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#i miss her pigtail braids so much

stormbabylore · 8 months

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I just... really love them both a lot. ;-;

A great deal of Stormbaby WoLship rambling below:

My intention was to roll Aeryn through this entire game without her forming any romantic attachments. I knew she was ace and thought she might also be aro, too; and with the backstory I was slowly brewing up for her, I felt she would be too focused on discovering herself to even think about complex interpersonal relationships. In a place where she woke up with nothing but her name, it seemed natural that she might secretly yearn for family and friendship, for belonging and for home - but no more than that.

She had a unique and close friendship with Ywain that I thought might develop into an innocent little crush if I ever wanted to explore something different for her, but it wasn't something I felt she had time to consider with all the early ARR happenings and her own internal strife. Ywain (and the guild) became a safe haven for her to return to. She trusted him, and she enjoyed his company because he accepted her reticence without question and didn't belittle her lack of strength - only offered opportunities to grow stronger. It seemed like a decent foundation for a Potential Something if I ever wanted to go that route with her.

But then I got her to the Waking Sands, and Urianger flipping opened his mouth. My entire brain short-circuited. I Could Not Even with the poetic language and the voice and the hiding his face and the everything. The more partial I started feeling toward his character, the more I thought about sweet moments that might occur between him and Aeryn. A good friend would tell you that I maintained for months that they would just forge a very strong friendship and soulmate-level of understanding, even while side-writing fic that I maintained wouldn't be canon to Aeryn's story.

Some 85,000 words later, now... oops?

I don't think I can deny anymore than I have a very strong bias toward my little WoLship.

/shrug

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sunshineting · 1 year

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Just a lil drabble 😚

Dad!Gojo

Fluff w mention of sex

Imagine you and Gojo have a baby 😭

-Y’all’s daughter is the cutest little thing; inheriting your brown skin tone with his white hair and blue eyes.

-When Koyo was an infant, you would constantly wake up to her just staring at you with those big blue eyes. It was a bit jarring at first, you had to get used to it just like you did with Gojo. The creepiest, though, was once when you checked the baby monitor in the middle of the night and she was staring directly into the camera.

-Gojo loves that Koyo inherited your curls, they’re one of his favorite things about you. He tries his hardest to do styles on her, but they never turn out quite right. Plenty of times when he’d tried to do something as simple as pigtails they ended up crooked. He leaves most of the styles to you, letting you do all types of braids and twists on your baby.

-Potty training is hell; your daughter HATES pooping on the potty.

“Koyo, do you need to potty?” You ask. It’s been about two hours since she last went, and you’re trying to keep up a schedule. She shakes her head and continues playing with her blocks. Just to be sure, you walk over to her to check her pull-up. You smell it before you see it. Koyo catches onto you, so she starts running away.

“Satoru, come get your child!” You yell. And just like that, your husband appears with Koyo upside down in his hand. She’s just giggling like it’s the funniest thing in the world.

-Gojo spoils his baby. Oh, she’s spoiled rotten, but you wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Daddy, I want this!” Your three year old points at an expensive toy kitchen set.

“How do you ask nicely, Koyo?” Satoru asks.

“May I have this toy please?”

“I say yes, but we gotta ask the boss. Well, mama, whaddya think?” He picks Koyo up in his arms and holds her at his level. The two of them stare at you expectantly, waiting on your response.

“Alright, alright. What color do you want?” You give in. Your daughter squeals and laughs with delight.

-When y’all sign her up for daycare, Gojo is more upset than you are. And that’s saying a lot. On her first day, you have tears brimming in your eyes. It hurts seeing your baby walk away happily into her new class.

“What if she needs me? What if something happens? She can’t go to school yet, she’s just a baby!” Gojo laments in the car. Your three year old is very smart and mature for her age, so realistically you don’t have much to worry about. Unfortunately, though, she has two very dramatic parents who love her dearly.

“Let’s go back and get her. We can go get her and she can start over tomorrow. I’ll be ready then,” he begs.

-To be honest, Gojo kinda eats as a dad. He’s super fun, but he can get serious. He’s so go-with-the-flow that anytime a hiccup happens in your meticulous plans, he calms you into believing everything will be ok. Eventually though, he wants another kid. Koyo is four already and he misses having a little baby.

“Cmonnnn let’s have one more. Koyo needs someone to play with and I miss the baby stage. Plus, you look so sexy pregnant. I love seeing you round with my babies. You know I love breeding your tight little cunt,” the last of his words are nothing more than a whisper in your ear. You end up folding for him that same night.

-Satoru definitely makes Megumi watch the kids when y’all need a night out. Megumi doesn’t mind too much because both kids are well behaved. All three of his students love your kids; Yuuji likes playing a little rough with your son, Kawa, and Nobara loves dressing Koyo up

#dad!gojo #gojo satoru x reader #gojo x black reader #husband!gojo #jjk #gojo satoru #kait's writes

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ahundredtimesover · 5 months

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Mimi I need to know how my asdoah are doing please 😭 they are 5 now right? I love this story so much and I miss them

A Still Day or A Hurricane

"Jinnie, what flavor do you want?" Jungkook asks his daughter, adorable in her braided pigtails - that he did - as she tiptoes to look inside the ice cream display.

She'd insisted that she's a big girl now and doesn't need him to carry her around all the time, and Jungkook felt the tiniest bit of heartbreak at the thought of the little one slowly growing up.

"I want bubblegum!" She squeals, before briefly looking behind her and then back at her father. "Hyun-jung and Hyun-woo want chocolate chip and strawberry, dada."

Jungkook scrunches his eyebrows at the little one who looks back at him with the sweetest smile.

"Your brothers are babies, Jinnie. They can't even talk!"

"But I know they want to try it," she pouts.

"And they can't because they're too young," Jungkook answers.

"But... I want to try it."

She flashes those puppy-dog eyes of hers that she does whenever she's not getting what she wants, and Jungkook is about to give in until he hears you clear your throat to remind him that he has to stand his ground. You're standing nearby with the stroller where your twin sons are, watching in amusement as Jungkook and Heejin have another one of their stand-offs that you have too much fun being a spectator of.

"That's too much sugar, sunshine," he says, kneeling down to talk to her. "You already had nutella pancakes this morning. Just choose one flavor and then we'll get that in a cone."

"What if we get them in baby scoops!"

"They don't have baby scoops," he responds, hoping she doesn't call his bluff. "Because babies can't have them."

"But I'm a big girl!"

"Yes, and big girls follow their dada when he says that you've had too much sweets already."

"But you eat a lot of sweets," she crosses her arms now, cute little eyebrows furrowing in frustration.

"Because that's dada's job, sunshine. And I'm an adult."

"But mama calls you 'baby'!"

You snort, unable to hold in your laughter at your daughter's arguing prowess, prompting Jungkook to turn to you with a frown.

"That's a term of endearment, Jinnie, the way I call you sunshine or how mama calls you bubba. We call you those because we love you," he explains. "And mama calls me that because she loves me."

"Sometimes I call him a child, too, when he's being stubborn and acting like one," you chime in, with Jungkook glaring at you this time. "But can you listen to dada, please? We can come back here tomorrow and try the other flavors, is that okay?"

"Hmm, okay," she says softly after a while, jutting her bottom lip in submission. "I want bubblegum today."

Jungkook orders it then gives it to her, her smile already bright as she hums in satisfaction. But he knows he won't get over the look on her face from earlier, so he turns to the guy behind the counter and orders strawberry for you and chocolate chip for him. Heejin doesn't notice, as she focuses on her sweet treat that she's been looking forward to all day.

"Hey sunshine, do you want to try? Mama and dada got strawberry and chocolate chip, too," Jungkook says, anticipating her look of surprise.

It doesn't disappoint, as she turns towards him with her wide eyes and excitedly opens her mouth so he could feed her. She turns to you after, licking from the top of your scoop then giggling in enjoyment.

"You happy now?" Jungkook asks, wanting to hear it from her.

"Yes!" She squeals. "Dada, can you carry me on your shoulders?"

"I thought you're a big girl now," he counters.

"But I'm dada's big girl," she says, leaving Jungkook a giddy mess and unable to resist.

He lifts her up and shifts her so she could sit on his shoulders, something he doesn't want her to outgrow even if she's getting heavier and heavier, but it's something he'll keep doing for as long as she keeps asking for it.

Next to him, you're pushing the stroller and eating the ice cream you don't mind having on this sunny day. "She's a stubborn one, isn't she?"

"A good negotiator, too. I wonder where she got that from," Jungkook laughs.

"Definitely me," you chuckle. "But she's so sweet and so clingy. She definitely got those from you. Even those puppy dog-eyes and that adorable smile. Are you sure you're not the other biological half of her? What if you donated sperm and you just forgot?"

"Babe, I'm pretty sure that's something I would remember," he looks at you blankly.

"Just saying. She just takes so much from you and it's amazing," you smile, knowing it's something that Jungkook loves hearing.

He hums in satisfaction, laughing as Heejin calls for him and then you to feed her your respective ice creams. He thinks he did well, explaining things to her even if he eventually gave in. He won't deny it though, he lives for these banters with her; it's something he knows is pretty special about their relationship. As is when she's on his shoulders and she softly places her hand on his cheek, like now.

That is, until he feels something sticky on his skin.

"Jinnie, did you wipe your hands?" He asks, prompting you to look up at your daughter with smudged ice cream on her chin.

"Oops," she laughs. "Sorry, dada."

#Extras:ASDOAH #randomly came up with this bc I've beein craving ice cream #i miss them too!

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bruisedboys · 3 months

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malll i’m thinking about girl dad! sej w the sweetest little girl and he’s playing dress up with her w butterfly clips in his hair and a tiara and he also learns how to care for longer curly hair bc his hairs always been on the shorter side <3

— ivy / @inkluvs

oh my gosh yes!!!! sejanus has such girl dad vibes I can’t explain it he just exudes girldad <3 I’m thinking he’s a stay at home dad while you go to work, either that or you take turns <3 but one day you come home from work and your daughter has absolutely glammed out her dad, pink clips in his curly hair and a tiny tiara that’s definitely way too small for him jammed on his head. and bows tied all over his clothes omg 😭 and she’s in her princess dress and they’re having so much fun and you just stop in the doorway and swoon!!!! of course as soon as your girl spots you she wants you to dress up too, but not before you cover both of them with kisses ‘cause you missed them so much <333

and omg him doing her hair!! he definitely asks for advice from his ma and then goes and buys all the right products and it’s just so so cute watching him be so dedicated to his little girl <3 he’ll learn all sorts of hairstyles and let her pick which one she wants in the morning. “do you want braids or pigtails today, bub?” and he puts little ribbons or butterfly clips in too <3 ugh I’m melting

#I love u ivy #thanks for feeding my brainrot xxx #sejanus plinth #sejanus plinth x reader #sejanus plinth x you #sejanus plinth x fem!reader #sejanus plinth headcanon #sejanus plinth blurb #sejanus plinth drabble #sejanus plinth fanfiction

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katrin-may · 1 year

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Pigtails

CW: fluff, kiss, reader metkayina, 17y.o.

TW: missing.

prologue: y/n lives in the Metkaina tribe, a simple townswoman. The Sally family has been living in the settlement for a long time.

The sun was shining brightly. The ocean was calm, except for the children frolicking in it.

The children of Sally's family were splashing merrily in the water, and you watched them from the pier. Neteyam and L'oak decided to have a mock duel. You and the girls watched the boys with laughter. The boys dove under the water, and that alarmed you. As soon as you dove into the water, a disheveled Neteyam appeared, followed by his little brother.

- Ha, I won! - The older one smirked, raising his fist above his head, and L'oak pouted. That amused everyone, and you especially, because Netheyam was such a charmer. The lad noticed something amiss and made a questioning look on his face. You swam closer and ran your hand through his hair. The gesture made him blush, and then he repeated your action. He realized that his pigtails had come undone for some reason unknown to him.

- Sorry, I'll be right back, keep having fun," Neteyam climbed ashore and headed for his abode.

Fifteen minutes had passed, and he was still gone.

- I'll go check on him," you walked over to the guy and caught him weaving his hair. He was very focused. - Can I help you? - You suddenly exclaimed, peering out of the doorway. Netayam hesitated for a moment, but then he said:

- I'm almost done, but if you want... - You sat down next to him, picked up a comb, and began braiding a braid near his ear. When you finished, you carefully tucked it behind his ear, a gesture that made him blush. Then you sat down behind him, moving on to the hard-to-reach areas. Suddenly you had an idea.

- Would you like me to braid some beads for you? - You asked enthusiastically, glowing.

- Come on. Just a second," he went to his things and pulled out the necessary materials. - I'll trust your taste," Neteyam smiled, embarrassing you. You took the beads and decided to braid the front braid to bring your idea to life. You sat across from him, your hand occasionally touching his face as you braided. And at one point he couldn't stand it and intercepted it.

- I'm sorry, did I hurt you? - You asked frightenedly, but Neteyam shook his head and looked you straight in the eyes, still not letting go. You did the same, blushing heavily. This contact seemed to last forever. The guy slowly brought your clenched hand closer to his cheek. Goosebumps ran down your body. You began stroking Netheyam and then placed your other hand on his cheek, thereby encircling his face. You looked at each other, waiting for something to happen. As you moved your body a little closer to him, your hands slowly moved to his neck and then tangled in his hair. The guy couldn't take it anymore and gave in to the kiss. The kiss was slow and sensual, with all the feelings that had built up in such a short period of time.

Slowly pulling away from each other, Neteyam looked at you.

- Who would have thought that in a couple of weeks you would become so dear to me? - You grinned and put your arms around him.

- I care for you, too, Neteyam," you said, your nose against his chest. He stroked your hair, and then you remembered why you were here. - The pigtails! - You immediately went back to where you were and helped him finish his hair.

- Thank you so much for your help," he kissed the top of your head, and you both went back to your friends, looking embarrassed.

- you're here! - Tuk shouted, running up to you.

- I thought you were fuck... - Kiri covered L'oak mouth with her hand before he could finish.

- We're going to dry off. Are you coming? - She asked, looking at the pair.

- You know, we'll probably go swimming again," you said.

- Yes!" Neteyam picked you up in his arms wedding-style.

- What are you doing!!! - You were startled and immediately wrapped your arms around his neck.

- "Get ready... One... - He took a step back. - Two... - he walked to the other edge of the pier. - Three! - The guy sprawled out and jumped into the water with you in his arms.

- There's definitely something between them.

#neteyam #neteyam fluff #neteyam fic #neteyam x you #neteyam x reader #neteyam x y/n #neteyam imagine #atwow imagines #atwow #avatar

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prismartist · 3 months

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ID: a flushed logainne staring at her left hand in awe, sparkles around her. she wears glasses, a light brown vest with a white collar and pink ribbon, a light blue blazer, and a purple beret. she has blonde hair in bangs and twin braids. End ID.

ID: chip and leaf embracing each other. chip stares off into the distance, blushing with wide eyes, thinking “marigold…” leaf tucks his head into chip’s neck also wide-eyed, blushing and thinking, “warm…” leaf wears a wolf hat, a pink shirt, and a brown vest with patches. chip wears a white-and-teal striped collared sweater with a white cardigan tied around his shoulders. End ID.

ID: leaf collapsed in a passageway between two seats, one side seating logainne, who jumps. they are both startled. there is a “fwump!” onomatopoeia. in addition to their previously described clothes, leaf wears light blue sweatpants and white sneakers, logainne wears a grey skirt, translucent stockings, white socks and sneakers. End ID.

ID: leaf pointing at a shiny sticker on his arm and simply stating, “i got a sticker.” End ID.

ID: marcy staring up at jesus gliding in the air. jesus is smiling serenely with closed eyes, twirling a yellow ribbon. his hair is very shiny. marcy is awed. jesus has a large heart on his chest surrounded by gold. marcy wears her hair in high pigtails and a large red ribbon, a yellow sweater, and orange tartan overalls. End ID.

ID: a blurry mitch in the background sprinting towards panch, who looks back at mitch in a crab-like position, anxious and sweating. mitch’s eyes are red and flared. above him are the words in asterisks, "protective mode activated". mitch wears a denim vest and pants over a white shirt and a blue bandanna. panch wears a dark blue vest over a light blue shirt and black bowtie, glasses, and brown flannel pants. End ID.

ID: carl dad holding a drink, sprinkling something on the ground with a popped leg. logainne watches in the background, jaw dropped in horror. above in red all caps text reads, “vine boom.” carl dad is wearing glasses, a purplish-blue blazer over a dark pink shirt, light blue sweatpants and dark blue shoes. End ID.

ID: illustrations of carl dad. 1: he moves to the left with a raised limp wrist, exaggeratedly saying, “Miss Peretti, you’re so funny!” 2: he cups his cheek, looking distressed, saying, “Oh my god, this isn’t the bathroom!” 3: he gestures behind him at logainne, who is saying “beeee!” and angrily says, “clap!” slightly behind him is dan, who smiles enthusiastically with closed eyes. dan wears a colorful striped shawl over a dark blue shirt. End ID.

ID: barfee and olive sitting next to each other. they hold out their hands flat in front of them. olive grins up at barfee, slightly hunched, while barfee stares at her hands, intrigued. barfee wears a yellow shirt, a blue vest with yellow cloud-like objects on it, brown shorts and a straw hat with a chin strap. olive wears purple fingerless gloves, a green hoodie over a white-and-green striped polo, and blue pants. she has her hair in low pigtails and a green headband with a small ribbon. End ID.

–––––––

Some of my favorite lil moments in my local production of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!! It has been so much fun interning for this lovely show and i wanted to share some propaganda via fanart. If you're in or around the Makati area, please pleaaase check it out, i implore, it's so creative and energetic and fun. This was my first proper exposure to the show and honestly i think it was perfect. The direction, choreo, costumes, character choices, are all SO amazing!!!!

Information can be found at the Sandbox Collective's Instagram or Facebook page :D

also yes, these are all things that more or less really happened in the production. including the vine boom (kind of. it was a different dramatic sting but still).

can you tell leaf is my favorite fjkdfjs

#25th annual putnam county spelling bee #25apcsb #25pcsb fanart #chip tolentino #leaf coneybear #logainne schwartzandgrubenierre #marcy park #olive ostrovsky #william barfee #mitch mahoney #douglas panch #musicals #prismatic art #described

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stormbabylore · 7 months

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Job Transitions: Archer -> Bard

This will likely be my last post regarding my personal canon for the transition from Aeryn's starter class into her specialized role (unless I decide to tackle some of the AUs I have for her, too). Finishing off with her main: archer/bard! ♥

Spoilers for the ARR and Heavensward bard class quests below.

B A R D

Though they irritate me a lot now, I initially liked the ARR archer quests and do feel they are mostly canon to Aeryn's experience. I like the notion that she learned very little in the way of true, proper form as a result of Leih and Silvairre's constant bickering and had to rely more on a kind of self-guided regimen based on careful observation and Luciane's occasional nuggets of wisdom/guidance. I've mused before on the fact that Aeryn was not a natural-born archer and had to work really, really hard to hone her skills; and the fact that she had no stable mentor for this class and was largely self-taught lends itself to that headcanon.

Aeryn did later meet with Jehantel, as encouraged by Luciane, and she did accept the soulstone from him - but she did not canonically become a bard. Her inability to fully connect with the magic of the Source prevented her from fully attuning to the soulstone, and she could neither hear the songs of bards past nor learn to play her own. She was, however, able to develop certain unique skills from Jehantel's myriad spiritual excursions, and both those skills and his guidance did help her become a stronger natural archer. He was able to guide her form and physical technique in a way that had been lacking in her time under Luciane's guidance. She practiced what he taught her relentlessly.

Eventually, to her very great surprise, she stumbled by fluke upon an an unnatural means of mimicking the power of song, too. But rather than draw from the soulstone, Aeryn found she could instead fuel her bow with something inexplicable that she could sense and manifest from within. It was draining and highly difficult to achieve, at first - and she knew it was not the power Jehantel often sang of. But despite not knowing where the power came from, she managed to utilize it well enough in rare circumstances that Jehantel never seemed to notice her inability to evoke the power of song the way other bards might have. Aeryn suspected it was only Hydaelyn's blessing that enabled her to forge some mockery of a song's magic through her bow, and she spent much of her time training with Jehantel feeling like a fraud, undeserving of his liberal praise.

Nevertheless, she continued her training with him, because something of his self-inflicted suffering spoke to her - he, who had embraced his loneliness after an inconceivable loss, she thought, might actually comprehend the inexplicable loss she constantly felt within over the missing parts of herself she did not know. (Despite this, she never broached the subject with him, and in the end felt only grateful to have had the opportunity to help him work through his own grief.)

When Jehantel later roped her into the quest to help Sanson and Guydelot, Aeryn was apprehensive. Despite her growing prowess with the bow, she still felt like a fraud and feared she would ultimately cause more harm than good in Sanson's venture by falsely representing not only Jehantel but also his art. Yet neither Sanson nor Guydelot said anything about her silence in battle or her lack of song.

Sanson, in fact, could not tell the difference, having so little understanding of what it truly meant to be a bard. Guydelot, however, noticed from the start. He played little melodies and constantly invited Aeryn to join him, curious to know more about this strange non-bard who had garnered Jehantel's great praise. And each time she politely declined, he'd smile a cheshire sort of grin, shrug it off, and go back to poking at Sanson.

It was not until the aftermath of their battle with the siren and her Ballad of Oblivion that the truth emerged, when Mogta innocently asked why Aeryn did not call upon song the way Guydelot did. Aeryn slumped down into the grass, exhausted. She gazed up at the stars. And she told them everything. To her very great surprise, they none of them judged her for it. In fact, Sanson expressed awe that she should be so strong in spite of her limited control of bard magic. And Guydelot revealed to her that he had always known - that he could sense her use of song differed from his own. And then he sat beside her and told her it did not negate her skill with the bow, nor the power of her song.

From that moment on, Aeryn chose to accept herself as a true bard - because they did, and who was she to argue with them?

Though she may never quite understand the how or why of it, Aeryn actually fuels her bardic skills with the remnant star magic that still dwells within her - essentially fueling her bow with her own "aether," in a way, though the limitation of her ability to wield it prevents it from being hazardous to her. The silent "song" she evokes offers powerful bursts of heightened energy for a few short moments, but due to the mental and physical strain that follows, she rarely relies upon the skill except in the most dire of circumstances.

I do intend to write the above scene as fic, once of these days. I love how the bard quests ultimately pull together Aeryn's two canon-main classes in such a lovely way, and I'm a sucker for little found families like what I think she finds with Sanson, Guydelot, and Mogta and their unquestioning acceptance of her, magical limitations and all.

/beam

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rickie-the-storyteller · 1 month

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Writing Share Tag!

Thanks for the tag, @theeccentricraven!!

Rules: Share some of your writing.

I want to share an excerpt from a brand new project I've been working on. It has no official title right now, but it's a teen romcom sort of thing, so let's just call it "Untitled Teen Romcom" lol.

Chapter 1 of Untitled Teen Romcom:

She and I actually go way back - she’s been in my life since primary school. I have known her since I was 5. Like it or not, she has always been there. So maybe her presence just takes me back to when I was a dumb 5-year-old chump.

She was the very first girl to ever break my heart.

What do I mean by that? Well, long story… It all started about 10 years ago. Flashback!

[ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO - ZEKE’S RECEPTION CLASS, TUESDAY, 2ND JUNE, 2009]

It was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. Proposal day. I had been planning it for weeks, conferring with my best mates on all the finer details.

Sebastian was in charge of rounding up the rest of the reception class to be my "guests'' (whatever that means… I think I just wanted to have witnesses for some reason. Five-year-old Zeke just did everything loudly. I went out of my way to draw attention to myself back then. Thankfully, I have grown up since. Mostly). Jacob's job was to distract Miss Jackson so she wouldn't interrupt (he’s the king of distraction. Always has been, and likely always will be. Nobody beats him at wasting everyone’s time. Even the people he claims to like. Like me. He’s great, though - don’t get me wrong. A world-class procrastinator, but also one of the funniest people I know). Even bossy little Eshe Brown had a role - making sure Hope looked extra pretty that day (actually, her real job was to distract her until I was ready to come out to reveal my big surprise. The thing with Eshe, though, is that she’ll look for any excuse to give someone a makeover).

This was it - the moment I'd been practising in the mirror every night for weeks. I had my speech scripted in my head. I had it all meticulously planned out - get down on one knee, profess my deep admiration for Hope Kamani's unparalleled beauty, and pop the question for her to be my betrothed. Yep, you heard me correctly… I was going to ask Hope to marry me.

Well...in the way that a 5-year-old asks someone to "marry" them anyway. But in my mind, this was deadly serious business. I think it was just a matter of wanting to finally do something about it after spending so long keeping it to myself. After months and months of admiring the beautiful Hope Kamani from afar, I was finally going to profess my undying love for her and ask her for the privilege of being hers. Tell her that I loved everything about her, that she made me the happiest kid in our class, that I thought about her every single day, and that I wanted to make her happy too (I can’t believe I still remember that part of the script…). Simple enough, right?

She caught my eye right from the start, with her bright, friendly smile and her shining dark hair styled in braided pigtails (that was her signature look back then. Right now, it’s single box braids with blue hair extensions). To me, she was the most beautiful girl in our whole class. Maybe even the entire universe! That is honestly how I felt about her at the time (5-year-old me was so dumb, good grief). She had to be my bride. I had to win her over somehow… no matter what. Even if it meant humiliating myself in front of all of our friends with a heartfelt, soppy speech. I was willing to put myself out there. I was willing to do that for her. She meant that much to me.

“Now’s the time,” Seb whispered to me once everyone was settled for lunch. Everything was perfectly in place.

Go time. It’s now or never…

I fixed up my posture and puffed out my chest, trying to seem bigger and braver than I actually felt. Channelling every ounce of bravado and charisma my little body could muster (I believe I was trying my best to exude the confidence and manliness of one of those grizzled bachelor fellows proposing to his one true love... At least that's what I'd seen on the telly at the time. My mother was into that sort of thing back then), I took a deep, fortifying breath and strode over to where Hope was sitting with a bunch of other girls. I then awkwardly cleared my throat to gain their attention.

“Oh, hi Ezekiel,” Eshe greeted me a little too loudly. She was clearly nervous on my behalf. “What are you doing here?”

“Hey,” I replied with the same level of clumsiness. Trying to pull myself together for the big part, I pushed past the shyness that was slowly beginning to creep in, before continuing. “I have something important that I need to say.”

They were listening. She was listening.

"Hope Kamani," I proclaimed in my loudest, deepest and most mature and serious-sounding voice possible (which still came out an octave higher than intended). "You are the prettiest girl in our whole class. Actually, the prettiest girl in the entire world! At least, as far as I know.”

At that, a quiet smattering of "oooooh" sounds rippled around the room (because at this point, I had gotten the attention of the entire class). I noticed Hope's eyes widened in surprise, her mouth forming a little 'o' shape as she looked around at her equally rapt audience of classmates.

I went on with my passionate speech, unable to fight the big old grin spreading across my face at this next bit.

"And I don’t just mean that you look pretty. You do, but you are also funny, smart, so very nice, and just… really, really cool. I love you, Hope. I can't help but love you!" I grabbed her little hand in both of mine.

Here goes nothing…

“So… will you mar--”

I couldn’t even finish the sentence. You know why? Because I was rudely cut off. The bloody sound of Hope’s high pitched, piercing laughter cut me off like a harsh knife. The raucous peal of Hope's laughter drowned out all the words I was meant to say next, sending my soaring confidence into a spiralling freefall. "HAHAHA! Oh my days, Ezekiel! You're TOO funny!" She doubled over, not even trying to suppress the obnoxiously loud uproar, hands clutching her stomach as tear-inducing cackles of mirth poured out of her mouth.

That wasn’t meant to happen…

At this point, most of my fellow classmates joined in on the laughter. I felt my face begin to hot up in humiliation. Crestfallen, I opened and closed my mouth uselessly, trying to get another word in. I briefly glanced at Eshe, and she looked even more uncomfortable than she was at the start… Disappointed, too. And slightly apologetic. I looked across the room to where Sebastian and I were sitting, I saw that he was still there, but he didn’t look too happy at how things turned out. Even he knew this plan had backfired spectacularly. I desperately tried to regain control of this spiralling situation I’d suddenly found myself in.

"B-but I'm being serious!" I sputtered helplessly, my voice cracking with hurt and embarrassment as I fought back pitiful tears. That horrible sound only intensified from there.

Her mocking laughter reached fever pitch, each explosive bray beginning to feel like a physical blow. My vision began blurring as the salty tears escaped, the shame pouring over my face and burning my cheeks. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. I pivoted on one foot and bolted out of the cafeteria, hoping my sudden retreat would spare me from further ridicule. But there was no escaping that awful noise. The sound of cruel mirth pouring out of that dreaded room. The mortification was too much for my fragile 5-year-old ego to bear. I hid by the coat pegs right outside our classroom. When I knew that I was finally alone, the dam broke. Broken sobs started coming out, wracking my tiny frame as the echoes of merciless cackles coming from the cafeteria chased after me, haunting my every step.

At that moment, I felt so small and stupid, like everyone was laughing at how pathetic I was for thinking a girl like Hope could ever want someone like me. I now refer to that feeling as “Kamani-ness.”

I cried for quite a while… right until I had no tears left. My face felt flooded with scorching embarrassment so intense I thought I might faint. What did I do wrong? Nothing went how I scripted it. Nothing went according to plan at all! This...this wasn't at all how I'd imagined it playing out. Where was the breathless joy? The teary acceptance of my gallant proposal? The swell of music and admiring applause?! Or at the very least, some basic dignity and respect. Like, she didn’t have to say yes to me. But there was no need to be that mean about it!

END OF EXCERPT.

Hope you guys enjoyed! I know it's a bit long lol. But I wanted to give the full flashback! I'm quite proud of it.

It leads to a full-on rivalry between the two kids... it's a lot of fun. They're sort of frenemies (like, they don't like each other, but they don't hate each other either. Plus, they're always hanging out. By choice).

Tagging these folks to go next if they wish: @mysticstarlightduck, @mjparkerwriting, @clairelsonao3, @gummybugg, @leisoree,

@isabellebissonrouthier, @fire-but-ashes-too, @winterandwords, @kaylinalexanderbooks, @sam-glade,

@toribookworm22, @sleepyowlwrites, @dragonedged-if, @yourlocalcryptidinthewoods, @soph1333,

@janec23, @jay-avian, @fayeiswriting, @rbbess110, @pb-dot,

and @the-stray-storyteller.

#rickie-the-storyteller #writerblr #writing #tags #writeblr tag games #writing share tag #untitled teen romcom

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starlitangels · 1 year

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(Like The) Fairy Tale Movies

L i s t e n. Yesterday’s video got me soft and Davey had to tell his kids about how it happened in canon. 2.1k words

—

“Angel—no, Natalie, get down—angel can this please be the last time you leave me alone with the kids?” David asked over the phone. I laughed, watching my screen as he had to move and snatch our daughter.

“I’ll be home tomorrow. I thought you said you could handle them both for a four-day business trip.”

“I can. But Asher decided to bring Evelyn over for a playdate—and Asher decided to also bring a Halloween-sized bag of candy.” The video jerked. “Gabriel, stop pulling your sister’s hair.”

“Davey, you know sugar highs aren’t actually a thing, right? Like, placebo effect maybe but the kids don’t even know what the concept is.”

“I’m well aware. But that doesn’t mean the kids don’t get overexcited when we get unexpected friendly visitors bearing candy, and you’re not here to help me rein them in,” David grumbled.

“Uncle Aaaaash!” Natalie shouted somewhere in the background.

The video call lurched again—I was gonna have to look away soon or risk getting motion sick. “Natalie Jean Shaw. You do not try to jump off the counter!” David snapped. My daughter’s maniacal giggle was all that she gave him in response. I heard him sigh heavily.

“Whaaat?” Asher’s voice asked off-screen. “C’mon buddy. Sometimes, ya gotta let her learn the hard way! She jumps off and takes a tumble and she learns not to jump off the counter anymore! Problem solved!”

Natalie giggled again. I caught a glimpse of her pigtail braids on the screen.

“I do not need her breaking her arm and the three-hour lecture from Marie about being a more careful father when she has to come heal it.”

“Just call Sam, then,” Asher said with a laugh. “He’s got Micah. He knows how these girls are.”

David pinched the bridge of his nose on my screen. “We are not having this discussion, Asher.” He turned to look at me. “Can I call you back in an hour, angel?”

“Of course. I’m just at the hotel for the rest of the night.”

He gave me a soft look. The one he reserved for only me. “Thank you.”

“I love you, Davey.”

“I love you too. So much.”

I blew him a kiss. He smiled and pretended to catch it before disconnecting the video call.

—

David flopped down width-wise across the bed. After Asher and Evelyn left and David finally got his nightmares ready to go to bed, he’d called his angel, finished their conversation, chatted a little more, and then they had to get some sleep—being several timezones ahead.

He was tired in a way that he hadn’t been since Natalie was an infant. He loved his spouse and was proud of the work that they loved so much, but he missed them terribly when they weren’t home. He enjoyed having some one-on-two time with the kids—but it could get exhausting fast. Natalie was so curious and always had questions. Gabriel was easier but damn he could get rowdy when he wanted to. Especially when Evelyn was around. Those two were a Dynamic Duo if he ever saw one.

He knew he needed to get up and shower before getting in bed, but his muscles kept saying, “One more minute,” whenever he tried to get them to respond.

Finally, he grumbled and got to his feet. His shower was quick and thorough, as usual. He threw on his pajamas and plopped back onto the bed. Considering a short nap before going back downstairs to finish the paperwork he’d been falling behind on.

He felt his eyes fluttering closed.

“Daddy?” a small voice asked from the door.

David took a deep breath and sat up.

Natalie was standing there in her smiley-face-star-patterned purple pajamas. Her comfort blanket was in one hand, the small wolf plushie she’d dubbed “Sheldon” in the other. The hand with the blanket was up under her eyes.

“What is it, baby girl?” he asked gently, holding his arms out.

She toddled into the room, stumbling on the hem of her blanket every couple steps. When she got to the tall king-sized bed, David bent down and hoisted her up into his lap.

She sniffled. There were tears in her eyes. “I... I miss them,” she said quietly.

David sighed, a melancholy smile appearing on his face. “I know, Natty. I do too.” He wiped her eyes with the opposite corner of her blanket.

A floorboard creaked, muffled slightly by being under the upstairs carpet.

“I know you’re there, Gabriel. You can come in,” David said.

Gabriel ran in, jumping as high as he could to try and get up onto the bed. He was tall for his age but still too short to make it, and bounced off the corner like a rubber band. David put Natty on one leg so he could bend and scoop up his son, putting him on the mattress next to him. “You missing them too?”

Gabriel nodded, eyes wide and staring up at him. David never quite got over looking down into his own exact eye color at his son, or his mate’s when looking at his daughter. He wondered if he ever would. Probably not.

David pulled Gabriel in close to his side, keeping Natty secure with his other arm. “It’s okay, Gabriel. I miss them too.”

Both of his kids clung to him, small fists balling in his pajama shirt.

David scooped them both up, one in each arm, and scooted across the bed until he could get under the covers with both of them. They each rested their heads on his shoulders.

“Daddy?” Natalie asked.

“Yeah, baby girl?” He gave her damp braid a gentle tug, acknowledging he was listening.

“How did you know you wanted them as your mate?” Her voice was small.

David smiled, a soft chuckle rising, unbidden, from his throat at the memories. “Because they acted a lot like you do, and you know how much I love you.”

“But I wasn’t born yet,” she protested.

“Nope. Not by a long time. But they were bright and happy and sweet and playful—and they liked teasing me. No one had teased me in a long time because I was the alpha and my friends thought they couldn’t anymore. My mate didn’t know anything about magic or wolves when we met.”

Gabriel nodded. “Like how we can’t mention it to our cousins on their side of the family.”

“That’s right, buddy,” David agreed. “But when I met them, I knew I was going to like them. Then, the more time we spent together, the more we fell in love.”

Natty giggled. “‘Are you hungry’?” she asked, trying to drop her voice in a low imitation of his. But it sounded more like how his angel imitated his voice than his actual voice.

David heaved a heavy sigh. “Of course they told you about that,” he muttered under his breath. “Yes, that’s what I asked after I told them I loved them for the first time.” Gabriel giggled too. “I didn’t know what else to say. I’d never told anyone I was in love with them before.”

“Were you scared?”

“A little.”

“Awww! Daddy, why? Didn’t you know they loved you too?”

“I hoped so. But... sometimes it feels complicated when it comes to love.”

Natalie shook her head. “No it doesn’t. If you love somebody, you say it!”

You’ll understand what I’m talking about when you’re older, David thought, but didn’t say out loud.

Natalie squirmed out from under his arm and climbed up onto his torso. Even resting her head on his chest, she was so small that her toes didn’t even reach his knees yet. She put her chin on his sternum and looked up at him with wide eyes. “Did you ask them to marry you or did they ask you?”

David chuckled. “I asked them, sweet pea. We’d been together for... nearly four years.”

Natty wiggled on top of him. “How did you ask? Was it like the fairy tale movies?”

“It felt like it, but it wasn’t as... fancy,” David replied. “You remember the big party we have with the whole pack in December for the MoonBound solstice?”

Natty nodded fervently. “Uh-huh. I love the party!”

David reached up with his now-free arm and set a hand on her back to hold her in place before she slipped off his torso and landed on her brother. He nodded slower. “Well, it was after the party. The rest of the pack had gone home. It was just me and my mate in the house—the one we owned before this one. We were just having a quiet rest of the night before the strength of my magic started to fade again after the pack run. We were just... sitting on the couch... relaxing.”

Natty scrunched her whole face up, not having mastered just scrunching her eyebrows yet. “And you just... asked? You didn’t get down on one knee?”

David smiled and laughed softly. “Let me finish, baby girl,” he said. “I did get down on one knee. I said some mushy things about how much I loved them and wanted to spend the rest of our lives together, then I got down on one knee and asked if they’d marry me.”

Natalie gasped. “Did they say yes?!”

Gabriel scoffed. “Of course they did, stupid,” he snapped. “They wouldn’t be married now if they didn’t!”

“Gabriel, we don’t call people stupid,” David chided.

“But... Uncle Ash calls Uncle Milo stupid,” Gabriel pointed out.

“Uncle Asher needs to learn how to talk nicely to other people,” David said firmly.

“Are you going to wash his mouth out with soap?” Natalie asked.

David couldn’t stop the snort that made both his kids jump. “No, Natty. His mate might, but that’s their job, not mine.”

“Oh, okay.” She moved her head so her chin was no longer on his sternum but instead rested her ear to it.

The three Shaws were quiet for a few minutes. Gabriel seemed to have fallen asleep.

“Daddy?” Natty asked again, quietly.

“Yeah, baby girl?”

“I’m glad you got married.”

He smiled. “Me too.” He smoothed some of her messy flyaway hairs off of her face.

“You could have been more fancy when you asked though. Like the fairy tale movies.”

“I could have. But keeping it simple felt right for us.”

Natty yawned. “Okay,” she said.

David chuckled lightly. “Get some sleep, baby girl.”

She yawned wider. “Okay.”

Within seconds, she was breathing deep on his chest. Sound asleep.

David’s small smile grew. “I love you, baby girl.”

“Love you too, Daddy,” she whispered in her sleep.

—

I crept into the house at five in the morning, waving to Sam in thanks. He waved back and drove off. He’d volunteered to come pick me up since it would be before dawn and he hadn’t wanted David to have to pack up the kids that early.

Once the door was eased shut and locked behind me, I abandoned my suitcase next to it and snuck up the stairs.

Gabriel’s room was the closest to the stairs. I poked my head in to see if he was sleeping.

His bed was empty, the sheets rumpled. Wolfy McFloof—the larger wolf plushie Asher had given him when Natty was born—was jammed haphazardly between the bedside table and the bed itself.

My heart started pounding louder. I took a step and a half across and up the hall to Natalie’s room.

Her bed was the same. But her small comfort blanket and Sheldon were also missing.

A pit formed in my stomach and I ran to my and Davey’s room, ready to throw open the door and see it empty. To see my family snatched in the middle of the night while I was gone. By whom, I had no idea.

I grabbed the knob and shoved the door open.

A large, misshapen lump sat in the middle of the bed, covers draped over it.

On quiet feet, I slipped over.

The anxiety eased away when I saw David’s face. Gabriel tucked under one of his arms—and Natalie lying on his chest with a small smile on her face. Sheldon and her blanket in each hand. I sighed with relief and sagged down, kneeling beside the bed.

Davey heard me. One of his lush green eyes peeked open.

He gave me a soft, lovestruck smile. The same one he only ever gave me.

“Welcome home, angel.”

—

Tag list: @zozo-01 @arialikestea @mainhoesstuff @darlin-collins (I’m adding you tentatively because this is David even though you didn’t specifically request the Pups AU. If you don’t wanna be tagged in this kinda stuff, you can let me know if you’d like)

#Redacted ASMR #fic #Pups AU #Redacted David #Redacted Angel #Natalie Shaw #Gabriel D. Shaw #David Shaw #Angel #David #Starlit Fic

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redfurrycat · 6 months

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🐓👨‍👧‍👦🐣Big Brother Bradley Bradshaw Fic Recs🐣👨‍👧‍👦🐓

Check the Top Gun Masterlist post for the latest updated version. 💕

Ao3 Authors: AnadoraBlack, Bahjrc, Brenda, Capt_scarwidow, ForVendetta, Ginnydear, LadyLanera, Likethenight, Nightfuryy, SaintClaire.

> Kid Fic - Single Dad & Parents {🤠🐓}

I used to hate you by AnadoraBlack {M}

When Bradley Bradshaw and Jake Seresin first meet at Top Gun, they immediately decide that they hate each other.

Shape Up by likethenight {G}

Bradley and Amelia get to know each other. They're pretty much siblings at this point, after all, aren't they?

Ante Up by Brenda {T}

Wild Card

"So?" he repeated, at a loss. She rolled her eyes, and made a production of looking around the hangar. "So, is there anything fun to do in this sad museum of stunted masculinity and 80s-dad nostalgia, or are we just supposed to sit quietly like wax figures until Mom and Mav are done communing or canoodling or whatever?" Shit, Mav and Penny left him alone with Amelia. Who Bradley hadn't even laid eyes on since she was...nine or ten, maybe, at some picnic or another Aunt Sarah and Uncle Ice had thrown. She'd had braided pigtails that day, he recalled. And was a good foot shorter. Or: While waiting for Maverick and Penny to finish their sunset plane ride, Rooster and Amelia play poker and get to know each other again. (Set immediately post-credits)

Winning Hand

Bradley could practically see the radar pinging in Nat's brain. "Poker? You play poker?" "Sometimes," Amelia replied. "Sometimes, she says." Bradley shuddered, exaggerated for Phoenix's benefit. "Don't let her con you, she can kick my ass." "She can kick anyone's ass," Mav agreed, raising his beer. He sounded every inch the proud parent. Phoenix turned to Bradley, those big brown eyes feverishly bright. "Can she kick Seresin's ass?" Or: A "friendly" game of poker is played, and more than a few long-hidden truths are revealed

Full House

Bradley tilted his head at Amelia. "Didn't realize Lindy was joining us." Mav's grin was very wide and very pleased with itself. "It's my party, and I want her here." "At your bachelor party?" Bradley emphasized, just to be sure everyone was on the same page. Or: Mav hosts a poker game for his bachelor party, and Amelia may have finally met her match. (Takes place a year after Winning Hand)

Flock Together by LadyLanera {T}

They made it home. Settled into becoming a family with Amelia and Penny. Rooster finally had that chance of his happily ever after he dreamed of. Only he was pretty certain that Jake "Hangman" Seresin wasn't into him regardless of what everyone claimed otherwise. No one was that big of a dick to someone they liked...right? > Author Rec: LadyLanera writes lots of Amelia Benjamin & Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw in her stories, with the most amazing brotherly & sisterly feels.

I'll Watch Your Life In Pictures (like I used to watch you sleep) by capt_scarwidow {G}

Amelia and Rooster hang out while Penny and Maverick fly, and Rooster discovers that he may have missed out on things when he was gone - AKA Dad!Mav and Rooster being awful with kids

big brother duties by ginnydear {G}

“But what I’m trying to say,” Bradley says after a moment, handing Jake a clip and touching Amelia’s shoulder, “is that… well, you have me now.” “Ew, are you offering to be my brother?” five times jake helps bradley with amelia and the one time amelia helps bradley with jake.

Amelia's Big Brothers by nightfuryy {_}

Amelia's first period happens when she's staying with Jake and Bradley. Cue the best big brothers.

i’ll fly like an eagle to where i belong by forVendetta {G}

Maverick and Amelia throughout the years.

The Colour Of An Avocado by SaintClaire {M}

Four times Jake got jealous and one time Bradley did. --- The thing about Tim is that he’s probably a decent guy. Jake would know this if he was willing to spend more than twenty seconds talking to him, but alas, he’s not. He’s Bradley’s ex, and that’s three strikes out and a fourth for good measure, as far as Jake’s concerned.

as it was by bahjrc {G}

In this world, it's just us. From that mission day on, things would never be the same as before. But Rooster doesn't think that is a bad thing, he doesn't know if Hangman thinks the same. He just might find out.

Angel Eyes by LadyLanera {T}

When Mav is suddenly transferred back Stateside out of the blue and taken to Rady's Children's Hospital of San Diego, he fears the worst. However, he quickly learns it's nothing like he imagined. There's a sweet little girl with familiar green eyes in one of those hospital beds instead, and her mother is strangely nowhere to be found. Join Maverick and his family as they navigate this nightmare of a mess this time.

#Big Brother Bradley Bradshaw Recs List #amelia benjamin & bradley rooster bradshaw #bradley rooster bradshaw #amelia benjamin #🐈red🐈furry🐈cat🐈tag🐈

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harrygoeswest · 1 year

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Trigger Warnings: sweary sweary language, bullying

Word count: 9,451

Chapters three & four

five

I’d felt bad for ignoring George the other day, so I sent an apology and a brief response to his question, and we ended up arranging to meet that evening, but this time he picked me up and we drove out to Lechlade where he lived.

It was a beautiful village, much like Bibury - on the river with locks to watch the canal boats come and go. We sat outside The Riverside pub, with food this time as well as a shared bottle of wine, and talked endlessly about nothing while we watched the world go by.

In hindsight I wish I hadn’t gone. Not because I didn’t have a nice time - I did. But that was all it was; nice. He was gentlemanly to a degree, though somehow I felt like all our conversations lead back to the same thing. For a man who seemed to hold chivalry to a high importance, he talked about sex a lot. I’ve never been the type to squirm over those kinds of conversations, but it did get boring after so long.

And it’s not like he was bad in bed. He wasn’t incredible or utterly life-changing, but he wasn’t terrible. He was adequate. Unfortunately, adequate was not what I was looking for.

So when I woke early on the Saturday morning and found him wrapped around me, similarly to the way I’d been held in that dream that fucked me up so badly the other day, I felt nothing. Whoever that man had been in my dream, it was not George. For some inexplicable reason this all made me feel guilty. That was all I ever seemed to feel at the moment. Either that, or embarrassed. The latter wasn’t quite so uncommon.

I decided it was time to leave, even though it was only early. The alarm clock on his bedside table read just before 6:30am.

I peeled myself out of his hold and sat on the edge of the bed for a minute, rubbing my eyes and my face. I then went straight to the bathroom and used the loo. On my return I got dressed in yesterday’s clothes (obviously).

“Everything okay?” George asked, having not moved an inch.

I looked at him with a smile. “Yeah, fine. I just really need to get home before my daughter gets mad at me.”

That seemed to startle him somewhat. He frowned and rolled onto his back. “You have a daughter?”

I wasn’t at all surprised by his reaction. In fact, most men seemed to be put off the second I mentioned Ruby, so I’d often use the information as a scapegoat to leave.

I hummed. “Yep, she’s nearly 6.”

“Wow,” he coughed and sat up, “you, er, you look too young to be a mum.”

I tipped my head to the side. “Maybe.”

George didn’t say anything else.

I finished getting ready and then found my phone. “What’s the number for a taxi?” Ubers didn’t exist in the Cotswolds yet.

He gave me the contact information without moving a muscle. He didn’t even move when I had to leave. I knew after hearing the revelation of my young spawn he’d never try to contact me again. It was always the way. Fortunately it was exactly what I wanted.

At home I showered, dressed, and had a substantial breakfast before I collected Ruby from my parents’ house. I had a bit of a dickie tummy from the amount of alcohol consumed in the heat yesterday and wanted to make sure I wouldn’t be feeling shit for Ruby all day. The weather was too nice to miss out on doing something fun with her.

I drove the car around to Mum and Dad’s, noting how warm it felt even though it was only early spring. I’d put a dress on but didn’t pay a thought to my thighs when I made that decision. Now they were sweating and I was dreading the later unavoidable chafing.

“Mummy!” Ruby squealed the moment the front door opened, and appeared not seconds later at the end of the hallway.

“Morning, angel!” I squeaked, taking her in for a tight hug once she’d charged into me.

“Grandad did my hair!”

I looked her over as she pulled back, and my expression dropped. Dad had given her pigtail braids but they were uneven, one-sided, and somehow her parting went diagonally across her head rather than straight down the middle.

I coughed, “I can see that.”

“Do you like them?” She grinned at me, smoothing her little hands over the top of them.

How could I tell her they were giving me anxiety? I couldn’t. “Love them!” I said briskly. “Do you want to go and get your things?”

“Okay!” Ruby squeaked, and skipped away again.

I followed her at a much less enthusiastic pace. In the lounge, Dad was tidying away Ruby’s toys into their designated boxes.

“Morning, darlin’,” he said around a smile.

“Hiya.” I returned, noting that Mum was nowhere to be found. “Mum gone to the salon?”

“Yep.” He sighed. “Sorry about her hair.”

At least he knew it looked shit too. “It’s fine. She likes it, so who cares?”

“I suppose. What are you going to do today?”

“I don’t know.” I said lightly, and perched on the edge of the sofa. “It’s so nice outside, I want to take her somewhere.”

“Why don’t we go to the country park? My treat - she can wear herself out on the inflatable thingy.”

“Isn’t that a bit big for her?”

“Nah!” He stood up, taking the box of toys with him. “I’ll go in with her if it makes you feel better? Make sure she don’t drown or whatever.”

My gaze narrowed. It wasn’t very often my dad would offer to do a child’s play activity. “Are you avoiding staying at home alone, Papá?”

He huffed, but I knew he was joking. “Excuse me for wanting to treat my only child and grandchild to a nice day out.”

“Alright, fine. If that’s what you want to do, we’ll do that.”

“Well, it’s not about me, is it? It’s about Ruby.” He said, and I followed him out of the room.

I rolled my eyes. “Ruby?!”

“Yeah?!” She shouted back from her bedroom.

“Do you want to go to the water park today?”

Ruby squealed. “Yes please!” She ran across the landing to stand at the top of the stairs.

I was just waiting at the bottom. “Do you want to go on the inflatables with Abuelo?”

“Yes! Yes I do!”

I turned over my shoulder to where Dad had paused trying to shove the box into the right space on the shelf. “I think she wants to do your suggestion.”

“Alright.” He chuckled. “We’ll have to get a shift on, then, before it gets insufferably busy.”

I ushered Ruby to hurry up again.

My dad cleared his throat once she was out of earshot.

“What?” I asked at the look on his face.

“I’ve spoken to one of the local breeders about the dog.” He practically whispered.

I grimaced without thinking. “Okay,”

“He said there aren’t any around here at the moment, but he’s going to get in touch with others that aren’t a ridiculous distance away and see what he can find. Once he’s found one I’ll let you know so we can go and see them.”

I took a deep breath and nodded. “Alright.”

Dad placed his hand on my arm. “Floss, we’ll figure it out.”

“I know. I just don’t want it to turn out that we can’t get one in time or we get the wrong one, you know?”

“I do. But she’s an angel. Even if we don’t get a blue one, she’ll be happy with a Great Dane. In fact, I’d be willing to bet she’d be happy with any dog.”

I wasn’t sure.

I still wasn’t entirely convinced or even sold on the idea of getting this puppy at all, but it seemed I didn’t have much of a choice. Ruby had played me like a… what’s the saying? Anyway, Ruby had me wrapped around her middle finger.

“Mummy!”

I sat up at the sound of my daughter’s squeaking, a panic rising in me as it did any time she sounded scared.

“Mummy, Mummy!” She cried again, and I threw the covers off me, eyes still barely open.

The bedroom door was flung open as I swung my legs over the side.

“What’s the matter, darlin’?” I asked, not braced for the way she launched herself at me. I sounded half-dead.

“We need to go!” She yelled, and I realised then that she was excited, not scared.

If she mentioned a fucking blue Great Dane called Bongo I would actually shout at her for the first time in my life.

“Go where?” I said tightly as I pulled her up to lie next to me in bed.

Except she didn’t lie down, she sat on top of me like a damn monkey. “Kid’s club!”

Suddenly, it felt like the world had slowed down. Kid’s club? She fucking hated kid’s club. I’d witnessed a screaming snotting fit five days a week for the past six months over kid’s club, had I not? Did I dream that? Or was I dreaming this now? I might’ve slapped myself but that wouldn’t set a very good example.

“Kid’s club?”

“Yeah! We need to go now!”

I blinked at her. “Why?”

“Because!”

I looked at the time. 06:59. I sighed and turned my stare to the ceiling. My alarm was set for 7 anyway.

“Mummy, come on!”

“Alright, alright!” I flinched away from her when she smacked my arm. “Stop hitting me, please.”

Ruby’s hands fell to her sides. “We need to go, Mummy.”

I nodded absently, and then the alarm started screaming. I stopped it within seconds and sat up again. “Let’s go, then. Eager beaver.”

Was I completely bewildered by her sudden u-turn in attitude towards the morning club? Absolutely. Did I think that as soon as we pulled into the car park she’d start throwing another of her tantrums? Yes, I did. For that moment I couldn’t fathom what might have brought her to change her mind.

Ruby got dressed faster than she ever had done before, and was so keen on getting to school that she even put her own shoes on. She waited by the door, her little school-branded satchel in hand. I giggled to myself when I found her that way. She looked so cute.

I pecked the top of her head and turned her around by the shoulders. One thing she hadn’t done was her hair. I quickly brushed it and then tied it up for her in a ponytail with a scrunchie the same colour as the school uniform.

We then loaded up into the car and drove around the corner to the school. I kept an eye on her throughout the short journey, but she just had her head permanently in the window watching the world go by.

We pulled into the car park and I braced myself for a change in attitude. I thought she might scream when I got out and moved around to open the door for her, but by the time I got there she’d already let herself out.

“Bye, Mummy! Love you!” She shouted as she ran off through the gate towards the cabin.

I stared off after her with a blank look, suddenly unsure of what to do with myself. Perhaps Lorraine had finally listened to me and made my daughter feel comfortable enough to spend an hour at the club before going to school. I still didn’t know what the initial problem was, but I was just relieved to see Ruby her normal self again in the mornings.

And it continued that way for the rest of the week. Every morning she would charge into my bedroom minutes before the alarm went off to wake me up, demand we get up that instant and then wait by the door fully dressed and satchel in hand ready to leave. I’d drive her to the school and then she would launch herself from the car and into the hut to start her day.

I was relieved to some degree, obviously. It hadn’t been nice seeing her so distressed over a little club for so long and it was comforting to see her excited about it all of a sudden. I just didn’t know why. My usually very forthcoming child had kept her experiences in that hut very close to her chest - both good and bad.

While before I was trying to work out the mystery of why she hated going, now I was trying to figure out why she loved going.

I hadn’t been on a blind date in… well, ever. This was an unusual idea to me. Why would I want to go on a date with someone I’d never seen or heard of before? Why would anyone want to do that? I couldn’t for the life of me find any kind of appeal, and yet I was surrounded by people that did. I mean, Bibury was a small place. All the surrounding villages were equally small, if not smaller. There was actually every chance I knew this person very well. But then I hated the idea of not knowing until I arrived. At least with Tinder dates I knew what I was getting myself into.

Mostly.

There was one terrifying occasion where I thought I was meeting up with a handsome older man. Turned out he was just old. And I mean nearly 80. I didn’t live that one down for a while.

Because I didn’t know who I was meeting I had no idea what to wear. I spent nearly 2 hours trawling through my wardrobe trying to find something I was satisfied with, and yet I never seemed to be satisfied at all.

I knew I was going to The Swan, but the difference was it was dinner at The Swan. I might’ve been in there most Fridays for a drink or five, but I’d only ever eaten there with Ruby and my parents. Never on a date. For some reason, the prospect of eating completely threw me and all my usual outfit choices.

Eventually I decided on a burnt orange belted culottes jumpsuit with butterfly sleeves. I left my hair loose and gave it a quick brush, applied the smallest amount of makeup because I actually just couldn’t be bothered to, and put on a pair of white strappy braided low heels. I didn’t bother with a jacket, even though I knew I’d probably regret it later.

I walked from my house into the village and to The Swan, smiling at pretty much every single person I passed because I knew them in some capacity, whether it be well or not so. It was another pleasant evening. It seemed summer had come early and honestly I was delighted about it.

The Latin in me craved the sunshine and the heat. I often fantasised about moving Ruby and I to Colombia or Peru to make the most of it, but I knew my mother would never hear of it. While she was proud of our heritage she despised the thought of going back to South America to live.

Inside The Swan I found the host in the restaurant, a staff member I wasn’t very familiar with, and gave over Zara’s name.

The host smiled and looked through the diary. “Perfect. You’re just in that table by the window,” she pointed to two armchairs facing each other with a dining table between, nestled into a crook with a tall window.

It was all very romantic and lovely, and I’d forgotten quite honestly that I was here for an actual date, not just a one-night stand. The table had a tall candle in the middle of it and the lighting was dimmed ready for the evening.

I looked at the person already sitting in the left-hand chair, staring intently at his phone. My stomach fell.

“Oh my God,” I groaned, taking a step backwards and knocking into the desk. “Shit,” I looked at the host again, “I’m sorry.”

“Are you okay?”

I wasn’t okay. I moved out of sight of the table.

It was the dentist. Harry Styles, the sexy dentist, was my blind date. Zara had royally stitched me up. I was starting to panic. I could feel it in my chest and in my ears.

There was no way I was going to manage a date with him. I could barely string a sentence together in front of him, let alone sit with him for however long and eat in front of him. He’d get to the end of it and never want to see me again. Perhaps that was a good thing. But it was easier for me to actively avoid him than for him to actively avoid me.

I was so annoyed. He looked so good. He’d dressed up a little - wearing beige suit trousers and a black shirt that kind of looked sheer. His hair was a little floppy and messy like he’d just washed it and let it dry to its own will.

I had no problem fancying him. He was very fanciable, evidently. And Zara had been right - anyone would be a fool not to find him good-looking. His looks were absolutely not the problem. It was his profession and my idiotic inability to not be able to build a bridge.

Could I leave? God, I hated to have to be that person to stand someone up on a blind date, but I couldn’t bear the thought of facing him after those two ridiculous incidents in his practice. I knew for sure he thought I was crazy. I didn’t want to cement that even further by spending two hours just embarrassing myself in front of him.

“Miss?”

I looked back to the polite host. “Christ, I’m sorry. Um…” I peered around the corner for another look at him.

He was still very pretty and still very invested in something on his phone. I found myself yearning for him and I needed to stop.

“No, yeah,” I met her gaze again, “I can’t be here with that man. It’s not his fault, I’m just… completely and utterly useless.”

She looked very confused.

“I know I’m not making any sense. Basically, I just need you to tell him I’m sick or something. Please? I’m sorry to put you on the spot but I have embarrassed myself in front of him twice already and I’m not gonna do it a third.”

The host relaxed and lifted her head. “I see. Leave it with me.” She smiled.

“Thank you!”

I allowed myself one more peek at Dr Styles before I practically ran from the pub.

I was riddled with guilt and shame. I just stood someone up. I’d never done that before, because I’d always thought it incredibly rude. I was incredibly rude in one sense, but I was also terrified. Why did the only single man to roll into town for the first time in years have to be beautiful and a dentist?

In haste, I walked to Geri’s and let myself in without even knocking. I found her and Zara in the living room sharing a bottle of wine and a curry from the local takeaway.

“Why are you here so soon?!” Geri stood up at my breezy entrance.

“You can’t have embarrassed yourself already…” Zara said with a frown.

“No, actually,” I pointed at her, “I left before I could do that. In fact, I left as soon as I walked through the door.”

“Why?!”

“Because that man has seen me covered in grease and dirt and talk absolute rubbish on two entirely separate occasions, and I am not opening myself to a third!”

“How the fuck have you managed that? He’s only been here a few weeks.”

“With great ease, apparently.” Zara muttered. “I can’t believe you stood him up! You look incredible! He’d be drooling over you!”

I flopped down on the sofa with a sigh, gladly taking the half-empty wine glass Geri offered to me. I took a long drink. “Yes, but he is on another level, isn’t he? Like… next to him I am nothing.”

“False.” Geri shook her head. “He might be pretty but you are beautiful, señorita.”

I giggled but it was filled with anguish, and leant my head on her shoulder. “Thank you. Still doesn’t change that I know he thinks I’m batshit crazy.”

“You are batshit crazy.” Zara corrected. “But who cares? There is not a person in this village who has a bad word to say about you.”

“That’s true.” Geri agreed.

“Also, you don’t have to marry the poor sod. You could’ve just had dinner, gone home together; bit of sexy time; bit of fun; sent him home in the morning.”

I pouted. “I am not letting a man with a face that gorgeous anywhere near my,” I gestured wildly to my face, “food funnel.”

“Just call it your mouth, you absolute weirdo!” Zara hissed.

Geri rolled her eyes. “Why do you think Ruby calls her nose a snot bucket, Zara?”

“You are joking.”

I ignored the two of them and carried on drinking.

“Anyway, you’re never going to find the love of your life by not going on the blind dates I set up for you. You’ll be single forever.”

“Maybe I like the idea of being single forever.” I retorted. “I don’t want some stuck up male moseying into my life and telling me how to live it, or how to bring up my child. I’m just fine on my own, thank you very much.”

“Bet that’s not what you were thinking when Ruby’s daddy minced his way into your knickers, was it?” Geri quirked a brow.

I was having a hard time imagining Federico mincing his way into anything. How does one mince? Is it slug-like? Or like a criminal in a cartoon, with the jutting of shoulders and long strides with high knees?

“Well, he wasn’t exactly around for very long, either.” Zara muttered, and then looked directly at me. “What was he doing here again?”

I decided to tell a little white lie. I shrugged, “I dunno, some study abroad scheme, I think. I don’t remember much.”

“Was that the last time someone shagged you?” Geri’s question made me feel like a child who didn’t know anything.

I scoffed. “No.”

“Floss, why did I even bother setting up that date for you?”

“I don’t know. I had a moment of weakness? A vivid dream where I was stupidly craving the physical affection of a man. I won’t be doing it again.”

“You’re not holding out for that Italian, are you?” Geri asked quietly.

“No.” I laughed. “If I never saw Rico again I wouldn’t be surprised, and I’m okay with that. I’m happy where I am.”

My two friends looked at me in silence for a moment.

Eventually, Geri said, “Hungry?”

“Fucking starving, mate.”

six

The Easter holidays came and went in no time at all. Part of me had wanted to take Ruby away for a few days somewhere, but since I was apparently about to break the bank buying a dog for her, I’d tossed the idea in the bin and pretended not to think about it.

She didn’t seem to mind. She had so many friends I could never remember the names of that she spent most of the holidays at other people’s houses. On one Friday I had let her arrange a sleepover which she seemed to especially enjoy. Geri came over to help with it, and while the girls had the rule of the roost downstairs, we stayed upstairs and shared a bottle of wine and stuck a film on, but kept the door open so we could hear them in case anything happened.

Mum and Dad also offered to have her a few times so I didn’t have to worry about arranging childcare. She only came with me to work twice, but she seemed to enjoy herself. She always managed to find a way to entertain.

We were back to Monday morning, and I was having an internal debate whether she’d kick up a fuss over kid’s club again or wake me up early like she had done every day the week before the holidays.

When Ruby did inevitably wake me up, I nearly choked at the sight of her fully dressed in her uniform.

“What on Earth?” I laughed, sitting up.

“I want to go now, Mummy!” She squeaked, a delighted smile on her face.

“Rubes, it doesn’t even open until half 7, and I don’t pay for you to turn up that early.”

“Please?”

“No, darlin’.” I didn’t want to give Lorraine the satisfaction.

Ruby huffed and began to stomp away.

“Excuse me,” I called after her, and she stopped at the unimpressed tone of my voice, “come here, please.”

She turned to face me with a scowl, marching her way back to me.

I took her hands in mine and made sure she was looking at me before I spoke. “I’m over the moon that you’re enjoying that club again, but we don’t throw a strop because we can’t get what we want, do we?”

“No.” She muttered, looking to the floor.

“No, we don’t. Now, I can’t send you there before 8 o’clock because that’s not the arrangement I have with them. I also don’t have to - I like our mornings together. So, we are going to go at 8 like we always do, and in the meantime I am going to get ready at a normal pace and you are going to wait for me. Okay?”

“Okay,” She said.

“Good girl.” I replied, and kissed her hands. “Now, you can go and watch TV if you want while you wait. And if you haven’t brushed your teeth I’ll be really upset.”

My daughter’s hands slipped out of my grip, and she trudged her way out of the room. I watched after her as she left, a slight pout to my lips. She was cute and all, but one day she was going to give someone a real run for their money. I just hoped that whoever she did end up with liked a challenge.

I got ready at my usual pace since I was actually in less of a rush than I usually would be. It felt warm again so I dug another t-shirt out of the wardrobe and a pair of black jeans for the journey. I’d only have to cover up with a boiler suit when I got to the garage anyway. I tied my hair up without looking in a mirror, made my way downstairs and pulled my boots on.

Ruby was still eagerly waiting by the door when I got to the foot of the staircase. I giggled at her and stroked my hand over her hair.

Once again I drove her to the school and she spent the entire journey staring out the window. I didn't dare ask her what she was thinking - I didn’t want to pull her out of her daydreams like that, as curious as I was to know. As soon as I’d stopped the car in the car park she unclipped her belt and wriggled her way out of the car.

“Ruby!” I shouted after her, and fiddled my own way out. I hated running, but I was sure as hell going to this morning.

She ran straight to the hut without a hint of hesitation, and I just about caught up to her in the doorway. She looked around the playroom at all the other children, and her shoulders slumped with sadness.

“What’s wrong?”

Ruby turned around and walked back out of the hut again. “Nothing.” She muttered.

I was confused. And bewildered. One minute she couldn’t wait to get here and now she didn’t want to go inside again.

“Ruby, darlin’, you know you can tell me what’s upsetting you.” I reminded her, crouching down beside her and taking her hand to encourage her to look at me.

“I know.” She mumbled, angled towards me but not looking directly at me.

“So why don’t you tell me what’s wrong?” I squeezed her hand.

“Because you’ll think I’m silly.”

“I promise you I won’t.” I hummed, bringing her hand to my mouth. “Talk to me, muffin.”

She debated for a moment. I could almost see her thinking, eyes drifting slightly with her thoughts. She opened her mouth to speak, but stopped at the sight of another car pulling into the car park.

I followed her gaze, brows furrowing. A familiar black Range Rover pulled in, parking a few spaces away from mine.

“Yay!” Ruby squealed, and immediately ran off again.

I took a few deep breaths. “Oh, fuck.”

At a much less enthusiastic pace, I followed Ruby back across the playground to the car park. Simultaneously, Dr Styles made his way out of his car to keep a cautious eye on his own child.

“Oscar!” He shouted after he’d closed the door.

That name rang a bell. Why did that name sound familiar?

I looked at the child that Ruby was suddenly so eager to see. He looked like his dad, that was for sure. He was a little blonder than I expected, and his hair didn’t quite have the curly bounce to it that his dad’s did, but he was so very similar to the dentist in the face. He was a very cute little thing, I had to say. Not as cute as Ruby, obviously.

Oscar and Ruby met halfway and immediately grouped close to one another, giggling over something.

I tucked my loose fluffy bits of hair behind my ears. The dentist made his way towards me, wearing blue scrubs on his lower half and a tight-fitted black t-shirt on his top. His boobs looked better than mine, and he pulled off casual-doctor-chic better than I did casual-mechanic-chic.

The closer he got to me the more weighted I felt. He looked at my t-shirt as he was about to speak, and got cut off by his own breathy laughter. “Morning,”

I quickly glanced down at myself, reminded of which one I was wearing. It was white with a red printed line-drawing of a pair of legs on a bed, face-down, with the caption ‘Lying Down Club’. I cleared my throat and looked anywhere but directly at him, “Hello,”

There was a moment of dead silence between us, but Oscar and Ruby were chatting away with ease.

“Oscar actually asked me to drop him off later.” The dentist said, arms now folded across his chest.

I looked at him properly then. “Oh, really?”

“Yeah, I usually,” he pointed a lazy finger at the children and swallowed thickly, “drop him off when it opens, but he said he doesn’t like being there early because Ruby isn’t there.”

“Oh…” I couldn’t help but smile a little. “That’s very sweet. Ruby asked me to take her earlier today, actually. But I’m meaner and said no.”

“I don’t think it’s mean.” He shrugged. “It’s a lot of money to send them here.”

I nodded in complete agreement. “And the woman that runs it is fu-,” I stopped myself from swearing, even though the children were not interested in our conversation, “she’s horrible.”

“Lorraine?”

“Uh-huh.”

The dentist smiled at the floor. “Yeah, she’s a stern woman.”

“Certainly one way of putting it.” I muttered.

Suddenly the children took off again, running towards the hut.

“Hey! Ruby?!” I yelled.

“Bye, Mummy!”

I lifted my hands up and sighed. “Bye, then.”

Dr Styles chuckled behind me. “Must be nice to have so much energy.”

“Yeah, tell me about it.” I huffed and turned to face him again. “She woke me up this morning fully dressed and ready to leave before my alarm had gone off.”

Harry smiled, and I forgot how to breathe for a minute. “I’ve had two weeks of it. Took him to my Mum’s for the Easter Holidays and all he spoke about the entire time was Ruby. He adores her.”

I felt my cheeks warm but I didn’t know why. He was complementing Ruby, not me. Still - it made me proud to know that other children enjoyed her company and looked forward to it. “I had been wondering why she suddenly enjoyed coming here so much. Up until the week before the holidays I used to have to push her, kicking and screaming, to go inside.”

“It’s nice. I’m glad he could settle in here.”

“So am I.” I smiled back at him.

We stayed just grinning at each other for some time. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, he was so handsome. Perhaps I was a fool to have stood him up, but he didn’t know that was me. Or at least I hoped he didn’t. Still, I stood before a beautiful man that I would happily look at all day. Perhaps we could end up being good friends one day. It didn’t change that he was a dentist and I was terrified of having him anywhere near my teeth.

He looked at his watch then and panicked. “Shit, I need to go.”

“Oh, me too.”

“My first appointment is in like, 10 minutes.” He laughed, turning away. “Bye, Florence.”

“Bye,” I said with a limp wave, wandering back towards my own car.

Well - one mystery had been solved this morning. Ruby had apparently become best friends with the dentist’s son. There was nothing wrong with that at all. It just left me with that terrifying internal panic that I may have to see the sexy dentist more than I really needed to.

Bollocks.

Every so often, my dad’s friend Frank would bring his car into the garage for a seasonal service or it’s MOT or some other reason. I’d known Frank since I was a baby - his wife Diane was also a regular client of my mother’s and they were very close friends. My mother had always shown a kind of disdain towards Frank, and I’d only recently understood why.

“Good morning, Florence,” he knocked on the window that looked into the office at the garage.

The sound startled me a little, so when I looked up I was wide-eyed and somewhat irritated. “Oh. Hi, Frank.”

I was sure I wasn’t expecting anything from him for a while - he’d not long had his summer service. I ran my finger over the little calendar on the desk.

“I’m not due in for anything - I’ve just been hearing a few little problems with it.”

I took a moment to collect myself before I moved. I stood and faced him, noting the way he leaned against the doorframe as if he owned it. His eyes were dark and glaring and it made me squirm.

“What’s happening?” I asked, trying to keep my voice even as we moved out of the office to the garage floor.

“I don’t know, I was kind of hoping you could tell me.”

I lifted my head a little and stood in front of the car with my arms folded.

Deemed to be one of the most beautiful cars ever made, Frank owned a red Ferrari F355. He was obsessed with it, as anyone should be if they spent such an obscene amount of money on a car they barely drive. I, on the other hand, could take it or leave it. It was pretty to an extent, but the amount of problems it had weren’t worth the hassle of just owning it. Frank had had his since 1995 when they were first released, and I honestly couldn’t believe it had lasted so long. It was the only one of its kind I’d even seen, but it was notorious for its failures.

“Show me the problem, then.” I encouraged, bored of waiting.

“I was kind of hoping you’d do it.” He smirked, jiggling his keys in front of me.

I gave him a flat look. “Get in the car and start the engine, Frank.”

I half-expected a snide remark in return, but he saved me the headache today and did as I told him to.

The engine roared to life a minute later, echoing around the open garage and probably scaring the farmer across the road. I circled around the car while Frank revved the engine in a stupid and wanky manner. I was listening for any tell-tale sign of what might be wrong with it, but I couldn’t hear anything apart from just loud engine and exhaust noises.

I signalled for him to turn the engine off again and sighed.

“Well?” He asked as he got out again.

“I don’t know. I’ll have a look into it and come back to you.”

“Okay, thanks, Florence.” He smiled, and squeezed my arm.

That was why my mother didn’t like him. A squeeze on the arm from a man I’ve known since infancy might not seem like anything drastic, but he’d been known to do far worse. He was a dominating man - calling me Florence when he knew I’d always gone by Floss was just one of his many little ways to express that it was his way or no way at all. Up to this point I hadn’t had a terrible altercation with him, but I know my mother had. Mine was almost inevitable.

Frank was smart. He always came to the garage when he knew Dad wasn’t working. He knew that if he ever tried to pull anything with Dad around it would not end well, so he always visited when he wasn’t in. He also thought it was easier to charm a woman with talk about his expensive car than a man. Unfortunately for him, I knew a hell of a lot more about cars than my father did, and no amount of mechanical chat ever really impressed me.

“Will you do me our special family and friends discount?” He asked when I didn’t say anything, his hand still on my arm. He began stroking it, and I felt sick.

It was true - I had in the past naively agreed to charge him fees without labour costs because he was a family friend. Now he asked for it every time, and it constantly put me out of pocket.

“I’m not gonna agree to that until I know how much work there is to do.”

“Don’t be like that, Florence.”

“Frank, I don’t know how many problems there are with your problematic car. If it’s more than a day’s labour, I can’t really afford to go without it this time - Ruby’s birthday is coming up.”

Telling him that was a mistake, but it was already too late. I could see the newfound smarm in his eyes.

“Let me guess - she wants something extortionate like a dog.”

I might’ve been a bit thick, but I wasn’t an idiot. I knew my dad would’ve told Frank that Ruby wanted a dog in passing comment, he just liked to pretend it was a lucky guess.

“You already know she wants a dog.”

“I promise I didn’t.” He lifted his hands. “How about we make a deal? You give me the friends and family discount on whatever the car needs, and I’ll help you out in getting Ruby’s dog.”

“Or, you could just pay me the labour fees I’m owed and you don’t have to provide any money towards the dog.”

He laughed and looked away. “Come on, Florence. Loosen up a little.”

The last thing I wanted to do around that man was loosen up. “No.”

Frank huffed. “Think about it. I’ll even pay for the insurance on it.”

“No. I’m not a charity case.”

“And I didn’t mean it like that.” His voice had become soft and sweet and it was disgusting. “I’m just trying to help you out, we love Ruby.”

“Frank?”

My dad appeared on the forecourt, and I exhaled heavily. Thank fuck for that.

“Dave! What are you doing here?” He sounded jarred. I should hope so, too.

“Come to see Floss about something.” Dad said, and seemed perturbed by the question. It was an odd question, actually. Why did my dad have to explain himself for showing up at his daughter’s garage that he occasionally worked at? Come on, Frank.

“Ah, right.” He coughed. “Well,” he looked at me, “think about what I said, Florence. And let me know about the car.”

“Uh-huh.” I mumbled, but never looked at him.

Dad waited for Frank to leave before he spoke again. “I have some good news. Thought I’d tell you in person rather than on the phone.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

While Dad explained himself, I felt around the Ferrari for the bonnet lock.

“That breeder I mentioned has found a litter.”

“Where?”

He looked hesitant when I met his gaze again. “Wisbech.”

I’d never heard of it before. “Where is that?”

“Cambridgeshire.”

I lowered my head, still none the wiser.

My dad rolled his eyes. “It’s about a three-hour drive.”

I tipped my head back and sighed. “Well, I guess that serves us right for wanting to find something so bloody specific.”

My dad hummed. “He did also say that there was a litter in south Somerset with a ‘merle’ colour one.”

“What does that mean?”

“I think it’s light grey with little black spots.”

“Sounds pretty. But it’s not blue, is it?”

“No. And, if we were going to travel all the way to Taunton for a puppy, we might as well just travel to Cambridge for the one she actually wants.”

“Yeah, I think that’s fair.” I nodded.

“What’s wrong with this piece of shit, anyway?” He knocked the side of Frank’s Ferrari with his knuckle.

“I don’t actually know. It’ll probably be anything and everything that can go wrong with one, though.”

Dad laughed. “Want some help? I’ve done everything at home your mother asked me to.”

I grinned, patting his shoulder. “Sure. I need to put it on the lift because I’m almost certain there’ll be something wrong with the suspension.”

I didn’t finish Frank’s Ferrari until over a week later. I was right - there was a lot wrong with it. Suspension included. The exhaust manifold was fucked, and I’d told Frank about a year ago that he’d need to replace it sooner rather than later because it was a known issue with the model. Did he listen to me? No. Now his bill with me would afford about 10 blue Great Dane puppies. Sadly, I wasn’t taking home the full five-figure bill since most of it was going towards paying for obtaining the damn rare parts from inconvenient parts of the world.

Frank was in the garage waiting room while I finished the very last touches. Zara was in the front seat of the car while I was tightening the last bolt underneath. I rolled out and stood up; absolutely filthy, as I had been every day this week, and stuck my thumb up at Zara.

She started the engine and it finally roared to life, and I let out a long sigh of relief. I could finally get this fucker off my hands and out of my garage - and I meant Frank, not the car.

I wiped my hands on a clean cloth and went to find the old man so I could get rid of him as soon as possible.

“All done.” I said as I handed him the keys.

“Thanks.” He grunted. “Think I might have to skip out on the winter service this year, Florence. You’ve bled me dry.”

“Cars have a life expectancy, Frank. Especially expensive ones with as many problems as yours does. You’re lucky it’s survived this long.”

“I don’t control the prices of the parts.”

“Neither do I! I’ve charged you what they charged me, and that’s without shipping costs. You want to keep your shitty expensive car, you’ve got to expect to pay the bloody fees to fix it.”

“So what are you saying?”

I pulled a face. Was he really more stupid than me? “I’m saying either get rid of the thing or face the costs of it.”

“Floss,” Zara interrupted us.

I turned my gaze on her, and she was standing in the waiting room doorway with the office phone pressed to her chest. “Yeah?”

“It’s the school asking for you.”

As any parents’ would, my stomach dropped. I looked back at Frank. “It’s fixed, for now. Excuse me.” I headed towards the door and took the phone off Zara and squeezed out of the room. “Hello?”

“Good afternoon, is this Mrs Fuentes-Carter?”

I was too concerned to comment on the title error. “Yes…”

“Hello, I’m calling from the school reception.”

“Is something wrong?”

“Ruby is absolutely fine, but there was an incident at school today and Mrs Moon would like to speak to you at the end of the day if possible.”

“Incident? What kind of incident?”

“I think it would be best if Ruby’s teacher spoke to you about it.”

I sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “Okay, fine.”

An hour later I was pulling up at the school, parking in one of the few remaining spaces. Geri, Sharon and Debbie were already waiting by the gates, and I could also see the dentists’ car, but he wasn’t in it or visible outside. As I made my way across the carpark towards the school reception I gave Geri a limp wave, but I could tell by the look on her face that she didn’t understand what was happening. Actually, I didn’t understand, either.

Inside I announced myself to the receptionist, and she guided me down the hall to the right classroom. There, outside the door, the dentist was waiting with his arms folded and a concerned look on his face. I slowed my walk, noting that neither Ruby nor Oscar were waiting with him.

“What’s going on?” I asked, glancing into the classroom where the door was closed.

“No idea.” He said, aggravated and without looking at me. “That woman who runs the morning club is in there with her kid and ours.”

I frowned. “Why the fuck aren’t we in there, then?”

Before he could answer, I wrapped twice on the door and opened it without waiting. “Excuse me, what is going on?”

“Mrs Fuent-,”

“I’m not married.” I said flatly.

Mrs Moon sat back a little. Lorraine and her son were sitting on the other side of the desk facing her in plastic red chairs made for children, while Ruby and Oscar were sitting on the carpet in the far corner of the room, each reading a book.

“Miss Fuentes-Carter,” Mrs Moon tried with me again, “I’d politely ask you and Dr Styles to wait outside until-,”

“Absolutely not.” I retorted. “It is inappropriate for you to have a conversation with another parent while our children are present but we aren’t. If we leave, so do the children.”

Mrs Moon grew frustrated, but she didn’t know how to answer me.

“It’s alright, Connie.” Lorraine said calmly, and stood from her seat. “We were just finishing anyway, weren’t we?”

The teacher started again, “Um, no-,”

“We have an appointment to get to, so you can discuss the incident with Florence and the doctor.”

“Mrs Houchen, please si-,”

“Follow up with me in an email if you need to!”

We all watched as Lorraine and her well-built son breezed from the room, and it suddenly felt deathly quiet. I met Harry’s baffled gaze, and then I looked back to Mrs Moon, who seemed to be exasperated. Oscar and Ruby were still very quiet, but they were looking at us.

“I don’t mean to be rude, but what the hell is going on?” Harry demanded.

Mrs Moon pointed at the now empty chairs opposite her and rubbed her cheek. “Would you both like to sit down?”

“No.” We said simultaneously.

The teacher nodded despairingly, and stood up from her seat to perch on the edge of the desk closer to us. “I didn’t expect this all to be quite so dramatic, so I apologise. There was an incident at lunchtime and I was hoping it could be sorted in a more… calm manner than this.”

“Who is in trouble? Our children or Lorraine’s?” Harry asked, arms still folded across his chest.

“Ben Houchen claims that Ruby pushed him and Oscar hit him.”

“Excuse me?” I choked.

“I know, I know.” Mrs Moon stressed. “It’s very out of character for Ruby, I’m well aware, and for Oscar… well, I’ve never heard him raise his voice at all. Only when he’s playing football. So, I’m just as surprised as you, honestly.”

“Did anyone see it?” I asked.

The teacher shook her head. “No. At least no one wants to admit they’ve seen it.”

I screwed my face up.

“I should also add that neither Ruby nor Oscar have denied that it happened.”

I looked at my daughter as Harry did Oscar, and the look she gave back to me was blank, but I could see in her eyes she was sad about something. One thing I knew about Ruby is that she didn’t lie. She was too forthcoming to care about lying, even if she was in trouble. If she didn’t want to tell me something she simply wouldn’t, but she would never outwardly tell me that she hadn’t done something when she had. It was that reason I knew that whatever was claimed to have happened between my daughter, Oscar and Ben, it probably actually did.

“Have they said anything about what happened?” Harry asked, seeming a little calmer than me.

“They won’t say anything about the actual incident, but Ruby has told me that Ben isn’t very nice to her.”

I gritted my teeth. “Is this the first time she’s said anything about it?”

“Florence, I assure you - if I’d have known earlier that she might’ve been struggling with another student, I would’ve done something about it. I absolutely do not tolerate bullying in my classroom, or anywhere else.”

I felt emotional. I felt like a bad mother again. My eyes welled up and I tried to swallow it all away. “Ruby, come here for a second.”

My small child stood up and ran over to me. I knelt down in front of her and took her hands. “Muffin, will you tell me what’s been going on?”

She looked at me, then at Oscar, Mrs Moon and Harry each in turn and shook her head.

I stroked her face. “Why not, poppet?”

“Because you’ll be mad at me.”

“Ruby, we are not going to be mad at you for telling the truth.” Harry said softly, a lot closer behind me than I realised. “Neither of you.”

Ruby looked at Harry for a while, and then turned over her shoulder to look at Oscar again.

“In order for us to be able to get to the bottom of the issues, we need both of your help.” Mrs Moon said with her hands pressed against her thighs. “And we are not going to punish you for being honest, because what do I always say to you guys?”

“Honesty is the best policy.” Oscar muttered, staring at his lap.

“Exactly.” The teacher smiled.

“Was Ben telling the truth?” I asked, thumbing over Ruby’s cheek. “Did you push him?”

Ruby inhaled, lips pouting, and she nodded twice.

“Okay.” I took her hand and squeezed it.

“Oscar, did you hit him?” Harry followed on.

“Yeah, but only because he deserved it.”

I pressed my lips together, and I could see Mrs Moon staring at her lap, mouth a thin line.

I missed the silent communication between father and son, but in the next minute Oscar was trudging across the room. Harry placed Oscar on the table closest, and he sat cross-legged on the top of it while Harry sat against the edge next to him.

“Thank you for being honest, mate.” His voice was quiet and warm, and he rubbed his head. “What happened that the two of you felt the need to do that?”

Oscar looked at Ruby, refusing to speak again.

“Ben isn’t very nice to us.” Ruby finally admitted.

“In what way, baby?” I cooed.

“He says mean things. He says that I don’t have a daddy because mine doesn’t love me. And he says it’s funny that Oscar’s mummy isn’t here anymore and that she’s better off without him.”

I felt sick. I was on the verge of tears again, and I could see Harry’s hand visibly tighten around the edge of the table.

“Before Oscar was coming to kid’s club, Ben used to chase me around and pull my hair. I asked his mum to tell him to stop but she always just used to say that it meant he secretly liked me and he was just teasing me. But he’s never been nice to me, he’s just nasty and spiteful.

“And when Oscar started coming in the morning he stopped for a bit, and it was fun there. And then this week he started talking about Oscar’s mummy and being mean to him about it. But it was okay being at kid’s club now because even though Ben is not very nice, Oscar was still there.

“Oscar was really upset yesterday about what Ben had been saying and he’d hit him on the arm, so I said we should hit him back. Grandad always says we should hit someone back because it’s not nice.”

I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. I’d never felt so degraded through my child before because of another parent. I didn’t know how to react - I didn’t know what to do. My baby girl was being led to believe that it wasn’t okay to not have a dad, because some horrible, nasty woman had brainwashed her child into thinking that. What kind of cruel, spiteful person do you have to be to think it’s okay to bring up your child to believe that?

I could hear Harry whispering to Oscar, and I immediately brought Ruby into my arms for a tight hug. I kissed her cheek, my tears dripping onto her skin, but I didn’t want to let her go.

“I’m so proud of you, Ruby.” I whispered.

“I love you, Mummy.” She mumbled.

“I love you, too.”

“Um,” Mrs Moon started, her voice cracking, “I’m sorry that the two of you had this happen to you in my care. I’m ashamed that I missed it, and I can assure you it will not continue. I am also really proud of both of you for telling the truth, and for standing up for yourselves. I do have to say that physical violence is not the way forward… but, you should be proud of yourselves for being honest and telling us the truth.”

“Neither of you should feel ashamed for not having another parent. And you definitely shouldn’t be made to feel that way by a bratty child who hasn’t been taught any different.” Harry said, his voice coarse. “Not having your mum or dad is not your fault. In fact, there’s no fault to have on anyone’s part. You’re both amazing children, and you should not be made to feel guilty, or lesser than, because you’ve only got one parent.”

I stared at Harry, somewhat awed by him. I wouldn’t have been able to put it as eloquently as that, but I appreciated him and that we were on the same wavelength.

We helped the children collect their belongings, said goodbye to Mrs Moon for the day, and walked through the school corridors out to the car park. Ruby clutched onto my hand the entire time, while Harry had Oscar on his hip. He looked a little big to be doing that now, but after the revelation we’d just had, I didn’t imagine Harry cared very much.

It was a bittersweet moment - one that was of course about to be tarnished by the sighting of the cause of all our problems.

Lorraine was piling things from the hut into her car, badgering Ben in the process. I thought I’d calmed down, but seeing the woman whose child made my daughter upset and did nothing about it filled me with a rage I’d never experienced before. Nothing had ever made me really angry, and this other mother was the exception.

I was about to do something so out of character, I’d terrify myself.

“Lorraine!”

I’ve got big ears!

Chapters seven & eight

#harry styles #harry styles imagine #harry styles imagines #harry styles fic #harry styles fanfic #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles writing #harry styles fluff #harry styles smut #harry styles angst #harry styles ff

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jamiethebeeart · 8 months

Text

Thinking about why spinner has his forearms covered (I am ignoring Stain's influence)

(drabble under the cut)

CW: description of scars

The league was on the run and being around each other all the time meant they saw each other outside of their villain personas. Toga wore large sweaters and kept her hair pulled back - in braids, hair ties, pigtails, pinned - it didn't matter so long as it stayed out of her face. It wasn't uncommon to see Twice with his mask off but it never lasted long. Mr. Compress kept his face covered still - in a face mask or bandana and a hat - whatever was convenient. Dabi flitted in and out, hardly staying in one place for long. When he did, it was usually with a smoke and sans jacket. Spinner still seemed on edge and standoffish, with a long sleeved shirt or jacket on - different from his sleeveless Stain inspired shirt. Shigaraki was the same as always. He had no need to don a villain persona and his hands were as close as always.

Tapping away on a hand held game console, a game over screen flashed. Huffing out a breath, movement caught Shigaraki's eye. Glancing up, he saw Spinner pushing up his sleeves. Looking back down at his game, Shigaraki paused. He knew what those were. Shigaraki looked up through his eyelashes. Scars littered Spinner's forearms, crossing over one another in sporadic multitudes. Raised bumps, pale skin, scales missing, divets and uneven gashes. Some of them looked old - pale and barely there - others looked healed, but still stretching skin unevenly and brighter, not quite settled in the skin. Raising his eyes to briefly look at Spinner's relaxed face, Shigaraki put his attention back on his console. He stared at the screen. He measured the time it blinked the game over - flash flash flash. He thought. Dabi's scars had an obvious cause, it wasn't hard to guess how and why they covered so much of his body. A single cause with irritation from improper care and overuse. He himself was intimately familiar with his own. Shigaraki furrowed his eyebrows. He knew what skin biopsies looked like, various weapons and wounds, burns and impalements, and how they healed from his time around Nomus. He knew what old scars looked like, what new ones did, and how they overlapped on the skin. He scratched his neck, the uneven surface causing his nails to catch awkwardly as he pulled across. He glanced back up. Spinner had scars that looked like biopsies, but with rough edges from unsure cuts and ripped chunks from scales that never grew back. Scars that ripped up edges of nearby scales without dislodging them. Patches of skin that Shigaraki supposed lied covered underneath all Spinner's scales. Various ages and depths telling a story, a story that Spinner kept hidden and quiet. Clicking the restart button, Shigaraki narrowed his eyes. One day, he'd get that story from him.

#shuichi iguchi #mha spinner #bnha spinner #mha #bnha #this started bc i went “hey even his civilian outfit covers his arms too”#listen: cosplayers often add or change the original design all the time so im saying spinner kept it on purpose :))))#also MASSIVE thank you to everyone who liked my post. yall insured that i wouldnt forget about this thought (as i dont go back to my posts)#first time in a while that i want to write a little drabble....#drabble got away from me... i wanted to add other league members too (like dabi) and they just... didnt show up..#i was going to write dialogue... but it was so much easier to not... so I u didn't.. lmao sorry for all the descriptive-ness #cw scars #tw scars #(they're not self imposed scars btw... i don't think any other cw/tw apply but if they do lmk)#mha jbee

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charmixpower · 2 years

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🌊 Aish hairstyles 🌊

Literally oh my fucking god the designers can't think of more than three fucking hairstyles for Aisha, if I never see her with twin puffs again it will be too soon. Put her in a unique fucking hairstyle you assholes. This anger at the complete lack of interesting hair for Aisha is what sparked me to do this series in the first place. Just so I can show how fucking cool her hair could be if they weren't fucking cowards about it. Unsurprisingly this one took me the longest, with all the braids I had to line and color (tho it didn't take as much time as expected), but it was a lot of fun to do. I was easily the most excited to this one for obvious reasons. She looks great. I went a little ham on the gold jewelry but Aisha deserves it ok?? Her hairstyles in the show are so dull, she needs some fun

Side note, Aisha has the second longest hair out of the Winx, longest naturally, but it isn't visible due to how coily Aisha's hair is. My hair goes from barely toucing my shoulders to below my sternum, and my hair is curly as where I draw it Aisha's the 4 range. So yeah, her hair gets like at least 6 inches when straighten, going all the way to her butt. I also challenged myself to style her edges differently with every drawing djsjs which you can probably tell

Anyways on to the individual styles

Classic Aisha: this is the hairstyle I've started to usually draw Aisha in. Sporty and practical meet fun and feminine! I also gave her a nose piercing bc she, Musa, and Tecna have the vibes, and to fit the slight vibe of Andros. Aisha's hair in canon usually looks like it's on the low side of curly, and the reason why is made p clear by the miss magix ep and s8/WOW, so I decided to give her tight coily hair. Btw yeah that's her s2 camping outfit

Twists Aisha: this was my first foray into drawing this hairstyle, I usually draw dreads and box braids in this area, so it doesn't look super good but hey I tried jdnsjs. I wanted to stylized them so I'd didn't spend years trying to finish them, and you can visibly see me give up on that with the next drawing, but I think if I were doing a comic or quick doodles this is what I would go with. Anyways, I did this one because it really makes me think of Aisha athletic nature. Idk they just look super athletic to me, and I gave her a little extra ponytail for the fashion of it. Sporty chic

Mermaid-y: When I first drew these braids with the flat bottoms, they kinda looked like Mermaid tails to me?? So my brain was like, Aisha in her mermaid era <33. So my heart is set on her having this hair during s5, mermaid season, mermaid hair. It's literally perfect. Also I thought this top was super cute. This is where I really went overboard with the gold, but she's in her mermaid era, princess, guardian fairy, and dame. She can have a little (lottle) gold, as a treat. She deserves it, she's been though a lot lately with her family and Nabu being in a COMA. Some fun hair is good for the soul

Date night: light rage. They put Aisha's hair into pigtails for every causal event that happens and it inches across my last nerve like you wouldn't believe. Much like how that uniform outfit ruined one of Musa's hairstyles, pigtails feel ruined for Aisha, but making the. Apart of a braid really lessoned the blow. Half of me wishes I did a head wrap instead, but I can't just not include them. The outfit is super cute tho. She's going on a date!!! Yess!!! So pretty. I'm so happy with her earrings and dress. She and Nabu are gonna go have a picnic together, it's gonna be great

Box braids: I just got my braids taken out this Friday, which was fun (it hurt a lot, especially taking the small ones out ;-;) and I think it's a really good hairstyle for Aisha. I used to think that they'd be super impractical due to being so long, but because they're so heavy they're not actually annoying to deal with at all. They don't move all that much and they don't really get in the way. These would work perfectly for Aisha. Giving her the long hair, and the practicality. Absolute win! Of course I had to go for her outfit from her date with Musa. These kinds of braids always make me think someone has an important event coming up or they're trying to look cute, and a first date is a perfect occasion. I had so much fun with the earrings and braid decorations

Work out: I wanted to go for something simple, less fancy, and that doesn't require braiding, for of her hairstyles to just like her hair be itself and vibe. Here it is in a classic half up half down look, completely unbraided and vibing. Outfit slightly inspired by Serena Williams's entire aesthetic, including the headband. I didn't wanna put her hair over her shoulders, which admittedly looks a little weird but I wanted the high low part to be clear fjsjdnd

Poodle puffs: Personally I think Poodle puffs are really hard to styles, because it's hard to get the size of the puffs right without going too far in either direction. I think I got it right here? I think four is a good number of puffs. This is probably one of my favorite looks, mostly because of how warm and royal it looks. I'm a sucker for shiney jewelry and warm colors. I think this one came out especially well, I love the earrings, and the dress looks really good! I was worried it was gonna look silly but thankfully it doesn't

Bantu knots: She just looks gorgeous here. It adds so much to her orginal red carpet energy. Her hair is now all done up and fancy. Her nose ring also adds to the energy. I really like the earring, despite how lopsided it is lol, but I do wonder if it was a little too much for such a elegant outfit? Idk. Either way I didn't do anything to this look because I love it and she looks amazing. Not thoughts, head empty, bantu knots pretty

Princess Aisha: Hehe this one is probably my favorite out of all the hair. Not the outfit top XD. I don't like poofy European dresses rip. I got to go as fancy as I want!! I feel like Aisha usually tries to stay away from super fancy and complicated one event only hairstyles (which is why she usually goes for protective hairstyles she can wear for a while with low maintenance before needing to change it), but she's making a formal appreances, which means I can loop a gem into her hair. I also got to put big gems on her outfit and earrings which was super fun. This perticualr hairstyle always looked super royal to me and I had to include some proper beads on the look too. They match the gem she's wearing. Extra royal look. Her headgear as a child did something similar, but now that she's older she can just get proper braids put that do what the head gear was doing but better. Also can you tell that I was worried about getting too close to the edge of the page XD

#winx aisha #winx layla #winx fanart #winx headcanons #winx redesign #rus doodles #rus chatters

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fierydragonprincess · 1 year

Text

Winx season 9 rant incoming!

Am I the only one who is not happy with the season 9 designs, especially the transformations? I really love the original Magic Winx designs, they all just fit everyone's personalities so perfectly. They are simple, yet gorgeous, reflecting everyone's style. Same goes for their wings, it really is a perfect example of less is more.

I don't like that in the new designs it seems almost as if Stella and Bloom have switched outfits and again, I personally think the original designs suited their personalities and style so well, so why swap them? I do like them being best friends and so having some overlap in style, taking inspiration from each other's outfits, though. Also, I miss Stella's pigtails!

Then there is the fact they all have crowns now, it makes them look less unique. I am not a fan of adding bags to the base form, either.

The casual outfits however, I do like more. They seem to fit the girls really pretty well! Except for Tecna and Layla. I say a big no to those braids on her. Layla's outfit should have a more sporty/casual vibes.

I don't get how they to 'fix' and change a transformation that was already perfect to begin with. Don't fix things that aren't broken.

Lastly I really do not like it is in cgi. The original animated style was very unique and expressive. In cgi the girls' faces look much more similar, making the fairies stand out less individually. Cgi is often also less expressive when it comes to facial expressions, in my opinion.

I would have loved it if for a reboot, they would have just taken the first three seasons and added to it. More character depth, more world building etc. and take out the animation mistakes. But leave the original mostly intact.

What are your opinions about the season 9 looks?

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cianalikesbeans · 2 years

Text

Hinipan / 2: Gitla

“For the manager of a well-known group, you sure don’t seem as professional.”

The girl instinctively looked at her feet, discovering that she was, indeed, wearing no shoes. She also saw that she wore little to no clothes despite the cold atmosphere, which was very strange considering she had fallen off the roof wearing complete winter attire.

“You’re… not going to complain about the fact I’m practically in my undergarments?”

“You do that all the time, nothing new here.” The boy rolled his eyes before leaning back on the sofa he sat on. He continued to scroll on his phone, leaving the conversation without another word.

“I—what?” (Y/n) looked around her, confused at the setting and who this boy was. Where had that gentle tornado taken her and why was this purple-haired boy speaking so casually with her?

“Look, listen, I think there might be a mistake—”

The door leading to the lounge they were in burst open, a short green-haired boy with twin braids and beautiful teal eyes bursting through.

“Kuni! Guess what?!—”

“I said don’t call me that.” The boy who (Y/n) assumed was ‘Kuni’ grumbled under his breath.

“What? (Y/n) gets to call you that but not me?” The boy pouts, “I see the favoritism here! Injustice within 6reeze!”

“She’s right here, you know, so will you just quiet down before you get in trouble?”

“Oops.” The boy looked at (Y/n) before he backed away in terror, “Hi, Miss (Y/n)...” He said sheepishly.

The original (Y/n), whose body our current protagonist had taken over, would typically say, “Really, Venti? Or were you purposefully shunning me as some pretentious punishment for giving you a suspension the other day?” Then the boy and his manager would engage in a lengthy argument about whether or not (Y/n) was being unreasonable or if his punishment was well-deserved.

If she felt like it, the original (Y/n) would also threaten to have the rest of his co-stars perform without him.

Fortunately for him, the original bossy manager was long gone. The only thing the (h/c)-haired girl could do was stare at him awkwardly. “Um… it’s okay, I guess?”

‘Kuni’ and the boy immediately looked at her, perplexed at her reaction. What in the world possessed their manager? The manager made them go to the airport 5 hours before the takeoff, the manager who made sure they had the right diet, the manager who constantly bonked Venti and Heizou’s heads when they felt extra cheeky?

“I was gonna announce that Lumine had accepted our offer of a collaboration… but are you okay?” The boy with twin pigtails placed the back of his palm against her forehead, “Your forehead isn’t very hot, but are you feeling any other symptoms? Hallucination maybe? Dehydration? I mean, despite you taking great care of us all, you fail to do the same to yourself.”

‘Kuni’ clicked his tongue in annoyance, walking over to them and brushing the boy’s hand off of her, “You don’t touch people’s fiance so casually, you imbecile.” He hissed.

“Okay okay, geez, I’m sorry.” The boy grumbled under his breath and backed away, “You really are a match made in heaven with those personalities of yours…”

“What’d you say?!”

“Nothing, nothing!”

“Hello everybody, Aether called our secretary to order some pizza as a celebration for finally convincing Lumine to collaborate.” A boy with white-hair and a red streak poked his head into the room.

His eyes widened upon seeing his manager’s state, “Oh! Hello, Miss (Y/n)! Apologies for Venti barging in during your intimate moment.”

“O-oh no—” (Y/n) felt her face immediately flush as she waves her hands around frantically, “We weren’t having a moment—”

“We were.” ‘Kuni’ said bluntly, “... Not in the way Kazuha thought, but we were talking about my family… and stuff.”

“Ooooh, how intimate!” The boy with pigtails snickered.

“Though that doesn’t really matter much.” ‘Kuni’ turned (Y/n) around so she would be facing him, “You’re acting off. Did you hit your head in the bathroom or something?”

(Y/n) looked down, avoiding his eye contact as she still couldn’t fully process this whole situation. First, she got reincarnated which was already weird enough in itself. Second, she had a fiance in this life! Which was terrible, because he would’ve lost someone very important to him!

“Listen… this may come off as weird…” (Y/n) started, “But I’m not your (Y/n).”

There were a variety of responses.

“Well duh, the (Y/n) we know would’ve murdered me from stealing your shoes!” The boy with pigtails beamed.

“You… what.” ‘Kuni’ sent him a threatening glare, “You have a lot of guts for someone who never does his job right.”

“Do too!” The boy glared back at him, “Kazuha, back me up here!”

The white-haired boy just chuckled, “We’ll talk about the stealing of shoes later, Venti.” He turned to (Y/n), his smile wiped off his face:

“... Pardon? Can you elaborate?”

“I… don’t know what else to tell you, I’m sorry.” (Y/n) glared at the ground, “I died, then I woke up and I was already… me.”

“Maybe this is her way of avoiding your wedding.” ‘Venti’ joked, “It’s fast moving. I even heard her talk about being stressed before.”

‘Kuni’ sneered at him before turning back to his partner, the hurt and fear evident in his eyes, “... Are you being serious right now, (Y/n)?”

(Y/n) nodded.

“Oh.” ‘Venti’’s cheery smile immediately faded, “Hey, I didn’t mean to—”

Before he could finish his sentence, ‘Kuni’ had stormed out of the room, leaving nothing but traces of tension in the air behind.

“I’m so sorry.” (Y/n) said weakly, “I didn’t mean to…”

“And it’s not your fault.” ‘Kazuha’ sighed, “Come, let’s discuss this more in-depth.”

<- Previous Chapter

Next Chapter ->

(Table of Contents)

#Hinipan #6reeze #4nemo #5wirl #genshin impact #genshin #xiao #aether #kazuha #heizou #scaramouche #venti #modern au #idol au #genshin idol au #x reader #reader insert #reincarnation au #reincarnation

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