "HEEEHEEEEEHEEEEEEEHEEEEHEEEEE! NOT THERE!"

"Just be glad I'm not getting your belly button!" Henry chuckled.

Scott continued laughing and squirming. "NOHOOHOHOOO PLEHEHEEHEHEASE!! I'LL DIHIHIHIHIHIIE!"

Mike overheard it, even though he was busy with Scott's toes. "You sure?"

Henry decided to skitter his fingers all over Scott's belly. He pinched at the sides every so often.

"EEEHEEHEHEHEHEEHEHEHHEEEHEEEEE! NAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAOOOOO!"

Shaking his head, it was all too much for Scott. The world felt lighter, and then suddenly he was free. Henry had pulled him out of Fredbear's grip.

"Heheheeheheeheeeh…" he laughed, feeling a sense of relief now.

"You're welcome, by the way." Henry said, giving his ribs one last poke. Scott flinched away, chuckling.

Mike gave him back his shoes.

"By the way uh," Mike said with a smirk. "Happy Birthday."

[emometalhead]

Tag some of your favorite mutuals to let them know you love them and it's going to be okay! 💖💖💖

Hi anon! This is so cute! Thanks for the opportunity to spread some love.

I'm going to copy what Andi did and write some paragraphs under the cut. 🩷

@morska--vila Andi, I'm starting with you because this was inspired by you!! I love you so much!! You understand parts of me that I can't put into words for other people. You have the best sense of humor, and you brighten every situation. You are resilient, caring, and so lovely. You're also a petty queen, and that's a high compliment. I am forever grateful to know you and to have your friendship. I know I can come to you with any problem and leave the conversation feeling lighter and more equipped to deal with it. Endless love and hugs to you 🩷🩷.

@duffmckagans First of all, I hope you're enjoying your vacation!!!!! Some beach time is always nice, and though I love having you here I'm also happy when you're doing something cool irl! Kelsey, I feel like I've known you for a lifetime. We are so similar, and I love how well you understand my brain. No one else can decipher my ramblings and random lyrics like you lol. You are so insanely smart and talented, and I am so glad you share parts of your life and work with me!! I'm in awe of you always. Love you!! Sending virtual hugs and one day real ones!!!!

@day-trippin-dreamer TINA. Hi. I'm going to act like I haven't already texted you today (and every day). You are like my biggest supporter, and I can't say thank you enough times!! You're the best pop culture, TV, and movie buddy!!!! You have great taste, and I love our little judgments and opinions we share. Also I'm happy you're finally getting into Imagine Dragons lol. You are so fashionable, fun, and I love how we can talk for hours about everything and nothing. Our chats mean so much to me.

@no-fxn-club Frankie!!!! I have to start by saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! You will get an actual birthday message too in about 30 minutes, but I had to say it here. I love you so much my dude. I am eternally grateful for your friendship. You have a great music taste. I love that we can make fun of ourselves and each other together. You are so fun to talk to, and I've literally never wanted to hug someone more! Also you just have such a cool style, and I'm so impressed with you in general!!

@inquisitiveheretic Lee!! I truly admire you as a person. I love how you compose yourself. You are articulate. You are such a talented writer. I'm in awe of you. I love our conversations, and I love every glimpse you give me into yourself. You help me feel confident and free, and I'll never be able to thank you enough for that. You have such good taste, and you're probably the only person from whom I've ever actually listened to every song/artist recommendation I've been given. I'm not sure what praise is higher than that.

@rebelrollerqueen Ren, you are such a force. I'm so impressed by all you've accomplished. You are crazy smart. You're multi-talented. (Seriously your makeup is to die for, but also you are musical, fashionable, and intelligent. Amazing!!) You seem so confident in yourself, and I love that for you. Not to go full mom, but damn my internet kid is cool. I am so proud of you, and I am sending such a big virtual hug your way. I love having you in my life, and I love being here to support you.

[lostonehero]

More crossroads, Henry

More adventures in puberty Micheal is suffering.

Drunk Henry is something warning for smut and dubious content mostly because William is incredibly shy.

Jeremy is intersex he really doesn't care, but his mom had to give him a second talk with the old man

"Happy birthday, Micheal." William smiles, placing down a cake in front of Micheal. It reads happy 15th birthday.

Micheal wasn't exactly feeling happy his body hurt, and his appetite was completely gone. He hasn't told anyone, nor has he really been vocal about how uncomfortable he has been. He put on a fake smile and accepted the first slice. It was a carrot cake his father baked for him himself.

Jeremy smiles. "Thank you, Mr. Afton. How does it feel to finally be on my level?"

Micheal huffs. "You're only 3 months older than me, and you don't see me holding it above Charlie that I'm a month older." He takes a bite of the cake it was really good, but he felt bile rise in his throat, and his stomach wasn't having any of it today.

Charlie shrugs. "I don't care. We're all born in the same year." She has already finished half of her slice. "But Micheal opens my gift first."

Jeremy crosses his arms. "No, he opens my gift first since it's obviously better than yours."

Neither of them have noticed Micheal push his slice of cake away as he hugs his stomach. He barely got down lunch earlier, and he can already feel that fighting to come back up. Father said growing pains could cause nausea, but maybe that was for Charlie with her period.

William notices his son's change in behavior almost immediately. "How about Micheal goes to his room to get my gift first?"

The two teen huff but nod.

William takes this chance to help Micheal back to his room and lightly closes the door. "Hey, my little fox, what's wrong?" His son was still shorter than him, but he knew with the late bloomers in his family it was only a matter of time.

Micheal leans his head into his father's chest. "Stomach hurts." He frowns. "Body hurts too, don't wanna ruin the party."

"Micheal, it's your party. You can decide how it goes." William frowns as Micheal goes a shade paler than he normally is. He places his hand on his forehead, no fever, but he feels cold. "Alright, that's enough. we can reschedule." He can see his son try to protest, but he sways on his feet, nearly falling. William hefts him into bed and tucks him in.

"Mmmh, sorry." Micheal pulls the blanket over his head.

William shakes his head and heads back out. "You two are free to do what you wish, Micheal doesn't feel well."

Jeremy frowns. "But I got him something important, like really important."

William sighs. "No, Micheal has a fever, and I will not have him straining himself."

Charlie frowns. "He didn't even touch his cake."

Jeremy pauses. "He didn't, but he loves carrot cake." He mumbles something in German. He places a newspaper wrapped gift. William couldn't determine what it was. "Can you give this to Micheal when he wakes up, I'm going to ask my mom to come by."

William nods. "Of course, and please do, I don't want to drag Micheal to the hospital. He really doesn't like them."

Jeremy leaves with Charlie following him.

......

"What was so important?" Charlie sighs, following behind the blonde.

"It's a personal gift." Jeremy shrugs. "I didn't think he was sick. He just looked tired. That old man has been pushing all of us. I just thought it was that."

Charlie frowns. "But we're fine." She crosses her arms. "Pa isn't targeting Micheal either."

"I know." Jeremh frowns. "Let's just go. I want him to be ok."

"So what did you want to ask me about?" Charlie jumps in front of Jeremy.

"I mean, I already asked my mom and the old man, but uhhhh, I got lady bits now." Jeremy shrugs. "The old man said it was possible, I mean, I don't feel any different. I still feel like a guy, yaknow?"

Charlie tilts her head. "But you don't have boobs?"

"I mean, the old man just says I'll be able to have kids like a woman could, or like a man if i choose." Jeremy shrugs.

"Huh." Charlie pauses. "Do you bleed?"

"No, I just have another hole." Jeremy frowns. "Although I have the best of both, I am both man and woman." He stands posing like a strongman.

"Ugh, you guys are getting the cool stuff." Charlie kicks a rock in front of her. "All I've been getting us this stupid charm getting bigger and more elaborate, and these fucking boobs. Do you have any idea how uncomfortable a bra is? Of course not." She sighs. "Besides now, boys are looking at me, and I don't like the attention. I'm not interested, and I just want to keep working on machines. Maybe in the future, I would want someone else, but I'm happy now with you two idiots."

Jeremy sighs. "I get that, but uh, I was asking Micheal out on a date in my gift..." He shrugs. "I know the whole queer people are evil thing, but he makes me feel good, and I really like him. Oh fuck what about school?"

"I'll beat anyone's ass if they come after either of you." Charlie sighs. "You know Micheal's had a crush on you for awhile."

"He what?" Jeremy's voice cracks as he grabs Charlie by her shoulders. "What do you mean he has a crush on me?"

"He has liked you for like two years. He woke me up when he figured out he was a queer. I guess you leveled up on queer? I really don't know how it works." Charlie shrugs, pushing pass Jeremy. "Come on, we're almost at your place."

"But Charlie, what did he say about me?" Jeremy runs after her.

.....

A red-headed man stood over the curled up body under the covers. There was a light frost over the blankets and the smell of smoke from burnt sheets. "You poor thing." He sits on the edge of the bed. "I know you can't hear me, but I did this for my son as well. I can't get close to my granddaughter like my son can. She's getting to be as dangerous as he is. I didn't know humans developed at different rates, some slower, and some faster. Your father called it a late bloomer, but it seems you will be developing in quick bursts, unlike your friend who has been changing slowly from the start, giving his body time to adjust."

The red head flicks his fingers, and the sheets and bleddinng have changed to clean fire and freeze proof bedding and sheets. "Your father is quite protective, thanks to my son, which makes this difficult, but..." He placed a black and red gift at the foot of Micheal's bed. "You're going to need this, and you'll need something hearty when you wake up." A bowl of thick chunky liquid, like a stew, appears next to Jeremy's gift. It's unnatural in color, and it seems to glow. "Finish the bowl it should help your stomach against the changes."

He pats Micheal's leg and gets up. "Sleep well, young warrior." And in a puff of smoke, he vanishes.

......

Jeremy opens the front door. "Mother, are you home?" He yells a greeting in Yiddish.

"Jeremy, why are you home? Oh honey, did it go poorly? Come on, I can get you some... Oh, hello, Charlie."

"Hi Ms. Fitzgerald, Micheal hasn't even seen it." Charlie smiles.

Jackie pauses. "What?"

"Micheal got sick, and can you come over to look at him?" Jeremy wrings his hands. "He didn't even eat his cake, and he loves carrot cake."

Jackie frowns. "Ok, ok, come on, I'll drive over." She sighs. "Let me get my medical bag first ok just wait in the car."

The two teens nod and follow orders.

.....

Jackie shuts and locks the door. She didn't need William hovering over her shoulders and her son watching from the doorway. She sighed as she moved the blanket off Micheal and saw the empty bowl next to his bed. "Don't pretend to sleep, I know you're awake."

Micheal had his eyes screwed shut. "It hurts...."

Jackie pauses, ok, he wasn't pretending. "Where does it hurt?"

Micheal groans and hugs his chest. "Dunno hurts."

"Ok, just breathe." The color of the crumbs of the food tipped her off to the old man visiting, along with the new bedding. Micheal felt like ice and fire at the same time. Ok, this wasn't a virus. This wasn't even a sickness. This had to run its course. She could at least help him through the worst. "Micheal, I need to remove your shirt and shorts, leave your boxers on."

Micheal pulls his shirt off it has singe marks along with frost and kicks his shorts off. He tries to grab for his blanket but Jackie stops him.

She could see his own muscles and bone twist under the skin as if they were trying to figure out their new positions. Angry red marks twisted around Micheal's skin, and he had moved himself to his stomach. The swollen mass on the end of his tail bone had to breathe, and she didn't want to wait for it to burst itself. She pulls out a sharpened scaple from her bag. "This his going to hurt. Bite down on your pillow now."

Micheal follows instructions and screams, feeling the sharp blade pierce his skin and feel the pressure release. He's crying as he is afraid to move and feels something warm drip down his back.

Jackie uses an antibacterial wipe and cleans the area. "You did a very good job. Now I'm going to clean up the blood, and then you can see what I pulled out. Try not to move it so fast it's very new and will be growing more. Thankfully now not internally."

Micheal takes a breath and finally looks back, opening his eyes. It was small black with a splash of red and a very sharp hooked point at the end. It reminded him of a pig's tail mixed with a devil one. He can feel it stretch as it grows longer in front of his eyes. He can assume that it's going to get thicker as it gets longer.

Jackie brushes Micheal's hair back. "Your body got you a gift for your birthday." She gives a small smile. "You're going to need to eat more than that stew. Your tail will otherwise take from your body as it grows through the rest of the day. Don't be scared, alright. I'll make you something hearty and filling to help. Go put on a baggy shirt and don't put on pants."

Micheal finally sits up, hugging his chest. "Is this bad?"

Jackie shakes her head. "Not at all, Micheal. Your body is changing in two ways. Normal puberty, and well, the effects of working with that old man. Now my son is going through similar changes. Do you want me to ask him to come talk to you?"

Micheal nods and pulls his banket around him.

"Ok, I'll make you something to eat." In German, she opens the door and calls for her son, and I pull him inside while she heads out, shutting the door behind her.

.......

"Micheal is fine." Jackie stares at William while she chops some of the vegetables she pulled out for a stew. "Your family must have spruts of growth rather than a constant cycle. The changes to his body happened as would his normal growth spurts would. Currently, he is growing a tail, and my boy has already started to trim his horns along with gaining new body parts. However, he isn't done, but the difference is Jeremy is constantly changing slowly, so he isn't in pain like Micheal is going through bursts of growth."

William frowns. "I did most of my growing between 15 to 19. Is he growing a tail? Is he ok?"

"He's in pain, but that's to be expected, I cut an opening so it wouldn't have to burst through the skin." Jackie pauses, putting the vegetables into the pot. "He needs support, I can't magically take his pain away. Just don't make him feel alien or like a freak of nature. Maybe walk around in your monstrous form, which makes him feel comfortable with his body changing because he isn't alone."

William nods. "Yes, of course I would never want to harm him." He pauses. "Micheal likes chicken soup, but uh, a hearty stew works, he hates mushrooms don't put thoes in."

"Give him another slice of the cake. He needs all the calories he can get." Jackie smiles softly. "I'm making him some hearty stew. I won't add mushrooms, alright. However, wait till Micheal opens his door back up to give him more food. I wouldn't want to interrupt the two talking."

"Right. I can tell Henry to bring home extra food." William is already calling the fazebear diner he was working at.

.......

Jeremy sits next to Micheal on his bed. He has a red blush on his face, and he had to force himself to look away from Micheal. "I uh my mom told you I'm changing too." His voice cracks. "I uh yeah."

Micheal nods. "Yeah, she said something like that." He looks back, and that small pig like devil tail has doubled in length and thickness. "I feel like a freak."

Jeremy looks back, and his face goes a few shades darker. "I uh, can I give you your gift now?"

Micheal raises his brow but nods about to reach for it, but Jeremy leaned close and kissed him. A loud crack was heard as Micheal pulled away pale and gasping hugging his chest. His tail is now 5 feet in length, thick and strong. He could feel tears prick the corners of his eyes, and he was shaking.

Jeremy gasps. "Micheal, I'm so sorry. i-" he stops as Micheal locks their lips again.

"N-now get your mom, please." Micheal has gone a few shades paler, and Jeremy can feel a warm wet spot grow next to him.

Jeremy doesn't need to look to know that blood. "Y-yeah." He rushed out of the room. He starts to speak rapid German and Yiddish.

Jackie hands William the wooden spoon. "Stir the pot till I get back." She grabs her back and heads back inside the room, locking the door.

William notices the blood on Jeremy's hands. "What happened?" He feels an odd restraint as he can't harm the boy even though he knows that's Micheal's blood.

"Micheal's tail grew really fast, and there was blood, and, and..." Jeremy was shaking. "Did I hurt him?"

William felt something twist in him. "Jeremy, come here and wash your hands and them cut up some more carrots and onions."

Jeremy nods, following the directions. "Micheal likes peppers too."

"He likes to eat them raw. These are to be cooked." William sighs, relaxing as he distracts Jeremy. He didn't understand why everything shifted, like when Henry first told him to be a better father. Maybe Jeremy was a key to helping Micheal get better. He didn't really understand it, but he would do it if it meant Micheal would be ok.

.......

Micheal's breath was heavy, and he looked close to fainting. "It's cold..."

Jackie had pulled Charlie into the room. "Now, Charlotte, I need you to make a fist. I'm going to take your blood and give it to Micheal. Ideally, your father would be better, or the old man, but you are half, so it will have to do." She sighs, taking out a needle.

Charlie nods, holding out her arm. "I want to make sure Micheal is ok." She frowns. "Why not his father or Jeremy?"

Jackie smiles. "Human blood types can be tricky, and if they don't match, it could kill him, and since this is an underworld issue, a little boost won't hurt him in the long run." She sticks Micheal fast and connects the line to Charlie. "It's going to feel weird, and I need you to relax."

Charlie nods, staring at Micheal, as her blacken blood travels to him. "Will this make him better?"

"It's going to stop him from dying of blood loss." Jackie sighs, watching Micheal pass out. "I'm going to set a timer. I want you to yell when it goes off. It's to stop it from taking too much from you. I know you think you can give more, but sweetie, you're only half, and this will have to do till your father gets back home."

Charlie nods. "Ok. I promise." She frowns. "Will Micheal wake up after this?"

"Hopefully, yes. Also, tell me if he bleeds through his bandages, that means his stitches came loose." Jackie smiles and turns on the timer.

Charlie nods. "Ok, got it. Can uh Jeremy come back in here? I know he wants to talk with Micheal."

"Only if he feels comfortable to do so." Jackie hums and slips out the door.

.....

Jeremy was washing the used pans while William was letting the stew simmer. They both stopped and stared at Jackie when she returned.

Jackie takes a breath. "Charlie's doing a live blood donation, I would prefer it to be Henry. However, this will do for now. Micheal fell back asleep, and Charlie wanted to know if you'll come back into the room, Jeremy."

Jeremy nods, placing the dishes on the drying rack and practically runs to the room.

William looks back to Jackie. "Will he be ok?"

Jackie nods. "The blood will help his body adapt and stop him from bleeding out. Although we will be doing a second one when Henry returns from work. Charlie's young and doesn't even make the cut-off age to donate." She crosses her arms. "We're going to need food for both of them."

William frowns. "He'll recover?"

Jackie nods. "He's resilient, and he can handle this." If she believes this, maybe it will be true.

......

Jeremy sits awkwardly next to a sleeping Micheal, careful not to move the needle in his arm. "Are you ok?"

Charlie shrugs. "I'm getting hungry, but besides that, I'm fine. Why won't he wake up?" She looks back to Micheal, who was dead asleep.

"Blood loss is serious. Your body can't function without it." Jeremy stares at the timer. "It's going to go off soon."

Charlie nods. "I know... I hope my dad comes home soon. He can probably help more than me." She wipes her eyes. "It's supposed to be his birthday. He shouldn't be hurt."

"I kissed him." Jeremy blurts out. "He kissed me back, too. He can't die. We have to plan our future."

"One kissed doesn't mean you two are married." Charlie smiles softly. "But I guess you two do fit together well enough."

"You think so?" Jeremy flinched when the alarm went off, and Charlie shouts. "Geez. You're really loud."

Charlie's smirk fades when Micheal doesn't even flinch. "He always gets mad when I try to wake him like that..."

Jackie opens the door. "You've got a nice set of lungs, alright arm." She removes the needle and tube. "Alright, go get a bowl of stew for yourself. Jeremy, are you ok?"

Jeremy nods. "I don't want to leave."

"You don't have to. Ah, Charlie, your father is on his way back. He's going to help Micheal out just like you did. You did a very good job." Jackie smiles as Charlie nods and leaves.

Jeremy frowns. "Is he getting better?"

"He has a bit more color, and his breathing has evened out, but he still needs more. I know for a fact he's running on fumes. I don't know what triggered that fast reaction, and I stitched his back up he doesn't even have any developing wings or spines for his back. His body is preparing the wrong things for parts that haven't even formed yet." She sighs. "Keep an eye on him."

"Yes, mom." Jeremy mumbles, looking guilty.

"Jeremy, this isn't your fault." Jackie smiles and rubs her son's shoulder. "I'll bring you some food later."

.....

Henry hated needles, but he would be damned if his father was the one to do this and not him. He was doing his best not to look or make a face. He watched Jeremy watch over Micheal, and he didn't understand William's odd comments about the boy either. He finally forced himself to look at the tube. He never really noticed his blood like like pitch. He hopes this wouldn't hurt Micheal, but Jackie did say it was safer than giving the wrong blood type.

Jeremy shifts uncomfortably. "Are you ok, Mr. Emily?"

Henry sighs. "I'm fine. Just never liked needles." He leans back in the chair. "Has Micheal woken up yet?"

Jeremy shakes his head. "No, but mom had to redo his stitches. I hope he wakes up soon. Mom says he has to eat."

Henry could tell Jeremy wasn't saying anything, but he wasn't going to push the kid. "You're changing too, so how is that going?"

"It's fine. mom says it's going slow enough. I won't really feel anything besides normal growing pains. Mom showered me how to file down the horns on my head so they won't show through my hair." He stares back to Micheal. "Mom days, Micheal's will happen in a shorter period, making it more violent and dangerous."

Henry nods, staring at Micheal, who slowly opens his eyes. "Welcome back."

Micheal groans, sitting up. He looks around, still very dizzy and out of it. "Arm warm..."

Henry nods. "Because I'm giving you blood, Micheal."

"Feels weird." Micheal slurs out. "Hungry though..."

Jeremy jolts up, hopping out of bed. "Mom made soup for you." He runs out.

Micheal swallows. "Mmh, tired."

Henry sighs. "That could be from blood loss. Look at your arm. We're fixing that." He smiles softly as Micheal finally realizes he's getting blood.

"Oh.... ok....." Micheal kind of fumbles grabbing the glass of water on his bedside table spilling most and only drinking a little. He's still really out of it.

Henry gets up and moves closer, helping Micheal with his drink until he has had enough. "Alright, come on, you're ok." He rubs Micheal's back. "Feeling a little better?"

Micheal shrugs. "Hungry..."

Jeremy comes back in almost spilling the bowl of stew on the floor. "I got some stew."

Micheal makes grabbing hands, and Henry stops him, holding his hands in place. "Smells good."

Henry smiles, taking the bowl and spoon. "Ok, we're going to eat slowly, Micheal."

Micheal huffs frustrated and unable to get out why he's upset. He eagerly takes the first bite, drooling a little on his thigh.

Jeremy hops back up on the bed. "Your dad helped, too."

Micheal hums eating every bite with a new vigor. He doesn't speak until the bowl is empty. "C-can I have more?"

Henry chuckles. "Yeah, alright. Let's see if we can head to the kitchen so we can clean your bed."

Jeremy helps Micheal to his feet he sways but doesn't fall leaning heavily on Jeremy. Henry is on the other side, so the tube doesn't get pulled out. They make it to the kitchen as Micheal sits down, and Henry hands over the bowl, as Jeremy sits next to Micheal.

"Mikey, you're awake!" Charlie shouts, taking a seat across from him.

"....loud." Micheal mumbles.

Charlie giggles. "I know I am."

Micheal gives a small smile.

Jackie sighs. "You're still too pale for my liking. I apologize, but you can't disconnect from your uncle yet."

Micheal nods, greedily accepting the next full bowl eating by himself.

Henry smiles. "I'm happy to help my nephew." He sighs. "Is everything ok?"

"Well, he's alert and awake, and he has his appetite back, which means the treatment is working better than hoped. However, you can only go another 10 minutes before it becomes too much for you." Jackie sighs. "I will need to get your father to help out. Don't don't argue with me. You've been hooked up to Micheal for an hour. I don't need you collapsing as well."

Henry frowns but nods. "I know how to get him."

Micheal holds his bowl up. It's empty, and it seems like he has tuned out the entire conversation.

"Jeremy sweetie, go fill up Micheal's bowl." Jackie strains a smile. "William, grab my bag, now, and a tarp. Henry, thank you for the help, but I am going to disconnect you, and you better get your father." Her tone doesn't leave room for an argument.

William pales and nods, rushing to Micheal's room.

Charlie frowns. "What's wrong? He's awake and eating isn't that good?"

Jackie sighs, removing the needle from Henry's arm. "The way he's eating is as if his body is preparing for another immediate change, and that means the stitches I put on are going to snap, and Micheal is going to bleed a lot again. So I need you to go out with your father and grab the old man."

Henry nods. "Of course, come along Charlie."

"Yes, dad." Charlie follows him outside.

Jeremy gives Micheal the refilled bowl again. "You have to promise me you'll be fine we have to talk."

Micheal doesn't even acknowledge him as he eats.

....

"Henry Arthur Emily and Old Man Consenqueses, you both are under my temporary control until I release you." Jackie snaps her fingers and chains wrap around both men's necks. "I will not have you two fight while I'm trying to treat Micheal."

The red head glares but golds out his arm, knowing better to fight against control like this. "How do you know my name?" He growls as the needle pierces his skin, and the glowing black liquid moves to Micheal.

Henry was pulling at the chain around his neck. "W-what is this?" He felt angry as he kept pulling at it, and it wouldn't come off.

Consequences looked to his son. "Our names have power over us. If a human knows how to use it properly, they can form temporary contracts controlling us until they release us." He turns his attention back to Jackie. "How do you know my name?"

Jackie hands dripping red blood as she tries to stop the bleeding on Micheal's back. "Don't play coy with me. You're in the inner circle and are infamous for choosing to deal with humans. My little drink months ago was a trick you could fight it, and that tipped me off. Your son doesn't exactly have that ability due to well not really understanding his abilities, but you, you're an expert acient one of the originals."

"You're quite smart for a human." Consenqueses leans back.

Henry frowns. "Can I take this off?"

"No, because enough need to be on your best behavior, now eat the food in front of you, you need to regain your strength." Jackie watches Henry eat against his will.

Charlie frowns. "Are you hurting my dad?"

"No, sweetie. I'm just making sure a fight doesn't break out so I can keep an eye on Micheal. However, I need to ask you to take Jeremy and William to a different room, I rather not have an audience as I pull apart Micheal's skin to fix the damage of the rapid growth and pit things back in the proper place." Jackie sighs. "I need to focus because this can be dangerous."

Charlie nods and grabs the two and heads outside.

Jackie's attention returns to Micheal. "I apologize, but I can't use painkillers to help you." She opens her bag, pulling out several tools and parts. "Tell me, Consequences, have you ever seen a human grow wings in this process?"

"No, that's impossible. Living warriors picked by the underworld can not have wings like those who are from the underworld. Those under contract and turned can have wings like my son's consort." Consenqueses pauses, unable to see what Jackie was looking at.

Henry coughs as he finishes his food. "William isn't a consort!" He sputters face growing red. "I uh... er.... we're just close."

Jackie smiles. "Thanks. I needed the smile." She pauses as there's a loud crack as she reaches inside. "Fuck..." She starts cursing in German and snaps her fingers.

Consequences nod, losing his human form and letting his blood flow faster. "I can give more?"

Jackie takes a breath, and blood coated her hands to her elbow as she pulls something out of Micheal's back. "Henry, I need you to keep from anyone entering this room, no matter how much they beg."

Henry pales at the sheer amount of blood but does as he is told as he opens and shuts the door behind him.

Jackie pulls out a second object, then a third and fourth lower on micheals back. "No flesh yet, if there will be any. Two looks like the start to arms, the others.... you're going to be proven wrong." She takes a breath. "Increase blood flow and calcium in the blood. I know you can handle that."

Consenqueses nods. "No flesh?"

"No, but they are growing more bone. However, I know for a fact flesh and bone during these transformations grow at the same rate." She frowns. "What is actually happening to him? You must tell me."

"....I don't know." Consenqueses answers honestly. "Even with the strongest I've seen throughout history, I've never seen one so violent."

Jackie bit her lip, and the answer made a pool of dread grow in her stomach. "Alright. Keep the blood and calcium flowing, and use magic if you must keep replenished. I've made sure that none of these parts are growing inward or growing into muscle or organs."

"Will he survive?"

"I don't know."

The two fall into an uneasy silence as the cracking and stretching of bone fill the silence.

......

Jeremy and Charlie had fallen asleep, and William was barely keeping his eyes open. He looks at Henry leaning on the door. "It's almost 2am." His voice is ragged and exhausted. "Can you tell me anything?"

Henry shakes his head, grabbing the metal chain around his neck. "I have to guard the door. Thank you for bringing the two to bed."

William nods. "Do you know if he's still alive?"

Henry shakes his head.

William frowns his eyes red from crying after the two teens went to bed. "Is this how you felt when I-" he can't finish as he covers his mouth.

Henry nods.

William drags himself to the floor and hugs his knees. "I-i'm sorry." He swallows, tears dripping from his eyes again. "He turned 15. He's still a boy, Henry. He can't die he has the rest of his life ahead of him."

Henry wants to reach out and comfort his partner. He stops himself as he can't leave his post. "Micheal will be fine he's got my blood and my father's. He will survive."

"He's my baby, my little fox. He still has to outgrow me and become a man himself." William sniffs shaking. "I want my son to be ok."

"He will be ok." Henry smiles softly he's trying to believe his own words.

......

Consequences mouth was dry as he removed the needle from his arm with the command. "Don't release me yet. I wish to observe him when he awakes."

Jackie sighs, two massive skeleton wings on Micheal's back along with long skeletal arms with long boney hands with claws. "I understand. I will not go clean up Micheal's room, and then come back here and clean this room, I'm going to take Micheal and clean him off."

Consequences nods and goes to follow orders. He watches his son own chain vanish, and he has fallen asleep.

Jackie picks up Micheal, and he is lighter than he should be. "I'm sorry, but you need to get cleaned." He is limp in her arms as he breathes quietly. Jackie takes him to the bathroom and starts a bath, cleaning him off slowly, so careful not to wake him up. Hopefully, she can get enough sleep to continue his treatment.

.....

Henry woke up the light streaming into his living room and his daughter poking him. "Dad, wake up. You're not supposed to sleep on the floor." She was crouched over him, hugging her knees. "Micheal's awake and finished the stew Ms. Fitzgerald made, Jeremy made you guys eggs."

Henry rubs his eyes. "Charlie?"

"Also, I don't want to wake up Uncle William." Charlie sighs.

Henry blinks, sitting up. "What time is it?"

"11?" Charlie gets up. "The old man is still here too. He keeps staring at Micheal, but I don't think he has noticed yet."

Henry sighs and gets up. "William wake up Micheal's awake."

William snaps his eyes open, sitting up and scrambling to his feet. "Micheal's ok?" He stares into the kitchen, and Micheal is nodding off into his stack of pancakes Jeremy made for him alone.

Micheal is half asleep more lucid than he has been his new parts have gone mostly internal and saved for a few bones poking out. "No more..."

"Finish your food." Jeremy huffs. "I made them with chocolate for you."

Micheal sighs, cutting into the stack. He takes a bite, and his eyes light up. He quickly finishes his plate. He huffs. "Shut up."

Jeremy smiles, triumphed. "Do you want more?"

"No." Micheal groans, laying his head against the table. "Stop it, I'm too full."

Jeremy smiles. "Good."

William rushes over, sitting across from Micheal. "Are you ok?"

Micheal nods and yawns. "I'm stuffed and tired. Jeremy's going to kill me with food."

Charlie giggles. "You're the one who ate the pot of stew cold."

"Shut up." Micheal sighs. "I'm fine, father."

William sighs and smiles as Henry joins him at the table. "I'm glad Micheal, you had us scared."

Henry narrows his eyes, staring at his father. "Why are you still here?"

Consequences points the metal around his neck. "She released you, not me." He smiles with too many teeth. He is behind the couch he was keeping an eye on Jackie, who had collapsed from exhaustion.

Charlie shrugs. "Pa hasn't moved from that spot either."

Henry takes the plate of food with a soft thank you. "He better be careful."

Jeremy sighs, sitting next to Micheal. He reaches out under a rather table to hold Micheal's hand, who accepts the touch. He has a nervous smile and a slight red blush. "I hope you two like the food."

Micheal squeezes the hand back. "I can take care of the dishes."

"You don't have to." Jeremy sighs as mkcheal stares up at him. "Well, I mean if you want to, that's ok."

Micheal sits up and nods. "Yeah, I'll clean up."

William and Henry share a confused glance, but nothing really comes to mind on why they are acting strange.

......

Jeremy Micheal and Charlie rushed back to Micheal's room so they could finally watch him open his gifts. Henry and William were in the living room. Henry was glaring daggers at his father, and William was leaning back on the loveseat relief had seeped through his bones.

Jackie had woken up and is sipping on her coffee. "Are either of you going to say anything?"

"I have nothing to say to him." Henry scowls crossing his arms.

Consequences smirks. "You do take after your mother."

"Hold your fucking tongue before I rip it out of your mouth." Henry hisses.

Jackie makes a note that Henry's mother is an extremely sore subject. She pinches her brow. "Alright, that's enough. Consequences: Go check on Micheal, and tell me the truth of your findings."

He gets up and nods, heading to the teens' room.

"Henry, why do you hate him so much?" Jackie sighs.

Henry sighs. "I don't hate him, I hate that he made a deal with my mother. I shouldn't exist." He crosses his arms. "Ma deserves an unmarked grave in the middle of nowhere to be forgotten." He rubs his lower back where the brand was burned into his skin. He frowns. "That's enough of that."

William speaks up. "Henry relax, she isn't here, nor will ever come up from where she is you told me that yourself."

"I know." Henry relaxes slowly. "I know. She would hate you and probably drop you off to the pig pen." He let his accent slip. "She did the same to Jen's father."

William raises his brow. "I don't know what that means."

Jackie's eyes widen, connecting the dots. She worked on a farm in her youth only for a year, but it was enough.

Henry pauses and sighs. "I do have to visit with Charlie." He shuts his eyes. "I was hoping to push it off till Charlie was 18, but I can't make excuses anymore."

William reaches out and pats Henry's hand. "We can come with you."

"Abostuely not!" Henry growls. His tone doesn't leave room for an argument or any comments.

Consenqueses returns to the silence of the living room. "I can give you my analysis."

Jen sighs. "Please tell all of us."

Henry was curled into the corner of the couch, arms crossed, and he looked a mixed of upset and uncomfortable. William's arm was outstretched to lay on Henry's back, which seemed to comfort him ever so slightly.

"Micheal has stopped changing for now, but I fear the next will be more violent. However, the bones have tripled their density all over his body, making him strong and tough. He is the first living turned to ever have wings. Even if they are skeletonized, his two new arms can move and work as nimbly as his normal arms. He can fly for short distances he needs to build up his stamina. There are a few marks on his body, seemingly hinting at where the next parts will develop from. I did not see them all due to his hair and clothing he refused to remove. He is fully lucid and responds abnormally fast to stimuli."

Jackie nods. "Alright and my son?"

"Development is slow his body barely reacts to the change as anything more than slight discomfort as growing pains." Consenqueses hums. "Do you wish to know about your daughter?"

Henry grits his teeth and sighs. "Yes."

"She's dangerous, and I haven't been able to remove her seal to actually look." The red head frowns. "She doesn't trust me, but she needs to release it before she loses control, and it breaks."

Henry sits up and stares at his father. "What do I do?"

"A father dauther training session." He smiles. "I seem to recall ours when you were her age."

Henry looks away. "Because I picked fights with everyone." He nods. "Alright, we can do it now."

"I'm sure she will love that." Consenqueses smiles.

Jackie nods. "Good idea, go grab Charlie, then follow Henry out to a remote area. Willaim, could you go with them?"

"What, why?" William scowls. "I have to look after my son."

"Because if Henry loses control, you'll be able to bring him back." Jackie hums. "Not that I'm expecting that. I'll look after Micheal, remember I am a doctor."

William sighs, knowing she is right. "Fine, but I want a report when I get back."

Jackie chuckles and nods.

......

They were in an open field of an abandoned farm in the middle of Utah. Henry shifted nervously. "I'm not going to do this if you don't want to."

Charlie stared up at her dad. "No, I want to do it, Micheal gets cool wings, and Jeremy has both parts and horns. I want to see what I have."

"Charlie, I don't want to accidently hurt you." Henry sighs, ruffling her hair. "When I fight, I fight dirt and rough. I don't want you to get really hurt." He pauses, not understanding what both parts mean. He has to ask her later.

Charlie vibrates in excitement. "Does this mean I get to fight dirty too?"

Henry blinks. "I mean a fights a fight Charlie you must do whatever you can to win." He raises his brow when Charlie smiles.

"Yes! I want to go all out, please, dad?" Charlie tugs at the metal symbol.

Henry sighs and chuckles. "Alright, alright, just tell me if it hurts ok, and I'll stop."

Charlie nods she is absolutely not going to do that and will fight till she passes out.

Henry takes a breath and grabs the metal it burns in his hand and melts as he removes it. The black band around his daughters neck flashes and rune like symbols spread all around her body, shattering one by one as an inky black envelopes her.

Henry barely has time to register the foot about to hit his face. His body had already shifted as he ducked to dodge, but it caught his horn snapping it. "Charlie?!"

A eerie giggle fills the air. "Dad, you told me anything goes." Charlie smiles. "Look at how cool I look."

Henry opens his eyes and puffs out his feathers. Charlie was really his daughter. He stared at what took his daughters place. Her dirty blonde locks have tinted black and red ends and seem to defy gravity. Her horns twisted up and had black flames above them. She had a massive pair of fluffy wings along with a much small pair of scalled wings. Her tail was fluffy like how a porcupine looked fluffy. She had a massive chainsaw in her hands, and her feet were clawed, and it looked like she was wearing heals, but upon closer inspection, there was a sharp bone spur coming out of her heel. Her ears pointed and teeth sharper than any dagger, and had claws on her hands and feet.

Consequences in awe with his mouth open. "Well, I'll be." He looks over to William, who wasn't paying attention to Charlie, but had his eyes glued on Henry. "This will be much more fair than I realized. She even summoned her own personal weapon without proper training."

Henry steps back and stares. "Are you ok?"

Charlie pauses. "Of course I am, I feel jittery, and I want to hit things." She fluffs out her wings. "Can we get ice cream after?"

Henry chuckles, stretching out his wings. "Ok honey, only if you knock me out." He holds his fists up. "Now let us actually begin."

Charlie nods, and her chainsaw vanishes. "Ok, I won't use a weapon since you don't have one." She giggles. "Love you, dad."

"I love you too, darling." Henry smiles bracing for impact as Charlie vanishes.

....

Jeremy vibrates with excitement. "I have something to show you."

Micheal raises his brow, they were in the forest collecting ingredients with Jackie. "If it's that frog again, I'm leaving you."

Jeremy huffs. "It's not."

"Alight fine, what is it?" Micheal smiles as Jeremy pushes his socks down.

"Eye, see you." Jeremy giggles as eyes open up on the back of his ankles. "I also got mouths on my palms, but I don't think they are as cool as extra eyes. Mom says I might be developing more on my back."

Micheal's eyes widen as he crouches down. "Do they feel weird?"

"Not really, but I can see out of them. They have a weird film over them, so they don't really feel different than my nails." Jeremy pulls his socks back up after he closes them. "Pretty cool, right?"

Micheal nods. "Can I see the mouths?"

Jeremy opens his palm, but suddenly, Micheal sinks through the ground. "Micheal?!"

Jackie sighs and looks back. "Don't worry, it's his first summonce. The old man probably needed -" She covers her face as Jeremy vanishes as well. "Damnit, I wasn't able to ask if Jeremy confessed yet."

.....

Charlie gasps, picking up Micheal and then Jeremy in her arms. "It worked, yes!" She is running around the field laughing.

"Charlie?" Micheal gasps. "Put me down!"

Jeremy starts to laugh. "No, go faster."

Henry groans as he gets up. He cracks his back as he returns to a normal human form. "I'm so proud of her." His eyes are wide and full of pride.

"She kicked you in your groin when you hugged her." William sighs.

"She fights just like me." Henry bounces on his heels.

William pinches his brow. "Why is that good?"

"Because that means she will do anything to win. Which also means she won't be trusting and getting herself killed." Henry smiles. "Also, she did summon your son and Jeremy."

William crosses his arms. "I suppose I can accept that."

Consequences sigh. "Child quit your running they have to replace your seal!"

"But this is so much fun!" Charlie giggles.

Micheal goes limp. "Charlie, please, I don't like being carried." He regrets his words when Charlie stops and throws him across the field. He releases his wings, ruining his shirt, but stops his trajectory and lands peacefully. "RUDE!" He shouts at her. He's laughing, though.

Jeremy chuckles, climbing off of Charlie. "You're zooming around like a puppy."

Charlie smiles. "I have a lot of energy, but the old man says you two have to..." She stops holding her neck, collapsing to her knees. Her monstrous form fades to her human one as she shudders. "That felt worse than last time." Her eyes roll back, and she passes out.

"I'm sorry!" Micheal shouts running over.

Charlie huffs, waking back up. The black choker seems to have roots into her veins that fade into her skin, and the metal charm has doubled in size. "Ugh, warn me next time, you jerk." She pauses as Jeremy waves his hand, and the black in her veins subsides, and it looks like a normal necklace. The charm didn't shrink but has a few more chains, allowing it to hang lower. "Both of you stop." She whines. "It feels weird."

"Sorry..." Jeremy looks away face red. "Your clothes are a bit torn up."

Charlie looks down but doesn't cover herself as she gets up. "Ugh, I wanted to break my bra, not my shirt." She sighs. "I'm fine, I feel better. Still warn me when you're going to do that either of you."

Micheal rolls his eyes. "That was for throwing me."

"Micheal." Charlie huffs glaring.

"Charlie." Micheal matches her gaze for a moment before the two start to break down laughing.

Henry rushes over with William. "Charlie darling, are you alright? You collapsed."

"I'm fine, dad. Ruined my shirt, though, and my shorts. Oh wait, can we all get ice cream now?" Charlie smiles.

"How about you get new clothes first." Henry sighs really trying not to think about how much Charlie has matured because if he did, he would be attacking any guy that even came close to her.

"Ugh lame." Charlie huffs.

"Micheal, are you ok?" Wlliam is brushing the dirt and leaves off Micheal.

Micheal smiles. "I'm ok, I'm ok." He sighs. "A little hungry, but besides that, I'm fine."

"We should go back and get you checked out anyway just to be safe." William sighs.

Jeremy waves. "Hi again, Mr. Afton." He pulls a frog out of his pocket. "Wanna see a cool frog we found?"

William steps back as it tries to jump on him. "Absoutely not."

Micheal snickers, as Jeremy chuckles.

......

It's been three weeks, and Charlie's birthday was coming up, but the start of school was tomorrow. Charlie huffs, packing her bag. "Can we just skip this?"

"Education is important, Charlie." Henry smiles. "Besides this winter, we're going to visit your aunt down south."

"I get to meet grandma?" Charlie looks up at Henry who forces a smile.

"Yeah, you'll meet her." Henry sighs. "I believe William will be visiting his family with Micheal."

Charlie sighs. "Do you think I could summon him while at the farm?"

"No." Henry sighs.

"Oh..." Charlie frowns. "Does that mean Pa is going down too?"

Henry pauses. "No? He's still under contract with Jackie, right?"

"Yeah, but Ms. Fitzgerald has been trying to break it, and he has stopped her every chance." Charlie sighs. "Jeremy's been talking about it."

"Ah, I have to come by there then to ask what's going on." Henry smiles. "Now, set up your outfit for tomorrow. The first day is always fun."

Charlie rolls her eyes. "You know it's not." She huffs.

.....

William sits next to Micheal on his bed. "Aren't you excited for school? You've got that new art class you're looking forward to and trying out for the school musical."

Micheal is quiet. "One of the football guys saw me with Jeremy. The whole will know on the first day." He pulls at his shorts. "I'm already going to have to change in a different room because of my tail, but they know I'm a queer."

William pulls Micheal into a hug. "Breath my little fox. If they even try anything, I want you to break bones. I don't care about the rules or the consequences, but you will defend yourself."

Micheal frowns but nods. "I will protect Jeremy, too. I don't care if I get hurt, I can bounce back, I'm strong, and I can even go against Charlie. I don't want him to get hurt."

"Protect yourself first, ok." He kisses Micheal's forehead. "Remember, we have a suit fitting soon."

Micheal sighs. "I know..."

"I don't like it either. I would rather be expending fazebear entertainment to other states than go." William sighs. "One trip and never again. I promise."

Micheal nods. "Ok..." He sighs. "I have to pack my bag."

.....

Consequences sat I'm the uncomfortable plastic chair next to his son as they stared at the principal. The entire football team decided to jump Micheal and Jeremy. Charlie got involved, and the entire football team is out for the season, along with everyone else who tried to attack them.

"Now I understand Micheal's father couldn't make it." The principal sighs, narrowing his eyes. "Your boys and er... daughter have attacked these boys without a care. You have destroyed our team for the future for a few name callings." He scowls. "I don't support these queer aid ridden kids, but this is pushing it. How can you stand these boys turning away from God into sin?"

Consequences hold his arm in front of his son. "Afront to God? Which God? Come now, you can't just invoke a deity without saying their name."

The principal gives a look of disgust. "Our God the one true God."

The red head sits up his eyes, glowing a red. "Now that's no fun. However, I was told by my current owner to take care of this." He grins and snaps his fingers, both men vanishing, leaving Henry alone in the office.

Henry blinks. "Dad?" He jumps when they all suddenly reappear.

"We've all come to an agreement." Consenqueses smiles. "The other children won't bother them either anymore."

The principal hugs his chest. "You are free to go." His voice horse and eyes seem to stare into nothing.

Henry follows his father out of the door. "What did you do?!" He hissed.

"I merely took care of things like Jackie told me to. The children are free to return to classes." He smiles.

Henry scowls. "What did you do?" He stands in front of him. The three teens are behind him.

"I merely gave him and the attackers an audience with what they assume to be God. She wasn't happy to see them." Consenqueses smiles. "He was adamant that his rule was God's plan. He never specified which one, so I made an educated guess it was Christianity, and well, she wasn't happy. Lucy doesn't like it when humans take the word of angels over her."

"W-what?" Henry's eyes widen. "Lucifer is the Christian god?"

"Well, in a sense, but no. Angels kind of created the Bible to spite her, and humans kind of ran with the rest. Angels and devils never have gotten along, and Lucy is a god because she controls hell. Lucy isn't a demon like how we aren't demons. We dont have a name for what we are." He pushes back his red hair. "Now move along children you have classes to attend."

The three teens nervously run back to their final classes of the day.

.....

Henry was on his third glass of bourbon as he laid back on the couch. "William, I want to forget today." His face was red, and he was tipsy at best he has a very high tolerance.

William raised his brow. "As you keep saying." He had barely touched his first glass, he mostly stopped drinking after becoming Henry's he had gotten what he wanted, and he wanted to remember everything of his partner. "Your father speaks in riddles, so why believe him now?"

Henry finishes his third glass and pours a heavy-handed fourth. "He doesn't lie. He merely withholds the truth." He was drunk enough his accent was on full display. "William." He whines drinking half his new glass. He sounds like he's being a fussy child.

William reaches out, but Henry slaps his hand away. "Henry, just because the kids are spending time at Jackie's doesn't mean..." He sighs as Henry finishes his drink and crosses his arms. "Henry, please."

Sober Henry was already a touchy person, and William had never seen anything more than a tipsy Henry even after he tried to kill Charlie. He reached out and grabbed William, pulling him to his lap. His eyes glow red as he stares at William.

William felt exposed, and his purple rabbit ear dipped in front of his face as his wings tried to wrap around him.

"My little rabbit." Henry slurs, reaching up and rubs circles with his thumb on the soft ear. "Little rabbit, little rabbit is so soft."

William's face was red, and he only had one out of six eyes open. "H-henry, you have to get to bed."

"No." Henry growl suddenly grabbing the purple rabbit ear pulling William down. "I want.... " His accent thick and rich like honey. He lets go of William's ear as his mind sluggishly catches up with him. He licks his lips. "Take off your pants and underwear."

William has to do as he is told, and he stands there half naked. "Henry, I'm all for this. In the privacy of our bedroom."

Henry snaps his fingers, and he is also naked from the waist down. "Sit my rabbit." He watches William move robotically and impaled himself with barely a whimper.

William shudders. "H-henry, please." He bites his lip as Henry kisses and sucks along William's neck. His wings stretch out as he whines. "Henry, please. I don't want anyone to see us through the window."

Sharp claws dig into William's shoulders. "No moving." Henry stares up at William. "No one else will see my view. You are mine and mine alone. I don't like sharing." He seems to switch between possessive and innocent in a flash as he traces his hands along both pairs of arms. "You're mine."

William turns his head, noticing all the curtains were shut, and they were thicker and black as if to hide their very presence from any prying eyes. He shudders, feeling Henry's claws trace patterns into his lower back. "I am yours Henry, that hasn't changed since you marked me."

Henry rests his head on the crook of William's neck. "No sharing." He seems to be dozing off. "You're warm and feel good."

William frowns, knowing Henry will be asleep soon. "Henry, my love, can I move?"

Henry hums, wrapping his arms around William. "Time for a nap." He pulls William and himself to lay on his side on the couch.

"Henry!" William blushes and covers his face with his free pair of hands. Henry was out cold. Ok, now William learned a few things. Henry is very possessive when drunk and doesn't exactly like sharing. Henry also doesn't think things through or realize how tired he is halfway through. Henry also sleeps like the dead, and since William wasn't released of this command, he had to wait for Henry to wake up.

.......

William woke up first. He honestly had no idea how he fell asleep in the first place. Ok, he still isn't back in human form, and Henry is still buried deep inside of him. The curtains are doing their job better than he could ever expect he can't even tell if the sun had come up. He leans his head on Henry. "Can you please wake up? I don't want the kids to find us." He nudges Henry's shoulder.

Henry groans unwrapping himself from William. "My head... my...." his eyes open to his normal amber, and his face grows red. "Did I hurt you?"

William sighs. "No you didn't even cum. You got possessive and then fell asleep. You, however, did command me not to move, hence the situation. To be fair, if we wouldn't lock like this, I would have found drunk you cute."

Henry covers his face. "You can move and do whatever you want right now. I'm so sorry."

William pulls himself off of Henry. "Next time, get drunk in our bedroom. I will not risk being caught."

Henry nods, red-faced. "I'm sorry..." He pauses, looking around. "Did I change the curtains?"

William snickers, picking up his discarded clothes. "You told me you owned me and that you didn't like to share."

Henry groans. "I'm so sorry." He lets one of William's hands grab him and pull him up.

"How about we get ourselves cleaned, and you can wallow in guilt and embarrassment later." William huffs when he returns to his human form. "Bloody dammit."

Henry smiles and leans into William's touch. "You're not as slick as you think you are. You can go all out tonight when we are in our room together. You have free range over me tonight since I took advantage."

William sighs. "I suppose that has to work." He smiles as Henry kisses his cheek. "But seriously, I need to clean up. You didn't come, but you've been in me for hours."

Henry nods embarrassment in his features. "No more drinking."

William smirks. "I never said that. I said in our bedroom, Henry. I like how possessive you get drunk."

Henry is red-faced now out of something other than embarrassment. "Duly noted."

......

Micheal slipped out of Jeremy's bedroom blanket wrapped around his thin frame. He heads to the couch and curls up. He wanted his foxy plush or something to wrap around. He couldn't wake up Jeremy. He didn't know how to explain his behaviors. He wants to go home and just finish fixing Foxy, and he could have them again to use as comfort.

He pulls the blanket over his head. He's been doing so well at hiding. He didn't want Jeremy to know he was a freak who still had stuffed animals and wanted more. He didn't want him to see him pathetic like this, unable to talk and just listless. He can feel himself getting overwhelmed with his thoughts. He curls up on the couch and shakes until his body gives into exhaustion.

......

Charlie pulled back Jeremy from the living room and pressed a finger over her lips. "Be quiet."

"Why? Is Micheal ok? He wasn't in my room." Jeremy can feel worry claw at his throat.

Charlie sighs. "Micheal has fits. Well, he calls it that. He hasn't had one in a long time, but when it happens, he can't talk, and he's really vulnerable or incredibly defensive." She looks over to the couch where Micheal was bundled up in the blanket completely covered.

"Did I do this? I shouldn't have pushed for him to stay in my room or that we should have defended ourselves. I hurt -" Jeremy stops when Charlie smacks the back of his head.

"Hush." Charlie sighs. "He's always been like this. Just relax he just needs rest, and that fixes it."

Jeremy nods and blinks. "When did you get earrings?"

Charlie tilts her head confused and feels her ears. "WHAT THE HELL." Her shout wakes the entire house.

Micheal falls off the couch and glares at the direction of the noise. He pulls the blanket around him. He gets up, walking over to Charlie. He had his arms crossed and a scowl on his lips.

Charlie sighs. "Sorry, but what if you suddenly woke up with piercings?"

Micheal raises his brow and then sees them. He points to metal charm around her neck, then to the earrings.

Jeremy nods. "They are the same design... oh, the old man was talking about how your seal will grow and change."

Charlie huffs. "I was hoping this would grow enough. I could use it like a whip."

Micheal shakes his head and walks back to the couch.

Jeremy follows Micheal, grabbing his hand. "Hey, Charlie told me you can't talk right now." He smiles at Micheal's shocked expression. "I'll just talk enough for the both of us. Wait, do you think I can talk out of the mouths on my hands?"

Micheal smiles and pulls Jeremy into a hug.

Charlie gives a thumbs up and then frowns. "Ah wait, dad's gonna be mad. He didn't want me to get my ears pierced."

Micheal gives a silent laugh.

Jeremy giggles. "I'm sure he will understand."

The red-headed old man walks in with a scowl scratching under the metal around his neck. "Your mother wishes to understand why you are yelling at this hour."

"Oh, that's my fault, Pa. I woke up with earrings." Charlie raised her hand and then ran up to him. "See, Jeremy and Micheal seem to think my seal got bigger."

Consequences has an unreadable expression as he tilts Charlie's head to get a better look. "That observation is correct. We will have to do more exercises in that field to keep your growing power from shattering your seals."

"Oooo, fun. I like training in combat." Charlie smiles, running back and grabbing Micheal and Jeremy. "More training for all of us."

Micheal nods, his face looks eager, like he has excess energy that he has to release.

Jeremy smiles. "Yes, but you have to throw me again. I want to work on my landings."

"I thought you would never ask." Charlie laughs.

Jackie comes walking in her blonde hair was a mess, and she has bags under her eyes. "I appreciate that you three are up, but I will not have you three make a racket at 7 in the morning." She sighs. "Consenqueses make them breakfast and help them get out their excess energy, I've got a shift tonight, and I really need to get more sleep."

"Of course, lady Jackie." Consenqueses smiles.

"I told you no terms of ownership. You refuse to be freed, so you're more like an unwanted pet." Jackie sighs. "Don't cause too much trouble, you three."

"Yes, mom, love you." Jeremy smiles.

"Of course, Ms. Fitzgerald." Charlie gives a thumbs up.

Micheal just nods, grabbing Jeremy's hand.

Consequences smiles at the three. "That means training for the rest of the day after you eat. These suspension punishment is my gain."

The three nod.

....

William dropped his glass of water shattering on the floor as the front door was kicked open. "Bloody fucking cunt." He turns and glares at the intruder, who was Consenqueses, and he was holding the three passed out teens. "What happened?" He grits out seeing his son out cold.

Consenqueses chuckles. "My son redecorated, huh?" He drops the three teens on the couch where they curl up against each other.

"It's nearly midnight! What did you do?" William growls.

"Just some training." Consenqueses smiles. "They sure have more energy than I was expecting."

William pauses he finally notices that Consenqueses has a black eye and a busted lip. "Training?"

"Jackie told me to have the kids burn off excess energy. Training is the best solution to that." The red head sighs. "My boy won't be happy his little darling has more seals on her now."

William sighs. "Well, you're lucky he sleeps like a rock." He starts to clean up his mess. "I'll take them to bed. You can go."

The red head smiles and vanishes.

William finishes cleaning up his mess and sighs, finally heading over to the three teens. Micheal was fine and was wrapped around Jeremy, and Jeremy was fine as well. Charlie had pushed those two away and splayed out on the couch. He was surprised she hadn't fallen off. He only came down for a drink after Henry fell asleep after he had his fun being dominant against his owner.

William shook his head. Sure, he loved being dominant, but it wasn't often he could, and that made it even better. He can't think of that right now. He had to get these kids to a proper bed. He somehow managed to pick up Jeremy and Micheal together and bring them to Micheal's bed. Charlie was a bit harder she moved a lot in her sleep and was as solid as her father. He barely got her to bed.

He sighs and heads back up to Henry's room. He really needed to discuss things with Micheal. He knows the boy is only 15, but he still is a teenager, and it's only a matter of time before the physical nature of his relationship comes to light. He needed to sit both boys down for that talk.

He shook his head, shutting Henry's door and crawling back to bed. He covers his face he forgot about the water he was still thirsty.

.....

Jeremy woke up with pain and something wrapped around him. Opening his eyes, he knew he was in Micheal's room, and it was probably Micheal wrapped around him. Yesterday was nonstop training, and the old man put them through the wringer. He really needed to warn his mom about phrasing. Also, why did the old man still want to be controlled by his mom? His mom didn't want it. He shook his head, snuggling closer to Micheal. He also wondered if Micheal was going to start talking again soon. It wasn't important he just missed his voice.

Micheal pushed his face in the crook of Jeremy's neck, making the blondes face light up red, and he could feel blood running south.

Jeremy swallowed. Please, not now. He didn't want to ruin this. Micheal's hot breath on his neck only made things worse. He crosses his legs. Ok, this wasn't working. "Micheal? Micheal, can you let go?" He can feel him shift and let go, turning around, letting him scramble out of bed and rush to the bathroom.

Henry watched the blonde blur run to the bathroom from Micheal's room. "Oh good afternoon...." The door slams shut. "Jeremy...." He turns to William. "I can understand teenagers sleeping to noon, after what you told me, but the rude behavior is something else. Although I can't say anything, I was much worse."

William sighs. "Micheal was wrapped around him, and he probably couldn't get up to use the bathroom. He's a boy Henry. We both know how uncomfortable that can be."

Henry sighs and nods. "You're right. Besides, I know how hard it is to detach Micheal when he sleeps."

William nods. "It's quite sweet." He smiles as Jeremy finally leaves the bathroom. The red face makes William raise a brow, however.

Jeremy groans, covering his face.

"You alright there?" Henry walks over. "You look pretty...." Teenagers, they were teenagers, not children. "Do you need a fresh pair of clothes?" He says quietly.

Jeremy stares at the floor, embarrassed. "Y-yes, sir."

Henry smiles softly. "Alright, I'll grab something for you."

Jeremy nods, hugging his chest, and returns to the bathroom.

William raises his brow when Henry walks past him. "What was that?"

"William, they're teenagers." Henry sighs heading down stairs to the laundry room.

William covers his face. "Fuck."

.....

Jeremy looked down at the table, unable to look William in the eye. "I know I'm disgusting."

William felt a twinge of sympathy and sighed. "You're a teenager. You don't exactly have great control over yourself yet."

Jeremy grips at his pants. "I'm sorry. I just I don't know. Mom says that it's normal, but I didn't want to, I'm not... I'm not ready."

William's face softens. "Jeremy, look at me." He waits for the teem to look up at him. "It's ok to not be ready yet. You're young. You have time. Even if you're never really as long as you never harm Micheal, it will be fine."

Jeremy nods. "Yes, sir." He blushes as his stomach rumbles loudly.

"Come on, I'll make you something. You three were dead to the world last night. I can only assume how hungry you three will be." William moves over to the fridge to take things out.

.....

Micheal shuffles out of his room to the smell of food. He still couldn't talk, but he had his foxy plush in his hands he still needed to fix the stitches, but he didn't care he had to have them on him. He sits next to Jeremy and puts his plush in his lap.

William knows exactly what is happening with his son when he takes his foxy with him. He looks to Jeremy, gripping the pan in his hand tighter.

"Still not talking?" Jeremy pauses when Micheal nods. "Ok, then I'll talk for you."

Micheal smiles shyly and hugs his foxy.

William relaxes instantly. "Ok, if you're speaking for my son, now what does he want?"

"Food?" Jeremy looks between them, and Micheal gives a silent laugh and nods.

William smiles. "Alright, I'll make give you both a plate." He hands both teens a full plate of eggs and bacon. "So Jeremy was telling me about your adventure yesterday."

Micheal nods, swallowing another bite of food.

William pauses, hearing his partner give a startled yell. "I'm assuming Charlie is awake."

"Charlie, what happened!" Is heard down the hall.

.....

Charlie had her arms crossed as she stared at her father. "I didn't do it."

Henry sighs, pinching his brow. "I'm not saying you did."

"The old man says my seal got bigger and stronger." Charlie huffs, tugging as her new earrings. She had 4 new pairs along her ears. "I don't like them."

Henry covers his face, taking a breath. "Charlie, don't pull at them."

"I wanted this chain to get long enough I could use it as a whip." Chadlie huffs. "Not these stupid earrings."

Henry shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath. "Charlie, how about we get used to these things? You're still only half. You can't hide like I can."

"I know the old man keeps telling me that. We had a really fun day yesterday. We trained all day, and I got to punch the old man in the face." Charlie smiles.

Henry chuckles. "That's my girl." He says as he ruffles her hair.

....

Months passed in a blur until the dreaded day came. Henry sighs the sun barely over the horizon. "Charlie, come on, we are driving down."

William and Micheal already left for their early flight. Neither man was happy to go.

Charlie came down her two new bracelets shined under the light. "I'm ready." She picks up hers and her fathers suitcase. "I can't wait to meet grandma for the first time. I also get to see Aunt Jen again. Oh, and Gareth, I can ask him how college is."

Henry sighs, watching his daughter head to his car. He was wondering if faking an accident would get him out of this.

.....

It was pouring outside, everything looked and felt gray. Micheal sighs, pulling at the suit on his body. He hated it. It felt tight in the wrong places and scratchy. He felt his father hold his shoulder.

"Micheal enough, you just have to wear it for your grandparents, and you can take it off once we're done." William sighs. "I'm sorry about your hair as well."

Micheal shrugged his hair and could grow back, and Jeremy stuttered at his haircut, which made him feel good. "You don't even like your parents. Your father hurt you."

William nods. "I know that, Micheal, but we must keep formalities. I also have things to collect from the old house if they didn't throw them out. You can take whatever you want as well."

Micheal nods as they approach the withered door and knock. An old woman opens the door and scoffs. "You're late."

William fakes a smile. "Different time zones, mother."

"Bah, at least you have a decent looking eldest. Come in, your father has to talk to you, and show him the boy." She waves letting the two inside.

Micheal immediately felt uncomfortable even more than before. "Hello, ma'am." He bows in respect like his father taught him to.

"He knows manners better than you brat." The woman huffs. "Did your American business fail yet?"

William keeps his fake smile on his face. "No mother, we've expended to different states. We even have a location in New York."

"You would have done better here instead of with that dumb American." She huffs.

"Yes, mother." William moves forward and out of earshot of Micheal and his mother as he speaks to his father.

Micheal stood there awkwardly as the front door opened again. His breath caught in his throat, and the woman who entered was his mother. He hasn't seen her since she left him telling him how much a mistake and a monster he was. He looked away, stepping back.

"Ah, the only good thing my son ever did was marry you." Micheal's grandmother smiles. "My son is talking to his father. You can take them both after."

Clara nods, looking at Micheal up and down.

Micheal frowns, and he wants to run away. He takes a breath. "Hello, mother."

"Micheal." Clara barely acknowledged him. "You will come visit my parents, make friendly remarks to your siblings, then leave."

Micheal nods, he was happy his siblings are ok, but he knew he won't have long with them. His gaze turns to his father, who has returned with a broken lip and a cut on his cheek.

William straightens his tie. "Clara, I didn't think you would be here."

"I am, and you will be coming with me to make formalities with my parents and sign the divorce papers." She narrows her eyes. "It's the least you can do."

William sighs and nods. "Very well, Micheal, come along."

"Yes, father." Micheal frowns following close behind his father.

.....

His mother's place was a mansion, and it was the only way Micheal could describe it. His father said it was an estate. It just felt too big. The couch he was sitting on was too stuff as his father went with his mom to see his other grandparents. He missed Jeremy, and he missed his uncle. Everything was so different, and cold.

Micheal doesn't notice the two pairs of eyes on him as he crosses his arms. He never wanted to come back here. His mom was awful, and so were his grandparents. He sighs. "I just want to go home." He mumbles.

"Micheal, is that you?" A female voice broke the silence, a girl with red hair and a blue dress come into his vision, and a boy behind her both has green eyes like his father.

"Lizzie?" Micheal looks up from his seat.

"It really is you." Elizabeth smiles. "I've missed you. It sucks here."

Micheal nods. "It does."

"Come on, let's go somewhere with fewer eyes." Elizabeth smiles, motioning to the guards.

"Please." Micheal gets up and follows her. "Hi Ev, it's been a long time."

Evan looks away and stays quiet.

Elizabeth sighs as they ender a large living room. "Evan's just nervous. How have you been?"

"High school is something." Micheal shrugs, standing awkwardly. "I've been doing my own thing, I guess. Fazebear has become so popular that it pops up in a few different states. Uh, how are you two?"

Elizabeth huffs, plopping herself down on the couch. "It fucking sucks, mom treats me like a doll and commands everything I do. She makes me do ballet. I want to play rugby, but no, that's a boy's sport, and ladies shouldn't have anger."

Micheal chuckles. "You would get along well with Charlie. You both like hitting things."

"I guess?" Elizabeth sighs. "Can I just hide in your luggage and come back with you?"

"I don't think that's how it works." Micheal sighs, pulling out an old leather bound book. "Evan, want to look through my sketch book?"

Evan cautiously approaches and takes the book and heads to the farthest corner from him.

"Don't take it personally. Mom has been telling us from the beginning that you and Father are evil. I don't believe her." Elizabeth sighs.

"I figured as much." Micheal crosses his arms. "Besides, mother, are you two ok? Making friends?"

"Not really everyone thinks we're dumb Americans because of our accents. Everyone is so elitist here." Elizabeth frowns, looking down, crossing her arms.

"Well, what do we have here?" A male voice interrupts the conversation.

Micheal's eyes widen as he spins around. "Y-you! Get out!"

The red head smiles with too many teeth. "Oh Micheal, I didn't know you had siblings. Oh, don't look so frightened, little ones. I'm merely checking on your brother."

"I don't need you here." Micheal huffs. "You're scaring them both get out."

"Micheal, who's that?" Elizabeth gets up and hides behind Micheal. "How did he get in? There are guards all over."

"Consenqueses I told you to leave. I'm on holiday break." Micheal stands up straight glaring at the man.

"You are, but your body isn't." He smirks. "Come now, I know you can feel it coming."

"I am fine!" Micheal shouts, stepping back. "Don't I can handle it. I can hold it off j-just..."

Elizabeth scowls, swallowing her fear. "Leave my brother alone." She stands in front of her brother. "Fuck off."

"Such a mouth on a child." He smiles and looks down on her. "I like that."

Elizabeth doesn't fault when he gets closer. "I said fuck off and leave him alone. Go ahead. I will scream, and the guards will come in, or I'll just fucking bite you."

Consenqueses laughs. "A little spitfire. Oh, I really like you."

"Lizzie...." Michael pulls her back, but it isn't enough to stop the sudden shift, and since he was holding onto his sister, they went together.

Consequences scowls his gaze turns to Evan who was in the corner shaking. "Relax, child, I ain't gonna hurt you nor them. I didn't even take them." He vanishes, leaving Evan alone.

......

Charlie was rubbing her eyes as she hugged her chest. "Micheal....?" She looked up, and Micheal was in front of her. "I didn't think it would work." Her eyes were red and puffy, and her shirt was torn, and Micheal could see a fresh brand on her stomach.

Elizabeth blinks, looking around. How did they get in a barn? She looked past Micheal to see another person she looked familiar too.

Micheal pulls his suit jacket and tosses it at Charlie. "Charlie, what happened? Is that why the old man came by?"

"W-what?" Charlie hiccups trying very hard not to start crying again. She ties the suit around her stomach. "N-no."

"Charlie?" Elizabeth spoke up, startling Charlie.

Micheal crawls over to her and motions for Elizabeth to follow. "I was with Lizzie when you summoned me. It's ok, though."

"Summoned?" Elizabeth raises her brow and sits on the other side of Charlie.

Charlie laughs, rubbing her eyes. "C-can I explain?"

Micheal nods. "Go ahead."

"Please." Elizabeth sighs.

.......

William sighs, following Clara to the room where Micheal should be with his siblings. He was more amused with the fact that Clara's parents wanted to invest in fazebear entertainment and wanted to keep in contact with him and Micheal because he's very promising. The door opened, and William's heart dropped.

Clara looked furious. "Who are you, and where is my daughter?"

William swallows. "Consenqueses?"

The red head sighs and gets up from talking to Evan. "I believe Elizabeth went where Micheal was summoned to, I have an idea to where, but I am unsure if that is the truth."

"We told you no summons while we were on holiday." William scowls stomping up to Consenqueses. "You're still under Jackie's thumb why are you here?"

"Your son is going to go through another change quite soon." He smiles. "I was told to get him to a safe area. I, however, did not summon him, and as far as I know, Charlie's seals are in place, which means she is unable to."

William rubs his temples. "Who else could summon him?"

"I am unsure." Consenqueses drops his smile. "I am acutely aware of the greater problem." He turns his gaze to Clara and then looks back to Evan. "Child, how about an adventure?"

Evan looks between his mom and dad and nods. "I have to return Micheal's book."

Clara huffs. "Evan, don't you dare. You cretin bring my daughter back to me now and remove yourself from the residence."

Consequences bows. "As you wish." He snaps, and he vanishes with William and Evan.

. ....

Elizabeth nods. "Why can I get cool powers and go on adventures? I'm stuck being mothers perfect fucking doll." She scoots closer to Charlie. "You ok?"

Charlie nodded, and her long-winded explanation helped calm her down from crying more. "Yeah, I'm ok. Sorry for dragging you both here."

Micheal shrugs. "It was suffocating there, and dad got a busted lip from talking to his father. Mother still thinks I'm a monster."

"My grandma branded my stomach." She removes Micheal's coat, showing a fresh brand on her stomach. "I now know where dad got his. Dad went out into town with Aunt Jen, I was just trying to help with the work, and she didn't like that. A girl shouldn't do the slave work. I think I hate her."

"She sounds gross." Elizabeth cringes.

Charlie nods. "Dad is scared of her."

"I don't blame him." Micheal frowns.

"Wait, does this mean I'm back in America?" Elizabeth smiles as Charlie nods. "Fuck yeah. Wait, I got to get Evan, too....shit"

"Lizzie..." Micheal sighs and smiles. "Yeah, that would be nice."

Charlie frowns. "I don't want to go back out."

"Want me break your seal so we can run?" Micheal looks over to her.

"No, I just want my dad." Charlie hugs her chest.

"I want my dad too." Elizabeth frowns.

Micheal sighs, pulling off his tie. "Come on, let's try to fine Uncle Henry." He ties his tie around Elizabeth arm in a bow. "There now your outfit is complete."

Elizabeth smiles, getting up. "Thanks."

Charlie gets up as well. "I know which direction they went."

Micheal nods. "Come on, then let's go."

[heejojo]

Love Isn't Beautiful But With You It Was

✰ summary: y/n and niki's journey from being enemies to friends to much more than that.

✰ pairing: Niki x fem!reader (and a Jay apperance)

✰ genre: fluff, angst, enemies to childhood friends to lovers

✰ warning: a few sad scenes but I'm not sure they'll be too bad! death

✰ word count: 1.8k (the most so far tbh)

a/n: this is my first fanfic so please leave comments about what should be improved. if you have any requests feel free to leave them! it's past 12am now and I need to sleep but I hope you have a nice day!

prompt gotten from @moonlight-chi77 thank you!

“Love isn’t beautiful but with you it was”

Life disappears in the blink of an eye, but the memories created and the human connection formed does not. The memories created are embedded in our hearts and follow us through different paths of life. Whether those memories are good or bad, they become something we reflect on in later moments.

Nishimura Riki couldn’t exactly remember the first time he met you but all he knew was that he had never hit off with someone the way he did with you.

September 2012

Although Niki couldn't pinpoint the exact date you guys started talking, he knew it was in September of 2012. He knew at first he disliked you and wanted nothing to do with you because you had stolen his spot on the swings.

“That's my spot, I told Jay I was going to stay here forever,” he said while his friend who was behind him nodded enthusiastically, backing him up.

“Your name is not on it and you didn’t buy it so why should I leave?” you asked him without coming down because you got there fair and square.

“I called dibs on it,” he said while puffing out his chest.

“Dibs are for babies,” you say while continuing to swing. “I’m not a baby,” he retorts.

“If you say so, then why are you wearing a Talking Tom T-Shirt?” you ask and his face begins to turn red. “It's cool, isn't it Jay?” he nudges his friend asking him for support. “Cool man, girls just suck” Jay responds and they both leave. “At least I dress myself!” you yell at their retreating figures

After that day, Niki made it his mission to disturb you every day and never wore his Talking Tom shirt again after that day.

August 2016

“Niki!!” you screamed as you felt another water balloon hit your leg. At this point, your entire body was soaked. The young boy continued to laugh and run as you chased him. You were beginning to regret spending your summer break with him when you could be watching TV instead. Eventually, you give up chasing the blond-haired boy and go into the house to dry off. Thirty minutes later, Niki comes in with a bottle of orange juice as a form of apology. You snatch it without further thought and drink it. Looking up at him after you finish drinking it, you both burst into a fit of laughter. “You’re lucky I love food,” you say. Maybe spending the summer with him wouldn't be so bad.

December 2018

Your crush on Niki was painfully obvious to everyone but him. Your friends teased you, his friends teased you yet when you were together you denied it with so much vigour. Niki had liked you for a few months now. Everyone was enjoying the slow burn that was going on between the two of you; the soft glances across the room, the way you always looked for each other among crowds, the way he knew where your secret birthmark was even though your close friends didn’t.

It was the way you complimented each other that made everyone cringe and aw at the same time. The jacket you got him for his birthday was his most prized piece of clothing and the only person he let touch it was his mum. This year though, you gathered enough courage and told him how he meant to you and how you were content with being just friends even if it hurt a little. But you weren’t expecting Niki to say he felt the same way, even more so. Your friends heaved a sigh of relief and choruses of ‘Finally’ were echoed.

It felt good being with someone.

January 2019

Everyone argued with people they loved right? Your parents did, the old lady that sells fruit and her boyfriend did so you and Niki weren’t an exception. After being childhood friends for so long you’d think you could trust each other enough to talk about the things that bothered you but he refused to, claiming that he didn’t want you to see him in a different light and how it would hurt his pride. You would tell him that no one knew him more and cared about him the way you did. At times, you’d let it go not wanting to push him but that day you couldn’t take it.

“We need to talk. Why have you been avoiding me these past few days?” you asked him.

“I’ve just been busy” he replied.

“No, you’ve been avoiding me. I know you well enough to know when you're hiding something” you said.

He wouldn't budge, he never did especially when you cornered him like this. He started to get irritated and said, “I said I’ve been busy so forgive me if I can’t give you attention all the time. Not all of us are as clingy as you” You winced; it was your fault for pushing him to the edge like that. Nevertheless, you wouldn't give up. “ I just want you to say how you feel and what bothers you. I’d never look at you in a different light and you know that. You might want to be strong but it’s okay to show some sort of emotion, it doesn’t make you weak rather it makes you look like someone that acknowledges what is wrong and doesn’t try to ignore the problem or solve it on their own” you comforted him. As the words entered his ears, you could see the walls surrounding his heart crumbling. “It’s okay to ask for help or just to rant to someone. Even if we won’t be able to provide an immediate solution, it should help” you added taking a few steps forward and grabbing a hold of his hands. You squeezed them tightly.

“I...I’m just scared you’ll leave once you see the not so perfect side of me” he managed to say. “I will stay with you, why don’t we make the best of everything without worrying about the future?” you asked while smiling. He returned it and pulled you in for a hug. “Thank you, truly,” he said and you smiled under his embrace.

After a few minutes you spoke up, “Oh yeah, Niki?” you called his attention and he hummed in response. “Don’t ever shout at me like that again, I can deck you and you know it” you said.

“Got it, boss. Sorry for being a jerk”

June 2020

You usually went on diets and exercised a lot but you were losing weight at an extreme rate and you weren’t even on a diet. Niki was worried but you brushed it off telling him it was stress from school but it got worse. You found it difficult for you to balance yourself, you felt nauseated, getting even more frequent headaches and being tired all the time so Niki decided that enough was enough and took you to the hospital. Neither of you had expected the result of the scans that were run.

“I’m sorry but there is a tumour in your brain,” the doctor said. The air left your lungs. “You can choose to get the surgery and live in the hospital for 8 months or live with the tumour for 3 months” he continued. You thanked him and left the hospital. The elephant in the room was very much alive and neither one of you wanted to address it. Did you want to stay in the hospital for the rest of your life or did you want to say with your loved ones? You thought that they would go through and that won’t be worth it.

“Niki” you called out.

He looked at you with a sad smile and just pulled you in for a hug, careful not to hurt you. “Do you want to tell your parents?” You nodded. You couldn’t just leave without saying anything. Picking your jacket, Niki drove you to your parents house.

“I just wanted you guys to know, I couldn’t just leave without saying anything,” you said with your eyes cast downwards. You couldn’t bear to look at your mom who was already crying or your dad who was blaming himself even when it wasn’t his fault or your sister who was basically your best friend. Niki had given you guys privacy but you knew it was just an excuse for him to be with his own feelings.

“I’m going to stay close to home in the meantime so I can be closer to you guys,” you said. Your eyes were already becoming glossy with tears. You inched towards your mom, taking her hand in yours and said, “You did an amazing job of being my mom and I love you so much”. Moving to your dad, you said “You did a good job of protecting me so don’t think otherwise. Let’s make all the memories we want to now without any regrets”. At that, your sister burst into tears “I… I can’t bear to lose you” Your heart clenched. “I can’t bear to lose you too” She continued crying. Your mom wiped her eyes and said, “From today, live the way you want to. Eat what you want and do what you want.” From the corner of my eye, I saw Niki staring watching the whole scene. After an hour, I stood up and went home with Niki. The car ride was a long and awkward one. When we got home, we just slept hugging each other.

Starting tomorrow I was going to live.

July 2020

The pain is getting worse but the smiles on my family and friends faces are enough to keep me going. I wrote letters and got gifts for them. Niki looks at the calendar every day, I can’t tell him to stop because I can tell he’s hurting so much. Why can’t I just be okay for everyone?

August 2020

The time comes faster, Niki and I went on a getaway for a few days. He deserved a break from everything that has been going on.

September 2020

I never thought I'd die as silly as that sounds. I asked my parents and sister to leave when I got to the hospital. Niki refused to leave and stayed there till I took in my last breath. He kept crying begging me not to go and how he’d do anything.

“Does it hurt a lot?” he asked between sniffles

“No it doesn’t, it just feels like a needle” it hurt like a truck.

“Liar”

I chuckled and held his hand till I couldn’t anymore. “I love you’’ I say as the lights fade.

╔═*.·:·.✧ ✦ ✧.·:·.*═╗

Dear Nishimura Riki,

When you see this, it means I’m already gone. First of all, don’t beat yourself up too much. I could write for ages about how much I love you but now that I need to, my mind goes blank. You’ve done so well for putting up with me, hats off to you. You might not want to but move on, even though id like you to remember me; let your heart heal and be happy.

Take care of yourself and don’t skip any meals. Eat well and be happy, make sure you visit the places we never got to visit and enjoy yourself. Live life the way you want it every day. Be nice to people and smile more.

Thank you for all the happy memories, my love, I’ll be forever grateful for you. You made my life colourful and worth living.

Love isn’t beautiful but with you it was.

Yours truly,

Y/N.

[alloftheimaginess]

Forever

Requested on wattpad

Warnings: mentions of cancer, death and shitty writing

Also excuse the sad imagines I’ll be posting. They are helping me with my grieving process

"Mommy I need you to record me" Phoebe says as soon as I walk off set.

"What's happening?" I ask going over to her and she smiles at my costume.

“I like your costume” she says and I smile at her.

"But I want you to record me doing something" she says and I nod pulling my phone out.

"Okay I'm recording. What are you going to do?" I ask recording her as we move to outside where the filming isn’t taking place.

"Tom taught me how to cartwheel and it was super cool because he was in his Spider-Man costume" she says grinning at the camera.

"Show me, I want to see it" I say and she nods and she runs back a little and she does it halfway and I cheer.

"That was amazing bee" I say cheering her on and she bows.

"Thank you, thank you" she says blowing kisses and she runs up to the camera smiling a big toothless smile and she makes a face before covering the camera.

"We got you something bee" I say and she looks up from her homework.

"What is it?" She asks.

"A gift" I say and Chris hands her the box.

"What is this?" She asks shaking it.

"It's a surprise for you" he says.

"But it's not my birthday, that was last month and Christmas isn't for another month" she says.

"We know but we wanted to surprise you" I say and she nods.

"Okay" she says unwrapping it and she takes the top off and she starts screaming as she climbs on her knees in the seat to get a better look inside the box and she pulls out the ultrasound.

"You have a baby?" She asks.

"Yeah we do" I say and she jumps up and down with excitement on her knees as she pulls the other stuff out the box.

"It's so tiny and cute" she says cuddling the onesie.

"Do you know what it is?" She asks.

"Not yet, we are going to figure that out soon. Uncle Scott and auntie Sn are throwing a reveal party" I say and she holds the ultrasound up squealing.

"I can't wait to give this baby all my love" she says.

"What about us?" Chris asks and she looks up from looking closely at the ultrasound.

"I don't have enough to love all three of you so I'll love you both until the baby gets here. It's not that hard to understand daddy" she says with a duh tone and he laughs.

"I guess it's the only logical thing to do, foolish me" he says and I laugh as she kisses the ultrasound.

"Last session" I say and she grins at my phone as I record her.

"I'm going to beat cancers booty" she says and I laugh.

"Yes you are, you're my little superhero" I say.

"I want to be the Hulk" she says.

"The Hulk?" I ask and she grins even wider nodding.

"Yes. He doesn't have to wear clothes and no one complains when he doesn't, nothing scares him and he can't die. Also uncle Mark is cute" she says giggling and I laugh.

"Totally agree with you there" I say.

"Plus who wouldn't want to be green?" She asks.

"I wouldn't want to be green" I say.

"Yeah because you're boring" she says and I gasp holding my chest.

"You wound me" I say.

"I'm just kidding mommy you're not boring. You just don't understand the Hulk" she says laughing and Chris walks in looking down at his phone.

"Daddy!" She yells and he jumps causing her to laugh even harder.

"What's up bug?" He asks turning to face her as he puts his phone away.

"If you had to be any other superhero that's not Captain America who would you be?" She asks.

"Ooh maybe Iron man" he says and she nods.

"Who did mommy pick?" He asks.

"She didn't. I did though" she says.

"You'd be the Hulk because he doesn't have to wear clothes, huh?" He asks and I laugh shaking my head.

"That was her exact answer" I say and he laughs unpacking her lunch.

"Let me in or else I'll beat down your door, then two strangers who had been two silhouettes on the shade said to my shock you're on the wrong block" she sings.

"Silhouette" I sing.

"Silhouette" she sings super high and she instantly starts cracking up.

"Silhouette" I sing and she doubles over from laughter.

"Silhouette" she sings through her giggles, gasping for air and I start laughing with her.

"I appreciate your dedication to this performance" I say and she leans on me trying to calm down.

"The show must go on" she says in giggles and I smile at her and she leans on my arm trying to completely calm down.

"Merry Christmas, merry Christmas, merry Christmas" she sings over and over as she dances through the house and she drops a gift in my lap and I look up and she drops one on Chris.

"What's this?" He asks.

"A gift for you" she says.

"Uncle Scotty helped me get them so open them" she says and I rip the paper off and it's a jewelry box and I open it and it's a heart necklace.

"It has all of our initials including the baby’s. Right there" she says and I smile at it.

"It's beautiful" I say and I hug her and she hugs me back kissing my head.

"I love it" I say.

"Okay it's my turn" Chris says and she pulls away from me and he opens his and it's a watch.

"It's us" she says tapping the watch.

"I'm going to wear this everywhere" he says.

"Good. Never take it off" she says.

"Never" he says and they pinkie promise.

"What is it? What is it?" She asks and I laugh as Chris and I stand beside her and he starts to hand her the string.

"As soon as you pull this string we'll fi-" she snatches the string from him and pulls it before he can finish telling her and everyone's laughs turn to cheers as pink confetti and powder falls over us and she starts squealing as she jumps around.

"It's a girl!" She screams running around us and he kisses me and I kiss him back.

"We're having another girl, you're officially outnumbered" I say and he laughs as Phoebe continues to scream.

"I think we both are" he says kissing me again and Phoebe jumps and he picks her up and she wraps her arms around my head pulling me close.

"I'm so excited" she says out of breath and I laugh.

"I couldn't tell" I say and she leans her cheek on Chris’ cheek.

"I'm getting a baby sister. I can't wait to meet her" she says trying to catch her breath.

"Hey bee how about we go get some of the powder on auntie Cobie and uncle Taran" I say and she quickly nods and Chris sets her down and she bends down picking some up off the ground and she runs off over to where they are standing.

"I wanna be where the people are. I wanna see, wanna see em dancing" Phoebe sings laid back as she's cuddled up with Chris and the baby as we watch the little mermaid after coming home from bringing the baby home from the hospital.

"Walking around on those what do you call 'em? Oh, feet" she sings.

"Flipping your fins you don't get too far, legs are required for jumping, dancing, strolling along down a- what's that word again?" Chris sings.

"Street" Phoebe sings loudly and I smile at them.

"Up where they walk, up where they run up where they stay all day in the sun, wondering free. Wish I could be part of that world" she sings quietly grabbing the baby's hand.

"What would I give if I could live out of these waters? What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand?" She sings laying her cheek against Chris' as she watches the movie with tears in her eyes.

"You can try. Oh but I-I love you means you're never ever ever getting rid of me" she sings dancing in place.

"Ready for your check?" I ask.

"Not quite. Pie for everybody. I grew up an only child in the suburb of the city. I spent my days alone, my only friend was a stray kit-"

"Are we going to sing show tunes all day or are we going to get dressed so we can leave?" Chris asks cutting her off and she turns around.

"Daddy you're ruining the video so if you aren't going to sing get out the way" she says trying to push him out the shot and he plants his feet and she starts groaning.

"But I love you means you're never ever ever getting rid of me" he says and she starts giggling.

"Daddy stoppp" she says using her back to add pressure to his leg to move him and she starts to slip and he catches her by her arms and she laughs.

"Okay, I'll move. I wanted to see your mom anyway" he says walking over and kissing me.

"Where's my kiss?" She asks.

"You didn’t want one. All you wanted was for me to get out the way and leave you alone" he says.

"You don't have to leave" she says and he picks her up and she kisses him.

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Bee, happy birthday to you” everyone sings as Chris walks the cake into the living room where everyone is and she holds Ainsley at the table.

“Come on chunky monkey we have to make a wish and blow out the candles” she says keeping Ainsley from touching the flames as she quickly makes a wish and blows out the candles.

“What did you wish for?” I ask and she looks up at me.

“A million more birthdays like this” she says smiling and I rub her cheek with my thumb and her smile grows.

“Can I cut the cake?” She asks.

“Yeah, the first piece. Daddy will help” I say.

“Yay” she says and I grab Ainsley.

“Bye chunky monkey, I’ll cut you a slice first” she says rubbing her hands together excitedly causing everyone to laugh.

“Chunky monkey can’t have cake yet” Chris says.

“But daddy today is chunky monkeys sixth month birthday and my seventh birthday so she should be able to have cake” she says pulling on her best puppy dog eyes.

“She got you there. Try to say no to that little face” I say and he groans.

“Fine, a little piece” he says.

“Do you hear that chunky monkey, daddy is going to let us eat all the cake” she says playing with leg and he helps her cut the first slice.

Yn and Chris Evan share videos of their seven year old just days after she passes away from cancer letting everyone know that Phoebe’s or Bee’s (as everyone in her life called her) spirit will live on forever.

[mellometal]

I know I said I don't associate myself with the Panic! fandom anymore, but this is something I have been ACHING to talk about. This is some bad timing, since it was Brent Wilson's birthday recently (yes, his birthday is July 20th, NOT August 20th; source: I've been following him on Twitter for five years and he's actually said this), but this is going to be about Brent and the whole situation with him.

Warning: What I'm about to say about the situation with Brent Wilson (original bassist) is heavily biased, since I do stan him. YEAH. I STAN BRENT MATTHEW WILSON, THE ORIGINAL BASSIST OF PANIC! AT THE DISCO. CRY ABOUT IT. STAY MAD. He's one of the ONLY members of Panic! At The Disco (past and present) who I give a fuck about, besides Ryan Ross, Spencer Smith, and Ian Crawford.

Trigger warning: This will be talking about arrest, jail, drugs (doing and selling), weapons (guns), childbirth, parenthood, and some other things. If these things are triggering for you or make you uncomfortable in any way, you do not have to read this post. Consume media that sparks joy for you.

Disclaimer: I don't know Brent in real life, I'm not in his circle of friends or people he's closest to (like his wife Taylor, his parents, his brother Blake, his in-laws, his irl friends, coworkers, etc.), and this is not me acting like I do. I don't know what his life is like outside of Twitter. The only contact I've ever had with him has been on Twitter, but it was pretty limited.

My thoughts on this situation are MY opinion, any possibilities in my thoughts are just theories and not proven to be true, and I'm not trying to excuse whatever he was allegedly charged with.

Just for the record, I am willing to have a civil conversation with anyone who hates Brent. The minute you attack me or anyone else who likes Brent, or a whole bunch of you start circle jerking about how much you hate him, you're getting blocked. If all you're going to bring up is the shit Brent did when he was in his late teens instead of adding anything useful to the discussion, you're getting blocked too. I already know about that. It happened back in 2004-2006. They were all still kids, to a point. Brent has changed quite a bit since then. The whole "Hate on Brent Wilson" bandwagon is stupid, toxic, and I refuse to jump on it. I've never jumped on it when I was in the Panic! fandom, so why would I do it now?

Remember, without Brent bringing Br3nd0n Ur!3 into Panic!, your precious Br3nd0n wouldn't be successful today. JUST SO YA KNOW. (I'm very salty right now, if you can't already tell.)

If you would like to know about what happened with Brent, a few months ago, he was arrested on (alleged) drug charges and illegal possession of a weapon, along with a traffic violation and something to do with a probation violation too. He was set to go to court back in March for his sentencing, but that's the most recent information I've found. I don't know what the fuck is going on at this point. I don't know if he's been sentenced, if he's doing anything alternative like rehabilitation, nothing. (The reason why I said they're alleged charges is because I don't know if he's even been to court for sentencing or anything like that.)

People's reactions were mixed. Some actually LAUGHED and made a whole bunch of jokes about him being arrested (that's fucking insensitive and cruel). Some felt bad for Brent because he just became a dad (yes, he's a dad, but I'm not posting any pictures of the kid out of respect for Brent and Taylor). Some were shocked. Some weren't surprised (how and why????).

My reaction? It was pretty mixed. I was shocked. I thought I was having a fever dream and what I was seeing was fake at first. When I realized it wasn't fake, I was crushed. I felt absolutely horrible for Brent, Taylor, their kid, and all their loved ones. Like, I care about the guy a lot. Obviously.

Ironically, the band members and/or group members I stan are either the black sheep or they're just not as popular. Or they're the fucking scapegoat almost EVERYONE attacks for the stupidest shit. Brent's the black sheep as well as the scapegoat of Panic!, for example....and I would say that Ian is another black sheep too. Not for any negative reasons. He's simply not as popular, due to the fact he was only in Panic! during the Vices era for a short time. He's underrated as FUCK. I'm one of the black sheep in a lot of places [except for friend groups], even in my own family, so it explains why I stan Brent still.

I just want to say that selling drugs and doing drugs aren't inherently bad things to do. This doesn't mean that I'm for kids doing drugs and selling them. Absolutely not. I want people who do drugs or sell drugs to be treated like human beings. I also want them to be able to seek help easier without the judgment or being treated like a criminal. Personally, I don't do any of that, but I understand why someone would. (This kind of thing hits home for me.)

As far as the whole weapon thing is concerned (it was a gun), I personally don't like them and we need better gun control in the United States. I don't think I'd trust anyone who owns a gun because of the possibility that they would hurt me or worse in an argument or something. I've seen my abuser threaten to pull a gun out on my dad when I was a kid. Thankfully it wasn't loaded, but still. It was scary. I wouldn't own a gun because I'm autistic, mentally ill, and I'm afraid of what I might do in certain situations. If someone wants to own a gun for protection, hunting, target practice, or to collect them, fine. BUT YOU DON'T NEED A HUGE ASS GUN THAT THE MILITARY USES TO GO HUNTING OR FOR TARGET PRACTICE. I don't like them, I don't want one, I don't trust myself with one, guns scare me, and I want better gun control in the United States. It terrifies me that people openly carry. I understand that's the Second Amendment and all, but it doesn't change the fact that it terrifies me. As long as you're responsible with that kind of thing, I don't really care.

I don't know what Brent's reason was for (allegedly) owning a weapon (maybe for protection or something?), but it's none of my business.

In my opinion, this is all stupid shit. There are people who have done horrible things and they're STILL free people, but oh, god forbid you do or sell drugs! THAT'S bad. /s

Here's my response below. I'll type out everything, except for the disclaimers and what he was arrested for. I will start from the fifth paragraph on the first screenshot and continue from there. This is so anyone who has a hard time reading any of the screenshots can read them easier.

(My response was from around the time it was announced that he was arrested. Just so you know.)

First screenshot, fifth paragraph:

First off, I just want to say that this situation is a fucked up one for anyone to be in. I would never wish this on anyone. Especially because now, there's a baby involved, so this makes the situation worse. This is pretty difficult for me to put into words without coming off as bitchy or anything like that, so if I get bitchy here, I apologize.

Second screenshot, fifth paragraph:

I don't know what caused this mess to begin with, but I do know that Brent and his wife Taylor just had a baby a couple months ago (when I was typing this out initially). While it's a good thing for them, it can be assumed that this is also a very stressful time for them.

Combination of third and fourth screenshots (These are pretty much only theories; not facts, and they will be broken up into paragraphs): 

The pandemic most likely isn’t helping their case. Las Vegas is a HUGE city and I’m sure A LOT of people there are REALLY struggling right now in all aspects. Maybe Brent and Taylor are struggling to pay off hospital bills or whatever (to put this into perspective, the average cost for hospital childbirth in Nevada is around $21,239, according to CBS News). The average salary for an accountant in Nevada is anywhere from $34k to $150k, and that all depends on education, experience (how long you’ve been in said career), certifications, and any additional skills. Take into account any other necessities they have to pay for, like their mortgage, bills, insurance, etc. 

Let’s say that they did manage to pay everything else off, but they’re struggling to pay the hospital bills from when they had their baby. (Having a baby is fucking expensive in the United States, regardless of whether there are complications or not, and regardless of whether you have insurance or not.) Let’s say they’ve tried every single option out there, but nothing seems to give still. Maybe the drug selling was a last resort on Brent’s part. (As I’ve said, I don’t know the full story.)

The whole subject of drug paraphernalia hits home for me. My parents both did drugs when I was a kid. I’ve seen it a lot growing up. My dad was, in the past, in and out of jail for drugs and other things that aren’t relevant here. I’m not sure if my mom was in and out of jail for the same shit, but I know for a fact my dad was. Y’know, because he told me. ANYWAYS. 

I get it. You gotta do what you gotta do. It’s not something I’d do personally, but I understand why somebody would do it. I wouldn’t treat them any differently. Maybe they’re selling drugs or whatever to keep themselves from losing their homes, put food on the table for their families, help pay their bills, pay for their education, whatever. It could be a number of things.

Fifth screenshot (people’s reactions to the news and my thoughts on them):

Now...let’s move on to how people are reacting to the news. There’s a lot of mixed reactions. A lot of people feel bad for Brent, especially since he and Taylor just had a baby a couple months ago (as I was typing this). Some people “aren’t surprised” because they were never fans of him in the first place. Others think this is amusing. I’ve seen some people who are solely involved in celebrity news (similar to TMZ) making jokes about the situation, which to me, is appalling.

Let me tell you something. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of Brent or not. This shit isn’t funny or cute in the slightest. It sure isn’t funny or cute to anyone who is being affected by the situation, which includes Brent himself, Taylor, their son, and all their loved ones. Like, full stop. Have some decency. Y’all are fucking gross. You can dislike Brent all you want, but he’s a real human being who fucked up. Personally, when I first heard the news, I couldn’t believe it at first. I thought I was having a fever dream. That is, until I looked it up and actually found that it was true. I was CRUSHED. Why? Because Brent is one of the last people I’d even expect to get into this whole mess. 

Sixth screenshot (my thoughts):

If I’m being honest here...like, BRUTALLY honest, Brent needs to be put in REHAB, not jail. For anyone who has been here (on my Instagram) from when I used to dedicate this account to vintage Panic!, you know how I’ve never said anything but kind things about Brent. From the few times I’ve interacted with him a little bit on Twitter and from how I’ve seen him interact with others on the site, Brent is one of the sweetest people ever. I’m being genuine here. He’s a good guy who fucked up and did some dumb shit. Does that make him bad? No. Then again, as far as I’ve read about the current situation at hand, it’s too early to really determine anything. None of us know what caused him to have drug paraphernalia or anything else that he was arrested for in the first place.

Seventh screenshot (wrap-up):

I’m gonna wrap this up here. My heart aches for Brent, Taylor, their son, and all their loved ones. I hope that everything gets straightened out, all sides of the story come out, and that Brent can get his shit together again. Like he had been doing since he was kicked out of Panic!. I wish everyone involved nothing but the absolute best right now, given how fucked up the whole situation is. (Just to clear up any confusion, when I was referring to Taylor, I’m NOT referring to Taylor Swift or any other celebrity with the name Taylor. I’m referring to Brent’s wife.) 

If you’ve read this far, thank you! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I’ll try to answer as best as I can.

Have my thoughts on the situation changed since February - March of this year? No.

I think that Brent needs some kind of help. That's why I mentioned rehab. It's obvious to me that's the kind of help he needs. I don't believe jail is helpful in certain circumstances (like drug charges, traffic violations, and other nonviolent crimes)....at least in the United States. They treat people who do drugs and/or sell drugs like they're subhuman. Yet there are people who have committed violent, deplorable, horrific crimes, and they're still free people. Funny how that works. I'm not too educated about how the jail system works in other countries, so I can't exactly tell you how I feel about that system on an international standpoint.

Brent should be with his wife and child. I hope the guy gets his shit together again. I believe Brent WILL get his shit together. Genuinely. I would never wish anything bad on him.

I don't crucify Brent like a lot of people in the Panic! fandom do. The only reason I would hypothetically do so is if Brent actually committed violent, deplorable, horrific crimes (i.e., chomo bullshit, trafficking...like, extreme shit) that would warrant him being locked up and I'd drop him completely at that point. OBVIOUSLY I DON'T SEE HIM DOING ANYTHING LIKE THAT. EVER. THAT'S JUST HYPOTHETICAL.

Anyways....have a good day, y'all.

[roswelldetails]

RNM 2x12 - Crash Into Me

EPISODE SUMMARY:

WELCOME TO CRASHCON — As the town prepares for CrashCon, Liz (Jeanine Mason) and Max (Nathan Dean) attempt to piece together who may be behind a potentially deadly plan targeting the festival.  Elsewhere, Maria (Heather Hemmens) and Isobel (Lily Cowles) take drastic measure to learn more about the night Mimi (guest star Sherri Saum) disappeared, while Michael (Michael Vlamis) is forced to do someone else’s bidding.

DETAILS:

Max is secretly practicing with his powers.  Was Max's "light cardio" actually just him trying to strengthen his powers?

Max has a land line. Hee. Which Liz doesn't mind answering for him.

Liz is looking for a pen on his desk when she finds the empty vials of the antidote.  Max plays them off as being leftover from when he had amnesia.

Liz mentions that the phone call was Max's bank calling to verify a deposit for him. 

Max is choosing not to worry about Michael because he and Isobel can feel that he's not badly injured or in serious danger.

Liz called Dirk:

"He said before she left she was getting nonstop calls from a 575 number. The Sunset Mesa facility where Mimi DeLuca lives."

"Wait, Mimi was calling your mom before the abductions?...Mimi was always obsessed with alien movies. Maybe fiction and reality are blurring. Your mom is working with Flint Manes who spent years making an alien-killing weapon while at Caulfield. What if your mom found out Rosa was killed by an alien? She'd want revenge."

Note: Max and I apparently think alike, because this was my assumption going into the episode as well. For the sake of detailing and not making this confusing plotline any more confusing...Max and I were both wrong. 

Also, I love that they mentioned cell service issues during Crash Con.  That is extremely realistic and makes a ton of sense, speaking from experience at like, concerts and baseball playoff games and such.

Maria gets Liz's voicemail and immediately confronts Mimi.

"I just got a message from Liz. Mom...when you disappeared, it was Helena Ortecho that took you...You didn't have butyricol in your system when they found you. You know Liz's mom. You'd remember if you spent a month with her.  Mom, are you covering for Helena?"

"Everything is going to be fine."

"I'm not fine. Alex and Michael are missing."

"Helena is a lot of things, but she won't hurt your friends. I'm sure… (Isobel walks in) You're the blonde. The one that Rosa was afraid of."

"Hi Mimi...I'm your cool Aunt Isobel.  Hopefully we can get to know each other under better circumstances sometime. Sure about this DeLuca?"

"Desperate times call for desperate alien invasions."

Isobel's first trip into Mimi's mindscape:

"Show me what happened the night you disappeared, Mimi."

Mimi turns to see headlights approaching. It's the hunting van. Helena is driving it. After they greet each other they talk in the van.

"I saw her. I saw her in a vision.

"I didn't believe you. I had to see it with my own eyes."

"You saw her.  You saw Rosa."

Flashback to Liz and Rosa arguing over Rosa's necklace in 2x01.  Just as a note, Isobel is in Mimi's head, not Helena's, so she shouldn't really be able to see this flashback since Mimi wasn't there when Helena saw Rosa.

"This is a good thing, Helena. Your daughter is alive. She needs you."

"When Jim Valenti was dying, I came home to say goodbye. He kept saying Rosa could live again, that she was preserved."

"But you didn't believe him. No one ever believes us."

"If Rosa is alive, it means Jim was telling the truth. Which means everything else he said could be true, like aliens are real and Jesse Manes has a weapon that can kill them. It means I have to go to war, Mimi. First, you need some shoes."

Then Mimi somehow kicks Isobel out of her memories, which gives Isobel a nosebleed. But Mimi doesn't seem to know what happened.  It's almost like she has a kind of subconscious protection on her own mind, somehow.

Note: the hunting van must not be Flint's, because Helena is driving it when she first considers teaming up with Flint, I assume based on the above.  Maybe she was the suspicious figure in Flint's house when Max and Kyle were hiding in the closet? And what about the car that Rosa blew up? Did she have access to multiple vehicles? Am I overthinking this?? Haha.

Kyle's tip to Max:

"I found this at Flint's, but it's from a florist my dad used when he was in the doghouse with my mom. I finally guessed the password today. Rosa's birthday. The only thing on it is a note my dad wrote to Helena. It's a lot of romantic crap followed by details for a storage unit he had up near Haystack Mountain."

Haystack Mountain is an off-road vehicle recreation area about 30 miles northeast of Roswell.

Michael working on the "bomb". Charlie is working on the toxin nearby and Helena is keeping an eye on both of them.

"This entire process would be more efficient if I could attach the release chamber to the other side."

"Ay, mijo. Now is not the time to get creative. Time is running out. Follow the blueprints exactly."

"You don't look like an obedient soldier. Who'd she take to force you to do her bidding?"

"A friend. It's complicated. Why are you helping her? Jenna's free."

"Flint Manes has a sniper rifle on the roof pointed at her bedroom window. If I step out of line and something happens…"

"You'll never forgive yourself."

"I'll never forgive myself anyway. Helena has me formulating a pathogen that I invented when I was 17.  It's a poison that dismantles specific DNA. If targeted your death is quick and ugly. A bleeding from every orifice kind of deal… I thought that I was saving people. Okay, imagine a weapon that you could drop into a populated city and the only people targeted would be al-Qaeda leaders and their direct descendants. Okay? In the right hands my weapon could prevent innocent civilian casualties and save our troops."

"I'm guessing these are not the right hands? Why am I building the bomb when the inventor is under Helena's thumb?"

"I do chemicals, not mechanics. And technically it's not a bomb. It's a catalytic toxin atomizer that was developed in a top secret operation involving weapons specialists from both the Army and the Air Force."

"Project Shepherd. One more question for you, Charlie. Whose DNA is that poison you're making gonna target?"

"Judging from conversations I've heard between Helena and Flint, it's alien DNA. Like, literal aliens."

This is actually the part of this story that's crystal clear to me. We've been getting tidbits on this dating back to 1x12, when Flint told Alex about his "smart bomb".  Jesse told Jenna in 2x04 about Charlie's toxin that could pinpoint specific DNA, and even used a similar metaphor in explaining it as Charlie did in this episode. The part that doesn't make sense to me is, why did FLINT need Michael to build it, if he developed the blueprints?

Liz and Rosa in the lab discussing Max taking the antidote.

"He's only supposed to take a drop when he has amnesia. It's not vitamin C. In high doses it could cause surges of adrenaline that could be dangerous."

"No offense, but you sound like a mom. Like a real mom, the kind who actually give a duck. Oh I just figured out what autocorrect is. It's hilarious."

"Speaking of moms, ours hasn't reached out to any of your old dealers and she hasn't shown up at any of the churches in town, so you got any other ideas?"

"It's CrashCon. We usually find her wearing the loudest t-shirts and flirting with the richest nerds."

"Yeah, but Flint and Jesse Manes hate aliens. I mean it's literally their only hobby. If she's with them, I'm betting she's lost her affection for the simple charms of UFO novelty kitch."

"Wait, if you were going to get revenge on aliens, CrashCon is the perfect place. There's all kinds of conspiracy theorists and press. You know how mom loves attention."

"You think something's gonna happen tonight?" 

"Papi is there by himself setting up. I think he should come home."

Note: my phone autocorrected duck to fuck. So I guess that tells you something about me. 😳

Also I just realized that for once ROSA and not Liz is the one who put the pieces together! Good for her. I wonder if that's purposeful since she's the daughter who is more like their mom? Like, she understands Helena's motivations better than Liz or something.

Steph and her father are going to CrashCon together. Kyle helps her with her makeup. Super sweet, but rather pointless since the scenes of Steph at CrashCon were cut. Mostly just including this here as a reminder that she's there in case it comes up in the finale.

Max and Cam, who got her job back!

"Thanks for the assist. I'm guessing that guard wouldn't let me through with bolt cutters unless I had an officer of the law present."

"Oh well, don't be jealous, Evans. Valenti has me on desk duty. So this little adventure is my lunch break."

"Valenti did the right thing, giving you your job back."

"Yeah well, you know, apparently some local bartender gave her reason to doubt the events the night of the gala were my fault. So I owe you."

"I've lost track of who owes who what at this point."

They break into the storage unit. It's empty except for an empty shelving unit, a locked chest, and a puddle of purple alien goo.

"What is that?"

"It looks like embryonic fluid. There must have been a pod in here."

Note: no, Max! Pod Goo evaporates upon contact with Earth's atmosphere/air. So it's not pod goo.

There isn't a super clear shot of inside the chest, but Max pulls out a love letter from Helena to Jim Valenti. I can transcribe it if you want me to. It's pretty easy to read and frankly, there's nothing important there. My heart is forever yours...it feels good to actually love and be loved in return...blah blah cheesy platitudes.

But seriously. Just send me an ask if you need me to transcribe it.  But I'm gonna skip for now.

Isobel is chugging acetone straight from the bottle in the middle of the Pony.

Isobel's second trip into Mimi's mindscape:

"Mimi. I know you think you're doing the right thing, but Helena is holding people hostage. We have to understand her motive."

"You all think I'm losing my mind. But I just...slip out of my time and into a different one every once in a while. Sometimes Maria's. Or Mama's. Other women in our future or past. I saw you when you were a baby. The sky was red."

"What can you tell me about your time with Helena? She had you for a month."

"We were in a motel. We watched movies. We laughed and gossiped. She wanted to trigger my visions...gather information."

"What information? What did you tell her? What did you see?"

"What's important is Helena will take care of our girls. I'm not afraid. That's enough."

Mimi kicks her out again.

"I tried.  She's fading."

"She's tired. It's harder when she's tired. Come on, Mom. I'm gonna take you back to Sunset Mesa."

"Maria, you just have to look for the signs in the water. You have to believe. Go on, you'd better hurry."

"Hurry where?"

"CrashCon closing night! You don't want to miss the fireworks. You always loved the fireworks."

Max and Cam going through the chest of letters back at Max's house:

"Okay, all these notes are from Helena to Jim Valenti. This is from the week Rosa died. I mean even 20 years after their affair she's still writing and he's still saving her letters."

"Pining after an Ortecho for years and years. It's so weird. Who does that. This is a receipt. It's a money transfer he made around the same time. He paid Daniel Fuller a thousand bucks."

"Fuller was the county coroner. Okay we still don't know how Noah got Rosa's body into the pod, right? But Jim had Project Shepherd connections to the morgue. So maybe if Noah knew about Jim and knew that he'd be grieving Rosa, he could have told him where to find the pod, right, and maybe he didn't even take the pod back until after Jim died."

"I mean, this is all a bunch of conjecture."

"Jim pulled me aside at high school graduation, he said I was the kind of guy the sheriff's department could use. Look, I mean maybe… I mean, he never let on, but maybe he knew I was an alien, right? Maybe he knew more than that."

"Okay, Evans? Breathe. You're looking a little clammy. What's going on?"

"Nothing."

"No. See, something's going on, and you're gonna tell me or I'm out, I swear to God."

"Okay you can't tell anyone."

"You know I won't."

"Okay, I've been taking this antidote that Liz made. No...she doesn't know. But its rebuilding some of my memories from before the 1947 crash, right? I was just a little kid, but I had a destiny. I had responsibilities."

"Right, you're the savior."

"Yes! Well, maybe. But I was starting to remember these symbols from our old language, right? I remember what they mean, but it's like the meaning is just out of reach. And I'm out of the antidote. And you know, Liz is getting suspicious. So…"

"No."

"I didn't say anything."

"Really? Can you tell that to your face? I am not using my friendship with your girlfriend to steal alien steroids for you. Okay? Our partnership has limits."

Michael and Helena:

"It's done. So now what? You inject my spine with your mind-eraser?"

"We only used the butyricol on Jenna Cameron because there was still work to be done. And Flint was afraid she'd ruin it for us. You told Flint Charlie was creating a toxin that would kill aliens. But if you wanted aliens dead, you'd be testing it on me right now. 'Cause that's what I would do if I was a criminal mastermind."

"I needed Flint for the schematics and the muscle. Our agendas didn't need to align perfectly."

"You don't have to do this. If you kill anyone tonight, Liz and Rosa will never look at you the same."

"That ship has sailed. Besides, I'm not killing anyone. If disaster never strikes, justice won't be served. Do you want to see Alex or not?"

Liz tries to get Arturo to go back to the Crashdown.  She tells him that the kitchen is backed up because it's so busy.  The interesting part of this exchange from a character perspective though:

"Papi, please. I have a bad vibe, all right? A gut feeling I can't shake."

Diego walks up.

"Who are you? Elizabeth Ortecho doesn't do feelings. She believes in facts and evidence."

"No, I do feelings now.  I've evolved."

Alex is chained up in the house.  There's a takeout box and coffee cup next to him. He's humming a song under his breath. Michael walks in and they talk.

"Guerin, you were right. They used me to get to you. My dad hit me over the head and then he swiped the piece of the console. And then Flint showed up with a gun to my head."

"Did anyone hurt you?"

"Nothing I can't handle. Helena's been weirdly motherly. She's bringing me clothes and meals."

"Your leg."

"Yeah they took the prosthetic. I tried to bludgeon my brother with it. Come on, use your powers. Get me out of this."

"Helena dosed me with something. I'm basically human until it wears off."

"Okay then find something that'll break the cuff or my wrist. I don't care."

"Alex, tonight at CrashCon, your dad plans to release a toxin that kills anyone with alien DNA...Helena made Charlie and I build an identical device, but one that targets a different DNA. She somehow got her hands on your dad's cells. She knows your dad killed Kyle's dad. She wants revenge.  But she wants him to take himself out. When he pulls the trigger on us tonight your dad's gonna die because of a device I built."

"No, that is not on you, okay? Now let me out of here."

"I can't. The atomizer will kill anyone in your dad's direct line. You are safer here."

"Are you serious?"

"And I gotta go. I'm gonna come back for you."

While Michael explains to Alex, we get a flashback to Helena in her totally fake blonde wig at the hospital in 2x02.

Helena disguises herself as Jesse's maid using her totally fake blonde wig and switches out the bombs while Jesse is in the shower.

The @ladiesofrnm have their first scene all together! (With Max...and eventually Michael…) reading through Helena's letters together. Michael makes quite an entrance. Afterwards:

"You're such an idiot! You don't comply with a kidnapper's ransom demands. Without telling me."

"Alex was in trouble. He had to go."

"Mikey, where are Alex and Charley?"

"They're safe. Your mom doesn't want to hurt them."

"Look I don't get it. Does she want to kill aliens?"

"No. She's avenging her murdered lover."

Back to the house where Helena talks to Charlie:

"This atomizer contains the poison that kills anyone with alien DNA. I need you to destroy it."

"Does Flint know that you have it?"

"Flint. Jesse really broke that boy. Some people were never meant to be parents. You can go when you're done.  The door's unlocked. Flint's rifle shoots blanks."

"What's to stop me from leaving now?"

"The knowledge that that deadly device only exists because of you. You decide. I'm off to CrashCon. I hear there will be quite a show."

Note, when Helena says Flint's name she says a word in Spanish that I can't make out and isn't in the closed captions.

Max and Liz's conversation about racism and privilege:

"I want to help. Your mom's not the villain here. All right? She's going about this all wrong, yes. But Manes is already a murderer. I mean, if he'd succeeded today…"

"I know...I could have lost almost everyone I care about in a moment. I remember every day what it was like to lose you and Rosa. I don't think I could survive that again. She could've built a decoy bomb that wouldn't have hurt anyone."

"He'd just get angry and do it again."

"Yeah, but he's not the only one that this would hurt. I mean, the headlines if she gets caught? Illegal Mexican Immigrant Slaughters Decorated American Vet via Bioweapon. People will line up to lay bricks at the border wall. But hey, maybe the president will talk about my family at his rallies. That's gonna be fun."

"That's not gonna happen. This will get covered up like every other strange death in this town."

"In case you haven't noticed those cover-ups don't tend to protect the Mexicans. Even when…"

"Even when Rosa died. You can say it, Liz. It's okay. It's fair. Rosa got blamed. White people didn't. Okay? I get it."

"I know you're on my side, but you don't get this. And that's not your fault, that's just the reality of our experiences. If I mess up. If I so much as roll through a stop sign, it reflects badly on any Mexican who came before me. And it hurts any Mexican who comes after me. I used to think that nothing would ever change that, but lately I think...maybe if something extraordinary happened it could."

"Extraordinary? Like what you're doing in your lab?"

"I've discovered something that could be the key to curing people who have no hope otherwise. I can't walk away."

"So you're gonna turn my family's stem cells into the hottest commodity?"

"No, I won't. I...we'll find a way to synthesize it or replicate it."

"Is this about the people you're trying to save or about becoming the poster girl for immigrants everywhere? You want the president to talk about your family because of you. Because you saved the world."

"If those in power see what happens when people are given opportunity…"

"You want the glory."

"I want recognition. I want to be the example I never had. And people who want glory, they're just in it for selfish reasons. People like Jesse Manes want the glory. He wants to be a big American hero. He wants the parades, he wants the medals. If he sets off his alien atomizer at CrashCon, a handful of twenty-something's will die of some mysterious ailment and it's barely gonna make the news. That's not what he wants. We're missing part of his plan."

"First, something violent. Large-scale that'll draw media attention. And then, once all eyes are in Roswell…"

"He'll blame the violence on the aliens. He only gets his parade if he makes people afraid and then he destroys the thing that they fear. If he makes people think that you're terrorists before he kills you."

Graham Green's reveal at CrashCon.  Graham is announced and takes the stage as Max, Liz, and Rosa arrive to find Michael, Isobel, and Maria nearby.

"Hey, you guys shouldn't be here."

"I was held hostage, Max. I deserve to ride the Sizzler until I barf cotton candy, and maybe watch a bad man die."

"You guys, we think that…"

Graham Green starts his presentation.

"Hello loyal fans and devoted supporters! You patience is about to be rewarded. Today I am thrilled, nay, honored to show you the result of years or painstaking work. The moment we've all been waiting for. Irrefutable extraterrestrial proof! A bona fide alien artifact!"

Graham pulls the curtain and reveals what appears to be something similar to Michael's console, only it is complete and intact.

Flint brings Alex food and they discuss Flint's motives:

"If you're doing this to impress dad, it is never gonna work."

"I'm not trying to impress dad. His shutdown of Project Shepherd was an inform decision, but he's trained me my entire life to take it on.

Flint goes to leave but Alex stops him.

"Do you remember when mom used to drive us to the res, and you would sit at the loom with Granddad? Weaving stories. When was the last time you made something, Flint? Anything that wasn't built to destroy?" 

"Around the time that mom decided that to leave dad, she had to leave us."

"She didn't know what he would do to us."

"He didn't do anything to us. Me and Clay are fine. He'll, even Gregory is coming to see dad today."

"...You are wrong. We are all dad's victims. Sure, he beat me up, but what he put the rest of you through was abuse too. He made you watch while he kicked my ass… He scared you into thinking that there was only one type of man that you could become."

Alex manages to knock Flint out, steal the key to his handcuffs, and free himself.

"You're so pathetic. You don't know me at all. This has nothing to do with dad and everything to do with our history. Aliens are a foreign threat. They're invaders."

Back to CrashCon, where the gang discuss the alien object:

"Alex's piece must have been the last one that Manes needed to finish building it. Where's he been keeping the rest of this?"

Sanders appears out of nowhere.

"Kid, I seen that thing before. Your mother built that back in the old barn. I don't know what it is, but it is definitely explosive. I always wondered what'd happened to the pieces."

"Maybe Harlan or Tripp Manes gathered them up. Rebuilt it."

"Yeah but if Manes is gonna use that to blow up CrashCon, it's gonna make Graham Green look like the bad guy. No one's gonna think an alien planted it."

"Unless they follow the money. I got an alert from my bank this morning. A $10,000 deposit had cleared."

"You think Manes set it up so that the investigation would lead to you?"

"If I become the world's first alien terrorist and he takes me out, the world cheers."

"Guys, you need to do whatever you can to get as many people out of here as possible, okay? Get help."

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Michael and I have studied this material before. It's part tech, but it's also part organic. And if it's part organic, that means it can be killed. I gotta get back to my lab."

Diego sees Max toss Liz his keys.

Max and Michael sneak backstage and convince Graham Green to let them have a moment with the alien ship thingie. Max takes photos of it with his phone.

"Do you think we can destroy it?"

"No. The pieces want to be together and now that it's complete if we break the bonds with brute force we risk a violent reaction."

Max hears voices whispering and reaches out to touch the alien tech. The alien symbol forms under his hand and he pressed it.  There's a surge from the tech and it almost appears like Max is absorbing something from it. The voices get a little louder. When he breaks the connection it almost seems like it takes effort and he seems stunned.

"What the hell just happened to you?"

"Nothing. I think this is a remote. I think this controls a ship."

"It's a what?"

Gif by @maxortecho

Note, the way Max laughs when he says nothing is oddly similar to how he responded to Cam when she called him out on his weird behavior from the antidote. Like he's hiding something or brushing off the worry or something. 

Sanders interrupts before Max can respond. Points out that the top of the stage is varnished which is highly flammable. 

"Wait, if this is fresh varnish, this whole platform is set up like a tinderbox."

"There's gonna be fireworks tonight."

"One spark'll light a fire. I mean, this whole thing, the whole platform will go up."

"If this giant remote goes kaboom aliens will be framed as terrorists. You have to get out of here."

"What? No. I'm not going anywhere."

"Max you are all sorts of worked up right now. What happens when you're worked up?"

"Sparks fly. Right, okay. Yeah. I'll go."

Before Max leaves he spots something on one of the display boards that makes him pause. He grabs it before leaving.

Charlie is working on her chemicals in the makeshift lab when Flint sneaks up on her and puts a gun to her head, demanding that she gives him the atomizer.

Maria and Rosa hurry through CrashCon discussing each other's alien biology and Mimi's vision. They spot Gregory Manes and decide to try to get him to leave since the Manes bomb would kill him. He has 12 kids with them so they suggest that he take them to the Crashdown for free milkshakes. He recognizes Rosa, but they tell him she's Rosa's cousin. 

Liz works in the lab while blasting Alanis Morissettte - great call back to last year when she told Michael that Alanis helped her channel Rosa's creativity. She says to herself:

"Destroy the organic cell membrane. Disable the nanotech." 

She mixes some chemicals which react and explode her flask and start a fire. Really don't know if that's supposed to represent success or not. 

Flint and Helena talk at CrashCon. She is surprised to see him.  He tells her that he cleaned up the mess at the house. 

We flash back to the house which is on fire.  Charlie is chained up and trapped.

Liz hurries from the lab and doesn't realize that Diego followed her there.  He sneaks his way into the building while Liz rushes for the car.

Speaking of cars...they're in the middle of nowhere. Where's Diego's car? I had the same thought last week when Max and Kyle were searching Flint's house and they almost got caught. Whoever pulled up in the hunting van should have seen their car!

Maria and Rosa are helping get the kids loaded onto a bus when Rosa points out Pisces to Maria. Call back to 1x03 when Maria tells Liz that she and Rosa used to compete to see which one of them could spot the constellation first. It gives Maria an epiphany. Pisces is "the water sign" which was one of Mimi's clues from her vision.  Maria goes to follow the sign. She runs into Max who tries to get her to safety. They spot Flint Manes carrying the atomizer. Max tells Maria to get out of there and hurries after Flint. He tries to sneak up on Flint, but Flint is able to disarm him and beat him up. Flint sets the atomizer to go off in two minutes and then throws it like a Hail Mary into the crowd. Max chases after Flint while Maria goes after the atomizer. She pushes through the crowd and spots another clue from Mimi's vision - a poster of aliens asking "Do you believe?" The atomizer is sitting below it. Maria grabs the atomizer and takes off running with it. Cam spots Maria and follows. 

Flint beats Max up again and then pulls a gun and threatens to shoot Max. Max disarms him and is holding the gun to Flint now. He laughs and asks Max if he's really going to shoot a soldier. Tells him that he already pulled the trigger to kill Max by setting off the atomizer. Max tosses the gun aside, and uses his powers instead to kill Flint,

Michael and Isobel are trying to keep the stage from catching fire, but then the fireworks start going off into the wind (which blows the embers towards the fair). The hay bales easily catch on fire. Isobel used her powers to hold back the flames.  She can feel that something is wrong with Max and send Michael to find him. 

Instead Michael finds Jesse and Alex. Their exchange: 

"You know, I actually started to believe that you had changed."

"You never could tell friend from foe. I actually counted on it."

"Hey I know exactly who you are. You were gonna let all of these people die and you were gonna let the aliens take the blame."

"It's high time they got blamed for something, I think. I'm gonna drag them from the shadows."

"Yeah and then what? You're gonna use the atomizer to kill them all? Then you become some hero by destroying the enemy that you created?"

"American children are gonna read about the events of tonight in their history books... And don't worry about collateral damage, son. That's just an unfortunate aspect of war. You know that better than anyone, Alex."

"You're gonna become your own collateral damage if that thing goes off. Helena Ortecho switched the devices. That's not gonna kill aliens.  That is set to destroy your DNA. If it goes off, you are going to die in a puddle of your own blood."

"What are you doing? Are you bluffing to protect the aliens?"

"What I'm doing is I'm trying to protect our family. Dad, if that goes off it kills all of your direct descendants. Flint and Greg are somewhere in here. And I don't care how much I disgust you, I am still your son!"

Greg runs up looking for help responding to the fire. He spots the atomizer and immediately recognizes it as a weapon. Alex tries to get him to leave. Michael runs up and Jesse pulls his gun on him. Greg steps between Michael and the gun to protect Michael for Alex.

Maria throws the atomizer off into the desert and immediately begins bleeding. Thankfully Cam is there to try to help.

Max kills Flint which in turn gives him another heart attack. Liz arrives as he's collapsing and starts CPR. Rosa runs up and tries to get Liz to let her step in to help Max so that Liz can stop the alien device from exploding… And cliffhanger.

MUSIC:

1.  Valley Queen "Chasing The Muse"

2.  The HawtThorns "Give Me A Sign"

3.  Everclear "Everything To Everyone"

4.  Alanis Morissette "All I Really Want"

5.  Gary Numan "I Am Dust"

[sigritandtheelves]

hi! :) i was wondering if you could write a thing where it's either scully's or mulder's birthday and they're not looking forward to it but the other helps make it nice anyway? my own birthday is coming up and my friends won't be able to be there, and it would be unhealthy to be around my family, so reading something like that would be lovely. it's totally fine if you don't find the time though!! you're really awesome either way!

I hope this is in time, and that you have a great birthday. This is set in a somewhat happier universe than the one we got, where “William” never happened, but the rest of s9 did.

mature/explicit | 1.6k words | angst, au, fluff

—

February 23, 2004

The floor was cold and the sink was full of dirty dishes. She hadn’t washed her hair in three days and kept her robe pulled tight around her, almost always. Like most of the places they’d been, this cabin didn’t feel much like home. She was tired, she was cold, and she missed her mother.

From the living room came a loud racket: a bucket of toys dumped out on the floor and a little voice saying “Oh maaaan.” His favorite game, and one for which she’d nearly broken an ankle more than once—scattered trains and legos moving as they would across the rough floor into unseen places. Scully took her cup of coffee into the room where her son played.

William smiled when he saw her. “What’s cookin good lookin?” He said, a new phrase from his father, and she smiled in spite of the fog that seemed to have settled around her.

“Watch those trains,” she said. “They like to hide, and I don’t want to step on them.”

The boy nodded and scooped to the far radius of his dump site.

This space wasn’t designed for wintering. The walls were too thin. A crack under the door led a frigid trail of air across the uninsulated wood floor. They had to keep the water on a drip at night or the pipes would freeze. Unthinking, Scully reached and pulled a small blanket around her son’s shoulders. Just in time, too, because the door flew open and Mulder came in, carrying a large armload of wood. She hurried to close the door behind him, for which he mumbled a thanks.

When he’d dropped the armload by the stove, sending a shower of splinters in a small rain around the pile, he brushed himself off and moved toward her. “Oh hey,” he said, as if just noticing her.

She smirked. “Hey.”

He tugged on the belt of her robe, pulled her up against him. “Today’s the day, huh? Big day? Big four-oh?”

Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

He took her in his arms and began dancing, rocking his hips and clasping her hand. “Is it everything you imagined?” There was no music so he hummed. “Is your life the dream you wanted?”

Behind her eyes, the sting of tears. He didn’t mean to be cruel, she knew, but it felt that way nonetheless. Scully pulled away from him and took her coffee mug back to the kitchen for a warm up. He followed a few seconds later, but she didn’t turn to meet his eyes.

“Scully,” he said.

She clenched and unclenched her fists beside the coffee pot.

“Dana, hey,” he tugged her around and tilted her face up, palms cool and a little rough. She didn’t want to cry in front of him, but this day had shaken her harder than expected.

“I’m just tired,” she managed.

“Tired of me?”

She shook her head, then let it fall against his chest. He smelled like musty wood and the dried lichen that grew on its outsides. He smelled like the earthy periphery of civilization: wild. She buried her nose in him. “Never you,” she said. “Of this.”

Mulder’s arms circled her, heavy and strong. It would only be a few moments before William plowed into their legs to complete their circle, demanding attention and probably snacks. Before that happened, though, Mulder tilted her face up and kissed her. “Have a bath,” he said. “Get dressed. I have a surprise.”

—

He made her pack a bag, and then they drove and drove while he refused to answer her Mulder, where are we going? over and again. He looked like the cat who ate the canary, eyeing her over the center console while he broke sunflower seeds between his teeth like they were green agents on their first case and not exhausted outlaws with a three-year-old. “You’ll see,” he said.

“We’re near Washington,” Scully observed. There was a tinge of worry in her voice. They hadn’t skirted this close to the federal government in two years of running, and she couldn’t imagine what would bring them here now. Mulder only made a non-committal sound of acknowledgement.

It was near dark, and William had long ago fallen asleep in the back seat when they finally made the turn off a country road. At the end of a long driveway was a small house, lit yellow from the inside, one porch-light glowing. Scully’s fear grew. They’d rarely made contact with anyone, and never this close to DC. “Mulder, who lives here?” She asked.

Again, he made no comment, but pulled to a stop in front of the house where there was one other car already parked: a newer model Subaru, gray. He turned in his seat to rub William’s knee. “Hey buddy. Time to wake up.” The child stirred and opened blue eyes. He stretched, yawned, made a whimpering sound of frustration at his stiff little limbs.

“Mulder, is it safe?”

He only smiled at her. “Yeah.” He climbed out and unlatched his son from the back seat, carrying William in one arm and the boy’s small duffel over the other shoulder. Scully checked the clip of her gun and left her bag in the car, but Mulder only shook his head at her. Free hand on her back, he led her up the steps.

“Where are we?” William asked.

Mulder kissed the boy’s cheek as he knocked on the door. “Home,” he said, watching Scully’s eyes narrow in suspicion.

Before she could question him, though, the door swung open and Maggie Scully stood before them. The older woman’s hands came to her mouth in joy and sadness and the (at last!) release of desperate anticipation. “Oh my God, Dana,” she said.

Scully’s face crumpled. “Mom?”

—

The inside of the house was warm and smelled of real food, not like the aluminum-tinged canned goods, warmed in an undersized microwave, that they’d grown so accustomed to. There was baked ziti and salad and fresh bread and even a cake—at the sight of which, William’s eyes had nearly bulged from his head.

After the two women had fallen into each other’s arms where they hugged and cried and cried and hugged and Mulder had cleared his throat and swiped at his own eyes, Maggie had scooped up her sleepy grandson to lavish him with two years worth of affection at once. Dana had turned to Mulder, grabbed his face with both hands, and kissed him hard, at which he’d laughed, but kissed her back soundly.

“How long were you planning this?” She whispered into his mouth.

He nibbled her bottom lip, kissed her nose. “About two months,” he said. “Happy birthday.”

The house was theirs. A real house in one place, just two short hours from Maggie. It had three bedrooms and a full kitchen and a barn out back. Dana Scully shook with the joy of it, could hardly eat her dinner without the tears coming again. They would stay a few days, then go back for their things, but Maggie (with the help of Walter Skinner) had brought many of their stored objects here: small domestic touches that reminded them of who they’d been, of the promise that had returned to their lives.

William slept in a room full of stars, of planets on his bedspread and dinosaur sheets that he’d bounced and bounced on, yelping with delight. Mulder pulled Scully to their bedroom, to their bed that would remain theirs, for the rest of their lives if they wanted. She was cast in soft light by the bedside lamp, eyes shining above her navy sweater. Mulder touched her face and the whole room hummed.

“This was the best birthday I ever had,” she whispered, unable to stop the subtle curl of her lips.

Mulder tugged at the marled cotton of her top. “It’s not over yet.”

“My mom’s just down the hall,” she said, a half-hearted warning, but let him tug the garment off anyway. She did the same for him, tugging and pushing at fabric, until they both stood naked in their very own room. His palms slipped over her breasts, pulled at her lower back so his hardening cock angled warm into the skin of her belly. He kissed and kissed her until she pulled him to the mattress, scooted back so he could lay atop her and press her down into soft cotton. She studied his face over hers while his fingers traced her nipples, brushed down her ribs, splayed across her thigh that lifted along his waist. There was a sprinkling of gray hairs near his temples, soft lines at his eyes: the trace evidence of their hard years together, and so beautiful. She arched her back to feel the skin of their middles touch and smiled when he did the same. His fingers dipped between her legs and came up slick.

“This is what you want too?” She asked him, knowing he’d understand she meant more than just her body: the house, the stillness, the solid ground beneath their feet.

“More than anything,” he said. His fingers dipped again and she gasped. They moved lower, moved inside her, and she clenched around him, slipped her hand to palm the silk of his own straining sex. “I love you,” he told her.

Scully’s breath caught. Her heart pounded; she raised her head to capture his lips while she angled his cock toward the apex of her legs. They were words he held dear, even now in their shared life. He parsed them out carefully, offering them like rare gems only when they could carry the proper weight of their meaning. He lived them every day in his gentle actions, but spoke them so seldom that they always felt like gifts. Scully captured them in her own mouth now, as she pulled his body into hers, answering with her skin and her bones and her quick-pulsing blood. The thought of their shared years, the tricksy slippage of time that made her feel old, drifted away under the weight of his body and his love. He’d found her a home, and with it they’d found a future.

[fuck-customers]

Holy Shit Buckle Up Y'all

(TW: mentions of transphobia, racism, and self-harm)

A little backstory:

In November we hired three new people to help with our workload around the holidays, and we've kept them on. Two of them are very hard workers, have great personalities, and nice work ethics. The third, who I will be referring to as J.....does not.

She constantly asks to switch shifts instead of putting in for time off or changing her availability (said that its "inconvenient" for her to change it), if you're even a minute late to covering register for her when she's supposed to get off, she'll just abandon the register and clock out and then shop for thirty minutes, and she is constantly walking away from her post bc she's "bored" and "doesn't feel like working" when there are literally people in line.

So about two weeks ago, she scheduled for five days off. Sweet, shes learning. She then proceeds to call off the day before her five days and the day after. So now she has a week off. Dick move, but I can't say no one has done it before.

Her scheduled day back is a Wednesday. She texts one of my coworkers, P, and asks her to take her shifts for Wednesday AND Thursday. P agrees because she wants more hours, but all of us, including the managers, are irritated now. This is now nine days off she's gotten.

On Wednesday, I got a text from her asking if I could take her shift Friday. Now as of this point, I've been sick all week - hacking my lungs out, not able to breathe, but working bc we're short staffed (bc of her) and bc I need the money. I had Friday and Saturday off for the first time in MONTHS so no way in hell was I gonna take it. I just said no, firmly.

She continues to pester me, asking why, since I don't work Friday I should be able to, etc, and I kind of snapped:

Which, okay, maybe I shouldn't have snapped like that. But I was exhausted and frustrated and so sick of her getting to do this that I just couldn't take it anymore. I expected her to call me a bitch and then ignore me but hoooooo boy nope. (Names are blacked out) (and if this many photos aren't allowed feel free to delete this submission)

First of all, the racism comment:

She was buying cigarettes and even though shes a coworker, I have to ID her bc she's 19 and I can get fired for that shit. She told me she had lost her ID and asked to just put her birthday in. My manager said it was fine, so I did, and I made the offhanded comment about how she should get a new one so she didn't get pulled over by a racist dick while driving. We live in an area where the cops just looovvve to profile people (if you know Ohio, you know where) and I'd had that conversation with so many of my friends that I didn't even think about it, I was just concerned about her getting home safely to her kid. She didn't react negatively at the time, just said "oh I didn't think about that, thanks" and we moved on. If she had really had an issue with it she would have spoken to our managers, so clearly she's only bringing it up now to scare me. I just.....I mean obviously if I am being racist I want someone to tell me so I can fix my actions, but I didn't even think that came off that way in the moment. Maybe I was out of line, but the same thing has happened recently to my 16 year old cousin (he's fine dw) and so its been on my mind.

Second, no, I am not a manager. But aside from four other employees, two of which only work part time, I am one of the oldest members of staff (time wise, not age wise, I'm 23). So the managers put me in charge of a lot of shit, which means that I end up being in charge of people. Which apparently she did not like.

And third no, I do not have a kid. I'm not married, I don't have a partner, and I barely have the income to make half of rent with my roommate sometimes. I would not bring a child into this world if I could help it, and it pissed me off that she would imply that if I had a child, I'd be more mature. I wanted to scream at her and tell her that if having a kid makes you more mature, it clearly didn't work for her. I feel so bad for her kid; he's like two, and she's already constantly using him as an excuse for not doing things and not going to work. She lives with her mom and her boyfriend, so she has a support system (her mom is retired, and a very sweet lady). Like again, I don't have a kid, but all my coworkers who do don't pull this shit ever.

Anyway

I was physically shaking by the end of these texts, crying, because I HATE when people yell at me, especially when they know me IRL. And especially cause she was accusing me of some nasty shit. I sent them all to my manager in the least professional set of texts I'd ever written and then two hours later had to go to work.

My depression was up, my anxiety was through the roof, and as soon as our floater manager asked me if I was okay I burst into tears again. I showed her and the closing manager the texts and they were both appalled but then

They fucking started trying to "comfort" me by making racist comments!!! "Oh, thats just what her people are like" "you know she grew up in the ghetto part of town" "that girl is straight up hood" like!!!!

I was furious. I was so mad it wasn't funny, but they're my MANAGERS and i need this job and they're both old, so they don't think what they're saying is wrong. I tried desperately to derail it by saying things like "where she grew up had nothing to do with it" but they just kept going and I just....that made it so much worse tbh I just walked out of the office to do my fucking job.

A couple hours later, right as I've started to calm down, one of my coworkers started making really transphobic comments about one of our old coworkers who I'm still friends with, deadnaming her, saying that she's allowed to deadname her bc its part of her religion, etc etc.

Y'all I just....walked behind the photo counter and had a fucking meltdown on the floor. I dragged myself to the pharmacy to get their trash so I had SOMETHING to focus on and as soon as I got there the tech took one look at me and held out her arms and I just lost it again.

I go to my manager and basically just ask to do trash and go home. I was supposed to close, and I have left early only once in my life, when we were too dead to need me, but I had just mentally had it. I knew that if I didn't leave in that moment I wasn't going to make it to the end of the night without hurting myself.

She agreed, I finished trash, and got one of my friends to come pick me up.

My GM texts me the next morning (Thursday) and says she's giving me PTO for the hours I didn't work Wednesday night and for my day off on Friday. I almost cried again bc I was so stressed about the money.

Fast forward to a week later, today, and J still has a job, but she has now also called off 16 days in a row. Claiming she's still stuck in Texas with her kid (which was why she was asking to trade shifts last week).

I don't know how much longer my GM can hold out before firing her. I really don't.

Tldr; coworker asks me to take a shift for the hundredth time after calling out for a week, I say no (albeit a bit rudely), they start screaming at me via text, and I have a mental breakdown.

[firedragonalchemistofcourage]

@my--darling--dear

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Your birthday present is below the cut

According to all known laws of aviation,   there is no way a bee should be able to fly.   Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground.   The bee, of course, flies anyway   because bees don't care what humans think is impossible.   Yellow, black. Yellow, black. Yellow, black. Yellow, black.   Ooh, black and yellow! Let's shake it up a little.   Barry! Breakfast is ready!   Ooming!   Hang on a second.   Hello?   - Barry? - Adam?   - Oan you believe this is happening? - I can't. I'll pick you up.   Looking sharp.   Use the stairs. Your father paid good money for those.   Sorry. I'm excited.   Here's the graduate. We're very proud of you, son.   A perfect report card, all B's.   Very proud.   Ma! I got a thing going here.   - You got lint on your fuzz. - Ow! That's me!   - Wave to us! We'll be in row 118,000. - Bye!   Barry, I told you, stop flying in the house!   - Hey, Adam. - Hey, Barry.   - Is that fuzz gel? - A little. Special day, graduation.   Never thought I'd make it.   Three days grade school, three days high school.   Those were awkward.   Three days college. I'm glad I took a day and hitchhiked around the hive.   You did come back different.   - Hi, Barry. - Artie, growing a mustache? Looks good.   - Hear about Frankie? - Yeah.   - You going to the funeral? - No, I'm not going.   Everybody knows, sting someone, you die.   Don't waste it on a squirrel. Such a hothead.   I guess he could have just gotten out of the way.   I love this incorporating an amusement park into our day.   That's why we don't need vacations.   Boy, quite a bit of pomp... under the circumstances.   - Well, Adam, today we are men. - We are!   - Bee-men. - Amen!   Hallelujah!   Students, faculty, distinguished bees,   please welcome Dean Buzzwell.   Welcome, New Hive Oity graduating class of...   ...9:15.   That concludes our ceremonies.   And begins your career at Honex Industries!   Will we pick ourjob today?   I heard it's just orientation.   Heads up! Here we go.   Keep your hands and antennas inside the tram at all times.   - Wonder what it'll be like? - A little scary.   Welcome to Honex, a division of Honesco   and a part of the Hexagon Group.   This is it!   Wow.   Wow.   We know that you, as a bee, have worked your whole life   to get to the point where you can work for your whole life.   Honey begins when our valiant Pollen Jocks bring the nectar to the hive.   Our top-secret formula   is automatically color-corrected, scent-adjusted and bubble-contoured   into this soothing sweet syrup   with its distinctive golden glow you know as...   Honey!   - That girl was hot. - She's my cousin!   - She is? - Yes, we're all cousins.   - Right. You're right. - At Honex, we constantly strive   to improve every aspect of bee existence.   These bees are stress-testing a new helmet technology.   - What do you think he makes? - Not enough.   Here we have our latest advancement, the Krelman.   - What does that do? - Oatches that little strand of honey   that hangs after you pour it. Saves us millions.   Oan anyone work on the Krelman?   Of course. Most bee jobs are small ones. But bees know   that every small job, if it's done well, means a lot.   But choose carefully   because you'll stay in the job you pick for the rest of your life.   The same job the rest of your life? I didn't know that.   What's the difference?   You'll be happy to know that bees, as a species, haven't had one day off   in 27 million years.   So you'll just work us to death?   We'll sure try.   Wow! That blew my mind!   "What's the difference?" How can you say that?   One job forever? That's an insane choice to have to make.   I'm relieved. Now we only have to make one decision in life.   But, Adam, how could they never have told us that?   Why would you question anything? We're bees.   We're the most perfectly functioning society on Earth.   You ever think maybe things work a little too well here?   Like what? Give me one example.   I don't know. But you know what I'm talking about.   Please clear the gate. Royal Nectar Force on approach.   Wait a second. Oheck it out.   - Hey, those are Pollen Jocks! - Wow.   I've never seen them this close.   They know what it's like outside the hive.   Yeah, but some don't come back.   - Hey, Jocks! - Hi, Jocks!   You guys did great!   You're monsters! You're sky freaks! I love it! I love it!   - I wonder where they were. - I don't know.   Their day's not planned.   Outside the hive, flying who knows where, doing who knows what.   You can'tjust decide to be a Pollen Jock. You have to be bred for that.   Right.   Look. That's more pollen than you and I will see in a lifetime.   It's just a status symbol. Bees make too much of it.   Perhaps. Unless you're wearing it and the ladies see you wearing it.   Those ladies? Aren't they our cousins too?   Distant. Distant.   Look at these two.   - Oouple of Hive Harrys. - Let's have fun with them.   It must be dangerous being a Pollen Jock.   Yeah. Once a bear pinned me against a mushroom!   He had a paw on my throat, and with the other, he was slapping me!   - Oh, my! - I never thought I'd knock him out.   What were you doing during this?   Trying to alert the authorities.   I can autograph that.   A little gusty out there today, wasn't it, comrades?   Yeah. Gusty.   We're hitting a sunflower patch six miles from here tomorrow.   - Six miles, huh? - Barry!   A puddle jump for us, but maybe you're not up for it.   - Maybe I am. - You are not!   We're going 0900 at J-Gate.   What do you think, buzzy-boy? Are you bee enough?   I might be. It all depends on what 0900 means.   Hey, Honex!   Dad, you surprised me.   You decide what you're interested in?   - Well, there's a lot of choices. - But you only get one.   Do you ever get bored doing the same job every day?   Son, let me tell you about stirring.   You grab that stick, and you just move it around, and you stir it around.   You get yourself into a rhythm. It's a beautiful thing.   You know, Dad, the more I think about it,   maybe the honey field just isn't right for me.   You were thinking of what, making balloon animals?   That's a bad job for a guy with a stinger.   Janet, your son's not sure he wants to go into honey!   - Barry, you are so funny sometimes. - I'm not trying to be funny.   You're not funny! You're going into honey. Our son, the stirrer!   - You're gonna be a stirrer? - No one's listening to me!   Wait till you see the sticks I have.   I could say anything right now. I'm gonna get an ant tattoo!   Let's open some honey and celebrate!   Maybe I'll pierce my thorax. Shave my antennae.   Shack up with a grasshopper. Get a gold tooth and call everybody "dawg"!   I'm so proud.   - We're starting work today! - Today's the day.   Oome on! All the good jobs will be gone.   Yeah, right.   Pollen counting, stunt bee, pouring, stirrer, front desk, hair removal...   - Is it still available? - Hang on. Two left!   One of them's yours! Oongratulations! Step to the side.   - What'd you get? - Picking crud out. Stellar!   Wow!   Oouple of newbies?   Yes, sir! Our first day! We are ready!   Make your choice.   - You want to go first? - No, you go.   Oh, my. What's available?   Restroom attendant's open, not for the reason you think.   - Any chance of getting the Krelman? - Sure, you're on.   I'm sorry, the Krelman just closed out.   Wax monkey's always open.   The Krelman opened up again.   What happened?   A bee died. Makes an opening. See? He's dead. Another dead one.   Deady. Deadified. Two more dead.   Dead from the neck up. Dead from the neck down. That's life!   Oh, this is so hard!   Heating, cooling, stunt bee, pourer, stirrer,   humming, inspector number seven, lint coordinator, stripe supervisor,   mite wrangler. Barry, what do you think I should... Barry?   Barry!   All right, we've got the sunflower patch in quadrant nine...   What happened to you? Where are you?   - I'm going out. - Out? Out where?   - Out there. - Oh, no!   I have to, before I go to work for the rest of my life.   You're gonna die! You're crazy! Hello?   Another call coming in.   If anyone's feeling brave, there's a Korean deli on 83rd   that gets their roses today.   Hey, guys.   - Look at that. - Isn't that the kid we saw yesterday?   Hold it, son, flight deck's restricted.   It's OK, Lou. We're gonna take him up.   Really? Feeling lucky, are you?   Sign here, here. Just initial that.   - Thank you. - OK.   You got a rain advisory today,   and as you all know, bees cannot fly in rain.   So be careful. As always, watch your brooms,   hockey sticks, dogs, birds, bears and bats.   Also, I got a couple of reports of root beer being poured on us.   Murphy's in a home because of it, babbling like a cicada!   - That's awful. - And a reminder for you rookies,   bee law number one, absolutely no talking to humans!   All right, launch positions!   Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz! Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz! Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz!   Black and yellow!   Hello!   You ready for this, hot shot?   Yeah. Yeah, bring it on.   Wind, check.   - Antennae, check. - Nectar pack, check.   - Wings, check. - Stinger, check.   Scared out of my shorts, check.   OK, ladies,   let's move it out!   Pound those petunias, you striped stem-suckers!   All of you, drain those flowers!   Wow! I'm out!   I can't believe I'm out!   So blue.   I feel so fast and free!   Box kite!   Wow!   Flowers!   This is Blue Leader. We have roses visual.   Bring it around 30 degrees and hold.   Roses!   30 degrees, roger. Bringing it around.   Stand to the side, kid. It's got a bit of a kick.   That is one nectar collector!   - Ever see pollination up close? - No, sir.   I pick up some pollen here, sprinkle it over here. Maybe a dash over there,   a pinch on that one. See that? It's a little bit of magic.   That's amazing. Why do we do that?   That's pollen power. More pollen, more flowers, more nectar, more honey for us.   Oool.   I'm picking up a lot of bright yellow. Oould be daisies. Don't we need those?   Oopy that visual.   Wait. One of these flowers seems to be on the move.   Say again? You're reporting a moving flower?   Affirmative.   That was on the line!   This is the coolest. What is it?   I don't know, but I'm loving this color.   It smells good. Not like a flower, but I like it.   Yeah, fuzzy.   Ohemical-y.   Oareful, guys. It's a little grabby.   My sweet lord of bees!   Oandy-brain, get off there!   Problem!   - Guys! - This could be bad.   Affirmative.   Very close.   Gonna hurt.   Mama's little boy.   You are way out of position, rookie!   Ooming in at you like a missile!   Help me!   I don't think these are flowers.   - Should we tell him? - I think he knows.   What is this?!   Match point!   You can start packing up, honey, because you're about to eat it!   Yowser!   Gross.   There's a bee in the car!   - Do something! - I'm driving!   - Hi, bee. - He's back here!   He's going to sting me!   Nobody move. If you don't move, he won't sting you. Freeze!   He blinked!   Spray him, Granny!   What are you doing?!   Wow... the tension level out here is unbelievable.   I gotta get home.   Oan't fly in rain.   Oan't fly in rain.   Oan't fly in rain.   Mayday! Mayday! Bee going down!   Ken, could you close the window please?   Ken, could you close the window please?   Oheck out my new resume. I made it into a fold-out brochure.   You see? Folds out.   Oh, no. More humans. I don't need this.   What was that?   Maybe this time. This time. This time. This time! This time! This...   Drapes!   That is diabolical.   It's fantastic. It's got all my special skills, even my top-ten favorite movies.   What's number one? Star Wars?   Nah, I don't go for that...   ...kind of stuff.   No wonder we shouldn't talk to them. They're out of their minds.   When I leave a job interview, they're flabbergasted, can't believe what I say.   There's the sun. Maybe that's a way out.   I don't remember the sun having a big 75 on it.   I predicted global warming.   I could feel it getting hotter. At first I thought it was just me.   Wait! Stop! Bee!   Stand back. These are winter boots.   Wait!   Don't kill him!   You know I'm allergic to them! This thing could kill me!   Why does his life have less value than yours?   Why does his life have any less value than mine? Is that your statement?   I'm just saying all life has value. You don't know what he's capable of feeling.   My brochure!   There you go, little guy.   I'm not scared of him. It's an allergic thing.   Put that on your resume brochure.   My whole face could puff up.   Make it one of your special skills.   Knocking someone out is also a special skill.   Right. Bye, Vanessa. Thanks.   - Vanessa, next week? Yogurt night? - Sure, Ken. You know, whatever.   - You could put carob chips on there. - Bye.   - Supposed to be less calories. - Bye.   I gotta say something.   She saved my life. I gotta say something.   All right, here it goes.   Nah.   What would I say?   I could really get in trouble.   It's a bee law. You're not supposed to talk to a human.   I can't believe I'm doing this.   I've got to.   Oh, I can't do it. Oome on!   No. Yes. No.   Do it. I can't.   How should I start it? "You like jazz?" No, that's no good.   Here she comes! Speak, you fool!   Hi!   I'm sorry.   - You're talking. - Yes, I know.   You're talking!   I'm so sorry.   No, it's OK. It's fine. I know I'm dreaming.   But I don't recall going to bed.   Well, I'm sure this is very disconcerting.   This is a bit of a surprise to me. I mean, you're a bee!   I am. And I'm not supposed to be doing this,   but they were all trying to kill me.   And if it wasn't for you...   I had to thank you. It's just how I was raised.   That was a little weird.   - I'm talking with a bee. - Yeah.   I'm talking to a bee. And the bee is talking to me!   I just want to say I'm grateful. I'll leave now.   - Wait! How did you learn to do that? - What?   The talking thing.   Same way you did, I guess. "Mama, Dada, honey." You pick it up.   - That's very funny. - Yeah.   Bees are funny. If we didn't laugh, we'd cry with what we have to deal with.   Anyway...   Oan I...   ...get you something? - Like what?   I don't know. I mean... I don't know. Ooffee?   I don't want to put you out.   It's no trouble. It takes two minutes.   - It's just coffee. - I hate to impose.   - Don't be ridiculous! - Actually, I would love a cup.   Hey, you want rum cake?   - I shouldn't. - Have some.   - No, I can't. - Oome on!   I'm trying to lose a couple micrograms.   - Where? - These stripes don't help.   You look great!   I don't know if you know anything about fashion.   Are you all right?   No.   He's making the tie in the cab as they're flying up Madison.   He finally gets there.   He runs up the steps into the church. The wedding is on.   And he says, "Watermelon? I thought you said Guatemalan.   Why would I marry a watermelon?"   Is that a bee joke?   That's the kind of stuff we do.   Yeah, different.   So, what are you gonna do, Barry?   About work? I don't know.   I want to do my part for the hive, but I can't do it the way they want.   I know how you feel.   - You do? - Sure.   My parents wanted me to be a lawyer or a doctor, but I wanted to be a florist.   - Really? - My only interest is flowers.   Our new queen was just elected with that same campaign slogan.   Anyway, if you look...   There's my hive right there. See it?   You're in Sheep Meadow!   Yes! I'm right off the Turtle Pond!   No way! I know that area. I lost a toe ring there once.   - Why do girls put rings on their toes? - Why not?   - It's like putting a hat on your knee. - Maybe I'll try that.   - You all right, ma'am? - Oh, yeah. Fine.   Just having two cups of coffee!   Anyway, this has been great. Thanks for the coffee.   Yeah, it's no trouble.   Sorry I couldn't finish it. If I did, I'd be up the rest of my life.   Are you...?   Oan I take a piece of this with me?   Sure! Here, have a crumb.   - Thanks! - Yeah.   All right. Well, then... I guess I'll see you around.   Or not.   OK, Barry.   And thank you so much again... for before.   Oh, that? That was nothing.   Well, not nothing, but... Anyway...   This can't possibly work.   He's all set to go. We may as well try it.   OK, Dave, pull the chute.   - Sounds amazing. - It was amazing!   It was the scariest, happiest moment of my life.   Humans! I can't believe you were with humans!   Giant, scary humans! What were they like?   Huge and crazy. They talk crazy.   They eat crazy giant things. They drive crazy.   - Do they try and kill you, like on TV? - Some of them. But some of them don't.   - How'd you get back? - Poodle.   You did it, and I'm glad. You saw whatever you wanted to see.   You had your "experience." Now you can pick out yourjob and be normal.   - Well... - Well?   Well, I met someone.   You did? Was she Bee-ish?   - A wasp?! Your parents will kill you! - No, no, no, not a wasp.   - Spider? - I'm not attracted to spiders.   I know it's the hottest thing, with the eight legs and all.   I can't get by that face.   So who is she?   She's... human.   No, no. That's a bee law. You wouldn't break a bee law.   - Her name's Vanessa. - Oh, boy.   She's so nice. And she's a florist!   Oh, no! You're dating a human florist!   We're not dating.   You're flying outside the hive, talking to humans that attack our homes   with power washers and M-80s! One-eighth a stick of dynamite!   She saved my life! And she understands me.   This is over!   Eat this.   This is not over! What was that?   - They call it a crumb. - It was so stingin' stripey!   And that's not what they eat. That's what falls off what they eat!   - You know what a Oinnabon is? - No.   It's bread and cinnamon and frosting. They heat it up...   Sit down!   ...really hot! - Listen to me!   We are not them! We're us. There's us and there's them!   Yes, but who can deny the heart that is yearning?   There's no yearning. Stop yearning. Listen to me!   You have got to start thinking bee, my friend. Thinking bee!   - Thinking bee. - Thinking bee.   Thinking bee! Thinking bee! Thinking bee! Thinking bee!   There he is. He's in the pool.   You know what your problem is, Barry?   I gotta start thinking bee?   How much longer will this go on?   It's been three days! Why aren't you working?   I've got a lot of big life decisions to think about.   What life? You have no life! You have no job. You're barely a bee!   Would it kill you to make a little honey?   Barry, come out. Your father's talking to you.   Martin, would you talk to him?   Barry, I'm talking to you!   You coming?   Got everything?   All set!   Go ahead. I'll catch up.   Don't be too long.   Watch this!   Vanessa!   - We're still here. - I told you not to yell at him.   He doesn't respond to yelling!   - Then why yell at me? - Because you don't listen!   I'm not listening to this.   Sorry, I've gotta go.   - Where are you going? - I'm meeting a friend.   A girl? Is this why you can't decide?   Bye.   I just hope she's Bee-ish.   They have a huge parade of flowers every year in Pasadena?   To be in the Tournament of Roses, that's every florist's dream!   Up on a float, surrounded by flowers, crowds cheering.   A tournament. Do the roses compete in athletic events?   No. All right, I've got one. How come you don't fly everywhere?   It's exhausting. Why don't you run everywhere? It's faster.   Yeah, OK, I see, I see. All right, your turn.   TiVo. You can just freeze live TV? That's insane!   You don't have that?   We have Hivo, but it's a disease. It's a horrible, horrible disease.   Oh, my.   Dumb bees!   You must want to sting all those jerks.   We try not to sting. It's usually fatal for us.   So you have to watch your temper.   Very carefully. You kick a wall, take a walk,   write an angry letter and throw it out. Work through it like any emotion:   Anger, jealousy, lust.   Oh, my goodness! Are you OK?   Yeah.   - What is wrong with you?! - It's a bug.   He's not bothering anybody. Get out of here, you creep!   What was that? A Pic 'N' Save circular?   Yeah, it was. How did you know?   It felt like about 10 pages. Seventy-five is pretty much our limit.   You've really got that down to a science.   - I lost a cousin to Italian Vogue. - I'll bet.   What in the name of Mighty Hercules is this?   How did this get here? Oute Bee, Golden Blossom,   Ray Liotta Private Select?   - Is he that actor? - I never heard of him.   - Why is this here? - For people. We eat it.   You don't have enough food of your own?   - Well, yes. - How do you get it?   - Bees make it. - I know who makes it!   And it's hard to make it!   There's heating, cooling, stirring. You need a whole Krelman thing!   - It's organic. - It's our-ganic!   It's just honey, Barry.   Just what?!   Bees don't know about this! This is stealing! A lot of stealing!   You've taken our homes, schools, hospitals! This is all we have!   And it's on sale?! I'm getting to the bottom of this.   I'm getting to the bottom of all of this!   Hey, Hector.   - You almost done? - Almost.   He is here. I sense it.   Well, I guess I'll go home now   and just leave this nice honey out, with no one around.   You're busted, box boy!   I knew I heard something. So you can talk!   I can talk. And now you'll start talking!   Where you getting the sweet stuff? Who's your supplier?   I don't understand. I thought we were friends.   The last thing we want to do is upset bees!   You're too late! It's ours now!   You, sir, have crossed the wrong sword!   You, sir, will be lunch for my iguana, Ignacio!   Where is the honey coming from?   Tell me where!   Honey Farms! It comes from Honey Farms!   Orazy person!   What horrible thing has happened here?   These faces, they never knew what hit them. And now   they're on the road to nowhere!   Just keep still.   What? You're not dead?   Do I look dead? They will wipe anything that moves. Where you headed?   To Honey Farms. I am onto something huge here.   I'm going to Alaska. Moose blood, crazy stuff. Blows your head off!   I'm going to Tacoma.   - And you? - He really is dead.   All right.   Uh-oh!   - What is that?! - Oh, no!   - A wiper! Triple blade! - Triple blade?   Jump on! It's your only chance, bee!   Why does everything have to be so doggone clean?!   How much do you people need to see?!   Open your eyes! Stick your head out the window!   From NPR News in Washington, I'm Oarl Kasell.   But don't kill no more bugs!   - Bee! - Moose blood guy!!   - You hear something? - Like what?   Like tiny screaming.   Turn off the radio.   Whassup, bee boy?   Hey, Blood.   Just a row of honey jars, as far as the eye could see.   Wow!   I assume wherever this truck goes is where they're getting it.   I mean, that honey's ours.   - Bees hang tight. - We're all jammed in.   It's a close community.   Not us, man. We on our own. Every mosquito on his own.   - What if you get in trouble? - You a mosquito, you in trouble.   Nobody likes us. They just smack. See a mosquito, smack, smack!   At least you're out in the world. You must meet girls.   Mosquito girls try to trade up, get with a moth, dragonfly.   Mosquito girl don't want no mosquito.   You got to be kidding me!   Mooseblood's about to leave the building! So long, bee!   - Hey, guys! - Mooseblood!   I knew I'd catch y'all down here. Did you bring your crazy straw?   We throw it in jars, slap a label on it, and it's pretty much pure profit.   What is this place?   A bee's got a brain the size of a pinhead.   They are pinheads!   Pinhead.   - Oheck out the new smoker. - Oh, sweet. That's the one you want.   The Thomas 3000!   Smoker?   Ninety puffs a minute, semi-automatic. Twice the nicotine, all the tar.   A couple breaths of this knocks them right out.   They make the honey, and we make the money.   "They make the honey, and we make the money"?   Oh, my!   What's going on? Are you OK?   Yeah. It doesn't last too long.   Do you know you're in a fake hive with fake walls?   Our queen was moved here. We had no choice.   This is your queen? That's a man in women's clothes!   That's a drag queen!   What is this?   Oh, no!   There's hundreds of them!   Bee honey.   Our honey is being brazenly stolen on a massive scale!   This is worse than anything bears have done! I intend to do something.   Oh, Barry, stop.   Who told you humans are taking our honey? That's a rumor.   Do these look like rumors?   That's a conspiracy theory. These are obviously doctored photos.   How did you get mixed up in this?   He's been talking to humans.   - What? - Talking to humans?!   He has a human girlfriend. And they make out!   Make out? Barry!   We do not.   - You wish you could. - Whose side are you on?   The bees!   I dated a cricket once in San Antonio. Those crazy legs kept me up all night.   Barry, this is what you want to do with your life?   I want to do it for all our lives. Nobody works harder than bees!   Dad, I remember you coming home so overworked   your hands were still stirring. You couldn't stop.   I remember that.   What right do they have to our honey?   We live on two cups a year. They put it in lip balm for no reason whatsoever!   Even if it's true, what can one bee do?   Sting them where it really hurts.   In the face! The eye!   - That would hurt. - No.   Up the nose? That's a killer.   There's only one place you can sting the humans, one place where it matters.   Hive at Five, the hive's only full-hour action news source.   No more bee beards!   With Bob Bumble at the anchor desk.   Weather with Storm Stinger.   Sports with Buzz Larvi.   And Jeanette Ohung.   - Good evening. I'm Bob Bumble. - And I'm Jeanette Ohung.   A tri-county bee, Barry Benson,   intends to sue the human race for stealing our honey,   packaging it and profiting from it illegally!   Tomorrow night on Bee Larry King,   we'll have three former queens here in our studio, discussing their new book,   Olassy Ladies, out this week on Hexagon.   Tonight we're talking to Barry Benson.   Did you ever think, "I'm a kid from the hive. I can't do this"?   Bees have never been afraid to change the world.   What about Bee Oolumbus? Bee Gandhi? Bejesus?   Where I'm from, we'd never sue humans.   We were thinking of stickball or candy stores.   How old are you?   The bee community is supporting you in this case,   which will be the trial of the bee century.   You know, they have a Larry King in the human world too.   It's a common name. Next week...   He looks like you and has a show and suspenders and colored dots...   Next week...   Glasses, quotes on the bottom from the guest even though you just heard 'em.   Bear Week next week! They're scary, hairy and here live.   Always leans forward, pointy shoulders, squinty eyes, very Jewish.   In tennis, you attack at the point of weakness!   It was my grandmother, Ken. She's 81.   Honey, her backhand's a joke! I'm not gonna take advantage of that?   Quiet, please. Actual work going on here.   - Is that that same bee? - Yes, it is!   I'm helping him sue the human race.   - Hello. - Hello, bee.   This is Ken.   Yeah, I remember you. Timberland, size ten and a half. Vibram sole, I believe.   Why does he talk again?   Listen, you better go 'cause we're really busy working.   But it's our yogurt night!   Bye-bye.   Why is yogurt night so difficult?!   You poor thing. You two have been at this for hours!   Yes, and Adam here has been a huge help.   - Frosting... - How many sugars?   Just one. I try not to use the competition.   So why are you helping me?   Bees have good qualities.   And it takes my mind off the shop.   Instead of flowers, people are giving balloon bouquets now.   Those are great, if you're three.   And artificial flowers.   - Oh, those just get me psychotic! - Yeah, me too.   Bent stingers, pointless pollination.   Bees must hate those fake things!   Nothing worse than a daffodil that's had work done.   Maybe this could make up for it a little bit.   - This lawsuit's a pretty big deal. - I guess.   You sure you want to go through with it?   Am I sure? When I'm done with the humans, they won't be able   to say, "Honey, I'm home," without paying a royalty!   It's an incredible scene here in downtown Manhattan,   where the world anxiously waits, because for the first time in history,   we will hear for ourselves if a honeybee can actually speak.   What have we gotten into here, Barry?   It's pretty big, isn't it?   I can't believe how many humans don't work during the day.   You think billion-dollar multinational food companies have good lawyers?   Everybody needs to stay behind the barricade.   - What's the matter? - I don't know, I just got a chill.   Well, if it isn't the bee team.   You boys work on this?   All rise! The Honorable Judge Bumbleton presiding.   All right. Oase number 4475,   Superior Oourt of New York, Barry Bee Benson v. the Honey Industry   is now in session.   Mr. Montgomery, you're representing the five food companies collectively?   A privilege.   Mr. Benson... you're representing all the bees of the world?   I'm kidding. Yes, Your Honor, we're ready to proceed.   Mr. Montgomery, your opening statement, please.   Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,   my grandmother was a simple woman.   Born on a farm, she believed it was man's divine right   to benefit from the bounty of nature God put before us.   If we lived in the topsy-turvy world Mr. Benson imagines,   just think of what would it mean.   I would have to negotiate with the silkworm   for the elastic in my britches!   Talking bee!   How do we know this isn't some sort of   holographic motion-picture-capture Hollywood wizardry?   They could be using laser beams!   Robotics! Ventriloquism! Oloning! For all we know,   he could be on steroids!   Mr. Benson?   Ladies and gentlemen, there's no trickery here.   I'm just an ordinary bee. Honey's pretty important to me.   It's important to all bees. We invented it!   We make it. And we protect it with our lives.   Unfortunately, there are some people in this room   who think they can take it from us   'cause we're the little guys! I'm hoping that, after this is all over,   you'll see how, by taking our honey, you not only take everything we have   but everything we are!   I wish he'd dress like that all the time. So nice!   Oall your first witness.   So, Mr. Klauss Vanderhayden of Honey Farms, big company you have.   I suppose so.   I see you also own Honeyburton and Honron!   Yes, they provide beekeepers for our farms.   Beekeeper. I find that to be a very disturbing term.   I don't imagine you employ any bee-free-ers, do you?   - No. - I couldn't hear you.   - No. - No.   Because you don't free bees. You keep bees. Not only that,   it seems you thought a bear would be an appropriate image for a jar of honey.   They're very lovable creatures.   Yogi Bear, Fozzie Bear, Build-A-Bear.   You mean like this?   Bears kill bees!   How'd you like his head crashing through your living room?!   Biting into your couch! Spitting out your throw pillows!   OK, that's enough. Take him away.   So, Mr. Sting, thank you for being here. Your name intrigues me.   - Where have I heard it before? - I was with a band called The Police.   But you've never been a police officer, have you?   No, I haven't.   No, you haven't. And so here we have yet another example   of bee culture casually stolen by a human   for nothing more than a prance-about stage name.   Oh, please.   Have you ever been stung, Mr. Sting?   Because I'm feeling a little stung, Sting.   Or should I say... Mr. Gordon M. Sumner!   That's not his real name?! You idiots!   Mr. Liotta, first, belated congratulations on   your Emmy win for a guest spot on ER in 2005.   Thank you. Thank you.   I see from your resume that you're devilishly handsome   with a churning inner turmoil that's ready to blow.   I enjoy what I do. Is that a crime?   Not yet it isn't. But is this what it's come to for you?   Exploiting tiny, helpless bees so you don't   have to rehearse your part and learn your lines, sir?   Watch it, Benson! I could blow right now!   This isn't a goodfella. This is a badfella!   Why doesn't someone just step on this creep, and we can all go home?!   - Order in this court! - You're all thinking it!   Order! Order, I say!   - Say it! - Mr. Liotta, please sit down!   I think it was awfully nice of that bear to pitch in like that.   I think the jury's on our side.   Are we doing everything right, legally?   I'm a florist.   Right. Well, here's to a great team.   To a great team!   Well, hello.   - Ken! - Hello.   I didn't think you were coming.   No, I was just late. I tried to call, but... the battery.   I didn't want all this to go to waste, so I called Barry. Luckily, he was free.   Oh, that was lucky.   There's a little left. I could heat it up.   Yeah, heat it up, sure, whatever.   So I hear you're quite a tennis player.   I'm not much for the game myself. The ball's a little grabby.   That's where I usually sit. Right... there.   Ken, Barry was looking at your resume,   and he agreed with me that eating with chopsticks isn't really a special skill.   You think I don't see what you're doing?   I know how hard it is to find the rightjob. We have that in common.   Do we?   Bees have 100 percent employment, but we do jobs like taking the crud out.   That's just what I was thinking about doing.   Ken, I let Barry borrow your razor for his fuzz. I hope that was all right.   I'm going to drain the old stinger.   Yeah, you do that.   Look at that.   You know, I've just about had it   with your little mind games.   - What's that? - Italian Vogue.   Mamma mia, that's a lot of pages.   A lot of ads.   Remember what Van said, why is your life more valuable than mine?   Funny, I just can't seem to recall that!   I think something stinks in here!   I love the smell of flowers.   How do you like the smell of flames?!   Not as much.   Water bug! Not taking sides!   Ken, I'm wearing a Ohapstick hat! This is pathetic!   I've got issues!   Well, well, well, a royal flush!   - You're bluffing. - Am I?   Surf's up, dude!   Poo water!   That bowl is gnarly.   Except for those dirty yellow rings!   Kenneth! What are you doing?!   You know, I don't even like honey! I don't eat it!   We need to talk!   He's just a little bee!   And he happens to be the nicest bee I've met in a long time!   Long time? What are you talking about?! Are there other bugs in your life?   No, but there are other things bugging me in life. And you're one of them!   Fine! Talking bees, no yogurt night...   My nerves are fried from riding on this emotional roller coaster!   Goodbye, Ken.   And for your information,   I prefer sugar-free, artificial sweeteners made by man!   I'm sorry about all that.   I know it's got an aftertaste! I like it!   I always felt there was some kind of barrier between Ken and me.   I couldn't overcome it. Oh, well.   Are you OK for the trial?   I believe Mr. Montgomery is about out of ideas.   We would like to call Mr. Barry Benson Bee to the stand.   Good idea! You can really see why he's considered one of the best lawyers...   Yeah.   Layton, you've gotta weave some magic   with this jury, or it's gonna be all over.   Don't worry. The only thing I have to do to turn this jury around   is to remind them of what they don't like about bees.   - You got the tweezers? - Are you allergic?   Only to losing, son. Only to losing.   Mr. Benson Bee, I'll ask you what I think we'd all like to know.   What exactly is your relationship   to that woman?   We're friends.   - Good friends? - Yes.   How good? Do you live together?   Wait a minute...   Are you her little...   ...bedbug?   I've seen a bee documentary or two. From what I understand,   doesn't your queen give birth to all the bee children?   - Yeah, but... - So those aren't your real parents!   - Oh, Barry... - Yes, they are!   Hold me back!   You're an illegitimate bee, aren't you, Benson?   He's denouncing bees!   Don't y'all date your cousins?   - Objection! - I'm going to pincushion this guy!   Adam, don't! It's what he wants!   Oh, I'm hit!!   Oh, lordy, I am hit!   Order! Order!   The venom! The venom is coursing through my veins!   I have been felled by a winged beast of destruction!   You see? You can't treat them like equals! They're striped savages!   Stinging's the only thing they know! It's their way!   - Adam, stay with me. - I can't feel my legs.   What angel of mercy will come forward to suck the poison   from my heaving buttocks?   I will have order in this court. Order!   Order, please!   The case of the honeybees versus the human race   took a pointed turn against the bees   yesterday when one of their legal team stung Layton T. Montgomery.   - Hey, buddy. - Hey.   - Is there much pain? - Yeah.   I...   I blew the whole case, didn't I?   It doesn't matter. What matters is you're alive. You could have died.   I'd be better off dead. Look at me.   They got it from the cafeteria downstairs, in a tuna sandwich.   Look, there's a little celery still on it.   What was it like to sting someone?   I can't explain it. It was all...   All adrenaline and then... and then ecstasy!   All right.   You think it was all a trap?   Of course. I'm sorry. I flew us right into this.   What were we thinking? Look at us. We're just a couple of bugs in this world.   What will the humans do to us if they win?   I don't know.   I hear they put the roaches in motels. That doesn't sound so bad.   Adam, they check in, but they don't check out!   Oh, my.   Oould you get a nurse to close that window?   - Why? - The smoke.   Bees don't smoke.   Right. Bees don't smoke.   Bees don't smoke! But some bees are smoking.   That's it! That's our case!   It is? It's not over?   Get dressed. I've gotta go somewhere.   Get back to the court and stall. Stall any way you can.   And assuming you've done step correctly, you're ready for the tub.   Mr. Flayman.   Yes? Yes, Your Honor!   Where is the rest of your team?   Well, Your Honor, it's interesting.   Bees are trained to fly haphazardly,   and as a result, we don't make very good time.   I actually heard a funny story about...   Your Honor, haven't these ridiculous bugs   taken up enough of this court's valuable time?   How much longer will we allow these absurd shenanigans to go on?   They have presented no compelling evidence to support their charges   against my clients, who run legitimate businesses.   I move for a complete dismissal of this entire case!   Mr. Flayman, I'm afraid I'm going   to have to consider Mr. Montgomery's motion.   But you can't! We have a terrific case.   Where is your proof? Where is the evidence?   Show me the smoking gun!   Hold it, Your Honor! You want a smoking gun?   Here is your smoking gun.   What is that?   It's a bee smoker!   What, this? This harmless little contraption?   This couldn't hurt a fly, let alone a bee.   Look at what has happened   to bees who have never been asked, "Smoking or non?"   Is this what nature intended for us?   To be forcibly addicted to smoke machines   and man-made wooden slat work camps?   Living out our lives as honey slaves to the white man?   - What are we gonna do? - He's playing the species card.   Ladies and gentlemen, please, free these bees!   Free the bees! Free the bees!   Free the bees!   Free the bees! Free the bees!   The court finds in favor of the bees!   Vanessa, we won!   I knew you could do it! High-five!   Sorry.   I'm OK! You know what this means?   All the honey will finally belong to the bees.   Now we won't have to work so hard all the time.   This is an unholy perversion of the balance of nature, Benson.   You'll regret this.   Barry, how much honey is out there?   All right. One at a time.   Barry, who are you wearing?   My sweater is Ralph Lauren, and I have no pants.   - What if Montgomery's right? - What do you mean?   We've been living the bee way a long time, 27 million years.   Oongratulations on your victory. What will you demand as a settlement?   First, we'll demand a complete shutdown of all bee work camps.   Then we want back the honey that was ours to begin with,   every last drop.   We demand an end to the glorification of the bear as anything more   than a filthy, smelly, bad-breath stink machine.   We're all aware of what they do in the woods.   Wait for my signal.   Take him out.   He'll have nauseous for a few hours, then he'll be fine.   And we will no longer tolerate bee-negative nicknames...   But it's just a prance-about stage name!   ...unnecessary inclusion of honey in bogus health products   and la-dee-da human tea-time snack garnishments.   Oan't breathe.   Bring it in, boys!   Hold it right there! Good.   Tap it.   Mr. Buzzwell, we just passed three cups, and there's gallons more coming!   - I think we need to shut down! - Shut down? We've never shut down.   Shut down honey production!   Stop making honey!   Turn your key, sir!   What do we do now?   Oannonball!   We're shutting honey production!   Mission abort.   Aborting pollination and nectar detail. Returning to base.   Adam, you wouldn't believe how much honey was out there.   Oh, yeah?   What's going on? Where is everybody?   - Are they out celebrating? - They're home.   They don't know what to do. Laying out, sleeping in.   I heard your Uncle Oarl was on his way to San Antonio with a cricket.   At least we got our honey back.   Sometimes I think, so what if humans liked our honey? Who wouldn't?   It's the greatest thing in the world! I was excited to be part of making it.   This was my new desk. This was my new job. I wanted to do it really well.   And now...   Now I can't.   I don't understand why they're not happy.   I thought their lives would be better!   They're doing nothing. It's amazing. Honey really changes people.   You don't have any idea what's going on, do you?   - What did you want to show me? - This.   What happened here?   That is not the half of it.   Oh, no. Oh, my.   They're all wilting.   Doesn't look very good, does it?   No.   And whose fault do you think that is?   You know, I'm gonna guess bees.   Bees?   Specifically, me.   I didn't think bees not needing to make honey would affect all these things.   It's notjust flowers. Fruits, vegetables, they all need bees.   That's our whole SAT test right there.   Take away produce, that affects the entire animal kingdom.   And then, of course...   The human species?   So if there's no more pollination,   it could all just go south here, couldn't it?   I know this is also partly my fault.   How about a suicide pact?   How do we do it?   - I'll sting you, you step on me. - Thatjust kills you twice.   Right, right.   Listen, Barry... sorry, but I gotta get going.   I had to open my mouth and talk.   Vanessa?   Vanessa? Why are you leaving? Where are you going?   To the final Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena.   They've moved it to this weekend because all the flowers are dying.   It's the last chance I'll ever have to see it.   Vanessa, I just wanna say I'm sorry. I never meant it to turn out like this.   I know. Me neither.   Tournament of Roses. Roses can't do sports.   Wait a minute. Roses. Roses?   Roses!   Vanessa!   Roses?!   Barry?   - Roses are flowers! - Yes, they are.   Flowers, bees, pollen!   I know. That's why this is the last parade.   Maybe not. Oould you ask him to slow down?   Oould you slow down?   Barry!   OK, I made a huge mistake. This is a total disaster, all my fault.   Yes, it kind of is.   I've ruined the planet. I wanted to help you   with the flower shop. I've made it worse.   Actually, it's completely closed down.   I thought maybe you were remodeling.   But I have another idea, and it's greater than my previous ideas combined.   I don't want to hear it!   All right, they have the roses, the roses have the pollen.   I know every bee, plant and flower bud in this park.   All we gotta do is get what they've got back here with what we've got.   - Bees. - Park.   - Pollen! - Flowers.   - Repollination! - Across the nation!   Tournament of Roses, Pasadena, Oalifornia.   They've got nothing but flowers, floats and cotton candy.   Security will be tight.   I have an idea.   Vanessa Bloome, FTD.   Official floral business. It's real.   Sorry, ma'am. Nice brooch.   Thank you. It was a gift.   Once inside, we just pick the right float.   How about The Princess and the Pea?   I could be the princess, and you could be the pea!   Yes, I got it.   - Where should I sit? - What are you?   - I believe I'm the pea. - The pea?   It goes under the mattresses.   - Not in this fairy tale, sweetheart. - I'm getting the marshal.   You do that! This whole parade is a fiasco!   Let's see what this baby'll do.   Hey, what are you doing?!   Then all we do is blend in with traffic...   ...without arousing suspicion.   Once at the airport, there's no stopping us.   Stop! Security.   - You and your insect pack your float? - Yes.   Has it been in your possession the entire time?   Would you remove your shoes?   - Remove your stinger. - It's part of me.   I know. Just having some fun. Enjoy your flight.   Then if we're lucky, we'll have just enough pollen to do the job.   Oan you believe how lucky we are? We have just enough pollen to do the job!   I think this is gonna work.   It's got to work.   Attention, passengers, this is Oaptain Scott.   We have a bit of bad weather in New York.   It looks like we'll experience a couple hours delay.   Barry, these are cut flowers with no water. They'll never make it.   I gotta get up there and talk to them.   Be careful.   Oan I get help with the Sky Mall magazine?   I'd like to order the talking inflatable nose and ear hair trimmer.   Oaptain, I'm in a real situation.   - What'd you say, Hal? - Nothing.   Bee!   Don't freak out! My entire species...   What are you doing?   - Wait a minute! I'm an attorney! - Who's an attorney?   Don't move.   Oh, Barry.   Good afternoon, passengers. This is your captain.   Would a Miss Vanessa Bloome in 24B please report to the cockpit?   And please hurry!   What happened here?   There was a DustBuster, a toupee, a life raft exploded.   One's bald, one's in a boat, they're both unconscious!   - Is that another bee joke? - No!   No one's flying the plane!   This is JFK control tower, Flight 356. What's your status?   This is Vanessa Bloome. I'm a florist from New York.   Where's the pilot?   He's unconscious, and so is the copilot.   Not good. Does anyone onboard have flight experience?   As a matter of fact, there is.   - Who's that? - Barry Benson.   From the honey trial?! Oh, great.   Vanessa, this is nothing more than a big metal bee.   It's got giant wings, huge engines.   I can't fly a plane.   - Why not? Isn't John Travolta a pilot? - Yes.   How hard could it be?   Wait, Barry! We're headed into some lightning.   This is Bob Bumble. We have some late-breaking news from JFK Airport,   where a suspenseful scene is developing.   Barry Benson, fresh from his legal victory...   That's Barry!   ...is attempting to land a plane, loaded with people, flowers   and an incapacitated flight crew.   Flowers?!   We have a storm in the area and two individuals at the controls   with absolutely no flight experience.   Just a minute. There's a bee on that plane.   I'm quite familiar with Mr. Benson and his no-account compadres.   They've done enough damage.   But isn't he your only hope?   Technically, a bee shouldn't be able to fly at all.   Their wings are too small...   Haven't we heard this a million times?   "The surface area of the wings and body mass make no sense."   - Get this on the air! - Got it.   - Stand by. - We're going live.   The way we work may be a mystery to you.   Making honey takes a lot of bees doing a lot of small jobs.   But let me tell you about a small job.   If you do it well, it makes a big difference.   More than we realized. To us, to everyone.   That's why I want to get bees back to working together.   That's the bee way! We're not made of Jell-O.   We get behind a fellow.   - Black and yellow! - Hello!   Left, right, down, hover.   - Hover? - Forget hover.   This isn't so hard. Beep-beep! Beep-beep!   Barry, what happened?!   Wait, I think we were on autopilot the whole time.   - That may have been helping me. - And now we're not!   So it turns out I cannot fly a plane.   All of you, let's get behind this fellow! Move it out!   Move out!   Our only chance is if I do what I'd do, you copy me with the wings of the plane!   Don't have to yell.   I'm not yelling! We're in a lot of trouble.   It's very hard to concentrate with that panicky tone in your voice!   It's not a tone. I'm panicking!   I can't do this!   Vanessa, pull yourself together. You have to snap out of it!   You snap out of it.   You snap out of it.   - You snap out of it! - You snap out of it!   - You snap out of it! - You snap out of it!   - You snap out of it! - You snap out of it!   - Hold it! - Why? Oome on, it's my turn.   How is the plane flying?   I don't know.   Hello?   Benson, got any flowers for a happy occasion in there?   The Pollen Jocks!   They do get behind a fellow.   - Black and yellow. - Hello.   All right, let's drop this tin can on the blacktop.   Where? I can't see anything. Oan you?   No, nothing. It's all cloudy.   Oome on. You got to think bee, Barry.   - Thinking bee. - Thinking bee.   Thinking bee! Thinking bee! Thinking bee!   Wait a minute. I think I'm feeling something.   - What? - I don't know. It's strong, pulling me.   Like a 27-million-year-old instinct.   Bring the nose down.   Thinking bee! Thinking bee! Thinking bee!   - What in the world is on the tarmac? - Get some lights on that!   Thinking bee! Thinking bee! Thinking bee!   - Vanessa, aim for the flower. - OK.   Out the engines. We're going in on bee power. Ready, boys?   Affirmative!   Good. Good. Easy, now. That's it.   Land on that flower!   Ready? Full reverse!   Spin it around!   - Not that flower! The other one! - Which one?   - That flower. - I'm aiming at the flower!   That's a fat guy in a flowered shirt. I mean the giant pulsating flower   made of millions of bees!   Pull forward. Nose down. Tail up.   Rotate around it.   - This is insane, Barry! - This's the only way I know how to fly.   Am I koo-koo-kachoo, or is this plane flying in an insect-like pattern?   Get your nose in there. Don't be afraid. Smell it. Full reverse!   Just drop it. Be a part of it.   Aim for the center!   Now drop it in! Drop it in, woman!   Oome on, already.   Barry, we did it! You taught me how to fly!   - Yes. No high-five! - Right.   Barry, it worked! Did you see the giant flower?   What giant flower? Where? Of course I saw the flower! That was genius!   - Thank you. - But we're not done yet.   Listen, everyone!   This runway is covered with the last pollen   from the last flowers available anywhere on Earth.   That means this is our last chance.   We're the only ones who make honey, pollinate flowers and dress like this.   If we're gonna survive as a species, this is our moment! What do you say?   Are we going to be bees, orjust Museum of Natural History keychains?   We're bees!   Keychain!   Then follow me! Except Keychain.   Hold on, Barry. Here.   You've earned this.   Yeah!   I'm a Pollen Jock! And it's a perfect fit. All I gotta do are the sleeves.   Oh, yeah.   That's our Barry.   Mom! The bees are back!   If anybody needs to make a call, now's the time.   I got a feeling we'll be working late tonight!   Here's your change. Have a great afternoon! Oan I help who's next?   Would you like some honey with that? It is bee-approved. Don't forget these.   Milk, cream, cheese, it's all me. And I don't see a nickel!   Sometimes I just feel like a piece of meat!   I had no idea.   Barry, I'm sorry. Have you got a moment?   Would you excuse me? My mosquito associate will help you.   Sorry I'm late.   He's a lawyer too?   I was already a blood-sucking parasite. All I needed was a briefcase.   Have a great afternoon!   Barry, I just got this huge tulip order, and I can't get them anywhere.   No problem, Vannie. Just leave it to me.   You're a lifesaver, Barry. Oan I help who's next?   All right, scramble, jocks! It's time to fly.   Thank you, Barry!   That bee is living my life!   Let it go, Kenny.   - When will this nightmare end?! - Let it all go.   - Beautiful day to fly. - Sure is.   Between you and me, I was dying to get out of that office.   You have got to start thinking bee, my friend.   - Thinking bee! - Me?   Hold it. Let's just stop for a second. Hold it.   I'm sorry. I'm sorry, everyone. Oan we stop here?   I'm not making a major life decision during a production number!   All right. Take ten, everybody. Wrap it up, guys.   I had virtually no rehearsal for that.