#March Winds and Aprils Showers Bring May Flowers

[punkrockmixtapes]

Listen to: Boys Hide A Knife by Three Minute Movie

[scoops-stevie-archive]

this was written for @thefreakandthehair's spicy six spring fanworks challenge, for the prompt, "come lie down with me, i'll read it to you"! thank you so much for letting me participate, lex!

April showers bring May flowers, but March comes in like a lion. Winds up to fifty miles an hour with rain and thunderstorms following close behind. Most people would hunker down with preparations to ride it out for however long the weatherman on TV decides, but most people haven't fought an inter-dimensional war for four years in a row and don't equate the rain pelting down on the roof to the sound of beating bat wings, or the violent winds to their devilish screeching. They get pushed around in a gust and don't think about being pinned down and feasted upon by razor sharp teeth.

Most people aren't Steve Harrington.

Unsurprisingly, Family Video stays open during one of these storms. Also unsurprisingly, they haven’t had a single customer since they opened that morning. Steve watches from behind the counter as it rains sideways across the parking lot. The trees are bending in ways that make him nervous and he's imagined a branch snapping off and going through his car one too many times. He taps an erratic rhythm on the counter, his jaw clenched tight, his eyes locked forward.

"If it gets any worse, we're closing early," Robin says from somewhere in the rows of tapes, probably sprawled across the floor. "It's supposed to go on until tomorrow afternoon, and I'm not risking being stranded here."

Steve would argue that it’s already worse, but a particularly harsh gale that sounds like a moaning monster from a D&D session makes his blood freeze in his veins. He nods, his jaw clenched. “Agreed.”

Worse comes when the power starts flickering. It was just once and for barely a second but it was enough for Steve and Robin to shut all the computers and lights off and make a beeline for the breakroom. He's already made his check-in calls with the Party; they're all safe and sound at home with promises to not step foot outside until this all passes.

“Be careful, alright?” Robin says when Steve drops her off at home. The wind is whipping her hair around her face and she’s struggling to hold the door open with the force of it. He waits until she’s safely inside before he pulls away.

There was a lull in the rain during the drive, but now it’s back with a vengeance. His wipers are barely doing anything and he can’t even see five feet in front of him. He pulls over somewhere on the side of the road to wait until it hopefully dies down. There’s thunder in the distance now, and all Steve can think of is Kate fucking Bush and Max lying comatose in a hospital bed. He watches the rain cascade in waves down the windshield and suddenly he’s back on the roof of Starcourt, his Members Only jacket doing absolutely fuck-all to keep him dry in the downpour.

Steve grips the steering wheel and can barely hear the next clap of thunder over the gust of wind that's shaking the car, or the blood rushing through his ears, his head filled with screams – his, Robin's, Dustin's, Eddie's–

Eddie.

Blind panic blooms in his chest and it takes a few tries to get the car started because of how bad his hands are shaking. Finally, the ignition turns and he's speeding off. He doesn't bother to follow traffic laws.

Gotta get to Eddie. Gotta get there before the bats do, he and Dustin can't hold them off on their own, shouldn't have left them behind–

Steve doesn’t remember haphazardly parking the car next to Eddie's van, or throwing the front door open with a strangled shout of his boyfriend’s name.

"Eddie!"

There's a thump coming from the back bedroom and Eddie comes tripping over his own feet in his rush to get to him. Steve wants to cry at the sight of him, but instead his breath gets caught in his throat with another wave of panic as his vision blurs and all he can see is Eddie’s bloodied smile as Nancy desperately tries to stop the bleeding from his torso.

Eddie takes a cautious step forward. "Baby?" His hands are lifted in front of him as if Steve is a frightened animal.

"You - you're-" Steve tries to get out but making words feels like gargling pebbles, deep down in his throat. His hands clench and unclench at his sides, shaking along with the rest of him.

"Where are you right now, Stevie?" Eddie asks gently. He doesn't touch him but he's close enough now that he could.

Steve shakes his head. "I-I don't -" He swallows. "The bats - had to come back, couldn't leave you and Dustin-"

"Can I touch you?"

Steve nods.

Eddie doesn’t pull him in immediately. He curls a steady hand around the knob of his shoulder, his thumb rubbing his collarbone in soothing circles. His other hand goes to his right elbow and then he slowly drags him to his chest in a bear hug. Steve goes limp like a rag doll and lets Eddie hold him tight.

"There we go," Eddie whispers into his hair, arms wrapped around his shoulders and waist. Steve pants raggedly against his neck. “Shh, I gotcha, sweetheart.” Fingers slide up the back of his neck and thread through his hair, gently tugging and scratching at his scalp in a way that makes Steve shiver and press closer. His own hands come up and grab fistfuls of the back of Eddie’s shirt. Eddie kisses his temple. “You don’t have to tell me what made you freak out if you don’t want to, but I don’t think you want the neighbors seein’ you like this.”

Slowly, without pulling away, Eddie kicks the front door shut and walks them back to his room where he undresses Steve slowly and methodically, not like he usually would when he’s trying to get his boy out of his clothes, and replaces them with a worn t-shirt and sweatpants. Steve buries his nose in the collar of the shirt and breathes in the scene of home. There’s a tiredness always present after a panic attack that leaves him weary and aching all the way down to his bones. He kicks his jeans to the side and sends a paperback with them. It isn’t one he’s seen Eddie read before; the dragon on the green cover and the yellow letters are enough to draw Steve’s attention and he flips through the pages after reading the summary on the back.

“Come lie down with me,” Eddie says with a gentle hand on Steve’s hip, “I’ll read it to you.”

Eddie shuffles him toward the bed and Steve all but falls onto the mattress, burying his face in the pillow on Eddie’s side of the bed (because he’s slept here enough times that they have respective sides, now) and inhaling the intoxicating smell that’s pure Eddie – cigarette smoke and the strawberry shampoo he uses. He’s maneuvered until he’s tucked into his boyfriend’s side.

The storm is all but forgotten outside. He can’t hear the harsh winds or the rain pounding on the trailer’s tin roof. Eddie’s bedroom is a bubble of safety and love and warmth. Steve has no nightmares in this place. Here, all he knows is adept fingers running through his hair and the way he slowly starts to drift off at the soothing sound of Eddie’s voice rumbling in his ear as he reads to him, picking up where he left off.

“The Librarian slept on, lulled by the whispering of the rain…”

[charlotteinengland]

March winds & April showers bring forth May Flowers 🌸 & boy has it been windy! I’m wearing my new @crestedandcountry grey jumper. I love this design! The jumper is also available in brown (which I showed you a few posts ago), tan & cream (on the wishlist!). Lightweight & not bulky so they can be tucked into a skirt (or trousers) nicely. The shoulder patches give it that country vibe. My skirt is from @dubarryofireland (older tweed design). The silk scarf is from the amazing artist @clarehaggas & hat from @hicksandbrown which whom I’ve worn in previous posts if you wanted to check them out. The leather bag is also from @crestedandcountry which features shooting elements & my beautiful matching tan leather boots are from @spanishbootco 🤎 Do you like my outfit? X Top: @crestedandcountry Bag: @crestedandcountry Boots: @spanishbootco Skirt: @dubarryofireland Scarf: @clarehaggas Hat: @hicksandbrown (AD) Copyright © 2023, Charlotte in England, www.charlotteinengland.com, @charlotte.in.england This is my official account. Any other account is an impersonation of me. RESPECT COPYRIGHT. #CharlotteinEngland #CrestedandCountry #HicksandBrown #DubarryofIreland #countryboots #countryfashion #countryinfluencer #influencers (at England) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqQkQrwNoS9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[braveclementine]

Chapter 21

Warnings: None. However, future chapters will contain sexual content so readers that are under the age of 18 may have to skip those chapters (Please keep note of the warnings).

Copyright: I do not own any Wizarding World characters that J.K. Rowling wrote. I do however own Elizabeth Kane (main character) and Trang Nyguen (best friend). There should be no use of these two names without my permission. I also do not condone any copying of this.

𝕴 𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 my feet in the sea, looking out at the storm. March had slowly melted in April and April showers bring May flowers so the wind bustled around me, blowing my dress out in front of me. Remus was not asleep, though he was quiet in my arms, looking at the storm with me. 

Trang was not with me for once, staying up at the house. She said I was crazy for coming out here at this time, but I couldn't stay inside. I knew dad was coming tonight, to tell everyone that his son had been born. 

That my brother had been born. 

It was weird, that this boy who I would not meet until his father was dead, would be the brother I got to recognize first, before my blood one. 

I was to melancholy to stay with them. So I stayed outside, telling Remus a story. 

In the depths there is a man lost in time. 

He has opened the wrong doors. Chosen the wrong paths. 

Wandered farther than he should have. 

He is looking for someone. Something. Someone. He does not remember who the someone is, doe snot have the ability, here in the depths where time is fragile, to grasp the thoughts and memories and hold on to them, to sort through them to recall more than glimpses. 

Sometimes he stops and in the stopping the memory grows clear enough for him to see her face, or pieces of it. But the clarity motivates him to continue and then the pieces fall apart again and he walks on not knowing for whom or what it is he walks. 

He only knows he has not reached it yet. 

Reached her yet. 

Who? He looks toward the sky that is hidden from him by rock and earth and stories. No one answers his question. There is a dripping he mistakes for water, but no other sound. Then the question is forgotten again. 

He walks down crumbling stairs and trips over tangled roots. He has long since passed by the last of the rooms with their doors and their locks, the places where the stories are content to remain on their shelves. 

He has untangled himself from vines blossoming with story-filled flowers. He has traversed piles of abandoned teacups with text baked into their crackled glaze. He has walked through puddles of ink and left footprints that formed stories in his wake that he did not turn around to read. 

Now he travels through tunnels with no light at their ends, feeling his way along unseen walls until he finds himself someplace somewhere sometime else. 

He passes over broken bridges and under crumbling towers. 

He walks over bones he mistakes for dust and nothingness he mistakes for bones. 

His once-fine shoes are worn. He abandoned his coat some time ago. 

He does not remember the coat with its multitude of buttons. The coat, if coats could remember such things, would remember him but by the time they are reunited the coat will belong to someone else. 

On clear days memories focus in his mind in scattered words and images. His name. The night sky. A room with red velvet drapery. A door. His father. Books, hundreds and thousands of books. A single book in her hand. Her eyes. Her hair. The tips of her fingers. 

But most of the memories are stories. Pieces of them. Blind wanderers and star-crossed lovers, grand adventures and hidden treasures. Mad kings and cryptic witches. 

The things he has seen and heard with his own eyes and ears mix with tales he has read or heard with his own eyes and ears. They are inseparable down here. 

There are not many clear days. Clear nights. 

There is no way to tell the difference here in the depths. 

Night or day. Fact or fiction. Real or imagined. 

Sometimes he feels he has lost his own story. Fallen out of its pages and landed here, in between, but he remains in his story. He cannot leave it no matter how he tries. 

The man lost in time walks along the shore of the sea and does not look up to see the lack of stars. he wanders through empty cities of honey and bone, down streets that once range with music and laughter. He lingers in abandoned temples, lighting candles for forgotten gods and running his fingers over the fossils of unaccepted offerings. He sleeps in beds that no one has dreamed upon in centuries and his own sleep is deep, his dreams as unfathomable as his waking hours. 

"Elizabeth!" 

"At first the bees watched him. Followed him while he walked and hovered while he slept. They thought he might be someone else. 

He is just a boy.  A man. Something in between. 

Now the bees ignore him. They go about their own business. They decided that one man out of his depth is no cause for alarm but even the bees are wrong from time to time. 

"Elizabeth!" 

This time I heard the shout, the first I thought an imagination or just a strange production of the wind. 

It's my fathers' voice. 

I close my eyes while Remus stirs, looking over my shoulder. 

I heard footsteps step into the water and that is when I finally turn around to face my father for the first time in months. 

Even the state of me being pregnant does not take the joy out of his eyes or the colour from his cheeks. He looked younger than I had seen him, at least since I had been a young girl myself. 

"It's a boy!" He said, his voice full of the same joy as his eyes. 

"I know." I said with a smile that I could make reach my eyes, no matter how hard I tried. "I saw. Teddy, it's a wonderful name dad. I am so happy for you." 

"You'll be the Godmother of course?" He asked, as though there was no other choice. 

"Really?" I asked. This time, the astonished smile did manage to reach my eyes. 

"Of course!" He exclaimed, looking surprised that I was surprised. "Who else would I choose?" 

I just shrugged with a smile, feeling a drop of happiness warm my insides. "I'm really, really happy for you two dad." I leaned forwards so that I could rest my head against his shoulder, giving him the best hug that I could manage. 

It was then that he sort've snapped out of his own daze. "You're pregnant?!" 

"Twins." I replied lightly. 

Dad hesitated, looking like he wanted to say something, but also not wanting to say something. When I met his eyes though, I saw the disappointment there, which punched me in the gut so hard that I actually put a hand to my stomach as though I could soothe it. 

"That's. . . that's great sweetheart." 

We stood there silently on the beach, both of us avoiding each others' eyes. I swallowed back my tears, knowing that this could very well be one of my last times with him. So I said the only thing I could say to save the situation. 

"They might not be Severus'." 

I watched his expression furrow with confusion, before understanding, and finally his eyes filled with pity. "Oh, Elizabeth." 

I pushed my hate far, far down for my dad's reaction. I refused to let any other emotions besides positive ones surround my last times with my father. Even if they were fake for me, I would not let my father die with the idea that our last interaction was negative. 

Though, of course, he would not die at all since I would save his life. 

"You should get back to Tonks and Teddy dad." I whispered. "They need you." 

"E-" 

"I love you." I said firmly, kissing his cheek. "Get back to your son. I should put my own down for sleep." 

It was so weird, referring to the little boy as 'his son' instead of 'my brother' or even just calling him 'Teddy'. I knew then that I was not hiding my feelings as well as I had hoped. Dad would see right through me, just as he always did. 

Just like he always would. 

"Elizabeth just wait a minute." Dad said, reaching out to grab my elbow, since both hands were occupied with Remus. 

I turned back to him, looking into his warm, brown eyes. 

He pulled me into a full hug this time, his arms wrapped strongly, safely around me. I vowed right then and there that this would not be the last hug my father would give me. I would make sure to get another hug, and another. I would keep him alive, even if it cost Tonks and Fred. No matter what, I would keep my father. 

Even if it cost me myself. 

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

"𝕿𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖐 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖘𝖔 much Bill. And you, Fleur. We're sorry we stayed so long, but it was just beautiful." I said as Trang and I stood in their front yard, getting ready to disparate back to mountains outside of Hogsmeade. 

"I actually wish you two could stay longer." Bill chuckled, hugging Trang first, and then me. "It's been nice, having company." 

"Yes, we shall miss you both." Fleur said, hugging both of us as well, also kissing Remus on the forehead. He giggled, kicking his feet, reaching for her. "Aww." Fleur cooed to him, taking him from my arms to give him one final hug. The two of them had bonded greatly over the entire month we'd been here, and I knew they'd miss each other. I would make sure to reunite them again. 

I knew that next week, Harry, Ron, and Hermione would take off for Gringotts. I was looking forwards to hearing about it- in the newspapers. 

"We should go now." Trang said softly. 

Fleur kissed Remus a bunch of times, making the baby giggle, before handing him back to me. Trang and I disapparated on our own without another word and appeared several feet apart from each other. 

Trang and I stared at our stuff and Remus for a moment, wondering just exactly how we were supposed to get back to Hogwarts in broad daylight, when a figure came around the corner, stopping dead at the sight of us. 

All three of our wands' were raised in seconds before recognizing each other. "Severus." I sighed happily, lowering my wand. 

Severus rolled his eyes. "You are far to trusting Elizabeth. Can you at least attempt to let me ask you a question and you ask me one?" 

I huffed, "What kind of kids am I having?" 

"Twins. To easy." Severus responded. 

I rolled my eyes again and then became a cat, which was a slight mistake because Remus was suddenly falling through thin air, as I could not hold him as a cat. 

Severus lunged, falling on his stomach as he caught our son and I turned human again, laying on my side. "I think that answered everything." I said lightly, though my heart was pounding. Remus however, just giggled, waving his hands excitedly. I think he liked it. 

"Merlin, Elizabeth." Severus said weakly, rolling over onto his stomach, setting our son down on his chest. He glanced over at Trang. "I suppose you're fine." 

"Gee, thanks." Trang rolled her eyes, but smirked to herself. 

"Uh, back to the castle?" I asked weakly. "Sorry." 

Severus huffed, kissing the top of my head. I turned back into a black cat, hopping into Severus deep pockets. A second later, a pocket watch was placed beside me, engraved with Vietnamese artwork. I rolled my eyes, settling my paws on the metal as though it would keep Trang safer. 

Severus moved quickly and I could hear the townspeople talking about their day to day lives in hushed whispers. I supposed that had to mean he'd hidden our luggage and Remus in his other pocket or somewhere. 

He made a stop after about twenty minutes, pulling the watch out. I heard him tell Trang that wherever we were was the safest place for Trang, then he was walking again. 

After another ten minutes or so, he was reaching into the pocket again, lifting me out. He placed me up on his shoulder and I could see that Remus was fast asleep in his crib now, his thumb in his mouth, his owl stuffed animal tucked against him. 

I turned human, pulling Severus down onto the bed at the surprise of me transforming. 

"I've missed you." He murmured, kissing me on the cheek. 

"I've missed you too." I said with a small smile. "How was uh, your visit with him?" 

He frowned. "I wish I had a forewarning about that. My heart leapt, thinking of you still being here." 

"Hence, why we left." I said lightly, cupping his face. "Besides, I figured I'd keep as many things the same as possible. This timeline is to important to mess up or screw around with, even with the smallest of changes." 

"I understand." Severus said softly. "I just wish it didn't have to be with me worrying about you all of the time. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you." 

"You're never going to have to find out." I said softly. 

Severus hesitated and then said, "Dobby has not delivered dinner for quite some time. I just. . . Are you. . ." 

I looked away sadly. "I don't really want to talk about it Sev. There wasn't. . . I couldn't do anything. He didn't wear the clothes I made for him and since he didn't. . ." 

"I get it. I'm sorry." He murmured. I looked up at him, wishing I could voice all of my worries aloud. But I couldn't. His life was one of the ones I needed to protect. 

"Anyways." I said quickly, struggling to sit upright. Severus quickly got up, helping me up into a sitting position. "Uh, do you have another elf who I could ask to get some hot wings? I'm craving them again and the spicy food will also help with the pregnancy." 

"Yeah, of course." Severus murmured. "I'll be right back." 

He left the room and I wiped at my eyes quickly as I tried to take in all of my emotions at once. I did deep breath exercises until I heard the door open again, the smell of spicy chicken wings intruding my senses. My mouth started to water immediately and the corner of my mouth lifted up into a smile. 

He put the plate down for me on a wooden TV tray (although he just called it a sick bed dinner table) and then asked if I needed anything else. 

"Can you just sit with me for a little bit?" I asked softly. "I'm really sorry I'm in such a depressed state. Maybe it's the pregnancy." 

Severus chuckled a little. "You're actually sorry for being down? Elizabeth you can see the future of everyone you love dying, your brother is on the run, your grandfather-in-law through Tonks has been murdered, you're stressed about all your friends, you're pregnant, and you're trying to save the world- your world anyways- all on your own. I'd be worried if you weren't depressed." 

I took a bite of my chicken wing and hummed in satisfaction. "These give me so much happiness though." 

Severus chuckled. "Well, you can have as many as you want." 

I smiled then, a true smile. "I love you Severus." 

He kissed the top of my head. "I love you more." 

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

"𝕴 𝖍𝖆𝖙𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚!" The words ripped from my lips as I grasped the bed sheets in pain as another contraction hit. 

"Push." Madam Pomfrey said simply, trying to regain my attention. 

Severus smartly kept his mouth shut, sitting by the bedside, letting me dig my nails into his hand. 

"I can see his or her head, you need to push Miss Kane." Madam Pomfrey said firmly. 

"I am pushing!" I snarled. 

Severus squeezed my hand lightly. 

"There we go." Madam Pomfrey said, unfazed, the pressure dwindling just slightly as the first baby exited me. She took the bloody baby, quickly handing the baby up to me. I could see that it was a little boy, the little bit of hair that he had was black. 

"Oh, Severus." I cooed now, "Look at him." 

"He's beautiful." Severus whispered softly. The baby whimpered, opening his eyes to show that they were a beautiful brown. 

"Headmaster, you should take the baby until the next one is out." Madam Pomfrey said. 

I felt my heart fall at the idea of having to let go of my baby so soon, even to his father. Severus however, seemed to be able to get how I felt because he shook his head. Madam Pomfrey gave him a slightly exasperated look, but focused solely on helping me deliver the second baby. 

"Elijah." I gasped out. 

"What?" Severus asked slightly. 

"Elijah Kingsley Snape." I said again, crying out from another contraction. "We would call him Elijah Kingsley. I just. . . I don't know his name just suddenly popped out." 

"It's a beautiful name." Severus said softly. "Very, well," He chuckled. "Royal." 

It took another thirty minutes for the second child to come out, which were full of Severus encouraging me, me yelling at both him and Madam Pomfrey, and Madam Pomfrey giving me times to push. 

This time, it was a beautiful baby girl that Madam Pomfrey delivered from me. I relaxed into the sheets, sweating and panting, but excited all the same. 

"Alright, let me check their eyes." Madam Pomfrey said, taking both of the babies into her arms, bringing them over to a table she had set up when Severus had rushed to get her. It took only thirty seconds, before she carried both of them over, a smile on her face. "They both have beautiful eyes Miss Kane." 

I smiled, tears coming to my own. "Thank you Madam Pomfrey." I whispered, taking both of the little babies into my arms. 

"Minerva." Severus said so suddenly and confidently that I looked up at the door to see if Professor McGonagall had come in, Madam Pomfrey doing the same. 

"What?" I asked, seeing that she wasn't there. 

"Her name is Minerva. . . how about Trang?" Severus asked hesitantly. "Minerva Trang?" 

"I love it." I whispered, my black cloud that I had been carrying around popping and dissipating as my heart swelled with love. This was the true Severus Snape, the one that I knew and loved. 

Madam Pomfrey was surveying Severus, which I wasn't entirely a fan of. I wanted her to like him of course, but after his name was cleared, not before. I didn't know how much her seeing this side of him would affect the future. Hopefully not by much. 

"Thank you for coming down Madam Pomfrey." Severus said suddenly, looking up at her. "If anyone were to ask why you were up here for so long-" 

"I will say that you were questioning me about the students underground trade to see if I know anything. If someone asks you, I knew nothing." Madam Pomfrey said solidly. 

"Naturally." Severus said and then she left the room, leaving the two of us with Remus and two new, beautiful babies. 

Severus gently sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at the little ones. "They are truly miraculous, Elizabeth." 

"They are, aren't they?" I asked softly, staring at them in awe. Elijah Kingsleys' brown little eyes fluttered sleepily. It seemed that he was already tired from such an exciting event as being born. 

"I'm glad I can change the colours of the cribs." Severus smiled a little, flicking his hand at the new cribs in question, changing one of the blue pads to pink instead. 

I tsked at him. "You really thought both of them were going to be boys?" 

"One can hope." Severus smirked, but softened as he took Minerva into his arms. "She is adorable." 

"She's going to be your favorite, I already know it." I whispered softly, kissing his cheek. "You're going to protect her fiercely." 

"Yes I am." Severus whispered, rocking her. She also had brown eyes, which seemed happy, even for a newborn. "No one will hurt her. Not while I'm around. I promise." 

⬅️➡️

[surefire-rising]

Idk how many other ppl do this but here's a few tricks I use to remember which months have which flight holidays.

January - Ice: coldest month of the year

April/May - Water/Nature: The classic rhyme April showers bring May flowers

June - Light: Summer solstice happens in June

October - Spooky month (This one is probably most well know)

Other ones that sort of work?

February - Shadow: purple? Sort of goes with valentines day?

March - Wind: light green is a spring color and the spring equinox is in March

July - Lightning: I think summer thunderstorms are a thing in some places, also desert biome = hot

August - Fire: kinda the same thing fire=hot= summer

September - Arcane: Fall equinox, Arcane's a bit weird so that maybe makes sense? Tbh I just remember this one cause it's my birth month lol

November - Earth: Late fall, reminds me of leafness trees and barren earth

December - NotN: (I doubt there's many ppl who forget this one but) Winter solstice = dark = shadow, and holidays for gifts = all the fun stuff that comes with the event

[deadbrokerek]

THREE MINUTE MOVIE- “March Winds & April Showers Bring May Flowers” LP OUT NOW!  Japanese power pop-punk veterans of nearly 25 years release their seventh album, and the first one ever on wax! Streaming everywhere now.

Order vinyl @ deadbrokedistro.com (or bloatedkat.com)

[weather-usa]

Climate of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's climate varies across its regions due to its diverse topography and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Here's an overview:

Eastern Pennsylvania:

Climate Type: Humid subtropical in the southeast transitioning to humid continental in the northeast.

Temperature: Summers are warm with average July highs in the 80s °F (around 27-32°C), while winters are cold with average January lows in the 20s to 30s °F (around -6 to -1°C).

Precipitation: Generally ample precipitation throughout the year, with snow common in winter. Annual precipitation ranges from around 40 to 50 inches (about 1,000 to 1,300 mm).

Central Pennsylvania:

Climate Type: Mostly humid continental.

Temperature: Similar to eastern Pennsylvania, with warm summers and cold winters.

Precipitation: Moderate precipitation levels with slightly less snowfall compared to the east. Annual precipitation ranges from about 35 to 45 inches (about 900 to 1,100 mm).

Western Pennsylvania:

Climate Type: Humid continental.

Temperature: Summers are warm with average July highs in the 80s °F (around 27-32°C), while winters are cold with average January lows in the 20s to 30s °F (around -6 to -1°C).

Precipitation: Similar to the eastern and central parts, with ample precipitation throughout the year. Annual precipitation ranges from around 35 to 45 inches (about 900 to 1,100 mm).

Mountainous Areas:

Higher elevations, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains in the central and western parts of the state, experience cooler temperatures and more significant snowfall in winter.

Summers tend to be milder due to the higher elevation.

See more: https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-16636

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-16611

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-16515

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-16510

Pennsylvania's climate is influenced by various factors including its latitude, proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, prevailing wind patterns, and elevation. While the state experiences distinct seasons, variations in temperature and precipitation occur across its diverse geographical regions.

See Weather Forecast for Pennsylvania today: https://weatherusa.app/pennsylvania The best time to visit Pennsylvania depends on your preferences and the activities you plan to do. Here are some considerations for different seasons:

Spring (March to May):

Spring in Pennsylvania brings mild temperatures and blooming flowers, making it a lovely time to visit botanical gardens and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and biking.

April and May are popular for cherry blossom festivals in cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Be prepared for some rain showers, but overall, it's a great time to explore the state without the summer crowds.

Summer (June to August):

Summer is peak tourist season in Pennsylvania, especially in popular destinations like Philadelphia, Hershey, and the Pocono Mountains.

The weather is warm, and there are plenty of outdoor festivals, concerts, and events happening throughout the state.

It's an ideal time for activities like camping, swimming, boating, and visiting amusement parks like Hersheypark and Kennywood.

Keep in mind that summers can be hot and humid, so be prepared for the weather if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors. See more: https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-15680 https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-15727

Fall (September to November):

Fall is arguably the best time to visit Pennsylvania, especially for leaf-peeping.

The state's forests transform into a stunning display of reds, oranges, and yellows as the leaves change color.

October is peak foliage season, and popular spots for leaf-peeping include the Pocono Mountains, Allegheny National Forest, and Laurel Highlands.

Fall also brings harvest festivals, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes, making it a fun time to experience Pennsylvania's rural charm.

Winter (December to February):

Winter in Pennsylvania can be cold and snowy, especially in the mountainous regions.

It's a great time for winter sports enthusiasts, with opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing in the Pocono Mountains and other ski resorts.

Cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh offer holiday events, Christmas markets, and ice skating rinks.

If you enjoy cozy indoor activities like visiting museums, breweries, and restaurants, winter can be a pleasant time to explore Pennsylvania's urban areas.

See more: https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-16509

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-16505

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-16423

https://weatherusa.app/zip-code/weather-16316

Ultimately, the best time to visit Pennsylvania depends on your interests and what you hope to experience during your trip. Whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural attractions, or seasonal festivities, Pennsylvania has something to offer year-round.

[rabbitcruiser]

April Showers Day

April Showers Day is observed every year on April 22. The holiday celebration revolves entirely around the changing of the seasons. Rainstorms that occur in the Northern Hemisphere during April, are known as April showers. Heavy rain downpours are common at this time due to the direction of the jet stream, which goes north and creates large depressions to bring rain and strong winds from the Atlantic Ocean. This occurrence is commemorated on April Showers Day when people look out for rain. The reason for April Showers Day being celebrated on April 22 is unknown.

HISTORY OF APRIL SHOWERS DAY

April Showers Day, unlike many other American holidays, was created by the online greeting card company 123greetings.com. However, the exact year that April Showers Day was established is unknown. The term “April Showers” is well-known in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It essentially describes the heavy and rapid rain showers that are typical of April weather in the northern hemisphere, particularly in the British Isles, and are caused by the jet stream’s northward movement.

Winter in the Northern Hemisphere lasts from the December solstice, which occurs on December 21 U.T.C., through the March equinox, which occurs on March 20 U.T.C. As temperatures rise in Western New York, the last bit of snow melts and turns to rain, igniting the beginnings of flowers and plants blooming in the area. The smallest possibility of rain in the U.K. this year falls between April 21 and April 27. The average sliding 31-day rainfall in April is also quite low, ranging from 1.3 to 1.8 inches (between 3.3 to 4.6 centimeters).

The saying “March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers” was first documented in English-speaking countries in 1886. And the shorter, trochaic variant “April showers bring May flowers,” originally “Sweet April showers/Do spring May flowers,” was part of a poem published in 1610. The phrase is mentioned in the General Prologue of “The Canterbury Tales.” So this April Showers Day, get out your umbrella and rain shoes and let’s stand outside to witness an amazing downpour — don’t forget your raincoat!

APRIL SHOWERS DAY TIMELINE

1921

‘April Showers’ is Released

‘April Showers’ is released — a popular song written by Louis Silvers and B.G. DeSylva.

1923

From Boxer To Policeman

“April Showers” is a silent American romantic comedy film which is directed by Tom Forman and stars Colleen Moore.

2009

Let the Drama Unfold

Andrew Robinson writes and directs “April Showers,” a 2009 American independent drama film centered around the mysteries of a high school shooting.

2013

In The Mix

Wyclef Jean's mixtape “April Showers” is released.

2017

It’s Getting Wet In Here

The wettest April in 60 years occurs in the United States.

APRIL SHOWERS DAY RELATED CONTENT

APRIL SHOWERS DAY FAQS

When and who wrote ‘April Showers?’

The film score ‘April Showers’ was composed by Louis Silvers, an American film composer.

What causes Spring showers?

Spring showers are caused by a variety of factors. Individual cumulus clouds produce intermittent spurts of rain, which are known as showers.

Why is it called ‘April showers?’

April Showers gets its name from the number of short, frequent showers that occur throughout April.

APRIL SHOWERS DAY ACTIVITIES

Host a showers party in April: The saying “April showers bring May flowers” inspired this party's theme. Umbrellas and rain gear decor are a must-have for this party, so incorporate them as much as possible. Begin by greeting guests with a spring-flowering umbrella, and serving cuisine that is appropriate for the spring season to your guests.

Get wet and dance in the rain: Check for April showers outside your window to celebrate. If that's the case, grab an umbrella or a raincoat or jacket and head outside to take advantage of them. Dance and have fun with your family, friends, or romantic partner.

Install a rain barrel: Help your younger sibling or child, if you have any, comprehend precipitation and water collection systems by using rainwater that falls on your roof. Before setting up your own rain barrel and using the collected water to tend to your garden or lawn, explain what rain barrels do, how they can improve the surrounding region, and what the water is used for.

5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT RAIN

Māwsynrām: The wettest place on the planet is Māwsynrām, which is located in India's Meghalaya state.

Phantom rain: 'Phantom rain,' or ‘virga,’ refers to the droplets that evaporate before hitting the ground.

Smells like rain: Rain has a distinct odor, when raindrops land on clay or dusty soils, they trap microscopic air bubbles on the surface, which rise to the top and burst out of the droplet, resulting in the characteristic 'Petrichor' fragrance.

It’s kinda fast: A raindrop would take two minutes to reach the ground.

Raindrop shape: Raindrops take on a spherical shape when they initially develop high in the atmosphere; however, when they fall, their shape changes.

WHY WE LOVE APRIL SHOWERS DAY

It’s important for all things living: Rainfall is critical for the survival of plants, animals, and humans. It is responsible for bringing fresh water to the earth's surface. Water scarcity occurs when rainfall is low, which can lead to a drought-like situation.

Fresh water supply: The most significant advantage of rainfall is the redistribution of clean and fresh water throughout the water cycle. To support its continuous existence, the human body requires a consistent supply of fresh water, which is provided by an abundance of precipitation. Hence, freshwater is important for the sustenance of human life

Restoration of spring: The main reason for this is that flowers, in general, require a lot of sunlight and water to flourish, therefore April showers are necessary to kickstart the blossoming process after a long, cold, and snowy winter. So let’s welcome the rain and be thankful for all it does to help us survive!

Source

[saharafoley]

April 2024 Free eBooks - 16th to 30th

March is supposed to be the windy month, which it was, but April is trying to beat it.   Sammie wants outside, but he totally freaks out when the wind just puffs in his face, let alone blow him over.  🤣😂  April showers bringing May flowers isn’t working out quite right.  Because of the wind, it’s drying our already drought zone even worse and we’re in a constant Fire Danger alert.  They are…

[frombehindthepen]

Spring Is in the House!

Spring Is in the House! #Seasons #Weather #NewnessOfLife

Image Credit: JillWellington They say March winds bring April showers and April showers bring May flowers but that was then and this is now spring is here and she’s taking a bow so the birds and bees, the butterflies and trees are unfolding with life, like the rushing rivers and crashing seas. ©2024 Kym Gordon Moore Happy Spring!

[gen-is-gone]

unrelatedly, if April showers bring May flowers, what the fuck do gale-force winds in March bring?

[ljaesch]

Tiger & Bunny 2: Episode 14 - "March winds and April Showers bring forth May Flowers"

Tiger & Bunny 2: Episode 14 – “March winds and April Showers bring forth May Flowers”

For the most part, Episode 14 is trying to set the stage for the second half of the season. We see that even though Tiger and Barnaby have been released from the hospital, the doctors have still sidelined them from going back to Hero TV in order to run more tests. Of course, Lloyds and the company aren’t happy about this, and complain about the money they’re losing because of all the time they’re…

[baddadjokez]

The old nursery rhyme goes:

"March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers"

But what do May flowers bring?

The pilgrims.

[deadbrokerek]

THREE MINUTE MOVIE- “March Winds & April Showers Bring May Flowers” LP OUT NOW! 🌦🌼 Japanese power pop-punk veterans of nearly 25 years release their seventh album, and the first one ever on wax! 

Order vinyl @ deadbrokedistro.com (or bloatedkat.com)

[pleckthaniel]

April showers bring May flowers, but it's actually still March, so, you know, you had probably better stay zippered up for a while

A fluffy, lighthearted Heather/Breeze/Ant one-shot by request of @cottonspotten

Read this on AO3!

Heathertail and Breezepelt are an unstoppable force, or maybe an immovable object. Maybe one of each, which would explain why they’re so inseparable. Heathertailandbreezepelt. Smashed together, completely enmeshed till they’re practically one being. Sure, they only got together recently; but everyone’s been seeing the writing on that wall since Breezepelt started following her around as a ‘paw and she started sticking up for him in return.

Antpelt is, of course, a good friend, and so he is, of course, unbearably happy for them both, which keeps him from feeling too sorry for himself.

It’s not like he has any right to feel sorry for himself in the first place. Because, yes, he’s always gotten a little flustered or tripped up over his words whenever Breezepelt is around, but the time to actually bring up his feelings was a long, long time ago. Now they’ve been friends for years and his chance has come and gone and that’s definitely, definitely not on anyone but him. And Heathertail is fantastic, and he loves her to bits and pieces, and she’s really good for Breezepelt, and it would be absolutely so very wrong of him to be jealous of her.

So, of course, Antpelt ruins it all. On accident, but still.

What happens is that he trips down an embankment, slipping on a melting patch of icy ground, and sprains two legs and bruises everything else, can hardly walk back to camp even leaning heavily on Emberfoot and Leaftail the whole way home, and it hurts so bad he can’t sleep, and Kestrelflight tries to give him poppy seeds. And he says no , because Antpelt knows, and has known since he was an apprentice, that poppy doesn't quite work right on him. It doesn’t make him sleepy, it just makes him kind of - drift away from himself. Like he’s not fully in control of what he’s doing anymore. But then he doesn’t sleep for two days and nights straight and Kestrelflight says it’s not really a choice anymore.

He does actually crash for a little bit. A few hours at a time. Not nearly enough, though, to make up for the fact that he’s less-than-present when Heathertail comes in to check up on him and give him a freshly-caught shrew.

As he remembers it - she asked him how he was doing and he gave some kind of nonsense, contradictory answer. She very sweetly asked if he needed more poppy or a more comfortable nest. He told her it wasn’t his injuries, it was more of a fucked up emotional thing. And she said what about and he said he was jealous and she asked of what and then all his feelings came spilling out like blood from a pawpad after you’ve removed a giant fucking thorn. And Heathertail sat there and listened to the whole thing, even when he got emotional, but he couldn't say what she was thinking for the life of him.

So. Yeah.

—

The next morning, he tells Kestrelflight not to make him take any more poppy, no matter how tired he gets. Breezepelt comes in for an hour or so in the afternoon. At first Antpelt thinks he might be here to confront him about it, that Heathertail might have spilled his guts for him. But Breezepelt just tells him a story about some RiverClan apprentice with a big mouth who shouted at that morning’s dawn patrol, and then keeps him quiet company for a while.

The day after that, Antpelt smells Heathertail coming, and he can’t even bear to look at her, so he buries his face in his nest before she comes in.

“I am… so sorry,” he says. “You have. No idea how embarrassing this is.”

She doesn't say anything for quite a while, and Antpelt wonders if she’s even actually there, if the wind played some kind of trick on him, so he looks up, and no, Heathertail is there.

“So was all of that true?” she says. “That you were saying the other day?”

“I mean, yeah,” Antpelt says, not seeing the point in lying about it any more. “I’m sorry, I know that’s so unbelievably awkward. I didn't mean to, like… be a dick, or get in the way, or-”

“No,” Heathertail says. “You’re - Antpelt, stop apologizing. You’re good. Okay? More than good.” And Antpelt remembers that Heathertail is an angel sent from StarClan themselves, too perfect and beautiful for any cat walking this earth to ever truly deserve her.

“I didn’t make everything weird?” he says.

“Not at all,” she says. “But seriously. You’ve liked Breezepelt since we were apprentices?”

“Yeah, I mean, yeah,” Antpelt admits. He’s pretty deeply grateful that Kestrelflight is out gathering herbs right now. “Didn't you?”

Heathertail doesn't even seem to comprehend the question. She’s staring at the wall like she’s puzzling something out.

It’s terrifying. She would be loathe to admit it, but Heathertail has a tendency, picked up from her father, to try to solve other peoples’ problems for them, usually without their consent or even knowledge. But Antpelt has no idea how she thinks she’s going to solve this one.

—

She promises five or six or seven times that this isn’t going to make things weird, and even then it’s not quite enough, because the first day Antpelt is cleared to join patrols again Heathertail asks him to go with her and Breezepelt. And then she just. Keeps on asking. All the time, almost every day, to the point that Antpelt starts to legitimately wonder if they're having any private conversations anymore without him there.

He also wonders if this is her bizarro way of trying to keep his paws off her man, just, aggressively third-wheelifying him until he gets the idea that he doesn’t actually have a chance. Because, well, Heathertail may be a perfect angel, but she’s also insane, and that’s the sort of idea that would make sense to her. (There's a reason she and Breezepelt work so well together.) But if that was her plan, he would expect her to initiate a lot more PDA.

Anyway, he tries to stop thinking about it so much, because Heathertail has been giving him serious evil mastermind vibes and he really hates feeling like he’s at odds with her, ever over anything but especially over this, and he hates even more the feeling that he might actually just be a cog in one of her schemes.

And if her plan is some kind of insane bid to get him to back off through a show of force, well, it has backfired on her, because now that they're spending so much time together every day, Antpelt is honestly feeling like he’s closer with Breezepelt than they’ve been in seasons. They’ve never not been friends, but when Antpelt was made a warrior they kind of drifted apart a little, and their time in the Dark Forest made them jumpier around one another. Now they’re getting along easily like they haven't since they were both apprentices, and when Antpelt makes some shitty dumb joke he can expect Breezepelt not just to chuckle but to join in, trading stupid puns and bursts of wit until Heathertail, walking behind them, is practically crying from laughter.

—

Then Heathertail does something even more bizarre, something Antpelt doesn’t think he can possibly comprehend even within his fairly complex and detailed framework of understanding of how her mind functions, which is that she starts straight-up sending Breezepelt and Antpelt out to do things alone together. As in, when patrols are getting organized, she will volunteer them to go off and do something on their own, and then offer herself up for some other patrol. It’s very obvious, and deeply weird, almost impressively so.

One small reassurance is that Breezepelt is seemingly just as baffled as Antpelt by this new development. Every time Heathertail speaks up and says they should go check something out on their own, Breezepelt meets Antpelt’s eyes and shrugs, like, oh well, you know Heathertail, she’s crazy , and Antpelt smirks and nods back like, yeah, you really know how to pick them, but I’m not gonna be the one to complain .

So they end up chasing rabbits together, and checking the outer borders together, and, often, getting into trouble together, whether that means running from Twolegs at the horseplace, or saying something a bit too mean to a passing ThunderClan patrol, or walking out too far on the slowly-thawing lake, or getting into play-fights and falling into mud and having to walk home with wet, dirty fur.

It’s fun. It's really fun. It’s also deeply, existentially painful, because every time Antpelt looks into Breezepelt’s amber eyes it’s like he’s stabbing himself in the heart a little bit. Holy shit is this something he wants, and holy shit is this something he can’t have.

And yet it keeps on happening. Winter keeps melting and Heathertail keeps getting them to go out together and Antpelt keeps thinking about twining his tail with Breezepelt’s while they walk but never actually acting on the impulse to do it, feeling always like he’s on borrowed time.

—

Whatever Heathertail’s insane and incomprehensible plan was, it must not have worked the way she thought it was going to, because one warm, clear morning she invites herself out for a walk with Breezepelt and Antpelt instead of sending them off alone. It’s not a patrol thing, they were just going to go out to look at the budding flowers, and she sat down between them and started talking as though they’d already invited her. And because she is a force of nature, because Breezepelt is too whipped to tell her no and Antpelt is too scared of her, neither of them contradicts her.

They walk in silence until they find a patch of magnolias, and Heathertail says, “This is pretty.”

It is. It’s beautiful. It’s firmly and fundamentally romantic, is the thing. And with Heathertail here, Antpelt is feeling even worse than usual about that.

“Look,” Heathertail says, pointing with her tail, and Breezepelt leans over and puts his head next to hers so he can see what she sees, following her gaze. He says, “A bee.”

They both look so happy in the sunshine, leaning in so close together, beautiful and perfect both, and Antpelt thinks his head is going to implode.

He should make some excuse and get away, but then he gets a grip on himself. They’re just standing next to each other, and also they’re his friends. They want him here, probably.

“Let’s follow it back to the hive,” he suggests. “I bet we can find honey.”

Heathertail sticks her tongue out. “I don’t like honey,” she says. “It’s too… thick? And weird. Viscous? Without a taste. Something that feels like that should taste like something.”

“Spoilsport,” Breezepelt says, nudging her, and Antpelt laughs, and then laughs harder at the look of betrayal on her face.

They abandon the honey idea, and go find a hill with a good view of the lake and lie up there together, pelts brushing, enjoying the meager warmth of early spring and trying to ignore the wind, watching small waves push across the water, not talking much. It’s a nice morning.

—

Antpelt's really not sure how it happens, because he used to be an adult with other friends and also regular periods of alone time, but after that day he never seems to be away from Heathertail and Breezepelt for more than a couple of hours. Sometimes they go off alone, together, or sometimes he goes off alone together with one of them, but it's a lot - a lot - of not doing that. The wildest part is how easily he falls into it. It feels comfortable, feels right. He wonders if they’re going to start introducing him at Gatherings as their third wheel, or maybe as their pet.

That's definitely unfair, because Breezepelt and Heathertail pretty clearly could not be more delighted to be spending time with him - are excessively needy about spending time with him, even - and they’re his best friends and he needs to stop blaming them for liking each other as much as he likes them. He sends a quick prayer to StarClan to help him get his head on straight, please, if that wouldn’t be too much trouble.

—

In the late afternoon, after all their patrols are over, Breezepelt and Antpelt head out to try to walk out on the last of the ice on the lake again. They’ve done it a few times, and only gotten their paws wet at worst as the ice started to crumple beneath them. They’re too nimble or too lucky to really fall. Heathertail has never been interested in this particular activity before, but she spots Crowfeather headed towards her and makes a very loud announcement about Priorly Discussed Plans, and leaves camp with them.

“He just keeps trying to get me to hunt with him,” she says, “when all he really wants to do is bitch about politics. I mean, I get it, and he was my mentor and all, but there’s only so much a cat can take.”

Breezepelt is looking at the ground. “You don’t have to be nice,” he mutters. “He’s exhausting.” Heathertail touches her tail-tip to his shoulder gently, gives him a sympathetic glance.

Antpelt, who has never been the best with emotions, feels strange, as though he should be doing or saying something more. He settles for giving a wry smile and saying, “Forget about Crowfeather. Let’s just go have a good time.”

It’s not something that always works - sometimes when Breezepelt falls into a shitty mood it can be hard to shake him out of it - but this time it does, or seems to. Breezepelt shakes out his pelt and gives Antpelt a grateful look, then bounds ahead, leaving Antpelt and Heathertail behind.

They follow along at a slower, ambling pace. Heathertail stops to rub her cheek along some gorse flowers so that the pollen falls on her cheek, and then brushes her face on Antpelt’s shoulder so that it's on him too.

“What’s that for?” Antpelt says.

She shrugs. With one paw, she goes to wipe the pollen off her own face, though it just leaves a yellowish smear on her fur. “You’re a flower now,” she says.

It’s stupid how weirdly honored that makes him feel.

“Do you think Breezepelt is okay?” he says.

“He's fine,” she says, but her voice is more let’s not worry right now than there is nothing to worry about. Yet that’s oddly reassuring in and of itself, to Antpelt. Right now he’s just living in this moment with Heathertail, and when the wind picks up and she walks closer to him, he can simply enjoy it, enjoy himself spending time with her.

—

When they get to the lake, snow is drifting down from the grayish sky, and they hardly even notice, too busy daring one another to go out further and further into the water, and then the already-thin ice cracks and Heathertail falls into the water. It’s fine - she’s fine - they pull her out fine, she’s just drenched. And then the snow starts falling faster, still not heavy like winter but enough that they decide to go find an empty old burrow and wait it out.

Breezepelt is sitting at the entrance, watching the fragile spring grass slowly disappear into white, while Antpelt settles in behind Heathertail and starts trying to groom her dry.

“It’s a pretty light snow,” Breezepelt points out. “We could probably walk back, I just don’t know if I want to risk it with Heathertail.”

“It’s can’t be much more freezing out there than it is in here,” Heathertail says, teeth chattering.

Antpelt pauses in grooming her and curls his tail over her back. “I’m trying my best.”

“You’re too skinny to be warm,” she complains. “And your ears are too big. All the heat goes out through them before it can get to the rest of your body. Breezepelt’s the same way. You two are like the worst cats I could have gotten stuck like this with.”

She sounds like a whiny elder, Antpelt thinks, and he’s suddenly struck with a vision of her seasons from now in some far-off leafbare, snapping irritably at whatever poor six-moon-old apprentice was assigned the misfortune of building her nest. The thought triggers a surprisingly powerful surge of affection for her.

Breezepelt, for his part, doesn’t seem to take her too seriously. “We love you too,” he tells her.

Heathertail softens, looking back at him, and a sudden awkwardness seizes Antpelt. Third-wheeling again, except this time he doesn’t have any easy escape. Great.

“Maybe I should go back to camp and get help,” he suggests.

“I don't know,” Breezepelt says, glancing outside again. “I think we can just wait it out.”

Heathertail coughs with a feebleness that strikes Antpelt as false. “You two should both sit at the entrance,” she says, “and block the cold wind coming in.”

There is really not enough room for that, but Antpelt doesn’t want her to be cold, but he also gets that feeling, again that Heathertail is masterminding something he can’t yet comprehend. He shoots her a dirty look as he goes to sit next to Breezepelt. They have to sit with their sides pressed together to fit like that. It takes every bit of self control that he has not to lean in. Heathertail is fucking evil.

“Uhhhh,” Antpelt says. “Is this okay.”

“Yeah,” Breezepelt says, looking away.

Heathertail coughs again, even more falsely this time, and Antpelt swears she mutters, For StarClan’s sake .

Breezepelt shifts his weight, and keeps not looking at Antpelt, and says. “Did - did you-”

Antpelt can’t help himself. He looks straight at Heathertail and bursts out, “You told .”

“I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about,” Heathertail says, and adds another, even faker cough to punctuate her point. You’re on your own, dipshit.

“Told what?” Breezepelt says, looking increasingly put out with every second.

That’s actually even more crushing to hear, because it means that she genuinely didn’t tell - Breezepelt isn’t that good of an actor - which means that Antpelt has just tipped his hand, and now he’s going to have to have this conversation, still sitting so close to Breezepelt he can hear his heartbeat, with Heathertail in plain view of them both. Cool. Excellent situation. He wonders if this is StarClan’s response to his prayer, them telling him to go fuck himself.

He takes a deep breath. “Breezepelt, I… I, sort of… for a long time…” He tries to force the words out, but his mouth feels like it’s full of cotton.

Breezepelt looks at him, amber eyes clear and not understanding at all, and then keeps looking, and keeps looking, and glances at Heathertail, and then looks at Antpelt again, and then it finally seems to dawn on him.

“You - really?” he says.

“Yeah,” Antpelt admits miserably.

“Great StarClan,” Heathertail exclaims. “This is what I took six weeks to wrench out of you two? This is pathetic.”

Wrench out? “Heathertail, what are you talking about,” Antpelt says, getting a terrible feeling that he already knows.

She shoots him a scathing look. “Did you think I was putting my ass on the line to send you two on all those little outings because I enjoyed getting yelled at once a week for trying to micro-manage patrol assignments as a rank-and-file warrior?”

He doesn't know what he had thought. Mostly just that she was insane, which is still true.

Heathertail turns to Breezepelt. “And you,” she says. “Antpelt I can forgive, but we had like six very unsubtle conversations about-”

“I didn’t know you were talking about him!” Breezepelt says hotly, tail flicking in embarrassment. “I just thought you meant, you know, potentially, in the future…”

The conversation has taken a turn and this time Antpelt definitely doesn’t follow. “Okay, what are you two talking about?” he says.

Breezepelt looks helplessly at Heathertail, who just stares at him, mouth set in a hard, skeptical line. Then Breezepelt turns back to Antpelt.

“I… I actually really like you too,” he says. “I mean, I like spending time with you, and you’re great, and - not in a friend way.”

Antpelt’s heart leaps practically out of his chest and for a second he forgets he’s sitting in this little burrow and mentally floats into the air. “You do?”

“Yeah,” Breezepelt says, flashing a rare smile that makes Antpelt's heart do like six more somersaults.

“But,” he says, and glances at Heathertail.

“Antpelt,” she says. Her voice is just as irritated as it has been the entire time it’s been here, and her gaze is serious, but there’s something soft and kind and gentle in her eyes, reminding him once again that she is a paragon of holiness. “I am literally not even here.”

“Okay,” he says, sending a hundred psychic beams of gratitude and love towards her. He looks back at Breezepelt again. “I- Breeze, I-”

Breezepelt just leans close and presses his forehead to Antpelt’s, their noses touching, and Antpelt can’t help it, he melts into the touch, everything soft and warm and as perfect as he ever imagined it being, and he lets out a long, low purr. Breezepelt starts purring in reply. It's a rusty, stuttering sound, and it’s one of the most beautiful things Antpelt has ever heard.

They sit like that for a long while, and it’s just so - golden.

Soon enough, though, Antpelt can’t help but start to drift back to the real world, and he pulls away a little bit. “Okay,” he says. “For real, though. What about you two?”

“I love both of you,” Heathertail declares. “And you two love each other, right?”

The use of the word ‘love’ is a bit startling - Antpelt probably wouldn’t have used it himself at this early stage, and he knows Breezepelt well enough to think he probably wouldn’t have either - but they both nod.

“Then I don't see the problem here,” Heathertail says.

It feels too good to be true, and Antpelt considers pricking himself with one claw to make sure this is actually happening, but if this is a dream, he doesn't even want to wake up. “Okay,” he says. “Okay, yeah. StarClan. You two are my favorite cats in the world.”

“You’re both my favorites, too,” Breezepelt says.

“I love you idiots,” Heathertail adds.

They all fall silent and bask in the beautiful feeling of a freshly-minted relationship for a minute.

“Okay, but,” Heathertail says. “I know you guys just had kind of a moment, but if you don't mind, please, come over here and put me in your cuddle-puddle. It’s flipping freezing in here.”

And they do.

—

The next morning, when they wake up still in the burrow, ready to head back to camp, Antpelt is surprised to find all the frost has melted away so quickly and so easily that none of the flowers have died or even wilted. There’s a balmy warmth on the wind. It’s promising to be a beautiful spring.

[providencepeakrp]

“SPRING ADDS NEW LIFE & NEW JOY TO ALL THAT IS.”

Come one, come all for Providence Peak’s Annual Spring Eggstravaganza! There is a mountain of daily activities offered alongside a truly fanstastical downtown festival that will line the streets with vendors selling local and holiday wares, shops decorated to the max with fresh spring blooms for you to enjoy, crafts and activities for the little ones to enjoy, and legend has it Farmer Frederick will be returning with his family-friendly petting zoo, introducing the most recent additions to his farm. As the winter snow finally melts away from the city, allow yourself to relax and welcome spring and all it has to offer.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

All Week (March 27th - April 3rd) - The downtown Eggstravaganza will begin on Saturday and run all week long. This portion of the event fills the downtown area of Providence Peak with vendors selling local goods and foods, stalls offering free merch, activities for the children, and even a petting zoo! You can find the full list of vendors HERE.

Saturday (March 27th) - Prepare yourself for The Jagged Yard’s monthly Coyote Ugly Night! While it’s not officially part of the city’s spring festival, it might as well be, and since the night coincides with the beginning of the spring season in Providence Peak, the bar is doing it up big and offering a special spring-themed cocktail called Spring Fling, with more liquor than you can actually name for half-price! And if you can name every ingredient used in it, your bill will be comped on the house!

Sunday (March 28th) - While you’re sleeping off that inevitable weekend hangover, mosey on over to Farm to Fork where they’ll be offering a farm-fresh brunch buffet and lavender and pear bottomless mimosa options.

Monday (March 29th) - Hopefully you’re not too tired from the busy weekend, because as the festival carries on downtown, Take It Outdoors is hosting a boat and kayak race across Summit Lake. Feel free to bring your own equipment or they’ll have more than enough for participants to rent during the event. And what’s the prize for crawling out of bed and standing outside under the sun all day only to row across the largest lake in Providence Peak? Well, a brand new tandem kayak, complete with paddles and life vests, of course!

Tuesday (March 30th) - Feeling like you need a break yet? Well, if you don’t have kids or canines, now is the perfect time to do it. Sleep in and enjoy the downtown vendors while parents of gremlins and furry friends alike enjoy a dog egg hunt at The Open Range sponsored by Good Pets. Prizes include gift certificates to shop for all of your pet’s needs and lots of yummy treats for man’s best friend as well. Following the dog egg hunt will be the children’s egg hunt, sponsored by The Sweet Spot, and will shower the kids of Providence with tons of sweets and trinkets that will surely keep them running around for the rest of the evening.

Wednesday (March 31st) - If you’re feeling like your life needs an impulsive decision, A Touch of Ink will be offering a $50 flash sheet of easter and spring themed tattoos. Want to add a flower to the canvas that is your body? How about a bunny? Maybe a traditional butterfly on your hip will do the trick? Regardless of what you choose, make sure to be there early! This event is walk-ins only and the lines can get long, so who knows who you’ll be stuck standing there with?

Thursday (April 1st) - Don’t worry, this is no April Fool’s, it’s the day most adults wait all year for: the annual Providence Peak adult egg hunt, because why should the kids be the only ones to have fun? Throughout the day, adults will be able to search for eggs throughout the shops around town for special sales, gift cards, and the grand prizes from each location. Remember, only one egg is allowed per adult per shop and don’t forget to register with Mayor Harris at town hall’s downtown festival tent!

Friday (April 2nd) - As the spring welcome party begins to wind down, take the day to enjoy the 2018 film Peter Rabbit, presented by the local cinema. Enjoy free admittance to the movie with the donation of one nonperishable item per person to benefit the Providence Peak Community Center and Food Bank.

Saturday (April 3rd) - After the downtown festival wraps up at noon, join the city at Frederick’s Farm in Bighorn Hills where everyone will be treated to fresh popped popcorn, apricots picked that day, and lemonade while waiting for their turn to fly in one of dozen hot air balloons sponsored by the Providence Peak PTA. 

EVENT DETAILS

This event will be kicking off Friday, March 26th at 12pm EST. It will run until Sunday, April 4th at 12pm EST. No new starters should be posted after this time, but members may take the next few days to wrap up their threads.

Previous threads should be paused or completed by the end of Friday, March 26th.

Activity checks and acceptances will be held as usual.

Dress is casual and temperature is expected to be in the mid-50s with possible breeze and showers, so don’t forget those jackets!

Have fun and be sure to relax and enjoy this event! Please tag all event related posts with providence.event and be sure to check the starter blog for open event starters.