#Weekend Excitin

[foxgamin21]

Ghost Hika 👻🐰✨

Spooky ghost but bunny :P

Linktree:

[xiomeebo]

all of my figures are packed away rn an my room feels so empty....... theyre not gonna be packed away for long but i miss them sobs

[littlefaefae]

froggie time!

faefae has more froggie bedsheets! these ones are dark an has dart froggies on it! faefae likes faer froggie bedsheers a lot, but we keep havin nightmares which are scary an not nice so faefae is kinda tired still, but that's why faefae has naptimes! so that when faefae gets tired in the day faefae can have a little rest an feel better for the rest of the day!

look! look! faefae got a new froggie frend today!

mr froggie an miss froggie! faefae has been lookin forward to her gettin here for weeeeeeeeks an now she's here an mr froggie has a new frend too an his head is bigger than her entire body an faefae is lookin forward to havin cuddles an snuggles with miss froggie!

so faefae's doin okay an doin fine an is lookin forward to next weekend cause it's the next lli event an faefae gets to go play an hang out with all the other littles that go there too! is very excitin!

so that's how faefae's doin!

[nappingmoon]

short little thing about being kita's little wife and getting the best surprise of your life. <33

fluff!! wc: 1k cw: pregnancy.

a/n: i was never a kita girlie but im watering my neighbors plants and thinking...

to be kita's little wife is to live the most relaxing life ever. I think kita is a little more traditional in the sense that he never wants you lift a finger. that's what he's for. years of labor in his family's rice fields have toned his body, the muscles strong and taught under skin that's warmed from so much time spent under the hot sun. your wedding ring is an heirloom, given to him by his grandmother the first time he brought you to visit her. at first, it was difficult to adjust to life away from the city-- the quiet sometimes more deafening than the constant whir of society. you slowly came to appreciate the change in pace. you've had more time to think, to develop yourself without the constant influence of others and to love who you have become. kita is always there with firm reassurance if the latter becomes clouded by any errant thoughts.

you start each day by waking up when your body deems that it has had enough sleep. kita's already gone-- he always is by this time. he's in the fields before the sun has crept past the horizon, prepping for the days work and doing preliminary tending. you stretch your body, easing your way through your morning routine without rush or worry. you slip on a flowy dress, a must for keeping cool in the hot summer, before heading to the kitchen. you pour yourself a cup of the tea kita left for you and grab a piece of bread to munch on while you walk to the garden. the watering can is a familiar weight in your hands as you pick it up, some of the cool droplets splashing against your legs. it’s a refreshing sensation when the sun beats down as it does now, the clouds sparse. you pick a flower for your hair, matching it to your outfit. once done watering the plants, you grab a woven basket, a wedding gift from one of the nice ladies from the village. you fill it with various vegetables and fruits, grabbing what is ripe and centering your lunch plans based on what nature has provided you with today.

the record player in your living room croons out an old jazz tune as you slice tomatoes. you hum along and there’s a sway in your hips as you add them to the pan. this is the sight that greets kita as he enters your shared home. his footsteps thud, strong and intentional. “hi darlin’” he greets, leaning in to kiss you. sweat drips above his brow, evidence of the work he’s done. “smells delicious.”

you both enjoy your meal at the table, chatting about your plans for the day and the places you want to stop this weekend on your biweekly trip to see osamu. kita is always steady with his supply, never late and never passing the task on to the delivery boys who take the rice to the other customers. this is a trip he cherishes, a chance to connect with his old teammate (teammates when atsumu finally stops by) and it has become a little tradition. osamu always makes you your favorite onigiri, warm and ready the moment you arrive, bellies empty after the long drive. you watch the sunset through the windows of his little shop, and take a walk with his wife before it darkens completely. “let’s leave the boys to themselves, I wanna have a little girl time with my favorite friend” she says, ushering you out. it’s a bit unexpected, you four usually spend the whole time together catching up.

you suspect she brought you out to discuss kita’s birthday plans. he’s turning thirty and you had expressed to her that you wanted to do something special. that’s why you’re stunned when she starts off giddily with a “so, how far along are you? you’re absolutely glowing and it’s not the summer heat.”

you pause, taken aback. “what? I’m not pregnant, what do you mean?” you’re not. you’re definitely not… right?

“I’ve got an eye for this, and i’m never wrong so don’t bother trying to keep it a secret! this is so exciting!” she exclaims, but her smile falls when she sees the look of surprise on your face. “oh, did you not know?”

you can’t be pregnant. but wait, when was your last period? you were just late, right? kita had been talking about giving you a baby, had been desperate in his attempts recently, but it hadn’t worked that fast, had it? you had only stopped using condoms a little over a month ago! but as she looks over you, sure in her assessment that maybe she could be right. 

“are you sure?” you ask, tentative. you don’t want to get excited yet. you don’t want to start dreaming and making name lists and thinking about nursery colors or how amazing of a father kita would be. not yet.

“I’m positive. your skin seems lit from the inside out. I’ve always been able to tell faster than most, and I have never been wrong in my guesses. we can get a test on the way back. I can be there while you take it. imagine the surprise on their faces. osamu’s gonna be mad he didn’t knock me up first.” she giggles

a smile forms on your face at the thought. a palm against your belly, you let yourself truly fall into believing the dream of creating a little family with kita. of bringing into the world the fruit of your love, of raising a child in your small home, small feet padding across the wood. you grasp her hand and pick up the pace eager to get to the store and grab the tests.

kita nearly faints when he hears the news.

[sunnytoonsproductions]

Y'all, now I've kinda felt like ah'm now more interested in jungle bunch than class of 3000, but I realized that that actually ain't true... And that I still love class of 3000. Even the muppets, even tho I don't rully draw 'em alot (but I will try on the weekend), it's maybe cause I got hyperfixation for the jungle bunch again like how I did for class of 3000... ❤️❤️❤️❤️

And ah'm trying to even think of some more excitin' scenarios of the class of 3000, even the jungle bunch and my other shows, even some crossover ones like of the crossover gathering. =^//^= 💗💗💗

[scriv3lloirl]

YEAH ITS MY COLLEGES PRODUCTION NEXT YEAR ITS GOT LOADS OF BANGERS

SORRY IVE BEEN GONE IVE BEEN DOING A PRODUCTION OF LSOH!! IT WAS V FUN!!!

-⭐️

Oh now thas' excitin! Funnily enough I have plans t' watch Les Mis wit a friend soon, we're hopin fer this weekend but we'll see.

N YOU WERE IN A PRODUCTION OF LITTLE SHOP?? HOLY HELL. THAS FANTASTIC!! Glad t' hear it was real fun, sweetheart. I'd absolutely kill t' be in a production of Little Shop.

[thestargazerlily]

can i ask you a question? did you ever have someone kiss you in a crowded room? and every single one of your friends was making fun of you? but 15 seconds later they were clapping too? then what did you do? are we out of the woods yet? are we in the clear yet? didn't you calm my fears with a cheshire cat smile? haven't you heard what becomes of curious minds? why'd you have to make me want you? why'd you have to lead me on? didn't you flash your green eyes at me? why'd you have to make me love you? remember when you hit the brakes too soon? remember when we couldn't take the heat? did you leave her house in the middle of the night? did you think i didn't see you? did you get anxious though, on the way home? did you wish you'd put up more of a fight? why'd you have to twist the knife? walk away and leave me bleeding? why'd you have to give me nothing back? do you wish you could still touch her? why'd you whisper in the dark just to leave me in the night? why'd you have to go and lock me out when i let you in? was it over when she laid down on your couch? was it over when he unbuttoned my blouse? was it over then? what do you tell your friends we shared dinner, long weekends with? does it feel like everything's just like second-best after that meteor strike? didn't they tell us, "don’t rush into things"? didn't it all seem new and excitin'? is it over now?

got inspired by @kissyoulikealover & her questions post

[zorosdimples]

haii kae happi saturday~! ♡ any excitin planz wit a f/o? dontchu forget i luv uuuu

sweet neenz—i missed seeing your gorgeous face on the dash! please forgive me for being several days late to reply :’-)

zoro and i had a very lazy saturday. some weekends we’re up for adventures, while other weekends we just wanna sleep and chill. last week was rough at work, so (per my request) we slept in on saturday and stayed in bed almost all day! sometimes the best days are the laziest days with those you love <3

i love you so so so so soooo much and i hope you’re having a wonderful week! 🫶🏻

[thelastspeecher]

Foster ford, Molly bonding with/meeting Angie

@nelson-and-murdock also requested something with Molly in the Foster Ford AU, so I'm going to count this as fulfilling that request as well. Hope you guys enjoy it!

———————————————————————————————————–

              Molly was almost done with her book by the time her stepmom came home from work.  Her head went up when the front door opened and a short, blonde woman stepped inside.

              “Hello, my darlin’ fellers,” she chirped cheerfully to Molly’s dad and cousin in the kitchen.  “How was yer day?  Anything excitin’ happen?”  Molly frowned.

              The only people I’ve heard with an accent like that are on TV or in movies.  Where’s she from?

              “Uh, yeah,” Stan said.  He was working on dinner, and Stanford, who apparently preferred to go by Ford, was helping by handing him ingredients when asked.

              “Oh?  What happened what was excitin’?” Molly’s stepmom asked.  Stan nodded at Molly sitting in the living room.  Molly’s stepmom turned to look.  She had a long, thin nose, a slender frame, and was wearing khaki shorts and a dark brown T-shirt.  She stared at Molly for a second before slapping her forehead.

              “Yeah,” Stan said idly.  He looked at Ford.  “Gimme the carrots.”  Ford obediently handed him the carrots Stan had chopped earlier.  Stan dumped the carrots into the pot he was tending to on the stove.

              “Oh, no,” Molly’s stepmom sighed heavily.  “I forgot to tell ya she was comin’, didn’t I?”

              “Yep,” Stan said.  Ford nodded in confirmation.

              “Oh, Lord, I’m so sorry.  It’s just- work and my thesis and-”

              “It’s okay.  We got it figured out.”

              “Still!  Ugh, I’m normally so much more organized than this!” Molly’s stepmom said, frustrated.  Stan snorted.  “What?”

              “Ang, you might be more tidy with your stuff around the house normally, but you’ve always been pretty disorganized in the head.  So stop moping and introduce yourself before Molly graduates high school.”

              “Ford, give Stan a lil smack fer me please,” Molly’s stepmom said.  Ford grinned.  He punched Stan’s leg.

              “Hey!” Stan protested.

              “I’m just doing what she told me to do,” Ford said.  “What do you need next?”

              “Garlic,” Stan said.  Ford handed him the garlic powder.  Molly’s stepmom walked over to Molly and sat next to her on the couch.  She smiled.

              “Molly, right?” she asked.  Molly nodded.  “It’s a right pleasure to meet ya, darlin’.  I apologize fer bein’ so absent-minded that I forgot to tell yer father you’d be showin’ up.”  Molly shrugged.  “The name’s Angie.  If that’s what ya want to call me, that’s fine by me.”  Molly searched Angie’s face for any hints of deception.  But Angie’s expression didn’t seem fake; genuine warmth sparkled in her blue eyes.

              “Okay.”  Molly cocked her head curiously.  “Where are you from?”  Angie chuckled.

              “My accent sticks out ‘round here, don’t it?  I grew up on a farm in Arkansas, but the closest town was a tiny lil place called Gumption.  Did ya grow up in New Jersey like yer father?”

              “Yeah.”  Dr. Whiskers walked along the back of the couch and jumped onto Angie’s lap.

              “Did Dr. Whiskers give ya the red carpet treatment?” Angie asked, stroking the cat.  Dr. Whiskers purred happily.  Molly shrugged.  “Well, I’ll let ya get back to readin’.  Got to shower and change out of my gross clothes.”  Angie gently set Dr. Whiskers on the ground and stood up.  She frowned.  “Speakin’ of clothes, do ya have much of ‘em with ya?”

              “Not really.”

              “I’m busy all week, so’s unless yer fine with Stan takin’ ya shoppin’ fer clothes, you’ll have to borrow from Ford until the weekend,” Angie said.  Molly shrugged again.  “Do ya have a preference?”

              “No.”

              “Then we’ll wait ‘til the weekend.  I don’t trust Stan to get a young lady proper clothes,” Angie said.  Molly’s heart sunk.

              What does she mean by “proper clothes”?  Angie smiled again at Molly.

              “I’m happy to have ya with us, darlin’,” she said kindly.  Molly watched her walk away, stomach in knots.

              Please don’t let her be just like Mom.

-----

              Angie parked the car.  Molly looked out the window.  Her eyes widened.

              “Wait, you work at the zoo?” she asked.

              “Have I not mentioned that yet?” Angie asked.  Molly shook her head.  “Huh.  Maybe I am as absent-minded as Stan says.”  Angie shrugged.  “Well, no fixin’ that now.  Let’s go inside.”  Molly got out of the car and followed her stepmom to the entrance of the San Diego Zoo.  She had been faced with the inevitability of yet another day reading while Stan and Ford played together when Angie suggested she come to work with her.  Since anything would be better than watching her dad and cousin play with LEGOs, Molly jumped at the opportunity.

              At first, Molly thought Stan’s standoffishness was just him feeling awkward around her.  After all, she was the daughter he didn’t know he had with the girlfriend that cheated on him and broke up with him.  But she knew now the true reason Stan wasn’t spending much time with her alone.  It was because of Ford.

              Ford was constantly by Stan’s side.  It was like he was glued to him.  Molly couldn’t get any one-on-one time with her dad.  Not with Ford standing right there, commanding Stan’s attention.  At this point, Molly was convinced Ford was getting in the way on purpose.  It couldn’t be a coincidence.  No one her age should be spending so much time hiding behind their father figure’s legs.

              And I swear he gives me little smirks about it, too.  Molly initially thought Ford’s expressions were social awkwardness.  After how he manipulated Stan into avoiding time with Molly, though, she felt certain those weird smiles were Ford being proud of himself for getting all the attention from Molly’s dad.

              “Howdy, Tim,” Angie said to the security guard.  She put a hand on Molly’s shoulder.  “This here’s my stepdaughter, Molly.  Can I get a guest pass fer her?  She’s spendin’ the day with me.”  Tim looked at Molly with a raised eyebrow.

              “She definitely looks like Stan.  I didn’t realize he had a kid.”

              “Funny story.  He didn’t realize that, either.  Not until recently.”  Angie’s smile became a bit forced.  “But that’s all I’ll say ‘bout it.  It ain’t my story to share.”

              “Fair enough.”  Tim gave Molly a guest pass on a lanyard.  Molly slipped the lanyard over her head.  “Enjoy the zoo, Molly.”

              “So, what do you do here?” Molly asked Angie as they walked into the zoo proper.  “Are you a zookeeper?”

              “Yep!” Angie said cheerfully.

              “What kinda animals do you take care of?”

              “The scaly and slimy ones.”  They began to head for the reptile house.  Molly’s eyes widened.  “The critters what most folks think are disgustin’ or scary, I find the most charmin’.”  Angie smiled at Molly.  “Yer not authorized to help me, so you’ll just have to watch fer the most part.  But if ya want, I’ll let ya feed Horace some mealworms.”

              “Who’s Horace?”

              “One of the bearded dragons.”

              “You’ll really let me feed a bearded dragon?!” Molly said eagerly.  Angie chuckled.

              “Sure.  Why not?”

              “Can I hold a snake or something?”

              “Hmm.  We’ll see.”  Angie leaned over.  “But if ya behave yourself, I’d say the odds are in yer favor,” she whispered conspiratorially.  Molly grinned.

              Oh, yeah.  This is way better than staying at home all day.

[doublefaceliker2808]

Spring Evening's Respite - Adasakura 5

Kohaku: Woah, so this is an arcade… 

‘S even brighter than I woulda thought when I looked it up on the internet back then. ‘S so glarin’ and noisy here, an’ there’s children with their families an’ couples here too. 

Madara: Kohaku-san, is this your first time at an arcade? 

Well then, let me tell you all about the highlights here. You seeee, with this medal game, you can exchange each medal for 10,000 yen each! What'd ya think, isn’t that awesome? 

Kohaku: There's gamblin' with rates that high here? I remember hearin’ that arcades were a seedy place, but to think things’d go this far…!

That’s miles away from the kinda pachinko Rinne-han plays! Are the regulars of these arcades billionaires or somethin’? 

Madara: Hahaha! I was joking! 

You shouldn’t believe groundless rumours like that, y’knooow? You'll end up getting tricked by bad people ♪

Kohaku: The hell, stop lyin’ like that! 

Everythin’ here’s so impressive that I totally fell for it. I’m glad that the playground-esque impression I had o' arcades are still holdin' up. 

Madara: Yep, you'd be preeetty much right. 

They’ve placed a variety of gaming machines for after-school and weekend goers. 

There’s a crane machine that has figures from popular series and mascots right outside the entrance, see, so this arcade’s kept an atmosphere that makes it easy for passerbies to enter. 

Alongside those, the building's back has machines such as arcade games and coin games more catered towards gaming enthusiasts, I’d assume. 

Kohaku: I see. This really does sound like the arcades I’ve learned t’know about. 

I’ve always been curious ‘bout these places whenever I saw ‘em on the internet. 

But I remember hearin’ that they can be unsafe, so I’m very glad to have Madara-han here with me. 

Madara: Kohaku-san… Were you afraid of going to arcades by yourself? 

Since you’re trained in assassination, there’s nothing in particular here to be wary of… it’s quite odd coming from you. 

Kohaku: Even I can be scared o’ things I don’t know ‘bout. 

It was back when I was stuck in my zashikirou, when I heard online ‘bout how it’s a place where bad people like to gather. 

They say that delinquents come here every day, an’ that fights break out on the daily. 

Madara: Hmmm�� I think your understanding of arcades might be a liiittle dated? 

Weeelll, it might be a bit insensitive of me to just outright call you wrong. Let’s look around and play a couple things in here so you can get a taste of arcades yourself. 

Firstly, let’s check out the arcade’s main star: the crane game. Can you follow me for a bit? 

Madara: This is a crane game. It’s exactly what it looks like, right? 

You grab the prize you want, drop it in a hole and then it’s all yours— I’m sure even Kohaku-san knows that, right? 

Kohaku: Well, more or less. 

But knowin’ how it works is completely different from actually seein’ it, ya know. 

Madara: Fufu, once you actually get around to playing it, I’m sure your thoughts will change on that. How about trying for this plushie? 

Kohaku: Gotcha, leave it t’me. I’m supposed to put a coin here, yeah? 

First ya move it horizontally, an’ then ya adjust the depth. 

Madara: Yep, when moving the crane to the back, it’s the easiest to understand the positioning when you do it while looking from your side. It’ll feel a bit awkward, but just give it a try. 

Kohaku: Yer not lyin’ this time, right? Lemme try it out then. 

…’Kay, I got a good position right above. When I press the button to confirm the position, the crane’s gonna grab onto the plush, right? 

Ohh, the crane’s goin’ down super slow. Somehow, this is really excitin’. 

……☆

…Ah, no! 

What happened!? This claw’s so weak it ain’t grabbin’ onto it at all! 

Madara: Hahaha! Crane games aren’t so kind as to let you get it first try, you knooow? 

Even if you position the crane perfectly, there's no point in this business if the customer could get it on your first try. 

Maybe they’re using a ploy that makes it so that your claw gets stronger depending on the money you put in? 

Kohaku: Can’t ya tell me ‘bout a system like this earlier? All this did was get my hopes up. 

Madara: Unfortunatelyy, this is the harsh reality of society. 

But still, don’t get too down. The claw might be weak, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get grab anything. There’s actually tricks to this, you see. 

Can you leave it to me? Let me show you how it's done…☆

Now that the coin's in, it's time to move it allll the way to the edge! 

Kohaku: Wait, the plushie’s a lil more to the left. Aren’t ya gettin’ the position wrong? 

Madara: No, this is just right. Take a look. 

Kohaku: …! Woaah, the plush’s intertwinin' with the claw…! 

Madara: Fufu, looking at the plushie’s figure, the center of its gravity is more off than it actually looks, right? 

Seems like my logic was on point. This way, you can still grab it even if the claw’s a little weak ☆

…Sooo, this plushie will be my present to Kohaku-san ♪

Kohaku: Oh, ohh. I didn’t think I’d be gettin’ it but— Thank you. 

Madara: There are various ways of winning a prize, such as hooking the claw onto the plushie’s tag, for example. 

If Kohaku-san is dexterous enough, you might be able to grab a prize on your first coin. It’s good to try different strategies! 

Kohaku: I see. So tricks like that are fair game too, eh? 

Now then, shall I follow Madara-han’s example? 

Kokoko, I finally get why crane games are fun. 

If I keep tryin' fun things like this, maybe I’ll finally find "the thing I want to do”... ♪

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[ask-the-official-gangreen-gang]

Alright! Youse the people have spoken! This weekend I will be interviewin'...The Rowdyruff Boys!! Hehehe. This is sure to be an excitin' one, huh? Youse know the drill, everyone! Send me questions to ask them tagged with Rrb:! Or @Rrb. Meanwhile we'll get a couple asks in our box answered later today.

[tloujm]

Part XV: How About Now?

Author’s Notes: Nothing to see here but Joel slowly breaking out his dad jeans and interacting with the fic’s newest character. I hope y’all enjoy this one. It’s a little bit longer than the last two and its a build up to some major fluffy plot development.

Genre: Fluff with a couple drops of angst

Summary: Joel tries to bond with the new girl. He convinces you to go camping with him. The two of you take the relationship to the next level.

Ship: Joel x Reader

Joel’s boots crunched against the wet gravel as he found himself walking toward the daycare center. He knew that you’d be there. This week had been so busy for the two of you, that you’d barely gotten time to see each other. He acknowledged what the feeling was that pulled at his heart strings; he missed you. 

With the intention of pulling you away from your duties, if only for a moment, Joel walked inside and glanced around the play room for you. His eyes fell on something familiar, but it was not you. It was his jacket that he recognized, still wrapped around the shoulders of the new little girl who arrived in Jackson not so long ago. It was as if she had never taken it off. Joel noticed that she was sitting by herself at a table. As he walked closer, he found that she was drawing. His heavy footsteps alerted her, causing her to drop the pencil in her hand and look up at him. With a low grunt, he crouched down until he was eye level with her. 

She shrugged off the jacket and handed it to him. “No, you can keep it, kiddo. I have another.” He waved it away before she placed it on her lap like a blanket. “Let’s see what you’re drawing here. Oh, well now I believe this one is called a Velociraptor. Yep, I learned this from a little known movie that came out back in…’93 I wanna say. Some feisty creatures. They may have been small compared to the rest, but you wouldn’t wanna get on the wrong side of those fellas.” Joel said, filling up the air of the one sided conversation. “You ever seen a dinosaur in real life? S’pose you haven���t. That’s wayyyy before your time.” He attempted to make her laugh. “Technically, I’ve seen them, their bones at least. I used to go to science museums all the time before the outbreak. You’ve probably never been to one, have you?” He genuinely waited for an answer, to which she barely shook her head. “I know of one not too far from here. Maybe me and (Y/N) will take you one day if you’re up to it.” Joel got back up slowly and stretched his legs until his knees popped. He tipped his imaginary cowboy hat as a farewell and continued his search for you. 

Joel eventually found you in the backyard taking down laundry from the line. “Hi, darlin’.”

You put the clip back on the line and threw yourself into his arms. “Hey! I missed you.” Hearing you say that melted his heart.

“Missed you too. You know, I was thinking we should go campin’.”

“That’s random.” You laughed off his suggestion.

“Why? I reckon we can go hiking, fish, cozy up next to a fire, lay under the stars.”

“I don’t even know how to fish.”

“I’ll teach you.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I might be a bit rusty. I mean I haven’t gone fishing since I was a kid, but I’ll get back into the swing of things. But those other things, I know you like.”

“I mean I do, but we can do that here in Jackson.” You countered.

“Yeah, but it’ll be something different.”

“I don’t know, Joel. Ever since we settled here, we haven’t gone beyond the gates unless we had to.”

“C’mon now, don’t tell me you forgot about your birthday. The aquarium, remember?”

You glare at him knowingly. “How can I ever forget. But in my defense, I didn’t know we were going to leave the walls of Jackson. All you said was that it was a surprise and that was it. I just don’t want to run into any hunters or people from a hostile settlement.”

“I thought I was the worrisome one in this relationship.” Joel joked. “Listen, this ain’t our first rodeo. We’ve survived a lot out there and not for nothin’. People or clickers, we’re good at staying alive and even better at it when we’re together.” He placed his hands on your shoulders and rubbed them up and down your arms. “I promise we won’t go far. We’ll pick a patch of land along a recently cleared route. I trust you. You trust me?” You nodded. “Good! We’ll have fun! This is excitin’.”

“You know, I’ve never gone camping before.” You spoke up.

“Really? Not even an RV or cabin?”

You shook your head. “You know I love nature just as much as you, but I’m really just a city girl. I was used to seeing animals on tv or behind a barrier at the zoo. The wildest animal I’d ever seen before the outbreak was a raccoon. Maybe the occasional deer. The closest to hiking I ever did before was at a nature preserve park. It may all be outside, but damn, the actual woods are a whole other story.” He let out a light laugh. “Before the outbreak, I bought all my meat from the store and had a tendency to kill every plant I owned.”

“Well now look at ya, a natural country girl.”

You laughed. “I never chose this life. This life chose me.”

“It chose a lot of folks, but it suits you.”

“You don’t gotta butter me up anymore, I already agreed to go camping with you.” You said while giving him a sly smile.

“I mean it, it does.”

“Why do you wanna go camping anyway? I can see a hike for the afternoon, but everyday out there since the outbreak has felt like one big camping trip.”

“That wasn’t campin’. The difference is that campin’ is fun, you’ll see.” He tried to convince you.

“You still haven’t answered my question.” You said. He looked at you blankly. “Why though! We’ve been in Jackson for years now and you’ve never suggested it before.”

He shrugged. “Now just seems like a good time. Jackson’s in a good place. They won’t miss us for a day or two. Besides, we have some downtime coming up and I feel like I haven’t really gotten to spend time with you in awhile. I just want it to be you and me again for a minute.” He blushed at the last part.

You smiled at his defensive romantic side. “Kind of like a romantic weekend getaway?” You playfully wiggled your eyebrows.

He deepened the tone of his voice. “That’s exactly what it’s gonna be.”

“When should we go?”

“How’s the day after tomorrow sound?” He suggested.

“Sounds perfect.” You replied. The idea of camping was growing on you. The clothes line was now empty and the basket was full of folded linen. Joel followed you as you walked back inside to put them up. 

“Now, onto other business.” He began.

You looked back in confusion. “What else is there?”

“I don’t know if you recall, but I remember a certain someone promising another certain someone that she’d move in with that…certain some...the original someone…wait um...” Joel began stammering over his thoughts. “It’s you. That certain someone was you who promised that if I made you breakfast in bed, you’d live with me again; no more of this back and forth. And if you recall again, I did in fact make you that breakfast.”

“Pancakes and freshly squeezed orange juice? How could a girl forget? They were delicious by the way.”

“For bonus points, I do remember being right as well when I said there wasn’t gonna be any bloaters in that manor.” Joel added on. “So what do you say?” He asked, trying to hide his eagerness.

“Suppose you were right about that, so yeah sure.” You said.

He looked at you for a moment before looking down at his feet. “Don’t make it sound like you’re doing it because you lost a bet or somethin’. If you’re not ready, I have no intention of forcing you, but,” He lets out a sigh. “I guess I don’t understand why you wouldn't want to.”

“Joel, I didn’t mean to say it like that. I love you, you know that.”

“Sounds like a ‘but’ is coming on.”

“It’s just new to me is all. I know we’ve lived together once, but I’ve never had a serious relationship with anyone before you and I sure as hell never lived with a romantic partner before you. The outbreak happened right after I graduated college. I only ever lived with my parents and a couple of roommates. I know it sounds stupid, but I’ve never had my own place before where it was just me doing whatever I wanted, however I wanted, wherever I wanted. I love spending time with you, believe me I do, but there’s something about having your own space, you know. I hate the way in which I got here, me having my own place, but I’ve grown to like it. Does that make me selfish?” You genuinely asked.

He let out a deep sigh. “No, it doesn’t. But, you know It’d be your house too. It won’t be you moving into my house; it’d be you coming back to our house. If you’re comfortable here, I can move in with you or we can find a whole new house altogether.”

“I don’t know, Joel.” You replied.

“Just think about it alright, darlin?” He requested. He stuck his hands in his back pockets and paced the floor around the linen closet. The air fell silent, but he wasn’t done pleading his case. He just had to find the words. “You may account your life experiences, or lack thereof, to being young, but you probably never thought about the fact that I’ve never lived by myself before the outbreak either. I was a teen dad. I went from living with my dad and brother to living with my daughter and her mother. After she left us, it was just me and Sarah all the way up until that day. After me and Tommy fell out, I was on my own for the first time. I...uh...It wasn’t easy; none of it.” He shook his head before looking at you with tired, pleading eyes. “I’m tired of being alone, (Y/N).” He sniffled and then you saw the corner of his mouth twitch up. “I know I’m not much to look at in the morning, but I want nothing more than to wake up next to you everyday. That’s where I stand, (Y/N), but if that’s not where you are, that’s ok ‘cause you’re the only one I’d wait for. I just want you to want this too.”

“Joel, I never...I” You tried to begin. He was right, you never thought about the fact that he always had someone. When you first met him, you grew to know him as a withdrawn, independent man. “I want to wake up next to you too, but not just that. I want to spend the middle of my day and end of my day with you too in our house.” You stood on your tiptoes and rubbed the pad of your thumb against his wrinkles. 

He closed his eyes at your touch. “I need you to mean that.”

“I do.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too!” You smiled up at him.

“How much longer do you have here?” Joel inquired.

“I just have to finish folding the laundry.”

“Meet me at your place when you’re done. I’ll go and find some boxes.”

“Wait, what?”

“What better time than now? The rest of my day is clear and we still have a few more hours of daylight. What do you think, darlin’?” You playfully rolled your eyes at his eagerness, but seriously couldn’t think of a reason not to start today. 

[dancerlittle006]

Important Decision & New Baby Smells

First things first, I don’t own anything related to Disney or Newsies. Second of all, this is a continuation of my “The Many Adventures of Sammi & Race” series. You may want to read the others in the series but it’s not necessary!

April 21, 1905

The plan was set. Jack and Race had set it up weeks ago. Race and Spot would take Sammi for a long weekend, giving Kat and Jack the opportunity for a little alone time before baby #2 would arrive. However, that plan went right out the window the afternoon Race had picked Sammi up after his shift from the hotel. 

As soon as Race had gotten home, the phone had rang. They had moved to a brownstone closer to the Kelly’s and had looked at the opportunity as a new chapter in their lives. “Hello?”

“Racer, the baby’s comin’.” Jack panted as if he had run a marathon causing Race to grin. 

After reassuring Jack that Sammi was fine, they settled in for a long weekend of niece/uncle time. Spot was at work, thus leaving the four year old with her favorite uncle. “What do you wants to do Sammi?”

Holding her favorite doll in her arms, the little girl grinned brightly at her uncle. “Ummmms . . .” Her new favorite word when she was stalling or just trying to figure out what to do. “Hows about da park?”

Soon they found themselves in the park, Sammi singing some song and hopping from foot to foot while Race held her hand. “Whatcha singin’ Sammi?”

She shrugged, continuing to sing the song. Race listened, trying to place it but came up empty. She led them to a bench in the middle of Central Park. Settling herself on the bench, her head whipped from side to side taking in the comings and goings of the park. “Sammi, yous gonna be a big sister.”

With a shake of her head, she looked at her uncle. “Nope. Babys not comin’.” 

“Da told mes otherwise.” Race looked down at his niece. “Yous gonna be a great big sister.”

She bit her lip, a tell that something was bothering her, which Race picked up immediately. “What’s wrong? Aren’t yous excited?”

Sammi shrugged again, standing up next to her uncle before plopping on his lap. “Is not a good sister.”

“Oh Sammi.” Race whispered, hugging the girl tightly to his chest. “Yous learn how to be a good sister. Yous don’t instantly knows how to do that. Yous uncles, mum, and dad wills helps you. Is that why yous worried?”

Putting a finger to her lip, she slowly nodded. “A year from now, yous be a great big sister. And yous baby brother or sister wills adore yous. Just watch.”

The two sat in silence for a bit, watching the action within the park. “What do yous want, Sammi? A brother or sister?”

Again, she shrugged. “Is never had a brother or a sister until I met yous dad, Sammi. Your dad and mum are mys siblings and theys pretty good at its.”

“Yous help?” She whispered, her body growing heavy with sleep. 

Race smiled, running a hand through her hair. “Yes, Is and Uncle Spottie will help you, Is promise.”

Picking her up, he made his way through the park, the rhythm of his walk causing the girl to fall asleep on his shoulder. Soon the two arrived at home, Race putting Sammi in their guest room, closing the door slightly behind him. Making his way to the kitchen, he cleaned up the remaining dishes from that morning's breakfast. 

The task gave him time to think - it had been five months since Spot had proposed and they were no closer to planning a wedding than five months ago. They both knew they wanted to get married but they had no idea where to start. Kat had tried to get them to sit down and plan but that had quickly gone out the window. They had talked about eloping and not making’ a big deal out of it. Both Spot and Race had flown by the seat of their pants for much of their lives and it seemed they would take that into their marriage as well. 

The running of the water knocked him out of his thoughts just as the door to the brownstone opened and a grinning Spot entered, kicking his boots off before sighing loudly. “Honey, Is home.” 

Shutting off the water, Race met him at the door with a kiss before grabbing the bag that was in his hand. “Sammi’s asleep in the guests room. And Jack called a couples of hours ago and said the baby’s comin’” 

“Hows she doin’?” Spot moved to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, leaning against the counter as Race joined him. 

Shrugging noncommittally, Race shook his head. “One moment shes excited and the next shes reserved and quiets. Is think once the babys here, she’ll be betters. Shes worried she’ll be a bad big sister, and I tried to reassure her that she’ll have all of us to help her.” 

“Her whole world is changin’. She’s used to having you, me, her uncles, Jack, and Kat all to herself.” Race smiled. “That girl will be fine and she’ll be a great big sister.” 

The opening of the guest room door caught their attention. Race and Spot both held a chuckle at the mess of hair that Sammi was rocking. “Hey baby girl. Hows you sleep?”

Giving her uncle a glare, Sammi opted to crawl up in Spot’s lap instead of Race’s. Spot had always loved post-nap cuddles but lately, Sammi had opted for Race and not him. He would take full advantage of Race’s misstep and cuddle Sammi. “Hows you sleep, Sammi?”

“Goods.” She yawned, burrowing her head in her uncle’s chest. “Da babys comin’ Unka Pottie.” 

He ran a hand down her back. “Uncle Race just told me. That’s excitin’ huh?”

Sammi shrugged, fighting back another yawn. “Is guess.” 

“What do yous want to do this weekend, Sammi? Go to the zoo, maybe the park or da museum?” Spot rambled, as the little girl readjusted to being awake. 

The room fell quiet. Race and Spot both grinned at once another, lacing their hands together, looking at the little girl that had been their world for the last four years. Things had changed for their little group. Albert and Marie had married in January and were expecting a baby in the summer; Finch and Elmer were on-again, this time the entire Newsies group had bets on whether they’d make it or not, and Crutchie had found a nice girl, named Molly who he was sweet on - last Race heard, they hadn’t officially become a couple, but it was nice to see his friend thinking’ of settling down. 

“Jacobi’s.” Sammi had sat up, pushed her hair back, and grinned at the couple. “Can wes do Jacobi’s?”

Race looked at Spot, who merely shrugged. “Sounds good to me.” 

“Sammi can you go get your shoes on?” Race asked, watching the girl hop off the couch before running to get her shoes. Kat had been teaching her how to tie her shoes and she had gotten the hang of it but still had a hard time making a knot. 

Race went to get himself ready, leaving Spot with Sam. Standing in the doorway, he watched Spot explain the bunny ears and how to loop them together. “One bunny ear, two bunny ear . . .”

Grinning, Race couldn’t wait until Spot was a papa. They had talked about children and adopting, both agreeing to wait until after the wedding, whenever that would take place. Quickly getting himself ready, Race soon joined the other two in the living room, where a grinning Sammi had both of her shoes on. “Unka Race!”

“Yes Sammi?”

“Unka Pottie shows me the bunny trick.” She bounced on her toes, showing him the newly tied shoes. “A bunny ears then ‘nother one and loopy de loop ‘em togetha.” 

Race shook his head, grinning at the girl. “Good jobs Sammi. Yous ready?”

Ensure they both had their wallets, they left the brownstone, their hands swinging between them while Sammi danced in front of them. Crossing a few streets, they soon arrived at Jacobi’s. Walking in the place was empty, allowing them to pick out their favorite booth. Sighing loudly, Race caught Sammi’s attention. “Whats with you little girl?”

“I miss da and mum, unka Race.” She propped her chin in her hand and gave her uncle a look. “Whens can Is see them?”

Race looked at Spot who shrugged his shoulders in response. “Is not sure, Sammi. Mum’s havin’ da baby and that mights take some time. But maybe when wes get home, wes can call ‘em.” 

“Ok.” She picked up the menu, looking at the photos, as Race relaxed against Spot’s side. 

The bell above the door caught their attention, but it was no one they knew. Spot and Race both smiled in the stranger’s direction before looking back at their menus. “What yous want, Sammi?” 

“Nugs and fries, pease!” She exclaimed, her knees coming under her bottom, causing her to be taller in the booth. 

A chuckle escaped Race’s mouth. “Yous got it girl. What to drink?” 

“Ummmmmmmmm . . .” A finger to her chin, making her look like a detective, she considered her choices. “‘Pple Juice.” 

“A fine choice for the lady.” Spot chuckled, pulling out a piece of paper and some crayons for her to draw while they waited for the waiter. 

Race cocked an eyebrow in his fiance’s direction. “Since when do yous carry papes and crayons in yous pocket?”

“Since we have a mini Jack Kelly in ours presence.” Spot waved his hand in Sammi’s direction, provin’ a point. “Yous knows he takes her to ‘ork and lets hers draws. Says she’ll be da next prodigal child.” 

The waiter came over and took their orders, soon returning bringing their drinks before leaving them alone. 

Race laughed knowing he was right. “So we needs to talk.” Glancing at Sammi, ensuring she was occupied, he titled his head towards Spot. “Wedding details.”

Throwing his head back, Spot groaned. “Ugh, whys plannin’ a weddin’ so hard?” 

“Wes just gotta pick a date and the rest will fall into place.” Or at least that was what Kat told Race when they met for coffee after the proposal. “So whats month work for you?”

Spot shook his head and mumbled what sounded like ‘idiot’ under his breath before lacing his fingers with Race. “Is always loved the fall. So hows about October?”

“Since wes got engaged and alls?” Race grinned. “Okay so a month is picked . . . nows a date.” 

Spot grinned, squeezing Race’s hand. “Hows about October 17 - one day less thans a years bein’ engaged?” 

Seeing a calendar pinned on the wall by the register, Race walked over, flipped through the calendar, chuckled to himself before walkin’ back to the booth. “Yous want to get married on a Tuesday?”

Spot shrugged. “When has wes ever done anything conventional in ours relationship? This is perfectly us.” 

“True.” Race nodded, a slap happy grin sliding over his mouth. “Is good with that. Tuesday, October 17, Is marryin’ you. Now, for names, hows we doin’ that?”

Spot gave him a confused look. “Whats you mean?”

“Conlon-Higgins or Higgins-Conlon?” Race shrugged his shoulders. “Its don’t matter to mes.” 

Pulling Race in for a chaste kiss, Spot shook his head. “Yous have too much time to thinks.” 

“But this is what we’ll be knowns as. Is know you love your last name but Is loves Higgins just as much.” Race protested. “Wes both wants to keep ours names but combine them together.” 

Spot could see why this would worry Race. He knew he had all the pros and cons about each way and had looked at all the ways it would flow. It was one of the many quirks he loved about his fiance. “Hows about we go with Higgins-Conlon?” 

“Anthony “Racetrack” Higgins-Conlon has a good ring to it.” Spot grinned at his fiance, squeezing his hand, just as the waiter came back and dropped their food on the table. “Little miss, it’s time to put aways the crayons and papes.” 

She pouted for a minute before realizing her chicken nuggets and fries were sitting in front of her. “Yum!” 

Squeezing Race and his laced hands, Spot mouthed ‘love you’ in Race’s direction before digging into his own food. 

Quietness fell over the table as the three dug into their food. Patrons came and went in the restaurant, the bell ringing over the door with each opening of the door. Just as they signaled for the check, a familiar face walked into the restaurant whistling a tune and a happy grin. 

“DA!” Sammi stood up on the booth seat with a happy grin. “Unka Race it’s daddy!” 

Jack heard Sammi’s yell before redirecting himself towards the booth in the back. “Well looks whats the cat drug in. Whats you doin’ here?” 

Sitting next to Sammi, Jack raised an eyebrow in his brother’s direction. “Yous daughter picked this for dinner.”

Settling Sammi on his lap, he ran a hand through her hair. “Yous have a good afternoon, cara?” 

“Yes! Wes went to da park and Is sleep and da, looks, Is colored.” She showed him her pape where she was doodling. “Is had fun with Unka Pottie and Unka Race.” 

Jack smiled in appreciation at his two brothers. “Thank you for takin’ her.”

“Da?” Sammi waited until Jack looked at her. “Is da baby here?”

Race and Spot both raised an eyebrow in Jack’s direction, wondering the same thing. “Yes, da baby’s here. Would you like to meet the baby?” 

Sammi’s head bobbled in excitement. Jack promised she could as soon as he grabbed the food they had ordered. Their check was settled just as Jack returned. “Kat’s mum with her while I ran down here. Wes were gonna call yous tonight and let you know but it’s better that I rans into yous.” 

The four headed towards the brownstone, Race and Spot hanging back while Jack bustled through the door with Sammi on his heels. “Kat, wes got company.” 

Though it was quiet, Race could hear the groan that escaped Kat’s mouth. “Jack Kelly yous a dead man.” 

“Its your favorites, Katherine.” Jack sang back, grinning and motioning the two to sit in the living room while he escaped to their bedroom. They could hear the quiet murmuring from the room, while Sammi sat on the couch next to them. 

“Unka Race?” Sammi slipped her hand into his before looking at him with wide eyes. “Is ner’ous.” 

Pulling her onto his lap, Race dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Thats okay, cara. Is nervous too.”

“Yous ner’ous?” Her eyes went wide at the thought. “Whys?” 

“‘Cause Is only held ones babys before.” He whispered, a faint smile on his face. “Yous know whos that was?”

Not breaking eye contact with her uncle, Sammi shook her head. “Yous. Yous was the first baby I ever held. And yous sibling will be the second. And its okays to be nervous; that means its important to yous and me and unka Pottie and mum and da.” 

“Okays.” She whispered, eyes darting over to the door leading to the hallway. Her eyes went wide seeing her da, mum, and grandma standing there. “Mum, da.” 

Kat brightened at the sight of her three favorite people sitting there. “Hi sweetheart. Did you have a good time with your uncles?” Crossing the room, she sat on the opposite couch as Sammi hopped down and joined her mum. “Careful. Hi Race, Spot. Thank you for watching her this afternoon.” 

“Yeah.” She whispered, fingers at her mouth. She searched her mum’s face for something different but finding nothing, she cuddled into her mum’s embrace. “Wheres da baby?”

Wrapping her arms around her daughter, Kat smiled. “Look at da.” 

Poppin’ her head off Kat’s shoulder, Sammi’s eyes widened at the blanket wrapped bundle. “That da baby?” 

“Would you like to meet your new brother?” Kat asked, watching Jack cross the room to join them on the couch. Jack adjusted the bundle so Sammi could see the newborn who was sleeping soundly and smacking his lips. “What do you think Sammi?”

Running her index finger over his hand, she smiled watching his fingers curl around her’s. “He’s ‘ittle.” 

“Yes, he’s little.” Kat squeezed her close to her side. “Yous were littler than he is.” 

Eyes widened, Sammi looked around the room. “Is was ‘ittle?” 

“Yes, Samantha, you were once this little.” Kat grinned, looking over her shoulder at Race and Spot. “I just heard your uncle tell you you were this little once and you were the first baby he held.” 

The little girl’s head looked over at her two uncles. “Unka Race, Unka Spottie, Is got a ‘roter.” 

“Yes yous do.” Race grinned, looking at the bundle in Jack’s arms. “Whats his name?”

Jack smiled at Kat and Sam before looking at Race and Spot. “Wes had a hard time tryin’ to figure out a name. The middle name was easy but the first name was hard.” He nudged Kat, letting her do the honors. 

“Our son’s name is Thomas Anthony Kelly. We’re going to call him Tommy. Thomas after Jack’s da and Anthony after his uncle Race.” Kat smiled, as Race’s jaw dropped. 

Tears clouded Race’s eyes as he looked at his brother and sister. “Yous didn’t has to do that.” 

“We knows wes didn’t but Race, yous been there for us and wes indebted to yous.” Jack’s voice thickened with emotion. Passing the newborn to Kat, Jack crossed the room to pull Race into a hug. “Yous such a great uncle, friend . . . brother and wes want Tommy to have a great man to embody as hes growin’ up.” 

Race squeezed Jack’s shoulders, more tears escaping his eyes. “Is honored, Jackie.” 

“Wanna hold him?” Jack pulled back, taking his son back from Kat before settling him in Race’s arms. “What do you think, Uncle Race?” 

Race’s eyes swept over the tiny human nestled in his arms. Tommy’s lips were puckered, as if he had just eaten a sour lemon, eyes tightly shut, and quiet wisps of air were released as he soundly slept. “Hi’s Tommy, Is your uncle Race. That’s your uncle Spottie over there. Wes love yous so much.” Looking over at the new parents, he shot them a watery smile. “He’s perfect. He’s gorgeous.” 

Jack turned his attention to his daughter, grinning brightly as he picked her up. “So wes keepin’ him, Sammi?”

“Hes okay.” She gave her dad a look. “Will hes cry?”

Kat rolled her eyes at her daughter and husband. “He will cry sometimes but it’s just his way of letting us know he’s here. Will you help us?”

“Uh huh.” She gave her da a hug and smiled at her mum. “But can Is go to Unka Race and Uncle Potties without him?”

Kat and Jack both laughed as did both her uncles. “Already negotiating with me. This wasn’t supposed to happen for another couple of years.” 

“We’ll talk about you going to Uncle Race and Spottie’s house.” Kat shook her head at her daughter. 

“She’s your daughter and you can’t deny that.” Jack laughed at how similar Samantha and Kat were. “Wes in trouble with this one, though.” 

Kat’s eyes widened at the thought. “Oh crap, I didn’t think about that. Especially climbing up to private boxes just to talk with pretty girls.” 

“Worked for you didn’t it?” Jack raised an eyebrow, leaning over to steal a kiss from his wife. “Admit it, that’s what swept you off your feet.” 

Kat’s cheeks blushed. “That might’ve had something to do with it.” 

Race looked down at his nephew. “Yous parents are crazy but theys the best. Spottie and Is will be there when its too much for yous and Sammi.” 

Relinquishing him to Spot’s outstretched arms, Race smiled seeing Spot hold their nephew. “Thanks for that Race. If our kids ever runs away from home, yous house is the first wes checkin’.” 

Standing, Race crossed the room to pull Kat into a hug. “Congratulations, Plums. He’s precious.” 

“Thanks Race.” She stepped back. “Wes was going to tell you later on tonight to tell you. Jack said you were at Jacobi’s.” 

Seeing Jack, Spot, and Sammi all talking while looking at the baby, Race smiled. “Yous daughter wanted Jacobi’s.” 

“Yous hidin’ something.” Despite just having a baby, Kat’s observation skills hadn’t lessened any. “You want to talk?” 

He took her hand and led her into her office, closing the door behind him. “Yous the only one that wes told since we JUST decided this.”

Kat titled her head in curiosity, her finger going to her lip in concentration. “What? Spill it Racetrack.” 

“SpotandIsdecidedourweddin’date.” He rushed out, eyes shut, anticipating her excitement. 

Kat laughed. “How about you repeat that, this time spacin’ out your words?” 

“Spot and Is decided our weddin’ date.” He could see the excitement building on Kat’s face. “October 17.” 

Looking around the room, she found her calendar, a giggle escaping her mouth. “A Tuesday, Race, really?” 

“Would you expect anything different?” 

Kat shook her head, pulling him into a hug. “If you and Spot were any other couple, yes I’d expect something different. However, you two have never followed anyone’s path, always makin’ it your own. Why that date though?” 

“It’ll be a day less than a year engaged.” Race smiled. “Spot’s words not mine. The bugger’s a little sentimental, if yous didn’t knows that.” 

Kat smiled. “He continues to pleasantly surprise me.” 

“Me too. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Race smiled. “I will needs yous help with all of this. Wes don’t know where wes getting married.” 

She nodded, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Come by this week and I’ll help. I’ve got some good ideas that’ll be perfect for you and Spot. But you two need to figure out if you want an indoor or outdoor venue.” 

Opening the door, Race stuck his head out the door, grinning at Spot. “Spot, for October, indoor or outdoor?” 

Looking up from Tommy, Spot’s eyes widened. “Ummm . . . Indoor. Is Kat cathootin’ with you?” 

“Of course she is.” Blowing a kiss to Spot, he closed the door again, only hearing Jack ask what was going on in October. “Indoor it is.” 

Kat clapped her hands in excitement. “Come by Wednesday after work and I’ll have some options for you two.” 

“Is haven’t said this lately, but thank yous Kat.” Race bit his lip. “Yous and Jack are the family neither Spot or Is had growin’ up and Is thankful yous my sister.” 

Tears clouded her eyes, as she smacked his shoulder. “Quit makin’ me cry Racetrack. I’m emotional already due to Tommy but you are being too sweet. You and Spot are just as much as family as we are to you. I was so excited for you two to meet Tommy. The rest of the newsies will meet him later this week but we knew you and Spot would meet him tonight or tomorrow.” 

At the sound of the door opening, Jack looked over at his wife and brother. “Do I need to pound Race for makin’ yous cry?” 

“Don’t you dare Jack Francis Kelly.” Kat’s eyes glared at him. “He just said something sweet and I’m an emotional mess.” 

Jack nodded. “Heard louds and clear. So Is hear yous havin’ a big party in October, on a Tuesday of all days.” 

“Yea Jackie. Yous free?” Race sat on the couch and gave his brother a big grin. “‘Cause bein’ a groomsman and all yous schedule will needs to be free.” 

Jack grinned. “For yous two, I’d clear the whole month if needs be. October 17 is a fine day for a weddin’.”

“A weddin’ that needs to be planned.” Spot and Race both groaned at the prospect of planning. 

Jack chuckled, nodding his head in sympathy. “With Kat’s it won’ts be so bad. She’s a master of plannin’ a weddin’.” 

“Thanks Jack.” Kat grinned, excited at helping plan the wedding of her brothers. “It’ll be the party of the year.” 

Race shook his head. “I thoughts that was Albert’s weddin’.” 

They all chuckled at that event - it was glitz and glam and very over the top but it worked well for the couple. 

Spot looked between Kat and Race. “Ous weddin’ will be nothin’ like that, clear?” 

Kat nodded, looking between Race and Spot. “That wedding would never fit for yous two. The simpler the better. And the actually weddin’ won’t be long - 30 minutes tops.” 

“Good.” Race threw his arm over Spot’s back, grinning at the newborn and enjoying the familiar feeling of the family enveloping him. Sammi, who was playing on the floor with her doll, climbed up in Race’s lap, gave him a hug, and mumbled “love you” before snuggling his chest. Smiling at Kat and Jack, Race settled. He was in his happy place and with those he loved most surrounding him. 

What do you think? Thomas Anthony Kelly is here. He will be making appearances throughout the rest of the series but the series will still focus very much on Race and Sammi as she grows older. If there’s anything you want to see, just send me a message and I’ll try to incorporate it. 

But the bigger news it that their wedding is the next part of the series. I haven’t started writing it yet so if there’s ANYTHING you want to see, send me a message. I have some ideas but it will be a couple of weeks before it’s posted! 

[thiswasinevitableid]

The Wicked House

Prompt for the 31st was: Wicked. Thanks to @thats-amnesty-babe and Morgan E Ashton for the help brainstorming.

Duck whacks his hands together, clearing the dust from them, before raising a hand in friendly farewell to the movers. He picks his way through the boxes, up the stairs, and to his bedroom. Opening the door sends a bolt of dark, fluffed-up fur into the hallway.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m sorry fuzzball, but I couldn’t have you bein underfoot or runnin out the door.” He scratches the cat behind her ears, and her affronted glare gives way to forgiving purrs. 

He unpacks for awhile, finds a good luck note from Juno tucked in the winter coat she gave him (“I mean it, Duck, winter up there’s a hell of a lot colder than here in West Virginia”). Orders pizza, gets the kitchen table set up in time to eat it. Flips through his to-do list for the next few days as he does. 

ka-BOOM

Winnie yowls and runs from the room as Duck nearly falls out of his chair. 

“What the fuck?” He dashes outside, expecting to find an exploded car or downed powerline.

He finds nothing of the sort. None of his neighbors are even poking their heads out. There’s a smaller boom, from the house next to his (his is on the corner, so only has one neighbor). 

“Well, Woodbridge finally managed to offload one of these places, huh?”

He turns to find a rather prim looking woman walking a furious looking Pomeranian. 

“Beg pardon?”

“You’re the first person to buy any of the houses near that wicked place in years.”

Duck looks around again. Every house on the block, save for his own darkly painted victiorian and the brightly painted one next to it, has a sun-worn for sale sign in the yard. 

“What the fuck?”

---------------------------------------------

“Oh, so you’re the guy who bought the house next to Indrid Colds place?” The man at the grocery store asks as he rings him up. Duck  was overjoyed to find a real mom and pop place near his house and Leo, the owner, has been chatting with him.

“So it seems.”

“Don’t let folks make you too jittery about it. Indrid’s an odd guy, but he don’t mean no harm.”

“What the hell does he do? All kinds of weird lights and noises and shit coming from that place.”

“Not a clue. Seems like you’re in a better position to find out than most of us.” He tilts his head towards the beer Duck is loading into a bag.

“Dunno, kinda like havin all my limbs. Not sure I’ll keep ‘em all if I go in there.”

Leo shrugs, “suit yourself.”

As Duck walks home with his groceries, he mulls over the suggestion; sure, the loud noises aren’t great, but they no worse and no more frequent than a loud party or a neighbor with barky dogs. 

He sets the bags down on his front step, fumbling to find which pocket he put his keys in. 

“Don’t move!”

He freezes, finds a tall man with silvery hair moving purposefully up his drive. He’s in a long, silk bathrobe and bunny slippers, bright red glasses perched on his nose. When he places his hands on Ducks shoulders and starts moving him back off the porch, Duck tenses, tries to pull away.

He can’t. The man is surprisingly strong for such a beanpole.

“Hey, pal, look-”

“No, you look.” He points a finger, and Duck squints for a beat before seeing it; a black widow, dangling on a thread as she lowers down from his door frame. 

“Shit, almost walked right into her.”

“Yes, you did. I thought you might prefer not to.”

Duck takes another look at the stranger, including the spot where his hand is still resting on Ducks arm. The other man follows the gaze, pulls his hand back apologetically. 

“Gonna go out on a limb here and say you’re Indrid Cold.”

“Oh, you’ve heard of me!”  Indrid smiles brightly, only to have the expression falter, “oh, ah, you’ve heard of me. I can’t say I blame people for trying to warn you away from me, given my reputation.” The last few words come out so soft and resigned, the kind of vulnerability that’s either a trap or the truth of someone who has gone a little too long without the benefit of the doubt.

“Reputation don’t matter half as much as your actions. Far as I’m concerned, the only thing I know you done for sure is save me from a nasty spider bite.” He smiles kindly, holds out his hand, “I’m-”

“-Duck Newton.” Indrid takes it, shaking it with an oddly wide smile. 

“Uh, right. Well, I’m gonna get rid of that widow, but if you wanted to come in for a beer or coffee or somethin I wouldn’t be opposed.”

“That sounds wonderful but, oh, oh dear, um, excuse me something’s just come up. Hope to see you again.” He dashes back down the path, down the sidewalk, and up the steps to his bright yellow door. 

“Huh.” Duck watches the door for a moment, then goes to get a broom. 

--------------------------------------------------------

The diner smells like eggs, bacon, and butter when Duck steps in from the chill of the early September air. 

It’s quiet, but he settles on a spot at the counter all the same, in case they need the booths for bigger groups. 

“Good morning,” a cheerful, somewhat crunchy-granola looking blonde woman greets him, pad in hand “any coffee or tea this morning?” 

“Coffee, please.”

“You got it.” She spins, grabs the pot, and pours him a mug. Several of the flatops are where Duck can see them, being worked expertly by a man who must be well over six feet tall. Whatever he’s moving about on them smells incredible.

“Ready to order.”

“Whatever he’s cookin right there.”

“Hash it is.” She smiles again.

The cook nods, and as he sets to work he asks, “you just passing through?”

“Naw, moved here a few weeks ago, got a job in the national forest.”

“Right on.”

“Oh yeah.” A voice behind him says, and he finds two older men sizing him up, “you’re the fella who got duped into buying next to Cold’s place.”

“He’s a man, Clarence, not fucking black mold.” The cook grumbles.

“How’s living next to the wicked witch treating you?” The second man, in a red ball-cap, asks.

“Warlock.” Says a clipped voice. It takes Duck a moment to see it belongs to the man going over receipts at the register, slick dark hair flecked with grey and face movie-star handsome, “if Indrid did have those abilities you all seem convinced he does, he’d be a warlock, not a witch.”

“How would you know?” Red cap retorts.

“Ey, shut up Jim, you know the boy was in the CIA. Better not disrespect him.”

“FBI, not CIA

“All I’m saying is that wherever Cold goes, disaster follows. Not to mention the man’s a known f-”

“One more syllable and you’ve got a lifetime ban.” Barclay points the spatula towards the men.

In the midst of the standoff, the bell dings. 

And Indrid Cold walks into the diner.

 He’s bundled up like it’s snowing, walks up to the counter and pauses when he sees Duck. 

Duck pats the stool next to him, “Nice to see you again, neighbor.”

“Likewise.” Indrid gives that odd smile again and sits down, “Good morning Barclay, Joseph.” He nods first to the cook, then the man at the register, “Oh, and hello Dani. The usual, please.”

Dani grins, turns to one of the drink machines and comes back moments later with a cup of cocoa.

“I can’t handle how bitter coffee is, even with sugar.” Indrid says, two seconds before Duck is going to ask him why that drink.

“You’re braver than I am, that much sugar this early’d have me on the ceilin.”

Indrid smiles softly, “Lightweight.”

Duck barks out a laugh, making Indrid snicker as well. 

“Any plans for this weekend, Duck?” 

“Got some new model ships to work on, might go for a hike, nothin too excitin.”

“You don’t get enough hiking at work?” Indrid cocks his head.

“I mean, not really? It’s different when I’m on my own; I don’t got an agenda or shit I’m supposed to be takin care of. I can just go at my own pace.”

Indrid makes a noise of understanding right as Barclay sets two plates down. Indrids’ is piled with pancakes and strawberries. 

Barclay points a can of whipped cream down at the plate, “say when.”

The tower of cream is almost a foot high before Indrid goes, “when.”

As they eat, they chat about this and that, though mostly Indrid asks Duck about his move, and how he’s liking the town. Then he muses, “I’d like to go hiking sometime. I really ought to get out a bit more.”

“You can come with me sometime, if you want.”

“Really?”

“Sure, long as you don’t mind me talkin about trees.”

“Not in the slightest.”

Duck raises his glass in cheers, “well, if you decide you want to, you know where to find me.”

---------------------------------------------------------------

Duck balances the plate of cornbread (his fathers no-fail recipe)  in one hand as he lifts the other to knock on the door.

“Come in!” Indrid calls a half-second before his hands meets the wood. 

The inside of Indrid’s house is laid out much the same as Ducks own. This is where the similarities end. There are drawings scattered everywhere, pinned to walls and strewn across tables. Art and posters and letters cover the walls, each of which is painted a different color.

As he makes his way into the kitchen he notices chalk and bottles of salt, piles of old books, and many, many, many sweaters. 

Indrid is at the sink, filling a kettle with water. 

“You’re right on time, I was just making myself some tea. Though I can make something stronger if you prefer.”

“Tea’s fine.” Duck sets the plate down, “figured I oughta make a proper, neighborly introduction.”

He leaves out the part where, in the two days since they spoke at the diner, he’s thought about Indrid quite a bit. And that whenever an explosion or other odd occurrence came from next door, Ducks’ first response is no longer annoyance; it’s worry. What if something bad happened and Indrid had no one checking on him?

“I’ve been thinking” Indrid sets a mug down in front of him, sits across from him at the rickety table, “there’s a little get-together at the Lodge, that hotel on the edge of town, this weekend. If you were interested, we could hike out that way and then stop by after.”

“You know the folks there?”

“I do. Barclay and Joseph live in one of the cottages, Dani lives in the lodge proper, and they were kind enough to invite me to movie night once. I suppose I found my people, so to speak, there even if I still am a bit solitary.”

“Be happy to come, like to get to know more folks in town myself.” Duck glances back from examining some nearby drawings, and immediately knows he gave the right answer. Indrid is looking at him like he hung every star in the sky. 

------------------------------

Ducks’ gotten used to the occasional smoke detector cry from next door.

But this one isn’t stopping. 

He grabs the fire extinguisher from under his sink and bolts out one front door and into another. 

Smoke drifts down the stairs and Indrid is nowhere in sight. So up the stairs he goes, turning into the room where the smoke is the worst. Mercifully, there is no actual fire, just clear signs of one being hastily and messily put out. He opens the windows, and after a few minutes of cross-breeze the alarm shuts off. 

It’s only then that he hears a tap running and someone muttering. 

He crosses the hall, finds Indrid glaring into the mirror over the bathroom sink, trying to sooth a nasty looking burn on his arm. 

“Shit, what happened?” 

Indrid stares at the water, “just an accident. I was careless. I’ll be alright.”

“Here, lemme look at your arm-yeah, okay, I’m gonna go grab my first aid kit from my place.”  

He’s out and back as fast as he can manage, returns to find Indrid sitting on the toilet lid, sulking. 

Duck holds out his hand and Indrid flops his wrist into it. As gently as he can, Duck tends to the burn. It’s not bad enough to need a hospital, but it’s still a nasty looking mark.

“What were you tryin to do?” He asks softly.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me?”

“I have certain...abilities. Magic. Most of it related to seeing the future. But some of it is more general, or is in other fields of the discipline, and I was trying to use one field to influence a future and it backfired.”

Duck considers him a moment, then gently squeezes his hand, “hey, it’s okay if you don’t wanna tell me. Don’t gotta make a story up on my behalf.”

“I’m not MAKING IT UP!” Indrid shouts, yanking his hand away and standing up.

“Indrid, you don’t expect me to believe-”

“ What? That I’m stuck seeing futures I can’t stop, stuck with powers I still can’t fully control, that I’ve made myself an outcast time and again all because of these blasted things.” He rips off his glasses and chucks them down the hall. Crumples to the floor, head in his hands.

Cautiously, Duck scooches across the hardwood. He wants to reach out, to soothe the tensed lines of Indrids’ body. But he’s not sure that’s what Indrid wants. Not sure if he’s royally fucked everything up.

“Okay, I’m listenin.” His voice, gentle as it is, may as well be coming through a megaphone for how Indrid flinches. Then he looks at his newly bandaged arm. 

“Ten years ago, I bought those glasses from a little curio shop. I thought they were stylish. I put them on when I got home and everything changed. Long story short, the glasses are a conduit to a demonish creature. When I put them on, he became my patron. I gained his ability to see the future, as well as some other powers. I panicked, tried to take the glasses back, but the store was simply gone. Turns out if I try to forsake his gift, it will go very badly for me, so I have to wear them all the time, save for sleep and things like that.”

“Jesus.”

“I’ve been trying to use my powers to stop the disasters I see coming but so often it doesn’t work, and then I have to watch it play out in real time after seeing it again and again in my head.” He stands, slowly, and walks to retrieve the glasses, “or when I try to do enchantments, sometimes things go haywire. Did you happen to see the little succulent garden in the living room?”

“You mean the one that’s as big as your coffee table?”

“Yes. That was originally two succulents. I bought them as a housewarming gift for you then decided maybe four was better. So I tried to magic up two more. And got a garden instead.” He’s still as he speaks, glasses held in his palm, “It isn’t all bad. I have been able to stop some things, and I’ve gotten much better at magic. But the failures so often dwarf that.”

“Indrid?” Duck stands in the bathroom doorway, waits for his friend to turn around before continuing, “thank you for tellin me all that. And I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”

Indrid’s smile is weak, but genuine.

“Are there, uh, things that help when this happens? You seem real upset and if I can help you feel better, I’d like to.”

“T.V, the mindless kind.”

Duck holds out his hand, “C’mon, let’s go downstairs.”

Indrid settles on the violet couch, wrapping himself in a thick blanket as Duck flips channels. 

“You’re from West Virgina, right?”

“Yep.”

“Then you may be familiar with my patron. I don’t know his true name, but everyone just calls him mothman.”

Duck drops the remote.

“Mothman? As in Silver Bridge, Point Pleasant, TNT plant, and all that shit?”

“Yes.” Indrid says mildly. 

“Holy shit.” He fishes the remote from under the couch.

“That’s a remarkably succinct reaction.”

“Hush you, you know I ain’t a man of many words.”

“Duck, two days ago you talked for half an hour about Kudzu.” Indrid shoots him a teasing smile, and Duck elbows him lightly. 

“Oooh, a Halloween cooking championship! Let’s watch that.”

Duck sets the remote down, joins Indrid under the blanket when the taller man opens it for him.

“You doin anythin for Halloween?”

“No” Indrid sighs, “I love it, but after the ‘living pumpkin incident,’ parents stopped letting their children trick or treat here.”

“Hmmmmm” Duck rests his hand just beside Indrids’, strokes it absentmindedly with his pinkie “y’know, Indrid, I think I got a way to fix that…..”

-----------------------------------

Duck waves goodbye to the group of trick or treaters as they scurry back down the walkway. He has to hand it to Indrid: the man really has an eye for decoration.

The yard is strung with glowing cobwebs and purple lights, bats made of purple shadow and glitter flitting through the air.  The multitude of Jack’O Lanterns flicker in a rainbow of colors, thanks to Indrid doing an enchantment on the flames. 

Ducks house is equally festive, Indrid choosing orange lights and one (magically) large pumpkin to contrast with the dark wood of the building. Currently Aubrey (Dani’s wife) and her giant rabbit (Dr Harris Bonkers, PhD) are seated on Duck’s front step on candy duty. Duck had asked for his new friends help after realizing just how nervous Indrid was that something would go haywire, and decided it was best if he was there to keep him company.

It’s been a successful Halloween so far; no explosions, no disasters, no decorations accidentally coming to life. He and Indrid chat between visitors, The Creature from the Black Lagoon plays in the background, and both of them have eaten more candy than two grown men probably should. Not a single kid who’s come to the door seems afraid of Indrid. Some are curious, and some have parents that definitely watch them closely. But most are just happy to get candy.

Best of all, whenever they’re seated on the couch, or waiting to open the door, Indrid holds Ducks hand, or sighs happily when Duck rests his arm around his shoulder.

The groups are becoming less and less frequent, and stars peek out from behind the clouds, when Indrid turns to him.

“Thank you, Duck.”

“Hey, wasn’t gonna miss an excuse to hang out with you and poach your candy.”

Indrid chuckles, “Not just for that. For everything, for being kind, for getting to know me and not writing me off as wicked. I-” He falters, turns away suddenly.

Duck may not have foresight, but he’s perceptive all the same.

“Want me to finish that sentence for you?”

Indrid looks at him wide-eyed as the ranger steps into his space, “Please.”

“I wanna get to know you better.” Duck grins, moves to pull Indrid to him.

Indrid beats him to it, grabbing his shirt and pulling him into a kiss. Ducks back hits the door, Indrids fingers digging into his hair. He holds him tight, and as demanding as his kisses are the taller man’s whole body is shaking like the last leaf on a tree.

When they pull apart, Indrid rests their foreheads together.

“Yes, Duck, I would very much like to get to know you better.”

Duck kisses him again, keeps him close as he whispers, “well, happy fuckin halloween to me.”

Indrid kisses his cheek, “Indeed.”

[merpmac]

Let’s go campin’ pt. 1

They had slept through their alarm, hearing Ma screaming up the stairs at them telling them to get their asses to school. Murphy lifts his head and looks at the clock, "Shit!" he swears, he scrambles out of bed and runs over to Connor's bed and shook him. "Conn! We slept through the alarm! Get te' fuck up!" he shook him a little more before running off to grab his uniform trying to hurry and put it on. He scrambles downstairs with his backpack and shoes and sits on the couch, hurrying to put them on and he was out the door before Connor. He got to school first and hurried into their English class, came in late and sneak behind the rest of the students to take a seat next to Connor's seat, putting his backpack in Connor's seat to save it from others.

He didn't see much of Connor after English cause English was their only class together. But at lunch he found him and sat down next to him giving him a nudge. "What te' fuck took ye so long gettin' to English class?" he whispered, "Woke ye up and everythin'.." he mumbled, rolling his eyes a bit.

Early mornings were always a pain. Connor questioned their existence and his during the wee hours of the weekdays. Former buzzing of the alarm didn't even reach his ears, he was sound asleep. Yet, his blissful land of rest was disturbed when he felt the motion of somebody prodding him to get up, knowing exactly who it was. A brief thought crossed his mind to take the pillow beneath him and sock Murphy as hard as he possibly could with it. Instead, a mere groan of aggravation came from him. "Fuck off..." he muttered as he pulled the blanket further up over him. Just a few more minutes, that couldn't hurt... could it?

Finally rising, Connor dragged himself to get ready. Minimal effort was put into making his bed mimicked by the effort shown with his uniform, shirt half tucked in his pants, coat collar untucked... all things fixed and perfect by their Ma, making him grimace with teenage annoyance. Connor's mind was young, free and naive. He had an array of ideas on what he wanted life to be, ready to charge out and direct his fate as he intended. No Ma fussing, no brother badgering him... little did he know how things would change so drastically.

Breakfast was forgotten as he rushed to school, being late of course. He got a verbal scolding from the teacher as he took his place in the seat, sitting Murphy's bag aside. He slumped back as class resumed though his gaze traveled between the teacher and Murphy now and then, ocassionally becoming by other minor things within the room just so he could keep himself awake.

Lunch was a blessing. It provided his mind time to relax and something to appease his growling stomach. No sooner than he had begun to dig in, was he accompanied by his brother - little one by his standards. The roll of Murphy's eyes made him grin. "I got 'ere, didn' I?" He answered in response with a slight shrug of his shoulders.

"Ye' know ma is gonna bitch at ye when she get's off work tonight if the teacher calls her 'gain.." Murphy reminds him, "Lucky she won't be home to catch te' call aye? Ain't answerin' it either tis time." He chowed on his food for a moment before catching the eye of a girl walking by and he ducked his head and frowned. Lately he had been really ignoring the girls in school, no matter how much they tried to be sweet with him. He tried to tell himself it was because he knew they were just trying to get to Connor through him, but he sometimes had a feeling that it wasn't like that all together and he was just being weird and picky. He'd been hanging around some of the older guys that smoke outside during lunch but to his surprise he didn't feel like being around them today. He'd rather be in his brothers company rather then trying to be someone he wasn't, those guys were just something to do when his brother was up some girls skirt rather then paying attention to Murphy.

"After school." he states between bites, "What ye' want te' do anyway?" he asks Connor who usually had some plan to do something but sometimes it didn't involve bringing Murphy along like he was older or some shit. Hated that, treating Murph like he was five years younger when they were the same age. Constantly belittling him or talking to him like a child, really did him in sometimes which caused fights before but he was trying to ignore it more lately when it happened.

Connor listened in silence for the moment as he took a drink of what had been offered with school's lunch. He caught Murphy's gaze which seemed to be briefly locked one of the girls that passed by. Connor's followed as she went to take her seat, his tongue poking out just the slightest to lick over dry lips. Accompanying the teenage glory years, Connor had begun to divulge in his adolescent hormones, noticing not only the changes among himself but those within his peers as well. Murphy seemed to be opposite of him, shying away from such socialisms. Connor made a mental note to push him a little more and get him out of his shell. Perhaps he should find a party for them to attend one weekend. Oh, their Ma would surely kill them. With the girl disappearing into the crowd, Connor turned back to Murphy and gave him a nudge. "Relax… Ma can't stay mad at me fahrever, right?" He retorted back with a sly grin.

Connor didn't answer for a bit, thinking about just what exactly he did want to do when he left school. A few bites of food later, he shrugged his shoulders. "Haven't thought much of it… Might go sneak into one of the local pubs but not sure if that's such a good idea…" His words were accompanied with a slight laugh. If he did, he may just end up late again in the morning or not show up at all. "What 'bout you, Murph? Any bright ideas?"

"Nothin' to excitin'.." he finished his food and pushed the tray forward a little. "Probably just go home take a nap.." he was always sleepy, always taking nap more then Connor but maybe it was just a way to avoid actually doing anything else or--getting out of his shell. He often did avoid actually going places with Connor knowing he would always be looked at as the younger no matter what. He hated that but nothing he could do to avoid it, although that was the case he still felt like doing something rather then staying home today. "Maybe we could.. goin' campin' like ye promised last time ye' would?" he muttered a little like he didn't quite want Connor to hear what he said cause usually when he mentioned something Connor said before he always had an excuse why he couldn't do it /now/.

He then grabbed his tray and mumbled something about being back and discarded his tray and left to go to the toilets. While he was in there he was approached by one of the guys he sometimes hung out with. They were bein' kind of too nice almost like the guy liked Murphy, but it must be in his head right? Next thing he knows the taller male hovers closer to him and steals a kiss before leaving Murphy stunned in the bathroom. He quickly left, looking flustered and angry and he just started walking home by himself without so much as looking for Connor the entire time. He was upset, his first kiss had been a boy and it wasn't even a boy he liked. As he was sitting on the couch eating Connor's ice cream out of the carton without care, he came to the conclusion that the guys he'd been hanging with were a bunch of fairies! Shit, now he had to explain everything knowing Connor would be asking him all kinds of stuff when he got home, if he ever did come home tonight.

Finishing the not too appetizing meal, Connor pushed the trey back. It wouldn't be a surprise if he hurried back to his next class and left it there… Attention and efforts not his priority for this place. Murphy's suggestion surprised him, acting as a bitter reminder that he had promised. How long ago had that been though? Must've been some time if Connor couldn't pinpoint the date. Running a hand through his hair, he let out a audible breath. Connor had been so preoccupied with himself and the starting process of figuring out where he fit in this big 'ol world and who he was that he had started to pull away from his brother a little more as the days rolled on when they were once each other's best of friends. "I'll tink about it." He answered honestly. It confused him that such things felt more like tasks anymore than downtime to enjoy and bond as they once did.

Murphy never did return like he said he would, not a big concern at first but as the day lingered on Connor began to wonder where the little shit went, casually asking the few mutual people between them who unfortunately hadn't seen hide or hair of him either. The breaks between classes, Connor found himself outside smoking. Being self absorbed in his own world, he wasn't all that aware of the people Murphy hung around when he wasn't directly in his presence so when noticed the group of guys talking and laughing among themselves about something, he turned a blind eye to it… for the time being.

Late, Connor always seemed to be late to everything these days, including coming home. As soon as the door shut, he was faced with the questions of where was he by their Ma. Reassuring her, he made his way through the kitchen and into the living room, throwing his stuff down. Catching Murphy's presence from a side glance, he full on glared at him. "Where de fuck did ye go?" He asked, gaze traveling down to the ice cream carton in Murphy's hold. "And eatin' all me shit too!" He barked, reaching down to rip the carton from Murphy's grasp.

The outburst took him by complete surprise, leaving him standing there stunned for a moment, eyes wide. He flinched when the carton of ice cream was slammed onto the coffee table and Murphy pushed past him to jolt upstairs. What the fuck had just happened?! A deep breath escaped him and he turned, to face his Ma suddenly who looked at him with concern written along her weary face. Connor's gaze traveled to the floor and he felt bad suddenly though he didn't understand what he felt bad for. He loved what was of their little family; the three of them… He just… Well, things were complicated. Connor just wanted to branch out on his own. All of his life, this house, his Ma, Murphy… They were all he knew. Connor slumped back on the couch in silence, Ma taking what was left of the carton back to the freezer.

The house wasn't the worst, but it wasn't the best either. Upstairs, he could hear the kick to the bathroom door, followed by the flow of the shower afterwards. Connor sat there, idly fiddling with his thumbs as he tried to sort out the problem among himself in his head. He wasn't one for sentiments now, he was starting to harden around the edges and emotions were beginning to become more reclusive within him. After all, wasn't that the standard to being a "man"? He had always tried to be the stronger brother, the one to fall back on. Hearing the water cut off and footsteps above, Connor assumed Murphy had made his way back into the room they shared. Connor willed himself from the couch and made his way upstairs. Quietly, he went into their room, looking over to Murphy's resting form. Connor took a seat at the edge of Murphy's bed, as carefully as he could as if he were afraid to disturb him. "Murph, you awake?" He nearly whispered, though he doubted the other man was asleep so soon.

Quickly dodging the others grasp, Murphy was in a right bitter mood from the day he'd had and he barked back if not louder. "TE FUCK DO YE CARE WHERE I WAS, NOT LIKE YE FUCKIN' CARE!" he probably shouldn't have done that, but he was feeling attacked immediately and fought back. He slammed the carton on the coffee table and shoved hard passed his brother and ran upstairs. An audible slam to their door resounded through the house. Murphy ripped off his clothes and slammed the bathroom door behind him. He was pacing a little, all red in the face from being angry and he turned around and kicked the locked bathroom door for no good reason he could think of other then he was angry. He turned on the bath water and soaked in the tub for about an hour just to calm down. When he got out he was still kind of angry at everyone, but he dried off a bit and wrapped the towel around his waist before coming into the bedroom.

He avoided acknowledging whether or not his brother was in the room, picking up his dirty clothes and shoving them in the clothes basket by the dressers. Then he crawled into bed and pulled the sheet over himself and his head, hiding away from this stupid fucked up world where people thought it was funny to mess with his feelings. Mess with his head and whatever else they could do to Murphy. The fuck had that kid thought it'd be a good idea to be kissing him for like it was some kind of big joke, like they thought he was fucking gay or something. He wasn't.. he didn't fuckin' know actually what he was, his feelings were all kinds of mixed up since he'd gotten older and had less time with Connor now. He just wanted to be around him, join in on the fun but every time he did he just seemed to be the outcast of the group no matter what. It wasn't like he was trying to be weird and quiet but it was just that he didn't feel very welcomed around Connor's friends.

The outburst took him by complete surprise, leaving him standing there stunned for a moment, eyes wide. He flinched when the carton of ice cream was slammed onto the coffee table and Murphy pushed past him to jolt upstairs. What the fuck had just happened?! A deep breath escaped him and he turned, to face his Ma suddenly who looked at him with concern written along her weary face. Connor's gaze traveled to the floor and he felt bad suddenly though he didn't understand what he felt bad for. He loved what was of their little family; the three of them… He just… Well, things were complicated. Connor just wanted to branch out on his own. All of his life, this house, his Ma, Murphy… They were all he knew. Connor slumped back on the couch in silence, Ma taking what was left of the carton back to the freezer.

The house wasn't the worst, but it wasn't the best either. Upstairs, he could hear the kick to the bathroom door, followed by the flow of the shower afterwards. Connor sat there, idly fiddling with his thumbs as he tried to sort out the problem among himself in his head. He wasn't one for sentiments now, he was starting to harden around the edges and emotions were beginning to become more reclusive within him. After all, wasn't that the standard to being a "man"? He had always tried to be the stronger brother, the one to fall back on. Hearing the water cut off and footsteps above, Connor assumed Murphy had made his way back into the room they shared. Connor willed himself from the couch and made his way upstairs. Quietly, he went into their room, looking over to Murphy's resting form. Connor took a seat at the edge of Murphy's bed, as carefully as he could as if he were afraid to disturb him. "Murph, you awake?" He nearly whispered, though he doubted the other man was asleep so soon.

"Aye.." he muttered from underneath the sheet. He'd laid there for a minute long enough to start getting tired from the warm bath he'd just had. All the anger deflated and now he was just kind of feeling needy. He uncovered his head slowly and rolled over to look at the other, blinking tiredly. "Em sorry Conn.." he starts before Connor could say anything else. "Didn' mean te' yell at ye jus.. had a bad day.." he sighed, rubbing at his face a little. He just wanted to forget for a moment what happened today, just sleep it off. He rolled on to his side facing Connor and reached to him a little.

"Somethin' happened today.." he mutters, looking away from Connor with a frown. "Was in the toilets.. bout' to come back to see where ye' were and this.. this guy I hang out wit' sometimes cornered me and kissed me.. didn' know what to do.. felt angry.. been botherin' me all day.. Don' go tellin' Ma I'll never here ta' end of it eit'er.."

Connor frowned upon the apology. Really, Murphy didn't have to apologize or explain anything. He hadn't done anything, had he? Connor rolled his eyes at that. "Shut de fuck up with dat… Don't wanna 'ear it…" He grumbled. "Nothin' to be sorry for…" He slumped in his posture. Pride was strong for Connor, mouth opening slightly several times in attempts to admit where he felt he was in the wrong and yet, no words came from him but he knew he had been lacking as a brother. If they didn't have nothing else, they had one another and he was letting Murphy down.

Suddenly he perked up, form stiffening as his eyes narrowed. Hands curled into fists, gripping the sheets beneath him. "He did what?" Connor's voice seemed to change, taking on a more serious and deeper tone. He felt the heat of anger start to rise within him. "I'll knock 'is fuckin' teeth out, I will…" He muttered under his breath, mind going back to earlier that day. It wouldn't be that much of a challenge for him to find the culprit if he truly wanted to. Connor flinched, feeling Murphy's slight touch. His expression softened some but still, he felt that protectiveness for his brother. "I won't tell her." He assured.

Murphy looked on at his brothers expression, the anger in it worried him like he might actually kill the guy who did it, slightly regretting telling him but at the same time he couldn't hold it in either, he needed to get it out. "Conn.." he frowned, sitting up. "It wasn'--" he stopped himself, "Was just a kiss.. just-- took me by surprise I guess.. It's alrigh' I'll get over et'.. just won't hang wit t'em no more.." he assured his brother though he knew it was too late to stop it now, Connor was going to do something whether he liked it or not. He scooted closer and wrapped arms around his brother in a hug, laying his head on his shoulder.

"GET YER BUTTS DOWN 'ERE AND EAT!" Their Ma shouts up the stairs making Murphy flinch and sigh. He wasn't in the mood to eat anything but knew better then to refuse their mothers food. He climbed out of bed and pulled on underwear before looking to Connor, not really knowing what to say before he just goes downstairs to eat. He was silent while he ate while Ma and their aunt sat there eating and talking.

He finished his food and went to the laundry room in the basement, turned on the light and pulled on a fresh shirt that'd been just dried. He looked around and listened and then he went to a closet/room near the back of the basement where he'd made a hide out, not even Connor had bothered to come back here cause he didn't know about it. He grabbed the joint he rolled earlier and lit it. He came back up an hour later still kind of stoned and went right up to their room in order to spray on some of Connor's cologne to mask the scent of skunk. That's why he'd been hanging around the older kids, to get weed off them with his allowance money.

Connor sighed. There wasn't one thing about this and he did consider himself the protector of the two. Connor pulled him in closer, resting his face in Murphy's hair, taking in the clean smell. "Aight… If they cause anymore problems though, they'll 'av ter deal with me." Connor chalked it all up to that he was just looking out for his brother and nothing more but the way he felt towards the matter was something deeper than that. If he had actually saw the scene unfold before him, he couldn't promise the guy wouldn't be sent to the infirmary. He swallowed hard, attempting to ignore whatever confusing thoughts lingered in the back of his mind. Life was hard enough without him questioning things within his own personal circle. He merely closed his eyes and let himself enjoy the little moment they had, as they once did. Though the innocence of childhood had nearly faded. What would people think of their closeness and what if something were to happen? Connor was beginning to find himself tore between the bond they shared and the stigma society put on others.

The yell of their mother jerked him to attention and he pulled away quickly, heart beginning to race. Something told him that Murphy wasn't all that thrilled to go down and in truth, neither was he. It was an odd thing that when his brother seemed to be in a off mood, it effected him the same. "C'mon… Better get down dare before she chews our 'eads off." Connor offered a chuckle to try and lighten the atmosphere. Connor tried not to let his gaze linger to Murphy when he got up to pull a pair of underwear on. These days Connor felt awkward in certain instances with Murphy where before Murphy would be the only person he felt his most comfortable around.

Dinner was silent for the most part, stiff and just tedious and draining. Their Ma talked with their aunt for the most part and Connor ate his fill, leaving the rest to just be picked at and pushed around on his plate until he could be excused. In a means to give them both some space, given the day had been tense, Connor decided to hang back in the kitchen and help their Ma with the dishes. Only after he was done, did he make his way back up to the room to settle in for the night. Coming into the room though, the faint smell of his cologne lingered, leaving him to raise a brow, attention landing on Murphy. The fuck was he doing now? Taking more of his shit again? Connor decided not to push another matter and upset him further. Rather, he took his place on his own bed. "So… I was thinkin'… 'Bout what ye said earlier today… We can go camping, dis weekend, if ye want."

Giving a slight cough, he felt guilty and rather nervous, worried that his brother would know--fuck sake he would know the second a giggle comes out of him, Conn will know. He straightened up a little, keeping a straight face and he went over to Connor and climbed on his bed to lay beside him. "Aye?" he asks, kind of surprised Connor would finally take him camping although, he wasn't crossing any fingers at this point. Conn talked up a storm but most of the time he'd forget or just not do it all together. "Ye' really gon' te or ye' just sayin' tha' cause ye feel bad fer not takin' me in te first place?" he asked with a little smirk as he turned on his side facing his twin.

Maybe it would be fun, they could make a fire and go deep off from the town and really be alone for once. They were never truly alone with their mother and these thin walls separating the boys from her. It really felt like he was trapped sometimes but really, he just wanted to finally be alone with him and just relax and talk and do stupid things like they use too. "Maybe we could.. make fuckin' s'mores or somethin' aye?"

Filling the bed dip down under Murphy's weight, Connor knew he had to be cautious with him in such a close range. He released a soft breath, looking down at what was essentially the other part of him. They were one another's strength and weakness. Connor rolled his eyes as he gave a shove to Murphy for asking such a thing even though, he wasn't entirely wrong. Connor did feel bad for skipping out before and other times Murphy wanted to be in his company and he found some excuse to bail. But, he also thought it would be good for Murphy, to get away from the stresses of life and maybe it would even be good for him too. He had been so occupied trying to just roll through the motions, he'd truly forgotten how to live. "I don't feel bad for ye, asshole… Doin' it 'cause I want ter do it, dat's all…" He grumbled, an attempt to keep up that tough barrier around himself.

The suggestion made Connor scoff. He flopped back, laying across Murphy as he gazed up at the ceiling. "S'mores?" He repeated. "Will ye ever grow up?" He asked in amusement, a chuckle following his words. In a way though, he hoped Murphy never did lose that softer and even sweeter side to him. It helped to balance them out. "Sure… We'll do whatever ye want."

"Aye I fuckin' said s'mores! And.. and drinkin'.. whatever we can get our hands on anyway.. know where ma keeps the keys to the liquor cabinet.. think she's all smart an' shit keepin it in her jewelry box.." not that he should know where it was, let alone be in his ma's jewelry but he ignored that bit. He squirmed a little and sighed, "Where we gon' te get a tent? think we got one in the shed Da' might've left us?" he asks. The thought of spending time with Connor, all night in a tent just the two of them sounded fun. He smiles a little, "Hey.. ye wan te see somethin?" he asks, sitting up a little. "'long as ye don' tell ma.. not dat I tink ye would but.." he sat up and moved Connor before getting up. He looked to Connor and gestured for him to follow. They snuck past their mother and aunt in the kitchen to the basement, and Murphy opens his hide-away closet door and plops into the blankets and pillows he stuffed inside. Then he holds up a joint to Connor, "Fuckin' don't say shit.. Ma would kill us bot'.." he gives a nod. "Fuckin' sit and close te door."

"Course ye did… You'll get all shit faced an' pass out on me in dat case." But the thought of bringing liquor into the mix sound fun. Connor was always up for a drink or two. Brows furrowed at the mention of the jewelry box but he just chalked it up to their Irish blood and the love they had for a good drink that led Murphy to scout out the key to the cabinet. Their Ma was clever but, they were always a step ahead of her. "I'll look 'morrow, see if there's one out dare." Connor sat up when Murphy got up, looking up at his brother with a curious gaze. "Ye know our secrets are ours." He assured. Connor rarely spoke about the things they shared to their Ma because most of them were things that either strengthened their bond or was minor occurrences Connor himself could handle. Getting up, he followed quietly behind Murphy, sneaking past the kitchen and into the basement. Connor's eyes widened a bit at the little hide-away. "Ye sneaky wee bastard… So dis is where ye go, aye?" He scoffed as he took a seat beside Murphy, closing the door behind him. He snatched the joint from his brother's grasp, pressing it past his lips and inhaling a deep breath of the contents. Smoke bellowed out seconds after and a content sigh seemed to slip from him. He was quiet for a moment but then, he looked back over to Murphy, handing the joint back to him. "Da fuck did ye get dis from?"

"That guy who kissed me.. he sells it to me from time te time.. now I don' think I'll be askin' him no more after the shit he pulled today.. find someone else.." he took a hit and got comfortable in his little hide-away. He grinned a little, "Aye this where I been goin' when ye' and Ma can't find me.. know none of ye would come lookin' ere so I just made it me own. But now ye know about it, suppose it's ours now.." he shrugged a bit. He didn't mind having it to their own. Could be a good thing, but sometimes Murphy wanted to be alone but he knows if Connor knows he wants to be alone he wouldn't be bothered.

After a long hour of smoking, the closet was foggy with smoke and Murphy was high as a kite, giggling about something they were talking about. He moved to lay against Connor's chest and stretch out, yawning a little. "Wish it was Friday.. don' want te go to school tomorra'.." he frowned, "Don' want te be made fun of, lord knows what tha' prick probably told his friends.. What te fuck anyway! I'm no' gay!" he crossed his arms and grumbled.

A faint smile peaked at the corners of Connor's lips at the statement. They had always shared everything together and yet he was trying to change that between them. Maybe he was being a real jerk about things. "Tis a good place ter go… Quiet, cozy… Tis very, Murphy like." His smile grew wider when he looked over to his brother.

Time seemed to pass quickly as they fell back into old habits of conversing among themselves, laughing with one another and just getting back to what made them, well them. Whether it was the relaxing effects of the weed in his system or the nostalgia of what they've always been; Connor found himself pulling Murphy closer to him without hesitation or any second guessing. He could fall asleep here and now with his twin using him as a pillow and be perfectly content. A hand found it's way to Murphy's hair, fingers scheming through the strands. "We got two more days… Don't worry about dem, if they say anythin' I'll take care of it." Connor may have started to become more relaxed through the years but when it came to Murphy, his fists could still do the talk for him if need be. His chest rose and fell with a deep breath. "Course you're not! Fuck dem! Bunch of assholes…"

Murphy huffed a bit, but relaxed finding the fingers running through his hair relaxing. He ended up going quiet, little did Connor know he was beginning to fall asleep. He jumped awake, realizing he was falling asleep and groaned, rubbing his eyes. Faintly he heard their ma' calling for them and he frowned. He crawled out and got up, stretching his arms above his head. It was late, better get sleep for tomorrow. With a silent look to Connor they went up stairs and Murphy instead of crawling into his own bed, crawled into Connor's which he hadn't done for months. He curled up on his stomach and fell fast asleep.

In the morning he de-tangled himself from Connor and lazily got ready for school after shutting off the alarm. The walk to school was quiet, he had a bad feeling in his stomach and he stuck close to Connor when he could. When he was alone, putting his stuff in his locker the same guy came up to him, picking on him about the kiss and Murphy got so pissed off at him for picking on him he nailed the guy in the face with his fist and yelled at him in Gaelic before storming off to the playground where he bummed a smoke off a kid and sat under the slides, knuckles bruised and his hand shaking while he attempted to smoke.

Connor knew they shouldn't share one bed together, they were getting too old to be doing these kinds of things together. But, the company felt nice. Murphy was warm and his presence was comforting to Connor. Against better judgement, Connor wrapped his arms around Murphy and snuggled into him, drifting off to sleep.

The following morning was even more aggravating than the previous, simply because Connor didn't want to lose the moment of closeness between him and his brother. But he reminded himself they only had tomorrow left until the weekend. Connor accompanied Murphy to school on time today and for the most part they hung around one another. Knowing the events of yesterday, Connor felt a need to keep a close watch over Murphy but unfortunately there had to be times between classes where they were separated.

Slamming his locker door shut, Connor overheard a group of guys speaking among themselves about something, noticing one rubbing the side of his cheek. Eyes narrowed, Connor stormed up to them, an argument ensueing. "Run ye mouth some more and I'll knock ye teeth down ye throat..." he threatened and left them in a huff. Connor searched for Murphy, eventually finding him outside. He kneeled down under the slide in front of him, sigh leaving him. "Ye alright, Murph?"

"Fuck 'em Conn.. They told the whole fuckin' school practically that em a fuckin' faggot.." his hands shaking, anger in his eyes. "Fuckin' hate tis place, should'a seen te girls lookin at me Conn, fuckin' disgusted wit me now. I'll never find anyone in tis fuckin' school don' think I want te anyway. Don' want anybody.." he frowned, he could do this; be alone never be with anyone. Fuck it why did he need anybody when he had Connor right? He looked to Connor and tossed his smoke. "Let's get outta here aye?" he said and climbed out from under the slide and brushed off his pants. He saw those guys in the distance, talking to one of the teachers and they all started looking his way. He felt so angry, those fuckers rattin' on him for some shit they started. "FUCK YOU!" he screamed at them from across the playground and flipped them off. He hit his chest with both hands. "COME GET ME YE FUCKERS!"

He knew he was in for it if they came over, two against five wasn't a good out come so he knew they should just go but he was so pissed off he wanted to start swinging left and right as much as he could fight. Eventually though the guys were told by the teacher to leave it and the teacher came over. "Murphy Macmanus!" she said angrily, "What is your problem with those boys?" he asked. "They were-- They called me fuckin' gay! Ain' a faggot." he huffed. "Watch your language Macmanus. I suggest you and your brother go home. Detention. Tomorrow Murphy." and after that, Murph having nothing more to say to that he hung his head a little as she walked away.

Walking home was quiet, they stopped for smokes and snacks and then went out to the back yard and sat at the picnic table, smoking. Ma would be at the bar late so they had a good chunk of the night to spend by themselves. He was hovered over a small plate in his lap rolling a doobie and then lit it up. Passing it to Connor he hops up to sit on the table part instead of the bench and then grabbed a chip from the bag and popped it into his mouth. "Fuck detention tomorra'.. ain' goin.."

Connor bit into his bottom lip, wanting to reach out to his brother and just bring him into a tight hug and yet at the same time bash someone's heads in. Typically the more calmer and relaxed in terms of having his emotions reigned in, that didn't mean Connor didn't plot things within his mind for those that crossed him or Murphy wrong. Perhaps that made him more dangerous than the other twin. "Don't say that, Murph… The girls in this school aren't the only ones in the world." Connor spoke with a frown. Following his brothers lead, he nodded and got up, about to start walking until his gaze followed Murphy's, eyes narrowing at the guys. His fists flexed at his sides, Connor believing that he had the strength alone to take them all on if he had to. The anger exerted from his brother was well deserved but with the teacher there, Connor knew they were fucked.

"Murph… C'mon…" He muttered, as he reached out to tug on his twin's arm. Yet, their teacher came storming over causing Connor to let out a deep breath, rolling his eyes. "But they-!" He attempted to put in but was shot down quickly with threats of being in equal trouble as Murphy if he continued. Once more, Connor bit at his bottom lip as she began to walk away. "I'll break their fuckin' jaws if I catch 'em out… See if they wanna go 'round kissin' people den." He huffed.

Connor didn't like the silence between them on the way home but he knew a lot was weighing on Murphy's mind so he didn't push. He just merely glanced at him here and there, observing his facial expressions. Sitting at the picnic table, Connor was quiet himself, thinking about everything that day and scenarios of how to get the group to themselves out of a teacher's watchful eye or even the one guy specifically. Justice. He wanted his own justice for his brother. Connor was beginning to learn that life wasn't fair and people were easily persuaded but he, he saw the wrongs overlooked. He shook his head when the doobie was handed over to him, taking it from Murphy and inhaling a deep breath of it. He let the smoke linger for a bit before releasing a breath of it. At least they had some time tonight before Ma came back.

"Ye know… We could just skip tomorrow… Go campin' early. We can stow away in your wee hide out til Ma's gone den split." Connor suggested.