#team conrad let's go

[livelovecaliforniadreams]

[rmblythe7]

Conrad used Belly’s fear against her.

Jeremiah stood in it with her.

[raven-dor]

you see steven conklin in the hospital - drabble #1

♥️💗 - so i saw the hospital scene and it brought upon me some angsty inspo - fluffish ending, flirting, pining after a (sort of) taken man, SPOILERS FOR S3 EP2 - enjoy!! word count: 845

"Where is he?" You burst into the lobby, eyes scanning for anyone who could help you. "I'm looking for Steven Conk-" You tilted your head, wiping away the tears that had been streaming down your face. "Jeremiah?"

"Hey." He hadn't even bothered to look up from the floor. You couldn't exactly find it within you to be annoyed. Steven was like a brother to him; he was most likely frustrated at the situation, worried beyond belief.

"Do you know where Steven is?"

He shook his head. "Go around the corner. Belly's waiting for news there."

"Alright..." You decided not to push at that obviously sore subject and left Jeremiah to sulk in peace. "Bells!"

"Oh my god, thank you so much for being here!" Belly ran into your arms, hugging you tightly. "My Mom and Dad won't pick up and-"

"Shh. It'll be alright, Belly. I promise."

A small voice croaked from the bench behind Belly. "You don't know that."

You looked over Belly's shoulder, forcing yourself to smile. "Hello, Taylor."

"Hi."

"Can I ask what happened?"

"We-" Taylor's eyes were bright red, most likely from all the crying. "I-"

Belly took over from there. "The doctor said he has a cracked rib and a cerebral confusion."

Taylor shook her head. "Contusion."

"Yeah. Contusion, sorry."

"No worries, Bells. I knew what you meant. Where's the doctor now?"

Taylor groaned. "He hasn't updated us in a while."

"We've just been sitting here..." Belly stared at the wall, and you frowned, placing an arm around her shoulders. "Taylor called Conrad."

"Did she?" It was no secret that Taylor hated the older Fisher brother. To call him meant she was truly desperate, scared even. "How'd that go?"

"He said he'd take care of it or something." Taylor shrugged. "But he could just be-"

"Isabel Conklin? I'm Doctor Jun Kwaan. I head up the neurology team. I'm taking over your brother's case."

"Does that mean he's gotten worse?"

"No, it means someone well-connected is looking out for you. I got a call from a colleague at Stanford." Conrad. You smiled. He was always there. Whether it was fixing things he didn't need to be fixing or just helping out, Conrad was one of the rare people you knew you could trust. "Steven is sedated and sleeping. He's stable, and I've ordered a CT scan. Have you seen him yet?"

The three of you shook your heads. "We allow two visitors, immediate family only." She looked at you for a moment longer. "I'm willing to make an exception just this once for three. Follow me."

Steven's room was what you would expect of a hospital room, grey and cold, void of all feeling. It was always a wonder to you that anyone healed in such a sad environment. "I'll leave you to it."

You smiled gratefully. "Thank you so much, Dr. Kwaan."

It wasn't until Taylor and Belly had fallen asleep that you actually spoke to Steven.

"Hey, Conklin." Seeing him in his neck brace was jarring, to say the least. "I don't know exactly what happened, but it was probably your fault. You-" Your eyes welled. "You drive way too recklessly, Steven."

You looked down at his hand, empty and pale. Your fingers found their way in between his, kissing the back of his hand. "I don't know if you can hear me, but I need you to wake up. Please." Your eyes began to well up once again. "I-I need you. I can't do this whole thing without you. You're my-" It hurt to say. "My best friend. And I love you." You lay your head against his arm, tears now streaming down your cheeks. "Please, Steven."

...

"Ms. Conklin?"

You hadn't woken up at first, assuming they were trying to wake up Belly.

"Ms. Conklin?"

"Let me try." A new voice, deeper, warmer, more familiar, spoke. "Trouble, it's me. Wake up."

Your heart stopped, head pulling up from your rather uncomfortable position. "Steven?"

"I'll give you two a moment."

"Thanks, Doc." Steven smiled, waiting to tease you until the doors had closed. "Were you worried about me?"

"Of course I was, you jerk." You slapped his arm before realizing that it probably hurt worse than normal. "Sorry, I'm sorry."

"It's alright, Trouble." He grinned. "They only let immediate family in here."

"Yeah, I know." You had no idea where this was going.

"You look nothing like me." He laughed, wiggling his eyebrows. "What did you tell them? That I'm your husband?"

"Shut up, Steven!" You rolled your eyes, cheeks growing hot under his attention. "I thought you were-you were-"

"It's alright." He reached out, wincing when he raised his arm, caressing your cheek like it was second nature. "I'm fine. Nothing crazy."

You glared at the boy, relishing in his touch. "Yes, because a cerebral contusion is nothing crazy."

"Exactly." He nodded, eyes locked on yours. "You look radiant in this fluorescent lighting."

"You're horrible when you first wake up."

"Get used to it."

"Steven!" You gasped, eyes darting over his shoulder towards Taylor. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Sorry! Sorry." He didn't look apologetic in the slightest. "Slip of the tongue."

taglist: @beebeechaos @eddiemunsons-lover @maryjaneeeee

LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT TO JOIN!

[sabrinajenre96]

Unexpected Reunions

Pairing: Conrad Hawkins x resident reader

Note: a little crossover with Chicago med... I decided to mix two different tv shows. Expect a surprise character's return.

Warning: none.

It was a normal — almost boring — day at Chastain Memorial. Well, as boring as a hospital could ever get.

Y/N Rhodes was in her element, teasing Devon Pravesh alongside Mina and Nic, with AJ occasionally joining in with that deep chuckle of his. The nurses adored Y/N’s sunshine nature, and most of the other doctors found her shenanigans a welcome break from the hospital grind.

Today had been particularly good. Besides Conrad — her fiancé — shooting her amused, hopelessly-in-love looks across the ER, everything was smooth.

She was leaning casually against the nurse’s station, cracking a joke at Pravesh’s expense, when the air shifted. Heads turned. Bell, in all his I-am-the-boss energy, strutted in with a self-important air.

“Attention, everyone,” Bell announced, smiling his I'm pretending to be nice smile. “We have a new addition to Chastain's surgical team.”

Curious, Y/N turned around, ready to welcome the poor soul who dared to enter this madhouse.

Her heart nearly stopped.

Standing beside Bell — tall, handsome in an effortlessly broody way, looking like a man who had walked through hell and was still standing — was Connor Rhodes.

“Connor?!” she gasped.

“Y/N?!” he said at the exact same time.

Before anyone could blink, Y/N sprinted across the floor and launched herself into his arms. He caught her, laughing into her hair as he hugged her tightly.

Around them, confusion reigned.

“Wait... wait, what?” Devon said, looking at Nic and Mina, who shrugged helplessly.

AJ arched a brow. “Ex-boyfriend or somethin’?”

Bell squinted suspiciously. “Should someone call HR?”

At the same time, Connor and Y/N pulled back just enough to glare at them and said in perfect sibling unison, “EW, NO!”

Connor slung an arm around Y/N’s shoulders proudly. “This is my little sister. Same dad, different moms.”

Cue more confusion.

Bell, connecting dots faster than the rest, went stiff. “Wait a minute. Rhodes? As in...” His eyes widened.

Y/N groaned. “Yes, Bell. That Rhodes.”

Connor smirked. “The devil himself.”

“The name that shall not be named,” Y/N added dramatically.

Everyone just stared.

Bell recovered first. “Their father basically owns half of Chicago.”

Gasps echoed down the hallway.

Y/N waved a hand. “Technically true, but we don't associate. If it were up to him, we’d be disowned already.”

Connor nodded in agreement. “We survived thanks to our grandfather’s trust fund. Not dear old Dad.”

Bell, still slightly shell-shocked, excused himself to go... well, be Bell somewhere else.

Y/N beamed and clapped her hands. “Anyway! Let’s introduce my favorite big brother to everyone!” She tugged Connor by the hand like they were kids again.

Introductions flew quickly — Nic, AJ, Devon, Mina — all still gawking a little at the surprise family connection.

“And,” Y/N said mischievously, “since this reunion calls for a celebration... you’re all invited to our place for dinner tonight! Meet Connor properly. Grill him about everything. I don't care. Free food.”

---

Later that night…

The house Y/N and Conrad recently bought together was buzzing with life. Everyone from Chastain had shown up — Nic, Devon, AJ, Mina — and Connor, still jetlagged but smiling more than he had in a long time.

Y/N floated between the kitchen and the living room, radiant, a glass of wine in hand.

Suddenly, the door opened again — and in came her mom, arm linked with Conrad’s.

“MOM!” Y/N shrieked happily, racing over.

Her mom hugged her tight, then turned to Connor, eyes misty with joy. “Connor Rhodes. It’s been too long, sweetheart.”

Connor hugged her like he hadn’t in years. “Good to see you too, Dr. Y/M/N.”

As everyone sat around the big dinner table, the questions started flying.

“How come you never mentioned him?” Mina asked bluntly.

Y/N shrugged. “Connor's been... a part of my private life. And let’s be real, talking about him—” she jerked a thumb toward the absent father — “was never exactly a party starter.”

Connor rolled his eyes. “We don’t give him the satisfaction.”

AJ chuckled. “You two really do have the same energy.”

At some point, Connor’s gaze caught on Y/N’s hand, the sparkle of her engagement ring flashing under the lights.

“Wait,” he said, grabbing her hand gently. “You're engaged?! I thought Conrad was just your boyfriend!”

Y/N blushed. “It’s new! I forgot to call you!”

Connor grinned, genuinely happy for her. “The ring’s beautiful.”

Conrad, looking a little bashful but proud, added, “It was my mother’s. She gave it to me before she passed. Told me to give it to the love of my life someday.”

The table went quiet for a beat, everyone touched by the sweetness.

Y/N leaned against Conrad’s shoulder, heart full. With her fiancé beside her, her big brother across from her, her mom glowing with pride, and her best friends around her — she was finally exactly where she belonged.

This was her family.

Not the money. Not the name.

This.

[sourcherryandsprinkles]

conrad thanksgiving fic please!!

This has been in my drafts for a long time...sorry. I might delete later, I don't really like it. It's not giving what I wanted it to...

Request: You’ve done Conrad dating a Haley James type of character, what about a Blair Waldorf type character? Old money, fiercely strong, rich, and outspoken. She and Belly would NOT get along, at all. He takes her to Thanksgiving dinner and Susannah is still there and she loves her

my taglists are here + you can send requests here at any time

—

Thanksgiving had always been a massive celebration in your family. Every year, your parents would go all out and host a dinner with their closest friends and their families. Your mother would direct the caterer team and make sure everything was perfect before the guests’ arrival. At the end the meal by having a slice of your father’s infamous pumpkin pie — which was your personal favorite part. 

This year, Thanksgiving was going to be different. Your father was in Paris for business and your mother somewhere in Europe, expanding her collection of vintage designer handbags. Had you not been in college, you would have happily joined her.

‘’Why don’t you come with me to Boston?’’ Conrad asked as you watched him pack a bag for the weekend.  ‘’My mom keeps asking me when she’ll get to meet you.’’ 

The thought of spending Thanksgiving alone had been looming over you, and Conrad's invitation was like a ray of light. 

A small smile tugged at the corners of your lips. ‘’You told your mother about me?’’

‘’Not really,’’ Conrad explained, picking another sweater and adding it into his bag. ‘’She heard your voice when she called the other day and Jeremiah told her all about you. He’s such a big mouth...’’ He shook his head, wishing his brother could hold his tongue sometimes. 

Susannah was ecstatic to have another guest for dinner. It was on very short notice and most of the preparations were already done when Conrad informed her of your addition to the table, but she would never pass up an opportunity to meet her Connie’s new girlfriend.  

When you and Conrad walked in, Susannah was all over you, complimenting your dress and how gorgeous you looked. You were quick to return her compliments, pointing out how her eyes looked exactly like Conrad's.

You met the other guests — Conrad’s father and brother, then Laurel and her kids —, and all were surprised by who Conrad had brought home. No one ever expected him to date someone born of old money. He’s dated Nicole, but she was nowhere as rich as your family. 

‘’Look at this amazing table,’’ Susannah said as she brought in the turkey, looking very proud of herself. ‘’Martha Stewart can kiss my ass!’’

Your eyes went wide for a short second, not expecting such words from her. She looked so sweet and delicate. 

Conrad shook his head at his mother, happy to see her being herself again. 

Everyone got seated, then Susannah spoke again. ‘’Before we eat, let’s go around the table and say one thing that we’re thankful for. Jere Bear, you can start.’’  

You lifted your eyes at Jeremiah across the table, who looked nothing like his brother. If you hadn’t known, you would never have guessed they were related. 

‘’I’m thankful for my mom,’’ the younger Fisher began, ‘’who reconsidered trying this new treatment for us. I don’t know what I would do without you, Mom.’’ He glanced at his mother, his eyes shiny with unshed tears. 

Susannah squeezed his hand over the table while everyone was trying to not get emotional. 

Conrad had told you about his mother’s breast cancer having come back in the spring. He tried to hide her sickness from you, but when you found him crying in his dorm on a Saturday afternoon, you knew something wasn’t okay. It was a tough subject for the entire family — especially since it was the second time she was going through this. For that, Susannah didn’t like to talk about cancer. She didn’t want her whole life to revolve around it just because a nasty tumor had returned in her body. She wanted to live her life the way it’s always been…and take a few more sitting breaks when needed.

In turn, the other guests said what they were thankful for. It went from Steven getting a car for his birthday to Belly becoming captain of her school’s volley-ball team and Laurel being a typical mom and being thankful for her children. 

‘’Connie, it’s your turn,’’ Susannah said, motioning to her eldest son.

Conrad nodded at his mom, then cleared his throat. ‘’Jeremiah took the words out of my mouth, so I’ll say something else I’m equally thankful for.’’ His lips tugged up into a little half smile and he reached over the table to take your hand in his. ‘’I’m thankful for meeting my amazing girlfriend, who came into my life at the most unexpected, yet perfect moment.’’ 

You smiled back at Conrad, giving his fingers a little squeeze. 

Seated before you, Belly snickered lightly. ‘’Can we eat now? Mom didn't want us to get snacks on the way here and I’m starving.’’ 

Laurel gave her daughter a pointed glare, wishing she would behave. 

Although the pumpkin pie didn’t come close to your father’s recipe, you made sure to tell Susannah it reminded you of home. 

‘’I hope your parents are not too sad that you came to Boston instead,’’ Susannah said, incapable of imagining spending Thanksgiving without her family — especially her boys. 

‘’Not at all, Mrs. Fisher,’’ you politely replied. ‘’My parents were both out of the country this Thanksgiving. Business related travel.’’

Susannah raised an eyebrow. ‘’Oh? What is it that they do?’’ 

You didn’t mean to brag, but she had asked. ‘’My mother is a fashion designer and my father is a lawyer at my grandfather’s firm.’’ 

You caught Belly rolling her eyes and muttering something. You didn’t care what she thought of you, you were the one who got to share Conrad’s bed at the end of the day. Ignoring her childish reactions, you continued talking to Susannah about your parents. She was very interested in your mother’s designs.

When dinner was officially over, you all vacated the table. Jeremiah and Steven went to the living room to set up a game for the five of you to play — another family tradition. You had never played cards against humanity before, but you’ll give it a try. 

Before you reached the living room, Conrad pulled you in a corner near the stairs, wanting some time alone with you. 

‘’Belly despises me,’’ you pointed to him, keeping your voice down so no one would hear.

Conrad rolled his eyes as he curled an arm around you, knowing how you had the tendency to exaggerate things. ‘’She does not. She’s just…having difficulty accepting that I moved on.’’

You made a face at him. ‘’Don’t you defend her. Have you seen all the sour looks she gave me during dinner? Your eyes might be the most beautiful shade of blue, my love, but I believe they are in need of a visual acuity test. You should schedule one when we get back to Palo Alto.’’ 

Conrad chuckled, amused by your theatrics. 

‘’Belly is going to be tougher to win with your charm. Like every ex-girlfriend, she’s gonna try to paint you as a mean girl, so you just have to show her that you’re the opposite. Compliment her. Tell her you like her sweater.’’

‘’But it looks itchy. It’s probably polyester.’’ 

The corner of Conrad’s lips turned into a smile.

—

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[polarity-disturbed]

Just for fun—and also because I'm bored—alright, feck it: here’s how I’d fix Wish World/Reality War.

The TARDIS doesn’t explode at the end of The Interstellar Song Contest episode. Instead, the doors open, they step outside—and wake up in Wish World. That exact moment becomes the opening of Wish World, so the story picks up from there seamlessly.

First things first: Make Conrad main antagonist. He was already set up with way more narrative weight than anyone else, so make him the central threat. Keep the Rani/Ms. Flood as the mysterious figure who frees him and hands over the baby to grant his wish—but beyond that, let her linger in the background.

Maybe don’t even reveal she’s the Rani. Keep 'em guessing

(I’ve got alternate versions where the Rani is the main villain front and center—but for this one, I’m keeping it close enough to the original so you can see how little needed to change for it to actually work.)

(And yes, we’re cutting Omega entirely. He added nothing. Absolutely nothing. Gone.)

The "Wish World" setup? Mostly the same at first. But here’s the deal: cut Poppy. Completely. Sure, there are theoretical ways to keep her without all the weird, forced motherhood implications for Belinda—but narratively? She doesn’t add enough. Clean break.

Halfway through the episode, Ruby makes another attempt to reach Belinda. This time, it’s after the brunch scene with Belinda, her mum, and her gran. Belinda’s doubts have been building; she’s finally open to listening. She’s not fully convinced—doesn’t want to believe Ruby—but she’s starting to crack.

And then—boom. The Doubt Police show up.

Because Belinda’s mum already reported her.

So Belinda and Ruby go on the run.

While hiding, they stumble across the "disabled camp"—and something’s clearly off. The authorities avoid it, almost like they don’t even notice it exists. That scene plays out similarly to the aired episode, but now Belinda is there, and what she sees starts to completely shatter her sense of reality.

Belinda decides to try to speak to her husband—John Smith/Doctor. They meet outside his workplace. But the John/Doctor—happy, peaceful, content—is deep in denial. Think Family of Blood levels of denial. He doesn’t call the Doubt Police, but he gently asks Belinda to leave. It’s heartbreaking.

Before she goes, she slips him a note. She tells him not to read it unless he starts to doubt. “If you’re sure this is real, throw it away. But if you doubt it—even just a little—open it.” Then she turns and walks away, leaving him standing there with the note in his hand.

He holds onto it for a while. At first, he tosses it in the trash bin under his desk, brushing it off. But the seed’s been planted. Doubt creeps in. Curiosity festers. Eventually, he pulls it back out—hesitates—and finally opens it.

Just four words: “Tables don’t do that.”

He doesn’t understand what it means—yet—but it lingers.

(Yes, I'm cutting the Rogue cameo. Let the characters in the actual story do the deducing. I'd keep it if it were some clever trick from the Rani, but having her break her own experiment just raises more questions than it answers in this version of events. And if we’re already regenerating Fifteen, let’s not salt the wound for Rogue unless we’re actually going to do something with him.)

Then the Reality War episode kicks off, we get a scene with the John/Doctor at work, obsessively doing the table mug thing, trying to convince his coworkers that something’s wrong. But instead of listening, they call the Doubt Police on him. This finally pushes him to seek out Belinda and the others.

That sets the stage for John/Doctor, Ruby, Belinda, and Shirley teaming up to infiltrate Conrad’s base of operations. No bone palace this time. Instead? A decadent, bloated, self-indulgent mansion—maybe even… a white one. (Listen, if the show wasn’t being subtle about who Conrad would be a fan of, why should I be?)

As they get close to confronting him, we get the reveal that Conrad—knowingly or not—was imagining Ruby specifically as unhappy. That she was unloved. That both of her mums had abandoned her. That she was miserable. He was trying to write her out of the fantasy. But because he kept envisioning her life as broken and painful, it ended up snapping her out of the illusion entirely. It didn’t trap her—it freed her. That’s why she could sense something was wrong when no one else could.

This leads to the emotional gut-punch moment: the Doctor realizes what ending this fantasy will cost him. To save everything, he has to stop being John Smith. He has to be the Doctor again—not the man with a house, a smile, and a quiet, ordinary life.

And, heart-wrenchingly, he chooses to be the Doctor anyway. (Ncuti would KILL a scene like this)

They stop Conrad—but something’s wrong. Reality is fractured. Without intervention, it’ll collapse.

And the Doctor made a promise: to get Belinda home.

So he does.

He doesn’t tell her what it will cost. He just gives her that soft, quiet look. Wishes her the happiest life. Says he’s glad she made it home.

Then he steps into the TARDIS and uses the regeneration energy and the time vortex to set things right.

From that moment on, everything plays out like it does in the original finale—but now, it lands. The Doctor’s sacrifice has meaning. Belinda’s agency is respected. Ruby’s story feels earned. Conrad gets the villain arc he deserved.

And the Rani?

She’s still out there.

Watching.

Waiting.

Smiling.

We catch a final glimpse of her, calmly going over notes from the experiment. An old TV playing moments with the Doctor in them, scribbling something. Filing it away. Ready for the next phase. (Maybe even reveal she's the Rani at this point.)

Is this version I’ve concocted perfect? Nah. But it’s at least coherent—and I wrote it on my lunch break.

PS: If it isn’t explicitly changed in the above, assume it’s still relatively the same with only minor tweaks to fit what is changed (i.e., like changing the topic of conversation between Belinda and her mum and gran to something not involving Poppy, or keeping Conrad reading from within the TARDIS—that still stays. The Rani still set that up.) I'm trying to keep it as close to what we got in the finale to show that they had all the elements of a decent story. (And yeah, sure—keep the cameo from 13 in there too. It’s fan service, but I don’t mind. It stays in as a little treat.)

[humblequestvinyl]

boston's red

BOSTON’S RED, CONRAD FISHER X FEM!READER

APART OF THE “ANOTHER ON THE WAY” SERIES

SUMMARY: conrad fisher quickly meets a girl from the bronx, and despite their rival teams she starts to fall in love with him under those fenway lights.

inspired by tennessee orange by megan moroney

◀ ⏸ ▶

lowercase is intentional! wc: 1.9k

warning: underage drinking, and swearing

a/n: so i actually had a cute little note written out about how this is so boston sports coded when i started writing this OVER A YEAR AGO. but this is actually just my boyfriend and i with our rival sports teams. anyway enjoy!

“MAMA I STILL DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY I’M HERE.”

y/n l/n spoke as she drove through massachusetts in her run down mustang, knowing this was the last place she wanted to be.

“because it’ll be good for you! you’ll be able to hang with your auntie mia, be right by the beach and maybe meet a few people this summer!’her mother told her, and y/n rolled her eyes, “i’d rather be at yankee stadium.”

“you’re right by fenway! why not go there when the yankees are in town?”her mother questioned, and y/n made a face as she passed by a sign, welcoming her into cousins beach massachusetts, knowing she was close to her aunts.

“absolutely not.”

“why not?!”her mother questioned as y/n’s gps directed her to take a left, and y/n had an absolutely disgusting feeling.

“that’s an absolute sin in new york.”the h/c cringed at the thought, “jail time, punishable by death.”

“alright i get it.”y/n’s mother chuckled, knowing how dramatic her daughter could be about her favorite sports team, “text me tonight alright?”

“will do, bye mama.”y/n spoke, and the line went completely dead with cruel summer by taylor swift starting to blast through her speakers.

it was a few minutes before she pulled into her auntie mia’s driveway, and laid on the horn to signal her arrival to her aunt’s home, only to see her walk out from the house next door with her hands in the air. 

“i thought you weren’t supposed to be here for another hour?”her aunt questioned as y/n hopped out of the car with a wide smile spread across her face, “your favorite niece is a speed demon!”

mia let out a laugh before y/n raced across the yards, tackling her aunt in a tight hug, “i’ve missed you!”

“i’ve missed you more ruthie!”mia exclaimed, before walking with the girl back towards the house she came from, and y/n threw her head back knowing her aunt was referencing her middle name.

“where are you taking me?”the h/c girl giggled as her aunt walked her inside the next door neighbors house, “i am not even properly dressed mimi.”

“oh who cares!”mia exclaimed, waving the teen girl off as the two walked inside, and y/n spotted a blonde woman walking back into the beach house that had been deemed as ‘beck’s house.’

“i thought that was you i heard!”the woman exclaimed as she walked towards the two with one of the biggest smiles spread across her face, “you must be y/n!”

“yeah.”the bronx girl smiled as she was brought into a tight embrace, and y/n chuckled a bit,

the woman pulled back, and cupped the girls' shoulders, taking in her appearance, and she saw her eyes drift back over towards mia, and y/n bit back the smile that threatened to peak out.

“she looks so much like sierra.”the woman pointed out, and y/n’s eyebrows furrowed, “you know my mom?”

“you know how mom and i always talked about laurel and beck from college?”mia questioned, and the h/c girl nodded, before mia nodded her head towards the blonde woman that stood in front of her, “this is beck.”

the girls mouth made an ‘oh’ shape, causing the older women to laugh, and ushered the l/n girl to sit down.

“where are the kids?”mia asked as beck ran around the kitchen, gathering things for the two girls.

“well, somehow laurel convinced all of them to do the grocery shopping for the week, and they’ve been gone for almost two hours.”beck explained, and a loud laugh escaped from mia’s lips before the three started to talk about anything and everything.

it felt like hours before the peace was disturbed by a loud crash as soon as the front door was opened, and yelling soon followed.

“i told you not to pack these bags heavy!” y/n’s head snapped towards the front door, silently observing the scene in front of her as the two boys struggled to pick up whatever had fallen out of the bags.

“it’s not my fault that they aren’t sturdy!”another argued, before y/n saw a beautiful girl walk through the front door, carrying another bag and a pizza in her hand.

“hi susannah!”the girl greeted beck before waving to y/n, one the new yorker returned back.

y/n continued to watch the front door as the last of the groceries came in, along with another boy, wearing a red sox cap on the top of his head.

“new york, huh?”the boy questioned as soon as he made his way into the kitchen, nodding towards the aaron judge shirt y/n had on, causing the girls cheeks to become inflamed.

“forgot i had it on.”y/n admitted, before standing up and pushing her chair in, “on that note, i have a lot of unpacking to do.”

“thank you, beck.”y/n thanked the woman, before rushing out of the house and towards her aunts, where her mustang sat with all of her luggage.

as she unraveled her luggage from the car and brought it in, her head was filled with the boy who had called her out in red sox territory. brown hair, blue eyes and the cutest dimples she had ever seen.

there was one problem throughout all of it though,

he was a red sox fan.

it was y/n’s number one rule when it came to even liking someone. if they were a red sox, islanders, or patriots fan, they were absolutely out of the question. she couldn’t stand them half the time, so how could she be in a relationship with one?

‘absolutely not.’ she thought as she placed her clothing into drawers, making the guest room feel somewhat like home, ‘you don’t even know him.’

and so that’s what y/n sat with, for days. it was all she could think about. the boy next door with brown hair and blue eyes, with that stupid red sox hat on.

it wasn’t until days later that the two met again, and when they did, it was during beck’s fourth of july party. 

y/n was already two drinks in and had kept by her aunt's side as much as she could without interacting with many people. she didn’t know anybody, and the new yorker did not want to run into the boy with the red sox hat.

but, the universe had other plans for the girl from new york.

“y/n! i forgot to introduce you to conrad the other day!”beck exclaimed, and y/n furrowed her eyebrows as she saw the woman waving over someone.

“conrad, this is y/n.”susannah introduced the two, and y/n looked up at the boy with slight confusion, “she’s staying with mia for the summer.”

“red sox boy.”y/n blurted out before she could even stop herself, and she saw a smile spread across conrads face as mia hit the girls arm, “little miss bronx.”

a scowl fell across y/n’s face as she heard mia and susannah chuckle, and y/n heard her aunt mention something about conrad taking the girl down towards the beach.

next thing she knew, she was stuck with the boy.

“so, new york?”conrad questioned as the two walked, and y/n took a sip of her drink before nodding, “what brought you up to cousins?”

“a mother who wants me to live my life outside of yankee stadium.”the girl grinned as a laugh fell out of the boys lips, “found out how much i was spending on yankees tickets and sent me here.”

“how much?”conrad questioned, and the girl shook her head, “too much.”

as the two continued to walk the beach, talking about their teams dislike for each other, what the boy had planned for the summer, and what games conrad was going to see in boston this summer.

“have you even been to fenway park?”he questioned, and y/n shook her head with a laugh.

“why would i do that?”the girl fired back as she took a sip of the water conrad had snagged for her. “i have yankee stadium at my ready whenever i want.”

conrad chuckled as the two continued to walk down, before looking down at his phone and turning to the girl with a smile, “you busy on friday?”

the h/c raised an eyebrow as she looked at the boy she was walking with, letting her curiosity get the best of her, “why?” she questioned as she watched the wheels turn within conrad’s head.

a wide grin spread across the boys face and y/n instantly knew whatever he was about to suggest would mean having to go into the city she absolutely despised.

“the sox are home.”conrad brought up, with his boston accent peeking through, something that y/n hadn’t noticed til that moment, “you could go see the oldest ballpark ever.”

“hell no.”

“why not!”the boy laughed as he threw his arms up dramatically, and y/n rolled her eyes, “you cannot tell me you have never wanted to experience sweet caroline on a friday night in early july.”

“i haven’t.”y/n reassured him as she brushed some of the hair that was stuck to her face away, “and i never will.”

“if you ever think i will end up at fenway park when the yanks aren’t playing, you’re dead wrong.”y/n continued on with her tangent, and conrad had a wide smile on his face, “especially in red sox gear.”

“keep dreaming pretty boy.”

★

SOMEHOW, ALMOST THREE DAYS LATER Y/N ENDED UP INSIDE OF FENWAY PARK.

it was the middle of the eighth inning when the opening notes to sweet caroline had started to play throughout the stadium, and conrad had a wide grin spread across his face.

“c’mon ruthie, it’s a classic!”he shouted over the music before helping the girl stand to her feet, and wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

ruthie, never did y/n think someone calling her ruthie would send butterflies throughout her entire body, especially at a stadium she thought she would hate. but yet here she was, under the lights of fenway park with sweet caroline blasting and she was quickly picking up the words to it.

she had never felt this way with anyone back home. y/n never thought that someone would be able to get her inside a rival stadium when the new york yankees weren’t the opposing team. as she looked over to the blue-eyed boy, she could feel herself quickly falling more and more for a boy she barely knew.

as sweet caroline faded out, y/n watched as conrad took the spoked b hat off of the top of his head, and place it onto the top of hers. the boston boy expected her to immediately rip it off and throw a fit, but as the first pitch was thrown, she kept in on.

in new york they’d call it a sin, but y/n l/n was wearing boston’s red for conrad fisher.

[culturallyinept]

The Summer I Turned Pretty S2: Reflections of Belly and Conrad

I fear there are a lot of wrong opinions about The Summer I Turned Pretty, but one I wanted to shed light to the whole Conrad vs. Jeremiah situation (a pretty common topic), and just add an unnecessary analysis of the situation, primarily focusing on Belly's relationship with Conrad. Please bear with me, I haven't read the books and I am doing this analysis purely on situations from the television show, not taking any scenes from the novel into account.

Let me start this little rant by saying I'm Team Conrad. Anyone who is not Team Conrad can start packing their bags at this point, just enjoy the trailer and move on. Jellyfish supporters are just plain delusional. It was always going to be them. This is not me saying that Conrad has an infinitely better personality than Jeremiah, because that's not true. Conrad is messed up. Jeremiah is messed up too, but for different reasons. A fundamental truth about Conrad and Belly's relationship, though, is that this is it for them. It's a magnetic force; it's one of those indescribable feelings. Susannah knew it. Conrad and Belly are meant to be together. And it's not in a "you were the one that got away, I'm taking you back" sort of way it's in the "it could never be anyone but you way." We see that their relationship is so much more complex than a traditional family-friend situation. In early season 2 we finally understand that Conrad needs Belly as much as Belly needs Conrad. He finds peace in her. She looks at him as if he's hung the stars, even when he wants to destroy everything in his sight. Some may call Belly's infatuation with him limerence (especially in their earlier childhood), but limerence is just one of those words that can become a red herring when it is not used appropriately. Yes, Belly is fully obsessed with Conrad. But no, it is not a crime to be obsessed with the person you are in love with. And Belly and Conrad are in love.

The reasons Conrad and Belly are not dating as we leave off season 2 are complex and dramatic, but they really come down to 2 main points. The first one, is admittedly, Conrad is not ready for any kind of relationship. Conrad is already a guy who doesn't know how to express his feelings--he lets them all brew until everything is boiled up, and the only thing not evaporated is hatred, depression, and a bit of self-loathing. Susannah's death has only made things more complicated in the realm of exploring his feelings. He has been navigating his anger with everyone: with his father for being a prick, with Jeremiah for being naive for so long (couldn't help it) and at himself for just being in an impossible situation. He is trying to be better.

The second reason, however, is the plain fact that both Conrad and Belly have underestimated the power of their connection. They do not know that they are inevitable: it will take distance and time to let them know this. Belly thinks that she just had a cute but frustrating relationship with her best friend's brother--a good guy who makes things ten times more difficult than it needs to be. Conrad knows he loves her, but he has still convinced himself of the age-old adage: "This too, shall pass." He does not yet have the willpower and mental fortitude to fight for Belly amidst his brother's longing for her. And he doesn't want to risk everything to destroy the relationship with his brother that his already tenuous. He knows his actions towards Belly belie his feelings towards her, and he doesn't want to lead them back down the path we left off on season 1. They do not understand that their love is not simply first love material, the kind of story you joke about with your spouse while you're on your rocking chair. Their love is Florentino Ariza's obsession with Fermina Daza. It is unchangeable. Their beings sing to each other.

But, come season 3, these problems will be solved. A reminder, once again, that I have not read any of the books, but there is still a clear path for how these problems will be resolved (with evidence pulled from the season 3 trailer/teaser of course). One of the most obvious ones is that Conrad will stabilize. Life in California (where he will always be in his happy place: beaches) and medical school will give Conrad the purpose and independence to shake off a lot of the dark thoughts that have governed his life. Escaping New England will also put some distance between him and his father and give Conrad a better chance to make peace with that relation, freeing him even more from the angst that plagued him as a teenager. Conrad should see personal growth that can enable him to take on a healthy relationship. You can tell by the trailer that college has changed Conrad: Stanford has let unspeakable light into his life that Susannah would approve of.

And the solution to the second problem, which will definitely manifest, is one which Jellyfish supporters refuse to see: that it doesn't matter how long they are apart, their love will endure. Their hearts are irrevocably entangled, and because of that, relationships with other people (regardless of how bright they are) will eventually fail the minute they cross paths. In the teaser, you can feel time stops as Belly sees Conrad at her doorstep, despite a montage of bliss with Jeremiah. On the other side of that aisle is Conrad. It's Conrad. It has been Conrad. The show cannot end without it being Conrad.

[caffeinemachine]

Life Jacket- Chapter 2

Hi!! Thanks for all the love on the first chapter! Sorry this out later than I expected but I couldn't stop writing and I didn't want to end the chapter at an odd spot.

Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list! Hope you like this chapter!

WC: 4.8K

Conrad Fisher x Eldest Conklin Sibling Reader

Blurb | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

~~~~~~~~~~

The first day always went the same. Unpack, swim, shower, nap, dinner. Sometimes the first bonfire of the season was the first day we got there, other times it was the next day. This year it was the first. So today’s order was, unpack, swim, shower, nap, dinner, get ready, party. 

We all gathered around the table for dinner in our usual spots. My Mom, Belly, and me on one side,  Steven and Jere across from us, then Conrad on the end next to me, and Sussanah on the end next to my Mom. The spots never changed over the years, unless we had guests to squeeze in somewhere. The other thing that never changed was the food. Susannah was an amazing cook. She had taught me to cook over the years. I had spent many hours by her side being her ‘little sous chef’ as she called me. This summer she told me she would show me her old college food recipe hacks. 

I picked my head up from my plate when I heard Jeremiah’s voice, “So Y/n/n when do you leave for school? Do they have the swim team go early?” 

I nodded, quickly swallowing my food so I could answer, “Yeah I have to go early, It's not too bad though only 2 weeks before the regular move-in date. I leave on August 5th.”

Susannah spoke next, “We’re so proud of you, our little fish.” Everyone chuckled at the nickname, ‘little fish’. Susannah had been calling me that for years. 

“So what about you man when do you leave for training camp?” Steven asked Conrad, only he wasn’t the one who answered. Jeremiah did.

“He uh quit football.” Silenced stretched over the table. He what? I stared at him in disbelief, but in my heart, a part of me felt relieved for him. Being a student athlete isn’t easy and I knew Conrad only did football for his father. Sure he still loved the sport, but not enough. 

“What you quit? Why man, I would’ve killed to play college ball?” Steven asked Conrad but again he didn't respond, his mother answered this time. 

“He can always change his mind.” That made Conrad speak up, getting defensive towards his mother in a way I didn't usually see from him.

“I’m not gonna change my mind, I was just gonna sit on the bench all season anyway.” I sat quietly. I didn’t know what to say. Conrad and I bonded over our athleticism over the years, it felt weird to think we didn’t share that similarity anymore. 

I hadn't realized I was staring at him until he looked back at me, our eyes locked and yet I still couldn't move. You'd think it'd be instinct to look away but as he came into focus, we just stared. I tried my best to read him to understand why he might do that, Why would he quit? I knew he didn't love it but he had gone this far with it, What made him change his mind?

There was something unreadable in his expression I didn't think it was regret or nostalgia or sadness or anger but instead some combination of all of it. I wondered why. He looked away first turning his attention to his plate as he picked at the food in front of him. I didn't push him on it, I wasn't sure I'd push him on it later either. I’m sure he had a reason, maybe it’d be best if I just let him tell me if he wanted. 

The rest of dinner continued on like normal on the first night. Catching up, making jokes, and just being happy to be in each other's presence again. Everyone went their separate ways to get ready for the bonfire, and Belly and the moms stayed downstairs preparing for their movie night. Their tradition started a few years ago when Belly was 11, almost 12. That was the first year we went to a bonfire, Conrad and I were 14, and Jeremiah and Steven were 13. The bonfires were different then, we were with the younger crowd still unmixed from the older kids.  It was in the backyard of the house owned by a kid Jeremiah and Conrad knew from sailing camp. Belly was so upset she couldn't come with us. She was too young and we didn't want to have to watch out for her the whole night, or entertain her for that matter. I love my sister and she's gotten a lot better over the years but she loves attention, even though she won't admit it. Having her come meant that I would have to keep her by my side the whole night, that I couldn't mingle with new kids and make new friends. The moms promised to hang out with her that night. They went to the drugstore in town and bought a bunch of candy. Susannah made brownies and they watched a movie, a PG-13 movie which Belly thought was awesome at the time. 

I didn't do too much to get ready for the bonfire, it wasn't anything new, but I still like to look a little bit nice. It was the first time I was seeing everybody for the season after all. My hair was down, air-dried from the shower I took earlier so it had a natural wave to it. A little concealer under my eyes, some mascara, tinted lip balm, and that was that. I put on a tank top and some jean shorts with my navy Cousins Beach sweatshirt on top. It tended to get a little bit chilly on the beach at night. I looked at myself in the mirror, my eyes catching on the shimmer coming from my ears. My pearl earrings, Susannah's pearl earrings. She gave them to me for my 16th birthday just like her mother did and I've treasured them every day since. 

I had to shoo the thought away as I felt myself getting choked up. I exited my room and went down the stairs, slipping on my very worn-in black Converse by the door.  I heard stories of people in college having a designated pair of shoes they called their ‘frat shoes’. This pair of black Converse was that for me over the summer.  They had been covered in sand, soaked from water, and scuffed with dirt, more times than I could count. 

As I finished tying my last lace, the boys walked down the stairs. I sat up, shoes now tied, and patted my knees, “You guys ready to go?”

“Yep let's do this we're taking my car. Y/N you promised to be DD for the night right? Don’t worry though I won’t drink too much anyway, wouldn't want to be hungover for my first day of duty, right Y/ N?” Jeremiah answered.

I laughed, “No Jere, you definitely shouldn't be hungover. Wouldn't look good for me either after I vouched for you to get this job. But yes I’ll be DD.” He laughed with me throwing his arm over my shoulder as we walked to the car. Steven called shotgun which left me and Conrad to sit together in the back. I hated to admit it to myself but he looked good. How someone could pull off a gray hoodie that well I didn't know, but he pulled off a gray hoodie and jeans better than I'd seen ever before. 

The drive was silent in terms of conversation but in the front seat, Jeremiah and Steven were singing their hearts out to Steven's ‘pregame’ playlist off Spotify. I kept my gaze out the window. Partly because I was still taking in the beauty of Cousins, partly because I could look at him. He looked too good and I always had to distance myself from Conrad before parties. I never knew how they’d play out with him. Sometimes he’d just stick close to us, the crew, and have a super fun night hanging out. Usually, that’s what he did when I was at the party with the guys but I’d been told the stories of his playboy party actions when I wasn’t there, and last summer I had gotten a glimpse of it. A girl named Nicole had come up to him and started chatting with him. Within seconds she was quite touchy-feely. Her hand was on his chest or upper arm, even playing with his hair every once in a while. I had whispered into Jere’s ear who was between me and the horny fest, “Who’s that?” 

Jere took a quick glance over his shoulder and then whispered back, “Nicole, she and Conrad hook up every once in a while.”

I furrowed my brows, “I’ve literally never seen her before.”

“They met at a party last summer when you had left for swim camp, I think her family like only comes out for August.”

I swallowed the information and then excused myself to get a drink. I stole a beer from the kid's fridge and walked back feeling a little bit better now that I had a drink in my hand. But when I looked up to find Nicole on her tiptoes kissing Conrad against the wall, the power of the drink in my hand ceased. I turned back to the kitchen, leaning against the counter by myself for a few minutes. I had my focus down on my hands when I suddenly looked up at the sound of the refrigerator doors flying open. It was her. She was seemingly grabbing a beer from the fridge the same way I had been just a second ago. I expected her to walk back out to Connie, but instead, she stationed herself on the counter, so I took that as my sign to walk back. It was the first, and only time since I had seen Conrad's fuck-boy behavior, but the stories continued, and I never let myself feel unprepared for the chance I might see it again.

Now sitting in the car with him I did just that as I watched the houses go by. The streets are littered with beautiful bloomed hydrangeas. Suddenly, my hair was pushed behind my ear. I turned my head as his hand draped its way down from my ear to the ends of my hair. His face was soft but I could see the dimples around his smile starting to crease. I shifted in my seat, nervous with his attention on me. 

“W-what are you doing?” I spoke lowly. Not that it mattered, Jere and Steven had no chance of hearing over our screaming.

“You’re hiding.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement. And it left me speechless. “Your hair is always so soft, you’d think after years of chlorine that wouldn’t be the case.” 

That eased the tension a little, as the corner of my mouth turned up. “Well, that's because I wear one of those swim caps.”

He laughed, “I’d pay to have a picture of that.” 

I laughed with him, “Don’t say that to my mom 'cause she’d easily take your money for an exchange.” 

“Let's go!” Jeremiah shouted, exiting the car along with my brother. I hadn't realized we had stopped.

I looked over my shoulder to see Conrad hadn’t moved. His eyes looked at me like he was observing my soul. I held my breath. As if not breathing would help ease the bubbles floating around in my chest. 

I couldn’t bear it.

With an awkward laugh, I scooted out of the car and jogged over to Jere and Steven. I didn’t want to walk down alone. I knew the boys wouldn’t stay by my side the whole night, they’d go do other things within the first hour, but I liked to hold onto them for as long as I could. I didn’t mind the girls I’d met with the guys here over the years, but we were never that close. Nicole, Dara, Gigi, Marisa, and Shayla, we’d all lose contact over the school year. I also knew some people who weren’t from that crew. Some of them I knew from the swim club I used to do at the Country Club when I was little under the Fisher’s name. I wasn’t exactly supposed to be in the club seeing as I wasn’t truly a member but Susannah had a way of getting people to do what she wanted. Kindness can be blinding. The club was mostly made up of little boys, there were only 3 of us girls, Sydney, Ally, and me. Sydney was a nice girl. She was super smart, and ambitous, she’s set to start at Princeton for business in the Fall. Ally, I remained better friends with as we grew up. She was a dedicated swimmer like me so we even ran into each other sometimes during the school year at competitions. Ally was a total sweetheart, but she liked to have fun. She was easy to hang out with, she understood. I hoped they were here, I had forgotten to text them when I got to Cousins.

The fire wasn’t too crazy, they had to be careful not to draw too much attention from the cops. A big crowd of people had already formed though and it was only 9:30. I grabbed a cola from the cooler as I said hello to everyone coming up to us. Chit-chat was made with numerous people, and I couldn’t help but feel these conversations were really competitions for these kids. It was like every comment had to be a one-up to the one previous.

It was around 10:30 when a hand plopped down on my shoulder abruptly.  I assumed it was one of the guys but then he came into my eyeline, Peter Millington. 

“Yooo Y/N what's good?” He said a little slurred. As he moved to stand in front of me his hand dropped from my shoulder. 

“Hey Peter,” I laughed. Peter was a good guy, he was flirty but it was harmless. Annoying, but harmless. I met him at the swim club when we were 10. 

“So miss big shot where you heading this fall?  I’m sure schools across the country were practically begging outside your front door!” 

I laughed, “I won’t deny that, but I’m actually not going far. I’m gonna be going to Harvard.” His mouth hung open.

“No shit.”

“Yes, shit. How about you, still swimming?” 

He shook his head, “Nah nah, I’m trying to be a sports agent, I’ll be going to Penn State.”

“That’s great, congrats.” I smiled at him. 

He pointed at me a big smirk spreading across his face, “Yeah so you better remember me when you go all famous.” He finished his statement by slightly hitting the side of my arm. 

“You got it Pete, I won’t forget you-”

“Belly what the fuck!” My head snapped and my jaw dropped. I took off over to them. I sort of abandoned Pete but eh, he’ll be fine. 

“What the hell are you doing here?” Steven yelled.

I smacked his shoulder once I had run up to them. “Stop yelling! You’re making a scene!” I whisper-shouted at him. 

Then I turned my attention to my baby sister. My baby sister, who wasn’t supposed to be here. My baby sister, who was just talking to a man 5 years older than her. My baby sister, who chose to wear a tiny skin-tight pink mini dress. My clueless, trouble-causing, baby sister. 

“What are you doing here?” I asked her as calmly as I could. 

“What I can’t go to a party?” She bit back defensively.

Excuse me? She didn’t get to give me shit for being concerned when she's the one who showed up out of the blue. I scoffed, “Did I say that?”

“What are you even wearing Belly we are on the beach why would you-“ 

“Steven. Knock it off. Go hang out with Shayla.” This was getting too aggravating. Steven was instigating too much, he must have already pissed Belly off by the time I ran up and now I had to deal with it.

“Did Taylor tell you to wear that or something?” I asked Belly, trying my best to figure out what was going on without having to have an argument in the middle of a party. 

“Why can’t I just dress nicely without being questioned?” Why the hell was she being so defensive? 

 “Again did I say that?” I couldn’t hold back the bite to my tone.

She rolled her eyes before looking at me. But then her gaze sharply caught something over my shoulder. I turned to look. Jeremiah. Drunk off his ass. Standing next to the fire trying to strip and go skinny dipping. He had already stripped off his sweatshirt, shirt, shoes, and socks. 

“Great.” I scoffed, running over to my now 2nd problem of the night. 

When he saw me running over he smiled brightly, “Y/N! We are going swimming come on! OH MY GOSH Belly! You’re here! You come too!”

Belly laughed beside me and I would’ve thrown a dirty look her way if I had the energy to spare. 

“No. No one is going swimming. It’s pitch black, the rip currents are crazy, and you are wasted. That’s all recipe for disaster.” I said authoritatively. 

Jeremiah pouted. “Please?”

“No. Now put your clothes on.” 

“Booooo.” Was he serious? He swayed as he re-dressed, his shirt blocking his vision. Good god.

“And get rid of the drink Jere, You’ve had enough.” 

“Ughhh fine party pooper.” Before I could stop him he threw his drink into the fire. 

“Jere-” The fire grew, a blaze lighting the beach. Shouts were heard as other drunk idiots followed Jeremiah’s lead and fueled the fire. “I can’t with this, Jere hang out with Belly.”

He smiled at that, “Alright come here belly button sit with me by the fire.” She giggled and obliged.

I took a deep breath, my feet taking me to the shoreline without even thinking. I needed to calm down. The chaos was overwhelming. I sat down on the sand a few feet away from where the water reached. The breeze flowed against me and I felt my mind begin to ease. This. This is why I always loved Cousins. I will never feel as at peace as I do when I’m next to the ocean. Water just calmed me down. I was the little fish. 

I hoped that would never change. I hoped I would always be the little fish, no matter how big or how small the pond. No matter what happened down the line, the peace I felt by the water would never be disturbed. I’d always be, as Susannah so deemed me, a little fish. 

I felt a plop next to me in the sand. I knew who it was without even looking, I could simply feel his energy. It was Conrad. He looked out on the water as he placed whatever drink he had in his hand down next to him. I kept my gaze out on the water as well. It felt good to just sit with somebody. With him. 

“So you go around telling everybody you’re going to Harvard?” He said, slight humor in his tone.

I sighed, “I mean only when anyone asked.”

“No shouting from the rooftops?” 

“No shouting from the rooftops. I’m not a big bragger.” I snickered, and so did he.

“You? Please! You have always been humble but you never shied away from sharing your accomplishments. You should be proud of yourself, it’s a big deal.” I just shrugged in response.

“I’m proud of you.” I looked at him then. His eyes were full of sincerity. I don’t think he knew how much that meant to hear. I caught his eyes flicking to my lips. 

Wait what-

He was looking at my lips and when he looked back up his eyes shone with vulnerability. I couldn’t help myself when my eyes dipped down to look at his. I imagined what it’d be like to kiss him. His soft pillowy lips moving against my own. I wondered where he’d put his hands. He seemed like the type of guy to cup the back of your head. I’d feel the weight of his hand as he pulled me into him like he was desperate for our connection. Maybe one hand would fall to my hips or my thigh, acting like an anchor. 

I couldn’t let my mind wander too far. Lord knows where that would lead. When our eyes met the tension was unmistakable. I couldn’t. I couldn’t let myself fall into him. I’d never stand back up. 

“Stella? Alright, thanks man!” 

Spell broken. Peter had just snatched Conrad’s beer from its spot between us and was taking a big slug of it. 

“Pete what the hell?” I said, standing up from my seat on the sand. 

“Dude give me my beer back.” Conrad stood up as well, Pete was standing between us. 

“Whaaaat? You weren’t even drinking it man! It was just- you know just sitting there and all the- all the other Stella’s are gone.” He was plastered. I felt my chest sink. This isn’t gonna go well.

“I don’t give a fuck if there aren’t any left, that one is mine now give it back to me.” Conrad defended.

“Connie come on-” 

“It’s just a beer man.” Pete turned to face primarily towards Conrad. 

“Exactly, so give me my beer back and get yourself your own.” 

“No.”

“Pete come on you definitely don’t need another drink.” I approached him, going to put my hand down on his shoulder to try and calm him down. Then just as I did he rolled back his elbow saying,

“Oh fuck off.”

I fell to the ground. His elbow collided right with my ear and the side of my face. Well, that hurt like a bitch. I’ll have a black eye on my first day back to work. Awesome.

“Y/N-“

I kept my eyes clenched shut for a minute before I felt a hand come to my shoulder, it was Belly and Jeremiah helping me up. My ears rang for a minutes before clearing. I watched as Steven and Jere broke up the fight. 

Conrad looked at me as Steven pulled him back. I shook my head and looked away. Actually, I looked right at the flashing blue and red lights now coming from the top of the dunes. Cops, awesome. 

“Enough!” I snapped everyone out of it, “Let’s go! Come on!”

I grabbed Belly’s hand as we ran up to the car, glancing over my shoulder quickly to make sure the boys were behind us. 

“Jere keys!” I caught the keys as he tossed them to me, unlocking the car doors. “In! Now!”

I started the car, a scowl on my face. My head felt like it was vibrating but it wasn’t like any of them could drive with their intoxication level. I couldn’t believe them. How on earth did they think it was appropriate to act like this?  I kept my eyes on the road, but I was sure they could feel the anger radiating off of me. 

“Y/N look I-“ Steven started but I cut him off.

“I don’t wanna hear it.” 

Then Jeremiah came in, “We didn’t mean to-“

“I said I don’t wanna hear it! Unless you want me to hit a drunk teenager stumbling home, you’ll shut up and listen to me! I’m distracted enough by the pinging in my head.” 

They were silent after that. 

I was mad and I had plenty of reason to be. I had been in this position with my sibling plenty of times, a few with Jeremiah, but never Conrad. I knew he started fights occasionally, but never with me around. 

I pulled into the driveway and parked the car. Then I child-locked in all those mother fuckers. I unblocked my seatbelt and positioned myself to be able to see them all. Steven and Jere struggled to open the doors while Belly sat in the middle confused. To my surprise Conrad just sat in his seat, his focus down in his lap, he made no objections. Once the three backseat idiots figured it out they looked to me expectantly. 

I raised my brows, “What you thought just cause I didn’t want you distracting me while driving you were gonna be off the hook?”

“Y/N what do you even care? You’re not our mom.” Belly said, rolling her eyes.

She only fueled my anger, “Yeah no shit I’m not 'cause Mom wouldn’t have put up with even an ounce of the crap you guys pulled tonight. Do you think I like playing mommy? Do you think I wouldn’t have rathered to enjoy the first night of my summer stress-free? You are lucky I’m a good sister, 'cause I could so easily walk inside and tell Mom everything that went down tonight. Then maybe you’d realize that having you deal with me instead of mom, is me being nice.”  I watched my sibling's attitudes deflate. Jeremiah on the other hand was sitting there trying and failing to hide the smirk from his face. “What’s so funny Jeremiah? Do you think I’m not talking to you too right now? All of you put me in bad positions tonight because of how you acted. ”

Jeremiah chimed in again, “We weren’t that bad.”

My jaw dropped, “Not that bad? Let’s see who should I start with. How about you Jeremiah, I stopped you from getting naked in front of every teenager in cousins, potentially drowning and killing yourself, and even after I did that you acted like an idiot! Throwing alcohol into the fire, you’re probably the reason the cops came! Oh and just the cherry on top, the fact that you’re wasted after promising me you wouldn’t be.” He was quiet now. 

“Steven had to cause a whole scene, but I’m not even that mad at him because he was right to be questioning you Bells! How the hell did you even get there?”  

She peeked up sheepishly, “I walked.” 

“You walked? Belly do the Moms even know you came to the bonfire?”

“No, I snuck out.”  She spoke in a quiet tone.

“Jesus Bells! If you had just told me you wanted to come I would’ve vouched for you. For god sake, I would’ve given you a ride!” My head pounded. I rubbed my forehead trying to ease the pain, I needed some advil. “You guys can’t act like that. It’s dangerous, and quite frankly embarrassing. I’m just- I’m done dealing with it.” I took a breath and unlocked the doors, “Go inside guys. Go to sleep.” I sat forward with my head in my hands. I heard the doors open and close as they got out without a word. 

Except he didn’t. I didn’t look over at him. I honestly didn’t know what to say to him. I didn’t know how I felt at the moment. 

“Are you ok? Is your head alright?” He had worry in his voice and I couldn’t help but feel a flutter in my heart. 

“I have a headache and I’ll probably wake up to a huge bruise on my cheek but I’m fine.”

“How come you’re not mad at me too?”

“I didn’t say I wasn’t mad at you.” I felt his eyes on me the whole time but mine stayed forward at the house. 

“You didn’t yell at me like everyone else.”

“Because I didn’t know what to say to you not because I’m not mad at you.”

A beat passed. Just us sitting in the car before he spoke up again, “I’m so sorry you got hurt, Pete was plastered-“

“You could’ve just let him have the beer.”

“Y/N I wasn’t going to-“

“Look it’s been a long night, just- just go to bed Con.” I grabbed the keys and left the car. I hadn’t looked at him once and I didn’t look back at him.  I couldn’t. I don’t even think I was truly mad at him, I mean it was Pete’s fault, not his. I was more overwhelmed with tonight’s events and I didn’t have the energy to unpack anything right now. My head was pounding and I needed to lay down. Work would be a nightmare tomorrow morning. 

I went straight into the shower when I got inside. I gave myself a quick rinse. Susannah always stoked our bathroom with luxurious bath products for me and Belly. But I know Steven liked it too.

I walked into my room and plopped right down onto my bed. Man, it was soft, and it only seemed softer after a hard night. 

I went to grab my phone when I saw it. A water bottle, advil, an ice pack, and a cookie, sitting on my bedside table, and I most certainly didn’t put it there. I knew who did. I knew it was him, and I could feel myself smile a little. I felt myself forgive him, he was hard to stay mad at. He wouldn’t mention it, I probably wouldn’t either, but we knew that we knew. That was enough. 

For now.

~~~~~~~

Tag list:

@mid-80s @geekinthefuschiahair @paytonloiselle

[theemporium]

Oh my god Maxie and trouble!!??!!!!! Literally my favs… no thoughts just domestic max and trouble trying to sleep but she just won’t stop talking and max just kisses her to shut her up and finally get some beauty sleep 😭😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏‼️‼️‼️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

this was so cute and so self-projecting kqedjewfkqd thank you for requesting! and sorry not sorry to the team jeremiah girls!!🫶🏽

.

If there was one mistake Max made when it came to your relationship, it was agreeing to binge tv shows with you.

And yet, he fell for the trap every single time. 

Personally, Max was never one to get overly invested in tv shows or movies. He would enjoy them, there were a few he wouldn’t mind rewatching on the odd rainy day. But he never got attached, whether it be to the show or the plot or the characters. 

Not in the way you did.

He had to admit that he did find it adoring just how invested you got. If you liked the show, you were all in. You had your favourite characters and your comfort episodes. For the short time you watched the show until you finished, it was a hefty topic in most of your conversations. You got angry and sad and upset and excited over these shows. Max had never really experienced anything like it. 

And usually—usually—he genuinely did find it adorable. 

But sometimes there were moments like this one where he majorly regretted watching the show with you.

“I just don’t get how everybody can’t see the clear endgame!”

“Mhm.”

“Like, from music and cinematography and—”

“Mhm.”

“She has to end up with Conrad! She has to! I mean,” you paused for a moment as you let out a scoff. “Who would choose Jeremiah? He just lurks in the background with his creepy blue eyes and weird stare!”

“Mhm,” Max hummed like he had been doing for the last fifteen minutes before he paused. He frowned, opening his eyes to look over at you. “Wait, you don’t think my blue eyes are creepy, right?”

“Of course not, baby,” you murmured with a soft smile. “You have pretty ocean eyes. Jeremiah Fisher has the eyes of a white walker.”

Max snorted. 

“I’m serious, Max. They stare into your soul.”

“I think you forget that I watched the show with you, Trouble,” he murmured as his eyes fell shut again, taking in a deep breath as he desperately tried to fall asleep like his body was begging him to do so. 

But you had just finished the last episode of season two, you were riled up, and now instead of going to bed and cuddling with him like he wanted, you were sat criss-crossed on the bed as you rambled away about a show Max stopped thinking about the second the tv turned off.

“He is just the clear second option when Conrad is there, all dreamy and perfect and still in love with her and—”

You never got a chance to finish your sentence before Max had sat up, his fingers tangled in your hair as he kissed you mid-sentence. You felt breathless and flushed, and it didn’t take long for you to sink into his embrace as he pulled you back down onto the bed until you were lying on top of him.

“I know you’re angry but you need sleep,” he murmured against your lips as he settled his arms around your middle. “We both do.”

“Mhm,” you hummed, still a little dazed from the kiss.

“And I would prefer to have my girlfriend in my arms rather than talking about some other man being dreamy or whatever you said,” Max added.

You laughed lightly as you nuzzled yourself further into his embrace. “You are Team Conrad though, right?” 

“Of course, Trouble,” he murmured and pressed a kiss to the crown of your head. “Now for the love of god, please fucking go to sleep.”

.

[cosmiceverglow]

How I would change the season finale: The Reality War

Spoilers for the Doctor Who Finale. I'm so mad at Disney and RTD. I hate them both.

I'm going to try and be as coherent as I can, so I apologize if I'm all over the place. I'm going to start this by saying that Ncuti Gatwa should have had three seasons and more then eight episodes, he and everyone who worked on his season's were robbed. He was my favorite Doctor and I would just like to give him, Millie Gibson, Varada Sethu, and the team around of applause. Disney will never deserve them or their talent.

I'm going to try and make this in to a list, so I can organize my thoughts better. I do want to make a list for what I would change for Ruby's story line, but until then, I'm going to focus on Time Wars. I was mostly upset with the Omega bit and the Rani, so I'll have more to say on them more. Allons-y.

The Season's and episodes:

Ok, let's start with how they could have made Rudy and Belinda's story's not feel like diced meat. Have Ruby for the first season all the way up to the first half of the second season, then have Belinda for the last half of the second season all the way through the third season. Make it balanced.

The Rani:

Next, I think it would have been better if for the Rani, not only was interested in Omega, but the Doctor as well, have her unleash Omega, then take interest in the Doctor's origin. Maybe have Omega be grateful for the Rani freeing him and have him help her capture the doctor and experiment on him. Have them on screen for more then five minuets. Have the Doctor struggle to win.

Mrs. Flood:

Have Mrs. Flood betray the Rani, the plan was to free Omega, not to experiment on the Doctor. Let her get a redemption, by not only helping the Doctor get free, but defeat the Rani and Omega together. Make her important. Or, even better, have her in on the plan to experiment on the Doctor. Through out it, she get's little doubts, but ignores them.

Omega:

Don't make him in to a CGI monster, kill the weird skull-baby thing. Make him have a body in the form of something, no... someone. Maybe someone who wasn't in the best spot, someone who was trapped like him. Have it be...

Rouge:

He was in the same place as Omega, he needed a body and Rouge was already a lost cause, he was already doomed to die. I mean, What's stopping him anyways? Nothing. So, when the door opens, don't have it be this weird CGI thing. Have it be... Rouge. Have the Doctor be ecstatic, as he reaches out to embraces him. Rouge's ok, he got out, not Omega... right? Have the Doctor stop in his tracks, as he looks in to Rouge's eyes, their different. "Rouge got out, right?" Let Mrs. Flood and the Rani get confused at first then slowly smile. "Oh, what's with the long face Doctor? Don't you recognize your own love one? Or maybe... your still trying to tell if his still alive inside those eyes?" Rouge got out. Omega got out. But only one lived to see the other side.

UNIT, Kate, and everyone in between:

Ok, so now were on to UNIT. Now I do like how they were used in this, having them working together to take on the Bone Beast's was cool. So, I don't really have a problem with it. Accept for the door bit, I feel Anita could use an hourglass doorstopper so she wouldn't have to hold it open. Good scene. 10/10

Poppy:

Now, I'm going to be honest, I don't know what to do with Poppy. So for now I'll just leave this part blank until I can solve this one out.

Ruby:

First, Ruby Sunday. I loved her character, but like many other's, I wish we got more time to expand her character more. But, I'm ok with what we got. Ruby should have punched Conrad's stupid face, take the baby and then put him in jail. He gets no redemption.

Belinda (ft. The Doctor):

As for the Doctor and Belinda, I think it was a bit weird that the Doctor and Belinda just kind of ignored how distress Ruby was when she was telling them about Poppy. I would have them care and at least try to understand why Ruby remembers a child that they never had. Then the Doctor could remind Ruby about the space babies and how Poppy is safe, but not with them. Ruby could acknowledge that, but then point out how weird it is that they had Poppy as their own child. Belinda and the Doctor would then start to remember, making sure, Doctor would then take them all back to UNIT.

Susan:

Like Poppy, I have no idea what to do with Susan. She was there and then not, of course this could apply to the Rani and Rouge, but I feel like they had more to work with, unlike Poppy and Susan. Susan's story is to unknown to work with and Poppy's is ether it works or it doesn't which makes in harder.

Ok, I think I've covered all of the episode, I hope Disney and RTD will stop being stupid for once. And give Ncuti two more Christmas species, so he and Jodie's can Doctor can have more interactions. As compensation for the torment that dumb mouse put everyone through.

[multifandomsimagine]

Imagine Conrad waiting for you to get out of surgery

"You're going to be okay," Conrads says, his hand gripping the end of the hospital bed so tightly that his knuckles are turning white, as he stares at your unconscious body being wheeled to the O.R. He can feel the others' eyes on him - AJ, Kitt, Bell, Devin - but he doesn't look at them. He can't tear his eyes away from you because he's afraid that the moment he does, you might disappear. He has to stay alert. If your condition worsens, he has to be ready to diagnose so they could get to a solution as quickly as possible. Every moment counts especially with your life on the line.

They reach the O.R. and Conrad is about to follow the team into the O.R. when he feels a hand on his chest, stopping him in his tracks. His eyes follow the arm back to who it belongs to and he sees Devin,. "Conrad, you can't."

He shakes his head. "Devin, I can't just stay here. I need to be with her." He paces around his friend, running a hand over his face. The anguish on Conrad's face is clear as day, tears forming in his eyes. "I can help. I need to help."

Devin can only give him a sympathetic look, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You aren't in a rational state right now. You're anxious and worried which is understandable but if you were in there operating on her, that could affect your judgment." Devin takes a deep breath. "You know we'll do everything we can to save her. It's hard but you have to let us work."

He knows Devin is right but that doesn't mean it didn't hurt. Leaning against the wall, Conrad lets himself slide down the wall until he's sitting on the floor. He hears his friend walk into the O.R. but he doesn't watch him go. Instead, all Conrad can do is stare at his hands. They're stained red with blood, your blood, from when he had to put pressure on your wound in an effort to stop you from bleeding out. He could go and clean up, scrub his hands until the reminder of your life-threatening wound is gone but he can't. He doesn't want to stray too far. What if things took a turn for the worse while he was gone. No, he has to stay here so he could get any updates as soon as they're available.

Resting his head on the wall, he stares at the ceiling. His arms resting on his legs as the tears fall down his eyes. All he could do is wait and hope for the best. "You have to be okay."

[sabrinajenre96]

"Shadows and Light"

Pairing: Conrad Hawkins x Resident!Reader (Y/N)

Setting: Chastain Park Memorial Hospital

Word Count: ~7,000

Warning: mention of past bullying, emotional abuse

---

The Present

The hospital smelled like antiseptic and coffee—the scent of resilience and routine. Y/N had walked through the front doors of Chastain a hundred times, but today, her steps faltered just slightly.

"Hey." Conrad’s voice was low, soothing. His hand found the small of her back, grounding her. “You’re with me.”

Y/N offered a small smile, her engagement ring catching the overhead light as she reached to fix her ID badge.

“I’m fine,” she said, though her voice betrayed her.

He didn’t push. He never did. But his hand lingered at her back for a second longer.

They reached the nurses' station just as Nic handed off a chart to Devon. “Morning, Dr. Hawkins. Dr. Hawkins,” Nic teased with a smile, looking at Y/N. “Still getting used to saying that in the plural.”

Y/N smirked. “Still getting used to answering to it.”

“Give it time,” AJ said, walking up beside them with his coffee. “You’ll both be legends soon enough. Though let’s be honest, Hawkins here already has the god complex.”

Conrad smirked. “I’m humble. Occasionally.”

Before Y/N could respond, Amina burst around the corner, flipping through a chart. “Y/N, trauma case from the university just came in. Twenty-seven-year-old female, possible spinal trauma after a fall during a campus event. Name’s Samantha Pierce.”

The name was like a punch to the gut.

Y/N’s blood ran cold. The clipboard in her hand slipped just slightly. She recovered quickly, but Conrad’s eyes narrowed.

She knew that name. All too well.

The Past

High school had been a battlefield, and Y/N had been a silent casualty.

Samantha Pierce was the ringleader of a group of girls who had made Y/N’s life a waking nightmare. Not with fists, but with whispers, isolation, public humiliation, and calculated cruelty. They never left physical bruises—only emotional scars that took years to stop bleeding.

There had been rumors. Lies spread like wildfire. A manipulated photo that ruined Y/N’s chances at an honors scholarship. A fake note “confessing” to a teacher. A cruel prank involving her locker that ended with her crying in a bathroom stall during prom.

And Samantha had smiled through it all, pretending innocence, painting herself as the victim.

When Y/N left for college, she left it all behind. Or thought she had.

Now Samantha was here. Broken, bruised, and vulnerable.

Y/N looked up at the monitor, her fingers trembling slightly around the chart. “I’ll go,” she said quietly.

Conrad touched her arm. “You don’t have to.”

But Y/N shook her head. “I’m a doctor. I’ll be professional.”

Devon and AJ exchanged a glance but said nothing. Nic’s gaze softened.

“I’ll come with,” Amina offered, sensing the shift.

Y/N nodded, grateful.

---

Room 310

Samantha was almost unrecognizable.

A cervical collar was strapped around her neck. Her face was scratched. There was a deep bruise forming across her temple.

Y/N’s fingers went cold.

Samantha’s eyes opened slowly. When she saw Y/N, her expression flickered—confusion, recognition… and something else. Not guilt. Not yet.

“Dr. Hawkins?” the nurse asked.

Y/N cleared her throat. “Yes. I’m Dr. Y/N Hawkins. This is Dr. Rahman. We’re part of your trauma team.”

“You look familiar,” Samantha said, voice hoarse.

Y/N smiled tightly. “I should. We went to high school together.”

Samantha blinked, and it was clear the memory hit. “Oh. Wow. Small world, huh?”

Y/N asked the clinical questions, checked the vitals, examined the CT results. She was calm. Professional.

But inside, she was unraveling.

---

Later

Back in the residents' lounge, Y/N leaned against the lockers and exhaled shakily.

“She remembers me,” she muttered. “She recognized me.”

Conrad stepped in. “You don’t have to be the one to follow the case.”

“I want to,” she said quickly. “I have to.”

“You don’t owe her anything, Y/N.”

“I know,” she said. “But I owe me closure.”

He stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Then I’ve got you. Whatever you need.”

Her chest ached with gratitude.

“I never told you the worst parts,” she whispered. “What she and her friends did. They made me feel like I wasn’t real. Like I wasn’t worth being real.”

Conrad's jaw clenched. “You are the most real, brilliant, compassionate person I know. They didn’t break you. You survived. And now you’re standing over her, stronger.”

She leaned into him, and he wrapped his arms around her.

---

The Confrontation

Samantha’s condition stabilized. A fracture, but no paralysis. She’d be discharged in a few days.

But then her visitors came.

Y/N saw them in the hallway—two of them, giggling like they were still teenagers, flipping their hair and scrolling through their phones. Mackenzie and Brielle. High school royalty.

Time hadn't changed them much.

Y/N stopped in her tracks when they passed, barely sparing her a glance.

“Wait,” Brielle muttered after a moment, turning back. “Y/N?”

Y/N turned slowly.

Mackenzie’s face lit up with faux sweetness. “Oh my God! You work here?”

“Doctor, actually,” Y/N said smoothly.

“Wow,” Brielle said. “We never thought… I mean, no offense, but back in school you were kind of—”

“Broken?” Y/N supplied. “Invisible?”

The girls looked uncomfortable.

“You think I wouldn’t remember?” Y/N said softly. “The fake scholarship letter? The online blog you created to mock me? The video of me crying that you shared with the entire school?”

Samantha’s door creaked open. She stood weakly in a hospital gown, leaning against the frame. She’d heard it all.

Y/N kept her gaze steady. “I’m not the girl you broke. I became the doctor who saved your life.”

Samantha’s mouth opened, but no words came.

“I don’t need your apology,” Y/N added, voice calm. “I’m not here for your redemption arc. I got mine. I have love, purpose, a future. You don’t get to be the last chapter of my story.”

She turned and walked away, Conrad waiting at the end of the hall.

---

Later That Night

The apartment smelled like takeout and candle wax. Y/N sat on the couch, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.

Nic and Amina had come by with brownies. Devon brought a bottle of wine. AJ even dropped off a pint of cookie dough ice cream “for medicinal purposes.”

They didn’t say much about the hallway confrontation. They didn’t have to.

“We’ve got your back,” Nic said, her voice warm.

“We always did,” Devon added. “Even when we didn’t know the full story.”

Y/N smiled, eyes glassy. “Thank you.”

When they left, Conrad stayed behind, cleaning up, making tea.

She watched him, her heart full.

“You know,” she said, “you’re the reason I believe in good people again.”

He came to sit beside her, pulling her onto his lap.

“You did that all on your own,” he said. “I just reminded you.”

“I thought I needed an apology,” she whispered. “But what I needed was a witness to how far I’ve come.”

He took her hand, kissed her fingers one by one.

“You’ve come so far, Y/N.”

She rested her forehead against his. “I love you.”

“I’m marrying you,” he murmured. “Of course you do.”

---

One Month Later

The wedding was still a few months away, but the future felt tangible now—like a sunrise waiting just over the horizon.

Y/N stood in Chastain’s atrium, her white coat fluttering slightly as she stepped outside for some air.

The past no longer had a chokehold on her.

She had her dream job. Her found family. The man she was going to marry.

When Conrad found her a few minutes later, he simply took her hand.

“Ready to go home?”

She nodded.

The ghosts of high school had nothing left to haunt her with.

She was her own light now.

---

END

“Sometimes the best revenge is not revenge at all. It’s simply living, healing, and being so damn happy that it burns them.”

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 142 (Conther Gets Married!)🪢🔔💞

Happy Valentine's Day, simblr friends! 💝❣️💘

Heather breathed in the scent of pine and hemlock in Isle of Volpe Park. Her childhood playground now boasted a castle treehouse built by her son and soon-to-be husband. In the shadow of their very own Giving Tree, Heather and Conrad would be married.

Her whole family was there to celebrate, with invitations extended to friends like Everett and Spencer and Felix and Lilith. Others, like Dylan and Gavin Richards, had a ballet recital to attend with Pearl and couldn't join them. Conrad's coworkers were busy fighting crime in the Bay (or, in the case of young, eager Detective Spangler, had recently gone on sabbatical to potentially chase love in a - killer - dating competition!) but Heather and Conrad's perfect day had finally arrived. The weather was practically perfect, too!

"Are you ready?"

Her brother River caught her in a moment of reflection and Heather looked up with a smile. "I've always been ready. I never needed this day, but now that it's here, I just want to say 'I do' and never look back."

"I know what you mean." She smiled as Conrad walked up behind her. "Are you ready to walk down the aisle?"

"Let's do this. Finally."

The longtime couple made their way together down the aisle - a fitting setup as they'd built their lives together for almost nine years. They'd just done things a little out of order, in the traditional sense. After everything they'd been through together, they already felt married. Now the weather was nice enough to make it official.

The guests took their seats as the couple made it to the wooden altar draped with flowers and diaphanous white linens, letting the gently setting sun cast soft light through the fabric.

Conrad leaned in to speak quietly. "You look stunning," he said.

She grinned. "I feel stunning," she admitted. "No morning sickness. No nerves. I love you."

"I love you, too."

Their ceremony had no officiant. Heather's oldest friend, Everett Pancakes, was a reverend and a wedding guest, but Heather and Conrad weren't particularly devout worshippers of the Watcher and preferred to lead their own vows. The promises they were making to each other had nothing to do with the Watcher, anyway.

Conrad got them started as he placed a ring on Heather's finger.

"Heather Lea Nesbitt: my world since we met has been a totally different colour. There was darkness, and I felt alone, but ever since you, it's been vibrant - yellows, bright greens, ash, lavender...I love you so much. You're my friend, my teammate, my lover, and my heart. I want to spend every day of the rest of my life with you; a life where nothing is too dark for us. A life where it's you and me, us and the kids." Gord barked happily from the pews. "And the pets."

Their guests laughed and wiped their eyes as unflirty Heather launched into the one moment she'd dreaded above all others - public vows, wearing her heart on her sleeve in front of people who knew the gamer who spearheaded an action plan to prevent cheating and PDA. But Conrad knew a side that no one else in her life had managed to get close to.

"Conrad Stephen Gordon: you walked into my life and changed everything. The choices I made before you were interesting, at best, and it scared me when I realized I could only see the future with you beside me. But you centre me, and I've loved you from the moment we met. We've spent almost nine years as a team and I'm ready for at least fifty more. I can't say I know what happily ever after is going to look like, but it'll have you, and me and the kids will never need more."

As their loved ones clapped and smiled from the benches, Heather and Conrad leaned in for their first kiss as husband and wife. Every kiss they shared was electric, but this one they would never forget.

Once upon a time, Heather thought she might never get married, but today she'd proven herself wrong. She couldn't be happier to embark on life from here as Mrs. Dr. Heather Gordon. ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 2.1 Summary

Gen 1 Start | Gen 1 Summary

NOTE: I lasted almost nine in-game years without hitching these two, but I'm happy to break this challenge rule even if I waited through a very long winter. But they got through the whole ceremony and people only started switching to coats when it got extremely late! Maybe one day I'll challenge my own patience with a winter wedding somewhere, but it's not going to be winter again until Lavender is a teenager, so I won't have to think about it for a while!

Short post tomorrow for the wedding album, and the wedding reception is up on Sunday! As usual with weddings in this game, several of the guests showed up after the ceremony but in time for the reception, so anyone you didn't see in this post will show up later! I didn't try to force them onsite with MCCC - the sun was setting because the wedding didn't even start until 3 or 4pm, so I had to get the show on the road before I lost the light. The posed portraits before the cut are from Wedding Poses by @starrysimsie and @lemontrait (Lemon's side) and BommieSims' Childrens Day posepack (still not online that I can find), and you can tell the sky is darker. I lightened those photos significantly!

That also explains why there are no sims of honour or a floral bouquet - both of which I regretted a little, but they're glitchy. I didn't want the wedding to drag on until after dark while I fussed with them! On top of that, the only unmarried sims on the guestlist were Hazel and Suri and Felix and Lilith, so throwing the bouquet felt like it would just waste time and light I didn't have.

[hoshigaki]

the thing is kisame and itachi are never working towards the same goal, theyre just working on the same team, and they both know that itachi is going to split from the akatsuki as soon as sasuke is strong enough to face him and for kisame, the man so loyal to kirigakure he spent his entire life punishing and killing conrades who (supposedly) strayed from the goals of the village, he shows no inkling to hurt itachi for not striving for the akatsuki's/obito's goals despite his apparent loyalty to obito. it's not a matter of kisame not being able to fight itachi because we see kisame help itachi physically and emotionally the weaker itachi becomes, and when itachi puts a pause on their team hunt in order to fight sasuke, kisame is right there setting up as bodyguard to the brother bash. for a man who was pressed into obedience from his own loyal honor code, kisame finds his time in the akatsuki to be the most liberated and he lets himself enjoy itachi and their partnership