#Five Color Matching Cabinet

[firewasabeast]

The Gift of Going Gray

When Tommy looks in the mirror, the man who looks back isn't the same one that used to be there.

Well, technically it is, but it's doesn't feel like it.

The man Tommy sees now is grayer than he used to be. He used to think about dying his hair when he was young, but he never did it. Now, his body is doing it for him.

He's excited to see what he looks like when every strand is silver. He hopes his beard matches.

He's got wrinkles and laughter lines. Marks and ripples and crevices every time he moves his face, which some may look at with hate. He sees it as a happy life well-lived. He hopes he gets more.

The hairs on his chest match his head, but they're far more sporadic. As he rubs lotion over his pecs, skin a little less willing to stay moisturized, he wonders if those hairs will look invisible against him once they've all lost all their pigmentation.

He pumps out a little more lotion and moisturizes his arms. Still big, still muscular, still strong, but they get sore easier now. Need a little extra recovery time between workouts. Can't survive without monthly massages anymore.

His stomach is different. What was once defined abs is now a soft belly, more nourished than it ever was before. He's not trying for abs anymore. Doesn't really feel a need for it. He's healthy, he knows that, and that's what matters.

His hands have little wrinkles. Barely noticeable unless you really look, but he takes the time to really look. They're rough and calloused from years of manual labor, but the newest addition is the most exciting. Barely there ridges that you can run your fingertips over. Veins that are easier to see than they used to be. Skin that's thinner easier to cut.

There's a tan line on his ring finger. Which in and of itself isn't a sign of aging, but it sure as hell feels like it.

He'd never felt more grown, more centered, more sure, than the day he said, “I do.”

That tan line is a part of him now. Will be there, right under his engraved, gold ring, even when he's laid to rest.

If he doesn't stretch first thing in the morning, his back is likely to lock up on him sometime during the day. His knees require Icy Hot mid-shift.

He got his first pair of reading glasses last year. He couldn't believe the difference. Now there are five different pairs of glasses lying around the house, another pair in the truck, and one kept in his locker at work just so he always has them.

Once he's finished with his lotion, he opens the medicine cabinet and grabs a colorful bottle. His doctor recommended he start taking a multi-vitamin. A special one for older men. He's not actually sure it does anything, but he knows it doesn't hurt anything, so he chews the gummy everyday. The strawberry ones are his favorite.

He remembers when he was young, he used to joke his grandma about how she was always cold. She's laugh along, but she told him that one day he'd get it. One day he'd get cold faster too.

He keeps a space heater in the bathroom now when he showers. Pajamas went from sweatpants and a sleeveless shirt to sweatpants and long sleeves. He keeps socks on almost all the time. The ones he wears at home have little rubber grips on the bottom so he doesn't slip up on the tile floor. They're a literal life saver.

While his grandma got jokes over being cold, his grandpa got jokes about having to get up to use the bathroom during the night. When they'd take Tommy on trips over the summer, his grandpa was always saying that he needed the bed closest to the bathroom. Now, Tommy takes the side of the bed closest to the bathroom. Sometimes, he stops drinking water after seven just so he can reduce midnight trips to the bathroom.

Some people think it's ridiculous, how much he enjoys growing old. But he's seen the alternative too many times. At work, sure, but also in life. So many people he knew and loved whose life was cut short before they ever learned what getting older meant.

Growing old was a gift. And Tommy was grateful for it.

[thischarmingmandalorian]

I Wanna Ruin Our Friendship

Couple, Bar Chapter 1

Summary: After you help Joel with a work project, he takes you out for drinks. When the bartender mistakes you for a couple, his brain short circuits.

Pairing: Single Dad Neighbor!Joel Miller X Reader

Warnings: Joel thinking being mean is flirting, alcohol, grinding on strangers, getting groped in public, no-no words. In my mind there's an age gap (10 years max) and I envision a mid-40s Joel, but I don't think it'll ever become apparent.

Word Count: 2.3k

Notes: Formatting on mobile is not for the weak, y'all, so if this looks like ass I'm sorry. I don't know what a contractor does. Song mentioned is Jenny (I Wanna Ruin Our Friendship) by Studio Killers. Full playlist is linked on the master post for this series (which I'll learn to link all together soon I promise I'M OLD, OK?!) Also I promise I have an English degree but if I read this one more time I'll lose the nerve to post it so ignore any mistakes I missed. Anyway love you bye.

While you weren't on your neighbor Joel's payroll, every now and then he'd knock on your door and sheepishly ask to borrow your "eye for design," which was Joel talk for "I need help knowing what handles look good on these cabinets I'm building and every other person in my life is busy."  

You and Joel had been neighbors for the better part of 5 years and had become relatively close in that time. If you were being honest with yourself, the first day you met you might have fallen in love, but since immediately jumping into a relationship with a newly-divorced single father wasn't on your five-year plan, those feelings were buried, albeit not always successfully.

Joel was charming, kind, and... Southern.  And while these were all things that made you head over heels for him, they were exactly what made it difficult to interpret his feelings for you. Were he and Sarah baking you Christmas cookies and hand delivering them to your door because he too had a crush, or was he just being neighborly? Was he grinning every time he said hello to you because he was a nice guy? What were you supposed to make of that one time, on his couch for movie night, when his hand lingered a little longer than normal on your thigh? You had no idea, and for the sake of your friendship, you were content not knowing.

On this particular day, Joel needed help matching paint colors to flooring samples and might as well have been color blind. He was building a house for a newlywed couple and their wishes for, as Joel put it, "some 1960s Brady Bunch bullshit" aesthetic meant nothing to him. You had spent the better part of an hour helping Joel match swatches of green and orange in ways that he had previously thought impossible, and as a thank you, he offered to buy you a drink at the first bar you spotted on the way home.

The first bar you spotted happened to be an almost-literal hole in the wall, but the packed parking lot indicated it was a place worth visiting.  Joel opened the door, beckoning you through the threshold ahead of him, and you're hit with a wall of smoke and the bump of a local dj working through his set. 

Luckily most of the people at the bar had already started drinking and were congregated in the middle of the tiny dance floor, making it easy to find two seats. Joel flagged the bartender over and ordered for the both of you, handing his card over to start a tab.

"Got you a beer, this place doesn't look like they'd make a good margarita," Joel shouts over the music. 

You smile, leaning in close to thank Joel. "I appreciate the forethought! Send me a Venmo request for what I end up owing you," you gesture to the frosty bottles that get put in front of you.

Joel tuts and waves his hand between you two in a noncommittal gesture. He leans in close to your ear instead of shouting this time, "consider it payment for your help today. When that couple told me they wanted their house to be 'midcentury Palm Springs chic' I knew you'd know what they meant. The wife kept sending me links to her Pinterest board, whatever the fuck that is. I was too scared to click them because..."

"Because you're fucking old," you finish, barking out a laugh at the frown that Joel gives you.

After one beer turned into three, Joel starts to open up. Despite his gruff exterior, you know he cares and is interested in your life, even if it takes some alcohol to get him asking about it.

"Have you started dating yet?" The question catches you off guard, your eyes growing wide. "What? You've been in town for five years now, it's high time you start putting yourself out there. A pretty girl like you should have no trouble finding a man."

There it is again. Is Joel just being nice calling you pretty? Or is he fishing for something more?

"Have you started dating?" you counter, raising an eyebrow, nodding when Joel shakes his head. "I'm too busy, Joel. I'm…"

"'Focusing on my career,'" Joel finishes for you, having heard it all before.

You roll your eyes. "Why are we talking about this?"

Joel smirks and cocks his head to your beer, the label in the process of being peeled completely off. "You've peeled the label off every drink you've had tonight."

"Oh…kay?"

Joel shrugs, "if Tommy were here he'd say you're pulling the labels off because you're sexually frustrated." He makes a face as if to say 'but what do I know?'

You raised an eyebrow at Joel. "You of all people should know not to take what Tommy says as fact. And you're one to talk; you live across the street, I'd notice if women were coming over. And they're not. You're going through a dry spell, Miller, same as me." You empty your bottle, stuffing the label down the neck and waving the bartender over for you and Joel to order one more round.  Joel tries to think of a witty comeback, but he knows you're right. 

You watch the bartender open your tab on the till behind the bar and chuckle when you notice what she's titled it: at the top of the screen, in bold letters, "COUPLE BAR."

You tap Joel's bicep, pointing to the screen, "look at that, Miller," you shout over the music, "she thinks you and I are a couple."

Joel looks at the screen himself, eyes suddenly going wide. You raise an eyebrow at him, confused as to why he isn't just chuckling at the bartender's misunderstanding, but your expression turns to one of anger once Joel regains use of his brain and the only thing he can think to say is, "... ew?"

You hope you just misheard him over the loud music, but as Joel started to sputter out an apology, looking horrified at what he had said, you realize - a stranger thought you two were dating, and Joel thinks that's gross. You weren't interested in hearing him trip over his words while he tried to backtrack, and you desperately needed a distraction so you didn't start to cry.  You wave your hand in front of Joel's face, telling him to save it as you grab your beer and push past him to the dance floor.

This is definitely not your scene, the middle of a smoke-filled bar on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, but you make the most of it, taking a swig from your bottle as you push through the crowd. Once you've made your way to the center of the crowd, you assume the position - eyes closed, bottle raised above your head, swinging your hips to whatever top 40 hit the dj decides to bleed into the last one he played.  You don't have to wait long before you feel a body push up behind you and you welcome the distraction. You don't open your eyes or lower your hand except to drink from your near empty bottle, but you do back your ass up against the stranger behind you. It's definitely not Joel. This person behind you is way too lanky; when his arms encircle your waist they lack definition, his thighs aren't nearly as beefy as Joel's, and… you get frustrated with yourself.  Joel just insinuated dating you would be gross and all you can do is think about how hot he is? 

You shake your head, trying to clear your thoughts and enjoy the moment. The guy behind you is getting handsy, and normally that would bother you, but Joel was right about that dry spell. One song bleeds into another as you gyrate against this stranger who now has his hand splayed across your stomach under your shirt.

You're ripped unceremoniously from your mindless grinding by a large hand on your shoulder. You wink one eye open though you knew it was Joel. You're not interested in hearing him out, especially not with this stranger's hand gliding slowly up your torso, boldly inching closer to your chest.

"Darlin'" you hear Joel shout over the music, "'m sorry. I didn't mean…"

You put your palm in front of Joel's face before moving your hand on top of the stranger's, whose fingers are teasing the hem of your bra. Joel can be sorry, but he's also going to see how decidedly not-ew the thought of being with you is.

"Whatever, Joel. You can think being my boyfriend is gross. This is fine!" You open your eyes and the look on Joel's face is one you've never seen before. At this point he isn't looking at you, he's staring daggers at the man behind you. Whoever he is seems blissfully unaware.

"Honey, I'm out of touch. I'm fucking old, you said it yourself! I don't know how to - hey, buddy, do you fucking mind?" The hand under your shirt loses its grip on you as Joel shoves the shoulder of the guy behind you. Suddenly his body unglues itself from your back.

"My bad, man. Didn't know she had a boyfriend," he shouts over the music as he disappears back into the crowd. You groan and roll your eyes.

"So sorry, Joel! Turns out when you look and act like my boyfriend, people think you really are! How embarrassing for you," you ramble into Joel's ear. You turn to walk off the dance floor, embarrassed, but before you're out of his reach Joel grabs your forearm, pulling gently until you're flush with his body. He towers over you, his eyes bore into yours.

"Please listen," he bends to speak quietly into your ear, "I'm sorry, and I mean it. We're friends, and I value that. I thought I was bantering, bein' funny. I know you don't want to be a couple at this bar. I know you want to be friends, nothing more, with me. But…" he trails off, pulling away to look at your face.

The atmosphere changes in a way that you swear is straight out of a movie. The lights pulsing and flashing are hitting Joel's face in a way that makes him even more handsome, which you'd thought previously impossible. While your beer bottle is empty, clutched into your hand that hangs limply at your side, Joel's drink is nearly full, still frosty, and dripping condensation through your shirt, soaking your lower back. Joel's eyebrows are raised, waiting for you to do or say anything. 

And then the dj changes the song. You are… intimately familiar with what begins to play and you shake your head, chuckling. What divine intervention drove the dj to start playing a song about ruining a friendship at this very moment? You have no idea, but you make a mental note to thank the universe as you smile at Joel. You push away from him for just a second, long enough to rip the label off your empty beer bottle. Joel looks confused watching you ball up the damp paper. 

You chuckle as you toss the label at Joel, it pinging off his temple before you spin your body so your back is plastered against Joel's front. 

You'll show him sexually frustrated.

Joel seems to take a second to read the situation because his body doesn't move. In fact, it goes rigid. Your hips sway against him anyway. Joel only breaks out of his spell when your arm snakes around his neck and you bury your fingers in his hair. Tugging gently on his curls seems to awaken something in him and his hands are on you in seconds. The hand clutching his beer comes to rest on your hip as the other picks up where your previous dance partner left off, creeping under your shirt and splaying across your stomach. 

"What are we doin' here, baby?" Joel rasps into your ear, his voice deeper and more strained than you're used to. "I guess I deserve you teasin' me, but two can play this game." Joel's nose prods at a spot behind your ear as he peels one cup of your bra away from your body, replacing it with his hand. Your eyes fly open to ensure no one notices, but everyone on the dance floor is busy paying attention to their own partners. Joel rolls your nipple between two fingers before giving it a flick; you try and suppress a moan.

Not to be outdone, you reach for the beer bottle in Joel's hand. You make sure Joel's eyes are locked on you as you lick a stripe up the neck of the bottle, taking a generous sip before handing it back. Joel's eyes widen and he smirks, bringing his mouth back to your ear.

"Think it goes without sayin' now, but I really don't hate the idea of people thinking you're mine," Joel accentuates his last word with a gentle nip at your earlobe that makes your head loll back onto his shoulder. 

"Are you listening to the song, Joel?" You reach up to place your hand on Joel's cheek, turning his face gently so your eyes meet.  He looks confused, but you can tell he's training his ear onto the chorus of what's playing.

I wanna ruin our friendship

We should be lovers instead

I don't know how to say this

'Cause you're really my dearest friend

Joel lowers his eyes back down to meet yours and smirks. "You an' me both, darlin'." His hand around your waist pulls you impossibly closer and you feel him grow hard against your ass. 

"Know where I last heard this song?" The final notes start to dissipate, melding seamlessly with the next song. Joel shakes his head and asks where. You smirk, nuzzling into Joel's neck before you lick a stripe up to his ear. "It's on my sex playlist."

Joel stills. You grin, giggling as he pushes you away gently. "I've gotta close out the tab," he says once he remembers how to form thoughts into words. "Meet me at the truck. And think about what song you're gonna put on once I get you home."

[luciosdisk]

RELATIONSHIP HCS!!

ft!Cole Cassidy/Mcree

a/n: Plzz I didn’t mean to take five months to make another post holy cow! Oml life has been something recently but I hope everything is all good with you guys:3

warnings:not proofread…uhhh idk severe fluff hehe:D oh Gender neutral reader btw!!

NOW PLAYING: The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie by Colter Wall📰

STRICTLY FLUFF

🍺Mcree is a very flirty fella. When in a relationship compliments you very often but like…in a very flirtatious way. “Thank you sweet girl/thing, what would I do without you?” He’d Question in that thick country accent of his while you bandaged him back to health.

🍺He loves matching with you. Surprisingly I believe he is the type of guy to not really care about his masculinity; of course to some point obviously but he wouldn’t be upset wearing the color pink.

🍺Cassidy WILL(With permission ofc!!) lay his hand on your thigh if you two sit next to each other. His Rough hand will sometimes slide up and down your thigh before patting it and keeping his hand still. He does this mid conversation as well, Even if he gets weird looks! He just enjoys being close to you(You beautiful person :3)

🍺Oh this man teases especially if You’re shorter than him. Having trouble reaching something in the taller cabinet don’t worry he’ll get it…after laughing at you. He never means it in a way to hurt your feelings but just to mess with you to see your reactions.

🍺Cole loves to dance with you! It doesn’t matter to what song he will dance with you. Mcree Loves seeing you smile so if that means he has to bust a boogie he will bust a boogie. Cassidy Finds it romantic to dance with Partner.

🍺He can’t sleep without you at night; It’s pitiful really. In the beginning of the Relationship he could sleep by himself just fine until later on when you two share a bed he stays up wondering when you will return home.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING THIS HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED!! stay happy fellow Froggers🐸!!

[jamneuromain]

I have an idea omg. We need more of Lloyd and reader... What about a situation when Lloyd got injured, like he kicked someone's ass , got his knuckles bleeding, or maybe he got a cut or smth... and the reader though she's aware of her blood-seeing problem ofc decided to help him, trying to fight her hemophobia best she could because Lloyd needed her help. Or it can be quite the opposite, the reader got hurt in some way, bleeding a bit, and Lloyd decided to help her because he knows her reaction to seeing blood and all. What do you think?😬☺

Hi Elena😌❤️ （sorry that it took so long I accidentally deleted my draft ... and took very long to recover from the devastating fact :l

Your "Lloyd got hurt" idea certainly is very interesting....👀

So, what would happen if Lloyd got hurt and he has no one else to turn to but his secretary with hemophobia...🤔

Bleed Out

Lloyd Hansen x You

Warning: Mob AU, Mob!Lloyd, Secretary!Reader (Driver!Denny Carmicheal), Graphic Depiction of Blood and Violence (I guess Lloyd is a warning of his own?), Reader has hemophobia (fear of blood), a lot of cursing.

Summary: Lloyd is under your protection for now.

A/N: This is the sequel to A Whiff of Blood, Thank you for all your love to Mob!Lloyd<333

One thing, one particular feature you like about the apartment you're living in, is that this little condo - along with the rest of the building and five other blocks in the vicinity, belongs to a high-end resident community that has strict security guard patrol schedules and limited key-card access. These precautions resulted in rocket-high market prices and a rather wealthy neighborhood, as the owner of these buildings forbids renting, for every keycard that could access the front gate, elevators, and their matching apartments, accompanied by facial recognition embedded in the little chip. When you get home every night (or afternoon, if you are lucky), you have to press your keycard and stand before the camera before the gate grants you inside. This brings quite some comfort for you, working for a mob boss named Lloyd Hansen, and knowing that his associates are basically "wanted" by rival gangs for the valuable information they possess.

While it is impossible that you could afford such an exquisite apartment with your salary, though very well-paid, you are truly grateful because Lloyd signed this condo - his condo - to you without a word (or asking a dime from you) when you told him during your final interview that you will be needing a week to relocate before starting the job.

That's when you made up your mind that Lloyd Hansen is a boss worthy to work for.

It's not a big place. Having two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. Decorated in white, black, and grey, clearly matching Lloyd's taste when he asked his lawyer to give you the key card and have you move in.

You've lived here for three years now. Adding soft cushions and light-colored sets to the tedious design here and there. Like the sunflower tablecloth and daisy plates and bowls. Like the pink polka dot sheets and duvet covers. And the fluffy slippers, taken out from the cabinets, ready to be put on as soon as fuzzy socks don't work their magic any more.

You are finishing washing the mug you just used. After putting it on the racks, you wipe your hands with a clean cloth. It is a workday tomorrow, and you intend to sleep early to wake up with a fresh spirit to deal with your (sometimes) moody boss. Treating yourself to a nice little read in the bedside lamp radiating yellow glow - another decoration that you feel much needed for this place, you reach out to turn off the lamp when there's a sudden rush of knock on your door.

You zip your mouth shut.

The news two weeks ago, about a woman who was curious about the baby crying at her door, was yanked out of her apartment as soon as she opened the door, being raped and killed in her own bed.

You are smart enough not to ask "Who is it", letting this unexpected guest learn that a young female is at home.

When the unexpected visitor doesn't hear your reply, they knock on the door more fiercely, nearly knocking your heart out of your throat.

You remember the tutorial online: Approach the door with caution, and check the surveillance camera. If there's no one in sight, call the cops. If there's anything out of the ordinary, like a baby or a kitten by the door, call the cops.

In summary, call the cops.

Your fingers hover above your phone, having the police number on speed dial, when you turn on the surveillance camera monitor by the door.

A very bruised, cut, and tired Lloyd, having a gun in his hand, banging on your door as he winces in pain.

"Goodness gracious-" Your gasp gets stuck in your throat. Opening the door in an instant, there's nothing else in your mind than keeping him alive. Your goosebumps on high alert as Lloyd's eyes scan over you. You pull him in, checking that the hallway is secure, before closing the heavy door as quietly as possible.

You turn to him, "Mr. Han-" Your words stop mid-sentence as you feel the need to fight the bile down your throat.

Yes. Mr. Hansen is very much covered in the one thing you hate most in the world.

Blood.

Blood splattered on his chest, his ridiculous choice of the blue-white striped polo shirt and cuts littered over his face and bare arms. His pants are dripping. Some crimson-colored liquid will stick permanently onto your floor and your beloved carpet.

Redness, some stained into near-brown, all over his figure.

You hold your breath, not letting the iron taste linger to make matters worse.

Lloyd walks, more like limps to each of your rooms - now that you can breathe a little while the blood smell is gone temporarily, and convince yourself that it's just ketchup on your boss (though you doubt that trick works) - and inspects each of them with his finger on the gun's trigger.

Taking in the whole situation, three things pop into your mind.

Lloyd is in desperate need of medical attention.

You are most likely to faint as soon as he returns, seeing this amount of blood.

Lloyd wouldn't knock on your door if this isn't desperate for him as well.

As Lloyd approaches, you are wrecking every brain cell to work a way out of this.

" 'S anyone here?" He asks, pulling the safe of his gun back on, before plopping down on your couch and groaning because he most definitely pulls one or two, if not a few of his wounds.

However, one of THE most brilliant ideas comes to you when you are holding your breath.

You shake your head, raising one finger to tell him you need a moment - or you hope that your running off conveys the message, and dash towards your bathroom.

Lloyd sags down on the couch, not even bothering to get up or turn his head to watch whether you've pulled out a gun pointing at him. You probably wouldn't do so, since you chose to pull him in, instead of letting him bleed out by your door.

When you appear in front of him again, his body briefly stuns a moment, before emerging in a burst of full-blown laughter. He laughs so hard that his laughter turns into coughs, which leads to him pressing his hand over his chest in case he tears his wounds further.

You place your hands on your hips. Compared to him, you are least amused by your idea.

You smoothed your hair back and put on your scuba diving goggles from a paid leave last year. Lloyd personally oversaw your two-week vacation, paying from your hotel suite to your travel expenses, and even ordering you full scuba diving equipment for your one-hour scuba lesson.

Of course, you weren't actually interested in becoming an expert, but the scuba equipment was too nice to be thrown away.

"Not funny." You breathe through your mouth. Even though the orange plastic - or glass, you don't quite know which - changes how the bloody Lloyd looks in your eyes, it still doesn't completely change the idea that Lloyd is, in fact, covered in blood, as much as you don't want to think about it. And it definitely doesn't block the smell of blood, which probes the nerves at the back of your nose whenever you breathe through your mouth.

Lloyd scans your "outfit", his laughter slowly dials down, eventually turns into a lazy smile ghosting his lips, "You're right. It's not."

It's over 10:30 pm, and you usually would have been sleeping, or lying on your bed, at least. But no, you are stuck in the living room with your boss who's about to die any minute, and you are only able to stand in front of him, alive and thinking, with a fucking scuba mask on.

So, fuck this.

You roll your eyes at your cold-blooded boss. "Should I call your doctor? Or send you to the hospital?"

The smirk disappears.

Although he didn't say "no" to the hospital, by now you've realized the hospital choice was crossed off the board, as he chose you instead of ringing the police - which will no doubt lead to an investigation since Lloyd is the most notorious mob in Los Angles.

You search for the first aid bag that you stocked away when you moved in. It has rarely been used.

"Doc's dead." He murmurs, but loud enough for you to understand. He spoke with a sadness that only appears when he has lost one of his people. "I took Jared to his clinic."

You know Jared, he is one of the muscles working for Lloyd. He helped take care of one of Lloyd's rivals, Brewer.

"The deal with the Russian mobs tonight went wrong, but we got out in one piece." Lloyd explains curtly, "I got him to Doc's place to get stitched up. But we were attacked... Doc died, so did Jared."

So... two of his people.

Medical alcohol and Q-tips were picked from the bag, then a roll of gauze. You place those on the coffee table.

"I think you need something bigger than a Q-tip." He chuckles, unbuckling his belt, removing his pants. You open your mouth wanting to argue it's probably best that he doesn't move right now, but you silence yourself when you see a flesh wound -

Blood trickles down his thigh, leaving a scorched round hole on his leg. You turn your head to the other side as soon you feel the need to hurl. Even with your goggles on, deep down, you know that it's blood, not ketchup, nor some red paint oozing from his body.

“Don’t puke on my shoes. Crocodiles died for it.” A strangled grunt comes out of his mouth when he finished speaking, having your heart tug in the slightest of agony.

The belt he took off just now is turned into an instant tourniquet on his thigh. The blood drips slower than it did, but it keeps ruining your carpet.

“Yeah, I bet the crocodile spirits hate you right now.” You mutter under your breath, snatching a face mask from the first-aid kit, taking a small inhale after you put it over your face.

Much, much better now.

Lloyd snorts out a short laugh, “You look like one of those bird-man in the Middle Ages when they are battling the plague.”

“Yeah well,” You place your hand on your hips, feeling somewhat braver to deal with this bloody mess all over your living room, “You’re about to bleed out on my couch, so let’s start with you telling me what else I can help with.”

Lloyd spares a glance at you when he’s busy rolling the gauze and pressing it onto his gunshot wound, his expression uninterpretable. Though you would guess that he is mildly impressed.

“Got any liquor? Something strong?” He raises his brows almost challengingly, “I don’t see any painkillers here, so … Bourbon? Whiskey? Scotch? Anything?”

You do have a bottle of whiskey that your cousin gave to you when you moved in. He’d come to visit and lend a helping hand from time to time. You take two glasses from the cupboard and half a bottle of whiskey.

You could use some liquid courage with a murder scene and your psycho boss in the middle of this lovely condo.

With the aid of whiskey and your patching and cleaning of the rest of the wounds, Lloyd is able to sleep through the night soundly without worrying about being a rigid corpse in the morning.

Yawning, and accidentally stretching his patched-up wounds, he allows a string of curses to flow out of his lips. Judging by the sunlight peeking through your curtains, he’d say it’s 9 or 10 in the morning. Last night, he was tired when the adrenaline gradually faded away, and he did not have the chance to take a close look at your – used to be his – place.

You did not put this place through any major changes, just some minor traces, reminding him that he is, in a sense, invading this cozy little apartment with his banged-up body.

With a decent set of fresh suit, shirt, and tie on the chair beside the bed.

Faint murmurs come from the other side of the door, Lloyd tenses up immediately, pulling his gun under the pillow, where he stocked last night, and turns the doorknob slowly.

“… shut up.” He hears you smack someone’s arm jokingly.

Your voice blends in with the voice in his memory of last night, when he winced in pain as you tried to take out glass shards from his forehead with a pair of tweezers, when he swung another gulp of whiskey from the bottle.

“Fucking hell, woman, I swear you’re trying to scoop my brains out rather than finding the glass pieces.” He grumbled.

“You’re lucky I didn’t kick you out, Mr. Hansen. Now I’m kindly asking you to shut up so I can take care of your wounds before it could get any worse.” You said impatiently, having struggled between the discomfort in your stomach and your determination to get him patched up, but adjusted your attitude soon after, keeping your mouth shut and pushing his upper body so he would lean on the couch and be still, while you turned on the flashlight to search the little glass piece on his forehead.

The warm and shallow breath fell on the ridge of his nose. It was broken, sure, tingling and itching, but it also meant that you were close, close enough to kiss-

“Cuz, are you sure that-”

The male voice is cut off when Lloyd in a black suit appears in front of you and a young man. One of his hands behind his back, you know far too well he’s holding the gun and will shoot your cousin’s brain out if you don’t explain quickly.

“Morning Mr. Hansen. This is my cousin, Connor Ashborne, studying at UCLA Med School.” You smile politely towards your boss, “I called for him to check up on you, since you refused to go to any doctor with a gunshot wound. He’s here to provide professional medical assistance.”

“Mr. Hansen,” the young man extends his hand for Lloyd to shake, “I’ve heard of a lot of things about you.”

“Lots of bad things, I hope.” Lloyd throws in a comment half-sarcastically, plopping himself down on the couch, ignoring your cousin’s extending hand, “Shit.” When he stretches his wounds again, the gauze must have clotted with his flesh for this level of pain.

“Cuz?” Conner turns his choice to your hand, “It’s your call. I can’t force your boss to do anything.”

“Yeah, me neither.” You mutter, “He’s more stubborn than a bull with eyes on the red flag.”

“Careful there, sunshine.” Lloyd gulps down some whiskey, numbing the pain in his thigh, “I can hear ya’ loud and clear.”

You silently shrugged towards your cousin, letting him know that you could not be of help any more than he did. “You should probably head to your classes.” You speak softly towards Connor, “Say hi to your sister for me, will you?”

“Sure thing, cuz. Remember those antibiotics and pain meds for the... patient in the kit.” He pulls you into a hug, “No need to thank me, I know, I'm one of a kind.”

Yeah, he's a one-of-a-kind dick when he wants to be. You can't help but smile knowing that his ego bloated after coming to your aid.

“I’ll see you around Christmas, yeah?”He asks.

“Around Christmas.” You confirm, patting his back.

Connor shoots you a wink and a “Bye, cuz”, grabbing the bicycle helmet on the kitchen counter and rushing out of your apartment like a gust of wind.

"A-hem." Lloyd clears his throat.

You let out a long exhale, realizing the big problem-o is still sitting on the couch like he owns this place – he indeed still does, as you have helped combing through his real estate. He owns the whole residential community – more specifically, has a lot of shares in the company which runs this residence, at the very least. Putting your best, and most professional courtesy on, you ask Lloyd, “I’ve called Denny earlier this morning. He’s now driving around the block. Denny has driven to your place and picked up the usual breakfast from your cook. Should I call him and tell him to come up? Or you’d like to head to the office right now?”

“Tell him to come up. I’ve been shot. It seems fair to skip work this morning.” Lloyd has the usual smug smile on his face. Stepping into his crocodile shoes onto the floor, spreading his arms over the couch, he looks down at the ground before narrowing his eyes and raising a sharp question: “You’ve had the carpet thrown out?”

Of course, you’ve had the carpet thrown out. Or you would throw up five times per hour.

You thought so when carrying the blood-soaked carpet downstairs, after making sure Lloyd was asleep around midnight. As his secretary, it is your job to make sure he doesn’t have to worry about anything besides his business.

You carried the carpet downstairs, avoiding cameras as carefully as possible, with your ridiculous scuba goggles and face mask on, and dumped the carpet, into another residence trash can two blocks further. With his blood and his scent on it, it is easy to lure those henchmen away if they bring hounds to search for Lloyd.

Lloyd does not go down without a fight, that you were certain. You were also certain of the fact that the transaction gone wrong would make relative parties involved less than happy, hence the ambush at Doc’s place. If they struck once, it seemed possible that they would strike again, knowing that Lloyd was hurt.

Also packing hydrogen peroxide, a powerful bleach, and a pack of Q-tips with you, you carefully erased the traces of Lloyd’s blood from the street to your residence building, and inside the elevator.

“Miss Y/L/N!” The security guard exclaimed on seeing you back inside the building. He was smart enough not to comment on you pulling your scuba goggles and face mask off, but smiled warmly, “A rough night?”

You smile back, “Hi Henry. I hate to pull ranks on you, Henry, I really do. But in less than ten minutes you are going to get a call from your boss, who has gotten a call from his boss, asking you to do exactly what I tell you to, which is to make a copy of the surveillance footage of the security cameras, and delete the original copy stored in the computers stored somewhere in this building. You are also going to tell me whether anyone has dropped by when your shift ends this morning, who looks suspicious, asking questions even though they don’t live here.”

The smile froze on Henry’s face, “Miss Y/L/N, it’s against the company orders…”

Just then, the phone on Henry’s desk rang, which Henry took the minute it made a sound.

The smile turned to a serious frown.

“…Yes. Yes, Sir. I’ll see to it.” He hung up the phone after a polite “Good night”, straightening his security guard uniform, and moved around the desk, “This way, Ma’am.”

After burying your head in the toilet bowl and throwing up almost half an hour ago, you had used your cell phone and called Lloyd's business partner up ahead, told him that Lloyd had issued a command to erase surveillance camera footage of a specific building and asked to keep a copy.

His business partner, hauled up from his bed because of this phone call in the middle of the night, knew better than to refuse.

… and that was why the Russian mob drove through the block later that morning at 1 a.m. and did not find a trace of Lloyd taking shelter in your condo after circling the area for quite some time.

Taglist (Also tagging those who might be interested): @stargazingfangirl18 @sarahdonald87 @joannaliceevans-fanficblog @magnificentsaladllama @biteofcherry @petalj @jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory @thezombieprostitute @yiiiikesmish @warriorblu @vonalyn @notathingjustthere @lokislady82 @irishhappiness @toozmanykids @alicedopey @cakesandtom @universitypenguin @openup-yourmind @helenaeisenhower @wilsons-striped-ties @tittittoee @bean-is-reading

Find A Whiff of Blood Masterlist here 👈

Questions? Comments? Requests? 👉Send them to my inbox 👂

[caelwynn]

New Additions to Caelwynn's 1.6.9+ Mod List (2/2)

Updated: 01/20/25

Aesthetics

Altar of Yoba Replacement — replaces the gold altar to Yoba inside of Pierre's with a nature-inspired altar.

Bathroom Furniture for Content Patcher — adds bathroom furniture, wallpapers and flooring.

Cellar Nook — a varied set of decorative cardboard boxes.

Cozy Chocolate Furniture — adds over a hundred pieces of furniture. I particularly like the windows it adds.

CP Combination Table — adds a table in multiple pieces, allowing you to make it your desired length.

Daisyniko's Earthy Maps - All in One — A Earthy Recolor for SVE Maps, Meadowlands Farm, Immersive Farm 2 Remastered, Grandpa's Farm, Frontier Farm, Joja Emporium, Crimson Badlands, Grampleton Suburbs, Highlands, Fablereef, Ridgeside Village, East Scarp, Visit Mount Vapius, Passerby Cemetery, Aspen, Ginger Island, DownTown Zuzu and Worldmap Everywhere.

Elle's Cuter Trinkets — adds 54 options for fairy companions, 13 options for frogs, and 25 options for parrots

HxW Bakery and Cafe Furniture — adds over fifty beautiful pieces of furniture for you to build your dream bakery and coffee shop with!

HxW Buildable Bakery — Adds a bakery-style shed upgrade. Includes bonuses to cooking, crafting and two upgrades to make it more spacious.

HxW Decorative Plants Furniture Set — add over eighty adorable potted plants and hanging planters as new furniture pieces.

HxW Everything Catalogue — adds a catalogue that includes all HxW mods currently installed.

HxW Fairy Garden Furniture Indoors — adds over sixty indoor items. Made to match the original: Fairy Garden Furniture for Outdoors!

HxW Farmer's Market Furniture - Bakery Set — adds forty pieces of bakery furniture for you to build your very own farmer's market.

HxW Farmer's Market Furniture - Core — adds fifty pieces of furniture for you to build your very own farmer's market.

HxW Farmer's Market Furniture - Fishmonger and Butcher Set — adds a fishmonger and butcher set with over fifty furniture pieces.

HxW Farmers Market Furniture - Wildflour Set — adds pieces of furniture and craftables in the style of Atelier Wildflour's Crops and Forage.

HxW Plant Lovers Furniture — adds seventy-five new plant filled furniture pieces and five recolors.

HxW Ripley's Country Kitchen — Replace your existing farmhouse kitchen or build your own custom dream kitchen with modular cabinets, shelves, working stove etc. Available in 9 color schemes.

Lumisteria Beam Mod — adds several options for the beams and kitchens, log panels, and pillars.

Lumisteria Furniture — A conversion of several of Lumisteria's furniture mods, including : beech set, spring set, flower set, and flower pride banner set.

Orangeblossom's Basic Bedroom Furniture — adds bedroom furniture, built-in closet (functional), and other modular things based on IKEA's BJÖRKSNÄS bed frame and PAX wardrobe frames.

Orangeblossom's Basic Dining Set — exactly what it says: several different-sized dining table and chairs.

Orangeblossom's Furniture Catalogue — needed for Orangeblossom's other furniture to show properly. Will probably crash your game if you do not have any Orangeblossom furniture installed.

Orangeblossom's Not-So-Basic Kitchen and Add-ons — another kicthen replacement option.

Orangeblossom's Tile Kitchen and Dining Set — kitchen and dining set made to match Vintage Chic Interiors.

Orangeblossom's Vintage Chic Interiors — a large selection of furniture, wallpaper, and flooring.

PCS Rattan Furniture — adds 74 new pieces of furniture in vintage rattan theme.

Random Lost Library Book Covers — changes the lost library books to one of 20 different sizes and colors.

Simple Foilage - Unofficial Update for 1.6 — retexture for trees.

Tea's Cozy Modern Bathroom Furniture — a large vanilla-friendly collection of modern bathroom fixtures and furniture for Content Patcher.

They Deserve It Too - Portraits for Vendors — adds portraits to every single vendor in Stardew Valley who hasn't already gotten one.

Vanilla Tweaks Aquarium Edition — retextures fishes, beach forage, tackles and baits, trash, and treasure sprites with an updated yet vanilla feel.

Vanilla Tweaks Interface Edition — updates the GUI and skill tabs to reflect the same feel as the other Vanilla Tweaks.

Vanilla Tweaks Warrior Edition — retextures elixirs and medicine, monster loot, rings, shoes, tools and weapon sprites in the same style as other Vanilla Tweaks.

Vanilla Tweaks Caves Edition — rextures artifacts, minerals, gems, geodes, mining nodes, rocks and resource sprites in the same style as other Vanilla Tweaks.

Vanilla Tweaks Producer Edition — rextures Artisan Goods, Pierre's Store products and food sprites in the same style as other Vanilla Tweaks.

Vanilla Tweaks Farming Edition — rextures Crops, Crop Stages, Forage, Seeds, Saplings and Fertilizer sprites in the same style as other Vanilla Tweaks.

Wall Decorations — Better wall decorating options, including multiple layers and hanging objects on corners.

Zilch's Envelopes for Mailbox Menu — adds custom envelopes for Mailbox Menu mod.

Fashion Sense

Dawn's Florist Gown - Dress Set for Fashion Sense

(FS) Customizable Colors for Vanilla

(FS) Vanilla Hats Extended

(FS) Vanilla Shirts for Fashion Sense

FS - Season of the Witch

FS The Coquette Collection

FS - Vanilla Accessories

FS Wabi's Wardrobe

FS Wide Legs (Shoes and Pants)

Idaisa's Farmer's Shirts (For CP & FS)

Lambeeron's Oversized Sleeves

WS78's Flower Dance Pack for FS

For my masterlist of Stardew Valley Mods, please look here.

[arathejedi394]

snippet from into the dark, my sequel to the kept boy

Bucky takes him into their room and puts him down on his feet before shutting the door behind him. Steve turns around so his back is to Bucky and Bucky unzips his dress. He releases the lavender day collar’s clasp, then takes off Steve’s earrings and other necklace. He puts the jewelry away as Steve walks into the bathroom to take off his dress. 

Bucky steps into the regular closet, walking up to Steve’s selection of maternity evening gowns. He purses his lips, considering two different black dresses as he debates whether he wants to see cleavage or leg tonight. Bucky picks the cleavage. He’s a perv. It’s a satin mermaid dress with a sweetheart neckline but tailored by Yankov to fit Steve’s baby bump; it’s from his last pregnancy, but it’s not like they had time to get a brand new gown. It has a short train and one off-the-shoulder, split cape sleeve that reaches the ground, a matching opera glove for the right hand, and it is set with snakes made of gold metal, wrapped around the sleeve and glove, the shoulder, and bust. There’s a matching hat, he knows, so he goes digging around the hat boxes until he finds it; it’s a wide brimmed Parisian-style fascinator hat, angled to the left, and wrapped with gold snakes and accented with gold feathers. To go with it, Bucky picks a pair of five-inch sandals with gold chains and little ankh charms, made by Tom Ford. 

Bucky carries the dress and the shoes out to the bedroom. Steve’s just sitting down at his makeup table with his hair curled, the lights around his mirror switched on, starts by dabbing cream onto his eyelids. 

“Gold and black,” Bucky calls to him.

“‘Kay,” Steve says. “What color lip?”

Bucky thinks about it, looking at the dress. “Red,” he decides. “Dark. And no transfer so I can kiss you.”

“‘Kay.”

Bucky walks up to the jewelry cabinet again. He puts away his watch and cufflinks, then walks away, stripping off his jacket. He tosses it into the dry cleaning hamper and steps up to the gun safe. He puts away his revolver and holster, then carries on undressing, putting the pieces of his suit except his tie in the dry cleaning hamper; the tie goes into the regular laundry. Bucky leaves on his socks and boxers and returns to the regular closet to get a tux out for himself. He just grabs the first black one with gold accents he sees and carries it out to drop onto the bed. He then walks up behind Steve, grabs the second chair by the makeup table, and drops into it. Bucky props his chin up on his fist and his elbow on the vanity as he settles into watching Steve do his makeup.

By seven, Steve’s done up his face with a vivid black and gold cut crease with little gold gems, and a dark red lip color, as well as the rest of his makeup. As he’s spritzing his face with setting spray, Bucky gets back up and crosses to the jewelry cabinet to open it. He grabs the second diamond collar he’d bought Steve, the one in yellow gold rather than white gold, and then picks through his earrings until he’s got a pair of yellow gold rattlesnakes with diamonds for eyes and creating the patterns down their backs. He also picks out a yellow gold snake bangle, with rubies for eyes. Bucky puts the three boxes on the bed, then straps on a gold watch and picks out cufflinks in yellow gold with rubies, as well as a matching tie tack; he’s got a set that look like snakes, too, bought specifically to match this dress.

Steve gets up from his makeup table. “You wanna put me in different underwear?” he asks.

“Nah,” Bucky says. “But take your bra off. Here.”

He picks up the gown and removes it from its hanger, then unzips it and opens it up. Steve, dropping his bra onto the bed, takes his shoulders as he kneels and he steps into the dress. Bucky pulls it up then helps him into the sleeve and glove. He fixes the one shoulder, then walks around Steve’s back to zip it back up. Steve sits down on the bed and puts in his earrings, slips on his bracelet on the hand without a glove, then opens the box with his yellow gold collar and takes it out. Bucky lifts it from his hands, then fastens it around his throat.

He smoothes his hands over Steve’s shoulders and then taps his chin. Steve makes eye contact. Bucky smirks down at him, then his gaze drops to the neckline of Steve’s dress. He hooks a finger into it and pulls it away from his body to see down the front. Steve blushes. Bucky admires his ample, perky tits, then cups his chin and bends down to kiss him.

“You’d betta get dressed,” Steve murmurs. “You can’t be late to your own party.”

Bucky sighs about it, but Steve’s right. He puts on a dress shirt in a deep red that matches Steve’s lipstick, buttons it up, and gets into his slacks. After his brocade waistcoat, black and dark gold, Bucky puts on a double shoulder holster and loads it with two Desert Eagles. He slips his jacket on, tucks a gold pocket square into the breast pocket and a gold bundle of flowers with rubies in the petals into his lapel, then gets out a pair of glossy black wingtips also by Tom Ford and puts them on. Steve, already in his shoes and hat, walks up to him and adjusts his tie, then stands up on his toes. Bucky cups his chin again and kisses him.

“C’mon,” he murmurs. “We’d better get this over with.”

Steve slips his arm through Bucky’s as they leave.

[4k-starbound-k4]

Strangers

Tw: Sfw (disturbing) Mentions of Abuse, Drug abuse, Overdose, Cannibalism, Psychosis, mentions of domestic abuse, mentions of death, experimentation, body gore, psychological horror villain AU!

The dark room echoed with the screams of the other users of One for All. His mind had never been quiet, but now it was torn at every thought or emotion he had.

Turmoil. That’s all he felt.

His hair had grown longer, the roots now a stark white, once wide eyes exhausted and heavy, his formerly tan skin complexion now pale and sickly; bright green eyes, now dull and dark.

He felt his hand twitch and shake making him shoot up with a deep groan. Raking his finger down his face in a fury he had become accustomed to.

He had decided to take a walk, which always seemed to make it worse. He pulled on his combat boots and tightened the laces before pulling on his shirt. It was one his girlfriend got him.

As she crossed his mind, it hurt all too much within his head. He dragged his feet towards the shared bathroom down the hall.

It wasn’t rare for him to be the only one awake. He wished he could sleep, just a moment longer, the nightmares were nothing if it meant he could possibly see her, even if he forgot when he woke up.

The green haired man walked to the decrepit and dirty bathroom to turn on the broken, sickly whitish-blue light. It flickered and made an uneasy humming noise. It sounded familiar in all the worse ways.

He looked up into the mirrors and examined his eye bangs. The screaming started getting louder and louder. It made him want to smash his head into the mirror; the glass cutting deep within his skin would be better than this. He opened the medicine cabinet and took out a bottle of pills, quirk suppressants, that the doctor had given to him.

His trembling hand made it harder for him to give himself the right amount, five fell into his palm… he only needs one. Slamming his palm over his face, he didn’t gag or flinch. He’d become fond of the taste of fleeting freedom.

He put the bottle back on its shelf and slammed the medicine cabinet closed. The voices begin to be drowned out by the humming light, then it flickers. Causing him to lift his head and look into the mirror.

He had known she was coming.

Her hair was tattered and messy, her nose bled, as a matching small stream of crimson left the corner of her mouth. She was covered in bruises and bloody bite marks. Her neck, branded with hand prints.

Her eyes locked with him in the mirror as she wrapped her arms around his softly toned frame.

It was You.

“Am I making you feel sick?” She asked, nuzzling his neck.

“It’s all my fault.” He whispered, eyes looking down.

The cold chill in the air had not gone away. In fact it got colder as her grip tightened.

“My hero.” She nuzzles him more as she moves her hand to his neck.

“I’m not a hero anymore.” He says blankly.

Her fingers wringing against his neck, dragging her nails against his skin. He had forgotten to breathe…

Or was she suffocating him?

Already dull eyes glazed over as he felt her icy breath on his neck, he was trembling as he felt her blood transfer onto his body. It made him inhale sharply when she placed her teeth on his throat.

Her eyes had gone milky, that comforting color now gone. It was blank and blind, nothing like the focus she had in life. He couldn’t take it anymore, so he grabbed her arm.

He slammed her into the wall, his hands around her pretty neck.

Her eyes once again filled with color and wide, much like that night. Her tears landed on his hands, as blood started pouring from her nose and mouth.

This was all his fault. He wanted to be a hero. He made that deal with All for One! He got this stupid power that clashed with One for All! He shouldn’t have visited her after that night. If he’d just waited for the results, if Bakugo hadn’t triggered him…

He remembers the taste of her blood and flesh in his mouth. He just wanted to make her happy, but she started crying! He couldn’t remember why she started crying? Was it because he yelled at her… Or was it because he pinned her down and hit her?

That agony was nothing he had experienced before, it infuriated him. It made him unlike himself.

He looks down at her as she’s choking and crying. Her nails scratch his hands and arms. Her golden eyes, fading as she looks up at him.

“I-Izuku? Please… stop.” She choked out the blood dripping from her nose and mouth as he glanced over every part of her body.

It was so beautiful.

She looked good enough to eat. This hunger was consuming him, the screams of the other users flooding his mind.

His teeth sunk into her throat, the blood filled his mouth with a metallic taste, all while she hisses and groans for him to stop. It all just sounds like music to him! This was his symphony, and this was the crescendo!

He wished and prayed she’d just give in, can’t she see he was trying to love her?

Her near-lifeless body relaxed as his hand fell to her hips, the other pinning her hands above her head. His dead eyes clashed with hers like a forest fire. Her chest heaved slowly as he sunk his teeth back into her.

“I love you.” He purrs softly into her ear.

“Please let me go.” She says brokenly, her voice quivering.

“I love you.” His tone darkened.

“Izuku… it hurts.” She begs, her head falling to his shoulder.

Her flesh tastes like candy in his mouth, his hunger slowly being fed with each bite.

“I love you.” He lifted her head to look at him.

“Izuku…”

He felt cold and tired again. Lifeless. Ironic.

“I missed you.”

The feeling of cold water covered his body with a shock.

“Wake up.”

“Huh?” His eyes shot open.

“Wake up!” Shigaraki’s voice sounded annoyed.

He had looked up into the sickly white light. There was Tomura, his red eyes staring down at Izuku, slumped on the bathroom floor.

“You can’t keep overdosing on your medicine.” Tomura says, watching him stand up.

“How’s progress?” Izuku inquired, dismissing the older man’s worry.

“She’s nearly ready, just some finishing touches.” Tomura smirks and led him out the bathroom and down the hall to the basement door.

Beneath the abandoned hospital they stayed in was a laboratory. Vats full of future Nomu and experiments. As they walked among the tubes of test subjects, he stopped at one that was recently emptied.

Before looking at Tomura who kept walking. Izuku followed him.

“Where is-“ he says as Tomura stops and looks down.

It was a metal case full of a toxic looking, glowing blue substance, a mass of wires and tubes connected on all four sides as he looked into it through the frosty glass.

Her hair had turned stark white, cheeks rosy for the first time in years, as her chest rose and fell with life. The bite marks were still visible, but the parts of missing flesh had been replaced with pieces of skin too light for hers. Her mouth had been stitched into a smile, and her eyes closed peacefully. Her joints uncannily like a doll. The gash on her waist where he had — where it had — also been stitched and repaired.

“What more do I have to do?” Izuku looked up at Tomura, then at the doctor in the corner of the room.

The large computer terminal lit up and a video of One for All appeared.

“I’ve kept my deal, All Might is dead… you can take my quirk. I just want her to wake up.” Izuku orders firmly.

“You are not done yet, hero society needs to be taught a lesson.”

“What else do you want from me?” He sighed.

He was exhausted.

“Pledge your loyalty to Tomura and you can have her in a matter of seconds, even keep your quirks.” OFA smirks at him.

Izuku looks at Tomura and glances at her, “As long as it doesn’t risk killing her again… I’ll do whatever you want.”

“Good, you’ll be better in a world without heroes anyway after all you’ve done.” Tomura smirks at him.

Izuku looks at her as she groans and stretches. He immediately dropped to his knees and pulled off the top. He took her face in his scarred hands before she could process she was suddenly alive again.

He kissed her; it was feverish and obsessed, his fangs sinking into her tongue, allowing him to taste her again.

However, now, he can pace himself.

“Izuku? Stop, let me go!” She panicked.

“Shh, shh, it’s okay Doll. I’m here. And you aren’t going anywhere.” He says staring down into her milky white eyes.

“I want to go home.” She cries, shaking her head.

“You’ll never be without home ever again, I will never leave you- or let you leave me again.” He pets her hair.

He pulls her naked body out of the box, carrying her upstairs as the three others watch, amused by the monster they created.

“Stop! Help! Someone please help me!” She screams and sobs, squirming to get away from him.

“I love you.” He says as his bedroom door closes.

The screams of the other users came back feverishly, agonisingly. But he had become familiar with the pain. He would never have to hurt again, as long as she was there to shriek over them. Izuku could finally feel ‘sane’ again.

No matter how sick he got…

She was a remedy.

[dark-angel-of-muses]

The Lipsick Bet

AO3 Link

“Hmm, red or purple today?” Legend opened his medicine cabinet, perusing the assorted lipsticks strewn about the third shelf.

“Dude, you’re going out with Ravio today,” Wild laughed as he grabbed the blue from over Legend’s shoulder.

Legend blinked. “What about it?”

“Are you kidding? You two can’t go five minutes without kissing. It’s like your mouth gravitates to his neck. Use gloss so you don’t get your lipstick everywhere on each other within 30 minutes of leaving the house.” Wild smacked his lips, tilting his head to admire his cupid’s bow.

“We have self restraint!” Legend argued, hot in the face.

“50 rupees says you don’t,” Wild smirked, moving onto applying eyeshadow to match his lipstick.

“Make that 50 rupees for each of us, and you’re on.” Legend picked up the red lipstick, angrily smearing it on thick.

“Fine, but then I get 100 rupees when you lose.” Wild finished his makeup, then pulled out Legend’s plum lipstick. “I’m gonna go give this to Ravio and explain the bet. Expecting to see it on you, so make sure to pick some clothes that go well with the color.” Wild waved the stick tauntingly, then sauntered out of the bathroom with a laugh.

Screw him! Legend wasn’t that shameless. He could go one day without kisses, and he’s sure the promise of rupees would have Ravio jumping on the bet like a rabid dog. Free money for the both of them, and free pride when Wild was proven wrong after acting so smug.

Ok, well, this was an unforeseen complication. The plum lipstick Wild had chosen for Ravio looked absolutely stunning. Legend found himself leaning automatically, aiming to plant a kiss on the corner of those pretty lips.

“Rupees, remember?” Ravio laughed, gently pushing Legend back with the tip of his finger.

“Right, right,” Legend grumbled. He caught Ravio’s eyes lingering on his own lips, but greed won over affection and the merchant staunchly held himself at bay.

“Well, we’re not going to spend this date sitting on the couch, right? Let’s go see if the farmer’s market has any new deals!” Ravio pulled Legend up with him, holding both his hands and almost raising a knuckle to kiss before he caught himself. The merchant blushed sheepishly, then pulled Legend along towards the front door. Legend found himself nearly pulling Ravio in for a quick “Let’s be off” kiss, digging his nails into his partner’s scarf to avoid bringing his hand to his mouth and ruining his lipstick.

This may have been a bit more difficult than he anticipated.

Legend is astounded by how much he thinks of kissing Ravio. It’s getting to the point where he wonders if he really is as affectionate as Wild claimed, or being denied permission is making his brain run in circles around the topic. He can’t help it though, Ravi is too cute! There’s a sparkle in his eye when he’s haggling, hands moving all over the place as he talks through pricing and trades. He has the most adorable tic of twirling his scarf around his finger when he’s thinking, and his tongue sticking out just a tiny bit as he does the mental math on coupons.

Oh, and can’t forget he’s cute as a bunny kit.

“Ledge, look at these earrings! They’re little carrots!” Ravio held up the offending items in front of his ears. The little green toppers were holographic, matching the strange shine his eyes took on. Legend wasn’t sure if that was a Lorule thing, or if Ravio just had very pretty eyes, but he found himself staring often.

Trying not to stare at the beautiful plum mouth just below those eyes, Legend forced his gaze over to the jeweler’s wares. They seemed to be focused more on cute shapes and colors, selling images of Cuccos, Keese, grasshoppers, and-

“I need these.” Legend found his own pair of earrings, tiny hoops with a yarn impression of death mountain made in the middle. There were even speckles of red beads in the fabric to represent the lava at the peak. Legend held the item up to his ears, using the store’s table mirror to see how they fell against his face. Hmm, on the bigger side for earrings, but the material looked lightweight. Then, a hint of purple caught in his peripheral vision, and he saw Ravio in the mirror.

The merchant had both hands over his mouth, green eyes squeezed shut. Did it really take that much self control not to go for it? Legend thought for sure the promise of any amount of rupees would be way more appealing than him. He still wasn’t entirely sure if Ravio wouldn’t sell him for three green rupees and a corn chip.

And now he wants to kiss him again to tease the little miser, which of course he can’t do because-

Why again?

Oh right, Wild. His pride. A dumb bet. How much is 100 rupees, really? That’s fifty each, and if he considers how fast he can recoup that from monster-slaying…

No, he has to do this! To prove he can! Wild acted like a smug little bug, like it was a foregone conclusion Legend couldn’t go a day without kissing Ravio. He had to prove he wasn’t so predictable or helpless! Even if Wild was cheating by making Ravi look extra kissable today, he was still going to play this game and win.

“Here’s your food, sirs.” In hindsight, spaghetti probably wasn’t the best food to order when you were trying not to mess up your makeup, but the plate had been brought out and Legend was hungry. Ravio, as per usual when they went to this restaurant, started shoving breadsticks into the sleeves of his robes.

The first time they had come here, Legend stared in abject horror and confusion at the merchant squirreling away food. Had he planned on just taking the food and leaving? Was this not actually a date? Then Ravio excitedly explained, “They have free refills on appetizers, and take-out is ok! Quick, shove some into your hat so we can get extras to eat at home!” Legend had to wrangle his blue cap away from the greedy little thing. Their food hadn’t even come yet, and he was not getting butter on his favorite hat.

Legend learned quickly that nothing excited the merchant more than saving a rupee, and learned to bear with the embarrassment that came from leaving restaurants with Ravio’s clothes looking like an overzealous chipmunk. It was actually kind of endearing since he would get so excited, and the merchant had the good graces to stop when asked by staff.

“Sheerow is gonna be so happy to have these as snacks. They’re deluxe bird feed, especially when properly ripped up!” Ravio was finagling with one stick, trying to get it to sit evenly in his scarf without falling out when he moved.

Goddesses above, Legend wanted to kiss him.

When their pasta finally came, Ravio was properly padded out with breadsticks, looking happy as a clam. Legend barely paid attention as he wound a noodle around his fork, taking in his beautiful boyfriend as Ravi tried to maneuver without dropping food like a Zirro with its bombs.

Legend slurped his noodle slowly, until it hit a snag and wouldn't go any further. He looked with the pasta plate, then at the noodle hovering above it. One end in his mouth, the other around Ravio's fork. Oh, this was fun. Half the reason they ordered spaghetti to share was to get in these little tug of wars, fighting until they got closer and closer, each claiming more of their noodle until. 

Dammit Wild, screw you and your stupid bet! Legend bit through his end of the noodle, letting it fall limply onto the table. Ravio gave him sad puppy eyes, disappointment clear.

"Rupees, remember?" Legend whined miserably.

Ravio's eyes widened. Clearly he had completely forgotten about the bet. His face screwed up in frustration, before he slumped the remainder of his noodle in resignation.

They went through the rest of dinner without talking, stewing over the perfect missed opportunity. Additionally it was growing increasingly hard to remember why they couldn't kiss the longer they looked at each other, so they were awkwardly avoiding making direct eye contact. The waiter raised an eyebrow when he came to hand over the check. 

Legend was going to use his 50 rupees to buy Cucco eggs to crack over Wild's head.

When evening fell, the town painted in oranges and yellows as the sun set, Legend was at his absolute limit. His mouth itched, his heart was doing uncomfortable flips of longing, and Ravio was even more gorgeous with black hair haloed by the light of the evening skies.

Thankfully, Sheerow was able to take the spoils of free breadsticks so Ravio wasn’t walking around in a suspiciously lumpy robe. He still smelled a little bit of garlic, but it was manageable. If it were any other day, Legend would surreptitiously hand them both breath mints so they could continue their business without their breath offending the other, but there was no need for that today. It was truly a tragedy.

“Do you want to walk through the castle gardens? I’m sure the flowers would look lovely this time of day,” Ravio offered with a shaky smile. If there was any solace in this, it was Ravio seeming to be in as much pain without kisses as Legend was.

“Sounds fun. Maybe we can hit the night market after we’re done?”

Legend moved to agree, then thought about it. The night market had those beautiful luminous stones, and it was the time when magicians and fortune tellers would come to sell their services. In the past, seeing Ravio with the wisps of nebula magic flowing through his hair from the different magic stalls trying to advertise was breathtaking. If he saw him surrounded by the glow of aquamarine jewels, little fairy barkers sparkling glitter dust over his beautiful hair…

“Maybe not this time?” His poor heart can’t take much more of this.

Ravio grimaced, but nodded in assent. Yeah, they both needed not to test their resolve any more than this. He absently traced a thumb over his lip. The pretty plum color had dried enough that it didn’t come off on the finger. Hm, they probably need to reapply, especially after eating. There were days where Legend would notice and, to be cheeky, would put the lipstick on his lips and apply to Ravio via kissing, but obviously, that wasn’t an option today. Even if mixed red and plum lipstick would be so pretty.

No! The sun is setting, he’s almost done! Then he can go and throw Wild’s stupid accusation of having no self restraint back in the Champion’s dumb face. He hopes the champ’s blue lipstick stained his shirt. This was torture.

The gardens were beautiful, as usual. Zelda’s retinue was excellent at keeping a rainbow of different blooms in peak condition, perfectly trimmed and set along the swooping metal fences. Legend traced the soft petals of a bellflower. It was just the right shade of violet, a little more red than blue in its hue, to match Ravio’s makeup.  Ugh, could he stop thinking about Ravio’s perfect lips for three damn seconds? His brain was proving Wild right!

“Look at the hyacinths, they’re changing!” Ravio pointed excitedly to the bushels of blue, pink, and purple blossoms, shimmering in a gradient. Those flowers changed their color based on the magic in the soil, and thanks to the strong concentration of magic in Hyrule castle, they would change color in hypnotic waves.

Legend caught a twinkle in the corner of his eye, then smiled as he reached towards a bushel of daisies. “Looks like the Minish left us a gift.” 

Ravio squealed happily as Legend presented him a red rupee. He didn’t have the Minish back home, so stray rupees could only be found near monsters that were hoarding spoils. He was so delighted to find out Hyrule had rupees for free, and Legend took special delight in finding the spares in grass or pots to present to the merchant.

“Oh I could kiss you right now!” Ravio swooped in, barely remembering to stop himself in time as he found himself nose-to-nose with Legend.

“Rupees, remember?” Legend said, voice pained.

To his surprise, Ravio didn’t back down. “I have Rupees right here. So why can’t I?“ His voice was husky, desire clear in his tone.

“C’mon Ravi, the day is almost over. We’ll go home after this and win.” Legend held his breath, clenching his fists.

“C’mon. Our lipstick is dry anyway. Wild never has to know.” It wasn’t an actual argument, just an excuse. But with the merchant being so close, and the sunset glowing beautifully red against his face, in the privacy of a high-walled flower garden. Well, Legend didn’t have a will of steel.

Wild cackled as he collected his rupees, Legend and Ravio shamefully bowing their heads. No matter how dry your lipstick was, a full blown make out session was going to leave a mark. And considering the plum lip imprints all around Legend’s face and neck, matching the red on Ravio, they had certainly left marks.

Worth it.

[tomanyhusbandz]

Just a little sum I wrote on Wattpad don’t know if I’ll keep the story it’s called fatal I’ll drop more if I decide to continue but I feel like it’s trash 

Enjoy!

___________________

(Manman - Creole for mother)

''The recorder's starting if you would like to start Ms. LeBlanc ?"

I was born in Ethiopia as was my mother and my father a colored New Orleans man who decided that he'd vacation in Ethiopia and decided to stay when he met my mother. They got married and had me, Anaji LeBlanc I was their pride and joy I had a colorful childhood it was full of life, loving parents, peace, and that was my favorite pastime sad part about,

A rich white man named Clint came to town that was very highly fond of my mother and not to wild about the idea of her having a husband and so much less child, he came by one night while he assumed we were all sleeping except I wasn't, I heard it all, he had been sneaking around with my mother. And that night was the night was the night they decided to kill my father and I saw the whole thing something no child should ever see that whole moment changed my life forever. When I turned eighteen my new "father'' decided to move us to New Orleans because of some dead ambition of my mother's has live wired again and she was hoping to start a clothing shop in the heart of New Orleans, excited because of this newfound wealth she acquired she was willing to spend it on anything and my stepfather was willing to do it all just to see her happy.

But what about my happiness?

Three years had gone by, and I was finally twenty, and couldn't wait to be free of my parents, specifically my mother she wasn't the same way she was before we came here, she was soft and attentive towards me but know I'm the last thought on her mind. As if I didn't watch her and Clint murder my father and in the back of my mind I wonder if I was going to be part of that plan. Maybe mother stopped him? or she just figured she'd dump me off somewhere, but no I persisted and its eating at her every day and its shows. They were finally making a life for themselves out here and I was just the third wheel, my life felt like it started without me and left me in its ashes but here I was feeling like I was the problem in my own life.

Maybe I was the problem .. or was I?, if I didn't exist would my mother's life be easier, would my father still be living, would I know what I was made for, or what the world had waiting for me?

''Hey .. did you hear me girl? put this China in the cabinets and then meet me across the street at the clothing store" My mother says staring at me blankly before sauntering off out into the streets in her favorite Victorian dress that matched the lavish decor and fine China.

Watching her leave I carefully take the China in my hands and walk over to the kitchen my mind racing as usual when I do these kinds of thing being treated like a maid by my own mother when we have five of them already. It felt as if she did these things to taunt me, like she had all these shiny new toys and didn't need me to entertain her anymore I out lived my usefulness to her my usefulness of being her daughter.

'' Manman not very kind today I see?" a strange voice echoed through the kitchen it was smooth like silk and sound like the sun would on a cold day

"Ah! Can I help you Mr ?" Looking the strange man from head to toe he was well dressed and he smelled like money, just by the looks of him i could tell he was well educated and thought very highly of himself

"I do .. and thank you i like to take time in my appearance as should others .." he says giving me a brief once over i was clothed in a plain blue dress practically baggy i refused to wear the things i was given only because my Clint tried to buy my happiness as well

"I-i didn't say anything what are you some kinda voodoo man?" I frown before I could finish Clint came stomping down the stairs holding his pocket watch with a big grin on his face and he only looked this way when he knew his client had lots of cash.

''Well Lestat de Lincourt! I see you've met my stepdaughter Anaji" he said pretending to care that I existed he gestured over to me with his hand Lestat tilted his head as we remained to lock eyes,he was examining me from the inside out.

This Lestat made my skin do things not so pleasing, I squirm under his gaze not breaking my eye contact with his unusual pale eyes something about him was off but also enticing. His golden hair and smug demeanor made him alluring and by the looks of the smirk on his face he knew that too and that trick from a moment ago he knew what I was thinking, it could be voodoo but he looks to classy for that, maybe it's just my lack of sleep.

"Yes she's been marvelously accommodating so far .. and what a beauty she is" he says it rolled off of his tongue in slow motion he smiled slickly at me before turning up the stairs in one swift step the smell of a sweet soft like powder staining the air.

I was left speechless standing there holding the fine China in my hands tightly like it was going to walk away from me, that was the first time I ever heard a man called me beautiful and he said it's so sincerely like he could see my insecurity's as plain as day.

Did he call me beautiful or am I losing my hearing?

I shook my head at the breif encounter with Sir Lestat and finshed packing another thing my mother was replacing me with, Gathering the ends of my worn dress I scurry over to the clothing store the bell jingling as I push the heavy glass/wooden door open. I would say that I hate it the interior decorating, but it would be a lie. My mother did have a sense for fashion that I didn't know she was capable of having. The velvet red carpets swirl along the winding stairs and the matching poofs sit idley in between the long mirrors,by the window.

"Uh finally girl .. what took you so long, you know what don't even tell me you'll be here for closing you know what to do make sure the fabrics are folded, stacked,and packed away, and don't forget to do it all with smile" my mother says sarcastically to me and she giggles behind her custom fan.

"Again ? How can I have life when all I do is YOUR job ?" I say the last part under my breath because no matter how much I wanna speak back I can't

" Yes again you need to do somethin ... you need to pull your weight around here you've been nothing but a weight around my neck and Clint's" she says rubbing her hand gently over her diamond necklace

I roll my eyes and slip behind the counter my hand underneath my chin as I rest my arm on the counter I was learning to tune her out and it got on her nerves.

" There you go again not listening to me. You know what girl I'm wasting my time speaking to you. Lock up when done."she says running away from the problem as she usally did

Before I can speak she saunters back over to the front door, leaving me in charge of the store once more for the fifth night in a row. I preferred being in here alone anyways not wanting to hear her voice all night badgering me about my appearance and why she didn't want to be seen with me or why Clint didn't want to be seen with me as his daughter. How much of a disgrace I was and how she should have left me to rot with my father.

And for some strange reason deep down, I've always thought she was right about that. Maybe she should've left me with my father. Maybe she should've went through with her plan and taking me out to.

I wanted it more than anything.

Hours fly by and the Neworleans life kicks up girls from the brothel have come in buying pretty dresses, lingerie, jewelry to wear for the mean of there choice dressing themselves up like gifts to be unwrapped. Then out they go again, to live there life's like there's no tommrow just to wake up and do it all again. Was I jealous? maybe I couldn't help but think of all the other possibilities I could've had in my life if I wasn't where I was, if I wasn't who I was. The only too people ive know made me hate myself and I was tierd of it but I didn't know what to do about it, who to talk to about it, who understood what I was going through.

Untill him.

A sudden jingle of the bell went off as the shop door closed sound of a cane tapping aginst the marble floor made my thoughts cease and the room felt like it was at a stand still. The stranger from earlier Lestat stood before me with a mischievous grin on his face, again like he knew what I was thinking. His pale eyes scan the room with his nose upturned as he practically glided across the floor. He stopped infort of the counter our eyes never leaving eacothers, he placed his smooth looking hands down close enough to graze against my skin.

(Oh my little dove)

"Tsk tsk tsk .. oh ma petite colombe you so desperately need me" he says sending shiver down my spine some how he was leaned over the counter top without me noticing him moving an inch

My body was at a stand still like I couldn't move,couldn't breath, it felt like he had me under a spell and I was at his mercy just my luck for something like this to happen to me.But part of me wasn't fighting it either something about this man made me feel wanted.

And in that moment I knew he was diffrent, he was no magic man,he was gonna be the death of me,a problem, and I was staring to like the thought of the danger.

[obitez]

Iris, Chapter 4

Tommy had five days to get as much of his kitchen renovation done as he could. 

Captain Johnson told him that he would be starting his new position Monday morning, and gave him five days to get his life in order for the change in schedule. 

Tommy was pretty sure by ‘getting his life in order,’ the man meant ‘go tell Buckley that you’re pregnant with his kid.’ 

And Tommy would tell Buck. 

He had given himself the deadline to tell Buck by Sunday night. Only right now…

Tommy was stalling.

Tommy was stalling. He was well aware of it. Was his awareness of the fact stopping him from stalling this very important action he was supposed to be doing, should have done… three days ago? No, in fact it was only making it worse. 

Originally his plan for the kitchen remodel had only been to install a new countertop and matching cabinets. Something he could totally do in five days. But then he realized that the tiling of the backsplash really didn’t go well with the colors of the new cabinets. 

He didn’t want this color, at least it wasn’t his first choice. But he thought after the break up that he would have more time to wait for the cabinets he wanted to be shipped in. Talking with the guys at the hardware store however, those were expected to arrive four months from now. Tommy didn’t know how mobile and agile he would be in four months, so he settled for the cabinets that could be delivered this morning. 

They were the same shape and model, had the same dimensions and would fit just how Tommy needed in his kitchen. Only they were the wrong color. 

They were the wrong color, which meant they didn’t match with the existing tile backsplash that was already there. (The color he wanted would have.)  So instead of just installing the new cabinets and countertops, something that he could have finished in two days max, now Tommy also had to replace the tile backsplash, a task that took significantly more time. 

From the living room, he started to hear the sound of his ringtone coming from his phone. Well, that answered where he left the device. He had been wondering where it had gone for twenty minutes now. 

Tommy was half expecting to think it was Buck calling him again. Except for the two times his Captain called him to organize a last minute change in shifts, Buck had been the only one to call him in the last month. 

Only it wasn’t Buck. It was Tommy’s sister. 

“Ella?” Tommy greeted her as he answered the phone. It was often that they called each other, at least not since their mother died five years ago and their dad… went off to do whatever it was he liked to do. In the years since then, Ella Kinard had gotten married to a British guy and moved across the continent and ocean to the United Kingdom to start a teaching job out there. They tried to call each other every so often. But between the time difference and his crazy shifts, it was hard to schedule a call.

“Tommy!” she greeted him by shouting his name, a smile clear on her voice. “It’s been a while, how have you been?” 

“Hey,” Tommy greeted her. “I’ve been… alright,” he said. He had called her a couple times since he started dating Buck, and told her some things about him. But they haven’t spoken since then. “Is there a reason why you called at…” Tommy looked down at his watch, “10:30 on a Wednesday?” 

“It might be 10:30 where you are, but it’s 6:30 where I am,” she said followed by a giggle. 

“Okay, so why are you calling me on a random Wednesday night?” Tommy asked. 

“I need a reason to just call my brother?” Ella asked. 

“Well, no but…” Tommy stumbled over his words. “You never have before.” 

“Well… “ she drawled. “I might have some news that you might be interested in.” 

So did Tommy. Boy did he have a lot of news. 

“Really?” he asked. “What is it?” 

“Oh no,” she said, and Tommy could imagine her wagging her finger at him. “You know how this goes, tell me what is going on in your life first.”

Tommy sighed as he moved some of the boxes around to sit down on a chair, he had a feeling this would be a long conversation. 

“I finally started renovating my kitchen,” Tommy said. 

“Really?” his sister asked. “The kitchen you said you were going to renovate when you moved into the place… five years ago now?” Tommy rolled his eyes again, when his sister kept talking. “Hey, what about that guy you started seeing the last time we spoke? How are things going with him?” 

Great, that was the last thing he wanted to talk about with her. 

“Things are,” Tommy said as he picked up one of the screwdrivers he had lying around and began flicking it between his fingers. “... kind of complicated.”

And he immediately regretted that choice of words. As soon as he said them, he heard his sister hum in that way that told him she wanted all of the details, even the details that Tommy didn’t know. “Complicated how?” she asked. “What? Does he sleep with the fan on? Or does he not like dogs? Don’t tell me he thinks that-” 

“We broke up,” Tommy cut her off. “Or more like… I broke up with him,” he continued. Then, he took a deep breath. “That happened just over two weeks ago, and then I found out I was pregnant on Monday.” 

The line was silent for a couple seconds, long enough for Tommy to think the call might have dropped out. He pulled the phone away from his ear, nothing made it look like it dropped connection. 

“Oh,” his sister said after a while. “I guess that is complicated.” Then he heard an annoyed groan sound out. “And it totally ruins my news.”

“Can you tell me what your news is now?” Tommy asked. 

Ella let out another annoyed huff. “You really can’t guess it? Oh super smart brother of mine?” 

“No?” Tommy asked. 

Tommy could feel her roll her eyes through the phone. “I’m pregnant, you idiot.” 

Tommy’s mind blanked, much like his sister’s probably had when he told her the same thing not three minutes ago. “Oh,” he said. “I take it this is congratulations?” 

“Yes,” she said. 

Tommy was knocked out of whatever he was going to say next by the loud chime of the doorbell ringing. 

Shit, who was that? 

“Hey, El, I got to go. Someone’s at the door,” Tommy said.  His sister let out a long and tired sigh. “Okay, fine,” she said. “I’ll call you again later, we need to catch up and talk about everything. This weekend?”

More on AO3

Link to Chapter 1

[episims]

Updating custom meshes to work with color traits

As a guideline for the future, I don't mind updating older maxis match meshes. But you'll get it done faster by doing it yourself, it takes under five minutes and doesn't require any understanding about modding.

Tutorial for updating

It works the same for any color trait mods that require editing the object directly (not all of them do), only the BHAV that needs to be replaced varies. The BHAVs are:

Medicine cabinets: Interaction - Brush My Teeth

Hot chocolate makers: Event - Chocolate Stuff Coffee machines: Event - Coffee Coffee Coffee Extract the BHAV with the group number 0x7F060A95 or 0x7FC0E04D, they're identical. The third BHAV with the same name has a slightly different code.

Activity tables: Event - Draw Start / Stop

Drafting tables: Event - Drawing

The only case where replacing the BHAV won't work is if the creator of the custom object has edited the BHAV in question after cloning. About 99,9% of creators just clone the object and leave its BHAVs untouched, though. If you encounter something that refuses to work with the replaced BHAV, feel free to send me an ask or DM.

I will link to this post from now on if anyone asks how to update them, or asks for a mesh I don't want to update. Usually, I refuse if the mesh is high poly, the thing is generally poorly made, or is a new object from an active creator.

This will also serve as a resource for any creators who want to offer color trait compatible versions of their CC.

[unknown-writez]

Misfit Toys

Chapter Five: Creation of Minx- Part Three

 He pulled me up off the bed and continued talking “Time to meet the gang. I took the liberty to get you some threads even stopped by your place for some things. You have a nice diggs.” he continued my head imagining my front door broken down and an apartment that was probably disheveled and ransacked. “Gordon and the rest of the GCPD are gonna get a kick out of that. I bet they think I was kidnapped.” I thought laughing in my head at the make believe reactions I could picture. “I threw away all the boring stuff of course. I’ll be right back, get ready then I can introduce you to everyone.” Jerome finished a hint of excitement in his voice that pulled me back down to earth. He pulled me up from the bed and spun me around making me a little dizzy before giving me a quick hug. His warm body against mine bringing a comfortable and weird sense of safety for a moment. I didn’t want to move. Letting go he turned to leave shouting “Don’t go anywhere without me!” over his shoulder as he walked out everything now silent. Looking around the large room I got the sense that we were somewhere expensive. The walls were painted a deep red and the floors were polished black and white marble. There was one king sized bed with fresh clean black bedding now all bunched up in a messy ball. Across from it on the other side of the room there stood two large black and gold wooden wardrobes in between them a long matching dresser holding a tv. Giving the room a 360 I noticed there were no windows on the walls. Only pictures of random stuff, a carved black marble fireplace and two black doors with fancy golden handles and detailings on the wall the black velvet headboard of the bed was up against. The doors on different sides of the bed. “One of them had to be a luxurious bathroom and the other was probably just a closet.” I thought walking over to one of the wardrobes the ground cold under my feet. Opening it up I was surprised to see mens clothes and a bunch of random stuff. “This must be Jerome’s room.” I concluded not wanting to mess with his stuff. I swiftly closed the wardrobe going over to the other one hoping it was my stuff. Opening the other I immediately recognized my shoes. All my different docs lined up perfectly. Going through the shirts I only found a few of my original tops most of them being new and flashy with cool designs, bright colors and different textures. Some  with leather straps or lacey others with metal rings and studs. Definitely not boring as Jerome put it. Deciding to get dressed I opened up some of the dresser drawers only to find the same style of a variety of bottoms. Some pants, shorts, skirts and undergarments. Going back to the wardrobe I skimmed the hangers finding a half orange half purple velvety top that was laced up with green cord and tied in The front and on the sides. Rummaging through the pants I found what looked to be the matching half and half corduroy bottoms. Taking off my old clothes I was wearing I threw them to the side onto the spotless floor and slipped on the new ones that fit like a glove. Going back I  grabbed a green military style belt and a pair of black holographic docs to finish it off. When I was done putting on my shoes I went to one of the doors near the bed hoping to find a bathroom my assumption being correct when I went inside and found a large golden framed mirror over a double black marble faucet with medicine cabinets on both sides a couple of drawers and regular cabinets under the sinks. On the other side of the room there was a big bath and shower and another door that led to the toilet. Walking in front of the mirror I had to admit I loved the way I looked despite my red eyes from crying so much and my crazy hair. I had always loved bright colors and statement pieces but could never wear them because of work. My favorite clothing items mostly sat in my closet unused till the weekend came. Now I felt like me. I felt comfortable in my own skin, something I hadn’t felt in a while.

[bubblegumhearts]

ABOUT ౨ৎ

╭..‿︵‿︵‧˚₊୨💒୧‧₊˚︵‿︵‿..

{This article will get edited and updated as time goes on, because mod wanted to draw a Cindy portrait so you can imagine her better but mod is a lazy ass so she gave up on drawing it at the moment! Also, mod forgets most of her headcanons so she will add more when she remembers ! Last updated on 2. 3. 2025}

[To be clear, headcanons will be highlighted in italics]

[trigger warning. Some parts might contain hints on themes from this post]

❀ BASIC INFORMATION:

Name: Cynthia (Cindy) Cooper

Age: 5

Height: 107 cm

Nationality: American, Texan 🇺🇲

Gender: Girl (she/her)

Birthday: 24th July

Zodiac: Leo ♌︎

Favorite Disney princess: Rapunzel

❀ LIKES:

Flowers, having a new boyfriend, the color pink, money, attention, bossing other people around, show and tell, sticking gum in girls' hair (specifically, making her boyfriends do it), Hubba Bubba Original and Strawberry flavor gum, dolls, playing house, pretty-looking shiny things, her dog Biscuit, her cat Gravy, bullying Lily, 'smoking' with Buggs and Jerome, sneaking out of her house, cute Monstermon cards, TV dramas/reality shows, sour peach rings, cherry pie, and Coca-Cola (but in small sips. Drinking too much makes her nauseous.)

❀ DISLIKES:

Lily, other girls, her mom, her mom's boyfriends, other men at the bar where her dad takes her to, the school gym uniform, people not doing what she tells them to do, gaining weight, vegetables, salads, the slop served at school, someone she is not close with seeing her with her hair down, science class (she pays for it anyway..), full black outfits, most of her mom's cooking, mayonnaise, pickles, her home (she wishes it was prettier)

❀ CHARACTERISTICS:

Cindy is a five-year-old of average height and slightly below average weight, her figure slender. You will always see her with two light honey blonde pigtails hanging high by the sides of her head, tied with pink hairbands. And of course, for her, pink dresses are a must.She alters her look only on special occasions.

Inspecting her face closely, you can spot a few freckles on her cheeks and around her eyes and nose. Lips are bow-shaped, about medium width. Her eyes are ocean blue, matching well with her slightly tan skin, giving her the stereotypical American look. Chubby cheeks, a small button nose, and a few missing teeth finish off her childish appearance.

Rarely, with her guard down, you might notice bruises on her arms, neck, or legs. However, it will be better for everyone if you don't mention it.

❀

Cindy's mean, merciless, bossy and stuck-up behavior makes her feared or very disliked by almost all of her peers. She doesn't feel guilt or remorse, and bullies other girls like a hobby. She is obsessed with relationships and finding boyfriends. Although she is incapable of keeping permanent relationships, keeping her boyfriends around for about a day, before she finds a new one. According to Nugget, she had 7 boyfriends in one week (in one month in the new version). She is hot-tempered and is quick to falsely accuse you of things you are innocent of. She can get quite violent when enraged, easily killing the janitor (a grown adult) with her bare hands and teeth, or even you, her 'husband', with her own pink pocket knife.

She indulges in risky behavior just like her classmates, such as stealing from the janitor, providing the janitor with stolen alcohol from her father's liquor cabinet (she even has his phone number saved. The janitor is an 80-year-old criminal and creep. Go figure.), accusing the player of assault, and so on.

Possessing knowledge of inappropriate and questionable things she should not know about at her age (assault, alcoholism, divorce, adultery, prostitution, abortion,..), playing 'house' way too realistically, having access to alcohol, and the fact she is not self-aware and quite dumb, among many other things, raises a question about her home life and the way she is being raised.

However, there are some redeeming qualities of her's worth mentioning, as to keep this from only badmouthing her. She loves and adores her pets very dearly and does not hold back when violently avenging her beloved dog Biscuit, which the janitor killed and made into food. While it is obvious that she is otherwise stupid, she is smart when it comes to achieving her goals. When making deals, she is fair and keeps her word.

❀ OTHER:

- Cannot read & write.

- Is fast "for a little girl" (said by the janitor) and has high physical strength for a kid her age.

- She plans on starring in her first movie at the age of six.

- Her dog, Biscuit, went missing a week before the game's events after she brought him to school. In an alternative path of her quest, she can find out the fate of her dog after you bring her the recipe from janitor's closet - her dog was an ingredient in the recipe.

After the janitor confiscated the dog from her, he killed it and cooked it into 'Biscut Balls', which he sells during lunch.

She avenges her puppy by killing the janitor via tearing off his head.

(You can feed Cindy one of the balls. She will ironically say that the food reminds her of her dog in quite a way she doesn't know how to explain.)

- In Kindergarten 2, you can give Cindy a brown kitten named Gravy. This is her current pet.

- She likes to use the term 'vegan' quite often, even though she doesn't actually know what it means. To her, 'vegan' food is any meal she likes. If she is given real vegan food, she will be disgusted.

- The only girl who likes and owns flowers. (Not counting Emmy, since Kindergarten 3 is still not released)

- Her pink flower is reserved for her boyfriend after he proves himself to be a good partner.

- Her grandmother, a true and proud Texan, is a christian. She believes that her beloved granddaughter is christian too. She takes her to church, buys her crosses for luck, and so on. While Cindy isn't really all that christian, she acts so to make her grandma happy (because after all, shes the only adult who is nice to her). Cindy wears a small gold cross necklace that her grandma gave her. She also has a small cross hanged above her bed in her room.

Sometimes, Cindy prays to God.

Well - is she actually christian? Maybe.

❀ NOTES FROM MOD:

She is very Marina (Electra Heart era) and Lana Del Rey coded to me^^

Some headcanons are inspired by young Tonya Harding (portrayed by Mckenna Grace) from I, Tonya, one of my favorite movies.

[those are all the notes I have right now..?]

❀ CINDY'S OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY FROM 2017:

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶

❀ ABOUT THE KINDERGARTEN GAMES (TAKEN FROM THEIR STEAM PAGE):

Kindergarten is an abstract puzzle adventure game. You play as a student in a school that’s a bit…off. The teacher is trying to get rid of her kids. the janitor is frequently seen cleaning up blood. The cafeteria is serving the same slop over and over again. Kids are walking around with strange devices planted on them after visiting the principal, and one of your fellow classmates has gone missing. It’s up to you to figure out what’s going on, because your life might depend on it.

౨ৎ STEAM STORE LINK

Kindergarten 2 is the long awaited sequel to 2017's Kindergarten! After the events that occurred on Monday, the children have been rezoned to an all new school. Discover all new areas and new characters as you assist the children with their various assignments. Whether it's helping Cindy find a new boyfriend, or helping the janitor with his war on Bob, there's always someone who can be...assisted. Play through the same wonderful Tuesday over and over again, in what has been described as "Groundhog Day with messed up children."

౨ৎ STEAM STORE LINK

Welcome to Kindergarten 3! It's now Wednesday and the kids have been sent to yet another new school filled with mystery and violence. Green goo is seeping out of every corner. The principal and other kids have gone missing. The teacher speaks only in rhyming songs and there's a gator in the pond. Typical kindergarten things. It's up to you to help everyone and figure out what's going on.

౨ৎ STEAM STORE LINK (CAN ONLY WE WISHLISTED AT THE MOMENT.)

Cindy is a non-playble character who appears in all three games. Her two missions are 'Best Boyfriend Ever' and 'Flowers for Diana' (shared with Dr. Danner). Her missions revolve around getting a boyfriend, flowers and violence.

[lboogie1906]

Learie Nicholas Constantine, Baron Constantine, Kt, MBE (September 21, 1901 – July 1, 1971) was an international cricketer, journalist, politician, and lawyer. He was the first person of African/ Caribbean ancestry to be invested as a life peer in the UK. Born in Trinidad and Tobago he was the son of a plantation foreman.

He was a valuable all-rounder, being skilled at batting, bowling, and fielding. He was the first West Indian to take a wicket in a test match and the first person to ever take five wickets in one inning. He was asked to join the Nelson Cricket Club. He moved to Nelson with his wife, Norma, and daughter and played with the club for 10 seasons. In 1933 he published his first work of many, Cricket and I. He was invested as a Member of the British Empire for his services to cricket.

The British government had brought in numerous Black engineers and factory workers from the West Indies to help the war effort. He was asked to liaise with them and became a civil servant.

He was asked to Captain a West Indian team at a series of exhibition matches at Lord’s Cricket Ground. On his arrival, even though he had confirmed his color with them beforehand, the hotel refused to allow him to check-in. He brought an action against the hotel for a Breach of Contract. He was only awarded nominal Damages of five guineas.

He moved with his wife to London where he worked as a journalist and broadcaster for the BBC whilst he studied law. In 1954 he was called to the bar. In 1956 he and his wife returned to Trinidad where he became a member of the People’s National Movement, was elected as Member of Parliament for Tunapuna, and entered the Cabinet as Minister for Communications, Works and Public Utilities. He became Trinidad’s first High Commissioner in London and returned to England with his wife. He was knighted and was elected Lord Rector of the University of St Andrews. He was invested as Baron Constantine, of Maraval and Nelson. He was posthumously awarded his country’s highest honor, the Trinity Cross. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[caelwynn]

Caelwynn's Mod List for Stardew 1.6.9+ - Furniture, Flooring, & Wallpapers

Last Updated: April 17, 2025

(CP) Illulen's Tech 'n' Stuff — A bunch of vanilla-style tech furniture and clutter.

A Better-Looking Plasma TV — I liked the console tables.

Bathroom Furniture for Content Patcher — adds bathroom furniture, wallpapers and flooring.

Cellar Nook — a varied set of decorative cardboard boxes.

Community Park Decor for Content Patcher — Adds vanilla-style park furniture.

Cozy Chocolate Furniture — adds over a hundred pieces of furniture. I particularly like the windows it adds.

Cozy Chocolate Walls and Floors — Adds 15+ wallpapers and floorings to match the theme of the Cozy Chocolate Furniture mod. Available for AT and CP!

CP Combination Table — adds a table in multiple pieces, allowing you to make it your desired length.

Cute Cottagecore Furniture Catalog — Makes Furnitures from "Cute Cottagecore Furniture for Alternative Textures" by Luny as new object in new catalog insted of Alternative Textures!

Decorator's Dream Furniture and Textures by Ilyeana (With Functional Shelves) — A modpack full of textures, functional display items, and decorations for your best SDV life!

Door Mania (PIF) and more wall decor — Adds two catalogues, one with over 200 doors to use with PIF, and one with a bunch of other wall decorations.

Dynamic Wall-Length Gothic Windows (for CP and AT) — A set of wall-length gothic windows that change with the seasons, weather, and time of day. For CP & AT.

Green Grove Furniture — 100+ pieces of furniture in a palette of greens, browns, and creams.

Guxelbit's Catalog — Adds vanilla style furnitures to the game without replacing the original.

HxW Bakery and Cafe Furniture — adds over fifty beautiful pieces of furniture for you to build your dream bakery and coffee shop with!

H&W Bathroom Furniture — adds bathroom furniture/fixtures to craft a bahtroom with.

HxW Boutique Bakery — This mod adds 50+ beautiful pieces of furniture for you to build your dream bakery and coffee shop with!

HxW Buildable Bakery — Adds a bakery-style shed upgrade. Includes bonuses to cooking, crafting and two upgrades to make it more spacious.

HxW Decorative Plants Furniture Set — add over eighty adorable potted plants and hanging planters as new furniture pieces.

HxW Everything Catalogue — adds a catalogue that includes all HxW mods currently installed.

HxW Fairy Garden Furniture Indoors — adds over sixty indoor items. Made to match the original: Fairy Garden Furniture for Outdoors!

HxW Fairy Fountain Furniture — pretty fountains in a range of sizes.

H&W Fairy Garden Furniture — very whimsical outdoor furniture set, including a metric-ton of garden gnomes.

HxW Farmer's Market Furniture - Bakery Set — adds forty pieces of bakery furniture for you to build your very own farmer's market.

HxW Farmer's Market Furniture - Core — adds fifty pieces of furniture for you to build your very own farmer's market.

HxW Farmer's Market Furniture - Fishmonger and Butcher Set — adds a fishmonger and butcher set with over fifty furniture pieces.

HxW Farmers Market Furniture - Wildflour Set — adds pieces of furniture and craftables in the style of Atelier Wildflour's Crops and Forage.

HxW Kitchen Lovers — I love clutter, and this gives 140+ pieces of clutter for both counters and walls. I adore it.

H&W Outdoor Furniture — more traditional style of outdoor furniture.

HxW Plant Lovers Furniture — adds seventy-five new plant filled furniture pieces and five recolors.

HxW Restaurant Furniture Set — Adds furniture pieces for a cafe/restaurant, plus additional AT packs

HxW Ripley's Country Kitchen — Replace your existing farmhouse kitchen or build your own custom dream kitchen with modular cabinets, shelves, working stove etc. Available in 9 color schemes.

HxW Romantic Fountains and Arches — This mod adds 15+ seasonal outdoor buildings you can have Robin instantly built for you.

HxW Romantic Furniture — This mod adds 50+ beautiful outdoor items (can also be used indoors!) for you to decorate, house and unleash the romanticism with this classical set.

HxW Winery Furniture — Adds 50+ items for an Italian-inspired build.

Kedi's Kids Furniture — Adds new furniture for your children in-game!

Maximalism — Adds a collection of decorative clutter via Alternative Textures or Content Patcher.

More Vanilla Bookcases — Exactly what it says on the tin.

Nano's Decorative Tree Furniture — outdoor furniture, including a swing hanging from a tree.

Nostalgic Old Furniture Collection — adds dozens of older/retro style furniture and clutter.

Nursery CP — Robokit12’s nursery furniture for Content Patcher.

Old Wallpapers and Flooring — adds a bunch of new wallpapers/flooring if you're going for a more aged/retro look.

Orangeblossom's Antique Bedroom Furniture — adds twenty new pieces of bedroom furniture.

Orangeblossom's Basic Bedroom Furniture — adds bedroom furniture, built-in closet (functional), and other modular things based on IKEA's BJÖRKSNÄS bed frame and PAX wardrobe frames.

Orangeblossom's Basic Dining Set — exactly what it says: several different-sized dining table and chairs.

Orangeblossom's Basic Windows — Same as the above, but matches her basic furniture set. I use both this set and the French set extensively.

Orangeblossom's Functional Suitcase Dressers — Adds 7 suitcases that work as dressers.

Orangeblossom's Furniture Catalogue — needed for Orangeblossom's other furniture to show properly. Will probably crash your game if you do not have any Orangeblossom furniture installed.

Orangeblossom's Not-So-Basic Kitchen and Add-ons — another kicthen replacement option.

Orangeblossom's Seasonal French Doors and Windows — French doors and windows in different heights, seasonal, reflects weather, reflects time, with light, automatically closes and opens (depending on the season). It's really, really well done.

Orangeblossom's Tile Kitchen and Dining Set — kitchen and dining set made to match Vintage Chic Interiors.

Orangeblossom's Vintage Chic Interiors — a large selection of furniture, wallpaper, and flooring.

PCS Rattan Furniture — adds 74 new pieces of furniture in vintage rattan theme.

PlatinumCats Paintings — adds 23 new vanilla-friendly paintings to the game.

Prophet's Dining Room — adds 9 new dining pieces with 6 alternative textures.

Prophet's Rugs — Adds 30+ new rugs.

Retro Style Furniture — more retro style furniture in case you want the house to feel like Grandpa actually left the contents to you.

Seasonal Fantasy Lamp-posts — This mod adds four new lamp-posts and one lantern. They have seasonal day and night textures and use sconce light type (with the exception of the spirit lamps and firefly lantern that use colored and lantern lights).

Skell's Misc. Furniture — Adds some random furniture pieces. I downloaded it for the computer desk and the motorcycles.

Tea's Cozy Modern Bathroom Furniture — a large vanilla-friendly collection of modern bathroom fixtures and furniture for Content Patcher.

TV with Stand — Add several types of televisions with platforms to match vanilla furniture.

Wall Decorations — Better wall decorating options, including multiple layers and hanging objects on corners.

wooden furniture S1 — Adds 37 pieces of furniture and 17 wallpapers and flooring.

The Masterpost for all of the mods is located here.

[mielmoto]

What to get your lovely assistant when you come back from your very TOP secret and VERY limited capacity assignment that kept you off the grid for a few months? This is the question The Doctor asks himself during the plane ride back to UNIT HQ. Of course he WANTED to bring Honey. Absolutely, he did. However, some select few members of UNIT's higher cabinet staff insisted this mission was TOP SECRET. Only UNIT'S best could go, and unfortunately— that included him.

Which meant leaving with nothing but a cheap handwritten note that said

'be back soon'

Allegedly, some of the men had been given strict orders NOT to answer any questions regarding where all these high profile UNIT members had gone. This was a strictly OFF THE BOOKS mission, meaning The Doctor was out of touch with his assistant for WEEKS. It was miserable. Never at any point prior had he realized just how much he'd needed Honey to help make all this droll military work interesting and fun. So surely, to make it up to her and to tell her just how sorry he was for leaving so abruptly, he had to get her something. Surely.

Unfortunately, he didn't take his own car to the airport. That was probably also a red flag for Honey, as The Doctor adored that car. When he wasn't working on The TARDIS in a continued effort to escape his forcibly-imposed exile— he was adding all sorts of modifications to Bessie to improve her performance. Nobody would simply believe she was anything more then an old beat up car, however. That being said, his determination to surprise his assistant was still ever present.

So, what to do? Well, easily— ditch the group of returning cabinet members who are going straight back to HQ. That gives him time to find a cab and spend his hard earned money that he never uses. He usually just gives Honey most of his salary, as even in exile— The Doctor still doesn't really have any use for money. All of the faculties inside the TARDIS still work, aside from her flight capabilities. This eliminates the need for him to require anything. That being said, they insisted he didn't leave his credit card with her. This allotted him some element of flexibility, however. He had a lot of room to spend.

But what first?

Well, it's starting to get colder. Honey hates the winter, she loves the summer and the springtime. So, perhaps a nice coat with a fur lining? Bright colors such as pink and yellow seemed to be her forte, so he picked a few luxury coats, some new boots and bags (and even some jackets, as he only pretended not to notice how often they ended up matching outfits.) At the first store alone, he easily spent eight hundred pounds on winter clothing alone.

And yet he wasn't satisfied. (Does he enjoy spoiling her, or something?)

THE LAST TIME HE GOT HER JEWELRY, she seemed highly receptive to that. Was too much jewelry tacky, though? He thought he remembered hearing that Honey liked bathroom items. Like soaps and candles, bath bombs and what not. So, he went somewhere and proceeded to spend another five hundred on a plethora of items that seemed to fit her aesthetic. At this point, the cab driver had to be tipped extra in order to stop his yammering. The Doctor felt bad for making him wait, but once the driver received his tip— he seemed rather receptive towards more gift shopping. He even made a few suggestions, all of which The Doctor disregarded. He was trying to show his appreciation— not make her blush.

Though, after his final stop at the bakery— it seemed as if he'd spent enough money to do that regardless. The final haul of gifts totaled out to about two thousand pounds. Cakes, bathroom items, flowers, clothes, shoes, bags. An entire trunk was filled with boxes galore, all of which he'd simply grabbed because he hadn't been satisfied with just one category of item. He simply needed to grab her everything all at once and more.

Which all culminated in him bursting through the doors of his laboratory with a few poor souls from the front gates wheeling in all the gifts he bought her whilst he stands near the door with his fists on his hips.

"Right, we've got a lot to go through. Pick a corner and start unwrapping."

What a gentleman...

'be back soon'

No punctuation; no folder, document, cryptic photograph or loosely correlated text underneath to even subtly hint at what he was doing, or where in all the gods' names he might be going. That in-and-of-itself wasn't unheard of or terribly strange—though the Doctor was generally good enough, (nowadays), to give her some clue on the somewhat-rare occasion he couldn't bring her along—so it didn't trouble her much the day she first plucked the note off his desk.

She simply set aside the parcels she'd picked up from delivery and set to work on what little tasks an assistant might do in their assist-ee's absence: organizing bits-and-bobs, tidying the lab (without disturbing anything she was sure he'd come looking for exactly where it was), and eventually settling on doing inventory: taking stock of everything in their current supply, requisitioning replacements as necessary, and generally making sure everything was set to run smoothly when her 'boss' made his return.

"soon," he'd said.

Those tasks only managed to keep her busy the first week and change; then she was left showing up to the lab each day, dithering around for an hour in case 'today' was the day he'd clatter in through the door with an armful of whatever technological ephemera he'd stumbled upon in his ventures, along with other samples, souveniers, and stories to tell for every one.

She only bothered trying to ask about the mysterious disappearance once, maybe twice, to a handful of different UNIT staff, before it became abundantly clear nobody was going to spare a crumb, even if she batted her long and lovely lashes at them or teased some form of bribery. Hush, hush, the whole thing. Need-to-know basis only—and they'd clearly decided she didn't need to know.

Fine. She had other, better ways to keep busy than to sit by the door and mope like a lonely puppy; and despite running out of official work to do (for lack of an eccentric alien to assign it), they didn't stop paying her—so la-di-da. See if SHE cares about all your cloak-and-daggerness!

Spite was enough to carry her through the end of the first month, and barely into the second. Same as every other time: it gave plenty of time to study, branch out into new avenues and take a few tests, even volunteer for some shifts at the clinic near her flat; it gave her guiltless leave to finally make it to some of those lovely little underground concerts and other exciting social... events she'd missed while running about; and, of course, many hours spent lazing about—late to bed, late to rise, idly listening her way through several new records while rifling through a spellbook she'd managed to quietly acquire from a friend-of-a-friend-of-a-relative's-neighbor... and if she happened to spare an evening to send a protection spell out into the starry sea, in hopes it might find someone far away, then so be it.

'be back soon' my ass.

She turned the note over in her hand for the hundredth time, an ill-suiting scowl on candygloss lips which were so well known for framing laughter and playful smiles, melodramatic pouts and anger which came and went like a puff of steam—not this kind of expression, at all. Weary, anxious, sullen and irritated; as a week turned into a month and a month turned into more.

By the end of the second month, she'd started coming back to HQ at the top of the day—brought a portable record player from home to spin vinyls on, accumulated a pile of textbooks and notebooks, a grimoire or two, keeping busy... all the same things she'd been doing to fill the time, only in the place where he would hopefully come to first, the moment he came back.

Because she wanted to be ready to read him the riot act the SECOND his feet hit familiar soil. How dare he! How dare all of them put her through this! Being treated like a child, left in the dark! She didn't care how TOP SECRET the whole affair was supposed to be—they'd had no issue tossing her into the frying pan in other volatile situations before! She couldn't have kept count of the debriefs she'd gone through after ventures with the Doctor if she'd wanted to, but all of a sudden they can steal him away without a word, with no estimate of return or vague details, and she was just supposed to be fine with that? As if!

Honey must have rehearsed her rant a dozen times over by that morning. The bustle outside was impossible not to notice long before they properly reached the doors—which saw the little blonde perk in her seat, promptly dropping the note as well as the tome she'd been unceremoniously using it as a bookmark in. The clamor of burdened wheels chuttering over the floor, at nearly half a dozen different footfalls laced between each rattle, bump, and shift.

An audience, huh? So be it; maybe it'll help the shameless man feel as scolded as he'd ought to!

She finally stands, trotting over to stand front-and-center before the doors, briefly wavering between 'huffily folded arms' or 'coolly disappointed, slightly nonchalant hands-on-hips' before settling on the latter. Oh yeah. She was ready.

At least, she'd thought she was. Ready, perhaps, for him to saunter in through the doors all casual-like, as if no time at all had passed; just another day in the office, maybe a little 'Ah, hello Ms. Moto. I hope you've had a restful time?' or perhaps a HINT of guilt (not nearly enough), with a quiet apology which she'd barely take in stride before going on with her monologue. Honey was not, obviously ready for the parade which suddenly burst into the room: her Doctor at its helm, throwing the doors open in a flourish and making way for his miniature infantry of porters to ramble in behind.

They're a mirror of each other in stance, though the ire which creased her brow is quickly overtaken by bewilderment, watching the hoard grow, and it's all she can do to blink in the meantime.

"Right, we've got a lot to go through. Pick a corner and start unwrapping."

It's not an explanation, but the apology is there all the same, delivered in the language of affection he knew best. He wasn't always the best at talking through his feelings or avoiding putting his foot in his mouth, but what tact he may drop in the department of delicate discussion, he'd more than once made up for in gestures and, indeed, gifts.

If her nerves hadn't been so harried and thoughts filtered through a lens of worry, perceived helplessness, and irritation, Honey might have expected as much. It was hardly the first grand gesture she'd been on the receiving end of from her employer, and they were long beyond the days of him being careless of her feelings...

But she still ends up pouting through round cheeks at him. She'd put a lot of thought into how she was going to lay into him—and some of their other superiors, given the chance!—and now he'd gone and spoiled all that effort because she couldn't be THAT petulant in the face of such wanton spoiling.

Not content to give up her (righteous) anger, entirely, she crosses the gap between them with precise strides and looks up at him with a flinty glare—holding fast in that fashion for a moment before raising one hand from her hip to bap him on the nose with the back of her hand; a barely-there tap not unlike the kind one might give a cat muzzling too-near their plate.

❝ Don't think for a second that you can buy yourself out of trouble, mister. There's not enough fancy gifts in the world to brush off a stint like that. ❞ ...though he'd notice, too, that all her bluster and pout can't completely mask the relief which traced the back of her words, the worry finally escaping her lungs where it had made nest—gentler emotions which quickly overcome her: amethyst eyes take a turn for the tearful, and she hides her face by leaning her forehead against his shoulder. ❝ ...worrying as awful and as long as all that isn't good for a beautiful girl's complexion. ❞

Thankfully, the other men who'd so diligently helped load the bounty into the room were eager enough to take their leave, so the decidedly less-than-"professional" display is witnessed only by the man whose shoulder the blonde briefly sniffles against, before leaning back and delicately bringing the backs of her fingers to swipe under misty eyes. ❝ AND bringing me to tears when I did my makeup so nice? Horrible. Terrible. VERY un-gentlemanlike. ❞ Thus returns the teasing tone under melodrama, and a wane smile reclaims its natural place.

❝ You bring me whichever gift you think is going to cheer me up the most, and we'll start from there... but most importantly, and before any of that:

welcome back, Doctor. ❞