#which 1. I’m in a house with a backyard for this reason and

[golden-girl-daisy]

How do y’all deal with a neighbor that hates your dog? I’ve lived in a double for a few years and one of the newest people that moved in hates Honey with a passion. Honey barked once in the backyard this morning around six when someone she’s never met went into a neighboring backyard to smoke a cigarette. I brought her in as soon as she started barking but this new neighbor texted me vitriol about how she can never sleep because Honey barks occasionally and that I shouldn’t use our shared backyard (the reason I moved to this place). I’ve never had a single neighbor complain about her before and the most she barks is like three separate barks throughout the night but l can almost always get her back in and quiet before she barks twice in a row. Leia can’t sleep through the night without going out but this neighbor expects them not to go out at all between 10pm and 10am.

[theereina]

Big Mama Pt. 3

Pairing: Terry Richmond x Plus Size Fem Black!OC

Wordcount: +4.7K

Warnings: MDNI (18+) mature content, such as cursing, teasing, no smut (alluding to sexual situations), heavily dialogue-centered, use of Daddy, Mama, and other pet names (lil' mama, pretty girl, good boy, etc.), fluff, angst, SA (touching, grabbing), mentions of dv & abuse, anxiety, trauma, physical fighting

A/N: I literally haven't written in years. I'm open to critiques. I am a little 🤏🏽 sensitive about my writing. Please, don't be too harsh.�� Feel free to bring my attention to any typos. Divider by @firefly-graphics. Also, this work is not to be plagiarized or reposted (on any site other than here on Tumblr). I do NOT give consent for any form of republishing or rewriting.

Big Mama Pt. 1 => 🦋

Big Mama Pt. 2 => 🦋

“Girl, what the fuck do you mean you haven't called this man back?” my best friend Monica snapped at me. “I just needed to let one off. I was horny and tired of going on pointless ass dates,” I said groaning back at her.

We were walking into a party her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Jordan, was hosting. There were cars everywhere, and people littered the front lawn of the small house. The music was blasting from the backyard, and the noise consumed the quaint neighborhood.

A cloud of smoke spilled from the rear of the house and engulfed the porch and lawn like a dense fog. The combined thickness of the smoke from the barbecue grill and the heat from the ocean of bodies added to the intensity of the sweltering Southern heat. I was beginning to regret my decision to wear all black.

“You need yo’ ass beat. How the fuck do you let a man dick you down like that and let him get away?” Monica asked cutting across the lawn to enter through the side gate. “I just didn't want anything else,” I said shrugging my shoulders and following her closely. She opened the gate so that we could both walk in. “Look, Monnie. I’m not ready to even entertain a man and his bullshit,” I continued as I closed the gate behind us. “You could have at least kept him as a fuck buddy, ‘Vana, like seriously. Come on. Here we are living in a world where women die never even coming close to experiencing what you did, and you just let him disappear. Are you fuckin' crazy, girl?” she turned to grab my hand.

Monica was trying her hardest to pull us through the swarm of people. I grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind me. “Where are we going?” I asked. “Over by the gate. Jordan's waitin’ with his friends,” she said. I used one of my hands to hold her body flush with mine while the other gently pushed people out of the way.

Once we made it to the other side of the backyard, Monnie spotted Jordan. She pulled herself from my grasp and went to talk to him. He looked down at her and smirked. He was crossfaded. I knew what this meant for me. I would have to hear them go at it like animals all night or get a hotel room. Now, I will NEVER be jealous of my girl getting hers. Don't get me wrong. It's just that Monnie sounds like a “palm-colored🖐🏻” pornstar when she moans, and I only watch Ebony for a reason.

“Ah, shit,” I said palming my face. “What?” Monnie asked with her eyes still locked on Jordan. “I know what that face means. Jordan finna turn you every which way but loose!” I laughed out loud. Monnie looked at me and burst into laughter. Jordan pulled his cup to his lips and peeked over the rim at me. “As long as Monnie baby knows,” he said peering back at her. “Oouu, shit. Don't start with me, J!” Monnie said pulling him by his collar. They were chest to chest now.

“Just go in the damn house already!” I said laughing at the two of them. They were like two feral dogs in heat. They couldn't look at each other without lust taking over. This is an everyday thing for them. “Fuck it. Bye. See ya’!” Monnie said grabbing Jordan and pulling him towards the house.

“Nasty dogs,” I said laughing to myself. I stood with my back to the fence and began scanning the party. I couldn't find anyone I knew. I saw a guy who looked slightly familiar, and I assumed he was one of Jordan's friends. I looked him over trying to see if that was the connection. He was standing in a smaller crowd of men.

His head turned slowly, and his eyes caught mine. They were deep-set and a warm dark brown. He turned his body to face me. He was tall and dark-skinned. This man's skin was ebony in every facet of the word — smooth and shiny. He bit his lip and winked at me while running his hands across his low-cut Caesar.

I smiled back at him and waved shyly. He nodded back towards me. He leaned in closer to the group of men saying something that caused them to turn around. I instantly became a little uncomfortable and self-conscious. I hated male attention when they were in groups. It made me feel objectified.

He began to walk towards me with a slow and deliberate gait. His stride was graceful yet steady. His large frame cast a large imposing shadow across the ground. His lean upper body was struggling to hide beneath the thin fabric of his white T-shirt. He appears to be at least 6 feet tall. I've never had a type, but this man was doing something to me.

I pushed my back from the tall wooden fence. “How you doin’?” he said leaning over me. His hands were in his pockets. He pulled his hands out slowly and grabbed mine. “Fine, and you?” I asked looking up at him. “Better,” he said licking his lips. They were plump and pink. My eyes followed the movement of his tongue across his lips. “That's cute, love. I kinda feel like I know you from somewhere,” I said looking away from him. “Nah, I'd remember you fa’ sure,” he said smiling.

He leaned in closer to my ear. His breath was warm against my skin. “You right about that,” I said cocking my head to the side. He leaned up to look me directly in the eyes. “You a cocky sumthin’, ain't you?” he said laughing. “I like that shit,” he continued while smiling at me. “Cocky? Me?! Never, baby. I'm just a professional shit-talker. That's all,” I said laughing into his chest. “A professional shit talker? So, you enjoy talking shit, huh? What comes with that?” he asked shifting his weight to gently push me back against the fence.

I paused for a second. I pulled my bottom lip in, biting it lightly. “Fuck around and find out,” I said barely above a whisper. I made sure I was looking him directly in his eyes before I spoke. “Oouu, you… Lord, woman!” he laughed out loud. “See. I already got you calling for the Lord, and I ain't even touched you yet,” I giggled into my hand. He used his hand to play with the frizzy hair at the nape of my neck. I chose to wear my hair in a wash-and-go, but it was being destroyed by the humidity.

“So, what would happen if you touched me?” he asked tracing small circles on my scalp. “It depends. You wanna hear God, or do you wanna see him? I can do both if I like you,” I said placing my hand on his bicep. “Damn! That's how you comin’?” he asked grunting. “And I thought I was doing sumthin' with the stars and the moon,” he said placing his hand on my hip. “Maybe you just need a little encouragement,” I said rubbing up and down his arm. “Hmm, encouragement?” he questioned while raising a single eyebrow. “You know… just a little talking to get you through it,” I said resting my hand on his shoulder.

“Talk me through it then,” he replied as he gestured for me to continue. His hands were now on both sides of my hips. “We're in public. You sure you can handle that,” he said tilting his head again. I leaned in as close as I could. “Before I continue, do you like Big Daddy or Good Boy? I need to know for my pleasure,” I asked snaking my hand to the side of his neck. I used my thumb to stroke his jawline. “What's the difference?” he asked. “Well, if I'm taking care of business, you're a good boy. However, if you're taking care of business, it's Big Daddy. Understand?” I asked gripping the side of his neck firmly. “Mmmm… shit. I think I do,” he grumbled dropping his head. “No, baby. It's either you do, or you don't. I don't like indecisiveness,” I said angling his head back up so that his eyes met mine.

“What's your name, mama?” he asked. “Havana, but you can call me “Big Mama”,” I said snickering into my hand. “I’m Xavier, so you're Big Mama, huh?” he asked sinking his teeth into his bottom lip. His eyes were narrowing in on my lips. “That's only if you're nasty,” I laughed again. “Hmm… How nasty we talking?” he asked snaking his hands around my hips. “How nasty can you get, love?” I asked locking in.

He looked up at me like he was stunned by that question. “Ok. I don't usually repeat myself, but…” I said while moving gently from his grasp. “I'll be as nasty as you need me to be. How nasty can you get?” he asked. “Well, love. It depends on your performance. Energy is matched around here,” I said watching his eyes linger on me again.

*15 minutes later

Xavier and I had been talking the entire time. He seemed like a decent guy, but I didn't want to make the same mistake twice. I honestly feel like with Terry it was a “right place, right time” situation. That's never been my forte. I was usually much more careful and selective when it came to choosing sexual partners. We both share our STD status and the current number of active sexual partners. Moreover, the condom situation was even more of a fuck up for me. I normally supply them myself, so that men can't say shit about not having one. So, when I dropped the ball as badly as I did with Terry, it shook me a little. How could I have been that fucking careless?

“Uh oh, don't let her get you in trouble,” Jordan said while approaching. “Nigga, I'm not worried about that. My shit straight. What that got to do with anything?” Xavier said turning to dap up Jordan. “Where's Monnie?” I asked Jordan. “Inside. She’ll be out in a minute,” he said giggling and shrugging his shoulders. “Ok,” I said looking back at Xavier because his response to J sounded like a red flag. What was he not worried about? What shit was “straight”? Then, why did Jordan shrug like he was saying “whatever”? Was this man hiding something?

I pulled out my phone and texted Monnie. I asked her if she knew anything about Xavier. She asked why immediately. I texted her and told her we had been outside talking this whole time. The text she sent said it all.

Monnie: RUN BITCH! GET IN THE HOUSE NOW!

I immediately thought of a lie I could quickly tell Xavier. I needed to get to Monnie now! “Shit, Monnie needs me!” I said placing my phone back into my purse. “You good?” he asked leaning in and grabbing my chin so that I could face him. “Yeah, baby. Mama's fine. Be safe alright?!” I said loudly as I walked away. “What about your number?” he called out after me. “If we see each other again, I say it was meant to be,” I said winking at him.

I quickly pushed my way towards the rear entrance of the house. The sliding glass door was slightly ajar so that people could go in and out. I entered the door and was met with a cloud of weed smoke. Fuck, I hated that smell. I walked through the house and searched for Monnie. I sent her a text asking where she was.

Monnie: upstairs bedroom

I walked through the crowded living room and crossed the space to get the stairs. I was at the bottom when I felt hands grab my waist from behind. “Where you going, fine ass?” said a man's voice from behind me. “Please, don't do that,” I said removing his hands. I continued up the stairs without looking back. “Fat bitch!” he yelled at me from below. I turned around to see who was speaking. All I could say was, “Ugh!”

I turned back around to continue up the stairs. I located the door to the room where Monnie should be. I lightly knocked on the door before entering. “Fuck are you knocking for? Bring yo’ ass in here!” Monnie yelled through the door. “First of all, fuck you. Now, spill it. Tea time, hoe!” I said laughing as I entered the room.

Monnie was sitting on the bed waiting. I closed the door and locked it. I sat on the bed beside her. I turned my body so that I was facing her. “Girl, he ain't shit. Please, tell me you didn't give him your number?” she asked shaking her head. “Fuck no! Why?” I asked removing my crossbody and placing it on the bed beside me. “Well, for starters, this nigga has a basketball team of kids. He has 4 baby mamas, and there may be a fifth!” Monnie said chuckling. “Damn, 4 baby mamas, and how many kids?” I asked leaning over to rest my head on my palms under my chin. “I think 8. We don't know a for sure number,” she said casually. “The fuck do you mean by that. Do y'all not know a for sure number, or does he not know a for sure number?” I asked eagerly. “He doesn't know himself. He be fuckin' anything that let him. That's why his ass was burnin’ last month,” Monnie said laughing and slapping my shoulder.

That's when it hit me. If I had met Xavier last month instead of Terry, I would be burnin', too. “Burnin' from what?” I asked Monnie. I was serious now. “I think Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. He apparently got it from one of his baby mamas. The only reason we found out is because he gave it to his “situation”, and she came to his house while we were there and cussed his ass out. Girl! She let him have it,” Monnie said hollering at this point. “That's so foul, bro. We were literally outside talking hot shit and getting spicy—,” I said. “Oh, he hot shit alright?” she laughed.

*2 hours later

I had left the party around midnight. As I was driving home, I remembered I needed eggs and almond milk for tomorrow. I knew there was only one store still open this late at night. I honestly didn't feel like getting out again, so I decided against it.

As I was driving, I started to see construction signs. They all read different things— “detour ahead”, “road work ahead”, and “road closed to thru traffic”. The detour sign pointed to the right. That would throw off my entire drive because that meant I couldn't use the nearest entrance to get on the highway with the next one being miles out.

I grew annoyed but turned anyway. What choice did I have? The road was dark and empty. It was way too late at night to be forced to take detours. I was growing uncomfortable with the fact that there were no streetlights, and the road narrowed towards the end before a sharp blind curve. People weren't as careful coming around. Most hugged the middle taking up both lanes in the process.

As I approached, I slowed down almost to a stop. I slowly rolled through the corner hugging my side of the bend. Once I could see straight ahead, I noticed a truck on the side of the road. The hazards were on, but I didn't see anyone inside. As I got closer, my headlights beamed against the outline of a figure at the side of the truck near the rear tire. I could tell it was a man by the way his physique looked leaning against the truck's bed.

Getting closer, I began to watch him out of curiosity. His body leaned up, and he seemed to be turning around to look in my direction. He used his hand to shield his eyes from the glare of my headlights. That's when I saw it. The tattoo on the forearm looked like—— Terry's.

No, it couldn't be. There's no way a random detour put us in the same place at the same time again. The first time we met I wasn’t supposed to be at the store that day. I accidentally dropped all of the eggs I had and cracked them. I had a cake order to make, so I didn't have a choice but to go get more. Now, this.

I rolled down the passenger side window a little as I got closer. I cleared my throat while laughing to myself. I slowed to a stop as I got to the rear of the truck. He walked towards the car, but he didn't approach fully. “Need a ride, handsome. Don't want you out here stranded,” I said in the most country accent I could. The voice I used gave off backwoods barbie. “Nah, I'm good. Go on home,” he said trying to look through the crack of the window.

I could tell that the absence of streetlights and dark tints were working against him. He squinted a little more. “Oh, come on. I can't leave you out here with all these critters and weirdos. Might take advantage of ya’, hun,” I said trying not to laugh. “Your ol’ man let you pick up strangers this late at night?” he asked. I could sense he was becoming inquisitive. He was searching for any possible signs of this being a setup.

I rolled down the window all the way while hollering with laughter. “Who said we're strangers?” I asked him. His face displayed annoyance and relief. I saw his shoulders drop and his stance loosen. He approached the car fully leaning into the window. “Real funny,” he said smirking. “You looked scared for a second. I'm sorry. I realized it was you as I was coming up,” I replied with a smile.

“What you doin’ out so late, Mama?” he asked tilting his head. I scoffed and waited. He looked at me with a cold stare. He was waiting for an answer. I shrugged my shoulders casually. “Party with some friends,” I said hoping that he would stop staring at me so intensely. “Party, huh? I thought you didn't like parties,” he muttered under his breath. “I heard you, asshole. Yeah, a party. That's what I said, ain't it?” I said gripping the steering wheel tighter. “Watch that mouth,” he grunted lowly. His voice vibrated across the small space of the car. “Or what?” I asked looking over at him.

He stood up and pushed away from the car. He crossed his arms over his chest and shifted his body weight to one side. “I would say I'd put somethin’ in it, but me and you both know you'd like that, ‘Vana. Wouldn't you?” he shot back.

Touché, Terry. Touché.

“Coming or not?” I asked and gestured towards the passenger seat. He shook his head yes and walked towards the driver's side of his truck. He opened the door and grabbed his keys and a backpack. He walked back to my car to get into the passenger side. He opened the backseat first to place his backpack in. I could see the confidence in his step.

My eyes started to wander a bit. He was dressed in a gray T-shirt and dark-wash blue jeans. Slightly wet from sweat, his shirt clung to the muscles underneath. Every detail is etched into my memory. The deep cut of his abs. The veins in his biceps that popped out when he made even the slightest movements. The slight jiggle in his pecs.

Not this again. Get it together, Havana.

I turned to look away as he entered the car. Closing the door, he sank into the seat and sighed. “I’ve been out there for a while. Was about to walk back towards Miller to get closer to my place,” he said. I could feel his eyes on me. “Where were you going?” I asked eyes locked forward. “Randall's,” he said leaning over so that his arm was overtaking the center console. “Really?!” I asked loudly. “You'll live. Where you want me to put my hands? In my lap?” he asked his voice surging through the small space. “Or would you rather I put them in yours?” he chuckled. “Whatever!” I said pushing his chest and rolling my eyes. I put the car into gear and began to drive.

“Do you mind if I stop at Dixie? I needed to pick up some stuff for tomorrow,” I asked looking at him. “Nah. I mean it is where we first met,” he said smiling back at me. I rolled my eyes and continued to drive.

*15 minutes later

We walked through the store side-by-side. He was right on my ass. This man had no regard for personal space. “Do you have to be so close?” I asked pushing him away. “Oh, now you got a problem with it?!” he laughed throwing his head back. “Fuck you, Terry,” I said in a whisper low enough for only him to hear. “You sure you want that? You sure you can take it this time?” he questioned while getting closer to me. “You got jokes, huh? Remember this, sir. You may beat me when I'm on my back, but I can make you cry when I'm on my knees,” I said turning away from him. I heard him grunt and scoff. I peeked over my shoulder to see him smiling at me.

He walked away in the opposite direction. That was fine with me. I needed a small breather. Everything about Terry had me on edge, and the flashbacks from that night weren't helping.

I walked to the rear of the store where the dairy and produce were. I walked towards the coolers that contained the eggs. I picked up an 18-count for now and checked the crate for broken eggs. Finding none, I placed the eggs securely under my arm. I moved to the fridges right beside them to look for almond milk— unsweetened and vanilla. They were out. I moved to the next fridge and spotted regular unsweetened almond milk. Fine, that would have to do.

I opened the door to the fridge. A cold, crisp air whipped across my face. The milk rested on the bottom shelf. I leaned over to get it. As soon as I reached for the milk, I felt hands on my hips. “Hands off, Terry,” I said through gritted teeth. “Who's Terry?” asked a familiar voice. “Xavier!” I yelled almost dropping the eggs.

I whipped around and removed his hands from my hips. “Here we are again. You remember what you said? I think you owe me somethin’,” he said moving closer to me. “That was before I knew you lied to me,” I said pushing him back gently. I wanted to be assertive but not piss him off. As he got closer again, I could smell the alcohol on his breath. It was much stronger than it was before.

“The fuck did Monnie stupid ass tell you?” he yelled smacking his lips. “Look. She didn't say anything, love. Just…,” I said trying to push him away from me. His hands came up to my hips again. He gripped the tighter than the first time. “Hey, let me go!” I yelled. “Oh, come on. You one teasin’ ass bitch,” he yelled again slapping the eggs from under my arms. They hit the ground with a thud. The crate cracked open and egg yolks shot up all over the bottom of my skirt and all over my feet.

I tried to move again and sidestep away from his grasp but to no avail. He grabbed my wrist and yanked me back towards him. My body collided with his. He grabbed my arms and slammed me up against the cold glass of the fridge. My body bounced off from the impact.

His hand reached up as if he were going to hit me. I flinched in fear and closed my eyes. It's as if I stopped breathing while waiting for the hit to land. It never did. I opened my eyes to see Terry grabbing Xavier by his collar. They were close in height but Xavier appeared slightly bigger.

Terry pushed Xavier away from me. Terry threw the first punch immediately after. His hand collided precisely with Xavier's jaw. X’s head snapped sideways and his body flew backward. Terry watched him as he stumbled. “Don't you ever touch her again!” Terry growled closing in on Xavier as if he was going to hit him again. Xavier cowered and retreated without a word.

Terry turns back to look at me. His scowl sent shivers down my spine. “I didn't…,” I said struggling to breathe. “Hey, you okay? Mama, look at me!” Terry said grabbing the sides of my face. He angled my head so that I was looking up at him. I was trying not to cry, but I couldn't hold back the tears. “I'm sorry I froze,” I said gasping for air. “Ay, c’mere. Don't do that? Havana, breathe!” he said pulling me into his chest. He wrapped his arms around me hugging me tightly. I wasn't aware of anything around me at the moment.

My thoughts were all over the place. My mind was racing, and I couldn't form a complete thought. “Let’s go,” Terry said holding my hand. He placed the other on my lower back and guided me out of the store. “Keys,” he said into my ear while leaning over me from behind. “Huh?” I said being pulled from my daze. “I need your keys, baby girl,” he said placing his hands on my shoulder.

I reached into my purse and handed Terry my keys. “I know it's late, but I don't want you driving home like this. Do you feel comfortable going with me until you feel better?” Terry said walking around me so that he was now looking down at me. He placed his hands gently on the side of my face again. “’Vana, baby. Listen. You gotta answer me, mama. I need somethin' here,” he asked stroking my cheeks. I nodded as I began to cry again.

He placed his hand on my lower back and guided me to the passenger side door. He opened the door for me to get in. I slid past Terry and sat down in the seat.

The memories I had tried to forget came flooding back — my ex. I spaced out for a second. Terry opened the door and climbed in. He adjusted the seat to fit more comfortably to his height. He leaned over one final time and kissed my forehead. “Just promise me that you're okay?” he asked softly. “Yeah, I'm… I'm okay,” I said sniffling.

*20 minutes later

I stood in Terry's bathroom waiting for the shower to warm up. I was leaned back against the sink while fighting to remain consciously present. I hated it when things triggered me and brought me back to that place. I had worked so hard to never deal with this again. All those years of therapy, and for what? How could what this man did still take such a toll on me? Tonight, I felt like I regressed tremendously.

I stood up and walked to the glass shower door. I slid it open and reached in to feel the water. It was more than ready. I just wanted to get in and wash away all of tonight—all of the egg yolks, all of the fear, all of the anxiety, all of it.

Taglist (asked and assumed):

@avoidthings @brattyfics @5headsupremacist @creartivefairy @miyuhpapayuh

@megamindsecretlair @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @nayaxwrites

@jimmybutlrr @lovey-3 @curvyambitions

@deja-r @hoouno06 @insidefeelingofanadult @slutsareteacherstoo

@ariiijestertheklown @armandosbabymama @gg-trini @skyesthebomb

@blowmymbackout @blackerthings @mymindisneverhere

@iburias @androgynousgaz @becauseimswagman1

@geee3bayyybeee3 @gwenda-fav @poektiou624 @keyaho

@pocketsizedpanther @sageispunk @charismablu @4ftwonder

@ineedmyaccountback @rebelrel0987 @4pfsukuna @writingsbytee @nayaesworld

@blyffe @helloncrocs @amyhennessyhouse @beenathembo @thiccc-c @babybratzmaraj

@qtmkenedy03 @pinkpantheris @skyesthebomb @honeytoffee @talkswithdesi

*If you want to be added or removed, let me know by commenting.

[freshlove-sturn]

house on the cape.

pt 1 pt2

based on last friday’s video bc im obsessed with it. (events that happened in the vlog may not be in order just so the story flows how i want, also might add or get rid of some things for that same reason ofc). definitely gonna be multiple parts if yall like it so please let me know!!

summary: when the triplets come back home from la, they reunite with their favorite summer tradition, staying in the house on the cape. amidst all of the familiar laughter, and reminiscing on old memories, y/n can’t ignore the feeling stirring in her heart. something that went deeper than friendship. as she grapples with the fact that her feelings for her lifelong best friend, matt, are more than what’s just at the surface, she must learn to navigate and balance the unspoken feelings, and the gut wrenching fear of risking it all.

a/n: sorry guys but i think im scrapping all my old fics. i just have lost interest in them and i dont want to give yall something that i just half assed yk. i just need something new 😖🙏 don’t hate me pls. also i didn’t proof read and i never do so hopefully this all makes sense LMAO

……………………..

“BOYS TRIP!” chris shouts through the house.

the triplets are back in boston from being in la. i’d be lying if i said that i didn’t wish that these visits would last forever. being across the country from my best friends sucked.

“oh yeah , and you’ll be there too. you’re one of the boys.” chris points at me, smiling before loading the car with our bags.

“chris please never say that again.” i cringe, but fail to keep in my laughter.

“i agree. that was disgusting.” nick chimes in.

“just wanted to make sure you know you’re included.” chris throws his hands up in defense.

“thanks.” i smile and shake my head before getting in the car.

we were staying at their house in cape cod, something all of us looked forward to each summer growing up.

we arrive at nate’s house to pick him up. after the group effort of showering him in compliments for his new hair cut, we get back in the car.

sandwiched between nick and nathan, i check the time on my phone. nick grabs my wrist and moves it out of the way to give himself a better view of my lock screen.

“that is such a cute picture.” he says admiringly. it was a picture of matt and i. the picture was taken from behind while matt gave a piggy back ride back to the car because my feet hurt from wearing heels to madison’s concert.

“you took it.” i laugh.

“i know. i really out did myself huh.” he hypes himself up. i smile and roll my eyes.

once we get to the cape house, we unload the car. all of our bags scattered haphazardly throughout our respective rooms. the same rooms each of us have stayed in for years. nate with chris, nick with matt, and me, having been the only girl, with my own room.

“let’s go to the beach!” nate walks out into the kitchen, clapping his hands together.

…

the beach was just within walking distance. matt and i fell behind the rest of the group.

“i’m so glad you’re back.” i tell him.

“me too. i missed you.” he replies.

“i missed you too.” i admit. “a lot.” i look up and meet his eyes. we just stare at each other for a second. we didn’t really need to say anything. it was almost just a mutual understanding that each other were our favorite person.

if only he knew the extent.

the only person i’ve confided in about my feelings for matt was nate. which was precisely why he kept shooting me knowing glances anytime matt and interacted. nate swore that he knew i was in love with matt for years, before i even knew myself.

i can’t exactly pinpoint when i fell in love with my best friend, but i do remember when i realized.

flashback

matt and i sit together in the hammock string between two large oak trees in the backyard of the cape house. the gentle breeze swaying us back and forth softly. the sun was going down just to the right of us. beautiful pink and orange hues paint the sky.

“i could stay right here forever.” matt breaks the silence that had fallen between us.

“me too.” i reply softly.

“oh hey i have something for you” he digs his hand around in his pocket and pulls out a baby pink seashell. he hands it it me.

“i’ve never seen a pink one like that before.” he tells me as i admire the gift.

“me either. i love it. thanks matt.” i smile sweetly at him.

“of course.” he returns the smile.

i feel the heartbeat in my chest racing and my cheeks heating up. the feeling i had been carrying around with me for quite some time became abundantly clear.

i was in love with my best friend.

when i got home that night, i tied a string around the shell, and wore it as a necklace. and i haven’t taken it off since.

end of flashback

that was back when we were 16. 4 whole years i’ve gone hiding my biggest secret from the one person i told everything to.

our gaze was interrupted by chris. “jesus, yall are some slow pokes” he hollers back at us.

we both laugh and pick up out pace.

soon we arrive at the beach. i’ve always loved the beach. it truly is my happy place.

especially when i’m with matt.

nick snaps pictures here and there.

“oh my gosh matt look! this is just like your tattoo!” i hold out a shell to him.

“oh shit you’re right.” he holds out his arm, revealing his tattoo.

“that’s sick.” chris admires the similarity while nick takes a picture.

…

later that night, we all sit in the living room debating on what movie to watch.

“chris im not watching planet of the apes again. we’ve watched it like 9 times already.” nick argues, shutting down chris’s pleads.

“how about grown ups?” matt suggests.

“yes i love that movie.” nate agrees.

“that’s fine with me.” nick shrugs and starts typing it in.

“is that good with you?” matt leans down to where i was sitting in front of him, his voice soft and genuine.

“yeah that’s good with me.” i tell him.

he smiles and pats the spot on the couch next to him, gesturing me to come sit up there with him. i stand up from my spot on the floor and sit down next to him. he drapes a blanket over the both of us.

about an hour or so into the movie, my eyes get heavy. i lean my head on matt’s shoulder, to which he responds with wrapping his arm around me. this was nothing out of the ordinary. there’s pictures going back to when we were in preschool of the two of us practically fused together passed out on the living room floor.

suddenly, a gentle shake of my shoulders woke me up from a sleep i hadn’t even known i fell into. my eyes flutter, slowly regaining focus. when they do, i’m met with matt’s gentle blue eyes.

“hey, you wanna go lay down in your bed? i don’t want your neck to be sore.” he asks, genuinely concerned for my comfort.

i look around, everyone else appeared to have gone into their rooms.

“yeah i probably should.” i say through a yawn.

matt grabs my hand and helps me stand up from the couch. we walk down the hallway. my room came before his and nicks.

“goodnight matt.” i say, slowly turning the doorknob.

“goodnight y/n. see ya in the morning.”

i toss and turn in bed, unable to fall asleep. i stand up from bed, and leave my room. slowly making my way to the kitchen to get a drink, careful to not wake anyone up.

i open the fridge and grab a water. before i can take a sip, i hear a familiar voice behind me.

“can’t sleep?” the sudden breach of silence made me jump a little. i turn around and see matt. he was leaned up against the door frame. his sweatpants falling dangerously low on his figure, his arm under his shirt itching his shoulder, exposing his midriff.

“nope. you?” i set my water down on the counter.

“hm mm” he replies.

we stand in silence for a few moments before matt breaks the silence again.

“wanna go to the beach?”

….

a/n: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LMK IF YALL LIKE THIS. SUGGESTIONS ALWAYS WELCOME AND MY INBOX IS ALWAYS OPEN 🙏 i’m using my old taglist, so lmk if you want taken off or added to it!

taglist: @honestlybabymiracle @pepsiimaxx @creamoncreamoncream2 @mattestrella @luvmxtt @rac00ns-are-c00l4

[lottiessidehoe]

Lottie Matthews x stoner!reader

no crash/modern au

CW: Mentions of underaged drinking/smoking (in the US), domestic fluff🙏🙏, a lil suggestive, use of y/n like once, not edited well we die like jackie

16+

content under the cut

“Baby are you sure?” You ask turning towards your girlfriend who’s waiting by the door of your bedroom to finish gathering some supplies in your backpack. “Yes now come on before we wake up your parents again.” She says with a smile, crossing her arms as she leans against the doorframe. Tapping her foot impatiently as she holds back her excitement.

Today Lottie had woken you up with a phone call at about 1 AM saying she missed you and wanted to smoke with you. You thought you were still dreaming when you heard her request on the other end of the line, but no she said it and meant it and was already on her way. Usually she would just stay inside when you smoke anything other than a pen or goes off to her friends while you smoke with Nat at parties so this was extremely random. Only time you thought she would smoke with you ended up her just drunk and wanting a cigarette and to cling onto you for the rest of that party. But nonetheless not today your girlfriend, really did decide she wanted to get high. It wasn’t like you weren’t excited you were ecstatic. You had been trying to get her to stop being such a princess and try mother natures greatest gift, ever since Nat introduced you two sophomore year, only reason you stopped was because you realized you actually liked her preppy princess ass. But that still hasn’t stopped you from trying to convince her to let you shotgun hits into her mouth while you two make out every now and again. But really you just wanted to make sure she had no regrets, like any good partner should. You zip up your backpack and walk over to her she smiles wrapping her arms around your neck.

“You ready to go darling?” She asks with a smile, which calms your nerves a decent amount. “You’re 100% sure right?” I ask again making sure we’re clear. “I really don’t want you having a bad high your first time Lot and-

She cuts you off by cupping your cheek and placing a soft kiss on your lips pulling away slowly with a stupid smirk. “Y/N it’s ok, I can handle a little weed i’m not a child.” She giggles removing her hand from your face and grabbing your hand.

“Yeah you’re right let’s go” You say with a smile interlacing your fingers as you walk through the house to the backyard. You walk over to the side of the house and use the ladder to climb onto the roof. “M’lady” You say with a smile stretching out your hand to help her up. “God please never say that again.” Lottie groans rolling her eyes as she takes your hand and sits next to you. “What you don’t like me being chivalrous Matthews?” You ask in a semi-sarcastic tone trying to hold back a smile. “God you’re such a dork.” She responds grabbing the backpack from next to her.

“Are we gonna spark up or?” She asks handing the backpack over to you. “So impatient can’t I just sit here and look pretty for a second?” You ask sarcastically unzipping your backpack and pulling out 2 prerolls, a lighter, and a water bottle.

“You have all the time in the world to do that darling” Lottie teases leaning over and kissing your cheek. “What’s the water bottle for?” she asks as you set everything down.

“Dry mouth baby” You respond quickly before placing the joint in your mouth a lighting it inhaling and blowing out the smoke slowly. You turn over to your girlfriend and smile handing her the joint. “Ok place it between these two fingers and inhale a little and then exhale, i don’t want you dying on me your first time Lottie.”

She grabs the joint and does as you instructed her, or does her best attempt she ends up inhale a bit to much and breaks out into a cough fit. Which causes you to try to hold back your own laughter as you take the joint from her and hand her the water bottle while rub her back. “I told you only inhale a little baby” You say once she’s calmed down as she looks up at you annoyed.

“Shut up” She grumbles wrapping her arms around your bicep resting her head on your shoulder. Cuddling into your shoulder as the wind blows gently through the dark night sky. You pass the joint back in forth for a while sitting in comfortable silence just staring at sky.

“What made you decide to smoke today?” You ask breaking it. “I just wanted to see what the hype was about I guess” Lottie mumbles into your shoulder softly kissing your neck as she speaks. The feeling of it was enough to make you go crazy right then and there. “Since when did Lottie Matthews ever care about the hype of weed?” You question with a chuckle. “Since I fell for your annoying ass.” Lottie giggles resting her head back on your shoulder fully. “Plus it gives us more time to spend together now that I know it’s not so bad” she mumbles somewhat embarrassed.

You ash the first joint and light the other one. “So you just wanted more time with me?” You ask as you blow out the smoke. “More time doing something you love sweetheart” she corrects pointing a finger at my chest. “And you say i’m a dork.” You chuckle before taking another hit turning lottie to face you so you can shotgun it into her mouth. You pull away with a smile and she does the same as she blows out the smoke.

You take a long hit of the joint throwing some of the ash off the roof as you look down at Lottie who’s already smiling at you. “What’s got you happy princess?” You ask with a smirk wrapping your arm around her waist, pulling her closer to you. “You” She says through half lidded eyes, yeah she’s definitely a light weight.

“You’re adorable baby” You chuckle moving her bangs out of her face to kiss her forehead. She giggles in response and kisses your cheek. You ash the joint on the roof before throwing it into back into the container for later. Moving closer to Lottie you wrap your arms around her.

“Says you, you’re so damn clingy when your high” Lottie giggles slightly pulling away from your grasps to kiss you softly. Cupping the crook of your neck with her hand as she pulls you in deeper. You wrap your arms around her waist and bring her to sit in your lap as the kiss becomes more desperate with each second. She starts grabbing at the hem of your shirt attempting to take it off but you stop her.

You slowly pull away panting for air. “Oh and i’m the clingy one?” You say through uneven pants looking up at the girl whose arms are now wrapped around your waist pulling you tightly against her, like you’ll vanish if she holds you any looser. You look up at the girl once more, the stars shining behind her perfectly illuminating her and truthfully you don’t think you’ve ever seen something so beautiful in your entire life. You can’t help but lean forward to kiss her again. Cupping her cheek gently as you do so. After a few moments you both pull away but Lottie gives you a knowing look and smirks.

“How about we finish this inside darling?”

[wheezyseeker99]

Mine: Part 1

Warnings: pining, swearing, teasing, p in v, handjob

((AN: one of these days I’ll go back through the warnings and make them cohesive but today is not that day))

18+, MDNI

Summary: In honor of the flyers first preseason win, I sat down and finished this piece. This one is going to be the best friend’s brother trope because my bestie is a ginger and she always says he looks like her brother. Alternate universe obvs and I used y/n this time.

Summers in southern California with my best friend, Courtney, are always perfect. I have no cares in the world when I’m with her. I’ve already gotten a tan and she’s burnt to a crisp, which is usual for her. Her ginger hair and pale skin make it impossible for her to enjoy the sun. I’ve read through at least 3 books this week while her mom drove us around on the boat. It’s glorious.

Well, it was until her brother decided to come home.

Cam made his presence known immediately when he got to town. It’s rare that he’s around since he’s a hockey star for an nhl team on the east coast. I knew him before all of that. I knew the long hair boy playing roller hockey in the backyard. The one that I had a major crush on.

It was easy to have a crush on Cam. He’s always been laid back and nice to me. It was hard not to fall for him. I never told my best friend that though, and I don’t know how she’d react to that confession.

The feelings for Cam are still there, which is a problem. A big, big problem. I didn’t notice it until we came in after a day on the ocean. He was laid out on the couch, waiting for us to get home.

It shouldn’t have shocked me that Cam is a man now. When I walked through the door that day, I think I went into shock. His body has filled out since the last time I had seen him. I tried not to stare at how thick his thighs looked or how his biceps flexed. Or even how his shoulders looked when his tshirt stretches over them.

I definitely doubt he would ever look at me the way I look at him. I think it’s that fact that’s driving me up the wall. It’s been two days of being around him so far, and it’s extremely hard not to throw myself onto him. I have never felt this feral in my entire lifetime.

Today I tried to distract myself by helping Courtney and her mom decorate for the ‘Annual York 4th of July Celebration’ which basically consisted of me cleaning the main rooms in the house and making side dishes in the kitchen.

I’m standing over the stove stirring a pot of macaroni for the mac and cheese when Cam walks through the back door wearing nothing but shorts hanging low on his hips and running shoes. My eyes immediately went to his bare chest that’s drenched in sweat. His skin looks so nice when it’s flushed. Little freckles litter his skin along with the thick ginger chest hair. I snap my eyes away before he could notice I was eyeing him.

“Where’s everybody at? I come back from my run and all of the cars are gone.”

“Oh, your dad is going to pick up your grandparents, and Courtney and your mom are at the store. It’s just me here,” I tell him, trying to keep a straight face and keep my eyes away from him.

Cam leans onto the counter next to me. I feel the heat radiating off of him. I know his eyes are piercing into me.

“So we’re alone?”

I nod and keep my eyes on the task in front of me. Maybe if I stay quiet, he’ll go do something else. I stir the macaroni one last time and move over to the sink to drain the water.

“Finally,” he sighs. “I’ve wanted to get you alone since I got here.”

I whip my head to look at him and almost drop the pot. My jaw nearly drops to the floor.

“Huh?”

“We’ve never been alone before y/n, haven’t you noticed?”

I gulp. Of course I’ve noticed but I’d never tell him that. We always have Courtney around. I make sure of it for this very reason. My hands feel sweaty and I’m on the verge of stuttering. I finish draining the pot and bring the drainer to the empty baking dish.

“Nope Cam. I’ve never noticed.”

“Can I help you with this?”

He steps closer to me and I nearly flinch when he takes the drainer from my hands. I wipe the sweat from my hands on my apron and step toward the fridge.

“Sure, go ahead. I need to start chopping the hamburger toppings. The cheese should be ready to stir in if you can do that and then put it in the oven to keep it warm.”

Cam listens my instructions, and comes up next to me while I’m slicing tomatoes. He once again leans on the counter next to me. This time, a lot closer than before. I keep my head down, concentrating on how I need to be slicing the tomatoes.

“Any reason why you can’t look me in the eye?”

“I’m trying not to cut my fingers off,” I say sarcastically.

I stop for a second and look him in the eyes just to prove him wrong, but the moment I do, I get sucked into his blue irises. I don’t know how long I stared into his eyes, but it took everything in me to stop. I cleared my throat and looked back at the tomatoes before slicing more.

“Are you ever going to stop fighting it, y/n?”

“Fighting what?” I ask and attempt to hold my breath. “Why are you asking so many questions?”

“You’ve had a crush on me for years, probably just as long as I’ve had one on you, and you never acted on it.”

I sit down the knife and turn to him. I feel overwhelmed instantly at his words. He had a crush on me? And he knew I had one on him? If he knows, does Courtney know? My mind races with all of the thoughts that I barely remember to respond.

“How do you know that?”

“I can tell when your eyes are on me, y/n. You’ve done it for years.”

“I was that obvious,” I mutter under my breath.

Cam hums in response. He takes my hand into his, “is this okay?”

I nod and he gets impossibly closer, caging me in against the counter. He’s always been taller than me, but I never really knew that he would tower over me like this. My eyes trail over his face. Should I make a move? My mind races back to all the times I imagined this moment as I eye his lips. His face gets closer to mine and his nose brushes mine. His breath is hot against my lips while his eyes hypnotize me.

“You look like you want me to kiss you,” he whispers.

“I do,” I whisper back.

My heartbeat is out of control at this point, beating like it’s going to hammer out of my chest. I don’t think my brain is working at full capacity anymore. A smile spreads on his face and he cups my cheek in his large palm. His mouth hovers over mine. My eyes close when it comes in contact with mine.

Cam’s mouth is like heaven. It’s warm and firm, and I can feel the little scar against my lips.

My hands have a mind of their own. They make their way to his hair, sliding into the sweaty strands. Our tongues tangle, and he groans while his hands make their way to untie the apron from my waist. It falls to the floor and he grips my waist in one hand while his other glides up my body to cup my breast over my tank top. I should’ve worn a bra today but I didn’t, and he can clearly feel that when he touches me. His thumb brushes over the fabric and I moan into his mouth. His hips press into mine when I do. I can feel his erection growing in his shorts, and I know as a fact that this isn’t stopping here. We breathe heavily when he pulls his mouth from mine.

“How about this,” he breathes against my lips, “I turn off the oven and put this shit in the fridge while you go upstairs and wait for me.”

I nearly choke at his words, but I just nod at him mindlessly.

“Yes please.”

He lets me free and smacks my ass when I start to walk away. I turn back to look at him and he has the goofiest grin on his face. God, if I knew he had a crush on me then we could’ve done this sooner.

.

By the time I’m upstairs, I’m stumbling into the guest room. I looked around and started to panic. My room is a mess. I picked up my clothes off the floor and shoved them into the basket near the closet before I heard the door open. I glance over my shoulder as Cam shut the door and locked it. His eyes dragged down my still clothed body. I swear I could feel fire burning inside me.

“Where were we?”

He stalked towards me, but I put my hand up between us and it landed on his bare, hard chest.

“Wait. What’s going to happen? What about Courtney?”

“I want it all with you. We can settle the logistics and fight with my sister about it later,” he took my hand and slid his fingers through mine.

“Does that mean you’re going to ask me the question?”

“I was going to ask you out on a date first y/n,” he paused, “I was going to earn this, but I want you to be mine. What do you say?”

“I want you so yes Cam. You earned it,” I breathed. “Anything, just let me jump your bones really quick before everyone gets home.”

Cam giggled before I lost my composure completely. I slammed my lips onto his and walked him backwards to the bed. His mouth removed from mine and kissed down my neck to my chest, slowly sliding the straps of my tank top off my shoulders.

“You can jump my bones as long as I can taste you,” he smirked. “No bra?”

“I didn’t think about it.”

“Should think about it. My eyes went to these as soon as I walked in,” he says while moving the fabric down to my middle.

“Funny you mention that. My eyes went to your chest too,” I laugh softly.

“I knew that’s why you couldn’t look me in the eye,” he nips at my nipple and pulls back to look at me. “You need to be honest baby.”

“I will just-“ I grab his hands and bring them to my waistband. “Just take my clothes off.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.”

Cam dragged down my yoga pants with my tank top and underwear, leaving me bare. I shivered slightly from the cool air coming from the vents and my nipples harden at the change in temperature. Cam tugs down his shorts. He tossed them to be with my clothes, and my hands went to his length as he claims my mouth again. He took my hand away and binded both of my wrists in his hand.

“Careful with that hand baby,” he grunted. “It feels too good and this could end too soon if you try that.”

I’m on my back before I know it. It almost knocked the breath out of me, how fast he could man handle me. His mouth covered my nipple again, and his free hand thumbed over the other one.

I hear a strangled moan escape his mouth and he sets my wrists free. My hands immediately went to his hair. Cam grabbed onto my legs and pulled them open so he can settle between them, his mouth still assaulting my breasts. I feel the anticipation deep in my core. It feels like it’s about to boil over and he’s barely touching me. I clench around nothing, waiting for him to make the move. His length ruts against me, grinding slow and steady. I sigh, tugging at his hair. I grip the sweaty strands for dear life when he enters me. My entire body hums in excitement.

“Oh my god y/n,” he moans.

“Move please.”

“So polite,” Cam laughs and nips at my neck. “Being polite will get you what you want baby.”

His hips move steadily but I can’t stop my hips from bucking into his. All of it wasn’t enough. His touch, his mouth, the way his body pressed into me. I need it all and more. His teeth scraped the skin of my neck, biting down hard enough to leave a mark.

“You have no clue how long I’ve wanted this,” he groans and drives himself deeper into me. “We fit perfectly.”

“We do.”

I never knew if or how someone could complete another person like how Cam is completing me. I didn’t know the feeling of being whole until now. When his hooded eyes meet mine, he understands it too. The blue irises trailed down my body, groaning when he looks at where we’re connected. I tugged his mouth back to mine, moaning against him. I didn’t even notice when his thumb ran over my clit. I hold him to me, taking in every movement he gives. Everything felt too good.

“So perfect. I’ve never felt so good in my entire life baby,” he rasped between breaths.

It doesn’t take long for me to cum. I cry out as he held me down and pistoned into me, his hips snapping. I barely have time to come down from my high when an idea crept its way through my mind.

“Wait. Don’t cum inside me yet.”

Cam’s eyebrows knit together and he stares at me in shock. I shocked myself too, to be honest. He slows his thrusts but doesn’t stop.

“I want to try something please,” I beg.

Cam lets out a whine. He can’t stop thrusting and I clench around him. The pressure is building again. I smooth a hand over his cheek to distract him. He nuzzles his head into it, waiting for me to instruct him.

“Pull out and lay down. Trust me.”

He obeys, lying down next to me. His sweaty hair is curling at the ends, reminding me of how his hair looked when we were kids. He still has that boyish charm, but as my eyes trail down his body, I can’t help but think about all of the fantasies I’ve had about him.

Now Cam’s body is stretched almost the full length of the bed next to me. Although his body is full of hard planes, his skin is soft. His chest heaved as I got comfortable on my side. He looks pretty like this. I lift a hand to his mouth.

“Spit,” I command him.

His eyes connected with mine when he lets the spit trail from his mouth to my palm. My hand reaches for his length, stroking it slowly as I smash my mouth onto his. I pump him slowly and build speed. Cam’s mouth attacks mine fiercely, the moaning from his lips never ceasing. His hand comes between my legs and he shoves two fingers inside me, pumping in and out. I bite down into his lip at the sudden impact.

I pull my mouth back and speed up my hand as fast as I can go. Cam’s eyes close and his hand is clenched between my thighs. His hips jolt up into my hand, telling me that he’s getting closer.

“You’re going to paint your chest and I’m going to lick it off. Do it for me Cam, you’re being so good.”

His hips jar slightly, moving in clumsy thrusts into my hand until he cums. Streaks of white paint his stomach and chest. It’s a beautiful sight. I lean down and lick his hot skin, swallowing as I go. Once I’m finished, I settle back onto my side and press a kiss to his cheek. He hasn’t said a word yet.

“You’re amazing Cam.”

“Fuck y/n,” he groaned. “Never stop praising me.”

“I should stop. Your ego is going to be the size of Texas.”

Cam giggles and presses a kiss to my lips. My hand mindlessly strokes through his hair. I pulled back and laid my forehead against his. We know we can’t stay here forever. I don’t know how long it’s been when he takes the first move to get up.

“I’m going to shower really quick baby. Stay naked and don’t leave this bed until I get back,” he says playfully as pulls on his shorts and walks to the door.

“I’ll be here as naked as you left me. I’m not leaving this bed until you get back.”

“Good girl.”

He closes the door behind him. Tonight is definitely going to be interesting.

Part 2 will come eventually…

[donnetellotheturtle]

Wings

Chapter 1

The night ended with kicking the last of the drunks out of the bar.

Hugo ran a hand through his hair, cleaning off his glasses.

“You okay?” Lance, the other bartender he was working with tonight, asked while cleaning the bar up.

“Yeah just a busy night.” Hugo smiled a bit, though he couldn’t help the exhaustion in his bones. Not that it was any different than usual.

“…why don’t you go home early?” Lance suggested. “I’ll talk to the owner. You look like you could really use some rest.”

Hugo wasn’t about to argue with an early end time. So he nodded. “That sounds good.”

Lance nodded and a couple minutes later, Hugo had climbed into his car which was frozen inside. He rubbed his already jacketed arms as he blasted the heat and turned the seat warmer all the way up.

He breathed a sigh of relief when the cold let up.

Then, he started his way home. Luckily home wasn’t far from the bar. 15 minutes at the most. The roads were icy, so he took his time.

He wrapped his coat tighter around himself as he got into the front door. At least the house was warm.

The first thing he saw, however was the sticky note on the fridge.

‘Emergency business trip. You know how it is. Hold down the fort until we get back.’-C + D

Donella and Cyrus were gone on some random business trip that they forgot to tell him about beforehand.

Again.

Though he hated being alone in the house by himself. Especially when it was freezing out. Looking at thermometer, it was below freezing. It was snowing though.

He sighed, and started a fire in the fireplace.

He turned on the television, frowning softly as he watched the random sitcom that came on as he heated up his dinner in the microwave.

He was exhausted. But he just got home. He didn’t want to go to sleep just yet. He popped his back.

Something made his hair stand up on end. He looked around. Nothing was out of place.

Donella had taught him to always trust his instincts. Something was going to happen.

So Hugo prepared himself. He grabbed his bat from his room, and kept it by his side as he ate.

The crash outside made Hugo jump out of his skin. He looked around wildly, gripping his bat, before everything went quiet again.

It sounded like it came from the backyard.

Hugo slipped his jacket on, and went to investigate.

Of all the things he could have expected, this was not one of them.

Laying in a pocket of snow, was a boy. Only, he had huge black wings. One of them looked really badly injured. The boy was hardly breathing. The only reason Hugo knew he was, was cause of the fog from his breath.

“Holy shit…” Hugo mumbled to himself. He put the bat down, going over to the boy. He turned him over. He was ice cold, shivering up a storm. “Shit…” He thought for a moment, then groaned to himself. “I’m going to regret this.”

He carefully picked the winged boy up, careful of the injured one, and brought him inside.

The boys lips were blue. He was hypothermic. That wasn’t good. He searched on his phone what to do.

A couple of the steps were ones he couldn’t take. Like calling the police. Who knows what would happen if he called them.

Still, he took the advice and pulled off the wet clothes, replacing them with his old, spare dry clothes. Then he wrapped the boy, and his wings in blankets. He added a few hand warmers to the wings wrapped in towels as well.

The boy gradually stopped shivering, and looked a lot more content now. Hugo took this opportunity to look at the boys wing.

It was badly broken, but not beyond repair.

Nuru was a vet. Maybe she could help. How to explain this though?

He picked up his phone. “Nuru, I have a bit of an emergency. It’s a bit hard to explain but could you come to my house?”

The text came in two minutes later. “Hugo, it’s 4 in the morning.”

“Its an emergency. A…non human emergency.”

“…..On my way.”

Hugo breathed a sigh of relief. The boy groaned, eyes opening a bit. Hugo could see how glazed over they were though. He was clearly out of it.

“Whemmm?” He slurred. He winced in pain, looking up to his wing. “Huuurttts….”

Hugo came over. “Youre safe. I’m taking care of you.”

“pretty….” The boys eyes rolled back in hiss head and he passed back out.

He blushed lightly, before he heard a knock at the door. How did Nuru get here this fast?

Still, he looked through the peephole and saw her, opening the door as she adjusted a medical bag on her shoulder.

“Whats going on?”

Hugo didn’t say anything, instead leading her to the living room. She gasped at the sight of the unconscious boy.

“Holy…shit.” She mumbled.

“That’s what I meant when I said non human…can you help?”

Nuru smirked at him. “Aw Hugo. You do care about something other than yourself.’

“Nuru.”

“Im kidding. Yes I can. He doesn’t have hypothermia right?”

“Not anymore. I think it passed a bit ago.

She nodded, setting out her tools and started the process of setting the wing right. She was gentle and careful and save for a few mumbles and groans, the boy didn’t seem to notice her working.

“Where did you find him?” Nuru asked.

“He crashed in my backyard…but it was below freezing so I don’t know how he was flying in the first place.”

Nuru sighed softly. “We cant tell anyone else about this.”

“I figured.”

“not even Cyrus and Donella.”

“Oh they were the first on the list not to tell. I love them but they’d turn him over to the highest bidder in an instant.”

Nuru sighed. “Youre lucky they’re not here…has he said anything?”

Hugo nodded and went over to the boy, gently fixing the blankets.

“Only slurred speech. He was really out of it before passing back out.”

“We need to keep an eye on him, make sure he didn’t loose a lot of blood or has bad hypothermia.”

“Does that mean you’re staying?” Hugo hated how hopeful that sounded. Nuru, however, was already in the spare closet, grabbing pillows and blankets. She threw a blanket at Hugo.

“Get some rest. You’ve been up all night.”

Hugo chuckled softly, and took her advice. After a minute the two of them were curled up on the floor in a blanket nest.

--

Varian groaned. Everything was heavy. But he was warm. His wing hurt, but it felt like it was wrapped in something.

He cracked open his eyes.

The pink of the sun rising hit him first. The second thing he realized was he was in a strange home. The third was that there was a nest of blankets on the ground, and two people sleeping inside it.

Where was he?

He tried to get up, only to realize the heaviness he was feeling, was a bunch of blankets wrapped around him.

Huh.

He slowly untangled himself, laying up. His good wing felt sore as he stood up, but he could at least tuck that one into his side. The other one seemed to be held open with medical equipment.

At the movement, the blonde stirred, mumbling. Varians heart rate spiked. He didn’t trust them.

He took a deep breath, and headed towards the door.

He was almost at the door when,

“Hey. You’re awake?” A sleepy voice called out.

He turned, good wing fluttering in an attempt to escape. The other one wouldn’t move with the wrappings.

The blonde, with glasses askew and hair everywhere, was laying there, clearly half awake. He was blinking at him.

“I uh-Um-I.” Varian couldn’t stop himself from stuttering.

“You know its freezing out there, right? It’s like…the dead of winter.”

Varian paused, looking out the window. It looked frigid.

“…Who are you?” He asked.

The boy yawned. “Hugo…you crashed in my backyard…three hours ago? What time is it?”

Varian tensed as the blonde stood up, going over to a clock above a stove. It was 7:30.

“Goddamn…” the blonde mumbled. Varians hand was on the doorknob.

“Hey, you okay, feathers? You look like you’re ready to run for the hills.”

“What do you want with me?”

The other boy blinked. “Nothing.”

Varian didn’t trust that answer. Everyone always wanted something with him. Usually his wings, sometimes worse. The blonde could clearly see that on Varians face though.

“What was I supposed to do? You crashed into my goddamn backyard and almost died from hypothermia?”

Ah. That would explain the broken wing. And all the blankets. Still, he narrowed his eyes.

“Did you want me to let you die?” The boy asked.

“….N-No…”

“then you’re fucking welcome.”

Varian looked the boy up and down. He looked honest enough. And he was right, if he went outside now he’d freeze. Varian sighed softly, letting go of the door. “fine. Just don’t try anything.”

“wasn’t going to…I’m going to make some coffee. Want some?”

“What’s…what’s coffee?”

Hugo’s eyes lit up. “oh feathers, you are in for a treat.”

Varian walked closer to Hugo as he started pulling out ingredients. Varian frowned. Something could be a drug or sleeping agent. Hugo noticed him looking, and thought for a second.

“Did you want to look at the ingredients and smell them before I put them in?”

Varian thought for a second, then nodded softly. Hugo handed him a bag of beans. He looked at them “coffee beans”, they smelled good, actually. He handed them back to Hugo. Hugo smiled and put them into the machine. That was something Varian was curious about. He didn’t dare ask about it though.

The same thing happened with the sugar, cream, and some other ingredients Hugo had.

“Alright. Now we gotta grind up the beans. It’s going to be loud.”

Varian took the hint and covered his ears. Hugo was right. It was loud. It only lasted a minute though.

“is that coffee I hear?” A girls voice called out. Varian tensed up again. He’d forgotten there was another person here. She came into the kitchen, and sat in the next seat. She then looked at Varian. “Hey. Good to see you’re awake.”

Varian nodded nervously. She looked at him concerned.

“Feathers is a bit skittish, Nuru. He looked like he was about to run out the door a second ago.”

Nuru chuckled softly.

“W-Why do you keep calling me Feathers?”

Hugo looked over. “Cause of your wings. That and I don’t know your actual name. I figured you’d tell me later though.”

Varians wings ruffled a bit. Nuru looked intrigued.

“How is your wing feeling?” She asked.

“…sore and hurting…” He mumbled.

Nuru nodded as Hugo put a cup of coffee in front of her.

“Any particular way you want your coffee?” Hugo asked. Varian shook his head shyly. Hugo grinned. “I’m going to make you the best cup of coffee ever.”

Nuru chuckled as Hugo went and grabbed some things from the upper shelf. He handed them to Varian to look over. After Varian was satisfied, Hugo made him coffee, handing it to him in a cup that had the moon phases on it.

Varian took a moment, then slowly took a sip. “…oh my god this is delicious.” He said after a moment. Hugo grinned while Nuru giggled.

“Leave it to Hugo to make you a coffee drinker.”

Varian blushed. The coffee was warm and he really liked it. There was hazelnut in it. Varian approved it but he was surprised at how good it tasted in the coffee.

“So now that we’re all awake…” Hugo started, sipping his own coffee. Varian looked over. “What were you doing out in the dead of night, anyway?”

Varian swallowed hard. “I…I was running….flying away from some people.”

“Are they the ones who did that to your wing?” Nuru asked.

Varian nodded. “Its why I crashed….sorry about that.”

Hugo raised an eyebrow. “You were attacked and you’re apologizing?”

“I never said-“

“Context clues, feathers. Who were they?”

Varian looked down at his drink, going quiet. Nuru put a hand on his shoulder.

“you don’t have to tell us now. How about, we start with your real name?”

Varian smiled a bit. “….It’s Varian…”

“Nice to meet you Varian.” Nuru smiled.

Varian felt some of the tenseness go out of his shoulders. These two were nice. Genuinely so. He wouldn’t let his guard down, not completely, but he was willing to let them in a tad considering Hugo had just made coffee for him and went out of his way to make him feel comfortable. And Nuru, if he had to guess. She was the one who splinted his wing.

“So, angel...” Hugo started, grinning. Varian blushed deeply.

“Hugo!” Nuru chided.

“What I’m teasing!” Hugo huffed. “I was just going to ask if it hurt when he fell from heaven!”

Varian choked on his drink, going red to the tips of his ears.

“That’s the cheesiest pick up line.” Nuru said.

Hugo giggled when he saw Varians face. “I don’t know, I think he liked it. And I think it’s appropriate.”

Varian giggled. Hugo smiled proudly.

“We shouldn’t be making jokes about this.” Nuru said, though Varian could see the corners of her mouth turning up, trying to contain her giggles.

Hugo grinned, and then winked at Varian, who hid his face behind his good wing.

“Oh that’s so cute.” Hugo said.

“Stop!” Varian said though giggles. He didn’t want either of them to see just how red his face was.

Hugo chuckled. “okay, okay.”

The three of them calmed down and Varian slowly pulled down his wing. Hugo was smiling like he just won a prize. Varian liked it. It was cute.

Varian pushed that thought out of his head. He couldn’t be getting caught up in that. Nuru took a deep breath.

“Alright boys, move out of the way. I’m making breakfast.”

Hugo raised an eyebrow. “Uh, Ru, last time you “made breakfast” you nearly burnt down your apartment.”

“That, was last week. Besides, now I have you two to keep me from setting things on fire.”

Varian and Hugo looked at each other nervously.

--

A half in hour later, they were turning off the smoke alarm. The smoke hadn’t been that bad, thankfully, but the windows had to be opened. No one was happy about that.

Varian shivered. Nuru ran and grabbed him a blanket, wrapping it around him.

“Thanks…” Varian muttered. Nuru just nodded.

“I’ll make breakfast this time.” Hugo said with a huff.

Nuru laughed nervously. “Sorry Hue.”

Hugo sighed softly, but it wasn’t without a small smile at the girls antics.

The hairs on the back of Hugos neck stood up. Someone was watching them. He looked around, then outside.

“Hugo?” Varian questioned.

Hugo frowned, then looked at Varian. “Sorry, angel…sometimes I get these feelings. I feel like we’re being watched right now.”

Nuru looked nervous at that.

Hugo, however, took a deep breath, looking at Varian who looked pale as a ghost.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

>

Read this on A03!

[mandana-the-service-pup]

⚠️I’m not a professional dog trainer. My situation is unique. Resource guarding is serious so don’t consider this advice⚠️

Ok so here is the gist of my plan.

Mandana is very responsive to training in these exciting doggy environments. It’s something we’ve been working on since she was a puppy so she has no qualms about opting into training when dogs are around. I’m going to leverage that against this new resource guarding behavior and turn “all done ball” into a game which basically translates to “the game is: avoid the ball and don’t get tricked into chasing it”

I got a 15 foot longline so I can focus on training instead of wrangling my 30-50’ lines and we’ve been practicing “all done ball” inside the house and in the backyard. She’s doing super well with her own balls. The tricky part is when a “stranger ball” comes into the equation. In her mind, any ball that is not hers has higher value. As luck would have it, we stumbled upon a previous tenants ball hidden in the backyard and we’ve been able to practice with that in the yard.

Today we graduated to our first session at the dog park (minus the dogs of course). We practiced some impulse control outside the park. Then we practiced impulse control inside the empty park on the longline. Then I introduced a short game of “all done ball” before letting her off the longline to sniff around. When I noticed a dog coming, I took her out of the park and we went back to impulse control. After observing that the small old corgi-mix couldn’t care less about engaging with Mandana, I brought her in on the longline for like two minutes to work on impulse control, one round of “all done ball” and then we headed home.

Some important considerations:

1) Mandana has zero issues with resource guarding against humans or being physically handled by humans (such as collar grabs) including strangers. If she had any issues like that I would NOT be working on this issue in public. Not without a professional and even then we would probably emphasize management.

2) This is a new behavior that she hasn’t been rehearsing AND she’s not super toy driven. She has done a snappy bark but hasn’t growled or bit any dogs. If she was showing worse behavior or was a toy-obsessed dog then I would choose the professional+management over this DIY approach.

3) We have a reason for wanting to work on this behavior around dogs (2025 🐾👀) but we aren’t in a rush. I am not a professional trainer but I’ve learned a lot from all the positive reinforcement we’ve done together under the guidance of the academy and I recently consulted with a separate trainer/certified behavioralist and they confirmed that the techniques we use are the same they would have put together for us. If I was in a rush or felt less confident then I would hold off until we could afford the trainer.

In conclusion:

I’ve got a longterm plan that I’ve broken down into increments. It focuses on strengthening cues she already knows to encourage self-interruption and leveraging the reinforcement history we have with disengaging from distractions to get her to disengage from toy play around dogs.

[crowpickingss]

One Bird

monty and gn! dove reader (platonic)

summary: pt2 takes place before/during/after monty is turned back into a crow

warnings: running away, witchcraft, hitting people with canes

a/n: I love me a pt2, I love to think that Monty gets turned back into a human

part 1

—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—

The day after Monty had his heartbroken by that ghost was the day you decided to leave. You had found a scrap piece of paper in the kitchen with books and page numbers written all over it. When Esther fell asleep you snuck into the kitchen and flicked through all the book until you had a very clear understanding of her plan. What she had told you was too tame from what it actually was.

That night you had packed everything up and left. The last thing you did was whisper goodbye to Monty and left.

You paced down the dark street only being illuminated every so often by a street light. You walked past the butchers shop and looked up at the window which has the light on.

You walked for what felt like days but was only around a couple minutes. You walked until you reached the beach. Before Esther captured you your favourite place was the beach. Doves don’t normally go on the beach but you were different.

You sat on the beach and stared into the vast ocean watching as the waves rose and then fell. When the sky became brighter you stood up from your spot on the beach. You started walking back into town headed for one spot in particular.

You had never been to the butchers shop, it never crossed your mind. You opened the door to see the butcher Jenny “Uh hi I’m looking for Crystal” She looked up at you “She left a while ago” You sighed but waved and left. You paced up and down the street lost in thought when you remembered why you had been looking for Crystal.

You started walking back to the place you had just left. When you arrived you snuck around the back and used the lattice to climb up to you and Monty’s room. When you looked inside you were sad to see him not there.

You sat in the backyard and thought about everything. The reason you were going to the butchers shop was to tell Crystal about Esther’s plan. The reason you returned to the house was to tell Monty what was really going to happen. You sat up and brushed the grass of your legs.

You started to make your way to the forest. It would take a while to get to the forest but you didn’t care you were set on finding your brother. When you reached the forest the sky had started to turn darker. You looked around for a resemblance of a person.

After a while of searching you heard a scream. You turned to the area of the scream and saw a crow flying your way. It landed in your hand “Monty? Is that you” The crow pecked at your hand which you took as a signal “What’s going on, why are you a crow again” You turned and saw Esther staring at you “I was wondering when you were going to show up” She was smiling as she approached you “Running off the day before our big plan, kind of selfish if you ask me” she brought her can up higher “I think you deserve exactly what’s coming to you” You stepped back “And what’s that?”

She cackled and hit you with the cane causing you to fall into the floor “I think I preferred when you would just squawk” and with that she began the ritual to turn you back into a dove. In a matter of seconds you had transformed and was now perched on the ground standing next to crow Monty.She sent you back to the house and forced you to sit in the cage.

After Esther was gone for good. You and Monty were finally set free. You two chose to stay in the house waiting for someone to come. One day a familiar cat came into the vacant house. He transformed right there into the Cat King “If I let you two become humans, promise me you won’t try to get revenge for Esther” He took Esther’s book and transformed you back into humans “Thanks, It feels good to be back” The cat king smiled and then left.

You turned to Monty and gave him a hug “Monty, I’m sorry for leaving” Monty smiled at you “It’s fine, I forgive you”

—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•—

[spicysix]

your sweater (up over your head) | 1/6

2.9k words | next | masterlist | ao3 warnings: period-typical homophobia, Steve's parents are their own trigger warnings, implied use of a word as a slur (word doesn't actually show up on text), canon-divergence author's note: happy Stonathan saturday, and happy pride! 🧡🏳️‍🌈 this first chapter is cute and fluffy, but don't let it fool you! *taps fic on top of its head* this baby can hold so much angst. happy reading! ♡ written for @steveharringtonbingo, square/prompt: A1 - "you just gotta be yourself".

Steve’s new house is nice. It has a heated pool, and he can look at it from his bedroom window. His dad has his own office, and he won’t be pissed to have to work in the living or dining room when Steve was there at the same time anymore. His mom has a lot more cabinets in the kitchen and that makes her happy for a reason that only moms understand.

There’s a weird creepy forest behind their backyard, but Steve is old enough and brave enough to not fear it. He ventures it, actually. Explores it. It isn’t as creepy in the daylight, Steve is more weary of it at night when he looks at it through his bedroom window, past the blue glow of the pool. There’s a huge facility in the middle of it, Steve finds it someday. A lot of guards with guns and people with white coats and suits and Steve doesn’t like the looks of it, so he steers away from it. Goes a little further east.

That’s when Steve first sees him.

He’s a scrawny kid, and his tee and bagged shorts are way too big for his body. He’s short, and tiny altogether but his bowl cut is voluminous, which Steve thinks is a funny view. He has a camera in his hands and is taking pictures of the trees when Steve steps on a twig, and the noise startles them both. The kid looks back and their eyes meet.

He has these tiny eyes, but Steve can see from afar the contrast of how dark brown they are against the boy’s pale skin. He narrows them at Steve, making them almost disappear. He has a sharp jaw and a chin dimple, an almost cartoonishly-drawn cupid bow, and exceedingly pink lips.

Steve only remembers thinking how weird it is, that a boy is so pretty.

He tucks that thought down way in the back of his mind archives.

“Who are you?” the other boy asks, and his voice has that funny husk of puberty to it.

“My name’s Steve. I just moved here, my house is that way through the woods.” Steve points at the general direction of his house, even though he isn’t so sure where it was anymore. “You?”

“I’m Jonathan. I also live nearby,” he says and only then Steve notices that it might have been kind of dumb of him to tell an unknown kid where he lives. Jonathan seems smarter, though, and doesn’t make the same mistake as Steve. “You moved from where?”

“Chicago.”

“Not far.”

“No.”

They keep staring at each other for a while. But Jonathan isn’t squinting at Steve anymore, his posture seems more at ease, and Steve takes that as a sign that he can come closer. He then notices Jonathan’s camera is one of those instant films.

“Those are nice.” Steve points at the revealed films Jonathan was holding. “You like taking pictures?” he asks, and Jonathan nods.

He hands the films over to Steve, and he doesn’t know much about pictures, but he likes Jonathan’s. It’s a clear summer day, no clouds on sight, and so the pictures are well-lit. Jonathan captured some funny-looking trees, a few beautiful flowers, even a squirrel going up on a trunk.

“They look good,” Steve compliments, and again thinks about Jonathan looking pretty once he blushes at the praise. And again Steve tucks that thought into a hidden mind spot.

Jonathan suddenly lifts his hands holding the camera and takes a picture of Steve. They both laugh when the film clears and Steve is captured looking startled, eyes huge and mouth half-open. Jonathan tucks the picture into his back pocket.

They wander through the woods together after that. Jonathan takes a few more pictures before putting away the films and letting the camera hang from a strap around his neck. They talk a lot too, getting to know each other. Steve had just turned fifteen late July, and Jonathan was going to turn fourteen in November. Steve was going to start High School in this new town, Jonathan was going to start his final year of Middle School. Steve is an only child, Jonathan has a younger brother. Steve likes sports, Jonathan doesn’t. Steve likes the poppy tunes on the radio, Jonathan likes weird European rock bands that Steve had never heard about. They had basically nothing in common, and yet Steve wants nothing more than to be Jonathan’s friend.

“I have a few of those films back home. My uncle gave me one of these cameras last year but I don’t use it at all. I could give them to you if you want them?” Steve doesn’t lie when he offers. He really doesn’t use the cameras, and Jonathan clearly will.

“Are you sure?” Jonathan asks, carefully excited.

Steve nods with enthusiasm. “Sure! They gotta be put to good use!”

And so they agree to meet at the woods again the next day, near that big facility Steve had seen earlier, and Steve will bring the films and see Jonathan once more. He barely sleeps that night thinking about it, not really understanding his weird reaction, but plays it off as excitement for his first new friend in the new town, even if they weren’t going to share classes or anything. He didn’t have many friends back in Chicago, and he wants to change that. Jonathan is a good start.

That was day one.

They spend every day after that together over the rest of the summer. Steve’s father doesn’t notice his absence, since he works all week at the office he opened downtown, and he works all weekend at the office in the house. His mother goes out some days too, but she doesn’t seem to mind Steve’s absence as well after he explains he met a nice neighbor his age, and doesn’t pry about it as well. Steve likes that she respects his privacy.

Steve and Jonathan talk about everything. Jonathan doesn’t like sports and especially hates baseball because it’s his father’s favorite, but doesn’t seem to mind when Steve talks about basketball. Steve understands why Jonathan likes those obscure European bands once he borrows a tape and actually gets to kinda liking them too. Jonathan takes other pictures of Steve and keeps them all, and Steve convinces Jonathan to take a picture of them together and Jonathan lets Steve keep that one.

Steve has had crushes before, he knows what they feel like. Kristine B. Williams was his first one, back in third grade, and he remembered the butterflies. Betty Turner, on fifth, and the way she smiled at him and his cheeks burned. Sarah Wells on seventh and the way it felt like his heart was going to beat right out of his chest. Laura O’Neil on eight and how he would sweat so much when she looked at him and he hated it, but she didn’t seem to care about his wet palms when she held his hands at the Winter Ball last year.

He never got to kiss any of them, always too nervous about it, but he remembers how much he wanted to.

His mom swooned when he told her about Laura O’Neil and their hand-holding and shared dance, and his father looked proud and said something about how Steve’s good looks would get him famous at High School before he found the perfect girl to marry.

Matty Boswell said he didn’t want to kiss Sharon Blake at her fourteenth birthday party and the rest of Steve’s classmates called him a weird word. When Steve asked his parents about it, his mom said that it was a bad word about bad people. Steve’s father said they were deprived, those men who liked men and women who liked women.

Steve feels dirty when he notices that through summer —  through all of their afternoons talking and listening to music and taking pictures and sometimes just laying in the grass together; he notices that the way he feels when thinking about Jonathan is the same as he felt with Kristine, Betty, Sarah, Laura. He remembers how his first thought when he saw Jonathan was how pretty he looked, how weird that was. He remembers the way his father spat out that word with so much hatred. And yet he can’t help the butterflies, the blushes, the fast-beating heart, the sweats. He can’t help how much he wants to kiss Jonathan every time they see each other.

“Have you ever kissed anyone?” he asks one day during the last week of summer, on impulse because the sun is hitting Jonathan’s face in a way that makes him look like something from a movie, the ones Steve’s mom likes to watch. Steve wants to take a picture, but he doesn’t have Jonathan’s talent for it. It wouldn’t look as good as the real sight.

“No, not really,” Jonathan answers.

“Never wanted to?” Steve asks again, toying with his shoelaces and not looking at his friend.

They had gone further south this time and ended up at a lake, Steve isn’t sure which one it is. They are sitting on a high rock with a privileged view of the water.

“No, not really,” Jonathan repeats, and Steve sees from his peripheral vision that Jonathan is already staring at him. “Not until recently.”

Steve’s heart is so beating so fast he’s afraid he’s going to pass out. He gathers  the courage to look back at Jonathan, and he has that pretty blush across his cheeks again. The sunbeams highlight some locks of his hair into a more golden shade, and Steve wants to tuck them behind Jonathan’s ear.

Steve remembers the disgust in his father’s voice.

Steve feels the butterflies throwing a party inside his stomach.

“Jonathan?” Steve simply calls his name, afraid to ask the actual question.

“Have you ever kissed someone?” Jonathan counters.

“No,” Steve answers.

“Never wanted to?”

“A few times, some girls back in Chicago,” his voice is faltering, and Jonathan’s voice is steady, and he looks much bigger than he is and Steve feels much smaller.

“Girls?” Jonathan asks, as if Steve is the weird one for wanting to kiss girls. “No one recently?”

Jonathan is asking the brave questions. Steve wants to be that brave.

When summer had just started and the Harringtons had just moved in, Steve had ventured and explored that weird creepy forest in his backyard and found a pretty boy there waiting for him. He had pink cheeks and lips, a chin dimple, a hideous bowl cut, and a puberty husk in his voice that sometimes made Steve laugh and sometimes gave Steve good goosebumps. He blossomed a weird creepy feeling in Steve’s chest, a forest full of butterflies inside his belly, and Steve wants to be brave enough to venture and explore those as well.

Summer is almost at its end and Steve drinks from Jonathan’s braveness.

“Recently, yes. There’s this boy,” his voice is still faltering and he still feels small, but he answers anyway.

The blush on Jonathan’s cheeks intensifies and it is worth it.

“A boy?” he asks and Steve nods, head bobbing up and down way more times than necessary.

He stops playing with his shoelaces and instead plants his palm right beside Jonathan’s on the rock they are sitting in. His pinky brushes Jonathan’s pinky, and he feels a wave of electric current through his body, like nothing he’d ever felt before.

“Do you think this boy wants to kiss me too?” Steve asks once again because that electric shock makes him even braver and Jonathan’s smile is worth it.

“I think he does.” And so he did.

They both surge forward and meet in the middle. Just a touch of lips, a chaste thing, but it is warm and it is soft and Steve has goosebumps and butterflies and he feels as if he could defy gravity and soar away. The only thing keeping him on the ground is Jonathan’s pinky intertwined with his and Jonathan’s soft, wet lips on his.

As they separate, Steve’s cheeks are burning and he sure looks just as pink as Jonathan does in front of him. They both smile, Steve wide and toothy, Jonathan with his shy little smirk. The sun is starting to set and it casts a golden light onto them and Steve wishes his eyes were a camera, capturing every moment.

That was kiss one.

Days keep coming and going, and they keep spending them together and Steve never wants the summer to end because he won’t be able to see Jonathan every day, not at school and not at their forest — Steve knows his parents will be more strict about school’s duties once he has them.

But Steve rejoices in the last days of summer anyways, and he admires Jonathan’s golden highlights under the sunbeams, and how he isn’t as pale as he was when they first met because the sun kisses his skin a little more golden too every day. And Steve kisses his lips a little more pink too every day.

They still venture and explore sometimes, but mostly they’d sit under a big old hickory tree (Jonathan tells Steve it’s a hickory tree, Steve knows nothing about trees), exchange cassettes and comic books, talk about their favorite movies — Jonathan likes horrors, Steve likes action — or just sit next to each other in silence.

And sometimes they just kiss all afternoon.

It never goes far, they don’t want to, don’t even think about it. They just caress each other’s faces, Jonathan’s cheeks always so pink and warm, and sometimes their tongues brush against each other’s and that electric wave goes up to a million watts, and Steve never felt happier. Whatever it is with Jonathan, and maybe it’s because he actually got to kiss him, but it’s much stronger than whatever he had ever felt for Kristine, Betty, Sarah or Laura.

Steve never wants the summer to end, but it’s ending anyway.

“I’m scared about High School. Moving cities was so weird, and I don’t know anyone in Hawkins besides you and you won’t even be there,” Steve murmurs on their last full day together before school starts. Their backs against the hickory tree, their pinkies intertwined just like after that first kiss and every kiss after that, and Jonathan squeezes his finger tighter.

“You’re a nice guy, Steve. You just gotta be yourself and you’ll find friends. And next year I’ll be there and we can hang out together too,” Jonathan assures him and Steve saves those words to repeat to himself later.

“You think I’m a nice guy?” he smirks at Jonathan and the other boy huffs. “I think you kinda like me…” he bumps their shoulders and that earns him an actual laugh. The butterflies are having a party. They always do, when Jonathan’s near.

“You’re a dork,” Jonathan says.

Sun is almost setting and that’s their cue. They share another chaste kiss, Steve’s butterflies go crazy again, and they part ways.

Steve walks a good bunch of steps before he looks back, as he always does. Jonathan is looking right back at him, as he always is.

“Don’t get some new friends and forget about me,” Jonathan yells and the trees carry the sound to Steve.

“I could never!” Steve yells back.

They wave at each other and follow their paths.

They don’t see each other much through September, because Steve has to study twice as hard to understand the subjects and keep his grades at a level his father can be proud of. He also joins basketball team and the practices take some space off his free time. On one of the only days they get to see each other, Jonathan explains that he’s having problems at home as well, his dad’s an asshole and his parents fight all the time.

They are only able to see each other once a week at most, and sometimes when there are too many tests and projects due, or an important game, Steve can’t meet Jonathan under their hickory tree. He always apologizes later when they finally see each other, and Jonathan always forgives him because he bets that High School is harder than Middle.

Steve doesn’t forget about Jonathan, though, he could never. He thinks about him every day, and he misses him every day, and when they meet up they make plans together.

They plan on going trick or treating together on Halloween at the fancy neighborhood — Loch Nora, Steve thinks that’s the name — but Steve’s father has no time to take him all the way across town and he says, “Steven, you’re too old for that children’s nonsense anyway.”

They plan on having their own Thanksgiving picnic — the day after the actual holiday, of course — but Steve’s mom doesn’t let him out and she says, “we are supposed to spend the whole weekend together as a family, Steven!”

They plan on meeting during winter break and maybe exchanging gifts — “It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, Steve, I know your folks are rich, it can be something handmade” — but Steve’s parents take him with them when they travel to Illinois to see their family.

Steve’s and Jonathan’s plans never go right and they never get to see each other after October. Steve even misses Jonathan’s birthday in November, and he cries silently in his room after his parents are asleep. Steve doesn’t forget about Jonathan, though, he could never. He thinks about him every day, and he misses him every day, and he can’t wait for the new year to come, bring a new wave of Freshmen into High School, Jonathan along with them. Steve’s butterflies have parties only thinking about it.

That was year one.

[autisticlancemcclain]

fic rec friday 4

welcome to the fourth fic rec friday! where, on friday, i rec five of my favourite fics.

1. Flip by @icypantherwrites

A very important alliance hinges on Voltron’s ability to perform a Sambayee — a show of athleticism and grace — and Allura had believed she was Voltron’s best candidate. But the aliens do not want an alliance and set an impossible bar that Allura is horrified to realize she cannot reach. There is no way any one can.

Except, she learns, there is. And there is far, far more to Lance than she had once believed.

Gymnast Lance and Allura angst. What more do you need? Seriously, I love them both so much, and the fic treats them both with respect as friends (which can sometimes be tricky, but this does great!)

2. A Wider Universe by @spiralled-fury

Lance, separated from his team, his family, his home.

For them, it wasn't long.

For him, it was two years.

Two years of endless fighting.

New scars, new pain, new hatred.

And new feelings.

I don’t really need to rec this fic -- sixty thousand of us have read it. It’s the voltron epic of all voltron epics. BAMF Lance of all BAMF Lances, slowburn klance, MFE pilots with important parts to the story, and the best Lance & Red relationshop literally ever written. 

3. The Cracks in Your Mask by @chyeahlex16

According to Lance, he has a great life. A large family full of younger kids running around a cozy house, a stern father and a strong, loving mother, a large dog full of love for his owners, lots of space to run around and grow in the backyard. Only light and happiness, no tragedy to speak of. But this is far from the truth.

They’ll never know. If he has anything to say about it, no one will ever know the real truth.

- A journey following Lance as he comes to terms with his past and sexuality in a way he couldn't around his family on earth.

(Basically a very personal self-projection on Lance. Some material can be triggering, but I'm keeping it as vague as possible for obvious reasons.)

A major warning -- this fic is a very heavy deep-dive into the traumatising aftermath of childhood sexual assault. Lance, who was CSA’d as a child, is having more and more triggers in his every day life as a paladin. This story details his worsening spiral into his trauma, and his eventual snap and reliance on his team. It’s an excellent story, the team handles Lance with so much care, and it’s a really important story to read, I think (but, again, tread carefully). 

4. Two Years On A Fucking Space Whale by vrepit_nah

After two years on a damn space whale, the Voltron team see Keith return to them. Lance missed Keith, and well, it seemed Keith didn't feel the same seeing as he brushed past Lance without even a 'Hi.'

Except, this isn't Voltron: The Show, but Voltron: My Retelling (And the one we all wanted.)

Keith changes his mind about ignoring Lance.

This is the reunion fic that we deserve! Sappy klance! Whipped Keith! Flustered Lance! I love reading this one when I need to feel better about season 6. 

5. the electric synthesized pop ballad of why keith can’t have nice things by kay_cricketed

Keith can't have nice things. That's it. That's the story.

(Or, in which Keith slowly learns that sometimes the best family is the one you make, Pidge has strong feelings about peanuts, Lance has a secret but would've spoken up sooner if he'd known it would break Keith's brain, Hunk is the actual best, and Shiro is just relieved he didn't have to give anyone the Talk.)

Is this an ABO au? Yes. Am I a little embarrassed about it? Also yes. But I’ll be real, this fic is really good! It’s well written, it’s nonlinear -- which I love -- and it features absolute conniving shithead Lance, whom I adore. It’s a fun fic with interesting themes, including a big thing on trust, and I really recommend it. 

that’s it for today!! i’ll see y’all back next friday for the next fic rec post!!!  

[lovelykei]

Dream big!

Masterlist

Chapter 1

“Rio if you don’t get up right now I’m going to the entrance ceremony alone” you said while fixing your bow. The entrance ceremony starts in 30 minutes and while it only took about 7 minutes to school Rio hadn’t even gotten out of bed. You sighed and walked over to the couch while sending Tobio a quick message to make sure he was awake. You and Rio have been best friends since they were born, their moms had been best friends and they were practically raised together. Around the 2nd year of middle school their parents got a promotion but you and rio didn’t want to move. After begging for what feels like forever their parents reluctantly agreed.

Since then you girls pretty much live in your house but still frequently go next door to Rios house. Kageyama also stays over most of the time seeing as his parents usually work late or go on work trips. That’s what he claims at least but it’s worth mentioning that the girls have some beach volleyball nets in the backyard…

—

"im up let me just put my uniform on" Rio replies lazily from the room. You decide to just sit down on the couch and wait, Rio usually doesn’t take too long. “I’m so excited, do you think we’re in the same class as Tobio?” You reply excitedly. “Definitely I mean we’ve always been in the same class” Rio replies while hopping out of the room on one leg trying to put her socks on. “I’m more concerned about the volleyball team, I heard the girls team has never even made it to nationals, like ever in the history of the school” Rio continues. You knew that which is why you had suggested this school. Kitagawa Daichii had completely drained your motivation, volleyball that used to make you so happy no longer excited you. To be honest you didn’t really want to continue that playing anymore, but you decided to atleast try it again. “Yeah that’s crazy” you say trying to sound shocked. “Alright I’m ready let’s go”

-

“Let’s go we have to check what class we’re in” you dragged both of your friends over to the bulletin board where the classes were announced. “Hoshino…….kageyama……” your hand drops from the list dumbfounded. Why wasn’t your name on it? You applied from the same area? The same school? You sent in your applications together…there has to be a mistake. “Eri cmon what class are we in” Rio shakes your shoulder. “1-1…you’re in 1-1 with Tobio” you turned around , almost in tears, “but I’m in 1-4” you all squeezed yourself through the crowd that was looking at the bulletin board. Both Rio and Tobio immediately look at you for answers, asking why you weren’t in the same class, as if you’d have the answer. “Classes are divided based on how you scored on the entrance exams” a voice comes crackling out of the old speakers. Ah..there it was..the reason. “Didn’t I specifically tell you two morons to study for you entrance exams??? Didn’t you specifically tell me that you made a 73??” You reprimanded your friends angrily. “Honestly…I got a 37…and I don’t know how you believed Tobio could ever score above 20…” Rio replied carefully while Tobio reached out a milk for you with shaking hands. You were dumbfounded and angry because it’s true. There’s absolutely no way for Tobio to score that high-

So this is the first chapter, just a lot of introductions and setting the scene. I’m going to write the whole fic and then proof read it when I’m done. I just want to see how well I can get my story together 🤡

It will be written like a y/n story but I decided to give her a name! So we have 2 oc so far.

Tsukino Eri and Hoshi Rio👯‍♀️

I hope you enjoy!

[lieutenant-amuel]

So... for the latest OC ask game... how about 💯 for either Frida or Ángel? (If you'd like to share on both, it's alright, but if you'd rather only share on one, please choose the one you'd rather share them about.)

Sure! Thank you so much!

I’ll take both Ángel and Frida.

💯 HUNDRED POINTS SYMBOL — share three random facts about your oc that others may not know.

Ángel:

1) This is rather “a post-canon” fact since I’m not going to write about it in Was Born To Lead. It also means I might give up on it eventually if I stop liking it but for now I like it and even have an idea for the possible one-shot so I’m sharing it.

Ángel went deaf in his early twenties. I won’t specify how it happened but the main reason why I like this idea is that Ángel’s future job is closely connected with hearing and speaking and despite deafness he keeps being good at it because he managed to find the ways to adapt to life without one of the main senses (I can talk a lot about it because disability studies is literally my field of study but I don’t want to pretend I’m smart ajhdnfj). He can still speak fluently despite being deaf, he knows sign language (and he actually knew it even before he went deaf since his aunt is deaf but I mentioned it in one of the chapters so people are supposed to know it already), and generally he hasn’t changed much. He’s still outgoing and cheerful and doesn’t let his disability prevent him from living his life to the fullest. He’s still Ángel.

2) Ángel writes poetry. He was taught by Señor Álvarez.

3) Ángel has a dog named Nube (which you all already know ajbdnfj). He was a lost puppy, and Ángel found him during the downpour in the park when he was six and decided to adopt him. For this reason Nube doesn’t like rain and is scared of lightning even as an adult dog, and Ángel and his dad always let him inside the house when it’s raining (usually he lives in the backyard in a kennel since he’s a large dog)

Frida:

1) This fact is about Frida and Laurens. You might remember I mentioned they studied in the same school when Frida lived in Maarswik but some time ago I changed my mind. Frida and Laurens attended different schools, but they still got a chance to meet since they both have fashion designer parents who ended up being business partners. They would often bring their children along with them when participating in some fashion shows, and as a result Frida and Laurens became close friends, spent a lot of time together, and often visited each other.

2) Frida loves Maarswik more than Avalor. The only thing that connects her with Avalor is her friends Gabe and Ángel and maybe some of her classmates and school teachers, but she never stopped feeling out of place living in this kingdom (possibly because they basically had no culture and traditions when Shuriki was a ruler. I think she would perceive this kingdom differently if she lived there during Elena’s reign). Frida’s family never forgot they were from Maarswik, and so they still celebrated Maarswikan holidays and cooked Maarswikan meals even after they moved. Frida also speaks Maarswikan when she talks with her parents, not Avaloran (I had a classmate from Azerbaijan, and as much as he was fluent in my native language, he still spoke Azerbaijani when he talked with his family so I know this is not unrealistic ahbdnfj). I think I can summarize this “fact” by saying that Frida has always been Maarswikan, literally and figuratively, and has always been attached to the culture of her native country.

3) Frida will have a cat. I haven’t thought of the breed yet but I’m thinking of a short-haired cat.

Thank you again!

OC Ask Game

[tameodesza]

💍 Househusband AU: Headcanon 1

masterlist

a/n: Sadly, school, work, and moving has taken over my life. I’m still working on fics with whatever free time I have, but in the meantime, here’s some HC ideas I’ve been collecting (also, I need to clear up some space in my notes, 🫣)

 What do they like most about each other?

💍Shawn really appreciates Bret’s wisdom and patience with him. Admittedly so, he’s a bit of a himbo. Don’t get him wrong. He’s a smart guy, but there are moments where he questions how he even graduated college. But he loves that Bret doesn’t get annoyed with him or make fun of him. Just guides him or explains the situation to Shawn again with more clarity, such as:

“No, Shawn. You should not pour hot water on the windshield just because you don’t want to wait for it to defrost”

“Yes, Shawn. The car battery will keep dying if you keep leaving the lights on”

Or Bret’s favorite silly moment: “Bret, I can’t find my glasses!” “Shawn, it’s on top of your head” “….oh….well, how’d they get there?!”

💍Aside from Shawn’s beauty, Bret loves Shawn’s humor. Shawn’s pretty goofy, more so when he’s purposefully trying to make Bret laugh after a particularly bad day. Bret thinks he’s one of the funniest people he knows, aside from Owen of course.

What do they like the least about each other?

💍This was kind of hinted at in my last post, but Bret strongly dislikes Shawn’s drinking habits. It’s one of the reasons why he doesn’t like being gone too long from home. He sometimes asks his parents or one of his siblings to swing by the house to make sure Shawn’s not indulging too heavily without him there.

💍Shawn doesn’t think it’s a big deal. He knows his limits, but Bret’s seen him inebriated more times than he’d like. It’s one of many reason why Bret dislikes Shawn’s friends. He thinks they are enablers and a bad influence on Shawn

💍Bret also hate’s when Shawn turns down their plans so he can go hang out with Hunter, which is ironic given the amount of times Shawn’s chosen Bret over Hunter, but I digress

💍Shawn hates how stubborn Bret could be sometimes. He knew he could be bratty and stubborn himself, but Bret had him beat by a longshot, oftentimes not budging or not willing to compromise on something he feels strongly about

Who’s the better cook?

💍Shawn, hands down. He wasn’t much of a home cook when he lived in Texas. However, since marrying Bret and having more free time on his hands, he tests out a lot of different recipes with Bret in mind, hoping he can impress the older man with his mad cooking skills. He’s gotten so good over the years that he was sure he could give Julia Child a run for her money.

💍Bret would love to cook more, but he’s on the road too often to hone in on that skill. And Shawn usually kicks him out the kitchen anyway, so he doesn’t have many opportunities to learn.

💍To Bret’s credit, he knows how to make a mean turkey sandwich, and he’s really good at grilling meat (mainly because the grill is doing much of the cooking for him). Anything beyond that and scrambled eggs is beyond him

Common interests?

💍Gardening. It’s one of many random hobbies Shawn picked up while being home alone

💍After being on the road for a couple of months, Bret was surprised to come home and find bundles of daisies and tulips growing in the backyard.

💍During his short vacation from being on the road, he became Shawn’s little helper, carrying the fertilizer, handing Shawn gardening tools, helping Shawn pull up dead weeds. Anything Shawn needed

💍Then it just became something they did together all the time, sometimes Bret seeming more excited about the progress of their flower garden than Shawn

Bonding activities?

💍Aside from gardening, their favorite bonding activity consists of Bret testing out ring moves on Shawn

💍Although Shawn hadn’t wrestled in a while, last time being years ago with Hunter, he still was comfortable getting thrown around, though Bret tried his best not to be too rough because he didn’t want to hurt him

💍That was the least of Shawn’s concern, the blond man often finding himself getting turned on in the midst of the action

💍His favorite move was being in a headlock. He doesn’t know why, but it was something about being trapped between Bret’s chest and biceps that really did it for him 🥵

💍And yes, Bret thought he was weird for that, but Bret still loved him nonetheless

Random Character Quirks

💍Shawn is an avid gum chewer. It’s a nervous habit he picked up from college to help calm his nerves and it just kind of stuck. Bret noticed it a couple weeks into dating, but he doesn’t mind because it makes kissing Shawn all the better

💍Surprising to most, Shawn is actually a neat freak. He always notices if something is out of place. He’s constantly sprucing up the house – sweeping, mopping, dusting, rearranging furniture – especially when Bret’s away. Bret’s learned the hard way that its better to ask Shawn before he decides to move anything in the house

💍Shawn loves booping Bret’s nose because he thinks it’s cute. He does it randomly and Bret never sees it coming, but it never fails to put a smile on his face

💍Bret’s an avid note taker. More often than not, he carries a mini notepad or sticky note and pen, jotting down any ideas that come to mind. It’s more of a stream of consciousness type thing. Whether he’s at the grocery store and gets an idea for a wrestling angle or he’s traveling on the road and sees something he thinks Shawn may like, he’ll quickly make a note of it, afraid he’ll forget something important.

💍Shawn hates coffee with a passion. He doesn’t understand the appeal Bret sees in it. He’s ranted to Bret plenty of times that it tastes like poison, to which Bret brings up a good point that maybe it’s because Shawn didn’t use enough sugar. “Then it’ll taste like sweet poison!” was Shawn’s reply.

💍Shawn loves debating Bret on his “controversial” food takes: 

 Poutine’s not that great? Shawn thought it was a national treasure  and was jealous it wasn’t popular in the States. Bret should get his citizenship revoked for thinking otherwise.

Turkey bacon’s better than pork? Blasphemy. 

Oatmeal raisin cookies are better than chocolate chip? Get out.

Pouring milk before cereal? Are you ok?!

💍Shawn’s not that great of a driver. He’s not awful, but his road rage blinds his ability to make wise decisions. Bret’s had to clutch the armrest for dear life more than a few times due to Shawn’s speeding. Owen downright refuses to carpool if Shawn’s driving. The final straw was when Shawn nearly went on a high-speed chase after some guy who cut them off, threatening to track the man down, jump out the car, and I quote “give him a real country ass whoopin’.” For everyone’s sanity, and the safety of his fellow Canadians, Bret usually drives whenever he’s home or if Shawn’s traveling with him between house shows on the road

💍They both truly changed each other for the better. Shawn helped Bret come out of his shell, often encouraging the older man to engage in his goofy antics, Bret doing so willingly knowing he wouldn’t be judged for Shawn. If anything, the blond would judge Bret for not engaging in his crazy antics. Shawn attributes much of his growth and maturity as a person to Bret. Throughout his time of dating and being married to Bret, Shawn’s become more level headed, patient, less reckless, and thinks things through before he acts (except when it comes to his driving of course lol)

Bonus!

💍Bret refuses to attend another kliq Christmas party after seeing Hunter in a g-string. He didn’t mind seeing Shawn in the same getup of course. In fact, Bret and Shawn had to leave the party early that night 😏.

💍Bret also had the dishonor of taking a picture of both Shawn and Hunter in said g-string, which Shawn thought was hilarious

[mouthoftheocean]

Jean Harlow: Do you have a garden? If so, what kind of plants do you have?

Humphrey Bogart: Do you travel a lot? Where have you been?

Myrna Loy: Do you like going to parties?

Spencer Tracy: What time do you wake up?

Jean: My garden is shared, and predates me (no, not that way.) The largest trees are over 40 years old; an Agonis Flexuosa and Pōhutukawa dominate the north and south sides of the house, respectively, both are in excess of 15 meters tall. In the backyard, an equally freakishly large variegated Pittosporum continues to challenge them for supremacy. A flowering eucalyptus grows on our nature strip, and together with the Agonis, and a teetering Virgilia, make seasonal threats against our overhead powerline. Closer to the ground, I have made attempts to introduce more Australian plants despite the reputation of our local soil being complete trash (spoiler: it is, our suburban block was quite literally built on a historic landfill.) The survivors, to date, include Callistemon, several varieties of Correa and Leptospermum (honorable mention to the coastal teatree* to which I have a not insignificant emotional attachment that will no doubt end in bitter disappointment), Kangaroo Paw (they’re alive but screaming for help), Banksia (alive but refusing to thrive), Eucalyptus ‘Baby Blue’ (he’s adopted), Thryptomene, Hardenbergia, and Acacia. Plants that have been here for longer than I’ve been alive include Fuschias, Pelargoniums, and an ocean self-seeding Cinerarias. My father planted a Diosma in the early 90’s that he has dotingly hedged ever since, it’s now as tall as I am, but I remember jumping over it with my sister when it, and we, were much, much smaller. Back then, we also had an enormous cherry plum tree growing on our eastern boundary – shading our driveway, and the neighbours’. Summer would arrive, the fruit would fall, and with every passing car a chorus of popping plums would foreshadow the looming familial task of scraping half-fermented plum slurry off the concrete. On the upside, our local blackbirds were very happy, and so were the Hydrangeas growing in the shade of the plum tree. And because you didn’t ask for an essay, I’ll make a list of the rest: Roses (17 at last count); Buddleja; Elderflower, Convulvulus ‘Silver Bush’; Salvia; Borage; Violets; Statice, Jasmine; Rosemary; Sunflowers; Gladioli; Petunia; Viola; Jade, Zygo Cactus, Catmint, Seaside Daisy, a dream of red Poppies (waiting to discover if the seeds are still viable), Grape Hyacinth, Foxglove, Snowdrops, and Bluebells (despite my best efforts at wholesale murder.) Humphrey: Not a lot. Internationally, I’ve been to Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and England - first in 2005 (there was a brief weekend in Paris, as well), and then again in 2015. In 2010 I visited New Mexico. It was my first time traveling alone, abroad, to meet and stay with people I’d met on the internet. Accordingly, I have a vivid recollection of my sister giving me instruction on how to brutally incapacitate someone as I was packing to leave for the city to catch my plane. While my friend will tell you she still has the bruise, I can at least attest that she wasn’t trying to take me to a second location when I gave it to her… affectionately – but you know this story already. Locally, I’ve been to South Australia, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory… but in the grand scheme, I’ve seen very little of Australia. Living where I do, in a little damp corner of Victoria, the rest of the country intimidates me like the promise of third-degree burns. Myrna: Categorically get away from me if people are coming that I don’t know. I can enjoy myself, or I can make small talk with strangers… I can’t do both. Smaller scale, close friends/family is fine… but anything too peopled and I’m liable to be person-not-appearing-at-this-soiree. Spencer: Any random-ass time between 1 and 4am, and ostensibly for no reason.

*the coastal tea tree's final form. Mine is still only 8 inches tall.

[crows-and-cookies]

What happens with your landlord and the groundhog

So we have this massive groundhog in our backyard who kept eating everything from the garden. His name is Gary.

My landlord, Steve, didn’t really care until a huge hole started appearing up against the house. I’m guessing it was warmer than under the shed and Gary wanted to be up against the bricks, or honestly it could have been a different animal. I don’t really care too much.

Steve was saying how he was going to catch him and asking me what to do with him. I said ‘no, don’t do that, for three reasons. 1. They’re a rabies vector species and 2. Wtf are you going to do with a groundhog it’s illegal to dump him on public land and someone else will get mad if you dump him on private land and 3. You don’t have a large mammal trap’ (note I DO have a large mammal trap at work but I wasn’t telling him that). I told him to contact a professional because I knew he would try and use my animal handling experience, which DOES NOT involve mammals, because he’s a cheap and stupid bastard

And he started talking about how he wouldn’t get rabies and how he would be fine and I pulled up some data on my phone about how something like 90% of the report rabies cases in the 90s were from groundhogs (don’t remember the exact figure) and like everything with him, he focused on one part of what I said to him and blew it out of proportion, saying I told him he would die of rabies.

He does this every time we try to talk to him. He doesn’t listen and the small part he does hear he blows it out of proportion and then likes to tease us about how we’re wrong, even though most of the time we’re right! He did this when we told him the water heater had sediment build up and needed serviced/replaced and he said ‘that’s not a thing I’ve ever had to do’ and we were like ‘we know, that’s why it needs serviced’

Anyways, on top of this there is the mold issue that he let go for at least 6 months (it was in the wall, we kept telling him that his instructions to spray it with bleach weren’t helping) and a bunch of other cases of him being an asshole are why Maya and I are trying to move out when our lease is up. Also! With the mold issue, he asked if we had any respiratory issues since the mold started, and I said ‘yeah I got COVID twice in one month’ and he said ‘that isn’t related that’s a virus’ and I wanted to beat him over the head with a stick

So yeah not terribly exciting this time, but if you want something exciting I knew a guy who got bit by a beaver once, he needed six stitches. It was (obviously) him fault, he saw a beaver and just tried to catch it with a net. He texted me and said ‘I got bit by a beaver’ and I texted him back and said ‘no matter the circumstances that was your fault’

[jynjackets]

why is gardening so hard 😭😭😭

Week 2? 3? of making a backyard weenie paradise

Did you know soil expires? Because what the fuck.

Apparently, good soil has lots of delicious microbes and bacteria for plants to thrive. However because it’s a baby greenhouse for plants it also houses bad bacteria, bug eggs, bad funguses that take away from the plant and make it compete for those same nutrients. If this is not tended to then the bad stuff takes over and it will actually just kill your plant.

So it’s not just “recommended” to repot or amend your soil once a year but you really just fucking should because it’s like not going to the dentist. It’s fine if you prolong it every now and then but just do it eventually because long term care ya know.

So everyone just has exotic house plants and not talk about this shit? Soil is like buying apples from the grocery store and you’re the plant that’s going to eat it. If you don’t eat it in time it goes bad and that’s nasty to eat moldy apples; except the apples last 1-2 years but are also constantly outside and you take a bite out of the apple everyday. This is literally what happens and yet I had to google for hours just to understand why I can’t just use dirt.

I have this ancient bag of soil the old resident gave me when I first moved in and never used but it’s probably not good now (womp womp). However, you can apparently “sterilize” soil to reuse it by: baking it in the sun hoping it somehow reaches 140 degrees in the Bay Area, literally baking it which is ew because I don’t want it in my oven, pressure cooking it which is also ew for the same reasons, or spraying some hydrogen peroxide which will not 100% sterilize it. I opt for the last one and hope for the best. I add fertilizer and compost et voila.

I still don’t understand the difference between peat moss, coco coir, dirt, and soil. I know what each of the these are made of mostly but nobody can tell me what the fuck the different point in usage is. Why would I buy expensive “nutrient” soil if I can buy cheap clean dirt or the other two and just add the nutrients with cheap compost and worm castings? If the pH is balanced and there’s enough drainage why can’t I just do this the cheapest way possible? Idk.

I wanted flowers but we really just might be doing succulents. Chemistry was my worst subject in school and now I’m just getting war flashbacks.

TLDR; Planting is very hard for me.