#Turtle Sand Pit (Small)

[kidzletplaystructures1]

Best Playground Equipment for All Ages | Kidzlet Play Structures

Playgrounds are more than just swings and slides. They're vibrant hubs of imagination, fostering physical development, social interaction, and a sense of adventure in children. For parks, schools, daycare centers, and any space where children gather, creating a safe and engaging play environment is crucial. This is where commercial playground equipment comes in.

Here, we'll delve into the exciting world of playground equipment, exploring the best options for various age groups and spaces. We'll also introduce you to Kidzlet Play Structures Pvt. Ltd., a leading manufacturer in Delhi specializing in top-tier outdoor playground slide, outdoor gym equipment, and more, ensuring you have a trusted partner to equip the fun!

Enhancing Play for Every Age:

A well-designed playground caters to a range of ages and abilities. Here's a breakdown of some popular equipment choices for different age groups:

Preschoolers (2-5 years): This age group thrives on exploration and sensory experiences. Look for climbers with manageable heights,  a Turtle Sand Pit (Small) for imaginative play, and spring riders that encourage balance and coordination. Kidzlet Play Structures offers a fantastic selection of themed playhouses and toddler-sized climbing structures that spark early creativity.

School-aged Children (6-12 years): As children grow, their desire for physical challenges intensifies. Consider swing sets with various configurations,  Monkey Climber for upper body strength, and slides in different heights and styles., Kidzlet Play Structures offers a variety of options to create a thrilling Seesaw experience that adheres to safety standards.

Teenagers (13+): Teenagers crave social interaction and activities that test their physical limits. Challenge courses with climbing walls, balance beams, and rope bridges provide a stimulating space. Fitness zones with outdoor gym equipment like pull-up bars and leg presses encourage healthy habits. Kidzlet Play Structures offers a range of heavy-duty outdoor exercise equipment suitable for teenagers and adults, fostering a multi-generational play environment.

Optimizing Space:

Not all playgrounds have vast expanses. Don't worry! Here's how to create a fantastic play area even in limited space:

Vertical Play Structures: Utilize climbing walls, rope ladders, and slides that extend upwards. Kidzlet Play Structures offers a variety of space-saving vertical climbers that maximize play value without a large footprint.

Multifunctional Equipment: Opt for equipment that serves multiple purposes, like climbers with slides or swings with attached climbing nets. Kidzlet Play Structures has a great selection of combination playsets that offer a variety of activities in a compact design.

Soft Play Areas: For younger children or areas with limited fall height restrictions, consider soft play equipment like padded climbers and play mats. Kidzlet Play Structures manufactures a range of soft play elements that provide a safe and stimulating environment for little ones.

Safety First: Choosing Durable and Safe Equipment

Safety is paramount. Here's what to look for:

Material: Choose equipment made from high-quality, durable materials like recycled plastic, steel, or treated wood. Kidzlet Play Structures prioritizes using materials that are safe for children and can withstand harsh weather conditions.

Compliance with Safety Standards: Ensure the equipment meets all relevant safety standards set by organizations like the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

Fall Protection: Consider the use of soft surfacing like shredded rubber or sand under climbing structures and slides to minimize the risk of injury during falls.

Regular Maintenance: Schedule regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the equipment remains safe and in good condition.

Kidzlet Play Structures: Your Trusted Partner in Play

Kidzlet Play Structures Pvt. Ltd., a leading manufacturer in Delhi, understands the importance of creating safe and engaging play experiences. They offer a comprehensive range of commercial playground equipment, including:

Outdoor Playground Slides in various shapes and sizes to add thrilling fun.

Outdoor Gym Equipment designed for all ages and fitness levels, promoting healthy habits.

Themed Playhouses that spark children's imaginations and encourage role-playing.

Climbing Structures with varying difficulty levels to challenge and develop motor skills.

Swings & Seesaws - timeless classics that never go out of style.

Kidzlet Play Structures prioritizes safety and uses high-quality materials that meet international safety standards. Their team of experts can also assist you in designing a playground that caters to your specific needs and space constraints.

Equipping the Fun

Creating a playground is more than just installing equipment; it's about fostering a space for laughter, learning, and physical development. By understanding the needs of different age groups, optimizing space effectively, and prioritizing safety, you can create a playground that sparks endless joy for children. Kidzlet Play Structures stands ready to be your partner in equipping the fun, providing top-tier commercial playground equipment slides that will transform your space into a vibrant hub

[ladyfurbton]

Playing in the sandpit.

Image Description:

Batty is a small plush handmade furby. She has  long light green hair going down her back as a mane. Her ears are green and black striped with a black diamond on the side of each of them. There is a large silver safety pin going across her right ear and a smaller safety pin on her left ear with three smaller pins hanging off of it.Batty has black fur with a light green square on her belly. Her face plate is light green and her beak is black. Her eyes are googley eyes and she had black eyelids half way down each eye. Batty has two light green feet with three toes on each foot. She has a black diamond on the end of each toe.  Batty has two black bat wings. Batty is wearing a white diaper with a silver safety pin at the front of it. Gothnita the black handmade plush furby has blue ears, hair and faceplate. She has googley eyes and black eye lashes. She is wearing a black shirt with a white skull and crossbones on the front of it with zebra pants. She has a wedding ring on her left foot. Batty is sitting in a blue sand pit with purple sand in it. There is a sand castle infront of her. There is a light green sand castle mould behind her and a light blue turtle mould on one side of Batty and a purple seahorse mould on the other side of Batty. Gothnita is sitting beside the sand pit. End Description.

[golden-dragon-feathered-serpent]

DC/ROTTMNT Crossover Idea

Okay, so. I am SHOCKED at the lack of DC/ROTTMNT crossovers right now. I wanted to fix that. There's a few versions I have rattling in my brain, but this one is a personal favorite. Whenever I finally make art for it I will post it BUT FOR NOW-

Turtle Tots & Baby Birds.

How it goes is this, Batman and Robin (Damian) are currently busting a meta human trafficking ring at the docks in gotham. As they are releasing the hostages, Robin opens one of the containers to find 4 baby mutant turtles. Raph (5 yrs) standing in the front, arms outstretched as he tries to hide his brothers. Shaking like a leaf, hissing, and a horribly fitting dog muzzle shoved over his face. Leo (4 yrs) is nearly laying on top of Donnie (4 yrs) and Mikey (3 yrs) also trying to protect them. Donnie is in shock, with another muzzle over his face. While Mikey is refusing to leave his shell.

We know Damian LOVES animals, so when Damian sees them he goes “Mine.” and adopts them immediately. Convinces Bruce that these turtles are obviously very different from the average meta human, so they should absolutely take them home and investigate further. No other reason involved of course.

They do take the brothers to the Bat Cave eventually. (Damian refused to let the police see the brothers, with how freaked out they are.) And get them medical attention. Raph is the most roughed up, Donnie & Leo are mostly Okay, but Mikey is sick and still refuses to leave his shell. During this, Batman takes some DNA samples from the 3 more so okay turtles (Just a q-tip with saliva) and runs tests. Finds out how they’re perfect genetic hybrids of their various turtle species, some small traces of unknown DNA (Yo’kai), and action star Lou Jistu, who has been missing without a trace for about 13 years at this point. This of course makes Bruce very concerned and curious. (Bonus points if Bruce was a fan of Lou Jitsu like he is of Grey Ghost)

Meanwhile with the turtles, they are currently feeling ALL the feelings, like:

Raph, he is incredibly suspicious and still in Protective mode. The whole incident with the smuggling ring was his first ever interaction with humans! It was scary! He doesn’t know if these new humans are any better yet.

Leo seems to bounce back almost immediately, babbling about any and everything as he tries to cheer his brothers up. (Hes not fine)

Donnie, who is terrible with change, is temporarily shut down as everything calms down. (He probably snapped at Alfreds or Dr.Thompkins hand when they removed the muzzle from his face on reflex.)

While Mikey is very lethargic, maybe a bit delirious and scared.

The humans around aren’t entirely sure how to treat Mikey given his Turtle DNA yet, tho they do their best. (Damian absolutely goes to the most trustworthy vet he knows and has them swear a blood oath to never tell anyone else about the turtles.) Damian also convinces Bruce to get the fanciest pool, UV lamp, and sand pit for the brothers. They WILL be spoiled rotten Damian will be SURE of it.

Now what of Splinter? Well, he is alive! However he's very hurt. Splinter took the boys to the surface to look for medication for Mikey when they were attacked by the Kidnappers. Splinter, of course, fought to save his sons back but gets shot in the gut and left for dead. (During the fray Raph absolutely bites off the fingers of one of the kidnappers) Splinter gives himself medical attention, barely survives off of pure spite. And as soon as hes able to walk again, he immediately goes to find his sons. Though, not knowing where to start, he goes to Big Mama first. He WILL find his boys.

Misc Info:

I wouldn’t be surprised if the League of Shadows & Hamato Clan know each other. However mostly leave each other alone… well, mostly because you BET Ra’s Al Ghul would want the Hamato’s Ninpo abilities (When Damian finds out the brothers are related to the last known Hamato Clan member, he gets even more protective.) Ra’s probably proposed for a unification of their clans before, but of course. The Hamatos will not touch that crazy with a 100ft pole, and.. Maybe the LoS had a hand in the declining Hamato Clan in an attempt to pressure them to unify. Doesn’t work however. The Hamatos are way less afraid of death than the LoS is after all.

Also wouldn’t be surprised if many magical heroes might’ve heard whispers of the Hamato Clan but put it up to myths. I mean, they are ninja mystic warriors after all.

Turtle Tot Shenanigans:

Now onto the adorable part. Just, let them be cute while plot is happening..

Mikey, when hes feeling better. Absolutely paints on the walls of the Bat Cave & Manor, the batfam keep the paintings in the batcave but had to stop him from painting on the Manor walls.

Leo copying anyone he sees sparring. Damian absolutely tries to give Leo a knife when he sees this but is stopped by Alfred. (The batfam may be a bit weirded out at how fast Leo seems to be learning the moves however. Because he is a built super soldier)

Raph chews on the manor furniture and. Absolutely destroys the legs of every table and chair until he gets something proper to chew on.

Jason or Alfred helping Raph to learn how to read (HC that Raph has dyslexia) Mikey too.

Donnie getting his hands on some bat or Wayne tech, manages to perfectly pull it apart to see how it works… and because hes 4, shoves a piece into his mouth.

Leo: Where are we?

Damian: In Gotham.

Leo: Wheres that?

Damian: In New Jersey.

Leo: …Ew

Anyways thats really all I have for this AU so far. I’m okay if people want to make a fic bout this, just credit me for the idea.

[monterraverde]

vs. Red @redlegend

The battle trees arena was empty until the paperwork was completed, which gave them free range of the pitch.

Naturally, her first act is to call for a rematch. High up in the bows of the giant tree at the head of Poni Island, they'd make another stand against him.

She knew she hardly had a chance of winning, but she wanted a battle that didn't end in such a crushing defeat. Five to one on their first proper battle stung deep in her soul, and she refused to stand for it any longer.

Wipe the sleep from your eyes and gear up, Elite, redemptions in the air, now SEIZE IT.

Fafnir and Pikachu hit the field, Sandstorm set, but before it can even get raging, Pikachu cracks the sky with a mighty thunderbolt, and while it stings, Fafnir's almost completely knocked from the platform when the rodent suddenly launches at him in a harsh tackle, Rika quickly recalling him before he could well and truly fall.

Not a good start, she's scared.

Kamina hits the field, and Blastoise on the opposite side. A familiar matchup, with a familiar outcome. Blastoise smashes his shell, blood and shards flying everywhere while Kamina uses the sand to his advantage, moving like a whirlwind through it and using his small stature to get behind Blastoise and Drill Run right into the freshly opened wound on the turtles back- and he doesn't STOP drill running until the matchup is called, and he's returned to his ball. Choice band working perfectly.

One to One.

Bappy and Venusaur next, and Red surprises her by drawing out his Mega stone early. She was expecting Charizard, but the intense light of infinity energy engulfs the gargantuan frog, growing her canopy and empowering her greatly.

Bappy looks on, undaunted, He may not have his big mega spikes anymore, but he refused to back down, and the battle was on, taking swings at one another, the earth quaking beneath their feet as both pokemon sought to use it to their advantage. Venusaur covers him in Leech seeds, and Bappy roars as he endures hit after hit so she wouldn't feel sad, until he finally can endure no longer, and collapses under the onslaught.

You did your best, bud.

Next came Charizard, and she throws out The Don to greet him, the ancient Donphan trumpeting loud to signal his readiness as the Booster Energy around his neck activated. Scarlet energy coursed over his whole form like electricity, driving him into a bit of a battle frenzy as a centralized bit of sunshine seemed to generate from nowhere- and then they were off, Headlong Rush slamming right into the great dragons side. Charizard flames were potent, but the Donphan refused to yield- He was NOT going to suffer that injustice a second time.

He throws his whole body into Charizard, tusks primed and ready to gouge- Close combat.

Charizard falls, and The Don stomps his foot in triumph.

Two to Two. Already better then the last battle

Adniel next, against Snorlax, and Rika syncs with him almost immediately, the energy on the pitch becoming electric from the lingering high of battle, and Adniel roars in excitement before launching himself full force at his gigantic opponent. Claws met claws as Adniel continued to push back against Snorlax, feeling he had no recourse other then to shove the creature out of the ring since his defense was so high... And he almost succeeds, as a harsh brick break attack finally drops the Snorlax... and Adniel lets out a roar of excitement before he's eventually called back as well.

Two to three... One more takes it.

Gremlin emerges, against Lapras, and it's hardly a battle- more like the most calculated grounding of a bat pokemon one would ever see. Ice beam into Sheer cold- Which somehow hit again with deadly accuracy.

A Tie.

They double back and choose three more mons each, but while they're healing, Rika's riding the high. She brought it to a tie this time- There's still a chance she can win, but this alone was a satisfactory outcome for her.

Redemption earned, pokemon healed, and they return to the pitch.

Her three strongest pokemon against three of his, and the battle commences again.

The Don against Pikachu is hardly a fight, a pair of Earthquakes is enough to ground the electric rat, after swatting him away with his trunk.

Bappy and Venusaur return to the field together, and again its an incredibly close match, Bappy enduring hits and dealing back just as much damage, digging his spines into Venusaurs appendages and doing everything he could, but ultimately falling.

And then Adniel and Lapras. A fight that left the whole stadium encased in a light layer of ice and frost. Adniel lashing out wildly with brick break and dragon claw, dodging ice beams, and managing to dodge Sheer Cold a fair amount. The Onslaughts from both sides were intense, and it eventually caused them to disengage and regroup before launching at one another one last time.

It drags on for what seemed like an hour, Rika watching in awe as Adniel slashed into Lapras' flesh and shell, trying desperately to get in whatever critical blows he could before Lapras could attack him again, roaring and biting and snarling...

But it's ultimately a wash, Lapras landing a critical Ice beam straight into the Garchomps core, dropping him to the ground.

Another loss, but one that she- for all her pouting and huffing- couldn't be mad about. Her pokemon performed excellently, she brought it to a tie, and that final battle practically made her hair stand on end.

They just keep getting better... but so does Red, and thats more then fine by her.

"That... That was incredible, Red, well done..."

[rabbitcruiser]

International Mud Day

Participate in a Mud Run, join or watch some Mud Wrestling, or just get out in the dirt with friends or family and let loose by getting messy and having fun.

Mud. It seems like a nuisance, doesn’t it? As soon as it rains, mud is everywhere, and it literally gets all over everything. There are definitely no benefits this slippery, sticky dirty substance could offer, right? Wrong. And the creators of International Mud Day are out to prove it! After all, mud is quintessential to the outdoors, and the outdoors mean fresh air and exercise, two of the best things for people. And so what if we get a little dirty? Plenty of research has shown that coming into contact with a certain amount of bacteria is good for us, as it helps build up immunity, as opposed to living in a virtually sterile environment, which makes our bodies very vulnerable. Not to mention how many minerals mud can—there’s a reason why people pay hundreds of dollars for mud masks and baths at spas. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get dirty!

The History of International Mud Day

The creators of International Mud Day wanted to find a way to help all of the children of the Earth feel closer to each other…and what a better way to do it than through the Earth itself? International Mud Day began in 2009 at a World Forum event, when Gillian McAuliffe from Australia and Bishnu Bhatta from Nepal got together to talk about ways to encourage feelings of community and appreciation for the world around us. The collaboration that followed has inspired educators, children,and families across the globe, from Holland to Nepal to the United States, to celebrate International Mud Day together each year on June 29. Regardless of age, race and religion, covered in mud, we all look the same!

How to Celebrate International Mud Day

There are countless ways to celebrate International Mud Day, but all of them have one thing in common: you have to get dirty. This day can be especially fun if you have children, because who likes to get dirty as much as children? One of the most creative and fun activities that would be perfect to do on International Mud Day is making mud sculptures or mud cakes. It’s easy to adjust the consistency of the mud you’re using by simply adding a little more earth or water, so it should be easy to make what you want to make, while enjoying plenty of carefree laughter and quality family time in the process. Yet another easy way to enjoy this day to the fullest is to make a homemade mud pit using a blow-up pool. Not only is this cheap, but it also makes for a truly unique experience. All you have to do once you’ve bought a small blow-up pool is fill it with mud that can easily be filled using a mixture of earth and water that your children can then splash around in. Just make sure that you’re prepared to throw out your their clothes once you peel them off, because there is no way those clothes will ever get clean again.

After all, as American botanist Luther Burbank said,

“Every child should have mud pies, grasshoppers,water bugs, tadpoles, frogs, mud turtles, wild strawberries, acorns, chestnuts, trees to climb. Brooks to wade…bees, butterflies, various animals to pet, hayfields, pine-cones, rocks to toll, sand, snakes and hornets; any child who has been deprives of these has been deprived of the best part of…education.”

Source

[i-was-bored-so-this-happened]

Second Star Chapter Thirteen: The Rodian

Fandom: The Mandalorian Wordcount: 3.3k Warnings: None

Okan and the child spend their day with Peli, who takes them through Mos Eisley to discuss business with a Rodian

Read on AO3 Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

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Mando returns to the hangar about half an hour after Okan manages to coax the child asleep again, keeping him close to her chest with a cleverly tied scarf. Surprisingly, Okan had actually understood some of the terms Peli had used to talk her through her plans for repairing the Razor Crest. Hanging around mechanically-minded kids when she was last on Tatooine in an attempt to learn Basic has paid off in some small way. Peli’s working on the fuel leak, having hooked some sort of old and gaspy machine up to the ship to try and keep what fuel is left in so Peli can mend the tank. Okan is sitting cross-legged in the sand. She’s pulled her bandana up over her nose again, and covered the child’s head with the scarf. Peli had given her goggles, and Okan had put them on. Sparks wouldn’t hurt her, but Okan’s not prepared to blow her cover as a human. Peli had set her to cleaning sand out of various instruments she’s going to use, a rather time-consuming task she’s happy to foist onto Okan to comply with Mando’s “no droids” rule.

Okan has fully readjusted to the Tatooine suns again and is revelling in basking in so much heat, hunched over the bits of metal and gently blowing sand from all the little crevices it’s been caught in. She hears the hangar door slide open and looks up with a smile even though no one can see it. Mando. He looks to the table, where the pit droids are still sitting. One turtles at the mere sight of him. He…really doesn’t like droids, Okan guesses. She waves, and he changes direction to move towards her instead of the Razor Crest. Okan puts down the suction hose Peli had given her and reaches up with the now-free hand, asking Mando to help her up so she doesn’t jostle the baby too much. She knows he’ll relent, it’s not the first time she’s asked, and sure enough firm fingers wrap around her wrist and take on her weight to get her to her feet.

“Thanks for letting us know we’d landed.” Okan says dryly once she’s standing, tucking one arm under the child sleeping on her chest. She remembers the goggles and bandana covering her face and pulls them off.

“You needed rest.”

“The kid woke up before me, wandered off.” She tells him.

“He did?” That tension’s in his voice again, he hadn’t entertained that possibility.

“Found the mechanic. She’s alright. Good thing, too,” Okan lets her chin lift a little to avoid the glare coming off the helmet, but not enough to make it seem like she’s having to look up at Mando, “That could have gone really wrong, Mando. You should have woken me. I can’t look after him if I don’t know what’s going on.” She waits for this to sink in, to process before asking, “Did you find a job?” Mando nods and begins to walk towards the ship,

“Working with another hunter. Guild, but he doesn’t seem to know what happened on Nevarro. He gets credit for the bounty, I get the money.”

“Thought you were blacklisted.”

“He’s new. Should be here with a couple speeders soon.”

“Do you have my credits yet?” This is Peli, having noticed that he’s back.

“Thank you. For looking after him.” Mando nods towards the child. Peli lets out a surprised sound. At that, he takes off into the ship as though to avoid any further conversation.

“So…what?” Peli asks, confused.

“He’s got a job, heading out as soon as possible.” Okan tells her, smiling. When she smiles she can feel the indent around her eyes the goggles have left behind. The baby shifts in his sling and pushes a hand out, making little grabby motions with it. Okan offers him a finger, but he rejects it. Carefully, she undoes the sling, quietly conversing with Peli until Mando returns with the bag he takes on hunts. 

“Here, he wants you.” Okan tells him, holding out the child. To his credit, Mando doesn’t even sigh this time, just takes the child. Once in the crook of Mando’s arm the child relaxes again, turning into the man’s chest and taking hold of a piece of fabric he’s managed to find between edges of beskar.

“He’s not going to have me for long.” Mando tells Okan. She follows him when he moves towards the hangar door. Peli, realising her communication time with her client is swiftly coming to a close, darts after them, 

“I’m doing it by hand, as requested, but it’s costing a lot of money to just keep my droids powered up, you know? This one’s good with people, not so much machines,” this she says indicating Okan, “No offence.”

“None taken.”

“And it’s going to take me a long time to do these repairs, which will in turn cost you-” Peli’s ramshackle sales pitch stops when she steps outside her hangar and finds someone else already there. A young man, with dark hair, an earring and two speeders.

“Hey, Mando, what do you think? Not too shabby, huh?” He sounds young too, the blue leather of his jacket squeaking and showing its newness when he rolls his shoulders. Without a word, Mando steps forward to inspect the speeders. They’re old and dusty and rusty. Okan, no expert herself as only recently demonstrated, doesn’t have much faith in them either. The speeder Mando’s looking at clicks in places it shouldn't click when he touches it. The young man must feel the disdain over the two feet of space between them.

“What d’you expect? This ain’t Corellia.” He says to Mando, shrugging. Okan clicks her tongue and moves forward. She speaks in broken Rodian, which she knows he should understand despite her lack of correct grammar,

“Will they still run? I know I do not know many, but I have watched children build better Beggar Boats…” the helmet tilts in that way that asks her to elaborate, “People collect scraps out of the Canyon Beggar, where they used to have races, to build with.”

“They’ll run.” Mando decides, speaking in Basic.

“Of course they’ll run.” The young man says, almost laughing. The sound of the scoff wakes the child. His eyes open and he starts wriggling, until he realises it’s Mando that’s holding him and giggles. 

“Okan.”

“Yes.” She holds her hands out to the child, and he leans out far enough for Mando to let go of him and let him fall into Okan. She spins in a circle, playing one of his favourite games, Rockets, squealing with the child, “Good afternoon, baby!” The young man pushes himself off the speeder he was leaning against, she hears it creaking, and when she finds herself facing him he’s holding out a hand as though to shake hers. She’s spared from this when the man realises her hands are full with the child, and he attempts to save his awkward gesture by lifting his hand to push it through his hair while he introduces himself,

“Toro Calican,” he bows his head in Peli’s direction, “Ma’am.” He casts a confused glance at the child while Mando ties his bag to the speeder, but doesn’t say anything.

“Back before dark?” Okan asks, still in Rodian, playing the foreigner role.

“Yes.”  He answers. Okan nods, as if giving him permission, as if he won’t go if she says she doesn’t like the idea. The speeders creak more when the men sit on them. One of them has a false start, but then they’re gone. Okan twists to look at Peli, who waves at the child in that way you do with babies, fully opening and closing your hand, with a wide smile,

“You speak Rodian, huh?” Peli asks. Okan shrugs. She’s not very good at it. “I could use someone who speaks Rodian.” Okan raises her eyebrows,

“Uh huh. What for?”

“There’s this competitor of mine, real piece of work. He’s got a contact at the public spaceport, so when anything new comes in on the cargo ships he gets first pick. Trouble is, his contact is Rodian. Difficult for ‘em to speak Basic, right? I mean, even what you’ve got is just an approximation, we ain’t got the right biology-”

“You want me to talk to this Rodian so you get a good pick of the salvage that comes through?” Okan surmises, “For what?” she adds. Nothing is free on Tatooine.

“Well, if you help me out, the value of the parts I’d get would cover the cost of the hangar while you’re here. That sound fair?” Peli proposes. Okan considers. Looks at the child as though he’s part of this decision. He tips his head to the side, his ear folding against Okan’s arm. She mimics the head movement.

“We didn’t have any plans for today, did we, sprout?” she looks at Peli, righting her head, “If you help me strap him in, I’ll help you.”

“Strap him in?”

With Peli’s assistance Okan constructs a carrier for the child out of scarves and lengths of leather Mando hasn’t yet fashioned into belts or armour straps. Covering the knots of material across her back with her cloak, she can keep the child secure against her chest while having both of her hands free to move. Okan ties her bandana around her nose again, masking the lower half of her face, and tucks the end of it into the neck of her shirt.

“I need something to cover his face.” Okan says to Peli. The mechanic doesn’t question it - many people on Tatooine disguise their faces when going about their everyday lives, and they are travelling with a Mandalorian after all. She scrambles, digging through various piles of scrap metal until she finds a helmet. Round, blue with a yellow-tinted visor, big enough to take the baby’s ears. Big enough to hold his whole body, really, it falls past the ears and Okan has to wedge her fingers between it and the scarf under the child’s chin to keep it from falling off entirely. Ah, well. At least she’ll have one free hand. As a last measure, Okan pushes her hair behind her ears and lifts the hood of her cloak.

“You’ll cook in that,” is Peli’s only comment, and it prompts her to delve back into a pile of scrap and pull out a bottle. A short straw is attached, long enough for Okan to slip under her bandana or fit under the child’s helmet, “There ain’t much water in the town anymore, but last time I was there a stall had orange juice…that was a couple years ago, though.”

“Don’t leave the hangar much?” Okan asks.

“Oh, I don’t go further than the cantina. This is the safest place on the planet,” Peli slaps the wall of the hangar fondly. A large sheet of corrugated iron at the other end of the structure falls down, “I’ve been meaning to fix that cladding. Ya ready to go?” When Okan nods, Peli twists to yell, “R5! Engage security protocols! Passage only for us and the Mando, got it?” a distant droid makes a high whee noise in response. The trio of pit droids, seemingly Peli’s constant companions, clatter their way over to the pair to accompany them out of the hangar. The baby giggles at their gangling forms.

***

Tatooine. Okan had never been to Mos Eisley, and Mos Espa only on very few occasions. The little drawstring bag of credits Mando refills for her at the end of each month rests not in her bag but in the pocket closest to her body, anything else that could be considered valuable left with the R5 droid at the hangar. Okan’s fingers are still propping up the helmet covering the baby, and he seems quite content to latch onto one of those fingers and watch the world go by. The pit droids have arranged themselves in a loose triangle around Okan and Peli, the latter keeping up bright conversation with them as though they’re people.

The Outer Rim remains untameable, Okan sees, Stormtrooper helmets impaled on wooden stakes. Likely the heads are still inside some of them. The mix of species that roams the town where desert is all but indistinguishable from pathway is more diverse than on Nevarro, plus the higher ratio of droids-to-humanoids. Nothing sleek and new that would be dismantled before you even saw the Jawas, mostly dusty pre-Empire. The Jawas do still hover on the outskirts, picking through piles of scrap to bargain with. Peli approaches a group and starts to squeak at them in their own language. The Jawas squeak back, obviously familiar with the mechanic. They’re having a simple conversation, not a negotiation, and soon Peli moves on, taking care to stay level with Okan at all times. The air is more aggressively hot out here - nowhere near the heat of the Dune Sea but warmer than the hangar with its cooling fans. Okan welcomes it, feeling her temperature rise degree by degree as they move further beneath the suns.

“The fleshmarket’s that way, terrible smell,” Peli says at a junction, turning in the opposite direction of her pointing finger, “Tannery’s two streets over, that’s almost worse, but this way’s the general market. Not much pretty there, but you can get something for the little one to drink.”

“I like to explore markets on other planets.” Okan tells her, poking the child’s nose when he sinks his teeth into her glove.

“You been to many? Planets?” Peli asks, confidently pushing her hands deep into her boiler suit pockets.

“A few. I like to see the people, the flowers.”

“Not gonna find many flowers here.”

“No, not many. There used to be some sandweed and asters in the Sea.”

“Out by Mos Pelgo?” Peli asks. Okan nods. “There used to be trees, too. I hear the Tuskens can still find wood to use out there.”

“I’ve heard that too.” Okan replies. The stalls here aren’t cheerfully coloured like on Nevarro with merchandise jingling in the breeze, nor closely connected by permanently fixed wooden beams like on Sorgan. They’re plasticky metal, easily foldable and light to travel with at the end of a day, and distanced from one another. It’s less a community effort and more a competition. Each one is covered by a cloth awning in a different shade of brown or occasional orange. Most fabric on Tatooine is brown, or eventually turns brown to match the dust. Strong reds are the exception, though in time the suns fade them to orange. Okan doesn’t stand out too much in red cloak and bandana, brown trousers, brown hair trailing from the hood. Nor does Peli, orange-and-brown mechanic suit. Even the pit droids are a dark, rusty red. They’re painted in the Tatooine colour palette. 

Grains of sand shift under Okan’s bare feet and crunch under Peli’s boots and the droid’s treads. A few times a hot, flat stone presses into the sole of Okan’s feet, and the warmth from it sinks into her and rushes up the skin of her leg. She’d missed hot planets. Sorgan had been lovely but she’d always been tired there, never quite warming up no matter how long she spent basking in the sun. Here, drinking in every drop of sunlight Okan feels awake, alert, more alive. If she were to stop, close her eyes, concentrate, she thinks she might even be able to feel the blood in her veins as the heat circulates. It makes everything a little more bearable - less like claws making her itch and more like the touch of someone tracing the lines of her bones. The discomfort of being out of her ideal temperature zone had been something new and strange to adjust to, and warming back up had taken longer than expected.

“Oh hey, that juice stand is still here!” Peli is pleased with herself, that’s clear, and she doesn’t hesitate to barter with the vendor over how many half-frozen spheres of orange juice they can get for ten credits. She gestures to Okan for the bottle and once she has it rattles it at the vendor who’s trying to convince her to also get a cup. With sticky exasperation she asks the vendor if they’re really going to deprive a child of hydration. This is when they give in and take the bottle, filling it with the bright, pulpy globs of orange. Peli hands over her ten credits and they move on. The mechanic shakes the bottle vigorously before giving it back to Okan, saying she’s breaking up the spheres to make it easier for the child. Okan pushes up the straw of the bottle and pushes it under the helmet, nudging it against the child’s mouth until he realises what it is and stretches his arms out to hold the bottle himself. “Starport’s just up ahead.”

“What’s the Rodian’s name?” Okan asks, “I suppose the best way to begin negotiation is with an introduction.”

“In Basic? Rocky.”

“What can you offer him that’s better than your competitor?” Okan asks. Peli snorts,

“Droid servicing, for a start. This other guy, he’s banthacrap. Those droids are as dry as crackers, ‘bout as fragile too. They’re primarily customer-service droids, least they could do is crack a joke,” Her pit-droids elbow each other and whistle in agreement, “Here we are. No ferries due for a while, should give us some time. See that building?” Peli points towards the sandstone tower that sits in the centre of the circle of docking spaces, “That’s the control base, he should be in there,” she casts a sidelong glance at Okan, “Take the hood off? You’ll look more trustworthy if he can see your eyes,” Okan raises her hand to her nose, “You can keep the bandana on, he shouldn’t question that, ‘s long as he can understand you,” Peli marches up to the door with her seemingly unfaltering confidence and hits the door rather than knocks it. The long eyestalk of a security droid pokes out, “Peli Motto and Okan to see Rocky, I have a business proposition.” The eyestalk retreats, and shortly there are metallic grinding noises interrupted by the occasional bout of sandy gears. The door swings open. 

Thin stripes of light along the walls lead them up the twisting staircase to the top of the tower. The building is featureless except for the glass cage at the top. This is circular, each sector of it matching a sector of the starport. There are six identical segments, one for each of the docks. The sandstone tower pierces through the room itself, narrowing as it reaches the ceiling, punches through and stretches another few feet higher to end in a chisel shape. There are two workers at each station of control  except for the one directly to Okan and Peli’s right. Here there is a single Rodian dressed in grey, his headset already pushed down from his ears. He greets them in the same dialect Okan knows, the blend of Basic and Rodian. Okan replies in kind, doing her best to correctly order her words,

“I am Okan I Don’t Know…Okan Unknown. I speak for Peli Motto, who believes the more polite way to talk to you would be in your own words, but I apologise because I am not the best…speaker.” She stops here, not wanting to make things any worse. But the Rodian laughs, in a way that sounds like the hoover Okan had been using not long ago, and speaks a few short sentences.

“He appreciates the effort,” Okan tells Peli, “Despite the fact I sound like a hatchling, he’d rather than you pretending he’s human. He would like to hear your offer,” Rocky adds something, so Okan adds it too, “And, uh, he’d understand Basic better than me.”

[ruzek-halstead]

the way you move is like a full-on rainstorm (and i’m a house of cards)

outer banks • jiara • post-season two • fluff with a sprinkle of angst

In the beginning, the idea of a deserted island to themselves sounds like a paradise.

No parents, no rules, no murders — just each other and a fierce determination to get back what's theirs.

In theory, that was great, but it doesn't take long before a sinking feeling settles in the pit of Kiara's stomach. She thinks about the similar feeling of despair her parents must be feeling at her disappearance and it's paralyzing. She isn't sure if the others notice her change in behaviour —  Kiara thinks they're just happy to be alive, after so many close calls.

Kiara doesn't understand how the gravity of what they've faced doesn't hit them now that they're alone and stranded.

Don't get her wrong, Kiara is always down for anything, especially if it's for her friends. Her loyalty knows no bounds, and she doesn't regret a single moment, but now that she has the time to reflect, she isn't sure how to process it.

They almost died.

JJ almost died.

She understands they're just happy to have made it out alive, but Kiara can't forget the fact that they almost didn't.

Sometimes when she sleeps at night, it isn't the chilly breeze or the uncomfortable sand that keeps her awake. It's the fact that every time she closes her eyes, she feels like she's underwater again, being dragged under by the dead weight of her best friend. She can't un-see it, she can't forget about it, and it's making it incredibly difficult for her to move on.

Kiara quickly realizes the water doesn't just affect her when she closes her eyes. Every time she moves to enjoy the benefits of an ocean six feet away, her legs stop moving as soon as her toes merely dip into the water. She hasn't been able to have a proper swim and it doesn't take her long to figure it out; so, she just stays away from the ocean, unless it is to cleanse her skin. Even then, she can't go too far.

The fact that JJ acts like he didn't nearly have a brush with death doesn't help her anxiety.

He acts like his normal carefree and reckless self, and don't get Kiara wrong, it's one of the things she adores about him. But she can't look at him the same anymore. His head wound was serious and they had no medical supplies to treat it. Sometimes Kiara watches him carefully, watches his movements because sometimes, she catches the way he wavers when he stands and needs to blink multiple times to even take a step forward. But then he's running with the boys, eagerly tackling each other and Kiara cringes every time his head connects with various hard surfaces.

It's painful to watch, and the fear that something serious is wrong but they have no way of knowing is sometimes too much for Kiara. That, piled with her nightmares and her conflicted feelings about her parents, is enough to dissipative any joy she might feel about a deserted island with her best friends.

It's only been a few days since they've arrived onto the island, and Kiara isn't sure her friends have caught onto her standoffish behaviour. It should hurt a bit, but Kiara can't bring herself to care.

When they decide to hop into the ocean for a late-afternoon swim, Kiara mumbles an excuse and hangs back, watching them from afar. She's sat against a tree, her knees pulled up to her chest as she watches. The jealousy hits her square in the chest and she's slightly angry her body doesn't allow her to join in on the fun. She doesn't know how to get over her new fear of water; the images of JJ's bloodied blonde hair against her skin, trying to stay afloat, haven't disappeared from her mind, and she's beginning to fear they never will.

Kiara is so deeply stuck in her thoughts that she doesn't even notice JJ stepping out of the ocean and approaching her.

When he sits down next to her, he's soaking wet, but the hot sun is quickly drying out the droplets scattered along his bare chest. He reaches for a split coconut and offers it to Kiara; she shakes her head so he takes a small sip.

"So," JJ starts, clearing his throat. "Are you going to tell me what's up?"

Kiara doesn't take JJ for the most perceptive out of their group, but he always seems to surprise her. Perhaps just how she's been keeping an eye on him since they arrived on this island, he was doing the same with her.

"Silence isn't a good look on you, Kie," he says, and Kiara realizes she failed to reply to his question. He's not wrong either. Kiara isn't exactly known for being quiet — rather, she's known for her passionate rants about the environment, turtles and the abhorrence of single use plastic. She hasn't been feeling any of that lately; she hasn't been feeling herself at all lately. "I'm not blind, you know. I can see something's up."

Kiara shrugs, because she truly doesn't feel like talking, and she can feel JJ's eyes burning a hole into the side of her face. How does she explain to her best friend that every time she looks at him, she pictures his unconscious, bruised and bleeding body?

"Kie," JJ sighs, quieter this time. "I'm starting to get worried."

The softness and sincerity in his voice causes her to look over, and she almost wishes she hadn't. His eyes are the brightest blue with the sun shining down on them, his hair messy and pulled back and a slight frown etched on his pink lips, that he bites anxiously.

"I'm just starting to miss home," Kiara replies, and it isn't a lie, per say, but it isn't the entire truth either.

JJ seems a little relieved he's managed to get something out of her, but his eyes stare at her as if he's expecting her to say more. "Okay, and what else?" Kiara's head swivels around to look at him questioningly. "Kie," he starts exasperatedly, "You've barely stepped into the ocean since we've gotten here and you've been so closed off. Seriously, what's going on with you?"

Her jaw locks and her eyes harden for a reason she can't determine. This is what she wanted, for someone to notice, to care about what the hell was going on with her. But her throat is burning, and she's selfish because all she wants to do is scream at him — scream at him because she's like this because of him.

Deep down she knows she doesn't regret jumping overboard to save him for even a second. She doesn't. But she resents him for putting her in that position in the first place, for jumping to her defence and getting hurt, for being the bravest friend she'd ever had. It's starting to make her brain hurt; she plans to avoid this conversation at all costs.

"I already told you," Kiara mumbles, standing up and dusting the sand off the back of her shorts. She ignores the pleading look in JJ's eyes. "I miss home, that's all."

Kiara turns to walk further into the trees, farther from where her best friends are screaming in utter happiness with each other. She nearly expects JJ to give up and go back into the ocean, allowing her some time for herself. But when she turns to look at him approaching with heavy footsteps, his expression is tight, angry even, and his jaw is clenched as he stares at her.

"Kiara, I'm not playing this game with you," JJ rumbles, and Kiara knows he means it by the use of her full name. "And I'm not leaving here until you tell me what the hell is wrong with you."

Kiara's fists clench at her sides and JJ's eyes drop to them. "You want to know what's wrong with me, JJ?" She spits, feeling the fire spread through her veins and into her brown eyes. She steps to him and continues, "Why don't we talk about you instead, huh?"

"What?" JJ responds, clearly confused. "Kie—"

"No, JJ! Let's talk about you!" Kiara snaps, continuing to step into his space. JJ doesn't step back, and his expression only darkens. "Let's talk about how you're pretending you're fine, but you're clearly fucking not! I see you, JJ! I see you when you stand up too fast and it takes you a full minute to get your shit together. You're obviously hurt but you act like it's nothing! What if you hit your head again? What then? We don't have a doctor — we can't save you again, JJ!"

JJ's expression is calculating, trying to gauge what this actually has to do with Kiara's new behaviour. He spots her trembling bottom lip when she says they can't save him again. He knows she means herself, because she's the one who saved him, no one else.

"Kie, I'm fine. Sure, it's a little sore, but I'm not going to stop living my life because of a little injury. I've had worse, Kie, and you know it."

Kiara nearly growls in response.

"Seriously, Kie, what the hell is the matter with you?"

Kiara can only take so much. She snaps.

"I can't fucking sleep!" Kiara shouts, voice cracking, but she powers through. "I can't sleep because every time I close my eyes, I'm back in the ocean, holding both of our bodies above water so we don't fucking drown! I can't go in the ocean because we nearly died and then you almost died in my arms and how am I supposed to just get over that, JJ?"

JJ's eyes are wide as she explodes.

"Kie—"

"I'm terrified you're only one hit away from just never waking up again and I can't have that, JJ — I can't."

Kiara is standing right in front of him at this point, eyes wide and filled with unshed tears. It feels good to just yell, to get her frustrations out, even if she's yelling at JJ. His expression is blank, save for the pity in his blue eyes.

She blinks and a tear escapes. His face betrays him and his lips curl in a frown before he's wrapping his arms tight around Kiara's waist and pressing her to his chest. Her arms get crushed in his embrace but the comfort is all she needs to let it all out. She cries, loudly and embarrassingly but she can't bring herself to care. The past few days have been building and building up inside of her and it was only a matter of time before she cracked. She isn't sure how she's going to get rid of the nightmares, or get over her newfound fear of the ocean, but standing there in JJ's arms, she doesn't care.

"Kie," JJ murmurs against the curls near the crown of her head. "You were a fucking rockstar out there and you saved my life. I can never thank you. But don't you ever think you can't come to me for shit like this. I might not be the best person for it, but Kie, I promise I'll do my fucking best to help you through it."

Kiara pulls away from his chest, but JJ doesn't remove his arms. "J, I don't know what to do," she whimpers, "I can't fucking sleep."

"Fuck, I really wish we had weed here."

Kiara laughs, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. JJ's smile is pained; he always hated seeing Kiara in pain. And if tears are involved? Even less.

"Listen, if you can't sleep, I'll stay up with you. We'll talk until you're tired — or maybe having me right there beside you, alive and shit, you can tell your nightmares to fuck off because JJ Maybank is alive and kicking, baby."

Kiara laughs again, enjoying the hopeful glint in his blue eyes as he rambles. She responds with wrapping her arms around his middle and pressing the side of her face to his chest. She can hear and feel his heart beating and it brings her a sense of calmness.

"Kie, I'm so sorry," he mumbles quietly, "This is all my fault."

"I don't regret a single second," Kiara replies fiercely. She pulls back to drill it into him with her eyes, because she knows JJ and his self-blaming tendencies all too well. "I love you JJ and I would do it all over again. If I have to deal with nightmares just to have you here with me, then bring on the fucking nightmares."

Now it's JJ's turn to cough out a laugh, though it doesn't reach his eyes. It kills him to know that Kiara is suffering through all this pain and hurt — pain and hurt she's only dealing with because she saved his life.

"I love you too, Kie. And I promise I'm going to help you through this, okay? You're not alone."

Kiara's eyes search his face, ultimately landing on the side of his head that's still a tad bit sore from the hit he'd received less than a week ago. Her fingers reach up to caress it carefully and he schools his facial features to not let her know how sensitive that area of his skull is. He knows what she's thinking before she even says anything, and he sighs. "Just be careful, JJ," she says, surprising him with her words. "I don't want to lose you. I can't."

"You won't," he promises, and even though they both know it's a promise he can't keep, the conviction with which he says it nearly convinces her.

For a moment, it's just the two of them. JJ and Kiara. Best friends with endless possibilities.

Kiara thinks about it for only a second. She can kiss him right now, and he would probably welcome it. But she doesn't want to treat him like that; he means too much. Her hand slides down his bare arm instead, clutching his hand.

"No more shutting me out, okay?" JJ orders, though it lacks any authority. It's more of a pleading ask, than anything else. "Because JJ Maybank hates to be ignored and I tolerated it once, but I won't do it again, Kie."

Kiara's lips crack into a smile and it's like JJ can finally breathe easy once again. "Why do you keep talking about yourself in the third person? It's weird."

"Because it's effective."

"It's lame is what it is."

And suddenly they're back to their normal, bickering selves and JJ is wrapping a comforting arm around Kiara's shoulders as she nudges in close. He quietly promises to help her through her sleeping issues and her newfound water phobia as best he knows how. Both issues have to do with him nearly dying, and he hopes the fact that he is very much alive will help in overcoming them.

They start off slowly, JJ easing Kiara into the ocean as she clutches his hand for dear life. He makes joke after joke to make it easier. Sometimes it works and she forgets, sometimes it doesn't and she has to rush back to land. It's a process, but JJ has endless patience when it comes to Kiara and he's willing to do whatever it takes.

At night, they curl into each other, JJ's arms tucked around Kiara, while she tangles her legs with his. They talk until JJ accidentally dozes off, but it's alright, because Kiara lays her head against his chest and focuses on his heartbeat. That's how she falls asleep. She doesn't expect her nightmares about him to disappear just like that, and they don't, but with JJ's steady heartbeat underneath her, she's able to push past and get some actual sleep. In the morning, JJ apologizes profusely, but all Kiara can do is smile, as she's gotten some decent sleep for the first time since they arrived.

JJ becomes like her lifeline. It's the only way she'll survive the island.

Her parents are gone, and the pain is still fresh. She still worries about them and what they're feeling, but all she can do is think forward, on how she'll eventually make this up to them.

Her worries about JJ and his head wound don't subside either, but to her surprise, he's unbelievably more cautious as he horses around. He attempts to avoid situations where he might hit his head, and periodically asks Pope to check it out and make sure it's looking alright. Pope's knowledge is limited, especially since his fascination is with cadavers, but it's the reassurance it brings that counts. JJ also knows Kiara appreciates his cautiousness, and he'll do anything to see her smile softly at him, pride in her beautiful brown eyes.

Kiara isn't exactly surprised when she realizes she has feelings for JJ, but she is frustrated as hell. What she pulled with Pope earlier in the year wasn't cool and she'll never forgive herself for it. The realization makes her shove her feelings down, far away. She can't mess up another one of the most important relationships in her life.

Even when she gets the vibes that maybe JJ feels the same way, she still shoves her feelings down.

She notices it in the little things, such as staying back with her when their friends dive into the ocean, sitting beside her at the camp fire and throwing a comforting arm around her shoulders, pressing his face into his neck in his sleep, consistently reminding her how important she is to him.

It's starting to eat her up inside, and she hardly notices when she begins to pull away from JJ for both their sakes.

JJ notices, and he isn't fucking happy about it.

"Kie, I thought we talked about this," he says in a stressed voice, his fingers pinching the skin between his eyebrows. He had spotted her trek out into the woods for more firewood, and the urge to follow was just too strong. He's a weak man when it comes to Kiara.

Kiara startles, not having heard anyone follow her. She throws him a dirty look. "What are you talking about now, JJ?"

"You're doing it again!" JJ sputters, hands flailing as if that would drive his point home. "Pushing me away. I thought we agreed you wouldn't do that anymore."

"I'm not," Kiara replies automatically and JJ raises an eyebrow. "I'm not!"

JJ rolls his eyes, huffing out a scoff. "Oh, cut the bullshit, Kie. I told you I wasn't going to do this again with you, and I meant it."

Kiara visibly hesitates.

Does she want to spill her guts and tell JJ she's potentially falling for him? Absolutely not. But is he giving her much of a choice?

"Listen JJ, this isn't about you at all. I'm just — I don't want to hurt you or mess anything up, okay? Just  — please, don't ask questions."

Kiara absolutely butchers her explanation and she can tell by the unbelievably confused expression JJ wears.

"Kie, what the fuck are you talking about?"

She sighs, deciding maybe the best option is just to completely disappear from this conversation. JJ disagrees and he blocks her exit. "JJ, I'm begging you. Please."

"What the hell?" JJ asks, holding his arm out in front of her waist so she doesn't walk away from him. "Kiara, I swear to God—"

"What do you want me to tell you?" Kiara snaps, wild eyes darting to his confused blue ones. "That I'm staying away from you because I think I might love you and it took you nearly dying in my arms for me to figure it out? Or that I'm avoiding you because I seem to fuck up every important relationship in my life and I don't want to ruin you? Or ruin us—"

JJ interrupts, face completely blank as he says, "Shut the fuck up, Kie."

Kiara startles, shocked at his words, even though he doesn't say them angrily. She's bearing her soul to him and this is what she receives in return? She has half a mind to punch him in the throat, but then he continues.

"I've literally been in love with you since the fifth grade." That is definitely not what Kiara expects him to say. "Do you think I give a fuck if you think you're going to ruin me? Because I can assure you right now that you won't. You're one of the best fucking things to come out of my shitty life, and I don't want you to ever think you can ruin us, because you can't."

Kiara's gone speechless. For once in her goddamn life, she's absolutely speechless, and it's at the cost of her reckless, gorgeous, best friend who is currently staring at her as if she just offered him the fucking moon.

"Fifth grade?" Kiara croaks, her lips splitting into a bright smile.

JJ matches her smile, a slight blush creeping up his neck as he momentarily dodges her eyes. "Give or take. You were real annoying in fifth grade, Kie. Take this as a massive compliment."

"Oh, I do," Kiara laughs as her arms wind around his neck. She grabs onto his chin, dragging his gaze to focus back on her. His blue eyes are wide as they drop down to her lips.

Before either of them can make a move, Kiara says quietly, "Eighth grade."

"What?" JJ sputters in confusion.

"Eighth grade is when I momentarily saw you more than just JJ, my dumbass friend," Kiara explains, rolling her eyes at the smirk that graces his lips. "Momentarily!"

JJ chuckles, tongue darting out to wet his lips. Kiara's eyes track the movement. "I'll take it."

After another moment with no movement, Kiara huffs, tugging him closer. "Am I going to have to ignore you again for you to fucking kiss me or what are we doing here?"

"Pushy," JJ quips, nearly laughing at Kiara's murderous expression. "I always knew you wanted me."

"You know what? I've gone seventeen years without it, I can go seventeen more."

JJ's grin drops immediately when Kiara starts to pull away, so he tugs her closer and feverishly presses his lips to hers. He immediately slows down, wanting to savour this long awaited moment, but Kiara isn't interested in slow. Her hands slide into his fluffy hair as she deepens the kiss with a level of desperation she isn't even aware she possesses. Kiara absentmindedly tugs on his blonde locks and JJ lets out a low groan; she takes full advantage and sneaks her tongue into his mouth. JJ only groans louder.

"Holy fuck, Kie," JJ breathes against her lips when they inevitably pull away from each other to catch a breath. "I just always assumed you were an amazing kisser but Jesus Christ, I think I need to sit down."

Kiara wants to roll her eyes, but she finds herself laughing instead. "You're an idiot."

"Your idiot, though," JJ replies, then pauses. "Right?"

The moment of insecurity in his voice is telling, especially for a man who hates to show it. He wants to be sure they're on the same page, because it'll hurt too much if they aren't.

"My idiot," Kiara confirms, latching onto his hand.

JJ pulls on their intertwined hands, before adding in a condescending tone, "See what communication can do, Kiara?"

Regardless of what Kiara wants to fire back, he's absolutely right. But she can never leave him with the satisfaction.

So, she shoots him a glare and says, "You want to see what my foot in your ass can do?"

"That's kinda kinky, babe," JJ smirks, "Don't worry, I'm all for it, though."

Kiara doesn't argue in response, or follow through on her threats of bodily harm. She stands on her tip-toes and presses a gentle kiss to JJ's unsuspecting lips. When JJ looks at her with questioning blue eyes (though he's definitely not complaining), Kiara shrugs and says, "Just because I can."

She can and she does, very willingly.

JJ doesn't mind one single bit.

[remmushound]

Toddler Mutant Ninja Turtles, chapter 1; Hall of Science! @brightlotusmoon @selfindulgenz @scentedcandlecryptid

They were running. Silent feet pounding on stone and impressive forms guiding them over the gaps between rooftops fast enough to disappear between blinks. Like shadows, completely unseen, the brothers raced to the location of their next mission.

“Can I get another runthrough, Don?” Raphael called to his brother as they glided side by side, looking to each other mid-jump.

Donatello didn't need to pay attention to where he was going; his body was so used to the nightly activity that his feet guided him even as his mind was focused on other subjects. He tapped the band on his wrist to bring up a map of New York that immediately settled on his location and the path they would have to take to arrive at their destination; naturally, being the only one with such tech, and as second oldest, he took point with Raphael.

“There’s been a recent string of robberies in every major museum and science building in a hundred block radius. Just the normal stuff: jewels, gems, priceless artifacts, experimental technology—anything worth a pretty penny really.”

“And we’re sure this is our kinda thing?” Leonardo asked; for stamina, the turtle was not built, so already he was panting and coated in a heavy layer of sweat. Still, he was able to keep up quite easily with his brothers. “We do mutants and we do Foot Clan, we don’t do petty robbers.”

“With their MO, I am 99.8 percent certain this is a new mutant.” Donatello reported.

“And what MO would that be?” Raphael questioned.

Donatello cleared his throat and closed his eyes, sticking a finger in the air to annunciate himself as he spoke. “They break in without any clear entry or exit points, door and windows locked and intact, and no security cams or security sensors can seem to pick up on when the attacks occurred. And, most incriminating, they leave behind nothing but a water trail.”

Michelangelo whistled. “Did Piebald go all dark side? Can’t she do all that?”

“I don’t know Michael.” Donatello admitted, “But we’re about to find out. I’ve figured out a pattern in the places they’re targeting and I have a pretty good idea of where we can catch them in the act.”

Raphael nodded and gave an approving grunt. “Then let’s put a hustle on it!”

The journey was an easy and short one. They came onto the roof of the museum and, while they split up at Raphael’s order to find a way into the building, Leonardo took the chance to read the sign.

“New York Hall of Science?” Leonardo scrunched up his beak.

Michelangelo hummed and put his hand on his hip; he had just found a way in through the vent shaft. “Are you sure this is a mission and not just a Donnie field trip?”

Donatello’s lips curled down and he put a hand to his chest. “I reel at the actuation! Gasp! I, the respectable and beloved green mutant lad I am, would never ever do anything like that, never in a million years!” Wild hand gestures enunciated his dramatics. “This is purely professional!”

Michelangelo rolled his eyes. “I found a way in!” He pointed to the vent shaft and was easily able to pry the cover, tossing it aside and going to climb in.

Raphael was there before Michelangelo could do much more than put a foot in, grabbing his baby brother by the shell to pull him out and plop him back down on the safety of the roof.

“Leader goes first!” Raphael declared proudly. Then he immediately melted into soft coos and kneeled beside Michelangelo, pinching the box turtle's cheeks and rubbing his head, “I can’t have my baby brother getting hurt can I?”

He stood up again and gave the seething Michelangelo a final pat on the shoulder before jumping into the vents without a care as to where they led. Michelangelo tried to follow after, but he was forced back by sharp nudges from Leonardo and Donatello as they side-checked him before ducking inside. Michelangelo was the last one in the vents and the last one out.

The brothers fell one by one from the vent shaft, landing with solid, yet muffled thumps as the stealth mode drilled into them took over. The building was completely dark, but that was expected given the fact it was long after hours and the security guards and workers had all gone home for the night.

“Nice.” Leonardo whistled, eyes going white as they scanned across the dark room. “Now this is more my style!”

The museum, despite its namesake, didn't much resemble a museum as it did an indoor playground. There were several exhibits quartered off with rope and chains; a rocket ride that resembled a better, cooler version of a coin-operated horse, a trampoline with a harness attached to a bungee cord, several displays showing off depictions of the solar system or sand dollars you could dig for in a sand pit or a small chemical set for little experiments. It was like something straight out of a child's imagination! Michelangelo had to rub his eyes several times just to be sure he was actually seeing it.

Donatello stepped in front of the awed group and gave a bow before motioning widely to the room. “Welcome, dear brothers, to the greatest place on earth if you happen to be a science child! Ohhh I’ve always wanted to come here!” Donatello practically melted, his eyes shimmering with the child-like wonder as he leaned his full weight on his bo staff. He sucked in a shaky gasp and one of his spider arms deployed to offer him a tissue. “It’s so beautiful.”

“I guess.” Raphael laughed, smiling at the sight of his brother happy as could be. “But I don’t really see how this fits our thief's MO…”

“Allow me to elaborate!” Donatello declared, spinning on his heels to face his brothers again as he threw purple sparkles into the air, “This museum of wonder and extravagance will be displaying the illusive and highly controversial trillion-sided die in their Math-mania exhibit this Saturday eve! School children from all over with come to marvel as this beautiful piece of scientific—“

“Woah woah woah, trillion-sided die?” Leonardo interrupted, fixing Donatello with his ‘I don’t believe you’ eyes, “That sounds totally made up!”

Donatello gasped as if Leonardo’s words were a personal affront. “I assure you the trillion-sided die is a hundred percent, genuine marvel of the world—“

“How could there be a trillion sides?” Leonardo asked, “Who counted all them sides!”

“T...they clearly had a highly advanced expert to prove—“

“Another question,” Leonardo raised his hand, “How big is the die? It’s gotta be pretty big to have a trillion sides.”

“I… It’s a… it’s just a regular sized die!”

“Then are the sides all like… really small or… or how did they do that?” Leonardo leaned against a wall and smirked.

Michelangelo was quickly growling bored with the argument and his eyes began to wander, searching for some movement or stimulation to keep his mind happy. What he found instead was a wet spot on the floor, and once he saw it, it was impossible to unsee it. It was like someone had been carrying a bucket full of water with the bottom full of holes, dripping it all the way through the walkway and then around a bend and out of sight.

“Guys—!” Michelangelo tried to get their attention. He was met with a finger pressed to his lips to silence him.

“Shush, Angelo. Big boys are talking!”

Michelangelo’s hands became fists and he growled. If he had been in a cartoon, steam would have poured out of his ears! But before he could try again to call their attention, Leonardo had jumped forward, leaning his entire weight on Michelangelo’s head to point.

“Hey look! A water trail!”

Raphael came over grinning. “Good job Leo! Great find!”

“Oh come on!” Michelangelo groaned loudly.

[appleebees]

MINE CRAF!! started this world a couple weeks ago? been working on it on and off because School

so this is some of my current stuff that i’m working on!! not counting the nether haha. 

 descriptions of what each thing is under the cut :p

1- Shot of my ~base~ area from the bottom of the bridge. The gay rights orbs really stand out at night, and so do the lanterns, so.... :)

2/3- Wide shots of the area!! unfortunately both cut this off, but I also have really large tree farm in the area. it’s behind a mountain :( there’s also a strip mine entrance, fishing area, and boat dock, but they’re kinda small so I didn’t get individual photos.

4- my house, specifically! that’s the outside. it’s actually hollowed from a natural structure, which you can still kinda see.

5- THE BRIDGE. it’s the first aesthetic thing i built and probably my favorite?? i just think it looks cool as hell B) idk lol

6- bottom floor of my house...it’s so small....there’s an upstairs but i couldn’t fit that picture so :]

7- my furnace pit!! its under the house in the courtyard/patio area. built it for smelting like.... 22 stacks of sand at one

8- BEACH HOUS!!! secondary location bc I was building a trident farm so. the fence area is home to a couple turtles!

9- inside of the beach house. i really like the floors. i like them so much. it’s pretty.

10- my trident farm! it’s super simple, and the most recent addition to the world. built it last night at like 1 a.m. i’ll link the tutorial i followed if anyone is interested. took so many fucking blocks ://

[yourlocalauthor]

What Comes Around Goes Around

Chapter Two: Coincidence?

Pairing: Topper x OC (eventually?)

Warnings for this chapter: Cursing, stalkerish behavior and I believe thats it?

Word Count: 2k+

A/N: Here’s chapter two! A little boring but I swear I’m building up.

Jo stared at the name flashing across her screen, her face riddled with confusion, and an uneasy feeling bubbling inside, even after her phone went dark. What was his deal? First he storms off, and then he just adds her on snap? Typical Kook mentality being an ass and then expecting forgiveness. He had some audacity, two years of shitty treatment, and just because he helped Sarah and John B, and gave them a ride, he thought he could just what? Be all buddy buddy?

“Jo, who was it?” Elle repeated shaking her friend to get Jo out of her trance.

Jo placed her phone on her nightstand, shaking her head. “No one important, go to sleep you two I don’t want you waking up at noon.”

“Yes Mom,” Jess groaned half asleep. All three girls began laughing, as they settled down into some much needed rest.

*RING RING RING*

Jo’s hand instinctively reached for her phone, hitting it until the alarm stopped. Her head pounded and she felt even worse than last night. With a groan she peeled her bed sheets off, and managed to successfully make herself get up. Fishing through her closet which was basically just shorts and bikinis. She hardly ever wore a shirt, there was just no need to when she had her bikini top on. Instead she chose to keep a few in her car, just in case she’d actually need it. She walked over to the bathroom taking a quick shower to wash off yesterday’s party. She came out of the bathroom, dressed, cleaner, and not as groggy. She made her way into the kitchen making herself a light breakfast of yogurt and granola and making her secret hangover cure. The recipe came from her mom’s boyfriend, Justin. It was a long story but basically he let her and Elle crash at his place, after one of the first parties they went to. The morning after Jo woke up with what was probably the worst hangover of her life, and he gave her the recipe.

Jo ate quickly and left the pitcher in the fridge, leaving a note for Jess and Elle and walked outside taking in the morning. It was cool, with a warm breeze, Jo’s favorite type of morning. She loaded up her gear into her truck, shutting the back a bit harder than she meant to, scaring some birds.

“Oops,”

She slipped into her truck, starting it up fast and reversing out of her driveway. She loved getting to the beach as soon as possible, before any tourists or locals were there to crowd up the parking lot, and the beach. Plus it was nice being out there alone, having her mind clear, just her, the waves, and whatever lay beneath them. The water was beautiful in the morning, the sea salt smell and cold water was the perfect way to wake her. Typically she never went alone, but with no one seeing JJ in weeks, Kiara stuck with her mom, and Heyward not letting Pope go anywhere it was pretty much her only choice. Not that she blamed any of them… they all had other things to do and things just weren’t the same. Jo turned on her radio, the sound of Ryn Weaver’s ‘Pierre’ filling her car. She pulled into the parking lot as the song finished, greeting Snappy, the toll collector, and one of Jo’s favorite people on the island. He was a fifty year old, slightly pudgy Asian man who’d been working the toll booth since forever. His name wasn’t actually Snappy, everyone just called him that because when he had just started working the booth at 19 he saved a bunch of tourists from a snapping turtle that was stopping them from getting to the beach. It cost him his pinky finger, and gave him this gnarly scar in the words of John B on his hand. John B was actually the one to tell her the story the first time he took her to this beach. Smiling sadly at the thought of her friend, Jo pushed the gas rolling forward as the gate lifted.

“Be safe Jo, the waves look a little stronger today.”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine Snappy take care.”

“I never doubted, just part of my duty to warn you. Ooh and tell your mother I said hello.”

“Will do,”

She shouted as she pulled into the nearest parking spot, laughing. Snappy was truly the best, and always let her in no matter what. Plus he was one of the few adults that didn’t seem to be bothered when she and John B and everyone else came around. At least when they used to...

Jo hopped out of her car, unloading her board and her bag, the salty air filling her lungs again. She made her way down the wooden path, of course being the first one at the beach. The beach was beautiful being the only one, not a blanket, tent, or umbrella in sight, perfection. Jo kicked off her shoes, letting her toes wiggle in the sand, setting down her bag with a dull thud on the sand. She stripped herself of her clothes, standing in her black bikini soaking in the early morning sun. She stretched out like a cat, smiling before sprinting with her board to the water. Met with warm water, setting her board down Jo began paddling out. Once she was out far enough, she stopped waiting for the perfect wave.

It was a ritual, Jo lived by the idea that the first wave would determine how good her surf would be. She would always try and wait for which wave felt right in her bones to be first, something JJ and Pope would tease her all the time for. Smiling fondly Jo readjusted her focus, trying to feel the energy of the waves. The feeling of the water rocking her, soothing her. She took a deep breath watching, until she spotted it. To the left of her, a wave had begun to form and she knew it in her bones it was perfect. She paddled over to it, and managed to catch it just in time. Pushing herself up and taking in the beauty of the moment. She was right, this was the perfect wave. She looked across at the beach, and was surprised to see a figure heading to the water. Not many people came here early in the morning, even if so they typically weren’t alone. Said person was nearing, and as they entered the water she was quick to recognize the frosted tips. Topper… Her mind thought about last night and the snap request. It was just a coincidence right? This was a popular surf spot… on the cut. But it was probably just a coincidence. She shook the thoughts from her head trying to regain focus on herself and the board. But no matter how hard she’d try to refocus, she kept glancing over at him. Her lack of focus was getting to her, she felt herself wobble and was desperately trying to regain her balance, but it was no use. She felt herself slipping and soon she plunged into the water with a loud splash. She wiped out hard, her whole backside stinging from the impact. And just as quick as she had been sucked in below, she felt two arms scooping her out. She flailed around knowing exactly whose arms were wrapped around her, sending a pit to her stomach. But the salty air began filling her lungs again instead of the salt water, no matter how badly she wished she’d be left alone. She coughed and sputtered looking up at the figure holding her. There stood Topper, holding her bikini clad body like some hero. God this was so much worse than a nightmare

“Jo are you-“

“I’m fine,” she said with a small cough, already wiggling out of his grip.

“I just watched you-“

“I said I’m fine,” She snapped, pushing him away from her. “I was just leaving anyway.” She unhooked herself from her board, and grabbed it walking as far away from him as possible.

“If you think I’m just going to let you storm off like that after a nasty wipeout you’re cra-“

“I’m what?” She said whipping around, almost hitting him with her board. “Crazy for thinking you’d leave me alone because I asked? Or do you want me to suck you off as an award?”

Topper looked stunned for a moment, mouth agape and all. “What? No, I just thought you needed-“

“What I need is for you to leave me alone,” She interjected, looking at him with fire in her eyes. “Look I’m thankful for what you did last night, but let’s just go back to before.”  She looked up at him waiting for a response, but he just stood there mouth open like an idiot. Jo scoffed turning back towards the beach, and just when her feet were about to hit the dry sand, Topper called out to her.

“Jo-“

She ignored him, marching herself to her stuff, collecting her shoes and bag and walked back up to her truck. When she pulled up to Snappy, he was quite shocked she was leaving so soon.

“Everything alright Jo? Did that blonde boy do anything?”

Shaking her head, Jo reassured the man not wanting him to worry.  “No Snappy, it’s fine. Have a nice day. I'll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay… Just if anything happened, if you’d want I can have him banned from this beach.”

“You guys can ban people?”

“No, but he doesn’t know that.” A smile tugged at his lips, as he hit the button letting the gate up for her.

“Thanks for the offer Snappy, but I’m fine thank you.” She rolled forward pulling out of the parking lot, the sound of Flo Milli’s ‘Not Friendly’ playing in the background.

It had only been a week since the beach incident, and Jo could not stop seeing Topper. He was practically everywhere, at the hotel when Jo would go visit her mother, or walking out after hooking up with a tourist, the beach when she was working, the country club when she was picking Justin up after work, and even The Wreck. Everywhere she was, somehow he always managed to be there. The last straw was when she was at the mini mart. She was picking up some food for herself after her surf, and when she shut the fridge and when she turned around, she ran into him, literally.

“Fuck,” Jo said as everything in her hands dropped, including the glass bottle of lemonade that now was shattered and around her feet. Topper was quick to get on his knees and help but there wasn’t much he could do.

“I’m so sorry, I’ll pay for it… All of it, I seriously didn’t mean to-“

“It’s fine,”. She said, kneeling down and collecting her bag of chips and granola bar.

“I’m serious I can pay for it,”

“That was never a doubt in my mind,” She said quietly, already turning around to leave.

“What?”

“Nothing, just can you stop stalking me?”

“I’m not-“

“Right so we’ve just happened to be in the same place all week? Look stalker or not, they have restaurants and mini marts on the figure eight, there’s no need for you to be around.” The two stood there in awkward silence, Jo waiting for him to speak and Topper waiting for who knows what. And just as she turned away, he spoke.

“Look Jo, I’m sorry…. For everything, and I just…. I don’t know.”

“Of course you don't,” Jo scoffed, finally walking away to the front counter. She paid, and walked out to her truck. Topper had some nerve, who was he to just try and apologize after everything? Like he and his buddies didn’t torment her and her friends for the last two years? Men had some fucking audacity that was for sure.

[seafleece]

you know, the worst fucking thing about it is she almost doesn’t. jester almost checks in time.

—

there’s a funny swirl of sensation— she thought the hand would be cold, clammy or oily, like the hair or just otherwise filthy, the kind of hand only a desperate man would shake, the kind of hand that feels like it’s knitted together with sorrow, but it’s not. the fingers are really long, but that’s about it.

the door is opening behind her, that predictable witch-y creak, and isharnai’s grin isn’t as evil as she thought it would be. her eyes dart towards the door, and back to beau, and when jester calls to her, something curiously mundane, she sinks in this huge, satisfied exhale. like she’s done. like she’s settling in to watch.

“beau, are you done yet, we—“

isharnai lets her go and she falls backward onto the floor.

—

there’s a distant yelp, and the sound of feet. isharnai is perfectly still above her, perfectly silent, her work done.

jester’s hands cradle her face, lift her up, like she had back in the cathedral.

this will be the last time, beau thinks. tries to drink everything about it in.

jester’s eyes, big and deep and purple. her mouth opens— she’s saying something, shouting something, her hands cold and curiously shaky against her cheeks, but beau can’t hear it. so pretty, she thinks, should’ve told her again. just to say it. just to know she knows.

—

“beau? beau, what happened, what did you do—”

beau smiles at her, a loose and open thing. her mouth opens and shuts again, and the look in her eyes is so warm it almost makes her forget the sight of isharnai letting go, long fingers unwinding from beau’s wrist like threads. almost makes her forget that beau’d been gripping back.

isharnai drifts over her so smoothly, like shadows drawing forward with the sunset, and she reaches for jester’s face. there’s not much she can do to fight the pull as isharnai twists her, peering down into her face with that serpentine curve to her spine, looking somehow sleepy, sated.

she’s starting to cry, and isharnai’s eyes glitter at the sight of it. she looks between them, at jester’s tail still wound around beau’s wrist, at the way beau’s hand twitches, tries to close around it, and falls slack again.

“oh,” she says. “oh, i see.”

her long, too long, unsettlingly long thumb swipes under jester’s eye, and the shadows spread from her like long hair in water. when she lets go of jester she falls, too, and the darkness creeps up from the corners of her eyes.

—

“i have to say,” isharnai says. “i did not expect this.”

—

sitting up is like pulling herself through molasses. she clutches at her head— breathing feels like fog is pouring from her nose, her mouth.

“beau?” jester stirs from beside her— she’d been on the floor when beau had fallen asleep, she remembers, the bed was gross and she’d said something stupid about the poison not being able to hurt her, but it’s not the first time she’s gone to sleep alone and woken up to jester next to her. “what’s happenin’—?”

“i—” she says. “where are we?”

jester’s eyes are open for only a second. they don’t glow so bright as molly’s used to in the dark, but she can feel them on her face before they close again and jester pulls herself further into beau’s side. her horn digs a little at her ribs.

“we’re in the inn,” she says happily, “in kamordah.” like all is well. “we’re going to mount menteri tomorrow.”

“no, i—” she pauses. “we already did that. we were just there, i—”

“yup.” jester’s voice is muffled where her face presses into beau’s back. “you messed up, didn’t you.”

it’s not a question.

“yeah.” beau laughs, pulls a hand backward through her hair. “just like always. what’s— why are we back?”

“you’re doing what you said you would. giving it up.”

“huh.” beau lays back down. she and jester don’t fit together perfectly, like the people in jester’s books probably do. she’s a bit too small in jester’s arms, gets swallowed just so if one of them rolls in their sleep. jester’s horns wake her up sometimes, sometimes she elbows jester in the stomach and jester wakes with an oof— she sees it all happening in a blur, a montage of fond imperfection. of things to miss.

“you know, you kinda sound like isharnai.”

she falls asleep again to the sound of laughter.

—

she opens her eyes in nicodranas to the sound of water on the rocks by the chateau— she’s been wading in from further out in the ocean. on the sand, jester is standing, holding a big floppy hat down over her hair with one hand and waving furiously with the other.

it’s foggy out, but she can still see jester’s cheeks scrunched up towards her eyes with her grin, the ribbons of her dress catching the breeze. the chateau’s secret little beach is boxed in by low cliffs and crawling coast plants— everything is still except for this, the others are back inside still. asleep, or preparing breakfast. they’d left this moment for just the two of them.

they did that a lot, she thinks. even nott. there are so many of these she still has to remember, still has to wade backward through.

she makes for shore, but with each step the water drags heavier and heavier at her legs, refusing to get shallower. nugget is barking and barking— he runs out toward her, into the water, but the fog is drawing down to meet the ocean until she can’t tell where one ends and the other begins.

—

“love you, jes.”

jester’s tears bleed into her vestiges— funny, how she can feel it even with the rain.

“it’s not that i don’t believe you, you know,” she says, “but do you really believe me?”

“i—”

“it’s how you show it, too.” she squeezes tight around beau’s waist, and lets her go. “it’s whether or not you act like the other person loves you, too.”

beau turns. lightning breaks the sky at last, and the thunder rattles something deep in her chest. jester seems so far away all of a sudden, tears still rolling warm and unabashed down her face. “i’m gonna try,” she says, has to raise her voice over the storm. she’s crying, too. “i’ll try to remember.”

“me, too,” jester wraps her arms around herself, preserving. “i love you.”

the storm carries the sound of it to her, even as the sky swirls black and endless overhead.

—

“i don’t think i’m forgetting everyone else,” she says, miserably. “just you.”

they’re in the cart, and jester has her eyes closed— it’s a pretty good facsimile of sleep, she’s even remembering to breathe like it, but beau knows she’s awake, knows the inside of the cart is too familiar for her to look at. a stray tear curls into the hollow under her chin.

“it’s funny, you know. i didn’t get it until just now. why it would just be you.”

“yeah?” jester’s voice scratches with disuse, with tears from earlier.

“yeah. you were what i thought of when i said i’d give it up— i thought it was the traveling part, but it was the traveling with you part all along.”

“you should have told me.”

“yeah.”

“i’m gonna forget, too, you know.” jester opens one eye. the purple is so deep it’s almost black. “i’m forgetting right now.”

“i’m sorry.”

“we will still do it, you know. what we planned. but none of us want to. something isn’t the right way, or what was supposed to happen, just because you can survive it.”

“when’d you get so damn smart, jes?”

jester laughs— a sudden bark— if beau didn’t know better, she’d think it loud enough, harsh enough to alert everyone else, but the magic on the cart keeps it in. anchors them in this sad little nest, together still for a moment. “it’s you,” she says. “this is what you know.”

“oh.”

jester’s eye closes again. the uneven rattle of pebbles under the wheels of the cart grows smoother, less distinct, a falling away of sensation.

“dairon’s not gonna know how to braid the circlet into my hair as nice as you do, huh?”

“no.” it’s a whisper.

“i hope she doesn’t get too offended when i talk about you in my sleep while we’re traveling.”

“she already knew, i think. that night in rosohna.”

“yeah, probably. i was never too subtle, was i?”

“only for me.”

“funny how that works,” and it doesn’t feel funny at all.

—

it’s getting dizzying, faster and faster— isharnai must be bored, she thinks. so many nights of them crowded together and whispering, the next little bit of one long conversation, one they never quite finished.

she sees, for the first time, the funny look jester gives her when she sneaks back into caleb’s hut after keg leaves, wary of the magic— it had been the first night they spent in the hut, and she left them. keg was lovely— is lovely, flushing bright red when she puts her armor back on and beau stirs— but peering into her face again beau thinks that she looks an awful lot like herself. sharp-edged in strange places, snapping like the baby dragon turtles the shop in kamordah somehow got their hands on when she was little, and without someone to worry her into something softer in their embrace.

—

jester beams when beau blows her a kiss in the victory pit— “this is the first time you said you loved me!” she shouts across to beau, and beau’s grin slides off her face into something brackish and cloying at her feet.

—

jester traces the blackened veins in beau’s neck when they embrace, crushingly, on the ground in the evening nip. “i wouldn’t have done this with anyone else, you know,” she whispers.

—

they’re face to face in the shitty little trostenwald inn, heads on the same pillow. jester looks so deep into her eyes she feels pinned there like an insect; she shifts, and her hips bump sleepily into beau’s.

“you’re almost done,” she breathes, sweet and damp. “one more. what are you going to do?”

beau reaches for her hand and lets the nebulousness of the memory shift to create the sensation of jester’s grip. “my job,” she says. “i’m gonna keep working. the soul needs at least one expositor on the dynasty’s side.”

“i’m gonna be so proud of you, still,” jester whispers. tears blot the rough fabric of the pillow. “even if i don’t know it.” she shakes a little.

“yeah.” beau pulls the dreamy rendition of jester’s hand up to her mouth, presses a kiss to the cold center of her palm. “me, too.”

—

jester spins her in a dizzy, joyous circle and she tries to catch her breath, afraid to hold on since her hands are still slick with snake blood. fjord pulls his falchion out of the thing’s head— the blade is almost unrecognizable, a solid, single-edged blade with no accents, no golden tinge. he can’t even un-summon it, has to sheathe it like a regular mercenary and everything.

she wants to laugh, but there’s this sick, rotten feeling in her chest. the death of something final.

“jester,” she says. “can you help me do something?”

“sure,” jester says, voice too serious for the smile on her face.

—

they kneel right there in the mud— the farmer hasn’t even come to check on them yet, and fjord just stands there next to the snake’s body, looking on.

jester folds her hands around beau’s.

“okay,” she whispers. “no promises, but he’s listening.”

she’s quiet for a few seconds.

“uh, hey. traveler. the traveler? whatever jester calls you—” she scratches the back of her neck, the unadorned back of her neck.

“i don’t know if you can even answer prayers— jester says you’re a god, though, so— but anyway. i’m scared. for me and her, and i get if you don’t care about me, but i don’t think she wants to forget me either.”

she screws her eyes further shut. “no, fuck— i know she doesn’t want to forget me, because that’s not what people who love each other want, i know— i just. if there’s anything you can do, if you can save anything, can you at least try? i want to see her again, even if i think it’s for the first time. please.”

jester squeezes her hands. “okay.”

“okay.”

“are you ready?” she opens her eyes and jester’s looking at her like she did on the floor of isharnai’s, watery and afraid and raw.

“no,” her voice is like a kick of gravel, like the backwards sandpapery drag of frumpkin’s tongue. “i’m so sorry.”

jester lets her hands go. “i know.”

and beau falls back, again, spread-eagled in the mud. the morning mist swirls heavy and fathomless overhead, and on the other side of her next blink is dairon’s face, huge and worried.

—

she turns the sending stone over in one hand and strolls off the plank, head on a swivel.

“hey, just made anchor. i’ll check back in when this stupid thing reloads, but i’m gonna take your advice and do some sight-seeing. we’ve earned it, right?”

the first thing she hears is dairon’s sigh. “beauregard, it cut out again. you have to count, remember? anyway, that’s a good idea. if i were you, i’d check out the, uh, the—” the message cuts out, and she huffs out a laugh.

then there’s a weird scuffly sound and dairon’s voice comes back. “sorry, had to steal someone’s— it’s the lavish chateau, beau, the lavish chateau. you should really go there first. like, today.”

“uh, okay?” she waits a few seconds to let the spell end, so she can mutter only to herself instead. “lavish chateau, huh, sounds kinda—”

and then this funny thing happens— it’s like getting kicked right in the solar plexus, the first place dairon taught her to stun someone. she almost pitches forward off the deck and into the shallow water of the quay.

something blurs behind her eyes— a whirl of color, the sound of the ocean, a woman singing, a room covered wall to wall in children’s scribbles. it’s like in her dreams— everything is tinged green, just so, and she just sits right down when it ends, lets her boots dip into the water.

—

the lavish chateau looks a little different than she expects— blue, almost the same color as the sky, and there are no guards out front. she stands there with the map clutched in her hands, feeling the odd need to hold tight to something, and a figure ducks out of the front doorway, leaning down to avoid hitting his head and straightening up.

there’s a long second where he and beau just look at each other, and then—

“caduceus,” she breathes, and goes running.

—

caduceus doesn’t run, but he spreads his arms out wide— still wearing that shirt with the one stupid sleeve, she sees— and lets her bull up into him.

he’s stronger than she remembers, grunts and manages to lift her off her feet, and his laugh rumbles, honey-warm, in her ear.

“beau,” he says. just “beau.”

—

he tows her inside under his arm, her head ducked low and sheepish, and she’s barely back through the door when they all swarm her.

everyone’s hair is so long— they all seem to have the same funny little crown braided into it. everyone except caleb and nott takes a turn crushing her half to death, though for their part they try their best.

“we have not seen you since the ceremony, beauregard,” caleb says. “you should have told us you were coming!”

“yeah, well,” she scratches at her neck, uses the buzz that touching the tattoo always gives her to center herself. “no magic, remember?”

“lousy excuse.” fjord elbows her. “like the soul doesn’t have a million people who could do it for you.”

“i, uh, didn’t know you guys would be here.” which is true, why the chains of tharizdun are milling around in the lobby of the menagerie coast’s most famous courtesan, she can’t quite fathom, imagines it’s for something stupid. “i’m just being a tourist, y’know? never been here before.”

everyone stops talking at once. caleb’s face sinks into its old scowl, and they sort of all collectively sink into their chairs at the first big table.

the synchronicity of it hurts— she used to feel it, too, but it’s her own damn fault, right? she gave it up. nott looks fucking stunning, though— halfling and happy and resplendent, resplendent as a dress stitched full of buttons can possibly be. she’d do it again, maybe not in a heartbeat, but again all the same.

“ah,” caleb says, suddenly gravelly. “yes.”

“hey,” she panics a little. “it’s okay, i’m here now, right?”

they exchange looks— simultaneous, again, and she aches to trade expressions in kind. to be on the same page.

“beau,” caduceus stands, puts a massive hand on her shoulder. “i think you should see the beach.”

“what? i’ve seen the beach before. i still remember being here with you guys, you know—”

“the chateau has a private beach,” fjord says. “it’s really something special. why don’t you check it out, and we can catch up when you get back?”

“uh—”

“i’ll come with you,” yasha says, and stands. “i would like to see this as well.”

“okay?” it does sound nice, a walk on the beach with yasha. they never really got around to talking, beau thinks, after they got yasha back, just sort of danced around each other. broken people broken differently, magnetized towards each other a little but never enough.

“let’s go.”

yasha links her arm in beau’s and near-marches her down the hall, to the little back door.

—

it’s weirdly foggy when they step outside— the sun doesn’t usually take long to burn off the morning sea chill, but it’s still early, she supposes.

they walk in silence, not uncomfortable but not especially calm. there’s this weird anticipatory buzz she can feel from yasha that’s passing into her.

the path is laid with this colorful little stones, flat pieces of sea glass. it’s almost childish— not in the bad way, just something she wouldn’t expect from a place like this. it reminds her of the path into a family’s backyard garden, something a child would walk with wonder.

she has the image of a little girl running, full-tilt down to the water. she’s seen portraits of the ruby of the sea, and there’s a familiar curl to the girl’s horns, the heart-shape of the tail.

“here,” yasha says, and the vision is banished. the fog is thicker still here, clinging to the sand and spreading out across the water.

there’s a dim shadow a ways away, and wouldn’t you know it, beau’s heart starts in this messy gallop that steals her breath. “i—”

she has the vague sensation of yasha pushing her forward, and she half-runs down to the water on fawn legs, suddenly wobbly.

the fog feels thicker, and thicker, until suddenly it clears.

and she’s there.

heaving with breath, the little bells dangling from her horns jingling. cheeks flushed purple almost deep enough to match her eyes.

the fog is pushed out from behind beau in this impossibly strong rush of wind, and when she closes her eyes it’s like all her dreams superimposed.

crowding together on a narrow inn bed, blowing kisses, trading i love you in the rain, tearing out onto this same beach in ribbony dresses, waking up with the slick crunching of broken glass in the belly of a cathedral and hands on her face. lying on the floor of isharnai’s hut, limbs heavy with misery and magic.

jester rushes into her like the tide, none too gentle, fully bowling her back over into the sand. before her body warms with the returned memories, before her hands can reach for jester’s face, jester’s mouth is on hers.

it’s not a particularly skillful thing— their teeth jar for a moment, and they’re both still out of breath, but the first desperate second passes and then jester’s arms slide around her waist and she sighs happily and it’s perfect, really, just perfect.

distantly, she can hear barking— nugget recognizing her, no doubt— and the crash of the waves on the chateau’s private beach, but everything beyond this feels as far and unimportant as the fog.

i remember you, she thinks, i remember i remember, i love you i love you i love you, and jester’s tears run into their kiss and they break apart so she can say it for real, so she can clear her head just enough to hear jester saying it, too.

[tsukaramachi]

Lovesick Valentine (Amir x Reader)

(The lovesick valentine for this year is Amir requested by an anon)

Gentle waves brush up against your ankles as the water climbs up onto the shore. With your hands behind you back, you admire the view of the open ocean. The clear blue skies up above you with the vast ocean beckoning you with its tranquil surface. The sand is soft underneath you and the sun’s rays caress your skin like a thin blanket. 

You always loved the ocean since you were little. Many find it enticing with the many mysteries and wonders kept down below and others fear it for how it can change any moment. But for you, it’s just always on your mind like nothing else. 

It’s charming and beautiful, yet alluring and vicious. Which is why you love it so much.

You feel arms slowly snake around your neck as you’re pulled into someone’s embrace. Looking up, blue gentle eyes look back lovingly at you. Amir’s fingers tenderly brush against your cheek.

“I see that the ocean is taking your attention away from me once again, my dear.”

“Ah sorry Amir...” you look back towards the sparking blue water, “It’s just that I’m always drawn back to it.”

While you stare at the water with your mind up in the clouds wondering what could lie in the ocean. You fail to notice the forced smile Amir kept on as he looked at the sea with you.

After spending some more time watching the water drift. Amir proposed for the two of you to go to into town. While the thought of leaving the beach pained you. The opportunity to go and see the various shops along the docks is a rare occasion for you. 

You didn’t like going into town. The busy crowds and, the exuberant shopkeepers, and the overwhelming amount of people in a big area made you feel sick. Before, you didn’t have anyone to go shopping with. You had no one to wait for. No one to browse with and no one to keep you company. But that was before you learned more about the ocean.

Now that you’re older, it’s been quite a long time since you went into town. You never needed to before for how your family would have others run errands in town and so you mostly stayed in your room or be escorted to the beach by Amir. But maybe, you’ll have fun like the others now that you have him by your side.

As you walk along the docks, you cling close to Amir. The various voices filling the air is a bit too much for you. It makes your stomach churn more when the voices of others reach your ears. You’re not used to crowds and loud sounds, so it makes you feel dizzy. You close your eyes and hide your face into Amir’s white sleeve.

You can hear him chuckle, but it’s quickly muffled. Opening your eyes again, the voices aren’t as overwhelming and they’ve become more manageable. A small smile graces your lips as you continue to walk forward with Amir as his hands stay cupped over your ears. It’s much better this way. 

As you continue to look around, out of the corner of your peripheral vision. Dazzling blue, green, and white catches your attention. On the planks of white wood, you can see the colors projected on its surface. Looking up, you can see differing sizes of bottles hung up with rope along the opening of a small shop. 

Inside, you can see that there’s various treasures within. The wooden carvings of dolphins; turtles; whales along with crates full of assorted colors of seashells draws you in. You head towards the shop and Amir follows you closely behind. 

As you take a step in, you feel the pressure on your ears release. The sounds around you becoming more clear, you feel relief wash over you as the sounds from outside are subdued. 

“It seems that no one fancies this place.” Amir steps next to your side, a pleasant smile up on his lips.

You nod, “But I do.” taking a look around the shop, you explore the items littered across the shelves up on the wall. A ship in a bottle, a painting of a might kraken emerging from a sea of storms, and dried up chunks of coral. Inspecting each one, the smile on your face spreads as you can’t help but feel like your back at the beach. But as you continue to explore the store’s goods, a cheery voice breaks through to you.

“Find anything interesting?”

A young man greets you. Black hair, tan skin, and ocean blue eyes catch you off guard as his face is centimeters away from yours. Startled, you take a step back. 

“I uhm...” it’s a struggle to figure out what to say. You start to feel nauseous in the pit of your stomach as your palms begin to sweat. But the fear holding you ceases as the young man calls your attention to a clam shaped box in his hand.

“Ah I’m sorry miss... here, please take a look at this!” he winds up a golden knob in the back of it. With care, he opens it up to reveal a small sun and moon. The two gracefully twirl around another in the center to the sweet tune that emits from the box. Behind them, a picture of the ocean’s wonders. Black silhouettes of fish flow around colorful coral as white jellyfish are scattered about. It’s painted so delicately and the details are distinct despite being so small. 

“This music box is one of my favorite items from the shop. I’ve never seen anyone so immersed in the shop before so I thought you might like it!” the man says cheerfully as he hands you the music box. The music still playing, you feel yourself drawn to the box.

But before you can touch it, the top is shut making the music abruptly stop. You snap out of the trance you were in and see that Amir has his hand on the top. 

The young man looks confused “Excuse me sir but-” 

With closed eyes and a small smile, Amir cuts him off.

“I’m sorry but it looks like it’s time for us to leave. My lady has had quite enough troubles to deal with today.”

You feel yourself be pulled back by Amir’s arm and his hand rests firmly on your shoulder. He bids the man a good day and ushers you out to the front door. When you look back, you can’t take your eyes off of the music box in the man’s hands.

---------------------------------

It’s been a couple days since your trip into town. After leaving, Amir has had you kept in your room. But you don’t mind for the big window facing towards your beloved ocean is always open. 

A few knocks come from your door and Amir walks in. With a hand behind his back, he walks over to you and sits next to you on the soft sheets. As your occupied staring out the window, he pulls you into an embrace. 

“You know my dear, it’s Valentine’s day and I’ve gotten a surprise for you.” he pulls back and hands you a sky blue box encased by a white ribbon topped with a white bow, “To show my love to you.” 

You take the silk ribbons off and open the top of the box. Your eyes shine as you take out the clam shaped music box you saw from the man before. Brushing your hand over it, the smooth texture soothes you. Turning it around, you wind up the knob in the back and face the music box towards you. 

The top opens and the same small sun and moon begin to twirl, but a horrible twisted tune creeps out from the box. Your brows furrow as the music grows louder. It sounds ominous and the lullaby like tune is replaced by a rotting melody. The sun and moon begin to slow down and stop in place, but the haunting music continues to play. 

You feel uncomfortable by the music box. The sick feeling from before arouses in you and you cover your ears. It feels hard to breathe and your head feels dizzy. But before it can utter out another sickly note. Amir closes the box and tosses it onto the floor. With a swift graceful stomp, he brakes the box and the music stops.

The sick feeling is still present within you. It’s hard to think and you don’t like the strange feeling in your chest. 

As you continue to hold your hands over your ears. Amir briskly walks over to the window and closes the curtains. Your once bright room is now dimmed from the lack of sunlight. With a small shut of the window, Amir goes over to you and wraps his arms around you. Gently rocking you back and forth, he continues it for the next ten minutes as he hums a small lullaby of his own to you.

It’s the same tune he always hums to you when you feel ill and it never fails to calm you. After you feel better, you free your ears and listen to what he has to say.

“Oh I’m so sorry my dear. I knew that small shop we visited enchanted you. So I went back and bought you that music box from the young man. Ah, but it seems like it’s gone bad hasn’t it? How silly of me to buy such a wretched thing.” Amir says as he pets your hair softly.

“Forgive me my dear. If I had known that it would croak out such an ugly tune, I would’ve gotten you a better present...”

A frown hangs on Amir’s lips as he lays his head on top of yours. No longer feeling sick, you now feel troubled by his sad expression. You don’t wish for your dear playmate to feel sad because of something so small. Nuzzling your face into his chest, you hug him back and hum him the tune he had sung to you earlier. Rocking back and forth like the oceans waves, you try to comfort him the only way you know how. 

---------------------------------

“How adorable you are my dear...” brushing his fingers against your cheek, Amir cradles you in his arms. You had fallen asleep while you comforted him and seeing you rest peacefully in his arms is the most beautiful thing in the world. 

“I wonder what you’re dreaming about my love...” he looks up at the white canopy with a smirk across his face, “I do hope it’s me. The thought of something else invading your mind is quite annoying, but I’ll keep those thoughts at bay for you.” 

Looking down at you, he smiles as he thinks about how you’re his alone.

“Oh my dear sweet love. I’m sorry I have to expose you once again to those unpleasant bottom feeders.” He chuckles out a low sickly laugh, but it doesn’t wake you.

“Ah I love you so much (Y/N). You know, I’ve always been jealous of your adoration for the ocean. You find anything about it fascinating just as much as how I find you intoxicating. I can never get enough of your pleasant scent. I’m drawn to your form where ever you go... but I hate how you look at the ocean as if you’re in love.”

He grits his teeth.

“You always gaze at it so longingly...yet I’m right here. Don’t you know I was made for you? I exist only for you but the ocean seems to always clog your thoughts.” 

Holding you tight, his form begins to tremble.

“Why must something so endless cloud your mind? I’m unable to get rid of it like I did with the others. But maybe that’s the charm I see in you. As you fall more in love with the ocean’s mystique. It makes me want to make you mine even more. My body, mind, and soul are all for you yet you choose not to explore them.”

He sighs as he stares down at you.

“I try so hard to make sure that you only enjoy the things I know that are suitable for you. I can’t have you being drawn to others and it helps that you’re slowly getting used to it. Ahaha~ you can’t help but rely on me when those ugly feelings begin to creep in, but I love it so much. I just can’t get enough of you and knowing that you need me more just makes my patchwork heart overflow.”

Leaning down, he inhales you scent.

“One day, one day (Y/N)...I’ll make you sink down into something more wonderful than the ocean’s depths. I want you to drown in this love that I harbor for you. So that you can never escape and no matter what happens, you won’t reach the surface. It excites me to think that one day this will happen and when it does...”

He leans down and plants a kiss on your forehead.

“We’ll be trapped together and forever. Soon my love, you’ll be bound by the red strings that draw me back to you~”

[dxsole]

@rcppled​ | Liked For A Starter

He refuses to budge. People have started to complain that he can’t just sit in the middle of some prime real estate on the beach and expect others to just walk around him— but he did. And he would whack anyone that dared to try and make him move. His insistence and refusal to move is much like that of a cranky child. “It isss the turtle.” He begins to explain to the first sensible person who has decided to ask why he won’t move.

“I wasss asssked to watch her young.” Between his criss-crossed legs was indeed a disturbance in the sand, a small pit with sand-covered eggs laying within. “I have been ssstationary for 14 sssunrisesss now— I will not be ssswayed.”

[acelikesturtles]

“Ice Cream Sunday”

Prompt: Depression Comfort One-shot feat. Olivia & the Turts

Warnings: Lots of internal reflection about depression and mental health stuff. Also there’s like one curse word, maybe more, I don’t remember??

Word Count: 1,783

A/N: The formatting on the original post got royally FUCKED as always and near gave me a heart attack when I realized what I did. Hope you don’t mind @dw-im-just-sad​! I also hope that there are sunnier days ahead for you, I too have been struggling with a depression episode recently (which is part of why the drabble for this prompt is coming in a little later than I’d have liked it to), so I definitely know at least some of the feeling. <3

Lazy Sundays were normally pretty good in Olivia’s mind.

The lack of obligations, the peace and quiet paired with the promise of a more fun night ahead when the boys got finished training or doing whatever it is they did during the day. Today’s Lazy Sunday didn’t feel as good though, if anything it made her feel worse the more that she was a part of it. Staring up at the ceiling of the lair, her mind felt simultaneously numb and tired while still managing to be alive with an uncomfortable amount of unaddressed emotions.

Aside from the laid back bliss that came with a Lazy Sunday, this was supposed to be her happy place. Although the initial experience of the stench when she came in was (and always would be) unforgiveable, her nose became adjusted to it until it was practically background noise amidst the experience of being with the turtles. Their little home environment was always so loving and warm, a spot where she could escape or run away from a world that felt so harsh and anxiety-inducing and instead surround herself with people that eased her into smiling even when life was at its most difficult.

Even if the lair was usually a safe and happy place for her, it didn’t mean that it cancelled out the rest of her own very prominent emotions, particularly right now. Reluctantly, Olivia had to admit that this was probably her depression again, baring its teeth and looking for a fight that she didn’t have the energy to start. It wasn't like it ever went away when she met the boys, if anything it just enjoyed burying itself like an ostrich in the sand when they were around before pulling its head back up when they weren't. It didn’t quite like company as much. After all, it was infinitely easier to take her down when she was alone.

Blinking slowly, she recognized that while there may not have been one singular reason for the depression to start bubbling up, its persistence despite her attempts at distracting herself from it probably meant that it would be there to stay for a while, or at least until she found a big enough distraction to offset the emotions and the experiences. The boys had said they wanted to run a movie marathon once the day’s activities were over, so that would probably help. Or at least she hoped it would.

Olivia ran her hand down her face and let out a deep and shaky breath. The weight of her own emotions started nudging her closer to tears, and she gave in rather reluctantly. She tried to be quiet, only letting one or two tears out so she wouldn’t break into a full out sob. This wasn't the place to cry and be sad, this was the party pad and nobody cries when they're in the party pad, Mikey had said it himself one time.

Right as she was about to get up off the couch she had been curled up on to get herself a glass of water, her eyes quickly met with Mikey's. He was hovering over her now, a few beads of sweat on his forehead running down the side of his face. Their training session must have been particularly brutal today if even Mikey was sweating. Normally that was reserved for Donnie, he tended to get winded a little bit faster given the brutal workout routine Splinter kept them on.

"Are you crying, dude?"

"No," Olivia said defensively. She sat up so she wouldn't have to feel like she was under a magnifying glass quite as much as she did with Mikey peering down at her from over the back of the couch. "I'm tired, that's all."

"Nah, nah, dude you were crying, I can see it in your eyes they’re all red and stuff," Mikey seemed really insistent with one hand reaching for and firmly grasping her shoulder. His face seemed more empathetic than it did confrontational. "What's wrong? You can talk to me."

"I-"

A jumbled mess of every last thing that had ever felt wrong or ever been wrong throughout her entire life flashed in front of her mind. It wasn’t like one specific reason stood as the answer to why she felt like this, it was more like an unfortunate combination of it all that left her drained, and had been leaving her drained for years now. She frowned, then looked down at her jeans and began picking at the worn frays of denim at the bottom of her pant legs. Talking about it would just get complicated, especially to Mikey. He oozed pure light and joy almost all the time, would he really understand what this kind of thing felt like?

"Seriously Mikey, its not that bad, just feeling kinda off I guess. I'll be okay."

Mikey narrowed his eyes at her before thrusting himself over the back of the couch and onto the cushions to join her. Clearly he wasn’t buying it. “Its okay to cry, I do too,” He said softly. His own openness to admitting his emotions was remarkable seeing as . “He wouldn’t wanna admit it, but Raph does too at those puppy commercials.”

“ASPCA Ads.” Donnie interrupted through a sigh. He had been sitting in his desk nearly the entire time, typing away at something important while monitoring the security cameras. As for how he managed to get out of today’s training, she didn’t know, but he at least had seemed to be enjoying his little vacation time away. He got up from his chair and plopped himself down criss-cross on the floor in front of them, whispering, “Sometimes we gotta flip the channel cause he gets all worked up seeing them. But you didn’t hear that.”

Olivia couldn’t help but smile, even if it was just a weak smirk that tugged at the corners of her lips. That sounded like Raph alright, the boy had a soft spot for pit bulls and other big tough seeming dogs and seeing them suffering in kennels all alone would probably pull at every last heartstring he didn’t even know he had.

“I better not have heard you say what I just think I did.” The now looming shadow over her spoke. She turned her head and saw it was Raph, who only peeled his eyes away from Donnie for a moment to look down at Olivia. Suddenly the thought of beefing with Donnie outside for embarrassing him didn’t seem as important to him once he caught sight of her puffy and reddened eyes. “Are you crying?”

“Fine.” She gave in. “Yeah, I am, but its fine, seriously. Don’t worry about it.” Olivia sighed. “Sometimes I...I don’t know, I just feel like this, no reason to worry.”

“Nah, I ain’t worrying, just wanna make sure its not because of one of these two knuckleheads.” Raph responded coolly before shoving at Mikey playfully and pushing him off the couch so he could sit. “Why are you feeling like that though?”

“I don’t know,” Olivia sighed. “I just do sometimes. It doesn’t really ever go away, just subsides for a little while."

A couple moments of silence filled the air, only punctuated by the sounds of Leo's footsteps as he joined the conversation and sat down beside Donnie. "What's going on?" He asked, looking from brother to brother.

"Olivia's been feeling super sad and its bumming her out." Mikey answered, rolling onto his back.

Great. Now everybody was on her case. Olivia braced herself for the long and draining conversation that was bound to be ahead about why she was actually sad and why she had depression when her life “wasn't as bad as some other people”. She had heard it all before and none of it helped, it only made her feel worse, like she was a weight that everyone else was forced to carry.

"Is there any way we could help?" Leo asked. His expression seemed genuine, as if he was coming from a place of understanding rather than judgement. As her gaze drifted over each brother she noticed a similar strain of understanding and friendly compassion behind their eyes (except for Mikey, who was still laid back on his shell waving his arms back and forth as if he were making snow angels.) Even the usually closed off Raphael, who seemed particularly invested in what she might suggest.

Olivia didn’t really know what would help if she was honest with herself, but maybe there was some merit behind the thought that their genuine desire to help her could take the edge away for the time being or push her out of the storm clouds she had been sitting under. Her gaze once again drifted across the room to each turtle, hesitating to answer as she parted and closed her lips again. What would help?

“I don’t know.” She answered truthfully, feeling a little embarrassed at her own lack of an answer yet again. There had to be something, she just didn’t know what it was, couldn’t place her finger on it. Crawling out of one of these depressive episodes was a process, not something that happened overnight.

“That’s okay!” Mikey said, now sitting back up and pointing a set of finger guns at her. “We can help until you do know.”

"We could all use a little company when we're not feeling good." Don smiled.

“Not going anywhere until you’re feeling better.” Raph nodded in agreement.

Small waves of relief washed over Olivia’s body. The numbest parts of her mind began to feel a little more warm and relaxed. The turtles didn’t know the full extent of how much their friendship meant to her, or the positive effect they had on her most crushed and beaten down psyche. Despite maybe not entirely understanding, they were still able to offer a hand out in peace, something that reminded her of why she so often called the lair her second home. This was a happy place, a party pad, a place to have a good time like Mikey always said. But Olivia saw another side of the lair too now.

This could be a place where she was able to cry and feel her emotions while still having a support system at her side by the end of the day.

Although she still felt pretty shit, Olivia finally had something on her mind that she felt like could help her, even if it was just a little. “Movies and ice cream.” She said softly, rubbing her puffy eyes. As Mikey excitedly got up to fulfill the ice cream part of her request, she shouted after him.

“Two scoops!”

[rabbitcruiser]

International Mud Day

Participate in a Mud Run, join or watch some Mud Wrestling, or just get out in the dirt with friends or family and let loose by getting messy and having fun.

Mud. It seems like a nuisance, doesn’t it? As soon as it rains, mud is everywhere, and it literally gets all over everything. There are definitely no benefits this slippery, sticky dirty substance could offer, right? Wrong. And the creators of International Mud Day are out to prove it! After all, mud is quintessential to the outdoors, and the outdoors mean fresh air and exercise, two of the best things for people. And so what if we get a little dirty? Plenty of research has shown that coming into contact with a certain amount of bacteria is good for us, as it helps build up immunity, as opposed to living in a virtually sterile environment, which makes our bodies very vulnerable. Not to mention how many minerals mud can—there’s a reason why people pay hundreds of dollars for mud masks and baths at spas. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get dirty!

The History of International Mud Day

The creators of International Mud Day wanted to find a way to help all of the children of the Earth feel closer to each other…and what a better way to do it than through the Earth itself? International Mud Day began in 2009 at a World Forum event, when Gillian McAuliffe from Australia and Bishnu Bhatta from Nepal got together to talk about ways to encourage feelings of community and appreciation for the world around us. The collaboration that followed has inspired educators, children,and families across the globe, from Holland to Nepal to the United States, to celebrate International Mud Day together each year on June 29. Regardless of age, race and religion, covered in mud, we all look the same!

How to Celebrate International Mud Day

There are countless ways to celebrate International Mud Day, but all of them have one thing in common: you have to get dirty. This day can be especially fun if you have children, because who likes to get dirty as much as children? One of the most creative and fun activities that would be perfect to do on International Mud Day is making mud sculptures or mud cakes. It’s easy to adjust the consistency of the mud you’re using by simply adding a little more earth or water, so it should be easy to make what you want to make, while enjoying plenty of carefree laughter and quality family time in the process. Yet another easy way to enjoy this day to the fullest is to make a homemade mud pit using a blow-up pool. Not only is this cheap, but it also makes for a truly unique experience. All you have to do once you’ve bought a small blow-up pool is fill it with mud that can easily be filled using a mixture of earth and water that your children can then splash around in. Just make sure that you’re prepared to throw out your their clothes once you peel them off, because there is no way those clothes will ever get clean again.

After all, as American botanist Luther Burbank said,

“Every child should have mud pies, grasshoppers,water bugs, tadpoles, frogs, mud turtles, wild strawberries, acorns, chestnuts, trees to climb. Brooks to wade…bees, butterflies, various animals to pet, hayfields, pine-cones, rocks to toll, sand, snakes and hornets; any child who has been deprives of these has been deprived of the best part of…education.”

Source

[keeroo92]

Beach HC’s

A quick dose of beachy headcanons for your enjoyement :)

Dante

The beach? He’s so in! He’ll grab his trunks and a pair of sunglasses and be ready to leave in five minutes flat. He cracks a few jokes about seeing you in a swimsuit but you can tell from the sparkle in his eye he’s genuinely excited.

He takes full advantage of the opportunity to rub tanning lotion over your skin. His fingers skim over you, paying special attention to your shoulders and legs. You can’t help but blush as he rubs up your thighs, winking at you and humming suggestively. You promise yourself you’ll pay him back later.

Surfing? Hell yes! He’ll rent a pair of boards and show you the ropes, coaching you until you ride your very first wave. After that, it becomes a race to see which of you gets to the wave first. He lets you win a few rounds, keeping a close eye on you just in case.

Watching him surf is a thing of beauty – his hair blows out behind him and his smirking whoops make you laugh. After a while he starts doing stunts, showing off with glee and shooting a silly face your way during the more complicated moves.

He challenges you to a sandcastle contest once you start to tire, running to the surf shop to get some buckets and shovels. You glance at him as you work on your own creation to see a look of total focus on his face, his hands as careful as they are on your body as he builds a miniature motorcycle, complete with a gas cap. You concede to him and he claims his prize – your lips.

His stubble tickles your chin and sandy fingers pull you closer. You can smell the sea water on his skin and feel the strength of his body as he pulls you down onto the blanket. Even though he doesn’t do anything explicit, you’re still a panting mess by the time he pulls away with a roguish gleam in his eyes. He gets no complaints from you as he packs up, smacking your ass on the way to the car; a promise of how he’ll fully claim his prize when you get home.

Vergil

He’s not keen on the idea until you mention you’ll wear nothing more than is absolutely necessary. At that, his eyes light up with curiosity and he sets aside his book and leads you to the car.

His hand rests on your knee through the whole drive, a subtle twist of his lips the only outward sign of his interest. You can’t resist teasing him and reach out to muss his hair, laughing as he growls at you in annoyance. You tell him it’ll get messy on the beach anyway and he sulks, knowing you’re right but still grumpy.

You duck into a changing booth and don your beach clothing. The twitch of his hands and the bob of his Adam’s apple are all the signal you need to know he’s enjoying the view when you rejoin him. He’s in a pair of board shorts that match his eyes and a light t-shirt and you whistle at him approvingly.

He’s not one to lounge in the sunlight idly and takes you on a leisurely stroll down the shore, looking for shells. You find a particularly shiny one and present it to him, much to his restrained delight. To anyone else, he may seem bored by the trinket, but you spot the sparkle in his icy gaze and know he’ll treasure it.

The tide pools are his favorite part. He can barely look away from the assorted crabs and barnacles, poking an anemone after some prodding. He chuckles at its instinctive retreat and brings your hand to join him, sharing the strange texture. He presses a kiss to your forehead as you pull away and you bring his knuckles to your lips in reply.

Somewhere in the rocks, he finds a discarded hermit crab shell and he promises to make it into a necklace for you. It warms your heart to know he cares enough to create something just for you and you lean into his shoulder, wrapping your arms around him in a hug. The two of you spend the rest of the day side by side, roaming the beach until the sun sets.

V

He’s curious – he’s never been to the beach before and smiles gently at the idea, leaving whatever task previously held his attention behind. You make sure to slather him in sunblock before you even leave the house, knowing how easily he burns. The markings on his skin wiggle at your touch, the same way they do whenever he particularly enjoys contact.

Soon enough you step onto the sand and watch his reaction. He wiggles his toes in the warm granules, eyes wide and wondrous as he stares at the ocean. He comments that it’s much bigger than he imagined and pictures simply don’t compare. You take his hand and lead him forward, giggling at his childlike awe.

It was already late in the day when you arrived and you quickly claim a firepit, arranging some choice driftwood as seats as he scavenges material to burn. He settles in between your legs and watches the sun set over the waves, humming his pleasure as you play with his hair. He’ll kiss the inside of your knees to show his appreciation.

He starts the fire as the last few rays of light vanish and chuckles as you pull a bag of marshmallows from your oversized beach bag. You show him your well-practiced technique of continuously rotating the sugary treat, but no matter how hard he tries he can’t seem to keep it from catching fire. Luckily, he likes the crunch of the charred sugar. Soon enough, he has his own method of lighting them and blowing out the flames before it’s too late.

You take turns feeding each other toasted marshmallows, but watching his lips close over the morsel is too much. He teases you mercilessly, moaning around the sweet flavor and deliberately licking the sensitive tips of your fingers until you can’t resist and lean in for a sugary kiss.

He points out his favorite constellations in the star-strewn sky and you pick a cluster and name it after his favorite poem. No matter how many times he tells you its real name, you refuse to call it anything else until he surrenders to your will. He covers your shoulders in a constellation of his own design, and soon enough you’re too busy gasping beneath the lanky poet to care about the stars.

Nero

You don’t warn him, instead pretending you’re taking him out to eat. He barely pays attention as you drive to the shoreline of Fortuna, only catching on once you take the last turn into the parking lot. His stomach rumbles and you smirk, handing him one of the sandwiches you brought for this exact reason. You wolf down your own serving almost as quickly as he devours his own and chuckle at the crumbs on his shirt. He blushes and looks down as you brush them away.

Once his hunger is satiated, you lead him to the surf shop to rent two pairs of snorkels and fins, grinning at the look of confused surrender on his face. As always, once he’s fed he’ll go along with whatever you have in mind.

You wade into the shallows after a quick change and dive in right beside him, paddling out to what looks like an interesting area. The water is so clear you can see the rocks below and you point out a school of fish to him. His gasp of enjoyment echoed up the snorkel and he took the lead, his clever eyes picking out every creature and pretty shell with ease.

His eyes light up when he spots a turtle and you can’t help but laugh. He takes your hand and drags you after it, following with a respectful amount of distance. It traces a meandering path for an hour before it finally notices its audience, darting away to hide faster than the pair of you can follow.

Another few hours pass and you return to the beach, returning the rentals just as the shop starts closing up. You lead Nero to a secluded section of sand and together, you build a hideaway from the driftwood. He digs a shallow pit to give you more room and you wiggle your way inside with a laugh.

You can barely see his blush as he joins you, forced to hold you extra close in the small space. It gives you the perfect chance to tease him, running your hands across his muscles until his flush reaches his pecs. Your bodies work together to displace even more sand, deepening your fort in a symphony of subdued moans.