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harley-sunday · 1 year

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Feels Like Home [03]

Summary: When an unexpected three-week break between Monza and Singapore finds Daniel back on his farm in Perth he’s desperate to use this time to clear his mind, figure out his future in Formula One, and find his way back. He didn’t expect a new neighbour, a sassy two-year old, and three alpacas would make him realise that sometimes, what you’re looking for is right in front of you.

Pairing: Daniel Ricciardo x reader (unnamed OFC)

Warnings: Language

Word count: 4.6k

AN: Daniel in this chapter is just... Oof. I hope you like it, if you could take some time to leave a comment that would mean so much :) ♥

Masterlist

“Alright, Boss,” Daniel jokes with a wide grin, “tell me what to do.” It’s his first official day as her farmhand and even though she told him yesterday what she expects from him he might have been too busy looking at her to really hear anything she said.

“Well,” she draws out, looking from him to the alpacas and back, “it’s Sunday, so it’s time for their weekly bath, maybe you could-”

“I’m sorry, what?” Daniel eyes the girls suspiciously, not sure how he feels about bathing three killing machines who could take him out in a second. Try explaining that to Blake, he thinks to himself with a wry smile.

“Well yeah, I mean, they’re outside all week long, so I usually take them down to the river on Sundays and give them a nice wash.” She nods towards her truck, “There’s a bottle of shampoo and a brush in my truck.”

Ok. He’s got this. This is nothing compared to driving a race car at three hundred k’s per hour, right? It’s just three alpacas, and they’ve probably been bathed lots of times before, and if she can do it he surely can. Right? Daniel swallows hard, mentally preparing himself for the task at hand by taking a deep breath, trying not to show fear because he’s convinced the girls will pick up on that and- Ok. One at a time. He'll start with Blanche, she's definitely the least threatening, then Babs, and Betsy last.

“I usually take all three of them at the same time,” she says then. “They get a little antsy when they’re separated.”

Oh. Ok. He risks another glance at the girls who are huddled together in the corner of the paddock, eating some grass and probably having a better time than he is right now. But. One alpaca or three alpacas, same difference, right? So why does his voice come out all high and squeaky when he tells her, “Yeah, nah, no worries.”

Next to him he can hear her let out a laugh and he’s about to tell her that this might not be the best idea but then her hand is on his arm and she looks up at him with a mischievous smile, “I was just messing with you, Daniel.”

“Oh, thank God,” he breathes before he composes himself. Or tries to, anyway, “I mean, I was going to do it but-”

“Yeah, nah, I could totally see that,” she jokes, her hand squeezing his arm as she winks at him. “Why don’t you fill up their feeder inside and I’ll get started on cleaning out the shed?”

“That I can do,” Daniel agrees easily enough. He takes the bucket of grains out of her truck and starts making his way over to the shed. As soon as he opens the gate he can see the alpacas hurrying over to him and so he makes a quick dash to the shed to avoid being trampled to death by a herd of angry alpacas. Or at least, three very hungry ones. Still they catch up with him and he lets out an embarrassing yelp when Blanche head buts him in the back, “Jeepers, Blanche!”

“She likes you,” she says from where she’s leaning on her pitch fork.

“I like you too,” Daniel tells the white alpaca in a soft voice, trying not to spook her, “but I’m gonna need you to keep your distance, ma’am.”

***

When you hit the call button you take a deep breath, trying to settle the nerves in your stomach that have formed a nice little knot there ever since Granddad suggested asking Daniel to help you out and gave you his number, and bite your lip while you wait for the call to go through.

He answers with a hesitant, “Hello?”

“Hi Daniel, it’s-”

“Well, hello neighbour,” he says then and you swear you can feel his megawatt smile beaming at you through the phone. “Everything alright? Is this you calling me to tell me what an excellent job I did today?”

“Uhm, no-” You can’t help but laugh, “But sure. Thank you for today, Daniel. You did an excellent job.”

“Thank you, that sounded very genuine and not at all prompted,” he laughs.

You nod, even though he can’t see you. “I uh-” you clear your throat, trying to get rid of your pinched voice, “I wanted to ask if you maybe could do me a favour tomorrow?”

“Hmm,” he hums in reply and you think you can hear him sit down somewhere, “that depends.”

“On?”

“On what the favour is. I’ve got no problem feeding the girls but if you’re going to tell me that because it’s Monday it’s time for Oscar’s his weekly bath I might-”

You can’t help the laugh that escapes you, “No.” A little cheeky then, “That’s not until next Friday anyway.” He chuckles and you can feel your nerves settle down a little, “I do have to take Granddad into town tomorrow though. The doctor wants to see him for a follow-up and so I was wondering if you maybe could watch Ellie for an hour or two? Mrs Mackenzie was supposed to watch her but she’s not feeling too well, so- Normally I would take Ellie with me but it’s right around her nap time and she gets a little grumpy when she doesn’t get enough sleep so I’d rather-”

“You want me to hang out with Miss Ellie?”

“Well, she’d be asleep for most of it,” you try to reassure him because he sounds a little- hesitant, maybe. “Really it’s just babysitting her for two hours tops but if you don’t-”

“I’d love to,” he interrupts you quickly. “What time do you need me to come over?”

“We have to leave at one-”

“I’ll be there.”

You can’t help the smile that grows ever wider, “Thank you so much, Dan. I really appre-”

“Stop it,” he counters, no doubt with a grin. “I’m happy to help out.”

You have to bite your tongue to keep from thanking him again and so instead you simply say, “Perfect. I’ll see you tomorrow then?”

“Yep. Catch you later, neighbour.”

***

“Thanks for another great workout, Mikey, it’s been swell,” Daniel says once they’re done with their Monday morning session. “I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?”

Michael eyes him suspiciously, “You’re awfully chipper today-”

“What?” Daniel chuckles and shrugs, “Am I not allowed to enjoy working out?”

“You are,” Michael draws out, “it’s just that usually you don’t.”

“It was a good workout, mate,” Daniel says as he claps Michael’s back. Of course he knows exactly what brought on his good mood, because he’s been looking forward to babysitting Ellie all day, but he doesn’t necessarily need Michael to know that.

“Sure,”

“What?” Daniel says again. “Don’t doubt yourself, Mikey. Your workouts are great!”

“I’m not sure what’s going on here,” Michael says, circling his finger in front of Daniel’s chest, “but keep up with the flattery, mate. It’s better than your usual complaining.”

“Awesome.” Daniel risks a quick glance at his watch then and sees it’s already a quarter past twelve and he still needs to shower and- “It’s been swell, mate. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yep,” Michael agrees bluntly. He narrows his eyes at Daniel then, “Do I need Blake to schedule a drug test or something?” He lowers his voice, “Are you involved in illegal activities, Dan? I mean, I’m not against the use of CBD oil but I don’t think smoking weed is-”

“Out!” Daniel pushes his friend towards the door with a shake of his head even though he can’t help the smile that tugs on the corners of his mouth, “Don’t be a nosy Nellie, mate. It doesn’t suit you.”

Michael gives him the finger but then heads to his car and so Daniel turns on his heels and heads for the shower, and if he’s already picked out the outfit he’s going to wear, so what? It’s efficient.

He’s out of the house twenty minutes later and when he pulls up in front of Oscar’s house there’s still ten minutes to spare. Daniel knocks and then lets himself in like he always does, finding his neighbour in the kitchen, enjoying a cup of tea, “Hiya Oscar.”

“Hi Danny,” Oscar replies, his face lighting up with a smile.

“How you doing, mate?”

“Not too bad,” Oscar agrees easily enough. As always he’s a man of little words and doesn’t really elaborate. Instead he nods to the ceiling, “She’s just putting Ellie to bed, shouldn’t take long.”

“Oh, that’s ok,” Daniel says as he sits down in one of the kitchen chairs after helping himself to a cup of coffee.

“Listen, Dan,” Oscar starts and for some reason Daniel knows whatever comes next is important, “they’ve been through a lot, both of them. It wasn’t easy when Ellie’s dad-” Oscar shakes his head, “That’s not really my story to tell but I need you to understand that she doesn’t trust people easily, so for her to ask you to watch Ellie, the one person who means more to her than anyone, well-” he locks eyes with Daniel, “It’s a big ask from her and a big responsibility for you. Don’t muck about, son. Ok? Not just now, with babysitting Ellie, but with her as well. I might not be as quick as I was before but I won’t hesitate to hunt you down if you ever hurt her.”

“Understood,” Daniel says with a nod because he does. He could tell she was hesitant to accept his help when he first offered it and even more so when she called him yesterday and so he wants to do anything but hurt the trust she’s put in him.

“Good,” Oscar says, taking another sip of his tea.

When he hears her coming down the stairs he leans in a little closer to Oscar and tells him, “I’m not gonna let her down, promise.”

“That’s a big promise to make, Danny,” Oscar counters with his eyebrows raised.

“I know,” Daniel gives him a big smile, “but I intend to keep it.”

It’s then she walks into the kitchen, “Hi.”

“Hi,” Daniel beams back at her, a little taken aback by how different she looks out of her normal work clothes because even though she’s wearing jeans and a simple black top she looks absolutely gorgeous. He clears his throat and tries not to stare when he asks, “Ellie’s asleep?”

“Yep,” she nods. “Out like a light. I doubt she’ll wake up before we get back but just in case there’s a bottle of milk in the fridge that you just need to heat up and if she wants she can have a banana.”

“Gotcha.”

“You have my number so call me if there’s anything, ok?” She waits until he nods before she casually adds, “She likes you so I don’t think she’ll mind you being there but if she does throw a little tantrum-”

“I’ll call,” Daniel adds, trying to reassure her that he’s got this while still basking in the fact that Ellie likes him.

She turns towards Oscar then, “Ready to go?”

Daniel helps Oscar to her car and promises once again to call if there’s anything before he heads back inside and settles on the couch with his phone, making good use of his time by catching up on some emails.

Ellie wakes up somewhere around two-thirty and Daniel’s on his feet at her first cry, a little nervous when he walks up the stairs to where Oscar told him her room is. The little girl is sitting in her cot, looking at him with big eyes and so he lowers his voice, trying to let her know it’s ok when he says, “Hi Miss Ellie. How you going?”

Ellie looks up at him, her little eyebrows knitted together as she studies him for a moment, but then she must recognise him because she holds out her hands to him, “Danny.”

“That’s right,” Daniel says as he picks her up and kisses her cheek. “How you going, sleepyhead?”

She leans back a little in his arms, looking over his shoulder, “Momma?”

“Momma’s taking Granddad to see the doctor, sweetheart,” Daniel explains as he gently wipes her hair out of her face. “She’ll be back soon.”

Ellie seems to think about it for a second but then seems content with his answer and lets her head rest against his shoulder, “Milk?”

Daniel laughs, “Yep. Let’s go get you some milk, huh?” He pokes her side then, “And maybe a banana?”

Ellie’s head shoots up, her eyes wide, whispering a quiet, “‘Nana?”

“Banana,” Daniel confirms quietly as he turns around. He makes his way down the stairs carefully before he walks to the kitchen and sits her down in her high chair.

Ellie’s quietly singing to herself as he waits for the microwave to heat up her bottle and at first he can’t make out what she’s going on about but then the microwave beeps and it’s quiet in the kitchen again and he hears her loud and clear, “Danny, banana. Danny, banana. Danny, banana.”

Daniel presses a kiss to the top of her head as he puts her bottle down in front of her, “You’re the coolest kid ever, Miss Ellie." When she smiles up at him he grins back at her, "Don’t tell my niece and nephew I said that, ok? Our little secret.”

***

It’s close to three when you pull up to the house and part of you wants to rush inside, to check up on Ellie, and Daniel, but you know you can’t just leave Granddad behind. Instead you turn to him, “I’ll go ask Daniel to come help, ok?”

Your granddad grunts something in reply and you can’t help but smile because you know it’s nothing personal, know it’s just because he hates not being able to do something as simple as getting out of a car on his own and if anything you admire the way he still cares about his independence.

You hear him continue his rant as you step out of the car but don't really pay it any mind, music coming from the house drawing your attention instead. When you walk past Homer, who's curled up on the old couch on the front porch, he looks at you as if to say he doesn't know what's going on either. You pat his head and tell him, "Good boy," before you let yourself in and head for the kitchen.

The loud music means they haven't heard you come in and so you allow yourself a moment to take it all in - Daniel with the sleeves of his t-shirt pushed up, excitedly showing off his tattoos to Ellie, pointing at them and explaining to her what they are. Ellie seems absolutely enthralled by all the pictures etched into his skin, her little fingers now tracing the lines of a cupid on his arm. You feel something settle inside of your chest as you watch your daughter and Daniel together, both of them so at ease, and it's something you haven’t felt in a long time. Before you have time to explore it some more your daughter spots you and so you push yourself off from where you were leaning against the doorframe and walk over to where Ellie’s sitting in her high chair, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, “Hi bub. You having fun?"

Daniel nods, "She's been like this ever since she woke up half an hour ago," just as Ellie points at Daniel’s tattoo, “Cupid!”

“Yeah, that’s a cupid,” you agree with a smile, trying your hardest not to stare at Daniel's tan arms but failing miserably and so you clear your throat to distract yourself.

If Daniel notices anything he's kind enough not to mention it and instead puts his sweater back on. Once that's over his head he looks at you with a grin, "What you do to the old man? Leave him behind at the nursing home?"

You laugh and shake your head, "He's in the car. Would you mind helping him out?"

"On it," Daniel says with a click of his tongue, pointing a pair of finger guns at the two of you before he pulls a face and turns around.

Both you and Ellie watch in silence as he walks out of the kitchen, Ellie letting out a quiet, "Danny," when he turns the corner and you letting out a heavy sigh at the same time. When Ellie looks up at you, you smile back at her, drawing out a "Yeah."

Ellie, bless her, claps her hands in response and then blows a raspberry at you.

You comb your fingers through her hair absentmindedly, "Same, bub-" Another sigh then, "Same."

Daniel and Granddad make it inside not much later, but it’s only Daniel who returns to the kitchen, running a hand through his hair as he says, “He asked me to put him in the living room.”

“He’s a little grumpy,” you whisper with a wink. “Hasn’t had his afternoon nap yet so-” you see-saw your hand and let the rest of that sentence hang in the air unspoken.

“Gotcha,” Daniel says with a grin, looking a bit unsure of himself. He shakes his head then and points at the window, “I don’t know about you two but maybe we could go for a walk? It’s nice enough outside and I don’t mind stretching my legs for a bit.”

You look down at Ellie, “You wanna go for a walk, bub?”

Ellie’s eyes light up and she whispers a happy, “Yeah,” before she looks at Daniel, “Come with?”

“Yep,” Daniel nods. “I’m definitely coming with, my friend.”

“I’ll just go get her changed real quick,” you tell Daniel as you pick Ellie up from her seat. “Shouldn’t take long.”

“I’ll wait outside for you,” Daniel offers with a grin. “Wouldn’t want to disturb the old man during his nap.”

When you come down a little later, Ellie in a pair of pale green dungarees and a fleece made from Alpaca wool, you find Daniel sitting next to Homer on the porch swing, albeit with some distance between them. You can’t help but tease, “Cautious of the dog too, Ricciardo?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replies with a nod, rubbing his hands on the fabric of his jeans. “Although I trust him more than I do the alpacas.”

You click your tongue, “Better not let the girls hear that.” Ellie starts wriggling in your arms and so you put her down, watching as she wobbles over to the apple orchard, where Granddad put up a swing for you in one of the trees when you were Ellie’s age. You look at Daniel and shrug, “Guess we’re going that way.”

Ellie’s surprisingly quick on her little legs and already waiting for you at the swing by the time you catch up with her. Daniel doesn’t hesitate and picks her up so he can put her into the seat, gently pushing her once she’s in, drawing excited giggles from her, his own smile growing wider with every push.

You and Daniel talk about the farm mostly, how it was back when you were a kid and how much has changed since your grandmother passed away a few years ago. When he asks if you could ever see yourself moving here full time, you hesitate, “I’m not sure.” You shrug then, “I think I could manage what little livestock we have now but I’m not sure if I could be the best mum to Ellie if I have the farm to worry about.”

“Hmm,” he agrees quietly, encouraging you to go on.

“It’s a lot of work,” you explain. “I mean, if it wasn't just me maybe it’d be different but-”

“Can I-” Daniel stops himself but when you nod, because you know what he’s going to ask, he clears his throat and continues, “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but where’s Ellie’s dad?”

“Dunno.” You smile to let him know it’s ok, “We were together for six or seven months before I found out he was married, so I broke it off and told him I never wanted to see him again. Two months later I found out I was pregnant.”

“Does he-”

“He knows about Ellie, but he already has a wife and kids so-” You look at Ellie, “He signed away his rights when she was born and asked not to bother him anymore.”

“Wow,” Daniel shakes his head. “What an a-” He looks at Ellie and corrects himself just in time, “What a despicable human being.”

You shrug, “It’s fine. For me it’s better this way but-” you swallow hard, trying to get rid of the lump that has started to form in your throat, “I worry about the day Ellie’s going to ask about him, you know? Can you imagine? ‘Oh yeah, funny you should ask, kid, but your dad doesn’t want anything to do with you.’” You scoff, “I hate that he’s put me in that position but on the other hand, if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have her so-”

“If it’s any consolation,” Daniel says with a hesitant smile, “she’s a carbon copy of you, both the way she looks and her personality. People will always know she’s your kid.”

“That’s very kind, thank you,” you tell him with a warm smile.

Ellie decides then she’s had enough of the swing and holds up her arms, “Out.”

You can’t help but laugh and nod at your daughter, “You heard her, Daniel. She wants out.”

Daniel laughs and picks up Ellie, lifting her onto his shoulders before he turns to you, “Why don’t you show me your favourite place on the farm?”

“My favourite place,” you echo slowly, trying to choose between the little creek over in the Burned Oak paddock or- Looking at your daughter then, who is giggling with glee from being so high up, the choice is easy, “Ok. Let’s go.” You lead Daniel through the orchard to a field that at first glance doesn’t look like anything special but you know in a few months time will look completely different.

When you reach the gate you look at him from over your shoulder, “This is it.”

“Ok,” he draws out, probably not sure if you’re joking or not.

“You’ll have to come back in December,” you tell him, without thinking much of it, without fully realising you actually want him to come back, want to have him in your life for more than just the two weeks you’re promised now, “the entire place will be covered in poppies. It’s beautiful.” You poke Ellie’s side then, “It’s why her second name is Poppy.”

“Because you love the flowers so much?” Daniel guesses.

“That and because she was born on December third, when they are in full bloom.” You take your phone out of the back pocket of your jeans and pull up your picture gallery, scrolling back to a picture of Ellie’s second birthday, where you took a few pictures of her surrounded by thousands of red poppies. You angle your phone to Daniel, “See?”

“Oh wow.”

“Right?” You smile at Ellie, “A very pretty girl in the middle of some very pretty flowers.”

Ellie yawns in response and when you look at the time on your phone you’re surprised to see it’s already close to five. You look at Daniel, “We should probably head back. Don’t want the wrath of Granddad unleashed on us because of dinner being late.”

Daniel laughs, “Yeah, nah, we could do without.”

***

It’s been less than a week since Daniel offered to help out on the farm, but already you’ve settled into an easy rhythm. You still do your chores around the house in the morning, make lunch, put Ellie down for her nap, and spend some time outside until your granddad calls, have a coffee break, head back outside again together with Ellie for an hour or so until it’s five o’clock and it’s time to make dinner. Or, well, warm up dinner. The meals Daniel brought you only require a few minutes in the microwave and save you so much time.

Daniel usually shows up around five-thirty, entertaining Ellie long enough for you and Granddad to finish your dinner in relative peace before you take Ellie upstairs to get her ready for the night while Daniel and your Granddad drink a cuppa and gossip about the neighbours and whatever footie game was on that day. By now Granddad is a lot more independent around the house, but getting him ready both in the mornings and at night is still something you need to help him with. He seems a bit happier though and in the end that’s all that matters.

Once Ellie is asleep, you and Daniel head outside, taking your Granddad’s ute out to Eagle’s nest to tend to the alpacas. More often than not, Homer jumps into the back of the truck once you set off, having taken a special liking to the alpacas ever since they arrived on the farm a few years ago.

It’s where you find yourself today, an unusually warm Wednesday evening, with Homer dozing off next to the fence while you and Daniel clean out the shed so you can put in fresh hay later. The warmer weather means both you and Daniel have ditched your jackets, Daniel even going as far as taking his sweater off and working in only a t-shirt and so you keep finding yourself stealing glances at his arms and the way his tattoos stand out against his skin.

Of course Daniel catches you looking, “Like what you see?”

Is he flirting with you? If he is, it’s working because you feel the heat rise to your cheeks but try to shrug it off, “I’ve seen better.”

“Hmm,” he teases and throws you a wink. “Let me know if it’s too distracting, babe. I’ll put my sweater back on.”

Babe? Oh God. He really is flirting with you. Fine. Two can play that game, you decide as you lean on your pitchfork, “Are you flexing right now?” You laugh when he seems confused and tease him some more, “Oh my God, you are. You are actually flexing your muscles.”

“Am not,” he shoots back, throwing his spade aside and taking on one of those ridiculous bodybuilder poses, one leg bent as he turns his torso towards you and pumps the muscles in his arms, “Now I am.” He goes through a whole array of poses and ends up with his back towards you, flexing his butt cheeks.

You hate the giggle that escapes you and so you try to play it cool and applaud his efforts instead, holding up an invisible sign, “Ten out of ten, Danny. You have impressed the judges.”

“Judges-” he echoes, “or judge?”

Biting your bottom lip you scrunch your nose, “It takes a lot more than that to impress this judge-” then, because why not, “-babe.”

“Oooh,” Daniel draws out and puts his hand to his chest, pretending to be hurt by your comment, “way to kick me down, boss. Jeepers.”

“You wanna impress me?” You nod towards the last of the dirty hay, “Clean that out for me and then we’ll talk.”

“Or,” Daniel starts, taking a step closer to you and making you look up at him, “I could take you out to dinner on Friday.”

You nod, your throat a little dry from how close he’s standing, “Or you could do that.”

#Daniel Ricciardo #F1 Fanfic #Daniel Ricciardo x reader #F1 imagine #DR3 #Harley Sunday x Daniel Ricciardo #Feels Like Home

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amethyst-aster · 6 months

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A typical Thanksgiving dinner

Aunt carol arrives first. She brings bean chili. It has odd looking smells, but overall not bad for her cooking

Cousin Jeremy comes second, carrying a baby axolotl in a bucket. He immediately goes to the air fryer. Squeals of terror are heard for two minutes, before it stops. He returns with a dish

Aunt Surya brings a terrible smelling tin. You don’t know what it is, and you don’t want to know. It gets uneaten except for cousin Eric.

Uncle Mark arrives with pumpkin pie. World famous and the most delicious pie you’ve ever eaten.

Aunt Ariel waltzes through the door with a bottle of wine. She starts doing interpretive dancing on the floor.

Cousin Thomas carries a bag of steamed green beans. It appears to be dipped in what you hope is cranberry jam.

John Jacob dances through the rain in an umbrella with chocolate?

Annalise jumps with joy as she brings the gravy dish. It looks like hot pink play-dough, but you know what it is from past holidays

Bubbie Esther brings apple pie and cake, as she always does. It rivals the pumpkin pie

Anita carries a tin full of sweet potato casserole. It has a blue scarf in it, but she quickly takes it out. Strange. It looks exactly like cousin Barbra’s scarf. She was wearing it when she went missing

Dallas brings spinach casserole. Who is she? We don’t know, but she arrives anyway and nobody has the guts to tell her to leave. Bless her heart.

Uncle Bob brings a cake covered in fake eyes! Weird that it’s blinking though, seems to be in morse code…

Uncle Plant brings a tv? It’s not a food, but we allow it since he’s a plant and things are different where he lives

Granny Betsy brings a cow! It’s her favorite cow! Maria the cow was my favorite. Alas, she’s too old and “sickly”. She was tasty. Shame you only got one piece.

Cousin Aster brings mashed potatoes. It is the most flavorful potatoes you’ve ever had. Their eyes seem to be glowing purple…weird…

Cousin Layla brings ramen with ginger. Nothing can ruin ramen, right?

Sister NINA brings the ruins of an old ship. She’s crazy. Don’t listen to her. She smells like cat fur. When she brings it in, some lemon juice gets in your eye. You think it’s from the rotting planks…

You all gather at a large table. The air is warm and slightly muggy.

(Add yourself if you want)

#Mr plant #Crazy family #implied murder #Axolotl death #Baby animals #ramen #The void

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thespineoftherighteous · 1 year

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can i ask you to elaborate on matt's mom finding aaron as her favorite fox? it's been a while since i read the books

YES i can. i got so excited to answer this because it's such a scrumptious concept to me

in the books there isn't much between them, besides the fact that Matt's mother (Randy) pays Aaron's bail and Aaron spends Christmas with her in New York (which happens off screen so there could've been loads that happened then).

but there is this scene in the EC where Aaron chalks up the strength to go up to Randy and thank her when she comes to Palmetto to watch a game. (this is from a draft where Aaron and co don't spend Christmas break with Matt, so this is the first time Aaron actually meets her. this scene could have easily still happened though, just in NY, and i consider it canon.) and there's this. fucking wholesome as fuck moment where she hugs him until he sinks into it and tells him that she's proud of him and calls him family and i think, EC or not, it's genuinely one of my favorite scenes in the entire series:

It took Aaron most of Thursday afternoon to work up the courage, but he finally approached Randy at the end of practice to thank her for paying his bail. Neil was in charge of the stick rack and ball buckets today, but he deliberately slowed down his work to eavesdrop. Aaron's gratitude was the stilted mess of a man not used to admitting when he was wrong.

Randy looked a bit baffled, then recovered enough to stress, "You gave me back my son. Do you understand? There is nothing I can do to make that up to you."

Aaron was honest enough to say, "That wasn't my decision."

Randy reached for him, but Aaron flinched at the first brush of her fingers against his shoulders. Aaron recovered quickly, but the damage was already done. Randy's smile vanished and the look she gave Aaron was heavy enough to make Neil uncomfortable ten feet away.

Last summer Neil had recoiled from Wymack much the same way, so certain of being hurt for his transgressions and stupidity. For months his stomach had knotted a bit every time Wymack raised his voice at practice. Even as recently as January Neil willfully told himself Wymack's concern was anger because fear of older men was a powerful enough motivator to get Neil through his second thoughts and nightmares.

Only now did Neil understand that a person could fear an older woman the same way. Neil's mother had hit him and screamed at him, but she'd always been on his side. She'd always been his mother first. He'd known Aaron's mother was abusive, had heard it from Nicky and had it affirmed by Andrew back in November. He'd thrown it in Aaron's face knowing it would hurt, but somehow he'd still always thought it a different matter. Neil couldn't imagine a world where mothers weren't actually mothers.

Neil finally understood, though he didn't know if it was stupidity or prejudice that had blinded him this long. Cass Spear could have been Andrew's mother once. These days Andrew leaned on Betsy Dobson. Aaron, on the other hand, never had anyone to fill that role. Aaron wouldn't let the Foxes in because of Andrew, but he couldn't let Nicky in because he didn't know how. He'd gotten this far in life on his own, surviving on willpower and sheer desperation.

For a moment Neil thought Randy would take offense at Aaron's reaction and walk away. Instead she slowly raised her hands to Aaron's face and cradled his cheeks in her hands.

"Hey," she said, more subdued than she'd sounded all day but somehow still hard with conviction. "I'm so proud of you. Do you hear me? I'm so proud of you. You did what you had to do to defend your family, and tomorrow you're going to do whatever it takes to defend our family. Okay? It's going to be okay."

Aaron stared back at her, silent and frozen. Randy nodded at whatever she saw on his face and made a slow attempt at hugging him. Aaron didn't fight her off, and Randy held on until Aaron finally relaxed.

for a second i was going to take out some of Neil's commentary but i actually think it's good in showing how much this actually fucking means. his perception alone implies that Randy could be so much more to Aaron

anyway. that's as far as canon takes you but i believe that their relationship grows over the years, one way or another. grows into something that is very good for Aaron, something he needs. i also believe that Matt and Aaron get closer (I've got a wholeee post on that i think tho) and that either helps or is helped by Aaron and Randy's relationship. given the logistics they probably don't interact face to face often (maybe NY Christmases become a thing though) but that doesn't matter. Aaron has someone in his corner, not Nicky or Coach or Katelyn but someone just far enough outside the vortex of PSU to maybe take on a little bit of the weight he's always had to carry, maybe ease the solo war against the world that he's been fighting every day of his life.

#fuck rereading that scene is actually making me like. emotional or some shit #sorry if this is more than what you wanted #i don't think I know how to talk about Aaron and be normal..#as if it's my fault #aaron minyard #aftg #randy boyd #🦊✉️

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stabbyfoxandrew · 5 months

Note

Hey! I totally missed last week's Wipwednesday :-( But it's Wednesday again so I can ask for my beloved Guardian Angel Neil? I wish you a great week and much fun!

WIP Wednesday (12/20) | Guardian Angel Neil AU (Part 88)

“Is there anything else we want to talk about today?” Betsy asks when there’s a lull. “Your birthday is next week. Have you considered getting Aaron a gift?”

Andrew blinks. No, he has not. Primarily because his brother would throw it into the trash without opening it, like he had the first and only time Andrew got him something. He opens his mouth to tell her as much, then notices the clock behind her desk.

“Time’s up, Betsy.” Andrew tells her.

Bee turns to check and looks sort of surprised. “Oh, you’re right.”

“Seems we’ll have to discuss my brother problem next week. Unless of course, my angel problem becomes more prevalent.” Andrew says as he stands up and places his mug on the table. He starts for the door, but pauses at his name.

“Oh, Andrew. Wait just a second,” Betsy says, moving to grab something from under her desk. Andrew turns to look at her and Bee is smiling with a plastic orange pumpkin in her hand. She holds it out to him. “Trick or treat?”

“I get to choose?” Andrew stares at the candy bucket for a second before taking a Snickers bar off the top. “Happy Halloween, Betsy. Be on the lookout for goblins, I’m sure there are plenty of them around here.”

Bee laughs softly. “Happy Halloween, Andrew. See you next week.”

<- previous | first | next->

#since you missed last week here's a longer piece! <3 #andreil #aftg #WIP Wednesday #Guardian Angel Neil AU #🕊️#answered #c-lion

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captmickey · 5 months

Text

An Ode to the Royal Guards, a King's Quest fanfic

It's the end of the year, and I felt a spark to write something with the guards to celebrate it... so here we are with my very poor attempt of a "poem".

---

“I'm just saying, I'm feeling rather poetic right about now.”

“Please, for whatever sanity I have left, spare me.”

“Tragically, I cannot do such a thing, it must be said.”

Number One groaned as Number Two took another swig of his drink. It was a warm night in the Mess Hall as the snow fell outside the castle. The chill and somewhat gloom outside contrasted the inside where everyone was enjoying their meals and drinks, the momentary in-between shifts between the morning and evening guards.

And sitting at his usual table with his usual companion was a bothered Number One holding his head in one hand and a mug in another and Number Two who was snickering at his captain’s unamused expression.

“The nicest thing you can do for me is not doing it.” Number One reiterated. “For the safety of both man and country.”

“Oh, nonsense, it's not that bad.” Number Two waved off.

“It shockingly is.”

“You loved the poem about the knights.”

“It–” he paused and contemplated, “okay, that was a good poem. However, one does not negate the dozens upon dozens of terrible poetry.”

“Oh! Are we about to be regaled with more worthy poetry?” Kyle beamed, sitting across from the two higher ups.

“Prepare the buckets.” Number One snark, warranting a nudge from Number Two.

“Ah, it's not that bad.” Larry defended.

“See?” Number Two pointed. “He likes them!”

“Yeah, because they're hilarious, especially when the rhymes make no sense.” Number Three explained, taking a seat alongside the others.

Number One nearly choked on his drink from laughter as Number Two glared.

“So what's the name of your latest masterpiece?” Larry asked.

“A farewell to my remaining sanity.” Number One muttered. “Please stop indulging him.”

“On the contrary, keep indulging!” Number Two grinned, took a sip and stood up. “Showtime!”

“Stars, help me.” Number One covered his eyes.

Placing a metal boot on the table (and ignoring Number One’s bemoaning to not place his dirty foot on the bloody table), Number Two cleared his throat to gather most of the attention in the Mess Hall and raised his mug.

“And now, an Ode to the Royal Guards!” He began.

“Will it actually be an ode this time?” Kyle whispered to a snickering Larry.

“Only one way to find out.” Number Three took a sip of her own drink.

“To the Royal Guard, who work so hard

At protecting and serving.

I’m at awe with you and with all that you do,

That lets me admire the land I adore.

From the magical faes to the stormy days,

You guard all with heart.

The goblins will pounce, Number One will frounce,

But your bravery never wavers.

With your boots polished and armor untarnished,

There’s nothing that can’t be accomplished.

The gloomy day, we try to keep at bay,

Will be done with vim and vigor.

Addendums and rules, plus Betsy that drools,

The castle will stand tall and true.

So I say to you, as Number Two,

That we will always do our best.

And it will all be done, thanks to Number One.”

“However this poem has dragged on, so please, just be done. And with that, we say good night.” Number One finished.

Number Two to look at him wide-eyed with a smile to match before shouting alongside everyone in the mess hall who applauded the disgruntled captain who smirked and raised a mug along his men.

#kings quest #mickey writes #happy new year everyone!

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katealpha · 6 months

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Comm from OCsDA

I’m sure the more nostalgic among you fondly remember the nurturing and down to earth cow from Barnyard (2006). She certainly did things to me when I saw this movie as a kid. I’d be lying if I didn’t say she didn’t somewhat influence my eventual interest in preg.

Despite Otis and Betsy imploring her to take it easy, Daisy wants to make herself useful in her new home on the farm. While the Farmer owns the place, Daisy turned to Ben, the real leader of the animals. Ben was never one to turn down a helping hand, and he can see that Daisy is made of stern stuff despite her condition. He knew that she could at the very least bring food to the chickens without any trouble. Before Daisy departed with a bucket of feed, Ben did ask her to do one thing when she was done.

“When you get sine time later on, I think you should introduce yourself to Otis. Boy’s your age, but he’s always off doing…whatever it is he does with his friends. See if you can’t keep his hooves and head on earth. I think you’ll like him regardless.”

#animated movies #nickelodeon #barnyard #back at the barnyard #nicktoons #Daisy #cow #pregnant #pregnancy

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deploybits · 6 months

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spongebob patrick and squidward mr krabs sandy mrs puff manray bubble buddy plankton karen spongebob squarepants

patchy the pirate goo lagoon the flying dutchman boating school harold and margaret mystery

kevin king neptune anchovies

spongebob and patrick captain blue perch perkins pearl nosferatu

gary and larry mermaid man

alaskan bull worm betsy krabs

procrastination fry cook games dying for pie the great snail race

mid life crustacean bubble stand grandmas kisses and krabby land

spongebob patrick and squidward mr krabs and king jellyfish and hans doodlebob and squilliam and potty the parrot the paper and the cyclops

krabby patty chum bucket

marty janet herb

realistic fish head the dirty bubble pearl

health inspector krusty krab squilliam returns the hash slinging slasher fred

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cheekedupwhiteboy · 9 days

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betsy called this my crud bucket 😭

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chezzywezzy · 2 years

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Yandere Arvin Russell (5/5)

Word count ; 3.8k

*Edited

“God dammit!”

Arvin kicked the side of the car, sending the hood crashing shut again. Out of all the times the car needed to go in to the shop, we were on the run. Luckily, though, Betsy kicked the bucket at a turnpike, so maybe, justt maybe, some kind strangers would pick us up.

I placed my hand on his arm. “Arvin, we ain’t got time to waste. Let’s just pack up and wait for someone to pick us up.”

He sighed, rubbing my hand fervently. He stepped away from the car. “…Yeah. But we ain’t lookin’ too hot. We’re lookin’ like two dumb teenagers who got knocked up.”

I sent him a grin. “As far as I’m concerned that’s exactly what we are. Although, husband and wife has a better ring ta it.”

Arvin’s cheeks reddened considerably, which made me giggle in delight. I wound to the back seat and pulled out my suitcase. Arvin copied, reaching in the front to snatch his scarce belongings. For someone who originated the plan, he sure forgot to pack much stuff - minus a gun, some cash, and his baseball cap.

We slammed the door shut as cars continued to go zooming past the turnpike. After that, we saddled up underneath the sign and held our thumbs out. While Arvin leaned against the sign, I sat on my suitcase.

I had an acute concept of time thanks to my many woodland adventures. I counted the minutes. But, those minutes quickly turned to an hour, and then several more hours.

At some point, I had abandoned my arm. It felt completely numb. Arvin had somehow fallen asleep while standing up and having his thumb stuck out. But there were no takers. And we didn’t have time to waste with the cops supposedly hot on our trail. Especially while loitering beside the get-away vehicle.

I rose to my feet, shaking all my aches away. I was growing hungrier by the minute. I walked to Arvin and shook him awake. I was caught off guard by his immediate instinct to reach for his gun, wide-eyed and scared. But the fear melted away when he realized it was just me.

“Calm down, cowboy,” I stated unpleasantly while quirking my brow and backing up.

He frowned, shaking his head. “S - sorry. What… time is it?”

I glanced at the sky, crossing my arms. “About one o’clock. I hate to say it, lover boy, but we need ta get walkin’. My baby’s hankerin’ for some pork ’n beans and we ain’t got all day to sit here.”

Arvin nodded in agreement. “Right. Uh… which way?”

I shrugged. “Right, I guess.” I reached to pull my suitcase up, but Arvin took it from me with a coy smile.

“We don’t want ya exerting yourself too much, mama.”

And so, we walked. I had no idea the distance, but I knew we had walked a ways by how sore my feet were. I was sure there’d be blisters by time I took my shoes off. Arvin didn’t complain, though, so neither did I. And we continued to hold our thumbs out for each passing car.

None had yet to yield.

My arm was beginning to droop. Arvin was staying strong, but his entire body was slouched. The sun was beginning to set. No civilization was in sight. And my baby desperately needed food. If it had only been me and Arvin, I wouldn’t mind skipping a day of food. But after everything my body had already been through, I needed to keep my baby happy and healthy.

My stomach was beginning to cramp. I halted, hunching over, while clutching my swollen belly. Arvin turned tail and dashed over to me, grabbing my shoulders. He instantly began fretting over me, and I grabbed his hand.

“What’s wrong, darlin’?” he fussed, palming me all over.

“I… I need a break. That’s all.”

“Of course, darlin’. Take all the time you need. You should - you should sit down.”

He dragged the suitcase over and plopped it on the ground. I used him to steady me as I sat, panting briefly. It felt like my abdomen was pulsing.

Arvin, though, was quick to walk out to the side of the road once more. His thumb was jutted into the street somewhat, and I could tell he was growing more and more distressed with each passing moment. It was getting late, and soon, there would be no chance of catching a ride. The sun was beginning to set.

I hobbled to my feet, the pain beginning to subdue. I lifted the suitcase upright again, massaging my stomach. I heard Arvin gasp, and I swiftly turned.

As though it were a miracle, a car had pulled up to the side of the road.

Arvin walked up to the window as it slid down. Behind the wheel was a young woman, blonde and petite and pretty. She was the picture-perfect housewife any man would want. Sitting next to her in the passenger seat was a not picture-perfect man. He was grungy and had unkempt facial hair. The double standard between the two was obvious.

The man leaned out with a boyish grin. “Need a ride?”

Arvin nodded, motioning to me. “Me and my… wife here are real tired, sir and ma’am.”

The woman leaned against the wheel, gaze flickering between us. I hovered behind my lover, gripping the suitcase handle tightly. I tried to muster a friendly grin, although my gut feeling was screaming at me.

“Well, hop on in,” the woman exclaimed. “What sort of folk would we be if we turned away a cute couple like you’s?”

“Thanks,” Arvin replied.

He opened the back door for me. I slid the suitcase in first before entering. Arvin sat next to me, wrapping his hand around my upper arm. I was glad not to be the only one with my guard up.

They started driving. For a few minutes, silence fell over the car. However, the couple glanced at us in the rear view mirror often. They were as wary of us as we were of them. However, the man eventually spoke up.

“So, where you’s headin’?”

“Anywhere, really.”

“Just… tryin’ ta get away?” the woman prodded.

“You could say that,” I finally said.

The man chuckled. “I thought you were mute, little lady. Ya got a name?”

“Delilah,” I fibbed. “And this here’s Joseph… You?”

The man peered in the back, sending me a toothy grin. The woman copied. There was something uncanny and sinister in their faces. “Michael and Sarah.”

Arvin squeezed me. I could tell he was trying to fight off sleep. I was, too, but we knew better than to nap. Arvin was silently telling me to cut the conversation short. I did so, sending one last polite smile before placing my head on his shoulder.

Time passed; at some point, they had turned on the radio to some biblical song station. The sun had set a long time ago, and the moon barely surpassed the line of trees. The road was completely deserted. I almost wanted to let my guard down. I was tired, hungry, and exhausted, and I knew Arvin was, too. But his right hand never abandoned his thigh, always close to his pistol.

But if he was awake, couldn’t I get some shut eye?

I was beginning to drift into slumber. The God-worshipping songs reverberated in my head, serving as a lullaby…

“Hey, Sarah, pull over. I need to take a piss.”

I sat up immediately, warily eyeing the pair.

A minute passed, and she had yet to listen.

“Pul over, I say! Dammit, Sara, do ya expect me to piss out the window?” He peered back at us. “Y’all don’t mind, right?”

“No,” Arvin curtly replied.

“See, Sarah? Pull over, dammit.”

“Sure, David.”

Arvin and I noticed. His hand inched closer to his gun as ‘Sarah’ drove off road and pulled up to a lake. Arvin was tense. Before ‘Michael’ stepped out, though, Arvin suddenly stated, "My wife needs. To use the bathroom, too. Don’t ya, Delilah? Go on, now.”

“That’s the spirit,” Michael bellowed.

I gulped and slid over Arvin, stepping out of the car. I knew what he was doing. I didn’t question it for a second. While Michael sent me a gritty stare and marched over to the lake shore, I walked across the grass and went behind a tree. I placed my back against it, nails digging into the bark. One hand lingered on my plump stomach, rubbing it soothingly.

Bang. Bang.

The woman screamed and I heard ‘Michael’ collapse. I heard indistinct yelling, muffled by the metal skin of the car. My heart thumped erratically in my chest and I squeezed my eyes shut. Arvin would be okay. But what if the woman also had a gun? What if —

Two gunshots rang out at the same time.

I was paralyzed, my head connecting the dots.

And I waited.

I heard the car door open. A gun cocked. There was panting.

“Y/n, come on out, now.”

Relief washed over me and I dashed into the open again. Even though the scene was gruesome, the man’s body bleeding out on the grass and the woman’s brains blown against the windshield, I was ecstatic. I couldn’t believe I doubted Arvin for a moment.

I was about to greet him with a desperate hug, but that’s when I noticed. There was a bullet hole in his shirt.

He looked fine, though.

He noticed my terror and brought his hands to his shirt. He sent me a forced, lopsided grin. “‘Er gun was loaded with fake bullets or somethin’.”

“Oh, thank the lord,” I gasped.

We finally met in a hug. Arvin, luckily, wasn’t covered in blood. There were a few splatters on his face, but nothing a dip in the water couldn’t fix. I hummed happily, melting in his strong hold. For a moment, I forgot that he had just murdered two more not-so-innocent people.

But then, he released me. He wiped his hands on his pants, turning toward the scene. I gulped.

“What… do we do now?” I asked unsurely.

“I’m goin’ ta search ‘em,” he explained. “You get the suitcase. Let me do the honors, darlin’.”

As I watched him palm the dead man, I ducked in the back. I tried to keep from staring at the woman’s terrified face, grabbing the suitcase and pulling it out. A part of me wondering if they really were innocent. Just because they lied about their names…

“Y/n, come look.”

I wandered over, bending to see what he was holding.

In his grasp was a photo. It was the woman happily crouched beside a naked man who had a bullet right through his chest and forehead. He was pale and limp.

I could only assume that the man was the photographer.

“They weren’t good folk. Not at all,” he sighed in relief.

I licked my lips and moved away once more. I cast my stare away as he searched the woman and car. By the end of it, Arvin had pocketed a wad of cash and an extra pistol. We wordlessly began walking from the scene and returned to the road.

~~~

“Howdy.”

Arvin and I stepped out of the car. He had the suitcase, insisting that it wasn’t right that I was lugging it around. A genuinely kind stranger had given us a lift all the way to Arvin’s home town. We had just been let off outside a small convenient store, to which a scrawny old man greeted us from the porch.

‘I can’t explain it, Y/n. I just feel like I need to see that place one last time,’ he had confided while walked along the road.

And I wanted nothing more than to agree. I had let go of my past the moment I stepped on my mother’s wrist. And now Arvin was going to metaphorically step on his father’s.

I followed Arvin faithfully as he shoved a hand in his pocket.

The old man’s eyes were trained on us. “Ya look like ya’ve been travelin’.”

Arvin decided to stop and chat. He nodded his stiffly, shuffling his feet. I sent the man a small, wrapping my hand around his arm affectionately. “Yeah.”

“Where ya headin’?” he continued, clasping his hands together.

“There, uh, used to be a house on the hill over there. Some lawyer owned it. D’ya know it?”

“Sure I do. Up in the flats.”

“’s still there?”

He suddenly tapped his foot. “Well, I’ll be darned.” He paused momentarily. “You’re that Russell boy, ain’t ya?”

I peered down the road nervously while Arvin nodded. He broke contact with me, stepping closer. “Well, I just thought, since I was comin’ this way, I thought I’d stop by and see the old place.”

The man stood, shoving his hands into his overalls. He sighed, "Son, I hate to tell ya this, but that place burned down some years ago. They think some kids did it. There wasn’t nobody every livin’ there, since you folks.”

“W - well, I came all this way, figure I might as well walk up there anyways.”

“Sure.” The man waved his toward the hill. “Just cut across Clarence’s pasture. He won’t say nothin’.”

Arvin nodded to me and we began walking. I prodded beside him, but Arvin paused one last time.

“I never did thank ya for the night my dad died.”

He chuckled. “Well, you and your little lady can drop by for a meal after, why don’t ya?”

Arvin nodded, and a ghost of a smile tugged at his dimpled cheeks. “Will do.”

Arvin suddenly clasped my hand. We began up the hill, following a paved concrete road surrounded by wilderness. It was quiet, except for the chirping of birds. I smiled, too. All of this… was circling back to the beginning. Our hardest - and hopefully last - journey together started with mother nature, and with mother nature it would end.

Arvin knew where he was going like the back of his hand. He cut off from the main road and started hiking down a leafy trail around the side of the hill. Autumn had come, and not too soon. Our shoes crunched loudly. Arvin held my hand tightly, and his knuckled were deathly white.

“It’s pretty nice out here,” I spoke up, disrupting the silence.

Arvin sighed, nodded. “Yeah. ’T never was ta me, though.”

“Why?”

“You’ll see when we get there.”

We dodged a few trees, and Arvin switched the suitcase to the other hand, separating us. I followed only a few steps behind, focusing primarily on the euphoric effect of being in the woods once more. Even with everything that happened, in the woods, I could be free.

But I knew that this wouldn’t be for long. And soon, I’d have to retire my habit of being one with mother nature. I’d have a child and a husband who worked and loved me and I’d take care of the house and kid. I always dreaded becoming a meager housewife, but with Arvin… it was nothing short of heaven.

Arvin suddenly slowed, his gaze glued on the tree on front of us. There was a wooden cross tied to it, crumbled with age. Arvin tensed, but motioned us to go on. Questions bubbled in my throat, but my thoughts were silenced as we shoved through a hedge of dead trees.

He was set on his path. And I would do nothing but follow.

He stopped, and I crashed into him. But he didn’t budge, seemingly star struck by the sight in front of him. I peered over his shoulder, coming face to face with…. a shrine of some sort.

Arvin dropped the suitcase and reached over the log, rummaging through the leaves. He withdrew… bones.

He sat back and motioned for me to come forward. I hovered behind him, leaning so I could rub his shoulders.

“My dad killed our dog. I figured… I could give him a proper burial. We always prayed here. But God didn’t hear our prayers. God let mama die, if there even is a God. Mama got a proper burial. Dad did, too. But my poor dog,” he chuckled dryly, "he didn’t get nothin’.”

I gave his shoulders one last squeeze and carefully kneeled beside him. “Let’s give him a proper burial, then.”

I pulled at the dead leaves, digging a small hole with my hands. Arvin set the boys beside him and did the same until there was a pronounced but small hole. I sent him a reassuring smile, kissing his cheek before he lowered the bones into the hole.

Arvin smiled again, setting the skull in.

He suddenly looked at the sky as the sun shone down into the clearing.

“I understand now.”

I rubbed his back as he turned to me.

“My dad… he had no choice. No matter what, he had to go wherever ma did. And I can’t help but think if I was in the situation and ya… you know… I would do the same. I would do anything for ya, Y/n. I’ve already killed some bad guys. I’ve got blood on my hands. But as long as you’re with me, I don’t…”

I turned him to me and pressed a gentle kiss, willing all my love into it. He was silenced, and I knew all that I needed to. I understood him. And I couldn’t help but think that I would do the same, so long as my baby would be okay.

Suddenly, he pulled away, furrowing his brows. His jaw clenched and I went still too, fingers remaining on his neck. And that’s when we both heard it. The distant slapping of footsteps along leaves.

Arvin grabbed my wrist and immediately withdrew his gun. He pulled me to my feet and grabbed the suitcase. We marched further down the trail, trying to be as silent as possible. He stopped at a large, fallen tree. He ushered me toward it, and I realized what he meant.

While he tucked the suitcase along the base, I lay down, pressing my back the leaves beside tree as close as possible. There were large branches above me and Arvin lay beside me. He pulled me flush against my chest and had his arm strewn around my midsection. We were hidden from view, but he was also able to shoot if necessary.

The footsteps were getting closer.

“I know you’re down there somewhere. I just have some questions to ask you.”

Arvin peeked over the log.

Bang.

Just as a bird had chirped, a loud gunshot rang out, Arvin trembled and pressed himself back. I couldn’t help but start to tremble. Even with Arvin right beside me, it was hard to keep calm when he was just as frightened. He could try to seem composed, but it was right in his face.

He was scared.

“Sorry about that,” the officer shouted. “A goddamn bird scared me. I ain’t here to hurt you. And I know that you don’t want to hurt me.” The voice was getting closer, but gained no distance. The man had paused. “Come on out so we can have us a talk.”

The man continued to progress. Arvin’s forehead glistened with sweat and hair stuck to his forehead. I squeezed my eyes shut, rubbing my swollen belly. Arvin’s knuckles were ghostly as he held the pistol, hand trembling. I felt his labored, yet silent, breath against my neck.

He took in one last breath. “Put the gun down, officer! My wife is here and she is with child!”

The footsteps grew closer. I gulped, rubbing my stomach further.

“Can’t do that son,” he replied.

“I’ve got this gun pointed right at you!” Arvin’s voice was higher pitched than usual. “Just set it on the ground and walk away. I don’t want ta have to shoot ya!”

“What?”

“Just set it down!”

His pace quickened. I shut my eyes tightly. Whatever was going to happen, I couldn’t watch.

“I promise ya, officer, those people I killed weren’t no good — the - the priest raped my wife and many other innocent women. And that couple was trying to kill us like they did everyone else they picked up!”

The footsteps kept drawing nearer. Suddenly, though, they stopped. Arvin, sensing his closeness, propped himself up on his elbow. I sent him one last fearful glance, but his attention was fully on the environment. The gun was poised, ready to shoot. So I… just stared at the sky.

Yes. The sky was pretty. The sky was nice.

“Them people, especially that couple weren’t no good, sheriff —“

Suddenly, a gunshot echoed. It hit the tree bark, and a scream bubbled in my throat. Arvin began shooting, and at what and where I couldn’t say. The air was riddled with bullets shooting back and forth, and all I could do was pray that mother nature was protecting us.

Suddenly, one side ceased fire. And it wasn’t our’s.

I let out a gasp of relief. Tears stung my cheeks and Arvin and I shared a glance. He sat up, panting. He nodded to me, tossing the gun on the ground grabbing my arm.

I sat up as well. I let out a jolt as I noticed the corpse on the ground. It was an officer with a shaved head and a dyed red shirt. He was still breathing, and his fingers where twitching. But he was going to die none the less.

Arvin rose to his feet. He stepped over the log toward the dying man. He was entranced. The man’s gaze was glued to him, seemingly dazed. I stood, too, grabbing the suitcase. The man and I made eye contact, and I could tell he was eying my stomach. As Arvin hovered over him, the man let out one final breath and passed.

I walked behind Arvin and wrapped my arms around his waist. He was still breathing shakily.

“No… no more of this,” he stated. “We’re goin’ ta have a good life, Y/n. One without any death and decay and… this. We’re goin’ ta have a house with a beautiful baby in a cabin in the woods. And we’re goin’ ta be happy.”

“We are, Arvin. We are.”

“How… how does Cincinnati sound?”

#yandere #x reader #x y/n #self insert #tdatt #datt #the devil all the time #devil all the time #yandere arvin x reader #yandere arvin russell #arvin russel x reader #arvin russell #arvin russel x you #arvin russel fluff #arvin russel imagine #lee bodecker

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thatseventiesbitch · 11 months

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Hey! Can i ask for “Do you know you're pretty” for the prompt ask? it's for Mom Donna and young Leia, i love mommy donna!! ty 🥰🥰

Thanks for the ask! Prompt Ask Game

Halloween, 1984

"Alright, where is she?" Eric came into the room, camcorder first. The bulky Sony device sat on his shoulder, and he pointed the lens towards the bathroom door expectantly. "Where's my little lady?"

"Hold on," Donna said through the closed door. There was some shuffling. "I'm putting the finishing touches on her make-up."

"Okay," Eric said, entertaining himself by zooming the camcorder's lens in and out. "Well Daddy's ready with the camera."

A few more minutes passed before the door finally creaked ajar.

"Go on," Donna encouraged Leia. "Go show your daddy."

Leia bounded from the bathroom and into the hallway, her arms proudly gesturing to her elaborate costume and face make-up. Eric ooh'ed and ahh'ed, and prompted her to do a twirl for the camera.

"Wow, her costume came out great," Eric said, kissing Donna's cheek as she emerged from the bathroom behind their daughter. They both looked at Leia affectionately. "Do you like it, baby?"

Leia nodded vigorously. She grabbed for her Jack-o-Lantern candy bucket, swinging it with carefree abandon. "Let's go tricker'treatin'!"

The little family made its way outside to the front of the Forman's house, where they joined her grandparents. Donna and Kitty had Leia pose for one more photo on the front porch, when the entire family heard a familiar screech.

"Uh!" It was Michael Kelso. He'd walked up from the street, two small children holding his hands. "Whoa," he chuckled, eyeing Leia's costume. "What the hell is she supposed to be?"

"She's a gooey eyeball, Kelso," Eric shot back at his stupid friend. The cutest gooey eyeball he had ever seen.

"Yikes," Kelso continued to chuckle. He gestured to one of the tots who held his hand. "'Least Betsy wanted to dress up as somethin' normal. And pretty." The little girl was dressed as a cowgirl.

"Hey - " Donna interjected now, frowning from the porch. She gestured to her daughter, the eyeball. "She's pretty!"

"Yeah," Kelso agreed, rocking back on his heels. "Pretty gross."

"Well, yeah. 'Cause I did such a kickass job with her make-up," Donna acknowledged proudly. Eric and Kelso both nodded.

But now Donna dropped to her knees, meeting her daughter at eye level. "Leia, you know you're pretty, right?" She braced her hands on her shoulders, awkwardly, around the sphere of her costume. "You know that you can be smart and strong and different and pretty all at the same time, right?"

"I know, Mama," Leia said, touching her mom's face gently. She smiled. "Like you."

"Aw!" Kitty clasped her hands together, tearing up as the mother and daughter embraced. "That was just - so, so touching!"

"Yeah," Red said. Even he had a smile on his face. Then he glanced at his son and cleared his throat. "The kind of moment you'd want to capture on video."

Eric cringed. "Yeah. About that." He'd lowered the camcorder from his shoulder. "It ran out of battery like... two minutes ago."

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einsteinsugly · 1 year

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1982. Burning Down the House.

Kelso is head banging to Talking Heads "Burning Down the House," in his new orange Volkswagen van, as he pulls up to Jackie and Hyde's new house. With Brooke in the passenger seat and Betsy in her car seat in the back, both hiding their faces.

Kelso (shouting, rolling the window down): Nice house!

Jackie: Don't you burn down our house, like when we were dating and...

Kelso: I didn't set your house on fire. I set a bucket on fire!

Hyde: It was in her house, you moron.

Betsy (unveiling her face, with a smile, pointing at Kelso): Moron!

Kelso: Uh! *Pointing at Jackie and Hyde* Don't call me a moron in front of my daughter...

Brooke (with a smirk): There are plenty of synonyms. Like idiot, ignoramus...

Jackie: Doofus?

Hyde: Kettlehead?

Betsy: Dumbass?

Everyone looks at Betsy, who just giggles.

Brooke: That's a bad word, Bets.

Betsy: But Mr. Red says it all the time, and you said he's a good guy.

#that 70s show #that 90s show #jackie and hyde #jackie burkhart #steven hyde #kelso and brooke #michael kelso #brooke rockwell #betsy kelso #my ficlets

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olivine-gal · 9 months

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Spongebob Patrick and Squidward Mr Krabs Sandy Ms. Puff Man Ray Bubble Buddy. Plankton Karen. SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS (PATRICK STAR) Patchy the Pirate Goo Lagoon The Flying Dutchman Boating School, Harold and Margaret Mystery. Kevin King Neptune Anchovies. Spongebob and Patrick Captain Blue. Perch Perkins Pearl Nosferatu. Gary and Larry Mermaid Man. Alaskan Bullworm Betsy Krabs. Procastination Fry Cook Games. Dying for Pie The GREAT Snail Race. Mid-Life Crustacean Bubble Stand Landlubbers Ahoy In KrabbyLANDDDD. (spongebob) Spongebob Patrick Squidward and Mr. Krabs and King Jellyfish and Hans. Doodlebob and Squilliam and Potty the Parrot. The Paper and the Cyclopppsss. Krabby Patty Chum Bucket Marty Janet Herb. Realistic Fish Head The Dirty Bubble Pearl. Health Inspector Krusty Krab Squilliam Returns. The Hash Slinging Slasher Fred.

#mouse chat

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jingerhead · 2 years

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Jinger!! I love you!! I think you’re amazing and kind and just all around a fantastic human!!

I think you posted about a Princess Bride AU on twitter a while ago so… could you tell us about that? It’s one of my favorite movies!

Omg lovely Lev I am so glad you're back around I've missed you!! And thank you just so much that's so sweet of you you're making me blush SJSJS

Oh my enemies to friends to lovers to enemies to wary partners to lovers fic? I'm so glad you asked hehe! It's not an exact Princess Bride AU but it's heavily based off it. My idea is that there are three kingdoms: Moriya, Baltimore and Palmetto. Moriya and Baltimore are at war at the time the fic starts. Andrew lives with Aaron and Nicky on a farm near the border between Moriya and Baltimore, so they know war, but things get even more real when Andrew happens to stumble upon a dying soldier at the remains of a battlefield. He brings the soldier back to the farm where they nurse him back to health.

The soldier introduces himself as Neil Josten, a noble that had to go fight in the war, and to thank them for helping him as he heals he starts helping around the farm. Andrew is suspicious of Neil's story, and is a bit demanding on the chores Neil does to see if Neil will break and show his true colors. However, Neil just does everything with nothing more than an "as you wish" in response. Slowly, the two become friends, but it develops to something even further, until the words "as you wish" are closer to something like "I love you".

But it all comes crashing down when Neil finally tells them who he really is. He is Prince Nathaniel of Baltimore and the war is just getting closer. He also fears for the lives of the three if he's discovered on the farm. He decides he's going to return to the capital and try to stop it however he can, though this is a very difficult decision for him to make. He promises to return the moment he has a chance, and Andrew promises to wait for him in return.

However, just days later the farm is turned into a battlefield. Nothing is left, not a sign of life or escape. Once Neil learns what had happened he rushes there, trying to find anything that might show him the three lived, but there is nothing, and with no other choice he assumes the three are dead. He returns to the castle and hides himself away in his room, in which he neither slept nor ate for days, and knows in his heart that he will never love again.

And that's what I'll leave you with hehe, here's a very short snidbit that NEEDS A LOT OF EDITING but it's a teaser jssj. I hope you enjoy, thank you so much for your question lovely!

~*~

Traveling in the middle of a war is definitely one of the stupider things Andrew has done in his life, but unfortunately a war wasn’t going to stop things like the economy. In a rush to get supplies for the army, the king had ordered that farms give up a portion of their crops, which left them with little left to sell for their own livelihood. Andrew traveled on horseback to the nearest village, a couple of buckets worth of things to sell to people so that he could buy supplies.

The village wasn’t very large and heavily relied on the farm Andrew ran with his twin brother and cousin for food. He had a large stall in the marketplace where he set up the crops, most of their things being sold out within an hour. With enough money, he headed to the bakery in town to get them bread and then to the butcher’s for meat, deciding that food would be better to stock up on than anything else. At least, right now.

“Good morning, Andrew,” said Betsy Dobson from behind the bakery counter. “Travel safe?”

Andrew grunted a yes, counting his coins to determine how much bread he could take. He handed her four silvers, enough for two loafs, and took the bag when she handed it over.

“Be careful,” she warned. “I’ve heard that the war is getting closer. People heard the sounds of battle last night.”

Nodding, Andrew saluted to her as he left and decided he’d get home quickly. The forest path would be a hasty shortcut, and it wasn’t likely he’d run into trouble there. The only issue would be getting the cart over all the exposed roots, but Andrew figured that was worth it if he could get home faster in the end.

With everything he needed, he headed out on the shortcut route, the forest path more cleared than he’d expected it to be. It wasn’t until about halfway through that he pulled his horse to a stop, freezing at the sight before him.

It was the clear remnants of a battle, with rows of dead bodies strewn about the forest floor, some on the path and some not. Symbols from the kingdoms of Moriya and Baltimore were clear on the soldier’s bulky armor, though Andrew wouldn’t have expected anyone else. There were carts full of supplies turned over and ransacked, fallen weapons littered around, and blood streaked darkly on the ground around the bodies. It was a chilling and sobering sight.

Moving through would be difficult, but Andrew nudged his horse forward anyway, trying not to look too closely at anything. He only came to a stop when his horse couldn’t walk over the one body left in the middle of the path, forcing him to dismount and drag it away. However, when Andrew got close enough he saw the rapid rise and fall of the soldier’s chest despite the multiple arrows protruding from his broken armor. It was a Baltimore soldier, and one that was still alive.

Any other time Andrew would’ve moved on, but right now he couldn’t. He knelt down and pulled the helmet off the soldier’s head, noticing the way his blue eyes opened immediately, focusing on Andrew. The soldier was alert but couldn’t move, and didn’t say anything, either. He looked afraid, but Andrew couldn’t blame him.

His blue eyes were ridiculously piercing. Andrew skowled, then asked, “Can I help?”

The soldier blinked, then nodded minisculey, so much so that Andrew almost didn’t catch the movement. Those blue eyes then rolled back and he fell unconscious again. Andrew reached to lift the soldier up, bringing him to the now empty cart his horse was pulling and putting him there for the journey to the farm. For a second he stared at the soldier, wondering why he was doing this.

Maybe it was because he literally couldn’t ignore it. Maybe it was because Nicky would freak at him later for leaving a soldier for dead. Maybe it was because the soldier, despite being close to death, was insanely attractive. Deep down, Andrew knew it wasn’t any of those reasons, and walked back to pull himself back into the saddle of his horse.

#aftg #aftg fanfic #aftg wip #tfc #tfc fanfic #tfc wip #all for the game #all for the game fanfic #all for the game wip #the foxhole court #andreil #andreil fanfic #andreil wip #andriel #andriel fanfic #andriel wip #jinger's works #jinger answers

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