#We want people to get on board eagerly and wholeheartedly!

[solarpunkani]

You know what, while I'm doing hot takes. And this one may be obvious considering I'm actively contributing to hosting the Solarpunk Aesthetic Week event but like.

Dear everyone who's constantly deriding the aesthetic portions of the solarpunk movement/genre; do you just not understand that being able to visualize the future you want is immensely important to being able to work towards it? Being able to get other people on board with it?

When I first got interested in Solarpunk, it wasn't for the hot leftist takes about the top ways to dismantle the government for the people, or top tips on how to build your own solar panel apparatuses. What brought me in? Visions of a hopeful future. I learned and began to love the rest as I dove deeper into solarpunk circles, but there is no denying that my first intro to it--and likely many people's first intro to it--was via the art and aesthetic spheres. The term 'solarpunk' was literally coined to refer to the aesthetic movement, and we've been building up from there ever since.

'When are people going to realize the aesthetic parts don't matter and what really matters is praxis--' dude, the aesthetic parts do matter. Inspiring people does matter. Showing people visions of a hopeful future is immensely important, it's why so many people join this movement. We see glimpses of what a hopeful future could look like, through beautiful art or riveting stories, we're inspired by things like stained glass and organic designs and statues and fashion concepts--and then we think to ourselves 'how can we help make this future happen?' And we learn the praxis and we work towards the goals and we share it with others because that's just how we work.

Seeing isn't always believing, but sometimes in order to believe in something with your whole heart, it helps to be able to visualize what you want. For yourself and for others.

So yes. The aesthetic parts of solarpunk do matter. Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk.

[namjoonswifey99]

What The Heart Wants Pt.6

Billy Hargrove X Reader

Warnings : Cursing , Bullying , Harassment , Billy being Billy 

Author Note: Hope You Enjoy This Chapter and I apologize this was supposed to be out but ive going though a rough patch with my family so i hope you understand.

Billy walked over to Y/N and Max; he couldn't help but overhear Susan talking to the police.

“ Sir please i just want my little girl I don't do anything else but her.” Susan says trying to calm her breathing from crying so much

“ Ma'am, your daughter stated she wants to go with her step brother and his girlfriend. We are gonna have to take you downtown for questioning. This isn't the first time Mrs.Hargrove.”  Officer Powell asked why detaining her.

Susan started to protest but saw that was Max was looking at her and stopped and held her head down and started walking with the officer.

“ I'm so sorry you guys had to see that, that wasn't what I was going for, I just wanted to get our stuff so we can move in.” Billy says looking sad he never wanted Max or Y/N to see that side again. Billy then looks towards Will who was just wide eyed.

“ Hey Will right i'm sorry you had to see that I truly didn't mean for you to see that.” Billy says with an apologetic look. Will looks up at Billy, surprised by the story Jonathan and Max told him.  He doesn't seem so bad hopefully they can be friends

“

“ It's okay Billy i understand”. Will says, accepting his apology. 

Y/N then runs up and pulls Billy into a hug and just embraces him Y/N was so proud of Billy he finally stood up against his father. “ im super proud of you baby” Y/N says kissing Billy’s cheek 

Hopper looked at the two teenagers and smiled. It was rare for guys like Billy. He's honestly happy that he has this chance to make his life right with the right people by his side. 

“ Come one let’s get some more stuff out the house and go to Y/N place” Billy says while getting his key from Y/N . “ Yessss so i can more stuff then i intended” Max says while shouting in excitement to bring more of her things. “ Well as long as it fits in the car we'll just get a truck to move it”. Billy says while correcting Max he doesn't want his car to be too crowded. “ You guys don’t need a bed or dressers. My parents got you guys covered with bedding just more clothes and stuff you can fit”. Y/N says while fixing the trunk to make room.

----- 1 Hour Later----

After an hour later they arrived at Y/N house. Her and Billy explained what happened at his fathers house . Y/N and Billy starts to explain what had happened down at his fathers house and how he was gonna move forward to have sole custody of Max and to be filed down as independent. 

“ That’s a very good plan Billy and you know you and Max can still for however long you like it’s no problem to us you were already family from the beginning” Y/N mother Angelina says while putting the cookies in the oven. 

“ I agree with my wife you can stay however long you like” Y/N father Tremaine says while putting the sodas in the freezer. 

“ we definitely appreciate the love and roof you're giving me and max I won’t let you down” Billy says while looking at them. 

“ You don’t have to prove anything baby, we love you just the way you are flaws and all “ Y/ N says as she looks at Billy with full love in the eyes.

“ BABY” Both of Y/N parents shouted at the same time. 

“ Ummmmm yea as of today me and Billy are together “Y/N says while looking down shyly. To shy look at her parents reaction. 

“ Ha I knew it Tre you owe me 40$ bucks” Angelina says happily she knew they was gonna get together 

“ Man you guys couldn’t wait till next week I could’ve had extra money” Tre says pulling out the 40 dollars to hand to his wife. 

“ You are not mad about us” Billy says confused because growing with a dad like his a relationship between him and Y/N would be frowned upon. 

“ never we don’t care as long as you live and respect our daughter that’s all that matters” Tremaine says to Billy while tenderly holding Angelina to him. 

Y/N was about to say something when the doorbell rang, she gets up to ask who it was when a familiar voice called out. 

“ Y/ N your favorite person in the whole wide world is here “ 

“ No I’m Y/N favorite you can ask her herself” 

“ No Y/N loves me more she makes me more food than any of you” 

“ Well Y/N be at my house almost every other day with my sister so I get to see her more than any of you” 

Y/N knew right there it was the rest of her miniature best friends. 

“ Well all you are wrong Y/N loves me more and I’m living with her” Max says with a smug look on her face as Y/N opens the door. 

On her porch stands Lucas , Dustin , Eleven, and Mike with Steve standing behind them. 

After Max’s statement chaos was issued.

“ What no way, no fair” Dustin whines in disbelief. 

“ Yea what Dustin said , How come max stays” Lucas says while looking offended. 

“ Well it’s easier for you doofus . She like me more” Max says sticking her tongue out at the boys. 

“ That means we can have all the sleepovers and waffles we want” Eleven says with a bright smile on her face. 

“ Okay now listen I love you all the same your all my favorites I can’t just choose one”. Y/N says trying to mediate the situation. 

“ What about me guys? I can be as cool as Y/N” Steve said with a cocky grin. 

The group just all stared at him. 

“ No offense Steve buddy but Y/N waaaaaaayyy more cooler than you by a landslide”. Mike says. 

Before Steve can retort, Billy comes to the door to see what’s taking so long and notices Steve and gives him an annoyed look. There’s one thing Billy is a lot of but he doesn’t put his hand on women. He may be an asshole and a bully but he’s no woman beater. 

Y/N felt the tension before Steve face gave it away.  Before a fight can escalate she steps in. 

“ Okay so I got 4 movies picked out then we can go to the bonus room and play some board games and before you even ask Dustin and Lucas yes I did make you guys favorite dessert”. Y/N says while ushering the kids inside the house. 

Before Steve can ask why Billy was there Y/N comes back out. 

“ Thanks for dropping the kids off for Hopper I’ll call him when it’s time to come get them, '' Y/N says with a kind smile. 

“ Uhh yeah no problem anytime” Steve says, stuttering, he wanted to apologize for his actions earlier but with Billy right there he’ll never get the chance. 

Y/N turns to leave when she notices Billy still staring down at Steve so she grabs him by the back of his shirt and pulls him in the house. 

The kids were all in the living room trying to decide which movie they’re gonna watch. 

“ Baby look at me” Y/N says, grabbing Billy’s face so he’s looking directly at her. 

“ baby you’ve changed for the better don’t let what today put you down you know I’m right here by your side every step of the way” Y/N says while looking him in the eye so he can see she really meant what she’s saying. 

“ I know baby it’s just I want them to know I’ve changed. I got my second chance at life and to do what is right and I couldn’t have done it with you my sweet angel by my side” Billy says lovingly to Y/N. 

The chemistry between Y/N and Billy is unmatched for the simple fact when it was him against the world Y/N was by his side and he will never take that for granted him and Y/N connection is way deeper than anybody can imagine. 

Y/N just continued to look at him with so much adoration in her eyes. 

“ Okay love birds we chose the movie we’re waiting on you guys now”. Max says with an eye roll. 

Y/N and Billy walked into the living room but not before Y/N leaned down and whispered in Max’s ear. 

“ don’t worry max I have a grand plan for Lucas”. Y/N says walking away with a small grin on her face. Leaving a blushing max in her wake. 

— 2 Hours Later —-

After the movie ended Y/N looked over at the clock and noticed it was 7:40. It looks like they only have time for one game before she has to call Hopper. 

“ So I have guys listen up, it's a little late so we have time for one more movie or game whatever you guys decide”. Y/N says while pulling out the games from the chest. 

After about 5 minutes they decided on watching another movie before they left. 

“ So Max I heard there’s this boy whose been crushing on you for a while” Y/N says teasingly. Y/N signaled for Max to play along if one thing Y/N knows about men is that they’re extremely possessive no matter what age. 

“ Yea and I like him back hopefully he asks me to the dance” Max says with a blush on her face. 

Y/N notices from the corner of her eye that Lucas is not taking what they said well which means her plan is going accordingly. 

“ if you need my help with getting him to ask you I’ll definitely do it” Y/N says eagerly. 

Before Max can let out her response Lucas stands up and takes her and says. 

“ Would you do me the honor of my date for the winter formal?” Lucas says while looking so nervous. 

 Max pretends to think about it which makes him start sweating. More than he already was. 

“ Yes doofus of course I’ll go with you” Max says with a smile. 

Y/N was happy for Max she got what she wanted but Billy on the other hand was not so ecstatic. Y/N looked over and saw Billy with a scowl on his face. 

“ what’s wrong”.Y/N asked. 

“ Don’t you think it’s to soon for them” Billy says with a pout on his face. 

“ Awwww his the big brother feeling protective” Y/N responds teasingly. 

Billy kisses his teeth at her statement. 

“ No” was Billys only response. 

“ awww baby it’s okay it just a school dance they’ll be fine” Y/N says while kissing his cheek. 

“……. Fine but I don’t like it”. Billy says to Y/N. 

Y/N laughs wholeheartedly. He was just so precious and cute when he’s worried. 

The kids looked over at them when they heard Y/N they looked at her like she was crazy but left it alone.She was alway like that with Billy.

“ Okay kids get your stuff ready I’m going to call Hopper”. Y/N says while getting up and grabbing the house phone. 

After a while Hopper picks up. 

“ Hey Hopper the kids are ready” 

“ Umm about that I’m stuck at work and I already called their parents to see if it was okay for them to stay” 

“ What did they say”

“ Well they wasn’t to keen on Billy living there but since they trust you they allowed them to stay” 

“Okay that’s great I do have extra clothes for them especially when they stayed here during the you-know-what.” 

“ That’s great do you also think you can drop them off at school or call somebody to help” 

“ No it’s okay I’ll ask my mom in the Morning to take the kids she’ll be happy to” 

“ Okay that’s great Y/N I’ll pick up Eleven after school so will the parents except Dustin he’s going with Steve” 

“ Geats I’ll let the kids and my parents know have a good night Hopper” 

“ You Y/N Bye”

“Bye” 

 Y/N hangs up and goes back to the living room to tell the kids. 

“ Okay guys put your stuff away your spending the night here and Billy and my mom will drop you off in the morning” Y/N says while getting the extra blankets and pillows out. 

“ Yesssss Y/ N you're officially the best ever”  Max says with excitement that her friends get to stay.  

“ Well I try my best but you should really thank Hopper. He's staying overtime at work,  so Max and Eleven are rooming in Max’s room , Boys you’ll be bunking with Billy”.  Y/N  says while taking them upstairs. 

“ Actually you guys can get my room. I'll bunk with Y/N just don’t touch any of my things”. Billy says while staring them down. 

“ Billy now my parents love you and all but they will literally kill us if they find us in bed together”. Y/N says wagging her finger in a no motion. 

“ We can leave the door open, I just want to spend time with you and cuddle” Billy says while wrapping his arms around her waist to bring her closer to him.

“ It stays wide open Billy im not playing with you” Y/N says while mugging him because she was not gonna die over this man even though she do love him her parents were a different story.

“ I understand baby i promise” Billy says while sealing their lips together in a nice passion lip lock.

[dragonologist-in-the-making]

Dazzle

Pairing: George Weasley x fem!reader

Summary: At Harry’s celebration party for succeeding in the first Triwizard Tournament Task, the reader and George finally give into their feelings and admit the tension between them

a/n: not too sure how I feel about the start of this but I ended up quite liking it, so hopefully you enjoy!! This is my first George fic, but I have a newfound appreciation for the twins so don’t expect it to be the last!! (no worries though Charlie baby, you’re still my favourite Weasley). Warnings my poor writing and I haven’t edited at all pls forgive it’s nearly midnight xx (oh and implied sexy times but nothing detailed at all, a glorified make out session)

Wordcount: 1.3k

…

Gryffindor house liked to party on any occasion that called for it. Won a Quidditch match? There’d be an all-nighter, students barely recovered by the Monday morning. Win the House Cup? The party would still be going on until everyone boarded the train home for summer. So, it was no surprise when the announcement had come that there would be a party held that night, in honour of Harry Potter making it through the first stage of the Triwizard Tournament. Not just made it through, but came second place, bringing a brilliant excuse to the boisterous teenagers.

The party was already in full swing before Harry had even come into the Common Room, the infamous red headed twins having started at the earliest opportunity, passing around the fire-whisky as the music was cranked up. Well, there were no classes for the next two days, may as well make the most of it.

What the twins were unaware of, was y/n sat in one of the armchairs, her legs draped over the edge as she absently swirled her glass, faintly hearing the chiming of ice cubes against glass, watching them bounce around the room, filling it with their light. One of the twins, specifically. Although they looked identical there was a way that George Weasley carried himself that stirred something inside of her, a delicious mix of butterflies and something less innocent, that burned in the most addictive way.

Being from a different house, they didn’t get to speak to each other much, a fleeting comment in the classes they shared, but he always sat next to his twin and she with her friends. The few conversations they had shared all tended to be extremely flirty in nature, something Fred had picked up on and seemed to thoroughly enjoy. She was closer to Fred, they’d been paired together in a Charms class, and they’d gotten to know each other to pick up a random conversation whenever they ran into each other. But his brother, he remained the intriguing mystery.

And now, she sat watching them, calculating when to make her move. At the moment they were playing host, circling the room and making small talk as they went, leaving a trail of laughter behind them.

“Hey y/n. Enjoying the party?” she startled from her reverie as she heard a voice behind her. Twisting in her seat, she forced a polite smile onto her lips as she saw a clearly tipsy Cormac McLaggen tilting towards her, steadying himself with a hand on the back of her chair, perched on the arm behind her back.

“I’m sure I will be a lot more when I have more of this in me.” She remarked bluntly, waving her glass.

“Allow me.” And with that he had disappeared in the crowd, and she breathed a sigh of relief that he was gone. Ensuring she couldn’t be seen, she slipped out of the chair and into the growing throngs of people crowded in the Common Room.

Without a particular purpose, she wound her way through the crowd, moving in a loose rhythm to the music. She laughed along with everyone else when Harry finally entered and Fred and George lifted him up onto their shoulders triumphantly. The music was turned up louder, and just like that the party was in full swing.

More drinks emptied, and soon afternoon had turned into night. Some people had tired, but as word spread around the castle many others had joined, including some of y/n’s friends from her own house, who she was currently stood with, laughing and singing along to the music around them. Spotting Fred stood by himself, she excused herself and made her way over to him, manoeuvring her way past the wall of bodies.

“Freddie!” She exclaimed, hopping into the open arms he offered. She wrapped her arms around his neck, laughing as he began to sway the two of them, radically different to the tempo around them. “Epic party. Thanks for the invite.”

“Glad to see you made it, but the invite wasn’t from me, y/n/n.” he didn’t miss the way her eyes shone slightly, full of surprise and mischief. “You could at least pretend I’m your favourite.” He sighed, but couldn’t keep the smile off his face.

“You’re brilliant, Freddie. You’re just a little too tame for me.” She smirked, feeling Fred’s hand’s leave her waist and another pair encircle around her, pulling her gently towards an almost identical, and yet entirely different, body. She looked up into the chocolate brown eyes, staring at her oh-so-intensely.

They began to dance, like with Fred much slower than everyone else around them, but unlike with Fred their bodies pressed impossibly close together.

“About time you came to say hello, Georgie.” She looked up at him through her lashes, relishing in the way his irises visibly darkened. “Thought I was going to have to settle for your brother, which would have been fine, but no where near as fun.” Her breath hitched, a crack in her façade, as he leaned in and placed his mouth next to her ear, whispering so quietly she thought she would have strained to hear even without the party.

“You might want to keep your pretty little mouth closed about my brother, y/n, if you know what’s best for you.” Her heartrate quickened at his words, and his warm breath on her neck sent shivers down her spine. He pulled away, looking satisfied at her reaction, until she got that look in her eyes again and he knew it wouldn’t be that easy. It never was with her, but that was half of the fun.

“Or what?” She challenged, reaching her hands up to rest on his shirt, lightly fiddling with one of the top buttons. George’s patience snapped, and he took her hand, leading her out of the common room as she eagerly stumbled to keep up with him. They left the common room, but George didn’t stop until they were in an empty corridor, backing into an empty classroom.

The air around them was electric as the door swung shut behind them, George towering over her as he walked over to the wall, her back pressing lightly against it as she beckoned him closer.

“I’m done with the empty teasing. I want to know you, in every way, in more than this way. You fascinate me, and I’d love to know everything I can about you.” His eyes had a new intensity she hadn’t seen up close before, she could see how much he meant what he was saying. She reached out and took his hand, smiling up at him, finding his suddenly slightly nervous appearance even more endearing, and even more mysterious.

“I’m your open book.” Her other hand snaked to the back of his neck and pulled him in closer, connecting their lips. What was meant to be brief, reassuring kiss, conveying the mutuality of their feelings, turned into a passionate make-out session in the abandoned classroom, all the tension from the evening and the year letting itself out in this short, shared moment. His mouth broke away from hers, leaving a trail down her neck, leaving her almost breathless. He was like nothing she’d ever felt before.

“Hogsmeade?” He asked in between kisses. “This Friday?” She nodded, unable to find the words but wanting him to know that she wholeheartedly wanted this too. His hands were on her sides, grabbing at her, pulling her flush against him, as he continued the attack on her neck.

“We don’t have to stop this until then do we?” She asked, not sure if she could find the will to stop and wait another week until she could be close to him again.

“God no.” George sighed, breaking away for one brief second to give her his dazzling smile, causing heart palpitations, before carrying on well into the winter’s night.

[thehappyhockeymask]

Chop Top x Petite female reader

@marcychester this is....so fucking long overdue and there’s no amount of apologizing I can do to fix that, but I REALLY hope you like this little drabble. When you first asked for this I didn’t know Chop Top nearly as good as I do now and I’ve honestly come to love him??? He’s adorable in a rat kinda way.

“Git yer damn hands offa her, Bubba, or I’ll shove yer saw up your ass!”

Chop Top’s outburst is a shocking reverse of his usually goofy attitude when he enters the room today, dubbed as your ‘cell’. It’s an unlockable bedroom, but it makes Drayton feel better to call it something imposing. At this point, everyone is just humouring him to keep him calm.

You and Bubba look up at Chop Top from the floor where you both sit cross-legged, painting each other’s faces with a borrowed pot of his homemade lip rouge. It’s greasy and looks questionable, but it works.

“What’s wrong?”

ChopTop’s nervous eyes flick to you and scan the sticky mess on your slim face. He frowns, but you can tell there isn’t anger behind it. It’s too much of a pout.

“You guys are gettin’ real comfy together lately.”

It’s petulant and sort of to-the-point, and it’s entirely contrived of jealousy.

You sigh.

“Well, I can’t sit alone staring at four walls all day, I’d lose my mind.” You don’t add ‘just like you’. “We’re just face painting,” you reason.

Bubba quirks his lip up and his eyes flick between the two of you wildly, like he’s prone to do when something is confusing. He offers a stressed grunt.

You’re about to ask him to stay, but Chop Top’s situation needs some attention now, and you’ve been hanging out with Bubba for hours. “Sorry bud, me an’ Chop Top just need to talk a bit. We’ll do more face-painting another time.”

Bubba smiles, happy enough with the gentle send off. When he’s skirted out the door past a grimacing Chop Top, it’s just the two of you left alone.

“We don’t gotta talk about nuthin.”

It’s obvious you do.

“You don’t have to be jealous. Me and Bubba are just friends.”

“Yeah...”

He isn’t nearly as confrontational as jealous men usually seem to be, and it catches you off guard. He may be the type to murder people for shits and giggles, but you aren’t really sure if that actually relates much to the rest of his personality (although a good chunk of it is ptsd). Still, even if he doesn’t seem too bent out of shape, you’ve grown to like him a lot, and you want him to know he IS special.

“Do you wanna know a secret?”

Chop Top perks up instantly, his eyes bright. “Yeah!”

“I really like you.”

His cheeks get pinker, flush barely visible beneath his purple lenses but there nonetheless.

“Yeah?”

You’ve reduced his whole vocabulary to ‘yeah’.

You smile and join in. “Yeah.”

Grabbing a wet cloth off the edge of the water pitcher kept in your room, you wipe off the worst of the tackiness covering your face. It’s been starting to feel cakey.

You get up from the board floor, wiping the dust and dirt off of your pink, indented knees. It’s not as if you have nothing better to sit on, but face painting is just a sit-on-the-floor kind of activity in general. You drape the cloth over the edge of a bucket to wash out later, assuming that concoction is even washable.

“Do ya wanna go do something together?” You cock your head inquisitively with a smile.

“I sure do!” Chop Top approaches you, returning your smile with a cat-like one of his own as he lifts you under the armpits and drops you down on your bed. It’s a bit of a fall, being just an old mattress on the floor, but he doesn’t seem to feel too guilty over your startled shriek as you bounce.

“You threw me!” you squeak. Not one to linger on the petty stuff, you just giggle.

He doesn’t respond, but when he strokes a calloused hand down your cheek you take it as a sort of apology. He drops his heavily abused and burnt wire hanger on the floor without a glance.

•••••••••

Chop Top pushes a third finger into your tight channel, grinning wholeheartedly as he forces you closer and closer to completion with jerky movements.

“Whose are ya? Say it for me! Scream it!”

You choke on a gasp, but manage to force out, “You! I’m yours, Chop Top, please, fuck yes!”

“Don’t worry, pretty lady, I ain’t stoppin. Come on, get all wet.”

As if relying on his permission, you tip off the edge into and shrieking, writhing orgasm, clutching his forearm still pumping you through it for dear life. In that moment, nothing in the world is more important than his wide eyes on you and his fingers filling you, but you can’t voice the thought beyond whining moans as you slowly come back down to earth.

Chop Top doesn’t let up until you sag into the mattress, hips twitching exhaustedly. Rather than wipe his hand on the sheet, he sucks his shiny fingers into his mouth eagerly.

“Mine, all mine, my pretty little girlie.”

[allialchemy]

Merry Christmas, Little Red

It was December 21st and the whole world was coated in glistening snow. The wind was calm, the sun shone softly and the sky was enveloped in white fluffy clouds. It was a truly beautiful day. And our good old Santa couldn't wish for better weather for a trial flight before Christmas Eve.

Late in the afternoon he harnessed his trusted reindeers and took off. And indeed it was a splendid flight. Reindeers gracefully danced across the sky and the sleight glided along effortlessly. But as he was turning to go back to his domain, the wind picked up suddenly and the clouds gathered around him, swallowing him entirely. A loud thunder rung across the sky, startling the reindeers causing them to panic. Santa lost control over them and was blindly led by a terrified crew.

Too late he saw tips of the trees that made a huge forest below them. In the last second, he pulled the reins with all his strength to steer the reindeers to the side so they won't crash head-on. It was a harsh landing and the sleigh got bumped up a bit, but thankfully no one was harmed. After Santa managed to calm his fellow reindeers down, he took a closer look at the surrounding. It was a pretty large and thick forest. Taking off from the spot here was out of the question, so he needs to find an opening big enough to gather the required speed or better yet the edge. And he needs to find it quickly, for dusk was near.

Santa secured his crew and set off to find a way out. He wandered around the woods aimlessly for a long time. To ease his tired legs, Santa sat down on a stump he found in the snow. And while he sat there he pondered, how to get out of this situation.

"Hello," a little voice called.

Santa was immersed in his thoughts so much, he didn't notice a little girl walking up to him.

"Well hello there, little one," he smiled at her. She was indeed very little. Big blue eyes were

examining him thoughtfully, thin blonde braids stuck out from under the hood of her bright red cape.

"Are you all alright? You seem tired."

"I am a bit worn out, that is true. But I'll be fit again in no time."

"That's great," she smiled at him.

"Tell me, little one, what is your name?"

"My name is Susie, but everyone calls me a little red riding hood."

"And why is that?" Santa asked, amused.

"It's because of my cape that my grandma made me. See how pretty red it is?" she made a little twirl.

"Indeed it is very pretty. Pretty little cape for a pretty little lady."

"I am a pretty little lady, " she said proudly. "It's your turn now, you didn't tell me your name."

"My name is Nicolas, but people also call me differently."

"Really? How?" she asked eagerly.

"For most people, I am Santa Claus."

Susie thought for a moment. "I think I like Nicolas better. Santa sounds weird."

Santa laughed joyfully at her statement. "Well, thank you, little one. You too have a really pretty name."

"Thanks," she flashed him a bright smile.

"Tell me, Susie, what is such a pretty little lady doing in the woods all alone in such a late time?"

Susie went suddenly grim, her eyes looking beyond the thick trees. Santa waited patiently for her to answer.

"Are you a stranger?"

The question was so sudden it caught him off guard. Santa looked at her questioningly, before answering.

"What do you think little one?"

"I hope you are not. I like talking to you and your laugh sounds funny... No, I don't think you are a stranger."

Santa chuckled merrily. "Can't argue with that."

"Anyway, I am in a way to my grandma. She fell ill and mom send me to take her some medicine."

"Aren't you afraid of going all the way alone?" Santa asked.

"Nope, it's just beyond the large meadow on the other side of the lake."

"It looks you know it here pretty well. I seem to be a bit lost at the moment. Could you probably show me a way out?"

"I sure do, " she smiled. "Where do you need to go?"

"I just need to get to somewhere big and clear to be able to take off."

Susie tilted her head. "Take off?"

"Yes, I and my fellows were on a flight but we had an accident and crashed a little. Now we are looking for a way home."

"You can fly?" her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Well yes, but not alone. I need my friends to help me. Do you want to meet them? I bet they would be delighted to meet such a pretty little lady."

"That would be so awesome, " Susie practically jumped with excitement. Santa stood up and took Susie by her hand to lead them back to his sleigh.

As soon as they caught a glimpse at the red sled, Susie ran ahead to admire its beauty.

"Pretty, aren't they?" Santa said.

"Pretty? They are gorgeous!" Susie proclaimed with an eager squeak. "And what are those funny looking horses?" she pointed at them.

Santa laughed wholeheartedly. "Those are not horses, Susie. Those are my trusty flying reindeers. Would you like to pet them?" Santa smiled cheerfully.

"Can I? Yes, pretty please," she pleaded with her bright eyes.

Santa picked her up carefully and showed her all his reindeers. And she couldn't resist petting them all.

"This is Dasher and the next to him is Dancer. Cancer and Vixen are right behind them. Comet can't take a step without Cupid. Donner here is always looking for others from behind and Blitzen can't stand still for long."

"How can you tell which one is which? They all look the same."

"And yet, they are not. They are different, you just need to know where to look. Dasher has a slightly splintered antlers from when he smashed into a tree while he was learning to fly. Blitzen has a small white spot around his nose. And Cupid never leaves without his grey socks on."

"And they can really fly?" she asked disbelievingly.

"They sure can. Hey, I got an idea. Would you like to take a little flight?"

Susie now had a smile bigger than ever and her eyes sparkled like a sky full of stars.

"Ho ho ho, I take that as a yes. But we need to find a clearing first, so we can take off. Do you know someplace like that?"

Susie thought for a moment and then pointed to her right. "Over there is a huge meadow and it's not that far away."

"That's great, Susie. You are a really smart little lady. Alright, fellas, let's move on," Santa called at his reindeers and sat Susie on the seat next to him. "Comfy?"

Susie nodded and leaned forward eagerly to get a better view.

"But be careful, it might be a little bumpy," he warned her. Santa flicked with the reins and the sleigh slowly made their way through the trees. The sky took on dark blue and purple shades and the stars began to appear. The meadow truly was not far and it was large enough for a safe take-off.

"Now, are you ready?" Santa asked.

Susie looked up at the dark sky full of stars with wary in her eyes.

"Are you afraid?" Santa asked calmly.

Susie nodded nervously. "What if we fall?"

"You don't need to worry, little one," he soothed her. "My friends are extra careful when we have a guest aboard, and we won't go that fast. Tell you what, if you don't like it or get scared, just say a word and we will go down. How does that sound?" Santa offered.

Susie looked over the sky once more before giving him a determined nod.

"Alright, little one. Hold on tight," Santa whistled softly, reindeers flicked their ears and run across the grassy field to gather the right speed. And before you know it the sleigh peeled from the ground and rose into the sky.

It was a magnificent view, stars glittered all around them, and a soft breeze caressed them gently. Susie was on the edge of her seat so she could see all the trees below and stars above.

"So, do you like it?" Santa asked playfully.

"I love it! Look, there is the lake. And there are the boarding mountains. Everything looks so small down there. And the stars are much bigger and brighter up here," Susie didn't know where to look first.

"Do you see that star over there?" Santa asked her. "That's the northern star. It always shines much brighter than others and it never moves. Whenever you get lost, just follow its light and it will guide you home."

"Really?"

"Yes really," Santa chuckled. "Now, it's getting pretty late and we don't want to make your grandma worry. Where did you say she lives?"

"Right beyond that large lake we just passed." Susie reminded him.

"Alright, let's take you to your grandma. I bet she is waiting for you. Hold tight we are going to land."

The landing this time was almost flawless. Santa helped Susie out of the sleigh and set her on the ground.

"That was amazing!" she beamed. "Can we do it again sometime?"

"Hmmm," Santa thought for a moment. "Tell you what, if you promise to keep it a secret just between us, I'll come to visit you on this day every year. What do you say?"

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"You must pinkie promise," Susie demanded cheerfully and stuck out her pinkie.

"Pinkie promise," Santa hooked his pinkie with hers, sealing their vow. "Now hurry up, or you'll catch a cold."

"See you next year, Nick," Susie hugged him tightly and ran over to her grandma's house.

When she looked up to the sky for the last time, she saw the sleigh pulled by flying reindeers vanishing in the distance, and heard his cheery laugh echoing far across the land. It was all so magical and surely she wouldn't forget this night for the longest of time.

[jim-news-is-live-blog]

DJ and the Demons

For the seventeenth time in as many minutes, Jason glanced at the grandfather clock. It was tall, tall enough to fit a man (or man-shaped being) inside, and ornate, covered in faded bronze vines and flowers. The hands on the clock face ticked forward - another minute, gone. They should be here any minute now. Jason wasn’t the anxious type, but he was beginning to get worried. The directions were as clear as possible, he knew - he even put in pictures for his disaster-magnet siblings and steered clear of his usual flowery language, but the Jims were never ones for directions.

Jason took a breath, adjusting his tinted glasses on his nose and staring at the clock, willing them to arrive. It wasn’t often he get time off from his numerous clients, and what better way could he spend that time than with his family? After what felt like an eternity, the doorbell rang. Jason immediately jumped to his feet, glancing at his outfit in the mirror (immaculate, like always) before opening the door to the tide of Jims.

CJ and RJ, the reporter twins, entered first. 

‘Aha! DJ, we Jims are here! It’s very Jim to see you again. We found some demons!’ The reporter turned to his brother. ‘We are here at the home of our brother, the great and famous Drama Jim! Over and out.’

‘Oh? You did, did you?’ Jason asked, stepping aside to let the rest of the jabbering, awe-filled Jims into his home. It wasn’t by any means a large or magnificent house, but he remembered what living with the rest of the Jims was like - all this space, just for one person? Bliss. CJ turned off his camera, holding it lightly in his hands. Putting it away was out of the question - no Jim would dare to leave something so important, so crucial to their identity out of arm’s reach. 

‘Yes! It told us to sub-scri-be, whatever that means. But our reports are going well! People seem to like our show. We even managed to get a slot on a very Jim show! It was called- oh, but never mind that. How are you? How’s your new life going?’ RJ asked eagerly, microphone pointed towards Jason’s face. CJ grinned, a bright light entering his eyes as he slowly raised his camera again. Jason shook his head in regret, walking on through into the kitchen, where various Jims had already begun to raid his fridge for ingredients to make the secret foods that all Jims loved and craved, even him. 

‘I am afraid that I cannot say. My life has been busy, with all my clients, that I have had no time to enjoy a Jim away from Jim.’

‘Oh? Your clients? Breaking news! Breaking news, Jim! We have an exclusive report from the house of the mysterious DJ! DJ, have you anything Jim to say about your clients?’

Jason paused for effect, leaning on the side table. The Jims around him had stopped in their cooking, reverentially staring towards him and staying completely silent - out of respect for the interview, of course. He ran a hand through his slicked-back hair, lapping up the attention.

‘Well… I did have a client recently. The Drowned Man.’

A ripple ran through the crowd, the excitement almost palpable.

‘The Drowned Man? Did you get that, Jim? How Jim of DJ! What was the Drowned Man’s problem that needed your Jim touch?’

Jason paused again.

‘His house was plagued by… a water demon. A beast, intent on driving this poor man from his home! A water demon that dampened his ceilings, flooded his house, and nearly drowned his wife! A water demon… that covered the house with blood!’

Gasps from the surrounding Jims. RJ, too, gasped, and CJ rocked the camera slightly, he was so taken aback. 

‘Did… did you banish the demon from his home?’ RJ asked. As though the very movement pained him, Jason shook his head, pushing his tinted glasses back up his nose.

‘The demon… it left of its own accord. But for all we know, it’s still out there, waiting… ready for another poor, unfortunate soul to drown in misery, despair, and… blood. However! I will be ready! When the demon comes again… I will stop it, once and for all!’

And with that, the Jims broke out into thunderous applause. Jason smiled, and then grinned. He had forgotten it. The joy, the… the fun that came with being with his numerous siblings. Of course, he was more of a fan of drama and mystery, but the mad, chaotic fun and the way they threw themselves wholeheartedly into everything… it was intoxicating.

‘Wow! How incredibly Jim of you, DJ! I’m sure that demon won’t know what hit it! And now back to you in the studio, Jim.’ 

With that, CJ lowered his camera and slung the strap over his shoulder - no more broadcasts, at least for a little while. They were safe. They were home. RJ smiled broadly at Jason.

‘Is it safe to… be ourselves here?’

‘Of course. I set up the wards myself.’

‘That’s very Jim of you, DJ!’ RJ grinned, and then, suddenly, he wasn’t RJ anymore.

Of course, he still looked relatively the same, but the demon standing before Jason was tall, small ram’s horns spiralling up from his mass of wild hair. His nails had elongated, almost become claw-like, and with the rip of fabric two radiant, blue-feathered kingfisher wings burst from his back. 

One by one, the Jims dropped their human disguises, standing about as though they expected the door to be kicked in at any moment. When it wasn’t, they began to laugh, and chat, and become comfortable once again.

CJ, a demon with two wide eyes like camera lenses and wings so fluffy they served as sound mufflers for the interviews, looked at Jason and tilted his head.

Aren’t you going to change? The Interviews always go so much better if they know we’re like them, he signed towards Jason. 

‘Oh… oh! I almost forgot. How silly of me.’

Just like that, Jason pulled off his tinted glasses and changed, easing back into his preferred form.

He was still the same height, to his constant annoyance, but his eyes - always a deep mauve, like his suit - flickered with a bright, changing light. He grew talons, and sharp fangs, his tongue elongating and splitting like a snake’s. He had no wings, and no shadow either. A faint mauve aura flickered to life around him, and Jason relaxed fully. He was free, finally.

‘Jiblings! Gather round!’ called RJ. The demons from all over the house heard, and, almost at once, gathered into a large crowd around RJ. The reporter Jim raised his head, struggling to be heard over the chatter of the family. In frustration, he flapped his wings once and rose onto the island in the middle of Jason’s kitchen, standing proudly, microphone in hand.

‘My family! We are gathered here today not just to meet with DJ and find out about his very Jim life, but we are also here for an Interview!’

Stomps and cheers, calls from the demons so loud and full of vigour that the glasses in Jason’s cupboard rattled and clinked dangerously. RJ raised his hands, quieting the Jims.

‘Now, for the Interview to work and for us to make any demons we find happy and less alone, we need the Jimgredients! Bring out… Mother Jim’s secret Jim pie!’

The crowd parted reverentially as two of the most skilled Cooking Jims walked forward, a steaming pie on a large, white-and-blue ceramic plate (the best that Jason had) held above their heads. They placed it next to RJ, who nodded in thanks.

‘Next! The Ooh-ja board of Hell!’

Once again, a gap in the crowd, and two demon Jims - lucky devils, getting to carry the ouija board - walked up to the island and reverentially placed the board by his feet. Jason had tried time and time again to tell his brothers that it wasn’t pronounced ooh-ja, but they never listened. His admonishments were like water sliding off a duck’s back.

‘And now… bring out… Sarah! The most important part for making our friends feel welcome!’

Another gap in the crowd, but this time, the demons walking through were met with applause and coos from the demon Jims on either side. Carried between the two demons was Sarah - an incredibly furry Collie who always seemed to be grinning a doggy grin. The only indication that she was actually a hellhound was the way her fur seemed to smoke at the edges, or the way her eyes were tar-black. She was still incredibly cute. Jason, as he watched her leap from her handler’s arms and onto the island next to RJ, felt a soft smile being tugged onto his lips. He tried to grit his teeth and force it down, but it was too much. Sarah was just too sweet. With all the Jimgredients prepared, RJ called a list of the Jims who would perform the interview, and thankfully, Jason’s name was on the list. The troupe of demons walked solemnly into his study - the room that was the most free of clutter - and began to set up the ouija board in total silence. Well. Near-total silence - Sarah’s panting and her rhythmic thumping of the floor with her tail brought a small smile to every Jim’s face as they worked. 

Eventually, with the smell of the pie wafting throughout the room, red and white candles lit and the curtains drawn, the Jims all placed their hands on the marker for the board (CJ held Sarah’s paw in place, too). RJ looked over at Jason, his eyes glowing night-vision green in the dark. Jason understood immediately, and smiled. He didn’t acquire the title of Drama Jim for nothing, after all.

‘Jims, we are gathered here today to sit, and talk, and make new and wonderful friends. We all know who we are and what we have done, but our lonely, trapped friends on the other side may not. If you are listening out there! We are not humans, calling on you for a joke! We are demons, just as you are! We are Jimus Demonous, and we are stuck here in the mortal plane just as you are stuck in Hell. I - we - all know what being in Hell is like. It’s miserable, and lonely, and always just too hot for comfort. So, to alleviate your pain, or boredom, or simply if you just want to have a chat - we Jims are here for you. And if that doesn't convince you, we have Mother Jim’s famous pie! Legendary throughout Hell for its outstanding flavour, it is still warm from the oven! We also have Sarah. Say hi, girl!’

Sarah barked. The Jims cooed and patted her, stroking her fur and scratching her chin. Sarah looked immensely pleased with herself. Suddenly, the marker began to move beneath Jason’s finger.

‘It’s happening! We- we’ve found someone!’ RJ stage-whispered. Jason nodded, keeping his eyes fixed on the marker. Despite being the only Jim to hold the title of Drama Jim, he had never really done anything… important before. He had been making that speech up on the fly, and luckily, it had worked. The marker began to judder and shake, and then…

‘It’s rising! It’s rising!’ RJ whispered, his green eyes wide with terror. Ah. So that wasn’t a common occurrence for an Interview, then.

‘Keep concentrating!’ Jason hissed. ‘They must be really powerful! They might not even be trapped in the inbetween - they could be contacting us directly from Hell! We might be able to get a message back home!’

With a shudder, the marker ripped itself from beneath the Jims’ fingers, swirling in the air. A cold wind burst from the marker, blowing out the candles and ruffling the curtains. Then, a white light so bright Jason was completely blinded, and a high-pitched ringing in his ears.

When his senses came back to him, Jason blinked and groaned, clutching his head. The room was a mess - papers strewn everywhere, the chairs which he had carefully stacked had been all turned over, and several of the candles had been knocked over and were bleeding wax onto his carpet. Oh, yes. And there was a silhouette standing - no, hovering - on top of the ouija board. Jason swallowed.

‘Friend, we greet you! It is simply wonderful that you’ve decided to meet us and have a-’

‘Jason? CJ? RJ? The Jims… I hadn’t expected to see you doing this summoning. I thought you hated demons?’ came a sonorous, fractured voice. The silhouette flickered into view, and Jason’s mouth went dry.

Blue and red aura. Grey skin. White suit. There was no doubt about it - it was Dark. And now he knew the Jims’ most closely-guarded secret. Oh, Jim.

‘Um… pranked you?’ he said weakly. Dark raised an eyebrow. CJ smacked his head into his hands. This was gonna be one long, long Interview, all right.

-woo just a fun little demon!jims fic!! hope you liked it!!

-clumsy jim

[jaineym]

Airport

Prompt: You and Jungkook had been dating for roughly a year, but had never met in person due to the long distance. You finally take a trip to Seoul, excited to see your best friend of three years and soulmate,

Pairing: Jungkook x Reader

Genre: F L U F F,,, teeny tiny drop of angst??

Word Count: 1,138

You smiled giddily, unable to believe that you were actually about to board a plane to Seoul. You had been saving up for so long for this trip, and couldn’t believe that today was actually the day that you were going to fly to see him.

*

It started out as just friends, like most relationships do; you had met each other about three years ago through a friend of yours that happened to help compose music with the Korean boyband, BTS. You hadn’t heard much of them at the time, as they weren’t very popular globally, but now you see them everywhere, and wholeheartedly support the extremely popular Kpop group.

You and Jungkook started out texting in a group chat that your friend had made with some other friends of his and yours, then you began to text privately. Texting went to calling and calling went to video chatting, and your feelings for the boy grew rather quickly, and little to your knowledge at the time, he felt the same feelings towards you.

Both of you were too afraid to admit feelings for a really long time, and your friendship got so strong that you were both scared to jeopardise it by revealing your true feelings for one another.

It wasn’t until late 2016 when you two had been video chatting, but you had a big day so you were rather tired and ended up falling asleep on call to him. This wasn’t the first time it had happened, so Jungkook just stayed on call, as he found the rising and falling of your chest accompanied with your light snores comforting.

It was very very quiet, almost inaudible, but Jungkook heard you loud and clear when you had mumbled “I love you, Kookie”, almost falling off his bed as you spoke. His eyes were wide as he wondered whether he should say it back or end the call or wake you up. So much was going through his mind, so he just spoke back, “I love you too, y/n.”

The next day, he decided to call you again (more like Namjoon forced him to after he told him what had happened in the previous call), and after a lot of awkward avoidance on his behalf and confusion on yours, he asked if you wanted to go out with him.

“How are we going to make the long distance thing work?” you recall asking him.

“We’ve been going pretty good for what, two years now?” Jungkook smiled sheepishly.

“Well, it’s worth a try,” you grinned joyously at the nervous boy through the computer screen, “Yes, Jungkook, I’ll go out with you.”

“Wait, really?” Jungkook’s eyes were wide as his bunny smile made an appearance on his features.

“Yes really,” you laughed at his reaction, continuing to talk to him about other things before telling him you had to go. As soon as you got off call you basically jumped throughout your house in excitement.

*

So now here you were, on the plane to Seoul to see your friend of three years and boyfriend of one year for the first time and spend your Christmas and New Years with him and his six friends.

With earplugs playing music that sang throughout your whole body you drifted off to sleep, your subconscious mentally preparing yourself for what was before you.

*

“We are now landing in Seoul, thank you for flying with us today,” the pilot spoke through the intercom, causing all of your excitement and anxiousness multiply by about 357929 times.

When it was safe to, you unbuckled your seatbelt, collecting your carry on from above you before exiting the plane. Taking your phone off flight mode, you were bombarded with texts from Jungkook saying how excited he was to see you and that he’d be at the airport waiting for you.

You put your phone back in your pocket, the butterflies in your stomach fluttering around endlessly as you wondered what he’d think of you. What if he imagined you to be different; to be better? He could basically get any woman he wanted, and here you were feeling below average as you were about to meet your boyfriend in person for the first time, who just happened to be a famous idol.

Anxious and excited thoughts bounced through your head as you walked into the airport behind the other passengers of the plane, searching frantically for the brown haired boy the you had seen so many times on your computer screen.

Your eyes landed on a young man in a large black coat and jeans, a black cap on his head as a mask covered part of his face, his wide doe eyes searching through the people entering the airport eagerly. You knew before your eyes had locked that he was your Jungkook.

“Y/n!” he exclaimed as his chocolate brown eyes found yours through the crowd, pulling his face mask down to his chin before advancing to where you were at the speed of light.

“I can’t believe you’re here, in front of me right now,” he smiled his all too familiar bunny smile, engulfing you in the tightest and most loving hug you had ever experienced before you could even say hello.

After what felt like minutes, he finally loosened his grip on you enough to meet your eyes again, “This is so unbelievable, I’ve imagined seeing you in person so many times but this is so much better than I ever could have imagined.”

“Hi,” you smile back meekly, your cheeks reddening slightly as you try to memorise all of his features, from his eyes that are crinkled from smiling so much to the few freckles on his cheeks, “I can’t believe I’m here either, trust me.”

Jungkook laughed softly, his eyes wandering to your lips as he licked his own, “May I- uh, may we- you-”

You laughed at how flustered he had gotten, leaning forward to meet your lips with his soft pair, shocking him for a second before he closed his eyes, kissing you back delicately as if you could break at any second, his hand on your cheek, the other resting lightly on your waist.

“That,” Jungkook spoke breathlessly after your lips had parted, “Was everything I’d dreamed.”

“Mr Jeon, I didn’t think that you could get any cheesier,” you giggled at his reaction to this all.

“That really hurts,” he places a hand on his chest, mocking pain, “In all seriousness, I’m so happy to finally see you, I love you so much.”

“And I love you, Kookie,” you smiled up at the brunette, meaning every syllable that fell from your lips. You loved this boy so much, and seeing him in person only solidified your statement.

You wanted to spend the rest of your life with Jeon Jeongguk.

———–

A/N: I might continue this with a future update, I didn’t want to make it too long so I cut it off here :’)))

[pamagrimes-blog]

Chicken Mom and The Big Eddy

“The River can kill you in a thousand ways.” ~ Paul Serone, Anaconda

As I stood on the banks of the Deschutes River in Central Oregon staring into the jaws of what I assumed would be certain death, it was Jon Voight’s voice I heard above the roar of the rapids. His infamous line from one of the worst horror flicks of all time, Anaconda, kept repeating over and in my head. There were other voices in my head that day, too, voices that screamed: “Run fool, run!”

Let me start by explaining that I’m a bit phobic when it comes to the water. I get nervous if the bathtub’s too full. But my desire to be a “fun mom” to our three sons forced me to set aside my phobia and book our family’s first white water rafting trip. So there I was, facing Class III rapids that made my heart beat faster than Trump can tap a tweet.

Our family had never been white water rafting, but our boys were anxious to try it. After some exhaustive internet research, I found Sun Country Tours in Sunriver, Oregon. They offered an entry level three hour excursion known as The Big Eddy Thriller. Sun Country’s website boasted rave reviews and photos of happy families giggling like fools as they plunged into the frothy white torrent. We, too, could be happy giggling fools, and all for the low, low price of only $60 each!

On the morning of the excursion, we arrived at the Sun Country offices in high spirits. Our boys spilled out of the van like happy puppies, anxious for the adventure ahead. At that moment it felt great to be the “fun mom.” The moment wouldn’t last long.

At the front desk, an athletic-looking young man greeted us with a stack of legal forms. “What is all this?” I asked my husband as we leafed through the paperwork. “We’re signing away our rights to sue them if anything goes hideously wrong,” he said.

Oh, snap! Shit just got real.

As I watched each of my boys sign away their rights on the dotted line, I felt my first tingling of trepidation. What kind of mother lets her kids do this? The fun kind, of course!

Once the paperwork was complete, we boarded a rickety school bus that would drive us 45 minutes north to the Deschutes National Forest. There we’d be paired with a guide and dropped into the Upper Deschutes River.

I watched the other passengers for signs of fear or concern. If anyone was nervous, they were covering it well. People chatted and laughed, seemingly unconcerned about what was to come. The sunny weather slowly gave way to overcast skies, and a light rain began to fall. I took this as an ominous sign.

I turned anxiously to my husband and asked, “Are you looking forward to this?” He pulled me close and whispered in my ear, “It’ll be a blast.” I found this of little comfort as the closest my husband had been to rafting was riding Splash Mountain at Disneyland.

After bumping our way through the forest for a few miles, the bus finally came to a halt. The driver pointed to a path and told us in broken English that we were to follow it down to the river.

Dutifully we tromped down the switchbacks to a clearing where a team of professional guides and six large yellow rafts awaited us. One young man was handing out life jackets, and I lunged at him as if we were about to board the Titanic.

We were assigned a tour guide and a raft. Our guide, Patrick, was a small, wiry guy who looked barely old enough to shave. I’d pictured someone more like Thor steering us down the river, someone who possessed the upper body strength to pull a hysterical woman from the swirling rapids. I gulped but said nothing, afraid to expose my chicken heart and lose my fun mom cred.

Our raft had a few seats left, so Patrick assigned two additional passengers to our group; Ava and her 19-year-old daughter Tiffany, or as I dubbed them; Sporty Spice and Baby Spice.

Dripping in Nike athleisure wear Sporty Spice was nothing short of an Amazon, complete with rippling biceps, perfect white teeth and a thick blonde mane. Sporty introduced herself locking my hand in a vice-grip. I tried not to wince as she crushed most of the 27 bones in my hand.

You know those buddy comedies where they match two physical opposites? That was Sporty Spice and me. I was the Jonah Hill to her Channing Tatum. Sporty was the alpha-female, a blond Xena Warrior Princess, while I was the poser in cheap aqua shoes and a tattered baseball cap.

Sporty Spice offered to take the bow position as she was an “experienced power rower.”

Of course, she was.

“These Class III Rapids are child’s play,” Sporty scoffed. “I’ve been down class V rapids; you wear a helmet for those.”

Our guide Patrick seemed overly impressed, confessing he’d never even seen Class V rapids. This exchange did nothing to boost my confidence in him. It looked as though our lives would be in the hands of Sporty Spice. I prayed she was as tough as she looked.

Before climbing into our raft, Patrick announced the middle seat was open. It was the safest spot in the boat and came with a panic strap. My hand shot up. “I’ll take it if no one else wants it!” I offered a little too quickly. My boys shook their heads.

Uncool.

I’d outed myself as the chicken of the group. I wanted to be the brave mom but let’s face it; Sporty Spice had that job locked down. “You’ll be fine,” Sporty said slapping me on the back so hard that I gagged on my gum.

We shoved off and eased downriver toward the first group of Class I Rapids. They were a snap. I began to relax and unclenched a little. Next up were the Class II Rapids. These were a little wilder but thrilling, and our team navigated them with ease.

Between rapids, Patrick pointed out various lava rock formations, Osprey nests and other local points of interest. My boys were having a blast, smiles all around. Fun mom comes through again! I was beginning to think this white water rafting thing was a piece of cake. But that feeling would be fleeting.

As we rounded the bend, Patrick announced we’d be going ashore to scout the upcoming Class III Rapids so that he could explain some necessary maneuvers. Securing our raft, we trudged through the water and hiked uphill into the forest to get a better view of the rapids below.

When I first laid eyes on those rapids, I froze. I was unable to conceive that my entire family, would momentarily be careening down them on what amounted to a flimsy rubber sheet.

These were nothing like the rapids we’d experienced. What lay before us was a churning, roaring torrent of water, a river wild, thunderous and dangerous with sheer drops at every turn. My stomach began to percolate.

As everyone eagerly gathered to view the river, I hung back reviewing my options. I could walk back to Sunriver, sure it was a 30-mile trek, and I was in the middle of the freaking Deschutes Forest but what was my alternative? Panic set in. I was trapped. There was only one way out, and it was over those churning rapids.

Suddenly I didn’t give a rat’s ass about being fun or cool or brave. I was the chicken mom and would embrace it wholeheartedly!

While I kvetched, Patrick explained how to stay afloat on the rapids if thrown from the raft. My mouth went dry, and I clutched Patrick’s arm. “Do you mean we might go down the rapids….without the raft?” Patrick patted my hand and assured me that many people claim it’s the best part of their trip.

What???

Nowhere on Sun Country’s website did it claim “You’ll have a jolly old time when you’re tossed from the raft and sail down the rapids on your ass.” To add to my anxiety, Patrick began checking our life jackets, because as he put it, “If not tightly cinched, the river could rip them from our bodies.”

Was this guy messing with us?

Suddenly our happy family rafting trip had turned into The River Wild, Anaconda and Deliverance all rolled into one. I could almost hear the strains of banjo music wafting through the breeze.

“The river can kill you in a thousand ways.”

“You seem a little nervous, Pam,” Patrick said cinching my life jacket. I nodded vigorously, unable to contain my mounting fear. “Did the profuse sweating, dilated pupils, and dry heaving tip you off?” I asked. Patrick merely smiled and reassured me we’d be okay.

Having no other option, I hoisted myself back into the raft, grabbed ahold of the panic strap, and put on a brave face. “Okay, let’s do this thing!” I barked.

As we shoved off the embankment, Patrick threw out one last warning. “Whatever happens — stay away from the jagged lava rocks, they’ll shred our raft.”

I threw up in my mouth. Just a little.

Oars poised we headed downriver and into the gaping maw of the rapids. Our group navigated the first two sets of rapids with precision, dodging and weaving through the heavy water. The last of the Class III Rapids lay before us. Every muscle in my body was clenched and ready for the drops and turns we were about to face.

We took the first drop and found ourselves heading directly into a solid wall of water. The wave crashed over us, drenching us and sending our boat directly toward the jagged rocks. The jagged rocks Patrick had just warned would “shred our raft.”

There was a moment of quiet panic as, collectively, we realized we were about to get deeply screwed. In a split second, Patrick was yelling commands. “Back, back, row back! NOW!”

Without an oar, I felt helpless and having nothing else constructive to do I repeated Patrick’s directives. “Back! Back! Back!” I shrieked. Sporty Spice sprang into action, rowing backward with the strength of ten Amazons, plus two!

Thanks to teamwork we narrowly avoided the jagged rocks. Once out of harm’s way we could relax and enjoy the rest of our tour. We bounced through the final group of Class II Rapids and pulled ashore where our bus awaited us. The trip was over. We’d made it.

Once ashore Sporty Spice asked me how I liked my first white water rafting experience. I had to be honest, as phobic as I am, it was unforgettable. And now that I was safely on dry land I could admit that it had been thrilling.

That day on the Deschutes I came face to face with my worst fear. I had no way out, no way back and no choice but to forge ahead. Fear is part of being human, but sacrifice is part of being a mom. In the end, my desire to create an unforgettable memory for my boys outweighed my chicken heart. I’m not saying I managed it with any amount of dignity or aplomb. But at least I DID it.

Now that they’ve had a taste, my boys can’t wait to go white water rafting again. They’re busy planning next year’s trip; a half day excursion down Class IV Rapids. Will I go? Of course! What else would a fun mom do?