#you could even put it in Connecticut for all I care

[emo-batboy]

Me: I hate fans that insist Gotham’s in New York when DC says it’s in New Jersey! Why won’t they just accept that?? It’s been canon for YEARS—

DC: Metropolis is in Delaware.

Me: Shut the entire fuck up.

[cobrakaisb]

"is that my shirt?"

summary: a collection of the various times you and luke get caught wearing each other’s clothes OR three times you denied wearing luke’s clothes and the one time he completely owned it.

word count: 1.6k

featuring: 3+1, aphrodite!reader, crop top luke & the headcanon that each cabin has cutsey chb themed shirts

one: luke’s gray zip-up

the dining pavilion is always the quietest in the morning. at least it normally is, but you overslept today. somehow you missed all your alarms, the ruckus of all your siblings waking up, and silena and drew’s fight over whether or not the other stole their makeup. so no one really blames you for walking into the pavilion well after the start of breakfast. 

“could you at least look a little more put together?” carmen, your sister who values tidiness in all aspects of her life, asks as you take one of the only open seats at the table. 

you look down at your outfit: high-top converse, denim shorts, a camp half-blood shirt, your camp necklace, and a gray zip-up to combat the unexpected chill of the morning. not too shabby, you thought, especially considering the fact that you even managed to tame your bedhead and put on some basic makeup. 

“i am put together. aren’t i?” you respond, reaching for the mug of hot coffee damien slides your way. 

“you look fine,” he assures, but his eyebrows furrow as he focuses on your sweatshirt. “is that new?” he continues.   

“what this?” you ask, pointing at the material. 

“yeah. i’ve never seen it on you before,” he continues. 

“don’t you know, damien, that it’s luke’s. he’s like always wearing it,” drew butts in. “they’re like a thing now, or whatever,” she continues, waving her hand as if swatting a fly. 

you huff at her annoyed tone, and the fact that you’ve been called out by your younger siblings. in an attempt to defend yourself you say, “it’s not luke’s. it’s mine.”

drew, damien, and carmen all open their mouths to object, but they don’t have the chance too because luke leans over from the end of the hermes table: “i’ve been looking for that sweatshirt everywhere, but you can keep it. it looks better on you anyways.”   

you feel your cheeks heat up, and luke has the audacity to send you a wink before turning back to his breakfast.

two: luke’s blue flannel pajama pants

friday night sleepovers were basically an aphrodite tradition at this point. what started out as a self-care night full of facemasks, manicures, and gossip sessions for the older campers quickly turned into an all-cabin sleepover complete with a movie, pillow fight, and fort. 

you’re sitting between peter and rosie, the ten-year-old twins from fairfield, connecticut. the two of them were polar opposites; rosie was talkative and outgoing, while peter preferred the quiet and keeping to himself. it was surprising to everyone when he sat next to you and watched intently as you painted his sister’s nails. 

rosie was yapping away, telling you all the details of her day. you were humming along, occasionally adding in an “oh yeah” or “really?” when needed, but for the most part, you were focused on not smudging her nails. peter was leaning against your side, fighting sleep as he listened to his sister. 

“i remember these pants,” he interrupted, fingers tracing the blue, white, and black pattern on your thigh. “luke was wearing them when i had that nightmare about fractions,” he finishes softly, a small bluish coating his pale cheeks. 

“was this the time one third was crushing you?” rosie asks, leaning forward to be closer to her brother. 

peter nods timidly and rosie springs into action, mumbling words of comfort. you, on the other hand, are completely rigid. your back is as stiff and as straight as a board as you look straight ahead, trying not to make eye contact with any of the siblings your age seated around you. carmen opens her mouth, a mischievous twinkle in her eye, but you snap your head in her direction. 

“don’t say a word,” you threaten. 

one look of your vicious glare has her miming zipping her lips. 

three: luke’s ac/dc shirt

this is the third time luke’s sifted through the stack of shirts in his dresser. it’s also the third time he’s come up empty handed. he huffs in frustration, running a tired hand down his face in annoyance. between the overflow of campers, keeping connor and travis in line, and now losing his favorite shirt, luke castellan is at his wit’s end. 

“has anyone seen my ac/dc shirt? y’know the one with the tour dates on the back?” he asks, looking around the cramped cabin. 

several people shrug. some of the younger kids start asking what ac/dc even is, and he does not have time to go into that right now. a few people offer to look through their stuff, saying maybe someone mixed up the wash, but the general consensus is that no one has seen the shirt. 

luke groans in annoyance. he’s starting his fourth attempt at finding the shirt when penelope, one of the younger unclaimed campers, tugs on his cargo pants. luke crouches down to her level, placing a comforting hand on her back while prompting her to talk to him. 

“i think i saw someone else wearing it,” she whispers, shyly twirling around the hem of her cotton dress with a butterfly pattern. 

“who?” luke asks, a little too loudly and abruptly. he clears his throat, taking a deep breath, before repeating much calmer, “who was wearing it, penelope?”

“that girl you like,” she answers, gently kicking the toe of his red converse with her bright pink twinkle toes. 

luke smiles softly at her, rubbing her back. “thanks pen. i knew i could count on you,” he answers. 

penelope giggles at his words, “but you didn’t even tell me to look for it!” 

“but you’re so smart you knew i’d need it,” he praises, ruffling her hair good-naturedly. 

once she runs off, luke leaves the cabin. he’s on a mission to find you, but most importantly, he’s on a mission to find his ac/dc shirt. after a series of questions, and some misguided directions, he finds you standing on the shore of the lake, surrounded by a variety of nymphs, demigods, and satyrs. 

you meet his gaze once he calls out to you, and watches as the color leaves your face. 

“how did you even get this?” he asks, taking some of the fabric between his thumb and forefinger once he’s within reach of you. 

you scoff at his words, “this is mine.” 

luke huffs, crossing his arms in annoyance. he watches as your eyes briefly flicker to his biceps before meeting his brown ones. 

“really? and since when do you buy your t-shirts two sizes too big?” he asks, smirking confidently. he’s got you now. 

“um since i wanted this as a beach coverup. it’s not rocket science, luke,” you answer. 

luke licks his lip, annoyance flickering across his eyes. “name five songs then,” he demands. 

your mouth falls open. “why are you such a guy?” you ask, frustrated.

“if you love ac/dc so much that you’d buy one of their shirts, name some songs,” he continues, but his voice has turned teasing. 

he watches as your nostrils flare and you ball your hands into fists at your sides. it’s cute.

“fine!” you agree. “there’s thunderstruck, and highway to hell, and that one about sex.”

“which one about sex?” he asks, raising an eyebrow. “there’s multiple.” 

“all of them!” you shout. “there! that’s five.” 

luke rolls his eyes, but still wraps his arm around your shoulders, pulling you into him. “if you want my clothes, all you have to do is ask,” he whispers into your hairline before placing a soft kiss on your skin. 

one: your pink camp half-blood crop-top

“have you seen luke today?” silena asks, catching up with you as you walk from the strawberry fields towards the archery range. 

“no why?” you ask curiously. 

her smile tells you everything you need to know; it’s wide and luminous, but her pearly white teeth seem to twinkle with the knowledge she’s withholding from you. 

“oh. no reason,” she says, before trying to skip away from you. 

you grab her shoulder, pulling her back towards you. “silena, what did he do?” you ask. 

silena giggles this time. “it’s nothing really, just. gosh, your boyfriend is so handsome, did you know that?”

“yes i did,” you start, “but why are you smiling and giggling like that?” 

she laughs again, “i think you should check the volleyball courts.” 

you hate athletics, but you’ve never sprinted to the volleyball courts so godsdamn fast in your life. when you arrive, you’re not surprised to see the hermes boys and apollo boys playing a beach volleyball match. most of them are shirtless and sweaty (and the entertainment for about twenty other campers) but luke is on the only one with his shirt on. you don’t think much of it, until he jumps for the ball and you get a good look at the color; his shirt is light pink. it’s also very tight around his broad arms and shoulders, hugging the muscles nicely while also showing off his toned abdomen. 

you watch as he turns to high five some of his teammates after scoring a point. his brown eyes meet your intense gaze, and he smiles widely at you. he has the audacity to flex and shout, “like what you see, babe? i figured this color suited me.” 

you roll your eyes at his words, shaking your head side to side as you walk over to him. your fingers trace the collar of your his shirt, gently nudging against the clay beads of his camp half-blood necklace. luke visibly gulps, and you smirk as your gazes connect.

“i think you should keep this,” you whisper, trailing your finger down his chest. “it looks better on you than me,” you finish, stepping away from him.

[pboogerswbb]

SO IT GOES - chapter 1

Paige Bueckers x oc Warnings: language, drinking Wordcount: 5.4K A/C: another pregame treat!! need my girls to deliver tonight!! anyways, here is chapter one, this one is about to start a little slower and i'm sorry about that but i promise it'll pick up and get more interesting, i got big plans for this one y'all!! anyway please leave feedback/thoughts/reviews whatever for me, i love them :)

-

Before London

The Dallas roads are busy, stretching out for miles out into the horizon as I stare out the window. My lungs craved fresh air, itching to open it. But I knew the air outside would bring no such relief, the humidity of this time of year already bringing me one step closer to packing my bags and making my way back to Connecticut. Everyone told me to turn the AC on, but I was much too stubborn and stuck in my ways. My dad would have come over himself and turn it off if he knew I was considering turning it on in April - much too early for his liking.

I had been here for a week now, seven long days. Each one making me more homesick. I missed my girls. I missed my team. I missed the normal weather and the East Coast. It was so bad I was on the phone with my dad every night, complaining. I knew as much as he loved me, he was getting sick of it.

“Paige, let’s figure this out,” Britt’s voice comes through the speaker phone, five garment bags sent by her laid out on the bed, ready to be opened.

“What do you even wear to this sorta thing?” I ask, speaking into the phone. My hands are opening one bag after another.

“Baby I dunno, you just gotta pick something. What kinda vibe do you wanna give off?” Brittany asks sweetly as I place my phone on the bed in front of me, pulling my shirt off over my head.

“I can’t think, it’s too hot,” I complain, rubbing my face. “I hate it here, wanna come back.”

“Paige, you gotta push through this. Try and look at it differently, at least you like your teammates!” 

I whine and lie down, my back hitting the soft cotton of the sheets. “Do you think they’d let me take my sixth year?”

“Oh my gosh girl you gotta pull yourself together,” Brittany laughs, which in turn makes me laugh too. I knew I was being dramatic, my team was great, the coaching staff seemed amazing. But it was my first time living alone, I didn’t know what to do with myself and all this energy I had. I felt like I was two days away from jumping off the walls.

Lou and Arike had both taken me under their wing, and the few joint practices we’d had with the team the past week seemed promising. Not good, but like there might be potential for something with hard work. I was well taken care of and grateful for it, but the thing is at Uconn I was spoiled. I got to live with my best friends. To spend every moment with them, get on their nerves and not worry because in the end they were my sisters.

“Where are you going?” Britt asks.

“Some sorta steakhouse,” I answer, rubbing my eyes.

“Boujee or like… Texas?”

I snort, grabbing the phone from beside me.

“It’s a nice place I heard. But Rike been here for so long she mighta forgot what nice is,” I joke sitting back up.

“Then go with the blue bag.”

Unzipping it, I find a pair of black shorts, and an oversized dark green crewneck sweatshirt. 

“Ion know about this Britt it’s a lil… boring,” I mumble looking over the outfit. When did I last wear dark green anyway.

“That’s why you dress it up girl! Wear a collared shirt under it, put on some chains, some nice shoes, trust it’ll fit the vibe, you don’t wanna be doing too much. Have I ever let you down?”

I sigh. I could see the vision the moment she started talking. “No you have not,” I reply. “I gotta start getting ready. Thanks again.”

“Anytime Paige,” she answers and we hang up. I know silence can’t echo, but it’s so overwhelming it almost feels like that’s exactly what it’s doing. Storrs was always loud, lively. Now I had it so bad I was even missing KK’s neverending rambling. 

Quickly putting on a playlist to get rid of the aching pressure on my chest, I begin to get ready, rapping along to a Drake song loudly - but who cares I live alone now. I sleek back my hair, pinning it into a bun - the one hairstyle I knew how to do. I put on some diamond studs, and take my time picking accessories, choosing just the right silver rings to match the chain on my neck, a cross hanging from it. Of course, Brittany had been right. The outfit was great, not too much for a nice restaurant but still totally me.

“Shit,” I mumble to myself when I check the time, realising Lou must be waiting on me downstairs. Grabbing a white cross-body bag I run out the door, quickly making my way down where, just like I thought, the brunette was waiting, tapping on the steering wheel impatiently.

“Sorry I’m late,” I yelp climbing into the passenger seat. Since I barely knew Dallas, Lou had decided it was best if she drove both of us.

Shaking her head, the girl driving merges onto the road swiftly. “Not gonna be making a good impression if we bring our rookie to the party late,” Lou complains.

I scoff, leaning back against the seat and tapping on the back of my phone, feeling butterflies grow in my abdomen. I knew I made good first impressions, that people seemed to like me. I wasn’t called the ultimate rizzler for nothing. But it was still daunting, I was about to meet all the people who worked behind the team, behind me just so we could do what we do. 

The past week had been so strange.The change in dynamic was drastic. I had become so used to being the older one, the one to call the shots, to have so much wisdom to give. Almost naively so. All of a sudden I was back to being the baby - the one who didn’t know anything, who had to depend on others. I thought I was prepared. But the transition was hard to navigate. I didn’t quite know how to act, if I was honest.

“Yo chill, I’m not even that late,” I chuckle lightheartedly, looking out the car window, my eyes trying to find something worth changing my mind about Dallas for.

“Ten minutes is too much, we gotta pick up Rike too,” Lou complains, hands on the wheel. It was only April but the humidity made it feel like summer. “Were you late talking to that girl?”

“What girl?” I ask.

“That girl from last night!” Lou laughs, elbowing me.

I shrug, like I had no clue what she was talking about. A complete lie. I hadn’t been thinking straight ever since I saw her.

“Ohh you mean that girl downstairs!” I say sarcastically. The brunette next to me sees right through it though.

“Never heard your voice get so quiet and shaky I swear,” Lou says, a blush setting on the apples of my cheeks thinking back to last evening. “You were fully stuttering.”

“No way bro!” I groan, biting my lower lip so as to not laugh. Though I knew better. I was definitely stuttering.

I hadn’t seen much of the girl, just her face poking through the door into the hallway. But something about her took my breath away, I couldn’t look anywhere else. It was Lou finally elbowing me that made me realise I had been staring at the dark haired girl. She was so beautiful it physically pained me to look away, but with a struggle, I had done so. 

But then she spoke. And if I wasn’t trembling before, the lilt of her voice had me weak in the knees immediately. It was deep, yet simultaneously sweet. Nevermind the accent that hadn’t left my head all night. Lou made fun of me relentlessly all night because apparently, my voice was shaking when I talked to her. I think she was full of shit.

“You were, I don’t blame you,” the brunette murmurs. “She was hot.”

I kiss my teeth, looking out the window. “Don’t matter, she could be Zendaya and I still wouldn’t get into all that.”

Lou looks bewildered, eyes flickering between me and the road.

I grin at her, shaking my head. “Nah I’m staying celibate. Scout’s honor. Got me that Natty last season.”

It was true. For the first time last season I had not been involved with any girl - and it worked out pretty well in the end. It got me the ring. Adapting to a new team, new city, new life was already hard enough without fucking around. Girls had a way of making everything complicated.

“You? Celibate?” Lou asks, her tone skeptical. I suppose she remembers a different Paige from when we were both Huskies. I had changed a lot though, grown up.

“Trust,” I nod as we park in front of a nice apartment building, Arike making her way out and into the car.

“Yo,” she greets us, and I nod into the rearview mirror, meeting her gaze.

“Sup my rookie!” Arike grins and squeezes my shoulder. “You ready for tonight?”

“Aren’t we just gonna eat and go home?” I ask but Lou and Rike are quick to shake their heads.

“Nah these things don’t end till late, we know how to party here you know what I’m sayin?” The girl in the back grins.

“Don’t blame you, nothing else to do here,” I complain half-jokingly. 

“Yooo not too much. You’ll grow to like it,” Arike laughs, grabbing her phone. “Just don’t drink everything people offer you today, got it?”

“Yeah, everyone’s gonna be trying to get you drunk,” Lou chuckles. “My rookie year they had me almost blacked out.”

“Almost? You were blacked out. We had to carry you to bed.”

I laugh and sigh, rubbing my jaw, my nerves stirring within my abdomen. “Great.”

-

The restaurant is buzzing with people, an entire second floor reserved just for the Dallas Wings employees. Arike, Lou and I show up fashionably late, but to my pleasant surprise everyone’s too busy huddling around the bar, lining up for drinks. I smooth over my green sweatshirt, already feeling the heat get to me. How the hell was I supposed to dress for weather like this? It wasn’t even summer yet.

I walk over to Satou, who’s grinning widely at me.

“Look at you, our baby rookie. Let’s get you a drink!” She smiles convincingly. I glance at Arike and Lou behind me, snickering amongst themselves already. So it begins.

“Feels wrong to drink at a team event like this,” I tell the taller girl, guiding me towards the bar. I was more used to sneaking drinks into hotel rooms, doing our best to hide them from the coaching staff. Guess this is what growing up feels like.

“Nah, don’t worry. Everyone’s chill here,” Satou laughs and orders us two beers before I have the opportunity to interrupt and ask for a Shirley. Reluctantly I grab the beer, cheering with the girl next to me.

“To the saviour of the Wings!!” She jokes and I roll my eyes, shaking my head.

“Sorry, but could you check if they are Manzanilla olives?”

The accent. I immediately turn my back on Satou, my body working before my mind can as my eyes scan the room. And then I see her. The girl from the apartment underneath mine.

She’s standing at the other end of the bar, holding a black clutch in her hand as she talks with the bartender. Her dark hair is down, in perfect waves, not one strand out of order. The dress she’s wearing isn’t red, but more maroon, shade matching the red of her lipstick to the hilt. The one-shoulder dress leaves her left one completely bare, and the golden jewelry sitting against her light brown skin makes her sparkle in the moody lighting. No words would do justice, I know that much. My knees nearly buckle at the sight of her. This strange girl whose name I didn’t even know, yet kept haunting my existence here in Dallas.

“Oh they’re not? Then nevermind the martini, could I just get a glass of Chardonnay please?”

If I had been nervous before, then it was nothing compared to the way my stomach was stirring now. Which is insane considering I didn’t even know this girl’s name. Hell, I better just avoid her tonight. I’m not on my a game. I should just keep my distance.

“Paige! That’s the girl!” Lou is half whispering, half screaming over the crowd, incredibly obviously pointing at the dark haired girl. To my relief she doesn’t notice, too busy swirling the wine in her glass around and sniffing it. 

“Shut up,” I mouth to Lou as she walks up to me, Arike on her tail.

“What girl?” Arike whispers, already eyeing every woman over my shoulder.

I give Lou a look, widening my eyes and telling her to keep her mouth shut. But of course, it fails. I had no power here.

“We ran into this hot girl in Paige’s building yesterday and Paigey here got all shy and nervous.”

Arike bursts out laughing, and I’m pretty sure my face was going completely pink at this point. So I sip half of my beer quickly, letting the girls get over their laughing fit.

“You done?” I ask in annoyed, eyeing the girls.

Gasping for air, Arike nods and grins at me. “Well go get her.”

“She can’t, she’s celibate,” Lou answers. The shorter girl standing next to her scoffs, clearly finding amusement in that.

“Yeah, good luck with that. You’re the new hooper in town, gon’ be drowning in pussy. I was,” she says, sipping her beer. “The rookie year is crazy.”

“Oh trust, she was drowning in it at Uconn too-”

“Okay okay, chill guys,” I interrupt the conversation, Satou standing next to us quietly and chuckling to herself. 

“So which one is it?” Arike asks. Glancing over my shoulder I see the girl from downstairs talking to some guy around the same age as her. Just as I’m about to point her out, Satou and Arike are waving that exact guy over.

“Yo Trey!! My guy!!”

All of a sudden he’s walking over with her. I feel my face going red, my breathing growing ragged, my eyes quickly flicking to the floor. She was like the sun, as much as I wanted to I couldn’t look directly at her - it might blind me.

“What’s up, my favourite girls!” The guy - Trey, apparently - says brightly and dabs all of them up. 

“Ahh and the prodigy!” He grins, turning to me. I lick my lower lip and smile back, offering my hand. “I’m the guy with the camera, you’ll see me around. Trey.”

I dab him up, ignoring the tingling on the left side of my body where the dark haired girl is standing, evidently feeling as awkward as I was. Except she was better at hiding it, looking around the room with an air of confidence.

“Well I’m the one with the basketball, you’ll know where to find me. I’m Paige,” I flash him my most charming smile. Everyone laughs at my joke, except the girl beside me. I quickly decide that perhaps getting drunk wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

“Oh this is Zari, she’s new from England, Linda finally hired someone to work on the social media shit,” Trey explains, pointing to the girl between me and him. I blink stupidly when I look at her. Somehow she was more beautiful up close which made my throat feel tighter. I quickly sip my beer again, looking to the ceiling. Fuck, pull yourself together. I wasn’t this superficial - feeling like this just because someone was hot. Who knows, she might be the worst person you’ve ever met.

“That would be me, hi!” She says when I realise I was barely listening to Trey before, completely not making note of her name. She shakes everyone’s hand, smiling kindly. Fuck, are my hands sweaty? Better wipe them on my shorts first. I gotta make eye contact - I’m sure a couple seconds will be enough. It might be all I can bear.

The girl turns to me, her right hand extended. I glance at it, gripping it gently. Her hand shake is surprisingly firm, but I barely notice, feeling as if my skin is on fire. The moment our eyes meet I look away, knowing that everyone and their mothers could tell I was blushing right now.

“I forgot your name,” is all that comes out of my mouth, so clumsily I wanna hide behind the bar and never come out when I realise how rude it sounded.

To my shock she’s not taken aback at all by my bluntness, instead holding herself with an almost regal air. I wasn’t sure if I was intimated or turned on - either way I was overcome with a desperate need to make her like me. Surely I was off to a horrible start.

Our eyes meet again. Hers are dark green, deep and rich like the pine trees back home. I can feel myself wanting to sink in deeper, to bask in their familiarity. To feel the sting of cold air and smell the snow falling from the sky and to bask in the scent of pine all over me. Before I know it I notice her glossed lips move, but my ears barely pick anything up. An I? And I think there was an A at the end? You gotta be kidding me.

“I- Ivanna?” I stutter. She chuckles softly, as the others around us snicker amongst themselves. Bitches. 

“No, darling, let’s try again,” she smiles, her tone so sweet it’s bordering on condescending. I fucking swoon at it. “Izara.”

I nod, not sure if the heat on my face is from how hot and humid it was inside the restaurant, or from the public humiliation in front of this gorgeous girl. I chuckle mostly to myself, rubbing my jaw and looking around to break eye contact finally. Far too distracting.

“Izara,” I repeat, noticing Satou, Arike, Lou and some of the others laughing at my clumsy behaviour. I was just begging Izara didn’t make note of why I was acting a fool. 

“Zari is better,” the brunette says, a slight teasing tone to her voice. I breathe heavily out my nose, trying to get the blush to settle from my cheeks.

“Zari, got it.”

“Took you long enough,” Arike teases, making everyone laugh, except Zari who just smiles at me.

“Guys, not all of us are used to the Texas heat. It messes with your head,” she says with enough authority in her voice to make everyone around us stop laughing and give me sympathetic looks.

“Uhh yeah, it’s hot,” I answer bluntly, my voice shaking a little as I rub my neck. On top of the mess I was, I could feel myself sweating. I have to get home as fast as possible. Or not home. But back to the apartment I was staying in for now, until the moment I could go back home to the East Coast.

“Shit, I’m Paige by the way,” I say, realising I never introduced myself to Zari. She scoffs, waving me off.

“Paige, it’s my job to know who you are,” she points out. It’s funny, and I want to laugh. But nothing comes out of my mouth, I’m simply unable to, her proximity leaving me completely discombobulated. So I just sip my beer.

“Right.”

-

Paige Bueckers hates me. The moment she met me I could tell. Maybe she was offended by the fact I didn’t recognise her last night. Figures, a star like her would have a huge ego. Still, I had one job tonight. To make her like me. And I had done the exact opposite. I could tell by the way she avoided my gaze, the way she barely wanted to shake my hand, abruptly pulling it away from my grip. She barely talked to me, wrapped up in a conversation with everyone besides me. I couldn’t afford to disappoint my boss, if I did it would be bye bye Dallas and hello London. 

I’m sitting between Trey and another colleague, Ava, both caught up in a lively conversation as I cut a piece of my steak, wrapping my lips around the fork and chewing on it. Glancing up from my plate, I see Paige throwing her head back as she laughs with her teammates, her entire demeanor so much more lively now that I wasn’t close to her. A slight irritation was growing in me, watching the carefree way she’s joking around with the people around her part of the long table. Who was she to make up her mind on whether she liked me so fast. I was the kind of person you grew to love. I’m sure she would as well.

“Okay everybody!” Curt Miller stands up clinking his glass with the cutlery. Suddenly everyone goes quiet, including the blonde. For a second our eyes meet, sending a strange jolt around my body. Blinking, I shift my gaze to the man, clearly ready to give a speech.

“Alright alright,” he laughs, “I just wanna thank everyone for coming here tonight. I was never good at these so let me keep it short. This is gonna be a big, exciting year and I’m so grateful to the Wings for giving me this opportunity. I know I’m a new face to some of you, but I’m in great company,” he grins and points to Paige. “And Linda here mentioned something about a new media employee too!”

Like on cue Linda stands up a few chairs to the right of me, nodding. “Yes Curt, we’ve got some young blood to help this year all the way from England. Izara here, should help us grow our social media reach.”

I smile, trying to focus on appearing together and poised, some people glancing towards me. 

“Awesome news!” Curt grins as Linda sits back down. “With two young talents I’m sure we’re gonna have a hell of a year,” he says, glancing at both me and Paige. I see Arike rub Paige’s shoulder, clearly excited and happy about how the lottery turned out for the Wings this year.

“Now since I’m boring everyone out of their minds why don’t you two say a few words.”

Pause. I feel a panic rise from somewhere deep in my abdomen. Don’t get me wrong, I had no issue with public speaking, no issue with performing. What I did have an issue with was improvising. I was the girl who planned, who made lists, who used to finish her essays the day before a deadline. With a plan I was golden, but to expect me to say anything, planless, was causing jitters. I was just hoping it didn’t show on my face.

Mine and Paige’s eyes meet, and I immediately know that I wasn’t as composed as I wanted to be. That she knew I was panicking. Bet this is just gonna make her hate me more.

Instead, to my surprise, she clears her throat and begins speaking with an easy confidence.

“Uh well, way to throw us under the bus Curt,” she jokes, immediately making everyone chuckle, including me. “Guess I know what kinda season this is about to be.” Another round of laughs around the table giving her time to scratch the back of her neck as she thinks. With a slight smirk on her face she continues.

“This is a big moment for me. I grew up with the sport, already knew I had a chance to go pro when I was eight. I’ve been waiting for a while to get to the league and to finally be here… It’s surreal. I feel really blessed, really grateful,” she says looking at her plate and then letting out a sly, quiet laugh. “Crazy that I’m drinking with the coaching staff right there, I’m so used to having to hide it.”

I chuckle with the rest of the group. There’s something about her, a smoothness, a charm that makes it impossible not to like her. Even improvising like this she seems completely in control, like she knows she’s got everyone wrapped around her finger. It’s impressive. I can’t look away.

“Geno didn’t let you drink?” Curt asks lightheartedly, making Paige’s blue eyes widen.

“He would’ve put belt to ass, lemme just say that.”

More laughter. Paige looks around meeting my gaze.

“Zari, I know you got that cold right? So maybe I should just speak for you so you have a voice tomorrow?”

Huh? I furrow my brows looking at her confused, but her eyes won’t budge, boring into mine. And then I realise. She’s trying to let me off the hook.

“Yes please,” I smile back, looking down to my lap. Something about the way she did that all for me, picked up on my nerves, found a way to get me out of it, was making my insides flip. You wouldn’t do that for someone you hate I suppose.

“I gotchu,” Paige grins, looking back to everyone around the table. “I think we’re both just really grateful for the opportunity and really excited for the season. Anyway, thanks guys.” 

Everyone claps and I do too, my heart warming at the way Paige Bueckers had just saved me. 

“Wait, you're sick?” Trey whispers. 

“Uh, a little.”

-

“Hope you feel better Zari!” Ava says as I wave bye, walking towards the exit.

“Thanks guys, I’m sure I will,” I say, knowing I felt just fine. Great even, after a few glasses of wine. As I step out into the evening, I hold my fur coat in my hands, too hot to put it on. To my surprise I see Paige standing right outside the restaurant, scrolling on her phone. Interrupted by the tapping of my heels, she lifts her gaze, the intensity of her blue eyes surprising.

“Hey,” she smiles, avoiding looking at my face again. She was really giving me mixed signals.

“Hi there,” I say, walking closer. “Thanks for rescuing me earlier.”

She looks at the parking lot, a sly smirk spreading across her face.

“Nah, you’re good,” the blonde grins, diamond studs in her ears sparkling. “Not a fan of speeches?”

I shrug, taking that as an invite for conversation. “No I can certainly be… If you give me approximately two weeks to prepare. Minimum.”

Paige chuckles, nodding to herself. “You’re that kinda girl huh?”

“Desperately so.”

She shifts on her feet, looking for something to say.

“That’s a good trait to have, I try to plan too but usually doesn’t last for longer than a week or two,” she explains. I nod knowingly.

“My brother’s a bit like that,” I sigh. I was already missing him.

Paige turns to me, looking for my gaze.

“You got a brother?”

I nod, “Yeah, he’s younger. Your age.”

She’s taken aback. “Hollup how old are you?”

“Turned 25 last month.”

“Damn,” she says before thinking. I scoff, my eyes widening, though finding amusement in her reaction

”Are you calling me old?” I ask with a serious tone, her face immediately going bright red. 

”No, no no, not at all. You look… great.  Amazing, and like. That’s not even old, I'm just trippin’. I just assumed you were my age but like a year is nothin-” she rambles, tripping over her words.

”Paige I’m taking the piss,” I laugh. She stops, looking at me confused.

”You’re what?”

Oh right, Americans. ”I’m joking around.”

She laughs. ”Taking the piss?”

I laugh too, the air immediately easing between us.

”I’mma start using that,” Paige chuckles, glancing at me. 

”You’re welcome,” I grin.

She scoffs. ”I didn’t say thank you.”

”You should,” I demand, more seriously, meeting her blue eyes. She immediately folds, blinking her long lashes.

”Thank you.”

I suddenly feel hot, warmth rising to my cheeks. I quickly look back to the ground, the intensity of her gaze too much right now.

”Hey, uh… I think we live in the same building,” she murmurs, watching the sky. Shit, she had recognised me, of course.

”Yeah… I’m sorry I didn’t recognise you. I really should have,” I quickly explain, feeling a little abashed but trying not to let it show.

”No, I just meant, I ordered an Uber. You need a ride?”

Oh. So she wasn’t mad. She was offering me a ride.

”I’d love one. Are you sure?”

”Totally,” Paige answers, smiling at me softly. She fans her own face, trying to find any relief for the heat. 

”Shit it’s hot,” the blonde groans. ”Do you mind if I take this off? I got a shirt underneath.”

”Oh, no go ahead darling,” I tell her.

With a sigh, Paige’s hands grip the back of her green sweatshirt, pulling it over her head. As she does my eyes can’t help it, flickering over her lower abdomen where both shirts have hiked up, showing a sliver of pale skin and black boxers peeking out of her shorts. Something about it makes my throat go dry. I’m not exactly sure what. The feeling almost unfamiliar to me. 

”That’s so much better,” Paige groans with relief, fixing the white oversized button up, chains resting against her chest. I feel my ears growing hot, quickly averting her gaze.

-

She’s not horrible, on top of being gorgeous she’s fucking great - funny, sweet, charismatic. Would be so much easier if Zari was an asshole like I had hoped earlier. I could feel butterflies in my stomach every time she looked at me. That familiar warmth that I knew too well.

We walk to the Uber together, and I make sure I open the door for her - I didn’t know her that well, but I could tell she was classy. On a whole different level than me. 

I climb in after her, unbuttoning more of my shirt for some airflow. For a second I think I catch her staring, but I knew it was unlikely. She was definitely giving me straight girl vibes. Of course my stupid ass was ogling after a straight girl - nothing new to me. My eyes immediately land on her thighs, her legs crossed and pressing together as she sits next to me. Okay, get a grip Paige.

”So… How you liking Dallas?” I ask, unable to take the silence in the car. 

”I haven’t seen much of it, just moved the other day,” she answers, her voice low but smooth, I could’ve listened to her talk all night. ”It’s very humid.”

”Damn that jetlag gotta be hitting hard huh?” I ask, looking at her.

”I look tired?” She asks, offended. An immediate panic takes over, my hands gripping the sweater in my hands. Shit.

”No you look fucking great. I would’ve never th-”

”Paige. I’m joking.”

Oh. I let out a sigh of relief, chuckling awkwardly. I look out the window, shaking my head at myself. I really needed to chill.

”Taking the piss?”

She lets out a loud, bright laugh, grabbing my forearm. The gold rings on her digits sparkle as her long, manicured nails dig into the white shirt. Immediate goosebumps rising underneath on my skin tell me I’m completely fucked.

“Exactly!” She gleams, her smile wide. “You did so good.”

That. I need to hear her say that again. I clear my throat to interrupt the bad thoughts, feeling Zari’s hand move off me, skin tingling as the weight of her touch lifts.

We pull up to our apartment building, both of us climbing out.

“I can transfer you some money for the ride,” Zari suggests as I let her into the building, eyes falling on her ass just for a second. Okay, no. Look away.

“No, Ion need you to,” I tell her sternly as we begin to climb up the flights of steps, her heels tapping against the tile of the floor. The sound echoes off the walls until we stop by her front door, silence draping over us, making me painfully aware of the way my heart was pounding in my chest.

“Well,” Zari smiles, turning to me, her green eyes even more prominent with the dark makeup surrounding them. Only then I notice how catlike they are, sharp and alert. Challenging almost.

I wanna say something smart, something witty. Something to make her laugh, or blush. I’m rummaging through my brain for anything coherent at least.

“I’ll see you at work,” she says, opening her door. I was running out of time.

“You’ll know where to find me,” I stupidly let out. Zari turns to look at me one more time and nods.

“Don’t stomp too loud please.”

With that she gets in, leaving me there with nothing to do but blink at the closed door and notice the flutters around my stomach. Rubbing my jaw, I slowly climb up one more flight of stairs, mind spinning around the girl. Completely, utterly out of my league. It only made me want her more.

-

taglist: @wbbgetsmewetter @thaatdigitaldiary @sierrale8ne @lupinqs @lovegalor333 @d3arapril @avvwritesstufff @rosemariiaa @bueckers22 @taylynbueckers44 @unadulteratedcyclepaper @rizzlerbuckets @bueckersfive @wosolipa @bridgetloveswomen @paiges-1vur @slut4uconnwbb @xxloveralways14 @bueckersbitch

[athenasdaydreams]

pairing: jess mariano x fem!reader

summary: jess does not want to, and would never dance. except this one time

chapter warnings: none to my knowledge!!

A/N: Guess what dumbass pressed ctrl z and deleted all her work so she had to type it out again. OKAY IT'S BEEN A WHOLE YEAR SINCE I POSTED OR SOMETHING BUT I GOT TIRED OF STUDYING AND DECIDED TO FINISH THIS UP TO TIE UP SOME LOOSE ENDS

You had your legs on a table of Luke's diner, and you could not fathom how anyone could ever be more bored than this. You had to sit through Liz Danes' bachelorette party. You could imagine anything that would have been better than this. Being out with Rory and Paris, talking to Lorelai, or even letting Michel show you pictures of his chow chows. Letting out a sigh, you went back to reading Anna Karenina while the middle-aged women were talking about women not being monogamous creatures. "Is this how turkey legs are supposed to look?" Luke asked with a pained expression on his face. Carrie, one of the louder ones, said something about him taking his pants off so they could see for themselves. As much as you hated it, their conversations were kind of interesting. "Get your legs off my table I've got customers eating on 'em," Luke scolded as he looked at the turkey leg in his hand, as if he hoped that it would tell him whether it was cooked or not. You put your legs down and continued reading.

"I need to get some batteries, I'll be back," Jess said as he walked down the stairs. He noticed you were at the diner and stopped in his tracks. "Didn't know that you liked spending your afternoons with middle aged women." That comment made Carrie and the other women gasp. "The old ladies I wanted to knit with were busy, so I had to find company."

"Good book though," He said while you hummed in response. "Jess, Jess! Come over here and meet my oldest friends!" Liz said as she beckoned him over. Jess looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there. "Girls, this is Jess," Liz said proudly. A chorus of 'hellos' sounded. "Hello, handsome," Carrie said as she winked. You had to stifle a laugh for the sake of Jess. "He's going to walk me down the aisle! Is that cool or what?" Liz said to her group.

"It's no big deal," Jess said, trying to draw away attention from him. You found this funny. "It's a very big deal," you said with a dramatic look on your face. Jess gave an unimpressed look. At that time, a deliveryman walked through the door.

"Can I help you?" Luke asked with the confusion written across his face. "Got a package here." "From who? I'm not expecting anything?"

"It's a very important package," the deliveryman said with a serious look on his face. Luke stepped closer. "But there's no address on it?"

Jess smirked as he looked over to you. "I was going to go to the bookstore after getting batteries. Care to join?" he said, extending his hand to you. Looking for any way to escape this situation, you obliged. "Bye Luke, see you later."

"Have fun," Jess said with a laugh as you left the diner and heard a muffled "Have fun with what?!" as music started blaring from the inside.

-

"I was already having a bad day and then some guy had to spill his coffee all over my new blouse and my copy of crime and punishment," you lamented to Jess while you walked towards the bookstore which you frequented. "I didn't have enough money to get myself a new copy and a new blouse, so I decided to get the blouse because of my internship." Jess smiled at that. You were hardworking and diligent, while he was... less of that. You just got the coveted internship at one of the most competitive law firms in Connecticut, and you needed to make a good impression; a shiny copy of crime and punishment accompanied by a coffee stained lavender blouse wouldn't exactly do that.

The jingle of the door chime woke you from your thoughts about your precious copy of crime and punishment. Jess bent his head and didn't say anything to Kirk, the acting cashier, while you smiled and greeted him. You knew he wasn't one for politeness, so you tried to compensate.

"There's something I think you'll like." Jess meandered towards a shelf hidden at the back. You cluelessly trailed, wondering what book it could be. Knowing Jess, it could be a 2000 page book about a whale or a 20 page romance novel; the man read anything and everything with words on it. When he pulled a book off a shelf, your jaw dropped.

The blood-red lettering reading "crime and punishment" contrasted starkly to the obsidian binding that you ran your fingertips across.

"wow, this must cost a fortune, maybe i'll get it once my paycheck can get me more than one cup of instant ramen."

"let's go, i need to see what the guy at the diner did to luke,"

-

"does this dress look like too much?" you ask while twirling around in front of Lorelai. "no, this one is perfect. It makes you look like you'd be sitting in a tower waiting for your prince to save you from a dragon." You looked at her while she lounged on the couch in the house you had graciously invited yourself into. Well, she wasn't wrong. The dress was a light blue, silky fabric billowing around your ankles. The sleeves added to the whimsicalness of the dress. "only if the prince was Jesse Bradford,"

"you know what would make Prince Bradford fall in love with you even more? this flower crown," Lorelai said as she got up and pulled out a pretty-looking headband from a shelf. She put it on you and turned you towards a mirror.

"rory never let me dress her up like a princess; i should adopt you."

-

"hear ye, hear ye! announcing the arrival of her Royal Highness, the Princess, finally gracing us with her presence!"

"shut up, i was five minutes late; being a princess is hard work, you should know," you joked to Jess. You two met up near the gazebo, his reasoning being that he needed to make fun of you all dressed up as long as he could before he had to walk his mom down the aisle. "do you want to go get a seat? you're gonna be here for a long time. or maybe not, i've only been to three of my mom's weddings. "aren't you gonna sit down too?" you asked. "my mom wants me there to give her "emotional support" whatever that means," he joked as he led you to a seat next to lorelai and luke. Carrie from the diner yesterday was talking to them. lorelai looked concerned and luke just looked uncomfortable.

"hey, is everything alright?"

"no, there's gonna be a delay since liz ripped her dress and it's gonna take some time to fix it," carrie explained. "she told me to spread the message,"

"well, spread it car." luke got a suggestive look from carrie. "the message, the message." When carrie walked away, luke looked like he hadn't gotten oxygen in a good five minutes. "that woman makes me uncomfortable."

"poor liz, does she know how to fix something like that?" you asked jess and luke. "she was never one for household skills-" "i used to stitch up her renaissance fair costumes. trust me, she can't" jess interrupted luke. "i'll go see if she needs some help. where did you say she was?"

"she's at miss patty's,

-

You could hear Liz's laments from outside miss patty's. "my dress is ruined! how am i going to get married in a torn dress?" you pushed open the doors to Miss Patty's and gave Liz a concerned look. "I heard you needed some help? can i do anything for you Liz?" you asked, moving over to take a look at her dress. "I'm such a klutz, i tripped standing up and now its torn," she held up the side of her dress where there was an obvious tear. You grimaced and picked up the Doose's brand sewing kit from the table next to her, attempting to fix her dress.

"There you go! as good as new," you finished up the last stitch on her dress. "Oh, you're such a darling," Liz fixed up her hair. "you'd make a great daughter in law to a lucky lady someday. Could you tell jess to get ready for my grand entrance?"

The implied message didn't go past you. With cheeks redder than what your dollar store blush could get you, you thanked her and went down to the gazebo.

-

The ceremony passed by quickly, with you and Jess trying to think of sad and miserable things to make you stop laughing at the proceedings. "Oh man, i swear to you my wedding's gonna be better than whatever that was," you said, wiping the tears of laughter from your eyes as everyone went to the buffet line to get some food. "We'll see that," jess said as he inspected a turkey leg before putting it on his plate. You gave him an offended look. "Do you not think my wedding would be so much better than this 1500s medieval thing going on out here? I'd totally pick out a better theme," you said as you piled some mysterious looking food onto your plate. "I highly doubt that, and I hope you know that what you're putting on your plate is minced liver."

Your hand froze right right before you almost dumped another spoonful food onto your plate. You promptly pushed off the whole serving of minced liver back into the serving bowl. "That was so uncouth of you, private school girl. Did they not teach you manners at your finishing school?" You elbowed jess in the side as you chose a much more appetising looking burger prepared specially, from luke's. "one, i'm in college now; two let's sit down. I don't think they taught you table manners either city boy,"

-

After finishing up your dinner, you two decided to walk around to socialise. If socialise meant to make fun of every person in renaissance attire.

"the guy in the pantaloons probably thinks energy drinks count as water," jess pressed his lips to your ear, narrowly missing your cheek because of how much you were laughing. Everyone must have thought you two were drunk or high, from how hard you two were laughing. That was when you heard medieval sounding music playing where everyone had gathered.

"jess. you have to dance to this. i physically need to see it," you clung onto his arm, bringing him to the area near the gazebo, where Liz and TJ were dancing. They were doing some complicated looking dance straight out of the middle ages. "no way am i doing that. i'd rather slam my tongue in a car door." "please...?" "no." "...pretty please?" "fine, but you're coming out there with me." and before you could say no, he'd already dragged you to the dancefloor.

you'd be lying if you said you didn't have fun embarrassing yourselves. you'd only been dragged out of the dancefloor because TJ wanted to seranade Liz with a special dance just for her, and boy, were you glad you didn't have to see that.

-

Jess was walking you over to the gilmore house, where you'd been crashing with lorelai since your exams had been over. You, being a rich international student who's parents knew Richard and Emily Gilmore, had been asked to stay with them when you went to Chilton, and to Yale subsequently. Of course you could always tell them that your exams hadn't ended yet, and you were still staying at Yale, but where's the fun in that? You, lorelai, and rory, were planning on having a weekend of binging old movies and junking on the most unhealthy food you could find, so being a few days early wasn't a problem.

"after this is back to new york?" you asked him while approaching the door of lorelai's house. "maybe not, this time. might stay here for a bit; it's not that bad," he responded, leaning on the door. "any plans for summer?" you looked up at him. "you know, i've always wanted a summer romance. you know the type you read in the books, the notebook and stuff like that," you played with the straps of your purse. "maybe that'll be one of my plans," he said as he grabbed your waist and held you right up to him. "want it to be longer than just summer though." he pressed his lips to yours as he ran his fingers through your hair. you took a second to react, but you were kissing him back too. when you pulled apart for air, breathing heavy, you smiled.

"can't wait"

wc: 2.1k

[jareaul0ver]

Come With Me

Summary: Nika gets drafted to a team all the way across the country, and you're terrified of what's coming next, but she has everything planned out.

inspired by this request

wc: 917 warnings: angst if you squint, nothing else really pairings: nika muhl x fem!reader

After being with Nika for the last three years of your life, spending almost every single day with her, sleeping in her bed every night, you couldn't imagine how life would be if she got drafted to somewhere far from you.

You were hoping she'd be drafted to the Connecticut Sun, so you two could stay together after graduation. If that didn't happen, you at least hoped for a team on the east coast.

Of course, your hopes and dreams were shattered, but momentarily put on pause, when you heard her name called as the Seattle Storm's first draft pick.

Pushing down any emotion but happiness for Nika, you jump up and hug her tightly. "I'm so proud of you." You whisper against her ear. She pecks your cheek before hugging a few others and heading up to the stage.

You can't help but let a few tears fall down your face as you watch her. You're overwhelmed with pride, excitement, sadness - pretty much every emotion ever.

Your girlfriend is going to be a professional basketball player. How many people get to say that?

When she comes back over to you, your arms wrap around her neck and you pull her body close to yours. The two of you have never been much for PDA in the past, but in the moment, neither of you cared.

"I am so incredibly proud of you, my love." You mumble before pressing a sweet kiss on her lips. She can't help the smile forming on her face, and she kisses you back before pulling away.

Her hands settled on your waist and she spoke softly. "I love you."

"I love you, Nika."

The next few days felt like a blur. Nika was packing her things to head to Kelsey Plum's Dawg Class training camp. As you watched her from the doorway of the bedroom, a small frown etched itself on your face.

Nika glanced over at you and saw your expression. She stopped what she was doing and immediately walked over to you. "What's wrong, bebo?"

You shook your head. "You're leaving."

Her hands settled on your waist and pulled you towards her. "Only for a week. Then I'll be back and-"

"And then you have to go to Seattle. Not just for a week or two, but for good." The tone of your voice was sad, and Nika found herself frowning.

"That's only if I make the team." Her thumbs gently stroked the fabric of your shorts her shorts that you stole.

You laughed in a bit of disbelief. "You're making the team, don't be ridiculous." You stared at her and felt your eyes beginning to water. "I really don't want you to go. To leave me." Your voice was low and shaky.

She placed a kiss on your forehead and pulled you into a tight hug. "I don't want to leave you, either. If I could stay, I would."

You sniffled and nodded. "I know. You're just-" You took a deep breath. "You're gonna be so far."

Nika pulled away and looked at you, her soft brown eyes not leaving yours for a second. A brief light lit up in her gaze, and you noticed it. "Then come with me." She spoke quickly, like she was ripping off some sort of metaphorical band-aid.

"What?" You looked up at her.

"Come to Seattle with me. After graduation, we can move out there, and- We won't have to be apart." Her words came out so delicately and you found yourself mentally falling apart.

Uprooting your life and moving to the other side of the country? It sounded insane, almost. "Nika.." But you would do anything for her.

"I'm serious, we can get an apartment- or even a house- and it'll be perfect!" You had never seen her so genuine about something in her life. Your heart was pounding against your chest, you felt like at any moment it would leap out and expose to Nika how she was making you melt.

You stared at her for what felt like forever as you contemplated your choices. You could either go with her after graduation, and live the life you've always wanted with her, even though you'd be throwing everything in Connecticut behind. Or, you could stay here, losing the best thing that's ever happened to you.

You'd lose the one person that kept you grounded, that knew your coffee order without having to ask, knew what temperature you liked the bedroom to be at night. She was the only person in your life that had ever given you so much security to where you felt like, maybe, you just could give up everything else for her.

"Okay." You nodded, tears spilling from your eyes. "Yeah, okay."

Nika could’ve screamed at your answer. "Really?" Her eyes widened and she brought a hand up to wipe your tears. "You really want to?"

“I do.” You sniffled, angling your head to lean into her hand.

Her smile was wide as she leaned in and pressed your lips together, only for a split second before pulling back and pressing a kiss to your forehead.

“I love you, bebo.” She mumbled.

You tucked your head under her jaw and took a deep breath. “I love you.”

[aziraphales-library]

Hello! Thank you for the role you play in this fandom, I don't know what we would do without Aziraphale's fic library

Today I wanted to ask if you knew fics where Aziraphale and Crowley are bitter exes who end up realizing later that they haven't stopped loving the other.

Thank you 💛

Hi! We have #getting back together and #reunion tags you can check for plenty more fics like this. Here are more to add...

Even Now, I Still Love You by Zakani_Donovan (T)

It had been 6 years since Crowley had last spoken to Aziraphale, and considering their nasty little breakup, he hadn't expected their next conversation to start with them suddenly being neighbors.

Down to the River by CemeteryAngel725 (E)

Twenty-five years ago, Tony Crowley walked out of Azi’s life and broke both of their hearts. Since then, Azi has been living in suspended animation, working in the army/navy surplus booth he inherited from his dad and writing horror novels. Now Tony is back from the city, flush with success and wanting to catch up with Azi. Should Azi risk his heart and try to reclaim what they’ve lost? Or is it too late to start over?

Reason Enough by ffonippop (E)

Crowley and Aziraphale’s entire relationship spanned just a little under eleven months. If dissected, the entire affair can be categorized very neatly into three parts: a rocky beginning, a rocky middle, and a rocky end. It devastates Crowley, how something that was so promising and held so much potential could end in such a shitstorm. Diminished to nothing but a hungover, sad, and lonely stain on his couch, Crowley is left to wonder if it was always going to end this way— or if it’s ended yet at all.

Like a Martyr, Not Enough (The Decoy Bride) by vines_and_vellichor (M)

Author Aziraphale Eastlowe had been a dutiful son for the entirety of his life… mostly. After a bout of teenage rebellion, he learnt that disobedience only brings misery and heartbreak to those he cares about; it’s better for everyone to toe the line and make the most out of the plan that has been laid out for you by your family and God. When a courtship with the famous Christian singer Gabriella Archer presented an opportunity to exit the dog-eat-dog world of city life, the last thing he expected was an existence plagued by writer’s block and a wedding so enticing to the British press that the privilege of a private ceremony was tantamount to successfully teaching a duck to play the accordion. In desperation, they turn to Taddesfild, a remote island in the Outer Hebrides, to marry. Things go south when a convoluted plan by Gabriella’s agents culminates in hiring local resident Anthony J Crowley as a decoy bride to put the paparazzi off the scent. The very person Aziraphale distinctly remembered dumping nineteen years ago. The situation is less than ideal: his fiancee is missing, the island is infested with bloodthirsty photographers and he has just accidentally gotten married to his ex.

Borrowed Words by sunrisesinthesuburbs (M)

Anthony J. Crowley, best selling author, has writer's block. He could blame the Accident, but deep down he knows his block started way before. He hasn't written anything in too long, if we choose to ignore the dozens of unsent letters addressed to the angel he lost two decades ago, when he moved to New York City. When his best (and only) friend convinces him to take a little vacation in a small town in Connecticut, he expects peace and quiet. He doesn't expect to see the smile that still haunts his dreams again. Apparently, small towns are full of surprises, and how late is too late? The world stops spinning on its axis or, at the very least, Crowley stops breathing. This is absolutely impossible. He forces himself to swallow, to take a deep breath, as he doesn’t want to scare this girl off. Muriel, who is still smiling, all bright and wide and just like- Oh, God. “A bookshop, you said?” He chokes out. This is impossible, and he’s being ridiculous. He is in London, this is just a sick coincidence and his stupid brain playing stupid games. “Yes, you can see it if you turn around.” Crowley doesn’t move. “It’s called A. Z. Fell Books.” Now, the world definitely stops spinning.

Sinking Ships by AppleSeeds (E)

The world is practically on fire and it feels like nobody's doing anything about it, but Crowley's outlook brightens considerably when a new member arrives at his local climate action committee. Crowley is immediately smitten, and is thrilled when he and Aziraphale become fast friends, although he can't help but hope they might one day become something more. When all of his wishes come true, Crowley starts to feel like life couldn't possibly get any better. He can picture exactly what his future is going to look like, until something happens that feels like a powerful bolt of lightning has struck and split Crowley's life right down the middle, with everything before that moment on one side, and everything that is to come - scorched, lifeless and devastated - on the other. With the help of a counsellor, Crowley begins the difficult journey of picking up the pieces and working through what's happened. When Aziraphale unexpectedly comes back into his life, Crowley finally has the chance to get some answers, revealing that the truth is very different from what he was led to believe. Now he just needs to figure out whether that changes anything.

- Mod D

[azzifuddworlddomination]

casual pt. 3

paige x azzi fic

yall already knowwwww i did not proof read

this is mostly filler

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“No… no… no…” Colleen replies mindlessly as Azzi holds up different shirts, “Az, I seriously don’t think going to Montana is a good idea. How did you even get your parents to agree to this? They take holidays pretty seriously.” Azzi takes a breath, “I told them I’d spend the entirety of Christmas break with Jon and Jose.” “Yeah? Until Paige comes over,” Colleen says under her breath. “Are you gonna help or no?” Azzi asks her. “Fine,” Colleen says as she settles back onto Azzi’s bed. 

Azzi stands under the awning of their dorm building as Paige pulls the car up. Its cold Connecticut morning and the snow is falling in thick and heavy flakes. After what seems like a very cold forever, Paige pulls around and parks. Hopping out of her car, she goes around to open the trunk. As her hand lands on Azzi’s suitcase, she’s met with resistance. Azzi tugs the suitcase from Paige’s hands, “I can put it in myself y’know.” Paige gives her a confused look as Azzi doesn’t pay her any mind, instead going around to get in the passenger’s seat. “I turned the heated seat on for you, I know you like that,” Paige says, as Azzi stares out the window. 

Azzi doesn’t want to be mad. She would be thrilled to be going to spend Thanksgiving with her girlfriend’s family. But that wasn’t the case. She was going to act as a buffer between her best-friend-turned-friends-with-benefits-in-hopes-of-them-being-together-one-day-in-the-future-but-one-of-them-pretty-much-ruined-that-after-acting-like-what-they-had-was-not-worth-actually-pursuing-and-they-are-just-casually-hooking-up-otherwise-known-as-a-situationship and her mother, who albeit is caring but struggles to connect with her daughter. To make matters even worse, Paige’s mom doesn’t know they’ve ever been anything beyond friends. She figured if Paige could bring her best friend, it would make Montana a little less boring. 

After an uncomfortably quiet ride, which luckily Paige just chalked up to Azzi being tired, they arrived at the airport. Paige watched in the mirror as Azzi grabbed both bags and mumbled something under her breath before she closed the trunk and gave Paige the go-ahead to go park. After finding a parking spot Paige noticed that Azzi had forgotten her unicorn neck pillow on the seat. She reached over and grabbed it. It’s the neck pillow she’s had since high school. Paige had seen it on more flights and bus rides than she could count. And on each on of those flights and bus rides without fail Paige had talked Azzi’s ear off as much as she would let her. Even though Azzi would tell Paige to just shut up and close her eyes, she never stopped listening until Paige stopped talking. She was such a good best friend. After enough reminiscing, Paige grabs the pillow and reaches for the car door. 

Azzi sits near the airport entrance as she toys with the tags on Paige’s bag. Azzi thought having multiple tags on her suitcase was a little redundant, but as she flipped through the tags she stopped at the one with the Hopkins High School logo on the back. It still had Paige’s old Minnesota address. Azzi reminisced on the times that she had gone to Minnesota to visit her, or the times she had traveled to see Paige play for Hopkins. Azzi started to look at the tag with the UConn logo on it, the address almost identical to hers. Only the room number differed. Azzi thought to herself for a moment, what it would be like to finally live together. Would their bedding be pink or purple, or maybe they’d mutually agree on a different color or a mix of the two? It was dumb, Azzi thought, it wasn’t worth wasting her time thinking about. You wouldn’t know how stupid she finds it, if you knew how much she thought about all the hypotheticals in her in Paige’s lives; all of the what ifs, all of the far-off futures, all of the daydreams, and delusions. Azzi flipped to the deep purple tag, it listed her Maryland address. She remembers Paige’s face when she told her that she finally wouldn’t live so far away. She could barely contain her excitement. Finally, Azzi flipped over a pinkish-purple tag, listing Azzi’s house under the address. It was from when Paige stayed with her and her family during covid. She couldn’t help but feel a little sentimental over all the milestones she’s been through with Paige. 

“Stalking me or something?” Paige laughed as Azzi looked up at her like a deer in headlights, “you, uh, forgot this in the car,” Paige says as she hands Azzi the neck pillow. “Thanks,” Azzi shortly responds. Azzi feels caught in the act, wondering how long Paige saw her looking at the different tags she had on her bag while Paige wonders if Azzi can feel that Paige held onto the neck pillow a little longer than she should’ve and reminisced over all the places they’ve been together.

“You know, flying back from Argentina was probably the best flight I’ve been on. To this day,” Paige admits. “Really?” Azzi looks at her. “Yeah, a hundred percent. I’d do a twelve-hour flight with you any day, over a one-hour flight with anyone else. Azzi starts to wonder how bad it would be if she opened up an emergency exit would be, like who says that???? A few beats too late, Azzi responds, “Me too.” As the captain prepares the cabin for take off Paige looks nervously at Azzi, “you know I’m still scared of take off right?” “Still?” Azzi looks at her? “Yeah, still,” Paige responds. Azzi uncrosses her previously crossed arms as she allows Paige to slink her hand under her own and intertwine their fingers.

Paige squeezes her hand as they take off. Azzi squeezes it back as a sign of reassurance. Even as they finally reach their cruising altitude Paige doesn’t remove her hand. As the flight goes on Azzi feels Paige’s hand go limp as she drifts off to sleep. Their fingers intertwined until they touched down in Montana, Azzi couldn’t make up her mind if this trip would be her saving grace or her biggest regret. 

[dangerousartisanwerewolf]

To all the Americans on tumblr rn...

I am not American, nor am I old enough to vote yet as I missed being the legal voting age for my province by only about a week- curse my extremely late birthday.

(which weirdly enough has also had such an incredibly tight election that they are still counting the votes right now even though it happened 2 weeks ago because the two parties are basically tied. }

but I am also very worried for you guys way down south. Hopefully America will put the right person into power this time and everything ends up being ok for you all. Not to be too cliché but I am sending thoughts and prayers and I hope you guys all stay safe down there. I honestly can't even imagine how you guys fell- I don't even live there and I've been feeling increasingly nauseous as the hours go by and I have had to offline for the most of the day.

Remember:

To take care of yourselves. Just in general, in whatever way you see fit

You absolutely do not have to live stream the election polling/results thing on TV, doom scroll election content the whole day long, watch the news, or consume any other election related content. As horrible as it feels to say this; the results will be the same regardless of whether or not you are watching it. Sometimes it is just better for you and your mental health to just log off of sm/screens for the night

If it all does feel like its getting too much for you, please log off/take a sm/screentime break

Most importantly, if you haven't already, please vote!!!! I am not American and am barley old enough to be considered a legal voter (Missed my own countries election *tears*) so I can't really help in terms of providing resources but I am sure there are all sorts that can help you I'm sure. I know that its getting late at night; some polls have closed already but not as many as you would think. I found out that most are actually open way later than I thought. As it turns out, some are even open til 1! You learn something new every day I guess!

Just Please, Please, Please go out and cast your ballot and make your voice known, with how close this is quite literally every voice matters!!! GO VOTE!!!

Poll closing times in case you need it (I only included ones that close 8pm and upwards because it is 7:30 at the time of writing this)

8 p.m. ET

Alabama

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida (Polls in Eastern time zone close at 7 p.m. ET; part of Panhandle are in Central time zone)

Illinois

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Mississippi

Missouri

New Hampshire (Polling hours vary by municipality and are listed by location here)

New Jersey

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Tennessee

8:30 p.m. ET

Arkansas

9 p.m. ET

Arizona

Colorado

Iowa

Kansas (Polling locations close at 8 p.m. ET in all except four counties in the west)

Louisiana

Michigan (Polling locations close at 8 p.m. ET in all except four counties)

Minnesota

Nebraska

New Mexico

New York

North Dakota (Polls close at 8 p.m. ET in all but eight counties)

South Dakota (Polls close at 8 p.m. ET in the east)

Texas (Polls close at 8 p.m. ET for most of the state except three counties in the west)

Wisconsin

Wyoming

10 p.m. ET

Montana

Nevada (The polling location at City Hall in West Wendover closes at 9 p.m. ET)

Utah

11 p.m. ET

California

Idaho (Polling locations in the south close at 10 p.m. ET)

Oregon (Polling locations in Malheur County close at 10 p.m. ET)

Washington

12 a.m. ET

Hawaii

1 a.m. ET

Alaska (Polling locations close at 12 a.m. with the exception of Adak)

I'm not really sure what other useful info I could put as I don't know much about America or it's electoral system but I hope that helps.

A lot of people I have seen have been posting about how they feel sick to their stomach's and that they can't get off the news and how they just feel terrible so...

Things you can do to distract yourself for the rest of the night (And possibly the next few days, idk how long it takes to count votes)

Have an early bedtime/take a late nap (Only go to bed after 9 at least though, otherwise you'll mess up your sleep schedule and make you feel worse.) Just sleep your way througb it if you cant help it.

To add on to point one I often use asmr if I can't fall asleep right away/to distract myself. My favorites are: Jaden Aliana Asmr, Oceans Asmr, Kaitlynn Reha asmr, and my absolute favorite Goodnight Moon ASMR (Check out her babble brook, 1920's, or valley girl series')

Listen to a podcast (I like Rotten Mango- informative true crime, Buzzfeed unsolved- funny true crime/ghost hunting, Look behind you- also true crime, and Chris Chan; a comprehensive history)

Never too late for some cleaning! Clean your house, bathroom, bedroom, closet, do a deep clean.

If your a student like me- do your schoolwork! I know you have some studying or homework that needs to be done! Get on it!! I use the pomodoro method if that does anything

Have a self care night- do an everything shower or fancy bath, make facemasks, mani pedi's ect.

Watch a movie or marathon t.v shows you love/that are comfort shows (Some of my comfort shows are; Bobs burgers, Gravity falls, the moomins 1990, the office, what we do in the shadows, black books, derry girls, moone boy, and all creatures great and small and M.A.S.H. Some of my comfort movies are; Little women, the cornetto trilogy, Emma, Legally blonde, Pride and Prejudice)

Never too late for some cooking! One of my favorite hobbies is cooking and baking (Mostly baking) Make some chocolate chip and snickerdoodle cookies, muffins, cupcakes or try a fun cake.

Go for a night walk! Just make sure you bring a buddy and some flashlights of you're in total darkness like I am right now. (Love me a Canadian fall! Already snow where I am so of course that means everyone now needs to immediately put up Christmas decorations lol. At least the lights are nice at night)

Spend time with loved ones. Call or text a friend, spend time with your family, roommates, whoever. If your on campus at a uni see if there's literally any activities or clubs open at this hour you can go to

Read. I know you have a tbr you keep meaning to get to

Go on a research rabbit hole about something interesting. Try to learn something new. Some topics to get you started relating to where I live cause why not; Try to learn about : The Animals of Canada, Indigenous cultures and peoples of Canada- ex: try to learn some Cree or Halqemeylem phrases, try to memorize all of our provinces and territories.

Get through any chores you still have to do

Make/do something creative: Play an instrument, record a song, make a collage, paint, draw

Play some music, listen to your favorite songs on loop (Spotify's still collecting data for wrapped!)

Download a videogame on your phone- just one to pass the time even if its total addictive trash. Some ones I like: Moomin town- Idle, relaxing, town building, slowpaced, free, Miriam webster quizitative- free, wordgames, has an end to it, Toca boca hair salon- not free, hair salon game, endless, Toca boca town- not free but there are dupes, dollhouse game, bird bnb- townbuilding, slowpaced, as well theres all sorts of cute isle cat games; I like the grocery store and cafe ones

Make sure to:

Drink water

Eat at regular intervals

take breaks from screens (It'll hurt ya eyes)

get some sleep at some point

Don't sleep all day (Try to get up at a normal time)

if you feel like you need- put screen time limits on your phone. Or as well, turn down the brightness if you feel you have to doom scroll.

That's all for now. Hope you guys are doing ok and that the results are what we are all hoping for. Just know that you are in pretty much everyone's minds and we are all thinking of you (Even if we don't live in America). Stay safe and take care of yourself and your mental health.

Love, thoughts, prayers, and support from Canada/Tumblr and have a good night.

Congrats if you managed to get through this absolute brick of text. I commend you. I'll probably check back in tomorrow.

[pucksalotguys]

Chapter 8

Masterlist to series

WC:10.3K

CW: SMUT, Minors please DNI !!! extreme sexual situations

Back with chapter 8 and it’s a good one, if ya don’t like cheating in fics then look away and if ya don’t like smut that isn’t vanilla also kindly look away 🫶. Shit hits the fan between all parties involved and a big big bomb is dropped at the end….happy reading 💙

(If you enjoyed this chapter let me know please, anon is on for a reason and I promise I’m nice ❤️)

When morning came Cece did her best to keep normal as she got ready for the day, soon it turned into noon and she glanced down at her phone every few minutes in hopes of getting a text from Sidney but received nothing. She wondered what had happened for him to get so drunk, if Jacqueline had been suspicious of where he was that whole afternoon, every negative thought raced through her mind. The worst part was that she knew she had no right to feel that way, they had only had sex once and he had made it clear she’d essentially be his mistress till he could get things settled. She knew she couldn’t text him but at this point she was hoping even Jacqueline would text her Before she could drive herself more insane she gathered her purse and made her way down to the pool area where she saw Nate already waiting for her “There you are” she grinned “And here you are” he stood up “Hope you don’t mind I got this little area by the pool, the day’s nice so I figured why not” “Okay with me” Cece nodded as she took a seat in front of him “A really nice day actually, how was your night ?” “Oh god” Nate rolled his eyes “I meant to text you, Jacqueline was so fucking rude to you for no reason and then once I helped Sidney up to their suite she kicked me out super quickly. She’s got some superiority complex because she’s from some rich ass part of Connecticut, she’s never liked me much. I’m only nice to her for Sid and the boys anyways” Cece nodded as she sipped her water, her throat feeling like it was about to close up. Now it all made sense why he hadn’t bothered to text her, he was with his wife. He had been with her and had gotten what he wanted so he then went back with his wife and was now ignoring her “She’s just a different person is all” she said “Maybe she’s just having a hard time you know ?” “You mean with Roman ?” Nate asked “Yeah I bet, she can’t accept the kid has a disability. She’s so overprotective of him, he just wants to play. He’s such a sweet smart kid, so is Aaron” he grinned “He’s more of the defiant one but he’s cute” “Who are we to judge” Cece gave a shrug “It’s just unfortunate for everyone involved, but there’s always room for change, always.” “She’s a shit person and even shittier mother” Nate looked at her “I get it Cece, the kid’s different but she’s fixated on that” he shook his head “So he’s gotta use the wheelchair ? Who cares ?

There’s people that would be so happy just to have kids period and instead she’s researching weird ass doctors and wanting to put the kid through these long ass surgeries”

“What would you do Nate ?” she asked “I’d just want my kid happy” he admits “If he’s happy and healthy and he’s with me, I wouldn’t care. I’d just be content to have a child who loves me and knows I love them” “Do you want kids ?” Cece smiled softly Nate chuckled “I do but I only want one” “One ?” Cece furrowed her brow “What’s the fun in that ?” “I feel like as far as my career and seeing myself playing till I’m in my early 40’s one kid would be all I could handle” he admits “Smart of you to admit that” she nodded “But I want 5” “5 !” Nate’s eyes widened “You want a whole football team, no way” “Yup” Cece smiled “But you only want 1 so that’s a big red flag to me” she teased He chuckled “I’d compromise with you, we’d have….let’s see” he tilted his head “Alright I got it, we could have 3 and then we could get a dog and down the road maybe a cat” “Whoa there we’re friends and nothing more” Cece chuckled “Let’s slow it down” “For now” Nate winked “For now”

She couldn’t help but laugh at their conversation, mostly because of how serious he seemed.. Part of her really liked Nate, but deep down knew it couldn’t be anything more than a nice friendship but even then she was willing to keep that with him as long as she could stay in contact with him 

They ordered their food and sat in silence for a bit checking their emails and such, suddenly from the corner of her eye she could see them. There they were, sitting together in a private cabana on the other side of the pool

“Jesus I shouldn't have talked about her, she’s like beetle juice” Nate made a face “She appears when she hears her name”

She chuckled “Don’t be mean” “Let’s eat and get out of here, I’m not trying to babysit” he joked as he shared his burger with her Everything was fine until she slowly saw Aaron leave Sidney and Jacqueline, who were too preoccupied with Roman in the corner, and walk over to the deep end of the pool. She kept his eye on him and before she knew it he had jumped in “Shit !” Nate stood up and took his things out of his pocket quickly “Jacqueline ! Sid ! He’s in the pool !” he yelled

Cece’s eyes caught Aaron struggling to keep his head above water, his little arms flailing as he tried to stay afloat. The inflatable floatie had slipped off his arms, and he was beginning to sink. With a face full of panic and fear. By the time Jacqueline and Sidney would walk over to their side it could’ve been too late so without hesitation she got up and jumped in the pool She cut through the water with swift strokes and reached Aaron just as he was starting to go under. His small, frightened face emerged briefly before he started to sink again before she grabbed him gently but securely, wrapping her arms around him “You’re okay” she coughed “You’re okay” “I’m sorry”  he gasped trying to talk “I’m sorry” “It’s okay” she repeated as she swam him back to the shallow end where Sidney, Jacqueline and Nate were already waiting with wide eyes 

“Oh my god, baby !” Jacqueline exclaimed while she sat Roman on a chair and quickly grabbed Aaron from her arms “Are you okay ?”

“Give him space Jac” Sidney whispered as he wrapped a towel around him and glanced at Cece “Thank you”

“Keep an eye on your child” she said back as she started to cough to clear her throat “You might not be lucky next time.”

“I don’t appreciate those words” Jacqueline said, her eyes glistening “You don’t have kids, you have no idea what it’s like to watch two children. We don’t need your judgment”

“You were focused on one and not the other” Cece stood up as Nate covered her up quickly with a towel and hotel personnel surrounded them for more assistance “I don’t need to lower myself to argue with you, right now my child matters” Jacqueline snapped “Sidney let’s go to a hospital immediately” Cece walked over to her purse and took out a pulse oximeter and put it on Aaron’s finger “His oxygen is normal, if you see his breathing get weird or he complains about chest pains that’s when you go to a hospital, it could be dry drowning but I don’t think that’ll occur since he was in the water no more than about 40 seconds before I pulled him out” “How do you even know this ?” Jacqueline asked “Why should I take your advice rather than a real medical professional ?” “My mother is a top pediatric surgeon in the state of New York” Cece looked at her “I’ve been trained in the basics since I could walk. I chose to chase a writing career rather than going into the medical field. I guess this proves I chose the wrong calling” “Thank you Cecelia” Sidney stepped in front of her and offered her his hand “We owe you one”

“Nonsense” she shook her head and took a step back, ignoring his hand “I would hope any other individual would do what I did”

“Come on Cece” Nate removed her wet towel and replaced it with a bathrobe from a hotel worker “I’ll walk you back to your room”

“Thanks” she whispered, taking one last look at Sidney before walking away with Nate

“You’re insane” Nate chuckled as they got the elevator “I was about to jump in but you beat me to it, you’re fast as hell. I turned around and you were already in there on the deep end”

Cece let out a small laugh “Thanks”

“I’ll wait for you while you shower to make sure you’re okay then I’ll leave” he nodded

“Stay” Cececlia nodded, not wanting to be alone as they got in her room “We can order room service after I get out and watch a movie if you don’t have plans”

“Cool” Nate smiled “I mean….sounds chill”

“Loser” Cecelia chuckled, entering the bathroom as she heard her phone buzz and sighed I’m  sorry about what happened today and I’m so sorry I ignored you all last night. You know I’d never ever do that on purpose. I just got upset I had to leave you and be with Jacqueline all night that I drank way too much. I wanted to be with you, not with her. She shook her head and angrily texted back Forget about what happened yesterday, it was a huge mistake and I regret it. I don’t want you texting me or calling me again. Email me anything that has to do with business. Have a GREAT rest of your trip with your family. It was a rude text but it was exactly how she felt at the moment. At that moment she wanted him as far away as possible. **************************

Back at the hotel room with Sidney and Jacqueline things weren’t much better, in fact they were worse. Way worse than Sidney could’ve ever imagined and he was close to just phoning it in completely.

“Take a seat and have a breather please” he tried convincing her “Please Jac, don’t get yourself all worked up. Everything is okay”

He was lying but at this point he was desperate to calm her down, he knew in moments of anger with her that she often said things she didn’t mean. For her sake and for the kids' sake who were sleeping, he knew he had to take the higher road, even if it meant her insulting Cece.

“I hate her. I cannot stand her” Jacqueline whispered as she folded their clothes and harshly threw it into their suitcase “Sidney you better tell Kyle she’s out. I won’t be able to stand her if I see her again.”

Sidney shook his head and put his phone away before looking at her and scoffing out of shock “You seriously want me to get her fired after she saved our son's life ? Let’s be real here for a moment Jac, that’s insane”

“You heard the way she spoke to me” she defended “She’s no one to speak to me that way, nobody. I don’t care how much medical knowledge she has, I don’t care that-”

“Enough” Sidney whispered  “Enough already, please. Let’s move on from this already, Aaron’s okay and we’re going home tomorrow. Let’s not dwell on his any longer please” “Oh you've had enough ? You that’s here to give the same old interviews and take the same pictures you do every year ? You ?” she shook her head in disbelief “Wow, well aren’t you just exhausted ?” “I didn’t ask you and the kids to come” Sidney looked at her “In fact I told you not to come, that it was a bad idea and that you should’ve stayed home. Look what happened, was it worth it Jac ?” “I wanted a family trip” she shrugged “One can’t prepare for accidents, they can happen at anytime Sidney, you just said that.” “A family trip to Las Vegas for 2 days to a resort that’s all adults with 2 little kids who you gave to a nanny all day yesterday so we could go out and act like we’re the perfect couple in front of all our friends. Yeah some family vacation” he nodded as he left to the other room to not wake the boys up from their naps Jacqueline followed him and closed the door “Whatever you have up your ass, you better get over it” she sat in front of him “Listen to me when I say these words, we’re a family Sidney” she pointed at him “You are my husband and I am your wife and we have been together for 15 long years. You’ve been through shit and so have I but we’re a unit” “And how many of those 15 years have actually been good ?” he asked back “Tell me Jac, how many ?” She stiffened and cleared her throat ���We’re simply having a dry spell is all, it’s common with loads of couples especially ones that have been together as long as we have. It’s not as worrying as it seems”

Sidney sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair “Yes. Exactly that. I don’t know how we got here, but it feels like we’re living separate lives now with patience running thinner every single day and I don’t know what to do anymore”

“That happens in marriages” Jacqueline said simply “You want sunshine and rainbows 24/7 ? I can fake it if that's what you want me to do ”

“No” he shook his head “I just don’t want bullshit, I don’t want any kind of that. I’m so tired of this happening with us.”

“And I’m bullshit, is what you're saying ?” she frowned “Wow the king of bullshit is trying to say I’m bullshitting ? That’s a new one I haven’t heard from you. Way to go Sidney, you’ve done it again babe ” “Now you’re putting words in my mouth Jacqueline, don’t” he stood up “Don’t do that please” “Or what Sidney ? What are you gonna do ? Cry about it “ Jacqueline rubbed her face in exhaustion “You've done enough of that in your career don’t you think ? Don’t you get tired of it ?” Sidney shook his head “You’re being very difficult Jacqueline, hurting my feelings isn’t okay nor is it gonna help. I’m man enough not to snap back at you, I care about you enough to not hurt your feelings like you hurt mine” “You did last night” she said back “Oh god, I was wasted out of my mind Jacqueline ! I don’t wanna have sex when I’m wasted !” he stood up “You don’t wanna have sex with me anymore at all !” she snapped back “At all, it’s been weeks since we were last intimate Sidney weeks, that’s not normal” “You only wanna have sex so you can get pregnant again” he finally said “I know you got your IUD removed, I heard that phone call last week Jacqueline, I’m not stupid.” From the look on her face he knew she wasn’t expecting him to know, he was still even a little surprised to hear the lengths she was going to deceive him and in a perfect world maybe just maybe he’d be okay with welcoming another baby with her but after being with Cece and knowing how badly he wanted her, there was no way. “Quiet huh” he nodded “Hmm surprising” “I just want a baby with you….why is that so bad ?” Jacqueline whispered “Why Sidney ?” “I don’t want anymore kids” Sidney looked at her “I’m done, I don’t want more. The idea of welcoming another child ….brings me stress not happiness. And if you’re not gonna take care of yourself then it’s up to me to do so. I’ll get the vasectomy first thing when we get back to the city”

Jacqueline’s face fell at his confession as she looked to the side “I see”

“We go to such a dark place so much of the time Jac, it’s not…it’s not okay” he said calming down “It’s not a good feeling when we say these horrible things to each other” “Yet rather than be comforting or a little supportive, you just judge me constantly” she whispered “So forgive me for not being the nicest to you, it’s hard to do so when I feel like I constantly have to be prepared for a fight with you” Jacqueline admitted “I hate it Sidney, I hate it so much. I don’t like being that way with you” “Yeah I am too” Sidney nodded, not wanting to argue anymore as he held her hand “We really should get some food for us and the boys, I’m sure they're gonna wake up super hungry” “Room service is fine” she said with a grin “I’m gonna put on a movie for the boys when they wake up” “I’ll go down to the lobby and get you that salad you like and some pizza for me and the boys, I’m gonna go see Nate first though” he went up to her and kissed her forehead softly “Just….rest for a bit okay ?” “Okay” Jacqueline nodded He had lied again but he didn’t care, he took off and the first place he needed to go was to Cece’s room, he was desperate to talk to her to clear things up. He knew what she was thinking and he needed to let her know nothing had happened last night. Things were confusing but he knew at the end of the day who he would end up picking

Upon arriving to her door he took a deep breath and knocked on her door, he waited and waited and was about to text her when the he heard the door unlock

“Thank you, you can-...what are you doing here ?” Cece whispered as she closed the door behind her carefully “You can’t be here Sidney”

“I came to see you, can I come in ?” he asked

“No” she shook her head “You can’t”

Sidney frowned “Why not ?”

“Because Nate’s in there sleeping” she whispered “That’s why”

He crossed his arms “Excuse me ? What the hell is he doing here with you ? Why is he sleeping ?” Cece rolled her eyes “Don’t. He’s sleeping because we were watching a movie and he fell asleep. I don’t owe you explanations now leave” “Get him out” Sidney blurted out “Now” “You leave my room” Cece said sternly “I take it you got my text ? I meant that”

Sidney shook his head “I was drunk, I was so drunk but I remember what happened and I….I hated that I had the best hours with you and I had to go be with her. I got wasted to make the time pass” he whispered

“That’s horrible” Cece frowned “And not okay and neither is what we did. I don’t wanna be with you if you’re married, that’s not who I am. That’s not what your wife deserves, as big as a bitch that she can be” she admitted “Even then most importantly it’s not what your boys deserve, I cannot and will not ruin a family it’s beyond wr-” ‘It was ruined before you came into the picture” Sidney cut her off “I told you this already, I told you that once I get to Pittsburgh it’s done. I’m asking for a divorce, I mean it. I don’t wanna be with her, I wanna be with you” he held her hand 

“I can’t be the reason for a family ending” Cece said “I can’t, do you know how I felt when I saw you earlier today with Jacqueline and the kids…how could you be with them like nothing ? Don’t you feel guilty ? I sure do”

“Don’t do this to me” he said softly “Cece….please, can we talk back in Pittsburgh ? Please”

“Talk” she looked at him “To talk…you hear me, to talk. Don’t text or call me until you’re ready to talk face to face”

“To talk” Sidney repeated as he took a step closer and kissed her gently “To talk…don’t ice me out Cece, that would kill me”

Cece couldn’t help but respond by kissing him back, there was something about him that she couldn’t pull away from. Her arms wrapped around his neck quickly as his hands gripped her waist, them just making out freely in the hotel hallway until they broke apart after a few seconds

“I’ll see you in Pittsburgh” Sidney kissed her again

She rubbed her face as she watched him leave and opened her door back up, she walked in as she saw Nate come out from the bathroom “Oh you woke up” Cece said softly “I did” he nodded “I got up and happened to get out just in time to hear you and Sidney” Her face reddened as she realized what he had heard and immediately sat down next to him “Nate please….listen to me it’s not….it’s not like that” “Cece he’s married” Nate looked at her “He’s got a wife and children, he’s not gonna leave them for you. He’s not, you can’t be with him. I know he told you he will but you need to know he won’t. Him and Jacqueline have been together almost half our lives, he won’t leave her. You are gonna be left as the other woman, I know how this goes, I’ve been around men who do this shit over an over.” Cece shook her head “Don’t say that please” “Listen I don’t doubt he wants you” he said “I mean I want you, hell every fucking man wants you Cece, yet you want the married one ? You’re better than that, so so much better”

“I have faith in Sidney” she whispered “It’s gonna be hard but I believe in him, I believe in us”

“Cece I’m not gonna tell him I know nor will I tell Jacqueline but I will tell you that this won’t end well for you and if you need anything I can be there for you” Nate met her eyes “You need to prepare yourself”

She felt herself shrink, more than anything she was deeply embarrassed he now knew. In such a short time she had gained affection and care for Nate and now even the way he looked at her was different

“You….think different of me now ?” she asked him “Be honest”

Nate nodded and gave her a small frown “I do Cece, I do. How could you ? You’re so beautiful and you’re young and you could have anyone you want and you went for a man who’s 10 years older than you and that’s married and has a family. That’s really really low”

“You don’t pick who you fall in love with” Cece responded “I know it sounds and looks bad but you just don’t get it. Have you ever been in love ? Have you ever fallen in love so quickly that you think it’s not possible ? That you’re living in some never ending dream ? A passionate and honest love that you just know is right in your heart despite your mind telling you you’re crazy ?” He paused for a bit before nodding “Yeah….I have” Cece sighed “Then you understand me and you know that….that it sounds and looks bad but it feels right” Nate simply shrugged “I don’t know what to tell you Cece, I just don’t want you getting hurt” “I’m a big girl” she nodded “I can handle whatever comes my way” “Well in case you need anything you have my number” he grabbed his sweater “Text or call me if you need me, I can help you the best I can. I lov-....like you and I care for you a lot” Cece sighed softly as he left out the door without giving her a hug, she felt hopeless in the moment and honestly scared. She knew once they got to Pittsburgh that things could be much much different. **************************

A Month Later

Things had been as awkward as Sidney could have imagined but he had finally decided this was the night he was gonna ask Jacqueline for the divorce. He had barely been able to text Cece at all nor see her as all his time was spent at the rink and it was slowly driving him insane “The boys are asleep” he said as he sat down with her in the den “Can we talk ?” “I’m glad you brought it up” Jacqueline nodded as he took as eat “Sidney I have something to tell you” He looked taken back as he nodded “Oh okay, what is it ?”

“Well” she started, a small smile forming on her lips “I….I think I’m pregnant” 

Sidney shook his head “Jacqueline that’s not possible….we haven’t had sex in…what ? 2 months maybe ? I used a condom”

“Condoms aren’t exactly 100% sure” she said “And well….I haven’t gotten my period either and I’m never late…you know that” He nodded, suddenly feeling the urge to throw up “Well….would you like me to get you a test ?” “Nonsense” Jacqueline shook her head as she got up from her seat and went up to him, taking a seat on his lap as she caressed his cheek “I have an appointment with the gyno up already tomorrow, I want you to come with me” Sidney nodded “Of-Of course…listen…are you sure about this ? We slept together just under 2 months ago and used condoms and when I finished it wasn’t anywhere near…you know”, he was quickly cut off with her lips onto his. The feeling of discomfort written across his face as she wiped his lips “I know times have been….difficult” she whispered “But I truly believe this is a miracle, this is what’s going to bring us closer. This little miracle” she placed his hand on her stomach “Jacqueline we don’t know if you are yet, listen maybe I should go get a test” he said softly “Those tests aren’t even accurate half the time” she shook her head “Tomorrow I’ll have a urine and blood test, plus the doctor can do a sonogram”

Sidney felt his eyes well up as he shook his head “I just….Jacqueline we can’t have a baby…we can’t” “I know there’s problems but we can work through anything, I already scheduled us for therapy too. Everything will slowly come into place like it always does” she wiped his eyes “There’s no need to feel overwhelmed, I don’t feel that way so you shouldn’t either” “You need to listen to me, please” he murmured meeting her eyes  “You and I have been together for almost 20 years, I know you. This is just a tough spot but we’re going to be okay, we always are” she said simply

“Jacqueline please, we need to talk mo-”

Jacqueline kissed his forehead “We need to be the best versions of ourselves and we need to get some rest, tomorrow is a rather important day”

There was no way he’d make a fight so rather than push it he just did as told and went to bed, lying next to his wife he didn’t love and thinking of the one woman he knew he did. 

When morning came they started off their day by dropping off the boys at preschool and heading to the doctors. He held her hand as they walked in and were taken inside a private room, he sat in a chair as a nurse came in and took her blood and collected a urine sample “You should've had something to eat” he whispered “Fasting isn’t safe” “I’m okay” Jacqueline nodded as she sat on the examination bed They both sat in absolute silence for an hour, no one talked or even made eye contact. Sidney felt like he was gonna scream, he could see her keep busy on her phone scrolling and typing away but not once did she turn in his direction. She was nervous and he knew it, little did she know he was nervous too. When he heard the door creak open he sat up straight, 

“Mr and Mrs.Crosby, nice to see you two. It’s been a while” she came in and closed the door

“Hello Dr. Heinz” Jacqueline shook her hand “So….any news ?”

“Well” she said softly “You are not pregnant”

“What ?” Sidney whispered

Jacqueline chuckled softly “That can’t be, I haven’t had my period in 2 months now. I’m always on time, I am never ever late. The last time I was late I was pregnant with my twin boys. There has to be a mistake”

“Mrs.Crosby there’s some things we should speak about, why don’t you come into my office for some…privacy” Dr Heinz said

“He’s my husband” Jacqueline said “He can hear anything you have to say to me, he’s with me for a reason”

Dr. Heinz nodded “Very well. I took a look at your urine and blood tests and there’s no pregnancy but what’s showing are unbalanced hormones, so much so that I have a feeling that the reason for your periods not showing up are because you are in premature menopause” she revealed

“Along with high FSH levels and low estradiol levels and what you answered in the questionnaire about having a loss of libido and your irritability and mood swings along with your weight gain I see here in your chart despite you being an active woman, all signs point to it”

“Well I don’t want that” Jacqueline crossed her arms “I’m only 38 years old, I’m healthy. I take very good care of myself” “Premature menopause affects about 5% of women, it can happen to anyone regardless of how well they take care of themselves, often times it can be genes but truly the only advice I can give is continue an active lifestyle with healthy eating habits and a good sleep schedule and it may bring your menstrual cycle back and if it doesn’t then it’s just gone. Not the worst thing that can happen” Dr Heinz offered her a sympathetic look “Don’t be hard on yourself, sometimes nature simply takes it course” Jacqueline nodded quietly “okay….thank you” “Email me or call if anything please” she grinned as she left them alone “So I’m old….that’s what it was” Jacqueline whispered “I wasn’t pregnant, I’m getting old. That’s it. I’m 38 years old and I’m in the stage of premature menopause already.” Sidney let out a soft sigh “It’s not a bad thing, we both are. I mean….we’re both pushing 40” “I can’t be in menopause” Jacqueline said sternly “I can’t, it’s not gonna happen to me Sidney, it’s not. I eat right, I exercise every single day. I have a sleep schedule, I do everything to a T. This cannot be happening to me ” “Stop the negative talk” he stood up “Listen it’s okay, it’s just life. You think I don’t feel myself getting old ? Of course I do, I just don’t think about it” “Easy for you to say” she grabbed her purse “This is all your fault” “Me ?” Sidney looked confused “Yes you” she snapped “You stress me out, you just couldn’t agree to have a baby again like I wanted 3 years ago couldn’t you ? You had to string me along and tell me it wasn’t the right time and how Aaron and Roman needed us, how Roman needed some time to get used to things” “Forgive me for not wanting to have another child so soon after ours finally got a proper diagnosis” he said “Times were chaotic, between them being toddlers and Roman having his surgery and all his therapies believe me when I say a new baby was the least of my worries. I knew we wouldn’t be able to handle it” Sidney sighed “We’re barely handling it now”

“I could handle it, you’re one that can’t” Jacqueline said “You care about one thing and one thing only, hockey. Newsflash Sidney, times almost up for you” “Yeah it is and that’s okay” he nodded “But if you think just because my career’s almost over that I’ll be there like your lap dog, you’re dead wrong” “Please, as if you’re useful for anything other than holding that stupid hockey stick” she walked out “My keys are in your purse, we drove here together” he followed her “Take a fucking uber, I have brunch with the girls and I’m picking up the boys to head to a play date later” she called back as she got in the elevator Sidney stood in the hallway and sighed, he looked at his phone and saw the time. He knew exactly where he was going.

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

“Sidney” Cece said as she walked towards her apartment door “Why are you just standing here ?”

“We needed to talk” he reminded her as he leaned against her doorframe Cece nodded “Yeah…yeah come in” “Thanks” he grinned as he followed closely behind her, his hand going for her waist as he turned her around and kissed her passionately “I missed you…. I missed you so much, not talking to you was so hard” “You actually didn’t call or text me” she murmured as he kissed her neck “I respected your rules” he unbuttoned her top slowly “But I missed you….I can’t be away from you, I can’t”

Cece kissed his cheek as her arms wrapped around his neck “I know, I can’t either” “I don’t wanna be away from you that long anymore, it was torture” he whispered “Pure torture, Cece I know you wanna talk and I do too and I’ll get on my knees if you need me to but…please please…I wanna be with you” “Took you long enough” she groaned as she felt him pick her up

He stumbled to her room and laid her down on her bed quickly as he threw his shirt on the floor once they undressed. Times were desperate and he would make sure she not only knew that but would feel it too. His body on top of hers as he kissed down her neck and took off her skirt, his hand reaching up to her core, massaging every so lightly “I missed you” Sidney kissed “I missed you so much” “I want you inside of me already” Cece whispered “Where you belong” No time was wasted as he quickly positioned himself on top of her between her legs and began his thrusts, nice and slow like he knew she liked. Soon the sounds of moans filled the room and her arms wrapped around his neck. It was a good rhythm as he sighed contently and picked up the pace up a bit

“How do you want me” she kissed across his jaw “Tell me”

“Can you get on top of me…please” Sidney whispered “I want you to ride me”

“Whatever you want” she sucked on his bottom lip as they switched positions, she gently stroked him a bit before she straddled him and carefully inserted him, releasing a loud whimper along with him when she started to move her hips forward

“Oh fuck” Sidney groaned as his hands went to fondle her breasts “Not too fast” he murmured

She nodded in pure ecstasy, throwing her head back when she found the perfect pace and began to bounce slightly on him

“You’re so perfect, I don’t wanna cum yet” he whispered when she leaned over him “I don’t wanna finish yet”

“We can do other stuff…” Cece made eye contact “You wanna cum then cum baby, it’s okay”

He didn’t need any more encouragement as she started to move faster and he finally released himself with a groan, holding her while she leaned over him

“I don’t last long when I’m with you” Sidney tried to catch his breath, looking down when he realized he was still inside of her “I like it” Cece kissed his forehead “I like that I make you finish fast, it’s sexy” He couldn’t but chuckle “Says the sexiest woman there is….it’s been a week and I swear your tits got bigger if that’s even possible” he nuzzled his face between them, sucking lightly on one as he looked up at her “You like that…I can feel your goosebumps” She nodded as her eyelids got heavy “It feels good” “Yeah ?” he whispered as his fingers toyed with her nipples, tugging ever so slightly “How about you tell me what you want done to you….” “I have toys…in the drawer” she gasped out Sidney raised his brow as he let go and opened the bedside drawer, smirking when he saw her collection “Damn, someone’s horny” “I take care of myself” she kissed him “I like making myself feel good…but now I have you for that” “I can use one of these too” he pulled out a vibrating wand “Lay on your back for me and spread your legs” Cece felt heat in her stomach as she did as told and bit her lip, she watched as he turned it on and felt her breathing pick up as it touched her “Not too high…not too high….right there” she whined as it began to hit her “You’re such a good girl” he whispered as he applied directly on her clit Sex was sex, it was always going to feel good but there was something that was just so sexy about Cece that just felt different. She was confident and adventurous, she liked being in control but didn’t mind when he took over.  Sidney had never felt that way with Jacqueline ever, she bored him to no end. Cece on the other hand was hot, she a firecracker in life and in bed and she liked being with him “Talk to me” he murmured “How does it feel baby ?”

“It feels so good” she started to fondle her breasts “It feels like heaven”

“You look so pretty this way” he traced her slit, tasting some of her juices with his finger as he led down to her face, their noses touch and he kisses her forehead just before he sank his fingers inside of her causing her to gasp at the sensation “A little wider for me baby” She instantly spread her thighs wider as his tongue found his way inside her mouth and then moved down to her breasts, sucking and biting down “Fuck” Sidney gritted out “Your pussy feels so good” “Don’t stop” Cece groaned “Baby I need more, I want more”, she took his face and brought his mouth down to hers as she kissed his jaw and wrapped her arms around him, dragging his bottom lip between her teeth “I need you inside me again” He put the toy down and fit his cock at her entrance again, grabbing her hips as he thrusted in and pulled out slowly only to slam back in “You’re so tight” “You feel so big” she whined as she tried to spread her legs more for him as she squeezed his hips, somewhat guiding him a bit more while she rolled her her own to meet him deeper “Oh…right there” “I’m so fucking lucky” Sidney moaned “So lucky you're mine, you're all mine” “I’m yours, I’m all yours baby” she whimpered “Now make me cum” For a moment it felt like everything stopped as Cece held onto him, her body moving up and down along with the mattress from his thrusts. She felt herself contract as her body tensed up, she knew exactly what was coming “Yes” she cried out, shuddering and shaking as she attempted to catch her breath again but he doesn’t stop yet, she could feel herself get warmer as he slowed his thrusts down and pulled out “I want you on top again” he panted 

She instantly pinned him on his back as she straddled him, slowly rolling her hips forward as his hands gently glazed down her back and cupped her ass tightly, giving her a smack making her whimper “More…More”

“You’re so bad” Sidney shut his eyes “You’re so fucking bad”

“Make me be good then” Cece murmured against his lips as she leaned over him “You like when I’m on top…when you can touch me all over”, she continued her movement, tensing when she felt his fingers in another area “You wanna try….we can try” “Yeah” he nodded quickly “Is that okay ? I’ll just use my fingers” She kissed him again as confirmation and relaxed when she finally felt him, reaching her own hand down to rub her clit as a way to ease the pressure, after a few more minutes she backed up against his hand “I want the real thing…I’m so fucking wet, let’s try” “I’ve never…..what if it hurts you ?” he whispered “I wouldn’t be okay with that” “It won’t” she shook her head “Just…just be slow” They got in position as he gently teased her entrance, he was eager. He wouldn’t lie, he knew she knew and it turned him on. He let out a deep breath as he pushed forward, pressing into her as he crowned her, making sure he was moving slow. He could see her hands balled into fists and felt her breathing pick up as he continued to go slow “Baby are you okay ?” “Slow….just like that…slow” she whimpered, sucking the air in through her teeth feeling his slow thrusts “I…I…oh fuck baby keep going”, she kept her breathing controlled as she felt him move deeper “I love it deep…I wanna feel all of you” “That’s so fucking good” Sidney panted, sweat building up on his brow “So good” Cece closed her eyes and arched her back more, extending her ass the best she could for him as he received the hint clearly and picked up his pace slamming into her ass as she felt her body on fire. It was rough and messy and there were no complaints on her end, and clearly none on his. “You like that ?” he released a moan while giving her ass a slap “You like me fucking your ass like this ?” She nodded, delirious with pleasure “Yes…yes” Time felt as it stood still as they went at it in that position for a good while, moans and whimpers coming from the both of them. She whined when he gripped her hair and pulled her head back, looking in her eyes as he kissed her deeply

“You’re mine” he kissed “all mine”

Her breasts bobbed as he continued to fuck her from behind, she couldn’t handle it anymore as she fell forward when he let go of her hair, she could hear him grunt and let out small breaths finally letting out a gasp as he spilled inside of her “Oh god” she whispered, her legs shaking 

She could feel him lay on top of her as he pulled out, their wet bodies sticking together like glue while his hand carefully stroked the side of her face “It’s okay, I got you” he whispered “Are you okay baby ?” Cece nodded and lifted her head from the mattress after a few minutes, her hair stuck to her flushed face “I need to shower” “Not yet” Sidney kissed her forehead “Stay here, I’m gonna get you some water and I’m gonna clean you up, you just relax” He put his pants on as he went to her kitchen and grabbed some water and a few kitchen towels, he left the water by her nightstand and wet the towels with warm water in the bathroom, when he went back to her side he bent down and began to gently wipe her down. Covering her back up with the bed sheet when he finished “I could’ve showered” she whispered, her fingers caressing his cheek “I know…but I want to do this” he met her eyes She chuckled softly “Damn you let a guy have some both ways and suddenly you get princess treatment” “Cece come on” he kissed her “Don’t say it like that, I’m not just some guy….I’m…well it’s complicated right now but you know what I mean. I’m not losing you Cece, this is all gonna be over soon…and we’re gonna be okay” She nodded as he came back to bed and laid next to her, deep in her soul she hoped he was right 2 Months Later

It happened more often than she’d want to admit. Any chance they had alone they had sex. In her apartment, in his, in an office at the practice complex. It was dirty, it was rough, it was who they were. This time it was in a car, her car to be exact in a rather desolate area miles away from the city. Somehow a hidden kiss had turned into a make out session with an uncomfortable quickie in a bathroom stall and now here they were….fucking in her car

“Right there” Cece whined “right there please

Sidney smirked as he wrapped an arm under her thigh and held her closer to him

“You ask nicely and I’ll always give you what you want” he swirled his tongue over her clit

“Y-Yes” she stammered out, holding onto his head “Keep going baby”

He sucked and licked every inch of her, nibbling and kissing around her pussy and thighs, teasing her hole with his finger tip, he heard her moan and did it again this time undoing his belt and sliding down his pants at the same time

“More….more, please more” Cece whined

He opened her legs wider and put one through the middle of the two front seats and the other over his shoulder. He then pushed her down carefully in the back seat as he came down on top of her by instinct her hands went to his hips

“Tight fit” Sidney murmured, gripping the door handle above her with one hand as his other held her hip so he could slide in

“Fuck !” she cried out, her hands moving to his chest

His arms almost gave out as he tried to catch his breath and leaned down to kiss her “Cece….baby, just hold onto me” In a quick movement he he slid out and thrust back inside, causing her to arch her back off the seat

“Oh shit” she whimpered lazily keeping her eyes open “So deep, so good”

“I know” Sidney kissed her again “You’re so wet princess, you take my cock so well”

She nodded wordlessly and wrapped her legs around him to make things easier, she knew she was gonna be sore this time. His thrusts were deep and quick, at one point she moved her purse behind her head to keep it from hitting the door so much

“I’m sorry” Sidney panted “I’m sorry baby”

“Shh” she put a finger to his lips “Just keep fucking me”

He continued his movement for a few more minutes, at some point he knew he’d thank himself for taking good care of his physique, he just never imagined it’d be when he was fucking the life out a girl 10 years younger than him Once he felt her walls tighten around him he went faster, the sound of her whimpers and moans and the wet sound of his cock in and out her pussy was music to his ears. He wanted to have her whole, every part of her. “I’m cumming” she cried out, her mascara stains down her cheeks from the overwhelming sensation “Baby….baby…oh fuck !” she screamed once his hand went back down to rub her clit with his thumb

They were so cramped up in the backseat she couldn’t even squirm beneath him, she knew what he wanted. It had become a ritual at this point, she brought his mouth to hers as she gently bit his bottom lip. He loved a good make out session post finishing, if she didn’t make out with him after they were done he’d say something

“Fuck” he whispered into her mouth, his breathing coming out slow

“Yeah…I know” she licked her lips when he nuzzled in her neck

“Somehow we didn’t flip the car” he half joked “It sure felt like we were”

Cece chuckled as he peeled himself off her and wiped his left over cum off her with his hand, blushing when she closed her thighs at his touch “I’m sensitive you know that”

“I’d eat you out again but I don’t think my jaw can handle anymore movement baby” Sidney teased

“Hey….not nice” she changed the best she could and fixed her makeup

“Aren’t you happy I can stay with you again love” he kissed her cheek “I can hold you all night and not leave”

Jacqueline and him had been separated for a week now, after the doctor fiasco and some other fights it was actually her who had asked him to move out. He saw the boys every single day and face timed them every night but it still wasn’t enough and he knew when he’d ask for the divorce officially there would be hell.

It scared him, if there was one thing that brought fear into him it was the idea of losing Roman and Aaron. He shook off the bad thoughts and finished changing, knowing at least he had Cece. He was falling more and more in love and he hoped she felt the same

 3 Months Later Things had been calm, nice. Jacqueline still allowed him to go over to tuck the boys in for bed and had even invited him over for dinner a few times a week. It was nice, it was peaceful and brought him joy to see the boys content and not on edge. Even Jacqueline seemed a little lighter now, joking and actually having pleasant conversations with him

He still hadn’t asked for a divorce but given how things were going he was optimistic they would do well by the boys and have an amicable one. After enjoying dinner he made his way back to Cece’s. Now, he knew if Jacqueline were to find out he was with Cece she’d have his head on a platter. In her mind they were separated to fix things, he didn’t have the courage to let her down and he wouldn’t do so until he knew 100% the boys would be okay

“Hey” Cece smiled wide as he greeted him by the elevator, giggling when he picked her up “I missed you”

“Hi baby” he kissed her “I missed you more”

She held his hand as they went up to her apartment “I have wine and music”

“Nice set up” he grinned as he looked through them “This one” Sidney pointed at the vinyl as he bent down to pick it up “Lionel Richie and Diana Ross, wait who are they ?” he looked confused

“Are you serious ?” Cece grinned “Lionel Richie from The Commodores ? Diana Ross from The Supremes…..come on babe, they wrote one of the best love songs there is, Endless Love”

Sidney looked it over as he played it “This sounds so 80’s, I don’t like it” he made a face

“Because it is” she chuckled “This is one of the most iconic love songs there is, how do you not know it ?”

“Maybe because I’m not from the stone age babe. I was born in 87, I was brought up in the 90’s.” he kissed her head “But I love that you listen to all kinds of music, what’s next ?”

“A classic” Cece pulled out another and smiled “THE best album of all time….Thriller by the king of pop himself the late great Michael Jackson” “Aw yeah the dude with the super scary music video that made me shit me pants when I was 4” Sidney held it “I know him” She laughed and played it “Human Nature is one of the best songs there is, there's a reason this album is so good” Sidney sipped his wine glass and sat down on the floor with her as he listened, he loved how into music she was. She knew every artist and genre there was to know, her collection had everything in it. Sometimes he simply liked looking at her rearrange them over and over again till she felt content with how they looked He liked the song she had chosen, he hadn’t really considered himself a music person but so far he was enjoying it as he nodded his head to the slow beat, He looked again when he pulled out another and grinned “Hey I know this guy, Billy Joel” “He’s so good in concert” she nodded “Dude’s a living legend” Maybe it was the wine or the fact that they were in a calm intimate setting where he felt comfortable, but something in his soul told him it was time to let her know where his heart was. He scooted close to her and let out a deep breath “Cece…” Sidney said suddenly as he reached for her hand “Yes ?” she asked “I love you” he said softly There it was….the L word. The word he wanted to drop ever since the first time he was with her. It was a big one but he knew he meant it and he knew that there wasn’t another woman he could ever love more than her despite circumstances “You don’t have to say it back” Sidney whispered “I know what you’re thinking. I’m still married and you’re waiting for the divorce and it’s coming. Jacqueline and I have been separated for a month now and I’m gonna ask her for it next month. I’m gathering what I need in regards to lawyers and such but soon….it’ll be over and I’ll be able to start this new life with you and I know it sounds cheesy but-”

“But nothing” she cut him off with a gentle kiss “I love you too” “You do ?” he whispered “Of course I do” she held his face in her hands “You’re so special to me” Sidney smiled and leaned his forehead against hers, maybe things would be okay after all

4 Months Later “Just tell her already…please” Cece whispered one night in bed “Sidney it’s been 4 months baby, she’s doing well….I think it’s the right time to finally end it” “I know” he rubbed her back “I know trust me it’s just….she opened her studio and she’s been doing so well…I don’t wanna ruin it for her” “I get that, I do it’s just….it makes me feel bad when….when you come over and you have sex with me and then you answer her texts and calls. Last week she called you at night and you…you got up and answered her…we were in the middle of sex. You just pulled out and left me in bed like nothing I felt so used” she whispered “Baby I’m so sorry” Sidney leaned down and kissed her “You know I only answer her calls because of the boys, just in case it’s an emergency” “I know and respect that but….it can still hurt” Cece admitted “I’m sorry love” he hugged her tightly “Just tell me…is this just fun for you ?” she asked “I can handle it” Sidney quickly shook his head, his eyes glistening with emotion  “Don’t ever say that, you know I love you. I want you, I only want you. You’re who I want forever Cece. I would be ruined if you weren’t with me” “I just want us to be okay, to not have to hide, to not have to be so secretive…it sucks” she says “It does”

He held her as he kissed her head, comforting her for a bit “I know love” “We’ll be okay” She nodded “i know it” “We will” Sidney assured “No more sadness” she sat up and brought the sheet to her chest “Did you like what I got you for the road…” He smirked and felt his cheeks redden “Oh man, those pictures were hot. I keep one my wallet you know” “Babe no !” her eyes widened “Don’t do that, are you insane ?” “Relax” he chuckled With the season starting and him being away more and her being busy while on the road, intimacy had become more of a challenge. Sexting and jerking off during their facetime calls could only do much so one day she handed him printed polaroids of herself….naked. They were the hottest thing he had ever received, she didn’t know it but he had kept them in his safe in his apartment, but he liked to tease her every now and then “I only keep this one” he took out his wallet and removed a picture hidden between his cards.It was one of her he had taken with his phone but had secretly printed from her camera one day in her apartment, nothing sexy or over the top, just a picture of her looking through her records “Will you sign the back for me ?” “And put what ?” Cece chuckled “Hmmm….put the date we first made love, so I always know when I knew I was in love with you” he grinned “What a sap” she teased as she took a nearby pen and wrote on the back of the picture “I love you to the moon and back and around all the stars, 9/13/24- Cece” “Cool, now I have you with me even when you’re not there” he kissed her forehead “Which I won’t be till later today, I have some things to drop off at the office then my yearly dr appointment in the late afternoon”

“Sounds good to me, shoot me a text okay ?”  he laid down with her for a bit and got dressed afterwards to see the boys for the rest of the afternoon, heading over just as they had pulled in “Daddy !” they both smiled wide “Hey, looks like we got here at the same time” he smiled “How about we play a little outside before dinner time ?” “That’s fine” Jacqueline grinned Sidney helped Roman with his wheelchair to their backyard as he played with him and Aaron, after a while he tired them out and took them back in the house as he laid them down in their beds for a nap before dinner. He took a quick trip to the bathroom and washed his hands as he looked through the house and checked on everything, he didn’t even realize his wallet had fallen out of his pants while playing with the kids and when he did his face paled He kept his breathing stable as he made his way down the stairs and back outside, he looked around everywhere and it was nowhere to be found. Panic ensued as he went back inside through the living room and saw Jacqueline standing quietly, his wallet in one hand and the picture in her other

“It….we need to talk” Sidney whispered

“Answer my question Sidney” Jacqueline whispered “Is it her ?”

He nodded “Yeah…..yeah it’s her”

With a swift movement Jacqueline raised her hand and slapped him across the face, the sound resembling a shotgun being fired as he stumbled back against the wall and held the side of his face. When he turned his head she could see the corner of his lip bleeding. By pure coincidence her wedding ring that she still wore had been the one that had cut him 

She went up to him and slapped the other side of his face as hard as she could, this time she heard a grunt come out of him

“I fucking knew it” she seethed “I knew it ! I knew you were with her !”

“Jacqueline stop” Sidney whispered as he put his hands in front of him “Just-“

“How fucking long ?” She asked as he looked up at the ceiling “If you’re fucking praying I can tell you right now God is not listening you piece of shit ! So tell me how fucking long !”

“A little over….” Sidney hesitated for a bit before letting out a deep breath “A little over 4 months”

“Wow” Jacqueline whispered as she felt the wind knocked out of her “You-You fucking monster !” she grabbed a nearby lamp and threw it at him 

“Jacqueline stop !” Sidney ducked in time “Listen to me-“

“The date on this….this was when we were in Vegas…..you fucked her while I was there with the kids…you monster ! I’m gonna kill you !” she took nearby coffee table book and threw it at him “You’re gonna wake up the boys and they’ll be scared…calm down” he whispered, holding his eye in pain “Please” “Leave” Jacqueline pointed to the door with a shaky finger “I promise you, I’m going to ruin yours and Cece’s life….I promise you Sidney. I’m going to hurt you two just like you hurt me so be ready…no money is the world is going to be enough to help you” Sidney gulped as he took in her words and left back to his car. He knew a war was coming, he took out his phone and noticed missed texts from Cece and called her back immediately as he tried to keep calm  “Hey” he said softly “I….I got some news at the doctor” she whispered “Oh…kay” he said quietly “You’re freaking me out here….just say it because I have something to tell you too and it’s not good Cece so tell me now” “Sidney I’m pregnant” Cece said softly And just like that things had gone from bad to worse. He pulled over on the side of the street and hung up on her, sitting in silence knowing life was about to be the hardest it had ever been.

[bjfinn]

PETEY

(from an idea by @crawlingcoffin)

"Beej, what are you doing?"

Beej whirled around, his hair flashing a mixture of magenta and white that Lydia had never seen before. "Who, me? I ... I-I'm not doing anything! Nope, not little old me! What makes you think I'm doing something?"

"You're hiding something behind your back," Lydia pointed out.

"What? No, I'm not -- see?" And he brought both of his hands forward to show her, turning them over and over. "See?" he said again. "Nothing!"

Lydia scoffed. "You can grow extra arms whenever you want to."

The demon frowned, annoyed that she remembered that.

"Now let's see it."

"No."

That took Lydia by surprise. "What? Why not?"

Beej swallowed nervously. "If I show you, you'll tell everybody," he said. "And they won't let me keep him."

"Beej," Lydia said gently, putting her hands on his shoulders. "You're my best friend. Even when we betrayed you ... even when I killed you, you still wanted to be friends. I promise I won't tell anyone -- it'll be our little secret. But," she added, "only if you show me."

He sighed and nodded, and held out the shoebox. "Be careful," he said. "I think he's hurt."

Lydia lifted the lid and looked inside. There, curled up on an old dishtowel, lay a small animal with coarse grey fur, a white face, and a long snout and tail. It looked dead.

"An opossum!" Lydia gasped.

"I found him by the side of the road," the demon told her. "He was all alone, and I thought maybe he was hurt. Is he hurt?"

"I ... I can't see any injuries," Lydia replied. "But we should take him to the vet, just in case."

"No!" Beej cried. "I found him, I'm gonna take care of him!"

"Beej, listen -- if he's hurt, a vet will be able to fix him better than either of us could. You want him to get better, don't you?"

"But he's my friend! " Beej sobbed. "He needs me! I ... I need him! "

"What are you talking about?"

"I hafta prove that I can take care of him," the demon told her. "That I'm better than ... than ..."

"Than Juno?"

He nodded.

"Okay," she said. "I get it. But a vet can tell us how to take care of him."

Beej's face was a study in warring emotions as he considered this, his hair now a mix of magenta and purple. Finally he relented. "Okay," he said morosely.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "But he's coming home with me afterwards."

*****

"He's about five months old, and his leg is broken," Dr Harris told them after examining the opossum. "But otherwise, he's in good condition. We'll keep him here until he --"

"No! " Beej exclaimed.

"What my ... brother means is we were hoping we could look after him," Lydia explained quickly. "Just until he's better. Beej is really worried about him." She took the vet aside. "BJ's, uh ... autistic," she told him. "And he's bonded with the little guy -- is there any way you could let us take him home with us?"

"Well," Dr Harris said, "it's not like owning a dog or a cat -- he's still a wild animal. If this was last year, I'd have to report it to Fish & Wildlife. But Connecticut recently changed the law, and it is actually legal to own an oppossum in the state now." He smiled gently. "I'll get you some literature ..."

*****

Once they were outside, Beej hugged her tightly. "You're the best!" he laughed, spinning Lydia around in circles. He set her down, and she reeled slightly. "Let's get Petey home!"

"Petey?"

"That's what I'm gonna call him."

"Why 'Petey'?"

" 'Cause he looks like a Petey," he said matter-of-factly. He lifted the lid of the shoebox and peeked inside -- the juvenile opossum, his rear left leg encased in a tiny splint, looked up at the demon and hissed.

Beej grinned. "I think he likes me."

Lydia smirked.

*****

"An opossum? " Charles exclaimed. "No," he said, shaking his head. "We can't keep an opossum in the house -- it's a wild animal."

"Please, Daddy? He's injured," Lydia told him.

"I'm sorry, Pumpkin, but --"

"I've been reading up," she persisted. "They don't usually bite, they don't carry diseases -- and they eat bugs, mice, snakes ... all kinds of pests."

"Just like me," Beej said.

"Well, the eating pests part, at least," Lydia quipped. "And it's just until he's better," she added. "Please, Daddy -- it would mean a lot to me. And Beej."

Charles looked over at the demon, who gave him his best sad-puppy look. He exchanged glances with Delia.

"What do you think?" he asked.

"Well," she said, "we let BJ live here -- and he's a demon." She looked at her adopted son. "And it might be good for him to be responsible for its care and feeding."

Beej nodded encouragingly. "It would be good for me."

"Is it even legal to keep an opossum in Connecticut?"

Lydia nodded. "Dr Harris said it is -- we don't even need a permit."

Charles sighed. "It seems I'm outvoted. All right, he can stay -- but just until he can fend for himself."

"Thanks, Daddy!" Lydia said, throwing her arms around his waist. Suddenly she stepped back and frowned. "Wait -- are you talking about Petey? Or Beej?"

"Har-dee-har-har!" Beej retorted, scowling comically. "Very funny! Laugh it up, scarecrow!"

*****

Late that night, the entire household was jolted awake by a bloodcurdling scream.

Everyone rushed in to the master bedroom to find Charles and Delia sitting bolt upright in the bed, holding each other tightly. Petey was lying in the corner.

Beej went over to the opossum and picked him up gently, fearing the worst, but Petey stirred at his touch and began licking the demon's hand.

"What the hell happened?" Barbara asked.

"I-I'm sorry," Charles said. "I ... he startled me. I didn't mean to ..."

"What happened?" Barbara asked again.

"I was asleep ... he was licking my face ... I didn't hurt him -- I swear to you, BJ! I ... I guess I frightened him when I yelled. I'm so sorry ..."

"It's okay," Delia said. "Petey's okay -- right, BJ?"

The demon nodded, but there were tears in his eyes. "He was just tryna say thank you for letting him stay, weren't you, buddy?"

Charles nodded, his face a mask of anguish. "I know -- it's just ... I was asleep. I'd never do anything to hurt him, BJ -- you must believe me!"

Beej nodded. "I know," he replied. "I know you wouldn't hurt him. I-I'm sorry he scared you -- I'll make sure he stays with me from now on." He lifted the opossum up so that they were face to face. "You gotta stay with me, Petey," he told him. "You can't go wandering around scaring people like that, okay? That's my job."

In reply, the opossum chittered and licked the demon's nose.

"Petey promises not to do that again," Beej said.

"Okay!" Delia said brightly. "Well, now that that's settled, who's in the mood for some tea?"

*****

Within a couple of days, Petey was responding to his name, and would follow Beej around like a puppy -- sometimes the opossum would even ride around on his shoulder, his prehensile tail curled around Beej's arm, snuffling the demon's ear and making him laugh.

He quickly ingratiated himself to the Deetzes and the Maitlands as well, grinning toothily whenever they approached, but Beej was clearly his favourite.

Adam built a little home for him in Beej's room, Lydia bought a case of canned cat food, a bag of kibble and a litter box (which he learned to use within a day), and Barbara began setting aside a portion of cut-up fruit and vegetables -- and sometimes chicken -- for Petey every evening when she was cooking. And true to his word, the opossum no longer wandered into other people's bedrooms at night.

Even Charles warmed up to the animal. "He's ... not so bad," he admitted to Delia one evening. "It seems you were right -- Petey has been good for BJ. And he's not as much trouble as I thought he'd be."

"See?" she replied. "I told you! And really -- who could resist that face? Those crossed eyes, the little pink nose, the whiskers ... he's just so cute!"

"Are we talking about Petey or BJ?" Charles chuckled.

She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed happily. "Our little family just keeps getting bigger and bigger."

"I just hope it doesn't get too big," Charles said. "We'll have to get a bigger house."

*****

"Honestly, I'm really surprised," Lydia said at dinner. "Beej is a pretty good dad -- I didn't think he had it in him. Who knew he could be so patient?"

"Thanks," Beej said.

"Petey brings out the best in him," Delia agreed.

"I think it's because they've got a lot in common," Adam said. "I mean, opossums don't get a lot of love, right? They're kinda scary looking, and they don't smell great, and they eat garbage and bugs ..."

"Just like Beej," Lydia grinned.

"Exactly," Delia nodded. "They're both misunderstood."

"Beej is pretty good with Lily, too," Barbara pointed out. "He's been a big help with her."

"I try," the demon said modestly.

"You certainly do," Delia agreed, patting his hand. "And we're all very proud of you."

Beej's hair blushed pink.

"He and Lily have a lot in common, too," Lydia replied, smirking. "The whining, the crying, the need for constant attention --"

"Hey! " Beej exclaimed indignantly. "I'm sitting right here!"

"-- but we love you anyway," Lydia said, putting her arms around him and giving him an affectionate hug.

*****

"What do you think?" Barbara asked, holding up her latest piece of knitting -- a small black-and-white-striped sweater vest with green trim on the collar, armholes and bottom.

Adam smiled. "It's adorable -- but, uh ... I don't think it'll fit me."

"It's not for you, silly!" she laughed. "It's for Petey."

"You made a sweater for an opossum?" Adam grinned.

"Well, their body temperature is lower than other mammals," she said. "And they don't hibernate -- he'll need something to keep him warm in the winter. And I made it so that I can let it out as he gets bigger."

Adam chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. "I'm sure he'll love it." Then he had a thought. "Beej might get jealous, though," he smirked.

"I thought of that," she replied. "That's why I'm making a matching sweater vest for him."

"If they're both wearing matching sweaters, how will we tell them apart?"

"I'm putting their names on them -- see?" Barbara said with a grin, turning the sweater to show the name PETEY in red on the back.

Adam chuckled again. "Seems you've thought of everything."

"It's almost time for Lily's feeding," Barbara said, putting the sweater away. "Could you get her?"

"Of course," Adam said, and went over to the crib where their ghost-baby daughter was just waking up from her nap. Barbara settled herself in the rocking chair, and Adam placed the infant in his wife's arms.

"I still have a hard time believing that ghosts can breastfeed," he said.

"I still have a hard time believing that ghosts can give birth," Barbara replied. She eased her left breast free of her blouse and shifted her position slightly so that Lily could suckle.

"Hey, guys!" Beej said, appearing suddenly.

"Right on cue," Adam sighed. "You know, you don't have to watch every time."

"I just wanna make sure Babs is doing it right," the demon quipped.

"Where's Petey?" Barbara asked.

"He's takin' a nap," Beej told her. "So I thought I'd come and see if you need any help with ... anything." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Thanks," Barbara chuckled. "But I think I've got this."

"Okay, well ... I'll just stick around. You know, just in case."

"Uh-huh," Adam replied. " 'Just in case'. Right. Well, maybe this time you could try not to drool."

*****

"Petey's important to you, isn't he?" Delia asked. She and Beej were in her studio for the day's session, and the opossum was perched, as usual, on the demon's shoulder.

Beej nodded. "He's just like me," he said. "Misunderstood, like you said."

"Is that why you wanted to take care of him? Because he reminds you of yourself? Or is there another reason?" When the demon didn't answer, she said, "According to Lydia, this is about Juno."

"I'm better than she was," he told her.

"Oh, honey -- of course you are!" Delia exclaimed, hugging him. "You're nothing like her! She was a bitter old woman who didn't know a good thing when she had it. You don't need to prove that you're better than her."

"Yes, I do. I hafta prove it to myself. Besides, everybody else has somebody to take care of. Babs and Sex-- uh, Adam -- have Lily, you and Chuck have Lydia ... I wanna prove that I can take care of somebody, too."

"And you're doing a wonderful job," she smiled. "Petey's growing so fast! And he clearly loves you. You should be very proud of yourself, BJ."

Beej bit his lip, his hair turning pink.

"Now," Delia said. "Time for some yoga."

*****

Petey was lying on the floor, his fur streaked with red.

A few days later, Lydia was awakened before dawn by a thunk. She lay in bed for awhile, waiting to see if the noise would be repeated, and finally she got up and went to the kitchen to investigate. When she got there she froze in shock.

"Oh, God," she gasped, and ran to get everyone.

Beej's hair turned purple when he saw, and he let out a wail and rushed over to the opossum as the others gathered around, holding one another in sorrow.

The demon gently lifted the animal, cradling him in his arms. "No! " he whimpered. "Please, don't be ... don't be dead!"

"BJ," Charles said, "I'm so sorry --"

Beej stroked the coarse fur, and suddenly he got a confused look on his face. "What the fuck? This ... this isn't blood," he said. He brought his fingers to his nose, and then he gave them a tentative taste. "It's ... strawberry jam??? "

"Oh, God!" Lydia exclaimed. "I got hungry last night and I made myself a PB&J -- I must've forgotten to put the jam away!"

"So he's not dead?" Adam asked.

"He's just overdosed on sugar!" Barbara giggled in relief.

Sure enough, Petey woke up and looked at Beej, his crossed eyes trying to focus, and he began slobbering and rubbing his face against the demon's hand.

"He's okay! " Beej sobbed happily. "You're okay!" He hugged the opossum happily, his hair bright green. "You can't scare me like that, Petey -- I'm the demon, not you! "

Petey chittered in reply.

"I don't care," the demon chided him. "You're not supposed to eat an entire jar of jam! Yeah, I know it's good, but that's too much -- you coulda made yourself really sick. Now, let's get you cleaned up, okay? And promise me that you won't do anything like that again."

The opossum chittered again.

"Okay," Beej replied. "He's learned his lesson."

"So have I," Lydia said. "No more midnight snacks. Sorry, Beej."

*****

"He's progressing very nicely," Dr Harris said when they brought Petey in to get the cast removed. "The two of you have done a fine job looking after him -- he's already reached full size."

"Thanks," Beej said, smiling. He reached out his hand and Petey quickly climbed up Beej's arm to sit on the demon's shoulder, where he began chittering and licking Beej's ear, his long tail curled around Beej's bicep. "Hey!" Beej giggled. "That tickles!"

Dr Harris shook his head. "That's amazing," he said. "Opossums aren't normally so affectionate."

"They ... have a lot in common," Lydia told him with a wry grin. "Is that why he's so much ... fluffier now? Because we've been taking care of him?"

The vet nodded. "It's something that seems to happen with opossums -- once they're domesticated, they get fluffier and more appealing. And smarter, too. It's as if domestication allows them to reach their full potential."

"Petey's got a lot of potential," Beej said. He looked down at his feet. "I love him so much. And ... and he loves me." He brushed away the tears that suddenly filled his eyes.

Lydia put a hand on his other shoulder and smiled warmly. Then she turned to the vet, a look of concern in her eyes. "I read that opossums only live, like, about one or two years," she said.

Dr Harris nodded. "In the wild, yes -- unfortunately, they don't really have any defenses against predators, except for the whole playing dead thing ... and, of course, none at all against becoming road kill. But in captivity, with proper care, they can sometimes live a good four to seven years or more." He smiled. "I think Petey will have a long and happy life with you and your brother."

[floridagirlboy]

go check out @nevgovhater's marching band headcanons. done with that? ok. good. time for orchestra headcanons.

gov is the conductor. i need not say anything else.

1. ALABAMA — second violin. just strikes me as the type. he doesn't like to sit in the front or back, he prefers middle of the section.

2. ALASKA — double bass. specifically 2nd chair. he has the skill to be principal bassist but he has zero interest in being a section leader.

3. ARIZONA — cello. not sure why. i think they started out as a violinist, decided it wasn't for them, and then switched over to cello. they sit in the second row. 3rd or 4th chair.

4. ARKANSAS — first violin. in the back. got put into this class on accident and just hasn't switched out. used to be a second violin but switched sections later on. his old sectionmates haven't forgiven him.

5. CALIFORNIA — started out playing the viola. could not get along with them (they play around too much for his taste). accidentally broke his shoulder rest and that was the crucible for him switching to cello. he's a cellist.

6. COLORADO — viola, middle of the section. half-asleep at most rehearsals. people outside of the viola section forget he's there. always has an unreasonable amount of pencils on his person, all his section borrows them. only time he is not stoned is at a concert.

7. CONNECTICUT — concertmaster/principal first violinist/first chair. the kind of guy who slowly turns and stares at you after a song during rehearsal if you fucked up a chord really bad. will get onto his sectionmates for not bringing their stuff and say something like "next time i'm just not letting you borrow it" but he always does. he's a provider to his section. he cares about them a lot. same with the rest of the orchestra. just wants everyone to do their best. also he has tiny erasers on him to chuck at florida when he won't pay attention.

8. DELAWARE — second violinist, second chair. not sure why. just is.

9. FLORIDA — ...principal violist. he is the bane of gov's existence. main guy who drove california out of the viola section by being too silly but keeps begging him to come back. he has referred to this incident as the "viola section divorce", much to california's irritation, but he's started playing into the joke as well. he's a really good player but cannot focus to save his life. takes the most incomprehensible sheet music notes you've ever seen. you can't read half the notes on his sheet music because he wrote over them in the process of marking it. really good teacher to his section outside of the joking around way too much.

10. GEORGIA — second viola, has been florida's stand partner throughout all of orchestra. one of three people who can decipher florida's music (the other two being florida and louisiana; louisiana isn't even in their section, but florida taught him viola for funsies). dozes off immediately after rehearsal ends, but not during it.

11. HAWAI'I — first violin, second chair. chats with delaware sometimes since they sit next to each other. the only person she trusts to borrow her tuner, rosin, or cloth is alaska (and, lately, rhode island).

12. IDAHO — second violin.

13. ILLINOIS — first violin. i think he plays cello at home though.

14. INDIANA — cello.

15. IOWA — ..cello. maybe.

16. KANSAS — second violin or cello.

17. KENTUCKY — second violin or viola.

18. LOUISIANA — viola, second chair. florida's stand partner. he holds onto everything except the sheet music (which is surprisingly the only thing florida does not lose). actually joined orchestra because florida kept pestering him to. he got really good really quick because he has prior music experience.

19. MAINE — back of the bass section.

20. MARYLAND — clarinet

21. MASSACHUSETTS — first violin.

22. MICHIGAN — second violin.

23. MINNESOTA — first violin.

24. MISSISSIPPI — viola or second violin.

25. MISSOURI — viola.

26. MONTANA — second violin.

27. NEBRASKA — cello.

28. NEVADA — cello or first violin.

29. NEW HAMPSHIRE — cello.

30. NEW JERSEY — second violin.

31. NEW MEXICO — viola.

32. NEW YORK — cellist. wishes he was a violinist or violist sometimes but you'd have to waterboard that information out of him because he makes fun of the upper strings all the time.

33. NORTH CAROLINA — second violin. used to be a viola but switched over because his brother kept pissing him off.

34. NORTH DAKOTA — first violin. also switched sections to escape his sibling (former second violinist).

35. OHIO — viola.

36. OKLAHOMA — viola.

37. OREGON — first violin.

38. PENNSYLVANIA — first violin.

39. RHODE ISLAND — principal bassist. first chair because alaska doesn't wanna be there. he is so much fucking smaller than his bass that it's outright comedic. he sits on the stool to play and his feet don't even come close to the ground. perfectly capable of carrying his bass strength-wise but the size of it makes it a bitch, so alaska helps him. sometimes hawai'i if alaska is busy.

40. SOUTH CAROLINA — viola.

41. SOUTH DAKOTA — second violin.

42. TENNESSEE — first violin.

43. TEXAS — second violin. picked up the violin and he is not a fan but he's been with it so long he just doesn't know how to switch instruments. wishes he was a cellist. stares longingly at the cello section. he is allergic to shifting.

44. UTAH — first violin.

45. VERMONT — second violin.

46. VIRGINIA — first violin.

47. WASHINGTON — first violin.

48. WEST VIRGINIA — viola.

49. WISCONSIN — first violin.

50. WYOMING — bass.

[kojoty]

I love hearing all your thoughts on RvB! I was wondering if you had any thoughts on Agent Connecticut (CT)?

Thank you! I enjoy thinking about these weird little GI Joes :) I will always take questions/shooting the shit about rvb in my inbox :D

As far as CT, she's... kind of difficult for me. I have a lot of issues with her character on a writing level. While on the surface I quite like what's set up-- someone who's very clearly against what PFL is doing, whistleblowing, working with insurrectionists, sowing discord and suspicion in PFL members, etc-- she's just... Unfortunately written very flatly.

To put it simply-- she feels like a rough draft of a character, and it makes a lot of her scenes that would and should be narratively impactful/rewarding just... Not.

A lot of it is Rooster Teeth's misogyny, obviously. They have a hard time writing women who are empowered and not just flattening them to 'badass bitch,' and CT most definitely suffers from this. But the biggest issue is the leverage of her relationship with the insurrectionist leader as structuring it as a flattened love story. I think it takes away a lot of her agency. Now, there's nothing inherently wrong with prioritizing or showcasing a romantic relationship-- York and Carolina's is usually my go-to for how Rooster Teeth does it right, but even there, you can see how a lot of the romantic narrative beats are the underlying text to support the actual PFL plot, rather than framing the romantic plot over the insurrectionist plot. I... Have a hard time putting this into succinct words, but there's just something about CT's storyline that really, really, really doesn't read well. It attempts to leverage her attachment to this man over her attachment to... Doing? A? Good? Thing? (Not to mention, I'm still really unclear of what the Insurrectionist goals even are.)

What could be a really fascinating portrayal of a character who is trying to navigate the truly heartbreaking, difficult, morally-grey aspects of revolutionary thought, her genuine care for her comrades, and her romantic love interest just so often is... like I said above. Flat. A rough draft. There's not a lot of nuance, or a lot of thought, and any depth here gets relegated to plot. That's the problem. CT doesn't have a character, she has a plot device. She is a plot device. At all points, every time we can get more from her, we get her regurgitating the parts of the plot RT wants us to get out of the story. She's... Kind of just a lazy Physical Moralization Of the Story?

Here's what they do right-- I really like the subtleties in her and Tex's relationship dynamics. Leaving the thumb drive in Tex's locker. CT's genuine concern and desire to let Tex navigate and figure out who she is. The righteous anger involved in that action, and their relationship. I don't know if I want that aspect to be explored more-- When you have a character like CT who just... spells out the plot for you, it's nice to have these subtle moments that don't try to wack you over the head with an ice pick about how to read the text. CT often seems to be used to spell the plot out to people, which I find to be more than a little demeaning. (Then again, I guess I can't fault them for having a fanbase that is probably not as invested in like. Media Literacy on the whole. lol. but that's mean.)

I think there's something genuinely heartbreaking in CT. Her relationship with Wash is fascinating, and I find the moments of her genuine frustration and the futility of trying to break through soldier mentality to be interesting. There's the bones of a really cool character, here, but it just... She just... Ugh.

If you can't tell, the construction of her character just frustrates me to no end, lol. So I'm sorry for this mess of a text, but this is a rough draft in and of itself, because trying to dissect her character is just... It's like staring at a brick wall that's been graffitied to say MAYBE THE DIRECTOR IS A BAD GUY, GUYS? ALSO I'M A WOMAN, DID YOU KNOW THAT? and it's just, simply put, kind of disappointing.

[crimeronan]

Would the canon selves have any reaction to the poly shenanigans happening in the au, or would that happen in canon too?

Forgive Me i've started talking about something only tangentially related:

i'm gonna be a canon toh polycule truther til i die. i have two incredibly large complex polycule charts (one for the adults and one for the kids) that threaten to cover the entirety of both the boiling isles and connecticut by 2025

this is going to sound very strange and pathetic but bear with me. i am aware that polyamory was not intended in the writing and i am also aware that some people hate polyshipping of found families. we have different personal preferences, that's fine.

but toh is literally one of The Only pieces of media i've Ever seen that 1) validated that the found family stuck together being enmeshed best friends for life, and 2) wasn't weirdly meanspirited toward polyshippers/multishippers about it?

i've also had my feelings hurt by a lot of other unrelated pieces of media wrt polyamory lately which makes toh even more special. like i don't think you guys know what a Big Deal it is that everyone has matching tattoos and clothes and movie nights and whatnot..... and there was Never any meanness about drawing Clearly Demarcated Lines about Who Is Together and Who Isn't?? there weren't even any jokes along the lines of luz and hunter being asked if theyre dating and retching comically.

like. every single detail put into the epilogue was explicitly about reinforcing that these people all Fucking Love Each Other, that the canonically platonic relationships are no less important than the romantic ones, that they haven't all split off into their little monogamous pairings, and that they all have strong individual relationships with one another.

like i interpret it as polyamorous because that's what i like doing, because i'm very annoying and project my polycule onto everything. but it is genuinely so fucking special that i CAN do that without needing to overwrite canon or wince my way through a handful of mean jokes?

so people can pry toh polyshipping from my cold dead hands. it's not canon and was never intended as canon but it could be because the writers care about all the same things that i do with these relationships.

ANYWAY. as for your question. i don't think that the polyamory would surprise them, but i think the Sheer Level Of Neuroses would. the canon kids are like okay so i'm pretty sure this is SUPPOSED to be called ethical monogamy. WHERE ARE THE ETHICS

[solarpunkani]

Hey do you happen to know of any resources for someone in Iowa looking to get into native plant gardening? Thanks in advance! (Love your blog btw)

*cracks knuckles* sorry for keeping you hanging since November 3rd, homie, but I'm back home and down to get started!

Before I do, a special reminder that I'm not based in Iowa! I don't think I've ever even set foot in Iowa. I'm a Florida girlie lol. However, I will do my best to give you my advice and find some resources for you!

In my experience, many native plants grow slowly from seed. This could be because I mostly prefer perennials (I am way too lazy to replace an annual every year), but they can take awhile to germinate and an even longer while to size up. I've gotten seeds that say to wait upwards of 3 weeks to see any germination, and that's often after waiting a month or more for proper cold stratification! All of this is just to say--you gotta have a bit of patience when it comes to all gardening, but especially with native plants!

If you can get your hands on some seeds now, they'll likely need cold stratification. Fortunately, cold stratification is happening right now--put the seeds where you want them to grow, and let chilly winters do the work for you! Needing cold stratification basically means the plant has evolved to know it needs to wait until after winter to start germinating, so as things warm back up in spring, your seeds'll start growing!

Once they start growing and get established, they'll really start going--if they're in their perfect conditions, they'll be more than ready to take over a bit and manage on their own! Keep an eye out for watering needs, but generally I find native plants don't need much when it comes to fertilizer and pesticides. If you don't want things to spread a lot, you can always choose to grow certain plants in pots instead--or if you're really determined to grow a plant your soil isn't quite right for, a pot does wonders. My soil isn't very moist, so I grow a good chunk of my swamp milkweeds in pots to keep a better eye on their care.

Iowa's got a handful of growing zones going on, so knowing what the zone for your region is will help you pick the best plants! You can also pick plants known to have grown historically well in your region--I've seen plant range maps break things down by counties for my state, which helps give a good idea of whether it's a good idea for me to grow something touted as a native to my state. It's entirely possible for something to be native to your state, but not your half of the state, for example!

Browsing through a couple of sites, I hope these'll be helpful to you!

This is a link to Iowa Native Plants, which has a nice primer on the importance of native gardening as well as a few guides to native plants in their Finder tab! They also seem to sell a hanfdul of books on native gardening that may be an interesting read for you!

My Home Park appears to have a lot of information on native plants, and sells native plants that can be shipped to your state! I can't say I've ever had a plant shipped to me before, let alone from them (they don't service my state) but it could be worth a shot! If anything else, could be a good source of information! They also have a blog, and a feature that lets you mock up a garden to see what it'd look like (I didn't try it though). They also seem to service North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Maine.

The Tallgrass Prairie Center links to a ton of resources on learning about native plants, planting them, landowner incentive programs, and organizations you can join that are full of others who are passionate about native plants! The Tallgrass Prairie Center itself aims to establish and protect native plants, restore ecosystems, and increase awareness and appreciation of the Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem. I think their site's definitely worth a look-through, or you can use it as a bouncing off point to find other sites full of info!

The Iowa Native Plant Society is a nonprofit organization full of people who are enthusiastic about native plants! They host field trips, workshops, have a newsletter, and more! It could be a fun way to learn more about native ecosystems on their trips, and if they're anything like the native plant society for my state, the calendar on their site will probably start lighting up with different chapters' native plant sales as we get closer to spring, so keep an eye out! They've also got books and lots of resource links on their site!

Oftentimes when I look up information on how to grow a particular plant in my state, the university extensions office is one of the best resources. As such, I think the Iowa State University's Extension and Outreach website is likely to have some good info for you about gardening! I've also in the past emailed some staff from various offices questions about native gardening and gotten good answers, so they're definitely a resource to be utilized!

I almost forgot to link the Xerces Society! The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation has a primary focus of protecting insects in the US, but that often goes hand in hand with native plants, so they're a great resource for learning about plants and the insects that rely on them! Especially helpful is their Pollinator Conservation Resource Center, which has lists of plants and suppliers by region! You can also find just their plant lists here!

Speaking of plant lists, The National Wildlife Federation has a list of keystone plants by ecoregion! Keystone plants are highly important, as they're vital to the lifecycle of many species of insect, which then help feed birds and other creatures--you get the picture. I used the National Wildife Federation a good bit when I was writing my Biodiversity Saga on increasing biodiversity in your yard/on your balcony/in your area on a budget.

iNaturalist is a fantastic website for cataloguing the cool insects you find in your new native garden, as well as learning about the variety of plants, animals, insects, etc. that are in your area! Make an account and just vibe around!

Books can be a great resource! Unfortunately, my attention span is frequently lacking when it comes to books, and I definitely haven't read any that focus on Iowa's native flora. However! I've got a few general books that are nice reads, so you can definitely see if you can find these in a library or online (I'm including Thriftbooks links because fuck Amazon).

Hellstrip Gardening by Evelyn J. Hadden is a book I read last month that honestly inspired so many new projects out of me that next year is gonna be busy. Might as well get a healthy dose of inspiration now so you can do some planning and be roaring and ready to go come spring! I liveblogged it on my gardening blog, and shared some of my favorite notes as well!

Attracting Native Pollinators by the Xerces Society is a book that offers a generalized view on why its important, ways you can utilize native plants at any scale from swaths of farmland to a school garden or a small yard, and provides lists of plants that can be good for your region near the end! They also have Gardening for Butterflies, which I honestly haven't read yet, but I checked it out from the library so Mayhaps Soon. PS: you can buy Attracting Native Pollinators and Gardening for Butterflies from the Xerces site directly, and support their work! However. Hoo buddy, the pricing.

(Psst, here's the plant list from Attracting Native Pollinators, don't tell Xerces)

My final message to you, young padawan, is to grow milkweed. If there's a milkweed native to your state, grow it. If there's several native to your region, grow a ton of it. Milkweed is the host plant for Monarchs, but it's also such a high-value nectar source for so many other insects you've just gotta try and grow some in my book. Also a lot of the sites I saw for your state had pictures of blazing star and black eyed susans and let me tell you. Plant those. You'll have so many happy pollinators.

I can't think of anything else. If any Iowa gardeners wanna chime in with their favorite resources and such, feel free to!

[ashleywool]

Coach Z is not a character anyone wants to admit finding relatable, and YET, here we have a cartoon from 2006 that perfectly depicts my mood since 1/21/2024, and also serves as a convenient segue into me info-dumping about my weird health issues.

I'm getting more bloodwork tomorrow to further confirm or deny the possibility of Cushing's, and/or to narrow the culprit down to either the adrenal or pituitary glands. Endocrinologist doesn't think it's Cushing's based on what I told her, because of course she doesn't, and she was skeptical in all the ways I knew she would be. But I'm trying to be patient and not take it personally or assume the worst...after all, I'm just an autistic rabbit-hole researcher with too much unstructured time, and she is the actual expert. It's her JOB to be honest about what she thinks and not jump immediately to the conclusions I want to hear. Goodness knows I'm always lecturing people about not jumping to conclusions and running their mouths about MY area of expertise. Besides, even the most compassionate doctors are working within a system that sets them up to burn out and work ineffectively.

That's why I'm still not mad at the ER doctors at Bellevue who dismissed my ovarian torsion pain as "stress." They were surrounded by clearly destitute and houseless folks who were just looking for a place to sleep or something to eat or to clean a wound before it got (more) infected, because God forbid we actually enact a single piece of legislation to help these people stay safe, sheltered, nourished and cared for on a REGULAR basis so they don't have to rely on emergency rooms because there's literally nowhere else to go. Like. Of course the doctors weren't thinking about the possibility of ovarian torsion at 3am. Who has the energy for those thought processes when you're too busy trying to put Band-Aids on a constant, systemic bullet wound?

Buuuut it's still frustrating to feel like you're not sick enough to be taken seriously (or, more to the point, not fat enough). I really wanted that MRI. But for now, we've got a dexamethasone suppression test (took the pill tonight, will draw blood tomorrow morning), plus a testosterone test and a DHEA sulfate test, both of which would either identify or rule out underlying adrenal issues.

I also ordered the cortisol saliva test and 24-hour urine test on my own, because I already know they're gonna make me do it anyway and I don't have time to wait to be told to do something I already know I have to do. I had no idea ordering your own lab work was something people could do--you technically can't do it in New York, but I'm close enough to Connecticut to access facilities that will do it.

So yeah, those are my creepy Coach Z problems today. Sorry it's not fun Broadway stuff. When I get to the bottom of this and rectify the problem, I promise we'll get back to the fun Broadway stuff.

[warrioreowynofrohan]

🌟 🕶 👑 ⚙ for the Middle-earth asks?

🌟starlight: you're allowed to live in one of the Elf Kingdoms of Middle Earth, which one are you picking?

I mean, visually Nargothrond is deeply appealing (I imagine parts of it being like Lechuguilla, with delicate shimmering crystalline firmations everywhere, and other areas being fantastically carved), and Finrod is there! but on the other hand I’d have to be around the Nargothrondim 😔.

Despite all the glories of the First Age, I still lean towards Lothlórien or Rivendell. Everything about the way Lothlórien is described is so beautiful to me, the mallorns, and living in trees, and the overall ferl of history. Rivendell is appealing for the combination of natural beauty is books and lore abd song and friendly elves. But I can’t sleep in the treetops there; I think I have to choose Lothlórien.

🕶 i care not: what common complaint about the movies or novels doesn't bother you?

They were right to cut Bombadil and, even mote controversially, they were right to cut the Scouring of the Shire. An action movie just doesn’t work the same way as a book does - you need to have a clear arc to the plot, you need to have climaxes and rising and falling actions at certain points. The book gives you time to breathe before the Scouring, that’s why it hits as such a shock - fully a third of ROTK (the book) happens after the destruction of the Ring. You can’t have two-thirds of an action movie be denoument if you want it to work dramatically, and they had even more to fit in it than the book did (everything in Shelob’s Lair) because the different sections of the plot are necessarily happening simultaneously in a movie, not sequentially as they do in the book. Sam’s rescue of Frodo from the orc-Tower happens at the same time as the Battle of Pelennor Fields.

Yes, I would have liked to see it, but not at the cost of the movie working as a movie. Different mediums are suited to different thing; a good adaptation, the best adaptations, don’t just reproduce everything verbatim, they translate it as best they can.

👑the silver crown: the war is won, the world is saved, the king has been crowned. Who are you partying with at the coronation?

Being a third wheel to Faramir and Eowyn and making everything very uncomfortable.

Probably hanging out with the hobbits.

⚙ technology: everything is exactly the same but you can give one character a modern invention. Who is it and what are you giving them?

Oh wow! what do I do?

I do think that in the First Age, the Elves could do many things, through what we would call ‘magic’ and they would call just being themselves, that we can do through technology, and do them more beautifully. So it’s hard to think what the modern world has that would improve upon it. The thing about Tolkien’s world is that it’s in a state of technological decline, not technological progress; there are many things from the First Age (and before) and even the Second Age that we would have no idea how to create. And I don’t really want to play Connecticut Yankee in Middle-earth.

On top of that, most modern technology is dependent on modern infrastructure. I almost said I’d give Aragorn antibiotics and vaccines after his coronation to share around Middle-earth, but the challenge is that without reliable, controlled-temperature refrigeration and freezing, what you can do is more limited. Ditto for anything dependent on electricity or global telecommunications systems or regular maintenance. Whereas in Middle-earth you can bury a sufficiently good sword in the ground for centuries to millennia and it’ll still be sharp.

I’d put together a collection of the best fanart and give it to the Hobbits when they’re finishing off the Red Book of Westmarch, how’s that? It’s nice and they would like it.