#Freeze Pipe Kit

[accessabletechnology]

Quick & Easy Pipe Freezing Kit for Repairs

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[hotshotsxyz]

doctor, doctor, give me the news

(buddie) (1.4k words) (8x05 spec) y'all i think i kind of went off with this one

Tommy flinches. It’s a quick, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it thing that he quickly turns into a playful cringe, but for a second, it was real. It was real and Buck saw it and he doesn’t know how to unsee it.

He pulls his phone out and opens the camera so he can see it for himself, and okay, yeah, it’s not great. But also—they’re both firefighters. Buck’s seen way worse than swollen, red skin, and he’s sure Tommy has too.

“Afraid of the curse now?” he asks lightly instead of voicing the thought.

“Um, yeah, I think you’ve convinced me,” Tommy replies.

Buck squints at his own image. “What do you think it is?”

“Other than a curse?” Tommy asks.

Buck nods.

“Honestly, Evan, I have no idea. Maybe we should call in some back-up.”

“What?” Buck asks, brow furrowing. “Like some kind of curse breaker?”

Tommy snorts. “Like someone with a little more medical training,” he replies.

“Oh, yeah that—that’s probably a good idea,” Buck says. He feels himself flush even redder.

“You want me to call Hen? Or Chimney, maybe?” Tommy asks.

Buck shakes his head. “They’re taking the kids to a haunted hayride today. I’ll text Eddie.”

Tommy’s nose wrinkles a little, and Buck can’t help but wonder which part of what he just said Tommy didn’t like. He types out a quick message.

SOS. curse real. need paramedic diaz asap

Eddie’s reply is almost instantaneous and comes in three short messages.

not a paramedic

and curses aren’t real

I’m on my way

Buck looks up from his phone. “He’ll be here soon,” he says.

“That was fast,” Tommy observes.

Buck shrugs. For a second he considers sending Eddie a selfie, something to prepare him for the not-so-pleasant sight of his face, but he—

He kind of wants to see if Eddie flinches, too.

Eddie’s key turns in the lock and Tommy shoots Buck an odd look. He’d try to parse it, but he’s really starting to feel how much his face hurts and he kind of just wants Eddie to hurry up and fix it. He stands and walks past the stairs in time to see him shut the door.

“Ouch,” Eddie hisses as soon as he catches sight of whatever it is his face is doing now. It’s not a flinch. If anything, he sways forward like he might at a scene. Assessing. Ready to jump in as soon as he’s formed a plan.

“Yeah,” Buck says. “Told you I’m cursed.”

Eddie lets out a light laugh. “Mm, I think I’m supposed to be the one making the diagnosis here,” he says.

He ushers Buck to the kitchen table, sets his med kit down, and pulls out a chair for him.

“Gee,” Buck says, “A guy could get used to this kind of medical care.”

Eddie grins. “Doctor Diaz, at your service,” he says, holding out a hand for Buck to shake.

Buck huffs a soft laugh and takes it. “I’ll be a good patient, I promise,” he says.

“Don’t start lying to me now,” Eddie replies, eyes twinkling.

Across the table, Tommy chokes.

Buck drops Eddie’s hand and looks over at him. “You okay?” he asks.

“Mm,” Tommy hums. “Just uh—got some spit down the wrong pipe.”

Buck frowns but doesn’t push it any further. He looks back at Eddie and finds him rummaging through his kit with a pen light between his teeth. He makes a triumphant noise and turns to Buck.

“Alright, let’s see,” Eddie says softly.

He steps into the space between Buck’s legs, and Buck’s brain kind of just—freezes.

“Look up for me?” Eddie prompts, and when Buck doesn’t—can’t—immediately comply, Eddie presses two fingers beneath his chin and guides it up until suddenly the only thing Buck can see are Eddie’s eyes. “Thought you we’re going to be a good patient,” Eddie murmurs.

All at once, Buck’s brain unfreezes, skipping right past calm and into hyperdrive. Because—because—he’s looking at Eddie and Eddie’s thumb is skating across the skin that’s just beneath the worst of the swelling  and Buck can feel it and surely Eddie’s touched his face before except—except—no, Buck’s pretty sure he hasn’t but now that he has Buck’s never going to be able to forget the way it feels because he knows it should hurt, it should, but it doesn’t and he kind of never wants Eddie to stop touching him and that’s—that’s—

“—hurt?” Eddie asks, only Buck misses 90% of the question so instead of answering he hums vaguely and watches Eddie’s face twist in sympathy.

Eddie starts dabbing something on Buck’s face, hydrocortisone maybe, or triple anti-biotic—whatever it is it feels cool and nice and as Eddie concentrates on his task he bites down on his lip and suddenly Buck can’t look at anything else, can’t look at the furrow in Eddie’s brow can’t look at the ceiling can’t—

“You think he’ll live?” Tommy asks dryly.

Buck feels like he’s been doused with cold water.

Eddie’s lips, those lips that he still can’t bring himself to look away from, twitch into a small smile. “Depends,” he says. “Has anyone figured out how to break the curse?”

It punches a laugh out of Buck’s chest, the kind that comes out in a single syllable and with a rush of air. Eddie takes a step back and finally Buck feels like his brain is returning from the stratosphere, back to its baseline level of chaos.

“So—” Buck tries, but it comes out rough. He clears his throat. “What’s uh—what’s the diagnosis.”

Eddie frowns. “Honestly? It kind of looks like spider bites.”

Tommy’s chair clatters back, and when Buck looks over he’s suddenly standing.

“Babe?” Buck asks, but it feels gummy and unfamiliar in his mouth.

“I, um—not a fan of spiders,” he squeaks.

Eddie blows out a soft breath that Buck’s pretty sure only he could recognize as laughter.

“You don’t have to stick around,” Buck says, and he swears he means stick around the loft, but—but—“I’m okay, I’ve got the second best doctor in Los Angeles looking after me.”

“Second!” Eddie exclaims, mock affronted.

“Hen,” Buck replies with a shrug.

Eddie heaves a dramatic sigh. “You’re not wrong.”

Tommy looks between them, a deep furrow in his brow. “Yeah,” he says. “I’ll uh—I’ll head out.” He backs toward the door, then pauses as he gets a hand on the knob. “See you tomorrow?” he directs at Buck.

“’Course,” Buck replies, and he’s pretty sure if Tommy had asked him that this morning his reply would’ve sounded soft and sweet to his own ear, but now Buck doesn’t hear much of anything at all.

Tommy nods once, and then he’s gone.

Buck looks back at Eddie, and god, he tries. He tries so hard not to notice the long line of Eddie’s legs where he’s leaning against the table, not quite sitting on it. He tries not to think about that soft curl, the one that makes an appearance more often than not these days, the one that rests against his forehead. He wants—he doesn’t—Eddie’s not—

Buck stands abruptly, except Eddie never did take more than a step back and now they’re practically nose to nose and Buck isn’t sure if he’s still breathing. Eddie’s head tips to the side and Buck—there’s not a thing he can do to stop the freight train that is his imagination, and oh, he can see it. He can feel it.

All at once he’s sure that if Eddie Diaz were to lean in and kiss him—right now, or a year from now, or a decade—if Eddie kissed him, Buck would be ruined in every sense of the word. He’d never be able to kiss another person without seeing Eddie, feeling Eddie, tasting Eddie and—

He wouldn’t want to.

Buck takes a stumbling step back and knocks into his chair, making it clatter the same way Tommy’s had. And fuck, for a second he didn’t even—

“Buck?” Eddie asks, all concern and kindness and wide brown eyes.

“Fine!” Buck says. “I’m fine. You—you, uh—do you want—” Me? Us? Something terrifying and perfect and permanent and “—water?”

Eddie’s brows knit together. “Sure,” he says. “But sit back down. Let me get it.”

“Okay,” Buck breathes. He sinks into his chair.

Eddie grabs two glasses out of his cabinet without even pausing to think and fills them with the Brita he already knew was in Buck’s fridge and snags a coaster that he bought before placing one of the glasses in front of Buck.

“Seriously,” he says, settling into the chair closest to him and leaning forward, “are you okay?”

“Yeah,” Buck says, and he’s honest to god not even sure if he’s lying.

[lousirs]

UD headcanons no one asked for!

my motivation has gone to get the milk and has not come back since, SO HEY! who wants to hear some random headcanons that have been microwaving in my head for the past year???

this is going to be a long one...

stuff under the cut vvv

Lou is the kinda guy to only pack nice looking outfits on a holiday. Do they suit the occasion? Probably not. But he wants to look the part every where he goes, even if he's wearing a suit during the middle of summer

He would also be the guy to complain that it's too cold, even though he was told to pack up layers of clothes for a hiking trip, and didn't. But when someone tries to give him a coat, he says "I don't need that, I'm fine!" even though he looks like he's going to freeze over.

He takes the coat not too soon after

On the other hand, either Nolan or Ox would overpack for a trip. Ox because he is basically the fatherly figure of the group, and wants to make sure that everyone has enough food, water, and layers of clothing for the trip. Oh, and he brings a first aid kit as well. Nolan however does it because "What if I didn't pack enough?? What if I need this oddly specific thing??" and packs more than he needs to

Speaking of Ox, he always came off as a character who really enjoys camping and exploring, ya know? He seems like the leader of a scout group who loves to sing campfire songs and tell spooky stories that no one believes. (him and Rhidian would get along well)

LITERALLY NO ONE TALKS ABOUT LUCKYBAT AND OX'S DYNAMIC AND IT'S DRIVING ME WILD. Hello?? A withdrawn and somewhat jaded mayor who is protective of those he's close to with his intelligent, caring and concerned assistant?? That sounds interesting!

I'm sure LuckyBat knows more than anyone else (besides Lou) of what Ox went through. Perhaps he didn't know about the Institute, but he knew ox went through some stuff outside Uglyville. Perhaps that's why he's so cautious to go into the pipe.

(And perhaps the reason why he decides to go to learn new stuff was for the sake of finding out what Ox doesn't speak about?)

Back to the Prettydolls, I always found it interesting that Nolan was able to run the gauntlet despite being imperfect, although Moxy and Mandy, two other imperfect dolls, were thrown into recycling. Why was Nolan allowed to run the gauntlet, huh Lou? Didn't you say that any unideal looking doll goes to recycling, Lou????

Personally, I like to think that Lou allowed Nolan to do training and was like "Haha watch this idiot fail". And turns out Nolan was really good at it (flashbacks to Nolan being buff in the novel). Lou is flabbergasted.

...Either that or Lou just allowed him to run the gauntlet to watch him fail immediately because "Haha funny" and also "Haha imperfects can't win. Suck it loser~"

Kitty is jealous of Mandy's makeup skills, and often copies her because of it, too embarrassed to ask for advice because she needs to learn on her own. After Lou gets overthrown, Kitty and Mandy help each other out on their makeup and hair

Tuesday is the girl to think that "Yeah I'm smiling, but inside I'm crying" is the deepest thing to ever exist. Kitty bullies her for it.

Also, Tuesday cry-sings "I'm a mess" by Bebe Rexha after Lou denied her 1244th love confession. She will try again tomorrow

Because Kelly Clarkson was pop-rock for a while, I like to imagine that Moxy had a rock-n-roll rebellious phase, and still has a few characteristics from that era of her life

During the scene where Lou is going up the gauntlet lift with everyone else, he is constantly moving about. Winking at Mandy to fake confidence, adjusting his suit...etc. I always saw this has him being nervous, because you know, he's about to expose himself for being a prototype after this gauntlet stuff is over. So I like to think that he fiddles around with his suit when he's nervous. Mainly readjusting the sleeves, tightening his ascot tie and flicking out his collar. Also pulling out loose threads, if there is any.

I thought for the longest time that when Lou's hair got slightly messier, it showed him being more genuine. There is one god damn strand on his fringe that goes from being in place to hanging out, and I thought it showed him losing his façade, very very subtly.

This might be a hot take but I always saw Loundy (Mandy/Lou) as being friends/lovers to enemies. Think about it: Lou and Mandy seemed to have some sort of connection, Mandy (in my opinion) basically being Lou's assistant, similar to the spy girls. She began thinking he was perfect, and they formed a (seemingly) close bond. But over time, as Lou's desperation for perfection increased, her opinion of him soured, and she realised he isn't as perfect as she thought. She kept the negative thoughts to herself, though. Who would believe her? The perfect doll with the flawless looks and endless talents, topped off with a charming personality... Why would he be unhinged? How would he be unhinged?

You know that line Mandy says to Lou at the gauntlet? "You know, Lou.. When I first got here, I thought you were perfect. I couldn't find a single thing wrong with you. But, I can see a lot better now." perhaps that wasn't just talking about the events of the film, as it probably implies. Maybe she knows how terrible he's been for a long time...

That's all I got for now, I may doodle some of these if motivation comes back, who knows..

[venusinsilk]

To do list for the next 48 hours

This afternoon:

-Get home, change into comfy clothes. Wash and put away dishes.

-text Valerie, find out what time to show up. Text Caitlin too

RECIPES Must make tonight:

-white velvet cake- 4x 9 inch, 2x 6 inch, 2x heart shaped

-lemon curd

-salted caramel filling for seashells

-start seashell decorations.

Tomorrow-

-drop off rent check

-eat food, drink water

-lemon Italian buttercream

-french buttercream for colors

-chocolate American buttercream

-build, crumb coat and freeze cakes. 1x9inch, 1x6 inch, 1xheart. Insert wooden dowels in 9 inch cake before freezing, trim if needed

-finish seashell decorations while cakes set up

-buttercream color pallete

Take a break at some point

Before bed:

-set up boxes

-"paint" sides of cakes for beach theme

-choose piping tips, take reference photos of chosen piping technique for cakes

-organize tool kit

-pick out outfit for wedding

-wash hair

-paint nails????

Sunday-

-arrive to wedding reception early. Set up cake, take photos

-don't get too drunk bc you have to drive home bitch

-plus you have work early Monday so be on good behavior

-cut cake, pack up leftovers for bride & groom and clean up

-have fun :)

[olsenmyolsen]

Dinner with Scarlett, Brunch with Geneva, and a Tracklist with Fans

Part 42 of On The Inside With Elizabeth Olsen

Word Count: 6.6K

masterlist

-

Elizabeth and Y/N head to Scarlett's house for dinner and a chance to meet someone new. Later, brunch with Geneva ends with a follow on Instagram.

-

Scarlett POV

"What are you laughing about?"

I look up from my phone to see Colin holding our baby boy, Cosmo.

"Lizzie and Y/N at the premiere." I look down at my phone and miss the confused look Colin has on his face. "You're laughing at our friends?"

He walks into my home office and looks over my shoulder as Cosmo babbles. "Look." I hold my phone up to him to show him a series of tweets about Y/N's phone wallpaper.

"No way!" Colin says in disbelief.

I nod and snicker as I look at a few more tweets before turning my phone over.

"So what's up?" I turn in my chair and look at my husband and son. The latter giggles as I poke his tummy.

"Not much," Colin says. "Coz and I were just missing Mom." He looks down at our son in his arms. "Isn't that right, buddy?"

Cosmo just smiles.

"Well, Mom is right here!" I blow a kiss to Colin and Cosmo. "But Mom is busy. She has to get ready for a meeting!"

"With Kate?" Colin asks, earning a nod. "With our Sephora launch and starter kit, it's just a lot of expanding."

Colin begins to walk to the office door. Humming to Cosmo. "I shouldn't be too much longer!" I say only to revive a laugh. "Scar, it's fine. Take as long as you want. I was coming to hang out and to remind you that Jess Parker is coming over tonight."

I freeze in my tracks and look away from my open laptop.

"No, Liz and Y/N are coming over tonight..."

Colin tilts his head. But he has a look that I hate to see.

He might be right.

"Are you sure?" Colin asks. I nod. "Here, I'll call Lizzie." I grab my phone and find Lizzie's contact. I place her on speaker and wait as the sound of ringing fills the room.

I look up, and Colin looks from his phone. He's texting someone.

Jess. He mouths.

"Oh, Hey, Scarlett!"  I hear Lizzie's voice, and just by the tone, I can tell she's smiling.

"Hey, Lizzie! How are you and the rockstar!? Did you see the news??" I smirk and swivel in my chair.

"Yeah, no, I saw Y/N's wallpaper."

I laugh. Y/N's totally gonna get it later from me and Lizzie.

Wait, that sounded dirty.. but I mean... have you seen those two?

"Hey, so sorry to call right after your premiere, but I was just wondering if you and Y/N were still on for dinner?"

"Yeah, of course, we're still on for dinner! Why did something come up?"

I look up to Colin. "Umm.." He flips the phone to face me, and I see a text exchange between him and my friend Jess. With the words: "Yep, I'll be there!"

"Shit," I say. "Shit?" Lizzie repeats back. "No! No.. Sorry! I- I double booked."

"Huh?" Lizzie says, making me quietly laugh. "I double booked dinner tonight with you and Y/N and my friend Jess Parker."

The other side of the line goes quiet.

"Jess Parker? The Jewelry maker? She's your friend?" Y/N speaks up for the first time all call.

"Yes?" I answer, unsure of where this is going, but I quickly find out when Lizzie brings the phone closer to her mouth.

"Scarlett Ingrid Johansson, do you mean to tell me you are friends with Jess Parker, and this has never come up? Not once? You've never once thought to introduce her to her very fashionable friend! Someone who walks the red carpet with you!"

"And me!" Y/N pipes up again.

I gulp. It's clear I've made a mistake.

I look up to Colin only to find him gone. The door to my office closed.

"I- uhhh..."

Before I can even say or think of any words to say, it's like in a blink of an eye, somehow I've time traveled, and I'm in a long sundress while I carry Cosmo to answer the front door for our first guest of the evening.

My long-time friend Jess Parker.

In a way, she's been like a sister to me. Sorry, Vanessa. But we've always been close. Not many people know that the reason I took the role in The Nanny Diaries was because of her.

And while living across the pound for some odd years, she has always been a sound support system. But now that she's back in New York after a long 18 months, it'll be nice to catch up. Oh, and to warn her that she's famous no matter how little she believes me.

I mean, Lizzie and Y/N want a piece of her work, apparently.

Oh shit, that means I have to warn Jess about them coming over too.

But before I can say anything, I'm pulled into a side hug by Jess just before she scoops up Cosmo from me. For a baby who normally screams his head off when someone new takes him, he remains quiet.

"You look so good!" Jess says as she takes her shoes off and looks back at me. Her English accent still on her tongue.

"You too!" I easily reply as I look her up and down. "Love the top!" Jess gives a little shake of her head that says, "eh."

She never was the best about compliments. Her and Lizzie are the same that way.

"So Scar, do you wanna tell me why you were trending earlier?"

Liz POV

Y/N and I are about to arrive in front of Scarlett's when Y/N looks up from her phone with a smile. "What's up?" I ask.

"I just can't believe it's almost here."

I can see on Y/N's phone that she just read an email from her label, which probably led to Y/N thinking about her livestream tomorrow night.

"Is the studio set up?" I question her about the set up the label put together for Y/N. Basically, the idea for the cover of the album started when Y/N had a dream about her and I on a beach flipping tarot cards.

Hence the original name of the album: tarot cards on the beach.

She described it as the most nerve-racking dream she has ever had, and I'm still unsure why.

But when she woke me up to tell me about it. I remember being cranky in the moment but ultimately happy for her.

Duh.

She then immediately got into contact with her old friend Cyrus and had the label commission a giant canvas of what the album would look like. It's going to be revealed live for the first time at midnight tomorrow, followed by Y/N sharing the tracklist.

I can only imagine her smiley, cute face when she sees the finished product.

Y/N nods. "Yeah, that's what the email was about. They have everything ready to go."

"Even the cards and CD's?" I raise an eyebrow. "Even the cards and CD's." She states.

Following the tracklist reveal, the studio wants Y/N, aka hex, to autograph specially made tarot cards that will go into the CDs for the first 500 people that preorder.

I promised to massage her hands for as long as she wanted after it was done.

"What?" Y/N asks, making me realize that I've been staring at her face. Her perfect face. "Do I have something on my face? Because I know you told me not to snack at the hotel, but I still did it."

I laugh and pretend to wipe crumbs off her lips before leaning in and kissing her.

"You're perfect."

"You're still cheesy." She says. "Learned it from you," I reply and look down at her outfit.

Since it's dinner with Scar, we didn't decide to go clits to wall decked out like we would if it was the twins. We know Scar and Colin are busy with baby Coz, so the fewer clothes that could get messy, the better.

Wait- basically, what I'm saying is that we're just going as cute casual! I'm in brown boots, jeans, and a long black sleeve, while Y/N is wearing wide-ankle khakis, her vans, and a long maroon button-up.

I wasn't sure about the outfit, but she picked it out, and knowing Y/N, she'll be trying to color with Rose anyways, so who cares.

"I like what you're wearing." I look back up to Y/N's eyes and slowly lean in. She does the same until our lips touch again.

"I think the label will push for an August release," Y/N says as she leans her head on my shoulder. "It's still summer, but I was expecting July."

"August is still good, right?" I ask, unsure of what Y/N really wants. "It is." She says. "I think I'm just ready to start some shows because every time I think about performing, I wanna throw up."

That's right.

She's going to be on the road sooner rather than later.

"Well, I'll be there with you," I say and hold her close. But Y/N chuckles, confusing me. "What?" She leans up and fiddles with the ring on her right hand. "I know you'll be there, and I love that, but I know you, and I don't want you to put off filming for me."

I look at her as if she doesn't see through me.

"What do you mean?" I look away from her eyes and clear my throat. "Liz..." She sighs. "I know about Azazel reaching out to you." I found her eyes, and they light up. "We both know I will probably be on the road if people want me to be. So please take any offer that comes your way. I'm mar- I'm in love with Elizabeth Olsen, the greatest Emmy-winning actress of our generation. Not Elizabeth Olsen, the-"

"Y/N." I stop her. "I get it." She leans in and kisses my nose, making me giggle. "Thank you." She says.

The car rolls to a stop in front of Scarlett's, and before Y/N moves away from me, I thank her for always being supportive and caring.

She said, "No, you." before jumping out of the car while laughing.

Y/N POV

"Oh shoot. Should we have brought wine or chocolates or anything?" I turn to Liz just after ringing the doorbell. She looks back at me with a look that says yes.

Shit.

"We should go." I turn my heels to walk away, but Liz grabs my arm and spins me around. "I think it's too late for that." We both know that, but it's not confirmed until the door swings open, and instead of a short blonde greeting us, it's an even shorter blonde.

"Auntie Lizzie!" Rose runs and jumps out of the doorway to Liz's legs with arms outstretched but stops when she sees me. "Auntie Y/N!" She squeals, making me smile.

Her and I are entirely different with one another since our first meeting.

But just like that, Lizzies runs as favorite aunt ends. I see the defeat on her face as the scorned look in her eyes washes over mini Scarlett and I, but- wait, what did Rosie say?

"Huh, Rose?" I ask as I bend down the child by my side. "I said you have to meet my favorite Auntie ever, JP!"

I look at Liz, who looks back to me. Who the hell is JP??

"Rose!" All three of our attentions turn to Mama Bear Scar as she steps out of the house to take Rosebud from me and place her on the ground. "How many times have I told you not to open the door?"

Rose hangs her head. Clearly, knowing that she shouldn't open the door without an adult present. "But I know it was Auntie Lizzie and Y/N." Rose cries.

Scarlett gets onto her knees in front of her daughter. "Rosie, look at me." Rose turns her head to look at her mother. Liz and I watching this interaction like statues. "I know that you know it was them. And that, yes, they are safe people, but still, it is better to be safe than sorry. I'd hate for anything to happen to you." Rose nods. "I love you." Scarlett pulls her daughter close and smiles when a smaller, quieter "I love you too." happens.

Rose pulls out of the hug and looks at her mom. "Can I hang out with Auntie Liz and Y/N?" She asks, earning a nod from Scarlett. "Yes, you can."

And just like that, I have Rose by my side as she points at every little thing in the hallway as if I've never been here before.

"Is that a chatterbox I hear?" Another woman's voice surprises Liz and me as we enter the kitchen. As soon as our eyes see the person, we immediately remember. "Auntie JP! Look, I brought friends!" Rose smiles proudly and makes a grand gesture with her arms.

"I see that!" Auntie JP, aka Jess Parker, says as she comes up and makes a goofy face at Rosie before turning to Liz and I. "Hi!" She says as she extends her hands to Liz first. "It's nice to meet you finally." Jess smiles widely at Liz as Liz returns the greeting.

Rose watches the interaction with glee as Jess turns to me. "You must be Y/N." She extends her hand to me as well before leaning closer to whisper: "Scarlett, let it slip that you have a huge crush on her."

Immediately, I groan and turn around to the older woman, but she puts her hands up. "Hey, look at Twitter and tell me what's true!" I roll my eyes away to see Colin laughing as he fixes Liz a drink. "Yeah, yeah, keep laughing, Jost."

I narrow my eyes before Rose grabs onto Jess and I. "I want to show you my new coloring book! It's in my room!" Liz turns her head at this. "Can I come, Rose?" Rose thinks before walking away. "No, thank you."

As comedic as Rosie is, I see Liz's face falls. So, instead of having Rose pull Jess and me away, I crouch down to her. "Hey, Rosie, how about you go grab all your art supplies and books, and we can color them at the table before we have to get ready for dinner. How does that sound?"

Rose thinks and agrees before pouting a little. "Can you see my room later, too? I got some of new toys of momma."

Jess crouches next to me and nods to encourage Rose. "That sounds great." Rose nods and runs to grab her things.

"Drink?" Colin asks as I turn around. "Yes, please," I say as I stand by my girlfriend sitting at the kitchen island. "Damn, I can't believe I'm old news now." Liz jokes as Scarlett brings in baby Cosmo. "I doubt that," I say as I kiss the top of her head. Liz shrugs. "You and Jess seem to have it pretty covered."

From the tone, I can tell there's more under the surface.

But before anything can spill from my mouth, Scarlett hands me a babbling baby boy. "Carefully, he's rigged to blow any minute." I grimace but hold Cosmo steady. "Gee, thanks." Scarlett winks at me. "Want me to talk to her?" Scarlett asks Liz in regards to Rosie. Liz lightly laughs and shakes her head. "She's a kid. She's fine."

Scarlett gives a flat smile as Colin places a drink before me and Jess across the island.

"Be honest..." Scarlett starts. "How many pictures of Natasha do you have on your phone?"

I sigh. "I don't know. Enough to have a folder..." I shrug. This only makes Scarlett smile wider. "Can I see?" She wiggles her eyebrows. "I'd die before I let that happen."

Scarlett looks me up and down. "Put me in a red wig, and I think you would."

I look around the room and see no help on the defense. My girlfriend sips her drink, knowing that she'd rather sit with jealously than engage in between Scarlett and I.

"So Lizzie..." Jess speaks up. "You had a movie premiere today, and now you're here? Slumming it with us? What's up with that?" Scarlett watches her friend tease effortlessly with a smile, and as my girlfriend answers, I watch Scarlett's eyes shift from one friend to the other.

I had no idea Scarlett even knew of Jess Parker, but looking at them side by side, I can see a similarity between them.

I tune into the conversation just as Liz speaks my mind. "Well, what about you, Miss Jess Parker! Word has it closed up shop, but after eighteen months, you're here slumming it with us! I had no idea Scarlett, and you were so close! I mean, I know you designed the Infinity Gauntlet piece Scar wore at the Endgame premiere, but..." I chime in. "We could've used your jewelry on the red carpet earlier this week."

"And tonight!" Scarlett makes a point.

Jess smiles and takes a sip of her Moscow mule. "Basically, I missed home."

"New York?" I question. Jess nods. "I was overseas with my Dad and stepmom, taking time off to find myself." Scarlett pipes up as she wraps an arm around Jess. "A horrible ex who never have to speak about ever again." Jess nods and gags. "The worst. But yes, now I'm back home. Close to Scar again-"

"I'm sorry." I interrupt. "How long have you and Scarlett known each other?"

Scarlett takes the question.

"We grew up together." This information shocks Liz and I, but my mouth works faster than I can stop the words. "Cool. And you never meant to mention this??"

"Babe-" Liz tries to stop me while laughing. "Liz, we could've been wearing Jess Parker this entire time! Do you know how hot you would've looked with a Scarlet Witch Crown!"

I shake my head to make my thoughts pure again.

Everyone laughs, including Cosmo, as he spits up disgusting me just as Rose enters the room, pretending to laugh like she knew what was going on. "Got 'em!" She says as she holds up her supplies and books.

"That's great, Rose! We'll meet you at the table." Rose happily turns to the table at Jess' words as Scarlett takes her baby from me.

"Well, rumor has it the shop might be open again." Jess makes a face to Liz and I as she sips on her drink with a grin before joining Rose.

"Oh, she's fun!" Liz says as she turns back to Scar and Colin. "Fun, huh?" I'm quickly met with a green-eyed glare. "Noted," I say as I take my drink to color with Rose and Jess.

"Wow, Rose!" I say as she is coloring a picture of The Black Widow. Jess coloring in Hawkeye. "I didn't know you had an Avengers book!" Rose looks up at me with an are you serious look. "Yeah." She says before handing me a page. "You can do this one."

It's a picture of The Scarlet Witch.

"I tried asking for it, but she wanted you to color it so you could give it to Aunt Lizzie," Jess says with a smile while also doing a pretty good impression of Rose that the child ignores. I look up at her and laugh.

"Thank you, Rose." I turn to the small blonde. "No problem." She replies.

"Hey, Rosie?" I say as I pick up a red colored pencil. "Yeah?" She looks at me. "I can do this picture, but I think Aunt Lizzie would really appreciate it if you made something for her that was an original piece."

Rose looks away as she thinks before grabbing a blank piece of paper. Paper that looks like she easily took it from a copier somewhere in this house. "Like flowers? She's pretty like flowers."

"Yeah. That's a good idea, Rose."

Pretty like flowers.

I immediately store that line in my head for another day.

As Rose gets to work on a 2-D paper bouquet for my girlfriend, I look up and see Liz fully engaged in a conversation about whatever Colin is talking about.

My eyes travel down her face to her hands.

"Hey, Jess?" I whisper before looking her way. "Yeah?" She whispers back with a smile. "Could I have your number?" Jess widens her eyes a bit before looking in the direction of the other adults. "That's kinda bold of you, don't ya think?"

I give her a confused look before hearing my own words. "Oh my god, no." I continue whispering. "I heard a rumor that maybe your shop was open."

Jess makes an ah sound. "Yeah, and?" I take one last look up at Liz before turning to Jess.

"I'm thinking about a ring."

Jess' lips immediately curl up into a wide smile as she can't help it. "Omg yes!" She jots down her number on a piece of paper, and tears off the strip before tossing it to me. I quickly shove it into my pocket before anyone else can notice.

No one does, but the only person in between us. Rose.

I think nothing of it before remembering that kids talk about anything and everything, and my name and a ring would spill at some point.

"You're getting a ring?" She asks at kid volume, but luckily, no one else heard. "Yes," I whisper. "I want to get Aunt Lizzie a ring, but no one else can know about it." I plead with my eyes at the sweet little Rose.

She nods her head. "Okay." She says innocently enough as her red colored pencils makes contact with the page.

"Legos," She says moments later. "Legos?" I question, indirectly forcing Rose to grace me with her presence. "Legos for the secret."

Jess watches the shake-down happen.

I slowly nod. "Legos," I repeat, unaware that Liz and Scarlett were joining us at the table. "Legos! We're talking about Legos?!" Scarlett asks as she kisses her daughter's head before looking over Jess' drawing. "Yeah! Auntie Y/N said she's going to get me legos once the school year is over!"

Suddenly, all eyes are on me.

"If it's okay with you, Scar," I say as Jess holds back a laugh. Who knew kids were this scary!! Scarlett shrugs. "Sure. We love legos!"

"Legos! We're talking about Legos?!" Colin asks as he enters the room with a freshly changed Cosmo. "Old news, Jost, keep up!" Jess says, making me laugh as Liz sits down next to me.

"Ooh, now, who is this!" She grabs and holds up my colored page of her Marvel character. "I don't know, but she looks pretty hot!" I jump my eyebrows up as I get a playful eye roll back.

"Please, we all know who you really want." Scarlett bites back as she smirks at me.

God, damn Johansson and that smirk.

_

Dinner came and went with much harassment from Scarlett and her endless run of jokes. While funny, my cheeks might've been painted red by the end. Although I know for a fact she wasn't joking when she said she had a Black Widow suit upstairs.

I'm pretty certain my hand was going to break from how hard Liz was holding me.

Anyways, conversations flowed well, and Colin talked to Liz and me about SNL with Benedict this weekend and how fun that'd be. I then realized that I'd be in the same room with Benedict and how I would restrain myself from trying to get him to say penguin.

I also told Liz she should try hosting SNL, which was tabled for another time.

Jess also talked about how she'd love to make jewelry for Liz and me and our upcoming events—so stay tuned for that. _

"Babe, there's no way you're still jealous after last night!"

Liz scoffs as she pulls on the handle to the restaurant, letting me through first. "Jealous?" She scoffs again. "Who said I was jealous?"

"Me!" I point to myself with my thumb. "All because sweet little Rosebud wanted to sit next to me. Hang out with me. Only talk to me! All last night! You got stuck with a gassy Cosmo." I say with glee as we see William and Geneva stand up from their table in the corner of the restaurant to greet us. "Yeah, because Legos were promised. Oh, and let's not forget about Scarlett's friend!" Liz says as her jaw tightens. "And yes, Jess Parker was very nice. I'm glad Scarlett introduced the two of you. Being chatty and all." Liz says as she waves her hand around, and I know I'm immorally pushing the buttons here. Especially when I say. "Pretty, too."

Liz turns to me, and even through her sunglasses, I can see her glaring at me. "Stop, okay. Fine. Let's say I was jealous, but I have no reason to be right now because I'm Geneva's favorite."

I nod my head and agree. "Yeah... for now." I smugly say as I pass her to greet William first while she hugs Geneva before we switch. "Y/N, sit here!" Geneva pulls out the chair to the right of her. "Okay!" I say with a smile as I turn back to Liz to see her flummoxed.

She wasn't expecting that, but being the polite angel she is, she graciously pulls out the chair and sits across from Geneva.

"Hey, you two are matching!" William points out to Liz and Geneva, who are both wearing their LA Dodgers hats. "Yeah!" Liz says as she removes her sunglasses to glance at me. "I knew I had to match with Geneva today! You know..." She glances. "Had to make someone jealous."

Geneva laughs as she sees me roll my eyes.

William notices, too, but chooses not to comment on it.

"Oh. I hope it's alright, but I ordered a round of coffee for the table. I don't know what you two might've gotten up to last night."

Liz and I thank William and let him know that he's definitely speaking to the two most homebodied people who just so happen to have a certain celebrity status. This makes Geneva laugh again before asking Liz about her garden.

Liz happily answers any question Geneva has, and the conversation flows from one topic to another.

The waitstaff come by periodically, and it's always funny to see the different looks from the surrounding customers as they recognize us.

I know I saw a few phones take some pictures; it's annoying, but that's the life I want to have. It comes with a price. But anytime I did catch someone snagging a pic, I made sure to glare their way.

Not for me or Liz. But for Geneva. She's 15. She doesn't need to be posted all over the internet, first off. And secondly. I'm sure her being pictured with Elizabeth Olsen and myself would bring a particular stress she doesn't need.

"So, Geneva, how was the camping trip?" Liz finally asks the one question I know she has been keeping in her back pocket. And just like Liz said, Geneva's face lights up. "Oh my God, I have to show you pictures. It was so cool!"

As Geneva picks up her phone and begins scrolling, mine begins vibrating in my pocket. I think about checking, but I ignore it and choose to remain present in the conversation as Geneva's phone gets handed to me.

I lean over closer to Liz and begin swiping to the left on her photo album titled 🌲 Oregon Trip 🌲

"Oh my gosh, look at that one!" I say as we swipe by a selfie of Geneva at the top of a waterfall. "That's a stunning picture! Where is that?" Liz says as she looks up to Geneva, but her finger points to an object in the picture.

It's an LA Dodgers hat.

I nudge Liz with my leg under the table before handing Liz the phone to reach mine as it starts vibrating again.

"Sorry," I say to the group as I check the Caller ID: Bo.

"Shit," I say before looking at Geneva. "Sorry." She shrugs. "That's fine. I curse, too. Fuck. See?" She says deadpan before breaking out into a smile, making me and Liz laugh while her dad scolds her. "Honey, don't do that." She shrugs again.

"Who is it?" Liz asks as my screen goes black. "It's Bo." I think he's calling me back to give me the final word on what the album will be titled." I sigh. "I don't think the studio likes the I keep pushing back." Liz brings her hand gently onto my arm before rubbing it up and down. The action, while comforting, reminds me that we're not alone.

"Sorry. Geneva, you were saying?" I question, but William stops me. "Hey, if you have an important phone call, we're more than happy to wait or let you take it." I shake my head. "I don't want to be r-" Before I can finish my sentence, my phone starts vibrating on the table.

"Take it," Liz says to me with a pointed look. William nods in agreement. "Go! Don't worry, I'll have more photos to share!" Geneva smiles at me before focusing on her chocolate chip pancakes. "This place is always so good." She looks to her dad.

"Go." Liz practically shoves me out of my seat with love and care. I nod to the table and let them know that I'll "be right back." As I answer the phone.

"Hey, Bo!"

"You know I called you two other times."

"Uh oh, someone's cranky," I say as I wave to the hostess who waved at me. Good thing Liz didn't see that.

I hear Bo grumble on the other side of the call as I exit the restaurant and begin walking around the parking lot.

"I'm not cranky." He says. "Well then, let me guess, someone got Decaf this morning?" I know I hit the nail on the head when he doesn't immediately quip back. "Come on, who's your favorite!" I tease with a smile.

"Anyways..." He starts making me awww. "Would you like to know what happened in the meeting a few minutes ago, or should we keep joking around?"

Liz POV

As I look back from the hostess waving at Y/N, I'm met with the smirk of a 15-year-old.

"Does that happen a lot?" She asks before stabbing a strawberry with her fork. "Does what happen?" I ask, pretending to be clueless. "Girls throwing themselves at Y/N." Geneva dramatically falls onto the table.

William clears his throat as a warning to Geneva just in case she's crossing a line. But she's not. Because. "No. It doesn't."

Geneva makes a questioning hum.

"Okay, I'll bite. What?" I ask, tilting my head. But the teen just smiles and smirks again.

"Okay, Wanda." She takes a sip of her water. "I was just saying that you had a certain look of jealousy in your eye. I mean, I get it hex is very attractive-" "Geneva."

"Dad." She mocks back. "Elizabeth knows." I breathe out. "For the last time, it's Lizzie." I chuckle. "And yes, I do know. But that doesn't mean every girl throws themselves at Y/N."

(A/N: They do)

Geneva puts her hands up in surrender. "I was just saying." William leans over and apologizes for his daughter in a very teasing way, making Geneva defend herself, leading to her and her dad playfully arguing.

It's cute, but it does make me think about my father. It's been months since I've seen him or spoken to him, and yet I wonder what he's doing right now. I know he misses me, but is he truly sorry?

Y/N has moved on from how he treated her, but I can't.

He hurt me and someone I love—bottom line.

"Elizabeth?" Geneva pulls me out of my thoughts. "It's Lizzie." She smiles back, loving this back-and-forth we have. "Sorry." She makes a very sarcastic gesture as she rolls her eyes. "Lizzie?"

"Yes?"

"D-do you think.. Do you think Y/N would follow my Instagram?"

Okay, maybe Y/N IS everyone's favorite.

"I just love you and her so much. And since you don't have any social media anymore, it'd be really cool! Plus, I love her music! And we are all forming this fanfic kinda bond right now, so it seems like-" I hold my hand to let Geneva catch her breath.

I take a glance at William, who shrugs.

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind, but try asking her." Geneva nods and grabs her phone. "Okay!" She immediately gets up and runs out to speak to Y/N.

"Oh wait, Geneva.. I didn't... mean now... she's gone."

"And then there were two." William laughs as he leans back into the wooden chair of the restaurant. Rubbing the grey hairs, he has under his neck. "How long do you think she'll be?"

"I was just about to ask you." I chuckle while William smiles before leaning forward with his elbows on the table. He clears his throat before taking a full of coffee.

"This is a lovely place you and Geneva picked. I've never been here before." I say as my eyes dart around the fun interior. "Yeah. Geneva and I have been coming here since she was about 2." My eyes widen a bit. "Oh wow!"

William nods. "Course, she only remembers it only being just the two of us."

Oh!?

"There was someone else before?" I cautiously ask. Curiosity getting the best of me. William nods again. "Clara. Geneva's mother." There's sadness as he says her name.

"Excuse me for asking. But has she passed?" William doesn't take offense and only offers a shake of the head. "No." He sighs. "I don't think anything will kill that woman." Again, he rubs his shaven beard. "She's not in our lives."

"Oh.. By choice?" He nods. "Ours." Referring to him and Geneva. "Geneva has always been a bright girl. Smarter than me. Funnier than most. She's the type not to be afraid to show off what makes her, her."

I nod along to his words and smile. It's true. I barely know this father and teenager, but everything he's saying is true.

William takes a breath and sniffles as he continues speaking. "Clara did not like that. Especially when Geneva was discovering who she is." I raise my eyebrows and make an ahh noise.

"I used to work a lot more than I do now, so I was blind to it."

I tilt my head and bring my body forward against the table. When William moves his face upward, I can see the light of the morning sun bounce off the water in his eyes.

I hesitate to ask... "Did she ever-?" William stops me before I can finish. "She never laid a hand on her. But the verbal assault was enough." A shaky breath escapes him. "What kind of parent does that?" He asks me.

Once again. I can't help but think of my father.

"It only got worse when Geneva was brave enough to come out and tell us that she was gay." William clears his throat again. "And maybe another reason she did it was to show she wasn't going to change. Or maybe she did it because she truly thought it would change Clara."

William sighs with a shrug.

"Of course, I accepted her, and I thought my wife did too..." He shakes his head. Still hurt. "But one week later, she was trying to send our tween off to a conversion camp."

He pauses.

"I never looked at the person I married the same way after that." He picks up the napkin in his lap and runs it over his nose as I blink away the tears in the corners of my eyes. "I had a point when I started this, I promise." William cracks. "I could tell." I light-heartedly joke back. He smiles.

"Geneva is one hell of a kid. One in a million. And she likes you and your girlfriend. And hell, for some reason, it looks like you like us too." I smile and nod. "And she may look tough as nails, but she's still a kid, at least to me. My girl." He says. "So please be careful with her."

I nod with a sniffle."I can promise you that Y/N and I only want to be the best for her." I take a second. "She's a brave kid. She helped me be brave, too."

William smiles.

"Jesus..." I ran a hand through my hair. "It sounds like we're adopting her." William belly laughs at that.

Y/N POV

"They pushed. They want it to be like a real debut album. And since this is more than an EP, they're making you go self-titled. hex." Bo says on the other side.

I sigh. This isn't the worst, and I know I should be grateful for this opportunity. So I breathe out and smile. "Okay. Timetable?" I ask.

"Late Summer," Bo says as he looks at a stack of papers in front of him. "August."

I turn around when I feel the eyes of someone on me. I quietly laugh when I see an out-of-breath Geneva.

I quickly wave to her as she waves back.

"And did they say anything about a tour?" I raise an eyebrow with interest.

I hear Bo go quiet.

"Ten shows to start. With you going self-titled, your livestream tonight and if depending on your sales once released, they'll add more."

I nod to his words, but I hate the roadblocks I have placed in front of that I must maneuver to please men in suits.

"But you get to pick where you want the tour to start."

It makes me smile because I instantly think about my Dad and where to play. "Nashville. Anywhere you can fit me."

When the call ends minutes later, Geneva politely holds her phone out to me, and I press follow.

Saturday Morning May 7th

Billboard Today "Fans of newcomer hex showed up in force just after midnight last night to see the drop for the tracklist to the artist's debut album. The livestream, which many thought was going to be small, was watched by over 200,000 people. Oh, and what about the songs, you ask? It looks like the album is going to be a solid eleven songs. But just before signing off, hex let it slip that there may be more in the future. Deluxe album, maybe?"

PopCrave "Artist hex debuted their tracklist for their debut album hex last night to awaiting fans. Check out the photo below from the livestream!" photo

MusicStarsNow "In a series of tweets starting with a profile picture change. Artist hex shows fans who missed last night's livestream the painting of the album cover commissioned by a friend of the artist Cyrus Wilcott. Followed by eleven tweets. Each one being a track title with short information about the song. However, the final tweet only contained the song title. Other than that, no release date has been given, but we hope for a summer release!"

Twitter

A/N: Hey, everyone. Sorry, this took a while! But it's here now with a lot going on! The next chapter will probably skip to the time the album drops. So see you next time! I hope you enjoyed it! Be safe, and drink some water!

Also, below is the real tracklist Fake album. Real songs. ________________________________

Track#. Track Name . (Real Artist)

________________________________

hex by hex . 1. Too Bad . (King Princess)

2. My Silver Lining . (First Aid Kit)

3. Nashville . (CMAT)

4. The Last One . (First Aid Kit)

5. Hospital . (Madison Cunningham)

6. Oh Wasn't It Fun . (hex)

7. Graves . (Hand Habits)

8. Always, Joni . (Trousdale)

9. Big Time . (Angel Olsen)

10. Leaning On You . (HAIM)

11. Wishful Thinking . (Gracie Abrams)

[honey-minded-hivemind]

X men Evolution. Yandere Duo Lance and Kitty and future child reader who has both of their powers.

Ooooo, the Rocky Road and Kit-Kat couple! They're funny together, so their kid is likely the one who's serious (as serious as someone younger than eight can be). Let's do it:

Okay. So. This wasn't planned.

They hadn't even got to the kissing stage, let alone having a BABY.

But, here they are, staring up at them with a serious look and clutching a rock in their hand.

"Hi, Momma. Hi, Daddy. You look weird young," they say, then sit down and start messing with a handful of loose stones.

To say they're shaken is an understatement.

"Uh, kid, I hate ta break it to ya, but we're not your parents. We don't have kids," Lance says, hissing sharply when Kitty elbows him in the ribs.

"Lance! Don't be rude!" she chides, then squats down to be eye-to-eye with the child. "Like, look, kid, we can't possibly be your parents. We aren't even, like, dating."

"We aren't?" Lance pipes up helpfully.

Kitty facepalms, groaning. "Why am I the only one with a braincell?" The kid nods, still serious as ever. Well, there's one way to figure out what's going on... "So, who ARE your parents? And why do you think they're us?"

The child sighs, then holds up the rock they'd previously held in their hand. She stares at it, then back at them.

"Um... kid... that's, like, a rock."

"Yeah."

"..."

With an irritated sigh, the child throws the rock at Lance, who catches it, fumbling as he tries not to drop it. "Read what's ON the rock," the child says, then stares at them with a scrunched up face.

The two look at the rock, which has a scribbled-on message in sharpie:

Dear past me-

Yes, this is our kid. Yes, they're from me- we- and Kit-Kat. Don't punt our kid into yesterday, or I'll crush you with the Hulk-

Signed- Future Lance

P.S.

I- We- join Shield. Deal with it.

The two teens look up, then sharply down at the small tot, who is staring at them boredly. They share a quick look with each other, then bend down to talk with their apparent kid from the future.

"So... um. Hi, I guess," Kitry says, holding out her hand. The child shakes it, then their hands passes through hers. She feels herself freeze, until the child pulls their hand back, picking up a pebble.

"Oh wow... Our kid has powers..." Lance whispers, and his eyes are full of awe.

A rumble comes from beneath them, then cracks begin to form.

"Found it," the child says, then sticks their hand into the fissure, pulling out a chunk of crystal. "Here you go, it's a present." They deposit it into Lance's hands, almost sending him tumbling over.

"They're definitely ours..." Kitty groans, and goes to help her (kinda) boyfriend drag the crystal cluster inside. "What did you say your name was, kid?"

"I'm Reader... That was the one name you two could agree on without tossing the other out of the delivery room," they inform her, then crack a wry smile. "You better remember it, Momma. You too, Daddy! Uncle Hulk said if you forgot, he'd drop you off the Helicarrier!"

Both teens wince, and decide they'll make a reminder. They really don't want to deal with whatever a Hulk is, let alone be tossed around like a ragdoll by him...

[kaywavy]

transforming soffits reorganizing keys formalizing immersion joints justifying kick extractors advising aggregates managing elbows recasting connectors achieving aluminum trowels officiating disks exhibiting absolute spigots progressing coil hydrants jerry-building reflectors informing casters inventing rubber hoists performing wrenches judging chalk adapters upgrading ignition paths

regrowing flashing recommending ratchets approving barriers sweeping impact fillers sewing mirrors detailing collectors enforcing measures distributing systems presenting plugs interwinding registers piloting ash diffusers gathering cranks supplying eave pockets undertaking scroll stops accelerating straps designing fittings protecting diamond boilers logging downspouts correlating shingles uniting mallets qualifying electrostatic lifts sharing clamps obtaining circular fluids ranking foundation gauges sensing miter brackets originating space networks translating drills regulating guards selecting gable padding utilizing pellet dowels reconciling artifacts altering pulleys shedding space filters determining vents representing mortar remaking flash rakers supporting funnels typecasting rotary chocks expressing junctures resetting auxiliary vises professing strip treads inlaying matter trowels questioning drivers forming edge fittings sketching blanks overshooting spark breakers rewriting controls playing tunnels inventorying buttons enduring joint handles effecting ratchet bibbs unwinding couplings forsaking vapor conduits defining sockets calculating heaters raising grids administering tiles measuring resources installing ignition remotes extracting corners manufacturing ventilators delegating consoles treating mounting stones enacting jig deflectors intensifying alleys improvising cargo pinpointing bobs prescribing arc masonry structuring metal chucks symbolizing lathes activating plumb kits adapting coatings fixing channels expediting cordage planning compressors enlisting hangers restructuring keyhole augers shearing ridge hardware collecting reciprocating bolts maintaining corrugated dimmers whetting hole collars conducting mandrels comparing assets compiling sealants completing paths composing equivocation wheels computing dampers conceiving electrostatic treatment ordering cotter grates organizing ties orienting ladders exceeding materials targeting thermocouples demonstrating emery stock expanding latch bases training wardrobe adhesives overcomming[sic] fasteners streamlining storm anchors navigating springs perfecting turnbuckles verifying gate pegs arbitrating arithmetic lifts negotiating outlets normalizing strips building surface foggers checking key torches knitting grinders mowing planers offsetting stencils acquiring bulbs adopting rivets observing avenues ascertaining coaxial grommets slinging wing winches instituting circuit generators instructing wicks integrating pry shutters interpreting immersion lumber clarifying coils classifying wood bits closing cogs cataloging matter strips charting holders conceptualizing push terminals stimulating supports overthrowing shaft spacers quick-freezing connectors unbinding ground hooks analyzing eyes anticipating gateways controlling proposition rollers converting power angles coordinating staples correcting benders counseling joist gaskets recording gutter pipes recruiting drains rehabilitating rafter tubes reinforcing washers reporting guard valves naming freize sprues nominating rings noting straps doubling nailers drafting circuit hoses dramatizing flanges splitting framing compounds refitting stems interweaving patch unions placing sillcocks sorting slot threads securing mode cutters diverting catharsis plates procuring load thresholds transferring syllogism twine directing switch nuts referring time spools diagnosing knobs discovering locks dispensing hinges displaying hasps resending arc binders retreading grooves retrofitting aesthetics portals seeking stocks shrinking wormholes assembling blocks assessing divers attaining lug boxes auditing nescience passages conserving strikes constructing braces contracting saw catches serving installation irons recognizing fluxes consolidating fuse calipers mapping shims reviewing chop groovers scheduling lag drives simplifying hoists engineering levels enhancing tack hollows establishing finishing blocks

[hypelens]

Winter Storm Blair: A Comprehensive Overview of the Severe Weather Threatening the U.S.

As the nation braces for Winter Storm Blair, millions of Americans are preparing for widespread snowfall, ice accumulation, and dangerously cold temperatures. The storm, which has been intensifying over the past few days, is forecasted to impact large swaths of the Plains, Midwest, and mid-Atlantic regions. The National Weather Service has issued multiple winter storm warnings and advisories, emphasizing the potential for hazardous travel conditions, power outages, and life-threatening cold.

The Path and Impact of Winter Storm Blair

Winter Storm Blair is developing along a strong low-pressure system moving across the central United States. Meteorologists predict significant snowfalls in key regions, with ice and sleet adding to the challenges.

Regions at Greatest Risk

Central Plains: Heavy snowfall is expected, with totals ranging from 6 to 12 inches. Cities such as Kansas City, St. Louis, and Omaha are directly in the storm’s path.

Midwest: Areas including Chicago, Indianapolis, and Detroit are bracing for a mix of snow and freezing rain, creating hazardous driving conditions.

Mid-Atlantic: Residents in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia could see a combination of snow and ice, with accumulations potentially disrupting daily activities.

Snow and Ice Totals

According to The Weather Channel, the heaviest snow will fall along a corridor stretching from eastern Kansas to northern Indiana. Ice accumulation, particularly in the southern Midwest, could result in downed power lines and tree damage.

Key Concerns for Residents

The impact of Winter Storm Blair extends beyond snow and ice, with several other hazards looming.

Travel Disruptions

Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly as snow and ice accumulate on major highways and local roads. Authorities have urged travelers to reconsider non-essential journeys and to carry emergency kits in their vehicles if travel is unavoidable.

Power Outages

Ice accumulation poses a significant risk to power infrastructure. Utilities in the affected regions are preparing for outages and encouraging customers to report issues promptly.

Extreme Cold

Blair’s aftermath will bring Arctic air, with temperatures plummeting well below freezing in many areas. Wind chill values may drop into dangerously low ranges, prompting warnings about frostbite and hypothermia.

How to Prepare for Winter Storm Blair

Authorities and weather experts recommend several measures to prepare for the storm:

Stay Informed: Monitor updates from reliable sources, such as the National Weather Service and local news outlets.

Stock Up on Supplies: Ensure your home is equipped with essentials, including food, water, flashlights, batteries, and blankets.

Protect Your Home: Insulate pipes, check heating systems, and secure outdoor items that could be damaged by strong winds or heavy snow.

Plan for Power Outages: Have a backup power source or alternative heating solutions ready, particularly if you live in areas prone to outages.

Check on Vulnerable Neighbors: Ensure that elderly or disabled neighbors have the resources they need to stay safe and warm.

What Makes Winter Storm Blair Unique?

Meteorologists have highlighted the storm’s broad geographic reach and the complexity of its impacts. Unlike storms that primarily deliver snow, Blair combines heavy snow with significant ice risks and extreme cold. This trifecta of hazards underscores the importance of preparation and caution.

Weather Alerts and What They Mean

The National Weather Service has issued various alerts to keep the public informed:

Winter Storm Warnings: Indicate severe winter conditions, such as heavy snow or ice, that will likely impact the area.

Winter Weather Advisories: Highlight less severe but still impactful weather conditions that may cause inconveniences.

Ice Storm Warnings: Signal dangerous ice accumulations that could disrupt power and transportation.

Understanding these alerts helps individuals make informed decisions about their safety.

Looking Ahead

As Winter Storm Blair continues to develop, meteorologists are closely monitoring its trajectory and intensity. Additional updates will be issued as the storm progresses, ensuring that residents have the latest information to stay safe.

Conclusion

Winter Storm Blair serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparation. With its wide-reaching impacts and potential for severe disruptions, Blair is a storm that demands attention and action. Stay safe, stay warm, and stay informed as this winter weather event unfolds.

[accessabletechnology]

Freeze Pipe Kit – Experience Smoother, Cooler Hits

The Freeze Pipe Kit features a freezable glycerin chamber that cools smoke for smoother, more enjoyable hits. Easy to assemble and clean, this kit reduces harshness and delivers superior filtration. Perfect for smokers seeking a chilled, premium smoking experience without compromising on flavor or potency.

[capitaletele]

Baths!

I am obsessed with the idea of baths. (Like, I literally wrote my longest and most involved Starmania fic as a pretext to get Cristal and Johnny in a bathtub.)

But since there are NEVER ENOUGH BATHS, here's some more, in a form that's too disjointed to make it to AO3 for the moment:

I like the idea that there's no running water in the tunnels ("ça c'est la seule chose qu'on a pas") or at least, not enough to go around. In any case, the Zonards definitely don't have access to like, regular showers.

But there are public baths, and so the squad makes a trip after hours like three times a week to one of them for a shower, and sometimes when they have more time a full scrub and soak, and in the meantime they use something else at the hangar for their daily ablutions (or don't, Johnny is a dirty rat boy who probably juste dunks his head in freezing rain water in a bucket once a week and we like that about him.)

But when Cristal joins the gang, somehow she doesn't find out about the baths trips. Maybe Johnny is called away just after he brings her to the hangar, and he tells one of the Etoiles Noires, like "Hey, you get her settled around here, okay?" but the Etoiles Noires decide not to tell Cristal, sort of as a hazing thing -- they can't be thrilled about her arrival, it's their way to make sure she won't stay too long.

Or perhaps Sadia makes a point to keep it from Cristal, thinking it'll discourage her and she'll run off as soon as she's experienced the smallest inconvenience.

So anyway, the only thing Cristal sees in terms of hygiene is everyone chewing toothpaste tablets and splashing themselves with water from a rusty pipe once in a while and she figures, fine, alright, she knew they did things differently in the tunnels, she can tough it out. She doesn't really understand how they're not all *more gross* than they look, or how they can keep their hair as clean as it (mostly) is with the way she sees them deal with it, but she puts it down to experience, and anyway it's not like she can ask them why they don't all smell rank. (It's not like Johnny seems to mind that she's a bit funkier than she's used to these days.)

But it does wear on her anyway, never feeling clean, being self-conscious about how she looks and smells. After like 10 days or so, Johnny comes back from somewhere and finds her soaking wet, teeth chattering, lips blue, as she tries to wash herself with buckets and a trickle of water that's coming from a hose, and he's like, "Wow, you really hate the baths that much?"

And Cristal goes still, like, "Wait, BATHS??" and they figure the thing out.

Johnny noticed she never went with the others on their excursions but he figured she was just shy or uncomfortable being naked in front of relative strangers, or that she was too afraid someone would recognize her, or that her standards were too high and she thought it would be too gross there or something. (Which seemed strange to him because it's not like she's complained about any other aspect of her new life, but who knows... Sometimes people are weird about this kind of stuff. He has his own issues about the baths so he wasn't about to ask.)

So anyway, Johnny goes a little nuts when he finds out his Etoiles Noires did Cristal so dirty (lol, get it?) and summons them to get to the bottom of it. Everyone is very sorry because honestly, Cristal isn't nearly as bad as they thought she would be, but it got just a bit too awkward to bring it up now that they'd lied to her for a while... So anyway, they apologize, and Johnny commands the most remorseful of them to take Cristal to their usual baths once night falls and stand watch outside while she does her thing, to make extra sure no one else comes in or Sadia doesn't try to mess with her again. (He can't go because he's too busy doing... something else. This is why this story is not a real fic, lol.)

And so Cristal goes to the baths with Ruby the Etoile Noire who lends her her kit and shows her how to use the communal showers and then how to turn on the steam room and where the little pool is for afterwards, and Cristal is able to take an actual warm shower for the first time in like 10 days, and the water pressure isn't amazing, and calling the temperature "hot" would be pushing it -- this is still in the worst part of the tunnels, after all -- but it feels like HEAVEN. She washes her hair like three times in a row.

And then she goes into the steam room, and down into the tiny little pool thing that's just big enough for her to let herself float in, and she revels in the privacy and quiet of it -- it's the first time she's been truly alone since she went down into the tunnels on that fateful Friday afternoon. Her whole body goes lax. The only thing missing is...

And then, of course, Johnny shows up!

Maybe he's actually deathly afraid of water and that's why he never goes usually -- maybe he has some water-related trauma, maybe like, his mother drowned, or tried to drown him in an access of madness. Or maybe on the contrary his mother used to bring him to baths just like this one, and the memory is too painful now, idk. In any case, he never ever goes, but he wanted to make sure Cristal was okay, so he comes in to check on her.

And she convinces him to join her, which is not too hard probably because 1) NAKED and 2) ALONE. She brings him back to the showers and "helps" him "wash" until he's all clean and pink (and desperate) and then they make good use of every horizontal (and vertical) surface in the joint (and rinse everything real well afterwards, they're not savages) and then they hang out in the pool and get to touch lazily and cuddle and talk in half-whispers even though they've got more privacy than ever before.

Eventually though they have to get out because the baths are about to open to the public again and they have to get Cristal back to the hangar before she gets spotted, but after that they make a habit of it -- Cristal joins the Etoiles Noires every time they go in a group, and once a week she stays behind and Johnny joins her and they have a little date night.

(And of course because I'm me, I can't help but think about After, once they've run away somewhere together. Maybe they're in the East, and they've also got a huge public bathing culture, and once in a while at night Johnny picks the locks and they slip in and relive their wild hangar days.)

💧🚿 the end 🚿💧

[fastcardotmp3]

hi hello my dear dot, might i ask for some bear au and some kas chrissy please and thank you??

you may have everything you ask for always beloved kk <3

🔆bully me into working on my wips🔆

bear au:

The fact of the matter is she should expect this place to fall further into ruin with each new and passing day. The fact of the matter is she can’t let herself dwell on that, not when every physical hit The Beef takes seems to mirror itself in the ache in her bones and the creak in her muscles and the stabbing throb behind her eyes. 

The pipes fucking rumble as she rounds the corner into the bathroom, and she tries her almighty best to understand why just by looking at the toilet in the corner, when part of her instinctively knows that the Chicago weather of a deep freeze thawing into mild winter over the course of the past two days has probably done a number on their plumbing. 

“Christ,” she stands next to it, reaches out to touch the condensation on the pipes leading up to the flush handle and speaks to where Robin and Steve are standing in the doorway, “our pipes probably froze, we gotta get someone in here before—”

BANG! 

Drenched. Nancy and the bathroom and the floors and a puddle growing, growing, growing—

Well. 

At least the rumbling stopped. 

kas!chrissy:

Nancy is here, although she hasn’t caught on to where here is yet, but just her voice, the steady thump of her boots across these familiar floors, is enough to have Chrissy drawing in a ragged breath. 

They’ve been doing the same thing for hours now, house after house in the neighborhood they were assigned, Jonathan and Argyle doing the same on the opposite side of the street so they’re always close, so they’re greater in numbers in case something goes amiss. 

It’s a final gathering mission, from what Chrissy can understand, before the option to go on offense becomes a necessity. 

She’s been helping with the plan all she can, helping to understand the hive, the best way to shut it down rather than just distract it, but even still this all feels so premature. 

The preparation. The gathering of food and weapons and medical kits. 

It feels premature, but so is everything she supposes. So was her own death, she supposes. 

So is returning to the house where she lived as a good and proper girl who would never hurt a fly.

[dark-lord-tom-returns]

If you do have to go out and drive somewhere, make sure you are prepared to get stuck. It likely won't be your fault. A road may not be plowed, you hit a patch of black ice and ended up in a snow bank, or maybe it kept snowing while you were inside the store. You still need to be prepared. You need Tom's Cold Weather I-Can't-Die-Like-This Kit

1) Common sense and uncommon planning. If there is snow and ice on the road and you have to go out then you need a plan. Check your routes, avoid the back roads, and let someone know where you are going and when you should be back.

2) Alcohol based hand sanitizer. If you can unlock your car with a physical key this is critical. The locks can freeze solid. Squirt a little hand sanitizer in them and wait about 10 seconds. This is the part of the kit that stays in your pocket at all times.

3) Ice scraper. You need something to get the snow and ice off your car. Windshield, rear window, side windows, headlights, taillights, and roof. If it got buried check that your exhaust pipe isn't sealed with ice and snow. If you don't have a designated ice scraper I've made do with a broom but you really want a good ice scraper. Make sure to bring it with you.

DO NOT POUR HOT WATER ON YOUR FROZEN CAR

Now, what you need in the glove box.

4) Mylar emergency blankets and hand warmers. Get a couple from the camping section and stuff them in the glove box. They hold heat well and they are reflective. Single use cause they tear easily which is why I suggest 4 or 5. They're compact and cheap and will buy time if you have to wait for rescue. For hand warmers, get the standard hand sized ones and a couple of the jumbo sized. Use as needed.

5) Candle and lighter. This isn't for warmth or signaling. This is for your mind. If you get stuck somewhere in the cold and the dark that little flame does a world of good. Try not to set the car on fire. A three pack of tealights were my go to.

6) Decent knife. Standard folder works wonders. Million and one uses.

7) Bright colored cloth. Neon bright. Reflective if you can find it. You get stuck, lower your window, stick the cloth out, roll it back up. Signals to others that there is someone trapped. Remove the cloth when you get picked up or you leave.

8) Fully charged power bank. The phone is your life line. Check this before you go anywhere.

In the car. Preferably the back seat. My trunk always froze shut so consider that when packing.

9) Extra layers/change of clothes. Layers are important if you get stuck. You need to stay warm without sweating. Dry socks are your friends.

10) Light sources. Plural. I had a high powered flashlight to signal passing vehicles, a low powered light for working in the car, and a dozen glowstick type chemical lights. Glow sticks were great to stick on the roof and draw attention in the dark or toss behind the car so people knew there was a car on the side of the road.

11) Food and water. Self explanatory.

Ok, so we are now prepared to sit tight and wait for help in the worst case. Let's talk about getting unstuck.

12) Cat litter. Instant traction in a bag. Pour some right in front of and against your tires. This is great for if you end up on an ice sheet.

13) Shovel. No two ways about it. You end up in a snow bank and it's digging time. A snow shovel is the best but anything that isn't your bare hands works.

14) Tow cables or chains. If you can't get out yourself and someone comes by they are extremely useful. A good car emergency kit will have them and jumper cables and a first aid kit. It's worth the cost.

This is by no means exhaustive. There are all kinds of things you can add like portable radios and road flares.

But with just this setup, you have multiple ways to signal others, a fully charged phone to call for help, and you probably won't freeze waiting for them to show up.

Stay safe, stay warm

So Your Temperate Home is Suddenly an Arctic Hellscape

As -10F hits area’s of the US who’ve never seen such temperatures in living memory, I wanted to give some tips from a Minnesotan who’s lived with these temps as a part of my life for 37 years.

1) Don’t Get Cocky. People used to these temps may laugh at our southern neighbors freaking out about the cold because yes, some parts of the US get such temps regularly every year. These people are being ignorant assholes. Our houses are mandated to have insulation that few of your homes will have. We pretty much all have huge puffy coats, and have well established winter weather gear drives for homeless and poor folks every year. We have expensive, well equipped infrastructure for cope with these temps and with large amounts of snow. You don’t. When it comes down to it, Minnesotans know to respect the cold temps- it’s just that a lot of the ways that do it are so commonplace as to be invisible to those who already have these habits.

2) Don’t go out wet. Dry your hair or stay inside. You will loose a lot of heat if you’re wet. Same for sweat, and wet diapers. And clothes with snow on them are now WET CLOTHES. Change into dry clothes as soon as possible.

3) If you have a shitty car battery or a car that sometimes struggles to start, then try not to use it. You’re unlikely to get the kind of temps where it’s impossible to start an engine (I’ve only experienced those temps a few times. Once my eyelashes froze shut and I almost froze to death in my own back yard. Don’t be like young me. Respect the cold.) If your car doesn’t start, you could be stranded somewhere, and realistically your area’s emergency services may be pretty overrun. 

4) Very cold air doesn’t hold moisture well. Plan for extra hydration for people, pets, and plants. Even if your staying in- most home heaters pull cold air from outside, then dry it out even MORE in the process of heating it. Dehydration is a thing. Even if your home’s heater has a humidifier attached to it (if you’re not sure, then it probably doesn’t.) it’s a good idea to drink extra water. Right now I have a few pots of water just left out by heaters to evaporate as much as possible. My mom used to just heat huge camping pots on the stove all day in cold temps. Remember, dry nasal passages really muck up your bodies ability to fight airborne illness. This is not a great time for that.

5) Help out homeless folks in your area in any way you can. These temps can and do kill. And since we have more evictions than any society can conscionably defend this year, we have high numbers of homeless people. Which means area supports for unhoused folks are often underfunded and over-taxed. 

6) Let your faucets drip. I know nobody likes to waste water but if your pipes freeze they will literally explode. Your home will flood. My mother’s kitchen got completely destroyed and it traumatized my childhood dog. Justa  bit of moving warm water will safeguard you from that.

7) Do. Not. Burn. Propane. Indoors. 

8) Plan for potential power outages. Ice on the lines can cause this and again, your infrastructure isn’t prepped for this. Unplug anything in your home you’re not using to do your part to help prevent rolling blackouts.

9) Driving on ice is a SKILL. Your roads may be filled with people who do not have that skill. Please please, stay off the roads if you can- even if you have this skill these roads will not be prepped and will, again, be full of people who don’t know how to do this because it just hasn’t come up that much in their life.

Stay safe and stay kind, folks! 

[seoblogging671]

Is Keeping a Mobile Home Expensive?

A mobile home can be less expensive to maintain than a conventional home. We'll talk about what it takes to keep a mobile home in good repair, how much it might cost, and how Business name can help you do it smarter, faster, and cheaper in this guide. We’ll also include expert insights from SellLouisiana Mobile Home Fast.and answer important questions homeowners often ask.

The Actual Cost of Mobile Home Maintenance

Mobile homes often come with lower maintenance costs than traditional site-built houses. Size is a major factor. There will be fewer surfaces to clean, fewer parts to break, and lower utility bills in a smaller space.

If you manage your own mobile home, routine maintenance can be completed for around $50 per month, as stated by SellLouisianaMobileHomeFast.com.

Here's what you’ll likely need to handle:

Cleaning (floors, windows, toilets, and sinks)

Change the filters (especially those in your HVAC system)

Minor repairs (such as caulking and sealing)

Basic maintenance (tightening fixtures, patching small roof leaks)

Checklist for Seasonal Maintenance

Maintenance tasks come with the seasons. Your mobile home's lifespan can be extended and costly repairs can be avoided by staying ahead of them.

Spring

Remove any moss, leaves, or branches from the roof

Check the downspouts and gutters

Inspect window seals and apply caulk if needed

Summer

Trim plants and grass in the skirting area

Clear debris around your outdoor HVAC unit

Look for cracks or warping in skirting panels

Fall

Remove leaves from the yard and gutters

Disconnect and drain water hoses

Examine your heating system

Winter

Insulate pipes to prevent freezing

Cover air leaks near doors and windows

Check skirting to keep out drafts and animals

Tasks to Do Everyday and Monthly

Like any other property, mobile homes benefit from regular care. You don’t need a contractor—just consistency.

Monthly To-Dos:

Vacuum and mop floors

Wipe down kitchen and bathroom surfaces

Replace HVAC filters

Test smoke and CO detectors

Utilities and Monthly Expenses

Utilities vary by state, home size, and energy efficiency. In Louisiana, mobile homeowners typically spend $200–$400/month—often less than traditional homes.

Typical Utility Bills Include:

Electricity

Sewer and water

Gas or propane

Trash collection

Phone and internet

Use tools like weather stripping, programmable thermostats, and energy-saving bulbs to reduce these expenses.

When Major Repairs Happen

Even with great upkeep, things can go wrong. The good news? Most mobile home repairs are simpler and cheaper than repairs in traditional homes.

Common Repairs:

Roof leaks: $150–$300 DIY / $600+ professional

Damaged skirting: $50–$100 kits + labor if needed

HVAC repairs: $200–$1,000

Frozen pipes: $100–$500

Maintain a mobile home kits simplify many of these repairs, and Business name offers expert support every step of the way.

Why Choose Business name?

At Business name, we understand mobile home living. We specialize in affordable, efficient solutions to help you maintain your home with ease.

What Sets Us Apart:

Experience: We know mobile homes inside and out

Affordability: Smart, budget-friendly recommendations

Support: DIY or full-service help available

Speed: Fast responses and quick service

We’ve helped homeowners avoid costly repairs and keep their homes safe. Let us help you too.

In-Depth Questions About Mobile Home Maintenance

How much does it cost annually to maintain a mobile home?

Most mobile homeowners spend $500 to $1,500 annually, covering cleaning, repairs, and seasonal prep. Older homes may cost more, but using kits and inspections from Business name often cuts costs.

How does it compare to traditional homes in terms of maintenance?

Yes, it’s generally cheaper to maintain a mobile home. Fewer square feet, simpler systems, and less structure means fewer things to break—and lower repair bills.

SellLouisianaMobileHomeFast.com confirms that mobile homes are significantly more affordable to maintain.

What are the most common mobile home problems?

The most frequent issues include:

Roof leaks

Loose or cracked skirting

HVAC inefficiencies

Frozen pipes

All of these are preventable or fixable for under $500 with early action and affordable kits.

Do DIY maintenance kits actually save money?

Absolutely. Kits like:

Roof sealants

Pipe wraps

HVAC filters

Skirting repair packs

can save you hundreds in service calls. They’re user-friendly, and if needed, Business name provides expert guidance to help with installation.

Must-Have Products to Maintain a Mobile Home

To avoid major problems and save money, keep these tools on hand:

Roof Patch Kits

Pipe Insulation Wraps

Skirting Panels & Tools

HVAC Filters

Window/Door Sealants & Caulk

Final Thoughts: Mobile Home Maintenance Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive

With planning and the right products, mobile home maintenance is budget-friendly. Routine cleaning, seasonal prep, and smart upgrades keep costs predictable.

Working with Business name gives you:

Expert support

Affordable kits

Peace of mind

[olsenmyolsen]

Dinner with Scarlett, Brunch with Geneva, and a Tracklist with Fans

Part 42 of On The Inside With Elizabeth Olsen

Word Count: 6.6K

masterlist

Thank you once again to JPmarvel90 for the use of their character Jess Parker (from My Best Friends Sister). They're a great author and a kind person. Show them love, and I hope you enjoy this chapter &lt;3

-

Scarlett POV

"What are you laughing about?"

I look up from my phone to see Colin holding our baby boy, Cosmo.

"Lizzie and Y/N at the premiere." I look down at my phone and miss the confused look Colin has on his face. "You're laughing at our friends?"

He walks into my home office and looks over my shoulder as Cosmo babbles. "Look." I hold my phone up to him to show him a series of tweets about Y/N's phone wallpaper.

"No way!" Colin says in disbelief.

I nod and snicker as I look at a few more tweets before turning my phone over.

"So what's up?" I turn in my chair and look at my husband and son. The latter giggles as I poke his tummy.

"Not much," Colin says. "Coz and I were just missing Mom." He looks down at our son in his arms. "Isn't that right, buddy?"

Cosmo just smiles.

"Well, Mom is right here!" I blow a kiss to Colin and Cosmo. "But Mom is busy. She has to get ready for a meeting!"

"With Kate?" Colin asks, earning a nod. "With our Sephora launch and starter kit, it's just a lot of expanding."

Colin begins to walk to the office door. Humming to Cosmo. "I shouldn't be too much longer!" I say only to revive a laugh. "Scar, it's fine. Take as long as you want. I was coming to hang out and to remind you that Jess Parker is coming over tonight."

I freeze in my tracks and look away from my open laptop.

"No, Liz and Y/N are coming over tonight..."

Colin tilts his head. But he has a look that I hate to see.

He might be right.

"Are you sure?" Colin asks. I nod. "Here, I'll call Lizzie." I grab my phone and find Lizzie's contact. I place her on speaker and wait as the sound of ringing fills the room.

I look up, and Colin looks from his phone. He's texting someone.

Jess. He mouths.

"Oh, Hey, Scarlett!"  I hear Lizzie's voice, and just by the tone, I can tell she's smiling.

"Hey, Lizzie! How are you and the rockstar!? Did you see the news??" I smirk and swivel in my chair.

"Yeah, no, I saw Y/N's wallpaper."

I laugh. Y/N's totally gonna get it later from me and Lizzie.

Wait, that sounded dirty.. but I mean... have you seen those two?

"Hey, so sorry to call right after your premiere, but I was just wondering if you and Y/N were still on for dinner?"

"Yeah, of course, we're still on for dinner! Why did something come up?"

I look up to Colin. "Umm.." He flips the phone to face me, and I see a text exchange between him and my friend Jess. With the words: "Yep, I'll be there!"

"Shit," I say. "Shit?" Lizzie repeats back. "No! No.. Sorry! I- I double booked."

"Huh?" Lizzie says, making me quietly laugh. "I double booked dinner tonight with you and Y/N and my friend Jess Parker."

The other side of the line goes quiet.

"Jess Parker? The Jewelry maker? She's your friend?" Y/N speaks up for the first time all call.

"Yes?" I answer, unsure of where this is going, but I quickly find out when Lizzie brings the phone closer to her mouth.

"Scarlett Ingrid Johansson, do you mean to tell me you are friends with Jess Parker, and this has never come up? Not once? You've never once thought to introduce her to her very fashionable friend! Someone who walks the red carpet with you!"

"And me!" Y/N pipes up again.

I gulp. It's clear I've made a mistake.

I look up to Colin only to find him gone. The door to my office closed.

"I- uhhh..."

Before I can even say or think of any words to say, it's like in a blink of an eye, somehow I've time traveled, and I'm in a long sundress while I carry Cosmo to answer the front door for our first guest of the evening.

My long-time friend Jess Parker.

In a way, she's been like a sister to me. Sorry, Vanessa. But we've always been close. Not many people know that the reason I took the role in The Nanny Diaries was because of her.

And while living across the pound for some odd years, she has always been a sound support system. But now that she's back in New York after a long 18 months, it'll be nice to catch up. Oh, and to warn her that she's famous no matter how little she believes me.

I mean, Lizzie and Y/N want a piece of her work, apparently.

Oh shit, that means I have to warn Jess about them coming over too.

But before I can say anything, I'm pulled into a side hug by Jess just before she scoops up Cosmo from me. For a baby who normally screams his head off when someone new takes him, he remains quiet.

"You look so good!" Jess says as she takes her shoes off and looks back at me. Her English accent still on her tongue.

"You too!" I easily reply as I look her up and down. "Love the top!" Jess gives a little shake of her head that says, "eh."

She never was the best about compliments. Her and Lizzie are the same that way.

"So Scar, do you wanna tell me why you were trending earlier?"

Liz POV

Y/N and I are about to arrive in front of Scarlett's when Y/N looks up from her phone with a smile. "What's up?" I ask.

"I just can't believe it's almost here."

I can see on Y/N's phone that she just read an email from her label, which probably led to Y/N thinking about her livestream tomorrow night.

"Is the studio set up?" I question her about the set up the label put together for Y/N. Basically, the idea for the cover of the album started when Y/N had a dream about her and I on a beach flipping tarot cards.

Hence the original name of the album: tarot cards on the beach.

She described it as the most nerve-racking dream she has ever had, and I'm still unsure why.

But when she woke me up to tell me about it. I remember being cranky in the moment but ultimately happy for her.

Duh.

She then immediately got into contact with her old friend Cyrus and had the label commission a giant canvas of what the album would look like. It's going to be revealed live for the first time at midnight tomorrow, followed by Y/N sharing the tracklist.

I can only imagine her smiley, cute face when she sees the finished product.

Y/N nods. "Yeah, that's what the email was about. They have everything ready to go."

"Even the cards and CD's?" I raise an eyebrow. "Even the cards and CD's." She states.

Following the tracklist reveal, the studio wants Y/N, aka hex, to autograph specially made tarot cards that will go into the CDs for the first 500 people that preorder.

I promised to massage her hands for as long as she wanted after it was done.

"What?" Y/N asks, making me realize that I've been staring at her face. Her perfect face. "Do I have something on my face? Because I know you told me not to snack at the hotel, but I still did it."

I laugh and pretend to wipe crumbs off her lips before leaning in and kissing her.

"You're perfect."

"You're still cheesy." She says. "Learned it from you," I reply and look down at her outfit.

Since it's dinner with Scar, we didn't decide to go clits to wall decked out like we would if it was the twins. We know Scar and Colin are busy with baby Coz, so the fewer clothes that could get messy, the better.

Wait- basically, what I'm saying is that we're just going as cute casual! I'm in brown boots, jeans, and a long black sleeve, while Y/N is wearing wide-ankle khakis, her vans, and a long maroon button-up.

I wasn't sure about the outfit, but she picked it out, and knowing Y/N, she'll be trying to color with Rose anyways, so who cares.

"I like what you're wearing." I look back up to Y/N's eyes and slowly lean in. She does the same until our lips touch again.

"I think the label will push for an August release," Y/N says as she leans her head on my shoulder. "It's still summer, but I was expecting July."

"August is still good, right?" I ask, unsure of what Y/N really wants. "It is." She says. "I think I'm just ready to start some shows because every time I think about performing, I wanna throw up."

That's right.

She's going to be on the road sooner rather than later.

"Well, I'll be there with you," I say and hold her close. But Y/N chuckles, confusing me. "What?" She leans up and fiddles with the ring on her right hand. "I know you'll be there, and I love that, but I know you, and I don't want you to put off filming for me."

I look at her as if she doesn't see through me.

"What do you mean?" I look away from her eyes and clear my throat. "Liz..." She sighs. "I know about Azazel reaching out to you." I found her eyes, and they light up. "We both know I will probably be on the road if people want me to be. So please take any offer that comes your way. I'm mar- I'm in love with Elizabeth Olsen, the greatest Emmy-winning actress of our generation. Not Elizabeth Olsen, the-"

"Y/N." I stop her. "I get it." She leans in and kisses my nose, making me giggle. "Thank you." She says.

The car rolls to a stop in front of Scarlett's, and before Y/N moves away from me, I thank her for always being supportive and caring.

She said, "No, you." before jumping out of the car while laughing.

Y/N POV

"Oh shoot. Should we have brought wine or chocolates or anything?" I turn to Liz just after ringing the doorbell. She looks back at me with a look that says yes.

Shit.

"We should go." I turn my heels to walk away, but Liz grabs my arm and spins me around. "I think it's too late for that." We both know that, but it's not confirmed until the door swings open, and instead of a short blonde greeting us, it's an even shorter blonde.

"Auntie Lizzie!" Rose runs and jumps out of the doorway to Liz's legs with arms outstretched but stops when she sees me. "Auntie Y/N!" She squeals, making me smile.

Her and I are entirely different with one another since our first meeting.

But just like that, Lizzies runs as favorite aunt ends. I see the defeat on her face as the scorned look in her eyes washes over mini Scarlett and I, but- wait, what did Rosie say?

"Huh, Rose?" I ask as I bend down the child by my side. "I said you have to meet my favorite Auntie ever, JP!"

I look at Liz, who looks back to me. Who the hell is JP??

"Rose!" All three of our attentions turn to Mama Bear Scar as she steps out of the house to take Rosebud from me and place her on the ground. "How many times have I told you not to open the door?"

Rose hangs her head. Clearly, knowing that she shouldn't open the door without an adult present. "But I know it was Auntie Lizzie and Y/N." Rose cries.

Scarlett gets onto her knees in front of her daughter. "Rosie, look at me." Rose turns her head to look at her mother. Liz and I watching this interaction like statues. "I know that you know it was them. And that, yes, they are safe people, but still, it is better to be safe than sorry. I'd hate for anything to happen to you." Rose nods. "I love you." Scarlett pulls her daughter close and smiles when a smaller, quieter "I love you too." happens.

Rose pulls out of the hug and looks at her mom. "Can I hang out with Auntie Liz and Y/N?" She asks, earning a nod from Scarlett. "Yes, you can."

And just like that, I have Rose by my side as she points at every little thing in the hallway as if I've never been here before.

"Is that a chatterbox I hear?" Another woman's voice surprises Liz and me as we enter the kitchen. As soon as our eyes see the person, we immediately remember. "Auntie JP! Look, I brought friends!" Rose smiles proudly and makes a grand gesture with her arms.

"I see that!" Auntie JP, aka Jess Parker, says as she comes up and makes a goofy face at Rosie before turning to Liz and I. "Hi!" She says as she extends her hands to Liz first. "It's nice to meet you finally." Jess smiles widely at Liz as Liz returns the greeting.

Rose watches the interaction with glee as Jess turns to me. "You must be Y/N." She extends her hand to me as well before leaning closer to whisper: "Scarlett, let it slip that you have a huge crush on her."

Immediately, I groan and turn around to the older woman, but she puts her hands up. "Hey, look at Twitter and tell me what's true!" I roll my eyes away to see Colin laughing as he fixes Liz a drink. "Yeah, yeah, keep laughing, Jost."

I narrow my eyes before Rose grabs onto Jess and I. "I want to show you my new coloring book! It's in my room!" Liz turns her head at this. "Can I come, Rose?" Rose thinks before walking away. "No, thank you."

As comedic as Rosie is, I see Liz's face falls. So, instead of having Rose pull Jess and me away, I crouch down to her. "Hey, Rosie, how about you go grab all your art supplies and books, and we can color them at the table before we have to get ready for dinner. How does that sound?"

Rose thinks and agrees before pouting a little. "Can you see my room later, too? I got some of new toys of momma."

Jess crouches next to me and nods to encourage Rose. "That sounds great." Rose nods and runs to grab her things.

"Drink?" Colin asks as I turn around. "Yes, please," I say as I stand by my wife sitting at the kitchen island. "Damn, I can't believe I'm old news now." Liz jokes as Scarlett brings in baby Cosmo. "I doubt that," I say as I kiss the top of her head. Liz shrugs. "You and Jess seem to have it pretty covered."

From the tone, I can tell there's more under the surface.

But before anything can spill from my mouth, Scarlett hands me a babbling baby boy. "Carefully, he's rigged to blow any minute." I grimace but hold Cosmo steady. "Gee, thanks." Scarlett winks at me. "Want me to talk to her?" Scarlett asks Liz in regards to Rosie. Liz lightly laughs and shakes her head. "She's a kid. She's fine."

Scarlett gives a flat smile as Colin places a drink before me and Jess across the island.

"Be honest..." Scarlett starts. "How many pictures of Natasha do you have on your phone?"

I sigh. "I don't know. Enough to have a folder..." I shrug. This only makes Scarlett smile wider. "Can I see?" She wiggles her eyebrows. "I'd die before I let that happen."

Scarlett looks me up and down. "Put me in a red wig, and I think you would."

I look around the room and see no help on the defense. My girlfriend sips her drink, knowing that she'd rather sit with jealously than engage in between Scarlett and I.

"So Lizzie..." Jess speaks up. "You had a movie premiere today, and now you're here? Slumming it with us? What's up with that?" Scarlett watches her friend tease effortlessly with a smile, and as my girlfriend answers, I watch Scarlett's eyes shift from one friend to the other.

I had no idea Scarlett even knew of Jess Parker, but looking at them side by side, I can see a similarity between them.

I tune into the conversation just as Liz speaks my mind. "Well, what about you, Miss Jess Parker! Word has it closed up shop, but after eighteen months, you're here slumming it with us! I had no idea Scarlett, and you were so close! I mean, I know you designed the Infinity Gauntlet piece Scar wore at the Endgame premiere, but..." I chime in. "We could've used your jewelry on the red carpet earlier this week."

"And tonight!" Scarlett makes a point.

Jess smiles and takes a sip of her Moscow mule. "Basically, I missed home."

"New York?" I question. Jess nods. "I was overseas with my Dad and stepmom, taking time off to find myself." Scarlett pipes up as she wraps an arm around Jess. "A horrible ex who never have to speak about ever again." Jess nods and gags. "The worst. But yes, now I'm back home. Close to Scar again-"

"I'm sorry." I interrupt. "How long have you and Scarlett known each other?"

Scarlett takes the question.

"We grew up together." This information shocks Liz and I, but my mouth works faster than I can stop the words. "Cool. And you never meant to mention this??"

"Babe-" Liz tries to stop me while laughing. "Liz, we could've been wearing Jess Parker this entire time! Do you know how hot you would've looked with a Scarlet Witch Crown!"

I shake my head to make my thoughts pure again.

Everyone laughs, including Cosmo, as he spits up disgusting me just as Rose enters the room, pretending to laugh like she knew what was going on. "Got 'em!" She says as she holds up her supplies and books.

"That's great, Rose! We'll meet you at the table." Rose happily turns to the table at Jess' words as Scarlett takes her baby from me.

"Well, rumor has it the shop might be open again." Jess makes a face to Liz and I as she sips on her drink with a grin before joining Rose.

"Oh, she's fun!" Liz says as she turns back to Scar and Colin. "Fun, huh?" I'm quickly met with a green-eyed glare. "Noted," I say as I take my drink to color with Rose and Jess.

"Wow, Rose!" I say as she is coloring a picture of The Black Widow. Jess coloring in Hawkeye. "I didn't know you had an Avengers book!" Rose looks up at me with an are you serious look. "Yeah." She says before handing me a page. "You can do this one."

It's a picture of The Scarlet Witch.

"I tried asking for it, but she wanted you to color it so you could give it to Aunt Lizzie," Jess says with a smile while also doing a pretty good impression of Rose that the child ignores. I look up at her and laugh.

"Thank you, Rose." I turn to the small blonde. "No problem." She replies.

"Hey, Rosie?" I say as I pick up a red colored pencil. "Yeah?" She looks at me. "I can do this picture, but I think Aunt Lizzie would really appreciate it if you made something for her that was an original piece."

Rose looks away as she thinks before grabbing a blank piece of paper. Paper that looks like she easily took it from a copier somewhere in this house. "Like flowers? She's pretty like flowers."

"Yeah. That's a good idea, Rose."

Pretty like flowers.

I immediately store that line in my head for another day.

As Rose gets to work on a 2-D paper bouquet for my girlfriend, I look up and see Liz fully engaged in a conversation about whatever Colin is talking about.

My eyes travel down her face to her hands.

"Hey, Jess?" I whisper before looking her way. "Yeah?" She whispers back with a smile. "Could I have your number?" Jess widens her eyes a bit before looking in the direction of the other adults. "That's kinda bold of you, don't ya think?"

I give her a confused look before hearing my own words. "Omg no." I continue whispering. "I heard a rumor that maybe your shop was open."

Jess makes an ah sound. "Yeah, and?" I take one last look up at Liz before turning to Jess.

"I'm thinking about a ring."

Jess' lips immediately curl up into a wide smile as she can't help it. "Omg yes!" She jots down her number on a piece of paper, and tears off the strip before tossing it to me. I quickly shove it into my pocket before anyone else can notice.

No one does, but the only person in between us. Rose.

I think nothing of it before remembering that kids talk about anything and everything, and my name and a ring would spill at some point.

"You're getting a ring?" She asks at kid volume, but luckily, no one else heard. "Yes," I whisper. "I want to get Aunt Lizzie a ring, but no one else can know about it." I plead with my eyes at the sweet little Rose.

She nods her head. "Okay." She says innocently enough as her red colored pencils makes contact with the page.

"Legos," She says moments later. "Legos?" I question, indirectly forcing Rose to grace me with her presence. "Legos for the secret."

Jess watches the shake-down happen.

I slowly nod. "Legos," I repeat, unaware that Liz and Scarlett were joining us at the table. "Legos! We're talking about Legos?!" Scarlett asks as she kisses her daughter's head before looking over Jess' drawing. "Yeah! Auntie Y/N said she's going to get me legos once the school year is over!"

Suddenly, all eyes are on me.

"If it's okay with you, Scar," I say as Jess holds back a laugh. Who knew kids were this scary!! Scarlett shrugs. "Sure. We love legos!"

"Legos! We're talking about Legos?!" Colin asks as he enters the room with a freshly changed Cosmo. "Old news, Jost, keep up!" Jess says, making me laugh as Liz sits down next to me.

"Ooh, now, who is this!" She grabs and holds up my colored page of her Marvel character. "I don't know, but she looks pretty hot!" I jump my eyebrows up as I get a playful eye roll back.

"Please, we all know who you really want." Scarlett bites back as she smirks at me.

God, damn Johansson and that smirk.

_

Dinner came and went with much harassment from Scarlett and her endless run of jokes. While funny, my cheeks might've been painted red by the end. Although I know for a fact she wasn't joking when she said she had a Black Widow suit upstairs.

I'm pretty certain my hand was going to break from how hard Liz was holding me.

Anyways, conversations flowed well, and Colin talked to Liz and me about SNL with Benedict this weekend and how fun that'd be. I then realized that I'd be in the same room with Benedict and how I would restrain myself from trying to get him to say penguin.

I also told Liz she should try hosting SNL, which was tabled for another time.

Jess also talked about how she'd love to make jewelry for Liz and me and our upcoming events—so stay tuned for that. _

"Babe, there's no way you're still jealous after last night!"

Liz scoffs as she pulls on the handle to the restaurant, letting me through first. "Jealous?" She scoffs again. "Who said I was jealous?"

"Me!" I point to myself with my thumb. "All because sweet little Rosebud wanted to sit next to me. Hang out with me. Only talk to me! All last night! You got stuck with a gassy Cosmo." I say with glee as we see William and Geneva stand up from their table in the corner of the restaurant to greet us. "Yeah, because Legos were promised. Oh, and let's not forget about Scarlett's friend!" Liz says as her jaw tightens. "And yes, Jess Parker was very nice. I'm glad Scarlett introduced the two of you. Being chatty and all." Liz says as she waves her hand around, and I know I'm immorally pushing the buttons here. Especially when I say. "Pretty, too."

Liz turns to me, and even through her sunglasses, I can see her glaring at me. "Stop, okay. Fine. Let's say I was jealous, but I have no reason to be right now because I'm Geneva's favorite."

I nod my head and agree. "Yeah... for now." I smugly say as I pass her to greet William first while she hugs Geneva before we switch. "Y/N, sit here!" Geneva pulls out the chair to the right of her. "Okay!" I say with a smile as I turn back to Liz to see her flummoxed.

She wasn't expecting that, but being the polite angel she is, she graciously pulls out the chair and sits across from Geneva.

"Hey, you two are matching!" William points out to Liz and Geneva, who are both wearing their LA Dodgers hats. "Yeah!" Liz says as she removes her sunglasses to glance at me. "I knew I had to match with Geneva today! You know..." She glances. "Had to make someone jealous."

Geneva laughs as she sees me roll my eyes.

William notices, too, but chooses not to comment on it.

"Oh. I hope it's alright, but I ordered a round of coffee for the table. I don't know what you two might've gotten up to last night."

Liz and I thank William and let him know that he's definitely speaking to the two most homebodied people who just so happen to have a certain celebrity status. This makes Geneva laugh again before asking Liz about her garden.

Liz happily answers any question Geneva has, and the conversation flows from one topic to another.

The waitstaff come by periodically, and it's always funny to see the different looks from the surrounding customers as they recognize us.

I know I saw a few phones take some pictures; it's annoying, but that's the life I want to have. It comes with a price. But anytime I did catch someone snagging a pic, I made sure to glare their way.

Not for me or Liz. But for Geneva. She's 15. She doesn't need to be posted all over the internet, first off. And secondly. I'm sure her being pictured with Elizabeth Olsen and myself would bring a particular stress she doesn't need.

"So, Geneva, how was the camping trip?" Liz finally asks the one question I know she has been keeping in her back pocket. And just like Liz said, Geneva's face lights up. "Oh my God, I have to show you pictures. It was so cool!"

As Geneva picks up her phone and begins scrolling, mine begins vibrating in my pocket. I think about checking, but I ignore it and choose to remain present in the conversation as Geneva's phone gets handed to me.

I lean over closer to Liz and begin swiping to the left on her photo album titled 🌲 Oregon Trip 🌲

"Oh my gosh, look at that one!" I say as we swipe by a selfie of Geneva at the top of a waterfall. "That's a stunning picture! Where is that?" Liz says as she looks up to Geneva, but her finger points to an object in the picture.

It's an LA Dodgers hat.

I nudge Liz with my leg under the table before handing Liz the phone to reach mine as it starts vibrating again.

"Sorry," I say to the group as I check the Caller ID: Bo.

"Shit," I say before looking at Geneva. "Sorry." She shrugs. "That's fine. I curse, too. Fuck. See?" She says deadpan before breaking out into a smile, making me and Liz laugh while her dad scolds her. "Honey, don't do that." She shrugs again.

"Who is it?" Liz asks as my screen goes black. "It's Bo." I think he's calling me back to give me the final word on what the album will be titled." I sigh. "I don't think the studio likes the I keep pushing back." Liz brings her hand gently onto my arm before rubbing it up and down. The action, while comforting, reminds me that we're not alone.

"Sorry. Geneva, you were saying?" I question, but William stops me. "Hey, if you have an important phone call, we're more than happy to wait or let you take it." I shake my head. "I don't want to be r-" Before I can finish my sentence, my phone starts vibrating on the table.

"Take it," Liz says to me with a pointed look. William nods in agreement. "Go! Don't worry, I'll have more photos to share!" Geneva smiles at me before focusing on her chocolate chip pancakes. "This place is always so good." She looks to her dad.

"Go." Liz practically shoves me out of my seat with love and care. I nod to the table and let them know that I'll "be right back." As I answer the phone.

"Hey, Bo!"

"You know I called you two other times."

"Uh oh, someone's cranky," I say as I wave to the hostess who waved at me. Good thing Liz didn't see that.

I hear Bo grumble on the other side of the call as I exit the restaurant and begin walking around the parking lot.

"I'm not cranky." He says. "Well then, let me guess, someone got Decaf this morning?" I know I hit the nail on the head when he doesn't immediately quip back. "Come on, who's your favorite!" I tease with a smile.

"Anyways..." He starts making me awww. "Would you like to know what happened in the meeting a few minutes ago, or should we keep joking around?"

Liz POV

As I look back from the hostess waving at Y/N, I'm met with the smirk of a 15-year-old.

"Does that happen a lot?" She asks before stabbing a strawberry with her fork. "Does what happen?" I ask, pretending to be clueless. "Girls throwing themselves at Y/N." Geneva dramatically falls onto the table.

William clears his throat as a warning to Geneva just in case she's crossing a line. But she's not. Because. "No. It doesn't."

Geneva makes a questioning hum.

"Okay, I'll bite. What?" I ask, tilting my head. But the teen just smiles and smirks again.

"Okay, Wanda." She takes a sip of her water. "I was just saying that you had a certain look of jealousy in your eye. I mean, I get it hex is very attractive-" "Geneva."

"Dad." She mocks back. "Elizabeth knows." I breathe out. "For the last time, it's Lizzie." I chuckle. "And yes, I do know. But that doesn't mean every girl throws themselves at Y/N."

(A/N: They do)

Geneva puts her hands up in surrender. "I was just saying." William leans over and apologizes for his daughter in a very teasing way, making Geneva defend herself, leading to her and her dad playfully arguing.

It's cute, but it does make me think about my father. It's been months since I've seen him or spoken to him, and yet I wonder what he's doing right now. I know he misses me, but is he truly sorry?

Y/N has moved on from how he treated her, but I can't.

He hurt me and someone I love—bottom line.

"Elizabeth?" Geneva pulls me out of my thoughts. "It's Lizzie." She smiles back, loving this back-and-forth we have. "Sorry." She makes a very sarcastic gesture as she rolls her eyes. "Lizzie?"

"Yes?"

"D-do you think.. Do you think Y/N would follow my Instagram?"

Okay, maybe Y/N IS everyone's favorite.

"I just love you and her so much. And since you don't have any social media anymore, it'd be really cool! Plus, I love her music! And we are all forming this fanfic kinda bond right now, so it seems like-" I hold my hand to let Geneva catch her breath.

I take a glance at William, who shrugs.

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind, but try asking her." Geneva nods and grabs her phone. "Okay!" She immediately gets up and runs out to speak to Y/N.

"Oh wait, Geneva.. I didn't... mean now... she's gone."

"And then there were two." William laughs as he leans back into the wooden chair of the restaurant. Rubbing the grey hairs, he has under his neck. "How long do you think she'll be?"

"I was just about to ask you." I chuckle while William smiles before leaning forward with his elbows on the table. He clears his throat before taking a full of coffee.

"This is a lovely place you and Geneva picked. I've never been here before." I say as my eyes dart around the fun interior. "Yeah. Geneva and I have been coming here since she was about 2." My eyes widen a bit. "Oh wow!"

William nods. "Course, she only remembers it only being just the two of us."

Oh!?

"There was someone else before?" I cautiously ask. Curiosity getting the best of me. William nods again. "Clara. Geneva's mother." There's sadness as he says her name.

"Excuse me for asking. But has she passed?" William doesn't take offense and only offers a shake of the head. "No." He sighs. "I don't think anything will kill that woman." Again, he rubs his shaven beard. "She's not in our lives."

"Oh.. By choice?" He nods. "Ours." Referring to him and Geneva. "Geneva has always been a bright girl. Smarter than me. Funnier than most. She's the type not to be afraid to show off what makes her, her."

I nod along to his words and smile. It's true. I barely know this father and teenager, but everything he's saying is true.

William takes a breath and sniffles as he continues speaking. "Clara did not like that. Especially when Geneva was discovering who she is." I raise my eyebrows and make an ahh noise.

"I used to work a lot more than I do now, so I was blind to it."

I tilt my head and bring my body forward against the table. When William moves his face upward, I can see the light of the morning sun bounce off the water in his eyes.

I hesitate to ask... "Did she ever-?" William stops me before I can finish. "She never laid a hand on her. But the verbal assault was enough." A shaky breath escapes him. "What kind of parent does that?" He asks me.

Once again. I can't help but think of my father.

"It only got worse when Geneva was brave enough to come out and tell us that she was gay." William clears his throat again. "And maybe another reason she did it was to show she wasn't going to change. Or maybe she did it because she truly thought it would change Clara."

William sighs with a shrug.

"Of course, I accepted her, and I thought my wife did too..." He shakes his head. Still hurt. "But one week later, she was trying to send our tween off to a conversion camp."

He pauses.

"I never looked at the person I married the same way after that." He picks up the napkin in his lap and runs it over his nose as I blink away the tears in the corners of my eyes. "I had a point when I started this, I promise." William cracks. "I could tell." I light-heartedly joke back. He smiles.

"Geneva is one hell of a kid. One in a million. And she likes you and your girlfriend. And hell, for some reason, it looks like you like us too." I smile and nod. "And she may look tough as nails, but she's still a kid, at least to me. My girl." He says. "So please be careful with her."

I nod with a sniffle."I can promise you that Y/N and I only want to be the best for her." I take a second. "She's a brave kid. She helped me be brave, too."

William smiles.

"Jesus..." I ran a hand through my hair. "It sounds like we're adopting her." William belly laughs at that.

Y/N POV

"They pushed. They want it to be like a real debut album. And since this is more than an EP, they're making you go self-titled. hex." Bo says on the other side.

I sigh. This isn't the worst, and I know I should be grateful for this opportunity. So I breathe out and smile. "Okay. Timetable?" I ask.

"Late Summer," Bo says as he looks at a stack of papers in front of him. "August."

I turn around when I feel the eyes of someone on me. I quietly laugh when I see an out-of-breath Geneva.

I quickly wave to her as she waves back.

"And did they say anything about a tour?" I raise an eyebrow with interest.

I hear Bo go quiet.

"Ten shows to start. With you going self-titled, your livestream tonight and if depending on your sales once released, they'll add more."

I nod to his words, but I hate the roadblocks I have placed in front of that I must maneuver to please men in suits.

"But you get to pick where you want the tour to start."

It makes me smile because I instantly think about my Dad and where to play. "Nashville. Anywhere you can fit me."

When the call ends minutes later, Geneva politely holds her phone out to me, and I press follow.

Saturday Morning May 7th

Billboard Today "Fans of newcomer hex showed up in force just after midnight last night to see the drop for the tracklist to the artist's debut album. The livestream,which many thought was going to be small, was watched by over 200,000 people. Oh, and what about the songs, you ask? It looks like the album is going to be a solid eleven songs. But just before signing off,hex let it slip that there may be more in the future. Deluxe album, maybe?"

PopCrave "Artist hex debuted their tracklist for their debut album hex last night to awaiting fans. Check out the photo below from the livestream!" photo

MusicStarsNow "In a series of tweets starting with a profile picture change. Artist hex shows fans who missed last night's livestream the painting of the album cover commissioned by a friend of the artist Cyrus Wilcott. Followed by eleven tweets. Each one being a track title with short information about the song. However, the final tweet only contained the song title. Other than that, no release date has been given, but we hope for a summer release!"

Twitter

A/N: Hey, everyone. Sorry, this took a while! But it's here now with a lot going on! The next chapter will probably skip to the time the album drops. So see you next time! I hope you enjoyed it! Be safe, and drink some water!

Also, below is the real tracklist Fake album. Real songs. ________________________________

Track#. Track Name . (Real Artist)

________________________________

hex by hex . 1. Too Bad . (King Princess)

2. My Silver Lining . (First Aid Kit)

3. Nashville . (CMAT)

4. The Last One . (First Aid Kit)

5. Hospital . (Madison Cunningham)

6. Oh Wasn't It Fun . (hex)

7. Graves . (Hand Habits)

8. Always, Joni . (Trousdale)

9. Big Time . (Angel Olsen)

10. Leaning On You . (HAIM)

11. Wishful Thinking . (Gracie Abrams)

[nageltrailerrepair]

How to Winterize RV Holding Tanks Safely and Effectively

As the temperatures begin to drop in Michigan, RV owners face the critical task of preparing their vehicles for winter. Among the most vital steps is ensuring the RV holding tanks are properly winterized. Failing to do so can lead to frozen pipes, cracked tanks, costly repairs, and even damage to the overall plumbing system.

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time RV owner, winterizing your holding tanks isn't something you can afford to overlook. This guide will walk you through how to safely and effectively perform this essential maintenance.

Understanding Your RV Holding Tanks:

Before you can properly winterize your RV, you need to understand the purpose and function of each holding tank. Most RVs are equipped with three primary tanks: the fresh water tank, the gray water tank, and the black water tank. The fresh water tank stores clean, potable water.

The gray water tank collects wastewater from sinks and showers, while the black water tank holds sewage from the toilet. Each of these tanks requires a specific approach during winterization to avoid damage from freezing.

When temperatures fall below freezing, any residual water left in these tanks or in the connecting lines can freeze and expand. This leads to stress on seals, pipes, and the tanks themselves, ultimately causing cracks or bursts that are expensive to repair. Taking the time now to winterize your tanks properly can prevent a nightmare come springtime.

Drain and Clean All Tanks Thoroughly:

The first step in the winterization process is to drain all three tanks completely. Start with the black water tank. Use a designated RV dump station to safely empty its contents. Follow up with the gray water tank, and then the fresh water tank. It’s important to always empty the black tank before the gray tank. This allows the soapy water from the gray tank to help clean out any residue in the hose.

Once drained, clean each tank with appropriate tank cleaning solutions. This ensures all debris and residues are removed, which can otherwise freeze and damage the system. Many RVers use specialized cleaning wands for the black tank and antifungal rinses for the gray tank to eliminate build-up and odor.

Bypass the Water Heater Before Adding Antifreeze:

One critical error many RV owners make during RV Winterizing Michigan preparations is forgetting to bypass the water heater. RV water heaters hold between 6 to 10 gallons of water, and filling them with antifreeze wastes a lot of product. Instead, install a bypass kit if your RV isn’t already equipped with one. This kit allows you to redirect antifreeze around the water heater, saving both time and money.

Ensure the water heater is turned off and has cooled completely before draining it. Open the pressure release valve carefully and then remove the drain plug. Let it fully drain. After it's empty, engage the bypass system so you can safely move on to the antifreeze stage.

Use Non-Toxic RV Antifreeze:

When it comes to protecting your holding tanks, pipes, and plumbing lines, not just any antifreeze will do. Always use non-toxic RV-specific antifreeze. This type is formulated to be safe for potable water systems and will not harm the plumbing components. Automotive antifreeze is extremely hazardous and should never be used.

Add the antifreeze through the RV’s city water inlet using a hand pump, or through the water pump converter kit if your RV has one installed. Be sure the antifreeze reaches all faucets, toilets, and drains by running each for a few seconds until you see pink liquid coming through. This confirms that all lines are filled and protected from freezing temperatures.

Protect the Drain Traps and Valves:

Once the lines and tanks are filled with antifreeze, pay special attention to the drain traps under your sinks and shower. These “P-traps” often hold water that can freeze. Pour a small amount of antifreeze directly into each drain to displace any residual water. This also helps maintain a barrier against sewer gas backflow during storage.

The dump valves also need protection. These are the exterior levers used to empty your gray and black tanks. If water is left inside these valves, it can freeze and prevent proper operation in the spring. Open and close them after winterization to ensure they move freely. Some RVers apply a silicone lubricant to these valves as part of their RV Winterizing Michigan routine.

Don’t Forget the Toilet and Outdoor Showers:

Toilets in RVs can be overlooked during winterization, but they are critical areas for potential freezing. Flush a generous amount of antifreeze into the bowl and down into the black tank. Add a small amount to the bowl afterward to keep the toilet seal moist, which prevents it from drying out and cracking.

If your RV has an outdoor shower or exterior faucet, these need winterizing too. They are more exposed to the elements and freeze quickly. Run antifreeze through these lines just like the interior ones. Make sure they are thoroughly drained and protected.

Disconnect and Store Water Hoses Properly:

All water hoses used for fresh water, sewer, and flushing should be disconnected and drained. Water left in these hoses can freeze and crack the plastic or rubber. Coil them loosely and store them in a dry place, preferably indoors. Label each one so you can easily identify them next spring.

Inspect hoses for wear and tear before putting them away. Replace any that show signs of brittleness or leaks. Good hose maintenance is an often-forgotten part of RV Winterizing Michigan, but it’s just as important as treating the tanks and pipes.

Check the RV’s Interior Plumbing System:

Once your tanks and lines are full of antifreeze, take one more lap around the interior of your RV. Open every faucet and check for pink antifreeze flow. Don’t forget to test hot and cold taps individually. Look at showerheads, kitchen sprayers, and any other plumbing features.

Shut off each valve after verifying that antifreeze has reached it. Also, inspect under sinks and around water lines for any signs of leaks or corrosion. Preventive maintenance now can save you hundreds in repairs later. Keep in mind that RV Winterizing Michigan means dealing with extreme and often unpredictable weather, so thoroughness is key.

Store the RV in a Safe, Dry Location:

Winterization doesn’t end with plumbing—it includes overall RV storage. Choose a location that offers shelter from snow and ice. If your RV is stored outside, invest in a high-quality, breathable cover to prevent moisture buildup and mold growth. Make sure all roof vents, windows, and doors are tightly sealed.

Keep the inside dry by using moisture-absorbing desiccants or a small dehumidifier. Mice and other pests also look for warm places in the winter, so remove all food and seal any gaps that might invite unwanted visitors. A well-prepared RV stays in top shape and ready for spring adventures.

Schedule a Professional Inspection:

Even experienced RV owners can overlook steps or miss hidden leaks. If you're unsure about any part of the winterization process, consider hiring a professional RV technician to inspect your system. Many shops specializing in RV Winterizing Michigan offer flat-rate packages that include full system checks, antifreeze application, and storage prep.

A professional can also check your battery storage, electrical disconnects, and other non-plumbing systems affected by winter. This added assurance means peace of mind during the coldest months.

Maintain a Winter Checklist for Next Year:

After your RV is fully winterized, take detailed notes or create a checklist. Write down the steps you took, the type and amount of antifreeze used, any parts you replaced, and items that might need service next spring. This log will become a valuable resource for future winterizations.

Consistency in your RV Winterizing Michigan efforts year after year will not only protect your investment but also help prolong the life of your RV’s systems and structure. Each season brings unique challenges, but a checklist keeps you one step ahead.

Conclusion:

Winterizing your RV holding tanks isn’t just a seasonal chore—it’s a necessary form of protection that can save you from expensive repairs and springtime disasters. From thoroughly draining and cleaning your tanks to using non-toxic antifreeze and safeguarding every line and valve, each step matters.

Proper winterization ensures that your RV’s plumbing system survives Michigan’s harshest conditions without damage. Whether you tackle the job yourself or hire a professional, make sure your strategy is thorough and repeatable.

By following the detailed steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to enjoy the coming spring without surprises. Remember, RV Winterizing Michigan is not just about avoiding the freeze—it's about preserving the freedom to hit the road again, fully prepared and worry-free.

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How to Handle Common Plumbing Issues in Santee Homes

Have you ever turned on a faucet only to be greeted by a slow trickle instead of a steady stream? Or maybe you’ve been startled awake by the sound of a running toilet in the middle of the night? If you're living in Santee, CA, chances are you've run into at least one plumbing issue in your home. Plumbing problems are like uninvited guests—they show up unexpectedly and often at the worst times.

Luckily, understanding what’s going wrong and knowing how to handle it (or who to call!) can save you a lot of stress, time, and even money. Whether you’re a new homeowner or a seasoned one, this guide breaks down the most common plumbing issues in Santee homes and how you or your friendly neighborhood Santee Plumber can tackle them.

1. Leaky Faucets 🚰

That steady drip isn’t just annoying—it’s costly. A single leaky faucet can waste hundreds of gallons of water each year.

Why it happens: Usually caused by a worn washer, O-ring, or loose seal.

Fix it: Turn off the water, disassemble the faucet, and replace the damaged parts. Not a DIYer? A licensed Santee plumber can have it fixed in no time.

2. Clogged Drains 🛁

Whether it's your kitchen sink or shower drain, clogs can disrupt your daily routine.

Typical causes: Grease, soap scum, hair, food debris—or even a child’s toy!

Fix it: A plunger or drain snake works for minor clogs. Avoid chemical cleaners—they can damage pipes. For stubborn blockages, hydro-jetting by a pro plumber is your best bet.

3. Running Toilets 🚽

A constantly running toilet is like flushing your money away.

Common issues: Worn-out flapper valve, malfunctioning fill valve, or a misaligned float.

Fix it: Inspect the internal parts. A DIY toilet repair kit can usually solve the problem.

4. Low Water Pressure 💧

Showering with weak water flow? That’s a red flag.

What causes it: Mineral deposits, a broken pressure regulator, or even hidden leaks.

Fix it: Start by cleaning your faucet aerators. If that doesn’t help, it’s time to call a plumber in Santee to identify the root issue.

5. Water Heater Problems 🔥

No hot water? That’s a cold shock you didn’t sign up for.

Possible causes: Sediment buildup, broken heating element, or a faulty thermostat.

Fix it: Flushing the tank regularly helps. If your unit’s over 10 years old, consider a replacement.

6. Slab Leaks 🏠

Leaks beneath your foundation can silently cause serious damage.

Symptoms: Warm spots on floors, mold, rising water bills, or cracks in walls/flooring.

Fix it: Slab leaks require advanced tools and expertise. Call a certified Santee plumber ASAP.

7. Burst or Leaky Pipes 💦

A pipe burst can cause flooding in minutes.

Causes: Aging pipes, corrosion, freezing temperatures, or physical impact.

Fix it: Shut off the main water supply and call for emergency plumbing services. Prevent future incidents by insulating exposed pipes.

8. Sewer Line Backups 🛑

Foul smells, slow drains, and bubbling toilets? Your sewer line might be in trouble.

Common causes: Tree roots, pipe damage, or major blockages.

Fix it: A plumber can inspect your sewer system using a camera and recommend trenchless repair solutions.

9. Garbage Disposal Jams 🗑️

A jammed disposal can disrupt kitchen cleanup.

Usual suspects: Bones, fibrous foods, or stray silverware.

Fix it: Use the reset button or rotate the flywheel with a hex key. Never put your hand inside the disposal!

10. Dripping Hose Bibs 🚿

Outdoor spigots can leak after a cold snap.

Reason: Frozen pipes that cracked or worn-out washers.

Fix it: Replace the washer or install a frost-proof hose bib to avoid winter damage.

11. Noisy Pipes 🎵

Banging or rattling pipes? That's not normal.

Why it happens: High water pressure, loose pipes, or water hammer.

Fix it: Secure loose pipes and consider installing a pressure-reducing valve or air chamber.

12. Washing Machine Hose Leaks 🧺

Often ignored until there’s a flood in the laundry room.

Cause: Aging rubber hoses or poor installation.

Fix it: Upgrade to stainless steel braided hoses—they’re more durable and reliable

13. Hard Water Buildup 🧊

Santee is known for hard water, which leaves behind white scale and reduces appliance efficiency.

Fix it: Installing a water softener protects your plumbing and extends the lifespan of your fixtures and appliances.

14. Toilet Flange Issues 🚽

A wobbly or leaky toilet might indicate flange problems.

Signs: Water pooling around the base or a bad odor.

Fix it: Remove the toilet, replace the flange, and reseal properly. Call a pro if you're unsure.

15. When to Call a Professional Santee Plumber ☎️

Sometimes, no amount of DIY will fix the issue. Persistent leaks, hidden plumbing damage, or emergency situations require a professional touch.

Pro Tip: Always choose a licensed plumber who offers 24/7 emergency service, clear pricing, and guaranteed work.

Final Thoughts 💬

Plumbing problems are part of homeownership—but they don’t have to ruin your day. With the right knowledge and a trusted Santee plumber on call, you can protect your home from damage and keep things running smoothly.

EZ Plumbing USA offers 24/7 professional plumbing services across San Diego, Orange County, and Riverside. They specialize in leak detection, emergency repairs, and water heater services for homes and businesses. Contact us for more information.

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