#Happy b-day to Aubrey

[brigetlifeart]

ITS DA AUBY BIRTHDAY YOOHOO

[hysteriawillnotsuccumb]

AUBY

I NEEDA DRAW SMTH FOR AUBS B DAY BUT ME TOO BUSY ILL PROB DO IT CUZ I DID IT FOR BASILS BUT IT’LL BE LATE-

[bambonl]

Happy B-Day Aubrey!

[1onescu]

can we get aubrey x singer reader? the reader could be like a teen artist going to uconn (they mostly do r&b hehe) and aubrey is a fan of her, and the reader attends one of the girls games and they hit it off from there?

𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 - aubrey griffin

Aubrey Griffin was focused. Her eyes scanned the court, muscles tensed in anticipation as she prepared for another intense game with the UConn Huskies. The crowd's cheers reverberated through the arena, and she fed off their energy, her determination steeling even further.

Among the sea of faces, there was one in particular that stood out, though she didn't know it yet.

You were a rising star in the world of R&B, balancing your burgeoning music career with classes at UConn. Tonight, however, was a rare break from your hectic schedule. You'd snagged tickets to the game, eager to enjoy some downtime and cheer for your university's team.

Your manager had been the one to suggest it. "You need to unwind," she had said, "and who knows, maybe you'll get some inspiration from watching the game."

As you settled into your seat, you couldn't help but be swept up in the excitement. The atmosphere was electric, the energy infectious. Your eyes drifted to the court, where the players were warming up, and you found yourself captivated by one player in particular. Aubrey Griffin moved with a grace and power that was mesmerizing, her focus unwavering as she practiced her shots.

The game was a blur of fast breaks, three-pointers, and deafening applause. You were on your feet more often than not, caught up in the thrill of it all. When Aubrey made a particularly impressive play, you couldn't help but join in the roar of approval from the crowd.

By the end of the game, UConn had secured a hard-fought victory. The team celebrated on the court, and you felt a rush of pride for your university. As the crowd began to disperse, you made your way towards the exit, but a voice called out to you.

"Hey! Aren't you [Your Name]?"

You turned to see a group of students, phones in hand, their faces lit up with excitement. You smiled, nodding as you signed a few autographs and posed for pictures.

Just as you were about to leave, a familiar face approached you. Aubrey Griffin, still in her uniform and slightly out of breath, stood before you with a wide grin.

"Hey, I just wanted to say I'm a huge fan of your music," she said, her eyes shining with genuine admiration. "I listen to your songs all the time. They really get me hyped before games."

You felt a warm flush of surprise and gratitude. "Thank you! That means a lot coming from you. You were amazing out there tonight."

Aubrey laughed, a slight blush creeping up her cheeks. "Thank yoi. It was a tough game, but we pulled through. It's awesome to see you here. Do you come to the games often?"

"Not as much as I'd like to," you admitted. "But I'm hoping to change that."

"Well, if you ever need tickets, let me know," Aubrey offered. "I'd be happy to hook you up."

You exchanged numbers, chatting easily about music, basketball, and life at UConn. As the conversation flowed, you couldn't help but feel a connection forming. Aubrey was down-to-earth and easy to talk to, her passion for basketball mirroring your own love for music.

"Maybe you could come to one of my shows sometime," you suggested, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.

"I'd love that," Aubrey replied, her smile widening. "I always wanted to hear you live."

As you parted ways, you couldn't shake the feeling that this was the start of something special. Maybe it was the shared love for your respective crafts, or perhaps it was the genuine connection you'd felt. Whatever it was, you were looking forward to seeing where it would lead.

Over the next few weeks, you and Aubrey kept in touch, meeting up whenever your schedules allowed. Whether it was grabbing coffee on campus or attending each other's events, your bond grew stronger with each passing day.

You found yourself attending more of Aubrey's games, cheering her on with growing enthusiasm. She, in turn, made it to your shows, often standing near the front, her face lit up with pride and excitement.

One evening, after a particularly exhilarating game where UConn secured another victory, Aubrey invited you to join the team for a celebratory dinner. You accepted eagerly, happy to spend more time with her and curious to meet her teammates.

The restaurant was lively, filled with the joyful chatter and laughter of the team. Aubrey introduced you to everyone, and you quickly felt at ease, joining in on the fun. The team welcomed you warmly, treating you as one of their own.

"So, you're the one Aubrey's always talking about," one of the players teased, nudging Aubrey with a grin.

Aubrey rolled her eyes playfully. "Yeah, yeah. She's an amazing singer, and if you're lucky, she'll give us a private performance."

You laughed, shaking your head. "Maybe another time. Tonight's about celebrating your win."

Later that night, as you and Aubrey walked back to your dorms, you felt a sense of contentment. The night air was cool, and the campus was quiet, the only sounds were your footsteps and the occasional distant cheer from lingering fans.

"I had a great time tonight," you said, glancing at Aubrey.

"Me too," she replied, her smile softening. "It's nice to share this with you."

Before you cpuld even reach the dorms building, you heard camer's clicking and flashes. Aubrey was about to turn around, when you captured her hand and pulled inside the building. After a moment of comfortable silence, Aubrey spoke up.

"Do you want to come to the next game? It's against LCU, and having you there would mean a lot."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," you replied without hesitation.

As the weeks turned into months, your relationship with Aubrey deepened. You found solace and inspiration in each other, your shared passions creating a strong bond.

One night, after one of your concerts, you found Aubrey waiting for you backstage, her eyes shining with pride.

"You were incredible," she said, pulling you into a hug. "I can't believe how talented you are."

"Thank you," you murmured, feeling a warm rush of affection. "Your support means everything to me."

As the evening went on, you and Aubrey found a quiet corner to talk, away from the noise and bustle. You shared stories, dreams, and fears, the conversation flowing effortlessly.

"You know," Aubrey said thoughtfully, "I never expected to find someone who understands me so well. It feels like we've known each other forever."

"I feel the same way," you admitted. "It's like we were meant to find each other."

As the basketball season progressed, Aubrey's games became a highlight of your week. You were there for every win, every tough game, and every moment in between, your bond growing stronger with each experience shared.

And Aubrey was there for you, attending your shows, encouraging you through late-night study sessions, and celebrating every success and milestone in your music career.

One particularly memorable game was against Iowa. no one can argue about how talented Iowa was but your heart was beating for UConn. The tension was high, and the stakes even higher. You sat in the stands, your heart racing with anticipation. The game was intense, each team fighting fiercely for the win.

As the final seconds ticked down, Aubrey made a stunning play, securing the victory for UConn. The crowd erupted in cheers, and you found yourself jumping to your feet, overcome with excitement.

After the game, Aubrey found you in the crowd, her face glowing with triumph and joy. She pulled you into a tight hug, lifting you off the ground as she spun you around.

"We did it!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining.

"You were amazing!" you replied, laughing as she set you back down. "I'm so proud of you."

The celebration continued into the night, the campus alive with the energy of the win. As you and Aubrey walked back to your dorms, the conversation was filled with laughter and shared memories.

"I can't believe how far we've come," Aubrey said, her voice filled with wonder. "From that first game to now, it's been an incredible journey."

"And it's only just beginning," you replied, your heart swelling with affection.

As you reached your dorm, Aubrey hesitated, then leaned in to press a gentle kiss to your cheek. "Thank you for being here with me," she said softly.

"Always," you replied, your voice filled with sincerity. "I'm not going anywhere."

As you watched her walk away, you felt a deep sense of contentment. The future was uncertain, but with Aubrey by your side, you knew you could face whatever came your way.

Months passed, and your bond with Aubrey only grew stronger. You navigated the ups and downs of college life together, your shared experiences creating a foundation of trust and mutual support.

One evening, after a particularly grueling practice, Aubrey invited you to her favorite spot on campus—a quiet, secluded area overlooking a small pond. The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden glow over the water.

As you sat together, enjoying the peacefulness, Aubrey turned to you with a thoughtful expression. "You know, I've been thinking a lot about the future."

"Yeah?" you prompted, curious.

"I don't know exactly what it holds, but I know I want you to be a part of it," she said, her eyes filled with sincerity.

[hyperionheights]

bones sexuality headcanons

yeah i dont have proof (except angela) i just Know. call it my lesbian spidey senses. disclaimer that those are MY headcanons, you can have your own opinions on those ofc

main characters:

brennan: bi (preference for ugly men... but i digress). she probably started exploring her sexual orientiation in college and came to the conclusion that she's attracted to every gender to varying degrees. she's probably tongue kissed angela a few times pre season 1

booth: cishet ally! ⭐️ he's a bit confused but he's got the spirit, i'll give him that.. bi wife energy start playing whenever he walks into the room

zack: gayboi with a bad case of hero worship for dr brennan. naomi from paleonthology made him realise this isnt really what he'd like to excavate, if you get the gist... ;) (ew)

angela: imo? bi, but it's up to anyone. canon queer and i'm very happy about it

hodgins: bi. putting my foot down on this one- to me, hodgela is bi4bi. one day early into the series angela goes "why is everyone so hot... being bi is so hard" and hodgins is like "yeah, tell me about it" and they have a Oh, You Too? moment

cam: distinguished (ex-disaster) pan. she's all cool and collected now but in middle school she was probably stuttering whenever she saw a pretty girl

sweets: pan. boykisser. i just KNOW. that man is not heterosexual. probably had a few boyfriends in high school too

aubrey: bi? preference for women but in an alternate universe he and sweets are a thing

goodman: token straightie along with booth except i actually like him even tho even tho he took a 2 month sabbatical and never came back

squinterns:

clark: bi. a bit repressed and only realised it after breaking up with nora but as long as he gets there it's fine

daisy: pan. absolute girlkisser. she has the wlw equivalent of whatever zack felt for dr brennan. swaisy is a disaster pan couple.

fisher: pan- and i wont have it any other way. he was 100% checking sweets out when he came over to b&b's in s8, so i like to think when hodgins asks sweets "what is it with you and interns?" in 9x23 he's including fisher

wendell: bi and in a lab au he's dating vincent thank you

vincent: english twink and i think he and wendell should kiss in the lab lost & found

arastoo: straightie but we still love him. pan wife energy since he and cam are married

finn: god, i have No Idea but i have a feeling he doesn't either

wells: aro, and maybe ace too, but fyi even if he wasn't no one would want him

jessica: ... i used to say lesbian but i kinda let the jaubrey of it all get to me... pan vibes perhaps? i'll have to think it over. in another universe she and daisy are a thing too btw

other characters:

caroline julian:... lesbian. no i will not give an explanation for this one. sham marriage and all.

karen delfs: big pansexual energy coming from this random profiler?? i like her

villains: (do not take those seriously, but also...)

pelant: unlabeled. getting strangled by hodgins awoke something in him but he didnt have the time to figure it out between 8x01 and 9x04

taffet: very VERY mean lesbian

epps: heterosexual incel

broadsky: internalised homophobia over booth, clearly

kovac: the man pretended to be married to his sister. i'm not sure i even wanna know

[eleanor-bradstreet]

The Field: Dandelions (Benedict Bridgerton x Reader)

Benedict Bridgerton x fem!Reader Modern AU Rated: G - mild suggestiveness, fluff and romance Word count: 2.7k

Part 2: Lavender Forever Masterpost

Summary: When you visit Aubrey Hall to celebrate an important day in your career, Benedict offers some new experiences.

Author's Note: The first in a four-part series based on songs about fields/nature that I associate with Benedict. This part is based on the song Dandelions by Ruth B

Today was the day. The day you were announced as Creative Director for Bridgerton House Enterprises. The day your life took a turn for the extraordinary. Even though you had known you would reach this tier and even though the man doing the announcing was one of your oldest friends, the enormity of the milestone still toyed with your nerves. The announcement was being rolled into the company’s first corporate outing at the CEO’s family home, Aubrey Hall. An embarrassingly large ancestral estate with sprawling grounds, it was a picturesque retreat for you and your colleagues to be feted while celebrating your successes and paving a roadmap for your future.

You had been there before of course, several times. It had actually been your idea to move the company outing to the spot. You found something reassuring in the calm grandeur of the place. Maybe it was the grounds themselves or maybe it was just your relationship with Anthony. Friends since uni, you had joined him and his innumerable siblings there for a few shooting weekends and holidays over the years. After chatty meals and some raucous nights that involved climbing out of windows, the latter of which you hoped his mother would never learn about, being there filled you with happy memories. 

You and the Viscount had stumbled upon one another in your first year, headed home from late night parties arm-in-arm, singing and shouting with that unfiltered, instantaneous friendship that can only be formed by two people who just met and are both obliterated with drink. After an extremely messy mashing of tongues and unsuccessful attempt to bed each other, you both woke with embarrassment, headaches and quick realizations that your personalities were not romantically compatible. You would either have ended up murdering or driving one another off cliffs with your shared obstinance, but it was exactly that challenging streak that bound you tightly as sardonic friends and academic rivals. You cheered one another through school and then cheered one another through life as he took his rightful place within his father’s company, and you carved out a career in marketing and design. When his former Creative Director had left, you were the first person he called. Even though your preexisting relationship was no secret, you had still wanted to prove yourself and learn the culture before being handed departmental reins, so for the past year you had worked in a lower level role, getting to know the team and the company’s needs until you had told Anthony you were ready to step up.

As excited as you were, several factors were amping your anxiety. The concern that you would be seen as little more than a nepotism hire. But you supposed there was nothing you could do about that. The details of the event had fallen under your purview too, and you had been juggling caterers and florists and groundskeepers until your head spun. And then there was the brother. Benedict Bridgerton. As a show of support the Bridgerton clan were in attendance at the outing too. It was their home after all. But that left you in constant danger of bumping into Benedict and experiencing the unavoidable effect he had on you.

The first time you saw him when Anthony invited you to Aubrey Hall years ago, it felt like an engine kicked on somewhere in your chest. A new, secondary energy source powering you through life simply by knowing he existed. It drove you to spend as much time as you could in his presence, roared with electricity whenever he was near and sputtered whenever you saw him with a paramour du jour. It was problematic how often he visited you in dreams and how you would flush with heat whenever Anthony mentioned him offhand at work. Benedict was mischievous, funny, and too charming for his own good, with all of the heart and soul to make up for Anthony’s acerbicism. Over the years of your acquaintance you had become friendly if not exactly friends, but you admittedly had never known anybody like him. You knew he did something artistic for a living but not exactly what. You knew he had his own place in London but not exactly where. You knew you had caught him looking at you at recent gatherings but weren’t sure exactly why. What you did know was that your eyes were incapable of looking at anything other than him when you were in the same room, and he was only making it worse by wearing a canary yellow button down to the outing.

You had moved through the event spaces trying to avoid him, not needing anything to fluster you more. That was why you were somewhat hiding in a distant hall of the house, one of your favorites where the family displayed a portion of their considerable art collection. Pieces were always changed out and you found yourself drawn to a new one, a landscape. It was a field on a spring day, windswept with rolling hills in the distance. The lush grass was dotted with flowers - yellow, white, and blue. You felt as if you were standing inside of it, a cool breeze tickling your skin and rustling through the bordering treeline.

You were lost inside the painting when someone spoke next to you, startling you out of your reverie.

“Ah! Dreams in Kent. Like what you see?”

It was Benedict. Of course it was. Beaming at you with that grin that you thought should be criminalized, but which always made you feel better somehow. Your evasion efforts had failed and your heart was now racing somewhere in the vicinity of your throat.

“Yes,” you smiled, trying to act casual. You turned back to the painting - the only safe place to set your eyes. “It’s beautiful. Your family has quite the collection. I’m sure it took generations of curation.”

His eyes followed yours to the canvas. “Oh, we didn’t find this one. We know the artist.” 

“Lucky for you. They’re talented.”

You could hear the smile in his voice. “Mmm. And he does commissions, if you’re interested.” He shuffled to stand closer at your side, both of you keeping your eyes on the gallery wall. You tried to school your breathing, focusing on the weight of the champagne flute in your hand, something solid unlike your legs.

“About how much for something this size, do you think?” You gestured to the painting mostly to humor him and keep the conversation light. You weren’t sure you were in the market for commissioned landscapes.

“For you? No charge.” 

It took your reeling brain a moment to process what he said. Then you realized he was facing you and smiling broadly. “You didn’t paint this?” you gasped. The cheeky devil. He lowered his head and blushed. Something inside you ached. As if he weren’t beautiful enough on his own, now you were forced to witness the multiplicative beauty wrought by his talented hands. You most certainly wanted to commission a piece now. “Oh my god, I had no idea,” you marveled. “You’re a real artist.”

“Real?” As soon as his brow knotted you wanted to kick yourself.

You sputtered, hoping he wouldn’t take offense. “Oh, I just mean…I knew you were an artist but I didn’t know what kind of work you did. I was thinking more pop art or abstract…”

“Like sculptures made out of cotton balls?” His grin widened, creasing the most delightful lines around his bright eyes. 

You breathed a sigh of relief. You should have known he would be good humored. “Exactly.”

“Is that what Anthony says about me?” He arched a brow.

“No,” you said firmly, and it was the truth. “He’s obviously proud of you. He just left out the classical landscape bit.” 

The warmth that radiated out of his smile finally put you at ease. Yes, you had a crush on him but you were a grown woman. You could hold yourself together during some friendly banter. You didn’t know why Benedict alone seemed to reduce you to a babbling schoolgirl. Interactions with him felt more poignant, more significant somehow. Whenever he looked at you, even though it was hard to breathe, paradoxically you felt alive, free. You felt happy. You’d probably be in closer proximity to him once you stepped into Anthony’s C suite, so it was time to relax and get to know him better.

You turned back to the painting. “So was this plein air?”

“Yes,” he nodded. “A field on the edge of the property. It’s a quiet spot which is…hard to find with my family.” He shoved his hands into the back pockets of his jeans then his voice dropped to a register you had never heard before. “Speaking of, you’ve been here before but you haven’t seen this spot. Do you want an extended tour? To survey for a vista you may want to commission?”

His eyes leveled on you, glinting. There went any attempt at keeping your composure. This was blatant flirtation. An invitation to…something. A private tour to a secluded spot? Your heart was doing its best to make itself heard again, thrumming to the point you worried it was visible. The evening’s scheduled events wouldn’t begin for another two hours, and you reasoned that some exercise may help settle your nerves. Was there any way you could decline this offer?

“Alright.”

True to his word, Benedict showed you features of the Bridgerton property that you had never seen before. A far flung rose garden filled with statuary, agricultural outbuildings that had fallen into picturesque stages of disrepair, and the looming stone orangery that you had always observed from a distance but never approached. Unlike the goat barns it was still in use, housing an array of palms and warm weather plants in rows across the chess-tiled floor. Even though you had known the Bridgerton family for years, the trappings of their old money lives still gave you pause sometimes. You had hobnobbed with the higher classes your entire life but your middle class roots still caused you to gawp at and ridicule certain things. You each plucked an orange and ate them as you hiked past the lake in which you had swum before, crossed a fallow field and rounded a copse of trees. 

Then you saw it. Benedict had captured the field so perfectly, you knew you had arrived before he even spoke. The idyllic fantasy his painting had conjured in your mind was now fully realized, grass tickling at your ankles and breeze brushing through the nearby treeline. Fields rolled out before you to the horizon, beyond the Bridgerton property line but unbroken by any structures or barriers. Just a sea of peaceful green dotted spectacularly with the bright yellow of countless dandelions. It almost felt as if you had stepped out of time into some pocket dimension that only Benedict knew how to access.

“It’s stunning.” You suddenly realized that he was dressed perfectly to match the surroundings, looking like an overgrown dandelion himself in his yellow shirt. It was adorable and endearing. You smiled. “Have you ever made dandelion wine?”

“What?” He chuckled. “What on earth is that?”

“Ah, of course not. Someone whose family has an orangery wouldn’t have tried such a peasant recipe.” You smirked, unable to resist the jab. The field was invoking memories from your childhood. Hazy summers at your grandparents’ cottage in Cornwall where they taught you to gather and ferment the blooms into a sweet concoction. With their ample supply, you couldn’t help but feel that the Bridgertons were missing out.

“I’m not classist toward anything that can take the edge off.” Benedict slowly moved deeper into the field, dragging his feet through the grass. 

“Why is there an edge?”

He huffed a sigh, staring out at the horizon. “The usual. Quarter life crisis. Searching for a direction. Posh boy twat who dreams of being a starving artist.”

His crooked grin didn’t mask the plaintive look in his eyes. Blessed as he was with good looks, wealth and talent, the idea that Benedict may have anything less than a perfect life had never occurred to you.

“From what I’ve seen you’ve more than accomplished the artist bit. And consider it a blessing that you don’t have to starve. It appears to me that you have everything you need.” 

“Some things perhaps, but not everything.”

His tone was so uncharacteristically serious, his gaze so weighted, you worried he had found your comment dismissive. Now you had to make him smile again. Scanning the ground you quickly found a flower that had tufted into a perfect white orb. You picked it and held it out to him. “Then wish for what you want.”

He brightened and walked back toward you with a playful air. “Do you think it will come true?”

You shrugged. “Can’t hurt to try.”

He bent and picked another tufted stem. “Only if you wish too.” 

Something lodged in your throat. The last thing you had expected on this already monumental day was to be cozying up with your friend and boss’s younger brother for whom you had carried a candle for years. The heady excitement coupled with the beautiful backdrop was making everything feel surreal. The event at the house could have been taking place in another world entirely. All of your focus was here.

Smirking at each other, you stepped close and simultaneously blew on the flower held in the other’s hand. The gauzy seeds rose and swirled around you both, heightening the strange magic of the moment. You fought not to react to his proximity and the warm gust of his breath over your hand. Closing your eyes you made your silent wish - that this flirtation would continue; that Benedict perhaps saw you as you saw him; that you could call him your own, even if just for a short while. When you reopened them he was smiling at you.

“What did you wish for?”

You backed up a step, laughing. “No, that’s not how this works. If I tell you, it definitely won’t come true.”

“How do you know?” he lilted, closing the space between you again. “What if I’m the person who can deliver what you want?”

Oh god, was your wish that obvious? Was it so easy to read how much you wanted him? You supposed it was a common occurrence for a man like him but wanted to chastise yourself nonetheless. You would have if your mind wasn’t already paralyzed by the knowing look on his face.

You somehow managed to find your voice, deflecting meagerly. “You first. What did you wish for?” “Ah, I see how it is,” he chuckled. Then everything about his demeanor grew soft and intent. His blue-grey eyes searched yours and you were transfixed by their depth, as if within them you could see forever. “I wished for something just out of reach. Something I’ve been thinking about for a long time. Or someone I should say.”

“Someone?” You asked, your voice tremulous. Your heart was pounding. There was no mistaking where this was going but you could scarcely believe that it was actually happening. Everything around you started to fall away, scattering like the dandelion tufts. Everything but his eyes, his lips, and the tender words that escaped them.

“I suppose my wish was to know if they thought of me too.” He peered up through his dark lashes, a calculated move that you knew was designed to devastate you.

“How funny,” you croaked, your voice barely above a whisper as you swayed toward him. “I wished the same thing.”

His eyes lit up and the engine within your chest roared. “Well look at that,” he leaned in, looping an arm around your waist. “My wish came true.” 

You moved with equal enthusiasm, pressing your lips together in a moment that was soft but fervent, carrying the weight of hidden feelings and the desire to explore further. He tasted of oranges and comfort; he felt so correct. You wound your arms around each other, warmed by the sun that shone bright across the field. You had been kissed many times in your life, but nothing compared to the breathless wonder of this one. This felt like once in a lifetime. A distant corner of your mind remembered that you needed to get back to the house soon but you were finding it difficult to care. Benedict began to hum happily as he kissed you over and over, winding a hand into your hair as he playfully nipped and sucked at your lips. Pulling back, he smiled and twirled the dandelion stem between his fingers. “These things do work.”

Tagging: @angels17324 @bridgertontess @broooookiecrisp @secretagentbucky

[woodchipp]

Alright, so

It’s pretty obvious that OMORI’s cast was intended to be seen as a “found family” of sorts - Mari’s the mom, Hero’s the dad, Kel, Aubrey, and Basil are their kids and Sunny’s the baby. It’s supposed to underscore how ostensibly sweet and awesome their friendship was. But IMO there was a different way for the game to use this trope.

It could’ve been deconstructed.

I think it’d have been interesting if the game kept the sugarcoated “family” restricted to Headspace and used the real friend group to show why that trope wouldn’t work out in the real world. Mari’s horrible home life (and her general obsession with being perfect stemming from that) could've compelled her to fashion herself into a “mom” for her friends because a) she’d want to make sure they feel safe and cared for since, well, she and Sunny didn’t get to experience that 🙂 and b) her parents are unreasonably restrictive with her even though she’s the “golden child”, so she really wants to feel in control of something in her life for once.

Tying into the game’s focus on escapism, the group’s “found family” shtick could’ve been framed as one big form of escapism for most of the people involved - they get to pretend everything’s fine and they have everything they could ever ask for because they have their friendship. Basil and Aubrey would’ve seen the group as the family they never had and Hero would’ve seen it as a way to get his mind off his mom’s death (at least until Kel joined the group). Sunny would probably just be happy to have friends, ig lol

Over time, however, the kids’ issues would get increasingly apparent. Maybe seeing his grandma’s health deteriorate would make Basil’s abandonment issues flare up and he’d become firmly convinced he’s unwanted in the group even though everyone’s trying their hardest to make him feel welcome. Maybe Sunny’s resentment of his parents’ favoritism towards Mari and growing sick of being seen as “the baby” of the group despite basically being his besties’ therapist would make him more snippy. Maybe Kel and Aubrey’s squabbles would become exhausting because it’d seem like they do nothing but argue all the time. Maybe Mari would find herself spending less and less time with her friends due to her parents' demands and her burn-out from incessantly working to meet said demands.

Naturally, she would feel additional pressure to maintain her “family” and fix everyone’s problems, but here’s the catch - she wouldn’t be able to, as much she’d want to and as much as she’d try. She is, after all, a 16 yo teenager with a bevy of her own problems she uses her “found family” as a bandaid for. 

She would be aware of that. And it’d gnaw at her.

Cue the recital argument 🙂

Ironically, I think the group’s dissolution would be the best ending for them in this case. The game could even make a point that while their bond helped them get through their childhood years, it’s unsustainable in the present day due to their issues, which they need to work on before they could have a shot at reuniting again

[tiny-maus-boots]

Queen of Hearts pt 18

A/N: It's been awhile for this one. I was a little bit kinda sorta life threateningly sick so I had some time to complete this. Thank you as always to @chloes-yellow-cup and @kimmania for listening to the hcs that eventually become real stories. i love you awesome nerds.

18 Aggression Factor

“Jesus, this is a fucking nightmare.”

Aubrey nodded her agreement at the thought and leaned back in her seat. The leather creaked softly, the only counterpoint to Beca's soft comment. They had gone to the docks, and on the surface in the full light of day everything appeared on the up and up. But just a little digging after business hours had uncovered a nest of nastiness that she didn't yet know what to do with.

“We have to do something Aubrey. We can't just let all those women suffer. Some of them were just girls…”

Aubrey didn't say anything for a long time. She was sickened by what she and Beca had seen. But it all made sense now. Everything that Weston had been involved in was suddenly and disgustingly clear. Weston had been using his connections with the Russian mob to traffick women as play things for the rich and elite.

“We can free them all tonight. But then Roman and his crew close down shop here and open up somewhere else.”

“They're going to do that anyway now that they've killed Grant's kid. The kid was nothing to them or his father. By morning all those girls will be shipped and held somewhere else.”

And if Beca were to go to her superiors now she would sidelined by the wheels of bureaucracy before anyone could save those women. Her thumbs tapped lightly on the steering wheel as she turned the problem over in her head. She couldn't see any way to help the innocent victims immediately that would stop the operation entirely. She had to choose. Save who she could now or let them and countless others suffer until she and Beca could maybe find a way to dismantle an entire organization and see that justice was served to the people behind it all. 

“All those rich pricks are going to get off scott free from this, aren't they?”

Detective Mitchell looked away and sighed deeply. It bothered her as much as it bothered Aubrey. When they had started this working arrangement it had been because Aubrey wanted someone on the Force that was in her pocket. In truth it could have been any cop, and quite a few that had less compunction about taking her money to look the other way. But she had needed Beca Mitchell in particular.

It had been late when Beca had pulled into the big bay doors of the abandoned warehouse. But dead of night seemed about right for whatever was about to happen. She pulled the rusted old Nova into a cleared space and got out of the car warily. 

Happy and Lilly were stood menacingly and armed to either side of a seated figure lost half in shadow. Somehow Aubrey managed to be the most terrifying of them all, calmly waiting for Beca's arrival with the patience of a large predator. Smoke curled in a lazy tendril around Aubrey’s head and she casually dropped the butt of her cigarette to the floor and ground it out with her shoe as she rose.

“Did you bring him?”

“In the trunk. It'll be a miracle if he survived carbon monoxide poisoning back there. I think the catalytic converter fell off this bucket somewhere on Imperial.”

Aubrey nodded and Happy and Lilly moved to pull their guest out of the trunk of Beca’s unmarked police car. She put a hand into her suit jacket and pulled out an envelope of cash and tossed it to the Detective. Beca caught it and counted the cash half distracted by the none too gentle way her cargo was being dragged and strapped to a dusty work table.

“So look. I know the deal here. You make moves and I follow them. In the end I make some money and really shitty people get what they deserve. I'm oddly on-board with meting out punishment in non legal ways when its due. But this guy? He's nothing. Some B&E, some minor theft. A bar fight. On paper this guy is no one.”

And she had looked. Beca might be okay with playing things a little loose with the law for Aubrey but she wasn't going to do it blindly. She had pulled Mervin Evans’ jacket and read through his past charges before she picked him up and shoved him into her trunk. He wasn't a great guy but he wasn't horrible either.

The blonde glanced away from Mervin and pinned Beca with a cold stare. She wasn't afraid of Posen exactly, but she was a fan of exercising caution around an unpredictable variable. Asking too many questions could easily land her on the table next to Mervin.

“On paper you're an officer of the law and I'm a hardworking, law abiding, businesswoman.”

“Touche.”

Aubrey slid the suit jacket from her shoulders and hung it neatly from a hanger. There was a deliberateness about the way the other woman removed her cufflinks and watch and placed them in the pocket of her jacket. Beca swallowed hard when Aubrey rolled up the sleeves on her shirt and strode to the table with echoing steps. 

“You can leave now, Detective. The kitchen is gonna get hot.”

Beca narrowed her eyes at the subtle challenge. Okay sure watching Aubrey tug on leather gloves before picking up a thin steel bar and hefting it lightly in hand was alarming. But if she left now without questioning this was she really the person she thought she was? 

“You implying I can't hack the job?”

Aubrey chuckled softly and placed the bar on the table near Mervin's head. For the most part he had been sort of out of it, too many bumps in the road on the way over. He groaned and his head lolled to the side. He just stared at the bar for a moment in dazed confusion before recognition dawned on him and he started to struggle. Happy slapped him hard a few times to settle him and Beca shifted uncomfortably.

“I'm not implying anything. I'm out right telling you. You ain't got it, kid. Now beat it before you realize how dirty your hands really are.”

Whether she meant to or not Aubrey had issued a challenge that Beca couldn't ignore. She had to take a stand one way or the other. Even if it might get her killed.

“I need to know what he did, Posen. He's too small of a fish in our great big pond to deserve whatever it is you're planning.”

Aubrey picked up a torch striker and gave it an experimental squeeze to text the way it sparked. She nodded in approval before using it to point at a wide eyed and gagged Mervin.

“You're right. He's a little fish, but he's no Nemo. He's a remora.”

“Wait. Like those fish that eat shark leftovers or whatever? Where the fuck is this going?”

Aubrey lit the acetylene torch standing at the head of the table with the striker. Mervin jumped and tried to struggle but the straps around his body held him fast. She was methodical about the way she heated the end of the bar, leaving the fire on the tip until it glowed a white hot.

“Hm. Something like that. Remoras feed on shit. And this little shit eating fishie is feeding from a shark I don't want in my water.”

“I'm guessing we aren't talking a cute friendly reef shark.”

Aubrey inhaled deeply and closed her eyes for a moment. Beca was used to seeing the action and knew that the person she respected most was about to do something that she felt needed to be done. Aubrey was violent and practical to brutality but it was never without a reason. When she opened her eyes and looked at Beca there was a hollow void where most people had a soul. 

“Someone is taking women from MY streets. Teenagers, Mitchell. Young women are being stolen and sold and this stronzo, this oh so little fish, is the one finding them for his master. And do you know what he does to them? He brands them so they know who they belong to. And now I'm going to mark him.”

Aubrey raised the brand and moved to bring it close to Mervin's arm. Only Beca's shaking hand on her wrist stopped her. 

“Wait…wait…”

Whatever was going on in the Detective's head was a struggle Aubrey did not envy. Her job was simple. She did what she needed to and she didn't have to play by anyone's rules but her own. Mitchell on the other hand lived with a foot in two worlds, there were lines she couldn't cross with the same ease Aubrey did. 

Lines she shouldn't cross because she had people in her life that would never understand. Detective Mitchell had a family. Brothers and sisters and two of the most loving people as parents that chose Beca and saved her from a life in the system. Aubrey had done her research on Beca long before she ever approached her. She knew all her triggers and all her secrets. She knew them all and played on them to get what she wanted. Just like she was playing on that now. 

“Are you asking me to spare him? Do you think he spared those girls he stole and hurt? Do you think if I let him  go now he'll stop and change his ways and never touch another person's daughter…or sister?”

The look in Beca's eyes was terrible to behold. A leviathan of disgusted rage rose in the deep blue depths and if Aubrey were being honest, she was proud to see it and bothered that she had to be the one to invoke it. Hate boiled beneath the surface when Beca gripped the brand in her own hand and pressed it down with a scream on Mervin's forehead. 

Aubrey felt nothing as she watched him writhe and howl in pain behind his gag. She felt nothing when Mitchell flung the brand away and staggered drunkenly to the door outside to retch on the hard black macadam lot. She gave Mervin a disinterested look and nodded to Happy and Lilly to finish the work. They would without question or conscience and she appreciated that.

But it wasn't what she needed.

Aubrey stepped outside and knelt by Beca heaving on all fours. She reached out a tentative hand to rub the other woman's back soothingly and wasn't surprised to be shrugged off. She had pushed too far. Beca tried to scramble away, tears running down her face freely but Aubrey gathered her as easily as a child and held her while she struggled with what she had just done.

“I'm sorry Mitchell. Sorry I goaded you into it because I didn't like being questioned. Because I felt like a point needed to be made.”

“I'm gonna hork again.”

Aubrey eased away and let Beca rise on shaky feet. The way the Detective looked at her would haunt her at night when she was alone and the horrors of her life replayed themselves on repeat. Anyone else would have looked away from the accusation and revulsion. Aubrey stared back, evenly, accepting who and what she was now. She hadn’t always been this. Once it had affected her too.

“I threw up my first time too.”

“Jesus Christ, Posen. This work is fucking evil. The people that do this are fucking evil.”

You're fucking evil.

Beca didn't say it. She didn't have to. Aubrey rose and brushed the dirt off her neatly pressed slacks. Yes. She was. She nodded at the unspoken statement and smoothed her tie.

“I'm no saint, that's true.”

Something flickered in Beca’s eyes and she looked away from Aubrey. The blonde slid hands in her pockets and considered for a moment.

“I might be the devil.”

The detective turned to eye her quickly. Measuring her worth with a skill that only cops had.

“You're not the devil. You're fucking awful sometimes but you're not the devil Posen. You're trying to do a job with the only tools you have and its sick work but maybe some of it has to be done.”

“I'm a weapon, Detective. My purpose is pain and order and I am very good at it. Who I inflict pain on is how I sleep at night.”

Beca nodded and turned away to stare at the moon above. Her voice was raw and tight as she struggled to contain her emotions.

“Lesson learned. Don't question you if I don't want to become an unfeeling weapon.”

Aubrey hesitated and looked up to the moon as well. No one questioned her. Ever. Even before her father had passed and her work was new, no one had questioned the way she handled business. And perhaps that was why she was the monster she was today.

“I need you to keep questioning me, Mitchell. Even if I hate it.”

Beca glanced at her quickly again, eyes wide with surprise. Aubrey sighed deeply.

“There are lines even I shouldn't cross and I don't know if I recognize them anymore.”

“What are you asking here? You want me to be your Jiminy?”

Fatigue set in making her shoulders hunch with the weight of so many misdeeds. Seeing Detective Mitchell break down, seeing her feel something, had shown her how far removed she was from humanity. And it scared her.

“I don't flinch, Bec. Humans should flinch when they do terrible things. They should feel it in their soul. I feel nothing.”

“Jesus. You're really asking me to help you be human?”

Her lips quirked in a quick grin. If anyone could help her find her humanity again it was Beca Mitchell. Perhaps the only person alive not afraid to tell her to fuck off. 

“I just want to be a real girl.”

“Great, fantastic, maybe you can start by taking a crack at that work life balance thing. Take a night off…and don't fucking call me.”

She had taken that advice to heart and gone to a poker game hosted by a friend. Aubrey smiled softly at the memory of spending four hours letting the most gorgeous creature she had ever seen win every single dollar she had brought and her heart to boot.

Beca had been right then and she was right now. Aubrey inhaled deeply knowing she was going to end Roman and his business but Weston's friends would still be safe to continue doing what they wanted. And she wouldn't be able to do a damn about it. 

“I need to make an example of Ekzarova and make it very costly for his organization to run that line of business.”

“Too costly to be worth the effort.” Beca watched her careful nod of agreement before speaking again. “Richie Rich's friends are a lost cause aren't they?”

“For now. Yes. They have more money and resources than I do. So for now, until I can find out the right leverage on them, they skate on this.”

“We still have the proof on those drives.”

“If you thought that was enough to nail them for this you would have used it a long time ago. We both know it'll get buried and you'll find yourself out of a job.”

“And Alice?”

Alice Alice Alice. Aubrey hadn’t allowed herself to think about her ex girlfriend. She was afraid the rage would overwhelm her good sense and she would do something sloppy enough to get her caught.

“For her part in what happened to Happy? For putting her hands on Stacie…”

She gave Beca a look that didn't mask the well of darkness in her soul at the thought of ending Alice.

“She needs to be made an example of too or they'll send another just like her. But you know. Competent.”

“You asking me to cross lines Jiminy?”

“No I'm outright telling you we are going to cross lines. A lot of them.” 

“Bec…”

“Don't Aubrey.”

“You're a cop.”

She felt it bore a mention. Beca was rapidly approaching a point where there would be no turning back. She had a life and family she could easily lose.

“For what though? Did cops stop my alcoholic father from beating my crackhead mother to death in front of my face? Did cops take me out of the foster system and put me in a safe home where I felt loved for the first time in my life? I'm sorry was it the cops that found the gang banger that murdered my older brother for trying to protect a store clerk? Are cops doing anything at all to protect any of these women? No. Man…fuck the police. They are part of a system of abuse and I'm done Aubrey. I'm fucking done. You know who was there to save me? People. Just fucking good people. And a goddamn murdering mobster might be the best one of them. So don't fucking tell me what I'm losing. The answer is nothing. I lose nothing but the shame of being part of the problem.”

“Okay.”

What else could she say? Aubrey reached out a balled fist and held it steady. Beca looked at her and bumped their knuckles together. 

“I don't think I'll ever be a real girl if I lose myself in this, you know that right? What I'll have to do to end this whole thing…”

Beca's tone gentled and she looked at Aubrey with something the blonde had never seen in the Detective's eyes before. Pride.

“Aubrey, this only makes you that much more human and real.” 

They sat there a minute longer while she let that sink in. Somehow, somewhere, she had changed. Because of Beca.

“So you gonna be my best man or what?”

Mitchell was right. Fuck the police. If they were going scorched earth then it wouldn't matter who stood by her at her wedding. And she really couldn't think of anyone she wanted more at her shoulder.

“Do I get to bang hot bridesmaids?”

“No guarantee but there is an open bar and a hot doctor among the guests.”

Beca sighed heavily as if she were making a huge sacrifice at not being able to sleep her way through the wedding party. But Aubrey could see she didn't really mean it.

“Yeah alright. I guess I can rock a suit for a day. Maybe I can pass out and Doc Beale can give me some mouth to mouth.”

Beca winked at her and slid out of the car with a chuckle. The door slammed, leaving her to sit in the quiet car park alone. She had a lot to prepare and she needed to do it quickly. But right now the only thing she could focus on was getting back to Stacie to find a little peace before she burned the world to the ground.

[peonierose]

Home is where the heart is

Book: Open Heart x Red Carpet Diaries Crossover

Pairing: Bryce Lahela (M!MC) x Luna Auclair (F!OC)

Rating: Fluff

Words: 3,000+

Summary: It’s Christmas time. Luna and Bryce get visited by Ethan & Hayley. But it looks like Luna gets to fangirl a little first.

A/N: I’m participating in the @choicesficwriterscreations Holiday Event as well as @choicesdecember2022 Day 7 - Middle of the Night

It’s that beautiful time of the year. Christmas. Though it is a very non-white Christmas in Hawaii. We still enjoy having a great dinner with family and friends. Sharing laughs and great stories. Exchanging gifts.

Our family loves to spend time at the beach. Going surfing, swimming, and having a great time with the family.

These are things that we want to do with our kids when they arrive in March next year.

When I think back to last year? So many things have changed.

Bryce and I were living with Keiki in Boston. I was working at that awful art gallery, which I’m glad I quit. I found something new and something better.

I proposed to Bryce. Which he still doesn’t shut up about. He says ”She put a ring on it“ I laugh silently at that.

B and I moved to Honolulu. We came back to where we both feel at home and alive. It’s our happy place, because home is where the heart is.

We’re carving our own path. Both B and I. While he works at the Kuakini Medical Center I accepted a job offer to teach art at the University of Hawaii.

Months later Bryce and I got our own little miracle when we found out we were expecting twins. Two girls. Can you believe that? It’s still insane to me and I have to grin at that.

We’re getting married, though we’re postponing it for the time being. We’ve both got so many things going on we just don’t want to get married in a hurry and without our close family and friends on our special day.

We also made some new friends. Two wonderful and amazing women. Meilani and Aubrey. Who are a great addition to our friend group.

”Luna?“

I get thrown out of my straying thoughts when I hear a deep male voice.

I sigh as I have to look up and up.

”So what’s on your shopping list? Did we get all the ingredients for the cookies, pies…and tartelettes? I don’t even know what that is, to be honest,“ Ethan says and moves the shopping cart further down the aisle. Past the bread and cereal. I have to grab some lucky charms for Bryce.

Ethan and Hayley are visiting us for a couple of days, before they fly back to Boston. Let’s not forget Jenner. Cutest dog in the world.

So I took Ethan grocery shopping. Best idea ever.

Damn, I hate the fact that Ethan is so tall. I basically have to run to catch up with him.

”Can you slow down? I’m way shorter than you and I’m also 6 months pregnant.“ I say and Ethan slows down blushing furiously.

”How’s the pregnancy going? Any weird food cravings that drive Bryce up the wall?“ he jokes and laughs.

”Does Bryce count as a food craving?“ I ask.

I am trying to act serious but I have to laugh at Ethan’s expression. He looks as if he bit into a lemon.

”I shouldn’t have asked,“ he mumbles.

I want to pat his shoulder but reach his midriff instead.

I grin.

”Don’t get your panties in a twist my little orange blossom.”

He sighs but endures my teasing.

”I know you love me too much to say anything about these cute little nicknames that I use. Between you and me I know I’m your favorite person next to Hayley.“

He just gives me a look and I grin.

”No weird food cravings. If you don’t count peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with banana slices inside as a food craving. Bryce makes a really good one. His pj and jelly sandwiches are the best.“

”Yeah because he can’t screw that up.“

Ethan laughs.

I pinch his arm and he rubs it afterwards.

”Don’t be mean. You don’t have to play the role of the grinch. It’s too early for that.“

I say and ask him to hand me the shopping list. To see what else we need.

We’re all going to make some delicacies this Christmas.

All of the Auclair family. Meaning me, my cousins Soraya, Evie, and Sky. My gran, my grandpa, mom and dad, my aunt Joe and my uncle Joseph.

Everyone is making a Hawaiian specialty. Can’t wait for that food fest.

Keiki and Bryce are going to help too. Although Bryce is just going to steal cookies and act as if the dog ate them. Nice try Lahela.

Soraya and her girlfriend Meilani, who is my OB/ Gyn and works together with Bryce and his other colleague Aubrey will join us too.

Maxi my best friend and her lover? Date buddy? Adam. I honestly don’t know the status of their relationship, but I’d say it’s somewhere between figuring things out and it’s complicated.

Maxi's mom Amara is going to be there too.

As for Maxi‘s brother Caelum? I don’t think he’s going to join us. Since he and Maxi have to meet again and start to patch things up. I just don’t think they are at that level yet. Rebuilding a relationship takes time. It doesn’t happen overnight.

But hey Christmas miracles happen all the time. I‘d wish they would be as close as they were before Maxi's dad died in a car accident.

Let’s not forget my brother and sister whom mom and dad recently adopted. It’s their first Christmas with all of us. It’s going to be magical.

A static voice sounds from the speakers above.

”Attention all customers. Don’t forget today is 50% off on all products from the produce and dairy aisles.“

Ethan and I move further into the condiments aisle.

”I need some cinnamon. For the snickerdoodles.“

I say and when I turn around I can see Ethan looks like a kid on Christmas morning. I smile and love the fact that he feels open enough to share his feelings. Whether he voices them out loud or just shows them.

We reach the produce aisle. Ever since I got pregnant with the twins I‘ve started to love fresh fruit and vegetables more and more.

I grab some mangos and look up when I almost drop said mangos.

I sigh and gently put the mangos into the shopping cart.

”Oh my god. Do you know who that is?“ I grab Ethan’s shirt.

Ethan looks around and tries to figure out who I could mean.

”Who?“

I take his chin and move it in the direction I meant.

”It’s Matt Rodriguez. Oh my god, I need to get an autograph. How do I look?“

Ethan eyes me as if I don’t have all cookies left in the jar.

”You look beautiful as always, but what about our ingredients for the cookies?“ he asks, looking down into our shopping cart.

”Who cares about cookies when you have Matt Rodriguez standing at the produce aisle.“

I say getting super excited.

”Who is Matt Rodriguez?“ Ethan asks.

”Have you been living under a rock E?“ I shake my head in disbelief.

”Does Bryce know you have a crush?“ he chuckles.

”Pfft. Please his guilty pleasure is Matt’s movie, Cactus Rose. We watch it together all the time.“

Ethan whistles.

”I’m seeing Bryce in a whole new light.“

I grin and can’t believe my luck. To meet an actor I admire and let’s be honest he’s hot. He’s got nothing on Bryce of course, but still, he seems nice and he’s a damn good actor.

I look up at the ceiling.

”Santa, if you're out there, thank you for making my wish come true. I promise I’ll make Bryce’s wish come true too if I can get Britney Spears to sign an autograph.“

Ethan snorts.

”Santa doesn’t exist.“

I gasp and look at Ethan as if I swallowed something rotten.

”How dare you, sir! I don’t even recognize you, Ethan Jonah Ramsey! I’d never think that these are the words that would come out of my male best friend's mouth.“

Ethan shrugs his shoulders.

”Well I was just honest. So how about that autograph?“ he asks and points to Matt who is moving his shopping cart away. I’ve got to go there and ask him for an autograph and maybe a selfie.

”Nice segue. Don’t think this conversation is over. But autograph first, cookie ingredients later.“

I breathe out and take all my courage to go over there and ask Matt for an autograph.

”Excuse me?“ I ask and Matt turns around flashing his megawatt smile. I swear I sighed a little.

”Yeah?“ he asks still smiling.

”I don’t want to be rude but my fiancé and I are big fans of yours would you maybe sign my…“ I ask and realize I don’t have anything for him to sign.

He smiles and gets out a card with the logo of his latest movie Cactus Rose to sign for me.

”Could you make it for Bryce and Luna? Otherwise, he’s never going to believe me I met you,“ I smile and Matt grins.

”Officially I’m on vacation with my wife who’s here somewhere. Here I’ll sign these for you Luna.“

I smile and just nod. Not able to form words.

”I’m sorry I’m usually not that starstruck. I think I’d be even more starstruck if I met Frida Kalo or Pablo Picasso.“

When Matt looks at me with a confused look on his face.

”I’m an artist and work as an art professor at the University of Hawaii.“

Matt’s eyes widen.

”No way! Really? You know it’s funny my wife and I are looking for an artist. We wanted to commission a piece for our new home here in Honolulu. Would you be interested in making an art piece for us? I wouldn’t want you to overwork yourself,“ he says and points to my stomach.

”Oh don’t worry I’d tell you if it was too much. But you know what? You can always check out my art pieces for art on the fence. It’s a non-profit group of local artists who present their work. You can take a look and even buy some art pieces. But if you’re looking for something specific I’m sure we can work something out.“

Matt grins and hugs me.

I must’ve squeaked like a mouse.

”Damn I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hug you too hard. Are you alright?“

He asks concern lacing his voice.

”I was just hugged by Matt Rodriguez. Santa sure was good this year.“

He smiles and we exchange numbers. He promises to reach out so we can meet and discuss the art he’d like to commission.

He walks away but then he comes back.

”Can I take a picture with you? I think you’re one of the prettiest pregnant women I’ve seen, including my wife, so I’d really love it if we took a picture together.“

Matt asks, smiling.

Again I just nod.

We take a pic and he waves goodbye. I must’ve looked like an idiot.

I stand there holding my phone and the autographs and just smile.

As I walk towards the shopping cart where Ethan is waiting for me, a grin on his face, I feel as if I’m floating on fluffy clouds.

”Happy?“ Ethan asks.

I nod.

”Very.“

He shakes his head and grins.

I can’t stop smiling all the way to the cash register. We pay for all the ingredients and go to the parking garage. Hopefully, we got everything, and in my fangirling haze, we didn’t forget any ingredients. If not I’ll just send Keiki or Bryce to the store.

When we reach home I almost rip the door open in my haste to get inside.

Jenner greets me, his tail wagging.

I pat him, walk further into the house and he looks with sad eyes at me.

”Sorry buddy I have to share some news afterward you can have as much Luna time as you want.“

He licks my hand I and I smile at him.

I look around for Bryce as Ethan gets the ingredients inside. He said he won’t let me carry the groceries.

My mom smiles at me and Hayley greets Ethan with a kiss.

”Bryce is outside with Keiki.“

Mom says and I nod. Jenner walks over to Ethan. Who showers him with love.

I spot Bryce and walk towards him and almost knock him over in his seat.

He laughs and steadies me so we both won’t fall over.

”Looks like someone missed me.“

”You’re a sight for sore eyes.“ I hug him, because despite my fangirling moment? He’s my forever love.

I inhale his scent of fresh laundry, the ocean, and Bryce.

He kisses my temple and I relax in his arms.

We hear footsteps and see Ethan walking outside, as he joins us in the garden. He hands me a glass of hibiscus lemonade. My gran made it fresh this morning and brought it over.

”Guys you won’t believe who I met.“

Bryce and Keiki share a look and shake their heads.

”Who?“ Bryce asks.

”Matt Rodriguez. At the produce aisle.“

”Come on there’s no way you met Matt. Pics or it didn’t happen.“

Bryce says and looks at me as if he doesn’t know if I’m making it up or not.

I grin and can’t wait for him to eat his words.

”Oh I got pics alright babe. I got a job for a commission for Matt freaking Rodriguez. He gave me his number and wants me to commission an art piece for him and his wife.“

Bryce and Keiki speak at the same time.

”What?“

They both scoot closer as I show them the picture of me and Matt. Both of us smile at the camera.

Ethan grins as Hayley walks out too.

”What are they all so excited about?“ she asks.

Ethan shakes his head.

”Luna met some guy called Matt Rodriguez. Don’t know who that is. So now everyone is fangirling over him. Even Bryce.“

Hayley squeals and joins the fangirling fest too. Ethan just shakes his head.

They all enjoy some time in the sun until they move back inside to prepare the sweet delicacies.

Three hours later….

”I know you love the British bake-off, but it looks as if you’re not very good at making pastries or sweets in general, am I right?“

”I don’t watch the British bake-off.“ Ethan replies but I just can’t take him seriously when he wears an apron with the face of the grinch. He lost a bet against Hayley and now has to wear it.

I laugh and Hayley joins me but tries to turn it into a cough when Ethan turns around to look at her.

”Even though he watched many episodes he can’t make a pie. Or cookies. Let’s not even talk about pancakes.“

Hayley laughs and steals a piece of apple that’s lying in a bowl for the pie filling.

”You can’t make pancakes? Oh, don’t feel bad pumpkin spice. Bryce can’t make them either.“

I say and roll out the dough for the pie crust.

”Hey come on.“

Bryce says flustered.

”You know it’s true B.“

I say and take the pie crust and put it into the tart mold. So I can pour the filling in and make a beautiful apple pie.

”You’re probably right.“ Bryce sighs.

Ethan grins.

”You folded so quickly.“

He says to Bryce.

Bryce just winks at him.

”Although I’d say Bryce is a little better at pancakes than you are Ethan.“

Bryce kisses me on my temple.

”Beat that Ramsey. Lunes knows her stuff.“

Ethan just stares at us until he smiles.

”I just can’t be mad at Luna.“

Ethan admits.

Hayley grins.

”He’s having a hard time saying no to you.“

Hayley grins and Ethan just sighs but nods.

”He’s not the only one. I meant myself if it wasn’t clear.“ Bryce grins and hugs me from behind.

Everyone laughs and has a great time.

I grin and we continue making pies. Cookies. Anything sweet.

Bryce steals cookies again and tries to blame Jenner.

Shaking my head at him, because we all know he ate most of the cookies.

4 a.m.

I walk down because I didn’t feel Luna next to me in bed.

When I walk down the steps I see a blue light coming from the tv.

Luna snuggled on the couch and enjoying some apple pie.

”So that’s where you disappeared to.“

I say and Luna almost jumps off the couch. Her apple pie flies out of her hand, but I catch it before it can land on the floor and create a mess.

”Oh my god you scared the hell out of me. Never do that again. It was just getting interesting.“

She glares at me.

”You look way too cute for me to be mad at you.“

I notice that Luna isn’t alone.

”Hey buddy. Why is Jenner on the couch? Shouldn’t he be with Ethan and Hayley?“

I ask and Jenner scoots closer to my hand so that he can get some pats. I grin and pat him behind his ears.

”He got kicked out.“

She replies and sits down again.

”Oh? Oh! Got it.“

We both grin as I join her and she leans into me. Jenner doesn’t want to feel left out so he joins us too.

Sprawled over our legs.

”I hope he’s potty trained.“

I smack him on his arm.

”Bryce! Poor Jenner is potty trained. If you’re going to watch tv with us, there are no mean comments allowed.“

”Am I forgiven?“ I ask and hand her apple pie back to her. She sighs.

”Sure.“ She says and I grin at her.

”So what are guys watching?“ I ask.

Luna swallows a bite of apple pie.

”Sailor Moon. Jenner and I are huge fans. It’s just getting interesting.“

”Oh my god. It’s been a while since I’ve watched Sailor Moon.“

I say and steal a bite from the apple pie.

”Wait, you've watched Sailor Moon? That’s really hot.“

She says and stares at me as if she’s seeing me for the first time.

I laugh.

”It was one of Keikis favorite animated tv shows of all time. Next to Scooby-Doo and Power Puff Girls. But Sailor Moon was Keiki's favorite. Every Sunday morning she’d get up early and tune in for Sailor Moon. At first, I didn’t want to admit that it was good but I started to like it. I even bought the mangas. They’re really good.“

Luna gasps.

”I love the illustrations. I’ve wanted to try myself at creating mangas. You know art is very widely ranged. So manga is a part that I haven’t branched out to yet but I’d love to.“

Luna gets all excited and I’m happy for her.

I love her, even more, when she’s all excited and passionate about a new area of art or a new art piece.

”You can borrow my mangas if you want.“ I offer and she nods.

I smile as we continue to watch Sailor Moon stumble upon a cute cat with a moon on her forehead.

Luna smiles at the cat and we keep watching episode after episode until we all fall asleep right on the couch.

It’s a beautiful feeling to fall asleep next to the person you love the most.

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[bridgertonbabe]

Hey! Love your headcanons, they’re so beautiful 🥺. I was wondering what your headcanons on Violet’s relationship with each of her brothers is, as well as what they think of her and such :)

Charlie was the most thrilled to have a baby sister, having voiced his want for a sister when William was born. Sure, Alexander was great, he liked having a brother, but when William was born Charlie was a little less enthused with having another little brother. He already had one baby brother after all, why did he need a second? He was also quite envious of Edmund and Miles whose little sister Charlotte was born in the same year as William and he couldn’t help but wonder why they got a sister and he was landed with yet another brother. He had already been there and done that with Alexander, he knew the drill of what having a little brother entailed so he didn’t find William’s existence all that necessary in his opinion. In fact, when he had first entered his parents’ bedroom to meet baby William he had instantly turned to his father with a pout and said “I wanted a sister”, and even though Benedict had been hoping for a little girl too, he had to rally Charlie round to be happy for his newest sibling. It meant that when Charlie learnt that he finally had a baby sister, he literally jumped for joy and insisted that as the eldest he would get to hold her first. Upon Violet’s arrival, Charlie properly went into Big Brother mode, wanting to set the best example (which meant no more sitting on his brothers in the mud) and fussed over Violet as much as his father did. He would race through his schoolwork just to spend time with his baby sister and constantly followed his parents around when they were seeing after her, carefully watching them change her nappy and bathe her and gearing himself up to do it all by himself when the opportunity presented itself (when he announced to his parents that he had changed Violet, they were curious as to what he had used for her nappy, only to discover Violet wrapped up in one of Benedict’s new cravats). Charlie was eager to teach her how to walk and talk and became anxious he might miss either milestone, which led to him shadowing whichever parent was seeing to Violet at all times. As she got older Charlie always kept an eye on her when they were amongst the rest of the cousins even if she was quietly minding her business sniffing the flowers at Aubrey Hall or sat with their father. Charlie would enjoy carrying her around on his hip, copying his parents, and especially enjoyed letting her climb onto his back and letting her pretend he was her horse, running around the garden of My Cottage whinnying and neighing as Violet cheered. One of his favourite pastimes was reading bedtime stories to his baby sister, a role he had stolen from his father, and she loved it when he put on voices for different characters or even made up stories himself. Charlie had been nervous to go to Eton, not wanting to leave his family behind so far away in Wiltshire, but what upset him most was how upset his little sister got at his leaving, with the pair of them crying and holding each other before he climbed into the carriage to depart. He couldn’t quite get over how during every return home from the holidays how much she had grown and gradually she blossomed into a young lady - a young lady who would want to make her debut into society. During his years at university he observed how his peers behaved, the peers who would one day become potential suitors for his little sister, and during his first year he already began preparing himself to be overly protective of Violet when it was time for her to join the Marriage Mart (and if you’ve read Violet & Edgar from my BNG series you know how seriously he takes it and the extremes he goes to in order to keep the men of the Ton away from her).

Alexander meanwhile had been a little uncertain about having a baby sister. As Violet’s birth had been traumatic and had left his dear mama ill in bed for several weeks following the arrival of his sister, Alexander wasn’t fully accepting of the newborn. He wasn’t as bothered about holding her like Charlie was and he would politely decline any offer from his parents to sit and cuddle her. Sophie and Benedict weren’t even aware of his aversion to Violet until his grandmother asked what he thought of his new sister and he replied “I don’t like her very much.” When he was pushed for an explanation he reasoned “she nearly took mama from us - why should I like her?” His parents were shocked, unaware that Alexander had any idea of just how bad things had been as Sophie had borne Violet into the world. They thought they had managed to hide it from the boys and had gotten away with explaining that Sophie was merely a little sick and required bedrest, and while Charlie and William hadn’t picked up on it, apparently Alexander had. Sophie and Benedict had then had a sit-down talk with their middle son to explain to him that while Violet’s birth had been tricky, it wasn’t his little sister’s fault for what had nearly happened, and that he had nothing to worry about as Sophie was safe and well. While Alexander initially didn’t seem so sure, it was Sophie’s coaxing to join her on the sofa and to give his sister a cuddle like she did that finally won him over to Violet. “Isn’t she so nice to cuddle, Alex? She’s so cute and snug, isn’t she? Give her head a little sniff; does she smell nice?” Sophie enthused. “She smells like a flower!” Alexander had giggled and from then on whenever his mama was holding the baby he would clamber beside her and politely request a cuddle with Violet. As he got older Alexander would actually have no recollection of a time when he ever disliked his baby sister and much preferred her company to his brothers. They were the quieter half of the Wiltshire Bridgerton siblings and were the pair that caused the least fuss. Whenever there was a yell or a crashing somewhere in the house Benedict would emerge from his studio, entering the drawing room to find Alexander and Violet quietly sat either side of their mother on the sofa engrossed in their drawings or reading. While Charlie took great pride in educating his little sister whenever he could, Alexander was also more than happy to help his sister if she sought him out. It would warm Sophie’s heart whenever Violet sat beside Alexander and asked him how to say a word or asked him what it meant. He had all the patience in the world for her and it never mattered how many times Violet drew him away from his art or his schoolwork, he always gave her his time and gentle nurturing. Then when Charlie left for Eton, he would sometimes be awoken in the night by Violet tugging on his arm, asking him if she could sleep with him, a request he always readily accepted. “I miss Charlie.” “I miss him too, Vi.” would be their regular dialogue before the pair drifted off to sleep cuddling each other. Being the middle brother also meant Alexander was the happy medium in looking out for Violet. He wasn’t overly protective like Charlie was with her and he wasn’t feckless and silly like how William was; he was simply always there for her when she required him. Alexander was probably the most respectful of Violet for having her own mind and way of thinking, and as she got older he was more honest and open with her about certain issues that the rest of the family felt they needed to protect her from, which subsequently earnt him Violet’s respect in turn.

William on the other hand treated his little sister differently altogether. While Charlie fulfilled the role of Violet’s Big Brother and Alexander always treated her sweetly, William treated her just like he did anyone; by being a complete and utter nuisance to her. What were little sisters for if not to tease and prank and frighten? His antics had started off from a remarkably young age when he had managed to pick Colin the cat up and dump him into Violet’s bassinet. Benedict had been right to be concerned when he saw William emerge from the nursery mischievously giggling before running off down the landing, and he had gasped when he saw a cat’s tail poking out from where Violet was sleeping (though luckily Colin hadn’t scratched the newborn at all and had simply nosed at the infant). William had also once picked a six month old Violet up and had been about to drop her onto a slumbering Colin before Charlie swooped in and took her off of him before scolding William and running off to tell their father. It wasn’t that William disliked Violet - he just enjoyed winding her and everyone else up as much as possible (he is very much what one would call a little shit). He found it funny when he splashed mud on her dress and made her cry, he found it hilarious when he shoved her off the sofa and made her sob, and he found it hysterical that time he led her into the woods of their estate only to run off when her back was turned and made her wail - and he found it wholly unnecessary when his father chastised him each of these times and he was forced to sit on a stool facing the wall in the corner of his father’s studio as punishment. As annoying as William loved to be, he also knew when to pull through for his sister when she needed him most. When Charlie and Alex were away at Eton, William had been the one to mourn with Violet when their beloved cat, Colin, had died and had shared the same bed for a whole fortnight as they got through their grief together. He had also written home to her all the time when he started Eton as well, knowing how terribly lonesome she’d be in a now sibling-less house. Of course as much as William could be a good big brother, he was still at heart a teasing one, and often mocked Violet for being a proper little lady, especially when he returned home from his first term at Eton and discovered that there was already a new air about her in the way she held herself and how she acted so ladylike. While Charlie and Alex’s relationships with Violet altered as they all entered adulthood, William’s remained forever the same. He was and would always be the relentlessly annoying brother and though he was the world’s biggest wind-up merchant, Violet was secretly grateful for their relationship being the pure constant that it had been since childhood. 

[fayes-fics]

7, 24, 25 💕

Hi Nonny!

7. A: F2L

So this is a very simple request for Regency Anthony that is friends to lovers with some angsty pining then smut with happy ever after. I have just some scribbled thoughts. So far, I'm thinking it will be where reader is promised to another scenario but the chemistry between them is too much and he "ruins" her, but they end up married so all is well that ends well, so to speak lol.

24. B: reunited

I have some bullet points and a few lines of dialogue on this one. It will be a touch angsty but then very fluffy, set in Regency. Reader and Benedict are best friends since childhood but are separated when her family moves to Italy for the summer season. While they are apart the reader realises she is in love with him and travels back early (with her brother as chaperone) to tell Benedict because she can't wait. There will be a very fluffy sweet ending.

25. B: secret diary

Oh man, this one has Regency Benepic written all over it and I'm almost scared to start it properly, cos it will take over my life for literally days. It's also my oldest WIP, in my inbox for 6 months now. I got a very detailed request with all of the plot points and tbh it's got it all - misunderstandings, mutual pining, friends to lovers, arguments, jealousy drama, angst, love confessions. It's a DOOZY. I really hope I can do the idea justice.

Here are the first paragraphs I have written as a framing device. All else is unwritten:

You have been in love with Benedict Bridgerton for as long as you've drawn air into your lungs. Or at least that's how it feels. Your families being neighbours both in London and Kent for many generations— two aristocratic families that, despite enduring friendships, have, perhaps strangely, never seen intermarriage. There have been attempted matches going down the years, according to family lore, but nothing came to fruition. 

So when you are first brought to Aubrey Hall, a mere babe in arms, the firstborn daughter, there are many good-natured jokes around the convivial dining table that Anthony’s future wife has been born. But when you are three years old, something happens that ensures it is not the future Viscount, Anthony, that claims your heart, but instead his younger brother. All because of one sunny day in June…

Thanks for your ask 😁🧡🧡

[chubby-maimaki]

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Longest Tag: 66 characters

#every thursday on the last two periods during my senior year in hs

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Title: I wish that you would hurt me harder than I hurt you

Chapter: 2

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Summary: Day 6 of Pitch Perfect Rare Pair Week

A few hours before Emily and Aubrey’s engagement party Aubrey has some news to share that will change the course of their relationship.

Notes: After multiple demands (aka @ridiculously-over-obsessed and @forthosebelow rioting with the ending) "I wish that you would hurt me harder than I hurt you" gets two more chapters! That's right people, the suffering hasn't ended yet (blame the aforementioned people for that).

Alright, enjoy!

Read on AO3

18 notes - Posted February 11, 2022

#4

Fandomversary

One year in the Pitch Perfect Fandom. One year since I bugged my sister to watch the movies with me. One year full of new experiences, new friends, and new beginnings. One year with the most incredible and talented people I have ever met. One year, which even though was damn hard for all of us, this fandom, these people made it worth it. And even if I grow out of this fandom, the bonds I've made with some of you will forever stay.

Shoutout no.1 @chloebeale thank you for creating this server and bringing me closer to my family.

Shoutout no.2 @ridiculously-over-obsessed @forthosebelow @accio-sense @snowydot you are my chosen family and I will forever be grateful for all of you. I love you so much my weirdos

Shoutout no.3 This goes to all of you that were here for me this past year. You know who you are. You have a special place in my heart and you'll always have

Let's see what year number 2 has in store for us

18 notes - Posted February 4, 2022

#3

Title: The more that I know you, the more that I want to

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences

Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply

Summary: Day 4 of Pitch Perfect Rare Pair Week

Emily is awkward. Stacie is not. Emily is talented and kinda funny. Stacie is too, but that's beside the point. Emily likes Stacie. Stacie likes.....Read to find out 😉

Read the story on AO3

20 notes - Posted December 8, 2022

#2

Title: So Call Me Maybe (Chapter 2)

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: Choose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Summary: Based on Call Me Maybe’s Music Video

Jesse and his band perform from the mystery brunette girl that has stolen his heart.

Notes: Surprise!

Since no one (including me) wasn't happy with the cliffhanger I decided to give a better ending to this story. I hope you enjoy it!

*goes back in his corner and hides*

Read the story on AO3

31 notes - Posted March 18, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Happy Valentine's Day, Nerds ❤️

Will You Be My Valentine?

“Babe” Chloe whispered to a sleeping Beca

“Hmmm” Beca grunted, not bothering to turn and face the redhead.

“Will you be my Valentine?” She asked in a solemn tone.

“Chlo, a) it's ...” she checked her phone “ 2 in the morning and b) I'm literally your girlfriend. Go to sleep” Beca sighed.

“You didn't answer my question, though,” Chloe said lightly.

“If I say yes, will you let me sleep?” Beca grumbled, earning a soft chuckle from Chloe.

“Sure, grumpy cat, I will.”

“In that case, yes, Chloe, I would love to be your Valentine's,” Beca said, rolling her eyes at Chloe's antics.

“Hmmm, that won't work, again, but less sarcasm this time,” Chloe suggested.

“Seriously, now?”

“Yeap.”

“Let me ask you a question first,” Beca said instead.

“Sure, baby, what's up?”

“Why are we doing this?” Beca asked, confused.

“Because I want you to be my Valentine.”

“Isn't this a given, though, babe? Since we're in a relationship?”

“Becs, being in a relationship doesn't always mean you are in love. And celebrating Valentine's isn't only for couples either. It's about people who are in love. So, with you being my Valentine, I wanna show you how completely and utterly in love I'm with you.” Chloe replied, earnestly.

“Damn you, Beale.” Beca sniffed.

“So...?”

“Of course, I'll be your Valentine, you weirdo,” Beca replied. She chuckled when she saw Chloe giving a victorious fist bump in the air.

60 notes - Posted February 14, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[90363462]

Who Is Drake’s Mother And Why Does He Take Every Opportunity To Celebrate Her

Shaoni DasFebruary 10, 2021

In just a few short years, Drake has cemented his status as one of the biggest celebrities in the world. 

He’s more than a mere artist. He’s undoubtedly one of Canada’s national treasures and one of hip-hop’s most beloved and buzzworthy figures. He draws in attention wherever he goes, whenever he speaks — his voice and reach are unsurmountable in many ways. 

Over the years, the rapper has maintained the narrative that he’s “started from the bottom” and has reached the upper echelons of fame and success through nothing but sheer hard work. While most of his fans adore him for being so earnest about his origins, many of his detractors peddle a different theory and propose that not everything about his life story is as authentic as it seems. 

Seeing how Drake croons on and on about his humble beginnings, it’s worth examining what indeed occurred in his childhood, the impact his parents had had on his passions and character, and how his upbringing drives his relationship with his son Adonis. 

Drake and his mom were “very poor” but she still encouraged him to follow his dreams

(Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage)

Aubrey ‘Drake’ Graham was born on October 24, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario, to Sandi and Dennis Graham. His African-American father originated from a musical family in Memphis, Tennessee, and had been a drummer for artist Jerry Lee Lewis at one point. He moved to Toronto in the eighties and had met Sandi Sher at a nightclub called Club Bluenote. Sandi, a Canadian woman of Ashkenazi Jewish background, had worked as an English teacher and occasionally as a florist at the time. 

Unfortunately, Dennis and Sandi’s marriage didn’t last for a long time; the two divorced when Drake was just five, and Dennis proceed to move back to Tennessee. As a young Black Jewish boy, Drake felt out of place and misunderstood for most of his childhood. 

Sandi tried her best to raise and support Drake as a single mother, but she faced several struggles financially and physically. For most of his young life, Drake grew up on Weston Road in Toronto, which he claims, was “not the nicest area in the world.” Sandi suffered from osteoporosis and joint pain, which left her isolated in her bedroom for most of Drake’s childhood. Her poor health drove her to smoke heavily and take an exorbitant amount of pain meds. 

When Drake was in the sixth grade, his mother moved him to a wealthier part of town, Forest Hill, so they didn’t live in an “area that could create trouble for her son.” But Drake maintains that the family was still “broke” and had to rent the basement and the first floor of a house. 

Everybody thinks I went to some private school and my family was rich. Maybe it’s my fault. Maybe I haven’t talked enough about it, but I didn’t grow up happy. I wasn’t in a happy home. My mother was very sick. We were very poor, like broke.  none

Despite their tumultuous life, Sandi still managed to throw Drake a Bar Mitzvah and encouraged him to follow his dreams. She never forced him to live by a certain code or implement anything in particular, but she still wanted the best for him. For a brief period, Drake went to a Jewish day school, but nobody “understood” him or his identity as a young Black Jewish boy. Despite those challenges, Drake always felt uplifted by his mother, who celebrated him at every instance. Therefore, the rapper does his best to honour his mother on every occasion and show her a world of gratitude for everything she’s done for him. 

My mother is an incredible woman. She’s always just told me, ‘You know, whatever you want to do, whatever you end up being, I’ll always love you. I’ll always support you.’ none

Drake claims to have had a deadbeat father, but his dad says otherwise

(Photo by Thaddaeus McAdams/WireImage)

While Drake’s mother was bedridden and “deteriorating,” Drake’s father was in and out of jail. Dennis had had two stints in prison while Drake was growing up, leading him to miss massive chunks of his son’s childhood and adolescence. As a result, Drake believes he didn’t “have a father” growing up. 

However, Dennis himself claimed that he brought Drake down to Memphis every year, “from the time he was a baby in the car seat to the time he was 17.” Additionally, it was through Dennis’s influence that Drake was able to nurture his passion for music. In fact, Drake recalled that Dennis’s prison roommate, who rapped to Drake over the phone, sparked his love for hip-hop. 

Dennis claimed that Drake was using the “absentee-father” narrative to “sell records,” but Drake refused those accusations, saying on his Instagram, “My father will say anything to anyone that’s willing to listen to him.”

Though both Drake and his father’s testimonies don’t align in this case, it’s safe to say that Drake still didn’t grow up in the most stable household. Yet, at the same time, Drake still appreciates his father. 

My father is an incredible man—charming, talented, and stylish—and I’m sort of living the dream he had for himself. But his actions served as that reverse role model for me. There are a lot of things that I don’t ever want to do. I don’t want to miss years of my child’s life. I don’t want to put a woman on a roller-coaster ride.  none

Though it’s hard to confirm whose account is accurate, it doesn’t really matter because both dad and son have a wonderful relationship at the moment. Yes, they have disagreements and still hurt each other now and then, but they still hang out with each other when they can. Drake’s posted many photo albums over the years in which Dennis and Drake are seen mingling or drinking together. 

Coming from a broken home, Drake wants to “share memories” with his son Adonis

Credit: Drake Instagram/Snapchat

When Drake’s son Adonis was first born, the rapper was accused of “hiding” his son from the world. The media and the public didn’t know too much about Adonis’s first years, that is, until Drake chose to share his photos for the first time last year. 

Since then, Drake hasn’t shied away from letting the whole world into his private life with Adonis. From dropping his son off on his first day of school to celebrating his third birthday, Drake is routinely shown showering his son with love on social media. A lot of the affection can be attributed to how he wants to build a different sort of relationship with his son than the one he shared with his own family. 

I want to be able to go places with my son and share memories with my son. I don’t want to feel like just because of a life choice I made to be, you know, a ‘celebrity’ that I got to make everybody live under this blanket. I just wanted to free myself of that.  none

Though he’s not romantically involved with Adonis’ mother, Sophie Brussaux, Drake tries his best to co-parent with her. He knows all too well about what it’s like for the kid when the parents are constantly fighting or in different locations. Drake and Sophie didn’t expect to be in this particular position, but they have to make it work for Adonis’ sake. 

I was really hard on my parents for giving me sort of a childhood that I had to wrap my mind around as I grew. Multiple times I sort of suggested that they could have done a better job at co-parenting, sticking together, not being so divided.  none

At the same time, Drake is appreciative of the values his parents had instilled in him. His mother taught him about surviving and holding hope for a better future, while his father told him about honing his craft and live out his dreams to the best of his ability. He said that he’s “all of the things I’ve learned from and through my father and the incredible things I’ve learned through my mother about patience, about unconditional love..”

Your struggles will drive you to be a better person

Drake’s upbringing could have spelled disaster for the rest of his life, yet he barrelled through and emerged victoriously on the other side.  We’ll all have regrets about our upbringing and the conditions under which we were raised. We might feel that our parents could have done a better job and that we will forever remain scarred by their faults.

Yet, at the same time, it’s the same struggles that instill a drive in us that pushes us towards self-development and emotional fulfillment. Drake knew that it’s no use holding resentment for parents that tried to raise him the best given their circumstances. All he can do is set up a life for his son that’s vastly different from this own. Sometimes it’s best to lick our wounds and approach our future with some optimism despite the cards we’ve been dealt. 

More inspiring celebrities:

This Is Why Drake Took 3 Years To Embrace Fatherhood

Patrick Mahomes Only Has Eyes For One Woman–His High School Sweetheart

Gisele Bündchen Wrote Tom Brady A Heartfelt Letter to Save Their Marriage 

Keanu Reeves and Alexandra Grant Are More Than An Unconventional Couple

Shaoni Das

Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani.

[la-appel-du-vide]

11•03•23

We celebrated Dad's birthday the day after it actually happened, so we could get everyone together on a Saturday. Because of all my bookshelf building troubles, I got to dinner at Outback Steakhouse pretty late, but made it in time to scarf my food down before going back to their house for presents, buttermilk pie, and games!

I finally pulled the trigger on tickets for B and Dad to see the Raiders and Broncos play in Allegiant Stadium in Vegas this January as a birthday gift, and Dad seemed pretty excited about it. I am hoping that ticket prices will drop day of, and I can get in to see the game as well, just to cross going to a NFL game off of my bucket list!

Aubrey and Whitnie got him headphones that he was also excited about, and Mom got him a new suit.

Mom made the buttermilk pies this year, and that's always something he looks forward to! We played a few games and had a fun night together.

Happy birthday, Dad! ❤️

[casspurrjoybell-20]

Sky Twizzlers - Chapter 28 b

*Warning Adult Content*

Bonding - Part 2 - Aaron

Another ten minutes later, we arrived at our destination. I drove through the entrance and found a parking spot. After getting out, I grabbed Aubrey's hand and pulled him to the ticket center with Evander trailing behind. Aubrey kept glancing around trying to figure out where we were while I paid for the tickets. Once we were left inside, we were greeted with a large sign finally revealing to him where we were. He gasped, a grin upon his face in an instant.

"A butterfly garden?"

"Yeah. I figured you'd like it," I said, before pausing hesitantly. "Do you?"

"Yes," he squealed, attacking me in a hug.

"I'm glad," I mumbled, holding him close.

He wiggled out of my arms after a moment to pull both Evander and me along.

"Oh, let's go over there."

He pulled us around the entire time we were there. I didn't mind seeing as this was for him. He was loving all of the butterflies on the flowers. At some point, a butterfly landed on my nose and my mates laughed at me as I tried to blow it off gently. Once it was off, I pouted at them. Bullies. They didn't even try to help me.

Aubrey was still laughing so I lunged forward and grabbed him. He squealed again as I began to tickle him mercilessly. We heard Evander laughing in the background but I was more focused on making the little nymph pay for laughing at my misery.

"Aaron, I'm sorry. Stop," he gasped between laughs.

After a few more moments of tickling him, I eased off but kept him close.

"You're so mean," I heard him say.

"I'm the mean one? I had a butterfly on my nose and you didn't help me," I pointed out.

He hummed, turning around in my arms to look at me with his breathtaking eyes.

"Because you looked cute trying to struggle."

My eyes narrowed in an attempt to stop the embarrassment from shining through my face.

"If you say so."

"I do," he agreed with a grin.

Before I let him go, he leaned up and I expected him to kiss me on the cheek but he paused inches away from my lips.

"Can I?" he asked warily, biting his lip.

"Go ahead," I whispered, allowing him to press his lips to mine.

I immediately noticed how different Aubrey and Evander kissed. While the same warmth from before spread throughout me, Aubrey's kisses were feather-light and very gentle. Evander was gentle too but more so like a comforting hand guiding me along. It was firm but not bruising.

But, I also noticed that I thoroughly enjoyed both of their styles. They both felt so... them. We pulled apart only for me to watch a tear slide down Aubrey's cheek.

"Are you okay?" I asked worriedly.

"Hmm, I'm just happy," he whispered tearfully. "I'm so happy."

"I am too."

I hugged him close again, swaying us from side to side. At some point, we pulled apart and went back to touring the gardens. Within an hour, we were ready to head back to the pack house. Oh, if only I had my own house. On our way back, we decided to stop by a fast food place for some food for Aubrey and me. Evander didn't want to eat any more that day so he politely declined. We got our food and headed back, then hurried to our room so we could settle in.

"The food smells so good," Aubrey said, setting out what he'd got on my bed.

"Be careful, it might be hot," I warned while opening up my food.

Evander was seated behind me in the same position I'd found him earlier with Aubrey with his legs spread out and me between them this time. He didn't have a book, though. Aubrey was beside us with his legs crossed. I watched as he took a bite of his food and immediately flinched when he realized it was too hot. I suppressed a laugh and instead grabbed the TV remote to see if we could find something to watch. 

I found something we all agreed to watch and dug into my food as soon as it was set up. It was silent aside from the sounds of food being eaten and the occasional comment about the movie. I didn't mind, though. I'd spent basically the whole day out with my mates and it was one of the best days I've had in a long time. I could still feel the ghost of their lips on mine and it made me happier than I thought possible. Would the rest of my life be like this? I hoped so.

After we finished eating, Evander volunteered to take our trash while we got ready for bed. Aubrey and I happily agreed and went into the bathroom together. Aubrey did lean up and peck my lips after we finished brushing our teeth, which surprised me. He then bit his lip and looked away.

"Let's go to bed now."

I grabbed his hand and we walked into the bedroom again. Evander was shirtless and waiting for us so he could go into the bathroom. We shuffled past him and hopped into bed together. Aubrey crawled into my lap and wrapped his arms around my neck. Before I could ask what he was doing, he was kissing me again. I was shocked but kissed him back just as enthusiastically. It was weird knowing I could just kiss my mates like this whenever we wanted to now.

It took so long for me to get used to the idea of being affectionate with them but now I never wanted it to end. Something in the back of my head suddenly pushed me to pull away from Aubrey's soft lips and lock into his neck. Trailing my lips down to the spot that was calling out to me, I gently sucked. He gasped, one of his hands moving through my hair to grip it and push my head closer.

The next thing I knew, my canines were elongating and the something in the back of my head turned into the urge to bite down and finally claim Aubrey as one of my mates. He must've felt my teeth brush against his skin because I heard him breathlessly whisper...

"Do it. Please."

I didn't need any more prompting. My teeth sunk into his neck and he tensed for a second before relaxing. Once I was satisfied, or rather my wolf instincts were, I pulled away and licked the open wounds. They closed after a bit and I looked back up to see Evander watching us from the doorway of the bathroom. I didn't have long to look at him before Aubrey was pulling me back to his lips.

We kissed for a little longer before we felt the bed dip as Evander sat down beside us. My chin was tilted and Evander met my lips with his own. The kiss was much more aggressive than the one we shared at the bookstore but I didn't mind. The same urge to claim him arose, so I pulled back to breathe and look at his neck.

"Go ahead," he said gently, running a hand through my hair.

I bent my head down a bit and unceremoniously bit down into his neck. He didn't seem to mind me being rough with him either. Once I was done, the burning urge inside of me was soothed and I felt exhausted. I pulled away from Evander's neck and kissed the wound after closing it up. Aubrey moved off my lap to kiss Evander and I watched them for a bit before laying down. I tiredly noticed how intense they were becoming, so I reached out and tapped Evander's leg since it was closest to me.

"Are you two going to...?" I asked.

They understood. After glancing at each other, they turned back to me and Evander nodded.

"We want to. Is that alright?"

"Hmm," I hummed in agreement. "Let me move over. I might fall asleep, though."

I scooted to the edge of the bed so they could have the rest of the space. They each kissed me one last time and said good night. I didn't think it was weird that they were about to mate with me right next to them. It was oddly intimate but not in a bad way. I wasn't involved and that's all I really cared about. I didn't see them in a sexual light anyway, so it felt more like them doing an activity they could enjoy together while I enjoyed the fact that they were happy.

At some point, I turned away from them to give them some sort of privacy. I fell asleep like that but when I woke up again, I was plastered between them. They'd showered given how clean they smelled but they'd both opted for just wearing briefs and leaving it at that. I didn't mind. I pulled Aubrey closer since he was snuggled against me while I felt Evander's arm around me tighten. My mates.

We were finally bonded. We'd be able to link each other now. I wasn't sure if Aubrey needed to mark me as well but it didn't seem like it. That didn't matter, though. We were all mated and bonded now. Details could wait. For now, I wanted to enjoy the warmth of the two people I cared about most in this entire universe.

[messyworldxx]

Bienvenue!

Hello and welcome to my life!

My name is Nicole Aubrey B. Canarias or you can just call me Nics or Coli. My birthday is May 16, 2001, born and raised at Muntinlupa City. My father's name is Jude Canarias and my mom's is Jeannelyn Canarias. My Papa said " Naku, napakaiyakin mo nung bata ka pa!" I was a crybaby but also the favorite one. I am the first girl grandchild that's why my aunts and uncles were always excited to see and take care of me.

After a month of getting married, my mom decided to leave me and my Papa. I was three years old during that time and I do not remember anything. Yet, I can still remember how Papa cried every night for years asking what went wrong. How he went home drunk and tired from work and still managed to wash my school uniforms. He was the proof that dads can be moms too!

Growing up, I was the achiever and competitive type of child. Before, I thought that if I bag all the medals and trophies, my mama will go back. I joined all the contests that I can, won all the trophies that I deserved, I wore all the medals and pinned all the awards during recognitions days, but she never came back. However, seeing how my Papa worked hard, he was also my motivation. I wanted to give back and make him proud. My papa is always present during my recognition and graduation days. He was there to make sure that I feel validated and complete.

When I was 6 years old, my Papa worked abroad to support my studies and give me a better quality of life. It was one of the hardest moment of my life. I was very dependent to Papa and that moment all I was thinking of was I am left with no one. But, I was wrong. He left me with my grandparents, aunts, and uncles. I am loved by everyone around me ever since. Holidays without Papa were one of the saddest ones. I don't get to kiss him some Christmas days, and I don't get to watch fireworks with him during New Years. My father was a hero. He sacrificed his happiness to give me the best of life. Growing up, I was very friendly. I love dancing and playing volleyball. I discovered my hobbies through joining the varsity team and competing on dance competitions.

I grew up very close to my family, especially to my cousins. We are a very tight knitted family. I grew up seeing how love works through them. I am an only child, that's why my cousins are my siblings. My Papa was very strict with me going out, and that's the reason why my cousins were my playmates. I didn't had a fun childhood but I was very well loved by my family. I am the oldest female grandchild and I make it to the point that my cousins know that they will always have a safe space in me. I make sure that I am present during the most especial moments of their lives and that they know how grateful I am to have them.

Until, I had my monthly check up and the doctor told me that I was positive for pregnancy test. I was with my father that time and we were both speechless. I still cannot believe what I was hearing. Anyway, when we got home, I didn't hear a single word from Papa. I told the father and he was happy and ready to face the responsibilities with me. I was happy but sad at the same time because again, I disappointed my Papa. The dad went to our house and asked Papa if we could live together. Papa agreed because of course he needed to take care of me. While pregnant, I loved eating fruits! February 4, 2020, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. I named him Arch Gabriel because he was the one who delivered the good news of the Lord to me. He was my wake up call that God listens and answers your prayers in His time.

He is my everything. Carrying him was the best feeling I ever felt my whole life. It is no match to winning any competitions, bagging all the medals and trophies, etc. Giving birth to Arch is the best thing that ever happened to me. He loved crying until midnight and drinks milk non- stop. He was so small and vulnerable. It felt surreal having a child who is now depending on me. I still do not have the right words to describe Arch. Watching him grow is my favorite thing to do. Witnessing him learn new things from babbling, to holding his own bottle, to crawling, and walking. It still makes me cry thinking how he is 3 years old already!

However, there are times when I still feel overwhelmed by the thought of being a mother. I never had a memory with my biological mom growing up and it scares me the most. I wanted to be the best mom for Arch but I didn't had any idea before because I never saw my mom to be one, not even once. But, seeing how Arch grows, it amazes me how I was able to do everything while enduring the pressure, pain, negative thoughts, and the struggles of being a first time parent. Arch is a very playful kid and the moment my Papa saw him, everything became okay. He adored Arch. They were inseparable! They were best friends. It seems like all the disappointments and heartaches that I caused him was wiped away by Arch's precious smile!

My Papa loved him more than he loved me. I know because all he thought and talked about was Arch. He adored Arch and you can see it by the way he looks at him. My Papa was my best friend and my everything. He understood how I was struggling and he stayed with me during the happiest and darkest moments of my life. April 28, 2021, something happened that changed my life. He was hospitalized due to stroke and it was one of the most painful moments in my life. Seeing how vulnerable he was, how I wished I could have done something to lessen the pain that he was feeling during that time. The next day, less than 24 hours, April 29,2021, he died. My best friend died. I am now all alone. He left and he will never come back. I feel like my heart's going to explode during his internment. I cannot explain the feeling that I felt during that time. It was so painful that I have no words to describe it. He was all that I had. He was my mom and my dad, my anchor, my everything.

Since then, everything's not the same anymore. I started getting scared of things that are unreal. I always think that the people that I love will eventually leave me and that thought kept me awake for three straight days. I told that to my aunts and they were alarmed by it. They had me checked by a licensed professional doctor, and also referred me to a counselor. I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Abandonment Issue. I am very open about mental health issues, that's why I did not had a hard time accepting the diagnosis. But, it served as a wake up call that I still have my Arch that depends on me. I was prescribed sleeping pills which I did not depended on, the counselor asked me to write everything down and burn it to pieces. Honestly, I still cannot believe that I was able to overcome that part of my life.

November, 2021 came and I was able to enroll again. I was very happy since I know that it was Papa's only dream; that his only child will be able to finish her studies. I excelled in my subjects and joined competitions that I am passionate about, like Declamation Contests. It is never easy and it will never be. From waking up early to go to school, doing school works, taking care of Arch, working from 8pm to 5am. Don't get me wrong, we are financially stable and capable but I love working because I like the thought of having my own hard earned money. I miss having eight hours of sleep! Yet, I know that all of these struggles will be worth it in His perfect time. I am confident that my child, Arch, will be able to have the best quality of life because of my hard work. I am sure that Papa is very proud up there that he indeed raised a wonderful and strong woman.

From that little crybaby to the woman that I am now, I am indeed proud that I was able to endure everything with the help of God, my friends, and my family. I am the woman that I am now because I can face the challenges that life throws at me. I believe that there is no such thing that we cannot overcome. It's our mind that gives us ideas, strength, and wisdom, but it will always be our hearts that will save us from everything. When you surrender everything to Him, everything will be in its perfect designated place. I am still learning, growing, and adapting to this so-called life. I am excited to face the challenges that life will throw at me with grace!

Again, this is Nics! See you around, everyone!