#and the kids are engaged and busy and quiet and learning

[itspileofgoodthings]

my classes went SO well today I will cry

[suga-kookiemonster]

ctrl-alt-del | jjk (teaser)

summary⇢ you graduated bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, but, to your extreme disappointment, your big girl job isn't turning out to be nearly as exciting as you thought it would be. still, you're holding out hope that your talents will soon be recognized and your coworkers will stop trying to include you in their gossip sessions. enter jungkook, the quiet IT guy who's gradually making your days more bearable. (and if you find him easy on the eyes, that's nobody's business but yours.) pairing⇢ jungkook/reader teaser word count⇢ 1.4k genre⇢ smut | humor | office!au warnings⇢ nothing too bad for this teaser! just a mention of oral

a/n⇢this fic has literally been sitting in my wips for YEARS lmao. i feel like it's finally time to set it free 🕊️✨ it's looking like it's gonna lean more towards pwp, but there's definitely still enough plot in there to keep it interesting. not sure when it will be up, but wanted to share a snippet to get your thoughts and get myself excited to finish the last leg--fingers crossed for the next month or so 🤞🏾🙌🏾💜

When you graduated top of your class with a marketing degree and a job already lined up, you weren’t big-headed to assume you would be given a lot in the beginning. No, you knew that you were the new kid on the block and needed to prove yourself first, needed to work your way up from the bottom. But what you definitely didn’t anticipate was working up from thefigurative trenches, almost exclusively doing busywork—constantly making coffee runs, catering business lunches, printing out endless spreadsheets.

Eighty-thousand dollars in debt, and you are a glorified intern.

You’re positively itching to hit the ground running and get your hands dirty, your job isn’t too bad. The people there are all nice and welcoming, the complimentary coffee in the break room is decent enough for your dwindling bank account, and every couple of weeks, the company sponsors an employee barbecue were everyone can fraternize and enjoy free food.

“Apparently it fosters unity and teamwork,” your coworker Joy informs you as you both stand in the food line. “Seokjin—that’s our CEO—is really big on unity and teamwork.”

Joy is also a member of your marketing team. Though as sweet as can be, she has no filter, and thus always has a lot to say about everything—which has helped you when it comes to learning the ropes about the company, but has also had you clutching your imaginary pearls in some situations where you found it inappropriate. Despite only being a year older than you, her title of Marketing Associate (instead of your measly Assistant)means that she technically outranks you, though she doesn’t usually enforce that fact (unless there was something that needed to be copied or filed, of course). Still, she immediately took you under her wing when you first started, and she is the closest person to a friend you have at work (even though her daily coffee order is always so ridiculous, you are convinced that she has to be fucking with you—or at least engaging in some form of mild hazing.).

“I think it’s nice,” you reply. “I’ll never say no to free food, and they let us out early and everything.”

“I mean, pretty sure you can get the hotdogs twelve in a pack at the dollar store,” Joy quips, raising her eyebrows at you pointedly. “But sometimes the boys from Sales take their shirts off and play soccer, so there’s that.”

Your eyes dart to said Sales boys against your will, gaze drawn to Jung Hoseok as he chats animatedly with his teammates by the tables. You’ve only spoken to him once or twice, but his fiery red hair and even brighter smile caught your attention immediately, your heart rate accelerating at the sight of him in hallways mere days into starting your new position. Who better to have a mild work crush on than a sweet-talking salesman who winks at you sometimes in passing?

An appreciative noise has you turning back around, embarrassed at being caught ogling how shapely Hoseok’s butt looks in his dress pants today, but it’s just Wendy from accounting, Joy’s best friend and thus a harmless, familiar face. Wendy has cut in front of a few editors to join you and Joy, and the way that she smiles at you lets you know she’s up to no good. “He’s cute, huh?” she asks, leaning towards you conspiratorially. “I would definitely give him the good ol’ suck behind the dumpsters over there, if you catch my drift.”

“Err…yeah, I do,” you reply awkwardly. She had been explicitly clear—keyword explicit—so there definitely isn’t any room for misunderstandings. Is this truly appropriate work function conversation? From the way the editors behind you are politely clearing their throats, you think not.

“Behind the dumpster?” Joy asks curiously. “He’s standing right next to some sturdy tables that I, for one, would take great advantage of—”

“I’m gonna go get us some drinks,” you announce loudly, your neck heating up. “Can you grab me a hot dog, Joy?”

“Sure,” she says dismissively, already distracted by her sudden debate with Wendy about the most convenient place to suck off salesman Jung.

The whole conversation is making you uncomfortable. You are not a prude—far from it—but there is a time and place for everything, and your coworkers’ blasé attitude towards speaking about inappropriate topics at company functions on company time rattles you a bit. So instead of engaging in the risqué discussion further, you make your way to the cluster of brightly-colored coolers that presumably hold beverages, sidling up to the only other person lingering the area.

“Anything good?” you ask cordially, making your coworker, who had apparently been deep in thought while considering his beverage options, startle a bit.

He’s tall, his large frame covered in the appropriate business casual attire of nice jeans and a powder-blue buttonup. When he turns his head to look at you, you’re met with large, dark eyes blinking in surprise from behind wire-rimmed glasses. Said eyes dart around for a moment before determining that you were, in fact, speaking to him.

The man clears his throat. “Just the usual,” he says, voice soft. Timid.

“The usual?” you repeat. There are little hoops dangling from his earlobes, and you brush off your surprise at seeing them, returning your gaze to the coolers. Water, a clear soda, a cola. “The basics, you mean. Well, can’t really complain, right? Seeing as it’s all free. I think it’s really nice of them.”

Your companion seems surprised at your words. “It is,” he agrees softly, eyes meeting yours for a second before dropping back down to the cooler. “Um, are you...are you new?”

“Damn, I guess my cover’s blown.” You shoot him a wry smile. “Yeah, I just started a couple of weeks ago. What gave it away?”

“It’s just—no one else here really cares about these barbecues anymore,” he admits, looking at you, but not quite. More like, in your direction. “Everyone has forgotten to appreciate the little things.”

“Nothing is a given,” you shrug. “So you need to appreciate things when you can. And besides, those lots of little things can really add up without you realizing it.”

He finally seems to look at you properly, and the weight of his large, gentle brown eyes throws you off for a second. “They can,” he agrees, lips slowly drifting up. 

“What do we have over here?” a loud voice interrupts, a hand falling to your shoulder. You look up, and are met with the brightness of salesman Jung.

“Ah,” Hoseok says with a wink, reaching into the cooler. “I love Sprite.”

“Me too,” you reply automatically, and then immediately want to smack yourself. Because you don’t—carbonated beverages make you break out. But your mouth had formed the lie without your permission.

Embarrassed, you reach into the cooler, grabbing three water bottles. “See you later,” you squeak, avoiding eye contact as you make your escape.

Joy and Wendy are already watching you when you return to where they have procured a table, and when you hand them their waters, Joy raises an eyebrow. “I was wondering how long you were going to talk to that IT guy.”

“Yeah, and why did you leave when Hoseok showed up?” Wendy pouted. “_____, the universe is only going to give you so many opportunities. If you don’t want the ball, then pass it to me! Goddamn.”

“IT guy?” you ask, hoping to slide past that last remark.

“Yeah. His name is Jungkook, I think? Mostly works with the printers, started a couple months ago.” Joy shrugs, obviously disinterested by the topic. She reaches for the ketchup bottle in the center of the table and squirts some on her hot dog. “This is the first time I’ve seen him at a barbecue, though. Honestly, I’m surprised he even came out, because the IT dudes generally keep to themselves. The rarely leave their little tower,” she adds with a dismissive wave.

Wendy scoffs. “Who cares about Jeremy! Hurry up and eat, I’m sure Sales is gonna start their soccer game soon.”

“Soccer game?” you ask.

“The sales department likes to play soccer during these things,” Joy informs you. Her expression brightens. “Hey, maybe Hoseok will take his shirt off again! Let us pray.”

To your coworkers’ disappointment, Hoseok did not take his shirt off. But they certainly had a good time watching him run back and forth across the grass.

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 88 (Bringing Home a Ghost)

After Ghost Night ended at the Salty Paw, Heather, Conrad, and their new friend Felix Psyded left Fisherman's Wharf and returned to their home on Sable Square. Heather entered first, finding Hazel on the sofa watching TV. "Hey, how were the kids tonight?"

"They were great! Ashy said you guys usually read him two bedtime stories but he fell asleep after the first one, and Lava hasn't woken up since I put her to bed. I got to watch Moonlight Massacre after all! How was your night?"

"It was nice! We went looking for a man we didn't find, but we met someone else while we were there..."

Conrad walked inside the front door as Felix floated in behind him. Heather stood, and Hazel looked up from her phone in quiet awe. "Felix Psyded, Esquire. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss."

"Hazel Moody-Nesbitt," she replied. "Heather's cooler younger sister. You're, like, really a ghost!"

"Since 1915." He warmly tipped his bowler hat. "May I say, you're stunning like your sister."

"You may say! But I'm married."

"Of course the lovely Nesbitt women would all be spoken for. Though I hope your husband is friendlier than Sargent Gordon."

Hazel laughed. "My wife is sweet, but Conrad's great! Are you the one guy in the world he doesn't get along with?"

Heather sighed, sliding over to make room for Conrad on the sofa. "They got off on the wrong foot."

"Well, why'd you bring him home? I know you love strays, but I didn't think that meant sims who've been dead for over a century!"

"They've promised me a plate of ambrosia in exchange for my services."

Hazel gaped. "When you guys said you were doing this challenge I just thought it was, like, a team building exercise. I didn't think you were really going to resurrect anybody!"

Heather shrugged. "Well, why shouldn't we? We went through all that to learn how to do it, so we might as well help someone with unfinished business while we're at it."

"So is that it, then? No one dies, they just get to live again with ambrosia?"

"Not everyone's unfinished business is to live again. Some die so old, with bodies so used and broken, living again isn't worth it. Even some of the younger ones. Everyone is different and fascinating in their own way, which is why I took to studying ghosts and their stories in the first place."

"He's going to help us figure out if Conrad met a ghost out on Deadgrass Isle."

Hazel grinned as Conrad stood to shoo one of their chickens back outside. "You're fighting crime by day and paranormal activity by night? Holly was right, Conrad. You're basically a superhero."

He blushed, and Felix turned a dour look in his direction. Ending the tense conversation in the living room, Hazel left to return home.

Heather and Conrad left Felix on the sofa and headed to bed. But before they'd changed into pajamas, she blurted her question with concern. "What's going on with you? I've never seen you snappier with anyone than you were tonight with Felix. Like I brought home two ghosts tonight instead of one."

"He was kind of acting like a dick."

Heather nodded. "And you met him there. That's not like you. Is it George Brindleton again?"

"No, George has been quiet. He and his wife spend a lot of the winter in Sulani every year." He could see Heather found this insufficient and kept talking. "I'm just dealing with a lot. I know I wasn't really myself tonight. There's this one case I can't crack and it's making me a little crazy."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"I do, but I can't say much about it."

"I know. Confidential. But I want to give you whatever you need to be able to keep your work life at work, and not take the stress home. Not even for me and the kids, because you're so good to us. That's not the issue. I'm worried about you, and I want you to talk to me. The night we got engaged, you promised you would always tell me how you're feeling."

Joining her on the bed, he held her hand against his chest. "When I've finally solved the case, I'll tell you everything. I promise."

She grinned. "Not every gory detail, I hope."

"Do I ever? I don't want to think about the case tonight. I don't want to think about the ghost in our living room. All I want to focus on the rest of the night is you."

They made love before Heather fell asleep in Conrad's arms, (at least temporarily) satisfied by their conversation. ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 1 Summary | Gen 1 Start

NOTE: I debated whether or not to bring Felix Psyded and his lore into this generation because there's a university generation much, much later in this challenge, but Felix was the first ghost that showed up to Ghost Night, sat right next to them and was immediately enamoured with Heather. So my mind spun with a bunch of possibilities for him and I went for it, even though he's mentioned in urban legends for UBrite students and those obviously won't be canon to my timeline anymore.

The In Bloom challenge doesn't have anything related to Felix in the challenge rules, even in the university generation, and Reaper Rewards didn't even require use of the ambrosia Heather made. But I wasn't going to do all that and not fully finish what they started. They're not really the type to lure sims into a cowplant just to test whether ambrosia works, no one in my save needed to die and be brought back, and I have a plan now for Felix! @pixeldistractions mentioned a possible prequel flashback and I'll never say never, but setting up an early-20th Century photo save will take a while if I do it, so no promises. I am invested in him getting a happy ending to his second life, however!

[canirove]

Friends, lovers... and an orange | Chapter 1

Summary: Since the day Adele was born, people had told her she was destined to fall in love with Mason. Their mothers, supermodels Elizabeth Turlingon and Toni Mount, had been best friends since they were teenagers, and according to everyone, it just meant to be. But after 25 years, nothing of the sort had happened. Nothing, until some photos and a big secret changed it all. 

Author’s note: And after almost two years since I started writing this story... it is finally live! 😅 You are lucky my perfectionist self doesn't allow me to post anything that isn't finished, because you would have have been waiting for an ending for ages, and I hate that 🙈 This is a friends to lovers story inspired by all those conspiracy theories about a couple not being able to be together because their evil management team don't allow them to, but with a twist. I hope you like it, and as always, thank you for reading! 💜

Next chapter

Masterlist

Elizabeth Turlington and Antonia "Toni" Mount had been two of the most famous models in the 90's. They both got to be on Vogue covers all over the world, walked for the best designers, and became the face of the most important brands in fashion. They were, what you call, supermodels.

Best friends since they met during a casting when they were just 16 years old, Elizabeth and Toni became inseparable, and their private lives kind of followed the same path. They both got engaged and married the same year, and their first kids were born just a few months apart. First Mason, in January, and then Adele in July.

The media had gone crazy about it, saying that they were going to fall in love and get married because they were destined to be together due to their mothers being best friends. But almost 25 years later, nothing like that had really happened.

Mason, Toni's son, had decided to follow his mother's steps and become a model. Unlike many others, he had chosen to start from the bottom, doing castings like everyone else. He had wanted to make a career due to his talent and not because of his last name (he had taken his mother’s instead of his father’s as an homage), and he had managed to do it. Mason was now considered one of the most successful male models, his face basically being everywhere. Brands were fighting to have him on their campaigns, all the designers wanted him on their shows, and your party was nothing if he wasn't attending. He was THE one.

Meanwhile, Adele had chosen a quiet life. Everyone had always told her that she had gotten the best of her parents, her mother's looks and her father's brain, but she had never been interested in modeling. She had focused on her studies and going to uni, and the only thing related to that world that she liked was photography, which also was the thing that she and Mason enjoyed doing together the most. 

Growing up they weren't super close, they were just... friends. They had never been attached to the hip like people expected them to be. That, had actually been their little brothers' case. But their relationship would completely change every time there was a camera involved. 

When Adele turned eleven, her dad gifted her her first proper camera, and Mason was as fascinated by it as she was. They spent the day learning how to use it, and after getting the hang of it, their days would consist in going outside and taking photos of each other or anything they saw. A tree, a rock, the sunset... It didn't matter. They would be gone for hours, though for them time flew by.

As they grew older and busy with their own lives, they started to see each other less often, but the couple of weeks in the summer they spent together with their families were a must, and both of them would bring their cameras and go out to explore. 

"These photos are stunning, Adele" Toni said. 

"Thank you" she smiled.

"What about mine?" Mason asked.

"Lovely too, darling. But she has something you don't have."

"Thank you, mum" he said, rolling his eyes. "Though I agree. Addie here is the talented one."

"Thank you" she replied, Mason putting an arm around her shoulders and hugging her. 

Addie. That had been his nickname for her since they were kids, and everyone else in their families had picked it too. Addie and Mase, something you could still see carved on a tree in her grandmother's garden. They were twelve when they did it, and she almost killed them when she saw it.

"You know, I've been thinking and... Why don't you take the photos for my 50th birthday party?" Toni said. "I was looking for someone, but why pay a stranger when I have you?"

"That's a wonderful idea!" Elizabeth said. "Now you won't have an excuse to not attend."

"You weren't coming?"

"I... I'm just busy with..." Adele mumbled.

"With nothing. You just finished your degree and still don't know what to do next" her mum said. "She'll be there."

"Wonderful!" Toni smiled.

"It'll be a small thing, you will be fine" Mason said. "And if you need help to run away or hide, you can always count on me" he winked.

"Thank you, Mase" Adele smiled.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

Flashforward to Toni's birthday party. The small thing, wasn't small. At all. Adele had already taken photos of over fifty people and more were arriving, and by the time she was done with the photocall, her memory card was full.

"How is it going?"

"Shit, Mase. You scared me" she laughed.

"Sorry" he smiled, that cute dimple of his showing.

"I'm lucky I brought several memory cards with me. A small thing, you said?"

"Yeah… You know my mum" Mason replied, scratching the back of his head. "Do you want to have a drink or something before going back to it?"

"Sure" Adele said. "Just let me put my camera somewhere safe."

Once they were done with that drink, it was time to go back to work, and she filled two more memory cards before Mason went looking for her again. But she just couldn't stop taking photos of all the guests and what they were wearing, of them dancing, talking, drinking, laughing... They all were captivating.

"Mum wants you with us for the cake."

"What? And who will be taking the photos?" Adele asked.

"I don't know" Mason shrugged. "But she wants you there with us and your parents."

"Ok" she sighed. She hated being in front of the camera unless it was Mason the one behind it. Somehow, he always knew how to make her feel comfortable. "By the way, who was that girl you were talking to earlier?" Adele had been drawn to her the moment they had crossed paths. She had the most beautiful black hair she had ever seen, and after taking a few snaps of her, she saw her talking with Mason. Or flirting, to be more precise.

"We were on a shoot together a couple of weeks ago. She's nice."

"And she fancies you."

"What? Nah. She's just a work colleague, nothing else."

"If you say so... But what about that other girl? The one you were seen with the other day, the singer."

"Addie, are you interrogating me about my love life?" Mason laughed.

"No, I was just... It doesn't matter."

"I'm going on dates but I'm not dating anyone. Got what you wanted?" he smirked.

"That's not why I asked. I…"

"Mason, Adele. C'mon!" her mum called after them. "It's almost cake time!"

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

By the end of the night, Adele had five memory cards full of photos, her feet hurt like hell, and she was slightly tipsy. 

"Do you think your mum will mind if I don't have the photos ready right away? I think it will take me days to go through all of them and edit them."

"Yeah, don't worry. Take your time" Mason said while helping her pack her camera. "And if you need an extra pair of hands and eyes, just call me. I'm free for the next few days."

"Thank you, Mase" she smiled. 

"Do you want me to accompany you home?"

“There is no need. But if you could wait with me outside until my uber comes..."

"Of course. And we could share it if you don't mind. I'm going back to my place instead of my parents."

"Worried your mum may not allow you to sleep until lunch time?" Adele chuckled.

"Exactly" he smiled.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

"Why is that car taking so long?" 

"I wish I knew" Adele yawned.

"Tired?"

"Very" she said, resting her head on Mason's shoulder. "And a bit cold too."

"Come here" he said, putting an arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer to him. It was something he had been doing since they were kids, and it felt natural, familiar… comforting. 

"You smell really good tonight. What perfume are you wearing?"

"Can't tell you, it isn't out yet."

"A new campaign?"

"Yep. You'll get tired of seeing my face everywhere.”

"Of seeing your face everywhere again, you mean" Adele teased him. "But congratulations, Mase. A perfume contract is huge!"

"It is, yes. And I'm really proud of this one. I actually helped pick some of the ingredients."

"You did? That's amazing! Let me smell you again."

"Ok" Mason laughed, moving his head so she could do it better.

"Oranges. Of course you had to pick oranges."

"They are my fave, and yours too” he smiled. “And they remind me of that trip to Italy, the one where we ate the best pizza ever at the beach."

"Oh my God, that pizza was so good… Now you are making me hungry!”

"Maybe we could stop to eat some on our way home. If the uber ever..."

"There it is" Adele chuckled when the car stopped in front of them. "Should we stop at Giorgio's?"

"You know the way to my heart, Addie" Mason smiled while opening the car's door for her.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━

"Addie… Addie, wake up. Ad… Adele!"

"What" she mumbled, slowly opening her eyes. 

"Something has happened, Addie. Look" her friend Jourdan said, literally putting her phone in her nose.

"I'm not that blind, you know" she complained while picking it. "What is this?"

"This was published this morning. Is... Is it true? Did you...?"

"Did I..." she said, her eyes finally adjusting to the light and being able to read what was on the screen. "Mason Mount and Adele Turlington caught kissing! The couple was seen outside Toni Mount's birthday party sharing confidences, laughing and getting cosy before leaving together in the same car." "What the fuck?"

"Addie, are you dating Mason? I thought you didn't like him like that" Jourdan said.

"What? No! I'm not dating him and I didn't kiss him!"

"Then why does it totally look like it?"

"It was the angle! I was just smelling his neck!"

"You what?" her friend laughed.

"It's a long story. But I didn't kiss him!"

"Well, the whole world thinks you did. And people are going nuts about it."

"Wonderful. That's just wonderful" Adele sighed. 

Knowing how much people wanted them to be together, she and Mason had always been careful around each other to try to not start any rumours. But that night, they had let their guard down, the idea that there could be paparazzis still waiting outside never crossing their minds. And now, what they had always feared, could have started.

[tuxebo]

What do you think of John marston?

he's hot, that's about it (pretending i didn't just write this whole thing abt him.) while i've read that he gets better over time, i'm yet to see it so i have mixed feelings on him. he's not a good father, not a good friend, not a good husband. let's be real here, he wouldn't make a good partner unless he fell in love before joining the gang.

john marston who wasn't completely alone before dutch saved his tail from getting hung. there was this poor baker and his wife, they had a kid, you. you weren't wealthy folk, no, but you always brought john dinner or shared yours. it wasn't large portions, but enough to keep him from dying of hunger.

you first met him when you caught him trying to steal from the bakery, rather than telling your parents you just handed him to bread. you had a mini picnic on the bakery's front porch, you talking his ears off was more than enough payment for the food.

you brought him food a couple more times, talking about yourself while he ate in silence, eventually he opened up and started engaging in the conversations you started. he never told you much about himself, other than the orphanage you could find him at. he showed you which window was his and that you only need to toss a pebble at it to get his attention.

as time passed, john became more and more of a no b.s. little boys. the kind of little boy that got himself killed or in a gang, as your daddy said. he didn't put up with anyone messing with you, in that respect he got more aggressive with your bullies, but never with you. you taught him things you learned from your mother as she was your teacher, some of it didn't stick but you tried.

inevitably, john disappeared. he was either dead in a ditch or in a gang, your dad didn't mention a third possibility but you liked to believe he'd been adopted by a nice family and that you'd see him again. you were only about 11 years old and he was 12, it wasn't shocking for you to have such enthusiasm.

life continued as usual for about three decades. you never married, business was going well after your parents died and suddenly you had one too many responsibilities on your plate for any of that. the world was becoming more and more industrialized by the day, you wouldn't even recognize it to what it once was when you were a kid. the only place that felt like home was your bakery, which is part of the reason it was doing so well, the nostalgia.

having had been in the business for so long, you were no stranger to thieves ─ you even caught one before you were double digits. one a particularly slow morning, the grey clouds settling in as you prepared for rain, a quiet hum caught your attention.

stepping out from the back, you caught a young man staring down your trays of different breads. he wasn't quiet at all, practically begging to be caught. you smiled, planning on just giving some to him anyway, but the look he gave you rendered you speechless from deja vu. same type of bread, same guilty smile, same brown eyes, same thinking hum.

"aw c'mon, son ─ jus' had to be this one of all the damn shops on the block," a man swore, the same way your dad did when he read about some young-ins doing stupid stuff in the paper. the voice was familiar, deeper as it had been many years now, but before you was john marston and another younger john marston.

since leaving the gang and his son's mother, john marston was a changed man. finally able to pay you back for all the bread and the bread his boy tried to steal. this time he gave you a proper picnic, in the large yard on his property. he set up under on of his sycamore trees, just like you had described three decades ago.

john marston may not have been adopted by some nice family nor was he always a nice man, but he was ready to become one for his son and you.

[happyk44]

Hi! I wanna ask about your hc's for frank and hazel? Individually or as a relationship or even hot takes are totally okay ✨

Hazel

Suffers from derealization as a result of not being properly reborn. It eases up as she gets older and becomes more grounded in her new life, but it never fully fades away

She's 15 at the start of HoO (tbh i always thought her being 15 was canon and never realized it wasn't until people started pointing it out in their RR crit posts)

She's straight

She learned Chinese to surprise Frank (and low-key impress his grandmother) and she actually speaks it better than he does

After she leaves Camp Jupiter, she works full-time as a freelance business manager and accountant. Her main clients are Annabeth and Leo (and they both just really want to make things so their business practices drives her up the wall)

In her free time, she likes to sew. A lot of her clothes are handmade. She sewed her wedding dress, and helped tailor Frank's tux

Hazel is extroverted. People often assume differently because she's a child of Pluto and tends to be quiet and reserved, but she really likes socializing with other people. She will often find an excuse to throw parties at her and Frank's house

She doesn't have a lot of friends though because, like her father, she is very peticular about who she shares her space and time with

Frank

Suffers from depersonalization as a result of constant shapeshifting. It never eases up but he learns to live with it. Some days are harder than others.

The one animal he will not shapeshift into is a bee

Frank's sexuality is Hazel. Does that mean he's straight? No. It means Hazel

Hazel was his first real friend. He had kids he hung out with from school or because their family knew his family but there was never any closeness with people until he joined Camp Jupiter and met Hazel, so he's a lot more protective and possessive of her than she is of him

He wrestles Jason in wolf form a lot for fun. The game ends when one of them manages to bite the other person's throat, lol

In addition to war, Mars is also the god of the Roman people. So I think it would interesting if his kids were very good at socializing and getting along with people, but lack the ability to fully connect with someone on a personal level. Frank has excellent emotional depth and understanding, but between him and other people exists this line of disconnect that he can't seem to push past

This is one of the reasons he did not have any friends prior to Hazel and why he is not close to his family, outside of his mother and grandmother

Frank is a fairly solitary person. He enjoys people but he loses energy quickly. He helps Hazel with the parties, and afterwards he'll spend a significant amount of time as a cat or small dog decompressing

Even after the whole wheel and getting blessed thing in HoH, he still struggles with accepting that Mars is his dad. He has a lot of complex feelings about war, especially given its why his mom died, and having fought through one doesn't make it any easier.

He knows how to play the violin. He quit shortly after his mom's last deployment. It was one of the few times he argued back to his grandmother. He picks it up again after they have their first kid because they liked the sound of classical music, but he stops again after his grandmother dies

Frazel/Hank (lol)

One source of conflict is that Frank's taste in food is pretty plain (his grandmother mourns) and Hazel loves a lot of spice. He's usually pretty willing to try things for her, but god he hates it and if he's particularly overwhelmed or tired, he will let her know and they'll argue over him having the tastebuds of a white man (cue Nico in the background inhaling spicy curry like "does this mean i'm not white")

Otherwise they're one of those couples people think are perfect and you'd think that means secretly they're fighting and dreaming of killing each other but NOPE. They are SO FUCKING IN LOVE

They get engaged as soon as Hazel turns 18 (it was a dual proposal)

Their wedding was a very small ceremony: them, the officiant, Nico, Pluto, and Frank's grandmother. It took place a couple months after the engagement and they've framed the marriage certifacte above their bed

They like petplay

Frank gets kinda nervous about it because sometimes he loses his sense of humanity, even if he's not shifted, and he's always worried about hurting her but then she calls him a good boy and pets his head and he's like "oh my god this is the best thing in the world"

Frank having grown up rich and Hazel having grown up poor is another source of conflict. Hazel grew up pinching pennies, waiting until things were completely unusable to replace them, and trying to rig as many workable solutions to broken objects as possible whereas Frank notices the toilet isn't flushing and immediately calls a plumber just to pay a ridiculous amount of money to replace the chain

On the other end, Hazel gets very freaked out when their food depletes too quickly or when snacks don't last as long, even though Frank's build means he has to eat a lot, and the food can be easily replaced

She also doesn't buy groceries in large amounts because the cost of food is so much more than it was when she was younger (and it was still fairly cost prohibitive even then) so while buying in bulk would be smarter, the cost freaks her out

They've talked it through a lot though and worked through it together. Hazel has provided a generous budget that makes her feel safe but allows for some frivolity and they stick pretty well to it. Frank buys the bulk of their groceries (so Hazel doesn't have to see the price).

After they get engaged, he takes her to China to introduce her to his extended family. While a few members are openly not happy about it (racism), most of his family think Hazel is a nice girl and wish them well. Frank and Hazel aren't bothered by the racists because Frank is not close to his family and doesn't really have any intention of being so. Introducing his wife-to-be is just a courtesy so they're not like "whomst the fuck is this black girl" when the two of them start sending out Christmas cards, lol

Also his grandmother told him he had to and fuck if he's not gonna listen to his grandmother

Hazel, however, does actually start getting close to a couple of his cousins. His family owns a handful of successful businesses in China and few scattered through the world. So Hazel's business accumen is well regarded by the family members who have or are gearing up to take over those businesses

They plan on retiring back to Toronto one day so Frank can be easily buried with his mother and grandmother. Currently they live in New Rome. Hazel, however, will not buried with them. When she dies, Prosperina will take her body and use it to grow a tree. If she dies before Frank, a clipping will be buried with him. If she dies after Frank, Nico (or their kids, whoever's still alive) has to dig up his grave and put a clipping in with him

They have three kids and they love them to death.

Hot Takes

The "my lifeline is tied to a stick" subplot was pointless post SoN. Especially since apparently he ends up burning it all up and nothing happens. I think the smart thing to do would've been for Thanatos to get rid of it after Frank freed him. The stick serves no purpose after that and it neatly gets tucked away in Hazel's pocket then Leo's fireproof baggy. Thanatos could've easily thanked Frank for freeing him and as a reward, hey what if I take this death curse off your hands.

If the consequence must remain, let's say Thanatos informs Frank that in exchange for getting rid of the stick, Frank's life expectancy will be shaved off by X number of years and, maybe, that number will decrease based on Y action. But, hey, now he doesn't have to worry about the stick burning up.

Frank taking over as praetor in Jason's place is a cool moment, but dull in the aftermath. He doesn't become a leader on the ship. We never get to see him in action.

It also cheapens what it means to praetor. At first we get the implication that it is a prestigous position that people work hard to achieve. Then Percy gets elected into it after a week, most of which he didn't even spend as Camp Jupiter. Then Frank, who has never displayed any desire to be a leader, gets the position in a life or death situation and seemingly does nothing with it. Maybe in the post HoO books it's more obvious but I don't know since I never read them

Frank strikes me more as a second-in-command kind of person anyway. He doesn't want to make the big decisions but he'll help strategize and keep everyone else in line.

Now that I think about it, that moment with the ghosts refusing to obey Jason should've been like Nico's moment in TBotL where he declares he's the Ghost King. A reckoning of "I know who I am". Jason's whole arc is about not knowing where he belongs or which side he should choose. The books end on both places coming together (seemingly as one), so it would've been more thematic if Jason reconciled with that in the moment, declaring that he is both Roman and Greek, that one is not any more signifcant than the other, and they will obey his authority as his leader

Then Frank could've come in and backed him up

[itsanerdlife]

Wicked Intentions 23

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Stark!Reader // (Seriously close) Steve Rogers x Reader // Clint Barton x Reader // T’Challa x Reader.

Warning: Violence. Language. Bullying. Girl Fights. Name Calling. Degrading Comments. Angst. Degrade of Woman (to a point). Criminal Life. Illegal Shit. Fights. Alpha Males. Stalking.

A/N: This is a Bully Romance. High School setting. Mafia Family Life. Woman are on a lower level than males in their world. Just a heads up. This is the third installment of the series. Bad Intentions, Cruel Intentions, and Wicked Intentions.

Credit: Huge shout out to @ml7010 for all the help, pushing, hyping up, putting up with my changes midway through. If it wasn't for this peach, y'all never would have gotten this series or nearly as far as I am now.

“Damn Tony married two kids, got a grandbaby coming in months’ time. You Stark’s are busy.” George laughs as they exit the car in the warehouse parking lot.

“Married both your kids off in less than 48 hours of each other, Barnes.” He laughs back.

“That girl of ours is something else, I tell you.” George chuckles, nodding.

“Just you wait and see.” Tony grins, pulling open the side door of the warehouse, together they step in.

Dimly lit, meant to be empty but for the two of them. They’d only come tonight to check the logs, having missed the day of shipments due to the wedding.

A familiar, eerie click out of place with their footsteps.

Cold metal pressed to the back of his head.

“Problem boys?” He chuckles, slowly turning around. George smirks in the dim lit doing the same.

“You have one.” Eddie chuckles.

“Looks like you didn’t learn your lesson.” George chuckles.

“Miss is going to be real disappointed.” Tony snickers.

“She’s going to kill him.” George laughs.

“I’m not scared of your daughter.” Eddie sneers.

George and Tony exchange a look. “Why you lying to us and yourself, Eddie?” George chuckles.

“Everyone fears her. She’s unstable and ruthless.” Tony snorts. “Your own daddy gets nervous around her.” He laughs.

“My father isn’t scared of anyone!” Eddie blurts out, breathless.

“He knows we know his father, right?” Tony looks to George.

“Does he think we’re senile?” George lifts a brow.

“He must have us confused.” Tony nods.

“Shut up old man.” Wade pushes harder on the gun pushed to the side of George’s head.

“My son in law is going to rip you limb from limb and beat you with your own parts.” Tony glares at him.

“He’s not your son in law yet.” Wade bites out at him.

Tony and George snort at the same time.

“Cut the promising off. Y/N doesn’t marry James, or I put a bullet in your head.” Eddie warns.

“She steps down from the table, and a man takes her place like it’s supposed to be.” Wade snarls.

Tony pinches the bridge of his nose, snickering to himself.

George has a hand over his mouth, trying to quiet his laughter.

“What’s so funny, fuckers?!” Wade demands.

Tony laughs for a moment. “You two. You think we can call off the promising?”

“You’re the fathers, you’re head of the table. You can do it!” Eddie snaps.

“These new age boys are stupid.” George laughs, loudly.

“Daddies didn’t teach them enough.” Tony cracks up.

“Us tell Chaos what to do?” George slaps his knee as he bends laughing harder.

“Call off the promising.” Tony laughs harder, his hand on George’s back as they burst with laughter.

“I can’t, I can’t breathe.” George gasps between words as he laughs.

“Oh shit, that’s funny.” Tony wipes his eyes, still chuckling.

Wade and Eddie exchange a look.

“James and Y/N aren’t promised to each other. They’re engaged. Of their own choice.” George straightens up, glaring at them, his voice no longer filled with humor but darkened.

“Call it off.” Wade growls, stepping closer.

“Better pull that trigger, bitch. My son is going to break you in half.” George smirks in Wade’s face.

“Tell her it’s over, Stark.” Eddie pushes the barrel against the side of Tony’s head harshly.

Tony grins at Eddie. “You better do something worth it; my daughter is going to rip your skin from your body and make your bones do the cha cha.” He warns.

“She ain’t shit.” Wade snaps.

“Nah,” George’s lips curl “you just can’t handle a woman in charge. Make your dick limp, knowing she’s bigger, better and more powerful than you’ll ever amount to be. Feared by all and more dangerous than a man.”

Wade’s jaw clenches.

“Cutting my daughter down won’t make your dicks bigger boys. But it will piss her off to the point she cuts you into pieces and mails you in parts back to your mothers.” Tony flashes a cocky smirk at them.

Eddie swings the gun back, cracking Tony in the side of the face. Wade hits George in the head.

----------

The ringing comes from both sides. Both of us start moving, confused. Hitting ignore I drop back on the bed, yanking the blanket up to my chest, rolling back over. Buck grumbles about something, settling back in. It’s a moment of silence, before the ringing starts again from both sides.

“Why?” I whine, rolling over, snatching my phone up. Buck does the same.

“What?!” Is demanded as we answer.

“Smalls?” Howie’s voice shakes.

“Howard?” Rubbing my eyes.

“You’re needed, it’s bad.” Sitting up, my other hand holding the blanket to my chest.

“What happened?” I breathe.

“Dad and George. They’re in the hospital.”

Like running into a brick wall, I’m disoriented. It hurts to breathe in.

“What?!” Bucky is yelling into the phone next to me.

“We’re coming.” Dropping my phone without hanging up, I rush from the bed. Bucky is suddenly doing the same, both of us rushing to get dressed.

Buttoning my jeans, in my bra, our room door opens.

“Y/N! Bucky?” Becca calls out.

“Bec’s?” He calls back, yanking on a shirt. She’s running up the stairs.

Her eyes lock with her brothers she’s rushing at him. Pulling her into a hug, he wraps her up. Grabbing my hoodie off the bed, I yank it on. Sitting down I pull on my ankle boots before gathering my hair up in a ponytail.

“Come on.” Bucky shifts, grabbing his sister’s hand, together we head down the stairs for the door.

Stopping by the door, I pause, grabbing the baseball bat resting against a corner. They both stop watching me as I test the weight in one hand, nodding I move past them. Pulling my phone from my back pocket, I hit call.

“Boss?” TC sounds groggy.

“Someone attacked my fathers.” I inform him as we head down the stairs towards the main door.

“What?!” He’s suddenly alert.

“Meet me at the hospital. I’m feeling rather sparky tonight.” Ripping the door open, the two follow behind me.

“I’ll pack the truck.” He agrees before hanging up.

“Sparky?” Bec’s looks to Bucky.

“No idea.” He admits.

-------- Everything Peaches 9/21/24 @mo320 @ml7010 @babizza @kmc1989 @coley0823 @aiva-gwen-aers @royal-sunflower @camelliasblossom @shinycupcakebaker @purpleeclipseeggsland @daughterofthenight117 @hisredheadedgoddess28

Bucky 'Fuck Me Up' Barnes: @jbbarnesgirl @kaylaphantomhive @starryeyes-sadmind

Series tags: @sebastians-love @otterlycanadian

[lowtieds]

professor  statistics.

name  —  sarah   heroux

gender  &  pronouns  —  cis  woman,  she/her

age  —  45

department  —  anthropology

classes  taught  —  sociocultural  anthropology  and  linguistics;  anthropology  of  childhood;  witchcraft,  magic  and  religion

temperament  —somewhat  akin  to  an  elementary  school  teacher.  what  that  means  is  up  to  interpretation.

teacher  quirks  —has  been  known  to  occasionally  let  her  husband  and  /  or  children  sit  in  on  class  on  the  condition  that  they  participate  in  discussion,  has  a  treasure  chest  for  anyone  who  contributes  exceptionally  in  class  or  scores  above  a  90  on  any  given  assignment  (  or  just  seems  like  they're  having  a  bad  day  )  and  it's  full  of  all  the  same  things  kids  would  like  because  her  daughter  said  that's  what  college  kids  would  like,  lets  students  eat  and  drink  in  class  so  long  as  they  stay  quiet  and  pinky  promise  it's  not  alcohol  or  an  edible.

special  interests  —  collecting  water  bottle  stickers  obtained  from  students,  pretending  not  to  eavesdrop  on  campus  gossip,  being  purposefully  filled  in  on  campus  gossip,  gardening,  unofficially  adopting  20-somethings  who  are  looking  for  maternal  and  paternal  figures.

fierce  aversions  —  printers,  explaining  that  none  of  her  family  is  french  and  thats  just  their  last  name,  students  making  up  obvious  lies  for  turning  in  assignments  late  because  as  long  as  they're  honest  with  her  she  dgaf,  emails,  office  type  work  in  general  actually.

fun  facts  !  —  brought  her  husband  aksel  who  looks  suspiciously  like  ryan  gosling  in  the  fall  guy,  their  teenage  son  aleksei  (  can  be  found  around  campus  avoiding  his  distance  learning  work  by  finding  creative  new  ways  to  insult  the  british  ),  and  langston  student  daughter  esme  (  was  one  of  the  cool  ra's  at  langston  pre  -  moldgate  )  along  to  palladian.  she  originally  planned  to  teach  actual  children  but  pivoted  because  otherwise  i  couldn't  drag  her  in  here  :).  still  carries  around  an  ipod  classic,  can't  be  bothered  with  streaming  music.

rate  a  professor  rating  —8.1.  good  teacher,  class  is  fun  and  engaging,  but  the  grown  blonde  man  who  broods  in  the  corner  sometimes  and  raises  his  hand  to  flirt  with  the  teacher  is  offputting.  he's  like  50  and  doesn't  even  go  here.  who  does  he  belong  to.

mini  questionnaire.

1.  how   long   have   they   been   teaching?   do   they   enjoy   the   job   -   or   did   they   have   a   different   career   in   mind  originally?

please  don't  ask  me  to  do  math<3  but  she  actually  went  back  to  school  in  her  late  20's  to  get  a  teaching  degree  because  she  hated  her  stupid  boring  office  job  and  stupid  boring  business  degree.  she  absolutely  loves  it,  genuinely  loves  her  students. 

2.  do   they   teach   at   langston,   or   palladian?   what   are   their   thoughts   on   the   opposing   university?

she  teaches  at  langston  —  it's  close  to  home  and  doesn't  have  the  stuffy  office  adjacent  vibe  she  went  into  teaching  to  avoid  in  the  first  place.  she's  grown  fond  of  palladian,  the  change  of  scenery  has  been  very  nice.  she  will  however  be  happy  to  be  home. 

3.  are   there   any   rumors   surrounding   them?   are   they   true?

there's  one  that  she's  doing  a  pavlov  adjacent  experiment  on  students  by  giving  them  little  rewards.  this  isn't  on  purpose  but  if  it  has  the  effect  of  easy  class  management,  she'll  happily  take  it.  there's  another  rumor  that  aleksei  is  rabid,  and  i  can  neither  confirm  nor  deny  this.

[thisapplepielife]

Written for the @steddiemas challenge.

If You Only Believe

Prompt Day 7: Mall and/or Job | Word Count: 4905 | Rating: T | CW: (Past) Loss, Loneliness | Tags: AU, Future Fic, Mall Santa, Christmas, Companionship, Finding Love Again, Second Acts, Happy Ending, Steve POV

This one is also available right here on AO3.

Steve sits alone at a small table near the fountain in the center of the mall a few miles from his house. He drinks his cup of coffee and eats his mall pretzel in the near silence. Weekday mornings are often peaceful, at least this early in the day. There aren't a lot of shoppers out and about, not yet.

The only real movement is from the mall walkers, making their continuous laps, and he watches them as they go by in their sweatsuits and new walking shoes. Arms pumping far faster than their legs. 

His late wife was a mall walker, once upon a time. She's been gone for a while now, but he thinks of her here, in her color-coordinated jogging suit and smiles.

He's recently realized that he's lonely, especially as it's getting to be that time of year, when the holidays are happening in full force, and he misses her. Misses being part of a team. A couple. 

Misses love. Being loved. He still loves her, but she's gone, and he's still here. 

He has love to give, and nobody to give it to. Sure, he has his adult kids, and Robin, and he loves them all desperately, but it's not the same. To not have a romantic love, well, it's another loss he's suffered.

He's a husband, with no spouse. 

Steve's not young, but he's young for a widower. That's what everybody says, anyway. You're so young. You should get back out there. He retired early, with big plans. Then his wife died, and those plans evaporated into thin air. 

They all mean well, but he doesn't have it in him to date, not again. He wouldn't even know how to start. He's not getting on some app. Not at his age. That's just not for him. So, he comes here to the mall, several times a week, just to be around other people for a little while. To hear the bustle, the talking, the laughter that comes later in the day.

To hear and see people moving about their busy lives, the world spinning faster around him, as he sits stagnant and still. 

To see little kids running around, looking in every store window, wanting everything they see on display. His kids are grown, and there aren't any grandkids. Not yet. Maybe never, and if that's how it shakes out, that'll be okay, too. 

He just wants his kids to be happy. Wants their lives to be fulfilled in all the ways that make them happiest.

He wants to be happy, himself. And he is, most days. It's not the same, but it's a different version of happiness, and he's learned to adjust. He has Robin, but she's so far away. He's considered packing up and moving closer to her, but he can't see letting go of his home. Their home. 

Not yet.

The mall is quiet today, but it won't be that way for long. Around him, they are setting up for the mall Santa display, since Thanksgiving is over and Christas is coming, once again. They're turning off the fountain, draining it and covering it, all to make room for the stage for Santa. For all the decorations. 

They're on ladders, hanging garland and huge snowflakes from the ceiling. The speakers start playing Christmas music softly throughout the entire mall.

And Steve watches it all happen, day after day, until there's finally a full stage set up and a Santa with a line of children waiting to see him.

The quiet of the mall is gone until next year. That's okay, he's had a lot of quiet lately, and he thinks it might be nice to have a little excitement for a change.

So, Steve watches and listens from a table out of the way, as the mall Santa talks to each kid, attentive and animated. He seems to have a gift for charming even the shyest of kids into engaging with him before their time is up and their picture has been taken. 

Steve remembers a lot more crying and tears when his kids were that little, and waiting their turn to see Santa. He recalls having to bribe them to even approach the larger than life man in the red suit, just to get the picture his wife so desperately wanted for the Christmas card.

If they'd had a Santa as good as this one, all the bartering might not have been needed. These kids are flocking to him, ready to climb on his knee and tell him what they want for Christmas this year. Gone are the days of wanting footballs and dolls. Everything has a brand name, and Steve recognizes almost none of them. He's too far removed from that stage of life.

Even if it seems like only yesterday. 

But he likes to listen to the mall Santa charm the kids. Likes to hear them fall in love with the magic of Christmas that he's so heavily selling to them. 

So, Steve comes back, day after day, to the mall. Drinks his coffee. Eats his mall pretzel. Watches people. The shoppers, the mall walkers, and the entertaining man in the Santa Claus suit.

He hasn't been in a mall this often since he was a teenager working in a food court ice cream shop with Robin.

Steve gets a Cinnabon today instead of a pretzel, just for a change, for a treat. He can't eat them everyday, not at this age, but every once in a while it's nice. Steve watches as the line forms to see Santa, but when Santa comes out it's a different guy than it has been. And he's far less lively.

That's okay. 

Steve knew that it wouldn't last forever, this free entertainment that he's been getting. He doesn't know what the schedule of a mall Santa might be like, or how much it might pay. By the day? The season? Are they volunteers? Do they do one week shifts, and now that lively Santa has gone, having done his duty for the season? Steve really has no idea. He's never thought about it, honestly. Mall Santas are just part of the tapestry of Christmas. December hits, and there's a Santa in the middle of every mall in America.

Steve finishes the cinnamon roll, and tries to wipe the icing out of his mustache. He's sure it's in there, it always is. He drinks the last of his coffee, and is getting ready to stand when someone approaches his table from over his shoulder.

"Mind if I join you?" the voice asks, and Steve looks up. 

There's Santa. Well, the man that has been playing Santa during the past week, anyway. He's a little thinner out of the suit, but he still has white hair, and a matching white beard. Not to mention a truly impressive handlebar mustache. Steve guesses he assumed it was fake. The beard, the mustache. But it appears to be very real, and Steve's mustache has got nothing on the one on this man's face. He could seriously twirl it like a villain, if wanted to get a side gig playing someone a little less wholesome than Santa Claus. 

But his voice is the same. 

He's in street clothes, and all traces of his red suit are gone. His little, gold wire glasses have been replaced with thick, black frames. He looks younger this way, up close. 

"Sure," Steve says, "I think denying Santa a seat might get me put on the naughty list." 

Santa laughs, but lowers his voice. 

"Shh, I'm not Santa. Not today," the man says, hooking his thumb towards the other Santa. "Today, I'm just Eddie." 

Eddie offers Steve his hand across the table, and Steve takes it. Shaking. 

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Eddie. I'm always just Steve, no secret identities here," Steve answers, smiling at the other man. 

"And here I was hoping you were secretly Batman," Eddie teases. "And for the record, I don't think you're just anything," Eddie says, and Steve blushes. He wasn't sure his face still did that.

All it takes is a little attention from a stranger, and it's like he's never socialized a day in his life. 

"Yeah, well. You've been entertaining to watch this past week. You're very good at what you do," Steve tells him, because he's not sure if mall Santas get compliments very often. But they should. At least, Eddie should. 

"Eh, it just gives me something to do in retirement," Eddie says with a chuckle. 

"I understand that," Steve says, "I've been retired five years and I still don't know what to do with myself most days. Hence, the mall pretzels."

Eddie laughs, and it's warm and lovely. Friendly. Open. Steve leans closer to him, towards the center of the table, just to hear what he has to say better over the crying kids and hustle and bustle. His hearing isn't as good as it once was, especially with a lot of background noise.

"Is today your day off?" Steve asks, and Eddie nods. So, Steve continues, "And you just couldn't stay away from the place? Needed to scope out the competition?"

Eddie grins, "Something like that."

"Well, you're clearly better at it. Don't worry about that at all," Steve says, softly. "Way better."

"Thanks, Steve," Eddie answers, and takes a drink of his own coffee.

And they talk. About nothing. About everything. It's nice to talk to someone his own age, but that doesn't know him. To make a new friend, if only for the day.

They talk long enough that Eddie gets up and buys them another round of coffee. Something different this time from the Starbucks menu, and Steve likes it. He usually just gets black coffee. But trying something new is nice. He should branch out more often.

Later, Steve buys them lunch. Big slices of pizza, that they eat while they laugh and talk. He watches Eddie try to keep his sauce out of his white mustache and smiles. It's a universal problem, and he's got it easier than Eddie, that's for damn sure.

"Aren't you a little young to be playing Santa?" Steve asks, looking at him.

Eddie laughs, "I haven't been called young in a while. Thanks for that." 

"You know what I mean," Steve says, because they aren't young, but Santa feels old old. Not their age, old.

"I like the chance to put on a production. A show. It's been a while since I've gotten to do that. And being a mall Santa actually pays good, especially if you're a Real Beard," Eddie says, tugging on his white beard.

Steve smiles and nods, at least that's one question answered.

Eddie gets up to go to the bathroom, and when he comes back, he hands Steve a pretzel with a knowing look.

"I will not feel shame about the mall pretzels," Steve says, quoting David Rose and Eddie smiles and laughs. He gets the joke, and Steve grins.

"We could go see if the Suncoast has Bridget Jones's Diary?" Eddie offers, teasing him.

"Suncoast," Steve says with a laugh, "now, there's a name I haven't heard in a while. I'm not sure that's a thing anymore."

Eddie just smiles. But Steve's sure they've gone the way of Blockbusters at this point. Few and far between, if there are any left at all.

Put out to pasture, like he feels, a lot of the time.

But they eat their mall pretzels together, and talk about Schitt's Creek.

And they keep talking, until it's dinner time. Steve's gonna be stoved up once he stands again. Getting older is a bitch, that's for sure. Nothing moves as well or as fast as it used to, and you've just got to adapt.

They've both had to take pee breaks, age will do that to your prostate, but they keep sitting back down together, neither in a hurry to leave.

"You hungry again?" Steve asks, and Eddie nods. 

So, they debate what to get, and settle on Chinese food. They eat and talk, and it's the best day Steve's had in a long while.

When it's time to leave, they walk towards the parking lot, and when Eddie pushes open the door for him, it's dark outside. It's always a little disorienting to enter a mall during broad daylight and leave after dark. 

Steve turns to Eddie.

"Thanks for keeping me company today. I had fun." 

"I had fun, too. If you want to come later in the day tomorrow, we could always do it again after my shift on the sleigh is over? If that works for your schedule." 

Steve nods, because he doesn't have a schedule, not anymore, and that sounds great. He'd love to spend more time with Eddie. 

So he does. Everyday he shows up, and watches Eddie be Santa for a while, and then waits for him to change clothes afterwards to meet up with him. Then they eat together. They're working their way around the entire food court, trying every stall at least once. Some things have been good, some others not so much, but they're definitely having a good time. 

Steve's having fun, and maybe making a new friend.

He learns that Eddie is divorced. He had a husband, and now he doesn't. Steve understands. He had a wife, and now he doesn't. Different losses, but they've both been sent out adrift, alone, after years of having a partner by their side.

That's a universal feeling, he's pretty sure.

After they eat, sometimes they sit and have coffee, and other days they'll walk through the mall, window shopping. They discuss the stuff they see, the stuff they remember from their childhoods that are long gone, now. They talk about the state of the world, and how they don't know how to fix it.

And, as Christmas approaches, they stop window shopping, and do some regular shopping. Steve buys gifts for Robin, for his kids, for his mailman. He stops at the Hickory Farms kiosk and buys a meat and cheese gift set to drop off at his former office. 

Eddie buys things, too. He doesn't have kids, but he has friends he talks about. He buys a tin of popcorn from a kiosk, for his weekly poker game. 

And it's the best month Steve's had in a very long time.

"I have a mall friend," Steve says into the phone, sitting down in his recliner to talk to Robin. They talk a lot, but they always make time on Wednesday nights. It's been that way for decades, a constant. Tradition.

"What's a mall friend?" Robin asks, immediately curious. 

"A friend at the mall," he answers, like, obviously. If he had an aquarium friend, he would have said so.

"Are they a real or imaginary friend?" she questions, sounding suspicious. 

"A little of both," he teases, then adds, "he's the mall Santa." 

"You're friends with the mall Santa?" she repeats, disbelief in her voice. 

"Yeah? He's a real person under the red suit, you know. His name is Eddie." 

"Are you one of his elves? Are you sitting on his lap?" she teases. 

"No!" he says, too loud and too fast. 

Goddammit. 

Now she's gonna make it into a thing. It's not a thing, not really. But she's never letting this go now, and he's the only one to blame. He shouldn't have said anything at all. Eddie and him don't talk outside of their afternoons in the mall. They haven't exchanged numbers, or made any plans.

Eddie is his mall friend. That's the most accurate description.

"Steve…" she trails off.

"I like him, of course I like him, but it's not that easy. The kids aren't ready for me to date anybody else, let alone a man. Let alone a mall Santa," Steve says, rationalizing this situation.

"Your kids would love for you to be happy. You know that, and I know that," Robin says. "And in what world would they care that he's a man? I know the kids you raised. They love me and their Aunt Penny. So, that's just an excuse you're making."

Steve makes a non-committal sound.

"Steve…"

"We aren't like that, Robin. We're just mall friends. That's it."

"Well, what happens when Christmas is over, dingus? Then what? Is he also the mall Easter Bunny?"

Steve smiles at the thought. He'd never considered that to be a possibility, and now it's all he can think about. Eddie in that giant bunny suit. Huge, pastel polka dot bow tie around his neck.

"He's not the Easter Bunny," he answers. 

"Send me a pic of him, I need to see this Santa," Robin demands.

"I don't have a picture of him. Why would I have a picture of him?" Steve asks.

"Well, you could have a professional one taken with him," Robin suggests.

"Yeah, and get banned from the mall for life for being a weird pervert? No thanks, Rob," Steve says.

"I'm just saying, if you like him, tell him that."

"It's not like that. We're friends. Mall friends," he says, again.

"So you've said," Robin says, sarcastically, and he changes the subject. It doesn't want to talk about Eddie, the mall Santa friend, right now.

Christmas Eve is bustling in the mall, full of last-minute shoppers rushing around to get everything they need before the stores shutter for the night.

Steve watches as Eddie pays attention to all the kids that are making their list minute wishes known. Their stressed parents nearby, worrying how they're going to make these last requests happen with so little time left in the shopping season.

Eddie stays until the last kid has been greeted, and then disappears into the back, only to reappear later, Eddie. Not Santa. 

They eat at the last stall they haven't tried yet, a little stand slinging cheesesteaks. Steve's gonna have heartburn from the peppers and onions afterwards, surely, but they're really good.

Steve's not ready for the month to end, but it's time to go. Things end all the time before you're ready. Steve knows that, intimately.

"What are your plans for tonight?" Eddie asks, as they make their way out of the mall for the last time before Christmas is over for another year. It's a weirdly bittersweet feeling. Steve's enjoyed Christmas again, in a way he hasn't since, before.

"Not much. My kids won't be here until tomorrow. You?" 

"Nothing much on my end, either." 

"Well, it was a lot of fun watching you be Santa, Eddie," Steve says, pausing by his car. 

"It was fun hanging out with you, too, Steve." 

And they part ways, like they have every night before this one. With little fanfare.

Steve sits in his car and the entire drive home he wonders if he should have offered Eddie his phone number or email address. Something, anything, so they could have stayed in touch. But they've spent a few weeks together, and that's never come up. Eddie would have surely offered or asked, if he wanted that kind of contact. 

So, Steve is just grateful for what this was. A temporary friendship, when he needed one desperately. 

"Merry Christmas Eve," Robin says, and Steve settles into his chair. 

"Backatcha," he answers, stirring his cup of coffee. He bought some fancy creamer after Eddie turned him on to all the different kinds of coffee out there. 

"So, how's your mall friend?" Robin asks.

"Fine, his last Santa shift was today," Steve says.

"...and?"

"And what? Christmas is over," Steve says, sipping his coffee.

"Steve! Please tell me you got his number, or he took yours. Something. Anything!" she shouts, and he sips his coffee, trying to ignore her outburst.

But his stomach is tight. He's pretty sure he fucked up. He should have done one of those things, and now it's too late. Santa is gone for the year, and has taken Eddie with him.

"Seriously? You've been dating him for a month and you just, what? Left?"

He scoffs, "I haven't been dating him for a month. I'm not dating him at all. If hanging out with someone is the metric for dating, I have bad news about our relationship."

She laughs, but then is quiet, "I wish you'd have done something to keep him around, Steve. Friend, or more."

"Yeah," Steve says, "me too, I think."

Steve doesn't go back to the mall the day after Christmas. Or the day after that. He doesn't want to know that Eddie's not there.

But, on the third day, he goes and buys his coffee and has his mall pretzel in hand, when he spots the back of Eddie's head sitting at a table. 

Steve smiles and makes a beeline towards him, coming up to him from behind him, already talking as he rounds his shoulder, "Hey, I didn't expect-" he starts, only to realize it isn't Eddie at all. "Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else." 

"Who? Santa Claus?" the familiar voice asks, full of joy. 

Steve does a double take. The voice is Eddie, but the face…

Eddie runs his hand over his clean shaven cheeks, grinning up at Steve. 

"It takes six months to grow out, and about six minutes to shave off," Eddie says. 

Holy shit.

Steve laughs, and sits down across from him, just staring.

"That is one helluva transformation," Steve says, continuing to stare. 

"Were you only friends with me for my badass beard and mustache? Are you a Santa groupie? Is that what's happening here?" Eddie teases, his eyes soft. The eyes, those are the same.

"You got me. The red suit does it for me, and I always choose all my friends by their facial hair. It's a strict requirement."

Eddie laughs, and it's nice to see so much more of his face. He's handsome. More than Steve even realized.

And they talk, and eat, and it's the same as it was all the days prior.

"Do you play poker?" Eddie asks, and Steve nods. At least in theory. It's been a while. 

"You have plans tonight? It's my weekly game with some friends. The more the merrier, if you want to come?" 

Steve should say no, shouldn't let Eddie pity him. But he finds himself nodding at the invitation, all the same. 

"Great," Eddie says, seeming delighted, "let me text you the address. And that way you'll have my number, if you get lost."

And just like that, they aren't just mall friends. They're phone friends now, too.

Steve nervously walks up to the door, but he doesn't have to even ring the bell, because Eddie is swinging open the front glass door with a smile.

"Hey, glad you made it," Eddie says, ushering him inside. 

He hears chatter, and laughter, and it's warm inside. In the dining room, at the table, there are three women holding hands of cards. 

One of them hops up when she sees him, and the rest follow. She's short as can be, but smiling up at him. 

"This is Di," Eddie says, "and that is Mel and Carla," Eddie adds, pointing at each woman. "This is Steve."

"Hi, it's so nice to meet you," Steve says, and he had assumed Eddie's poker game was with men, but now he realizes that was a stupid assumption to make. 

They all fawn over him for a minute, which makes him feel silly. But they seem fun. 

"Okay, you old hens, leave him alone," Eddie says with a laugh, and puts his hand on the small of Steve's back. Guiding him towards the basement stairs.

Eddie leads him down into the basement of the house, and oh, there are three other older men sitting around the green felt table. Eddie makes introductions. 

"Gareth, Jeff and Charles," Eddie says, pointing at each man.

"Don't you get him calling me Charles, you asshole," the largest of the three men says. 

Eddie laughs, rocking on his feet. Seeing Eddie so giddy makes Steve smile. He's ornery, and Steve's a little smitten.

"What should I call you, then?" Steve asks the man who clearly doesn't want to be called Charles.

"Goodie," they all say in unison. 

"Okay, Goodie it is. I'm Steve," and they all nod politely. 

Steve sits down and is dealt in. 

"Did you survive the welcome wagon?" Jeff asks, looking over at Steve. Steve smiles and nods.

"They have to play upstairs, because they are way too cutthroat for us. They've been put in a permanent timeout," Eddie says, and that's a hilarious thought.

Steve looks around the table. He wonders what it's like to have this many people around you all the time. It must be nice, even if it's only one night a week. To be in a full house, again.

"So, you're Eddie's pretzel friend?" Gareth asks from his right side, passing Steve a bowl full of mall kiosk popcorn, and Steve laughs.

The mall friend and the pretzel friend. They really are a pair.

"That's me," Steve says with a laugh, and looks at the cards in front of him. He's been dealt a pretty good hand, he realizes.

And it's fun, and easy, this poker game. They give each other shit, and don't seem to be on their best behavior just because there's a guest at the table, and Steve likes that. Loves that this is just a normal poker game, and he slides into it like he's always been here. He might not know them very well, but watching Eddie, he realizes he does know him. This Eddie is the same Eddie he's spent hours with, in that mall.

Steve lays down his next bet, eats his popcorn, and makes some more new friends, hopefully.

He wins, and he loses, and it's fun. All of it.

When the night is over, he's glad he came. Really glad.

"Next week is casino night," Gareth says, "so, get ready."

"Casino night?" Steve asks, and he's picturing them all sitting around in green dealer visors, spinning a plastic roulette wheel.

"All of us go to the casino right outside town for the night. Eat a nice dinner together, gamble a little, have a few drinks, and then we stay in the attached hotel. It's a lot of fun," Eddie says, "you should definitely come with us."

Steve doesn't want to crash their party, especially one that is obviously so couple-based, but with the way Eddie is smiling at him, Steve just nods. It does sound like fun.

At the end of the night, Eddie walks Steve out to his car that's parked along the curb. Eddie stuffs his hands in his coat pockets, and rocks on his feet, like he's nervous. Steve just watches him, curious.

"Thanks for inviting me, that was fun," Steve says, and it was. He likes Eddie's friends, he thinks.

"Of course, you're welcome every week. Same time, same place," Eddie rambles a little and Steve smiles. He might just take him up on that offer. It might be nice to have something to look forward to every week. Wednesdays are for Robin, but maybe Thursdays can be for Eddie and poker.

"I might just do that," Steve says, smiling at Eddie.

"And I hope you'll come to the casino with us, too," Eddie says, and Steve nods. He thinks he will.

And then they fall into a soft quietness, just looking at each other. Eddie looks like he has something to say, but he's just standing there, frozen. So, Steve reaches out, and squeezes Eddie's arm through his coat sleeve, "Thanks for inviting me."

And then, Eddie is finally talking.

"If I'm reading this wrong, just tell me and I'll shut up, but would you be interested in getting dinner together some time? You know, outside of the mall?" Eddie asks, and he looks far too nervous for a man that's lived nearly this many decades.

"You're not reading it wrong at all," Steve says, smiling at him, "I'd really like that a lot."

Eddie grins, and it's still funny to see that now that Steve can see his whole mouth. It's a great mouth. With full lips that are just begging to be kissed. 

But Steve hasn't kissed anybody new in, goddamn, what? Over thirty years? Even the thought of doing so is a little daunting. 

He doesn't have time to dither long though, because Eddie steps forward, and his intent is clear, so Steve leans into it. Into Eddie. Into the moment. 

It's chaste, and brief, but Steve feels warm inside. His heart is racing, and he didn't realize that was something that could still happen at his advanced age and not just be the signs of an imminent heart attack. 

They part nearly as quickly as they joined, but Eddie is smiling, right up close. So Steve kisses him again, a little longer this time, and yeah, this is what he's been longing for, he suddenly realizes. This kind of connection. He didn't know he could be lucky enough to get it more than once in a lifetime. But he's realizing that he can have a second act. He just needed a little intermission to get his bearings, to adjust to his new reality, but right now, with Eddie, he definitely feels like that is possible. 

Anything is possible, if you only believe in it. 

And Steve, he believes.

If you want to write your own, or see more entries for this challenge, pop on over to @steddiemas and follow along!

[ash5monster01]

Truths of Our Past Part 6

Pairing: Older!Charlie Dalton x FemReader

Warnings: 18+, sex talk, mentions of nudity, mentions of suicide, depression, depressing thoughts, past trauma, facing trauma, romance, understanding, fluff.

Summary: You had met Charlie in University, were married shortly after, and had become accustomed to a beautiful life together. When you receive a wedding invitation to one of Charlie’s previous classmates weddings you discover that Charlie had a dark past, one he had been trying to forget. In the midst of it all you try to help him through it while finding out that he’s not the guy you thought you married at all. Maybe he’s even better.

word count: 2.3k

Part 5 ←→ Part 7

Masterlist

10/8/69

Day 6/8

Thankfully that night you hadn’t gotten drunk enough to be down for the count. You were too busy being proud of Charlie for overcoming and working through his emotions over Neil. By the end of the night it had actually felt like Neil had been at that table with them and you knew that was comforting for Charlie. Tonight you hoped would be the same because he was to go out with the boys for a Bachelor party. If Todd had set aside a seat for Neil at the engagement party he definitely had something up his sleeve for the bachelor party. As for you, it was Ann’s bachelorette party, and you had planned to party like you never had before. Which at the moment was proving to be very successful.

“Chris, you did not!” Ann drunkenly squealed, her blonde hair frizzing from the crown she had to keep adjusting on her head.

“Listen, I have no care about what Todd’s appendages look like but I figured if you were promising yourself to them for the rest of your life I’d at least provide one bound to be good” and Ann blushed firetruck red as the penis shaped cake was placed on the coffee table.

“For your information his appendages are more than fine” and your hands were flying to your ears, eyes squeezed shut, and humming as if to tune her out. You could still hear her giggles though at your reaction.

“Todd is sweet, quiet, innocent Todd. He doesn’t have any appendages” you were telling her, shaking your head, and praying the alcohol buzzing through you would make this conversation go away.

“Oh don’t be such a prude Y/N. You’re with Charlie” Rachel pointed to you and you felt yourself gasp lightly.

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” you asked, a giggle bubbling past your lips.

“Oh Charlie loved and breathed sex majority of his life” Chris groaned out and Ann was nodding right beside her.

“Todd told me he was the one to show him his first centerfold” Ann tipped her drink at you and you blushed at the mention of dirty magazines.

“Yes and Knox learned most of how everything works from him” Chris nodded along and Maggie giggled drunkenly from across the room.

“He was legend at Henley Hall, he was too confident. He oozed this personality that had most of us crossing our legs” Rachel informed you and a deep blush rose to your cheeks.

It was fact Charlie was overconfident, charming, and knowledgeable when it came to women. When you had gotten to know him he warmed up to that behavior around you fairly quickly. It was just hearing about how he was legend for these things shocked you considering Neil’s death has mellowed him out, made him so much more unspoken. He was much different from the legend of the kid who got a phone call from God saying they should allow girls at an all boys school.

“You knows girls, Todd once told me Charlie would use red paint to put a lighting bolt on his chest. Something about it being a sign for virility and attracting women” Ann giggled, clearly one too many drinks deep. You on the other hand found this of interest. You actually had never known Charlie had done such a thing, and the thought made you giggle and warm over because now you were missing your husband.

"Please don't hold out on us Y/N. I've been single for so long" Maggie whined after slugging back the rest of her drink and you sighed which to them was an instant sign of you caving to their prying questions.

"Fine, if you must know Charlie is good. Really good" you said hoping that this answer would be enough but the groans and boo's coming from the drunk girls said otherwise.

"Details! We need details" Rachel told you and a deep red hue found it's way to your cheeks because Charlie may not openly talk about his confidence towards women as much as he used to but he sure as hell still had it when it came to the two of you alone.

"Her and Charlie did it two mornings ago" Chris tattled on you and you gasped before chucking a pillow her way just for her to loudly laugh at it.

"In Chris' house! Did you get caught?" Ann inquired and you rolled your eyes at Chris before turning to Ann.

"No we were quiet. I woke up to him kissing my neck and then when we were making out I realized he wanted more. I tried to tell him we could get caught but he promised me we wouldn’t" you said, already feeling like you had shared enough details of your sex life with your friends. Being married to Charlie without kids required a very busy sex life that you weren't used to discussing. Charlie was very hard to turn down, the kind of guy that once you had a taste you couldnt stop. It was no wonder he was such a ladies man, he made sure he knew what he was doing and sometimes you just couldn't get enough.

“Gosh. I don’t think I’ve ever been woken up by a man kissing me” Maggie hummed delightfully, eyes shut and mind buzzing with the idea. The other girls giggled lightly.

“My first kiss with Knox was dizzying” Chris gushed and everyone tuned into her quickly. “I wasn’t sure why I couldn’t quite get him out of my head, I was still with Chet. Then he kissed me and it all just made sense”

“I love love, I wish I could marry Todd every day the rest of my life” Ann grinned widely and Rachel snorted, knowing what it was like to be in love with the Anderson gene.

“No you don’t” Rachel told her and Ann rolled her eyes.

“Todd is much gentler than Jeff, you wouldn’t get it” but the rest of the girls were laughing anyway because they knew pretty soon Ann would be out of the honeymoon phase even with a guy like Todd.

“Alright I’m getting a refill, anyone else?” you asked and the girls all shook their heads, continuing to tease Ann for her minor obsession with her soon to be husband.

As you refilled your drink in the kitchen you tried to remember what the week before your wedding was like. Just like Ann you were head over heels for Charlie, you almost had no room to tease. You had spent that entire week with Chris and college girlfriend drinking and mooning over how lucky you were to have him. It almost felt like a life time ago but it had only been three years ago. You had known the boy six years now and even though six years can be a lot of time it was nothing compared to the forever you vowed to each other. You were still learning things about him, especially now. This town brought out parts of him that he was hiding most of the time.

Before heading back to join the girls in the living room you stopped in the bathroom. Bound to make this trip multiple times tonight with the way you were drinking. As you washed your hands your eyes caught the tube of lipstick left on the counter. More than likely Ann’s but between the alcohol, thoughts of your husband, and the story of Charlie, you found yourself grabbing it. Taking one glance at yourself in the mirror you slowly unbuttoned your blouse before uncapping the lipstick and placing it on your skin. If you knew your husband as well as you thought you did he was going to go nuts when he saw this.

“Hey what took so long?” Rachel inquired as she noticed you come back first.

“Bathroom” you explained before returning to your previous seat and it didn’t take long to notice the deep blush on Maggie’s face and Ann’s not so innocent giggling. “What’d you do?”

“Nothing!” Ann squealed, struggling to stop laughing when she began to defend herself.

“She was telling Maggie in detail the very dirty things she’s done with Todd” Chris tattled and you snorted out a soft laugh, knowing you’d be wearing the same face as Maggie if you had been here.

“Maggie, you do know what single bridesmaids do right?” you found yourself asking and Maggie gave you a confused look, sitting up now safe from Ann’s words.

“No, what do they do?” she asked and you tried to suppress the evil smile on your face into the rim of your drink as you took a sip.

“They get with the single groomsmen” and a gasp was falling out of the innocent brunette girl as the rest of you laughed loudly.

“That can’t be true” but Rachel was shaking her head with amusement, hand landing on her shoulder.

“It is dear, I remember my first single wedding party. I found myself with a man named John Lester, back of the reception hall, tongue down my throat. He always tasted like saltine crackers” and Chris’ face was twisting in disgust over this.

“Lucky for you Mags there is two single groomsmen. You can take your pick” Ann told her and Maggie pouted.

“Not the red head” Maggie said and Rachel gasped loudly.

“What’s wrong with red heads?” she accused, her own red hair and vibrant green eyes shining back at the girl.

“Nothing, he’s just short. The other one though, he’s tall. I like tall” Maggie said and all the girls were laughing again.

“Whatever one you pick they are both lovely people. I’ve know those boys since I was seventeen” Chris was telling her and you nodded right beside her.

“She’s being honest, both are sweethearts. Those boys have a really great friend group” and now you all could tell Maggie was genuinely considering it.

“I’m not making any promises, but we’ll see” and you all were squealing like teenage girls over the prospect of Maggie finding true love with either of the two boys.

You wouldn’t mind coming back together so soon for another wedding. You had come to enjoy and love the group around you. In fact you loved coming to Vermont all the time. The city was big and exciting when you were eighteen and exploring the world on your own for the very first time, but now it was just the city. It was big, noisy, smelly, and full of rude and crowded people. You longed for quiet nights in your shared apartment with Charlie but you longed for a large townhouse surrounded by autumn trees with your kids running through the yard more. You longed for the life Chris had here and you wouldn’t mind being so close to them and having your hand chosen family all in one place together. If you were to end up lucky enough to bear a child you knew deep in your bones you’d come here. The city was no place for a child, it was barely a place for you.

These thoughts stayed with you when the boys had appeared to pick you up. They had gotten Todd sloppily drunk, he has half asleep, arms slung over Knox and Meeks shoulders as they practically dragged him into the house and left him on the couch. Ann seemed to sober up instantly at the sight of him and began to take care of him. You could only smile as you found Charlie and wrapped yourself up in his arms. He smelled of pine and tobacco and you missed him more than ever for some reason. “Let’s get you home Mrs. Dalton”

“Sounds like a plan Mr. Dalton” you hummed back and allowed him to guide you out to the car and back to Chris and Knox’s place for the night. You pretended it was your actual home though, with all the room and smell of nature around you. No footsteps from the upstairs neighbors, just peace.

“Someone got a little drunk huh?” Charlie teased as he eased you down into the bed and you just giggled as his hands slowly grazed up your leg as he went to pull off your shoes.

“Only a little” you told him, toes wiggling as both heels had been removed and he was now dropping his blazer off his shoulders and to the ground. He watched as your hands reached for the buttons of your blouse, fumbling lightly as you struggled to unbutton each one.

“Need help” he smirked devilishly at you and suddenly your fuzzy brain remembered the sticky red symbol laid under your top. It wasn’t hard considering what you imagined cocky teenage Charlie was like, was smirking above you.

“Somehow he always makes it to third base folks” you teased as if you were talking to a crowd and Charlie just grinned as his own steady hands reached to free you from your blouse.

“It’s cause you simply can’t get enough of me doll” he told you and you rolled your eyes despite it being true. Charlie was a drug, one you were addicted too. You figured it would always be that way and you were lucky enough to end up with him.

Once he had the third button undone you knew he had spotted the red mark under your shirt. It was noticeable by the sharp intake of air he sucked in, his hands suddenly moving faster to undo each button and see more of the lighting bolt drawn steadily through your breasts. “Like what you see?”

“Baby” and then his hand was tucking under you, unhooking your bra with one hand like he always did just to impress you. Once both the bra and blouse had been removed you stared back at his blown out eyes, unmoving from you beneath him.

“Say something handsome” you urged and finally a soft smile broke across his face as he dipped down and met his mouth with your own.

“I love you so much” he grinned, a look of awe written all over his face.

“I love you more” you were telling him but he was shaking his head, kissing you hard until you were absolutely dizzy.

“That is absolutely not possible”

[argisthebulwark]

Girldad Vilkas so good........

Girl Dad Vilkas is so good!!!!!!

Girl Dad Vilkas who still wants new recruits to be terrified of him. He's short and gruff during their training, upkeeping that intimidating persona he's cultivated until he sees his daughters staring up at him. His tone instantly softens when they shuffle over to him, eyes watery and arms outstretched to be held by him. The recruits snicker about the softness of his voice, earning a nasty glare from their leader.

Girl Dad Vilkas who insists that the kids sleep in their own bed, eager for that shred of time you've carved out to be alone together. You're both so busy running the Companions and handling local trouble on top of raising your children, you both look forward to that time together. Despite this rule you often return to them mid nap - Vilkas asleep behind his desk, work forgotten and daughters snoozing in his lap.

Girl Dad Vilkas who learns to play along with their little jokes and stories. He listens to them recount fairytales he hasn't heard since childhood, playing along just enough to keep them engaged while struggling to get some paperwork done. He's always thankful when you scoot them out of his office, thanking you with a quick kiss before he enjoys a short bout of peace and quiet.

And we cannot forget Girl Uncle Farkas who loves being the fun one. He adores babysitting - he'll usher you both out of Jorrvaskr, reminding you that you deserve a break and he's capable of caring for your daughters. He lets them eat dinner and stay up late with the rest of the Companions, listening to stories his brother would absolutely not approve of. He takes them out to the market buys them whatever silly bauble catches their eye.

[sosuigeneris]

Can you expand on your parents strict parenting?

For sure. these were some of the rules my sibling and I had/ some of which we still have:

Our transactions are monitored by our family accountant. Our parents have full access to our bank accounts. We can spend whatever we want and wherever we want but what we do will always be monitored.

Growing up we were expected to learn classical music, engage in sports and travel abroad to understand culture. We were not given the freedom to opt out of this until high school ended. Good grades were a given. I was a star pupil so I never had issues with this but my sibling did.

Our media consumption was monitored till we were about 14-15. Everything that we were watching, reading, the apps we were on, social media everything was monitored. That’s why you won’t ever find crazy pictures of me online.

We were expected to do something philanthropic on our birthdays because our father was scared that we would be seen as “spoilt rich kids” if we only threw parties.

My father would often observe my parties, albeit from a distance. Whoever threw up, made a mess etc etc he knew exactly what was happening. Drivers would be kept to ensure everyone got home safe and no one drove under the influence.

At some stages of my life I had security drop me to school. It was on-off. I’ve had stalker incidents.

We were raised with Nannies who took care of us and who we loved. My father was absent frequently when I was younger. My mother couldn’t manage two kids on her own, so she hired two Nannies to take care of us. They were allowed to discipline us in any way.

strict monitoring over my clothes. Given my background, I had to dress conservative at all times. My father also preferred me having long hair, which is what I still stick to today because I agree that it looks better on me. even at home, I can’t just wear regular wear like shorts or skirts or PJs or no bra because of the amount of male staff we have.

Our parents never interfered in our teachers’ ways of disciplining us. Both my sibling and I have been beaten plenty at school. Most of my other friends’ parents complained to the principals about these sort of disciplinary methods but my father refused to, saying that it was good for us.

I was kept away from certain families, certain family members from a very young age. Today I know why.

i have a few high profile family members. If they ever posted a picture of my sibling and I with them, our legal team would contact them to immediately take the photos down. My father refused to have any sort of publicity of his children.

we were never allowed to date. Both my sibling and I, if we opt for marriage, will have to respect the arranged marriage custom.

we often had dinners with politicians, actors, businessmen - we were expected to be quiet and observe and never interact more than necessary. I was once scolded terribly for getting excited when I met one of my all time favourite actresses. You had to be emotionally neutral at all times.

my sibling and I both have drivers licenses but we’re encouraged to take the drivers if we have to go out and not drive alone.

we were expected to have an extremely high level of global affairs. Reading the news everyday, reading physical books, was highly important.

we were raised quite sheltered. I didn’t realise how sheltered I was until I went abroad for college. I can’t explain how but yeah.

we never got presents for birthdays because we could have anything we wanted during the year. When we were younger this came with some set of goals that we had to meet.

We were groomed for the businesses early on, provided we had the motivation. I began in mid teens out of interest, my sibling refused to join till their early 20s. Our family’s rule was simple - either you get out of the house and start from absolute scratch or you work with us. If we decided to join the business, we were given X years to prove ourselves. If we cannot prove our competency, we’re both out.

The heads of our families - grandpa and my father - their wills were read out to us on a yearly basis. We knew very early on what legalities regarding our inheritance (which is also to be earned, not given) looked like. Our father warned us from a young age that no dispute over money, property or business between my sibling and I will be tolerated. Our spouses will never join the business but they may look after philanthropic causes.

I’ll update this list as I remember more things.

[chronoghoul]

Could you do the vs from hazbin as parents (separately)

HCS if them with a child (could be biological or adopted idm :3)

╭﹒⊹⋆﹒ @ 𝖈𝖍𝖗𝖔𝖓𝖔𝖌𝖍𝖔𝖚𝖑 2024.

୨ ,, vees as parents, sfw hcs .ᐟ

𖦹 ｡° note : this request was sitting in my inbox for way too long so sorry for that 😭, it's short buts it's hcs so I hope that's fine 𖥔 ݁ ˖.°. ⭑

﹒���ꔫ﹒wc : ~680

𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭

Velvette

Velvette would be the kind of parent who is just as much a wild ride as she is affectionate, leaving her child always guessing. One moment, she’d be their biggest cheerleader, showering them in all the love and attention they could handle, and then without warning, she’d vanish on some spontaneous “business” spree. Her returns are just as erratic; she’ll swoop back in with gifts, hugs, and zero explanation, as if she never left in the first place.

For Velvette, being a parent is as much about the “presentation” as the child herself. She’d dress her kid like they’re some Hellish doll in costumes and outfits so extravagant that they’d become infamous in the circles they run in. Velvet frills, exaggerated headpieces, ridiculous shoes—her child would grow up as something between a fashion icon and a spectacle, and she’d beam with pride at every gasp and glance. If anyone has the nerve to criticize her, she’ll play the wounded mother, turning it all into a dramatic scene and guilt-tripping them for daring to challenge her style.

Velvette’s affection always comes with a bit of emotional whiplash. She’s fiercely affectionate, but she expects loyalty and devotion in return—and she’s not above manipulating her child to make sure she’s their absolute favorite. Whenever she senses even a hint of rebellion, she’ll deploy dramatic guilt trips, reminding them just how much she does for them and how hurt she’d be if they “turned on her.”

Vox

Vox would be a tough, exacting parent, setting incredibly high standards from the start. He wouldn’t have the patience for mistakes or “childish nonsense,” pushing his kid to be as sharp and controlled as he is. He’d oversee their education like a CEO overseeing his heir—every move measured, every success expected, and anything less than perfect met with cold disapproval.

Family time with Vox would look like a futuristic nightmare. He’d introduce his child to technology the moment they could open their eyes, giving them tablets, surveillance toys, and digital assistants to keep them “engaged.” He’d see this as “efficient” parenting—anything that helps him monitor them remotely is a win in his book. And the surveillance doesn’t end there; he’d watch them through cameras, monitor every message, and build a network so intense that they’d grow up with the feeling that privacy is a luxury only the weak require.

Vox would demand loyalty from his child, and the cost of betrayal would be brutal. He’d make it clear that family means duty above all, and if they ever disappointed him, he’d let them know it. He’s not one to yell or threaten; instead, his discipline would be quiet, cold, and devastatingly effective.

Oddly, there’d be pride under all that control. Though he’d rarely say it, Vox would secretly admire his child’s successes and skills, even if his approval is so subtle they’d only catch it in small gestures—a tiny nod, a rare compliment. Beneath his ruthless expectations, there’s a strange, protective affection, though it’s buried under so many layers of criticism that it’d take a lifetime to find.

Valentino

Valentino wouldn’t just be an indulgent parent; he’d be the definition of over-the-top. His child would grow up in luxury, spoiled with everything they could want and more, though there’d always be a catch—Val wants loyalty, devotion, and a child who mirrors his own dark tastes. He’d raise them on gifts and excess, but they’d learn young that all that “love” has a price, one that’s rarely in their favor.

Valentino’s love is like a velvet chokehold. He’d make it clear that his child belongs to him and him alone. There’d be no friends, no influences he doesn’t control, and if anyone threatens his hold, he’s quick to put an end to it. His idea of love is absolute possession.

For all his faults, Val would be obsessively protective over his kid. Anyone who even looked at them wrong would face his wrath. But his protectiveness isn’t about their well-being—it’s about his pride. His child is a reflection of him, and anyone who messes with them messes with him.

[the-lost-class]

CHARACTERS: the kids :]

here are the main kiddos and their little overviews, at least for the beginning of the story.

Danica Alano.

BASICS:

Pronouns: she/her

Voice Claim: Blake Belladonna -- RWBY

Age: 15

Ethnicity: Vietnamese

Height: 5'9"

Other: Lesbian

Danica Alano is an incredibly studious girl raised by a single well-respected lawyer, her mother. She inarguably takes place as the "brains" in every group she participates in due to not only her high academic performance, but also her stuck-up "no nonsense" personality. She takes charge quickly and never backs down, just like her mother always taught her. But she does tend to crumble quickly... especially when there's no adult guidance.

However, Danica is definitely not the best at making friends. Her only "friend" is Tama Kalani, and their strained relationship is entirely built on business... and blackmail. She tells herself that she doesn't need friends anyways, but it gets lonely when all you have is your mother (who seems to care more about your grades than you...) and the memory of a father.

Kaleb Pace.

BASICS:

Pronouns: he/they

Voice Claim: L -- Death Note

Age: 15

Ethnicity: Chamorro, German, Hispanic

Height: 5'1"

Other: Aroace spectrum, Agender boy

Kaleb Pace is not at all a talking type. He doesn't care for engaging with anybody, and would much rather spend their days stuck in the library while staring down anybody who even tries to interrupt him. At school, they're known as the stereotypical quiet kid. He's the shut-in with zero emotions, zero sympathy, but a hundred percent willing to bite you if you even dare to look at him the wrong way. If anything, the more they seem to ignore your presence, the safer you are.

But beneath this rough exterior is just a small boy. He's spent his life alone for as long as he can remember, with the only person they've ever truly cared about being their little sister, Malia. He can see that his parents believe something's wrong with him even if they never outright say it. All they really want is someone who he can sit in silence with. No words, no worries, no expectations.

Liliana Duskin.

BASICS:

Pronouns: she/they

Voice Claim: Sienna Kelly's Patrice -- 13 the Musical

Age: 15

Ethnicity: African American

Height: 5'7"

Other: Bisexual, Demigirl

Liliana is the bubbliest girl you will ever meet. Everybody seems to adore her personality, and she's definitely the social butterfly of the family (which she adores too!). They'd stand up for anybody and everybody, anytime, anywhere. They believe that everybody deserves a second chance, and that everybody deserves a friend. And she'll be damned if she can't make a friend with everybody they meet.

However, this quickly comes to her demise in many aspects of her life. Sometimes they care a little too much, to the point where they take on the problems of others and make it their own. And if she comes across somebody with less than kind intentions... it's safe to say she'll be stuck there for a while. And all of this is most prevalent in her relationship with their twin brother, Rodel. No matter how hard she tries, he never seems to want anything to do with her. She doesn't understand why...

Rodel Duskin.

BASICS:

Pronouns: he/him

Voice Claim: Mune -- Mune: Guardian of the Moon

Age: 15

Ethnicity: African American

Height: 5'7"

Other: Bisexual, Trans guy

Contrary to popular belief, Rodel is actually pretty bubbly too. He's energetic, he seeks adventure, and he's pretty damn impulsive. However, it's hard for him to shine outside of his sister's light, and he kind of resents her for it. It seems like nobody ever wants to listen to him or take his word. He's learned to stop caring so much about people because of it. He's gonna have his own damn adventure, and nobody is gonna take that away from him. Not his parents, not his sister, nobody.

Deep down, all he really wants is to live that heroic life that every main character seems to have in his favorite stories. Why can't he be a chosen one? Why is it always Liliana getting everything she could ever want? Maybe he should stop being so jealous, but it's hard not to. He knows she cares about him, and he cares about her too... he just wishes she'd actually understand him for once....

Tama Kalani.

BASICS:

Pronouns: they/them

Voice Claim: Sasaki -- Sasaki to Miyano (eng dub)

Age: 15

Ethnicity: Hawaiian

Height: 5'10"

Other: Pansexual, Nonbinary

Tama Kalani is far from any ordinary kid, and they know it. It's not like they could hide it anyways. I mean, for one... they're the dealer of the school. And yes, that kind of dealer. Look, it's not something they chose, it just kind of ended up that way. Why else do you think they would be associating with somebody like Danica? Stuck-up personalities are definitely not their style. They've got a chill, laidback, jokester kinda vibe. They've already got enough to worry about with everything going on at home, why add more worry to that?

Speaking of their home-life, it's far from ideal. Tama's only saving grace in that family has always been their older sister, Tiana. With how much their parents bicker and fight, the only sane person in that house seems to be her. However, recently it seems like Tiana has been leaving home more and more.... It's getting harder and harder to stay in that house alone, and they're beginning to get desperate. If Tiana doesn't come back soon, they might have to find another escape from this hellhole.

and here's a silly video involving all their voice claims yipeeeeeee:

[theatozclasses]

How hard are online math classes compared to regular classes?

As someone who runs an online math platform for students from grades 1 to 12, I often hear concerns about whether online math classes are harder than traditional ones. The answer isn’t a simple yes or no—it really depends on the student and how the classes are designed. But let me share from my experience why online math classes can actually be a wonderful option for many students.

1. A Personalized Learning Journey: One of the biggest advantages of online math classes is that they can be tailored to fit each student's unique needs. In a regular classroom, teachers have to move at a pace that works for the majority, but not necessarily for every individual. In our online classes, I make it a point to understand each student's strengths and areas where they need more support. Whether a child needs to slow down and really grasp a foundational concept or wants to be challenged with more advanced problems, we adjust our approach accordingly. I’ve seen so many students thrive when they get to learn at their own pace without feeling rushed or bored.

2. Building Confidence in a Safe Space: Many students feel intimidated or shy in a big classroom setting, especially when it comes to a subject like math that can sometimes feel overwhelming. With online learning, students are in a comfortable and familiar environment—their own home. This can help them feel more relaxed and open to asking questions or expressing when they don’t understand something. I’ve had students who were very quiet in traditional settings come out of their shells and become enthusiastic participants online. It’s amazing to see how a supportive, judgment-free space can boost a child’s confidence.

3. Making Math Fun and Interactive: I know that keeping kids engaged is key to effective learning, especially with a subject like math. That’s why our online classes are designed to be interactive and fun. We use digital tools, games, and activities that turn learning into an exciting adventure. I remember one of my students telling me, “I never thought math could be this fun!” That’s exactly what we aim for. When students enjoy the process, they learn better, and math becomes less of a daunting task and more of a discovery journey.

4. Convenience and Comfort Lead to Better Focus: Let’s be honest—being able to learn from home can be a huge advantage. Without the distractions of a traditional classroom, many students find it easier to concentrate. Plus, parents appreciate the convenience of not having to commute to a tutoring center. With everything accessible online, we focus more on actual learning and less on logistics. I’ve had parents tell me how much they appreciate this setup because it gives their kids a consistent routine that fits into their busy lives.

5. Encouragement and Accountability: Of course, online learning does require some self-discipline. That’s where my team and I come in. We provide plenty of encouragement and regular feedback to keep students on track. We celebrate their successes, no matter how small, and help them navigate through challenges. I’m always here to support them, whether it’s through a tough algebra problem or a moment of frustration. Watching students grow, not just in their math skills but in their confidence and self-belief, is the most rewarding part of what I do.

So, are online math classes harder? It depends on the student and the support they receive. But from what I’ve seen, with the right guidance and a personalized approach, online math classes can be incredibly effective and even easier for many kids. At The atoz classes, we’re committed to making math a positive experience and helping every student succeed, no matter where they are on their learning journey. If you’re considering online math classes, I’d be more than happy to share more about how we can support your child in building both skills and confidence in math.The atoz classes Live online math program now provide a holistic curriculum to it's student for more info visit our website https://www.theatozclasses.com/

[he-is-lightning-in-a-bottle]

Get to Know Me Tag

Tagged by the feisty @lurkingshan, thanks Shan!

Do you make your bed?

Kinda. After my divorce, I bought lovely new bedding and happily made my bed every morning for like a year. Then I got lazy. I sorta half-ass it, where I fluff my pillows and pull up sheets and straighten the blankets and bed spread, but it's not photo-worthy or anything.

What’s your favorite number?

3. I like triads and trinities. In fact, I named my first dog Trinity. And I had three children!

What is your job?

I’m an author. I have 4 non-fiction books published under my given name and 15 fiction books published under a pseudonym. Many of my books were best sellers. Despite this fact, it is not enough to pay the bills. So I supplement my income with speaking engagements, teaching classes, and running a handful of websites, one of which is a wholesale distribution platform for artisanal imported foods. Basically, I'm self-employed and keep myself busy doing anything that interests me.

If you could go back to school, would you?

No. While I love learning and don't mind taking the occasional class to be introduced to a cool skill (like making stained glass!), I absolutely refuse to do any more higher education than I already have. I was sorta super nerdy at school because of an eidetic memory, so I collected degrees in Biblical Studies, Philosophy, Greek, Linguistics, and Russian Literature before I finally realized I didn't want to be a perpetual student.

Can you parallel park?

Nope. I learned how to do it to get my Driver's License over 30 years ago and have literally never had to use the skill since.

A job you had that would surprise people?

Hmmm. My job-jobs were all pre-children so people are surprised when they find out I ever had any since my last one was decades ago. But I didn't just have a few, I had a LOT of jobs because I finished school early and had to pay for my entire university education myself because of poor parents, and I think that's the most surprising thing. I was a waitress (14-16), a shop clerk (16-18), an acquisitions librarian's assistant (18-19), a bank teller (20), a digital librarian for a major software development company (20-21), a language tutor (18-21), an adjunct professor (22-24), a houseparent in a boy's home (24), and a cog in the county tax assessor's office (24-26). I also volunteered as a translator for Doctor's Without Borders and as a suicide prevention counselor for LGBTQ youth. At 26, I had my first child and became self-employed.

Do you think aliens are real?

Possibly, but I struggle to believe humans have ever interacted with any.

Can you drive a manual car?

Yes!

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Cop shows. I agree ACAB, but I love love LOVE the testosterone-fueled fantasy world of shows like Hawaii Five 0.

Tattoos?

None. I didn't want any at first because all the tattoos I'd seen on old people didn't age well thanks to saggy skin, wrinkles, etc. Now I kinda wish I'd had at least one.

Favorite color?

Dark azure.

Favorite type of music?

I LOVE IT ALL. If you live long enough, you discover awesome music in every genre. Like, I thought I hated heavy metal, but then I discovered the album Pale Communion by Opeth a decade ago and loved literally every single song!

Do you like puzzles?

Yes, but I don't make the time to do them.

Any phobias?

Heights. Absolutely terrifying.

Favorite childhood sport?

Cross country! I ran on my varsity team in HS and continued it through college.

Do you talk to yourself?

No. I am so quiet. On the weeks I don't have custody of my kids, I have sometimes had weeks where I work exclusively from home and don't interact with another human person beyond text messages and emails. When I finally speak out loud for the first time in days, the sound of my voice is jarring and unfamiliar.

What movies do you adore?

About Time. The Royal Tenenbaums. Shawshank Redemption.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee! I used to be more of a snob about it, but I recently fell in love with Korean instant coffees and THEY ARE SO GOOD. HOLY SHIZNITS.

First thing you wanted to be growing up?

A teacher in a foreign country.

I haven't been keeping track of who tagged who, so I'd like to tag @absolutebl @juneviews @twig-tea @sorry-bonebag @stefanyd @waitmyturtles @disaster-j @cooloddball @spicyvampire and @norahastuff If you'd like to play and I didn't tag you, please do!! Be sure to tag me so I can read your post.