#we should be finishing the dance today!! plus most of the costume has arrived so im going to get them to try it on

[gingerbreadmonsters]

im so excited for ballet today SO excited 🥳🥳🥳

[inkandpen22]

Dazed and Confused ( S1: 3/?)

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Female!Reader

Warnings: mild language and violence 

Word Count: 3.1k

Part Summary: At Tina’s party, Y/N wants to forget all of her problems. Things take a turn when Billy makes a move on her, angering Steve

Masterlist

Arriving at Tina’s after dropping Dustin at Mike’s, I am in much need of some good old spiked punch. I yank down my gray oversized sweatshirt some more so that it hangs low off my shoulder. As I cross the threshold into the house, the heat of the crowded living room slaps me in the face. Directly to my left, the kitchen AKA the alcohol hub. I slip between bodies and end up at the counter covered with semi-empty bottles and old plastic cups. Most importantly, a bowl of maroon punch sits in the corner. I grab a cup and make my way over. A boy stands in front of it but I reach around him and scoop up some of the mystery substance.

“What’s in this?” I hear a voice holler behind me.

I turn around to answer but freeze when I realize it’s Nancy. She stares at me equally stunned. My face falls, this is awkward. Seriously universe? I couldn’t have at least one drink before bumping into her?

Steve appears behind her looking slick as ever in his black sunglasses and matching blazer.

“Everclear is my guess,” I answer, acting civil.

She nods timidly, “thanks…”

I step out of her way so she can get some of her own. Steve’s head travels up and down slowly with a blank expression. I can’t see his eyes but I assume he’s studying my costume. A gray oversized sweatshirt that hangs off the shoulder, red heels, matching earrings, and some shorts, though they’re unnoticeable. I can feel him starring me down through those stupid Ray-Bans. Silently, I beg for him to not bring up our encounter in the parking lot. All I wish for tonight is to drown out reality and try to forget. He’s a human ticking time bomb. The tension between us could be cut with a knife.

“Are you finally going to tell me what you are?” Nancy jumps in, forcing me to break my staring contest with her boyfriend.

I open my mouth to answer but Steve beats him to it.

“Flashdance,” he answers for me. “It’s one of her favorites.”

He acts distant, unattached, distracted by the party but I see right through it. There’s something he’s not saying. He says things like this as if it’s common knowledge. A random person wouldn’t describe my eyes as Y/E/C but gray depending on the lighting. One minute, he calls my eyes beautiful and the next he’s starring me down like a disapproving parent. The hell Harrington?!

Nancy gushes, apparently she and I are okay all of a sudden, despite early today with the whole Barb thing. Plus, I think she’s already been drinking for awhile so buzzed Nancy is fun Nancy.

“That’s so cute! You look hot!” She pulls me into a hug.

Over her shoulder, I glimpse up at Steve as he lifts his glasses to rest of his head. His brown eyes threaten to expose my upset from earlier. I get that he’s pissed about my neglect for my feelings. He wants to talk about what was wrong but right now we’re at a party and parties aren’t meant for depressing conversations.

“Let’s go dance!” Nancy suggests, already tugging me into the living room.

Steve calls after her but she ignores him. He follows behind us through the crowd with a groan. In the center of the living room, Nancy stops and turns to me with a bright grin. She cheers as she tosses her head back.

“Woohoo!” She laughs.

This is what I wanted, normalcy. We’re surrounded by our friends, drinking, dancing, being stupid! We did this before everything so why can’t we do it now? Perhaps after tonight, everything will fall back into place.

_______________________________________

On my third game of flip-cup, I’m beyond buzzed. In fact, when I walk I float. I’m on cloud nine. Here, this carefree and lively state is exactly where I wanted to be. Naturally, I’m competitive and amazing at drinking games so I finish my third game with yet another win. I cheer as Tommy from algebra hands me a cup of who knows what as my reward.

“Hey there beautiful,” a husky voice greets from behind me.

I spin around and kind of become dizzy from the action but catch myself.

It’s Billy.

“Hey hottie,” I smirk.

He snickers and closes the space between us to whisper in my ear. “How about you and I go somewhere a little more private?”

That’s a nice thought. He is cute. His ass could have its own zip code. Plus, he has no shirt on under that leather jacket, hello washboard like abs. His California tanned skin glistens under a thin layer of sweat. Damn, he’s a human Ken doll.

He’s no Steve though. Wait… what? I don’t think of Steve like that. Why would I think that? Um, yeah, that’s a no! Then again, Steve is always there for me. Sometimes it can be annoying how he’s always there. It means he cares but I don’t want to dump all of my drama on him. Then, he gets upset when I don’t open up. I hate it when I hurt him. I love him so much that when he’s in pain so am I.

“Okay,” I blurt out without truly thinking.

“Cool,” I hear him whisper as he takes my hand and starts pulling me toward the stairs across the room.

Wait, what? What am I doing? This isn’t me. I don’t like Billy. He treats Steve like shit. If anything I should kick his pretty ass. Though if I tried he’d probably murder me.

I glance down at his hand engulfing mine. It’s all rough and twice the size of my own. If we make it upstairs, it’ll be just him and I. I’ll be defenseless. I may be drunk but I’m not oblivious. My intuition is still working and it’s screaming for me to pull my shit together.

“Hey Billy? I don’t think…” I press my heels into the floor, slowing him down just as we reach the bottom of the stairs.

Aggressively, he whips around and purposefully towers over me to act intimidating. “What? Now, you’re saying no? Are you messing me? Playing with me!” He accuses.

I shake my head dramatically, “no! No, that’s not what-”

“Oh, so you still want to do this,” he presses.

Too impatient for an answer, he continues up the stairs. The grip he has on me has shifted up to my wrist. I attempt to tug myself free but fear dislocating it, his strength is too great. I stumble up the stairs behind me and I startle to feel dizzy. I think it’s safe to say I’ve had too much.

“No,” I whine, “I don’t want to! Stop! Please! I don’t want to! No!”

“Hey!” A booming voice echoes from the bottom of the stairs.

Rapid footsteps approach from behind me and a rush of relief consumes me when Steve appears beside me. He places a protective hand on my back.

“What the hell is going here?” He directs at Billy, taking note of his fist wrapped around my wrist.

“Nothing that concerns you, Harrington. Y/N and I were just heading upstairs.” He jolts his hand forward, causing me to traveling with it.

Steve instantly pries Billy’s hand from my body. Then, shoves him in the back, flying him forward to land with his ass on the stairs. “Don’t you ever touch her again! You hear me?!” He sneers. His face turns this deep red as he pants angrily.

The two start bickering but I can’t keep up. I see three Steves and a couple Billys shouting in each other’s faces. I lean against the railing unsteadily and slide down to sit on the steps. My eyes suddenly feel very heavy.

“I’m going to go to bed now,” I announce to no one in particular.

I decide to get some rest and shut my eyes. It’s okay, Steve’s here. He’ll protect me.

I’m not sure how much time has past when I hear Tommy and some of the other basketball boys come to break up the fight.

“Come on Y/N,” I hear Steve whisper to me, “let’s get you home.”

Feeling as light as a feather, I’m picked up like a sleepy child off the ground. For a moment, I fall asleep again. I rest my head on his chest and ponder the rare opportunity to sleep without being afraid of being eaten by a monster.

“Y/N?” I hear someone repeatedly call my name. “Y/N, wake up!”

I ease open my eyes and at first my vision is blurry but then they eventually adjust. Steve glances down at me as he we cross the threshold hold to the front yard.

“You smell like sunshine and all things exquisite,” I mumble to myself, adjusting myself in his arms to curl closer to his warmth.

“Even when hammered you still manage to be a walking thesaurus,” he teases.

Opps, he heard me. Oh well, I wasn’t lying. He smells like vanilla, the ocean, sugar, spice, and everything nice.

Goosebumps course over my skin as a brisk October breeze hits me. I shiver slightly and Steve holds me closer.

“We’re almost to my car. I’ll turn on the heat high. You’re okay,” he promises calmly.

Playing the hero, Steve places me into the passenger seat gently and straps me in. I toss my head to the side and rest my eyes again. He shuts the door for me before jogging to the driver’s side. The car drowns out the sound of chaos coming from the party and creates a sense of security. Steve slides behind the wheel and for some reason I choose now to act reasonable.

“Have you been drinking? If so, you shouldn’t drive,” I state like a health textbook.

He chuckles, popping in the keys. “I’m sober. Promise.”

“That’s nice. Good to know,” I yawn.

The last thing I can remember of the ride home is Steve turning on the car.

______________________________________

I wake up silently as Steve pulls up in front of my house. He’s unaware of my stare as he finishes parking and turning off the car.

“Hazel,” I tell him, announcing my woken state.

He looks to me with scrunched eyebrows, all confused. It’s cute when he does that. He’s cute. Geez, what the heck am I saying? He’s dating my best friend! Steve is Steve and Katherine, we don’t mix, at least that way.

“What?” He questions, turning to face me.

“Your eyes… they’re hazel…” I repeat softly with a yawn. “But, it really depends on the lighting.”

He snickers, and astonished expression blesses his features. The subtle blush forming on his cheeks makes me smile to see him all bashful because of my comment. He has no idea how gorgeous we truly is, inside and out. He glances down at his lap, at his hands fidgeting with a button on his jacket, then back up at me with hooded eyes.

“See, right now!” I point out, “they’re a dark brown like a burnt caramel, basically black. When you’re really focused on a task or upset about something, they go dark. Then, when you’re really happy or excited, they turn to a light hazel… like seaglass. It’s how I can tell if something’s bothering you. You don’t even have to tell me half the time. All I have to do is look into your eyes and I know,” I state a matter-of-factly with a light snicker.

I shift you see him directly and tuck a few strands of my hair away from my face. He watches my every move patiently, eagerly, for me to say something more, anything. I can’t speak for him but my heart won’t stop racing. Is it possible to have stage fright in a conversation? I feel like a mannequin, on display. Nervously, I twirl my hair at the ends and find myself unable to meet his gaze anymore.

“Your pupils are rarely small,” I add quietly. “They’re usually really big and take up most of your eye giving off the illusion they’re black. One thing that never changes is…”  I make a circle with my finger in front of my eye to demonstrate, “is the gold rim around each of them.” I lower my hand into my lap and play with the end of my sweatshirt. “That’s my favorite part… ” I confess timidly.

I wouldn’t be saying these things if I were sober. I wish he would say something, anything. He must think I’m crazy. He finds me with Billy heading up stairs. I can only imagine what he must think of me now. Embarrassed beyond belief and sobering up, I excuse myself.

“Thanks for the ride,” I say as I unbuckle myself. “See you Monday!”

Swiftly, I climb out of the car. As I walk toward my front door, I curse myself for acting so stupid! Geez, what was I thinking? ‘The gold rim around each of them, that’s my favorite part!’ What kind of mushy, guhsy, marshmallow fluff is that? Ew! If he never spoke to me again I would judge that as completely reasonable! He has a girlfriend! He’s taken! Completely off limits! Why did I spew out this creepy nonsense to him like a total idiot? I’m not some lovesick teenage girl! I’m going to go to my room, put in some Guns N’ Roses, and just scream into my pillow all weekend! It sounds like an excellent plan to me because I just ruined my friendship with Steve forever! Add Nancy to that list because once he fills her in on what I said I’ll lose both of them!

“Y/N!” He calls after me.

I ignore it as I march faster toward the door. He’s only going to call me crazy because I was acting crazy!

“Y/N, wait!” He repeats as I hear him shut the car door and run toward me.

“Goodnight, Steve!” I urge him away without turning around.

His footsteps speed up until they come to a halt directly behind me. I reach for the door handle, my freedom. Desperately, he grips my forearm and steps in front of me, blocking the front door.

“Look, could you just slow down for a sec?” He yells at me as he pants to catch his breath.

“No! I can’t slow down! I just want to go inside, get in my pajamas, and forget tonight ever happened! Alright? Now, excuse me,” I gesture for him to get out of the way.

Reluctantly, paired with an overly dramatic eye roll, he steps aside. Despite wanting his to leave, I thank him quietly for cracking open the front door slowly, making sure not to wake anyone.

“Nance and I broke up…” Steve drops on me.

My heart leaps and I stop dead in my tracks. Unsure of what to do or say, I remain still in the doorway and wait for him to say more.

“She never loved me,” he explains with a heartbroken tone. “At least… I don’t think she did…”

Shit. Please don’t tell me that, Harrington. It only makes me want you more. He’s always so close but too far out of reach. I care about him more than anything but he’ll never mine. I’m just the friend.

I spin on my heels and offer him a sympathetic smile, “would you like to come in?”

He nods, clearly miserable. I step aside, allowing him in. After shutting the door behind us, I warn him to be quiet so we don’t wake my parents. He nods slowly and slips his hand into mine. Never breaking eye contact with me, he leads the way through the moonlit house toward my room. His platonic touch is so blissful, I can only imagine what it feels like otherwise.

_________________________________

Steve and I sit on my bed in our usual positions with my record player going quietly. He lounges like a patient in therapy and me, acting as his therapist, criss-cross beside him. He explains everything. He describes how drunk Nancy got and how he followed her to the bathroom. It was there they got into a fight. She admitted feeling guilty for the loss of Barb. Then, she called all of it bullshit. Us acting like carefree teenagers, never telling Barb’s parents the truth, her love for Steve, all of it is bullshit. He asked Jonathan to take her home and that’s when he stumbled upon me and Billy.

Watching Steve relive it all and hearing the pain in his voice breaks my heart. How could Nance do this to him? I get that she’s going through something, we all are. I’m by no means normal. I’m hiding everything for Pete’s sake! I haven’t been myself for over a year. Steve was just now becoming truly happy again! He was putting on a brave face for Nancy for so long! Now, she crushed it. She crushed him.

I reach and place my hand over his as they rest intertwined on his stomach. “I’m sorry. Truly, I am.”

“I really loved her. At least, I think I did. I don’t know anymore. I thought she loved me too.”

“I did too,” I tell him honestly.

He glances away from the ceiling down to me, “what can I do?”

I wish I knew the answer. I wish there was a way I could take away his pain. Yet, I have nothing. I shrug, “I’m not entirely sure. I think you should at least talk to her.

Tomorrow, of course, when she’s sobered up. Perhaps, she was just drunk and didn’t mean what she said. She wasn’t in the proper mindset.”

“So I shouldn’t take what she said to heart?”

“Well, there’s also the argument that drunk words are sober thoughts.”

“Does the same go for you?” He snickers.

I laugh, “sometimes.”

“So you don’t like the gold in my eyes? I thought it was your favorite part?” He smirks, turning to lay on his side and face me. My hand would’ve fallen off his hadn’t he flipped his over to catch it.

Ugh, he’s such a sneaky jerk! His cheeky smirk only grows with my silence. Warmth rushes to my cheeks as I bashfully hide my face.

“Yeah… about that…” I laugh nervously, “let’s just pretend I didn’t say anything.”

“Should I forget that you also said I smell like sunshine and everything exquisite?” He adds to the torment.

I groan, tossing my head back. This must count as torture. “Preferably, yes,” I request shortly.

We share a laugh at my annoyed reaction. He’s impossible! Even he should be mopping he still manages to tease me!

A comfortable silence fills the air and I stare down at the pillow in my lap as I play with the lettering on it.

________________________________

Masterlist

[petri808]

Bakudeku 31 days of winter ice skating prompt

No one is willing to work with rich but hot-headed pairs skater Katsuki Bakugou,  but he needs a partner if he wants a second shot at the Olympics. His coach is desperate and finds former hockey player Izuku Midoriya who was injured at the last Olympics and can no longer play who agrees to give it a shot. The journey pushes Katsuki to change his ways so he doesn’t lose the one partner who gives him a second chance.

It’s generally based on the movie The Cutting Edge. Angst & Fluffy AU. 10K Modern AU

“This is ridiculous!” Katsuki snaps at his coach while pointing to Izuku. “He can’t be the best option! He’s not even a figure skater! And what’s with the hair! It’s a fucking mess! Where are you from, the slums?! Baggy flannel, really?! You look like a hobo! What about that Iida guy I told you to get?! Or Kaminari?! Someone that’s at least in the fucking right sport?!”

Coach Eijiro Kirishima pinches his brow and sighs, “no one else is willing to work with you after your behavior at the last competition. So, it’s this or give up your chance at next year’s competition.”

As the two men argued, Izuku Midoriya just stood there confused in the doorway of a large expense home. All he knew, is the coach had contacted him and offered a generous paycheck to skate again with a partner. It wasn’t ideal and he had no experience with figure skating. But the check cleared, and he needed the money badly. After a devastating injury on the ice sidelined his hockey career, life was a struggle. It took six months just to heal and medical bills needed to be paid. He’d assumed Katsuki Bakugou knew what the coach was up to... but apparently not. “Um, Eijiro, if he really doesn’t want me here, I’ll leave.” Just seeing the explosive attitude Katsuki is exhibiting is making him nervous.

“No, no,” Eijiro moves back to Izuku, while glaring at Katsuki, “he does, he just doesn’t realize it yet.”

“Pfft!” Katsuki sneers back.

“O—kay.” This is going to be interesting...

Maybe interesting is the wrong word, hair-pulling is more like it. Katsuki’s parents are rich, hence the mansion he’s now rooming in and to top it all off the guy has a personal ice-skating rink! An ice-skating rink! No wonder Katsuki was such a brat! But— the man is good, like really good on the ice... Katsuki’s skill as a figure skater is breathtaking to watch as he glided across the smooth white surface. Elegant, strong, and very handsome. But then the man opens his mouth, shattering the fantasy, and Izuku remembers who he’s really dealing with.

“Argh! Get it right Deku! Toe pick! Toe pick! Toe pick! Fucking learn how to use it! Two fucking weeks and your still face planting!”

“I’m sorry, okay! We don’t use toe picks in hockey!”

“This is not gonna work Eijiro!” Katsuki snaps at the coach. “I’m done today! Come get me when he fucking learns how to skate!”

The two men watch Katsuki storm out of the building. Izuku flinches at the sound of the door slamming shut. “Sorry Eijiro. I had no idea figure skating is this difficult.”

“You’re doing fine Izuku. Just keep practicing. You’ll get it soon.”

Izuku was never a quitter and no matter how much his hot-headed partner put him down, it only fueled his drive to get better. Early every morning he would wake up and skate until his legs hurt, then he’d ice them down at night, and start the process again in the morning. In hockey, elegant wasn’t necessary and being a little sloppy on the ice didn’t matter because you were too busy keeping from being slammed up against bodies or walls. But if there was one thing, he truly hadn’t anticipated was the physical prowess required for figure skating. When you watch the sport on tv, no offense, but those skinny bodies in tight leotards doesn’t make one think of powerhouses... until you attempt to pull off the technical moves that they do and learn really quickly how hard the ice can be on a human frame. If Izuku thought his injuries from a hockey match were brutal, figure skating is quickly tallying up the bruises and cuts to take the lead.

It’s been six months into the training and Izuku was growing curious as to what had caused Katsuki to lose his former partner. Eijiro was hesitant to tell him but did lead him towards where to find the answer. So, late one evening, Izuku pulls up YouTube and punches in the description the coach had given him. The results were... surprising to say the least and frankly shocked him because the partner he’d grown to know just didn’t fit what he was seeing. He closes the app and tucks the information away for the time being. It wasn’t worth focusing on the past if he wanted to get through the present. He just needed to buckle down and practice so that when the nationals arrive in 5 months, he’ll be ready.

As the smaller of the two, it’s decided that Katsuki would be the base and Izuku would perform the lifts. Such an act requires a lot of skill in balance and trust which wasn’t exactly the partners forte at the moment.

“Kacchan, we need to practice you lifting me up.” Kacchan is his new nickname for Katsuki. He didn’t know if the man really liked it, but he’s never stopped him from using it.

“You’re not ready,” the man replies curtly.

“That’s why we need to practice!”

“And what, break your neck?! Izuku, you ain’t ready yet!”

“Katsuki, he is ready,” Eijiro counters. “And Izuku is right, you both need to practice the moves in order for it to be spot on. If you’re afraid—“

“I’m not fucking afraid! Fine! You wanna practice, well practice, but don’t you tell me I’m afraid of tossing his ass in the air!”

Three more months, that’s all the time they had left to get two routines down perfect. A short program and a long program. Just trying to remember all the moves is hard enough, but having to execute them in synchronized patterns, smooth transitions, with elegant refinement, someone please remind Izuku why he took the job again?! As a partner, Katsuki is such an asshole to work with. There were so many moments when Izuku questioned his sanity in staying. The money was helpful, but is it really worth the abuse? And yet... there were also the moments when Katsuki might say something nice or a random ‘good job’ to Izuku that made him think, maybe Eijiro was right after all. Maybe Katsuki just needed the right partner. One who’s able to handle his outbursts and see through the hardened facade he shows to the world. It might have been lonely growing up as only child... Izuku should know since he’s an only child. But he grew up surrounded by neighborhood kids. Perhaps Katsuki had been isolated in this mansion for most of his life, because that certainly would stunt his social abilities.

The month before the competition was a whirlwind of activities. Grueling practices, costume fittings... Katsuki was monitoring what Izuku ate and how much sleep he was getting, like a paranoid mother. It got so strange, that Katsuki moved Izuku out of the guest room and into his own in order to watch him more carefully. Granted that Katsuki had a California king sized bed with a lot of space, but it was still awkward for Izuku to share it with him! What if he snored or rolled— sometimes he moved in his sleep. Plus, Katsuki was an early sleeper while he was a night owl. They are such opposites in personality and behavior. The first night fried his nerves so badly Izuku barely slept, only to be cussed out the next morning because he couldn’t focus during practice.

“Kacchan, please, I rather sleep in the guest room!”

“I don’t care what you want, this tells me I need to keep a closer eye on you.”

Izuku groaned and pushed away off the ice to get lunch. He knew there was no arguing with Katsuki unless he was ready for a fight. Wasn’t getting a restful night of sleep the better idea if he was so worried?!

Their afternoon practice did nothing to help his frayed nerves. Katsuki was acting so strange lately. When he talked it’s more like screaming at him, but when they trained... Katsuki’s touch was gentle? Intimate. ‘Duh’that’s what pairs skating is! Izuku chides himself. Like a dance of two lovers on a floor of ice. ‘Sex on ice... Stop it!’ Izuku couldn’t stop the heat flooding to his cheeks. ‘Don’t think like that!’ Ugh, he groaned again, now the mental image is going to torture him and if things couldn’t be worse, Katsuki saw him blushing to himself looking like a weirdo. Thankfully, all it gained was a raised eyebrow. Izuku is gay, but Katsuki isn’t the type of guy he normally went for and he swore he saw a photo in the man’s bedroom of a woman.

Putting aside all the crazy thoughts, Izuku finishes the day without invoking anymore of Katsuki’s wrath. They had dinner quietly before he was forced to go to bed at 9pm. Izuku prepared for another sleepless night as he lay there stiff on his side facing away from the other male. There was almost 2 feet between them, so he tried to pretend he was all alone, just him in a strange bed. Like at a hotel on the very first night and you’re still adjusting to its nuances. It was a comfortable bed, probably expensive with soft, silky sheets, and even the pillows were some fancy memory foam type. Perhaps it was sheer exhaustion, for after a short amount of time, Izuku fell asleep while running the choreography through his mind.

‘Wow it’s really hot today...’ Izuku stirred unconsciously from the dream and pushed the blanket down to his torso. ‘Maybe Yagi will let me go home from work early today, cause it’s exhausting to hang drywall on days like this.’ Izuku tries to turn around but he couldn’t. Panic set in the dream, and the walls closed in around him. ‘What’s going on?!’ He was working and now he’s trapped! Izuku pushes the wall with his back only to feel pressure increase around his body. “What the?!” It instantly snaps his mind awake and suddenly the construction site turned into the dark room of Katsuki’s bedroom.

“Stop... f’ing... moving...” the gravelly voice mumbles right next to his ear!

Izuku’s eyes blow wide as he looks down and sees the arm around his torso, registers that the heat he’d experienced in his dream was Katsuki! ‘Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!’ Why was Katsuki spooned up to him?! With every breath from the sleeping man blowing along his neck and down his back, every fiber in his body shivered, sending too many electrical pulses misfiring and blood rushing to the wrong places! Katsuki hadn’t just rolled too close, this was an intimate embrace! This couldn’t be real! Izuku tries to pry the man’s arm away gently without waking him only to have his ass grabbed by Katsuki’s other hand.

“Go the fuck to sleep, Deku.”

Izuku squeals. He can’t take this anymore. They weren’t that kind of partners. “K-Kacchan! Wh-What, why?!

“Can’t you just take the hint and go with it. I don’t do the whole flirting nonsense.”

“Oh, my god.” Izuku breathes out, he’s serious! And though a part of him gravitated to the idea of having this handsome partner in a relationship, Izuku worried mixing business with pleasure would blow up at some point. “Kacchan. I’m flattered, more than you might know, but I think we should just be partners on the ice.”

There was silence for several minutes and Izuku started to wonder if Katsuki had fallen back asleep and didn’t hear what he’d said. But it was the calm before the storm. Without warning, Izuku was pushed so hard from behind, he flew off the bed and landed hard on the ground. “GET OUT!!” Katsuki raged. “Get the fuck out of my room! Get the fuck out of my house!”

Izuku couldn’t see the man on the bed through the darkness but could almost feel the anger on top of the sound. One pillow, two pillow landing close to where he lay on the floor, then a lamp crashes on top of his hip. Izuku screams, scrambling up despite the pain and stumbling for the door.

“I-I’m sorry Kacchan—.”

“Get the fuck out!! I don’t wanna see here you in the morning!”

Izuku wiped away blinding tears as he packed up his few belongings to leave the mansion in the dead of night. He’d paused at Katsuki’s bedroom door on his way out; was the man crying behind it? It was hard to image the hot head crying but those were clearly the sounds of sobbing coming through. Izuku hung his head, fuck! He really messed up this time. But what could he do? Katsuki told him to go, and this was his house. He writes a quick note and slips it under the coaches door before taking a cab to the train station. The competition was only 2 weeks away, what about that? Is Katsuki going to throw away his chance to compete? Then again, people do crazy things because of emotions.

When he arrives at the station, Izuku find out that the next train to his town won’t arrive for another 6 hours. Just great. None of the food stalls were open at 2am, so he drops onto one of the benches and uses his duffle bag as a pillow. He sets the alarm on his phone and tries to get some sleep... that doesn’t come easily. Could he have handled the situation better? Okay, it wasn’t fair to blame him for making Katsuki cry. It’s not like the man gave any indication he was interested in Izuku in a romantic sense. Who does that?! Just forces someone to sleep in their bed and surprises them by spooning up in the middle of the night?! “just take the hint...” “Argh!” Izuku curls to his side and covers his face to block out the light. ‘This is not my fault! Stupid Kacchan!’ Tomorrow will be a new day. He’ll go home and just start over. Who needs Katsuki...........

“Wake up Izuku.”

“Ugh... go away,” Izuku groans and slaps away the hand shaking him.

“Izuku, get up. I’m here to take you back to the mansion.”

Wait, what?! Izuku opens his eyes, this can’t be happening. “Eijiro?!” He sits up, shaking his head and waving his hands to wipe away the man’s statement. “Please no! I don’t wanna go back there.”

“Look, I don’t know what exactly happened, and Katsuki isn’t telling me anything, but if you leave now all that work is for nothing and you don’t strike me as a quitter.”

Izuku shakes his head. “I’m not, but I don’t see how Katsuki would be willing to be partners. It’ll be uncomfortable for both of us.”

“He has no choice. This year’s national’s determines who goes to the Olympics.”

“What?!”

Eijiro grins. “Oh, did I forget to mention that?”

“Um, yeah! I-I signed up to— you know I was already concerned about nationals but now you’re telling me this is for a bid to the Olympics?! No! No! N-O, no way. I-I’m barely hanging on as is keeping up with figure skating!”

“Izuku think about it this way. You’ve both had a shot at the Olympics that were dashed. This is your second chance.”

“What do you mean both? Katsuki’s competed in the Olympics?”

“Yeah, the same year as you. I was surprised you didn’t recognize him.”

“I didn’t pay attention to the other sports because I was too busy worrying about my team.”

“Well,” Eijiro asks again. “Don’t you wanna have a second shot at gold?”

“Pfft,” Izuku sighs, “let’s just see if I can survive nationals.”

“Wonderful! Come on,” Eijiro grabs Izuku’s bag, “breakfasts on me.”

When they arrive at the mansion and walk into the house, Katsuki is standing in the living room with his arms crossed just glaring death daggers. Izuku gulps hard as he stands behind Eijiro who’d told him to let him handle Katsuki when they arrived. He was ready for the cursing, but the man just stood there.

“A-Are you sure it’ll be okay?” Izuku quietly questioned the coach. “He’s not gonna kill me in my sleep?”

“Well, at least not until after nationals.” Eijiro stared at Katsuki as he spoke. “Because he knows he has no choice.”

“Tch,” Katsuki stomps away.

‘This is gonna be a lo—ng 3 weeks!’

Excruciating to be exact. If there’s something that became brutally clear through this year to Izuku, is that in pairs skating, the chemistry between the skaters plays a role in how well they are received. They could be as technically perfect as required, but they won’t win over the audience and possibly even the judges if you can’t ‘feel’ their routine.

Their practices became mundane and performances, robotic. Katsuki didn’t touch Izuku in the same ways he had before, and he was noticing it more than ever. He realized the night Katsuki had made a move wasn’t the first time after all. Katsuki had been flirting with Izuku in his own subtle way, but he’d never caught on to it. That made Izuku feel even worse, but he also couldn’t go back on what he’d said because he meant it. Risking a relationship meant risking their careers. If they could just get through nationals and make the top 2 spots, they’ll get into the Olympics next year. So, despite the emotionless aspect of their routine, it was as good as they were going to get it to, and they were ready to take the risk...

But it still hurt.

The backstage area of the skating arena was a mad house with all the competing singles and pairs skaters cordoned off in their own dressing areas. Katsuki’s parents spared no expense on a team to get them ready. Perfect outfits, hair, and makeup to make them pop for the cameras. They looked amazing in their complimentary outfits, a perfect couple by design in every way except reality.

Ever since the night of the fight, Katsuki only spoke to Izuku as necessary in gruff tones. He would even look in his direction and never made eye contact during the practices. Eijiro tried so hard to talk to him. ‘You need to sell the illusion Katsuki. No one’s gonna buy your routine if you won’t even look at the man!’ But the hot head was unflinching in his stubbornness. His face would be towards Izuku, but his eyes looked elsewhere, and smiles were non-existent.

They were next in line, so the runners called them to the waiting area. As the pair stood and watched the performance going on before them, Izuku noticed Katsuki’s expressions growing angrier and angrier. It was his old partner with a new partner doing an amazing routine. Izuku recognized the man from the YouTube video as Shouto Todoroki and his female partner was fairly new to this level of the sport, named Momo Yaoyorozu. Had they been a couple, Izuku started to wonder, is that why Katsuki was so angry? Shouto and Momo’s scores elevated them straight to the number one position.

As they walked off the ice, both skaters smiled and nodded to Izuku, who returned the gesture with a bright smile. He had nothing against them even though they were rivals.

“No hard feelings Katsuki,” Shouto stuck out a hand.

But Katsuki slapped it away, “fuck off ice boy.”

Izuku immediately steps between them. “Sorry, K-Kacchan is just stressed.”

“Don’t talk to them Deku!” Katsuki grabs his hand and pulls him towards the ice.

As Izuku does as he’s told, he sees Shouto shaking his head in pity and he couldn’t blame the guy. Shouto seemed genuine, but it was Katsuki being the asshole. Needless to say, going into a routine angry was not the best idea.

“Kacchan, please,” speaking softly, Izuku begged one last time as they took up their positions. “Because you look too angry.”

“Don’t worry about me and just make sure you don’t screw up!”

‘Argh!’ “Got it.”

If there was one good thing, he could say about Katsuki, is the man is a machine and once the music starts, he’s all business, executing each step with precision like nothing was bothering him. Izuku too, stayed on track, meeting and exceeding his own expectations. He had been so worried that when the pressure really hit, he’d freeze up, make mistakes, and cost them this opportunity. The routine ends right on point to the wild sounds of clapping in the audience. It takes them a few moments to catch their breath before breaking apart. He tries and is rebuffed by Katsuki to hold hands as they bowed. Nevertheless, Izuku catches himself and plays it off, not wanting to appear unhappy for the judges. He thought they’d done an amazing job! At no point can he remember either making a mistake. Everything was right on point, especially the moves that carried the highest point values. They had to get 1st place! But when they stepped into the waiting box as the scores are tallied and posted, it wasn’t to be. The technical points were flawless, but the judges ranked them lower in components score... clearly the judges saw well and clear this pair was not a matching pair at all.

Katsuki storms away to the backstage area livid.

“This is all your fault Izuku!”

“My fault!” Oh, that’s it, Izuku wasn’t gonna hold back anymore. “I warned you, Eijiro warned you! You’re fucking attitude is what killed us! Every—body sees what an asshole you are except you!” He flails his arms in contempt. “A spoiled brat that can’t handle being told no!”

“You fucking take that back!” Katsuki lunges at Izuku who counters and pushes him away.

“I’m done!” Izuku screams and starts to walk away but turns back. “Oh, and for the record. I saw your last skate and Shouto did nothing wrong. You screwed up, you! Your hand slipped in the lift. No wonder you can’t keep a partner!”

Katsuki is so shocked, his mouth slams shut.

Eijiro tries to keep Izuku from leaving, but he’s done. They were in 3rd place and the odds of the last pair screwing up was slim to none because they were also former Olympic level skaters. But just as Izuku steps away they hear it over the PA, “oh, no! She fell!”

Their coach turns excitedly to the two men, “we are in!”

“No, we are not,” Izuku states matter of fact and walks away. This time he really is done. Done with all the fights and uncomfortable, complicated emotions. Going back to the Olympics would have been... the tears well up, but he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, before continuing his stride out of the room. It would have been amazing, but he’s not turning around this time. He can hear Eijiro calling his name. He can hear the sound of something smashing against the wall... it won’t change his mind. If Katsuki can’t change his attitude, then why should he have to put up with it? It’s not fair to him. A part of him once gave the man the benefit of doubt, but perhaps Izuku should have taken a hint from all the partners of his past. Katsuki Bakugou will never change. His arrogance destroys all of his relationships, and that’s not the kind of man Izuku wants anything to do with.

He grabs his belonging from the hotel room, checks out and goes straight to the airport without looking back. The whole ride home, Izuku sat in first class with his cap kept down low to avoid human interaction. It was a four-hour flight back to the mansion and his plans were to grab all of his stuff and leave before Katsuki and Eijiro could get home too. A whole year wasted... Izuku cried softly to himself in the darkened cab of the plane. Now he’ll just go back home to Minnesota and pick up where he’d left off. Going back to working with his brother in construction wasn’t the worst thing. At least he wouldn’t have to put up with being yelled at all the time or being treated like shit. And hey, he could figure skate now! Maybe he’ll find a new partner like Shouto had done. Oh, that would piss Katsuki off so bad! Izuku snorts a small laugh. He never considered himself the vindictive type, but the thought made him laugh at least.

Back home, Katsuki stood in the empty doorway to the room Izuku was using, quiet, his head lowered, not listening to the words Eijiro was saying to him. They’d arrived at the silent mansion and deep down he knew Izuku wouldn’t be there, but that didn’t make the pain hurt any less. They’d hidden the fight from the media and Olympics committee, so as far as the world knew, they would be representing the United States in pairs skating.

“We’ll need to find a replacement Katsuki... we’ll just make up a story that Izuku got an injury or something to smooth it over.”

But Katsuki doesn’t respond to the coach and simply walks away, slamming his bedroom door closed. He falls back against it, slumping down to the floor with his knees up, arms wrapped around them and his head down. This wasn’t the first-time people have walked away from him, fought with him, but Izuku was different from all the rest and when that man walked away without looking back, Katsuki felt something he’d never experienced before. Problem was, he didn’t know what it was! And so, his only recourse was to resort to what he knew which is anger. He’d smashed the makeup case against the wall and broke a mirror with the costume stand.

How dare Izuku stand up to him like that?! As far as he was concerned, he built that man into a figure skater, gave him a new career path better than some stupid construction job! This was an opportunity of a lifetime! He’d even offered Izuku a chance to be his boyfriend, doesn’t he realize what an honor that is?! Katsuki knows exactly how good he is, and any man or woman would kill to have him as their boyfriend! Yet this guy turns him down?! Ridiculous! Just walks away from going to the Olympics?! His fist is clenched so tight, he can feel the pain of his nails digging into the palm. He was so angry! So furious! So... destroyed... Izuku turned his back on him. Fuck him! Fuck— why does he care so damn much! He’ll just get a new partner. He’ll make someone else’s dreams come true...

But he didn’t want anyone else...

No, fuck that! Katsuki jumps to his feet. Izuku was beneath him. How could he have every thought this man could fit into his circle? The guy was a former hockey player from some rural town, while he came from wealth for fucks sakes! Yeah, fuck him! Know what?! Fuck everybody!

Katsuki pulls out his phone and dials his mother. “I’m going on vacation for two weeks... no. Not with him, we— I’m going alone cause I need a break!” Click Next, he calls an airlines and books the first flight to anywhere, he didn’t care where, he just wanted to leave that night. The only option for first class was Hawaii. Oh, good, they had a vacation home there anyways. Katsuki packs a carry-on of just essentials, too irritated to pack a full suitcase. He can buy more clothes when he gets there. Before he leaves, he writes a note for Eijiro with explicit instructions not to contact him until he returned. He slips it under the man’s door then takes his car to the airport since his driver is off for the rest of the night. This whole year left him emotionally unstable, so maybe some beach time and relaxation was the cure.

It was early in the morning by the time Katsuki had arrived at their vacation home on the picturesque Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. He’d called ahead for a limo service to pick him up and drive him the 50-odd miles from the airport in Kailua Kona, and the groundskeeper to prep the house for his arrival. His plan was to do nothing but drink, relaxing alone, and to sort out whatever it was that plagued him. He’d slept for most of the ride over, but his mind would keep going back to Izuku. He tosses his bag onto his bed and walks straight to the kitchen for a shot of something, anything he didn’t care.

“ARGH!!!” Katsuki growls in the empty house. “Why the fuck can’t I stop thinking about him!!!” He takes a longer swig of the hard liquor before capping it off and heading the shower. It’s been about 36+ hours since his last one before the competition.

Day in and day out, Katsuki’s depression takes hold, alternating between fits of anger and crying until he passed out from the amount of liquor he’d consumed. The poor housekeeper that came each day, did her best to steer clear, cleaning up after those fits, to keeping the pantry stocked with bottles of liquor to avoid his wrath. For the life of him, Katsuki couldn’t understand why, of anything. Angry and feeling jilted by his partner. Confused as to why Izuku’s leaving hurt so damn much. He’d never experienced this level of despair before, just couldn’t fathom what was really causing it... okay, that was a lie. Katsuki knew damn well why he was so upset, but he just couldn’t bring himself to accept it. And so, he drank his emotions away, buried it under a tidal wave of alcohol and lived in a stupor of dreamless misery.

“Oh, thank goodness,” the housekeeper greeted Eijiro. “He’s passed out in his room.”

“Thank you, Ke’ala.” Eijiro thanks the woman and enters Katsuki���s bedroom. He rips the curtain open.

“Time to get up Katsuki! You need help.” The man on the bed is so drunk, he doesn’t even flinch. Eijiro pulls harder on his leg. “Get up Katsuki!”

The drunk mumbles something, then rolls onto his side. “You leave me no choice Katsuki.” Eijiro picks up the dead weight and carries him into the shower. He puts the man onto the shower floor fully clothed, then turns it on full blast, hitting him dead center in the face. That wakes Katsuki up real, quick!

“What the fuck?!” The man defends against the cold water, flailing his arms pitifully, and scrambling along the tiled floor until his back hits a wall. He wipes his face, “I told you not to contact me till I returned!”

“First off, your parents pay my bill and they’re the ones who sent me. Second, take a goddamn shower cause you stink to hell. Then meet me in the living room.” Eijiro tosses some clean clothes onto the counter and walks away without another word. He hears Katsuki swearing behind him, but he didn’t care.

Thirty minutes later an angry but sober, cleaner Katsuki walks into the living room and plops down onto a couch opposite of Eijiro who pushes a cup of hot coffee towards him. He takes the cup and starts to drink it, though his expression remained accusatory, with furrowed brows, just glaring at the coach. “What do you want Eijiro?”

“Do you even realize you’ve been gone a month?”

No... he hadn’t but, “what’s your point?” Katsuki retorts because he didn’t want to show he cared.

“Do you or don’t you want to go to the Olympics?”

“Of course, I do. But y’all were right all along. No one wants to be my partner, so guess that means I’m done.”

Eijiro sucks in a breath at the revelation. This was the first time he’d ever in their seven-year working relationship heard this man admit a failing. He was a little caught off guard, but in a good way. “Katsuki,” Eijiro sighs, “is this the first time you’ve ever been in love?”

Katsuki puts his cup down and leans forward. “What did you just say to me?!”

“You heard me. Just admit it, you’re in love with Izuku Midoriya.”

“Get out!” Katsuki jumps up and points at the door.

“I’m not leaving. The only way to get past this is to accept the fact you’re in love and because he left you, you’re angry and confused. You pushed him away— admit it to yourself for once in your life and just own up to it!

“I-I’m not in love with Izuku!” His hands fly up and grip to the sides of his head. All of this commotion and the emotions coupled with a hangover is creating a storm of a headache. “I’m not! I’m not! I’m not!” He shakes his head as tears start to flow. “Why is this happening to me?! I-I can’t be in love with him!” Katsuki’s hands drop, but flail in front of him. “And so, what if I am, he turned me down! I have nothing to go back to, no Olympics, no Izuku, just an empty mansion, so just let me drink myself into oblivion!” He drops back onto the couch, cradling his face in his hands as the dam of tears burst free. “Just leave me alone, please.”

Eijiro gets up and kneels in front of Katsuki, placing a hand on the man’s knee. “It’s not too late to fix things. Izuku is angry because of how you treated him, but he doesn’t hate you.”

“You don’t know that,” he grumps back.

“Oh, I’m pretty sure about it. In fact, I’m quite certain he likes you too, but the way you handled approaching him, scared him. Katsuki, relationships... they require honesty, sincerity. You can’t force someone to love you. You have to make them feel loved and appreciated.”

“I don’t... know how. I don’t know what he wants! A-And I’m not good at showing my emotions.”

“Why don’t you try talking to him? Be honest with him and tell him how you feel.”

Katsuki pauses for several minutes as if his coaches words are truly sinking in. Is it really possible? Could he do it? But he’d been such an asshole to Izuku, who in their right mind would give him a second chance. Because he certainly would not... and maybe that was part of his problem. He couldn’t handle the rejection, and so he did what he knew how to do which is lash out, and that’s exactly what he did to Izuku. Katsuki sighs forlornly, “I don’t deserve a second chance.”

“Everyone deserves a second chance Kacchan.”

Katsuki’s heart stops at the sound of Izuku’s soft voice, too afraid to even look up and confirm it wasn’t a figment of his imagination. If Izuku was really here, does that mean he’d heard and saw everything from the moment Eijiro had arrived too?!

Eijiro squeezes Katsuki’s knee. “When I told Izuku what we saw you doing here, he agreed to help bring you home.”

“S-Saw?” Katsuki closes his eyes and whispers.

“This place has security cameras. So, after three weeks had passed by and you still hadn’t come home, your parents pulled up the footage and showed it to me. If I knew things were this bad, I would have come sooner.”

Katsuki’s eyes only tighten when he feels the cushion next to him depress, and the scent of Izuku’s cologne hit him, to block a new wave of tears from escaping. He had no idea how much of the footage they’d seen, but it was highly likely they’d seen the days and weeks passing by with Katsuki drinking almost non-stop. He barely ate or took care of his personal hygiene, because he’d stopped caring, and all he wanted to do was numb his pain.

“Kacchan... I didn’t mean for you to hurt yourself like this. I was— still am upset about things, but like Eijiro said, I don’t hate you and if you’re willing to work with me, like a real partner, then... then I’ll come back. But we need to set some rules, like respect. You can’t keep yelling at me and expect me to stick around.”

Katsuki looks up. “But why would you give me a second chance?”

Izuku blushes and voice softens, “because Eijiro is right. I do have a small crush on you.” But when he sees Katsuki’s face brighten, he quickly adds to his statement. “I-I’m still torn about it, s-so please don’t take that as I wanna jump into a romantic relationship right now. I’m the kind of guy that likes some sentiment, to be wooed or swept off their feet. It’s gotta build up to a point where I’ll be comfortable with the idea, because mixing business with pleasure scares me. Just look at what happened when I turned you down. It ruined everything.”

“I guess I never thought of it that way,” Katsuki breathes out. “This is all new territory to me, and I really don’t know how to handle it.”

“See, this is great!” Eijiro cuts in. “You guys are talking like civilized people, it’s wonderful.”

“Are you done?” Katsuki grumps.

“That depends if you’re ready to start fresh and get back to training together?”

“Kacchan?” Izuku looks over beside him. “I’m willing.”

Katsuki sighs, his heart desperately wants to, but he knows it won’t be easy to control his feelings for Izuku. “I’ll give it a try.”

The trio spends one more week in Hawaii, to give Katsuki time to fully recover from all the alcohol consumption as well as simply enjoy a Hawaii vacation. It was the first time Izuku had ever been to Hawaii and wow, he couldn’t get enough of all the food choices! And the sunsets were just stunning, glistening off of the water! So many colors, it was like heaven greeting earth each clear day.

“I’ll bring you back here on vacation,” Katsuki tells Izuku one day as they’re roaming the Waikoloa shops. “I mean, if you want to.”

Surprised, but happy by the gesture. “That’d be really nice Kacchan.” Since they had to stay longer than expected, Katsuki insisted on buying Izuku some clothes and souvenirs to take back home. He tried to refuse, but the man wasn’t taking no for an answer. It was the least he could do, was the reply for putting up with him. Katsuki also refused to step into any shop he deemed of low quality, so the King’s Shops at Waikoloa is where they went. Tori Richard’s, Tommy Bahama, and Michael Korrs, all places Izuku would never have shopped at.

As they sat in the dining room of Roy’s Waikoloa bar & grill, Izuku stares out over the manmade lake next to the shopping center. He’d adjusted to fancier food because that’s all Katsuki’s cook would make but sitting there with the man in a restaurant was a totally new experience. It was really nice, and for possibly the first time since they’d met a year ago, Izuku relaxed.

He didn’t expect a miracle, or for Katsuki to suddenly change overnight for that would be unfair, but as long as the man tried, Izuku wouldn’t leave like he’d done before. Oh, but was it tough in the beginning! In Hawaii, Katsuki could control his outbursts, but the moment the pressures of training kicked in, so to, did his old personality. Unlike before, Izuku was quicker to say something, telling him to stop before he says something he’ll regret. It seemed to do the trick. The man would stop and move on. After a month, Katsuki started to catch himself, literally mid-sentence stop, and walk away. Izuku wished he’d be more open with him instead of running away, but it was definitely an improvement. By the third month back, he even apologized. Izuku remembered the first time Katsuki said sorry and after a moment of shock, he smiled and said it was okay.

But there was one thing he hoped would come back. He still remembers the heated tingles he’d feel when Katsuki would hold him in positions. It was lost after their fight, and the man almost seemed, afraid, to touch him in the wrong way. Afraid he would make Izuku uncomfortable and risk chasing him away again. He didn’t know how to convey such a desire without confusing Katsuki and opening up a door he wasn’t ready to walk through yet. So, Izuku kept his mouth closed and focused on encouraging the man to keep improving on his social skills.

With six months left until the Olympics, the pair had their short program already choreographed and perfected. That left the long program, and the most important skate of their careers left to solidify. It was a skaters last opportunity to showcase a brilliant program and garner the highest amount of points possible.

“We need a showstopper, something new, something so damn amazing the judges will have no choice but to give us the win!” Katsuki tells Eijiro. “Whatever you need, choreographers to help you, I’ll get it.”

“Well...” the man picks a folder up from his desk, tapping it in his hand before opening it and pulling out a few sheets. He walks over to the ice where the two men were standing, slowly placing each sheet down onto the ice as he spoke. “There is one thing that my old mentor passed down. It’s never been used— because the difficulty level makes it quite impossible.”

Izuku picks up the first sheet, “it’s basically a bounce, spin into a toss, spin?”

“That’s illegal,” Katsuki looks over the man’s shoulder at the paper. “We can’t do an illegal move!”

“Legal, illegal, it’s more of a gray area,” Eijiro clarifies, “just extremely difficult.”

The longer Izuku stares at it, the worse the hairs stand up on the back of his neck. “K-Kacchan would have to spin me like a centrifuge, throw me, then catch me...” he mumbled out as the blood drains from his face. “This defies the laws of gravity and if he slips...” he doesn’t finish the sentence, but the image in his head was of a face scraped off and bloody.

“It takes a lot of skill, a lot of practice, and above all trust between the partners.”

“I don’t know...” Izuku mumbles.

“I think we can do it. Hell yeah! This would win us gold! Come on Izu, don’t you wanna win?!”

“Of course, I do, but—.”

Katsuki grabs Izukus hands, holding them firmly with such excitement behind his eyes and a sultry charm to his voice. “I really think we can do this together.”

“O-Okay,” Izuku melts under Katsuki’s sway. “I believe in you.”

“No. I believe in us.”

Izuku’s eyes widen, his heartbeat speeds up, and all those tingles rush over him. Their eyes meet and hold as seconds silently pass. The cold air of the room disappears, replaced by the warmth centered from their conjoined hands. In that moment, Izuku was willing to believe, that yes, they could pull it off if they trusted each other.

Eijiro clears his throat, “I take that as a go ahead... so!” He claps his hands. “This will be incorporated as the finale of the program.”

“Way to kill the mood man.” Katsuki grumps causing Izuku to blush.

They order custom made training outfits designed to be aerodynamic but with padding in specific areas to absorb shock from falls. It was a brutal regime, especially on Izuku’s body and nothing in his past experience with hockey could compare. Rigging could only be used as they practiced the solitary spin itself, so when they practiced without it, he suffered fall after fall, tossed onto the ice when Katsuki lost his grip on Izuku’s legs. Frankly, it’s a miracle he never broke a bone, but bruises and cuts often slowed the training down. Katsuki himself added upper body workouts to strengthen and increase his ability to not only hold onto Izuku but control the spin. Remember, this is still part of a choreographed piece to music, so timing was everything. It fell on his shoulders not to screw up and miss a step. Three months into this intensive training, Izuku finally demanded a break after a particularly brutal fall that was a breath away from dislocating his right shoulder.

“I brought you dinner,” Katsuki walks into Izuku’s bedroom where he’s resting. It was wrapped by a doctor and he was told not to use that arm for the next five days just to make sure it didn’t get worse.

“Aww, thank you Kacchan.” Izuku smiles, “you didn’t have to.”

“It’s fine.” He tries to hide his blush. “I feel bad cause I messed up again.”

Izuku takes Katsuki’s hand causing the man’s blush to grow, and squeezes, smiling, and conveying more than words ever could.

With one month to go, the pair had everything in their long program down solid, except for the new move which they’ve decided to name in honor of Eijiro’s mentor, the Pamchenko. They’ve landed it twice successfully in the last two months, and the probability of sticking it under pressure at the Olympics was slim. So, with time running out they practiced a separate move instead to fill the void. It was still pretty spectacular, but not as jaw dropping.

Katsuki’s frustration had returned much to Izuku’s disappointment and he did his best not to anger the man. It sucked to be walking on pins and needles all over again, especially because being so close to the end, quitting would be crazy. Izuku just grit his teeth and ignored the man’s tirades, then cried himself to sleep some nights in his bedroom. They’d had six months of doing so well... he really thought Katsuki was changing for the better and growing into the kind of man Izuku would get into a romantic relationship with. But worst of all, is Katsuki hasn’t noticed his effect on his partner.

Izuku flops onto his bed after dinner and lets out a deep exhale, staring at the ceiling. ‘Maybe you really can’t change some people.’ Win or lose, once the Olympics was over it was time to say goodbye to Katsuki Bakugou.

There’s something to be said about the starting of the games and the walk the Olympians do. All dressed in the colors of their countries, head held high waving to the fans as their flags signal, their arrival. It’s a proud moment that such a small number of athletes in the world ever get to experience. Through blood, sweat, and tears, this was it, this is what they’d worked so hard for years to achieve. It was a second chance for he and Katsuki to shoot for their gold medal dreams. Which is really about pride not monetary gain. It’s to prove you’re the best in the world.

The morning of the short program was spent getting prepped like usual. Costumes, check. Hair and makeup, double check. Skates shined and sharpened. Music provided to the program director. There was nothing more for them to do but wait until it was their turn. Izuku focused on staying calm and not hurling up his breakfast, while Katsuki paced like a caged animal listening over the P.A. for the results as one by one each countries teams took the ice. They could go and watch the performances, but that might fry their nerves even more than it already was. Then again watching Katsuki pace wasn’t helping either, so Izuku steps out of the dressing area and into the hall for a break.

“Izuku Midoriya?” A voice spoke from his left.

“Yes?” He turns to look and smiles. “Oh, hello Mr. Todoroki. Heading up?”

“Soon. I just wanted to congratulate you on making it this far.”

“That’s really kind of you. Congratulations as well to you and Ms. Yaoyorozu.”

“Also, for surviving Katsuki. You must be quite the man to stick around.”

‘If only you knew.’ “Um, thanks,” Izuku chuckled nervously, praying that Katsuki couldn’t hear them from inside the room. “It’s been interesting to say the least.”

“So, you plan on staying his partner after this?”

Izuku pauses, debating whether to speak up or pretend nothing was wrong. But who was he kidding, Shouto had worked with Katsuki and was his partner at the last Olympics. This man would probably know if Izuku tried to lie about anything. He lowers his voice, head shaking in emphasis of his words. “No, well, I haven’t fully decided yet.”

“Well, if you don’t give me a call. I’ll help you find a new partner.”

“Oh. Wow. Thanks!”

Shouto tips his head. “Good luck to you Izuku Midoriya.”

He smiles. “Good luck to you too, Mr. Todoroki.”

The smile on Izuku’s face stays firmly planted as he watches the man walk away. Shouto Todoroki was easy on the eyes for sure, and he appreciated how nice he was unlike his own partner. Yaoyorozu was a lucky woman in more ways than one ever since they’d announced their engagement two months back. Ah, well. One day he’ll get lucky in the love department too. Still smiling to himself, Izuku goes back into the dressing room, but instead of a pacing Katsuki he finds a glaring one looking right at him.

“Kacchan, are you okay?”

Unlike in the past, the man says nothing and doesn’t respond. He can see Katsuki’s fists clenched at his sides as if he was barely controlling his anger. Had the man heard his conversation with Shouto?! Well, you know what? After all he’s been through, he didn’t care if he had. “Fine, ignore me. We’re up soon, so be ready.” Izuku walks back outside without missing a beat. He was through with Katsuki’s behaviors.

So, surprise, surprise, the short program was like a repeat of their qualifiers. Perfect technical scores, but the components... high skating skills, high transitions, compositions, and interpretations... mediocre on the performance element. Their whole vibe lacked an emotional tie to the music or each other and the judges reamed them for it. At this level of competition, when scores differed by fractions of points, the smallest misses could be your death sentence. It left them in 4th place, 2 levels below the other American team. To reach gold now required an extraordinary long program.

The limo ride was tense the entire way back to the rented villa, with Eijiro stuck in the middle of two men refusing to even look at each other. “This is why you scored low!” He snaps at them the second they walk into the front door. “You,” he points at Katsuki. “Your anger is killing this team! I had such high hopes for you both, but without the Pamchenko, it’s over!”

“Tch!” Katsuki crosses his arms, “I ain’t got no problem with that.”

Eijiro opens his mouth to counter, but it’s Izuku who snaps first. “You, selfish, spoiled brat! It’s easy for you to say cause you’re not the one taking the greatest risk and I’ve already left the Olympics once with a sidelining injury, so I’m not gonna risk it again!” Tears break free unencumbered as he walks straight up to Katsuki and slaps him as hard as he can across the face. “Just when I’d started to fall in love you reverted back to this,” motioning up and down at the shocked male, “the asshole who only cares about himself! How could someone like you ever love me?! How?!” Izuku screams at the top of his lungs... then silences his tears, “you can’t, not like this.” He runs away to his room, slamming the door, and leaving a flabbergasted Katsuki standing there like a fool.

“He’s right,” Eijiro walks up and stares him down. “All these years I’d hoped you would change— that he might be the key, but now I don’t know.” He walks away to his room too.

“Argh!!” Katsuki screams and leaves the house. Everything was falling down around him again! “Fuck!” But he knew it was all his own damn fault. He’d wanted so badly... and now to find out Izuku... “Fucking dumb fuck!” He screams at himself! How the hell does he fix this?!

The sun had not yet risen by the time Izuku and Eijiro were up and eating breakfast quietly in the kitchen area. Neither said anything, just looking down like robots programmed to follow mundane human behaviors. Katsuki’s bed was empty and it was clear he hadn’t slept in it, but no one knew where he was. The doorman told Eijiro the man had left after the fight and never returned, and he had turned off his phone. The coach was pretty certain Katsuki wouldn’t have left the area without retrieving his belongings, plus the airline ticket was still unused. So, where was he?

“We’ll go to the arena like normal,” Eijiro tells Izuku. “Hopefully Katsuki turns up.”

Izuku himself wasn’t in the best state of mind either and mindlessly nods at the coaches words. He knew the things he’d said to Katsuki were true and needed to be said, but that didn’t mean it made him feel any better. Part of him wanted to just forfeit and leave, but at the same time, he didn’t want to be labeled the reason a U.S. team had to forfeit. If Katsuki really was going to be the stupid one, Izuku wasn’t going to let the man take him down too. Katsuki came from wealth and didn’t need anything. All Izuku had was his reputation and honor, and that was worth protecting.

The longer the day went on with no sign of Katsuki, the more Izuku really wished he could just curl upon in some hole. He felt as if everyone in the field was silently judging him. ‘Where’s his partner? Did they have a fight? Poor guy. Aww how sad...’ there he was all dressed and ready for the long program with no partner. He warmed up on the ice just in case, but it was pretty miserable doing it all alone.

Less than two hours before they were set to skate, Katsuki’s mother walks in, dragging her son behind her. Eijiro gets up to meet his employer, but Izuku barely manages a smile when the woman comes up to him.

“I know we’ve never had a chance to meet Mr. Midoriya, my name is Mitsuki Bakugou, and I extend my warmest thanks for working with my problematic son.”

Not wanting to be rude to the woman, “it’s nice to meet you Mrs. Bakugou. Your son he... he has his good sides.”

The woman laughs, “no need to be humble, I know my son is a brat. And that’s my fault, I shouldn’t have spoiled him so much. But I just want you to know that you really have made a big impact on him.” She chuckled, “It’s been quite shocking for my husband and I to listen to Eijiro’s reports.”

“Oh...” Izuku’s eyes widen. He never knew the coach was spying! “I, um am not sure what to say,” he stammers.

“Okay, okay old hag,” Katsuki suddenly interjects and starts to push his mother out the door. “We gotta get ready, so we’ll see you after the program!”

“Don’t call me a hag you brat!” She yells at her son, then waves at Izuku. “It was nice meeting you!”

“It was uh, nice to meet you too,” Izuku responds and waves back.

Katsuki returns a few minutes later and approaches Izuku. “Could we talk in private somewhere?”

“You need to get ready first,” Izuku states matter of fact. “We skate in less than 2 hours and we need to be ready.”

Katsuki nods without arguing and goes to the stylists chair, telling them to make it quick. And it doesn’t take very long for them to dress and tame his hair. Once that’s done, Eijiro and the stylist quietly take their leave.

“So,” Izuku stands there with his arms crossed, “what did you wanna say to me?”

Katsuki sighs, long and deep, hanging his head and closing his eyes. “I know saying sorry won’t mean much at this point, but for what it’s worth, I’m truly sorry Izuku.” He opens his eyes full of tears. “Last night when I left, I was so angry at myself, at the world, then I saw you with Shouto again and that pissed me off, and I took it out on you again, and that’s not right. So, I kept walking, and walking, just thinking about everything. My life, about this sport, and most of all you. I-I don’t deserve you, at all, I know that.” He pauses for a moment and closes his eyes again. “And when I found myself standing on the edge of a pier ready to jump, I called my mom to come get me.” He chuckled forlornly, “me still crying to my mother at this age, it’s so fucking pathetic. She convinced me to come here today and finish what we’d started for better or worse, make it right by you because I’m the one who dragged you into this world and it’s not okay to make you face it alone. If you hate me, I—,”Katsuki squeezes his eyes shut again as he takes another deep breath. “I-I’ll accept that. If you never forgive me, I’ll accept it because I don’t expect your forgiveness. But I just wanna say thank you for everything and I’ll always love you Izuku.”

The whole time Katsuki spoke, the man never made eye contact with him, but Izuku could feel the waves of regret flowing from him in a way he hadn’t expected. It was different from the time in Hawaii, much more heartfelt. Not that Katsuki hadn’t been trying back then, but he wasn’t exactly sure how to describe it. This apology hit Izuku more deeply somehow and when the man said he’ll always love him— he just knewKatsuki meant it with every fiber of his soul... and he knew no one could ever replace Katsuki in his own heart.

“Oh, Kacchan I don’t hate you.” His voice was soft and full of tenderness. He closes the gap between them and takes the man’s hands, forcing him to look up. His eyes were filled with happy tears, and his ear-to-ear smile was brighter than any other time in his life. “I can’t say I’m not frustrated, but I don’t hate you. Okay? We’ll work on stuff together.”

At that moment, Eijiro pops his head back into the room. “It’s time to hit the ice guys.”

“Okay!” Izuku answers cheerfully before turning back and wiping away Katsuki’s tears and his own. “Come on,” he pulls Katsuki from the dressing chair, turning as he talks, “we’re gonna kick everyone’s ass with the Pamchenko!”

“What?!” Katsuki pulls Izuku to a stop. “No! You’re right it’s too risky! We’re not doing it!”

“Yes!” Izuku continues pulling and walking, dragging Katsuki with him, “we’re doing it!” He smiles genuinely, causing Katsuki’s cheeks to flush red.

“N-No, I don’t want to risk you getting hurt Izuku! It’s too dangerous!”

The closer they get to entrance of the rink, their voices lower but the back, and forth argument continues. Yes! No! Yes! No! Yes!! The announcer calls their names, so they skate onto the middle of the rink and assume their positions.

“If you think I’m doing all this to get a routine out of you, you’re wrong! Izuku, why are you doing this?!”

“Because,” he smirks back, “I’m in the mood to kick a little ass!”

Izuku’s statement and the energy exuding from the man, makes Katsuki’s eyes flash with an adrenaline rush of excitement. He’s never felt such a rush before a program, and he loves how it feels! Any doubt he’d had of his feelings for Izuku, melted away the second the music began.

Their bodies moved in perfect alignment, truly lost in the music and their long-practiced routine flowing as a dance along the ice like two lovers pushing and pulling against each other in reflection of the journey it took to get to that point. The audience ooh and awed, spellbound as the pairs hands, strong yet covetous, molded in loving embrace before heart stopping explosive leaps and spins send their toes curling, and lifting them off their seats. But no one was more enraptured then the two skaters. The world simply fell away, and the competition became a blur around them.

Izuku had no time to process the sheer excitement coursing through his veins or those elusive tingles he’d longed to feel again from Katsuki. But they fueled him, drove him towards their end goal, and made him feel more alive than he’d ever felt! It was magic, pure and simple.

They flowed effortlessly into the first stage of the Pamchenko, with no falter to the strong grip Katsuki had on Izuku. The man was confident which in turn made him relax and relinquish all control to Katsuki’s capable hands. Izuku stayed focused, his arms kept tightly to his sides, counting each spin as the g-force momentum built up to the perfect pitch... and finally the release. The audience goes silent as Izuku’s body spun through the air, one, two, triple axel... caught! In Katsuki’s arms as Izuku hits the ice again. The entire stadium erupts while the pair glides to a smooth stop in the middle of the rink, with Izuku dipped and cradled in Katsuki’s arm.

Neither cared about the judges or competition nor the screaming fans on their feet, cheering in a thunderous roar. It was just them gazing at each other as they caught their breaths with camera lights flashing all around them.

“But why?” Katsuki’s questions Izuku again, because he genuinely couldn’t understand why the man was willing to take such a high risk. “You didn’t have to do it.”

Izuku beams back, “I told you before,” eyes softening. “Because I love you.”

Katsuki’s heart skips and soars as he swoops in, kissing Izuku with all the pent-up passion the man brought out of him. It was magical, freeing, and nothing could compare to this moment, not even winning gold! He helps Izuku to his feet and takes his hand as they bow for the crowd then skate off the ice to await the scores. “I still don’t deserve you Izuku, but I’m gonna spend the rest of my life spoiling you rotten to earn it.”

Izuku giggles, “I just want the real Kacchan, that’s all I need to be happy.”

“Well, too bad,” Katsuki laughs back, “I’m still gonna spoil you.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.” Katsuki clasps Izuku’s face in his hands with a grin. “I’m gonna work hard to curb my anger,” placing another kiss on the man’s lips, “but this is one fight you’ll never win, so just accept it.”

A tear trickles down Izuku’s cheek, which Katsuki smooths away with his thumb. Izuku felt like a damn princess in some fairytale, his eyes twinkling in the light. “Oh, Kacchan...”

[tell-me-when-ur-ready]

This Thing Called Love (part three)

Summary: When Shawn meets dancer Kellie in Toronto, he falls for her—hard. But Kellie has an invisible disability and thinks it’s impossible that someone could really love her the way she is.

Author’s note: I have multiple chronic illnesses that are similar to Kellie’s, but I don’t have the same exact health conditions she does. I’ve done lots of research, but I apologize if I get anything wrong!

Warnings: tiny bit of language

Word count: 1,600

Shawn’s texts didn’t stop when Kellie went home to Atlanta, a second-place win under her belt. A week after she’d gotten settled back in the small apartment she shared with two roommates, both dance majors at a local university, he texted her again.

It was early in the morning, 8 AM, but Kellie could already tell she wouldn’t be getting out of bed that day. The remnants of a migraine plus three days of barely eating anything due to nausea had her down for the count, in bed with Netflix and her roommate’s cat.

When her phone dinged, she expected it to be her boss; outside of teaching dance, Kellie nannied for a family with two kids, and she’d just texted the mom to tell her she couldn’t make it today. I’m not feeling well, Kellie had said—an understatement, considering she could barely stand the light from her computer screen and she was so weak she didn’t know if she could walk to the kitchen and make herself food.

But the display said Shawn Mendes (something that would’ve made Kellie pinch herself, if she’d had the energy—she would definitely win a game of “who’s the most famous person in your phone”). Swiping the screen revealed the full text, which was just three words: Check your email.

Curious, Kellie opened her email and waited for it to load. At the top of her inbox was an official invitation to be part of Shawn’s music video for his new song. She scrolled slowly through the email; it detailed payment, location, timeframe, costume, the vision for the choreography, and everything else she needed to know. With every word, Kellie felt herself getting more excited. This was what she’d always wanted, what she desperately needed—a chance to prove herself, to become a professional dancer and begin earning real money doing what she loved.

 And then she shook herself back into reality. She was disabled. She had complications from Celiac disease. She had chronic migraines. This was the third day in a row she’d spent right here, in bed, not feeling well enough to do literally anything else. How did she think she could commit to filming a whole freaking music video—something where she had to show up in top form, ready to dance for hours under someone else’s schedule and direction? Her body didn’t work that way; Kellie needed to make her own schedule, to go at her own pace, to be free to rest when her body needed to rest. And up until now, she’d been fortunate to find jobs that were willing to accommodate her disability.

 But the real world didn’t work that way.

 Kellie locked her phone and slid back under the covers.

 ***

 Kellie didn’t tell anyone about Shawn until well over a week after she got home. When she’d arrived back in Atlanta, her roommates and friends had asked her how the dance competition was and what she did in Toronto, and she’d said she won second place in her division (dancing to Shawn’s song, not that that was relevant) and explored the city’s coffee shops when she was feeling well enough. Which was all true. She’d just omitted one tiny, enormous detail. Kellie didn’t really know why she hadn’t told anyone about Shawn; she’d half expected paparazzi photos to appear the next morning and do the job for her. But they didn’t, and then she was busy navigating her feelings—not that she had feelings, because it was just a professional relationship, or it was until he’d started texting her so often—and somehow she’d just never gotten around to it.

 But now she needed advice. And now, her roommates were going to kill her.

 The following Monday morning, finally recovered from her latest migraine and feeling decent, Kellie was in the apartment kitchen making a smoothie to take to work. It was early June now and today was the kickoff for weeks of summer dance camp at the studio where she worked, six hours a day of more or less just babysitting a dozen eight-year-olds in tutus.

 Her roommates Mackenzie and Shelby walked into the kitchen at the same time, Mackenzie dressed for a summer dance intensive and Shelby on her way to work at the local Gap.

 “I have something to tell you,” Kellie said, shutting off the blender and turning to face them before she lost her nerve.

 Mackenzie’s eyes immediately opened wide. “Oh my God. You’re moving out. You got a new diagnosis. You’re pregnant?!”

 “Pretty sure you have to actually look at a boy to get pregnant,” Shelby said, and Kellie snapped a dishtowel at her.

 “Stop it. This is serious; I need advice. But first, you have to promise not to tell anyone. Okay?”

  “Oka-a-ay,” Mackenzie said, wrinkling her forehead. “Are you sure you’re not pregnant?”

 Kellie ignored her and plowed ahead. “Okay, so when I was in Toronto, well, I didn’t tell you everything that actually happened there. I have an opportunity to be in a music video, but I’m not sure if I should do it.”

 “But that’s so cool!” Shelby exclaimed. “That’s what you’ve been wanting! A chance to dance professionally. I mean, if it’s for a real singer and not just some low-budget thing?”

 “It is,” Kellie said. She knew what Shelby meant; she’d definitely gotten lots of offers in the past to dance in a music video being produced in someone’s garage. It would be great “exposure,” she’d been told. Maybe, but exposure didn’t pay her rent or her medical bills.

 Mackenzie leaned on her elbows on the island. “So, why would you not do it then?”

 “You know,” Kellie said, slumping back against the counter. “My health. Sometimes I just don’t know if being a professional dancer is actually a reality for me. I can’t sign a contract saying I’ll dance and then not show up the day of the shoot because I’m in bed with a migraine.”

 “Would you have to fly to Toronto to do it?” Mackenzie asked, and Kellie nodded. Travel—long restless days with lots of noise and people and unfamiliar food—made her health problems flare up.

 Shelby had been quietly moving around the kitchen as they spoke, putting a bagel in the toaster oven, taking it out, buttering it with a knife.

 “I think you should try,” she said finally. “I mean, yes, your health will probably be an issue. But it’s probably always going to be an issue, yanno? So why wait? Just explain things to them and maybe they’ll work with you.”

 Kellie shrugged, fidgeting with the frayed edge of the dishtowel in her hand.

 “Is the singer anybody I would have heard of?” Shelby asked casually, and Kellie cringed. This was the part where they were going to kill her.

 “Um… yeah,” Kellie said, and Shelby raised her eyebrows, waiting. “Um—it’s Shawn Mendes.”

 There was a loud bang as Mackenzie slapped both palms on the island. “Shawn freaking Mendes?” she shrieked. “No way! You got invited to be in his music video? That’s amazing! Did someone on his team see your In My Blood dance at the competition? That’s how they found you?”

 Kellie let out a whoosh of breath. “Um, actually, I ran into him. And he just asked me. And then, he kept texting me… and we went to lunch… and a couple of days ago he sent me the official email about the video.”

 “HOLD up,” Mackenzie practically shouted. “You went to LUNCH? With SHAWN MENDES?! SHAWN FUCKING MENDES? Have you SEEN his Calvin Klein ad?”

 Shelby was giggling, seeming much more unbothered about Kellie’s revelation. “Only you, Kellie, would go to Toronto and go out to dinner with Shawn Mendes,” she said.

 “What’s that supposed to mean?” Kellie said, as Mackenzie continued her conniptions. “My life is boring. I don’t know why he asked me to lunch, and I wasn’t even going to go, but I did. I don’t know why I went or—”

 “I’ll show you why,” Mackenzie shouted from the other side of the kitchen. Kellie tuned her out.

 “So,” she said to Shelby. “You think I should try?”

 Shelby took the dishtowel from Kellie’s hands and held it up. The edge she’d been fiddling with was completely frayed now, hanging down in strings.

 “Yes. I think you should,” she said firmly. “And I think you should stop worrying so much.”

 Mackenzie was crossing the kitchen in purposeful strides, shoving her phone in Kellie’s face. “THAT’S why,” she shouted, and Kellie raised her eyebrows at the image of Shawn in his Calvins, abs on full view with that one little curl hanging over his forehead, practically smoldering at the camera.

 “Okay, okay,” Kellie said, pushing the phone away. “I know what he looks like. After all—” She paused, unable to resist a little teasing. “I went to lunch with him,” she finished with a smirk.

 Mackenzie threw up her hands. “Ho-ly crap, we are living in the future. What did you guys even talk about? Was it literally just the two of you? Where did you eat? Did he pay?”

 “Hey,” Shelby said suddenly, “we’re running late. We have to go. But tonight you’re going to tell us every word he said!”

 “Can I have his phone number?” Mackenzie cried, but then Shelby was shoving her out the door and they were gone.

 Laughing to herself, Kellie leaned back against the counter and picked up her phone, opening her email inbox. And then she opened the email from Shawn’s team and hit “reply.”

Taglist: @rosiemercy @learning-howto-be-myselfx3 

[sarahjane0886]

Fix a Heart 30

Chapter 30 - Best Day Of My LIfe

"What does an 8 month old wear for Halloween?" Val asked as he collected Bella out of her car seat. They were going Halloween costume shopping for the annual DWM Halloween party.

"A ladybug costume." Sharna said matter of fact as if it wasn't even a question.

"Oh, well then. And what are we being? Are we matching?" Val said as he settled the sleeping baby on his shoulder and wrapped her favorite blanket around her.

"I was thinking superhero-ish. And semi matching. Maybe couples?" Sharna said as she gathered the diaper bag.

"That works. So we know what we want for her and for us, we're just kind of hunting."

"Yeah, stroller?"

"Nah, She's out and I don't wanna risk moving her again. Unless you want it for the diaper bag."

"I'm good." Sharna said and then they headed into the costume store looking around. Sharna didn't need much for Bella at the store since her costume was going to be a black onesie with a red and black tutu and a headband.

"Spiderman." Val said seeing the costumes for the famed superhero.

"That's what you want for you?"

"What if that was both of us? There's different versions of Spiderman and so that way, you could be like one version and I could be a version. And plus it would get you into that sexy suit." Val said raising his eyebrows at his wife.

"You'd have to behave alllll night long." Sharna pointed out.

"Oh, as long as I get rewarded later in the evening, I definitely can make that happen."

"We'll see about that."

"Wait, does that mean you're on board?" Val said excitedly.

"If we can find the costumes, yes." Sharna giggled as Val kissed her before moving to look for the costumes they'd need. He was definitely excited about this year's plans. And considering some of the things he had agreed to be in the past for her, she was more than happy to let him take the lead on this one.

"Found them! I'll be black and you can be original." Val said presenting her with the two costumes. Hers was more sleek and form fitting while his was a little bulkier.

"They come with masks? That might scare the munchkin."

"They do but they aren't attached so we don't have to wear them. I think the suits will be enough. And now I have an idea. Will you hear me out on this one?"

"Oh boy, no conversation starts out good like that. But yes, I'll hear you out." Sharna said as she wondered through the aisles figuring she could get some ideas for the future.

"I think Bella should be a Spiderman too. We'd all match and it would be so cute. They had a little Spider-toddler outfit back there and it would be so cute babe. It came with a little mask which she wouldn't wear but it would be so cute. The bottom was a little sparkly skirt and the top was like a long sleeved onesie. I know you wanted a ladybug but can't we dress her up as a ladybug for trick or treat night?"

"Babe, we aren't even going trick or treating." Sharna said laughing. She didn't mind changing Bella's outfit but at the same time it was fun to give her husband a little bit of a hard time.

"Well no, but we're passing candy out and it's her first Halloween so we can dress her up for that. That way she matches us for the party and then she still keeps your idea.

"I mean.....I guess so." Sharna said turning her back to him so that he couldn't see the smirk on her face.

"Nevermind, it's okay. We can just keep her a ladybug." Val said slightly defeated.

"You are way too easy mister." Sharna said spinning around with a grin.

"Princess! Were you trying to trick me?" Val said in astonishment.

"Never, I would never do that to you." Sharna said heading towards the kids section where she found the costume her husband had been talking about. She searched for a few moments and found one that would fit Bella.

"You're doing it?!"

"Yeah, the ladybug was just something I found that I thought would be cute, nothing special or anything. I just wanted something easy that wouldn't aggravate her especially since the party cuts into bedtime hours."

"Makes sense, so you're okay with this outfit then? It's still pretty simple."

"Yeah, and we'll just find her some Spiderman jammies to take with us. If she gets cranky and we wanna change her to something cozy."

"Good plan, let's go do that now and then I'll take my two girls out to dinner." Val said with a grin as Bella started to wake up. The two kept going, getting the things they needed before checking out and heading to the mall to finish up.

The next two weeks flew by as it always seemed and it was finally the night of the party. Bella had just started rolling so Sharna got her dressed first before settling her under her entertainment center and moving to get dressed and do her hair. Peta and Shai would be coming over soon so they could go together. The guys were already there to help with the finishing details.

"Alright Spiderbaby, let's go wait for Aunt Peta and Shai-Shai." Sharna said gathering her little munchkin up. She thought for a second and took a quick selfie in the mirror before sending it to Val.

'Your Spider-Girls are ready for you. See you soon babe, we love you.'

"We're hereeeee!" Shai's voice yelled loudly up the steps making Bella startle slightly.

"It's okay sweet girl, it's just your cousin. He's excited to see you and for the Halloween party." Sharna said as she rubbed the little girl's back. She headed down the stairs to find her best friend and nephew waiting in the kitchen. Peta was attempting to keep Shai from charging up the stairs.

"Oh my dear goodness, you are sooooo cute!" Peta said immediately seeing Sharna and Bella.

"Why thank you?" Sharna said teasingly even though she knew Peta was talking to Bella. She let her scoop the little girl up from her and cuddle her. Bella fussed for a few moments reaching back to Sharna.

"Uh ho, what's wrong bug?" Peta asked as she danced her a bit.

"She's been fussy for the last 10ish minutes. I don't know what's wrong. Huh sweetie, nothing happened, she's been playing while I got ready and then was good while I dressed her."

"Hmm, just a grumpy bug right now." Peta said before handing the little one back to Sharna. She snuggled into her mother but continued to fuss.

"Well, this could be an interesting evening." Sharna said as she swayed slowly with Bella. The little one was very rarely grumpy so this wasn't something they dealt with often.

"Aunt Sharna...." Shai said pulling on her hip.

"Oh my god, I have a toy Woody talking to me!" Sharna said leaning down to take in her nephew. She held her hand out and he took it letting her spin him. "You even have a pull!"

"Isn't it awesome? Momma is Andy's mom! And Daddy is....well, he's Andy's dad. We don't really know what he looks like but he still is him."

"You all look awesome! And Evia even gets to participate!"

"She does, she's just hiding. It's right when Andy found out that he was going to have a little sister but I'm different cause I'm excited. Well I'm not really Andy. But she's still my little sister."

"Exactly. She'll be here before you know it." Sharna said looking up at Peta who was wincing at the moment.

"27 more days!" He said.

"Well, we hope. You okay P?" Sharna said as she watched Peta.

"Yeah, Evia is just extra active today and has been leaning against my back. I'll be okay. I just might need to sit out a bit on the dancing side of things tonight."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I promise, come on, I think we need to get going." Peta said effectively changing the subject but Sharna knew better. She planned on making sure Maks knew something may be up. She went and grabbed the diaper bag with had a Spiderman sleeper in it for Bella incase she was over the costume and sleepy. That was most likely since her bedtime was typically in 2 hours and the party wasn't over til 3 hours later. Then they headed out. Peta didn't stop wincing while Bella didn't give up her protests especially when she was in the carseat. Shai tried his best to settle his cousin but it wasn't happening. Finally they arrived and headed in to find the guys.

"There's my Spidergirls." Val said appearing. "Oh my goodness and Woody!"

"Hi Uncle Val!" Shai said high fiving his uncle before heading off to find Maks. Peta sighed and followed after him.

"Uh ho, someone doesn't look very happy." Val said reaching for Bella.

"Yeah, the whole about last hour she's been like this. I don't know what's wrong." Sharna said as  she rubbed Bella's back while she snuggled into Val. Her little hand fisted into his top as she gripped him tightly.

"Hmm, she's a little warm. But you've said she's been upset so that could be why. Hopefully she'll settle." Val said automatically swaying.

"Let's hope. Umm, and I need to talk to Maks. Peta was wincing and stuff and she blew it off but I don't know. I just have a funny feeling about it."

"Okay, well, I don't think letting him know at any cost hurts. That girl is stubborn as they come." Val said shaking his head. He took the diaper bag off Sharna and led her back to where Maks was in the back office.

"Babe are you sure you're alright?" Maks was asking as the three walked in.

"She's been doing that since before she got to our house." Sharna inserted quickly.

"BABE!" Peta yelled in frustration.

"Hey, I just worry, that's all. I'm just glad he caught it too. I'd rather be worried about nothing than not care and it be something." Sharna said with a shrug.

"Whatever. I'm fine though. I promise. Both of you. It's just braxton hicks and Evia is pressing more on my back than usual." Peta said with another grimace.

"Only because I know you, I'm going to make you a deal. If you are still hurting at the end of the night, you let me take you to get checked." Maks said.

"Maksim, that's not fair. You know from experience that this happens and it could be nothing."

"I'm going to go out on a limb here and just say, I think you should agree to Maks's offer. You are really pale P." Val inserted.

"Fine whatever. If I'm still hurting at the end of the party, then you can take me. Let's go do this red carpet. My bug over there isn't going to make it much longer." Peta said.

"Yeah, I think we may have to do the carpet and then pajamas. Sorry babe." Sharna said knowing Val had been excited about the family Spiderman theme.

"It's okay. She's in it. She's adorable but I'd rather her be happy." Val said. The group went and did the carpet which was always fun especially with Shai now. He hammed it up for the photographers which were just hired by the studio. The carpet was just something fun and to have photographs of the event. After the carpet, Val and Sharna changed Bella who seemed to settle a tiny bit. The night wore on and Bella slept on Val. Finally it was over and everyone was heading home. Peta was feeling less pain so Maks conceded to just taking her home with the concession that she would solely rest tomorrow.

Sharna and Val got Bella home and tucked into her crib before they headed to bed themselves. They didn't get to sleep long though when an upset Bella woke the two up.

"I'll get her." Val said attempting to get Sharna to go back to sleep. However the cries Bella was giving weren't her normal love me, I'm sad cries. They were more scared and unhappy ones so Sharna followed her husband into Bella's room.

"What's wrong miss?" Sharna said softly as Val snuggled her in with her blanket. She continued to cry. o tried everything however the little one wouldn't settle. They finally took her temp and realized it was a bit high so they gave her a little Tylenol hoping that would help.

"You know, she could be cutting a tooth...." Val said as he realized that while crying, Bella was also chewing on her finger. Bella hadn't cut any teeth yet which they said wasn't too big of an issue just that she may cut a bunch all at once which would not be fun for the family.

"I didn't even think of that. Is that what's wrong baby? Are you getting your first tooth?" Sharna said as she ran her hand down Bella's head. She was currently snuggled into Val's neck, holding her lovey, wrapped in her blankie, and chewing her finger.

"I think that may be the culprit. She's never like this."

"You're right. Well the Tylenol should help her for awhile. Why don't we just keep her tonight? I'll run down and get a teether for her. I'll bet once the Tylenol kicks in, she passes right back out. We've never had trouble with her sleeping." Val agreed and took Bella to their room to settle in while Sharna went down for the teether. She fully expected them to be snuggled into the bed when she came back however Val was pacing the room while on the phone.

"Yeah, definitely, bring him over or would it be easier for us to come there. Yeah, no I know. Definitely alright, I'll see you in 20."

"What's wrong?" Sharna said immediately as she walked to her loves. She handed Bella the teether and she shoved it in her mouth and nearly sighed in relief.

"They are pretty sure Peta's in labor."

"What? Val, it's too early. And by pretty sure how pretty sure are we?"

"Umm, her water just broke. Now it is early but she's surpassed what would be the safe stage. At least that's what Maks says. Evia's lungs are developed and everything. She just may want to meet all of us early."

"Babe....." She said softly and it clicked that she was probably thinking of Rose.

"It's going to be okay princess. That's not happening again. Peta's safe. Evia's safe. They are going to the hospital and all the doctors and everyone will make sure of it." He said pulling her into him and Bella.

"You don't know those things. Anything can happen." She murmured.

"I don't and it can but we aren't going to think like that. Okay?" He said holding her tightly as he rested his lips on her head.

"Okay." She whispered, clinging to him.

"They are bringing Shai to us. And he is quite upset because well he's scared and he knows Halloween is in 2 days and he wanted to do the whole family trick or treat. Maks warned us we might have our hands full."

"Well, I mean I don't blame him and he's only 4 so that's hard. We already have this one with us so we might as well just keep him with us too. We can just put on a movie and treat it like a sleepover." Sharna suggested. They had a guest room and usually when Shai stayed with them, he at least started there in the evenings but tended to end up with them at some point.

"That works. Why don't we lay this one down before we go get him. I'm afraid he's going to be miserable and wake her up." Sharna nodded in agreement. They settled her in the middle of the bed and tucked pillows on either side of her before heading downstairs. Val settled the baby monitor on the end table before settling on the end of the couch and pulling his wife into him.

"I know what you said is the truth but I can't stop from worrying." She whispered into his chest.

"I know princess. And that's normal. I think you're going to worry more than most people would since you have a history with Rose but there's nothing wrong with that. Just don't let it consume you. And I'm right here if you need to talk or vent."

"Thank you for understanding." She said as she snuggled in a little tighter. There were so many people growing up or just in general anytime that she was nervous and they blew it off or told her to stop worrying. Even before she had everything happen with Paul she had been a general anxious person and it never failed to aggravate her when people more or less told her to get over it. It wasn't like one could just shut off this lingering buzz, it was just there and she was learning to deal with it. Thankfully, that wasn't something Val had ever done to her and she appreciated it more than anything.

Maks and Shai appeared in the living room then. Shai clinging tightly to his father as tears continued to stream down his face. Sharna and Val both stood up quickly moving to the two.

"Hey, how is she?" Sharna said as her hand rubbed Shai's back gently.

"A nervous wreck. Her contractions are about 7 minutes apart and we know they can't stop them since her water broke. And I don't blame him but she feels awful leaving him like this. I do too but I wish it went smoother all around."

"I know, us too. You want me too?" She said gesturing to Shai, they all knew if he was going to go easily to one of them it would be Sharna.

"Yeah one minute." Maks said before attempting to shift Shai so he could talk to him. Shai wanted no parts of it and just clung to him harder. "Alright buddy, I know you're scared and upset but I have to go with momma to the doctors. That way we can make sure she's and Evia are okay. You're gonna stay with Uncle Val and Aunt Sharna. I'm going to give you to Aunt Sharna now unless you want to pick. I love you little man."

Sharna moved forward to accept her nephew who clung fiercely to Maks. It took a good three minutes and a lot of coaxing before he went to Sharna. His tears continued to fall as he tried to get back to Maks.

"I'm gonna go. I'm sorry, thank you. I'll keep you posted and let me know if he doesn't settle. I don't know what I'll do but...."

"It's okay bro, just go do Peta and we'll get this one settled in. He'll settle I promise." Val said getting ready to lead him out. Maks came back and kissed Shai once more before heading out the front door. The minute it closed Shai freaked out and thrashed in Sharna's arms. She eventually had to put him down and he ran to the door.

"Nooooo daddy! Momma! Come back!" He wailed as he tried to get out of the house. Sharna's heart broke as she watched him.

"Hey, hey, come here buddy." She said as she moved closer to him, settling on the floor. She reached her hand out to him but he shrieked in protest.

"Shai buddy, we can't help you if you don't let us." Val said moving to the two.

"Momma!!!!!" He just wailed over and over again. There was nothing the two could do to help at that point so they say there helplessly letting him cry it out. At one point he started to gag, but nothing happened. However the gagging scared him more and started a whole new round of hysterics. Once they were certain he wasn't vomiting right then, Val left to get a garbage can just incase.

"Bring me a few books." Sharna asked thinking that maybe just reading to him would help. He had always loved being read to so maybe she could calm him down with that. Val nodded and headed off. He came back holding three books, a garbage can and Shai's abandoned elephant.

"Here, you think that'll work?" Val said sitting down next to her.

"I don't know. It's worth a shot." She said shrugging. She opened the first book "Dinosaurs Love Tacos" and began to read. She went through all the books once before starting back with the Dinosaurs book again. As she started that one, Shai's wails settled slowly. By the end he had moved closer to his aunt and uncle but tears still streamed down his cheeks.

"You want to come sit with us buddy?" Val asked softly watching his nephew. He watched his uncle carefully almost like he didn't know what to do. "You don't have to if you don't want. I just know when I'm sad or scared that sometimes I just like to cuddle with Aunt Sharna."

"You think about it. I'll start another book." Sharna said as she opened the second book, "Green Eggs and Ham" and started to read. Slowly Shai crept closer to Val eventually ending up in his lap. Sharna nearly sighed in relief. Shai was still super upset but at the same time, he was finally no longer wailing and shrieking.

"Babar." He whispered pointing to the last book. He reached for Sharna however so Val took over reading this time as Shai curled tightly into his aunt. She rocked her body back and forth as they listened. Her hand ran through his hair as she felt him finally stop crying. His body was still shaking against hers but his tears had stopped.

"Again." He said softly once Val had finished.

"Can we move up to our bed? Bella is up there, we were going to have a sleepover. You can pick a movie and we'll cuddle." Sharna explained.

"No sleep." He muttered.

"Okay, let's just snuggle okay?" She said. Val looked at her like she had lost her mind however she was assuming that once they got him snuggled and warm, he'd drift off.

"I can stay with you?"

"Definitely. We just have to be quiet cause Bella is sleeping. She's going to maybe get some teeth so she wasn't very happy." Sharna explained. Shai didn't have anything for that so she pulled him into her and waited for Val to stand who then helped her up. They headed upstairs and let Shai pick a movie, Air Bud before they settled in bed. Val settled Bella on his chest and let Sharna and Shai cuddle into his free side. It took a good bit but Shai finally passed out.

"I thought you were crazy when you said he didn't have to sleep." Val said looking at her.

"I figured once he settled enough the upset and day was going to catch up with him. It wasn't worth fighting on either. Not when we just got him calm."

"I've never seen him like that before. I wasn't really a fan. I hope that's something we don't have with this little angel."

"I think it happens. They are kids. They need to know they can be upset or scared or angry and allowed to feel that emotion. It's just like us as adults, how frustrating is it when people are like suck it up? Ya know? Just like I said earlier, there's so much validation in being allowed to feel what one needs to feel." She said with a shrug.

"And this is why you are the best mom." Val said leaning over to kiss her.

"I love you. Best dad." She said slithering some and resting her head on his shoulder.

"Sleep princess, I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be just as stressful." Val whispered. She nodded into him and after a bit he felt her become heavy against his shoulder. He knew she was out and with knowing that all three people in the bed with him were asleep as well, he drifted off as well.

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Sharna woke to soft whimpers coming from her baby laying on her husband's chest. He was whispering to her however it wasn't seeming to be working.

"Let me try." She said as she reached for her phone realizing that it was 9 am. They had all slept in way later than usual. "Or it's just time to get up."

"What about this one?" Val said as Shai continued to sleep peacefully.

"I say we let him sleep. He had a rough experience. And maybe once he's awake we'll know more." She had checked her phone quickly and they only had gotten 2 updates from Maks. One at about 2:30 stating they were letting the labor progress and then one at 6 saying that she had just gotten the epidural and was at about 7 cm.

"Let's hope. One of us should stay here with him until he's awake."

"Probably. Here give me my love bug. I'll go change her and get her bottle. Then come back. I'm assuming he won't sleep too much longer." She said. Val nodded and passed Bella over to her before shifting some, lying closer to Shai so he wouldn't notice if Sharna disappeared. Shai shifted into him as Sharna and Bella left. Val laid there holding his nephew as it hit him just how much he had grown up. He was still their little Shai but he really was growing into a great kid.

"Momma." Shai's sleepy voice said as he opened his eyes and they immediately filled with tears.

"Shh, buddy. It's okay. Daddy sent us a message and Momma is alright. We just have to be patient and Evia will be here soon." Val said sitting up and pulling Shai into him.

"She's okay?"

"Yup, she is. She's with the doctors remember? She has to be with them so they can make sure she and Evia are safe."

"Oh. Can we go see her?"

"Well, not until Evia comes. Once Evia comes Daddy will let us know and we'll go meet her okay."

"I miss her. And Daddy." Shai's lip trembled slightly as Sharna appeared in the door holding a babbling Bella.

"I know buddy and last night was scary but I promise you'll see her soon. In the meantime it looks like your little cousin is up and happy." Val said pointing towards the doorway. Shai's head turned and the smile on his face was beyond precious as he saw Bella.

"Bells! We sleeped over together." He said happily. Sharna grinned and moved over to the bed.

"You wanna help feed her?" Sharna asked. Shai's head nodded quickly as he settled against Val and held his arms out in the baby holding ready position. Sharna laid Bella in his arms and helped him give her the bottle. Bella was at the stage where she'd hold the bottle herself which was perfect for when Shai wanted to help. Sharna propped a pillow under the two as they sat there. He fed her the whole bottle before the group decided what they wanted to do that day. Shai asked if they could go to the zoo. Val and Sharna decided that was probably a great way to distract the little munchkin from what was going on.

They got the two dressed and headed out for the day. They took them to breakfast before heading to the zoo where Shai showed Bella all the animals before they went and had dinner in a restaurant near the one park, letting Shai and Bella both play on the playground equipment. They had gotten a few updates from Maks saying that Peta's labor had slowed down immensely, he said that if things didn't pick back up, they were discussing a c-section.

"What about Halloween?" Shai asked as they arrived back at the house. Bella was already conked out for the night however Shai was still wide awake. He had asked a million questions on the way home, some of which Sharna nor Val had answers for. They ranged in why do Zebra's have stripes to what their favorite animals were at the zoo to why it was taking so long for Evia to come.

"What about it buddy?" Val asked looking at his nephew in the rearview mirror.

"Trick or Treat is tomorrow. I know cause I only had 2 sleeps once we finished the party at the studio."

"You're right, it is, it's tomorrow afternoon. You're going to go with me and Aunt Sharna." Val explained.

"But...." He said as his lip trembled.

"I know you want momma and daddy buddy but they can't right now." Sharna said reaching her hand back to rest it on his knee.

"But we were going to be Woody and Andy's mommy and daddy. We always go as a group." His eyes filled with tears. Big crocodile tears started to slip down his cheeks. Thankfully they were pulling into the house so Sharna went out and got him while Val got Bella. Sharna pulled Shai into her arms and headed into the house. She settled in the recliner letting him curl into her.

"What if Uncle Val and I were Andy's mommy & daddy?"

"No! You can't take Momma and daddy's spots." He said immediately with such force that Sharna didn't even press the idea. She figured the idea of replacing his parents was a bit much for the little guy.

"What if we were a different group of people?" She said as her brain began to spin.

"What about my Woody costume?" He asked.

"Well, you got to wear it to the party and you have Halloween at pre-school next week so you get to wear it there. So you'd just have to be something different for this time with me and Uncle Val."

"And Bella?"

"If you want her to be in it, we can do that."

"I do. Who would we be?" He said with a yawn as he twisted into Sharna. He curled up into her neck as his hand wound into her ponytail.

"Hmm, I'd have to think buddy. Who would you wanna be? It would have to be something easy since we don't have a lot of time but we could figure it out. We could be The Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 & 2." Shai didn't respond so she kept rambling.

"He's out princess." Val said making his wife jump in alarm at his voice. "Sorry babe. I got Bella down and in her crib. Then I came to check on you two."

"We're going to be a different group with him. He wants Bella to do it too."

"Princess, I love you, but what are we going to do before tomorrow? It's at 12 tomorrow." He said looking at her with wide eyes.

"I know, I know. I just feel bad Val. I don't want to ruin his holiday. I figured we can look for groups that we may be able to find just regular clothes to mimic."

"We could do that. Why don't we put him in bed and then we'll research." He said holding his hand out to her. She nodded and let him pull her up.

"Do you think we should keep him again?" She asked as she shifted Shai against her.

"I think we should put him in the guest bed. We'll leave the night light on and the hallway light in case he wakes up scared. He's come into our room before so I think it's alright." Val suggested. He selfishly just wanted a little bit of time with his girl.

"Okay, let's get him in then. Can you grab me his pajamas? He'll be more comfortable. And his blanket and elephant?" She asked as they headed to the guest room. Val nodded and headed off. He returned with the requested items and they got Shai changed and tucked in. He stirred slightly so Sharna rubbed his back for a few minutes ensuring he was asleep. Then they headed to their room to get ready.

"Maks texted. Her labor picked back up however she's not dilated as quickly as they want. If she hasn't dilated by 9, they want to do a c-section." Sharna was just coming out of the bathroom from brushing her teeth and washing her face while was already situated in bed.

"Val...." She trailed off looking at him. In reality she knew this was a normal thing. Some babies were stubborn and took their time coming. Some came quickly. Some never came at all. However the fact that they were discussing different options about her best friend and soon to be goddaughter weren't okay.

"Come here princess. They are going to be okay." He said holding the blankets open for her. She moved into the bed and curled into him for a moment.

"But it's P. And Evia." She mumbled.

"I know. I know. We just have to pray and be patient." He said as his fingers ran through her hair. She hummed into his chest in acknowledgement however her grip on his body said she wasn't feeling any better about the situation than she had been before. "We need a distraction, weren't we going to look for the Halloween costumes."

"Yeah, you're going to help?" She asked looking up at him curiously. While he was fashion savy, he wasn't into the whole internet/pinterest thing that she was most likely going to be using.

"Well, I was going to cuddle you and look over your shoulder while you looked. And insert my opinion from time to time to ensure you don't put me into a leo and glitter."

"Now, would I really do that?" She giggled at his expression which clearly showed that he knew that she was more than capable of doing just that. He tickled her slightly before they switched positions and she moved so she could look while he watched. After a good half hour and a zillion ideas. They narrowed it down to 4 that Shai would probably like and were doable. They'd show him in the morning and then go get the supplies.

"I think it's bedtime princess." Val said as she yawned for about the 4th time in 5 minutes.

"I wanna wait for Maks." She protested.

"Babe, they are giving her til 9 am in the morning. It's 10:30. You need to rest. Either way, after costume making & trick or treat, we'll be going to the hospital."

"Fine. Will you rub my back?" She said curling into him. He chuckled and pulled her in a little more before his fingers started to run up and down her spine. He felt her shiver initially but then settle into him and his touch. She pressed her lips into his chest before mumbling she loved him.

*******************************************************************************************

The next morning they woke to babbles from the baby monitor and a little munchkin tucked in beside Sharna. Shai must have come in sometime during the night. It looked like he hadn't been upset, just needing extra love since he hadn't woken them.

"I'll go get Bells." Val said pressing a kiss to Sharna's head before removing the covers. He groaned at leaving the warm coziness but headed off to get his baby. He headed into her room and found her sitting up talking to her puppy. Her eyes lit up when she saw Val and she rose her arms to him.

"Aren't you oh so happy today. Did you know that today is the day that you're getting your new cousin? I think once you two get older, you'll be best friends." Val said as he changed her before going down to grab her bottle and then returning to the room.

"Uncle Val! Aunt Sharna won't show me the Halloween ideas until you and Bells are here. Hurry." Shai said from his place curled into Sharna.

"We're coming, we're coming. Oh wait, we forgot..." He said starting to turn around.

"Nooooo!" Shai let out.

"Just teasing." Val said turning around making Shai burst into giggles. Bella watched the interaction before she giggled as well. He moved and settled on the bed.

"Now Aunt Sharna?" Shai asked excitedly.

"Now buddy. Okay so Uncle Val and I looked last night for ideas that we could do. Especially since we don't have a lot of time and we're going to include Bella but these are your options. We have Dr. Suess & The Whos, Scooby Doo and the gang, Ninja Turtles, and Minions."

"That one." Shai said immediately pointing to the picture of Scooby Doo. Sharna had a feeling that one was going to be picked. He had started watching old cartoons with Maks one evening while they were spending some Daddy/Shai time. Shai had fallen in love with the crazy gang.

"You're sure?" Sharna asked.

"Yes! I love Scooby Doo! Can I be Shaggy?" He asked quickly.

"Yup, and I'm going to be Fred, Aunt Sharna will be Daphne, and Bella will be Velma." Val explained as he shifted Bella to burp.

"What about Scooby?"

"We have a stuffed Scooby we'll put in the stroller with Bella." Sharna explained.

"Whoa! So cool!"

"Definitely very cool. Now we have to go get the things. Do you want to go with me or stay here with Uncle Val and Bella?" Sharna asked.

"Can I come? I'm a good shopping helper." Shai said.

"You can definitely come, we need to get you showered though and then we'll go." Sharna said ushering the little one out of bed. He scampered into the bathroom where the two got ready. While they were in there, Val continued his snuggle session with Bella who was content to just ramble to him around her bottle. He talked back to her as if they were having a conversation. Once Sharna and Shai were dressed they  headed to find their costumes after a promise of donuts and smoothies for breakfast.

"Alright princess, let's go find something to do while they are gone." Val said. He headed downstairs and put some music on. Bella played around on the floor while he played with her. Now that she was rolling she was a little harder to keep an eye on but as she was getting older, her sweet personality was showing more and more. While Val loved their time as a family, there was something special about getting time with the little girl. Hearing her giggles and babbles that were especially for him in those moments were so precious.

Maks finally texted after 9 saying that Peta had progressed enough that they weren't going to do the c-section and that either way Evia should be there in a few hours. Val found out when they wanted Shai and them to visit and agreed to come by after they did lunch after trick or treating as long as the delivery went smoothly. Sharna and Shai returned home around 10 and the next hour was a flurry of costume creating and prep. Val and Sharna were both on high alert with their phones as well waiting for that important text.

"Alright Shaggy, are you ready?" Sharna asked as she fluffed out his hair once more. They had found a baggy green shirt and brown pants for Shai to wear. Sharna was sporting a purple dress that flared out at the hips. It was identical to Daphne but it matched well enough. She had found a lime green scarf and purple headband to complete her outfit. Bella had gotten little orange leg warmers with a red skirt and orange t-shirt. Val was wearing blue jeans with a white polo that he already had. Sharna and Shai had picked up some fabric  to make the ascot tie that Fred sported.

"Yup! Candy time! Is my sister here yet?" He asked for what felt like the thousandth time.

"Sorry, not yet buddy, daddy said soon though the last we heard." Sharna said as they headed to find Val and Bella. They were waiting in the garage since Bella had fallen asleep and Val had settled her in her stroller.

"I just want her to come already! Maybe after trick or treat." Shai said thinking. He laid the Scooby Doo he was carrying gently next to Bella.

"Okay, remember the rules, no running off, no eating the candy until we say it's okay, and always use your manners." Val reminded Shai as they started out. The neighborhood was milling with kids in all different costumes. Shai pointed out ones he liked. They made it through about 20 houses before Val and Sharna's phones buzzed simultaneously.

"Ahh!" Sharna said gasping while Val's face resembled the Cheshire Cat.

"What?!!" Shai said as he bounced next to the stroller.

"Guess what?" Val said finding his composure before Sharna did.

"My sister is here!" Shai said hopefully but you could see that he wasn't expecting it to be the right answer.

"She is!" Val said moving them off the sidewalk so he could show Shai the picture Maks had just sent.

"I'm a big brother! Hey that's momma holding her. She looks like me, doesn't she?" Shai said excitedly.

"She does buddy. She sure does."

"Can we go see them?"

"Daddy asked us to give Momma little time to rest so once we finish trick or treating, we're going to go to the house and then go get lunch. We'll go visit after okay?"

"How many is that?" Shai asked throwing Val off for a second.

"About 5 Scooby Doo's buddy." Sharna chimed in knowing what he was asking.

"Oh man! That's forever!" He said exasperated. Sharna giggled knowing the feeling. Now that Evia was here, she wanted to go snuggle the little one as well.

"It'll go quick I promise. Let's keep getting candy and that'll help." Val said moving Shai along. He agreed and the group finished out the rest of the 2 hour trick or treating slot. They made it to the house and all changed at rapid speed before heading to lunch. Finally it was hospital time. Maks texted Val and Sharna the instructions to the room as well as the visitors access code they were given.

"Remember, be quiet and gentle okay? With momma and Evia." Sharna reminded as they came off the elevators.

"I will. I will. I'm going to be the best big brother ever." He said holding Sharna's hand. They headed down the hallway until they found the correct room. The door was nearly closed so they didn't just head right in.

"Go ahead and knock munchkin." Sharna said. Shai moved forward and knocked gently.

"Come in." Maks's voice said gently. Shai nearly burst through the door but Sharna caught him quickly and gently reminded him to be easy. He then headed in at a slower pace but tackled Maks as soon as he realized his arms were free.

"Daddy!" He said jumping into Maks's arms.

"Bubby." He said holding him tightly. "I missed you."

"Momma." Shai said next as he realized his mother was right there as well.

"Hi bubby, I missed you so much. We have someone who wants to meet her big brother." Peta said as she shifted the pink bundle in her arms.

"Evia." He said as Maks gently set him on the bed. He moved closer to Peta peering closely at the little baby. "She's so tiny."

"She is. She's a little extra tiny since she was so excited to meet us." Peta explained.

"She was. I think she looks like me. I'm your big brother Evia. I'm going to protect you like I protect Bella. Momma and Aunt Sharna said you two will be best friends like them and I think they are right which is pretty cool. I love you Evia. I can't wait to play with you. Momma, can I hold her?"

"You can baby. Here can come sit right here next to me. And hold your arms out. I know you know how to hold Bella but since Evia is so tiny we have to make sure we support her neck so I'll help you okay?" Peta explained. Maks took Evia while Peta helped Shai get settled. She stole a quick hug and kiss from her little boy before they were fully ready.

"I'm ready daddy." Shai said softly. Maks placed Evia in his waiting arms and everyone watched as Shai held his little sister finally. He talked to her softly much like he would with Bella. Eventually he decided his arms were tired so Maks took her back. Shai snuggled in with Peta while Maks brought Evia to Sharna and Val.

"Evia, these are your godparents and your cousin. We see them pretty much everyday so I'm sure you'll see them lots and lots." Maks said with a chuckle.

"She's so precious. I need to snuggle my new lovebug if it's okay?" Sharna asked.

"I think she'd like that. But Uncle Maks wants some Bella cuddles. That way you two can see Evia."

"You mean I have to share?" Val teased. Sharna swatted him gently as she shook her head. Maks handed her the little girl and Sharna cuddled her in gently as she took in the tiny thing. Bella reached for her uncle making that transition easy. Val led Sharna to one of the chairs and pulled her down with them so they could both meet Evia together.

"So we have a question." Peta said looking at the two. She was a little nervous because she wasn't sure how this would go over. It could go great or it could be the worst idea ever. Maks moved over to her knowing she was nervous and slipped his hand into hers.

"What's up babe?" Sharna said looking at her friend in concern.

"Well, I know we told everyone we were going to name her Evia May which was after you but we would like to change her middle name to something different."

"Oh...well...that's...that's fine." Sharna said thrown off slightly. Not that it mattered but it was just a weird thing to change.

"Well, wait, that's not really the question. The question is the middle name we picked." Peta explained and she could see it click with Val before it registered with Sharna what they were going to ask. He wrapped his arm around his girl tighter knowing exactly why Peta was nervous. Sharna could either appreciate this or hate it but either way it was beyond the sweetest gesture.

"What...well, what name did you pick?" Sharna said as she watched the two closely.

"We'd like to name her after your little girl. So if you're okay with it. Her name would be Evia Rose."

"P." Sharna said with a gasp as her eyes filled with tears.

"I'm sorry, we don't have to use it if you don't want to. I knew it was a bad idea to ask, forget I asked. We'll keep it as Evia May. I'm sorry babe. I'm sorry, I, well we, just thought it would be a perfect way to honor Rose and her memory. I know they can't meet but if they could I know all of them would be best friends. So this keeps her with them still. But I get it, it's okay. We didn't put it in writing yet because we wanted to get your okay first."

"I....I love it." Sharna said as her tears started to fall.

"Oh, wait, what?" Peta said making the guys laugh nervously.

"I love it, so much. I can't believe you guys would want to do that. I appreciate it more than anything. Are you sure you want to do that?"

"We'd be honored." Maks said.

"Welcome to the family, Evia Rose Chmerkovskiy. We all love you so much already."  Sharna whispered as she looked down at the little girl. She felt Val's arm around her body and his lips at her temple.

**That's a wrap! I hope the wait was worth it. It's extra long to make up for the drought. Don't forget to like it up and let me know what you thought in the comments (which I have been slacking at responding to lately but I promise once I stop being a hot mess at life I'll be better) Love you guys! I apologize for the spelling errors. It's after midnight and I've been rocking since 5:30.

[teachingoutsidethebinary]

Best Halloween Ever

Prompt Request: could you do a peter parker x ginger reader where she’s a HUGE harry potter nerd and she thinks peter looks a little like harry so she has them go as ginny and harry for halloween and he’s super in love w her throughout it all cause that’s HIS nerd and he loves her ??

Characters: Peter Parker, Reader

Warnings: none really, just fluff

A/N: Thanks for the request! Tags and requests are open, and as always, thanks for reading!

Oneshot Masterlist

Peter hopped over the back of the couch and plopped down next to you. Some popcorn escaped the bowl he was holding and spilled onto the floor.

“Watch it!” you warned. “Papa Bear’s gonna kill you if you mess up his rug.”

Peter sighed and banged his head against the cushions. “Can you please stop referring to Mr. Stark as Papa Bear?” he asked.

“Is he ever going to stop acting like an overprotective father?” you shot back.

Peter groaned. “Probably not.”

“Then no.” You smirked at him, and he threw a few pieces of popcorn at you.

“What are we watching anyway?” he asked, after he got the silliness out of his system.

“Well…” you trailed off and his eyes widened.

“No!” he exclaimed. “Not again!”

“Okay, hear me out,” you reasoned. “The new Fantastic Beasts movie just came out on DVD, so of course we need to rewatch the old movies.”

“But it’s not even the same storyline as Harry Potter !” he yelped.

“Yeah, but there’s history to be learned. Pretty please?” You clasped your hands together and gave him your best puppy dog eyes. You knew he’d never be able to say no to your puppy dog eyes.

“Ugh, fine!” he relented. “But I want to watch the one where they train in that secret closet.”

“ Order of the Phoenix? Coming right up!” You scrolled through Tony Stark’s massive movie library until you found the movie you were looking for. You had managed to get Tony’s iTunes password from Captain America himself and had downloaded all of the extended versions of the Harry Potter movies.

“FRIDAY, please turn down the lights,” Peter commanded as you started the movie. Everything was plunged into darkness until just the light from the TV illuminated the room.

Normally, you were completely engrossed whenever you watched a Harry Potter movie. But today, your attention kept wavering between the movie screen and Peter’s face. He couldn’t help but feel your intense gaze on him as he watched wizards and witches fight it out on screen.

“Everything okay?” he finally asked. He was thankful the darkness was hiding his flaming red cheeks.

“You look just like him…” you murmured. You paused the movie. “FRIDAY, lights please.”

The lights came back on, and you grasped Peter’s hand and pulled him to his feet. You started talking about something, but your voice faded out as he tried to contain his emotions.

His heart beat wildly as you held his hand in yours. To say he had a crush on you was an understatement. Ever since you had been assigned partners in chemistry last year, you two were practically inseparable. Plus, he loved the fact that you didn’t treat him any differently once you found out he was Spiderman. You weren’t even intimidated by the other Avengers when you hung out with him at the Tower.

“So what you do think?” you asked, bringing his attention back to the present moment. “You wanna do it?”

“Yes,” he replied dreamily.

You squealed and jumped up and down. “This is going to be so awesome!” You gave him a quick hug. “I just need to run home and grab some stuff, but I’ll meet you at the shop in, like an hour?”

Peter gulped and nodded, hoping you couldn’t decipher his absolutely clueless expression. You waved and practically ran out the door.

He waited until you left to summon the AI. “Umm, FRIDAY? What exactly did I just agree to do?”

He couldn’t help but feel like the AI was smirking at him behind all its code. “Well, Mr. Parker, it appears you will be dressing as Harry Potter for Halloween.”

You waited anxiously outside the dressing room as Peter changed into his outfit. Finally, the thin blue curtain pulled back and Peter appeared. You stared at him with an open jaw as he held out his arms and spun around.

“Well?” he asked.

“Oh. My. GOSH!” you squealed. “You look amazing!”

Peter blushed as he looked in the big dressing room mirror. “You think?”

You nodded vigorously and turned him around. “You’re perfect as Harry Potter!”

It was true. With his brown hair and piercing eyes, Peter totally pulled off the Harry Potter look. You held out fake glasses, and he put them on.

“Ahh! I love it!”

Peter looked at your own costume appreciatively. “Maybe, uh, you should, like, stand next…to me,” he stuttered. “You know, to get the, uh, full effect of the costume.”

You let out a light gasp. “You’re totally right!” You practically bounced over and stood next to him. You made the perfect Ginny Weasley. Despite the harsh fluorescent lights in the dressing room, your red hair shone brilliantly. It framed your face in the most perfect way, and Peter couldn’t help but notice how the black Gryffindor robes accentuated your already awesome features.  

“We look amazing!” you exclaimed. “All we need are wands and a scar for you, and then our costumes will be epic!”

“You are such a nerd,” Peter snickered.

“But you love it!” you sang, dancing around the dressing room.

Your enthusiasm was contagious, and Peter found himself actually looking forward to trick-or-treating.

He had it bad for you.

Halloween had finally arrived. Peter met you at your apartment to get completely dressed up in the costumes. You had helped draw a scar on his forehead, and he had to stop himself from passing out at you being so close to his lips.

“Expelliarmus!” you yelled, waving your wand at him.

“Oof!” Peter grunted as he pretended to fall backwards.

“Noooo,” you whined. “Expelliarmus causes the opponent’s wand to leave their hand.”

Peter straightened himself back up. “Okay, okay, lemme try again,” he insisted.

You held your wand out, a look of steely determination in your eyes. “Expelliarmus!”

Peter flung his wand, and it accidentally knocked over some of your Harry Potter funko pop figures. “Whoops.”

Thankfully, you just giggled and picked his wand up off the floor. “Let’s try not to hit any kids while we’re out, okay?”

Peter nodded sheepishly and followed you out your door.

Whoever said high schoolers were too old to go trick-or-treating was lying. You and Peter were a huge hit with your “couples” costume. Kids kept stopping you in the hallways to ask for you two to duel each other. Peter’s wand didn’t hit any kids, but it did accidentally knock one cranky old lady’s apartment numbers off her door. You retired your wands at that point and focused on collecting candy. By the time you finished hitting every apartment in your building, your bags were full of goodies.

“I’m kind of not ready to be done yet,” you admitted after you left the last apartment.

“Me neither,” Peter replied. “Want to walk around for a bit?”

You nodded, and suddenly, your demeanor changed. You bit your lip and your cheeks took on a pink tinge. “So, uh, since Ginny and Harry end up together in…in the movies…” You swallowed and took a deep breath. “Maybe we could, um, hold hands? To make the costumes more realistic,” you added quickly.

Peter’s heart lept into his throat. “Y-y-ye-yeah,” he got out. “Def-definitely need to m-make it realistic.”

You and Peter had held hands before. In moments of excitement, it wasn’t uncommon for you to take his hand in yours. However, this felt completely different. Peter prayed you couldn’t feel how sweaty his hand was. His heart thumped steadily as you walked around outside, hand-in-hand, in silence.

“I had a lot of fun tonight,” you said, looking Peter in the eyes.

“Me too.” He rubbed small circles on the palm of your hand and gained some courage. “Do you wanna hang out sometime?”

“Sure!” you replied immediately. “We can finish the movie.”

“N-no,” Peter clarified. “I mean, hang out.” Your eyes widened when you realized what he meant. “I mean, we don’t have to,” Peter added, when he saw your expression. “It’s just-”

His words were cut off when you kissed him. Well, tried to anyway. In your haste, you wound up banging noses, and his glasses fell off his face.

“Ohmygoshimsosorry,” you rushed, covering your face in your hands. “I was…I was trying to…” You groaned and refused to meet his eyes.

Peter bit his lip as he tried not to laugh. “You wanna…you wanna try that again?”

You looked up. “You mean you still want to?” you asked incredulously.

Peter nodded. “Yeah. I like you a lot.”

“I like you too,” you replied.

You liked him! Peter swore he could hear angels singing in the distance, he was so happy. He repositioned himself in front of you and placed shaky hands on your shoulders. Your own hands wrapped around his waist and pulled him closer. Your eyes looked even brighter this close, and he could see the smattering of freckles decorate your nose. You took a deep breath and relished in the sharp scent of Peter’s body spray.

“Umm, so I guess we just…?” you asked nervously.

“Y-yeah,” Peter responded.

You both leaned in for your redo kiss. It was soft, gentle, and a little awkward for your first time. But otherwise…

But it was perfect.

TAGS: @buckyappreciationsociety @iamwarrenspeace @theassetseyeliner @melconnor2007 @yknott81 @snapplejuice @sammnipple @jilljill17 @heir-of-light-33 @me-and-my-fandoms @fuckkoffcourtney @capttainamericaa @gab-pas-arm

[writerspink]

K-12 Words

K

dry wet shoe ten long stay yellow watch inch cup time words same six bones black child ear most page work white five arms snow main nine water head eggs rain test seven root law fall cow red doctor baby feet room rule one blue dark legs wind skin ball green two ever car body box orange gave door four europe picture wish purple ready try neck brown through sky grass air sign whether dance pink eight drive too sat gray three hit man love hand the of and a to in is you that it he was for on are as with his they I at be this have from or had by but not what all were we when your can said there use an each which she do how their if will up other about out many then them these so some her would make like him into has look more write go see number no way could people my than first been called who oil sit now find down day did get come made may part

1.1

anything syllables past describe winter even also eleven moon fruit sand apple women nose solve Math problem plus minus equals stone pants shirt starry thousand divided just train shall held short lay dictionary twelve suddenly mind race clothes learn picked probably raised finished end plaid years bill place hundred different drop came river milk beautiful square lake hole fingers flat sea type over new sound take only little work know live me back give most very after things our name good sentence man think say great where help through much before line right too means old any same tell boy follow want show around form three small

1.2

interest job because such think thirteen subject answer letter meet north length need times divide (by) times table edge soft months present energy point sound log south wide members exercise flowers set found things heart cause site brother teacher live read billion another distance written kept direction developed wall east happy million world must house turn west change well twenty felt put end does large big even here why ask went men land different home us move try kind hand picture again off dress play spell air away animal page mother study still learn should America

2.1

paragraph weather window third believe discovered simple gone paint new store form cells matter follow perhaps cannot good means around line center kind reason move forest sentence return instruments beside represent wild study back farmers sum difference product quotient remainder mother animal land region record summer general caterpillar scratch modern adjust passenger promise equal creak almost croak book dainty song high every near add food between own below country plant last school father keep tree never start city earth eyes light thought head under story saw left don’t few while along might close something seem next hard open example begin life always those both paper together got group often run

2.2

misty poor caution pest phrase life startle squirm alone centaur rise mountain above illustrator footprint temperature decorate country sweat sometimes hair smiled everything began thick compass themselves enough took although splendid crowded second act attach sly talk wonder let’s whirl someone Africa borrow beat belong blink per fasten pain begin drenched bed shell free earth tiny slippery count factors important until children side feet car mile night walk white sea grow river four carry state once book hear stop without late miss idea eat face watch far Indian real almost let girl mountains cut young soon list song being leave family it’s

3.1

drowsy bashful hatch glad copy possible wicked grin sibling shovel run verb sail polish ride young steep case Indian laughed soil appear bolts costume melody narrow behave howl example flee together lot filthy alarm spiral selfish idea conductor fight rolled middle glacier tree dizzy gather sneaky already construct every miss lively metal couldn’t gold plant mask chat nation hear either bundle section near rescue face divide sob celebrate family loosen jealous crash chimney daily own cozy ripe cut son natural serious carry care paper broken cue within body music color stand questions fish area mark horse birds problem complete room knew since ever piece told usually didn’t friends easy heard order red door sure become top ship across today during short better best however low hours black products happened whole measure remember early waves reached

3.2

being instead ache exactly hard speed buy age late artistic close affordable fraction eyes appetite complain sleep seem eat below remove rusty grow glum stormy trust enormous scale open add grab upset weed denied expensive story terrified lead jumped died basket side bear bend list tomb while batch grateful father gleaming dress light sprinkle amount exclaim result yank leave cheat whimper angle outside remain heap champion surprise dodge moment fancy squeeze pretend village shriek city thunder rapid iron striped don’t attitude bell hat tug isn’t applause children honest cross spring freezing listen wind rock space covered fast several hold himself toward five step morning passed vowel true hundred against pattern numeral table north expert slowly money map farm pulled draw voice seen cold cried plan notice south sing war ground fall king town I’ll unit figure certain field travel wood fire upon

4.1

pattern cave hope mile group travel blush killed seed bottom hide important let ticket timid pounds restart silent cranky keep real bright quite curved repeat trip without dart consonant mountains quiet apologize roar grip groan bolt food injury century exhausted cabin atmosphere floor it’s scold transportation delighted giant hill something build fog method rough left everyone obey deserve speak therefore soon french switch until pushed state knob hobby between surround collect fire I’ll arrive road happened certain top order astronomy inches club catch farm nibble color yourself received connect told gaze check wear English half ten fly gave box finally wait correct oh quickly person became shown minutes strong verb stars front feel fact street decided contain course surface produce building ocean class note nothing rest carefully scientists inside wheels stay green known island week less machine base ago stood

4.2

round award crowd slowly yet products, goods, services vowel himself strange whose draw team hold feel flood sent save stood yard notice warn enemy deep please flap coast music wrote safe blast behind island lizard figure famous garden correct whisper listen joined clear share net thus calf maybe cried piece fold seen england decided bank fell pair control clean telescope trouble glass float morning horse produce course hunting rest step statement contain shouted filled zigzag accident cents instrument fly single express visit desert seeds chew dome experiment break gravity against branch size low plane system ran boat game force brought understand warm common bring explain dry though language shape thousands yes equation government heat full hot check object am rule among noun power cannot able six dark ball material special heavy fine circle include built

5.1

mark wealthy row feeling across attention ran map students inside design art mouth ring skill hot during shelter full till log (book) blossom discard bring quickly scientists party town covered wise early cram grain harm goal pause inform heal clue fame freeze badge pimple dim missionary diet dumb rod march agree stick government bulb mall ban greed skiing poison stove image grew fact material dangerous flow gap ago stack explain didn’t strong voice true drawing surface gift corner cloud since king dawn pulled dozen friends greedy burning upon knew insect decimal nervous pay foot weak smooth aware steady serve lost nonetheless beach front atlas questions less cost slight motor banner wire area carefully separate equation local minutes fast table plan fine waves fair sing dive suppose boat thousands shape among toward gas factory birds wait understand sure ship report captain human game history reflect special brave bounce though else can’t matter square syllables perhaps bill felt suddenly test direction center farmers ready anything divided general energy subject Europe moon region return believe dance members picked simple cells paint mind love cause rain exercise eggs train blue wish drop developed window difference distance heart site sum summer wall forest probably

5.2

include cage language base red brain building feast better built demolish excess leap tower ocean plains cold claw information scholar climbed woman worry strand heavy herd common ground damp pack choose president least increase half english invent class measure dash tremble object become doubt became bare wheels continued shiver engine core couple business stars week peak numeral brought nothing touch reached uncle symbols however rumor evening inasmuch (as) force curious heat career system valley dust flock spray robber practice lonely remember luxury warm heard calm rock frighten leader difficulty best gum cheer key support universe stream bit usually fish parade balance money note cliff stand proof you’re pale machine complete cool shown street today shy easy several search unit war power caught settle itself fuel mention fresh planet plane straight period person able direct space wood seal field circle lady board besides hours passed known whole similar underline main winter wide written length reason kept interest arms brother race present beautiful store job edge past sign record finished discovered wild happy beside gone sky grass million west lay weather root instruments meet third months paragraph raised represent soft whether clothes flowers shall teacher held describe drive appreciate structure visible artificial

6.1

afraid absorb british seat fear stretched furniture sight oxygen coward rope clever yellow albeit confess passage france fan cattle spot explore rather active death effect mine create wash printed process origin rose swift woe planets doze gasp chief perform triumph value substances tone score predict property movement harsh tube settled defend reverse ancient blood sharp border fierce plunge consider terms vision intend total schedule attract average intelligent corn dead southern glide supply convince send continent brief mural symbol crew chance suffix habit insects entered nursery especially spread drift major fig diagram guess wit sugar predator science necessary moisture park ordeal nectar fortunate flutter gun forward globe misery molecules arctic won’t actually addition washington cling rare lie steel pastime soldiers chill accordingly capital prevent solution greek sensitive electric agreed thin provide indicate northern volunteer sell tied triangle action opposite shoulder imitate steer wander except match cross speak solve appear metal son either ice sleep village factors result jumped snow ride care floor hill pushed baby buy century outside everything tall already instead phrase soil bed copy free hope spring case laughed nation quite type themselves temperature bright lead everyone method section lake iron within dictionary bargain loyal resource struggle vary capture exclaim gloomy insist restless shallow shatter talent atmosphere brilliant endure glance precious unite certain clasp depart journey observe superb treasure wisdom

6.2

prepared journey trade delicate arrived track cotton hoe furnish exciting view grasp level branches privilege limit wrong enable ability various moreover spoil starve dollars digest advice sense accuse pretty wasn’t industry adopt loyal suggested blow treasure cook adjective doesn’t wings tools crops loud smell frail wisdom fit expect ahead lifted deed device weight gradual respect interesting arrange particular compound examine cable climate division individual talent fatal entire advantage opponent wouldn’t elements column custom enjoy grace theory suitable wife shoes determine allow marsh workers difficult repeated thrill position born distant revive magnificent shop sir army struggled deal plural rich rhythm rely poem company string locate church mystify elegant led actual responsible japanese huge fun meat observe swim office chart avoid factories block called experience win crumple brilliant located pole bought conditions sister details primary survey truck recall disease radio rate scatter decay signal approach launch hair age amount scale pounds although per broken moment tiny possible gold milk quiet natural lot stone act build middle speed count consonant someone sail rolled bear wonder smiled angle fraction Africa killed melody bottom trip hole poor let’s fight surprise French died beat exactly remain fingers clever coast explore imitate pierce rare symbol triumph ancient cling disturb expose perform remote timid bashful brief compete consider delightful honor reflex remark brink chill conquer fortunate fury intend pattern vibrant wit

7.1

capture remark western outcome risk current bold compare resident ambition arrest furthermore desire confuse accurate disclose considerable contribute calculate baggage literacy noble era benefit orchard shabby content precious manufacture dusk afford assist demonstrate instant concentrate sturdy severe blend vacant weary carefree host limb pointless prepare inspire shallow chamber vast ease attentive source frantic lack recent distress basic permit threat analyze distract meadow mistrust jagged prefer sole envy hail reduce arena tour annual apparent recognize captivity burrow proceed develop humble resist peculiar response communicate circular variety frequent reveal essential disaster plead mature appropriate attractive request congratulate address destructive fragile modest attempt tradition ancestor focus flexible conclude venture impact generosity routine tragic crafty furious blossom concern ascend awkward master queasy release portion plentiful alert heroic extraordinary frontier descend invisible coax entrance capable peer terror mock outstanding valiant typical competition hardship entertain eager limp survive tidy antonym duplicate abolish approach approve glory magnificent meek prompt revive watchful wreckage audible consume glide origin prevent punctuate representative scorn stout woe arch authentic clarify declare grant grave opponent valid yearn admirable automatic devotion distant dreary exhaust kindle predict separation stunt

7.2

evade debate dedicate budge available miniature petrify pasture banquet pedestrian solitary decline reassure nonchalant exhibit realistic exert abuse dictate minor monarch concept character strategy soar beverage tropical withdraw challenge kin navigate purchase reliable mischief solo combine vivid aroma spurt illuminate narrator retain excavate avalanche preserve suspend accomplish exasperate obsolete occasion myth reign sparse gorge intense revert antagonist talon aggressive alternate retire cautiously blizzard require endanger luxurious senseless portable sever compensate companion visual immense slither guardian compassion escalate detect protagonist oasis altitude assume seldom courteous absurd edible identical pardon approximate taunt achievement homonym hearty convert wilderness industrious sluggish thrifty deprive independent bland confident anxious astound numerous resemble route access jubilation saunter hazy impressive document moral crave gigantic bungle prefix summit overthrow perish visible translate comply intercept feeble exult compose negative suffocate frigid synonym appeal dominate deplete abundant economy desperate diligent commend boycott jovial onset burden fixture objective siege barrier conceive formal inquire penalize picturesque predator privilege slumber advantage ambition defiant fearsome imply merit negotiate purify revoke wretched absorb amateur channel elegant grace inspect lame tiresome tranquil boast eloquent glisten ideal infectious invest locate ripple sufficient uproar

8.1

apprehensive dialogue prejudice marvel eligible accommodate arrogant distinct knack deposit liberate cumulative consequence strive salvage chronological unique vow concise influence lure poverty priority legislation significant conserve verdict leisure erupt beacon stationary generate provoke efficient campaign paraphrase swarm adhere eerie mere mimic deteriorate literal preliminary solar soothe expanse ignite verge recount apparel terrain ample quest composure majority collide prominent duration pursue innovation omniscient resolute unruly optimist restrain agony convenient constant prosper elaborate genre retrieve exploit continuous dissolve dwell persecute abandon meager elude rural retaliate primitive remote blunder propel vital designate cultivate loathe consent drastic fuse maximum negotiate barren transform conspicuous possess allegiance beneficial former factor deluge vibrant intimidate idiom dense awe rigorous manipulate transport discretion hostile clarity arid parody boisterous capacity massive prosecute declare stifle remorse refuge predicament treacherous inevitable ingenious plummet adapt monotonous accumulate reinforce extract reluctant vacate hazardous inept diminish domestic linger context excel cancel distribute document fragile myth reject scuffle solitary temporary veteran assault convert dispute impressive justify misleading numerous productive shrewd strategy villain bluff cautious consist despise haven miniature monarch obstacle postpone straggle vivid aggressive associate deceive emigrate flexible glamour hazy luxurious mishap overwhelm span blemish blunt capable conclude detect fatigue festive hospitality nomad supreme

8.2

exclude civic compact painstaking supplement habitat leeway minute hoax contaminate likeness migration commentary extinct tangible originate urban unanimous subordinate collaborate obstacle esteem encounter futile cordial trait improvises superior exaggerate anticipate cope evolve eclipse dissent anguish subsequent sanctuary formulates makeshift controversy diversity terminate precise equivalent pamper prior potential obnoxious radiant predatory presume permanent pending simultaneously tamper supervise perceived vicious patronize trickle stodgy rant oration preview species poised perturb vista wince yearn persist shirk status tragedy trivial snare vindictive wrath recede peevish rupture unscathed random toxic void orthodox subtle resume sequel upright wary overwhelm perjury uncertainty prowess utmost throb pluck pique vengeance pelt urgent substantial robust sullen retort ponder whim saga sham reprimand vocation assimilate dub defect accord embark desist dialect chastise banter inaugurate ovation barter muse blasé stamina atrocity deter principal liberal epoch preposterous advocate audacious dispatch incense deplore institute deceptive component subside spontaneous bonanza ultimate wrangle clarify hindrance irascible plausible profound infinite accomplish apparent capacity civilian conceal duplicate keen provoke spurt undoing vast withdraw barrier calculate compose considerable deputy industrious jolt loot rejoice reliable senseless shrivel alternate demolish energetic enforce feat hearty mature observant primary resign strive verdict brisk cherish considerate displace downfall estimate humiliate identical improper poll soothe vicinity abolish appeal brittle condemn descend dictator expand famine portable prey thrifty visual

9.1

stance vie instill exceptional avail strident formidable rebuke enhance benign perspective tedious aloof encroach memoir mien desolate inventive prodigy staple stint fallacy grope vilify recur assail tirade antics recourse clad jurisdiction caption pseudonym reception humane ornate sage ungainly overt sedative amiss convey connoisseur rational enigma fortify servile fastidious contagious elite disgruntled eccentric pioneer abet luminous era sleek serene proficient rue articulate awry pungent wage deploy anarchy culminate inventory commemorate muster adept durable foreboding lucrative modify authority transition confiscate pivotal analogy avid flair ferret decree voracious imperative grapple deface augment shackle legendary trepidation discern glut cache endeavor attribute phenomenon balmy bizarre gullible loll rankle decipher sublime rubble renounce porous turbulent heritage hover pithy allot minimize agile renown fend revenue versa gaunt haven dire doctrine intricate conservative exotic facilitate bountiful cite panorama swelter foster indifferent millennium gingerly conscientious intervene mercenary citadel obviously rely supportive sympathy weakling atmosphere decay gradual impact noticeable recede stability variation approximately astronomical calculation criterion diameter evaluate orbit sphere agricultural decline disorder identify probable thrive expected widespread bulletin contribution diversity enlist intercept operation recruit survival abruptly ally collide confident conflict protective taunt adaptation dormant forage frigid hibernate insulate export glisten influence landscape native plantation restore urge blare connection errand exchange

9.2

feasible teem pang vice tycoon succumb capacious onslaught excerpt eventful forfeit crusade tract haggard susceptible exemplify ardent crucial excruciating embargo disdain apprehend surpass sporadic flustered languish conventional disposition theme plunder ignore project complaint title dramatic delivery litter experimental clinic arrogance preparation remind atomic occasional conscious deny maturity closure stressed translator animate observation physical further gently registration suppress combination amazing constructive allied poetry passion ecstasy mystery cheerful contribution spirit failed gummy commerce prove disagreement raid consume embarrass preference migrant devour encouragement quote mythology destined destination illuminating struggle accent ungrateful giggle approval confidence expose scientist operation superstitious emergency manners absolutely swallow readily mutual bound crisp orient stress sort stare comfort verbal heel challenging advertisement envious sex scar astonish basis accuracy enviable alliance specific chef embarrassed counter tolerable sympathetic gradually vanish informative amaze royal furry insist jealousy simplify quiver collaborate dedicated flexible function mimic obstacle technique archaeologist fragment historian intact preserve reconstruct remnant commence deed exaggeration heroic impress pose saunter wring astound concealed inquisitive interpret perplexed precise reconsider suspicious anticipation defy entitled neutral outspoken reserved sought equal absorb affect circulate conserve cycle necessity seep barren expression meaningful plume focused genius perspective prospect stunned superb transition assume guarantee nominate

10.1

install reticent corroborate regretfully strength murder concise cunning intention holy satire query confused progression disillusion background mundane abrupt multiple enormously introduce emulate harmful pragmatic pity rebut liberate enthusiastic elucidate camaraderie disparage nature creep profitability impression racist sobriety occupy autonomy currently amiable reiterate reproduce cripple modest offer atom provincial augment ungratefully expansion yield rashly allude immigration silence epitome exacerbate somber avid dispute vindicate collaborate manufacturer embellish superficial propaganda incompetent objective diminish statistics endure ambivalent perpetuate illuminate phenomenon exasperate originality restrict anxiety anthropology circumstances aesthetic manufacturing conventional dubious vulnerable reality precedent entity success term critical repair underscore stepmother republican hesitantly classic wary contents prediction immediate invoke notorious implicit excluding input skeptical foster element punish frank humanity profound dessert orthodox substance disappear encourage neighborhood elder superfluous naive ascertain complacent resilient deafening military tend prudent glare acceptance skillfully induce monster beam gullible conciliate vessel petty cantankerous disclose archaeology anecdote disdain electronics substantiate subjective tourism advisable joyful incredible provocative psychological ruins discipline condone indifferent misfortune judgmental industrialize tasty assume astute mission mar protective definitely escape oppress shocked virtual zealous endorse qualification hostile eccentric abstract disparate geographical scrutinize generalization tolerate activity claim dogmatic influential obsolete extol implausible subsequent resource chronic benevolent improve confidential ambiguous seriously dearth perplex hatred throughout dine contemporary evoke essentially economic flagrant obscure alleviate eloquent dreaadful clumsy sympathy victim condemn vigor condescend spontaneous quell reprehensible substantially sleeve equivocal ironic decry errand articulate progressive eradicate refreshments elicit aspiration recently exemplary bribery theoretical disingenuous partisan revere particle nostalgia self-aggrandizement debunk tyranny rhetoric hierarchy warning whimsical venerate commend assert miserable awful vibe constrain undermine explicit differentiate compliment scrupulous contempt erroneous ideal refute imply cynical rash presume insight revival vary delay renounce indignant offensive temperate circumstantial export peep logo advertise suppress distort chunk convoluted denounce overwhelming fertility rigorous acquire arrogant university antagonize profitable indulgent strategic breathing idiosyncrasy profession frugal discern accommodation adversary incredulous disturbance digress social belie roam smug continual pertinent voluntarily elite subtle blame sincerity lick horror censure involvement candid infer futile impetuous exploit bewilder sustain diligent sincere protect sealed musical empathy callous parenthetical insure acorn sarcasm seize sacrificially allege emphatic irrelevant progress diplomatic stunned improvise deride reconcile meticulous deject scientifically incontrovertible pressure justify gloomy depict supplant endurance analogous diary bolster slip contemplate pesticide glow religious advocate negligent creator lament fundamental embrace throne inherent inferior valuable thrive trivial pretense reserved capricious refresh refusal flight boost explanation coherent prevalent tenacious official royalty assassin rub poach delete

10.2

warrant circumscribed somewhat explosive optimistic mandate previously detract opinion intuitive feasible intimate persistent humble simplicity tempt deliberate painful unethical fundamentals discrepancy remorse pessimistic possibility conclusion acknowledge impregnate soberly creation paralyze suitability oblige tranquil medal arbitrate pacify illusory susceptible vibrate vengeance infection democratic stressful grave speculative sample identification stifle obligation revenge organization namely mediocre practical scream weaken consensus affectionate deficient treacherous console isolation ingenious memory melodrama despair awestruck composition regret recommendation celebrity decision devoid opaque ornamentation longevity participate dread restore interrogate aid accordingly mislead embarrassment optimism domestic apt funds virtue geography fundamentally thoroughly press despite horrible chilling rental esteemed disappointment innovative contemplation assign popularize haunt deafen serene percent estrangement suffer extravagant throng estimate comment priesthood mass dreadfully promote periphery animated saying relate clarity triple derivative succeed distortion register suicide improvement discreet inquisition probable curative incident praise convenience baffle covet dreadful genuinely weary undisturbed disgruntled humility renown nonchalant monopoly comedy vague decisive inconsequential announcement fabricated nevertheless vigilant scarce neglectful hushed attainment tedious explode snatch pslm agency sentimental tension adhere meanwhile sacred avert conformity likewise challenger accessible responsibility peril contact event roast fallible catastrophic competitor violate resolute deceive exaggeration discredit intolerable approve paste dimly novelist demeanor norm politician satisfaction obvious vehicle reservation defer involve restoration crush audible assistant backpack attain inanimate commemorate confrontation emigration parasite disperse quantitative laughter policy vulgar occasionally repay effective eulogy starvation empty therapeutic overall immortal encompass inappropriate opportune engagement illustrate turmoil observatory classification expression reminiscence comedian invention depress remedy protagonist gesture texture diplomatic election prolong conducive emotional invigorate curiosity expressive %

K-12 Words was originally published on PinkWrite

[yonasterin]

Based on the prompt: Playing house but I got way to into it and kissed you passionately oops

Some kyokoren fluff!

Kyoko had been working at this daycare for almost two years now with no problems at all. She loved the children, the children loved her. She could manage them just fine, her schedule went perfectly with working hours at the daycare and everything was great. Until the day Mrs. Kotonami, the director of the daycare was sick and sent her cousin to manage things for her. Kyoko had been shocked, walking into the coffee room to see a tall, <i>very handsome</i> man filling her personal cup with a dancing hamburger steak on it, with coffee as if he had done it a million times. 

She’d stood in the doorway and watched as he blew on the coffee in <i>her mug</i> and drank, his adam’s apple bobbing. He didn’t sit down on any of the coloured plastic chairs around the white round table at the centre of the room, instead opting to lean casually with his back against the grey counter that was attached to the white-tiled wall. He wore the daycare’s white shirt with its little sun logo in the top left corner and beige jeans. He seemed too tall for the small, square room, with his long legs stretched out in front of him.  She saw that if he reached up with his arm, he probably could have touched the ceiling with a bit of stretching. She admired his handsome figure for another moment and then blushed, realizing what she was doing.

<i>You have Sho! What are you doing, admiring another man’s figure?!</i>

She walked in and dropped her purse on a red chair and said casually (or so she hoped), “Do you like my mug?”

He started and glanced down at the cup in his hand and back at her, saying, “Sorry, I thought all the cups were shared!”

“They are, but usually we all stick to one cup. Didn’t Mrs. Kotonami tell you?”

She wondered at the handsome man. Why hadn’t she seen Mrs. Kotonami yet if they were training a new employee today?

Straightening, the man faced her fully and said, “Mrs. Kotonami is my cousin. She’s sick today so I’m just helping run things while she’s resting. My name is Tsuruga Ren. My cousin also told me a ‘Mogami Kyoko’ could be relied on for most of the things happening but she just wanted me here as an extra helping hand.”

Kyoko processed the information. If he was replacing Mrs. Kotonami, that meant he was her senior, even if apparently she was the one that would be doing most of the daycare running today. Kyoko bowed and when she raised herself up again, said while sticking out her hand, “Hello, I am the ‘reliable’ Mogami Kyoko. I’ve worked here for almost two years and look forward to looking forward with you today, Tsuruga.”

He smiled and shook her hand, “I’ll be relying on you today Mogami. Thanks for your help in advance.”

She almost melted at having his smile directed towards her and lightly yanked her hand out of his grip.

“The children will be arriving in around half an hour so let’s start setting up.”

They worked well together, and even though Ren claimed it was only his second time helping out at the daycare, he did everything right and efficiently. Soon they were done and Kyoko sat behind the front desk as Ren leaned over the counter to talk to her.

The daycare took up two rooms in a community centre. The actual daycare space for children to play, learn, sing, and do whatever in, and the coffee room. Walking in through the door, to the right was where Kyoko and Ren were currently chatting, at the front desk where Kyoko handled any drop-ins and paper-work in general. To the left was the play area that was covered with blue carpet with a pattern of rocket ships. Facing the door and behind Kyoko was the wall that was divided into shelf space for boxes of different toys and books and windows that looked out over the park. There was a door in the corner that led out to the playground too. Adjacent to the door was a wall of coat racks for the kids to hang their backpacks and anything else. The walls were white but colourful, due to all the posters and art projects covering them.

“You’re four years younger than me?” exclaimed Ren with a laugh, tipping his chin into his chest as his forearms rested on the counter.

Kyoko didn’t fail to notice the muscle definition in his arms, as his weight leaned forward in that motion. She laughed as well and said,

“Why, did you think I was younger?”

“No! You’re so good at your job I thought you were only three years younger than me at most. Are you in school right now?”

Kyoko was 20 and not in school. After graduating, she’d quit school to work full time, not because of money issues regarding school, but to support her boyfriend’s superstar dream. Getting a scholarship to the university she’d wanted to go to wouldn’t have been impossible but she was convinced out of it after seeing Sho and his parents argue about who would fund his dream. But, for some reason she didn’t want to tell Ren any of these things. Ren, a guy who was aiming to get a masters in language- something or other, at his school. But, Kyoko was nothing if not honest. Then again, that didn’t mean she had to tell him all the details.

“Nope I’m not in school right now.”

“Oh, are you taking a break?”

“Nope! I’m working full time to support the dream of my b-”she inhaled and smiled, taking a breath and recrossing her legs as she leaned on her elbows, pushing her face a bit closer to his. “Of my friend, so he can become a big superstar!” she said with a very sweet and too loud laugh. She hoped he’d take it as a joke.

Ren’s brows furrowed, “Kyoko- “

Just then, an adorable pair of twins walked in, holding there mother’s hands.

Kyoko stood up quickly, her head almost slamming into Ren’s nose in the process.

“Hi Luna! Hey Johnny! Hello Mrs. Koenji, how are you all today?”

Mrs. Koenji smiled at Kyoko and said, “Hi Mogami and friend of Mogami!” Mrs. Koenji winked very obviously at Kyoko when she said that.

Ren stifled a laugh as he led the young twins to the play area and Kyoko (unsuccessfully) fought the blush rising up her cheeks.

“We’re good, thanks. I see we’re the first ones here for once! Where’s Mrs.Kotonami?”

Kyoko sat back down in her chair, saying, “Good to hear! And unfortunately Mrs.Kotonami is sick today so her cousin is replacing her.” she waved at Tsuruga who was handling the two twins wonderfully. She wondered how he’d fare once ten more little devils- she meant angels, were added on.

“Well I hope you two will be able to manage today. I heard Mrs.Maruyama has to take her dog to the vet so she’s dropping her triplets off today and that her triplets were supposed to play with Mr. Sawara’s kids today so you might have a couple more kids coming than usual. Oh well, you guys have fun! Thanks again for taking care of Luna & Johnny!”

Kyoko’s eye had barely finished twitching before Mrs.Koenji was out the door, with her designer purse flung over her shoulder and Prada perfume wafting behind her.

Kyoko’s brain was moving quickly, though.

<i>Crap. Three of Maruyama’s kids plus 3 of Sawara’s kids so six more kids. Ren and I handle eight each? No, that won’t work he doesn’t know what to do if something happens. I should call in Amamiya or Maria to help out. But they’re both busy today!! Who else? Okay Kyoko just list out your options first then see how many kids there are, then make a decision.</i>

Kyoko never got a chance to list out her options, though because soon a steady stream of parents were coming and so she did her job while hoping and praying Mrs.Kotonami would suddenly, miraculously get over her cold and arrive.

No luck.

By 8AM, no further help (nor kids, thank goodness) had turned up and Ren looked like he was drowning in kids that were all eager to get there hands on the new hottie- she meant helper.

After leaving Ren to deal with the 16 kids (because suddenly Mrs.Makino had decided to drop in as well) on his own for a several minutes longer, Kyoko finally emerged from behind the front desk who’s stupid smiling sunshine had been grinning annoyingly cheerily at Ren, as his own smile turned more and more pained. There was no end to the children’s grabbing it seemed. Their little palms sweaty and everywhere as he tried- really tried, to play with them altogether.

Kyoko clapped her hands in a peculiar rhythm, then sang a magical rhyme that finally quieted the children, to Ren’s immense relief.

“Good morning little sunshines! I see you’ve all already met Ren! Isn’t he tall?”

“Yeah!” shouted one kid whose name might’ve been Joe or Jacky “He’s tall like the tree in my backyard!”

“No,” shouted the kid’s twin, “He’s taller!”

“He’s as tall as my uncle Tiger!”

“He’s as tall as a rocketship!”

“He’s as tall as- as- as an ephelant!”

Kyoko laughed and the children beamed, seemingly proud to have made her happy. Ren was happy too, when he saw her laugh. She was very beautiful when she smiled and laughed.

“He could be! Now kids, I need you guys to be on your best behaviour today because you see, there’s only me and Ren, that makes how many people?”

“Two!” shouted kid #7

“Yes, you’re right Kenny. There’s only two of us and 16 of you guys!”

Ren inhaled sharply. He didn’t like the 16 to two ratio.

“That means you guys could all probably squash us if you tried! Now, me and Ren don’t want to be squashed, and you guys want to go play on the playground, right?”

“Yeah!” said the chorus of children.

“So you guys need to be really good today, then this can all work out. If not, I’m going to have to summon Electroman!”

All the children gasped and Ren wondered who the hell was electroman and if he was going to have to put on a costume. Kyoko winked at him and he smiled, breathing out through his nose in a huff.

“Okay then let’s get started!”

They day progressed smoothly and Ren was tall and acted as a beacon so rallying the kids was easy that day. Kyoko even started saying,

“Okay everyone, gather around T-Ren!” as a joke because according to the kids, he was tall as a T-Rex. At the end of the day, most of the kids had left, leaving only Kenny, Kyoko and Ren. His mother had called and apologised for the inconvenience, saying she was stuck in traffic and would be there as soon as possible.

“It’s okay Mrs.Sudo we’ll take care of Kenny. You drive safely, alright?” Kyoko had said half an hour ago.

Now, after exhausting most of they toys and other forms of entertainment, the three of them were playing house together. Kenny had doled out the roles with his little fist on his hip and pointed at each of them saying,

“Okay, I’m the dad, Miss Kyoko is my daughter and Mr. T-Ren is her boyfriend. And this,” he had said, running over to the ‘broken toys’ box and picking out a yellow giraffe that was missing one eye and leaked stuffing from one of its legs

“This guy is electroman.”

Kyoko had stifled a laugh and Ren glanced over at her. Throughout the day he hadn’t gotten a chance to ask who exactly ‘electroman’ was. According to information gathered from the children, he was tall, (but shorter than him) with blonde hair (that wasn’t his namesake) and the tattoo of a lighting bolt on his left pectoral. Electroman sometimes appeared and stole ‘Miss Kyoko’ away and no one in the daycare liked him. Ren wondered if it was Kyoko’s boyfriend and found an… unpleasant feeling at the thought.

According to Kenny, the story was that Electroman had captured Kyoko, the woman Ren loved and Kenny had gone to Ren asking him to join him in saving Kyoko. They were now nearing the climax of the story and apparently Kenny had been killed tragically by a dragon that ate him, but Ren had slayed to avenge him. Kenny was now acting the part of Electroman, who was having an epic and awesome magic battle with Ren, complete with fireballs and dragon controlling. Kyoko was trying to sneakily use her own magic spells to help Ren at the same time.

<b>In the realm of their imaginations…</b>

The dark stone cavern was set aglow only by the fireballs Electroman and the Knight Ren of Beef Burger Land threw at one another and the shining blue wisps of the disappearing spells Princess Kyoko threw from her fingers at Electroman’s magic thunderdogs that kept trying to eat Knight Ren. Princess Kyoko stuttered a syllable of her disappearance incantation and instead, brought eight more thunderdogs back to life!

“No!” cried Princess Kyoko, grasping onto the iron bars of her cage to the side of the round dome-like cavern.

She was already distraught from her father dying and did not want to see her true love be killed by fire as well. Electroman loomed above them all, and his missing eye made him all the more intimidating. Knight Ren stopped throwing fireballs for a moment and did two backflips as he slid his sword out from the scabbard and slayed 3 thunderdogs at once. Electroman screamed in rage and Knight Ren took the chance to throw his flaming sword at his neck. Electroman exploded with a BOOM  and a CRASH as the enchanted sword met contact with his skin. The father’s ghost rose from his body and said to Knight Ren,

“Quickly!! Make a thunderdog bite the cage, then the princess can be rescued!”

The knight magicked up a lasso of fire, ignored the fact that holding fire with a metal glove technically should melt his hand off, and looped it around the last thunderdog’s neck. The dog bit one of the bars of the cage and the cage disappeared in a flurry of sparkles. Both the knight and the princess were reunited at last, after his long harrowing quest and even though the corpse of the knight’s king, the princess’s father, lay behind them his soul hovered with them and said, “True love’s kiss will make everything the way it should be.” and they kissed.

(Chapter 2)

[fadingfartconnoisseur]

My Best Travel Moments of 2017

Last year, I wrote that 2016 turned out to be a lot worse than I expected. And not only because of the election. It was a rough year in many ways.

2017 has been a lot better, thankfully. A better business year, a better personal year, even in spite of all the fears ushered in by this new political era. And while my travels were significantly more dialed down than past years, I felt like my travel itch was fully scratched. I’m especially happy that so many domestic destinations now have budgets for campaigns — a few years ago, it seemed like the only paid work to be had was in Europe.

This year I didn’t go as far as usual — my travels were concentrated in the US, Caribbean, and Europe, though I did travel to seven new countries (St. Kitts and Nevis, Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Estonia, and Russia).

These are the moments that brought me the most joy.

Standing above the ghost town of Pripyat, Ukraine

Visiting Chernobyl was one of the most moving experiences I’ve had during my travels. But while visiting Chernobyl and the plant itself was interesting, the most fascinating part of the trip was visiting the ghost town of Pripyat.

In the 31 years since the Chernobyl disaster, the forest has reclaimed the city. Giant trees now push up against every building. It’s so dense, you often don’t realize that you’re right in front of a building until your guide points it out to you.

Then came the grand finale. We climbed eight floors up to the top of an apartment building and looked across the landscape. Only then did we realize how close the buildings were to each other, and we were able to make out the edges of a town.

Only then did everything coalesce for me. This was once an actual town with everything you could possibly need. It was like the place where I grew up. And it was abandoned in the blink of an eye. What an incredible place to visit.

READ MORE: What’s It Like to Tour Chernobyl Today?

Witnessing the Hemingway Lookalike Contest in Key West

I have a big list of festivals I’ve wanted to experience for years, and one of them is the Hemingway lookalike contest for Hemingway Days in Key West. How hilarious is this? All these men dressed up as Hemingway were so hardcore about it!

This is a serious competition, to become one of the “papas.” Nobody half-assed it — they had elaborate costumes and one-liners. My favorite competitor, a gentleman from Denmark, said that he chose to enter because, “I got off the plane and the immigration officer said, ‘Welcome to Florida, Mr. Hemingway.'”

Hanging out with all those Hemingways in a place as fun and rollicking as Key West? Amazing. I enjoyed that contest so much, I came SO close to spending $1000 out of pocket so I could stay two days longer. Financial sense won out, but I need to return and catch the whole competition.

I even picked out my favorite sexy Hemingway. And no, it wasn’t the one Young Hemingway that was a finalist. Translation: I am old.

READ MORE: A Sizzling Summer Trip to the Florida Keys

Meeting My Feminist Heroes

This past spring I ended up meeting two of my favorite feminist icons within a few days of each other! First, I went to a book reading by Lindy West, whose book Shrill was one of my favorite reads of 2016 (and who is now a New York Times columnist — I’m so thrilled for her!).

Soon after, my friend Amy invited me last-minute to an event promoting reproductive rights and Dr. Willie Parker’s book Life Code. The featured speaker? The legendary Gloria Steinem.

I had to tell her what she meant to me. After the event finished, I went up to her, introduced myself, and told her about the work I was doing to equalize the playing field in the travel blogging industry. “I’m continuing your work,” I told her. “No,” she gently corrected me. “You’re continuing your work and I support you.” How amazing is that?

(Though I have to say that the funniest thing was that Olivia Wilde was there, wearing a mini backpack that was partially unzipped, and Amy zipped it up while saying, “Hey, Olivia, just letting you know your bag’s open and I’m zipping it for you!”)

The Smoothest Arrival in Vilnius, Lithuania

Sometimes the best moments are born out of the worst. Minsk was a struggle for me — it was a large and incomprehensible city with a severe language barrier and almost no wifi. Plus, I nearly had a disaster when I had to get a last-minute flight out when I learned my visa-free terms wouldn’t let me leave by train.

But then I landed in Vilnius and it was all so mellifluous.

I got on actual, working wifi at the airport. I went outside and found a taxi driver. In perfect English, he welcomed me to Lithuania and told me what the estimated cost would be, then assured me he would be using a meter. The ride was smooth; he played great dance music. I got to my apartment rental and let myself in using the key codes, no meetup with the host necessary.

It was late, but I went out for a walk and sat down at an outdoor French cafe, sipping a glass of wine and giggling at the kilted Scottish football fans surrounding me. It was a return to order and beauty that I had been missing for days. All the stress of Belarus melted away in an instant.

Doing Bertie Bots Roulette at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with Cailin

I love doing Facebook Lives for you guys, but this one was probably the best idea and the funniest result. Bertie Bots Jelly Beans were an invention in the Harry Potter novels that was actually brought to real life! You can get them everywhere, but Cailin and I definitely had to try them at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando.

They look like Jelly Belly beans. Some flavors are normal: marshmallow, cinnamon, banana. And some flavors are outlandish: soap, booger, earwax. So what did we do? Bertie Botts Roulette! We would try the flavors without knowing and act accordingly!

Good flavors were a relief; bad flavors were horrific. But I think we held it together until we got the VOMIT flavored beans! We were shrieking, running away, cracking up everyone around us. If I never have a vomit-flavored jelly bean again, it will be too soon.

Hiking with Llamas in Vail, Colorado

This is probably the single best activity I did this year. Colorado is a brilliant destination for hiking, but it gets even better when you get to bring llamas along! Paragon Guides offers a variety of excursions through the mountains surrounding Vail. I went on a guided hike outside the town of Minturn that included a picnic lunch.

We were given two llamas named Kareem and Bailey. Bailey loved to eat blueberries; Kareem actually sneezed in my face, to the laughter of everyone present. Llamas really are sweet animals. They had the softest fur, they were fairly obedient (assuming they weren’t going to town on a mound of grass at the time), and they made beautiful companions on Instagram!

I also want to give a shout-out to my guide Paul, who was incredible kind, friendly, and personable. Having a great guide makes a wonderful tour even better. I felt like I left the tour with a new friend.

READ MORE: Vail, Colorado, Might Be Better in the Summer!

Rocking Out at the Air Guitar World Championships in Oulu, Finland

This is another festival I’ve yearned to experience for years, long since before I became a travel blogger. The Air Guitar World Championships take place every August in Oulu, Finland, a small city on the Arctic Circle, and people from around the world compete for the title. When my friends at Visit Finland asked me if I wanted to come back for another summer visit, I immediately asked if I could come for the festival. Wish granted!

People were so creative with their costumes and personalities! From the French goofball who performed to “Foux du Fafa” to the hardcore fifteen-year-old Japanese sumo character, to the women who were rocking out in the male-dominated environment, I enjoyed watching and cheering from the audience!

It’s crazy, but even better than the competition was hanging out with everyone at the after-parties. As you can imagine, the kind of people who compete in air guitar are a bit crazy to begin with, and they were a LOT of fun to party with! I had only slept an hour the night before, but somehow I kept going until 5:00 AM…

READ MORE: Finland in the Summer: Quirky, Isolated, and Pretty

Watching Planes Take Off on Maho Beach, St. Maarten

I had always heard that watching planes land just steps from Maho Beach on St. Maarten was a crazy and memorable experience. But this surpassed my expectations. Of course the photo opportunities were excellent — particularly when big KLM planes landed — but it was just a rush to enjoy this unique activity.

Even better was feeling the rush when the planes took off, blasting hot air straight into the beach. It was like the end of the world — a crazy wind tunnel, sand flying everywhere, and the huge noise. I loved it.

There are two things you need to know, though. First, the airport on St. Maarten was severely damaged after Hurricane Irma, as was Maho Beach, so we will have to stay tuned and see if things will be repaired. But before the hurricane, a woman was killed watching planes take off. She was holding on to the fence in front of the pavement. St. Maarten’s police believe this to be the first fatality related to watching the planes, though many people have injured themselves before.

Please be careful. The safest thing to do is to stay out of the planes’ path altogether and just watch and take photos from the nearby cafes. If you do choose to stand in the path, which is still a risk, you should be on the sand, not the pavement.

High-End Coffee in Tallinn, Estonia

My daily coffee break is sacred — both while traveling and on the road. It’s a time for me to pause, reflect, go back into my introvert’s mind, and get a hit of caffeine to refuel me. I’ve discovered so many great coffeeshops on the road, but my favorite was The Living Room in Tallinn.

The Living Room is a cozy cafe just outside the Old Town, which makes it much more of a local place than a tourist place. It’s warm and cozy. They have several different varieties of coffees from around the world, complete with tasting notes. They can prepare the coffee in many different ways. I chose an Ethiopian blend that burst with berry and pepper flavors, and they prepared it in what looked like a beaker on a hot plate! SO good.

I might as well give shout-outs to my favorite new independent coffeeshops from this year: The Blue Cup in Kiev, Peddler Coffee in Philadelphia (get the lavender latte!), Panther Coffee in Miami, Tybean Coffee on Tybee Island, Double D’s in Asheville, Andante in Helsinki, Coffee Fox in Savannah (get the horchata latte!), Artichoke in Bucharest, and Utopia in Minsk.

Getting Glamorous and Hanging with Celebs in Las Vegas

On the first night my three friends and I were together in Las Vegas, we got glammed up with makeup and hair and went to see Ray Romano and David Spade perform stand-up. Why go see that show? The Romanos are close friends of one of my friend’s families (in fact, we first met Ray 15 years ago, right after graduating from high school). Thanks to those connections, we were offered free tickets to the show and got to hang out with both Ray and David in the green room afterward!

I don’t like being starstruck — I like chatting with celebrities as normal people. But after talking to David Spade for a few minutes about regular things, I had to say something — Tommy Boy is my favorite movie. “Oh, and my dad and I must have watched Tommy Boy a hundred times,” I added.

“Thanks,” he replied. “I can’t hear that too many times. And thank your dad, too.”

The Entire Meal at Cúrate in Asheville, North Carolina

I ate extremely well in Asheville — far better than one would expect in a city of its size. But the single best meal was my first one: Cúrate, a Spanish tapas bar that blew my socks off so hard, I swear they were singed afterwards.

I told the waiter to bring me whatever he thought the best dishes were, and boy, did he deliver. Perfect jamon iberico. Crostini with morcilla sausage. Cold almond and garlic soup. Roasted pork and mushrooms that were excellent on their own but positively sang when served together. For dessert, delicately fried eggplant served with rosemary ice cream, and a gin and tonic meringue.

And for booze, it was all about the white vermouth with a twist of lemon. I think I have a new favorite drink.

READ MORE: 14 Reasons Why I’m Smitten With Asheville, North Carolina

An Unexpected Boston Sports Booze Cruise in Key West

Cailin and I had a press pass that gave us admission to several different sunset cruises in Key West, so we grabbed some tickets. As we walked onto the boat, I noticed a few things: everyone was already several drinks in, and most of them seemed to be Boston sports fans celebrating the Patriots’ latest Super Bowl win — or, you know, just being typical New Englandahs.

As a Bostonian, I found this hilarious. Oh, my hometown accents. Oh, my hometown sports fandom. I also happened to be wearing my red white and blue dress that matched the Red Sox and Patriots gear! I had to get a picture with everyone, in between toasts to Tom Brady!

They were also a lot of fun and promptly took me and Cailin under their wings. After the cruise, we ended up at an Irish pub (I mean, it’s Boston people — where else would you end up?!) where we entered a Guinness chugging contest. Oh, Key West. You are one crazy place.

READ MORE: Key West, You Are My New Favorite

What were your favorite travel moments of this year?

The post My Best Travel Moments of 2017 appeared first on Adventurous Kate.

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[snsmissionaries]

7/24/17 -- Elder Del & Sister Sue Ballard, Illinois, Nauvoo Mission

The Nauvoo Pageant has begun....and the town is BUSTLING!

Dear Family and Friends.

 Well, the long awaited Nauvoo Pageant (there are two, one takes place in America emphasizing the prophetic mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith and honors the sacrifice, faith and courage of the Saints who gave their all to build a city and Temple in Nauvoo to their God.  Then the British one explores events surrounding the beginning of the Church in the British Isles and the impact of the British member’s abiding faith and deep love for one another and the Savior.   The pageants are filled with hymns and folksongs, lively dances and tender moments that share the joy these early church members found in living Christ’s gospel.  Through words from journals, sermons and historic records of the period, the pageant was created and invites all to feel the powerful testimonies of these faithful Christians/members. They start each program with a Flag ceremony and the Scottish Bagpipers .

I think, this is basically what the city waits for all year to bring in the majority of the tourists.  Monday, was the last night for a dress rehearsal before the Pageant was to begin on Tuesday, but, of course, a big storm blew in and the rains poured down so they could not perform.  Along with the rain, came the loud TORNADO warning sirens and so our upstairs neighbors came down and we settled in the stairway (where there are no windows) for about 45 minutes waiting for the storm/sirens to pass.  WOW, are they LOUD!.  We visited and exchanged stories of Temple happenings, family and other activities in Nauvoo.  When the storm hit Del and I were in the process of cooking and preparing for some of his family to visit the next day so that was put on hold until about 9:00pm.  We finished about midnight and went to bed.  This week started our new “Pageant Temple Schedule” and so that has taken some adjusting also.  Now if we are the AM shift we are at the Temple by 5:45 (instead of 6:45)  and if we are the PM shift we are at the Temple at 11:45 (instead of 2:45) so it doesn’t give you much chance to run errands, get laundry done or anything  like it did before, but luckily it is only for 5 weeks and then we go back to the regular shift schedules.  For some reason, it makes the days seem soooooooooooo much longer!

Everything this week has been busier with the pageant starting so on Tuesday in every assignment we had plenty to do, which is a GOOD thing and we love that as it makes the time in the Temple pass quickly!  Then on Wednesday because Derek and his family were here we traded our coordinator responsibilities with another couple and took their line and we were able to officiate and do baptisms with the kids which was a wonderful experience.  We had a 7pm appointment in the baptistery but because they were so busy they were almost an hour behind when we arrived, plus Derek ended up baptizing about six youth because they had no one with them to do so.  He definitely got a workout that night.  By the time we finished it was about 8:20 and we still had to go home and eat dinner.  Thank goodness for crockpots because when we got home everything but the gravy was ready and everyone was STARVED!  Papa (Del) made a delicious meal of roast, potatoes, carrots, Jello salad and then we had root beer floats for dessert.  We were all pretty full when we finished but even more so everyone was TIRED and ready for bed (by then in was after 10:00pm and they had to drive to Fort Madison-about 20 miles away). 

Thursday was our PDAY and we were going with the kids to Carthage and then to lunch at Quincy (Fat Backs) but because they had so much territory to cover and things planned that day, including  over seven hours of driving to get to their relatives where they were staying that night we decided we better let them head out and conquer the surrounding historic sites on their own.  We debated the next morning what we should do and decided we needed to go take care of a “service project” that our branch is participating in plus get some things at Sam’s Club so we headed to Quincy (just in case, the kids might be in that area at lunchtime they could JOIN us!).  The Canton Branch is doing a service project and collecting items to make baby layettes for needy families having babies in two nearby hospitals and so we decided that would be a good project to participate in since the branch itself doesn’t have much.  So I dropped Del off for a haircut and headed to TJ Maxx and Kohl’s to see what we could find followed by lunch a trip to Walmart and to Sam’s Club to complete our P-Day mission.  We found a lot of good buys and so felt we had succeeded in our mission of service.   However, we missed the kids as by the time phone service allowed (it is very poor here and in the surrounding areas) the kids were already to Hannibal and still had a long drive ahead so we did not get to share lunch with them in Quincy.

Friday we had youth coming to the baptistery at 5:30am so we were told to be there by 5am which meant a wake-up time of 3:30AM (I forgot how EARLY that is??).  Our baptistery team was all in place and ready, HOWEVER, the first group was an hour late so we were behind the rest of the day!  UGH!   The first 4 groups of 30 youth each were from Oklahoma and the next 4 groups of 30 each were from North Carolina (they had been on the bus for 15 hours).  They were all in good spirits and wonderful young men and women along with helpful leaders.  In addition we had 5 other families so it was a very busy day.  Saturday it was up at 4:30am (better than 3:30 for sure?) and at the Temple by 5:45.  All in all, every area of the Temple was busy.  However, there seemed to be a number of glitches throughout the day, like the automatic curtain that would not work and so had to be hand cranked which instead of a 10 second event takes about 3-5 minutes (this is needed twice every 1 ½ hours) a number of district workers that didn’t show up and some scheduling issues we all survived and everyone was of good cheer, but TIRED at the end of shift.  Our motto in the temple is to be FLEXIBLE and that we have all learned to do very WELL!  

So Saturday night walked down to see the pageant as since the kids were ere and the change in shifts, we had not yet attended, plus the weather on some nights was stormy and we didn’t want to take a chance.  But that night the weather was great, cool enough for a sweater and not too HUMID.  These young performing missionaries are amazing.  There must be about 100 of them, plus families (all on stage at the same time) and they range in age from probably 3-60 years of age.  The costumes are of the times and the energy and talent they exhibit is wonderful.  We thoroughly enjoyed it (except for the bugs!!)  All of a sudden I felt something biting my leg (had a long skirt on) and reached down to scratch and there was the ugliest black beetle type looking bug about 2 inches long attached to my leg.  I jabbed Del as did not want to scream and alarm everyone and he looked and started swatting at it until it finally let loose, but within a minute it was right back and I went OUCH! and he looked down and saw it again, his eyes got BIG, and he swatted again this time he stamped his feet all around the area to step on it and I guess he succeeded because luckily it did NOT come back.  We have to remember to carry our BUG SPRAY wherever we GO! 

Today we went to Canton,  but were only staying for one meeting as wanted to be back for a 3:00 musical performance that we had not yet seen.  We wanted to deliver the baby items we purchased for the service project so they would know what they still needed to collect.  So we drove over and back and arrived home about 1:00 and stopped to get tickets as you can only get them the day of the performance and they were already gone (not sure how that happens when they had only been open 30 minutes)??   They told us to come back 45 minutes ahead of the performance and if someone did not show up they would fit us in.  So we ran home and ate and headed back to the Visitor’s Center to try are LUCK!  Well, we got IN and it was fantastic.  There are 12 young women and 12 young men singers plus the band which is an additional 15 young people and then 5 of the singers also join the band playing instruments or accompanying musical numbers.  Their voices and blends were amazing as well as several solos that brought tears to your eyes as they told stories and talked about our Saviors love for his children.  It certainly strengthened us and our testimony of why we are here serving in Nauvoo.  A glorious DAY!

  Monday we worked the AM shift as a neighbor needed to trade because their kids were here visiting so at 5:45 we arrived at the Temple ready for a busy day and for the most part it was.  I worked in the laundry the first two hours folding all the things used on Saturday and trying to help them catch up.  Del did a session with another sister as there are many widows here and so in order to give them a chance to take part they pair them up with others.  We got off at 11:30am and so ran to Keokuk so I could get my nails done and we could grab something to eat and then home to rest about 3pm.    Tuesday we actually slept in as we were both really tired for some reason (this humidity takes a lot out of YOU)?  Had a nice big breakfast as don’t get home until about 8:30pm so we pack snacks to take in case we do get a break (which doesn’t happen often unless you can sneak one in!). Wednesday we kept busy most of the night and I didn’t even make anyone mad or upset in the sealing office, well, maybe one person, just a LITTLE.  Thursday was P-DAY which we so look forward too and the Peterson’s wanted to do the Kalona and Coralville (Costco) and, of course, we were all IN for that even though about 5 ½ hours of travel time.  We left about 8:30 and headed to Kalona (the Amish and Mennonite area) and this time decided to take the one hour Chamber of Commerce tour that they offer and it was very good and so worthwhile.  We learned the basic differences in their way of life and beliefs as the driver who was Amish as a young man then his father changed the family to “conservative Mennonite” and that is what he and his family practice. It is very interesting as the Amish have no electricity, make all their own clothes, drive buggy’s and wear the tradition Amish clothing.  Their homes are all very neat on the outside with flowers, garden, chickens, livestock, etc.  He took us and pointed out many things and places which we did not see before, but, of course, he also took us to the “bakery” which is where the guys REALLY wanted to go, the woodshop, general store and the buggy shop where they make the buggy’s.  The Mennonites go a little more to the way of the world, with electricity, they drive cars and wear normal clothing but many of them still home school and keep their children more sheltered from the world (not so materialistic).    After that we went to the mall and then to Costco so had a fun wonderful day.  The Peterson’s are from Provo and we have a great time together. 

  But Friday it was back reality and to the “early” 4:30am wake and off to the Baptistery and WOW was it crazy busy.  The other coordinators wife was out and so I was trying to train and cover everything and everybody and we have about 150 youth plus an addition 22 families with 2-9 per family so it was an exciting but tiring day.  However, as always, we SURVIVED and many lives and hearts were touched and blessed for the good works of the youth.  Saturday Del and I did the first session at 7am and we had 23 people so that was great.  After that we served in various areas and the Temple was bustling our entire shift.  Such a blessing as so many times we will only have maybe 2 dozen people during the off season for our entire shift.  We are all so tired at the end of a shift but so happy for the privilege off serving in this beautiful Nauvoo Temple. 

 Now…let’s talk HUMIDITY!   Rains are hit or miss (always when it is time to leave or go to the TEMPLE..the downpour hits but the lightning and thunder are always LOUD and CLEAR!   The last two weeks have been extremely unbelievable Humidity wise, so much that many of the night performances have been cancelled for the “Sunset” program at 6:30 because of the high HEAT INDEX.  However, it is so amazing as by Pageant time (8:30pm) it has cooled off some and none of those have had to be cancelled.  Truly a blessing because of all the time, hard work and effort that goes into these programs.  I don’t think any of us can even imagine as it takes over 1100 people to work behind the scenes, perform and put on these performances that they do for the month of July.  Last night we went because at the British Pageant at the end they have “all” the missionary’s come up and sing “Called to Serve” and it is really a great testimony of why we are all here “to SERVE”.   

Saturday was a bustling day at the Temple  as we did the first session with 24 in it and then after that almost every session for our shift was full along with 4 weddings.  We usually had 15-20 waiting for the next session because we can only take 52 per session.  All workers were kept extremely busy and many lives were blessed and touched this day.  Tired and weary temple workers from our shift were excited for the good works of the day.  We went home, ate lunch, rested and prepared for our Sunday journey to Canton.  Our branch is down to about 40-50 for the summer so it is truly a skeleton crew running the show so it is important that we are there to support them along with the Mabey’s who attend with us. 

Praying all is well with each of you as we have heard there has been some terrific winds and “monsoon” storms in Arizona the past few weeks.  Hope no one has had any damage or problems.  We love each of you and are so blessed and thankful for your love and support.  We miss you all and can’t believe with our now half way through our mission. 

All our love,

Elder and Sister Ballard

PS:  So sorry we have so many pictures to share but can no longer get them to attach individually since I got my new phone.  They want to attach ALL (400) pictures that exist in our files and, of course, we know YOU don’t want all of those.  Will try to find someone to help figure this silly new phone vs my computer out soon.

Love you all