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#12 year old me would be proud if she knew that he's still on my mind
hansoeii · 2 years
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painted my first love thorin oakenshield
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novalizinpeace · 5 months
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my take for the chapter 3 is probably faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar away from what we're gonna get, but since Catnap was made using a literal 7 years old, i like to think in the posibility of the other critters also be made with other children from the kindergarden, and their relation with Catnap.
if you want to see me talking about what's basically 7 ocs i created in less that a day, be my guest
tw: illness and death of children in really sad ways
1-Dogday - Nell Grambell (13 y/o)
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yup, you read that right, He's the older brother of Theodore/Catnap, but since he was too old to be manipulated by Playtime Co. He was used to create Dogday just 3 months after arrive to the Playcare, leaving his younger brother suddenly alone (nobody explained to Theodore what happened to his brother, just telling him he was ''sick'').
His personality is the typical protective older brother, specially since they both come from a bad background (abusive parents), Nell was a really caring and loving brother, and that personality is still present in his new body.
2-CraftyCorn - Alba Guzman (15 y/o)
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Unlike Nell, Alba was taked by playtime Co when she was 8, but made it till 15 'cause The Doctor realised that she was good to keep younger children under control by making art crafts with them, the girl was really passive and calm, but after reach puberty she started to become hostile to the caretakers, so she was taked to the laboratory were later was used to create CraftyCorn. She also meet Nell and Theodore before this, but the last time Nell saw her was when he was take to the laboratory, and she wasn't exactly alive...
3-Kickinchicken - Callem Jones (12 y/s)
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The kid was lucky, since his caretaker (the employer that legally adopt him for the company) was really interesed in take care of him, so he was one of the lucky kid to be taked care a lot, have his hair styled, learn things from outside the playcare (like skating and surfing), and even leave from time to time Playtime Co with them. The employer was really considering taking him from all this madness and make him their irl son, BUT before it could happen they were killed by Huggy Wuggy, and soon after that poor Callem was taked to the laboratory.
4- Hoppy Hopscotch - Nicole Robinson (9 y/o)
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She was adopted for a specific reason: as a child with leukemia, Playtime Co. was really interesed in see if their experiments could health such kind of illness, so they stopped all kind of common treatment on Nicole and started a ''Poppy treatment'' on her, but it wasn't working. The poor ill child was a fighter, and even when she was weak she tried to fight each caretaker that tried to inject her the poppy serum, even when knowing she could died, she didn't care 'cause she wasn't feeling well either. After 5 months, Nicole died in her sleep, and her bodies was used to create Hoppy.
5- PickyPiggy - Samina (9 y/o)
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Be in the system since she was 1 y/o and taked by Playtime Co. 1 years later, Samina only knew what the company teach her, and she was a really good kid that followed rules, specially the ones make by Bron, her favorite Toy, to the point that she dreamed to become as tall as him. Sadly, her own love end up killing her, since one day she make it to Bron's statue and, thinking in how would the world look like from up there, she climb the statue, but end up falling midterm, ending in a coma after hitting her head in the fall. Since she was already in that state, The Doctor decided to take the oportunnity and use her to create Picky.
6- Bubba Bubbaphant - Charlie (7 y/o)
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Intelligent and attentive, Charlie was a truly prodigue that Playtime Co. was proud of get their hands on, the kids was already at the same academic level of the +12 y/o, and The Doctor was excited to use him in the future when his mind developed a lil' more. But the plan had to start early since Charlie end up getting a bad case of pneumonia, and fearing that the child wouldn't make it, he was send to the laboratory to start the work on him.
7- Bobby BearHug - Amara (4 y/o)
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The lil toodler was a love to be around, giving hugs and lil' kisses to all the caretakers, this 'cause the kid was also lucky enough to be adopted by a employer that take good care of her since practically birth. But she was also really naive and innocent (of course, she was a baby), so she usually was the hitting bag of a lot of other children that wished to have the love her caretaker give her. One day it goes to far, be that a group of children take her from the lil' kids room and put her in a locker, something that scare Amara 'cause the child was claustrophobic, to the point that before a caretaker could find her, Amara end up suffering a panic attack and dying of asphyxiation. Her caretaker end up resigning after that, and the body was used to create Bobby.
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thelastairsimblr · 2 months
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Family Pack #4
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I’m happy to share some sims with you all today! In this post, you’ll find 12 households (40 sims total), each with their own stories and biographies. All of these sims have additional Everyday outfits, skills, bonus traits, Likes and Dislikes, sexual orientations, pronouns, family dynamics, and Lifestyles. You can find them all on the gallery under my Origin ID: TheLastAirSimmer or in the tray files linked under the cut! As always, feel free to tag me if you end up using them.
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Abreu
A respected food critic, Maria’s opinion is highly valued by all as the towns’ baked good connoisseur. Her husband Joaquin, a renowned pianist, is no exception; he worships the ground she walks on. Together, they project their creative outlooks onto their sons. Santiago, the eldest and a romantic, has the full support of his parents and wants to become a professional wedding photographer. Even though young Rémy feels he didn’t inherit his parents’ imagination, he still wants to make them proud.
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Naval
Aparna owned her own restaurant while raising her two girls alone. Hema was able to help out when she was old enough, allowing Aparna to find success and receive critical acclaim by publishing her own cookbook. Today, Hema is focusing on her engineering studies while trying to find love; she’s very smart and sincere, but a bit naive. Ridhi is chasing a riskier path; she wants to be a famous musician. And while Aparna hopes that this is just a phase, she supports her youngest daughter anyway.
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Monaghan
As young parents, Stefan and Marianne sacrificed a lot. Stefan became a cop to support his family, but still gets caught up trying to relive his youth from time to time. Marianne longs for the day that she can quit her job at the local diner and become a singer. Soren feels pressure to please his parents, but really just want to play videogames all day while Tatum and Aria constantly bicker, not at all concerned with their parents’ feelings or the wellbeing of Hunter, who just wants attention.
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Larson
Quite the jazz singer in his day, Clive is desperate to find ways to stay relevant in the ever-changing music scene. Fiona, longing for the authentic soul who serenaded her years ago, knows she can inspire him again; she’s stood by him through a lot. But until then, you can find the melancholy art critic drinking to yesteryear at the bar. Jade dropped out of college to pursue a career in social media (much to Fiona’s discontent) while Candice is following the artistic path her parents paved.
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Agawa
Ever the class clown, Yuto knew that he had a knack for entertaining people. This was only confirmed after he went viral on Social Bunny for the first time! When he told his parents that he wanted to pursue a life in the public eye, they saw it as further evidence that he couldn’t take anything seriously. He makes a decent living streaming video games and his eccentric personality is pure internet gold. Though to be fair, he should probably be a bit cautious with what he says and does online.
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Hollifield
As a teen, Whitney’s future looked bright. But she forfeited a lot of opportunities to pursue a whirlwind romance with a boy who had a dangerous edge. They were happy for a time, but it didn’t last and the only thing she kept from that relationship was her daughter Emma. She now works a lowly job in fast food while taking classes at Britechester, hoping to find a career in social media. Her days are busier as a working single mom, but Emma keeps herself entertained by befriending her neighbors.
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Catton
Following the loss of her son to avoidable circumstances, Dottie found herself in the care of his two children. Filled with regret for not doing more for her son, the college professor watches the kids like a hawk! She’s keen on using her connections to better their lives. Temperamental Owen does well to make her proud with his grades, but he has an artsy side that he only shares with those closest to him. His little sister Bonnie would rather spend time making friends than studying though.
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Qian
After founding a groundbreaking app, Shirong found a place among the company of the rich and powerful. His charming wife Meifing, quite the schmoozer at elite parties, is constantly looking for funding for her next big venture (while also being the go-to-girl for all the neighborhood gossip). Nuo chose to move home after grad school to save money, but is ready to leave and start her own law firm. Her younger brother Haoyu adds to her restlessness by barraging her with his antics.
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Sullivan
Atticus’ dad Clifford, a retired veteran, supported his sons’ musical dreams fully, having raised him alone after his wife died. While roaming the world, Atticus met Elisa; a fashion guru with a fiery disposition. The pair had three children and Clifford moved in to help with the newborn. Like her dad, Lydia also wants to be an artist (whether if it’s for her love for acting or a desire to be in the spotlight remains to be seen) while Malicia, afraid of being unseen, finds relief in her friends.
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Kingsley-Ramirez
Jaime and Paxton met/moved in together before they could actually get to know each other, both having been new to the city at the time with zero connections. They found themselves compatible not only as roommates, but eventually boyfriends as well! Jaime always puts others before himself; it shows in the passion he has for social justice causes he advocates for. Meanwhile, Pax works a parttime job at a small coffee shop, but is intent on putting himself through school to become a veterinarian.
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Tanaka-Murdock
Nigel and Shannon met at Foxbury and developed feelings for each other during study sessions. Though Nigel was the only one to graduate, he admires Shannon for making the decision that was right for her. He enjoys being the breadwinner while Shannon follows her artistic instincts, though he wishes he had his wife’s free spirit. Shannon is quite hard on herself and works tirelessly until she makes something she’s proud of while their son Kason, while a quick learner, really just wants to play.
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Miyake
Even if he’s never been the most social person, Kenzo is a loyal and fierce friend to those lucky enough to make it into his circle. A patron of the sciences, he cares deeply about precision and perfection. However, when it comes to raising his son Akira, he wants the boy to follow his own path, even if it’s not exactly the one he would choose for himself. Akira seems to be doing just that; far more sociable than his father, he never fails to leave a lasting impression on anyone he meets.
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caffeinemachine · 9 months
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Life Jacket- Chapter 2
Hi!! Thanks for all the love on the first chapter! Sorry this out later than I expected but I couldn't stop writing and I didn't want to end the chapter at an odd spot.
Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list! Hope you like this chapter!
WC: 4.8K
Conrad Fisher x Eldest Conklin Sibling Reader
Blurb | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2
~~~~~~~~~~
The first day always went the same. Unpack, swim, shower, nap, dinner. Sometimes the first bonfire of the season was the first day we got there, other times it was the next day. This year it was the first. So today’s order was, unpack, swim, shower, nap, dinner, get ready, party. 
We all gathered around the table for dinner in our usual spots. My Mom, Belly, and me on one side,  Steven and Jere across from us, then Conrad on the end next to me, and Sussanah on the end next to my Mom. The spots never changed over the years, unless we had guests to squeeze in somewhere. The other thing that never changed was the food. Susannah was an amazing cook. She had taught me to cook over the years. I had spent many hours by her side being her ‘little sous chef’ as she called me. This summer she told me she would show me her old college food recipe hacks. 
I picked my head up from my plate when I heard Jeremiah’s voice, “So Y/n/n when do you leave for school? Do they have the swim team go early?” 
I nodded, quickly swallowing my food so I could answer, “Yeah I have to go early, It's not too bad though only 2 weeks before the regular move-in date. I leave on August 5th.”
Susannah spoke next, “We’re so proud of you, our little fish.” Everyone chuckled at the nickname, ‘little fish’. Susannah had been calling me that for years. 
“So what about you man when do you leave for training camp?” Steven asked Conrad, only he wasn’t the one who answered. Jeremiah did.
“He uh quit football.” Silenced stretched over the table. He what? I stared at him in disbelief, but in my heart, a part of me felt relieved for him. Being a student athlete isn’t easy and I knew Conrad only did football for his father. Sure he still loved the sport, but not enough. 
“What you quit? Why man, I would’ve killed to play college ball?” Steven asked Conrad but again he didn't respond, his mother answered this time. 
“He can always change his mind.” That made Conrad speak up, getting defensive towards his mother in a way I didn't usually see from him.
“I’m not gonna change my mind, I was just gonna sit on the bench all season anyway.” I sat quietly. I didn’t know what to say. Conrad and I bonded over our athleticism over the years, it felt weird to think we didn’t share that similarity anymore. 
I hadn't realized I was staring at him until he looked back at me, our eyes locked and yet I still couldn't move. You'd think it'd be instinct to look away but as he came into focus, we just stared. I tried my best to read him to understand why he might do that, Why would he quit? I knew he didn't love it but he had gone this far with it, What made him change his mind?
There was something unreadable in his expression I didn't think it was regret or nostalgia or sadness or anger but instead some combination of all of it. I wondered why. He looked away first turning his attention to his plate as he picked at the food in front of him. I didn't push him on it, I wasn't sure I'd push him on it later either. I’m sure he had a reason, maybe it’d be best if I just let him tell me if he wanted. 
The rest of dinner continued on like normal on the first night. Catching up, making jokes, and just being happy to be in each other's presence again. Everyone went their separate ways to get ready for the bonfire, and Belly and the moms stayed downstairs preparing for their movie night. Their tradition started a few years ago when Belly was 11, almost 12. That was the first year we went to a bonfire, Conrad and I were 14, and Jeremiah and Steven were 13. The bonfires were different then, we were with the younger crowd still unmixed from the older kids.  It was in the backyard of the house owned by a kid Jeremiah and Conrad knew from sailing camp. Belly was so upset she couldn't come with us. She was too young and we didn't want to have to watch out for her the whole night, or entertain her for that matter. I love my sister and she's gotten a lot better over the years but she loves attention, even though she won't admit it. Having her come meant that I would have to keep her by my side the whole night, that I couldn't mingle with new kids and make new friends. The moms promised to hang out with her that night. They went to the drugstore in town and bought a bunch of candy. Susannah made brownies and they watched a movie, a PG-13 movie which Belly thought was awesome at the time. 
I didn't do too much to get ready for the bonfire, it wasn't anything new, but I still like to look a little bit nice. It was the first time I was seeing everybody for the season after all. My hair was down, air-dried from the shower I took earlier so it had a natural wave to it. A little concealer under my eyes, some mascara, tinted lip balm, and that was that. I put on a tank top and some jean shorts with my navy Cousins Beach sweatshirt on top. It tended to get a little bit chilly on the beach at night. I looked at myself in the mirror, my eyes catching on the shimmer coming from my ears. My pearl earrings, Susannah's pearl earrings. She gave them to me for my 16th birthday just like her mother did and I've treasured them every day since. 
I had to shoo the thought away as I felt myself getting choked up. I exited my room and went down the stairs, slipping on my very worn-in black Converse by the door.  I heard stories of people in college having a designated pair of shoes they called their ‘frat shoes’. This pair of black Converse was that for me over the summer.  They had been covered in sand, soaked from water, and scuffed with dirt, more times than I could count. 
As I finished tying my last lace, the boys walked down the stairs. I sat up, shoes now tied, and patted my knees, “You guys ready to go?”
“Yep let's do this we're taking my car. Y/N you promised to be DD for the night right? Don’t worry though I won’t drink too much anyway, wouldn't want to be hungover for my first day of duty, right Y/ N?” Jeremiah answered.
I laughed, “No Jere, you definitely shouldn't be hungover. Wouldn't look good for me either after I vouched for you to get this job. But yes I’ll be DD.” He laughed with me throwing his arm over my shoulder as we walked to the car. Steven called shotgun which left me and Conrad to sit together in the back. I hated to admit it to myself but he looked good. How someone could pull off a gray hoodie that well I didn't know, but he pulled off a gray hoodie and jeans better than I'd seen ever before. 
The drive was silent in terms of conversation but in the front seat, Jeremiah and Steven were singing their hearts out to Steven's ‘pregame’ playlist off Spotify. I kept my gaze out the window. Partly because I was still taking in the beauty of Cousins, partly because I could look at him. He looked too good and I always had to distance myself from Conrad before parties. I never knew how they’d play out with him. Sometimes he’d just stick close to us, the crew, and have a super fun night hanging out. Usually, that’s what he did when I was at the party with the guys but I’d been told the stories of his playboy party actions when I wasn’t there, and last summer I had gotten a glimpse of it. A girl named Nicole had come up to him and started chatting with him. Within seconds she was quite touchy-feely. Her hand was on his chest or upper arm, even playing with his hair every once in a while. I had whispered into Jere’s ear who was between me and the horny fest, “Who’s that?” 
Jere took a quick glance over his shoulder and then whispered back, “Nicole, she and Conrad hook up every once in a while.”
I furrowed my brows, “I’ve literally never seen her before.”
“They met at a party last summer when you had left for swim camp, I think her family like only comes out for August.”
I swallowed the information and then excused myself to get a drink. I stole a beer from the kid's fridge and walked back feeling a little bit better now that I had a drink in my hand. But when I looked up to find Nicole on her tiptoes kissing Conrad against the wall, the power of the drink in my hand ceased. I turned back to the kitchen, leaning against the counter by myself for a few minutes. I had my focus down on my hands when I suddenly looked up at the sound of the refrigerator doors flying open. It was her. She was seemingly grabbing a beer from the fridge the same way I had been just a second ago. I expected her to walk back out to Connie, but instead, she stationed herself on the counter, so I took that as my sign to walk back. It was the first, and only time since I had seen Conrad's fuck-boy behavior, but the stories continued, and I never let myself feel unprepared for the chance I might see it again.
Now sitting in the car with him I did just that as I watched the houses go by. The streets are littered with beautiful bloomed hydrangeas. Suddenly, my hair was pushed behind my ear. I turned my head as his hand draped its way down from my ear to the ends of my hair. His face was soft but I could see the dimples around his smile starting to crease. I shifted in my seat, nervous with his attention on me. 
“W-what are you doing?” I spoke lowly. Not that it mattered, Jere and Steven had no chance of hearing over our screaming.
“You’re hiding.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement. And it left me speechless. “Your hair is always so soft, you’d think after years of chlorine that wouldn’t be the case.” 
That eased the tension a little, as the corner of my mouth turned up. “Well, that's because I wear one of those swim caps.”
He laughed, “I’d pay to have a picture of that.” 
I laughed with him, “Don’t say that to my mom 'cause she’d easily take your money for an exchange.” 
“Let's go!” Jeremiah shouted, exiting the car along with my brother. I hadn't realized we had stopped.
I looked over my shoulder to see Conrad hadn’t moved. His eyes looked at me like he was observing my soul. I held my breath. As if not breathing would help ease the bubbles floating around in my chest. 
I couldn’t bear it.
With an awkward laugh, I scooted out of the car and jogged over to Jere and Steven. I didn’t want to walk down alone. I knew the boys wouldn’t stay by my side the whole night, they’d go do other things within the first hour, but I liked to hold onto them for as long as I could. I didn’t mind the girls I’d met with the guys here over the years, but we were never that close. Nicole, Dara, Gigi, Marisa, and Shayla, we’d all lose contact over the school year. I also knew some people who weren’t from that crew. Some of them I knew from the swim club I used to do at the Country Club when I was little under the Fisher’s name. I wasn’t exactly supposed to be in the club seeing as I wasn’t truly a member but Susannah had a way of getting people to do what she wanted. Kindness can be blinding. The club was mostly made up of little boys, there were only 3 of us girls, Sydney, Ally, and me. Sydney was a nice girl. She was super smart, and ambitous, she’s set to start at Princeton for business in the Fall. Ally, I remained better friends with as we grew up. She was a dedicated swimmer like me so we even ran into each other sometimes during the school year at competitions. Ally was a total sweetheart, but she liked to have fun. She was easy to hang out with, she understood. I hoped they were here, I had forgotten to text them when I got to Cousins.
The fire wasn’t too crazy, they had to be careful not to draw too much attention from the cops. A big crowd of people had already formed though and it was only 9:30. I grabbed a cola from the cooler as I said hello to everyone coming up to us. Chit-chat was made with numerous people, and I couldn’t help but feel these conversations were really competitions for these kids. It was like every comment had to be a one-up to the one previous.
It was around 10:30 when a hand plopped down on my shoulder abruptly.  I assumed it was one of the guys but then he came into my eyeline, Peter Millington. 
“Yooo Y/N what's good?” He said a little slurred. As he moved to stand in front of me his hand dropped from my shoulder. 
“Hey Peter,” I laughed. Peter was a good guy, he was flirty but it was harmless. Annoying, but harmless. I met him at the swim club when we were 10. 
“So miss big shot where you heading this fall?  I’m sure schools across the country were practically begging outside your front door!” 
I laughed, “I won’t deny that, but I’m actually not going far. I’m gonna be going to Harvard.” His mouth hung open.
“No shit.”
“Yes, shit. How about you, still swimming?” 
He shook his head, “Nah nah, I’m trying to be a sports agent, I’ll be going to Penn State.”
“That’s great, congrats.” I smiled at him. 
He pointed at me a big smirk spreading across his face, “Yeah so you better remember me when you go all famous.” He finished his statement by slightly hitting the side of my arm. 
“You got it Pete, I won’t forget you-”
“Belly what the fuck!” My head snapped and my jaw dropped. I took off over to them. I sort of abandoned Pete but eh, he’ll be fine. 
“What the hell are you doing here?” Steven yelled.
I smacked his shoulder once I had run up to them. “Stop yelling! You’re making a scene!” I whisper-shouted at him. 
Then I turned my attention to my baby sister. My baby sister, who wasn’t supposed to be here. My baby sister, who was just talking to a man 5 years older than her. My baby sister, who chose to wear a tiny skin-tight pink mini dress. My clueless, trouble-causing, baby sister. 
“What are you doing here?” I asked her as calmly as I could. 
“What I can’t go to a party?” She bit back defensively.
Excuse me? She didn’t get to give me shit for being concerned when she's the one who showed up out of the blue. I scoffed, “Did I say that?”
“What are you even wearing Belly we are on the beach why would you-“ 
“Steven. Knock it off. Go hang out with Shayla.” This was getting too aggravating. Steven was instigating too much, he must have already pissed Belly off by the time I ran up and now I had to deal with it.
“Did Taylor tell you to wear that or something?” I asked Belly, trying my best to figure out what was going on without having to have an argument in the middle of a party. 
“Why can’t I just dress nicely without being questioned?” Why the hell was she being so defensive? 
 “Again did I say that?” I couldn’t hold back the bite to my tone.
She rolled her eyes before looking at me. But then her gaze sharply caught something over my shoulder. I turned to look. Jeremiah. Drunk off his ass. Standing next to the fire trying to strip and go skinny dipping. He had already stripped off his sweatshirt, shirt, shoes, and socks. 
“Great.” I scoffed, running over to my now 2nd problem of the night. 
When he saw me running over he smiled brightly, “Y/N! We are going swimming come on! OH MY GOSH Belly! You’re here! You come too!”
Belly laughed beside me and I would’ve thrown a dirty look her way if I had the energy to spare. 
“No. No one is going swimming. It’s pitch black, the rip currents are crazy, and you are wasted. That’s all recipe for disaster.” I said authoritatively. 
Jeremiah pouted. “Please?”
“No. Now put your clothes on.” 
“Booooo.” Was he serious? He swayed as he re-dressed, his shirt blocking his vision. Good god.
“And get rid of the drink Jere, You’ve had enough.” 
“Ughhh fine party pooper.” Before I could stop him he threw his drink into the fire. 
“Jere-” The fire grew, a blaze lighting the beach. Shouts were heard as other drunk idiots followed Jeremiah’s lead and fueled the fire. “I can’t with this, Jere hang out with Belly.”
He smiled at that, “Alright come here belly button sit with me by the fire.” She giggled and obliged.
I took a deep breath, my feet taking me to the shoreline without even thinking. I needed to calm down. The chaos was overwhelming. I sat down on the sand a few feet away from where the water reached. The breeze flowed against me and I felt my mind begin to ease. This. This is why I always loved Cousins. I will never feel as at peace as I do when I’m next to the ocean. Water just calmed me down. I was the little fish. 
I hoped that would never change. I hoped I would always be the little fish, no matter how big or how small the pond. No matter what happened down the line, the peace I felt by the water would never be disturbed. I’d always be, as Susannah so deemed me, a little fish. 
I felt a plop next to me in the sand. I knew who it was without even looking, I could simply feel his energy. It was Conrad. He looked out on the water as he placed whatever drink he had in his hand down next to him. I kept my gaze out on the water as well. It felt good to just sit with somebody. With him. 
“So you go around telling everybody you’re going to Harvard?” He said, slight humor in his tone.
I sighed, “I mean only when anyone asked.”
“No shouting from the rooftops?” 
“No shouting from the rooftops. I’m not a big bragger.” I snickered, and so did he.
“You? Please! You have always been humble but you never shied away from sharing your accomplishments. You should be proud of yourself, it’s a big deal.” I just shrugged in response.
“I’m proud of you.” I looked at him then. His eyes were full of sincerity. I don’t think he knew how much that meant to hear. I caught his eyes flicking to my lips. 
Wait what-
He was looking at my lips and when he looked back up his eyes shone with vulnerability. I couldn’t help myself when my eyes dipped down to look at his. I imagined what it’d be like to kiss him. His soft pillowy lips moving against my own. I wondered where he’d put his hands. He seemed like the type of guy to cup the back of your head. I’d feel the weight of his hand as he pulled me into him like he was desperate for our connection. Maybe one hand would fall to my hips or my thigh, acting like an anchor. 
I couldn’t let my mind wander too far. Lord knows where that would lead. When our eyes met the tension was unmistakable. I couldn’t. I couldn’t let myself fall into him. I’d never stand back up. 
“Stella? Alright, thanks man!” 
Spell broken. Peter had just snatched Conrad’s beer from its spot between us and was taking a big slug of it. 
“Pete what the hell?” I said, standing up from my seat on the sand. 
“Dude give me my beer back.” Conrad stood up as well, Pete was standing between us. 
“Whaaaat? You weren’t even drinking it man! It was just- you know just sitting there and all the- all the other Stella’s are gone.” He was plastered. I felt my chest sink. This isn’t gonna go well.
“I don’t give a fuck if there aren’t any left, that one is mine now give it back to me.” Conrad defended.
“Connie come on-” 
“It’s just a beer man.” Pete turned to face primarily towards Conrad. 
“Exactly, so give me my beer back and get yourself your own.” 
“No.”
“Pete come on you definitely don’t need another drink.” I approached him, going to put my hand down on his shoulder to try and calm him down. Then just as I did he rolled back his elbow saying,
“Oh fuck off.”
I fell to the ground. His elbow collided right with my ear and the side of my face. Well, that hurt like a bitch. I’ll have a black eye on my first day back to work. Awesome.
“Y/N-“
I kept my eyes clenched shut for a minute before I felt a hand come to my shoulder, it was Belly and Jeremiah helping me up. My ears rang for a minutes before clearing. I watched as Steven and Jere broke up the fight. 
Conrad looked at me as Steven pulled him back. I shook my head and looked away. Actually, I looked right at the flashing blue and red lights now coming from the top of the dunes. Cops, awesome. 
“Enough!” I snapped everyone out of it, “Let’s go! Come on!”
I grabbed Belly’s hand as we ran up to the car, glancing over my shoulder quickly to make sure the boys were behind us. 
“Jere keys!” I caught the keys as he tossed them to me, unlocking the car doors. “In! Now!”
I started the car, a scowl on my face. My head felt like it was vibrating but it wasn’t like any of them could drive with their intoxication level. I couldn’t believe them. How on earth did they think it was appropriate to act like this?  I kept my eyes on the road, but I was sure they could feel the anger radiating off of me. 
“Y/N look I-“ Steven started but I cut him off.
“I don’t wanna hear it.” 
Then Jeremiah came in, “We didn’t mean to-“
“I said I don’t wanna hear it! Unless you want me to hit a drunk teenager stumbling home, you’ll shut up and listen to me! I’m distracted enough by the pinging in my head.” 
They were silent after that. 
I was mad and I had plenty of reason to be. I had been in this position with my sibling plenty of times, a few with Jeremiah, but never Conrad. I knew he started fights occasionally, but never with me around. 
I pulled into the driveway and parked the car. Then I child-locked in all those mother fuckers. I unblocked my seatbelt and positioned myself to be able to see them all. Steven and Jere struggled to open the doors while Belly sat in the middle confused. To my surprise Conrad just sat in his seat, his focus down in his lap, he made no objections. Once the three backseat idiots figured it out they looked to me expectantly. 
I raised my brows, “What you thought just cause I didn’t want you distracting me while driving you were gonna be off the hook?”
“Y/N what do you even care? You’re not our mom.” Belly said, rolling her eyes.
She only fueled my anger, “Yeah no shit I’m not 'cause Mom wouldn’t have put up with even an ounce of the crap you guys pulled tonight. Do you think I like playing mommy? Do you think I wouldn’t have rathered to enjoy the first night of my summer stress-free? You are lucky I’m a good sister, 'cause I could so easily walk inside and tell Mom everything that went down tonight. Then maybe you’d realize that having you deal with me instead of mom, is me being nice.”  I watched my sibling's attitudes deflate. Jeremiah on the other hand was sitting there trying and failing to hide the smirk from his face. “What’s so funny Jeremiah? Do you think I’m not talking to you too right now? All of you put me in bad positions tonight because of how you acted. ”
Jeremiah chimed in again, “We weren’t that bad.”
My jaw dropped, “Not that bad? Let’s see who should I start with. How about you Jeremiah, I stopped you from getting naked in front of every teenager in cousins, potentially drowning and killing yourself, and even after I did that you acted like an idiot! Throwing alcohol into the fire, you’re probably the reason the cops came! Oh and just the cherry on top, the fact that you’re wasted after promising me you wouldn’t be.” He was quiet now. 
“Steven had to cause a whole scene, but I’m not even that mad at him because he was right to be questioning you Bells! How the hell did you even get there?”  
She peeked up sheepishly, “I walked.” 
“You walked? Belly do the Moms even know you came to the bonfire?”
“No, I snuck out.”  She spoke in a quiet tone.
“Jesus Bells! If you had just told me you wanted to come I would’ve vouched for you. For god sake, I would’ve given you a ride!” My head pounded. I rubbed my forehead trying to ease the pain, I needed some advil. “You guys can’t act like that. It’s dangerous, and quite frankly embarrassing. I’m just- I’m done dealing with it.” I took a breath and unlocked the doors, “Go inside guys. Go to sleep.” I sat forward with my head in my hands. I heard the doors open and close as they got out without a word. 
Except he didn’t. I didn’t look over at him. I honestly didn’t know what to say to him. I didn’t know how I felt at the moment. 
“Are you ok? Is your head alright?” He had worry in his voice and I couldn’t help but feel a flutter in my heart. 
“I have a headache and I’ll probably wake up to a huge bruise on my cheek but I’m fine.”
“How come you’re not mad at me too?”
“I didn’t say I wasn’t mad at you.” I felt his eyes on me the whole time but mine stayed forward at the house. 
“You didn’t yell at me like everyone else.”
“Because I didn’t know what to say to you not because I’m not mad at you.”
A beat passed. Just us sitting in the car before he spoke up again, “I’m so sorry you got hurt, Pete was plastered-“
“You could’ve just let him have the beer.”
“Y/N I wasn’t going to-“
“Look it’s been a long night, just- just go to bed Con.” I grabbed the keys and left the car. I hadn’t looked at him once and I didn’t look back at him.  I couldn’t. I don’t even think I was truly mad at him, I mean it was Pete’s fault, not his. I was more overwhelmed with tonight’s events and I didn’t have the energy to unpack anything right now. My head was pounding and I needed to lay down. Work would be a nightmare tomorrow morning. 
I went straight into the shower when I got inside. I gave myself a quick rinse. Susannah always stoked our bathroom with luxurious bath products for me and Belly. But I know Steven liked it too.
I walked into my room and plopped right down onto my bed. Man, it was soft, and it only seemed softer after a hard night. 
I went to grab my phone when I saw it. A water bottle, advil, an ice pack, and a cookie, sitting on my bedside table, and I most certainly didn’t put it there. I knew who did. I knew it was him, and I could feel myself smile a little. I felt myself forgive him, he was hard to stay mad at. He wouldn’t mention it, I probably wouldn’t either, but we knew that we knew. That was enough. 
For now.
~~~~~~~
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maidragoste · 1 year
Text
You're doing the right thing
Aemond Targaryen x Reader (Daughter of Rhaenyra)
Summary: After an argument with your brother, you need someone to tell you that you are doing the right things and that your husband is there to support you.
It is part of the universe of the queen and her husbands but I think it can be read independently.
I MISSED WRITING AEMOND… I still feel like the ending was strange, sorry, I have to get used to writing it again 😓😓
Second one shot of the 1k followers special. Thanks for all the support, it always makes me happy to answer your questions and comments. reblogs and likes are always appreciated 🥰🥰💕
Disclaimer: English is not my first language so I apologize for any mistakes.
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"I hate you!"
Aemond heard Viserys's shout and the door was flung open. The boy barely looked at him and continued walking, taking steps. The man watched until Viserys disappeared from his sight as the boy turned into another hallway. A part of Aemond wanted to go find his nephew, drag him to you, and force him to apologize. But he knew that would only make the situation worse.
The prince entered the chambers. His anger against your brother increased when he saw your slumped posture and your palms hiding your face. It wasn't the first time he saw you like this. You often found yourself in that position ever since Viserys had returned to court.
When that family from Lys showed up saying they had Rhaenyra Targaryen's youngest son with them, he and Aegon thought it was a hoax but realized it wasn't fake when they saw how you and Egg seemed to have gotten back together. life when they met the child. The melancholic Egg finally seemed to act like a child and he couldn't stop smiling while you couldn't stop hugging your brothers. Having Viserys back with you brought joy to your life. But also headaches.
"He doesn't mean it," your husband said rushing to your side.
"My mother should be taking care of this," you muttered to yourself.
You feel frustrated because it was your duty as an older sister to take care of Viserys. But you felt that you were fulfilling the role of mother. Your mother should be the one arguing with him and try to make him understand the situation. She should be the one enduring Viserys' anger and his yelling. You were sure that she would do the same as you because Viserys is a baby. He shouldn't be married at such a young age and the thought that he already consummated his marriage made you want to vomit.
"Please, tell me I'm not going crazy and that I'm not wrong," you asked, uncovering your face so you could see Aemond.
"Make me a place," he asked so you got up from the chair and let him sit down and then settle you on his lap. You rested your head on his chest and you felt a little better listening to your husband's heartbeat, whenever you were too anxious listening to his heartbeat calmed you down, and how he hugged you around the waist with one arm
“Of course, you're not crazy,” he said as he used his other hand to gently stroke your hair. “You're doing the right thing. He can't stay married to that girl. Breaking up the marriage was the best"
"I forced her to drink moon tea," you admitted sadly, remembering how you made the guards hold Larra Rogare down while you gave her the tea to drink. Your brother was a child and a child shouldn't be having a baby, he shouldn't be a father so you did what you had to do to prevent it. Despite that, you weren't proud of the way you handled the situation, you wished the girl would have taken the tea willingly.
“Again you did the right thing” he kissed your forehead “Viserys is only 12 years old. He can't be a father,” Aemond said, feeling uncomfortable remembering how young his sister was when Jaehaerys and Jaehaera were born. Obviously, Viserys wouldn't be the one to bear his children but the thought of the child having to take care of a baby was so strange. Viserys had many things to learn before fulfilling the role of being a father.
“What if I'm taking his happiness away from him?” you asked in a whisper. You were sure of your decision. You couldn't allow your brother's marriage to continue or to continue sharing a bed. You couldn't let that Lyx family take advantage of him. But you feared that by removing Larra Rogare from King's Landing you would bring unhappiness to your brother. You wanted to believe that eventually, he would get over it but you were afraid that he would end up just like Egg. You loved Egg with all your soul but he had hard days where you couldn't get him out of his bed, days when he seemed lost in himself and you had to fight to feed or clean him. You didn't know if you would be able to bear seeing your two little brothers like this.
"What do you mean?" he asked confused.
"He says that he loves her and that I'm taking her happiness away from him," you said putting aside the insults and nasty comments about you and your husbands that Viserys made in the discussion.
"He thinks he loves her because he was held captive with her family," Aemond said with a frown.
You remained silent, you had said the same words to Viserys and he replied that in case you were not in love with your husbands either because her family held you captive. But it was different. You had fallen in love with Aemond before the war, and he did not marry you just for power. You secretly got married without knowing that there would soon be a war. The Rogare took advantage of a child that no one was looking for because everyone believed him dead. Your situation with Aemond and Aegon was nothing like that. They didn't take advantage of you.
"I know. I told him"
“Listen to me, he will grow up and in time he will realize that you were right. Give him time ”Aemond promised, kissing you now on the cheek, managing to get a small smile out of you“ When he grows up and marries a girl his age who really loves him, he will thank you on his knees ”
"Viserys will never do that" you rolled your eyes in amusement at your husband's exaggeration. Aemond was not one to exaggerate. You knew he was just doing it in an attempt to amuse you and you were very appreciative of that. "He is too proud"
As soon as you finished saying those words, the door was flung open. You were instantly up from Aemond's lap as Egg and Viserys entered. You ran to them when you saw that Viserys's cheek was red, with the clear mark of a hand. Soon your hands were on Viserys's face, carefully lifting his chin for more blows.
"What happened?" you asked concerned.
Aemond already knew what happened, you were so aware of Viserys's injury that you didn't notice how Egg was looking at Viserys with a cold fury. It wasn't normal to see the boy angry and when he was generally it was because someone had disrespected you (which didn't happen often because you're the queen and only an idiot would dare insult you). Aemond stopped himself from smiling. There was a reason Egg was the best he liked out of your brothers.
"Viserys came to apologize," Aegon said seriously.
"Aegon!" you said horrified realizing that he was responsible for the mark on your other brother's face “Don't do that again. Whatever problems Viserys and I have will be resolved without the need for violent intervention,” you declared, scowling at Aegon.
"He was being an idiot to you and he needed to realize it," your brother answered, crossing his arms and looking at Viserys with a raised eyebrow. Still waiting for him to apologize to you.
"I'm sorry," Viserys murmured.
You sighed before catching them both in a hug. "I don't want this to happen again, don't fight over me," you asked as you stroked Aegon's hair.
Aemond watched feeling satisfied because no matter what happened he knew that Egg would always defend you and he could always count on him to make Viserys think again. Aemond just wanted to see you happy and your brothers were a big part of happiness along with your children.
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sapphire-dreamsky · 4 months
Text
the promise of a distant future
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inspiration: heavily inspired by The Hunger Games starring: ryomen sukuna | female reader pairing: sukuna x reader warnings: violence| death of minor characters setting: alternate universe | hunger games universe previous
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Ten minutes. That was the amount of time allocated to tributes to spend with their family before they are whisked away to the train leading to their deaths. As if ten minutes would be enough time for a family to say farewell to their sons and daughters. 
His mother held him tightly while his father patted him on his back. Ever so awkward, the man was distant in physical affections but eloquent with words.
“I know you will come back to us. Make us proud.”
Of course. His parents knew that their son wasn’t one to back down or to let himself be killed. But they weren’t disillusioned either. Amongst the sea of tributes, there were two districts who would be threats to Sukuna. Despite how cunning the fourteen year old boy, he was the youngest selected tribute this year. He was at a severe disadvantage to the older, more experienced and skilled tributes of District 1 and 2. Still, they believed in him. Because if they lost faith in Sukuna, who would believe in him?
The next one to visit Sukuna had less time with him. She was not family. But she was a friend. 
“Only five minutes.”
As soon as the peacemaker closed the door on her, (name) threw her arms around Sukuna, sobs racking through her body as she clutched on him like he was her lifeline. And maybe he was. For once, he didn’t chide her for showing her weakness. Instead, he hugged her just as tightly while kissing the top of her head. Her red ribbon tied her hair in a beautiful french braid that his mother must have helped her with. 
“You have to come back. You have to.”
Her words were muffled against his grey coat but he could hear her clearly. 
“Brat. As if I was one to back down. I will be returning as victor. So don’t you dare shed a tear while I’m out there. I need my prettiest fan to give me her full support.”
“Your prettiest? How many fans do you have?”
He could hear the pout in her voice amongst her sniffling. His smile was soft. Something that was uncharacteristic of him. And yet, at this moment, he couldn’t care less. It could very well be the last time he ever saw her. As much as he would love to return as victor, he knew the games were ruthless and pitiless. Only the strongest came out of them. And as a child from District 12, and the youngest at that, it was pretty much certain that no-one would really be rooting for him. He would have to fight the hardest to come out alive. 
“Time’s up!”
They ripped her away from him. But before she was taken forcefully from him, she closed his fist around something. When the door closed on him, he looked down only to find a necklace with a silver ring dangling off the chain. He recognised it immediately. It was the one she always wore on her right ring finger.
“Come back to me Sukuna. I will make matching ones!”
As an orphan, (name) had to start working since she was young. She couldn’t go to the mines due to her age and her frail form. So instead, she found herself doing some odd jobs here and there. Sukuna was always watching out for the young girl. He was her protector. Everybody in District 12 knew that Sukuna was not afraid of bruising his fists if anybody dared to lay a hand on his promised girl. That was how she was referred to. Sukuna’s promised wife. She didn’t know when the rumours started but Sukuna could care less. As long as it kept away the lecherous men hanging around the Hob, then so be it. She was his promised wife. 
The owner of the only jewellery store in District 12 was a friend of the young girl’s parents. She took the young girl in and taught her the crafts. This ring was the first jewellery she crafted. It was originally meant to be his but she got his measurements wrong. The ring was too snug even when he tried it on his pinky finger. With an embarrassed face, she promised to make him another one when she would be more skilled. Still, the ring was oddly hers. It fit her. So, he took her right hand in his, and slipped the ring on her ring finger. 
“It’s not an engagement ring. It’s too early for that. But this is a promise to you. As long as I’m here, I will protect you.”
Ever since then, the girl wore the ring religiously. Sukuna proudly held her right hand every time they hung out. It was a slap to the face of the boys in his class. The misfit managed to get a girl before any of them. The girls could only watch with jealousy as the handsome pink-haired teenager showered (name) with attention; treating her as if she was the most delicate flower. When his mother heard about his ‘engagement’ as everyone in their neighbourhood liked to call it, she tugged on his ear and gave him a scolding.
“You are only twelve! What are you thinking? What if this doesn’t work out? What if you two end up disliking each other in the future? You have already made it known that she belonged to you now! No other boys would want to properly court her!”
His father was sitting at the table quietly. The cup placed in front of him had long gone cold. His father was a man who didn’t let his expressions show; he was often compared to the stone-faced peacemakers. A trait that Sukuna inherited from him. In retrospect personality-wise, Sukuna was the most like his father. Physically however, he was the spitting portrait of his mother, inheriting her pink hair and ruby eyes. 
“Good. There are no boys who are worthy of her attention in this world anyway.”
“And you think you are?”
His mother shook her head disapprovingly. Her head snapped up to glare at his father.
“And you have nothing to say? Your son is going around, claiming a young girl to be his future spouse.”
“Only one advice Sukuna. The answer is always “yes sweetheart,” irrespective of who is wrong in an argument.”
His mother promptly rolled the daily newspaper and wacked his father over the head with it. To his father’s credit, he at least had the decency to look a bit bashful under the heated gaze of his mother. 
Sukuna clutched the ring in his hand and brought it to his lips.
“Watch me (name). I will come back to you no matter who I have to kill.”
He tied the necklace around his neck before hiding it underneath his layers. He would be damned if anyone took that ring away from him.
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comfort-writing · 1 year
Text
Crayons & Cassettes
Chapter 1: The First Day of Kindergarten
You are a kindergarten teacher. Eddie’s daughter, Sage, is in your class. She bonds with you instantly, and Eddie is trying not to do the same.
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warnings: this fic will be 18+ in later chapters, so minors DNI! In this chapter, it is mentioned that rumors about Eddie that still linger. no use of y/n. nothing else I can think of for this chapter because it’s really just an introductory one, but please let me know if I missed anything!
a/n: let me know in the comments or my asks if you want to be added to the tag list! requests are open!
word count: 3k
Chapter 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8 || 9 || 10 || 11 || 12 || 13 || 14 (coming soon!)
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Trying to shove tiny feet into tiny shoes at 6:30 in the morning was no easy task, especially when the owner of said tiny feet was fighting with all the strength in her five-year-old body to keep said feet out of said shoes.
“Please, Sage. I’ll do anything you want, just please let me put your shoes on.” pleaded an exhausted Eddie. They were already running late, which meant that he would get dirty looks from the other parents, well, dirtier than what he was already expecting. It was Sage’s first day of kindergarten, which he felt bittersweet about. She’d been attending preschool in previous years, so the transition wouldn’t be as difficult for her as it may be for other children, but she didn’t always do well around new people. She was like her dad in that way- she could be shy at first (which deviated from his own standoffishness), but once she warmed up, she was a sweet and bubbly kid.
Sage put her resistance on hold, “Anything?” She asked, raising an eyebrow. Eddie knew that look: mischievous and calculating. It scared him a little to see that she was so much like himself, but it also made him a little proud. “Yes, baby. Just put your shoes on and we’ll do anything you want after school.” Sage thought for a moment, then made intense eye contact with Eddie, “Ice cream. And breakfast for dinner.” She bargained. Eddie chuckled and nodded, “Sounds good to me. We got a deal?” He asked, dropping the small shoe he was holding and sticking out his hand. She nodded and shook it, then stuck her foot out for him, beaming at the fact that she would get her two favorite things later that day. Little did she know that he had already planned on those things happening.
He sighed and thanked her, slipping on her glittery pink sneakers and tying them before picking her up off of the couch and setting her on his hip as he grabbed what they’d need for the day. Sage’s brand new Care Bears backpack- check. Keys- check. Wallet- check. Care Bears lunch box- check.
“Alright, ready to go?” He asked her. Sage nodded warily and Eddie walked out the door, kicking it closed behind them before walking to his beat up van, sliding open the back passenger door and setting Sage in her booster seat. He placed her bags on the floor by her feet and helped her buckle her seat belt. She looked up at him, “Dad?” She asked in a whisper “Yes, baby?” He responded absentmindedly. “Do you think my teacher will like me?” She asked anxiously. That made Eddie pause. He looked at her very seriously, grabbing her tiny hands in his own, “She is going to love you, kiddo. You’re freakin’ metal.” He said, leaning down and kissing her forehead. She nodded, “Metal.”
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Your classroom was perfect. You’d decided on a rainbow theme for the year, wanting the classroom environment to be welcoming, colorful, and engaging to the 26 five-year-olds that would arrive within the next hour. Your lesson plans were perfect too. You were quite proud of yourself. Moving to a completely new state after teaching in another for a few years made for somewhat of a culture shock. Learning all of the new standards and adapting your previous lesson plans to fit them, along with having to write completely new lessons that fit your school’s specific curriculum was difficult, but not impossible. It was done. Everything was perfect. You were ready.
You’d moved to Hawkins, Indiana at the very end of the summer. You grew up in another small, southern town, so the small town environment wasn’t exactly new to you. It just meant you had to find your footing here. Declare yourself as a character amongst the established ones. You had been able to meet a few of the other teachers, and they all seemed nice enough, but they were all much older than you were. You graduated college only three years prior, and it seemed like half of your coworkers were on the brink of forgetting what college they went to. You needed to find friends your own age, and quick, because being a teacher can be stressful. Having friends around who you can vent to is key to keeping yourself sane.
You looked in the mirror on the inside of your classroom closet door, adjusting your hair for a moment. It was tied up with a clip, messily, but purposefully and cutely so. You pushed a strand behind your ear and made sure you didn’t have lipstick on your teeth. You decided to wear a light green dress and white sneakers- cute, stylish, and comfortable enough to chase around several very energetic children. You knew that the first day of kindergarten was always one in which you met the parents, and while they’d mainly be focused on their children, you knew there was a large possibility of photos being taken. You wanted to make a great first impression, and if your were immortalized in a Polaroid or two, you’d like to look nice. Above you, the school bell rang, signaling to the children that they could start making their way to class. You smiled and walked over to the door of your class, opening it up for the parents to bring their kids in.
Parents and students began trickling into the classroom. You shook their hands and introduced yourself to each one, smiling genuinely and directing the parents to where their child’s desk and cubby were located. On the first day, you always let parents stay for a while, and even held a carpet story time/coloring session in order to make the transition easier for both parties. You noted that a few kids were crying, which gave you a good indication of what kids would continue to be criers throughout the year. You didn’t judge, you just liked to know what was up.
You were crouching down to take a picture with one of your new students when a man who looked very out of place in your rainbow classroom walked in, a small girl hiding behind his pant leg. You smiled up at him, holding up one finger apologetically, signaling that you’d be with him in a moment. You looked up at the mom who’d just taken your picture, “Would you like me to take a picture of the two of you?” You asked. The woman nodded, so you stood and swapped positions with her. You wound the film on her disposable camera, “Say cheese!” You encouraged, which drew a confused face from the small boy, as he’d somehow never heard the phrase before. You snapped the picture without realizing the face he’d made and smiled, handing the camera back to the also oblivious mother and she walked her son to his desk.
You then turned your attention to the man standing in the doorway. You smiled and stuck out your hand, introducing yourself. “Eddie Munson.” He said softly. His hands were warm, but you noted the rings he wore made them feel colder. Eddie was an attractive guy, you wouldn’t lie to yourself about it. His hair was long, dark, and curly. He wore a leather jacket and a denim vest on top of it. He definitely had the whole rockstar look down, which looked a bit funny when surrounded by rainbows. There was also his daughter, who looked like a pink glitter bomb had exploded over her, as was typical for girls her age. You didn’t linger on his touch like you may have liked to, as you had to introduce yourself to someone more important. You bent and stood on your knees, peeking around Mr. Munson’s knees, “And who is this pretty princess?” You asked, hoping that calling her a princess would help her warm up to you.
You were right. The small girl poked her head out from behind the man’s knees. You saw that she got her looks from her dad; she had brown, curly hair that was currently tied back in a high ponytail, coupled with bright brown eyes and a small smattering of the lightest freckles across her nose. She spoke, barely above a whisper, “I’m Sage.” You smiled encouragingly, “That’s such a pretty name. Did you know Sage is a type of plant? And a color?” You gasped, piquing her interest, “Oh my goodness! It’s the color of my dress!” You said, feigning surprise, as if you were just discovering that fact for the first time. “And guess what?” You whispered. Sage was entranced, gaining the courage to move out from behind her dad and listen to the ‘secret’ you were entrusting her with. “It’s my favorite color.” You smiled softly, making eye contact with the small girl. It made her feel special. She smiled up at her dad, who was watching the interaction intently. “You want to find your desk and set your stuff down, Sage?” You asked her. She nodded fervently, excited to get the day started.
You stood back up to your fill height and led the two to Sage’s desk. “So, Mr. Munson, you are welcome to through story time and coloring. I try to allow time for the parents to stay for a while to help their kids adjust to the new environment.” You told him as Sage was putting her lunch box into her desk. The man seemed to shift uncomfortably, “Ah- I don’t know. Are you sure?” He asked you. You nodded, “Yeah, of course. Every parent is welcome to stay through that time. If Sage doesn’t do well around new people or in a new place, it can help her out a lot.” You assured him. He seemed to think for a moment before nodding, making his decision.
Little did you know, the reason so many people were watching the interaction carefully was because, despite being a good dad who provided for his daughter, the rumor mill still swirled around the Munson family. He didn’t want his daughter to have to deal with the same problems he did, so he was apprehensive about staying, but you seemed to believe it would benefit her if he was there, so he would stay.
Another parent walked through the door, so you excused yourself to go greet them the same way. After your kindergarteners we’re all there, the bell rang, signaling the beginning of class. You smiled wide, walking to the front of the classroom. “Good morning, everyone! I hope we’re all excited to get started with our day! Today, we are going to…”
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After successfully driving Sage to school, and luckily arriving around the time he’d originally intended to somehow, he guided his small daughter through the halls of the school. At the end of the kindergarten hall was Sage’s classroom for the year. He bent down to her level, “You ready? Or do you want to take a minute?” He asked her. He knew that sometimes she had to prepare herself to go into a new situation. He was the same way; needing to take a few breaths or psych himself up for whatever he would encounter. Sage thought for a moment, “I’m ready.” She said, looking determined. He nodded, holding her hand and guiding her to the classroom.
That’s when he spotted you. You had the biggest and most genuine smile on your face as you took a photo with another student. He saw the way you acknowledged him right when he walked into the door, making him feel seen, but still kept your focus on the people you were with, most likely doing the same for them. It was a small gesture, sure, and it may have gone unnoticed by anyone else, but he really didn’t know what to think about all of this. He didn’t recognize you, even though you seemed to be around the same age, so that meant you likely hadn’t heard the nasty rumors that still lingered around him like a rain cloud, even into adulthood. He was drinking in the small kindnesses you showed him in the following interactions.
You reached out and shook his hand, introducing yourself to him. He didn’t know why, but it surprised him that you introduced yourself with your first and last name to him. It made you seem more approachable. He spoke his own name as calmly as he could, internally struggling not to stumble over it. When you bent down to introduce yourself to his daughter, he watched as you related to her immediately, over something as silly as a color. But she opened up quickly to you, which was so incredibly rare for her. He truly couldn’t grasp what it was about you, but he basked in your presence and he didn’t want to leave. Not for Sage’s sake, but for his own. It was no secret to himself that he found you attractive- you were pretty, new to their small town, and he didn’t see a ring- but there was something else he couldn’t place. He obviously couldn’t do anything about it in the moment, so he shifted his attention back to his daughter, helping her prep for her first day.
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Once you wrapped the story up, you had the students start on a coloring page that correlated with the story. This was the time for parents to start trickling out. Eddie watched as other parents left. He looked to Sage, “Listen kiddo, I’ve got to go to work, but I’ll pick you up later, okay?” He told her. During pre-k, they’d gotten pretty good at the whole ‘dad’s going to be gone for a few hours but you will be ok’ exchange. Sage nodded, “Okay. Don’t forget about the ice cream and breakfast.” She said, scribbling with a red crayon and not paying him much attention. He ruffled her hair and kissed the top of her head before standing up and heading towards the door.
Before he could leave, you grabbed a piece of paper off of the desk, “Oh, Mr. Munson-“ you whispered, as the students were quietly working as the parents slowly left, “Here is my newsletter for the month. It basically covers everything we’ll be doing in class, and what you can be doing to help supplement Sage’s learning at home. I usually mail these out to the parents, but the front office said your address changed recently?” Eddie took the newsletter and nodded, “Ah- thank you. Yeah, we moved into a new house last week. It was after I registered her, so I’ll have to get that changed. Do you need me to write my address down before I leave?” He asked. “Well, if you would, that would be very helpful, but if Sage will get upset if you’re here longer, I can just wait until you update your information with the office.” You told him quietly. Eddie shook his head, “Nah, Sage is a trooper. She knows the drill.” He said, proud of his daughter.
You smiled softly, a smile that made his knees feel a little weak, and grabbed a pen and a notepad off of your desk, handing it to him. “If you could write down your new address, as well as your phone number, that would be great.” You told him. He had to fight the urge to make a joke about hitting on him in front of the kids. Years ago, that would have been the first thing he said to you, and he wouldn’t have thought twice. But now, his number one concern was his daughter, and doing anything that may end up being detrimental to her, like flirting with her teacher, was off his radar. He scribbled out the information before handing the paper back to you, “Thank you. Just make sure you update this with the office as soon as possible. Hopefully you’ll only hear from me about once or twice a month, as I do the newsletter and a call home for an update. But keep an eye on the events section of the newsletter-“ you said, pointing it out, “-it will have important dates like any parent/teacher conferences and the kid’s Christmas recital on there. And please, don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever have any questions or concerns. My information is down at the bottom. I’ve got an answering machine, so leave a voicemail if I don’t pick up; I should give you a call back within 24 hours.” You informed him quietly, finishing up with a soft smile.
Eddie nodded, taking in all the information you were giving him. It felt like a lot, but he knew that most of the important stuff would be in the paper you gave him. “Thank you. I’ve still got a little more time before work so I think I’ll go to the office now.. where is it again?” He asked, feeling more lost than he should. This is where he went to elementary school, but it had been so long since he’d been in the building it felt a little foreign to him. You smiled and opened the door, pointing him in the right direction through the halls. He thanked you once more, then started off thought the school as you shut the door.
You and Eddie were both left the same thought:
This isn’t good.
663 notes · View notes
teewritessmth · 5 months
Text
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~~Meeting your dad for the first time~~
Kenny x f! reader
Summary : You want Kenny to meet your dad, but do they get along?
Warnings : slight use of a gun metaphor, no mother figure
You lived with your dad, your mum having parted ways with the both of you many many years ago. You two barely missed her, so she isn't really worth mentioning now, is she?
Your dad knew you were seeing somebody and was over the moon to find out that his little girl was finally settling. Even though a part of him hurt realizing how quickly you grew up in front of his eyes.
But he is your father after all, seeing your beaming smile everyday was more than enough to realize you were with a good man.
So naturally he wanted to meet your boyfriend of over 4 years, Kenny.
.
.
.
"He wanted to meet me? " Kenny furrows his eyebrows looking at you in confusion.
"Well mostly I suggested that you two get to know each other, since I already met your family". You smile at him.
"I mean I'm not opposed to the idea but will he like me? Dad's are usually ferocious when their daughter starts dating someone".
"No way, my dad is not like that". You huff, determined to make a good impression of your father. "Let's just meet up at one of dad's restaurants so we can have a good chat with each other. I'm a hundred percent sure he's gonna love you".
"And I'm a hundred percent sure he's gonna shoot me right through the skull". Kenny sighs. "But I'm willing to do that for our future".
His words almost make you tear up, so to hide that you reach over and kiss him gently.
"I love you Ken".
"I love you my darling".
.
.
.
You dad sat opposite to Kenny, he could say that the younger guy was nervous, but held immense amount of love for his daughter.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Y/l/n". Kenny smiled.
"Lovely to meet you too, my son". Your dad returned the smile and patted Kenny on the back. He could feel Kenny visibly relaxing and slowly engaging in to conversation with him.
You on the other hand were overjoyed to see the two most important men in your life get along. You felt so proud of Kenny and so much love for your dad who had accepted Kenny wholeheartedly. It could've easily been one of the happiest days of your life.
"Excuse me for a bit guys, I need to use the restroom". You excuse yourself from your dad and Kenny and head to the stalls to freshen up your makeup.
Kenny seizes this chance to talk to your dad one to one.
"I have something to tell you". Kenny looks at the man in front of him with hopeful eyes, hoping that he would react in a positive way.
"Oh, well what is it?". Your dad rests his arms on the table, realizing that this might be a private conversation.
"Sir, I have known Y/n ever since she was 12 years old. She is an amazing human being and has been there for me during our friendship days and when we were in love. I can hardly imagine my life without her in it. She makes everything better, and I hope you would give me your blessings to marry her and make her my wife". Kenny let's out a breath and anticipates for an answer.
Your dad remains silent, eyes glued to the table.
Kenny could hear his heart jump to his stomach, suddenly he felt like throwing up.
"I-I am so sorry, I shouldn't have asked that from you so early"-
Kenny cut himself off when your dad flashed him a happy smile.
"How could I ever say no to that question, You're a good man I'm sure, my Y/n saw the best in you and she loves you. Who am I to stop two people that love each other get married. You have my blessings, Always and forever".
Kenny laughs and your dad claps his back, the two men hug each other as they realize they would soon be related.
You come from the restroom to find the mood of the room a lot better than you last saw it.
"You two must have cleared some stuff out, look at you two beaming with joy!!".
Kenny and your dad wink at each other, relishing in your confused expression and laughing the night away reminiscing about the past. You sat there confused still, but so happy to know that Your man had finally befriended your 'beast' of a dad.
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akystaracer22 · 1 month
Text
The Exception to the Rule
Synopsis: How far do you bend your morals for someone you love?
Notes:
This is definitely a turning point to the story and is a little jump ahead of everything so far.
From here on out, there will be two different types of oneshot, flashback oneshots which happen either in Heaven or in Eden, and present day oneshots which are primarily in Hell.
This also adds a new epithet to Adams repertoire! Technically.
There are OC’s in this one, I can’t avoid it.
Heaven politics! Theres a lot going on in heaven I can’t talk about because nobody in hell knows about it, but I can finally start talking!
I listened to More than Anything, Connor’s Main Theme, and Gladiator while writing this.
In exchange for starting the extermination early, the one after would take 18 months as opposed to 12.
I have named over 60 exorcists. If you see a reference no you don’t.
Vaggie wasn’t the first angel to show mercy to a sinner.
I drop so much fucking lore in this jesus fuck.
This one shot was supposed to come so much later.
Shit
SO, MICHAEL’S INVOLVED NOW!
Hey uh, you know how I said I can’t write stupid characters? Yeah… Adam can act and think like a damn general now ig.
Adams over 6,000 years old he knows how to move quickly.
... I really like my BAMF characters huh.
Word Count: 1862
Fic under cut!
“Adam?”
“Over here Luci,” The first man replied easily, looking towards where the angel had entered the wastelands.
Well… wastelands was a bit of a stretch now.
Once he was able to improve the soil, grass was able to finally start growing and…
The oak tree Adam was taking a break under was a testament to his labour. It was still growing and would probably take another year or so with the help of Lucifer’s magic before it’d resemble the mighty trees most people knew.
It didn’t make Adam any less proud of it.
The fallen angel got up and stretched his wings as Lucifer rounded a crag and came into view.
One of Adams wings hiked up before he could shove the instinct down, it was just Lucifer.
“Charlie wanted to know if you wanted to come up for lunch or if you’re fine down here,” The devil started, “She and Maggie are making pastries from the pear’s you dropped off yesterday.”
“Vaggies baking? Better hope your daughters good then, Vaggie’s got a tendency to burn whatever she touches.”
Regardless, Adam started making his way towards the hotel, completely disregarding the unspoken offer to just teleport there.
Lucifer just laughed and unfurled his wings as Adam began the trek up the stairs, flying up beside the man.
“I doubt you have room to talk about when it comes to cooking.”
“I helped Eve cook you know,” Adam scoffed, “I had a few specialties of my own.”
“And yet Maggie can’t cook.”
“Oh, shut the fuck up, plenty of my daughters can cook! Lux is extremely good at dessert foods and Needle can make some great fucking lunches.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes really! It’s Mari you have to look out for. The presentation of her food? Stunning, beautiful, gourmet even. The taste? I thought I was going to die a second time over the toilet.”
Lucifer cackled and a light chuckle escaped Adams lips as the angel almost fell out of the sky at the mental image.
“Shut up! I’m serious I thought I caught some sort of illness! They don’t even have illnesses in heaven!”
“I would pay to see that!”
“I bet you would be you sick fuck.”
“Hey! I-”
Lucifer went dead silent, and Adam almost asked what was wrong before he heard it too.
Shouting.
He didn’t even glance at his friend as they were both caught in Lucifer’s magic, bringing them both to the hotel lobby.
“I’ll stop the fight.”
“I’ll grab my fucking axe,” Adam headed down the hallways until he found the gym, carefully taking his axe off the wall and slinging it over his back before booking it to the hotel exit.
“If you’d just give me a minute-!”
“Your majesty-”
“Alastor.”
“Mom!”
“Oh for fucks sake!”
Adam slammed open the doors and jumped the stairs, “What the fuck is going on-!”
Adams brain short circuited immediately after taking in the situation.
Lucifer was frozen stiff with his wings spread wide, his head whipping around to stare open mouthed at Adam. Alastor and Lilith’s glaring contest was broken as they also stared at the first man. The princess and Vaggie were holding hands and Charlies demonic traits receded at Adams arrival.
The other residents were also still at the first mans arrival, nervousness and surprise evident in everyone expressions, even Nifty stopped moving. Under normal circumstances Adam’s gut would have twisted from all the attention.
That usual knee jerk response was completely crushed under the weight of the other three present.
Adam was barely aware of the fact that he’d dropped his axe as he took in the maskless faces of three of his exorcists.
Echo almost dropped her scimitars; her hair was undone from it’s usual bun to brush against her shoulders. She almost stepped back from him before a wing from her sisters steadied her.
Delta was much more graceful, sheathing her rapier and swallowing thickly; Adam understood how she felt. She’d recently had a haircut, her undercut looking crisper than the last time he saw her.
Nina’s war pick clattered to the ground as she brought her hands to her mouth, tears cropping up in the corners of her eyes as she took in his ruined form. In contrast to Delta, her hair had grown out; the normal buzz cut fading.
Adam stood in the silence, wings slowly folding in from where he had mantled them prior. He didn’t know what to do. These were his girls, and they were here and fuck, they were outnumbered. But… shit they were here to kill him weren’t they.
“…Sir?”
Fuck it.
The first man sprinted forward; wings spread wide as he reached out for the three of them. Weapons hit the ground as he pulled his kids into a hug.
If he was going to die, he’d like to die hugging his girls.
Adam didn’t expect the three of them to hug back. His shoulder grew wet as Nina’s tears started to fall; Echo made a soft noise as she buried her head in the feathers of his good wing. Delta’s wings were touching the tips of his own as she all but collapsed into the huddle.
Huh, seems like they were all mad here.
Adam didn’t give a fuck; he was hugging his exorcists and that was enough for him at the moment.
“So… we’re good?”
Moment over.
Adam pulled away to glare at Lucifer, “Do you fucking mind?”
“Sorry sorry! I’ll shut up now!”
“No, you’ve ruined it. Moments gone and done thanks to you,” Adam huffed, regretfully stepping away from his girls even as he kept his good wing extended to the three exorcists, guiding them by the wing towards the hotel.
“Come on, I have a feeling you three aren’t here just for show.”
- - ┈┈∘┈˃̶༒˂̶┈∘┈┈ - -
Adam blew lightly on his tea before sipping it, leaning forward to pour the exorcists some tea as he worked to calm his still slightly frayed nerves.
He’d managed to move the girls into a private room before unceremoniously kicking everyone else out, if anything happened Lucifer would break into the room in a flash, so it wasn’t like he was in any real danger.
Besides, they were his girls, it’d be fine.
“So,” Adam swallowed, before  “What brings you three to this side of the pentagram? The hunts not on for another eight months.”
Echo swallowed thickly and Nina bowed her head, it was Delta who answered.
“I- Netto discovered that heaven knew you were alive, sir. Lute wanted to come down immediately but the rest of us were able to convince her otherwise.”
“She’s too far in the eyes of the high seraphim, if she disappeared they’d know.”
“So, we decided to go instead,” Nina finished for her sisters.
Adam stared at the three of them, horrified, “What?”
“What Nina’s saying is… we’re staying here.”
“Why the fuck would you three do that!” Adam hissed, feathers bristling at the implications, “You all have so much to lose-”
“We don’t,” Delta asserted, scowling at the window, “You know damn well what hells denizens took from us.”
Adam froze as the image flashed into the forefront of his mind.
Charlie. Echo and Delta’s missing piece to their trio. They were best friends even beyond the bonds of sisterhood. Where one was the other two were close by. Charlie was the sunshine to their storm, always taking time out of her own day to brighten up the other exorcists. She preferred to use a crossbow to keep away from sinners, something Adam was always grateful for.
Charlie’s body was missing several ribs and most of her organs, looking every part like it had been ravaged by monsters. It took effort Adam didn’t have every day to not go to cannibal town and raze it to the ground. For Charlie, for Zirco, for Steel, for Feather and Annie and every exorcist he failed.
Even-
A scream, a plea as Adam struggled against divine magic nononono please stOP PLEASE-
Wasp
Adam whole body tensed up. Fuck, Wasp. He hadn’t- shit he’d almost managed to convince himself that that had never-
Fuck.
The girls were looking at him now, Nina reaching out a hand to him.
“And you?”
The hand pulled away, “What?”
“Nina, why did you decide to come down here,” Adam rasped, “You- fuck you were planning on proposing to your girlfriend why-”
“Because your our leader,” Nina answered quietly, like she wasn’t taking Adams breath away with a single sentence, “And Regina understood, she agreed with me.”
Nina held up her phone with a sad smile, “Besides, at least this way it’s easier for me to watch out for her dad.”
Adam wanted to send the three of them back to heaven immediately, this was no place for angels. Vaggie was lucky she found Charlie immediately.
But Delta and Echo had backbones of steel, and once Nina set her mind to something there was no stopping her.
Shit, Netto and Lute were smart to send them.
Wait-
“What did you mean when you said heaven knew I fell Delta,” Adam whispered, “I should have fucking died. How did Netto find out I fell.”
Delta sighed and gazed tiredly at him, “Same way she always finds things out, she got it straight from Michaels lips.”
Adams blood froze before his mind caught up with him. Michael was involved with this. Fuck of course he was it was Michael, and if he was involved… then it stands to reason the rest of the ancient archangels had something to do with all of this too.
The first man stood up before pausing, if his gut was right, this wasn’t just about his fall. For the ancient archangels to be aware of his fall and do nothing for ten months… there was something he was missing.
He’d need to wait, maybe even bring Lucifer and the others in on this. But first…
“I’m in room 2101, Lucifer’s wing. 2100 is taken by the king of hell himself and his wife but the rest of the floor is empty,” the three exorcists perked up at Adams commanding tone, “Get set up and get settled in. Echo, send a message to the others and tell them I’m okay.”
“Already done.”
“Love that, Delta how is training looking?”
“Lute’s leading the effort sir, we’ve been working hard to fix our holes.”
“Great, get back in contact with Lute. I have a few techniques that can help. And for fucks sake tell her to use whatever prosthetic she has to her advantage; I fucking know she’s not.”
“Yes sir!”
“Nina, keep an ear out. Both for anything Netto has for us and for anything in hell. Carmilla Carmine, and the Vees are important. Especially Carmine, she’s the one with the angelic steel. Do not engage.”
“Go it sir.”
“Good, I’ll get you three for dinner. Remember, stay sharp, stay armed, and whatever you do. Don’t fucking trust the Radio Demon. He’ll kill everyone in this hotel the moment he’s off his fucking leash.”
The leader of the exorcists watched the three of them head down the hallway towards the front desk before turning and heading for the stairwell.
He had a lot to think about, and from the looks of things he still had an extermination to plan.
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roxygen22 · 1 month
Text
Bottled Up
"My Little Cocoa Bean" Series
Summary: Ben/Bean (age 12) battles a bout of nerves before the school play. Willy tries to get his mind off of things.
A/N: See if you can spot the reference to Dune Part 1.
<><><><><>
You were preparing dinner in the kitchen when you heard the front door fly open and fast, erratic footsteps echo throughout the house. "Mamma?!" you heard Ben shout.
His loud, brazen entrance startled you. You were glad that you had already finished chopping up the vegetables and put away the knife, or else you may have accidentally cut yourself when you jumped. "In the kitchen, dear," you called back.
Ben sprinted through the kitchen door, nearly sliding into the table in his rush. "Mamma, Mamma! I got the part! I got the part of Peter Pan!" he exclaimed.
"Oh, Ben! That's fantastic!" You jumped up and down and clapped your hands with glee. "I'm so proud of you! All of those hours of practicing paid off." You wiped your hands on your apron (and the tears from your eyes) before wrapping him in a big hug. At just twelve years old, you and he nearly saw eye to eye. He was going to be tall and lanky like his father, who arrived at the house a couple of minutes behind Ben. The boy had apparently run ahead after he visited the chocolate factory after school, eager to share his news.
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"There's my thespian!" Willy announced proudly with a big grin on his face when he caught up to the two of you in the kitchen. He joined your hug and wrapped his arms around both you and Ben.
Charlotte and Brownie came running in from playing in the backyard to find out what all the fuss was about. "What's going on?"
"Bean got the lead role in the school play!" Willy informed her as he opened his arms to invite her into the group hug.
"Great, now we have to listen to him practice the whole show, not just that one piece?" The sassy 8-year-old rolled her eyes but then smiled and hugged her big brother. "Good job," she mumbled into his side.
Ben had obsessively practiced in the weeks leading up to the audition and continued to do so until the day of the event. Willy enjoyed spending his evenings running lines with the boy, and even offered tips for dramatic flourishes. What he didn't enjoy, though, was watching Ben be so hard on himself. As the big day neared, he would practically fall apart if he couldn't remember a line or deliver it perfectly.
"I- I can't do this, Papa. They should have picked someone else for the role," Ben lamented after a particularly rough rehearsal. He sat on the front porch of their house with his head in his hands. Willy seated himself next to his son and put a hand on his back, gently rubbing in a soothing circular motion.
"I really think you need to take a break. I never thought I would say this, but you have to get your nose out of that book. You've been practicing nonstop for days. Weeks, even. Your brain needs time to rest or else you will stay in this fog," Willy said in a low, calm tone.
"But there's only a week left until the show!" Ben shouted, his voice strained from holding back tears. Willy's hand stilled at the uncharacteristic outburst.
"Bean. I am serious. I respect how you are putting your heart and soul into this performance. But it shouldn't come at the expense of your health." He paused. "I don't want you to look at that script this weekend."
"But-"
"No buts, Benjamin. We are going to find something fun to do to get your mind off of things. I can almost guarantee you'll feel better by Monday."
Ben knew he had lost the argument when his father used his full name, which was rare. "Okay, fine," the boy grumbled.
"Besides, it will help you get into character. Peter Pan is a carefree spirit, after all," Willy joked as he ruffled Ben's hair. "Say, that gives me an idea. How about we go out in the boat? With the wind in your hair, you'll feel like you're flying, just like Peter Pan!"
Ben offered a closed-lipped smile and nodded in agreement. Willy clapped him on the back before going back inside to brief you on the plan. After some discussion, you thought it best if you took Charlotte into town for a girls' day while Willy took Ben out on the boat. She had a knack for winding Ben up, as siblings do, which would be counterproductive in his current state. Besides, you were overdue on taking some one-on-one time with your daughter.
<><><><><>
The weekend came, and Ben and Willy made their way to the docks early Saturday morning. Willy noted Ben's posture as he walked ahead toward the boat. Slumped. Defeated. Weary. He was more determined than ever to help his son out of these doldrums.
They loaded their supplies in silence, and Willy navigated them to the beach they had first visited many years ago when Ben was only three. The boy's curly hair flowed behind him as he faced into the wind. He looked back and smiled at his father as they neared land. Ben loved this place. Willy shined a hopeful smile in return.
Once the boat was tied off, the pair started aimlessly ambling along the shoreline. Willy stayed silent, wanting Ben to take the lead when he was ready to open up. It didn't take long. Ben paused to stare out at the sea.
"I'm scared," he said flatly, without looking at his father.
"I know." Willy stayed a step behind, watching his son stare off into the distance. "Want to talk through what exactly you're scared of?"
"That I'm going to mess up my lines and make a fool of myself and my castmates. That I wasn't the right choice for the role." Ben sighed and ducked his head.
"I see. So you think Ms. Harper makes poor decisions?"
"What?! No, she's the best teacher I've ever had!" Ben replied defensively.
"Then perhaps you should trust that she made the right decision about you. Now, of course, I might be a little biased, but I have seen you practice. You own the role so well that you transform, Bean. I no longer see my son, but a mischievous, adventurous scamp who fights pirates and flies to distant worlds on nothing but faith, trust, and pixie dust. You transport people into the story by making it so believable. Not just anybody can do that." He laid a hand on Ben's shoulder and squeezed. "And if you don't get a line quite right, the audience will be none the wiser. Especially if they are enchanted by your delivery. They won't have the script in front of them."
Ben looked to the side at the hand on his shoulder and covered it with his own for a moment. Willy responded with just a light squeeze, then the two continued their trek down the beach.
They eventually made their way up to a grassy hill where they decided to sit a spell. Ben laid back to watch the clouds drift slowly. Willy sat next to him, legs bent so he could rest his arms on his knees and look out across the water.
"You know, this reminds me of the day we spent together before your very first day of school. We went to the park, ran around, and watched the clouds float by. You were nervous then, too," Willy reminisced.
"Yeah? Seems to be a theme," Ben scoffed.
His father chuckled. "Perhaps. But you faced that first day head on even though you were scared. You didn't let it stop you. I have a feeling you will tackle this in much the same way. Even if the play is a disastrous flop - which it won't be - you're still the only thing I ever needed you to be." Willy looked down to make eye contact with Ben. "My son."
The boy's lip trembled. He sat up and wiped tears from his eyes. Willy wrapped an arm around and pulled him into his side. Ben buried his face into Willy's shoulder, and the floodgates to his tears opened. The poor boy had bottled up so much stress. In time, his sobs subsided, and he pulled away from his father to sit up straight again.
"Thank you, Papa," Ben said softly as he wiped his red, blotchy face. "You were right, as always. I do feel better."
"I'm glad I could help." Willy clapped him on the back then pushed himself off the ground, brushing the dirt off his pants as he stood. He held a hand out to Ben to help him up. "We better get going if we want to get home before dark."
On the walk back to the boat, Willy noticed the boy walked a little taller with a bit more spring to his step. There's my boy, he thought.
<><><><><>
The rest of the week passed quickly. Ben was still nervous but not to the point of incapacitation like before the trip. On the evening of the play, Willy handed Ben a box full of giraffe milk macaroons for him to share with his castmates. In the box, you included a note that said, "Break a leg and have fun!" Ben kissed you on the cheek, shook his father's hand, and left early to get into costume.
You, Willy, and Charlotte arrived at the auditorium and took your seats. Willy's leg bounced up and down with nerves until it was time for the show to start.
"Are you alright?" you whispered.
"Just a little nervous for him. I know how much this means to him."
You squeezed his hand and turned your attention to the stage as the curtain rose. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Willy mouthing lines throughout the performance and holding his hands to his mouth during the most dramatic scenes. He was the first to jump up to applaud when the curtain fell, triggering a standing ovation. The cast and crew came out once more to take a bow.
"Bravo, bravo!" Willy yelled, catching Ben's attention, who smiled at his family and waved excitedly. Willy looked over at you with glossy eyes. "He was perfect," he whispered.
"He's a natural showman, just like you."
"My little cocoa bean."
<><><><><>
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lullaebies · 9 months
Note
Prompt: Aegon and Helaena talking about their respectable dragons together.
Setting: 12-year-old helaena, 13-year-old aegon "Was it to outdo me?" Aegon asks her. Helaena lifts her face from her book. She has just claimed the biggest dragon in the dragon pit, only to come back to the Keep and read her index book on aphids. It is laughable, how she wavers from the most remarkable thing to the most unremarkable, but while she leaves her accomplishment behind so easily, he cannot let go of it quite still. "What do you mean?" she asks, and he frowns. She cannot be so oblivious, can she? "Claiming Dreamfyre," he clarifies, still grouchy all the same. "Did you do it to outdo me?"
He only claimed Sunfyre two months back. They had been on Dragonstone by chance, and he had stumbled upon his dragon at it soared above his head, gleaming gold in the sky. He dared approach it on their last day before leaving, and ventured to find it; only to find it perched close by the castle, nibbling on the fish it caught. He threw Sunfyre some flimsy fish he had stolen from the kitchen, and he knew it a flimsy offering even as he tossed it forward to the wet stack the dragon has brought beside him, but yet, the dragon gave out a few squeaks as he gobbled it up, and lowered itself to sit with both its hind legs and wings on the rock. He has never been accepted quite so easily before, and his heart soared as his body did as he took the skies with the dragon. His claiming of Sunfyre was brave, people told him; and he reveled in it, even if bravery wasn't quite suited.
Father was so proud; if for a brief moment. Mother lost half her wits when she heard about it, but hugged him tightly telling him she was glad he was okay. Even grandsire gave a reassuring pat on his shoulder then. It's been a while since, but it had been his pride; that such a beautiful dragon chose him, that all would know and see them as glorious. And now Helaena has claimed Dreamfyre, a dragon of size and history, and all hail it thrice as grandiose as they did him. "No," Helaena answers plainly. He stares her down; that's not enough. "Then why?" he asks. "You never even cared to go the pit before. If it's not because of that, why?" He sounds pathetic, wanting to cling to his claiming so much. But now they'll all forget his successes for a bigger one; just the way the sun diminishes for the moon to rise. Helaena puts down her book, closing it neatly on the table. "I thought... you seem so happy, with Sunfyre," she says. He tilts his head. So it was because of him? "More at peace, too." "And what about it?" Aegon asks, almost defensive. She looks down. "I thought that just like you found a friend... perhaps I could do so, too." She finally says, clutching onto her dress's skirt. Ah.
Aegon licks lips that had gone dry. Yes, his dragon made his days lighter; and for all her oddities, he supposed his sister needed a friend, too. It gnaws at him slightly; they grew apart, but they have been friends, once. Once they were close friends, even. Aegon looks down too. "I see," he says, but the silence is odd, and he doesn't like it. He speaks again. "And Dreamfyre felt like a friend?" "She greeted me with her very own song," Helaena smiles then, pearly whites showing. Only she could interpret some chirps as songs; but perhaps that's why Dreamfyre accepted her altogether. "And purred when I got my hand on her snout." "Dragons don't purr," he retorts. "Only cats do." "She did." Helaena answers decisively, pouting. He bites his inner cheek slightly, as an idea comes to his head. "Prove it to me tomorrow?" he asks. Helaena snaps her head up to him. "We can go riding them now." "Okay," Helaena says, some giddiness to her hand movements as she nods at him. "I'll tell her to sing you a song, then, too."
He hums. Perhaps Sunfyre will enjoy that, too.
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thenightfolknetwork · 6 months
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Helloooooo!!! I hope you’re doing well. I’ve been listening for a while now, but I haven’t written in before.
So! I’ve done ballet for a little over ten years. I started when I was six and a half, and I’m almost seventeen now. I probably won’t dance professionally, but I love it. A lot. The culture surrounding ballet has a… history of mistreating the liminal community—I mean, aside from the obvious body-based exclusion, there’s also the horrible appropriation in the so-called “romantic” period—but luckily, the ballet school I attend is founded and run by a fellow person of the night, and it’s very accepting of all sorts of creatures. People tend to assume that I’m Sapio when they first meet me anyway, but it’s still nice to be able to talk to the mice and cockroaches and not get strange looks, y’know?
And, two years ago, I finally convinced one of my best friends to start taking ballet classes! It’s been great. We review choreography together, help each other with different skills—I’m a jumper, she’s a turner—get enlisted by the costumers to do what we like to call “grunt work” (I am an expert at sewing buttons)—we even go to the library to check out books on stuff like "the use of physical motifs in ballet" and "creature traditions in classical repertoire." It’s really, really wonderful getting to be with someone who’s as excited about the art form as I am.
That’s not my problem. My problem is that she’s… she’s better than me now. Despite starting at 14 in something where being 9 is considered old, she has incredible turnout and gorgeous lines, never gets winded, is picking up épaulement far faster than really anyone ought to be able to—I could go on like this for a while.
You see, she’s a shapeshifter. Proud of it, too. One time when we were 12 or so, our painfully Sapio history teacher very nervously asked if anyone knew what it was like to be from “a genus with so-ma-tic var-i-a-bil-i-ty”—I swear he was looking at notes on his hand—and my friend kicked her scuffed converse up on the desk, said, “No, but I can tell you what it’s like to be a shapeshifter,” and then gave herself extra teeth while smiling. That’s the kinda control she has over it.
And she has a lot of options when it comes to which shape she wants to take on any given day. Since ballet is easier for certain bodies, she, very understandably, chooses a form for class that’s naturally flexible and strong and has exactly the required musculature and is easy to balance with and that’s fine. There is absolutely nothing wrong with her being comfortable and confident in her identity, and, by extension, her body. She doesn’t rub it in, or act like she’s better than the rest of us, or anything like that.
To be clear, she is a hard worker. I don’t want to dismiss that. She writes down notes after class and helps the teachers with the really young groups and takes the lower level’s class on Tuesdays and Thursdays to work on her technique and is generally doing everything right. But so am I! I do all of those things with her, heck, I'm the one who taught her how to seek them out! And I’ve been doing this for ten years! And when you come from a genus that rarely lives past 100, ten years isn’t something to sneeze at. It’s not fair. It’s not anybody’s fault that it’s unfair, but it’s still not right! Please help. I love my friend, and I want to be happy for her, but whenever I see her do a freaking quadruple pirouette in pointe shoes and then balance (because of course, sure, why not, it’s soooo easy) before landing, I just feel furious.
Oh, reader. This sounds extremely difficult and frustrating. You've worked very hard over the last ten years, and as you rightly say, that is not something to sneeze at – especially when you take into consideration how young you were when you started.
You talk a lot towards the end of your letter about what is and isn't “fair” or “right”. I would like you to take a moment and consider the alternatives. Would it be more fair for certain genuses to be prohibited from taking part in your classes? Would it be more right that your friend should sublimate her natural abilities in order to take part?
Or perhaps you would simply not allow anyone to participate at all if they seem to be more naturally flexible, or have better balance, or a stronger core than… Well, here is the other question. What is it we're comparing to? The national average, the average ballet dancer – or simply, you?
Did you know, in the world of professional cycling, there is one trait which is most likely to affect a cyclists chances to reach the upper echelons of their chosen sport? More than height or weight, more than time spent training, more even than their genus. This trait is: being born at high altitude.
But that's not fair, you say! It isn't right, that a simple accident of one's birth should lend such an advantage. Perhaps we should set a cap on natal altitude in such competitions. And what of the second most impactful trait – the wealth of one's birth country? Do we have different leagues for rich and poor, high and low altitude?
I hope you can see how ridiculous that sounds. Life is not a mathematics equation. You can't just add time and effort and get success. There is so much luck involved – lucky births, lucky bodies, lucky brains and lucky bank accounts.
You aren't doing anything wrong by happening to have been born into a family that supports your interests. So too, your friend isn't doing anything wrong by happening to have a body that makes ballet more accessible to her. It is simply the luck of the draw.
Furthermore, 'being good at ballet' is not a finite resource. Your friend isn't taking anything from you by doing well, and her accomplishments in no way diminish your own.
These feelings of jealousy are natural and normal. But they are not healthy emotions, or helpful ones. Acknowledge them, then let them go. Concentrate instead on what you love about ballet, what you love about your friend, and in taking pride in your own achievements. You have worked hard and accomplished a great deal in your own right, and those accomplishments deserve to be celebrated in their own right – not only in comparison to someone else.
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pluckyredhead · 1 year
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Green Arrow #1 (2023)
I promised to yell my feelings about this issue so here! Are! My feelings!!!
Spoilers beneath the cut, obviously. Also, I won’t be including scans since I want to encourage people to buy this comic. It’s already selling so well that it was expanded from a 6 issue miniseries to 12 issues before the first issue even came out - if sales stay strong, maybe we can get an ongoing!
First off, love Sean Izaakse’s art so so so much, I adore his designs for the characters and the way he makes them move. Roy and Connor’s new looks are a little busy but I forgive him because they have such lustrous hair. (Though I still long for a Connor with a curl pattern.)
Starting with Ollie hitting on Dinah while barely conscious? A+. Also, the bit where he realizes he’s on an island again and is like “HOW DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING TO ME???” made me laugh out loud.
I’m not going to lie, on the first double page spread, I’m...not sure why Doomsday is there? Or whose arm is sticking up out of the rubble? Does anyone know?
Why on earth would Dinah call Connor “Hawke?” That line felt really weird to me. Izaakse has been calling him that on Twitter so idk if they’re trying to rebrand him that way or what. Are they making it his new codename? I guess it’s slightly less dumb than “Drake.”
Also, I love the flashback panel of Roy and Connor with their arms around each other, but I am very tired of this thing DC has been doing lately where we see the aftermath of big moments and not the big moment itself. I suppose I shouldn’t complain considering that they nailed the most important reunion in this issue, but I really would have liked to see Connor’s reunions with Roy and Dinah, especially considering that Emiko and Dinah both had basically zero reaction to learning that Roy wasn’t dead. (And in that vein, I’d like to see an actual conversation with Ollie about Connor being ace and not just a flashback panel that’s like “I told my dad, and he was great about it! This will only be addressed annually in Pride issues from now on!” Bonus points for Ollie being very supportive but not 100% getting it and getting a chance to learn.)
JASON SAID THE VAN HAD FINGERPRINTS THAT MATCHED. ROY’S LEAD CAME FROM JASON. Jason and Roy are another set of characters where we were robbed of a good, satisfyingly emotional reunion, but in the single solitary panel we were given of the two of them together, Jason did say he would find Lian, AND HE KEPT HIS PROMISE. Can we please stop discoursing about whether or not he is a good friend to Roy now?
Ollie says that Roy is the greatest marksman in the world and my heart grew three sizes. The last time this came up was 2006ish and it was contested, with the heavy implication that Roy would soon surpass Ollie. I guess he finally made it! I’M SO PROUD. (Although... Shado is the greatest marksperson in the world. I choose to believe that Ollie is using a gendered term deliberately, especially considering what he says to the Manhunter at the end of the issue. Anyway lololol get fucked Merlyn, enjoy being #4.)
“I may have taught Roy and Connor” what did you teach Connor, Ollie? Stop lying.
The flashback panel of Ollie and Dinah fighting back to back is! So! Good! Very Doc Shaner, which is always a compliment.
WHEN I TELL YOU I SCREAMED WHEN LIAN APPEARED
The first time I read this I wasn’t sure if they knew it was Lian, because obviously she’s a lot older than they would have expected. Rereading the panel where the family reacts hits different when you know: the dumbstruck look on Roy’s face! Dinah’s comforting hand on his shoulder! Connor saying “Good form” because he is a PROUD UNCLE! And his little smile on the next page as he wrangles the guy she shot HE THINKS SHE IS SO COOL.
I truly feared that they were going to let her go so Roy’s line, “You threw your first ninja star when you were two years old,” stopped my heart. And then Roy’s speech, besides being heartbreaking, is full of so many great details. I love that he has a sweet tooth and Lian doesn’t. I love the panel of them watching Point Break. I love that they remembered his missing arm in the flashback panel of him mourning Lian.
And on that note, the line “I don’t care how you’re here”...sometimes I get frustrated by DC’s refusal to try to logic their mangled continuity back together  because it feels lazy to me, but here I think it was handled really elegantly. Lian was five and dead and now she’s not; Roy was missing an arm and then he wasn’t and then he was dead and now he’s not. They don’t know why, they’ve accepted that their lives are weird, and they’ve moved on. What’s important to me is that this comic sets out very clearly what is canon and what the characters remember experiencing (short answer: everything, because Roy clearly remembers both pre-Flashpoint and the New 52), because that tells me how to understand their relationships and their choices. I don’t care how they got here either, I just want to know what they’ve lived through.
God, the way he just goes to his knees and gives her all the space in the world. Trusting that she will make the decision that’s right for her, even if it’s one that hurts him. Offering his love on her terms. It’s so perfectly Roy and exactly what Lian needs in that moment.
AND THEN THEY HUG AND I SOBBED FOR TEN MINUTES. Lol @ Izaakse signing this page like “Yeah. You’re welcome.”
AND THEN A FAMILY GROUP HUG. I appreciate the acknowledgement that Lian and Cheshire interacted in Catwoman, because I was so frustrated that nothing came of that.
“They’ll never let our family be together.” This is such a smart move! If you only have 6 (now 12!) issues to bring back Ollie AND Lian AND Connor AND Mia AND (I hope) bring Cissie into the fold for the first time, giving all of the various deaths/disappearances/continuity hiccups one unified source is a great way to fit them all into one story.
And then: DYSTOPIAN OLLIE!!! Dystopian Ollie is always a good move! Dystopian Ollie wants you to use gender neutral threats! Dystopian Ollie has a chainsaw arrow! I love Dystopian Ollie.
ANYWAY THAT WAS A GOOD COMIC AND I WANT THE NEXT ISSUE IMMEDIATELY, THE END.
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pure-bubblegum · 3 months
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TW: jehovas wittnen
Dunno if anyone will find this intresting but here goes.
A few days ago my jehovas Wittness mom came to me saying she had good news so ofcourse l ask her what it was.
"Do you still have contact with G?" G is my childhood friend since 6 to around 12 years old. Haven't spoken to her since, I'm 19 now. Well aperently her last ex boyfriend was in the same situation as me, jehovas wittnen parents but not that himself and now she has Bible studies with her mom, and my mom talked with the sister G studies with and connected the dots that we knew eachother since before.
My mom looked so proud, G had told the sister she studies w that the reason she got interested in the truth was because of me, that l used to preach to her early in our childhood, untill G's mom said l would not be allowed to see G if l keeped doing that. And now that she has her own apartment she decided to pic it up again.
"This is a sign from Jehova that even the smallest of seeds becomes trees in the end"
And in the moment l didnt really know how to feel, my first initial feeling was to congratulate, then l just feelt conflicted. How ironic isn't it that l who introduced this to her left the organization.
I still remember the day l first introduced the 'truth' to her. l told her we all had a chance to revive and live in paradise after death, she begun absolutely sobbing cuz her grandmother had just passed away.
My mom asked me how l felt and if l was proud of this.
No, no absolutely no!
"Yeah.. l guess?"
And for a few days l feelt so conflicted, didn't really know if l was going to be happy for her or feel guilty. And what if l when l go to the memorial this year and see her? What will l say, if she finds out I'm not a jw will she feel discouraged? If l don't go will my parent lie and say l was simply busy? (Most likely) at the same time do l have an obligation as ex-jw to like warn her?
Today l told my friend about this and he concluded in the end that, that was her choice and l had noting to do with this, l may have been her introduction to this but in the end as an adult she made her choice. He also told me that he himself grew up with a Muslim best friend he used to pray togheter with and he himself didn't turn Muslim.
I feel better now thay he told me this, honestly this had bothered me so much these past few days.
Eitherway, don't think l will go to the memorial this year, it will be the first one l miss ✌️💗🤍
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buttonsfleas · 5 months
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I am begging you please make more head cannons for Andy Barclay and his kid 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Alright ;)
Dad!
Andy barclay x !12!daughter!delilah!reader
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Dad and auntie Kyle are talking about some shit whilst I'm just listening to the Hamilton soundtrack through my earphones. I was on Non-stop and they were arguing Non-stop.
"I'm not a bad driver!" My dad says like he isn't, but he is. I'm suprised how he hasn't been arrested for suspection of a DUI yet.
"You are, dad." I say with a small smirk, but I knew I'd get in trouble.
"Thank you!" Aunt Kyle says happily with a smile. In most debates like this, I'd be on her side.
My dad was discombobulated at how I was on my aunt's side and not his.
My dad does have some pros and cons to his driving, but I just think there's more cons then pros.
As they tept talking, I kept thinking about my mother and her death. I saw her die when I was 4 and I can't belive I still remember. Her blood was gushing out of her stomach on the floor and my dad was heartbroken, I think he still is. I have nightmares from when she died. What if it happened to me? I don't think anyone could slaughter someone's daughter, but chucky would.
On the left backseat next to me was my pink bunny from when I was younger. My godmother from my mother's side got it for me when I was 2 years old and it's the only thing that's keeping me going.
We have boxes of my mom's stuff, but they're just at home. My favourite is her wedding dress when she had to marry my dad when she was 23 and he was 25. It was- wait, it is beautiful.
After a while, we got to a gestation and me and my dad just got out and leaned by the car whilst my aunt Kyle went into the convenice store.
My dad pulls my earphones out and smirks whilst I looked up at him surprisingly.
"Daaad! I was listening to Hamilton!" I say with a sad voice.
"Oh god, not that play where people from the 1800s rap! What is it with that musical anyways?" He asks with a irrated voice and smirk.
"It's a good musical!" I say innocently like I'm backing up thr musical more then my father.
"Maybe I'll have to see." He says with a sly smirk and then ruffles my hair up but I had the perfect French braid.
"Daaad! I spent 2 hours on this in the car!" I say with a sad and innocent but cute voice.
He chuckles softly and smirks and says "Just hold on a sec." And then grabs a hairbrush from the glove compartment of the car and then pulls the hair tie out of my braid and then he makes me hug him and he starts to brush it and braid it. It always felt nice when he did it for me.
I stayed still and quiet and just kept on hugging him as he braided my hair, thinking he'd take a while, but he actually did it under 4 minutes.
"Done." He said with a proud smile.
"Already!?" I ask as I look up at him whilst still hugging him.
"Yeah, kid. Think I forgot how to braid my daughter's hair?" He asked and chuckled softly.
"But I didn't know it'd be this quick! You took like 2 hours before each school day!" I ask as my suprisement turns into a smile.
"I only did that so I could spend more time with my angel." He then lifts me up and spins me around like when I was 6.
"Dad, stop!" I say whilst giggling softly and smiling as I kick around for him to stop.
"Alright, alright." He then drops me down and my aunt Kyle comes back out from the convenice store and walks over to us.
"What were you both doing?" She asks curiously, as my dad was still hugging me but I was being held up on my thighs.
"Just messing around. What's it to you?" my dad asks my aunt with a small smirk and then he kisses my check and drops me down.
"Well, here." She passes my dad black leather gloves and passes me the same.
My dad and I put on our gloves but he whispers to me "just get in the passenger seat." And I was confused.
I just nodded and got in the passenger seat and he got in the driver seat. After we both closed the doors, he leaned over and fully locked mine.
"Dad, what's going on-"
"Just trust me, baby." Hr said reassuringly.
My aunt then came over and knocked on the window after she tried opening the door and said irratatedly "haha, andy. Open the fucking door." But he wouldn't budge.
"Delilah, open the door." She said but I looked over at andy and he shook his head, so I shook my head at her but with eyes that said "I'm sorry".
As she tried getting in, my dad decided to just drive off and I felt bad but listened to the music on my earphones to drain the feelings out.
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aith-art · 7 months
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Falloutober 2023 - Day 12
"Rust"
@falloutober
Word Count - 1373
The room must have been spacious at some point. But with all the technology there, it felt more cramped and busy. Lights flicked and flashed. Something was beeping. Faraday was pattering around, looking at the equipment and doing some kind of checks. Chase watched me with an unbroken glare. She didn’t like me being around. One of very few none synths that had ever entered Arcadia, and someone who’d helped take down countless Coursers. But I ment them no harm. 
DiMA and Nick were at the otherside of the old telescope, sharing what I hoped were amicable discussion. Dana had sat against the wall, her head laid back and her eyes closed. It had been a long week and hadn’t been easy on her. She needed the nap, I just wished she’d found a comfier place to sleep cause she’d reget sleeping like that when she awoke. But for now, she was calm and safe. 
Leaning against the door, I continued to contemplate what we had to do. Going into the Nucleus was almost suicidal. If the crazy cult didn’t catch on to our plans then the radiation that’s said to be within the Nucleus would be fatal. The Children of Atom had changed so much in the century since I’d left Megaton. From a simple and slightly weird religion that stood around an old bomb, to borderline crazed killers who knew no mercy. 
I forced my mind to wander, thinking about the job wouldn’t help my mind, I thought about Nick and DiMA. Brothers, even if they cannot accept it, that had been reunited and had experiences no one else cound understand. Not an uncommon narrative in my travels, both myself and Dana had our fair share of experiences with siblings that we could not agree with. But there was something about Nick and DiMA I just couldn’t shake. They’d been around for nearly a hundred years if either one is to be believed. Though their exterior was predominantly some kind of polymer, they both had large amounts of exposed metal. 
As my mind continued to wander down this path of questions, my feet began to move and I found myself leaning against the railing near where Nick and DiMA were sat. 
“I still don’t feel proud of taking it as bad as I did. Maybe we could start over?” I stayed quiet as Nick and DiMA conversed. Nick had been colder to DiMA than I could have expected on first arrival. I supposed finding out you had a sibling after decades of believing you were alone isn’t easy, it hadn’t been for me. 
“I’d like that.” DiMA’s voice was always so measured. A calm voice that could passify the masses. It was almost disconcerting. As if he wasn’t always mentally there. Looking at things through an oblique angle. But there was also strain in it. Like it hurt for him to talk, like his vocal box had been damaged slightly over the years. “Its been good to talk to you, Nick.” 
The conversation lulled. Nick stood up and walked over to young Dana. He just hovered around her. Keeping her safe. DiMA looked at me. Though he couldn’t really emote, it was clear he was studying me. Calculating what I wanted to say. It felt weird to ask my question after such a heart warming moment, but it seemed DiMA wanted to know what I had to ask. 
“Hey, DiMA. I’ve got a… Well it might be a weird question but it’s been bugging me since I met Nick and then you…” I was talking faster than I intended to. Technology had always been something I was passionate about, and I always found myself rambling at speed when I got to bring it up. “It’s just well…” I took a breath, trying to slow myself down. “Do you and Nick rust?” 
DiMA said nothing for a moment. I felt myself shrink back slightly. I was a kid again, asking my mother about the eyebots and the mechanics of her project. “Oh…” I bit my lip, feeling more embarrassed by not just my question but my outburst of energy. “I hadn’t expected you to ask about that.” He caught me off guard. 
“What had you expected me to ask about?” I enquired. 
“How Arcadia works and interacts with the locals? how we sustain ourselves? Potentially how all the technology in this very room works.” 
It was my turn to be stumped. “Huh, I mean. I can’t say I haven’t been curious about that. But I guess a lot of that I’ve been observing. Other than the tech in here. Which if I was ever allowed to properly look at I could probably work out how to use it easy enough.” 
“Yes. You have a bright mind that quickly adapts too and can interpret situations. And you are certain you are not a synth?” 
“We can keep having these conversations, no. I’m not a synth. I have a blank space in my memory due to an enclave experiment but I’m most definitely human. Not that theres a problem being a synth. It’s just, some of my…” I had started ranting again, stopped thinking as fast. I hadn’t really spoken about the brains in Big Mt since I’d left. I left a pause as I chose the right words. “Former aquaintances would have known.” It was a weak half truth at best. DiMA could tell I believed for a fact I wasn’t a synth he didn’t know that I’d had concrete evidence of my lack of synth-hood. And I wasn’t about to admit to it here. 
“I have no doubt you believe that, whole heartedly.” I bit my tongue. I didn’t need to explain why talking to one's own brain was the best evidence in existence for not being a synth. “But back to your initial question. Do we rust?” 
My mind clicked back into the conversation I had come over here to have. “Yeah. I know your exterior is some kind of polymer, but your joint-work, and the vacuum tubes up your back. The connects for all those must get exposed to water every now and then. Are they made of some kind of rust resistant material. Cause that wouldn’t make sense, give the Institute was buit underground and you were never ment to be exposed to things like the rain.” The filter between my brain and my mouth faded away as I kept trying to connect the dots that had been there in my mind the entire time. “Or is it like the robots out in the wastes where you require constant maintenance and have to keep yourself dry all the time. Cause that can’t be easy on an island like this. Then again your safe from the fog up here which is where most of the damp on the island comes from.” As I kept talking, DiMA listened and Faraday came round the corner, standing over DiMA shoulder. I almost didn’t notice his appearance. “Cause things like Mr Handy’s and the old Enclave Eyebots require constant maintenance to prevent rusting. Though most Mr Handy’s like Codsworth have the ability to maintain themselves or have a rust resistant coating on them…” My voice mutter into a silence as the two men looked at me. 
Faraday spoke up first. “You’ve really thought about this, haven’t you?” 
I laughed a little. “Yeah. It’s not every day you get to learn about new science and technology. So I like to let my mind think about these kind of things a lot.” 
“You’ve the mind of a true scientist.” DiMA commented. 
“I’m sure he’s likely to agree with you.” I muttered back without thinking. My face tense with reget the moment I finished saying it. I sounded crazy. 
“Yes,” He wasn’t going to bring it up. “To answer your question, I have developed a form of water resistant coating that prevents me from rusting. Faraday and myself have a system. As for Nick, I don’t know. You likely know more than myself.” 
“But you do rust?”
“Yes, we do rust.” 
“Huh. Interesting.” 
“Is that all you had wanted to find out.” 
“Pretty much.” I stood up from the railing, giving him a smile, “Thank you, DiMA.”
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