#Walnut Stash Box

[bzzbox]

The Timeless Appeal: Wooden Stash Boxespen_spark

Wooden stash boxes offer a classic and functional way to store your valuables. These handcrafted containers come in a variety of types, each with its own unique benefits.

One popular option is the traditional wooden box. Often made from durable hardwoods like oak, walnut, or mahogany, these boxes provide excellent protection and a touch of rustic charm. For a touch of disguise, book-shaped stash boxes blend seamlessly with your bookshelf, offering ultimate discretion.

Wooden stash boxes boast several advantages. Firstly, wood is a natural and eco-friendly material, making it a sustainable choice. Secondly, the inherent durability of wood ensures your belongings are safeguarded for years to come. The natural properties of wood can also help regulate humidity, which is ideal for storing certain items.

Perhaps the most appealing aspect of wooden stash boxes is their timeless aesthetic. The rich wood grain and classic designs add a touch of sophistication to any room.

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[silvaswiftcast]

Fluffvember Prompt #12 Sweet

Characters: Silva Cataracta, Ricmorn Cataracta, and Hien Rijin

Rating: Mature

Notes: It was only a matter of time before smut found its way to me during this challenge. Sorry, not sorry! Words contained in [brackets] are in another language, in this case, it's Doman.

Content Warnings/Additional Tags: Polyamory Relationship (V Relationship), M/F/M Relationship, Mentions of Alcohol/Drinking, Food, Suggestive Themes, Mild Sexual Tension, Food Play (not too sure about this one, but better to be safe than sorry!), Groping, Biting/Marking/Hickies, Heavily Implied Threesome.

Silva quietly hummed to herself as she went over her ledgers for the selling stalls in Kugane and Ul’duh she owned with Ricmorn, her eyes drinking in numbers and lists of goods currently in and out of stock. She’s been staring at them for well over a bell now. Her mind performing mental leaps as she tried to figure out what both stores needed over the coming weeks and write the ideas down in a different tome. The sound of the fire crackling in the fireplace and the murmuring and chuckles from Ricmorn and Hien nearby drowned out the scratching of her quill pen scribbling across the thick parchment. Almost beckoning her to join them at last.

She could envision herself settling between them. A glass of chilled, bubbly wine or Hingan whiskey in her hand, falling into conversation with them as if she’d been listening the entire time.

Though she longed to join him and Hien on the other side of the room, this task needed her full attention. But gods, she wanted nothing more than to ignore these ledgers. Maybe she should have taken up Ricmorn’s offer to do them in her place…

She fought back a sigh, annoyed by the fact she was only halfway through her bookings and by the amount of crafting she would have to do over the coming days. This restocking would eat through most of the extra items she had off to the side. A supply she thought would last for at least another month — or two, if she were lucky. Luck, on the other hand, was laughing right in her face.

Fuck. Great. This was exactly what she needed right now.

Quickly losing motivation to continue looking at the numbers and lists, Silva reached for her bag resting on the floor. She dug through one of the many pockets, searching for something she had stashed away for later. A quiet, happy trill rumbled in her throat when her fingers found the box, pulling it out of her bag before resting it on the floor again. 

“Aha!” she grinned to herself.

She set the small box of assorted chocolates on the desk, opening it with nimble fingers. It took her a moment to decide on which piece to eat — there were just too many choices! Perhaps the chocolate filled with rolanberry creme? Or the one with thick, sticky caramel? And there was the one with the salted walnuts in the center… All were excellent choices.

No. None of those would do.

Silva picked up the milk chocolate truffle — one of her favorites in this box. She quietly undid the colorful crimson foil wrapper protecting the shell of the delicate treat before taking the truffle between her fingers. 

And tossed it into her mouth.

A pleased hum escaped her when it hit her tongue, instantly melting in her mouth. Her long tail swished against the wooden floor as she savored the sweetness, her mood boosting with each passing second. Gods— this was exactly what she needed. It was almost a pity that the treat was gone so soon.

She dragged her tongue across her lips, licking any remnants that might have lingered before turning her attention to the smears of chocolate on her fingers. Thinking nothing of it, she brought them to her mouth, licking the first one clean — completely unaware of the hungry eyes watching her. Silva did the same with the second one, leaving it free of melted chocolate.

It was only when she went to clean her third finger that she paused. The loud growls from the other side of the room drew her attention. 

“Silva,” Ricmorn warned, his voice sounding strained in her ivory horns. “What are you doing?”

The thrill of delight shooting up her spine made heat pool in her lower belly. “What do you think?” she replied, shrugging. “There’s chocolate all over my fingers.”

“And you didn’t think of any other way you would clean them?”

How dare his playful teasing sound like temptation. And while she was trying to do her bookkeeping?

“I’m not wasting perfectly good chocolate like that!” she laughed, ignoring how the heat in his gaze made her heart flutter. She knew by the smirk on his face he had an idea of how he was affecting her. “Not to mention these were expensive.”

“We all know that’s not an issue for us, [wildflower,]” Hien quipped, setting his empty glass down and rising to his feet. “Between Ricmorn and I, you could have all the sweet treats you want.”

She hummed. “I could, couldn’t I?” The Au Ra flashed them a bright smile full of fangs and teeth, batting her eyes. “Or you two could make a sweet treat out of me instead?” she suggested.

And then she locked eyes with them as she put the last finger in her mouth, making a lewd show of sucking and licking the digit clean. When she pulled it out with a wet pop, her lovers descended on her like hungry predators.

Bubbly giggles shook her as their eager hands roamed wherever they pleased, palming at her breasts, coaxing her thighs to part for them — not caring if she still had on clothes. It wouldn’t be long before they tore them from her, anyway.

“I think that sounds like a perfect plan, darling,” Hien rasped beside her horn. She didn’t get a chance to respond as his lips found her neck, sucking a dark mark into her skin.

“How about you say fuck to peering over these ledgers so we can fuck you instead, my dear?” Ricmorn questioned. He grinned wickedly when she mewled as his fingers made their way up her skirt, brushing his fingers over her clothed sex. “I can promise you that our cocks are better than numbers.”

Silva couldn’t help but agree with the idea of ignoring the ledgers in favor of being spoiled by her two lovers instead.

[greengoddesssupply]

Photo submission from our Green Goddess Supply family! If you have a photo of our products in use, send it over and let us know if you want to be tagged or not (we respect discretion). This is our walnut sifter box / stash box. Grind up and store your flower in the top, collect kief in the bottom. #sifterbox #shakerbox #pollensifter #kiefsifter #kiefcatcher #kiefbox #pollenbox #pollentray #kieftray #trichomes #gethigh #stayhigh #dankdivas #stonersdaily #dabbersdaily #420women #terpenes #710nation #thehighsociety #weedandwomen #cannabiscures #fatnug #dank #nug #nugs #mmemberville #weedporn #kief #weedmob #WeedLovers https://www.instagram.com/p/CpNfmWPO8v6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bzzbox]

How do I choose the right wooden stash box for me?

Take into account the following elements when selecting the ideal wooden stash box for you:

Size: What kind and quantity of goods are you going to keep in the box? Select a stash box that is big enough to fit everything you own, but not so big that it will be hard to hide or move.

Locking mechanism: Is it necessary to safeguard your valuables? If so, go for a locking stash box or even a combination lock that has a strong lock and key mechanism.

Compartmentalization: Does your stash box need to be used to store and arrange various items? If so, go for a stash box that has several separate compartments. This can help keep your stash apart from other materials like lighters and rolling papers, or for storing different kinds of cannabis.

Style: Are you looking for a stash box that stands out or one that fits well with its surroundings? Select a stash box that blends in with your interior design and style. There are numerous designs to choose from, ranging from elegant and striking to modest and uncomplicated.

Here are some more suggestions to help you select the ideal wooden stash box:

Examine how well-made the wood is. Seek for a cache box constructed from premium woods like walnut, rosewood, or mahogany. The wood ought to be flawless and devoid of flaws.

Think about the workmanship. Seek a robust and well-made stash box. Hardware like latches and hinges must be fastened firmly.

Examine reviews. Examine other customers' stash box reviews before making a purchase. This might assist you in determining the box's quality and whether it satisfies other users' needs.

Buy here - https://www.thebzzbox.com/collections/bzz-box-collection

[starglitterz]

watching horror movies together

feat; hu tao, scaramouche, xiao x gn!reader

warnings; modern au, mentions of jumpscares (not described in detail), not proofread

a/n; my contribution for @favoniuscodex's fall festivities writing collab! ty axia for hosting this, and it was rlly fun to write for :D !! also this is kinda a new style of post formatting ?? idk either way i hope u all like this hehe, and happy early halloween ! <3

please reblog ! it helps a lot :)

snacks ;

— HU TAO eagerly brings all sorts of sugary foods out, from biscuits dusted in swirled icing to cupcakes with hidden jelly centers, to chocolate from your favourite store, to candies tucked into vibrant wrappers - the list goes on and on. when you tease her for having such a sweet tooth, she grins playfully and replies that she's only trying to replicate the sense of how sweet you are, and if her flirtatious answer prompts heat to rush to your cheeks, her grin only widens more. if you bring walnuts to snack on, HU TAO will drape herself dramatically into your lap and whine about how she's being replaced by a nut, and complain loudly, asking if she's supposed to organise her own funeral now.

— SCARAMOUCHE claims that he doesn't need to eat saccharine foods, as all they cause are cavities, but you'll catch him sneaking candy from your stash far more frequently than his earlier dismissal of sweets suggests he should. he'll bring his own box of popcorn and hoard the entire thing, though if you ask nicely and look at him with in his words, 'those damn puppy eyes', SCARAMOUCHE will groan and grumble about it but still share the food with you. he secretly blushes when your hands touch while reaching for it at the same time, and he thanks the archons that all the lights are off so you can't make fun of him.

— XIAO does not eat these type of junk foods at all, as he's only partial to the dreamlike taste of almond tofu. therefore, if you're planning to have a cute moment where the two of you share food, you're going to have to prepare beforehand. when he shows up with the movie and sees that you've cooked for him, a red flush begins to creep up his cheeks, and he'll mumble out a thanks with his head nuzzled into the crook of your neck. he's more than willing to share it with you, XIAO is already so grateful that you actually made his favourite food for him, he'll be like putty in your hands for the rest of the time the two of you are watching the movie together.

how they sit with you ;

— HU TAO always has to be in contact with you somehow, so she's either sprawled across the entire length of the sofa, taking up all the space, or she's lying with her head in your lap as if your thighs are a pillow for her. if you lean down and play with her hair, HU TAO swears her eyes will turn into heart emojis right there and then. the chance of you being able to continue the movie after that is extremely low, because she'll lean up to pepper kisses across your face and distract you the rest of the time.

— SCARAMOUCHE will purposely sit at the other end of the couch at first just to be annoying, which he obviously succeeds at, but throughout the movie, he'll slowly inch towards you until he's so close that his shoulder presses against yours. it's just to pretend you didn't notice, though, because if you bring it up, SCARAMOUCHE will launch into a whole tirade about how he, the sixth of the fatui harbingers, would never do something which insinuated that him, of all people, is madly in love to the point where he desperately wants to feel your warmth beside him. spoiler alert: he does.

— XIAO will lie down on the sofa, stretching like a cat first. his head reclines on one of the pillows, his arms open for you to snuggle into his torso so he can rest his chin on the top of your head. his fingers will intertwine with yours comfortably on your stomach, arms wrapping around you tightly as if to protect you from the monsters of the film. XIAO only hopes you don't notice how much his heartbeat speeds up from your proximity, and during the scary parts, because otherwise that would totally ruin all the respect you had for the adeptus.

their reaction to jumpscares ;

— HU TAO bursts into laughter, clutching her sides and giggling so much she nearly falls off the sofa. tears of mirth even begin to form in her scarlet eyes, and when you confusedly ask what's wrong, she'll say, "woah, that was a good one! they almost got me there! although i have to wonder if their special effects team is even trying... maybe i should pay them a visit! i'm sure i can show them what ghosts are really meant to look like." HU TAO will also then start discussing how to make film directors purchase her special offers from the funeral parlour.

— SCARAMOUCHE screams, and it's surprisingly high-pitched compared to his usual speaking voice. if you tease him about it, he'll claim, "you're hearing things, idiot. why would i, the balladeer, be afraid of a mere prop? see, look, i can prove it- AAA! no. that wasn't me. i think the neighbour's cat is in a fight or something." SCARAMOUCHE will deny it until the day he dies, and if his arm slides around your figure to reassure himself that you're alright, that's fine with you, isn't it?

— XIAO tenses up, but only for a split second, as his muscles relax the next second once his brain processes that it isn't a real threat. his grip around you will tighten slightly, and you'll hear him breathe a little quicker, but once you turn to him with a worried expression, he smiles at you softly, amber eyes gleaming, "i'm alright. it's just a movie, after all. i've seen much worse too, so this doesn't phase me." XIAO spends the next few minutes trying to calm you down after you freak out over him saying he's experienced worse, but he'd be lying if he said he doesn't appreciate you worrying for him.

when you get scared ;

— HU TAO pulls into her lap, arms snaking around you and tugging you into a super warm and comfy hug. she rubs her cheek against yours, and pokes the other side of your face in an effort to get you to smile. "y/n, you've explored wuwang hill with me, and that makes you braver than 99% of liyue's population! to me, you're already fearless, so don't worry about being scared of just a silly movie, alright?"

— SCARAMOUCHE gives you a sort of weird side-eye when he notices you're getting nervous, but he doesn't actually say anything until you finally ask him what's up. when he realises he's been caught, his face turns tomato red and he hurriedly says, "i was just checking on you, dumbass! isn't that what boyfriends are supposed to do?! i just don't want you to be scared! hmph, fine! you can come over here and cuddle if that'll make you feel better."

— XIAO pulls you impossibly closer to his chest, his silent presence and warmth comforting you and chasing away your fears. he kisses the top of your head lovingly, and whispers, "it's okay to be scared, y/n. i'm a yaksha, i can protect you. just remember it's only a movie, okay? then maybe you'll feel less afraid."

after the movie ;

— the pair of you end up falling asleep together on the plush sofa, limbs tangled up in one another's reassuring embrace. even if there were any nightmares which dared disturb your slumber, the presence of your partner beside you easily warded them away, instead allowing mr sandman to fill your dreams with happiness instead. one thing's for certain, though; watching horror movies together definitely needs to become an annual halloween tradition.

quill speaks !

i actually don't have much to say im so tired KKAKFKSKDN i just hope u all enjoyed this hehe :> it was actually very funny to write 😭 except my xiao characterisation died bc i projected onto him sm /hj anyways i love the three of them sm they r my beloveds <333 OKOK gn now & wish me luck for my chem test tmrw !!

taglist (open) ; @kazuwhore / @ayra2452008 / @mooscutely / @simplyxsinned / @chichikoi / @keokomi / @genshiningg / @hqrbinger / @lilikags / @hushyouu / @the-gayest-sky-kid / @thalia-prior-of-ravenclaw / @almondoufu / @xiaoxiaoo / @cruxdou / @mayple / @test-tube / @yeetmeoffjueyunkarst / @keiq0 / @solar-shatter

© starglitterz 2021. do not repost or modify in any way.

[thekushtrain]

Extra Large Stash Box With Lock and Key

[luninosity]

Time for the second-to-last @whumptober2020 fic!

This one’s for theme 27 - OK, WHO HAD NATURAL DISASTERS ON THEIR 2020 BINGO CARD? for the prompt Power Outage. It’s also a present for a friend, who asked if I could write Leverage OT3 fic for her birthday-present - I’ve never written Leverage fic before, but I do love some good Eliot/Parker/Hardison, so I’ve tried!

#

They’re in the middle of watching Ratatouille, because Parker’s never seen it and Hardison likes Pixar and Eliot can quietly critique animated knife skills in his head but say nothing, when the power goes out. There’s a crash and a boom of thunder and a whip of wind, rain hammering down, and just like that, snap, it’s all dark.

 “Oh man,” Hardison says, “oh, come on, no,” and he’s sitting up and reading for a laptop or two as if that’ll do anything, dislodging their comfortable pile of lounging bodies and blankets and a popcorn bowl flawlessly balanced on Parker’s knee.

 Or he would be disrupting it all, if Eliot hadn’t expected the motion, hadn’t moved in turn, catching the bowl, shifting to redistribute weight and free a blanket. He sets the bowl down as his eyes adjust to the dark; he’s always been good at seeing in it, though of course they’re all three not bad at that. Good at improvising, adapting, new environments.

 Parker, distressed, is on her feet. Even in the dark she’s quick and feline, poised to move. “Who could—”

 “—find us here?” Hardison checks the battery on a phone, sets it down, gets up as well: catching her hands as they move, offering reassurance and being reassured in turn. “Nobody. I swear. This’s our place. I’ve got that taken care of.”

 Their place. Their home: the three of them, when they’d become a them at last. Eliot can shut his eyes and recall with perfect clarity the way Parker and Hardison had shown him around, so excited; the way he’d smiled and tried so hard to be excited for them, for their life together, the happiness they deserved, while he’d known he’d be the one leaving and walking away into the cold, leaving his heart with both of them, knowing they’d never know, and that’d be fine, he could live with that as long as they were happy, he could take anything if—

 He can recall the way they’d each taken one of his hands, and the way they’d leaned in to kiss him, easy as breathing, easy as if it could all be simple, easy if he could believe they had room to spare for him.

 This is your home too, Parker had said, eyes wide, surprised that Eliot hadn’t understood this: we found it for us. And Hardison had reached out and drawn him close, and Eliot had gone willingly, because they wanted him, because he didn’t believe it, because they wanted this here and now and he’ll always say yes even if they’ll look at him in the morning and say that was enough, curiosity satisfied, time to go. He’ll say yes to them even if it kills him.

 He’s somehow still here, three months after that.

 He gets up as well, now, in the dark. Parker’s pacing and irritated; none of her best acrobatic skills are of use here, nothing to steal or dare or leap from. Hardison’s annoyed at the power outage but coping by talking to her and checking all his backups and complaining about the timing and the lack of ability to see.

 That, at least, Eliot can do something about.

 He leaves them to find balance in each other; he has a number of various types of emergency stashes hidden in multiple places around the house, most of which Parker and Hardison know about, some they don’t. He never wants to be unprepared; he never wants to be unable to defend them. He finds candles, real and LED; he finds flashlights, and battery packs, and, after a moment’s thought, some chocolate.

 He catches them both looking at him, and then at each other, when he comes back into the living room; he says nothing—no need; he doesn’t need comfort, he’s just fine if they’re also fine—and only starts setting out candles, lighting them, turning them on if they’re artificial.

 Light blooms through the darkness. From tabletops, shelves, the fireplace, kitchen counters. In white and gold, honey and amber, warm and soft and clear and bright: shades of illumination sweep out and curve into quiet safe globes and spheres. They push back the dark, befriend it, share the night: layers of luminosity, brighter and dimmer, overlapping.

 He sets out a few battery packs in case Hardison needs them. He crosses over to them, or a few steps away, and offers the box. “Here.”

 Parker takes it. Opens it. “Magic chocolate! You found it in the dark!” The small shiny truffles beam up, bathed in candlelight.

 “When’d you buy chocolate?” Hardison takes one. His eyebrows go up. “You got the good kind, too.”

 “Made,” Eliot says, not offended but with an odd little feeling in his chest, a pang that’s not really hurt. “A while ago. Just practicing. There’s some with orange zest, some with pink pepper, some with walnut cream.”

 Hardison looks at him for a minute. Light caresses his cheekbone, the side of his face, the tilt of his head; Eliot wants to touch him. That’s just a want, though, no practical reason; no invitation, anyway.

 In defiance of the want, he says, “I can make a fire, too. If it’s gonna get cold. No telling how long it’ll be out.”

 Parker licks chocolate from a fingertip and looks up. “He didn’t mean he thought you didn’t know how to make chocolate. He meant these are really good.”

 “I know,” Eliot says.

 “Eliot,” Hardison says.

 “I can get more blankets,” Eliot says, “too.”

 “Come here,” Hardison says, and that’s somewhere between an order and a joke, the kind of flippant banter they toss back and forth without thinking; but it’s also the tone that means this is important, you need to listen, something might blow up if you don’t, so Eliot finds himself taking a step that way without thinking, because he trusts Hardison and Parker without hesitation, no matter what might explode.

 Rain drums across the world, over rooftops and streets and balconies. Eliot’s never liked fighting in rain. Too slippery. Unpredictable.

 It’s not bad, sometimes, for concealment. The noisy sheets of water can hide sound and motion, and that can be an advantage. Of course, it’s an advantage for the other side, too.

 Hardison puts an arm around him, folds him in close. The gesture’s fluid, natural, no hesitation about affection. Eliot leans into it because he can’t not, just for a second.

 He’s allowed that much. They’re all comfortable with each other; they have to be, in the field, and they relax that way as well.

 On the couch. In the bed. Because he’s somehow been invited in, touched and kissed and made to feel pleasure, because they asked.

 Someday they’ll stop asking, stop wanting. He gets that. He understands. He won’t ask for anything more than they give.

 But here and now the world’s full of mingled light and dark, and Hardison’s body’s solid and strong and firm, and so Eliot does let himself lean in, a moment like the balance of candlegleam and shadow, suspended between realities. He’s cared for them, the people he loves. He’s found them light and warmth and sugar. That’s all he needs, really. He’s good, knowing that.

 “Eliot,” Hardison says again, and sighs. He’s tipped his head to rest against Eliot’s; his breath brushes Eliot’s hair. “I can hear you thinking about what else you can do.”

 “Someone’s gotta be the competent one,” Eliot mutters. The joke’s half-hearted, and they all let it go.

 Parker slips up on his other side and puts an arm around his waist and one around Hardison’s, which means they’re all now randomly standing in the living room holding each other. Eliot should move, should go check a circuit breaker or make that fire or keep a guard on a window in case this wasn’t a random outage. He doesn’t need comforting.

 He doesn’t move.

 The rain pounds harder over glass windowpanes and roof-tiles and the wood of the balcony railing.

 “We know you love us,” Parker says, eyes all earnest, face all honest. She doesn’t hide from saying it, blunt as ever. “Why don’t you know it? About us?”

 “Because it’s tough.” It’s Hardison who answers, hand touching Eliot’s face, cupping Eliot’s cheek; and Eliot should run, should back away, should take himself out of this circle of affection before he breaks it with clumsy strength and fists and brute force…

 He still doesn’t move.

 “We love you.” Hardison uses the hand to tip Eliot’s face up, and kisses him: a kiss like security, like certainty, like commitment to a plan. The kiss tastes like chocolate and oranges, and Hardison’s mouth’s warm and commanding, not aggressive but confident in the claiming. Eliot does not tremble, because he doesn’t, but it’s so close to everything he wants, too close to fracture-points and breaking joints—

 Hardison draws back. Searches his face. “Eliot, we love you because you’re you. Because you’re the one who always has our backs—”

 “Or our fronts!” Parker adds brightly. “Or our sides, or—”

 “—and you jump in and fight for us, you take hits for us, over and over. And then you come home when we ask, and you find candles when we’re both busy complaining.” Hardison touches Eliot’s mouth, this time. “You know you don’t have to earn it, right?”

 “I’m just here,” Eliot says. “I’m just trying to make everything, y’know, good. What I do. Hit things, fix things, cook things.” Hardison’s fingertip’s distracting. It taps him on the nose, almost a scolding, then brushes his cheekbone, the spot where his eyelashes land when he blinks, the corner of his eye. He absolutely does not want to cry, to beg for more touches, to ask for more words that hold promises.

 “Sometimes, yeah. You do all those things. You do them all for us.” Hardison glances over. “Parker, help me out here.”

 She bounces up to kiss him, swift as a sparrow. Then says, “Tripods are more stable.”

 Eliot blinks. Considers this.

 “Wouldn’t work as well without you,” Hardison contributes. “All three legs. Holding us up. It’s not the two of us plus you, it’s all three of us. Otherwise we’d tip over.”

 Parker makes a gesture that Eliot guesses is meant to illustrate a loss of balance, and agrees, “Boom.”

 “So you get it,” Hardison finishes. “We love you. And you love us. Here, have one of your awesome chocolate things.”

 Eliot starts to protest. Finds himself being hand-fed a truffle, because Hardison’s still holding the box.

 It’s pretty good, he has to admit.

 “Okay,” Hardison says, “come on,” and walks them all back to the couch, and gets them arranged: Eliot squarely in the middle, lying down, being cuddled by them both. He could fight, could resist, could use physical hard-won training to remove himself from the spot.

 They drape arms and legs and body weight over and around him. It’s nice. Grounding. Tangible. His heartbeat steadies. His toes feel warm.

 He dares to wrap an arm around Parker, to hold Hardison a little closer, in turn.

 “Yeah.” Hardison sounds pleased. “Like that. We got you, okay? You don’t have to do anything. You let us do this, right now.”

 “You’re our Eliot,” Parker says, and feeds him another chocolate. This one’s got a hint of pepper, smoky and sweet, and it leaves heat and sugar in his mouth. In his gut. In his chest. A pooling glow.

 The couch is large and sturdy and doesn’t mind holding all three of them as they tangle themselves together. The rain purrs and leaps, cleansing the night. The power might be out for a while, but they’ve got candles, and back-up generators, and batteries, and blankets, and each other.

 They do have each other. Eliot has them, and Parker and Hardison have him too, and so maybe, maybe—

 This can work.

 Tripods are stable, after all.

 He has to clear his throat. “Wouldn’t, um. Wouldn’t want you to tip over. Without me.”

 Parker’s hand strokes his hair. “You won’t let us.”

 “I won’t,” Eliot tells her, tells them. “Never. I’d catch you.”

 “Yep.” Hardison slides a hand under Eliot’s shirt, resting over his stomach, skin to skin. It’s not sexual, not now, at least. Only intimate. Purely present. Feels good there. “We know you would. So let us catch you, too, all right?”

 It’s hard but it’s also simple, effortless, a choice that’s not one. This is right; this feels right. Eliot knows about instincts. And he believes—beyond any doubt—that these two, his partners, will catch him.

 So that’s the answer. It’s the only possible answer. It’s a loosening, an acceptance, sweet as adrenaline and relief. He starts to say, “Yeah,” and barely gets the first sound out before Parker kisses him, and then Hardison kisses him, and together they taste like chocolate and warmth and balance, held secure between the couch and their bodies and golden light and falling rain.

[blankdblank]

Hobbit Soulmate Pt 40

“Time to celebrate with food,” your dad said easing the book in front of him shut glad he at least had the figures for a rough estimate on how much wood in each type you’d be wanting. “I’ll take these back down and get the meat ready for the burgers.”

“Oh I’ll have to get some stuff,”

“No hurry,” he said lifting them all as you eased back on your heeled wedges and collected your bag on the way out joining him on the trip down the stairs to share what you’d told him you’d like for flooring, the islands and shelves to settle those plans for the installation right away.

Once in the cool air again you turned for the market and at the ring from your phone you pulled it from your pocket seeing Liv’s name on the screen.

“Hey, thought you were still on your honeymoon.”

“Barbados was lovely. I’m so sorry you had to work.”

“That’s ok I’m glad you loved your destination wedding.”

“Well we just got back in yesterday morning, how have you been? You’re still in Canada right?”

“Well I’m in New  York this week dad got nominated for an MTV award so I’m going with him.”

“Oh that’s amazing! We’re going too! We can have a get together after, at least a dinner.”

“Ya, sounds great hear a good chunk of the guys and Peter will be there too for their noms.”

“So what have you been up to in the city? Wandering again?”

“Dad actually set up a tour of a brownstone for me, put down some money on it and got the keys.”

“That’s so incredible, I want to know everything!”

“Well it’s five stories with the basement level, eight bedrooms seven bath,”

“That is huge compared to mine, did you get a good deal? Mine was nearly a tear down had to gut the whole thing.”

“Well the old tenant trashed the place and the landlord had been doing some repairs replacing a bunch after my dad sort of reserved it for me by putting some of his money down. Took out some walls to make more living room, space for the kitchen and an actual dining room. And it needs new floors and cabinets but the plumbing and wiring and heat, ac and fireplaces have been fixed, water heater and I think he said they redid the roof too when they had to fix a beam up there. So it’s rough but it’s so pretty in my head. And it has the cutest guest bath on the main floor under the stairs and all these arches and beams through the house.”

“Aww, I love my guest bath too and the beams always add great character to help if you go the classic look. You have to show us all after the show. Give us the full tour.”

“Ok, should be fun Dad’s talking to the Landlord now to set the floor appointments. Is it weird that I want carpet, everywhere I go they always talk nonstop about their wood floors but I really want some carpet.”

“Not at all I love the carpet in my bedroom and on the second floor. Oh this is so much fun, we can swap stories when you get done with this show and I can help take you shopping if you like to decorate. So much fun.”

“Yes, might take a while though, Rich is glad I’m interested in making my own home here that we can share but I don’t want to make it too much mine, you know?”

“He’ll love anything you do with it as long as he’s got his space he can explode in as he likes.”

“Well there’s this kind of cute open study on the top floor by our bedroom I was gonna give him to have all his for his pacing or rehearsing or whatnot. And I can take the little strip of a room on the main floor behind the stairs for a sort of library reading nook.”

“I love it already and I haven’t even seen it. You got a good price on it?”

“1.5 mil, everything else on the block is three plus. It was more till it got trashed.”

“No judgment there I thought mine was a horror show. Especially the basement, right out of a horror flick. But the bones were so beautiful. I know it’s terrifying having your first grown up home I was your age roughly when I got mine, and trust me it is worth it.”

“Well it will be fun to show off and I can stash your wedding present there for when we get there.”

“Oh you didn’t have to get me anything.”

“Yes I did, couldn’t just leave the poor thing on the shelf when I saw it.”

“I can’t wait.” She heard the mingling of voices while you approached the door to the store and asked, “Are you in the subway?”

“No, heading to pick up some things for dinner. Dad said he wants burgers. Have the meat just need some sides.”

Her doorbell rang and you could hear her move to climb onto her couch to peer out the front window at the door to say as her hubby got the food from the delivery boy, “Perfect timing here’s our dinner too. I’ll let you hunt for food and see you tomorrow, Love you hun.”

“Love you too,” you said, with her hang up signaling you to close the phone to pocket it again.

A circle of a display of canned sauces drew your focus to the hatted man with camera hanging against his belly that moved from tailing you at the sight of towards Nicholas Cage on his way to scout for something down the grocery aisles. Looking away you continued on to pick out some barbecue sauce knowing you were out along with ketchup and some pickles you added to the basket you’d tucked in the crook of your arm. Buns were added as well and you were off to the noodles. A pasta salad would be simple to go with some potatoes and veggies you were off to get next over macaroni you didn’t want to make from scratch right now as the boxes were all gone. French fries were still locked in your freezer with the frozen meat patties so you were good there.

Aloofly again your eyes scanned over the display of corn looking less than top of the line to pick from and with bag in hand you lifted your first choice turning it over only to hear, “What are you doing here?”

The tone of harsh superiority scolding of an assumed inferior let you know just which idiot the familiar voice belonged to, Adrien Brody stood on your left in a focused stare down at you and adding the corn to the bag. You said, “I feel like this is a trick question.”

“You really have to come here to shop in Lower Manhattan?”

“Ya.” You said turning your head to the corn selecting another to twist on the bag you added to your basket to move onto the potatoes baffling the actor even more.

“Honestly there’s nowhere else you can shop? This is where I shop.”

While you grabbed a bag of potatoes you replied, “I should warn you there’s a strong policy against people urinating in public places this place enforces should you be trying to mark it like a tree.” Towards a teen worker being shouted at you walked with eyes narrowing at the man who felt he had the right to shout over nothing.

Adrien scoffed following after you at a distance. Then watched as the man turn clearly recognizing you, “When are you going to get some decent help here?! I’ve been trying to tell this little illegal here that I’m looking for the chocolate chili powdered mixed nuts in the blue Planters tin with cashews and walnuts, and clearly this concept is just beyond his grasp!”

Splotchy in what food based Filipino you knew around the brand name you translated for the teen what the guy wanted and the teen scoffed saying in English, “Why didn’t he just say that?” Turning to head to the wall where the display had been moved, not twenty feet from the now red faced man. “Shout about illegal, I’m from Boise.” He grabbed the top tray with a flat expression returned allowing the man to promptly grab his four tins and turn to the registers to flee while you shared an elbow bump with your former coworker that turned to put the tray back.

Continuing on you went to grab some cheese and sour cream with Adrien again at your side, “Do you now him?”

“I trained him,” You said glancing up at him, “Worked here for years, if anything you’ll have a hard time having me barred from your tree, Cupcake.”

“Not a cupcake.” He looked to his basket, “Maybe then you’d know where they’d be hiding the lemon juice.”

“Juice aisle,”

“Looked there,”

“Top shelf by the sparkling cider and the glass apple juice jars. Try tilting your head back, I know, foreign concept for you possibly from your altitude.”

In a disbelieving tone he said, “Fine, I’ll humor you, but if it isn’t there I win.”

“What do I get if I win?” You teased and he huffed turning to check your guess for the location. While the cheese was found and passing the aisle you caught his glare at the juice right where you said it’d be and smirked on your way up to the registers.

Glancing down the register aisles for who was working you picked the one you knew would have the least trouble with your produce and waited. Four people were in front of you while in Adrien’s approach to the line on your right with two people he smirked your way assuming he’d picked the faster path home until his face dropped at a voice asking from behind you, “Miss Pear?”

A smile eased across your lips in a turn that once you saw who was behind you, Nicholas Cage stood with smile spreading recognizing your eyes right away, “I thought it was you by the cheese. My old lady must have seen your movie nine times in theaters while I was off filming, pinned me down when I got back to watch it on tape, it is fantastic.”

“Thank you,” You said with grin creeping wider awkwardly.

“Almost didn’t realize you with your hair different, and she didn’t believe me when I said you used to work here. You have any other roles for the hair change?”

“Ya, filming in Canada, finishing it up next couple months after this week off. Tv show set a couple years out, have a mini series on BBC set to be out next year, then I’m going blonde for King Kong.”

“Really, I hadn’t heard that. I bet it’s going to be fantastic. After the Beast I can’t imagine you couldn’t wow in anything. I’ll keep my eyes open for your name, now if you’ll excuse me I have to hunt down someone to grab me a balloon.”

“Ooh, um, the red headed guy in the soup loves the balloons, least pops out of the guys here.”

“Soup aisle, thank you. See you round.” He said hurrying off to go hunt down the balloon guy to add those to his bouquet of flowers he had clearly planning something big.

Smiling to yourself you turned to see Adrien with his brow raised at you, “Oh you know that was cool. Your just pretending to hate me. I’d be happy for you if you were in my spot.”

He shook his head and stepped forward with his cart to what he assumed to be his sign he’d leave first only to watch the people in front of you get rung up quickly once the receipt roll was swapped out. A glance past him showed the woman on the next register clearly scouring her purse for more funds she didn’t have and sigh realizing she’d have to choose what to pull off the receipt to fit her cash in hand. Soundly her sleeping baby in the carrier inside the cart showed why the young woman was struggling. And once you accepted your large paper bag your cashier watched you fold the bills you palmed to make them wrinkled and passing him Adrien watched with lips parted still being rung up at your faked dip between her cart and the register to lift extending the bills. “You dropped this, Miss.”

A wave of relief washed over her face in her smiling turn to the cashier, who smirked to herself having recognized you and this trick you’d played more than once before even when it was the last of the funds you had to the name back when you worked together. “Thank you, so much. Must have slipped right out, darn broken zipper.” Out you went not lingering in the moment as the actor had assumed any person might, to make a show of themselves saving the day to gift funds to someone in need. Simply alone now save for his circling thoughts he waited to be rung up so he could head out to his flashy car and drive back to his penthouse apartment in an area with far more expensive shops that drive him here for a bargain.

You had beaten your Dad back and getting the fries started you began to cut the rinsed and peeled corn from the cob to heat up along with the noodles you put on to boil next. In a spicy chili of sorts your own take on pasta salad came to life and widely grinning while you set that aside to cool your dad came in breaking out the patties he thawed in a move to the fridge earlier to use your ridged skillet to cook them up.

Breaking the content silence you voiced a thought you didn’t know when to say, “I’m going to need a list of all the light bulbs and filters. And candles for when power goes out, with matches.”

Lowly he chuckled, “I will have that readied for you by the time you get back. Along with a list of some small things you might also need to get started out.”

Moving each cooked patty to a plate off to the side sharing how the job was settled for the following week to tear up the wood floors and by the time that was done the tiles and carpet would be delivered to be installed the following day. Until then the team in charge of the shelves would be out the day after you’d flown back with the wood you wanted he would ensure was right up to par with the designs you had drafted up.

This was his baby girl’s home and he couldn’t be prouder at how you’d earned the funds for it and had taken charge after a timid blink of a moment to get what you wanted set to come to life. He couldn’t wait for Richard to get back out here to help you furnish and paint this monster of a home and get to settling knowing just how he’d love to have a beginning here too. You shared similar tastes and even without his input he knew as long as you were here Richard would feel at home.

The apartment had been good to get used to one another better. But if he was to have grand babies there would need to be some space to allow them to be made and to grow. And if you were to be climbing five flights of stairs he wanted it to be inside your own home with ample places to curl up in between if you were too tired to get up to the top floor. Most of all he wanted this to be perfect to help bolster your courage that you could succeed, you were new and knowing how famous actors knew your name and liked your jobs you’d chosen he wanted that to be common and not an out of place thing. Beast of Bards had done that, you had splashed onto scene and now the world just had to catch up to how indescribable you are.

After the meal was eaten and cleared it was time to bed so you’d be rested for the awards the following afternoon.

.

‘Hello Neighbor’ was the tagline for the story playing on the news blasting the news of your tour of the brownstone beside Keanu’s apartment with a picture of your meeting. Emphasized estimates of the block average price were given you might be dropping after the huge success Bard had grown to with an added note that the film had flown off the shelves with several stores on a backlist to get more copies in at the demand.

The anchor stated plainly that you must have made a killing with your previous films and were set to make even more with Kong when it did come out with a brief mention of a ‘project’ you were working on out in Canada currently. Concluding that you were a star to be reckoned with and weren’t going anywhere close to having Beast be a one time fluke for your success on film.

Over your breakfast plate your fork hovered as you said, “All that coming from the show that passed me over to interview a monkey handler.” The statement earned a chortle from your dad already having been smiling at their raving review on you.

“What else is on your mind? I can tell you’re deflecting.”

In a glance over at him you asked, “What do you think about a pirate ship chandelier for a nursery?” That had his grin easing out, “Mom made Peter Pan sketches you hung for mine, we haven’t talked babies seriously, but we have room, and I think the room by the back left corner on the third floor would be a good one.”

“I think that’s a great idea. Do you want me to talk to Rich about babies?”

“It’s not something that we plan on soon or right away, so maybe get the chandelier and just, sort of leave it open for when we need it. We don’t need to go buying a crib he just proposed I don’t want to-,”

“You are not going to scare him away. There is nowhere far enough he could hide from me if he tried. He wants a family told me so, it’s not an easy talk, your mom and I never had a talk, just sort of woke to her passing out on her way to get some grapefruit. You were a remarkable surprise and it was instant nursery planning and no complaints when I came back with armfuls of soft plushy Peter Pan decorations, nice and neutral. I think maybe you could do a mural or two across the wall and he might take the hint, sort of a future possibility room, some cubbies and built ins the mural and chandelier, maybe a rocking chair or loveseat.”

“Thank you.”

“You are so very welcome, babies always come to mind when houses come up.”

“I do want them to know the ranch too.”

“They will, and England, give them a nice round view of the world. Have about five years to think on which country they’ll go to school in, that’ll be a big one. But take your time, maybe it’ll be a job deciding it all.”

“Should we get barn door gates for the stairs like at the ranch?”

“We can, be prepared, even if to just keep guests out. I’ll be glad to handle that for you.”

“I would say glass ones but I can only think of things going badly with that.”

“Oh yes, not safe, and metal ones would only encourage hands to go through only welcoming injuries or attempted break outs.” He said with locked smile glad to have a plan started for the future grandbabies and their intended floor.

“I also have to figure out where the furniture from Canada is going, mine is kinda clear not much to move.” Glancing between him and your plate you asked, “How long do you think it’d take to fix it up?”

His smile came out again, “It is mostly cosmetic once we get the floors handled, island installed, counters replaced and shelving and cabinets in again. We could move in as soon as we pick the appliances if you like. L said you could still keep the apartment as long as you wanted till you felt ready same as Lee, who I know would be glad to have a home out here especially after his surgery scare.”

“I can always ask, his Agent’s trying to get him to the West Coast though for roles.”

“Boy can fly,” making you smirk, “Lord knows you do enough. Least this way he’ll have a room to come back to when he isn’t drug off home to Oklahoma. He’s not vanishing either under my watch he’ll come back if he does try to head off.”

You nodded and said, “Well either way won’t be long till I guess I’ll be back and trying to figure out how to share the place with him. I don’t know how it seems like sometimes I’m so ahead of the game.”

He smiled reaching over to pat your free hand resting on the table, “You take after me, Pumpkin. He grew up traveling while you grew up working the land and grinding hard to the ground for what you want. You have confidence in your ethic he’ll master over time. I felt the same over my younger brothers when they reached 18 and weren’t ready to jump to dad mode like I had, people vary but the influence of those around us help to build us up. We’ll get him there, he’s still young and learning. Plus you can’t forget with grandparents like yours you had a huge head start on working with producers, instructors and near to unreachable expectations. I am so proud of you for that, and I am glad I could have managed to grant you a childhood too before your battle of wills kicked in.”

“I wish you could have had one.”

Deepening his grin, “I did with you. Working with you is, profound. Honestly, I was a bit confused why you wanted to perform, I never doubted you or thought yourself out of bounds talent wise, but just the drive, but working with you I saw it. We taught you to read and opened doors to so many worlds and now you share stories with people bringing them to life, it’s infectious. There’s a bit of a time machine effect where you get to go back in time almost. And somehow I managed to get an award for being big and menacing, never thought I’d get that.”

“You have to tell me though, how jealous are the uncles?” That had him laugh out loud.

“Impossibly. The kids love the award shows and will brag forever that we’re gonna be there for them and their friends to watch.”

“Well shouldn’t be long now for them, takes a bit to get there.”

“Nope, and I can break out my suit to match your fancy dress.”

.

Again in your bathroom with the mirror you eyed the pale blue silk gown with golden panels on your hips feeding from decorative seams to accent your figure on the chunky strapped design smoothing your hands down the sides smoothing a wrinkle out of it. Without the fur wrap the last touch was your shoes, the tall black shoes Jen had helped you to buy with several straps from ankle to the start of your toes, one at a time in your lean against the counter they were put on adding a good help of inches lessening the pool of silk around your feet. Out you went to find your dad waiting with tie fixed into place smiling in his look over the skirt of your dress gauging how likely you might be to trip as he always did. At the call from your arrived driver downstairs a black clutch was grabbed and down you went.

All through the drive you held onto his arm resting over your legs in his try to calm him down by chatting. The carpet however managed that a tad better as your friends from Hugh Jackman to both Jens, Ben Affleck, Colin Farrell, but most especially your friends from the trilogy who all took their turns hugging the both of you and adding you both to more group shots like those you took with your other friends on the way inside. Briefly to his shock Adrien spotted you and your massive shadow casting father through the entrance pictures. Once you went in you found yourselves far from him, tucked on the end of the aisle in the square of seats for the trilogy stars. All chatting until the auditorium was full and the show began.

Breakthrough Female came first with Hugh Jackman and Famke Janssen coming out to present it. For Daredevil Jennifer Garner won and you clapped along with the crowd.

Queen Latifah and Adrien Brody came out next and to the sight of the same guy who had been bothering you, softly you sighed through the raucous greeting that died down as the names for Best Kiss nominations were given. Spider-Man’s Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst at their naming came up to collect their golden popcorn bucket statue while your friends in Daredevil Ben and Jen G’s relaxed at not having to go up to stay with their partners they’d rather cuddle up to and steal quick pecks on cheeks from. Avoiding having to fumble who makes the speech or what to say about their on stage kiss on the spot.

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence were next out for presenting Best Comedic Performance, that Mike Myers accepted for Austin Powers in Goldmember.

Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett called Kirsten Dunst up again for another win for Spider-Man for the Breakthrough Female Award.

Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell were up next to name the winner of Best Fight. And with the crowd you cheered for your not present friend, Christopher Lee who won with Yoda from his role in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. A representative came out from the Star Wars film who gave a quick thanks and went back to his seat for a quick shift to the next award.

Beyoncé and Johnny Knoxville next named Breakthrough Male, accepted by Eminem for 8 Mile.

Mark Wahlberg and Mýa came out next to introduce Pink for her performance of Feel Good Time. While she performed your dad leaned over to chat quietly with you at his nerves amping up again after hearing from Jen in her trip backstage that the award was up after this performance.

Ashton Kutcher and P. Diddy after the darkened pause of the stage approached the mic stand to name those nominated for Best Villain. Again Mike Myers was up with Colin Farrell, Daniel Day-Lewis, Willem Dafoe and your dad in a good mix from comedic to sinister Villains.

“And the winner is,” the pair together spoke while P. Diddy opened the envelope to say while Ashton’s fingers shifted around the popcorn statue. “Joe Pear!” Smiling widely you giggled and hugged your dad’s arm pulling him from his moment of shock and you saw the camera men step back in the aisle angling the camera to get his rising body to stay in the frame. His seat on the aisle kept you from having to tuck your legs out of his way and clapping and giggling to Viggo’s comment leaning in from your right you watched him stroll up onto the stage where both the men straightened up and peered up at the stunningly tall man over a head taller than the both of them.

In accepting the award your dad moved closer to the mic hunching over the podium to be closer to the mic stand. “Um, thank you for this award. I never really saw myself acting, in the audience yes, but starting over in films after a long time apart I get to work with my little girl, and it’s the most phenomenal job I could have asked for, so it means a lot to have had so many people who enjoy a film we worked so hard on. This is going up on the wall back home next to her awards while growing up.”

To the applause when he straightened up he glanced at the pair of men who hinted he had to go through the back of the stage causing him to glance your way. A silent signal that had you giggle and gather your skirt to sneak to your feet and slip into the aisle to stroll to the stage. That had the duo around your smiling dad smirk watching your smiling path to his side with eyes shining in the lights along with the giggling smile matching his widening one that even in your lightened hair you still his mini twin. His hand extended and at his side you moved folding yours in it to show him through the process of the mysterious back as well as you could guess at not being back there yourself either.

For those not among the cheering crowd grew quieter to the signal of the switch of award presenters only to be joined by the rest seeing who it was, the main focus was the vast difference of height accentuated by your 5 ft 2 in self over a foot and seven inches shorter than him even with six inch heels.

Best Trans-Atlantic Performance was next with David and Victoria Beckham pitting Orlando and Colin against one another while your dad handed over the award being told that his engraved statue would be delivered to the ranch address he gave them. A few questions were asked backstage lasting long enough for Colin, who won, to join you both there.

Soon to be joined by Viggo and Orlando who accepted the award on Peter’s behalf for the Best Action Sequence presented by Paul Walker and Tyrese Gibson for the Battle of Helms Deep scene in The Two Towers.

Sharon Osbourne next introduced 50 Cent performing "In Da Club" / "Wanksta". Both of which providing cover for your slip back out to your seats.

Jason Biggs and Alyson Hannigan presented Best On-Screen Team. Won by Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, and Andy Serkis. That pulled them from their seats for their own interviews backstage while you nestled against your dad’s arm at his pleased mood from his and your friends’ wins. Waiting for the day his award would be mailed off, beyond eager to hear that it had arrived at the ranch.

Kate Hudson and Luke Wilson presented Best Virtual Performance that beating out Scooby Doo, Kangaroo Jack, Dobby and Yoda Andy came back to the stage at Gollum’s win.

Amanda Bynes and Hilary Duff introduced t.A.T.u. who performed "All the Things She Said" / "Not Gonna Get Us"

Demi Moore presented Best Male Performance, that in beating out Viggo, Eminem was back out again on stage for 8 Mile.

With a grin your new neighbor Keanu was out to present Best Movie with the Two Towers, Barbershop, 8 Mile, Beast of Bards and Spider-Man up for it. Two Towers was named and Viggo helped you back up to your feet for your group to head up together so that you could all sneak out at once.

Back in the middle of actors on your way through the crowded back halls to a side door where the limo were waiting Ian claimed hold of your hand luring a curious smile across your lips catching his eye. Low and close to you he asked in a murmur, “I might have been mistaken, however, was it true, I heard that you had come out as queer?”

“I, how did you hear that?”

Smirking at you he replied shifting to avoid another celeb passing by him, “As you always say my dear, everyone has ears.”

Softly you exhaled and avoided a statuesque model passing between you and the wall mid gulp of her martini from one of the mini parties in the back room she was exiting then came back to his side saying, “Well. I always knew I was something, but one of the Queens who does my hair helped me realize I’m ace.”

Parting his lips, “Truly one of a kind you are in every angle of you.”

That had you giggle and say, “Well I always used to just call myself Tigger, from Winnie the Pooh.” That had his brow tick up till you said, “Cuz I’m the only one.”

Lowly he chuckled and replied, “You are not. And I must say welcome. There are very few even rumored ace performers in the world. You are in fine company even I have heard through a friend that I’m Marilyn Monroe’s journals there is evidence she was possibly ace herself. So very fine company indeed. You are not the only one.”

You smirked again, “Then we all must be blindfolded in this forest because we are exceptionally hard to find and silent as ever in our own confusion.”

That had him chuckle through your soft giggle causing Viggo in front of you to steal a grinning glance back at you two ensuring you hadn’t been lost. “True it is a difficult thing to voice I can imagine. Does your father and Richard know?”

“Oh ya. I mean they knew before I had the name. Dad used to take it as I was a June Cleaver with only eyes for my hubby I was head over heels for. Nothing to be cross about. Rich’s brother Chris is a bit jealous he loved the nickname ace when they were kids. Always wanted to be his name when they played cowboys or race car drivers,” widening the grin across Ian’s face. “I tried explaining it to Lee before but like most teenagers I tried to express the meaning behind how I saw people, I guess, intimately, it all sort of got muddled. So he’s happy for me, still doesn’t get it really but I suppose it’d be hard for him to. Always saw it like the Titanic, no one really got how that marvelous beauty could drown. But everyone on the Titanic is saying you didn’t see that fucking iceberg come out of nowhere.”

“Well put.” He chuckled out and let you go first through the door Viggo was holding for you leading outside. “Very well put.”

Pt 41