#Barbie was such an important part of growing up

[thisisworsethanitlookslike]

I am still thinking about Barbie in The Magnus Archives,,,,,, I want to make a comic,,,,,

[javierpena-inatacvest]

Girl Dad! Javier Peña

Girl Dad!Javi who was once terrified to be a dad to daughters, wondering how in the world he could ever be the right person to raise and protect his sweet girls from the dangers of the world he knew all too well

Girl Dad!Javi who hopes that his girls grow up to be just like you- tough, strong and independent

Girl Dad!Javi who loves spoiling his daughters, and will not stop buying them cute outfits and accessories (especially when they're younger) because of how adorable they'll look in them

Girl Dad!Javi who will happily play anything his daughters ask him to- Barbies, princesses, tea parties, unicorns? You name it, he'll do it. He'll even dress for the part, too, just to make his girls giggle when he puts on a tutu and sparkly tiara

Girl Dad!Javi who loves his girl gang so much, he's always asking if you want to have another baby and give your daughters another sister to play with

Girl Dad!Javi who always lets everyone know how much he loves his girls. His friends and co-workers always used to ask him if he wishes he had a son, or if he gets sick of dealing with his daughters, but they learned to stop asking that real fast after Javi gave them an ear full about how much he loved everything about being a girl dad and what a stupid question that was

Girl Dad!Javi who keeps every single piece of artwork his daughters have ever given him. He's got a file folder in his desk overflowing with scribbles of puppies, rainbows, and god knows how much glitter, but he can't bring himself to get rid of anything

Girl Dad!Javi who constantly sings Disney Princess songs to himself, because after the 74th time of watching The Little Mermaid this week, how could they not be

Girl Dad!Javi who learns how to braid so he can help do his daughter's hair before school in the morning. He'll admit, it's not perfect, and he hates those little clear elastics, but he loves getting to spend a little extra one on one time with his girls. He even practices on you when the two of you are hanging out in bed before you go to sleep

Girl Dad!Javi who loves taking his girls to Chucho's ranch to do chores around the farm, teaching them all the in's and out's of how to take care for the animals, use tools, problem solve and work hard. He's also not above bribing them with extra pony rides as incentive to work a little longer

Girl Dad!Javi who shows up to every single practice, game, recital, and school event the girls are apart of, because there is nothing more important to him than making sure his girls know he'll always be there for them.

Girl Dad!Javi who has to remember to not get too upset when his girls give him sass, knowing damn well they inherited all of their stubbornness and strong will from him

Girl Dad!Javi who has absolutely zero tolerance for any misogynistic bullshit he encounters, trying to do what he can to make the world a better place for his daughters to grow up in

Girl Dad!Javi who teaches everything he would have taught to his son to his girls- how to change a tire, mow the lawn, fix things around the house, toss a football, throw a punch, the list goes on and on. He never wants his girls to feel like they need to rely on anyone else to get things done

Girl Dad!Javi who desperately tries to keep up to date on all the things his girls are into, even if it means listening to one too many boy bands on their trips to and from soccer practice (He'll never admit how much he secretly loves One Direction). Not because he necessarily needs his daughters to think he's cool, but because what's important to them is important to him

Girl Dad!Javi who always encourages his daughters to stand up for themselves. Even if they may end up getting in trouble for something questionable, Javi still can't help be proud of the little badasses his girls are

Girl Dad!Javi who tries to act all cool and tough the first time his oldest daughter goes on a date, but has to keep from crying once she leaves, wondering how his little girl has grown up so fast

Girl Dad!Javi who wouldn't trade being a girl dad for anything else in the world, and is so proud of the amazing daughters he's raised with you 🥹

A/N: I will personally fight anyone who doesn't think that Javi is the king of girl dads. You know that man is SUCH a softie and would love his daughters with his whole heart. I will not be taking further questions at this time. Thank you for coming to my TED talk. Long live Girl Dad Javi 🫡

[stcverogers]

TOP GUN FIC RECS 5!

top gun fics that i’ve been reading and obsessing with over recently

this is extremely important and i take this very seriously out of respect for the community. please do remember to read the rules for the respective blogs before interacting with or reading them.

F: fluff A: angst S: smut

𖥻 - series /multi part

masterlist

JAKE 'HANGMAN' SERESIN

F + A: the longer that you stay, the ice is melting by @welcome-to-my-multiverse you have walls built around yourself from the hurt you had experiences in the past. jake breaks them all down.

F: dinner and domesticity by @sehnsuchts-trunken all you want after a long day at work is to spend time with jake.

F: sunshine by @call-sign-jinx you're jake's biggest secret in the best way possible.

F + A: abs sans brain by @sometimes-i-write-good you would think that the amount of time jake spends with his work friends that he'd rather spend date night with you alone

F + A: don't make the same mistake by @agentrose17 jacob seresin is a coward. to save himself the heartbreak, he runs.

F: the doll house by @honeybeedewdrops jake flew million dollar jets for a living and still couldn't build a barbie dreamhouse

A: a glimpse of us by @call-sign-jinx jake will forever be haunted by what happened years ago

F + A: who are you? + part 2 by @thewulf you move to fightertown in hopes of comfort from you aunt penny after you and your fiance break it off. in a sea full of naval aviators, you meet jake.

F: i caught you by @roosterbruiser jake will always be there to catch you

F + A: mamas (don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys) by @almostgenerallyalways you and jake have long broken up. he tries to reconnect every holiday season but you choose to ignore him. you can't quite do that when he's at your front door.

F + A: sleepy baby by @discount-shades 𖥻 if i weren't for you therapist, there was no way you'd be out late at night in a bar.

F + A: rescued + part 2 by @topgunslut you nearly drown by the beach but jake saves you

F: even if you lose it, it will find you by @lovestruckdeans though you and jake may have gone your seperate ways, you find your way back to each other.

A: what are we? by @andorskenobi four months of stringing you along and you were tired of it. you give jake an ultimatum.

F + A: perfect storms by @captainamericasmotercycle jake loves you because you're you. not because you're the admiral's daughter or whatever coyote wants to make you believe.

S: jealousy, jealousy by @seresinsbabe jealous of him and his coworker, you decide that it was your turn to make jake jealous.

F + A: i see myself with you by @penwieldingdreamer you meet jake again, this time, he dons a khaki uniform.

F: boyfriend material by @beautifultypewriter you and jake had a thing. if you were on a bad date, you'd text him and he'd show up, sweeping you away.

F: roadside assistance by @lostdreamr-blog1 your car breaks down in the middle of the road and you have no choice but to call your last resort for help.

F + A: it only feels this raw right now by @teamhappyme your time with the navy has come to an end while yours with jake is only beginning.

F: sittin' on the dock of the bay by @theloveoftoms a day on the beach with jake seresin.

F: brave by @arson-tm you are the only person jake shows his true self to.

F: your carriage awaits, sweets by @lazypeachsoul jake loved you so much. so much so that he'd willingly carry you home when you're drunk off your mind.

F: coffee for mrs. seresin? by @birdy-bat-writes jake orders your coffee for you. when your order is called, you're utterly surprised.

BRADLEY 'ROOSTER' BRADSHAW

F: pretty in pink by @roostersforevergirl if rooster wants to join his daughter's tea party, he must dress the part.

F + A: the parent trap by @averagewriter-inthedark you and rooster crashed and burn. despite the relationship ending, something beautiful bloomed from it. in a mutual agreement, one will grow up with you while the other rooster.

F: hold my hand by @wannabeschyulersister it's mav and penny's birthday. you somehow find yourself riding a mechanical bull.

F: bradley and the bump by @justmyheart bradley lets his girl know how much he loves his other girl.

F: beautiful by @eyesthatroll you can see glimpses of carole in bradley

F: mary's song by @risriswrites bradley bradshaw is hopelessly in love with his best friend. if only she felt the same.

F: i'm obsessed with you by @simpforrooster jake can't bear to see rooster pine over you for a single second longer

A: till death? by @cherrycola27 you meant what you said in your wedding vows that you'd love bradley till death do you part.

F: my reward by @susanripper rooster doesn't know how to tie a tie. now, you can't let that happen can you?

F: picture in my pocket by @worldofheroes if there's anyone who would understand what you feel, it's rooster

F: a little pinch by @tongue-like-a-razor it's time for your daughter to have her shots but it seems like rooster is more nervous than she is

A: trainwreck by @callsign-cree you knew that you and rooster were too good to true. it was time you finally confirmed it.

S: short stack by @spacecaravan something about you making him breakfast makes rooster insatiable for you.

S: return the favor by @sonofarathorn being a dad was a good look on bradley.

F: beautiful boy by @aestheticpearl baby bradshaw has a nightmare, something bradley can relate to too well.

F: i'm goin' for a run by @feralforfrank rooster wants to say goodbye before going on his run

F: a wedding to remember and a proposal to come by @sehnsuchts-trunken during mav and penny's wedding, you and rooster realise that maybe a wedding of your own was in the cards.

ROBERT 'BOB' FLOYD

F: baby. on. board by @mymamalife baby on board has his own baby on board

F + A: one beer + just another day in paradise by @lgg5989 having a baby at a young age was not part of yours and bob's plans.

F: do we have to? by @auroradawnwrites unlike bob, all you want to do is stay home.

JAVY 'COYOTE' MACHADO

F: in which it’s far too cold for your liking, but Javy can think of a few ways to warm up by @spidervee

F: the waiting by @rae-gar-targaryen javy knows that you're more than capable of doing things yourself but can't he just pamper his pregnant wife in peace?

F: cancelled flights and beignets by @siempre-bucky javy's flight home is cancelled. you make beignets to cure some of his homesickness.

F: the first 'i love you' by @demxters you didn't need javy to tell you he loved you for you to know that he did. so when he finally said those three words, you weren't surprised.

NICHOLAS 'GOOSE' BRADSHAW

F: you know why by @thewhiskersonkittens it didn't matter that you had a jerk of an ex, goose proves that he's twice the man he could ever be

[princessbrunette]

“you told me your new man don’t make you nut, that’s a damn shame” all mine by brent faiyaz!

kind of toxic ex!rafe coded ngl…

- malibu barbie

ooooooooo !! so this lyric has always reminded me of jj for some reason but i can definitely see the toxic ex!rafe comparison !!

˚₊‧꒰ა 🎀 ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

you’re parading this new beau of yours around at a party. your coming out as a couple, one might think. it was laughable, really — even rafe knew this poor excuse of a man looked pathetic in comparison to him. you’re glued to his side for the most part of the night, barely sparing rafe a glance and it’s really getting under his skin. he knows what you’re doing, you had brought him here just to shove it in his face.

the oldest cameron finally spotted his chance when your boyfriend had excused himself to the bathroom. weak, rafe thinks — at a party like this with the dress you’re wearing? rafe never would have let you out his sight. hell, he would have dragged you into that bathroom to have his way with you. if he needed to piss that badly he could have you hold the canon steady, letting you drunkenly giggle with two hands around his cock. this guys got no clue.

you wait in the hallway for your new man, and as soon as that bathroom door closes rafe is sliding up infront of you, leaning against the adjacent wall, pretending he’s in the one man queue to piss.

“hi, how are you?” he acts like he cares, kind and soft smile plastered on his face, not turning smug for a moment even when your eyes jump down to the glimmering chain barely tucked into his shirt, the same chain that used to batter you in the face occasionally during sex.

“hi, rafe.” you resist an eye roll, shifting on your feet with your arms folded over yourself. your body language was practically cowering at whatever seduction technique he was about to unload on you. you had grown stronger, but not that strong. not immune.

“i see uh— see you brought someone. what’s… what’s his name again?” he’s smirking, squinting and waving a hand by his temple briefly like he’s trying to remember. you blink at him, bottom lip begging to pout.

“his name isn’t important.” you defend, not quite realising how bad that sounds until it had left you. he chuckles, raising his eyebrows and looking around casually, lifting his glass to his lips.

“yeah, no… his name is definitely… not important.”

“what do you want? are you just coming here to pick on me?” the pout roams free, his behaviour even making you wanna shove him, stomp your foot — all kind of childishness. you always were terrible at acting unbothered.

“would never do that, sweetheart.” he softens but he doesn’t lose the ego, if anything it grows. “just… just curious, you know— wanna know what the hell you see in that poor sucker.”

“he’s nice. nicer than you, that’s for sure.” you frown, glancing at the bathroom door. what was taking him so long?

“yeah okay, nicer than me.” he chuckles quietly at the floor before pushing off the wall, entering your space. “nice isn’t everything. you know that though, don’t you?” he whispers, and you hate the way you clench from muscle memory around nothing.

“better than being treated like shit—”

“but i fucked you good though… right? that makes up for it. what—what about this guy? huh? make you cum?” he drags the back of his finger down the side of your face and you reluctantly bat him away. you stare behind him at the door, paranoid.

“rafe.” you warn, your tone telling him everything he needed to know.

“what… you tellin’ me he doesn’t make this pretty pussy cum? when it’s just so easy?” his hand slithers between your thighs and cups you through your panties under your skirt. your jaw drops, but no noise comes out. you can’t believe you haven’t pushed him away yet. it just… felt good to have a hand down there that felt right, even briefly.

he chuckles, removing his hand and fixing your skirt. he then lifts that same hand and gives you a condescending pat on the cheek. “just makin’ sure everything still… responds to me. happy to see it does.” he steps away just in time, the lock turning and your new man stepping into the otherwise empty hallway, eyes flickering between the two of you.

“what took you so long?” you bark irritably at the man unfairly, linking his arm quickly to drag him away once he’d stepped out the bathroom.

“oh shit.” rafe chuckles, lightly clapping the guy on the shoulder as you pass him, pulling him away before rafe could open his big dumb mouth. “nice seeing you, sweetheart.” he calls after you with a smirk, watching you bristle at the nickname from behind and disappear. he chuckles to himself once more, lifting his drink back up to his lips.

˚₊‧꒰ა 🎀 ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

[partycatty]

Hear me out bi han with a figure skating reader?..

YAS i actually have two other requests for the same thing! u guys r so cute i love ur lil ideas :))

bi-han > foolish

how it goes when you're an elegant skater and he's a stoic ninja!

warnings: u almost die, controversial bi-han character writing?

notes: this reads like a barbie movie it's a little corny, also i imagine his frost/ice shoots out like elsa LMFAO like all beautiful n shit when he's not trying to spear someone w an icicle

masterlist <3

•when i say bi-han is absolutely horrible at verbalizing his romantic thoughts, i promise with my entire being that i mean it.

•so it comes to nobody's surprise when all bi-han can do is watch you as you glide across the ice like a gorgeous fairy, eyes closed and completely encapsulated in the movement. he was supposed to be scouring the land for raiden and kung lao to confirm their whereabouts, but he stopped when he heard your pretty humming and scraping of ice. all he could do was stand atop a roof and observe you quietly, suddenly feeling a little warm, which was completely out of character for the cryomancer.

•your skates were handmade and your movements weren't professional. you learned through VHS tapes and magazines growing up, and you wanted nothing more than to leave fengjian and make it big in the olympics.

•each time he returns to fengjian to spy on the farmers and report back to liu kang, he's sure to stray from the path when nobody is looking, and checks on the frozen pond to see if you're skating. something about it entrances him. perhaps it's because he uses his ice for dominance and strength, while you submit your entire life to the deadly pond in such a beautiful display of grace.

•it takes him several visits to actually approach you, and it was entirely unintentional. you had actually fallen into a thin patch of ice, your leg trapped in a jagged part and effectively sucking your leg into the freezing water. he leapt from the rooftop and revealed himself to you. while he may not be the best at encouraging words, he's great at barking commands. so, in his all-ice-knowing voice, he tells you how to save yourself step by step, since you seemed entirely clueless about this incredibly important survival skill.

•your nerves got the better of you as you cry out and squirm, and the ice cracked even more. bi-han let out a growl of frustration with the situation before stomping across the ice to you. you wanted to shout out and tell him to stand back or he'd make it worse, but the words get caught in your throat when, with each step, his footsteps spawned large swirling waves of frosty ice, effectively repairing the cracks around you.

•bi-han doesn't outstretch an arm, he just stands menacingly - and silently - over you as you whimper in pain. saving yourself, you use his thick arm as leverage and hoist yourself out of the water, and he barely flinches at your soggy weight.

•"you... you did that," you say incredulously and out of breath, pointing at the intricate patterns along the ice top. bi-han's eyes follow your point and he exhales before turning back to you. "with the ice... how?"

•"you were foolish," he replies coldly, though you sense a morbidly caring tone in his voice. "stay near the shore. you'll lose that leg if you're not careful. no more skating then."

•your hand is on his chest as you regain your balance, and your eyes fall to the emblem on his uniform.

•"how did you know i was skating?" you ask, with a smirk teasing your lips. bi-han tenses up at your question, looking away momentarily. he would literally rather die than admit he was staring at you, and you sense that, so you move back to the emblem.

•"you are in a clan," you mutter, reaching to trace it. "what are ninjas doing in fengjian?"

•instinctively, he snatches up your wrist and holds it in the air, warning you silently not to touch it. but even so, bi-han's lips part for a moment, his eagerness to speak to you overtaking his stoicism. he covers his mouth and furrows his brows. something about your gentleness, your kindness, causes him to desire to match it. your sweet eyes looking into his, you tilt your head and he nearly collapses.

•he decides not to answer your question, and you assume whatever it is is a private matter. perhaps the whispers in madam bo's restaurant might offer an explanation later.

•"well... thank you," you thank him gently, with your arm still in his grip. it's evident that... he doesn't scare you. in fact, you're fascinated by this man. everyone knows everyone, so who could this big yummy scoop of ice cream be??

•"don't thank me yet," he replies, eyes looking down at the ice and back to the shore. "with me. come."

•you do an awkward combination of skating and walking beside bi-han as he leads you back to the snowy shore. his hand rests on your back, full palm taking up a great amount of space on your back. you shudder at the thought.

•"may i thank you now?" you ask with gentle playfulness, smiling up at the ninja before bowing out of respect. "you saved my life, sir. the least you can do is tell me your name."

•"bi-han," he finally replies, his lips in a firm line. "don't make me save you again. be smart. be vigilant."

•his lecture halts when he hears his brothers call for his name in the echoey distance. he shares one last glance with you before walking off into the village alleys, and you're utterly dumbfounded. did that actually happen, or was that a weird hypothermic hallucination? do those even happen?

•before the lin kuei end their exploration of your village, bi-han decides to leave one last lesson for you at your doorstep. how he even knew where you lived baffled you. but, the uneasiness went away when you opened the hastily put together box, and see a brand new pair of ice skates, the blades frosted with the same beautiful pattern you saw on the ice that day.

•never again did you get near the thin points of the icy pond. and, every winter after that, you can't help but feel a pair of eyes on you in the distance as you improve your flips and pivots using your gorgeous skates. and you're pretty sure the lin kuei's business in the village ended quite some time ago...

[messy-crisantemo]

Since last week, I wanted to make a

🎴 GenTan fic recommendation list Part 2! 🍉

Don’t forget to check out Part 1 too!

As the last time, this list is based on my personal likes and, ofc, on the fics I’ve read. I tried to include all GenTan flavors ❤️💜 They’re not put in any particular order and most of them are completed fics. I’m adding some of the tags, but not all of them since I don’t want to make this post extra long, so please read them again once you go to the Ao3 link. Anime-onlies, beware of spoilers. Please enjoy!

sliding across the clouded sky by mimimimi (reiiiiii), 179k, WIP

(Figure skating AU, Modern Setting, Fluff and Angst, Slow Burn, Aged-Up Character(s), Friends to Lovers, Mutual Pining)

The life of a figure skater is short. People expect you to retire at a young age and the moment you have an injury and take a break to recover, you're done for.

Shinazugawa Genya had to deal with it now that he's gotten the biggest injury on his skating career. And the press isn't helping at all, either.

The only light keeping him connected to the figure skating world? Kamado Tanjirou.

Starting with a classic! This beautiful slow burn explores the nature of their relationship as something that makes grow both Genya and Tanjirou. It has lots of funny and tender moments.

Life in plastic, it’s fantastic! by Side_Ponytail, 4k

(Modern Setting, Meet-Cute, Hijinks & Shenanigans, Getting Together, First Kiss, POV Alternating, Fluff and Humor, Scheming)

Tanjiro takes his siblings to see the Barbie movie, Genya’s siblings drag him along, and Parent Trap levels of shenanigans ensue.

No Barbie Movies were spoiled in the making of this fic.

One of the funniest and most adorable fics I’ve ever read. If you need a boost of sugar, this is it.

June Bridegroom by 125389, 2k

(Canon Compliant, Post-Canon, Fluff and Angst, Established Relationship, Kamado Tanjirou-centric, Horror, Manga Spoilers)

Upon concluding an important day, the boundary between dreams and reality blurs as Tanjirou reveals the true nature of his feelings and whom he's really marrying.

A fic for those who love to suffer and don’t fear to embrace the tragic nature of GenTan.

a checkered haori by DragonsAndCryptids, 2k

(Post-Swordsmith Village Arc, Hurt/Comfort, Scents & Smells, Pre-Relationship, Fluff)

After the confrontation with Sanemi, Genya steals Tanjiro's haori because he likes the way it smells and it helps calm him down.

He doesn't want to address why that is, but when Tanjiro finds out, he doesn't give him much of a choice.

Tanjirou being Genya’s weak point, we all love it.

All Bark, No Bite by Rigmaroler, 92k

(Witch Tanjiro, Werewolf Genya, Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Hurt/Comfort, Falling in Love, Worldbuilding, Fluff, Action/Adventure, Sharing a Bed)

When Tanjirou first sees the wolf, he only has one thought in his head. He sees it under the light of the moon, just bright enough for the wet blood in its dark gray pelt to shine. Its teeth are bared, white, sharp and long as each of Tanjirou’s fingers. Its growl is a low bass rumble that Tanjirou can practically feel in his bones, rattling his spine. Its muzzle is stained red with blood, and marred with a jagged scar that cuts through its dense fur.

Or: Tanjirou is a witch's apprentice with a bad habit of bringing home strays. Genya is a young man who's been called a monster so many times, he's started to believe it.

Genya letting himself to be loved, Tanjirou learning that he can also want things for himself. Just beautiful.

The hidden stairs (Red velvet flicker) by Wild_Quetzal, 4k

(Alternate Universe - Vampire, Horror, Romance, Hurt/Comfort, vampire!Shinazugawa Genya, Dubious Morality, Enemies to Lovers)

A couple of minutes later, Tanjirou is left in his chambers. The place is big and empty. Despite the cold temperature, Tanjirou pays it no mind. He presses his ear against the heavy wooden door, then he sniffs it. Nothing seems out of place. He’s truly alone.

What the old lady who gave him instructions told him echoes in his mind: “That man is no Count. He’s a thief.”

Tanjirou arrives at the castle looking for answers. His host will only give him more questions. What is Genya hiding?

Yes, it’s the self-promo part. We had werewolf Genya and now we have vampire Genya in some very gothic and dramatic romance.

[amirasainz]

i really love this series sm and can u make baby!sainz and carlos’s cute moments from childhood with each other or with their parents. thank you!

Ohhh, this was so sweet to write. I really like the Easter part, because me and my siblings would do something like that as well.

I hope you have fun reading and please send some requests!

-XoXo

Childhood memories

The Arrival Young Carlos’s excitement about having a sibling—someone to share adventures with, especially karting—was palpable. But when he learned it was a girl, his disappointment was equally intense. Why couldn’t he have a little brother like he’d hoped? Blanca and Ana had each other for Barbie playdates; why couldn’t he have a buddy too?

His parents tried to console him, suggesting that maybe the new baby would share his love for karting. But Carlos remained unconvinced. It was the night before his sister’s arrival, and he sat with his Papá on the swings, contemplating his impending role.

“You have a really important job now, Carlos,” his Papá said, capturing his attention. “What job, Papá? Am I gonna be a Ninja?” Carlos’s imagination ran wild. But his father’s response was even better: “No, mijo. Something even more significant. With three little sisters now, you need to be their protector. Especially for Amira—she’ll be too little to take care of herself. Can you do that for her, Carlitos?”

Carlos’s promise was unwavering. “Of course, Papá. I’ll be the best big brother for Amira. Promise.”

And so it began—the moment Amira arrived home, she had her personal bodyguard. Carlos took his role seriously, watching over her with fierce determination.

The first Vaccination It was no secret that Carlos loved his little sister dearly. His baby sister, just six months old, had already wrapped him around her tiny finger. And Carlos didn’t mind one bit; in fact, their parents found it utterly sweet.

But when he heard Amira cry during their doctor’s visit, it shattered Carlos’s heart. As a six-month-old, she needed her vaccinations promptly. Like any other baby, Amira wailed when the needle pricked her tiny arm.

The worst part? Carlos felt utterly helpless. His Mamá explained that it was crucial for Amira’s safety to receive all her vaccinations. But he couldn’t bear to hear his sister’s heart-wrenching sobs any longer. Tearfully, he turned to the doctor: “Senora Doctora, can’t you give my sister something else? She’s in so much pain.” He cradled Amira in his arms, holding her like a precious teddy bear.

The doctor and his Mamá exchanged a knowing look. “I’m afraid not, little Señor Carlos,” the doctor replied gently. “However, when we’re done here, little Amira will be protected from all the illnesses out there.” Carlos’s eyes searched hers. “Promise?” he asked. “Promise,” she assured him.

And so, with that solemn vow, Carlos held his sister close, knowing that her well-being was worth every tear shed during those necessary vaccinations.

Stupid Boys Ah, the complexities of sibling dynamics and growing up! Young Carlos found himself in a predicament when his six-year-old sister, Amira, casually dropped the bombshell: “My boyfriend Diego colored me a picture.” Carlos’s reaction was nothing short of dramatic: “Wait, what? What do you mean your boyfriend? Gatita, you’re only six years old!” His protective instincts kicked in, and he couldn’t fathom the idea of his baby sister having a boyfriend already. Before he could say anything else, his sister ran to her older sisters.

Throughout dinner, Carlos attacked his peas with more aggression than necessary. His Mamá, ever observant, asked, “Carlos, what’s wrong, aye? What did the peas do to you?” Blanka, the family joker, chimed in: “Maybe he saw himself in the reflection.” Ana and Amira erupted into giggles, and their father had to intervene with a stern “Girls.”

But Carlos couldn’t let it go. “Amira, you don’t need a boyfriend yet,” he nearly whined. The simultaneous “Boyfriend?” from his parents revealed their differing perspectives. His Mamá seemed delighted, while his Papá sounded more serious. And his sisters? Well, they “uhhhh”-ed in unison.

Amira spilled the beans about Diego, and the whole family listened intently. At the end of her story, their father weighed in: “Your brother is right, mija. You’re too young.” A secret wink followed towards Carlos, and Carlos felt a surge of validation. His father had his back.

As his sisters continued to protest to Papá about the perceived unfairness, Carlos realized that if his sisters were a team with Mamá, he was definitely part of Team Papá.

Easter Bunny Each year his sisters and Carlos would have a sleepover the night before Easter. Carlos, the protective big brother, found himself in a delightful predicament. As he grew older, the magic of Easter began to fade, but for his little sisters, it remained alive and well. They still believed in the Easter Bunny, and their excitement was contagious.

So, when Carlos was abruptly woken up at 5 am on Easter morning, he found all three of his sisters staring at him with wide eyes. Panic filled the room as they whispered about scary noises—perhaps robbers invading their home. Blanca’s sentence hung in the air, unfinished, when another noise echoed through the house.

Carlos knew the truth, of course. It wasn’t robbers; it was their Papá, stealthily placing Easter presents on the staircase. But he couldn’t spoil the magic for his sisters. Instead, he played along: “Dios mío, it’s the Easter Bunny!” Their faces turned toward him, eyes wide with wonder. “Really?” Ana whispered. “Mhm,” Carlos confirmed, “but we have to go back to sleep. Otherwise, the bunny might hop away without leaving our presents.”

Ana and Blanca scrambled to his sides, burrowing under the blanket. Carlos gently lifted little Amira and settled her on his chest. “Now sleep, you three,” he intimated his best Carlos Sainz Sr. voice. And in that moment, surrounded by his sisters, he felt the weight of his promise—the protector of their childhood magic.

Carlos truly was the best big brother out there, weaving enchantment and love into their shared memories.

[petpluto]

I hate the Xander-Willow cheating plot line in season 3 as much as anyone, but I can’t help but feel like it also makes complete sense.

Xander and Willow (and Jesse, forever ignored by the narrative) were friends long before Buffy showed up in Sunnydale. Willow talks about how they haven’t always been as close in The Pack, but they have been a distinct and present part of each other’s lives since close to when they began forming memories they would take to adulthood. Xander stole Willow’s Barbie when they were five. Xander thought Willow set a fire to get him fire trucks when he turned seven. These are people who were as enmeshed in each other’s lives as people can be. And they both feel it slipping away. I think Xander is conscious of it in a way Willow isn’t, what with his “who am I going to call every night, and talk about what we did all day” revelation in Becoming. Willow, his Willow, wakes up and calls for Oz.

And Willow? She gets mad Xander is with Cordelia, and a large part of it is her crush and a part of it is their We Hate Cordelia Club. But part of it is, I think, the fact that they are no longer the people who call each other every night to talk about what they did all day. They used to be the kind of inseparable friends who had (almost) no secrets between them, crushes and abuse not withstanding. And now, there is a space between them. And that space comes from growing up, but I can see where growing up in this way, for these two characters in particular, is painful. And that particular pain of this particular loss can be interpreted by teenagers as romantic affection.

I ache for you now that you’re not around - it must be love. I see you in formalware, and I remember you’re going to be with someone who isn’t me. The space that used to be mine now belongs to that someone else. And instead of recognizing it as the normal pangs when your relationship is no longer the *most* important, Xander and Willow assume it’s attraction.

It also explains how (and why) their dalliance disappears the second they’re caught. Because they love each other, and they want that closeness back; but the loss of their partners - the people they actually romantically love - throws those feelings into sharp relief. They know they don’t love each other in the way they assumed, but only when it’s too late (for Xander, anyway).

And I hate to bring it back to their families, but I do think a huge part of what makes Willow “Willow”, and Xander “Xander”, and Willow and Xander a “Willow and Xander” is the fact that Willow is neglected by her parents and Xander is abused by his. It must be that much more frightening to feel like you’re losing the person who loves you unconditionally, who pays attention to you, who stands up for you and checks on you and constantly makes space for you in their life. Xander depends on Willow’s care, and Willow depends on Xander’s attention and protection. Losing that, for these potentially ephemeral high school relationships, would be it’s own kind of horror.

Like I said, I do hate this development, and I do think there are more reasons than just the above (Willow has wanted Xander for so long; Willow has felt overlooked for the Cordelias (and Buffys) of the world and now she is being chosen; Xander is jealous of Oz and possessive of Willow). But the above makes sense to me, character-wise. It’s not what I would have done to make room for Cordelia to leave, but it’s not outside the bounds of who Xander and Willow are, in these moments.

[twigg96]

Into the Darkness, I become Stronger

Daryl X Injured! Reader

Time frame: The Prison (Slight Cannon Divergence)

Pronouns: She/her, You, Your, [Y/N]

Warnings: Blood, Gunshot, Kidnapping, Hostage situation, swearing, POV switching, Nonsexual intimacy, Sexual Intimacy,

Summary: When you and Phoenix go out to pick Elderberries for the Prison, a man from another group attacks you and knocks you out. Dragging you to a clearing in the woods he makes his demands. He wants to know about the prison and claims he and his people don't want to hurt anyone, but will in order to survive. He claims they need weapons and in order to get them... he's taking your daughter Phoenix as collateral.

It was just supposed to be a simple foraging expedition. Nothing major so you had only brought your knife and a few buckets to carry the berries in. Nothing you've never done on your own before. Hell even before the turn you had done this. You and Hershel had noticed the Elder Berry bushes growing near a creek several days prior on your way back to the prison after a walk to clear some of the walkers that had piled against the fence. You were fairly certain you were still visible from those on watch at the prison… you never would have left by yourself if you hadn’t been sure. You most certainly would never have taken Phoenix with you if you had known what was about to happen. But now, bound and gagged you glared at the attacker who snuck up so easily on you both. Who hit you while your back was turned and slung you over his shoulder like you were a sack of potatoes. The same asshole who played and talked so easily to your too trusting four-year old daughter... You sat watching on wondering if and when the others would take notice of your absence. How long had it been now? 10 minutes? Four hours? God time felt like an eternity yet moving so fast you couldn’t comprehend it. “Why is my momma tied up and bleedin'?” Phoenix asked timidly, her voice dripping with a fear that broke through your thoughts and brought you back to reality. A bead of sweat dripped down your face mixing with the blood from your fresh wounds that stung the cut as you watched her with worried eyes. “Because…” the man muttered, pulling Phoenix’s attention back towards himself as he handed her a fully clothed Barbie with matted blonde hair. It was a toy she refused to part with after her father returned home with it several months ago. Poor Barbie somehow managed to end up naked with no hopes of getting dressed by herself or your daughter. It was always up to the adults to help her change the doll into her new more fashionable outfit Phoenix had stored in her pockets and backpack. Your captor… while patient with Phoenix, seemed to also be having fun at your expense. He was watching you intensely, grinning at the way your tears intermingled with the blood that flowed from the fresh wound at your temple. “You’re mommy doesn’t like to listen.” The man muttered standing to his full height. He was tall... taller than you had initially thought, putting to rest any ideas you had of simply taking him down from where you sat. He had a long scar covering the left side of his face that crawled down his throat and a tattoo of an anchor on his left calf. Walking around your daughter you watched him carefully as he glared hatefully into your eyes once he was hidden behind her back. “You see,” the man paused as if to think about his words, placing his hands on either one of Phoenix's shoulders before speaking again. “I really needed to know something important. But your mommy doesn’t want to talk. She tried to hurt me.” The man growled indicating to his limp and stab wound he bore in his right thigh that just missed his artery. Lucky bastard got off easy. “So…” the man muttered, pulling his pistol from his hostler he pointed the gun at the back of Phoenix’s head. “I thought a time out after a real long walk would help mommy want to talk. If not… there is always… incentive.”

The clicking of the hammer sent icy chills down your spine. Your eyes widened and it was as if time itself was at a standstill. Every dust particle that blew past your face, every leaf that tumbled in the wind, every hair that stuck to your skin, every bead of sweat that dripped from your face seemed to stop in time as you stared at the man holding the gun to your daughter's head. Phoenix was a ghostly pale color as she realized exactly what was going on. Her terrified gaze trained on you waiting for you to tell her what to do next. You could only hope that someone was nearby... that the unfamiliar area to you was only slightly off the beaten path of the normal route your husband took when out on a run and he would find you if no one else would. But the silence of the woods was deafening. Swallowing the thick lump in your throat you shook your head, letting the fat tears you were holding back fall to your thighs. "Awe come on now darlin'." God you hated the way that word fell so easily out of that bastard's mouth. "Don't cry over something that ain't happened yet. You can prevent this. Just think long and hard about how many people you got in your camp... How many people ya love there... Ya don't want them to get hurt. So when I come over to ya and remove your gag. I want ya to tell me just what all you got in your camp. How many weapons and bullets. How many people. How much food... water. And tell me the truth... Because if you lie... trust me... we'll find out about it." You nodded in compliance, the sick feeling of fearful shivers coursing through your body making you feel weak. As the man stepped towards you, the barrel of his gun remained trained on Phoenix's head. "Don't worry sweetheart. Just keep playin' with yer dolls." He muttered, softly turning his attention to you as he pulled the coarse material from your mouth. "Now talk." You wanted to scream... to fight back. To break the bonds that held you like the superhero your daughter believed you were and defeat the evil that currently held you. But you knew better. Any retaliation would result in her death. He had the advantage. So you lied. Strategically. "W-we don't have much..." You muttered, your voice gruff and cracking due to fear and thirst. "Well I want to know about what you do have not what you don't." The man growled. You nodded glancing at your daughter before continuing. "We have about eight people... and maybe a gun for each person..." You lied straight through your teeth. The prison was well fortified with weapons Rick and the others had found before the fall of Woodbury. There were lots of people now too. A whole community. Phoenix's uncle Merle. Her father, Daryl. Everyone you cared about. You weren't about to sacrifice them all when you had a chance to outwit this guy... And the man seemed to buy it. Nodding along with every word. "So only eight people and eight guns to clear out the entire prison?" He asked seriously. You shook your head no. Another lie. "No. We have just been living in one of the smaller cell blocks. It was too difficult to clear anything more. Too many walkers." The man hummed looking from you to the ground in thought as if he was considering your words carefully. "Alright... tell your people we want six of your weapons." He growled turning the barrel of his gun on you now. "We'll let you have two for self defense... living in a prison must be dangerous especially with a little one." He muttered looking back at Phoenix with a soft gaze. Stepping around you, the man pulled out a knife and cut the bonds that held your hands. Your wrists were red and raw as you held them in front of yourself, rubbing them gingerly. "Luckily for you, you won't need to worry about her tonight." The man's words cut deep and sent another wave of sick fear through you. Looking up you watched as he held a hand out to your daughter who looked frozen in place. "Come on sweetie. It's time to pack up and go. Mommy has business to attend to. She'll come get you in the morning. We get to have a sleep over."

It was instinctual. You moved to fast to your feet and stumbled, your body too weak from the blow it had taken earlier and your blood not ready to pump so fast. It made your vison falter and fade, darkening as if you were about to pass out. Pain. Pain was all you felt after the shockingly loud bang of the gunshot. Pain that radiated through your left leg and up into your core. Pain that was all consuming and powerful. You didn't even realize you were screaming until the ringing in your ears had subsided. "I really didn't want you to do that..." The man growled stepping up to where you laid, holding tightly to Phoenix's wrist as she tugged hard to get away. "But I guess we can say we're kind of even now... right?" He hissed pulling your daughter, your world out of sight, her screams echoing in your tired mind as your vison went in and out of focus until suddenly you were seeing and hearing nothing at all. Visons of your life played on repeat in your mind like flashes in a movie theater. Your first ever memory. Your favorite memory with a sibling. Your first pet. The first time you met your husband Daryl as a young teen in high school. Skipping behind the bleachers with him during prep rallies and school assemblies just to talk and share things with each other you couldn't with anyone else... which eventually evolved into sweet secretive kisses. The first time you touched each other sensually. The night he proposed under the light of the full moon near the lake you both more time at than your homes. The day you both eloped deciding that traditional marriage was too... well traditional for you both. The day you told him you were pregnant and the day you both realized how scared of the future you both were. The day you told Merle and the way your husband's brother's face lit up as he touched your tummy and felt Phoenix kick against his hand. The day you gave birth. The moment everything changed and you realized that you hadn't known real fear until the turn. Blinking awake you winced at the pain that still ebbed through your entire body. You had so much to live for. So much to fight for... You didn't know how long you were out but you refused to let yourself give up there. Crawling to your feet you stood on shaky legs and began to stumble in the direction of where you believed the road could be. The sun was falling low in the sky and you knew darkness would soon follow. You only hoped Daryl would be home when you got there.

Hours passed before you ever reached a paved road that looked vaguely familiar. But you were sure to use your knife to carve symbols on trees that you passed so that you could get back to the spot you were at when you left to make the trade the next morning. Trade... God the word made you sick and brought a vile taste to your mouth. Trade was a word for goods and services... not humans and children... The sky had just turned dark and the moon had risen in the sky by the time you reached the prison gates. The walkers that had piled up were taken care of in the beginning of the night so as you approached you simply waited for whoever was on duty to open the gates. It didn't take long for Carl to come running over. "[Y/N]!" He screamed pulling the chain with a small grunt letting you quite literally tumble into the prison grounds with a soft whine. You felt his warm hands on your shoulders then heard the boy curse for the first time. You wanted to laugh but the pain was simply overwhelming. "[Y/N] where's Phoenix?" He asked panic dripping from his voice. But you could only sob. "I- Daryl." You got out. "I need Daryl." You gasped, trying to stand as a disheveled Glenn and Maggie came sprinting from the guard tower. "Jesus what happened?!" Maggie screamed rushing to your side. Carl shook his head. "Don't know... I'm going to get Hershel and my dad." He muttered sprinting off to the prison door. "Where's Daryl? I need Daryl." You whined, doubling over on yourself and falling to your knees as you tried to walk up the steep incline to the prison. "[Y/N]! Please be careful!" Maggie cried trying to assess your wounds. "Daryl? He's inside right now, I can get him for you if you need me too." Glenn offered and with a small nod he sprinted up the hill.

Daryl's POV~~~

It was quiet inside the prison. Eerily so. Daryl couldn't get a wink of sleep without you and Phoenix by his side. So instead he focused on sharpening the points of his arrows as he sat on the mattress he shared with you and your daughter up in the loft. Merle perched himself on the top step leaning on the railing. He seemed busy sharpening his own knife but Daryl knew better. He knew Merle was keeping an eye on him. Making sure he was ok with you gone, with you missing for so long. "So ya say this place has a stocked kitchen?" Merle asked softly, adjusting the way his right foot rested against the opposite railway. Daryl hummed providing a swift nod in response. "Think that wife of yours will make us hotcakes like she used to when she gets back?" Daryl blinked looking up at Merle's shit eating grin. Shaking his head he couldn't help but chuckle. He knew Merle was joking but he could still tell Merle was worried about you. "I'm sure if you ask nicely she will." Daryl muttered, placing his arrow back in it's quiver. Merle nodded smiling brightly at Daryl. "Good... I missed havin' hotcakes."

The loud unexpected bang of the front door to the prison slamming open shook Daryl into action. Jumping to the edge of the loft he peered down at Carl who was trying to catch his breath. Walking through the hall of the prison he adjusted his hat on his head as he stuck his head in his dad's cell and a few words were uttered which Daryl couldn't quite catch. As Carl got closer now with Judith in his arms Daryl leaned down catching out of the corner of his eye as Merle hoisted himself up to stand along side him. He watched Carl pop into Hershel and Beth's cell and he thought... for a moment he was dropping the tike off for a while as he and Rick went to deal with something... but as Rick stepped out of the cell and bolted out of the prison and Carl followed suite with Hershel hot on his heels, Daryl got a sick uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Jogging down the steps of the loft, he heard Merle huff but knew he wouldn't say much in protest. Not when it was you and Phoenix out there... not when so much was at stake. Glenn met him at the bottom of the steps, a grim expression and blood covering his hands. "Daryl..." He muttered softly. Dread filled Daryl's soul as he shook his head. "Hey... Let me go first..." Merle muttered softly, placing his hand on Daryl's shoulder. In a strange way it was grounding to know Merle was there. To know that if... if what he thought could possibly be outside Merle would handle it. Because Daryl knew deep in his soul he couldn't do it. He wasn't Rick... He couldn't handle it alone. As Glenn glared at his older brother something snapped inside himself. "He doesn't need you, Merle." Glenn hissed. Merle huffed but backed off like a dog scolded. "Hey! Don't fuckin' tell him nothin'!" Daryl growled stepping into Glenn's face. He knew he was in the wrong. He knew he was out of line. But his emotions were high. He'd ask for forgiveness later. Letting Merle skirt past him he kept his face as stoic as he could hold it as he walked passed Glenn and he followed his elder brother out into the yard to face his fear. Light shined down on Hershel and Rick as they examined the crumpled body of a woman laying in the yard. Beaten... battered... bleeding and broken... With no child... no Phoenix. Daryl wanted to scream. To cry. To break. Not his little girl... not his Phoenix. Not their baby... Not when he fought so hard to get them here. Not after everything he's seen. Not after Sophia... He couldn't loose her. He felt himself freeze for a moment. Hoping... praying that maybe if it happened if she was bit, you took care of it. He couldn't do it. But as you screamed out the doctor pulling a bloody rag from your leg he knew now wasn't the time to freeze or break down. [Y/N] needed him. His fucking wife needed him right fucking now. Daryl ran to your side as fast as he could his heart shattering as he every whimper and scream you uttered.

Your POV~~~~

You watched as Maggie poured some of the water from her canteen onto an old rag she held. Gently she swiped the now dried blood from your face before ushering you to lay flat in the grass. "I need ta look at your leg." She said softly, lifting your leg onto her own folded ones as she sat cross legged. Her fingers skimmed the underside of your thigh and with a sigh she shook her head as Rick came into view. "How is she?" He asked kneeling beside you he lit an oil lamp that was much too bright for the headache you didn't realize you had until now. Maggie shook her head but didn't say a word simply holding pressure to your leg as looked over other parts of your bruised body. "Rick..." You tried to talk but he shushed you placing a cool wet cloth across your forehead and his knees under your head. "Just rest..." He whispered softly, his fingers rubbing circles into your temples and easing the migraine. Although he looked around, the question was never asked of where Phoenix was and it killed you. Carl and Hershel were by your side before you knew it, Merle and Daryl not far behind. Like the blink of an eye and you had to wonder if you passed out or if they really were just fast. You couldn't hold back your emotions anymore at the sight of your husband. He looked like he was holding on by a thread. "Good evening [Y/N]." Hershel muttered, squeezing your free hand softly, letting Daryl take it from him as your husband took his place beside Rick. "How is she?" Hershel asked Maggie as he slowly knelt to the ground beside you. God that question was really starting to get old... Maggie shook her head once more. "She's got a lot of superficial cuts and nicks. But she was shot in the leg... it's still bleeding and didn't go the whole way through." She said confidently. "Holy... who the fuck shot ya?" Merle growled. You couldn't see him from over everyone else's head's but from the sound of it, he was pacing in frustration. A Dixon trait. "I-I don't know." You said softly finally letting the tears fall and sobs let loose. Covering your face with your arm you let yourself sob openly. "[Y/N]. You need to calm down." Maggie instructed pressing down on your leg harder to stop the flow of new blood. You could feel Daryl squeezing your hand and leaving soft wet kisses as his own tears met the back of your hand with fears that went unsaid. "Daryl I-I'm so sorry." You managed to whisper, pulling back your arm to meet his blue eyes. You felt your husband tense in your grasp but kept speaking. You had to let him know... "He took her. He took her before I could do anything-" Rick shuffled beneath you and you watched as he and Daryl shared a look. "He? What do ya mean he? The Governor?" Merle asked in rapid fire succession. You softly shook your head. "No... I- I don't know. He came at us from behind. Says he's in a group but I didn't get a name from him... I don't think their big. And I don't think they know about the prison." You said looking up at Rick. "He wanted to know about what we had. What weaponry... food... people." Meeting Daryl's worried eyes you continued. "He never hurt Phoenix. Not that I could see... He's using her as a bargaining chip. He wants six guns, I told him we only had eight. So he said we can keep two. He wants to... trade for her at the same spot he held her and I today." Daryl seemed to relax only slightly, taking a deep breath he leaned close to you, kissing your forehead gently and caressing your cheek softly. "Ya did good, Sunshine. Ya got home. Now let me take care of bringin' our baby home." His breath was but a whisper on your skin but it felt so soft and comforting all the same.

Hershel sighed pulling his kit closer to himself. "Do you think it hit bone?" He asked seriously. "Maybe." Maggie hummed moving her body up to take your hand down. "Ok. [Y/N]. I'm not gonna lie... this is gonna hurt like the dickens." Hershel muttered, lifting a pair of long and thin clamps. Handing a piece of leather to Maggie he sighed. "Put it in her mouth so she doesn't break her teeth." He murmured, pulling out a small metal dish to put the pieces of the bullet into. You had thought childbirth was bad. It was. But maybe only marginally worse than this. Hershel poured alcohol into the bullet wound to clean it out, fishing little bits of debris he found with the extra long clamps. You had thought when it all began that there would be a few pieces of bullet shrapnel in your leg. But now you understood that there was dirt, wood, and grass from your hike as well as the shrapnel. Worst of all the shrapnel refused to simply be pulled away from your wound, being melded with you either in your bone and having to be picked out one by one, or was so deep that Hershel nicked nerve every time he moved. You screamed and begged for a break, tears streaming down your face but he couldn't stop and risk loosing a piece in you, risk giving you lead poisoning, a lethal infection, or allow the metals in the bullet to seep in and give you cancer over time. As the moon rose to its position to it's peak in the sky, Hershel pulled the last piece of metal, holding it high in the air. "Ah... there it is." He said loudly to the relief of your family who had gathered. Maggie wiped the sweat that gathered on your brow. Rick, Daryl, and Merle had long since left your side. They hadn't strayed far. Just a few feet away to talk in peace about what you could only assume was the fate of Phoenix. Rick was looking forlornly at you as Carl, Glenn and Maggie all did their best to hoist you to your feet without making you sick.

Wrapping an arm around Glenn's shoulder's you pointed to your husband's direction. "I need ta talk to them before we go in." You muttered. Slowly the two of you made your way over to the group of men. Daryl was the first to turn to you both taking you from Glenn's arms into his own he hoisted you princess style despite your protests that you could in fact stand. "Bull shit... shouldn't be walkin' on that leg." He muttered laying a kiss on your temple. "[Y/N]." Rick said softly stepping forward. "We need ta know where ya were at when he attacked you... and where he took ya." You nodded and pointed in the direction of the elderberry grove you had been foraging earlier. "He attacked me over next to the creek in the elderberries." You stated watching as Rick grow serious and cock a brow. 'That's impossible... whoever was on guard duty should have seen you." He huffed, crossing his arms across his chest defensively. Staring back you shrugged. "Rick... I'm just telling you what happened. I don't know who all was on duty today but they didn't see us. So maybe that's a blind spot we didn't know existed until now or-" Rick shook his head glaring at no one in particular. "It's not a blind spot I can see that area on duty all the time..." You tilted your head, repositioning your hold on your husband's shoulders. "So what are you saying Rick?" You asked not trying to piss off the ex-cop further than you had to. Rick shrugged shaking his head, that wild faraway look coming back into his eyes. That one that just screamed that he wasn't all there. "I-I don't know... maybe someone in here is planning something with someone... out there." He hissed pointing exaggeratedly to the D Block then to the Elderberry bushes. Daryl shuffled you in his arms a worried look falling on his face as he looked between you and Merle who simply seemed far too understanding for the situation. "We ain't sain' that ain't a possibility... but [Y/N] said-" Daryl tried to explain once more. But Rick had shut down. It was clear in his eyes. "Hey! What we all need is rest... In the mornin' [Y/N] can lead us back to where ever we need ta be with six guns and a hell of a lot more with a group of us hidden in the bushes. Shit goes south we blow 'em away." Merle suggested. Rick sighed running a hand through his hair. "Yeah... lets just sleep on it and talk in the morning."

Daryl carried you slowly up the hill to the prison. The lamp and medical supplies were all cleaned by Maggie, Hershel, and Glenn. You made a mental note to thank them in the morning after you got Phoenix back. Merle walked side by side with Daryl. His gaze was firmly on your wounded form, scanning you for anything the doctor and his daughter could have missed. "Ya know this doesn't excuse you from makin' Daryl, Nix and I hotcakes right?" He teased smirking at you. The rumble in Daryl's chest was contagious as you both laughed, pressing your face into his neck. "Damn, Merle... you're right... if we make a pit stop on the way home tomorrow from picking Phoenix up, I'll even make elderberry hotcakes. How's that sound?" Merle smiled so contently and you couldn't blame him. Even though you knew this conversation was all a joke... that you didn't really have all the ingredients for your famous hotcakes... it was nice to pretend for a moment that in the midst of hell there was a moment of normalcy. "I think we can make that happen, little sister." Merle hummed reaching over with his good hand to squeeze your shoulder lightly.

The three of you stopped outside of the door to the prison, Daryl leaned against the concrete walls having placed you down, for the moment to smoke a cigarette before going in. He placed you gently in between his legs as he leaned against the brick wall of the prison, letting you lean your body against his own. You almost felt like you were highschoolers again... almost. Daryl combed through your hair with his free hand glancing down at your injured leg once in a while to make sure you were keeping it propped or up as he instructed. The smell of his cigarette wafted in the wind as he took a shaky breath listening to the first birds of early dawn sing their songs. Merle however. Merle paced back and forth out of sight of the metal door. He looked agitated and anxious. "Daryl I'm telling you..." He muttered, his voice a mere whisper. "I think Rick is to blame for this." You shifted uncomfortably against your husband's chest, not really appreciating the outfield accusation. But you had your suspicions too. Daryl however... Daryl was silent. The hand that was combing through your hair moved to wrap protectively around your waist, pulling you tight to his chest. There was a tenseness you could feel in his actions. He trusted Rick and was still loyal to him. And you knew he didn't want to risk that trust and loyalty for anything... but that was his little girl out there... not Judith or Carl. Not that it would have changed things if it were... for Daryl. As if on instinct Daryl caressed your tummy with his thumb missing the baby that was once there. You felt him shift nervously behind you pulling your body with him so that you didn't fall. "Dunno..." Daryl muttered finally taking an extra long drag of his cigarette. "Think it's horse shit that we aint out there right now lookin' fer her though." Daryl growled. Merle sighed running his hand through his thinning hair. "Nix can kick some ass if she needs... she's strong like her daddy and momma. She can make it through the night." He muttered holding his prosthetic out in the moonlight. "And if there's a single scratch on that girl I swear none of them men will have any balls left to show for it..." Nodding you glared hatefully at the elderberry bushes as if they had done you wrong themselves. "I think we should ride out once light breaks and try to get a leg up on the situation..." You muttered. You could feel the low rumble in Daryl's chest as he hummed lovingly squeezing you before laying a sweet kiss to the top of your head then your lips. "Nah... You're gonna stay here, sunshine. Get yer rest. We'll need ya later in the day." The taste of his his cigarette permeated the kiss. But you didn't mind... you never did. "That bein' said..." He muttered, flicking his cigarette off to the side before hoisting you into his arms once more. "Lets get you to bed."

Daryl had been kind enough to carry you to the shower room to help clean you up and with a little assistance he helped you take a shower, being sure to keep your new sutures and gunshot wound as dry as he physically could as the two of you bathed together. As weird as it was... it was oddly romantic standing in the prison shower stall alone together with Daryl. The full moonlight cascading on both of your wet bodies detailing every detail of each of you. Even in the darkness of the night you could clearly see the shampoo suds sliding from the top of Daryl's crown, down his toned body as he rinsed his head under the water, letting you hold the button down to release more hot water for him. He softly massaged your back with one of the many clean washcloths and helped to clean your body of any dry blood that Maggie may have missed, being extra delicate when touching upon one of your wounds. "Damn, baby." His whispered voice echoed through the large bathroom. "Bastard really clocked you good." Daryl hummed softly, worry dripping into every word as he massaged shampoo into your own hair, being extra gentle with the newly formed knot that he found that made you hiss and pull away. His worried blue eyes followed you as you leaned back to rinse your hair in the stream of water. "It'll heal." You muttered softly closing your eyes to keep the suds from falling into your eyes. The feeling of his fingers intertwining with your hair relaxed you under the stream of the water. The scratching of his nails on your scalp was welcome and inviting on a day like today. "Tell me if I hurt ya." He muttered. He was always so sweet and soft with you. Sitting up when your hair ran clear you wrapped your arms around Daryl's neck and shoulders kissing him fully, lovingly, completely. Pulling you into his lap Daryl deepened the kiss. Sliding your uninjured leg across his body you straddled his hips getting comfortable with him between your legs. Kissing down the length of your neck Daryl left sweet possessive hickies, his hands traveling from your waist to your back before landing on your chest. You don't know if it was because another man had laid hands on you, if it was a distraction from the fact Phoenix was still out there, or if it was because you were hurt. But Daryl had never been more gentle with you in your relationship when it came to sex before. Bouncing you gently he insisted that you allow him to do most of the work, his breathing hitched as you clenched around him when he found your most sensitive parts. Holding you close to his chest he let your foreheads rest against one another's as you rocked against him, your nails digging into his shoulders as your moans echoed across the bathroom walls. Even as your emotions overflowed and tears fell during, Daryl wiped them away with calloused thumbs, taking the time to insure that you were ok before he continued, kissing your shoulders, your neck, your cheek just to let you know how loved you were and that everything would be ok. His fingers ghosted across your skin feeling the goose pimples that rose there, letting you scratch his biceps as you reached your climax, watching as your head lulled and fell into his shoulder to hide your screams of pleasure only allowing himself to finish inside you once he was certain you had finished yours.

You had thought after having the day you just had, having to take two showers and having mind blowing sex you would have fallen to sleep immediately. But that was the farthest from the truth. That night was the longest of your life. Neither of you slept a single wink. Instead when Daryl laid you down in your shared loft bed, fully clothed and mostly dried you two simply stared at the window. Holding each other as tight as the other could stand you both angled yourselves to watch the sunrise literally counting the minutes until you both could run out in search of your daughter. Daryl's finger's skated along your back and through your hair as yours traveled the length of his chest and abs. "Do you remember when we took Phoenix to the pool for the first time?" Daryl suddenly asked. Looking up into his eyes you noticed they looked far away and distant. You nodded smiling as you allowed yourself to lay your head on your husband's chest. "Yeah. She was so perplexed by her little swimsuit and swimming diaper." You giggled thinking about how when Merle held her for the picture she peed all over him. "Yeah... we put her little feet in the pool and she screamed so loud I thought for sure the chemicals had burned her." Daryl chuckled his hand now combing through your wet hair. "She was always a little drama llama." You giggled kissing Daryl's chest. "Yeah... but once we put her in her Minnie Mouse floaties she took off and no one could catch her... she lived in the water." Daryl laughed, physically having to cover his mouth to stifle the laugh and keep from waking the others. You nodded feeling a sick unidentifiable dread fill your chest as you wrapped your arms around him. Tears slipped down your cheeks and although you tried your damnedest to keep it down a sob escaped your lips. "Yeah... she always loved to swim." You hiccupped through the sobs. Daryl was silent, but the way his body shook you could tell he was crying too. "We'll make a pool here... so she can swim here one day..." Daryl huffed out through a strangled sob and you couldn't help but curl tighter into his chest, burying your face in his shirt. Bawling harder than you can remember you grasped at his shirt gasping his shirt you tried to keep silent, and for the most part you were successful. Even when Daryl urged you to cry openly, to fuck them all and their sleep. But it was your sleep that won over in the end after all of your emotions drained you dry.

The sun was high in the sky when you woke and instantly you wanted to throw up with fear and anxiety. Jolting out of bed you cried out in pain, nearly falling down the stairs, catching yourself on the rail with a clash. "[Y/N]?!" Carol cried out rushing up the stairs to help you down. Tears rolled down your cheeks as sobs ripped through you. "Where's Daryl? Did they-" You tried asking but Carol cut you off pulling you into a tight hug once she got you down the stairs. "He's outside. They didn't leave yet... He just wanted you to get your rest before you all went out later." You nodded resting back against the wall. "I know you may not feel hungry... but you should eat." Carol muttered sliding a bowl of oatmeal in your direction. To be honest just looking at the food made you feel sick. But as you picked up the spoon with a shaky hand and took a bite you suddenly realized just how hungry you were. Pulling the plastic bowl closer you took large bites. "Thank you. I didn't realize I was hungry." You muttered once you had finished the entire bowl. Carol nodded smiling somberly. "I... felt similarly when Soph was missing." She confided leave it at that you didn't dare pry or let yourself dwell of any possibilities too much. The sliding of the metal door drew your attention away from dark and depressing as Daryl and Merle stepped in. "Good. Sleeping beauty is awake." Merle teased winking at you. Daryl rolled his eyes and sighed walking over to lift you into his arms. "Ya ready, sunshine?" he asked. With an uncertain nod he carried you outside. Daryl sat you in the passenger seat of the car as everyone grouped up to chat. "So are you sure he said to meet for this time?" Hershel asked you, pointing to the sky you had indicated when telling them earlier. The question merely made you doubt yourself and the placement the sun was in the sky when you were attacked. But you nodded and pointed to where it was based on what you could see before you passed out. "Alright..." Rick muttered running his hands through his hair. "We got an hour before we gotta be there... [Y/N] said she marked the trail. We look for the marks on the side of the road and go from there." Rick muttered watching Glenn and Carl pack the six "guns" into the car for transfer. "Daryl you ride with [Y/N], Merle, and Glenn to the trade site. Carl, Hershel, Carol, Maggie, and I will be in another car parked on the road we'll watch you all enter the trade site and make sure there are no unwanted followers. Maggie and Carol will follow first to set up. I will be close behind Hershel and Carl will stay in the car as back up in case we need them... Make sense?" He asked looking between everyone making eye contact before nodding sternly. "Alright... lets get Phoenix back.

The ride to the place you were held was absolute hell. Merle would not leave Glenn alone. Glenn would not stop fanning the flames and making Merle want to tease and pick more. Every time you yelled at either one of them you felt like the bad guy. You felt like the mom to two rowdy teens on a long road trip... except you couldn't threaten to turn this car around. No this road trip was too important. As you pulled up to the first of your visible markings you pointed it out to Daryl then reached out the window with your indicator flag you all made out of a florescent orange hunting vest and waved it once to indicate this was the spot. Daryl pulled to the side of the road. The trail was too small for the car to go down, Loading up with as many guns as they each could hold you lead them down the makeshift trail you created. It was so much shorter than you remembered, but the blood from the day before still laid in the field, unchanged and unmoved. Standing at one end of the field you began to feel antsy as you watched the sky. Ten minutes... glancing around you didn't see anything. Not a person scouting the area before hand. Not an animal peeking through the brush. The silence was palpable. Taking Daryls hand in your own you kept your wits about you. You didn't want to seem too vulnerable with Phoenix's captors... but you neither of you could do this alone. Looking up at the sky they were now officially late. You stood stock still. Listening for any sign of movement. Had you gotten the place wrong? The time? Anxiety washed over you as the silence continued to prevail only interupted by the small snapping of twigs as Rick settled in his place nearby. There were now twenty minutes late... despite Glenn's constant pleas to stay optimistic. "Maybe they hit traffic... or they had an emergency." You never felt more nervous and sick in your life. The bickering between Merle and Glenn slowly but surely started once more and the tenseness that your husband held in his body the night before slowly returned. Twenty minutes turned to thirty which turned to fifty as Carl came out to find his dad. You had gone to the corner of the field and vomited twice in this time and were just starting to begin to give up hope when an hour and a half rolled around. "Maybe... we should come up with a plan B..." Rick's voice tore through the silence and through your emotions. Taking what felt like the first breath since you arrived you began to hyperventilate shaking your head. "N-No..." you whispered running your hands through your hair. You had seen enough 48 hours before to know you didn't have time to come up with another plan... This was your plan...

Just as you felt you might melt into oblivion a sudden loud crash through the brush caught everyone's attention. Within a second everyone had their weapon's drawn and pointed at the noise. The brush on the side where the man was to bring Phoenix shook and swayed. "Come out slowly and we won't shoot!" Rick ordered cocking his pistol. The bush suddenly stopped shaking and a small whimper came from within it. "Wait. I'm stuck Uncle Rick." You thought for a moment, you were going to pass out. Lowering your gun you holstered it limping forward. "Phoenix?!" You cried out desperately. "I'm here momma!" She cried stumbling out of the briars with a little whimper. To your horror and awe, Phoenix was covered in blood. Standing midway in the field you stared at your little girl. Her body painted in blood. Slowly she looked up at you, her blue eyes meeting yours as a twisted grin reached her face. "I used the knife daddy gave me." She said proudly holding out the small pocket knife Daryl had given her to use in dire emergencies. "I used it just like Aunt Carol taught me and I remembered how to get here... I was hoping you'd still be here!" She squealed happily running up to you. The horrific realization that, your daughter had most likely killed men and faced the undead hit you like a brick in the stomach. But as you knelt down in the dry puddle of your own blood swiping away any of the blood that was still damp looking for wounds, scratches and bites. "Did you make sure they wouldn't come back?" You asked seriously, hiding your shaking hands behind her back as you pulled her close to you, holding her close catching Daryl out of the corner of your eye as he moved to kneel beside you both. Your husband's own face was ashen pale as if he himself had seen a ghost. "I did. I stuck them in the head just like aunt Carol said to." Phoenix said handing her little knife over to Daryl to close before hugging him tightly. "Aren't ya proud of me daddy?" She asked excitedly. You watched as Daryl's face morphed from disbelief to stunned shock, rageful hate filled anger at the world for making his little girl experience this, before it landed on acceptance... at least for now. "O-Of course I am baby girl... so, so proud of you. But, I don't want ya to have do this again unless-" She nodded pulling away with a smile. "It's an emergency. I know." She said. "Can we go home now? I feel sticky."

It had been two days since the incident... Daryl refused to go out on runs certain his family wasn't safe unless he was there despite Merle's promise's to keep you and Phoenix safe. You currently sat outside in the courtyard with Carl, Judith, Phoenix and Merle listening to Daryl and Rick's fight. "My daughter had to learn how to put people down damn it!" Your husband screamed. You could hear both Carol and Rick muttering something to him but... Daryl wanted to hear none of it. "I don't give a shit that you were trainin' them Carol!" He bellowed pulling Merle's attention. "Ain't never seen him so pissed." Merle sighed tinkering with his blade. "I did..." You replied, glancing at your brother-in-law. "The day we lost you. He nearly killed Rick then." Merle blinked seeming to think on this as if it were the first time he ever imagined that possibility. "What we should be focusing on is that whoever was on watch didn't see the whole fucking attack that happened just over the god damned gate!" You heard something metal clang against the concrete floor, only assuming that Daryl had resorted to pitching things or clearing the tables with a single swipe. "Sounds like he's about ready to do it again..." Merle joked, swiping a stray piece of hair from your daughter's face. You sighed looking longingly at Phoenix. "We were lucky... I think Daryl realizes that. But the chances of us being lucky again. They're slim Merle." You hummed meeting his gaze. He nodded meeting your gaze from the corner of his eyes. "I know." There was another loud crash that made all of you jump an Judith to cry out. Carl was quick to pick her up and start soothing her. He was best at it, and despite the shit he gave you all, he still was a kid at heart. "Damn it Daryl!" Rick finally yelled back. "I get you're pissed! I do! But throwin' shit around ain't gonna fix the problem!" With a sigh you slowly stood. "I better go stop Daryl before he really looses it." You sigh.

You could hear the fight more clearly as you painfully climbed the hill to the prison block. "Ya can't know there's not more out there Rick! I want to be sure there's no one out there right now lookin' for us." Daryl hissed. Rick sighed nodding. "We can look while we're out on runs but we need you for that Daryl." Your husband shook his head, pacing back and forth. "Nah... not til I know who was on watch when they went missin'. I want to know they can't go on watch no more." Rick shuffled his feet and shook his head. "Look we need all the help we can get..." Daryl seemed to only get more aggravated at that growling before flipping a metal chair... or another chair... you found the reason of the last major crash. Looks like the first chair went through some old wooden creates the prison had. "Bull shit!" Daryl growled pointing at Rick. "Tell me it wasn't you then... you said there's no blind spots there so tell me why it wouldn't be you." He accused walking over to where Rick stood. You watched in horror as Daryl got in Rick's face just like he was in high school itching for a fight. "Guys!" You screamed limping over to the two, catching their attention just before they threw fists. "That's enough!" Daryl huffed backing off but not down. "Well?" He hissed. Rick seemed to be juggling his words carefully before he nodded. "I-I was on duty when it happened..." He admitted. "But I don't remember it at all." You sighed frowning deeply. It was as you feared. "Rick... could you have been on the other side of the prison?" Rick shook his head as Daryl paced back and forth running his hands through his hair a new wave of axiety rushing through him. "So anything could have gotten through or been peeking in while you had an episode?" He growled. Rick sighed obviously frustrated with the way the question was worded so you rephrased it. "So you just go blank for a little while... or is it like something else?" You asked seriously. Rick relaxed a bit. "It's not as bad as when I was... seeing her all the time... I still do... but it's different. I-It's hard to explain." You nodded looking to Daryl. "Maybe we should delegate the patrol duty for a little while... train the newbies? And you can... take a break." You suggested. Hershel nodded, picking up one of the chairs Daryl threw. "You'll still be head just... with less to do." He murmured. Rick sighed. "I always wanted to farm..."

A few hours passed by. You couldn't seem to keep your eyes off of Phoenix. It was still so miraculous to you that she made it back to you at all. That she defied all odds and made it home. You wondered what fresh hell she went through then decided that maybe it was better if you didn't know for now... she would tell you in her own time. Daryl was laying beside her in the bed. You both watched her little sleeping form as if she were the newborn you both brought home from the hospital again. You rubbed sweet circles into her back before curling tight against the two of them. "Our baby is home Daryl." You whispered kissing his lips sweetly. Daryl nodded kissing your forehead. "Went through hell an' back again... but the little demon looks like she thrived there... she looks stronger for it. That normal?" You giggled softly and shrugged. "Dunno... I think so nowadays... Look at Carl." You teased loving the chuckle that tore from your husband's throat. "Yeah I suppose so..." He muttered, pulling you down for another kiss. "I love ya, sunshine. Get some rest."

[omgthatdress]

Re-living my childhood and working on doing a fashion history spam of the American Girl dolls!

Oh my god I can’t begin to tell you what a huge part of my childhood those dolls were. Before I go on, let me clarify my family’s financial circumstance growing up: I was a pretty solidly middle-class only child. I definitely wasn’t rich, but my mom was willing to spend a lot of money on buying me a shitload of American Girl stuff because A.) she thought they were cool, and B.) they provided a much smarter alternative to Barbies. And when I grew up and got too old for them, I was able to give my stuff over to my younger cousins.

Looking at what the brand has to offer now, it’s pretty clear that the brand has changed over time and that the emphasis has gone from the historical dolls to the modern ones. Honestly, that’s not a 100% terrible thing. I fully embrace change as a part of the universe, and if it’s a part of the survival of the brand, so be it. As long as the historical dolls remain in tact and the brand integrity is respected. And for the most part, until very recent years, it looks like it has been.

Mattel bought the American Girl brand in 1998, and from then on, you can see the brand shifting away from the original five dolls. I’m going to get waaay more into this with the spam, but really, the historical dolls until very recently have actually remained pretty great. If there’s one really broad critique I could give, it’s that the overall color palette skews towards the modern, with a lot of very bright colors and a heavy emphasis on pink, but when taken individually, the pieces remain very accurate.

HERE’S THE THING! In 2016, a new historical girl was released: Maryellen, repping the 1950s. She’s blonde and has blue eyes, following shortly on Julie, who repped the 1970s and also had blonde hair and blue eyes. You can kind of see a theme developing here. The girls from the 30s, 50, 70s, 80s, and 90s are all blonde with blue eyes. You’d think that girls in the 20th century were only blondes. But anyway I’m getting away from the point. Maryellen was released with only TWO books! The fuck?! Maryellen’s collection remained the same very immersive collection that I love about the brand, but clearly, shit’s changing.

The next historical dolls, Nenea (repping Hawaii after Pearl Harbor), Melody (repping Black girls, Motown, and civil rights in the 60s), Courtney (repping blonde hair blue eyed girls with 80s nostalgia and very little historical engagement), Claudie, (Black girl in the 1920s Harlem Renaissance) and Isabelle and Nicki (again blonde girls repping 90s nostalgia with little historical engagement) all only have two books. The brand has LITERALLY been diminished. The books were an equally important part of the playset, not only providing context for the garments and objects you were playing with, providing REAL, often complex lessons about history, making history feel real and relatable, but they fleshed out the girls, their lives, and the worlds they lived in. They made what you were playing with more than just a playset, more than just a dollhouse or Barbie accessories, they were a whole universe for girls to explore.

Like I said at the beginning, I didn’t grow up rich. I definitely had more privilege than others out there, but I still wasn’t the rich kid villain from a 90s kids movie. I had a lot of American Girl shit because my mom saw the value in the brand and was willing to spend a lot of money on it in a way that she wouldn’t be willing to spend a lot of money on Barbies.

Honestly, I don’t know the toy industry, I don’t know what little girls today want out of their dolls. I know that times change, and that what’s beloved in one generation isn’t necessarily going to be carry over to the next. But I find it hard to believe that little girls straight up no longer are interested in history, and that moms no longer want to give their daughters toys that will actually teach them things. I’ve read a lot of articles about how the brand is struggling, and I don’t think it’s a generational divide. Mattel has fucked up the brand, and I am not just saying that out of Boomer toxic nostalgia that says that everything from the past is GOOD, everything today is BAD, and that anything that changes is inherently not only bad but a personal insult. The stuff that made these expensive dolls worth buying just isn’t there.

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for being upset my partners went to see a movie without me while I’m in the hospital?

I’m 23 years old and vaguely fem-aligned. I’m in a polyamorous relationship with two other people, a 22 year old woman and a 23 year old man. We have all known each other for a long time and moved in together a couple of years ago.

I’ve had horrible health complications my whole life and I’m frequently traveling for that reason. The hospital I go to is in my hometown, which is a state over from where we live, and I often have to be away from home for a couple of weeks at a time. (I know it seems inconvenient to make trips like that, but there’s not a hospital closer with the means to take care of my treatment and this is the most viable option until we have the means to try and move closer.) Before anyone asks, no, I’m not going to disclose my exact diagnosis. I don’t want to get into my detailed medical history but it gets especially bad during hot months like July, so I’ve been away from home for a few weeks now.

This is kind of embarrassing to type and I promise I’m not trying to give a sob story, but I feel like it’s important for context. Growing up as a little girl who was often bedridden in the hospital, Barbie was a huge part of my life. I spent a lot of time in bed watching old Barbie movies, and while I wouldn’t say I’m a fanatic or anything pretty much any happy memory I have from growing up involves Barbie in some capacity, so I was really, really excited to see this new movie. Me and my partners made plans to see it when I got home.

I was supposed to get home on July 20th. That didn’t happen, though, because kind of unexpectedly my condition worsened and I was told I needed to stay for surgery and then recovery. I told my partners this. We didn’t talk about our plans to see the movie, but I guess I just figured postponing would be obvious. It’s not like we had reservations or had bought tickets already or anything. But I guess it wasn’t obvious, because they went to see it anyway without me. This is where I think I may be overreacting a little, because I didn’t even know they had gone to see the movie until they got back - they didn’t discuss it with me at all. I was really hurt by this; it’s not like my stay at the hospital has been extended for so long that the movie will be out of theatres by the time I get back. The two of them know my medical history and knew how excited I was about this movie, and I wanted to watch it with them - I know I could go see it on my own or we could all just go see it again, but I feel like it’s not the same? Mostly I was just upset they went without saying anything to me. I think if they had asked if I was okay with them going without me I would have said it was fine.

What really upset me though is that I brought this up to them, and while they apologized it was half-hearted and they both said they didn’t think they’d done anything wrong. Again, they know my medical history. My condition is very debilitating to me. This isn’t the first time in my life I’ve had to reschedule or outright cancel plans because of it. This was kind of a shock to me because they’ve always been understanding of that, but this felt like blatant disregard for my feelings. This was a movie with a lot of emotional significance to me, and I wanted to see it with the people I loved, and it really hurt not only to not be able to go opening night because my physical condition wouldn’t allow for it, but for them to act like apparently my being there wasn’t important? I kind of shut down during the conversation and just ended it, I’m not sure if they know I’m still upset but I’m afraid to bring it up again. I haven’t talked to either of them for a few days now, semi-under the guise of being busy (I say “semi” because again I did just get surgery, but I’ve definitely had down hours I could have messaged them. I’ve just been avoiding it.)

Am I being unreasonable? It feels so stupid to be this upset over the Barbie movie, of all things.

What are these acronyms?

[allsadnshit]

healing my relationship with femininity has been so important this past couple years and I think sometimes the way it's talked about can make it so much harder and so shameful for a lot of people to admit they struggle with because there's so much rhetoric about like "are you a girls girl or not?" and like a very black and white cold "girls who don't have girl friends are RED FLAGS! TOXIC! EVIL! TRAITORS" when I think in reality it's such an obvious sign of wounding to not be able to connect with women, whether growing up or in adulthood.

for myself it stems so largely from being raised by a single father and older brother and having my literal connection to women (my mom) severed really traumatically early in life when she passed and to fit in and be included in family things always meant having to sacrifice things I might have liked at the time like tea parties and barbie and being forced to watch action movies and male sports just to get quality time and attention in my home because they never made time for my interests as a young girl and were passively dismissive of them too (never let me pick the music cause I'd play "girlie stuff", never wanting to watch the movies I wanted to see in theaters meaning I also just didn't get to see them, having any feminine interests and hobbies be less celebrated) and it really shaped me.

somewhat naturally there was a glaring disconnect between not just myself and men who I couldn't seem to become communal with even if I shared all the same hobbies which I tried very hard to do like getting into yu gi oh and kung fu, but when I'd be put into situations with all other girls I felt isolated and clumsy because I didn't watch the same movies, didn't know how to do things like cute hair styles or braiding, and was just generally behind and felt much more like an observer than like I had any place in it.

I've always had girl friends but they were often isolated relationships with girls who also struggled with their girl relationships and were otherwise bullied or cast out, and those relationships even though sacred to me also often would become poisoned with jealousy and comparison because society pits women against each other especially growing up it felt like a literal competition and it's so common to be ranked by boys and even other girls and adults in terms of who's prettier or most desired which is really strange to apply to an already vulnerable dynamic in a formative part of life.

Because of a mix of all these bad circumstances I've really rejected myself and a lot of my natural connections to girlhood and women and I think it felt like an easier and safer route to just disconnect entirely which is what I did for most of my life until around the time of the first lock down when I was very privately buying girl clothes for the first time in years and experimenting with the idea that I'd like to allow myself some movement and fluidity with my relationship to gender. It really makes me sad the way so much of society makes us feel we need to do things a certain way or see ourselves a certain way to be living "correctly" when I think it's a very personal journey and being scorned and shamed for what we do or don't do makes us self conscious and unable to act naturally. I've gotten a lot of nasty comments from women who feel it should be easy to connect with women because they have gotten the privilege of healthy relationships with mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and friends and so feel that anyone who hasn't is just toxic and doing it to themselves which I just find extremely unkind and self interested.

and that's part of why I reject terms like "girls girl" even as I lean into healing my relationship to femininity and relationships with women and the social pressures we face. I know that term came about originally with the intention of expressing a relationship to women that was non competitive and based on mutual respect and care, but it's been transformed and used now in a really hatefully isolating way and I do not claim it or the energy towards other women it gives off of not seeing their humanity and flaws as places to grow and be loved through but as a reason to further disengage from.

[startrekfangirl2233-writes]

Daddy's Little Princess

Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw x Reader (One-Shot)

Description: You get home after a long day at the office to near silence. It warms your heart when you walk into your living room to see your husband Bradley Bradshaw playing with your eldest and making her laugh as she combs his mustache with a doll's comb.

Disclaimers: AFAB!Reader, Tooth-rotting fluff, Babies, Bronco, Bradley

Word Count: 1167

A/N: Hi, Star here! The Top Gun Brain-Rot still has me by the throat. This was inspired by this post which suggested, Play with his mustache use barbie hair brushes on it. Obviously, the minute I saw it, my brain immediately went yup, that's a Bradshaw and so this fic was born. This is un-beta'd and un-edited by anyone other than me, so forgive any glaring errors.

AO3: Cross-posted here!

My Masterlist

It's been a long, horrendous day. You'd had to go into the office for an important meeting and dress formally for it, too. The worst part was having to leave your husband and children at home alone. Thankfully, it had been one of his few days off-duty from NAS North Island. You'd kissed your babies on their foreheads as you left early in the morning and spent far too long pressed against your husband’s chest before leaving. Traffic in San Diego was no worse than it usually was, so all in all, your morning was typical. It was during your meeting that your day rattled off the rails. Your proposal was not well received. It had been ripped to shreds by every member of the C-Suite present in the boardroom that day. You'd spent the remainder of the day with your team reviewing every inch of the proposal with a fine-toothed comb and writing and re-writing pieces for the follow-up meeting in one week.

After your day, you were flagging as you got into your Jeep that evening to drive home. The one highlight of your day had been the giggle-filled voicemail you'd received during your lunch break. Your daughter's voice had been so sweet with the baby's babbling and your husband's deep tones in the background. It was apparent your mischievous little princess had stolen your husband's phone and called you accidentally. It brought much-needed energy to you and an impetus to finish work as soon as possible.

All the streetlights are coming to life and illuminating the road with a golden glow as you turn onto your street and finally breathe a sigh of relief. Your husband's bright blue Ford Bronco sits in your driveway as you pull in behind it. It's only a few minutes before you're unlocking the door and finally stepping out of your heels. Rather than the giggling stampede you expect, the house is nearly silent. Sure, there is the ever-present low hum of Bluey pouring out of your living room, but the undercurrent of chaos usually present in your home with a 3-year-old, an 8-month-old, and not one but two dogs isn't there at all. You place your bag on the side table and stretch your tense muscles before padding silently to the living room and peeking in. Your son, Arden, rocks in his swing seat on the floor, suckling happily on a pacifier. Surrounding him lies the residue of what looks to be a war zone of dinosaurs versus Barbies, your daughter Maria's favorite game at the moment. You can't see her yet, but boy, can you hear her now.

"Daddy, Daddy! The dinoswars won! I twout the Barbies were gonna win. You tolded me they would win!" Her little voice pipes on and on about how sad it was that the Barbies lost. Interspersed with her chatter, your husband hums inquisitively to keep the conversation going. Your grin grows at your husband's voice when the little miss runs out of steam.

"Baby, maybe the Barbies didn't win because you forgot something?"

"What, Daddy?"

"What magic spell did Daddy tell you the Barbies needed to beat the big bad dinosaurs so you could save Ardy?"

"I hadda brush all their hairs and kiss them."

"That's right, baby. But you forgot one thing." Maria makes a little confused hum, and your husband continues, "You forgot to comb your hair and Daddy's!"

"Oh!" Her little squeal of realization is too cute. "Daddy, help!"

"Gimme the comb, Princess. Gonna make you look all pretty so we can save Arden from the big bad dinosaurs." 

You step a little bit closer. The kids are entirely occupied with the game, and the dogs, Tramp and Falcon, are curled up in one of the dog beds. The only person to notice you is your husband, who winks at you from his spot in the war zone of toys your living room floor has become. 

"All done!" He proclaims, "Don't you look beautiful?!" He smacks a loud wet kiss against her cheek as she giggles loudly.

"Daddy, wait!" Maria's all bossy now, "We forgot one thing!"

"What's that?" Your husband is the best.

"Your moostach, Daddy!" She's smiling proudly at pronouncing the word mostly correctly. 

"Alright, baby girl. C'mere. Let's comb my mustache and defeat these dinosaurs before mama gets home."

He tugs Maria to stand in between his legs and hands her the bright pink doll's comb. He sits there with unerring patience as your baby carefully runs the comb through his mustache, wiggling his upper lip occasionally to make her laugh. It's absolutely adorable to see. Bradley Bradshaw had confided to you early on in your relationship that he was afraid to have children. As he’d lost his father at a young age, he didn't know what it meant to be a good dad. All that fear turned into uncontrollable love the minute he held Maria in his arms, and he'd proven what a fantastic father he was every day since. You’re unbelievably in love with this man. That love only swells in your chest when you see the glittery butterfly clips nestled in his curls and the love in his eyes as he devotes all of his attention to your little princess. 

Unsurprisingly, of your two kids, Arden sees you first, giving you a gummy smile and squealing as he wiggles his little body to catch your attention. You step into the warzone willingly, carefully avoiding stepping on any of the toys, and heft your youngest into your arms. He’s warm and baby-soft in your arms as you snuggle him close, breathing in the scent of his baby shampoo and the special detergent you use on his clothes. Hurricane Maria is not to be deterred, though, as she wraps herself around your leg and kisses your thigh.

“Princess, princess, c’mere.” Bradley sounds so fond as he tries to free your daughter from her limpet-like grasp of your leg. “Let Mama and Ardy sit down, baby girl. Then you can cuddle her all you want!” He coaxes her away and pulls her into his lap as he sits on the sofa. You join them, letting the soft cushions conform to your body. Maria joins Arden in your arms, and you finally let yourself decompress.

"Hey, Mama," Bradley murmurs.

"Hi, B," Your voice is soft as you turn your head to kiss him. 

"How was your day?"

"Terrible. But it's better now. It’s always better when I have you and our babies in it."

You smile into the kiss he gives you, relishing in your husband's taste before focusing all of your attention on your children in your arms. Maria chatters about everything she'd done during the day, and you converse happily with her. Arden babbles at breaks in the conversation, and you love seeing Maria interact with him. It'll soon be time for dinner, baths, and bed, but for the next few moments, you can rejoice at the feeling of having everything you love at your fingertips.

I DO NOT CONSENT TO HAVE MY WORK POSTED, TRANSLATED, OR PUBLISHED ON ANY SITES OTHER THAN HERE OR ON AO3 BY ME. IF YOU SEE MY WORKS ANYWHERE OTHER THAN HERE OR AO3, THEN THEY HAVE BEEN POSTED WITHOUT MY PERMISSION AND I WILL BE WORKING TO TAKE THEM DOWN.

[isabellebissonrouthier]

PINK ASK GAME: WRITEBLR: WORLDBUILDING

STRAWBERRY - What kinds of crops grow in this setting?

RASPBERRY - Would you live there?

WATERMELON - How do they communicate with those who speak a different language?

PEACH - What is the most popular fairytale and why?

BUBBLEGUM - Are there gods?

TAFFY - Ramble about the best part!

SALMON - Which piece of media has a setting closest to yours?

PORK - How old is this world?

PIG - What job is most looked down upon in this society? How are those workers treated?

FLAMINGO - Describe the most important setting!

LIPSTICK - Do they have make-up?

BLUSH - What is most taboo?

ROSE - Describe the most beautiful location!

CORAL - What is the most ruined location, and who destroyed it? Why?

MAGENTA - What is the most popular religion? Is it true?

FUSCHIA - What is the more unique part of this world? Is it your favourite part?

BALLET - What are the rich taught that the poor are not?

BARBIE - What is the most popular toy?

BABY - How are children treated?

PASTEL - How are your characters stereotyped by others in this world?

[starlene]

Some Barbie (2023) thoughts, fresh from the preview screening.

First of all, it’s fun and entertaining to watch, which I think is the most important thing! I feel like going to see it again just for the costumes and the set design.

The feminism and gender relations stuff is extremely heavyhanded, which of course was to be expected. It also feels very USAmerican – which, of course, was also to be expected. (I’m not saying the things the movie criticises don’t apply to other parts of the world, though. It’s just the way they’re worded/portrayed.)

I had fun for about 85% of the movie, but it kinda lost me by the very end. I guess they must have had a hard time with the ending! They can’t go back to the status quo because Barbie has changed, but her becoming a mortal human felt pretty meh to me.

I guess the ending works if you think about Barbie’s arc as an allegory about growing up / becoming a woman. But if you take the story at face value so it’s about dolls living in their own parallel universe, or if you try to fit her becoming a human into the earlier women’s world vs. men’s world narrative (so it’s essentially about her moving into men’s world, while the other Barbies and Kens will slowly work towards equality in their own world)... it just didn’t feel very interesting or satisfying to me.

I also didn’t think the ending joke was that funny.

I feel like this blue hellsite is going to be so annoying about Ryan Gosling as Ken and blorbo-fy him to the moon and back in the coming weeks, even more so than we’ve already done based on the trailers. You heard it here first! So get braced for that, whether that means setting up a special Ken tag and queue or blacklisting everything to you.

[geekgirles]

Unhappy Campers: an Honest Review

I’ve been impatiently waiting for this episode all day. I even spent the last two hours before it premiered constantly refreshing YouTube to see if it had already dropped, so it’s fair to say I was very excited for this episode thanks to the sneak peeks we’ve been getting over the months. On the one hand, because it promised to introduce Barbie Wire into the show at last, and on the other hand, because it promised more Millie screentime as well. 

And while it definitely delivered on both things, I can’t help but feel Unhappy Campers is actually one of the weakest episodes of the show. Or at least of season 2. 

My main problem with the episode is that the conflict feels rather forced to me. Not the Blitzo/Barbie Wire conflict, since at this point Blitzo’s sister hating him despite how much he seems to genuinely love her and care for her is pretty much on brand with this show and his character, but the M&M conflict.

It just feels like it comes completely out of nowhere, you know? Like it just doesn’t add up with the rest of the show. At least, compared to Moxxie and Millie’s characters and interactions in every other episode. 

You could say my main problem is that what goes down during the episode would work if this were a separate episode, completely unrelated to the rest of the season, sort of like Queen Bee. But the thing is, it’s not supposed to be its own thing, it’s supposed to be connected to the rest of the story, so it ends up feeling very incoherent with what we’ve been seeing so far. 

It’s obvious from the very beginning that Moxxie is going through an Acquired Situational Narcissism moment as a result of this being his first case where he gets to lead, meaning he expects everything to go his way just because he gets to be in charge. Everything Moxxie does in this episode is a desperate attempt to reflect how important he is feeling at the moment, instead of taking the best, most practical course of action. 

That is to say, listening to Millie and take care of the murderous teenager who’s clearly very bad at keeping a low profile.

This goes from his Moxxine persona, a typical Alpha Bitch type who would have everyone wrapped around her finger...

...to trying very hard to win everyone at camp...

...especially by presenting himself as better than everyone else in order to become popular.

Only to fail miserably because these kids for once aren’t your stereotypical sheep looking for a mean-spirited leader to follow. No, they aren’t impressed by a fake attitude coupled with a presumptuous confidence and thinly masked condescension, but by actual talent and charisma. 

And who happens to have that? 

Millie, or Millerd, in this case. 

So while Moxxie’s trying desperately to get these kids to like him and become popular, Millie is achieving just that effortlessly, while making her husband increasingly envious of her popularity at the same time. 

Now, this in itself isn’t a bad premise. Most shows have at least one instance where one of the main characters is more well-liked than the other, who becomes frightenly jealous and petty as a result. In fact, this would work if it had happened between Blitzo and Moxxie, for example. 

But it’s the fact that Moxxie is feeling jealous of Millie, his wife, that to me this sort of feels like it comes out of left field. 

Basically because so far Moxxie and Millie’s marriage has been nothing but perfectly harmonious and equally loving and supportive. Moxxie has always been Millie’s #1 fan and supporter, so I find it a bit hard to believe the same guy who stood up to his intimidating in-laws because they were unfairly reprimanding his wife for a mistake on their part would now grow jealous and petty over others appreciating her many talents. 

No matter where you look at it, this is just entirely out of character of Moxxie. Not only because he would never be so resentful of the love of his life, but because Moxxie just isn’t this self-centred. Even when he was struggling to keep up with Striker in The Harvest Moon Festival, it was only because Striker and Millie’s family kept looking down on him and he wanted to prove himself. It was never a matter of stroking his own ego. 

And then, there’s Millie’s side on the matter. 

As I said, it’s great that we had some more Millie screentime and that she expressed needs and wants of her own for once, but the problem is, I personally feel like they come out of nowhere and fail to properly connect with anything that’s already been established. 

Millie says she feels like she’s important and someone to be proud of for once, which hints at some deeper insecurities that are worth being explored. Unfortunately, these insecurities are being introduced now, after a season and a half, so there isn’t really much that would make us understand her outburst here. In my opinion, it almost feels as if Millie’s character has been so perfectly content with her life overall, never showing signs of having any kind of issue of her own, that now that they need some drama, the writers just have no idea what to do with her in order to achive that. It’s like they’re now adding toppings on an already cooked pizza, if you know what I mean.

And the funny part is, this is actualy easily salvageable! 

Literally all it would take to make this more coherent and better woven with the rest of story would be to link Millie’s outburst to her family life. No need to suddenly turn Joe and Lynn into abusive parents, because we have enough of that already, but they could have played with what they already had. 

While the episode itself didn’t dwell on it, as it was a Moxxie episode, Millie’s interactions with her parents and Sallie May hint at some sort of favouritism towards the latter because she is a better assassin--in the sense that Sallie May at least doesn’t seem to get carried away with her killing and is smart enough to hide the bodies of her victims. Also, in their parents’ eyes, her life in the farm is more stable than Millie’s job as a free-lance, which they don’t even understand how it works.

 Joe and Lynn are very set on their ways regarding how people should be killed: with your bare hands or using melee weapons, you can’t be sloppy and let your guard down, be smart about it... Qualities Millie doesn’t follow one way or another: her husband isn’t physically strong and prefers guns, she lets her emotions get in the way and hinder her kills, she forgot to cover up nine deaths in the last Pain Games she participated in...

Really, all it would have taken to fix her feelings on the matter coming practically out of nowhere would have been a little mention to her home life and how she feels she never measured up to her parents’ expectations of her and now she’s finally being validated for being who she is. 

Instead, we’re left with an episode whose premise only makes sense as a stand-alone or with a different set of characters and where the only cohesive thing is another person from Blitzo’s past hating his guts. 

Anyway, this is just my opinion and everyone is entitled to their own. I don’t know if I’m alone on this one. Thanks for taking the time to read this nonetheless.